I read the previous Yelp reviews so I was ready for a two star experience. But maybe because of the reviews I was expecting the worse and hoping for the best. When I was greeted with a chilly welcome, I decided to counter with a cheery "Happy Valentines Day, how's business tonight?" The receptionist immediately warmed up. Same with our server. He was acting all New Yorkish until I made small talk with him. He even gave me insider tips on what not to order. (thanks cuz!) My dining experience was fabulous. The Oyster Foie Gras was three cooked oysters on the half shell, each topped with a half inch cube of duck liver and Teri sauce. Sashimi salad had six pieces of fish and whole baby romaine lettuce leaves topped with an awesome oil infusion. For entree I had the black cod which was a huge chunk of fish marinaded perfectly in a savory sweet sauce. The Buri Bap was also very flavorful. It was mixed tableside and artistically presented in the heated clay hot pot which kept the food warm throughout the meal. We sat outside under the tent next to a fireplace. The inside dining looked austere and the tables were very close to each other so i'm glad we were outside. The ambience outside has a casual feel, although can be a bit noisy with the street and mopeds buzzing around. Still, it was nice to see the sky and masts from the boats docked in the Ala Wai Harbor. The very enjoyable dinner was marred by the parking situation. You see, we had parked our car in the parking structure across the Ilikai. The parking lot attendant didn't accept Morimoto's validation stamp and made us go back to the restaurant. The restaurant directed us to the valet downstairs for yet another stamp. There is some miscommunication going on between the two buildings and we were caught in between their squabbles. In the end it all worked out, but we wasted an extra 15 minutes going back and forth between the two buildings.
(4)
David L.
Couldn't get dinner reservations (you need more than six weeks lead, apparently), but had no problem getting in for lunch. We had our choice of indoor or outdoor seating and opted for the open air. The service was exceptional; they had no problem that we were not in a hurry. The food -- both hot and raw -- was of the highest quality and different enough to pose a culinary challenge without turning off my two teens. To top it all off, Chef M dropped in for lunch and gracefully took a break from his own meal to pose for pictures with the family. It was like hanging out with Elvis for food nerds like us! We'll definitely be back.
(5)
Jamie Z.
We liked everything about our experience here. The food was beautiful and the taste matched. Our server was attentive and kind. It was really loud which surprised me...the loud doesn't match the relaxed calm setting. It was probably from everyone ooohing and awwing over their plates.
(5)
Ming Z.
I almost gave 4 stars. But for the price, and the name behind it, we did expect better food and service.
(3)
Stacey K.
Spent a night here in June 2014 for an anniversary dinner. We decided on the Omakase. Chef Morimoto was in the kitchen that evening. Highlight of the entire night was watching him interact with staff for a short time in the open kitchen. Service was slow, waiters were flustered and stated that they were having a rough night because chef was in the restaurant. Took almost 2 and a half hours to finish our courses. I understand multiple courses and having dinner be about the experience, but this was a bit excessive. Would not recommend the Omakase. Over priced for the selection. Overall, we had been planning this for a very long time, and the evening left much to be desired. We will probably not be back. Much better offerings for the price to be found in O'ahu.
(3)
A S.
Morimoto's is located in the modern hotel, up the stairs and right before you get to the pool area. There's plenty of places to sit and wait incase you have to wait for a table or your significant other haha. Once you go in you're greeted by most of the staff, and seated promptly in a large dining area which also has outdoor seating. We were there on a Friday night and the fireworks show is right outside morimoto's. Our waitress was kind and gave us ample time to look over their menu. Personally, not a great place to have a date because it's hard to talk over the noise around you. We ordered sushi and appetizers. The oysters were delicious; we had half a dozen and they were smaller but definitely tastier, but I wished we had ponzu, lemon and tobasco sauce! The sashimi combination looked awesome, and pretty fresh. Morimoto's sake flight was a first for me. I liked 3/5 sakes and they give you a pretty decent amount per sample. I was a bit disappointed with the uni and considering for the price you pay it should be absolutely fresh, and not taste a couple days old. Morimoto also validates parking and be sure to get it validated before you leave or be prepared to pay $16!! It was a nice first experience to try it but I doubt I'll go back to this location again.
(3)
Alessandra T.
Expensive but well worth it! ALL OF IT IS YUMMY. And so convenient if you stay inside this hotel. Def will come back!
(5)
LL N.
same as before......whatever....plenty of better sushi in town. a lot of hype for nothing. sit at the bar and get a martini, pretty good.
(2)
Terry N.
I have to say that after reading all the comments I was skeptical on this place but I really what to see for myself if it was that bad. It was a Monday night and the patio seating was all packed. So I guess business is good. Our orders came very quickly and the food quality was amazing. Salmon from Australia, Uni from California ,Sake from Morimoto 's own winery in Japan. EXCELLENT. Glad I gave it a try.
(5)
Leslie B.
I was so surprised to see the poor ratings. A group of 8 of us went for dinner and had the Omakase menu. It was a 7 course tasting menu and probably one of the best dinners I've ever had. The servers were spot on in describing every course and the presentation was amazing! If there is one negative it's that there was too much food. The 5th course was 6 pieces of nigiri and I could only manage one but shared with others in the party. The toro and hamachi tartare was amazing. Next was hot oil sashimi- hot oil poured over raw fish which basically cooked it. So Ono. fois gras chawanmushi was a custard with fois gras infused. It was very good but very rich so beware. . The kelp tea served right after helps counteract the Chawanmushi. Bagna cauda is fondue style with assorted veggies that you dip into a sauce of garlic, anchovy and olive oil which is served heated with a votive candle to keep it hot. Be careful though because you can easily tip it over. Surf n turf was next. Lobster tail, wagyu beef and pork tenderloin. Oh and if you're still hungry butter mochi and banana ice cream. Wine pairings throughout dinner were great. Food and service was excellent. I can't wait to return!
(5)
Adam K.
This place is extremely decadent & well laid out, open kitchen design with a sushi bar in front. Obama was here the night before which made me want to try it more. Presentation is clean & modern. I really love the decor, super stark white & chrome with splashes of green & brown to mimic the ocean front. We sat out on the lanai which was wonderful. They have a curious little couch area with a fire going next to it, very cozy. The view overlooks the marina. Yamazaki 12 yr scotch whiskey - Japan. Whiskey was spelled wrong on the menu. Kinda harsh, not very complex. Glenlivet - Ah that's better. Really awesome space, cannot emphasize that enough. Spicy King Crab Legs with Fries & American Cheese - the server proudly informed me that the fries accompanying the king crab legs had american cheese on them. Gross. I don't want to know what is in oreo filling either. These were really good however. Sushi & Sashimi - got a bunch of different ones, all fresh and tasty. Presentation could have been better. Kinda boring & for $14 a roll, I wanna see some confetti! Loco Moto - This is a dish that is on every Hawaiian restaurants menu, so I had to try the expensive, ritzy version of it. Really good. Wagyu beef in a yum gravy that was split right down the middle with rice forming 2 half circles and a fried egg on top. Fried fish - I ate the face. Morimoto Rouge Pilsner - Tasty and unique. Label is cool, check my photo. Ice cream desser - Meh, ok. Not great. 3 ice cream scoops, green tea, mocha & vanilla bean. I wish I got the Peanut Butter one. MAAAAAAAD expensive - dropped like $250 on the whole shebang. Next time, you will catch me at the sushi bar gettin simple rolls. Worth a try tho.
(4)
Dia De L.
Been here many times before and this time, prob the last . It's like someone dropped the ball. Food didn't taste fresh like before , maybe they are serving GMO and no local organic food. Sushi was ok, nothing special . Menus were dirty , disgusting , soy sauce all over them . Beat up . Same with the leather chairs holes in them , tables were beat up to . They should shut down the whole rest , remodel and rethink the menu . So many other places to eat on the island . Otherwise they should drop there prices or close up shop and open a coffee shop in the hotel .
(2)
Gavin Y.
Went to Morimoto's after some friends highly recommended it and of course Iron Chef. The atmosphere is very nice and the sea shells in plexiglass was interesting. The restaurant has been open for awhile now and there is some wear and tear on the chairs/tables/utensils but nothing too bad. The food was typical of a high-end Waikiki restaurant, meaning okay and small portions. We had various appetizers and the surf and turf to share. The highlight was actually the wait service as they were very attentive and knowledgeable about the food. Overall our experience was okay but probably won't return as there are better options out there. In response to the General Manager's reply: We tried the Morimoto sashimi, Morimoto style poke, crispy rock shrimp tempura, foie gras chawan mushi, kakuni, and takoyaki. The best appetizer was the poke and the worst by far was the takoyaki.
(3)
Vishal D.
Great food, great atmosphere. Fish was fresh. Morimoto's combination of fantastic presentation and exquisite preparation made the meal fantastic. Great service
(5)
Leslie S.
Morimoto is my favorite place so far on Oahu. It is expensive, but makes for a special evening for a romantic dinner or birthday. By far, the Foie Gras Oysters are the BEST thing on the menu and are served on top of a bed of rock salt. Morimoto has it right when it comes to presentation and the wait staff are friendly and efficient. The last time I went, my boyfriend and I both ordered the Morimoto Omakase, which is the multi-course tasting menu and we also decided to get the wine pairing. In my opinion, the wine pairing is essential in getting the most out of the Omakase. It was simply amazing and each dish was like an edible piece of art and fun to eat! Whenever family comes to visit Hawaii for the first time, this is THE place to take them for an ultimate dining experience.
(5)
itsme i.
Service is extremely slow. Waitstaff consistently reaches across the table to serve dishes. The quality of service is not befitting an upscale restaurant - at all. I ordered some sushi, which was decent but not the best I've had and certainly not worth the price. Notably, when the sushi was served and the poor employee explained what was before me...I kindly asserted that their verbal description didn't match what I had ordered or what was on the plate (the kitchen did send out the right order - the employee just didn't know what kind of fish was being served - shameful, for a sushi restaurant). The response: "oh, yah." I also ordered a steak which was completely rare (I had requested medium rare). I prefer my steaks to be incorrectly cooked on the rare side rather than the well done side, but for these prices I expect perfection. I could tell that the steak was underdone before I even cut it open - it was that soft and rare. I won't be coming back here as there are plenty of truly high end dining experiences that are better worth my dining dollars - and yours, too.
(1)
Tony A.
Crazy expensive but well worth it. Go with a big group so you can all share. That's the best way to sample a little bit of everything.
(4)
Aaron R.
I've been here with my girlfriend for our monthaversary twice this year. So here's my review. First off parking. For what I've seen, there is no big visual sign for Morimotos. Therefore to help you out I will help you to find the restaurant. You should head ongoing to Waikiki from Ala Moana beach side. You'll be on a small bridge afterwards. Stay on your right side and you'll see red lobster restaurant on your right hand side. Then turn right at the upcoming stoplight and then on your left hand side will be Morimotos. It's valet parking. I hope that will help. Secondly service. Service is great. It wasn't busy during the two time my girlfriend and I went but it does get busy during special events such as valentines day and what not. The second time Ive made RSVP they already at a record of me; I'm guessing they have a mobile number set to my information. So that was great. The food: the food was good. It wasn't a "omg" kind of good but just a "it was good" kind of good, If you get what I mean haha. I would recommend the Haupia green tea dessert though. I admit that I crave that dessert from time to time. Overall 4 out of 5 stars. The reason being that the food wasn't an "omg good" to me. Just as a side note, Morimotos is an Iron chef on the food network channel. I think it would of been nice to see him cook my food just like on TV.
Morimoto is really excellent food at commensurate prices. The service was good and the food was fantastic. We had seven people and tried a lot of dishes. One stand out was spicy crab. This is succulent crab legs, cut so that there is no mess, with an outstanding spicy sauce. The "tableside " tofu is also excellent, and is served with an array of sauces/condiments. The wagyu beef was vey tasty and super tender. Also loved the Ahi Pizza, calamari salad, lamb shank and Keahole Lobster. again, prices here are not for the faint of heart. Moromoto is into branding. His own beer is $38, but you get 25 ounces!
(5)
Cyrus H.
Stellar Sushi! The Octopus Carpaccio was fantastic - if you are an uni fan this is a must go, they offer both traditional pacific and Japanese.
(4)
Cynthia W.
Where do I start?!?! The overall experience was great! From the atmosphere, decor, food to service! Our server was Joshua and he was very infomorative on all the entrees we had. Just to let you know what we had, we choose the Morimoto Omakase ($120.00 per person) which is a 8 course meal in mini bites! The menu is seasonal from what I understand so it changes. We had an semi-early reservation (6pm) and didn't leave until 830pm, so if you are in a rush, please choose another time when you have the time to enjoy this place. For beverages I ordered the White Lily (from another reviewer'ssuggestion) and Selected Sake Flight (which I did not try, so I won't be able to critic). The White Lily was yummy and I wish I had more than just one glass. Our dinner consist of (Course 1) Toro & Hamachi Tartare, (C2) Hot oil sashimi , it was sooo good and the texture was just perfect, (C3) Bagba Cauda, (C4) Foie Gras Chawanmushi, which was a nice surprise on the flavor and texture and how it just melted in my mouth, (C5) Intermezzo which is Konbu cha, sea kelp tea, which I didn't really like because it tasted like sea water (which they do tell you), (C6) Chef's selection seasonal nigiri sushi, which it was all yummy but I wish I ask for a list of all the nigiri we had, (C7) Surf & Turf, which is by far my favorite! The lobster was perfectly spiced (the only thing is I wish they had melted butter, in case...) but it is perfectly seasoned where you really dont need anything else ...and finall, the most important course (C8) Kabocha souffle cake- DESSERT!!! It was so good and lite. Just the perfect sweet! I agree the food isn't to die for but presentation and flavor is perfect for me to want to return to every time I go back to visit. It also makes me want to visit other Morimoto to see what they have to offer. As mentioned, I took in all aspect of the restaurant to give it a 5 Stars. Atmosphere was perfect and decor was simple but elegant and classy! We sat on the patio and had a great view the entire night. I really can't seem to stop praising about it...so I will leave you with this...GO and try it! You don't need to spend $120.00 per person (like us). I beleive you will still get a great experience overall!
(5)
Jason T.
I love me this place! Let's just skip the sushi because it's amazing and you should know this already. It's Iron Chef Morimoto's place. Whatever you want it'll be awesome. Now outside of the sushi my favorite things are the pork gyoza and the yuri bop! Everything here is real good but if I could get those two things everytime I would. Also if you want sushi do the chef's choice menu. You'll get plates that look like stain glass windows. You might not eat it bc it'll look so pretty. But then you'll eat it and won't stop.
(4)
Lily B.
We went on a double date to celebrate a very special occasion with some very dear friends, and I'm SO glad we were able to join them because dining at Morimoto's was a stupendous experience from start to finish! Valet parking available. We opted to dine on the lanai. Very modern and chic restaurant both inside and out. I loved the vibe. EVERY person we walked by greeted us on the way to the table WITH a smile. The chairs were pulled out for us. Napkins placed on our laps. Prompt service! The carafe for the pineapple iced tea is very cute! See my pics. My BF started with the poke. $19 My BF enjoyed this dish. yelp.com/user_local_phot… My friends got the wagyu carpaccio. They said it was beyond delicious! yelp.com/user_local_phot… The BF and I shared the crispy rock shrimp. $18 One was a spicy sauce and the other was more of a dynamite sauce. Both were good! Served with ranch. yelp.com/user_local_phot… We also shared the pork gyoza. $16 We were trippin' out on the presentation. Once you break through the bacon foam, you enter a world of delectable gyoza goodness. I'm the queen of picky, and I thought the tomato puree would be weird, but it complimented the gyoza perfectly. Deliciousness! yelp.com/user_local_phot… We also ordered a spicy ahi roll ($10), shrimp tempura roll ($10), california roll ($10), ahi sushi ($6), and kani [king crab] sushi ($9). yelp.com/user_local_phot… Lamb shank my friend ordered. She enjoyed this. yelp.com/user_local_phot… Surf and turf my friend ordered. 6 oz steak, poke, and potatoes. The sauce with the steak was yummy. yelp.com/user_local_phot… For entrees, I got a special: lobster ravioli with lobster tempura $28. I don't eat tobiko, and I didn't know the dish came with it. I swear our waiter is a ninja and he was watching as they delivered our food and must've seen my disappointment when the dish was presented to me... because he swooped outta no where and asked if everything was ok. I said yes but my BF said I don't eat tobiko and he said he'd have another plate prepared right away. Talk about service! He was extremely nice about it and stated he wanted me to enjoy my meal. This is what the dish looked like (first time). The tobiko gives it color. As I received my dish (second time), it was cooked perfectly and the lobster was in no way overcooked (I was concerned about the tempura) but it was juicy melt in your mouth yumminess! yelp.com/user_local_phot… My BF got the other special: kajiki $30. It was served with spinach and mushrooms in a miso something sauce. It was DELICIOUS! He ordered a side of rice ($4)... I ate half of his plate haha! yelp.com/user_local_phot… For dessert, we shared the chocolate peanut butter bomb. I'm pretty sure you know what I'm going to say... it definitely was THE BOMB!!! BOMB DELICIOUS!!! And look at the pic, it's BEAUTIFUL!!! There aren't words to describe the texture and taste that was going on... it was complex but an amazing symphony of flavor... if you dine at Morimoto (which you should), GET THIS DESSERT!!! $12 yelp.com/user_local_phot… I must say, our server, JOSHUA, was OUTSTANDING. We joked around with him... he kinda looks like Michael Symon from Iron Chef!!! He said he's gotten that before lol. Okay back to Joshua, he's great. Exceptional. The BF and I have dined at many fine dining restaurants. We've even been to swanky places in Beverly Hills (where we stood out like a sore thumb lol), but lemme tell you, JOSHUA (and the rest of the staff at Morimoto), provided us with THE BEST dining experience WE'VE EVER HAD. Yes people, EVER. THE BEST SERVICE EVER. No joke. Each time I used my Splenda, boom, they took away the rubbish. Water was never more than half empty. Plates were taken away promptly. He was so patient and answered all questions with grace and ease. Each item was explained in detail when presented to us. Utensils and plates were replenished frequently. Even my iced tea and my friends iced tea... we got new carafes and glasses. The list goes on. If management from Morimoto is reading this, JOSHUA is a keeper. He's amazing! An outstanding and memorable dinner. THANK YOU Joshua and Morimoto. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!
(5)
Lefty R.
Let's say it up front, it's spendy. $120 for the omakase, but worth it. tuna tartare oil poached white fish with shoyu Japanese baugna cauda (it was the only dish I thought weak) chawan mushi infused with foie gras and served with duck breast (fantastic) 5 pieces of nigiri surf and turf: lobster claw baked in butter and spices, pork loin with mac nuts and an Australian wagyu beef filet which was fork tender. Dessert was coconut crusted mochi and ginger ice cream. Each presentation was straight from Iron Chef's kitchen stadium - amazing works of art.
(5)
Amelia W.
I'll start with the food, which was really very good. We got the wagyu and sashimi to start and both were excellent. Wagyu practically melted and the sashimi sampler was unique - stacked layers of thinly sliced fish, caviar on top and served with 5 sauces. We ordered 4 standard sushi rolls and those were good as well. I would highly recommend the bartender's special Mai Tai. Really, really tasty. The service was also outstanding - attentive but not annoying. The hotel was hosting a couple of conferences and the restaurant looked like they were accustomed to large groups. Despite the large groups the service didn't miss a beat. When we decided to stay at the Modern for our 10th anniversary trip it seemed like the natural choice for an anniversary meal. We made the reservations 1 month in advance and also informed them of the special occasion. When we arrived we were seated out on the patio, but nowhere near the ocean view we requested and near the server station. The table literally was like an afterthought table and the chairs weren't even like the other chairs on the patio - so strange! A couple of other tables for 2 in better locations were free, but those were "reserved" and still empty when we departed.
(4)
Kim S.
Ok, went back for dinner & that earned Morimoto an additional star. 1 word - Hamachi! If I have to add a 2nd word - black cod, aka butterfish. hamachi tartare - wasabi, maui onion, dashi soy - innovative presentation. Fresh, fresh, fresh. yellowtail 'pastrami' - togarashi, gin crème fraîche, candied olive - cured & tasted like meat. Yum yum. foie gras chawan mushi - duck breast, fresh wasabi, sweet dashi soy - super buttery. Gotta love foie gras. hamachi nigiri - Buttery smooth! Fresh, fresh, fresh. tamago - Wow, amazing! The most underappreciated player in the sushi world. negihamachi maki - Flavorful. Spice but no kick. braised black cod - ginger-soy reduction, pickled bell peppers, budo mame - wow, can I saw fresh again??! They don't call this rich, yummy fish butterfish for nothing. braised lamb shank - house polished sushi rice risotto - Big shank. Lots of meat. Heavy filling. Side aren't included, except for the lamb shank. So we ordered the house polished rice, baby bok choy & gai lan (chinese broccoli) - which were fine but nothing special. #4/31 Yelp Review Challenge
(4)
Susan N.
What an amazing dinner we had. The interior of the restaurant was something to experience. It is simple, but modern. We had an appetizer of 2 types of shrimp that we so tasty and had a little bite to it. I had the duck duck duck as main course. Each duck item was really good especially the soup with meatball. My husband had angry chicken which he was amazing. So tasty and tender. The dessert bananas foster in a glass. So light and rich I will remember this dinner as one of the best I ever had.
(5)
Rod S.
Ordered the Omakase and it was awesome!! My faves were 1.Toro and Hamachi Tar tare and 2. Foie Gras Chawanmushi. I want to try the Crispy whole fish and the Crab legs with fries next time. I called this an "Experience" because it didn't feel like just dinner...it was like a show too. The whole experience took 2 hours...it was awesome!!
(5)
Rachel S.
OVERRATED. The rib eye is good but that's it. Their portions are small and tasteless.
(2)
Darina H.
My husband and I had a gift certificate to Morimoto's Waikiki and were very excited to finally use when we arrived in Oahu for our honeymoon. Morimoto's can be a bit difficult to find if you're just driving by. The restaurant is located on the second floor of the "Modern" hotel in Honolulu. The restaurant itself is extremely modern and classy. The ambiance is definitely what I wasn't expecting when I set foot in the restaurant, very nice! The hostesses were very friendly and greeted us warmly. We didn't even have to wait, we were seated right away. Ryan was our waiter for the night and was extremely personable. He made excellent wine recommendations despite our indecisiveness but we finally got our drink orders in. For appetizers, we ordered the oyster foie gras and hamachi tartare! Delicious. The oysters were delicious and I am sad that they only served us four because I could have had four more! So good and so much flavor! I was uber impressed by their presentation of dishes. Very classy and they really took time to put their dishes together! For the main course, I ordered the "duck, duck, duck". SO GOOD! Probably the best duck dish I have ever had! I really enjoyed the three different types of ducks they had including the seared duck breast, the duck confit spring roll, duck meatball soup. Wow, where do i start?! The duck breast was perfect (moist, not saucy and delicious). The soup was wonderful (it had a crust that came on top of the soup cup) and very perfect, nothing I have ever had before. The springs rolls were OK, it complimented the dish perfectly. Excellent appetizers, service, and attention to detail. Enjoyed it very much! MAHALO!
(4)
Craig P.
Every Visit is Amazing!!!!!!!!!!
(5)
Isaac R.
Very very clean. If you had too much steak, grill, and heavy ramen soup, this is the place to purify your empty stomach. Probably the most soft and melty fish product I had in Waikiki
(4)
Lionel L.
Bottom line; Morimotos is an overpriced, pretentious, culturally safe fine dinning atmosphere to take someone to impress on a first date. Except if you take someone that's a foodie, you may be out of luck because the food is sub par at best--considering the price. What you are indirectly paying for in this restaurant is the ambiance and the setting. For a Japanese restaurant touted as authentic with it's fancy name and sign, it falls short of the dining experience. Take for example the price in relations to the portion. I ordered the loco moco (yes it's a mistake, why order this right?)but was mostly served with bits and pieces of sparse meat and canned gravy. My friends had the seafood and sushi, still far from enlightening any of our taste buds to say--wow that was good! I think we were all just shocked in awe as we thought--that's it? There were some positives! The desert. I would definitely go here for the desert. Yes it a pricey but flavorful and worth every bite. The disparity between desert and the main course is like black and white. Don't come To morimotos hungry and on a budget. My favorite feature of the restaurant was the restroom! It is clean! The urinals and commode are sleek white, the water closet room Is spacious and quiet. You can meditate in there if you want. The restroom is probably clean and static free enough to take apart a hard full of _____.
(2)
Devon S.
Ok so, I decided months ago that I was done with the whole Yelp thing. I had a good run, it was fun while it lasted, thanks for the memories. Morimoto's, however, brought me out of retirement. I had been wanting to try this place for quite some time; Morimoto being my favorite Iron Chef and all (well, he and Hiroyuki Sakai) and decided my birthday would finally be the day. As with every first visit to any Japanese restaurant, I always go straight for the sushi and there was definitely no shortage of options. One of the many offerings is the chef's sushi combination; $40, $80, $120, and $160 option. When I asked the server what was the difference between the four, he said that the higher priced ones come with higher grade fish and more exotic items. I consider myself a bit of a sushi connoisseur, so nothing less than the $120 option would grace this appetite. Much to my surprise, and somewhat to my dismay, 15 - 20 minutes later, I was presented with a cornucopious platter of pescatarian goodness the likes of which Neptune himself stood no chance of finishing. It was so big, the table of 5 Japanese people adjacent looked upon it (and me) with utter astonishment; whispering comments to one another in their native tongue that I need not have translated to understand the gist thereof. How in the world could the waiter look at me straight faced and allow me to order this thing without so much as a warning?! At first, I told the waiter he must have brought me another table's order, but he assured me that this monster was in fact all mine. When I asked him how I was supposed to finish this all by myself (the aforementioned table of 5 is now giggling, by the way), he suggested that I eat the nigiri first, then take the maki home to eat later. *deep sigh* Ok...ok, that sounds plausible. Let's do it...let's do it. After eating myself into a semi-comatose, "If I never see a piece of sushi again, it will be too soon" state, I had just begun to make some headway. Man, FOUR people could not have finished this. I tapped out. Eyes and mouth slightly open, I look over to said party of five and shake my head. Hysterical laughter ensued. The waiter returned and boxed up the rest of the sushi. His final insult? A plate of lime and coconut sorbet inscribed with "happy birthday" in chocolate ganache served with a smirk. I am currently in no shape to neither hug nor hurt him, so I just sink into my chair and moan. 5 stars to you, Morimoto's. Thanks so much for making my 35th memorable. "S"
(5)
Luke N.
Stick to the basics and you'll will not be disappointed. The chef's sashimi combination was awesome. I think that was the best mackerel I've ever had. The local tuna is really good and tender, has the softness of tuna belly. I have not tried most of the main courses or specialties but he sushi was excellent. Don't get the tuna pizza- it's gross, full of mayo.
(4)
Lori I.
After seeing all these great raving reviews on yelp, we decided to try Waikiki's newest restaurant. (The restaurant was just featured in yesterday's Star-Advertiser and Nadine Kam called it her "favorite restaurant", so once again, all you yelpers were right on the money.) Morimoto Waikiki just opened on Sept 28th, in what used to be the chapel in the old Ilikai Hotel. Now called "New Edition", the hotel has a completely different vibe, almost transporting you to LA or SF or even NY. The atmosphere was like something out of a movie scene, I was half expecting to see George Clooney or Brad Pitt appear. So we went for lunch to avoid the crowds. It was just as much a feast for the EYES as it was for the MOUTH. (most of my pictures I've attached have nothing to do with the food). There is one table that is made up of clear resin/acrylic with sea kelp stuck in the resin. It almost looked like you could find Nemo in there. Oh yeah, the food from the lunch menu: KAKUNI: 10 hour pork belly rice congee (rice porridge). It was very good, if not a little bit on the salty side. Definitely a must try. MORIMOTO SASHIMI (it wasn't on the lunch menu but since we read about it so much on yelp, we asked them if the chef would make it for us. HE DID!): 6 little mini 3-story towers, topped with 6 different condiments, and 6 different types of sauces served in little pipettes. They said "Just like art class -- make designs with the sauces (which are all different colors)." BLACK COD: a little heavy on the sauce, but overall it was pretty good. I prefer miso butterfish, but this was good too. LOBSTER SANDWICH: lobster and some kind of cheese on Japanese bread, cut into THIRDS... COCONUT Panna cotta: was like haupia. It was on top of a bed of lilikoi jelly noodles (??). Yeah, not sure what that was. Kaffir lime dust and basil seeds finished off the dish. My palette must not be sophisticated enough to enjoy all the unique flavors wrapped up in this one. PEANUT BUTTER FONDANT: If you like peanut butter, this is for you: this dish was like a peanut butter mousse and came with peanut butter ice cream, and a dollup of chocolate with a gold leaf on top. A bit pricey for lunch but we did splurge. (2 appetizers, 2 entrees, 2 desserts, 2 glasses of wine, 1 French press coffee=$150) Okay so the food was good but the feast going on for my eyes was just as good. The tables, the bar, the kitchen, the sculptures hanging in the clear boxes from the ceiling. Go to the bathrooms!!! They are not like any bathroom I've ever seen in Hawaii. There's a cute little bookstore/hotel gift shop right outside the restaurant (where Tanaka of Tokyo used to be) that sells all kinds of unique gifts. This restaurant is definitely going places! Maybe next time I'll see George or Brad sitting at the bar.
(5)
Olivia D.
I had a fun time at the grand opening of Morimoto Waikiki, but it was mostly due to the company I was with, seeing other fun Yelpers, and my own excitement at being there. I wish it were more about the food. When my friends later asked me how the food was, all I could say was, "It was fine." Morimoto is located in the stylish new Edition Hotel, formerly the Ilikai. The lobby is sparse and modern, with grey ash wood accents and bare white walls. I loved the outside pool area lit with tons of candles, especially the area directly behind the restaurant, with long sofas and plump cushions to lounge on, surrounding fire pits . The atmosphere of the restaurant is equally modern, with white and lime green decor. My only frustration was that the table was so long, I felt too far away from my companion. We were trying to have a serious conversation and because of the table length and amount of noise in the restaurant, I had trouble hearing her. I also was conscious of my voice carrying over to other tables, because I didn't want to project so loudly that everyone could hear my personal business. I prefer sitting closer to my friends. We ate: Morimoto Sashimi--stacked sashimi--sake, seared toro, maguro, unagi, hamachi--with 5 bland sauces. Good presentation--the sashimi looked pretty next to the colorful sauces, but it was impossible to pick up from the plate using the chopsticks. 2 of my friends remarked that the fish was very "fishy" and the bland, oily sauces did not help that out at all. Oxtail soup--my fave. 3 meaty slices of oxtail, with a shoyu green onion dipping sauce, cilantro, and garlic fried rice on the side. The soup was delicious--the best on the island--and I loved that they grated fresh, sweet wasabi with a sharkskin paddle right at the table. The best part was when the food runner grated wasabi right onto my friend's cleavage and got all cute and flustered; he didn't know where to look! Immediately, a female Japanese manager appeared out of nowhere, sent him to get an oshibori, and took over. I appreciated that most of the fat was trimmed off the oxtails. I hate it when big chunks are left on. If the soup was served hot, it would have been perfect. The broth was barely warm--about room temperature. (Buta) Kakuni--pork belly slow-braised for 10-hours in soy sauce, mirin, sugar and dashi, served on rice porridge. Yes, I like soupy comfort foods. The pork was tender, but not fork-tender, with a hint of sake wine. It was a little too sweet for me. If they added a pinch of salt to the otherwise bland porridge, it would have helped balance out the sweetness for me. This one I don't recommend sharing because of the small portion size. Wagyu filet mignon--not impressed. I don't understand what the fuss is with American Wagyu beef anyway. I think people order it for the name. It is not worth the extra cost because it doesn't taste like Japanese beef. It tastes like regular steak, without the superb fatty marbling and flavor of Japanese Kobe beef. The breed is not as important as how it is raised. In Japan, they are confined indoors in individual pens in little condos and fed beer to help digestion . . . and you probably don't want me to go on. The filet, sprinkled with fluffy sea salt on a hot iron plate, was served with sweet onion jus, which tasted like a version of teriyaki sauce. The meat was dry, overcooked and barely seasoned with salt. Seafood 'toban yaki'--prawns, crab, scallops, clams, mussels, bok choy, and king oyster mushrooms. The first thing I noticed was that the baby bok choy sitting on top had dirt in between the leaves at the base--yuck. When I ate toban yaki in Japan, it was beef roasted on a ceramic plate. This was actually a bouillabaisse, with the broth made richer with the addition of miso and yuzu. It was delicious and a good portion size as well. My only complaint besides the dirt was that the scallops were tiny, overcooked disks and the baby lobster at the bottom was very mushy. But the flavor was good and the slices of French bread on the side were perfectly toasted. If they had served it with rouille, I would've been ecstatic. I wish we'd skipped the desserts. I ordered the tofu hot and cold and the roasted pineapple with castella cake and roasted rice ice cream. The tofu dessert consisted of a very light, cold Japanese-style cheesecake log with a hot souffle and a quenelle of sour cherry sorbet. The sorbet was watery and the souffle/cheesecake unflavorful. I usually love souffle, too. The other dessert didn't work because the cake was dry and the dry pineapple did not have any good roasted flavor; it made me long for a juicy, buttery pineapple upside-down cake. The ice cream was good. The best part of dinner was saying 'hi' to all the other Yelpers throughout the restaurant. Every time I walked past Min's table, he put food in my mouth. I scored lamb and gyoza! Bottom line: better than Nobu, but skip the American food like lamb, steak, lobster--they don't stand out.
(3)
Pam C.
I ordered the Omakase. It was a 7 course meal, not to give too much away, so you can also enjoy the surprise, but I got... 3 courses of sushi, one veggie, one surf and turf. Dessert was my least favorite. My waiter did a wonderful job of describing every dish to me. I would visit again, but probably just get a couple rolls.
(4)
Adam M.
This was on my "go to" list for things to do on my Hawaii trip, so i was looking forward to eating here for some time. I made a reservation for 130pm and when i arrived the place was almost completely empty inside. our server greeted us and was very helpful in choosing different entree's and drinks. Me and a friend ordered 3 items, plus 2 drinks which totaled to approx. $260 (130 per person). -Toro Tare Tare: this was a very light appetizer, which included a variety of sauces to dip the tuna into for flavor. i would rate this 3.5/5 - Ahi Pizza: I really liked this item. is again was light but had spice (jalapenos), sweetness, and crunch. lots of flavor and very fresh. 4.5/5 - $120 sashimi option: Large iced platter full of delicately plated fresh raw fish. tuna, salmon, yellow tail, flounder, among many other types of premium fish cuts. very tasty! 5/5 -750ml of a morimoto house beer: Had lots of hops, but i was not very impressed with it, had a strange after taste and was not worth the $30-40 price tag. 2.5/5 - Bottle of morimoto's house sake: wonder flavor. this was a chilled sake on ice. had a sweet after taste of different fruit flavors (don't remember the fruits in the sake though) This was about $40. 5/5. This place did not blow my mind, but it definitely met my expectations. Next time i'm in Hawaii i would try to go here for dinner to try different food items not offered on the lunch menu.
(4)
Traci H.
I don't know the last time I jumped from 1 star to 3 stars but they did something right and I guess I'm also open to going again now! This time I went for lunch and I quite enjoyed it. $22 for the lunch special: nice fresh salad, miso soup, sushi (i substituted california rolls because I don't eat raw fish--they were very hesitant at first, but I'm not sure why because I think the rolls are cheaper than the fresh fancy sushi!), and a nice small size of the wagyu beef loco moto. That was so delicious. For the loco moto itself, it was nice fluffy rice, little pieces of wagyu beef--like steak, not ground hamburger, hamakua mushrooms, and a perfectly cooked sunnyside up egg. The gravy was delicious, not too salty, not too sweet. Then I got to taste some peanut butter dessert and the tofu cheesecake--that tofu cheesecake is heavenly. And really if you called it a soy cheesecake I don't think you would be so surprised. It's just that I imagined hard pieces of tofu on a graham cracker crust and that sounds disgusting. But that cheesecake has no cheese and is light and fluffy and the aftertaste might be better than the initial taste. It's so smooth on the tongue and so enjoyable. For lunch it's not too crowded and has a nice chill vibe. I'd totally go back for lunch, especially since I hear the tofu cheesecake is not served at dinner. Oh, one warning, the cheesecake is $10. My lunch was $22. So yes that one piece of cheesecake (served with some molasses ice cream is quite pricey). As much as I say it was a somewhat reasonable lunch, it was still pricey, so that's holding me back from 4 full stars. So maybe next time I'll get the review to 4 stars. Yelp 365 Challenge #18/365 August 18, 365
(3)
Geneva L.
So, a little late on this review since me and my boyfriend came here during spring break which was beginning of April, but school and life happened and tonight, I uploaded our Hawaii photos and man, did that make my mouth water. The Wagyu Carpaccio was amazing. The rest of the food was well above par, 4/5, but the reason I needed to write a review was because of our amazing server, Martin. He was absolutely amazing and was hands down the BEST server I've ever had. And I'm a sucker for accents too. Um, so we absolutely loved Martin but I don't think you really wanna hear about that. As for food, its been awhile so I forgot how amazing everything was, Martin however left a lasting impression.
(5)
Helen N.
Came here for dinner. Was able to reserve just two hours notice in advance on a Monday. Food was okay. I had the duck duck duck, hubby ordered the black cod with rice. Portion is kinda small so we also got beef carpaccio, spicy tuna roll, pork belly, toro and salmon nigiri, and a sorbet dessert. My favs was the beef carpaccio and black cod, the rest was just okay. Front staff was nice, but waiter seemed kinda not engaged so felt service was missing a bit. Ambiance is nice and mellow.
(3)
Dennis Y.
I didn't have the highest expectation for this place since I thought it was more of a tourist trap than anything else but I was pleasantly surprised that the food was pretty good. Like Nobu, you don't come here for the traditional sushi stuff but rather go for the more creative dishes that Morimoto seems to like to do. Its with these dishes where the combination of plating and food combo's that are fun and delicious. Perfect for an entertaining dining experience. Something that's definitely needed in Waikiki.
(4)
Jen G.
Had breakfast and lunch here (we were staying at the hotel). It was great! The breakfast was delicious -- the moco loco was great and so was the oatmeal. the oatmeal had this great flavor (I think from the chinese 5 spice in the granola). For lunch the bento boxes are awesome. I had the black cod. It was fantastic. And it came with salad, miso soup, 2 pieces of sushi, and 2 pieces of a roll. I thought that was a great deal for $22. We also had a rice bowl -- it was great.
(5)
Gen T.
I loved this place! Everything was great from the service to the decor... The food was definitely worth it. I'd like to especially say that the server and wait staff were really attentive and helpful and always gave you full description of all the items and were very friendly. We ordered the Wagyu Carpaccio, Poki which had a different twist on it than I've ever tried before, the oyster foie gras was fantastic and highly recommended, Tobanyaki was a first and I absolutely loved it but my favorite no matter where I go is Black Cod... YUM!!! A little on the pricey side but all in all I had a great night nothing bad at all to say about Morimotos. Cant wait to go back there again!!
(5)
Traci H.
I went here for a birthday lunch for someone in the office. Since the boss is paying why not! I have to say before coming here I've heard mixed reviews. From loved it to very disappointed. So I came here not knowing what to expect. First of all, the place was WOW! The restaurant was a vibrant green and white. Very modern Hawaii feel, it looks like it would be a great lounge if they did late night. ;) The Edition is updated from what I remember the Ilikai to be back when I had winterball and proms there! We had the pineapple tempura, and the lamb carpaccio. I wouldn't get the pineapple tempura again, it was interesting, but ok. I LOVED LOVED LOVED the lamb carpaccio! It was so soft and tender, and well seasoned! I drool at the thought of it! I love butterfish so I had the braised black cod (aka butterfish), which was delicious! It was so flavorful! It's small for an entree, but I was stuffed by the time dessert came around. One girl had the angry chicken and seemed to enjoy it. The angry chicken looked like one of the larger entrees. The other girl had the tempura, sushi, and sashimi set. It didn't look like much but it added up she said, and also said it was good. Our boss got the kakuni don, which is pork belly that is cooked for 10 hours. I had a taste and it was very flavorful. If you like shoyu pork, you'll like this. It is served over rice, and it's a pretty big bowl. We shared a tofu cheesecake for dessert and it was interesting. Light and fluffy, just a hint of a creamy cheese taste. Interesting to try once. They have a their own specialty drinks, one person loved the green flash. I tried the white lily, it was very citrusy...because of the yuzu. All in all I would love to go back. I will have to get the lamb carpaccio again! I would get the black cod, but I would like to try other things as well. It's pricey so it'll have to be a special occasion. The staff was warm and helpful. They did forget to bring tempura sauce though. :P
(4)
Steve O.
First - the service and decor were really good. My food was ok. I had the toro appetizer for $28. The tuna was good but I wasn't a fan of the presentation. You have to scrape the tuna off a plate and then put some topping on it. It was tasty but not worth the $28. For a main course I had the yellowtail cooked at the table, which is essentially a hot stone bowl. The dish was supposed to feature sushi grade tuna but didn't taste like that to me. The pieces had the darker spots where the fish doesn't taste good. It was an iron chef meal. In my opinion it wasn't that good. My wife had the Waygu with the egg and she said that was amazing. So I think you can get good food - you just need to choose wisely. Again the service was great.
(3)
Jackie P.
We had the following: - HAMACHI TARTARE...had to try it from seeing it on all the food shows. expected too much, probably won't order it again. - OYSTER FOIE GRAS...LOVED these! definitely order the sauce on the side since it is strong. will get 2 orders of this tasty goodness next time we come. - YOSE DOFU...good to try once, but will try other dishes next time. - PORK GYOZA...stay away from this one. what a waste of stomach space :( - CHEF'S LOCO MOTO...should've stayed away from reading the other reviews, boo. - SEAFOOD TOBAN YAKI...my FAVORITE dish of the night. can't wait to eat it again! Got too full, so next time we'll try the wagyu carpaccio, crispy whole fish, and maybe some tofu cheesecake.
(4)
Sandra C.
Beautiful presentation, food was good, a little pricey, and small portions. Rock shrimp appetizer with two sauces was tasty, but you can get that elsewhere easily. Pork belly on top of congee was excellent but it was a tiny portion ..1.5 inches x 1.5 inches of meat over an ounce or two of congee soup for $18. The fish was fresh for sushi. I had to put a credit card on open table to hold reservation, maybe because it was mother's day weekend. seemed like a way to appear really busy and booked. The restaurant was not full, although busy, from 6-8 on Sunday. Great service. Plates changed. Bathrooms, which was nice, oddly did nit have toilet seat covers and toilet was really low. Decor was nice with white drapery and shells on display and lights outside, but not an A + as others have rated. Read the reviews some stayed away from omakase which seemed like it would be a disappointment for $120. Expect to spend $$$$ anyways.
(4)
Terri Lynn S.
Excellent dining experience. Decided to have full-on appetizers instead of ordering dinner entrees. Very tasty and great presentation. Tempura Calamari Salad (highly recommend), Crispy Rock Shrimp Tempura, Tekka maki, Spicy Tuna, and California Roll. Wine and Beer went well with food. Complimentary Valet parking a plus.
(5)
John E.
The ambiance was very nice. We went at night so I couldn't tell you much about the view . I don't watch Iron Chef so apparently the chef there is famous. He was there greeting meeting people. The bill was very high but the experience was excellent. Our group tried several different entrees. Everyone raved over it. The service was excellent too. Our waiter really seem to know a lot about the food in the restaurant.
(5)
Brian B.
When my friend suggested going to this restaurant to co-celebrate our birthdays together, I jumped at the chance... What I always enjoy doing is trying new places, and especially going to new & unique dining places on my birthday and this place did not disappoint! When I found out where this place was located, which is in "The Edition Waikiki Hotel", I was like WTF is that?? I came to find out that this place is adjacent to the Ilikai Hotel and is actually pretty nice. Basically it's on the same side of the street as the Marriott Prince on Hobron Lane. If you know where Red Lobster or Outback Steakhouse is on Ala Moana Boulevard, you can easily find this place. As you go down Hobron, the entry for this place is on the left hand side of the block and towards the end. You have to look carefully or bring someone with you, because it's fairly easy to miss the valet area where you would pull in to go to this restaurant. Once inside, there's a beautiful lobby with a nice little waiting area that's decked out. The restaurant is on the right side, and when you enter it, you'll see a bunch of green couches & chairs with a little reception area. It's kinda small but once you get past that area and into the main dining area, it really opens up. BTW, there is also an area outside as well, where you can eat in the open air but we ate inside. You'll quickly notice that the ceiling is high and that all of the chairs and whatnot are green with brown wood tables. Hanging above some of the tables immediately to the right, and at the back where they have large groups, there are clear fiberglass boxes that have these huge seashells inside of them. To the left as you enter there is a white bar area with a picture of a purple-ish looking flower which is also on the far opposite wall as well(the same area where the large groups are seated). When you get to the table there is a nice white, rectangular plate with a cloth napkin and a small polished white stone on which a pair of clear chopsticks lay. Very nice presentation! On the center of our table, which was in the large group area, there was a huge cylinder with a shell inside of it that was sitting on some decorative rocks. The menu features quite a nice selection of items which range from hot & cold appetizers, noodle & soup dishes, entrees, steaks, and finally some sushi. There is also an extensive cocktail menu which features the usual drinks including sake & shochu. We ordered a few appetizers, a few highlights of which included an ahi pizza & Morimoto's sashimi which consists of five 3-layered pieces of sashimi. Also there were some rockefeller(?) oysters, fried gyoza, and a takoyaki-like dish(I forget exactly what was in it but it wasn't squid or octupus... one of my friends ordered it). Then came the main entree! I ordered the 16oz Wagyu New York Strip Steak with potatoes which was awesome! The steak was done to perfection and very succulent, the potatoes however were just a tad bit salty for my tastes.... I should've ordered some side vegetables to go along with it to break up the taste of everything... A few other friends ordered a rack of lamb, lobster & hamachi which all looked equally appetizing and very well presented! Finally we ended with desert which was awesome as well! I ordered a dish called "Hot & Cold Tofu" which was a cheesecake type of desert with a berry sorbet. A few friends ordered dishes such as a peanut butter dish & also a haupia desert too. All in all, I must say that I was very impressed with the overall meal. It was presented well & tasted as good as it looked. This is definitely a "wine & dine" kind of place that you take someone that you're trying to impress whether it's a date or a client. One thing that was kinda irritating is the fact that our server brought our food and went into a little bit too much detail about the dish we were eating, however I suppose it's to be expected since this is an iron chef restaurant. What would it be, if there wasn't a modicum of explanation into the thought behind the dishes that were created? The wait staff was pleasant as well, and the place didn't seem to get overly busy inside which was nice. I also had my shochu drink consistently full, so that was a nice touch as well! =) This is definitely a dining experience to try out! If you really want to go somewhere & get the full dining experience but don't mind paying a relatively good fee for it, go here! It's worth a try at least once, and it also makes for a good place to take someone to impress them too...
(4)
Craig F.
The worst! Service was terrible and the food worse. We asked the waiter if the chef would make something special for our friends Bday. Without thinking or missing a beat he answered with a rude and firm no. The manager came by and explained that the chef was underwater. The place was half full. Really! She then dug a herself a huge hole by telling us a couple lies and left. We ate the over priced appetizers and weak cocktails in front of us, paid the bill and left. I mentioned our experience to a local friend, who is a very high end guy, his reply, he nor any local would ever be seen dead at Morimoto!
(1)
Ace S.
Went in hoping to get WOWED and I can't say I was disappointed because the food was great, but considering the name and the prices, I thought there was room for improvements. Their ice cream desserts were amazing, and I ditched my diet for them. As far as complaints go, this place was freezing cold with the AC on blast. So sitting outside might be the way to go.
(4)
Ann P.
Way too overpriced sushi. Menu is misleading- you only receive one half an order actually. They serve tap , not filtered water hoping you order a Pellegrino or equivalent
(1)
Michelle B.
This restaurant had very cool decor, a great reputation, and great food. hOWEVER, for a restaurant of this calibre, I expected more in the service department. They didn't have our first 3 choices of bottles of wine. Then, they brought my husband's appetizer and main at the exact same time. We were eating a $200+ meal. That should NOT happen. He sent the main (steak) back, but they left his side of potatoes there, even though he was having gyoza as an appetizer. My courses were also brought together, but they said that they had assumed I wanted it that way (????) b/c I had ordered gyoza and sushi, and they considered sushi an appetizer. Very odd. Our food was delicious, I cannot fault the chefs. But the service definitely needs to improve at Morimoto Waikiki.
(3)
Elaine K.
Hands down, one of the best dining experiences I've had. My boyfriend and I went to Honolulu back in late April and I was so geeked to find out that Morimoto Waikiki was right next door to our hotel. We weren't in town for very long since the trip was an impromptu weekend getaway, so we knew we had to make every meal count. The dishes were well thought out and presentation was impeccable. We ordered the toro tartare, the tempura calamari salad, whitefish carpaccio, xo diver scallops, and finished the meal with a couple of pieces of nigiri. Since the whole experience was kind of a splurge for us, we went all out and complemented the meal with the Morimoto hazelnut beer, the Morimoto Imperial Pilsner, and the Morimoto ginjo sake. When in Rome, right? I won't go into detail about every single dish, since no one has time for that. But, I highly recommend everything we tried because it was delicious. The pilsner beer, which was quite palatable, came in a really cool ceramic bottle that we were able to take with us - totally made up for the hefty price tag. The server also informed us that the ceramic bottle is great for keeping liquids cold or hot for up to 3 hours. We had to get creative with our packing since that bottle was definitely coming back to LA with us. Our server also told us about the Morimoto cookbook and let us flip through the display copy. The cookbook has a lot of photos and step-by-step procedures for his more renown dishes. We, of course, had to buy one - especially since the copy was signed by Morimoto. All in all, my boyfriend and I left the restaurant incredibly pleased with the food, the service, and the overall experience. I'm looking forward to going back during our upcoming trip to Honolulu in July.
(5)
Lulu C.
Great ambiance outdoor, modern/chic decorations indoors and superb service! The Yose Dofu was the highlight of my meal! Who knew it was that simple to make fresh silky tofu?! Can't wait to go back to try everything else on their menu!
(5)
David L.
If you go here, I would just stick to the apps and skip the entree. I had the whole fish tempura and the braised lamb shank. The lamb shank was enough to feed the whole family, and it was GOOD! The fish was just ok, and comes with the head and tail and crispy skin. The service was good. Def get the froi gras. And skip the drinks. They offer complimentary valet so take advantage of that.
(3)
Alice C.
I may have had too high of an expectation set when I came here. I was real excited because it was on my lists of must try. I love the decor of the restaurant and the ambience. It was real comforting. Even the bathroom was real nice. Service was awesome. They tended to our every need. I remember our waiter Bronson would do a fantastic job describing all the food he brought out. Water was always refilled and was never once empty. The Drinks were great. They offered such wide variety of all sorts of alcohol. I read Christy K's review and had to give the White Lily a shot. It tasted like tangerines. It was really yummy. I loveeee my sweet cocktails. They even add a momo in the cocktail! We also had the cold sake sampler. I absolutely liked the ume one on account that I love drinking umeshu. The food is the important factor and that is what i was strictly rating +I did approve of the WAGYU CARPACCIO. It is so delicious! I could probably order 2 or 3 orders and eat it all by myself. -Toro tartare was nicely presented. It was interesting but I didn't care for it. I ordered a couple rolls. Spicy tuna, spicy salmon and Softshell crab. They were alright but not worth the price. we had Crispy whole fish. It was some kind of sea bass that had been deboned before it was fried, that was kind of mediocre. The rice they served was on the dry side. We had ordered Crab, Lobster, and Surf and Turf but I didn't try it but everyone said it was good so I'll take their word on it. One thing that bugged me was how long it took for the food to arrive. We were there from 7 - close and spent more time waiting than eating. I was so hungry to the point that I no longer wanted to eat. But you know what, I actually would probably give lunch a try sometimes since they have a different menu and would like to try sitting outside to admire the view. Or probably right before sunset. and I also want to come back to try their Omakase and then i'll probably do a rewrite to make up my mind on the food. PARKING: you can valet it and the restaurant will validate it so all you gotta do is just tip :)
(3)
Marko C.
I was home and needed to host a very important dinner with the president (& executive staff) of one of Hong Kong's largest telecommunications firm. I made a reservation 2 months before my dinner & asked to sit outside. We were given the best table on the patio - one that looked at the Ke'ehi lagoon & boats on the harbor. My guests were impressed. It STOPPED here. Let the nightmare begin! The poor reviews on Morimoto Waikiki are true & I was sorely embarrassed about hosting an executive dinner here. It started when my guests and I tried to sit down at the table - the legs of the table and the seats were so packed together, *each* person at the table had to go side-saddle to slide into the park-bench booth seats. The women in our party had to sit at the ends because they all had skirts on. It wasn't pretty seeing men in suits do tumbles to just get into their seats. Worst of all, once seated, we learned that the table was actually a plastic picnic table with a fancy tablecloth on it. Sad. Sit outside, inside the restaurant smells like fried fish & is smelly. When our waitress, Laura, showed up at the table and had a SUPER huge attitude. She attempted to be nice, but her expression on the outside really indicated that she didn't want to be there. My guests tried to joke with here to make it a more comfortable situation, but we couldn't crack the ice. Every one of my guests politely indicated that she must have had a hard day & was in a bad mood. We later found out that this was her last week at the Waikiki restaurant and that she was moving to Napa to work at Morimoto Napa. 50% of her supporting wait staff was bad. When our dishes came, they were placed (sometimes plopped) at the table without any explanation of what we were eating. Only one staff took the time to explain the dish. Service Grade: D- Drink #1: Pear Yuzu Gimlet,$12. Yuzu citrus, Serrano chili, fresh lime sour, absolut pears vodka, topped with fresh yuzu zest. Outstanding, well-made drink with a good combination of sweet, spicy, salty, & sour! Grade: A Drink #2: TWO bottles of Pino Grigio wine, $38 ea. The wine was basic, no complaints. My main complaint was that we had to ask about 7+ times for the staff to help us refill the wine glasses. They placed the wines in a cooler about 12 feet away from the table & no one remembered which was our wine or if we had ordered wine. Grade: B Appetizer #1: Oyster Foie Gras, $22. Market oysters, foie gras, uni (sea urchin) and Teriyaki sauce. Everyone on Yelp had raved about this dish. The oysters were overcooked and the foie gras and uni on the top were burned crisp like bacon (all 2 orders, 6 pieces). Yelp pictures show a lot of teriyaki sauce, we got about 1-2 drops per oyster. This dish was dry, overcooked, crispy, and nasty. Grade: F. Appetizer #2: Foie Gras Chawan Mushi, $17. I love foie gras and was super excited to try the duck breast, fresh wasabi, sweet dashi soy in the egg custard. This dish had maybe one little pea-sized cube of duck in it and nothing else. It tasted cheaply made and had little flavor. Grade: F. My guests wanted to eat fresh fish from Hawaii and asked our waitress Laura for suggestions on what to order. They said specifically TWICE, "We want sashimi". Laura suggested that we order the "Chef's Special combination" for $40. We took two orders because we had multiple people at the table. When the order came out, we got combination SUSHI! One order came out with the appetizers, one order came out with dinner. TIMING? We questioned Laura about sushi vs sashimi and she insisted we said sushi. The sushi was about 10 pieces of nigiri sushi with two rolls (eel and California roll). The sushi tasted like it was from Genki sushi (low end sushi robot chain) or from Safeway/Foodland/Times supermarket. Grade: D- * Insert a 30-45 minute break between appetizers & dinner * Horrible timing of the food! Dinner #1: Crispy whole fish, $32. Fresh whole fish (small seabass) was deboned from the neck down & made with spicy tofu sauce, pickled papaya salad. The dish was visually stunning, but the deep fried fish had absolutely no flavor. Grade: D-. Dessert #1: Haupia semifreddo ($12). We were informed that Morimoto recently won an award with this dish! Coconut sorbet/ice cream served with coconut gelee (we got 3-5 little pea sized pieces), local honey (honeycomb that got stuck in your teeth), matcha meringue (that was difficult to eat with little flavor). Grade: D-. Almost $700 later for this dinner experience, and all guests went home disappointed. I was embarrassed. The food here is a shame. The service here is an even bigger shame. I am willing to pay good money for a good meal, but Morimoto Waikiki was an EPIC FAIL. The reviews are true - Morimoto Waikiki has visually exciting food but lacks in taste and service. Drinks Grade: B+ Food Grade: F+ Service Grade: F-. Overall Experience: D-
(1)
Matt H.
Yes, it is pricey. So is your vacation, so is the hotel it is located in, so is life. Go here once. I had the omakase menu (not just sushi, a full kitchen omakase) and it was awesome. I also tried the Morimoto sake flight. It was good, but I already know what I like and should've just had a bottle of daiginjo. The omakse had about 8 courses and the server explained each of them. I was never rushed, though the restaurant wasn't busy yet. This was the best meal of my life (food-wise) thus far. Bring some of your favorite people, do the omakase and you will have the best meal of your life as well.
(5)
Andy M.
Very pricey, but worth it. Omakase was the best sushi experience I've ever had. The Morimoto brand sake is decent but overpriced.
(5)
Tyson H.
The good: The service was excellent. Our waiter was extremely attentive to our table throughout the entire meal. The food was absolutely amazing. We ordered the Duck, Duck, Duck, and Cod for entrees; two sushi rolls; and soup. The quality was the best we had in Waikiki, but the price of the food surely matched it! I feel the food was priced well for the quality of food. The bad: The tables for two are extremely awkward. They are extremely long and have a "X" shaped bottom that makes it weird to place your feet. You also have to watch out for your knees!! The restaurant is extremely loud, and as the night went on it got even louder.
(4)
Jacqueline R.
Let me say one thing: too much hype about this place just because of the Iron Chef. I know, Iron Chef Morimoto is one of the best chefs out there, but I definitely think this place was overrated, and overpriced. They can probably get away with it because of the Iron Chef. The restaurant was located inside the Waikiki Marriott hotel. The actual restaurant is decorated very trendy and upscale. It was very nice and modern. We had a reservation and luckily didn't have to wait too long to be seated. We sat on the outdoor patio which was really pretty although it was right next to the harbor so we didn't get a beach view. The service was mediocre. I went with three friends and they all ordered the omakase. With each course, the waiter monotonously recited what was on the plate. It almost seemed too routine and boring for them. NOTE: If somebody in your party wants to order the omakase, do NOT go here unless EVERYBODY in your party wants it, because otherwise you will be sitting around doing nothing for a LONG time! As I said, my three friends all got it, but I ordered the wagyu filet mignon. My food came out at the same time they received their first course, but I was finished with my steak by their third or fourth course...still leaving me to sit through FIVE more courses! They came out at about 10-15 minute intervals, which easily had us stuck at the place for 2.5-3 hours. I got really bored and tired of sitting there with an empty plate while my friends omnomnomed their tiny sampler dishes. I also did not like how all of the items were a la carte. My steak was $50 as it is and I had to pay $8 just to get a side of potatoes. Kind of annoying. There isn't a bathroom located in the restaurant. You have to use the hotel's which is across the way. Very modern and interesting though. You should check it out. It took me the longest time to figure out how to turn on the faucet. Overall I think it's a nice restaurant for a night-on-the-town, but I don't think I'll be back again. It was too overrated and overpriced for me. I'm sure I can go somewhere with bigger and better food for a more affordable price just because it isn't in Waikiki and the restaurant of an Iron Chef.
(3)
Chantel B.
Booked our reservation here for February 15th since valentines day was booked already. The food was amazing we tried the oysters, surf and turf, gyoza and scallop. Didn't really care that much for the ice cream. We also tried their lychee mojitos and pineapple mojitos. Both were really yummy. We received excellent service and the staff was on it. Especially since they were busy. Their prices are pretty reasonable considering it is a high end Japanese restaurant. We will return back in the future :)
(5)
Cat P.
Chocolate peanut bombe dessert was the only bomb thing about this place the past 2 times I've visited. One of the best desserts I've ever had. I was highly disappointed in the Loco Moto. The flavors were reminiscent of salisbury steak and the presentation reminded me of school lunch at the cafeteria. Everything else was ok.
(3)
Kelly G.
The best boyfriend in the world, who happens to be my boyfriend, got me, the Iron Chef fanatic, reservations to Moriomoto for my birthday! He tried really hard to keep the reservations a secret but the reservation email slipped up when he was showing me something on his monitor. Just remember that they have free valet parking at the Waikiki Edition Hotel for the restaurant! We were seated outside on the lanai, although kitchen seating would not have been half bad either. But onto the food and service! Drinks: Pikake Blossom - This drink intrigued me because the description included an organic jasmine liqueur. Although the jasmine didn't have a strong part in the drink, it did create a flower essence that I enjoyed. Moriomo-tai - Good mai tai drink, a bit more on the sour side for me. The bf really enjoyed this drink Morimoto Hazelnut - Superb beer. Loved the hazelnut accent! Great amber ale for all beer drinkers. Morimoto Imperial Pilsner - As the waiter poured this beer out, I thought he had brought the wrong beer out! An imperial beer that looks like a pale ale? But the moment you drink it, you definitely get the imperial flavors. Quite the intrigue! The waiter said most people keep the ceramic bottle as a souvenir but I was so buzzed I completely forgot about keeping it! Food: Lamb carpaccio - DELICIOUS. The bf is a fan of lamb and the moment I saw this appetizer, I knew he would get a kick out of this dish and he did. Loved everything about it. 16 oz Wagyu ribeye - DELICIOUS. Again another bf favorite. He couldn't stop eating. When it got down to the last few bites, he was trying to savor eat bite. The maui onion au jus was the perfect compliment to the steak. Moriomoto Omakase - DELICIOUS, worth it in my humble opinion 1. Toro & Hamachi tartare - Fun dish. Fresh fish. Classic Morimoto plate design. 2. Prepared Hamachi - excellent fish 3. Bagna Cauda - I could not stop myself from scraping every last bit of the artichoke/anchovy paste at the bottom of the olive oil fondue. 4. Fois Gras Chawan Mushi - Smooth, savory, yum. 5. Seafood tea broth? - Came as a palette cleanser 6. Assorted nigiri - Again fresh fish. Everything was yum. 7. Main entree - Lobster claw epice with creme fraiche with green onion had a Cajun-esque flavor that the fresh cream complimented nicely, Wagyu New York Strip beef with Maui onion au jus, ginger pork with asian pear marmalade which somehow outshined the pork itself! 8. Pre dessert of a tofu/jelly with peanut flavor, but was the 24 carat gold flake necessary? 9. Okinawan sweet potato cake, ice cream and foam! Chocolate peanut bombe - again, is the 24 carat gold flake necessary? delicious nonetheless. Morimoto "1972" sake - smoooooooooooooth. Service was excellent. They timed my omakase appetizer with the separate appetizer we ordered and our desserts as well! Everything came out as expected and more! Love love loved my experience here. Too bad Morimoto himself was not here for me to take a picture with or else it would have topped off my already excellent night. Would love to come back when my wallet can support my expensive eating habit.
(5)
Nat N.
Honestly speaking, we only came here because we had a gift card. I had not heard anything strikingly positive about this place, and my impression from reading reviews and listening to feedback was that it's just the name that gets people in the door, not the quality of the food. So my expectations were not high. The nice thing about having low expectations is that if you have a bad experience, you won't be disappointed because you didn't expect much to begin with, but if it turns out to be something better than what you expected, then you walk away happy and glad that you gave it a shot. In this case, I am happy to report that Morimoto's has exceeded my expectations! First of all, I love how they are on OpenTable.com . It's so easy to make a reservation using that website. Our reservation was at 7:15 pm on a saturday night. Many Yelpers have complained about how long the wait was, even with reservations, but we were pleasantly surprised when the waitress seated us at our table at 7:15 pm, right on the dot. Our waiter was outstanding. He was very professional and was very helpful when we were deciding on what to order. Here's what we devoured: Appetizer: Takoyaki. My hubby loved it but I thought it was a little too rich. Salad: Tempura Calamari Salad - loved it! It came with a generous portion of calamari, fried to a crisp. Entrees: Crispy Whole Fish - loved it! The fish was deboned (the only reason why we agreed to order it. According to the waiter, it's the most highly ordered item at the restaurant. I can see why. It's not too often that you can order a whole fish, deboned. The tofu sauce was not overpowering and not spicy at all. Ishi yaki buri bop - LOVED it! It came with 4 generous slices of hamachi - so delicious. Dessert: haupia semifreddo - loved it! We split this because we were so full from our meal. This dessert was not too sweet and was the perfect compliment to our meal. The hubby was overly impressed with the size of the portions. On the way to the restaurant, he said we were going to have to make a stop at Zippy's on the way home because the portions were going to be manini, but that was not the case at all! The portions were very generous indeed and big enough to share between two people. We also liked the decor and vibe - it's very modern and hip. It's a little noisy if you dine inside. I would think it's probably a little less noisy if you dine on the outside.
(4)
Yvonne M.
Iron chef restaurant, hello! Yes, I had to try it. Asian Fusion at its best. He even incorporates Hawaiian/Local elements in his menu (poke, loco moco, etc). Better prices than Nobus. (Don't get me wrong, I still like Nobus, but if it's a little pricey for you, go here) Although it was trendy, it was pretty kid friendly, we brought our son here. It was loud enough to where my son could talk loudly, play a game on my phone, or drop utensils... FOOD AND DRINKS ORDERED Coco Fraiche - crisp, clean drink Asahi Foie Gras Chawan Mushi - It will make your mouth water..for more! Miso Soup - normal tasting Spicy Tuna Roll - I tasted better.. Soft Shell Crab Roll - Delicious! Braised Black Cod - Amazing! Crispy Whole Fish - flavorful, but a little on the oily side... Assorted Sorbet - Refreshing ENVIRONMENT Located in the Waikiki Edition Hotel. High ceilings, lots of white, large windows, and relaxing lighting. It made me feel like I was in Hollywood. Lots of plant and marine life throughout the restaurant. They have indoor and outdoor seating. SERVICE Excellent and quick service. TIP Do valet. It will be the same price as parking across the street or stressing finding parking in the Ilikai docks area. The drive way to this hotel is under the bridge that connects the Red Lobster parking lot to the Ilikai Hotel.
(5)
Paula G.
We had to. I mean Hawaii + Morimoto = GREAT FOOD. Since The great state of CA banned foie gras, my body literally needed a taste of it during our honeymoon. I think the third course was foie gras and Mr. Chef Morimoto DID NOT disappoint. I;ve been to the Napa, CA location and this location beats that. We went just right in time for the sunset. Yes. How so cliche. But it was stupendous. The servers here are freakin' awesome too. They knew their food. We had a lot of questions because aunthentic Japanase food is not some Korean owned roll slathered in eel sauce and baked mayonnaise. The server knew details of what the sushi was as well as the other weird things we ordered. Seriously, thumbs up and cool points.
(5)
Chass B.
I was a bit hesitant to dine here after dining in the one in New York. I wasn't very impressed...at all. But, when it opened we wanted to dine somewhere different and nice. It was my fiance's birthday and he wanted to check it out, so why not!?! All in all, the food was good, service was great, and we left very happy! We would love to go back, but maybe we will keep it for our special occasions... Goes to show that you can never rate or compare two restaurants, even if it's the same name...
(4)
KO W.
My wife and I are very picky when it comes to Japanese food, mainly the sashimi and sushi. We have gone to almost every Japanese restaurant in town and everywhere else we ever lived before moving here 3 years ago. About Morimoto, If you like "fusion" Japanese food and sit shoulder to shoulder with strangers then this is the place for you , Otherwise I wouldn't recommend any sushi/sashimi lovers to go there. Although they do have a nice selection of sushi/sashimi on their menu but all taste blend and the sushi rice is dry and hard, not better than any typical Japanese restaurant can offer with half the price.
(2)
Guy h.
Single diners miight want to beware. I made a reservation and the restaurant was half-empty. First, girl at front says,"Would you be willing to sit at the sushi counter?" Second, the girl who seats me offers me the worst seat in the empty house. And third, when I speak to the manager about this--she misses the point. "You didn't like your seaint options?" Yeah, I didn't, but I liked the general denial of the humiliation being inflicted on me even less.
(2)
Shay F.
Ya... I just gave this place 2 stars... I'm entitled to my own opinions. Anyways, I wasn't too impressed with this place. I had high expectations since people were like WoW... but to me, I was like meh. Why? Well, I don't eat meat, I don't eat spicy foods, I don't like wasabi, and I don't like yuzu.... Oh, and I'm allergic to lobster. That pretty much left me with .... nothing on the menu. So I ended up getting sushi here... which wasn't really anything special. I was sitting by the aisle on the outside part... and every time someone passed by it squeaked and my chair moved. That was pretty annoying too. I sure won't be rushing back...
(2)
Ash O.
..."So now America, with an open heart and an empty stomach, I say unto you in the words of my Uncle...Allez Cuisine!" WHAT WE ORDERED: Chef's Raw Bar Combination ($150) Hamachi Tartare ($24) Morimoto Poke ($19) Uni Caviar ($8) Foie Gras Chawan mushi ($17) Takoyaki ($18) Oyster Foie Gras ($22) Loco Moto with Wagyu Beef ($22) Duck, duck, duck ($28) Beverages (???) Now add it up. Go ahead. Ohhh okay, I'll do it for you *counting* add the four, carry the one - so comes out to be about a million billion dollars. [Editors note: I'm tricking you. The bill was actually $300-sumin' sumin']. A huge splurge, and somewhat faint-worthy, but IMHO it was soooo worth it. Need a last meal suggestion, because you're on death row? Tell the guard you want Morimoto's. Want to impress your wife/husband/girlfriend/boyfriend/in-laws/boss/UPS man/someone you've never met before? Need to bribe a politician? Eat cup noodles everyday for a week then take them here! Be like Nike and "Just Do It." Seriously though, this is what awesome tastes like. DISCLAIMER: You must be thinking to yourself, "Self, this gorgeous creature probably wears ten-carat diamonds while riding her purebred unicorn to her awaiting yacht in Lanikai." Well you're only a smidge right on that one. While I do enjoy the finer things in life, I don't think I would ever (single-handedly) pay that much money for dinner. My first Morimoto's experience was actually free, thanks to my very generous relative who was kind enough to treat my cousin and I. In real life, I only pimp my Charlie-Sheen-baller-shot-caller status everyday in my mind. You know before he went all cray-cray on the world. WINNING. You're welcome.
(4)
Rina S.
Subpar food, expensive for what they offer, bad service. Also ate here on Christmas Eve one year and found a beetle bug crawling in my salad. Disgusting.
(1)
Steven C.
Love the home made tofu at the table, and the rock shrimp are amazing... Portion is big enough to share. We will be back.
(5)
Jay H.
We went for my mother's birthday while visiting Oahu over the Thanksgiving Holiday. We went on a Saturday for lunch. We had a party of 6, one was a toddler and one an infant. We specifically went during lunch so as not to disturb dinner customers who may want a more formal dining experience. Service: 4/5 Our waiter didn't seem very knowledgeable about the food and mumbled quite a bit. We were served way better by the other staff who attended to us than our waiter. Don't get me wrong, this waiter would have been top notch at just about any other restaurant, but at a place like this, I expect the very best in wait staff. Food: 4.75/5 I initially thought the food was a 5 out of 5, but after comparing to another meal during our trip, I had to knock this down a bit. We ordered the Hamachi tartare as an appetizer, our toddler liked the lobster sandwich, mom had the Ishi Yaki Buri Bop, wife and dad had the daily special which was some kind of fish, and I had the chrashi. All in all, presentation was top notch. Food was good enough and as expected for a restaurant of this caliber. I wasn't blown away with the food, but wasn't disappointed either. Ambience/Location: 5/5 I thought the ambiance was great. Lunch was very quiet, we went when they first opened at 11am and only one other party came in during our hour and a half lunch. The average of the three ratings still rounds up to a 5 star. See my other review for a true 5 star meal on Oahu. I'd say this place was definitely casual for lunch and good for kids during lunch. Not so sure about dinner.
(5)
Katherine C.
The food was good and the lunch prices were pretty reasonable. It's Morimoto's and in Waikiki, so I don't think quantity should be expected. However, the quality was excellent and I've had pricier lunches that lacked the quality and presentation. Overall, I was very pleased and though the entrees aren't large, they are large enough to make you not feel the need to grab a 2nd lunch from some place else. I was surprised at how empty the place was on a Sunday for lunch. My friend loved the loco moco....I'm usually not a loco moco person but based off of his reviews and the lovely presentation, I think I'll have to give it a shot.
(4)
Quijana B.
There's very little I can add to the descriptions of the restaurant or the food or the overall experience. It is a lovely space. It is louder than it should be. The service is either very good or remarkably bad. The food is fun and fresh and worth trying at least once. What needs to be said is this. Order the tasting menu. And then order it again. And again. And again. Unlike most restaurants with a tasting menu that gets switched out from time to time, Morimoto's has a never-ending tasting menu. Each menu is 9 courses. Each menu costs the same. There will never be a repeat in the dishes presented to you. Here's the secret. It is up to you to remember which menu you are up to trying. During my second visit, I made the not horrible mistake of not letting my waiter know that I had already had the tasting menu once before, and was presented with the exact same menu as the first visit. My third trip to the restaurant was when I was smart enough to say something, and was rewarded with a new set of dishes to try. My dining companion was there for his first visit, and had a familiar menu. It was such a nice treat to be able to let him sample mine as well. I'm looking forward to the third menu! (And the fourth, fifth, sixth...)
(5)
Evan S.
We had the omakase and it was truly a fantastic dining experience. Each course was beautiful, perfectly crafted and delicious. Every course was as exceptional as the one prior. We couldn't of been more pleased. The staff was incredibly attentive and explained each dish perfectly. Our servers (Brandon & Martin) were great. Having such good service really enhanced and complimented how incredible the food was. Thanks guys!
(5)
Carol B.
It was a treat to have gone but that was about it. My hostess ordered the waygu carpaccio, very delicious, for appetizer. I had the kakuni don for my entree which included a tasty little sald with delicious tart dressing, and two sushi which I had to give my hostess since it was far too much food along with the pork which topped the rice bowl. The seasoning on the pork was overly sweet.The drink, a cucumber shiso collins was refreshing and amazingly potent.We had dessert too, i had the peanut butter concoction which was o.k. I am grateful for the chance to visit Morimotos on Oahu, having been to the one on Maui, but it seemed same old same old. Been there, done that.
(3)
Karen B.
My husband and I have been to Morimoto's Waikiki every 4th of July for the past 4 years and have alway had an enjoyable time. However, after this year we will look for another restaurant for our annual Anniversary celebration. The fact that they have a great view of the fireworks was not enough to justify the expense of the dinner and the exceptionally poor services we received, and most importantly the very poor quality food! Admittedly we are pretty hard customers to satisfy as we come from the San Francisco Bay Area where good restaurants and quality food abound. The experience this year went from bad to worse from the moment we checked in the with Hostess, who asked me to sigh a "Contract" upon entering. Never had to do that to eat dinner before! We were a little early so we asked if we could get a drink at the bar and take it out to the patio. The bartender said no, only bottle service out there that night. However, when they found that indeed we had a table reserved for the deck then we were "allowed' to take our drink out there. As far as the tasting menu went, some of it was mediocre and some of it was just plain terrible. The fish for the Sushi was not fresh tasting, of all things at a place that specializes in japanese seafood and sushi! Before our main course came out, our server left (change of shifts or some such thing) telling us it was too bad for us when my husband mentioned to her that he wasn't happy about this, and said that we should instead be glad for her because now she was off! She then forgot to tell her replacement to take over our table so it was about 25 minutes before we were served our main course! I have never felt happy to leave a dining establishment before but in this case we were extremely grateful to pay our more than $400.00 to leave! To top it off, I was appaled that there was an "administration" fee added to the cost of the dinner. We will not be back!
(1)
Kelly V.
Went here with the hubs, we had the hamachi tartare, he had the pork gyozq, and then we had sushi. For dessert we had the molten chocolate and almond lava cake. Everything was delicious and our server Paul (?) was friendly and helpful. Will be back again sometime!!
(5)
Natasha D.
It was "okay". Our 1st night we went to Nobu which was AMAZING & heard this spot would be the same if not better. Well, it was okay. When I called to make reservations they asked if we were celebrating anything special. I let them know our honeymoon & thought we'd get at least good seating. Nope, sandwiched in between another couple (who was super cool) and this annoying table/walk way. I got the sake flight which was awesome. I asked for the Chef's choice and when delivered my server (who looked high) goes here you go. I ask "which is which" his reply "oh, um, do you want to know about them"....WTF any time you get a flight of ANYTHING they explain whats what! Fine. I let that roll off. Appetizer was spicy tuna (MEH..nothing spicy or good about them) & oysters, pretty good. Not fantastic but good! Entrees: Husband had the surf and turf, loved it! Said the steak was phenomenal. I had the yellow tail rice dish that is cooked against this stone that heats to about 400 degrees. PHENOMENAL! Here, something that redeemed itself. Desert: Chocolate Moulton Cake. Yuck. Tasted so dry. I kept drinking water after 2 bites, I was over it so I left my husband to finish. All and all, the server sucked. The dinner was over $200 & I would have taken that back to Nobu or a hole in the wall sushi joint any day.
(3)
Chad Y.
Morimoto Waikiki is a great addition to the Honolulu culinary experience and I believe offers a great experience for the residents and guests of our fair city. That being said, I honestly don't believe that Morimoto Waikiki is one of those places that doesn't live up to its hype. It merely offers something different. Their menu is certainly unique its own way and you can certainly see how Morimoto and his team have added certain twists and tricks to make their dishes stand out. There are certainly highs and lows to it though. The raw seafood selections are quite phenomenal and you can certainly taste the freshness of the product and they certainly highlight it rather than mask it. However that's where the OMG this was good ends. The rest of the menu is certainly unique however the flavors wouldn't keep me coming back for more. Especially when I am going to end up paying $100/head for my menu. Service is certainly hit or miss. There are servers which offer a truly 5 star experience that know their menu and the food arrives in beautiful orchestration. On the other hand there are others that almost seem aloof. The ambiance is certainly Hollywood sheik with pulsating music, modern/contemporary decor, and the shiek vibe. Personally, I think that's what you are paying for... Certainly a good place to dine at, however is it really the work of an Iron Chef? Eh...certain items yes, a lot no.
(3)
Ken C.
It's been two years ago but I came in with high expectations at Morimotos and walked out with a disappointment. Felt the Omakase (all the same at morimoto locations) wasnt worth the value of its money.
(3)
Suzy K.
The best wagyu beef on O'ahu. Refreshingly modern atmosphere and vibe. Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto chillin' like a villain at the sushi bar late in the evening. Great view of the Honolulu Harbor with nice South Pacific breezes.
(5)
Arabella M.
Great service, great food. You get what you paid for and it's true with this place. The cucumber drink was to die for. Steak was cook to perfection and the poke was so good and fresh, it just melts in your mouth. Wouldn't mind coming back here every night for dinner..
(5)
Tyler C.
Had the Omakase for first timers. It was an awesome experience to eat here. The level of food was outstanding. The service we had was tops, though he was busy he was always looking at his tables and aware of what his diners were at and wanted. Very exciting eating experience I ever had in such a long time. Got to try....got to!! Went for Fathers Day dinner... :) Morimoto himself worked the sushi line...awesome!
(5)
Jannet L.
absolutely gorgeous decor, so fresh and light. validated valet parking - the best idea ever. great service. hotel is gorgeous. food was fine. nothing mind blowing. of course beautifully presented and really a treat for the eyes. but i guess i thought it'd be incredibly delicious b/c he's the iron chef and all. i think i'll bring my mom here for lunch b/c it's just so beautiful and the parking is great. gotta love the free valet parking...
(3)
Kevin D.
Not sure why this got such a low rating. If you cant afford to go there then dont! The food is the freshest I've tasted. Went to Alan Wong for dinner and Morimoto was better.
(5)
Kristine T.
We went for dinner on my birthday and it was my very first experience at Morimoto Waikiki and at a "celebrity chef's" restaurant. Everything we ate, tasted good! However...the experience just wasn't quite all that we expected. We ordered the "Morimoto Style Poke" and the "Whitefish Carpaccio". Both delicious but the quality of the fish in the poke just wasn't as good as we were expecting. It was good, but thought it would be better at a Morimoto restaurant. Same with the "Chirashi". We were expecting better quality fish within the entree. It wasn't bad, but we were expecting better. The "Braised Black Cod" also tasted good. But the piece of fish seemed small for a dinner entree. The way it was plated too, perhaps made the piece of fish seem unusually small. The "Chef's Loco Moto" was also delicious, but again, maybe the plating of the entree contributed to the experience of the dish. This was served on a large round white plate. Half of the plate was rice. The other half was the wagyu beef in gravy. In the middle was the sunny side up egg, which seemed small...but maybe because the portion of rice and beef and gravy was large? The restaurant has light, lime green chairs, some of which looked dirty from wear and tear. Same goes for the white fabric-ed menus. They looked dirty. The food, I thought was good and tasty, but some of the other elements for an exceptional dining experience were lacking. Maybe my "standards" were a bit higher because this is a restaurant of a "celebrity chef". I don't know? :)
(3)
Joanna Y.
Ok, so I guess Morimoto's is not known for their sushi. I was thoroughly disappointed when my one piece hamachi and spicy hamachi roll were probably one of (if not) the worst pieces of hamachi I've ever had. Comparable, or worse than Genki! I'm not sure if it was just the chef that was working, but I had high expectations for a restaurant as this. My saving grace was the Lobster Melt sandwich. I went during lunch time with my bf and I LOVED this sandwich. Generous chunks of lobster meat, juicy tomatoes, and melted cheese stuffed in between perfectly toasted bread. Ho mah gawd. This came with fries (which I must add were perfectly crisp and seasoned so I didn't need ketchup), salad, and pickles. My bf had the Loco Moto lunch set, which is Morimoto's take on a loco moco but with wagyu beef. I had a bite of his and it was pretty good. His came with rice, miso soup, and a salad. I also really like the decor. Super modern, nice and spacious atmosphere. Lunch time was not so packed but I can imagine it getting more packed at dinner time. We made reservations for lunch but it wasn't necessary. I would go again for the Lobster melt, or try the Seafood Teppanyaki that my bff raves about.
(4)
Edmond K.
The restaurant is beautiful, Servers could use more training they seem confused when I went! but we could have got a new worker. not what I would expect from some one of that skill level. I expected more from the menu but I would go again
(3)
Allie L.
Pineapple tempura with jamon iberico. This appetizer pretty much makes the meal.
(4)
Mia N.
Some things were great, some just OK. But the setting is very nice and the service is very good. I guess for the prices and all of the hype I was expecting it to be totally mind blowing, but I wasn't blown away. I would probably give it another try though. Maybe order a few different things.
(3)
Miyako L.
Motto Morimoto kudasai !! This meal was definitely a highlight of the trip. Strategically placed in the lobby level of the gorgeous Waikiki Edition hotel, this restaurant overlooks the harbor out onto the ocean. It was hard to make a choice whether to dine inside among the all white, super modern furniture with beautiful accents of orchids and coral... or outside on the warm and welcoming deck with a great view. Seeing as how it was one of the only days it did not rain on our trip, we opted for the deck in efforts to try to take advantage of the good weather :) We started with some delicately balanced cocktails that all had a very unique flavor quality about them. Next was the ahi pizza. This is very thinly sliced fresh ahi, placed on top of a cracker thin herbed crust, topped with crisscrosses of japanese mayo, slices of red onion, sliced jalapenos, and some kind of tasty sprouts. So good. Next was a sashimi cesar salad. I was curious how those two items would taste together, but somehow Morimoto's pulled it off! The sashimi skin is crusted with herbs and nori and placed next to a few leaves of seasoned romaine lettuce and sprinkled with a few croutons. Yum! Light, and tasty and perfect for lunch!! The third dish we shared was Morimoto's mini sliders. The sliders were made of Kobe beef, and each had a small piece of teriyaki salmon that was snuck in between the two buns too. The shoestring fries were sprinkled with nori and crystallized wasabi and had a mysterious dipping sauce that made you crave more. Overall such an awesome meal at Morimoto's of Waikiki, I can't wait to come back and try more of the menu!!
(5)
Jenny K.
I was looking for a fine dining place to eat at and this place came up the service was good, food is beautifully presented but when I ate it I was not impress at all!
(4)
Robert S.
Well I like this we had some amazing stuff in my opinion. The oysters Foi Gras and pork belly are divine. Duck, Duck, Duck is very good and the angry bird is good also. Was nice to find this place as a surprise Birthday dinner place.
(5)
Patrick T.
What is this, I don't even... know how to describe this meal. Stunning. Best or second best meal I've had in my life. You will feel high after eating here. Came with a group of friends and we ordered a ton of dishes, and paid about 100 bucks each. Worth it. Started with the Morimoto style poke which was an interesting presentation with a few different "dips." Then went for the tempura calamari salad, which was fine. Oyster foie gras was EXCELLENT. Melt in your mouth deliciousness. Waygu carpaccio was quite nice. Kakuni (pork belly) was very good, though I didn't care much for the porridge it was in. Duck duck duck entree was just ok. seafood toban yaki was like a bouillabaise and was also tasty. The braised black cod was breathtakingly good. Didn't expect much, but it was perfectly cooked with a gushingly good sauce. Waygu filet was a finely cooked steak. For dessert, the tofu cheese cake was light and refreshing. vanilla roasted pineapple was nice. chocolate peanut bombe was VERY rich and good. Allez cuisine!
(5)
Juan F.
My experience here was absolutely amazing. Probably one of the best meals I've ever had. Chef Morimoto is definitely worthy of being called an Iron Chef. The restaurant is relatively new. The inside is really decorous and modern. Everything is really bright and vivid. There are seats inside the restaurant and outside with the ocean view. The Food: Omg. I had a really hard time deciding what I wanted and the waitress recommended the Omasake. Since I went there for lunch, it was a 7 course meal. Had I went there for dinner, 9 course meal! I decided to give the Omasake a try. Course 1: Toro and Hamachi tartare. Absolutely delicious. The fish was chopped and served on a wooden plate? It also came with toppings for your fish including wasabi paste, rice crackers, guacamole, onions, sour cream. The fish literally melted in my mouth. Too good. Course 2: Seared Sashimi. I forgot what fish I got. I think it was red snapper. It was slightly seared and served with some kinda of a soy and yuzu sauce that complemented it perfectly. The fish again melted in my mouth. Course 3: I don't know what its called. Its kinda of a fondue that consisted of a small container with Oil and a piece of anchovy that is being heated. As the anchovy kinda dissolves in the oil, you can dip the veggies in it. Pretty good, but my breathe was burning after because of the anchovy. Course 4: Not really a course. It was just tea to "clean" my palate. Course 5: Nigiri. 5 piece nigiri that included hamachi, toro, and some that I cannot name. They were all delicious. Course 6: Wagyu Beef. Ordered it medium rare and thats how it came. It came with some sauce and some tiny potatoes. One of the best steaks I've ever had. It was so soft and tender. I didn't need the knife to cut it. Course 7: Guava Sorbet. Served in a bowl with Haupia, a sweet cracker, and fresh fruits. I cannot believe how GOOD the sorbet was! Best dessert I've had. Absolutely amazing experience.
(5)
Carmen C.
If ever in Honolulu and you really want to splurge on a meal, you must try this restaurant. Not only is it located close to a very nice hotel, The Modern, but the location is beautiful. The food was "melt in your mouth" perfect, and the service perfect! Chef Morimoto, Congratulations! I am a very picky eater and I loved my food!
(5)
Rick L.
What's better than spending quality time and sharing a meal at the brand new Morimoto Waikiki restaurant with my best friend/girlfriend, her terrific sister and a close friend from out of town? Nothing! Well,...until the Kakuni appetizer came out. Get out of the way people, the food is here! Kakuni, ten hour pork belly rice congee!!! Jesus Christ! The flavors shooting out this appetizer dish while it happily swims in perfect congee has got to be their best dish in the restaurant! The food as expected was simply amazing! Beautifully decorated and an eye opener whenever a new dish lay on our table. Wow, wow, wow! The pictures says it all, go take a look and I know you'll enjoy it as much as we did. Enjoy!
(4)
Christine E.
I've been wanting to write this review foreverrrr. But, I'm not an avid yelper (yet) and just never seem to get on here. Anyways, last Christmas I had dinner here with 10 of my girlfriends. The only thing that I remember really enjoying was the foie gras with oysters and a teriyaki type sauce. I still think about those oysters til this day! Oh...and the sake. The sake was good. But the sushi...eh. The beef carpaccio...eh. Ahi salad...decent. The wagyu beef...eh. Pork gyoza....lame. etc. etc....nothing to write home about. I was very unimpressed. Not to mention our servers were unfriendly. They smiled, but not those geniune "i like my job smiles", you could tell that they rather be somewhere else...anywhere else. I did like the ambience though. The nice white decorations. It really made for a beautiful christmas dinner. But the food? All night I was just like...it's OK. and then, then the worst part of the night happened. Some server (i'm assuming he was the manager or something), came over, asked us how we were enjoying everything, then said to "keep it down". Excuse me, WHAT?! First of all, Morimotos is not a quiet restaurant. Next to us was a table of Japanese tourists yapping away and laughing and taking pictures. Across from us was a group of military people who would cheers by saying "Hoo Rahh!" really loudly. and WE get shushed?! This was a $1200.00 meal. and we were told basically to "shhh" at our Christmas dinner at an establishment that was obviously not one of those quiet, dark lit, romantic restaurants. I will never return. The food is on the level of what you can get at restaurants for half the price. And the service lacks any kind of care.
(2)
Ashley Y.
I'm surpised at how low some of these ratings are. Every time I dine at Morimoto, I'm awed at the quality of food. I've dined here several times, and though I've always had an exceptional meal, this past experience was just the tiniest bit less than what I've come to expect. It doesn't matter, because I'm still such a fan and I'll always come back. I absolutely recommend that you make reservations, as I've heard it's difficult to get a table without one. My food is always prepared perfectly. The presentation is amazing every time, and I adore their outdoor seating. Morimoto is always a creative experience. The food is beautiful; the highest quality ingredients, good portion sizes, picturesque plating and attentive waitstaff. I'm never rushed, but the food isn't slow, either. It's pretty close to perfect. And I always enjoy it!
(5)
Toni K.
The omakase was totally worth the hefty price tag attached. Each course was brought out by a different member of the kitchen staff, with a comprehensive description of the plate, plus eating suggestions. The Foie gras infused egg custard with duck breast slice was one of the best things I have eaten in my life. I was definitely getting stuffed by the surf and turf course, but soldiered on, thanks in part to a thoughtful menu that offered pairings that weren't too overwhelming when put together (not to mention, they normally allow 1.5 hrs for the tasting menu, but since the other members in my party ordered from the regular menu, they offered to bring out my dishes two at a time.) Loved the clean, modern interiors as well. Staff were friendly and knowledgeable.
(5)
Pete T.
This was definitely a great experience. By far the most expensive and classiest restaurants we've ever visited to celebrate our 1 year anniversary. We opted for the omakase and was pretty floored right from the start with the tuna tartare. Exquisite! Other highlights included the fish in hot oil and our favourite, the foie grois rendered custard. That was the most intense flavour we've ever tasted! We extended that portion of the meal by 15minutes to fully enjoy every morsel. The waiters were incredibly knowledgeable and courteous throughout our meal. They really helped enhance the whole Morimoto experience. There was a monsoon happening, and they offered to setup a table for us inside the restaurant to avoid getting wet from the patio seating we had. The final entree was wagyu beef, lobster, creme fraiche, and pork chop. Pretty anticlimactic, in our opinion, but surprising to get all that in our set. We saw a couple next to us also get the omakase, but it was to share. They also ordered other dishes to try, which was absolutely brilliant! Definitely recommend going this route if it's your first time. All in all, a great experience.
(5)
Janine K.
5 stars all around! Surf n turf- delicious. Lamb shank- fantastic flavors. Wagyu beef carpaccio - melts like butter in ur mouth. On dessert menu - espresso martini - OMG this is so yummy it will give u the big O! Service was top notch. Bring a sweater if u tend to get cold... The a/c was drafty. All the above with 2 glasses of wine $185. Was expecting $300+ so it was a wonderful surprise. Great poolside bar just outside of restaurant... Arrive early and chilax with a cocktail! Would definitely go there again!
(5)
Jane L.
I absolutely love this place. They have great food, the FISH is the best I've ever eaten. It is so fresh. The location is wonderful right next to the beach a perfect place. The staff is very friendly, accomodating and quick service. I would definitely go back.
(5)
Sim S.
If you only make it to one restaurant in Waikikikikiki...with your keiki Amazing Service. Great food. Excellent selection. Fair prices. Pretty much everything you could ask for in a Dining Experience. In addition, the Iron Chef himself is usually on hand for pictures. Might not be too happy in the background, but overall posed for some people and is available. If you could go to one restaurant, make this a stop. Family friendly as well as we had our 2 year old, and Ipad-busy or not, we only had to take him out on one quick walk as the food kept him seated for majority of dinner. Visited February 2012
(5)
Surai J.
Just like his Iron Chef track record, the cuisine here is hit or miss. However, the service, the best I've ever experienced from paris to hawaii. I mean 5 star, think of everything, consideration to the n-th degree type of waiter. Where do they train? If the food could rise to the service, this place will the THE resturant everyone needs to experience. One note for families, this is one outdoor fine dining experience you can take your kids to. The patio opens up to a walkway and pool area, where your older children can hang and walk around while you continue to linger over dinner and drinks. They'll still be in sight :-)
(4)
Callie S.
We were staying at The Modern and it was later in the evening, so Morimoto's was convenient. We had the rock shrimp tempura, some sushi, the tuna pizza, and the divers scallops. I was hesitant to go in because the reviews are all over the place, so though it is Chef Morimoto's restaurant, where you would expect impeccable food, service, and ambiance; I guess I didn't have high expectations. The food was good - the scallops I didn't care for at all - they definitely were under seasoned and the chili paste/broth was just an odd flavor, the jalapeños on the the tuna pizza lew out my palette, the hamachi wasn't the freshest. The other appetizers and sushi were good, not great. The service was good as well, but not great. It's a shame that such a famous, well known, chef would let the restaurant go and allow for "just good". When paying those prices, $$$$, I want exceptional.
(3)
Chloe H.
Outstanding service. I came to Morimoto's with 20 people in total. Martin, our server, was fantastic -- especially for putting up with my family, which is no easy task! He explained everything well, was very friendly and charming, and even remembered me the last time I came here over a year ago! Talk about service, haha. The dinner was sort of an omakase. The wagyu carpaccio was fantastic! Definitely get that for an appetizer. One of my family members is vegetarian, and they were very accommodating -- they made her a vegetable bibimbop and other vegetarian dishes. i am a huge dessert fan, and the peanut butter and chocolate dessert was pretty light, all things considered. So, so, so good though. Overall, the food was filling and delicious. The only downside to my experience was that Chef Morimoto wasn't there!
(5)
Charlene K.
Chef Morimoto was there! So this is what Heaven must taste like. Pork Belly dish has amazing flavor, Tartar slab is excellent and fun to eat. Sushi Combination presentation blew me away. A bouquet of assorted sashimi each cut was so delicate and tasty. The Surf and Turf steak is also succulent, it melts in your mouth and is seasoned so well your mouth will sing. Don't forget dessert! Chocolate peanut bomb is the favorite, it's rich and not too sweet. I liked the Vanilla roasted pineapple very refreshing light and sweet. It's a very modern fancy spot. I say date worthy. This was a special dinning experience. Mohalo to Chef Morimoto
(5)
Angel L.
Everything about our experience here was amazing. The food, the ambiance, the service. I recommend this restaurant to anyone celebrating something special, the wait staff really makes a difference in the experience. They are wonderful. Our server Brandon especially, I would recommend him any day.
(5)
Shane B.
OMG!!! Amazeballs!!! The sushi here was to die for... And the service and ambiance was excellent. The fusion between traditional Japanese and modern food is so well executed! I loved the mixed drinks as well, the 1775 was tremendous! Also was pleasantly surprised by the open concept kitchen, was good to see how well run this place is... Can't wait to go back!!!
(5)
Sarah M.
My husband and I came here for our 2 year wedding anniversary. Located in the Modern hotel, It's a very classy joint great for special dates, and special occasions! We started off with salads my husband had the mixed green salad and I got the sashimi salad which were both fresh and yummy! We also got the spicy salmon roll, the salmon maki, and also the oh-toro which is the fatty tuna. The salmon sushi was all good, fresh, and yummy, The Oh-Toro was by far the most beautiful experience ever! It absolutely just melted in my mouth and i never wanted it to end!!! Now going on... For our main dishes we got the Chef's loco moto which is Chef Morimoto's spin on Loco moco and I got the braised black cod. The Loco Moto was okay... It was good but how glorious can gravy, meat, egg, and rice get then it already is. Now the braised black cod now is just delightful! I would most definitely revisit that dish everyday if I could! It just melted! My mouth just waters, just typing this out and imagining the flavors, and texture of it all! For dessert they brought out some mango sherbet on the house for our anniversary which was fresh light and tarty but in a good kinda way! then us being total dessert-holics we ordered a chocolate peanut bombe which was THE BOMB! we ate every last bite and would of licked the plate if it wouldn't make us look like classless human beings! As you can see we thoroughly enjoyed everything the only thing that went wrong was that we had to wait an extra 45 min for them to redo our main dish because they said it didn't come out the way they wanted which was all good because it was worth the wait! Our server was good, the food was amazing, the ambiance chic/sexy/classy and our night was perfect-o!
(5)
ET C.
President Obama ate at Morimoto's back in December when he visited his hometown in Hawai'i ( abcnews.go.com/blogs/pol… ). Should that be a reason for people to stop by? No. Should a patio view of the Ke'ehi lagoon and boats on the harbor be the main reason to come here for a meal? No. How about great food? That should do it. We really enjoyed Morimoto's Omakase menu ("chef's choice tasting menu designed to allow us to experience the essence of Morimoto cuisine") -see pictures attached. Aside from that, the restaurant offers a great selection of sushi, sashimi, soups, noodles, fish and meat main courses and cocktails. I ordered the Pikake Blossom (tru organic vanilla vodka, freshly muddled thai basil, lemon juice and theia organic jasmine liqueur) and decided that this was the best cocktail I ever had, period. Room for dessert? Try whatever the chef has on his tasting menu, you'll love it! P.S. Not convinced yet? This review is pretty thorough: alohaupdate.com/2010/11/…
(4)
Steve D.
Rude & uniformed employees to start. If you want to spend $60 on a Johnny walker blue label, that's right $60 go somewhere else. Good food but you will enjoy Roy's or Imanas just as much for half the price & get this, their employees won't treat you like crap. Also you can't park anywhere close unless you pay. Morimoto must pay for articles in magazines because this place is so overrated. Normally I don't care but I will also tell everyone to stay away from this place.
(1)
Faye M.
My BF surprised me by making Valentine's Day reservations for Morimoto, but I talked him into changing it to the day before Valentine's only because it's in Waikiki and we probably would have been caught in crazy traffic on V Day. Plus, with changing the day and time, I was able to rack 1000 Open Table points!! So from the time he told me we were going to eat there until the night of our reservations, I read all the reviews I could and was hoping that we would be one of the lucky ones and have a good experience. So we ate there Sunday - Feb 13th and it was a great experience! We arrived about 15 minutes early and didn't have to wait to be seated, and also asked to sit outside (the girls in the front were very friendly and nice, unlike some of the other yelper's experiences). It was a little cramped out there, but still a good use of the outside space. I already knew I wanted to get the Omakase, but was pleasantly surprised to find a special Valentine's Day Omakase menu! So I got that with the wine pairings, which was $75 more. My BF didn't want to get the Omakase, since he wanted to try different items - so he ordered the Takoyaki Balls, Clam Miso Soup, and not one, but TWO(!!) entrees: the Duck Duck Duck and the Lobster Epice. My Omakase was very good, I enjoyed every dish that arrived - but my favorite was the sushi! It was soo cute - one was a heart shaped salmon nigiri thing, another was a rose made out of sashimi, and there was an ika nigiri sushi that looked like a rabbit for the Chinese New Year! It also came with ebi nigiri and tomago - the tomago didn't have any rice though, but it was still good! My main course of the Omakase was Beef Wellington and it was soo delicious! There was a total of about 6 courses in the Omakase and I enjoyed all of them! The time in between courses was kind of off, but not so much so that I was getting irritated. My BF's choices were also very tasty - the Takoyaki Balls were hot and fresh; his Clam Miso Soup was a big bowl - and it was very delicious. The Duck Duck Duck was good - I had one of his spring rolls, and a bite of his roast duck which was moist! The Lobster Epice was roasted lobster with a spice rub - it was OK, on the dry side and I didn't really care for the spice rub - we both prefer our lobster to be steamed/boiled with just plain butter and garlic. All in all, it was a great night to spend with my Valentine - service was good - our waters were always filled and table wiped clean of any food and/or drops of water. Our waiter, Benjamin was friendly and didn't even bat an eye when my BF ordered his 2 entrees! He actually told me that he was proud of my BF - LOL!! On a side note - it is much more romantic to sit outside in the evening; not only because of the sunset and views, but the noise level is at a lower decibel. Inside would be more for a big party!
(4)
Cyndy K.
By default I had to give Morimoto's a star. Otherwise it would be zero stars They were not interested in serving us. We weren't interested in waiting. Aloha.....
(1)
Monthakan B.
Dont expect to see the Iron Chef himself just because it's his restaurant! But you can always expect good food and excellent customer service here, any day, any time! Went there for our Xmas dinner and it was awesome!!! The beef carpaccio and Gyoza with Bacon Foam was to die for!!! And dont let me get started on the Baked Oysters with Foie Gras..... Mmmmm, Yummo!!!!
(5)
Joyce F.
For: carpaccio, the modern Against: price, some food, typical service Other essentials: Free parking back in the boat harbor. It's a nice walk and less than five minutes. More: My friend and I went on an appetizer date and ordered the wagyu and whitefish carpaccio. That and the octopus carpaccio all have the same sauce but we ordered the second (whitefish) because the wagyu was so incredibly amazing. All three are hot and, though I prefer cold, I would definitely order them again. It's steep (wagyu $22) but, seriously, so worth it. There was a (cold) lamb carpaccio on the online menu but when we asked about it they said they 86ed that a long time ago. Sad. We also ordered the morimoto sashimi which was beautiful but anticlimactic. The sauces did not add at all to the fish. The yellowtail pastrami was okay, mainly because I love sashimi. My friend said it was interesting - not good or bad. It definitely had an interesting flavor combination. Lastly, we ordered the xo diver scallops. The sauce was good but salty and, as scallop lovers, we were both very underwhelmed with the dish. I'll definitely go back but it will probably be strictly carpaccio. Service was typical, offering suggestions every time they asked if we were ready to order. It seemed very posed. We sat inside but the outdoor patio looks breezy and cozy at the same time. While seated, you could see into the kitchen which I like. I think it gives me a false sense of cleanliness.The sake looked good but we passed on alcohol this night. Afterwards we cruised poolside at the Modern on one of their beach chair beds. There was a bar if that's your style but we just enjoyed the night air and bottle-lit trees.
(3)
Jane H.
I want to give this place a 3.5 stars, but I just couldn't round up for several reasons. Let's start with why this place is nice, and how it earned the stars I gave it. The decor is nice -- it matches the environment it is in with a cool, laid back feel with cool looking dishes and utensils to go with it. There is a nice outdoor area that faces the sea, and it is a beautiful view! I was lucky enough to get the best view, happened to come on a Friday, and was able to see the fireworks! The food looked great, and the plating was delightful to the eyes. I got the omakase and the most memorable dish was the first one of fish pate. Service was excellent, and the spirits choices were wonderful. What were the problems? Morimoto doesn't understand sushi. If you are going to put together an omakase, you are displaying your best stuff, and the sushi dish was terrible. The sushi was the worst part of the whole dish -- poorly seasoned rice, poorly carved fish. The surf and turf was good, but not up to par from what I would expect from an Iron Chef. I ended up packing the turf and giving it to a homeless fellow, and as we walked away, we wished we did the same to the sushi! During the fireworks, the staff allowed everyone to get up and walk to where they felt was the best view. Which meant our perfect spot was infiltrated and not only did our view get somewhat obscured, but people were getting in our space!!! Not cool -- tell people to stay away from other diners. Let's end with -- I wasn't all that impressed by Morimoto NYC either.
(3)
Chad O.
HUMAN BEINGS ARE NOT AN ENDANGERED SPECIES; HOWEVER THIS IS NOT FOR A LACK OF TRYING ~Douglas Noel Adams ______________________________________________ The turn of the century was upon us, 1900s were coming to an end and so was civilization too. A programing bug would cause computer clocks to "WTF", planes to drop from the sky, cities would go dark, and electronics to blow up or die. Seinfeld was over, Kenny died in South Park, even Bill Clinton knew to get one last fling before it was all over, what was left for us? Y2k was here, your best bet was to stock up and bunker in for a nuclear winter. Is your can of coke Y2k compliant? No? Good! It will be worth more in 2000! Mean while we were in college, burning out our last years alive busy as a construction worker on Kapiolani Blvd at 2pm, enduring professors preaching typical Baby Boomer propaganda while Gen Xers & Yers got good at keeping their mouth shut while non-verbally sub-communicating exactly where you could shove it. The Mayan calendar is going to end, and maybe the world will too.... again. Itty Bitty Money (IBM) is no longer here to screw it up, but that doesn't mean we have a loss for contenders. Where would you be for your last meal? I want a pleasant place, where a T-shirt drone can always show me to my 2nd choice of tables I'd choose. Who no longer needs my validation or my tip, but will still blow smoke up my ass if I treat them like a human being while being able to recite the 3 B's of the Hawaii Food Service Hospitality Industry (Buckets of Baffling Bullshit) when I ask, What's... In... This...? Someplace where I can take a date, and when she stares off, a fixed gaze on some far off point and I suspect she stopped trying to participate in reality and I can't really blame her. I can attribute it to an it-was-that-good-post-food-coma and NOT me boring her to death again, with sarcastic self-important syndrome anecdotes of the end of the world. Always order the lamb meat lovers. If you spend any amount of time flexing in the mirror and kissing your bicep, can't go wrong with Ahi Sashimi Ceasar Salad. Thinking of dessert? Anything with chocolate here is fabulous! And get more than one, with all of them saying Happy Birthday with your name on it whether it's your bday or not, oh and special celebration days here are a must, so why not the last day? Who's with me? ~Self Deluded Prophet The Pinky to your Brain
(4)
Lucy M.
Even if the food weren't that good I'd still come back. The restaurant is beautiful and gorgeous. The people are super friendly and professional. The presentation of the food are like a piece of artwork. The location is awesome, right in the heart of the Modern Honolulu (Love this Hotel!!) by the harbor. It just feels special to be here. So the food....was amazing!!!! which makes the experience worth every penny well spent. The wagyu steak ($60) is a bit pricey but so delicious! The nigiris were pretty pricey as well which only came out as one piece instead of pairs but were amazing! The Sake that we had came out beautifully decorated and tasted good. We ordered the trio homemade ice cream for dessert and is a must have after a rich and delicious meal. The Morimoto in Napa compared was good and way busier but Morimoto Waikiki offered a better vibe and true aloha experience. :)
(5)
Anna F.
My friends said this place was good so I came here with high expectations. You know what, I didn't like it. I was impressed with the presentation of the food but the taste wasn't great. I ordered a few appetizers, a sushi roll, a few entrees, and a few desserts. Out of all the items my friends and I ordered, the only thing that blew me away was the chocolate peanut bombe dessert. If I had to come back here, I would just come for that dessert. The interior of the restaurant is very modern. The clear tables were cool. My table was outside on the deck next to the entrance of the Edition Hotel pool. Uh yeah, not a very good spot, the only view we got was the bushes. I think a table overlooking the marina would have been much better. For those who haven't tried this place yet, I say just come give it a shot. Maybe I didn't order the right items so I was disappointed. But this is a restaurant owned by an iron chef and I'd day it's a pretty big deal. Just remember to finish your meal off with the chocolate peanut bombe.
(3)
Jennie K.
I tried Morimoto for the first time in NYC and I was pretty disappointed. Masaharu Morimoto is one of my favorite chefs, so I decided to give his restaurant another try. He definitely changed my mind. The restaurant in Waikiki is absolutely beautiful. The decor is very modern, clean and white. The staff was extemely knowledgeable and helpful. The food was great! Definitely was not disappointed this time around. My friend and I ordered the toro tartare, king crab tobanyaki (which was my absolute favorite), wagyu carpaccio, yellowtail "pastrami" (this was my least favorite), oysters, and green tea meringue. All of the food was absolutely delicious. The prices are high but that's to be expected. Enjoy yourself, indulge and spend some money. If you want to be cheap do not go here. I will definitely be going here again!
(5)
Janet K.
I remember watching Iron Chef Morimoto on the original Japanese Iron Chef show. He was always my favorite Iron Chef... back then, and even on the new Iron Chef America show. That's why I was extremely surprised and severely disappointed when I had a below mediocre experience at his namesake restaurant in Waikiki. I hated the lobster dish. I forced myself to eat it since it was like a $50 entree. The Kurobota pork was tasty and tender and the sushi was okay. The dessert we ordered was CRAP. It had no flavor... similar to eating sponge. The server we had sucked, but the bussers were super attentive. To top everything off, We had 5pm reservations so we could make it to the 730pm Bruno Mars concert on time and they didn't seat us until 520pm! We were the first ones there and they sat a group of girls before us! Don't say you're open at 5pm if you're not! I could have wasted $300 somewhere else. Never again!
(2)
Kris M.
Stopped in to check out The Modern and had a drink at the bar. The vibe does not sync with the look. Drinks were okay.
(3)
Naomi G.
Amazing service with outstanding food. Great team work between hostess' and servers! If you need a refill on a drink or need dishes to be taken away, any available server will take care of it, not just your designated server. Kai and Ayumi were great! Definitely recommend the wagyu carpaccio, rock shrimp and spicy tuna roll as appetizers and peanut butter bombe for dessert. Cucumber shiso cocktail was my favorite! We were very lucky to meet Chef Morimoto and experience his cuisine, we will be back for sure!
(5)
Shayna K.
You MUST get the tuna pizza. Sounds weird, I know, but trust me, it's the most innovative, labor-intensive specialty item on the menu. It is a taste sensation. Other than that, we've been only semi-impressed by our menu selections. Maybe the fault is with the selector...you can be the judge. Here's what I've tried so far: 1. Loco-moto: probably one of the most economically filling items, but, as my husband puts it, it gets kind of monotonous after a few bites. 2. Unagi hot pot: Yummers, but not if you've already eaten some sushi. Then it's just like a messed up sushi. But I like the crusty rice. 3. Ahi Caesar Salad: if 5 leaves of Romaine will fill you, along with some quality ahi, then this is your meal! I loved it, but then I wasn't too hungry. 4. One of the sushi rolls...can't remember exactly which one, but I'll assume they are the same: nothing special. You could be at Yanagi, California Rockin Sushi or Gyotaku and get the same for less. But don't get me wrong, I'd go back. I'd just order differently. No to the sushi (should've listened to our server who said it's just sushi. He was right!). The hotel itself is ubercool, the ambiance is wonderful, and the service is great. I love the outdoor seating area. LOVE, love. Inside is a little to noisy for me. The firepits, sky, and front row seats to the Friday night fireworks show cannot be beat!
(3)
Ben S.
There are two things that make life worth living: incredible Asian-fusion food and cucumber vodka drinks. If you're in or around Waikiki and not staying at The Modern Honolulu, you can at least partially redeem yourself by making a reservation at their world famous restaurant where your life will finally be fulfilled. I was originally a part of a party of 16 and had no issue getting a reservation. Nice afternoon weather led to happy hour which led to our party decreasing to about 9 people. With a simple call ahead there was no issue changing our reservation last minute! When you first walk into the restaurant, you'll be taken aback by the beautifully modern and tropically Asian design. Not to mention the eye-candy employees that are actually friendly and have personalities! Our table was prepared along the back wall of the open dining room under some pretty sick hanging coral art. Because we had a larger group, we asked for separate checks and our request was granted without the judgement and disdain that usually accompanies this procedure. For appetizers, I got the oysters. While they were pretty good, I have been spoiled by the monstrosities that come from the east coast so these tiny little guys were kind of disappointing. Most of the group got sushi rolls which were quick, fresh, and surprisingly affordable. We also got two orders of lamb and holy sweet baby Jesus! Melt in your mouth, take the bone home with you to gnaw on later amazing. The best drink on the menu is the M-tini. Cucumbers and vodka. That's all that matters. Total bill, tip and tax included, for two people? $80. Seriously, this should have been double the price considering the quality of food and service. If you only have time for one meal in Hawaii (bathing suits don't look good on everyone, people!) this is your place!
(4)
Madoka P.
The desserts are amazing!! And the service was fantastic. Everyone was so friendly! We couldn't get last minute reservations so we had pupus downstairs at The Study before heading over here for... DESSERTS! We got the Chocolate Peanut Bombe, Haupia Semifreddo and Molten Lava Cake. All were delicious!! I will have to come back for the food. Only thing I didn't like was the volume of the place. It was so loud I felt like I had to yell across the table. Otherwise, it was awesome.
(4)
Gina L.
I had been dying to try this place, and what better time than on a beautiful vacation to Hawaii? I would give this place 5 stars alone on ambience. Gorgeous interior and patio area. It's located in the new Edition Hotel -- very modern and swanky. We were seated on the patio located by the harbor, where the weather was absolutely perfect and the sunset was breathtaking. I already knew exactly what I wanted: the Omakase tasting. Beautiful and unique presentations, but what did I expect, after seeing Morimoto on Iron Chef America. (I'll try to remember each course as accurately as possible, as I dined here about 3 weeks ago.) We started with the Toro and Hamachi tartare, served with multiple condiments that all complimented the fish in a delicious way. Next, was enlightened Kanpachi sashimi, and probably my favorite course of the dinner. SO delicate and fresh, with the perfect amount of marinade, garnishes, etc. There were only three pieces, but I guess that's what keeps you wanting more. The next dish was the most unique of all. It was Morimoto's version of "fondue." The dip was a mix of anchovies, garlic, maybe olive oil... and probably more ingredients that I can't recall (tasted great). This fondue was served with a variety of fresh vegetables as well as other interesting bites. An extremely fun way of dining, not to mention an even more delicious way of eating your veggies! Next up was the Chawanmushi. I was thrilled about this course because of the foie gras in the middle. The custard was AMAZING, absolutely amazing. However, I was slightly let down by the foie gras, as it wasn't as delicate and buttery as I usually like it. Then again, I've only ever had foie gras prepared with French techniques. I was still blown away by the custard, nonetheless. Nigiri came next, consisting of maguro, unagi, and I THINK sake and hamachi. As fresh as could be. We enjoyed the kelp tea afterwards, which I believe was the palate cleanser. It's really an odd drink, but delicious. Nothing like I've tasted before, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. For the main course, we were served a hearty plate of lobster, filet mignon, and pork medallions. The lobster was accompanied by this lemony sour cream sauce, to DIE for. I would dip anything in that. The beef and pork were unfortunately a little on the salty side for me, so I was disappoined by that. Dessert was good, but I'm not much of a dessert person. I remember a potato ice cream? Interesting, but it worked! Overall, a beautiful experience. I definitely recommend doing the Omakase as it's chef's choice, so you never know what's next, but you can expect to enjoy it!
(4)
Vira P.
Everything in Morimoto's restaurant was simple and clean-from the decor to their menu. Service was top notch! It's pricey, so save up so you can treat yourself!
(5)
Tina M.
The ambiance is really nice. Menu is pricey but the food is delish. My favorite spot is to sit outside by the heat warmers and fire pit and have a martini while watching the sun set. Love the tofu and vegetable tempura.
(3)
Michael M.
We had an amazing rehearsal dinner for my son on Thursday night. There were 19 of us and the service, ambiance, food and drinks all exceeded our expectations. Rachel had our table completely set up with our centerpiece, flowers, decor and gifts. We were able to use the seating area next to our table for cocktails and then were seated at the beautiful table for dinner. Our four course dinner was served family style and was served and cleared seamlessly. There was an abundance of food and much oohing and aahing from our guest. Their attentive service and caring attitude enhanced our evening and left wonderful memories for all who attended this special evening. It truly was an celebration of love and we thank the entire staff for the wonderful service.
(5)
Eva Y.
Surprised that this place was disappointing to me. With all the hype and all, the sashimi appetizer was meh (while the waiter drops the sauce tube on the floor, picks it back up, and places it back on our plate). The fried fish was dry and the ma po tofu was not worth the money and the lack of flavor. The scallop in the dashi soup was over-cooked.... and dashi soup was way too sweet. The nigiri was only the best thing there.
(2)
Cin T.
We dined here on the 2nd official opening day. Service wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. Luckily we ordered appetizers and entrees because the folks that ordered the Omakase (7-8 courses) were waiting forever for their food. Some as long as 4.5hrs. It was Chef Morimoto's last night in Honolulu, overheard that he was flying back home the next day. Glad we decided to brave the "new restaurant hiccups" or else we wouldn't have met him. He walked around to greet people and take pictures. Halfway through our service, he came over to our table again to see how we were doing. AWESOME! media4.px.yelpcdn.com/ph… yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Chef Morimoto has his own line of beers and sake. They had a huge barrel of his Morimoto Gingo Sake front and center on the dining floor. Everyone was able to sample some. It was really good! It has a nice subtle pear aroma and a sweet fruit finish, I wanted more. //www.yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDbsTS6VnWCHVJJHmEFPw?Âselect=n1N3YcYO55QkSyos0OLabg yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Got the Morimotini b/c it has Gingo Sake in it. The sake paired with Rain Organics Vodka worked really well. It was so smooth and tasty! yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Abalone Takoyaki $15: Pillowy, cheesy ball of goodness! We asked what sort of cheese it was but our server said she didn't know. The tako and Big Island Abalone pieces was a little chewy, but still a tasty dish. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Oyster Foie Gras $20: Two of my favorite things in one delicious bite. It's meant to be eaten as a shooter. The type of oysters vary with avail. We got Miyagi oysters that night. The Hudson Valley Foie Gras was so velvety smooth. It was seared and topped off with Kabayaki sauce (sweet soy/mirin unagi sauce). My only complaint with the dish is the kabayaki sauce, it was a little too sweet and overpowering against the delicate flavors of the oysters and foie. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Pork Gyozas w/Hamakua Tomato Sauce $15: Our server mentioned that its made with pork belly. The filling was very meaty and not at all fatty or grisly. The gyozas arrived hidden under a shell that's made from a mixture of bacon foam, corn starch and potato starch. It tasted a like crispy cheese but we were told that there wasn't any cheese used at all. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Wagyu Beef Tartare $19: Served with a cauliflower salad and cauliflower flan. The beef was mixed with sesame seed oil and yuzu soy and topped w/chopped ginger and tomatoes. The yuzu soy tasted a lot like the Kabayaki sauce that was in our oyster shooter. I prefer my tartare to be more on the savory side, it was a bit too sweet. Some crackers or toast points would've helped too. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… The cauliflower salad seemed like an afterthought, I don't even know why it was there. Drizzled with grape seed oil, this salad was flavorless. All I could taste was celery in every bite....I hate celery. The cauliflower flan was cooked perfectly and I loved the hidden egg yolk inside. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… My Lobster Epice w/Lemon Creme Fraiche ($47) was the disappointing part of the night. Everyone knows how much I LOVE lobster, but this dish was rough. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Everything was heavily coated in garam masala and oversalted, even the chanterelle mushrooms, asparagus and cauliflower. The cumin was overwhelming. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ga… The chilled kona lobster had very little meat and the tamale was scarce. I'm not asking for the 2lb beasts that Ruth's Chris serves, but for $47 I want to see more. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Oxtail Soup $14: Min seemed satisfied with his entree. It's served with a cilantro, chili sauce and fried rice. He mentioned the meat was really tender. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Chicken Noodle Soup $14: Neil wanted something light and opted for this entree b/c he craved udon noodles. The "udon" seemed more like thick ramen noodles. But the broth was tasty and I thought the noodles were cooked perfectly. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb…
(3)
Amy M.
They ran out of the appetizer and main course I wanted. While disappointing, I could overlook this. (Though it would be nice if they told you before you looked at the menu.) Another person in our party ordered the filet, only to be told after placing order they ran out of that too. We mentioned these disappointments to the manager. She brushed it off as a busy season. We all ordered the Chocolate Peanut Bomb, which comes with salted peanut ice cream. THAT was substituted with vanilla ice cream, which we only learned once they brought out the desserts. When asked, the manager informed us it's now vanilla. One of the wait staff told us that they run out of items regularly, including that ice cream. This was a really disappointing experience. I was so taken with trying Morimoto food that I overlooked the multiple 1 and 2 star ratings on Yelp, a huge red flag.
(1)
Lena Z.
I will start off with saying the atmosphere is nice and the view is great. But I will not go into much detail because this place isn't worth my time. First off, the hostess mistakenly gave us a four top table when we had five in our party. We had to awkwardly walk back to the bar and wait. The food is overrated and EASILY topped by much cheaper restaurants around town. For example, the tofu here cannot top Shokudo's homemade tofu for half the price. For $5, you can get a much better chicken ramen soup at Kohnotori. As for the California roll, I think Kozo Sushi has much better ones. The soft shell crab roll tasted bland and not fresh. The tempura soft shell crab tasted like anything fried thats been sitting for awhile if you know what I mean. Overall, the food here is just mediocre and I would not come here again. The service is good although the staff appears a bit untrained and not in sync with each other. This place is hype! Try not to get sucked in with the masses.
(2)
Doris D.
After a lackluster lunch, I decided to try Morimoto's dinner service to see if it's the real deal. While it's definitely not the best food I've ever had in the U.S. (that honor goes to fine dining in nyc), I was impressed by the caliber of presentation. The presentation was definitely of fine dining quality. The food was hit or miss, unfortunately. Full disclosure, my boss treated us to this meal so I'm judging this meal purely based on quality of the food and service. I wouldn't venture to figure out how much was spent, but I think the bill was quite hefty. If I had to pay my own way, my critique would be much more harsh. Beef tartare - Very nice presentation, they tell you to pop the egg yolk and drag it across the meat. Taste was nothing special. Tempura calamari salad - Good, lots of greens. Again, nothing particular to note. Morimoto style poke - Nice attempt but the local stuff is much more tasty. Morimoto smoked sashimi - Wow factor was in the presentation, taste of the fish was quite underwhelming. They make a big deal of the five sauces, contained in these little test tube things, and you squeeze them on the fish, a mishmash of fishes into a roll. I was disappointed that the sauces did not bring out the fish but rather, the sauces were distracting. Foie gras chawan mushi - Others were turned off but I really liked this one. Never had it this way and the flavor was really deep and complex. Not for everybody though. Yose dofu - Tableside presentation was key. They make a big deal out of bringing this clay pot of liquid. They open up the lid and pour a concoction that's suppose to activate the liquid and turn it into tofu. Wait 15 minutes. Waiter comes back and opens the lid. Voila, silky tofu. Kakuni - pork belly congee - Very good. It's a very tiny portion which is expected. High quality throughout. Lovely cut of meat. Peasant food turned upside down. Chef's loco moto - Another bit of peasant food with an upscale twist. My coworker cleaned up his plate. Seafood toban yaki - My main entree. What was really impressive was, finally, the food. Every bit of seafood was cooked perfectly, including the star lobster tail. The broth itself was disarmingly spicy, though, but perfect with the seafood. Braised black cod - Very nice fish, cooked perfectly. Chocolate peanut bombe - The peanut ice cream was good. Tofu hot cold - The cheesecake and souffle were incredibly light, kudos to the pastry chef. Haupia semifreddo - Another gem. The matcha meringue was very clever. Overall a nice experience. Given that this sort of restaurant is rare in Hawaii, I was not surprised this celebrity chef restaurant garnered a lot of hype. Does it live up to the hype? I'm not entirely convinced. It does offer a different experience (is anybody else sick of hearing about Alan Wong's and Roy's?) As others have noted, the interior is cafeteria style and there's an open kitchen. Not a fan of the open kitchen and ambient noise, which at times was really loud. I was practically shouting throughout the dinner service so my dinner companions can hear me from across the largish tables. I would say MW is a solid place to impress someone. The pastry chef is extremely talented. My toban yaki and the black cod were excellent. The pork belly runs sweet, per mainland style of Asian cooking. However, the food (especially the appetizers) is a bit inconsistent and at times disappointing. I would go knowing what to avoid.
(4)
Pack C.
well, he is the iron chef.. what can i really say.. First of all, there seems to be a wide range of dishes from ok to great. Your experience pretty much depends on what you ordered. My 2nd recommendation would be try a lot of appetizers here and just order 1 entree to share (assuming dinner for 2). Yellowtail Tartare. The side made it fun & surprise to eat. Next time i would order Toro though. We ordered Yellowtail 'coz it is slightly cheaper. However, once had it, i think it would taste better if there is more fat in the fish Sashimi: so gooood.. i hesitated about this one at first as it's all raw fish what Morimoto can really do to make it different. He did actually. He actually has different kinds of fish in one bite with very creative sauces. It was the must have dish foie gras: i can't remember its full name but it was one of the best & surprising dish. it looked really simple but it just melted in my mouth. Bouillabaise: seafood soup: tons of fresh seafood. i drank every single drop of the soup. it was a highlight of my meal Fish with black soy sauce: it was ok. it was too sweet to be good by itself. Overall, we love the experience. Morimoto is such a great, creative chef that you can really see it in his food. All the flavors are well balanced, no over-powering taste. I strongly recommend it
(5)
janey T.
I was expecting phenomenal but was sadly disappointed. Kakuni- braised pork belly on congee - amazing Spicy king crab - too much sauce. Fried fish was ok. Fish in hot pot was good. Drinks were good. Service was good but our waiter seemed pushy and bored. Not very friendly and was not giving us a good vibe. It was super pricey and it was an absolute disappointment. There are much better places to eat at 1/3 of the cost.
(2)
Kyle H.
I made it back for dinner and got to enjoy the romantic fire pits, plush white couches, candles and gauzy white curtains... If you didn't already know, I'll throw in a star or two if I love the place for it's ambiance and though each dish individually didn't leave me panting, I want to go here again and again for the experience. Also, if you think i'm overkill with the pics, here's another tidbit about me I know you really care about - I love being able to see what the food looks like before I order or knowing what to expect when the food comes out so the some of the schmancy descriptions on the menu using terms I can't pronounce is a little frustrating. So if you don't mind, I took a pic of everything we ordered and the captions are the title, description and price straight off of the iron chef's menu...I know, anal but whatever. Now you know why I still go to gyotaku even though their food sucks, I love me a menu with pictures! I think this is similar to my magazine habit, just look at the pictures and captions. I don't read the articles. I think i'd be in playboy's readership category. Oh, yeah...foood. Ok, moving on: Everything we ordered was shared family-style... Appetizers began with the tempura rock shrimp... This was the best dish of the night. I could have eaten this whole thing myself. Since it's the holiday season and I'd like to be on Santa's good list, I was a nice girl and shared. It was like light crispy buffalo shrimp, cooked perfectly with light breading tossed in the sauces then dipped into the coconut ranch, this was truly delicious. Please order it! yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… The other appetizers, poke was okay, nothing wowed me here except they were meticulous enough to skin the cherry tomatoes and the fish was cut in nice big chunks yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… The king crab was so highly recommended by our server, and when it came to the table, I'll admit it looked really impressive - the color from the red spice and tobiko was vibrant against the stark white dish (those BK fries came with it too so I was THRILLED about that of course) but it was a hard and messy app for sharing and was super salty! yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… The entrees we chose were the ishi yaki buri bop, the loco moto, rack of lamb and the whole crispy fish... I was so excited abou the ishi kayi (hamachi bi bimbap) but the hamachi was super-fishy tasting! I wouldn't get this again. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Now I WOULD get the chef's loco moto! I would've licked the plate if I was in another setting. There was very little wagyu but the gravy and rice, COMFORT FOOD at its' BEST! yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Lamb wasn't a rack, more like 3 little bones and the spam maki that came with it barely even had any spam. The lamb was delicious though! yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… I also loved the presentation of the cripy whole fish and in my mind, there is (almost) no way to go wrong with fried food. My only gripe was the mabo-tofu-like sauce wasn't very flavorful. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… The desserts were good, Thanks for the beautiful Happy Birthday art on the chocolate banana one but how come Chad's O's one had his name on it? I'm J. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… You know what's a great bonus? I told the waiter I didn't like my drinks too sweet and I guess they're still experimenting with their drink menu so I couldn't find the savory cucumber one I enjoyed so much last time I was here (bring it back!), he recommended the Pikake blossom. I told him it was good but too sweet, could I order an extra shot of vodka to pour in? He came back with a martini glass full of vodka! No joke: yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… SWEET! Makes me feel like they already know me! I'm your fan for life now!
(4)
Yuree N.
I just had dinner here tonight with my family and I have to say I was impressed. I came in here without any real expectations (even though he's the iron chef and all), but I came out pretty satisfied. Decor/Ambiance: This place makes me miss LA SO MUCH. The decor was pretty trendy and definitely what you'd see in any LA restaurant of a similar type. I really liked that the lighting in the place was pretty bright and not that dim yellow lighting in other fancy shmancy restaurants. I'm still really confused as to what kind of restaurant this is. People were dressed in all types of attire: from aloha shirts and shorts, to tops with jeans, to girls in fancy dresses and guys wearing blazers, but no one really looked out of place regardless of what they were wearing. There was also a good number of tables here with kids so I'm thinking it can't be that fancy of a restaurant, although by looking at their menu prices alone you'd think they were. Food: YUM. I guess Morimoto is the Iron Chef for good reason. For appetizers we got: spicy crab, kakuni (recommended!), and tempura calamari salad. For entrees we got: Duck duck duck, crispy whole fish, some kind of pork dish (sorry, can't remember), and the angry chicken. If I had to tell you to get one thing, I would recommend the crispy whole fish. They deep fry the fish so you can eat EVERY part of it, even the bones (which actually taste like bacon!). And for all you chicken lovers, I'd order the angry chicken with caution because ours was pretty dry. Drinks: I got the Green Flash Martini, which had gin, Midori, and some other things. $10, pretty good. I wanted to try their 5 year aged sake but felt guilty about ordering a 3 oz glass for $19. One day! Service: Very, very good. The wait staff and bussers are very well-trained. And the manager is always there to address any concerns. Just the kind of service I'd expect to get with the price of this place. Price: Wheeeeeew, there's a reason why I came here with my family and that's because I'm a starving student who can't afford such luxuries without mommy and daddy. :) The bill came out to be almost $300 for 4 entrees, 2 appetizers, 1 salad, 2 sides, and 1 drink. If I had to compare the price to another restaurant, I'd say it's pretty similar to Roy's, but not as expensive as Alan Wong's or Nobu.
(4)
Deborah K.
Everything I ate was absolutely delicious. The whitefish in yuzu appetizer was a standout. Opakapaka was sublime. Black cod was outstanding if a bit sweet. Pricey, but comparable with other high end restaurants and better than the competition. Great service. Ok wine list by the glass. Beautiful view and location. We stayed at the Modern Honolulu so this was just perfect.
(5)
Kyle E.
Morimoto gave me one of the most unique dining experiences that I have ever had. Of the 11 or 12 things that my group ordered, almost everything was completely unique to the restaurant. The only thing that was nothing special was the spicy tuna roll, which was the same as any other place. However, everything else more than made up for this. The service was excellent, and the waiters were constantly keeping a watchful eye on us, ready to clear plates or fill up waters. I highly recommend all three of our appetizers, which were the tartar, tempura prawns, and gyoza. The tartar had various interesting toppings to go with it and the prawns were some of the best I had ever had. However, the gyoza was really something to try. It's filled with pork and has a "bacon foam" that was very cool. Again, I highly recommend it. My entree was the crispy whole fish, which was very good. The fish was buttery and melted in my mouth, and the spicy tofu sauce was a great compliment to it. The others got "duck, duck, duck", seared cod, and the buri bop, which were all good. For dessert, we had the haupia semifreddo and molten lava cake. The cake was great and went well with the red wine ice cream that it came with. With the modern interior and innovative dishes, Morimoto is definitely a top dining experience.
(5)
Jeanette S.
I would probably have my last meal on Earth here. I shared the Chef Special and added on several other dishes with a friend, and I loved everything! I couldn't think of anything bad about any of the dishes I ate. The Chef Special, at $110, is extremely worth the price because it's a 9 course meal that turns out to be less than $15/course. I'm not exactly sure what everything is called, but this is the best I could remember everything by: 1. toro and hamachi tartare duo: this was really interesting because they presented it on this wooden plate where you have to shovel out your tartare 2. hot oil-seared sashimi kampachi with soy and yuzu: super yummy and tender and all the flavors eaten together made it really good 3. bagna cauda: dip the vegetables in the heated combination of olive oil, anchovy and garlic 4. pork shoulder: this was my favorite, but too bad I don't remember how they called it 5. this egg-ey soup tasted like those Japanese egg custard soups 6. a very fresh broth/soupey tea as a palate cleanser 7. an assortment of fresh nigiri sushi 8. the entree: Surf and Turf (Wagyu filet, lobster and ginger pork) 8.5. a complimentary dessert: panna cotta, soy milk and kuromitsu gelee 9. kabocha souflee: tasted a little like taro ice cream with custard Overall, I really enjoyed my dining experience here! The waiter was a bit slow, but was extremely patient as he explained everything a gazillion times. And the best part was, my friends and I got to see Chef Morimoto himself and shake his hand! :)
(5)
Hon H.
Had a fab lunch, started with the pork gyoza yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… which had a wonderful bacon foam surrounding it. Also the tuna pizza was perfect. For the main entree I chose chefs loco moto, yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… the gravy was seasoned perfectly and went well with the wagging beef. Overall the service is slow but the waitress was very skilled and made sure we had a wonderful time.
(5)
Mark M.
Today's lunch was supposed to be an event to remember. I've watched this Iron Chef on tv for years. I was amazed how he could create such inspired dishes on such a short amount of time every episode. I swore that if I could ever taste anything he had a hand in, I would. My girlfriend and I got ready this morning to do the touristy thing at the Edition Hotel in Waikiki. It's a nice place, it really is. Very NY like in style and furnishings. Unfortunately the only blemish to this hotel is this restaurant. I made reservations earlier in the week on Open Table. I've been looking forward to this meal ever since I heard that my favorite Iron Chef was building a restaurant in Hawaii. We entered the restaurant and we were 'greeted' by a snobby hostess who didn't really hear me too well. I repeated my name and then she showed us to our table. She never smiled at all. In fact, no one was smiling except for one female server. It sort of seemed like the staff didn't even want to be there. If they didn't want to be there, why the hell would I? We were seated across each other at a table for two and we had a pretty good sized table between us. We like to sit next to each other in restaurants so we can hear each other talk and so we can just be a little closer to each other. We were served water and that's when I noticed that the restaurant itself is very appealing in the aesthetics department. Every thing so looked so fresh, so clean, and very original. I also noticed an empty table meant for four so I asked our waiter if we could be seated there instead. Ten minutes went by and he didn't return to us. I saw him asking the hostess about our table and then I saw him walk over to tables to take orders, pour iced tea, and hand out menus. He didn't return to tell us we could or could not move. No hostess came over to us at all to inform us of our situation. The restaurant wasn't very busy today at all. There were maybe 15 or 20 other patrons in sight and a lot of open tables. If they were reserved, then that's fine. Come back and let us know at least. This restaurant was incredibly pricey and new. I would like to think that the service here would be a lot better, especially for a restaurant with an Iron Chef's name on it. If I wanted shitty service I could have taken my girlfriend to eat chicken nuggets an call it a day. No, this was supposed to make memories, and unfortunately, it did. Negative memories. I can honestly say that I have NEVER walked out of a restaurant in my entire life. One thing my father taught me is that there is a first time for everything. I just wish this time didn't have to be today and at this restaurant. I will eventually give this place another shot. Perhaps dinner on a Saturday or something. A time when they don't have their "D" crew running the show. There was simply no excuse for what happened today.
(1)
Ginger O.
What can I say....this place is awesome! We have been there several times and each time the food is amazing. My husband usually gets one of the sets which has several different bites (like salad,sushi, sashimi, tempura. I have had pork belly, loco moco, and one of my favorites is the BEST chicken Ramen. We usually get a table outside overlooking the marina but if you like sitting at the sushi bar, it is beautiful.
(5)
Juan P.
Oh, the price, the hostile price theme... Food is good but not great, but to be fair I guess it had to do with the overall experience. I was expecting to be seated inside, where the cool and the hip collide, but regretfully ended up outside in a rim table. Some things were really excellent, others were just OK. Maybe have to try it again. Or maybe not?
(3)
Alyssa K.
Amazing decor, food, service, and hello - up to 1000 Open table dining points! I highly suggest you download open table on your iphone to make reservations so you can take advantage of the points. Eat here twice during bonus hours and you'll get a $20 Open Table certificate. How awesome. Anyways, on to the review.... Came here for lunch with my husband after a week of many happenings. I was in the mood to treat myself and was glad I chose Morimoto's. I ordered the kakuni bento and he got the lobster sandwich. I loved the kakuni bento. The pork belly was cut up into small chunks so it didn't taste so fatty. Very tasty. I'm not a big fan of lobster but the hubs said it was great. For dessert we ordered the tofu cheese cake. It was seriously delicious. I've tried making it before and Morimoto's put my version into its death bed. I think Morimoto uses both tofu and cheese in his version. It's so light, fluffy and delicious. We also go the peanut butter chocolate dessert. That was good too, but we preferred the tofu cheesecake. We will be back for sure.
(5)
Zoe B.
It's a great experience, we had a part of 4 yesterday, we ordered oyster foie gras (hot appetizer), takoyaki(abalone hot appetizer), loco moco, udon, and 2 orders of duck duck duck. They were all delicious and we are very fulfilled. We are so happy to make the right choice. And the best is that we got to see Chef Morimoto! We took a picture with him too, making this meal even more valuable. We would go back again to try some other items in the future. I told Chef Morimoto that the food was really good, and he replied me saying "I know" with a very confident tone.
(4)
Elaine D.
Now I don't mind paying for an expensive dinner provided that the food, service and ambiance was worth it. With that said, I was extremely disappointed with my dinner experience at Morimoto's. $70 for subpar food with subpar service in an ultra chic setting. Let's break it down. The Setting/Ambiance: clean lines, minimalist very reminiscent of an LA restaurant. The restaurant looks great but that's where you stop being impressed. The Food: I had the Kakuni (pork belly over congee) for an appetizer, the Morimotini and the duck,duck, duck for my entree with a side of bok choy. The pork belly was good but nothing to rave about. The drink was good and strong. The duck was the most disappointing dish I've ever eaten. It is duck done three ways and only two of the three were edible. The seared duck breast was ok though it could've used a little bit more flavor. Duck confit spring roll was good but then again how can you mess up a spring roll. Lastly, the duck meatball soup lacked the duck meatball and the soup had absolutely no flavor to it. It was a flavorless broth and a sorry excuse for a soup. The Service: was appalling! They looked like they had more than enough people running around and yet our own server was MIA for most of the meal! The food took way too long to come out. There was a void in between the appetizer and the entrees. The server barely checked in on our group to make sure our drinks were filled and since he was MIA we couldn't even flag him down when we wanted our check! This is not fine dining folks. Go there for the scene and the drinks, but don't expect the food to stimulate your taste buds.
29th Bday dinner with Mr. Nguyen. Morimoto is located in the New Edition Hotel in Waikiki. We ordered the "Chef's Choice" which was a nine course meal. price was very nice but worth it...Wowee it was delish! All of it. (view my pixies) the staff was awesome. very attentive to your needs and always made sure that we were comfortable. we sat outside which had a very gorgeous view of the harbor. the decor and ambiance definitely made you feel that you were in bliss. it's modern, clean, gorgeous style sets the mood for sure. to top it off...back to valet...the valet guy thanks us and addresses toney by his name... "Good night Mr. Nguyen (pronounced "win") " He pronounced it correctly too. wow. a must go/must try for sure!!!!
(5)
Grimeater A.
I was filled with extremely high expectations since Iron Chef Morimoto has been my favorite Iron Chef throughout the Japanese and American TV series. I definitely was not disappointed! For appetizers I had the Morimoto Sashimi, Pork Gyoza and assorted Nigiri. The Morimoto Sashimi platter was different from any Sashimi platter I've ever had. It was six stacked peices of salmon, maguro, hamachi and pork belly. Each piece than had it's own little topping and was accompanied by FIVE different sauces in cool little squirt vials. It was a fun experience experimenting with the different sauces. The fish was fresh and tasted great. Presentation was excellent as expected. Definitely a must order item. The pork gyoza was served under a translucent flavored dome. Totally cool. It was nicely flavored and went well with the tomato sauce and bacon cream. The assorted nigiri was fresh and came with generous sized portions of seafood. For my entree I had the surf and turf which came with fingerling potatoes over purple yam mash, morimoto style poke with avocado wasabi sorbet and a nice wagyu filet. My steak was cooked to perfection and eveything went well together. They even include a kelp tea thing for a palate cleanser to keep the surf and turf flavors seperate. For desert I had the Peanut Butter bomb and tried some of my friends Green Tea Haupia cookie thing. They were both yummy and tasted different from your standard run of the mill deserts. I can't wait to try the other ones they offer. Morimoto Waikiki is definitely worth the hype and a must try! The prices seem pretty reasonable too considering the caliber of food being served. Seeing him in the kitchen was an experience in itself. You can tell Cheft Morimoto is passionate about his food. 5+ stars!
(5)
Lindsay J.
OMG. i dont know how to express my feelings for this place, but "morimoto, you sir, are a culinary GENIUS!" (high pitched voice when saying the word "genius") the hub and i had visited here with some friends a few months ago, and the food was exceptionally good. so, the hub wanted to come here for our 2 year wedding anniversary. the last time we were here, morimoto was, so we were star struck and ordered sushi relentlessly. he wasnt there when we went this time, but nonetheless the food spoke for itself. we were sat quickly, but it took a little while for our server to come and greet us. (mind you, this was a pattern i noticed through the night, but thank god the food was so amazing i looked past it). she congratulated us on our anniversary (we made our reservations on opentable.com , and i had made a note that we were celebrating a special occasion). we ordered some cocktails and appetizers, as well as some sushi to start off. the hub got morimoto's hazelnut beer, and i ordered the pear yuzu gimlet. he liked the beer, and considering the fact that it was an $18 beer, im glad. my drink wasn't too bad either. it seemed strong, but it must have been because i was drinking on an empty stomach. we were both starving, so i was grateful when our food started to come out. we ordered 2 pieces each of maguro, ikura, and uni nigiri, and a few maki sushi: soft shell, spicy ahi, shikai, and eel avocado. the freshness of the fish is so amazing good... every bite was accompanied by a content sigh and a "mmmm..." i also ordered the oyster foie gras, and let me tell you, IT WAS FREAKIN' DELICIOUS!!! 3 oysters on the half shell, topped with pieces of uni and foie gras, topped with morimoto's teriyaki sauce. the combination of flavors were perfect and soo mouthwateringly good. i wanted to order 50 more if i could have... damn hubby for talking sense into me. lol. we ordered our entrees to share; the rack of lamb and the 16oz wagyu ribeye. both were cooked to a perfect medium rare, and the maui onion jus that was poured onto the sizzling platter the wagyu steak came on was simply mouthwatering. we ate in silence... only breaking it to look at each other with beaming smiles and the occasional "mmmm..." knowing all well that we were happy with our food. for dessert, we ordered the chocolate mille feuille, which had a quenelle of spiced chocolate ice cream, brulee'd bananas, and a quenelle of ganache. there was supposedly an avocado sauce that came with it but only came in the form of a skinny smear, which was not enough to compliment the dessert. the dessert tasted good, just as long as you managed to eat all the components of the dessert together. my only complaint is that i feel they really need to work on their customer service. we must have seen our server maybe 2 or 3 times the entire night? that was a problem the last time we were here too. if you're dropping $200+, you actually want decent customer service. or at least your water refilled. price-wise, i feel it was pretty reasonable. they do offer entrees for under $40, and have sushi platters that run for about $50-ish. but food-wise, morimoto's is no joke. this is definitely one of our top favorite restaurants, and we will be back... do you hear me oyster foie gras? i will be back... nom nom nom. :) *valet parking is free...
(5)
Jet D.
Not as good as I thought it would be from the Iron Chef. The food was good but not great. Ambience is very nice. The best thing was the A5 Waygu beef which is off the menu. The Hamachi carpaccio was weird being grounded up. The place was totally empty - less than 15 people. I would only come back for the A5 Waygu beef.
(3)
Christine P.
We're huge fans of the Iron Chef, in fact, we're watching an episode as I write this. Morimoto is a culinary genius, so we obviously had high expectations going in. I loved the decor. Very clean, spacious and modern, with whites, mint green and greys. The sushi bar gives a nice view of the chefs working. The location is fantastic, with a nice outdoor section overlooking the harbor. The service was average, pleasant enough. They didn't flinch when we walked in with our two kids. Having the little ones with us prevented us from doing the omakase. So instead, we got: oh-toro and chu-toro sashimi, spicy yellowtail roll, ishi yaki buri bop, and chirashi. The presentation was beautiful. The sashimi and chirashi were a feast for the eyes. The buri bop was fun because they cook it tableside in a hot stone bowl, but as a hardcore Korean bibimbap lover, the concept was not new. Honestly, I was underwhelmed. Perhaps if we had a wider sampling of the menu, more things would have stood out. But for the prices, and the chef's reputation, we expected more.
(3)
Matt C.
I went to Morimotos for dinner with the fam on a friday night. Everyone knows that Masaharu Morimoto owns the restaurant so my family was curious about how good his menu isand this was what we ordered. Appetizers: - wagyu carpaccio: prob the best app i recommend this - whitefish carpaccio: pieces are small but still good - spicy tuna roll: its not spicy at all but the tuna is soft - softshellcrab roll: the least favorite of the apps - takoyaki: it isn't like any other takoyaki ive had, the batter tastes like pancakes! Main Course: - seafood tonban yaki: a bunch of mixed seafood in spicy red miso sake broth. The flavor is semi spicy and the broth is light and bitter. Overall it was ok but not filling. - loco moto: Your basic loco moco excect there is soft wagyu beef in it instead of a hamburger patty. Overall it was filling but i wasnt impressed. You could of sold it to me at a mediocre place and i wouldnt have known it was made from an upscale restaurant. - braised cod fish: butterfish with ginger soy sauce. This was the smallest portioned dish we has for the night, it also comes with no rice so we had to order a side. Overall I wasn't impressed at all. When i was at Morimotos I wanted to be wowed just like the judges were when he competed in iron chef. It's a place to try once and thats it, I know i will not be back here again. With the 3 of us eating tonight the bill came out to $175 not including tip and not including the plate lunch i went to get after. On a side note the servers all split their tips together so expect several different servers helping you out. Oh and you can't see their sign at night so you might get lost looking for the restaurant.
(3)
Moshe H.
3rd time around . Same feeling of disappointment Food Is mediocre at best . I repeat , mediocre. Hamachi kama - is a 6 , nothing more Morios , gaku, yanagi, all of them are way way better , Hamachi belly sushi,- 5 , bear in mind . It's really not hard to make this dish good, t's rice ,fish , wasabi, - again u can find a better one even at sushi king , The List goes on, King crab legs over-spicy and rotten potato in the French fries ( seriously I took a pic ) Bi bim bap was ok, but rest is just mediocre , amazing decor , great ambience , but not enough to hide the fact that the king is naked , It's 3 times that I get here and I eat out a lot ! I come since EVRY time there's a new friend who wants to come and try this place so I go along with it , But seriously , do something about it , 400$ for 4 people with light type dinner and drinks and they tell u at the end that they put in the tip for u (18%) what it you want to give more ? Or less? Service is conceded , here's a tip to the waiter , you are my server . I respect you but you are here to make my time worth while not to teach me table mannerism and explains me why the tip is included , it cost you 50$ bud and I wish I had the pair to give you nothing at all. 2 starts cuz ur sake was good. And u valet . Punks See ya next tym with another dumb victim that will drag me here .
(2)
Olivia G.
Loved it! beautiful food; excellent/knowledgable service matched by gorgeous setting. Highly recommend
(5)
Alex R.
My new Favorite restaurant, this will have to be our once a week spot from now on! Amazingly not as expensive as I thought it was going to be and the service was excellent. The food and drink offerings are amazing. We started with some drinks and light appetizers. Management was gracious enough to offer a few appetizers courtesy of the house and so the feast began. my lovely lady started with the Morimotini, I had the Morimoto Shochu. I First up were the Oyster with Foie Gras, Oysters with a generous hunk of foie gras with a touch of Uni on it served on crused ice and ogo bathed in a Teriyaki sauce. Yose Dofu was prepared table side with a pair of sauces, Kimchee sauce and a amazing soy dashi. These were accompanied by sliced green onion, Katsuobushi and grated ginger. This dish was fantastic, the depth of the broths and the texture of the fresh tofu were simple amazing. Then they brought out the Foie Gras Chawanmushi. This is the dish that i dream about, I would murder children and small animals for another taste of this dish. Duck Breast, Foie Gras in a custard is my idea of heaven. Seared Wagyu Carpaccio was delivered and devoured. great but not murderously good. Sushi Was next so we decided to get a small bottle of the Morimoto Daiginjo. A great sake that was perfect with our sushi. Sushi was on deck. Oh-Toro, Tai, Mizudaku and Inari zushi. Good sushi. With our Entrees it was tine for wine. My gorgeous date went with the Verdeho Rueda for her dish the Buri Bop which is Morimoto's take on a korean hot pot with Buri a mature hamachi and I had the Kaiken Malbec to pair with my Duck Duck Duck entree featuring a Seared Duck brest, a duck confit spring roll and a duck meatball soup. For desert we shared the chocolate mille feuille. Over all a amazing meal this has to be in the top 3 restaurants on the island. The prices are not as high as I was expecting and for what you get over all a great value.
(5)
Marty R.
My husband would have rated this place a little better than me, but he can write his own review. Here's why I'm giving it only three stars: 1 - be sure to order a specialty cocktail, especially one of the ones with shochu and yuzu, like the White Lily or the Kai Kiss. They're wonderful, delicate and tasty. They're priced high and come only in standard martini-size, but they're still worth it, they're so good. 2 - the decor is lovely. The chairs are very 'moderne', but comfortable and the color palatte is again, delicate and lovely. We had a 9pm res, and were only two of a few on the patio under the fairy lights and were the last to leave, it was pretty romantic. 3 - the service is so-so. Our first attendant (don't know if he was a bus boy or a server) was very friendly, but didn't make it clear that we were going to be charged for the bottle of water he was bringing ($7) and then proceeded to spray the woman at the next table with it when he opened it and then spilled half of it on our table during the pour. Because we lost 1/2 of it, we had to order another and were not compensated for the loss of the 1st bottle. Also, our actual order-taker was not very helpful in steering us with good suggestions, describing the dishes and helping us to not over-order. She was no help. I refrained from ordering a pricey entree and stuck to a couple of appetizers, still over-ordered and over-spent. 4 - I tried to question her about the sushi, in particular as the selections were pretty standard (crab & avocado, eel & avocado, softshell crab maki, tuna nigiri) and for the higher prices was trying to determine if the Morimoto 'touch' was going to make them more special in some way. It doesn't. HINT: if you can't discern what's a homemade soy sauce from a bottle of good Kikkoman, or can't recognize when a grain of rice is 'hand-polished', then stay away from ordering the sushi. You won't find it any better than you'll find at your favorite hometown sushi restaurant for 1/2 the price. 5 - However, DO order the magyu beef carpaccio! It's like buttah, and you'll be scarfing it down wishing you had another 1/2 lb of it. Also, the sashimi caesar salad, which my husband had, was very special and definitely worth ordering. The two of these items together would have made a very nice light meal. NOTE: I just checked out the photos here and they show the magyu beef "tartare" with a pretty cauliflower souffle and bits of cauliflower with it. I did not get the dish that looked like that. I got ONLY the beef with hot oil. Now I'm feeling even more ripped off. 6 - the miso soup was just okay. It was very delicate (unfortunately lacking in the stronger miso flavor that I order the soup for in other restaurants). 7 - ANOTHER HINT: be sure to tell them in your Open Table reservation that it's a special day of some kind and they'll treat you with a small scoop of some ice cream or sorbet on a pretty plate. We also ordered the roasted pineapple cake with pineapple 'salsa' and it was very good. 8 - All in all, I wish I had foregone the appetizers (except the carpaccio) and gone with the crispy skin salmon (which they were out of by the time we arrived), the steak or the surf and turf. I think I would have been happier for having eaten in a Morimoto restaurant if I had done that. Come to think of it, I've eaten at four Food Network allstars restaurants (Bobby Flay, Guy Fieri, Morimoto, Tyler Florence) and only Guy Fieri did not dissappoint. But that's another review...
Been there twice. Once to have drinks with my husband and the other was a company dinner. Wasn't impressed....both times. The first time, I just had drinks and sushi...nothing special and my husband had a beer that was 32 bucks. Something we couldve got at Tamura's for way less. And as for the second time. Well I ordered fish,....I though it was going to be like a filet thing....NO! It was the WHOLE FISH!! And it was staring at me and it looked MAD....haha. Just couldn't do it....I ended up going home HUNGRY. Oh...and I was told by everyone that I asked that I didn't get what I ordered.....
(3)
Hannah H.
I felt like I was just living a nightmare, but no, I just had dinner with my mother at Morimoto. This is my second time dining here (and I've had takeout several times). We booked a 5:30 reservation on Open Table and as we arrived I requested an outdoor table. The Hostess appeared annoyed and escorted us back to the lobby, told us to sit down, and explained that she needed to talk to the Hostess about seating. Wait, I thought she was the Hostess????? Note: It was 5:30 the restaurant was DEAD. I'm an early bird eater. After several minutes the frazzled girl came back to us and escorted us to a table outside. My mom and I each ordered a glass of the Pino Grigio ($12 per glass) and my goodness it looked like we were just drinking samplers of the wine. Next we ordered the Crab Rolls, Shrimp Tempura, and California Rolls. The waiter rolled his eyes as I placed our order and seemed incredibly frustrated that yes, this is all we wanted to eat for dinner. My mom and I felt incredibly embarrassed and neither of us were ever treated so poorly in our entire lives. He said he would leave the menu if we wanted to order more after we made it clear that our order would suffice. Please, 18 pieces of Sushi between two skinny women is plenty. No I don't want to order any thing else off the menu; raw fish doesn't appeal to me. Yuck. The sushi didn't take too long but we felt that we've had better; it tasted like it had been sitting around from lunch time. The one time our waiter asked us if we needed anything else my mom asked for more "Pickle Ginger" as we were given a teeny tiny amount that wouldn't even cover one roll. Needless to say, during our 45 minute dining nightmare the Ginger never arrived and the waiter never checked in with us again. Now, I have dined at many fancy expensive restaurants, please I lived in LA for four years and have dined with and among celebrities, and I will tell you that I have never been treated this way in my entire life. Not only was there a terrible atmosphere among the restaurant and staff, but there were several guys on either side of our table shining plates and glasses. Akward. It amazes me that more attention was given to the glasses and silverware than the diners in the restaurant. My advice to you is don't walk from Morimoto, RUN!!!!! I will never, ever, EVER dine at Morimoto again and I do not recommend it. My family and I are from SF, but we own property across the street from this restaurant and we will continue to spread the word. There are so many outstanding restaurants in Waikiki so I won't shed any tears on this one. I hope Management can get their priorities in order (and focus on the diners and the whole dining experience) or this place will continue to sink faster than the Titanic.
(1)
Irene C.
Loved this restaurant! Decor was simple but elegant. Outside seating is also great with views of the marina. Food was excellent. I was told that the sushi was average so we ordered a few appetizers, main entrees and desserts. Here is what we got: Cold appetizer: Tuna pizza - tuna sashimi on a thin cracker crust with thin slices of onions, thin slices of jalapenos and baby cilantro. This was delicious. Hot appetizer: Rock shrimp - two different kinds of rock shrimp served with a coconut ranch dipping sauce. Very good and highly recommended. Entrees: Duck, duck, duck - duck served three different ways. Duck meatball soup, duck confit eggroll and thick slices of tender duck. This dish my mother-in-law ordered. She said this dish was average. Not too impressed with this dish and she loooooooves duck. Surf and turf - prime filet with tuna sashimi, served with a potato puree. This dish was sooooo good. Everything was very good. Seafood Toban Yaki - my husband ordered this dish and really loved it. It is on the spicer side so if you don't like spicy, have them prepare with less spice. Desserts: Choco peanut cake and the semi freddo. Both were very delicious. Light in sugar so you felt like you could have more and more! Choco peanut dessert had a 24-carat gold flake on it. Very fancy. Yummy too!! I went into this restaurant expecting to pay a lot. Total of two appetizers, three entrees, and two desserts, plus drinks, our tab came out to around $200. But hey, I'm on vacation!!!
(4)
Larry B.
I didn't ever think I'd be the kind of guy who used words like surreal and transcendent when it came to a meal or a dish. I guess it's because in this world of fast food, slow food, fine food and everything in between, we often forget what really good food tastes like. Morimoto represents a new standard of restaurant in Hawaii much like the advent of new technology, lap tops turning into ipads, and big bulky TVs becoming less than an inch thick, it will no longer be enough for places like Alan Wongs to charge big money for really small bites of food. I think having restaurants in NYC and dealing with that level of competition, really helps an establishment to get out of the small town mentality that Hawaii often produces, and allows the resturant and chef to compete on an international stage. But enough about that, let's get to the food. Sushi was immaculate. Best aji and scallop nigiri I have ever tasted. Ever! Shockingly good lamb carpaccio, ruby red with scallions garlic and chive oil. Ahi pastrami, raw and crusted with spice, balanced by an unexpected and delightful combination of creme freshe and dried sweet olives. Like the restaurants bright decor of whites and lime greens, everything sort of comes together in harmony with the browns of the wood floors and the blue of the sky and harbor outside on the observation deck. I see myself here on a Saturday sipping sake and beer while getting a bite to eat before heading to the new club they are going to have in the hotel as well. Moving on, the king crab legs on the ap menu were succulent and spicy, and I think the star of the show was the cod. Sweet, fresh, and strangely went really well with my kona ipa. It was as if the Iron Chef himself had been the one preparing every dish, slaving away in his lab like clean kitchen producing these jewels of flavor just for us. Oh snap he was. That's right, Morimoto was back there overseeing the kitchen, and to insure your in good hands when he's not in town his executive chef for the Waikiki location was one of the guys battling beside him for food supremacy in kitchen stadium for years. See what I mean about surreal! They officially open on the 28th of September. Try to get there before the month long waiting list begins.
(5)
Cicie W.
This is the first time I'm at an iron chef's restaurant, so naturally I expected a lot. When I came in and realized the restaurant wasn't full, I was honestly a bit worried. Where I'm from in San Francisco, good restaurants are always packed on a saturday night. I wasn't so deterred since I was still excited. The food here is definitely different. I like how it's very much about the freshness of the food and Morimoto really brought out the authenticity of everything that was served. The presentation is definitely a 5 star; it's just one of the best I've seen. The tofu made at table side was pretty cool, so was the Ahi tar tar. Portion is on the generous side for an upscale restaurant, so we ordered too much food. For the entree, I got the fried whole fish with tofu and pickled daikon. so I was really full afterward. The ambiance was great and service was top notch. Definitely a very pretty restaurant and good place to go on a date. Overall, it was good, but I wasn't blown away. Was it worth the money? I don't know, I guess so. It's definitely a different take on food and I enjoyed it, but it wasn't like the best meal of my life like I was hoping for. My friend that went to Morimoto's in Napa kind of said the same thing, now I know what they mean. After watching so many episodes of Iron Chef, I just expected more. Maybe that's why Morimoto's in on TV, the food definitely looks better than it tastes.
(4)
Jamie M.
A-FKING AH-MAZING. Please excuse my language, but it was a great fine dining experience. From the beginning to the very end of our meal, it was so enjoyable and fun! We had reservations at 8:15PM. We arrived at 8PM and waited about 5 minutes before getting seated. The decor was ultra sheek, very open space, and modern. When you walk in, it feels like you could be walking into a club. The bar on the left. The kitchen/sushi bar on the right. There is also patio/outdoor seating. If you prefer to have a social drink and just cruise, you can go outside sit on these comfy couches by the bonfire pit. OH and gaze out into the stars and the view of Hawaiii's marina. Or you can relax cabana style as well. The newly renovated hotel, along with the restaurant, makes you feel like you're in a resort but at the same time feel like you're in the city. After being seated, we looked through the menu. Paul, our waiter was awesome! He was very informative & thoroughly knew the menu and the food. We even got to chat with him and found out he moved from South Africa & he loves to surf! Anyway, THE ORDER: I decided to go big and order the Omakase Chef's Choice for $110 per person. Whuaaat?! I love Iron Chef and Morimoto! Come to think about it, I was drinking his beer the other day (it was great btw)! The Omakase is a 7-course menu that lasts about 2 hours long! This course allowed me to get the basic essence of Morimoto's menu! I loved it! But because this was a 2 hour menu, Paul helped my fellow dinner companions to coordinate their food so I won't be eating by myself or their watching me eat and vice versa. Another star for Paul and his services. I will trrrry to name all of my dishes, but I believe the pictures will do better justice. 1st course - Tuna tartar 2nd course- Seared Hamachi (i believe) 3rd course - Artichoke & oil dip (i forget the name?!) 4th course - Froie Gras with a slice of Duck CLEANSER - some kind of seaweed tea 5th course - Sushi/Sashimi sampler 6th course - Surf & turf (lobster, beef, and pork) 7th course - Desert (2): this tofu jelly && Okinawa pumpkin pie ice cream It felt like I was one of those judges on Iron Chef trying all of Morimoto's creations. It was a great experience overall and worth every penny! I loved the seared hamachi! The oil, shoyu sauce, and taste of the hamachi was soOOO good! It was one of those experiences, where you take a bite and you had to close your eyes because of it's utter greatness in your mouth. I also enjoyed the froi gras, sushi/sashimi sampler, surf & turf, and the deserts. Maaan i loved everything!! I wanted to hug Morimoto himself, but because he wasn't there, I guess I had to settle with hugging myself (: Anyway, my fellow companions ordered the Poke appetizer, the Kakuni, Soft Shell Crab, and the fried Hamachi Kama. Even with my 7-course menu, I got to chance to taste each of the dishes. Poke SO fresh! Hamachi Kama cooked to perfection! Kakuni slow cooked for 10 hours! GOSSSH! Should I even continue talking about the food because I'm already itching to go back. ALL very exceptional & delectable dishes. Besides our water, we ordered the Tozai Snow Maiden Nigori. At first we were undecided, but they had a sake specialist help us decide what sake to go with. High class status, ya?! The Nigori will be my all time favorite. It was something you can just sip on without feeling like you had to take it as a shot because it could be too strong. Nopes, it was a sip & chill drink. It was very smooth and milky. Very appropriate for our meal. Moving on to the service, like I mentioned earlier Paul, was an A plus waiter. On top of that, everyone else kept our waters filled/ They never left our waters any lower than half way. Took our finished dishes away at appropriate times. Very nice & courteous. Explained our dishes upon serving. Everyone seemed to be working & keeping busy. We were definitely impressed with our overall dining experience. I guess the restaurant just opened last Tuesday from what one of the waiters were telling us. They are currently going through a soft opening and then a grand opening will occur at the end of the month? I think?! I forget now. By the time we left, I was so full and ready to go to sleep because I was struck with food coma. If this is a soft opening so far, then they are OFF to a great start!! The experience, the food, the service was well worth the price. Within range to average fine dining places. i heart this place. thank you.
(5)
John O.
What can I say...WOW!!! I absolutely love this place! I have yet to have an entree here, but will soon. I have my taste buds set for the rack of lamb. The first time I came here I had lunch at their bar. They make a good Shochu Mojito. I had a fresh ahi tuna sandwich that came with a side salad and seasoned fries. Very tasty. The second time I chose to sit at their sushi bar and try some of their rolls. At first I thought I could just sit there without a reservation. It was not very busy at the sushi bar but was quickly informed that I needed a reservation. The host took down my name and immediately sat me. At the sushi bar, you could order from the full menu or just sushi or both. I opted just for the sushi. I had the fresh crab roll and the tempura roll. Both were delicious and came with fresh cut ginger. All of the ingredients were of course fresh. I thought the price for the rolls were reasonable. This place is a must try. Please be warned that some of the prices are a bit high, but the experience of eating at this place will more than make up for it.
(5)
Jean H.
the sushi was to die for-- as in when you eat it, you wanna die. your last breath is wasted on asking god, "why??????", while you're thinking 'i paid so much for a death biteeeeeeeeeeee' *THUD* (you've hit the ground) with that said and out of the way, sushi is a no go, everything else was a sheer delight! sushi, no. EVERYTHING else, yes! i booked the table in advanced and i asked for the corner table with the best viewing of the fireworks. We really did get the best table in the house for the evening firework bonanza. The food (except for the sushi) was so amazing, I remember it to this day. And when i close my eyes and dream back to that fanciful dinner, my tongue swears its tasting savory delish-ocity. oh, lord, i dare say my tongue is wet right now watering away over that food.... great food, great company, great show. can i ask for more? oh, but i got more. great drinks. thank you Morimoto.... yet another successful morimoto experience (sans the nasty sushi)
(4)
Brent M.
My wife and I visited during our honeymoon. The food was very good, although I have to admit it wasn't up to the level that we might expect from a celebrity chef (if I didn't know it was run by a celebrity chef I wouldn't have guessed it - this is not true for other celebrity chef establishments I have visited, including Eric Ripert's and Mario Batali's restaurants). Both the drinks and appetizers were 5-star level (for the app, we got the shrimp tempura). I got the surf-n-turf for my entree - the steak was very good, but for me the tuna was just okay. I had better elsewhere in Waikiki. My wife had a chicken dish with which she wasn't particularly impressed with the taste or the presentation. Maybe chicken wasn't the way to go at a place like this? This was definitely the exception, but it was enough to make the place 4 star and not 5-star for us. That being said, I definitely recommend this place, and I will visit again if I am in Honolulu.
(4)
Alysha C.
I scheduled a Valentines/Birthday Dinner here a month ahead of time because I had heard through some friends that this place was pretty good. Let me tell you, I was beyond disappointed and somewhat ashamed when we dined there last night. The experience already started off bad as soon as we got there and valet told us they had ran out of parking and that we had to find street parking. Already a minus because my boyfriend and I were extremely dressed up and had to walk about a block or so to get back to the restraunt (I was wearing heels!! lol) As soon as we got upstairs we got a half ass greet from the front desk and they had a man escort us to a table outside. Our table was so small and all of the tables are so close together. it was so uncomfortable. we could practically hear the couples next to us entire conversation. Our waitress, Tricia greeted us promptly and was very friendly but after that she went missing for a pretty long time. When she did come back to take our order she ran off a whole list of things the kitchen had ran out of already! Shouldn't they have known to be stocked extra with everything on valentines day?? Especially if everyone made reservations ahead of time. Again disappointed. But that wasnt even the worse part. I do understand that it is Valentines Day and busy but it got rediculous when our appitizer didnt come out for 30 whole minutes!! Again not blaming it on the waitress but maybe the kitchen?! To make it worse we didn't get our main course for another hour! We were literly so close to walking out and we noticed another couple 2 tables down that actually did walk out. We just didn't want our night to be ruined that's why we decided to stay. The funny part was that there was so much staff present and no one was really attentive to us. We ordered the Morimoto Style Poke which was really good but seemed like only a single portioned size definatly not big enough to share. For main courses, I had the Surf & Turf to play it safe and my boyfriend had the wagyu ribeye with a side of potatoes. Both extremely fantastic dishes. So kudos to the chef. My boyfriend also had 2 glasses of St.Aubin wine that he said was really great.The only reason I gave this place 2 stars instead of 1 is because the food was actually pretty good. However, it wasn't so good that I'd endure the poor service for the amount of money I spent there. We both agreed that we will definatly not be dining here ever again. We'll probably go to Hy's next time!
(2)
Kyle B.
I went here with a group of guys I work with. We had high expectations for an Iron Chef's restaurant. We left a little disappointed. First let me say that this place looks fantastic. I was very impressed with the look. It's well laid out, and everything looks great. Nothing is out of place here. You could see the entire line of the kitchen from where we sat. We got here late, so I couldn't really tell what kind of view of the scenery it has, but I'll bet its fantastic as well. The problem really was our waiter. He didn't seem like he really wanted to be there and was not very friendly. There was no "warmth" and I didn't feel very welcome by his demeanor. In fact, we almost felt like we were bothering him by our very presence. That being said, we ordered some sushi (Shrimp Tempura Roll, California Roll, and Spicy Yellowtail Roll) for our appetizer. It came pretty quickly and it was pretty good. I've actually had better tasting sushi in Rainbow City, Alabama. Yeah, that's right. Check my reviews for that one. For dinner, I had the "Duck Duck Duck", which is a seared duck breast, a duck spring roll, and duck meatball soup. I like duck and this was a pretty good dish. I think of the three, I enjoyed the duck meatball soup the best. Everything was hot, fresh, and flavorful. However, I thought for the portion size, it was a little pricey at nearly $30. Thank goodness for expense accounts! One of my co-workers is a little bit of a fussy eater. He really wanted a dish that was not on the menu. A quick check of the menu showed that they carried all the necessary ingredients to make it. So, he inquired about it. The waiter wasn't sure but decided to go ask. He was gone for several minutes and upon his return, he told us that no, the kitchen staff would not make his special request. We were a little insulted by this. You would think that Mr. Iron Chef would want to please and accommodate his guests. My friend finally settled on something else on the menu, but was not to happy about it. Overall, I was disappointed with the sushi and the service, but not with the main course. I would hope that the service is not representative of what you normally get at this upscale establishment. For the kind of money that we spent here, I expected to be treated a lot better.
(3)
Wendy G.
I love this place. Do the Omakase (tasting menu). Done it twice with family visiting and everyone loved it! Even the picky teens were impressed. If you love food, you must go to this restaurant. Great Date Night! Beautiful food and Beautiful atmosphere!
(5)
Sid G.
Location and aesthetic of the place is nice. The food is nothing to brag about. We were here 2 years ago when they opened and to me my opinion about this place is....MorimoNo. NOBU IS THE BEST RESTAURANT THAN THIS
(1)
Frank G.
Food was excellent - the appetizers we thought might have been better than the entrees! The Pork Belly is a must! It was relatively reasonable for a high-end restaurant - the quality of the food justifies the price. Service was good - we had 2 main waiters/waitress to assist us.
(4)
Hella B.
The one "high end" place on my visit to Honolulu. There is so much good food on the island I wasn't sure I could justify the price. After the appetizer my concerns were gone. We started off with tuna pizza. just great textures with the fish and whatever the crust was. There was also just enough salt on that crust to give it a perfect flavor. Next was the kakuni. This was a pork belly in some congee. This was probably the best pork belly I have ever had! I was very tempted in ordering a 2nd round. For the main I went with a black cod. Again this was cooked perfectly. Mind you I have no idea how to cook fish but this fish just peeled off in layers and was moist and had great texture. Guess that is perfect to me. Also had a couple of signature cocktails. All of this and I have to say the price was not that bad for a big named place. I would come back!
(4)
Kenson K.
We decided to try this place for lunch today. This place has a very L.A. ambiance to it. Very modern furnishings with clean lines. Atmosphere was very nice with a view overlooking Alawai yacht harbor. I must say that service was excellent. Our server kept checking up on us to see if we were alright and was very accomodating. Ok for starters, we tried the mizudako. Now, I'm usually not a fan of tako just because its flavorless and has the consistency of a rubber eraser. This tako however is so tender and fresh. It has a sweet flavor to it. You can have this either as a sushi or sashimi. We opted for sashimi. I was debating whether or not to get the toban yaki or the loco moto, which is supposed to be a Morimotos version of a locomoco. I had tried the toban yaki before at Morimoto's New York restaurant and I remember that it was so good. So I figured maybe try something different. So I went for the loco moto. I wasn't too impressed. it was supposed to have wagyu beef in it, and i was expecting it to be like a locomoco, but it came out looking like beef curry. The gravy was sweet and a bit creamy with mushrooms and tasted just like beef goulash. So I was disappointed because I had ordered beef goulash. My partner had the kakuni pork don , which was pork belly slow cooked over a bed of rice. That was a winner. It just fell apart in your mouth. Ok so 4 stars overall. i wasn't too impressed with my dish but I think I might have ordered the wrong thing. The service was excellent, ambiance nice, and the tako and port dish, perfect.
(4)
Jared S.
This is rock solid food from the Iron Chef.. Highlights: -uni sushi: best I've ever eaten. -whole fried fish: It was a Mediterranean sea bass, and it was incredible -The wife really liked her saketini I would skip the tuna tartar though, just my opinion.
(5)
Megan G.
We came here with my in-laws to celebrate their last night on Oahu visiting. Being as I am pregnant, and cannot satisfy my ever-growing raw fish craving, I ordered some dishes I probably would not have ordered pre-pregnancy. We started with the toro tartare (sadly I had to let the other 3 diners have at this-- of course I was jealous as I've savored every last scrape of this dish in the past), the tempura calamari salad, and the pork gyoza. OK, I eat a LOT of salads at home. Typically I go out to eat to AVOID salads. This one though I am so glad I convinced the hubby and his parents to get. SO GOOD. If you are a calamari fan, this will blow your mind. Tempura fried and ever so light an crispy, the calamari melts in your mouth. The lightness of the salad that accompanies this is perfect. The gyoza were good too, and served with a cool bacon foam- points for presentation. I cannot stop dreaming of the calamari. We opted then to do individual entrees and share versus getting sushi, since I would have been left out. I told the mother-in-law to get the seafood toban-yaki as I have had it before and it is amazingly delicious. She was not disappointed and we were all jealous. Order this, you will not be left hungry or disappointed. Father-in-law ordered the lamb, husband had the ishi yaki buri bop, and I had the braised black cod. All were good, but we were all jealous of the diner with the tobanyaki. Thanks to a great evening again, Morimoto!!
(5)
Emily M.
Wow, there are some reviews on Yelp indicating this place isn't worth it. More recent reviews are positive, so we decided to go for it anyway. The cocktails I had were tasty (m-tini and kai kiss martini) but he food was mediocre at best. Maybe we chose poorly, but striking out on four dishes is unacceptable. Wagyu Carpaccio - too salty - no flavor Morimoto Sashimi - bland except for a couple of sauces Braised Lamb Shank - no flavor, too fatty Braised Black Cod - the fish was delicious, unfortunately it was drenched in a salty unagi sauce, which I did my best to scrape off Dare I say it - perhaps there's a reason Morimoto lost to Garces in the Tournament of Champions...
(1)
Kitty K.
Took my mom there in May for quick lunch.....Loved the valet parking(Asian Female thing lol) Decor is clean, modern minimalism from Lobby to restrooms. We picked the Patio seats outdoor by the harbor ...great view ...adequate service , decent food for the price. We both ordered the set lunch . not too many people that day probably is right after Mother"s day weekend. lol
(3)
Kelly K.
Food was tasty, service good, ambience was beautiful but noisy. Overall a positive experience but not outstanding, hence 4 stars.
(4)
J.k. S.
Signature Tuna Pizza and Wagyu beef. Order this, really!! Outstanding. Cool to actually see Chef Morimoto there when we visited too. Very impressed with both the food and the excellent service.
(5)
Haein P.
I am a huge Iron Chef fanatic and going to Morimoto was a top food priority. I can say the food adequately met my expectations. We had the morimoto omakase, which features Morimoto's best dishes as well as the seafood toban-yaki and kakuni. The morimoto omakase is a must-try for those that truly want to experience the essence of Chef Morimoto. The foie gras chawan mushi was the absolute best within the omakase. The warm and savory egg custard was perfectly paired with the robust flavors of foie gras and tender duck breast. Also, fun to try and innovative was the bagna cauda, which consists of a garlic-anchovy olive oil dip and various blanched vegetables with bite-sized bread and chicken. Another absolute favorite was the dessert included in this omakase, which was a soy-milk panna cotta that was extremely light and subtle and a kabocha souffle with okinawan sweet potato ice cream and foam as well as candied kabocha. This was divine, to say the least. The souffle was perfect in taste and texture. The soft and fluffy souffle was matched wonderfully with the sweet potato foam and ice cream that enhanced the natural sweetness of the pumpkin. The kakuni appetizer was okay. The description being that it was 10-hour braised pork belly with congee in a ginger soy jus made it appealing, but upon arrival, looked meager. The pork was definitely not as tender or fatty as I had hoped, but the congee was perfect with the ginger soy. Definitely not worth the price and perhaps not worth a second order if visited again. The seafood toban-yaki had a gorgeous array of seafood that was irresistablly soaking in a spicy red miso-sake broth. To my dismay, the broth was much too salty. If the sodium had been decreased a couple notches, this dish would have been flawless. While the food met my expectations, the service was abysmal. I was thoroughly appalled and disappointed especially considering the fact that we were paying roughly $250 for our dining experience. From the moment we stepped into the restaurant to the moment we paid and left, we felt unwelcomed and unappreciated. The hostesses were impolite and brusque as they 'guided' us to our table. Our server was equally rude and unprofessional in demeanor and eloquence. The several courses in the omakase are not identified within the menu and therefore, presumably it is the server's obligation to describe each course or at least mention them to us, as customers. Despite knowing that the bagna cauda was included within the omakase, he remained silent when we ordered a separate bagna cauda as an appetizer. Once the first was finished, he audaciously mentioned another one was coming with a smirk on his face. Throughout the course of the meal, he was rather unattentive and distracted. The annoyance brewing within me several days after the occasion makes me regret not complaining at the time. Hopefully this doesn't stop you from trying and enjoying Morimoto's high-quality and noteworthy food. If not for the lack of customary service and good ol' Alton Brown, we felt like judges on Iron Chef.
(3)
Jeffrey K.
WOW! The omikase was so devine I went back the next night for the omikase "repeat", featuring all new dishes! The omikase must have been 10 courses, including a dessert course. Each dish was vastly different from the previous and the flavors were spectacular. The foire gras mouse with seared duck was so good that it was the only thing I asked to be repeated from the night before! It's rich, but delicious! I will definitely be back here to try the latest omikase!
(5)
Chris C.
well the crab should stand on its own but smeared in sauce same for lobster which they did twice can we say noice
(3)
Marci M.
This was one of the most exquisite places I've ever been to. Of course, I would simply expect the utmost best out of this restaurant for it is owned by the famous Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. Each dish that was brought out was devoured with my eyes before it reached my mouth. Each presentation was too beautiful and perfect to eat. However, once we began to taste the dish, each bite would simply melt on the tongue and tingle every single taste bud there was. By the end of my girls night, my palat and tummy was filled with the most most wonderful seafood, steak, and chicken. I would, also, recommend the white lily drink as well. The expense is rather high, but well worth the expense for the experience. The waiters are very helpful with the dishes as well. If there are questions on how to consume the dish as well as recommendations as to what to order according to your taste, they are there to assist you. This is a beautiful atmosphere in which you can have your party in-doors or out-doors. I recommend anyone to go and enjoy, from a girls night out to a romantic evening for two. This a perfect high class restaurant for almost any occasion. Enjoy!
(5)
Samantha P.
The iron chef strikes again!! He didn't disappoint accept for not coming out from the kitchen for a Kodak moment :( Sit on the patio Eats: Wagyu Carpaccio Sushi assortment Braised black cod Get the cookbook!
(4)
Jeanie H.
In my heart (and in my stomach...) I am an Iron Chef fan and "wanna be". So Morimoto Waikiki was definitely on my hit list. The anticipation of my arrival here simply made my toes curl....I will say that visiting on a Friday night and experiencing the prelude of fireworks at the Hilton lagoon was the perfect setting and ascension into sublime cuisine. Culinary Art. This is the destination that will be set on a pedestal for special occasions that can honor a celebration. By choice, I am normally a casual diner, who prefers "street fare" and enjoys the "hole in the wall" type of experience. But for a treat....this hit the spot! The outdoor ambience was a given, but coupled with the modern decor and courteous service...this is what makes Morimoto ICHIBAN! Rollover onto the poolside of the double chaise loungers of The Modern Hotel, which lies adjacent.....if I had my choice...I would still be there for breakfast if they would let me :)
(5)
Al S.
Listen. I love food. I lot. Like, I'm kinda fat and I couldn't care less because food is awesome kinda love. But I've never understood the cooking shows talking about "flavor profiles" or "star of this food" or any of that crap. To me, it sounded like people trying to ruin something that was already awesome the way it was. Like that guy who wanted to be a server at Hooters. Then I went to Morimoto. Holy shit. I had the Duck Duck Duck, and it changed my life. Well, I mean, I ate frozen pizza the next day, so not my WHOLE life, but I'm starting to see what they're talking about. The different parts of the dish just... kinda... went together. They blended? Like when a really obnoxious white guy is about to trip into a cake, and just as he starts to fall a seriously snarky female of ethnic background comes around the corner to watch the whole thing and make the amazingly hilarious comment that would be racist if she were also white. Just that perfect combination of factors coming together to produce something divine, that's what it was. Bonus: Very few tourists! Biggest complaint: A little loud, actually... I think it was the acoustics. Or my screaming and jumping on the table. Regardless, people noticed.
(5)
Lyn L.
With the "big name" and all of the hype, I sure expected more! Arriving at the old Ilikai, I was curious to see what Morimoto's Waikiki was all about....simply not impressed. The entrance to the restaurant is nice enough...soft lighting, pretty wood, frosted glass....then the hostess too us to our table...."under the big top!"...OMG...we're gonna have a $100/person dinner under a tent!!!...with Christmas lights!!! Surely they could have done better! The tables are all lined up...felt like I was a t Sam's club or Costco!...furniture was nice enough, but I could share my food with my neighbor...actually ended up seated next to some friends so we were able to get some menu suggestions....then the people next to us sat down and as we were served our food, they got to survey it and we shared our food opinions.... We passed on the o-toro...they want $12 for one piece of o-toro!!! nuts! We started out with the * - oysters....6 of them, but REALLY small and ordinary. * - kakuni - braised 10 hour pork belly in the congee (jook) with gobo - that was pretty good...oh just figured out the gobo must have been those "wisps" * - ox tail soup - with garlic friend rice, cilantro and ginger - soup was kind of "shoyuee"...garlic friend rice had maybe 2 tablespoons...(I think they list each ingredient so you think you're getting a lot...but it's soooo little) * - Soft shell crab roll - that was decent...the crab was nice and crispy * - braised black cod - ginger-shoyu reduction ( tasted like Yoshida sauce that I overcooked...kind of burnt and syrupy and waaay tooooo sweet and heavy for the fish), pickled bell peppers (I almost missed it...I've seen confetti bigger than that!) and budo mame (4 black beans)...like I say they list EVERYTHING..ha ha *- 1/2 lb wagyu filet - this was probably the best thing ($55)...cooked just right with some rock salt on the outside. We were surprised that there is NO LOCAL FISH on the menu....kind of sad considering we live out in the middle of the ocean...they had keahole lobster, nalo farms and hamakua tomatoes tho'.... Dessert was chocolate caramel something with a scoop of vanilla ice cream....coffee was good... Since we were seated so closely to our neighbor, I couldn't help but notice that she didn't eat her dinner...she had the ishi yaki buri bop.....her husband had the crispy whole fish....which he said was delicious (like I said, we were seated so closely together) Presentation was ho-hum....people were nice so they get 2 stars.... Well, don't think we'll be back....for my $200 I'd rather spend it at Imana Tei instead of the "big top"....(it even had some patches in it!) Soooo not impressed....oh well...
(2)
Rodney K.
Went there last night, the menu selection is very small most of it being expensive sushi. I wasn't really in the mood for sushi so I thought I would get a steak however the 14oz steak was $84 so I settled on the loco moto their version of a loco moco. The meat was tender and pretty god but there were only 4 or 5 tiny chunks in the whole dish. The egg was about half the size of a normal egg. Half the plate was rice. The gravy tasted like the salsbury steak gravy from the frozen dinners at Safeway. After eating the egg, meat, and some of the rice I was still hungry, I only got full from eating the rest of the rice and gravy. I pretty much paid $22 for a bowl or rice. Very unfulfilling and unsatisfying. If you want a loco moco youre better off going to L&L.
(1)
Mz S.
My best friends took me here for my birthday dinner. The dinner was an amazing experience. I was a little turned off by the hostess, but that was quickly forgotten about when we were seated and welcomed warmly by our waitress. My favorite cocktail is there White Lily. I loved it - had about 5 of them. The yamamomo on the bottom of the glass is delicious and I wish I could have a whole jar of them. Here is what we ordered that evening. Appetizers: Gyoza - great but not my favorite Tofu - listen to the waiter/waitress/food runner, do not touch the lid, just let it sit and do it's magic. It comes with a delicious kim chee broth. Hands down, my favorite appetizer pork belly - delicious!! Sushi Platter - a great variety of sushi. Each piece was delectable and fresh. Loved every bite! Calamari Salad - I ordered a salad for my entree which was a smart move for me because by now, I was getting full. I loved the crispy calamari with the cool cripsy greens and the dressing is amazing. Needless to say, my best friend's girlfriend ate half of my salad because it was just so good and neglected her entree. Chawan Mushi with Foie Gras - my favoirte! I order this every time i go. It's velvety smooth and the flavors are amazing. Loved every bite. Dessert: Peanut butter chocolate bombe - I had this before and liked it but my best friend inhaled this before most of us could grab a bite. This was his favorite dessert by far. Salted Peanut ice cream - YUM! Grilled Pineapple - this was a light and delicious dessert Sorbert assortment - refreshing and light Semifreddo - this was my best friend's girlfriend's favorite. light and delicious I was very sad to learn that they no longer make the tofu souffle that came with the hot and cold tofu dessert. That was so delicious and unique. All in all, I had a wonderful meal here.
(4)
Crissy K.
A very solid four stars. Going in, I was really hoping I'd be able to give Morimoto five stars. Why? Look at the guy: He totally rocks the house on "Iron Chef America." So why four stars? Some friends and I had the omakase and shared a few other plates. While 90-95% of the items served with the omakase were at least solidly good (just the pork with the entree dish was really dry and boring, and the seasoning used on the lobster kinda smelled like body odor), few were spectacular, and I don't feel that all of these dishes were honestly the BEST representation of Morimoto's cooking. BUT . . . That said, Morimoto standard solidly good is a lot better than you get most places in Honolulu. The foie gras chawan mushi made me a believer in chawan mushi (after the one at Yohei nearly convinced me that I would never try it again). The hamachi and toro tartare, with its five accompanying garnishes, was a sight to behold, presentation-wise, but I had no hesitation digging in and savoring each flavor. The bagna cauda was so simple, yet so savory and mouth-watering. And don't forget: Don't limit yourself to the omakase. My favorite item we sampled had to be the kakuni -- the ten-hour pork belly. It was the most tender pork I have ever had, and I would go back for this alone. OK, and the lamb carpaccio, of which they just give you so much, it's a great deal right out of the bag. The service my friends and I received the night we went was quite good: The servers were very patient in explaining the components of each dish and even came back to go over one of the omakase dishes with someone who had been in the restroom when it first arrived at the table. It was difficult to hear the explanations at times because the room was so large and noisy, but that wasn't the fault of the servers themselves. I look forward to visiting Morimoto Waikiki again to see what else the menu has to offer!
(4)
Aya T.
I really thought I was going to be blown away by my dinner here but sadly this was not the case. My dining partner and I were hungry so we ordered quite a few things to share. I had to try one of their delicious sounding cocktails, the pear yuzu gimlet was pretty awesome. I loved the pear vodka with a touch of yuzu citrus, lime and serrano chile...very tasty! Our first dish was the Live Octopus Carpaccio. It was presented beautifully but I noticed right away there was a lot of sauce on the plate. Too much soy/yuzu/ginger sauce was drowning the octopus which was a shame because you couldn't taste the eight armed monster. I was really excited to see how the Yellowtail Pastrami was going to tickle my palate. Again the presentation was better than the taste. First of all the yellowtail was raw which I prefer but pastrami is cooked so I thought the spice coating on the fish would taste like pastrami? Nope, it was just yellowtail with a togarashi coating. Yeah I didn't get it either. Next up was the Oyster/Foie Gras/Uni dish. This would have been pretty damn tasty but they drowned it with teriyaki sauce?!? I was so disappointed by this. Why would you ruin such high quality ingredients with teriyaki sauce :(. Time to cleanse my palate with another cocktail, tried the Coco Fraiche with coconut vodka, lime, lemongrass syrup and coconut water. It was very tropical tasting but I preferred my first drink over this one. Our next dish was the winner out of the bunch. The Foie Gras chawan mushi with duck was excellent. Really elegant and creamy, I loved it! I had to get some sushi so we ordered the soft shell crab roll and a ume/shiso roll. The soft shell crab roll with avocado, asparagus and tobiko was amazing and the ume/shiso roll was just what I wanted. For our one and only main dish, we got the special crispy whole branzino with a spicy tofu sauce and pickled papaya salad. The fish by itself was perfect, crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside. I thought the other elements on the plate were totally unnecessary and didn't really complement the fish. The fish was ginormous but it was so delicious that we managed to eat the whole thing :)! For dessert, we tried the chocolate peanut bombe upon suggestion of our waiter. I liked the salted caramel ice cream but the rest of the dish was nothing special. Overall, I was pretty perplexed by the food. I think they are trying too hard to impress and most of the dishes just fall flat. I don't recommend spending the fortune that we did for dinner when there are some better dining options on the island.
(3)
Michael S.
This is not about the food, as the food is outstanding and beats Nobu hands down, being one of the best in town, Chef was present! However, the front desk is ridiculous: 9:20p, four seats at Sushi bar open and four to six tables open, late in the evening, but no availability, at the bar or table??? No one coming, tables open and no seating??? Absolutely unacceptable. Will have to find more welcoming place. Too bad!
(1)
Rachel H.
Was fortunate enough to eat here three times in a row and each meal was excellent. We stuck mainly to the sushi/sashimi selections or had the sushi chef design a selection from our request. The imaginative but yet classic presentation made even the smallest selection remarkable and sating. Fish was of the highest quality as you would expect. Pork gyoza and the salt crusted fingerlings are a must have off the hot menu. And the man himself was there all three nights. Fascinating to watch his oversight and his staff reactions.
(4)
Stephanie Q.
Four words: SPICY ALASKAN KING CRAB *you must order this appetizer! We had the best table for 2 outside on the patio overlooking the harbor and sunset on our final night in Honolulu. The food, service and ambiance couldn't be beat! We stayed at the hotel as well and I suggest to have a cocktail at the pool bar before dinner, since it's literally 10 steps away. Go at sunset! It's never too crowded and although it's super trendy and new, it's not stuffy. I didn't think you had to dress up a ton either...although it's Hawaii and I don't think people really ever completely get decked out unless you go to some of the night clubs. I wore a simple summer dress and everyone was pretty much the same attire. This was on a Thursday night, so the weekend could get a litlle more fancy :)
(5)
Al E.
Fantastic experience once again for our anniversary, and getting to meet Chef Morimoto made it even better!
(5)
Shazam L.
Need "Iron Colon" to eat here. All three in our party had stomach issues after eating at this location. We had the lobster salad, sashimi, sushi and udon. Our only conclusion, we were served leftover expired food...as it was apparent. Iron colon with good medical insurance and a trust fund required to eat here. What a rip off.
(1)
Jeffrey J.
2010 has really been the year of the Iron Chef for me, after already visiting Bobby Flay and Mario Batali restaurants earlier in the year. My recent vacation to Hawaii had me checking off another Iron Chef restaurant on the list - Masaharu Morimoto. While the white decor and modern furniture presented a nice elegance to the experience, I wasn't a huge fan of the coral or orchid decorations... just not my style. FYI, this place is in the ballerific Edition Hotel in Waikiki. The service was very good, the food came out with great timing, and everything was plated so beautifully. I had the trio of duck and it was very good. It was served as a meatball french onion soup style; traditional duck confit; and an eggroll filled with potato and duck. While the confit and meatball were excellent, I thought the eggroll didn't even measure up. It took such a back seat, it was practically in the trunk. Wah wah. We also sampled their sushi, for which the rolls were surprisingly priced reasonably. The nigiri though was fairly expensive as they charge per single piece, and I paid $7 for a single uni nigiri. Overall, I thought it was an excellent experience, but I thought it was lacking a little in the "wow" factor that prevented me from giving it the maximum 5 stars. Ala Cuisine!
(4)
David C.
I am a fan of yose dofu. Definately one of the better appetizers I've had yet. The best i can describe it would be a fresh hot tofu created at table side. You will receive several options to dress your dish including a Daishi broth, Kim chee sauce, and some garnish toppings to finish it off. The dish is extremely light and would be a nice replacement for a starter soup. The way I like to eat it would be to dress the tofu with a 1:1 ratio of Daishi broth and Kim chee sauce. Dinner is amazing.
(4)
Elizabeth N.
Made an improtu first visit last Friday & sat at the bar. Four stars for the bar, the service and ambiance/decor. 3 for the Ginger Pork dish we tried. It was good and surprisingly plentiful, but nothing that I haven't tasted before. Funny but I found the condiments (the marmalade relish and eggplant) more compelling than the meat itself! But as pairing with our shochu, the meal was a choice accompiniant. Overall, as a new restaurant/bar, they are still working out their kinks as the bartender was not quite familiar with the shochu section of the menu or the services they offered. But he was sincerely attentive and he got us an individual who was very knowledgeable (a japanese ex-pat) and she made the best recommendations for our shochu and gave us brief lesson on the types they serve and how it could be best enjoyed. It wasn't very busy in there that night (the place wasn't full) so maybe they were able to give us this undivided attention because of that. ??? Either way, we appreciated the attentive service, the recommendations and will go back for another round of shochu. Maybe even a bottle of it since like all respectable Japanese restaurants, they will hold your bottle for you to return to enjoy it. And due to of the overall vibe of this hotel, sitting in this restaurant, it doesn't feel like your in Hawaii at all. Whether or not this is a good thing depends on your personal state of mind. Here's my recap: Pros: -The service. Very attentive and they strive to get you exactly what you want and be happy with what you have. -The ambiance; very modern and simple and the propogated coconut plants in the front were way cool. -The portions of food were generous considering it's Waikiki prices. One dish of ginger pork was enough for two people. Cons: -Still working on the consistencies of their service. -Prices of course -The bar is adjacent to the two outdoor seating areas, thus there were gnats all over the bar aread. We killed four of them during our time there. The lady sitting next to us was complaining too. EEEEEEWWWWW. Better ventilation or fans near the exits could take care of this problem.
(4)
Bernard N.
Wow, what a great opportunity to dine at Morimoto Waikiki! As this was a work dinner, the bill was taken care of. And this being our first time there, we relied upon the suggestions of our waitress and sommelier/manager. Everything they suggested was incredible! Hamachi Tartare - 4 Sashimi Salad - 4 Ishiyaki Buri Bop - 4 Wagyu Carpaccio - 5* Fried Whole Fish - 5 Wagyu Ribeye 160z - 5 Uni from Santa Monica & Tokyo - 5* Island Flavored Sorbets - 3 Haupia Semmifreddo - 5 Apple Martini - 4 Chikurin Sake - 5* Rose Wine - 3 *Wagyu Carpaccio, Uni from both Santa Monica & Tokyo , and the Chikurin Sake would be make the order list again. However, as we sampled only a small part of the menu, next time I I would try different appetizers and entrees as well. Service - 5 Food - 5 Price - 3 (easily over $100 per person) Overall - 4 We were seated on the patio deck and I think I preferred this as the inside was quite noisy. The weather was perfect and all the 'beautiful people' seemed to be out. The ambiance was great and since the Edition is a new hotel (luxury-end in the Marriott chain) all the amenities were state of the art.. Service was also fantastic! Everyone (6+ staff) who took care of us had personality and great spirit. This is fine dining, so be sure you are not prone to sticker shock!
(4)
Hashim A.
This is my first time dining at one of Morimoto's restaurants and I must say I was impressed! The Waikiki location is his newest and although they have a few new restaurant kinks to iron out, the food and service were fantastic. Ryan, our waiter did a great job. The sushi and sashimi was fresh...i highly recommend the wagyu sashimi. Other dishes we had were the rock shrimp tempura, wagyu carpacchio (my personal favorite), spicy king crab, and clam miso soup. All were great. The peanut butter bombe dessert was also good. I don't drink but according to my girl the Pina Haupia and Pear Gimlet were good. So why didn't I give them 5 stars? One reason...atmosphere. It is REALLY loud in there. Sometimes you have to yell so the person next to you can hear you. Don't get me wrong the scene is trendy and the people are beautiful. It's also a good break from the laid back Waikiki vibe...It's just a little too loud. I'll try dining outside on the patio next time. Yes there will definitely be a next time.
(4)
Christopher-desiree G.
IRON CHEF!!! Loved it! My husband brought me here for our first anniversary and I realized why we got married! First of all, the environment was clean and very neat. I absolutely loved the service we got. They answered our questions, gave us some tips on how to eat certain dishes, and let us know what items were popular. Second, their are 3 different menus! One for wines and drinks, one for the appetizers and entrees, and another for desserts. What to choose??? Since we couldn't decide, and this is why I know our love will last... Was to hit the appetizers. We decided that everything looked so good that we MUST COME BACK AGAIN to try the other things. We ordered the whitefish carpaccio, kakuni, spicy tuna maki, Morimoto poke. ALL WERE OH SO YUMMY! So I can't tell you which was our favorite. They all were. No wonder he's an Iron Chef! Ok, so the environment was awesome, the food was awesome, and the service was awesome. It was just an awesome night.
(5)
Koren D.
Only one word comes to mind - LACKLUSTER. Had dinner there last night and both my husband and I had the omakase menu. What a huge disappointment. Every dish lacked in flavor and while our server was sweet, the kitchen sometimes took up to 15 minutes between courses. Really?? Did I mention how the tables are on top of each other as well? By far the worst tasting menu we have ever had at a "5 star" restaurant.
(1)
Barb L.
The hotel we stayed at recommended them SO many times.....we wondered if they were getting kickbacks.....hahahaaaa..... Our last full day in Honolulu, we thought...we've been eating whatever so many days, let's just have a really good meal! We made a wrong turn...took us longer than expected...but we got there. The place was empty! We had to wait for the "hostess" to seat us.... The service was a little interesting....I would have gladly given 4 stars, if they were not that "interesting"....not sure if it was snootiness or whatever it is... Our daughter ordered the mini burgers - 5 stars Calamari salad - 2-3 stars...the fried calamari was a little too greasy for us... Nigiri sushi - 4-5 stars, toro was 5 stars.... Overall, we had a nice meal...just not the 5 star service I expected :)
(3)
Marck N.
When I found out that Morimoto opened a restaurant in Oahu, I had to try it out.I enjoyed the New York restaurant and wanted to see if this one would be the same. Arrived here for lunch and it was fairly empty, though there was a lot of people in the kitchen doing their work. The feel of the restaurant is very airy, lots of space. More of an LA scene than New York, definitely not a Hawaii feel. The menu contained some of the same items from the New York restaurant. I decided on the live octopus sashimi for an appetizer and the Kakuni don (10 hour braised pork don). My partner had the waygu loco moco. The live octopus wasn't what I expected, as I was expecting the meat to still be wiggling. But it wasn't. The taste was quite different. Very sweet and delicate. A must to try. The Kakuni don was delicious. The sauce that its served in is very savory and tasty. It made me want to lick my empty bowl clean. Tasting my partners waygu beef loco moco, the gravy tasted like Hungarian goulash, very creamy and heavy. Not your regular loco moco. I wouldn't order it, hence my lick the bowl comment above. The staff was very attentive from our waitress to the bus boys. Everyone was very courteous, asking how everything was. All glasses were filled and refilled. It is pricey for lunch. If you do go, consider it a little splurge from the regular plate lunch places all over.
(4)
Glenn G.
I always enjoy dining at Morimoto Waikiki. Being a value diner I prefer a series of appitizers over entrees. That way you can leave satisfied for about $50/person. Favorites are: Tuna Pizza - a crispy tortilla covered with lots of ahi sashimi Crispy Rock Shrimp Tempura with excellent sauces Yose Dofu - table side prepared fresh tofu
(5)
Kevin L.
Went there and was presently surprised. Food was a little expensive but worth it. Morimoto was there and taking pictures with anyone that walked up to him. He was very polite and humble. He defiantly represented well for Iron Chef.
(4)
Jerry E.
Sashimi presentation was unspectacular, and didn't measure up to the iron chef reputation as one would expect. Also, the seafood combo was average at best; however, the takoyakni made with Kona abalone was superb. I highly recommend to give it a try. A few observations: 1) the entrance door to the place was unremarkable (not standing out), 2) tables are seated too close on the lanai/patio, offering minimal privacy for conversation, 3) prices are much higher than competitors with no noticeable difference, and 4) the price for their small, lukewarm expresso was too exorbitant, something one should avoid at all cost, because it simply wasn't worth having it. It will unequivocally further ruining your expensive night out.
(2)
Piyo S.
5 stars all the way Interior design: 5 stars Food: 5 stars Customer service: 5 stars There is nothing to complain about MORIMOTO Waikiki, food is always great, service is superb, and I love the modern interior design of this restaurant, it reminds me the living room of my house, as if they copyed my living room!? The sashimi quality is unbelievable, it melts like a butter in my mouth, the fish is never fishy like other Japanese restaurants. I have wonderful time @ MORIMORO everytime. A Message to Morimoto-san: Hawaii niwa mezurashii subetega kanpekina omise dato omoimasu. Ro-karuno akueikyouwo ukezuni, Itsumademo nihon reberu no hinshituwo ki-pu shite kudasaine!
(5)
Ryan M.
Took my gf here on our anniversary. The service was great. our waitress really was awesome and very pleasant to talk to and had some great recommendations. knocks is that its SUPER loud in there so hard to have a romantic conversation. for appetizers we ended up getting the morimoto sashimi which i didn't like. it came with 5 different sauces to try, but the sashimi itself was layered and kind of blended all the flavors together. i personally enjoy eating the fish to taste the diffference. the sauces weren't anything to write home about either. we ordered drinks as well and the one that stood out was the yuzu mixed drink my gf had. i kept stealing it from her to taste. the appetizer came out within minutes of ordering, very impressive, but then the main entree took probably 30-40 minutes to come out which was exemplified by the shortness of the first course. the waitress gave us another round of drinks for the wait which was a great touch, but the kitchen was deifnitely backed up. the restaurant was full so i can understand but still a little too long for entrees. gf had the surf and turf. the steak au jus was amazing and the foam on the poke was yummy (ponzu) but the poke itself wasn't special. i had duck 3 ways and the best part was sadly the soup with meatballs. the other duck dishes were yummy but weren't memorable. there were spring rolls which was just okay but i've had duck spring rolls before that were delicious and the duck breast was good but i've had better as well. dessert wasn't great either as the description didn't match the plate. they had mentioned kona coffee ice cream and came out with vanilla. the nice thing was there was a coffee liquer drink that i had that was a nice finish to a pretty decent dinner. for the price i'd say its a great place for a fancy dinner but not somewhere i'd go back to. they do have an awesome outdoor fire pit that i didn't get to show to my gf, so maybe drinks outside would be a reason to go back.
(3)
Monique P.
I was excited about trying Morimoto's since we were staying at the resort it is housed but I'd have to say the experience was just meh. We were seated outside at a wobbly table and the atmosphere was nothing special. You could maybe see a few yachts on the marina but barely even that. The service was not bad however. We had the pork belly lunch and lobster melts which were ok. All in all, I would just say it was typical for resort dining... overpriced and underwhelmed. Not bad... I just had higher expectations.
(3)
grace n.
I've been to Morimoto in Napa so I knew more or less what to expect. I was sad to hear that I missed Morimoto by just a couple of weeks or so (dang it, Obama! Be in Honolulu when I'm there!) but the food was still delicious. I generally prefer appetizers to entrees so I made my friend order a bunch of small dishes and appetizers with me =) The oysters foie gras is a little bit of heaven in food form. Oysters? Yes please. Foie gras? Just stop it! This dish was probably my favorite during my week long trip to Hawaii. I also loved the toro hamachi and Morimoto's beef carpaccio is always delish. I forget what else we got. But when in doubt, get the oysters foie gras. nommm.
(4)
derek n.
Was excited to try Morimoto's in Waikiki and had a chance to talk with some friends about their experiences and reviewed some of the yelp reviews beforehand, so luckily my expectations were not super high. First impression was that it was in this somewhat eclectic hotel that attempts at being trendy but unsure if it pulls it off. Second, as I walked into the restaurant entrance, was underwhelmed by the somewhat odd decor. The waiting area seating was trendy but somewhat unclean looking, all throughout the restaurant were these clear box fixtures hanging from the ceiling with coral in them (which I though was sort of a cliche and tacky). The inside seating was cramped and it was very loud, luckily we were seated outside and there were not too many people outside. Most of our party ordered the omakase but in addition, we ordered a few dishes separately. I would suggest the omakase on your first visit, it will give you a taste of a lot of different things. The separate appetizers and entrees were very nice sized portions. The stuff I really liked: - hamachi and toro tartare - fois gras chawan mushi (very rich, and I normally don't like chawan mushi) - omakase desserts - ice cream with sweet potato, panna cotta The stuff that was just okay: - yose dofu - rock shrimp - main course from omakase with lobster, pork, meat - sashimi and sushi omakase courses, probably the biggest disappointment - anchovy paste in oil heated over a candle was interesting, the vegetables were sort of plain and unappealing but the anchovy paste thing was good there was a palate cleanser 'kelp tea' that was strange and not that appealing nor cleansing so overall, there were some high and not so high points. obviously an expensive meal, but I would consider going back on a special occasion. Since I know what I like from the omakase and knowing the regular appetizer and main course portions are quite large for a high-end place, I'm sure the value will be much higher the next time around. one last thing, the service was excellent, which was one thing I was worried about from reading other yelp reviews
(3)
Janice C.
We had high expectation for this place and turned out the sashimi/sushi was not very fresh. I ordered the loco moto which basically is beef over rice and it was almost laughable since I've had something awfully smilar at a different Japanese restaurant that charges $10. We left within an hour, that's how unbearable the experience was.
(1)
Lindsay C.
Great place for a date night. It is expensive but worth it - our waiters, bartenders, and runners have always been knowledgeable and friendly. The food is delicious, fresh, and skillfully prepared (although if you make a reservation past 8:00 they sometimes run out of their specials). They also have a great selection of sake.
(4)
Stacy H.
The Iron Chef did not disappoint. We ordered the toro tartare and that was delicious, except it was angled in such a way that it was hard to get the toro out of the dish. The sauces were delicious! The oysters with the foie gras with uni were unbelievable. I ordred the ishiyaki buri bop and the braised black cod. These dishes were both delicious. For the price, you would expect a little more food, but overall the quality of the dishes were great.
(4)
Chris G.
I've been to the Philly and Napa Morimoto locations, so it was only a matter of time before heading to Morimoto Waikiki. We had a great seat, right near the water and our service was beyond excellent. The staff made sure we had anything we needed. We we with the recommended Ginjo Lychee Martini which had a pretty good kick. Starting off with the Morimoto Poke and the Hamachi Tartare. With the Hamachi it was hard to eat it slow, it was not only fun to eat but a delight for the senses. Moving on to the Wagyu beef, Kakuni and Ox tail soup. The Wagyu was so tasty and tender and I was suprised I liked the Ox tail soup, it's something I don't normally eat. Pikae Blossom and Coco Fraiche was a nice change from the Lychee Martini and afterwards we had a nice buzz going. Ending the night with the Chocolate Tart and we left with smiles from ear to ear.
(5)
Mo T.
I loved this guy on the iron chef. Very innovative and respectful, so it was exiting to go to his restaurant while on my honeymoon. the decor was awesome and we sat at the sushi bar overlooking the kitchen. it was a pleasure seeing the chefs in action. seeing the different dishes get done, and the presentation was amazing on some of these dishes. The wifey and I loved our sushi, calamari, ox tail soup, more sushi, and I forgot about the other dish we had. but overall, a great experience.
(5)
Gigi Y.
I went there w/a couple friends for lunch on a Friday. We shared a Soft-Shell Crab Roll. The soft-shell crab was crispy but the the sushi wasn't wrapped tight enough. I had a lobster melt which came with nicely seasoned fries (salt, furikake and a hint of wasabi) and salad. My friends had a Chicken Katsu Sandwich and the Mini Burgers. The Chicken Katsu Sandwich had mustard and katsu sauce which my friend thought was a strange combination. I was surprised at the size of the Mini Burgers... It was MINI for sure. There's three burgers and each burger probably has the diameter of 2 inches. My friend said it was enough for her though, with the fries and salad. I like the underwater themed decor of the restaurant. Overall it was good but I guess I expected to be WoW-ed from the restaurant of an Iron Chef.
(3)
Jo C.
After dinning in here, I understand why it is only 3.5 starts. It is a very true yelp rating. I had Morimoto in Napa, CA a few times and was never let down once. I am very disappointed at Morimoto Waikiki. We ordered the toro tartare which is the equivalent of the tuna tartare in Napa. The rice crackers were stale. The oyster foie gras was the worst dish of the night. The oysters had sand and shells in them. It's unacceptable at a $$$$ restaurant. Lastly, I want to mention is the timing of each dish. There was no timing. All the cold appetizers were brought out at once, then waited for 15-20 minutes, then all the hot appetizers were brought out at once again. This is not the service that I am used to in Napa unfortunately.
(2)
Marleen M.
We had the special crab cake appetizer, which was made of Keahole Lobster, alaskan king crab, scallops and some other stuff..it was DELICIOUS! For dinner we ordered an assortment of sushi and the crispy whole fish. The food was awesome....but, what makes this restaurant worth the price is their staff. Our waiter, Kaulana, was efficient, friendly, and anticipated our needs before we voiced them. The bus staff was quick without being obtrusive. What I really appreciated about the experience is that I did not feel the need to seek out "my" waiter. Every staff member that went by our table glanced over to be sure we were ok, or stopped to offer their assistance...again without being obtrusive. What a great experience! Thank you Kaulana and all the staff at Morimoto's.
(5)
Kanani M.
Being a complete "foodie" I was excited when we decided to go to an Iron-Chef's restaurant. Everyone that heard we were going there seemed intrigued and excited for us as well. Unfortunately, it just didn't live up to the hype or the name associated with it. The ambiance was great, very clean lines, gorgeous setting. The staff was attentive, but seemed cold and too "programed". They did their duties on time and as scheduled and did not allow for any deviance from what they were trained, even if it was obvious that it did not fit the guests needs. We had a party of nine and decided to eat family style, so we got to try a little of everything. If I was grading the food based on presentation, I would've given it 5 stars. There was no detail left undone. The food was beautiful! However, in terms of taste, it left much to be desired. The sushi was not top-notch but was acceptable. The Wagyu steak was overcooked (ordered Med-Rare) and not very flavorful. The Whole Fish (which was the nights special- Sea Bass) with Tofu Sauce and Papaya Salad topping was so-so, it looked like it would have much more flavor than it did. The rock shrimp was served with 2 aioli sauces and a buttermilk dipping sauce also, the buttermilk drowned out the flavors of the wasabi aioli (which was good) and the (what we joked) was a buffalo rock shrimp sauce (which was not good). The dishes that were good? The tuna pizza (raw tuna served pizza style on a thin crust) and all of the deserts. The lattes were good. And the drink menu was well put together and was quite delightful also. All together, it wasn't a bad experience, it just didn't live up to expectations. I wouldn't go back for dinner, but I have heard that they have a decent brunch... maybe I will give that a try.
(2)
Kara R.
I can't review the food because this restaurant would not seat us! At 9:40 on a Friday night, they stop seating?? Really? Why? Must be bad management
(1)
Renee M.
We made sure that Morimoto was our first major dinner out for my husband's big "Hawaii 5-0" celebration on our trip to Oahu this year (this was our second visit to the restaurant). As always, they did not disappoint. We were seated outside, overlooking the harbor and had the perfect sunset view. Everything - from the toro tartare appetizer all the way through to the incredible entrees -- we did everything from the crispy whole fish to the chirashi sushi (for the birthday boy!) to the wagyu fillet. All of it was incredible. And the dessert, which I pre-ordered special from the wonderful front desk girl who worked with the chef (I'm so sorry I don't remember her name!) -- the dessert is worthy of a photo. They did a special sampler for us - and since there were six of us, they did THREE OF THEM (I was only expecting one). That meant every 2 people had the chance to try nearly every one of their out of this world desserts - from the tofu cheesecake to the chocolate peanut bombe. It was amazing and the perfect way to finish the perfect meal. Thank you, Martin, for your great service and to the chef for making a special evening all the more special! We'll be back again! PS - Go Sunday nights and visit The Modern Poolbar first for a cocktail and the wonderful music of local artist, Jeremy Cheng!
(5)
Fay H.
Morimoto is da bomb! This is the second Iron Chef restaurant that we've been to (the other being Bobby Flay's Bar American in NYC). We were so impressed by this place - it totally blew Bobby Flay out of the water! The restaurant is situated on the marina. We had requested to sit outside near the fire pit. We were seated outside and could at least see the fire pit but we were lodged in between a large party and another couple. A little too close for comfort, but hey, I was here to eat not check out the neighborhood. We ordered: - Rock shrimp served two ways: wasabi and spicy korean style. The wasabi shrimp was some of the beat shrimp I have eaten in my life. We had just been at Giovanni's the day before and they had nothing on Morimoto. - Ahi tuna pizza. This had so much fish on it and a really yummy aioli. - Chirashi. This was ok. My only criticism was there seemed to be more veggies then fish. I could have gotten a dish like this most anywhere. - Soft shell crab tempura roll. This was a standard roll, nothing you couldn't get at your fab sushi place. The drinks were awesome. I got a Mai Haupia and a Mori-jito. Delish. I gave the restaurant 4 stars primarily because of the impeccable service and great atmosphere. I would def come back and maybe focus less in the sushi and more on the fusion app options.
(4)
Christina G.
Wow. Really impressed by this Iron Chef restaurant! The food was great, I was here with a big party and everyone loved what they got. One friend got the prix fixe menu and she loved it and it looked amazing. Service was fine and it was a beautiful trendy spot. We had a great time.
(4)
Christopher T.
Took my parents out for an early Christmas dinner here, came in with no expectations and was only slightly impressed. The restaurant itself looked nice, service was great, however the food I ordered was 3 stars at best. Sushi was average with what you'll find at many Waikiki sushi restaurants, in fact the only thing that saved this review was probably the crispy fish we ordered. It was battered and fried, a whole fish from head to tail for $37 and came covered in a mapo tofu sauce.. delicious! Definitely my favorite dish of the night. Nothing else impressed. Would come here again for that fish.
(4)
Manda S.
Heads up: If you want the omakase, then EVERYONE on your table needs to get the omakase. They started this rule last month or so, and I think its only in effect on the weekends during dinner time (to make it easier on the kitchen). If you go during the weekday, during lunch, or on a weekend reaaaally late (9PM-ish), then I think your party should be fine. Here's some more tips regarding the omakase: - If you've got people in your party who have already had it, you can let your server know and they'll make a new set of dishes for those who are repeating. For example, the repeats in our party got a spicy king crab leg and an oyster with abalone takoyaki. Instead of the surf and turf, they got a piece of whole fried fish and something with clams (a soup?). They also got the tofu cheesecake instead of the kabocha muffin thing. - It takes about 3 hours to eat the omakase so please plan accordingly ---- Overall, I thought the omakase was good. Not amazingly fantastic (especially, given the price), but very good, solid food and it was definitely a very unique, one-of-a-kind experience. Maybe my expectations were too high? (I had heard stories of people who wanted to cry after eating the hamatchi/ahi paste dish.) For $120 a person, I was honestly hoping to have my mind blown by the sheer awesomeness of the food, but it didn't really happen too much. I kind of felt it when I ate the chu toro and the wagyu beef though. I'd give Morimoto's a B for the food but definitely an A+ for decor and presentation. Our party had a great time and we were well taken-care of. More tips! - The staff here are awesome. For $120 a person, you sure do get some 5-star staff, I swear. I really wish I caught her name (it started with a P and she was a very sweet, local girl). - I really liked the White Lily cocktail. It was shochu, calpico, and a dash of yuzu--if you like shochu shots, you'll like this! - Thank goodness that parking is easy -- the valet is free with validation from the restaurant.
(3)
Judy H.
Came to Hawaii for vacation and had reservations at morimoto for the first night's fancy dinner. Was super excited since I love Japanese food and... Iron chef!!! The food was decent, though probably not worth the price. The service was TERRIBLE. at first it was good, but then we sat for 20 minutes after we finished our entrees because the waiter forgot about us. We tried to get his attention but he didn't see us... We had to flag someone else down to get him. Then we asked to speak with the manger. The waiter was good when he was interacting with us, he just needed to pay attention more. But this manager.... Wow. Really shouldn't be in any type of customer service role. First, took him about ten minutes to make his way over even though we could see he was not preoccupied with anything else. Then we told him about the unacceptable service and he said he could give us a free dessert (we were pretty upset by then since the service was so slow). My brother then said if it were him he would comp the whole meal and the manager just mumbled and walked away. We ordered dessert and then later the manager came back.., He said "I am going to comp your meal, even though most of me doesn't want to. I think you should be more forgiving since we did a good job at first and we made mistakes. But I will comp it because you asked for it, and I don't want you telling people we stink." Who says that?? What ever happened to customer is always right?? At the end of the conversation he asked "so are you going to tell everyone we suck?" they should really think harder about doing a training for their staff...
(1)
Miki M.
I'd like to announce this restaurant on Yelp- its official opening is planned for June 2010. Thanks for your patience! This will be the hippest sushi bar in town. Chef Masaharu Morimoto- known to millions as star of Iron Chef and Iron Chef America- has garnered critical and popular acclaim for his seamless integration of Western and Japanese ingredients, effectively creating his own unique cuisine. Design: The design for Morimoto Waikiki is inspired by a light-color palette that embraces the tropical lifestyle of Hawaii in combination with Japanese tradition. Hardwood floors extend from the inside to the exterior deck spaces, while a floor-to-ceiling window offers diners a seamless view of the island's natural beauty. Announced Hours: Mon - Thurs: 6:30 am - 11:00 pm Fri - Sat: 6:30 am - 12:00 am Sun: 6:30 am - 11:00 pm Attire: Dressy Payment Options: Accepts all major credit cards Culinary Team: Jojo Vasquez, Executive Chef General Manager: Craig Kahila Parking: Street, Parking Lot, Valet Price Range: $$$ (30-50) Services: Takes Reservations, Walk-Ins Welcome, Good For Groups, Waiter Service, Outdoor Seating Specialties: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Coffee, Drinks
(5)
Patrick C.
We made reservations here wanting to eat here but decided to eat somewhere else and cancelled. However, while at the pool...I said to myself that I must try their oyster w/ foie gras & uni....so I took it to go and ate it at the pool. Boy am I glad I did!! I loved it!! I mean what isn't to love about three of my fave dishes...Oysters...Uni...and Foie Gras?!?! Wow...melted in my mouth. First time ever trying this combo but won't be my last...
(4)
Jeff G.
Great sushi and ramen soup. The yellowfin entree that was cooked on the table was very cool and tasty.
(5)
Chris Y.
I've been to Morimoto's on three occasions and it's been mixed. It seems that the restaurant has great potential, but hasn't quite found it's groove. If you do get a chance, try the Omakase prie fixe menu. They do try to make things that are not on the menu and I feel that the dishes were better when served omakase. Not sure if the kitchen pays more attention, but the one time I did it, I couldn't have sworn it was a better cooked meal. The highlight: The Kabocha Souffle dessert. WOW! It was amazing. This dessert is not on the menu and was served with the Omakase menu. It was just so light and fluffy. I wish I could have that again! On on occasion I did have a chance to meet Morimoto himself. He does seem like a very down to earth kinda guy. He was very gracious and allow us to take a photo with him.
(4)
Matthew S.
The Iron Chef cuisine reigns supreme.... Ate here 14-Jun, and the man was in the house. He was happy to pose for pictures with the patrons and was pretty cool. His dress code of shorts resonates with the location and style, smart casual. Cocktails are good and his own branded beer is very palatable. The food was exception, the seafood very fresh and menu extensive in depth. Our server, name forgotten in the blur of cocktails and wine, but he had recently served Obama on his visit. Very engaging, friendly and informative. Thanks for the great experience.....
(4)
Kevin H.
I really don't know why this restaurant isn't getting better reviews. The atmosphere and decor is very nice, and reminiscent of an upscale restaurant in New York. The drinks are really tasty (especially the Morimotini) and also very stiff. The food is delicious!! There is a reason why this man is the Iron Chef! Almost everything we tried was very tasty and also innovative. We came here twice. The first time we got the omakase, which I highly recommend. All the courses were very good, and you will leave with a full stomach. The second time, we just came for appetizers. We had the oyster foie gras, the octopus carpaccio, the kanpachi sashimi, the ahi pizza, beef tartare, and some other dishes and they were all very good. I think this restaurant has some of the best food on the island. The only thing I didn't like about this place was the customer service. The waiters are all very young and I think most of them were hired simply because the restaurant had a fast opening. I give them credit for memorizing the menu, but they just don't seem very professional. One waiter spilled the fondue oil on my fiance's handbag and completely ruined the leather and tried to amend for it by saying "I can pay for the dry cleaning". I mean, come on! Are you serious??? How about you buy her a new bag? He didn't even comp our meal or give us free dessert or anything like that. Pretty ridiculous for a high-end restaurant.
When we had to go through airport-esque security to get in, we were pretty sure someone important was there. Obama sitting in the corner and the secret service men scattered through the restaurant added to the ambiance of this lovely dinner. We were seated out on the lanai overlooking the harbor. We ordered a fantastic pork belly appetizer which was very tender. We also ordered the rock shrimp which came prepared in two different sauces- one being a buffalo sauce and the other this creamy wasabi deliciousness. For entrees we got the duck 3 ways and splurged on the $50 lobster. I will have dreams about this lobster.. it had a cajun seasoning and a lemon butter cream on the side. Simply amazing and worth every penny. The duck was slightly disappointing (especially because I usually looooove duck). I couldn't taste the duck in the egg roll (but my boyfriend liked it), the duck meatball was nothing special but the tender little piece of duck was good. Morimoto did a fantastic job with our dinner and it was such a treat getting to see him in person.
(5)
Allison T.
Overall I'm giving the restaurant 4 stars since the food and service was excellent; but the prices are way too high. I was in Honolulu for a work trip. so I sat at the sushi bar. It was fantastic since it gave me an in-depth look at the inner workings of the kitchen. Unfortunately Morimoto was not in the house. Since it was just me I decided on an assortment of small dishes and appetizers. I ordered the famous Toro tartare (to die for!!), Aji (jack fish), wagyu beef nigiri, uni w/quail egg, kakuni (a little salty but good flavor), and a glass pinot grigio. Overall the food was good (besides the salty kakuni) but I ADORED the toro tartare. This brought my bill to $80, which seemed really steep considering I only ordered small items and was still a little hungry when I left. If you love the Food Network then this is a must-stop for the toro tartare! Otherwise save your hard earned dollars for another sushi restaurant in the area.
(4)
Jennifer C.
YES! Come here. This is where you want to eat. Lets start with the ambiance... WHITE and modern. Feels like you're in Vegas or Miami (minus the juice heads). Definitely bring the heels! Food... Where else can you see a tofu in liquid form transform itself to edible, soft/firm tofu? The sauce and toppings really pair nicely with this one. I would definitely recommend ordering the veggie sushi... super fresh! Drinks... Got to get Sake! I ordered wine too of course but the Junmai Ginjo is BOMB! Parking: The only thing is... don't be fooled by the shared rooftop... Mormimoto is NOT part of Ilikai. If you want to valet, head to Edition Hotel.
(4)
Sungalina H.
I've been to Morimoto's several times and the last two, I've left disappointed for two reasons. 1) the quality of the food and 2)the cost for the food--$12 for miso soup?, please! Last night, for a friend's birthday, I asked for the most popular dish and I was told that it was the black cod. I ordered that and it was way too salty. Also, the black cod only came with 5...count them, 5 black beans. The rest of the people in my group was under-whelmed by the meal as well. We also received an odd tasting sorbet that we could not eat, after the initial bite. The ambience is modern and sleek. I've gone to Morimoto's with a group of girls and ordered a plethora of appetizers and drinks. If the weather is nice, it is a wonderful place to lounge of the setee and fire and hang out but for a good meal, I'd choose another japanese restaurant (for half the price).
(2)
J M.
This place was 5 stars all the way up to the main course... and then the stars started falling. I came with a group of 6 people and we ordered tons of apps and sushi. They were all fantastic. The rock shrimp being my favorite. But then the main course came and I was so disappointed. And it wasn't just me. Everyone at the table was disappointed. I didn't try one main course that was 5 star worthy. Mine was a 1 or 2 at best. My advise is if you do decide to eat here, then just stick with drinks, sushi, and appetizers.
(3)
TRISHA C.
Yes, me and my husband watch Iron Chef, Morimoto is one of my favors. First night we landed, we went here straight for dinner. We actually went two more times during our 10 days vacation in Waikiki. So, shell we start? Morimoto Sashimi (Seared toro, smoked salmon, eel, tuna, hamachi, five sauces): Delicious creative dish and playful. I personally love this one a lot. Yose Dofu (Tofu prepared tableside, kimchee sauce, dashi broth): Best tofu ever had! Fantastic flavor. This is our top favor. Chief's Loco Moto (Wagyu beef, sunny side up peterson farm egg, hayashi gravy): Made me said wow and want more. Surf and Turf (Six ounces prime filet, morimoto style poke, salt crusted fingerlings): Yummy! Tuna Pizza (Olives, anchovy aioli, jalapeno): Chirashi Sushi (Morimoto style assorted sashimi over sushi rice, serve with miso soup): Oh I loveeeeee this main course!! The sashimi tasted so fresh and everything mix together very well! Morimoto Style Poke (Bocconcini, avocado wasabi sorbet, dashi foam): The fish, again, tasted so fresh! Kakuni (Ten hour pork belly, rice congee, braised pork jus): I'd say this is the best "congee" I've had, but of course, there's not much in the bowl. Pork was super tender and flavorful. Lobster Melt (Miso mayo, swiss cheese): We read lots reviews that we should try this, it was worth it!! Serves was great, polite, helpful and always smiles. they tell you how the dish was made and what's the right way to enjoy them. In conclusion, FABULOUS!! Will have to try Morimoto New York next time.
(5)
Philip H.
Morimoto Waikiki was just as good as I remember having it the first time in New York City. Ambiance is more laid back local style but it still is nice. They have a really well priced lunch menu for those of you looking for a delicious lunch. My personal favorite is the kakuni 10 hour pork belly lunch set, which includes green salad, miso soup, and rice. I also am a HUGE fan of Morimotos pork gyoza in hamakua tomato sauce. For dinner, my favorite entree is the wagyu filet or the ribeye, depending on how much of a pig I want to be. In short, good food, good service, good drinks, good ambiance. Also, I love the Waikiki Edition so it doesnt hurt that you can walk downstairs to Lobby Bar for after dinner drinks :)
(4)
Kendra C.
I know there are mixed reviews....please do your research before you come here to ensure a great experience. There should be no disappointments here. This is a class act. We visited Morimoto on Thursday July 28, 2011.....had an 8:15pm reservation. Restaurant was busy but not crazy. Service was friendly and attentive, beginning with the hostess station. We were greeted instantly and taken to a beautiful table right in front of the sushi bar. Our server arrived immediately and took our drink orders. We told her that we were planning to sample the menu and that we wanted a slow pace. She obliged perfectly. We started with the Morimoto smoked 'stacked' sashimi with the 5 sauces....each sauce compliments a different "stack." Experiment.....play......enjoy. My favorite was the clear sauce. I'll leave the rest up to you. Next was the yose dofu.....highly recommended. Yes, we've all had tofu before, but how many of us can say we have had freshly made tofu? Most of us buy the processed variety from the grocery. Try this. It's creamy, fluffy and delicious. Spicy king crab was our "entree".....there is no need to feel pressure to have an actual entree at Morimoto. Instead, taste the menu. The spicy crab was presented as a dish to share. There are 4 pieces of crab and believe it or not, french fries. Try this dish if you are a shellfish fan. Last were the egg sushi dishes....skip traditional dessert and try the tamago and kasutera. Traditional Japanese and so light and fluffy....you'll forget you are actually having dessert. Afterwards, visit t the pool bar at the Edition Hotel. It's about 50 feet away but feels like a mile away. Enjoy!
(5)
Thai C.
Coming from a guy who prefers a fine cheeseburger over the best lobster, this was way over the top for me. The food, from what I can tell, was on par with what I had anticipated. Most of the items we ordered at Morimoto's have been more memorable at other restaurants with much lesser price tags. My final review is to go here for the ambiance and service, which were both top notch!! The food was already forgotten on the ride home.
(3)
Jessica I.
Love this place! Ate here 2 times: the first time was a set dinner for a bday party. Sat at the long private table. Service was great. The second time, was awesome! between the four of us we had 11 appetizers, 4 entrees, 3 desserts and coffee!! lol, never again will order that much food. LOOOVED the appetizers, sooo delicious, every dish was gooood!!! The entrees is ok, I would prefer just ordering appetizers and sushi. (sorry forget what we ordered) The freshest hamachi you can get. And the dessert is to die for!! love the different ways they make dessert and is soo tasteful; the hot and cold tofu: tofu souffle and cheesecake, the matcha green tea cake thing, and the sorbets are delicious!
(5)
Tracy E.
Don't waste your money!
(1)
Tony M.
Morimoto's is well decorated, bright and modern. The hostess was nice and we didn't wait long for our table. The waiter was friendly, helpful with menu description and accommodating requests. The sushi was great, the quality of the fish was excellent. The special which was a grilled white fish (similar to a swordfish) was perfectly cooked, however I wasn't a huge fan of the miso sauce.
(4)
vanny j.
I can't really say anything that hasn't already been said. My experience started off good with an attentive server and really good food, then the food started to get less good (unimpressive greasy tempura, over-dressed salad) and so did the service (long waits, lost/forgotten orders). We had to complain about an order we had made at the beginning that didn't arrive until over 2 hours later and had seen multiples of the same order go to other tables that were seated after us. The waiter didn't apologize but made excuses but the restaurant manager did apologize and comp us dessert so at least there was a small consolation for the screw up but when you pay top dollar at a restaurant I expect a lot more.
(3)
Jaye V.
Bottom line: Spend your $150 someplace better. I ordered the lobster and was so disappointed i almost cried at the table. On the menu, it stated that it was accompanied by seasonal vegetables and i think i got two sticks of yellow carrots and three branches of broccolini. It came with a side of lemon creme fraiche to (as the server told us) cool down the spices. I think the best thing about the dish was the lemon creme fraiche. And lobster was far from spicy. It didn't even have a kick to it. I basically got a lobster with seasoning and a side plate of fraiche and twigs on top as garnish. It costed me 50 bucks. I think i could've done better if i had gone out to buy lobster, tossed it in seasoning and butter and made myself fraiche. My boyfriend, being a vegetarian, ordered some veggie rolls from the sushi bar. Not very fresh. I had built up anticipation expecting an incredible dining experience, but Morimoto Waikiki really disappointed me. I would never go there again. Maybe you ought to spend your money at Nobu or some where else.
(2)
Ross M.
To be honest, I was a bit skeptical going in because of the celebrity factor and the Waikiki location (esp since I was never that interested in going to his NY location). My wife and I are both very into food and already had the best sushi ever a couple nights prior at Sasabune. I am so glad I was wrong. Everything was delicious and service was great. It was certainly expensive, but not as bad as I thought. The view of the sunset past the sailboats over the mountains was spectacular, so it can be nice to schedule dinner around sunset. It can be a little hot on the lanai, though. Additionally, there is a good view of the Hilton fireworks around 7:45, i believe only Tues and Fri. Now onto the food: my wife started with the cucumber Collins cocktail and I had one of Morimoto's signature Rogue beers; both were excellent. For appetizers, we got Hamachi tartare and wagyu carpaccio. The tartare comes with an interesting presentation with some traditional and non traditional condiments that you mix in yourself, so it is fun to experiment. The fish was good quality, too. The wagyu carpaccio melts in your mouth and a has a great mild citrus sauce for a little acidity. My wife got the butterfish entree, which was a good size piece, cooked perfectly - she was even able to ear it just pulling pieces off with chopsticks. There wasn't much else on the plate other than some sweet beans and pickled pepper skins (3 each). Would've been nice to have a few more beans, but not that big of a deal. I had the yellowtail buri bap, which was a delicious fancy Japanese take on bibimbap. Finally, the dessert was a peanut butter chocolate bombe, which was delicious and surprisingly light. In all, this is a celebrity owned restaurant in a nice location that really lives up to the hype and is worth considering for a special night out.
(5)
Miss Y.
DON"T WASTE YOUR TIME HERE I really wanted to like this place but man.... the food was so sub par. I've had better at hole in the wall joints in San Francisco. The Restaurant Decor is impressive! Beautiful, clean and modern feel. The server and service was standard. Nothing to rave about. The food was just not delicious. I did the Omasake tasting menu. Sure, they serve it pretty on the plate, but everything just tasted Meh.... Boring. I can see how someone from a small town on the mainland can love this food... but anyone from New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago or any other major city with amazing restaurant would be majorly disappointed. I ordered a glass of wine and it was under poured. My glass was like 1/4 full. I felt like it was good for 3 or 4 sips...... and tasted as if it were opened 3 days ago This place set me back $460 for food and wine I didn't enjoy... So Sad. I MUST give credit to the Filet that my husband ordered. Best steak we've both had in a long time and we've eaten at all the best steak places in California. My one reason for giving one star... Oh... and Lastly, the hostess called me because I was 15 minutes late to my reservation, but cabs take for ever in Honolulu. She said "OK, we'll hold your table" In a super snooty attitude... LOL... I wanted to laugh when I walked in because the restaurant was only about 1/4 occupied.... if that. Puh-lease... (PS, this review is strictly for the restaurant. The Modern Honolulu Hotel where it resides is an awesome hotel)
(1)
Stephanie G.
We found this place thru Yelp! We followed the recommendations & got the chef's multi-course menu. All were hits with me, but some were clunkers 4 my hubby. I should let viewers be warned that I have an atypical palate. My mom's famlily is from Denmark, so I have a weird affinity 4 cold pickled fish meals. Definitely not standard American food. I would have rated them to the max, but they r extremely pricey. We live in Nor Cal & frequent the City 4 dinner & the price we paid was even outside SF norm. Oh well the outdoor dining experience was out of this world. Perfect weather with attentive service, even while it was busy & slow.
(4)
Kimo S.
This review is based off our DINNER experience a few nights ago. First off, my wife and I agree that Morimoto's is definitely a better dining experience than Nobu's. So if you were debating between the two, we recommend Morimoto's. A number of guests were doing the Omakase dinner for $110 per person, but we opted to order 5 dishes that were either recommended (thanks Yelp) or sounded yummy! -Tuna Pizza : Really good and fresh cuts of ahi, the cracker crust could have been a little thicker since it easily broke but still a winner dish. -Takoyaki : Disappointing and one of the reasons we docked a star. I assumed that a dish with the word "tako" in it would have bits of tako + abalone inside. Nope. Just a small piece of abalone. Plus the butter this was resting in was just too much. We both felt a bit nauseated after this dish... just too much butter. -Yose Dofu : This was one of our favorite dishes, don't pass up this opportunity to get this table cooked tofu dish. The sauces/toppings were fantastic and it was just really tasty and some of the freshest tofu you'll ever eat. -Ishi Yaki Buri Bop : Another great dish, prepared table side and was really quite tasty with fresh seared hamachi. The best part was having one side of the hamachi seared, the other side raw and tasting the difference flavors at once. Yum! -Oysters Foie Gras : This dish comes with only 3 oysters, but they are relatively good sizes. The sauce is a bit much and slightly overpowers the other flavors but it still was a good dish overall. Very fresh seafood uni and oysters were used and delectable foie gras. The wine list here is actually really good with a great well rounded selection, we went with the 2008 Costo De Oro Pinot Noir which is a great deal at $54, this is a Santa Barbara pinot which is really becoming a solid region in the past few years. Corkage fee is $25 per bottle, two bottle limit in case you were wondering that too. Overall, a great dining experience... service was a tad slow at times, they have a lot of workers but it seems the actual servers are stretched a little thin. Our dining experience for those five dishes took us about 2 hours, we weren't in a rush so it didn't bother us. But, if you are planning something after dinner, be forewarned.
(4)
Patrick M.
Love the food. Thought I might get a to go order as I have done before. They said no but not just no...no with an attitude that was really disappointing. I expected a higher level of professionalism and polish I have seen at other locations.
(2)
Gary P.
We went here for a nice lunch today. I will say that if you would like to try one of the finer restaurants in town to try them for lunch before you go all out on dinner. The lunch sets are a good size. I had the black cod, the sauce reminded me of the sauce that usually comes on unagi. The sushi was good but the yellowtail sashimi seemed a little butchered. I'm not sure I would go here for the price they charge for dinner but lunch was definitely worth it.This is one of the trendiest places in town, that's for sure.
(4)
M. M.
Decided to come here for a nice fancy dinner out because it's supposed to be one of Waikiki's best restaurants and it was walking distance from our hotel. It's actually located inside the Modern Hotel and the entrance is not on Ala Moana, but is way down Hobron near the back of the hotel, so is a little tricky to find the first time. If you're wearing your shoeicide heels, be aware of where the entrance is and also that you'll have to walk up a big flight of steps to get in. By the way, a word about "dressy" as used in this listing: "Dressy" at this place means women wear a Hawaiian dress or a little cocktail dress, and men dress like beach bums. Granted, their beach bum attire probably cost them 800 dollars at Abercrombie and Finch, but where I come from (which is not Hawaii), "dressy" restaurants do not admit guys like the one who (obviously a regular) cruised in ahead of us wearing cargo shorts, a t-shirt and sandals. Most of the male patrons were just wearing slacks and a Hawaiian shirt or polo or even a t-shirt. This is more of an upscale-casual-fashionable joint than a dressy joint or high-fashion joint. Foodwise, we had the tofu that's made at the table, wagyu beef appetizer, the mixed seafood entree, the duck plate, and for dessert, sorbet and the peanut butter bombe. Also tried a sake flight. All of it was good, tasty and light and portions not too big. So the food was definitely four or maybe even five stars. Servicewise, things were a bit weird. We were greeted and seated by a friendly server, got our drinks, took our order, and then a bit later got our tofu started - they pour some gelling agent into it and then cover it and say it has to sit for 8 minutes. The 8 minutes seemed more like 15 but the restaurant was very busy (it was around 8:45 pm) so we figured they were just running a little slow. Our tofu got uncovered and we ate it. By this point it was around 9 pm. We had been visited by at least four waiters to get us this far in the process, some of them (like our main waiter) obviously very experienced and good at their trade and others (like the tofu uncoverer) seemed to be in their first month on the job, but it's all good, gotta train new staff, etc. After consuming our tofu we waited, and waited, and waited, for an extremely long time, for our entrees to show up. I don't know what happened but it took at least 45 more minutes to get our dinner (that we'd already ordered about a half hour before that). In total I think our entrees took well over an hour to make it to our table. To Morimoto's credit, both our main waiter and a hostess apologized to us for the delay (we never learned the reason for it) and they comped us a free order of the wagyu beef as we obviously looked really hungry by that point. It was a little weird/ uncomfortable because in the time it took for our food to arrive, the restaurant almost completely emptied out of other patrons and we went from being another table in a busy/.full place to being maybe one of three tables consuming food in a nearly empty place, since by 9:30 pm this place is dead (kind of weird for a supposedly hip/ fashionable restaurant in a major city). We were also visited by at least two more waiters in the course of getting our entrees, one of which was delivering a drink that we didn't order and that was supposed to go to someone else. So - four star food, three star service, two stars for whatever went haywire with our entrees = overall average three star experience given the price. I might come back because the food is really good, but the service seems to be hit or miss. I can see having six different waiters if it's a place where the wait staff puts on a big show, but tofu aside, this is not that kind of a place and it was very confusing why our main guy wasn't handling our service all the way through.
(3)
Kalani C.
This is a 3.5 star review. With my friends "Where?" & "Damn Straight! Count me in!", we proceeded from the bookcase of the Lobby @ The Edition up to the Iron Chef's nobility. Maybe my friend was punchy after having two mean cocktails, but she immediately sensed sassy with one of the prima donna hostesses: "Do you folks have a reservation?" We're coming from the Lobby Bar and the waitress said there would be a table for us. "Under what name?" No name, she just said to come now and we could be seated. "Hmm, I don't recall." Doesn't someone here recall that conversation? The call was less than 5 minutes ago (referring to the 5 hostesses just standing there starring at us). This is where my punchy friend addressed the most-sassy-looking-hostess-of-them-all and said in East Coast accent nonetheless, 'You look suspicious like you don't believe us or something.' In which sassy replied, "No, I don't know, I just started." (Ah, you get an F for weakest comeback ever!). We were seated outside near the Edition's pool. Setting was chill and relaxed. The deck overlooking the marina was gorgeous as was the main dinning room inside; swanky. We started with more cocktails: Two Coco Fraiche (coconut vodka, lime, lemongrass, coconut water) and one Pear Yuzu Gimlet (yuzu citrus, Serrano chili). Delicious and extremely refreshing. I later had the Selected Sake Flight: All very nice except the ume one, not my cup of tea (or sake in this case). For food we ordered: The spicy King crab of Tobanjan aioli, tobiko and micro cilantro. Perfect spice while the crab was moist and tender. The Pineapple Tempura: Peculiar because the pineapple didn't seem fresh; dare I say canned?! Pork Gyoza of tomato sauce and bacon foam went over well and was among the favorites. Lastly was the Yose Dofu or fresh tofu done table side with kimchee sauce and dashi broth (the better of the two). This dish was the overall favorite. Light, flavorful with perfect garnishes. How does this stuff get created in minutes? No peeking please, that's right. It was a Friday night, so fireworks went off and a hula show on the pool deck unfolded before our eyes. Nice extras to a stellar "let's-go-out-for-drinks" evening. Despite the sassy reception and the service being juvenile and inexperienced, our guy was attentive and respectful, allowing us space for making decisions and placing orders in delayed fashion. Overall a nice experience that alleviated a stressful week and more cash than expected from the wallet.
(3)
Ben K.
Amazing sashimi and sushi! It might have helped that the iron chef himself was in the kitchen but the food was really outstanding. The seafood was fresh and the attention to detail was great. Even the drinks were amazing. I had there house made whiskey..... Loved it! It is expensive but it was the best dinner we had by far while in Honolulu.
Main reason I didnt give it 5 stars... I enjoyed the layout of the restaurant but the seating was sorta uncomfortable. The chairs are made of plastic or hard something. I have a big ass or it was not that comfortable for me. Also the 2 person tables are aligned next to each other so basically I could hear the people next to us talking about sex and things I really didnt care for. Food wise..... tried the 9 course meal. LEGIT. Pricy but I guess you are here for some reason like celebrate a birthday or taking your gf or wife out for a special night together. So this means you aint that broke but really dont do this that often because you have to check yelp so you are making sure you dont drop a benjamin on some crappy food. Expect to pay $200-250 for 2 people to enjoy your dinner. If you cheap, then take yo woman to Rainbow Drive inn or McDonalds. If you want her to love you, then yes, DO IT! DONE!
(4)
Jo Ann A.
Excellent food & service! Fresh tofu appetizer made right at our table! Black codfish soft & tasty; large plate of loco moco with premium beef - gourmet style. Ambience great for that special occasion.
(4)
Tom A.
I had lunch here, can't say I loved it. We tried a few things: the Black Cod (so-so), the Chicken Katsu sandwich (removed all the bread.. was not feeling it), the rock shrimp (my favorite) and a few sushi rolls (again, just OK). For a high-end restaurant, I expected better. I had dinner when it opened a few years ago and I wasn't too impressed either. I'll probably read what others liked here and give it one more try before I write this place off.
(2)
Grace C.
I was not impressed at all by this Morimoto location. We've been to the one in Napa, CA which was a lot better service wise. The only thing I liked better at this location was the decor and ambience...it was very modern, obviously since it's located inside the Modern hotel, and looked like it would fit in perfectly in Vegas with all the other high-end restaurants. Unfortunately, service was so slow and poor that even their luxurious decor couldn't save this review. The night was busy, but not THAT busy, and it took our server about 75 minutes to bring out appetizers and soup. We were in a rush since we had plans for after dinner, and after waiting 90 minutes for our sushi rolls to come, we told them to just pack it to go since we could not wait any longer.
(2)
Linda Chu T.
Lunch time - restaurant was pretty empty. Never have seen it so down before. Service, as usual was very attentive and always pleasant. We had the mini-burgers. This is not your McDonald's Jack-in-the-Box version. bit of bacon, womderful sauce I could not identify, cooked medium. Very tasty. Comes with a green salad, japanese pickles and the most wonderful french fries sprinkled with furikake. Topped off a yummy lunch with a mysterious tofu cheesecake. All kinds of unusual flavors on one plate. The tofu itself was like eating foam. But, beware: ice tea was $14 each.
(4)
Satoru Y.
Great quality ingredients; but execution issues. I've been to Morimoto's a few times now, and it is a mixed bag. I really enjoy the quality of ingredients that they are using, but it always seems that something is missing. The atmosphere is very sleek and calming. I love the gorgeous decor and the outdoor resort seating with fire pits: really sleek environment. The plating and presentation is clean; but the food itself is not as intricate as I was expecting. The service does need some work: it is clunky at times. The dishes do use great ingredients, but there seems to be something amiss. Not sure if it's because the place is still trying to find its groove. Some dishes that stick in my mind that small changes would make a tremendous difference: The Oyster Foie Gras are these sizable shooters of oyster, uni and foie gras. But, there is too much teriyaki sauce that overpowers all those other rich flavors. The Eggs Benedict with the Jamon Iberico served on hash browns has great flavor, but the amount of hollandaise sauce kills the rich flavors of the thin slices of ham. The second time I ordered it, it was a huge improvement; less hollandaise, slightly more fried hash browns, and you can really taste the sweet, rich flavors of the ham. The jamon is just delicious: the 'wagyu' of ham. I would almost suggest to get the sauce on the side just to be safe. The Wagyu Carpaccio is great up to a halfway point. Besides the great thin cuts of beef, I love the yuzu soy and oil. However, I do think something is missing. They do have slices of ginger, but something tells me that adding a very subtle ginger oil would go even further. Some of the dishes were great: The Crispy Rock Shrimp, one serving with spicy bean sauce and one with wasabi aioli. It comes with ranch dressing with dill, but neither needed it. Hard to choose a favorite, but I did like the wasabi slightly more. The Lamb Rack, perfectly cooked lamb with a very subtle yuzu sauce. The sauce definitely showcases the lamb. It is served with a tasty ratatouille shooter. The Wagyu Sliders are great. Love the flavor of the beef and pork. They're so delicious, and comes with tasty wasabi fries and salad. The rest are pretty hit or miss. The Sushi is not worth pricing per piece, such better places to get sushi. The Loco Moto has a great Japanese curry-type gravy, and it does have small pieces of wagyu instead of a hamburger steak. The Lobster Melt has great pieces and a rich flavor, but comes off wanting more. I'll stop here since I notice my review is getting pretty long. Was looking forward to trying this place out, but seems that some things need adjustments.
(3)
Karen B.
Best experience ever. Isaac was our server and he had amazing knowledge of the sake and wine list. We were very pleased with the sake he brought to our table. We also had Ryan and Banessa as servers and they both had wonderful suggestions. Our favorite was the chicken salad. Our most recent visit we had the omakase. The tartar was a great indication that the rest of our night was going to be AMAZING. Thank God for our beautiful waitress Laura. Ma-HALAS!!! be back frm Chicago soon!!!
(5)
John H.
You pay for what you get. Its pricey but the food is so good. Twice I got the "omakase" and was not disappointed! Staff are friendly and they have free valet. Every time I go back home I request to go here. It dosent matter who you are, they treat you good. Not like the mainland where the judge you by the way you dress.
(5)
Yasuo O.
You know. I just dont get it. There are good places, bad places and some that fall right in between. This clearly falls right into that area. Im not too sure why. The prices are a lil high, the service, a lil lousy, the food, nothign special unless you have no idea whats going on and how things are presented. Had the foie gras chawanmushi. it wasnt hot, it wasnt cold. room temperature. was it supposed to be this way? The ishiyaki was well.. nothing special. I think they forgot to put something on the buri / hamachi. was bland and didnt taste good seared at all. the whole fried fish things well... eat it at Chinese next time. Was so raw inside the meat was clearly not cooked. was it supposed to be like that? one pork appetizer i took a bite out of and sent it back to the kitchen. sweet, meat was overcooked, and I bit into a piece of char. sushi appetizers we had was well.. nothign special. the shari (rice) was actually hard in some places like the osu didnt mix well with the rice. the tempura pineapple.. pass on it next time. I just dont know what it is. I was sitting outside and one of those big okole roaches landed on the balcony railing potted area. i looked over and as if on cue, another one landed near my settings. I got up, asked a waiter to get rid of it and mr smart grabs his towel, flings it at the roach and goes flying towards my mom in law. WTF .... that clearly shaved off on the tips. not to mention if he was practicing his darwinism... When our bill came, it was a bit high. but considering we had drinks, a few pupus and stuff... 450 was fine. left 15% which was WAY more than generous. he tried. but you know how some people just know thier stuff and some just dont get it? this would be the latter. oh.. and when i opened the folio jacket, i noticed another persons bill in there for 900 bucks. hehehe serious? i told the manager, he kept sayin gsorry. without even wanting to know why i found it offensive i got another persons bill. had the same experience when i sent back my appetizer as well...
(3)
Ulanka B.
Good food with good portion sizes. Excellent staff. Decent drinks. Beautiful decor. A tad expensive but good. I sent an email about an incident over and have yet to hear a response and it's been 18 days to date.
(2)
Sheila K.
Better value than Nobus but some of the dishes were mah mah. Enjoyed the oysters with foie gras the most. Hamachi tartare was not hamachi worthy. The fish was not fatty and toppings were colorful but did not add to the dish. Deep fried whole fish also was good, but the duck, duck, duck was unexciting and bland. Haupia matcha dessert was good. The food took really long to come out, but the servers were courteous It was too loud to have a conversation
(3)
Pavel L.
Food: A+ Service: A+ We had a fairly large party (10 people, including an infant) and were accommodated perfectly. The staff was always around to answer questions but was not intrusive. Every dish exceeded our expectations. I can't say anything bad about it.
(5)
Danny H.
If I was uber-rich and had no bills to pay, this is one restaurant that I would frequent at least once a week. The only reason I gave it 4-stars rather than 5 is b/c it's rather pricey! It's located in The Waikiki Edition Hotel so of course the atmosphere and decor is modern and typical of any fine dining place. It is a fairly large restaurant and it was filled to capacity. Recession? What recession...people must be eating their mortgages. I checked out the drink menu first and again like any other fine dining establishment or bar, it alone would have been enough to break the bank so I just had a beer. Food over drinks any day! We sat outside on the large lanai area with a nice backdrop of Waikiki. We're spoiled because a sunset above the horizon of the ocean on a beautiful day happens all the time here but it was still nice to see. The service was top notch. Our server, Kaulana knew the dishes inside and out and made everything sound irresistible. They were attentive but not overly attentive where it was like they were eavesdropping on your conversation a la Hiroshi. And finally, the food. The food was AWESOME! Everything is made when you order it, nothing is pre-made including the dessert. They even have their own rice polishing/producing facility. It's amazing how they take ordinary dishes and make them EXTRAORDINARY. I've never been to a place where I enjoyed every dish until now. Seafood 'Toban yaki': kona lobster, king crab, mussels, clams, diver scallops, in a red spicy miso-sake broth. The broth tastes a lot like the Spicy Pirikara broth at Ichiriki but with a little more kick. It's served with 6 pieces of a sliced baguette to dip in the oh so ono broth. Plenty of seafood to share. Braised black cod: ginger-soy reduction, pickled bell peppers, budo mame. This dish is like miso butterfish but better. Chef's Loco Moto: Wagyu beef, sunny side up egg, hayashi gravy, fukujinzuke. Not your ordinary loco moco. Wagyu beef and quail egg instead of your regular hamburger and egg. Like I said, ordinary to EXTRAORDINARY in one moto. Ishi yaki buri bop: yellowtail (hamachi) cooked tableside in a hot stone bowl. Just the name alone makes you want to get up and dance! It's Morimoto's take on a bi bim bap. Do the Ishi yaki buri bop!!! Chocolate Peanut Bombe: milk chocolate cremeux, salted peanut ice cream. I read mix reviews on this dessert but I thought it was SCRUMPTIOUS! It's like a melt in your mouth Reese's Peanut butter cup. The assorted sorbets are also made from scratch and are served with the real fruit chunks that correspond to the flavors. We had mango, lychee and honeydew. Appetizers we had: Takoyaki with abalone, beef curry pan, salmon skin roll and wagyu beef sushi...all were very good as well. I would highly recommend ordering a bunch of dishes and eating it family style. That way you can try a little bit of everything but beware, once you take a bite, you won't want to share anything! The total dining experience was 5-stars. So if you're in Waiks and not sure where to go, give Morimoto's a try...you won't be disappointed. But I've probably hyped it up too much and you'll be let down. So my parting words will be, "Don't go, it sucks, go get your loco moco from L&L" but if you listen to that, that's your bad. ; )
(4)
Noreen L.
So we sit at a table this time. We ordered a la cart and opened a bottle of wine. Our server was excellent. He brought out new dishes every time our order came out on the perfect timing. Food was excellent and fresh. I truly liked the homemade ice cream, almost licked the plate!! I will definitely go back there again!
(4)
Michael A.
The food was not good nor was the menu that interesting. Fish did not taste fresh. Rolls were boring. A $14 glass of wine was about 3 sips. And it was really expensive. When a dinner for 2 is $300, you should feel like you had an incredible dining experience, and it wasn't. This was mediocre at best. The service was the only good thing that evening. There are so many other incredible dining options in Honolulu, I recommend not wasting your time here unless you like being ripped off and underwhelmed. Also, they have a "dress code." When we called to ask if nice jeans were ok, the hostess snootily said they were not. However, when we got there dressed to the nines, I saw several people wearing jeans, shorts, and flips flops. To Morimoto - please don't be snooty about your dress code if you are not going to enforce it.
(2)
Alyssa M.
This place is like a bad movie. You see a preview to a movie & it looks REALLY good...but then you go & after you watch the movie it's like "this sucked, WASTE OF MONEY". My bf & i did not know where Morimoto's Waikiki was, OR the Edition Hotel. We called the restaurant & this girl was TRYING to give me directions. She would say "turn left on McCully, then turn right INTO Waikiki"... 1. If you turn left on McCully then turn right, you LEAVE Waikiki & head towards Ala Moana. 2. After we turned on McCully she says "oh wait, nvm try go...wait hold on" & she puts me on f*cken hold. She has another girl try & give us directions who is giving us not BIG, WELL KNOWN landmarks...shit like "The ABC on that corner" or "McDonalds" hellooo...its WAIKIKI, they're EVERYWHERE! We finally find the place & we're like 15mins late to our reservation. We get snobbed by the 2 hostess' at the front (*bitches). We got sat at a table & never met our waitress until 15minutes later when she asked what drinks do we want? Then another 10 minutes go by, we finally get our drinks. My bf asked her what would she recommend from the menu? (bad idea) she fricken read almost EVERY single entree/appetizer in the menu. I had to cut her off & just tell her what i wanted, which was the first thing she talked about. then 30 minutes later we GET OUR FOOD! The bust boy was i think the nicest & most helpful person in that place. We asked if we could move 2 table together, & he asked around & came & moved our 2 tables together & took the plates away. $50 for a 8oz filet, $4 for a SMALL bowl of rice. crazy prices for the amount of food you get. i think in reality, you're not necessarily paying for the QUALITY, you're paying for their PRESENTATION. after we ate our $107 meal...we WERE going to order dessert but the waitress came around about another 30 minutes after our plates were taken away. we asked for the bill & that took another 10 minutes. $5 tip. YUP. sorry. BAD SERVICE. & you could get the same quality of food almost ANYWHERE. remember...you're paying for the PRESENTATION! (*not worth it)
(3)
Mary H.
Five of us arrived for a Birthday celebration and asked for Arnold Palmers for two people (lemonade and ice tea mixed). The bartender not only informed us they don't have lemonade but he was unwilling to accommodate our simple request. The bartender went on to bad mouth us for getting a manager involved, to a guest at the bar. Next the server presented sushi but it was not what we had ordered. What? To top off the evening, a female manager presented my hot fish bowl which is cooked table side with her hair hanging over my food she was preparing the bowl. Ewww...I did not eat and I commented on her hair being over my food. She called over a busboy from clearing a table to finish my presentation. Worst service ever, out of control bartender. Managers who don't know how to wear hair in a food service environment.
(1)
Grant U.
First time and it was for lunch...service, atmospher was great...disappointed in the food and value...all you are paying for is an elegant trendy presentation of japanese food..highly overated and prices are way too high
(3)
Masumi K.
This place is exceptionally good in its own way. The food presentation is very well put and the food is delicious. This place can get very busy, thus slowing down table service a bit. The staff here is very friendly though. When you come here be sure to expect a table check over $100 or more. And definitely be sure to try their LOBSTER MELT! Coming here for breakfast, lunch, or dinner is good but it isn't a MUST. The atmosphere in here is simply gorgeous and I love it. Perfect for those anniversary dinners. Parking here is VALET only but is complimentary courtesy of Morimoto's. The table reservation for this place is very odd and ridiculous if you ask me. You call them to make a 'reservation' to RESERVE you a table. But they call you a week or so before your reservation date and tell you that they are committed to satisfying their customers. And they said that they would like it if their customers would show a side of commitment as well. So they ask for my credit card number over the phone. Of course, the first thing that came to my mind was "Why in the world do you need my credit card number?" and over the phone for that matter. They said to me, "We sincerely apologize. But it is in our policy that when you call to make a reservation for a table we just take and hold your credit card so you are 100% guaranteed a table no matter what." This seems completely odd to me because isn't that why I called them in the first place to MAKE a reservation for a table? And I definitely do not like giving credit card information over the telephone since it can easily be tapped into and privacy can be breached. The lady said that she can guarantee me that my information will be safe. And in case you all are probably wondering, if you cancel or cannot show up for your reservation they do not charge your credit card. But if you do notice some suspicious card activity popping up on your statements then you know where to turn to.
(3)
Bach H.
Iron Chef Morimoto reigns supreme! We had such a lovely time at this restaurant while we were on vacay in Waikiki. The ambiance is gorgeous. The sunset is magnificent! The food was delish. My absolute favorite was the oyster foie gras appetizer. Coming from California, I am deprived of my foie gras, so I was ecstatic to see this on the menu. It was absolute heaven! We also ordered the pork belly appetizer special, toro, uni, whole fried fish [sea bass], and the yellowtail bimbimbop type of dish... I forget the exact name. Everything was wonderful. The uni was super-fresh! It was my boyfriend's first uni experience, so I am happy to say he loved it. The staff was friendly and helpful. Thanks, Morimoto's! We had such a spectacular time at your restaurant!
(5)
David B.
Last night was my 1st at Morimotos. Must say that it did not live up to it's name. I wouldn't mind the price at all if this place could back it up with some top service and some mind blowing dishes. But that was not the case... It was a big let down for me. You are paying for the name, it's location, and it's decor. I forgot the name of my dish, but it was basically the bouillabaisse. Also ordered the Kakuni appetizer, and duck duck duck. All were just, OK. Bouillabaisse was tasty, a little over spiced in my opinion and the quality of the seafood they used was ok. They give you 6 tiny slices (Chips size) of dried up bread. Which is no where near enough to enjoy the broth. When I asked for more they told me it would be $3.50 for more. RIDICULOUS! those little bits of bread is not worth it! This really irritated me... Duck duck duck, to sum it up was just pretty boring. Kakuni, was a rip off! $16 for one slice of pork on a little rice soup. This Kakuni was way too sweet. Very American style in my opinion and not close to the taste of Japanese kakuni which is so much more nicely flavored. Service was just standard of restaurant service. So in my opinion it was a turn off. I've been to cheaper restaurants that provided better service.... Last when we got the bill, came to find out the sparkling water which was offered to us when we sat down, which seemed like complementary was not. They charged $7 a glass for this! And they just walked around in a glass pitcher so you just assumed this was a standard complimentary water. This threw everyone off, If you are going to charge us we should know about it. Or you should be dropping a bottle of sparkling water on the table. I thought this was such a rip off move by the restaurant.
(2)
Jon W.
This is a beautiful restaurant in a beautiful setting. There are high points on the menu that are 5 star + like the white fish carpaccio, oysters with foie and uni and the lobster with gara masala. There were some 4 star dishes like the pizza, pastrami sushi and the beignets stuffed with abalone. Then there were the simple dishes like the poke that came in at 2 stars which is hard to imagine. The service started off a little spotty but got better as the restaurant came to life. The sake flights were "interesting" as they included a sweet plum wine on one and a cloyingly sweet sake on the other one as the final tasting. I'm not sure who spreads a sake flight over an entire dinner, but the 4th dessert taste was wasted with me. That was dinner. For breakfast, we ordered the Japanese breakfast which included house made tofu that included different side dishes and a soft boiled egg. As Japanese breakfasts go, it was a 5 star experience.
(4)
Sandra Y.
Morimoto is my favorite Iron Chef!!!! That being said, eating at one of his restaurants was definitely on my bucket list. Good news is that I was in Hawaii with my BFF Dana, who had the same goal on her bucket list. Goal accomplished! We ordered: Appetizers: Hamachi Tartare, Whitefish (moi) Carpaccio, and the Takoyaki (with abalone). Entrees: Chef's Loco Moto (with waygu beef), Braised Black Cod, Steamed Salmon and Ume Shiso Maki. Desserts: Chocolate Peanut Bombe (milk chocolate creme with salted peanut ice cream) and Haupia Semifreddo (coconut gelee, honey and matcha meringue) If you've watched Morimoto in action on TV, you've seen his signature tartare on the wooden plank with the multiple dipping sauces. It's as amazing as it looks on television. The sashimi style Moi Carpaccio was just as delicious. The Abalone Yaki was like takoyaki but with abalone instead of octopus (obviously) and was pretty darn good, but I would have appreciated more abalone and less breading. (That might be the greedy abalone-lover in me) Entrees were lackluster compared to the apps we had just had. The gravy makes the loco moco, and our Loco Moto failed to impress. Both the fish were cooked perfectly, but the sauces weren't as great as we expected. (We took the leftover fish home and ate it the next day - broiled in the oven - and it was better the second time around). It's pretty hard to mess up coconut gelee with honey and green tea meringue. Or a chocolate and salted peanut butter combo. Yummo. He def won me back with the desserts. I know, super long review, but we ordered so much food I had to give Morimoto the time he deserves. Cliff notes: Appetizers and desserts were amazing, the entrees failed to impress.
(4)
Daniel A.
The dinner experience here was disappointing compared to other options in Honolulu. Having previously been disappointed by the omakase, we opted to order from the menu this trip. Nothing was particularly noteworthy. We were staying at the Modern, and Morimoto is open for breakfast. I think breakfast is a better option here than dinner. I had the Loco Moto, which is Morimoto's take on a loco moco. That was better than anything I had at dinner.
(4)
Brent S.
I have yet to come here for dinner, so I will update when I do. But if you're staying in Waikiki, you should really consider checking them out for breakfast. They have some interesting dishes you wouldn't expect. The Baked Eggs are cooked in with spinach for a unique flavor and texture. It also comes with prosciutto on french bread. The Eggs Benedict is served on hash browns for a distinctive dish. Very pleasantly surprised.
(4)
Daniel C.
I think that the food here is slightly above average but the service does make up for it. Personally I feel that there is so much better places to dine at for the price you pay to dine here. Morimoto does entertain and takes pictures with you if he's there. I've had most of the menu items and nothing really stood out from the few times I have dined here. I do say try it and see for yourself because it is an experience.
(4)
Jessica L.
I have eaten at his restaurants in NY and Japan, Waikiki is not yet on the same level. Service was very good, food was good but not up to the standards of his other restaurants. Architecture was similar, they didnt over do it which I liked. Price was high for the dishes they served, his menu needs to be updated.
(3)
S. Y.
You must be kidding? I was sooo... looking forward to the meal on Xmas eve. My entire party of 6 was not happy. First of all, the decor is nice. Something different for Hawaii and very nicely done. However, I can't eat nice decor and it doesn't make up for the lack of professional level of service you would expect from such a hyped internationally known restaurant. First of all, the food was just so-so. I think any decent Asian fusion from any restaurant in town is pretty close at a fraction of the (over)price. Some of the ingredients used are obviously good, uni, toro, frois gras, and added to the flavor. But the preparations were just marginal in almost every course of the 120$ Omakase course. Especially the main dish of rib eye which for lack of comparison had the same texture as duck breast. Does that sound right to you? Finally, the service. It was horrible. Nobody knew what anyone on the table ordered and consistently served the wrong people the wrong things. (one person didn't have the omakase so is it that difficult to figure out?) . We had to ask for utensils after courses and when they did arrive they simply plopped them in front of you criss-crossed rather than setting them nicely? I would expect that from a coffee shop. But not Morimoto's!! C'mon. It took forever to get the waiters and even the final bill. I would have given them much less tip if I had the chance and they didn't charge me 20% service charge on my bill already and then give me the opportunity to add "additional tip" when signing my charge card. You must be joking. Never again.
(1)
A L.
Definitely one of the best eating experiences on the island. Prices are steep, but that's to be expected at an iron chef restaurant. Surprisingly, our bill was pretty reasonable at the end of the night. We had: 1) Ahi Tuna Tartare - 5/5 2) Foie Gras Chawan Mushi - 5/5 3) Calamari Salad - 5/5 4) Hamachi Ishiburu Bop (sp?) - 3/5 5) Duck, Duck, Duck - 3/5 6) Pineapple cocktail (can't remember the name of it) 4/5 If I get a chance to come back here again, I would definitely just stick to the appetitzers...both cold and hot. #1-3 were all appetizers and the favorites of the night. Unfortunately the entrees didn't quite live up to their reputation for me which is why i took 1 star off. It didn't taste bad, just nothing that stood out for me to order it again Favorite of the night: the Foie Gras Chawan Mushi (kind of like this egg custard thing, similar to what you may get at korean restaurants) MMMmmmmmmm!
(4)
Katrice K.
I came here with my coworkers and boss for a celebration so I have to say that I didn't foot the tab in any way which will probably affect my review of the restaurant since cost wasn't a big concern. After apprehensively reading the reviews from fellow yelpers I got the sense that this was a hit or miss type of restaurant. It has its really great moments and its not so great times, so I went in with a little fear that I led my coworkers astray as I picked the restaurant. The sight that greeted my eyes was highly pleasing with beautiful pictures on the walls and gorgeous lighting and very comfortable chairs and unique tables (ours was a couple of pieces of wood with lacquer covering it, so it had an unfinished yet refined quality about it). As we had a dd for the night my coworkers and I ordered some cocktails. I have to say if you like "girly" drinks the white lily is amazing. It doesn't taste like alcohol at all and is just yummy. One coworker ordered a lychee drink which was kind of strong and my boss ordered a mai tai which was also very strong and they kindly fulfilled her request to have the drink watered down with some simple syrup in a bigger glass which helped make it tolerable for her. For appetizers we started with the tofu that they make table side which came out better than I expected. They serve it with two different sauces, watch out, the kim chee one is apparently very spicy. I enjoyed watching them make the tofu and the guy who made it for us said the tofu doesn't always set properly. I don't know if I would order that again but the novelty of it is just so cool. We also ordered the spicy tuna roll, which was not memorable at all and I would say skip. The third appetizer was the takoyaki balls with abalone instead of tako, which was amazing! The sauce was delicious and the abalone so succulent. I'm not a big fan of takoyaki or abalone in general but somehow (maybe the alcohol that I had drunk) the abalone with the tako yaki worked and made me a very very happy foodie! Definitely would order that again! The fourth appetizer was a calamari salad which was so delicious with the lightly battered calamari steaming hot with a nice dressing and greens served with it. Note: this is one dish that you need to eat right away and not leave a little for later because once the calamari cools down it does not taste nearly as good. Definitely would order that again. For the entree course we had: Duck, duck, duck-it was ok, the best part to me was the puff pastry on top of the duck soup and the cold ginger type of accompaniment to the spring rolls. Hamachi stone pot- it was just ok, with the very tender fish and the crispy rice, the sauce was just like unagi sauce a little on the sweet side (is it wrong that I think Shokudo does almost as good of a job) Lamb- the lamb was sooo tender and just a little gamey but it was cooked perfectly of the three dishes that I tried I like the lamb the best, the spam onigi was ehhh, not fitting for the delicious lamb and the ratatouille was equally delicious Seafood boulinbaise- as this was on the spicy side I didn't try it but my coworkers seemed to enjoy it and my boss finished it all so it must have been good For dessert: Haupia between two green tea wafers- I actually really like this dessert and I hate coconut and green tea desserts. both items were extremely light and well executed Cantalope, blood orange, and watermelon gelato- nice and refreshing Peanut butter dessert- the peanut butter ice cream was delicious, while the other half was ok Spiced dark chocolate ice cream- the chocolate ice cream was infused with some thai chili which tasted interested definitely an iron chef moment but not my cup of tea, it also came with this banana dessert thing and another type of ice cream which I enjoyed Verdict although there were some hits and misses within my experience at Morimoto's I fully enjoyed my meal and would love to come back for another special occasion to try more food. Several of Morimoto's creations were quite unique and things I haven't tried before and I am happy I got to experience it with my coworkers.
(5)
Teri Y.
Im going to make this short. High expectation met with poor outcomes. Crudite plate with olive oil with anchovy paste was overheated accidentally and resulted in a burn on my tongue...hard to appreciate the food after that. However, the lobster was so spicy that it burned right thru the burn. Im a fan of Iron Chef Morimoto so was excited to come, but sad at the result (and price). I do want to say that the waitstaff were really wonderful and the decor was gorgeous.
(2)
Jeremy L.
An anniversary dinner in Hawaii has to have some class and we decided to have it at Morimoto's! High expectations from an Iron Chef even though he won't be there personally to cook. Still, his reputation is always on the line. Instead of the usual three course meal, we decided to go with the Omakase, which is a 8 course tasting menu! Extremely pricey, but so fun! Each course has a specific way of eating like our first course, a tartar of fishes with a variety of toppings that you use a metal paddle to eat with. Other courses are really good like a fois gras Charamushi and a surf and turf course. This is one of those meals where eating fast is a waste. You really have to slowly enjoy each course and really consider the flavors. One thing I like about Morimoto's is the drinks. I had a Pina Haupia, a pina colada cocktail of sorts and a Thai basil Green Flash Martini. Both are great, but I love the Green Flash Martini best! Before making a reservation to Morimoto's, consider that this is not a cheap place to eat at casually, but if it's for a special occasion, it doesn't hurt to indulge. Morimoto's is a great place with great service. With a name like that, they have to be!
(4)
Nakoa T.
My fiancee and I had dinner here for my birthday and it was great I really enjoyed everything especially the sake sampler (: the sashimi platter was absolutely delicious and fresh everything we ate was right up my alley! we sat near the kitchen which was kind of hectic and loud I was a little disappointed that they didn't take my birthday into account when seating us but the decor and all around feel of the place makes up for any short comings especially the service our waiter was fun and energetic he really made us feel welcome he really catered to us it was lovely. over all the place is very clean, well lit, spacious yet cozy, nicely decorated, friendly well trained staff and most importantly the food is AMAZING. i would recommend this restaurant to anyone its well worth it!
(5)
Laura M.
Came here with the fam for lunch on a gorgeous day. This place takes on a whole difference ambiance when there's sunshine pouring in from all angles. The waitstaff was chill and attentive, informative and pleasantly informal. And jeez, you can actually get a pretty effing good deal on food here during lunch, as opposed to it being a fantastic, decadent splurge when you come at night. A bunch of us ordered the sushi/sashimi lunch sets (pretty much all the lunch entrees come as sets with miso soup, tsukemono, etc.). I went rogue and ordered the lobster melt sandwich, which came with a small salad AND wasabi fries (usually I feel like you have to choose between the two) and these awesome housemade pickled cucumbers, peppers and onion. It was on thin grilled japanese bread, and let me tell you, there was plenty of lobster in it. PLENTY. In a good way, like you know they weren't trying to stiff you on the good stuff. It was sweet, succulent and perfectly cooked, tossed in a light shiso aioli and next to melty swiss cheese. It ruled, as did the wasabi fries. My dad ordered the braised cod over rice, and my aunt ordered the 10-hour pulled pork belly, which I tried. It was delicious, melt-in-your-mouth goodness, except it was a little heavy on the sweetness and could've stood to be balanced out with some subtle spice. We re-ordered the pork gyoza with Hamakua tomato sauce and bacon foam that we enjoyed last night, and also tried the tempura pineapple with jamon iberico and mint. That was piping hot and DELISH, especially when you got the perfect bite with all three components stacked on your fork. I love that almost everything is locally sourced. Another thing I liked is that basically when you order an iced tea, it's bottomless. They kept bringing me pitcher after after pitcher of it to sit next to place setting. And they offered simple syrup instead of regular sugar (which I think there was a missed opportunity to infuse with some tropical flavor for added zest). The stand-out dessert was the coconut panna cotta with lilikoi "noodles" and berries. Generally, I'm a chocolate-dessert type of girl but the fresh, tart zing of the noodles next to the cool, creamy panna cotta was an insane combo. Loved every bite of it.
(5)
Nichole D.
it was ok. The service was great. They were out of the whole fish, which was a bummer. The menu wasn't obnoxiously priced like most fining dining in restaurants in Maui and Honolulu. We split the burybop (sp). It was not that exciting. I think if we ordered a different entree we would have been more excited about our meal. The sushi was also ok. All in all, the entire experience was just meh.
(3)
Gitanjali K.
deliciouso! Everything here is a piece of delectable art! Expensive but great for a special occasion! Outside deck is beautiful!
(5)
Anna A.
My fiance and I had dinner here on our last night in Oahu. He had the black cod and I had a filet/poke dish with fingerling potatoes that was TO DIE FOR. Morimoto has such a neat way of plating and the food is DELICIOUS. The atmosphere is awesome and the service was one of a kind. Our server helped us choose drinks that fit our style, explained everything that was on our plates and why, and was just another aspect of our dinner that made it 5-star. If we come back to Oahu when we visit the islands again, we will definitely come back!
(5)
KarraJoel M.
One word to describe my first and lastMorimoto experience: underwhelming. Purchased Valentine's Day Omakase at $140 per person. Multiply by 2 people and add in cost of 2 wines = I'm now poorer... And still hungry after completion of 8 courses 3.5 hours later. Underwhelming experience and food. Amazing kuromoto oysters. Not amazing fish with scales, vegetables with in edible stems attached, and crispy burnt steak-ish items. Waited a long time between dishes, dropped a chopstick and got only 1 of 2 replaced. Seats and tables were close enough to a wonderful married couple; felt like we had double date and made new friends. Did I mention sitting exactly at the corner of the busiest walkway/entrance to seating area and having to strain to hear my boyfriend across the table? Parked in street parking lot, when contrary to restaurant staff statements, the valet was not full. Suggestion: 1) purchase menu items of your choice instead, and 2) go to restaurant with no food expectations.
(2)
Bravo J.
So I'm only giving 3 stars b/c I had a reservation at 7:45pm ... but was not seated until 8:30pm! I think it would've taken longer to get a table IF I wasn't constantly asking the receptionist what the hold up was and why EVERYONE else walking in was getting seated before me! At one point b/f we got seated - the manager came over -- and said we would we be seated soon ... but no apologies ... no nothing ...! He did send over an appetizer to the table once we were seated -- but I think I would've appreciated an apology over a free 17$ dish ... I had the seafood toban yaki ... DELISH!! OMG ... would fly over to HNL just to eat this again! this dish alone merits 5 stars ... it was that good! The hubby had sashimi ... he said it was fresh and tasy. It's expensive ... the tuna is "MP." It was 12$ a PIECE that day ... he had 3 pcs ... literally .5 inch slivers ... BUT -- he says it was very very good!! Be aware the miso soup is a BIG serving ~~ it's not the usual little bowl you get at a sushi restaurant ... it's the size of a PHO bowl ... :-) My friend had the calamari salad ~ which I stole many bites of b/c it was tasty!! I would order this dish again! Overall ~ the food is good! $$$! The fact that I had to wait a very long~ time even w/reservations and walk-in's were being seated before me put a damper in my dining experience at Morimoto Waikiki.
(3)
Stephanie L.
4 stars for service, 2 stars for food. Ordered: Tuna Pizza, Half Dozen Oysters, Kakuni (Pork Belly with Congee), Pork Gyoza, Ramen Soup, Oxtail Soup, MIxed Green Salad, Crispy Whole Fish, 1 piece Uni and 1 piece sea eel. Went there on Thursday night for dinner while staying at the Modern Hotel Waikiki. We've been to Morimoto New York and remember it being much better that this. The food was ok tasting - nothing really special or memorable. The best thing ordered was the oysters. Had my 11 month old daughter for dinner with us and asked for a bowl of plain congee for her which they charged us $4 for a tiny bowl - no more than 4 spoon fulls. Plain rice is also $4 a bowl. Overall, way over priced. I dont mind paying for a great meal - or even a good one. But I left here still hungry and underwhelmed. The only bright spot during dinner was that service was very good. I wouldnt go here again. If you want fancy dining, with overpriced food just for a "cool" atmosphere - then this place is for you. If you want excellent Japanese food and equally excellent service then I would recommend Miyabi instead.
(2)
C R.
We were in Honolulu for our anniversary and looking for somewhere special for our anniversary night dinner. While the reviews for Morimoto weren't particularly stellar, it was close and convenient to where we were staying and they had an opening. Valet parking at the Edition Hotel is validated (free) by the restaurant, so driving there is your best bet. Upon entering the restaurant, there's a very nice, quiet and comfortable lounge to wait at and since we were a bit early, we got to relax there for a sec before being seated. We were given a lovely spot on the outside lanai (recommended as inside can get a little noisy) by the marina. Very romantic with candle-light and all. We had an excellent tofu+kimchee starter with was prepared at our table, given 10 minutes for the tofu to form. Both our dinner entrees were also outstanding (one of which was from his Iron Chef battles, which he won!) The only less than excellent point was that our particular server seemed a little inexperienced and stiff but he was still fine and did his best. The other servers looked much more at ease and top-notch. No points deducted there as he might have had a rough day or just starting out. We'd definitely come back here next time for a nice dinner, and we'll be sure to request the lanai again.
(5)
Laura D.
Ambiance: 5 starts The restaurant is beyootiful! A good place to go for just the ambiance. Decor is lovely, light, modern, chic. Food: 3.5 stars The food is good, but not any better than Izakaya Gaku (a personal fave) or Nobu. Sasabune still blows it out of the park. However, Morimoto is very good with modern innovations to old classics. The yose dofu (hot tofu) was really good, and the ishiyaki rice was not bad. The fish quality was on par with other good sushi restaurants, but not better. I had a pear yuzu cocktail with serrano chili and that was super yummy. I'd go back just for that, actually. Service: 4 stars Service was very good, as to be expected with the cost, which was, needless to say, not cheap.
(4)
Theresa N.
Just had dinner at Morimoto's for the first time and had a mixed experience. I tried the Omakase (9 course chef's choice). I loved the presentation and taste of the first course, but found the other courses okay. We actually ordered the O' Toro and wagyu for appetizers, which was pretty good. I actually prefer the Omakase at Alan Wong's, at least you can have it with wine pairings and the food tasted better. My wife had the Angry chicken and wasn't worth the price. It was okay, but a little too salty and strong chipotle flavor. For drinks we loved the ZD Cabernet by the glass ($18/ glass) and we ordered a bottle of Kubota Sake (Daiginjo), our favorite, a little pricey at $150 a bottle. My wife enjoyed the tofu cheese cake and we enjoyed our double espresso. Warning! We were seated outside, which we thought was cool at first because inside sounded like a cafeteria and you could hardly hear yourself talking. But anyway, they sat us next to the row of hedges next to the swimming pool and towards the end, big B-52 type roaches started to come out and they looked like they were going to fly. My wife is totally freaked out and we asked to be moved. One roach crawled up to our table and was stomped on. Not quite to expect at a four or five star restaurant. I guess the restaurant knows about it because they apologized and blamed it on the fertilizer. They did move us to a nicer setting right in front of the fire pit and they evening ended well. Total damage was over $600 for three. I would return to try other dishes and drinks.
(3)
Shatina L.
So I broke my cardinal rule of visiting an establishment before its been around for a year but I'm giving back to a slow economy. Would like to say love the decor. Simple and timeless with white leather furniture (easy to clean and replace) Not sure about the firepits but did add warmth as my party and I were seated outside. Despite the approaching storm and distinct burst of lightning in the distance and possible exposure to the elements, I would suggest sitting outside. It doesnt feel like you're waiting for the town meeting to start, distracted by the person next to you with the squeeky voice. But I digress. First and foremost, its all about the presentation: ambiance, flavors, service, the whole package. Obviously its not your local eatery, with food piled on the dish creating amalgamated flavors of gravies. Garnishes are strategically placed making you wonder if it took longer for them to put it all together than it was to prepare the dish. I opted for the omakase primarily because the menu itself seemed overwhelming. Why not allow the chef to do what he does best and just enjoy the meal, or in this case, meals? Try everything at least once in your life but what stands out the most for me here - and everyone will rank this the worse review ever - was the lemon creme fraiche, served w the roasted lobster. Not the lobster. Not the Wagyu. Not even the chawan mushi. But the sauce meant to hold 2nd fiddle to the entree. Yes, everything was savory to the palate and this didnt live up to the hype of that but that's all based on personal opinion. I personally think that it could be served with anything, frozen and whipped up as a dessert, and we wouldnt have been the wiser of its humble beginnings: heavy whipping cream with lemon essence. Cant order this on its own though- might as well eat the lobster that comes with it. Of course, I do have to comment on the service. Not swarming with wait help but just enough to be able to sidle in and fill your drink without the need to ask for more. You may have to wait, but spend it inquiring about the food on the other table with your company. All in all, a well enjoyed meal.
(4)
Cristina T.
First time in Hawaii, first time at Morimoto's. Service was excellent! Food was pretty good. I had their version of Hawaiian Poke, it was pretty filling, not at all what I expected, tuna was very tender and delicious. I had the spider roll, that was typical, nothing special. The shrimp tempura, very different, not traditional at all, they serve it in two styles of flavor, both which was delicious. The prices were pretty high, for the food, it should be priced moderately. Though I think the price comes from the name and the ambiance. I would still come back.
(4)
Cheyenne C.
Phenomenal! We sat at the sushi bar and had the best sushi of our lives. The sushi chef was so nice and treated up very traditionally. The cocktails were also amazing! We were staying in the Modern Honolulu Hotel (where the restaurant is). After dinner there, we also went to breakfast and lunch the next day. Three meals in a row must mean something, right? We went to Alan Wong's earlier in the week and can easily say Morimoto's was better - better service, atmosphere, cocktails and food! It was also half the price!
(5)
Reza S.
Overall an average place. The restaurant decor looked nice but the food was mediocre. I have had way better sushi at other much cheaper places. The waiter was very nice and knowledgeable but again I wasn't impressed with the food. Also the whole restaurant had a heavy fishy smell. Not too pleasant
(3)
Val Y.
I'm quiet in person but when I write, you can't shut me up. Some additional postscripts: P.P.P.S.: Do not overlook making reservations and ask to sit at the sushi bar. There is allot going on in the kitchen and it is interesting and entertaining to watch the chef's prepare the food. Morimoto himself was there when we visited the restaurant. It is easier to take pictures of him when you are sitting at the sushi bar....even if he is just standing around and doing nothing. Morimoto-san show me what you got....COOK SOMETHING!!! P.P.P.P.S. - If you are a Morimoto fan, you MUST purchase his book "morimoto - The New Art of Japanese Cooking". It is a great cookbook. It explains his philosophy in the art of cooking. It has very nice photos; describes his approach to food preparation and shows techniques in sashimi-ing, preparing clams, octopus, salmon roe, vegetables, etc. Book price is $40.00. If he is in the restaurant, he will autograph the book for you. "To Val, Happy Birthday! Masaharu Morimoto"... in Japanese. You da man Morimoto-san! P.P.P.P.P.S. - Beware the Morimoto rally "SHOUT!" It can happen at any given moment with no warning. All the staff in the kitchen will, at Morimoto's command, "SHOUT!" It is a technique he uses to motivate the cooking staff. It happens so suddenly; it is startling; it shocked my gf and I. We don't know what they SHOUTED. The wait staff do not participate in this ceremony and our waitress could not explain clearly what happened. P.P.P.P.P.P.S. - This is a must do! Even if you don't have to and you are a male; use the men's restroom of the hotel which is across from Morimoto's. Did you find the toilet stalls? Did you figure out how to turn the faucet on in less than a minute? But WOW! the men's restroom is upper end and beautifully done. Maybe they should move the Morimoto interior design to the restroom and the restroom interior design to Morimoto's. The next time I go to Morimoto Waikiki, I will use the restroom at least three times and maybe even do a Number 2. And at least for one of those times, I will be using the women's restroom, just to see what that is like.
(3)
Mo A.
Gotta give them a 1/5. The sea food medley I ordered was $46....and the lobster portion had this terrible sharp ammonia taste and my wife thought the same thing. If it wasn't for that weird taste the dish was stiff below average for any seafood medley. The appetizer was good. The drinks pretty good but not worth the $210 I spent including tip for 2 people.
(1)
Steve T.
The decor is very light and colorful in the main dining room. We dined on the outdoor patio which was very comfortable in the evening. The service was very professional. All of the dishes were described in detail. That was a plus, because some of the dishes really had a lot going on, and needed some explanation. We ordered the Omakase (Chef's Choice). The number of dishes and the portion size were more than I expected. I was quite full at the end of the evening. The Foie Gras Chawanmushi was a favorite. It is like a custard with tons of Foie Gras flavor. Topped with slices of duck. Need I say more. Some of the dishes had some shortcomings. The sushi rice used for the sushi was dry and lacked flavor. The main course was overpowering with the sauces, which I would have preferred without. All of the dishes, however, had very unique presentations. Art on a plate? I am very glad to have tried this restaurant. But it is unlikely that I would return.
(3)
David T.
I had been to Morimoto's restaurant when I was living in New York. I was not impressed and he had been my least favorite chef when I was actually watching the show years earlier. But during our vacation in Oahu, we had stayed at the Waikiki Edition. And the restaurant was in the hotel - so we decided to try it. Read up a little bit on the reviews before we decided to order from the menu. We had ordered the rock shrimp and the chawanmushi appetizers and a whole bunch of sushi. The sushi was extremely good, and the chawanmushi was interesting in a good way. Was very disappointed with the shrimp - it had too much sauce and was a little too fried. We couldn't eat more than a few. The place is pricey. Wouldn't do it too many times. But still much better than my experience in the New York restaurant. It has a nice view of the ocean, but sometimes a few tour busses would come through the adjoining street and we would get a whiff of exhaust sitting outside on the patio. Still, a very trendy place.
(4)
Justin P.
Well, I did have very high hopes for someone as prestigious as the Iron Chef, but I must say that I was thoroughly disappointed. Fist, I'll say that their hosts need a lot more friendliness! The curry stuffed pan was delicious but small, and the sushi appetizers were well prepared and tasted great, as to be expected. The Tuna Pizza was wonderful. But the entres were more than lacking. The Chicken though tender and juicy, was way too salty and over spiced. The lamb was a pitifully tiny serving. Most of all the service sucked. Our waitress though charming she was when she was around, never checked on us, and we had to ask serval times to get our bill before our 20 minute wait to pay. Let's not mention the fact that no one came to refill our water until we finished our dessert. Over all, the food was all in all alright, but definitely not special enough for the hassle. And most Definitely did NOT live up to the expectation of the "Iron Chef"!
(2)
H N.
This place is fantastic! We had taken my husband there for Father's Day and was very very impressed with the people, food, and atmosphere. The service from the waithelp (Josh and Mark), were excellent and the food was so well executed and cooked. This was one place that had mirugai nigiri and that was sooo delicious! The desserts, too, were just awesome! This was the best dining experience we've had in a long time and the manager (Chad) was so nice and accommodating. Thank you, Chad, for a perfect evening for all of us. Will definitely go back soon!
(5)
Scott T.
Absolutely amazing food! Wonderful atmosphere. A little overpriced - especially the alcohol! The waiter left our bottle of "exclusive cabernet wine" on the adjacent table...Kirkland brand! Ha! What a ripoff...
(4)
chanel y.
Very nice classy and modern restaurant, but the only problem was very noisy I felt like I was in a mall food court. The food was ok for its price, I expected more because its Chef Morimoto. I wouldnt care to go back unless someone invites me. Dessert was GREAT!!! :)
(3)
Kevin C.
It's pricey, but it's damn good.
(4)
Art T.
I am always a big fan of Chef Morimoto when he first appeared on the Japanese Iron Chef show and now American's version one. I was so excited when I learned that he was going to open his restaurant in Honolulu. Finally I went there for lunch the past weekend with my friends. I made the reservation through Open Table. The restaurant opens for lunch at 11 AM. The restaurant is spacious and has both indoor and outdoor seatings. Service Overall the service is pretty good. Audrey was the person who assisted us with the menu and selections. She ran through the menu and provided us some great suggestions for appetizers, the spicy king crab and wagyu carpaccio. The service was very attentive. Other staff came by the table to clean up and refill water diligently. Food I definitely would recommend the spicy king crab and wagyu carpaccio. They were very tasty. The presentation was awesome. All of us ordered the lunch set menu. I think they were great value. I had sahimi, tempura and sushi combination and my friend had kakuni don (ten hour pork belly). The ingredients were very fresh. Every dish was tasty and not overly salty like some of the restaurant. I also tasted my friend's entree, Kakuni Don, the pork was very well favored and tender. I was so full after finishing my lunch set. So, we decided to share the dessert, coconut panna cotta. The dessert was amazing. Later on that night, I had panna cotta dessert at House without a Key at Halekulani. I had to say, the one at Morimoto was much more sophisticated and silky. Ambience The design of the restaurant was fresh and modern contemporary. The corals, each table, and even the chopsticks were so well thought out. We loved the chopsticks so much that we bought some for ourselves. Parking The hotel and restaurant offer valet parking which is simply convenient. The staff was very friendly and courteous. I definitely will come back for lunch or dinner. This is not an everyday type of restaurant, or it will break my bank. But it is totally worth it for any special occasions.
(4)
Nina V.
The scoring is based on price for value. The ambiance was a definite to see-and-be seen kind of place. The most exciting thing was sitting at a table very near the open-air kitchen where we could observe a very tanned Chef Morimoto hop around the kitchen in his white chef coat and white sneakers. The Japanese dishes were very cleanly done. (simple artful presentation and not overdone flavors) The less traditional fare was interesting but sometimes odd. The people-watching always makes it more enjoyable...what do I do with this implement and what was the sequence of steps the waiter just recounted to us?
(3)
Annie Z.
Meh sums it up. Brought Justin here for his 30th birthday dinner and I wish we had tried somewhere else. The service was great, but the prices were way too high for the quality of the food. If you're going to spend money like this, better to hit up Nobu or Alan Wong's. Will say I love their chopsticks. They are a light blue, twisted plastic. Liked them so much Justin bought me a set to bring home :)
(2)
Nick S.
This was most probably the best meal I've ever eaten (and one of the most expensive). We enjoyed the Omakase and a couple of carafes of Sake and thoroughly enjoyed it. I can't say the same for the man himself, who was having a rough night after a day of heavy rain and winds that put the patio out of action and packed out the restaurant. I basically enjoyed every one of the 9 courses and savored each mouthful slowly, hoping to make it last. My favorite dishes were the duck dish and a small plate of thinly sliced hamachi with olive oil and something else that tasted amazing (it was sometimes a little hard to hear the descriptions in full by the server due to the noise level!). I'm not sure how often the menu changes so don't go in there expecting to eat the same as me! If I had to really pick and find something negative to say it would be that the Wagyu beef was a little over cooked and not melt in the mouth like you'd expect. But that's something I'd otherwise let slide since the meal as a whole was verging on a spiritual experience. Eat there, expect to pay out for a meal you'll remember, it's worth every penny.
(5)
Andrew H.
Overall a very good experience. Located in the Modern Hotel, this über-swank South-Beach style decorated Japanese restaurant did not disappoint. Hands down the best home-made wasabi I've ever tasted. All dishes were delicious, but relied a little too much on chilis (especially the Spicy King Crab, which just masked the delicate sweetness of the seafood). Wine list was "ok" and very expensive. Very good effort, cool vibe, and worth a special trip, but probably only once.
(4)
Mike R.
Went when it first open when it's was Editions and it was one star. Thought it had to improve, wrong. Order Angry Chicken. I now know why the chicken is angry. Nothing more than chilly power and cumin. What a waste of a nice cut of chicken. Service was poor and employees had bad attitudes maybe they will get it one of these days.
(1)
jean K.
Not just a meal, dining at Morimoto's Waikiki is an experience... Ambiance ~ is chic. Food~ freshness, taste, presentation all top notch. Each thing that came to our table, was better than the last. Topped it off with a few amazing desserts!! Wow~ Pricey for sure... but on those occasions where you are in the mood to splurge...
(5)
Leslie R.
The Edition Hotel is a new boutique hotel in Waikiki. Morimoto made a good choice in locating his restaurant here. The place is beautiful! The tables, chairs and decor is modern, clean and lovely. Our first visit was for lunch since we thought our chances of a table would be secure. The service was impeccable. We ordered what we had read about. Husband had the Pork Belly and I had the sushi/sashimi/tempura combo. We also ordered a spicy hamachi maki. Every bite was delicious! For desert we shared the coconut panacotta....unbelievable! The food is as beautiful to look at as it tastes. We will return next week for dinner and I can't wait to try the omakase!
(5)
Paul K.
Went last night for the 1st anniversary and have been there many times in the past year and was sincerely impressed each time with exemplary food, service and atmosphere.
(5)
Kobu K.
I was very excited to eat here. The interior is very nice. But thats all I can say about it. Here is why I will not be back to this place. Service: There was not many people here and the food took FOREVER to get to our table. Food: Ok.. I often go to many nice restaurants here in Hawaii and when i travel. It seemed like the dishes here was overly thought out and almost seemed to be pushy in taste. Meaning lets just through some crap together and put it on a pretty plate then call it good. I ordered the Duck, Duck, Duck as my main dish. When the plate hit my table I was shocked to see how little food was on the plate. I am very used to small portions from living in Japan but this was ridiculous! The flavor well..wasn't any better than a Chinese food place downtown. Also ordered some sushi which took 30 mins to get to our table for 4 pieces only. The flavor of the sushi I would compare to Yanagi Sushi quality. Which isn't very good in my opinion. Sorry Local people I know you love this place. After dinner we ended up going to Buffalo wild wings because we were still hungry Overall I was extremely disappointed. This place is a big waste of time and money. If you want good Japanese food and the Best! Sushi in Hawaii then I recommend Imanas-Tei behind pucks alley. Bar-none the best Japanese and sushi in hawaii.
(1)
Hikari K.
My hubby brought me here for my birthday, and I have to say...From the moment you walk into Morimoto's your taken back by the decor and ambiance. For starters we ordered the Toro & Hamachi tartar, best thing i've ever ate, definitely love at first bite! Wagyu carpaccio was light and full of flavor..several dishes followed all of which were amazing. If you're a fan of sake, I recommend Morimoto's Preminum 5 year Junmai and Ginjo you won't be disappointed. As if the fabulous food wasn't enough, your dining experience is paired with pure plating fabulousness! You kind of just sit there and admire the beauty of the dish for a minute. If you're looking for amazing food, ambiance and top notch service Morimoto's is def. the place.
(5)
Kate R.
A-MAZING. Well worth every penny. Morimoto's is unreal - every time I go (I've been 3 times now) I get their 'White Lily' drink - try it! I highly recommend their rock shrimp, too. So tasty. Oh, and they have a secret dessert that's only available at night and by request - called "The Breakfast of Champions" - it features BACON. Yum.
(5)
Lacey C.
Oh me oh my Morimoto = a piece of heavenly pie! If I could live in the pocket of the sushi chefs here, I totally would. As long as they fed me of course! :) I had the privilege to not only eat a MAGNIFICENT dinner (ordered off the menu) of Tuna Carpaccio and other delicious sushi concoctions, however I also was delighted to enjoy breakfast at this incredible edible establishment. Breakfast was served with french press coffee a mountain of fresh fruits, yogurt, granola and egg whites all very yummy! Highly recommend this place if you are needing a hot spot for a date, but be sure they are worth the dough because this isn't a bargain bin diner! Only the best for the best :)
(4)
Brigitte P.
This is a super difficult review to write.. If I could rate the food on one scale and the service on another it would be completely different. Let me start with the food.. Every single thing I've tried on the menu has never disappointed.. It's music to my taste buds. I recently tried the Poke and OMG.. A-MAZING.. The presentation alone made me want to keep taking pictures of it all! Definitely really good and worth the price you pay for the FOOD... The service is hit or miss. Sometimes I've been there and you'll get the waiter/waitress that is very attentive and makes the whole experience quite pleasant. But there have been a couple occasions and unfortunately with the same waitress where I myself and my table felt like we weren't ordering the right things. We would ask for one type of sake and after ordering was told of a different (and more expensive) one to order.. All fine and good, but we didn't ask for an opinion.. We found this odd. Making the reservation alone brings along anxiety. I have a lot of friends and we are all very social and like going to places to eat and drink.. On a few occasions I've wanted to make reservations for 10+ and it was a problem of which I would have to settle with the customer relations person, Shannon. I've dealt with this person in the past for a Birthday and it was near impossible to communicate with this woman. It was so frustrating that I was running out of time and finally gave up and booked it at another restaurant with absolutely no problem.. On my last visit, I tried making it for exactly 10 hoping after 4 months they revamped a few kinks. I was told I would have to book through Shannon and based on my previous experience, was not doing that. Changed it to 8 and it was magically ok.. Weird. Long story short, if you can deal with mediocre service and feeling like you have to beg for good service, but enjoy really good food, definitely give it a try. But if you have no tolerance, don't even think about it.
(3)
William C.
A modern fusion of Asian and American cuisine. Definitly lives uo to the reputation! Service: Great Atmopshere: Ok.. (tables cramped like many Honolulu places but the Lounge is nice) Food: Excellent Drinks: Excellent All Courses were good, some great, and unique. The level of creation required in what was presented showed great imagination. It was just fun! The Wagyu beef was not as good as Chef Mavro but the sashimi might be better!
(4)
Robert N.
Good food, not great and definitely not worth spending the money we spent. I wouldn't go back and I would suggest those wanting great seafood to look at the local ma and pa places to provide a better product at a lower price. Sorry but I wasn't thrilled :-(
(3)
Anton Z.
This Iron Chef is getting rusty. The biggest reason for the low score was the service. We were virtually ignored for the first ten minutes, while our server was helping the people around us who showed up after us. Once we did finally order, it took another ten minutes to get our drinks, which were acceptable if not particularly mind-blowing. I had a lunch set with sashimi, tempura, and sushi. The food was good, but individually the component parts felt like things I'd get from a conveyor belt sushi place back home. My partner enjoyed the chirashi, which had sushi over ride. Again, his meal was competent, but not really very exciting. Service aside, Morimoto Waikiki was good, especially if you forget that Morimoto is an Iron Chef. Much like some other places, it seems like Morimoto exchanged exciting flavors and food for something safe. That being said, you end up paying for the name, but at least the food is ok. One tip - make sure you check out the restroom...it's a fantastic space and weirdly was a highlight of the visit since it was so nice (weird, I know, but it's true!).
(2)
Erika H.
Oversauced and overpriced. Everything was salty and had excessive sauce on it, including the foie gras oysters, pork belly, and spicy king crab legs. We were very disappointed that such a nice restaurant would end up being the worst meal we had in Honolulu.
(2)
Wendy Y.
The service was excellent and the food was tasty! Would definitely go back there again! Valet parking was closed but garage parking was fully validated. Awesome experience. Thanks Chef Morimoto!
(5)
Kelso A.
I give this restaurant a 3! I went during lunch today and really enjoyed the presentation! Nice green seats inside with the view of the harbor. I really liked the coral hanging from the ceiling! My favorites were the appetizers. We had the Crispy Rock Shrimp Tempura and the Beef Curry Bread! Super yummy. For entree, I ordered Loco Moto, super rich and yummy wagyu beef. Very filling, I had to get my order wrapped to take home. Only downer was that it took 45-55 minutes for our entrees to come out after the appetizers were done. We had a great server, Sonia, who made sure we knew what was going on with our food:) today she said the kitchen was behind. We didn't get to try desserts, but from the taste of the appetizers and entree, I would not doubt the taste in dessert. I wasn't a big fan of the sparkling water, so I would go with regular. The iced tea came out in a fancy looking container which really caught my eye! Tried to make a same-day reservation online but the website said there were no openings till 12:30 or 1:00, but when I called at 11:15, they said there were openings at 11:45, so I recommend calling! Overall, I enjoyed my experience there and would recommend it!
(3)
L W.
I went to Morimoto's for my birthday dinner and left extremely disappointed in the entire experience. The wait staff is solemn, serious, and unfriendly. Whenever anyone in our party had questions, it was as if we were an annoyance. This was the first night Chef Morimoto was not there to oversee his workers since he left for New York so the quality must have dived because I went with high expectations after reading all the raving reviews. THE FOOD: Appetizer (not part of Omakase): Rock Shrimp Tempura: Panda Express, oily, slimy, engulfed in batter, could not find the shrimp. Omakase was TERRIBLE. Toro Tartar: Was hard, felt like it came out of the freezer. No taste, very bland. Sashimi Rolls: Teeny, tiny rolls of hamachi sashimi seared with hot peanut oil. The oil overpowered all the fish leaving an oily, slimy, unappetizing taste/texture. Salad: Hot oil comes bubbling in a bowl with a clump of garlic-anchovy paste in the middle. Diners are instructed to dip the large, raw vegetables (carrot, cauliflower, turnip, celery, crouton) into the hot oil and garlic. This was DISGUSTING. The oil was so overypowering, yet did not have any taste. Thus, it was as if I was eating oily, raw vegetables. Assorted nigiri 6pcs: I thought they couldn't screw this up but, Genki, Kozo, Aloha, anywhere would have been better than the paper thin, dry, ragged-cut nigiri Morimoto's presented. Surf and Turf: It was as if the bottle of cayenne popped open and breaded my lobster in its spices. The wagyu beef was chewy (some people spit it out), and the pork tasted and looked like Panda Express. Everything was disastrous. This dish was served at room temp. Kabocha Souffle and Sweet Potato Ice Cream: The kabocha souffle was cold and tasted like a Costco vanilla cupcake.T he ice cream was grainy and melted. Peanut Butter Bomb: When something says BOMB on the menu, you would expect it to be awesomely delicious. This it was NOT. It was like a light peanut butter mousse around a hershey bar. Came with peanut butter ice cream although I do not know how that tasted since it melted before it came to the table. Banana Dessert: It just didn't make sense! Cold caramelized bananas topped with a rectangular milk chocolate sheet. That's it. It was a baaaaaaaaaad experience made worse by a $400 bill.
(1)
Maude L.
I really like the ambiance - it's a chic and modern space. The service was good and attentive. But the food was just good, not amazing or anything. We got a few different sushi orders, and it was all good, but not special, if you know what I mean. You expect a little something extra or innovative at a fancier, date-type place, which Morimoto's provides with it's ambiance and service, but not so much the food. But maybe their other entrees do deliver - may have to go back and try those.
(3)
Janet K.
While I thought the appetizers we ordered were delicious (poke and foie gras chawan mushi), the sauce on the braised black cod I ordered for my main was way too salty. My bf ordered the moco loco and he enjoyed it. Additionally, the service was horrible. Our waitress forgot about my order so we waited like an hour for our main dishes. She did offer a complimentary dessert to try to make up for it but we were in no mood for dessert by then. She wasn't very personable - disappointing for a place like this.
(2)
Allen B.
Absolutely one of the best dinners we have had! The service was flawless and the ambiance was beautiful. Outside or inside will create a memorable experience.
(5)
Kimberly L.
Swank. Cool seafoam chunky decor and lots of acrylic. Clear acrylic chopsticks. Indigo Pistachio Orchid acrylic wall mural. Acrylic boxes of fleshy coral hanging from the ceiling. Lugubrious wood tables across which you can't hear your companions, the waiter, or much of anything because it's so noisy. I walked in and I wish I'd worn my new 4" fuschia stilettos, which I'd worn to Benihana the night before (mistake!) Too bad I didn't read the yelp reviews first and try the mythic bathrooms on for size. People dressed like they're in the club (a nice nightclub, that is). Characterize the food with the oft-teased "fancy food" presentation of Ogre-sized square white plates and a dab of food arranged artfully in one corner, a splash of sauce in the middle, and a doodle of a bite of something in the other corner. This describes my black rock cod perfectly. My bit of food was delish, resembling misoyaki butterfish. It came with 6 plump black beans that looked like mini-olves but tasted like azuki beans (meaning they'd been boiled in sugar?). Top it with a half-inch square of bell pepper skin and you have my entree. (No rice/starch came with it). Do not expect large portions here. $26 Speaking of the "slow food movement," this food was so slow I don't think there was any movement at all! After a 3-hour dinner (we only had 3 courses), our poor out-of-town guests were drooping a bit out-and-down :( Honorable mention goes to the server, who apologized so many times for my blemished teacup that he must have been taking the dishwashing error as a personal tar on his honor. For all that we had to wait an hour between each course (1 omakase sushi platter, 2 entree, 3 dessert), the staff was flocking like crazy to make sure our drink orders were fulfilled. I had genmaicha --green tea with roasted rice flavor--and they replaced my pot with a hot one halfway through. The mojito was apparently not good (not enough mint). PS the sushi was fall-apart nice. I hardly, if ever, eat expensive sushi, and at like $17/piece (I exaggerate--$75 for like 20 pieces) this was maybe the most expensive sushi I've eaten. The saba was a bit fishy but everything else didn't have any taste at all--I guess nigiri-lovers eat it for the tasteless soft texture? or perhaps the whomp of wasabi up the sinuses? Our guests had made the rsvp through the Trump Towers concierge, so we got some little chocolate truffles at the end. One was very bad. One was okay. One was good. Kind of like the three little bears. The ginger chew was goldilocks. The 12 girls sitting at the long table near us shrieked like a gawk of turkeys all night long. Desserts were ok. The peanut butter salted ice cream was nice. it came on the side of the chocolate peanut butter something or other, which resembled a fluffy mars bar with less taste. The chocolate banana mille feuille with avocado anglaise was just meh, best described as a banana trying to become a banana creme brulee but not succeeding, so covering itself in a rectangle of chocolate shell. I thumb this for dress-up-ability, cool decor, and artistically-presented tidbits of food. PS chef morimoto was pointed out to us as there, behind in the open ktichen.
(4)
John L.
A great experience. The food was awesome, and the service was good. I am a big fan of the Iron Chef show, so when this place came to town, I had to check it out. Well, I have returned with some friends, so that says something because the price for a meal here is not cheap. The drinks are surprisingly good, and I suggest to order the Chef's selection with multiple courses. It was a wonderful culinary experience.
(5)
Kristine M.
OK. Perhaps my expectations for this restaurant and the name accompanied with it were set too high, or I'm just hard to please. But, the overall dining experience here was awkward and confusing. The server in charge of our table was friendly and knowledgeable. The strange thing about dinner was how haphazard our appetizers, entrees, and sushi came out. Most fine dining restaurants have an order in which they serve their dishes, but we were getting entrees and appetizers at various times. The birthday girl ordered the omakase, and at one point they had three dishes set in front of her... that is not supposed to happen. The manager decided to stop by and instead of asking us, "How is the meal?" or "Are you enjoying yourselves?" She opened with, "Did you get your food yet?" Weirdness. The only highlight of the night was the tofu guy. He was so excited and animated about freakin' tofu! Crazy part was that he pulled us all into a tofu euphoria. It was a liquid, then turned into a solid! WHOOAAA!!! That guy should open his own restaurant and just serve tofu... now, that's a place I'd return to. Anyways, the food was OK. Not what I expected for the prices. Overall I was not impressed. Ala cuisine... NOT.
(2)
Shane F.
Went for my cousins birthday dinner. Read the reviews and was excited to eat at my favorite iron chef's restaurant. My cousin had previously been there and so she ordered us some of her favorite appetizers. We had the: toro which was excellent especially with the seaweed sauce. A beef thing it was pretty good the sashimi platter which was excellent especially the hamachi Entrees: I ordered the Lamb Rack it came with 3 nice pieces of lamb and some kind of sauce i thought it made the lamb taste sweeter. i like the spam onigiri though haha. My dad got the omakase; it had nine courses and i got to try each one i don't want to go into detail but the one dish that stuck out to me was in the sushi platter that was the best unagi i have ever had and that is my favorite. Another of the dishes that stuck out was the chawanmushi ever sweet good consistency and just awesome. The entree was a nice sampler i think my favorite was the lobster. 110 is a lot to pay but if you have it and don't know what to get that is a good way to go. oh ya the desert was a pumpkin dish which was very good it had azuki beans in the middle Some other people had a fish dish which was pretty good as well. The deserts were excellent as well i loved the peanut butter bomb haha its a peanut butter like pastry and then peanut butter ice cream the taste is smooth and not what you would expect. We also had a chocolate thing with caramel in the middle rich so a bite was just enough for me. Long review for a great restaurant, oh ya on another note iron chef morimoto was actually there haha so like tourist we took a picture with him.
(4)
Charlotte D.
I had heard mixed revues about this restaurant from friends but wanted to check it out for myself and I'm glad I did. I love, love, love the wagyu carpaccio! The flavor was a wonderful fusion of oil and a sauce I couldn't identify, the meat melted in my mouth! I also had the 6 oz filet and it was every bit as good as it should be, cooked to perfection and one could cut it with a fork if you happened to drop your knife on the floor. I'll go again to try different menu items. It's pricey, not an everyday place to eat but I enjoyed the food. The one thing I didn't care for was that the noise level in the restaurant was very high.This is not a place to take a first date or for an intimate dinner.
(4)
Juvy A.
Went to Morimoto's on July 1st with a bunch of my girlfriends. It's a nice restaurant and fancy looking. We sat on the outside lanai which was perfect to see the Hilton hawn's fireworks show on a Friday night. The staff was really good and fast...although there were times when we weren't ready to order because we couldn't decide. We did ask for advice and the recommendations were good. All the food that we ordered were very delicious. The Wagyu beef was excellent and the IshiYaki Buri Bop was pretty neat and very filling. Overall, everything was good! On a side note, when they're very busy, sitting out in the lanai is better than sitting in the inside because it is very noisy and most of the time you'll be yelling at each other. Outside was perfect and not loud at all. Although it's a bit pricey, I would definitely will be visiting there again...I wouldn't suggest to go there starving though because your bill will add up...lol
(4)
Hanwook K.
Overall not a great experience. The service was okay -- it felt like a diner than a fancy restaurant. I can't explain why, but the service just seemed too casual. The hostess wasn't super friendly, just very matter-the-fact. Our service wasn't super friendly, but she wasn't mean. She did wipe the table every time I spilled something. Okay -- too the food. We ordered the following: Tofu -- okay. Table side preparation. The kimchee sauce was weak. It tasted like watered down kimchee soup. Really watered down. The tofu set a bit firm. I was expecting something a bit more silken. Nevertheless, not a bad dish. Octopus Capaccio: Wow -- this was to die for. The flavor was great. The texture was a bit too goopy, but what do you expect for octopus. Spicy tuna, spicy yellow tail Maki -- these were fresh. You could taste the sesame seeds in the rice. It wasn't too spicy. It was solid standard spicy marki Spider roll (soft shell crab) -- yuk. The batter was think. The crab was flavorless and a bit bitter. I don't think they're in season but then again, if it isn't I wouldn't expect them the serve it. Spicy crab - yuk. Over cooked (probably because its baked after its steamed). the spicy sauce was mayo-y and thick. It was a single note spicy. The sauce over powers the delicate flavors of the crab. What a waste! The fries had the same sauce - same issue, sauce that overpowers the dish. I'm definitely not a fan of this dish. As you can see, I didn't love my experience here. The service was casual and not as refined as you expect for this level of restaurant. The food wasn't great. I suspect if we had ordered more raw foods, we may have had a slightly better experience. But I will never know.
(2)
S M.
Food is a letdown, place is surviving on name and location alone. Staff were wonderful, but just a typical overpriced low quality Waikiki restaurant. Too bad!
(2)
J R.
We were staying at the hotel next door, and decided to try Morimoto's. Easy reservations thru open table and walked over later that night. The restaurant is gorgeous and the pool area very trendy. TIP: if you also want to see the Fireworks, sit near the far left end along the railing. We tried the Tuna pizza (amazing), Abalone takoyaki (even better) Sashimi salad (meh, just okay) seafood to ban yaki (pretty good) Drinks were good but expensive. Overall great time
(5)
Ryen L.
A Mixed Bag Positives: the atmosphere is amazing, the sushi (and seafood in general) is very delicious (including the octopus with Yuzu), the presentation of the food is great Negatives: too many un-trained grey shirt servers, and some of the food is more for an avant garde experience rather than taste I had the Morimoto Experience and the rest of my family (who had previously eaten here a couple of times) ordered ala carte. I would have to discourage the Morimoto Experience (9 course meal) as most of the courses were nowhere near as good as the entrees on the menu. (For example, one of my courses was raw vegetables such as a sliced carrot and bell pepper with a side of olive oil... it may have been presented on a cool plate, but I wish that it taste as good as it was presented). I noticed that there are two kinds of servers. Those in black shirts who take the order and speak with customers (they were adequately knowledgeable about the menu), and those in grey shirts (who appeared to not have been trained by management). It appears that they hired one grey shirt worker for every seat in the restaurant (all of them crowd on the side and talk to one another). The grey shirt workers deliver the food and take away dishes. Management needs to have stricter grooming policies with these employees (as they allowed facial hair, old dirty watches, and tattoos--not something you'd expect to see when paying so much for your meal). Additionally, the grey shirt servers didn't seem to know which side to serve from, and when clearing the table, they stacked the dirty plates in the middle of the table and scraped the food onto one plate--this is while we were all sitting at the table waiting for the next course. I blame management for poor training. Despite the poor service, I would have to say that the quality of all of the food (ingredients) was extremely high. Therefore, for the things they did well--they excelled. For everything else, it detracted from the experience.
(3)
Risa A.
Nobu over morimoto anyday! The food was so so, dessert was salty, and he was supposed to come out to say hi but made us wait forever so we just left. It's overpriced for the quality you get.
(1)
Patti K.
Our service was great. The atmosphere was beautiful. The food was fabulous. We had a very late dinner so we decided to order appetizers and a sushi platter instead of an entree. So glad we did!! Got to try a lot of great food that our waiter recommended. Even the dessert was superb! Pricey but great to go for a special occasion. Read the other reviews. This really helped us know what to expect when we walked in.
(5)
Jesse C.
After reading the initial reviews from opening day I remained skeptic. So a group of friends and I went for lunch. We ordered a sashimi set, lobster melt sandwich, chicken katsu sandwich, and kakuni don (10hr pork belly). I got what I expected from Morimoto; simple, clean flavours. Everything was tasty but the prices are what I did not agree with. The desserts were unique but neither peanut butter fondant or tofu cheesecake (super light) caught my interest.
(3)
Meg P.
Wow. Let me say that again, Wow. This place is located inside the Waikiki Edition Hotel, and let me tell you, you get an extra swing in your hips and an extra bounce in your step as soon as you set foot in here. From the lobby of the hotel up to the interior of the restaurant (can't comment on the hotel rooms as I didn't stay here), the place screams sexy, swanky, and cool. Don't take your energetic toddlers here; they won't be welcome. And a warning: don't dress like the typical Waikiki beach tourist (flip-flops, t-shirt, and shorts) here. You'll stand out, and not in a good way. As for the food, Morimoto definitely delivers. For appetizers, I tried the 10-hour pork belly with congee, and I loved that dish! I thought the congee was going to be a weird combination with pork belly, but it actually turned out to be really, really good! We also had their oyster foie gras, and that dish was also spectacular! I only wish we could have tried more of their apps, because they all sounded delicious. Alas, we are working-class stiffs, so on to the entrees we go. I had the "duck, duck, duck" which is basically duck cooked 3 ways. First is a seared duck breast, then there's the duck confit spring roll, and finally, the duck meatball soup. I have to say, I was not impressed with the duck spring roll, mostly because the dipping sauce it came with was ginger-based (lots of ginger chunks in it), and I don't like ginger. So that was a turn-off for me. But I liked the rest of my dish, the seared duck breast and the soup, so all was not lost. I only wish that they had included more of the crispy duck skin with the seared duck breast, but that is a trifling matter. My husband had the seafood toban yaki, which looks kind of like our cioppino here in San Francisco. It's mixed seafood in a spicy miso-sake broth, and he must have liked it because I never even got to try it! He devoured that dish like it was his last meal. I also got to try their clam miso soup, but I was not too impressed with that one. Don't get me wrong, the dish is perfectly ok, it's just that there's nothing spectacular about it either. It's miso soup, with clams. The end. Their desserts were ok, nothing really stood out for me from the desserts we tried. But I do love the space, and if you can get a table outside, it's a very cool, romantic atmosphere. Kind of loud, though. But should I be lucky enough to find myself on Oahu again, I will make every effort to come back here. And maybe even book a room at this swanky, uber-sexy Edition Hotel. That way, the staff can just roll me on up to my room as soon as I'm done pigging out on Chef Morimoto's food.
(4)
Greg E.
Well worth the money spent for dinner!!! Wagyu carpaccio was amazing!! Their hamachi take on bi bim bap was cool with the table side cooking!! All the delectable desserts, had 4 of us sharing something different. And the waiter, Martin was awesome. Next one we're Adkins for his section. Very informative and helpful. Highly recommended for everyone to try!!!
(5)
Sandy D.
This was our first date night in two years with my husband and we chose to come here for dinner. We ordered the omakase and basically, I felt it was overpriced. Our total ended up being over $300 with drinks and tip. For that much I felt like I should have had some other worldly experience with my food. That wasn't the case. The main course in the omakase was the most disappointing. It was two pieces of wagyu beef, two pieces of pork, one crab claw, and a small lobster tail. Service was okay. Waiter was knowledgable about the food and drinks. The servers who brought the dishes to the table described each dish. The timing of the dishes was inconsistent and it seemed that the kitchen became slower as the night went on as the restaurant filled up. My husband loves to watch Iron Chef and had high hopes. The food wasn't bad, but for the price our expectations were much more. We were going to be seated outside, but I wanted to sit inside, so the table we were led to had this big chunk missing from it. I guess this was the natural stone, but I had to keep my plate six inches away from me while I ate, because of the table. If you are a table of two, be prepared to sit close to the people next to you and feel like you're part of each other's dinner conversation. The bathroom in the hotel is really nice, though.
(3)
Bonnie M.
Morimoto ruined my, my family's, and my friend's Christmas vacation! My friend and I got food poisoning on Christmas Eve 2012 at Morimoto's in Waikiki! We spent that night and the next few days in bed/the bathroom. I hadn't been that sick in over 20 years! My friend was sick for 4 days and only got better after going to an emergency clinic and getting two prescriptions. When I called the restaurant to let them know that we had both gotten sick, the person who answered the phone as well as the manager with whom I eventually spoke, didn't seem to believe me. The manager said to go to the doctor, get a medical report, and then return to the restaurant to discuss. Was she kidding?!?!?! We were in no state to go to a doctor. Besides, why would we waste a day and more money? Restaurants that aren't making hand over fist in profits would immediately try to accommodate a customer for something as simple as not liking the taste of the dish that one ordered. In fact, during our Hawaii vacation, one noodle shop did not charge my mother for her lunch and gave her a free dessert simply because her food arrived to the table a couple of minutes later than the rest of the group's. Our waiter was not friendly and treated us as if we knew nothing. I happened to have lived in Japan for 3 years, so I, in fact, did know something about Japanese food. The cocktails were pretty awful, too. I should have taken that as a clue of what was to come. Forget Morimoto's. You can have much nicer / healthier meals at McDonald's.
(1)
Scott L.
We liked this location a lot more than the Napa location - sat outside on the covered patio with a view of the yacht club and Hilton Hawaiian Village (looking South) - a lot nicer view than looking at the Napa River. I mention the Village as Hilton has fireworks at approximately 7:45pm every Friday night. Thus, we got there at 6:15 and saw the sunset and then the fireworks. Service at this location was relaxed (not pretentious) while professional. Martin, our waiter, is on top of his game in describing and recommending dishes & drinks, coordinating courses with the multiple staff who brought out and described each dish again and the recommneded approach to eat. They were also excellent at wiping down the table after almost every course and filling water glasses. The outside tables are white compared to the dark tables inside, thus a lot of wiping down for my messy side of the table. Oops, I spilled something again! We did not notice a Manager making the rounds-checking on tables like Napa. No loss as we were in good hands with Martin. My Wifey had a Pina Haupia cocktail (lighter than a Pina Colada), appetizer of Morimoto Sashimi (layered sashimi with multiple sauces in tubes which the diner can use to paint/flavor their sashimi), entree of Black Cod (she mentioned the Napa cod tasted slightly better) with a side of Baby Bock Choy (a bit overcooked), and the Haupia Semifreddo (you gotta get this as this has a variety of flavors and textures). Closed out with French Press Kona Coffee (less acidic - will not screw up your digestion if you have a sensitive tummy). My son and I had the Ohmygosh for $120 each, I mean Omakase - Chef Tasting Selection. Seems pricey but the selection provides you a culinary tour of Morimoto's creativity (seven dishes with four being unique to the Waikiki location). - Toro/Haimachi Tartare (Signature dish - yeah, the one on TV where the fish is chopped up to a paste and a small metal paddle is used to eat with various condiments...once again, why chop up good fish,.but playing with food seems to be the Chef's objective to involve the diner..now I am beginning to understand the Master) - A hot oil seared crudo (reminded me of chinese style steamed fish with hot oil, soy sauce, and scallions - this was very good) - Bagna Cauda (Vegetable Fondue with Anchovy Paste set in the middle of boiling hot oil..playing with food again! Tasty!) - Foie Gras Chawan Mushi - (This was excellent - they have outlawed Foi Gras in California, thus this hits the spot...rich and flavorful) - Sushi Sampler (6 Nigiri - Medium Fatty Toro, Unagi, Tai, Haimachi, Amberjack?, and something else that I can't remember - all fresh with rice properly prepared) - Surf & Turf Sampler (Roasted or Grilled Quarter Kona Lobster with a Spicy Rub - we liked this so much that my son and i licked the shells, Two Bites of Australian Wagyu Beef - very good, and Ginger Pork Loin with Pear Marmalade - OK) - Pumpkin Souffle with Creme Fraiche (liked my Wife's Haupia Semifreddo a lot more). We closed our evening with an additional comped dessert - Wedding Anniversary that we mentioned on our Open Table reservation. Glad they remembered or I might have dropped them to 4 stars....LOL... An anniversary dinner to remember.....
(5)
Dean L.
More hype than hope. Sake sampler and sushi sampling was good, not stellar. Expectation that nigiri would be sparkling and sushi bar chefs attentive for premium prices. Server was very knowledgeable and clearly informed. Great place for singles, dates, followers, guests, and upscale gatherings, but not two single heterosexual males. In comparison, we sampled the Don Quijote poke bar and bentos the next day for 1/5 of the price and it was just as satisfying, without the beautiful people.
(3)
Julia C.
Hmm...I thought I had reviewed this but maybe only in my mind haha! I live down the street and so this is my go to place for breakfast. It's usually very quiet during weekdays (the benefits of being unemployed), and it's just so peaceful. The only minus for me is portion size is kind of huge. It's hard to eat so much for breakfast. I wish they had half plates. You can always take it to go though. Lunch is decent also, sandwiches are great and I prefer those to the set lunches, like the cod, which is a tad too sweet for me. If you are going for dinner for the first time, do the omakase. You will not regret it except for that short one hour where you may feel sick because it's quite a large tasting menu. My friend and I actually went home after the omakase dinner instead of our bar plan because we were that full (in a good way!) The lobster is a definite highlight. Definitely try a dessert, they are quite good. One star is just for their sound system which pipes in the music at a good, quiet level, so you can actually hear your friends speak and yet still listen to the music. The service has always been good, regardless of breakfast/lunch/dinner. I seem to always get the same table by the marina side, so it's kind of becoming "my table" and dear staff at Morimoto: please let me keep getting my table all the time! Even if you don't reserve through open table, they still ask for your name when you arrive so they must keep track of your seating in their system. Though I will keep pretending that it's Morimoto magic... The fire place lounge area is really nice at night. After you finish your dinner, can hop over there for drinks. Also, they have a bar menu for happy hour times (though I have yet to go during the off time, so not sure if the menu has special bar pricing or not). Sunday social is good (3rd Sunday monthly). I like the mimosa bar, though I kept feeling like snatching the drink out of the poor bartender's hand and mixing it myself, like a maniac all too eagerly awaiting my morning booze. Not sure why it's marked "NY style" though. NY style for me evokes a place with no reservations and waiting in a line, something like Tartine or Habana. Whereas Morimoto's accepts reservations and you won't be seeing a lineup around the corner. Valet can be a bit of a wait FYI (yes, I actually drove the ONE minute down the street once out of laziness++). Finally, the food itself is ok, on average. Some things are much better on the menu and some are just so-so (like that triple duck dish). However, it's not to the point where I would actually take away a star.
(4)
Kc S.
The ambience was cool, very retro, we did not feel like we were in Hawaii. The service was superb. Started off with a lychee type martini and it was a cool, refreshing cocktail. We ordered the poke and toro tartars for appetizers and the presentation on both was like nothing I've experienced, and both were fresh, top of the line fish. Shared the yellow tail entree where the sear it in the bowl at the table, and it was amazing. This is my new favorite restaurant.
(5)
Ryan I.
We went here for a birthday party recently, and decided to splurge for all 4 on our table and get the Morimoto omakase..... essentially a selection of items picked by the chef to give you a sampling of his best. And we were so glad we did! The first course was the toro and hamachi tartare. This was finely chopped toto (fatty tuna) and hamachi (yellowtail), served with the condiments in the middle, from top to bottom: nori, sour cream, wasabi, grated Maui onions, avocado, and rice cracker balls. There's also an ume that was made with a lumpy Japanese plum that was very different from most ume that I've had. The second course was a white fish carpaccio, drizzled with hot oil, shoyu, ginger, cilantro (basically Chinatown style), a little bit of garlic, and some tomatoes and a caper berry. I could have eaten 5 plates of this, it was SO good. The third course was a bagna cauda, which was a garlic and anchovy paste in hot oil (the dish actually has a little flame underneath it that makes the oil boil and bubble), served with vegetables and bread to be dipped fondue style. I felt like I was a judge on the Iron Chef! Course 4 was a palate cleanser that was a tea, but it was salty. It was like having sea water! The fifth course was sushi. What can I say, it was so good. Though not prepared by the master himself, it could have been. There was maguro, hamachi, sake, saba and unagi. My entree was the Wagyu filet mignon, medium rare, with salted fingerling potatoes and a Maui onion jus. Everything was delicious but the jus was outstanding. The other three diners on my table had lobster, done with Indian spices and a creme freche. We also ordered some wasabi fries on the side out of curiosity. The slight hint of wasabi was so nice. Dessert was a coconut panna cotta with lilikoi gelee, coconut tuile and berries. A beautifully light ending to an awesome lunch. What an incredible lunch. At $70 per person it wasn't cheap, but everything was the highest quality. It was a lot of food, but at the same time I wasn't disgustingly full. The atmosphere was really nice and the service was great. I can't say enough good things about this place. And it wasn't super crowded, but I seemed to be getting a couple of stares, because at first glance I resemble Mr. Morimoto!!
(5)
H C.
being a regular here, we appreciate the acknowledgement and familiar faces. the service is commendable, the food is a hit or miss. we love the calamari salad to death, and the chef's raw bar combo. the other items may be fancy to look at, but it doesn't make sense...
(3)
J L.
The decor was very nice and the food was good in general. Our waiter was really nice for the beginning of the meal, but toward the end just seemed unaccomodating. Maybe since we had a big party he automatically gets a 20% tip? He seemed put out just to take a picture of our table. So somewhat disappointed with the service. But the food was great, we really like the tofu (especially good if there are kids), the lamb, the black cod and the rice dish that's cooked in the stone bowl. For us the desserts weren't that great. We had the chocolate mille feuille, which came with a spiced chocolate ice cream that everyone thought was strange; and we ordered the pepper roasted pinapple which was ok, but definitely not worth $12. Alcoholic drinks were $14 each. So I think if we go again, we could skip the drinks and dessert and just try the main dishes. Portions are on the smaller side.
(3)
Lionel P.
The girls insisted that we go experience one of Honolulu's newest culinary extravaganza. On arrival, five minutes early, we were told our table was not set yet and asked to wait 10 minutes. After 20 I went back to the hostess and told her that she was very good at "taking a reservation but not keeping a reservation". The manager stepped in said he would find us a table quickly. While the wait continued the hostess came back to me and told me I was making her look bad to her manager - sorry - waiting for a table is acceptable if you don't have a reservation. We were asked if we would mind dinning outside and we agreed - at the moment not knowing what he was really saying was - we have no table for you - would you mind eating in our over flow area that has no lighting and it will be imposable for someone of your age to read the menu or the wine list. To make up for it we did get a free Ahi pizza that was quite nice. As I held the candle for one of the girls with better eyes - Paul, from South Africa came to our rescue. Clearly fully versed on every item on the menu and the long list of specials - I felt calm and excited to continue with his attentive and charming attitude. Not on the menu but mentioned by Paul as a special was the Hamachi Kama - that was well worth the wait and was exceptional. The following is a brief look at items and some comments were needed for the kitchen. Morimoto Sashimi - Out Standing art Wagyu Beef Carpaccio - THE BEST DISH OF THE NIGHT - WOW Ramen Soup - The noodle was perfect - the broth very salty but tasty - I think someone either missed tasting this dish before it left the kitchen or it was on the boil too long - taste taste taste first before sending it out. Spicy King Crab - Out standing but save it for close to the end of your meal because of the high heat factor Takoyaki - Excellent flavor and done to perfection - WOW Kakuni - Not sure if this was the braised pork dish - but if it is - the portion size was too small and the sauce was screaming for rice on the side to enjoy every last drop. - What a great dish We sampled a bunch of sushi and as expected - perfect. The salmon skin role was a little too salty All and all a great meal - thanks to Paul. We will be back and recommend this place to others to experience.
(4)
Kaneohe G.
Got the chefs recommendations of the chosen 7 course meal. Amazing flavors, small portions, but enough after all 7 courses. A bit on the spendy side, but a nice yearly splurge! Service was amazing!
(4)
Howard C.
Over rated to say the least.
(1)
Leona Y.
My family has been watching Iron Chef Japan for YEARS so when we found out there was a Morimoto restaurants in Honolulu we had to go! The restaurant is located inside a really swanky hotel a little closer to Ala Moana mall and away from the main Waikiki shoppping area. It's much quieter and much less Japanese tourists. The interior is very minimal and modern but still sophisticated. My parents and I all ordered the Omakase dinner which is $110 each. It has 7 courses and 2 desserts. What I really liked about this place is how interactive you are with your food. In a way Morimoto allows you to "play" with your dishes and suggests how they should be eaten. Although there are many courses, you don't feel overstuffed by the end and it was the perfect amount for me. If you're new to this restaurant I recommend the Omakase dinner! You get a feel of what types of flavors and ingredients Morimoto likes to use. Other people on Yelp have detailed reviews about this Omakase dinner so I will not go deep into it. All I can say that the presentation of the food and the description of the dishes by the waiters were exceptional :) Our waiter was Tzekin and he was great! He always made sure our water was filled and came by frequently to check up on us. Thanks Tzekin :) If you have a budget large enough to enjoy a dinner here I highly recommend it! Also, make sure to check out the bathrooms here!! Although you have to walk out of the restaurant and use the hotel restrooms, it is beautiful! Reminds me of the bathroms at Umi Sake House in Seattle where the doors are kinda hidden and difficult to find. Make sure you have a reservation when dining here. We came on a Monday night and it was VERY busy by the time we left (around 8pm).
(5)
Elizabeth V.
I was invited for a sneak preview of this restaurant. Being that is was an invite-only event and I had reservations, I was made to wait 20 minutes past my reservation time and seated without menus. The bartender got our drink orders wrong and the acoustics were so loud that we had to shout across the table. The menu is very diverse with a good selection, but I'd rather go somewhere else in town that doesn't over- or under- season their food. The hostess was amazing and incredibly receptive and polite to our requests.
(2)
serina c.
I loved loved loved this place. Very chic decor with attentive wait staff. The food was beyond awesome. The tempura calamari salad was delicious and had balanced flavors. I did not try the tuna pizza but I heard from my date it was pretty good. The clam miso soup was light and tasteful i wanted another bowl! I ordered the duck 3 ways for my entree and it did not disappoint. The duck meatball was so good in the puff pastry soup bowl and the duck breast was cooked perfectly. The 2 drinks I had were really strong also so I was a little tipsy leaving this place, which is always a good thing =)
(5)
Melissa S.
I loved it! It is definitely on the pricey side but the food and Service was great! We loved the froie gras chawan mushi and the duck, duck, duck dishes. The ambience And decor of the restaurant was very clean and modern. One of the best part...chef morimoto was there and even though he was busy, he took the time to take a picture with us!
(5)
Dub C.
4 of us went there. We were all pretty excited to go there. One word to describe the place "HYPE." We expected to splurge and try anything, and everything. Here is my breakdown: Service: server seemed new, and had a flat affect, attitude was kind of stuck up. Screwed up our order too. Food: sushi and sashimi nothing was special about it, except it was plated nice. Wagyu capaccio tasted like ginger onion beef from a chinese restaurant. Warning! do not order the wagyu ribeye, by far the most overratted item on the menu. For $85, the ranchers reserve rib eye from safeway was better. Fyi, if you havent had a wagyu steak, and your waiter asks you how you want it prepared, the best way to go is medium rare to medium. The reason being is because it needs to be cooked to some degree for the fat content to melt and flavor the steak. Anyhow, I ordered it medium rare, and the first one they brought out was well done. They gladly made me another one, but that too was medium well to medium. I just couldnt wait another 15-20 minutes for them to make another one. So i consumed that one. Duck duck duck was ok, the duck spring roll was pretty crappy. Rack of lamb was ok too, i had better at Hoku's Sunday brunch. Food that was good: foie gras chawan mushi, oyster foie gras, yellow tail pastrami, hamachi tartare, kakuni. Desert was good too. Drinks:over priced, prob spent about $400 just on drinks. Morimoto hazlenut was good, i would compare it to chimay. Morimote daiginjo and Morimoto 1972 was good, but not great. Had some wine and some cocktails that were not bad, but not good.
(3)
Sherry T.
We love Morimoto's persona on Iron Chef and chose to have our last meal in Oahu here to celebrate. We did cocktails, apps, specials for main course, wine and desert. Food was good. Service was okay. Wine servings, however, were not generous at all. For the price point - good but not good enough to want to come back for the spend.
(3)
Chris S.
As Rachel Zoe would say, Morimoto was "A-MA-ZING"! First off, it's part of "Edition," a swank hotel that really reflects a cosmopolitan vibe that you can only get from larger cities. At first glance, it reminded me of the St. Martin's Lane in London. Turns out it's done by the same man, Ian Schrager. But back to the food--we had the spicy salmon roll and crispy rock shrimp tempura as starters. It's very reminiscent of Koi or Katana in LA. For main dishes, we had the Ishi Yaki Buri Bop (a nod to a bi bim bap dish) and the Angry Chicken. Wrapped up the meal with a Haupia Semifreddo. It was good but not "let me lick the plate" good. Portions were perfect and presentation was on point. A well rounded delicious meal. If you're thirsty for something sweet, slam down some "Pina Haupia"-- their version of a Pina Colada on the rocks, not blended. I had 4, so 'nuff said. Service was freaking rock-star. Snaps to our server Ryan who kicked ass. You could tell the staff was trained well. He even pointed out some of the design elements of the space and the designer himself was eating at the table behind us. Werk. If you're a bathroom whore, check out their restrooms--it has swagger, like Sasha Fierce meets James Perse (word is, Miss B is in town for the grand opening this weekend). Overall, a must-do. Oh yea, we spied Mr. Morimoto himself. I was tempted to get a little TMZ, but decided to just take a quick shot of him on my cell.
(4)
Tyler K.
My expectations for this place were pretty high and I must admit it did live up to a good amount of them. First of all the ambiance is great, clean colors with just enough local flair make this a comfortable, if not cool, place to enjoy the food. The food, for the most part, is absolutely divine. The oyster foie gros is honestly one of the best things I've ever had in my life and the crispy rock shrimp tempura was very flavorful. For my meal I ordered the omakase, which was really good, 1st course - Hamachi and toro tartare for the first course is always a great way to kick things off and is paired with 6 different garnishes. 2nd course - The kampachi was also very well done, seared and topped with seasame oil, shoyu and yuzu this is by no means something you can't get some where else but it is done well. 3rd course - Bagna Cauda, this is basically vegetables served with a bowl of hot oil and anchovy butter for your dipping pleasure. The presentation of this dish is impressive and the taste is yummy, what a great way to serve a vegetable dish. 4th course - Foie gros Chawanmushi a great take on a classic, this course is surprisingly familiar yet a new experience all rolled into one, the flavors blend in your mouth and create an amazing combination. Delicious. 5th course - Nigri Sushi, ehh nothing too special, really good but nothing new here lets move along. 6th course - OK I must say this was by far the BIGGEST LET DOWN for me and something I would've never expected. This course was dare I say...bad. Lobster, wagyu and ginger pork, sounds good right? Well the wagyu is good, the lobster is ok but the strong handed seasoning and cumin mask the great taste of the well cooked lobster, rather than accentuating it. Now the stinker, the pork, first of all the pork was waayyy over cooked and chewy, second of all why would you cut the pork so thin if you're going to put such a strong sauce on it? This course needs major changes to it. 7th course - Panna cotta with kuromitsu, solid pre-dessert course, the gelatin is thick and flavorful. 8th course - Kabocha souffle and Okinawan sweet potato ice cream this dessert was goooooddd, kabocha souffle was fluffy and ono, the sweet potato ice cream is creamy and tasty Overall my experience at Morimoto's was a good one but I'm a bit surprised the omakase is yet to change (I visited about a week after it opened). I do look forward to my next visit but the clunker that was the main course is hard to over come and no matter how superb the rest of the food, service and decor was I can't give this 5 stars.
(4)
Sara B.
Wow what a gorgeous place! Granted, I haven't eaten here, but if you are looking for a relaxing, beautiful, zen-like place to cocktail, this is THE place! It literally is breathtakingly gorgeous. All white, and fresh atmosphere. Go to the patio, order a cocktail (they're expensive, but it's an experience, trust me) and soak in the good vibes... Lots of beautiful people in pretty clothes and great tans...what else could you ask for? Next time I go, I'm trying some sushi....
(4)
Leigh W.
We decided to go and experience Morimoto Waikiki for our Valentines Day dinner tonight. 8:30 pm reservations - they were a little back logged and we ended up waiting for seating for about 10-15 min. We get seated outside, which was nice as it was not as noisy as the indoor seating; however, they sat us in a table right up against the back of one of their couch seating around the firepit. Immediately I felt uncomfortable sitting so close to strangers... where I could hear every word of their conversation and the man's elbow reaching around his girl is hanging slightly over my table. Who thought this seating arrangement was a good idea? uh... excuse me... I would like to move seats please.... Once relocated I felt much better to be able openly accept the atmosphere and finally look at the menu. Rock Shrimp tempura with wasabi aioli, spicy kochujan sauce with ranch dressing - - found that we liked them without the ranch... enjoyed this appetizer... Yose dofu, fresh tofu prepared table side with kim chee broth & dashi broth - - this was very cool - - to see the tofu prepared and firm over the course of 8-10 min... the kim chee broth is STRONG! beware! We enjoyed this appetizer as well... Sashimi salad: baby romaine, morimoto caesar dressing, quail egg - - the sashimi is seared and seasoned with furikake. The baby romaine are FULL leaves of romaine lettuce coated with the dressing. Difficult to eat using just the pretty chopsticks. Ladies - forget trying to be ladylike to eat this salad - pick a full leaf up and bite into it... it's the only way, unless you ask the waiter for a knife and fork... I also thought the seasoning on the sashimi was a bit salty... At this point... the kitchen was backed up... so we waited a while for our food. Since it was taking a little bit, our waiter brought us some konbu ocha. Not sure if they always do this before the main course or not, but it was a nice touch and allowed us something to pass the time with... When our food finally arrived it was well received... partially due to the wait, but more because we liked what we saw! Seafood Toban Yaki: kona lobster, king crab, mussel, clams, scallop, in a spicy red miso-sake sauce. My husband described it as seafood bouillabaisse on steroids with a kick! LOL needless to say he enjoyed it VERY much.. Cripsy Whole Fish: Big Island Fluke, spicy tofu sauce, pickled papaya salad... recommended by our waiter stating it was one of the more popular dishes ordered. Wonderful display - the entire fish is deep fried and EVERY THING IS EDIBLE! Fins, bones... everything... amazing... the fish is curled to hold lightly fried filets nicely for you... The spicy tofu sauce was okay, but I felt not enough... the fish was good, but i wanted more sauce or something to offset that deep fried taste... When finished they offered us a dessert menu... so we ordered: Trio of Sorbet: Flavors tonight were Melon, Cantaloupe & Pineapple. This was SO REFRESHING. I loved it! each little scoop is served on a small bed of finely chopped fruit of the flavor sorbet. wonderful - just wonderful! Peanut Better Bomb - - oh... my... God.... the salted peanut butter ice cream is THE BOMB! Forget the rest of the dessert on the plate - just eat the ice cream... I want pints of this ice cream! Yeah... seriously... the rest of the dessert was just not all that... I want to go back again - - with a camera and try some other things...
(3)
Willis S.
Its been a while since I've been to this restaurant but I really wanna jot down a quick review of the restaurant and my overall experience. I LOVE cooking shows but have to admit that Iron Chef was never on my list how ever I'm easily star struck and just the mention of his name made me excited enough to post on my Facebook that id be dining @ Morimoto's. The Ambiance of the restaurant and the hotel it sits in is very modern yet warm. It kind gives you that feeling of "BEING FABULOUS WHEN YOU KNOW YOU REALLY AIN"T." I loved the outdoor seating and all the modern fixtures that accompanied the area. Our server was very knowledgable of the menu but somehow came across as a little too high and mighty? Thats all good with me...but don't play the high and mighty card and forget our side order of Tempura mister...just saying. I don't want to spend time talking about dishes that I can barely remember but the one dish I want to tell you about is the Spicy King Crab...it was so pho king delicious! Crab is a hard one to add a flavor to without pho king it up! but this Spicy crab was juicy flavorful and blended nicely with the spicy sauce. Desert was fine and part of the experience but not great enough to where I remember it bite by bite. This place definitely had a romantic flair and was maybe not well suited for a family dinner with my mom and sis....but would definitely be great if you want to make someone fall in love with you :-). If I'm in Honolulu and love comes around...we'll definitely make a stop here! P.S. I GOT TO SEE THE CHEF HIMSELF!
(4)
DarTif S.
Lets see...where to start. Pros: -Great atmosphere and location can't be beat -Greeted with a smile and seated quickly -Waitress was quick to address our table -Lunch menu was reasonable and the selection was awesome -Valet service right in front, which makes dining here effortless. Cons: -Some items were not worth of the Morimito/Iron Chef status and should be used as bait to catch the fish of the day. -1st waitress couldn't really explain the items on the menu which was rather disappointing. -2nd waitress didn't bother to take our orders down and decided to memorize them instead. Guess what happens when you try this during lunch hour...FAIL -Had to wait almost 45 minutes for my order since she had to ask...after I brought up the status of my order. Overall it's a restaurant that just opened up here, so I'm willing to give this another try. Truthfully I was expecting a lot more from Morimoto's, but I guess every day can't be a 5 star operation right?
(3)
Anastasia L.
This place is a hit or miss. It really depends on what you order. My fav dish from this restaurant was the oyster foie-gras. It was awesome. You don't go to a fushion japanese restaurant to order sushi or sashimi. You go there for their special dishes. I expected something to enter my mouth and have me salivate but it was a 50/50. The service of the hostess in the front sucked. She was totally rude to us and was very unprofessional. We also waited for an hr and 10 mins till we got seated even WITH rsvp. Don't expect too much maybe you'll appreciate it more.
(4)
Tina T.
Went there for my birthday last year but never wrote my review until now. We made reservations 3 weeks in advance. When we arrived we saw that Chef Morimoto was there. We were swiftly taken to our table, but I was disappointed that despite making a reservation that long ago the table was nothing special, in fact sandwiched between two other big tables, not a good sign. Our waitress was very friendly, knows the dishes well, a thumbs up for her. The food however, came up very disappointing. We shared a couple appetizers, they were good but nothing memorable. As for the main, my friend ordered the curried flavored chicken, the chicken came up so dry and tough, it was extremely unappetizing. My deep fried fish was good, but I think I can get better at a thai restaurant for half the price. they were nice enough to let my friend order something else so he ordered the misoyaki butterfish (as a Japanese chef I assume Morimoto can't screw that up). Luckily this time it was good, but again I could get the same thing if not better at Yanagi's or any other Japanese establishment. The main left me so disappointed that I didn't even want to have dessert there. For the price my friend paid for our meal, I'd try to book Alan Wong, 3660 on the Rise, or Chai's Bistro instead for both the culinary experience and satisfaction.
(3)
Indigo L.
This place SUCKS. The hype is what made it worse. Salt water as an entree? Are you kidding me? I thought the bar flies was one of the entrees in the course menu. Maybe Iron Chef was working on his new secret ingredient. Go to the Harbor Pub across the street for the same quality for a cheaper price. The service was great but couldn't save the food quality.
(1)
Nicole C.
So this review is long overdue, but needless to say it was impressive. I came here for my birthday in December without any reservations and got seated outside because it was pretty busy, which I didn't mind at all. The view outside is really nice and I was really liking the atmosphere. However, when they found out it was my birthday they offered to give me the next table available. Funny enough, it only took 4 or 5 minutes for us to get a table. Our server was very funny, polite, and extremely knowledgeable of everything on the menu (of course). The service was very timely and we got our entrees within a minute of finishing our appetizer. For dessert I had the chocolate ice cream that was apparently made with spicy peppers, and it was DELICIOUS!!!! I absolutely have no complaints about their food. Overall great experience, especially for a last-minute decision for my bday dinner.
Had the Omakase ( chefs choice). Very good combonation the Morimoto cuisuine. I recomend it. In my opinion the cost should be adjusted to around 80.00 instead of the 120.00. It was the chefs choice, but Morimoto himself was not cooking it,,, As i do recommend it, the overall taste i dont feel was Iron Chef quality.
(3)
Jenn W.
Sushi was good but I didn't think 5 star quality. Waited for over half hour just for salad, miso soup with 5 small pieces of chicken. Best part of the experience was the server. Pricey.
(3)
Chi-Hye M.
The big hype about "Iron Chef" Morimoto is..."bleh" I was hoping to be able to dine on a day the chef was at the restaurant....but I had just missed him. :( I cant really say anything bad about the food. It was pretty darn awesome! i think we got the tuna pizza as one of the appetizers - this was really good! I had the angry chicken - chicken was nice and moist but the best part was the potatoes that came with the chicken. BEST potatoes ever! tiny potatoes with nothing but salt and i think they were baked...hands down the best baked potatoes...DROOL~~~ Service was great too. We had the best server. They even packaged our leftover rack of lamb so we could take it home for our dogs. Only negative part is when we went to pay they were going to add on a "plating" fee for the birthday cake i brought. When i called to make a reservation no one mentioned any kind of fee for plating. I was just surprised that he mentioned it only when i was going to pay. I don't have a problem paying for the plating...It just that no one told me about it until the end and the was he told me. "you're going to have to pay a plating fee of $5 per person for the cake you brought" ridiculous! I think the manager surprising me with a $5 plating fee just ruined the good experience at Morimoto.
(3)
Andrei E.
One of the most disappointing dining experiences in a while! They try to be hip and cool, but come out as snooty and pretentious. Why have a dress code if you don't enforce it? The food is uninventive and the taste combinations are poorly constructed. The fish was not fresh! The price level is completely unjustified for the quality of the food you get. The service was fair, but could not compensate for the overall bad taste. Do not waste your time at this restaurant - there are so many better options in the city!
(1)
robbie l.
Ive been to the Morimoto's in Napa and now Honolulu. The Honolulu restaurant is much prettier and tasteful in decor and atmosphere. Having lived in Japan and knowing how to cook and eat japanese food I was not very impressed with the food here. I find it interesting that the celebrity chefs of late have parlayed their "success and fame" into these chain restaurants. Very few succeed in producing high level good food. Perhaps in Japan Morimotos japanese food is awesome and maybe he is catering to a western palate in the US which makes his food adequate. Presentation is great and pretty. Food isnt bad it just isnt spectacular. I was very surprised that the quality and texture of the rice served was so poor. Good rice should be slightly chewy al dente and glossy. This rice was dull dry and soft like it was sitting out all day....bad bad bad! You are paying for the name and decor. If you want good japanese food go somewhere else.
(2)
Scott K.
Food: My wife had the duck duck duck dinner, thought if was very tasty the duck melted in your mouth. Dish also came with soup and spring roll each containing duck, overall meal was impressive. I ordered the yellowtail hot rice bowl. I was very disappointed, felt it was simple and had no taste. I would not order this dish again. Service: was great we had a great waitress and all the support walking around filling up water taking plates was excellent. Summary: I will come back here again and want to try and order different dinners but was disappointed with my first experience at Morimoto's
(3)
RosemaryAnn T.
I really wanted to love this place, but only ended up liking it. I think the service just didn't manage to tip the scale for me into the "LOVE" position. The setting was amazing. It was a gorgeous day and we walked through the restaurant to the deck in the back. We were all taken in by the decor--shades of whites, browns, and greens floor to ceiling, the square chairs surprisingly comfy. Since we were there at such an odd time, with the place empty, I guess I just expected faster service. Don't get me wrong, I can tell that every single thing that came out had taken a LONG time to prepare, I just didn't appreciate the wait. So as to not repeat the 423 other reviews, I'll just say what I haven't read in another review (not that I read them all, mind you). *Clam miso had an astounding number of clams in it--essentially one clam per two spoonfuls of broth. Wow. *The mini burgers had the cutest buns I have ever seen. Ever. Cuter than a baby's bottom. Seriously. *They were perfectly happy to customize my mojito (I prefer lychee over pineapple any day) but didn't seem to adjust any of the ingredients or proportions to account for the vast differences in the substituted flavor from the original. This surprised me. The mojito ended up quite generic, and I think it was due to this change and no further accounting for said change. There was no reason this shouldn't have been a flavor explosion. *The peanut butter fondant (like mousse made from resee's PB cups, food-gasm!) had gold leaf on it. There is only one thing in the world that I am allergic to and it _isn't_ peanuts. It's gold. I had to share this amazing dessert so that someone would take the gold off for me. *pout* I want that bite back!
(4)
Mark W.
THIS IS NOT A THREE STAR EXPERIENCE! I've been to this restaurant on four different occasions over the past four years and each and every time the experience from the service to the food has been outstanding! Lobster perfect! Rock shrimp perfect! Alaskan King crab perfect! Pork dumplings perfect! Tofu perfect! These one and two star reviews simply make no sense to me since my experiences have always been so spot on and consistent over the years.
(5)
Susan W.
Wish I could give half stars...I feel Morimoto deserves more. First fancy/expensive restaurant date! We both wanted to come here and also to check out the Modern hotel. It was hard trying to get in for parking because some dolphin tour bus was blocking the entrance for valet. Nonetheless, once you go up the stairs, you'll be greeted with the beautiful green and white decor of Morimoto. Honestly, we had no idea what to order. Judging from the menu prices, it was not worth it to order each entree individually...unless you're ballin`, but we didn't want to break our wallet. We settled for the $120 (per person) omakase set - which is basically a 7 multi-course tasting menu. Everything that was brought out to us was a mystery, but it was designed in way so that we would be able to experience the whole cuisine that Morimoto had to offer. It was our first time ordering a set menu that we had no idea what it consisted of...I was super excited to see and try all the dishes. 1st dish - Hamachi & Toro Tartare. I really enjoyed this one and how it was presented in this lil ice bowl. It was fun scraping the tartare (raw fish chopped up) and mixing it with the various components provided: nori paste, sour cream, wasabi, maui onion, avocado, and rice cracker. There was also dashi soy on the side. I liked how we could experiment with the overall taste. 2nd dish - Whitefish Carpaccio with hot oil, ginger, and yuzu soy. OMG this was delicious! Wish it came with more pieces haha. The fish was fresh and flavorful from soaking up all the yuzu soy. The seasonings they used were amazing as well...this carpaccio just slides into your mouth and down your throat effortlessly. 3rd dish - Foie Gras Chawan Mushi. This dish consisted of two small pieces of duck breast floating in a soup-base. I didn't particularly enjoy this because it felt like drinking butter and cream. It was a bit salty too. 4th dish - Bagna Cauda. The way I would describe this one is similar to a fondue style but not with chocolate and marshmallows...instead you have hot olive oil, garlic, anchovy, and local seasonal vegetables. I liked dipping the vegetables into the oil and getting to the bottom of it, where the anchovy was. Then, I would dip the oil, anchovy mix with the red pepper powder on my plate and that was what gave all those vegetables a very unique taste. 5th dish - Morimoto's sushi/sashimi. This was chef's choice and we were given 5 pieces arranged beautifully. This dish was alright, I would say their sushi is of good quality, but nothing special. Also, it would have been nice to be informed that once piece already had wasabi in it, cause we didn't know and we already had dipped it into our soy sauce mixed with wasabi. It made our mouth and nose burn. 6th dish - Australian wagyu rib eye and filet w/ local vegetables and cranberry maui onion, roasted keahole lobster "epice" w/ garam masala and lemon creme fraiche. This dish was our main entree and it was so delicious. At this point I was getting full. I was thankful that there were flavorful sauces to go with the dry meats. I didn't really care for the rib eye and filet w/vegetables, but the cranberry maui onion sauce made it tolerable. The roasted lobster was something else though...I love lobster but I have never had it done like this. It was super yummy and I remember it being spicy, but not too much..it had a very nice roasted/burntness to it and the lemon creme fraiche gave it a lighter, savory taste. 7th dish - Vanilla ice cream and coconut infused sticky rice cake with lemon kisses. DESSERT! I couldn't wait for this one because desserts are always my favorite part of a meal. What can I say? I loved it, especially liked how they incorporated crunchy rice flakes with the softness of ice cream. It was a mixture of different tastes and senses. My boyfriend and I were glad that we came here, just for the experience. We liked half of the things our set, the others were either okay or we didn't really care for them. Our main waiter, Mark was very informative and helped us out a lot. He even offered to take pictures for us and gave a tour of the restaurant before we sat down to eat. I don't really remember anyone else, as we had different waiters after that bringing out our dishes. If we ever do come here again, we will definitely come back later in the evening...just so we can sit on the lanai and view the sunset!
(3)
Lina F.
I really enjoyed Morimotos, my experience there was unbelievable. My nephew Lawrence is a foodie and told me he was going so of course i invited myself. Our waiter was Duane and he was so hospitable and knowledgeable about the food. Actually, all of the people who brought dishes described how they were prepared and what was in it. Duane gave awesome recommendations. I had the Whitefish Carpaccio, the Chef's Choice Sushi, for my main course the Ishi Yaki Buri Bop and for dessert the Chocolate Peanut Bombe. OMG!!! Everything was so very, very good!!!
(5)
Lea K.
Drinks: Morimoto Ale and White Lily Appetizers: Gyoza, Tuna Pizza, Spicy Yellowtail and Spicy Tuna Maki Main: Duck, Duck, Duck & Braised Lamb Shank
(4)
Janice F.
"Iron Chef Moooooorimoto!" How can I not visit? Hawaii is the closest I'm going to get to Japan in a long time, so I had to make reservations at the newly opened Morimoto Waikiki. For the entire experience, setting, service, ambiance, and food - I'm going to give this five stars although based strictly on food, I would give it a 4 star. The setting is lovely, on the marina side of the Edition hotel. We got there just as dusk was setting in and sat on the patio - it is much more serene and relaxing than sitting inside the somewhat noisy dining room. You do miss out on the action from their open kitchen though. Modern, white, zen-like decor with firepits, tents, clear acrylic chopsticks, with rock place holders. You could hold a very nice wedding reception here without having to spend a dime on additional decor. There are a LOT of staff in this restaurant. Our waitress was very pleasant, each dish is presented by a different person with a brief description and then followed-up by the waitress. And finally.. here's what I ate: Toro tartare $28 - fascinating presentation. The tartare (excellent toro quality) is finely chopped, almost with a ground up texture - spread out thinly onto a wooden board, propped up against a bowl of ice. I was super confused about where the tartare was because all I could focus on was the condiments. You're given a small plate with different layers of crispy rice ball puffs, dashi soy, avocado cream, wasabi, creme fraiche and a savoury paste I think made of nori (very tasty). Also a sweet preserved plum is served with it. Experiment to find your favourite combination. I liked it best with the rice puffs, avocado, a bit of wasabi, and a fair amount of the miso paste. You scrape a bit of the tartare onto a little wooden paddle and then dip into the condiments. Morimoto style poke $18 - interesting interpretation, but not exceptionally tasty. Great quality poke, served with a very subtle wasabi sorbet, a visually pleasant but non-functional dashi foam, bocconcini (which really didn't work for me) and the best cherry tomatoes I've ever had. They cherry tomatoes are peeled, marinated in olive oil and very sweet. Best part of this appy. Foie gras chawan mush $16 - this has got to be the best cross-over dish ever thought of. Foie flavoured egg custard, sounds rather unpleasant but it is one of the most brilliant implementations of foie I've ever had. The custard is so mild, silky and just flavoured enough with foie that you don't get overwhelmed by the inherent richness of foie. Delicious, with a slightly thick dashi sauce. Served with a superfluous piece of duck breast. I would not eat the wasabi with this appy. It's a more upscale, better done version than I had at Raku in Vegas. Of course, it's also double the price. Definitely worth it. Oyster foie gras $20 - the sum is not greater than the parts in this case. I didn't quite get it. The terriyaki sauce is ordinary and overwhelming. On its own, the oyster, foie, and uni were all quite tasty and fresh quality, particularly the uni. Eaten together, all I could taste was oyster and terriyaki. I would give this a pass next time. Hot green tea soba with shrimp and veggie tempura $18 - this was our "filler" dish. The noodles are nicely green tea flavoured, but I guess I just don't like the slightly grainy soba texture that much. Broth and tempura were good, but not exceptional. *Desserts!* My favourite part of the meal! Haupia semifreddo $12 - green tea and coconut heaven!! This was a near-perfect dessert. Coconut semifreddo, served on top of a green tea meringue (slightly dry and too sweet, but still good) with cubes of clear coconut jelly and a bit of real honeycomb. Tofu hot and cold $12 - pleasantly surprised!! When given such brief descriptions as cheesecake, souffle, and cherry sorbet - I had no idea what to expect. The hot version was the souffle and it was deliciously creamy but light - slightly honey-flavoured. Fantastic paired with the sour cherry sorbet. The cold version of the cheesecake didn't wow me as much, but tastes a lot more appetizing than "tofu cheesecake" might sound. This was one of the most fun and interesting meals I've had all year, so for that - thanks Iron Chef Morimoto!!
(5)
Tasha T.
Superb! Presentation was beautiful and flavors were on point! We started with the flight of sakes, which was amazing! We then ordered the morimotos style poke (great!), crispy whole fish (great!), braised black cod (okay; flavorful but it just tasted like unagi sauce), and chocolate dessert (great!). Staff were knowledgeable, attentive, and kind! Overall great experience! Afterwards we continued drinks at The Study in the hotel lobby. Highly recommend!
(5)
Grace K.
I had hopes that this place was going to change my mind about dining at morimoto after the disappointing experience in NYC...I guess top notch is what you expect when coming to a top notch restaurant. 1st appetizer was the oyster and foie gras...ehhhh the oyster was super fishy! Ewww. I've been to the other sushi spots in waikiki and the $$ restaurants served better quality oysters than morimoto. The foie gras was good but it was so heavily marinated in teriyaki sauce. I wish sasabune had room for us today... :( The pork dumplings tasted like the pack of frozen dumplings at the supermarket that's on sale...with foam on top. Ikura was a bit salty / fishy. The sake was really good though. Please Morimoto, taste your food before serving it.
(1)
J S.
Amazing food! Prepare to have your mind and taste buds blown! * sushi is expensive! Other then that is awesome!
(5)
Michael M.
Fish just ok it looks like hey let's sell the tourist the cheep fish I can get better suchi in so cal or Arizona over priced low quality great service
(2)
Steven F.
Beautiful Restaurant. Service was great.. But, Dress code looked non-existent... Get Seafood Toban Yaki - I think this was the winner. lots of seafood that tasted great. The liquid was a little salty so i dont' think it is meant to be eaten as a soup but more of a sauce for everything else in the bowl. Okay: Omakase. It is $120 and quite a bit of food. But i was a little disappointed because it is an iron chef's restaurant and i had quite high expectations. The presentation was fantastic. But as far as taste goes everything was pretty good, but no individual dish was so good that i would rave about it. Unless you feel like really splurging I would recommend just picking one of the main course dishes instead. Only because this choice is quite expensive and is not mind blowing. Wagyu Capraccio - 6 small pieces at $22 a dish. taste great, and very tender, but just know what you are getting for the price. Surf and Turf - Standard surf and turf. The lobster was cooked well and the sauces were flavorful. The filet looked like it was cooked perfectly but was still tough which makes me wonder it was really top grade beef... I didn't think this was that special. Avoid: Chirashi Sushi - The freshness of this dish was very sub-par. Definitely the worst dish we got at our table by far. There are lots of good sushi spots in hawaii, so get a cooked dish instead.
(3)
jeffrey f.
This place is incredible! The Omakase was worth the money. Morimoto is the best! Also my wife had Duck Duck Duck and it was to die for. Go here!!
(5)
Robert C.
This was our 2nd time having dinner at Morimoto's. The first time, I tried the omakase, which was very good. However, the 2nd time we went for my b-day and it was quite a letdown. We had the chef's sashimi combo and the oysters with uni and foie gras, then we split the seafood soup in red miso broth. The sashimi was okay, nothing spectacular. The oysters were pretty good, but nothing I would order again and the soup was borderline unacceptable. The lobster and mussels were overcooked and rubbery and the broth was too salty. Considering the price and perception of this restaurant and the quality of the cuisine, we will not be returning. On a bright note, the service was top notch.
(2)
Jackie M.
Phenomenal; exactly what I expected of Morimoto. We splurged on the omakase and it was worth every penny. The sweet potato ice cream might be the best thing I've ever eaten, which I found to be impressive considering we'd already eaten 6 courses. I personally would not bring my children here but there were some well-behaved children nearby. The atmosphere is not romantic as we had hoped but more hip / trendy. Service was excellent; our waitress was very helpful in describing each course, which we fully appreciate. It is pricey, but for the foodie it is a must-do-at-least-once kind of place.
(5)
Ken K.
We came to celebrate a birthday and decided to come to Morimoto's. Although the receptionists were flustered and forgot our name after checking in, the rest of the staff lived up to the good name. Especially our waiter, Ryan. Ryan knew the menu and could confidently and accurately make recommendations. The omakase was great. Since we had been in Philadelphia 's Morimoto I got the "repeat"omakase . The staff was very attentive and even brought a complimentary birthday dessert. So if you want to feel special and get treated well come here and ask for Ryan to take care of you.
(5)
Christine C.
I was a little wary after seeing 3 1/2 stars, but YUM. (I had spent the week with food poisoning and so this was my 2nd REAL meal after eating porridge and plain toast for the past few days. This meal made me so happy.) The decor is super modern, sleek and clean. I loved it. This would seriously fit in back home in LA. We were staying at The Modern Honolulu already so we just walked downstairs. We checked in with the hostess on time for our reservation, but we still had to wait. Say whaaaa. I've NEVER had that happen at what would be considered an upscale restaurant. Neveeerrr! And it wasn't like a five minute wait, it was like 20 minutes MINIMUM. Our reservation was already later into the night because we had other things going on in the evening so we were hungry and tired by the time we sat down. The dress code is pretty lax. There were some people dressed up and some people super casual (there was a guy in jeans and a button up, not button up dress shirt.) Service was pretty friendly but lacking. We sat around for awhile before our waiter even popped up. Hungry, grumpy me was not that pleased. When we finally did order, we got the crispy rock shrimp tempura and kakuni. That kakuni was bomb.com . Seriously melt in your mouth amazing. The rock shrimp was yummylicious too. However, they give you A LOT. I don't really want to be one to complain about delicious shrimp, but this was way more than 2 of us could handle. It came out in a tray with 3 compartments. One was shrimp tossed in wasabi aioli, shrimp tossed in the spicy kochujan and then one with just ranch dressing. If you see wasabi and shy away because you can't handle spice/heat like me, don't be afraid. This isn't the flavor of your cheap, imitation wasabi paste. This stuff is divine! If you're in a group, this is a good app to share since there's so much of it. For our entrees, BF just got the $40 sushi combo and I got the duck,duck, duck. I didn't care too much for the duck confit spring roll (I'm not sure if I was still suffering shrimp overload or because my body was overloading on having eaten more than just a bowl of porridge.) Everything else, yummmmyyyy. BF enjoyed his sushi as well. We also got 2 orders of the oh-toro (1 order is 1 piece) and OH MY GAAWD. SO good. If you've never had toro, this will blow your mind. It is pricey though. MP was $12...for one piece. Eek! But oh was it worth it. I could have ordered so much more of that by itself. We had no room for dessert, but were super satisfied. 4 stars for the food, but 3 stars for the service due to wait and exceptionally slow table service (By the time we left, it was 11:00 (when our reservation was at 8:15!) This dinner didn't break the bank as much as I had expected either. For 1 cocktail, 1 tea, 2 appetizers, and 2 entrees, I spent under $200 (including tip.)
(4)
J M.
The thrill is gone. Came here a few years back and it was awesome. Restaurant also was packed back then as well. Came back this week and was average at best. The place was half empty. I called about dress code and was told business casual. Yet when I showed up there were many people in sandals, shorts, jeans, hays etc. They are in Waikiki so either go casual or don't. The rock shrimp appetizer was great. Great start to the meal that made me genuinely excited for the rest to come but for my main dish I ordered the motto Loco. Same dish I had a few years ago and it was not good. Sauce was over powering, beef stringy and the egg added nothing. Sampled some sushi which was good but nothing amazing. Disappointed
(3)
Tara C.
We were here for our annual "Christmas Eve dinner out", where we treat ourselves just as if Santa were sitting at the table saying "go ahead...you've been sooo good this year." I'm sorry, dear Yelpers, that its taken me this long to write this review. I've been too busy dreaming of going back to Morimotos. We started our evening with a couple of drinks at the bar because our table wasn't quite ready. No problem, we'll have a drinky - drink. I had a Pear-Yuzu Gimlet...or two that night. I really loved that drink - not a fan of sticky sweet drinks and this one struck a great balance for me. Like other Yelpes, our low-point was definitely the hostess experience. We really didn't mind waiting, but I hate it when they act like they are doing you a favor by seating you at all for a reservation. Then, we asked to sit at a better table since the place was emptying out and I couldn't see any reason to be jammed into a small table in the middle of the room. This restaurant is so elegant, but those tables in the middle are decidedly not a Feng Shui decision. They accommodated our request, but not before making us stand awkwardly in the middle of the restaurant while she went to the hostess stand. When we were seated, I went for another a drink...all that drama made me thirsty. We ordered Oysters on the 1/2 shell - and they were fantastic. I loved that they served them with Yuzu (see a theme beginning?) We also had the mizudako carpaccio, I'd never had that particular species of octopus, but it was so tender and sweet, it was totally worth the "m.p." next to it on the menu. Just then, I looked up and who did my wondering eyes appear? Morimoto, the Iron Chef himself! Working diligently behind the line. I almost died and truly couldn't take my eyes off him. When I finally refocused on the menu, I ordered the seafood "toban yaki" which our server recommended. I was sort of suspicious since its also one of the pricier items on the menu, but I was absolutely thrilled with the dish. It was delicate yet flavorful and beautifully presented, as was all our food. I don't recall what "I'll eat whatever you serve me" had, because I was too busy with my own dish to care. Overall, the food here is elegant and truly beautiful. The restaurant itself is minimalist with hard floors and high ceilings, which makes it a wee bit loud when it's full. It was exciting to eat when Morimoto was in the kitchen and he was very gracious when I almost tackled him on his way out for a photo. Apparently, he loves Hawaii as much as Hawaii loves him and he is frequently found in the kitchen, working on the line. Its extremely hard for a place like Morimotos to live up to the hype..and lucky for us they did. Of course, it didn't hurt that Morimoto was in the house and the entire place was on a total high because President Obama and entourage were in the house the night before. Honestly, for the food, service and experience we had, the prices were right in line. We've had meals in Honolulu that cost more and were less satisfying. So if you go: go all in and let your server make some suggestions. Keep your fingers crossed that Morimoto is in the house. And oh, yah, bring the credit card WITHOUT the limit, because you're going to want it.
(5)
Tamra P.
I have been wanting to try this place for some time, despite the mixed reviews and steep prices. My hubby surprised me for my birthday with dinner here tonight, and we were joined by another couple, also here on their first visit. Morimoto is in what is now the Modern Hotel (previously the Edition). I love the decor: minimalist and modern with a little bit of ocean life thrown in the mix. The bathrooms have a beautiful minimalist design and feel very clean and spacious. Hey, they are important too! We were lucky enough to score a table on the lanai with a view of the harbor. It is a bit of a bustling, energetic vibe which was fine with us. We opted to order sushi and appetizers to share which made for a nice variety without completely blowing the bank. Softshell crab, salmon skin, California roll, spicy tuna, eel avocado roll were good middle of the road choices that would also appeal to those less adventurous. The tuna pizza was creative - crisp, cracker like crust with raw tuna, anchovy aioli, jalapeños and olives - delicious! Whitefish carpaccio was flavorful, but the favorite of the night was the crispy rock shrimp tempura. Half was in a mild wasabi coating, the other half was in a spicy kochujan coating with the most delicious ranch dressing dipping sauce I have ever tasted. The hubby, who loves buffalo chicken wings like a PMSing woman likes chocolate was in heaven. I also ordered the sake flight which was a nice variety of four 2oz sakes that end in a sweet umeshu tasting sake. Speaking of chocolate, I was served up a chocolate peanut bombe as a birthday dessert. No waiter serenade though? Kind of a bummer. Oh well. They did write birthday wishes in chocolate which was the only evidence left a few minutes later. Light and fluffy peanut buttery chocolate goodness......I was gonna share but thankfully everyone got their own. I was intrigued by the peanut butter powder on the ice cream - so good! I love when presentation is so aesthetically pleasing you feel like you are eating a work of art. Service was attentive, and they frequently wiped the table and removed/ changed dishes out. Overall great experience and I look forward to my next visit.
(4)
Jonathan K.
Had a reservation and were seated promptly. Waitress didn't come by our table until 15 minutes after. She apologized for the delay, but for a restaurant of this *supposed* caliber, she should at least stopped by for a quick hello instead of leaving us waiting the entire time. The prices at this restaurant are mind-blowing. Every other sushi restaurant I've been to has menu prices listed for two pieces of sushi. Here, the price is for each piece. So you're paying $13-15 dollars while other great-tasting sushi places are charging $7-8. This outrageous surcharge is applicable to the entire menu. I had one of the Morimoto soba beers, and they charged $18! You can get a similar beer from Rogue breweries at the store for, what, $5, $6? We had a yellowtail (maybe halibut?) appetizer, and it was basically a thin sliver of pasty fish spread onto a glass slab. Seriously, the slab of meat couldn't have been more than 2mm in width. And they charged like $22 or something. There was probably less actual yellowtail in this dish than in one piece of sushi. Rip-off. The best dish was the curry, until you realize that you're paying $28 for something that you could easily get for $8 somewhere else. It's difficult to leave this restaurant without feeling that you're paying for the name instead of the food. Will definitely not return.
(2)
Huli H.
We received a gift certificate last year from some friends. I enjoy Japanese cuisine thoroughly and always look for a great new experience. My first impression as we were seated was that I was amazed at the interior design. It's a fantastic looking restaurant, very sleek and "modern". So, my review of the dinner was that it was ok. We had the oyster foie gras and hamachi tartare as appetizers. It wasn't fun trying to eat the tartare and the oysters sauce was a little on the sweeter side Next, the Kakuni with congee was good, but again on the sweet side. Nigiri was nigiri, but they hardly had anything I wanted to order (amaebi, uni, wagyu beef, oh toro). They had the more expensive uni from Japan, which was good. Main course was the duck, duck, duck and the calamari salad. First off, it was more like calamari's with a few pieces of micro greens. Heavy on the oil and it was evident on the bottom of the platter. The duck, duck, duck should be an appetizer, it's a pairing of different styles of duck which turns out to be bland. So that was dinner, I won't describe dessert because it was simply ice cream. My biggest turn off was the waiter. It seemed like he was always behind on his tables because every time he came by he was in a mad rush. He did come by, but when he did, he'd rip his question and take off before even hearing my response. Very interesting. Last quirk was the error he made on the bill by charging us twice for an item without providing an apology. So, not a bad place but certainly not the best either. Nothing memorable except the people watching.
We went here for lunch. I thought the food was good. Drinks were awesome. The entrees seemed pricey. They have a great patio so sit outside if you can.
Iron Chef Morimoto is a BEAST. If you didn't already know that then you should just leave now. I have been here twice and both times I've left with a happy tummy. My wallet wasn't exactly jumping for joy but if it's a special occasion, why not splurge on some Iron Chef caliber food? :)
(5)
Expert F.
sometimes good sometimes really bad
(2)
John M.
The worst wait staff There is no one in charge and no one gives a damn about the customers.
(1)
Natalie L.
Two words: MISOYAKI BUTTERFISH. ok that might even be 4 words but who cares its to fricken DIE FOR at Morimoto's. The rock shrimp with kochujong sauce must be laced with crack. Addicting. The atmosphere is chic and modern, everything you'd expect from Chef Morimoto. It's pricey but like all things you get what you pay for. Worth every delicious bite.
We have friends who live in Hawaii and this place was a recommendation by them. The interior of the space is really cool, nice clean lines, definitely my style, but the food wasn't as great as I thought I would be considering it's a Morimoto restaurant. The food was just okay. One dish that we did enjoy was the crispy shrimp with the different sauces. All the other dishes we ordered (we ordered 4 other dishes) wasn't quite up to my standard. Other reviewers mentioned the sushi being warm and our fish was a bit warm as well which is gross considering it's raw fish! We won't be going back the next time we're in town.
(3)
Brent K.
Birthday dinner. Everything was fabulous ! Five appetizers, Every one enjoyed it. I Had the black cod, So good, Friends had the sea food combo, A little spicy but no complains, The korean style rice with fish, Very good, Four types of desert, Good service as usual, One complaint with the server. Not the waiter. This is a young crew, They lack experience. No one saw the mistake but me.
(5)
Don D.
I had lunch at Morimoto's during the week. It was not busy. There were about 15 other people in the entire restaurant. Most of which were sitting outside on the patio. The restaurant looked almost like it was closed. I figured since they were not busy, food shouldnt take too long. We sat and it took a while for the server to get to our table. I believe there was only one server working at the time. So he was serving the 4 or 5 tables that were there also. I think the other people assisting him were bussers and possibly a bartender. My wife and I ordered our drinks first and also an appetizer. The drinks took a while to get to our table. Id estimate it at over 10 minutes. It was one cocktail off of the menu and one beer! I didnt think it should have taken that long. We started with the Crispy Shrimp. It is lightly breaded and tossed in two different sauces. One is Wasabi based and the other was something else (forgot what he said it was) but it was good. They had a little bit of spice to it but it was not overwhelming. It was very good and Id probably order it again if I went to visit again. For entrees, I ordered the Fish Sandwhich. My wife had the Loco Moto. My Fish Sandwich plate didnt really impress me. It was breaded and fried and it tasted bland. It came with pickles, a salad, and an order of fries. As for my wife, she didnt even eat her Loco Moto. Its not traditional so it takes getting used to. When I tried it, I thought it was more like beef stew than a loco moco. BUT, it the plate did come with a lot of food. It also came with a miso soup, an order of sushi, and a salad. We passed on dessert. The entire lunch was about "waiting". I didnt expect to wait so long for a place that was not busy. I wasnt expecting it to be as quick as McDonalds either. My wife and I were not in a rush so we didnt mind. We were just there to spend some time together and have lunch that weve never had before. Its pricey too. My beer was $9! For one appetizer, two entrees, one bottled beer, and one cocktail off the menu, it was $75. On the way out, the hostess' didnt even look up to say good-bye! Yikes! Overall, it wasnt a bad experience, but I really wasnt that impressed with it.
(3)
Jason G.
This was surprisingly not that good. The waiter was terrible, seemed almost unable to speak a complete sentence and really struggled to concisely share the specials. The wagyu carpaccio was excellent, actually worthy of 5 stars, from there everything else was average. The pineapple tempura was okay, the chicken ramen soup is normally great but this time was lukewarm and not as savory as expected, the sushi wasn't that good.
(3)
Diana C.
everything is fresh, made from scratch, taste great!!! Wasabi is not fake one like we can buy at supermarket so you can taste REAL fresh wasabi!!!
(5)
Caroline S.
Awful. We came here while on honeymoon. I was really looking forward to some fantastic food, given Morimoto's fame as a chef. What we got was crawfish that was well past its expiration. My husband ordered a seafood medley dish and when we bit into the crawfish the overwhelming taste and smell of ammonia overpowered us. As we learned, this is the telltale sign that the seafood you're eating has been dead and sitting around for far too long. By the way, that dish cost $48. You'd be better off going to the Red Lobster across the street.
(1)
Kristine A.
Excellent! This was a great meal. Expensive but so worth it. Located in the Modern Hotel near the yacht harbor, it was an easy walk from our condo on Seaside Ave in central Waikiki. I recommend reservations if you can make them. They tend to get pretty busy. We were greated by a friendly hostess and shown to a table on the outdoor patio - which was nice. View is just OK - but that didn't matter. Our waitress was excellent - she was so knowledgable about the menu and answered our many questions. We ended up sharing several items, including the delicious rice bowl with yellow tail - WOW. That was amazing and frankly enough for 2 people to share. I couldn't have eaten it all by myself. They make this dish table side -in a 450 degree bowl - it is so so good. I wish I hadn't waited to our last full day in Hawaii to eat there - as I would have returned. Also had some maki - that was good quality and actually not too badly priced. We paired the meal with a nice Star Lane Sauvignon Blanc. Only disappointment was that we didn't see the Iron Chef himself. Oh well, maybe next time.
(5)
Christy K.
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this restaurant!!! The ambience is classy and light and fresh. I like that odd sea-green color, the hanging coral, the outdoor fire pits... It's like you leave Waikiki and you step into a swanky hip spot on Santa Barbara beach. Don't get me wrong though- I like it. The wait staff are so so friendly. When my bf and I went in, we sat outside and Ryan was our server. He was really on it, super friendly, and knowlegeable, and I have to credit him with our ordering the BEST things on the menu.... -The king crab legs!!!! I could eat this everyday! The crab meat is so soft and flavorful and the spicy sauce is delicious. I want the recipe!! -The lamb and wagyu carpaccios!!! I could eat this everyday too! The textures of the raw meats coupled with the oils and toppings... OMG. My mouth is watering as I type this. -The white lily cocktail! I'd like one every night before I go to bed, please. It's like alcoholic calpico. Why didn't anyone think of this sooner?! Thanks, Yelp, after writing this review, I want to back, ASAP. Yelp is making me broke by making me live through all my wonderful dining experiences again.
(5)
Rishiel L.
Must be the best Asian fusion restaurant I've been to yet. Tops sushi roku and Koi. It's classy, our waiter was great. We ordered the pork gyoza, lobster crab rolls, and some beef sAshimi, all of which was to die for. The Tuna pizza is what me and my bf really went crazy for. My only complaint is that when we walked in, the hostesses were chatting with each other, and made us wait when the restaurant was clearly almost empty. Before she came and got us, she was chatting with the other hostesses, and at one point was even walking backwards to chat with them. At a place like this, first impression is key, and everyone should hold their composure and be professional. Other than that, our servers were great!
(4)
Shannon K.
Beautiful outdoor seating, fresh delicious sushi, and great options for my fish-hating husband!
(4)
Lauren T.
I made reservations here hoping that 3.5 stars wasn't warranted for my favorite Iron Chef and I was not disappointed. I don't understand why this place doesn't have better reviews. The ambiance is great, the waiter was great too he explained everything and was attentive, and the food was amazing. It's trendy and cool while also having amazing dishes to back it up. I mean to compare, it doesn't have the same upscale feel as Nobu, but it is definitely more upscale than places like Izakaya Gaku. But each restaurant has their own place/niche on the island and I would come back again for sure! We had the tofu (made table side... sooo cool), the lamb, and the ishi yaki buri bop, and some dessert I don't remember what it's called and it was "meh"... the lamb was to die for!!! And the ishi yaki buri bop had amazing flavor and the fish was so fresh and amazing.
(5)
Shelly i.
This is not the most flattering review for me. In fact it explains why my brother's affectionate nickname for me is "heifer." But... here goes... My mom wanted to take my brother's fiancee out for her birthday and I suggested Morimoto. I made the reservations on Open Table and luckily we were able to get seated on the deck outside with the view of Keehi and the fire pits! I love those fire pits, although I do think they are impractical for a place that serves alcohol (which I can't have at the moment anyway cause I'm pregnant) cause that's just a lawsuit waiting to happen. My mom and future sis-in-law did partake. Mom had the Green Flash (it was so-so. I took a sip, it's not going to kill the baby) and the f-s-i-l had the White Lily on my recommendation. They both agreed that the White Lily was the better of the two drinks. I got to sip still water ($7! I am not making that mistake again, ice water all the way from now on). Bah, baby you'd better be worth it! We decided to order entirely off the cold and hot appetizer menu, which to me is the smartest way to eat at Morimoto. I've had several of the entrees (oxtail soup, crispy fish, surf and turf, ishi yaki buri bop) and wasn't too impressed. The sushi is all pretty standard too. BUT... BUT... I am totally in love with the interesting and innovative small bites here. This time we ordered: Hamachi Tartare $22 - I liked this better than the toro tartare. The flat metal scoops are a little difficult to maneuver, especially when dipping in the soy/dashi. Here's what I like to do, I scrape a little fish puree off the board and delicately dip a corner of the spatula in the sauce before playing around with the other toppings (the rice crackers are fun). If I lose any of the fish in the dashi, I save the sauce to pour over my next dish, the yose dofu. Yose Dofu $16 - No matter how many times I come it's always fun to have this dish. Also it fills bottomless pits like me up so you don't have to go to McDonald's for a burger after. The waiter came out, explained the dish and told us the kitchen would time the waiting period for the soy milk to go from watery to tofu-y for us. My f-s-i-l loved the freshness of this dish and the accompanying kim chee sauce. Tuna Pizza $18 - Yes, I know I'm not supposed to eat raw fish that's why I only had one piece of the little pizza. The crispy pizza comes cut into about 6 wedges, each about the size of a tortilla chip. This blend of crispy crust, paper-thin ahi, olives, tomato, creamy sauce and micro cilantro is awesome. At first I thought the olive would throw off the dish but it just adds a salty hmm-that's-interesting flavor. Oyster Foie Gras $20 - If you read my previous review, you know this is MY FAVORITE DISH OF ALL TIME!!! I love the silky feel in my mouth after I slurp one of these bad boys up. You get three to an order and one day I will order and not share. I'm just warning people in advance. Make sure to ask for the kabayaki (or teriyaki, whatever you want to call it) sauce on the side, so you can add to your taste. I like just a smidge. Rock Shrimp Tempura $16 - The shrimp are coated in a cornstarchy batter and then tossed with either a Buffalo-style kochojang sauce or a wasabi sauce. It comes with a dipper of a thin buttermilk ranch. Really yummy but so much shrimp... I never thought I would say that. Too much shrimp. What is wrong with me? It's good for ordering when you have 4-5 people sharing. Kakuni $16 - This comes in a big brimmed, tiny bowl. I'd order just to make fun of the bowl. In all seriousness, this dish is tasty but not ideally suited for sharing. It comes on top of a thin rice congee (porridge) and I'm not quite sure how you'd divide that (the waitress had taken our tofu bowls and spoons). It would make a great meal along with an appetizer though. Curry Pan $13 - Probably the only dish my mom and f-s-i-l didn't rave about. I was impressed by how thin they got the bread and the crunchy korroke outside, but it was rather ho hum after the previous dishes. Our waitress mentioned that we scored the last one, so apparently it's popular enough. I would be thrilled to get this in a bento, just not so much for a fine dinner. Okay, I know this was a LOOOONG review. So sorry. But there's only a little more to go! Stay with me! Honestly, if I had to do it over again I would have only ordered four appetizers instead of seven. My mom and f-s-i-l were groaning and complaining about how full they were after the rock shrimp. I told them to suck it up and order dessert. We split the Tofu Hot and Cold ($12) and the Roasted Pineapple Cake ($12). I really loved the marshmallow-y hot tofu souffle and the tofu cheesecake but wasn't too fond of the pineapple cake (the gelato and puffed rice it came with were great though). Both were way better than the chocolate peanut butter bombe I had once before though. I liked the subtle sweetness. [ Damn, I'm out of space.]
Breakfast review Getting there: Free valet at the Edition Waikii if you're dining at Morimoto Waikiki. Ambiance: White furnishings, tall ceiling, and roominess make this place feel almost like a cafeteria, but it won't conjure up elementary school memories. The hanging massive white-washed coral in clear glass boxes and clean, comfortable, stylish and upscale seating reminds you that you're going to pay big bucks to eat here. Check out the pictures because they speak for themselves better than I can describe them. Service: Courteous and the timing of the beverage checks are spot on, not too frequent and not late. Food: I had the Local Style Breakfast which frankly, was a disappointment. The hash browns were small and dry, there were very few bacon pieces and although cooked well, nothing about it stood out. Same could be said about the rice (did not choose toast) and scrambled eggs. Their other breakfast menu options showed more innovation and for a restaurant like this along with the prices, I would expect more innovation than your average local style breakfast from an average diner. Side note, I heard good things about their banana pancakes and their loco moco had a healthy sized portion. The eggs benedict was also good but small portioned. Verdict and Takeaway: I can't fully judge this place since I've yet to try their lunch / dinner menus. That being said, I'm hoping they work to uplift their local style breakfast somehow and perhaps include a larger portion.
(3)
Saw T.
Gotta say that I'm a little bit surprised by so many less than stellar reviews for this place. After eating dinner there last night with my wife and parents, we all agreed that we really enjoyed every single thing we ordered and want to check out the Napa branch that's close to home soon. For starters, we got the Morimoto Sashimi, the Tempura Calamari Salad and the Mixed Green Salad. The Morimoto Sashimi consisted of little stacks of seared toro, smoked salmon, eel, tuna and hamachi accompanied by 5 pipettes of different sauces, including Yellow Pepper, Yuzu and Arugula (don't remember the last 2). While a bit on the small side, the fish tasted fresh, the presentation was very unique and the dish had a lot of whimsy. The Mixed Green Salad had a bit of heat and was a massive portion. The Tempura Calamari Salad while not as huge as the Mixed Green Salad was also a large portion and the calamari stayed crispy and was not weighed down by the dressing. For entrees, we got the Roasted Lobster "Epice", the Crispy Whole Fish, a bunch of maki, and the Salt Crusted Fingerling Potatoes. The lobster dish was pretty spectacular. It was roasted in garam masala and appealed to my Indian palate. The fish, which happened to be a branzino, was crispy and came with a very flavorful spicy tofu sauce. The rolls while solid were not really memorable. The potatoes while prepared very simply were extremely tasty and I look forward to duplicating that dish some day soon. Overall, the entrees were a bit on the small size and paled in comparison the giant apps in terms of quantity. If we hadn't gone to Giovanni's Shrimp Truck a couple hours earlier, we would have needed to order more. Now on to the desserts! The Chocolate Caramel Tart was simply ridiculous. I've had similar tarts before but this version was so decadent and the caramel was gooey deliciousness. We came very close to ordering another one. The Chocolate Peanut Bombe was also pretty spectacular and in particular I enjoyed the salted peanut ice cream on the side. The Vanilla Roasted Pineapple was a sponge-cake based dessert that was solid but couldn't compete with the chocolate offerings. The service was also very good and the waitstaff was very attentive. We also enjoyed the minimalist modern decor. While the food wasn't cheap, it was in line with comparable restaurants and I don't really get all the complaints about the price.
(5)
Bernard T.
I have been to Morimoto in New York and Napa. They are all great, but for some reason Morimoto at Waikiki was just OK to me. I think it can be better. Well, will give another try again on my next visit to Waikiki.
(3)
Lynn C.
I went to Morimoto's in New York and was excited to see if it was different/as good as my experience previously. We arrived promptly for our reservation at 7 PM on a Tuesday evening. The look of the place is clean and crisp, very modern with touches of tropical-ness with the pictures of flowers and shells hanging from the ceiling. To begin, Trisha, our waitress, really made our experience. She was friendly and attentive and super sweet. We ordered some drinks, Morimoto sashimi as a starting dish and then our other dishes. Our sashimi came out VERY quickly. It was basically, 5 stacks of different of fish with different dipping sauces including some with chili, one with arugula, and unagi. It was meh and I ended up deconstructing the stacks (not sure if you were supposed to...). About 15 minutes later, our drinks came out. Another 20 minutes later, our food, came out. At least I believe it was about that time. Luckily my date was pleasant company or I would've gone bonkers. Trisha apologized profusely about 5 times and let us know that the manager would take care of our drinks that evening. I had the surf and turf (steak, Morimoto poke, and fingerlings) and the Boy had the duck duck duck (duck 3 ways). The waiter poured the au jus on the steak and had it sizzle (he was very considerate and held a napkin in between me and the steak in case of splatter). The au jus was amazing. The poke was just ok and the fingerlings + Okinawan potato were good. I read what I just typed and it sounds completely unexciting. It was good but just wasn't anything to get super excited about. The Boy liked his duck, commenting that the three of them separately were OK but together they made a great dish. Dessert was a chcooclate creme tart/cake thing with vanilla ice cream. On the menu it said it had kona coffee ice cream. Alas, not the case. We probably wouldn't have gotten if we had known it was going to be vanilla. It was a rocky dining experience with pretty good food. The atmosphere of the restaurant was good and our waitress was great. We did get to see Chef Morimoto but he retired to his room early (7 PM). I would have taken my New York Morimoto experience over my Waikiki Morimoto experience. Worth at least one try however.
(3)
Matt G.
Sitting outside as the sun sets over Illikai boat harbor is something to behold. After being in Omaha, NE for 7 months, this ended up being the first place I went to upon my return to Honolulu. Even if I wasn't on a romantic date or anything, the ambiance and view were incredible. The only problem is that I hadn't had time to reacclimate to the humidity so I was sweating like a pig. Yuck. The food here is good. As a grad student who lives on student loans, looking through the menu made me die a litle bit on the inside but the food quality (as long as you know what to order) equates to the pricing more or less. It's not super expensive. We had Ryan as our server. Nice guy. Knowledgeable and most of all honest. As a former industry worker, you definitely come to appreciate honesty in your server. Of course some things will give you better bang for your buck, or there'll be unlisted items every once in a while, and some things are amazing no matter what it is or how much it costs. The yose dofu...is a tofu appetizer prepared table side. Although it's not anything I haven't had before, it was awesome. Props to our server on that one, and it was decently priced too. Again, you def appreciate when your server isn't just trying to push the most expensive items at you. I say come in with the expectations you'd have of any other restaurant and you won't be disappointed. But if you're one of those who are just here bc you heard oh Morimoto this or Iron Chef that, you're bound to set yourself up for disappointment.
(5)
Jennifer B.
We just didn't want to believe our fellow Yelpers that Morimoto would accept a 3.5 star rating. So we took the plunge tonight and it was an epic fail. The evening started off well. We had a lovely table outside and were greeted by friendly wait staff. But things soon degraded from there. Husband ordered the prix-fixe 8 course dinner and I, not wanting so much food, opted for an appetizer and an entree. Nearly an hour into dinner, my husband was only on his second of 8 courses and I hadn't yet received my appetizer. It was only when we started to inquire, that we were told the entire computer system had gone down. We continued to wait and still nothing. So I approached the Manager on my way to the restroom, and let her know that we were unhappy. She apologized and I thought that would be the end of it, and food would start arriving in a timely manner. It seemed as time progressed that the wait staff all but disappeared, and empty plates sat on our table. Not at all the experience that we expected from a 4 star restaurant. I have to say that the food, when it did come, was well presented and delicious. Manager took 15% off bill, but there was a confusion over dessert. We understood that the waiter had offered us a dessert as a consolation, but discovered that we were charged. That too was taken off the bill. Perhaps this was an anomaly, but it seems not, given the 3.5 star Yelp rating. We came in with high expectations, and expected so much more, but sadly the experience fell short.
(2)
Nina S.
Simply delicious! I snuck into Morimoto 30 minutes before the kitchen closed and was greeted with a reluctant smile by a very hot Swedish waiter. He seated us and after a lovely chat about the nordics, my guest and I dined on a dozen and a half oysters, some lovely bouillabaisse and a very unique green tea dessert. The flavor profiles were out of sight! I've never tasted food like that and I've been to Morimoto in NY tons of times. Morimoto gets high marks from me on decor, food and hot waitstaff! I will see you again!
(5)
Vera P.
Morimoto's for Lunch on a weekday: I have no idea about dinner, but if it is as good as it SHOULD be on all counts, then their lunch is a step-child. The food was DELICIOUS & beautifully presented, but the service was TERRIBLE. Not enough help, not enough attention to the table's needs or wants, long waits . . . Wait staff is too casual. Management is too lax. Too bad! I think they would have a larger lunch crowd if they improved their service.
(3)
Andie H.
We went here for the boyfriend's birthday just recently. They have complementary valet parking at the Modern(?), so it was a nice start. The ambiance is really contemporary. I liked it. It was a lot classier than the usual restaurants we haunt so it was a nice change. And it made me excited that THE chef Morimoto (I loved the old Iron Chefs) created this place. We got the Morimoto omakase, which was 7 predetermined courses prepared by the chef. $120 per person (yep you know I'll remember how much that costs). The cost was crazy for me, but since my boo wanted it, I was willing to splurge (the whole table has to order it, as a general rule, the server informed us). Even though the cost was high, the presentation was beautifully done. You could tell that Morimoto had thought up the presentations because they were almost too artful to eat! Each course had a different something that made it unique. One even had a oil melter with a tea light candle underneath!! I was impressed. The food was tasty. Every course I had was delish. Its hard to explain. But lots of seafood, and there was a nigiri course. If you get the omakase, be prepared to spend 3+ hours at the restaurant. It was a marathon. Once they started getting busy, it took a bit longer to get the next course. And if you are vegan, vegetarian, or some form of vegetable, I would suggest skipping the place altogether. I respect your choices, but this chick who was a vegan who sat next to us with her husband was annoying me with her "oh no I can't eat that, that, and THAT" to the waitress while her husband was contently devouring his chicken (odd couple...). I can't vouch for the alcohol, but the bf liked his very expensive sochu. Perhaps we should have just gone to a bar for that.. I would come back, if just to enjoy the dishes we loved in full size, and when I get a pay raise. And maybe one day we might just run into the Chef himself....????
(4)
Mathew E.
My wife & I went on 1/12 for dinner, and definately will not go again. First off the positives: 1: Server was super attentive & nice. 2: The house polished rice used for all of the dishes was unique, and had a great taste & consistency. The Tempura Pineapple appetizer was out of sight, although it might have been better as a desert. The negatives: A quick disclaimer- I am a former chef who knows his way around a kitchen, having run 5 different kitchens in my tenure. 3: Loco Moco - I've been living in Hawaii for a number of years, and usually don't eat the local version of this because of the nasty gravy. I was very much looking forwards to trying Morimoto's verson. On the menu, it's described as a Hayashi gravy ( a type of Japanese veal based sauce ). The classic Loco Moco is kind of a local domburi, with rice on the bottom, topped with a hamburger patty, gravy, then an egg. The Morimoto's version just came with the rice on one side of the plate & the Hayashi gravy with meat in it on the other side. Looked just like Hayashi Beef, which I've had @ multiple home style restaurants in Japan, not Loco Moco. The gravy was seriously flawed. When I tasted it after is arrived, it had an unpleasant floury taste & texture. As my plate cooled, the gravy coagulated into an unpleasant mess of separated oil & floury paste. True Japanese Hayashi gravy has to avoid being boiled, because it breaks. It seems as though the kitchen tried to fix the broken sauce by incorporating more roux, but it just tasted really nasty. 4: My wife had the "Duck 3 Ways". Once again, a quick disclaimer: We lived in the Pacific Northwest for many years, we would have fresh duck pretty often, so we know what duck is supposed to taste like. The "Duck 3 Ways" had a pan seared duck great, duck consume with a duck meatball, & duck spring rolls. The pan seared breast was acceptable, cooked properly with an ok sauce. The duck consume's meatball had an unpleasant gamey undertone, and had the consistency of baby food. The duck spring rolls had an even more pronounced gamey flavor, literally in-edable. Overall, very disappointed in the food.
(1)
Sandy K.
I was super excited to try a Morimoto restaurant, and I wasn't disappointed. Morimoto Waikiki is a beautifully decorated and spacious restaurant at the amazing Edition Hotel. You really have to be there to see the space and how wonderfully decorated and styled it is. Ambiance: Modern upscale. Service: Courteous and knowledgeable staff. Food: My expectations high, and they were met. Crispy rock shrimp tempura: It was served 3 ways; spicy kochujan, wasabi aioli, and coconut ranch. My favorite was the kochujan, but I may be biased since I am part Korean. Sake (salmon) nigiri: I will boldly claim that this is the best salmon I have ever had. Fresh and buttery and flavorful. It was heaven. Negitoro Maki: The perfect maki, fresh and rich at the same time. Tofu hot and cold: Loved it! When I saw tofu as a dessert, I had to get it. The taste, along with the presentation, was amazing. I am looking forward to my upcoming trip and will definitely make reservations at Morimoto Waikiki.
(4)
Elle M.
Morimoto has a very sleek interior and spa-like atmosphere that reflects and incorporates the contemporary and upscale design of the hotel. The outdoor seating overlooking Ala Moana's boat harbor and hotel pool is absolutely stunning. Though, I must say, because the restaurant is situated on a lower level, the views do not compare to what you can get at Mariposa's.(IMO) The Edition Hotel including the lobby and restaurant's recessed lighting tend to get too dim during the evening and can be very inconvenient for patrons with poor eyesight. But if you are for a trendy ambiance with low lighting, it certainly has a classy yet casual setting that suits all ages. However, despite the spa-like interior, the obnoxious noise level is loud enough to get your ears popping. (Yelling across the table is so not romantic.) Also, be prepared for 1.5+ hour wait for food and the possibility of being lost trying to find the hidden restrooms tucked into a hallway so inconveniently located outside the restaurant. On a positive note, the convenience of a free valet definitely adds a touch of luxury. In spite of the mediocre food and service, overall, it was still a great experience. P.S. - Do NOT skip on dessert. The Chocolate Peanut Bombe is the bomb!
(3)
Rob C.
as our quest to dine on the talents of celebrity and Iron Chefs continue, we leave this one w/ a sweet, blissfull, aftertaste. my wife and i had been dying to try Morimoto's offerings for the longest time. and we had no idea he even had a restaurant on Oahu. on my recent research to find the perfect place to dine for our 2 year engagement anniversary, i was thrilled to find Morimoto Waikiki. i tried to keep it a secret until my mom-n-pop in law, inadvertently ruined the surprise. haha, it's ok, i forgive you guys. ;) it was our last day on our most recent, 'cousin's wedding/vacay for us' visit of the island. we had high hopes and our expectations were met w/ flying colors. started off w/ drinks. wife had the one w/ jalepeno. forget the name but it was really tasty. i had the white lilly. yum! perfect aftertaste of yuzu and umeboshi. for apps, we had the white fish carpaccio and the 10 hour braised pork belly. both were excellent. the carpaccio is served w/ a medley of oils and citrus, including yuzu, sesame, and "don't know what but it's fucking tasty" stuffs. the pork belly is served in a luxurious rice congee and the meat is super rich, salty, slightly sweet and awesome. only gripe was that pretty much all the fat had rendered out and the meat was a bit tough. good for my wife, not so good for me. main course: wife had the whole fried fish and i had the black cod. the fried fish was phenomenal. it was crispy and moist and that papaya salad w/ the mabo tofu sauce, are you kidding me?! explosions of flavor. hit every taste bud w/ a fat smack. the only other whole fried fish that would compare is Mama's Fish House's whole fried fish on Maui. the black cod was perfectly cooked and bursting with umami. i wish the skin had been left on, as that is my favorite part of the fish. when i had made my reservation, i mentioned that we'd be celebrating our engagement anniversary. well, for dessert, they brought us a passion fruit/mango sorbet! it was sooooo good. my god. we also had the vanilla pineapple w/ coconut sorbet dessert, which was also really good. service was excellent. our server was informative, friendly, didn't rush us or take too long. if we had more time and a second stomach, we would have tried so much more. till next time...
(5)
Shane S.
The very first weekend it opened I stumbled through what was then the "Edition" hotel. As I was strolling through the bar which became the restaurant I bumped right into a stern samurai looking Japanese guy with glasses. I thought "funny that guy really looks like the Iron Chef ! " He was there opening the restaurant..... I have tried a few things here. First time I had some small plates at the bar. I tried the Morimoto style poke which was ok. ( it is hard to mess with comfort food) rock shrimp tempura and a "Morimototini". It was interesting and tasty, however it did set me back over 50 bucks. Not exactly happy hour. One morning I decided to try the "Japanese breakfast" having had Japanese breakfast many times before I was excited to see Morimoto's take on a traditional meal. I was extremely disappointed to see that it was basically the same, but much smaller portions. Not very interesting, and not worth $26. Had to try the sushi bar......so I tried a few selections of fish flown in from Japan.... as well as a few local fishes. I have to say it was very good , but the connection I love between chef and diner was just not there. I like to talk to and watch the sushi chef and see where the fish is from and how they prepare each delicate morsel. The sushi bar was good, but we are talking "Iron Chef" standards here. Anyway it was cool as Morimoto sat down a few seats away speaking with some Japanese women. After a few drinks he was much happier than the other day, and he took pictures with many patrons including myself. My last dinner there I had the whole fried fish (branzino that night....wish he used local fish) The fish was excellent with a kinda mabo tofu sauce smothered on top. We also had the seafood " toban yaki " which consisted of crab, lobster, scallops, mussels and clams in a spicy miso sauce. ( like an Asian cioppino) I felt that this dish was a little over done, the broth.... very tasty but such a small portion. I know its splitting hairs, but how can you really go wrong with ingredients like that? Its like trying to take a bad picture of Brad Pitt !! What makes the place unique is the creativity of the #1 "Iron Chef", and the ambiance of the lounge nestled in a cool hip hotel. Try the craziest things on the menu... Come here to think outside the box, thats what a great Iron Chef does !! 3.5 stars
Good location in the Hotel Modern ( valet parking only ) overlooking the marina. They have a ton of outdoor seating, which can be quite nice, especially in the evening. It is a bright, modern, big-city style restaurant. We had dinner and lunch here - in that order. Having been to the Napa restaurant, we wanted to reprise a few dishes and see what might be special at this location. The prices are high, but the quality and creativity of the dishes here just might be worth it. We tried Morimoto Sashimi ( a sort of everything-in-one-terrine approach ) for a second time and it was still good, if still a little too indistinct from mixing all those flavors together. The Foie Gras Chawanmushi was not as revolutionary as the one we had in Napa ... on the other hand, it's still available here. The "Live Octopus" dishes seem more of a gimmick than anything else - it's not actually, technically live; just raw and supposedly very fresh. For lunch, we sat at the sushi bar and ordered a few pieces of sashimi ( they are priced, rather high, by the single piece, but quality is excellent ). We also got them to make a shikai maki - a sort of ornate roll that's square in cross section and almost looks like a stained glass window. It was one of the least expensive dishes we ordered and also one of the most interesting. The sushi rice was well made and high quality, unlike our experience in Napa - and the fish was very fresh and well-cut. Both in the crowded dinner service and relatively calm lunch service, things were just a bit on island time - it took quite a while for the food to come out. The staff ( when we could find them ) did know the menu well. Drinks were interesting, but not really exciting. There's a lot of private label stuf going on here, including some very expensive beer made by Rogue offered by the bottle. Mixed drinks tended toward the somewhat fruity, and the sake list had selections by the glass of only Morimoto's own label, which is quite decent stuff, but not very interesting if you've already tried it. Overall, the place is expensive, but it has delicious and creative food served in a nice atmosphere, with an amazing variety on the menu. While you're there, check out the Moto Loco - Morimoto's take on the local dish that turns out to be kind of like curry rice. And kind of not.
(4)
Doug C.
We went today for the first time for lunch. The atmosphere was nice, but, I think being there during the day when there is a lot of sunlight was a disadvantage. The "white" menus were grubby and somewhat disgusting for a restaurant which by price should have higher standards. Also, the paint on many of the tables were cracked and the vinyl upholstery on many of the chairs were dirty and some were cracked. Service was excellent and everyone was gracious. They balanced attentiveness with leaving you alone enough to enjoy your food. It would have been nice though if they checked if I needed more coffee during dessert. To be fair though we were the last to leave, they were preparing for dinner and they never made us feel we were overstaying our welcome. (which we probably did) Our meal consisted of Hamachi Tartare, Wagyu Carpaccio, Steamed Scallops, Tempura Calamari Salad, Ishi Yaki Buri Bop, Haupia and an assortment of sorbets. Okay, truth be told at the end, before dessert, we had a second Carpaccio. The hamachi was very good, however, the condiments stole the show. The presentation was beautiful. But I would have preferred a presentation that was not a trick to eat without dropping the tartare trying to get both a condiment and tartare on the tiny flat spoon. Good luck dipping it in the sauce. Very good but the most expensive and our least favorite. Next we had the Wagyu Carpaccio. This was no less than incredible. The Carpaccio melted in our mouths and the flavors were light, adding to the beef and not distracting from it. The Steamed Scallops were cooked PERFECT. The flavor of the sauce was light and did not over power the delicate flavor of the scallops. The sauce/broth was delicious by itself. Did I mention the scallops were cooked perfectly? Wow The Calamari Tempura salad was very good. We were disappointed that they put the tempura under the salad which had dressing on it. It made the tempura soggy. I was more impressed with the salad with various types of greens and light dressing. If I ordered it again it would be for the salad not the tempura. Also, I would specifically ask they put the tempura around the salad instead of under it. The tempura was light and very good, just not particularly outstanding. Whether the Ishi Yaki Buri Bop, scallops or the Carpaccio was the best was debatable. All three were AMAZING. The Ishi Yaki Buri Bop is made table side. Our server seasoned, mixed the rice and seared the yellow tail perfectly in a hot pot at our table. The yellow tail melted in our mouths. I mean MELTED. My niece who is not particularly fond of sashimi loved this dish. She is becoming a believer. With both the yellow and carpaccio my niece and I looked at each other with each bite with disbelief and pure happiness. (okay, I know, believer and then disbelief...) Yes, we had a second Wagyu Carpaccio. It was THAT GOOD. For dessert we had the Haupia and assorted sorbets. The haupia was MUCH TOO FIRM, rather bland and not at all creamy like a good haupia should be. I don't know what the clear stuff was on top but it added nothing to the dessert, HOWEVER, the ginger-lime sorbet that came with the haupia was excellent. It might be a bit too tart for some, but, we thought it was great and the bold flavor almost made up for the lousy attempt at haupia. Almost. The assorted sorbets included mango-lilikoi, strawberry-guava and white peach-shiso (Japanese mint). They were all very good, but, we agreed the white peach-shiso was the best of the three. Very light, very refreshing. We both thought the white peach-shiso and ginger-lime sorbet were the highlights of the desserts. I highly suggest if you like ginger and lime ask for just a scoop of the sorbet and skip the haupia. If you're local this is the haupia that's left after the luau. You know what I'm talking about... The riesling was very nice, the coffee okay. I had one glass of wine and our total came to about $170.00. Would I go back? Maybe. If I did, however, it would be for the carpaccio, scallops, Ishi Yaki Buri Bop and the sorbets. I'd probably order different items menu rather than reorder the tartare, calamari salad or haupia. Because of the grubbiness and the haupia there was no way I could give this five stars. Morimoto is awesome. But, I can't imagine any locals liking his version of haupia. Then again, I'm sure his target audience is not locals.
(4)
Sang L.
I think I should just stop going to his restaurants. The menus are all pretty much the same, so I thought I should be different and order something unique to this location's restaurant. So we ordered the loco-moto, in addition to a bunch of sushi and sashimi of course. I was surprised at the presentation of the loco moco - I suppose it's not the most elegant of dishes, but thought they would spruce it up more than just using nice meat. The ambiance, service, quality was as expected, you're definitely paying for it right? I think if I'm looking for more unique food, I'll start trying other chef's restaurants.
(3)
Dave F.
Chef Morimoto has created a special restaurant with excellent sushi and sashimi. If you are not interested, there's even duck on this eclectic menu. The restaurant was electric on a recent Thursday night when one of the patrons stood on a chair and pronounced all of us would celebrate with him with a glass of Christault Champagne. (Server said this was going for $500/bottle). The ambiance has a casual, beachy elegance and service is impeccable. This is a "must try" for Honolulu!
(5)
Yen V.
Located in the Modern hotel with beautiful decor and location that's somewhat removed from all the action in Honolulu. Service was great Toro Tartare (4/5): Good but it did not impress me too much. Tuna (5/5): Now I get what good sushi is like. Salmon (5/5): I usually don't like salmon, but this one was impressive in quality. Seafood Toban yaki (5/5): A big pot of seafood swimming in a spicy miso broth served with some crusty bread. It got a bit too salty near the end because it was piping hot and perhaps had reduced and the seafood soaked a lot of the broth. Amazing and totally worth it. Surf and Turf (5/5): Divine. Turf was especially worthy. Though I can't say it would have filled me up. Pear yuzu gimlet (5/5): refreshing, light and citrus-y drink that went wonderfully with my seafood. Perfect for warm winter night on the patio. If I'm in Honolulu again, I might come back for drinks and the sushi bar.
(5)
Jen S.
We came for lunch, which I think reflect prices that are definitely more reasonable if you want to have taste of Morimoto w/o breaking the bank. The best chirashi of my life! Fresh, sweet, chewy, FRESH. So GOOD. I think everyone else enjoyed their food, but definitely not as much as I did. Get the chirashi! Also, service was great and I really enjoyed the ambience of the place. Very modern and chic. We were a large party of 8 and the waiter was very accommodating, especially when I mentioned we were in a hurry.
(5)
Mark S.
Second time here this year in October. Excellent service, great management, excellent portion sizes, incredible sushi. Would fly back to Honolulu (my least favorite island) just to eat at Morimoto.
(5)
Cyn C.
Excellent customer service. Our waiter had a wonderful sense of humor! Now the food.. Came for lunch had the lobster melt and the loco moto set with the tofu cheesecake for dessert. Everyone around me ordered the lobster melt lol everything was wonderful I will definitely come again and again if in the area.
(5)
George A.
OVERRATED. Fresher fish could be found at other Izakayas around town. Wife and I ordered 2 Omakase dinners. It would have been nice if the servers at least explained what was being dropped down in front of us. Mid meal there was a little tea pot that was dropped off. Mine was completely empty! I asked what the server what this was and she explained that it was a pallet cleanser. I showed her that it was brought to me completely empty! She looks at me as if I had already drunk it and just wanted more. Gimme a break. Great drinks and Sake though. You need it to chill you out from all the sub par offerings.
(2)
J W.
Had to finally check out this place 2 weeks into our stay at the Modern. After walking by the entrance every morning, it was about time I finally made it into the restaurant for a meal. I think the 3 1/2 star average this place has on yelp is spot on. The decor is nice, modern, and very tastefully done. Service was as you'd expect for a restaurant at this price point. The place was about 3/4 empty when we visited for lunch on a monday afternoon. The kakuni don was a bit disappointing, basically a few shredded pieces of dried pork with some sweet soy sauce based sauce over rice. The rest of the lunch items were pretty average, the salad was a bit soggy. The lunch was a bit of a poor litmus test for what dinner may have to offer, but given I have another 6 weeks at the hotel, I might have to come back to see if the iron chef can live up to his reputation.
(3)
Shandis C.
So what is a girl on budget doing at Morimoto you ask? At least that's what one of my dear yelp friends texted me the SECOND I checked in, LOL! (love you Steph!) True, I am the girl on a budget, but I am also, fortunately the girl who got gifted $100 towards Morimoto so the hubby and I were able to have a fantastical date night at one of the SWANKIEST places in town! If you are a girl (or a boy) that is on a budget like I am, then you're going to want to read on to the end. But before I even go there, on to Morimoto! Prior to going to Morimoto, of course I had to go to my trusty yelp ap to see what others have been saying about this must-visit hot spot. To my surprise, not so great reviews! A lot of 3 stars and not-so-impressed patrons. This was some serious rain on my parade to say the least, because I was really excited to try Morimoto, so I was hoping to have a different experience. Well, I must be easily won over or easy to please because my husband and I had nothing short of a 5 star experience! First of all, my love affairs with a good ambiance definitely got the best of me here! Swanky, swanky, SWANKY!! Probably my now favorite restaurant in terms of ambiance. Our server was really personable and attentive and the bus staff kept our waters full without being too overbearing. Presentation of food was gorgeous, clean and classy. We decided to order some appetizers, some sushi, some sashimi and one entree so that we could try a little bit of everything. The sashimi is to DIE for, melt in your mouth, and a surprisingly fun and filling dish was the yose dofu, which was fresh tofu made table side. The crispy whole fish was recommended to us, and though it was not knock-your-socks-off fabulous, it was still delicious and more than enough to feed both my husband and I. Wagyu carppacio was buttery and smooth. We also had a salmon skin maki roll which was simple but delectable nonetheless. Chocolate mille fueille was an mmmm with every bite - bruleed bananas and chocolate spiced ice cream...it's every girls' dream come true! It also came with a chocolate mousse which was a nice surprise since it wasn't mentioned on the menu. So you're still wondering how you can do Morimoto on a budget? So we were already planning our visit back to Morimoto, but knowing that we'd be on a budget the next time we come, I studied the menu for some DEALS and there ARE deals to be had! There is a big selection of maki sushi for about $7 for 6 pieces. While they are not antyhing "special" and they are quite straight forward, you could order 1, 2 or even 3 maki sushi rolls, and only spend $21! Considering that you will pay about $6 for a maki roll at a dirty, hole in the wall place at the dime a dozen premade sushi take outs on our island, $7 for a maki roll in a nice restaurant is worth your $$. There are also some soup and salad dishes like oxtail ($14), udon with shrimp tempura ($18), and tempura calamari salad ($15). There is even a "loco moto" entree for under $20. You could even mix and match one maki roll with a salad or some other appetizers in which there are many choices under $20. So yes, I am totally unashamed that I sat there at Morimoto mentally calculating my future budget meal, but I know there are those of you out there that secretly are thankful for me and my Pake ways, so you can private message me later to thank me :o) So there it is, the adventures of a budget girl in the land of the rich. Morimoto is one of those places that you have to try at least once, no matter what kind of experience have just to be able to say that you've been there. If you are a true foodie with a refined palate, you may not be as elated as I was to dine here. But if you are going for an overall great experience with "good" food, great ambiance and great service, no matter what kind of budget you are on, you will certainly have a good time at Morimoto!
(5)
John T.
Nothing but high praise for this establishment. Morimoto's was the final stop of our Hawaiian vacation, just prior to our redeye flight home. Because of weather and the flight delays that seem to define Island Air, I could tell that we would not make our 6:30 reservation. I called the restaurant to inform them and was assured that we would be seated. As the delay got longer, I became certain that, despite those assurances, we'd end up at the Red Lobster across the plaza or worse (if that's possible). Arriving over an hour late, and with a rain storm that had shut down their outside seating, I figured that at best we'd have a lengthy wait and be rushed through our meal. Couldn't be further from what happened. We waited just a few minutes and sat down to a wonderful sashimi and sushi dinner. The sashimi was out of this world. Beautiful texture, flavor and presentation. The rolls we tried (spicy salmon and another I can't recall) were a delight. I didn't find the prices to be at all unreasonable for the high quality and portions that we received. Service was fast, without pushing or rushing, attentive without hovering over us. We were perfectly satisfied with our fish so did not try any of the entrees, but each that passed our table looked fantastic. Guaging by the reaction of the other diners, they agreed with our assessment. The Hotel Modern, which houses the restaurant, can be a little tricky to find. The valet parking enabled us to enter and leave without so much as a drop of rain despite the downpour. A terriffic dining experience.
(5)
Jo J.
I love Morimoto, the chef, not so much the restaurant. The ambiance is great, it sets the mood for any occasion. I like how there's indoor and outdoor seating. I'm not so sure about how they divide or assign their waiters and if the sucky ones serve outside. I feel like our waiter paid little attention to my BFF and I. He barely stopped by our table and our food came out cold. We ordered the surf and turf platter and our beef was well done by the time it got to us. Best excuse the waiter could give us? Oh we're a little busy. Really? Cause I swear there's like only 10 other patrons in this restaurant aside from us. So what happens when it's a full house? Hmm. Well here's a surprise the steak is served on a hot plate that sizzles when the sauce is poured on it. How did I know this? Because the table next to us had a hot plate and we didn't! That's because our order probably sat out in the back counter, thus why the food was cold and why our steak ended up being overdone. Shucks, nice try with the excuse, I would have rather heard a simple apology rather than a flat out lie. I don't know if I would go back, maybe I would if my husband really wants to go. But for now the service lacked enough to keep me from coming back.
(3)
Dustin E.
Thank you Stacy L. for the tip that Morimoto san was in town!!!! Thanks Val Y. Thanks yelpers for the reviews. We found out that Chef Morimoto was in town. I have a sister who is deeply in looooove with him. I know, he's married. It doesn't make a difference to her. Well unfortunately, sis is in Hilo on the Big island, so she is not in town.... Aw sugars... poor thing... So, off to Morimoto Waikiki. There are so many Yelps on the positive side and many on the underwhelmed side. I didn't know what to think. Here is the chance to see a celebrity chef (maybe) and experience $$$$ fine dining. I know, just have an open mind and soak it all in. The ambience was very interesting. The Modern hotel had a unique event going on, a Marine ball. There were soldiers with all their formal uniforms and medals all over and the girls all decked out in formal wear too. I peeked in the ballroom and wow! The place looks amazing. Modern hotel 5/5 Upon arrival, the valet is very well hidden behind tall palms. I think if you didn't know where Morimoto was, you'd have a hard time finding this turn into the valet. 4/5 I didn't think the steps to go up was very classy, but I remember the escalators that would always be out of service. So steps never get stuck, or eat little toes. It was pretty dim, and after drinks, I was holding the railing to get down. 3/5 On to the restaurant... Oooh, coral. Uh, coral. Ewww, coral. weird, coral. The decor was farm raised coral from the Philipines. Uh, different, coral. 3/5 Thanks to the yelper Val Y. who suggested sitting at the sushi bar. We were right in front of the HEAD SUSHI MASTER! Watching him expertly slicing paper thin sashimi. Arrangements like ikebana, and tasty morsels on really beautifully prepared platters. Wow. I felt like this was the show. 5/5 We had spicy salmon roll 5/5, eel with avocado maki 5/5, and we were very pleased. Started off with Wagyu beef carpaccio. The presentation was excellent, except for the micro cilantro. My friend is adamantly against eating cilantro, but I love it. The citrus hot oil with ginger garlic and soy sauce was amazing. I wish I had more. But after all it is called appetizer. It should be called appe-teaser, because I wanted more. 5/5 Tuna Pizza, YUMMY. 5/5 Again, the micro cilantro. Um, good for me, not so good for my friend. Still a 5 from me. :-) I had the whole deep fried fish. A Mediterranean cod. It looked very exotic. Okay, it looked creepy, but it was covered in spicy tofu, sort of like a mapo tofu. It was a really unique and tasty experience! 5/5. My friend had the angry chicken. Moist, spicy, organic, delicious. artfully decorated with deep fried rice noodles. 4/5. Chef Morimoto was in the kitchen, and he just came out occasionally to pose for pictures. Didn't even cook. He did come out to shmooze with some of the customers. I think he is very cool. Maybe he flirts with the high rollers. We did get pictures with him. YAY! I had the Chocolate Mille Feuille for dessert. It was a WOW dish. The chocolate cake, candied banana, dark chocolate piece with mousse, and the ice cream with cayenne heat in it was OUT OF THIS WORLD. Okay, maybe I don't get out much, but to me it was 5/5. My friend had the Chocolate Peanut Bombe. It was a squared log of peanut mousse dusted with coco, and a bit of vanilla-ish ice cream. It was the waitress' favorite. I thought it was very pretty, but didn't have the Wow factor like the chili chocolate ice cream. Our waitress was Aya. She patiently explained every menu item. We listened to some of her suggestions, but made our own choices. Morimoto ale beer went well with my dishes. Aya was very attentive, knowledgeable, and prompt. Each server carefully explained each dish presented so we knew what we were eating. It made it all the more enjoyable. So for the first time, 5/5. It was very pricey, and we decided to just have a moment of decadent pleasure. Morimoto san, doomo arigatoo. Yelp 365 Challenge: 84/365
(5)
Diana A.
Food was amazing!! Service was horrible , we never got a refill on drinks. Anything we needed we waived down Other help.Waiter seemed to more attention to everyone but us. We were super excited and left soo disappointed.
(2)
Liz T.
So torn!!! Morimoto or Alan Wong?!?!? Such a difficult choice! While I LOVE LOVE LOVE Alan Wong's, his menu is rather constant -- making it a dependable and predictable meal. SOO GOOD. On my last trip to Hawaii my sis, bro-in-law and I decided to shake things up and try Morimoto's. Ambience here is ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS. The inside of the restaurant is very modern and chic, and the outside patio is breathtaking, especially at sunset. The food is really spectacular. BEST - pineapple tempura. Gobbled this up!! MM! - tempura calamari salad. nicely cooked calmari and delicious, light dressing - seafood toban yaki. Lobster, ship, crab OH MY. Worth every penny and sucked up every last drop. -spicy king crab served with crabby fries. DROOL DROOL DROOL. Must have. - chocolate mille feuille. translation: banana, avocado pastry something with chocolate ice cream!! I wasn't a huge fan of the ice cream, but the dessert itself was super tasty. Not too heavy and a surprising flavor combo! GOOD - tuna pizza. tuna was YUM. Not sure if I'm a fan of the anchovy aioli.
(5)
Bryce M.
Went there last week for a first time and read thru the reviews to get an idea of what was good and what was bad. The hotel is nice and the ambiance is good as there is a lot of whites and dark dim lights. The valet section is small so it did take a little while till a valet came up to our car, but i guess its a boutique style hotel so that was fine. So in looking at the menu I had some questions as to what I wanted. I asked the server what was good and she went thru telling us her favorites in the cold and hot appetizers and then her friend tapped her on her shoulder to talk to her and when she turned back she didn't finish the rest of the recommendation and just walked away. She came back a little later and I asked her what kind of oyster the raw bar was serving and she was real unsure and was like it is a Japanese type that starts with a "K". Other then that the service was overall good. They constantly checked up when needs, changed utensils, filled waters, friendly..... The first dish I started with was the raw oysters. It came with 6 of them and it was prepared three different ways. One with prepared ceviche still with lime and that was pretty good, the other was a ponzu with jalapeno and also was good especially with the little hotness, and the last was just cocktail sauce which was sub-par. The second dish was the pork kakuni. This dish was probably the best thing I had that night. The pork was flavored well and wasn't over sweet. It was very meaty and not too much fat in it. It shredded and was very well paired with a congee and soy-scallion jus. Next was crispy rock shrimp tempura. This was portion a lot bigger then I expected. It was about half a pound of shrimp. It came two ways: one was spicy kochujang and the other was a wasabi aioli. Both were ok, but definitely enough for four people. The sauce to dip it in was a coconut ranch. Sushi was next and I had the spicy tuna which was real good. It wasn't the mayo type spicy tuna. It was good and the fish was fresh. The other sushi was a soft shell crab roll. This was good to and was portioned well, and it had an asparagus in it which was a nice touch, Last on the dinner menu that we had was the seafood toban yaki. It was basically a bouillabaisse except in a spicy miso broth. It was filled with scallops, clams, mussels, king crab legs and half a kona lobster. It was portioned well, and the crab and lobster were cut so I could easily eat it out of shell. The flavor of the broth was a little disappointing. For being an iron chef and the price charged, I was expecting a lot more out of the flavors in his dishes. The morimoto soba beer was really good though. Light and flavorful with a little sweetness to the beer. Overall it was ok, I probably wouldn't return here unless the menu got changed. For the price paid, I think there is a lot better choices in Honolulu.
(3)
Tony L.
Definitely a tourist trap. Keeping in mind I didn't have any sushi. I figure for the price for one piece of sushi, I can get two pieces at a more reputable sushi joint. The main issue I had was the overall menu items. It just didn't seem very Morimoto like. It felt like fancy hotel food. Gyoza in marinara sauce over foam, lobster sandwich was ok, but when compared to a lobster poboy from Boston, no comparison. I expected the food to be elevated. Chicken soup, it wasn't bad, but I was looking for some oomph. The side salad with every lunch meal, the vinegrette dressing was weak. I'm sure this place has great view and a drink or two, but if you're a foodie go somewhere else. I felt underwhelmed.
(2)
Kyle H.
My girlfriend took me here for my birthday earlier this year due to my love of Iron Chef Japan and Morimoto in particular. It was a great follow up to our visit to Hirayuki Sakai's La Rochelle Shibuya in 2009. The restaurant itself has a trendy, modern interior and friendly service. The food was excellent and different. The roasted lobster epice with garam masala and lemon creme fraiche was a standout dish. The perfectly cooked lobster went surprisingly well with the subtle heat of the garam masala, which was kept in check by the lemon creme fraiche. Unfortunately, the piece of Wagyu I had as part of the Omakase menu was quite tough and not as flavorful as you would expect. For better wagyu, head over to Chef Mavro, where they use 100% pure bred Japanese Wagyu raised in Australia. However, the sushi was excellent, with very fresh, high-quality fish. This is someplace we will definitely return to.
(4)
Gore S.
I had lunch here with a few friends over the thanksgiving holiday. Presentation of the food and taste was very good, but the portions were very small and not worth the price in my opinion. In terms of food - definitely good. In terms of price - not worth it. Perhaps worth a try but I wouldn't go back.
(4)
Janet F.
I love it here! Food is delicious (although I don't agree with some of the prices). I love their Pork Gyoza. It is actually made differently compared to how I usually eat Gyoza. Let's just say... Bacon foam! Haha. I also find the chicken ramen very delicious! Flavorful without tasting too salty and you can taste the ginger they used to make it as well! Very refreshing and light! Their sashimi/sushi are fresh! Mmm... The Otoro just melts in your mouth. Oh! And their tuna tartare is to die for.
(4)
Audrey S.
As a foodie, I took my boyfriend to Morimoto for a special dinner-date during our stay in Waikiki. I was quite impressed overall, however I do think the service could have been improved. We did come a little later than reservation time (20 mins late) and when I spoke to the desk the lady said we had to wait another 30-60 minutes for our table unsympathetically.. This was sort of frustrating as I booked a month in advance, but I knew it was my fault for not calling the restaurant to make sure they had that table for us.. so we sat at the bar till our table was ready and enjoyed some cocktails. But what really got me was the fact I requested during my booking to sit outside on the lanai, and we got seated indoors instead.. But, I got over it easily once we were seated and had our entree, I soon forgot all about being disappointed as sitting inside is still actually very pretty. We had a friendly waiter unlike the desk staff, and we played around with the chopsticks as they looked really cool like glass sticks! After our chopstick wars, we soon decided to get food in us. We ordered: Tuna Pizza - $18 (raw tuna pizza with delicious dressing) Morimoto Ginjo Sake, cold - $25 (caramalized pear aroma sake with stone fruit finish) Cripsy Rock Shrimp Tempura - $18 Abalone Takoyaki - $18 Chef Sashimi Combo - $40 Dessert: Chocolate Peanut Bombe - $12 Chocolate Caramel Tart - $12 Everything was delicious, what you'd expect from an Iron Chef.. All the small details in the food from the presentation to the after-tastes.. The only dish I thought was a little let-down for me was the sashimi combo, which was a few slices of sashimi on a giant plate of ice... Still looked/tasted good, but it was probably better getting something else like two maki rolls to share that had rice and probably bigger quantity. The sake was probably the best sake I've ever had, that's probably because I usually drink choya umeshu at Japanese restaurants, but I've had sake a few times before and this makes me want to drink sake more often. So to sum up, you will have a beautiful evening if you decide to dine here, just be aware with the strict reservations and to make sure to come on time for your table booking.. It gets crowded! Only come here though if you feel like you have a heavy wallet as it is quite an expensive menu. Take time to walk inside and explore The Modern Honolulu after dinner if your not staying there, its a remarkable hotel in itself.
(3)
Ed T.
Awesome experiecne! Nearly perfect! We went there to celebrate our good friend, the Lee's for their wedding anniversary. We tried nearly everything! Although i was hoping for some more unusaal dishes, but since Morimoto wasn't in the house(we knew he would be there the next day to film the tv showm Hawaii Five O). We come to hawaii nearly every year for spring break so I am happy that he open this new restaurant. Will definitely come back here!
(5)
Thompson P.
I had the set course meal. I really didn't care for the food but that's not fair to say they are terrible. Service was excellent though!
(2)
Cely H.
@Faye: I think we were outside at the same time that night! Went here on heart day with the hubs. Sat outside and had a beautiful sunset and twinkling lights. I think our expectations were too high. We've eaten at restaurants ran by Mario and Bobby and we
(3)
Serena W.
So I was lucky enough to be fed at this delightful establishment as pleasant bystander of someone's last meal on the island. I didn't know what I was in for, I wanted to go to Doraku, stupid girl! I am no foodie, but I love to eat. By that I mean, I yelp things at the last minute while standing in the middle of the street hungry and mad. I had no idea this restaurant was masterminded by an iron chef. Nor do I really know what that means. Soooo, we had the raw oysters, twice. Before and after the meal because I needed to confirm their awesome-sauceness. The ceviche was my favorite, such a flavor party. For a hot appetizer, the live octopus carpaccio was dreamy. Sliced thin enough that it wasn't too chewy and they were swimming in something sweet and tangy if my memory serves right. Soft shell crab roll is huge, one of those rolls that will end up in your lap if you don't just use your fingers. If anyone has any insight on this, please share. Am I supposed to cut it up with a knife and fork and then use chopsticks? Blah, guess I'm not a 'lady'. The 'soy sauce' they brought out was spectacular, not salty or sharp tasting and complemented the taste of the roll. We had fatty tuna, medium fatty tuna, salmon, and smoked salmon sashimi. They were all so fresh, clean and the cuts were in tune with the pricing. The salmon was smoked just right and very soft. Even after we had our second round of oysters, dessert was in the cards! We had the chocolate cake thing with caramel inside. I personally don't like caramel so I had a raspberry godiva espresso martini. Delicious! I was fast asleep 1/2 hour after this meal. Who needs to get wastey pants on a saturday night, when you can have Morimoto's!! Honestly, this was the best meal I have ever had. The service was impeccable and the ambiance was groovy. I can't wait to eat here again!
(5)
Brian P.
Masaharu Morimoto. There's a reason he's an Iron Chef. And for those of you who will say the restaurant just takes his name, I have eaten food made by him here once and even got a picture with him. But besides that little cool factor, this place is great. The chawan mushi is amazing. It's so silky, smooth and decadent. The takoyaki is also excellent. I was not as impressed by the pineapple tempura but that has more to do with my own hyped up expectations. It was good but not mind blowing. The catch of the day, however, was the best fish dish I have ever eaten. I don't remember what it was (some kind of Mediterranean fish) but it was incredibly good. I've never managed to save enough room for dessert. so I can't comment on that but everything I've ever tried has been good to the best thing I ever ate so 5 stars.
(5)
Chris S.
We went back - and it only got BETTER. The food, the ambiance, the views, the food - nothing else can hold a candle to our dinner tonight. Thank you Nic, thank you Megan and thank you Chef Morimoto and your staff for making tonight a night to remember. The toro belly sashimi was melt in your mouth fantastic, and the peanut chocolate bombe dessert was probably the finest dessert we have ever had. Good thing that you don't have a restaurant in the Scottsdale/Phoenix area - otherwise we would be there every other night. Thank you for making tonight such a special occasion.
(5)
Sarina A.
This restaurant is at the perfect location- The Modern Honolulu. Ambiance, service, and food were all amazing. We had dinner outside rather than inside because I felt that inside was a tad bit stuffy in this heat. Every item we ordered had so much flavor and the presentation was very well done. We had the : morimoto sashimi- there were 5 cool different dippping sauces. this dish looks small but dont underestimate it because its still filling. oysters foie gras- the combination of the two was more than amazing. wagyu carpaccio- melts in your mouth! morimoto style poke- the mozzarella cheese and tomato added a good texture and flavor to the dish. chocolate peanut bombe- a must try. its just that good! We were given a complimentary dessert for our anniversary. It was their home made guava sorbet and it was delish! Each item was a must try!! I would defintely order each of these items again and would defintely come back.
(5)
Vy N.
This restaurant is BEST for Friday dinner around 7:00pm! Location (4/5): This restaurant locates on the first floor inside the Modern Honolulu Hotel. It took us a while to find the entrance since we are not local. When we got there, there is a valet parking option so we didn't have to worry about finding parking. You can walk upstairs (stairs are on the right side of the entrance) or take the elevator to the restaurant. The restaurant itself is right next to the swimming pool which is beautiful! Since I requested for a beautiful view, they seated us outside so we can see the beautiful Harbor of Waikiki Beach full with yachts and caught the fireworks at night. Services (3/5): I tried to reserve seats through OpenTable and the app said there was no seat available until one more month. Then, I called directly to the restaurant and was able to get my reservation right away. If you have any specific requests such as writing personal message on the desserts, don't forget to tell them in advance! Since I did that and also requested for the best seats in the house, they gave us the most ideal spot for photo taking and watching the fireworks. Mahalo management staffs! On the other hand, their table service is without a doubt slow. I'm not sure if they have less staffs or what... It took them a long time to bring us food, and took them a longer time to clean our table! Food (3.5/5): Since the menu here is similar to the Morimoto menu in Napa, I was so excited to try everything! One of the MUST TRY dishes is the Toro tartare, the Morimoto signature dish. Everyone loved the experience and the uniqueness of the dish. Besides the fresh sushi, the flavors here is no way comparable to the Morimoto in Napa. Plus, the pricing is a little bit more expensive I believe. Whatever appetizer and main course you order, don't forget to order desserts! I'm not much of the sweet tooth kind of gal, but I love any chocolate dessert at any Morimoto! The dessert NEVER disappoints. Plus, this is a perfect way to end a meal, or to make someone in your party feel special with a written message on it! *romantic huh? wink wink* I would only come here on Friday nights around 7:00pm and reserve seats to be seated outside, because the fireworks at Hyatt happened around 7:45pm every Friday!
(3)
Lisa S.
Set in the ultra stylish Modern Hotel my girls and I were looking forward to dining here for a belated wedding celebration for our staycation in Waikiki. Before we even sat down, I was already starting to question the quality of their service - mainly with their communication. Upon making reservations online, I noted that we'd be celebrating a special occasion. When receiving a courtesy call within the week prior to our reservation, I had confirmed that (1) we'd be placed near an area close to where we can view the Friday fireworks and (2) if something nice can be done in celebration for my recent newly wed friend. When checking in, I was asked again if we're celebrating something special and felt like I was reiterating what I discussed with someone earlier, but I figured maybe they forgot. We were seated on a table right outside their indoor dining area, which wasn't what I had thought, but at that point I didn't want to bother asking to be moved. The food was delicious, however diners should be advised that you're paying for the service, quality of food and the presentation. Nothing stood out, but their Duck Duck Duck is something I'd try again. When the dessert menu came, our waiter asked if we were celebrating anything special...."Are you kidding me??" I thought. Being that I wanted this to be a surprise for my girl, I was shocked that while I mentioned to the hostess in detail of what we were celebrating and even identified and spelt out her name, it was a disappointment to see that the message didn't get passed onto our waiter. So a little annoyed, I told the waiter to go check back with the hostess. 10 minutes later after nothing on their dessert menu interested us, a comp dessert came to us and the smiles on my girls made it all worth it. I would hope their communication with these type of things improve over time as for the type of restaurant this is, I'd expect better.
(3)
Bogdan K.
Aloha, first let me say this is my first review of this restaurant in Waikiki, but not my first or fifth dining experience at this establishment. The reason to come here is simple, you expect a elevated experience in a comfortable yet classy atmosphere. However this Thursday was not the case, my sister who is traveling between Europe and Asia has a stopover in Honolulu, this was the place I chose and to my disappointment they did not deliver. The chef tasting menu, which we had number of times at this establishment was somehow missing that attention to detail we enjoy so much, the service and explanation of the dishes presented fell flat, somehow missing that spark. Will there be a next time I ask myself, with the options in town hmm I wonder.
(2)
Cay A.
Martin, our server, was awesome! He was very knowledgeable about the food and his timing was perfect. The place is very nice -- located in The Modern Hotel where valet is complimentary. We were seated in the patio where the weather was perfect. The menu was very a very impressive fusion of flavors. Unfortunately, the dishes' taste did not live up to Morimoto or the $$$$ level. They were definitely good but we came in with with a super high expectation. My fave dish was the Morimoto poke where he seamlessly mixed bocconcini with cubes of tuna sashimi, togarashi and bonito flake foam.
(3)
Victoria C.
I really wanted to like Morimoto and have been back a few times, unfortunately each time I go I am not that impressed. This last time that I went I decided to take my mom here for her birthday lunch (bad idea... should of learned the first 2 times) thinking that the lunch menu offers different items plus it's a little cheaper. She has never been to Morimoto so I thought it would be something nice for her to try. At lunch time they offer lunch sets which come with a few pieces of sushi, a salad and miso soup. They also have rice bowl dishes like chirashi and sandwiches. I ordered the lobster melt which came with wasabi fries (so good!) and a small salad. My meal was pretty good and one of the dishes I'd recommend getting. My sister got the hiyashi loco moco set which honestly we both have tasted better hiyashi before. The dish itself wasn't so bad but just nothing special. My mom's dish was the black cod fish set which unfortunately she did not like. She barely ate the fish as it wasn't appetizing and the sushi was just mediocre. It's unfortunate that such a nice fine dining place by a well known chef serves such mediocre food especially for the price you are paying! Thankfully the waiter took her cod fish off the bill but still a disappointment as she didn't enjoy her birthday lunch. I felt a little bad as I was the one that suggested this place! But it's okay because we had dinner somewhere much better! As for the things I like about Morimoto is their atmosphere. It's definitely very modern & chic. The place itself is actually pretty big and they have outdoor seating as well. Service was pretty good and our waiter was nice & accommodating. Food presentation was definitely on point. Too bad the food doesn't taste as good as it looks! The desserts made up for our unsatisfying meal. We tried the peanut bombe which is perfect if you love peanut butter! The tofu cheesecake was pretty interesting. It was nice and light. My mom also got a complimentary birthday sorbet which was very delicious. She was pleased with the desserts. *phew* At least something was good there!
(3)
Ivy Lou H.
Morimoto Waikiki is the place I wish I could eat at every night. You walk in and are greeted with a modern chic atmosphere that makes you feel like Iggy Azalea; "Fancy". The outdoor seating is really the best part of the restaurant and it's so nice to have the flames from the fireplace and beautiful people to occupy your eyes instead of your phone for a change. Tres Romantic. Go for the Lobster here as we did and you'll experience a crustacean that's packing some heat. The creme fraiche provides a perfect counter balance to the spices. Nearly everything on the menu was extremely enticing and not the same old boring choices we're usually faced with when eating out. Save room for the Chocolate Shisso or Chocolate Peanute Bombe desserts; they're like being tucked into bed with a kiss after a long day.
(5)
Krista J.
Awesome place! The place itself is beautiful. Great dishes. Get the omakase! The chef is truly amazing. I love this restaurant. Went here for my birthday and keep going back. Super friendly staff too!
(5)
Paige S.
I've been here 5+ times over the span of 2 years and I can honestly say, it gets better every time. Lets keep this one short and sweet so you know whats up! Tips: Call ahead for reservations, or use open table! If you have special requests don't forget to ask, they have always been more than accommodating! Lunch during the weekdays are awesome, not as crowded and service is 10000%! Great for: Dinner with friends, lunch with your bffs -- not so good for an intimate romantic dinner. Location: On the 2nd floor of the Modern Hotel in Waikiki Parking: Valet! Ambiance: Modern, hip, upbeat, with an oriental be beachy twist. Service: Exceptional to say the least! It is even awesome during peak holiday hours with the entire restaurant bustling! What we ordered: Unless they have changed the menu in the past 6 months, we have tried 90% of the menu. I have not tried the omakase but you can bet your bottom i've got my eye on it! What you should order: --LUNCH--- Anything really, the entire menu is soooo affordable for quality foods in the heart of waikiki. Favorites are Chirashi Sushi, Loco Moto, Kakuni Don ---APPETIZERS--- Crispy rock shrimp tempura - MIND BLOWING FLAVORS! Wagyu carpaccio -- MELT IN YOUR MOUTH! !PINEAPPLE TEMPURA!!!! --- omg! SO GOOD! Kakuni -- Magic! --Dinner-- The special is ALWAYS a great choice -Crispy Whole Fish -Duck Duck Duck -Surf and turf -1lb australian wagyu rib eye -- you don't even need a knife, it just falls apart! -Sushi- Obviously all delicious, but the must order is oh toro for me! Desserts I have officially had them all and I LOVE THEM ALL! Did we see the Chef? YES! Actually, on our last trip there he was humbly cleaning the air vents or something in a casual shirt and white shorts! WHAT! I was star struck and missed my photo op but I SAW HIM! And you might too! Overall, Wonderful restaurant that is so delicious! From the very polite, attentive staff to the seriously mind blowing life changing food, there is no stone left unturned. I LOVE MORIMOTO WAIKIK! and I'm sure you will too! Make your way down here ASAP!
(5)
Kanoe I.
Dined at this modern Japanese eatery in the beautiful Modern Hotel and loved it! The restaurant's decor is what draws you in....pastel colors of green, beige and purple adds a contemporary and modern touch. They do have both indoor and outdoor seating. We opted to sit indoors because it was much more comfortable and it had a perfect view of the open space kitchen. Morimoto wasn't there...we were bummed. We stared at the menu and didn't know what to order so we asked our waitress for suggestions. Here is what she recommended and we enjoyed each dish: Tuna Pizza ($19): Very different and light, thinly sliced pieces of ahi over a thinly baked tortilla. The jalapeños add a little bite to it, which I thought made it tasty. We loved it so much, we ordered two. Whitefish Carpaccio ($17): Thinly sliced sashimi with hot oil, ginger and yuzu sauce. This dish was served with fresh greens. Very healthy and light.....Highly recommend this! Crispy Rock Shrimp Tempura ($18): This dish included battered shrimp prepared two different ways: one in a "spicy kochujan sauce" and the other in a "wasabi aioli sauce." Both were delicious. Tempura Calamari Salad ($18): Fresh greens with calamari in a white miso dressing. This salad was good but the fried calamari gave it an "unhealthy" taste. We ended up eating the greens and pushing the calamari to the side. Fresh Oysters: Beautiful presentation but the portion was small. They do offer several different sauces for it so that was good. I would opt for something else the next time. Overall, we really enjoyed our experience here and will definitely be back. Thank You to the staff for their excellent service!!
(5)
Celina Q.
As non-celebrators of Valentines Day, my boyfriend treated me to a romantic night at Morimotos on Friday the 13th (of February). Located in the Modern Hotel, Morimotos is the perfect blend of authentic Japanese cuisine, local flavor and that high-end ambiance we sometimes search for. Parking is valet, the restaurant validates, so good deal there. On this visit, there were three stand out items I need to mention: 1. Takoyaki app; twist on an Asian fave, it featured a decadent butter shoyu sauce with large takoyaki balls. These had abalone in them instead of tako, a bit pricey at $18 for 6 pieces, but hey, its Morimotos 2. Ishi Yaki Buri Bop; take the meat and toppings out of your traditional bibimbap and youve got this Morimoto creation. With fresh yellow tail and rice, this dish was made table side by out server. Though I didnt have any, the bf said it was a great dish 3. Chocolate Peanut Bombe; LOVE. not too sweet and a great size. Salted peanut ice cream is soo delish! And the cookie-like cremuex? melts in the mouth! Service was a little slow on this night, but we can blame that on a popular location and date so close to V-day. Keep in mind, Morimotos is also known for their sushi selection of rolls and nigiri, but nigiri orders only come with one piece! Make sure to order enough pieces for your group! Though I have no picture to prove it, Chef Morimoto himself was there on this special night! It was pretty cool to see a celebrity chef, even though his name is on the restaurant. From what I could tell, he was not meeting any guests or taking photos, boo.
(4)
Rebecka A.
Complimentary valet parking in front of The Modern. We had a reservation for 6:45 and arrived at 6:00, and they seated us right away which was great. I requested a table with a view on the on-line reservation form, and we were seated with a great view of the marina and setting sun. The waiter and water guy were attentive and patient when we took a long time to order drinks, appetizers and dinner. The Morimotini is cucumber, vodka and sake. It is strong and refreshing! For appetizers, we had the pork gyoza (with bacon cream foam! what does that even mean?!) and the ahi pizza. Sashimi grade ahi on a crispbread. The gyoza were ok, fun with the foam but I didn't taste too much bacon. The ahi pizza was amazing! So delicious. For dinner I ordered the duck, duck, duck. Of the three ducks, the best was the regular sliced duck breast meat with pineapple salsa on top. Delicious! The other two ducks, a meatball broth covered in a flaky crust top and a spring roll (note singularity: it's one spring roll cut in half) were both ok. The presentation of all the dishes was great. For dessert (yes we went all out!) we had the soy cheesecake and the peanut butter bomb. Dang is that peanut butter bomb, bomb! :D It's like a big candy bar, but very light and easy to eat. I would say that as far as fine dining goes, Morimoto does well. I didn't have anything I didn't like, but a few of the dishes didn't 'wow' me so that's why I gave it 4 stars and not 5. For the price I would have wanted a bit more pizzazz in those gyoza and the duck meatballs and spring roll. #100in2015 (#16)
(4)
Mr K.
I'm so sad to write this review. I'm originally from Hawaii and of Japanese descent. Chef Morimoto has always been a favorite of mine since the original Iron Chef. When traveling, my family and I like to eat at well known and acclaimed places for the experience. Morimoto Waikiki was definitely a destination dinner and I had high expectations. Unfortunately, by night's end, I was disappointed and confused. Let's start with the restaurant itself. It is a beautiful space. We sat on the lanai overlooking the marina which provided a nice tranquil ambiance. For food, my wife and I ordered the tasting menu. Perhaps we should have ordered ala carte in retrospect as there were maybe one or two dishes I would try again. The hamachi and toro tartare was cute, but it really didn't showcase the fish. The minced meat consistency is not appealing and all the accroutremonts are extraneous. The kampachi with hot sesame oil was good, a little play on chinese style steamed fish. The vegetable bagna calda was a throwaway dish. I mean it was ok, but it had no Japanese or island influence and maybe would be better served in a different context. The foie gras chawanmushi was easily the star of the night, traditional Japanese with a French twist and perfectly executed. This is what I expected for the entire meal. The intermezzo was a mushroom tea. However, I think it was eringi mushroom and not matsutake. Could have at least made a small dobin mushi. The nigiri plate was ok, but not something I would order in this setting. I was hoping that the mixed grill would be the saving grace at this point. Everything was overcooked and yet cold at the same time. Bummer because it's hard to mess up lobster and wagyu. I liked the dessert. The butter mochi was a nice touch. The service was acceptable, but for a restaurant of this caliber, it should be so much better. I shouldn't have to flag staff down for the wine pairing with the current dish or have my water glass completely empty for 10 minutes. Also, the waiter and food runners were giving me different descriptions for the same course. it's all in the details. In the end, Morimoto Waikiki didn't deliver. For reference, I easily have 50+ Michelin stars under my belt and depending on the list, close to half of the top 100 in the restaurants in the US ranging from casual to uber fine dining.At maybe $50 per person, this would get one more star from me, but at $200 per person it falls way short.
(3)
Jana U.
Brandon was a wonderful server!! We came in with moderate expectations and were pleasantly surprised with the friendly service, delicious food and lovely outdoor setting. We had several dishes and all were expertly prepared and hot when they arrived at our table. The only issue was the wait time for our food. This is where Brandon really shined as our waiter. Sometimes waiters hide from tables when they know they've been waiting for food, but Brandon came out and personally gave updates in our food and apologized for the delay. The food was delicious and though the wait is long, it's worth it.
(3)
Karl S.
We have been waning to try a Morimoto for quite a while, just never in the right time place. Very happy we found one on Oahu! Arrived for our 7 pm reservations and were warmly greeted by very friendly and professional Hostess, we were struck by how beautiful and relaxing the restaurant is decorated and laid out. Once seated our Server was on it, very accommodating with plenty of useful suggestions. We started with awesome Martinis. We tried the Yellowtail Pastrami and the Pork Gyoza, along with the Kakuni, a 10 hour braised Pork Belly all were absolutely amazing dishes. For the main course I picked the Seafood 'Toban Yaki' which was one of the best things I've ever eaten. Wifey chose the Australian Wagyu Filet, super tender and wonderful flavors. Overall one of the best dining experiences we've had in Waikiki, which is not an easy thing to do.
(5)
Harry N.
I came to this restaurant, because I was recommended by a family member, it came highly recommended. I gave it 5 stars because I truly felt the food was amazing and the service was even better. For every appetizer or main dish we were given a new set- up and new plates. Our glasses were always topped off, they wouldn't let our drinks get below half full. The sushi was delicious. The portions are small , but creatively prepared and the tastes are very unique. This style of sushi reminds me of the NOBU sushi chain in California. The prices were on the expensive side, but worth it. Our bill for 4 people, including drinks, appetizers and main dishes came out $350. To top everything off, the scenery from the outside balcony was amazing. You can watch the sinset.
(5)
Betsy B.
Modern atmosphere in the Modern Hotel owned by celebrity chef. I walked over from the Ilikai Hotel by coming past the pool but my friend drove and got validated parking. There is indoor and outdoor seating but if you arrive in the evening before the sun is down, it can be a challenge to get a seat where one of you doesn't have sun in your eyes-the curtains don't really block out the sun. In any event, the service was outstanding with our server being very helpful and attentive without being intrusive. We each had an appetizers to start which were generous proportions and filling. I had the tempura rock shrimp that came in a three section dish with one having shrimp in a spicy kochujan sauce, one having shrimp in wasabi aioli and the last being a ranch dressing with some celery sticks but it was interesting to dip the other shrimp lightly in the ranch dressing now and then as well. It was cooked nicely and enjoyed the taste. I had the California roll next which was very good. The last thing I had was a tofu cheesecake that we shared and it was more tasty than expected as well as being very light-more like a mouse. Although it can be pricey, you can easily get by with appetizers-I would have had an entree had I not already filled up. The service was as good as I've ever had. The only drawback was the noise level and glare from the sun. It is worth a visit at least once though.
(4)
Elysse P.
The restaurant is located inside The Modern Honolulu (where we were staying). If you're a weirdo like me and watched Iron Chef before you went to sleep every night, you know who Chef Morimoto is. This was a must on my list so we made a ressie as soon as we booked our flights. The restaurant ambiance reflects The Modern. Gorgeous and chic, but still simple. Loved the floral artwork on the walls and moss tables... and even the little details like the clear chopsticks. + Sushi platter - they are very flexible when it comes to the different platters. As the prices go up, the quantity and quality go up as well. We went with the 180 option and specified we all really wanted uni. There were 5 of us. The chef worked with our request and made 5 of each fish. Our platter came with 7 different types of sushi (including our beloved uni), spicy tuna roll, and tamago to finish. DELICIOUS. This is definitely a must. + Oysters with foie gras and uni - Set of 3 oysters. 3 of my favorite things in one dish. DO it. + Toro tartar - Really enjoyed the presentation and flavor. The toro is SO fatty and the 5 sauces accompanying the toro definitely complete the dish. I would also recommend this. + Alaskan crab legs - we were excited because the waiter explained they would be flavored in spice... but disappointed to find out that the flavor was actually a spicy, thick mayo......... not really our preference. The side of fries were crispy, but again smothered in the mayonnaise and thus a big soggy and less appetizing as the sauce continued to soak. I would only recommend this dish to mayonnaise lovers. + pork belly congee - the pork belly is beyond tender and HAS SO MUCH FLAVOR. Worked perfectly with the congee (porridge). I would recommend this dish for sure. + 12th rose - HIBIKI 12 year old whiskey (really good Japanese whiskey) mixed with some sort of lavender lemonade, rosemary... and other stuff. I can't remember and it's not on their online menu yet! The waiter did mention that it's one of their newest cocktails. AMAZING. I was expecting to dish out on this meal, but it was not bad at all. Spent about $65/each with tip. The service is absolutely perfect. Our waiter was very informative, made great recommendations, and really worked with us in creating the perfect sushi platter. He also brought out complimentary sorbet and chocolate for my birthday :) I realllyyyy enjoyed Morimotos!
(5)
Jin H.
Foods are just ok, poor service quality. Good location by Harbor but uncomfortable table layout.
(2)
Reina L.
From the moment we walked in and Duane helped us with the menu...to all the great servers and the delicious foods...this has been one of my best birthday dinners. This is one of my top three restaurants! We started with the sashimi platter, then tried a sushi platter, from there we got the tenpura squid salad, and then finally decided to order our main course meals. I loved that Duane was so helpful and everyone was so friendly that this made my son and my first experience here wonderful!
(5)
Jackie M.
Morimoto is a large chain. The restaurant its self is nice. The service was terrible all across the board. Shame on them. Our party arrived. The hostesses just stood up there, didnt greet anyone. It took them a few minutes to even acknowledge us to check in. The restaurant was probably about 15% occupied. & Mind you, this restaurant is huge. I already knew these hostesses were going to be a problem. Upon making the reservation, they were extremely rude over the phone. I called from upstairs, because I was a guest at the hotel. We were coming here for a birthday, and asked for their suggestion on where to be seated. She was very rude when she stated "its all preference". I had to pry into her, like does it get windy? Does it get cold? I need some suggestions dammnit. It was slow season in Hawaii. The restaurant was dead! I was really unimpressed. At dinner we ordered probably about 10 dishes (including sushi) between 4 people, and they could not get the timing right bringing them out. Sometimes it was super slow, or super fast. We were shocked, and had to tell them to slow down at one point because we got bombarded with 4 large dishes at once. Other than the absolute terrible service, sushi newbs would probably love this restaurant. The dishes look pretty, but hawaii has so many great sushi/japanese spots off the strip. If you prefer to go to a "famous chef" chain, I think the food is alot better at Nobu. Majority of this post reflects on the bad service across the board. The sushi is an average 3 star. The entrees were a 2.
(1)
Neen J.
I have eaten at some of the most incredible restaurants in the world and I love the way food tastes and is plated ... this place blew my mind! Every single mouthful was a delight visually and in taste. My honey and I sat outside and it was quieter than inside and we ordered the tasting menu - so worth it. I got the GF version and it was almost identical to my honey. The first course of sashimi was served inside a shell filled with ice and accompanied with a small little shovel type device and we were encouraged to take a little fish and add some sauce and the many accompaniments with it. I can't explain how fun it was. The second course of white fish carpaccio in oil was spectacular. The sushimi course was generous and incredibly fresh. I loved the broth bath of anchovy with the vegetables and the entree of Australian wagyu beef, pork belly and fresh prawns was amazing. They also offer a salty tea like cleaner between course. The dessert was delish and I didn't want it to end but I couldn't have fitted in any more food - so many courses, so delicious. We felt very spoilt as there was also a fireworks display that night so the whole evening was very special. Our waiter Mark was attentive, caring and fun. I know there are mixed reviews on this place however our experience was excpetional from the moment we arrived until we left.
(5)
Donald Kawika C.
What can I say! The food was amazing . Service was on par and the drinks were very good. I recommend the shrimp app followed by Duck Duck Duck or the grilled Butterfish......so good!
(5)
Kristine L.
I do not know why this place got 3 1/2 stars. This place is hella bomb. Came here with my bf and his parents. We love all what we ordered. We tried to come back one more time before we leave oahu but we came in around 9pm and they didnt let anyone come in anymore. But its kooo.
(5)
Rosalynn E.
Thank you Chad for reaching out....I decided to come back and try the dinner menu again. I have been here many times for breakfast and lunch but it's been years since for dinner. I saw that there are a few new items in the dinner menu there is a curry dish...sorry can't remember the name and duck, duck, duck that is prepared 3 different ways. I arrived at 6pm....I highly recommend to sit outside at this time. As we dined we were able to enjoy the most beautiful sunset. My main server was Andrew with 2 other guys that stopped by. He was informative and attentive...with a smile. Apps: toro tartare- a must, so pretty. Rock shrimp- everyone likes this including the kids. Wagyu carpaccio- served hot with Yuzu and soy YUMMY Dinner: Black cod or butterfish cooked to perfection Angry chicken- nice flavors the Pork Chops are thick and very very juicy. Dessert: chocolate cake. I can't wait to come back and do the omakase
(5)
Barrett D.
Atmosphere: When approaching the entrance of Morimoto's, the place is stanchioned by two looming wooden doors; a resounding impression of power. I liked it already. Inside I was greeted by one of the most elegant dining areas I've had the privilege to experience. The entire room is tastefully decorated with sleek, modern furniture, clean colors, and clever accent pieces. Appropriate to Honolulu, a marine theme held sway with seashells prominently displayed and tile mosaics shouting from the walls. Service: The staff at Morimoto's left nothing to be desired. Service was faultless, prompt, and explanations of each dish by our waiter were succinct and fascinating. Each course arrived in a timely and well balanced manner. I especially liked the chopsticks and chopstick rests. I actually went out of my way to find them online and order some as a gift for a friend! You can find them at korin.com Food: Few things delight me like creative dishes and Morimoto's delivered in spades. Presentation was en pointe; beautifully plated, colorfully arranged, and absolutely delicious. My cocktail tasted like the nectar of the gods. Each course brought pomp and zest to the table. My experience: damn near perfect. I give a resounding recommendation for Morimoto's in Waikiki.
(5)
Jaclyn O.
Located on the 2nd floor in the Modern Hotel, Morimoto-Waikiki has a lovely ambience, friendly staff, and great menu. The toro tartare ($28) and steamed scallops ($18) were delicious.
(5)
Amy K.
The best. I had tuna pizza, octopus carpaccio, Australian wagyu filet, O Toro, ishi yaki buri bop, and rock shrimp tempura. Staff was friendly and knowledgeable. All around great experience.
(5)
Rayshawn W.
The food at this restaurant is amazing!!!...and I'm not just hyping this up because Morimoto is an Iron Chef. The ambiance of the restaurant was nice and mellow. It wasn't a busy night so reservations weren't needed however it is recommended. The moment I sat down, I instantly began ordering appetizers and main courses. (I was excited to try Morimoto's food). The service was nice and opinions shared from the waiter helped on some of my rather quick choices. The food began to arrive and I was amazed. The food had a great taste and were not lacking in what I consider to be a decent portion in an upscale restaurant. His take on loco moco was epic and I cant even describe how good the spicy Alaskan King crab was. I actually believe his food is a lot better than Bobby Flay's which I've been argued against from others saying Flay's food tops all of the Iron Chefs. This is the 4th Iron Chef restaurant I've had the opportunity to visit and it ranks high on my list. I wish there was a Morimoto restaurant here in Los Angeles. Great food and well worth the price. Dinner 5/8/2014
(5)
Silva H.
The family and i found this on our previous vacation. We were so excited that our palette was introduced to various fresh flavours that when this family vacation was booked we had to visit Morimotos again. Celebrating Health and a new extended family ( my son proposed to his long time girlfriend) anyway, what can I say about the food, the service , the atmosphere, relaxed, upscale chic. We had 10 waiters at all time on our table. Rachael helped plan our evening weeks ago and was their to make sure everything was as planned. Thank you soooo much. Did I mention the food? AMAZING! Can't wait to return.
(5)
Daniel W.
Food was excellent! Service was nice. Was a little humid the night we went. Would be nice if they had some fans in the outdoor seating area to make it more comfortable. I know it is Hawaii, but it would be nice to have a dress policy for dinner service. I'm getting a little tired of going to Waikiki for fine dining and sitting next to tourists in t-shirts and slippers, while paying $100 a head for dinner.
(4)
Courtney E.
Overall the food was delicious. I had dinner here with my sister on a Wednesday night, reservations recommended. Food: Tuna pizza = yum Foie gras chawan mushi = definitely get this, rich but so buttery tasting $45 Sushi plate - 10 pieces and a tuna roll Eel avocado roll Shrimp tempura roll I would say the sushi was average, nothing out of this world. Was fresh and good. No complaints. Tuna and foie gras are a must!
(4)
Tom M.
Somebody's getting too big for their britches. This place has a great reputation and a pretty interior, but the cracks are showing. We went to get a cocktail on the patio at sunset around the fire pit, but almost missed it because the staff was inundated during a shift change. We watched 15-20 waiters and bus boys pass us without the slightest glance as they rushed to get tables ready for dinner. So after 10 minutes of trying to get someone's eye, I had to go to the bar myself. Behind the bar, they confirmed by suspicion about the shift change. I ordered drinks, but had to wait until the bartender cut up all the ingredients and garnishes (obviously, the previous shift didn't back up the bar and hung them out to dry). As I stood there, I got to watch the sun go down through the door out to the patio. Not the romantic drink together we'd hoped for. While our drinks were well-made, I had to notice that the fire pit couches we were sitting on were spotted with dark stains, and the white cocktail tables were worn and dirty. I'd really like to come back for their much-lauded dinners sometime, but it might take some convincing.
(3)
Susan S.
Loved it. First time at the Waikiki location. Josh was amazing. Loved the Ahi Tartare...fabulous presentation. Calamari salad was tasty. Hamachi tacos were excellent. Sashimi Collection was a picture perfect display of numerous cuts of fresh fish. Delicious!!!
(5)
Jennie M.
Holy Hanna-ble Lector! I am in serious love with Morimoto's! Sleek, sexy design with really intricate and amazing ocean art you feel like you are eating inside a 5 star restaurant in Atlantis. The walk up bar is a great place to come for a delicious cocktail and small bite (especially if you want the Morimoto experience without the Morimoto price tag). Yes, it's true, it is probably some of the most expensive sushi you'll ever eat, but it is just so worth it - at least to go once. Ever since the very beginning of the Iron Chef I have being absolutely enthralled by Chef Morimoto, and I am so glad I the opportunity to come. Every roll, cone, sushi, sushimi and roe was fresh, innovative and delicious. Oh, and they have the crazy coolest chopsticks I have ever used... I even bought a pair to bring home!
(5)
Kazemaru Y.
The overall rating is a five... I haven't been to every country on the globe but I've lived on three continents and visited four. So I've eaten a few great meals in my days. For me the overall experience is very important... If the food is extremely good and the place not it can still be ok... But mostly the overall experience is what sets a 5 star. The Morimoto restaurant itself is extremely clean, modern yet comfortably designed. You can bring an important guest here without being nervous for the impression it will make. Loved sitting outside yet under cover with beautiful view over the harbor. All ingredients were very fresh and well selected. Each dish prepared carefully and well presented. The flavors well balanced and prepared. I love vegetarian sushi and each piece was delicious and small as sushi should be. One piece fits elegantly into your mouth in one bite without making a mess. You can eat in style here! Staff was super friendly and patient with all our detailed questions. Our guests commented with delight on the pleasant and calm nature of the waiter. Will definitely go back!
(5)
Gray G.
This is a great restaurant for special occasions. It is located in Waikiki. I would say that the food is very expensive but it is well worth the experience. There are dining areas both inside and out. Inside you can watch the people in the kitchen busy at work and outside there is a beautiful view of the boat harbor which is especially magnificent at sunset. I don't remember the names of most of what we ordered but it was all very delicious. What stood out to me was the Hamachi Tacos and the Tuna Pizza. Both are must try appetizers! I would highly recommend this location. In addition, one thing I forgot to mention was our waiter. He is top notch. His name is Duane and he is very knowledgeable, very friendly. He came by our table many times and recommended some great dishes to us. I would like to have him as our waiter again when we go here in the future. You will have a great experience if you have him as a waiter. If the mangement is reading this, treat him well and maybe give him a raise! I hope all the waiters are like Duane.
(5)
Reid A.
The Iron Chef lives up to expectations. Morimoto's was a great experience for my family and me. We had a $100 dollar gift card and that helped us through the door in the first place. I think most people would agree this place is pricey, but it isn't astronomically pricey. Without subtracting the gift card, we paid $60 per person - same as Roy's or Alan Wong's. I think what really made our experience great was the choice of ordering style, our server, and the atmosphere. I would not recommend doing your regular appetizer-entree-dessert type style. I highly recommend ordering tapa style that allows everyone to share the smaller dishes. This will give you the opportunity to try way more dishes without banking on one dish to satisfy you. I like this ordering style and it fits with Japanese izakaya places. Order 3 dishes and if you want more, you order more as you go along. There were a lot of stand-outs here, which is why I won't go into detail since you can't go wrong. The top 4 were - pork gyoza, whitefish carpaccio, takoyaki, and the choclate peanut bombe. The names sound simple, but trust me, they are all very unique and extremely good. The presentation was outstanding, just like on iron chef. I think it's best that I don't show you pictures of it...I leave that to other yelpers to spoil it for you. The service was on point. Our dining experience ran about 2 hours long. This is pretty normal fine dining eating time. The eating experience felt like an hour to me. Our server, Duane, explained in detail each dish and also answered any questions we had. Our server was a huge help and made very good recommendations. The atmosphere was very fitting for the hotel. The Modern is very modern, in a simplistic way. This hotel is so easy to miss. It seems like this hotel doesn't want to be seen. Simple forms and walls, with detail in certain areas. Morimoto's is very much the same way. It feels like a heavenly beach experience with white walls, hanging coral art installations, and light green accents. We sat inside, which was the better way to go. Outside gets dark and I seen a few people holding up their phones to read the menu. The parking is valet at the main entrance on Hobron Lane across Red Lobster. It's easy to miss, since there is no signage. Once you get out your car there is enough signage to guide you upstairs. Valet is free, just remember to validate it. The restrooms are outside the restaurant and they are beautiful. Make sure to use it, or just walk in to check it out. This was a great fine dining experience and I'd come here again for special occasions. This place got me with a gift card, but it will keep me coming back without one.
(5)
Shekita T.
Original visit: Fall 2014 Only after experiencing the restaurant's other locations (Philadelphia, MB) was I able to truly appreciate the high quality of service and detail this restaurant offers! This is by far Morimoto's best location. I found both the Foie Gras Duck and Peanut Butter bomb especially satiating.
(5)
Scott M.
My wife and I had just spent two wonderful weeks on Kauai and were slowly preparing for re-entry to the real world by doing some shopping at Ala Moana and dining in Honolulu. We were staying at the Moana Surfrider and decided to ask the concierge for a recommendation for really great sushi/sashimi. She had a few suggestions, but, top amongst them was Morimoto (and Nobu, but we know Nobu well here in Melbourne). I'd never heard of Morimoto. We don't watch American TV cooking programmes, and knew literally nothing about the chef, the venue, the menu; all we knew was the name and location and a recommendation from the concierge. So we said yes. We were lucky, the concierge was able to get us in for a 1700 seating, same day, and when it was a very busy season (02 Jan). The venue is gorgeous, spacious, comfortable. The service: WOW. My wife and I try to figure out how restaurants work, the zones, positions, etc, and Morimoto had, as far as I could tell, an unexpected way for the waiters to cover tables. It appeared that they would have tables to-and-from the front of the restaurant, rather than along the strong horizontal arrangement of tables themselves. I mention this because it creates a very subtle, yet pleasing, effect: The table immediately to your sides may have an entirely different waiter/waitress than you get. This makes the service feel more intimate, more specialised, and that there's plenty of staff to go around. I liked it, I appreciated it (and if you're reading this, Morimoto, I hope I'm not insane in noticing this). The meal: Spectacular. Every dish was fantastic. There were several things we wanted to order more of (the maki...we ended up with two extra maki rolls ordered at the end of the meal...YUM). Fish was fresh, excellent preparation, great presentation, everything made is smile and say "mmm" -- just last night my wife asked to go back! (If only we weren't thousands of kilometres away...) So, why only four stars instead of five? I have a rule about reviews/ratings: Consistency is key. I need to visit somewhere a few times and make sure that my initial impressions, no matter how rosy they may be, match up with a consistency of approach by the venue. I have no doubt that our next trip to Honolulu (later this year) will result in another Morimoto meal and I'll bump this up to 5 stars, but since we were at the last night of a spectacular holiday, I felt it fair to give it a second go, just to be sure. I'll also mention this: Some people complained about the prices -- in my opinion, they're insane. It was entirely reasonable for the meal. You should try eating out in Australia some time, where the same meal would cost you four or five times as much... GREAT restaurant, can't wait to return!!
(4)
Priscilla Y.
I was looking forward to trying a restaurant opened by an Iron Chef and this did not disappoint one bit! Everything was FANTASTIC! (Dinner: April 8, 2015) Favourite dish: Morimoto style poke! Everything inside the bowl just worked so well together; the avocado wasabi sorbet and marinated cherry tomatoes in the bowl were great additions. The yellowtail maki was fresh and traditional, but not something you cannot get elsewhere. The clam miso was large and tasty. Braised black cod was very flavourful and rich, great with some rice/veg! The Duck, duck, duck was a good way to try duck 3 ways. The lamb chop was tender and cooked perfectly. Overall service was great and the servers explained each dish as they served it! Our server even told us when we sat down that there was only one lamb chop left so if we wanted it she could save it for us right away! I will definitely come back for another meal when I'm back in town!!
(5)
BestofHawaiibyKalani S.
If you love traditional Japanese style Sushi & Sashimi my recommendation is to sit at the Sushi Bar and tell them Omakase please. Chef Suda san is a perfectionist when cutting his fish. I love the menu but don't expect traditional Japanese style cuisine. Pros: 1. Very professional staff at the front checking you in. 2. Sushi Chef Suda San Knife skills is a big asset to Morimoto Waikiki 3. The sake/Soju & wine selection is priced right for all. 4. Don't feel rushed to eat your food and leave. 5. Great selection of food from the menu especially the yoshi dofu Cons: 1. The A/C vent keep dripping water on to our shoulders 2. No Amai ebi (Fresh Sweet Shrimp) 3. Nothing else I can think of... :-) I've been to so many Japanese restaurants in Hawaii and Morimoto is one of my top recommendations to eat. BestofHawaiibyKalani.com
(5)
Caleb S.
Food: 2.5 Stars Service: 4 Stars I am not sure what I was expecting when I walked in here, but Morimoto's failed to meet it. The food wasn't bad, but it wasn't what I would expect from a place that charges this much. It seemed uninspired and just didn't move the needle at all. We tried appetizers, salad, sushi sashimi, entrees and dessert, so this review isn't based off a single dish. The service was great, very prompt and friendly. The food came out quickly, but at our pace so we never felt rushed. Too bad the food flavor didn't match the service. I have to knock the overall rating based off the price to food quality ratio. TLDR: Save your money, try somewhere else.
(2)
Kitty K.
I visited Morimoto's for a second time and once again, it didn't fail to impress. I ordered the shrimp tempura appetizer as an entree and I begun with the miso soup and clams. The shrimp was fresh, the crust was crispy, and the wasabi sauce and the sweet and sour sauces were creamy, rich and delicious. The cocktail of the day was light and crisp. I finished it off with a pot of green tea. The service was attentive and courteous.
(5)
Antaash U.
My husband would be a Morimoto groupie if he could. He has raved about Morimoto for years and frequented the Honolulu and Napa locations multiple times. We also have the good fortune that Morimoto took over Japonais in Chicago so that his cuisine is extremely accessible. My first Morimoto experience was in Chicago, and it was very enjoyable. So, there was no way I was going to pass up an opportunity to dine at the original location while on vacation in Hawaii. I thought it was odd that the restaurant was housed in a hotel, but the ambiance was tres chic and ultra modern. It definitely gave off a swanky vibe in an approachable way. I really wish we could have dined on the patio, but it was unfortunately unavailable that night. I wish I could say that I was blown away by the flavors and presentation. I just was not. I had really, really high expectations going in, and nothing lived up to them. Most of the items we ordered were underwhelming because they were the cooked or vegetarian rolls. Because I am currently pregnant, and unable to enjoy real sushi, I still thought that if Morimoto was going to put a vegetarian roll on the menu, that it would be the best darn vegetarian roll the could do. WRONG. If they're going to put 6 veggie options on their menu, they should really try to do something unique with them. However, that's not what happened. The asparagus roll was pretty much white rice with small pieces of under-cooked asparagus rolled into the middle. I thought that there homemade soy sauce would be the needed umph, but the soy sauce was way too salty for my taste and as blasphemous as it might be to say, I actually missed my Kikoman low sodium soy sauce :(. If their creativity for 6 rolls was stifled, they should consider perhaps offering 3 vegetarian friendly rolls, but really doing something special with them. I'm just saying... Everything we ordered from the hot appetizers to the rolls was bland, boring and forgettable. I really wanted to love it, but I just didn't. I wonder if the people writing rave reviews for this place have limited sushi experience or they're just blinded by the space and the Morimoto reputation to be objective. Either way, it was a miss for me, and I would never suggest to anyone visiting Honolulu to go out of their way to dine here.
(2)
Tanya C.
We were greeted by friendly staff that were very accommodating. (We were happy to see locals hired, especially because we knew a few of them). The restaurant itself is pretty big and beautifully decorated. We ordered the Toro tartare (a must get), kampachi carppaccio (another must get), pork gyoza with bacon foam (it was ok), soft shell crab sushi roll (it was ok), surf and turf (the steak was super soft and melted in your mouth, the poke was good quality and little to no tsuji), and chocolate shiso for dessert. Everything was plated beautifully and came out at appropriate times. We didn't have to wait long to eat. I went for my birthday and got a complimentary dessert as well. Suggestions: you could definitely share dishes, just order a bunch. The serving sizes weren't as small as we expected and were told.
(5)
Han Y.
Very nice! I live in the Modern and it's my first time try at this Japanese restaurant.The chicken Ramen's soup is very tasty,noodles are smooth.Service is good and enthusiastic.Highly recommended.
(5)
Rachael O.
Absolutely worth a visit, though, at these price points, choose wisely. I came for lunch with my son who is a chef in a Michelin-starred restaurant in the San Francisco Bay Area. I lived there for 18 years myself, so I have enjoyed some really fantastic meals which may sway my expectations. The servers were largely local, which means a great deal here in Hawaii. They were very attentive and competent, as expected in a restaurant of this caliber. The ambience is sheer perfection---light green and cream, gorgeous, modern, and tranquil. I was in no hurry for my food because I wanted to bask in it. As other reviewers have noted, it is in the Modern Hotel, which is absolutely lovely. I had one aim in eating here---to enjoy black cod, my favorite fish in the whole world. The lunch portion ($25) did not disappoint. Paired with miso soup, mixed green salad and chef's choice sushi (four nice pieces), it was the perfectly balanced meal. Of course that meant I needed to add a pear yuzu cocktail with jalapeño garnish ($14) and a trio of Wailua chocolate, green tea, and miso butterscotch ice cream for dessert ($10). The drink was strong and refreshing and the dessert was incredible. My son got the toro tartar ($35) which was gorgeously presented with and array of sauces--creme freche, wasabi, Maui onion, rice crackers and I forget the fifth (sorry!). The toro was good but not fantastic. It could have been a bit fresher and fattier, especially since this is winter. He also got a few pieces of nigiri and the Wagyu sliders with wasabi fries. He declared those better than the sushi and he's a major fan of sushi in general. I was surprised at previous raves about the sushi as overall, it's good, but not great and these are prices that call for great sushi. I will absolutely be back. Recommended for special occasions and getting your tranquil Zen vibe going.
(4)
Littleone P.
We had gone here for my bday...and honestly was the best meal in Honolulu. The restaurant was located in the cool Modern Hotel. Sunset views were spectacular seated in the outdoor section. Sashimi were excellent! !..fresh, melt in your mouth like butta. We had the whole fish..absolutely delish. I absolutely loved the green tea and desserts. Prices: in reality, you pay for the high end food which I do not have a problem about. It is actually probably just slightly higher than a tourist trap off Waikiki beach. But food is darn good. Service was impeccable. Would send any wayward tourist there
(5)
Jeff S.
Been wanting to head to Morimoto's for the last few trips to Hawaii - final made it! Absolutely fantastic - the location, view and food are off the charts - The sushi presentation was like a work of art and was probably some of the best i have ever had. The only downside.... service was not great - our waiter seemed distracted and pretty much ignored us for a table of pretty girls for the last hour of our visit. I tell you though, the food and ambiance well made up for the lack of service
(4)
Paul M.
I was looking forward to checking out Morimoto during our trip to Hawaii. I have been a fan of his from the original Iron Chef so I definitely was curious to try some of his dishes. My wife had been to the Morimoto in Napa Valley and she said the food there was great. Morimoto is located inside the swank Modern Honolulu and it's chic white interior blends in great with the hotel's sleek aesthetic. We picked a table outside so we could enjoy the beautiful Honolulu night. First off the service here was great although the restaurant was very empty for some reason. My wife made the comment that at the Napa location she liked the appetizers much more than the entrees and oddly we found the same here as well. For apps we had: Crispy Rock Shrimp Tempura, Morimoto style poke, and a sushi roll. The Rock Shrimp tempura was great especially the spicy sauce. I liked the Poke as well although the foam was a little strange. Poke isn't really a dish that needs to be fancied up. For entrees we had: Chef's Loco moto, Seafood toban yaki, and the Ishi Yaki buri bop. Of the three I would say that the Ishi Yaki buri bop was the best although if you don't like seaweed don't order this as it has a strong seaweed taste. The Toban Yaki was very messy to eat and really didn't impress me as being an asian style dish. It was more like a Bouillabaisse in my opinion. The Loco moto is a dressed up version of a famous local comfort/hangover dish and was very mediocre. If you want to try this stick to the original in some local's spot. It will be cheap and good. Overall I would say that the experience here was positive but the food just wasn't that good for the price. Although it is rare, this is one of the occasions that the Iron Chef Japanese was defeated in his home stadium......
(3)
Jayvell B.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the dining seats and tables and environment of the restaurant! I ordered an ice cream sampler with really great flavors: Green tea matcha, Miso Butterscotch (Absolute favorite), and a chocolate. I also ordered the pork belly sliders which were very flavorful. A great place for any occasion!
(4)
Maureen G.
My husband surprised me with reservations here for my birthday, ranks in my top two culinary experiences. I won't bore anyone with the details, but everything was really well done. Since moving to Hawaii this is the first time after a meal my husband has said, "we'll be coming back here." The biggest issue of the evening was trying to decide between ordering off menu or the omakase.. First world problems.
(5)
Michelle N.
Took my mom to dinner here tonight and she said everything was excellent! From the service to the food & I couldn't agree with her more!! We ordered hamachi tacos, kakuni, wagyu carpaccio, oyster foie gras, takoyaki, seafood tobanyaki, and Australian wagyu filet. Personally the oyster foie gras was my favorite! My mom couldn't pick because she loved everything! She said it was the best meal she had in years! We will definitely be coming back in the near future.
(5)
Takashi H.
Review based on the Chef's course menu ordered when the chef was in the house. Reality TV star Masaharu Morimoto has quite the draw, so I took a good friend from Tokyo to try Morimoto's with me. Having frequented the Iron Chef Yukio Hattori culinary institute in Tokyo, I had high hopes. The facade of authentic Japanese cuisine was quickly shattered within the first few courses. The wait staff didn't have a clue how to properly pronounce the Japanese names of dishes, nor what ingredients were in the food. Since a big part of authentic Japanese fine dining is talking about the ingredients, preparation style and philosophy, this experience was quite underwhelming. The hamachi tartar was served half frozen; it was neither fresh nor tasty. The shoyu and wasabi served with it tasted like the same sort in convenience store sushi. That's like the equivalent of putting ketchup on filet mignon. The entire experience was memorable for the wrong reasons. I wouldn't go back for another round unless the desserts and cocktails are so stellar I could justify abstaining from the lackluster food. I really would like to support the restaurant, but have a list of other authentic spots well worth the $$$.
(2)
Lorraine K.
Let me start off by saying the restaurant as a whole is beautiful. The decor, the lighting, the color scheme is all very pleasant to the eye. The waiting area is comfy and clean and the hostess are friendly. Parking is free if you dine there, just let valet know. The ambiance of the restaurant can be romantic but also fun if you're with a group of friends. The food was okay.. I think I was expecting it to be something more than what I experienced. I went with some girlfriends and we ordered a bunch of sushi and appetizers and one or two entrees& it was just good, not great. What kind of annoyed me is that my friends and I like to throw back a drink or two (or three or four). Cocktails are $14 which I found reasonable. We also ordered shots of patron and grey goose which at most places are $8 maybe $10. When we got our bill the shots were just as much as the cocktails, $14!! I couldn't believe it. After thinking about it, we should've asked how much they were but really? $14?! In the end, our drinks came coats 2x more than our food -_- Now it seems as if morimotos is going for a beachy theme, but I think they should consider a better ac system. The temperature in the restaurant was too warm for comfort and no, it wasn't because we had alcohol. I noticed it when we first walked in, however the reception area was a tad cooler. I give this place 3 stars bc I liked the presentation of the food, the interior design of the restaurant and the friendly staff.
(3)
Eric A.
4.5 stars if I could give that but I will round up. Came with wifey and our two kids. Excellent staff and treated our kids like royalty. Food was world class. I highly recommend the oysters foie gras. Perfection in 3 bites. I wish I had 10 more orders. -.5 stars for just the hint of haste in bringing our orders...would like to have had a touch more time in between...my wife disagrees though as she thought it was good given the kids always need to eat. This is just a nit. Looking forward to going back and definitely on the "places to eat when in waikiki" list!
(5)
W Q.
Lunch is an excellent value here for very high quality food. $25 gets you either chicken, fish, loco moco, or pork belly, with 2 pieces of sushi, one piece california roll, a salad, miso soup, and rice. The Loco Moco is an excellent deal here, high quality wagyu beef. For dessert, the butterscotch ice cream is to die for, and the strawberry lychee sorbet is also excellent. There was a dead bug in my miso soup, the soup was quickly replaced. I was pretty disappointed to see this in such a high end restaurant, but this is not going to stop me from returning -- but now I will always check for dead bugs before I start enjoying my miso soup! I do like the ambiance, and the quality of the food here very much. And the presentation of the food here is top notch. It's a work of art. If you're into eating art and burning lunch money, this is a great spot!
(5)
Wendy D.
Fantastic! And Mimi was a highlight as she assisted us thru the menu and drink selection! A must do if you are on Waikiki
(5)
Terence T.
Very disappointed. Not sure what they were going for - Japanese, fusion, Hawaiian??! It was none of it. He chawan mushi wasn't bad. The squid salad felt like two separate dishes, and the angry chicken was bland disputes being drenched in sauce, while the black cod was insanely salty. Bartender was good. So between the bartender and the chawan mushi is how I got to three stars. Really just a tourist trap, unfortunately like the location in NYC.
(3)
Keiko J.
One word. ...terrible. Unsophisticated service. Nice plate but food no taste ...very sad. Such a nice interior ...but when I walked in to the restaurant, the place smells like fishmonger.
(2)
Z Z.
This place is probably on its last leg. Went here for lunch on a Saturday afternoon and the restaurant was empty. My first impression was that the decor was ugly and old. The vomit green leather chairs were ripped and uncomfortable. The table that featured moss inside was a cool idea, but the water looked like it hasn't been changed in years. It also looked liked they recently painted the tables because there was paint drippings running down the sides of some of them. While these things are trivial, it speaks volumes about one important aspect; attention to details. As for the food...I ordered the chicken katsu sandwich, which came with a thin slice of chicken, shredded cabbage, and toasted white bread....yes, white bread. Wait, wasn't Chef Morimoto an "Iron Chef?" WTF?! I would expect this at a cheap local plate lunch place, not at an "esteemed fine dining establishment." While the sandwich was edible it was not enjoyable. We also ordered the soft shell crab roll, which was only part of the meal that I thought was decent. I also want to mention that our $14 cocktail which was supposed to have homemade lavender syrup tasted nothing like lavender. Also a bummer. My meal was so subpar that I decided to skip desert. Lastly, I want to point out that for the most part the lunch menu was somewhat reasonably priced...however, they did have some jaw dropping menu item prices (ex. $14 Kona Coffee and $18 Rouge beers). I would not recommend this place unless you are just looking for sushi and are willing to skip on everything else.
(2)
Brad S.
Very disappointing. Would not return. Morimoto is a nicely appointed space in the hotel Modern. We booked for a table of 8, on Sunday the 29th. We arrived and the restaurant is completely empty, a bit of a buzz kill right off the bat. Even though there are only two other tables seated in the 200 person restaurant, they ask us to hang out in lobby , to have us order drinks. Cocktails are prepared well. We were sat at a large table, in the middle of the dining area. We order apps , the spicy crab legs and gyoza. things take a good while to come out , even though there are at least 10 kitchen staff and fewer than 15 patrons. These apps are good, not great. We order some sashimi at the same time. There is an odd ventilation problem that blows smoke and odor into the dining area. The service is awkward, big gap between app ordering and main course. Its so disconnected that the bus staff actually collects our menus before we have ordered entrees. Things come out too slow , then an avalanche putting multiple rounds of apps on the table at the same time. Waiter apologized a few times. The sushi is fresh and passable, hamachi tacos are good. The crispy rock shrimp are dunked in so much sauce that the breading actually falling off and terribly soggy. It's bad. For entrees, we had the turf and surf, pork chop , angry chicken and seafood toban yaki. Two steaks come out cremated, instead of Medium. The steaks are served on a sizzling hot plate. This adds to the problem, because when the meat sits in the pass , waiting to be served for too long, it will overcook, just on the serving plate. The waiter was again very apologetic, he comped a steak, but then took 30 min to get the replacement out ( in the totally empty restaurant). News flash, it takes 5 minutes to cook a baby fillet. Pork chop cooked nicely, juicy, but the sauce and crust was so salty , it was inedible. Angry chicken had a very interesting flavor, but the sauce tasted like it was concentrate that had been over reduced, and like the pork chop , was so salty we could not finish it. My toban yaki was missing several of the ingredients and more than 1/2 the clams were shut when the dish was served. This is cooking 101, don't serve shellfish that is not fresh, you can sicken people. Any first year chef should have caught this problem with the dish. The crab, which was good in the appetizer, was over cooked in the toban yaki, it was like rubber. The two shrimp were visually appealing , but done to the point they tasted like clay. The broth was very salty , unpleasantly so, but not as salty as the chicken or pork. You could at least eat it. Service- as said , awkward. I'll give the first waiter this, he tried hard. To add insult to injury, the waiter was split shifted and sent home midway through our service, leaving another waiter to pick up the pieces of our wrecked experience at Morimoto. Check open table for the same weekend, you will see another similarly unimpressed guest from the only other table seated in the dining room while we were there. Sad that a world class chef like Morimoto would allow his name to be attached to a restaurant like this.
(2)
Tabby K.
Update for inflation - The sashimi and tempura set is$32 now. Still delicious though!!
(5)
Chris G.
Iron Chef, Morimoto, should be happy to know that I had a good dining experience. The reviews seem to be mixed, but mine was nothing short of first rate quality. I must start by saying I was with another couple, who have a business relationship with the restaurant, so the staff was on their game from the second we sat down. We received several personal welcomes from managers and staff. The location is in The Modern hotel, which lives up to the name, very clean and modern - see related restaurant pictures, it reminds me of South Beach, FL. Our experience began at 7 pm on a Saturday night, and ended at 11, not sure where the 4 hours went, but I guess time flies when you are enjoying yourself. We sat outside, under the tent, with an ideal marina view. The entire setting felt special, again, see the pictures. We must have had 8 different people address our table, and they all came with insightful details on the food and drinks. Extra kudos to our head waiter, Martin, who was rock solid. For starters, we had several beverages, including the litchi martini, a local take on the martini (A), and my favorite, the Cucumber Shiso Collins (A+), made with Bombay Sapphire East Gin, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, fresh cucumber and lemon juice a cucumber cocktail, which reminded me of a mojito, but better! Our group also enjoyed a few bottles of white wine, they have a smaller wine list, but good choices. As for the food, we had a group of 4, so we went family style, utilizing our friends experience. - Tempura calamari salad, tasty, B+ - Tofu table side, delicious and a fun interesting process to witness, A - Ahi pizza, if the combo sounds good, you will not be disappointed, A - Crispy Rock Shrimp Tempura, seemed a little heavy on the breading, B - Chef's raw bar combination, filled with wonders from the sea, fresh oysters, Keahole lobster, and Alaskan king crab legs, the lobster and crab is already cut, A - Wagyu Beef, perfection! A - Crispy Whole Fish, loved the presentation (see my picture), I thought this was tasty, but not amazing, B+ Drinks Grade: A Food Grade: B+ Service Grade: A Overall Experience: A- They also have a cool bathroom, make sure to check it out, which I use as an indicator when it comes to a good overall experience. I 'almost' felt like I got what I paid for, 4.5 stars.
(4)
Heather A.
Very modern & clean!! A different feel for Hawaii, so it was nice to experience that. We enjoyed the sushi & the drinks.
(4)
Mami S.
decent food at a high price is all I can say. too many other options in Waikiki honoluu!
(3)
Jorge C.
Continues to impress w/ innovative dishes & great service!!! Gotta stop by here every time we are in Oahu!
(5)
Carol M.
Ox Tail Soup! You might not order something like ox tail soup at a fancy restaurant and I'm not quite sure why I did -- but it was out of this world! Also the Calamari salad was great! I would go back for those two things. Expensive yes, but if you just had the soup or the salad for lunch, it would be like any other nice restaurant and the portions are huge! I can't speak for some of the other entrees because I only got side dishes. You need a lot of time to eat here and the service is slow.
(4)
Tina T.
Gorgeous restaurant located inside the modern hotel. As soon as I walked in, I knew I was in love. Fresh, clean, modern, chic with a touch of seaside glam. Everything inside that restaurant was beautiful down to the smallest details. The chopsticks were so cute (if anybody knows where to get them please let me know)! My bf and I made reservations for our last night which we almost cancelled b/c we were so full from having a late lunch. Decided to go anyway as it was our last chance. We ordered a couple cocktails, the spicy king crab, seafood toban yaki (side of rice is a must to soak up the broth) and peanut butter bomb for dessert. Next time we are back, we plan to stay at the modern and give Morimoto another try (on an empty stomach of course). Everything was delicious but we want the full experience next time! I didn't rate 5 starts b/c the service wasn't consistent throughout the evening. Our server was great, very knowledgable on menu items and offered great recommendations, however, front desk could use some work. We were not greeted and some woman who looked to be employed there stood behind the counter and chatted with what looked to be a friend the whole time. When we were finally greeted, we were given no direction to be seated in the wait area (though obvious). It just wasn't warm or inviting and def kept us anxious after we were seated. Fortunately our server was awesome.
(4)
Diana T.
Husband and I had our 1st Year anniversary dinner at Morimoto Waikiki. Nice environment, great food, friendly service. However, portion is kindda little, but that's what fine dining is. We made reservation from open table and we had a complimentary Ice cream at the end saying "happy anniversary" on the plate, very sweet~
(4)
Jason S.
I was able to visit my favorite resturant this week and try a whole new array of different dishes. The dishes we had were the wagyu ribeye steak, spicy hamachi maki, tuna sandwich with focaccia bread, soft shell crab roll, kakuni, and green tea ice cream. The dish I most enjoyed was the Tuna sandwich. This is not your ordinary tuna sandwich. They use big eye tuna along with roasted garlic mayo and arugula. The focaccia they use is house baked and outstanding! Then again mostly everything there is house made and at its freshest! Even the green tea ice cream is house made! Everything I've had at Morimoto's has by far exceeded my expectations each time. And as always the staff including the GM has been very hospitable and gracious. Always a pleasurable experience! Jason S.
(5)
Seth M.
Got to watch Chef Morimoto prepare a private meal while we are. The portions were phenomenal and the food was ultra traditional, demonstrating and amazing control over the science of the ingredients. The service staff was top notch and really demonstrated what fine dining is all about. The place was loud, crowded, and reservations are an absolute must. If you like Japanese cuisine and have a few bucks to spare, I highly recommend it.
(4)
Sara K.
Overall an excellent experience.The newly renovated interior makes a relaxing and subtly impressive ambiance. The perfect restaurant to try sake and Japanese inspired drinks. The signature white lily cocktail is a must! The rock shrimp tempura was perfectly executed and heavenly.
(5)
Ana E.
Morimotos how I looked forward to the experience. Set in Modern hotel with nice outside seating. We had to wait over 30 minutes to even sit and had to wait in an overcrowded spot with many other people. Almost left (should have) Next we were seated outside and immediately were attended by an energetic and personable waiter. We elected for the tasting menu at $120 a piece. He asked if we had any allergies or food preferences. I told him I had a coconut allergy and that I don't do dessert. If there is a dessert planned I would rather substitute a savory dish. He told me there are no substitutions. (Strike 2) The food started coming. This started well with toro and hamachi tataki which was excellent. Then we had a fish carpaccio which was also tasty. This was followed by a bagna cauda. A strange fondue dish of boiling oil. Ok. Interesting. Then came the egg custard with foie gras. Well done but too rich for me. Then nothing more..... Nothing. The waiter apologized saying that the kitchen was backed up as they had 3 times the normal sushi orders. Waiting and waiting. We sat at 730pm. This course came out finally after 900pm. Crazy. It was ok for sushi. While we were halfway through with the sushi the main course of wag yu beef, pork and overseasoned lobster came out. At this point the dinner was so long you really couldn't enjoy the dish Then they brought us dessert. First a "consolation" dessert for waiting so long (after I told the guy I don't do dessert!). It was supposed to be the best thing on the menu. A peanut butter mousse. It was not great. Then, they brought our real dessert and it had coconut in it. REALLY!? Didn't u ask me about allergies cmon What a long expensive disappointment
(3)
Tony S.
Loved it. Had the 8oz Australian wagyu steak, perfectly grilled and came with this amazing sauce . Place has a really good setting and vibe. Service was great. Had a reservation and seated and served promptly . One set back was we were seated outside and while we made it in time with for the sunset which was amazing, once it gets dark U realize your just next to a boat harbor and the hotel pool.
(4)
Alexis Y.
I can't believe there is a single negative review here! I was incredibly impressed with Morimoto's. I came here a week ago with my husband and we are craving every bite again. We had made a reservation a few nights before which was incredibly simple. The staff was all very friendly and it was nice to have our server describe each meal in detail as it arrived. My husband is a huge fan of the man himself, Morimoto, and set very high standards for this place. All of his expectations were met. We began with the $50 sashimi spread which had beautifully cut fish that was the perfect choices, cuts, and freshness. Every plate was presented beautifully and was seasoned and cooked better than we could have imagined. I absolutely cannot wait to come back here, absolutely worth spending a few extra dollars for the night
(5)
SB S.
Wow. Just deliciously fresh sushi. You don't need to fancy up fresh because it speaks for itself, but even then, they do a great job of playing it up. Like it's namesake, Morimoto is top shelf. Even better than it's restaurant is the hotel it's located in. Do yourself a favor and stay at the Modern. I've have few experiences like it where such service and beauty resided in the same place.
(4)
Lauren O.
Hands down, the best restaurant I have ever been to. If Chef Morimoto is working, make sure your order the Omakase. TRUST ME. Everything here is cooked perfectly; it is beautiful aesthetically as well. The people who work here are great, and very knowledgeable. You often can see Chef here, directing everything that leaves the kitchen. The food is so good, I was once at an event at the adjoining hotel and my date and I ran out, ordered the Wagyu carpaccio while simultaneously closing out our bill, since we only had 10 minutes to spare. The view can't be beat, and there are always celebrities. My favorites: Surf and Turf, Bi-Buri-Bap, Omakase, Peanut Butter Bombs, Truffle Martini, Duck Duck Duck, Wagyu, ANY sushi, ANY damn thing chef recommends.
(5)
Mali K.
All the dishes we had were beautifully presented and delicious. We arrived after two hikes and were extremely hungry. Get ready to order several appetizers, a couple of entrees and dessert in order to feel full. It's more a place to say you've been to, then a place to frequent unless you're the 1% or unless a newbie drags you. Highly recommended for those celebrating a special occasion - my husband took me for our anniversary and I took a friend for her birthday.
(4)
jane u.
I'm sorry for this late review. My husband and I dine here about 1-2 x's, per month. Besides the complimentary valet and the beautiful scenery of the marina, the Food! The tuna pizza is so fresh, it is so unique the thin crust compliments the ahi and the sauce is amazing. I had ordered the deep fried boneless snapper, this truly is 1 of my top favorites. It is amazing that the chefs can de-bone a whole fish and deep fry it and just make Fish magic!! I ended my entree with uni, ikura, and Kani miso!! I love Morimoto's!
(5)
Johnny C.
We ate at Morimoto's for my parents anniversary and let me tell you it was delicious. We started off with the calamari salad, Wagyu capaccio, and cured hamachi. The Wagyu capaccio was the best thing I've ever eaten, the meat just resonated with citrus flavors . For lunch entrees we had the lobster sandwich,pork bento, and chirashi. The French fries that came with my sandwich I had a touch of seaweed and wasabi flavors. We love dessert and I recommend you trying the miso butterscotch ice cream. It's something different and adventurous , the miso was not overpowering at all but added a nice salty element to the creamy ice cream . But all in all the desserts were great. We will be returning again for another special occasion very soon. The taste was great, plating spectacular, and most of all exactly what I expected from an Iron Chef.
You can't really go wrong here. The Good: * Great ambience * Beautiful architecture * Top notch service * Parking is always taken care of * Anything you order here... really you can't go wrong!!! Except the tartare. Yes, it was beautiful, and colorful. But I have also tried many other sushi places that do tartare justice. I have to say that was the most disappointing dish :( * Must must order the desserts... the sorbets and ice creams change every night and one night I enjoyed the CRISPY RICE sorbet ice cream.... HOLY MOLY BLEWWW MY MIND. But I was sad to find out that it's not a normal thing! * Seasonal Sake is a must have for me * wagyu carpaccio - MMMHMMM get it get it!! * whitefish carpaccio - i guess im a huge fan of carpaccio! The Bad: * Oh, the price burns a hole in my wallet, and my heart The Weird: * Interesting that Morimoto's even serves breakfast! Be sure to check that out :)
(5)
Steven G.
Went there for my girlfriends birthday. It was so loud in there we couldn't even talk. Tables are also too wide seemed like she was across the room. Portions were too small, had to order dessert just to fill up. I will not be back Thank you for the response. I had the Hamachi rice bowl and my girlfriend had the Duck dish.
(2)
Sue T.
I was there last night. I'm in on a trip from the mainland and I will begin by saying I'm a restaurant owner and a trained chef who's been in the food and bev industry for 30+ years. I was very much looking forward to taking out a dear friend to celebrate his business success. I called the restaurant and made a reso for 8:15. We arrived early, planning on a few cocktails at the bar....the young lady could not find our reservation. Her repeated questions, asking us to spell the last name, asking who I spoke to, peering into her touch screen with a troubled look....not good. The dining room was half empty, so we asked them to try and figure it out and we proceeded to the bar. Will was our mixologist. He was such a congenial, consummate professional. He and my companion fell easily into conversation on all things local and culinary. Drinks were wonderful. After a short time we were escorted to our table. After being seated so we could see the kitchen, we ordered....just two courses with open minds as to more. My companion then saw someone he knew, a food runner named Matt. Such a nice young man. He brought us some superlative sake and a small tasting plate thoroughly enjoyed with our cocktails. This is where it goes off the rails. Between the small plate delicacy and our appetizer, the wait was inordinately long. I sat and entertained myself as I watched the tickets go up, the food runners run, and servers seemingly do the same. Approximately 40 minutes later we received our appetizers. They were very good, and I decided to forgive the long wait, knowing that the server had given the order fire for our entrees. Alas not to be. We called it a day after waiting another 40 minutes. Our server came by the table and sheepishly told us our entrees would be out shortly as my companion went to the bar to settle the bill. As we were rising to leave the food runner brought out our fare. We sent it back. Will was very gracious as we took our exit Being in this business as well, I can tell you that if I had a two course ticket hang time of 1 hour + I would probably blow a vein. I'm very sorry to have experienced the venue this way and I'm uncertain as to where the breakdown exactly took place. I wish you luck and perhaps I will try you again when I'm on O'ahu again. The stars go to the bar and to food runner Matt
(2)
Trisha G.
What an amazing experience. It's such a complete culinary experience both in taste and presentation. Located in the Modern Hotel, it's not surprising that the dining room is extremely modern. The restaurant is only a short walk from the valet. The dining room has both indoor and outdoor seating which allows for both a luxury and casual feel at the same time. Don't ask me how, but I liked it. The food was amazing. I went in with high expectations since this is an Iron Chef's restaurant in our hometown featuring local ingredients. To get a good taste of everything we ordered the Omakase, a selection of sake and some lychee cocktails for me. Omakase was the chef's choice of 8 courses running the gamut of protein from seafood to beef to pork to duck. The menu consisted of (1) toro tartare, (2) hot oil hamachi sashimi, (3) bagna cauda, (4) foie gras chawanmushi, (5) sea kelp tea palate cleanser, (6) assorted nigiri sushi, (7) main course of keyhole lobster, wagyu beef, pork tenderloin, (8) dessert: butter mochi & banana ice cream. Seriously, it was all amazing, drinks included. Without getting too into the whole menu, I'll talk about my faves.. TORO TARTARE was something I was waiting for and it did not disappoint. Toro deliciousness with all kinds of condiments (nori paste, fresh ground wasabi, arare, guacamole, and more). And it came in a bamboo dish in the most beautiful presentation. HOT OIL HAMACHI SASHIMI was also simple with hot oil and shoyu, but beautifully presented to showcase the taste of the fish. I wish there was a whole plate of it instead of the three delicate pieces on the plate. BAGNA CAUDA which is a blend of anchovies and foie gras topped with oil that comes to your table heated by a candle. All kinds of yummy veggies, chicken and bread to dip. Unexpected taste which made me wish I could have more. This is obviously a pricey meal, but the whole experience was wonderful. Note, that if you want a quick meal, this is not what you should order. The whole thing took 3 hours. It was exciting and calming. I'm also very impressed by the knowledgable staff.
(4)
April F.
Morimoto has an absolutely gorgeous set up. It was spacious, lots of natural light flowed in, and there were lovely, pale colored curtains that lifted gently with the ocean breeze. The food, however, tasted ordinary. It wasn't bad. It just wasn't great, either. My pineapple mojito managed to be light and refreshing despite the alcohol content. The cucumber in my avocado rolls was sliced and added in such a way that it wasn't overbearing and basically yelling, "I'm here! Ruining the texture of your avocado roll!" The inari was actually the best I'd had, something I attribute to the texture not being rubbery and the flavor being light and just right. Still, nothing that I tasted really stood out. This was not one of those places where I am already planning my next trip before I leave, or literally dreaming of the food while I sleep (yes, I dream of food. I can't be the only one!) I wouldn't avoid this place, but it's not my first choice of eateries, either.
(2)
Kim M.
This is one of my more favorite hotel restaurants on the island - not so much for the sushi or entrees, but more for the appetizers: FOIE GRAS CHAWAN MUSHI ($17) With duck breast, fresh wasabi, and sweet dashi soy. This is better than any chawan mushi I've ever had. I loved the flavors and mild creaminess. And, it wasn't too rich! YOSE DOFU ($19) Fresh tofu prepared tableside, accompanied by a kimchee broth/sauce, dashi, and other side garnishes. I love this tofu. Not only is it fresh, it's also pretty neat to have it made right at the table. Haha. I mean, the production itself isn't very exciting bc it has to remain covered... But it seems almost kind of magical. WAGYU CARPACCIO ($22) With hot oil, ginger, and yuzu soy. I love the yuzu flavor with the wagyu. It's a really superb combo. The three appetizers above are probably my favorite appetizers at the restaurant. I like some other dishes, too, but I will spare you the details. :P REASONABLE Anyway, I think Morimoto is pretty reasonable in terms of price (especially for this type of restaurant with the fancy ambiance, view, etc.). OPEN TABLE Morimoto Waikiki is an OpenTable restaurant, so grab those points. VERDICT It's kind of weird I haven't dined at Morimoto Waikiki more, but I guess I will. I've been here a few times now and have had pleasant experiences each time. Good food, great service, and a lovely ambiance at a fairly reasonable price. Thumbs up.
(4)
Christie C.
Awesome. Just awesome. Service by a guy named Martin absolutely impeccable and delightful, sushi I had was outstanding, views are stunning, decor is minimalist and perfect, and overall this place is just "to a tee," if you get my drift. While some entrees are rather pricey, I felt my food was totally reasonable. 16$ for a glass of lovely chardonnay, 20$ for two maki rolls (totally filling) and I think 7$ for a chamomile tea afterward. 60$ or so for a really nice dinner is less than I'd have expected to pay. Other entrees ran around 29$ or so and for a very upscale restaurant with outstanding service, that's not bad at all.
(5)
Melissa S.
Hi Chad, sorry for the harsh review and thank you for replying - I think we had too high expectations since we've been wanting to come here since we've moved on island three years ago, and are fans of Mr. Morimoto. We had reservations at 1pm and left at 3.
(1)
Sam Z.
We tried poke for the first time here and it was absolutely delicious. You can tell how fresh all the ingredients used are especially the big eyed tuna. Also had the rock shrimp appetizer, and loved that as well!
(5)
Antonio T.
I've been to Morimoto Waikiki several times and have done the omakase every time. However, there are a few dishes that stand out for me. The toro tartar, the rock shrimp appetizer, lobster salad, and the braised kakuni pork. While the S.O. orders the perfectly prepared ribeye, I just am drawn to the opportunity to "play" with my food in the very interactive presentation of the omakase. I have only one silly-manini regret, that I missed a chance to get our pic taken with Morimoto himself during the grand opening weekend of the Edition.
(5)
Eric Robert R.
I am biased. There, I admit it. I am biased. It's only because I actually met the Chef... MASAHARU MORIMOTO! I know my friends are Bi-polar with their reviews being all over the plate (yes, plate) here at... MORIMOTO'S WAIKIKI! Hey, everyone has a say. Well, as long as you are worthy of it. I mean if you voted, you must be a registered voter first, right? Goddess or ugly, smart or dumb, I guess you still have a say, even with your one RL friend in life, but I'm the lucky one... I have many. Prettier ones too. Oh well, that's life. Anyways, since you're still here... Tyvm! Let's talk... MORIMOTO'S WAIKIKI! As everyone knows by now the chef is well known as the legendary Iron Chef! To me, Masaharu Morimoto is simply a super nice Japanese dude that looks Yakuza, but really is a marshmallow! Oh, and btw, he sure can cook with a ton of Hollywood kaboom! Sometimes it's all about show! Really! Gosh look what reality TV has done to our society! But really... Chef Morimoto is the real deal! Kinda a show-off, but he does back it up with real deal talent! MORIMOTO'S WAIKIKI! Located in the swank Modern Hotel in Waikiki. The restaurant ambiance is fancy. Probably more so at night. I mean if you plan to shell out some Benjamin's - dress the part, right? The restaurant offers 4-hours complimentary parking in the hotel - quite generous in busy Waikiki! My experience? I'll dig out my shun knife and say... I've always had a GREAT experience at... MORIMOTO'S WAIKIKI! I've been to the Waikiki location twice, but also experienced some Morimoto appetizers with my BFF, Heidi P., hand delivered to us by Morimoto, himself, at a gala earlier in the year. We had the Toro tartare w/ wasabi, Sour cream & nori w/ sweet soy dashi. Also, we sampled the Angry chicken w/ spice jus & blistered shishito peppers! I LOVED the Angry chicken! I've only experienced lunch at the restaurant, and quite frankly, the prices were on par with other high-end restaurants. I do realize dinner is more yen, but still... I've had the Oyster Foie Gras - market oysters, foie gras, uni, teriyaki sauce; Crispy Rock Shrimp Tempura - w/ spicy kochujan sauce, wasabi aioli, coconut ranch; Chefs Loco Mo"t"o (lunch set) - Wagyu beef, sunny side up local farm eggs, w/ Hayashi gravy. I opted out of the Pork gyoza... Don't get me wrong, I love gyoza, but for $16? Hmm. It does look yummy though... Maybe next time? Sandwiches can be had for about $15-$20 during lunch hours, too. The Katsu and Mini Wagyu burgers are so on my list. Again, the lunch menu is the best time for those with one eye on the faux Gucci pocketbook. Lunch-Sets run about $22-$32, but all sets include miso soup, green salad, and sushi in addition to the entree. Or, you can splurge on a dinner and order the omakase for about $120 per head. If it's your treat... Sure why not. I'm game! So yes, I definitely recommend... MORIMOTO'S WAIKIKI! It's fancy and a great place to impress an empress! It can get pricey, but if you know how to be frugal than its not too bad, really. Do lunch first is my suggestion... Same high-end foods for a fraction. Hey, maybe Masaharu's not slicing up every dish, but rest assured you'll be happy as a clam! Oh, and did I mention the desserts... Oh, baby! "I'm not a fighter, but in my mind I'm fighting every day. 'What's new? What am I doing?' I'm fighting myself. My soul is samurai. My roots aren't samurai, but my soul is." ~ Masaharu Morimoto OVERALL GRADE: 4.2-STARS! (Solid!) LIVE ALOHA... YELP REVIEW #379
(4)
Cynthia C.
Came here a while back for celebratory proposal dinner. The decor was more modern than elegant, which surprised me. Come if you really appreciate art & style & presentation. Every dish we ordered was photo-worthy & a story to tell. Portions are small, so if you come famished, you will be spending a pretty penny to fill up. Service was very decent, but not the friendliest I've ever had. Flight of sake to share & ordered a few dishes to share: Hamachi tartare: small palette of chopped up yellowtail with a palette of sauces. Use a small-gelato-sized spoon to eat the dish. $24 Yosedofu: They bring a bowl out of liquid & do some wicked witch of the west magic & in 15 minutes, you get a solidified piece of tofu. Fun to watch. $19 Foie Gras chawanmushi: Delectable, silky, perfect balance of texture & flavor. Foie gras flavor is very evident but not overpowering to the delicacy of the dish. Definitely order. Probably my favorite dish of the night. $17 Wagyu Carpaccio: a few slices of very thin wagyu. you like your steak rare? you'll like this dish. Tender, flavorful, beefy. less creative culinary-wise than other dishes...probably should've tried the live octopus carpaccio instead. $22 duck, duck, duck: seared duck breast, duck spring roll, duck soup. beautifully presented. Yummy but nothing mind-blowing, but that's also probably because I like chinese-style duck the best. $29 I would definitely recommend for a few appetizers on a special day. It'll be something to remember without breaking the bank.
(4)
Jerry L.
Amazing view of the harbor if you sit outside. The sashimi platter was just like how i remembered it. Delicious. Not a big fan of their Loco Moco
I don't know why I haven't written a review for Morimoto's yet, as this is my all time favorite restaurant! We've been here over a dozen times since they first opened and have tried pretty much everything on the menu. I've never left Morimoto's unsatisfied.... Oh, wait! There was one night I left there not happy... It was a Valentine's dinner a couple years ago and Chef Morimoto was actually there! I was so thrilled!!! I walked up to him to say hello and tell him how big a fan I was. I also asked if I could get a photo with him. He looked up and told me that he was busy..... I was crushed. But, that has nothing to do with the food and service, just wanted to vent! Anyway, the food and service is always top notch! My favorites are the tuna tartar, calamari salad, spicy tuna pizza, king crab legs, salmon skin roll, loco moto.... Okay, obviously everything I've tried is my favorite! I just love this place!
(5)
Rhea Cherie B.
AMBIANCE: B+ PRICE: D FOOD: B+ SERVICE: A Their service was pretty impeccable. The employees were very attentive and constantly came to refill our waters. I drink A LOT of water and I can't stand when I go to restaurants and they don't refill your water in a timely manner or in some cases, not at all until you ask. Well, I didn't have to worry about that here. Our main server was very informative and described the food very well. He was a good salesperson-he got us to order a lot of extra things we probably didn't need because he was very descriptive and made them sound so good. We didn't mind though, we like trying all kinds of different things. Many different gentlemen waited on our table (we were a party of 6) and one of my most important expectations at any restaurant was met: our water was constantly refilled. The food and drinks were great-fresh salmon, tasty oysters, a wide variety of drinks both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, dessert, you name it...but in all honesty, I've had better tasting food for a much lower price.
(4)
Penny M.
I got to meet Morimoto! It was his 60th anniversary and he just happened to be there. Loved the rock shrimp tempura and the pork belly. My husband got a fresh fish selection. All was delicious.
(4)
Ruthie C.
First off: definitely not on par with the NYC Morimoto. The view was beautiful so I suppose it was worth it to try. Service: they really need to step it up a little bit. We wrote on our open table reservation that we are on our honeymoon. There was no congratulation or anything welcoming. My husband left the table to add a surprise, and Morimoto staff said they would give us a sorbet on the house. But...this never came. We had a waiter that didn't have any eye contact and was not as professional as I would like. He was attentive and checked on us very frequently. Food: we got the spicy tuna roll without rice (wrapped in cucumber), pork belly congee, $40 sashimi combo, and the most amazing chocolate cake with marshmallow. I would definitely order the pork belly and the chocolate cake again. Those were the stars of our meal. The pork belly just melts in your mouth along with the congee. The chocolate cake was heaven in my mouth!!!! You get a bite of the torched marshmallow, dark chocolate from the cake and then mint ice cream. Soooooo delicious I wanted another one!!!! All in all: food was worth it but service needs to step it up for the customers!
(3)
Tasmin R.
I don't understand the bad reviews for this restaurant as it lives up to all the expectations you would have for a fine dining establishment. Service was welcoming and attentive from the front desk to the water refill guy. Loved the decor and ambience. Finally and most importantly, the food was great. Impressive presentation and pleasing combinations of flavours. Desserts were both standouts. Would definitely come back. Had to knock off a star as they charge $8 for bottled water?!?! I'm sorry, but no 'artesian water' in the world is worth that. They should offer complimentary filtered tap water and have the pricey stuff as an option on the drinks menu. Offering it immediately as you sit down is sneaky as you're not really thinking at that point. Still, lovely restaurant.
(4)
TD H.
This is my go to spot. Now, we're getting our kids into it. Great views and service. I have my favorites and they always hit the spot. Love the Maui Mai Tais and Mimosas.
(5)
Jennifer G.
We have been to a few Morimoto's across the country. Each time it is delicious and the service is always on point. We chose this time to get a few appetizers so we could try a few items. My favorite has always been the tuna pizza. For a wow factor have the tofu done tableside. The tofu is made fresh served with tasty toppings. The view from the restaurant of the water is great and the local makes it easy walking distance from the nearby hotels. You can reserve on Open Table.
(4)
Yang X.
I loved this place. Food is better than most other Japanese restaurants. Service is slow.
(4)
Lauren C.
This review was based on our dinner the night of 4/29/15. My husband made reservations for my birthday about a week prior. We were both really excited as we hadn't been out to dinner together in over two months. Our reservations were for 6:30. Unfortunately our babysitter arrived a few minutes late, so we called the restaurant to let them know we'd be in around 6:45. The woman who answered the phone politely thanked us and said that wouldn't be a problem at all. We arrive and check-in earlier than expected, at 6:40. We're asked to be seated and wait (there is no one else waiting by the way). We waited. and waited. and waited, for about 5 minutes. At first I thought it was probably because they must have been busy or because perhaps they were setting up a special table for us (maybe a flower or card like a lot of the other high end restaurants do). The hostess finally comes to get us and takes us to our table. As we're walking through the main room I notice it is 95% empty. Our hostess takes us outside and seats us at a tiny, 2-seater table right in the path of traffic. She did mention my birthday and I thought that was a nice touch. There were at least 4 other tables that were empty near by. I didn't say anything because I was just trying to keep a positive attitude. Not really a big deal at this point. Our waiter comes and gets our drinks, everything is fine. As we were sitting at the table we notice that our drinks and chopsticks are literally spilling, falling, and shaking when people walk by. We had to hold on to our drinks so that they didn't spill or fall. Again, trying to make the best of it and just kind of grin and bear it. We order the rock shrimp appetizer and scallops as well as our entrees. My husband got sushi and I ordered a calamari salad. I was looking forward to the salad because I had a calamari salad from Bill's the other week and wanted to compare the two. It was starting to get busy and our appetizers were delivered by some of the kitchen staff. Our waiter came around once when our appetizers got there to check on us. My husband's sushi arrived when I was in the bathroom and it was also good. After about 15 minutes of waiting AFTER my husband's sushi arrived I finally grabbed another waiter (ours simply hadn't been around) and asked about my salad. At this point I wasn't interested in the salad since I'd eaten half of his and almost 1-1.5 hours had passed since we arrived. The waiter (not our original waiter) was kind and I felt bad because I know it wasn't his responsibility. He apologized and asked if we wanted the salad to go. He also told us that the manager would be there to speak with us. I kindly refused the salad entree because let's face it, calamari and salad aren't good leftover. At this point I was disappointed, but I wasn't mad. I understand that situations happen and mistakes happen. That is okay. But, here's where I really got frustrated and mad. The manager comes over in a rush and is very matter of fact. You can tell she's not genuine in her words and she really just gave excuses saying that there was a "miscommunication" between myself and the waiter. I told her it was my birthday and I mentioned that we were disappointed with the wait, the table, and now the fact that the entree just never showed up. She then asks, "well, was the food good?". I thought this was very condescending and unprofessional. In retrospect I can honestly say that I was being polite and respectful to the staff, I just wasn't pleased with the way things transpired. However, my husband and I were really, really disappointed in the way the situation was handled. What would have been a MUCH better way to address the situation would have just been a SINCERE apology without any excuses, and perhaps a small discount, free dessert, or voucher for next visit (this is common practice from Ruby Tuesday's to Ruth's Chris). Nope, we didn't get any of that. What makes me the most upset is just the fact that the manager was really insincere and the fact that the waiter didn't even come over to apologize. I understand they were busy and it would have made ALL the difference in the world to just say "I'm sorry this happened, please give us another chance". With that said, we won't be back. The food was good, however you can EASILY find food JUST as good with service that is MUCH MUCH better. Based on our experience we believe that Morimoto's is just a hyped up restaurant with a cool ambiance. That is not enough to keep our business. I'm not going to pay upwards of $200 to get poor service when we can pay the same amount or less and get food that is just as stellar and outstanding service. I hope for the restaurant's sake that this was just a one time bad experience for us and it doesn't happen again. We live in Honolulu and will not be back.
(1)
Tina K.
We always wanted to go here n finally we did...it was so awesome! The food, everything we ordered was absolutely delicious! We decided to order alot of apps..the oyster with uni and foie gras was my favorite! Our server was very nice n helpful with explaining the menu n dishes..he recommended to try the octopus carpaccio n we tried it..deelish! The decor of the place was beautiful too..we are absolutely goin back for more!!
(5)
Adrienne B.
I have wanted to eat here since moving to Honolulu so when my friend suggested a girls night out here I couldn't pass up the chance. As usual, I pre-gamed the menu and had taken a look at some Yelp photos and had an idea of what I wanted before even stepping foot inside. We arrived promptly for our reservations and were seated outside as requested. The ambiance of the restaurant is lovely, somewhat understated and kind of cozy in a sophisticated way. Our waiter came to our table to take our water preferences and to see if we wanted any cocktails. We had some questions regarding cocktails and he was able to walk us through cocktail options and he suggested the Moscow Mule to one of the women in our party who really liked her drink. I ordered the Grapefruit Mojito and found it to be the perfect blend. We placed our orders for appetizers, and our waiter encouraged us to keep our menus so we could order slowly and take our time (despite it being a Friday evening). I ordered the Tuna Pizza, and others ordered the gyoza, scallops and the tempura shrimp which we all took turns passing around the table. Although the tuna pizza was my favorite, the shrimp was a close second for me due to the flavorful sauces. The scallops were also lovely and the gyoza were prepared to perfection with a nice crispy pan sear. Although I had been eyeing the Chef's Tasting Menu as what I wanted to order, since no one else in my party was being overly adventurous (or eating as much), I went with the Chef's Sushi Selections and licked my plate clean. When my plate was brought out, the server took the time to name every piece of sushi on my plate for me, and sadly now I can't even remember my favorite piece because they were all impeccable. No one at the table really even talked during our main meals because we were all too busy "mmmmming" and smiling because of how happy our taste buds were. A few of us ended up with dessert and I had the peanut butter bombe and as our waiter said it's his favorite and I can see why. It was heavenly. The texture of the bombe was light and airy and the flavor was out of this world. The next time I go back tasting menu for sure.
(5)
Kenneth L.
I was really curious about this place since it had Morimoto's namesake on here. I have always been curious to taste what kind of food an iron chef would have in their own restaurant. When I came in, I was excited and my wife and I were strongly considering the omakase option. I had a reservation telling them it was for an anniversary dinner. My wife and I had come in 10 minutes early thinking there would be a lot of people there. When we got there, the restaurant looked very EMPTY during dinner service. I should have taken this as a clue to run out of there as soon as possible. But I decided to stay thinking it was slow because it was a week night. They said "happy anniversary" to my wife and I and told us to wait to be seated. After 15 minutes of waiting, we were led to our table--a freaking booth with bench seating that was not intimate at all despite the restaurant being nearly empty. We got seated right next to the sushi bar. Other people had much nicer tables with more space around them. I was starting to get disappointed. After being seated, water took 15 minutes to come. I noticed some glares and coldness from the wait staff. They gave off the vibe that they thought my wife and I were low class or poor--like a snobby attitude to us. When our waitress started taking our orders, she was noticeably impatient and snobby. I asked about the omakase option and what was on it tonight and she gave me a lot of attitude about it. Using a very condescending tone she explained that it was a chef's choice menu like I was dumb. Wow haha she doesn't know how to listen. I explained to her that I know what a omakase is, I was asking what was ON it. Then with more attitude like I was wasting her time, she explained that it was a couple tartar dishes to start, a few slices of sashimi (chef's selection), a hot entree, etc,. My wife and I decided to pass because we didn't feel it was worth it to eat two dishes of tartar when we could order better things off the menu. Throughout the service we were never checked up on to see how things were. We saw our waitress by the bar leaning about socializing with everyone. Clearly she had other priorities. The food: We ordered the morimoto sashimi plate with the five sauces, crispy rock shrimp tempura, takoyaki, braised lamb shank, and duck duck duck. The morimoto sashimi plate while good and fun with the sauces was small and not really worth the $28 for it. You get 5 sauces: a green sauce that tastes like peas, an orange and yellow bell pepper sauce, and a shoyu ponzu sauce. The sashimi slices, while delicious, were tiny and only the size of postage stamps. The sauces were nothing special and didn't really do much but to hide the taste of the fish. The crispy rock shrimp tempura app was pretty bad. It was not crispy at all. It was soggy. It was divided on a plate with three sections: a section with the coconut ranch and celery, a "spicy" shrimp partition, and wasabi shrimp partition. The coconut ranch tasted just like regular hidden valley ranch, the "spicy" shrimp was soggy and not spicy at all! The wasabi shrimp had barely a hint of wasabi and was soggy as well. Terrible. The takoyaki was a very strange dish. When you think of takoyaki, you think of octopus dumplings with a takoyaki sauce. Something that works. Here at Morimoto's it is mozzarella cheese and "abalone" in an olive oil and balsamic vinegar sauce. I eat abalone and I know the texture and taste of it when it is cooked right. The abalone was tough and over cooked and did not taste good. Takoyaki should not have mozzarella cheese and olive oil sauce. Tako means octopus in Japanese, not mozzarella cheese and abalone in a olive oil balsamic vinegar sauce. Morimoto should know better. My wife had the duck duck duck dish. It was pretty pathetic. On the plate was 3 tiny 1inch by 1.5inch slices of duck, a puff pastry that was overly salty with two m&m sized duck meatballs, and a rather bland duck lumpia. My wife's favorite dishes are usually duck. She was so disappointed she didn't even want to finish it because it was either too salty or flavorless. I had the braised lamb shank. The risotto was the best part. But it came out luke warm. The lamb shank had good flavor for the first two millimeters of it but was so bland and dry after that. I found my self forcing myself to try to finish it. It was bad. We declined dessert after being so disappointed with everything. Our waitress finally shows up again and is only nice while giving us the check trying to fish for tips. Nice try. My wife and I are good tippers. If you expect a tip after that kind of service, you must be high or delusional. TLDR summary: I was so disappointed that I felt emo after eating here. Seriously. I felt like I wasted my time and was robbed of my money eating here. It was that bad. No wonder this place has been slipping on stars on yelp.
We cant resist my friends recommendation of this restaurant so we made a reservation. We got there early and waited 20 minutes and get seated which is not the worst because we get a pretty nice outdoor sitting right next to the harbor. We ordered sashimi combo plate, duck duck duck, chicken ramen, and a lychee breeze. The drink is not as good as i imaged, the lychee flavor is there but felt a little strange.(the actual lychee in the drink soaked with alckhol is delicious tho) The sashimi is on a well decorated plate amd taste pretty good. The duck duck duck has couple thin slices of duck which the duck flavor is hard to tell, the soup is somewhat salty,the little roll with duck is just average.(do not recommend) The ramen tastes fine, maybe the restaurant might not want to use such a huge bowl but only less than half full..
(3)
Mimi P.
I'm a fan of Chef Morimoto, so I thought I would love his restaurant. Sadly, that was not the case. I had made a reservation well in advance. When we arrived, our party of 3 was told that it would be just a couple of minutes, so we sat down and waited. And waited. Several more groups of 3 walked in and were seated while we were waiting. After waiting at least 30-45 minutes after our reservation time, we were seated. We ordered two glasses of wine, which didn't arrive until after we finished our first course. For the main course, we ordered the duck duck duck (tasty) and some sushi (good, but not especially memorable). We were about to start eating... but the soy sauce bottle we were given was empty. The waiter was nowhere in sight, so we waited. And stared at our food. And waited. Finally we were able to ask for soy sauce... and waited some more. By the end of the meal, we were still hungry, tired of waiting, and paying a large bill that the meal did not live up to. Maybe the restaurant was having an off day, and the service can be chalked up to a very busy night. But all in all, I wouldn't go back.
(3)
Paul M.
Friendly staff, great view, and great food. Our waiter Todd was friendly and offered thoughtful answers to our questions and requests for recommendations. The rock shrimp appetizer was great while the gyoza was pretty good. I had the sushi combination and it was outstanding. The only thing that is keeping me from giving a fifth star is that their dessert menu didn't have any items that piqued my interest.
(4)
S E.
fine dining at its best. superb. hats off to the chefs. love this place. had octupus salad and sushi and it was absolutely delicious. everything was exquisite and on point. friendly staff and very personable.
(5)
Stephanie L.
I had dinner here on Friday, Mach 7, 2014. Despite all the negative reviews I decided to come here and surprise my boyfriend for our 4 year anniversary. It was raining so we weren't able to sit outside on the patio. By the looks of pictures it was really nice and even had a fire pit so I was pretty bummed. Morimoto's is located in the Modern Hotel and if you valet your car the restaurant will validate for up to 4 hours. The restaurant itself is beautiful and modern with an ocean feel. My boyfriend and I love sushi and we've been to a lot of high end sushi places (Mitch's, Sushi II, etc.) so we figured we would order sushi. Instead we decided to try the Omakase "chef's choice" cause we've never tried it before at any other restaurant that offered it. Priced at $140 a person you would have high expectations. I have got to say that the Omakase was amazing. I wish I took pictures but even the pictures wouldn't do justice as to how good everything tasted. The Sushi was so fresh and tasty. Our main course which was lobster, braised pork, and wagyu beef was to die for. Our coconut crusted butter mochi and banana nut ice cream dessert was amazing. The foie gras with duck breast was so buttery and fatty it melted so good in your mouth. Our waiters were very knowledgable and very friendly. The best part is that Iron Chef Morimoto was there and we were able to take a picture with him. The waiters won't bother Morimoto so that you can take a picture with him, you have to go up to him yourself and ask. He was very friendly and doesn't speak good english. Can't wait to come back again to try the pork gyoza or Omakase round 2!
(5)
Ronnie K.
Whenever I think of Morimoto's I think of the Iron Chef. My expectations were so high, I guess I was expecting nothing short of a mouthgasm. Do not get me wrong, the food was good; however, I was far from blown away. The girl that seated us was ehh.. but our server was awesome. He made great recommendations and probably could recite the menu in Iambic pentameter with his eyes closed. The restaurant is moderately pricey, so you can definitely do some damage if you are hungry or with a large party.
(5)
Doris C.
Lunch with a group and it was surprisingly delicious. Attentive wait staff. Loco moco^ the best I've had with slices of waging beef, delicious gingerly garnish and just done right rice. Miso soup had the lightest freshest tofu I've tasted. Sushi slices delicious very good quality. The light Asian-inspired dressing on nalo greens was very delicate. My friends ordered extra dressing while I thought it was just enough dressing. I will certainly go here again. Wonderful view too. Architecture and interior design is comfortable when chatting with friends. Quiet! ALOHA Doris
(5)
Dan C.
Beautiful layout and presentation. We had the cod, the sashimi and the beef tenderloin. All were very delicious...it took a few minutes to figure out location because it is located in the back of a hotel instead of a stand alone restaurant. Only negative is that we both had a slight stomach ache in the middle of the night after eating.
(4)
Monica C.
Let me just say that I was incredibly excited to come here. I've been watching Iron Chef for years with my dad and Morimoto was one of my favorites. I even remember the episode where Bobby Flay insulted Morimoto because he climbed on his cutting board and Morimoto was infuriated and I was like OH HECK NO BOBBY FLAY! Anywhoo, when I heard about a Morimoto restaurant, I made sure we made reservations to go. We knew we were heading into a place where we're going to drop a few bills but we were up for it especially if the food would be life changing. This was NOT the case, seriously was disappointed in this establishment. Service, food, the entire situation left a bad taste in my mouth, we'll probably never return. Based on the recent reviews, looks like others would agree. We were celebrating a special event, we got married on our original anniversary date so we were too busy to do our usual anniversary dinner so this was our make-up dinner and attempt to celebrate without 520 people. The experience went terribly sour real quick. I think that service can make or break a dining experience. Service was definitely a huge factor, but the food - I cannot fathom why it tasted so lackluster. I so badly wanted to like everything we ordered because I thought to myself, ok maybe I'm just being too picky. But one bad dish after the other, I knew it wasn't us. Our waitress was RUDE, I don't remember her name because after a while, my husband just interacted with her and I stopped even looking at her. But seriously, if you hate customers and have issues being nice to people, DON'T be a waitress. It was quite amazing to me - we didn't do or say anything to her that would spark this. She just full on started being a smartypants after being assigned to be our waitress. Most of the time, she was nowhere to be found. Barely any water refills, and never checked up on us. But super impatient and pushy when we were trying to put our order in. My husband and her almost got into a quarrel because she was talking to him like he was illiterate and rolling her eyes at him the WHOLE time. Ok, if you're concerned about us dining and ditching, don't make it obvious. So freaking rude considering that we didn't show up looking ghetto or tried to steal anything off the table, obviously we can afford to dine wherever we want, Morimoto is no exception. Despite how unhappy we looked, management didn't do squat. So this is a classy grand restaurant right? This place was full on empty, SOMEONE could have checked up on us if our waitress's behavior was beyond a snobby high school drama queen. I bet others have complained about her, but has gotten away with it so many times. At the end of the meal, she attempted to redeem herself... super shady. I left her like a $5 tip - yep you lost about $50 worth of tips that night. The food was meh. If meh was an adjective, that's what my palette would describe every dish that came out. Everything was very flat and poorly executed. Over salted, strange flavor combinations and just extremely bad quality for the few bites of food we received. For the $$$, you would expect the dishes to send you into a mouthgasm. I've had those experiences before where literally after you finish something you think to yourself, ok that was possibly the best meal I've ever had... When can I come here again!? Then the next couple of weeks, months you daydream about coming back. This wasn't the case here, after appetizer #2, I knew the ship was sinking. My husband had sashimi which looked appetizing but the portion size was ridiculous. I think it was $35 for five bites, I don't like sashimi so I let him finish all of it. He seemed to like it, but coming from Seattle, we have great sushi places around the area where this measured up. This was his favorite dish, sad considering it was 5 bites. We ordered crispy shrimp with wasabi aioli and a firecracker sauce. This should be renamed Soggy Shrimp because there was no crispiness whatsoever. I specifically picked this appetizer because I thought I would get incredibly crispy nuggets of shrimp with flavorful dipping sauces. I actually didn't eat all of it and I decided to not pack it to go. That's how disappointing this was and in all honesty, fried foods isn't a difficult dish to execute at all. This isn't risotto people! The sauces were very bland and single noted, no spices and the wasabi was so mild it just tasted like mayo. Do not order this! I picked Duck Duck Duck for my entree, the soup was so salty I couldn't eat it, it came with two dime sized duck meatballs which were tasteless. The duck breast was dry and mediocre, it wasn't seared properly and the duck lumpia would make Filipinos all over the world cringe and shake their heads. Never returning, other restaurants will give you a better dining experience, trust me. -- Apparently my name is Susan... Need I say more about customer service?! SMDH
(1)
Noriaki S.
We have to consider about the expensive price of good restaurant in Honolulu.In honolulu good restaurant is too expensive, cheep restaurant is always bad.Here is awesome.This restaurant has a good american face and good japanese face. We can enjoy the raw oyster and lobster and we can enjoy the authentic japanese sushi bar style.That's very nice.
(4)
Tom P.
Horrible. I wish we went to the red lobster next door. The other luke warm sushi review is spot on. The service was at best, strange, but the food was aggravating. I could go on about the poor service... From reception, to bar, to waiter they were all in attentive and extremely slow. We've all been there. The real question is the food. My date and I ordered the live octopus carpaccio and the sushi sampler platter. The carpaccio was way too salty. The octopus was good despite this, but there was no ingredient or sauce. Next was the $90 sushi sampler. The fish was luke warm. The rice was too sticky. The rice didn't taste good. The house made soy sauce with low sodium tasted like a salt mine. The sushi itself tasted like grocery store sushi. Mayhaps the fish was well sourced, but I highly doubt it. Overall, the sushi was what you get from a $20 all you can eat place. I was livid. Do not go. It's not a portion issue or cost; I'm a foodie. Do not go.
(1)
Sarah M.
Really beautiful place. The food was great and the service was excellent. I had a great time.
I had an OK experience here, but probably won't return. The interior has a lot of style. But I found the good to be just OK. The highlight was the cocktails - unique combinations and really delicious! But the food was more on the average side. The presentation was beautiful but the flavor was dull. By the time the entrees arrived I felt like we were paying more for atmosphere than for food. Two problems with the place - they are definitely NOT a focused on sustainable seafood. I can't imagine why any restaraunt in Hawaii would need to fly in lobster from Maine or sea Bass from the Mediterranean! And I was appalled to see them serving inhumane dishes like live octopus and foie gras. Topping it off, or server seemed bored and disinterested... I think this place just sees too many tourists to really achieve the fine dining that they strive for...
(2)
Ben T.
Overall experience at Morimoto was top notch. Even though we had a reservation, we had to wait for an additional 45 min due to a storm taking out the restaurant's outdoor area. We passed the time by waiting at the bar, but were not actually pleased by the time we were seated. To make up for the unexpected wait, the restaurant gave us a free entree without us asking. It was delicious! All of the food was brilliantly presented and tasted amazing. A favourite was the pork belly congee which was simply divine.
(4)
Connie H.
GET THE LUNCH SET! nuff said. Best value IMO you get variety and good portions. $25. I got angry chicken. It came with sushi salad soup and salad! My only recommendation/suggestion to management is to update the decor. They have limitations since the color scheme is white/light green, so the age of the chairs really show and all white plates and stuff show the slightest markings. For example, my white soy sauce container had a piece of food sticking to the bottom when it came to my table. I would def return for the lunch sets!
(4)
Matt C.
Good food, amazing ambience. Probably one of the coolest restaurants I've ever eaten at. We didn't have reservations so we sat outside in the lounge. The service was pretty good and overall the food was good but not great like I had hoped for. I got the chirashi sushi (and I'm no sushi expert so I didn't know what it was beforehand) and all it was was leftover hunks of fish and vegetables in a big bowl over sushi rice. I think we would have had a better experience had we made reservations and not been on such a tight budget (student) as most of the other menu items looked and sounded delicious.
(4)
Ben C.
When planning our trip to Honolulu, we knew we had to visit Morimoto. It was one of the best dining experiences we have had. I ordered the omakase (chef's menu), and each course was better than the last. I think my favourite was the foie gras chawan mushi, but I wouldn't have passed up on any of the seven courses. The other members of my family had sashimi, wagyu beef steak and assorted appetizers. Each dish was shared around the table and enjoyed by all. Services was friendly, helpful and fun. Can't say enough good things about this experience and it takes a place in my top five restaurants of all time.
(5)
Alvin A.
Morimoto Waikiki: the best fine dining restaurant I've ever ate at especially on Oahu. I felt like a food judge that you see on tv. Me and My gf sat at 8pm and didn't stop eating till 10pm. It was awesome!!!!!! Here's the breakdown: 1. Food the food was awesome! Every bite I took was a slice of heaven.. The fish was so delicate and steak cut like butter. Dessert was magnificent! Flavors in each dish was like watching a symphony of harmonious proportions. Better put, it was like an orgy of flavors in my mouth! We had 4 appetizers, 2 main course, and 2 desserts 2. Food Presentations you know what was awesome about this place, the servers took their time and explained each dish that came out to us. The presentations was like an art painting you would want to hang on your wall. I didn't even want to touch them cause it was so pretty. The chefs took their time in creating masterpieces. Pretty much it reminded me when I first saw My gf, the hottest eye candy around ;) (brownie points) 3. Service service was great! They spaced out the appetizers, main course and desserts well. We was able to enjoy our food and enjoyed every bite. We didn't feel rushed at all. Every dish that was completed, we got new utensils, plates and got our tables wiped... Everytime!!! 3. Price let's just say you can't put a price on the Morimoto experience. That being said I could probably only afford going there Once a year preferably during tax season. LoL In my opinion, I've been to Roys, Ruth's Chris, Alan Wongs and John Dominis to name a few, Morimotos dinner menu blew all of them out of the water. Morimotos made all the other fine dining places on Oahu like newbies playing COD for the first time, made them look like rookies and I'm not even exaggerating! I'll definitely go there again, not anytime soon but again lol
(5)
wanda M.
Wow! Food and drinks were superb! The only thing I didn't care for was the tables were so close together, we ended up talking with the next tables on both sides lol! And everyone is looking at the other tables to see what each other ordered! Much too close! Service was great! Best B.day dinner I ever had! Definitely returning!
(4)
Mary W.
We came here for our honeymoon dinner - we mentioned this in our reservation and we were seated at a corner table with a nice view of the beach. Along with the dessert course in the tasting menu, we were served with a congratulations sorbet. The wait staff was pleasant and gave detailed explanation of the food and offered to take photos for us. The first two courses were amazing (tartar and sashimi) the other 5 that followed were mediocre (considering its $120 per person). The surf and turf was most disappointing - over seasoned and over cooked. We had a palette cleansing tea which tasted like salt water. Overall experience was okay but probably not for the price.
(3)
Robert O.
My fam and I have been coming here ever since they opened and never have they disappointed. They really do take care of you there. One server that comes to mind is josh. Never met another server like him anywhere else. He treats you like family and makes your dinning experience even more memorable. On a 1 to 10 scale, I definitely give morimotos an 11.
(5)
Melissa C.
We had been planning our visit to Morimoto for a year. We ended up having tapas and sushi. The pork belly was the highlight - I could have eaten about 6 of them. The sushi was fresh and clean, and the ahi tuna was like butter. It was nice to be able to see into the kitchen. Service was attentive, although, he forgot one of our appetizers. The atmosphere felt a little sterile - kind of like you couldn't get comfortable or else you would alter the clean room environment. But the food was the highlight and that's what we came for.
(4)
Jacob N.
I've been to Morimoto Waikiki a couple times now, but it's only been for lunch, and I haven't been disappointed one bit! At first I was worried that it would be quite a pricey lunch since, you know, it's Morimoto, but I was pleasantly surprised when I noticed the lunch sets on the menu. The lunch sets range from $22 to $28 and include Miso soup, salad and sushi. Who would have thought you could eat at Morimoto for under $30?? Morimoto Junmai: yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… Crispy Rock Shrimp Tempura: I highly recommend this appetizer. Not only does it taste amazing, but it's also pretty reasonably priced! Wasabi Aioli: yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… Spicy Kochujang: yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… Ranch and celery: yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… Sashimi Sushi Combination: Should be called Tempura Sahimi combo. yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… Tempura: Crispy on the outside tender on the inside. yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… Sashimi and Sushi: Super fresh fish. yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… Sushi Omakase, $40: I want to try the pricier Omakase sets next time! yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… Tofu Cheesecake: yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… Vanilla Roasted Pineapple: yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… Some other special dessert: Unfortunately I don't remember what exactly it was, but it was like a flourless chocolate cake with espresso ice cream. yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… All of the food that I've tried here was simply spectacular. The flavors of each dish complimented the next, and with the reasonable price of the lunch menu you can't go wrong! I can't wait to see what the dinner experience here is like!
(4)
Mark L.
Long and the short of it.....I would come here for Sushi and Sashimi any day of the week. It is incredibly fresh and perfectly prepared with delicate texture, kind of what you would expect at a restaurant of one of the greatest Chefs in the world. Some of the other items were a tiny bit hit and miss for me. The Foie Gras Chawan Mushi is RIDICULOUSLY good. Unreal texture and flavor, it is a do not miss! The Wagyu Carpaccio was really solid, although not the best I have had. The Duck, Duck, Duck, I was really looking forward to this and it fell flat for me. The duck meatballs in broth were superb, the other two items were just alright. The drinks are super solid and the service was as expected. Great thing that there was zero rush at all. The restaurant itself is well designed, pretty and calm. Most people seem to opt for the outside seating which we did not get a chance to try. Come down and get yourself some stuff, you won't regret it!
(4)
Thi N.
Came last week with a friend. Went with the Omakase + wine tasting. The only dish that was a standout was the toro tartare, otherwise food very average for what we expected. Service not too bad but the waiters did not know or explain the wines that were coming out with the wine paring - at some points the wine glasses were just placed onto the table without any explanations. At $530 ($730 AUD) for 2 people after tax + tips, definitely could have been better.
(3)
Maka K.
First word: AMAZING! Second word: Expensive.... Location/Parking: A restaurant founded by and named after Iron Chef Morimoto, it's located in The Modern hotel in Waikiki. The hotel valet is give 4hrs. complementary valet service with a validated ticket. I'm not sure how much it would be otherwise. Venue: The restaurant fits the hotel: modern. It's set mostly to a while and green color scheme, is very sheik and sleek, and definitely sets a classy and upscale tone. They feature both indoor seating as well as covered patio seating, which looks out over the boat harbor behind the hotel. It's a sophisticated and very calming restaurant. Food: Come on! It's an Iron Chef's restaurant. Enough said...or it should be, but I feel the need to elaborate. Chef Morimoto is Japanese and likewise is his restaurant, so the entire menu is gourmet Japanese food, and it's all freaking amazing. Yes, gourmet means smaller portions, but what you get is made of great quality ingredients and are always prepared perfectly. The food presentation is pristine and well balanced; I'm sure you'll notice the "zen" of it all. I also can't ignore the fact that Japanese cuisine never makes me feel guilty considering that a lot of it include fresh ingredients, clean flavors, and leave out a lot of fattening preparations that other Western based cuisines might employ. Service: The wait staff here are very well trained. They are knowledgeable about their entire menu, can tell you how things are made, everything that comes on the plate, and are willing to patiently answer all the questions you may have. In addition, they're also very accommodating; for example, a friend of mine had a bug fly into her wine glass and they were willing to replace it when asked (without an extra charge)---that's great service. Pricing: Gourmet is not normally cheap, let's be honest, but again, you're paying for your quality of food and the amazing service you receive. Ordering an appetizer, an entree, and a dessert can easily run you $60+, and that's not counting anything you might want to drink. If you can make it for lunch, they have great lunch sets (starting at $22) and sandwiches (starting at $15) that are more affordable than what you might find on the dinner menu, but still upholding the same service and food quality. Conclusion: I love the restaurant and will definitely return in the future, but it will probably be sparingly because of the price (or special occasions if we're talking about dinner).
(5)
Harry K.
Way overpriced! Horrible service! Waiter simply did not listen. Bought Meat when we told him fish. & vegeys only! Go to Nobu instead or real sushi @ Yanagi. Shiso leaves were served rotten...see photo. Omakase - not a value!
(1)
Reg A.
I don't get the bad reviews I've been to this location 4 times now on since its been open. I've done omakase twice! I was first hooked at the NYC location. For those who are complaining about the price.... YES, it is expensive for small portions! You should know what your getting into when dining at an "Original" Iron Chef restaurant. This time around I ordered: Tuna Pizza(Must try!) Pork belly congee(delicious!) Braised Lamb shank(surprisingly generous portion, but I wouldn't order again.) Tofu cheescake(still good!) Haupia Semifredo(Really good) Morimoto Hazelnut Beer(I liked it even though it was $18 bottle of beer) SERVICE: Everytime I've dined here its been great service. No complaints! I like how they explain what your eating & how to eat it! RECOMMENDATIONS: Tuna Pizza Tofu Cheesecake Omakase (for the experience & splurge for a special occasion).
(4)
Christine D.
Excellent Atmosphere, service, decorating,,,,everything was great. And the food was perfect
(5)
Fontane L.
It pains me to give Morimoto's only 2 stars, but I must be honest... I had high expectations of this place....I was on a girl's trip to Oahu, my first trip sans baby, and I wanted to have something really tasty... I would give it 3-4 stars if it wasn't so pricey and famous, but it really feel short of what is expected of a restaurant of this caliber. The four of us went with the omakase tasting menu ($120/pp?). The highlight of the meal was the foie gras chawanmushi, and the lowlight was the entree of meats. The entree had pork loin, beef, and lobster. Most disappointingly, my entree was lukewarm, and the lobster was rubbery. The other items were artful and tasty, but not as amazing as I expected? Included the hamachi tartare, nigiri, some kind of fondue-style dish with veggies and a hot anchovy-based dip, and other things I forget. Perhaps the experience would have been better on a different night or ordering just a handful of items from the menu...but I don't know that I'd come back.
(2)
Aloha T.
Just good but not amazing. I would rather go to nobu for these prices. The service was mediocre. I had to ask for green tea 3 times. I never got it because after the 3rd time they said they don't have regular green tea, only flavored tea. Angry chicken was dry. Their version of bi bim bap was bland. Best part was the spicy Hamachi, which was fresh and tasty. Also had Hamachi pastrami, which great. Overall way too much money for pretty good food. For the price, Nobu is better and so is Morton's.
(3)
Judith H.
Really good service. Average food. Over 200 seats and empty for lunch. Only three tables seated the entire lunch hour I was there. Nice restaurant but starting to look a little worn and dirty fabric on the chairs. Too expensive for what you get.
(3)
Jon E.
I don't get the low reviews and the overall 3.5 stars. Service is attentive in general, food is high priced but hey, it's in the Modern hotel, it's Morimotos, what do you expect? So here is the guide to have a good dining experience. There are 7 Omakase sets at last count, I've had all of them. Ya, there are some things that are blah and some that are amazing, this is the same as any other place, the difference here is that in the omakase you are going to get 5 different dishes in smaller portion sizes. So, if you go with your sig other get 2 DIFFERENT omakase and share. Now you have 10 different things out of which you should probably like at least 8. Sure some desserts suck but I'm positive I would not have ordered the tofu cheesecake had it not been a part of omakase 2 (i think). The tofu cheesecake with black sugar ice cream and some wafer thing on the side is a sublime blend of subtle flavors and textures, worth going in itself, but then again you may hate it and think I'm crazy. Again, this is why you order 2 different omakase. Without omakase 4(i think) i wouldn't have tried the spicy seafood stew (toban somethingorother). That stew is the one thing I now order as an entree if not in the omakase mood, it's that good. That and the spicy king crab, what's not to like about spicy king crab right? So go in expecting to drop $300+ per couple, do it the right way and leave full and happy.
(5)
Turana K.
so disappointed, selected this place to celebrate my birthday the worst decision i ever made. first of all my husband told them that it was my birthday and we need best table, instead they gave us small shitty table, after complaining they changed the table. Service is 0 for such prices. they never took away a dirty paper napkin from table, never changed it. food was ok, but very disappointing when u pay so much money to get ok food. we r never coming back!!!!
(1)
M L.
Sadly, my experience last night did not match these reviews, my expectations, or my experience at Morimoto's in NYC. We did the chef's tasting with 4 people. Our food was both bland and cold - repeatedly. Our cocktails were ok, but seemed to contain very little liquor. Our waiter was a mess. Friendly enough guy, but clearly needs more training. He began our night by looking exhausted and making a comment about being busy. Which is fine - whatever. But by the end of the night, he was venting to us about how stressful his other table had been, how things were a mess because the chef was out with the flu, and all sorts of other behind-the-scenes stories that were completely unprofessional. There seemed to be a general lack of training and attention to detail among the staff. One example - they served a fondue dish with little candles under the pot to keep it hot. My friend's candle arrived extinguished. Problem 1: the server didn't notice, so we had to flag them down and ask for a light. Problem 2: the server was having trouble getting it to light, but instead of trying once and then taking it back to deal with at the service station, he just hovered over my friend and fumbled with it near her head for awhile. Problem 3: once lit and put back in place, my friend noticed her oil was cold. Which means the candle didn't blow out on the journey from kitchen to table, it had been out for a bit. Another minor example of training issues that is similar to our overall experience. Our waiter brought us small dessert cocktails (about a quarter pour) for free, which was very nice of him and was greatly appreciated. But instead of saying "compliments of the house" or "you guys have been great, please enjoy this drink on me" or "we're testing out a new cocktail, and I'd love your feedback", we got "the bartender made an extra one accidentally and was going to throw it out, but I said we might as well give it to you." So his heart was in the right place, but could have used a little salesman finesse. Can you image this happening at another fine dining restaurant? And perhaps that is the issue - this property, although billed under Morimoto's name and priced to match, seems to have succumbed to the island lifestyle and is much more casual than was expected. Unfortunately, the allure of Hawaiian life doesn't excuse poorly executed dishes. There's plenty of other great restaurants on the island - spend your money there.
(1)
Frank W.
I only came here for breakfast and ordered the Loco Moco. I wasn't sure what it is but I can say it's average at best. A lot of curry sauce and little bits of pieces of "wagyu" beef. Could've been anything and I wouldn't have known. The servers were very attentive and nice though. But my real gripe is the decor. What is up with the outdoor chairs? They were dirty, and the leather on the seats were ripped or had chunks missing. This is not what you would expect for a place of Morimoto's caliber. I'm very disappointed at this lack of attention to details.
(3)
Jennie B.
It was my husbands bday so he had a choice of where to go. He decided to try Morimotos......he is an iron Chef so it must be good and expensive. COCKTAILS: always a martini, everywhere we go, Ketel One Vodka, 3 olives, blah, blah, blah...... he had a sip, and said it's watered down, he tells the our waiter ...... then proceed to order another one.... same watered down. This is my husbands drink at home and he very rarely complains about anything...... but get his drink right !!!! Not even an apology and not an offer of " can I get you another one, on us ?". APPETIZERS: 1. Calamari salad: good dressing, tasty, slightly weird presentation.....calamari was buried under all the greens, but it's good,I would recommend this. We tried to order the house green salad but the waiter, Mathew talked us out of ordering it because the calamari salad should be big enough.for both of us , he was right. 2. Oysters: 1/2 dozen, it's okay, nice, little and fresh 3. Pork Gyoza: nice presentation, meaty as described, with bacon foam and tomato sauce, it's pretty, looks like an " an alien flat egg" . It tastes good, just like pork Goya. 4. Uni Sushi ( from Japan) : we we're told it is much better than California Uni, it should be for $12 a piece. We are small eaters so after the 4 appetizers we went straight to deep fried fish, the was good, well presented, I just didn't understand the papaya salad......not mush taste, the soft tofu is also bland, just didn't get this dish at all. Dessert: nothing looked particularly special as described on the menu. NOTE: I probably got spoiled by dining at our favorite restaurant Michelles where they acknowledge special occasions, even by saying happy bday or just making us feel special. Our waiter acted as if he's doing us a favor by being there......not going back for sure.
(2)
Nt P.
We had a gift card for this place so we decide to go to celebrate an early Valentines. For the last year we been monitoring the Yelp and in the beginning the reviews were not good at all! So we just hung back to see if the reviews would improve - and it did. So we decide to take the plunge. The Ambiance: We had an early reservation at 5:15 and the place was wide open. The decor was unexpected, very modern, it took me by surprise, considering it's Japanese focused food (The 'fusion' part becomes evident when you read the menu). There were some reviews that complained the restaurant was very noisy and the tables were a bit far to sustain conversation. Because we went early, it was quiet, but I think I would have to agree with the reviews on the noise level - its a big open spaced dining area with an open kitchen with a lot of hard surfaces, thus the sounds just bounce around. There was outside seating available, but we passed due to the windiness that day. Perhaps some soft items / areas to damped the overall 'din' might be nice. We stayed for about 2 hours and as the restaurant patrons and additional staff came in, the increase in sound level was apparent. Minor note: what's with the solid Plexi-Glas table legs? It's translucent so I kept bumping into them as I sat due to the habit of wanting more space for stretching my legs - might be a bit cramped for larger or taller people. The Food: One word: delish! Again despite some negative reviews, we did not experience any bad or mediocre dish. We did a 'heavy pupu' dinner, thus we ordered a variety of cold and hot appetizer dishes to get a nice cross section of the chefs creations. We will list from Best dish of the night to least best: Wagyu Carpaccio: This was absolutely amazing, thinly slice beef presented like sashimi over a hot oil (which cooks the beef to medium rare) with yuzu soy and microgreens. This seems to be a very delicate dish despite the beef and I can see why some people may pan this dish - because I think the beef can be over cooked in the hot oil if left too long during busy times. Kakuni: Wow, this braised pork dish was a real comfort food. The slab of pork is about 3x3x1 and so tender it just falls apart as you cut into it. It is complemented on a bed of 'congee' or soft cooked rice. I think they could build an entree around this appetizer. Oyster Foie Gras: We were a bit hesitate about this one, due to the richness of the ingredients, but again: Wow - what a burst of flavors! It was a toss up between this and the Kakuni in terms of which was better (similar sweet soy profile). It comes open faced on a bed of hot salt, it's a hot appetizer, but the oysters are not cooked through. The foie gras complements the oyster and sweet teri sauce to the point that at times I thought I was eating something else (like an Unagi-don) or a very different take on Oyster Rockerfellers. Very nice. As with the Wagyu Carpaccio, I think this could have problems with the right 'cookedness' during busy times. Japanese Uni - Nigiri Sushi (2 piece order): Wow! We are glad to have tried this, for you Uni fans, the Japanese Uni is not as 'fatty' or 'sweet' as the Uni usually served, it is a bit firmer, smaller and more orange in color. If you look closely at this sushi, you will see about 4-6 individual uni pieces sitting onto the rice / nori. A bit expensive, but worth the experience. Negi-Hamachi Maki: Normally we only see Negi-toro on a menu, not often do you see Negi-Hamachi on a menu. Now if you are at the Sushi bar I am sure the Itamae will make it for you if you know. This roll was unusual in that the green onions were not mixed in with the Hamachi - it was rolled in on the side of the Hamachi and it was very thin green onions. Hamachi is a lot more delicate than Toro, so I think they did this one correctly to put the Hamachi flavor first and the onion as a condiment. Soft Shell Crab Roll: No much to say about this, except it was well executed and very tasting - portion was great. The best part was the crab was still warm and crispy! Hamachi - Nigiri Sushi (2 piece order): Nothing really to write home about, however the fish was fresh and very flavorful. I kinda expected a larger piece for the price, but I guess it was thick enough for a well rounded nigiri sushi. Takoyaki: This was our least favorite dish. However, it's not that it was not good, it was very flavorful. We thought using the Abalone instead of Octopus didn't make a difference, the texture was similar and the delicate flavor of the Abalone wasn't there due to the cooking. We thought this would make a great savory desert dish. I am at the word limit... hope this was a helpful review!
(4)
Allen Michael D.
Walked in for lunch and was greeted by very friendly staff. Made me feel very welcomed into the restaurant. I was given the choice to sit in or outside which was a great plus. The view from the patio was amazing! The staff was very helpful and knowledgeable about the menu and it made my decision even easier. This is what I enjoyed: 1) TORO TARE TARE - I've never tried it before so my server Kealoha explained how to eat it properly. First bite in and I absolutely loved it! The presentation was very nice with 5 different toppings to choose from. 2) TEMPURA CALAMARI SALAD - A generous portion of crisp mixed greens, on top of a bed of perfectly fried calamari. One of THE BEST salads I've ever tasted! 3) SUSHI - SAKE (Salmon), CHU-TORO, OTORO, SPICY SALMON ROLL. The sushi was TOP NOTCH and quality is amazing! The texture of the sake was so soft and it melted in my mouth like butter. The TORO's we're very Very VERY chewy. I ate one and left it in my mouth for a couple seconds with a big smile on my face. And the Spicy Salmon Roll was great! perfectly portioned Rolls with tons of taste and great quality! 4) KURO GOMA - I wanted to try something different for dessert and ordered this. Presentation looked great and the taste was a unique blend of black sesame, strawberries, and caramelized white chocolate. The sponge cake was definitely different and blended well with everything else the plate had to offer From the great food, friendly staff, and beautiful ambience, I will definitely be back to Morimotos!
(5)
William D.
There is a difference between refined and creative. And the omakaze selection was creative. There were some singles and some home runs. The first course tartare was hit or miss from bite to bite only because the dinner is responsible for seasoning. The second course carpaccio was very close to perfect. Third course vegatable and olive oil fondue had great ingredients but I felt I needed better instructions on how to prepare and enjoy. Fourth course fois gras was great and just the right portion size. Next was a kombu tea that was complex and refreshing. Fifth was a simple sushi plate that contained the single best piece of tuna I had ever had (proper temp proper age and perfect execution). The sixth meat selection was a hit and miss, curry lobster with lemon cream was inspired while the waygu beef was over cooked. Finally the desert was ruined by the cackling herd of drunk women that piled into the bar area screaming and laughing with each other while ruining everyone else's meal.
(5)
Janet H.
I can finally say I've eaten at the Iron Chef's restaurant! To be honest, I didn't know some of the stuff I was eating, but nonetheless, everything was delicious! I felt like a queen and my giddy little taste buds were jumping up and down with excitement from all the scrumptious flavors. My friend and I got the omakase ($125), no regrets! Everything was so aesthetically pleasing. All the dishes were almost too pretty to eat! The highlights of the meal were the seafood dishes. The first appetizer was kind of like a pallet with tuna and some other fish and you dip it with wasabi, guacamole, seaweed paste, sour cream, soy sauce and some crunchy rice balls... yes, I know that does not sound appealing but it was amazing. The other appetizer was moi fish with ginger and other ingredients harmonizing with the fish. The server stated that moi is a type of fish long time ago that queens and kings could only eat. Yup, felt like a queen that night! Of course, then nigiri sushi was so delicious! I tried fish I haven't tried before either. The fish were so freshy and creamy. MmMm! The other main dish was surf n turf! The lobster was succulent, but I was not a fan of the steak. They actually undercooked it and had to send it back twice before it was finally cooked right. That was a bit traumatizing when I took my first bite. Luckily, the servers were happy to fix it and send it back. Finally, dessert was a bunch of root veggies/pumpkin. Ube ice cream, kabocha souffle? I can't remember... but everything was on point! The only dish I wasn't really a fan of was the weird veggie dish where you dip it in olive oil mixed with other things... it didn't have much flavor. I also noticed the table next to us had boiling oil, ours was just lukewarm. Overall, a delicious meal. It was fun spoiling myself for once! When else can you get lobster, steak, foie gras, and souffle all in one day? I thought it was worth the $125! of course, don't forget to request sitting at the patio. Gorgeous view, especially during sunset. Le sigh. Missing Hawaii.
(4)
K. S.
I wish I could give this place more stars, but I was very disappointed with the service and quality of food. My family and I had the omakase. The first three dishes were excellent. However, the latter four were seriously lacking. Egg Custard: Super salty Sushi: Not fresh. It tasted like it had recently been defrosted. Surf and turf: Lobster was salty and rubbery. Wagyu Beef was tough and did not taste fresh. Good Wagyu beef is tender and melts in your mouth. Butter Mochi: It tasted like old cereal with really old mochi. Given the hefty price, I expected better food. Last, but not least, it took two and a half hours for us to be served the complete omakase. There's no excuse as to why we have to wait to be served mediocre food. Chad, thank for your response. We dined on Christmas night.
(2)
Robert P.
Great with my kids and not pushy. Such a nice time. Food is not just tasty but also an experience.
(5)
Sean S.
Almost 5 stars. I think I went in with too high of expectations. Don't get me wrong, the food was very good just not exceptional. The service, ambiance and food presentation were all there. We had a group of 4 and went family style so we could choose a few different items. We started with the hamachi tartare (fun presentation but not overwhelming), white fish sashimi (great sauce and good fish), wagyu sashimi (decent meat but great sauce), tuna pizza (fun and different). Then we split 2 entrees. The whole fried fish and the seafood tepanyaki. The fish had a great sauce and the fish was good not great. The tepanyaki was very good. The sauce was a spicy/sweet sauce with clams, mussels, crab and lobster. This was excellent! Again, you won't be dissapointed in their food. Maybe your wallet but the food was good just not over the top like I thought it would be.
(4)
colleen a.
Morimoto's has a great ambience and you have your choice of indoor or outdoor seating overlooking the marina. The staff was courteous knowledgeable and friendly with good recommendations. We tried the Morimoto Omakase. If you don't know what that is, it's a chef's choice multi course tasting menu designed to allow you to experience the essence of Morimoto's cuisine. We found everything to be absolutely delicious, and the presentation was beautiful! Don't expect overloaded piles of food on a plate. Presentation and taste is key here, not quantity. After finishing the meal we were both pleasantly satisfied but not overstuffed. Perfect! Do be aware that this place is not cheap, and by the time you eat and have drinks you may find that you have spent several hundred dollars. For me this is a great place to go for a special occasion and I highly recommend it!
(5)
Raquel A.
Love, love, love! Menu is off the chain! Everything was amazing and didn't disappoint. I don't want to recommend anything because you should try everything! Even the cocktails! Wait staff were extremely knowledgeable in the menu and had awesome suggestions. If you haven't been, you haven't lived!
It's a little thread bare and we sat down to a really dirty napkin at my wife's seat. HOWEVER, the food was amazing! We had the chef's choice and it was fantasticalness. All was good and some items were great and we eat out a lot.
(5)
Jonathan G.
Glad we took a chance on this place given some of the mixed reviews. Not only did we love it, we are planning to go back for another dinner before we end our trip. Our server was exceptional and so was the meal. There were so many good appetizers that we ended up just ordering a bunch and making that our dinner. I ordered a nigori sake that was served with the bottle in a bowl of crushed ice to keep it chilled...that was a nice touch. My wife ordered a sake flight that she enjoyed despite not ever thinking she was a big sake fan. Absolutely no complaints about this experience! All the dishes were expertly presented and delicious!
(5)
Julianne C.
Came here on a business dinner and I must say, Morimoto is one of the more innovative Japanese restaurants in Honolulu. The main dining room was elegantly modern and chic and I loved the open kitchen concept. My colleague even noted that sometimes Chef Morimoto himself would be at the kitchen/sushi bar creating some of the dishes. The staff was extremely professional and was very attentive with our drink/food orders. Had a very enjoyable dining experience overall. One thing that stood out from my experience: the dashi foam - how cool was that?!
(4)
Larry H.
Wonderful dinner on the outdoor patio. Sushi was fresh and both dinners were delicious. They aknowledged our anniversary.
(4)
Kikuasu Y.
Excellent food! Excellent service!! We came here when it first opened and left unimpressed with both the food and the price but then we decided to give it another chance. Thank goodness that we did! The food was amazing! The sushi was fresh and a few things we rarely see like raw tako, sayori, fresh mirugai, fresh oysters, etc... The calamari salad, gyoza with bacon foam, spicy long crab with fries, and live tako sashimi were so delicious! The sushi chef was from Japan just moved to Hawaii 2 weeks ago but also really nice. Service was again, excellent! Best of all, we got to see Chef Morimoto himself!
(5)
Farhana D.
As soon as we made reservations on the phone, my friend and I got a bad feeling about this place. The hostess on the phone was very cold and short anywhooo we let that slide and were super excited to dine at Morimotos. The restaurant itself is beautiful BUT being a 4 star restaurant I was expecting more from the main courses and desserts. We started off with the tempura calamari salad which was the best thing out of our whole meal. For our main course I had the Toban Yaki: lobster, shrimp, clams, mussells and scallops in a spicy red broth and my friend had the crispy whole snapper.... our entrees were lacking flavor and just plain disappointing. We also tried 3 desserts: tofu cheesecake, chocolate peanut bombe and haupia semifreddo.....all the desserts were boring and tasteless , the only thing tasty was the accompanying ice cream *sigh*. I gave 2 stars for the service + decent apps and drinks. Sadly overall this place was a fail.
(2)
.Alan Y.
Meh. I wanted to come here to experience some Iron Chef action. But, I must say, it did not live up to the hype built up in my own mind. All of the dishes were beautiful to look at, but I'm not in agreement with the statement "we eat with our eyes". If food doesn't taste good, then it's a fail. And at these prices, this food needed to taste amazeballs. We ordered the Hamachi Tartare -- a minced hamachi spackled onto a wooden square plate and scooped out with a little trowel. Even though the dish was unique in appearance, it was a shame for the hamachi to be rendered into fish pulp. Morimoto Style Poke was okay. It was your standard ahi, served with peeled cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and bacon foam. The ahi was undersalted and the mozzarella was tasteless. The bacon foam and the peeled tomatoes were nice. Pork Gyoza. Let's just say, this would be a good value if it were only $4. Bagna Cauda. Raw vegetables and two small croutons dipped into olive oil and anchovy and garlic paste. Sounded great, but really underwhelmballs. We also split a salad and an avocado roll. Sadly, those were the two best dishes of the night. I wish I could at least talk up their bar, but no, their signature drinks were also weak. I suppose I might come back, but just to try an entree, then leave.
(2)
Sasha L.
Went to morimotos with some girl friends for lunch today, and as always am impressed by the decor! Morimotos has such a beautiful, calming ocean theme and is perfect for a nice lunch with friends. We went around noon and it was pretty empty. The lunch specials range from $15-30. I had the sushi and sashimi lunch special, and it came with tempura, salad, two California rolls and miso soup. I also had a carafe of their iced tea..so refreshing! Their sashimi as always is top notch, and after being alerted of my shellfish allergy, the server nicely substituted my shrimp tempura with a white fish tempura and my California roll (contains fresh crab meat) with a spicy tuna roll. Good looking out, thank you! My friends had the hamachi buribap, which is raw hamachi that they sear on the sizzling hot bowl it comes in, and mix your vegetables and rice into for you. It looked so good, I am definitely getting that next time! It was a little pricey, about $50 a head (with tip) for each of us for lunch. But it was a nice treat and such a nice relaxing leisurely lunch! Excellent service, great food and most importantly great company! I would come for dinner, but only if their best bartender Wade was working.
(5)
Cameron B.
Ambiance: very loud. It felt as if I could walk out of this restaurant and find myself standing in a casino in Las Vegas or the streets of LA. It just feels a little out of place in Waikiki. The servers are constantly pulling plates from your table, speeding past you, pouring water into your not empty cup. It seemed a little excessive. Service: As I mentioned above, very thorough. They kept our drinks filled and plates clean. Our server was very good about explaining the menu but the workers dropping the plates off seemed to forget their scripted lines about what each item was. Food: We ordered a little bit of everything - from cold apps to entrees. The lamb entree - which was recommended was very dry. The surf and turf which I had was very good but the surf part was filled with more filler than fish. We ordered some sushi too and wasn't impressed with the plating. Compared to everything else, the sushi was kind of boring. The beautifully presented toro or hamachi tartare (I can't remember which we got) was delicious, the tempura calamari was soggy - I do not recommend) the waygu carpacio was like butter and I highly recommend, the kakuni - is Morimoto's take on the standard konbumaki but way more delicious and I probably could eat platefuls of that stuff. Dessert: if you're going to recommend something, boast about something - it better be amazing. we ordered the chocolate tarte and the peanut butter bombe (which was recommended). Both were just okay, nothing special. The bombe wasn't very bomb - and I was expecting more of a burst of peanut butter but got a mousse with just a hint instead. The chocolate tarte had a drizzle of kona coffee which was so far away from the plate that it didn't make sense? Drinks: I had the mai tai, mori-mojito, prosecco and a few glasses of wine. Funny enough, the mai tai was the best one but the mixed drinks felt very watered down - or well made. No alcohol flavor what so ever. Would I come back here? Probably not. It's a beautiful restaurant, very touristy and loud. There were few things on the menu I would like to try but it's not a place that I'd rush back to.
(4)
Charlie A.
I really enjoyed the food and service here. I had the "Crispy Whole Fish" in spicy tofu sauce, and pickled papaya salad. Pricey but what an awesome experience! Enjoyed the best fireworks show on the beach for an extra bonus.
(5)
Annie L.
I was staying at The Modern Honolulu for a week's vacation and I purposely picked this hotel because I was excited to eat at Morimoto Waikiki. The decor in the restaurant was modern and lovely but the food was definitely not up to my expectations. We started with the Morimoto sashimi. The presentation was nice but this dish wasn't anything spectacular. We then moved on to the seafood 'toban yaki' and 1/2lb australian wagyu filet. The seafood 'toban yaki' was plentiful but the red miso broth was way too salty. I needed to drink lots of water alongside my meal the entire night. The wagyu was good but it was a little odd that a side was not included. Sides are to be ordered separately and priced separately. Finally we ended with the ice cream and sorbet. This was probably my favourite course of the night. The flavours were original and very tasty and the presentation of the different flavours were clean and simple. Overall the dining atmosphere/environment was great but the food was definitely lacking with the exception of the ice cream and sorbet. I would probably not dine there again.
(3)
Samuel B.
I was not impressed. To start off the hostess was totally rude. She said I better go to y table and order now as soon as I walked in cause the kitchen was closing in 5 minutes. By the time the server came over (who was the only cool thing about this place) he said not to worry. When the sushi came out the fish was almost warm, it was very far from being cold and fresh.Its like if it was above room temperature. We ordered two bottles of champagne and that was not cold either. The waiter kept toping our glasses off almost to the top making it warm up even more. So if you want to eat warm sushi and drink warm champagne, then this is the place for you. Then the bill came...oh dang!
(2)
Chelsie A.
Morimoto has done it again. First in Delhi at Wasabi and now here. The decor, staff and food selection are a par above the rest. Our waiter Duane did a great job in explaining the specials, favorites and unique items on the menu. A must have is the Kakuni which was out of this world. The cocktails were fresh, delicious and quickly served. Last but not least we enjoyed melt in your mouth sashimi sampler that tasted as magnificently as it was presented. If you are looking for fresh and delicious sushi & Japanese food this is your place.
(5)
Parlor T.
Huge fans of Morimoto and love japanese food, but this place was such a disappointment. We did the tasting menu which costs $140 a person and overall it was nothing special. The decor was nice but not practical, as the leather seats had seen better days, and the white tables and chairs looked a bit beat up. It was very raw and not many layers of flavor. Nothing spectacular. For good sushi you should really go to Mitch's Fish Market, well worth your money. Pluses: Dessert was good and service was really good as well. Not going back though
(1)
Tommie S.
The food wasn't spectacular, but the ambiance and location were. This was my last stop in Honolulu, and it was a perfect last stop. Service was great, the outdoor patio made me feel like an absolute celebrity (right next to a boat dock, didn't see much beach), and drinks were good (had the melon martini and something very similar to the Moscoe Mule). Enjoyed the pork gyoza and calamari salad. Nothing absolutely spectacular, but it was good. There weren't many people present for lunch, but that made it even better. You should go at least once...
(4)
Raymond F.
I was excited to try this place out but ended up walking out after the staff gave us lots of attitude when trying to switch from a noisy area to a less noisy area. For reference we got seated next to a table of 12, which is totally understandable for any restaurant. There were at least 3 other tables available with no other guests to be seated and the host gave lots of push back for trying to switch to unoccupied tables. The host walked away then we ended up walking over to a less noisy table and sat down. The next lady came by and mentioned that all the tables are reserved and didn't want to work with our needs of sitting in a less noisy area. The logic didn't add up; 3 unoccupied tables, and no one waiting in the lounge or bar to be seated at a table. I was really willing to give this a shot but the staff was really bothered by our decision to move to a less noisy area and they were not happy about accommodating us to a different table. Perhaps I'll get to try this place at a different time when there are different folks working.
(1)
eshwar k.
Big fail. Let me preface this review by mentioning that 10 years ago we used to go to Morimoto's regulalry in the original US restaurant in Philadelphia while i was living there. At that time, Chef Morimoto would personally prepare omakase at a certain pricepoint and it was a great experience. Things have really changed. here is why you should skip the restaurant: 1. We had reservations at 8pm. Because it was Thanksgiving, the restaurant was not crowded. Still, we were made to wait for 10 minutes to be seated while the hostesses were doing ??? at their station. 2. Our first server was and probably still is an ass. He was emotionless, and offereed very little when we asked questions about the menu. He only came back to our table once, even though i kept a menu stating we would probably order more later. 3. We ordered a sushi combination. When another severe brought it to the table, and i am not joking, he did not know what was on the plate-- we recognized the tuna, salmon, and snapper, but really needed someone to educate us as to what we were eating. he was a nice guy, but his excuses were "i can't really see too well" and "i am not really sure if this fish is x or y-- sorry about that". He did not offer to get someone to the table who would be able to solve the apparent mystery, and of course our original sever never stopped even though he passed by several times, and we had asked a lot of questions about the sushi combo before ordering so you would figure he would want to make sure we were all good. Should we have stopped him? Maybe, but his attitude was a bit evasive/disinterested. 4. Subsequent plates were inconsistently described to us, and it is sadly evident that like other reviewers mention, a lot of the staff really does not know what they are serving, or they are unwilling to talke time to describe. shame on you! ingredients that make a particular dish unique are essential to highlight, to round out the dining experience. 5. After about an hour and a half, the restaurant crows was very thin, and our server was seriously MIA. By this time we were done with all entrees/plates and were waiting for someone to clear the table. finally a new server showed up. no intro from server one to say "hey i'm off for the evening-- here's your new server for the evening"-- this is a simple courtesy that would even occur at a chain restaurant. the new guy was much better, but didn't introduce himself either. 6. Overall quality of the food-- not that great!! Were they limited because of the holiday? yeah, possibly, but then you should not stay open on a day you can't guarantee consistent quality. Assuming that we ate on a representative day, the only interesting dish was the pork gyoza. the sushi combo was average in quality, at best. the tuna pizza tasted like something you would get at Cheesecake Factory. The wagyu carpaccio was OK but could be improved. I was going to order more sushi for a second round, but based on the underwhelming first round combined with crappy service, we called it a night by ordering 2 desserts rather than our typical "one and share". Desserts were good, although the popcorn is an unnecessary addition to the haupia cake. For a restaurant/owner with the reputation of providing a unique gastronomic experience, we barely had a marginal dinner. i will never return to Morimoto restaurants again. i read the manager's responses to some of the yelp reviews. he often asks the patron to consider coming back for another visit when things don't go right-- that is a ridiculous request. This restaurant should have their quality standard established at a baseline, and if not, there is no reason for second chances.
(1)
Live Love Laugh D.
Little over rated but good ambiance over harbor nice location to see fireworks and sunset. Cocktails and quality of food are so so but its good place to hang out and enjoy with friend.
(3)
John F.
I recently went to Morimoto Waikiki with some friends because one of them said Chef Morimoto was going to be there. Unfortunately, this was not true as Chef Morimoto was not in Hawaii - ZANNEN! However, Daniel Dae Kim of Hawaii Five-O fame was eating there that night but it was no big deal to me since I occasionally see him working out at the Honolulu Club. The food was fantastic but also carried a fantastic price. Other friends ordered things like the crispy whole fish for $37 which was a fresh whole fish, spicy tofu sauce, & pickled papaya salad and the spicy tuna roll which was chopped tuna, scallion, spicy sauce for $10. I tried to be a little cheap & just order a couple maki rolls so I ordered the spicy yellowtail roll which had chopped yellowtail, scallion, & spicy sauce for $10 and the California roll which had snow crab, cucumber, & avocado for $10. See my pictures! Although I was one of the first to order, my maki sushi rolls came much after everyone else's food. The manager noticed, apologized, & comped my food. SCORE! This restaurant is definitely very expensive but also very high quality. Save time by making your reservation using Open Table! opentable.com/hawaii/hon…
(5)
Jeff L.
Ambiance and food presentation was fantastic! Iron Chef Rocks! Our server Sarah was great! Highly recommended.
(5)
Hiro S.
Came back here for Thanksgiving dinner. We started with fresh oysters - served with three different sauces. Continued with salad, white fish carpaccio, spicy crab legs, abalone takoyaki, Californian roll (w/real crab meat), and ramen noodle soup. Everything was tasty, but I was happy to validate their ramen noodle was still my favorite even after the previous executive chef's departure. The service was flawless, our drinks were replenished, and clean plates were brought on timely manner w/o asking. I hope they continue to maintain this level.
(5)
Yo S.
It was a windy Valentines so EVERYONE sat inside causing a back log on reservations. We were seated 45 mins late. A lot of other reservations looked frustrated about the wait which was understanding. Maybe a "free" round of drinks would have been nice once we were seated.. Hehe. Dinner was not as good as the last time we were here. The tempura appetizer was exceptional so we couldn't wait for our entrees. My wife had the "duck duck duck" which she said was OK. I had the surf and turf which was great except for the tea (seaweed water) to clean your palette. Service was exceptional and Chef Morimoto was there entertaining friends but would take selfies with patrons. Very cool... I will go back again but may try the sushi selection next time... Looked good from what I could see.
Given the prices here, I was disappointed by the food and service. There were six of us out for a business dinner and I was expecting to be transported (metaphorically) to Tokyo.
(3)
Toby T.
Morimoto Waikiki is one of my top three restaurants in Hawaii. Not only is it good for dinner, but also for lunch. The ambiance is great with a choice between indoor A/C our outdoor overlooking a yacht harbor at the Pacific Ocean. The restaurant is located in the sleek Modern Honolulu Hotel. Here are my top choices when dining: For dinner: MUST: Big Island Abalone Takoyaki Eat sushi. Get the Chef's combination. Appetizers are the Toro Tatare or Wagyu Carpaccio The Australian Wagyu Filet is Steakhouse quality (open 5pm - 10pm) For lunch: Get a Combo. Either the Sushi/Sashimi/Tempura combo or the Sushi/Loco Moto combo (loco moco made with wagyu beef and hayashi gravy) Make sure you get an ice tea. (open 11am - 2:30pm) And they also serve Ramen Soup too in case you are looking for something simple. Don't forget to leave room for dessert, the flavors are spectacular!
(5)
Malikah M.
Went for my Birthday and my husband and I had the Chefs sampler so that we could enjoy a taste of the menu and it was worth ever dime. Every bite was amazing and different. We enjoyed the experience!
(5)
Emma F.
We had the sushi here and it was fantastic. Our waiter was kind of MIA part of the night and the atmosphere left a lot to be desired (trying too hard). But the food was actually really outstanding. My advice, get the sushi.
(4)
Sweetie P.
This was my second visit to Morimoto's and the second time I was disappointed by the TASTE of the food. The oyster foie gras w/uni was ok. The soft shell crab roll was the worst I've had compared to many Japanese restaurants around town and Nobu's (which I thought had the best). It was dry & lacked seasoning. The uni & Japanese uni was fine. That's why we went for uni. The abalone balls were terrible!!! The dough on the inside was raw, had no taste and the abalone itself had little flavor. It was a shame that such a delicacy had been treated and prepared in such a manner. The main course, the filet w/poke, was a HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT. Although done to my liking (well), the steak was under-seasoned if seasoned at all and the poke did not taste like fresh fish and there was only 4 pieces of fish dressed up with 2 mozzarella cheese balls and 4 baby tomatoes. A watered down teriyaki sauce was served on the side, i guess for the steak, but didn't add much flavor. The mashed sweet potato was the best dish of the night. If you have $$$ to throw away on outrageous prices based on his celebrity, then this place is for you. If you appreciate food that tastes good, go somewhere else.
(1)
Jeanette S.
We made a 730 reservation on a Sunday morning even though it wasn't necessary, we were the only patrons there until about 8 AM. Who is actually up that early on a Sunday? We were seated outside overlooking the harbor. Lots of green and white seating and tables. Price wise, in my honest opinion, it's not as pricey as a lot of people say it is. Granted we had breakfast, but I've browsed the dinner and lunch menu and I don't think the prices are all that expensive. It's on par with the cost most hotel restaurants in Waikiki offer. Our server was pretty good, very nice, filling our waters, checking in on us. Would have been nice if he smiled, but it was early so it's understandable. The service made up for it. We had to wait a bit for our food to come, but it was ok since we were enjoying the view and just taking in the morning without the morning crowd. To start we ordered iced coffee for me, and orange juice for the husband. Iced coffee comes plain and they give you simple syrup and cream to add in accordingly to your taste. I usually have my coffee black but today I made an exception, a little cream and sugar won't hurt. For breakfast the husband had scrambled eggs, spam, toast, and potatoes. can't really go wrong with that, it's his go to breakfast order pretty much everywhere we go. I like to try different things so I had the traditional Japanese breakfast. It was pretty good! It came with miso soup, grilled miso fish, assorted pickled veggies, ahi poke, nori, and a poached egg. Definitely worth the cost! The miso fish tasted so yummy! It was nice a buttery. Love the pickled veggies, it's the first thing I ate. Ahi poke was good too, not like other places, where there is either too much or too little soy sauce, it was just right. I just wish they gave a bigger portion. My husband and I shared a short stack of the banana pancakes. I love bananas, and I definitely loved the banana pancakes. The banana flavoring is there but it's not too overpowering. We ordered it topped with fresh berries and macadamia nuts. It was so yummy we should have ordered the full stack instead of the half stack. Overall it was a pretty good experience friendly staff, good service, great food. We will be back. Next time for dinner.
(4)
Rhemielyn U.
Had my birthday lunch here and it was beautiful. Besides the awesome service, food was also on point. Pricey but worth it. We had sashimi that just melt in your mouth. Their lunch set was also good esp their version of loco moco
(4)
Edwin P.
Try the tasting menu it is super!
(5)
Dan T.
After taking my five-year old daughter here a year or so ago, I have been wanting to go back with my wife. Well this past weekend we made it there and were not too impressed. We were seated and not asked for our drinks for about 10 minutes and then did not receive them for another ten minutes...not even a glass of water. Throughout the evening, we had to flag our waiter down for additional drinks, a desert menu, etc. The lamb I had was very bland and I find it very hard to think that Morimoto would put his seal of approval on that dish. My wife had the sea bass which was good and the spicy yellowtail appetizer we had was also good. After my first visit in which the table could not get a spot of water on it without the waiter wiping it off, I expected at least decent service but did not get it here on 5 July. With all of the places to go on island I will probably not take a third trip to Morimoto.
(2)
Kathy O.
We went to Morimoto Waikiki last July, what a wonderful experience! Our server Duane was fantastic! One in our party was a picky eater and Duane went out of his way to find out what would suit her taste. He did a great job recommending a meal that was great for her. We had the Cucumber Shiso Collins and have been craving it since our visit. I emailed and was given a recipe so I could try to replicate it here in Texas! I can't wait to visit again!
(5)
Marina M.
For my first time there, I requested a nice quiet table. They gave us a junk table right by where guests were obnoxious and loud right by the lounge couches. We ordered omakase, should've had a little more seafood variety. I only liked two dishes from omakase. Server was ok but was not a service you would get at fine dining restaurant. Overall I give three stars for an ok restaurant.
(3)
C G.
My boyfriend and I went to Morimoto's this weekend for his birthday. I read more than enough reviews about bad service and junk food, but I still decided to bring him there anyway since it's supposed to be a fancy Japanese restaurant. We came early and were seated after a few minutes. We got a table outside, but my boyfriend wanted to sit inside. He's too much of a nice guy to say anything, so we just stayed outside. Our waiter was nice, but he did not show much emotion. We ordered a sushi sashimi combination and a Oh toro which my boyfriend absolutely loved. I was so happy that he loved it. For our entrees we got a steak with potatoes and a braised black cod. Both were delicious. Especially the cod. Our waiter wasn't around as often as before, so I started to see what others were saying about the service, but whatever. My boyfriend did point out that there were more people so I brushed it off. The bus boy came by for our waiter so at least someone served us. My boyfriend got a birthday dessert which we didn't know what it was, but it was interesting. All in all, as long as my boyfriend had a great time then I was happy. It was all for him. I would recommend the restaurant to people with an open mind. The bill was about $200, so bring your credit card.
(4)
Dina N.
Once again, I appreciated the staff as they were professional, unpretentious and knowledgeable. And make you feel at home. While this is a high end restaurant, I always feel very comfortable and appreciate that it has a casual vibe to it. I don't feel that it is intimidating or that you have to dress up to go. Though dressing up is wonderful too! The food is consistently of high quality and I love the creativity AND the tradition within the food.
(5)
Kevin N.
It is reasonably priced here esp. The pound waygu steak compared to Las Vegas which is around $200 for a pound. Sushi are tasty and suiting for some sampler options. The ambience can be utterly loud at night and there is no way avoid rude people around your area. Server is unknowledgable about the menu. I asked which yellowtail they were referring to... they asked another server and guessed it is yellowtail tuna while the other one says its yellowtail angelfish. It turns out, its a yellowtail hammachi. I had to ask a neighboring table what it is exactly. Servers seem also uninterested and tired as well :(
(2)
Rachel L.
Quote from my husband: "this food is so incredibly delicious, if there was a hair on my food I'd probably devour it." Need I say more? To be clear... there was definitely not any hair in the food ;) Absolutely love the dinning atmosphere, the service, professionalism, and the cocktails are also really nice.
(5)
Karla L.
This is a really good place to have a celebration or special occasion. The food was excellent. Some things I'd probably not order though for the price. The hamachi tartare and oyster foie gras was okay. I had the tiniest oysters for $22. But the entrees were amazing! The kealoha lobster and lamb shank were delicious. And the vanilla/strawberry profiteries were heavenly. Service was really great as well. There was a small wait between the appetizers and entrees but still good.
(5)
Sandra L.
I am a big fan of "Iron Chef" so I was really excited to try my first Morimoto restaurant. Sadly, I was underwhelmed. It's a beautiful setting and our server was kind but the food--- disappointing. I would say the experience felt like a commercial fusion one than one of an amazing, high-end restaurant. My friend and I were wishing we got a plate lunch instead. We had the pork dumplings which were tasty. We had the fish hot pot, the tuna pizza and some soju. Something was lacking for sure. Nothing was horrific, but it was just not memorable. Save your cash for a tastier joint.
(2)
Diane B.
I came to this restaurant with high standards only to be shut down :( My fiance and I came to eat here while we were in Hawaii only because I am obsessed with watching Morimoto on TV for iron chef. So anyways we ordered the 8 course Omakase. So when I ordered the Omakase I was thinking it was only Sashimi/sushi from my knowledge of omakase that's what it is, but I only got 2 dishes from the 8 that were raw fish. I was really disappointed after we left I didn't really like anything I ate besides the 2 out of 8 dishes that were served to us. I wouldn't recommend anyone to order the Omakase don't waste your money!
(1)
Wilson C.
It was like eating art. Good food, Great flavors & awesome service
(4)
Ariana M.
I think I have gone to Morimotos at least 4 or 5 times now. I really love the decor of the restaurant and the ambience. It was real comforting. Even the bathroom was real nice. Although I think the bathroom location is a bit inconvenient since it is located outside the restaurant. Besides that, the staff is always very polite and friendly; my water glass is never left empty. Each time I have been to Morimotos the food always comes out amazing. The portions are just like any other high-end restaurant, small. The quality of the ingredients and the creativity of presentation and execution really highlighted the Iron Chef's experience. The last time I went to Morimotos, we ordered the takoyaki for our first appetizer. Personally, I'm not a big fan of traditional Japanese takoyaki but this one had quite a twist. The takoyaki was actually made with abalone, which was delicious. The herb butter also added a nice strong kick. The Morimoto Sashimi platter was different from any Sashimi platter I've ever had. It was six stacked pieces of Salmon, Maguro, Hamachi and Pork belly. Each piece than had it's own little topping and was accompanied by FIVE different sauces in cool little squirt vials. It was a fun experience experimenting with the different sauces. The fish was fresh and tasted great. Presentation was excellent as expected. Definitely a must order item. For my entree I had the surf and turf, which came with fingerling potatoes over purple yam mash, Morimoto style poke with avocado wasabi sorbet and a nice wagyu filet. My steak was cooked to perfection and everything went well together. They even include a kelp tea thing for a palate cleanser to keep the surf and turf flavors separate.
(5)
Jason S.
I absolutely adore the design of the hotel Marimoto is located in, 'The Modern Honolulu'. Thus, I am still happy to have come here despite the expensive and lackluster meal. My service was slow & inattentive, which was frustrating. Waikiki is jam-packed with Japanese restaurants, so at the prices of Morimoto, I kinda expected something better than the plethora of other available options. The main dishes were tasty enough, but nothing spectacular, or even much better than what could be had elsewhere. However, I was only here for lunch, so the menu looked rather boring to me. The sashimi was the most disappointing since it was noticeably less fresh than the sashimi we just had the night before at 'Azure', although Morimoto has a bigger selection of sashimi.
(3)
Kira M.
My friends and I attended Morimotos for lunch and because we worked close by we just walked over. The restaurant was easy to find, spacious and beautiful. The hostess greeted us pleasantly and our waiter was quick to take our drink orders and offer to help is pick out our appetizer and entrees. He was very knowledgeable about the menu and we enjoyed his recommendations. The food was great and came with more than one side. The course was very filling and we all left satisfied.
(5)
Sara S.
Morimoto's is like that hot guy at the bar that you have a drink with and then later realize he has no substance, he's just... hot. I went here for Father's day lunch and was blown away by the decor and presentation of the food. Even the service was above average as well. Pretty much everything impressed me except the taste of the food itself. It was just A-OK for it's gajillion dollar price tag. The lunch menu is a lot more reasonable than the dinner menu but even then the food was still nothing to write home to your mother about. Best dressed award goes to the hamachi tartare, because it was presented in an awesome paper thin mould, complete with nori paste, wasabi, sour cream, and my favorite crunchy ball things. Looks super awesome but is gone in like 5 bites. Another cool appetizer is the fresh tofu that is made at your table. The waiter legitimately mixes the soy milk with salt water and it cooks at your table for 10 minutes. Feel free to ooh and aah, it's probably expected. Looks super awesome but is just.. tofu. I want Gazen's tofu. Wagyu beef was probably the most bang for your buck appetizer. Looks super awesome and tastes kinda awesome. Win. The ishiyaki buri bop that everyone talked about was just blah to me. It didn't even look good like all the other dishes we had prior, the least it could do was look amazing, right? It was very filling so if you order that it will probably be all you need but maybe I'm just not a fan of cooked hamachi. I thought it would just end up being seared but it was so hot that it ended up being cooked completely.... eh. Other members of our party tried the porkbelly kakuni bento and the wagyu beef loco moco. Very pretty but as far as overall satisfaction, meh's all around. Hence, Morimoto's is just A-OK. The appetizers were far more impressive than the entrees, but still not worth $$$$. No more money in da bank. Ganbare Morimoto san, if I return and order your sushi maybe I will be more impressed.
(3)
Rosie C.
I was really excited to try an Iron Chef establishment. I had high hopes for this place & envisioned having a high quality michelin-esque dining experience. Everything started off smoothly. Located inside The Modern Honolulu Hotel, the location was nice and felt appropriate. The ambiance was on point and the outdoor space overlooked the docked yachts and boats. The open kitchen was also pleasant and you could sit inside or in the outdoor tent (we sat outdoors; not by request). Service was good and our server was attentive and even recommended a few cocktails to us. We ordered a few appetizers and they were all amazing: - Oyster Foie Gras (warm, buttery, flavorful & melt-in-your-mouth) - Morimoto Sashimi (w/5 sauces in a squeeze tube: so innovative & delicious) - Sashimi Salad Everything was fine until we ordered our main entrees: - Duck, Duck, Duck (seared duck breast, spring roll, meatball soup w/pastry puff bread) - Surf & Turf (prime filet, poke, salt crusted fingerlings) Oh man... we were so underwhelmed by the entrees and frankly disappointed. The spring roll in the Duck Duck Duck reminded me of subpar chinese egg rolls and the broth in the meatball soup lacked flavor. It tasted watered down. The surf & turf dish wasn't a show stopper either. It's shocking that the appetizers did so well but the entrees were not to par... Had we had known the main entrees would be a flop, we would've stuck to the appetizers & probably some sashimi. I really wanted to like this place and while certain aspects were enjoyable It went from amazing to disappointing pretty quickly ... maybe I'll be generous and give it another shot (no promises)
(3)
Donna W.
For the money, was the worst meal we had in Honolulu. Have not spent $200 for a worst meal. Service not much better. Very disappointed.
(1)
John D.
I recently did a multi course meal here for an event along with wine pairing, the sushi this is was good but the rest was average. I got the overall impression that the management didn't prioritize events held here, despite charging a premium price. One of the staff accidentally damaged an expensive personal article of one of the guests. One of managers currently working there, on older caucasian brunette, denied all culpability despite not being there. This was an extremely unprofessional way of handling a mistake done by the staff
(1)
Way D.
This rating is slightly biased because I brought a date and I was probably in a better mood than usual so my memory of the event might be better than it was but who cares. The food is cool. Not too crazy. Not the best thing I've ever eaten. But it was good. There is nothing I didn't like. Was it pricy? Yah but when you go to a high end restaurant you're gonna expect it to be a little expensive. The dishes were smaller in portion ( again typical in a fancy restaurant ) but everything was presented very well and I would say it was worth it. The service was impeccable. They were there to give me things before I asked and helped me before I knew I needed it. That just adds points all around. The place was in a good location attached in a very nice hotel. The decorations were modern and the view was spectacular. Great place for a date. Not an ideal place to eat with your homeboys. All in all a good experience.
(4)
Esther C.
***4.5 stars*** We came at the behest of our friend for a fine dining experience. They seated us promptly and they were very patient with us given that we had an infant. We had two waiters! And they were fantastic and quite accommodating. We had the wagyu beef hot appetizer which was quite good, and also ordered a sushi platter which was good (felt like standard fare, but was good quality fish). Our friend and I ordered the ishi yaki buri bop which was quite delicious and my husband ordered the loco moco which was also good. The baby ate tamago and avocado (again, very accommodating). We had the molten chocolate cake which was fantastic! The ambience was more casual than most fine dining experiences, which may be a function of Hawaii and tourists. We took 0.5 star off because we've had better sushi given the price tag. Recommend: molten chocolate cake, coco fraiche drink Skip: sushi Note: they will validate parking if you valet
(4)
John S.
This place was a huge disappointment. The food was nothing special, and the service unpolished. We expected much more. Shrimp appetizer was soggy. Salt crusted fingerling potatoes were bland, dried out, and NOT seasoned, let alone salt crusted. Angry chicken entree was bland and uninspired. Our server was unpolished and not interested in our concerns. We will not return.
(2)
Anthony W.
We were a little hesitant to try this place because of some of the reviews but did it anyways because I've always wanted to try this Ironchef's restaurant. I'm glad I did. My wife and I both had the omakase dinner. We did ask what we were in store for and the waiter went through the menu before we took the plunge. So if you are a little hesitant like we were you should be able to ask what is on the omakase menu when you arrive to help you decide. I won't go through the whole menu, because I'm sure it changes often, but just know that we were very happy with the selections that night. My only complaint would be the speed of the dinner. They sure did take their time, and I'm sure it might have been intentional, but we did wait for quite some time between dishes. But if that was my only complaint, I'd be happy to dine here again. Just be sure to be ready to part wth some money because the place is pricey. Visited June 2012
(5)
Arynn I.
Love love loved! This restaurant. Went on a whim with my friend after a fabulous weekend of training and fun. We figured we were already there, dressed up for business, why not enjoy Morimoto? I've wanted to come here for a while, especially since it's my mom's maiden name. (Maybe we could be related, who knows?) Nah, wishful thinking. So I made my reservations using open table (i did learn I don't use it enough cause I keep losing my points but that's totally beside the point). Great. I had to adjust a little cause I didn't want to be late for our dinner but it was at the beginning of dinner so not too hard to push back the res. My friend and I had all intention of just doing sushi and sake - but of course I had to look at the menu ahead of time and decided I wanted to try the Ishiyaki Buribop. We started with a sake, Morimoto Ginjo which was very smooth. Now I'm not the biggest lover of sake but I did have some this night. We also started with a Spicy Hamachi Roll. Delish. The hamachi was very fresh and tasty. I used a little shoyu but you really don't have to use any shoyu with it. Like I said, I wanted the Ishiyaki Buribop. I do enjoy ishi yaki style so it was exciting to have someone do this at the table. The rice and veggies were topped with slices of hamachi that were seared against the side of the bowl. Hearing it sizzle makes me smile! I have to say, it did not disappoint and we ate everything... Onto Dessert! I had to go for it. We got 2 desserts, the Chocolate Peanut Bombe and Chocolate Caramel Tart. I suggest if you ever get the Chocolate Caramel Tart with any other dessert, eat this one 2nd!! It's so delectable and rich! I could eat 3 of them! When you cut into the tart, the gooey caramel oozes out onto the plate with the cookie bottom. You gotta eat it with the ice cream to top off the taste. All I am going to say about the Chocolate Peanut Bombe was...it was good. :) I cannot wait to go back to the restaurant because I really want to splurge for the Omakase. But next time...
(5)
Destiny S.
This is the best meal I have even eaten! My husband and I both choose the chef's tasting menu. From start to finish we both were overwhelmed at how incredible everything was. I also love that each dish was a work of art. We would both sit there enjoying how beautiful the dish was before starting to devour it. Our service was outstanding. We had a great server and several other guys continuously stopping by to check on us. The restaurant is very beautiful and there was killer live music happening outside in the lobby. The night was so wonderful and we will definitely return.
(5)
Misty P.
Came here again on 05-25-12 for dinner. It was surprisingly emptier than I thought it would be for a Friday night. The service is still good. I haven't had bad service here since patronizing this restaurant. Take note though, if you are in a hurry, don't expect the service to be hurried or the food to come out too fast - especially if you get the omakase. It is best to come here with a unbooked schedule and a go with the flow attitude. Best to come here with good friends and have a couple of drinks with good food. My fiance and I took our friends from Boston out here. He and his wife absolutely loved it. We all got the omakase. The only gripe I have, is I've had the omakase more than once and it is always the same dishes. They need to mix it up a bit more...
(4)
Jacquie M.
Ordered Omakase. Food was fabulous. 7 courses of deliciousness. Would recommend to anyone. Would do it all over again.
(5)
Vanessa M.
We checked in excited and ready for a nice romantic honeymoon dinner and instead we were treated like... We were told that since we did not have reservations there was a wait, which we were fine with except when we went to the bar to have a seat we saw that the entire restaurant was empty. Only 3 tables with ppl. We thought that was odd but waited. Other ppl checked in n were immediate seated (must had reservations). Waited 15 mins n check back with host n they said a little longer. Got 2nd drink and restaurant is still pretty much empty. I ended up getting on my phone n made a reservation for 5 mins. This was just silly. Food was ok, way to expensive for what it is. Didn't really taste all that great. Not bad but expected much better. Presentation of food was nice
(2)
Jordan V.
I read some of these reviews and was a little skeptical but I enjoyed everything we ordered! Yes it's a bit pricey but I had awesome service and for special occasions it was totally worth it in my opinion. Try the crispy rock shrimp tempura appitzer and the rib eye sooo good!
(5)
Elise C.
Worst experience ever. Seriously you couldn't pay me to come back. Terrible atmosphere, terrible service and so-so food. Not surprisingly it was completely empty, Exorbitantly expensive for the quality. Had asked for an 8pm reservation outside and they told us it could only be 8:45pm and if we wanted outside it would be a further hour wait. NO ONE was there...we ended up staying until kitchen closed and no one came to claim the tables that was supposedly occupied. The hostess gave us some BS excuse as to why we couldn't sit where we requested...something about not wanting to overwhelm the kitchen and thereby delaying our food. Um just FYI we would have ordered the SAME food wherever we sat.
(1)
Clarence L.
Love IC Morimoto and have enjoyed his food at Austin W&F fest and his restaurant in Philly. This experience was average. Small crowd for Sat 7p.m. Had four courses plus dessert that were good but not jaw dropping and server seemed a bit distracted. Overall still a solid meal but expected more. Restaurant is nicely laid out and offers lots of seating options. Will go back and try to order better :-)
(3)
Lin L.
This review is based only on eating sushi/sashimi here. Yes, I understand you come to a place like this to order fish/steak or something fancy. But was disappointed at the sushi restaurant we ate the night before and wanted to fill my craving. Service is excellent, beer and sake good. Ordered an IPA that wasn't on the menu. Ordered the chef's raw bar combo ($80), sushi combo ($45) and the Chirashi. The raw combo was pretty good, but the oysters were awesome. It went really went down hill from here. The sushi combo was average, but the Chirashi was one of the poorest Ive ever had. Pieces were small, chopped up with some veggies. They tried to make it too fancy. Don't think I'll be coming back here. The regular menu didn't really interest me either.
(2)
Jermel-Lynn Q.
This place is first off very pricey but the great thing is the intimate atmosphere that I had experienced. The food was also so delish. This was my first time here and I thought that it was great. At first though, the person the hostess was really sassy and was also rude to other customers. However, back to food. You have to try their desserts! OMG, the best dessert I've ever tasted. Their cocktails too, really generous amount of alcohol but you can't even tell. :) I thin that this place needs to train their hostesses as well to know a little bit of conversational Japanese in order to help accommodate their customers.
(4)
Shelley V.
We have been to Morimotos 5 times now and absolutely love dining here. The food is impeccable and the service to match. Friday night we had the following dishes: Toro Tartare. A personal fave Pork Gzoya with bacon foam. Hot damn Oysters. So good Pork Kakuni with congee. This makes me want to crawl into the bowl and nap. Negitori rolls Hamachitori rolls Eel avocado rolls Tekka makki rolls Miso soup Lots of drinks We Morimoto ever since our first visit to the NY one that took 3 hours for our leisurely dining experience!!
(5)
Lora H.
Dear Chef Morimoto-san. I love your restaurant. I love watching you on Iron Chef. I finally had a chance to do breakfast at your restaurant on Sunday and was so excited. The flavors of the food of course did not disappoint. However, and this is a BIG HOWEVER... the service was terrible. First of all, the restaurant was empty. I mean seriously, there were only about 5 tables filled. It took forever for someone to take our order. Then it took forever to bring our food out. It took forever to fill our water. It took forever to get our coffees refilled. I just don't understand. It's not the level of service that you come to expect at Chef Morimoto's restaurant. I can understand if the restaurant was bustling with people, but it was an extremely slow day. It was just inexcusable. And our food was cold by the time it came out. But because I love your restaurant, I of course will come back, but really, please work with your staff. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
(3)
Meagan H.
Morimoto is always a success! A beautiful atmosphere, and amazing service! The food was really good, especially the tofu they prepare at your table!
(5)
Courtney O.
I've eaten here for lunch and for dinner. The service is always great. I love the ambiance of the place. The presentation of the food is definitely five star. Sitting outside during the daytime and sipping a drink as you take in the breathtaking view is a wonderful experience. As for the food... uh... it's okay. For dinner one night we got the tuna tartar (wonderful yet very expensive and small!), chicken noodle soup (large but very expensive for broth and noodles!), and other various appetizers and entrees. All were done up very beautiful but I wasn't that impressed with the taste of everything and price. For lunch we had the lobster melt (okay), and the chicken katsu sandwich (the katsu sauce was not tasty at all and there was not enough of it). Lunch is much more reasonably priced however I still was not impressed by the taste of the food! Both sandwiches came with japanese pickles, wasabi french fries, and a salad. The salad was of the spring greens variety which I'm not a fan of. The best thing I ate had to be the wasabi french fries! They were really delicious! I recommend getting a side of them and a drink, then maybe going somewhere else to eat after... Valet parking is free with validation. The bathrooms are a little bit far from the restaurant.
(3)
Jonathon G.
Maybe the finest dining experience I have ever had. Beautiful restaurant, good service, beautiful and interesting food.
(5)
Clarissa M.
This updated review is for our experience renting and dining in the cabana on 4th of July. It was a wonderful experience for the out of town family. We had such a beautiful and perfect table of the view of the fireworks. The service and attention of the staff was superb. The food as always was outstanding. We were able to select the dishes we wanted for special night. It was served family style. The restaurant also made a special dish for my relative who had a very strict diet. We arrived for dinner at 6:00 pm the sun was still very bright but the staff pulled down the shades without any problem and catered to our every needs. This location is perfect for any event that you would like to celebrate or even a corporate meeting. I definitely recommend you give yourself and your loved ones a treat dining in the cabana at Morimoto!
(5)
Mary T.
Restaurant was absolutely beautiful dinner was good. We also got a dessert, the chocolate peanut butter bomb and it was just ok. Also didn't love the $14.00 charge for a cup of coffee.
(4)
Krystal F.
Dining experience was awesome. It was everything I expected from a top chefs restaurant dining at its best. Me start off by saying we are celebrating our honeymoon. The staff was very attentive. The food came on time for every course. We started off with a spicy salmon roll, fried calamari salad, the main entree was a deboned sea bass, the presentation was beautiful. For dessert we had sorbot. All very delicious.. The meal was reasonably priced. We would definitely come back here for dinner. The only thing I would say that was really high price was the wine but I didn't have any because my hotel complimentary drinks already made me feel saucy
(5)
Janet E.
The food here is overrated and UNCLEAN. Why unclean? Well because two out of the three of us got deathly sick from some sort of food poisoning here. I felt the effects pretty immediately within an hour of being at this restaurant. I had to relieve myself by going to the hotel lobby restroom to vomit. (The restaurant is located in a hotel--its not a stand alone restaurant on the street.) The vomiting continued in the car ride back to our condo and continued through the night through all of Christmas eve and all of Christmas day. It was the worst. We called the restaurant to tell them about our food experience and they said there was nothing they could do without a note from a doctor confirming food poisoning. Seriously?? I guess I should have saved my vomit as proof since Morimoto's thought we were lying. How does a doctor confirm food poisoning? I wouldn't know since it NEVER happens to me. We should have known that this restaurant would not care about our illness since they did not allow us to sit outside in the patio. Their excuse was that the patio was already reserved because people had made the request with their reservation. However, the patio remained 75% empty BEFORE and AFTER our visit to the restaurant. Their garage was $7 to park and validation from Morimoto's was NOT allowed (according to the parking attendants sign). Morimoto won't even pay for their patrons to have discounted parking. The service we received at the restaurant was "nice" but there was no genuine substance behind the attitude. It was like a script he was following. The staff at the host/hostess table seemed to care more about their own conversations than attending to me when I needed assistance in locating the restroom. The food was expensive, especially since the food did not even stay in my stomach for more than an hour. The decor was very white and cold. It was not warm and comforting. It just did not feel good being here.
(1)
Kalani S.
We've been coming to Morimoto's more often than before and love it, due to a few things. 1. Quality of Sushi and Sushi Chef is on par. 2. Customer service from the host, Bar tender, Waiters & Sushi Chef is consistent, Unlike other Japanese restaurants they pay no attention to you even though you drop $500 ++. 3. The Sake selection is priced right. Even though Morimoto's has great dishes their is one thing that is missing from this place and its a Happy Hour Menu. Iron Chef Morimoto we look forward in seeing a HH Menu.
(4)
Jill B.
This place has its ups and downs. The oyster with foie gras and uni was spectacular. One of the best things I've ever put in my mouth. I also enjoyed the Hamachi sashimi and the black cod was very flavorable . I agree with another reviewer about the crab with spicy mayo. But I'm not a dynamite fan. We had the whole fish special and I felt the sauce lacked seasoning. I wish I could remembered the official title but it had ginger which I love and could not taste. It makes me crazy when kitchen staff don't check the seasoning before sending things out. The biggest issue I had was the server who wrote in a 18 percent tip for himself on a party of 4. I am an x-restaurant manager and and always tip at least 20 percent and many times more. We were with some people from Australia so maybe he thought he wasn't going to get a tip. I almost tipped $80 on top because I'm not used to seeing a tip written in on only 4 people.
(3)
Morgan M.
Great food. Fantastic service. Portions are small but it is expected in a restaurant of this quality.
(4)
Tim N.
This restaurant is owned by none other than Iron Chef Japan, Masaharu Morimoto. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Morimoto's style, he has training in traditional Kaiseki cuisine and sushi. He is also famous for incorporating western style into Japanese cooking. The result is a series of unique, flavorful dishes that are sure to leave an impression. All of the dishes were very well presented, and the presentation was only surpassed by the taste of the food. The only drawback is that it is quite pricey, and it can get very busy at times. If you are willing to commit your afternoon or evening (and your wallet) to delicious Japanese food, then this is the restaurant for you. I recommend!
(4)
Dbear T.
Morimoto was good, but not great. I would say it was innovative Japanese/Asian cuisine with a modern take. I ordered a few things Chinese and Korean inspired. I love sushi, but having good sushi available in San Francisco I decided to try the Chef's cooked menu to get a flavor of Morimoto's cuisine. For appetizer I had the hamachi tartare and this was very good. It was some minced hamachi served on an nice plate with 6 different sauces. It was so pretty and good I just wished I had more. I also had the pork belly congee as an appetizer. This was a take on the Chinese dish and definitely more flavorful than the congee I grew up with. Anything with pork belly tastes really good, but once again I wish I had more. For the main dish I had the yellowtail bop. It was a take on the Korean bim bim bop. It was good and I loved the sauce. I would say the sauce was different than the regular bim bim bop sauce and more soy sauce like. The yellowtail made it feel healthier and lighter than the regular bim bim bop. I liked the dishes I had better than my husband's. My husband ordered the oyster foie gras with uni. I like oysters and I like foie gras, but I'm not sure I like it together. The oysters were covered in a thick sauce. I felt the sauce was too thick and sweet for my taste. I would've preferred plain raw oysters. My husband also ordered the the spicy alaskan king crab appetizer. There was nothing memorable about it. It seemed like a suped up crab cake. For the main dish he had the duck, duck, duck. This dish was not that great and was duck cooked three ways. There was a duck roll that seemed a like something you could get at a thai restaurant in San Francisco. I did not try the other two duck preparations. I would say from what I ordered, I would have give 4 stars, but I did not enjoy my husband's food as much. Total tab including tip was $217 and included three alcoholic drinks. One thing to mention is that they changed waiters on us. We had a baby with us and they accommodated us well even with a baby. I was not sure we would be allowed to dine. The first waiter was excellent and might have been a solid 4 stars if they had not changed waiters on us. He doted on our baby and when he saw she was getting restless he gave us some stones and learning chopsticks to distract her a bit. Our second waiter was okay, but not as attentive. I also liked that each server who delivered our plate explained the food to us. That was a nice added touch.
(3)
Robyn N.
The hostess was small kine SASSY all three times I've been there. Yes the same GIRL! But super nice to my husband! Starters: Spicy King Crab... The sauce is deliciously spicy and the French fries it's served with is cooked perfectly! Crispy!!! Kakuni... Pork belly that cooked for 10 hours melt in your mouth. Takoyai abalone... Ewww! I was bummed last time cause they ran out. I get it this time and it SUCKED! I did not like it at all! Salad: Calamari Salad... More calamari than salad. It was ok. Sashimi Salad... Better than the calamari salad but, still nothing to wow about. Main: Whole Roasted Lobster "EPICE"... Best lobster I've ever eaten at a restaurant! Toban Yaki seafood soup... Yummy! The broth is wonderful!!! Clams are small and I don't like mussels but, other than that it's GREAT! Dessert: Peanut Butter Bombe... The salted peanut ice cream is BOMB!!! Probably the best ice cream I've ever had! Tofu hot&cold... Yuck! They should take that off the menu. Nothing about that was good! I do wanna try the crispy whole fish next time! :) I love the atmosphere and everything else about the Waikiki Edition Hotel!
(4)
Joe B.
I took my girlfriend here on our 2 year anniversary while in Waikiki. We ordered to Omakase and it was wonderful. However, if you do not enjoy raw seafood, I recommend you don't choose this. More details: We arrived at about 630PM for our 7PM reservations that I made on Open Table. We sat at the bar while they set up our outdoor patio seating which was perfect because the sun was beginning to set. The service was perfect from beginning to end. It felt like we had 3 or 4 servers waiting on us. Every course of the meal was delicious and the servers paid such good attention that when once of us was away from the table they ensured they didn't serve the next portion. This attention to detail really sold me on Morimoto's. Even the restroom was clean and decorated beautifully. I highly recommend this place but make sure you bring your wallet.
(4)
Jay G.
Good food, but fairly small portions. Probably best to just order a bunch of pupus and enjoy the mori mojito.
(4)
Katya N.
Forgot to cancel my reservation during the weekend, got a call from the restaurant " confirming the reservation" at the time of it and when I said I had to cancel the lady on the other line was extremely rude and hung up on me. HUNG UP ON ME??? that's a first from a restaurant. We live here and were there once, liked the food, but with serving personnel that RUDE they won't see us again.
(1)
Marc H.
When there for our 1st wedding anniversary dinner. Ive heard good things about this place so we wanted to try it out for ourselves. We first ordered drinks to start off. I always like to order a nice Asahi to start off. For some reason, the beer didnt taste right. To me it tasted like a different beer than Asahi, but i couldnt tell cuz they gave me it in a glass already. I believe that the glass was warm to start with and not chilled because my beer became warm short after i ordered it. so i wasnt too happy about that. we then tried the steamed scallops and spicy tuna sushi. I thought the sushi was pretty good, and i liked the scallops but my wife didn't really care for them. For the main course i ordered the surf and turf while my wife ordered the ishi yaki buri bop (yellowtail cooked at tableside). lets start with my dish. I the steak was very small, only 6 oz, but it was very tasty. i like the really salty taste of it, where others may have thought it was too much. I wasnt a big fan of the sauce that came with steak, so i passed on that. the poke was very nice and had a mix of cheese and avocado paste, which was really tasty. i really enjoyed the okinawan sweet potato puree. that was the best! i just wish i was given more. my wife's dish was like something i could get at shokudo, so i compared it to that, and wasnt quite impressed. The service was pretty good, they were very attentive and check on us often. Overall, 3 stars, not the best, it was ok. Kinda pricey too, but probs not a place i would go back unless i have to.
(3)
Jason F.
I like this restaurant, but I don't love it. I've been to Morimoto NY, and had the same feelings. I think this may have to do with watching Morimoto on Iron Chef; I expect to have the same food he serves on TV, which isn't the case. The food is very good and has its creative flavors. Eating here brings the creativity I miss from NY. I did the omakase the first time I went. Dishes I liked: toro/yellowtail tartar, seared hamachi, salad and heated olive oil, panna cotta, okinawan potato dessert. Things I've ordered that I like: oyster foie gros. Dishes I didn't like: braised black cod (drenched in sauce that the taste of the fish was lost, plus it's something that is done better at other restaurants), foie gros chawan mushi (duck was cooked nicely, but didn't care for the taste of the rest of the dish), sushi (expect higher quality fish given that there are some pretty good places on this island), loco moco (nothing special, no real twist to the original dish). Also, the omakase feels about $20 overpriced for what it is. I will be going back some time in the future, probably in a few months. There are some very interesting and creative things on the menu that I still want to try despite some of the misses.
(4)
Tri D.
Girls in front were not very welcoming, I'm guessing because we had our 15 month with us. Not sure why this was an issue since the restaurant was very noisy and not what I would consider a romantic spot. Anyhow, the waiter and server staff was much more friendly. We had the omakase and the dishes were, as expected, innovative. But also, as expected, some of the dishes were misses. My favorite was the kona lobster portion of the entree course. The lobster was perfectly cooked and the seasoning enhanced the sweetness of the lobster. My least favorite was the pork and beef portion for the same course. The beef was drenched in a sauce that was overly salty and distracting to the beef. The pork was on the dry side and the seasoning was unspectacular. The oil fondue course was also a miss, the anchovy garlic paste would have been great on oil drizzled bread, but the whole fondue setup was a bit awkward as there is only a very short window when the oil is bubbling that the is hot enough to soften the veggies a little. Overall not a bad meal but I expected a little more. Would have been a solid 4 stars were it not for the attitude from the front staff.
(3)
Ron C.
Agree with the reviewers that said this restaurant was overhyped. I've had much better sushi and sashimi for my local sushi joint back home. And didn't have to pay through the nose. The rock shrimp were good. But they were the same as budakan back in NYC. Which kinda makes sense since its the same restaurant group. But, you'd think they'd change the recipe up a little. As for the whole red snapper. Omg. Blander than a 1950s Midwestern housewife. (what was that sauce supposed to be?) service was uneven at best. Amd, on a Friday nite at 8pm you'd think the restaurant would be packed. But, alas, half full. No wonder. The locals know better.
(2)
Katherine L.
My review is based on the first time I went to Morimoto's, over a year ago. My boyfriend and I went to check out this place because we have heard some rave reviews from his friends. This is that kind of place where you spend a good deal of money for small dishes, ambiance and quality. First off, the ambiance is beautiful, which the upper-crust simple and bright nautical look. Very appropriate for being right off the beach in Waikiki, Hawaii. But some of the tables might be awkward to eat at, considering that some of their tops are not even. The table tops are made to look rough cut or scrap pieces. But overall, the atmosphere is really inviting and different. Service was decent, but not the best I have ever experienced. It took a while for the food to come out. I could see the table next to us have a lot of problems (i.e. their side of potatoes was missing, food took too long). The server was nice enough, but he was not necessarily the best spoken or knowledgeable. I would have expected better, considering my own restaurant working experience and the class of the restaurant. For appetizers we had the pork gyoza with bacon foam and hamachi tartare. The pork gyoza was kind of an asian fusion, as the bacon foam and tomato sauce added another layer of flavor to the dish that was unexpected, but delicious. The hamachi tartare was very light and delicate with a variation of "sides" to scrape and eat along with the hamachi. I am a real sucker for anything raw fish, so the hamachi tartare easily pleased me. A side note: the Morimoto drinks tend to be on the sweeter side, a little too sweet for me. For the main course, my boyfriend had the duck combo, which included seared duck, duck spring roll and duck meatball soup. His duck dish was good too, but rather unsurprisingly small. I had the chefs sashimi combination, which I cannot recommend enough. It is absolutely AMAZING! I was actually hesitant to order it, thinking that I should get something especially Morimoto. In the end, I DID NOT regret it at all. It was the best sashimi I have ever had in my life. It was huge, including approximately 3 or 4 pieces of 8 different kinds of fish. And it was so fresh and perfectly chilled, coming out on a bowl of crushed ice. Each fish comes with some kind of side (i.e. green onions, seaweed, daikon) It was only $36, which is pretty cheap, considering that the amount given and quality was out of the ballpark and it was only a few dollars more expensive than a standard Japanese place. Now comes the most important part: Dessert. The haupia semifreddo was intentionally a little dry, but it worked. It was really light, melting in your mouth, and I loved the combination of the coconut and green tee flavors. It's not like any dessert I have ever had. But hands down, I preferred the the chocolate peanut bombe. Morimoto's elevated that classic flavor combo to a very modern and divine creation. It was simply perfect, balanced with the sweet and salty, crunchy but so soft that it melts in your mouth. Personally, it is not one of my fave places, but I can definitely see its appeal. All in all, I would recommend this place to a friend, but it is not for everyone.
(4)
ray c.
You should know that when you come to a place of this caliber, it should live up to all the hype - and it did. So why a 4-star and not 5-star? Without a doubt, our lovely city of Honolulu needs more jazzy spiffy trendy joints, and Morimoto is certainly what we need, and it delivers the atmosphere. Come here with your friends, have fun, drinks, pupus, you'll have a great time. It's hip, and it's got all the right vibes. It's a slim divide btwn minimalist modern trendy decor - and hospital sterile - and this place gladly takes the former, thank God. The inside setting is open-kitchen style... happy & noisy & fun. The outside is chill and relaxing, with a fire pit that really adds to the ambiance - I wouldn't change a thing, about the decor - it's fantastic, and I would go back just bcse of it. Ok, I write on Yelp because I'm more taste-centric type of eater and less of a fluff & atmosphere kinda guy. If you ask me - I go for taste rather then decor. Taste-wise, I think this place is 80% there, I just wish it tastes like it looks.
(4)
Pabs G.
New restaurant in town. Decorations and furniture beautiful. Seats are close together. Environment is LOUD and not conducive to conversations around the table. Nice fireplace outside. Service okay. A bit unorganized. Expected more. Food: Liked the sashimi pizza, salad, salmon, and hot udon. Overall, worth going once to twice, but there are other restaurants in town with great food and service at a more affordable rate.
(3)
Hanna M.
The food was average at best. For what it costs the food should have been excellent and the service amazing...but not the case at all... our bill for ten people was somewhere between 1500-2000...the food looked good and was presented well, but wasn't special in taste at all. half of us ordered the pre-set chef's menu which was not good at all. I felt bad for those guys. The biggest problem is that the whole dinner lasted about four hours which was WAY too long!!! There was too long a wait between the courses and when we told the staff they were apologetic but definitely not any faster. Disappointment!!
(2)
J D.
Amazing, and an amazing deal! I've also eaten at Morimoto's in Tokyo and this was just as good. $110 for a 9 course tasting menu, of plate after plate of amazing stuff, including a pre-dessert, dessert. Yum! If you're not keen on letting the chef choose, you could easily create a 4 course meal for yourself for under $100. They also have plenty of reasonably priced wine bottles. The best thing we had was not on the tasting menu, buri bob (yellowtail seared on a hot bowl at your table) , so simple and delicious. I'd definitely go back if I end up in Waikiki again...and I'll go to any other Morimoto restaurants.
(5)
Dave N.
It all depends on your expectations... The last time I went to where Morimoto Waikiki is located, it was part of the Ilikai Hotel. I was impressed by the Edition Hotel's renovations. Very upscale, very modern/trendy. The Morimoto Waikiki Restaurant takes it a step further with their decor. The layout is very open and, as mentioned in other reviews, the interior design is done in a modern, light green color scheme. As another reviewer mentioned, the three or four hostesses or receptionists were not the most friendly types. They weren't snobby or sassy, just not cheerful. They put no effort into pretending they were happy my wife and I were dining there. We had the earliest reservation, so my wife and I were the first customers to be seated. This gave us the opportunity to not only check out the restaurant, but also observe the employees in action. All kept very busy setting up, polishing already clean glasses and silverware, and other 'keep busy' tasks. Our waiter, Paul, spoke with a non-American accent, so it kind of added to the formal dining experience. if I were to guess, I'd say he was/is from New Zealand. (Forgive me if I am in error about Paul's accent.) Paul was extremely attentive to our needs and very well knowledged about everything on the menu - including the wine and sake. But this is what one would expect of a waiter at a restaurant of this level. Nonetheless, five stars to Paul. We started with appetizers - the sashimi salad and the 1/2 donzen market oysters. Portions were a bit on the small side, but we were their for quality, not quantity. Five stars for the salad, four at best for the oysters. Perhaps my expectations for the oysters were high, but they just missed the mark. There was nothing wrong with them at all, but I have had better at much lesser restaurants. I should mention, my wife ordered a glass of the Martin Ray Pinot Noir and I had the Morimoto Sake Moriawase (sake flight). Paul did an excellent job describing the characteristics of both my wife's Pinot and each of my four sake offerings. Next, we ordered some nigiri sushi. My wife tried several of her favorites and thoroughly enjoyed each. I had the sake (salmon), hamachi and oh-toro. I expected a lot from the sushi being served at Morimoto's and was not disappointed at all. The sake met my expectations, however the hamachi and oh-toro easily exceeded what I had hoped for. The hamachi I had that night was probably the second best I have ever had. (Best being from Nobu's in Las Vegas. I should note, the Las Vegas Nobu's has better hamachi than the Waikiki Nobu's - at least from the times I have dined at each.) The oh-toro... Best I have every had. (This might not be saying much as I normally do not order oh-toro. I have tried oh-toro from Nobu's in Las Vegas, Hakone in the Hawaii Prince Hotel and a few lesser restaurants and sushi bars.) For our main course, my wife and I shared the Chef's Loco Moco. I believe Paul called it the Loco Moto. My wife may have wanted to order something different, but she really enjoyed this dish. I, the one who decided to order the loco moco, actually thought it was okay at best - three stars from me, five from my wife. There were very small pieces of wagyu beef and not much of it. The gravy, which my wife loved, wasn't to my liking. I think I'm just not familiar with the hayashi style gravy. Being thoroughly full at this point, we opted not to order dessert. However, when my wife made our reservations, she mentioned it was our tenth wedding anniversary. With that said, Paul proceeded to surprise us with a guava sorbet. I expected a lot from Morimoto Waikiki and was not disappointed at all. Unfortunately, because my expectations were so high, I need to hold the Morimoto Waikiki restaurant to very high standards. If I could give them four and a half stars, I would. However, I just can't get myself to give them five stars. Unfair? Perhaps. Our tab came out to a couple dollars under $200. With tip, $240. My wife and I definitely cannot afford to go to Morimoto's often, but we would definitely go again.
(4)
Charles S.
This was my second time to Morimoto's. This time with my brother and sister-in-law from Japan. I had made my reservation through open table and asked specifically for Japanese and English menus. When I got to the restaurant, I reminded them I needed Japanese menus, the hostess confirmed Japanese and English menus. After three times, we get to our table and we all have English menus. How stupid is that. When I remind the hostess I need five Japanese and one English menu they apologize and give me an the English speaker a Japanese menus. There is a major lack of common sense there. Later my sister-in-law orders the omakase. The runners continue to bring the omakase to my wife. Granted they're sister's, but they don't look alike and after the first, second, and third time of being told, they would make the correction. Total lack of communcation amoung the staff. I had call the restaurant earlier to tell them it was my wife's birthday. Surprize, they never wrote it down. So my wife got nothing! Then we are hit with the mandatory six person, 20% tip. Talk about insult to injury. I have been to Nobu's, La Mer and they deserve 20%. Morimoto's has a long ways to go. Saving grace was that the food was good. Morimoto's wants to be Honolulu's best restaurant. Management really needs to look at staff training. We had a wonderful experience the night before at BLT Steak House. The waiter Ed was superb! I was so upset, I called and talked to the assistant manager. He apologized and said they are have problems. He promised me the next time I return to let him know and things will be different. I personally ask myself, I have been burned twice there. Would you give them another chance? Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.
(3)
Phi H.
Mr. Iron chef did not disappoint, food was delish, atmosphere was amazing, and we scored pictures with morimoto, couldn't ask for more with a night in oahu.
(5)
Philip P.
Incredible food, drink, service, and appearance. A must visit in Waikiki located at the Modern Hotel. It is a little pricy but I feel the price is warrented.
(5)
John K.
Overall lived up to the hype and reputation. Ambience is killer, try to sit outside, less noisy and a view of the harbor. Calamari salad was terrific and surprisingly a good deal. The Doris was wonderful. Bagna cauda was like a joke an oily tasteless dip with what appeared to be table scraps. Tobanyaki, the whole fish and the black cod were outstanding. Pricey place for the special meal.
(4)
Gardelyn J.
Staff was friendly and very knowledgable about the menu. Nice view of the harbor. Wagyu beef carpaccio was excellent as expected as was the crispy whole fish. Both were buttery soft! The whole fish comes out sitting upright and appears as if its swimming on your plate. It's a good size portion for one but enough to allow others to taste from your plate. The yuzu sauce on the wagyu beef was the perfect touch for a light but fulfilling appetizer.
(4)
Brian K.
I had the Omakase and while the price was significant the food and the presentation was well worth the price. Only thing is i don't feel like i passed the coolness factor for the spot. Started with this strange rectanglular platter of ahi tartare and hamachi tartare with a bevvy of fairly involved sauces for them, as well as the standard wasabi and shoyu. Truly remarkable flavor. If they brought me 2 of these I would not complain. Next was the best part of the meal. It was a foie gras with a bit of duck meat served in a bowl on top of a sort of egg custard (not sweet). Rich, complex and the custard just seemed to smooth everything out. And the serving size was perfect for this type of dish. Next a light broth to cleanse the palet. Sushi was fairly standard, chu toro was excellent. They did have a saba which although I can understand as being a traditional Japanese sushi, most of thee rest of the world finds it to be fishy and oily and rather unappealing. The "sifr and turf" was a Maine lobster claw and half a tail, very nicely done, some pork loin with a pear sauce, a couple of cubes of beef tenderloin that I actually could have used a couple more cubes of and a lemon/cream mixture to cleanse the palet between dishes. The "predessert" was a bit of an espresso, jelly like subtance over a type of custard and was absolutely extravagant with a wonderful aroma of fresh coffee. Sweet but not cloying. I ordered a double espresso for myself and it came next with a beautiful crema. Not as heavy as I like my espresso, but solid nonetheless. The dessert was a bit off for me. A small scoop of vanilla ice cream and what seemed to be a kind of sweet potato or perhaps taro mixture. A bit of a baked dried fruit and some fresh shaved mango. Kind of an odd taste. Not very sweet really. The predessert was far superior. All in all, nothing bad, many things superb and the service was exact as you would expect for the price you are paying. Also the wine list was great, we had a bottle of Far Niente (white) and a very nice Brunello di Montelcino (red). Again they are not affraid to charge. LOL.
(5)
Adam E.
Amazing! My wife took me here for my birthday, and it IS a birthday treat...in quality and in price. Yes, it is VERY expensive, but the food is an experience. I highly recommend getting the teasing menu. It's so easy to go to a Japanese restaurant and just go with sushi and known-entities, but the tasting menu is a whirlwind of new flavors. Plus, my wife is pescatarian and they customized for her. 1st course- an amazing ahi and himachi tray with dipping accents 2nd course- maybe my favorite; a small tasting of perfect lightly cooked fish with sesame oil and other deliciousness. 3rd course- an oil fondue and anchovies paste, veggies for dipping and small chicken accent 4th course- a Foie Gras Egg custard with duck on top (clams for my wife) 5th course- SUSHI! a perfect 5pc nigiri selection. Entree- a 3pc collection of spiced lobster, glazed pork, and tender filet (sub crab and bass for my wife). Desert- MMMMM Kambocha (pumpkin) souffle with Sweet potato ice cream On top of all that we had a fantastic sake flight (and an other bottle of course) Truly a special meal that made for a special evening. If you can afford the splurge, it is worth it!
(5)
Jennifer P.
Ambiance - fantastic. Great place for a group to celebrate an event, birthday, or to be seen. We ate on the lanai. Our reservations were early, so the sun was in my face a bit, but the waitstaff worked to block it with various tents. Service - amazing. Our server was knowledgeable, and helpful. Always there when we needed him and never there when we didn't. The speed at which food came out was perfect as well. We never felt rushed but we were languishing waiting for the next course. Food - good. this is the only reason I gave it four stars The presentation was fantastic, and the choices were eclectic, but nothing made me want to sing to the heavens the greatness of the food. Overall, a great place to celebrate with a group or take someone to impress them. As a date, maybe if you're trying to be seen or with it, but my husband and I would have preferred a little more intimacy. Hence the other reason for the four stars as it's good, but not over the top great.
(4)
Gsk A.
We were staying at The Modern Hotel where the restaurant was located. Since I've already been to the one in NY and Napa many times, why not give this one a try also. In comparision with the others I think it's just average. Not a good as the others. I have already pretty much tried everything on the menu before. So i was really hoping to try something new since it's at a different location. Nothing really stood out. Pretty much the same menu. I'm not saying it's not good but was just really hoping to they have some more exotic items since we are in Honolulu surrounded by many ocean life. So if you have the money to splurge then I guess it's ok but if not while in Honolulu then there are plenty of other restaurant where your money can go much further and get real awesome sushi and unique dishes.
(3)
Melissa D.
My husband and I went on a belated Valentine's Day date. I truly appreciated the ability to book a reservation online, and was happy to receive two email reminders. However, I neglected to review the restaurant's website before heading out. As a result, I parked in the self-park lot and had to pay $24 at the end of the night. VALET PARKING IS FREE, and the restaurant doesn't validate in the self-park lot across the street! Overall, our dining experience was great. This was our first visit to Morimoto Waikiki, and it met or exceeded our expectations. The restaurant's decor made for a warm, contemporary ambiance, although it was not particularly romantic. We were also seated next to another couple to the point that we could actually see what the other party was ordering and carry on a brief conversation. There was a family of tourists with young children who arrived shortly after we were there. I'm not sure if their visit to Morimoto was just to gawk at the raw bar and drink water because I didn't see them eating, but they were underdressed and quite disruptive. This is NOT a good family restaurant, although there were others that had perfectly well-behaved and well-dressed children. The menu selections were unique and unexpected. Armed with a few recommendations in mind, we selected three appetizers (foie gras chawan mushi, congee with pork belly, salad), two entrees (lamb with spam onigiri, ginger pork), two sides (fingerling potatoes, gai lan), and a dessert (hot/cold tofu). We were extremely pleased with everything we ate, and will return again to try other dishes.
(4)
Katie L.
I was super super super EXCITED to go to Morimotos. With that said, I was disappointed at the service and food provided. The drinks were a-okay - definately not worth the average $12 per drink - with the exception of the white lily. That drink is sooo good! We had a bunch of appetizers - but, none were memorable for me to write about. However, we did have the tuna pizza - which was AMAZING and probably the best thing I had all night. For my entree, I had Morimoto's version of bi bim bap with Hamachi. The fish was super tender and soft and not overcooked at all - especially interesting to watch cause they cook it table side. However, they overload the sauce and it overcomes the entire dish. While the servers and bussers are super attentive, they mixed up our orders and dropped food off at our table that wasn't ours not once, but TWICE. On the upside, the presentation of the food is super nice and unique. And Morimoto was there the night we were dining. On the downside, for the price you pay and the service you get - its definately not worth it.
(3)
Flynn M.
Gluten Free Friendly. Marked on menu. Probably can't have the tasting menu. My wife's favorite Iron Chef! We love Morimoto! Enough said, or can't say enough. The first time we came, a few years ago, was our wedding night dinner. It was just the two of us. I hadn't been diagnosed with celiac yet. We had the tasting menu and it was fantastic. Fulfilled one of my wife's fantasies. We felt like Iron Chef judges. Every item was superb in both taste and creativity. Part of the tasting included fois gras. My wife had never had fois gras and now she loves it. This was the best I've ever had. Talk about starting at the top. Other stand out items are the wagyu beef, the sushi appetizer, and duck. The cajun style lobster tail was average. Everything else was so over the top amazing that an average lobster tail stood out quite a bit. I'd never order it again. Since the tasting, we've been back three times. My wife says next time she's just going to have fois gras, two maybe three orders. We'll see if she isn't tempted out of her plan. Because the whole menu is so tempting. I've also enjoyed the sakes a great deal. Morimoto's is expensive but I've paid more for food in New York for less quality. Morimoto's is absolutely worth it and you should go out of your way to eat here.
(5)
Sheryl G.
what: a beautiful, fine dining venue with modern japanese dishes that have a western twist. something good: the interior of morimotos is amazing! it's so beautifully decorated! the food is good but the presentation is what really captured me! the staff is so unbelievably well educated on every topic regarding the restaurant (whether it was about the menu or the decor), i was super impressed! every dish that is brought out is explained in great detail!! the quality of service here is impeccable! something not so good: it can be a little pricey, but the quality of service and presentation of the food items are well worth the prices :) something to try: crispy whole fish & omakase.
(5)
Jenny L.
For a recent vacation to Hawai'i, we stayed at the Waikiki Edition so dinner at the Morimoto was a convenient meal choice after a long day being out and about. We had the takoyaki for an appetizer and it was average. My chirashi don was AMAZING - the presentation was meticulous and the sashimi were really fresh. Mother ordered the "new years box" (don't remember the proper name at the moment) which was intended as an appetizer and it was very much anit-pasto proportioning. Our mistake was listening to our awkward waitress when she described it as "okay as an appetizer or entree". Girl was mistaken. Sorely mistaken. The table next to us had the chef's menu which looked very appealing so we went back a few days after for it. It was a huge disappointment. The 9 courses dragged on for 2.5 hours (not one of those "I was so amazed by the food that the time just flew by" but more of a "I am so hungry. Where is my food!") and the food was average. Definitely not worth the price, even with the tourist levy. Maybe I expected a little too much from the Morimoto name?
(3)
Tracy L.
"Yay! I'm a fan... of Jojo Vasquez, executive chef of Morimoto's Waikiki" Am I fan of the food he makes? HELL YEA!!! Am I a fan of the service? Hmmmmmmmm........ only if I get that one guy with a weird first name that has been in the F&B industry for years and is an amaaaaaazing server. No, if I get the college girl on one of my first tasting dinner's who actually told the person sitting next to me to "hurry up and eat so I can drop the next dish." (This actually happened and yes, we were jawslacked). The environment is a bit of the beachy outdoors brought indoor (think SoHA meets Dwell design, with IKEA bright lighting) by the lovable and uber talented Thomas Schoos. Does everybody get the design? No. But then again, I don't think the restaurant IS for everybody. To me, it is more of what we call in the hospitality industry, a "special occasion" restaurant where folks spend their anniversary dinners, Gramma's 100th birthday, or celebrating a friend's promotion. Here's what I know fer sure: Anything Chef Jojo makes is pretty damn spectacular. And, they have an awesome pastry chef too. The sitting area outside is lovely, especially if you have the cabana with its own ceiling fan. If it begins to rain, retractable awning gets cranked out. The fire pits are cool too. This place ain't cheap so think of a really good reason to go there for dinner. Otherwise, go to the bar, order a drink and pupus. Give the restaurant some time before they get all the kinks worked out tho. It typically takes a new restaurant 90 days to get everything working like a well-oiled machine. I have faith. And I will return...
(4)
Jackson G.
We were very pleased with our entire experience here. All of us had the Omakase for $110, which included 9 courses of the chefs choosing. Since we don't get to Hawaii often, we thought this was worth trying so we could taste a number of dishes. The food was great. The tartar was the first dish and it was delicious. The surf and turf was the equivalent of the main course and that was really good. They tried to pass off a tea as one course, which was kind of ridiculous, but other than that, it was a great experience. The staff was friendly and attentive. The time between dishes was a little inconsistent and lengthy at times, but I'd still go back. I'd definitely recommend the Omakase experience if you have a chance to make it here. It's pricey yeah, but how often are you in Hawaii eating at Morimoto's? 9 different dishes gives you a great idea of the menu here.
(4)
Kawai K.
Went here last night on a date and was not disappointed one bit. We began with the Oyster Foie Gras, which I thought might have been the best dish of the night, and an assortment of Sashimi. My favorite sashimi of the night was definitely the Oh-Toro. Next we had the Wagyu Carpaccio, which was my dates favorite dish of the night. It was ridiculously satisfying, if I do say so myself. For the main course I had the Braised Lamb Shank w/ a Sushi Rice Risotto. It was a large serving for this kind of restaurant and it was so moist that I used my fork to pull the meat from the bone the whole time I was eating it. The sushi rice was also very tasty. My dates main course was the Ishi Yaki Buri Bop. I loved they bring it to you in a hot bowl an cook it right in front of you. The seared Hamachi and Fried Rice were equally delicious from what I had tasted. We were not disappointed one bit. The best part of the whole night was the fact that Morimoto was actually there last night slicing our Sashimi. That made everything perfect!
The dining room is very modern and spacious. Its truly a very nice place to sit and eat. From there its a little downhill. Waiter was very attentive and knew the menu fairly well. Took our order and then that is when the problems started happening. There must have been something wrong with the extractor in the restaurant as it was very smoky in the dining room. There as a distinct smell of over fried food in the dining room which ruined the entire meal. Service was also very very slow. Took 1 hour to get appetizers. Mains didn't come any faster. The food itself was unremarkable. When you factor in the price it was very disappointing. Would not recommend and would not go back.
(2)
Kimothy K.
My bf and I were excited to eat here for our anniversary. Our overall experience was a bit disappointing. We made reservations, but they sat us outside because they claim they were fully booked... though it looked like a decent amount of empty seats inside. It was also raining on and off throughout the evening and it was chilly! The rain was so loud at one point I couldn't even hear myself speak. The food was OK. I was under the impression that a good portion of the menu items were normal local fare, just a bit fancier and way overpriced... Loco Moto? Gyoza? Chicken Noodle Soup aka Ramen? I ended up ordering the Oxtail Soup which was tasty especially with the side of garlic fried rice mixed in. Meat was tender. Came with fresh grated wasabi. Still, it was lacking the ginger that we've all come to know and love with local oxtail soup. Also ordered the Toro Tartare. It was interesting with a wide variety of condiments... soy dashi, nori paste, sour cream, wasabi, onion, guacamole and crispy rice balls. Our server didn't do a good job of explaining how to eat this or what the different condiments were... so we found ourselves having to ask how to eat and what we were eating at least a couple times. The one thing that stood out was the Abalone Takoyaki. It's crisp on the outside, creamy on the inside with a good chunk of abalone in the center... all sitting in a pool of decadent butter sauce. I think they even put some tomato in it. Definitely the star of the evening.
(2)
Coco M.
Excellent food. Better be good as you are paying for it $$$. Attentive wait staff and excellent service. Spent about $200 including a bottle of wine for two excluding $40 tip. My mom from Japan enjoyed very much.
(4)
holland h.
Great food- but I cannot figure out the draw to the Modern. Not on the beach. Crappy noise. WTF?
(3)
Rick B.
Great place for sushi and drinks.
(4)
Mary B.
I was a guest of the Modern and was treated to a complete tasting menu. All I can say is the food was amazingly prepared and it was quite a task to complete the dessert. Braised black cod, the angry chicken moist and succulent, tuna pizza who would have thought this could exist, and the assorted nigiri and maki sushi exceptionally fresh. This was Friday night and next door the fireworks could be seen from the deck. The haupia semifreddo and chocolate caramel tart presentation was over the top. We were also served the white lily cocktail in a sexy martini glass. The service was impeccable and the waiters explained every dish and it's components. What a treat in Waikiki!
(5)
Hellsaint D.
went for breakfest, decent but pricey
(3)
natasha m.
I went to eat there on Valentines day. My overall opinion was Alright. The place is pretty fancy and nice, but the food was okay. We got the scallops, lobster, and steamed salmon. The food was way too pricy for the amount of food.
(3)
Kai R.
This place is a bit hard to find because the signage is pretty small. I was a bit reluctant to make this the final meal of our vacation on Oahu given the mixed reviews, but since we had eaten at his NYC restaurant and had great meals, I decided to give it a shot. We were seated on the outdoor patio overlooking the marina. Other reviewers complained about the table spacing / we didn't have any issues and didn't feel crammed in. This is a big restaurant, but even inside it not seem to that the tables were crammed together. Service was what I would expect from a high end restaurant - very attentive the entire meal. Since we had a 3 year old, we didn't opt for the chef's tasting menu / ordered off of the regular menu. We had some sushi rolls for appetizers - all were fresh and very good (a little too much rice though). For the main course, the lobster and the surf 'n turf. Yes, a lobster for $49 is a bit pricey, but boy is it good - the spices are really fantastic / this isn't your usual boiled lobster. The surf 'n turf was just OK. The surf portion was his take on Poke and consisted of just three pieces of tuna with a few tomatoes. Fresh, but not really exciting. As for the filet, it was overcooked plain and simple. I requested medium rare and it was very much medium / no pink at all. We did not have desert, so can't comment on that portion of the menu.
(4)
Chris P.
Food: delicious but overpriced. Service: on a scale of 1-10 I'd say -4. Been here a few times and had the same TERRRRRIBLE waitress twice..we complained the first time we went, and sure enough got her again the next time and ended up complaining again. stay away from "Mizuki"...shes so bad that I'm actually writing a review on yelp to warn people about her. For starters we ordered one of the cheaper sake's on the menu and she questioned whether or not we should stick with that or order the most expensive sake on the menu claiming that the bottle we ordered wouldnt have enough content for everyone at our table to enjoy a shot. Actually, Mizuki, we ordered the same bottle a week prior with the EXACT same amount of people and had plenty of sake to go around and we all liked it. I can understand an employee trying to point customers in the direction of something a little higher priced when theyre asked for their opinion on menu items, but dont question the decision our table made AFTER we ordered and then suggest we buy the most expensive sake on the menu. After that she had a pissed off look the entire night and never smiled once. Literally both times we've had her as out waitress we havent seen her smile. Ok, so here was the kicker of the night, our bill came out to somewhere around $350. We put $200 in cash and a debit card inside the bill. She comes back with the entire bill put on the card and no cash. We were all dumbfounded with what was going on when we realized that she "assumed" we gave her a $200 tip on a $350 bill. REALLY????? We then had to explain to her that we wanted the remaining balance after the $200 cash to be put on the card. pretty standard issue stuff, or so I thought. Who assumes that after giving terrible service someone will give you a $200 tip on a $350 bill???
(2)
Baby B.
I ordered the fish at Morimoto. It was bland. Everything was bland. Maybe I ordered the wrong thing. But that night the Iron Chef failed me. But I'm still a fan. I don't blame whomever cooked that fish did a terrible job. My husband had the Duck Duck Duck an it was excellent. So I give it three stars on the fact that just my dish was awful.
(3)
Steve M.
We ate here for dinner and decided to go all out -- the table ordered the seven-course tasting menu (omakase), which is what I would recommend. Though not every dish was to our liking, many were fantastic, and the overall experience easily earns the 4-star rating. And since the menu is "chef's choice", some of the less tantalizing dishes will likely be weeded out. We ordered Morimoto-style drinks to start. The White Lilly and the Morimo-Tai (a mai tai concoction) were both delightful. The meal started with a memorable tartare that was so beautifully plated that you were immediately reminded that Morimoto is THE Iron Chef. The sushi and sashimi were perfect. Our meal featured an olive oil anchovy dip (ala fondue) that I could've done without. But the surf and turf was good, especially the seasoned lobster with creme fresh. Dessert was refeshing and quite tasty. Overall, a solid dining experience for $110 per person. Not bad for this kind of tasting menu. Morimoto himself was on hand to supervise the preparation of our meal, and he stepped out for photographs for a lucky few patrons. The rest of the night he was prominently visible in the open kitchen. Service was tremendously attentive and fairly well coordinated, particularly since this location has been open only a few weeks. And the atmosphere of the restaurant and the hotel it's located in (Edition) is clean and modern but did not seem too assuming. A very enjoyable dining experience.
(4)
Marilyn K.
My friend took my husband and I to Morimoto Waikiki for my birthday dinner while I was visiting Hawaii. When we were seated, I smelled the musty odor of stale food... not a good sign when one is dining in a "fine" restaurant! I looked around me...we were the furthest table from the kitchen and the tables around us were unoccupied. I can only assume that the ventilation was blowing kitchen smells directly to our table. So much for the ambience. The service started out as very attentive. Our server explained the menu and took our orders. Other servers brought our dishes. Then our original server disappeared! Another server brought us a dessert menu, took our dessert orders, and brought my friend the check. We never saw our original waiter again. (Even at coffee shops, waiters come to the table to let diners know if they are going off-shift. It was strange to find this lapse in service in a "fine-dining" restaurant.) As for the food...most of the dishes were too salty. I ordered the crispy fish. There was no starch to balance the saltiness of the fish. (A bowl of steamed rice was a side dish - $4.00) The oxtail soup broth was too salty. The "low-salt" soy sauce with dashi was so salty that none of us used it on our food. My friend's order of a deconstructed "Loco Moco" looked unappetizing. Half of the plate was white rice, the other half was mostly brown gravy with some chunks of meat swimming in it. And there was a sunny-side egg in the middle of the concoction. My friend barely touched her order. We did enjoy the two desserts we ordered. Perhaps there could be an excuse for our dining experience if the restaurant was crowded and the kitchen busy, but there were only a few occupied tables in a very large indoor space. There were more occupied tables outdoors. After the meal, my friend vowed never to return to Morimoto Waikiki.
(1)
Jack G.
Took a client, her son and granddaughter to lunch. Prior to self parking, I asked the attendant if Morimoto's validates. She said that they do and showed me a validated ticket with Morimoto's stamp on it. Long story short, we had lunch, food was decent, but expensive ($85 ribeye ala carte). Spent about $400. Paid the bill. Put my parking ticket in the bill folio. The waiter comes back and says we don't validate self parking. Told him that the attendant says they do. He replies that they do, but only when there's no valet parking available. I ended up paying $35 for parking. If the Iron Chef wants to stay in business, he might want validate his patrons parking especially when they spend over $400 for lunch. I'll never go back!
(1)
Kathy C.
I honestly don't know why people go here or rave about this place. You would think since he was an iron chef, the restaurant would be amazing!!!!! WRONG! We came here for my girlfriends birthday. There were about 6 girls and for dessert, they brought out a spoon of sherbet! A spoon! I thought it was a joke! They should have saved them the embarrassment and not even brought anything out. So sad and so disappointing. I went here another time for brunch with the girls and the only great thing about it was the bloody mary bar was awesome. Other than that, the food was still crap! Never coming back again.
(1)
Everett A.
went there for a bday celebration and ordered the loco moco because it looked awesome on yelp pictures.. i think i had about 7 small pieces of beef and finished all but half my rice within 2 minutes.. we had awesome service and our waiter was super cool but i dont think we will be coming back here anytime soon.
(3)
louis b.
The best meal I have had in quite some time. Just amazing service, wonderful ambiance, and I got to watch morimoto himself prepare my meal. Went with the tasting menu, and I was overwhelmed with its variety and taste. Still had to have the chocolate peanut butter bomb though. :)
(5)
Glenn C.
First time here and did not disappoint. Large party of 12 all went with the omakasa (chef's tasting) menu. Everything I ate was delicious, but some strange combinations. Overall the food was great, but a little pretentious. Service was top notch and the views from the outdoor patio are amazing. The bar is a great place to have drinks. Several unique drinks and cool bartenders.
(4)
Jerry L.
We went for dinner. The food was good but the waiter ripped us off. Be careful and ask before ordering sushi. It can get pricey if you assume as we did that a piece of sushi cost $10.00 or less. Our waiter asked us if we wanted a handroll sushi and not nigiri which is what is offered on the menu. We assumed it was included in the price but when we got our bill the one piece of sushi cost us $20.00 for one piece. So our three pieces of sushi cost us one at $20.00 and one at $12.00 and one at $14.00 each piece. I guess the waiter wanted a bigger tip. This is not how island folks like to be treated.
(1)
Jr H.
First off, I'm a serious foodie. I think service, ambiance, and valet service is as important to your dining experience as food quality. Let me say SERVICE IS HORRIBLE here! I've eaten twice here, both times for dinner. The first time I had the tasting menu, referred to Omakase in this restaurant. The dishes were all small and very tasty. They came out very slowly. Taste-wise, the wagyu was the only disappointment. If you've ever had it at Hiroshi's Yakiniku Waikiki, you wouldn't take more than one bite of the Morimoto version. The lobster was Kona- likely farmed -- also a disappointment. Still, overall taste was very good for most items and presentation was impressive. There's another VERY costly down-side to this evening, but I'll continue with food first. During my second venture here we ordered various dishes. Again, all were very tasty with impressive presentation. Don't expect great sushi, order other items instead. This place couldn't touch Yohei or Maguro-ya's sushi. Service was horrible to say the least. Our waitress never came around. They have tons of workers yet you can't get anyone to stop by... here's why: they have some strange setup where all workers stand in line (often 10 workers deep) waiting for the prepared food to come off the prepared line. Then they take turns delivering the food out. This is sooooo ridiculous! Here you have an unpleasant looking line of workers doing nothing but waiting for food to come out and nobody at the tables is getting decent service. Inexcusable! So back to the first night. DON"T bring a nice car if you plan on using the Valet. On this evening I rode in my friend's new Benltey Supersports coupe (the only one on the island). We parked right in front and dropped a big tip which to anyplace else on this island says don't move my 286K car. Not these guys! They managed to move us down to the end of the curved valet entrance and scraped almost 180-degrees of his ceramic rims! Nice! What a bunch of amateurs. It turns out they blew the window out the back of someone's Escalade at a Chanel event a few weeks prior. In summary, go here once... if you must. Then after that, hang out at the lobby bar instead.
(2)
Neil R.
This is a restaurant that lives up to the hype. Between the great food and fantastic atmosphere this is perhaps the most sophisticated Japanese style restaurants in Hawaii. Morimoto can occasionally been seen in the restaurant overseeing his team.
(5)
Richard L.
We were in Hawaii for a few days and decided to try out Morimoto's restaurant. We've heard great things about this place. It was definitely a delicious meal. We had the Omakase and the food looked great and tasted great. They are getting a 4 star only because we went to Nobu the night before...
(4)
Kela D.
The yose dofu was interesting. The Wagyu rib eye is comparable to other steakhouses. The service was exceptional and the waiter was attentive to our needs.
(4)
bucca d.
This place was quite amazing. Finding the restaurant was also an adventure as i needed to use the yelp photos to help me identify the restaurant; there is no name at the entrance. To the food. We had the ahi and hamachi tartar. Excellent smeared poisson on top of a transparent ipodish rectangular plastic dish presented on a ice cold bowl with 5 dipping sauces. I didn't like all the sauces, esp the hoisin sauce but the other ones were pretty decent. The takoyahi abalone balls were delicious. The soft shell crab is highly not recommended as it was the worst dish of the night; some bites were tasty and crunchy but other bites were cartilage like chewy and fishy (cant remember which parts of the crab) - yuck. However, the main dish of surf and turf had melt in your mouth poke and the steak petite sirloin was amazingly good. In fact it was still tender the next day after being nuked in the microwave. The other main dish we had was the bi bimbop hamachi cooked right in front of us. Hamachi was tender and full of flavor and cooked just right. The hot stone bibimbop plate was delicious and provided additional mind stimulation. The fusion was amazing. My wife and i really enjoyed our evening meal outdoors on the wooden covered patio under the setting sun, rope lights, and sailboat masts docked by the harbor. Price wise - it was very EXPENSIVE.
(5)
Adam C.
Yes, I'm a fan. I really like the hotel, though. I think the ambience here added a whole star to this review. I was impressed by the decor, clean straight lines modern, green accents, not seen too much in here in the islands, felt like an LA restaurant. I think I'm also one of those unconsciously directly affected by ambience so good job restaurant designers. the food was pretty sensational (appealing to most of my senses), elegant presentation, bold yet balanced and exotic flavors and excellent service. this open kitchen restaurant seemed nicer than other restaurants, maybe the brightness of the color palette gave it that edge. I also thought it was less noisy than most, though still don't expect a quiet dinner. we shared three appetizers, a sushi and an entree and amazingly our bill was $100 exactly as we were shooting for to match the amount we were gifted. what a treat! i'll definitely be back for more!
(4)
B J.
A little late with this review so it'll be short, but better late than never. Treated my boyfriend here for his birthday in September. It was spectacular! I hate sitting in the seats where you basically share with your neighbor. So luckily, we were seated in the corner on the patio which had the most breathtaking view ever. We ordered the omakase but I don't remember each dish, all I know it was great! Unlike other yelpers, the service that nice was impeccable. I would definitely stop by again if I'm ever in Hawaii.
(5)
Daniel L.
Amazing food, great service, great ambiance - 10s all around. I especially liked the appetizers - the sashimi salad was fantastic.
(5)
Alexander S.
Amazing for lunch or dinner. Morimoto is a genius with food. The dollar may be high but if your looking for quality sushi and tasty asian fusion food, this is the place to eat.
(5)
BAJIBU K.
I will start off with the good things: - Beautiful presentation for the food -Great atmosphere The not so good things: - For the price, the food was pretty "meh" The only thing I would order again would be the Wagyu Carpaccio, there was great texture and a buttery flavor, YUM!! -The Hamachi Tartare was nice to look at, but wasn't very creative with the flavors. Nothing stood out to me. -The Crispy Rock Shrimp Tempura was yummy, but I think I could have made this at home?? Ranch dressing with celery sticks?? REALLY?? -The Spicy King Crab.. open crab legs with a salty semi spicy sauce and French Fries with some kind of super salty mayo drizzle. The salt in this dish alone was enough for the entire meal! Maybe someone didn't screw the cap on correctly.... -Yose Dofu... cute, but the table side presentation sucked. Our server came over, poured some sauce in the tofu mixture and told us not to touch it then walked away. -WORST Oxtail Soup ever!! The soup tasted so oily/greasy and the oxtail itself was so chewy and I needed to cut it off the bone... I would rather have Zippy's Oxtail soup.... -The Crispy Whole Fish was really good! but kind of small?? The presentation was comparable to the Crispy Whole Fish at Tsunamis, but for the price, I'd rather eat it at Tsunamis... -The Duck Duck Duck was sooooooo disappointing. The duck was bloody AND chewy.... the puff pastry on the soup was burnt, and the spring rolls were ...spring rolls. But the WORST part of our dinner was our server!! He came over to take our drink order, and he had the manner of a dishwasher, just kind of stood there, he didn't even bother to give an introduction. The only reason I can recall his name is because it was at the top of our bill. I asked for a wine recommendation since I was thinking about getting the Omakase ($110) , and he told me "I don't know, here's the wine list" and handed me the wine list and walked away. He couldn't make any recommendations as to anything special we should order, he just stood there and stared at me. And after our mediocre experience, he ends the night by dropping/slamming the bill in front of me. I was so shocked, I didn't even know what to say. I'm not one to complain about horrible service, but after paying over $330 for dinner for 3 AND having something literally thrown near my face, I was so appalled that I had to let his manager know. I would NEVER go back to this place. There are tons of great restaurants to go to in town with better service that you don't have to pay an arm and a leg for!
(1)
Christy M.
I've been hear for lunch and dinner already. Both experiences were great and the food was fabulous. I didn't try the Omakase and ordered a la carte instead. Presentation is stunning, food flavors are incredible, and the staff is great. Oh, and I must mention the atmosphere as well - totally relaxing, modern, and just GREAT. We sat inside for both occasions so I'm planning to try the patio on my next visit for dinner. Morimoto in Hawaii is a FABULOUS :)
(5)
Little M.
We were really looking forward to a wonderful experience. We love new mod places and good Japanese food. By staff recommendation, we ordered the calamari salad, the whitefish carpaccio, and the sushi/sashimi Chef's combination. The calamari was in unseasoned heavy deep fried batter. I could not even tell you what was in it. I could not taste calamari. It was horrible. We felt full and weighted down after trying to like this dish. We were trying to figure out what we were missing. It turns out it was just bad. The whitefish carpaccio was okay. The seasoning and sauce was too strong for the lightness of the fish. The Chef's combination was a mixed bag. We were expecting some sashimi, and it came with a spicy tuna roll and 8 pieces of heavy wasabi laden sushi. The roll was good. The quality of the sushi was average.
(2)
T S.
This place is amazing, amazing, amazing from the ambiance to the cocktails, to the wait staff and of course its food. As you walk in you feel transported into a high end serene place of fine dining. The lighting is just right, the decor is perfect, they don't miss a beat. I had the lychee martinis as well as the pina huapia (pineapple infused drink) which were both delicious and strong. I followed that with my main course the braised black cod. It was near perfection. I have had this dish before at Nobu, but I think this was probably better. Perfection! Everyone at the table loved all their dishes. Its no wonder Morimoto has the reputation he does, his food is amazing.
(5)
Randy S.
I am very disappointed. I had very high hopes. The best thing about the meal was dessert and the coffee. Other than that it was overpriced. It was kind of a bummer. The dining room was incredibly loud and the wait staff made no effort to tell the drunks at the next table to chill out. Once they left the noise level was reduced but noise is a very big problem here. Our waiter (Paul) was awesome. It's a shame the entrees were a let down.
(2)
Henry L.
Last year, we ate here three times. This year only once. It kind of lost its magic on us. Mind you the food is good, sushi fresh (especially the Japanese uni if you can get it), but something just did not click. Maybe because we had such high expectations? But, this time around, it just was not magical for us. Kids did not even want to come back, instead, they were screaming for Alan Wong's instead. Will try again when we come back next Christmas and see what happens then.
(3)
Kar O.
Went here with Lora H for a girls night out. The restaurant itself is gorgeous and immaculately clean. We arrived early so we decided to have drinks outside on the deck overlooking the yacht harbor. It was really pretty outside, nice and toasty with fire pits and sofas with big cushions. Later, we went inside to have dinner. I ordered the omakase and my friend had the hamachi, sashimi, clam soup and cesear salad with fish. All the food was of high quality and delicious. I (surprisingly) liked the foie gras chawan mushi. i dont usually like anything with liver in it but this was delicious!. It was creamy, with a hint of liver, with duck sliced on the top. I also liked the hamachi toro tartar. The tsukudani sauce was delicious mixed with the cream. Sounds weird but I liked it alot. I also enjoyed the citrus zest on the sushi. It really added that extra layer of flavor to the fish and fresh wasabi. YUM. Portions are really really small and kind of expensive but it was sort of what I expected. Dessert dish contained a sweet potato foam, azuki bean souffle, and lychee sorbet. Also yummy. Food was good, service was excellent, I'll be back.
(4)
Sara P.
We had a great Thursday night dinner here. We made a reservation but I'm not sure we necessarily needed one. I had the chirashi bowl which is a little different than ones I've had before. The pieces of fish were smaller but overall it was good. He ordered the omasake menu with 9 courses. Each course was brought out by a different server to explain what it is & how to eat it. Apparently they use onions in most things so if you don't like them, tell your server you're allergic. Seriously, ours said the chef will only put more on if you request none. I tried a few of the courses and they were all innovative, fresh and delicious! Its a great value if you want to try many different things. It came with 2 desserts and they made sure I had a spoon for those. With dinner we had 2 beers. One was Morimoto's imperial pilsner which came in a ceramic bottle that you could take home. The second was a hazelnut porter (?) but was actually lighter than our first beer. Best part of the meal: Morimoto himself was working the sushi counter :)
(4)
Leo M.
I took my wife to Morimoto's for lunch on our 'child free' day on Oahu. It was the perfect choice - the view was lovely, the fresh air invigorating, and the service was impeccable. The food was more of a mixed bag - though understand that 'mixed' here means some of it was merely very good. On the plus side, the Morimoto Style Poke was a revelation - the mix of flavors and textures combined to create one of the most extraordinary dishes I have ever eaten. The sushi - paired with real wasabi - was also fabulous. In particular, the ikura was simply the best I've ever had. On the other hand, my wife wanted to try something more on the western side of the restaurant's fusion menu and went for the Morimoto special mini burgers and a salad. And these were merely very good. In general, I would suggest that if you are eating here and looking for something special you should seek out those dishes (like the poke) that are unique and provide the opportunity for the chef to show off a bit of technique. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Rosie C.
My boyfriend took me here about a week ago for our anniversary, a Wednesday night at 7, it was still pretty busy. First off the look of the restaurant is very nice and modern with just the right amount of lighting and very nice decor, however, the ambience was not so great, well at least for a nice romantic dinner. For one, it was very noisy, I could hardly hear my boyfriend and vice versa. Also, if there are just two of you, they seat you at tables that are literally arms-length away from the next table. I felt closer to the girl at the other table then to my boyfriend. When you have this dumb girl bragging to her friend about how she is so perfect, being that close got pretty annoying! Plus the servers could hardly squeeze through between the tables, that's how close they were. It didn't look like a problem if you were in a larger group, for those tables were not lined up with each other. Now for food, I don't eat seafood or red meat so it's sometimes hard for me to find food to eat at a fancier restaurant, however I checked Morimoto's menu prior to going and found some food I could eat. First week started of with the basic garden salad which I thought was fabulous but my boyfriend thought it was too fancy haha....dressing was kinda of citrusy. Then we got sushi, I got tamago nigiri and kappa maki, the tamago was excellent, but the kappa maki was horrible becasuse they put wasabi in it already...I HATE wasabi, so I was disappointed in that, especially when it's cucumber inside and you can't tell that wasabi is in the sushi! So, if you don't like wasabi like me, ask before getting any maki sushi. My boyfriend got the $12 fish, I forgot what it's called but I think it changes daily, and he said it was good. For our main dishes, I got the angry chicken and order rice and bok-choy to go with it. Excellent chicken! It had the flavor of chili (like chili and rice), and was nice and moist. The bok-choy was good, don't know how well you can spruce up bok-choy and the rice was good, I think it might have been the more expensive sushi rice, or maybe I'm trying to think that to justify the price haha! My boyfriend had the surf and turf, which consisted of steak and poke with I think mashed okinawan sweet potatoes...he wasn't as happy with his food as I was. He said it wasn't what he thought it was and it was a bit too fancy for him. Overall, I think the food quality was good...for the price? maybe not so much. We decided not to get dessert because they just seemed weird but the gave us a little happy anniversary dessert with was like a melon sorbet that tasted like a melona bar. Overall, I think they have good food, and very good service, but it is pretty pricey for being, as the website describes, "business casual". I think they need to fix the table situation, that's one thing that would prevent me from coming here again with my boyfriend. I think for a nice group dinner it might be nice but not so much a romantic dinner. However, it could be different outside on the patio, didn't even get a chance to look out there. Oh, and prior to going I also read the reviews on yelp and I agree, the bathrooms (right outside the restaurant in the hotel) are very nice....go in and take a look :)
(3)
Cheryl K.
My parents took me out for my birthday here since their last experience was great. I love the ambiance - modern straight lines, contempo furniture, and decor. I'm a sucker for those places. When we walked in the hostesses greeted us and immediately sat us since my mom made a reservation. We ordered some cocktails and ordered our food. We ordered the pork gyoza and the tempura calamari salad for our appetizers. The portions were good enough for us four and the appetizers were delicious. My husband ordered the miso soup which was kinda huge. You know those little black bowls miso soup is usually served in? Anyways, I think it was like 4 of those combined. Portion was pretty big. So we order our entrees - my mom and I order the braised black cod (yes, BUTTERFISH!), my dad ordered the crispy whole fish, and my husband ordered the chef's loco moto. We waited quite a while for our food, I guess it may have been semi-busy on this Sunday but I think we waited a while. Anyways I think it was worth the wait. All of our dishes were presented super nice and the food just as great! I was not speaking for about 15 minutes straight as I was indulging in my butterfish and rice. The service was pretty on it. Also got a cute little dessert since it was my birthday. I think it was a melon sorbet or some sort. I was really full, happy, and satisfied! Anyways, I will return Morimoto Waikiki, I will return!
(5)
Maggie F.
Omakase the only way to go. I went and loved it, this is not for hungry people. This is to experience food and beauty. I am not a fish person but every bite was amazing and will enjoy again and again! If you are ever there this is a must! Sorry to have missed Iron Chef Morimoto himself but it was an overall amazing place.
(5)
Patrick B.
Great! This place is really special.
(5)
Dawny M.
Amazing service, decor and food. John said it was like being a judge on the Iron Chef. We debated but finally decided to go with the Omakase. It was very expensive $120 per person before drinks and tip. There were no inexpensive wines on menu. We ordered Chardonnay, I think the least expensive was $65, but you can drink a glass not share a bottle. The dinners are priced such that you could order an entree with a couple appetizers and stay well under the $120, but what an experience. 7 courses and the only question they ask if for food allergies, the rest is up to them. We enjoyed ever course, the dessert was the least exciting but still good. Next time we go and there will be a next time, we will select items from the menu, but the Omakase was the way to experience Morimoto's for the first time. Worth the price!
(5)
Saul J.
I had the best experience here during my recent trip to Hawaii. I stayed at the Modern Hotel which by the way is where Morimoto restaurant is. I dinned with two other friends and their perception of the food and service was the same as mine. Everything we ate, drank and tasted was so delicious and very well presented. Masaharu Morimoto has truly exceeded my expectations, then again he is and always in my view japanese Iron Chef.
(5)
Stephanie I.
==HOLYY SHIIT== so i FINALLY ate at the infamous Morimoto's and i was completely impressed. my best friend took me here for my birthday and we both ordered the Morimoto Omakase ($70 for lunch, i believe it's around $110 if you order it at dinner time). Th
(5)
Rina S.
I FOUND A BEETLE BUG CRAWLING IN MY SALAD!! It's Christmas eve and we decided to eat at Morimotos despite everyone telling us to go to Nobus. I was enjoying a mixed green salad and half way into my salad I found a black disgusting BEETLE BUG in my salad!!!!!!! I picked it up on my fork and almost ate it!!!!!! I called the server and brought it to his attention. He asked if we wanted ANOTHER salad. I answered with a sharp "Are you kidding me?!" He then brought a man who I guess was the manager (but by his sloppy attire and no name tag how could I tell) He opened the apology with a "This happens sometimes because we use organic greens that comes from the farm." He quickly added "But that definitely shouldn't happen and should never come out on the floor and Im very sorry." He took the salad off of the check and offered to give us a nice dessert on the house. You know what I have to say to that WTF! #1 Don't start the apology putting the blame on the farm. What kind of f*ing apology is that!?!? #2 How is knowing that there's bugs "SOMETIMES" in salads in the kitchen supposed to make me feel better about my food?! I don't ever want to know that there are bugs even in the kitchen! The manager didn't even come out to apologize when we got our check. They really need to train their staff to handle situations more appropriately before they open a restaurant like this. I can expect this kind of customer service at a cheap restaurant but not at a restaurant with these kind of prices! We should have listened to everyone and went to Nobu's!!
(1)
Gloria C.
We dined there yesterday for my brother's birthday and overall the meal was pleasant. The lunch specials and the glasses of champagne were a bit pricey for me but thats what you expect from a fine-dining restaurant in Waikiki. It was good to go there once to experience the ambiance for special occasions such as this. Otherwise, they need to have better price points in order to have me as an frequent repeater.
(4)
Al C.
Well the wife and I had to hit up Morimoto after hearing that he had a new restaurant in Waikiki. Luckily for us he was actually there that day and the wife was sooooo happy to get her picture taken with him. We arrived a bit late and waited in the lounge area. The lounge is amazing as it is outside in the back overlooking the marina. Wow! Service was very slow there as it took us forever to get the wife a glass of wine. When we finally got seated the service was much better. Inside is very elegant and modern. Would expect nothing less from Morimoto san. We started off with a few appetizers. The tuna pizza was good. Fresh tuna, crispy crust, the anchovy aioli was superb. We also got the foie gras chawan mushi. Nice infused foie flavor. The wagyu carpaccio was maybe the best thing on the menu. It was lightly cooked on the outside and raw on the inside. Got the sourness of the yuzu mixed with the saltiness of the soy and the smoothness of oil which really added to the wagyu. Lastly, we got the yose dofu. While pretty good, I don't know that this fresh made tofu is any different than other fresh made tofu. Its just more expensive. Moving on to main courses, I had the seafood tobanyaki. Its kinda like a seafood stew. Nice fresh broth and nicely cooked seafood in a bowl. Good course but nothing special. The wife got the lamb rack which I thought was very good. Overall excellent meal in a very nice restaurant. A bit overpriced but that's almost to be expected. Food was good but not blown away.
(4)
Sherry M.
I was so excited to try Morimoto's. My mom, husband and I got to the restaurant an hour before our reservation. When we arrived, a host and hostess were there to greet us, checked us in, then walked us to the outside lounge. First impression was, "wow!" The service so far was great and the decor, trendy and hip. It's the type of lounge you would see in LA, or other trendy hotels. Once we found a place to wait comfortably, we ordered drinks. The cocktail menu looked impressive. It had a nice variety of drinks. My husband and I love our Mai Tais and know the difference between a good and bad one, so I was excited to try this one. First sip: not good. Took a couple of sips and gave it to my hubby. I sure hoped the food was much better. Finally, our reservation came up and the host seated us inside. Once seated, we immediately noticed how loud it was. We had to yell in order to hear each other. A lot of, "huh...what did you say?" going back and forth that evening. Nevertheless, I was still excited to try the food. Based on other Yelp reviews, I was familiar with menu and knew what I wanted to order. My mom and hubby deferred the selections to me. We decided to order a bunch of appetizers first and decide after whether to order entrees. So, here's a rundown of what I ordered: -Toro tartare -Sashimi -Steamed chicken salad -Wagyu carpaccio -Pork gyoza -Takoyaki -Regular sashimi You would think all of the above for three were enough. Not! The portions were so small and not filling at all. Presentation was creative and like art. The food though? Nothing special. For example, when the steamed chicken salad arrived, I asked, "where's the chicken?" Apparently it was shredded and mixed into a bunch of vegetables. It was ok. The takoyaki was the same. I've had many when I lived in Japan so I was looking forward to trying this one especially after seeing photos of it. Took the first bite and thought they forgot to put the abalone inside. After looking closer, to the second half, I found the tiny piece of abalone. I could get the same dishes at other restaurants and probably have 2 or 3 orders of each one for the same price as one at Morimoto's, although yes, won't have the same ambience and presentation. We decided to not order entrees based on our reviews of the appetizers. However, we were still hungry! Upon leaving, we ran into Morimoto. He reluctantly agreed to take a photo with us, so that was nice of him. But, I wouldn't give him 5 stars for "niceness." Sure, he probably has been asked many times to take a photo since opening, however, it comes with the territory. He kind of had a 'tude, then again, he is Iron Chef so maybe this is what made him successful and is part of his image. So, what did we do to satisfy our hunger pains? Went to Yanagi's. At last, a happy tummy and good night's sleep. In summary: -Comparable restaurants like Nobu's are much better. -Service is impeccable -Food is average -Decor is trendy -Too loud -Ken and Barbie wouldn't get full at Morimoto's
(2)
Cheryl S.
All I can say is this is now my FAVORITE restaurant and I cant stop talking about it and I am dying to go again!!!! A little someone's b-day is coming up... Hint hint.... =) So we got to the new Edition Hotel (backside of the Ilikai) and pulled up to valet park our car and as soon as we stepped foot we were treated like royalty. They literally had 10 valet, bell desk guys waiting to help and be at your beck and call..how's that for 5+ star service!! I knew then that this place means business. So as we walked up to the restaurant I grew with anticipation as I had only heard extremely wonder reviews that I was just dying with pure eagerness. We were quickly greeted by the upmost professional staff. All I can say is that this hotel and restaurant spares no expense to service. The ratio of servers to guest seemed like 4 guest to 1. Now to say that is impressive the cooking staff was like an army. The kitchen is an open kitchen and you can see straight in. Since this restaurant just opened a couple days ago Iron Chef Morimoto was on site and in the kitchen. How's that for AWESOME! Also, most of the sushi chef's look like they just flew in from Japan. The deco was very Martha Stewart-ish. Clean fresh and simply elegant with the use of white, happy green, and hint of purple. It was very inviting. Now here is my review of the food. I was shocked with the nice menu choices it had something for everyone. We decided for our first visit we would do a medley of just appetizers which allowed us to try a little of everything and can I say that we weren't disappointed at all. Our first dish to be served was the rock shrimp tempura and it was delectable. They were bite size pieces of shrimp perfectly fried and crispy and seasoned with two different aioli's. One was a spicy kochujan aioli and the other was a wasabi aioli. They also had a coconut dipping sauce but the shrimp with their respected aioli was great in itself. That was just a perfect start to our meal. Next came the 10 hour pork kakuni which is his braised pork belly served on a hot rice congee. It literally melted in your mouth and the flavor was orgasmic. Then came his version of mandoo on a tomato sauce with bacon foam. Yes I said FOAM. All of their dishes are plated extremely well. Their attention to detail in their presentation is quite first-class and such high quality. Last we had the yosedofu which is fresh tofu created tableside. The processes takes about 7-10 minutes. They bring this liquid soy that literally after their presentation and the wait turns into fresh tofu. It is served with two dipping sauces the traditional soy sauce with the grated ginger, bonito flakes and scallions and my favorite a kim chee sauce which made the tofu in it taste like kim chee chige. That was just a wonderful treat. Unfortunately we were too full to try a dessert but definitely will next time. (I can't believe I am saying this...I know what no dessert!) This is now a truly first-class restaurant and it comes highly recommended as you will not be disappointed at all you will come out saying now I understand why he is an iron chef and that title is well deserved. Since this was opening week, and Iron Chef Morimoto was there, I was lucky enough to meet him in person. I just want to thank him and his amazing staff for a wonderful dining experience and I cant wait to the next time......
(5)
Catherine F.
The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated. The hostess staff were at best "cold" we were not greeted upon entering nor were we addresses as we left. The wait staff was average however we did have a waiter change in the middle if our meal. The quality of the food and it's preparation was excellent but the portions are extremely small but we did expect the size of the portions. We went to celebrate our anniversary and indicated that with our reservation. It was never acknowledged and the one thing the ruined this experience for us was the invasion of gnats. They got in everything! My wine had to be replaced because there were at least a half dozen that drowned themselves in my glass. My dinner although tasty I really didn't enjoy because I had to beat the gnats to my food so I ate faster than I would have and didn't savor the meal. Overall I am disappointed. I would not go back nor would I recommend.
(2)
Paul R.
Absolutely phenomenal. One of the best dining experiences we have had in Waikiki. Food was excellent and the service was prompt, engaging, and fun. Martin, our server, and the support wait staff were awesome. We had the Omakase and were in food nirvana by the end......in fact, we did not want it to end. Can't wait to go back and try Omakase round 2.
(5)
superman o.
I was so hoping for this to be a big dream come true. But to no avail. My $85 "wagyu" steak was over cooked to med-well when the waiter boasted "chef recommends medium rare." It tasted like an average "ranchers reserve" from safeway! The nigiri sushi toppings looked like it was cut with a razor blade. The otoro was discolored and the king crab tasted like freezer burn and had cartilage still in it. Food came out slow, we waited 30 mins for our entrees and the restaurant was only half full. Is that how it is in New York or Philly? Service was the best part of the experience. Btw, the Morimoto poke was served with cheese balls... $25 for a iceberg lettuce wedge salad. Even with Frozen foie gras, it wasnt a "wow" at $25. With the millions they spent to come to Hawaii, I hope it gets better.
(2)
Alena H.
Don't eat here until they hire new management and hosts/hostess'! My first visit to this restaurant was with a friend who took me there for my birthday. We had a wonderful waitress and the Traditional Breakfast that I had was delicious. I decided to take my family there for breakfast on New Year's morning. Never again. I made my reservations online (so I guess I didn't get to experience the RUDENESS when you call to make one - I found out through my friend who took me there) and with the time I was given, assumed that it would be busy. No. We were greeted (by chance it seemed because everyone at the front seemed preoccupied with other things) after standing there for a few minutes then taken into the restaurant by whom I found out is one of the managers there (Antonio) - he must have had too much to drink the night before because he didn't greet us, wasn't friendly and just sat us in the middle of the restaurant where there was only one more person in there eating while everyone else was outside (and it wasn't even crowded). The first time I went there we were asked if we wanted to dine inside or out. For me, I find it offensive (and I could be wrong), but we were the only local family and I guess, weren't good enough to sit outside among the hotel guests. Note: it is an ICE BOX inside! Shleppily dressed Antonio sat us, we told him that one of our party members wasn't going to make it, he shrugged his shoulders and said "Whatever, it doesn't matter." and walked off! Then we sat in the freezing dining room area for at least 5-10 minutes without anyone acknowledging our existance! Oh hell no! I was livid by the time our waiter noticed us from outside and came in to help us. My husband asked if we could sit outside and he gladly accomodated us (I think mostly because he knew how pissed we were). From that point on, the service was much better. Breakfast is a good meal there - a little pricey but before our encounter with the front end staff, it didn't matter to me. Our waiter, Michael, did his best to make the rest of our dining experience there pleasant but my husband refuses to come back. Overall, the food is quite good but the service is soooo horrible! That place needs new management and hostess' who have some kind of customer service experience. They are RUDE and act as if they are doing us a favor by allowing us to dine in their fine restaurant. They should be working out on the pool deck and the pool deck staff in the restaurant because they are soooo much more filled with the Aloha Spirit than those horrible people are! Shame on them! What a terrible reflection on Chef Morimoto! They need to be FIRED!!!!!! They have such a great opportunity to appeal to locals being on the outskirts of Waikiki, in a good location, etc. But I guess they only care about one kind of patron. How unfortunate for them. Sad to say, I won't have anything nice to tell any of my friends if they ask me about the restaurant. It's just not worth it.
(2)
Tom L.
The service and food here are outstanding - but it is definitely a $$$$ experience. Lunch for 5 with the tip and drinks was over $500. Small portions - not unusual for a 5 star fusion restaurant.
(4)
Edward L.
The restaurant bearing the name of Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, located in Waikiki, at the Edition Hotel, is definitely a place to be reckoned with. Let's just start with the Customer Service; from the time we drove up the driveway, our arrival was greeted by the valet, door opener, desk clerks, concierge desk, gift shop and the restaurant by the warmest smiles, so happy that you came and great attitude of what can we do to make it an awesome experience for you....maybe this is what we use to hear about, called "old school". We have all experienced one or two people that were attentive, knowledgeable, professional, etc., but to have everyone on the same page is truly awesome. The atmosphere is chic, upscale, contemporary to the max, exquisitely appointed. Now, lets get to the food with Chef Morimoto in the kitchen; regardless of what a Foodie you think you are, this menu has a lot of surprises, no one has ever thought of before....and don't even think of Presentation, because Chef Morimoto has raised the bar here.One of our main course was Crispy Whole Fish - big island fluke, spicy tofu sauce, pickled papaya salad, out of control! Until now, the best Crispy Whole Fish we have had, was in Chinatown, New York City. We then went on to Ten hour pork belly,yose dofu-fresh tofu prepared tableside,kimchee soup,dashi broth...tofu will never be the same again! We also tried a few more appetizers and finished with the "lightest" of the 5 signature desserts, sansho pepper roasted pineapple.. the presentation was spectacular! We were seated close to the kitchen and saw a few dishes go by that we will try next time; one was seafood "toban yaki"- kona lobster, king crab, mussel, clam, diver scallop, red miso-sake broth and the 16 ounce wagyu rib eye! Wow wow! They also have OMAKASE, that is "chef's choice", a multi-course tasting menu designed to allow you to experience the essence of morimoto's cuisine. Oh! did we mention the most important Service? .,.the service, and that includes everyone, waiter, bussers,hostess, etc.... best we have had on Oahu, not just one person was great, they were all great! ...you couldn't move your eyes without someone taking care of you. Also, last detail, we went on Wednesday evening and we were lucky to get a table, place was full with chic locals!!! Lots of Posers and everyone likes to pose sometimes.....
(5)
Tia M.
So my boyfriend and I sometimes like to pick the more "fancy" restaurants like Roy's or Hoku's for special occasions. We came here on our 1-year anniversary, and we were in it more for the novelty of this restaurant than anything else... we knew it wouldn't have the most romantic ambience. :) But since it was a new restaurant in a fairly new hotel, we decided to give it a try. Located in the Waikiki Edition, this restaurant has very contemporary interior designs with a touch of orchids, seashells, and other Hawaii or beach themes. Very-Waikiki and quite the place for tourists and locals to ooh and ahh at. Valet parking only for this hotel, and it's on the house with a validated valet ticket. The moment you walk in, you may be dazzled by the interesting design of the restaurant, with the open kitchen area just behind the sushi bar as well as the vibrant orchid walls on opposite sides of the dining area. The service was very good, and the waiters and waitresses were happy to explain the menu to us--the foods are fairly exotic, or should I say "creatively" presented. My boyfriend ordered the Morimoto Smoked Sashimi ($26) which includes 4 different raw fishes sliced into squares and put into stacks, each stack containing 1 square of each fish--which was pretty interesting. He wasn't sure as to whether he should've eaten it stack by stack or... square by square, working through the stack? The 5 sauces that came with the sashimi were served and stored in separate pipettes--yes, the same clear, disposable ones that you used in your chemistry lab. This was a bit of a turn-off for me since it just made me think of toxic chemicals... I wasn't very thrilled at the fact that they included pipettes like that in a meal. My boyfriend liked the sashimi--sorry, I'm not much of a raw fish lover (except for ahi) and I wasn't feeling so well that night so I had to pass on this dish. He also ordered the Surf and Turf ($45) which included 6oz. prime filet, Morimoto-style poke topped with wasabi sorbet, and salt-crusted fingerlings. It also came with mashed Okinawan sweet potatoes which actually tasted exactly like regular mashed potatoes--not sweet as I expected. The prime filet, which I believe was the Wagyu beef, was AMAZING! Perfectly cooked medium-rare, and it was so soft! No heavy chewing here! I like to have some sort of greens in my meals so I decided to try the mixed green salad... the cheapest salad. :) It was some thinly chopped local mixed greens ($12)--amazing solid green color, not darks+lights, just one kind of green throughout the plate--LIGHTLY mixed with kabosu vinaigrette, and bonito flakes. The salad was garnished with some fresh pomegranate which was the most interesting thing on the plate for me. I got pretty bored of the salad after I attacked about half of the plate... My main entree was the Angry Chicken ($29) which included an organic half chicken, finger peppers, and spiced chicken jus, garnished with a huge pile of dried white rice noodle. I must say that the chicken was beautifully white and lean, just the way I like it. It was on the dryer side so those of you who like the juicy, fatty pieces of chicken--this isn't the plate for you. The finger peppers complimented the dish well (they were like mini-bell peppers) since the sauce tasted like a spicy burrito in a thick gravy form. I wish they used a different sort of "jus" and not such a burrito-tasting one. It was an interesting surprise... If I came here again, I probably wouldn't order it. *I would try the Wagyu beef! Your eyes may pop out at the price of these pieces of meat, but judging by my boyfriend's 6 oz. filet, I'd definitely enjoy that beef as a meal--worth the price! I wish I ordered the Wagyu beef... will order that if I come here again.* You have OUGHT to try this if you come here! We also had side orders of bakchoy ($8) and choysum ($8). I had no problem with those--no surprises came with these dishes. Rice does not come with the main entrees so my boyfriend had to order a bowl of rice ($4). One thing to remember: if you don't want to get an extra charge, order regular water and say "no" to the waiter's bottled water offer. Once we were seated, the waitress asked if we wanted bottled water and I immediately answered "yes" thinking it would be free... I thought "Wow this restaurant is much to fancy for regular water I guess?" They brought over a nice TALL glass bottle (think Voss) filled with water of which our beverage was gently poured from. We looked around at other tables and my boyfriend asked "Why are we one of the only tables with this bottle?" Most of the other tables had regular glasses of water with ice. Too bad I didn't realize that I would be fancily charged for this fancy water until our check came. Also, on those busy nights, don't expect to hear your tablemates across any table. Very noisy! Overall, good food. :) Good night out! If you're lucky, you get to see Iron Chef Morimoto himself at work--we did!
(4)
Stewart O.
The food was horrible. I guess the only reason this place stays open is cause few ever come back. Anyone thinking this food is good, must not have tried real quality Japanese food.
(1)
taro k.
Well, food is pretty good but price is as much as eating at four seasons in New York. Maybe there is a less priced good restaurant in Honolulu such as Indigo.
(4)
Sheree C.
main dishes was cold when it reached our table, and the taste was really not worth the price... in short, this Iron Chief is good only for TV entertainment; if you want good food go else where. It was really disappointing and a wast of time to even try this place.... I speak only from my own and honest experience, there were 5 people in my party and none of us are happy with the food.
(1)
Kaiulani K.
my only complaint is i had to be rolled out at the end of the meal. kind of like veruca salt in the chocolate factory. the ambience is there, but whether you dig it or not is up to you. it's pretty modern, but still allows for conversation. service is amazing. everyone is polite and knowldegeable, whether it's a waiter, busser, hostess, or anything. the courses come out at a good pace. lots of time for conversation, but they don't take too long. did not feel rushed or overlooked once. if you want the best seat in the house, ask for a view of the kitchen. or sit at the bar. this restaurant is good for all size parties. but what about the FOOD?! my play-by-play menu selections are below: we started with a sashimi salad, and let me tell you that morimoto makes an excellent casear. the sashimi was fresh, tender, and a great cut. the poached quail egg really added a nice bit of flavor. it was paired with a great champagne, which i did not expect, but was very happy to receive. the salmon carpaccio with hot oil was delicious. there are so many complex flavors, but it all pulls together very well. the salmon is a slice of sashimi bundled up and the parts that have had hot oil poured over are slightly cooked. i must say i did get a bone in one of my slices of salmon. for this i , unfortunately, had to deduct a star. luckily, i awarded morimoto's six stars in my head, so the 5 stars on yelp aren't really affected. WHEW. the wine was a verdejo and was light, fruity and perfect for the dish. the third course was a shikai maki with your usuall cucumber, maguro and egg, but deep fried- ornately displayed. there was some cured ham and a sweet bean to be eaten with it. on the same dish was THE BEST OXTAIL SOUP I'VE EVER HAD. it's a bit surprising because there's a puff pastry over it. you crack the buttery, salty and slightly sweet pastry to reveal a perfect broth and...OXTAIL WON TONS. ya heard me. i was a little tentative with my first bite, but pretty soon i had the bowl in hand and was pouring the last of it directly down my throat. while i loved kam bowl's soup, and i love asahi's, and i like jack's in aina haina, and mr. ojisan is pretty good, i can say that my favorite oxtail soup is at morimoto waikiki's. the wine was One Hope Chardonnay, and it was buttery, caramely, and great with the soup. by this point I was full. I was wondering how I was going to get through the actual entree and also the dessert. but then, iron chef morimoto, in all his glorious wonder, threw in a dish of sushi. there was hamachi, semi-fatty ahi, maguro, unagi,and skip jack. all fatty, tasty, and tender. paired with a junmai ginjo, very filling and refreshing. so noooow we head onto the entree. the braised black cod was tender and flaky. the saltiness of it blew my mind as it melted in my mouth (still talking about fish, here). the wagyu filet mignon was so tender and tasty, with flakes of salt over the top. it had an excellent crust and was a perfect medium rare. the pinot noir paired with it was wonderful with both surf and turf. dessert. ugh. thank goodness i didn't wear pants or else i'd have been popping at the seams. the haupia semifreddo was offset with matcha sponge cake, cookie crumbs, and meringue. a coconut gelee and cold, haupia mousse brought a nice element of sweet and creamy. with dessert there are options of tea or coffe. we decided on the african amber herbal tea, and i encourage herbal tea lovers to try it. the fragrance and flavor is very different, but everything i want in tea.
(5)
Allison Y.
I was very excited when we started driving towards the crowded streets of Waikiki to a hotel called The Edition. Could it be?! Yes, it could be. Well.. here was my chance to finally try an "Iron Chef"'s food. And I was ecstatic! Walking through the hotel, you are immediately calmed with the cool and neutral colors of the furnishings and modern aesthetics of the decor. Since we had a reservation, we were immediately escorted to our table. The restaurant was airy and predominantly white with large coral pieces hanging from the ceiling in clear plexiglass cases. Cool vibe I thought. So to start our night, I ordered the Pear Yuzu Gimlet. A refreshing, light, slightly sour starter which I sipped throughout dinner. We decided to order a cold and hot appetizer. The Morimoto Smoked Sashimi came in bite-sized stacks of five different fishes and paired with your choice of sauces in cute plastic pippettes. It was mouth-watering, and surprisingly, the multiple fishes didn't compete with each other. Our hot appetizer was the Spicy King Crab. OMG. My hubby couldn't get enough of it. Creamy, spicy with small bits of tobiko for added crunch. It was devoured in minutes. The highlight of the dinner. The hubby ordered the "Duck Duck Duck", duck three ways, and I had the Braised Black Cod. The duck dish was "good" as relayed to me, but not "great". My dish was smooth and delicately sweet even though there was a dark rich ginger reduction on top. I felt the cod was very rich, and needed some acid to cut through the fattiness. The two small pieces of the pickled peppers wasn't enough. I asked our waiter for a small salad or dish of pickled vegetables on the side. He promptly brought it out, and ahhh... the combination was perfect. Even though I was stuffed, I couldn't resist dessert. It was cheesecake tofu with a sour cherry sauce-which I know sounds weird-but very light and delicious. A great finish to the night. The Iron Chef did not disappoint. I definitely would return, but probably next time, try the sushi selections. Our cold appetizer gave us an enticing view of the amazing possibilities of raw fish!
(4)
Marcus K.
3.5 stars. came here while on vacation with the folks. Thought I'd take them out to a nice lunch, while staying in waikiki. I had such an awesome experience at Morimoto Napa, I though this would be a slam dunk. I was a bit disappointed to be honest. For some reason, the quality just wasn't there. Flavors were a little flatter. I've had some time to think about this, but I can't seem to put my finger on why. In any case, it's still a strong restaurant, but I left feeling that it could have been better.
(3)
Amanda C.
One of the best dinners of my life! Our favorites were the loco moco and spicy crab appetizer! We also had the pineapple tempura appetizer and soft shell crab roll...yum! The service was great (Paul) and the ambiance as well. Hope to make it back there someday!
(5)
eric e.
Ate here 2x for dinner and both times Iron Chef Morimoto was there. the first time i morimoto smoked sashimi, oysters, kakuni , Wagyu Filet, & Lamb Rack. 2nd time Oyster foie gras, Beef Tartare, Duck, Duck, Duck (seared duck breast, duck confit spring roll, duck meatball soup), chef's combination sushi, & some of my wife's wagyu ribeye. I have to say the smoked sashimi, oyster foie gras, beef tartare, & wagyu ribeye is to die for. I Also tried 3 of his beers. the black obi soba was the best overall. Food was awesome & service is great. I would highly recommend this place!
(5)
David E.
I'm sad I can't give it 5-stars, and maybe it's because I had dreams of grandeur, but I will keep going back... It just didn't knock my socks off. I mean, it's the M-F-ing Iron Chef! I want my head to explode when I bite into an ahi roll. One of the really nice things about Morimoto is the atmosphere. There's fires and couches and curtains... on that note, limit the amount of booze you consume or you could get lost in the spider web of comfort! The sushi counter is second-to-none. I liked the rare, or out of the ordinary types of rolls he offered, and the chefs are very generous with letting you try things. The pupus are great, I recommend the Morimoto sliders... I think they're kobe and they melt in your mouth. Desserts are very well done as well. I can't say I'd tell you to go here over Roy's, but it's a nice alternative. The major reason I like Morimoto's as much as I do, is Morimoto himself. I first met him on set of Five-O and he was the nicest guy ever. He invited some of us over to the restaurant and met us there. My neighbor's Auntie and morimoto are childhood friends in Japan so he's always doing special things for her, birthday's etc. I also attended a fund-raiser for victims of the Japan disaster here with all you can eat pupus, sushi and an open bar that raised over one million dollars! An event that was covered by Hawaii News Now and Morimoto himself sang at. If you're in Waikiki and you want a really nice evening, give Morimoto's a shot. You'll leave happy.
(4)
Danielle W.
Excellent food and great service. It doesn't have to be $$$$ - there were 3 of us ladies and we each ordered a specialty cocktail, three maki rolls, the very cool "pizza" appetizer and the hot plate entree. Completely full and cost about $40 per person including tip! I recommend the "pizza" because it was good and completely unique.
(4)
Justin H.
Amazing! The wagyu carpaccio was fantastic, so was the tuna pizza
(5)
P H.
New fave! Young, hip atmosphere with the most amazing calamari salad!
(5)
Julie P.
My boyfriend and I were able to make a reservation with just one day's notice, which was a pleasant surprise. The restaurant is very sleek and modern. We were excited to be seated at an outdoor table overlooking the harbor. But just a few minutes after sitting down, a big roach ran across the side of the flower box directly next to the table. One of the wait staff saw it, too, and profusely apologized. We asked to be moved to another table, which the staff did without a problem. We thought our problems were over when the food starting coming out. We ordered two appetizers and two entrees. Appetizers: The Morimoto Sashimi was great, but the Tuna Pizza was the real standout. It was such a creative idea - highly recommended. They brought the appetizers out one at a time, which was a nice touch because it gave us a chance to share and not feel rushed. For entrees, we ordered the Seafood Toban Yaki and the Black Cod. My boyfriend's Toban Yaki came out first. We waited a few minutes for my meal to came out, but it was nowhere in site. After about five minutes, we caught the eye of the woman that helped us earlier with the roach problem. She alerted the kitchen that my meal wasn't out. It was another five minutes or so before it arrived, which really put a damper on the dinner. All of that said, both meals did end up being delicious. Overall, the staff was very helpful and very apologetic with both of our problems. They offered us free dessert - we said we weren't hungry anymore, but they brought it anyway (and we were glad they did!). We'd like to think our experience was just an exception because the food was really excellent.
(3)
Celena K.
Beautiful restaurant, beautiful scenery, amazing food. Definitely worth every penny.
(5)
Joy W.
What a disappointment. Decided to try this trendy "hotspot" for my husband's birthday but there are definitely still kinks that need to be worked out. The decor is modern and stylish but the tables are way too close together and it's extremely noisy...so much so that I could barely hear my husband across the table but I could definitely hear the girl next to me shouting at her date across their table. And that was a shame too as the service was quite horrible...we were left waiting for our food a lot of the time, and it would've been nice to have a nice conversation while we waited. Iron Chef Morimoto was there the night we visited so we both ordered the omakase. Then we waited and waited and waited for about half an hour before our first course came out. My husband had ordered drinks with his food but when they didnt arrive by the second course, he had to flag our waiter down to check on that. The food was quite good and beautifully presented but with omakase, you expect precise timing, one course after another with no lengthly lulls in between. (Also with omakase, you expect different dishes based on what's fresh and available that day but apparently it's always the same courses no matter what day you go.) Unfortunately after we finished one course, the next one would take forever to arrive and our bumbling busboy neglected to keep our water glasses filled. And one couple seated nearby came in an hour after us and they caught up to us by the fourth course. Again, they came in an HOUR after us! It was a slight consolation that my husband pointed out another couple that had been there before us and we ended up finishing our omakase before them, but in the end, I just really felt sorry for them. All in all, we were there for three awful hours. For the price you pay, you'd expect better service and a more enjoyable evening. Never again.
(2)
Kris F.
I was expecting so many good things when I came to this restaurant but I left really disappointed. I came here for lunch with my boyfriend. It was almost completely empty...but for some reason they sat us in between the only other groups of people there! We were going to ask to be seated somewhere else but our server seemed super nervous and unsure of things so we just stuck it out. What I liked: I could make a reservation online :) The dessert was okay What I didn't like: The food! My boyfriend and I ordered the tuna pizza to share which was the only thing I can really remember liking. I ordered the udon and my boyfriend ordered the tempura set. We also ordered lots of different sushi. I can honestly say the only reason why we kept ordering things was because we wanted to leave liking something about our meal and happy about the money we spent. But..that didn't happen. The loud table next to us included 2 bodybuilder looking guys. They each ordered one of the set things for lunch and asked the server if it would be enough for them to eat. He said yes but when they brought it out for them they laughed when he walked away because it was soooo small! When they were leaving I heard them making plans to go get food someplace else. The woman with them ordered the chicken and she was very unhappy with it because it was so bloody and red and pink. Keep in mind we were so close to this table so I could see all their food. She was not over exaggerating! Her chicken didn't look right at all. She complained to the server and the manager came out and said that the chicken was cooked just fine but she must have cut a vein or something. They didn't even say they would fix it or bring her another one or anything. She was really unhappy and I would have been too. They didn't try to make her experience better at all. I'm not sure if they took her food off the bill, but at that point I think they just wanted to get out of there. Anyway, I can't ever imagine going back here again. I really really wanted to love everything!
(1)
K T.
Finally made it to Morimoto Waikiki! Been wanting to go since it opened an was it worth the wait? Hmmm... I guess?? Don't get me wrong, the decor is beautiful and the food was good, but I have to say it wasn't outstanding, nor was there anything I just HAVE to go back again for. We sat outside on the deck and for an upscale place, the tables were a little too close for comfort for me. The table to the left of us had a gentleman seated at the end, which left barely enough room for people and servers to pass through, so the whole time I was distracted by people passing right next to me. To the right of us were a couple, obviously on a date and I felt like an intrusion and could hear everything as if they were conversing with me. That always makes me feel like I have to edit my conversation as well. The service was OK. Had an empty water glass for a while. I ordered a bottle of mineral water and the server would come by every so often and fill my glass, but I would have rather had him leave the bottle on the table than have to wait for refills. On to the food... We ordered the Hamachi Tartare appetizer. There was enough for just a taste for two people (which was expected). It was very good and came with a bit of about 5-6 different garnishes, including a nori paste, wasabi foam?, grated maui onions, little rice cracker balls and I can't remember the rest. We also go the yose dofu tofu appetizer which was very cool in presentation. It was brought to the table in a stone pot in liquid form, the server poured a salt water solution into it and covered it telling us not to peek as it sat for a few minutes. He returned to open the pot to the solidified tofu. It came with bonito flakes and green onion garnish and two sauces to top the tofu. The kim-chee sauce was really good. My friend ordered the chef's selection nigiri sushi platter - pretty self-explanatory. I ordered the braised black cod. It was very good, perfectly cooked, but not amazing by any means. Here's the amusing part, the menu said it was served with pickled bell peppers and budo mame. When the plates arrived and I dug in, I thought, "oh, I thought I was supposed to get some veggies with this". So on my plate were three 1/2" sized squares, one yellow, one red, one green. I realized that these were my pickled bell peppers. They were basically 1/2" squares cut out of the bell pepper skins and pickled. That's it. Ummm, excuse me, but what did they do with the rest of the peppers? I'm sorry but if the menu lists that it's served with bell peppers then go ahead and serve bell peppers. What I got was decoration and should have been left off the description of the meal. On the same note, I got about 5 budo mame. Awesome. Listen, I'm not a virgin to fine dining by any means, but it made me laugh.
(3)
Clifton H.
The gf took me there for dinner last week to celebrate my bday. We were pretty lucky in that the Iron Chef himself was working that night. The decor is pretty trendy and the food is pricey, all of which were expected. We had the oysters, morimoto sashimi, salmon skin roll, and toban yaki. I had the peanut bombe for desert. All of these were excellent. The gf was prodding me to order some of that wagyu, but I just couldn't bring myself to order something that expensive; I guess it's the Chinese in me. I would have given the place 5 stars, except that there seemed to be little flies flying around. One even landed in my gf's drink. The waiter, who provided excellent service throughout the night, had it replaced. I really like the place, but I don't think there should be insects around when customers are eating.
(4)
Alfred G.
I had 7 pm dinner reservations for Morimoto Waikiki and upon reading the reviews, I realized that my dining experience would be either a hit or miss so I was very optimistic and my expectations was on an even keel. Now before I go into details, I just wanted to say that after it was all said and done, After the smoke was cleared, my dining experience here was a very good one in which I have no problems whatsoever giving 5 stars. The service was excellent, upon arriving I had noticed that the restaurant was crowded (which was expected) and the restaurant had a modern look which I personally liked. Now according to some reviews, people were not seated right away and the people working the front desk were not friendly. For me, I experienced the complete opposite, As soon as I entered I was greeted with a warm, friendly smile and was seated right away outsie on the deck overlooking the harbor which was perfect because it was around 7pm and the scenery was awesome. The waitress we had was very friendly, outgoing she was very knowledgeable in answering any questions that I had recommending her personal favorites and explaining everything that I had ordered and how it was prepared. The bussers were also friendly and attentive making sure that my water was always full and that the table was clean etc. like I said, the overrall service was top notch, not too over/underwhelming. The food as well was good, The presentation was awesome as expected and the flavors were well balanced. For appetizers I ordered the smoked sashimi (toro,salmon,eel,tuna,hamachi) w/ 5 sauces,the sashimi was fresh, appealing and the sauces was great with it not masking the flavors of the fish at all. I also had the steamed scallops w/scallions in some kind of sauce which was nice and soft (the way it should be) I highly recommend it. Another highly recommended appetizer would be the Kakuni which is a ten hour cooked pork belly which was very soft, tender and succulent. For the Main course I had the Surf and Turf, now according to some reviews the meat was overcooked, mine was not. I had my steak prepared medium and it was cooked perfect, the fish and crusted fingerlings was great as well. For me Dessert was my favorite, You have to order the Chocolate Mille Feulle, it's bruleed bananas with an avocado anglaise and spiced chocolate ice cream I seriously could have eaten 5 more of that dessert especially the spiced chocolate ice cream. For me everything was great from the food, service etc. and I will be back again, for sure. For the other people who have had bad experiences dining there, I would suggest going again and give it another try. The restaurant has been open for only 6 months and maybe they were ironing out the kinks before they get it to where they want it to be both service and food wise, well after a very nice dining experience like I had, they are well on their way
(5)
Kyle S.
First time going to Morimoto's and I was quite impressed. The service was good and the food was Great! Our overall experience here was pretty good but depends on where you are seated. Unfortunately we were seated next to the kitchen so is was a bit loud which made conversation difficult at times. If planning on going, I suggest doing some homework and look at the menu online before heading down. The menu is huge and everything look pretty good. It took us a while to look through everything and I just gave up and ordered the "omakase". I guess the waiter knew we were first timers so he suggested that so we could taste a little of everything.
(4)
Mia F.
Not great at all and way over priced.
(3)
Eddie L.
This one's a bit tough to review. I give it 3 stars for my meal but i'm sure it could easily be 4 or even 5 depending on what you order. The decor is gorgeous and it will make me take a second look at staying at the Edition the next time I'm in Waikiki. I'm a vegetarian so how could I ever really experience what this place has to offer? My Korean/Japanese fusion Mushroom rice in a stone pot was tasty but pretty expensive for what it was. I have no one to really blame but myself for ordering such a dish in this place. I did eat meat for over 30 years so if I could offer any advice about this place I would say don't screw around and pay the money for the omakase. Yeah it'll cost you over a $100 a head but shoot for the moon while you're here. Morimoto was in the kitchen while i was there and in retrospect I should have broken the rules and ordered the "chef's special". How often do you get to eat while the Iron Chef is working? It doesn't end all that bad for vegetarians here. The freshly made Tofu prepared table side is fantastic. As for service, our waitress was definitely sub par (fanning her face while she was talking to us.. really?) I'm guessing/hoping they are still getting the kinks out.
(3)
Clayton L.
If you just want expensive dining then I guess this place is ok. As for me it's going to be zero alcohol because if you want to smoke they won't let you, even in the outside area outside upstaits, even in the non-seating area. You'll have to have someone watch the table, go all the way through the restaurant, down some long stairs, out to the sidewalk and then down the street to get rained on :(. If not you will get yelled at. One of the MOST HOSTILE places for smokers in all of Hawaii.
(1)
Jeff S.
The one thing that I was really looking forward to eating was the Kakuni pork. I couldn't wait to taste Chef Morimoto's version. What I got was a well seasoned and flavorful piece of tough, stringy pork that required a knife and fork to cut through ($16). Disappointing. The duck three ways ($28) was pretty good but pales in comparison to the duck confit at Cafe Miro. I picked at a few of the other dishes around the table and nothing really curled my toes. Decor is nice and the service was OK but I really went for the food and was let down. One of those places that I wouldn't refuse to go back to but wouldn't choose to go back to either.
(3)
Marcus F.
Very good food, but still a shaky start in Waikiki. Open for less then I week in the new Edition Hotel I had lunch at Morimoto Waikiki with my parents. Few people seemed to even know it had even opened yet and the spacious restaurant only had three other tables occupied. The space is modern with good use of translucent materials. From what I can tell by the use of shells and seaweeds they were going for a tasteful understated tide pool decor. The kitchen is in full view and you see the staff of 14 led by the executive chef strumming along. I ordered Morimoto Poke, Braised Pork Belly and Pineapple Cake with Rice Ice-Cream. My mom had the $22 sashimi lunch set. My father the black cod lunch set and the generic salmon skin roll and the more generic california roll. The food was quite good. The Morimoto Poke was light, fresh and clean. Cubed toro with peel cherry tomatoes (I think), bonito foam and whipped avocado. I tried some of black cod and it was perfectly cooked flaking with a touch of the chopsticks. I think it was a bit too sauce heavy but it was still might good. I also tried a few bites of the sashimi which was good, but not great. When you consider the price it was a great value. I would like to come again and try the Omakase sashimi, or perhaps better yet the Chefs Dinner tasting at a very reasonable $110. The cocktail list here was developed by Chandra Lam of Southern Wine and Spirits whom is very skilled bartender. She was not behind the stick and so I was tentative about how the bartender would make my drink. To my pleasant surprise they were very good. The cocktail list at Morimoto rely a bit heavy on flavored vodkas most cocktail list in Hawaii tend to do, but the drinks were still very good and I highly suggest giving them a go. The largest flaw at Morimoto is the execution of service. While the staff is friendly and accommodating, execution is rough and awkward. When food arrived place setting plates were still there and additional staff was waved in to remove them. They did not know who was receiving what dish and a bit of direction had to be given by us. A few minutes into the meal we were searching for soy sauce for the sashimi and when spotted doing so soy was promptly delivered. When my Braised Pork Belly arrived I used my chopsticks as that was the only silverware provided. A minute after my food had arrived a spoon was offered as the proper way to enjoy the dish. When my dessert arrived I has to ask for silverware as I had none. Then they had no idea what pieces of silverware to give me for the dessert and I had to make my best guess and choose. While none of this ruins a meal it certainly reflects a lack of polish which dampens the experience. I should reiterate that it had been open for less then a week when I gave it a try so one would hope these issues would be cleared up shortly. I certainly look foreword to coming back and trying more of the food here.
(4)
Magnum P.
Wagyu beef carpacio...melts in your mouth. Black bean cod was tasty. tofu steamed at your table is unique. The Haupia green tea dessert was the perfect ending. Got to meet Chef Morimoto since he was in town and actually cooking all night. Impressive.
(5)
Duke N.
My friends and I had recently won advanced screening tickets to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and was on Oahu for the day. We had heard about Morimoto's opening in Waikiki and decided to take a chance since we had a few hours to spare on obtaining a table for lunch even though we had no reservations. Even though we are avid Harry Potter fanatics, this was definitely the highlight of our trip! The ambiance was very modern, upscale, and trendy. The staff was very serious, but very professional and diligent. I had seen the fatty tuna tartare appetizer featured on the Food Network's "The Best Thing I Ever Ate" and it certainly was...fatty tuna that you scrape with a flat spoon, dip into a sauce, and your choice of minced onion, freshly ground wasabi, seaweed, or rice cracker. My friend ordered the lamb carpaccio which came highly recommended. I have had lamb prepared in every possible way and had been convinced that I'm just not a lamb eater, but I have to admit that I LOVED the lamb carpaccio. It was very fresh, and absolutely no hint of gaminess. For my main course I ordered the sushi and tempura combination. It was the freshest sushi you will find outside of Tsukiji, Japan. Truly the best thing I ever ate (outside of Tokyo) I can't wait to return!
(5)
Kristina S.
We had the omakase. So phenomenal! My husband & I are real foodies and truly had a wonderful dining experience. I'm still thinking about the wonderful food we had...
(5)
Janet L.
On our last day in Waikiki, we went there for breakfast before hitting the airport. At first look at the menu, looks average, especially the Banana macadamia nut pancake, but were we wrong!! We ordered it, and it just melts in your mouth. We've never had pancakes like that before and I've had many. the hash browns were so good. It was very fulfilling. We didn't mind paying $60 breakfast because it's well worth it! Kinda cool to eat at an Iron Chef owned restaurant. Waiter was fantastic, great service. Definitely going back.
(5)
H A.
wow...simpy W O to the O W. This is what food on earth should be. The Wagyu Carpaccio, The Lamb Shank to the Duck, Duck, Duck. It simply amazing. I love how casual Morimoto's place is considering the Iron Chef title he's holding. Some people gave bad reviews cuz they expect the place should be classy and all, get a life!!! If you want service you can try morton's or something. Oh and the chocolate peanut butter bombe is simply AMAZING.
(5)
Kim F.
Amazing. This place is not just food it's an experience. By far the best experience of my life. I highly recommend it to anyone open to mind blowing flavors and new food combinations. It is pricy but worth it. Just be prepared.
(5)
Natalie K.
I went here with my family of 6, and we ordered almost every appetizer on the menu as well as salad and main course for each person and a main course for the table. We expected small dishes for ridiculous prices but instead we got way more food than we could finish! We passed our plates around so we could all try everything and not one dish was "just okay." every one was spectacular and delicious! And our bill was much less than we had expected. Our favorites were the surf and turf and the cod. The calamari salad appetizer and the sashimi pizza were our favorite appetizers. We stayed in Oahu for 12 days and this was the best food we had all trip. The atmosphere was beautiful as well. We sat outside overlooking the harbor and saw the sunset with candlelight and pretty lighting in the bushes and overhead as well as a firepit behind the table. The service was very friendly, and very quick. They really make you feel welcome and special. Chef Yoshi came out to greet us in person and he is very friendly and handsome too, and his food is amazing. My family couldn't stop talking about how nice and talented he is. We went home happy with full bellies. We couldn't have had a better dinner. I definitely would recommend this place to anyone and if you are fortunate enough to see Chef Yoshi, you should complement him in person because he is very friendly and looks like a hard worker in the kitchen. There are windows where you can see the kitchen and watch them cook. Our meal totaled to about 300 dollars for all 6 of us, and each main course ranged from about 18 to 45 dollars.
(5)
Dim S.
The food was good. However, our waiter ruined the experience. It seems that our group was an inconvenience for him. The impression he imparted upon us was that we should be grateful that we were being served by him. Not much for smiling or saying much other than a few mumbling words. I think the kicker was they added gratuity to the bill because the size of our party. I've had much better service from my local Denny's and IHOP.
(1)
Jennifer S.
Very good! Expensive, but worth it. Had some sushi and then the surf and turf and peanut butter bomb. All food was great - especially the potatoes that came with the dinner and the dessert.
(4)
Irene K.
The location of this Morimoto is quite the stunner. It is hidden away from the main Waikiki strip but walking in, you feel like you're in a whole different area. Our order list: Morimoto's black obi soba beer: dark, hoppy, and refreshing Slow roasted pork belly: TO DIE FOR. As soon as the knife and fork hit the meat, it literally melted into the porridge. So soft and so perfect, it literally melts in your mouth. Surf and Turf: The perfect entree for the meat lover. Meat cooked perfectly with fingerling potatoes that were not even tasty but colorful. If you're a fan of poke (which is raw tuna pieces in a sauce) you will enjoy the texture and presentation of the poke. A few rolls and sushi orders later, we were stuffed but left room for dessert. Sanso Roasted Pineapple for dessert. The toasted rice ice cream was delicious. Perfectly sweetened. Husband is not a big desserts fan but enjoyed this platter. Our server was on point and was great with suggestions. The only problem we did have were the little fruit flies it seemed flocking our table because of the smell of the beer. It was a bit of a pain but from what we found out, its because they left the glass doors opened.
(4)
Paul M.
Morimoto's was on my checklist of must eat places along side Stage (wonderful) and Chef Mavro (some day). We went on a Thursday night and had an... average experience. There were 4 of us, and we shared everything we ordered. Atmosphere The hotel Morimoto's is in (The Edition) is pretty nice with expensive walls and bathrooms you feel privledged to use. The restaurant is decorated very nicely in soft whites and greens. I was really impressed walking in. We had asked for an outside table for our 7pm reservation so we could see the sunset. Unfortunately, we got one of the two tables off in the corner between the restaurant and The Edition's pool. The splashing kids and constant foot traffic behind my head wasn't exactly what I expected, but I go to restaurants for the food! Service We were seated immediately upon arrived on time to our reservation. The waitress was very nice and accomodating. The busers who brought our food one plate at a time were very nice and told us exactly what the dish was, breaking down the ingredients and cooking style. In the beginning, they brought us some food for another table along with our correct appetizers, which forced us to question the busers each time they brought us a new dish. They only brought the wrong one a couple times before the figured out where the right table was for the extra food. Also, service was a bit slow, however we had some cocktails and plenty of conversation to keep us going. In their defense, we did order in 4 or 5 waves. Food Most of the reviews I've seen said that the entrees were pretty unimpressing, so we did mostly appetizers with 1 sushi dish. Presentation on everything was excellent, however I had to say the flavor on each dish was just nice. I guess I came in with high expectations to be blown away with creative flavor combinations and bold flavors that only Morimoto could deliver. The Bacon Foam Gyoza was pretty good, but mostly on presentation. The gyoza was above average, but I guess not really living up to its price tag and fame. Everyone liked the Curry appetizer, which was probably the best thing we ate there. The tako yaki was cooked very well and the abalone was a perfect texture. The flavor was very subtle, but that's good for abolone. The Wasabi shrimp plate was nice, but pretty average. The only notible thing was that the wasabi flavor was perfect: there, but not over powering. We also had a pork appetizer, which I'm sad to say I don't even remember anything about. I think it was shoyu flavored. My wife and I had the iruka, which was really high quality. We really liked it, but unfortunately, its hard to justify $5 for 1 piece of sushi. We only ordered one main dish, which was the ginger pork. Everyone else liked it a lot, but it was just okay for me. Perhaps I was already tainted by my low expectation for the entree and we were drinking Sake at this point. Speaking of which, the Morimoto Sake was worth the entire evening. It was amazing. Not only did it had a brilliant floral flavor, perfect balance, and a great smoothness, it was also served in an amazing display that looked like it was made completely from ice (although it wasn't). It was the highlight of the meal for me. We didn't get desert, but the waitress brought us some sugared jellies anyway. I could tell it was made fresh as the pineapple flavored one had less gelatin than the others (or more juice). Pretty good for free. Value I think my disappointment is entirely because of the price of everything. We were ordering modestly and still managed to spend over $80 a person. The sushi is amazing, but it really needs to be the best thing on the planet for $5 a piece. However, I'm thinking of coming back just for the sushi... so perhaps it is the best sushi ever. The appetizers were all pretty decent, but more expensive than normal main courses. Summary I think my so-so reviews of the food are due to expectations from the high price tags and the name Morimoto. I don't go to restaurants where I know the name of the chef very often, so I kind of expect a lot with the fame. Unfortuately, our meal didn't live up to the expectations. We won't be coming back, unless we get a craving for some expensive sushi (or we can't find Morimoto Sake anywhere else). If we did come back, we'd definitely want a better table, we'd order only sushi for appetizers, and perhaps we'd give the entrees a more fair try. It would also help if the prices went down!
(3)
Duke J.
I actually came here a while ago with family for dinner, which was an awesome experience. We had reservations for 4 at 6pm and got there around 5:45pm but actually got seated early. Hostesses were very welcoming and immediately we were sat. the restaurant had a great ambiance. It was really hip and trendy and definitely more upbeat than your regular fine dining restaurant. Our server Ryan knew the menu exceptionally well and was able to answer any questions we asked. I liked that he was honest in what he suggested. now the food calamari salad: Like Ryan suggested, its a great dish to share with a group. the calamari was cooked tempura style which i really enjoyed. the light dressing also added a great balance to the fried calamari which sometimes can be heavy. takoyaki: personally, im not a big fan of traditional japanese tako yaki but this one had quite a twist. the takoyaki was actually made with abalone which was delicious. the herb butter also added a nice strong kick. tuna piza: crunchiness of the torilla along with the fresh soft tuna.... Genious! definitely worth trying. tobanyaki: i had this as my entree and it was just glorious. if youre a seafood lover than this dish screams your name when you read it in the menu. although it is a bit pricey, service, atmosphere and quality of food make it worth it in the end. i am definitely a believer in this restaurant worth trying out.
(5)
Douglas L.
Had a wonderful and delicious dinner here at Morimoto's. The ambiance, staff, and food compliment each other.
(5)
Aki D.
I'm so sorry, but it's overrated. Although I hear it's a great place for lunch, dinner is.... just okay. I guess I was expecting much more from one of the original Iron Chefs.
(2)
Julie N.
OMG! My husband is still mad. Horrible service and overpriced.. OUr tab for 4 was 5 bills. What a waste of money.
(1)
June J.
Oysters are to die for. An absolute must! The best oysters I ever had the pleasure of slurping in my life! I'm salivating just thinking about those darn oysters!
(5)
Miss L.
Awesome ambience. Gorgeous and unique decor. Food was good a little pricey...we ordered 2 apps, 2 entrees, 1 dessert, 3 drinks and a sake flight - bill came out to $195 not including tip yet. Service was a 3 out of 5 - not great but not bad either. I would go again to try different things on their menu!
(4)
Paul M.
What a dichotomy-ultra poor service and ultra good food that takes FOREVER to get to your table! First we were told that valet was free until we actually arrived and was told that the valet was full and to park across the street in public parking. Well 20 minutes and 7 levels later we arrived late due to no fault of our own. Our table still wasn't ready so the bar was calling. I ordered a coke which was entirely flat! I guess the bartender thought I was retarded (even though I am a physician) because he had to call both the manager AND another bartender over to taste the coke and finally accept that it was, indeed, flat. Strike two and we have not even sat down yet! After finally being seated our waiter arrived in what seemed like an eternity and proceeded to fill our water glasses and then disappear again. I had to flag down another waiter, only to be told that "our waiter was in a rut" and that it would be awhile before we could order! Strike two and a half! After finally ordering, after a completely lackluster presentation of the menu, the food began to arrive in a slow drivel. The food was very very good but the service just went downhill from there (if that's possible?!?!). I have never seen such an apathetic, uninterested and flat out uncaring service staff in a long, long time! For the price it is deplorable. If you like sushi and abuse save your money and go to Sushi Sasabune instead!
(2)
Ralph Y.
While the food was all I expected it to be, for this kind of money I expected better atmosphere & portioning. We were seated outside next to the pool area. Granted we had some privacy but still when you're doling out that kind of serious money, I expect more than some thick shrubs. If you opt to dine inside, be prepared for noise levels that make it very difficult to hear someone across the table from you. Some will describe it as energetic; to me it was like sitting on the tarmac at an airport. I'm guessing the younger crowd enjoys that level and while I don't expect hushed tones, I do enjoy conversing with people on the same table without having to raise my voice. No question about the level of food and the taste of it. Creativity, flair are just words used to describe the experience. The polar opposite is the amount of food given. I truly felt it was Iron Chef portions. It borders on being cute if it were free. The Nigiri sushi was the most disappointing. Small piece (note one piece) and that was it. Who has ever gone to any sushi bar, ordered Nigiri style and had just one piece? But flavor, nothing special to speak of here, I think we were all disappointed by it. The rice had a texture that could not be described as umami by any stretch. Service was excellent and we took to heart a lot of suggestions that our wait person had. It was quick, attentive without being intrusive. I've seen some of the complaints regarding the service but I looked at other tables and none of them seemed to lacking. Bottom line, would I go back there, no. Value wise, I can name at least 6 other comparably priced restaurants that have better value with similar price tags.
(3)
Gail F.
I was taken here this year for a pre-Valentine's Day dinner (since my date and I both worked on the actual day) and it exceeded my expectations by far. We first got our cocktails in which I had the Mori-Mojito, which was his own spin on a mojito, and the Morimo-tini, which was made with his signature sake, vodka and cucumbers. The martini was super dry (which I like) and my mojito was awesome as well. For our appetizer, we had the takoyaki (with abalone instead of tako). For our entrees, my date had the Hamachi stone pot and I had the meal "Duck, Duck, Duck" which was seared duck breast with mango salsa, duck confit spring roll with potato and a duck meatball soup with puff pastry on top. The hamachi stone pot was SO good. They sear the hamachi just right in front of you and then mix it just as they would with any stone pot meal. For dessert, we shared the cold/hot tofu which was a tofu souflee, tofu cheesecake and a sour cherry sorbet with kinako chips (which were really fluffly and crunchy and delicious). All in all, the food was amazing. The thing I really loved about this place was that it isn't a typical Hawaii restaurant. It reminds me of restaurants my friends and I frequent when we travel to LA and it is something I believe Hawaii needs. Located in the new Edition Hotel, everything in there is swanky and just the right thing we need if we want to experience a swanky night on the town. I loved that they played house music whilst dining (I'm a big house music fan) and the decor is very chic. Our hostess wasn't the nicest, but I think it just comes down to the fact that it was the Saturday before Valentine's Day and maybe she just had bad customers before hand. I totally recommend this place. It isn't half bad to turn around from your table and see Chef Masaharu Morimoto potentially preparing your dishes. (-:
(4)
Stephen H.
I ate here for lunch on a Friday. it was fairly empty so we had a lot of attention from the staff. i was very impressed with the ambiance and style that the restaurant had to offer. I had the Rock shrimp (good) and blacken Ahi (good). Its pricey but great dining experience. Be back very soon with more friends for sure.
(4)
D E.
5 stars as price is less than expected, although still not inexpensive. Went on a Sunday at 11am (opening) and the place had one other party. The $35 sushi platter was excellent. They have $35, $100 and $150 sushi and shashimi platters. They get more adventerous as you move up in price. Only downside to the $35 one is no duplicates so it's hard to compare with others. The selection is something like: tuna, striped bass, salmon, yellowtail, mackerel, shrimp, red clam, eel and spicy tuna rolls (6 pieces). The rice was perfect. They polish their own. They target local ingredients so everything was fresh. The crispy rock shrimp tempura appetizer was perfect. Came with a generous portions of spicy kochujan shrimp, wasabi shrimp and coconut ranch sauce. Bite size perfection. Had to try the braised black cod. I chose the larger portioned main course ($26) and another person selected the lunch set ($22). Turns out the main course cod is only slightly larger, not enough to notice unless you look close. The lunch set comes with soup and rice or bread. Plus salad. Go for the lunch set. The cod was great. Maybe it's me but the cod at Nobu's was better. This cod was still great. Wonderful sauce and tender fish. The angry chicken had a curry flavour and was moist and tender but came on a bone in case that's an issue for you, it was for the person who ordered it with us. Tried one desert. The sansho pepper roasted pineapple ($12). A nice sized portion, presented very nicely, and multiple flavours of salty rice, sweet pineapple, crispy wafer, and more. The rest was about half full when we left at 1pm. We will be going back this week. See you there.
(5)
Lora H.
Wonderful atmosphere. The food didn't bowl me over especially for the price and the servers kind of forgot we were there. I hope things improve for them!
(2)
Nikki N.
Everything there is amazing because its so cutting edge. The food is unique, different, and aesthetically pleasing. The restraint itself was very very nice and the outdoor ambiance was kind of like Rum Fire with the fire pits. The only thing is I will rarely be eating there because the pricing is out of my range.
(4)
perry w.
Valet parkers from Edition hotel were horrible. Nobody came up to the car to introduce themselves. Wife had to get out of the car to ask if we were at the right place. The Valet guy said yes, and walked off. We were stumped. After parking was sorted. We proceeded to the rest. Very modern design. I had the Poke Cold Appetizer, the Spicy Crab Hot Appetizer, and the Seafood boullebaise. Best thing was the Spicy Crab. Everything else was ok. Nothing too spectacular or memorable, especially considering the price and the "Iron Chef" status. Wife got the Tasting Menu, which she liked, but we both didn't think any of it was an absolute must taste/have... except for the Spicy Crab... which in itself, is simply alaskan king crab with spicy tuna sauce on top of it. Overall the food was simple, clean, and light. The food was made well, but nothing was extraordinarily unique. Wouldn't go out of my way to eat here. Wouldn't necessarily go there for dinner again, maybe lunch if I was in the area already. Online reservations through open table are awesome.
(2)
Reyn Yorio T.
This is a review about a dinner that occurred a few weeks back, right after the Tohoku Quake and Tsunami, and the restaurant's own benefit. I hosted a dinner for 14, and this was a first visit. Please note that this is about an IT restaurant, and a place to be seen in Waikiki at the moment. One of the things that quickly tells you how your evening is going to be, especially in Honolulu, is the parking. In this case, the valet service at the Edition Hotel which houses Morimoto Waikiki, is terrible. Not because of the efforts of the valets themselves, but the very fact that the turnabout can only accommodate four cars max at a time, and at 630PM with the cocktail and dinner crowd chafing to get in...you can imagine the pandemonium. Which leads me to the meal. We started with a number of appetizers, which included the rock shrimp, toro and hamachi tartare, pork gyozas, poke a la morimoto, and a couple of orders of the crispy calamari and iceberg wedge salads. First off, the tartare is interesting. It is served in 1/4 inch high square bamboo trays and looks like a food that was served in 2001: A Space Odyssey. Even with an array of condiments, this was not something you would have expected to see, nor would you find it all that appetizing to eat. The rock shrimp tempura bore a resemblance to popcorn shrimp...I am going to skip over the other dishes because, they aren't worth the typing effort. My guests had an array of entrees, of which I will mention the following: the lamb rack was excellent, the spam onigiri was actually amusing as the presentation was unique...rather than an actual slice of spam, the lowly luncheon meat was diced into VERY small squares and mixed with the rice to form the onigiri. Duck, duck, duck was a winner, with the various preparations of the fowl playing off each other really well. The wagyu filet, while soft and tender, did not impart the depth of flavor that you would expect from this kind of aged cut. The braised black cod? You know it as miso butterfish, and honestly, you could do no worse preparing it yourself at home fresh, or getting it from Aloha Tofu and Miso in a tub. Desserts? The mille feuille and the peanut butter bombe were deconstructed affairs...a term which I find akin to disastrous. If you were so lazy that you couldn't put your ingredients together in a proper way, don't apply a fancy term to it and expect us to pay the price. The tofu hot and cold on the other hand was sublime. Gentle, unique, and fun. All of which should serve as adjectives for any dining experience and Morimoto Waikiki could very well live up to just such a memory for people, his servers are certainly up to the task of delivering thus. At $175 dollars per person with drinks? There are better ways to entertain your friends.
(2)
Ryan S.
Morimotos was an amazing dining experience!!! The service is superb and the food is delicious! The atmosphere is modern yet relaxed. We couldn't have celebrated our anniversary at any other place. I would recommend sitting outside as the restaurant sits right next to the marina, it's a beautiful view! We ordered the wagyu carpaccio and tempura roll as appetizers, and wagyu filet and loco logo as entrees. For desert we had a bacon doughnut and chocolate caramel tart. Since it was our anniversary they gave us a complimentary fruit sorbet. I would definitely order the fruit sorbet next time. If you're a beer drinker, have one of his signature beers! We will definitely be going back to morimotos eveytime we are on the island!
(5)
Heidi S.
I really liked the ambience and food at this place. The Morimoto style poke was really interesting with a katsuo foam that lightly flavored the poke and the cheese and tomatoes really gave a nice change in texture. I didn't try the wasabi avocado sorbet, but my friend said it was super good. I got the chirashi bowl and my friend got the angry chicken which were both winners...the only thing I would say they can improve on is bringing the entrees out faster. The drinks, dessert (tofu cheesecake with a black honey ice cream) and appetizers came out promptly, but the entrees took a bit longer. I liked how it wasn't too noisy like it was at Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill and how the staff both service and kitchen are hardly noticeable when they're not serving you.
(4)
Mike C.
This place is really good. Its expensive so if youre not cheap and willing to spend your money, its well worth it. Get the "Duck Duck Duck." The duck breast its phenomenal.Also, their wine and sake list is huge.
(4)
Tad N.
Needless to say, much anticipated evening as we made reservation two weeks in advance. Glad we did, too, as it filled up fast on a Saturday evening. Cons - the arrival experience, valet parkers, etc., was mediocre at best. And the greeting at the restaurant entry was so lukewarm, we were disappointed. But then the evening only got better - thank goodness. First of all, Paul, the primary server, was Excellent! But so were all the floor service staff. Each and every dish was explained w/ enthusiasm and detail. The $75 sushi platter was a great starter for 4 of us; we also had the spicy king crab, miso pork belly; and for entrees, the ginger pork and the wagyu beef. Pricey? Yes. But overall, a nice evening for special occasions w/ special company.
(4)
margaret m.
Kailas- love it but it's success is killing it for me....even if you go alone....wait is super long. Food & service has been fabulous. Too bad they don't take reservations...even same day. Great value
(4)
L H.
Food and service were fabulous!
(5)
Cecil N.
We dropped by Morimoto's quite by accident on our evening walk along the beach. The outside lounge seating was just too inviting to pass up! We decided to extend our drinks to some appetizer grazing, and the food and drinks were excellent. What really gives this place five stars, though, is the service. Our waitress (wish I could remember her name; Pauahi?) was fantastic, and even the bus-boys were obviously well trained. I would definitely try it for dinner.
(5)
Rachel M.
Personally, I NEVER watch Food Network/ Iron Chef/ WHATEVER! so I had NO idea who this Morimoto guy was. However my boyfriend's sister had nothing but great things to say about the new Morimoto restaurant in Waikiki and since he is such a huge Food Network fan and his birthday was coming up, I decided to make reservations there. It was a little confusing for us to find since we heard that it was in the Ilikai/ NOT in the Ilikai. (?????) Little did we know that after complete renovation, the hotel is now called the Modern Hotel. (Side note: It looks fantastic now!) We got stuck in traffic due to roadwork in Waikiki and so I called to let the front desk know we would be running late and they were EXTREMELY nice about it and very understanding. When we got there we were awed by the decor of the place. It's really something else! The wait staff and our waitress were extremely friendly. We had ordered 3 appetizers: Morimoto Style Poke, Tuna Pizza and the Spicy Alaskan King Crab. The poke was good but it didn't strike me as anything to rave about. However their quality of fish was excellent! The pizza sounded gross to me at first but it ended up being surprisingly good. I read in another review that the spicy Alaskan king crab wasn't that spicy... UM NO. This dish is hella spicy people! (I'm half Korean too so I'm not weaksauce either!) It was good but it was a bit TOO MUCH for just the two of us. My boyfriend had gotten the Chef's Loco Moto which was pretty good as well. I ordered the Seafood Toban Yaki which took about 20 minutes to come out. They said it had something to do with the way the shell not being cooked up to the standard they wanted or something. Better then serving me something sub par I guess. However they apologized profusely for the long wait and offered us cider, complimentary. It was worth it because the dish ended up being delish! Customer service was excellent and the food lived up to it's Top Chef reputation. I pretty much broke the bank but I would probably come back... just maybe not anytime too soon. :)
(5)
S. R.
I live about 45 minutes away from Waikiki, so it takes a lot for me to really enjoy a restaurant there. If anything goes wrong, I usually end up thinking--I drove 45 minutes for this? I really enjoyed everything about my dinner at Morimoto Waikiki. I can't wait to go there again. The food was great, our server was professional yet friendly (something that is usually missing in Hawaii restaurants--everyone is nice but not always the best at their job), and the restaurant provides free valet parking. Final thought: bacon foam--yum!
(5)
Mandi C.
People I had spoke to said that they left Morimoto's hungry. I did not leave hungry. I actually didn't finish all my food. I shared my entree with the rest of the family. Which was great because they all got to taste how delicious my lamb was.
(5)
Gayle N.
Loved the look! The drinks are over-rated and over-priced. We (2) were there for about 35 minutes and had 3 cocktails and one piece each sushi which I must say tasted over-priced. I could have gotten the same "quality" at a better price had I gone to Shirokiya. Will think twice before going there ever again. Got to have that moola and not be afraid to use it!
(2)
Garrett R.
Easily the best Japanese meal I've ever had. Traditional ingredients done in a non traditional way, yet still very approachable. We ordered the Omakase (tasting) menu. My few complaints with the food arent worth mentioning. The ambience was terrible, which is odd because being a cook I hardly notice these things. I'm usually all about the food. It was very loud inside and not much better outside. We were sat in what looked like a cheap rental tent at at backyard wedding reception. The half lit Christmas lights strung along the support wires did nothing to redeem it. On the other hand, our server, Joshua, was phenomenal. A lot of the other wait staff seemed cold. The food runners were hit or miss. Overall worth one trip. The wait staff needs to tighten up a little, the food could be timed better, and the circus tent would have to go for me to spend this much again.
(5)
Audrey A.
First impression. Bright, white and open. There was a party of 5 of us and since it was a first for all of us, we decided to try everything family style... which is why the first dish out made us laugh. The first dish to make it to our table was the braised pork belly on top of congee. It literally was a 1.5 inch perfect square of pork belly, enough for 1. We all started laughing. I wish the waiter would have told us that earlier. We had him bring another order. It was tender, tasted like other braised pork belly I've had in a simple chinese restaurant. But the presentation was simple and elegant. We then had the sashimi sampler that came with a variety of dipping sauces that allowed you to interact with your dish. Again, not mind blowing in taste. The tofu made table side was a unique presentation of a comfort food that reminded me of the visits to my mother's favorite tofu shop in Hong Kong. The star appetizer was definitely the foie gras chawan mushi. Perfectly creamy with all the richness of the foie in every bite. It came with a little duck breast, which would not have been missed if it didn't make it into this little bowl of heaven. This was my favorite. For the entrees, we had the wagyu rib eye. Simple, tender and as to be expected. The ginger glazed pork cutlets were very familiar in taste. The most disappointing entree was the "duck, duck, duck" . The duck confit was tender and again, as to be expected. The duck taro spring rolls were all taro. Maybe had a small essence of duck in it. The best thing about the duck broth with duck meatballs was the pastry shell on top. As a consensus of our whole dinner party, the best entree was the whole fried fish. Slightly spicy, light and crispy. Would definitely order again. Drink menu had some very delicious and unique cocktails. The morimotini was nice and dry. Also tried the savory cucumber cocktail which was delish, light and refreshing. All in all, a good experience... not a spectacular experience. Service was great. The dishes we had were beautifully presented but very familiar in flavor. Also, the menu was not as expensive as I thought it was going to be. Will be coming back soon with my group of girls before a night out on the town.
(4)
Sasha K.
We had an excellent meal at Morimoto at the end of October. Both of us ordered the 8 course omakase so we didn't have to make any decisions about what to eat. The omakase selections were awesome! Most required the server to instruct us how to eat them...which sauce to dip first/second. After the 4th or 5th course, I started to worry that 8 courses would be too many, but when all was said and done, we were full, but not disgustingly so. They have a great Prosecco, too! There were an abundance of wait help/kitchen people buzzing around and we had excellent service the entire meal. Lastly, being the newest kid on the block, Morimoto outdoes the competition in decor and ambiance hands down. The Edition is tres chic! We'll definitely go back!
(4)
Nicole L.
If you don't want to read my full critique, the bottom line is it's not worth the price. This was my first time dining at Morimotos and I took by boyfriend there for his birthday wanting a special experience. We arrived a few minutes before our reservation time and were told our table would be ready in "just a few moments".15 minutes later we were seated only after I approached Tue hostess and asked how much longer our table would be and if it would be better if we waited at the bar. We ordered the tasting menu and several ala carte dishes; the only standouts out of everything were the foie gras chawan mushi and yose dofu. The ala carte pork belly and butterfish (black cod) were both too sweet, and the tasting menu surf and turf had the toughest piece of wagyu I've ever tasted. When the servers brought out the Bagnacotta, they accidently brought 2 and proceeded to drop 1 on the table beside us before realizing their mistake, picking it back up, and dropping the same dish at our table. Otherwise service was ok, definetly not up to par with what's expected at a fine dining restaurant; several times dishes were served with the back of the handfirst, and although asked whether celebrating any special occasion when the reservation was made, there was no acknowledgment of my boyfriend's birthday- why make the effort to ask if there is no follow-up? The overall experience was not bad. The ambience, as noted in other reviews, is very relaxed, romantic, and cozy outside. Unfortunately, the food, nor the service, lived up to our expectations.
(2)
Davis O.
I went for a late secret Santa with some old High School friends a few days ago and was disappointed. The appetizers where all pretty good but I felt the entrees could be better. President Obama loves to come here when he visits Hawaii, unfortunately I don't know what he orders. I gave 3 stars for: great location with a view overlooking the marina; good restaurant decor; good service; and tasty appetizers.
(3)
Shawna F.
The other night was my birthday I brought with me a large party with a tab adding up to at least $1200, I was in the past a repeat customer but I will never go there again! I was treated like dirt. service was terrible, it took 40 minutes just to place an order for appetizers, and hour to receive our main course and no one was able to eat together because of how much time it took everyone to get there items (more than 20 minutes apart from the first dish to the last).This was not a busy night so my husband complained to the manager and was told they can't handle large parties (something I should have been informed of when I made my reservation several days in advance) he asked if he wanted to at least come talk to our table and the manager told him no. I had planned on ordering dessert and coffee for the whole table but my guests had grown inpatient. Part of my party (3 people) paid for there meals and left. I don't know why but the rest of us were stuck waiting for our tabs for another 45 minutes, my husband and I received our bill and paid along with one other person. We waited another 20 minuets for the rest of the bill to be divided until our server came over and told us that he was sorry that they will only split it 6 ways after all that time waiting. My husband once again talked to the manager and was told that wasn't so and that the check could be dived up, so he voided all the previous transactions and started over. At that point he said he would void the 18% gratuity after hearing the request a few different times that night. This took another 35 mins and the servers had to come back around and ask us what we all had again. Me and my husband told them we didn't need a new print out because we were paying in cash and were going to leave the money for the food with out the cost of gratuity. Once we started walking out the manager told us not to leave (here is where I'm confused) because they didn't have someone's money because she (one of the ladies that had previously left) signed the wrong receipt. I told them that they swiped her card and he told me she didn't I called her and she checked with her bank and she did indeed have a charge from the restaurant. He still said they didn't swipe the card and we had to stay because $300 was missing. I looked at the receipt and it was only an $80 tab and was the correct merchant copy and was signed. He pulled it from my view not wanting me to look at it and refused to tell me what the other amount of money is from he ignored me and started yelling saying we don't split bills here this I a classy place.(1. he already told us they do split bills 2. I have taken large groups to a number of "classy" places and have always split the bill) He then told security to call the police and to block us in the restaurant. I said that was unacceptable an tried to squeeze past but was shouldered away from the exit by two large men (This act was illegal, these people are to observe and report and nothing more nor are they to physically detain anyone). At this point we were all very upset. Some people even had to use the bathroom which is located outside. I asked the assistant manager what was going on and he told me he didn't know and hid in another room. My husband started calling the police himself which made the manager finally let us go yelling at my party of 12 to never come back and calling us trash. I stayed behind to ask who I can complain to, the manager whose name is Chad said he is the top guy no one above him. I'm sure the top guy is not a general manager and rather an owner or corp., but he refused to tell me anyhow. He also followed me out the door tell me I'm a real class act for giving them $200 even for a $197 bill and not the other $40 in gratuity which he already said we didn't have to pay. I told him he said we didn't have to pay that but he ignored me and continued calling me a "real class act" but its ok cause he "has it like that "and could "eat it" once again I told him it should have been taken off anyway and he got louder and told me I didn't pay a dime of it and said that we are really "honest people" and to never come back. When I get to the car I see the security are trying to pressure my remaining male guest in a fight and using colorful language (something none of us ever resorted to) This was supposed to be a celebration. I had intended on going out having a wonderful meal and probably most importantly for the establishment spending a lot of money. I thought that would be a place my friends and I would like to again visit but instead I was humiliated and my entire night was ruined because I had spent hours in that restaurant having a terrible time, as well as hours later contacting the police, filing a report and contacting my friend as to how they wanted to pursuer this incident. The police suggested I contact my Military lawyer. That route seems extreme and not something I am ready to pursuer but I do want to know that somethin
(1)
Robert R.
low grade dog food. the tempura shrimp was smothered in garlic aioli sauce and chili paste with a side of ranch dressing. the hamachi was the lowest grade available on island and needed to be cooked to eaten. thats not sashimi grade. go to roys or yanagi shushi and forget about morimoto. oh, and don't even get me started with the wine list.
(1)
Key-rah K.
did the 9-course to try. overall, the experience was worth the try...the ambiance was okay, the service was good, food was unique, drinks were ...well....ok (my first drink was made and served with a fruit fly in it----i sent it back and they shook me up a new, bug-free one). we were seated right away, near the sushi bar, it was a pretty green/white theme. i liked it! when it got busy, however, a couple was seated right next to us, no divider separating our seats. so...yeah. they were (rightnexttous). the woman was speaking and laughing quite loudly in another language, which made our dining experience not so pleasant from about 3/4ths into the dinner. if it wasn't for the awkward seating arrangement, i would have given a 4/5 stars....i still think its nice to be able to say i tried this spot. :o)
(3)
Sara F.
I was here recently with my family on vacation & wanted to check out my fav Iron Chef's digs & was very happy with the results! My husband & I got the omikase which was actually not just traditional omikase sushi but was their version of a tasting menu. My parents shared sashimi & fried snapper. All were delicious! The sashimi was SO fresh & the presentation was gorgeous. Our omikase was a little more hit & miss, there was a delicious & beautiful presentation of wagyu beef, carpaccio & a great sushi roll but then there was a pretty bland sort of egg soup but overall everything was great & worth the money, (the tasting menu was only $110 per person). The drinks were great too, my Mom & I enjoyed great sake & cucumber cocktails. The dessert was probably my favorite part! A mix of a sweet potato & red bean cake, red beet ice cream which was SO good! The atmosphere & service was great as well, so was the decor, loved the clean, modern white & lime green everywhere. Would definitely recommend this place if you're looking for a fun & gorgeous night out!
(4)
Nica N.
This was my 3rd time eating at Morimoto's. I had reservations at 7PM on Saturday. The restaurant was decently crowded, but not super crowded. There were open seats here and there, but the host (an Asian guy) told us our seat isn't ready. So we sat at the bar for a drink. I was hoping to sit somewhere other than the seat right behind the bar, which was open when we first walked into the restaurant. Then the hostess came up to us 15 minutes later to walk us to the seats right behind the bar. I was like $%#$??? So why couldn't they seat us when we first came into the restaurant?? A mystery... And the hostess wasn't friendly at all. If you hate your job so much, please quit. Other than this complaint, the food was pretty good. I wouldn't order the pork kakuni or the Morimoto loco moco. It wasn't that good. The rib eye and the beef carpaccio was good. The cocktails are OK. Nothing really special. The french press coffee at the end of the meal was good. I personally would not come back to Morimoto's again because I felt the host and the hostess to be very rude. I'd go to Nobu's instead in a heartbeat.
(3)
Inland O.
We came to Morimoto on a Sunday around 1:30pm. The restaurant was practically empty (not a good sign?!). Originally I had wanted to try the omakase but found out from our waiter that they stopped serving omakase at ~1:30pm. We ended up ordering the Chirashi, the wagyu carpaccio, steamed scallops, chicken katsu sandwich, and the stone bowl grilled hamachi that they cook for you table side. The Chirashi is very fresh for all you sashimi lovers; beautiful colors and plenty of sashimi over a bed of the fluffiest rice. Both the wagyu and scallops were tender and delicious (the wagyu in particular is a must try). I enjoyed the scallops but my wife thought that it wasn't cooked well and seemed half raw (they were huge). The hamachi was decent, the fish itself very fresh/tender, but with simple flavors (not necessarily a bad thing). However, the chicken katsu sandwich was a disaster; didn't taste good at all - almost something you would find wrapped up at a japanese convenience store. The wasabi french fries were also very mediocre. Overall the meal was very good - would have been a 4-star for sure, but knocked down based on the value for what you get. Worth a try, but for what we paid and all the other choices on the island, I probably wouldn't return next time!
(3)
Jen H.
My husband and I went here for lunch right when it opened. We didn't have reservations but there was no wait. We sat on the patio which had a nice view. The server was great. We had a couple of their cocktails which were very good, and for appetizer we ordered the tempura pineapple which I highly recommend! But be careful because it's HOT. Burned my mouth on it, being too anxious to stuff it into my face. I had the bento box with sashimi and tempura and California rolls. It's not that different than what you would find in another sushi restaurant, but I found the quality of the sashimi to be excellent... very fresh and melts in your mouth. I'm not even that big on sashimi, but I ate every bite, it was so good! It was the perfect portion, and I was full but not bursting at the end of the meal. My husband had a lobster melt and wasabi fries which was very good, but he felt it was too rich to finish all of it. Overall the service was good, the waiter was attentive, and the food was good. The atmosphere was great, very modern and sleek. We would definitely go back when we're in Honolulu.
(4)
Jyb J.
the service was perfect because they were very friendly in explaining the food..my bf and i try the 7 course dinner.. most of the foods were raw so i had a hard time eating it. it was good but i dont like to eat raw foods that much..my favorite plate was the main course and the desert..i would love to go back and try some of the other foods..
(3)
Mike K.
good but small portions.. sushi sucks i wouldnt recommend it you might as well go to sasabune or mitchs for that price ...
(4)
Beth-Ann M.
I want to love this place...and I do love some of the things about it. The food is really delicious. The decor is awesome too! I have been coming here since it opened-maybe 8-10 times so far. The problem I have with it is the service. For a restaurant of this caliber the service should be top notch but at Morimoto's Honolulu it is just not up to par. There is a lot of waiting...for everything..and while some of the staff know a lot about the menu, some of them can't tell you what a listed ingredient on their menu is! I have talked with the management a number of times about the service and while they are very polite, I am not seeing any improvement. I really hope they get the staff up to standard because I truly do like to eat here but am embarrassed to bring any friends here due to the poor service at high prices. Please, Morimoto-step it up a notch!
(3)
Sharelle C.
Ate here last night. Very nice atmosphere on the inside and outside was very cozy as there were couches next to the small center fireplaces. Dinner for two including tip was about $200 with drinks, appetizers, entrees, and desserts. The Ginja Lychee martini was very good. My boyfriend ordered his usual beer (Sapporo and Beach Bikini Blonde). The maki sushi was common. I think next time we'll order the sashimi instead. The poke was very rich and flavorful. For entrees, we ordered the Seafood Toban Yaki and the Surf & Turf. The toban yaki was a little spicy but in a good way. The spicy red-miso sake broth complimented the seafood nicely along with some toasted bread to dip into the broth. According to my boyfriend, the surf and turf was the best prime filet he's ever tasted. The sweet potato puree with salt crusted fingerlings was a nice balance to the dish along with the morimoto style poke. For dessert, we ordered morimoto's green tea blend (a nice palette clenser) with the tofu hot and cold for my boyfriend and the chocolate caramel dessert (not listed on the website dessert menu). The hot and cold tofu was interesting. It was sweet and the flavors balanced. The chocolate caramel dessert was gooey but in a good way. Both desserts came with dehydrated chocolate that simple melts at the touch of your toungue. The service was very on point, polite, and we enjoyed our overall experience. we will definitely be returning here over and over again. Oh and if you're lucky, Chef Morimoto will step out of the kitchen and walk around for a while to meet with his guests and for photo opportunities. It was late when we finished our meal and Chef was just starting his. We didnt want to disturb him so I guess we'll just have to catch him at another time.
(5)
nikki m.
this review is based on 2 dining experiences. dinner #1 was with my favorite mike for his birthday. mind you, my partner does not like to celebrate getting older and therefore was not nearly as excited to try morimoto's as i was (mostly for fear he would be embarrassed by singing staff & free dessert with sparklers). i assured him that morimotos was not that kinda venue. dinner # 2 was with one of my besties. food first, then commentary on how these 2 dining experiences differed. collectively i have sampled: rock shrimp tempura: 2 coatings, a wasabi ailoli and kochujang aioli. the little buggers were crispy & light on the outside, warm & tender on the inside. neither aoili was as spicy as i would have liked, but the dish was satisfying & portion wise quite a lot. it was served with a refreshing coconut ranch dip. white fish carpacio: super DELISH! tender fish, yummy yet not overpowering sauce, and nice pile o'greens. tako carpacio: super super DELISH. i have never sampled tako that was so tender & tasty abalone tako yaki: perfect savory puff donuts in an herb butter sauce. tasty indeed, though i could not really tell that they were filled with abolone vs. tako pork kakuni: first thought, why so tiny? but this little morsel packed some serious flavor punch. sauce that initially seemed too sweet was a delightful compliment to that ultra tender pork belly goodness. ahi pizza: 'signature dish' according to our server. tuna was o' so fresh and the thinly sliced jalapeno was a nice compliment. oyster fois gras: this i did not sample...can't do the slimy thing, but miss melon raved that this app was divine. surf & turf: felt like i was a guest judge on iron chef when the dish was placed before us. wagyu beef with onion reduction was tender & tasty. the surf was morimoto's version of poke, which included ahi, fresh mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, avocado sorbet, and bonito foam. then there was the Okinawan mashed potatoes, full o' butter, and studded with other fingerlings that looked like space rocks. so cool! chu-toro: melt in your mouth YUMMY! drinks: 2 thumbs up for morimotini...a cucumber infused martini that was not at all frou frou and packed some vodka / sake punch. Morimoto's version of rogue beer was tasty too! Service: night 1 was kinda blah, which sucked since it was a special occasion. even though i had noted that it was my partner's birthday when making the reservation, this was never acknowledged by any of the staff. we were off to a great start, but somewhere between the 1st & 2nd appetizer, things took a turn for the worse. 30 minutes with no food, no water refills, and no refresher on our cocktail order. finally, someone other than our primary server took notice and stepped in. apparently our ticket order was lost, which happens sometimes...no biggie. but the fact that our server was MIA for so long and pretty unapologetic when he reappeared irked us both. once the oops was noticed, the rest of the evening flowed well. i would have marked 1 star lower, but i think we just happened to get the one not so stellar sever that evening. those that came to his rescue were professional, knowledgeable, and friendly. night 2 was a goldilocks experience...just right. knowledgeable and friendly server (Karen) who was there when we needed her, but not overly up in our space. not only that, but surrounding staff was attentive, noticing when our beer or sake was low and making sure to help us keep the libations flowing. all in all I *heart* morimoto's. i dare say that it surpasses nobu's in my humble estimation. the apprentice steps ahead of his mentor!
(5)
Riley O.
Hello from sunny Waikiki. Ever get that dick feeling? Haha In all seriousness, my wife and I were really looking forward to trying out this place as we've had decent eating sessions at the various Nobu's and Koi's of the world. Morimoto's seemed to embody these places with a Japanese/Korean blowtorch. We purposely avoided going to Morimoto's on our 1st night (to let some anticipation build) at The Modern Hotel in Waikiki and even ignored the menu in advance because we wanted to be pleasantly surprised by just diving in. Hell, we were in Hawaii and there IS a fish auction here, which would make for some strong sashimi right? Our selections and opinions were: *Hamachi tartare (best thing we ordered, remarkable presentation and taste) *Yellowtail pastrami (it had a funk to it) *Maguro (it had a black cod funk to it) *Soft shell crab maki (my wife liked this) *Kani maki (and she also liked this) *Spicy King Crab (this came with a "not mentioned" on the menu and "unwanted" side of French Fries. one crab leg had a slight funk to its taste.) *Black Cod (with a Soy ginger reduction and a lot of bones. This dish mentioned that pickled peppers came with this dish. what we got were two pepper skins (one green, one red) in the shape and size of a postage stamp, maybe smaller.) *Creamy rock shrimp tempura (i am bummed that something like this was great, because everyone loves tempura and these little nuggets were like Dunkin' Donuts munchkins in a good way. there were two varieties as well, one in a kim chee spiced glaze and the other as a sweet wasabi coating.) *Sake and Morimoto's own Soba Buckwheat Ale brewed by the Rogue company in Newport, OR. (his brew and food will make you feel your pulse in your fingers post meal) Our "lead" server was insecure, left us alone for most of the evening, and was impatient with our simple questions about the menu. At one point, we hadn't finished eating our Hamachi tartare appetizer that included a much lauded single micro peach to cleanse our palettes. We asked our server politely if we could try that peach and she replies abruptly with, "We'll bring out more peaches..." that didn't happen until an hour later. That made for good laughter throughout the meal. After $200 +, we left feeling weighed down by the salty experiments, Mondrian-esque pretension and felt like we got screwed by the entire experience, but hey, onto the next eatery... Bottom line the experience was a Mori-no-no.
(2)
I. K.
I've been here twice. The first time I've only had a couple of rolls, average stuff at a premium price. The next time I was in a group of six, and we got a couple of chef's combinations, which included some excellent rolls and sashimi accompanied by excellent sake. After all that we had some desserts, which I personally didn't appreciate all that much so I am giving the place an overall 4 stars.
(4)
Joo S.
food - 3 stars service - 3 stars decor/ambiance - 5 stars i was pretty disappointed in this place. went here for my birthday dinner in december, and i was soooo excited to try iron chef morimoto's food. my girlfriends treated me to the omakase tasting, which included morimoto's famous toro/hamachi duo, a snapper appetizer, bagna cauda "hot bath," foie gras chawan mushi, assorted sushi, lobster/kobe beef/pork entree, and dessert. you could tell that presentation is really important for morimoto. everything looked better than it tasted. the toro/hamachi course and dessert were my favorites...the rest were forgettable. the foie gras chawan mushi was good but lukewarm by the time i got it. i've had better sushi, considering they fly their sushi straight from tsukiji market. the service was so spotty that my friends and i were all getting our appetizers and entrees at different times, and during dinner, some of us had food to eat while some didn't. it was weird. i've never experienced service like that before. one of the servers noticed that the pacing of my tasting was a little slow so she asked them to speed up the service...so all of a sudden i got my chawan mushi, palette cleanser, and sushi all at once! i was overwhelmed. we were really grateful to that server though because she really got the ball rolling with our meals. nevertheless, we were pretty shocked to find out that dinner was over three hours, which we didn't think it should have been. i must give kudos to the chef for the desserts. we got to try 3-4 different desserts, plus i got my omakase one. the desserts were devoured so fast you would've thought the 7 of us didn't eat dinner! my dessert was my favorite - imo ice cream with kabocha souffle and imo foam. so good! if not for the food, i would go back for the ambiance/decor. i'm a sucker for visuals. i loved the beautiful open space and the use of organic and earthy elements. lots of white, wood, and flowers...sexy!
(3)
Patrick O.
Food was just OK. I was expecting it to be really great. Our party of four ordered 3 appetizers the calamari Salad (which was very good) three of the signature dishes to be served family style and three desserts. We also had two presses of coffee after dinner and several cocktails and a bottle of wine. Our bill was$422 which I thought was reasonable for what we ordered ($500 with tip.) What surprised me was the lack of service at this place. There was enough staff but IMHO they were not well trained. None of the servers had any proper table skills. When I asked that the table side preparation of yellowtail "Buri Bop" be served, the young kid just kind of looked at me and said "well there's a spoon and fork on the table for you". Undeterred, I asked our waitress if she wouldn't mind portioning out the entree so we could all experience the dish, she hesitated but fumbled her way through and got each of us a fairly equal portion by scraping it from the bowl to each plate. Unfortunately it was just not the experience I was expecting. Food was basically just tossed on the table any old way and no care was taken to serve from the proper side or clear from the proper side, etc. GREAT LOCATION- We arrived at sunset on a Friday evening and sat in the outdoor lounge area while waiting for our table. We enjoyed the comfortable seating area the great cocktails and appetizer and of course the Friday evening fireworks were a big hit. I would return here for drinks and PUPU's but probably not for dinner. Just too much hype and too high priced for a very subpar dining experience. I expected more Morimoto San
(3)
Kensi T.
Beautiful, bright & airy interior with full walls of glass facing the harbor and ocean. Wait staff were warm, friendly and knowledgeable about menu items. Finding the place could be a little tricky since there seem to be no signs for the hotel or the restaurant. Drive down the street by Red Lobster, turn left into what looks like valet parking. If you see a bunch of valets, you're in the right place. They will direct you up a flight of stairs to the restaurant. Food was all tasty and beautifully presented. They tell you that items are meant to be shared, but be aware that serving size for different items varies widely. Abalone takoyaki, Morimoto's sashimi, California roll, gailan, and yosedofu all serve 6. Kakuni and inari are very small and serve only 1. (Yes, you can use your knife to cut into tiny pieces, but doubt you can get 6 pieces) Duck, duck, duck and Chef's loco moto serve maybe 4. All in all, the food may not be the best in the world, but the experience was fun and well worth the trip. Note about restrooms: Not in restaurant but across the hall in the hotel. Great looking, but no toilet seat covers or hooks for bags.
(4)
Talon G.
I would've given 5 stars but my service was horrible. Took 30 minutes to finally get water & he only filled 3 of our 4 glasses. Then it took another 15 for him to return with my glass of wine. All the while I watched the table next to me get serviced 4 times. We waited another 15 minutes before I finally asked out water server to locate our waiter. He replied that he just got assigned to our table because they are short handed. Instead of getting mad I accepted because it was a holiday & mistakes happen. We ordered our appetizers & entrees at the same time. We got our entree & one of our appetizers didn't even come out. Had to ask, he forgot to order it. So he gave it to us for free. After receiving all our food, I forgot all about our long wait. The food was fabulous! Our table enjoyed the filet, ribeye, fried fish, Ishi yaki buri bop, spicy king crab & some sushi. The food was so good I'm looking forward to next time. If the food is good I'll usually go back to a restaurant regardless of the service.
(4)
caroline s.
The food was original. The service was good. The desserts were AMAZING!
(4)
bimi a.
Morimoto doesn't fail to please. My friends ordered sushi as an appetizer, and each piece was tender enough for a lady to bite into, and take 2 bites. I had the hamachi ishiyaki in stoneware, and it was excellent. It was seasoned just right, and Morimoto deserves bragging rights for his rice. The tofu cheesecake dessert was excellent as well. Hope everything remains the same when I visit again.
(5)
Lynne A.
Nice restaurant, service is excellent, food was good but I'm still trying to figure out if it was really worth $375 for dinner. That could've been put into my sons savings account. shame on me!
(3)
JAN I.
the restaurant isss soooo pretty...the kitchen isss incrediable. best thing was the food was very good and pretty on the plates. we say morimoto at the end of our dinner and took a pic with him...its pretty pricey...so be prepare to spend. at the end of it all its all worth it
(5)
Camille H.
I checked this place out last night after all the hype around this new restaurant and i have to say it truly exceeded my expectations. Great ambiance. It's very modern and not what I had originally expected but loved it. Although, it's a pricey restaurant its still casual enough where you can comfortably carry on your conversations unlike some classy restaurants where you're eating in silence. We sat outside and you really feel like you are no longer in Waikiki but in a hip LA restaurant. The wait staff were very knowledgeable and i felt like we were taken care of from the minute we stepped in to the moment we left. As for food, fantastic!! My favorite restaurant is Hiroshi's at restaurant row but I think Morimoto's might now be my number one. The dishes are different and unique. I feel like I could not have had those dishes at another restaurant in Hawaii. I started off with a two appetizers. The first was an oyster, uni and foie gras combination in teriyaki sauce. SOOO good! It was the best part of my meal and I encourage anyone who doesn't mind eating these three things to try it. Next, I had a tartare appetizer with a flan with egg yolk and cauliflower salad. This was a great twist on the Japanese dish usually made with just raw meat, egg and slight seasoning. For entrees, I tried the lamb ribs and Morimoto's take on the Korean Bi Bim Bap. Both were delicious. The 'bi bim bap' was with seared hamachi and is prepared at the table in traditional korean stone pot. For dessert, peanut butter and dark chocolate. Yum! So, go try it!!! This restaurant won't disappoint!
(5)
Dennis S.
Very disappointing! Much too expensive for what we got. The flavors of the dishes did not enhance the quality ingredients used but rather conflicted with it more often than not. The service was definitely "amatuerish"! The waiter's favorite recommendations all happened to be the most expensive dishes on the menu. The noise level was truly obnoxious to the point where I left the restaurant hoarse from yelling to be heard on a table for 4. I will definitely not return with so many other better eateries in Hawaii.
(3)
Chris F.
2.5 is about where I sit right now. If the price point was lower is could easily be 3.5. The service was a bit sloppy and not what you'd expect at a place where your bill will look like it did if you really try to enjoy yourself here. As everyone says, decor is cool, presentation is very different and innovative. Some of the dishes are very good, but none worth the $. You could have much better Asian food all over this island and have much cleaner and more attentive service from professionals. This is not a shot at anyone who works there as I think they all worked to the best of what they were taught. Maybe it's just me, but when I spend that kind of cash, I expect to not want for anything. For example, "I wish a had a new plate to share this next appetizer." is a thought I don't think should cross my mind anywhere that I will spend $287 for a 4 top.
(2)
Maria K.
My husband and I celebrated our anniversary at what was formerly "The Edition" back in August. We decided to eat at Morimoto for our anniversary dinner and had the hotel set up our reservation. When we arrived, we were quickly seated. The staff was friendly and the service was decent, however so many different people came to our table it was hard to determine who was our actually server. The food was good, however a little on the pricey side for what you get. The table next to us was celebrating a birthday, and they brought out a birthday desert with writing on the plate. I noticed this from our table and thought it was a nice touch, however when the end of our meal came, there was no celebratory "anniversary" desert. I figured they must not do this for anniversaries, but on the way out I asked the hostess and she informed me that yes they do send deserts out for anniversaries. She then told us she had informed our server it was our anniversary when we sat down and that he must have forgotten. She apologized for him; however it kind of disappointed me that they "forgot". It's really not that big of a deal, but when you spend that much for dinner it's the small things that stand out. Both my husband and I left a bit disappointed in our experience.
(3)
K N.
Went to Morimoto for the first time. I wasn't as impressed as I thought I would be but I'm giving it four stars because there were a few things that were really interesting. We started off with the toro tartare which comes with several sauce including sour cream, guacamole, wasabi, and ponzu sauce to name a few. The toro was interestingly good with the sour cream. We also tried several other appetizers. The rock shrimp tempura was really good. I preferred the wasabi aioli which was a bit on the sweeter side and my husband preferred the kochijan which he said tasted sort of like buffalo wings. The shrimp was accompanied by a coconut ranch which added a light texture and sweet taste to the fried shrimp. The calamari salad was mediocre. It was served with a miso dressing which I found to be lacking in sugar; it was more on the salty side and I think I would have preferred the crunchy and fried calamari with something less heavy and salty in taste. The yose dofu was really neat; prepared table-side. It was soft, hot and different from store-bought tofu. My FAVORITE dish of the entire night was the kakuni which is a very tender, sweet, yet salty pork that literally melts in your mouth. I was so good I could have eaten that alone as an entree. The pork pork pork entree was pretty good (pork served three ways; one dish was a sort-of duck french onion soup) and the fried fluke was really crispy and tasty. The fluke was probably one of the best fried fish I've tried. We weren't in a raw fish mood so I think we will go there again to try more of their raw dishes.
(4)
Pat J.
we took a distinguished guest to the restaurant about which we had heard great things. one of us ordered the tasting menu and the other 3 ordered 3 dishes each. so, first the positive comments: the food was exquisite, beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. the tempura salad, crab miso soup, oxtail soup, wagyu carpacchio and all sushis were delicious. now the bad stuff, our guest who ordered the tasting menu received only 4 of the 9 promised selections in a 31/2 hour period. the service was beyond dreadful. we were seated and given only 3 menus, our drinks were ordered but didnt come for at least 25 min when we were ready to order dinner, when one of us asked for the wine list, a selection of wines was named by the waitperson but no list was brought. when the third selection that two of us had ordered had not shown up after 3 hrs, we finally found our waitperson to ask and were told the kitchen had made an error and the order had been given to someone else. in other words, the service was unacceptable. To their credit when we spoke to the manager our meal was completely comped. This happened on a Tuesday, the restaurant was packed and clearly they did not have staff properly trained. It was really a shame and we sincerely hope they get their act together so that we can return and enjoy the spectacular food.
(2)
C. B.
Went for a couple of birthdays as this is one of our fav celebration spots. It also accommodates children well and free valet parking is great. Breakfasts and lunches are the bargain times . Relatively . We always start off with the freshly made before your eyes tofu. You might have to ask for it. In 8 minutes, voila! Deliciousness with several toppings including a kimchi soup or dashi type broth! The shared tempura calamari salad was perfect - they know how to do delicate tempura! The kids had jidori chicken ramen, and we had chirashi sushi, tempura and sushi combos and lobster sandwiches. Deserts were good along with the capuchinos.
(4)
Lily M.
Ordered the Live Octopus and Waygu Beef carpaccio, Oysters foie gras. The flavours were fantastic and worth every bite. For the main entree, I ordered the surf and turf with the prime rib filet rare and it did not disappoint. The steak melted in your mouth. Finished off with the ginger, Palm heart and macadamia nut cheesecake, hard to describe this other than you just have to try it.
(4)
Mindy A.
Chad L - not sure how to write you back! Anyway, no, my visit was on June 17th. Thanks for getting back to me, definitely appreciate the attention to guests' interests! Mindy
(4)
Maggie B.
It was ok. Not anywhere as good as the MW Restaurant (although they are aiming for the same level) but certainly far better than Roy's Waikiki. The ambience was good and the service ok but the experience wasn't what it ought to be at these prices. We had the tasting menu with wine pairing. I never once heard what the courses were - the place is very noisy but more importantly the server seemed to be mailing it in. There was no proper introduction of each course. It felt that because we'd chosen the tasting menu, we were on an assembly line and no one really cared about our experience. That isn't how one should feel. The food was quite good - if only the servers cared...
(3)
Clay Y.
Very upscale Japanese restaurant, Service impeccable, wait staff very accommodating, friendly and explained each dish and presentation perfect. Everything is cooked to perfection. Table side presentation awesome. It's like dining in two different settings, inside you get the sound and noise bouncing off the walls but very elegant and air conditioned, the outside is more relaxed and if you get there before sunset you will be treated to an awesome sunset overlooking the boat harbor. If you can find parking on the street below it's $1.00 an hour, or valet. You can also park across the street for $7.00 and walk across the bridge on the second floor.
(4)
Ronnie U.
In the newest hip Edition Hotel. Take your date to this place and you'll feel transported out of waikiki to a world filled with hollywood celebrities. Designers did an amazing job with the renovations of this old hotel. Food - good but really you're here to appreciate the sights as much as the flavor. (not to sure what the hanging rocks are for) Expect to spend a lot but who cares, it's a special occasion!
(4)
Hillery G.
After visiting Morimoto's in New York, where we had excellent food, this was a bit of a downer. The service was just weird . . . it had been raining and we sat outside under a umbrella type thing. We wanted to sit in the three seats that were most under cover which seemed to be an annoyance to the server. The carpaccio was the highlight of the evening - really good. I also really liked the pineapple tempura, but others in my party though tit was too sweet - sweet is fine by me.
(3)
w w.
Morimoto Waikiki is an absolutely beautiful restaurants with beautiful food. Sitting outside was just a fantastic experience. We had the chef menu. It is good for the first time visitor, and yet we were. But I would order my own likeness next time going to Morimoto Napa, which means more traditional Japanese food. Don't take me wrong that the food wasn't up to par. The food were delicious, just that I think to dig into the real fascinating side of Morimot I would go for the Japanese side of his. And yet, the morimoto jinjo(not the cheap one nor the dai jinjo) was absolutely lovely! That's a can't missed item.
(4)
Leah R.
Solid food, but no surprises. Probably one of the best places to go to on the island, but I still don't feel that the restaurant as a whole is on par with the New York restaurant. Atmosphere is a lot more laid back here and tailored to being in the islands. White and very bright decor, while still trendy, pales in comparison to the New York location and the atmospheres they've created there. However, the outdoor seating and fire pits were nice touches and it's nice to enjoy some drinks out there. Service is a lot more laid back. I was actually disappointed that the service felt unprofessional and the servers weren't more eloquent when attempting to describe the dishes. It also seemed like they were constantly running around, so we weren't really being attended to. Put this in contrast with our experience in New York: There, we ordered so much that the waiter accidentally spilled a glass of water and a little got on my hubby's jacket. Not a second later, a manager was over there trying to help, and handing us his card to invite us back and cover the bill for the dry cleaning. Later they sent out even more dishes for us to enjoy on them. Totally unnecessary (I mean, it was an accident and it was a little bit of water), but greatly appreciated. It felt like they really wanted this to be a great dining experience for us, but I don't get the same feeling here. Given my less than dazzling takes on that stuff, the food is what still holds this place up. The seafood is fresh and the flavors are good. True Morimoto style and consistency, although I can't say that anything stuck out in my mind a month later...
(3)
Kehaulani C.
Went here to celebrate my husband's birthday...with all the great reviews I had to try it...not to mention he is an Iron Chef and we are obsessed with that show! This place is NOT fancy...I either walked into a modern cafe or the wrong restaurant. I was literally having dinner with my husband and the girl on my left and couple on my right...you are THAT close. They actually chimed in during the decision making process...LOL. The highlight of the night was the sake sommelier. She recommended a fabulous sake. The food was good but not worth the $300 price tag for 2 people (okay...it was including the sake). If you want some GREAT Japanese food I suggest strolling towards Lewers and checking out Kaiwa. So my my two cents...this is probably a ridiculously fabulous place to have brunch and maybe cocktails at the bar.
(2)
Ralph O.
The parents, the wife and I had dinner here on a Thursday night for the obvious reason that the restaurant belonged to Iron Chef Morimoto. We made reservations by Opentable with no problems. The service was A+and the servers knew their stuff. The restaurant was decorated in a modern look that fit right in with Hawaii lifestyle, just gorgeous. Unfortunately, I thought the food fell short. The parents and I got the tasting menu and the wife got a spider roll and fried whole fish as she is not a fan of uncooked food. I didn't try the spider roll but the wife enjoyed it. As for the fried fish, it was impressive that all the bones were removed but it tasted like any other fried fish that I had at a Chinese restaurant. As for the omakase, I won't describe every dish but see Kelly L's description as she does a great job. The dishes that stood out were the toro and hamachi tartare and the foie gras. Both were melt in your mouth delicious and I could have eaten these dishes all night. The vegetables with the artichoke/anchovy fondue was fun to eat. The "main course" of lobster, beef and pork though was a disappointment for me. The lobster was cooked with hot spices that didn't go well with the lobster. The beef was too sweet with the au jus that was used. I don't even remember what the pork tasted like. The nigiri sushi was good but I didn't think it belonged in a tasting menu. The dessert was okay with the ice cream and sweet potato cake. With the main dish and dessert falling short of expectations I can only give 3 stars. FYI: the sushi prices are for 1 piece and not the standard 2 pieces in Japanese restaurants.
(3)
John N.
Had dinner here while on vacation in Hawaii. Morimoto Came a little late so if you want to try the tasting menu, please arrive at least 2 hours prior to closing. Had to order other items off the menu as it was just slightly more than an hour before closing. I have to say every item I tasted was prepared well and tasted great. I had the surf and turf with a steak, poke, soup and other items. The dinner was quite expensive, but I knew that coming in. I would prefer to give this place 3.5 stars, but I'll round up for Chef Morimoto. Anyways, come here to impress people or to treat yourself to something nice. Know full well that your wallet will be sore. P.S. had the beers here and they are actually pretty good, even if it's close to 20 bucks a bottle.
(4)
Sheena C.
I'm not going to waste your time, so I'll make it quick. Atmosphere: Yes! Nice, swanky outside lounge-area overlooking the boat harbor with rice bowl-looking fire pits and the Edition is pretty... pretty (the paper towels in their bathroom are the thick, fancy kind--yes I judge places on what kind of paper-goods they stock in their bathrooms). Food: Disappointment. :( I mean, I wasn't bad, but it wasn't amazing. I only had a couple of sushi items off their lounge menu (did not go for dinner) and it did not blow me away. We actually ended up going to Yanagi later for the late-night specials and that was WAY better (esp. considering the price). Would definitely go back to feel fancy and drink with friends/the SO, but definitely not to eat.
(3)
Manda Bear B.
***************** REVIEW 400 ****************** 3.5 Stars Located by the Harbor of Waikiki Beach, inside the Waikiki Edition Hotel. This Morimoto is new, modern, tropical design in light green, white, beach shells, and orchid photos through out the wall. A huge kitchen with at least 20 chefs & cooks, open the less than 20 seats at the sushi bar. An open space dining room, with straight up row of beautiful wooden tables, white leather chairs, and an outdoor cozy patio with woodfire. I was surprised to see how big the place is. Even we got late RSVP via OpenTable for 9 PM on a WED night, but we didn't get to our table till 9:30 PM. The 2 hostesses weren't as welcoming as I would expected, very odd! We sat at the bar for a some Sake, now the server at the bar was very kind, kept checking on our table for us. While the hostess kept telling me "we will call you when your table ready!" I was like REALLY? I've been waiting for half an hour madam! We got sat down, luckily our server was very courteous & apologize for the delay. Here is what we had: DRINKS: - Morimoto ' Daiginjo' Sake - it was nice, they were out of the Ginjo, so this was an up-sell, well done. - Alber Boxler 2003 Alsace France Pinot Gris - nice bottle to pair! FOOD: - Oyster with mignonette, Thai, & tartar sauce - fresh and cold just how we like it. - Sashimi combo - super fresh, super well cut, and nice all around. - Tuna Pizza, Olives, Anchovy Aioli, Jalapeño - what a nice surprised, a server at the Sheraton Waikiki told us about this dish, I wasn't sure, but it wasn't a pizza, just a pizza size cracker on the bottom, super thin & crispy, with tuna sashimi topping - a huge dish to share. The Jalapeño was a nice kick to it! - Tempura calamari salad - white miso dressing, crispy onion - it's a super generous portion, enough to share for 4 people! The salad was nice & light, the tempura was crisp and tasty. - Oyster Foie Gras, Uni, Teriyake sauce - 3 huge oysters with a piece of Foie Gras & Uni on it, this was just too rich for my taste. Too much Teriyaki sauce, it kills the Uni & Foie Gras too over-powering! - Yose Dofu - fresh tofu prepared table-side, Kimchi sauce & Daishi broth. They serve freshly made Tofu at your table in a black pot, 8 minutes later, the came by & pulled in a liquid to make the tofu harden. They serve with green chai, fish flake, ginger on the side as well. It was an interesting dish, nice with Kimchi sauce. However, I wish the tofu wasn't that soft! - Scallop, XO jan, Tokyo scallions - 4 big pieces of Diver scallops, toping with a little crispy cracker, this was 1 of my top dishes of the night. Just perfectly cooked. - Seafood "Toban Yaki" - Kona lobster, King crab, mussel, clam, diver scallop, spicy red miso-sake broth - serve with crouton breads on the side for dipping. Almost reminded me of Cioppino Italian seafood dish, however, this was better. The broth was tasty, just anough spice to it and full of flavor. This was big portion to share. The portion was so generous, I'm so NOT used to it. Some dishes were good, some just mediocre. However, I'm glad we got to try many dishes as we possible can, after all, we were on vacation right? Our server was definitely made up for the earlier wait & not courteous hostesses. We had a good time and this is definitely a place for a bigger group, that way you can share the food. Overall: 3.5 stars For value: 5 stars For Food: 4 stars For Service: 3 stars Ambiance: 4 stars For Location: Inside the Edition Hotel and you can spot some celebrity here. We saw Nick Lachey & his fiancee Vanessa Minnillo. He was shorter in person, & she was simply gorgeous!
(3)
Ashley N.
I went to Morimoto Waikiki last year with my family to celebrate my birthday. I have been wanting to write this review for the longest time, but never got around to doing so until now. When I went, we made reservations and were quickly seated. The service was very good, as expected from a restaurant of this caliber. Since it was my birthday, I decided on the Morimoto Omakase Set ($120 per person), while my family all decided on choosing other entrees. Overall, the food was excellent. The Omakase did include a lot of raw fish selections, and being not too big of a fan of sushi and sashimi, it probably wasn't the best idea to get the Omakase. However I did enjoy a lot of the different courses, which were items I normally wouldn't have picked, but was glad to have tried. I do not regret ordering the Omakase at all. However, I was a little disappointed on the size of the entree course, since it did only include a taste of meat and pork, while many of the appetizers were several times larger :( On a side note, their foie gras chawan mushi was the best variation of chawan mushi that I've ever tasted. I would definitely get it again if I were to go back in the future. I would not recommend getting the Omakase if the other members of your party are ordering other items off the menu. The Omakase does take a very long time to finish, since the waiters will only bring you the next course when they notice you are finished with your current plate. For me, it did take over three hours to finish our entire meal... My family was disappointed by the fact that they did only bring out their items so it went along with the Omakase, since they had to sit for a few hours before ever seeing their entrees. Overall, Morimoto Waikiki does live up to Chef Morimoto's name. It is a very good restaurant to go to if you're going to celebrate an occasion, but mainly because of the prices of their dishes, I wouldn't come back in the near future just to have a dinner.
(3)
Steve B.
We were looking forward to a gourmet experience at the famous Morimoto restaurant ("Iron Chef") in Honolulu last Christmas. The restaurant is in a nice location next to the Hilton Village and has a great ocean view. Unfortunately, the food and service were a disappointment. My wife's salad arrived with someone's long black hair in it. When we complained, the server simply offered to replace the salad, but with no apology or expression of concern. The remainder of the meal was dry and over-salted. Not a four star experience but it came with a four star price.
(2)
Glenn N.
Had the opportunity to go to Morimoto's for dinner last night, As you walk in to this bright white and soft pale green room you are greeted by a friendly smile. the decor was nothing that I expected form a "Japanese" restaurant. You are transported to someplace like New York or LA. Fresh and clean very modern. Our server knew the menu inside and out and made great suggestions. We decided to eat family style so we ordered accordingly. The food we good but nothing special. I was looking forward to the Wagu steak and at $88.00 for a piece of meat my mouth was watering. However, the meat came to our table cold! Like it was sitting around for awhile. I would expect more from a fine dinning restaurant. But at least we had some good company to chat the night away.
(3)
Krystal F.
Dining experience was awesome. It was everything I expected from a top chefs restaurant dining at its best. Me start off by saying we are celebrating our honeymoon. The staff was very attentive. The food came on time for every course. We started off with a spicy salmon roll, fried calamari salad, the main entree was a deboned sea bass, the presentation was beautiful. For dessert we had sorbot. All very delicious.. The meal was reasonably priced. We would definitely come back here for dinner. The only thing I would say that was really high price was the wine but I didn't have any because my hotel complimentary drinks already made me feel saucy
(5)
Zoe B.
It's a great experience, we had a part of 4 yesterday, we ordered oyster foie gras (hot appetizer), takoyaki(abalone hot appetizer), loco moco, udon, and 2 orders of duck duck duck. They were all delicious and we are very fulfilled. We are so happy to make the right choice. And the best is that we got to see Chef Morimoto! We took a picture with him too, making this meal even more valuable. We would go back again to try some other items in the future. I told Chef Morimoto that the food was really good, and he replied me saying "I know" with a very confident tone.
(4)
Jana U.
Brandon was a wonderful server!! We came in with moderate expectations and were pleasantly surprised with the friendly service, delicious food and lovely outdoor setting. We had several dishes and all were expertly prepared and hot when they arrived at our table. The only issue was the wait time for our food. This is where Brandon really shined as our waiter. Sometimes waiters hide from tables when they know they've been waiting for food, but Brandon came out and personally gave updates in our food and apologized for the delay. The food was delicious and though the wait is long, it's worth it.
(3)
Mami S.
decent food at a high price is all I can say. too many other options in Waikiki honoluu!
(3)
Jorge C.
Continues to impress w/ innovative dishes & great service!!! Gotta stop by here every time we are in Oahu!
(5)
Ace S.
Went in hoping to get WOWED and I can't say I was disappointed because the food was great, but considering the name and the prices, I thought there was room for improvements. Their ice cream desserts were amazing, and I ditched my diet for them. As far as complaints go, this place was freezing cold with the AC on blast. So sitting outside might be the way to go.
(4)
Stephanie G.
We found this place thru Yelp! We followed the recommendations & got the chef's multi-course menu. All were hits with me, but some were clunkers 4 my hubby. I should let viewers be warned that I have an atypical palate. My mom's famlily is from Denmark, so I have a weird affinity 4 cold pickled fish meals. Definitely not standard American food. I would have rated them to the max, but they r extremely pricey. We live in Nor Cal & frequent the City 4 dinner & the price we paid was even outside SF norm. Oh well the outdoor dining experience was out of this world. Perfect weather with attentive service, even while it was busy & slow.
(4)
Cheyenne C.
Phenomenal! We sat at the sushi bar and had the best sushi of our lives. The sushi chef was so nice and treated up very traditionally. The cocktails were also amazing! We were staying in the Modern Honolulu Hotel (where the restaurant is). After dinner there, we also went to breakfast and lunch the next day. Three meals in a row must mean something, right? We went to Alan Wong's earlier in the week and can easily say Morimoto's was better - better service, atmosphere, cocktails and food! It was also half the price!
(5)
Tommie S.
The food wasn't spectacular, but the ambiance and location were. This was my last stop in Honolulu, and it was a perfect last stop. Service was great, the outdoor patio made me feel like an absolute celebrity (right next to a boat dock, didn't see much beach), and drinks were good (had the melon martini and something very similar to the Moscoe Mule). Enjoyed the pork gyoza and calamari salad. Nothing absolutely spectacular, but it was good. There weren't many people present for lunch, but that made it even better. You should go at least once...
(4)
Jo Ann A.
Excellent food & service! Fresh tofu appetizer made right at our table! Black codfish soft & tasty; large plate of loco moco with premium beef - gourmet style. Ambience great for that special occasion.
(4)
Charlene K.
Chef Morimoto was there! So this is what Heaven must taste like. Pork Belly dish has amazing flavor, Tartar slab is excellent and fun to eat. Sushi Combination presentation blew me away. A bouquet of assorted sashimi each cut was so delicate and tasty. The Surf and Turf steak is also succulent, it melts in your mouth and is seasoned so well your mouth will sing. Don't forget dessert! Chocolate peanut bomb is the favorite, it's rich and not too sweet. I liked the Vanilla roasted pineapple very refreshing light and sweet. It's a very modern fancy spot. I say date worthy. This was a special dinning experience. Mohalo to Chef Morimoto
(5)
Jeanette S.
I would probably have my last meal on Earth here. I shared the Chef Special and added on several other dishes with a friend, and I loved everything! I couldn't think of anything bad about any of the dishes I ate. The Chef Special, at $110, is extremely worth the price because it's a 9 course meal that turns out to be less than $15/course. I'm not exactly sure what everything is called, but this is the best I could remember everything by: 1. toro and hamachi tartare duo: this was really interesting because they presented it on this wooden plate where you have to shovel out your tartare 2. hot oil-seared sashimi kampachi with soy and yuzu: super yummy and tender and all the flavors eaten together made it really good 3. bagna cauda: dip the vegetables in the heated combination of olive oil, anchovy and garlic 4. pork shoulder: this was my favorite, but too bad I don't remember how they called it 5. this egg-ey soup tasted like those Japanese egg custard soups 6. a very fresh broth/soupey tea as a palate cleanser 7. an assortment of fresh nigiri sushi 8. the entree: Surf and Turf (Wagyu filet, lobster and ginger pork) 8.5. a complimentary dessert: panna cotta, soy milk and kuromitsu gelee 9. kabocha souflee: tasted a little like taro ice cream with custard Overall, I really enjoyed my dining experience here! The waiter was a bit slow, but was extremely patient as he explained everything a gazillion times. And the best part was, my friends and I got to see Chef Morimoto himself and shake his hand! :)
(5)
Hon H.
Had a fab lunch, started with the pork gyoza yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… which had a wonderful bacon foam surrounding it. Also the tuna pizza was perfect. For the main entree I chose chefs loco moto, yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… the gravy was seasoned perfectly and went well with the wagging beef. Overall the service is slow but the waitress was very skilled and made sure we had a wonderful time.
(5)
Alyssa K.
Amazing decor, food, service, and hello - up to 1000 Open table dining points! I highly suggest you download open table on your iphone to make reservations so you can take advantage of the points. Eat here twice during bonus hours and you'll get a $20 Open Table certificate. How awesome. Anyways, on to the review.... Came here for lunch with my husband after a week of many happenings. I was in the mood to treat myself and was glad I chose Morimoto's. I ordered the kakuni bento and he got the lobster sandwich. I loved the kakuni bento. The pork belly was cut up into small chunks so it didn't taste so fatty. Very tasty. I'm not a big fan of lobster but the hubs said it was great. For dessert we ordered the tofu cheese cake. It was seriously delicious. I've tried making it before and Morimoto's put my version into its death bed. I think Morimoto uses both tofu and cheese in his version. It's so light, fluffy and delicious. We also go the peanut butter chocolate dessert. That was good too, but we preferred the tofu cheesecake. We will be back for sure.
Outstanding service. I came to Morimoto's with 20 people in total. Martin, our server, was fantastic -- especially for putting up with my family, which is no easy task! He explained everything well, was very friendly and charming, and even remembered me the last time I came here over a year ago! Talk about service, haha. The dinner was sort of an omakase. The wagyu carpaccio was fantastic! Definitely get that for an appetizer. One of my family members is vegetarian, and they were very accommodating -- they made her a vegetable bibimbop and other vegetarian dishes. i am a huge dessert fan, and the peanut butter and chocolate dessert was pretty light, all things considered. So, so, so good though. Overall, the food was filling and delicious. The only downside to my experience was that Chef Morimoto wasn't there!
(5)
Sarah M.
My husband and I came here for our 2 year wedding anniversary. Located in the Modern hotel, It's a very classy joint great for special dates, and special occasions! We started off with salads my husband had the mixed green salad and I got the sashimi salad which were both fresh and yummy! We also got the spicy salmon roll, the salmon maki, and also the oh-toro which is the fatty tuna. The salmon sushi was all good, fresh, and yummy, The Oh-Toro was by far the most beautiful experience ever! It absolutely just melted in my mouth and i never wanted it to end!!! Now going on... For our main dishes we got the Chef's loco moto which is Chef Morimoto's spin on Loco moco and I got the braised black cod. The Loco Moto was okay... It was good but how glorious can gravy, meat, egg, and rice get then it already is. Now the braised black cod now is just delightful! I would most definitely revisit that dish everyday if I could! It just melted! My mouth just waters, just typing this out and imagining the flavors, and texture of it all! For dessert they brought out some mango sherbet on the house for our anniversary which was fresh light and tarty but in a good kinda way! then us being total dessert-holics we ordered a chocolate peanut bombe which was THE BOMB! we ate every last bite and would of licked the plate if it wouldn't make us look like classless human beings! As you can see we thoroughly enjoyed everything the only thing that went wrong was that we had to wait an extra 45 min for them to redo our main dish because they said it didn't come out the way they wanted which was all good because it was worth the wait! Our server was good, the food was amazing, the ambiance chic/sexy/classy and our night was perfect-o!
(5)
ET C.
President Obama ate at Morimoto's back in December when he visited his hometown in Hawai'i ( abcnews.go.com/blogs/pol… ). Should that be a reason for people to stop by? No. Should a patio view of the Ke'ehi lagoon and boats on the harbor be the main reason to come here for a meal? No. How about great food? That should do it. We really enjoyed Morimoto's Omakase menu ("chef's choice tasting menu designed to allow us to experience the essence of Morimoto cuisine") -see pictures attached. Aside from that, the restaurant offers a great selection of sushi, sashimi, soups, noodles, fish and meat main courses and cocktails. I ordered the Pikake Blossom (tru organic vanilla vodka, freshly muddled thai basil, lemon juice and theia organic jasmine liqueur) and decided that this was the best cocktail I ever had, period. Room for dessert? Try whatever the chef has on his tasting menu, you'll love it! P.S. Not convinced yet? This review is pretty thorough: alohaupdate.com/2010/11/…
(4)
Steve D.
Rude & uniformed employees to start. If you want to spend $60 on a Johnny walker blue label, that's right $60 go somewhere else. Good food but you will enjoy Roy's or Imanas just as much for half the price & get this, their employees won't treat you like crap. Also you can't park anywhere close unless you pay. Morimoto must pay for articles in magazines because this place is so overrated. Normally I don't care but I will also tell everyone to stay away from this place.
(1)
Faye M.
My BF surprised me by making Valentine's Day reservations for Morimoto, but I talked him into changing it to the day before Valentine's only because it's in Waikiki and we probably would have been caught in crazy traffic on V Day. Plus, with changing the day and time, I was able to rack 1000 Open Table points!! So from the time he told me we were going to eat there until the night of our reservations, I read all the reviews I could and was hoping that we would be one of the lucky ones and have a good experience. So we ate there Sunday - Feb 13th and it was a great experience! We arrived about 15 minutes early and didn't have to wait to be seated, and also asked to sit outside (the girls in the front were very friendly and nice, unlike some of the other yelper's experiences). It was a little cramped out there, but still a good use of the outside space. I already knew I wanted to get the Omakase, but was pleasantly surprised to find a special Valentine's Day Omakase menu! So I got that with the wine pairings, which was $75 more. My BF didn't want to get the Omakase, since he wanted to try different items - so he ordered the Takoyaki Balls, Clam Miso Soup, and not one, but TWO(!!) entrees: the Duck Duck Duck and the Lobster Epice. My Omakase was very good, I enjoyed every dish that arrived - but my favorite was the sushi! It was soo cute - one was a heart shaped salmon nigiri thing, another was a rose made out of sashimi, and there was an ika nigiri sushi that looked like a rabbit for the Chinese New Year! It also came with ebi nigiri and tomago - the tomago didn't have any rice though, but it was still good! My main course of the Omakase was Beef Wellington and it was soo delicious! There was a total of about 6 courses in the Omakase and I enjoyed all of them! The time in between courses was kind of off, but not so much so that I was getting irritated. My BF's choices were also very tasty - the Takoyaki Balls were hot and fresh; his Clam Miso Soup was a big bowl - and it was very delicious. The Duck Duck Duck was good - I had one of his spring rolls, and a bite of his roast duck which was moist! The Lobster Epice was roasted lobster with a spice rub - it was OK, on the dry side and I didn't really care for the spice rub - we both prefer our lobster to be steamed/boiled with just plain butter and garlic. All in all, it was a great night to spend with my Valentine - service was good - our waters were always filled and table wiped clean of any food and/or drops of water. Our waiter, Benjamin was friendly and didn't even bat an eye when my BF ordered his 2 entrees! He actually told me that he was proud of my BF - LOL!! On a side note - it is much more romantic to sit outside in the evening; not only because of the sunset and views, but the noise level is at a lower decibel. Inside would be more for a big party!
(4)
Cyndy K.
By default I had to give Morimoto's a star. Otherwise it would be zero stars They were not interested in serving us. We weren't interested in waiting. Aloha.....
(1)
Monthakan B.
Dont expect to see the Iron Chef himself just because it's his restaurant! But you can always expect good food and excellent customer service here, any day, any time! Went there for our Xmas dinner and it was awesome!!! The beef carpaccio and Gyoza with Bacon Foam was to die for!!! And dont let me get started on the Baked Oysters with Foie Gras..... Mmmmm, Yummo!!!!
(5)
Joyce F.
For: carpaccio, the modern Against: price, some food, typical service Other essentials: Free parking back in the boat harbor. It's a nice walk and less than five minutes. More: My friend and I went on an appetizer date and ordered the wagyu and whitefish carpaccio. That and the octopus carpaccio all have the same sauce but we ordered the second (whitefish) because the wagyu was so incredibly amazing. All three are hot and, though I prefer cold, I would definitely order them again. It's steep (wagyu $22) but, seriously, so worth it. There was a (cold) lamb carpaccio on the online menu but when we asked about it they said they 86ed that a long time ago. Sad. We also ordered the morimoto sashimi which was beautiful but anticlimactic. The sauces did not add at all to the fish. The yellowtail pastrami was okay, mainly because I love sashimi. My friend said it was interesting - not good or bad. It definitely had an interesting flavor combination. Lastly, we ordered the xo diver scallops. The sauce was good but salty and, as scallop lovers, we were both very underwhelmed with the dish. I'll definitely go back but it will probably be strictly carpaccio. Service was typical, offering suggestions every time they asked if we were ready to order. It seemed very posed. We sat inside but the outdoor patio looks breezy and cozy at the same time. While seated, you could see into the kitchen which I like. I think it gives me a false sense of cleanliness.The sake looked good but we passed on alcohol this night. Afterwards we cruised poolside at the Modern on one of their beach chair beds. There was a bar if that's your style but we just enjoyed the night air and bottle-lit trees.
(3)
Elaine D.
Now I don't mind paying for an expensive dinner provided that the food, service and ambiance was worth it. With that said, I was extremely disappointed with my dinner experience at Morimoto's. $70 for subpar food with subpar service in an ultra chic setting. Let's break it down. The Setting/Ambiance: clean lines, minimalist very reminiscent of an LA restaurant. The restaurant looks great but that's where you stop being impressed. The Food: I had the Kakuni (pork belly over congee) for an appetizer, the Morimotini and the duck,duck, duck for my entree with a side of bok choy. The pork belly was good but nothing to rave about. The drink was good and strong. The duck was the most disappointing dish I've ever eaten. It is duck done three ways and only two of the three were edible. The seared duck breast was ok though it could've used a little bit more flavor. Duck confit spring roll was good but then again how can you mess up a spring roll. Lastly, the duck meatball soup lacked the duck meatball and the soup had absolutely no flavor to it. It was a flavorless broth and a sorry excuse for a soup. The Service: was appalling! They looked like they had more than enough people running around and yet our own server was MIA for most of the meal! The food took way too long to come out. There was a void in between the appetizer and the entrees. The server barely checked in on our group to make sure our drinks were filled and since he was MIA we couldn't even flag him down when we wanted our check! This is not fine dining folks. Go there for the scene and the drinks, but don't expect the food to stimulate your taste buds.
(1)
Jade N.
29th Bday dinner with Mr. Nguyen. Morimoto is located in the New Edition Hotel in Waikiki. We ordered the "Chef's Choice" which was a nine course meal. price was very nice but worth it...Wowee it was delish! All of it. (view my pixies) the staff was awesome. very attentive to your needs and always made sure that we were comfortable. we sat outside which had a very gorgeous view of the harbor. the decor and ambiance definitely made you feel that you were in bliss. it's modern, clean, gorgeous style sets the mood for sure. to top it off...back to valet...the valet guy thanks us and addresses toney by his name... "Good night Mr. Nguyen (pronounced "win") " He pronounced it correctly too. wow. a must go/must try for sure!!!!
(5)
Grimeater A.
I was filled with extremely high expectations since Iron Chef Morimoto has been my favorite Iron Chef throughout the Japanese and American TV series. I definitely was not disappointed! For appetizers I had the Morimoto Sashimi, Pork Gyoza and assorted Nigiri. The Morimoto Sashimi platter was different from any Sashimi platter I've ever had. It was six stacked peices of salmon, maguro, hamachi and pork belly. Each piece than had it's own little topping and was accompanied by FIVE different sauces in cool little squirt vials. It was a fun experience experimenting with the different sauces. The fish was fresh and tasted great. Presentation was excellent as expected. Definitely a must order item. The pork gyoza was served under a translucent flavored dome. Totally cool. It was nicely flavored and went well with the tomato sauce and bacon cream. The assorted nigiri was fresh and came with generous sized portions of seafood. For my entree I had the surf and turf which came with fingerling potatoes over purple yam mash, morimoto style poke with avocado wasabi sorbet and a nice wagyu filet. My steak was cooked to perfection and eveything went well together. They even include a kelp tea thing for a palate cleanser to keep the surf and turf flavors seperate. For desert I had the Peanut Butter bomb and tried some of my friends Green Tea Haupia cookie thing. They were both yummy and tasted different from your standard run of the mill deserts. I can't wait to try the other ones they offer. Morimoto Waikiki is definitely worth the hype and a must try! The prices seem pretty reasonable too considering the caliber of food being served. Seeing him in the kitchen was an experience in itself. You can tell Cheft Morimoto is passionate about his food. 5+ stars!
(5)
H N.
This place is fantastic! We had taken my husband there for Father's Day and was very very impressed with the people, food, and atmosphere. The service from the waithelp (Josh and Mark), were excellent and the food was so well executed and cooked. This was one place that had mirugai nigiri and that was sooo delicious! The desserts, too, were just awesome! This was the best dining experience we've had in a long time and the manager (Chad) was so nice and accommodating. Thank you, Chad, for a perfect evening for all of us. Will definitely go back soon!
(5)
Lindsay J.
OMG. i dont know how to express my feelings for this place, but "morimoto, you sir, are a culinary GENIUS!" (high pitched voice when saying the word "genius") the hub and i had visited here with some friends a few months ago, and the food was exceptionally good. so, the hub wanted to come here for our 2 year wedding anniversary. the last time we were here, morimoto was, so we were star struck and ordered sushi relentlessly. he wasnt there when we went this time, but nonetheless the food spoke for itself. we were sat quickly, but it took a little while for our server to come and greet us. (mind you, this was a pattern i noticed through the night, but thank god the food was so amazing i looked past it). she congratulated us on our anniversary (we made our reservations on opentable.com , and i had made a note that we were celebrating a special occasion). we ordered some cocktails and appetizers, as well as some sushi to start off. the hub got morimoto's hazelnut beer, and i ordered the pear yuzu gimlet. he liked the beer, and considering the fact that it was an $18 beer, im glad. my drink wasn't too bad either. it seemed strong, but it must have been because i was drinking on an empty stomach. we were both starving, so i was grateful when our food started to come out. we ordered 2 pieces each of maguro, ikura, and uni nigiri, and a few maki sushi: soft shell, spicy ahi, shikai, and eel avocado. the freshness of the fish is so amazing good... every bite was accompanied by a content sigh and a "mmmm..." i also ordered the oyster foie gras, and let me tell you, IT WAS FREAKIN' DELICIOUS!!! 3 oysters on the half shell, topped with pieces of uni and foie gras, topped with morimoto's teriyaki sauce. the combination of flavors were perfect and soo mouthwateringly good. i wanted to order 50 more if i could have... damn hubby for talking sense into me. lol. we ordered our entrees to share; the rack of lamb and the 16oz wagyu ribeye. both were cooked to a perfect medium rare, and the maui onion jus that was poured onto the sizzling platter the wagyu steak came on was simply mouthwatering. we ate in silence... only breaking it to look at each other with beaming smiles and the occasional "mmmm..." knowing all well that we were happy with our food. for dessert, we ordered the chocolate mille feuille, which had a quenelle of spiced chocolate ice cream, brulee'd bananas, and a quenelle of ganache. there was supposedly an avocado sauce that came with it but only came in the form of a skinny smear, which was not enough to compliment the dessert. the dessert tasted good, just as long as you managed to eat all the components of the dessert together. my only complaint is that i feel they really need to work on their customer service. we must have seen our server maybe 2 or 3 times the entire night? that was a problem the last time we were here too. if you're dropping $200+, you actually want decent customer service. or at least your water refilled. price-wise, i feel it was pretty reasonable. they do offer entrees for under $40, and have sushi platters that run for about $50-ish. but food-wise, morimoto's is no joke. this is definitely one of our top favorite restaurants, and we will be back... do you hear me oyster foie gras? i will be back... nom nom nom. :) *valet parking is free...
(5)
Jet D.
Not as good as I thought it would be from the Iron Chef. The food was good but not great. Ambience is very nice. The best thing was the A5 Waygu beef which is off the menu. The Hamachi carpaccio was weird being grounded up. The place was totally empty - less than 15 people. I would only come back for the A5 Waygu beef.
(3)
Christine P.
We're huge fans of the Iron Chef, in fact, we're watching an episode as I write this. Morimoto is a culinary genius, so we obviously had high expectations going in. I loved the decor. Very clean, spacious and modern, with whites, mint green and greys. The sushi bar gives a nice view of the chefs working. The location is fantastic, with a nice outdoor section overlooking the harbor. The service was average, pleasant enough. They didn't flinch when we walked in with our two kids. Having the little ones with us prevented us from doing the omakase. So instead, we got: oh-toro and chu-toro sashimi, spicy yellowtail roll, ishi yaki buri bop, and chirashi. The presentation was beautiful. The sashimi and chirashi were a feast for the eyes. The buri bop was fun because they cook it tableside in a hot stone bowl, but as a hardcore Korean bibimbap lover, the concept was not new. Honestly, I was underwhelmed. Perhaps if we had a wider sampling of the menu, more things would have stood out. But for the prices, and the chef's reputation, we expected more.
(3)
Matt C.
I went to Morimotos for dinner with the fam on a friday night. Everyone knows that Masaharu Morimoto owns the restaurant so my family was curious about how good his menu isand this was what we ordered. Appetizers: - wagyu carpaccio: prob the best app i recommend this - whitefish carpaccio: pieces are small but still good - spicy tuna roll: its not spicy at all but the tuna is soft - softshellcrab roll: the least favorite of the apps - takoyaki: it isn't like any other takoyaki ive had, the batter tastes like pancakes! Main Course: - seafood tonban yaki: a bunch of mixed seafood in spicy red miso sake broth. The flavor is semi spicy and the broth is light and bitter. Overall it was ok but not filling. - loco moto: Your basic loco moco excect there is soft wagyu beef in it instead of a hamburger patty. Overall it was filling but i wasnt impressed. You could of sold it to me at a mediocre place and i wouldnt have known it was made from an upscale restaurant. - braised cod fish: butterfish with ginger soy sauce. This was the smallest portioned dish we has for the night, it also comes with no rice so we had to order a side. Overall I wasn't impressed at all. When i was at Morimotos I wanted to be wowed just like the judges were when he competed in iron chef. It's a place to try once and thats it, I know i will not be back here again. With the 3 of us eating tonight the bill came out to $175 not including tip and not including the plate lunch i went to get after. On a side note the servers all split their tips together so expect several different servers helping you out. Oh and you can't see their sign at night so you might get lost looking for the restaurant.
(3)
Scott K.
Food: My wife had the duck duck duck dinner, thought if was very tasty the duck melted in your mouth. Dish also came with soup and spring roll each containing duck, overall meal was impressive. I ordered the yellowtail hot rice bowl. I was very disappointed, felt it was simple and had no taste. I would not order this dish again. Service: was great we had a great waitress and all the support walking around filling up water taking plates was excellent. Summary: I will come back here again and want to try and order different dinners but was disappointed with my first experience at Morimoto's
(3)
Moshe H.
3rd time around . Same feeling of disappointment Food Is mediocre at best . I repeat , mediocre. Hamachi kama - is a 6 , nothing more Morios , gaku, yanagi, all of them are way way better , Hamachi belly sushi,- 5 , bear in mind . It's really not hard to make this dish good, t's rice ,fish , wasabi, - again u can find a better one even at sushi king , The List goes on, King crab legs over-spicy and rotten potato in the French fries ( seriously I took a pic ) Bi bim bap was ok, but rest is just mediocre , amazing decor , great ambience , but not enough to hide the fact that the king is naked , It's 3 times that I get here and I eat out a lot ! I come since EVRY time there's a new friend who wants to come and try this place so I go along with it , But seriously , do something about it , 400$ for 4 people with light type dinner and drinks and they tell u at the end that they put in the tip for u (18%) what it you want to give more ? Or less? Service is conceded , here's a tip to the waiter , you are my server . I respect you but you are here to make my time worth while not to teach me table mannerism and explains me why the tip is included , it cost you 50$ bud and I wish I had the pair to give you nothing at all. 2 starts cuz ur sake was good. And u valet . Punks See ya next tym with another dumb victim that will drag me here .
(2)
Olivia G.
Loved it! beautiful food; excellent/knowledgable service matched by gorgeous setting. Highly recommend
It's a little thread bare and we sat down to a really dirty napkin at my wife's seat. HOWEVER, the food was amazing! We had the chef's choice and it was fantasticalness. All was good and some items were great and we eat out a lot.
(5)
Jonathan G.
Glad we took a chance on this place given some of the mixed reviews. Not only did we love it, we are planning to go back for another dinner before we end our trip. Our server was exceptional and so was the meal. There were so many good appetizers that we ended up just ordering a bunch and making that our dinner. I ordered a nigori sake that was served with the bottle in a bowl of crushed ice to keep it chilled...that was a nice touch. My wife ordered a sake flight that she enjoyed despite not ever thinking she was a big sake fan. Absolutely no complaints about this experience! All the dishes were expertly presented and delicious!
(5)
Farhana D.
As soon as we made reservations on the phone, my friend and I got a bad feeling about this place. The hostess on the phone was very cold and short anywhooo we let that slide and were super excited to dine at Morimotos. The restaurant itself is beautiful BUT being a 4 star restaurant I was expecting more from the main courses and desserts. We started off with the tempura calamari salad which was the best thing out of our whole meal. For our main course I had the Toban Yaki: lobster, shrimp, clams, mussells and scallops in a spicy red broth and my friend had the crispy whole snapper.... our entrees were lacking flavor and just plain disappointing. We also tried 3 desserts: tofu cheesecake, chocolate peanut bombe and haupia semifreddo.....all the desserts were boring and tasteless , the only thing tasty was the accompanying ice cream *sigh*. I gave 2 stars for the service + decent apps and drinks. Sadly overall this place was a fail.
(2)
.Alan Y.
Meh. I wanted to come here to experience some Iron Chef action. But, I must say, it did not live up to the hype built up in my own mind. All of the dishes were beautiful to look at, but I'm not in agreement with the statement "we eat with our eyes". If food doesn't taste good, then it's a fail. And at these prices, this food needed to taste amazeballs. We ordered the Hamachi Tartare -- a minced hamachi spackled onto a wooden square plate and scooped out with a little trowel. Even though the dish was unique in appearance, it was a shame for the hamachi to be rendered into fish pulp. Morimoto Style Poke was okay. It was your standard ahi, served with peeled cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and bacon foam. The ahi was undersalted and the mozzarella was tasteless. The bacon foam and the peeled tomatoes were nice. Pork Gyoza. Let's just say, this would be a good value if it were only $4. Bagna Cauda. Raw vegetables and two small croutons dipped into olive oil and anchovy and garlic paste. Sounded great, but really underwhelmballs. We also split a salad and an avocado roll. Sadly, those were the two best dishes of the night. I wish I could at least talk up their bar, but no, their signature drinks were also weak. I suppose I might come back, but just to try an entree, then leave.
(2)
Sasha L.
Went to morimotos with some girl friends for lunch today, and as always am impressed by the decor! Morimotos has such a beautiful, calming ocean theme and is perfect for a nice lunch with friends. We went around noon and it was pretty empty. The lunch specials range from $15-30. I had the sushi and sashimi lunch special, and it came with tempura, salad, two California rolls and miso soup. I also had a carafe of their iced tea..so refreshing! Their sashimi as always is top notch, and after being alerted of my shellfish allergy, the server nicely substituted my shrimp tempura with a white fish tempura and my California roll (contains fresh crab meat) with a spicy tuna roll. Good looking out, thank you! My friends had the hamachi buribap, which is raw hamachi that they sear on the sizzling hot bowl it comes in, and mix your vegetables and rice into for you. It looked so good, I am definitely getting that next time! It was a little pricey, about $50 a head (with tip) for each of us for lunch. But it was a nice treat and such a nice relaxing leisurely lunch! Excellent service, great food and most importantly great company! I would come for dinner, but only if their best bartender Wade was working.
(5)
Cameron B.
Ambiance: very loud. It felt as if I could walk out of this restaurant and find myself standing in a casino in Las Vegas or the streets of LA. It just feels a little out of place in Waikiki. The servers are constantly pulling plates from your table, speeding past you, pouring water into your not empty cup. It seemed a little excessive. Service: As I mentioned above, very thorough. They kept our drinks filled and plates clean. Our server was very good about explaining the menu but the workers dropping the plates off seemed to forget their scripted lines about what each item was. Food: We ordered a little bit of everything - from cold apps to entrees. The lamb entree - which was recommended was very dry. The surf and turf which I had was very good but the surf part was filled with more filler than fish. We ordered some sushi too and wasn't impressed with the plating. Compared to everything else, the sushi was kind of boring. The beautifully presented toro or hamachi tartare (I can't remember which we got) was delicious, the tempura calamari was soggy - I do not recommend) the waygu carpacio was like butter and I highly recommend, the kakuni - is Morimoto's take on the standard konbumaki but way more delicious and I probably could eat platefuls of that stuff. Dessert: if you're going to recommend something, boast about something - it better be amazing. we ordered the chocolate tarte and the peanut butter bombe (which was recommended). Both were just okay, nothing special. The bombe wasn't very bomb - and I was expecting more of a burst of peanut butter but got a mousse with just a hint instead. The chocolate tarte had a drizzle of kona coffee which was so far away from the plate that it didn't make sense? Drinks: I had the mai tai, mori-mojito, prosecco and a few glasses of wine. Funny enough, the mai tai was the best one but the mixed drinks felt very watered down - or well made. No alcohol flavor what so ever. Would I come back here? Probably not. It's a beautiful restaurant, very touristy and loud. There were few things on the menu I would like to try but it's not a place that I'd rush back to.
(4)
Charlie A.
I really enjoyed the food and service here. I had the "Crispy Whole Fish" in spicy tofu sauce, and pickled papaya salad. Pricey but what an awesome experience! Enjoyed the best fireworks show on the beach for an extra bonus.
(5)
robbie l.
Ive been to the Morimoto's in Napa and now Honolulu. The Honolulu restaurant is much prettier and tasteful in decor and atmosphere. Having lived in Japan and knowing how to cook and eat japanese food I was not very impressed with the food here. I find it interesting that the celebrity chefs of late have parlayed their "success and fame" into these chain restaurants. Very few succeed in producing high level good food. Perhaps in Japan Morimotos japanese food is awesome and maybe he is catering to a western palate in the US which makes his food adequate. Presentation is great and pretty. Food isnt bad it just isnt spectacular. I was very surprised that the quality and texture of the rice served was so poor. Good rice should be slightly chewy al dente and glossy. This rice was dull dry and soft like it was sitting out all day....bad bad bad! You are paying for the name and decor. If you want good japanese food go somewhere else.
(2)
RosemaryAnn T.
I really wanted to love this place, but only ended up liking it. I think the service just didn't manage to tip the scale for me into the "LOVE" position. The setting was amazing. It was a gorgeous day and we walked through the restaurant to the deck in the back. We were all taken in by the decor--shades of whites, browns, and greens floor to ceiling, the square chairs surprisingly comfy. Since we were there at such an odd time, with the place empty, I guess I just expected faster service. Don't get me wrong, I can tell that every single thing that came out had taken a LONG time to prepare, I just didn't appreciate the wait. So as to not repeat the 423 other reviews, I'll just say what I haven't read in another review (not that I read them all, mind you). *Clam miso had an astounding number of clams in it--essentially one clam per two spoonfuls of broth. Wow. *The mini burgers had the cutest buns I have ever seen. Ever. Cuter than a baby's bottom. Seriously. *They were perfectly happy to customize my mojito (I prefer lychee over pineapple any day) but didn't seem to adjust any of the ingredients or proportions to account for the vast differences in the substituted flavor from the original. This surprised me. The mojito ended up quite generic, and I think it was due to this change and no further accounting for said change. There was no reason this shouldn't have been a flavor explosion. *The peanut butter fondant (like mousse made from resee's PB cups, food-gasm!) had gold leaf on it. There is only one thing in the world that I am allergic to and it _isn't_ peanuts. It's gold. I had to share this amazing dessert so that someone would take the gold off for me. *pout* I want that bite back!
(4)
Ronnie U.
In the newest hip Edition Hotel. Take your date to this place and you'll feel transported out of waikiki to a world filled with hollywood celebrities. Designers did an amazing job with the renovations of this old hotel. Food - good but really you're here to appreciate the sights as much as the flavor. (not to sure what the hanging rocks are for) Expect to spend a lot but who cares, it's a special occasion!
(4)
Hillery G.
After visiting Morimoto's in New York, where we had excellent food, this was a bit of a downer. The service was just weird . . . it had been raining and we sat outside under a umbrella type thing. We wanted to sit in the three seats that were most under cover which seemed to be an annoyance to the server. The carpaccio was the highlight of the evening - really good. I also really liked the pineapple tempura, but others in my party though tit was too sweet - sweet is fine by me.
(3)
w w.
Morimoto Waikiki is an absolutely beautiful restaurants with beautiful food. Sitting outside was just a fantastic experience. We had the chef menu. It is good for the first time visitor, and yet we were. But I would order my own likeness next time going to Morimoto Napa, which means more traditional Japanese food. Don't take me wrong that the food wasn't up to par. The food were delicious, just that I think to dig into the real fascinating side of Morimot I would go for the Japanese side of his. And yet, the morimoto jinjo(not the cheap one nor the dai jinjo) was absolutely lovely! That's a can't missed item.
(4)
Leah R.
Solid food, but no surprises. Probably one of the best places to go to on the island, but I still don't feel that the restaurant as a whole is on par with the New York restaurant. Atmosphere is a lot more laid back here and tailored to being in the islands. White and very bright decor, while still trendy, pales in comparison to the New York location and the atmospheres they've created there. However, the outdoor seating and fire pits were nice touches and it's nice to enjoy some drinks out there. Service is a lot more laid back. I was actually disappointed that the service felt unprofessional and the servers weren't more eloquent when attempting to describe the dishes. It also seemed like they were constantly running around, so we weren't really being attended to. Put this in contrast with our experience in New York: There, we ordered so much that the waiter accidentally spilled a glass of water and a little got on my hubby's jacket. Not a second later, a manager was over there trying to help, and handing us his card to invite us back and cover the bill for the dry cleaning. Later they sent out even more dishes for us to enjoy on them. Totally unnecessary (I mean, it was an accident and it was a little bit of water), but greatly appreciated. It felt like they really wanted this to be a great dining experience for us, but I don't get the same feeling here. Given my less than dazzling takes on that stuff, the food is what still holds this place up. The seafood is fresh and the flavors are good. True Morimoto style and consistency, although I can't say that anything stuck out in my mind a month later...
(3)
BestofHawaiibyKalani S.
If you love traditional Japanese style Sushi & Sashimi my recommendation is to sit at the Sushi Bar and tell them Omakase please. Chef Suda san is a perfectionist when cutting his fish. I love the menu but don't expect traditional Japanese style cuisine. Pros: 1. Very professional staff at the front checking you in. 2. Sushi Chef Suda San Knife skills is a big asset to Morimoto Waikiki 3. The sake/Soju & wine selection is priced right for all. 4. Don't feel rushed to eat your food and leave. 5. Great selection of food from the menu especially the yoshi dofu Cons: 1. The A/C vent keep dripping water on to our shoulders 2. No Amai ebi (Fresh Sweet Shrimp) 3. Nothing else I can think of... :-) I've been to so many Japanese restaurants in Hawaii and Morimoto is one of my top recommendations to eat. BestofHawaiibyKalani.com
(5)
Caleb S.
Food: 2.5 Stars Service: 4 Stars I am not sure what I was expecting when I walked in here, but Morimoto's failed to meet it. The food wasn't bad, but it wasn't what I would expect from a place that charges this much. It seemed uninspired and just didn't move the needle at all. We tried appetizers, salad, sushi sashimi, entrees and dessert, so this review isn't based off a single dish. The service was great, very prompt and friendly. The food came out quickly, but at our pace so we never felt rushed. Too bad the food flavor didn't match the service. I have to knock the overall rating based off the price to food quality ratio. TLDR: Save your money, try somewhere else.
(2)
Dbear T.
Morimoto was good, but not great. I would say it was innovative Japanese/Asian cuisine with a modern take. I ordered a few things Chinese and Korean inspired. I love sushi, but having good sushi available in San Francisco I decided to try the Chef's cooked menu to get a flavor of Morimoto's cuisine. For appetizer I had the hamachi tartare and this was very good. It was some minced hamachi served on an nice plate with 6 different sauces. It was so pretty and good I just wished I had more. I also had the pork belly congee as an appetizer. This was a take on the Chinese dish and definitely more flavorful than the congee I grew up with. Anything with pork belly tastes really good, but once again I wish I had more. For the main dish I had the yellowtail bop. It was a take on the Korean bim bim bop. It was good and I loved the sauce. I would say the sauce was different than the regular bim bim bop sauce and more soy sauce like. The yellowtail made it feel healthier and lighter than the regular bim bim bop. I liked the dishes I had better than my husband's. My husband ordered the oyster foie gras with uni. I like oysters and I like foie gras, but I'm not sure I like it together. The oysters were covered in a thick sauce. I felt the sauce was too thick and sweet for my taste. I would've preferred plain raw oysters. My husband also ordered the the spicy alaskan king crab appetizer. There was nothing memorable about it. It seemed like a suped up crab cake. For the main dish he had the duck, duck, duck. This dish was not that great and was duck cooked three ways. There was a duck roll that seemed a like something you could get at a thai restaurant in San Francisco. I did not try the other two duck preparations. I would say from what I ordered, I would have give 4 stars, but I did not enjoy my husband's food as much. Total tab including tip was $217 and included three alcoholic drinks. One thing to mention is that they changed waiters on us. We had a baby with us and they accommodated us well even with a baby. I was not sure we would be allowed to dine. The first waiter was excellent and might have been a solid 4 stars if they had not changed waiters on us. He doted on our baby and when he saw she was getting restless he gave us some stones and learning chopsticks to distract her a bit. Our second waiter was okay, but not as attentive. I also liked that each server who delivered our plate explained the food to us. That was a nice added touch.
(3)
Robyn N.
The hostess was small kine SASSY all three times I've been there. Yes the same GIRL! But super nice to my husband! Starters: Spicy King Crab... The sauce is deliciously spicy and the French fries it's served with is cooked perfectly! Crispy!!! Kakuni... Pork belly that cooked for 10 hours melt in your mouth. Takoyai abalone... Ewww! I was bummed last time cause they ran out. I get it this time and it SUCKED! I did not like it at all! Salad: Calamari Salad... More calamari than salad. It was ok. Sashimi Salad... Better than the calamari salad but, still nothing to wow about. Main: Whole Roasted Lobster "EPICE"... Best lobster I've ever eaten at a restaurant! Toban Yaki seafood soup... Yummy! The broth is wonderful!!! Clams are small and I don't like mussels but, other than that it's GREAT! Dessert: Peanut Butter Bombe... The salted peanut ice cream is BOMB!!! Probably the best ice cream I've ever had! Tofu hot&cold... Yuck! They should take that off the menu. Nothing about that was good! I do wanna try the crispy whole fish next time! :) I love the atmosphere and everything else about the Waikiki Edition Hotel!
(4)
Scott M.
My wife and I had just spent two wonderful weeks on Kauai and were slowly preparing for re-entry to the real world by doing some shopping at Ala Moana and dining in Honolulu. We were staying at the Moana Surfrider and decided to ask the concierge for a recommendation for really great sushi/sashimi. She had a few suggestions, but, top amongst them was Morimoto (and Nobu, but we know Nobu well here in Melbourne). I'd never heard of Morimoto. We don't watch American TV cooking programmes, and knew literally nothing about the chef, the venue, the menu; all we knew was the name and location and a recommendation from the concierge. So we said yes. We were lucky, the concierge was able to get us in for a 1700 seating, same day, and when it was a very busy season (02 Jan). The venue is gorgeous, spacious, comfortable. The service: WOW. My wife and I try to figure out how restaurants work, the zones, positions, etc, and Morimoto had, as far as I could tell, an unexpected way for the waiters to cover tables. It appeared that they would have tables to-and-from the front of the restaurant, rather than along the strong horizontal arrangement of tables themselves. I mention this because it creates a very subtle, yet pleasing, effect: The table immediately to your sides may have an entirely different waiter/waitress than you get. This makes the service feel more intimate, more specialised, and that there's plenty of staff to go around. I liked it, I appreciated it (and if you're reading this, Morimoto, I hope I'm not insane in noticing this). The meal: Spectacular. Every dish was fantastic. There were several things we wanted to order more of (the maki...we ended up with two extra maki rolls ordered at the end of the meal...YUM). Fish was fresh, excellent preparation, great presentation, everything made is smile and say "mmm" -- just last night my wife asked to go back! (If only we weren't thousands of kilometres away...) So, why only four stars instead of five? I have a rule about reviews/ratings: Consistency is key. I need to visit somewhere a few times and make sure that my initial impressions, no matter how rosy they may be, match up with a consistency of approach by the venue. I have no doubt that our next trip to Honolulu (later this year) will result in another Morimoto meal and I'll bump this up to 5 stars, but since we were at the last night of a spectacular holiday, I felt it fair to give it a second go, just to be sure. I'll also mention this: Some people complained about the prices -- in my opinion, they're insane. It was entirely reasonable for the meal. You should try eating out in Australia some time, where the same meal would cost you four or five times as much... GREAT restaurant, can't wait to return!!
(4)
Kelly G.
The best boyfriend in the world, who happens to be my boyfriend, got me, the Iron Chef fanatic, reservations to Moriomoto for my birthday! He tried really hard to keep the reservations a secret but the reservation email slipped up when he was showing me something on his monitor. Just remember that they have free valet parking at the Waikiki Edition Hotel for the restaurant! We were seated outside on the lanai, although kitchen seating would not have been half bad either. But onto the food and service! Drinks: Pikake Blossom - This drink intrigued me because the description included an organic jasmine liqueur. Although the jasmine didn't have a strong part in the drink, it did create a flower essence that I enjoyed. Moriomo-tai - Good mai tai drink, a bit more on the sour side for me. The bf really enjoyed this drink Morimoto Hazelnut - Superb beer. Loved the hazelnut accent! Great amber ale for all beer drinkers. Morimoto Imperial Pilsner - As the waiter poured this beer out, I thought he had brought the wrong beer out! An imperial beer that looks like a pale ale? But the moment you drink it, you definitely get the imperial flavors. Quite the intrigue! The waiter said most people keep the ceramic bottle as a souvenir but I was so buzzed I completely forgot about keeping it! Food: Lamb carpaccio - DELICIOUS. The bf is a fan of lamb and the moment I saw this appetizer, I knew he would get a kick out of this dish and he did. Loved everything about it. 16 oz Wagyu ribeye - DELICIOUS. Again another bf favorite. He couldn't stop eating. When it got down to the last few bites, he was trying to savor eat bite. The maui onion au jus was the perfect compliment to the steak. Moriomoto Omakase - DELICIOUS, worth it in my humble opinion 1. Toro & Hamachi tartare - Fun dish. Fresh fish. Classic Morimoto plate design. 2. Prepared Hamachi - excellent fish 3. Bagna Cauda - I could not stop myself from scraping every last bit of the artichoke/anchovy paste at the bottom of the olive oil fondue. 4. Fois Gras Chawan Mushi - Smooth, savory, yum. 5. Seafood tea broth? - Came as a palette cleanser 6. Assorted nigiri - Again fresh fish. Everything was yum. 7. Main entree - Lobster claw epice with creme fraiche with green onion had a Cajun-esque flavor that the fresh cream complimented nicely, Wagyu New York Strip beef with Maui onion au jus, ginger pork with asian pear marmalade which somehow outshined the pork itself! 8. Pre dessert of a tofu/jelly with peanut flavor, but was the 24 carat gold flake necessary? 9. Okinawan sweet potato cake, ice cream and foam! Chocolate peanut bombe - again, is the 24 carat gold flake necessary? delicious nonetheless. Morimoto "1972" sake - smoooooooooooooth. Service was excellent. They timed my omakase appetizer with the separate appetizer we ordered and our desserts as well! Everything came out as expected and more! Love love loved my experience here. Too bad Morimoto himself was not here for me to take a picture with or else it would have topped off my already excellent night. Would love to come back when my wallet can support my expensive eating habit.
(5)
Nat N.
Honestly speaking, we only came here because we had a gift card. I had not heard anything strikingly positive about this place, and my impression from reading reviews and listening to feedback was that it's just the name that gets people in the door, not the quality of the food. So my expectations were not high. The nice thing about having low expectations is that if you have a bad experience, you won't be disappointed because you didn't expect much to begin with, but if it turns out to be something better than what you expected, then you walk away happy and glad that you gave it a shot. In this case, I am happy to report that Morimoto's has exceeded my expectations! First of all, I love how they are on OpenTable.com . It's so easy to make a reservation using that website. Our reservation was at 7:15 pm on a saturday night. Many Yelpers have complained about how long the wait was, even with reservations, but we were pleasantly surprised when the waitress seated us at our table at 7:15 pm, right on the dot. Our waiter was outstanding. He was very professional and was very helpful when we were deciding on what to order. Here's what we devoured: Appetizer: Takoyaki. My hubby loved it but I thought it was a little too rich. Salad: Tempura Calamari Salad - loved it! It came with a generous portion of calamari, fried to a crisp. Entrees: Crispy Whole Fish - loved it! The fish was deboned (the only reason why we agreed to order it. According to the waiter, it's the most highly ordered item at the restaurant. I can see why. It's not too often that you can order a whole fish, deboned. The tofu sauce was not overpowering and not spicy at all. Ishi yaki buri bop - LOVED it! It came with 4 generous slices of hamachi - so delicious. Dessert: haupia semifreddo - loved it! We split this because we were so full from our meal. This dessert was not too sweet and was the perfect compliment to our meal. The hubby was overly impressed with the size of the portions. On the way to the restaurant, he said we were going to have to make a stop at Zippy's on the way home because the portions were going to be manini, but that was not the case at all! The portions were very generous indeed and big enough to share between two people. We also liked the decor and vibe - it's very modern and hip. It's a little noisy if you dine inside. I would think it's probably a little less noisy if you dine on the outside.
(4)
Natasha D.
It was "okay". Our 1st night we went to Nobu which was AMAZING & heard this spot would be the same if not better. Well, it was okay. When I called to make reservations they asked if we were celebrating anything special. I let them know our honeymoon & thought we'd get at least good seating. Nope, sandwiched in between another couple (who was super cool) and this annoying table/walk way. I got the sake flight which was awesome. I asked for the Chef's choice and when delivered my server (who looked high) goes here you go. I ask "which is which" his reply "oh, um, do you want to know about them"....WTF any time you get a flight of ANYTHING they explain whats what! Fine. I let that roll off. Appetizer was spicy tuna (MEH..nothing spicy or good about them) & oysters, pretty good. Not fantastic but good! Entrees: Husband had the surf and turf, loved it! Said the steak was phenomenal. I had the yellow tail rice dish that is cooked against this stone that heats to about 400 degrees. PHENOMENAL! Here, something that redeemed itself. Desert: Chocolate Moulton Cake. Yuck. Tasted so dry. I kept drinking water after 2 bites, I was over it so I left my husband to finish. All and all, the server sucked. The dinner was over $200 & I would have taken that back to Nobu or a hole in the wall sushi joint any day.
(3)
Kristine T.
We went for dinner on my birthday and it was my very first experience at Morimoto Waikiki and at a "celebrity chef's" restaurant. Everything we ate, tasted good! However...the experience just wasn't quite all that we expected. We ordered the "Morimoto Style Poke" and the "Whitefish Carpaccio". Both delicious but the quality of the fish in the poke just wasn't as good as we were expecting. It was good, but thought it would be better at a Morimoto restaurant. Same with the "Chirashi". We were expecting better quality fish within the entree. It wasn't bad, but we were expecting better. The "Braised Black Cod" also tasted good. But the piece of fish seemed small for a dinner entree. The way it was plated too, perhaps made the piece of fish seem unusually small. The "Chef's Loco Moto" was also delicious, but again, maybe the plating of the entree contributed to the experience of the dish. This was served on a large round white plate. Half of the plate was rice. The other half was the wagyu beef in gravy. In the middle was the sunny side up egg, which seemed small...but maybe because the portion of rice and beef and gravy was large? The restaurant has light, lime green chairs, some of which looked dirty from wear and tear. Same goes for the white fabric-ed menus. They looked dirty. The food, I thought was good and tasty, but some of the other elements for an exceptional dining experience were lacking. Maybe my "standards" were a bit higher because this is a restaurant of a "celebrity chef". I don't know? :)
(3)
Joanna Y.
Ok, so I guess Morimoto's is not known for their sushi. I was thoroughly disappointed when my one piece hamachi and spicy hamachi roll were probably one of (if not) the worst pieces of hamachi I've ever had. Comparable, or worse than Genki! I'm not sure if it was just the chef that was working, but I had high expectations for a restaurant as this. My saving grace was the Lobster Melt sandwich. I went during lunch time with my bf and I LOVED this sandwich. Generous chunks of lobster meat, juicy tomatoes, and melted cheese stuffed in between perfectly toasted bread. Ho mah gawd. This came with fries (which I must add were perfectly crisp and seasoned so I didn't need ketchup), salad, and pickles. My bf had the Loco Moto lunch set, which is Morimoto's take on a loco moco but with wagyu beef. I had a bite of his and it was pretty good. His came with rice, miso soup, and a salad. I also really like the decor. Super modern, nice and spacious atmosphere. Lunch time was not so packed but I can imagine it getting more packed at dinner time. We made reservations for lunch but it wasn't necessary. I would go again for the Lobster melt, or try the Seafood Teppanyaki that my bff raves about.
(4)
Robert N.
Good food, not great and definitely not worth spending the money we spent. I wouldn't go back and I would suggest those wanting great seafood to look at the local ma and pa places to provide a better product at a lower price. Sorry but I wasn't thrilled :-(
(3)
Miyako L.
Motto Morimoto kudasai !! This meal was definitely a highlight of the trip. Strategically placed in the lobby level of the gorgeous Waikiki Edition hotel, this restaurant overlooks the harbor out onto the ocean. It was hard to make a choice whether to dine inside among the all white, super modern furniture with beautiful accents of orchids and coral... or outside on the warm and welcoming deck with a great view. Seeing as how it was one of the only days it did not rain on our trip, we opted for the deck in efforts to try to take advantage of the good weather :) We started with some delicately balanced cocktails that all had a very unique flavor quality about them. Next was the ahi pizza. This is very thinly sliced fresh ahi, placed on top of a cracker thin herbed crust, topped with crisscrosses of japanese mayo, slices of red onion, sliced jalapenos, and some kind of tasty sprouts. So good. Next was a sashimi cesar salad. I was curious how those two items would taste together, but somehow Morimoto's pulled it off! The sashimi skin is crusted with herbs and nori and placed next to a few leaves of seasoned romaine lettuce and sprinkled with a few croutons. Yum! Light, and tasty and perfect for lunch!! The third dish we shared was Morimoto's mini sliders. The sliders were made of Kobe beef, and each had a small piece of teriyaki salmon that was snuck in between the two buns too. The shoestring fries were sprinkled with nori and crystallized wasabi and had a mysterious dipping sauce that made you crave more. Overall such an awesome meal at Morimoto's of Waikiki, I can't wait to come back and try more of the menu!!
(5)
Jenny K.
I was looking for a fine dining place to eat at and this place came up the service was good, food is beautifully presented but when I ate it I was not impress at all!
(4)
Robert S.
Well I like this we had some amazing stuff in my opinion. The oysters Foi Gras and pork belly are divine. Duck, Duck, Duck is very good and the angry bird is good also. Was nice to find this place as a surprise Birthday dinner place.
(5)
Keiko J.
One word. ...terrible. Unsophisticated service. Nice plate but food no taste ...very sad. Such a nice interior ...but when I walked in to the restaurant, the place smells like fishmonger.
(2)
J D.
Amazing, and an amazing deal! I've also eaten at Morimoto's in Tokyo and this was just as good. $110 for a 9 course tasting menu, of plate after plate of amazing stuff, including a pre-dessert, dessert. Yum! If you're not keen on letting the chef choose, you could easily create a 4 course meal for yourself for under $100. They also have plenty of reasonably priced wine bottles. The best thing we had was not on the tasting menu, buri bob (yellowtail seared on a hot bowl at your table) , so simple and delicious. I'd definitely go back if I end up in Waikiki again...and I'll go to any other Morimoto restaurants.
(5)
Dave N.
It all depends on your expectations... The last time I went to where Morimoto Waikiki is located, it was part of the Ilikai Hotel. I was impressed by the Edition Hotel's renovations. Very upscale, very modern/trendy. The Morimoto Waikiki Restaurant takes it a step further with their decor. The layout is very open and, as mentioned in other reviews, the interior design is done in a modern, light green color scheme. As another reviewer mentioned, the three or four hostesses or receptionists were not the most friendly types. They weren't snobby or sassy, just not cheerful. They put no effort into pretending they were happy my wife and I were dining there. We had the earliest reservation, so my wife and I were the first customers to be seated. This gave us the opportunity to not only check out the restaurant, but also observe the employees in action. All kept very busy setting up, polishing already clean glasses and silverware, and other 'keep busy' tasks. Our waiter, Paul, spoke with a non-American accent, so it kind of added to the formal dining experience. if I were to guess, I'd say he was/is from New Zealand. (Forgive me if I am in error about Paul's accent.) Paul was extremely attentive to our needs and very well knowledged about everything on the menu - including the wine and sake. But this is what one would expect of a waiter at a restaurant of this level. Nonetheless, five stars to Paul. We started with appetizers - the sashimi salad and the 1/2 donzen market oysters. Portions were a bit on the small side, but we were their for quality, not quantity. Five stars for the salad, four at best for the oysters. Perhaps my expectations for the oysters were high, but they just missed the mark. There was nothing wrong with them at all, but I have had better at much lesser restaurants. I should mention, my wife ordered a glass of the Martin Ray Pinot Noir and I had the Morimoto Sake Moriawase (sake flight). Paul did an excellent job describing the characteristics of both my wife's Pinot and each of my four sake offerings. Next, we ordered some nigiri sushi. My wife tried several of her favorites and thoroughly enjoyed each. I had the sake (salmon), hamachi and oh-toro. I expected a lot from the sushi being served at Morimoto's and was not disappointed at all. The sake met my expectations, however the hamachi and oh-toro easily exceeded what I had hoped for. The hamachi I had that night was probably the second best I have ever had. (Best being from Nobu's in Las Vegas. I should note, the Las Vegas Nobu's has better hamachi than the Waikiki Nobu's - at least from the times I have dined at each.) The oh-toro... Best I have every had. (This might not be saying much as I normally do not order oh-toro. I have tried oh-toro from Nobu's in Las Vegas, Hakone in the Hawaii Prince Hotel and a few lesser restaurants and sushi bars.) For our main course, my wife and I shared the Chef's Loco Moco. I believe Paul called it the Loco Moto. My wife may have wanted to order something different, but she really enjoyed this dish. I, the one who decided to order the loco moco, actually thought it was okay at best - three stars from me, five from my wife. There were very small pieces of wagyu beef and not much of it. The gravy, which my wife loved, wasn't to my liking. I think I'm just not familiar with the hayashi style gravy. Being thoroughly full at this point, we opted not to order dessert. However, when my wife made our reservations, she mentioned it was our tenth wedding anniversary. With that said, Paul proceeded to surprise us with a guava sorbet. I expected a lot from Morimoto Waikiki and was not disappointed at all. Unfortunately, because my expectations were so high, I need to hold the Morimoto Waikiki restaurant to very high standards. If I could give them four and a half stars, I would. However, I just can't get myself to give them five stars. Unfair? Perhaps. Our tab came out to a couple dollars under $200. With tip, $240. My wife and I definitely cannot afford to go to Morimoto's often, but we would definitely go again.
(4)
Z Z.
This place is probably on its last leg. Went here for lunch on a Saturday afternoon and the restaurant was empty. My first impression was that the decor was ugly and old. The vomit green leather chairs were ripped and uncomfortable. The table that featured moss inside was a cool idea, but the water looked like it hasn't been changed in years. It also looked liked they recently painted the tables because there was paint drippings running down the sides of some of them. While these things are trivial, it speaks volumes about one important aspect; attention to details. As for the food...I ordered the chicken katsu sandwich, which came with a thin slice of chicken, shredded cabbage, and toasted white bread....yes, white bread. Wait, wasn't Chef Morimoto an "Iron Chef?" WTF?! I would expect this at a cheap local plate lunch place, not at an "esteemed fine dining establishment." While the sandwich was edible it was not enjoyable. We also ordered the soft shell crab roll, which was only part of the meal that I thought was decent. I also want to mention that our $14 cocktail which was supposed to have homemade lavender syrup tasted nothing like lavender. Also a bummer. My meal was so subpar that I decided to skip desert. Lastly, I want to point out that for the most part the lunch menu was somewhat reasonably priced...however, they did have some jaw dropping menu item prices (ex. $14 Kona Coffee and $18 Rouge beers). I would not recommend this place unless you are just looking for sushi and are willing to skip on everything else.
(2)
Tina T.
Gorgeous restaurant located inside the modern hotel. As soon as I walked in, I knew I was in love. Fresh, clean, modern, chic with a touch of seaside glam. Everything inside that restaurant was beautiful down to the smallest details. The chopsticks were so cute (if anybody knows where to get them please let me know)! My bf and I made reservations for our last night which we almost cancelled b/c we were so full from having a late lunch. Decided to go anyway as it was our last chance. We ordered a couple cocktails, the spicy king crab, seafood toban yaki (side of rice is a must to soak up the broth) and peanut butter bomb for dessert. Next time we are back, we plan to stay at the modern and give Morimoto another try (on an empty stomach of course). Everything was delicious but we want the full experience next time! I didn't rate 5 starts b/c the service wasn't consistent throughout the evening. Our server was great, very knowledgable on menu items and offered great recommendations, however, front desk could use some work. We were not greeted and some woman who looked to be employed there stood behind the counter and chatted with what looked to be a friend the whole time. When we were finally greeted, we were given no direction to be seated in the wait area (though obvious). It just wasn't warm or inviting and def kept us anxious after we were seated. Fortunately our server was awesome.
(4)
Diana T.
Husband and I had our 1st Year anniversary dinner at Morimoto Waikiki. Nice environment, great food, friendly service. However, portion is kindda little, but that's what fine dining is. We made reservation from open table and we had a complimentary Ice cream at the end saying "happy anniversary" on the plate, very sweet~
(4)
Brad S.
Very disappointing. Would not return. Morimoto is a nicely appointed space in the hotel Modern. We booked for a table of 8, on Sunday the 29th. We arrived and the restaurant is completely empty, a bit of a buzz kill right off the bat. Even though there are only two other tables seated in the 200 person restaurant, they ask us to hang out in lobby , to have us order drinks. Cocktails are prepared well. We were sat at a large table, in the middle of the dining area. We order apps , the spicy crab legs and gyoza. things take a good while to come out , even though there are at least 10 kitchen staff and fewer than 15 patrons. These apps are good, not great. We order some sashimi at the same time. There is an odd ventilation problem that blows smoke and odor into the dining area. The service is awkward, big gap between app ordering and main course. Its so disconnected that the bus staff actually collects our menus before we have ordered entrees. Things come out too slow , then an avalanche putting multiple rounds of apps on the table at the same time. Waiter apologized a few times. The sushi is fresh and passable, hamachi tacos are good. The crispy rock shrimp are dunked in so much sauce that the breading actually falling off and terribly soggy. It's bad. For entrees, we had the turf and surf, pork chop , angry chicken and seafood toban yaki. Two steaks come out cremated, instead of Medium. The steaks are served on a sizzling hot plate. This adds to the problem, because when the meat sits in the pass , waiting to be served for too long, it will overcook, just on the serving plate. The waiter was again very apologetic, he comped a steak, but then took 30 min to get the replacement out ( in the totally empty restaurant). News flash, it takes 5 minutes to cook a baby fillet. Pork chop cooked nicely, juicy, but the sauce and crust was so salty , it was inedible. Angry chicken had a very interesting flavor, but the sauce tasted like it was concentrate that had been over reduced, and like the pork chop , was so salty we could not finish it. My toban yaki was missing several of the ingredients and more than 1/2 the clams were shut when the dish was served. This is cooking 101, don't serve shellfish that is not fresh, you can sicken people. Any first year chef should have caught this problem with the dish. The crab, which was good in the appetizer, was over cooked in the toban yaki, it was like rubber. The two shrimp were visually appealing , but done to the point they tasted like clay. The broth was very salty , unpleasantly so, but not as salty as the chicken or pork. You could at least eat it. Service- as said , awkward. I'll give the first waiter this, he tried hard. To add insult to injury, the waiter was split shifted and sent home midway through our service, leaving another waiter to pick up the pieces of our wrecked experience at Morimoto. Check open table for the same weekend, you will see another similarly unimpressed guest from the only other table seated in the dining room while we were there. Sad that a world class chef like Morimoto would allow his name to be attached to a restaurant like this.
(2)
Tabby K.
Update for inflation - The sashimi and tempura set is$32 now. Still delicious though!!
(5)
Chris G.
Iron Chef, Morimoto, should be happy to know that I had a good dining experience. The reviews seem to be mixed, but mine was nothing short of first rate quality. I must start by saying I was with another couple, who have a business relationship with the restaurant, so the staff was on their game from the second we sat down. We received several personal welcomes from managers and staff. The location is in The Modern hotel, which lives up to the name, very clean and modern - see related restaurant pictures, it reminds me of South Beach, FL. Our experience began at 7 pm on a Saturday night, and ended at 11, not sure where the 4 hours went, but I guess time flies when you are enjoying yourself. We sat outside, under the tent, with an ideal marina view. The entire setting felt special, again, see the pictures. We must have had 8 different people address our table, and they all came with insightful details on the food and drinks. Extra kudos to our head waiter, Martin, who was rock solid. For starters, we had several beverages, including the litchi martini, a local take on the martini (A), and my favorite, the Cucumber Shiso Collins (A+), made with Bombay Sapphire East Gin, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, fresh cucumber and lemon juice a cucumber cocktail, which reminded me of a mojito, but better! Our group also enjoyed a few bottles of white wine, they have a smaller wine list, but good choices. As for the food, we had a group of 4, so we went family style, utilizing our friends experience. - Tempura calamari salad, tasty, B+ - Tofu table side, delicious and a fun interesting process to witness, A - Ahi pizza, if the combo sounds good, you will not be disappointed, A - Crispy Rock Shrimp Tempura, seemed a little heavy on the breading, B - Chef's raw bar combination, filled with wonders from the sea, fresh oysters, Keahole lobster, and Alaskan king crab legs, the lobster and crab is already cut, A - Wagyu Beef, perfection! A - Crispy Whole Fish, loved the presentation (see my picture), I thought this was tasty, but not amazing, B+ Drinks Grade: A Food Grade: B+ Service Grade: A Overall Experience: A- They also have a cool bathroom, make sure to check it out, which I use as an indicator when it comes to a good overall experience. I 'almost' felt like I got what I paid for, 4.5 stars.
(4)
Heather A.
Very modern & clean!! A different feel for Hawaii, so it was nice to experience that. We enjoyed the sushi & the drinks.
(4)
Hanna M.
The food was average at best. For what it costs the food should have been excellent and the service amazing...but not the case at all... our bill for ten people was somewhere between 1500-2000...the food looked good and was presented well, but wasn't special in taste at all. half of us ordered the pre-set chef's menu which was not good at all. I felt bad for those guys. The biggest problem is that the whole dinner lasted about four hours which was WAY too long!!! There was too long a wait between the courses and when we told the staff they were apologetic but definitely not any faster. Disappointment!!
(2)
Jason S.
I was able to visit my favorite resturant this week and try a whole new array of different dishes. The dishes we had were the wagyu ribeye steak, spicy hamachi maki, tuna sandwich with focaccia bread, soft shell crab roll, kakuni, and green tea ice cream. The dish I most enjoyed was the Tuna sandwich. This is not your ordinary tuna sandwich. They use big eye tuna along with roasted garlic mayo and arugula. The focaccia they use is house baked and outstanding! Then again mostly everything there is house made and at its freshest! Even the green tea ice cream is house made! Everything I've had at Morimoto's has by far exceeded my expectations each time. And as always the staff including the GM has been very hospitable and gracious. Always a pleasurable experience! Jason S.
(5)
Seth M.
Got to watch Chef Morimoto prepare a private meal while we are. The portions were phenomenal and the food was ultra traditional, demonstrating and amazing control over the science of the ingredients. The service staff was top notch and really demonstrated what fine dining is all about. The place was loud, crowded, and reservations are an absolute must. If you like Japanese cuisine and have a few bucks to spare, I highly recommend it.
(4)
Tom L.
The service and food here are outstanding - but it is definitely a $$$$ experience. Lunch for 5 with the tip and drinks was over $500. Small portions - not unusual for a 5 star fusion restaurant.
(4)
superman o.
I was so hoping for this to be a big dream come true. But to no avail. My $85 "wagyu" steak was over cooked to med-well when the waiter boasted "chef recommends medium rare." It tasted like an average "ranchers reserve" from safeway! The nigiri sushi toppings looked like it was cut with a razor blade. The otoro was discolored and the king crab tasted like freezer burn and had cartilage still in it. Food came out slow, we waited 30 mins for our entrees and the restaurant was only half full. Is that how it is in New York or Philly? Service was the best part of the experience. Btw, the Morimoto poke was served with cheese balls... $25 for a iceberg lettuce wedge salad. Even with Frozen foie gras, it wasnt a "wow" at $25. With the millions they spent to come to Hawaii, I hope it gets better.
(2)
Janet K.
While I thought the appetizers we ordered were delicious (poke and foie gras chawan mushi), the sauce on the braised black cod I ordered for my main was way too salty. My bf ordered the moco loco and he enjoyed it. Additionally, the service was horrible. Our waitress forgot about my order so we waited like an hour for our main dishes. She did offer a complimentary dessert to try to make up for it but we were in no mood for dessert by then. She wasn't very personable - disappointing for a place like this.
(2)
Allen B.
Absolutely one of the best dinners we have had! The service was flawless and the ambiance was beautiful. Outside or inside will create a memorable experience.
(5)
Edward L.
The restaurant bearing the name of Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, located in Waikiki, at the Edition Hotel, is definitely a place to be reckoned with. Let's just start with the Customer Service; from the time we drove up the driveway, our arrival was greeted by the valet, door opener, desk clerks, concierge desk, gift shop and the restaurant by the warmest smiles, so happy that you came and great attitude of what can we do to make it an awesome experience for you....maybe this is what we use to hear about, called "old school". We have all experienced one or two people that were attentive, knowledgeable, professional, etc., but to have everyone on the same page is truly awesome. The atmosphere is chic, upscale, contemporary to the max, exquisitely appointed. Now, lets get to the food with Chef Morimoto in the kitchen; regardless of what a Foodie you think you are, this menu has a lot of surprises, no one has ever thought of before....and don't even think of Presentation, because Chef Morimoto has raised the bar here.One of our main course was Crispy Whole Fish - big island fluke, spicy tofu sauce, pickled papaya salad, out of control! Until now, the best Crispy Whole Fish we have had, was in Chinatown, New York City. We then went on to Ten hour pork belly,yose dofu-fresh tofu prepared tableside,kimchee soup,dashi broth...tofu will never be the same again! We also tried a few more appetizers and finished with the "lightest" of the 5 signature desserts, sansho pepper roasted pineapple.. the presentation was spectacular! We were seated close to the kitchen and saw a few dishes go by that we will try next time; one was seafood "toban yaki"- kona lobster, king crab, mussel, clam, diver scallop, red miso-sake broth and the 16 ounce wagyu rib eye! Wow wow! They also have OMAKASE, that is "chef's choice", a multi-course tasting menu designed to allow you to experience the essence of morimoto's cuisine. Oh! did we mention the most important Service? .,.the service, and that includes everyone, waiter, bussers,hostess, etc.... best we have had on Oahu, not just one person was great, they were all great! ...you couldn't move your eyes without someone taking care of you. Also, last detail, we went on Wednesday evening and we were lucky to get a table, place was full with chic locals!!! Lots of Posers and everyone likes to pose sometimes.....
(5)
Tia M.
So my boyfriend and I sometimes like to pick the more "fancy" restaurants like Roy's or Hoku's for special occasions. We came here on our 1-year anniversary, and we were in it more for the novelty of this restaurant than anything else... we knew it wouldn't have the most romantic ambience. :) But since it was a new restaurant in a fairly new hotel, we decided to give it a try. Located in the Waikiki Edition, this restaurant has very contemporary interior designs with a touch of orchids, seashells, and other Hawaii or beach themes. Very-Waikiki and quite the place for tourists and locals to ooh and ahh at. Valet parking only for this hotel, and it's on the house with a validated valet ticket. The moment you walk in, you may be dazzled by the interesting design of the restaurant, with the open kitchen area just behind the sushi bar as well as the vibrant orchid walls on opposite sides of the dining area. The service was very good, and the waiters and waitresses were happy to explain the menu to us--the foods are fairly exotic, or should I say "creatively" presented. My boyfriend ordered the Morimoto Smoked Sashimi ($26) which includes 4 different raw fishes sliced into squares and put into stacks, each stack containing 1 square of each fish--which was pretty interesting. He wasn't sure as to whether he should've eaten it stack by stack or... square by square, working through the stack? The 5 sauces that came with the sashimi were served and stored in separate pipettes--yes, the same clear, disposable ones that you used in your chemistry lab. This was a bit of a turn-off for me since it just made me think of toxic chemicals... I wasn't very thrilled at the fact that they included pipettes like that in a meal. My boyfriend liked the sashimi--sorry, I'm not much of a raw fish lover (except for ahi) and I wasn't feeling so well that night so I had to pass on this dish. He also ordered the Surf and Turf ($45) which included 6oz. prime filet, Morimoto-style poke topped with wasabi sorbet, and salt-crusted fingerlings. It also came with mashed Okinawan sweet potatoes which actually tasted exactly like regular mashed potatoes--not sweet as I expected. The prime filet, which I believe was the Wagyu beef, was AMAZING! Perfectly cooked medium-rare, and it was so soft! No heavy chewing here! I like to have some sort of greens in my meals so I decided to try the mixed green salad... the cheapest salad. :) It was some thinly chopped local mixed greens ($12)--amazing solid green color, not darks+lights, just one kind of green throughout the plate--LIGHTLY mixed with kabosu vinaigrette, and bonito flakes. The salad was garnished with some fresh pomegranate which was the most interesting thing on the plate for me. I got pretty bored of the salad after I attacked about half of the plate... My main entree was the Angry Chicken ($29) which included an organic half chicken, finger peppers, and spiced chicken jus, garnished with a huge pile of dried white rice noodle. I must say that the chicken was beautifully white and lean, just the way I like it. It was on the dryer side so those of you who like the juicy, fatty pieces of chicken--this isn't the plate for you. The finger peppers complimented the dish well (they were like mini-bell peppers) since the sauce tasted like a spicy burrito in a thick gravy form. I wish they used a different sort of "jus" and not such a burrito-tasting one. It was an interesting surprise... If I came here again, I probably wouldn't order it. *I would try the Wagyu beef! Your eyes may pop out at the price of these pieces of meat, but judging by my boyfriend's 6 oz. filet, I'd definitely enjoy that beef as a meal--worth the price! I wish I ordered the Wagyu beef... will order that if I come here again.* You have OUGHT to try this if you come here! We also had side orders of bakchoy ($8) and choysum ($8). I had no problem with those--no surprises came with these dishes. Rice does not come with the main entrees so my boyfriend had to order a bowl of rice ($4). One thing to remember: if you don't want to get an extra charge, order regular water and say "no" to the waiter's bottled water offer. Once we were seated, the waitress asked if we wanted bottled water and I immediately answered "yes" thinking it would be free... I thought "Wow this restaurant is much to fancy for regular water I guess?" They brought over a nice TALL glass bottle (think Voss) filled with water of which our beverage was gently poured from. We looked around at other tables and my boyfriend asked "Why are we one of the only tables with this bottle?" Most of the other tables had regular glasses of water with ice. Too bad I didn't realize that I would be fancily charged for this fancy water until our check came. Also, on those busy nights, don't expect to hear your tablemates across any table. Very noisy! Overall, good food. :) Good night out! If you're lucky, you get to see Iron Chef Morimoto himself at work--we did!
(4)
Stewart O.
The food was horrible. I guess the only reason this place stays open is cause few ever come back. Anyone thinking this food is good, must not have tried real quality Japanese food.
(1)
taro k.
Well, food is pretty good but price is as much as eating at four seasons in New York. Maybe there is a less priced good restaurant in Honolulu such as Indigo.
(4)
Sheree C.
main dishes was cold when it reached our table, and the taste was really not worth the price... in short, this Iron Chief is good only for TV entertainment; if you want good food go else where. It was really disappointing and a wast of time to even try this place.... I speak only from my own and honest experience, there were 5 people in my party and none of us are happy with the food.
(1)
Kaiulani K.
my only complaint is i had to be rolled out at the end of the meal. kind of like veruca salt in the chocolate factory. the ambience is there, but whether you dig it or not is up to you. it's pretty modern, but still allows for conversation. service is amazing. everyone is polite and knowldegeable, whether it's a waiter, busser, hostess, or anything. the courses come out at a good pace. lots of time for conversation, but they don't take too long. did not feel rushed or overlooked once. if you want the best seat in the house, ask for a view of the kitchen. or sit at the bar. this restaurant is good for all size parties. but what about the FOOD?! my play-by-play menu selections are below: we started with a sashimi salad, and let me tell you that morimoto makes an excellent casear. the sashimi was fresh, tender, and a great cut. the poached quail egg really added a nice bit of flavor. it was paired with a great champagne, which i did not expect, but was very happy to receive. the salmon carpaccio with hot oil was delicious. there are so many complex flavors, but it all pulls together very well. the salmon is a slice of sashimi bundled up and the parts that have had hot oil poured over are slightly cooked. i must say i did get a bone in one of my slices of salmon. for this i , unfortunately, had to deduct a star. luckily, i awarded morimoto's six stars in my head, so the 5 stars on yelp aren't really affected. WHEW. the wine was a verdejo and was light, fruity and perfect for the dish. the third course was a shikai maki with your usuall cucumber, maguro and egg, but deep fried- ornately displayed. there was some cured ham and a sweet bean to be eaten with it. on the same dish was THE BEST OXTAIL SOUP I'VE EVER HAD. it's a bit surprising because there's a puff pastry over it. you crack the buttery, salty and slightly sweet pastry to reveal a perfect broth and...OXTAIL WON TONS. ya heard me. i was a little tentative with my first bite, but pretty soon i had the bowl in hand and was pouring the last of it directly down my throat. while i loved kam bowl's soup, and i love asahi's, and i like jack's in aina haina, and mr. ojisan is pretty good, i can say that my favorite oxtail soup is at morimoto waikiki's. the wine was One Hope Chardonnay, and it was buttery, caramely, and great with the soup. by this point I was full. I was wondering how I was going to get through the actual entree and also the dessert. but then, iron chef morimoto, in all his glorious wonder, threw in a dish of sushi. there was hamachi, semi-fatty ahi, maguro, unagi,and skip jack. all fatty, tasty, and tender. paired with a junmai ginjo, very filling and refreshing. so noooow we head onto the entree. the braised black cod was tender and flaky. the saltiness of it blew my mind as it melted in my mouth (still talking about fish, here). the wagyu filet mignon was so tender and tasty, with flakes of salt over the top. it had an excellent crust and was a perfect medium rare. the pinot noir paired with it was wonderful with both surf and turf. dessert. ugh. thank goodness i didn't wear pants or else i'd have been popping at the seams. the haupia semifreddo was offset with matcha sponge cake, cookie crumbs, and meringue. a coconut gelee and cold, haupia mousse brought a nice element of sweet and creamy. with dessert there are options of tea or coffe. we decided on the african amber herbal tea, and i encourage herbal tea lovers to try it. the fragrance and flavor is very different, but everything i want in tea.
We have friends who live in Hawaii and this place was a recommendation by them. The interior of the space is really cool, nice clean lines, definitely my style, but the food wasn't as great as I thought I would be considering it's a Morimoto restaurant. The food was just okay. One dish that we did enjoy was the crispy shrimp with the different sauces. All the other dishes we ordered (we ordered 4 other dishes) wasn't quite up to my standard. Other reviewers mentioned the sushi being warm and our fish was a bit warm as well which is gross considering it's raw fish! We won't be going back the next time we're in town.
(3)
Brent K.
Birthday dinner. Everything was fabulous ! Five appetizers, Every one enjoyed it. I Had the black cod, So good, Friends had the sea food combo, A little spicy but no complains, The korean style rice with fish, Very good, Four types of desert, Good service as usual, One complaint with the server. Not the waiter. This is a young crew, They lack experience. No one saw the mistake but me.
(5)
Don D.
I had lunch at Morimoto's during the week. It was not busy. There were about 15 other people in the entire restaurant. Most of which were sitting outside on the patio. The restaurant looked almost like it was closed. I figured since they were not busy, food shouldnt take too long. We sat and it took a while for the server to get to our table. I believe there was only one server working at the time. So he was serving the 4 or 5 tables that were there also. I think the other people assisting him were bussers and possibly a bartender. My wife and I ordered our drinks first and also an appetizer. The drinks took a while to get to our table. Id estimate it at over 10 minutes. It was one cocktail off of the menu and one beer! I didnt think it should have taken that long. We started with the Crispy Shrimp. It is lightly breaded and tossed in two different sauces. One is Wasabi based and the other was something else (forgot what he said it was) but it was good. They had a little bit of spice to it but it was not overwhelming. It was very good and Id probably order it again if I went to visit again. For entrees, I ordered the Fish Sandwhich. My wife had the Loco Moto. My Fish Sandwich plate didnt really impress me. It was breaded and fried and it tasted bland. It came with pickles, a salad, and an order of fries. As for my wife, she didnt even eat her Loco Moto. Its not traditional so it takes getting used to. When I tried it, I thought it was more like beef stew than a loco moco. BUT, it the plate did come with a lot of food. It also came with a miso soup, an order of sushi, and a salad. We passed on dessert. The entire lunch was about "waiting". I didnt expect to wait so long for a place that was not busy. I wasnt expecting it to be as quick as McDonalds either. My wife and I were not in a rush so we didnt mind. We were just there to spend some time together and have lunch that weve never had before. Its pricey too. My beer was $9! For one appetizer, two entrees, one bottled beer, and one cocktail off the menu, it was $75. On the way out, the hostess' didnt even look up to say good-bye! Yikes! Overall, it wasnt a bad experience, but I really wasnt that impressed with it.
(3)
Jason G.
This was surprisingly not that good. The waiter was terrible, seemed almost unable to speak a complete sentence and really struggled to concisely share the specials. The wagyu carpaccio was excellent, actually worthy of 5 stars, from there everything else was average. The pineapple tempura was okay, the chicken ramen soup is normally great but this time was lukewarm and not as savory as expected, the sushi wasn't that good.
(3)
Diana C.
everything is fresh, made from scratch, taste great!!! Wasabi is not fake one like we can buy at supermarket so you can taste REAL fresh wasabi!!!
(5)
Caroline S.
Awful. We came here while on honeymoon. I was really looking forward to some fantastic food, given Morimoto's fame as a chef. What we got was crawfish that was well past its expiration. My husband ordered a seafood medley dish and when we bit into the crawfish the overwhelming taste and smell of ammonia overpowered us. As we learned, this is the telltale sign that the seafood you're eating has been dead and sitting around for far too long. By the way, that dish cost $48. You'd be better off going to the Red Lobster across the street.
(1)
Kristine A.
Excellent! This was a great meal. Expensive but so worth it. Located in the Modern Hotel near the yacht harbor, it was an easy walk from our condo on Seaside Ave in central Waikiki. I recommend reservations if you can make them. They tend to get pretty busy. We were greated by a friendly hostess and shown to a table on the outdoor patio - which was nice. View is just OK - but that didn't matter. Our waitress was excellent - she was so knowledgable about the menu and answered our many questions. We ended up sharing several items, including the delicious rice bowl with yellow tail - WOW. That was amazing and frankly enough for 2 people to share. I couldn't have eaten it all by myself. They make this dish table side -in a 450 degree bowl - it is so so good. I wish I hadn't waited to our last full day in Hawaii to eat there - as I would have returned. Also had some maki - that was good quality and actually not too badly priced. We paired the meal with a nice Star Lane Sauvignon Blanc. Only disappointment was that we didn't see the Iron Chef himself. Oh well, maybe next time.
(5)
Christy K.
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this restaurant!!! The ambience is classy and light and fresh. I like that odd sea-green color, the hanging coral, the outdoor fire pits... It's like you leave Waikiki and you step into a swanky hip spot on Santa Barbara beach. Don't get me wrong though- I like it. The wait staff are so so friendly. When my bf and I went in, we sat outside and Ryan was our server. He was really on it, super friendly, and knowlegeable, and I have to credit him with our ordering the BEST things on the menu.... -The king crab legs!!!! I could eat this everyday! The crab meat is so soft and flavorful and the spicy sauce is delicious. I want the recipe!! -The lamb and wagyu carpaccios!!! I could eat this everyday too! The textures of the raw meats coupled with the oils and toppings... OMG. My mouth is watering as I type this. -The white lily cocktail! I'd like one every night before I go to bed, please. It's like alcoholic calpico. Why didn't anyone think of this sooner?! Thanks, Yelp, after writing this review, I want to back, ASAP. Yelp is making me broke by making me live through all my wonderful dining experiences again.
(5)
Jean H.
the sushi was to die for-- as in when you eat it, you wanna die. your last breath is wasted on asking god, "why??????", while you're thinking 'i paid so much for a death biteeeeeeeeeeee' *THUD* (you've hit the ground) with that said and out of the way, sushi is a no go, everything else was a sheer delight! sushi, no. EVERYTHING else, yes! i booked the table in advanced and i asked for the corner table with the best viewing of the fireworks. We really did get the best table in the house for the evening firework bonanza. The food (except for the sushi) was so amazing, I remember it to this day. And when i close my eyes and dream back to that fanciful dinner, my tongue swears its tasting savory delish-ocity. oh, lord, i dare say my tongue is wet right now watering away over that food.... great food, great company, great show. can i ask for more? oh, but i got more. great drinks. thank you Morimoto.... yet another successful morimoto experience (sans the nasty sushi)
(4)
Brent M.
My wife and I visited during our honeymoon. The food was very good, although I have to admit it wasn't up to the level that we might expect from a celebrity chef (if I didn't know it was run by a celebrity chef I wouldn't have guessed it - this is not true for other celebrity chef establishments I have visited, including Eric Ripert's and Mario Batali's restaurants). Both the drinks and appetizers were 5-star level (for the app, we got the shrimp tempura). I got the surf-n-turf for my entree - the steak was very good, but for me the tuna was just okay. I had better elsewhere in Waikiki. My wife had a chicken dish with which she wasn't particularly impressed with the taste or the presentation. Maybe chicken wasn't the way to go at a place like this? This was definitely the exception, but it was enough to make the place 4 star and not 5-star for us. That being said, I definitely recommend this place, and I will visit again if I am in Honolulu.
(4)
Alysha C.
I scheduled a Valentines/Birthday Dinner here a month ahead of time because I had heard through some friends that this place was pretty good. Let me tell you, I was beyond disappointed and somewhat ashamed when we dined there last night. The experience already started off bad as soon as we got there and valet told us they had ran out of parking and that we had to find street parking. Already a minus because my boyfriend and I were extremely dressed up and had to walk about a block or so to get back to the restraunt (I was wearing heels!! lol) As soon as we got upstairs we got a half ass greet from the front desk and they had a man escort us to a table outside. Our table was so small and all of the tables are so close together. it was so uncomfortable. we could practically hear the couples next to us entire conversation. Our waitress, Tricia greeted us promptly and was very friendly but after that she went missing for a pretty long time. When she did come back to take our order she ran off a whole list of things the kitchen had ran out of already! Shouldn't they have known to be stocked extra with everything on valentines day?? Especially if everyone made reservations ahead of time. Again disappointed. But that wasnt even the worse part. I do understand that it is Valentines Day and busy but it got rediculous when our appitizer didnt come out for 30 whole minutes!! Again not blaming it on the waitress but maybe the kitchen?! To make it worse we didn't get our main course for another hour! We were literly so close to walking out and we noticed another couple 2 tables down that actually did walk out. We just didn't want our night to be ruined that's why we decided to stay. The funny part was that there was so much staff present and no one was really attentive to us. We ordered the Morimoto Style Poke which was really good but seemed like only a single portioned size definatly not big enough to share. For main courses, I had the Surf & Turf to play it safe and my boyfriend had the wagyu ribeye with a side of potatoes. Both extremely fantastic dishes. So kudos to the chef. My boyfriend also had 2 glasses of St.Aubin wine that he said was really great.The only reason I gave this place 2 stars instead of 1 is because the food was actually pretty good. However, it wasn't so good that I'd endure the poor service for the amount of money I spent there. We both agreed that we will definatly not be dining here ever again. We'll probably go to Hy's next time!
(2)
Kyle B.
I went here with a group of guys I work with. We had high expectations for an Iron Chef's restaurant. We left a little disappointed. First let me say that this place looks fantastic. I was very impressed with the look. It's well laid out, and everything looks great. Nothing is out of place here. You could see the entire line of the kitchen from where we sat. We got here late, so I couldn't really tell what kind of view of the scenery it has, but I'll bet its fantastic as well. The problem really was our waiter. He didn't seem like he really wanted to be there and was not very friendly. There was no "warmth" and I didn't feel very welcome by his demeanor. In fact, we almost felt like we were bothering him by our very presence. That being said, we ordered some sushi (Shrimp Tempura Roll, California Roll, and Spicy Yellowtail Roll) for our appetizer. It came pretty quickly and it was pretty good. I've actually had better tasting sushi in Rainbow City, Alabama. Yeah, that's right. Check my reviews for that one. For dinner, I had the "Duck Duck Duck", which is a seared duck breast, a duck spring roll, and duck meatball soup. I like duck and this was a pretty good dish. I think of the three, I enjoyed the duck meatball soup the best. Everything was hot, fresh, and flavorful. However, I thought for the portion size, it was a little pricey at nearly $30. Thank goodness for expense accounts! One of my co-workers is a little bit of a fussy eater. He really wanted a dish that was not on the menu. A quick check of the menu showed that they carried all the necessary ingredients to make it. So, he inquired about it. The waiter wasn't sure but decided to go ask. He was gone for several minutes and upon his return, he told us that no, the kitchen staff would not make his special request. We were a little insulted by this. You would think that Mr. Iron Chef would want to please and accommodate his guests. My friend finally settled on something else on the menu, but was not to happy about it. Overall, I was disappointed with the sushi and the service, but not with the main course. I would hope that the service is not representative of what you normally get at this upscale establishment. For the kind of money that we spent here, I expected to be treated a lot better.
(3)
Wendy G.
I love this place. Do the Omakase (tasting menu). Done it twice with family visiting and everyone loved it! Even the picky teens were impressed. If you love food, you must go to this restaurant. Great Date Night! Beautiful food and Beautiful atmosphere!
(5)
Sid G.
Location and aesthetic of the place is nice. The food is nothing to brag about. We were here 2 years ago when they opened and to me my opinion about this place is....MorimoNo. NOBU IS THE BEST RESTAURANT THAN THIS
(1)
Frank G.
Food was excellent - the appetizers we thought might have been better than the entrees! The Pork Belly is a must! It was relatively reasonable for a high-end restaurant - the quality of the food justifies the price. Service was good - we had 2 main waiters/waitress to assist us.
(4)
Hella B.
The one "high end" place on my visit to Honolulu. There is so much good food on the island I wasn't sure I could justify the price. After the appetizer my concerns were gone. We started off with tuna pizza. just great textures with the fish and whatever the crust was. There was also just enough salt on that crust to give it a perfect flavor. Next was the kakuni. This was a pork belly in some congee. This was probably the best pork belly I have ever had! I was very tempted in ordering a 2nd round. For the main I went with a black cod. Again this was cooked perfectly. Mind you I have no idea how to cook fish but this fish just peeled off in layers and was moist and had great texture. Guess that is perfect to me. Also had a couple of signature cocktails. All of this and I have to say the price was not that bad for a big named place. I would come back!
(4)
Kenson K.
We decided to try this place for lunch today. This place has a very L.A. ambiance to it. Very modern furnishings with clean lines. Atmosphere was very nice with a view overlooking Alawai yacht harbor. I must say that service was excellent. Our server kept checking up on us to see if we were alright and was very accomodating. Ok for starters, we tried the mizudako. Now, I'm usually not a fan of tako just because its flavorless and has the consistency of a rubber eraser. This tako however is so tender and fresh. It has a sweet flavor to it. You can have this either as a sushi or sashimi. We opted for sashimi. I was debating whether or not to get the toban yaki or the loco moto, which is supposed to be a Morimotos version of a locomoco. I had tried the toban yaki before at Morimoto's New York restaurant and I remember that it was so good. So I figured maybe try something different. So I went for the loco moto. I wasn't too impressed. it was supposed to have wagyu beef in it, and i was expecting it to be like a locomoco, but it came out looking like beef curry. The gravy was sweet and a bit creamy with mushrooms and tasted just like beef goulash. So I was disappointed because I had ordered beef goulash. My partner had the kakuni pork don , which was pork belly slow cooked over a bed of rice. That was a winner. It just fell apart in your mouth. Ok so 4 stars overall. i wasn't too impressed with my dish but I think I might have ordered the wrong thing. The service was excellent, ambiance nice, and the tako and port dish, perfect.
(4)
Jared S.
This is rock solid food from the Iron Chef.. Highlights: -uni sushi: best I've ever eaten. -whole fried fish: It was a Mediterranean sea bass, and it was incredible -The wife really liked her saketini I would skip the tuna tartar though, just my opinion.
(5)
Jesse C.
After reading the initial reviews from opening day I remained skeptic. So a group of friends and I went for lunch. We ordered a sashimi set, lobster melt sandwich, chicken katsu sandwich, and kakuni don (10hr pork belly). I got what I expected from Morimoto; simple, clean flavours. Everything was tasty but the prices are what I did not agree with. The desserts were unique but neither peanut butter fondant or tofu cheesecake (super light) caught my interest.
(3)
Katherine L.
My review is based on the first time I went to Morimoto's, over a year ago. My boyfriend and I went to check out this place because we have heard some rave reviews from his friends. This is that kind of place where you spend a good deal of money for small dishes, ambiance and quality. First off, the ambiance is beautiful, which the upper-crust simple and bright nautical look. Very appropriate for being right off the beach in Waikiki, Hawaii. But some of the tables might be awkward to eat at, considering that some of their tops are not even. The table tops are made to look rough cut or scrap pieces. But overall, the atmosphere is really inviting and different. Service was decent, but not the best I have ever experienced. It took a while for the food to come out. I could see the table next to us have a lot of problems (i.e. their side of potatoes was missing, food took too long). The server was nice enough, but he was not necessarily the best spoken or knowledgeable. I would have expected better, considering my own restaurant working experience and the class of the restaurant. For appetizers we had the pork gyoza with bacon foam and hamachi tartare. The pork gyoza was kind of an asian fusion, as the bacon foam and tomato sauce added another layer of flavor to the dish that was unexpected, but delicious. The hamachi tartare was very light and delicate with a variation of "sides" to scrape and eat along with the hamachi. I am a real sucker for anything raw fish, so the hamachi tartare easily pleased me. A side note: the Morimoto drinks tend to be on the sweeter side, a little too sweet for me. For the main course, my boyfriend had the duck combo, which included seared duck, duck spring roll and duck meatball soup. His duck dish was good too, but rather unsurprisingly small. I had the chefs sashimi combination, which I cannot recommend enough. It is absolutely AMAZING! I was actually hesitant to order it, thinking that I should get something especially Morimoto. In the end, I DID NOT regret it at all. It was the best sashimi I have ever had in my life. It was huge, including approximately 3 or 4 pieces of 8 different kinds of fish. And it was so fresh and perfectly chilled, coming out on a bowl of crushed ice. Each fish comes with some kind of side (i.e. green onions, seaweed, daikon) It was only $36, which is pretty cheap, considering that the amount given and quality was out of the ballpark and it was only a few dollars more expensive than a standard Japanese place. Now comes the most important part: Dessert. The haupia semifreddo was intentionally a little dry, but it worked. It was really light, melting in your mouth, and I loved the combination of the coconut and green tee flavors. It's not like any dessert I have ever had. But hands down, I preferred the the chocolate peanut bombe. Morimoto's elevated that classic flavor combo to a very modern and divine creation. It was simply perfect, balanced with the sweet and salty, crunchy but so soft that it melts in your mouth. Personally, it is not one of my fave places, but I can definitely see its appeal. All in all, I would recommend this place to a friend, but it is not for everyone.
(4)
Jo C.
After dinning in here, I understand why it is only 3.5 starts. It is a very true yelp rating. I had Morimoto in Napa, CA a few times and was never let down once. I am very disappointed at Morimoto Waikiki. We ordered the toro tartare which is the equivalent of the tuna tartare in Napa. The rice crackers were stale. The oyster foie gras was the worst dish of the night. The oysters had sand and shells in them. It's unacceptable at a $$$$ restaurant. Lastly, I want to mention is the timing of each dish. There was no timing. All the cold appetizers were brought out at once, then waited for 15-20 minutes, then all the hot appetizers were brought out at once again. This is not the service that I am used to in Napa unfortunately.
(2)
Marleen M.
We had the special crab cake appetizer, which was made of Keahole Lobster, alaskan king crab, scallops and some other stuff..it was DELICIOUS! For dinner we ordered an assortment of sushi and the crispy whole fish. The food was awesome....but, what makes this restaurant worth the price is their staff. Our waiter, Kaulana, was efficient, friendly, and anticipated our needs before we voiced them. The bus staff was quick without being obtrusive. What I really appreciated about the experience is that I did not feel the need to seek out "my" waiter. Every staff member that went by our table glanced over to be sure we were ok, or stopped to offer their assistance...again without being obtrusive. What a great experience! Thank you Kaulana and all the staff at Morimoto's.
(5)
Kanani M.
Being a complete "foodie" I was excited when we decided to go to an Iron-Chef's restaurant. Everyone that heard we were going there seemed intrigued and excited for us as well. Unfortunately, it just didn't live up to the hype or the name associated with it. The ambiance was great, very clean lines, gorgeous setting. The staff was attentive, but seemed cold and too "programed". They did their duties on time and as scheduled and did not allow for any deviance from what they were trained, even if it was obvious that it did not fit the guests needs. We had a party of nine and decided to eat family style, so we got to try a little of everything. If I was grading the food based on presentation, I would've given it 5 stars. There was no detail left undone. The food was beautiful! However, in terms of taste, it left much to be desired. The sushi was not top-notch but was acceptable. The Wagyu steak was overcooked (ordered Med-Rare) and not very flavorful. The Whole Fish (which was the nights special- Sea Bass) with Tofu Sauce and Papaya Salad topping was so-so, it looked like it would have much more flavor than it did. The rock shrimp was served with 2 aioli sauces and a buttermilk dipping sauce also, the buttermilk drowned out the flavors of the wasabi aioli (which was good) and the (what we joked) was a buffalo rock shrimp sauce (which was not good). The dishes that were good? The tuna pizza (raw tuna served pizza style on a thin crust) and all of the deserts. The lattes were good. And the drink menu was well put together and was quite delightful also. All together, it wasn't a bad experience, it just didn't live up to expectations. I wouldn't go back for dinner, but I have heard that they have a decent brunch... maybe I will give that a try.
(2)
Kara R.
I can't review the food because this restaurant would not seat us! At 9:40 on a Friday night, they stop seating?? Really? Why? Must be bad management
(1)
Renee M.
We made sure that Morimoto was our first major dinner out for my husband's big "Hawaii 5-0" celebration on our trip to Oahu this year (this was our second visit to the restaurant). As always, they did not disappoint. We were seated outside, overlooking the harbor and had the perfect sunset view. Everything - from the toro tartare appetizer all the way through to the incredible entrees -- we did everything from the crispy whole fish to the chirashi sushi (for the birthday boy!) to the wagyu fillet. All of it was incredible. And the dessert, which I pre-ordered special from the wonderful front desk girl who worked with the chef (I'm so sorry I don't remember her name!) -- the dessert is worthy of a photo. They did a special sampler for us - and since there were six of us, they did THREE OF THEM (I was only expecting one). That meant every 2 people had the chance to try nearly every one of their out of this world desserts - from the tofu cheesecake to the chocolate peanut bombe. It was amazing and the perfect way to finish the perfect meal. Thank you, Martin, for your great service and to the chef for making a special evening all the more special! We'll be back again! PS - Go Sunday nights and visit The Modern Poolbar first for a cocktail and the wonderful music of local artist, Jeremy Cheng!
(5)
Fay H.
Morimoto is da bomb! This is the second Iron Chef restaurant that we've been to (the other being Bobby Flay's Bar American in NYC). We were so impressed by this place - it totally blew Bobby Flay out of the water! The restaurant is situated on the marina. We had requested to sit outside near the fire pit. We were seated outside and could at least see the fire pit but we were lodged in between a large party and another couple. A little too close for comfort, but hey, I was here to eat not check out the neighborhood. We ordered: - Rock shrimp served two ways: wasabi and spicy korean style. The wasabi shrimp was some of the beat shrimp I have eaten in my life. We had just been at Giovanni's the day before and they had nothing on Morimoto. - Ahi tuna pizza. This had so much fish on it and a really yummy aioli. - Chirashi. This was ok. My only criticism was there seemed to be more veggies then fish. I could have gotten a dish like this most anywhere. - Soft shell crab tempura roll. This was a standard roll, nothing you couldn't get at your fab sushi place. The drinks were awesome. I got a Mai Haupia and a Mori-jito. Delish. I gave the restaurant 4 stars primarily because of the impeccable service and great atmosphere. I would def come back and maybe focus less in the sushi and more on the fusion app options.
(4)
Susan S.
Loved it. First time at the Waikiki location. Josh was amazing. Loved the Ahi Tartare...fabulous presentation. Calamari salad was tasty. Hamachi tacos were excellent. Sashimi Collection was a picture perfect display of numerous cuts of fresh fish. Delicious!!!
(5)
Manda S.
Heads up: If you want the omakase, then EVERYONE on your table needs to get the omakase. They started this rule last month or so, and I think its only in effect on the weekends during dinner time (to make it easier on the kitchen). If you go during the weekday, during lunch, or on a weekend reaaaally late (9PM-ish), then I think your party should be fine. Here's some more tips regarding the omakase: - If you've got people in your party who have already had it, you can let your server know and they'll make a new set of dishes for those who are repeating. For example, the repeats in our party got a spicy king crab leg and an oyster with abalone takoyaki. Instead of the surf and turf, they got a piece of whole fried fish and something with clams (a soup?). They also got the tofu cheesecake instead of the kabocha muffin thing. - It takes about 3 hours to eat the omakase so please plan accordingly ---- Overall, I thought the omakase was good. Not amazingly fantastic (especially, given the price), but very good, solid food and it was definitely a very unique, one-of-a-kind experience. Maybe my expectations were too high? (I had heard stories of people who wanted to cry after eating the hamatchi/ahi paste dish.) For $120 a person, I was honestly hoping to have my mind blown by the sheer awesomeness of the food, but it didn't really happen too much. I kind of felt it when I ate the chu toro and the wagyu beef though. I'd give Morimoto's a B for the food but definitely an A+ for decor and presentation. Our party had a great time and we were well taken-care of. More tips! - The staff here are awesome. For $120 a person, you sure do get some 5-star staff, I swear. I really wish I caught her name (it started with a P and she was a very sweet, local girl). - I really liked the White Lily cocktail. It was shochu, calpico, and a dash of yuzu--if you like shochu shots, you'll like this! - Thank goodness that parking is easy -- the valet is free with validation from the restaurant.
(3)
Judy H.
Came to Hawaii for vacation and had reservations at morimoto for the first night's fancy dinner. Was super excited since I love Japanese food and... Iron chef!!! The food was decent, though probably not worth the price. The service was TERRIBLE. at first it was good, but then we sat for 20 minutes after we finished our entrees because the waiter forgot about us. We tried to get his attention but he didn't see us... We had to flag someone else down to get him. Then we asked to speak with the manger. The waiter was good when he was interacting with us, he just needed to pay attention more. But this manager.... Wow. Really shouldn't be in any type of customer service role. First, took him about ten minutes to make his way over even though we could see he was not preoccupied with anything else. Then we told him about the unacceptable service and he said he could give us a free dessert (we were pretty upset by then since the service was so slow). My brother then said if it were him he would comp the whole meal and the manager just mumbled and walked away. We ordered dessert and then later the manager came back.., He said "I am going to comp your meal, even though most of me doesn't want to. I think you should be more forgiving since we did a good job at first and we made mistakes. But I will comp it because you asked for it, and I don't want you telling people we stink." Who says that?? What ever happened to customer is always right?? At the end of the conversation he asked "so are you going to tell everyone we suck?" they should really think harder about doing a training for their staff...
(1)
Miki M.
I'd like to announce this restaurant on Yelp- its official opening is planned for June 2010. Thanks for your patience! This will be the hippest sushi bar in town. Chef Masaharu Morimoto- known to millions as star of Iron Chef and Iron Chef America- has garnered critical and popular acclaim for his seamless integration of Western and Japanese ingredients, effectively creating his own unique cuisine. Design: The design for Morimoto Waikiki is inspired by a light-color palette that embraces the tropical lifestyle of Hawaii in combination with Japanese tradition. Hardwood floors extend from the inside to the exterior deck spaces, while a floor-to-ceiling window offers diners a seamless view of the island's natural beauty. Announced Hours: Mon - Thurs: 6:30 am - 11:00 pm Fri - Sat: 6:30 am - 12:00 am Sun: 6:30 am - 11:00 pm Attire: Dressy Payment Options: Accepts all major credit cards Culinary Team: Jojo Vasquez, Executive Chef General Manager: Craig Kahila Parking: Street, Parking Lot, Valet Price Range: $$$ (30-50) Services: Takes Reservations, Walk-Ins Welcome, Good For Groups, Waiter Service, Outdoor Seating Specialties: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Coffee, Drinks
(5)
Mike C.
This place is really good. Its expensive so if youre not cheap and willing to spend your money, its well worth it. Get the "Duck Duck Duck." The duck breast its phenomenal.Also, their wine and sake list is huge.
(4)
Daniel W.
Food was excellent! Service was nice. Was a little humid the night we went. Would be nice if they had some fans in the outdoor seating area to make it more comfortable. I know it is Hawaii, but it would be nice to have a dress policy for dinner service. I'm getting a little tired of going to Waikiki for fine dining and sitting next to tourists in t-shirts and slippers, while paying $100 a head for dinner.
(4)
Courtney E.
Overall the food was delicious. I had dinner here with my sister on a Wednesday night, reservations recommended. Food: Tuna pizza = yum Foie gras chawan mushi = definitely get this, rich but so buttery tasting $45 Sushi plate - 10 pieces and a tuna roll Eel avocado roll Shrimp tempura roll I would say the sushi was average, nothing out of this world. Was fresh and good. No complaints. Tuna and foie gras are a must!
(4)
Tom M.
Somebody's getting too big for their britches. This place has a great reputation and a pretty interior, but the cracks are showing. We went to get a cocktail on the patio at sunset around the fire pit, but almost missed it because the staff was inundated during a shift change. We watched 15-20 waiters and bus boys pass us without the slightest glance as they rushed to get tables ready for dinner. So after 10 minutes of trying to get someone's eye, I had to go to the bar myself. Behind the bar, they confirmed by suspicion about the shift change. I ordered drinks, but had to wait until the bartender cut up all the ingredients and garnishes (obviously, the previous shift didn't back up the bar and hung them out to dry). As I stood there, I got to watch the sun go down through the door out to the patio. Not the romantic drink together we'd hoped for. While our drinks were well-made, I had to notice that the fire pit couches we were sitting on were spotted with dark stains, and the white cocktail tables were worn and dirty. I'd really like to come back for their much-lauded dinners sometime, but it might take some convincing.
(3)
Jennie M.
Holy Hanna-ble Lector! I am in serious love with Morimoto's! Sleek, sexy design with really intricate and amazing ocean art you feel like you are eating inside a 5 star restaurant in Atlantis. The walk up bar is a great place to come for a delicious cocktail and small bite (especially if you want the Morimoto experience without the Morimoto price tag). Yes, it's true, it is probably some of the most expensive sushi you'll ever eat, but it is just so worth it - at least to go once. Ever since the very beginning of the Iron Chef I have being absolutely enthralled by Chef Morimoto, and I am so glad I the opportunity to come. Every roll, cone, sushi, sushimi and roe was fresh, innovative and delicious. Oh, and they have the crazy coolest chopsticks I have ever used... I even bought a pair to bring home!
(5)
Kazemaru Y.
The overall rating is a five... I haven't been to every country on the globe but I've lived on three continents and visited four. So I've eaten a few great meals in my days. For me the overall experience is very important... If the food is extremely good and the place not it can still be ok... But mostly the overall experience is what sets a 5 star. The Morimoto restaurant itself is extremely clean, modern yet comfortably designed. You can bring an important guest here without being nervous for the impression it will make. Loved sitting outside yet under cover with beautiful view over the harbor. All ingredients were very fresh and well selected. Each dish prepared carefully and well presented. The flavors well balanced and prepared. I love vegetarian sushi and each piece was delicious and small as sushi should be. One piece fits elegantly into your mouth in one bite without making a mess. You can eat in style here! Staff was super friendly and patient with all our detailed questions. Our guests commented with delight on the pleasant and calm nature of the waiter. Will definitely go back!
(5)
Gray G.
This is a great restaurant for special occasions. It is located in Waikiki. I would say that the food is very expensive but it is well worth the experience. There are dining areas both inside and out. Inside you can watch the people in the kitchen busy at work and outside there is a beautiful view of the boat harbor which is especially magnificent at sunset. I don't remember the names of most of what we ordered but it was all very delicious. What stood out to me was the Hamachi Tacos and the Tuna Pizza. Both are must try appetizers! I would highly recommend this location. In addition, one thing I forgot to mention was our waiter. He is top notch. His name is Duane and he is very knowledgeable, very friendly. He came by our table many times and recommended some great dishes to us. I would like to have him as our waiter again when we go here in the future. You will have a great experience if you have him as a waiter. If the mangement is reading this, treat him well and maybe give him a raise! I hope all the waiters are like Duane.
(5)
Reid A.
The Iron Chef lives up to expectations. Morimoto's was a great experience for my family and me. We had a $100 dollar gift card and that helped us through the door in the first place. I think most people would agree this place is pricey, but it isn't astronomically pricey. Without subtracting the gift card, we paid $60 per person - same as Roy's or Alan Wong's. I think what really made our experience great was the choice of ordering style, our server, and the atmosphere. I would not recommend doing your regular appetizer-entree-dessert type style. I highly recommend ordering tapa style that allows everyone to share the smaller dishes. This will give you the opportunity to try way more dishes without banking on one dish to satisfy you. I like this ordering style and it fits with Japanese izakaya places. Order 3 dishes and if you want more, you order more as you go along. There were a lot of stand-outs here, which is why I won't go into detail since you can't go wrong. The top 4 were - pork gyoza, whitefish carpaccio, takoyaki, and the choclate peanut bombe. The names sound simple, but trust me, they are all very unique and extremely good. The presentation was outstanding, just like on iron chef. I think it's best that I don't show you pictures of it...I leave that to other yelpers to spoil it for you. The service was on point. Our dining experience ran about 2 hours long. This is pretty normal fine dining eating time. The eating experience felt like an hour to me. Our server, Duane, explained in detail each dish and also answered any questions we had. Our server was a huge help and made very good recommendations. The atmosphere was very fitting for the hotel. The Modern is very modern, in a simplistic way. This hotel is so easy to miss. It seems like this hotel doesn't want to be seen. Simple forms and walls, with detail in certain areas. Morimoto's is very much the same way. It feels like a heavenly beach experience with white walls, hanging coral art installations, and light green accents. We sat inside, which was the better way to go. Outside gets dark and I seen a few people holding up their phones to read the menu. The parking is valet at the main entrance on Hobron Lane across Red Lobster. It's easy to miss, since there is no signage. Once you get out your car there is enough signage to guide you upstairs. Valet is free, just remember to validate it. The restrooms are outside the restaurant and they are beautiful. Make sure to use it, or just walk in to check it out. This was a great fine dining experience and I'd come here again for special occasions. This place got me with a gift card, but it will keep me coming back without one.
(5)
Shekita T.
Original visit: Fall 2014 Only after experiencing the restaurant's other locations (Philadelphia, MB) was I able to truly appreciate the high quality of service and detail this restaurant offers! This is by far Morimoto's best location. I found both the Foie Gras Duck and Peanut Butter bomb especially satiating.
(5)
Mo A.
Gotta give them a 1/5. The sea food medley I ordered was $46....and the lobster portion had this terrible sharp ammonia taste and my wife thought the same thing. If it wasn't for that weird taste the dish was stiff below average for any seafood medley. The appetizer was good. The drinks pretty good but not worth the $210 I spent including tip for 2 people.
(1)
Steve T.
The decor is very light and colorful in the main dining room. We dined on the outdoor patio which was very comfortable in the evening. The service was very professional. All of the dishes were described in detail. That was a plus, because some of the dishes really had a lot going on, and needed some explanation. We ordered the Omakase (Chef's Choice). The number of dishes and the portion size were more than I expected. I was quite full at the end of the evening. The Foie Gras Chawanmushi was a favorite. It is like a custard with tons of Foie Gras flavor. Topped with slices of duck. Need I say more. Some of the dishes had some shortcomings. The sushi rice used for the sushi was dry and lacked flavor. The main course was overpowering with the sauces, which I would have preferred without. All of the dishes, however, had very unique presentations. Art on a plate? I am very glad to have tried this restaurant. But it is unlikely that I would return.
(3)
David T.
I had been to Morimoto's restaurant when I was living in New York. I was not impressed and he had been my least favorite chef when I was actually watching the show years earlier. But during our vacation in Oahu, we had stayed at the Waikiki Edition. And the restaurant was in the hotel - so we decided to try it. Read up a little bit on the reviews before we decided to order from the menu. We had ordered the rock shrimp and the chawanmushi appetizers and a whole bunch of sushi. The sushi was extremely good, and the chawanmushi was interesting in a good way. Was very disappointed with the shrimp - it had too much sauce and was a little too fried. We couldn't eat more than a few. The place is pricey. Wouldn't do it too many times. But still much better than my experience in the New York restaurant. It has a nice view of the ocean, but sometimes a few tour busses would come through the adjoining street and we would get a whiff of exhaust sitting outside on the patio. Still, a very trendy place.
(4)
Justin P.
Well, I did have very high hopes for someone as prestigious as the Iron Chef, but I must say that I was thoroughly disappointed. Fist, I'll say that their hosts need a lot more friendliness! The curry stuffed pan was delicious but small, and the sushi appetizers were well prepared and tasted great, as to be expected. The Tuna Pizza was wonderful. But the entres were more than lacking. The Chicken though tender and juicy, was way too salty and over spiced. The lamb was a pitifully tiny serving. Most of all the service sucked. Our waitress though charming she was when she was around, never checked on us, and we had to ask serval times to get our bill before our 20 minute wait to pay. Let's not mention the fact that no one came to refill our water until we finished our dessert. Over all, the food was all in all alright, but definitely not special enough for the hassle. And most Definitely did NOT live up to the expectation of the "Iron Chef"!
(2)
Art T.
I am always a big fan of Chef Morimoto when he first appeared on the Japanese Iron Chef show and now American's version one. I was so excited when I learned that he was going to open his restaurant in Honolulu. Finally I went there for lunch the past weekend with my friends. I made the reservation through Open Table. The restaurant opens for lunch at 11 AM. The restaurant is spacious and has both indoor and outdoor seatings. Service Overall the service is pretty good. Audrey was the person who assisted us with the menu and selections. She ran through the menu and provided us some great suggestions for appetizers, the spicy king crab and wagyu carpaccio. The service was very attentive. Other staff came by the table to clean up and refill water diligently. Food I definitely would recommend the spicy king crab and wagyu carpaccio. They were very tasty. The presentation was awesome. All of us ordered the lunch set menu. I think they were great value. I had sahimi, tempura and sushi combination and my friend had kakuni don (ten hour pork belly). The ingredients were very fresh. Every dish was tasty and not overly salty like some of the restaurant. I also tasted my friend's entree, Kakuni Don, the pork was very well favored and tender. I was so full after finishing my lunch set. So, we decided to share the dessert, coconut panna cotta. The dessert was amazing. Later on that night, I had panna cotta dessert at House without a Key at Halekulani. I had to say, the one at Morimoto was much more sophisticated and silky. Ambience The design of the restaurant was fresh and modern contemporary. The corals, each table, and even the chopsticks were so well thought out. We loved the chopsticks so much that we bought some for ourselves. Parking The hotel and restaurant offer valet parking which is simply convenient. The staff was very friendly and courteous. I definitely will come back for lunch or dinner. This is not an everyday type of restaurant, or it will break my bank. But it is totally worth it for any special occasions.
(4)
Nina V.
The scoring is based on price for value. The ambiance was a definite to see-and-be seen kind of place. The most exciting thing was sitting at a table very near the open-air kitchen where we could observe a very tanned Chef Morimoto hop around the kitchen in his white chef coat and white sneakers. The Japanese dishes were very cleanly done. (simple artful presentation and not overdone flavors) The less traditional fare was interesting but sometimes odd. The people-watching always makes it more enjoyable...what do I do with this implement and what was the sequence of steps the waiter just recounted to us?
(3)
Annie Z.
Meh sums it up. Brought Justin here for his 30th birthday dinner and I wish we had tried somewhere else. The service was great, but the prices were way too high for the quality of the food. If you're going to spend money like this, better to hit up Nobu or Alan Wong's. Will say I love their chopsticks. They are a light blue, twisted plastic. Liked them so much Justin bought me a set to bring home :)
(2)
Nick S.
This was most probably the best meal I've ever eaten (and one of the most expensive). We enjoyed the Omakase and a couple of carafes of Sake and thoroughly enjoyed it. I can't say the same for the man himself, who was having a rough night after a day of heavy rain and winds that put the patio out of action and packed out the restaurant. I basically enjoyed every one of the 9 courses and savored each mouthful slowly, hoping to make it last. My favorite dishes were the duck dish and a small plate of thinly sliced hamachi with olive oil and something else that tasted amazing (it was sometimes a little hard to hear the descriptions in full by the server due to the noise level!). I'm not sure how often the menu changes so don't go in there expecting to eat the same as me! If I had to really pick and find something negative to say it would be that the Wagyu beef was a little over cooked and not melt in the mouth like you'd expect. But that's something I'd otherwise let slide since the meal as a whole was verging on a spiritual experience. Eat there, expect to pay out for a meal you'll remember, it's worth every penny.
(5)
Andrew H.
Overall a very good experience. Located in the Modern Hotel, this über-swank South-Beach style decorated Japanese restaurant did not disappoint. Hands down the best home-made wasabi I've ever tasted. All dishes were delicious, but relied a little too much on chilis (especially the Spicy King Crab, which just masked the delicate sweetness of the seafood). Wine list was "ok" and very expensive. Very good effort, cool vibe, and worth a special trip, but probably only once.
(4)
Jennifer G.
We have been to a few Morimoto's across the country. Each time it is delicious and the service is always on point. We chose this time to get a few appetizers so we could try a few items. My favorite has always been the tuna pizza. For a wow factor have the tofu done tableside. The tofu is made fresh served with tasty toppings. The view from the restaurant of the water is great and the local makes it easy walking distance from the nearby hotels. You can reserve on Open Table.
(4)
Yang X.
I loved this place. Food is better than most other Japanese restaurants. Service is slow.
(4)
Lauren C.
This review was based on our dinner the night of 4/29/15. My husband made reservations for my birthday about a week prior. We were both really excited as we hadn't been out to dinner together in over two months. Our reservations were for 6:30. Unfortunately our babysitter arrived a few minutes late, so we called the restaurant to let them know we'd be in around 6:45. The woman who answered the phone politely thanked us and said that wouldn't be a problem at all. We arrive and check-in earlier than expected, at 6:40. We're asked to be seated and wait (there is no one else waiting by the way). We waited. and waited. and waited, for about 5 minutes. At first I thought it was probably because they must have been busy or because perhaps they were setting up a special table for us (maybe a flower or card like a lot of the other high end restaurants do). The hostess finally comes to get us and takes us to our table. As we're walking through the main room I notice it is 95% empty. Our hostess takes us outside and seats us at a tiny, 2-seater table right in the path of traffic. She did mention my birthday and I thought that was a nice touch. There were at least 4 other tables that were empty near by. I didn't say anything because I was just trying to keep a positive attitude. Not really a big deal at this point. Our waiter comes and gets our drinks, everything is fine. As we were sitting at the table we notice that our drinks and chopsticks are literally spilling, falling, and shaking when people walk by. We had to hold on to our drinks so that they didn't spill or fall. Again, trying to make the best of it and just kind of grin and bear it. We order the rock shrimp appetizer and scallops as well as our entrees. My husband got sushi and I ordered a calamari salad. I was looking forward to the salad because I had a calamari salad from Bill's the other week and wanted to compare the two. It was starting to get busy and our appetizers were delivered by some of the kitchen staff. Our waiter came around once when our appetizers got there to check on us. My husband's sushi arrived when I was in the bathroom and it was also good. After about 15 minutes of waiting AFTER my husband's sushi arrived I finally grabbed another waiter (ours simply hadn't been around) and asked about my salad. At this point I wasn't interested in the salad since I'd eaten half of his and almost 1-1.5 hours had passed since we arrived. The waiter (not our original waiter) was kind and I felt bad because I know it wasn't his responsibility. He apologized and asked if we wanted the salad to go. He also told us that the manager would be there to speak with us. I kindly refused the salad entree because let's face it, calamari and salad aren't good leftover. At this point I was disappointed, but I wasn't mad. I understand that situations happen and mistakes happen. That is okay. But, here's where I really got frustrated and mad. The manager comes over in a rush and is very matter of fact. You can tell she's not genuine in her words and she really just gave excuses saying that there was a "miscommunication" between myself and the waiter. I told her it was my birthday and I mentioned that we were disappointed with the wait, the table, and now the fact that the entree just never showed up. She then asks, "well, was the food good?". I thought this was very condescending and unprofessional. In retrospect I can honestly say that I was being polite and respectful to the staff, I just wasn't pleased with the way things transpired. However, my husband and I were really, really disappointed in the way the situation was handled. What would have been a MUCH better way to address the situation would have just been a SINCERE apology without any excuses, and perhaps a small discount, free dessert, or voucher for next visit (this is common practice from Ruby Tuesday's to Ruth's Chris). Nope, we didn't get any of that. What makes me the most upset is just the fact that the manager was really insincere and the fact that the waiter didn't even come over to apologize. I understand they were busy and it would have made ALL the difference in the world to just say "I'm sorry this happened, please give us another chance". With that said, we won't be back. The food was good, however you can EASILY find food JUST as good with service that is MUCH MUCH better. Based on our experience we believe that Morimoto's is just a hyped up restaurant with a cool ambiance. That is not enough to keep our business. I'm not going to pay upwards of $200 to get poor service when we can pay the same amount or less and get food that is just as stellar and outstanding service. I hope for the restaurant's sake that this was just a one time bad experience for us and it doesn't happen again. We live in Honolulu and will not be back.
(1)
Tina K.
We always wanted to go here n finally we did...it was so awesome! The food, everything we ordered was absolutely delicious! We decided to order alot of apps..the oyster with uni and foie gras was my favorite! Our server was very nice n helpful with explaining the menu n dishes..he recommended to try the octopus carpaccio n we tried it..deelish! The decor of the place was beautiful too..we are absolutely goin back for more!!
(5)
Adrienne B.
I have wanted to eat here since moving to Honolulu so when my friend suggested a girls night out here I couldn't pass up the chance. As usual, I pre-gamed the menu and had taken a look at some Yelp photos and had an idea of what I wanted before even stepping foot inside. We arrived promptly for our reservations and were seated outside as requested. The ambiance of the restaurant is lovely, somewhat understated and kind of cozy in a sophisticated way. Our waiter came to our table to take our water preferences and to see if we wanted any cocktails. We had some questions regarding cocktails and he was able to walk us through cocktail options and he suggested the Moscow Mule to one of the women in our party who really liked her drink. I ordered the Grapefruit Mojito and found it to be the perfect blend. We placed our orders for appetizers, and our waiter encouraged us to keep our menus so we could order slowly and take our time (despite it being a Friday evening). I ordered the Tuna Pizza, and others ordered the gyoza, scallops and the tempura shrimp which we all took turns passing around the table. Although the tuna pizza was my favorite, the shrimp was a close second for me due to the flavorful sauces. The scallops were also lovely and the gyoza were prepared to perfection with a nice crispy pan sear. Although I had been eyeing the Chef's Tasting Menu as what I wanted to order, since no one else in my party was being overly adventurous (or eating as much), I went with the Chef's Sushi Selections and licked my plate clean. When my plate was brought out, the server took the time to name every piece of sushi on my plate for me, and sadly now I can't even remember my favorite piece because they were all impeccable. No one at the table really even talked during our main meals because we were all too busy "mmmmming" and smiling because of how happy our taste buds were. A few of us ended up with dessert and I had the peanut butter bombe and as our waiter said it's his favorite and I can see why. It was heavenly. The texture of the bombe was light and airy and the flavor was out of this world. The next time I go back tasting menu for sure.
We cant resist my friends recommendation of this restaurant so we made a reservation. We got there early and waited 20 minutes and get seated which is not the worst because we get a pretty nice outdoor sitting right next to the harbor. We ordered sashimi combo plate, duck duck duck, chicken ramen, and a lychee breeze. The drink is not as good as i imaged, the lychee flavor is there but felt a little strange.(the actual lychee in the drink soaked with alckhol is delicious tho) The sashimi is on a well decorated plate amd taste pretty good. The duck duck duck has couple thin slices of duck which the duck flavor is hard to tell, the soup is somewhat salty,the little roll with duck is just average.(do not recommend) The ramen tastes fine, maybe the restaurant might not want to use such a huge bowl but only less than half full..
(3)
Mimi P.
I'm a fan of Chef Morimoto, so I thought I would love his restaurant. Sadly, that was not the case. I had made a reservation well in advance. When we arrived, our party of 3 was told that it would be just a couple of minutes, so we sat down and waited. And waited. Several more groups of 3 walked in and were seated while we were waiting. After waiting at least 30-45 minutes after our reservation time, we were seated. We ordered two glasses of wine, which didn't arrive until after we finished our first course. For the main course, we ordered the duck duck duck (tasty) and some sushi (good, but not especially memorable). We were about to start eating... but the soy sauce bottle we were given was empty. The waiter was nowhere in sight, so we waited. And stared at our food. And waited. Finally we were able to ask for soy sauce... and waited some more. By the end of the meal, we were still hungry, tired of waiting, and paying a large bill that the meal did not live up to. Maybe the restaurant was having an off day, and the service can be chalked up to a very busy night. But all in all, I wouldn't go back.
(3)
Paul M.
Friendly staff, great view, and great food. Our waiter Todd was friendly and offered thoughtful answers to our questions and requests for recommendations. The rock shrimp appetizer was great while the gyoza was pretty good. I had the sushi combination and it was outstanding. The only thing that is keeping me from giving a fifth star is that their dessert menu didn't have any items that piqued my interest.
(4)
S E.
fine dining at its best. superb. hats off to the chefs. love this place. had octupus salad and sushi and it was absolutely delicious. everything was exquisite and on point. friendly staff and very personable.
(5)
Anastasia L.
This place is a hit or miss. It really depends on what you order. My fav dish from this restaurant was the oyster foie-gras. It was awesome. You don't go to a fushion japanese restaurant to order sushi or sashimi. You go there for their special dishes. I expected something to enter my mouth and have me salivate but it was a 50/50. The service of the hostess in the front sucked. She was totally rude to us and was very unprofessional. We also waited for an hr and 10 mins till we got seated even WITH rsvp. Don't expect too much maybe you'll appreciate it more.
(4)
Tina T.
Went there for my birthday last year but never wrote my review until now. We made reservations 3 weeks in advance. When we arrived we saw that Chef Morimoto was there. We were swiftly taken to our table, but I was disappointed that despite making a reservation that long ago the table was nothing special, in fact sandwiched between two other big tables, not a good sign. Our waitress was very friendly, knows the dishes well, a thumbs up for her. The food however, came up very disappointing. We shared a couple appetizers, they were good but nothing memorable. As for the main, my friend ordered the curried flavored chicken, the chicken came up so dry and tough, it was extremely unappetizing. My deep fried fish was good, but I think I can get better at a thai restaurant for half the price. they were nice enough to let my friend order something else so he ordered the misoyaki butterfish (as a Japanese chef I assume Morimoto can't screw that up). Luckily this time it was good, but again I could get the same thing if not better at Yanagi's or any other Japanese establishment. The main left me so disappointed that I didn't even want to have dessert there. For the price my friend paid for our meal, I'd try to book Alan Wong, 3660 on the Rise, or Chai's Bistro instead for both the culinary experience and satisfaction.
(3)
Indigo L.
This place SUCKS. The hype is what made it worse. Salt water as an entree? Are you kidding me? I thought the bar flies was one of the entrees in the course menu. Maybe Iron Chef was working on his new secret ingredient. Go to the Harbor Pub across the street for the same quality for a cheaper price. The service was great but couldn't save the food quality.
(1)
Nicole C.
So this review is long overdue, but needless to say it was impressive. I came here for my birthday in December without any reservations and got seated outside because it was pretty busy, which I didn't mind at all. The view outside is really nice and I was really liking the atmosphere. However, when they found out it was my birthday they offered to give me the next table available. Funny enough, it only took 4 or 5 minutes for us to get a table. Our server was very funny, polite, and extremely knowledgeable of everything on the menu (of course). The service was very timely and we got our entrees within a minute of finishing our appetizer. For dessert I had the chocolate ice cream that was apparently made with spicy peppers, and it was DELICIOUS!!!! I absolutely have no complaints about their food. Overall great experience, especially for a last-minute decision for my bday dinner.
(5)
Maggie F.
Omakase the only way to go. I went and loved it, this is not for hungry people. This is to experience food and beauty. I am not a fish person but every bite was amazing and will enjoy again and again! If you are ever there this is a must! Sorry to have missed Iron Chef Morimoto himself but it was an overall amazing place.
Had the Omakase ( chefs choice). Very good combonation the Morimoto cuisuine. I recomend it. In my opinion the cost should be adjusted to around 80.00 instead of the 120.00. It was the chefs choice, but Morimoto himself was not cooking it,,, As i do recommend it, the overall taste i dont feel was Iron Chef quality.
(3)
Jenn W.
Sushi was good but I didn't think 5 star quality. Waited for over half hour just for salad, miso soup with 5 small pieces of chicken. Best part of the experience was the server. Pricey.
(3)
Chi-Hye M.
The big hype about "Iron Chef" Morimoto is..."bleh" I was hoping to be able to dine on a day the chef was at the restaurant....but I had just missed him. :( I cant really say anything bad about the food. It was pretty darn awesome! i think we got the tuna pizza as one of the appetizers - this was really good! I had the angry chicken - chicken was nice and moist but the best part was the potatoes that came with the chicken. BEST potatoes ever! tiny potatoes with nothing but salt and i think they were baked...hands down the best baked potatoes...DROOL~~~ Service was great too. We had the best server. They even packaged our leftover rack of lamb so we could take it home for our dogs. Only negative part is when we went to pay they were going to add on a "plating" fee for the birthday cake i brought. When i called to make a reservation no one mentioned any kind of fee for plating. I was just surprised that he mentioned it only when i was going to pay. I don't have a problem paying for the plating...It just that no one told me about it until the end and the was he told me. "you're going to have to pay a plating fee of $5 per person for the cake you brought" ridiculous! I think the manager surprising me with a $5 plating fee just ruined the good experience at Morimoto.
(3)
Andrei E.
One of the most disappointing dining experiences in a while! They try to be hip and cool, but come out as snooty and pretentious. Why have a dress code if you don't enforce it? The food is uninventive and the taste combinations are poorly constructed. The fish was not fresh! The price level is completely unjustified for the quality of the food you get. The service was fair, but could not compensate for the overall bad taste. Do not waste your time at this restaurant - there are so many better options in the city!
(1)
Sara K.
Overall an excellent experience.The newly renovated interior makes a relaxing and subtly impressive ambiance. The perfect restaurant to try sake and Japanese inspired drinks. The signature white lily cocktail is a must! The rock shrimp tempura was perfectly executed and heavenly.
(5)
Cheryl K.
My parents took me out for my birthday here since their last experience was great. I love the ambiance - modern straight lines, contempo furniture, and decor. I'm a sucker for those places. When we walked in the hostesses greeted us and immediately sat us since my mom made a reservation. We ordered some cocktails and ordered our food. We ordered the pork gyoza and the tempura calamari salad for our appetizers. The portions were good enough for us four and the appetizers were delicious. My husband ordered the miso soup which was kinda huge. You know those little black bowls miso soup is usually served in? Anyways, I think it was like 4 of those combined. Portion was pretty big. So we order our entrees - my mom and I order the braised black cod (yes, BUTTERFISH!), my dad ordered the crispy whole fish, and my husband ordered the chef's loco moto. We waited quite a while for our food, I guess it may have been semi-busy on this Sunday but I think we waited a while. Anyways I think it was worth the wait. All of our dishes were presented super nice and the food just as great! I was not speaking for about 15 minutes straight as I was indulging in my butterfish and rice. The service was pretty on it. Also got a cute little dessert since it was my birthday. I think it was a melon sorbet or some sort. I was really full, happy, and satisfied! Anyways, I will return Morimoto Waikiki, I will return!
(5)
Dawny M.
Amazing service, decor and food. John said it was like being a judge on the Iron Chef. We debated but finally decided to go with the Omakase. It was very expensive $120 per person before drinks and tip. There were no inexpensive wines on menu. We ordered Chardonnay, I think the least expensive was $65, but you can drink a glass not share a bottle. The dinners are priced such that you could order an entree with a couple appetizers and stay well under the $120, but what an experience. 7 courses and the only question they ask if for food allergies, the rest is up to them. We enjoyed ever course, the dessert was the least exciting but still good. Next time we go and there will be a next time, we will select items from the menu, but the Omakase was the way to experience Morimoto's for the first time. Worth the price!
(5)
Saul J.
I had the best experience here during my recent trip to Hawaii. I stayed at the Modern Hotel which by the way is where Morimoto restaurant is. I dinned with two other friends and their perception of the food and service was the same as mine. Everything we ate, drank and tasted was so delicious and very well presented. Masaharu Morimoto has truly exceeded my expectations, then again he is and always in my view japanese Iron Chef.
(5)
Stephanie I.
==HOLYY SHIIT== so i FINALLY ate at the infamous Morimoto's and i was completely impressed. my best friend took me here for my birthday and we both ordered the Morimoto Omakase ($70 for lunch, i believe it's around $110 if you order it at dinner time). Th
(5)
Glenn C.
First time here and did not disappoint. Large party of 12 all went with the omakasa (chef's tasting) menu. Everything I ate was delicious, but some strange combinations. Overall the food was great, but a little pretentious. Service was top notch and the views from the outdoor patio are amazing. The bar is a great place to have drinks. Several unique drinks and cool bartenders.
(4)
Jerry L.
We went for dinner. The food was good but the waiter ripped us off. Be careful and ask before ordering sushi. It can get pricey if you assume as we did that a piece of sushi cost $10.00 or less. Our waiter asked us if we wanted a handroll sushi and not nigiri which is what is offered on the menu. We assumed it was included in the price but when we got our bill the one piece of sushi cost us $20.00 for one piece. So our three pieces of sushi cost us one at $20.00 and one at $12.00 and one at $14.00 each piece. I guess the waiter wanted a bigger tip. This is not how island folks like to be treated.
(1)
Pabs G.
New restaurant in town. Decorations and furniture beautiful. Seats are close together. Environment is LOUD and not conducive to conversations around the table. Nice fireplace outside. Service okay. A bit unorganized. Expected more. Food: Liked the sashimi pizza, salad, salmon, and hot udon. Overall, worth going once to twice, but there are other restaurants in town with great food and service at a more affordable rate.
(3)
Rina S.
I FOUND A BEETLE BUG CRAWLING IN MY SALAD!! It's Christmas eve and we decided to eat at Morimotos despite everyone telling us to go to Nobus. I was enjoying a mixed green salad and half way into my salad I found a black disgusting BEETLE BUG in my salad!!!!!!! I picked it up on my fork and almost ate it!!!!!! I called the server and brought it to his attention. He asked if we wanted ANOTHER salad. I answered with a sharp "Are you kidding me?!" He then brought a man who I guess was the manager (but by his sloppy attire and no name tag how could I tell) He opened the apology with a "This happens sometimes because we use organic greens that comes from the farm." He quickly added "But that definitely shouldn't happen and should never come out on the floor and Im very sorry." He took the salad off of the check and offered to give us a nice dessert on the house. You know what I have to say to that WTF! #1 Don't start the apology putting the blame on the farm. What kind of f*ing apology is that!?!? #2 How is knowing that there's bugs "SOMETIMES" in salads in the kitchen supposed to make me feel better about my food?! I don't ever want to know that there are bugs even in the kitchen! The manager didn't even come out to apologize when we got our check. They really need to train their staff to handle situations more appropriately before they open a restaurant like this. I can expect this kind of customer service at a cheap restaurant but not at a restaurant with these kind of prices! We should have listened to everyone and went to Nobu's!!
(1)
Ron C.
Agree with the reviewers that said this restaurant was overhyped. I've had much better sushi and sashimi for my local sushi joint back home. And didn't have to pay through the nose. The rock shrimp were good. But they were the same as budakan back in NYC. Which kinda makes sense since its the same restaurant group. But, you'd think they'd change the recipe up a little. As for the whole red snapper. Omg. Blander than a 1950s Midwestern housewife. (what was that sauce supposed to be?) service was uneven at best. Amd, on a Friday nite at 8pm you'd think the restaurant would be packed. But, alas, half full. No wonder. The locals know better.
(2)
ray c.
You should know that when you come to a place of this caliber, it should live up to all the hype - and it did. So why a 4-star and not 5-star? Without a doubt, our lovely city of Honolulu needs more jazzy spiffy trendy joints, and Morimoto is certainly what we need, and it delivers the atmosphere. Come here with your friends, have fun, drinks, pupus, you'll have a great time. It's hip, and it's got all the right vibes. It's a slim divide btwn minimalist modern trendy decor - and hospital sterile - and this place gladly takes the former, thank God. The inside setting is open-kitchen style... happy & noisy & fun. The outside is chill and relaxing, with a fire pit that really adds to the ambiance - I wouldn't change a thing, about the decor - it's fantastic, and I would go back just bcse of it. Ok, I write on Yelp because I'm more taste-centric type of eater and less of a fluff & atmosphere kinda guy. If you ask me - I go for taste rather then decor. Taste-wise, I think this place is 80% there, I just wish it tastes like it looks.
(4)
Charles S.
This was my second time to Morimoto's. This time with my brother and sister-in-law from Japan. I had made my reservation through open table and asked specifically for Japanese and English menus. When I got to the restaurant, I reminded them I needed Japanese menus, the hostess confirmed Japanese and English menus. After three times, we get to our table and we all have English menus. How stupid is that. When I remind the hostess I need five Japanese and one English menu they apologize and give me an the English speaker a Japanese menus. There is a major lack of common sense there. Later my sister-in-law orders the omakase. The runners continue to bring the omakase to my wife. Granted they're sister's, but they don't look alike and after the first, second, and third time of being told, they would make the correction. Total lack of communcation amoung the staff. I had call the restaurant earlier to tell them it was my wife's birthday. Surprize, they never wrote it down. So my wife got nothing! Then we are hit with the mandatory six person, 20% tip. Talk about insult to injury. I have been to Nobu's, La Mer and they deserve 20%. Morimoto's has a long ways to go. Saving grace was that the food was good. Morimoto's wants to be Honolulu's best restaurant. Management really needs to look at staff training. We had a wonderful experience the night before at BLT Steak House. The waiter Ed was superb! I was so upset, I called and talked to the assistant manager. He apologized and said they are have problems. He promised me the next time I return to let him know and things will be different. I personally ask myself, I have been burned twice there. Would you give them another chance? Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.
(3)
Phi H.
Mr. Iron chef did not disappoint, food was delish, atmosphere was amazing, and we scored pictures with morimoto, couldn't ask for more with a night in oahu.
(5)
Philip P.
Incredible food, drink, service, and appearance. A must visit in Waikiki located at the Modern Hotel. It is a little pricy but I feel the price is warrented.
(5)
John K.
Overall lived up to the hype and reputation. Ambience is killer, try to sit outside, less noisy and a view of the harbor. Calamari salad was terrific and surprisingly a good deal. The Doris was wonderful. Bagna cauda was like a joke an oily tasteless dip with what appeared to be table scraps. Tobanyaki, the whole fish and the black cod were outstanding. Pricey place for the special meal.
(4)
Tasha T.
Superb! Presentation was beautiful and flavors were on point! We started with the flight of sakes, which was amazing! We then ordered the morimotos style poke (great!), crispy whole fish (great!), braised black cod (okay; flavorful but it just tasted like unagi sauce), and chocolate dessert (great!). Staff were knowledgeable, attentive, and kind! Overall great experience! Afterwards we continued drinks at The Study in the hotel lobby. Highly recommend!
(5)
TRISHA C.
Yes, me and my husband watch Iron Chef, Morimoto is one of my favors. First night we landed, we went here straight for dinner. We actually went two more times during our 10 days vacation in Waikiki. So, shell we start? Morimoto Sashimi (Seared toro, smoked salmon, eel, tuna, hamachi, five sauces): Delicious creative dish and playful. I personally love this one a lot. Yose Dofu (Tofu prepared tableside, kimchee sauce, dashi broth): Best tofu ever had! Fantastic flavor. This is our top favor. Chief's Loco Moto (Wagyu beef, sunny side up peterson farm egg, hayashi gravy): Made me said wow and want more. Surf and Turf (Six ounces prime filet, morimoto style poke, salt crusted fingerlings): Yummy! Tuna Pizza (Olives, anchovy aioli, jalapeno): Chirashi Sushi (Morimoto style assorted sashimi over sushi rice, serve with miso soup): Oh I loveeeeee this main course!! The sashimi tasted so fresh and everything mix together very well! Morimoto Style Poke (Bocconcini, avocado wasabi sorbet, dashi foam): The fish, again, tasted so fresh! Kakuni (Ten hour pork belly, rice congee, braised pork jus): I'd say this is the best "congee" I've had, but of course, there's not much in the bowl. Pork was super tender and flavorful. Lobster Melt (Miso mayo, swiss cheese): We read lots reviews that we should try this, it was worth it!! Serves was great, polite, helpful and always smiles. they tell you how the dish was made and what's the right way to enjoy them. In conclusion, FABULOUS!! Will have to try Morimoto New York next time.
(5)
Philip H.
Morimoto Waikiki was just as good as I remember having it the first time in New York City. Ambiance is more laid back local style but it still is nice. They have a really well priced lunch menu for those of you looking for a delicious lunch. My personal favorite is the kakuni 10 hour pork belly lunch set, which includes green salad, miso soup, and rice. I also am a HUGE fan of Morimotos pork gyoza in hamakua tomato sauce. For dinner, my favorite entree is the wagyu filet or the ribeye, depending on how much of a pig I want to be. In short, good food, good service, good drinks, good ambiance. Also, I love the Waikiki Edition so it doesnt hurt that you can walk downstairs to Lobby Bar for after dinner drinks :)
(4)
Amanda C.
One of the best dinners of my life! Our favorites were the loco moco and spicy crab appetizer! We also had the pineapple tempura appetizer and soft shell crab roll...yum! The service was great (Paul) and the ambiance as well. Hope to make it back there someday!
(5)
eric e.
Ate here 2x for dinner and both times Iron Chef Morimoto was there. the first time i morimoto smoked sashimi, oysters, kakuni , Wagyu Filet, & Lamb Rack. 2nd time Oyster foie gras, Beef Tartare, Duck, Duck, Duck (seared duck breast, duck confit spring roll, duck meatball soup), chef's combination sushi, & some of my wife's wagyu ribeye. I have to say the smoked sashimi, oyster foie gras, beef tartare, & wagyu ribeye is to die for. I Also tried 3 of his beers. the black obi soba was the best overall. Food was awesome & service is great. I would highly recommend this place!
(5)
Kendra C.
I know there are mixed reviews....please do your research before you come here to ensure a great experience. There should be no disappointments here. This is a class act. We visited Morimoto on Thursday July 28, 2011.....had an 8:15pm reservation. Restaurant was busy but not crazy. Service was friendly and attentive, beginning with the hostess station. We were greeted instantly and taken to a beautiful table right in front of the sushi bar. Our server arrived immediately and took our drink orders. We told her that we were planning to sample the menu and that we wanted a slow pace. She obliged perfectly. We started with the Morimoto smoked 'stacked' sashimi with the 5 sauces....each sauce compliments a different "stack." Experiment.....play......enjoy. My favorite was the clear sauce. I'll leave the rest up to you. Next was the yose dofu.....highly recommended. Yes, we've all had tofu before, but how many of us can say we have had freshly made tofu? Most of us buy the processed variety from the grocery. Try this. It's creamy, fluffy and delicious. Spicy king crab was our "entree".....there is no need to feel pressure to have an actual entree at Morimoto. Instead, taste the menu. The spicy crab was presented as a dish to share. There are 4 pieces of crab and believe it or not, french fries. Try this dish if you are a shellfish fan. Last were the egg sushi dishes....skip traditional dessert and try the tamago and kasutera. Traditional Japanese and so light and fluffy....you'll forget you are actually having dessert. Afterwards, visit t the pool bar at the Edition Hotel. It's about 50 feet away but feels like a mile away. Enjoy!
(5)
Thai C.
Coming from a guy who prefers a fine cheeseburger over the best lobster, this was way over the top for me. The food, from what I can tell, was on par with what I had anticipated. Most of the items we ordered at Morimoto's have been more memorable at other restaurants with much lesser price tags. My final review is to go here for the ambiance and service, which were both top notch!! The food was already forgotten on the ride home.
(3)
Jessica I.
Love this place! Ate here 2 times: the first time was a set dinner for a bday party. Sat at the long private table. Service was great. The second time, was awesome! between the four of us we had 11 appetizers, 4 entrees, 3 desserts and coffee!! lol, never again will order that much food. LOOOVED the appetizers, sooo delicious, every dish was gooood!!! The entrees is ok, I would prefer just ordering appetizers and sushi. (sorry forget what we ordered) The freshest hamachi you can get. And the dessert is to die for!! love the different ways they make dessert and is soo tasteful; the hot and cold tofu: tofu souffle and cheesecake, the matcha green tea cake thing, and the sorbets are delicious!
(5)
Tracy E.
Don't waste your money!
(1)
Tony M.
Morimoto's is well decorated, bright and modern. The hostess was nice and we didn't wait long for our table. The waiter was friendly, helpful with menu description and accommodating requests. The sushi was great, the quality of the fish was excellent. The special which was a grilled white fish (similar to a swordfish) was perfectly cooked, however I wasn't a huge fan of the miso sauce.
(4)
vanny j.
I can't really say anything that hasn't already been said. My experience started off good with an attentive server and really good food, then the food started to get less good (unimpressive greasy tempura, over-dressed salad) and so did the service (long waits, lost/forgotten orders). We had to complain about an order we had made at the beginning that didn't arrive until over 2 hours later and had seen multiples of the same order go to other tables that were seated after us. The waiter didn't apologize but made excuses but the restaurant manager did apologize and comp us dessert so at least there was a small consolation for the screw up but when you pay top dollar at a restaurant I expect a lot more.
(3)
Jaye V.
Bottom line: Spend your $150 someplace better. I ordered the lobster and was so disappointed i almost cried at the table. On the menu, it stated that it was accompanied by seasonal vegetables and i think i got two sticks of yellow carrots and three branches of broccolini. It came with a side of lemon creme fraiche to (as the server told us) cool down the spices. I think the best thing about the dish was the lemon creme fraiche. And lobster was far from spicy. It didn't even have a kick to it. I basically got a lobster with seasoning and a side plate of fraiche and twigs on top as garnish. It costed me 50 bucks. I think i could've done better if i had gone out to buy lobster, tossed it in seasoning and butter and made myself fraiche. My boyfriend, being a vegetarian, ordered some veggie rolls from the sushi bar. Not very fresh. I had built up anticipation expecting an incredible dining experience, but Morimoto Waikiki really disappointed me. I would never go there again. Maybe you ought to spend your money at Nobu or some where else.
(2)
Ross M.
To be honest, I was a bit skeptical going in because of the celebrity factor and the Waikiki location (esp since I was never that interested in going to his NY location). My wife and I are both very into food and already had the best sushi ever a couple nights prior at Sasabune. I am so glad I was wrong. Everything was delicious and service was great. It was certainly expensive, but not as bad as I thought. The view of the sunset past the sailboats over the mountains was spectacular, so it can be nice to schedule dinner around sunset. It can be a little hot on the lanai, though. Additionally, there is a good view of the Hilton fireworks around 7:45, i believe only Tues and Fri. Now onto the food: my wife started with the cucumber Collins cocktail and I had one of Morimoto's signature Rogue beers; both were excellent. For appetizers, we got Hamachi tartare and wagyu carpaccio. The tartare comes with an interesting presentation with some traditional and non traditional condiments that you mix in yourself, so it is fun to experiment. The fish was good quality, too. The wagyu carpaccio melts in your mouth and a has a great mild citrus sauce for a little acidity. My wife got the butterfish entree, which was a good size piece, cooked perfectly - she was even able to ear it just pulling pieces off with chopsticks. There wasn't much else on the plate other than some sweet beans and pickled pepper skins (3 each). Would've been nice to have a few more beans, but not that big of a deal. I had the yellowtail buri bap, which was a delicious fancy Japanese take on bibimbap. Finally, the dessert was a peanut butter chocolate bombe, which was delicious and surprisingly light. In all, this is a celebrity owned restaurant in a nice location that really lives up to the hype and is worth considering for a special night out.
(5)
Grace K.
I had hopes that this place was going to change my mind about dining at morimoto after the disappointing experience in NYC...I guess top notch is what you expect when coming to a top notch restaurant. 1st appetizer was the oyster and foie gras...ehhhh the oyster was super fishy! Ewww. I've been to the other sushi spots in waikiki and the $$ restaurants served better quality oysters than morimoto. The foie gras was good but it was so heavily marinated in teriyaki sauce. I wish sasabune had room for us today... :( The pork dumplings tasted like the pack of frozen dumplings at the supermarket that's on sale...with foam on top. Ikura was a bit salty / fishy. The sake was really good though. Please Morimoto, taste your food before serving it.
(1)
J S.
Amazing food! Prepare to have your mind and taste buds blown! * sushi is expensive! Other then that is awesome!
(5)
Sarina A.
This restaurant is at the perfect location- The Modern Honolulu. Ambiance, service, and food were all amazing. We had dinner outside rather than inside because I felt that inside was a tad bit stuffy in this heat. Every item we ordered had so much flavor and the presentation was very well done. We had the : morimoto sashimi- there were 5 cool different dippping sauces. this dish looks small but dont underestimate it because its still filling. oysters foie gras- the combination of the two was more than amazing. wagyu carpaccio- melts in your mouth! morimoto style poke- the mozzarella cheese and tomato added a good texture and flavor to the dish. chocolate peanut bombe- a must try. its just that good! We were given a complimentary dessert for our anniversary. It was their home made guava sorbet and it was delish! Each item was a must try!! I would defintely order each of these items again and would defintely come back.
(5)
Angel L.
Everything about our experience here was amazing. The food, the ambiance, the service. I recommend this restaurant to anyone celebrating something special, the wait staff really makes a difference in the experience. They are wonderful. Our server Brandon especially, I would recommend him any day.
(5)
Jackie M.
Phenomenal; exactly what I expected of Morimoto. We splurged on the omakase and it was worth every penny. The sweet potato ice cream might be the best thing I've ever eaten, which I found to be impressive considering we'd already eaten 6 courses. I personally would not bring my children here but there were some well-behaved children nearby. The atmosphere is not romantic as we had hoped but more hip / trendy. Service was excellent; our waitress was very helpful in describing each course, which we fully appreciate. It is pricey, but for the foodie it is a must-do-at-least-once kind of place.
(5)
Ken K.
We came to celebrate a birthday and decided to come to Morimoto's. Although the receptionists were flustered and forgot our name after checking in, the rest of the staff lived up to the good name. Especially our waiter, Ryan. Ryan knew the menu and could confidently and accurately make recommendations. The omakase was great. Since we had been in Philadelphia 's Morimoto I got the "repeat"omakase . The staff was very attentive and even brought a complimentary birthday dessert. So if you want to feel special and get treated well come here and ask for Ryan to take care of you.
(5)
Vy N.
This restaurant is BEST for Friday dinner around 7:00pm! Location (4/5): This restaurant locates on the first floor inside the Modern Honolulu Hotel. It took us a while to find the entrance since we are not local. When we got there, there is a valet parking option so we didn't have to worry about finding parking. You can walk upstairs (stairs are on the right side of the entrance) or take the elevator to the restaurant. The restaurant itself is right next to the swimming pool which is beautiful! Since I requested for a beautiful view, they seated us outside so we can see the beautiful Harbor of Waikiki Beach full with yachts and caught the fireworks at night. Services (3/5): I tried to reserve seats through OpenTable and the app said there was no seat available until one more month. Then, I called directly to the restaurant and was able to get my reservation right away. If you have any specific requests such as writing personal message on the desserts, don't forget to tell them in advance! Since I did that and also requested for the best seats in the house, they gave us the most ideal spot for photo taking and watching the fireworks. Mahalo management staffs! On the other hand, their table service is without a doubt slow. I'm not sure if they have less staffs or what... It took them a long time to bring us food, and took them a longer time to clean our table! Food (3.5/5): Since the menu here is similar to the Morimoto menu in Napa, I was so excited to try everything! One of the MUST TRY dishes is the Toro tartare, the Morimoto signature dish. Everyone loved the experience and the uniqueness of the dish. Besides the fresh sushi, the flavors here is no way comparable to the Morimoto in Napa. Plus, the pricing is a little bit more expensive I believe. Whatever appetizer and main course you order, don't forget to order desserts! I'm not much of the sweet tooth kind of gal, but I love any chocolate dessert at any Morimoto! The dessert NEVER disappoints. Plus, this is a perfect way to end a meal, or to make someone in your party feel special with a written message on it! *romantic huh? wink wink* I would only come here on Friday nights around 7:00pm and reserve seats to be seated outside, because the fireworks at Hyatt happened around 7:45pm every Friday!
(3)
Chris S.
We went back - and it only got BETTER. The food, the ambiance, the views, the food - nothing else can hold a candle to our dinner tonight. Thank you Nic, thank you Megan and thank you Chef Morimoto and your staff for making tonight a night to remember. The toro belly sashimi was melt in your mouth fantastic, and the peanut chocolate bombe dessert was probably the finest dessert we have ever had. Good thing that you don't have a restaurant in the Scottsdale/Phoenix area - otherwise we would be there every other night. Thank you for making tonight such a special occasion.
(5)
Christopher T.
Took my parents out for an early Christmas dinner here, came in with no expectations and was only slightly impressed. The restaurant itself looked nice, service was great, however the food I ordered was 3 stars at best. Sushi was average with what you'll find at many Waikiki sushi restaurants, in fact the only thing that saved this review was probably the crispy fish we ordered. It was battered and fried, a whole fish from head to tail for $37 and came covered in a mapo tofu sauce.. delicious! Definitely my favorite dish of the night. Nothing else impressed. Would come here again for that fish.
(4)
Lisa S.
Set in the ultra stylish Modern Hotel my girls and I were looking forward to dining here for a belated wedding celebration for our staycation in Waikiki. Before we even sat down, I was already starting to question the quality of their service - mainly with their communication. Upon making reservations online, I noted that we'd be celebrating a special occasion. When receiving a courtesy call within the week prior to our reservation, I had confirmed that (1) we'd be placed near an area close to where we can view the Friday fireworks and (2) if something nice can be done in celebration for my recent newly wed friend. When checking in, I was asked again if we're celebrating something special and felt like I was reiterating what I discussed with someone earlier, but I figured maybe they forgot. We were seated on a table right outside their indoor dining area, which wasn't what I had thought, but at that point I didn't want to bother asking to be moved. The food was delicious, however diners should be advised that you're paying for the service, quality of food and the presentation. Nothing stood out, but their Duck Duck Duck is something I'd try again. When the dessert menu came, our waiter asked if we were celebrating anything special...."Are you kidding me??" I thought. Being that I wanted this to be a surprise for my girl, I was shocked that while I mentioned to the hostess in detail of what we were celebrating and even identified and spelt out her name, it was a disappointment to see that the message didn't get passed onto our waiter. So a little annoyed, I told the waiter to go check back with the hostess. 10 minutes later after nothing on their dessert menu interested us, a comp dessert came to us and the smiles on my girls made it all worth it. I would hope their communication with these type of things improve over time as for the type of restaurant this is, I'd expect better.
(3)
Bogdan K.
Aloha, first let me say this is my first review of this restaurant in Waikiki, but not my first or fifth dining experience at this establishment. The reason to come here is simple, you expect a elevated experience in a comfortable yet classy atmosphere. However this Thursday was not the case, my sister who is traveling between Europe and Asia has a stopover in Honolulu, this was the place I chose and to my disappointment they did not deliver. The chef tasting menu, which we had number of times at this establishment was somehow missing that attention to detail we enjoy so much, the service and explanation of the dishes presented fell flat, somehow missing that spark. Will there be a next time I ask myself, with the options in town hmm I wonder.
(2)
Cay A.
Martin, our server, was awesome! He was very knowledgeable about the food and his timing was perfect. The place is very nice -- located in The Modern Hotel where valet is complimentary. We were seated in the patio where the weather was perfect. The menu was very a very impressive fusion of flavors. Unfortunately, the dishes' taste did not live up to Morimoto or the $$$$ level. They were definitely good but we came in with with a super high expectation. My fave dish was the Morimoto poke where he seamlessly mixed bocconcini with cubes of tuna sashimi, togarashi and bonito flake foam.
(3)
Sandra Y.
Morimoto is my favorite Iron Chef!!!! That being said, eating at one of his restaurants was definitely on my bucket list. Good news is that I was in Hawaii with my BFF Dana, who had the same goal on her bucket list. Goal accomplished! We ordered: Appetizers: Hamachi Tartare, Whitefish (moi) Carpaccio, and the Takoyaki (with abalone). Entrees: Chef's Loco Moto (with waygu beef), Braised Black Cod, Steamed Salmon and Ume Shiso Maki. Desserts: Chocolate Peanut Bombe (milk chocolate creme with salted peanut ice cream) and Haupia Semifreddo (coconut gelee, honey and matcha meringue) If you've watched Morimoto in action on TV, you've seen his signature tartare on the wooden plank with the multiple dipping sauces. It's as amazing as it looks on television. The sashimi style Moi Carpaccio was just as delicious. The Abalone Yaki was like takoyaki but with abalone instead of octopus (obviously) and was pretty darn good, but I would have appreciated more abalone and less breading. (That might be the greedy abalone-lover in me) Entrees were lackluster compared to the apps we had just had. The gravy makes the loco moco, and our Loco Moto failed to impress. Both the fish were cooked perfectly, but the sauces weren't as great as we expected. (We took the leftover fish home and ate it the next day - broiled in the oven - and it was better the second time around). It's pretty hard to mess up coconut gelee with honey and green tea meringue. Or a chocolate and salted peanut butter combo. Yummo. He def won me back with the desserts. I know, super long review, but we ordered so much food I had to give Morimoto the time he deserves. Cliff notes: Appetizers and desserts were amazing, the entrees failed to impress.
(4)
Daniel A.
The dinner experience here was disappointing compared to other options in Honolulu. Having previously been disappointed by the omakase, we opted to order from the menu this trip. Nothing was particularly noteworthy. We were staying at the Modern, and Morimoto is open for breakfast. I think breakfast is a better option here than dinner. I had the Loco Moto, which is Morimoto's take on a loco moco. That was better than anything I had at dinner.
(4)
Julianne C.
Came here on a business dinner and I must say, Morimoto is one of the more innovative Japanese restaurants in Honolulu. The main dining room was elegantly modern and chic and I loved the open kitchen concept. My colleague even noted that sometimes Chef Morimoto himself would be at the kitchen/sushi bar creating some of the dishes. The staff was extremely professional and was very attentive with our drink/food orders. Had a very enjoyable dining experience overall. One thing that stood out from my experience: the dashi foam - how cool was that?!
(4)
Larry H.
Wonderful dinner on the outdoor patio. Sushi was fresh and both dinners were delicious. They aknowledged our anniversary.
(4)
S. Y.
You must be kidding? I was sooo... looking forward to the meal on Xmas eve. My entire party of 6 was not happy. First of all, the decor is nice. Something different for Hawaii and very nicely done. However, I can't eat nice decor and it doesn't make up for the lack of professional level of service you would expect from such a hyped internationally known restaurant. First of all, the food was just so-so. I think any decent Asian fusion from any restaurant in town is pretty close at a fraction of the (over)price. Some of the ingredients used are obviously good, uni, toro, frois gras, and added to the flavor. But the preparations were just marginal in almost every course of the 120$ Omakase course. Especially the main dish of rib eye which for lack of comparison had the same texture as duck breast. Does that sound right to you? Finally, the service. It was horrible. Nobody knew what anyone on the table ordered and consistently served the wrong people the wrong things. (one person didn't have the omakase so is it that difficult to figure out?) . We had to ask for utensils after courses and when they did arrive they simply plopped them in front of you criss-crossed rather than setting them nicely? I would expect that from a coffee shop. But not Morimoto's!! C'mon. It took forever to get the waiters and even the final bill. I would have given them much less tip if I had the chance and they didn't charge me 20% service charge on my bill already and then give me the opportunity to add "additional tip" when signing my charge card. You must be joking. Never again.
(1)
A L.
Definitely one of the best eating experiences on the island. Prices are steep, but that's to be expected at an iron chef restaurant. Surprisingly, our bill was pretty reasonable at the end of the night. We had: 1) Ahi Tuna Tartare - 5/5 2) Foie Gras Chawan Mushi - 5/5 3) Calamari Salad - 5/5 4) Hamachi Ishiburu Bop (sp?) - 3/5 5) Duck, Duck, Duck - 3/5 6) Pineapple cocktail (can't remember the name of it) 4/5 If I get a chance to come back here again, I would definitely just stick to the appetitzers...both cold and hot. #1-3 were all appetizers and the favorites of the night. Unfortunately the entrees didn't quite live up to their reputation for me which is why i took 1 star off. It didn't taste bad, just nothing that stood out for me to order it again Favorite of the night: the Foie Gras Chawan Mushi (kind of like this egg custard thing, similar to what you may get at korean restaurants) MMMmmmmmmm!
(4)
Katrice K.
I came here with my coworkers and boss for a celebration so I have to say that I didn't foot the tab in any way which will probably affect my review of the restaurant since cost wasn't a big concern. After apprehensively reading the reviews from fellow yelpers I got the sense that this was a hit or miss type of restaurant. It has its really great moments and its not so great times, so I went in with a little fear that I led my coworkers astray as I picked the restaurant. The sight that greeted my eyes was highly pleasing with beautiful pictures on the walls and gorgeous lighting and very comfortable chairs and unique tables (ours was a couple of pieces of wood with lacquer covering it, so it had an unfinished yet refined quality about it). As we had a dd for the night my coworkers and I ordered some cocktails. I have to say if you like "girly" drinks the white lily is amazing. It doesn't taste like alcohol at all and is just yummy. One coworker ordered a lychee drink which was kind of strong and my boss ordered a mai tai which was also very strong and they kindly fulfilled her request to have the drink watered down with some simple syrup in a bigger glass which helped make it tolerable for her. For appetizers we started with the tofu that they make table side which came out better than I expected. They serve it with two different sauces, watch out, the kim chee one is apparently very spicy. I enjoyed watching them make the tofu and the guy who made it for us said the tofu doesn't always set properly. I don't know if I would order that again but the novelty of it is just so cool. We also ordered the spicy tuna roll, which was not memorable at all and I would say skip. The third appetizer was the takoyaki balls with abalone instead of tako, which was amazing! The sauce was delicious and the abalone so succulent. I'm not a big fan of takoyaki or abalone in general but somehow (maybe the alcohol that I had drunk) the abalone with the tako yaki worked and made me a very very happy foodie! Definitely would order that again! The fourth appetizer was a calamari salad which was so delicious with the lightly battered calamari steaming hot with a nice dressing and greens served with it. Note: this is one dish that you need to eat right away and not leave a little for later because once the calamari cools down it does not taste nearly as good. Definitely would order that again. For the entree course we had: Duck, duck, duck-it was ok, the best part to me was the puff pastry on top of the duck soup and the cold ginger type of accompaniment to the spring rolls. Hamachi stone pot- it was just ok, with the very tender fish and the crispy rice, the sauce was just like unagi sauce a little on the sweet side (is it wrong that I think Shokudo does almost as good of a job) Lamb- the lamb was sooo tender and just a little gamey but it was cooked perfectly of the three dishes that I tried I like the lamb the best, the spam onigi was ehhh, not fitting for the delicious lamb and the ratatouille was equally delicious Seafood boulinbaise- as this was on the spicy side I didn't try it but my coworkers seemed to enjoy it and my boss finished it all so it must have been good For dessert: Haupia between two green tea wafers- I actually really like this dessert and I hate coconut and green tea desserts. both items were extremely light and well executed Cantalope, blood orange, and watermelon gelato- nice and refreshing Peanut butter dessert- the peanut butter ice cream was delicious, while the other half was ok Spiced dark chocolate ice cream- the chocolate ice cream was infused with some thai chili which tasted interested definitely an iron chef moment but not my cup of tea, it also came with this banana dessert thing and another type of ice cream which I enjoyed Verdict although there were some hits and misses within my experience at Morimoto's I fully enjoyed my meal and would love to come back for another special occasion to try more food. Several of Morimoto's creations were quite unique and things I haven't tried before and I am happy I got to experience it with my coworkers.
(5)
Terry N.
I have to say that after reading all the comments I was skeptical on this place but I really what to see for myself if it was that bad. It was a Monday night and the patio seating was all packed. So I guess business is good. Our orders came very quickly and the food quality was amazing. Salmon from Australia, Uni from California ,Sake from Morimoto 's own winery in Japan. EXCELLENT. Glad I gave it a try.
(5)
Jeremy L.
An anniversary dinner in Hawaii has to have some class and we decided to have it at Morimoto's! High expectations from an Iron Chef even though he won't be there personally to cook. Still, his reputation is always on the line. Instead of the usual three course meal, we decided to go with the Omakase, which is a 8 course tasting menu! Extremely pricey, but so fun! Each course has a specific way of eating like our first course, a tartar of fishes with a variety of toppings that you use a metal paddle to eat with. Other courses are really good like a fois gras Charamushi and a surf and turf course. This is one of those meals where eating fast is a waste. You really have to slowly enjoy each course and really consider the flavors. One thing I like about Morimoto's is the drinks. I had a Pina Haupia, a pina colada cocktail of sorts and a Thai basil Green Flash Martini. Both are great, but I love the Green Flash Martini best! Before making a reservation to Morimoto's, consider that this is not a cheap place to eat at casually, but if it's for a special occasion, it doesn't hurt to indulge. Morimoto's is a great place with great service. With a name like that, they have to be!
(4)
Nakoa T.
My fiancee and I had dinner here for my birthday and it was great I really enjoyed everything especially the sake sampler (: the sashimi platter was absolutely delicious and fresh everything we ate was right up my alley! we sat near the kitchen which was kind of hectic and loud I was a little disappointed that they didn't take my birthday into account when seating us but the decor and all around feel of the place makes up for any short comings especially the service our waiter was fun and energetic he really made us feel welcome he really catered to us it was lovely. over all the place is very clean, well lit, spacious yet cozy, nicely decorated, friendly well trained staff and most importantly the food is AMAZING. i would recommend this restaurant to anyone its well worth it!
(5)
Turana K.
so disappointed, selected this place to celebrate my birthday the worst decision i ever made. first of all my husband told them that it was my birthday and we need best table, instead they gave us small shitty table, after complaining they changed the table. Service is 0 for such prices. they never took away a dirty paper napkin from table, never changed it. food was ok, but very disappointing when u pay so much money to get ok food. we r never coming back!!!!
(1)
Susan W.
Wish I could give half stars...I feel Morimoto deserves more. First fancy/expensive restaurant date! We both wanted to come here and also to check out the Modern hotel. It was hard trying to get in for parking because some dolphin tour bus was blocking the entrance for valet. Nonetheless, once you go up the stairs, you'll be greeted with the beautiful green and white decor of Morimoto. Honestly, we had no idea what to order. Judging from the menu prices, it was not worth it to order each entree individually...unless you're ballin`, but we didn't want to break our wallet. We settled for the $120 (per person) omakase set - which is basically a 7 multi-course tasting menu. Everything that was brought out to us was a mystery, but it was designed in way so that we would be able to experience the whole cuisine that Morimoto had to offer. It was our first time ordering a set menu that we had no idea what it consisted of...I was super excited to see and try all the dishes. 1st dish - Hamachi & Toro Tartare. I really enjoyed this one and how it was presented in this lil ice bowl. It was fun scraping the tartare (raw fish chopped up) and mixing it with the various components provided: nori paste, sour cream, wasabi, maui onion, avocado, and rice cracker. There was also dashi soy on the side. I liked how we could experiment with the overall taste. 2nd dish - Whitefish Carpaccio with hot oil, ginger, and yuzu soy. OMG this was delicious! Wish it came with more pieces haha. The fish was fresh and flavorful from soaking up all the yuzu soy. The seasonings they used were amazing as well...this carpaccio just slides into your mouth and down your throat effortlessly. 3rd dish - Foie Gras Chawan Mushi. This dish consisted of two small pieces of duck breast floating in a soup-base. I didn't particularly enjoy this because it felt like drinking butter and cream. It was a bit salty too. 4th dish - Bagna Cauda. The way I would describe this one is similar to a fondue style but not with chocolate and marshmallows...instead you have hot olive oil, garlic, anchovy, and local seasonal vegetables. I liked dipping the vegetables into the oil and getting to the bottom of it, where the anchovy was. Then, I would dip the oil, anchovy mix with the red pepper powder on my plate and that was what gave all those vegetables a very unique taste. 5th dish - Morimoto's sushi/sashimi. This was chef's choice and we were given 5 pieces arranged beautifully. This dish was alright, I would say their sushi is of good quality, but nothing special. Also, it would have been nice to be informed that once piece already had wasabi in it, cause we didn't know and we already had dipped it into our soy sauce mixed with wasabi. It made our mouth and nose burn. 6th dish - Australian wagyu rib eye and filet w/ local vegetables and cranberry maui onion, roasted keahole lobster "epice" w/ garam masala and lemon creme fraiche. This dish was our main entree and it was so delicious. At this point I was getting full. I was thankful that there were flavorful sauces to go with the dry meats. I didn't really care for the rib eye and filet w/vegetables, but the cranberry maui onion sauce made it tolerable. The roasted lobster was something else though...I love lobster but I have never had it done like this. It was super yummy and I remember it being spicy, but not too much..it had a very nice roasted/burntness to it and the lemon creme fraiche gave it a lighter, savory taste. 7th dish - Vanilla ice cream and coconut infused sticky rice cake with lemon kisses. DESSERT! I couldn't wait for this one because desserts are always my favorite part of a meal. What can I say? I loved it, especially liked how they incorporated crunchy rice flakes with the softness of ice cream. It was a mixture of different tastes and senses. My boyfriend and I were glad that we came here, just for the experience. We liked half of the things our set, the others were either okay or we didn't really care for them. Our main waiter, Mark was very informative and helped us out a lot. He even offered to take pictures for us and gave a tour of the restaurant before we sat down to eat. I don't really remember anyone else, as we had different waiters after that bringing out our dishes. If we ever do come here again, we will definitely come back later in the evening...just so we can sit on the lanai and view the sunset!
(3)
Elizabeth V.
I was invited for a sneak preview of this restaurant. Being that is was an invite-only event and I had reservations, I was made to wait 20 minutes past my reservation time and seated without menus. The bartender got our drink orders wrong and the acoustics were so loud that we had to shout across the table. The menu is very diverse with a good selection, but I'd rather go somewhere else in town that doesn't over- or under- season their food. The hostess was amazing and incredibly receptive and polite to our requests.
(2)
Laura M.
Came here with the fam for lunch on a gorgeous day. This place takes on a whole difference ambiance when there's sunshine pouring in from all angles. The waitstaff was chill and attentive, informative and pleasantly informal. And jeez, you can actually get a pretty effing good deal on food here during lunch, as opposed to it being a fantastic, decadent splurge when you come at night. A bunch of us ordered the sushi/sashimi lunch sets (pretty much all the lunch entrees come as sets with miso soup, tsukemono, etc.). I went rogue and ordered the lobster melt sandwich, which came with a small salad AND wasabi fries (usually I feel like you have to choose between the two) and these awesome housemade pickled cucumbers, peppers and onion. It was on thin grilled japanese bread, and let me tell you, there was plenty of lobster in it. PLENTY. In a good way, like you know they weren't trying to stiff you on the good stuff. It was sweet, succulent and perfectly cooked, tossed in a light shiso aioli and next to melty swiss cheese. It ruled, as did the wasabi fries. My dad ordered the braised cod over rice, and my aunt ordered the 10-hour pulled pork belly, which I tried. It was delicious, melt-in-your-mouth goodness, except it was a little heavy on the sweetness and could've stood to be balanced out with some subtle spice. We re-ordered the pork gyoza with Hamakua tomato sauce and bacon foam that we enjoyed last night, and also tried the tempura pineapple with jamon iberico and mint. That was piping hot and DELISH, especially when you got the perfect bite with all three components stacked on your fork. I love that almost everything is locally sourced. Another thing I liked is that basically when you order an iced tea, it's bottomless. They kept bringing me pitcher after after pitcher of it to sit next to place setting. And they offered simple syrup instead of regular sugar (which I think there was a missed opportunity to infuse with some tropical flavor for added zest). The stand-out dessert was the coconut panna cotta with lilikoi "noodles" and berries. Generally, I'm a chocolate-dessert type of girl but the fresh, tart zing of the noodles next to the cool, creamy panna cotta was an insane combo. Loved every bite of it.
(5)
Nichole D.
it was ok. The service was great. They were out of the whole fish, which was a bummer. The menu wasn't obnoxiously priced like most fining dining in restaurants in Maui and Honolulu. We split the burybop (sp). It was not that exciting. I think if we ordered a different entree we would have been more excited about our meal. The sushi was also ok. All in all, the entire experience was just meh.
(3)
Dia De L.
Been here many times before and this time, prob the last . It's like someone dropped the ball. Food didn't taste fresh like before , maybe they are serving GMO and no local organic food. Sushi was ok, nothing special . Menus were dirty , disgusting , soy sauce all over them . Beat up . Same with the leather chairs holes in them , tables were beat up to . They should shut down the whole rest , remodel and rethink the menu . So many other places to eat on the island . Otherwise they should drop there prices or close up shop and open a coffee shop in the hotel .
(2)
Aaron R.
I've been here with my girlfriend for our monthaversary twice this year. So here's my review. First off parking. For what I've seen, there is no big visual sign for Morimotos. Therefore to help you out I will help you to find the restaurant. You should head ongoing to Waikiki from Ala Moana beach side. You'll be on a small bridge afterwards. Stay on your right side and you'll see red lobster restaurant on your right hand side. Then turn right at the upcoming stoplight and then on your left hand side will be Morimotos. It's valet parking. I hope that will help. Secondly service. Service is great. It wasn't busy during the two time my girlfriend and I went but it does get busy during special events such as valentines day and what not. The second time Ive made RSVP they already at a record of me; I'm guessing they have a mobile number set to my information. So that was great. The food: the food was good. It wasn't a "omg" kind of good but just a "it was good" kind of good, If you get what I mean haha. I would recommend the Haupia green tea dessert though. I admit that I crave that dessert from time to time. Overall 4 out of 5 stars. The reason being that the food wasn't an "omg good" to me. Just as a side note, Morimotos is an Iron chef on the food network channel. I think it would of been nice to see him cook my food just like on TV.
the restaurant isss soooo pretty...the kitchen isss incrediable. best thing was the food was very good and pretty on the plates. we say morimoto at the end of our dinner and took a pic with him...its pretty pricey...so be prepare to spend. at the end of it all its all worth it
(5)
D G.
We went here for lunch. I thought the food was good. Drinks were awesome. The entrees seemed pricey. They have a great patio so sit outside if you can.
(3)
Cynthia W.
Where do I start?!?! The overall experience was great! From the atmosphere, decor, food to service! Our server was Joshua and he was very infomorative on all the entrees we had. Just to let you know what we had, we choose the Morimoto Omakase ($120.00 per person) which is a 8 course meal in mini bites! The menu is seasonal from what I understand so it changes. We had an semi-early reservation (6pm) and didn't leave until 830pm, so if you are in a rush, please choose another time when you have the time to enjoy this place. For beverages I ordered the White Lily (from another reviewer'ssuggestion) and Selected Sake Flight (which I did not try, so I won't be able to critic). The White Lily was yummy and I wish I had more than just one glass. Our dinner consist of (Course 1) Toro & Hamachi Tartare, (C2) Hot oil sashimi , it was sooo good and the texture was just perfect, (C3) Bagba Cauda, (C4) Foie Gras Chawanmushi, which was a nice surprise on the flavor and texture and how it just melted in my mouth, (C5) Intermezzo which is Konbu cha, sea kelp tea, which I didn't really like because it tasted like sea water (which they do tell you), (C6) Chef's selection seasonal nigiri sushi, which it was all yummy but I wish I ask for a list of all the nigiri we had, (C7) Surf & Turf, which is by far my favorite! The lobster was perfectly spiced (the only thing is I wish they had melted butter, in case...) but it is perfectly seasoned where you really dont need anything else ...and finall, the most important course (C8) Kabocha souffle cake- DESSERT!!! It was so good and lite. Just the perfect sweet! I agree the food isn't to die for but presentation and flavor is perfect for me to want to return to every time I go back to visit. It also makes me want to visit other Morimoto to see what they have to offer. As mentioned, I took in all aspect of the restaurant to give it a 5 Stars. Atmosphere was perfect and decor was simple but elegant and classy! We sat on the patio and had a great view the entire night. I really can't seem to stop praising about it...so I will leave you with this...GO and try it! You don't need to spend $120.00 per person (like us). I beleive you will still get a great experience overall!
(5)
Jason T.
I love me this place! Let's just skip the sushi because it's amazing and you should know this already. It's Iron Chef Morimoto's place. Whatever you want it'll be awesome. Now outside of the sushi my favorite things are the pork gyoza and the yuri bop! Everything here is real good but if I could get those two things everytime I would. Also if you want sushi do the chef's choice menu. You'll get plates that look like stain glass windows. You might not eat it bc it'll look so pretty. But then you'll eat it and won't stop.
(4)
Lily B.
We went on a double date to celebrate a very special occasion with some very dear friends, and I'm SO glad we were able to join them because dining at Morimoto's was a stupendous experience from start to finish! Valet parking available. We opted to dine on the lanai. Very modern and chic restaurant both inside and out. I loved the vibe. EVERY person we walked by greeted us on the way to the table WITH a smile. The chairs were pulled out for us. Napkins placed on our laps. Prompt service! The carafe for the pineapple iced tea is very cute! See my pics. My BF started with the poke. $19 My BF enjoyed this dish. yelp.com/user_local_phot… My friends got the wagyu carpaccio. They said it was beyond delicious! yelp.com/user_local_phot… The BF and I shared the crispy rock shrimp. $18 One was a spicy sauce and the other was more of a dynamite sauce. Both were good! Served with ranch. yelp.com/user_local_phot… We also shared the pork gyoza. $16 We were trippin' out on the presentation. Once you break through the bacon foam, you enter a world of delectable gyoza goodness. I'm the queen of picky, and I thought the tomato puree would be weird, but it complimented the gyoza perfectly. Deliciousness! yelp.com/user_local_phot… We also ordered a spicy ahi roll ($10), shrimp tempura roll ($10), california roll ($10), ahi sushi ($6), and kani [king crab] sushi ($9). yelp.com/user_local_phot… Lamb shank my friend ordered. She enjoyed this. yelp.com/user_local_phot… Surf and turf my friend ordered. 6 oz steak, poke, and potatoes. The sauce with the steak was yummy. yelp.com/user_local_phot… For entrees, I got a special: lobster ravioli with lobster tempura $28. I don't eat tobiko, and I didn't know the dish came with it. I swear our waiter is a ninja and he was watching as they delivered our food and must've seen my disappointment when the dish was presented to me... because he swooped outta no where and asked if everything was ok. I said yes but my BF said I don't eat tobiko and he said he'd have another plate prepared right away. Talk about service! He was extremely nice about it and stated he wanted me to enjoy my meal. This is what the dish looked like (first time). The tobiko gives it color. As I received my dish (second time), it was cooked perfectly and the lobster was in no way overcooked (I was concerned about the tempura) but it was juicy melt in your mouth yumminess! yelp.com/user_local_phot… My BF got the other special: kajiki $30. It was served with spinach and mushrooms in a miso something sauce. It was DELICIOUS! He ordered a side of rice ($4)... I ate half of his plate haha! yelp.com/user_local_phot… For dessert, we shared the chocolate peanut butter bomb. I'm pretty sure you know what I'm going to say... it definitely was THE BOMB!!! BOMB DELICIOUS!!! And look at the pic, it's BEAUTIFUL!!! There aren't words to describe the texture and taste that was going on... it was complex but an amazing symphony of flavor... if you dine at Morimoto (which you should), GET THIS DESSERT!!! $12 yelp.com/user_local_phot… I must say, our server, JOSHUA, was OUTSTANDING. We joked around with him... he kinda looks like Michael Symon from Iron Chef!!! He said he's gotten that before lol. Okay back to Joshua, he's great. Exceptional. The BF and I have dined at many fine dining restaurants. We've even been to swanky places in Beverly Hills (where we stood out like a sore thumb lol), but lemme tell you, JOSHUA (and the rest of the staff at Morimoto), provided us with THE BEST dining experience WE'VE EVER HAD. Yes people, EVER. THE BEST SERVICE EVER. No joke. Each time I used my Splenda, boom, they took away the rubbish. Water was never more than half empty. Plates were taken away promptly. He was so patient and answered all questions with grace and ease. Each item was explained in detail when presented to us. Utensils and plates were replenished frequently. Even my iced tea and my friends iced tea... we got new carafes and glasses. The list goes on. If management from Morimoto is reading this, JOSHUA is a keeper. He's amazing! An outstanding and memorable dinner. THANK YOU Joshua and Morimoto. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!
(5)
Kelly K.
Food was tasty, service good, ambience was beautiful but noisy. Overall a positive experience but not outstanding, hence 4 stars.
(4)
J.k. S.
Signature Tuna Pizza and Wagyu beef. Order this, really!! Outstanding. Cool to actually see Chef Morimoto there when we visited too. Very impressed with both the food and the excellent service.
(5)
Amelia W.
I'll start with the food, which was really very good. We got the wagyu and sashimi to start and both were excellent. Wagyu practically melted and the sashimi sampler was unique - stacked layers of thinly sliced fish, caviar on top and served with 5 sauces. We ordered 4 standard sushi rolls and those were good as well. I would highly recommend the bartender's special Mai Tai. Really, really tasty. The service was also outstanding - attentive but not annoying. The hotel was hosting a couple of conferences and the restaurant looked like they were accustomed to large groups. Despite the large groups the service didn't miss a beat. When we decided to stay at the Modern for our 10th anniversary trip it seemed like the natural choice for an anniversary meal. We made the reservations 1 month in advance and also informed them of the special occasion. When we arrived we were seated out on the patio, but nowhere near the ocean view we requested and near the server station. The table literally was like an afterthought table and the chairs weren't even like the other chairs on the patio - so strange! A couple of other tables for 2 in better locations were free, but those were "reserved" and still empty when we departed.
(4)
Kim S.
Ok, went back for dinner & that earned Morimoto an additional star. 1 word - Hamachi! If I have to add a 2nd word - black cod, aka butterfish. hamachi tartare - wasabi, maui onion, dashi soy - innovative presentation. Fresh, fresh, fresh. yellowtail 'pastrami' - togarashi, gin crème fraîche, candied olive - cured & tasted like meat. Yum yum. foie gras chawan mushi - duck breast, fresh wasabi, sweet dashi soy - super buttery. Gotta love foie gras. hamachi nigiri - Buttery smooth! Fresh, fresh, fresh. tamago - Wow, amazing! The most underappreciated player in the sushi world. negihamachi maki - Flavorful. Spice but no kick. braised black cod - ginger-soy reduction, pickled bell peppers, budo mame - wow, can I saw fresh again??! They don't call this rich, yummy fish butterfish for nothing. braised lamb shank - house polished sushi rice risotto - Big shank. Lots of meat. Heavy filling. Side aren't included, except for the lamb shank. So we ordered the house polished rice, baby bok choy & gai lan (chinese broccoli) - which were fine but nothing special. #4/31 Yelp Review Challenge
(4)
Melissa C.
We had been planning our visit to Morimoto for a year. We ended up having tapas and sushi. The pork belly was the highlight - I could have eaten about 6 of them. The sushi was fresh and clean, and the ahi tuna was like butter. It was nice to be able to see into the kitchen. Service was attentive, although, he forgot one of our appetizers. The atmosphere felt a little sterile - kind of like you couldn't get comfortable or else you would alter the clean room environment. But the food was the highlight and that's what we came for.
(4)
Christine D.
Excellent Atmosphere, service, decorating,,,,everything was great. And the food was perfect
(5)
Darina H.
My husband and I had a gift certificate to Morimoto's Waikiki and were very excited to finally use when we arrived in Oahu for our honeymoon. Morimoto's can be a bit difficult to find if you're just driving by. The restaurant is located on the second floor of the "Modern" hotel in Honolulu. The restaurant itself is extremely modern and classy. The ambiance is definitely what I wasn't expecting when I set foot in the restaurant, very nice! The hostesses were very friendly and greeted us warmly. We didn't even have to wait, we were seated right away. Ryan was our waiter for the night and was extremely personable. He made excellent wine recommendations despite our indecisiveness but we finally got our drink orders in. For appetizers, we ordered the oyster foie gras and hamachi tartare! Delicious. The oysters were delicious and I am sad that they only served us four because I could have had four more! So good and so much flavor! I was uber impressed by their presentation of dishes. Very classy and they really took time to put their dishes together! For the main course, I ordered the "duck, duck, duck". SO GOOD! Probably the best duck dish I have ever had! I really enjoyed the three different types of ducks they had including the seared duck breast, the duck confit spring roll, duck meatball soup. Wow, where do i start?! The duck breast was perfect (moist, not saucy and delicious). The soup was wonderful (it had a crust that came on top of the soup cup) and very perfect, nothing I have ever had before. The springs rolls were OK, it complimented the dish perfectly. Excellent appetizers, service, and attention to detail. Enjoyed it very much! MAHALO!
(4)
Cynthia C.
Came here a while back for celebratory proposal dinner. The decor was more modern than elegant, which surprised me. Come if you really appreciate art & style & presentation. Every dish we ordered was photo-worthy & a story to tell. Portions are small, so if you come famished, you will be spending a pretty penny to fill up. Service was very decent, but not the friendliest I've ever had. Flight of sake to share & ordered a few dishes to share: Hamachi tartare: small palette of chopped up yellowtail with a palette of sauces. Use a small-gelato-sized spoon to eat the dish. $24 Yosedofu: They bring a bowl out of liquid & do some wicked witch of the west magic & in 15 minutes, you get a solidified piece of tofu. Fun to watch. $19 Foie Gras chawanmushi: Delectable, silky, perfect balance of texture & flavor. Foie gras flavor is very evident but not overpowering to the delicacy of the dish. Definitely order. Probably my favorite dish of the night. $17 Wagyu Carpaccio: a few slices of very thin wagyu. you like your steak rare? you'll like this dish. Tender, flavorful, beefy. less creative culinary-wise than other dishes...probably should've tried the live octopus carpaccio instead. $22 duck, duck, duck: seared duck breast, duck spring roll, duck soup. beautifully presented. Yummy but nothing mind-blowing, but that's also probably because I like chinese-style duck the best. $29 I would definitely recommend for a few appetizers on a special day. It'll be something to remember without breaking the bank.
(4)
Jerry L.
Amazing view of the harbor if you sit outside. The sashimi platter was just like how i remembered it. Delicious. Not a big fan of their Loco Moco
(4)
Sung S.
Main reason I didnt give it 5 stars... I enjoyed the layout of the restaurant but the seating was sorta uncomfortable. The chairs are made of plastic or hard something. I have a big ass or it was not that comfortable for me. Also the 2 person tables are aligned next to each other so basically I could hear the people next to us talking about sex and things I really didnt care for. Food wise..... tried the 9 course meal. LEGIT. Pricy but I guess you are here for some reason like celebrate a birthday or taking your gf or wife out for a special night together. So this means you aint that broke but really dont do this that often because you have to check yelp so you are making sure you dont drop a benjamin on some crappy food. Expect to pay $200-250 for 2 people to enjoy your dinner. If you cheap, then take yo woman to Rainbow Drive inn or McDonalds. If you want her to love you, then yes, DO IT! DONE!
(4)
Deborah K.
Everything I ate was absolutely delicious. The whitefish in yuzu appetizer was a standout. Opakapaka was sublime. Black cod was outstanding if a bit sweet. Pricey, but comparable with other high end restaurants and better than the competition. Great service. Ok wine list by the glass. Beautiful view and location. We stayed at the Modern Honolulu so this was just perfect.
(5)
Kyle E.
Morimoto gave me one of the most unique dining experiences that I have ever had. Of the 11 or 12 things that my group ordered, almost everything was completely unique to the restaurant. The only thing that was nothing special was the spicy tuna roll, which was the same as any other place. However, everything else more than made up for this. The service was excellent, and the waiters were constantly keeping a watchful eye on us, ready to clear plates or fill up waters. I highly recommend all three of our appetizers, which were the tartar, tempura prawns, and gyoza. The tartar had various interesting toppings to go with it and the prawns were some of the best I had ever had. However, the gyoza was really something to try. It's filled with pork and has a "bacon foam" that was very cool. Again, I highly recommend it. My entree was the crispy whole fish, which was very good. The fish was buttery and melted in my mouth, and the spicy tofu sauce was a great compliment to it. The others got "duck, duck, duck", seared cod, and the buri bop, which were all good. For dessert, we had the haupia semifreddo and molten lava cake. The cake was great and went well with the red wine ice cream that it came with. With the modern interior and innovative dishes, Morimoto is definitely a top dining experience.
(5)
H A.
wow...simpy W O to the O W. This is what food on earth should be. The Wagyu Carpaccio, The Lamb Shank to the Duck, Duck, Duck. It simply amazing. I love how casual Morimoto's place is considering the Iron Chef title he's holding. Some people gave bad reviews cuz they expect the place should be classy and all, get a life!!! If you want service you can try morton's or something. Oh and the chocolate peanut butter bombe is simply AMAZING.
(5)
Mark M.
Today's lunch was supposed to be an event to remember. I've watched this Iron Chef on tv for years. I was amazed how he could create such inspired dishes on such a short amount of time every episode. I swore that if I could ever taste anything he had a hand in, I would. My girlfriend and I got ready this morning to do the touristy thing at the Edition Hotel in Waikiki. It's a nice place, it really is. Very NY like in style and furnishings. Unfortunately the only blemish to this hotel is this restaurant. I made reservations earlier in the week on Open Table. I've been looking forward to this meal ever since I heard that my favorite Iron Chef was building a restaurant in Hawaii. We entered the restaurant and we were 'greeted' by a snobby hostess who didn't really hear me too well. I repeated my name and then she showed us to our table. She never smiled at all. In fact, no one was smiling except for one female server. It sort of seemed like the staff didn't even want to be there. If they didn't want to be there, why the hell would I? We were seated across each other at a table for two and we had a pretty good sized table between us. We like to sit next to each other in restaurants so we can hear each other talk and so we can just be a little closer to each other. We were served water and that's when I noticed that the restaurant itself is very appealing in the aesthetics department. Every thing so looked so fresh, so clean, and very original. I also noticed an empty table meant for four so I asked our waiter if we could be seated there instead. Ten minutes went by and he didn't return to us. I saw him asking the hostess about our table and then I saw him walk over to tables to take orders, pour iced tea, and hand out menus. He didn't return to tell us we could or could not move. No hostess came over to us at all to inform us of our situation. The restaurant wasn't very busy today at all. There were maybe 15 or 20 other patrons in sight and a lot of open tables. If they were reserved, then that's fine. Come back and let us know at least. This restaurant was incredibly pricey and new. I would like to think that the service here would be a lot better, especially for a restaurant with an Iron Chef's name on it. If I wanted shitty service I could have taken my girlfriend to eat chicken nuggets an call it a day. No, this was supposed to make memories, and unfortunately, it did. Negative memories. I can honestly say that I have NEVER walked out of a restaurant in my entire life. One thing my father taught me is that there is a first time for everything. I just wish this time didn't have to be today and at this restaurant. I will eventually give this place another shot. Perhaps dinner on a Saturday or something. A time when they don't have their "D" crew running the show. There was simply no excuse for what happened today.
(1)
Ginger O.
What can I say....this place is awesome! We have been there several times and each time the food is amazing. My husband usually gets one of the sets which has several different bites (like salad,sushi, sashimi, tempura. I have had pork belly, loco moco, and one of my favorites is the BEST chicken Ramen. We usually get a table outside overlooking the marina but if you like sitting at the sushi bar, it is beautiful.
(5)
Juan P.
Oh, the price, the hostile price theme... Food is good but not great, but to be fair I guess it had to do with the overall experience. I was expecting to be seated inside, where the cool and the hip collide, but regretfully ended up outside in a rim table. Some things were really excellent, others were just OK. Maybe have to try it again. Or maybe not?
I don't know why I haven't written a review for Morimoto's yet, as this is my all time favorite restaurant! We've been here over a dozen times since they first opened and have tried pretty much everything on the menu. I've never left Morimoto's unsatisfied.... Oh, wait! There was one night I left there not happy... It was a Valentine's dinner a couple years ago and Chef Morimoto was actually there! I was so thrilled!!! I walked up to him to say hello and tell him how big a fan I was. I also asked if I could get a photo with him. He looked up and told me that he was busy..... I was crushed. But, that has nothing to do with the food and service, just wanted to vent! Anyway, the food and service is always top notch! My favorites are the tuna tartar, calamari salad, spicy tuna pizza, king crab legs, salmon skin roll, loco moto.... Okay, obviously everything I've tried is my favorite! I just love this place!
(5)
Rhea Cherie B.
AMBIANCE: B+ PRICE: D FOOD: B+ SERVICE: A Their service was pretty impeccable. The employees were very attentive and constantly came to refill our waters. I drink A LOT of water and I can't stand when I go to restaurants and they don't refill your water in a timely manner or in some cases, not at all until you ask. Well, I didn't have to worry about that here. Our main server was very informative and described the food very well. He was a good salesperson-he got us to order a lot of extra things we probably didn't need because he was very descriptive and made them sound so good. We didn't mind though, we like trying all kinds of different things. Many different gentlemen waited on our table (we were a party of 6) and one of my most important expectations at any restaurant was met: our water was constantly refilled. The food and drinks were great-fresh salmon, tasty oysters, a wide variety of drinks both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, dessert, you name it...but in all honesty, I've had better tasting food for a much lower price.
(4)
Penny M.
I got to meet Morimoto! It was his 60th anniversary and he just happened to be there. Loved the rock shrimp tempura and the pork belly. My husband got a fresh fish selection. All was delicious.
(4)
Ruthie C.
First off: definitely not on par with the NYC Morimoto. The view was beautiful so I suppose it was worth it to try. Service: they really need to step it up a little bit. We wrote on our open table reservation that we are on our honeymoon. There was no congratulation or anything welcoming. My husband left the table to add a surprise, and Morimoto staff said they would give us a sorbet on the house. But...this never came. We had a waiter that didn't have any eye contact and was not as professional as I would like. He was attentive and checked on us very frequently. Food: we got the spicy tuna roll without rice (wrapped in cucumber), pork belly congee, $40 sashimi combo, and the most amazing chocolate cake with marshmallow. I would definitely order the pork belly and the chocolate cake again. Those were the stars of our meal. The pork belly just melts in your mouth along with the congee. The chocolate cake was heaven in my mouth!!!! You get a bite of the torched marshmallow, dark chocolate from the cake and then mint ice cream. Soooooo delicious I wanted another one!!!! All in all: food was worth it but service needs to step it up for the customers!
(3)
Tasmin R.
I don't understand the bad reviews for this restaurant as it lives up to all the expectations you would have for a fine dining establishment. Service was welcoming and attentive from the front desk to the water refill guy. Loved the decor and ambience. Finally and most importantly, the food was great. Impressive presentation and pleasing combinations of flavours. Desserts were both standouts. Would definitely come back. Had to knock off a star as they charge $8 for bottled water?!?! I'm sorry, but no 'artesian water' in the world is worth that. They should offer complimentary filtered tap water and have the pricey stuff as an option on the drinks menu. Offering it immediately as you sit down is sneaky as you're not really thinking at that point. Still, lovely restaurant.
(4)
TD H.
This is my go to spot. Now, we're getting our kids into it. Great views and service. I have my favorites and they always hit the spot. Love the Maui Mai Tais and Mimosas.
If you just want expensive dining then I guess this place is ok. As for me it's going to be zero alcohol because if you want to smoke they won't let you, even in the outside area outside upstaits, even in the non-seating area. You'll have to have someone watch the table, go all the way through the restaurant, down some long stairs, out to the sidewalk and then down the street to get rained on :(. If not you will get yelled at. One of the MOST HOSTILE places for smokers in all of Hawaii.
(1)
Tad N.
Needless to say, much anticipated evening as we made reservation two weeks in advance. Glad we did, too, as it filled up fast on a Saturday evening. Cons - the arrival experience, valet parkers, etc., was mediocre at best. And the greeting at the restaurant entry was so lukewarm, we were disappointed. But then the evening only got better - thank goodness. First of all, Paul, the primary server, was Excellent! But so were all the floor service staff. Each and every dish was explained w/ enthusiasm and detail. The $75 sushi platter was a great starter for 4 of us; we also had the spicy king crab, miso pork belly; and for entrees, the ginger pork and the wagyu beef. Pricey? Yes. But overall, a nice evening for special occasions w/ special company.
(4)
margaret m.
Kailas- love it but it's success is killing it for me....even if you go alone....wait is super long. Food & service has been fabulous. Too bad they don't take reservations...even same day. Great value
(4)
L H.
Food and service were fabulous!
(5)
Cecil N.
We dropped by Morimoto's quite by accident on our evening walk along the beach. The outside lounge seating was just too inviting to pass up! We decided to extend our drinks to some appetizer grazing, and the food and drinks were excellent. What really gives this place five stars, though, is the service. Our waitress (wish I could remember her name; Pauahi?) was fantastic, and even the bus-boys were obviously well trained. I would definitely try it for dinner.
(5)
Jackson G.
We were very pleased with our entire experience here. All of us had the Omakase for $110, which included 9 courses of the chefs choosing. Since we don't get to Hawaii often, we thought this was worth trying so we could taste a number of dishes. The food was great. The tartar was the first dish and it was delicious. The surf and turf was the equivalent of the main course and that was really good. They tried to pass off a tea as one course, which was kind of ridiculous, but other than that, it was a great experience. The staff was friendly and attentive. The time between dishes was a little inconsistent and lengthy at times, but I'd still go back. I'd definitely recommend the Omakase experience if you have a chance to make it here. It's pricey yeah, but how often are you in Hawaii eating at Morimoto's? 9 different dishes gives you a great idea of the menu here.
(4)
Anna A.
My fiance and I had dinner here on our last night in Oahu. He had the black cod and I had a filet/poke dish with fingerling potatoes that was TO DIE FOR. Morimoto has such a neat way of plating and the food is DELICIOUS. The atmosphere is awesome and the service was one of a kind. Our server helped us choose drinks that fit our style, explained everything that was on our plates and why, and was just another aspect of our dinner that made it 5-star. If we come back to Oahu when we visit the islands again, we will definitely come back!
(5)
Rachel M.
Personally, I NEVER watch Food Network/ Iron Chef/ WHATEVER! so I had NO idea who this Morimoto guy was. However my boyfriend's sister had nothing but great things to say about the new Morimoto restaurant in Waikiki and since he is such a huge Food Network fan and his birthday was coming up, I decided to make reservations there. It was a little confusing for us to find since we heard that it was in the Ilikai/ NOT in the Ilikai. (?????) Little did we know that after complete renovation, the hotel is now called the Modern Hotel. (Side note: It looks fantastic now!) We got stuck in traffic due to roadwork in Waikiki and so I called to let the front desk know we would be running late and they were EXTREMELY nice about it and very understanding. When we got there we were awed by the decor of the place. It's really something else! The wait staff and our waitress were extremely friendly. We had ordered 3 appetizers: Morimoto Style Poke, Tuna Pizza and the Spicy Alaskan King Crab. The poke was good but it didn't strike me as anything to rave about. However their quality of fish was excellent! The pizza sounded gross to me at first but it ended up being surprisingly good. I read in another review that the spicy Alaskan king crab wasn't that spicy... UM NO. This dish is hella spicy people! (I'm half Korean too so I'm not weaksauce either!) It was good but it was a bit TOO MUCH for just the two of us. My boyfriend had gotten the Chef's Loco Moto which was pretty good as well. I ordered the Seafood Toban Yaki which took about 20 minutes to come out. They said it had something to do with the way the shell not being cooked up to the standard they wanted or something. Better then serving me something sub par I guess. However they apologized profusely for the long wait and offered us cider, complimentary. It was worth it because the dish ended up being delish! Customer service was excellent and the food lived up to it's Top Chef reputation. I pretty much broke the bank but I would probably come back... just maybe not anytime too soon. :)
(5)
S. R.
I live about 45 minutes away from Waikiki, so it takes a lot for me to really enjoy a restaurant there. If anything goes wrong, I usually end up thinking--I drove 45 minutes for this? I really enjoyed everything about my dinner at Morimoto Waikiki. I can't wait to go there again. The food was great, our server was professional yet friendly (something that is usually missing in Hawaii restaurants--everyone is nice but not always the best at their job), and the restaurant provides free valet parking. Final thought: bacon foam--yum!
(5)
Mandi C.
People I had spoke to said that they left Morimoto's hungry. I did not leave hungry. I actually didn't finish all my food. I shared my entree with the rest of the family. Which was great because they all got to taste how delicious my lamb was.
(5)
Garrett R.
Easily the best Japanese meal I've ever had. Traditional ingredients done in a non traditional way, yet still very approachable. We ordered the Omakase (tasting) menu. My few complaints with the food arent worth mentioning. The ambience was terrible, which is odd because being a cook I hardly notice these things. I'm usually all about the food. It was very loud inside and not much better outside. We were sat in what looked like a cheap rental tent at at backyard wedding reception. The half lit Christmas lights strung along the support wires did nothing to redeem it. On the other hand, our server, Joshua, was phenomenal. A lot of the other wait staff seemed cold. The food runners were hit or miss. Overall worth one trip. The wait staff needs to tighten up a little, the food could be timed better, and the circus tent would have to go for me to spend this much again.
(5)
Audrey A.
First impression. Bright, white and open. There was a party of 5 of us and since it was a first for all of us, we decided to try everything family style... which is why the first dish out made us laugh. The first dish to make it to our table was the braised pork belly on top of congee. It literally was a 1.5 inch perfect square of pork belly, enough for 1. We all started laughing. I wish the waiter would have told us that earlier. We had him bring another order. It was tender, tasted like other braised pork belly I've had in a simple chinese restaurant. But the presentation was simple and elegant. We then had the sashimi sampler that came with a variety of dipping sauces that allowed you to interact with your dish. Again, not mind blowing in taste. The tofu made table side was a unique presentation of a comfort food that reminded me of the visits to my mother's favorite tofu shop in Hong Kong. The star appetizer was definitely the foie gras chawan mushi. Perfectly creamy with all the richness of the foie in every bite. It came with a little duck breast, which would not have been missed if it didn't make it into this little bowl of heaven. This was my favorite. For the entrees, we had the wagyu rib eye. Simple, tender and as to be expected. The ginger glazed pork cutlets were very familiar in taste. The most disappointing entree was the "duck, duck, duck" . The duck confit was tender and again, as to be expected. The duck taro spring rolls were all taro. Maybe had a small essence of duck in it. The best thing about the duck broth with duck meatballs was the pastry shell on top. As a consensus of our whole dinner party, the best entree was the whole fried fish. Slightly spicy, light and crispy. Would definitely order again. Drink menu had some very delicious and unique cocktails. The morimotini was nice and dry. Also tried the savory cucumber cocktail which was delish, light and refreshing. All in all, a good experience... not a spectacular experience. Service was great. The dishes we had were beautifully presented but very familiar in flavor. Also, the menu was not as expensive as I thought it was going to be. Will be coming back soon with my group of girls before a night out on the town.
(4)
Sasha K.
We had an excellent meal at Morimoto at the end of October. Both of us ordered the 8 course omakase so we didn't have to make any decisions about what to eat. The omakase selections were awesome! Most required the server to instruct us how to eat them...which sauce to dip first/second. After the 4th or 5th course, I started to worry that 8 courses would be too many, but when all was said and done, we were full, but not disgustingly so. They have a great Prosecco, too! There were an abundance of wait help/kitchen people buzzing around and we had excellent service the entire meal. Lastly, being the newest kid on the block, Morimoto outdoes the competition in decor and ambiance hands down. The Edition is tres chic! We'll definitely go back!
(4)
Brian K.
I had the Omakase and while the price was significant the food and the presentation was well worth the price. Only thing is i don't feel like i passed the coolness factor for the spot. Started with this strange rectanglular platter of ahi tartare and hamachi tartare with a bevvy of fairly involved sauces for them, as well as the standard wasabi and shoyu. Truly remarkable flavor. If they brought me 2 of these I would not complain. Next was the best part of the meal. It was a foie gras with a bit of duck meat served in a bowl on top of a sort of egg custard (not sweet). Rich, complex and the custard just seemed to smooth everything out. And the serving size was perfect for this type of dish. Next a light broth to cleanse the palet. Sushi was fairly standard, chu toro was excellent. They did have a saba which although I can understand as being a traditional Japanese sushi, most of thee rest of the world finds it to be fishy and oily and rather unappealing. The "sifr and turf" was a Maine lobster claw and half a tail, very nicely done, some pork loin with a pear sauce, a couple of cubes of beef tenderloin that I actually could have used a couple more cubes of and a lemon/cream mixture to cleanse the palet between dishes. The "predessert" was a bit of an espresso, jelly like subtance over a type of custard and was absolutely extravagant with a wonderful aroma of fresh coffee. Sweet but not cloying. I ordered a double espresso for myself and it came next with a beautiful crema. Not as heavy as I like my espresso, but solid nonetheless. The dessert was a bit off for me. A small scoop of vanilla ice cream and what seemed to be a kind of sweet potato or perhaps taro mixture. A bit of a baked dried fruit and some fresh shaved mango. Kind of an odd taste. Not very sweet really. The predessert was far superior. All in all, nothing bad, many things superb and the service was exact as you would expect for the price you are paying. Also the wine list was great, we had a bottle of Far Niente (white) and a very nice Brunello di Montelcino (red). Again they are not affraid to charge. LOL.
(5)
Adam E.
Amazing! My wife took me here for my birthday, and it IS a birthday treat...in quality and in price. Yes, it is VERY expensive, but the food is an experience. I highly recommend getting the teasing menu. It's so easy to go to a Japanese restaurant and just go with sushi and known-entities, but the tasting menu is a whirlwind of new flavors. Plus, my wife is pescatarian and they customized for her. 1st course- an amazing ahi and himachi tray with dipping accents 2nd course- maybe my favorite; a small tasting of perfect lightly cooked fish with sesame oil and other deliciousness. 3rd course- an oil fondue and anchovies paste, veggies for dipping and small chicken accent 4th course- a Foie Gras Egg custard with duck on top (clams for my wife) 5th course- SUSHI! a perfect 5pc nigiri selection. Entree- a 3pc collection of spiced lobster, glazed pork, and tender filet (sub crab and bass for my wife). Desert- MMMMM Kambocha (pumpkin) souffle with Sweet potato ice cream On top of all that we had a fantastic sake flight (and an other bottle of course) Truly a special meal that made for a special evening. If you can afford the splurge, it is worth it!
(5)
Gardelyn J.
Staff was friendly and very knowledgable about the menu. Nice view of the harbor. Wagyu beef carpaccio was excellent as expected as was the crispy whole fish. Both were buttery soft! The whole fish comes out sitting upright and appears as if its swimming on your plate. It's a good size portion for one but enough to allow others to taste from your plate. The yuzu sauce on the wagyu beef was the perfect touch for a light but fulfilling appetizer.
(4)
Jennifer P.
Ambiance - fantastic. Great place for a group to celebrate an event, birthday, or to be seen. We ate on the lanai. Our reservations were early, so the sun was in my face a bit, but the waitstaff worked to block it with various tents. Service - amazing. Our server was knowledgeable, and helpful. Always there when we needed him and never there when we didn't. The speed at which food came out was perfect as well. We never felt rushed but we were languishing waiting for the next course. Food - good. this is the only reason I gave it four stars The presentation was fantastic, and the choices were eclectic, but nothing made me want to sing to the heavens the greatness of the food. Overall, a great place to celebrate with a group or take someone to impress them. As a date, maybe if you're trying to be seen or with it, but my husband and I would have preferred a little more intimacy. Hence the other reason for the four stars as it's good, but not over the top great.
(4)
Gsk A.
We were staying at The Modern Hotel where the restaurant was located. Since I've already been to the one in NY and Napa many times, why not give this one a try also. In comparision with the others I think it's just average. Not a good as the others. I have already pretty much tried everything on the menu before. So i was really hoping to try something new since it's at a different location. Nothing really stood out. Pretty much the same menu. I'm not saying it's not good but was just really hoping to they have some more exotic items since we are in Honolulu surrounded by many ocean life. So if you have the money to splurge then I guess it's ok but if not while in Honolulu then there are plenty of other restaurant where your money can go much further and get real awesome sushi and unique dishes.
(3)
Melissa D.
My husband and I went on a belated Valentine's Day date. I truly appreciated the ability to book a reservation online, and was happy to receive two email reminders. However, I neglected to review the restaurant's website before heading out. As a result, I parked in the self-park lot and had to pay $24 at the end of the night. VALET PARKING IS FREE, and the restaurant doesn't validate in the self-park lot across the street! Overall, our dining experience was great. This was our first visit to Morimoto Waikiki, and it met or exceeded our expectations. The restaurant's decor made for a warm, contemporary ambiance, although it was not particularly romantic. We were also seated next to another couple to the point that we could actually see what the other party was ordering and carry on a brief conversation. There was a family of tourists with young children who arrived shortly after we were there. I'm not sure if their visit to Morimoto was just to gawk at the raw bar and drink water because I didn't see them eating, but they were underdressed and quite disruptive. This is NOT a good family restaurant, although there were others that had perfectly well-behaved and well-dressed children. The menu selections were unique and unexpected. Armed with a few recommendations in mind, we selected three appetizers (foie gras chawan mushi, congee with pork belly, salad), two entrees (lamb with spam onigiri, ginger pork), two sides (fingerling potatoes, gai lan), and a dessert (hot/cold tofu). We were extremely pleased with everything we ate, and will return again to try other dishes.
(4)
Kaneohe G.
Got the chefs recommendations of the chosen 7 course meal. Amazing flavors, small portions, but enough after all 7 courses. A bit on the spendy side, but a nice yearly splurge! Service was amazing!
(4)
Howard C.
Over rated to say the least.
(1)
Katie L.
I was super super super EXCITED to go to Morimotos. With that said, I was disappointed at the service and food provided. The drinks were a-okay - definately not worth the average $12 per drink - with the exception of the white lily. That drink is sooo good! We had a bunch of appetizers - but, none were memorable for me to write about. However, we did have the tuna pizza - which was AMAZING and probably the best thing I had all night. For my entree, I had Morimoto's version of bi bim bap with Hamachi. The fish was super tender and soft and not overcooked at all - especially interesting to watch cause they cook it table side. However, they overload the sauce and it overcomes the entire dish. While the servers and bussers are super attentive, they mixed up our orders and dropped food off at our table that wasn't ours not once, but TWICE. On the upside, the presentation of the food is super nice and unique. And Morimoto was there the night we were dining. On the downside, for the price you pay and the service you get - its definately not worth it.
(3)
Flynn M.
Gluten Free Friendly. Marked on menu. Probably can't have the tasting menu. My wife's favorite Iron Chef! We love Morimoto! Enough said, or can't say enough. The first time we came, a few years ago, was our wedding night dinner. It was just the two of us. I hadn't been diagnosed with celiac yet. We had the tasting menu and it was fantastic. Fulfilled one of my wife's fantasies. We felt like Iron Chef judges. Every item was superb in both taste and creativity. Part of the tasting included fois gras. My wife had never had fois gras and now she loves it. This was the best I've ever had. Talk about starting at the top. Other stand out items are the wagyu beef, the sushi appetizer, and duck. The cajun style lobster tail was average. Everything else was so over the top amazing that an average lobster tail stood out quite a bit. I'd never order it again. Since the tasting, we've been back three times. My wife says next time she's just going to have fois gras, two maybe three orders. We'll see if she isn't tempted out of her plan. Because the whole menu is so tempting. I've also enjoyed the sakes a great deal. Morimoto's is expensive but I've paid more for food in New York for less quality. Morimoto's is absolutely worth it and you should go out of your way to eat here.
(5)
Janet F.
I love it here! Food is delicious (although I don't agree with some of the prices). I love their Pork Gyoza. It is actually made differently compared to how I usually eat Gyoza. Let's just say... Bacon foam! Haha. I also find the chicken ramen very delicious! Flavorful without tasting too salty and you can taste the ginger they used to make it as well! Very refreshing and light! Their sashimi/sushi are fresh! Mmm... The Otoro just melts in your mouth. Oh! And their tuna tartare is to die for.
(4)
Ben T.
Overall experience at Morimoto was top notch. Even though we had a reservation, we had to wait for an additional 45 min due to a storm taking out the restaurant's outdoor area. We passed the time by waiting at the bar, but were not actually pleased by the time we were seated. To make up for the unexpected wait, the restaurant gave us a free entree without us asking. It was delicious! All of the food was brilliantly presented and tasted amazing. A favourite was the pork belly congee which was simply divine.
(4)
Connie H.
GET THE LUNCH SET! nuff said. Best value IMO you get variety and good portions. $25. I got angry chicken. It came with sushi salad soup and salad! My only recommendation/suggestion to management is to update the decor. They have limitations since the color scheme is white/light green, so the age of the chairs really show and all white plates and stuff show the slightest markings. For example, my white soy sauce container had a piece of food sticking to the bottom when it came to my table. I would def return for the lunch sets!
(4)
Alvin A.
Morimoto Waikiki: the best fine dining restaurant I've ever ate at especially on Oahu. I felt like a food judge that you see on tv. Me and My gf sat at 8pm and didn't stop eating till 10pm. It was awesome!!!!!! Here's the breakdown: 1. Food the food was awesome! Every bite I took was a slice of heaven.. The fish was so delicate and steak cut like butter. Dessert was magnificent! Flavors in each dish was like watching a symphony of harmonious proportions. Better put, it was like an orgy of flavors in my mouth! We had 4 appetizers, 2 main course, and 2 desserts 2. Food Presentations you know what was awesome about this place, the servers took their time and explained each dish that came out to us. The presentations was like an art painting you would want to hang on your wall. I didn't even want to touch them cause it was so pretty. The chefs took their time in creating masterpieces. Pretty much it reminded me when I first saw My gf, the hottest eye candy around ;) (brownie points) 3. Service service was great! They spaced out the appetizers, main course and desserts well. We was able to enjoy our food and enjoyed every bite. We didn't feel rushed at all. Every dish that was completed, we got new utensils, plates and got our tables wiped... Everytime!!! 3. Price let's just say you can't put a price on the Morimoto experience. That being said I could probably only afford going there Once a year preferably during tax season. LoL In my opinion, I've been to Roys, Ruth's Chris, Alan Wongs and John Dominis to name a few, Morimotos dinner menu blew all of them out of the water. Morimotos made all the other fine dining places on Oahu like newbies playing COD for the first time, made them look like rookies and I'm not even exaggerating! I'll definitely go there again, not anytime soon but again lol
(5)
wanda M.
Wow! Food and drinks were superb! The only thing I didn't care for was the tables were so close together, we ended up talking with the next tables on both sides lol! And everyone is looking at the other tables to see what each other ordered! Much too close! Service was great! Best B.day dinner I ever had! Definitely returning!
(4)
Mary W.
We came here for our honeymoon dinner - we mentioned this in our reservation and we were seated at a corner table with a nice view of the beach. Along with the dessert course in the tasting menu, we were served with a congratulations sorbet. The wait staff was pleasant and gave detailed explanation of the food and offered to take photos for us. The first two courses were amazing (tartar and sashimi) the other 5 that followed were mediocre (considering its $120 per person). The surf and turf was most disappointing - over seasoned and over cooked. We had a palette cleansing tea which tasted like salt water. Overall experience was okay but probably not for the price.
(3)
Robert O.
My fam and I have been coming here ever since they opened and never have they disappointed. They really do take care of you there. One server that comes to mind is josh. Never met another server like him anywhere else. He treats you like family and makes your dinning experience even more memorable. On a 1 to 10 scale, I definitely give morimotos an 11.
(5)
Camille H.
I checked this place out last night after all the hype around this new restaurant and i have to say it truly exceeded my expectations. Great ambiance. It's very modern and not what I had originally expected but loved it. Although, it's a pricey restaurant its still casual enough where you can comfortably carry on your conversations unlike some classy restaurants where you're eating in silence. We sat outside and you really feel like you are no longer in Waikiki but in a hip LA restaurant. The wait staff were very knowledgeable and i felt like we were taken care of from the minute we stepped in to the moment we left. As for food, fantastic!! My favorite restaurant is Hiroshi's at restaurant row but I think Morimoto's might now be my number one. The dishes are different and unique. I feel like I could not have had those dishes at another restaurant in Hawaii. I started off with a two appetizers. The first was an oyster, uni and foie gras combination in teriyaki sauce. SOOO good! It was the best part of my meal and I encourage anyone who doesn't mind eating these three things to try it. Next, I had a tartare appetizer with a flan with egg yolk and cauliflower salad. This was a great twist on the Japanese dish usually made with just raw meat, egg and slight seasoning. For entrees, I tried the lamb ribs and Morimoto's take on the Korean Bi Bim Bap. Both were delicious. The 'bi bim bap' was with seared hamachi and is prepared at the table in traditional korean stone pot. For dessert, peanut butter and dark chocolate. Yum! So, go try it!!! This restaurant won't disappoint!
(5)
Talon G.
I would've given 5 stars but my service was horrible. Took 30 minutes to finally get water & he only filled 3 of our 4 glasses. Then it took another 15 for him to return with my glass of wine. All the while I watched the table next to me get serviced 4 times. We waited another 15 minutes before I finally asked out water server to locate our waiter. He replied that he just got assigned to our table because they are short handed. Instead of getting mad I accepted because it was a holiday & mistakes happen. We ordered our appetizers & entrees at the same time. We got our entree & one of our appetizers didn't even come out. Had to ask, he forgot to order it. So he gave it to us for free. After receiving all our food, I forgot all about our long wait. The food was fabulous! Our table enjoyed the filet, ribeye, fried fish, Ishi yaki buri bop, spicy king crab & some sushi. The food was so good I'm looking forward to next time. If the food is good I'll usually go back to a restaurant regardless of the service.
(4)
caroline s.
The food was original. The service was good. The desserts were AMAZING!
(4)
bimi a.
Morimoto doesn't fail to please. My friends ordered sushi as an appetizer, and each piece was tender enough for a lady to bite into, and take 2 bites. I had the hamachi ishiyaki in stoneware, and it was excellent. It was seasoned just right, and Morimoto deserves bragging rights for his rice. The tofu cheesecake dessert was excellent as well. Hope everything remains the same when I visit again.
(5)
Lynne A.
Nice restaurant, service is excellent, food was good but I'm still trying to figure out if it was really worth $375 for dinner. That could've been put into my sons savings account. shame on me!
(3)
Jacob N.
I've been to Morimoto Waikiki a couple times now, but it's only been for lunch, and I haven't been disappointed one bit! At first I was worried that it would be quite a pricey lunch since, you know, it's Morimoto, but I was pleasantly surprised when I noticed the lunch sets on the menu. The lunch sets range from $22 to $28 and include Miso soup, salad and sushi. Who would have thought you could eat at Morimoto for under $30?? Morimoto Junmai: yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… Crispy Rock Shrimp Tempura: I highly recommend this appetizer. Not only does it taste amazing, but it's also pretty reasonably priced! Wasabi Aioli: yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… Spicy Kochujang: yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… Ranch and celery: yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… Sashimi Sushi Combination: Should be called Tempura Sahimi combo. yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… Tempura: Crispy on the outside tender on the inside. yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… Sashimi and Sushi: Super fresh fish. yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… Sushi Omakase, $40: I want to try the pricier Omakase sets next time! yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… Tofu Cheesecake: yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… Vanilla Roasted Pineapple: yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… Some other special dessert: Unfortunately I don't remember what exactly it was, but it was like a flourless chocolate cake with espresso ice cream. yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… All of the food that I've tried here was simply spectacular. The flavors of each dish complimented the next, and with the reasonable price of the lunch menu you can't go wrong! I can't wait to see what the dinner experience here is like!
(4)
Mark L.
Long and the short of it.....I would come here for Sushi and Sashimi any day of the week. It is incredibly fresh and perfectly prepared with delicate texture, kind of what you would expect at a restaurant of one of the greatest Chefs in the world. Some of the other items were a tiny bit hit and miss for me. The Foie Gras Chawan Mushi is RIDICULOUSLY good. Unreal texture and flavor, it is a do not miss! The Wagyu Carpaccio was really solid, although not the best I have had. The Duck, Duck, Duck, I was really looking forward to this and it fell flat for me. The duck meatballs in broth were superb, the other two items were just alright. The drinks are super solid and the service was as expected. Great thing that there was zero rush at all. The restaurant itself is well designed, pretty and calm. Most people seem to opt for the outside seating which we did not get a chance to try. Come down and get yourself some stuff, you won't regret it!
(4)
Thi N.
Came last week with a friend. Went with the Omakase + wine tasting. The only dish that was a standout was the toro tartare, otherwise food very average for what we expected. Service not too bad but the waiters did not know or explain the wines that were coming out with the wine paring - at some points the wine glasses were just placed onto the table without any explanations. At $530 ($730 AUD) for 2 people after tax + tips, definitely could have been better.
(3)
Alexander S.
Amazing for lunch or dinner. Morimoto is a genius with food. The dollar may be high but if your looking for quality sushi and tasty asian fusion food, this is the place to eat.
(5)
Kensi T.
Beautiful, bright & airy interior with full walls of glass facing the harbor and ocean. Wait staff were warm, friendly and knowledgeable about menu items. Finding the place could be a little tricky since there seem to be no signs for the hotel or the restaurant. Drive down the street by Red Lobster, turn left into what looks like valet parking. If you see a bunch of valets, you're in the right place. They will direct you up a flight of stairs to the restaurant. Food was all tasty and beautifully presented. They tell you that items are meant to be shared, but be aware that serving size for different items varies widely. Abalone takoyaki, Morimoto's sashimi, California roll, gailan, and yosedofu all serve 6. Kakuni and inari are very small and serve only 1. (Yes, you can use your knife to cut into tiny pieces, but doubt you can get 6 pieces) Duck, duck, duck and Chef's loco moto serve maybe 4. All in all, the food may not be the best in the world, but the experience was fun and well worth the trip. Note about restrooms: Not in restaurant but across the hall in the hotel. Great looking, but no toilet seat covers or hooks for bags.
(4)
colleen a.
Morimoto's has a great ambience and you have your choice of indoor or outdoor seating overlooking the marina. The staff was courteous knowledgeable and friendly with good recommendations. We tried the Morimoto Omakase. If you don't know what that is, it's a chef's choice multi course tasting menu designed to allow you to experience the essence of Morimoto's cuisine. We found everything to be absolutely delicious, and the presentation was beautiful! Don't expect overloaded piles of food on a plate. Presentation and taste is key here, not quantity. After finishing the meal we were both pleasantly satisfied but not overstuffed. Perfect! Do be aware that this place is not cheap, and by the time you eat and have drinks you may find that you have spent several hundred dollars. For me this is a great place to go for a special occasion and I highly recommend it!
(5)
Raquel A.
Love, love, love! Menu is off the chain! Everything was amazing and didn't disappoint. I don't want to recommend anything because you should try everything! Even the cocktails! Wait staff were extremely knowledgeable in the menu and had awesome suggestions. If you haven't been, you haven't lived!
(5)
Lulu C.
Great ambiance outdoor, modern/chic decorations indoors and superb service! The Yose Dofu was the highlight of my meal! Who knew it was that simple to make fresh silky tofu?! Can't wait to go back to try everything else on their menu!
(5)
Dennis S.
Very disappointing! Much too expensive for what we got. The flavors of the dishes did not enhance the quality ingredients used but rather conflicted with it more often than not. The service was definitely "amatuerish"! The waiter's favorite recommendations all happened to be the most expensive dishes on the menu. The noise level was truly obnoxious to the point where I left the restaurant hoarse from yelling to be heard on a table for 4. I will definitely not return with so many other better eateries in Hawaii.
(3)
Kenneth L.
I was really curious about this place since it had Morimoto's namesake on here. I have always been curious to taste what kind of food an iron chef would have in their own restaurant. When I came in, I was excited and my wife and I were strongly considering the omakase option. I had a reservation telling them it was for an anniversary dinner. My wife and I had come in 10 minutes early thinking there would be a lot of people there. When we got there, the restaurant looked very EMPTY during dinner service. I should have taken this as a clue to run out of there as soon as possible. But I decided to stay thinking it was slow because it was a week night. They said "happy anniversary" to my wife and I and told us to wait to be seated. After 15 minutes of waiting, we were led to our table--a freaking booth with bench seating that was not intimate at all despite the restaurant being nearly empty. We got seated right next to the sushi bar. Other people had much nicer tables with more space around them. I was starting to get disappointed. After being seated, water took 15 minutes to come. I noticed some glares and coldness from the wait staff. They gave off the vibe that they thought my wife and I were low class or poor--like a snobby attitude to us. When our waitress started taking our orders, she was noticeably impatient and snobby. I asked about the omakase option and what was on it tonight and she gave me a lot of attitude about it. Using a very condescending tone she explained that it was a chef's choice menu like I was dumb. Wow haha she doesn't know how to listen. I explained to her that I know what a omakase is, I was asking what was ON it. Then with more attitude like I was wasting her time, she explained that it was a couple tartar dishes to start, a few slices of sashimi (chef's selection), a hot entree, etc,. My wife and I decided to pass because we didn't feel it was worth it to eat two dishes of tartar when we could order better things off the menu. Throughout the service we were never checked up on to see how things were. We saw our waitress by the bar leaning about socializing with everyone. Clearly she had other priorities. The food: We ordered the morimoto sashimi plate with the five sauces, crispy rock shrimp tempura, takoyaki, braised lamb shank, and duck duck duck. The morimoto sashimi plate while good and fun with the sauces was small and not really worth the $28 for it. You get 5 sauces: a green sauce that tastes like peas, an orange and yellow bell pepper sauce, and a shoyu ponzu sauce. The sashimi slices, while delicious, were tiny and only the size of postage stamps. The sauces were nothing special and didn't really do much but to hide the taste of the fish. The crispy rock shrimp tempura app was pretty bad. It was not crispy at all. It was soggy. It was divided on a plate with three sections: a section with the coconut ranch and celery, a "spicy" shrimp partition, and wasabi shrimp partition. The coconut ranch tasted just like regular hidden valley ranch, the "spicy" shrimp was soggy and not spicy at all! The wasabi shrimp had barely a hint of wasabi and was soggy as well. Terrible. The takoyaki was a very strange dish. When you think of takoyaki, you think of octopus dumplings with a takoyaki sauce. Something that works. Here at Morimoto's it is mozzarella cheese and "abalone" in an olive oil and balsamic vinegar sauce. I eat abalone and I know the texture and taste of it when it is cooked right. The abalone was tough and over cooked and did not taste good. Takoyaki should not have mozzarella cheese and olive oil sauce. Tako means octopus in Japanese, not mozzarella cheese and abalone in a olive oil balsamic vinegar sauce. Morimoto should know better. My wife had the duck duck duck dish. It was pretty pathetic. On the plate was 3 tiny 1inch by 1.5inch slices of duck, a puff pastry that was overly salty with two m&m sized duck meatballs, and a rather bland duck lumpia. My wife's favorite dishes are usually duck. She was so disappointed she didn't even want to finish it because it was either too salty or flavorless. I had the braised lamb shank. The risotto was the best part. But it came out luke warm. The lamb shank had good flavor for the first two millimeters of it but was so bland and dry after that. I found my self forcing myself to try to finish it. It was bad. We declined dessert after being so disappointed with everything. Our waitress finally shows up again and is only nice while giving us the check trying to fish for tips. Nice try. My wife and I are good tippers. If you expect a tip after that kind of service, you must be high or delusional. TLDR summary: I was so disappointed that I felt emo after eating here. Seriously. I felt like I wasted my time and was robbed of my money eating here. It was that bad. No wonder this place has been slipping on stars on yelp.
(1)
Jane H.
I want to give this place a 3.5 stars, but I just couldn't round up for several reasons. Let's start with why this place is nice, and how it earned the stars I gave it. The decor is nice -- it matches the environment it is in with a cool, laid back feel with cool looking dishes and utensils to go with it. There is a nice outdoor area that faces the sea, and it is a beautiful view! I was lucky enough to get the best view, happened to come on a Friday, and was able to see the fireworks! The food looked great, and the plating was delightful to the eyes. I got the omakase and the most memorable dish was the first one of fish pate. Service was excellent, and the spirits choices were wonderful. What were the problems? Morimoto doesn't understand sushi. If you are going to put together an omakase, you are displaying your best stuff, and the sushi dish was terrible. The sushi was the worst part of the whole dish -- poorly seasoned rice, poorly carved fish. The surf and turf was good, but not up to par from what I would expect from an Iron Chef. I ended up packing the turf and giving it to a homeless fellow, and as we walked away, we wished we did the same to the sushi! During the fireworks, the staff allowed everyone to get up and walk to where they felt was the best view. Which meant our perfect spot was infiltrated and not only did our view get somewhat obscured, but people were getting in our space!!! Not cool -- tell people to stay away from other diners. Let's end with -- I wasn't all that impressed by Morimoto NYC either.
HUMAN BEINGS ARE NOT AN ENDANGERED SPECIES; HOWEVER THIS IS NOT FOR A LACK OF TRYING ~Douglas Noel Adams ______________________________________________ The turn of the century was upon us, 1900s were coming to an end and so was civilization too. A programing bug would cause computer clocks to "WTF", planes to drop from the sky, cities would go dark, and electronics to blow up or die. Seinfeld was over, Kenny died in South Park, even Bill Clinton knew to get one last fling before it was all over, what was left for us? Y2k was here, your best bet was to stock up and bunker in for a nuclear winter. Is your can of coke Y2k compliant? No? Good! It will be worth more in 2000! Mean while we were in college, burning out our last years alive busy as a construction worker on Kapiolani Blvd at 2pm, enduring professors preaching typical Baby Boomer propaganda while Gen Xers & Yers got good at keeping their mouth shut while non-verbally sub-communicating exactly where you could shove it. The Mayan calendar is going to end, and maybe the world will too.... again. Itty Bitty Money (IBM) is no longer here to screw it up, but that doesn't mean we have a loss for contenders. Where would you be for your last meal? I want a pleasant place, where a T-shirt drone can always show me to my 2nd choice of tables I'd choose. Who no longer needs my validation or my tip, but will still blow smoke up my ass if I treat them like a human being while being able to recite the 3 B's of the Hawaii Food Service Hospitality Industry (Buckets of Baffling Bullshit) when I ask, What's... In... This...? Someplace where I can take a date, and when she stares off, a fixed gaze on some far off point and I suspect she stopped trying to participate in reality and I can't really blame her. I can attribute it to an it-was-that-good-post-food-coma and NOT me boring her to death again, with sarcastic self-important syndrome anecdotes of the end of the world. Always order the lamb meat lovers. If you spend any amount of time flexing in the mirror and kissing your bicep, can't go wrong with Ahi Sashimi Ceasar Salad. Thinking of dessert? Anything with chocolate here is fabulous! And get more than one, with all of them saying Happy Birthday with your name on it whether it's your bday or not, oh and special celebration days here are a must, so why not the last day? Who's with me? ~Self Deluded Prophet The Pinky to your Brain
(4)
Lucy M.
Even if the food weren't that good I'd still come back. The restaurant is beautiful and gorgeous. The people are super friendly and professional. The presentation of the food are like a piece of artwork. The location is awesome, right in the heart of the Modern Honolulu (Love this Hotel!!) by the harbor. It just feels special to be here. So the food....was amazing!!!! which makes the experience worth every penny well spent. The wagyu steak ($60) is a bit pricey but so delicious! The nigiris were pretty pricey as well which only came out as one piece instead of pairs but were amazing! The Sake that we had came out beautifully decorated and tasted good. We ordered the trio homemade ice cream for dessert and is a must have after a rich and delicious meal. The Morimoto in Napa compared was good and way busier but Morimoto Waikiki offered a better vibe and true aloha experience. :)
(5)
Michael M.
Fish just ok it looks like hey let's sell the tourist the cheep fish I can get better suchi in so cal or Arizona over priced low quality great service
(2)
Aya T.
I really thought I was going to be blown away by my dinner here but sadly this was not the case. My dining partner and I were hungry so we ordered quite a few things to share. I had to try one of their delicious sounding cocktails, the pear yuzu gimlet was pretty awesome. I loved the pear vodka with a touch of yuzu citrus, lime and serrano chile...very tasty! Our first dish was the Live Octopus Carpaccio. It was presented beautifully but I noticed right away there was a lot of sauce on the plate. Too much soy/yuzu/ginger sauce was drowning the octopus which was a shame because you couldn't taste the eight armed monster. I was really excited to see how the Yellowtail Pastrami was going to tickle my palate. Again the presentation was better than the taste. First of all the yellowtail was raw which I prefer but pastrami is cooked so I thought the spice coating on the fish would taste like pastrami? Nope, it was just yellowtail with a togarashi coating. Yeah I didn't get it either. Next up was the Oyster/Foie Gras/Uni dish. This would have been pretty damn tasty but they drowned it with teriyaki sauce?!? I was so disappointed by this. Why would you ruin such high quality ingredients with teriyaki sauce :(. Time to cleanse my palate with another cocktail, tried the Coco Fraiche with coconut vodka, lime, lemongrass syrup and coconut water. It was very tropical tasting but I preferred my first drink over this one. Our next dish was the winner out of the bunch. The Foie Gras chawan mushi with duck was excellent. Really elegant and creamy, I loved it! I had to get some sushi so we ordered the soft shell crab roll and a ume/shiso roll. The soft shell crab roll with avocado, asparagus and tobiko was amazing and the ume/shiso roll was just what I wanted. For our one and only main dish, we got the special crispy whole branzino with a spicy tofu sauce and pickled papaya salad. The fish by itself was perfect, crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside. I thought the other elements on the plate were totally unnecessary and didn't really complement the fish. The fish was ginormous but it was so delicious that we managed to eat the whole thing :)! For dessert, we tried the chocolate peanut bombe upon suggestion of our waiter. I liked the salted caramel ice cream but the rest of the dish was nothing special. Overall, I was pretty perplexed by the food. I think they are trying too hard to impress and most of the dishes just fall flat. I don't recommend spending the fortune that we did for dinner when there are some better dining options on the island.
(3)
Kc S.
The ambience was cool, very retro, we did not feel like we were in Hawaii. The service was superb. Started off with a lychee type martini and it was a cool, refreshing cocktail. We ordered the poke and toro tartars for appetizers and the presentation on both was like nothing I've experienced, and both were fresh, top of the line fish. Shared the yellow tail entree where the sear it in the bowl at the table, and it was amazing. This is my new favorite restaurant.
(5)
Steven F.
Beautiful Restaurant. Service was great.. But, Dress code looked non-existent... Get Seafood Toban Yaki - I think this was the winner. lots of seafood that tasted great. The liquid was a little salty so i dont' think it is meant to be eaten as a soup but more of a sauce for everything else in the bowl. Okay: Omakase. It is $120 and quite a bit of food. But i was a little disappointed because it is an iron chef's restaurant and i had quite high expectations. The presentation was fantastic. But as far as taste goes everything was pretty good, but no individual dish was so good that i would rave about it. Unless you feel like really splurging I would recommend just picking one of the main course dishes instead. Only because this choice is quite expensive and is not mind blowing. Wagyu Capraccio - 6 small pieces at $22 a dish. taste great, and very tender, but just know what you are getting for the price. Surf and Turf - Standard surf and turf. The lobster was cooked well and the sauces were flavorful. The filet looked like it was cooked perfectly but was still tough which makes me wonder it was really top grade beef... I didn't think this was that special. Avoid: Chirashi Sushi - The freshness of this dish was very sub-par. Definitely the worst dish we got at our table by far. There are lots of good sushi spots in hawaii, so get a cooked dish instead.
(3)
jeffrey f.
This place is incredible! The Omakase was worth the money. Morimoto is the best! Also my wife had Duck Duck Duck and it was to die for. Go here!!
(5)
Robert C.
This was our 2nd time having dinner at Morimoto's. The first time, I tried the omakase, which was very good. However, the 2nd time we went for my b-day and it was quite a letdown. We had the chef's sashimi combo and the oysters with uni and foie gras, then we split the seafood soup in red miso broth. The sashimi was okay, nothing spectacular. The oysters were pretty good, but nothing I would order again and the soup was borderline unacceptable. The lobster and mussels were overcooked and rubbery and the broth was too salty. Considering the price and perception of this restaurant and the quality of the cuisine, we will not be returning. On a bright note, the service was top notch.
(2)
Christine C.
I was a little wary after seeing 3 1/2 stars, but YUM. (I had spent the week with food poisoning and so this was my 2nd REAL meal after eating porridge and plain toast for the past few days. This meal made me so happy.) The decor is super modern, sleek and clean. I loved it. This would seriously fit in back home in LA. We were staying at The Modern Honolulu already so we just walked downstairs. We checked in with the hostess on time for our reservation, but we still had to wait. Say whaaaa. I've NEVER had that happen at what would be considered an upscale restaurant. Neveeerrr! And it wasn't like a five minute wait, it was like 20 minutes MINIMUM. Our reservation was already later into the night because we had other things going on in the evening so we were hungry and tired by the time we sat down. The dress code is pretty lax. There were some people dressed up and some people super casual (there was a guy in jeans and a button up, not button up dress shirt.) Service was pretty friendly but lacking. We sat around for awhile before our waiter even popped up. Hungry, grumpy me was not that pleased. When we finally did order, we got the crispy rock shrimp tempura and kakuni. That kakuni was bomb.com . Seriously melt in your mouth amazing. The rock shrimp was yummylicious too. However, they give you A LOT. I don't really want to be one to complain about delicious shrimp, but this was way more than 2 of us could handle. It came out in a tray with 3 compartments. One was shrimp tossed in wasabi aioli, shrimp tossed in the spicy kochujan and then one with just ranch dressing. If you see wasabi and shy away because you can't handle spice/heat like me, don't be afraid. This isn't the flavor of your cheap, imitation wasabi paste. This stuff is divine! If you're in a group, this is a good app to share since there's so much of it. For our entrees, BF just got the $40 sushi combo and I got the duck,duck, duck. I didn't care too much for the duck confit spring roll (I'm not sure if I was still suffering shrimp overload or because my body was overloading on having eaten more than just a bowl of porridge.) Everything else, yummmmyyyy. BF enjoyed his sushi as well. We also got 2 orders of the oh-toro (1 order is 1 piece) and OH MY GAAWD. SO good. If you've never had toro, this will blow your mind. It is pricey though. MP was $12...for one piece. Eek! But oh was it worth it. I could have ordered so much more of that by itself. We had no room for dessert, but were super satisfied. 4 stars for the food, but 3 stars for the service due to wait and exceptionally slow table service (By the time we left, it was 11:00 (when our reservation was at 8:15!) This dinner didn't break the bank as much as I had expected either. For 1 cocktail, 1 tea, 2 appetizers, and 2 entrees, I spent under $200 (including tip.)
(4)
J M.
The thrill is gone. Came here a few years back and it was awesome. Restaurant also was packed back then as well. Came back this week and was average at best. The place was half empty. I called about dress code and was told business casual. Yet when I showed up there were many people in sandals, shorts, jeans, hays etc. They are in Waikiki so either go casual or don't. The rock shrimp appetizer was great. Great start to the meal that made me genuinely excited for the rest to come but for my main dish I ordered the motto Loco. Same dish I had a few years ago and it was not good. Sauce was over powering, beef stringy and the egg added nothing. Sampled some sushi which was good but nothing amazing. Disappointed
(3)
Tara C.
We were here for our annual "Christmas Eve dinner out", where we treat ourselves just as if Santa were sitting at the table saying "go ahead...you've been sooo good this year." I'm sorry, dear Yelpers, that its taken me this long to write this review. I've been too busy dreaming of going back to Morimotos. We started our evening with a couple of drinks at the bar because our table wasn't quite ready. No problem, we'll have a drinky - drink. I had a Pear-Yuzu Gimlet...or two that night. I really loved that drink - not a fan of sticky sweet drinks and this one struck a great balance for me. Like other Yelpes, our low-point was definitely the hostess experience. We really didn't mind waiting, but I hate it when they act like they are doing you a favor by seating you at all for a reservation. Then, we asked to sit at a better table since the place was emptying out and I couldn't see any reason to be jammed into a small table in the middle of the room. This restaurant is so elegant, but those tables in the middle are decidedly not a Feng Shui decision. They accommodated our request, but not before making us stand awkwardly in the middle of the restaurant while she went to the hostess stand. When we were seated, I went for another a drink...all that drama made me thirsty. We ordered Oysters on the 1/2 shell - and they were fantastic. I loved that they served them with Yuzu (see a theme beginning?) We also had the mizudako carpaccio, I'd never had that particular species of octopus, but it was so tender and sweet, it was totally worth the "m.p." next to it on the menu. Just then, I looked up and who did my wondering eyes appear? Morimoto, the Iron Chef himself! Working diligently behind the line. I almost died and truly couldn't take my eyes off him. When I finally refocused on the menu, I ordered the seafood "toban yaki" which our server recommended. I was sort of suspicious since its also one of the pricier items on the menu, but I was absolutely thrilled with the dish. It was delicate yet flavorful and beautifully presented, as was all our food. I don't recall what "I'll eat whatever you serve me" had, because I was too busy with my own dish to care. Overall, the food here is elegant and truly beautiful. The restaurant itself is minimalist with hard floors and high ceilings, which makes it a wee bit loud when it's full. It was exciting to eat when Morimoto was in the kitchen and he was very gracious when I almost tackled him on his way out for a photo. Apparently, he loves Hawaii as much as Hawaii loves him and he is frequently found in the kitchen, working on the line. Its extremely hard for a place like Morimotos to live up to the hype..and lucky for us they did. Of course, it didn't hurt that Morimoto was in the house and the entire place was on a total high because President Obama and entourage were in the house the night before. Honestly, for the food, service and experience we had, the prices were right in line. We've had meals in Honolulu that cost more and were less satisfying. So if you go: go all in and let your server make some suggestions. Keep your fingers crossed that Morimoto is in the house. And oh, yah, bring the credit card WITHOUT the limit, because you're going to want it.
(5)
Christine E.
I've been wanting to write this review foreverrrr. But, I'm not an avid yelper (yet) and just never seem to get on here. Anyways, last Christmas I had dinner here with 10 of my girlfriends. The only thing that I remember really enjoying was the foie gras with oysters and a teriyaki type sauce. I still think about those oysters til this day! Oh...and the sake. The sake was good. But the sushi...eh. The beef carpaccio...eh. Ahi salad...decent. The wagyu beef...eh. Pork gyoza....lame. etc. etc....nothing to write home about. I was very unimpressed. Not to mention our servers were unfriendly. They smiled, but not those geniune "i like my job smiles", you could tell that they rather be somewhere else...anywhere else. I did like the ambience though. The nice white decorations. It really made for a beautiful christmas dinner. But the food? All night I was just like...it's OK. and then, then the worst part of the night happened. Some server (i'm assuming he was the manager or something), came over, asked us how we were enjoying everything, then said to "keep it down". Excuse me, WHAT?! First of all, Morimotos is not a quiet restaurant. Next to us was a table of Japanese tourists yapping away and laughing and taking pictures. Across from us was a group of military people who would cheers by saying "Hoo Rahh!" really loudly. and WE get shushed?! This was a $1200.00 meal. and we were told basically to "shhh" at our Christmas dinner at an establishment that was obviously not one of those quiet, dark lit, romantic restaurants. I will never return. The food is on the level of what you can get at restaurants for half the price. And the service lacks any kind of care.
(2)
Ashley Y.
I'm surpised at how low some of these ratings are. Every time I dine at Morimoto, I'm awed at the quality of food. I've dined here several times, and though I've always had an exceptional meal, this past experience was just the tiniest bit less than what I've come to expect. It doesn't matter, because I'm still such a fan and I'll always come back. I absolutely recommend that you make reservations, as I've heard it's difficult to get a table without one. My food is always prepared perfectly. The presentation is amazing every time, and I adore their outdoor seating. Morimoto is always a creative experience. The food is beautiful; the highest quality ingredients, good portion sizes, picturesque plating and attentive waitstaff. I'm never rushed, but the food isn't slow, either. It's pretty close to perfect. And I always enjoy it!
(5)
Toni K.
The omakase was totally worth the hefty price tag attached. Each course was brought out by a different member of the kitchen staff, with a comprehensive description of the plate, plus eating suggestions. The Foie gras infused egg custard with duck breast slice was one of the best things I have eaten in my life. I was definitely getting stuffed by the surf and turf course, but soldiered on, thanks in part to a thoughtful menu that offered pairings that weren't too overwhelming when put together (not to mention, they normally allow 1.5 hrs for the tasting menu, but since the other members in my party ordered from the regular menu, they offered to bring out my dishes two at a time.) Loved the clean, modern interiors as well. Staff were friendly and knowledgeable.
(5)
Pete T.
This was definitely a great experience. By far the most expensive and classiest restaurants we've ever visited to celebrate our 1 year anniversary. We opted for the omakase and was pretty floored right from the start with the tuna tartare. Exquisite! Other highlights included the fish in hot oil and our favourite, the foie grois rendered custard. That was the most intense flavour we've ever tasted! We extended that portion of the meal by 15minutes to fully enjoy every morsel. The waiters were incredibly knowledgeable and courteous throughout our meal. They really helped enhance the whole Morimoto experience. There was a monsoon happening, and they offered to setup a table for us inside the restaurant to avoid getting wet from the patio seating we had. The final entree was wagyu beef, lobster, creme fraiche, and pork chop. Pretty anticlimactic, in our opinion, but surprising to get all that in our set. We saw a couple next to us also get the omakase, but it was to share. They also ordered other dishes to try, which was absolutely brilliant! Definitely recommend going this route if it's your first time. All in all, a great experience.
(5)
Janine K.
5 stars all around! Surf n turf- delicious. Lamb shank- fantastic flavors. Wagyu beef carpaccio - melts like butter in ur mouth. On dessert menu - espresso martini - OMG this is so yummy it will give u the big O! Service was top notch. Bring a sweater if u tend to get cold... The a/c was drafty. All the above with 2 glasses of wine $185. Was expecting $300+ so it was a wonderful surprise. Great poolside bar just outside of restaurant... Arrive early and chilax with a cocktail! Would definitely go there again!
(5)
Jane L.
I absolutely love this place. They have great food, the FISH is the best I've ever eaten. It is so fresh. The location is wonderful right next to the beach a perfect place. The staff is very friendly, accomodating and quick service. I would definitely go back.
(5)
Sim S.
If you only make it to one restaurant in Waikikikikiki...with your keiki Amazing Service. Great food. Excellent selection. Fair prices. Pretty much everything you could ask for in a Dining Experience. In addition, the Iron Chef himself is usually on hand for pictures. Might not be too happy in the background, but overall posed for some people and is available. If you could go to one restaurant, make this a stop. Family friendly as well as we had our 2 year old, and Ipad-busy or not, we only had to take him out on one quick walk as the food kept him seated for majority of dinner. Visited February 2012
(5)
Surai J.
Just like his Iron Chef track record, the cuisine here is hit or miss. However, the service, the best I've ever experienced from paris to hawaii. I mean 5 star, think of everything, consideration to the n-th degree type of waiter. Where do they train? If the food could rise to the service, this place will the THE resturant everyone needs to experience. One note for families, this is one outdoor fine dining experience you can take your kids to. The patio opens up to a walkway and pool area, where your older children can hang and walk around while you continue to linger over dinner and drinks. They'll still be in sight :-)
(4)
Maka K.
First word: AMAZING! Second word: Expensive.... Location/Parking: A restaurant founded by and named after Iron Chef Morimoto, it's located in The Modern hotel in Waikiki. The hotel valet is give 4hrs. complementary valet service with a validated ticket. I'm not sure how much it would be otherwise. Venue: The restaurant fits the hotel: modern. It's set mostly to a while and green color scheme, is very sheik and sleek, and definitely sets a classy and upscale tone. They feature both indoor seating as well as covered patio seating, which looks out over the boat harbor behind the hotel. It's a sophisticated and very calming restaurant. Food: Come on! It's an Iron Chef's restaurant. Enough said...or it should be, but I feel the need to elaborate. Chef Morimoto is Japanese and likewise is his restaurant, so the entire menu is gourmet Japanese food, and it's all freaking amazing. Yes, gourmet means smaller portions, but what you get is made of great quality ingredients and are always prepared perfectly. The food presentation is pristine and well balanced; I'm sure you'll notice the "zen" of it all. I also can't ignore the fact that Japanese cuisine never makes me feel guilty considering that a lot of it include fresh ingredients, clean flavors, and leave out a lot of fattening preparations that other Western based cuisines might employ. Service: The wait staff here are very well trained. They are knowledgeable about their entire menu, can tell you how things are made, everything that comes on the plate, and are willing to patiently answer all the questions you may have. In addition, they're also very accommodating; for example, a friend of mine had a bug fly into her wine glass and they were willing to replace it when asked (without an extra charge)---that's great service. Pricing: Gourmet is not normally cheap, let's be honest, but again, you're paying for your quality of food and the amazing service you receive. Ordering an appetizer, an entree, and a dessert can easily run you $60+, and that's not counting anything you might want to drink. If you can make it for lunch, they have great lunch sets (starting at $22) and sandwiches (starting at $15) that are more affordable than what you might find on the dinner menu, but still upholding the same service and food quality. Conclusion: I love the restaurant and will definitely return in the future, but it will probably be sparingly because of the price (or special occasions if we're talking about dinner).
(5)
Harry K.
Way overpriced! Horrible service! Waiter simply did not listen. Bought Meat when we told him fish. & vegeys only! Go to Nobu instead or real sushi @ Yanagi. Shiso leaves were served rotten...see photo. Omakase - not a value!
(1)
Reg A.
I don't get the bad reviews I've been to this location 4 times now on since its been open. I've done omakase twice! I was first hooked at the NYC location. For those who are complaining about the price.... YES, it is expensive for small portions! You should know what your getting into when dining at an "Original" Iron Chef restaurant. This time around I ordered: Tuna Pizza(Must try!) Pork belly congee(delicious!) Braised Lamb shank(surprisingly generous portion, but I wouldn't order again.) Tofu cheescake(still good!) Haupia Semifredo(Really good) Morimoto Hazelnut Beer(I liked it even though it was $18 bottle of beer) SERVICE: Everytime I've dined here its been great service. No complaints! I like how they explain what your eating & how to eat it! RECOMMENDATIONS: Tuna Pizza Tofu Cheesecake Omakase (for the experience & splurge for a special occasion).
(4)
Fontane L.
It pains me to give Morimoto's only 2 stars, but I must be honest... I had high expectations of this place....I was on a girl's trip to Oahu, my first trip sans baby, and I wanted to have something really tasty... I would give it 3-4 stars if it wasn't so pricey and famous, but it really feel short of what is expected of a restaurant of this caliber. The four of us went with the omakase tasting menu ($120/pp?). The highlight of the meal was the foie gras chawanmushi, and the lowlight was the entree of meats. The entree had pork loin, beef, and lobster. Most disappointingly, my entree was lukewarm, and the lobster was rubbery. The other items were artful and tasty, but not as amazing as I expected? Included the hamachi tartare, nigiri, some kind of fondue-style dish with veggies and a hot anchovy-based dip, and other things I forget. Perhaps the experience would have been better on a different night or ordering just a handful of items from the menu...but I don't know that I'd come back.
(2)
Aloha T.
Just good but not amazing. I would rather go to nobu for these prices. The service was mediocre. I had to ask for green tea 3 times. I never got it because after the 3rd time they said they don't have regular green tea, only flavored tea. Angry chicken was dry. Their version of bi bim bap was bland. Best part was the spicy Hamachi, which was fresh and tasty. Also had Hamachi pastrami, which great. Overall way too much money for pretty good food. For the price, Nobu is better and so is Morton's.
(3)
Judith H.
Really good service. Average food. Over 200 seats and empty for lunch. Only three tables seated the entire lunch hour I was there. Nice restaurant but starting to look a little worn and dirty fabric on the chairs. Too expensive for what you get.
(3)
Jon E.
I don't get the low reviews and the overall 3.5 stars. Service is attentive in general, food is high priced but hey, it's in the Modern hotel, it's Morimotos, what do you expect? So here is the guide to have a good dining experience. There are 7 Omakase sets at last count, I've had all of them. Ya, there are some things that are blah and some that are amazing, this is the same as any other place, the difference here is that in the omakase you are going to get 5 different dishes in smaller portion sizes. So, if you go with your sig other get 2 DIFFERENT omakase and share. Now you have 10 different things out of which you should probably like at least 8. Sure some desserts suck but I'm positive I would not have ordered the tofu cheesecake had it not been a part of omakase 2 (i think). The tofu cheesecake with black sugar ice cream and some wafer thing on the side is a sublime blend of subtle flavors and textures, worth going in itself, but then again you may hate it and think I'm crazy. Again, this is why you order 2 different omakase. Without omakase 4(i think) i wouldn't have tried the spicy seafood stew (toban somethingorother). That stew is the one thing I now order as an entree if not in the omakase mood, it's that good. That and the spicy king crab, what's not to like about spicy king crab right? So go in expecting to drop $300+ per couple, do it the right way and leave full and happy.
(5)
Jackie M.
Morimoto is a large chain. The restaurant its self is nice. The service was terrible all across the board. Shame on them. Our party arrived. The hostesses just stood up there, didnt greet anyone. It took them a few minutes to even acknowledge us to check in. The restaurant was probably about 15% occupied. & Mind you, this restaurant is huge. I already knew these hostesses were going to be a problem. Upon making the reservation, they were extremely rude over the phone. I called from upstairs, because I was a guest at the hotel. We were coming here for a birthday, and asked for their suggestion on where to be seated. She was very rude when she stated "its all preference". I had to pry into her, like does it get windy? Does it get cold? I need some suggestions dammnit. It was slow season in Hawaii. The restaurant was dead! I was really unimpressed. At dinner we ordered probably about 10 dishes (including sushi) between 4 people, and they could not get the timing right bringing them out. Sometimes it was super slow, or super fast. We were shocked, and had to tell them to slow down at one point because we got bombarded with 4 large dishes at once. Other than the absolute terrible service, sushi newbs would probably love this restaurant. The dishes look pretty, but hawaii has so many great sushi/japanese spots off the strip. If you prefer to go to a "famous chef" chain, I think the food is alot better at Nobu. Majority of this post reflects on the bad service across the board. The sushi is an average 3 star. The entrees were a 2.
(1)
Neen J.
I have eaten at some of the most incredible restaurants in the world and I love the way food tastes and is plated ... this place blew my mind! Every single mouthful was a delight visually and in taste. My honey and I sat outside and it was quieter than inside and we ordered the tasting menu - so worth it. I got the GF version and it was almost identical to my honey. The first course of sashimi was served inside a shell filled with ice and accompanied with a small little shovel type device and we were encouraged to take a little fish and add some sauce and the many accompaniments with it. I can't explain how fun it was. The second course of white fish carpaccio in oil was spectacular. The sushimi course was generous and incredibly fresh. I loved the broth bath of anchovy with the vegetables and the entree of Australian wagyu beef, pork belly and fresh prawns was amazing. They also offer a salty tea like cleaner between course. The dessert was delish and I didn't want it to end but I couldn't have fitted in any more food - so many courses, so delicious. We felt very spoilt as there was also a fireworks display that night so the whole evening was very special. Our waiter Mark was attentive, caring and fun. I know there are mixed reviews on this place however our experience was excpetional from the moment we arrived until we left.
(5)
Donald Kawika C.
What can I say! The food was amazing . Service was on par and the drinks were very good. I recommend the shrimp app followed by Duck Duck Duck or the grilled Butterfish......so good!
(5)
Kristine L.
I do not know why this place got 3 1/2 stars. This place is hella bomb. Came here with my bf and his parents. We love all what we ordered. We tried to come back one more time before we leave oahu but we came in around 9pm and they didnt let anyone come in anymore. But its kooo.
(5)
Rosalynn E.
Thank you Chad for reaching out....I decided to come back and try the dinner menu again. I have been here many times for breakfast and lunch but it's been years since for dinner. I saw that there are a few new items in the dinner menu there is a curry dish...sorry can't remember the name and duck, duck, duck that is prepared 3 different ways. I arrived at 6pm....I highly recommend to sit outside at this time. As we dined we were able to enjoy the most beautiful sunset. My main server was Andrew with 2 other guys that stopped by. He was informative and attentive...with a smile. Apps: toro tartare- a must, so pretty. Rock shrimp- everyone likes this including the kids. Wagyu carpaccio- served hot with Yuzu and soy YUMMY Dinner: Black cod or butterfish cooked to perfection Angry chicken- nice flavors the Pork Chops are thick and very very juicy. Dessert: chocolate cake. I can't wait to come back and do the omakase
(5)
Barrett D.
Atmosphere: When approaching the entrance of Morimoto's, the place is stanchioned by two looming wooden doors; a resounding impression of power. I liked it already. Inside I was greeted by one of the most elegant dining areas I've had the privilege to experience. The entire room is tastefully decorated with sleek, modern furniture, clean colors, and clever accent pieces. Appropriate to Honolulu, a marine theme held sway with seashells prominently displayed and tile mosaics shouting from the walls. Service: The staff at Morimoto's left nothing to be desired. Service was faultless, prompt, and explanations of each dish by our waiter were succinct and fascinating. Each course arrived in a timely and well balanced manner. I especially liked the chopsticks and chopstick rests. I actually went out of my way to find them online and order some as a gift for a friend! You can find them at korin.com Food: Few things delight me like creative dishes and Morimoto's delivered in spades. Presentation was en pointe; beautifully plated, colorfully arranged, and absolutely delicious. My cocktail tasted like the nectar of the gods. Each course brought pomp and zest to the table. My experience: damn near perfect. I give a resounding recommendation for Morimoto's in Waikiki.
(5)
Jaclyn O.
Located on the 2nd floor in the Modern Hotel, Morimoto-Waikiki has a lovely ambience, friendly staff, and great menu. The toro tartare ($28) and steamed scallops ($18) were delicious.
(5)
Amy K.
The best. I had tuna pizza, octopus carpaccio, Australian wagyu filet, O Toro, ishi yaki buri bop, and rock shrimp tempura. Staff was friendly and knowledgeable. All around great experience.
(5)
Paul K.
Went last night for the 1st anniversary and have been there many times in the past year and was sincerely impressed each time with exemplary food, service and atmosphere.
(5)
Rayshawn W.
The food at this restaurant is amazing!!!...and I'm not just hyping this up because Morimoto is an Iron Chef. The ambiance of the restaurant was nice and mellow. It wasn't a busy night so reservations weren't needed however it is recommended. The moment I sat down, I instantly began ordering appetizers and main courses. (I was excited to try Morimoto's food). The service was nice and opinions shared from the waiter helped on some of my rather quick choices. The food began to arrive and I was amazed. The food had a great taste and were not lacking in what I consider to be a decent portion in an upscale restaurant. His take on loco moco was epic and I cant even describe how good the spicy Alaskan King crab was. I actually believe his food is a lot better than Bobby Flay's which I've been argued against from others saying Flay's food tops all of the Iron Chefs. This is the 4th Iron Chef restaurant I've had the opportunity to visit and it ranks high on my list. I wish there was a Morimoto restaurant here in Los Angeles. Great food and well worth the price. Dinner 5/8/2014
(5)
David E.
I'm sad I can't give it 5-stars, and maybe it's because I had dreams of grandeur, but I will keep going back... It just didn't knock my socks off. I mean, it's the M-F-ing Iron Chef! I want my head to explode when I bite into an ahi roll. One of the really nice things about Morimoto is the atmosphere. There's fires and couches and curtains... on that note, limit the amount of booze you consume or you could get lost in the spider web of comfort! The sushi counter is second-to-none. I liked the rare, or out of the ordinary types of rolls he offered, and the chefs are very generous with letting you try things. The pupus are great, I recommend the Morimoto sliders... I think they're kobe and they melt in your mouth. Desserts are very well done as well. I can't say I'd tell you to go here over Roy's, but it's a nice alternative. The major reason I like Morimoto's as much as I do, is Morimoto himself. I first met him on set of Five-O and he was the nicest guy ever. He invited some of us over to the restaurant and met us there. My neighbor's Auntie and morimoto are childhood friends in Japan so he's always doing special things for her, birthday's etc. I also attended a fund-raiser for victims of the Japan disaster here with all you can eat pupus, sushi and an open bar that raised over one million dollars! An event that was covered by Hawaii News Now and Morimoto himself sang at. If you're in Waikiki and you want a really nice evening, give Morimoto's a shot. You'll leave happy.
(4)
Danielle W.
Excellent food and great service. It doesn't have to be $$$$ - there were 3 of us ladies and we each ordered a specialty cocktail, three maki rolls, the very cool "pizza" appetizer and the hot plate entree. Completely full and cost about $40 per person including tip! I recommend the "pizza" because it was good and completely unique.
(4)
Justin H.
Amazing! The wagyu carpaccio was fantastic, so was the tuna pizza
(5)
P H.
New fave! Young, hip atmosphere with the most amazing calamari salad!
(5)
Danny H.
If I was uber-rich and had no bills to pay, this is one restaurant that I would frequent at least once a week. The only reason I gave it 4-stars rather than 5 is b/c it's rather pricey! It's located in The Waikiki Edition Hotel so of course the atmosphere and decor is modern and typical of any fine dining place. It is a fairly large restaurant and it was filled to capacity. Recession? What recession...people must be eating their mortgages. I checked out the drink menu first and again like any other fine dining establishment or bar, it alone would have been enough to break the bank so I just had a beer. Food over drinks any day! We sat outside on the large lanai area with a nice backdrop of Waikiki. We're spoiled because a sunset above the horizon of the ocean on a beautiful day happens all the time here but it was still nice to see. The service was top notch. Our server, Kaulana knew the dishes inside and out and made everything sound irresistible. They were attentive but not overly attentive where it was like they were eavesdropping on your conversation a la Hiroshi. And finally, the food. The food was AWESOME! Everything is made when you order it, nothing is pre-made including the dessert. They even have their own rice polishing/producing facility. It's amazing how they take ordinary dishes and make them EXTRAORDINARY. I've never been to a place where I enjoyed every dish until now. Seafood 'Toban yaki': kona lobster, king crab, mussels, clams, diver scallops, in a red spicy miso-sake broth. The broth tastes a lot like the Spicy Pirikara broth at Ichiriki but with a little more kick. It's served with 6 pieces of a sliced baguette to dip in the oh so ono broth. Plenty of seafood to share. Braised black cod: ginger-soy reduction, pickled bell peppers, budo mame. This dish is like miso butterfish but better. Chef's Loco Moto: Wagyu beef, sunny side up egg, hayashi gravy, fukujinzuke. Not your ordinary loco moco. Wagyu beef and quail egg instead of your regular hamburger and egg. Like I said, ordinary to EXTRAORDINARY in one moto. Ishi yaki buri bop: yellowtail (hamachi) cooked tableside in a hot stone bowl. Just the name alone makes you want to get up and dance! It's Morimoto's take on a bi bim bap. Do the Ishi yaki buri bop!!! Chocolate Peanut Bombe: milk chocolate cremeux, salted peanut ice cream. I read mix reviews on this dessert but I thought it was SCRUMPTIOUS! It's like a melt in your mouth Reese's Peanut butter cup. The assorted sorbets are also made from scratch and are served with the real fruit chunks that correspond to the flavors. We had mango, lychee and honeydew. Appetizers we had: Takoyaki with abalone, beef curry pan, salmon skin roll and wagyu beef sushi...all were very good as well. I would highly recommend ordering a bunch of dishes and eating it family style. That way you can try a little bit of everything but beware, once you take a bite, you won't want to share anything! The total dining experience was 5-stars. So if you're in Waiks and not sure where to go, give Morimoto's a try...you won't be disappointed. But I've probably hyped it up too much and you'll be let down. So my parting words will be, "Don't go, it sucks, go get your loco moco from L&L" but if you listen to that, that's your bad. ; )
(4)
Allison Y.
I was very excited when we started driving towards the crowded streets of Waikiki to a hotel called The Edition. Could it be?! Yes, it could be. Well.. here was my chance to finally try an "Iron Chef"'s food. And I was ecstatic! Walking through the hotel, you are immediately calmed with the cool and neutral colors of the furnishings and modern aesthetics of the decor. Since we had a reservation, we were immediately escorted to our table. The restaurant was airy and predominantly white with large coral pieces hanging from the ceiling in clear plexiglass cases. Cool vibe I thought. So to start our night, I ordered the Pear Yuzu Gimlet. A refreshing, light, slightly sour starter which I sipped throughout dinner. We decided to order a cold and hot appetizer. The Morimoto Smoked Sashimi came in bite-sized stacks of five different fishes and paired with your choice of sauces in cute plastic pippettes. It was mouth-watering, and surprisingly, the multiple fishes didn't compete with each other. Our hot appetizer was the Spicy King Crab. OMG. My hubby couldn't get enough of it. Creamy, spicy with small bits of tobiko for added crunch. It was devoured in minutes. The highlight of the dinner. The hubby ordered the "Duck Duck Duck", duck three ways, and I had the Braised Black Cod. The duck dish was "good" as relayed to me, but not "great". My dish was smooth and delicately sweet even though there was a dark rich ginger reduction on top. I felt the cod was very rich, and needed some acid to cut through the fattiness. The two small pieces of the pickled peppers wasn't enough. I asked our waiter for a small salad or dish of pickled vegetables on the side. He promptly brought it out, and ahhh... the combination was perfect. Even though I was stuffed, I couldn't resist dessert. It was cheesecake tofu with a sour cherry sauce-which I know sounds weird-but very light and delicious. A great finish to the night. The Iron Chef did not disappoint. I definitely would return, but probably next time, try the sushi selections. Our cold appetizer gave us an enticing view of the amazing possibilities of raw fish!
(4)
Marcus K.
3.5 stars. came here while on vacation with the folks. Thought I'd take them out to a nice lunch, while staying in waikiki. I had such an awesome experience at Morimoto Napa, I though this would be a slam dunk. I was a bit disappointed to be honest. For some reason, the quality just wasn't there. Flavors were a little flatter. I've had some time to think about this, but I can't seem to put my finger on why. In any case, it's still a strong restaurant, but I left feeling that it could have been better.
(3)
Julie P.
My boyfriend and I were able to make a reservation with just one day's notice, which was a pleasant surprise. The restaurant is very sleek and modern. We were excited to be seated at an outdoor table overlooking the harbor. But just a few minutes after sitting down, a big roach ran across the side of the flower box directly next to the table. One of the wait staff saw it, too, and profusely apologized. We asked to be moved to another table, which the staff did without a problem. We thought our problems were over when the food starting coming out. We ordered two appetizers and two entrees. Appetizers: The Morimoto Sashimi was great, but the Tuna Pizza was the real standout. It was such a creative idea - highly recommended. They brought the appetizers out one at a time, which was a nice touch because it gave us a chance to share and not feel rushed. For entrees, we ordered the Seafood Toban Yaki and the Black Cod. My boyfriend's Toban Yaki came out first. We waited a few minutes for my meal to came out, but it was nowhere in site. After about five minutes, we caught the eye of the woman that helped us earlier with the roach problem. She alerted the kitchen that my meal wasn't out. It was another five minutes or so before it arrived, which really put a damper on the dinner. All of that said, both meals did end up being delicious. Overall, the staff was very helpful and very apologetic with both of our problems. They offered us free dessert - we said we weren't hungry anymore, but they brought it anyway (and we were glad they did!). We'd like to think our experience was just an exception because the food was really excellent.
(3)
Celena K.
Beautiful restaurant, beautiful scenery, amazing food. Definitely worth every penny.
(5)
Kawai K.
Went here last night on a date and was not disappointed one bit. We began with the Oyster Foie Gras, which I thought might have been the best dish of the night, and an assortment of Sashimi. My favorite sashimi of the night was definitely the Oh-Toro. Next we had the Wagyu Carpaccio, which was my dates favorite dish of the night. It was ridiculously satisfying, if I do say so myself. For the main course I had the Braised Lamb Shank w/ a Sushi Rice Risotto. It was a large serving for this kind of restaurant and it was so moist that I used my fork to pull the meat from the bone the whole time I was eating it. The sushi rice was also very tasty. My dates main course was the Ishi Yaki Buri Bop. I loved they bring it to you in a hot bowl an cook it right in front of you. The seared Hamachi and Fried Rice were equally delicious from what I had tasted. We were not disappointed one bit. The best part of the whole night was the fact that Morimoto was actually there last night slicing our Sashimi. That made everything perfect!
(5)
Kyle S.
First time going to Morimoto's and I was quite impressed. The service was good and the food was Great! Our overall experience here was pretty good but depends on where you are seated. Unfortunately we were seated next to the kitchen so is was a bit loud which made conversation difficult at times. If planning on going, I suggest doing some homework and look at the menu online before heading down. The menu is huge and everything look pretty good. It took us a while to look through everything and I just gave up and ordered the "omakase". I guess the waiter knew we were first timers so he suggested that so we could taste a little of everything.
(4)
Kris F.
I was expecting so many good things when I came to this restaurant but I left really disappointed. I came here for lunch with my boyfriend. It was almost completely empty...but for some reason they sat us in between the only other groups of people there! We were going to ask to be seated somewhere else but our server seemed super nervous and unsure of things so we just stuck it out. What I liked: I could make a reservation online :) The dessert was okay What I didn't like: The food! My boyfriend and I ordered the tuna pizza to share which was the only thing I can really remember liking. I ordered the udon and my boyfriend ordered the tempura set. We also ordered lots of different sushi. I can honestly say the only reason why we kept ordering things was because we wanted to leave liking something about our meal and happy about the money we spent. But..that didn't happen. The loud table next to us included 2 bodybuilder looking guys. They each ordered one of the set things for lunch and asked the server if it would be enough for them to eat. He said yes but when they brought it out for them they laughed when he walked away because it was soooo small! When they were leaving I heard them making plans to go get food someplace else. The woman with them ordered the chicken and she was very unhappy with it because it was so bloody and red and pink. Keep in mind we were so close to this table so I could see all their food. She was not over exaggerating! Her chicken didn't look right at all. She complained to the server and the manager came out and said that the chicken was cooked just fine but she must have cut a vein or something. They didn't even say they would fix it or bring her another one or anything. She was really unhappy and I would have been too. They didn't try to make her experience better at all. I'm not sure if they took her food off the bill, but at that point I think they just wanted to get out of there. Anyway, I can't ever imagine going back here again. I really really wanted to love everything!
(1)
Tina M.
The ambiance is really nice. Menu is pricey but the food is delish. My favorite spot is to sit outside by the heat warmers and fire pit and have a martini while watching the sun set. Love the tofu and vegetable tempura.
(3)
Shay F.
Ya... I just gave this place 2 stars... I'm entitled to my own opinions. Anyways, I wasn't too impressed with this place. I had high expectations since people were like WoW... but to me, I was like meh. Why? Well, I don't eat meat, I don't eat spicy foods, I don't like wasabi, and I don't like yuzu.... Oh, and I'm allergic to lobster. That pretty much left me with .... nothing on the menu. So I ended up getting sushi here... which wasn't really anything special. I was sitting by the aisle on the outside part... and every time someone passed by it squeaked and my chair moved. That was pretty annoying too. I sure won't be rushing back...
(2)
Lefty R.
Let's say it up front, it's spendy. $120 for the omakase, but worth it. tuna tartare oil poached white fish with shoyu Japanese baugna cauda (it was the only dish I thought weak) chawan mushi infused with foie gras and served with duck breast (fantastic) 5 pieces of nigiri surf and turf: lobster claw baked in butter and spices, pork loin with mac nuts and an Australian wagyu beef filet which was fork tender. Dessert was coconut crusted mochi and ginger ice cream. Each presentation was straight from Iron Chef's kitchen stadium - amazing works of art.
(5)
K T.
Finally made it to Morimoto Waikiki! Been wanting to go since it opened an was it worth the wait? Hmmm... I guess?? Don't get me wrong, the decor is beautiful and the food was good, but I have to say it wasn't outstanding, nor was there anything I just HAVE to go back again for. We sat outside on the deck and for an upscale place, the tables were a little too close for comfort for me. The table to the left of us had a gentleman seated at the end, which left barely enough room for people and servers to pass through, so the whole time I was distracted by people passing right next to me. To the right of us were a couple, obviously on a date and I felt like an intrusion and could hear everything as if they were conversing with me. That always makes me feel like I have to edit my conversation as well. The service was OK. Had an empty water glass for a while. I ordered a bottle of mineral water and the server would come by every so often and fill my glass, but I would have rather had him leave the bottle on the table than have to wait for refills. On to the food... We ordered the Hamachi Tartare appetizer. There was enough for just a taste for two people (which was expected). It was very good and came with a bit of about 5-6 different garnishes, including a nori paste, wasabi foam?, grated maui onions, little rice cracker balls and I can't remember the rest. We also go the yose dofu tofu appetizer which was very cool in presentation. It was brought to the table in a stone pot in liquid form, the server poured a salt water solution into it and covered it telling us not to peek as it sat for a few minutes. He returned to open the pot to the solidified tofu. It came with bonito flakes and green onion garnish and two sauces to top the tofu. The kim-chee sauce was really good. My friend ordered the chef's selection nigiri sushi platter - pretty self-explanatory. I ordered the braised black cod. It was very good, perfectly cooked, but not amazing by any means. Here's the amusing part, the menu said it was served with pickled bell peppers and budo mame. When the plates arrived and I dug in, I thought, "oh, I thought I was supposed to get some veggies with this". So on my plate were three 1/2" sized squares, one yellow, one red, one green. I realized that these were my pickled bell peppers. They were basically 1/2" squares cut out of the bell pepper skins and pickled. That's it. Ummm, excuse me, but what did they do with the rest of the peppers? I'm sorry but if the menu lists that it's served with bell peppers then go ahead and serve bell peppers. What I got was decoration and should have been left off the description of the meal. On the same note, I got about 5 budo mame. Awesome. Listen, I'm not a virgin to fine dining by any means, but it made me laugh.
(3)
Scott T.
Absolutely amazing food! Wonderful atmosphere. A little overpriced - especially the alcohol! The waiter left our bottle of "exclusive cabernet wine" on the adjacent table...Kirkland brand! Ha! What a ripoff...
The dining room is very modern and spacious. Its truly a very nice place to sit and eat. From there its a little downhill. Waiter was very attentive and knew the menu fairly well. Took our order and then that is when the problems started happening. There must have been something wrong with the extractor in the restaurant as it was very smoky in the dining room. There as a distinct smell of over fried food in the dining room which ruined the entire meal. Service was also very very slow. Took 1 hour to get appetizers. Mains didn't come any faster. The food itself was unremarkable. When you factor in the price it was very disappointing. Would not recommend and would not go back.
(2)
chanel y.
Very nice classy and modern restaurant, but the only problem was very noisy I felt like I was in a mall food court. The food was ok for its price, I expected more because its Chef Morimoto. I wouldnt care to go back unless someone invites me. Dessert was GREAT!!! :)
(3)
Leslie R.
The Edition Hotel is a new boutique hotel in Waikiki. Morimoto made a good choice in locating his restaurant here. The place is beautiful! The tables, chairs and decor is modern, clean and lovely. Our first visit was for lunch since we thought our chances of a table would be secure. The service was impeccable. We ordered what we had read about. Husband had the Pork Belly and I had the sushi/sashimi/tempura combo. We also ordered a spicy hamachi maki. Every bite was delicious! For desert we shared the coconut panacotta....unbelievable! The food is as beautiful to look at as it tastes. We will return next week for dinner and I can't wait to try the omakase!
(5)
Sara F.
I was here recently with my family on vacation & wanted to check out my fav Iron Chef's digs & was very happy with the results! My husband & I got the omikase which was actually not just traditional omikase sushi but was their version of a tasting menu. My parents shared sashimi & fried snapper. All were delicious! The sashimi was SO fresh & the presentation was gorgeous. Our omikase was a little more hit & miss, there was a delicious & beautiful presentation of wagyu beef, carpaccio & a great sushi roll but then there was a pretty bland sort of egg soup but overall everything was great & worth the money, (the tasting menu was only $110 per person). The drinks were great too, my Mom & I enjoyed great sake & cucumber cocktails. The dessert was probably my favorite part! A mix of a sweet potato & red bean cake, red beet ice cream which was SO good! The atmosphere & service was great as well, so was the decor, loved the clean, modern white & lime green everywhere. Would definitely recommend this place if you're looking for a fun & gorgeous night out!
(4)
Nica N.
This was my 3rd time eating at Morimoto's. I had reservations at 7PM on Saturday. The restaurant was decently crowded, but not super crowded. There were open seats here and there, but the host (an Asian guy) told us our seat isn't ready. So we sat at the bar for a drink. I was hoping to sit somewhere other than the seat right behind the bar, which was open when we first walked into the restaurant. Then the hostess came up to us 15 minutes later to walk us to the seats right behind the bar. I was like $%#$??? So why couldn't they seat us when we first came into the restaurant?? A mystery... And the hostess wasn't friendly at all. If you hate your job so much, please quit. Other than this complaint, the food was pretty good. I wouldn't order the pork kakuni or the Morimoto loco moco. It wasn't that good. The rib eye and the beef carpaccio was good. The cocktails are OK. Nothing really special. The french press coffee at the end of the meal was good. I personally would not come back to Morimoto's again because I felt the host and the hostess to be very rude. I'd go to Nobu's instead in a heartbeat.
(3)
Inland O.
We came to Morimoto on a Sunday around 1:30pm. The restaurant was practically empty (not a good sign?!). Originally I had wanted to try the omakase but found out from our waiter that they stopped serving omakase at ~1:30pm. We ended up ordering the Chirashi, the wagyu carpaccio, steamed scallops, chicken katsu sandwich, and the stone bowl grilled hamachi that they cook for you table side. The Chirashi is very fresh for all you sashimi lovers; beautiful colors and plenty of sashimi over a bed of the fluffiest rice. Both the wagyu and scallops were tender and delicious (the wagyu in particular is a must try). I enjoyed the scallops but my wife thought that it wasn't cooked well and seemed half raw (they were huge). The hamachi was decent, the fish itself very fresh/tender, but with simple flavors (not necessarily a bad thing). However, the chicken katsu sandwich was a disaster; didn't taste good at all - almost something you would find wrapped up at a japanese convenience store. The wasabi french fries were also very mediocre. Overall the meal was very good - would have been a 4-star for sure, but knocked down based on the value for what you get. Worth a try, but for what we paid and all the other choices on the island, I probably wouldn't return next time!
(3)
Jen H.
My husband and I went here for lunch right when it opened. We didn't have reservations but there was no wait. We sat on the patio which had a nice view. The server was great. We had a couple of their cocktails which were very good, and for appetizer we ordered the tempura pineapple which I highly recommend! But be careful because it's HOT. Burned my mouth on it, being too anxious to stuff it into my face. I had the bento box with sashimi and tempura and California rolls. It's not that different than what you would find in another sushi restaurant, but I found the quality of the sashimi to be excellent... very fresh and melts in your mouth. I'm not even that big on sashimi, but I ate every bite, it was so good! It was the perfect portion, and I was full but not bursting at the end of the meal. My husband had a lobster melt and wasabi fries which was very good, but he felt it was too rich to finish all of it. Overall the service was good, the waiter was attentive, and the food was good. The atmosphere was great, very modern and sleek. We would definitely go back when we're in Honolulu.
(4)
Jyb J.
the service was perfect because they were very friendly in explaining the food..my bf and i try the 7 course dinner.. most of the foods were raw so i had a hard time eating it. it was good but i dont like to eat raw foods that much..my favorite plate was the main course and the desert..i would love to go back and try some of the other foods..
(3)
Mary T.
Restaurant was absolutely beautiful dinner was good. We also got a dessert, the chocolate peanut butter bomb and it was just ok. Also didn't love the $14.00 charge for a cup of coffee.
(4)
Anton Z.
This Iron Chef is getting rusty. The biggest reason for the low score was the service. We were virtually ignored for the first ten minutes, while our server was helping the people around us who showed up after us. Once we did finally order, it took another ten minutes to get our drinks, which were acceptable if not particularly mind-blowing. I had a lunch set with sashimi, tempura, and sushi. The food was good, but individually the component parts felt like things I'd get from a conveyor belt sushi place back home. My partner enjoyed the chirashi, which had sushi over ride. Again, his meal was competent, but not really very exciting. Service aside, Morimoto Waikiki was good, especially if you forget that Morimoto is an Iron Chef. Much like some other places, it seems like Morimoto exchanged exciting flavors and food for something safe. That being said, you end up paying for the name, but at least the food is ok. One tip - make sure you check out the restroom...it's a fantastic space and weirdly was a highlight of the visit since it was so nice (weird, I know, but it's true!).
(2)
Erika H.
Oversauced and overpriced. Everything was salty and had excessive sauce on it, including the foie gras oysters, pork belly, and spicy king crab legs. We were very disappointed that such a nice restaurant would end up being the worst meal we had in Honolulu.
(2)
Wendy Y.
The service was excellent and the food was tasty! Would definitely go back there again! Valet parking was closed but garage parking was fully validated. Awesome experience. Thanks Chef Morimoto!
(5)
Janet E.
The food here is overrated and UNCLEAN. Why unclean? Well because two out of the three of us got deathly sick from some sort of food poisoning here. I felt the effects pretty immediately within an hour of being at this restaurant. I had to relieve myself by going to the hotel lobby restroom to vomit. (The restaurant is located in a hotel--its not a stand alone restaurant on the street.) The vomiting continued in the car ride back to our condo and continued through the night through all of Christmas eve and all of Christmas day. It was the worst. We called the restaurant to tell them about our food experience and they said there was nothing they could do without a note from a doctor confirming food poisoning. Seriously?? I guess I should have saved my vomit as proof since Morimoto's thought we were lying. How does a doctor confirm food poisoning? I wouldn't know since it NEVER happens to me. We should have known that this restaurant would not care about our illness since they did not allow us to sit outside in the patio. Their excuse was that the patio was already reserved because people had made the request with their reservation. However, the patio remained 75% empty BEFORE and AFTER our visit to the restaurant. Their garage was $7 to park and validation from Morimoto's was NOT allowed (according to the parking attendants sign). Morimoto won't even pay for their patrons to have discounted parking. The service we received at the restaurant was "nice" but there was no genuine substance behind the attitude. It was like a script he was following. The staff at the host/hostess table seemed to care more about their own conversations than attending to me when I needed assistance in locating the restroom. The food was expensive, especially since the food did not even stay in my stomach for more than an hour. The decor was very white and cold. It was not warm and comforting. It just did not feel good being here.
(1)
Kalani S.
We've been coming to Morimoto's more often than before and love it, due to a few things. 1. Quality of Sushi and Sushi Chef is on par. 2. Customer service from the host, Bar tender, Waiters & Sushi Chef is consistent, Unlike other Japanese restaurants they pay no attention to you even though you drop $500 ++. 3. The Sake selection is priced right. Even though Morimoto's has great dishes their is one thing that is missing from this place and its a Happy Hour Menu. Iron Chef Morimoto we look forward in seeing a HH Menu.
(4)
Jill B.
This place has its ups and downs. The oyster with foie gras and uni was spectacular. One of the best things I've ever put in my mouth. I also enjoyed the Hamachi sashimi and the black cod was very flavorable . I agree with another reviewer about the crab with spicy mayo. But I'm not a dynamite fan. We had the whole fish special and I felt the sauce lacked seasoning. I wish I could remembered the official title but it had ginger which I love and could not taste. It makes me crazy when kitchen staff don't check the seasoning before sending things out. The biggest issue I had was the server who wrote in a 18 percent tip for himself on a party of 4. I am an x-restaurant manager and and always tip at least 20 percent and many times more. We were with some people from Australia so maybe he thought he wasn't going to get a tip. I almost tipped $80 on top because I'm not used to seeing a tip written in on only 4 people.
(3)
Morgan M.
Great food. Fantastic service. Portions are small but it is expected in a restaurant of this quality.
(4)
Valerie M.
I read the previous Yelp reviews so I was ready for a two star experience. But maybe because of the reviews I was expecting the worse and hoping for the best. When I was greeted with a chilly welcome, I decided to counter with a cheery "Happy Valentines Day, how's business tonight?" The receptionist immediately warmed up. Same with our server. He was acting all New Yorkish until I made small talk with him. He even gave me insider tips on what not to order. (thanks cuz!) My dining experience was fabulous. The Oyster Foie Gras was three cooked oysters on the half shell, each topped with a half inch cube of duck liver and Teri sauce. Sashimi salad had six pieces of fish and whole baby romaine lettuce leaves topped with an awesome oil infusion. For entree I had the black cod which was a huge chunk of fish marinaded perfectly in a savory sweet sauce. The Buri Bap was also very flavorful. It was mixed tableside and artistically presented in the heated clay hot pot which kept the food warm throughout the meal. We sat outside under the tent next to a fireplace. The inside dining looked austere and the tables were very close to each other so i'm glad we were outside. The ambience outside has a casual feel, although can be a bit noisy with the street and mopeds buzzing around. Still, it was nice to see the sky and masts from the boats docked in the Ala Wai Harbor. The very enjoyable dinner was marred by the parking situation. You see, we had parked our car in the parking structure across the Ilikai. The parking lot attendant didn't accept Morimoto's validation stamp and made us go back to the restaurant. The restaurant directed us to the valet downstairs for yet another stamp. There is some miscommunication going on between the two buildings and we were caught in between their squabbles. In the end it all worked out, but we wasted an extra 15 minutes going back and forth between the two buildings.
(4)
David L.
Couldn't get dinner reservations (you need more than six weeks lead, apparently), but had no problem getting in for lunch. We had our choice of indoor or outdoor seating and opted for the open air. The service was exceptional; they had no problem that we were not in a hurry. The food -- both hot and raw -- was of the highest quality and different enough to pose a culinary challenge without turning off my two teens. To top it all off, Chef M dropped in for lunch and gracefully took a break from his own meal to pose for pictures with the family. It was like hanging out with Elvis for food nerds like us! We'll definitely be back.
(5)
Jamie Z.
We liked everything about our experience here. The food was beautiful and the taste matched. Our server was attentive and kind. It was really loud which surprised me...the loud doesn't match the relaxed calm setting. It was probably from everyone ooohing and awwing over their plates.
(5)
William C.
A modern fusion of Asian and American cuisine. Definitly lives uo to the reputation! Service: Great Atmopshere: Ok.. (tables cramped like many Honolulu places but the Lounge is nice) Food: Excellent Drinks: Excellent All Courses were good, some great, and unique. The level of creation required in what was presented showed great imagination. It was just fun! The Wagyu beef was not as good as Chef Mavro but the sashimi might be better!
(4)
Kelso A.
I give this restaurant a 3! I went during lunch today and really enjoyed the presentation! Nice green seats inside with the view of the harbor. I really liked the coral hanging from the ceiling! My favorites were the appetizers. We had the Crispy Rock Shrimp Tempura and the Beef Curry Bread! Super yummy. For entree, I ordered Loco Moto, super rich and yummy wagyu beef. Very filling, I had to get my order wrapped to take home. Only downer was that it took 45-55 minutes for our entrees to come out after the appetizers were done. We had a great server, Sonia, who made sure we knew what was going on with our food:) today she said the kitchen was behind. We didn't get to try desserts, but from the taste of the appetizers and entree, I would not doubt the taste in dessert. I wasn't a big fan of the sparkling water, so I would go with regular. The iced tea came out in a fancy looking container which really caught my eye! Tried to make a same-day reservation online but the website said there were no openings till 12:30 or 1:00, but when I called at 11:15, they said there were openings at 11:45, so I recommend calling! Overall, I enjoyed my experience there and would recommend it!
(3)
L W.
I went to Morimoto's for my birthday dinner and left extremely disappointed in the entire experience. The wait staff is solemn, serious, and unfriendly. Whenever anyone in our party had questions, it was as if we were an annoyance. This was the first night Chef Morimoto was not there to oversee his workers since he left for New York so the quality must have dived because I went with high expectations after reading all the raving reviews. THE FOOD: Appetizer (not part of Omakase): Rock Shrimp Tempura: Panda Express, oily, slimy, engulfed in batter, could not find the shrimp. Omakase was TERRIBLE. Toro Tartar: Was hard, felt like it came out of the freezer. No taste, very bland. Sashimi Rolls: Teeny, tiny rolls of hamachi sashimi seared with hot peanut oil. The oil overpowered all the fish leaving an oily, slimy, unappetizing taste/texture. Salad: Hot oil comes bubbling in a bowl with a clump of garlic-anchovy paste in the middle. Diners are instructed to dip the large, raw vegetables (carrot, cauliflower, turnip, celery, crouton) into the hot oil and garlic. This was DISGUSTING. The oil was so overypowering, yet did not have any taste. Thus, it was as if I was eating oily, raw vegetables. Assorted nigiri 6pcs: I thought they couldn't screw this up but, Genki, Kozo, Aloha, anywhere would have been better than the paper thin, dry, ragged-cut nigiri Morimoto's presented. Surf and Turf: It was as if the bottle of cayenne popped open and breaded my lobster in its spices. The wagyu beef was chewy (some people spit it out), and the pork tasted and looked like Panda Express. Everything was disastrous. This dish was served at room temp. Kabocha Souffle and Sweet Potato Ice Cream: The kabocha souffle was cold and tasted like a Costco vanilla cupcake.T he ice cream was grainy and melted. Peanut Butter Bomb: When something says BOMB on the menu, you would expect it to be awesomely delicious. This it was NOT. It was like a light peanut butter mousse around a hershey bar. Came with peanut butter ice cream although I do not know how that tasted since it melted before it came to the table. Banana Dessert: It just didn't make sense! Cold caramelized bananas topped with a rectangular milk chocolate sheet. That's it. It was a baaaaaaaaaad experience made worse by a $400 bill.
(1)
Kimberly L.
Swank. Cool seafoam chunky decor and lots of acrylic. Clear acrylic chopsticks. Indigo Pistachio Orchid acrylic wall mural. Acrylic boxes of fleshy coral hanging from the ceiling. Lugubrious wood tables across which you can't hear your companions, the waiter, or much of anything because it's so noisy. I walked in and I wish I'd worn my new 4" fuschia stilettos, which I'd worn to Benihana the night before (mistake!) Too bad I didn't read the yelp reviews first and try the mythic bathrooms on for size. People dressed like they're in the club (a nice nightclub, that is). Characterize the food with the oft-teased "fancy food" presentation of Ogre-sized square white plates and a dab of food arranged artfully in one corner, a splash of sauce in the middle, and a doodle of a bite of something in the other corner. This describes my black rock cod perfectly. My bit of food was delish, resembling misoyaki butterfish. It came with 6 plump black beans that looked like mini-olves but tasted like azuki beans (meaning they'd been boiled in sugar?). Top it with a half-inch square of bell pepper skin and you have my entree. (No rice/starch came with it). Do not expect large portions here. $26 Speaking of the "slow food movement," this food was so slow I don't think there was any movement at all! After a 3-hour dinner (we only had 3 courses), our poor out-of-town guests were drooping a bit out-and-down :( Honorable mention goes to the server, who apologized so many times for my blemished teacup that he must have been taking the dishwashing error as a personal tar on his honor. For all that we had to wait an hour between each course (1 omakase sushi platter, 2 entree, 3 dessert), the staff was flocking like crazy to make sure our drink orders were fulfilled. I had genmaicha --green tea with roasted rice flavor--and they replaced my pot with a hot one halfway through. The mojito was apparently not good (not enough mint). PS the sushi was fall-apart nice. I hardly, if ever, eat expensive sushi, and at like $17/piece (I exaggerate--$75 for like 20 pieces) this was maybe the most expensive sushi I've eaten. The saba was a bit fishy but everything else didn't have any taste at all--I guess nigiri-lovers eat it for the tasteless soft texture? or perhaps the whomp of wasabi up the sinuses? Our guests had made the rsvp through the Trump Towers concierge, so we got some little chocolate truffles at the end. One was very bad. One was okay. One was good. Kind of like the three little bears. The ginger chew was goldilocks. The 12 girls sitting at the long table near us shrieked like a gawk of turkeys all night long. Desserts were ok. The peanut butter salted ice cream was nice. it came on the side of the chocolate peanut butter something or other, which resembled a fluffy mars bar with less taste. The chocolate banana mille feuille with avocado anglaise was just meh, best described as a banana trying to become a banana creme brulee but not succeeding, so covering itself in a rectangle of chocolate shell. I thumb this for dress-up-ability, cool decor, and artistically-presented tidbits of food. PS chef morimoto was pointed out to us as there, behind in the open ktichen.
(4)
John L.
A great experience. The food was awesome, and the service was good. I am a big fan of the Iron Chef show, so when this place came to town, I had to check it out. Well, I have returned with some friends, so that says something because the price for a meal here is not cheap. The drinks are surprisingly good, and I suggest to order the Chef's selection with multiple courses. It was a wonderful culinary experience.
(5)
Kristine M.
OK. Perhaps my expectations for this restaurant and the name accompanied with it were set too high, or I'm just hard to please. But, the overall dining experience here was awkward and confusing. The server in charge of our table was friendly and knowledgeable. The strange thing about dinner was how haphazard our appetizers, entrees, and sushi came out. Most fine dining restaurants have an order in which they serve their dishes, but we were getting entrees and appetizers at various times. The birthday girl ordered the omakase, and at one point they had three dishes set in front of her... that is not supposed to happen. The manager decided to stop by and instead of asking us, "How is the meal?" or "Are you enjoying yourselves?" She opened with, "Did you get your food yet?" Weirdness. The only highlight of the night was the tofu guy. He was so excited and animated about freakin' tofu! Crazy part was that he pulled us all into a tofu euphoria. It was a liquid, then turned into a solid! WHOOAAA!!! That guy should open his own restaurant and just serve tofu... now, that's a place I'd return to. Anyways, the food was OK. Not what I expected for the prices. Overall I was not impressed. Ala cuisine... NOT.
(2)
Risa A.
Nobu over morimoto anyday! The food was so so, dessert was salty, and he was supposed to come out to say hi but made us wait forever so we just left. It's overpriced for the quality you get.
(1)
Patti K.
Our service was great. The atmosphere was beautiful. The food was fabulous. We had a very late dinner so we decided to order appetizers and a sushi platter instead of an entree. So glad we did!! Got to try a lot of great food that our waiter recommended. Even the dessert was superb! Pricey but great to go for a special occasion. Read the other reviews. This really helped us know what to expect when we walked in.
(5)
Natalie L.
Two words: MISOYAKI BUTTERFISH. ok that might even be 4 words but who cares its to fricken DIE FOR at Morimoto's. The rock shrimp with kochujong sauce must be laced with crack. Addicting. The atmosphere is chic and modern, everything you'd expect from Chef Morimoto. It's pricey but like all things you get what you pay for. Worth every delicious bite.
(5)
Lina F.
I really enjoyed Morimotos, my experience there was unbelievable. My nephew Lawrence is a foodie and told me he was going so of course i invited myself. Our waiter was Duane and he was so hospitable and knowledgeable about the food. Actually, all of the people who brought dishes described how they were prepared and what was in it. Duane gave awesome recommendations. I had the Whitefish Carpaccio, the Chef's Choice Sushi, for my main course the Ishi Yaki Buri Bop and for dessert the Chocolate Peanut Bombe. OMG!!! Everything was so very, very good!!!
(5)
Lea K.
Drinks: Morimoto Ale and White Lily Appetizers: Gyoza, Tuna Pizza, Spicy Yellowtail and Spicy Tuna Maki Main: Duck, Duck, Duck & Braised Lamb Shank
(4)
Meg P.
Wow. Let me say that again, Wow. This place is located inside the Waikiki Edition Hotel, and let me tell you, you get an extra swing in your hips and an extra bounce in your step as soon as you set foot in here. From the lobby of the hotel up to the interior of the restaurant (can't comment on the hotel rooms as I didn't stay here), the place screams sexy, swanky, and cool. Don't take your energetic toddlers here; they won't be welcome. And a warning: don't dress like the typical Waikiki beach tourist (flip-flops, t-shirt, and shorts) here. You'll stand out, and not in a good way. As for the food, Morimoto definitely delivers. For appetizers, I tried the 10-hour pork belly with congee, and I loved that dish! I thought the congee was going to be a weird combination with pork belly, but it actually turned out to be really, really good! We also had their oyster foie gras, and that dish was also spectacular! I only wish we could have tried more of their apps, because they all sounded delicious. Alas, we are working-class stiffs, so on to the entrees we go. I had the "duck, duck, duck" which is basically duck cooked 3 ways. First is a seared duck breast, then there's the duck confit spring roll, and finally, the duck meatball soup. I have to say, I was not impressed with the duck spring roll, mostly because the dipping sauce it came with was ginger-based (lots of ginger chunks in it), and I don't like ginger. So that was a turn-off for me. But I liked the rest of my dish, the seared duck breast and the soup, so all was not lost. I only wish that they had included more of the crispy duck skin with the seared duck breast, but that is a trifling matter. My husband had the seafood toban yaki, which looks kind of like our cioppino here in San Francisco. It's mixed seafood in a spicy miso-sake broth, and he must have liked it because I never even got to try it! He devoured that dish like it was his last meal. I also got to try their clam miso soup, but I was not too impressed with that one. Don't get me wrong, the dish is perfectly ok, it's just that there's nothing spectacular about it either. It's miso soup, with clams. The end. Their desserts were ok, nothing really stood out for me from the desserts we tried. But I do love the space, and if you can get a table outside, it's a very cool, romantic atmosphere. Kind of loud, though. But should I be lucky enough to find myself on Oahu again, I will make every effort to come back here. And maybe even book a room at this swanky, uber-sexy Edition Hotel. That way, the staff can just roll me on up to my room as soon as I'm done pigging out on Chef Morimoto's food.
(4)
Teri Y.
Im going to make this short. High expectation met with poor outcomes. Crudite plate with olive oil with anchovy paste was overheated accidentally and resulted in a burn on my tongue...hard to appreciate the food after that. However, the lobster was so spicy that it burned right thru the burn. Im a fan of Iron Chef Morimoto so was excited to come, but sad at the result (and price). I do want to say that the waitstaff were really wonderful and the decor was gorgeous.
(2)
Sandy D.
This was our first date night in two years with my husband and we chose to come here for dinner. We ordered the omakase and basically, I felt it was overpriced. Our total ended up being over $300 with drinks and tip. For that much I felt like I should have had some other worldly experience with my food. That wasn't the case. The main course in the omakase was the most disappointing. It was two pieces of wagyu beef, two pieces of pork, one crab claw, and a small lobster tail. Service was okay. Waiter was knowledgable about the food and drinks. The servers who brought the dishes to the table described each dish. The timing of the dishes was inconsistent and it seemed that the kitchen became slower as the night went on as the restaurant filled up. My husband loves to watch Iron Chef and had high hopes. The food wasn't bad, but for the price our expectations were much more. We were going to be seated outside, but I wanted to sit inside, so the table we were led to had this big chunk missing from it. I guess this was the natural stone, but I had to keep my plate six inches away from me while I ate, because of the table. If you are a table of two, be prepared to sit close to the people next to you and feel like you're part of each other's dinner conversation. The bathroom in the hotel is really nice, though.
(3)
Tracy L.
"Yay! I'm a fan... of Jojo Vasquez, executive chef of Morimoto's Waikiki" Am I fan of the food he makes? HELL YEA!!! Am I a fan of the service? Hmmmmmmmm........ only if I get that one guy with a weird first name that has been in the F&B industry for years and is an amaaaaaazing server. No, if I get the college girl on one of my first tasting dinner's who actually told the person sitting next to me to "hurry up and eat so I can drop the next dish." (This actually happened and yes, we were jawslacked). The environment is a bit of the beachy outdoors brought indoor (think SoHA meets Dwell design, with IKEA bright lighting) by the lovable and uber talented Thomas Schoos. Does everybody get the design? No. But then again, I don't think the restaurant IS for everybody. To me, it is more of what we call in the hospitality industry, a "special occasion" restaurant where folks spend their anniversary dinners, Gramma's 100th birthday, or celebrating a friend's promotion. Here's what I know fer sure: Anything Chef Jojo makes is pretty damn spectacular. And, they have an awesome pastry chef too. The sitting area outside is lovely, especially if you have the cabana with its own ceiling fan. If it begins to rain, retractable awning gets cranked out. The fire pits are cool too. This place ain't cheap so think of a really good reason to go there for dinner. Otherwise, go to the bar, order a drink and pupus. Give the restaurant some time before they get all the kinks worked out tho. It typically takes a new restaurant 90 days to get everything working like a well-oiled machine. I have faith. And I will return...
(4)
Scott L.
We liked this location a lot more than the Napa location - sat outside on the covered patio with a view of the yacht club and Hilton Hawaiian Village (looking South) - a lot nicer view than looking at the Napa River. I mention the Village as Hilton has fireworks at approximately 7:45pm every Friday night. Thus, we got there at 6:15 and saw the sunset and then the fireworks. Service at this location was relaxed (not pretentious) while professional. Martin, our waiter, is on top of his game in describing and recommending dishes & drinks, coordinating courses with the multiple staff who brought out and described each dish again and the recommneded approach to eat. They were also excellent at wiping down the table after almost every course and filling water glasses. The outside tables are white compared to the dark tables inside, thus a lot of wiping down for my messy side of the table. Oops, I spilled something again! We did not notice a Manager making the rounds-checking on tables like Napa. No loss as we were in good hands with Martin. My Wifey had a Pina Haupia cocktail (lighter than a Pina Colada), appetizer of Morimoto Sashimi (layered sashimi with multiple sauces in tubes which the diner can use to paint/flavor their sashimi), entree of Black Cod (she mentioned the Napa cod tasted slightly better) with a side of Baby Bock Choy (a bit overcooked), and the Haupia Semifreddo (you gotta get this as this has a variety of flavors and textures). Closed out with French Press Kona Coffee (less acidic - will not screw up your digestion if you have a sensitive tummy). My son and I had the Ohmygosh for $120 each, I mean Omakase - Chef Tasting Selection. Seems pricey but the selection provides you a culinary tour of Morimoto's creativity (seven dishes with four being unique to the Waikiki location). - Toro/Haimachi Tartare (Signature dish - yeah, the one on TV where the fish is chopped up to a paste and a small metal paddle is used to eat with various condiments...once again, why chop up good fish,.but playing with food seems to be the Chef's objective to involve the diner..now I am beginning to understand the Master) - A hot oil seared crudo (reminded me of chinese style steamed fish with hot oil, soy sauce, and scallions - this was very good) - Bagna Cauda (Vegetable Fondue with Anchovy Paste set in the middle of boiling hot oil..playing with food again! Tasty!) - Foie Gras Chawan Mushi - (This was excellent - they have outlawed Foi Gras in California, thus this hits the spot...rich and flavorful) - Sushi Sampler (6 Nigiri - Medium Fatty Toro, Unagi, Tai, Haimachi, Amberjack?, and something else that I can't remember - all fresh with rice properly prepared) - Surf & Turf Sampler (Roasted or Grilled Quarter Kona Lobster with a Spicy Rub - we liked this so much that my son and i licked the shells, Two Bites of Australian Wagyu Beef - very good, and Ginger Pork Loin with Pear Marmalade - OK) - Pumpkin Souffle with Creme Fraiche (liked my Wife's Haupia Semifreddo a lot more). We closed our evening with an additional comped dessert - Wedding Anniversary that we mentioned on our Open Table reservation. Glad they remembered or I might have dropped them to 4 stars....LOL... An anniversary dinner to remember.....
(5)
Dean L.
More hype than hope. Sake sampler and sushi sampling was good, not stellar. Expectation that nigiri would be sparkling and sushi bar chefs attentive for premium prices. Server was very knowledgeable and clearly informed. Great place for singles, dates, followers, guests, and upscale gatherings, but not two single heterosexual males. In comparison, we sampled the Don Quijote poke bar and bentos the next day for 1/5 of the price and it was just as satisfying, without the beautiful people.
(3)
Julia C.
Hmm...I thought I had reviewed this but maybe only in my mind haha! I live down the street and so this is my go to place for breakfast. It's usually very quiet during weekdays (the benefits of being unemployed), and it's just so peaceful. The only minus for me is portion size is kind of huge. It's hard to eat so much for breakfast. I wish they had half plates. You can always take it to go though. Lunch is decent also, sandwiches are great and I prefer those to the set lunches, like the cod, which is a tad too sweet for me. If you are going for dinner for the first time, do the omakase. You will not regret it except for that short one hour where you may feel sick because it's quite a large tasting menu. My friend and I actually went home after the omakase dinner instead of our bar plan because we were that full (in a good way!) The lobster is a definite highlight. Definitely try a dessert, they are quite good. One star is just for their sound system which pipes in the music at a good, quiet level, so you can actually hear your friends speak and yet still listen to the music. The service has always been good, regardless of breakfast/lunch/dinner. I seem to always get the same table by the marina side, so it's kind of becoming "my table" and dear staff at Morimoto: please let me keep getting my table all the time! Even if you don't reserve through open table, they still ask for your name when you arrive so they must keep track of your seating in their system. Though I will keep pretending that it's Morimoto magic... The fire place lounge area is really nice at night. After you finish your dinner, can hop over there for drinks. Also, they have a bar menu for happy hour times (though I have yet to go during the off time, so not sure if the menu has special bar pricing or not). Sunday social is good (3rd Sunday monthly). I like the mimosa bar, though I kept feeling like snatching the drink out of the poor bartender's hand and mixing it myself, like a maniac all too eagerly awaiting my morning booze. Not sure why it's marked "NY style" though. NY style for me evokes a place with no reservations and waiting in a line, something like Tartine or Habana. Whereas Morimoto's accepts reservations and you won't be seeing a lineup around the corner. Valet can be a bit of a wait FYI (yes, I actually drove the ONE minute down the street once out of laziness++). Finally, the food itself is ok, on average. Some things are much better on the menu and some are just so-so (like that triple duck dish). However, it's not to the point where I would actually take away a star.
(4)
Jannet L.
absolutely gorgeous decor, so fresh and light. validated valet parking - the best idea ever. great service. hotel is gorgeous. food was fine. nothing mind blowing. of course beautifully presented and really a treat for the eyes. but i guess i thought it'd be incredibly delicious b/c he's the iron chef and all. i think i'll bring my mom here for lunch b/c it's just so beautiful and the parking is great. gotta love the free valet parking...
(3)
Kevin D.
Not sure why this got such a low rating. If you cant afford to go there then dont! The food is the freshest I've tasted. Went to Alan Wong for dinner and Morimoto was better.
(5)
Ryan I.
We went here for a birthday party recently, and decided to splurge for all 4 on our table and get the Morimoto omakase..... essentially a selection of items picked by the chef to give you a sampling of his best. And we were so glad we did! The first course was the toro and hamachi tartare. This was finely chopped toto (fatty tuna) and hamachi (yellowtail), served with the condiments in the middle, from top to bottom: nori, sour cream, wasabi, grated Maui onions, avocado, and rice cracker balls. There's also an ume that was made with a lumpy Japanese plum that was very different from most ume that I've had. The second course was a white fish carpaccio, drizzled with hot oil, shoyu, ginger, cilantro (basically Chinatown style), a little bit of garlic, and some tomatoes and a caper berry. I could have eaten 5 plates of this, it was SO good. The third course was a bagna cauda, which was a garlic and anchovy paste in hot oil (the dish actually has a little flame underneath it that makes the oil boil and bubble), served with vegetables and bread to be dipped fondue style. I felt like I was a judge on the Iron Chef! Course 4 was a palate cleanser that was a tea, but it was salty. It was like having sea water! The fifth course was sushi. What can I say, it was so good. Though not prepared by the master himself, it could have been. There was maguro, hamachi, sake, saba and unagi. My entree was the Wagyu filet mignon, medium rare, with salted fingerling potatoes and a Maui onion jus. Everything was delicious but the jus was outstanding. The other three diners on my table had lobster, done with Indian spices and a creme freche. We also ordered some wasabi fries on the side out of curiosity. The slight hint of wasabi was so nice. Dessert was a coconut panna cotta with lilikoi gelee, coconut tuile and berries. A beautifully light ending to an awesome lunch. What an incredible lunch. At $70 per person it wasn't cheap, but everything was the highest quality. It was a lot of food, but at the same time I wasn't disgustingly full. The atmosphere was really nice and the service was great. I can't say enough good things about this place. And it wasn't super crowded, but I seemed to be getting a couple of stares, because at first glance I resemble Mr. Morimoto!!
(5)
Dina N.
Once again, I appreciated the staff as they were professional, unpretentious and knowledgeable. And make you feel at home. While this is a high end restaurant, I always feel very comfortable and appreciate that it has a casual vibe to it. I don't feel that it is intimidating or that you have to dress up to go. Though dressing up is wonderful too! The food is consistently of high quality and I love the creativity AND the tradition within the food.
(5)
Kevin N.
It is reasonably priced here esp. The pound waygu steak compared to Las Vegas which is around $200 for a pound. Sushi are tasty and suiting for some sampler options. The ambience can be utterly loud at night and there is no way avoid rude people around your area. Server is unknowledgable about the menu. I asked which yellowtail they were referring to... they asked another server and guessed it is yellowtail tuna while the other one says its yellowtail angelfish. It turns out, its a yellowtail hammachi. I had to ask a neighboring table what it is exactly. Servers seem also uninterested and tired as well :(
(2)
Bonnie M.
Morimoto ruined my, my family's, and my friend's Christmas vacation! My friend and I got food poisoning on Christmas Eve 2012 at Morimoto's in Waikiki! We spent that night and the next few days in bed/the bathroom. I hadn't been that sick in over 20 years! My friend was sick for 4 days and only got better after going to an emergency clinic and getting two prescriptions. When I called the restaurant to let them know that we had both gotten sick, the person who answered the phone as well as the manager with whom I eventually spoke, didn't seem to believe me. The manager said to go to the doctor, get a medical report, and then return to the restaurant to discuss. Was she kidding?!?!?! We were in no state to go to a doctor. Besides, why would we waste a day and more money? Restaurants that aren't making hand over fist in profits would immediately try to accommodate a customer for something as simple as not liking the taste of the dish that one ordered. In fact, during our Hawaii vacation, one noodle shop did not charge my mother for her lunch and gave her a free dessert simply because her food arrived to the table a couple of minutes later than the rest of the group's. Our waiter was not friendly and treated us as if we knew nothing. I happened to have lived in Japan for 3 years, so I, in fact, did know something about Japanese food. The cocktails were pretty awful, too. I should have taken that as a clue of what was to come. Forget Morimoto's. You can have much nicer / healthier meals at McDonald's.
(1)
Ann P.
Way too overpriced sushi. Menu is misleading- you only receive one half an order actually. They serve tap , not filtered water hoping you order a Pellegrino or equivalent
(1)
Michelle B.
This restaurant had very cool decor, a great reputation, and great food. hOWEVER, for a restaurant of this calibre, I expected more in the service department. They didn't have our first 3 choices of bottles of wine. Then, they brought my husband's appetizer and main at the exact same time. We were eating a $200+ meal. That should NOT happen. He sent the main (steak) back, but they left his side of potatoes there, even though he was having gyoza as an appetizer. My courses were also brought together, but they said that they had assumed I wanted it that way (????) b/c I had ordered gyoza and sushi, and they considered sushi an appetizer. Very odd. Our food was delicious, I cannot fault the chefs. But the service definitely needs to improve at Morimoto Waikiki.
(3)
Greg E.
Well worth the money spent for dinner!!! Wagyu carpaccio was amazing!! Their hamachi take on bi bim bap was cool with the table side cooking!! All the delectable desserts, had 4 of us sharing something different. And the waiter, Martin was awesome. Next one we're Adkins for his section. Very informative and helpful. Highly recommended for everyone to try!!!
(5)
Elaine K.
Hands down, one of the best dining experiences I've had. My boyfriend and I went to Honolulu back in late April and I was so geeked to find out that Morimoto Waikiki was right next door to our hotel. We weren't in town for very long since the trip was an impromptu weekend getaway, so we knew we had to make every meal count. The dishes were well thought out and presentation was impeccable. We ordered the toro tartare, the tempura calamari salad, whitefish carpaccio, xo diver scallops, and finished the meal with a couple of pieces of nigiri. Since the whole experience was kind of a splurge for us, we went all out and complemented the meal with the Morimoto hazelnut beer, the Morimoto Imperial Pilsner, and the Morimoto ginjo sake. When in Rome, right? I won't go into detail about every single dish, since no one has time for that. But, I highly recommend everything we tried because it was delicious. The pilsner beer, which was quite palatable, came in a really cool ceramic bottle that we were able to take with us - totally made up for the hefty price tag. The server also informed us that the ceramic bottle is great for keeping liquids cold or hot for up to 3 hours. We had to get creative with our packing since that bottle was definitely coming back to LA with us. Our server also told us about the Morimoto cookbook and let us flip through the display copy. The cookbook has a lot of photos and step-by-step procedures for his more renown dishes. We, of course, had to buy one - especially since the copy was signed by Morimoto. All in all, my boyfriend and I left the restaurant incredibly pleased with the food, the service, and the overall experience. I'm looking forward to going back during our upcoming trip to Honolulu in July.
(5)
John T.
Nothing but high praise for this establishment. Morimoto's was the final stop of our Hawaiian vacation, just prior to our redeye flight home. Because of weather and the flight delays that seem to define Island Air, I could tell that we would not make our 6:30 reservation. I called the restaurant to inform them and was assured that we would be seated. As the delay got longer, I became certain that, despite those assurances, we'd end up at the Red Lobster across the plaza or worse (if that's possible). Arriving over an hour late, and with a rain storm that had shut down their outside seating, I figured that at best we'd have a lengthy wait and be rushed through our meal. Couldn't be further from what happened. We waited just a few minutes and sat down to a wonderful sashimi and sushi dinner. The sashimi was out of this world. Beautiful texture, flavor and presentation. The rolls we tried (spicy salmon and another I can't recall) were a delight. I didn't find the prices to be at all unreasonable for the high quality and portions that we received. Service was fast, without pushing or rushing, attentive without hovering over us. We were perfectly satisfied with our fish so did not try any of the entrees, but each that passed our table looked fantastic. Guaging by the reaction of the other diners, they agreed with our assessment. The Hotel Modern, which houses the restaurant, can be a little tricky to find. The valet parking enabled us to enter and leave without so much as a drop of rain despite the downpour. A terriffic dining experience.
(5)
Alice C.
I may have had too high of an expectation set when I came here. I was real excited because it was on my lists of must try. I love the decor of the restaurant and the ambience. It was real comforting. Even the bathroom was real nice. Service was awesome. They tended to our every need. I remember our waiter Bronson would do a fantastic job describing all the food he brought out. Water was always refilled and was never once empty. The Drinks were great. They offered such wide variety of all sorts of alcohol. I read Christy K's review and had to give the White Lily a shot. It tasted like tangerines. It was really yummy. I loveeee my sweet cocktails. They even add a momo in the cocktail! We also had the cold sake sampler. I absolutely liked the ume one on account that I love drinking umeshu. The food is the important factor and that is what i was strictly rating +I did approve of the WAGYU CARPACCIO. It is so delicious! I could probably order 2 or 3 orders and eat it all by myself. -Toro tartare was nicely presented. It was interesting but I didn't care for it. I ordered a couple rolls. Spicy tuna, spicy salmon and Softshell crab. They were alright but not worth the price. we had Crispy whole fish. It was some kind of sea bass that had been deboned before it was fried, that was kind of mediocre. The rice they served was on the dry side. We had ordered Crab, Lobster, and Surf and Turf but I didn't try it but everyone said it was good so I'll take their word on it. One thing that bugged me was how long it took for the food to arrive. We were there from 7 - close and spent more time waiting than eating. I was so hungry to the point that I no longer wanted to eat. But you know what, I actually would probably give lunch a try sometimes since they have a different menu and would like to try sitting outside to admire the view. Or probably right before sunset. and I also want to come back to try their Omakase and then i'll probably do a rewrite to make up my mind on the food. PARKING: you can valet it and the restaurant will validate it so all you gotta do is just tip :)
(3)
Marko C.
I was home and needed to host a very important dinner with the president (& executive staff) of one of Hong Kong's largest telecommunications firm. I made a reservation 2 months before my dinner & asked to sit outside. We were given the best table on the patio - one that looked at the Ke'ehi lagoon & boats on the harbor. My guests were impressed. It STOPPED here. Let the nightmare begin! The poor reviews on Morimoto Waikiki are true & I was sorely embarrassed about hosting an executive dinner here. It started when my guests and I tried to sit down at the table - the legs of the table and the seats were so packed together, *each* person at the table had to go side-saddle to slide into the park-bench booth seats. The women in our party had to sit at the ends because they all had skirts on. It wasn't pretty seeing men in suits do tumbles to just get into their seats. Worst of all, once seated, we learned that the table was actually a plastic picnic table with a fancy tablecloth on it. Sad. Sit outside, inside the restaurant smells like fried fish & is smelly. When our waitress, Laura, showed up at the table and had a SUPER huge attitude. She attempted to be nice, but her expression on the outside really indicated that she didn't want to be there. My guests tried to joke with here to make it a more comfortable situation, but we couldn't crack the ice. Every one of my guests politely indicated that she must have had a hard day & was in a bad mood. We later found out that this was her last week at the Waikiki restaurant and that she was moving to Napa to work at Morimoto Napa. 50% of her supporting wait staff was bad. When our dishes came, they were placed (sometimes plopped) at the table without any explanation of what we were eating. Only one staff took the time to explain the dish. Service Grade: D- Drink #1: Pear Yuzu Gimlet,$12. Yuzu citrus, Serrano chili, fresh lime sour, absolut pears vodka, topped with fresh yuzu zest. Outstanding, well-made drink with a good combination of sweet, spicy, salty, & sour! Grade: A Drink #2: TWO bottles of Pino Grigio wine, $38 ea. The wine was basic, no complaints. My main complaint was that we had to ask about 7+ times for the staff to help us refill the wine glasses. They placed the wines in a cooler about 12 feet away from the table & no one remembered which was our wine or if we had ordered wine. Grade: B Appetizer #1: Oyster Foie Gras, $22. Market oysters, foie gras, uni (sea urchin) and Teriyaki sauce. Everyone on Yelp had raved about this dish. The oysters were overcooked and the foie gras and uni on the top were burned crisp like bacon (all 2 orders, 6 pieces). Yelp pictures show a lot of teriyaki sauce, we got about 1-2 drops per oyster. This dish was dry, overcooked, crispy, and nasty. Grade: F. Appetizer #2: Foie Gras Chawan Mushi, $17. I love foie gras and was super excited to try the duck breast, fresh wasabi, sweet dashi soy in the egg custard. This dish had maybe one little pea-sized cube of duck in it and nothing else. It tasted cheaply made and had little flavor. Grade: F. My guests wanted to eat fresh fish from Hawaii and asked our waitress Laura for suggestions on what to order. They said specifically TWICE, "We want sashimi". Laura suggested that we order the "Chef's Special combination" for $40. We took two orders because we had multiple people at the table. When the order came out, we got combination SUSHI! One order came out with the appetizers, one order came out with dinner. TIMING? We questioned Laura about sushi vs sashimi and she insisted we said sushi. The sushi was about 10 pieces of nigiri sushi with two rolls (eel and California roll). The sushi tasted like it was from Genki sushi (low end sushi robot chain) or from Safeway/Foodland/Times supermarket. Grade: D- * Insert a 30-45 minute break between appetizers & dinner * Horrible timing of the food! Dinner #1: Crispy whole fish, $32. Fresh whole fish (small seabass) was deboned from the neck down & made with spicy tofu sauce, pickled papaya salad. The dish was visually stunning, but the deep fried fish had absolutely no flavor. Grade: D-. Dessert #1: Haupia semifreddo ($12). We were informed that Morimoto recently won an award with this dish! Coconut sorbet/ice cream served with coconut gelee (we got 3-5 little pea sized pieces), local honey (honeycomb that got stuck in your teeth), matcha meringue (that was difficult to eat with little flavor). Grade: D-. Almost $700 later for this dinner experience, and all guests went home disappointed. I was embarrassed. The food here is a shame. The service here is an even bigger shame. I am willing to pay good money for a good meal, but Morimoto Waikiki was an EPIC FAIL. The reviews are true - Morimoto Waikiki has visually exciting food but lacks in taste and service. Drinks Grade: B+ Food Grade: F+ Service Grade: F-. Overall Experience: D-
(1)
Matt H.
Yes, it is pricey. So is your vacation, so is the hotel it is located in, so is life. Go here once. I had the omakase menu (not just sushi, a full kitchen omakase) and it was awesome. I also tried the Morimoto sake flight. It was good, but I already know what I like and should've just had a bottle of daiginjo. The omakse had about 8 courses and the server explained each of them. I was never rushed, though the restaurant wasn't busy yet. This was the best meal of my life (food-wise) thus far. Bring some of your favorite people, do the omakase and you will have the best meal of your life as well.
(5)
Andy M.
Very pricey, but worth it. Omakase was the best sushi experience I've ever had. The Morimoto brand sake is decent but overpriced.
(5)
Juan F.
My experience here was absolutely amazing. Probably one of the best meals I've ever had. Chef Morimoto is definitely worthy of being called an Iron Chef. The restaurant is relatively new. The inside is really decorous and modern. Everything is really bright and vivid. There are seats inside the restaurant and outside with the ocean view. The Food: Omg. I had a really hard time deciding what I wanted and the waitress recommended the Omasake. Since I went there for lunch, it was a 7 course meal. Had I went there for dinner, 9 course meal! I decided to give the Omasake a try. Course 1: Toro and Hamachi tartare. Absolutely delicious. The fish was chopped and served on a wooden plate? It also came with toppings for your fish including wasabi paste, rice crackers, guacamole, onions, sour cream. The fish literally melted in my mouth. Too good. Course 2: Seared Sashimi. I forgot what fish I got. I think it was red snapper. It was slightly seared and served with some kinda of a soy and yuzu sauce that complemented it perfectly. The fish again melted in my mouth. Course 3: I don't know what its called. Its kinda of a fondue that consisted of a small container with Oil and a piece of anchovy that is being heated. As the anchovy kinda dissolves in the oil, you can dip the veggies in it. Pretty good, but my breathe was burning after because of the anchovy. Course 4: Not really a course. It was just tea to "clean" my palate. Course 5: Nigiri. 5 piece nigiri that included hamachi, toro, and some that I cannot name. They were all delicious. Course 6: Wagyu Beef. Ordered it medium rare and thats how it came. It came with some sauce and some tiny potatoes. One of the best steaks I've ever had. It was so soft and tender. I didn't need the knife to cut it. Course 7: Guava Sorbet. Served in a bowl with Haupia, a sweet cracker, and fresh fruits. I cannot believe how GOOD the sorbet was! Best dessert I've had. Absolutely amazing experience.
(5)
Carmen C.
If ever in Honolulu and you really want to splurge on a meal, you must try this restaurant. Not only is it located close to a very nice hotel, The Modern, but the location is beautiful. The food was "melt in your mouth" perfect, and the service perfect! Chef Morimoto, Congratulations! I am a very picky eater and I loved my food!
(5)
Rick L.
What's better than spending quality time and sharing a meal at the brand new Morimoto Waikiki restaurant with my best friend/girlfriend, her terrific sister and a close friend from out of town? Nothing! Well,...until the Kakuni appetizer came out. Get out of the way people, the food is here! Kakuni, ten hour pork belly rice congee!!! Jesus Christ! The flavors shooting out this appetizer dish while it happily swims in perfect congee has got to be their best dish in the restaurant! The food as expected was simply amazing! Beautifully decorated and an eye opener whenever a new dish lay on our table. Wow, wow, wow! The pictures says it all, go take a look and I know you'll enjoy it as much as we did. Enjoy!
(4)
Mike R.
Went when it first open when it's was Editions and it was one star. Thought it had to improve, wrong. Order Angry Chicken. I now know why the chicken is angry. Nothing more than chilly power and cumin. What a waste of a nice cut of chicken. Service was poor and employees had bad attitudes maybe they will get it one of these days.
(1)
Audrey S.
As a foodie, I took my boyfriend to Morimoto for a special dinner-date during our stay in Waikiki. I was quite impressed overall, however I do think the service could have been improved. We did come a little later than reservation time (20 mins late) and when I spoke to the desk the lady said we had to wait another 30-60 minutes for our table unsympathetically.. This was sort of frustrating as I booked a month in advance, but I knew it was my fault for not calling the restaurant to make sure they had that table for us.. so we sat at the bar till our table was ready and enjoyed some cocktails. But what really got me was the fact I requested during my booking to sit outside on the lanai, and we got seated indoors instead.. But, I got over it easily once we were seated and had our entree, I soon forgot all about being disappointed as sitting inside is still actually very pretty. We had a friendly waiter unlike the desk staff, and we played around with the chopsticks as they looked really cool like glass sticks! After our chopstick wars, we soon decided to get food in us. We ordered: Tuna Pizza - $18 (raw tuna pizza with delicious dressing) Morimoto Ginjo Sake, cold - $25 (caramalized pear aroma sake with stone fruit finish) Cripsy Rock Shrimp Tempura - $18 Abalone Takoyaki - $18 Chef Sashimi Combo - $40 Dessert: Chocolate Peanut Bombe - $12 Chocolate Caramel Tart - $12 Everything was delicious, what you'd expect from an Iron Chef.. All the small details in the food from the presentation to the after-tastes.. The only dish I thought was a little let-down for me was the sashimi combo, which was a few slices of sashimi on a giant plate of ice... Still looked/tasted good, but it was probably better getting something else like two maki rolls to share that had rice and probably bigger quantity. The sake was probably the best sake I've ever had, that's probably because I usually drink choya umeshu at Japanese restaurants, but I've had sake a few times before and this makes me want to drink sake more often. So to sum up, you will have a beautiful evening if you decide to dine here, just be aware with the strict reservations and to make sure to come on time for your table booking.. It gets crowded! Only come here though if you feel like you have a heavy wallet as it is quite an expensive menu. Take time to walk inside and explore The Modern Honolulu after dinner if your not staying there, its a remarkable hotel in itself.
(3)
Ed T.
Awesome experiecne! Nearly perfect! We went there to celebrate our good friend, the Lee's for their wedding anniversary. We tried nearly everything! Although i was hoping for some more unusaal dishes, but since Morimoto wasn't in the house(we knew he would be there the next day to film the tv showm Hawaii Five O). We come to hawaii nearly every year for spring break so I am happy that he open this new restaurant. Will definitely come back here!
(5)
Thompson P.
I had the set course meal. I really didn't care for the food but that's not fair to say they are terrible. Service was excellent though!
(2)
Cely H.
@Faye: I think we were outside at the same time that night! Went here on heart day with the hubs. Sat outside and had a beautiful sunset and twinkling lights. I think our expectations were too high. We've eaten at restaurants ran by Mario and Bobby and we
(3)
Serena W.
So I was lucky enough to be fed at this delightful establishment as pleasant bystander of someone's last meal on the island. I didn't know what I was in for, I wanted to go to Doraku, stupid girl! I am no foodie, but I love to eat. By that I mean, I yelp things at the last minute while standing in the middle of the street hungry and mad. I had no idea this restaurant was masterminded by an iron chef. Nor do I really know what that means. Soooo, we had the raw oysters, twice. Before and after the meal because I needed to confirm their awesome-sauceness. The ceviche was my favorite, such a flavor party. For a hot appetizer, the live octopus carpaccio was dreamy. Sliced thin enough that it wasn't too chewy and they were swimming in something sweet and tangy if my memory serves right. Soft shell crab roll is huge, one of those rolls that will end up in your lap if you don't just use your fingers. If anyone has any insight on this, please share. Am I supposed to cut it up with a knife and fork and then use chopsticks? Blah, guess I'm not a 'lady'. The 'soy sauce' they brought out was spectacular, not salty or sharp tasting and complemented the taste of the roll. We had fatty tuna, medium fatty tuna, salmon, and smoked salmon sashimi. They were all so fresh, clean and the cuts were in tune with the pricing. The salmon was smoked just right and very soft. Even after we had our second round of oysters, dessert was in the cards! We had the chocolate cake thing with caramel inside. I personally don't like caramel so I had a raspberry godiva espresso martini. Delicious! I was fast asleep 1/2 hour after this meal. Who needs to get wastey pants on a saturday night, when you can have Morimoto's!! Honestly, this was the best meal I have ever had. The service was impeccable and the ambiance was groovy. I can't wait to eat here again!
(5)
Brian P.
Masaharu Morimoto. There's a reason he's an Iron Chef. And for those of you who will say the restaurant just takes his name, I have eaten food made by him here once and even got a picture with him. But besides that little cool factor, this place is great. The chawan mushi is amazing. It's so silky, smooth and decadent. The takoyaki is also excellent. I was not as impressed by the pineapple tempura but that has more to do with my own hyped up expectations. It was good but not mind blowing. The catch of the day, however, was the best fish dish I have ever eaten. I don't remember what it was (some kind of Mediterranean fish) but it was incredibly good. I've never managed to save enough room for dessert. so I can't comment on that but everything I've ever tried has been good to the best thing I ever ate so 5 stars.
(5)
Parlor T.
Huge fans of Morimoto and love japanese food, but this place was such a disappointment. We did the tasting menu which costs $140 a person and overall it was nothing special. The decor was nice but not practical, as the leather seats had seen better days, and the white tables and chairs looked a bit beat up. It was very raw and not many layers of flavor. Nothing spectacular. For good sushi you should really go to Mitch's Fish Market, well worth your money. Pluses: Dessert was good and service was really good as well. Not going back though
(1)
Ralph O.
The parents, the wife and I had dinner here on a Thursday night for the obvious reason that the restaurant belonged to Iron Chef Morimoto. We made reservations by Opentable with no problems. The service was A+and the servers knew their stuff. The restaurant was decorated in a modern look that fit right in with Hawaii lifestyle, just gorgeous. Unfortunately, I thought the food fell short. The parents and I got the tasting menu and the wife got a spider roll and fried whole fish as she is not a fan of uncooked food. I didn't try the spider roll but the wife enjoyed it. As for the fried fish, it was impressive that all the bones were removed but it tasted like any other fried fish that I had at a Chinese restaurant. As for the omakase, I won't describe every dish but see Kelly L's description as she does a great job. The dishes that stood out were the toro and hamachi tartare and the foie gras. Both were melt in your mouth delicious and I could have eaten these dishes all night. The vegetables with the artichoke/anchovy fondue was fun to eat. The "main course" of lobster, beef and pork though was a disappointment for me. The lobster was cooked with hot spices that didn't go well with the lobster. The beef was too sweet with the au jus that was used. I don't even remember what the pork tasted like. The nigiri sushi was good but I didn't think it belonged in a tasting menu. The dessert was okay with the ice cream and sweet potato cake. With the main dish and dessert falling short of expectations I can only give 3 stars. FYI: the sushi prices are for 1 piece and not the standard 2 pieces in Japanese restaurants.
(3)
John N.
Had dinner here while on vacation in Hawaii. Morimoto Came a little late so if you want to try the tasting menu, please arrive at least 2 hours prior to closing. Had to order other items off the menu as it was just slightly more than an hour before closing. I have to say every item I tasted was prepared well and tasted great. I had the surf and turf with a steak, poke, soup and other items. The dinner was quite expensive, but I knew that coming in. I would prefer to give this place 3.5 stars, but I'll round up for Chef Morimoto. Anyways, come here to impress people or to treat yourself to something nice. Know full well that your wallet will be sore. P.S. had the beers here and they are actually pretty good, even if it's close to 20 bucks a bottle.
(4)
Sheena C.
I'm not going to waste your time, so I'll make it quick. Atmosphere: Yes! Nice, swanky outside lounge-area overlooking the boat harbor with rice bowl-looking fire pits and the Edition is pretty... pretty (the paper towels in their bathroom are the thick, fancy kind--yes I judge places on what kind of paper-goods they stock in their bathrooms). Food: Disappointment. :( I mean, I wasn't bad, but it wasn't amazing. I only had a couple of sushi items off their lounge menu (did not go for dinner) and it did not blow me away. We actually ended up going to Yanagi later for the late-night specials and that was WAY better (esp. considering the price). Would definitely go back to feel fancy and drink with friends/the SO, but definitely not to eat.
(3)
Manda Bear B.
***************** REVIEW 400 ****************** 3.5 Stars Located by the Harbor of Waikiki Beach, inside the Waikiki Edition Hotel. This Morimoto is new, modern, tropical design in light green, white, beach shells, and orchid photos through out the wall. A huge kitchen with at least 20 chefs & cooks, open the less than 20 seats at the sushi bar. An open space dining room, with straight up row of beautiful wooden tables, white leather chairs, and an outdoor cozy patio with woodfire. I was surprised to see how big the place is. Even we got late RSVP via OpenTable for 9 PM on a WED night, but we didn't get to our table till 9:30 PM. The 2 hostesses weren't as welcoming as I would expected, very odd! We sat at the bar for a some Sake, now the server at the bar was very kind, kept checking on our table for us. While the hostess kept telling me "we will call you when your table ready!" I was like REALLY? I've been waiting for half an hour madam! We got sat down, luckily our server was very courteous & apologize for the delay. Here is what we had: DRINKS: - Morimoto ' Daiginjo' Sake - it was nice, they were out of the Ginjo, so this was an up-sell, well done. - Alber Boxler 2003 Alsace France Pinot Gris - nice bottle to pair! FOOD: - Oyster with mignonette, Thai, & tartar sauce - fresh and cold just how we like it. - Sashimi combo - super fresh, super well cut, and nice all around. - Tuna Pizza, Olives, Anchovy Aioli, Jalapeño - what a nice surprised, a server at the Sheraton Waikiki told us about this dish, I wasn't sure, but it wasn't a pizza, just a pizza size cracker on the bottom, super thin & crispy, with tuna sashimi topping - a huge dish to share. The Jalapeño was a nice kick to it! - Tempura calamari salad - white miso dressing, crispy onion - it's a super generous portion, enough to share for 4 people! The salad was nice & light, the tempura was crisp and tasty. - Oyster Foie Gras, Uni, Teriyake sauce - 3 huge oysters with a piece of Foie Gras & Uni on it, this was just too rich for my taste. Too much Teriyaki sauce, it kills the Uni & Foie Gras too over-powering! - Yose Dofu - fresh tofu prepared table-side, Kimchi sauce & Daishi broth. They serve freshly made Tofu at your table in a black pot, 8 minutes later, the came by & pulled in a liquid to make the tofu harden. They serve with green chai, fish flake, ginger on the side as well. It was an interesting dish, nice with Kimchi sauce. However, I wish the tofu wasn't that soft! - Scallop, XO jan, Tokyo scallions - 4 big pieces of Diver scallops, toping with a little crispy cracker, this was 1 of my top dishes of the night. Just perfectly cooked. - Seafood "Toban Yaki" - Kona lobster, King crab, mussel, clam, diver scallop, spicy red miso-sake broth - serve with crouton breads on the side for dipping. Almost reminded me of Cioppino Italian seafood dish, however, this was better. The broth was tasty, just anough spice to it and full of flavor. This was big portion to share. The portion was so generous, I'm so NOT used to it. Some dishes were good, some just mediocre. However, I'm glad we got to try many dishes as we possible can, after all, we were on vacation right? Our server was definitely made up for the earlier wait & not courteous hostesses. We had a good time and this is definitely a place for a bigger group, that way you can share the food. Overall: 3.5 stars For value: 5 stars For Food: 4 stars For Service: 3 stars Ambiance: 4 stars For Location: Inside the Edition Hotel and you can spot some celebrity here. We saw Nick Lachey & his fiancee Vanessa Minnillo. He was shorter in person, & she was simply gorgeous!
(3)
Ashley N.
I went to Morimoto Waikiki last year with my family to celebrate my birthday. I have been wanting to write this review for the longest time, but never got around to doing so until now. When I went, we made reservations and were quickly seated. The service was very good, as expected from a restaurant of this caliber. Since it was my birthday, I decided on the Morimoto Omakase Set ($120 per person), while my family all decided on choosing other entrees. Overall, the food was excellent. The Omakase did include a lot of raw fish selections, and being not too big of a fan of sushi and sashimi, it probably wasn't the best idea to get the Omakase. However I did enjoy a lot of the different courses, which were items I normally wouldn't have picked, but was glad to have tried. I do not regret ordering the Omakase at all. However, I was a little disappointed on the size of the entree course, since it did only include a taste of meat and pork, while many of the appetizers were several times larger :( On a side note, their foie gras chawan mushi was the best variation of chawan mushi that I've ever tasted. I would definitely get it again if I were to go back in the future. I would not recommend getting the Omakase if the other members of your party are ordering other items off the menu. The Omakase does take a very long time to finish, since the waiters will only bring you the next course when they notice you are finished with your current plate. For me, it did take over three hours to finish our entire meal... My family was disappointed by the fact that they did only bring out their items so it went along with the Omakase, since they had to sit for a few hours before ever seeing their entrees. Overall, Morimoto Waikiki does live up to Chef Morimoto's name. It is a very good restaurant to go to if you're going to celebrate an occasion, but mainly because of the prices of their dishes, I wouldn't come back in the near future just to have a dinner.
(3)
Steve B.
We were looking forward to a gourmet experience at the famous Morimoto restaurant ("Iron Chef") in Honolulu last Christmas. The restaurant is in a nice location next to the Hilton Village and has a great ocean view. Unfortunately, the food and service were a disappointment. My wife's salad arrived with someone's long black hair in it. When we complained, the server simply offered to replace the salad, but with no apology or expression of concern. The remainder of the meal was dry and over-salted. Not a four star experience but it came with a four star price.
(2)
Glenn N.
Had the opportunity to go to Morimoto's for dinner last night, As you walk in to this bright white and soft pale green room you are greeted by a friendly smile. the decor was nothing that I expected form a "Japanese" restaurant. You are transported to someplace like New York or LA. Fresh and clean very modern. Our server knew the menu inside and out and made great suggestions. We decided to eat family style so we ordered accordingly. The food we good but nothing special. I was looking forward to the Wagu steak and at $88.00 for a piece of meat my mouth was watering. However, the meat came to our table cold! Like it was sitting around for awhile. I would expect more from a fine dinning restaurant. But at least we had some good company to chat the night away.
(3)
Pack C.
well, he is the iron chef.. what can i really say.. First of all, there seems to be a wide range of dishes from ok to great. Your experience pretty much depends on what you ordered. My 2nd recommendation would be try a lot of appetizers here and just order 1 entree to share (assuming dinner for 2). Yellowtail Tartare. The side made it fun & surprise to eat. Next time i would order Toro though. We ordered Yellowtail 'coz it is slightly cheaper. However, once had it, i think it would taste better if there is more fat in the fish Sashimi: so gooood.. i hesitated about this one at first as it's all raw fish what Morimoto can really do to make it different. He did actually. He actually has different kinds of fish in one bite with very creative sauces. It was the must have dish foie gras: i can't remember its full name but it was one of the best & surprising dish. it looked really simple but it just melted in my mouth. Bouillabaise: seafood soup: tons of fresh seafood. i drank every single drop of the soup. it was a highlight of my meal Fish with black soy sauce: it was ok. it was too sweet to be good by itself. Overall, we love the experience. Morimoto is such a great, creative chef that you can really see it in his food. All the flavors are well balanced, no over-powering taste. I strongly recommend it
(5)
janey T.
I was expecting phenomenal but was sadly disappointed. Kakuni- braised pork belly on congee - amazing Spicy king crab - too much sauce. Fried fish was ok. Fish in hot pot was good. Drinks were good. Service was good but our waiter seemed pushy and bored. Not very friendly and was not giving us a good vibe. It was super pricey and it was an absolute disappointment. There are much better places to eat at 1/3 of the cost.
Quote from my husband: "this food is so incredibly delicious, if there was a hair on my food I'd probably devour it." Need I say more? To be clear... there was definitely not any hair in the food ;) Absolutely love the dinning atmosphere, the service, professionalism, and the cocktails are also really nice.
(5)
Kyle H.
I made it back for dinner and got to enjoy the romantic fire pits, plush white couches, candles and gauzy white curtains... If you didn't already know, I'll throw in a star or two if I love the place for it's ambiance and though each dish individually didn't leave me panting, I want to go here again and again for the experience. Also, if you think i'm overkill with the pics, here's another tidbit about me I know you really care about - I love being able to see what the food looks like before I order or knowing what to expect when the food comes out so the some of the schmancy descriptions on the menu using terms I can't pronounce is a little frustrating. So if you don't mind, I took a pic of everything we ordered and the captions are the title, description and price straight off of the iron chef's menu...I know, anal but whatever. Now you know why I still go to gyotaku even though their food sucks, I love me a menu with pictures! I think this is similar to my magazine habit, just look at the pictures and captions. I don't read the articles. I think i'd be in playboy's readership category. Oh, yeah...foood. Ok, moving on: Everything we ordered was shared family-style... Appetizers began with the tempura rock shrimp... This was the best dish of the night. I could have eaten this whole thing myself. Since it's the holiday season and I'd like to be on Santa's good list, I was a nice girl and shared. It was like light crispy buffalo shrimp, cooked perfectly with light breading tossed in the sauces then dipped into the coconut ranch, this was truly delicious. Please order it! yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… The other appetizers, poke was okay, nothing wowed me here except they were meticulous enough to skin the cherry tomatoes and the fish was cut in nice big chunks yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… The king crab was so highly recommended by our server, and when it came to the table, I'll admit it looked really impressive - the color from the red spice and tobiko was vibrant against the stark white dish (those BK fries came with it too so I was THRILLED about that of course) but it was a hard and messy app for sharing and was super salty! yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… The entrees we chose were the ishi yaki buri bop, the loco moto, rack of lamb and the whole crispy fish... I was so excited abou the ishi kayi (hamachi bi bimbap) but the hamachi was super-fishy tasting! I wouldn't get this again. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Now I WOULD get the chef's loco moto! I would've licked the plate if I was in another setting. There was very little wagyu but the gravy and rice, COMFORT FOOD at its' BEST! yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Lamb wasn't a rack, more like 3 little bones and the spam maki that came with it barely even had any spam. The lamb was delicious though! yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… I also loved the presentation of the cripy whole fish and in my mind, there is (almost) no way to go wrong with fried food. My only gripe was the mabo-tofu-like sauce wasn't very flavorful. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… The desserts were good, Thanks for the beautiful Happy Birthday art on the chocolate banana one but how come Chad's O's one had his name on it? I'm J. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… You know what's a great bonus? I told the waiter I didn't like my drinks too sweet and I guess they're still experimenting with their drink menu so I couldn't find the savory cucumber one I enjoyed so much last time I was here (bring it back!), he recommended the Pikake blossom. I told him it was good but too sweet, could I order an extra shot of vodka to pour in? He came back with a martini glass full of vodka! No joke: yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… SWEET! Makes me feel like they already know me! I'm your fan for life now!
(4)
Yuree N.
I just had dinner here tonight with my family and I have to say I was impressed. I came in here without any real expectations (even though he's the iron chef and all), but I came out pretty satisfied. Decor/Ambiance: This place makes me miss LA SO MUCH. The decor was pretty trendy and definitely what you'd see in any LA restaurant of a similar type. I really liked that the lighting in the place was pretty bright and not that dim yellow lighting in other fancy shmancy restaurants. I'm still really confused as to what kind of restaurant this is. People were dressed in all types of attire: from aloha shirts and shorts, to tops with jeans, to girls in fancy dresses and guys wearing blazers, but no one really looked out of place regardless of what they were wearing. There was also a good number of tables here with kids so I'm thinking it can't be that fancy of a restaurant, although by looking at their menu prices alone you'd think they were. Food: YUM. I guess Morimoto is the Iron Chef for good reason. For appetizers we got: spicy crab, kakuni (recommended!), and tempura calamari salad. For entrees we got: Duck duck duck, crispy whole fish, some kind of pork dish (sorry, can't remember), and the angry chicken. If I had to tell you to get one thing, I would recommend the crispy whole fish. They deep fry the fish so you can eat EVERY part of it, even the bones (which actually taste like bacon!). And for all you chicken lovers, I'd order the angry chicken with caution because ours was pretty dry. Drinks: I got the Green Flash Martini, which had gin, Midori, and some other things. $10, pretty good. I wanted to try their 5 year aged sake but felt guilty about ordering a 3 oz glass for $19. One day! Service: Very, very good. The wait staff and bussers are very well-trained. And the manager is always there to address any concerns. Just the kind of service I'd expect to get with the price of this place. Price: Wheeeeeew, there's a reason why I came here with my family and that's because I'm a starving student who can't afford such luxuries without mommy and daddy. :) The bill came out to be almost $300 for 4 entrees, 2 appetizers, 1 salad, 2 sides, and 1 drink. If I had to compare the price to another restaurant, I'd say it's pretty similar to Roy's, but not as expensive as Alan Wong's or Nobu.
(4)
Shannon K.
Beautiful outdoor seating, fresh delicious sushi, and great options for my fish-hating husband!
(4)
Lauren T.
I made reservations here hoping that 3.5 stars wasn't warranted for my favorite Iron Chef and I was not disappointed. I don't understand why this place doesn't have better reviews. The ambiance is great, the waiter was great too he explained everything and was attentive, and the food was amazing. It's trendy and cool while also having amazing dishes to back it up. I mean to compare, it doesn't have the same upscale feel as Nobu, but it is definitely more upscale than places like Izakaya Gaku. But each restaurant has their own place/niche on the island and I would come back again for sure! We had the tofu (made table side... sooo cool), the lamb, and the ishi yaki buri bop, and some dessert I don't remember what it's called and it was "meh"... the lamb was to die for!!! And the ishi yaki buri bop had amazing flavor and the fish was so fresh and amazing.
(5)
Shelly i.
This is not the most flattering review for me. In fact it explains why my brother's affectionate nickname for me is "heifer." But... here goes... My mom wanted to take my brother's fiancee out for her birthday and I suggested Morimoto. I made the reservations on Open Table and luckily we were able to get seated on the deck outside with the view of Keehi and the fire pits! I love those fire pits, although I do think they are impractical for a place that serves alcohol (which I can't have at the moment anyway cause I'm pregnant) cause that's just a lawsuit waiting to happen. My mom and future sis-in-law did partake. Mom had the Green Flash (it was so-so. I took a sip, it's not going to kill the baby) and the f-s-i-l had the White Lily on my recommendation. They both agreed that the White Lily was the better of the two drinks. I got to sip still water ($7! I am not making that mistake again, ice water all the way from now on). Bah, baby you'd better be worth it! We decided to order entirely off the cold and hot appetizer menu, which to me is the smartest way to eat at Morimoto. I've had several of the entrees (oxtail soup, crispy fish, surf and turf, ishi yaki buri bop) and wasn't too impressed. The sushi is all pretty standard too. BUT... BUT... I am totally in love with the interesting and innovative small bites here. This time we ordered: Hamachi Tartare $22 - I liked this better than the toro tartare. The flat metal scoops are a little difficult to maneuver, especially when dipping in the soy/dashi. Here's what I like to do, I scrape a little fish puree off the board and delicately dip a corner of the spatula in the sauce before playing around with the other toppings (the rice crackers are fun). If I lose any of the fish in the dashi, I save the sauce to pour over my next dish, the yose dofu. Yose Dofu $16 - No matter how many times I come it's always fun to have this dish. Also it fills bottomless pits like me up so you don't have to go to McDonald's for a burger after. The waiter came out, explained the dish and told us the kitchen would time the waiting period for the soy milk to go from watery to tofu-y for us. My f-s-i-l loved the freshness of this dish and the accompanying kim chee sauce. Tuna Pizza $18 - Yes, I know I'm not supposed to eat raw fish that's why I only had one piece of the little pizza. The crispy pizza comes cut into about 6 wedges, each about the size of a tortilla chip. This blend of crispy crust, paper-thin ahi, olives, tomato, creamy sauce and micro cilantro is awesome. At first I thought the olive would throw off the dish but it just adds a salty hmm-that's-interesting flavor. Oyster Foie Gras $20 - If you read my previous review, you know this is MY FAVORITE DISH OF ALL TIME!!! I love the silky feel in my mouth after I slurp one of these bad boys up. You get three to an order and one day I will order and not share. I'm just warning people in advance. Make sure to ask for the kabayaki (or teriyaki, whatever you want to call it) sauce on the side, so you can add to your taste. I like just a smidge. Rock Shrimp Tempura $16 - The shrimp are coated in a cornstarchy batter and then tossed with either a Buffalo-style kochojang sauce or a wasabi sauce. It comes with a dipper of a thin buttermilk ranch. Really yummy but so much shrimp... I never thought I would say that. Too much shrimp. What is wrong with me? It's good for ordering when you have 4-5 people sharing. Kakuni $16 - This comes in a big brimmed, tiny bowl. I'd order just to make fun of the bowl. In all seriousness, this dish is tasty but not ideally suited for sharing. It comes on top of a thin rice congee (porridge) and I'm not quite sure how you'd divide that (the waitress had taken our tofu bowls and spoons). It would make a great meal along with an appetizer though. Curry Pan $13 - Probably the only dish my mom and f-s-i-l didn't rave about. I was impressed by how thin they got the bread and the crunchy korroke outside, but it was rather ho hum after the previous dishes. Our waitress mentioned that we scored the last one, so apparently it's popular enough. I would be thrilled to get this in a bento, just not so much for a fine dinner. Okay, I know this was a LOOOONG review. So sorry. But there's only a little more to go! Stay with me! Honestly, if I had to do it over again I would have only ordered four appetizers instead of seven. My mom and f-s-i-l were groaning and complaining about how full they were after the rock shrimp. I told them to suck it up and order dessert. We split the Tofu Hot and Cold ($12) and the Roasted Pineapple Cake ($12). I really loved the marshmallow-y hot tofu souffle and the tofu cheesecake but wasn't too fond of the pineapple cake (the gelato and puffed rice it came with were great though). Both were way better than the chocolate peanut butter bombe I had once before though. I liked the subtle sweetness. [ Damn, I'm out of space.]
(5)
Darren N.
Breakfast review Getting there: Free valet at the Edition Waikii if you're dining at Morimoto Waikiki. Ambiance: White furnishings, tall ceiling, and roominess make this place feel almost like a cafeteria, but it won't conjure up elementary school memories. The hanging massive white-washed coral in clear glass boxes and clean, comfortable, stylish and upscale seating reminds you that you're going to pay big bucks to eat here. Check out the pictures because they speak for themselves better than I can describe them. Service: Courteous and the timing of the beverage checks are spot on, not too frequent and not late. Food: I had the Local Style Breakfast which frankly, was a disappointment. The hash browns were small and dry, there were very few bacon pieces and although cooked well, nothing about it stood out. Same could be said about the rice (did not choose toast) and scrambled eggs. Their other breakfast menu options showed more innovation and for a restaurant like this along with the prices, I would expect more innovation than your average local style breakfast from an average diner. Side note, I heard good things about their banana pancakes and their loco moco had a healthy sized portion. The eggs benedict was also good but small portioned. Verdict and Takeaway: I can't fully judge this place since I've yet to try their lunch / dinner menus. That being said, I'm hoping they work to uplift their local style breakfast somehow and perhaps include a larger portion.
(3)
Joy W.
What a disappointment. Decided to try this trendy "hotspot" for my husband's birthday but there are definitely still kinks that need to be worked out. The decor is modern and stylish but the tables are way too close together and it's extremely noisy...so much so that I could barely hear my husband across the table but I could definitely hear the girl next to me shouting at her date across their table. And that was a shame too as the service was quite horrible...we were left waiting for our food a lot of the time, and it would've been nice to have a nice conversation while we waited. Iron Chef Morimoto was there the night we visited so we both ordered the omakase. Then we waited and waited and waited for about half an hour before our first course came out. My husband had ordered drinks with his food but when they didnt arrive by the second course, he had to flag our waiter down to check on that. The food was quite good and beautifully presented but with omakase, you expect precise timing, one course after another with no lengthly lulls in between. (Also with omakase, you expect different dishes based on what's fresh and available that day but apparently it's always the same courses no matter what day you go.) Unfortunately after we finished one course, the next one would take forever to arrive and our bumbling busboy neglected to keep our water glasses filled. And one couple seated nearby came in an hour after us and they caught up to us by the fourth course. Again, they came in an HOUR after us! It was a slight consolation that my husband pointed out another couple that had been there before us and we ended up finishing our omakase before them, but in the end, I just really felt sorry for them. All in all, we were there for three awful hours. For the price you pay, you'd expect better service and a more enjoyable evening. Never again.
(2)
Saw T.
Gotta say that I'm a little bit surprised by so many less than stellar reviews for this place. After eating dinner there last night with my wife and parents, we all agreed that we really enjoyed every single thing we ordered and want to check out the Napa branch that's close to home soon. For starters, we got the Morimoto Sashimi, the Tempura Calamari Salad and the Mixed Green Salad. The Morimoto Sashimi consisted of little stacks of seared toro, smoked salmon, eel, tuna and hamachi accompanied by 5 pipettes of different sauces, including Yellow Pepper, Yuzu and Arugula (don't remember the last 2). While a bit on the small side, the fish tasted fresh, the presentation was very unique and the dish had a lot of whimsy. The Mixed Green Salad had a bit of heat and was a massive portion. The Tempura Calamari Salad while not as huge as the Mixed Green Salad was also a large portion and the calamari stayed crispy and was not weighed down by the dressing. For entrees, we got the Roasted Lobster "Epice", the Crispy Whole Fish, a bunch of maki, and the Salt Crusted Fingerling Potatoes. The lobster dish was pretty spectacular. It was roasted in garam masala and appealed to my Indian palate. The fish, which happened to be a branzino, was crispy and came with a very flavorful spicy tofu sauce. The rolls while solid were not really memorable. The potatoes while prepared very simply were extremely tasty and I look forward to duplicating that dish some day soon. Overall, the entrees were a bit on the small size and paled in comparison the giant apps in terms of quantity. If we hadn't gone to Giovanni's Shrimp Truck a couple hours earlier, we would have needed to order more. Now on to the desserts! The Chocolate Caramel Tart was simply ridiculous. I've had similar tarts before but this version was so decadent and the caramel was gooey deliciousness. We came very close to ordering another one. The Chocolate Peanut Bombe was also pretty spectacular and in particular I enjoyed the salted peanut ice cream on the side. The Vanilla Roasted Pineapple was a sponge-cake based dessert that was solid but couldn't compete with the chocolate offerings. The service was also very good and the waitstaff was very attentive. We also enjoyed the minimalist modern decor. While the food wasn't cheap, it was in line with comparable restaurants and I don't really get all the complaints about the price.
(5)
Bernard T.
I have been to Morimoto in New York and Napa. They are all great, but for some reason Morimoto at Waikiki was just OK to me. I think it can be better. Well, will give another try again on my next visit to Waikiki.
(3)
Expert F.
sometimes good sometimes really bad
(2)
Clifton H.
The gf took me there for dinner last week to celebrate my bday. We were pretty lucky in that the Iron Chef himself was working that night. The decor is pretty trendy and the food is pricey, all of which were expected. We had the oysters, morimoto sashimi, salmon skin roll, and toban yaki. I had the peanut bombe for desert. All of these were excellent. The gf was prodding me to order some of that wagyu, but I just couldn't bring myself to order something that expensive; I guess it's the Chinese in me. I would have given the place 5 stars, except that there seemed to be little flies flying around. One even landed in my gf's drink. The waiter, who provided excellent service throughout the night, had it replaced. I really like the place, but I don't think there should be insects around when customers are eating.
(4)
Lynn C.
I went to Morimoto's in New York and was excited to see if it was different/as good as my experience previously. We arrived promptly for our reservation at 7 PM on a Tuesday evening. The look of the place is clean and crisp, very modern with touches of tropical-ness with the pictures of flowers and shells hanging from the ceiling. To begin, Trisha, our waitress, really made our experience. She was friendly and attentive and super sweet. We ordered some drinks, Morimoto sashimi as a starting dish and then our other dishes. Our sashimi came out VERY quickly. It was basically, 5 stacks of different of fish with different dipping sauces including some with chili, one with arugula, and unagi. It was meh and I ended up deconstructing the stacks (not sure if you were supposed to...). About 15 minutes later, our drinks came out. Another 20 minutes later, our food, came out. At least I believe it was about that time. Luckily my date was pleasant company or I would've gone bonkers. Trisha apologized profusely about 5 times and let us know that the manager would take care of our drinks that evening. I had the surf and turf (steak, Morimoto poke, and fingerlings) and the Boy had the duck duck duck (duck 3 ways). The waiter poured the au jus on the steak and had it sizzle (he was very considerate and held a napkin in between me and the steak in case of splatter). The au jus was amazing. The poke was just ok and the fingerlings + Okinawan potato were good. I read what I just typed and it sounds completely unexciting. It was good but just wasn't anything to get super excited about. The Boy liked his duck, commenting that the three of them separately were OK but together they made a great dish. Dessert was a chcooclate creme tart/cake thing with vanilla ice cream. On the menu it said it had kona coffee ice cream. Alas, not the case. We probably wouldn't have gotten if we had known it was going to be vanilla. It was a rocky dining experience with pretty good food. The atmosphere of the restaurant was good and our waitress was great. We did get to see Chef Morimoto but he retired to his room early (7 PM). I would have taken my New York Morimoto experience over my Waikiki Morimoto experience. Worth at least one try however.
(3)
Matt G.
Sitting outside as the sun sets over Illikai boat harbor is something to behold. After being in Omaha, NE for 7 months, this ended up being the first place I went to upon my return to Honolulu. Even if I wasn't on a romantic date or anything, the ambiance and view were incredible. The only problem is that I hadn't had time to reacclimate to the humidity so I was sweating like a pig. Yuck. The food here is good. As a grad student who lives on student loans, looking through the menu made me die a litle bit on the inside but the food quality (as long as you know what to order) equates to the pricing more or less. It's not super expensive. We had Ryan as our server. Nice guy. Knowledgeable and most of all honest. As a former industry worker, you definitely come to appreciate honesty in your server. Of course some things will give you better bang for your buck, or there'll be unlisted items every once in a while, and some things are amazing no matter what it is or how much it costs. The yose dofu...is a tofu appetizer prepared table side. Although it's not anything I haven't had before, it was awesome. Props to our server on that one, and it was decently priced too. Again, you def appreciate when your server isn't just trying to push the most expensive items at you. I say come in with the expectations you'd have of any other restaurant and you won't be disappointed. But if you're one of those who are just here bc you heard oh Morimoto this or Iron Chef that, you're bound to set yourself up for disappointment.
(5)
Alfred G.
I had 7 pm dinner reservations for Morimoto Waikiki and upon reading the reviews, I realized that my dining experience would be either a hit or miss so I was very optimistic and my expectations was on an even keel. Now before I go into details, I just wanted to say that after it was all said and done, After the smoke was cleared, my dining experience here was a very good one in which I have no problems whatsoever giving 5 stars. The service was excellent, upon arriving I had noticed that the restaurant was crowded (which was expected) and the restaurant had a modern look which I personally liked. Now according to some reviews, people were not seated right away and the people working the front desk were not friendly. For me, I experienced the complete opposite, As soon as I entered I was greeted with a warm, friendly smile and was seated right away outsie on the deck overlooking the harbor which was perfect because it was around 7pm and the scenery was awesome. The waitress we had was very friendly, outgoing she was very knowledgeable in answering any questions that I had recommending her personal favorites and explaining everything that I had ordered and how it was prepared. The bussers were also friendly and attentive making sure that my water was always full and that the table was clean etc. like I said, the overrall service was top notch, not too over/underwhelming. The food as well was good, The presentation was awesome as expected and the flavors were well balanced. For appetizers I ordered the smoked sashimi (toro,salmon,eel,tuna,hamachi) w/ 5 sauces,the sashimi was fresh, appealing and the sauces was great with it not masking the flavors of the fish at all. I also had the steamed scallops w/scallions in some kind of sauce which was nice and soft (the way it should be) I highly recommend it. Another highly recommended appetizer would be the Kakuni which is a ten hour cooked pork belly which was very soft, tender and succulent. For the Main course I had the Surf and Turf, now according to some reviews the meat was overcooked, mine was not. I had my steak prepared medium and it was cooked perfect, the fish and crusted fingerlings was great as well. For me Dessert was my favorite, You have to order the Chocolate Mille Feulle, it's bruleed bananas with an avocado anglaise and spiced chocolate ice cream I seriously could have eaten 5 more of that dessert especially the spiced chocolate ice cream. For me everything was great from the food, service etc. and I will be back again, for sure. For the other people who have had bad experiences dining there, I would suggest going again and give it another try. The restaurant has been open for only 6 months and maybe they were ironing out the kinks before they get it to where they want it to be both service and food wise, well after a very nice dining experience like I had, they are well on their way
(5)
Rhemielyn U.
Had my birthday lunch here and it was beautiful. Besides the awesome service, food was also on point. Pricey but worth it. We had sashimi that just melt in your mouth. Their lunch set was also good esp their version of loco moco
(4)
Edwin P.
Try the tasting menu it is super!
(5)
Eddie L.
This one's a bit tough to review. I give it 3 stars for my meal but i'm sure it could easily be 4 or even 5 depending on what you order. The decor is gorgeous and it will make me take a second look at staying at the Edition the next time I'm in Waikiki. I'm a vegetarian so how could I ever really experience what this place has to offer? My Korean/Japanese fusion Mushroom rice in a stone pot was tasty but pretty expensive for what it was. I have no one to really blame but myself for ordering such a dish in this place. I did eat meat for over 30 years so if I could offer any advice about this place I would say don't screw around and pay the money for the omakase. Yeah it'll cost you over a $100 a head but shoot for the moon while you're here. Morimoto was in the kitchen while i was there and in retrospect I should have broken the rules and ordered the "chef's special". How often do you get to eat while the Iron Chef is working? It doesn't end all that bad for vegetarians here. The freshly made Tofu prepared table side is fantastic. As for service, our waitress was definitely sub par (fanning her face while she was talking to us.. really?) I'm guessing/hoping they are still getting the kinks out.
(3)
Ronnie K.
Whenever I think of Morimoto's I think of the Iron Chef. My expectations were so high, I guess I was expecting nothing short of a mouthgasm. Do not get me wrong, the food was good; however, I was far from blown away. The girl that seated us was ehh.. but our server was awesome. He made great recommendations and probably could recite the menu in Iambic pentameter with his eyes closed. The restaurant is moderately pricey, so you can definitely do some damage if you are hungry or with a large party.
(5)
Doris C.
Lunch with a group and it was surprisingly delicious. Attentive wait staff. Loco moco^ the best I've had with slices of waging beef, delicious gingerly garnish and just done right rice. Miso soup had the lightest freshest tofu I've tasted. Sushi slices delicious very good quality. The light Asian-inspired dressing on nalo greens was very delicate. My friends ordered extra dressing while I thought it was just enough dressing. I will certainly go here again. Wonderful view too. Architecture and interior design is comfortable when chatting with friends. Quiet! ALOHA Doris
(5)
Dan C.
Beautiful layout and presentation. We had the cod, the sashimi and the beef tenderloin. All were very delicious...it took a few minutes to figure out location because it is located in the back of a hotel instead of a stand alone restaurant. Only negative is that we both had a slight stomach ache in the middle of the night after eating.
(4)
Monica C.
Let me just say that I was incredibly excited to come here. I've been watching Iron Chef for years with my dad and Morimoto was one of my favorites. I even remember the episode where Bobby Flay insulted Morimoto because he climbed on his cutting board and Morimoto was infuriated and I was like OH HECK NO BOBBY FLAY! Anywhoo, when I heard about a Morimoto restaurant, I made sure we made reservations to go. We knew we were heading into a place where we're going to drop a few bills but we were up for it especially if the food would be life changing. This was NOT the case, seriously was disappointed in this establishment. Service, food, the entire situation left a bad taste in my mouth, we'll probably never return. Based on the recent reviews, looks like others would agree. We were celebrating a special event, we got married on our original anniversary date so we were too busy to do our usual anniversary dinner so this was our make-up dinner and attempt to celebrate without 520 people. The experience went terribly sour real quick. I think that service can make or break a dining experience. Service was definitely a huge factor, but the food - I cannot fathom why it tasted so lackluster. I so badly wanted to like everything we ordered because I thought to myself, ok maybe I'm just being too picky. But one bad dish after the other, I knew it wasn't us. Our waitress was RUDE, I don't remember her name because after a while, my husband just interacted with her and I stopped even looking at her. But seriously, if you hate customers and have issues being nice to people, DON'T be a waitress. It was quite amazing to me - we didn't do or say anything to her that would spark this. She just full on started being a smartypants after being assigned to be our waitress. Most of the time, she was nowhere to be found. Barely any water refills, and never checked up on us. But super impatient and pushy when we were trying to put our order in. My husband and her almost got into a quarrel because she was talking to him like he was illiterate and rolling her eyes at him the WHOLE time. Ok, if you're concerned about us dining and ditching, don't make it obvious. So freaking rude considering that we didn't show up looking ghetto or tried to steal anything off the table, obviously we can afford to dine wherever we want, Morimoto is no exception. Despite how unhappy we looked, management didn't do squat. So this is a classy grand restaurant right? This place was full on empty, SOMEONE could have checked up on us if our waitress's behavior was beyond a snobby high school drama queen. I bet others have complained about her, but has gotten away with it so many times. At the end of the meal, she attempted to redeem herself... super shady. I left her like a $5 tip - yep you lost about $50 worth of tips that night. The food was meh. If meh was an adjective, that's what my palette would describe every dish that came out. Everything was very flat and poorly executed. Over salted, strange flavor combinations and just extremely bad quality for the few bites of food we received. For the $$$, you would expect the dishes to send you into a mouthgasm. I've had those experiences before where literally after you finish something you think to yourself, ok that was possibly the best meal I've ever had... When can I come here again!? Then the next couple of weeks, months you daydream about coming back. This wasn't the case here, after appetizer #2, I knew the ship was sinking. My husband had sashimi which looked appetizing but the portion size was ridiculous. I think it was $35 for five bites, I don't like sashimi so I let him finish all of it. He seemed to like it, but coming from Seattle, we have great sushi places around the area where this measured up. This was his favorite dish, sad considering it was 5 bites. We ordered crispy shrimp with wasabi aioli and a firecracker sauce. This should be renamed Soggy Shrimp because there was no crispiness whatsoever. I specifically picked this appetizer because I thought I would get incredibly crispy nuggets of shrimp with flavorful dipping sauces. I actually didn't eat all of it and I decided to not pack it to go. That's how disappointing this was and in all honesty, fried foods isn't a difficult dish to execute at all. This isn't risotto people! The sauces were very bland and single noted, no spices and the wasabi was so mild it just tasted like mayo. Do not order this! I picked Duck Duck Duck for my entree, the soup was so salty I couldn't eat it, it came with two dime sized duck meatballs which were tasteless. The duck breast was dry and mediocre, it wasn't seared properly and the duck lumpia would make Filipinos all over the world cringe and shake their heads. Never returning, other restaurants will give you a better dining experience, trust me. -- Apparently my name is Susan... Need I say more about customer service?! SMDH
(1)
Noriaki S.
We have to consider about the expensive price of good restaurant in Honolulu.In honolulu good restaurant is too expensive, cheep restaurant is always bad.Here is awesome.This restaurant has a good american face and good japanese face. We can enjoy the raw oyster and lobster and we can enjoy the authentic japanese sushi bar style.That's very nice.
(4)
Tom P.
Horrible. I wish we went to the red lobster next door. The other luke warm sushi review is spot on. The service was at best, strange, but the food was aggravating. I could go on about the poor service... From reception, to bar, to waiter they were all in attentive and extremely slow. We've all been there. The real question is the food. My date and I ordered the live octopus carpaccio and the sushi sampler platter. The carpaccio was way too salty. The octopus was good despite this, but there was no ingredient or sauce. Next was the $90 sushi sampler. The fish was luke warm. The rice was too sticky. The rice didn't taste good. The house made soy sauce with low sodium tasted like a salt mine. The sushi itself tasted like grocery store sushi. Mayhaps the fish was well sourced, but I highly doubt it. Overall, the sushi was what you get from a $20 all you can eat place. I was livid. Do not go. It's not a portion issue or cost; I'm a foodie. Do not go.
(1)
Sarah M.
Really beautiful place. The food was great and the service was excellent. I had a great time.
I had an OK experience here, but probably won't return. The interior has a lot of style. But I found the good to be just OK. The highlight was the cocktails - unique combinations and really delicious! But the food was more on the average side. The presentation was beautiful but the flavor was dull. By the time the entrees arrived I felt like we were paying more for atmosphere than for food. Two problems with the place - they are definitely NOT a focused on sustainable seafood. I can't imagine why any restaraunt in Hawaii would need to fly in lobster from Maine or sea Bass from the Mediterranean! And I was appalled to see them serving inhumane dishes like live octopus and foie gras. Topping it off, or server seemed bored and disinterested... I think this place just sees too many tourists to really achieve the fine dining that they strive for...
(2)
Dan T.
After taking my five-year old daughter here a year or so ago, I have been wanting to go back with my wife. Well this past weekend we made it there and were not too impressed. We were seated and not asked for our drinks for about 10 minutes and then did not receive them for another ten minutes...not even a glass of water. Throughout the evening, we had to flag our waiter down for additional drinks, a desert menu, etc. The lamb I had was very bland and I find it very hard to think that Morimoto would put his seal of approval on that dish. My wife had the sea bass which was good and the spicy yellowtail appetizer we had was also good. After my first visit in which the table could not get a spot of water on it without the waiter wiping it off, I expected at least decent service but did not get it here on 5 July. With all of the places to go on island I will probably not take a third trip to Morimoto.
(2)
Kathy O.
We went to Morimoto Waikiki last July, what a wonderful experience! Our server Duane was fantastic! One in our party was a picky eater and Duane went out of his way to find out what would suit her taste. He did a great job recommending a meal that was great for her. We had the Cucumber Shiso Collins and have been craving it since our visit. I emailed and was given a recipe so I could try to replicate it here in Texas! I can't wait to visit again!
(5)
Marina M.
For my first time there, I requested a nice quiet table. They gave us a junk table right by where guests were obnoxious and loud right by the lounge couches. We ordered omakase, should've had a little more seafood variety. I only liked two dishes from omakase. Server was ok but was not a service you would get at fine dining restaurant. Overall I give three stars for an ok restaurant.
(3)
C G.
My boyfriend and I went to Morimoto's this weekend for his birthday. I read more than enough reviews about bad service and junk food, but I still decided to bring him there anyway since it's supposed to be a fancy Japanese restaurant. We came early and were seated after a few minutes. We got a table outside, but my boyfriend wanted to sit inside. He's too much of a nice guy to say anything, so we just stayed outside. Our waiter was nice, but he did not show much emotion. We ordered a sushi sashimi combination and a Oh toro which my boyfriend absolutely loved. I was so happy that he loved it. For our entrees we got a steak with potatoes and a braised black cod. Both were delicious. Especially the cod. Our waiter wasn't around as often as before, so I started to see what others were saying about the service, but whatever. My boyfriend did point out that there were more people so I brushed it off. The bus boy came by for our waiter so at least someone served us. My boyfriend got a birthday dessert which we didn't know what it was, but it was interesting. All in all, as long as my boyfriend had a great time then I was happy. It was all for him. I would recommend the restaurant to people with an open mind. The bill was about $200, so bring your credit card.
(4)
Shane F.
Went for my cousins birthday dinner. Read the reviews and was excited to eat at my favorite iron chef's restaurant. My cousin had previously been there and so she ordered us some of her favorite appetizers. We had the: toro which was excellent especially with the seaweed sauce. A beef thing it was pretty good the sashimi platter which was excellent especially the hamachi Entrees: I ordered the Lamb Rack it came with 3 nice pieces of lamb and some kind of sauce i thought it made the lamb taste sweeter. i like the spam onigiri though haha. My dad got the omakase; it had nine courses and i got to try each one i don't want to go into detail but the one dish that stuck out to me was in the sushi platter that was the best unagi i have ever had and that is my favorite. Another of the dishes that stuck out was the chawanmushi ever sweet good consistency and just awesome. The entree was a nice sampler i think my favorite was the lobster. 110 is a lot to pay but if you have it and don't know what to get that is a good way to go. oh ya the desert was a pumpkin dish which was very good it had azuki beans in the middle Some other people had a fish dish which was pretty good as well. The deserts were excellent as well i loved the peanut butter bomb haha its a peanut butter like pastry and then peanut butter ice cream the taste is smooth and not what you would expect. We also had a chocolate thing with caramel in the middle rich so a bite was just enough for me. Long review for a great restaurant, oh ya on another note iron chef morimoto was actually there haha so like tourist we took a picture with him.
(4)
Charlotte D.
I had heard mixed revues about this restaurant from friends but wanted to check it out for myself and I'm glad I did. I love, love, love the wagyu carpaccio! The flavor was a wonderful fusion of oil and a sauce I couldn't identify, the meat melted in my mouth! I also had the 6 oz filet and it was every bit as good as it should be, cooked to perfection and one could cut it with a fork if you happened to drop your knife on the floor. I'll go again to try different menu items. It's pricey, not an everyday place to eat but I enjoyed the food. The one thing I didn't care for was that the noise level in the restaurant was very high.This is not a place to take a first date or for an intimate dinner.
(4)
Karen B.
Best experience ever. Isaac was our server and he had amazing knowledge of the sake and wine list. We were very pleased with the sake he brought to our table. We also had Ryan and Banessa as servers and they both had wonderful suggestions. Our favorite was the chicken salad. Our most recent visit we had the omakase. The tartar was a great indication that the rest of our night was going to be AMAZING. Thank God for our beautiful waitress Laura. Ma-HALAS!!! be back frm Chicago soon!!!
(5)
John H.
You pay for what you get. Its pricey but the food is so good. Twice I got the "omakase" and was not disappointed! Staff are friendly and they have free valet. Every time I go back home I request to go here. It dosent matter who you are, they treat you good. Not like the mainland where the judge you by the way you dress.
(5)
Juvy A.
Went to Morimoto's on July 1st with a bunch of my girlfriends. It's a nice restaurant and fancy looking. We sat on the outside lanai which was perfect to see the Hilton hawn's fireworks show on a Friday night. The staff was really good and fast...although there were times when we weren't ready to order because we couldn't decide. We did ask for advice and the recommendations were good. All the food that we ordered were very delicious. The Wagyu beef was excellent and the IshiYaki Buri Bop was pretty neat and very filling. Overall, everything was good! On a side note, when they're very busy, sitting out in the lanai is better than sitting in the inside because it is very noisy and most of the time you'll be yelling at each other. Outside was perfect and not loud at all. Although it's a bit pricey, I would definitely will be visiting there again...I wouldn't suggest to go there starving though because your bill will add up...lol
(4)
Hanwook K.
Overall not a great experience. The service was okay -- it felt like a diner than a fancy restaurant. I can't explain why, but the service just seemed too casual. The hostess wasn't super friendly, just very matter-the-fact. Our service wasn't super friendly, but she wasn't mean. She did wipe the table every time I spilled something. Okay -- too the food. We ordered the following: Tofu -- okay. Table side preparation. The kimchee sauce was weak. It tasted like watered down kimchee soup. Really watered down. The tofu set a bit firm. I was expecting something a bit more silken. Nevertheless, not a bad dish. Octopus Capaccio: Wow -- this was to die for. The flavor was great. The texture was a bit too goopy, but what do you expect for octopus. Spicy tuna, spicy yellow tail Maki -- these were fresh. You could taste the sesame seeds in the rice. It wasn't too spicy. It was solid standard spicy marki Spider roll (soft shell crab) -- yuk. The batter was think. The crab was flavorless and a bit bitter. I don't think they're in season but then again, if it isn't I wouldn't expect them the serve it. Spicy crab - yuk. Over cooked (probably because its baked after its steamed). the spicy sauce was mayo-y and thick. It was a single note spicy. The sauce over powers the delicate flavors of the crab. What a waste! The fries had the same sauce - same issue, sauce that overpowers the dish. I'm definitely not a fan of this dish. As you can see, I didn't love my experience here. The service was casual and not as refined as you expect for this level of restaurant. The food wasn't great. I suspect if we had ordered more raw foods, we may have had a slightly better experience. But I will never know.
(2)
S M.
Food is a letdown, place is surviving on name and location alone. Staff were wonderful, but just a typical overpriced low quality Waikiki restaurant. Too bad!
(2)
J R.
We were staying at the hotel next door, and decided to try Morimoto's. Easy reservations thru open table and walked over later that night. The restaurant is gorgeous and the pool area very trendy. TIP: if you also want to see the Fireworks, sit near the far left end along the railing. We tried the Tuna pizza (amazing), Abalone takoyaki (even better) Sashimi salad (meh, just okay) seafood to ban yaki (pretty good) Drinks were good but expensive. Overall great time
(5)
Ryen L.
A Mixed Bag Positives: the atmosphere is amazing, the sushi (and seafood in general) is very delicious (including the octopus with Yuzu), the presentation of the food is great Negatives: too many un-trained grey shirt servers, and some of the food is more for an avant garde experience rather than taste I had the Morimoto Experience and the rest of my family (who had previously eaten here a couple of times) ordered ala carte. I would have to discourage the Morimoto Experience (9 course meal) as most of the courses were nowhere near as good as the entrees on the menu. (For example, one of my courses was raw vegetables such as a sliced carrot and bell pepper with a side of olive oil... it may have been presented on a cool plate, but I wish that it taste as good as it was presented). I noticed that there are two kinds of servers. Those in black shirts who take the order and speak with customers (they were adequately knowledgeable about the menu), and those in grey shirts (who appeared to not have been trained by management). It appears that they hired one grey shirt worker for every seat in the restaurant (all of them crowd on the side and talk to one another). The grey shirt workers deliver the food and take away dishes. Management needs to have stricter grooming policies with these employees (as they allowed facial hair, old dirty watches, and tattoos--not something you'd expect to see when paying so much for your meal). Additionally, the grey shirt servers didn't seem to know which side to serve from, and when clearing the table, they stacked the dirty plates in the middle of the table and scraped the food onto one plate--this is while we were all sitting at the table waiting for the next course. I blame management for poor training. Despite the poor service, I would have to say that the quality of all of the food (ingredients) was extremely high. Therefore, for the things they did well--they excelled. For everything else, it detracted from the experience.
(3)
Miss Y.
DON"T WASTE YOUR TIME HERE I really wanted to like this place but man.... the food was so sub par. I've had better at hole in the wall joints in San Francisco. The Restaurant Decor is impressive! Beautiful, clean and modern feel. The server and service was standard. Nothing to rave about. The food was just not delicious. I did the Omasake tasting menu. Sure, they serve it pretty on the plate, but everything just tasted Meh.... Boring. I can see how someone from a small town on the mainland can love this food... but anyone from New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago or any other major city with amazing restaurant would be majorly disappointed. I ordered a glass of wine and it was under poured. My glass was like 1/4 full. I felt like it was good for 3 or 4 sips...... and tasted as if it were opened 3 days ago This place set me back $460 for food and wine I didn't enjoy... So Sad. I MUST give credit to the Filet that my husband ordered. Best steak we've both had in a long time and we've eaten at all the best steak places in California. My one reason for giving one star... Oh... and Lastly, the hostess called me because I was 15 minutes late to my reservation, but cabs take for ever in Honolulu. She said "OK, we'll hold your table" In a super snooty attitude... LOL... I wanted to laugh when I walked in because the restaurant was only about 1/4 occupied.... if that. Puh-lease... (PS, this review is strictly for the restaurant. The Modern Honolulu Hotel where it resides is an awesome hotel)
(1)
Kimo S.
This review is based off our DINNER experience a few nights ago. First off, my wife and I agree that Morimoto's is definitely a better dining experience than Nobu's. So if you were debating between the two, we recommend Morimoto's. A number of guests were doing the Omakase dinner for $110 per person, but we opted to order 5 dishes that were either recommended (thanks Yelp) or sounded yummy! -Tuna Pizza : Really good and fresh cuts of ahi, the cracker crust could have been a little thicker since it easily broke but still a winner dish. -Takoyaki : Disappointing and one of the reasons we docked a star. I assumed that a dish with the word "tako" in it would have bits of tako + abalone inside. Nope. Just a small piece of abalone. Plus the butter this was resting in was just too much. We both felt a bit nauseated after this dish... just too much butter. -Yose Dofu : This was one of our favorite dishes, don't pass up this opportunity to get this table cooked tofu dish. The sauces/toppings were fantastic and it was just really tasty and some of the freshest tofu you'll ever eat. -Ishi Yaki Buri Bop : Another great dish, prepared table side and was really quite tasty with fresh seared hamachi. The best part was having one side of the hamachi seared, the other side raw and tasting the difference flavors at once. Yum! -Oysters Foie Gras : This dish comes with only 3 oysters, but they are relatively good sizes. The sauce is a bit much and slightly overpowers the other flavors but it still was a good dish overall. Very fresh seafood uni and oysters were used and delectable foie gras. The wine list here is actually really good with a great well rounded selection, we went with the 2008 Costo De Oro Pinot Noir which is a great deal at $54, this is a Santa Barbara pinot which is really becoming a solid region in the past few years. Corkage fee is $25 per bottle, two bottle limit in case you were wondering that too. Overall, a great dining experience... service was a tad slow at times, they have a lot of workers but it seems the actual servers are stretched a little thin. Our dining experience for those five dishes took us about 2 hours, we weren't in a rush so it didn't bother us. But, if you are planning something after dinner, be forewarned.
(4)
Patrick M.
Love the food. Thought I might get a to go order as I have done before. They said no but not just no...no with an attitude that was really disappointing. I expected a higher level of professionalism and polish I have seen at other locations.
(2)
Gary P.
We went here for a nice lunch today. I will say that if you would like to try one of the finer restaurants in town to try them for lunch before you go all out on dinner. The lunch sets are a good size. I had the black cod, the sauce reminded me of the sauce that usually comes on unagi. The sushi was good but the yellowtail sashimi seemed a little butchered. I'm not sure I would go here for the price they charge for dinner but lunch was definitely worth it.This is one of the trendiest places in town, that's for sure.
(4)
M. M.
Decided to come here for a nice fancy dinner out because it's supposed to be one of Waikiki's best restaurants and it was walking distance from our hotel. It's actually located inside the Modern Hotel and the entrance is not on Ala Moana, but is way down Hobron near the back of the hotel, so is a little tricky to find the first time. If you're wearing your shoeicide heels, be aware of where the entrance is and also that you'll have to walk up a big flight of steps to get in. By the way, a word about "dressy" as used in this listing: "Dressy" at this place means women wear a Hawaiian dress or a little cocktail dress, and men dress like beach bums. Granted, their beach bum attire probably cost them 800 dollars at Abercrombie and Finch, but where I come from (which is not Hawaii), "dressy" restaurants do not admit guys like the one who (obviously a regular) cruised in ahead of us wearing cargo shorts, a t-shirt and sandals. Most of the male patrons were just wearing slacks and a Hawaiian shirt or polo or even a t-shirt. This is more of an upscale-casual-fashionable joint than a dressy joint or high-fashion joint. Foodwise, we had the tofu that's made at the table, wagyu beef appetizer, the mixed seafood entree, the duck plate, and for dessert, sorbet and the peanut butter bombe. Also tried a sake flight. All of it was good, tasty and light and portions not too big. So the food was definitely four or maybe even five stars. Servicewise, things were a bit weird. We were greeted and seated by a friendly server, got our drinks, took our order, and then a bit later got our tofu started - they pour some gelling agent into it and then cover it and say it has to sit for 8 minutes. The 8 minutes seemed more like 15 but the restaurant was very busy (it was around 8:45 pm) so we figured they were just running a little slow. Our tofu got uncovered and we ate it. By this point it was around 9 pm. We had been visited by at least four waiters to get us this far in the process, some of them (like our main waiter) obviously very experienced and good at their trade and others (like the tofu uncoverer) seemed to be in their first month on the job, but it's all good, gotta train new staff, etc. After consuming our tofu we waited, and waited, and waited, for an extremely long time, for our entrees to show up. I don't know what happened but it took at least 45 more minutes to get our dinner (that we'd already ordered about a half hour before that). In total I think our entrees took well over an hour to make it to our table. To Morimoto's credit, both our main waiter and a hostess apologized to us for the delay (we never learned the reason for it) and they comped us a free order of the wagyu beef as we obviously looked really hungry by that point. It was a little weird/ uncomfortable because in the time it took for our food to arrive, the restaurant almost completely emptied out of other patrons and we went from being another table in a busy/.full place to being maybe one of three tables consuming food in a nearly empty place, since by 9:30 pm this place is dead (kind of weird for a supposedly hip/ fashionable restaurant in a major city). We were also visited by at least two more waiters in the course of getting our entrees, one of which was delivering a drink that we didn't order and that was supposed to go to someone else. So - four star food, three star service, two stars for whatever went haywire with our entrees = overall average three star experience given the price. I might come back because the food is really good, but the service seems to be hit or miss. I can see having six different waiters if it's a place where the wait staff puts on a big show, but tofu aside, this is not that kind of a place and it was very confusing why our main guy wasn't handling our service all the way through.
(3)
Kalani C.
This is a 3.5 star review. With my friends "Where?" & "Damn Straight! Count me in!", we proceeded from the bookcase of the Lobby @ The Edition up to the Iron Chef's nobility. Maybe my friend was punchy after having two mean cocktails, but she immediately sensed sassy with one of the prima donna hostesses: "Do you folks have a reservation?" We're coming from the Lobby Bar and the waitress said there would be a table for us. "Under what name?" No name, she just said to come now and we could be seated. "Hmm, I don't recall." Doesn't someone here recall that conversation? The call was less than 5 minutes ago (referring to the 5 hostesses just standing there starring at us). This is where my punchy friend addressed the most-sassy-looking-hostess-of-them-all and said in East Coast accent nonetheless, 'You look suspicious like you don't believe us or something.' In which sassy replied, "No, I don't know, I just started." (Ah, you get an F for weakest comeback ever!). We were seated outside near the Edition's pool. Setting was chill and relaxed. The deck overlooking the marina was gorgeous as was the main dinning room inside; swanky. We started with more cocktails: Two Coco Fraiche (coconut vodka, lime, lemongrass, coconut water) and one Pear Yuzu Gimlet (yuzu citrus, Serrano chili). Delicious and extremely refreshing. I later had the Selected Sake Flight: All very nice except the ume one, not my cup of tea (or sake in this case). For food we ordered: The spicy King crab of Tobanjan aioli, tobiko and micro cilantro. Perfect spice while the crab was moist and tender. The Pineapple Tempura: Peculiar because the pineapple didn't seem fresh; dare I say canned?! Pork Gyoza of tomato sauce and bacon foam went over well and was among the favorites. Lastly was the Yose Dofu or fresh tofu done table side with kimchee sauce and dashi broth (the better of the two). This dish was the overall favorite. Light, flavorful with perfect garnishes. How does this stuff get created in minutes? No peeking please, that's right. It was a Friday night, so fireworks went off and a hula show on the pool deck unfolded before our eyes. Nice extras to a stellar "let's-go-out-for-drinks" evening. Despite the sassy reception and the service being juvenile and inexperienced, our guy was attentive and respectful, allowing us space for making decisions and placing orders in delayed fashion. Overall a nice experience that alleviated a stressful week and more cash than expected from the wallet.
(3)
Ben K.
Amazing sashimi and sushi! It might have helped that the iron chef himself was in the kitchen but the food was really outstanding. The seafood was fresh and the attention to detail was great. Even the drinks were amazing. I had there house made whiskey..... Loved it! It is expensive but it was the best dinner we had by far while in Honolulu.
(5)
Dave F.
Chef Morimoto has created a special restaurant with excellent sushi and sashimi. If you are not interested, there's even duck on this eclectic menu. The restaurant was electric on a recent Thursday night when one of the patrons stood on a chair and pronounced all of us would celebrate with him with a glass of Christault Champagne. (Server said this was going for $500/bottle). The ambiance has a casual, beachy elegance and service is impeccable. This is a "must try" for Honolulu!
I was excited to try this place out but ended up walking out after the staff gave us lots of attitude when trying to switch from a noisy area to a less noisy area. For reference we got seated next to a table of 12, which is totally understandable for any restaurant. There were at least 3 other tables available with no other guests to be seated and the host gave lots of push back for trying to switch to unoccupied tables. The host walked away then we ended up walking over to a less noisy table and sat down. The next lady came by and mentioned that all the tables are reserved and didn't want to work with our needs of sitting in a less noisy area. The logic didn't add up; 3 unoccupied tables, and no one waiting in the lounge or bar to be seated at a table. I was really willing to give this a shot but the staff was really bothered by our decision to move to a less noisy area and they were not happy about accommodating us to a different table. Perhaps I'll get to try this place at a different time when there are different folks working.
(1)
Kikuasu Y.
Excellent food! Excellent service!! We came here when it first opened and left unimpressed with both the food and the price but then we decided to give it another chance. Thank goodness that we did! The food was amazing! The sushi was fresh and a few things we rarely see like raw tako, sayori, fresh mirugai, fresh oysters, etc... The calamari salad, gyoza with bacon foam, spicy long crab with fries, and live tako sashimi were so delicious! The sushi chef was from Japan just moved to Hawaii 2 weeks ago but also really nice. Service was again, excellent! Best of all, we got to see Chef Morimoto himself!
(5)
Live Love Laugh D.
Little over rated but good ambiance over harbor nice location to see fireworks and sunset. Cocktails and quality of food are so so but its good place to hang out and enjoy with friend.
(3)
John F.
I recently went to Morimoto Waikiki with some friends because one of them said Chef Morimoto was going to be there. Unfortunately, this was not true as Chef Morimoto was not in Hawaii - ZANNEN! However, Daniel Dae Kim of Hawaii Five-O fame was eating there that night but it was no big deal to me since I occasionally see him working out at the Honolulu Club. The food was fantastic but also carried a fantastic price. Other friends ordered things like the crispy whole fish for $37 which was a fresh whole fish, spicy tofu sauce, & pickled papaya salad and the spicy tuna roll which was chopped tuna, scallion, spicy sauce for $10. I tried to be a little cheap & just order a couple maki rolls so I ordered the spicy yellowtail roll which had chopped yellowtail, scallion, & spicy sauce for $10 and the California roll which had snow crab, cucumber, & avocado for $10. See my pictures! Although I was one of the first to order, my maki sushi rolls came much after everyone else's food. The manager noticed, apologized, & comped my food. SCORE! This restaurant is definitely very expensive but also very high quality. Save time by making your reservation using Open Table! opentable.com/hawaii/hon…
(5)
Amy M.
They ran out of the appetizer and main course I wanted. While disappointing, I could overlook this. (Though it would be nice if they told you before you looked at the menu.) Another person in our party ordered the filet, only to be told after placing order they ran out of that too. We mentioned these disappointments to the manager. She brushed it off as a busy season. We all ordered the Chocolate Peanut Bomb, which comes with salted peanut ice cream. THAT was substituted with vanilla ice cream, which we only learned once they brought out the desserts. When asked, the manager informed us it's now vanilla. One of the wait staff told us that they run out of items regularly, including that ice cream. This was a really disappointing experience. I was so taken with trying Morimoto food that I overlooked the multiple 1 and 2 star ratings on Yelp, a huge red flag.
(1)
Lena Z.
I will start off with saying the atmosphere is nice and the view is great. But I will not go into much detail because this place isn't worth my time. First off, the hostess mistakenly gave us a four top table when we had five in our party. We had to awkwardly walk back to the bar and wait. The food is overrated and EASILY topped by much cheaper restaurants around town. For example, the tofu here cannot top Shokudo's homemade tofu for half the price. For $5, you can get a much better chicken ramen soup at Kohnotori. As for the California roll, I think Kozo Sushi has much better ones. The soft shell crab roll tasted bland and not fresh. The tempura soft shell crab tasted like anything fried thats been sitting for awhile if you know what I mean. Overall, the food here is just mediocre and I would not come here again. The service is good although the staff appears a bit untrained and not in sync with each other. This place is hype! Try not to get sucked in with the masses.
(2)
Pam C.
I ordered the Omakase. It was a 7 course meal, not to give too much away, so you can also enjoy the surprise, but I got... 3 courses of sushi, one veggie, one surf and turf. Dessert was my least favorite. My waiter did a wonderful job of describing every dish to me. I would visit again, but probably just get a couple rolls.
(4)
Tyler C.
Had the Omakase for first timers. It was an awesome experience to eat here. The level of food was outstanding. The service we had was tops, though he was busy he was always looking at his tables and aware of what his diners were at and wanted. Very exciting eating experience I ever had in such a long time. Got to try....got to!! Went for Fathers Day dinner... :) Morimoto himself worked the sushi line...awesome!
(5)
Tom A.
I had lunch here, can't say I loved it. We tried a few things: the Black Cod (so-so), the Chicken Katsu sandwich (removed all the bread.. was not feeling it), the rock shrimp (my favorite) and a few sushi rolls (again, just OK). For a high-end restaurant, I expected better. I had dinner when it opened a few years ago and I wasn't too impressed either. I'll probably read what others liked here and give it one more try before I write this place off.
(2)
Shandis C.
So what is a girl on budget doing at Morimoto you ask? At least that's what one of my dear yelp friends texted me the SECOND I checked in, LOL! (love you Steph!) True, I am the girl on a budget, but I am also, fortunately the girl who got gifted $100 towards Morimoto so the hubby and I were able to have a fantastical date night at one of the SWANKIEST places in town! If you are a girl (or a boy) that is on a budget like I am, then you're going to want to read on to the end. But before I even go there, on to Morimoto! Prior to going to Morimoto, of course I had to go to my trusty yelp ap to see what others have been saying about this must-visit hot spot. To my surprise, not so great reviews! A lot of 3 stars and not-so-impressed patrons. This was some serious rain on my parade to say the least, because I was really excited to try Morimoto, so I was hoping to have a different experience. Well, I must be easily won over or easy to please because my husband and I had nothing short of a 5 star experience! First of all, my love affairs with a good ambiance definitely got the best of me here! Swanky, swanky, SWANKY!! Probably my now favorite restaurant in terms of ambiance. Our server was really personable and attentive and the bus staff kept our waters full without being too overbearing. Presentation of food was gorgeous, clean and classy. We decided to order some appetizers, some sushi, some sashimi and one entree so that we could try a little bit of everything. The sashimi is to DIE for, melt in your mouth, and a surprisingly fun and filling dish was the yose dofu, which was fresh tofu made table side. The crispy whole fish was recommended to us, and though it was not knock-your-socks-off fabulous, it was still delicious and more than enough to feed both my husband and I. Wagyu carppacio was buttery and smooth. We also had a salmon skin maki roll which was simple but delectable nonetheless. Chocolate mille fueille was an mmmm with every bite - bruleed bananas and chocolate spiced ice cream...it's every girls' dream come true! It also came with a chocolate mousse which was a nice surprise since it wasn't mentioned on the menu. So you're still wondering how you can do Morimoto on a budget? So we were already planning our visit back to Morimoto, but knowing that we'd be on a budget the next time we come, I studied the menu for some DEALS and there ARE deals to be had! There is a big selection of maki sushi for about $7 for 6 pieces. While they are not antyhing "special" and they are quite straight forward, you could order 1, 2 or even 3 maki sushi rolls, and only spend $21! Considering that you will pay about $6 for a maki roll at a dirty, hole in the wall place at the dime a dozen premade sushi take outs on our island, $7 for a maki roll in a nice restaurant is worth your $$. There are also some soup and salad dishes like oxtail ($14), udon with shrimp tempura ($18), and tempura calamari salad ($15). There is even a "loco moto" entree for under $20. You could even mix and match one maki roll with a salad or some other appetizers in which there are many choices under $20. So yes, I am totally unashamed that I sat there at Morimoto mentally calculating my future budget meal, but I know there are those of you out there that secretly are thankful for me and my Pake ways, so you can private message me later to thank me :o) So there it is, the adventures of a budget girl in the land of the rich. Morimoto is one of those places that you have to try at least once, no matter what kind of experience have just to be able to say that you've been there. If you are a true foodie with a refined palate, you may not be as elated as I was to dine here. But if you are going for an overall great experience with "good" food, great ambiance and great service, no matter what kind of budget you are on, you will certainly have a good time at Morimoto!
(5)
Jo J.
I love Morimoto, the chef, not so much the restaurant. The ambiance is great, it sets the mood for any occasion. I like how there's indoor and outdoor seating. I'm not so sure about how they divide or assign their waiters and if the sucky ones serve outside. I feel like our waiter paid little attention to my BFF and I. He barely stopped by our table and our food came out cold. We ordered the surf and turf platter and our beef was well done by the time it got to us. Best excuse the waiter could give us? Oh we're a little busy. Really? Cause I swear there's like only 10 other patrons in this restaurant aside from us. So what happens when it's a full house? Hmm. Well here's a surprise the steak is served on a hot plate that sizzles when the sauce is poured on it. How did I know this? Because the table next to us had a hot plate and we didn't! That's because our order probably sat out in the back counter, thus why the food was cold and why our steak ended up being overdone. Shucks, nice try with the excuse, I would have rather heard a simple apology rather than a flat out lie. I don't know if I would go back, maybe I would if my husband really wants to go. But for now the service lacked enough to keep me from coming back.
(3)
Liz T.
So torn!!! Morimoto or Alan Wong?!?!? Such a difficult choice! While I LOVE LOVE LOVE Alan Wong's, his menu is rather constant -- making it a dependable and predictable meal. SOO GOOD. On my last trip to Hawaii my sis, bro-in-law and I decided to shake things up and try Morimoto's. Ambience here is ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS. The inside of the restaurant is very modern and chic, and the outside patio is breathtaking, especially at sunset. The food is really spectacular. BEST - pineapple tempura. Gobbled this up!! MM! - tempura calamari salad. nicely cooked calmari and delicious, light dressing - seafood toban yaki. Lobster, ship, crab OH MY. Worth every penny and sucked up every last drop. -spicy king crab served with crabby fries. DROOL DROOL DROOL. Must have. - chocolate mille feuille. translation: banana, avocado pastry something with chocolate ice cream!! I wasn't a huge fan of the ice cream, but the dessert itself was super tasty. Not too heavy and a surprising flavor combo! GOOD - tuna pizza. tuna was YUM. Not sure if I'm a fan of the anchovy aioli.
(5)
Reza S.
Overall an average place. The restaurant decor looked nice but the food was mediocre. I have had way better sushi at other much cheaper places. The waiter was very nice and knowledgeable but again I wasn't impressed with the food. Also the whole restaurant had a heavy fishy smell. Not too pleasant
(3)
Ben C.
When planning our trip to Honolulu, we knew we had to visit Morimoto. It was one of the best dining experiences we have had. I ordered the omakase (chef's menu), and each course was better than the last. I think my favourite was the foie gras chawan mushi, but I wouldn't have passed up on any of the seven courses. The other members of my family had sashimi, wagyu beef steak and assorted appetizers. Each dish was shared around the table and enjoyed by all. Services was friendly, helpful and fun. Can't say enough good things about this experience and it takes a place in my top five restaurants of all time.
(5)
Bryce M.
Went there last week for a first time and read thru the reviews to get an idea of what was good and what was bad. The hotel is nice and the ambiance is good as there is a lot of whites and dark dim lights. The valet section is small so it did take a little while till a valet came up to our car, but i guess its a boutique style hotel so that was fine. So in looking at the menu I had some questions as to what I wanted. I asked the server what was good and she went thru telling us her favorites in the cold and hot appetizers and then her friend tapped her on her shoulder to talk to her and when she turned back she didn't finish the rest of the recommendation and just walked away. She came back a little later and I asked her what kind of oyster the raw bar was serving and she was real unsure and was like it is a Japanese type that starts with a "K". Other then that the service was overall good. They constantly checked up when needs, changed utensils, filled waters, friendly..... The first dish I started with was the raw oysters. It came with 6 of them and it was prepared three different ways. One with prepared ceviche still with lime and that was pretty good, the other was a ponzu with jalapeno and also was good especially with the little hotness, and the last was just cocktail sauce which was sub-par. The second dish was the pork kakuni. This dish was probably the best thing I had that night. The pork was flavored well and wasn't over sweet. It was very meaty and not too much fat in it. It shredded and was very well paired with a congee and soy-scallion jus. Next was crispy rock shrimp tempura. This was portion a lot bigger then I expected. It was about half a pound of shrimp. It came two ways: one was spicy kochujang and the other was a wasabi aioli. Both were ok, but definitely enough for four people. The sauce to dip it in was a coconut ranch. Sushi was next and I had the spicy tuna which was real good. It wasn't the mayo type spicy tuna. It was good and the fish was fresh. The other sushi was a soft shell crab roll. This was good to and was portioned well, and it had an asparagus in it which was a nice touch, Last on the dinner menu that we had was the seafood toban yaki. It was basically a bouillabaisse except in a spicy miso broth. It was filled with scallops, clams, mussels, king crab legs and half a kona lobster. It was portioned well, and the crab and lobster were cut so I could easily eat it out of shell. The flavor of the broth was a little disappointing. For being an iron chef and the price charged, I was expecting a lot more out of the flavors in his dishes. The morimoto soba beer was really good though. Light and flavorful with a little sweetness to the beer. Overall it was ok, I probably wouldn't return here unless the menu got changed. For the price paid, I think there is a lot better choices in Honolulu.
(3)
Tony L.
Definitely a tourist trap. Keeping in mind I didn't have any sushi. I figure for the price for one piece of sushi, I can get two pieces at a more reputable sushi joint. The main issue I had was the overall menu items. It just didn't seem very Morimoto like. It felt like fancy hotel food. Gyoza in marinara sauce over foam, lobster sandwich was ok, but when compared to a lobster poboy from Boston, no comparison. I expected the food to be elevated. Chicken soup, it wasn't bad, but I was looking for some oomph. The side salad with every lunch meal, the vinegrette dressing was weak. I'm sure this place has great view and a drink or two, but if you're a foodie go somewhere else. I felt underwhelmed.
(2)
Kyle H.
My girlfriend took me here for my birthday earlier this year due to my love of Iron Chef Japan and Morimoto in particular. It was a great follow up to our visit to Hirayuki Sakai's La Rochelle Shibuya in 2009. The restaurant itself has a trendy, modern interior and friendly service. The food was excellent and different. The roasted lobster epice with garam masala and lemon creme fraiche was a standout dish. The perfectly cooked lobster went surprisingly well with the subtle heat of the garam masala, which was kept in check by the lemon creme fraiche. Unfortunately, the piece of Wagyu I had as part of the Omakase menu was quite tough and not as flavorful as you would expect. For better wagyu, head over to Chef Mavro, where they use 100% pure bred Japanese Wagyu raised in Australia. However, the sushi was excellent, with very fresh, high-quality fish. This is someplace we will definitely return to.
(4)
Gore S.
I had lunch here with a few friends over the thanksgiving holiday. Presentation of the food and taste was very good, but the portions were very small and not worth the price in my opinion. In terms of food - definitely good. In terms of price - not worth it. Perhaps worth a try but I wouldn't go back.
(4)
Albert H.
Good location in the Hotel Modern ( valet parking only ) overlooking the marina. They have a ton of outdoor seating, which can be quite nice, especially in the evening. It is a bright, modern, big-city style restaurant. We had dinner and lunch here - in that order. Having been to the Napa restaurant, we wanted to reprise a few dishes and see what might be special at this location. The prices are high, but the quality and creativity of the dishes here just might be worth it. We tried Morimoto Sashimi ( a sort of everything-in-one-terrine approach ) for a second time and it was still good, if still a little too indistinct from mixing all those flavors together. The Foie Gras Chawanmushi was not as revolutionary as the one we had in Napa ... on the other hand, it's still available here. The "Live Octopus" dishes seem more of a gimmick than anything else - it's not actually, technically live; just raw and supposedly very fresh. For lunch, we sat at the sushi bar and ordered a few pieces of sashimi ( they are priced, rather high, by the single piece, but quality is excellent ). We also got them to make a shikai maki - a sort of ornate roll that's square in cross section and almost looks like a stained glass window. It was one of the least expensive dishes we ordered and also one of the most interesting. The sushi rice was well made and high quality, unlike our experience in Napa - and the fish was very fresh and well-cut. Both in the crowded dinner service and relatively calm lunch service, things were just a bit on island time - it took quite a while for the food to come out. The staff ( when we could find them ) did know the menu well. Drinks were interesting, but not really exciting. There's a lot of private label stuf going on here, including some very expensive beer made by Rogue offered by the bottle. Mixed drinks tended toward the somewhat fruity, and the sake list had selections by the glass of only Morimoto's own label, which is quite decent stuff, but not very interesting if you've already tried it. Overall, the place is expensive, but it has delicious and creative food served in a nice atmosphere, with an amazing variety on the menu. While you're there, check out the Moto Loco - Morimoto's take on the local dish that turns out to be kind of like curry rice. And kind of not.
(4)
Yen V.
Located in the Modern hotel with beautiful decor and location that's somewhat removed from all the action in Honolulu. Service was great Toro Tartare (4/5): Good but it did not impress me too much. Tuna (5/5): Now I get what good sushi is like. Salmon (5/5): I usually don't like salmon, but this one was impressive in quality. Seafood Toban yaki (5/5): A big pot of seafood swimming in a spicy miso broth served with some crusty bread. It got a bit too salty near the end because it was piping hot and perhaps had reduced and the seafood soaked a lot of the broth. Amazing and totally worth it. Surf and Turf (5/5): Divine. Turf was especially worthy. Though I can't say it would have filled me up. Pear yuzu gimlet (5/5): refreshing, light and citrus-y drink that went wonderfully with my seafood. Perfect for warm winter night on the patio. If I'm in Honolulu again, I might come back for drinks and the sushi bar.
(5)
Jen S.
We came for lunch, which I think reflect prices that are definitely more reasonable if you want to have taste of Morimoto w/o breaking the bank. The best chirashi of my life! Fresh, sweet, chewy, FRESH. So GOOD. I think everyone else enjoyed their food, but definitely not as much as I did. Get the chirashi! Also, service was great and I really enjoyed the ambience of the place. Very modern and chic. We were a large party of 8 and the waiter was very accommodating, especially when I mentioned we were in a hurry.
(5)
Mark S.
Second time here this year in October. Excellent service, great management, excellent portion sizes, incredible sushi. Would fly back to Honolulu (my least favorite island) just to eat at Morimoto.
(5)
Cyn C.
Excellent customer service. Our waiter had a wonderful sense of humor! Now the food.. Came for lunch had the lobster melt and the loco moto set with the tofu cheesecake for dessert. Everyone around me ordered the lobster melt lol everything was wonderful I will definitely come again and again if in the area.
(5)
George A.
OVERRATED. Fresher fish could be found at other Izakayas around town. Wife and I ordered 2 Omakase dinners. It would have been nice if the servers at least explained what was being dropped down in front of us. Mid meal there was a little tea pot that was dropped off. Mine was completely empty! I asked what the server what this was and she explained that it was a pallet cleanser. I showed her that it was brought to me completely empty! She looks at me as if I had already drunk it and just wanted more. Gimme a break. Great drinks and Sake though. You need it to chill you out from all the sub par offerings.
(2)
Janet L.
On our last day in Waikiki, we went there for breakfast before hitting the airport. At first look at the menu, looks average, especially the Banana macadamia nut pancake, but were we wrong!! We ordered it, and it just melts in your mouth. We've never had pancakes like that before and I've had many. the hash browns were so good. It was very fulfilling. We didn't mind paying $60 breakfast because it's well worth it! Kinda cool to eat at an Iron Chef owned restaurant. Waiter was fantastic, great service. Definitely going back.
(5)
J W.
Had to finally check out this place 2 weeks into our stay at the Modern. After walking by the entrance every morning, it was about time I finally made it into the restaurant for a meal. I think the 3 1/2 star average this place has on yelp is spot on. The decor is nice, modern, and very tastefully done. Service was as you'd expect for a restaurant at this price point. The place was about 3/4 empty when we visited for lunch on a monday afternoon. The kakuni don was a bit disappointing, basically a few shredded pieces of dried pork with some sweet soy sauce based sauce over rice. The rest of the lunch items were pretty average, the salad was a bit soggy. The lunch was a bit of a poor litmus test for what dinner may have to offer, but given I have another 6 weeks at the hotel, I might have to come back to see if the iron chef can live up to his reputation.
(3)
serina c.
I loved loved loved this place. Very chic decor with attentive wait staff. The food was beyond awesome. The tempura calamari salad was delicious and had balanced flavors. I did not try the tuna pizza but I heard from my date it was pretty good. The clam miso soup was light and tasteful i wanted another bowl! I ordered the duck 3 ways for my entree and it did not disappoint. The duck meatball was so good in the puff pastry soup bowl and the duck breast was cooked perfectly. The 2 drinks I had were really strong also so I was a little tipsy leaving this place, which is always a good thing =)
(5)
Melissa S.
I loved it! It is definitely on the pricey side but the food and Service was great! We loved the froie gras chawan mushi and the duck, duck, duck dishes. The ambience And decor of the restaurant was very clean and modern. One of the best part...chef morimoto was there and even though he was busy, he took the time to take a picture with us!
(5)
Duke N.
My friends and I had recently won advanced screening tickets to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and was on Oahu for the day. We had heard about Morimoto's opening in Waikiki and decided to take a chance since we had a few hours to spare on obtaining a table for lunch even though we had no reservations. Even though we are avid Harry Potter fanatics, this was definitely the highlight of our trip! The ambiance was very modern, upscale, and trendy. The staff was very serious, but very professional and diligent. I had seen the fatty tuna tartare appetizer featured on the Food Network's "The Best Thing I Ever Ate" and it certainly was...fatty tuna that you scrape with a flat spoon, dip into a sauce, and your choice of minced onion, freshly ground wasabi, seaweed, or rice cracker. My friend ordered the lamb carpaccio which came highly recommended. I have had lamb prepared in every possible way and had been convinced that I'm just not a lamb eater, but I have to admit that I LOVED the lamb carpaccio. It was very fresh, and absolutely no hint of gaminess. For my main course I ordered the sushi and tempura combination. It was the freshest sushi you will find outside of Tsukiji, Japan. Truly the best thing I ever ate (outside of Tokyo) I can't wait to return!
(5)
Kristina S.
We had the omakase. So phenomenal! My husband & I are real foodies and truly had a wonderful dining experience. I'm still thinking about the wonderful food we had...
(5)
Natalie K.
I went here with my family of 6, and we ordered almost every appetizer on the menu as well as salad and main course for each person and a main course for the table. We expected small dishes for ridiculous prices but instead we got way more food than we could finish! We passed our plates around so we could all try everything and not one dish was "just okay." every one was spectacular and delicious! And our bill was much less than we had expected. Our favorites were the surf and turf and the cod. The calamari salad appetizer and the sashimi pizza were our favorite appetizers. We stayed in Oahu for 12 days and this was the best food we had all trip. The atmosphere was beautiful as well. We sat outside overlooking the harbor and saw the sunset with candlelight and pretty lighting in the bushes and overhead as well as a firepit behind the table. The service was very friendly, and very quick. They really make you feel welcome and special. Chef Yoshi came out to greet us in person and he is very friendly and handsome too, and his food is amazing. My family couldn't stop talking about how nice and talented he is. We went home happy with full bellies. We couldn't have had a better dinner. I definitely would recommend this place to anyone and if you are fortunate enough to see Chef Yoshi, you should complement him in person because he is very friendly and looks like a hard worker in the kitchen. There are windows where you can see the kitchen and watch them cook. Our meal totaled to about 300 dollars for all 6 of us, and each main course ranged from about 18 to 45 dollars.
(5)
Dim S.
The food was good. However, our waiter ruined the experience. It seems that our group was an inconvenience for him. The impression he imparted upon us was that we should be grateful that we were being served by him. Not much for smiling or saying much other than a few mumbling words. I think the kicker was they added gratuity to the bill because the size of our party. I've had much better service from my local Denny's and IHOP.
(1)
Jennifer S.
Very good! Expensive, but worth it. Had some sushi and then the surf and turf and peanut butter bomb. All food was great - especially the potatoes that came with the dinner and the dessert.
(4)
Irene K.
The location of this Morimoto is quite the stunner. It is hidden away from the main Waikiki strip but walking in, you feel like you're in a whole different area. Our order list: Morimoto's black obi soba beer: dark, hoppy, and refreshing Slow roasted pork belly: TO DIE FOR. As soon as the knife and fork hit the meat, it literally melted into the porridge. So soft and so perfect, it literally melts in your mouth. Surf and Turf: The perfect entree for the meat lover. Meat cooked perfectly with fingerling potatoes that were not even tasty but colorful. If you're a fan of poke (which is raw tuna pieces in a sauce) you will enjoy the texture and presentation of the poke. A few rolls and sushi orders later, we were stuffed but left room for dessert. Sanso Roasted Pineapple for dessert. The toasted rice ice cream was delicious. Perfectly sweetened. Husband is not a big desserts fan but enjoyed this platter. Our server was on point and was great with suggestions. The only problem we did have were the little fruit flies it seemed flocking our table because of the smell of the beer. It was a bit of a pain but from what we found out, its because they left the glass doors opened.
(4)
Sheryl G.
what: a beautiful, fine dining venue with modern japanese dishes that have a western twist. something good: the interior of morimotos is amazing! it's so beautifully decorated! the food is good but the presentation is what really captured me! the staff is so unbelievably well educated on every topic regarding the restaurant (whether it was about the menu or the decor), i was super impressed! every dish that is brought out is explained in great detail!! the quality of service here is impeccable! something not so good: it can be a little pricey, but the quality of service and presentation of the food items are well worth the prices :) something to try: crispy whole fish & omakase.
(5)
Matt C.
Good food, amazing ambience. Probably one of the coolest restaurants I've ever eaten at. We didn't have reservations so we sat outside in the lounge. The service was pretty good and overall the food was good but not great like I had hoped for. I got the chirashi sushi (and I'm no sushi expert so I didn't know what it was beforehand) and all it was was leftover hunks of fish and vegetables in a big bowl over sushi rice. I think we would have had a better experience had we made reservations and not been on such a tight budget (student) as most of the other menu items looked and sounded delicious.
(4)
Jenny L.
For a recent vacation to Hawai'i, we stayed at the Waikiki Edition so dinner at the Morimoto was a convenient meal choice after a long day being out and about. We had the takoyaki for an appetizer and it was average. My chirashi don was AMAZING - the presentation was meticulous and the sashimi were really fresh. Mother ordered the "new years box" (don't remember the proper name at the moment) which was intended as an appetizer and it was very much anit-pasto proportioning. Our mistake was listening to our awkward waitress when she described it as "okay as an appetizer or entree". Girl was mistaken. Sorely mistaken. The table next to us had the chef's menu which looked very appealing so we went back a few days after for it. It was a huge disappointment. The 9 courses dragged on for 2.5 hours (not one of those "I was so amazed by the food that the time just flew by" but more of a "I am so hungry. Where is my food!") and the food was average. Definitely not worth the price, even with the tourist levy. Maybe I expected a little too much from the Morimoto name?
(3)
Jennifer B.
We just didn't want to believe our fellow Yelpers that Morimoto would accept a 3.5 star rating. So we took the plunge tonight and it was an epic fail. The evening started off well. We had a lovely table outside and were greeted by friendly wait staff. But things soon degraded from there. Husband ordered the prix-fixe 8 course dinner and I, not wanting so much food, opted for an appetizer and an entree. Nearly an hour into dinner, my husband was only on his second of 8 courses and I hadn't yet received my appetizer. It was only when we started to inquire, that we were told the entire computer system had gone down. We continued to wait and still nothing. So I approached the Manager on my way to the restroom, and let her know that we were unhappy. She apologized and I thought that would be the end of it, and food would start arriving in a timely manner. It seemed as time progressed that the wait staff all but disappeared, and empty plates sat on our table. Not at all the experience that we expected from a 4 star restaurant. I have to say that the food, when it did come, was well presented and delicious. Manager took 15% off bill, but there was a confusion over dessert. We understood that the waiter had offered us a dessert as a consolation, but discovered that we were charged. That too was taken off the bill. Perhaps this was an anomaly, but it seems not, given the 3.5 star Yelp rating. We came in with high expectations, and expected so much more, but sadly the experience fell short.
(2)
Nina S.
Simply delicious! I snuck into Morimoto 30 minutes before the kitchen closed and was greeted with a reluctant smile by a very hot Swedish waiter. He seated us and after a lovely chat about the nordics, my guest and I dined on a dozen and a half oysters, some lovely bouillabaisse and a very unique green tea dessert. The flavor profiles were out of sight! I've never tasted food like that and I've been to Morimoto in NY tons of times. Morimoto gets high marks from me on decor, food and hot waitstaff! I will see you again!
(5)
Vera P.
Morimoto's for Lunch on a weekday: I have no idea about dinner, but if it is as good as it SHOULD be on all counts, then their lunch is a step-child. The food was DELICIOUS & beautifully presented, but the service was TERRIBLE. Not enough help, not enough attention to the table's needs or wants, long waits . . . Wait staff is too casual. Management is too lax. Too bad! I think they would have a larger lunch crowd if they improved their service.
We went here for the boyfriend's birthday just recently. They have complementary valet parking at the Modern(?), so it was a nice start. The ambiance is really contemporary. I liked it. It was a lot classier than the usual restaurants we haunt so it was a nice change. And it made me excited that THE chef Morimoto (I loved the old Iron Chefs) created this place. We got the Morimoto omakase, which was 7 predetermined courses prepared by the chef. $120 per person (yep you know I'll remember how much that costs). The cost was crazy for me, but since my boo wanted it, I was willing to splurge (the whole table has to order it, as a general rule, the server informed us). Even though the cost was high, the presentation was beautifully done. You could tell that Morimoto had thought up the presentations because they were almost too artful to eat! Each course had a different something that made it unique. One even had a oil melter with a tea light candle underneath!! I was impressed. The food was tasty. Every course I had was delish. Its hard to explain. But lots of seafood, and there was a nigiri course. If you get the omakase, be prepared to spend 3+ hours at the restaurant. It was a marathon. Once they started getting busy, it took a bit longer to get the next course. And if you are vegan, vegetarian, or some form of vegetable, I would suggest skipping the place altogether. I respect your choices, but this chick who was a vegan who sat next to us with her husband was annoying me with her "oh no I can't eat that, that, and THAT" to the waitress while her husband was contently devouring his chicken (odd couple...). I can't vouch for the alcohol, but the bf liked his very expensive sochu. Perhaps we should have just gone to a bar for that.. I would come back, if just to enjoy the dishes we loved in full size, and when I get a pay raise. And maybe one day we might just run into the Chef himself....????
(4)
Kim F.
Amazing. This place is not just food it's an experience. By far the best experience of my life. I highly recommend it to anyone open to mind blowing flavors and new food combinations. It is pricy but worth it. Just be prepared.
(5)
Heidi S.
I really liked the ambience and food at this place. The Morimoto style poke was really interesting with a katsuo foam that lightly flavored the poke and the cheese and tomatoes really gave a nice change in texture. I didn't try the wasabi avocado sorbet, but my friend said it was super good. I got the chirashi bowl and my friend got the angry chicken which were both winners...the only thing I would say they can improve on is bringing the entrees out faster. The drinks, dessert (tofu cheesecake with a black honey ice cream) and appetizers came out promptly, but the entrees took a bit longer. I liked how it wasn't too noisy like it was at Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill and how the staff both service and kitchen are hardly noticeable when they're not serving you.
(4)
Mathew E.
My wife & I went on 1/12 for dinner, and definately will not go again. First off the positives: 1: Server was super attentive & nice. 2: The house polished rice used for all of the dishes was unique, and had a great taste & consistency. The Tempura Pineapple appetizer was out of sight, although it might have been better as a desert. The negatives: A quick disclaimer- I am a former chef who knows his way around a kitchen, having run 5 different kitchens in my tenure. 3: Loco Moco - I've been living in Hawaii for a number of years, and usually don't eat the local version of this because of the nasty gravy. I was very much looking forwards to trying Morimoto's verson. On the menu, it's described as a Hayashi gravy ( a type of Japanese veal based sauce ). The classic Loco Moco is kind of a local domburi, with rice on the bottom, topped with a hamburger patty, gravy, then an egg. The Morimoto's version just came with the rice on one side of the plate & the Hayashi gravy with meat in it on the other side. Looked just like Hayashi Beef, which I've had @ multiple home style restaurants in Japan, not Loco Moco. The gravy was seriously flawed. When I tasted it after is arrived, it had an unpleasant floury taste & texture. As my plate cooled, the gravy coagulated into an unpleasant mess of separated oil & floury paste. True Japanese Hayashi gravy has to avoid being boiled, because it breaks. It seems as though the kitchen tried to fix the broken sauce by incorporating more roux, but it just tasted really nasty. 4: My wife had the "Duck 3 Ways". Once again, a quick disclaimer: We lived in the Pacific Northwest for many years, we would have fresh duck pretty often, so we know what duck is supposed to taste like. The "Duck 3 Ways" had a pan seared duck great, duck consume with a duck meatball, & duck spring rolls. The pan seared breast was acceptable, cooked properly with an ok sauce. The duck consume's meatball had an unpleasant gamey undertone, and had the consistency of baby food. The duck spring rolls had an even more pronounced gamey flavor, literally in-edable. Overall, very disappointed in the food.
(1)
Sandy K.
I was super excited to try a Morimoto restaurant, and I wasn't disappointed. Morimoto Waikiki is a beautifully decorated and spacious restaurant at the amazing Edition Hotel. You really have to be there to see the space and how wonderfully decorated and styled it is. Ambiance: Modern upscale. Service: Courteous and knowledgeable staff. Food: My expectations high, and they were met. Crispy rock shrimp tempura: It was served 3 ways; spicy kochujan, wasabi aioli, and coconut ranch. My favorite was the kochujan, but I may be biased since I am part Korean. Sake (salmon) nigiri: I will boldly claim that this is the best salmon I have ever had. Fresh and buttery and flavorful. It was heaven. Negitoro Maki: The perfect maki, fresh and rich at the same time. Tofu hot and cold: Loved it! When I saw tofu as a dessert, I had to get it. The taste, along with the presentation, was amazing. I am looking forward to my upcoming trip and will definitely make reservations at Morimoto Waikiki.
(4)
Elle M.
Morimoto has a very sleek interior and spa-like atmosphere that reflects and incorporates the contemporary and upscale design of the hotel. The outdoor seating overlooking Ala Moana's boat harbor and hotel pool is absolutely stunning. Though, I must say, because the restaurant is situated on a lower level, the views do not compare to what you can get at Mariposa's.(IMO) The Edition Hotel including the lobby and restaurant's recessed lighting tend to get too dim during the evening and can be very inconvenient for patrons with poor eyesight. But if you are for a trendy ambiance with low lighting, it certainly has a classy yet casual setting that suits all ages. However, despite the spa-like interior, the obnoxious noise level is loud enough to get your ears popping. (Yelling across the table is so not romantic.) Also, be prepared for 1.5+ hour wait for food and the possibility of being lost trying to find the hidden restrooms tucked into a hallway so inconveniently located outside the restaurant. On a positive note, the convenience of a free valet definitely adds a touch of luxury. In spite of the mediocre food and service, overall, it was still a great experience. P.S. - Do NOT skip on dessert. The Chocolate Peanut Bombe is the bomb!
(3)
Rob C.
as our quest to dine on the talents of celebrity and Iron Chefs continue, we leave this one w/ a sweet, blissfull, aftertaste. my wife and i had been dying to try Morimoto's offerings for the longest time. and we had no idea he even had a restaurant on Oahu. on my recent research to find the perfect place to dine for our 2 year engagement anniversary, i was thrilled to find Morimoto Waikiki. i tried to keep it a secret until my mom-n-pop in law, inadvertently ruined the surprise. haha, it's ok, i forgive you guys. ;) it was our last day on our most recent, 'cousin's wedding/vacay for us' visit of the island. we had high hopes and our expectations were met w/ flying colors. started off w/ drinks. wife had the one w/ jalepeno. forget the name but it was really tasty. i had the white lilly. yum! perfect aftertaste of yuzu and umeboshi. for apps, we had the white fish carpaccio and the 10 hour braised pork belly. both were excellent. the carpaccio is served w/ a medley of oils and citrus, including yuzu, sesame, and "don't know what but it's fucking tasty" stuffs. the pork belly is served in a luxurious rice congee and the meat is super rich, salty, slightly sweet and awesome. only gripe was that pretty much all the fat had rendered out and the meat was a bit tough. good for my wife, not so good for me. main course: wife had the whole fried fish and i had the black cod. the fried fish was phenomenal. it was crispy and moist and that papaya salad w/ the mabo tofu sauce, are you kidding me?! explosions of flavor. hit every taste bud w/ a fat smack. the only other whole fried fish that would compare is Mama's Fish House's whole fried fish on Maui. the black cod was perfectly cooked and bursting with umami. i wish the skin had been left on, as that is my favorite part of the fish. when i had made my reservation, i mentioned that we'd be celebrating our engagement anniversary. well, for dessert, they brought us a passion fruit/mango sorbet! it was sooooo good. my god. we also had the vanilla pineapple w/ coconut sorbet dessert, which was also really good. service was excellent. our server was informative, friendly, didn't rush us or take too long. if we had more time and a second stomach, we would have tried so much more. till next time...
(5)
Shane S.
The very first weekend it opened I stumbled through what was then the "Edition" hotel. As I was strolling through the bar which became the restaurant I bumped right into a stern samurai looking Japanese guy with glasses. I thought "funny that guy really looks like the Iron Chef ! " He was there opening the restaurant..... I have tried a few things here. First time I had some small plates at the bar. I tried the Morimoto style poke which was ok. ( it is hard to mess with comfort food) rock shrimp tempura and a "Morimototini". It was interesting and tasty, however it did set me back over 50 bucks. Not exactly happy hour. One morning I decided to try the "Japanese breakfast" having had Japanese breakfast many times before I was excited to see Morimoto's take on a traditional meal. I was extremely disappointed to see that it was basically the same, but much smaller portions. Not very interesting, and not worth $26. Had to try the sushi bar......so I tried a few selections of fish flown in from Japan.... as well as a few local fishes. I have to say it was very good , but the connection I love between chef and diner was just not there. I like to talk to and watch the sushi chef and see where the fish is from and how they prepare each delicate morsel. The sushi bar was good, but we are talking "Iron Chef" standards here. Anyway it was cool as Morimoto sat down a few seats away speaking with some Japanese women. After a few drinks he was much happier than the other day, and he took pictures with many patrons including myself. My last dinner there I had the whole fried fish (branzino that night....wish he used local fish) The fish was excellent with a kinda mabo tofu sauce smothered on top. We also had the seafood " toban yaki " which consisted of crab, lobster, scallops, mussels and clams in a spicy miso sauce. ( like an Asian cioppino) I felt that this dish was a little over done, the broth.... very tasty but such a small portion. I know its splitting hairs, but how can you really go wrong with ingredients like that? Its like trying to take a bad picture of Brad Pitt !! What makes the place unique is the creativity of the #1 "Iron Chef", and the ambiance of the lounge nestled in a cool hip hotel. Try the craziest things on the menu... Come here to think outside the box, thats what a great Iron Chef does !! 3.5 stars
Spent a night here in June 2014 for an anniversary dinner. We decided on the Omakase. Chef Morimoto was in the kitchen that evening. Highlight of the entire night was watching him interact with staff for a short time in the open kitchen. Service was slow, waiters were flustered and stated that they were having a rough night because chef was in the restaurant. Took almost 2 and a half hours to finish our courses. I understand multiple courses and having dinner be about the experience, but this was a bit excessive. Would not recommend the Omakase. Over priced for the selection. Overall, we had been planning this for a very long time, and the evening left much to be desired. We will probably not be back. Much better offerings for the price to be found in O'ahu.
(3)
Stephen H.
I ate here for lunch on a Friday. it was fairly empty so we had a lot of attention from the staff. i was very impressed with the ambiance and style that the restaurant had to offer. I had the Rock shrimp (good) and blacken Ahi (good). Its pricey but great dining experience. Be back very soon with more friends for sure.
(4)
D E.
5 stars as price is less than expected, although still not inexpensive. Went on a Sunday at 11am (opening) and the place had one other party. The $35 sushi platter was excellent. They have $35, $100 and $150 sushi and shashimi platters. They get more adventerous as you move up in price. Only downside to the $35 one is no duplicates so it's hard to compare with others. The selection is something like: tuna, striped bass, salmon, yellowtail, mackerel, shrimp, red clam, eel and spicy tuna rolls (6 pieces). The rice was perfect. They polish their own. They target local ingredients so everything was fresh. The crispy rock shrimp tempura appetizer was perfect. Came with a generous portions of spicy kochujan shrimp, wasabi shrimp and coconut ranch sauce. Bite size perfection. Had to try the braised black cod. I chose the larger portioned main course ($26) and another person selected the lunch set ($22). Turns out the main course cod is only slightly larger, not enough to notice unless you look close. The lunch set comes with soup and rice or bread. Plus salad. Go for the lunch set. The cod was great. Maybe it's me but the cod at Nobu's was better. This cod was still great. Wonderful sauce and tender fish. The angry chicken had a curry flavour and was moist and tender but came on a bone in case that's an issue for you, it was for the person who ordered it with us. Tried one desert. The sansho pepper roasted pineapple ($12). A nice sized portion, presented very nicely, and multiple flavours of salty rice, sweet pineapple, crispy wafer, and more. The rest was about half full when we left at 1pm. We will be going back this week. See you there.
(5)
Lora H.
Wonderful atmosphere. The food didn't bowl me over especially for the price and the servers kind of forgot we were there. I hope things improve for them!
(2)
Nikki N.
Everything there is amazing because its so cutting edge. The food is unique, different, and aesthetically pleasing. The restraint itself was very very nice and the outdoor ambiance was kind of like Rum Fire with the fire pits. The only thing is I will rarely be eating there because the pricing is out of my range.
(4)
perry w.
Valet parkers from Edition hotel were horrible. Nobody came up to the car to introduce themselves. Wife had to get out of the car to ask if we were at the right place. The Valet guy said yes, and walked off. We were stumped. After parking was sorted. We proceeded to the rest. Very modern design. I had the Poke Cold Appetizer, the Spicy Crab Hot Appetizer, and the Seafood boullebaise. Best thing was the Spicy Crab. Everything else was ok. Nothing too spectacular or memorable, especially considering the price and the "Iron Chef" status. Wife got the Tasting Menu, which she liked, but we both didn't think any of it was an absolute must taste/have... except for the Spicy Crab... which in itself, is simply alaskan king crab with spicy tuna sauce on top of it. Overall the food was simple, clean, and light. The food was made well, but nothing was extraordinarily unique. Wouldn't go out of my way to eat here. Wouldn't necessarily go there for dinner again, maybe lunch if I was in the area already. Online reservations through open table are awesome.
(2)
Reyn Yorio T.
This is a review about a dinner that occurred a few weeks back, right after the Tohoku Quake and Tsunami, and the restaurant's own benefit. I hosted a dinner for 14, and this was a first visit. Please note that this is about an IT restaurant, and a place to be seen in Waikiki at the moment. One of the things that quickly tells you how your evening is going to be, especially in Honolulu, is the parking. In this case, the valet service at the Edition Hotel which houses Morimoto Waikiki, is terrible. Not because of the efforts of the valets themselves, but the very fact that the turnabout can only accommodate four cars max at a time, and at 630PM with the cocktail and dinner crowd chafing to get in...you can imagine the pandemonium. Which leads me to the meal. We started with a number of appetizers, which included the rock shrimp, toro and hamachi tartare, pork gyozas, poke a la morimoto, and a couple of orders of the crispy calamari and iceberg wedge salads. First off, the tartare is interesting. It is served in 1/4 inch high square bamboo trays and looks like a food that was served in 2001: A Space Odyssey. Even with an array of condiments, this was not something you would have expected to see, nor would you find it all that appetizing to eat. The rock shrimp tempura bore a resemblance to popcorn shrimp...I am going to skip over the other dishes because, they aren't worth the typing effort. My guests had an array of entrees, of which I will mention the following: the lamb rack was excellent, the spam onigiri was actually amusing as the presentation was unique...rather than an actual slice of spam, the lowly luncheon meat was diced into VERY small squares and mixed with the rice to form the onigiri. Duck, duck, duck was a winner, with the various preparations of the fowl playing off each other really well. The wagyu filet, while soft and tender, did not impart the depth of flavor that you would expect from this kind of aged cut. The braised black cod? You know it as miso butterfish, and honestly, you could do no worse preparing it yourself at home fresh, or getting it from Aloha Tofu and Miso in a tub. Desserts? The mille feuille and the peanut butter bombe were deconstructed affairs...a term which I find akin to disastrous. If you were so lazy that you couldn't put your ingredients together in a proper way, don't apply a fancy term to it and expect us to pay the price. The tofu hot and cold on the other hand was sublime. Gentle, unique, and fun. All of which should serve as adjectives for any dining experience and Morimoto Waikiki could very well live up to just such a memory for people, his servers are certainly up to the task of delivering thus. At $175 dollars per person with drinks? There are better ways to entertain your friends.
(2)
Ryan S.
Morimotos was an amazing dining experience!!! The service is superb and the food is delicious! The atmosphere is modern yet relaxed. We couldn't have celebrated our anniversary at any other place. I would recommend sitting outside as the restaurant sits right next to the marina, it's a beautiful view! We ordered the wagyu carpaccio and tempura roll as appetizers, and wagyu filet and loco logo as entrees. For desert we had a bacon doughnut and chocolate caramel tart. Since it was our anniversary they gave us a complimentary fruit sorbet. I would definitely order the fruit sorbet next time. If you're a beer drinker, have one of his signature beers! We will definitely be going back to morimotos eveytime we are on the island!
(5)
Ana E.
Morimotos how I looked forward to the experience. Set in Modern hotel with nice outside seating. We had to wait over 30 minutes to even sit and had to wait in an overcrowded spot with many other people. Almost left (should have) Next we were seated outside and immediately were attended by an energetic and personable waiter. We elected for the tasting menu at $120 a piece. He asked if we had any allergies or food preferences. I told him I had a coconut allergy and that I don't do dessert. If there is a dessert planned I would rather substitute a savory dish. He told me there are no substitutions. (Strike 2) The food started coming. This started well with toro and hamachi tataki which was excellent. Then we had a fish carpaccio which was also tasty. This was followed by a bagna cauda. A strange fondue dish of boiling oil. Ok. Interesting. Then came the egg custard with foie gras. Well done but too rich for me. Then nothing more..... Nothing. The waiter apologized saying that the kitchen was backed up as they had 3 times the normal sushi orders. Waiting and waiting. We sat at 730pm. This course came out finally after 900pm. Crazy. It was ok for sushi. While we were halfway through with the sushi the main course of wag yu beef, pork and overseasoned lobster came out. At this point the dinner was so long you really couldn't enjoy the dish Then they brought us dessert. First a "consolation" dessert for waiting so long (after I told the guy I don't do dessert!). It was supposed to be the best thing on the menu. A peanut butter mousse. It was not great. Then, they brought our real dessert and it had coconut in it. REALLY!? Didn't u ask me about allergies cmon What a long expensive disappointment
(3)
Tony S.
Loved it. Had the 8oz Australian wagyu steak, perfectly grilled and came with this amazing sauce . Place has a really good setting and vibe. Service was great. Had a reservation and seated and served promptly . One set back was we were seated outside and while we made it in time with for the sunset which was amazing, once it gets dark U realize your just next to a boat harbor and the hotel pool.
(4)
Alexis Y.
I can't believe there is a single negative review here! I was incredibly impressed with Morimoto's. I came here a week ago with my husband and we are craving every bite again. We had made a reservation a few nights before which was incredibly simple. The staff was all very friendly and it was nice to have our server describe each meal in detail as it arrived. My husband is a huge fan of the man himself, Morimoto, and set very high standards for this place. All of his expectations were met. We began with the $50 sashimi spread which had beautifully cut fish that was the perfect choices, cuts, and freshness. Every plate was presented beautifully and was seasoned and cooked better than we could have imagined. I absolutely cannot wait to come back here, absolutely worth spending a few extra dollars for the night
(5)
SB S.
Wow. Just deliciously fresh sushi. You don't need to fancy up fresh because it speaks for itself, but even then, they do a great job of playing it up. Like it's namesake, Morimoto is top shelf. Even better than it's restaurant is the hotel it's located in. Do yourself a favor and stay at the Modern. I've have few experiences like it where such service and beauty resided in the same place.
(4)
Lauren O.
Hands down, the best restaurant I have ever been to. If Chef Morimoto is working, make sure your order the Omakase. TRUST ME. Everything here is cooked perfectly; it is beautiful aesthetically as well. The people who work here are great, and very knowledgeable. You often can see Chef here, directing everything that leaves the kitchen. The food is so good, I was once at an event at the adjoining hotel and my date and I ran out, ordered the Wagyu carpaccio while simultaneously closing out our bill, since we only had 10 minutes to spare. The view can't be beat, and there are always celebrities. My favorites: Surf and Turf, Bi-Buri-Bap, Omakase, Peanut Butter Bombs, Truffle Martini, Duck Duck Duck, Wagyu, ANY sushi, ANY damn thing chef recommends.
(5)
Mali K.
All the dishes we had were beautifully presented and delicious. We arrived after two hikes and were extremely hungry. Get ready to order several appetizers, a couple of entrees and dessert in order to feel full. It's more a place to say you've been to, then a place to frequent unless you're the 1% or unless a newbie drags you. Highly recommended for those celebrating a special occasion - my husband took me for our anniversary and I took a friend for her birthday.
(4)
J M.
This place was 5 stars all the way up to the main course... and then the stars started falling. I came with a group of 6 people and we ordered tons of apps and sushi. They were all fantastic. The rock shrimp being my favorite. But then the main course came and I was so disappointed. And it wasn't just me. Everyone at the table was disappointed. I didn't try one main course that was 5 star worthy. Mine was a 1 or 2 at best. My advise is if you do decide to eat here, then just stick with drinks, sushi, and appetizers.
(3)
Kevin H.
I really don't know why this restaurant isn't getting better reviews. The atmosphere and decor is very nice, and reminiscent of an upscale restaurant in New York. The drinks are really tasty (especially the Morimotini) and also very stiff. The food is delicious!! There is a reason why this man is the Iron Chef! Almost everything we tried was very tasty and also innovative. We came here twice. The first time we got the omakase, which I highly recommend. All the courses were very good, and you will leave with a full stomach. The second time, we just came for appetizers. We had the oyster foie gras, the octopus carpaccio, the kanpachi sashimi, the ahi pizza, beef tartare, and some other dishes and they were all very good. I think this restaurant has some of the best food on the island. The only thing I didn't like about this place was the customer service. The waiters are all very young and I think most of them were hired simply because the restaurant had a fast opening. I give them credit for memorizing the menu, but they just don't seem very professional. One waiter spilled the fondue oil on my fiance's handbag and completely ruined the leather and tried to amend for it by saying "I can pay for the dry cleaning". I mean, come on! Are you serious??? How about you buy her a new bag? He didn't even comp our meal or give us free dessert or anything like that. Pretty ridiculous for a high-end restaurant.
(5)
Lexi P.
When we had to go through airport-esque security to get in, we were pretty sure someone important was there. Obama sitting in the corner and the secret service men scattered through the restaurant added to the ambiance of this lovely dinner. We were seated out on the lanai overlooking the harbor. We ordered a fantastic pork belly appetizer which was very tender. We also ordered the rock shrimp which came prepared in two different sauces- one being a buffalo sauce and the other this creamy wasabi deliciousness. For entrees we got the duck 3 ways and splurged on the $50 lobster. I will have dreams about this lobster.. it had a cajun seasoning and a lemon butter cream on the side. Simply amazing and worth every penny. The duck was slightly disappointing (especially because I usually looooove duck). I couldn't taste the duck in the egg roll (but my boyfriend liked it), the duck meatball was nothing special but the tender little piece of duck was good. Morimoto did a fantastic job with our dinner and it was such a treat getting to see him in person.
(5)
Allison T.
Overall I'm giving the restaurant 4 stars since the food and service was excellent; but the prices are way too high. I was in Honolulu for a work trip. so I sat at the sushi bar. It was fantastic since it gave me an in-depth look at the inner workings of the kitchen. Unfortunately Morimoto was not in the house. Since it was just me I decided on an assortment of small dishes and appetizers. I ordered the famous Toro tartare (to die for!!), Aji (jack fish), wagyu beef nigiri, uni w/quail egg, kakuni (a little salty but good flavor), and a glass pinot grigio. Overall the food was good (besides the salty kakuni) but I ADORED the toro tartare. This brought my bill to $80, which seemed really steep considering I only ordered small items and was still a little hungry when I left. If you love the Food Network then this is a must-stop for the toro tartare! Otherwise save your hard earned dollars for another sushi restaurant in the area.
(4)
Jennifer C.
YES! Come here. This is where you want to eat. Lets start with the ambiance... WHITE and modern. Feels like you're in Vegas or Miami (minus the juice heads). Definitely bring the heels! Food... Where else can you see a tofu in liquid form transform itself to edible, soft/firm tofu? The sauce and toppings really pair nicely with this one. I would definitely recommend ordering the veggie sushi... super fresh! Drinks... Got to get Sake! I ordered wine too of course but the Junmai Ginjo is BOMB! Parking: The only thing is... don't be fooled by the shared rooftop... Mormimoto is NOT part of Ilikai. If you want to valet, head to Edition Hotel.
(4)
Sungalina H.
I've been to Morimoto's several times and the last two, I've left disappointed for two reasons. 1) the quality of the food and 2)the cost for the food--$12 for miso soup?, please! Last night, for a friend's birthday, I asked for the most popular dish and I was told that it was the black cod. I ordered that and it was way too salty. Also, the black cod only came with 5...count them, 5 black beans. The rest of the people in my group was under-whelmed by the meal as well. We also received an odd tasting sorbet that we could not eat, after the initial bite. The ambience is modern and sleek. I've gone to Morimoto's with a group of girls and ordered a plethora of appetizers and drinks. If the weather is nice, it is a wonderful place to lounge of the setee and fire and hang out but for a good meal, I'd choose another japanese restaurant (for half the price).
(2)
Johnny C.
We ate at Morimoto's for my parents anniversary and let me tell you it was delicious. We started off with the calamari salad, Wagyu capaccio, and cured hamachi. The Wagyu capaccio was the best thing I've ever eaten, the meat just resonated with citrus flavors . For lunch entrees we had the lobster sandwich,pork bento, and chirashi. The French fries that came with my sandwich I had a touch of seaweed and wasabi flavors. We love dessert and I recommend you trying the miso butterscotch ice cream. It's something different and adventurous , the miso was not overpowering at all but added a nice salty element to the creamy ice cream . But all in all the desserts were great. We will be returning again for another special occasion very soon. The taste was great, plating spectacular, and most of all exactly what I expected from an Iron Chef.
(5)
Juliann C.
You can't really go wrong here. The Good: * Great ambience * Beautiful architecture * Top notch service * Parking is always taken care of * Anything you order here... really you can't go wrong!!! Except the tartare. Yes, it was beautiful, and colorful. But I have also tried many other sushi places that do tartare justice. I have to say that was the most disappointing dish :( * Must must order the desserts... the sorbets and ice creams change every night and one night I enjoyed the CRISPY RICE sorbet ice cream.... HOLY MOLY BLEWWW MY MIND. But I was sad to find out that it's not a normal thing! * Seasonal Sake is a must have for me * wagyu carpaccio - MMMHMMM get it get it!! * whitefish carpaccio - i guess im a huge fan of carpaccio! The Bad: * Oh, the price burns a hole in my wallet, and my heart The Weird: * Interesting that Morimoto's even serves breakfast! Be sure to check that out :)
(5)
Jeff G.
Great sushi and ramen soup. The yellowfin entree that was cooked on the table was very cool and tasty.
(5)
Chris Y.
I've been to Morimoto's on three occasions and it's been mixed. It seems that the restaurant has great potential, but hasn't quite found it's groove. If you do get a chance, try the Omakase prie fixe menu. They do try to make things that are not on the menu and I feel that the dishes were better when served omakase. Not sure if the kitchen pays more attention, but the one time I did it, I couldn't have sworn it was a better cooked meal. The highlight: The Kabocha Souffle dessert. WOW! It was amazing. This dessert is not on the menu and was served with the Omakase menu. It was just so light and fluffy. I wish I could have that again! On on occasion I did have a chance to meet Morimoto himself. He does seem like a very down to earth kinda guy. He was very gracious and allow us to take a photo with him.
(4)
Matthew S.
The Iron Chef cuisine reigns supreme.... Ate here 14-Jun, and the man was in the house. He was happy to pose for pictures with the patrons and was pretty cool. His dress code of shorts resonates with the location and style, smart casual. Cocktails are good and his own branded beer is very palatable. The food was exception, the seafood very fresh and menu extensive in depth. Our server, name forgotten in the blur of cocktails and wine, but he had recently served Obama on his visit. Very engaging, friendly and informative. Thanks for the great experience.....
(4)
Ben S.
There are two things that make life worth living: incredible Asian-fusion food and cucumber vodka drinks. If you're in or around Waikiki and not staying at The Modern Honolulu, you can at least partially redeem yourself by making a reservation at their world famous restaurant where your life will finally be fulfilled. I was originally a part of a party of 16 and had no issue getting a reservation. Nice afternoon weather led to happy hour which led to our party decreasing to about 9 people. With a simple call ahead there was no issue changing our reservation last minute! When you first walk into the restaurant, you'll be taken aback by the beautifully modern and tropically Asian design. Not to mention the eye-candy employees that are actually friendly and have personalities! Our table was prepared along the back wall of the open dining room under some pretty sick hanging coral art. Because we had a larger group, we asked for separate checks and our request was granted without the judgement and disdain that usually accompanies this procedure. For appetizers, I got the oysters. While they were pretty good, I have been spoiled by the monstrosities that come from the east coast so these tiny little guys were kind of disappointing. Most of the group got sushi rolls which were quick, fresh, and surprisingly affordable. We also got two orders of lamb and holy sweet baby Jesus! Melt in your mouth, take the bone home with you to gnaw on later amazing. The best drink on the menu is the M-tini. Cucumbers and vodka. That's all that matters. Total bill, tip and tax included, for two people? $80. Seriously, this should have been double the price considering the quality of food and service. If you only have time for one meal in Hawaii (bathing suits don't look good on everyone, people!) this is your place!
(4)
Madoka P.
The desserts are amazing!! And the service was fantastic. Everyone was so friendly! We couldn't get last minute reservations so we had pupus downstairs at The Study before heading over here for... DESSERTS! We got the Chocolate Peanut Bombe, Haupia Semifreddo and Molten Lava Cake. All were delicious!! I will have to come back for the food. Only thing I didn't like was the volume of the place. It was so loud I felt like I had to yell across the table. Otherwise, it was awesome.
(4)
Carol B.
It was a treat to have gone but that was about it. My hostess ordered the waygu carpaccio, very delicious, for appetizer. I had the kakuni don for my entree which included a tasty little sald with delicious tart dressing, and two sushi which I had to give my hostess since it was far too much food along with the pork which topped the rice bowl. The seasoning on the pork was overly sweet.The drink, a cucumber shiso collins was refreshing and amazingly potent.We had dessert too, i had the peanut butter concoction which was o.k. I am grateful for the chance to visit Morimotos on Oahu, having been to the one on Maui, but it seemed same old same old. Been there, done that.
(3)
Michael M.
We had an amazing rehearsal dinner for my son on Thursday night. There were 19 of us and the service, ambiance, food and drinks all exceeded our expectations. Rachel had our table completely set up with our centerpiece, flowers, decor and gifts. We were able to use the seating area next to our table for cocktails and then were seated at the beautiful table for dinner. Our four course dinner was served family style and was served and cleared seamlessly. There was an abundance of food and much oohing and aahing from our guest. Their attentive service and caring attitude enhanced our evening and left wonderful memories for all who attended this special evening. It truly was an celebration of love and we thank the entire staff for the wonderful service.
(5)
Eva Y.
Surprised that this place was disappointing to me. With all the hype and all, the sashimi appetizer was meh (while the waiter drops the sauce tube on the floor, picks it back up, and places it back on our plate). The fried fish was dry and the ma po tofu was not worth the money and the lack of flavor. The scallop in the dashi soup was over-cooked.... and dashi soup was way too sweet. The nigiri was only the best thing there.
(2)
Cin T.
We dined here on the 2nd official opening day. Service wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. Luckily we ordered appetizers and entrees because the folks that ordered the Omakase (7-8 courses) were waiting forever for their food. Some as long as 4.5hrs. It was Chef Morimoto's last night in Honolulu, overheard that he was flying back home the next day. Glad we decided to brave the "new restaurant hiccups" or else we wouldn't have met him. He walked around to greet people and take pictures. Halfway through our service, he came over to our table again to see how we were doing. AWESOME! media4.px.yelpcdn.com/ph… yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Chef Morimoto has his own line of beers and sake. They had a huge barrel of his Morimoto Gingo Sake front and center on the dining floor. Everyone was able to sample some. It was really good! It has a nice subtle pear aroma and a sweet fruit finish, I wanted more. //www.yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDbsTS6VnWCHVJJHmEFPw?Âselect=n1N3YcYO55QkSyos0OLabg yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Got the Morimotini b/c it has Gingo Sake in it. The sake paired with Rain Organics Vodka worked really well. It was so smooth and tasty! yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Abalone Takoyaki $15: Pillowy, cheesy ball of goodness! We asked what sort of cheese it was but our server said she didn't know. The tako and Big Island Abalone pieces was a little chewy, but still a tasty dish. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Oyster Foie Gras $20: Two of my favorite things in one delicious bite. It's meant to be eaten as a shooter. The type of oysters vary with avail. We got Miyagi oysters that night. The Hudson Valley Foie Gras was so velvety smooth. It was seared and topped off with Kabayaki sauce (sweet soy/mirin unagi sauce). My only complaint with the dish is the kabayaki sauce, it was a little too sweet and overpowering against the delicate flavors of the oysters and foie. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Pork Gyozas w/Hamakua Tomato Sauce $15: Our server mentioned that its made with pork belly. The filling was very meaty and not at all fatty or grisly. The gyozas arrived hidden under a shell that's made from a mixture of bacon foam, corn starch and potato starch. It tasted a like crispy cheese but we were told that there wasn't any cheese used at all. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Wagyu Beef Tartare $19: Served with a cauliflower salad and cauliflower flan. The beef was mixed with sesame seed oil and yuzu soy and topped w/chopped ginger and tomatoes. The yuzu soy tasted a lot like the Kabayaki sauce that was in our oyster shooter. I prefer my tartare to be more on the savory side, it was a bit too sweet. Some crackers or toast points would've helped too. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… The cauliflower salad seemed like an afterthought, I don't even know why it was there. Drizzled with grape seed oil, this salad was flavorless. All I could taste was celery in every bite....I hate celery. The cauliflower flan was cooked perfectly and I loved the hidden egg yolk inside. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… My Lobster Epice w/Lemon Creme Fraiche ($47) was the disappointing part of the night. Everyone knows how much I LOVE lobster, but this dish was rough. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Everything was heavily coated in garam masala and oversalted, even the chanterelle mushrooms, asparagus and cauliflower. The cumin was overwhelming. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ga… The chilled kona lobster had very little meat and the tamale was scarce. I'm not asking for the 2lb beasts that Ruth's Chris serves, but for $47 I want to see more. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Oxtail Soup $14: Min seemed satisfied with his entree. It's served with a cilantro, chili sauce and fried rice. He mentioned the meat was really tender. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Chicken Noodle Soup $14: Neil wanted something light and opted for this entree b/c he craved udon noodles. The "udon" seemed more like thick ramen noodles. But the broth was tasty and I thought the noodles were cooked perfectly. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb…
(3)
Paula G.
We had to. I mean Hawaii + Morimoto = GREAT FOOD. Since The great state of CA banned foie gras, my body literally needed a taste of it during our honeymoon. I think the third course was foie gras and Mr. Chef Morimoto DID NOT disappoint. I;ve been to the Napa, CA location and this location beats that. We went just right in time for the sunset. Yes. How so cliche. But it was stupendous. The servers here are freakin' awesome too. They knew their food. We had a lot of questions because aunthentic Japanase food is not some Korean owned roll slathered in eel sauce and baked mayonnaise. The server knew details of what the sushi was as well as the other weird things we ordered. Seriously, thumbs up and cool points.
(5)
Chass B.
I was a bit hesitant to dine here after dining in the one in New York. I wasn't very impressed...at all. But, when it opened we wanted to dine somewhere different and nice. It was my fiance's birthday and he wanted to check it out, so why not!?! All in all, the food was good, service was great, and we left very happy! We would love to go back, but maybe we will keep it for our special occasions... Goes to show that you can never rate or compare two restaurants, even if it's the same name...
(4)
KO W.
My wife and I are very picky when it comes to Japanese food, mainly the sashimi and sushi. We have gone to almost every Japanese restaurant in town and everywhere else we ever lived before moving here 3 years ago. About Morimoto, If you like "fusion" Japanese food and sit shoulder to shoulder with strangers then this is the place for you , Otherwise I wouldn't recommend any sushi/sashimi lovers to go there. Although they do have a nice selection of sushi/sashimi on their menu but all taste blend and the sushi rice is dry and hard, not better than any typical Japanese restaurant can offer with half the price.
(2)
Doris D.
After a lackluster lunch, I decided to try Morimoto's dinner service to see if it's the real deal. While it's definitely not the best food I've ever had in the U.S. (that honor goes to fine dining in nyc), I was impressed by the caliber of presentation. The presentation was definitely of fine dining quality. The food was hit or miss, unfortunately. Full disclosure, my boss treated us to this meal so I'm judging this meal purely based on quality of the food and service. I wouldn't venture to figure out how much was spent, but I think the bill was quite hefty. If I had to pay my own way, my critique would be much more harsh. Beef tartare - Very nice presentation, they tell you to pop the egg yolk and drag it across the meat. Taste was nothing special. Tempura calamari salad - Good, lots of greens. Again, nothing particular to note. Morimoto style poke - Nice attempt but the local stuff is much more tasty. Morimoto smoked sashimi - Wow factor was in the presentation, taste of the fish was quite underwhelming. They make a big deal of the five sauces, contained in these little test tube things, and you squeeze them on the fish, a mishmash of fishes into a roll. I was disappointed that the sauces did not bring out the fish but rather, the sauces were distracting. Foie gras chawan mushi - Others were turned off but I really liked this one. Never had it this way and the flavor was really deep and complex. Not for everybody though. Yose dofu - Tableside presentation was key. They make a big deal out of bringing this clay pot of liquid. They open up the lid and pour a concoction that's suppose to activate the liquid and turn it into tofu. Wait 15 minutes. Waiter comes back and opens the lid. Voila, silky tofu. Kakuni - pork belly congee - Very good. It's a very tiny portion which is expected. High quality throughout. Lovely cut of meat. Peasant food turned upside down. Chef's loco moto - Another bit of peasant food with an upscale twist. My coworker cleaned up his plate. Seafood toban yaki - My main entree. What was really impressive was, finally, the food. Every bit of seafood was cooked perfectly, including the star lobster tail. The broth itself was disarmingly spicy, though, but perfect with the seafood. Braised black cod - Very nice fish, cooked perfectly. Chocolate peanut bombe - The peanut ice cream was good. Tofu hot cold - The cheesecake and souffle were incredibly light, kudos to the pastry chef. Haupia semifreddo - Another gem. The matcha meringue was very clever. Overall a nice experience. Given that this sort of restaurant is rare in Hawaii, I was not surprised this celebrity chef restaurant garnered a lot of hype. Does it live up to the hype? I'm not entirely convinced. It does offer a different experience (is anybody else sick of hearing about Alan Wong's and Roy's?) As others have noted, the interior is cafeteria style and there's an open kitchen. Not a fan of the open kitchen and ambient noise, which at times was really loud. I was practically shouting throughout the dinner service so my dinner companions can hear me from across the largish tables. I would say MW is a solid place to impress someone. The pastry chef is extremely talented. My toban yaki and the black cod were excellent. The pork belly runs sweet, per mainland style of Asian cooking. However, the food (especially the appetizers) is a bit inconsistent and at times disappointing. I would go knowing what to avoid.
(4)
Lori I.
After seeing all these great raving reviews on yelp, we decided to try Waikiki's newest restaurant. (The restaurant was just featured in yesterday's Star-Advertiser and Nadine Kam called it her "favorite restaurant", so once again, all you yelpers were right on the money.) Morimoto Waikiki just opened on Sept 28th, in what used to be the chapel in the old Ilikai Hotel. Now called "New Edition", the hotel has a completely different vibe, almost transporting you to LA or SF or even NY. The atmosphere was like something out of a movie scene, I was half expecting to see George Clooney or Brad Pitt appear. So we went for lunch to avoid the crowds. It was just as much a feast for the EYES as it was for the MOUTH. (most of my pictures I've attached have nothing to do with the food). There is one table that is made up of clear resin/acrylic with sea kelp stuck in the resin. It almost looked like you could find Nemo in there. Oh yeah, the food from the lunch menu: KAKUNI: 10 hour pork belly rice congee (rice porridge). It was very good, if not a little bit on the salty side. Definitely a must try. MORIMOTO SASHIMI (it wasn't on the lunch menu but since we read about it so much on yelp, we asked them if the chef would make it for us. HE DID!): 6 little mini 3-story towers, topped with 6 different condiments, and 6 different types of sauces served in little pipettes. They said "Just like art class -- make designs with the sauces (which are all different colors)." BLACK COD: a little heavy on the sauce, but overall it was pretty good. I prefer miso butterfish, but this was good too. LOBSTER SANDWICH: lobster and some kind of cheese on Japanese bread, cut into THIRDS... COCONUT Panna cotta: was like haupia. It was on top of a bed of lilikoi jelly noodles (??). Yeah, not sure what that was. Kaffir lime dust and basil seeds finished off the dish. My palette must not be sophisticated enough to enjoy all the unique flavors wrapped up in this one. PEANUT BUTTER FONDANT: If you like peanut butter, this is for you: this dish was like a peanut butter mousse and came with peanut butter ice cream, and a dollup of chocolate with a gold leaf on top. A bit pricey for lunch but we did splurge. (2 appetizers, 2 entrees, 2 desserts, 2 glasses of wine, 1 French press coffee=$150) Okay so the food was good but the feast going on for my eyes was just as good. The tables, the bar, the kitchen, the sculptures hanging in the clear boxes from the ceiling. Go to the bathrooms!!! They are not like any bathroom I've ever seen in Hawaii. There's a cute little bookstore/hotel gift shop right outside the restaurant (where Tanaka of Tokyo used to be) that sells all kinds of unique gifts. This restaurant is definitely going places! Maybe next time I'll see George or Brad sitting at the bar.
(5)
Olivia D.
I had a fun time at the grand opening of Morimoto Waikiki, but it was mostly due to the company I was with, seeing other fun Yelpers, and my own excitement at being there. I wish it were more about the food. When my friends later asked me how the food was, all I could say was, "It was fine." Morimoto is located in the stylish new Edition Hotel, formerly the Ilikai. The lobby is sparse and modern, with grey ash wood accents and bare white walls. I loved the outside pool area lit with tons of candles, especially the area directly behind the restaurant, with long sofas and plump cushions to lounge on, surrounding fire pits . The atmosphere of the restaurant is equally modern, with white and lime green decor. My only frustration was that the table was so long, I felt too far away from my companion. We were trying to have a serious conversation and because of the table length and amount of noise in the restaurant, I had trouble hearing her. I also was conscious of my voice carrying over to other tables, because I didn't want to project so loudly that everyone could hear my personal business. I prefer sitting closer to my friends. We ate: Morimoto Sashimi--stacked sashimi--sake, seared toro, maguro, unagi, hamachi--with 5 bland sauces. Good presentation--the sashimi looked pretty next to the colorful sauces, but it was impossible to pick up from the plate using the chopsticks. 2 of my friends remarked that the fish was very "fishy" and the bland, oily sauces did not help that out at all. Oxtail soup--my fave. 3 meaty slices of oxtail, with a shoyu green onion dipping sauce, cilantro, and garlic fried rice on the side. The soup was delicious--the best on the island--and I loved that they grated fresh, sweet wasabi with a sharkskin paddle right at the table. The best part was when the food runner grated wasabi right onto my friend's cleavage and got all cute and flustered; he didn't know where to look! Immediately, a female Japanese manager appeared out of nowhere, sent him to get an oshibori, and took over. I appreciated that most of the fat was trimmed off the oxtails. I hate it when big chunks are left on. If the soup was served hot, it would have been perfect. The broth was barely warm--about room temperature. (Buta) Kakuni--pork belly slow-braised for 10-hours in soy sauce, mirin, sugar and dashi, served on rice porridge. Yes, I like soupy comfort foods. The pork was tender, but not fork-tender, with a hint of sake wine. It was a little too sweet for me. If they added a pinch of salt to the otherwise bland porridge, it would have helped balance out the sweetness for me. This one I don't recommend sharing because of the small portion size. Wagyu filet mignon--not impressed. I don't understand what the fuss is with American Wagyu beef anyway. I think people order it for the name. It is not worth the extra cost because it doesn't taste like Japanese beef. It tastes like regular steak, without the superb fatty marbling and flavor of Japanese Kobe beef. The breed is not as important as how it is raised. In Japan, they are confined indoors in individual pens in little condos and fed beer to help digestion . . . and you probably don't want me to go on. The filet, sprinkled with fluffy sea salt on a hot iron plate, was served with sweet onion jus, which tasted like a version of teriyaki sauce. The meat was dry, overcooked and barely seasoned with salt. Seafood 'toban yaki'--prawns, crab, scallops, clams, mussels, bok choy, and king oyster mushrooms. The first thing I noticed was that the baby bok choy sitting on top had dirt in between the leaves at the base--yuck. When I ate toban yaki in Japan, it was beef roasted on a ceramic plate. This was actually a bouillabaisse, with the broth made richer with the addition of miso and yuzu. It was delicious and a good portion size as well. My only complaint besides the dirt was that the scallops were tiny, overcooked disks and the baby lobster at the bottom was very mushy. But the flavor was good and the slices of French bread on the side were perfectly toasted. If they had served it with rouille, I would've been ecstatic. I wish we'd skipped the desserts. I ordered the tofu hot and cold and the roasted pineapple with castella cake and roasted rice ice cream. The tofu dessert consisted of a very light, cold Japanese-style cheesecake log with a hot souffle and a quenelle of sour cherry sorbet. The sorbet was watery and the souffle/cheesecake unflavorful. I usually love souffle, too. The other dessert didn't work because the cake was dry and the dry pineapple did not have any good roasted flavor; it made me long for a juicy, buttery pineapple upside-down cake. The ice cream was good. The best part of dinner was saying 'hi' to all the other Yelpers throughout the restaurant. Every time I walked past Min's table, he put food in my mouth. I scored lamb and gyoza! Bottom line: better than Nobu, but skip the American food like lamb, steak, lobster--they don't stand out.
(3)
Guy h.
Single diners miight want to beware. I made a reservation and the restaurant was half-empty. First, girl at front says,"Would you be willing to sit at the sushi counter?" Second, the girl who seats me offers me the worst seat in the empty house. And third, when I speak to the manager about this--she misses the point. "You didn't like your seaint options?" Yeah, I didn't, but I liked the general denial of the humiliation being inflicted on me even less.
(2)
Alex R.
My new Favorite restaurant, this will have to be our once a week spot from now on! Amazingly not as expensive as I thought it was going to be and the service was excellent. The food and drink offerings are amazing. We started with some drinks and light appetizers. Management was gracious enough to offer a few appetizers courtesy of the house and so the feast began. my lovely lady started with the Morimotini, I had the Morimoto Shochu. I First up were the Oyster with Foie Gras, Oysters with a generous hunk of foie gras with a touch of Uni on it served on crused ice and ogo bathed in a Teriyaki sauce. Yose Dofu was prepared table side with a pair of sauces, Kimchee sauce and a amazing soy dashi. These were accompanied by sliced green onion, Katsuobushi and grated ginger. This dish was fantastic, the depth of the broths and the texture of the fresh tofu were simple amazing. Then they brought out the Foie Gras Chawanmushi. This is the dish that i dream about, I would murder children and small animals for another taste of this dish. Duck Breast, Foie Gras in a custard is my idea of heaven. Seared Wagyu Carpaccio was delivered and devoured. great but not murderously good. Sushi Was next so we decided to get a small bottle of the Morimoto Daiginjo. A great sake that was perfect with our sushi. Sushi was on deck. Oh-Toro, Tai, Mizudaku and Inari zushi. Good sushi. With our Entrees it was tine for wine. My gorgeous date went with the Verdeho Rueda for her dish the Buri Bop which is Morimoto's take on a korean hot pot with Buri a mature hamachi and I had the Kaiken Malbec to pair with my Duck Duck Duck entree featuring a Seared Duck brest, a duck confit spring roll and a duck meatball soup. For desert we shared the chocolate mille feuille. Over all a amazing meal this has to be in the top 3 restaurants on the island. The prices are not as high as I was expecting and for what you get over all a great value.
(5)
Yvonne M.
Iron chef restaurant, hello! Yes, I had to try it. Asian Fusion at its best. He even incorporates Hawaiian/Local elements in his menu (poke, loco moco, etc). Better prices than Nobus. (Don't get me wrong, I still like Nobus, but if it's a little pricey for you, go here) Although it was trendy, it was pretty kid friendly, we brought our son here. It was loud enough to where my son could talk loudly, play a game on my phone, or drop utensils... FOOD AND DRINKS ORDERED Coco Fraiche - crisp, clean drink Asahi Foie Gras Chawan Mushi - It will make your mouth water..for more! Miso Soup - normal tasting Spicy Tuna Roll - I tasted better.. Soft Shell Crab Roll - Delicious! Braised Black Cod - Amazing! Crispy Whole Fish - flavorful, but a little on the oily side... Assorted Sorbet - Refreshing ENVIRONMENT Located in the Waikiki Edition Hotel. High ceilings, lots of white, large windows, and relaxing lighting. It made me feel like I was in Hollywood. Lots of plant and marine life throughout the restaurant. They have indoor and outdoor seating. SERVICE Excellent and quick service. TIP Do valet. It will be the same price as parking across the street or stressing finding parking in the Ilikai docks area. The drive way to this hotel is under the bridge that connects the Red Lobster parking lot to the Ilikai Hotel.
(5)
Ming Z.
I almost gave 4 stars. But for the price, and the name behind it, we did expect better food and service.
(3)
Susan N.
What an amazing dinner we had. The interior of the restaurant was something to experience. It is simple, but modern. We had an appetizer of 2 types of shrimp that we so tasty and had a little bite to it. I had the duck duck duck as main course. Each duck item was really good especially the soup with meatball. My husband had angry chicken which he was amazing. So tasty and tender. The dessert bananas foster in a glass. So light and rich I will remember this dinner as one of the best I ever had.
(5)
Michael S.
This is not about the food, as the food is outstanding and beats Nobu hands down, being one of the best in town, Chef was present! However, the front desk is ridiculous: 9:20p, four seats at Sushi bar open and four to six tables open, late in the evening, but no availability, at the bar or table??? No one coming, tables open and no seating??? Absolutely unacceptable. Will have to find more welcoming place. Too bad!
(1)
Rachel H.
Was fortunate enough to eat here three times in a row and each meal was excellent. We stuck mainly to the sushi/sashimi selections or had the sushi chef design a selection from our request. The imaginative but yet classic presentation made even the smallest selection remarkable and sating. Fish was of the highest quality as you would expect. Pork gyoza and the salt crusted fingerlings are a must have off the hot menu. And the man himself was there all three nights. Fascinating to watch his oversight and his staff reactions.
(4)
Dustin E.
Thank you Stacy L. for the tip that Morimoto san was in town!!!! Thanks Val Y. Thanks yelpers for the reviews. We found out that Chef Morimoto was in town. I have a sister who is deeply in looooove with him. I know, he's married. It doesn't make a difference to her. Well unfortunately, sis is in Hilo on the Big island, so she is not in town.... Aw sugars... poor thing... So, off to Morimoto Waikiki. There are so many Yelps on the positive side and many on the underwhelmed side. I didn't know what to think. Here is the chance to see a celebrity chef (maybe) and experience $$$$ fine dining. I know, just have an open mind and soak it all in. The ambience was very interesting. The Modern hotel had a unique event going on, a Marine ball. There were soldiers with all their formal uniforms and medals all over and the girls all decked out in formal wear too. I peeked in the ballroom and wow! The place looks amazing. Modern hotel 5/5 Upon arrival, the valet is very well hidden behind tall palms. I think if you didn't know where Morimoto was, you'd have a hard time finding this turn into the valet. 4/5 I didn't think the steps to go up was very classy, but I remember the escalators that would always be out of service. So steps never get stuck, or eat little toes. It was pretty dim, and after drinks, I was holding the railing to get down. 3/5 On to the restaurant... Oooh, coral. Uh, coral. Ewww, coral. weird, coral. The decor was farm raised coral from the Philipines. Uh, different, coral. 3/5 Thanks to the yelper Val Y. who suggested sitting at the sushi bar. We were right in front of the HEAD SUSHI MASTER! Watching him expertly slicing paper thin sashimi. Arrangements like ikebana, and tasty morsels on really beautifully prepared platters. Wow. I felt like this was the show. 5/5 We had spicy salmon roll 5/5, eel with avocado maki 5/5, and we were very pleased. Started off with Wagyu beef carpaccio. The presentation was excellent, except for the micro cilantro. My friend is adamantly against eating cilantro, but I love it. The citrus hot oil with ginger garlic and soy sauce was amazing. I wish I had more. But after all it is called appetizer. It should be called appe-teaser, because I wanted more. 5/5 Tuna Pizza, YUMMY. 5/5 Again, the micro cilantro. Um, good for me, not so good for my friend. Still a 5 from me. :-) I had the whole deep fried fish. A Mediterranean cod. It looked very exotic. Okay, it looked creepy, but it was covered in spicy tofu, sort of like a mapo tofu. It was a really unique and tasty experience! 5/5. My friend had the angry chicken. Moist, spicy, organic, delicious. artfully decorated with deep fried rice noodles. 4/5. Chef Morimoto was in the kitchen, and he just came out occasionally to pose for pictures. Didn't even cook. He did come out to shmooze with some of the customers. I think he is very cool. Maybe he flirts with the high rollers. We did get pictures with him. YAY! I had the Chocolate Mille Feuille for dessert. It was a WOW dish. The chocolate cake, candied banana, dark chocolate piece with mousse, and the ice cream with cayenne heat in it was OUT OF THIS WORLD. Okay, maybe I don't get out much, but to me it was 5/5. My friend had the Chocolate Peanut Bombe. It was a squared log of peanut mousse dusted with coco, and a bit of vanilla-ish ice cream. It was the waitress' favorite. I thought it was very pretty, but didn't have the Wow factor like the chili chocolate ice cream. Our waitress was Aya. She patiently explained every menu item. We listened to some of her suggestions, but made our own choices. Morimoto ale beer went well with my dishes. Aya was very attentive, knowledgeable, and prompt. Each server carefully explained each dish presented so we knew what we were eating. It made it all the more enjoyable. So for the first time, 5/5. It was very pricey, and we decided to just have a moment of decadent pleasure. Morimoto san, doomo arigatoo. Yelp 365 Challenge: 84/365
(5)
Stephanie Q.
Four words: SPICY ALASKAN KING CRAB *you must order this appetizer! We had the best table for 2 outside on the patio overlooking the harbor and sunset on our final night in Honolulu. The food, service and ambiance couldn't be beat! We stayed at the hotel as well and I suggest to have a cocktail at the pool bar before dinner, since it's literally 10 steps away. Go at sunset! It's never too crowded and although it's super trendy and new, it's not stuffy. I didn't think you had to dress up a ton either...although it's Hawaii and I don't think people really ever completely get decked out unless you go to some of the night clubs. I wore a simple summer dress and everyone was pretty much the same attire. This was on a Thursday night, so the weekend could get a litlle more fancy :)
(5)
Al E.
Fantastic experience once again for our anniversary, and getting to meet Chef Morimoto made it even better!
(5)
Shazam L.
Need "Iron Colon" to eat here. All three in our party had stomach issues after eating at this location. We had the lobster salad, sashimi, sushi and udon. Our only conclusion, we were served leftover expired food...as it was apparent. Iron colon with good medical insurance and a trust fund required to eat here. What a rip off.
(1)
Jeffrey J.
2010 has really been the year of the Iron Chef for me, after already visiting Bobby Flay and Mario Batali restaurants earlier in the year. My recent vacation to Hawaii had me checking off another Iron Chef restaurant on the list - Masaharu Morimoto. While the white decor and modern furniture presented a nice elegance to the experience, I wasn't a huge fan of the coral or orchid decorations... just not my style. FYI, this place is in the ballerific Edition Hotel in Waikiki. The service was very good, the food came out with great timing, and everything was plated so beautifully. I had the trio of duck and it was very good. It was served as a meatball french onion soup style; traditional duck confit; and an eggroll filled with potato and duck. While the confit and meatball were excellent, I thought the eggroll didn't even measure up. It took such a back seat, it was practically in the trunk. Wah wah. We also sampled their sushi, for which the rolls were surprisingly priced reasonably. The nigiri though was fairly expensive as they charge per single piece, and I paid $7 for a single uni nigiri. Overall, I thought it was an excellent experience, but I thought it was lacking a little in the "wow" factor that prevented me from giving it the maximum 5 stars. Ala Cuisine!
(4)
Elizabeth N.
Made an improtu first visit last Friday & sat at the bar. Four stars for the bar, the service and ambiance/decor. 3 for the Ginger Pork dish we tried. It was good and surprisingly plentiful, but nothing that I haven't tasted before. Funny but I found the condiments (the marmalade relish and eggplant) more compelling than the meat itself! But as pairing with our shochu, the meal was a choice accompiniant. Overall, as a new restaurant/bar, they are still working out their kinks as the bartender was not quite familiar with the shochu section of the menu or the services they offered. But he was sincerely attentive and he got us an individual who was very knowledgeable (a japanese ex-pat) and she made the best recommendations for our shochu and gave us brief lesson on the types they serve and how it could be best enjoyed. It wasn't very busy in there that night (the place wasn't full) so maybe they were able to give us this undivided attention because of that. ??? Either way, we appreciated the attentive service, the recommendations and will go back for another round of shochu. Maybe even a bottle of it since like all respectable Japanese restaurants, they will hold your bottle for you to return to enjoy it. And due to of the overall vibe of this hotel, sitting in this restaurant, it doesn't feel like your in Hawaii at all. Whether or not this is a good thing depends on your personal state of mind. Here's my recap: Pros: -The service. Very attentive and they strive to get you exactly what you want and be happy with what you have. -The ambiance; very modern and simple and the propogated coconut plants in the front were way cool. -The portions of food were generous considering it's Waikiki prices. One dish of ginger pork was enough for two people. Cons: -Still working on the consistencies of their service. -Prices of course -The bar is adjacent to the two outdoor seating areas, thus there were gnats all over the bar aread. We killed four of them during our time there. The lady sitting next to us was complaining too. EEEEEEWWWWW. Better ventilation or fans near the exits could take care of this problem.
(4)
Bernard N.
Wow, what a great opportunity to dine at Morimoto Waikiki! As this was a work dinner, the bill was taken care of. And this being our first time there, we relied upon the suggestions of our waitress and sommelier/manager. Everything they suggested was incredible! Hamachi Tartare - 4 Sashimi Salad - 4 Ishiyaki Buri Bop - 4 Wagyu Carpaccio - 5* Fried Whole Fish - 5 Wagyu Ribeye 160z - 5 Uni from Santa Monica & Tokyo - 5* Island Flavored Sorbets - 3 Haupia Semmifreddo - 5 Apple Martini - 4 Chikurin Sake - 5* Rose Wine - 3 *Wagyu Carpaccio, Uni from both Santa Monica & Tokyo , and the Chikurin Sake would be make the order list again. However, as we sampled only a small part of the menu, next time I I would try different appetizers and entrees as well. Service - 5 Food - 5 Price - 3 (easily over $100 per person) Overall - 4 We were seated on the patio deck and I think I preferred this as the inside was quite noisy. The weather was perfect and all the 'beautiful people' seemed to be out. The ambiance was great and since the Edition is a new hotel (luxury-end in the Marriott chain) all the amenities were state of the art.. Service was also fantastic! Everyone (6+ staff) who took care of us had personality and great spirit. This is fine dining, so be sure you are not prone to sticker shock!
(4)
Hashim A.
This is my first time dining at one of Morimoto's restaurants and I must say I was impressed! The Waikiki location is his newest and although they have a few new restaurant kinks to iron out, the food and service were fantastic. Ryan, our waiter did a great job. The sushi and sashimi was fresh...i highly recommend the wagyu sashimi. Other dishes we had were the rock shrimp tempura, wagyu carpacchio (my personal favorite), spicy king crab, and clam miso soup. All were great. The peanut butter bombe dessert was also good. I don't drink but according to my girl the Pina Haupia and Pear Gimlet were good. So why didn't I give them 5 stars? One reason...atmosphere. It is REALLY loud in there. Sometimes you have to yell so the person next to you can hear you. Don't get me wrong the scene is trendy and the people are beautiful. It's also a good break from the laid back Waikiki vibe...It's just a little too loud. I'll try dining outside on the patio next time. Yes there will definitely be a next time.
(4)
Jack G.
Took a client, her son and granddaughter to lunch. Prior to self parking, I asked the attendant if Morimoto's validates. She said that they do and showed me a validated ticket with Morimoto's stamp on it. Long story short, we had lunch, food was decent, but expensive ($85 ribeye ala carte). Spent about $400. Paid the bill. Put my parking ticket in the bill folio. The waiter comes back and says we don't validate self parking. Told him that the attendant says they do. He replies that they do, but only when there's no valet parking available. I ended up paying $35 for parking. If the Iron Chef wants to stay in business, he might want validate his patrons parking especially when they spend over $400 for lunch. I'll never go back!
(1)
Kathy C.
I honestly don't know why people go here or rave about this place. You would think since he was an iron chef, the restaurant would be amazing!!!!! WRONG! We came here for my girlfriends birthday. There were about 6 girls and for dessert, they brought out a spoon of sherbet! A spoon! I thought it was a joke! They should have saved them the embarrassment and not even brought anything out. So sad and so disappointing. I went here another time for brunch with the girls and the only great thing about it was the bloody mary bar was awesome. Other than that, the food was still crap! Never coming back again.
(1)
Everett A.
went there for a bday celebration and ordered the loco moco because it looked awesome on yelp pictures.. i think i had about 7 small pieces of beef and finished all but half my rice within 2 minutes.. we had awesome service and our waiter was super cool but i dont think we will be coming back here anytime soon.
(3)
louis b.
The best meal I have had in quite some time. Just amazing service, wonderful ambiance, and I got to watch morimoto himself prepare my meal. Went with the tasting menu, and I was overwhelmed with its variety and taste. Still had to have the chocolate peanut butter bomb though. :)
(5)
Jr H.
First off, I'm a serious foodie. I think service, ambiance, and valet service is as important to your dining experience as food quality. Let me say SERVICE IS HORRIBLE here! I've eaten twice here, both times for dinner. The first time I had the tasting menu, referred to Omakase in this restaurant. The dishes were all small and very tasty. They came out very slowly. Taste-wise, the wagyu was the only disappointment. If you've ever had it at Hiroshi's Yakiniku Waikiki, you wouldn't take more than one bite of the Morimoto version. The lobster was Kona- likely farmed -- also a disappointment. Still, overall taste was very good for most items and presentation was impressive. There's another VERY costly down-side to this evening, but I'll continue with food first. During my second venture here we ordered various dishes. Again, all were very tasty with impressive presentation. Don't expect great sushi, order other items instead. This place couldn't touch Yohei or Maguro-ya's sushi. Service was horrible to say the least. Our waitress never came around. They have tons of workers yet you can't get anyone to stop by... here's why: they have some strange setup where all workers stand in line (often 10 workers deep) waiting for the prepared food to come off the prepared line. Then they take turns delivering the food out. This is sooooo ridiculous! Here you have an unpleasant looking line of workers doing nothing but waiting for food to come out and nobody at the tables is getting decent service. Inexcusable! So back to the first night. DON"T bring a nice car if you plan on using the Valet. On this evening I rode in my friend's new Benltey Supersports coupe (the only one on the island). We parked right in front and dropped a big tip which to anyplace else on this island says don't move my 286K car. Not these guys! They managed to move us down to the end of the curved valet entrance and scraped almost 180-degrees of his ceramic rims! Nice! What a bunch of amateurs. It turns out they blew the window out the back of someone's Escalade at a Chanel event a few weeks prior. In summary, go here once... if you must. Then after that, hang out at the lobby bar instead.
(2)
Neil R.
This is a restaurant that lives up to the hype. Between the great food and fantastic atmosphere this is perhaps the most sophisticated Japanese style restaurants in Hawaii. Morimoto can occasionally been seen in the restaurant overseeing his team.
(5)
Richard L.
We were in Hawaii for a few days and decided to try out Morimoto's restaurant. We've heard great things about this place. It was definitely a delicious meal. We had the Omakase and the food looked great and tasted great. They are getting a 4 star only because we went to Nobu the night before...
(4)
bucca d.
This place was quite amazing. Finding the restaurant was also an adventure as i needed to use the yelp photos to help me identify the restaurant; there is no name at the entrance. To the food. We had the ahi and hamachi tartar. Excellent smeared poisson on top of a transparent ipodish rectangular plastic dish presented on a ice cold bowl with 5 dipping sauces. I didn't like all the sauces, esp the hoisin sauce but the other ones were pretty decent. The takoyahi abalone balls were delicious. The soft shell crab is highly not recommended as it was the worst dish of the night; some bites were tasty and crunchy but other bites were cartilage like chewy and fishy (cant remember which parts of the crab) - yuck. However, the main dish of surf and turf had melt in your mouth poke and the steak petite sirloin was amazingly good. In fact it was still tender the next day after being nuked in the microwave. The other main dish we had was the bi bimbop hamachi cooked right in front of us. Hamachi was tender and full of flavor and cooked just right. The hot stone bibimbop plate was delicious and provided additional mind stimulation. The fusion was amazing. My wife and i really enjoyed our evening meal outdoors on the wooden covered patio under the setting sun, rope lights, and sailboat masts docked by the harbor. Price wise - it was very EXPENSIVE.
(5)
Henry L.
Last year, we ate here three times. This year only once. It kind of lost its magic on us. Mind you the food is good, sushi fresh (especially the Japanese uni if you can get it), but something just did not click. Maybe because we had such high expectations? But, this time around, it just was not magical for us. Kids did not even want to come back, instead, they were screaming for Alan Wong's instead. Will try again when we come back next Christmas and see what happens then.
(3)
Lacey C.
Oh me oh my Morimoto = a piece of heavenly pie! If I could live in the pocket of the sushi chefs here, I totally would. As long as they fed me of course! :) I had the privilege to not only eat a MAGNIFICENT dinner (ordered off the menu) of Tuna Carpaccio and other delicious sushi concoctions, however I also was delighted to enjoy breakfast at this incredible edible establishment. Breakfast was served with french press coffee a mountain of fresh fruits, yogurt, granola and egg whites all very yummy! Highly recommend this place if you are needing a hot spot for a date, but be sure they are worth the dough because this isn't a bargain bin diner! Only the best for the best :)
(4)
BAJIBU K.
I will start off with the good things: - Beautiful presentation for the food -Great atmosphere The not so good things: - For the price, the food was pretty "meh" The only thing I would order again would be the Wagyu Carpaccio, there was great texture and a buttery flavor, YUM!! -The Hamachi Tartare was nice to look at, but wasn't very creative with the flavors. Nothing stood out to me. -The Crispy Rock Shrimp Tempura was yummy, but I think I could have made this at home?? Ranch dressing with celery sticks?? REALLY?? -The Spicy King Crab.. open crab legs with a salty semi spicy sauce and French Fries with some kind of super salty mayo drizzle. The salt in this dish alone was enough for the entire meal! Maybe someone didn't screw the cap on correctly.... -Yose Dofu... cute, but the table side presentation sucked. Our server came over, poured some sauce in the tofu mixture and told us not to touch it then walked away. -WORST Oxtail Soup ever!! The soup tasted so oily/greasy and the oxtail itself was so chewy and I needed to cut it off the bone... I would rather have Zippy's Oxtail soup.... -The Crispy Whole Fish was really good! but kind of small?? The presentation was comparable to the Crispy Whole Fish at Tsunamis, but for the price, I'd rather eat it at Tsunamis... -The Duck Duck Duck was sooooooo disappointing. The duck was bloody AND chewy.... the puff pastry on the soup was burnt, and the spring rolls were ...spring rolls. But the WORST part of our dinner was our server!! He came over to take our drink order, and he had the manner of a dishwasher, just kind of stood there, he didn't even bother to give an introduction. The only reason I can recall his name is because it was at the top of our bill. I asked for a wine recommendation since I was thinking about getting the Omakase ($110) , and he told me "I don't know, here's the wine list" and handed me the wine list and walked away. He couldn't make any recommendations as to anything special we should order, he just stood there and stared at me. And after our mediocre experience, he ends the night by dropping/slamming the bill in front of me. I was so shocked, I didn't even know what to say. I'm not one to complain about horrible service, but after paying over $330 for dinner for 3 AND having something literally thrown near my face, I was so appalled that I had to let his manager know. I would NEVER go back to this place. There are tons of great restaurants to go to in town with better service that you don't have to pay an arm and a leg for!
(1)
Christy M.
I've been hear for lunch and dinner already. Both experiences were great and the food was fabulous. I didn't try the Omakase and ordered a la carte instead. Presentation is stunning, food flavors are incredible, and the staff is great. Oh, and I must mention the atmosphere as well - totally relaxing, modern, and just GREAT. We sat inside for both occasions so I'm planning to try the patio on my next visit for dinner. Morimoto in Hawaii is a FABULOUS :)
(5)
Lionel P.
The girls insisted that we go experience one of Honolulu's newest culinary extravaganza. On arrival, five minutes early, we were told our table was not set yet and asked to wait 10 minutes. After 20 I went back to the hostess and told her that she was very good at "taking a reservation but not keeping a reservation". The manager stepped in said he would find us a table quickly. While the wait continued the hostess came back to me and told me I was making her look bad to her manager - sorry - waiting for a table is acceptable if you don't have a reservation. We were asked if we would mind dinning outside and we agreed - at the moment not knowing what he was really saying was - we have no table for you - would you mind eating in our over flow area that has no lighting and it will be imposable for someone of your age to read the menu or the wine list. To make up for it we did get a free Ahi pizza that was quite nice. As I held the candle for one of the girls with better eyes - Paul, from South Africa came to our rescue. Clearly fully versed on every item on the menu and the long list of specials - I felt calm and excited to continue with his attentive and charming attitude. Not on the menu but mentioned by Paul as a special was the Hamachi Kama - that was well worth the wait and was exceptional. The following is a brief look at items and some comments were needed for the kitchen. Morimoto Sashimi - Out Standing art Wagyu Beef Carpaccio - THE BEST DISH OF THE NIGHT - WOW Ramen Soup - The noodle was perfect - the broth very salty but tasty - I think someone either missed tasting this dish before it left the kitchen or it was on the boil too long - taste taste taste first before sending it out. Spicy King Crab - Out standing but save it for close to the end of your meal because of the high heat factor Takoyaki - Excellent flavor and done to perfection - WOW Kakuni - Not sure if this was the braised pork dish - but if it is - the portion size was too small and the sauce was screaming for rice on the side to enjoy every last drop. - What a great dish We sampled a bunch of sushi and as expected - perfect. The salmon skin role was a little too salty All and all a great meal - thanks to Paul. We will be back and recommend this place to others to experience.
(4)
Way D.
This rating is slightly biased because I brought a date and I was probably in a better mood than usual so my memory of the event might be better than it was but who cares. The food is cool. Not too crazy. Not the best thing I've ever eaten. But it was good. There is nothing I didn't like. Was it pricy? Yah but when you go to a high end restaurant you're gonna expect it to be a little expensive. The dishes were smaller in portion ( again typical in a fancy restaurant ) but everything was presented very well and I would say it was worth it. The service was impeccable. They were there to give me things before I asked and helped me before I knew I needed it. That just adds points all around. The place was in a good location attached in a very nice hotel. The decorations were modern and the view was spectacular. Great place for a date. Not an ideal place to eat with your homeboys. All in all a good experience.
(4)
Esther C.
***4.5 stars*** We came at the behest of our friend for a fine dining experience. They seated us promptly and they were very patient with us given that we had an infant. We had two waiters! And they were fantastic and quite accommodating. We had the wagyu beef hot appetizer which was quite good, and also ordered a sushi platter which was good (felt like standard fare, but was good quality fish). Our friend and I ordered the ishi yaki buri bop which was quite delicious and my husband ordered the loco moco which was also good. The baby ate tamago and avocado (again, very accommodating). We had the molten chocolate cake which was fantastic! The ambience was more casual than most fine dining experiences, which may be a function of Hawaii and tourists. We took 0.5 star off because we've had better sushi given the price tag. Recommend: molten chocolate cake, coco fraiche drink Skip: sushi Note: they will validate parking if you valet
(4)
Anthony W.
We were a little hesitant to try this place because of some of the reviews but did it anyways because I've always wanted to try this Ironchef's restaurant. I'm glad I did. My wife and I both had the omakase dinner. We did ask what we were in store for and the waiter went through the menu before we took the plunge. So if you are a little hesitant like we were you should be able to ask what is on the omakase menu when you arrive to help you decide. I won't go through the whole menu, because I'm sure it changes often, but just know that we were very happy with the selections that night. My only complaint would be the speed of the dinner. They sure did take their time, and I'm sure it might have been intentional, but we did wait for quite some time between dishes. But if that was my only complaint, I'd be happy to dine here again. Just be sure to be ready to part wth some money because the place is pricey. Visited June 2012
(5)
Brent S.
I have yet to come here for dinner, so I will update when I do. But if you're staying in Waikiki, you should really consider checking them out for breakfast. They have some interesting dishes you wouldn't expect. The Baked Eggs are cooked in with spinach for a unique flavor and texture. It also comes with prosciutto on french bread. The Eggs Benedict is served on hash browns for a distinctive dish. Very pleasantly surprised.
(4)
Daniel C.
I think that the food here is slightly above average but the service does make up for it. Personally I feel that there is so much better places to dine at for the price you pay to dine here. Morimoto does entertain and takes pictures with you if he's there. I've had most of the menu items and nothing really stood out from the few times I have dined here. I do say try it and see for yourself because it is an experience.
(4)
Jessica L.
I have eaten at his restaurants in NY and Japan, Waikiki is not yet on the same level. Service was very good, food was good but not up to the standards of his other restaurants. Architecture was similar, they didnt over do it which I liked. Price was high for the dishes they served, his menu needs to be updated.
(3)
Arynn I.
Love love loved! This restaurant. Went on a whim with my friend after a fabulous weekend of training and fun. We figured we were already there, dressed up for business, why not enjoy Morimoto? I've wanted to come here for a while, especially since it's my mom's maiden name. (Maybe we could be related, who knows?) Nah, wishful thinking. So I made my reservations using open table (i did learn I don't use it enough cause I keep losing my points but that's totally beside the point). Great. I had to adjust a little cause I didn't want to be late for our dinner but it was at the beginning of dinner so not too hard to push back the res. My friend and I had all intention of just doing sushi and sake - but of course I had to look at the menu ahead of time and decided I wanted to try the Ishiyaki Buribop. We started with a sake, Morimoto Ginjo which was very smooth. Now I'm not the biggest lover of sake but I did have some this night. We also started with a Spicy Hamachi Roll. Delish. The hamachi was very fresh and tasty. I used a little shoyu but you really don't have to use any shoyu with it. Like I said, I wanted the Ishiyaki Buribop. I do enjoy ishi yaki style so it was exciting to have someone do this at the table. The rice and veggies were topped with slices of hamachi that were seared against the side of the bowl. Hearing it sizzle makes me smile! I have to say, it did not disappoint and we ate everything... Onto Dessert! I had to go for it. We got 2 desserts, the Chocolate Peanut Bombe and Chocolate Caramel Tart. I suggest if you ever get the Chocolate Caramel Tart with any other dessert, eat this one 2nd!! It's so delectable and rich! I could eat 3 of them! When you cut into the tart, the gooey caramel oozes out onto the plate with the cookie bottom. You gotta eat it with the ice cream to top off the taste. All I am going to say about the Chocolate Peanut Bombe was...it was good. :) I cannot wait to go back to the restaurant because I really want to splurge for the Omakase. But next time...
(5)
Destiny S.
This is the best meal I have even eaten! My husband and I both choose the chef's tasting menu. From start to finish we both were overwhelmed at how incredible everything was. I also love that each dish was a work of art. We would both sit there enjoying how beautiful the dish was before starting to devour it. Our service was outstanding. We had a great server and several other guys continuously stopping by to check on us. The restaurant is very beautiful and there was killer live music happening outside in the lobby. The night was so wonderful and we will definitely return.
(5)
Misty P.
Came here again on 05-25-12 for dinner. It was surprisingly emptier than I thought it would be for a Friday night. The service is still good. I haven't had bad service here since patronizing this restaurant. Take note though, if you are in a hurry, don't expect the service to be hurried or the food to come out too fast - especially if you get the omakase. It is best to come here with a unbooked schedule and a go with the flow attitude. Best to come here with good friends and have a couple of drinks with good food. My fiance and I took our friends from Boston out here. He and his wife absolutely loved it. We all got the omakase. The only gripe I have, is I've had the omakase more than once and it is always the same dishes. They need to mix it up a bit more...
(4)
Kar O.
Went here with Lora H for a girls night out. The restaurant itself is gorgeous and immaculately clean. We arrived early so we decided to have drinks outside on the deck overlooking the yacht harbor. It was really pretty outside, nice and toasty with fire pits and sofas with big cushions. Later, we went inside to have dinner. I ordered the omakase and my friend had the hamachi, sashimi, clam soup and cesear salad with fish. All the food was of high quality and delicious. I (surprisingly) liked the foie gras chawan mushi. i dont usually like anything with liver in it but this was delicious!. It was creamy, with a hint of liver, with duck sliced on the top. I also liked the hamachi toro tartar. The tsukudani sauce was delicious mixed with the cream. Sounds weird but I liked it alot. I also enjoyed the citrus zest on the sushi. It really added that extra layer of flavor to the fish and fresh wasabi. YUM. Portions are really really small and kind of expensive but it was sort of what I expected. Dessert dish contained a sweet potato foam, azuki bean souffle, and lychee sorbet. Also yummy. Food was good, service was excellent, I'll be back.
(4)
Sara P.
We had a great Thursday night dinner here. We made a reservation but I'm not sure we necessarily needed one. I had the chirashi bowl which is a little different than ones I've had before. The pieces of fish were smaller but overall it was good. He ordered the omasake menu with 9 courses. Each course was brought out by a different server to explain what it is & how to eat it. Apparently they use onions in most things so if you don't like them, tell your server you're allergic. Seriously, ours said the chef will only put more on if you request none. I tried a few of the courses and they were all innovative, fresh and delicious! Its a great value if you want to try many different things. It came with 2 desserts and they made sure I had a spoon for those. With dinner we had 2 beers. One was Morimoto's imperial pilsner which came in a ceramic bottle that you could take home. The second was a hazelnut porter (?) but was actually lighter than our first beer. Best part of the meal: Morimoto himself was working the sushi counter :)
(4)
Leo M.
I took my wife to Morimoto's for lunch on our 'child free' day on Oahu. It was the perfect choice - the view was lovely, the fresh air invigorating, and the service was impeccable. The food was more of a mixed bag - though understand that 'mixed' here means some of it was merely very good. On the plus side, the Morimoto Style Poke was a revelation - the mix of flavors and textures combined to create one of the most extraordinary dishes I have ever eaten. The sushi - paired with real wasabi - was also fabulous. In particular, the ikura was simply the best I've ever had. On the other hand, my wife wanted to try something more on the western side of the restaurant's fusion menu and went for the Morimoto special mini burgers and a salad. And these were merely very good. In general, I would suggest that if you are eating here and looking for something special you should seek out those dishes (like the poke) that are unique and provide the opportunity for the chef to show off a bit of technique. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Rosie C.
My boyfriend took me here about a week ago for our anniversary, a Wednesday night at 7, it was still pretty busy. First off the look of the restaurant is very nice and modern with just the right amount of lighting and very nice decor, however, the ambience was not so great, well at least for a nice romantic dinner. For one, it was very noisy, I could hardly hear my boyfriend and vice versa. Also, if there are just two of you, they seat you at tables that are literally arms-length away from the next table. I felt closer to the girl at the other table then to my boyfriend. When you have this dumb girl bragging to her friend about how she is so perfect, being that close got pretty annoying! Plus the servers could hardly squeeze through between the tables, that's how close they were. It didn't look like a problem if you were in a larger group, for those tables were not lined up with each other. Now for food, I don't eat seafood or red meat so it's sometimes hard for me to find food to eat at a fancier restaurant, however I checked Morimoto's menu prior to going and found some food I could eat. First week started of with the basic garden salad which I thought was fabulous but my boyfriend thought it was too fancy haha....dressing was kinda of citrusy. Then we got sushi, I got tamago nigiri and kappa maki, the tamago was excellent, but the kappa maki was horrible becasuse they put wasabi in it already...I HATE wasabi, so I was disappointed in that, especially when it's cucumber inside and you can't tell that wasabi is in the sushi! So, if you don't like wasabi like me, ask before getting any maki sushi. My boyfriend got the $12 fish, I forgot what it's called but I think it changes daily, and he said it was good. For our main dishes, I got the angry chicken and order rice and bok-choy to go with it. Excellent chicken! It had the flavor of chili (like chili and rice), and was nice and moist. The bok-choy was good, don't know how well you can spruce up bok-choy and the rice was good, I think it might have been the more expensive sushi rice, or maybe I'm trying to think that to justify the price haha! My boyfriend had the surf and turf, which consisted of steak and poke with I think mashed okinawan sweet potatoes...he wasn't as happy with his food as I was. He said it wasn't what he thought it was and it was a bit too fancy for him. Overall, I think the food quality was good...for the price? maybe not so much. We decided not to get dessert because they just seemed weird but the gave us a little happy anniversary dessert with was like a melon sorbet that tasted like a melona bar. Overall, I think they have good food, and very good service, but it is pretty pricey for being, as the website describes, "business casual". I think they need to fix the table situation, that's one thing that would prevent me from coming here again with my boyfriend. I think for a nice group dinner it might be nice but not so much a romantic dinner. However, it could be different outside on the patio, didn't even get a chance to look out there. Oh, and prior to going I also read the reviews on yelp and I agree, the bathrooms (right outside the restaurant in the hotel) are very nice....go in and take a look :)
(3)
Adam C.
Yes, I'm a fan. I really like the hotel, though. I think the ambience here added a whole star to this review. I was impressed by the decor, clean straight lines modern, green accents, not seen too much in here in the islands, felt like an LA restaurant. I think I'm also one of those unconsciously directly affected by ambience so good job restaurant designers. the food was pretty sensational (appealing to most of my senses), elegant presentation, bold yet balanced and exotic flavors and excellent service. this open kitchen restaurant seemed nicer than other restaurants, maybe the brightness of the color palette gave it that edge. I also thought it was less noisy than most, though still don't expect a quiet dinner. we shared three appetizers, a sushi and an entree and amazingly our bill was $100 exactly as we were shooting for to match the amount we were gifted. what a treat! i'll definitely be back for more!
(4)
B J.
A little late with this review so it'll be short, but better late than never. Treated my boyfriend here for his birthday in September. It was spectacular! I hate sitting in the seats where you basically share with your neighbor. So luckily, we were seated in the corner on the patio which had the most breathtaking view ever. We ordered the omakase but I don't remember each dish, all I know it was great! Unlike other yelpers, the service that nice was impeccable. I would definitely stop by again if I'm ever in Hawaii.
(5)
Little M.
We were really looking forward to a wonderful experience. We love new mod places and good Japanese food. By staff recommendation, we ordered the calamari salad, the whitefish carpaccio, and the sushi/sashimi Chef's combination. The calamari was in unseasoned heavy deep fried batter. I could not even tell you what was in it. I could not taste calamari. It was horrible. We felt full and weighted down after trying to like this dish. We were trying to figure out what we were missing. It turns out it was just bad. The whitefish carpaccio was okay. The seasoning and sauce was too strong for the lightness of the fish. The Chef's combination was a mixed bag. We were expecting some sashimi, and it came with a spicy tuna roll and 8 pieces of heavy wasabi laden sushi. The roll was good. The quality of the sushi was average.
(2)
T S.
This place is amazing, amazing, amazing from the ambiance to the cocktails, to the wait staff and of course its food. As you walk in you feel transported into a high end serene place of fine dining. The lighting is just right, the decor is perfect, they don't miss a beat. I had the lychee martinis as well as the pina huapia (pineapple infused drink) which were both delicious and strong. I followed that with my main course the braised black cod. It was near perfection. I have had this dish before at Nobu, but I think this was probably better. Perfection! Everyone at the table loved all their dishes. Its no wonder Morimoto has the reputation he does, his food is amazing.
(5)
Randy S.
I am very disappointed. I had very high hopes. The best thing about the meal was dessert and the coffee. Other than that it was overpriced. It was kind of a bummer. The dining room was incredibly loud and the wait staff made no effort to tell the drunks at the next table to chill out. Once they left the noise level was reduced but noise is a very big problem here. Our waiter (Paul) was awesome. It's a shame the entrees were a let down.
(2)
Carol M.
Ox Tail Soup! You might not order something like ox tail soup at a fancy restaurant and I'm not quite sure why I did -- but it was out of this world! Also the Calamari salad was great! I would go back for those two things. Expensive yes, but if you just had the soup or the salad for lunch, it would be like any other nice restaurant and the portions are huge! I can't speak for some of the other entrees because I only got side dishes. You need a lot of time to eat here and the service is slow.
(4)
Brigitte P.
This is a super difficult review to write.. If I could rate the food on one scale and the service on another it would be completely different. Let me start with the food.. Every single thing I've tried on the menu has never disappointed.. It's music to my taste buds. I recently tried the Poke and OMG.. A-MAZING.. The presentation alone made me want to keep taking pictures of it all! Definitely really good and worth the price you pay for the FOOD... The service is hit or miss. Sometimes I've been there and you'll get the waiter/waitress that is very attentive and makes the whole experience quite pleasant. But there have been a couple occasions and unfortunately with the same waitress where I myself and my table felt like we weren't ordering the right things. We would ask for one type of sake and after ordering was told of a different (and more expensive) one to order.. All fine and good, but we didn't ask for an opinion.. We found this odd. Making the reservation alone brings along anxiety. I have a lot of friends and we are all very social and like going to places to eat and drink.. On a few occasions I've wanted to make reservations for 10+ and it was a problem of which I would have to settle with the customer relations person, Shannon. I've dealt with this person in the past for a Birthday and it was near impossible to communicate with this woman. It was so frustrating that I was running out of time and finally gave up and booked it at another restaurant with absolutely no problem.. On my last visit, I tried making it for exactly 10 hoping after 4 months they revamped a few kinks. I was told I would have to book through Shannon and based on my previous experience, was not doing that. Changed it to 8 and it was magically ok.. Weird. Long story short, if you can deal with mediocre service and feeling like you have to beg for good service, but enjoy really good food, definitely give it a try. But if you have no tolerance, don't even think about it.
(3)
Jonathon G.
Maybe the finest dining experience I have ever had. Beautiful restaurant, good service, beautiful and interesting food.
(5)
Clarissa M.
This updated review is for our experience renting and dining in the cabana on 4th of July. It was a wonderful experience for the out of town family. We had such a beautiful and perfect table of the view of the fireworks. The service and attention of the staff was superb. The food as always was outstanding. We were able to select the dishes we wanted for special night. It was served family style. The restaurant also made a special dish for my relative who had a very strict diet. We arrived for dinner at 6:00 pm the sun was still very bright but the staff pulled down the shades without any problem and catered to our every needs. This location is perfect for any event that you would like to celebrate or even a corporate meeting. I definitely recommend you give yourself and your loved ones a treat dining in the cabana at Morimoto!
(5)
jean K.
Not just a meal, dining at Morimoto's Waikiki is an experience... Ambiance ~ is chic. Food~ freshness, taste, presentation all top notch. Each thing that came to our table, was better than the last. Topped it off with a few amazing desserts!! Wow~ Pricey for sure... but on those occasions where you are in the mood to splurge...
(5)
Kobu K.
I was very excited to eat here. The interior is very nice. But thats all I can say about it. Here is why I will not be back to this place. Service: There was not many people here and the food took FOREVER to get to our table. Food: Ok.. I often go to many nice restaurants here in Hawaii and when i travel. It seemed like the dishes here was overly thought out and almost seemed to be pushy in taste. Meaning lets just through some crap together and put it on a pretty plate then call it good. I ordered the Duck, Duck, Duck as my main dish. When the plate hit my table I was shocked to see how little food was on the plate. I am very used to small portions from living in Japan but this was ridiculous! The flavor well..wasn't any better than a Chinese food place downtown. Also ordered some sushi which took 30 mins to get to our table for 4 pieces only. The flavor of the sushi I would compare to Yanagi Sushi quality. Which isn't very good in my opinion. Sorry Local people I know you love this place. After dinner we ended up going to Buffalo wild wings because we were still hungry Overall I was extremely disappointed. This place is a big waste of time and money. If you want good Japanese food and the Best! Sushi in Hawaii then I recommend Imanas-Tei behind pucks alley. Bar-none the best Japanese and sushi in hawaii.
(1)
Hikari K.
My hubby brought me here for my birthday, and I have to say...From the moment you walk into Morimoto's your taken back by the decor and ambiance. For starters we ordered the Toro & Hamachi tartar, best thing i've ever ate, definitely love at first bite! Wagyu carpaccio was light and full of flavor..several dishes followed all of which were amazing. If you're a fan of sake, I recommend Morimoto's Preminum 5 year Junmai and Ginjo you won't be disappointed. As if the fabulous food wasn't enough, your dining experience is paired with pure plating fabulousness! You kind of just sit there and admire the beauty of the dish for a minute. If you're looking for amazing food, ambiance and top notch service Morimoto's is def. the place.
(5)
Kate R.
A-MAZING. Well worth every penny. Morimoto's is unreal - every time I go (I've been 3 times now) I get their 'White Lily' drink - try it! I highly recommend their rock shrimp, too. So tasty. Oh, and they have a secret dessert that's only available at night and by request - called "The Breakfast of Champions" - it features BACON. Yum.
(5)
Jermel-Lynn Q.
This place is first off very pricey but the great thing is the intimate atmosphere that I had experienced. The food was also so delish. This was my first time here and I thought that it was great. At first though, the person the hostess was really sassy and was also rude to other customers. However, back to food. You have to try their desserts! OMG, the best dessert I've ever tasted. Their cocktails too, really generous amount of alcohol but you can't even tell. :) I thin that this place needs to train their hostesses as well to know a little bit of conversational Japanese in order to help accommodate their customers.
(4)
Shelley V.
We have been to Morimotos 5 times now and absolutely love dining here. The food is impeccable and the service to match. Friday night we had the following dishes: Toro Tartare. A personal fave Pork Gzoya with bacon foam. Hot damn Oysters. So good Pork Kakuni with congee. This makes me want to crawl into the bowl and nap. Negitori rolls Hamachitori rolls Eel avocado rolls Tekka makki rolls Miso soup Lots of drinks We Morimoto ever since our first visit to the NY one that took 3 hours for our leisurely dining experience!!
(5)
Lora H.
Dear Chef Morimoto-san. I love your restaurant. I love watching you on Iron Chef. I finally had a chance to do breakfast at your restaurant on Sunday and was so excited. The flavors of the food of course did not disappoint. However, and this is a BIG HOWEVER... the service was terrible. First of all, the restaurant was empty. I mean seriously, there were only about 5 tables filled. It took forever for someone to take our order. Then it took forever to bring our food out. It took forever to fill our water. It took forever to get our coffees refilled. I just don't understand. It's not the level of service that you come to expect at Chef Morimoto's restaurant. I can understand if the restaurant was bustling with people, but it was an extremely slow day. It was just inexcusable. And our food was cold by the time it came out. But because I love your restaurant, I of course will come back, but really, please work with your staff. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
(3)
Meagan H.
Morimoto is always a success! A beautiful atmosphere, and amazing service! The food was really good, especially the tofu they prepare at your table!
(5)
John S.
This place was a huge disappointment. The food was nothing special, and the service unpolished. We expected much more. Shrimp appetizer was soggy. Salt crusted fingerling potatoes were bland, dried out, and NOT seasoned, let alone salt crusted. Angry chicken entree was bland and uninspired. Our server was unpolished and not interested in our concerns. We will not return.
(2)
Courtney O.
I've eaten here for lunch and for dinner. The service is always great. I love the ambiance of the place. The presentation of the food is definitely five star. Sitting outside during the daytime and sipping a drink as you take in the breathtaking view is a wonderful experience. As for the food... uh... it's okay. For dinner one night we got the tuna tartar (wonderful yet very expensive and small!), chicken noodle soup (large but very expensive for broth and noodles!), and other various appetizers and entrees. All were done up very beautiful but I wasn't that impressed with the taste of everything and price. For lunch we had the lobster melt (okay), and the chicken katsu sandwich (the katsu sauce was not tasty at all and there was not enough of it). Lunch is much more reasonably priced however I still was not impressed by the taste of the food! Both sandwiches came with japanese pickles, wasabi french fries, and a salad. The salad was of the spring greens variety which I'm not a fan of. The best thing I ate had to be the wasabi french fries! They were really delicious! I recommend getting a side of them and a drink, then maybe going somewhere else to eat after... Valet parking is free with validation. The bathrooms are a little bit far from the restaurant.
(3)
Jacquie M.
Ordered Omakase. Food was fabulous. 7 courses of deliciousness. Would recommend to anyone. Would do it all over again.
(5)
Vanessa M.
We checked in excited and ready for a nice romantic honeymoon dinner and instead we were treated like... We were told that since we did not have reservations there was a wait, which we were fine with except when we went to the bar to have a seat we saw that the entire restaurant was empty. Only 3 tables with ppl. We thought that was odd but waited. Other ppl checked in n were immediate seated (must had reservations). Waited 15 mins n check back with host n they said a little longer. Got 2nd drink and restaurant is still pretty much empty. I ended up getting on my phone n made a reservation for 5 mins. This was just silly. Food was ok, way to expensive for what it is. Didn't really taste all that great. Not bad but expected much better. Presentation of food was nice
(2)
Jordan V.
I read some of these reviews and was a little skeptical but I enjoyed everything we ordered! Yes it's a bit pricey but I had awesome service and for special occasions it was totally worth it in my opinion. Try the crispy rock shrimp tempura appitzer and the rib eye sooo good!
(5)
Elise C.
Worst experience ever. Seriously you couldn't pay me to come back. Terrible atmosphere, terrible service and so-so food. Not surprisingly it was completely empty, Exorbitantly expensive for the quality. Had asked for an 8pm reservation outside and they told us it could only be 8:45pm and if we wanted outside it would be a further hour wait. NO ONE was there...we ended up staying until kitchen closed and no one came to claim the tables that was supposedly occupied. The hostess gave us some BS excuse as to why we couldn't sit where we requested...something about not wanting to overwhelm the kitchen and thereby delaying our food. Um just FYI we would have ordered the SAME food wherever we sat.
(1)
Clarence L.
Love IC Morimoto and have enjoyed his food at Austin W&F fest and his restaurant in Philly. This experience was average. Small crowd for Sat 7p.m. Had four courses plus dessert that were good but not jaw dropping and server seemed a bit distracted. Overall still a solid meal but expected more. Restaurant is nicely laid out and offers lots of seating options. Will go back and try to order better :-)
(3)
Lin L.
This review is based only on eating sushi/sashimi here. Yes, I understand you come to a place like this to order fish/steak or something fancy. But was disappointed at the sushi restaurant we ate the night before and wanted to fill my craving. Service is excellent, beer and sake good. Ordered an IPA that wasn't on the menu. Ordered the chef's raw bar combo ($80), sushi combo ($45) and the Chirashi. The raw combo was pretty good, but the oysters were awesome. It went really went down hill from here. The sushi combo was average, but the Chirashi was one of the poorest Ive ever had. Pieces were small, chopped up with some veggies. They tried to make it too fancy. Don't think I'll be coming back here. The regular menu didn't really interest me either.
(2)
Noreen L.
So we sit at a table this time. We ordered a la cart and opened a bottle of wine. Our server was excellent. He brought out new dishes every time our order came out on the perfect timing. Food was excellent and fresh. I truly liked the homemade ice cream, almost licked the plate!! I will definitely go back there again!
(4)
Michael A.
The food was not good nor was the menu that interesting. Fish did not taste fresh. Rolls were boring. A $14 glass of wine was about 3 sips. And it was really expensive. When a dinner for 2 is $300, you should feel like you had an incredible dining experience, and it wasn't. This was mediocre at best. The service was the only good thing that evening. There are so many other incredible dining options in Honolulu, I recommend not wasting your time here unless you like being ripped off and underwhelmed. Also, they have a "dress code." When we called to ask if nice jeans were ok, the hostess snootily said they were not. However, when we got there dressed to the nines, I saw several people wearing jeans, shorts, and flips flops. To Morimoto - please don't be snooty about your dress code if you are not going to enforce it.
(2)
Alyssa M.
This place is like a bad movie. You see a preview to a movie & it looks REALLY good...but then you go & after you watch the movie it's like "this sucked, WASTE OF MONEY". My bf & i did not know where Morimoto's Waikiki was, OR the Edition Hotel. We called the restaurant & this girl was TRYING to give me directions. She would say "turn left on McCully, then turn right INTO Waikiki"... 1. If you turn left on McCully then turn right, you LEAVE Waikiki & head towards Ala Moana. 2. After we turned on McCully she says "oh wait, nvm try go...wait hold on" & she puts me on f*cken hold. She has another girl try & give us directions who is giving us not BIG, WELL KNOWN landmarks...shit like "The ABC on that corner" or "McDonalds" hellooo...its WAIKIKI, they're EVERYWHERE! We finally find the place & we're like 15mins late to our reservation. We get snobbed by the 2 hostess' at the front (*bitches). We got sat at a table & never met our waitress until 15minutes later when she asked what drinks do we want? Then another 10 minutes go by, we finally get our drinks. My bf asked her what would she recommend from the menu? (bad idea) she fricken read almost EVERY single entree/appetizer in the menu. I had to cut her off & just tell her what i wanted, which was the first thing she talked about. then 30 minutes later we GET OUR FOOD! The bust boy was i think the nicest & most helpful person in that place. We asked if we could move 2 table together, & he asked around & came & moved our 2 tables together & took the plates away. $50 for a 8oz filet, $4 for a SMALL bowl of rice. crazy prices for the amount of food you get. i think in reality, you're not necessarily paying for the QUALITY, you're paying for their PRESENTATION. after we ate our $107 meal...we WERE going to order dessert but the waitress came around about another 30 minutes after our plates were taken away. we asked for the bill & that took another 10 minutes. $5 tip. YUP. sorry. BAD SERVICE. & you could get the same quality of food almost ANYWHERE. remember...you're paying for the PRESENTATION! (*not worth it)
(3)
Mary H.
Five of us arrived for a Birthday celebration and asked for Arnold Palmers for two people (lemonade and ice tea mixed). The bartender not only informed us they don't have lemonade but he was unwilling to accommodate our simple request. The bartender went on to bad mouth us for getting a manager involved, to a guest at the bar. Next the server presented sushi but it was not what we had ordered. What? To top off the evening, a female manager presented my hot fish bowl which is cooked table side with her hair hanging over my food she was preparing the bowl. Ewww...I did not eat and I commented on her hair being over my food. She called over a busboy from clearing a table to finish my presentation. Worst service ever, out of control bartender. Managers who don't know how to wear hair in a food service environment.
(1)
Grant U.
First time and it was for lunch...service, atmospher was great...disappointed in the food and value...all you are paying for is an elegant trendy presentation of japanese food..highly overated and prices are way too high
(3)
Masumi K.
This place is exceptionally good in its own way. The food presentation is very well put and the food is delicious. This place can get very busy, thus slowing down table service a bit. The staff here is very friendly though. When you come here be sure to expect a table check over $100 or more. And definitely be sure to try their LOBSTER MELT! Coming here for breakfast, lunch, or dinner is good but it isn't a MUST. The atmosphere in here is simply gorgeous and I love it. Perfect for those anniversary dinners. Parking here is VALET only but is complimentary courtesy of Morimoto's. The table reservation for this place is very odd and ridiculous if you ask me. You call them to make a 'reservation' to RESERVE you a table. But they call you a week or so before your reservation date and tell you that they are committed to satisfying their customers. And they said that they would like it if their customers would show a side of commitment as well. So they ask for my credit card number over the phone. Of course, the first thing that came to my mind was "Why in the world do you need my credit card number?" and over the phone for that matter. They said to me, "We sincerely apologize. But it is in our policy that when you call to make a reservation for a table we just take and hold your credit card so you are 100% guaranteed a table no matter what." This seems completely odd to me because isn't that why I called them in the first place to MAKE a reservation for a table? And I definitely do not like giving credit card information over the telephone since it can easily be tapped into and privacy can be breached. The lady said that she can guarantee me that my information will be safe. And in case you all are probably wondering, if you cancel or cannot show up for your reservation they do not charge your credit card. But if you do notice some suspicious card activity popping up on your statements then you know where to turn to.
(3)
Bach H.
Iron Chef Morimoto reigns supreme! We had such a lovely time at this restaurant while we were on vacay in Waikiki. The ambiance is gorgeous. The sunset is magnificent! The food was delish. My absolute favorite was the oyster foie gras appetizer. Coming from California, I am deprived of my foie gras, so I was ecstatic to see this on the menu. It was absolute heaven! We also ordered the pork belly appetizer special, toro, uni, whole fried fish [sea bass], and the yellowtail bimbimbop type of dish... I forget the exact name. Everything was wonderful. The uni was super-fresh! It was my boyfriend's first uni experience, so I am happy to say he loved it. The staff was friendly and helpful. Thanks, Morimoto's! We had such a spectacular time at your restaurant!
(5)
David B.
Last night was my 1st at Morimotos. Must say that it did not live up to it's name. I wouldn't mind the price at all if this place could back it up with some top service and some mind blowing dishes. But that was not the case... It was a big let down for me. You are paying for the name, it's location, and it's decor. I forgot the name of my dish, but it was basically the bouillabaisse. Also ordered the Kakuni appetizer, and duck duck duck. All were just, OK. Bouillabaisse was tasty, a little over spiced in my opinion and the quality of the seafood they used was ok. They give you 6 tiny slices (Chips size) of dried up bread. Which is no where near enough to enjoy the broth. When I asked for more they told me it would be $3.50 for more. RIDICULOUS! those little bits of bread is not worth it! This really irritated me... Duck duck duck, to sum it up was just pretty boring. Kakuni, was a rip off! $16 for one slice of pork on a little rice soup. This Kakuni was way too sweet. Very American style in my opinion and not close to the taste of Japanese kakuni which is so much more nicely flavored. Service was just standard of restaurant service. So in my opinion it was a turn off. I've been to cheaper restaurants that provided better service.... Last when we got the bill, came to find out the sparkling water which was offered to us when we sat down, which seemed like complementary was not. They charged $7 a glass for this! And they just walked around in a glass pitcher so you just assumed this was a standard complimentary water. This threw everyone off, If you are going to charge us we should know about it. Or you should be dropping a bottle of sparkling water on the table. I thought this was such a rip off move by the restaurant.
(2)
Jon W.
This is a beautiful restaurant in a beautiful setting. There are high points on the menu that are 5 star + like the white fish carpaccio, oysters with foie and uni and the lobster with gara masala. There were some 4 star dishes like the pizza, pastrami sushi and the beignets stuffed with abalone. Then there were the simple dishes like the poke that came in at 2 stars which is hard to imagine. The service started off a little spotty but got better as the restaurant came to life. The sake flights were "interesting" as they included a sweet plum wine on one and a cloyingly sweet sake on the other one as the final tasting. I'm not sure who spreads a sake flight over an entire dinner, but the 4th dessert taste was wasted with me. That was dinner. For breakfast, we ordered the Japanese breakfast which included house made tofu that included different side dishes and a soft boiled egg. As Japanese breakfasts go, it was a 5 star experience.
(4)
Christina G.
Wow. Really impressed by this Iron Chef restaurant! The food was great, I was here with a big party and everyone loved what they got. One friend got the prix fixe menu and she loved it and it looked amazing. Service was fine and it was a beautiful trendy spot. We had a great time.
(4)
Gloria C.
We dined there yesterday for my brother's birthday and overall the meal was pleasant. The lunch specials and the glasses of champagne were a bit pricey for me but thats what you expect from a fine-dining restaurant in Waikiki. It was good to go there once to experience the ambiance for special occasions such as this. Otherwise, they need to have better price points in order to have me as an frequent repeater.
(4)
Christopher-desiree G.
IRON CHEF!!! Loved it! My husband brought me here for our first anniversary and I realized why we got married! First of all, the environment was clean and very neat. I absolutely loved the service we got. They answered our questions, gave us some tips on how to eat certain dishes, and let us know what items were popular. Second, their are 3 different menus! One for wines and drinks, one for the appetizers and entrees, and another for desserts. What to choose??? Since we couldn't decide, and this is why I know our love will last... Was to hit the appetizers. We decided that everything looked so good that we MUST COME BACK AGAIN to try the other things. We ordered the whitefish carpaccio, kakuni, spicy tuna maki, Morimoto poke. ALL WERE OH SO YUMMY! So I can't tell you which was our favorite. They all were. No wonder he's an Iron Chef! Ok, so the environment was awesome, the food was awesome, and the service was awesome. It was just an awesome night.
(5)
Koren D.
Only one word comes to mind - LACKLUSTER. Had dinner there last night and both my husband and I had the omakase menu. What a huge disappointment. Every dish lacked in flavor and while our server was sweet, the kitchen sometimes took up to 15 minutes between courses. Really?? Did I mention how the tables are on top of each other as well? By far the worst tasting menu we have ever had at a "5 star" restaurant.
(1)
Barb L.
The hotel we stayed at recommended them SO many times.....we wondered if they were getting kickbacks.....hahahaaaa..... Our last full day in Honolulu, we thought...we've been eating whatever so many days, let's just have a really good meal! We made a wrong turn...took us longer than expected...but we got there. The place was empty! We had to wait for the "hostess" to seat us.... The service was a little interesting....I would have gladly given 4 stars, if they were not that "interesting"....not sure if it was snootiness or whatever it is... Our daughter ordered the mini burgers - 5 stars Calamari salad - 2-3 stars...the fried calamari was a little too greasy for us... Nigiri sushi - 4-5 stars, toro was 5 stars.... Overall, we had a nice meal...just not the 5 star service I expected :)
(3)
Marck N.
When I found out that Morimoto opened a restaurant in Oahu, I had to try it out.I enjoyed the New York restaurant and wanted to see if this one would be the same. Arrived here for lunch and it was fairly empty, though there was a lot of people in the kitchen doing their work. The feel of the restaurant is very airy, lots of space. More of an LA scene than New York, definitely not a Hawaii feel. The menu contained some of the same items from the New York restaurant. I decided on the live octopus sashimi for an appetizer and the Kakuni don (10 hour braised pork don). My partner had the waygu loco moco. The live octopus wasn't what I expected, as I was expecting the meat to still be wiggling. But it wasn't. The taste was quite different. Very sweet and delicate. A must to try. The Kakuni don was delicious. The sauce that its served in is very savory and tasty. It made me want to lick my empty bowl clean. Tasting my partners waygu beef loco moco, the gravy tasted like Hungarian goulash, very creamy and heavy. Not your regular loco moco. I wouldn't order it, hence my lick the bowl comment above. The staff was very attentive from our waitress to the bus boys. Everyone was very courteous, asking how everything was. All glasses were filled and refilled. It is pricey for lunch. If you do go, consider it a little splurge from the regular plate lunch places all over.
(4)
Glenn G.
I always enjoy dining at Morimoto Waikiki. Being a value diner I prefer a series of appitizers over entrees. That way you can leave satisfied for about $50/person. Favorites are: Tuna Pizza - a crispy tortilla covered with lots of ahi sashimi Crispy Rock Shrimp Tempura with excellent sauces Yose Dofu - table side prepared fresh tofu
(5)
Kevin L.
Went there and was presently surprised. Food was a little expensive but worth it. Morimoto was there and taking pictures with anyone that walked up to him. He was very polite and humble. He defiantly represented well for Iron Chef.
(4)
Jerry E.
Sashimi presentation was unspectacular, and didn't measure up to the iron chef reputation as one would expect. Also, the seafood combo was average at best; however, the takoyakni made with Kona abalone was superb. I highly recommend to give it a try. A few observations: 1) the entrance door to the place was unremarkable (not standing out), 2) tables are seated too close on the lanai/patio, offering minimal privacy for conversation, 3) prices are much higher than competitors with no noticeable difference, and 4) the price for their small, lukewarm expresso was too exorbitant, something one should avoid at all cost, because it simply wasn't worth having it. It will unequivocally further ruining your expensive night out.
(2)
Piyo S.
5 stars all the way Interior design: 5 stars Food: 5 stars Customer service: 5 stars There is nothing to complain about MORIMOTO Waikiki, food is always great, service is superb, and I love the modern interior design of this restaurant, it reminds me the living room of my house, as if they copyed my living room!? The sashimi quality is unbelievable, it melts like a butter in my mouth, the fish is never fishy like other Japanese restaurants. I have wonderful time @ MORIMORO everytime. A Message to Morimoto-san: Hawaii niwa mezurashii subetega kanpekina omise dato omoimasu. Ro-karuno akueikyouwo ukezuni, Itsumademo nihon reberu no hinshituwo ki-pu shite kudasaine!
(5)
Diana A.
Food was amazing!! Service was horrible , we never got a refill on drinks. Anything we needed we waived down Other help.Waiter seemed to more attention to everyone but us. We were super excited and left soo disappointed.
(2)
Ryan M.
Took my gf here on our anniversary. The service was great. our waitress really was awesome and very pleasant to talk to and had some great recommendations. knocks is that its SUPER loud in there so hard to have a romantic conversation. for appetizers we ended up getting the morimoto sashimi which i didn't like. it came with 5 different sauces to try, but the sashimi itself was layered and kind of blended all the flavors together. i personally enjoy eating the fish to taste the diffference. the sauces weren't anything to write home about either. we ordered drinks as well and the one that stood out was the yuzu mixed drink my gf had. i kept stealing it from her to taste. the appetizer came out within minutes of ordering, very impressive, but then the main entree took probably 30-40 minutes to come out which was exemplified by the shortness of the first course. the waitress gave us another round of drinks for the wait which was a great touch, but the kitchen was deifnitely backed up. the restaurant was full so i can understand but still a little too long for entrees. gf had the surf and turf. the steak au jus was amazing and the foam on the poke was yummy (ponzu) but the poke itself wasn't special. i had duck 3 ways and the best part was sadly the soup with meatballs. the other duck dishes were yummy but weren't memorable. there were spring rolls which was just okay but i've had duck spring rolls before that were delicious and the duck breast was good but i've had better as well. dessert wasn't great either as the description didn't match the plate. they had mentioned kona coffee ice cream and came out with vanilla. the nice thing was there was a coffee liquer drink that i had that was a nice finish to a pretty decent dinner. for the price i'd say its a great place for a fancy dinner but not somewhere i'd go back to. they do have an awesome outdoor fire pit that i didn't get to show to my gf, so maybe drinks outside would be a reason to go back.
(3)
Chris F.
2.5 is about where I sit right now. If the price point was lower is could easily be 3.5. The service was a bit sloppy and not what you'd expect at a place where your bill will look like it did if you really try to enjoy yourself here. As everyone says, decor is cool, presentation is very different and innovative. Some of the dishes are very good, but none worth the $. You could have much better Asian food all over this island and have much cleaner and more attentive service from professionals. This is not a shot at anyone who works there as I think they all worked to the best of what they were taught. Maybe it's just me, but when I spend that kind of cash, I expect to not want for anything. For example, "I wish a had a new plate to share this next appetizer." is a thought I don't think should cross my mind anywhere that I will spend $287 for a 4 top.
(2)
Maria K.
My husband and I celebrated our anniversary at what was formerly "The Edition" back in August. We decided to eat at Morimoto for our anniversary dinner and had the hotel set up our reservation. When we arrived, we were quickly seated. The staff was friendly and the service was decent, however so many different people came to our table it was hard to determine who was our actually server. The food was good, however a little on the pricey side for what you get. The table next to us was celebrating a birthday, and they brought out a birthday desert with writing on the plate. I noticed this from our table and thought it was a nice touch, however when the end of our meal came, there was no celebratory "anniversary" desert. I figured they must not do this for anniversaries, but on the way out I asked the hostess and she informed me that yes they do send deserts out for anniversaries. She then told us she had informed our server it was our anniversary when we sat down and that he must have forgotten. She apologized for him; however it kind of disappointed me that they "forgot". It's really not that big of a deal, but when you spend that much for dinner it's the small things that stand out. Both my husband and I left a bit disappointed in our experience.
(3)
K N.
Went to Morimoto for the first time. I wasn't as impressed as I thought I would be but I'm giving it four stars because there were a few things that were really interesting. We started off with the toro tartare which comes with several sauce including sour cream, guacamole, wasabi, and ponzu sauce to name a few. The toro was interestingly good with the sour cream. We also tried several other appetizers. The rock shrimp tempura was really good. I preferred the wasabi aioli which was a bit on the sweeter side and my husband preferred the kochijan which he said tasted sort of like buffalo wings. The shrimp was accompanied by a coconut ranch which added a light texture and sweet taste to the fried shrimp. The calamari salad was mediocre. It was served with a miso dressing which I found to be lacking in sugar; it was more on the salty side and I think I would have preferred the crunchy and fried calamari with something less heavy and salty in taste. The yose dofu was really neat; prepared table-side. It was soft, hot and different from store-bought tofu. My FAVORITE dish of the entire night was the kakuni which is a very tender, sweet, yet salty pork that literally melts in your mouth. I was so good I could have eaten that alone as an entree. The pork pork pork entree was pretty good (pork served three ways; one dish was a sort-of duck french onion soup) and the fried fluke was really crispy and tasty. The fluke was probably one of the best fried fish I've tried. We weren't in a raw fish mood so I think we will go there again to try more of their raw dishes.
(4)
Pat J.
we took a distinguished guest to the restaurant about which we had heard great things. one of us ordered the tasting menu and the other 3 ordered 3 dishes each. so, first the positive comments: the food was exquisite, beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. the tempura salad, crab miso soup, oxtail soup, wagyu carpacchio and all sushis were delicious. now the bad stuff, our guest who ordered the tasting menu received only 4 of the 9 promised selections in a 31/2 hour period. the service was beyond dreadful. we were seated and given only 3 menus, our drinks were ordered but didnt come for at least 25 min when we were ready to order dinner, when one of us asked for the wine list, a selection of wines was named by the waitperson but no list was brought. when the third selection that two of us had ordered had not shown up after 3 hrs, we finally found our waitperson to ask and were told the kitchen had made an error and the order had been given to someone else. in other words, the service was unacceptable. To their credit when we spoke to the manager our meal was completely comped. This happened on a Tuesday, the restaurant was packed and clearly they did not have staff properly trained. It was really a shame and we sincerely hope they get their act together so that we can return and enjoy the spectacular food.
(2)
Irene C.
Loved this restaurant! Decor was simple but elegant. Outside seating is also great with views of the marina. Food was excellent. I was told that the sushi was average so we ordered a few appetizers, main entrees and desserts. Here is what we got: Cold appetizer: Tuna pizza - tuna sashimi on a thin cracker crust with thin slices of onions, thin slices of jalapenos and baby cilantro. This was delicious. Hot appetizer: Rock shrimp - two different kinds of rock shrimp served with a coconut ranch dipping sauce. Very good and highly recommended. Entrees: Duck, duck, duck - duck served three different ways. Duck meatball soup, duck confit eggroll and thick slices of tender duck. This dish my mother-in-law ordered. She said this dish was average. Not too impressed with this dish and she loooooooves duck. Surf and turf - prime filet with tuna sashimi, served with a potato puree. This dish was sooooo good. Everything was very good. Seafood Toban Yaki - my husband ordered this dish and really loved it. It is on the spicer side so if you don't like spicy, have them prepare with less spice. Desserts: Choco peanut cake and the semi freddo. Both were very delicious. Light in sugar so you felt like you could have more and more! Choco peanut dessert had a 24-carat gold flake on it. Very fancy. Yummy too!! I went into this restaurant expecting to pay a lot. Total of two appetizers, three entrees, and two desserts, plus drinks, our tab came out to around $200. But hey, I'm on vacation!!!
(4)
Marty R.
My husband would have rated this place a little better than me, but he can write his own review. Here's why I'm giving it only three stars: 1 - be sure to order a specialty cocktail, especially one of the ones with shochu and yuzu, like the White Lily or the Kai Kiss. They're wonderful, delicate and tasty. They're priced high and come only in standard martini-size, but they're still worth it, they're so good. 2 - the decor is lovely. The chairs are very 'moderne', but comfortable and the color palatte is again, delicate and lovely. We had a 9pm res, and were only two of a few on the patio under the fairy lights and were the last to leave, it was pretty romantic. 3 - the service is so-so. Our first attendant (don't know if he was a bus boy or a server) was very friendly, but didn't make it clear that we were going to be charged for the bottle of water he was bringing ($7) and then proceeded to spray the woman at the next table with it when he opened it and then spilled half of it on our table during the pour. Because we lost 1/2 of it, we had to order another and were not compensated for the loss of the 1st bottle. Also, our actual order-taker was not very helpful in steering us with good suggestions, describing the dishes and helping us to not over-order. She was no help. I refrained from ordering a pricey entree and stuck to a couple of appetizers, still over-ordered and over-spent. 4 - I tried to question her about the sushi, in particular as the selections were pretty standard (crab & avocado, eel & avocado, softshell crab maki, tuna nigiri) and for the higher prices was trying to determine if the Morimoto 'touch' was going to make them more special in some way. It doesn't. HINT: if you can't discern what's a homemade soy sauce from a bottle of good Kikkoman, or can't recognize when a grain of rice is 'hand-polished', then stay away from ordering the sushi. You won't find it any better than you'll find at your favorite hometown sushi restaurant for 1/2 the price. 5 - However, DO order the magyu beef carpaccio! It's like buttah, and you'll be scarfing it down wishing you had another 1/2 lb of it. Also, the sashimi caesar salad, which my husband had, was very special and definitely worth ordering. The two of these items together would have made a very nice light meal. NOTE: I just checked out the photos here and they show the magyu beef "tartare" with a pretty cauliflower souffle and bits of cauliflower with it. I did not get the dish that looked like that. I got ONLY the beef with hot oil. Now I'm feeling even more ripped off. 6 - the miso soup was just okay. It was very delicate (unfortunately lacking in the stronger miso flavor that I order the soup for in other restaurants). 7 - ANOTHER HINT: be sure to tell them in your Open Table reservation that it's a special day of some kind and they'll treat you with a small scoop of some ice cream or sorbet on a pretty plate. We also ordered the roasted pineapple cake with pineapple 'salsa' and it was very good. 8 - All in all, I wish I had foregone the appetizers (except the carpaccio) and gone with the crispy skin salmon (which they were out of by the time we arrived), the steak or the surf and turf. I think I would have been happier for having eaten in a Morimoto restaurant if I had done that. Come to think of it, I've eaten at four Food Network allstars restaurants (Bobby Flay, Guy Fieri, Morimoto, Tyler Florence) and only Guy Fieri did not dissappoint. But that's another review...
Been there twice. Once to have drinks with my husband and the other was a company dinner. Wasn't impressed....both times. The first time, I just had drinks and sushi...nothing special and my husband had a beer that was 32 bucks. Something we couldve got at Tamura's for way less. And as for the second time. Well I ordered fish,....I though it was going to be like a filet thing....NO! It was the WHOLE FISH!! And it was staring at me and it looked MAD....haha. Just couldn't do it....I ended up going home HUNGRY. Oh...and I was told by everyone that I asked that I didn't get what I ordered.....
(3)
Mary B.
I was a guest of the Modern and was treated to a complete tasting menu. All I can say is the food was amazingly prepared and it was quite a task to complete the dessert. Braised black cod, the angry chicken moist and succulent, tuna pizza who would have thought this could exist, and the assorted nigiri and maki sushi exceptionally fresh. This was Friday night and next door the fireworks could be seen from the deck. The haupia semifreddo and chocolate caramel tart presentation was over the top. We were also served the white lily cocktail in a sexy martini glass. The service was impeccable and the waiters explained every dish and it's components. What a treat in Waikiki!
(5)
Hannah H.
I felt like I was just living a nightmare, but no, I just had dinner with my mother at Morimoto. This is my second time dining here (and I've had takeout several times). We booked a 5:30 reservation on Open Table and as we arrived I requested an outdoor table. The Hostess appeared annoyed and escorted us back to the lobby, told us to sit down, and explained that she needed to talk to the Hostess about seating. Wait, I thought she was the Hostess????? Note: It was 5:30 the restaurant was DEAD. I'm an early bird eater. After several minutes the frazzled girl came back to us and escorted us to a table outside. My mom and I each ordered a glass of the Pino Grigio ($12 per glass) and my goodness it looked like we were just drinking samplers of the wine. Next we ordered the Crab Rolls, Shrimp Tempura, and California Rolls. The waiter rolled his eyes as I placed our order and seemed incredibly frustrated that yes, this is all we wanted to eat for dinner. My mom and I felt incredibly embarrassed and neither of us were ever treated so poorly in our entire lives. He said he would leave the menu if we wanted to order more after we made it clear that our order would suffice. Please, 18 pieces of Sushi between two skinny women is plenty. No I don't want to order any thing else off the menu; raw fish doesn't appeal to me. Yuck. The sushi didn't take too long but we felt that we've had better; it tasted like it had been sitting around from lunch time. The one time our waiter asked us if we needed anything else my mom asked for more "Pickle Ginger" as we were given a teeny tiny amount that wouldn't even cover one roll. Needless to say, during our 45 minute dining nightmare the Ginger never arrived and the waiter never checked in with us again. Now, I have dined at many fancy expensive restaurants, please I lived in LA for four years and have dined with and among celebrities, and I will tell you that I have never been treated this way in my entire life. Not only was there a terrible atmosphere among the restaurant and staff, but there were several guys on either side of our table shining plates and glasses. Akward. It amazes me that more attention was given to the glasses and silverware than the diners in the restaurant. My advice to you is don't walk from Morimoto, RUN!!!!! I will never, ever, EVER dine at Morimoto again and I do not recommend it. My family and I are from SF, but we own property across the street from this restaurant and we will continue to spread the word. There are so many outstanding restaurants in Waikiki so I won't shed any tears on this one. I hope Management can get their priorities in order (and focus on the diners and the whole dining experience) or this place will continue to sink faster than the Titanic.
(1)
natasha m.
I went to eat there on Valentines day. My overall opinion was Alright. The place is pretty fancy and nice, but the food was okay. We got the scallops, lobster, and steamed salmon. The food was way too pricy for the amount of food.
(3)
Larry B.
I didn't ever think I'd be the kind of guy who used words like surreal and transcendent when it came to a meal or a dish. I guess it's because in this world of fast food, slow food, fine food and everything in between, we often forget what really good food tastes like. Morimoto represents a new standard of restaurant in Hawaii much like the advent of new technology, lap tops turning into ipads, and big bulky TVs becoming less than an inch thick, it will no longer be enough for places like Alan Wongs to charge big money for really small bites of food. I think having restaurants in NYC and dealing with that level of competition, really helps an establishment to get out of the small town mentality that Hawaii often produces, and allows the resturant and chef to compete on an international stage. But enough about that, let's get to the food. Sushi was immaculate. Best aji and scallop nigiri I have ever tasted. Ever! Shockingly good lamb carpaccio, ruby red with scallions garlic and chive oil. Ahi pastrami, raw and crusted with spice, balanced by an unexpected and delightful combination of creme freshe and dried sweet olives. Like the restaurants bright decor of whites and lime greens, everything sort of comes together in harmony with the browns of the wood floors and the blue of the sky and harbor outside on the observation deck. I see myself here on a Saturday sipping sake and beer while getting a bite to eat before heading to the new club they are going to have in the hotel as well. Moving on, the king crab legs on the ap menu were succulent and spicy, and I think the star of the show was the cod. Sweet, fresh, and strangely went really well with my kona ipa. It was as if the Iron Chef himself had been the one preparing every dish, slaving away in his lab like clean kitchen producing these jewels of flavor just for us. Oh snap he was. That's right, Morimoto was back there overseeing the kitchen, and to insure your in good hands when he's not in town his executive chef for the Waikiki location was one of the guys battling beside him for food supremacy in kitchen stadium for years. See what I mean about surreal! They officially open on the 28th of September. Try to get there before the month long waiting list begins.
(5)
Gayle N.
Loved the look! The drinks are over-rated and over-priced. We (2) were there for about 35 minutes and had 3 cocktails and one piece each sushi which I must say tasted over-priced. I could have gotten the same "quality" at a better price had I gone to Shirokiya. Will think twice before going there ever again. Got to have that moola and not be afraid to use it!
(2)
Michelle N.
Took my mom to dinner here tonight and she said everything was excellent! From the service to the food & I couldn't agree with her more!! We ordered hamachi tacos, kakuni, wagyu carpaccio, oyster foie gras, takoyaki, seafood tobanyaki, and Australian wagyu filet. Personally the oyster foie gras was my favorite! My mom couldn't pick because she loved everything! She said it was the best meal she had in years! We will definitely be coming back in the near future.
(5)
Rick B.
Great place for sushi and drinks.
(4)
Hellsaint D.
went for breakfest, decent but pricey
(3)
Kevin C.
It's pricey, but it's damn good.
(4)
Patrick O.
Food was just OK. I was expecting it to be really great. Our party of four ordered 3 appetizers the calamari Salad (which was very good) three of the signature dishes to be served family style and three desserts. We also had two presses of coffee after dinner and several cocktails and a bottle of wine. Our bill was$422 which I thought was reasonable for what we ordered ($500 with tip.) What surprised me was the lack of service at this place. There was enough staff but IMHO they were not well trained. None of the servers had any proper table skills. When I asked that the table side preparation of yellowtail "Buri Bop" be served, the young kid just kind of looked at me and said "well there's a spoon and fork on the table for you". Undeterred, I asked our waitress if she wouldn't mind portioning out the entree so we could all experience the dish, she hesitated but fumbled her way through and got each of us a fairly equal portion by scraping it from the bowl to each plate. Unfortunately it was just not the experience I was expecting. Food was basically just tossed on the table any old way and no care was taken to serve from the proper side or clear from the proper side, etc. GREAT LOCATION- We arrived at sunset on a Friday evening and sat in the outdoor lounge area while waiting for our table. We enjoyed the comfortable seating area the great cocktails and appetizer and of course the Friday evening fireworks were a big hit. I would return here for drinks and PUPU's but probably not for dinner. Just too much hype and too high priced for a very subpar dining experience. I expected more Morimoto San
(3)
Daniel L.
Amazing food, great service, great ambiance - 10s all around. I especially liked the appetizers - the sashimi salad was fantastic.
(5)
Sharelle C.
Ate here last night. Very nice atmosphere on the inside and outside was very cozy as there were couches next to the small center fireplaces. Dinner for two including tip was about $200 with drinks, appetizers, entrees, and desserts. The Ginja Lychee martini was very good. My boyfriend ordered his usual beer (Sapporo and Beach Bikini Blonde). The maki sushi was common. I think next time we'll order the sashimi instead. The poke was very rich and flavorful. For entrees, we ordered the Seafood Toban Yaki and the Surf & Turf. The toban yaki was a little spicy but in a good way. The spicy red-miso sake broth complimented the seafood nicely along with some toasted bread to dip into the broth. According to my boyfriend, the surf and turf was the best prime filet he's ever tasted. The sweet potato puree with salt crusted fingerlings was a nice balance to the dish along with the morimoto style poke. For dessert, we ordered morimoto's green tea blend (a nice palette clenser) with the tofu hot and cold for my boyfriend and the chocolate caramel dessert (not listed on the website dessert menu). The hot and cold tofu was interesting. It was sweet and the flavors balanced. The chocolate caramel dessert was gooey but in a good way. Both desserts came with dehydrated chocolate that simple melts at the touch of your toungue. The service was very on point, polite, and we enjoyed our overall experience. we will definitely be returning here over and over again. Oh and if you're lucky, Chef Morimoto will step out of the kitchen and walk around for a while to meet with his guests and for photo opportunities. It was late when we finished our meal and Chef was just starting his. We didnt want to disturb him so I guess we'll just have to catch him at another time.
(5)
nikki m.
this review is based on 2 dining experiences. dinner #1 was with my favorite mike for his birthday. mind you, my partner does not like to celebrate getting older and therefore was not nearly as excited to try morimoto's as i was (mostly for fear he would be embarrassed by singing staff & free dessert with sparklers). i assured him that morimotos was not that kinda venue. dinner # 2 was with one of my besties. food first, then commentary on how these 2 dining experiences differed. collectively i have sampled: rock shrimp tempura: 2 coatings, a wasabi ailoli and kochujang aioli. the little buggers were crispy & light on the outside, warm & tender on the inside. neither aoili was as spicy as i would have liked, but the dish was satisfying & portion wise quite a lot. it was served with a refreshing coconut ranch dip. white fish carpacio: super DELISH! tender fish, yummy yet not overpowering sauce, and nice pile o'greens. tako carpacio: super super DELISH. i have never sampled tako that was so tender & tasty abalone tako yaki: perfect savory puff donuts in an herb butter sauce. tasty indeed, though i could not really tell that they were filled with abolone vs. tako pork kakuni: first thought, why so tiny? but this little morsel packed some serious flavor punch. sauce that initially seemed too sweet was a delightful compliment to that ultra tender pork belly goodness. ahi pizza: 'signature dish' according to our server. tuna was o' so fresh and the thinly sliced jalapeno was a nice compliment. oyster fois gras: this i did not sample...can't do the slimy thing, but miss melon raved that this app was divine. surf & turf: felt like i was a guest judge on iron chef when the dish was placed before us. wagyu beef with onion reduction was tender & tasty. the surf was morimoto's version of poke, which included ahi, fresh mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, avocado sorbet, and bonito foam. then there was the Okinawan mashed potatoes, full o' butter, and studded with other fingerlings that looked like space rocks. so cool! chu-toro: melt in your mouth YUMMY! drinks: 2 thumbs up for morimotini...a cucumber infused martini that was not at all frou frou and packed some vodka / sake punch. Morimoto's version of rogue beer was tasty too! Service: night 1 was kinda blah, which sucked since it was a special occasion. even though i had noted that it was my partner's birthday when making the reservation, this was never acknowledged by any of the staff. we were off to a great start, but somewhere between the 1st & 2nd appetizer, things took a turn for the worse. 30 minutes with no food, no water refills, and no refresher on our cocktail order. finally, someone other than our primary server took notice and stepped in. apparently our ticket order was lost, which happens sometimes...no biggie. but the fact that our server was MIA for so long and pretty unapologetic when he reappeared irked us both. once the oops was noticed, the rest of the evening flowed well. i would have marked 1 star lower, but i think we just happened to get the one not so stellar sever that evening. those that came to his rescue were professional, knowledgeable, and friendly. night 2 was a goldilocks experience...just right. knowledgeable and friendly server (Karen) who was there when we needed her, but not overly up in our space. not only that, but surrounding staff was attentive, noticing when our beer or sake was low and making sure to help us keep the libations flowing. all in all I *heart* morimoto's. i dare say that it surpasses nobu's in my humble estimation. the apprentice steps ahead of his mentor!
(5)
Riley O.
Hello from sunny Waikiki. Ever get that dick feeling? Haha In all seriousness, my wife and I were really looking forward to trying out this place as we've had decent eating sessions at the various Nobu's and Koi's of the world. Morimoto's seemed to embody these places with a Japanese/Korean blowtorch. We purposely avoided going to Morimoto's on our 1st night (to let some anticipation build) at The Modern Hotel in Waikiki and even ignored the menu in advance because we wanted to be pleasantly surprised by just diving in. Hell, we were in Hawaii and there IS a fish auction here, which would make for some strong sashimi right? Our selections and opinions were: *Hamachi tartare (best thing we ordered, remarkable presentation and taste) *Yellowtail pastrami (it had a funk to it) *Maguro (it had a black cod funk to it) *Soft shell crab maki (my wife liked this) *Kani maki (and she also liked this) *Spicy King Crab (this came with a "not mentioned" on the menu and "unwanted" side of French Fries. one crab leg had a slight funk to its taste.) *Black Cod (with a Soy ginger reduction and a lot of bones. This dish mentioned that pickled peppers came with this dish. what we got were two pepper skins (one green, one red) in the shape and size of a postage stamp, maybe smaller.) *Creamy rock shrimp tempura (i am bummed that something like this was great, because everyone loves tempura and these little nuggets were like Dunkin' Donuts munchkins in a good way. there were two varieties as well, one in a kim chee spiced glaze and the other as a sweet wasabi coating.) *Sake and Morimoto's own Soba Buckwheat Ale brewed by the Rogue company in Newport, OR. (his brew and food will make you feel your pulse in your fingers post meal) Our "lead" server was insecure, left us alone for most of the evening, and was impatient with our simple questions about the menu. At one point, we hadn't finished eating our Hamachi tartare appetizer that included a much lauded single micro peach to cleanse our palettes. We asked our server politely if we could try that peach and she replies abruptly with, "We'll bring out more peaches..." that didn't happen until an hour later. That made for good laughter throughout the meal. After $200 +, we left feeling weighed down by the salty experiments, Mondrian-esque pretension and felt like we got screwed by the entire experience, but hey, onto the next eatery... Bottom line the experience was a Mori-no-no.
(2)
I. K.
I've been here twice. The first time I've only had a couple of rolls, average stuff at a premium price. The next time I was in a group of six, and we got a couple of chef's combinations, which included some excellent rolls and sashimi accompanied by excellent sake. After all that we had some desserts, which I personally didn't appreciate all that much so I am giving the place an overall 4 stars.
(4)
Joo S.
food - 3 stars service - 3 stars decor/ambiance - 5 stars i was pretty disappointed in this place. went here for my birthday dinner in december, and i was soooo excited to try iron chef morimoto's food. my girlfriends treated me to the omakase tasting, which included morimoto's famous toro/hamachi duo, a snapper appetizer, bagna cauda "hot bath," foie gras chawan mushi, assorted sushi, lobster/kobe beef/pork entree, and dessert. you could tell that presentation is really important for morimoto. everything looked better than it tasted. the toro/hamachi course and dessert were my favorites...the rest were forgettable. the foie gras chawan mushi was good but lukewarm by the time i got it. i've had better sushi, considering they fly their sushi straight from tsukiji market. the service was so spotty that my friends and i were all getting our appetizers and entrees at different times, and during dinner, some of us had food to eat while some didn't. it was weird. i've never experienced service like that before. one of the servers noticed that the pacing of my tasting was a little slow so she asked them to speed up the service...so all of a sudden i got my chawan mushi, palette cleanser, and sushi all at once! i was overwhelmed. we were really grateful to that server though because she really got the ball rolling with our meals. nevertheless, we were pretty shocked to find out that dinner was over three hours, which we didn't think it should have been. i must give kudos to the chef for the desserts. we got to try 3-4 different desserts, plus i got my omakase one. the desserts were devoured so fast you would've thought the 7 of us didn't eat dinner! my dessert was my favorite - imo ice cream with kabocha souffle and imo foam. so good! if not for the food, i would go back for the ambiance/decor. i'm a sucker for visuals. i loved the beautiful open space and the use of organic and earthy elements. lots of white, wood, and flowers...sexy!
(3)
Janice F.
"Iron Chef Moooooorimoto!" How can I not visit? Hawaii is the closest I'm going to get to Japan in a long time, so I had to make reservations at the newly opened Morimoto Waikiki. For the entire experience, setting, service, ambiance, and food - I'm going to give this five stars although based strictly on food, I would give it a 4 star. The setting is lovely, on the marina side of the Edition hotel. We got there just as dusk was setting in and sat on the patio - it is much more serene and relaxing than sitting inside the somewhat noisy dining room. You do miss out on the action from their open kitchen though. Modern, white, zen-like decor with firepits, tents, clear acrylic chopsticks, with rock place holders. You could hold a very nice wedding reception here without having to spend a dime on additional decor. There are a LOT of staff in this restaurant. Our waitress was very pleasant, each dish is presented by a different person with a brief description and then followed-up by the waitress. And finally.. here's what I ate: Toro tartare $28 - fascinating presentation. The tartare (excellent toro quality) is finely chopped, almost with a ground up texture - spread out thinly onto a wooden board, propped up against a bowl of ice. I was super confused about where the tartare was because all I could focus on was the condiments. You're given a small plate with different layers of crispy rice ball puffs, dashi soy, avocado cream, wasabi, creme fraiche and a savoury paste I think made of nori (very tasty). Also a sweet preserved plum is served with it. Experiment to find your favourite combination. I liked it best with the rice puffs, avocado, a bit of wasabi, and a fair amount of the miso paste. You scrape a bit of the tartare onto a little wooden paddle and then dip into the condiments. Morimoto style poke $18 - interesting interpretation, but not exceptionally tasty. Great quality poke, served with a very subtle wasabi sorbet, a visually pleasant but non-functional dashi foam, bocconcini (which really didn't work for me) and the best cherry tomatoes I've ever had. They cherry tomatoes are peeled, marinated in olive oil and very sweet. Best part of this appy. Foie gras chawan mush $16 - this has got to be the best cross-over dish ever thought of. Foie flavoured egg custard, sounds rather unpleasant but it is one of the most brilliant implementations of foie I've ever had. The custard is so mild, silky and just flavoured enough with foie that you don't get overwhelmed by the inherent richness of foie. Delicious, with a slightly thick dashi sauce. Served with a superfluous piece of duck breast. I would not eat the wasabi with this appy. It's a more upscale, better done version than I had at Raku in Vegas. Of course, it's also double the price. Definitely worth it. Oyster foie gras $20 - the sum is not greater than the parts in this case. I didn't quite get it. The terriyaki sauce is ordinary and overwhelming. On its own, the oyster, foie, and uni were all quite tasty and fresh quality, particularly the uni. Eaten together, all I could taste was oyster and terriyaki. I would give this a pass next time. Hot green tea soba with shrimp and veggie tempura $18 - this was our "filler" dish. The noodles are nicely green tea flavoured, but I guess I just don't like the slightly grainy soba texture that much. Broth and tempura were good, but not exceptional. *Desserts!* My favourite part of the meal! Haupia semifreddo $12 - green tea and coconut heaven!! This was a near-perfect dessert. Coconut semifreddo, served on top of a green tea meringue (slightly dry and too sweet, but still good) with cubes of clear coconut jelly and a bit of real honeycomb. Tofu hot and cold $12 - pleasantly surprised!! When given such brief descriptions as cheesecake, souffle, and cherry sorbet - I had no idea what to expect. The hot version was the souffle and it was deliciously creamy but light - slightly honey-flavoured. Fantastic paired with the sour cherry sorbet. The cold version of the cheesecake didn't wow me as much, but tastes a lot more appetizing than "tofu cheesecake" might sound. This was one of the most fun and interesting meals I've had all year, so for that - thanks Iron Chef Morimoto!!
(5)
Cicie W.
This is the first time I'm at an iron chef's restaurant, so naturally I expected a lot. When I came in and realized the restaurant wasn't full, I was honestly a bit worried. Where I'm from in San Francisco, good restaurants are always packed on a saturday night. I wasn't so deterred since I was still excited. The food here is definitely different. I like how it's very much about the freshness of the food and Morimoto really brought out the authenticity of everything that was served. The presentation is definitely a 5 star; it's just one of the best I've seen. The tofu made at table side was pretty cool, so was the Ahi tar tar. Portion is on the generous side for an upscale restaurant, so we ordered too much food. For the entree, I got the fried whole fish with tofu and pickled daikon. so I was really full afterward. The ambiance was great and service was top notch. Definitely a very pretty restaurant and good place to go on a date. Overall, it was good, but I wasn't blown away. Was it worth the money? I don't know, I guess so. It's definitely a different take on food and I enjoyed it, but it wasn't like the best meal of my life like I was hoping for. My friend that went to Morimoto's in Napa kind of said the same thing, now I know what they mean. After watching so many episodes of Iron Chef, I just expected more. Maybe that's why Morimoto's in on TV, the food definitely looks better than it tastes.
(4)
Jamie M.
A-FKING AH-MAZING. Please excuse my language, but it was a great fine dining experience. From the beginning to the very end of our meal, it was so enjoyable and fun! We had reservations at 8:15PM. We arrived at 8PM and waited about 5 minutes before getting seated. The decor was ultra sheek, very open space, and modern. When you walk in, it feels like you could be walking into a club. The bar on the left. The kitchen/sushi bar on the right. There is also patio/outdoor seating. If you prefer to have a social drink and just cruise, you can go outside sit on these comfy couches by the bonfire pit. OH and gaze out into the stars and the view of Hawaiii's marina. Or you can relax cabana style as well. The newly renovated hotel, along with the restaurant, makes you feel like you're in a resort but at the same time feel like you're in the city. After being seated, we looked through the menu. Paul, our waiter was awesome! He was very informative & thoroughly knew the menu and the food. We even got to chat with him and found out he moved from South Africa & he loves to surf! Anyway, THE ORDER: I decided to go big and order the Omakase Chef's Choice for $110 per person. Whuaaat?! I love Iron Chef and Morimoto! Come to think about it, I was drinking his beer the other day (it was great btw)! The Omakase is a 7-course menu that lasts about 2 hours long! This course allowed me to get the basic essence of Morimoto's menu! I loved it! But because this was a 2 hour menu, Paul helped my fellow dinner companions to coordinate their food so I won't be eating by myself or their watching me eat and vice versa. Another star for Paul and his services. I will trrrry to name all of my dishes, but I believe the pictures will do better justice. 1st course - Tuna tartar 2nd course- Seared Hamachi (i believe) 3rd course - Artichoke & oil dip (i forget the name?!) 4th course - Froie Gras with a slice of Duck CLEANSER - some kind of seaweed tea 5th course - Sushi/Sashimi sampler 6th course - Surf & turf (lobster, beef, and pork) 7th course - Desert (2): this tofu jelly && Okinawa pumpkin pie ice cream It felt like I was one of those judges on Iron Chef trying all of Morimoto's creations. It was a great experience overall and worth every penny! I loved the seared hamachi! The oil, shoyu sauce, and taste of the hamachi was soOOO good! It was one of those experiences, where you take a bite and you had to close your eyes because of it's utter greatness in your mouth. I also enjoyed the froi gras, sushi/sashimi sampler, surf & turf, and the deserts. Maaan i loved everything!! I wanted to hug Morimoto himself, but because he wasn't there, I guess I had to settle with hugging myself (: Anyway, my fellow companions ordered the Poke appetizer, the Kakuni, Soft Shell Crab, and the fried Hamachi Kama. Even with my 7-course menu, I got to chance to taste each of the dishes. Poke SO fresh! Hamachi Kama cooked to perfection! Kakuni slow cooked for 10 hours! GOSSSH! Should I even continue talking about the food because I'm already itching to go back. ALL very exceptional & delectable dishes. Besides our water, we ordered the Tozai Snow Maiden Nigori. At first we were undecided, but they had a sake specialist help us decide what sake to go with. High class status, ya?! The Nigori will be my all time favorite. It was something you can just sip on without feeling like you had to take it as a shot because it could be too strong. Nopes, it was a sip & chill drink. It was very smooth and milky. Very appropriate for our meal. Moving on to the service, like I mentioned earlier Paul, was an A plus waiter. On top of that, everyone else kept our waters filled/ They never left our waters any lower than half way. Took our finished dishes away at appropriate times. Very nice & courteous. Explained our dishes upon serving. Everyone seemed to be working & keeping busy. We were definitely impressed with our overall dining experience. I guess the restaurant just opened last Tuesday from what one of the waiters were telling us. They are currently going through a soft opening and then a grand opening will occur at the end of the month? I think?! I forget now. By the time we left, I was so full and ready to go to sleep because I was struck with food coma. If this is a soft opening so far, then they are OFF to a great start!! The experience, the food, the service was well worth the price. Within range to average fine dining places. i heart this place. thank you.
(5)
John O.
What can I say...WOW!!! I absolutely love this place! I have yet to have an entree here, but will soon. I have my taste buds set for the rack of lamb. The first time I came here I had lunch at their bar. They make a good Shochu Mojito. I had a fresh ahi tuna sandwich that came with a side salad and seasoned fries. Very tasty. The second time I chose to sit at their sushi bar and try some of their rolls. At first I thought I could just sit there without a reservation. It was not very busy at the sushi bar but was quickly informed that I needed a reservation. The host took down my name and immediately sat me. At the sushi bar, you could order from the full menu or just sushi or both. I opted just for the sushi. I had the fresh crab roll and the tempura roll. Both were delicious and came with fresh cut ginger. All of the ingredients were of course fresh. I thought the price for the rolls were reasonable. This place is a must try. Please be warned that some of the prices are a bit high, but the experience of eating at this place will more than make up for it.
(5)
Mike K.
good but small portions.. sushi sucks i wouldnt recommend it you might as well go to sasabune or mitchs for that price ...
(4)
Beth-Ann M.
I want to love this place...and I do love some of the things about it. The food is really delicious. The decor is awesome too! I have been coming here since it opened-maybe 8-10 times so far. The problem I have with it is the service. For a restaurant of this caliber the service should be top notch but at Morimoto's Honolulu it is just not up to par. There is a lot of waiting...for everything..and while some of the staff know a lot about the menu, some of them can't tell you what a listed ingredient on their menu is! I have talked with the management a number of times about the service and while they are very polite, I am not seeing any improvement. I really hope they get the staff up to standard because I truly do like to eat here but am embarrassed to bring any friends here due to the poor service at high prices. Please, Morimoto-step it up a notch!
(3)
Steven G.
Went there for my girlfriends birthday. It was so loud in there we couldn't even talk. Tables are also too wide seemed like she was across the room. Portions were too small, had to order dessert just to fill up. I will not be back Thank you for the response. I had the Hamachi rice bowl and my girlfriend had the Duck dish.
(2)
Sue T.
I was there last night. I'm in on a trip from the mainland and I will begin by saying I'm a restaurant owner and a trained chef who's been in the food and bev industry for 30+ years. I was very much looking forward to taking out a dear friend to celebrate his business success. I called the restaurant and made a reso for 8:15. We arrived early, planning on a few cocktails at the bar....the young lady could not find our reservation. Her repeated questions, asking us to spell the last name, asking who I spoke to, peering into her touch screen with a troubled look....not good. The dining room was half empty, so we asked them to try and figure it out and we proceeded to the bar. Will was our mixologist. He was such a congenial, consummate professional. He and my companion fell easily into conversation on all things local and culinary. Drinks were wonderful. After a short time we were escorted to our table. After being seated so we could see the kitchen, we ordered....just two courses with open minds as to more. My companion then saw someone he knew, a food runner named Matt. Such a nice young man. He brought us some superlative sake and a small tasting plate thoroughly enjoyed with our cocktails. This is where it goes off the rails. Between the small plate delicacy and our appetizer, the wait was inordinately long. I sat and entertained myself as I watched the tickets go up, the food runners run, and servers seemingly do the same. Approximately 40 minutes later we received our appetizers. They were very good, and I decided to forgive the long wait, knowing that the server had given the order fire for our entrees. Alas not to be. We called it a day after waiting another 40 minutes. Our server came by the table and sheepishly told us our entrees would be out shortly as my companion went to the bar to settle the bill. As we were rising to leave the food runner brought out our fare. We sent it back. Will was very gracious as we took our exit Being in this business as well, I can tell you that if I had a two course ticket hang time of 1 hour + I would probably blow a vein. I'm very sorry to have experienced the venue this way and I'm uncertain as to where the breakdown exactly took place. I wish you luck and perhaps I will try you again when I'm on O'ahu again. The stars go to the bar and to food runner Matt
(2)
Krista J.
Awesome place! The place itself is beautiful. Great dishes. Get the omakase! The chef is truly amazing. I love this restaurant. Went here for my birthday and keep going back. Super friendly staff too!
(5)
Trisha G.
What an amazing experience. It's such a complete culinary experience both in taste and presentation. Located in the Modern Hotel, it's not surprising that the dining room is extremely modern. The restaurant is only a short walk from the valet. The dining room has both indoor and outdoor seating which allows for both a luxury and casual feel at the same time. Don't ask me how, but I liked it. The food was amazing. I went in with high expectations since this is an Iron Chef's restaurant in our hometown featuring local ingredients. To get a good taste of everything we ordered the Omakase, a selection of sake and some lychee cocktails for me. Omakase was the chef's choice of 8 courses running the gamut of protein from seafood to beef to pork to duck. The menu consisted of (1) toro tartare, (2) hot oil hamachi sashimi, (3) bagna cauda, (4) foie gras chawanmushi, (5) sea kelp tea palate cleanser, (6) assorted nigiri sushi, (7) main course of keyhole lobster, wagyu beef, pork tenderloin, (8) dessert: butter mochi & banana ice cream. Seriously, it was all amazing, drinks included. Without getting too into the whole menu, I'll talk about my faves.. TORO TARTARE was something I was waiting for and it did not disappoint. Toro deliciousness with all kinds of condiments (nori paste, fresh ground wasabi, arare, guacamole, and more). And it came in a bamboo dish in the most beautiful presentation. HOT OIL HAMACHI SASHIMI was also simple with hot oil and shoyu, but beautifully presented to showcase the taste of the fish. I wish there was a whole plate of it instead of the three delicate pieces on the plate. BAGNA CAUDA which is a blend of anchovies and foie gras topped with oil that comes to your table heated by a candle. All kinds of yummy veggies, chicken and bread to dip. Unexpected taste which made me wish I could have more. This is obviously a pricey meal, but the whole experience was wonderful. Note, that if you want a quick meal, this is not what you should order. The whole thing took 3 hours. It was exciting and calming. I'm also very impressed by the knowledgable staff.
(4)
April F.
Morimoto has an absolutely gorgeous set up. It was spacious, lots of natural light flowed in, and there were lovely, pale colored curtains that lifted gently with the ocean breeze. The food, however, tasted ordinary. It wasn't bad. It just wasn't great, either. My pineapple mojito managed to be light and refreshing despite the alcohol content. The cucumber in my avocado rolls was sliced and added in such a way that it wasn't overbearing and basically yelling, "I'm here! Ruining the texture of your avocado roll!" The inari was actually the best I'd had, something I attribute to the texture not being rubbery and the flavor being light and just right. Still, nothing that I tasted really stood out. This was not one of those places where I am already planning my next trip before I leave, or literally dreaming of the food while I sleep (yes, I dream of food. I can't be the only one!) I wouldn't avoid this place, but it's not my first choice of eateries, either.
(2)
Kim M.
This is one of my more favorite hotel restaurants on the island - not so much for the sushi or entrees, but more for the appetizers: FOIE GRAS CHAWAN MUSHI ($17) With duck breast, fresh wasabi, and sweet dashi soy. This is better than any chawan mushi I've ever had. I loved the flavors and mild creaminess. And, it wasn't too rich! YOSE DOFU ($19) Fresh tofu prepared tableside, accompanied by a kimchee broth/sauce, dashi, and other side garnishes. I love this tofu. Not only is it fresh, it's also pretty neat to have it made right at the table. Haha. I mean, the production itself isn't very exciting bc it has to remain covered... But it seems almost kind of magical. WAGYU CARPACCIO ($22) With hot oil, ginger, and yuzu soy. I love the yuzu flavor with the wagyu. It's a really superb combo. The three appetizers above are probably my favorite appetizers at the restaurant. I like some other dishes, too, but I will spare you the details. :P REASONABLE Anyway, I think Morimoto is pretty reasonable in terms of price (especially for this type of restaurant with the fancy ambiance, view, etc.). OPEN TABLE Morimoto Waikiki is an OpenTable restaurant, so grab those points. VERDICT It's kind of weird I haven't dined at Morimoto Waikiki more, but I guess I will. I've been here a few times now and have had pleasant experiences each time. Good food, great service, and a lovely ambiance at a fairly reasonable price. Thumbs up.
(4)
Christie C.
Awesome. Just awesome. Service by a guy named Martin absolutely impeccable and delightful, sushi I had was outstanding, views are stunning, decor is minimalist and perfect, and overall this place is just "to a tee," if you get my drift. While some entrees are rather pricey, I felt my food was totally reasonable. 16$ for a glass of lovely chardonnay, 20$ for two maki rolls (totally filling) and I think 7$ for a chamomile tea afterward. 60$ or so for a really nice dinner is less than I'd have expected to pay. Other entrees ran around 29$ or so and for a very upscale restaurant with outstanding service, that's not bad at all.
(5)
Melissa S.
Hi Chad, sorry for the harsh review and thank you for replying - I think we had too high expectations since we've been wanting to come here since we've moved on island three years ago, and are fans of Mr. Morimoto. We had reservations at 1pm and left at 3.
(1)
Sam Z.
We tried poke for the first time here and it was absolutely delicious. You can tell how fresh all the ingredients used are especially the big eyed tuna. Also had the rock shrimp appetizer, and loved that as well!
(5)
Eric Robert R.
I am biased. There, I admit it. I am biased. It's only because I actually met the Chef... MASAHARU MORIMOTO! I know my friends are Bi-polar with their reviews being all over the plate (yes, plate) here at... MORIMOTO'S WAIKIKI! Hey, everyone has a say. Well, as long as you are worthy of it. I mean if you voted, you must be a registered voter first, right? Goddess or ugly, smart or dumb, I guess you still have a say, even with your one RL friend in life, but I'm the lucky one... I have many. Prettier ones too. Oh well, that's life. Anyways, since you're still here... Tyvm! Let's talk... MORIMOTO'S WAIKIKI! As everyone knows by now the chef is well known as the legendary Iron Chef! To me, Masaharu Morimoto is simply a super nice Japanese dude that looks Yakuza, but really is a marshmallow! Oh, and btw, he sure can cook with a ton of Hollywood kaboom! Sometimes it's all about show! Really! Gosh look what reality TV has done to our society! But really... Chef Morimoto is the real deal! Kinda a show-off, but he does back it up with real deal talent! MORIMOTO'S WAIKIKI! Located in the swank Modern Hotel in Waikiki. The restaurant ambiance is fancy. Probably more so at night. I mean if you plan to shell out some Benjamin's - dress the part, right? The restaurant offers 4-hours complimentary parking in the hotel - quite generous in busy Waikiki! My experience? I'll dig out my shun knife and say... I've always had a GREAT experience at... MORIMOTO'S WAIKIKI! I've been to the Waikiki location twice, but also experienced some Morimoto appetizers with my BFF, Heidi P., hand delivered to us by Morimoto, himself, at a gala earlier in the year. We had the Toro tartare w/ wasabi, Sour cream & nori w/ sweet soy dashi. Also, we sampled the Angry chicken w/ spice jus & blistered shishito peppers! I LOVED the Angry chicken! I've only experienced lunch at the restaurant, and quite frankly, the prices were on par with other high-end restaurants. I do realize dinner is more yen, but still... I've had the Oyster Foie Gras - market oysters, foie gras, uni, teriyaki sauce; Crispy Rock Shrimp Tempura - w/ spicy kochujan sauce, wasabi aioli, coconut ranch; Chefs Loco Mo"t"o (lunch set) - Wagyu beef, sunny side up local farm eggs, w/ Hayashi gravy. I opted out of the Pork gyoza... Don't get me wrong, I love gyoza, but for $16? Hmm. It does look yummy though... Maybe next time? Sandwiches can be had for about $15-$20 during lunch hours, too. The Katsu and Mini Wagyu burgers are so on my list. Again, the lunch menu is the best time for those with one eye on the faux Gucci pocketbook. Lunch-Sets run about $22-$32, but all sets include miso soup, green salad, and sushi in addition to the entree. Or, you can splurge on a dinner and order the omakase for about $120 per head. If it's your treat... Sure why not. I'm game! So yes, I definitely recommend... MORIMOTO'S WAIKIKI! It's fancy and a great place to impress an empress! It can get pricey, but if you know how to be frugal than its not too bad, really. Do lunch first is my suggestion... Same high-end foods for a fraction. Hey, maybe Masaharu's not slicing up every dish, but rest assured you'll be happy as a clam! Oh, and did I mention the desserts... Oh, baby! "I'm not a fighter, but in my mind I'm fighting every day. 'What's new? What am I doing?' I'm fighting myself. My soul is samurai. My roots aren't samurai, but my soul is." ~ Masaharu Morimoto OVERALL GRADE: 4.2-STARS! (Solid!) LIVE ALOHA... YELP REVIEW #379
(4)
Kai R.
This place is a bit hard to find because the signage is pretty small. I was a bit reluctant to make this the final meal of our vacation on Oahu given the mixed reviews, but since we had eaten at his NYC restaurant and had great meals, I decided to give it a shot. We were seated on the outdoor patio overlooking the marina. Other reviewers complained about the table spacing / we didn't have any issues and didn't feel crammed in. This is a big restaurant, but even inside it not seem to that the tables were crammed together. Service was what I would expect from a high end restaurant - very attentive the entire meal. Since we had a 3 year old, we didn't opt for the chef's tasting menu / ordered off of the regular menu. We had some sushi rolls for appetizers - all were fresh and very good (a little too much rice though). For the main course, the lobster and the surf 'n turf. Yes, a lobster for $49 is a bit pricey, but boy is it good - the spices are really fantastic / this isn't your usual boiled lobster. The surf 'n turf was just OK. The surf portion was his take on Poke and consisted of just three pieces of tuna with a few tomatoes. Fresh, but not really exciting. As for the filet, it was overcooked plain and simple. I requested medium rare and it was very much medium / no pink at all. We did not have desert, so can't comment on that portion of the menu.
(4)
Chris P.
Food: delicious but overpriced. Service: on a scale of 1-10 I'd say -4. Been here a few times and had the same TERRRRRIBLE waitress twice..we complained the first time we went, and sure enough got her again the next time and ended up complaining again. stay away from "Mizuki"...shes so bad that I'm actually writing a review on yelp to warn people about her. For starters we ordered one of the cheaper sake's on the menu and she questioned whether or not we should stick with that or order the most expensive sake on the menu claiming that the bottle we ordered wouldnt have enough content for everyone at our table to enjoy a shot. Actually, Mizuki, we ordered the same bottle a week prior with the EXACT same amount of people and had plenty of sake to go around and we all liked it. I can understand an employee trying to point customers in the direction of something a little higher priced when theyre asked for their opinion on menu items, but dont question the decision our table made AFTER we ordered and then suggest we buy the most expensive sake on the menu. After that she had a pissed off look the entire night and never smiled once. Literally both times we've had her as out waitress we havent seen her smile. Ok, so here was the kicker of the night, our bill came out to somewhere around $350. We put $200 in cash and a debit card inside the bill. She comes back with the entire bill put on the card and no cash. We were all dumbfounded with what was going on when we realized that she "assumed" we gave her a $200 tip on a $350 bill. REALLY????? We then had to explain to her that we wanted the remaining balance after the $200 cash to be put on the card. pretty standard issue stuff, or so I thought. Who assumes that after giving terrible service someone will give you a $200 tip on a $350 bill???
(2)
Tim N.
This restaurant is owned by none other than Iron Chef Japan, Masaharu Morimoto. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Morimoto's style, he has training in traditional Kaiseki cuisine and sushi. He is also famous for incorporating western style into Japanese cooking. The result is a series of unique, flavorful dishes that are sure to leave an impression. All of the dishes were very well presented, and the presentation was only surpassed by the taste of the food. The only drawback is that it is quite pricey, and it can get very busy at times. If you are willing to commit your afternoon or evening (and your wallet) to delicious Japanese food, then this is the restaurant for you. I recommend!
(4)
Joe B.
I took my girlfriend here on our 2 year anniversary while in Waikiki. We ordered to Omakase and it was wonderful. However, if you do not enjoy raw seafood, I recommend you don't choose this. More details: We arrived at about 630PM for our 7PM reservations that I made on Open Table. We sat at the bar while they set up our outdoor patio seating which was perfect because the sun was beginning to set. The service was perfect from beginning to end. It felt like we had 3 or 4 servers waiting on us. Every course of the meal was delicious and the servers paid such good attention that when once of us was away from the table they ensured they didn't serve the next portion. This attention to detail really sold me on Morimoto's. Even the restroom was clean and decorated beautifully. I highly recommend this place but make sure you bring your wallet.
(4)
Jay G.
Good food, but fairly small portions. Probably best to just order a bunch of pupus and enjoy the mori mojito.
(4)
Katya N.
Forgot to cancel my reservation during the weekend, got a call from the restaurant " confirming the reservation" at the time of it and when I said I had to cancel the lady on the other line was extremely rude and hung up on me. HUNG UP ON ME??? that's a first from a restaurant. We live here and were there once, liked the food, but with serving personnel that RUDE they won't see us again.
(1)
Cyrus H.
Stellar Sushi! The Octopus Carpaccio was fantastic - if you are an uni fan this is a must go, they offer both traditional pacific and Japanese.
(4)
Karla L.
This is a really good place to have a celebration or special occasion. The food was excellent. Some things I'd probably not order though for the price. The hamachi tartare and oyster foie gras was okay. I had the tiniest oysters for $22. But the entrees were amazing! The kealoha lobster and lamb shank were delicious. And the vanilla/strawberry profiteries were heavenly. Service was really great as well. There was a small wait between the appetizers and entrees but still good.
(5)
Kimothy K.
My bf and I were excited to eat here for our anniversary. Our overall experience was a bit disappointing. We made reservations, but they sat us outside because they claim they were fully booked... though it looked like a decent amount of empty seats inside. It was also raining on and off throughout the evening and it was chilly! The rain was so loud at one point I couldn't even hear myself speak. The food was OK. I was under the impression that a good portion of the menu items were normal local fare, just a bit fancier and way overpriced... Loco Moto? Gyoza? Chicken Noodle Soup aka Ramen? I ended up ordering the Oxtail Soup which was tasty especially with the side of garlic fried rice mixed in. Meat was tender. Came with fresh grated wasabi. Still, it was lacking the ginger that we've all come to know and love with local oxtail soup. Also ordered the Toro Tartare. It was interesting with a wide variety of condiments... soy dashi, nori paste, sour cream, wasabi, onion, guacamole and crispy rice balls. Our server didn't do a good job of explaining how to eat this or what the different condiments were... so we found ourselves having to ask how to eat and what we were eating at least a couple times. The one thing that stood out was the Abalone Takoyaki. It's crisp on the outside, creamy on the inside with a good chunk of abalone in the center... all sitting in a pool of decadent butter sauce. I think they even put some tomato in it. Definitely the star of the evening.
(2)
Coco M.
Excellent food. Better be good as you are paying for it $$$. Attentive wait staff and excellent service. Spent about $200 including a bottle of wine for two excluding $40 tip. My mom from Japan enjoyed very much.
(4)
Jeff S.
The one thing that I was really looking forward to eating was the Kakuni pork. I couldn't wait to taste Chef Morimoto's version. What I got was a well seasoned and flavorful piece of tough, stringy pork that required a knife and fork to cut through ($16). Disappointing. The duck three ways ($28) was pretty good but pales in comparison to the duck confit at Cafe Miro. I picked at a few of the other dishes around the table and nothing really curled my toes. Decor is nice and the service was OK but I really went for the food and was let down. One of those places that I wouldn't refuse to go back to but wouldn't choose to go back to either.
(3)
jane u.
I'm sorry for this late review. My husband and I dine here about 1-2 x's, per month. Besides the complimentary valet and the beautiful scenery of the marina, the Food! The tuna pizza is so fresh, it is so unique the thin crust compliments the ahi and the sauce is amazing. I had ordered the deep fried boneless snapper, this truly is 1 of my top favorites. It is amazing that the chefs can de-bone a whole fish and deep fry it and just make Fish magic!! I ended my entree with uni, ikura, and Kani miso!! I love Morimoto's!
(5)
Marcus F.
Very good food, but still a shaky start in Waikiki. Open for less then I week in the new Edition Hotel I had lunch at Morimoto Waikiki with my parents. Few people seemed to even know it had even opened yet and the spacious restaurant only had three other tables occupied. The space is modern with good use of translucent materials. From what I can tell by the use of shells and seaweeds they were going for a tasteful understated tide pool decor. The kitchen is in full view and you see the staff of 14 led by the executive chef strumming along. I ordered Morimoto Poke, Braised Pork Belly and Pineapple Cake with Rice Ice-Cream. My mom had the $22 sashimi lunch set. My father the black cod lunch set and the generic salmon skin roll and the more generic california roll. The food was quite good. The Morimoto Poke was light, fresh and clean. Cubed toro with peel cherry tomatoes (I think), bonito foam and whipped avocado. I tried some of black cod and it was perfectly cooked flaking with a touch of the chopsticks. I think it was a bit too sauce heavy but it was still might good. I also tried a few bites of the sashimi which was good, but not great. When you consider the price it was a great value. I would like to come again and try the Omakase sashimi, or perhaps better yet the Chefs Dinner tasting at a very reasonable $110. The cocktail list here was developed by Chandra Lam of Southern Wine and Spirits whom is very skilled bartender. She was not behind the stick and so I was tentative about how the bartender would make my drink. To my pleasant surprise they were very good. The cocktail list at Morimoto rely a bit heavy on flavored vodkas most cocktail list in Hawaii tend to do, but the drinks were still very good and I highly suggest giving them a go. The largest flaw at Morimoto is the execution of service. While the staff is friendly and accommodating, execution is rough and awkward. When food arrived place setting plates were still there and additional staff was waved in to remove them. They did not know who was receiving what dish and a bit of direction had to be given by us. A few minutes into the meal we were searching for soy sauce for the sashimi and when spotted doing so soy was promptly delivered. When my Braised Pork Belly arrived I used my chopsticks as that was the only silverware provided. A minute after my food had arrived a spoon was offered as the proper way to enjoy the dish. When my dessert arrived I has to ask for silverware as I had none. Then they had no idea what pieces of silverware to give me for the dessert and I had to make my best guess and choose. While none of this ruins a meal it certainly reflects a lack of polish which dampens the experience. I should reiterate that it had been open for less then a week when I gave it a try so one would hope these issues would be cleared up shortly. I certainly look foreword to coming back and trying more of the food here.
(4)
Magnum P.
Wagyu beef carpacio...melts in your mouth. Black bean cod was tasty. tofu steamed at your table is unique. The Haupia green tea dessert was the perfect ending. Got to meet Chef Morimoto since he was in town and actually cooking all night. Impressive.
(5)
Mia F.
Not great at all and way over priced.
(3)
H C.
being a regular here, we appreciate the acknowledgement and familiar faces. the service is commendable, the food is a hit or miss. we love the calamari salad to death, and the chef's raw bar combo. the other items may be fancy to look at, but it doesn't make sense...
(3)
J L.
The decor was very nice and the food was good in general. Our waiter was really nice for the beginning of the meal, but toward the end just seemed unaccomodating. Maybe since we had a big party he automatically gets a 20% tip? He seemed put out just to take a picture of our table. So somewhat disappointed with the service. But the food was great, we really like the tofu (especially good if there are kids), the lamb, the black cod and the rice dish that's cooked in the stone bowl. For us the desserts weren't that great. We had the chocolate mille feuille, which came with a spiced chocolate ice cream that everyone thought was strange; and we ordered the pepper roasted pinapple which was ok, but definitely not worth $12. Alcoholic drinks were $14 each. So I think if we go again, we could skip the drinks and dessert and just try the main dishes. Portions are on the smaller side.
(3)
Edmond K.
The restaurant is beautiful, Servers could use more training they seem confused when I went! but we could have got a new worker. not what I would expect from some one of that skill level. I expected more from the menu but I would go again
(3)
Allie L.
Pineapple tempura with jamon iberico. This appetizer pretty much makes the meal.
(4)
Mia N.
Some things were great, some just OK. But the setting is very nice and the service is very good. I guess for the prices and all of the hype I was expecting it to be totally mind blowing, but I wasn't blown away. I would probably give it another try though. Maybe order a few different things.
(3)
Leona Y.
My family has been watching Iron Chef Japan for YEARS so when we found out there was a Morimoto restaurants in Honolulu we had to go! The restaurant is located inside a really swanky hotel a little closer to Ala Moana mall and away from the main Waikiki shoppping area. It's much quieter and much less Japanese tourists. The interior is very minimal and modern but still sophisticated. My parents and I all ordered the Omakase dinner which is $110 each. It has 7 courses and 2 desserts. What I really liked about this place is how interactive you are with your food. In a way Morimoto allows you to "play" with your dishes and suggests how they should be eaten. Although there are many courses, you don't feel overstuffed by the end and it was the perfect amount for me. If you're new to this restaurant I recommend the Omakase dinner! You get a feel of what types of flavors and ingredients Morimoto likes to use. Other people on Yelp have detailed reviews about this Omakase dinner so I will not go deep into it. All I can say that the presentation of the food and the description of the dishes by the waiters were exceptional :) Our waiter was Tzekin and he was great! He always made sure our water was filled and came by frequently to check up on us. Thanks Tzekin :) If you have a budget large enough to enjoy a dinner here I highly recommend it! Also, make sure to check out the bathrooms here!! Although you have to walk out of the restaurant and use the hotel restrooms, it is beautiful! Reminds me of the bathroms at Umi Sake House in Seattle where the doors are kinda hidden and difficult to find. Make sure you have a reservation when dining here. We came on a Monday night and it was VERY busy by the time we left (around 8pm).
(5)
Dub C.
4 of us went there. We were all pretty excited to go there. One word to describe the place "HYPE." We expected to splurge and try anything, and everything. Here is my breakdown: Service: server seemed new, and had a flat affect, attitude was kind of stuck up. Screwed up our order too. Food: sushi and sashimi nothing was special about it, except it was plated nice. Wagyu capaccio tasted like ginger onion beef from a chinese restaurant. Warning! do not order the wagyu ribeye, by far the most overratted item on the menu. For $85, the ranchers reserve rib eye from safeway was better. Fyi, if you havent had a wagyu steak, and your waiter asks you how you want it prepared, the best way to go is medium rare to medium. The reason being is because it needs to be cooked to some degree for the fat content to melt and flavor the steak. Anyhow, I ordered it medium rare, and the first one they brought out was well done. They gladly made me another one, but that too was medium well to medium. I just couldnt wait another 15-20 minutes for them to make another one. So i consumed that one. Duck duck duck was ok, the duck spring roll was pretty crappy. Rack of lamb was ok too, i had better at Hoku's Sunday brunch. Food that was good: foie gras chawan mushi, oyster foie gras, yellow tail pastrami, hamachi tartare, kakuni. Desert was good too. Drinks:over priced, prob spent about $400 just on drinks. Morimoto hazlenut was good, i would compare it to chimay. Morimote daiginjo and Morimoto 1972 was good, but not great. Had some wine and some cocktails that were not bad, but not good.
(3)
Sherry T.
We love Morimoto's persona on Iron Chef and chose to have our last meal in Oahu here to celebrate. We did cocktails, apps, specials for main course, wine and desert. Food was good. Service was okay. Wine servings, however, were not generous at all. For the price point - good but not good enough to want to come back for the spend.
(3)
Chris S.
As Rachel Zoe would say, Morimoto was "A-MA-ZING"! First off, it's part of "Edition," a swank hotel that really reflects a cosmopolitan vibe that you can only get from larger cities. At first glance, it reminded me of the St. Martin's Lane in London. Turns out it's done by the same man, Ian Schrager. But back to the food--we had the spicy salmon roll and crispy rock shrimp tempura as starters. It's very reminiscent of Koi or Katana in LA. For main dishes, we had the Ishi Yaki Buri Bop (a nod to a bi bim bap dish) and the Angry Chicken. Wrapped up the meal with a Haupia Semifreddo. It was good but not "let me lick the plate" good. Portions were perfect and presentation was on point. A well rounded delicious meal. If you're thirsty for something sweet, slam down some "Pina Haupia"-- their version of a Pina Colada on the rocks, not blended. I had 4, so 'nuff said. Service was freaking rock-star. Snaps to our server Ryan who kicked ass. You could tell the staff was trained well. He even pointed out some of the design elements of the space and the designer himself was eating at the table behind us. Werk. If you're a bathroom whore, check out their restrooms--it has swagger, like Sasha Fierce meets James Perse (word is, Miss B is in town for the grand opening this weekend). Overall, a must-do. Oh yea, we spied Mr. Morimoto himself. I was tempted to get a little TMZ, but decided to just take a quick shot of him on my cell.
(4)
Tyler K.
My expectations for this place were pretty high and I must admit it did live up to a good amount of them. First of all the ambiance is great, clean colors with just enough local flair make this a comfortable, if not cool, place to enjoy the food. The food, for the most part, is absolutely divine. The oyster foie gros is honestly one of the best things I've ever had in my life and the crispy rock shrimp tempura was very flavorful. For my meal I ordered the omakase, which was really good, 1st course - Hamachi and toro tartare for the first course is always a great way to kick things off and is paired with 6 different garnishes. 2nd course - The kampachi was also very well done, seared and topped with seasame oil, shoyu and yuzu this is by no means something you can't get some where else but it is done well. 3rd course - Bagna Cauda, this is basically vegetables served with a bowl of hot oil and anchovy butter for your dipping pleasure. The presentation of this dish is impressive and the taste is yummy, what a great way to serve a vegetable dish. 4th course - Foie gros Chawanmushi a great take on a classic, this course is surprisingly familiar yet a new experience all rolled into one, the flavors blend in your mouth and create an amazing combination. Delicious. 5th course - Nigri Sushi, ehh nothing too special, really good but nothing new here lets move along. 6th course - OK I must say this was by far the BIGGEST LET DOWN for me and something I would've never expected. This course was dare I say...bad. Lobster, wagyu and ginger pork, sounds good right? Well the wagyu is good, the lobster is ok but the strong handed seasoning and cumin mask the great taste of the well cooked lobster, rather than accentuating it. Now the stinker, the pork, first of all the pork was waayyy over cooked and chewy, second of all why would you cut the pork so thin if you're going to put such a strong sauce on it? This course needs major changes to it. 7th course - Panna cotta with kuromitsu, solid pre-dessert course, the gelatin is thick and flavorful. 8th course - Kabocha souffle and Okinawan sweet potato ice cream this dessert was goooooddd, kabocha souffle was fluffy and ono, the sweet potato ice cream is creamy and tasty Overall my experience at Morimoto's was a good one but I'm a bit surprised the omakase is yet to change (I visited about a week after it opened). I do look forward to my next visit but the clunker that was the main course is hard to over come and no matter how superb the rest of the food, service and decor was I can't give this 5 stars.
(4)
Sara B.
Wow what a gorgeous place! Granted, I haven't eaten here, but if you are looking for a relaxing, beautiful, zen-like place to cocktail, this is THE place! It literally is breathtakingly gorgeous. All white, and fresh atmosphere. Go to the patio, order a cocktail (they're expensive, but it's an experience, trust me) and soak in the good vibes... Lots of beautiful people in pretty clothes and great tans...what else could you ask for? Next time I go, I'm trying some sushi....
(4)
Leigh W.
We decided to go and experience Morimoto Waikiki for our Valentines Day dinner tonight. 8:30 pm reservations - they were a little back logged and we ended up waiting for seating for about 10-15 min. We get seated outside, which was nice as it was not as noisy as the indoor seating; however, they sat us in a table right up against the back of one of their couch seating around the firepit. Immediately I felt uncomfortable sitting so close to strangers... where I could hear every word of their conversation and the man's elbow reaching around his girl is hanging slightly over my table. Who thought this seating arrangement was a good idea? uh... excuse me... I would like to move seats please.... Once relocated I felt much better to be able openly accept the atmosphere and finally look at the menu. Rock Shrimp tempura with wasabi aioli, spicy kochujan sauce with ranch dressing - - found that we liked them without the ranch... enjoyed this appetizer... Yose dofu, fresh tofu prepared table side with kim chee broth & dashi broth - - this was very cool - - to see the tofu prepared and firm over the course of 8-10 min... the kim chee broth is STRONG! beware! We enjoyed this appetizer as well... Sashimi salad: baby romaine, morimoto caesar dressing, quail egg - - the sashimi is seared and seasoned with furikake. The baby romaine are FULL leaves of romaine lettuce coated with the dressing. Difficult to eat using just the pretty chopsticks. Ladies - forget trying to be ladylike to eat this salad - pick a full leaf up and bite into it... it's the only way, unless you ask the waiter for a knife and fork... I also thought the seasoning on the sashimi was a bit salty... At this point... the kitchen was backed up... so we waited a while for our food. Since it was taking a little bit, our waiter brought us some konbu ocha. Not sure if they always do this before the main course or not, but it was a nice touch and allowed us something to pass the time with... When our food finally arrived it was well received... partially due to the wait, but more because we liked what we saw! Seafood Toban Yaki: kona lobster, king crab, mussel, clams, scallop, in a spicy red miso-sake sauce. My husband described it as seafood bouillabaisse on steroids with a kick! LOL needless to say he enjoyed it VERY much.. Cripsy Whole Fish: Big Island Fluke, spicy tofu sauce, pickled papaya salad... recommended by our waiter stating it was one of the more popular dishes ordered. Wonderful display - the entire fish is deep fried and EVERY THING IS EDIBLE! Fins, bones... everything... amazing... the fish is curled to hold lightly fried filets nicely for you... The spicy tofu sauce was okay, but I felt not enough... the fish was good, but i wanted more sauce or something to offset that deep fried taste... When finished they offered us a dessert menu... so we ordered: Trio of Sorbet: Flavors tonight were Melon, Cantaloupe & Pineapple. This was SO REFRESHING. I loved it! each little scoop is served on a small bed of finely chopped fruit of the flavor sorbet. wonderful - just wonderful! Peanut Better Bomb - - oh... my... God.... the salted peanut butter ice cream is THE BOMB! Forget the rest of the dessert on the plate - just eat the ice cream... I want pints of this ice cream! Yeah... seriously... the rest of the dessert was just not all that... I want to go back again - - with a camera and try some other things...
(3)
Willis S.
Its been a while since I've been to this restaurant but I really wanna jot down a quick review of the restaurant and my overall experience. I LOVE cooking shows but have to admit that Iron Chef was never on my list how ever I'm easily star struck and just the mention of his name made me excited enough to post on my Facebook that id be dining @ Morimoto's. The Ambiance of the restaurant and the hotel it sits in is very modern yet warm. It kind gives you that feeling of "BEING FABULOUS WHEN YOU KNOW YOU REALLY AIN"T." I loved the outdoor seating and all the modern fixtures that accompanied the area. Our server was very knowledgable of the menu but somehow came across as a little too high and mighty? Thats all good with me...but don't play the high and mighty card and forget our side order of Tempura mister...just saying. I don't want to spend time talking about dishes that I can barely remember but the one dish I want to tell you about is the Spicy King Crab...it was so pho king delicious! Crab is a hard one to add a flavor to without pho king it up! but this Spicy crab was juicy flavorful and blended nicely with the spicy sauce. Desert was fine and part of the experience but not great enough to where I remember it bite by bite. This place definitely had a romantic flair and was maybe not well suited for a family dinner with my mom and sis....but would definitely be great if you want to make someone fall in love with you :-). If I'm in Honolulu and love comes around...we'll definitely make a stop here! P.S. I GOT TO SEE THE CHEF HIMSELF!
(4)
DarTif S.
Lets see...where to start. Pros: -Great atmosphere and location can't be beat -Greeted with a smile and seated quickly -Waitress was quick to address our table -Lunch menu was reasonable and the selection was awesome -Valet service right in front, which makes dining here effortless. Cons: -Some items were not worth of the Morimito/Iron Chef status and should be used as bait to catch the fish of the day. -1st waitress couldn't really explain the items on the menu which was rather disappointing. -2nd waitress didn't bother to take our orders down and decided to memorize them instead. Guess what happens when you try this during lunch hour...FAIL -Had to wait almost 45 minutes for my order since she had to ask...after I brought up the status of my order. Overall it's a restaurant that just opened up here, so I'm willing to give this another try. Truthfully I was expecting a lot more from Morimoto's, but I guess every day can't be a 5 star operation right?
(3)
Kehaulani C.
Went here to celebrate my husband's birthday...with all the great reviews I had to try it...not to mention he is an Iron Chef and we are obsessed with that show! This place is NOT fancy...I either walked into a modern cafe or the wrong restaurant. I was literally having dinner with my husband and the girl on my left and couple on my right...you are THAT close. They actually chimed in during the decision making process...LOL. The highlight of the night was the sake sommelier. She recommended a fabulous sake. The food was good but not worth the $300 price tag for 2 people (okay...it was including the sake). If you want some GREAT Japanese food I suggest strolling towards Lewers and checking out Kaiwa. So my my two cents...this is probably a ridiculously fabulous place to have brunch and maybe cocktails at the bar.
(2)
Patrick C.
We made reservations here wanting to eat here but decided to eat somewhere else and cancelled. However, while at the pool...I said to myself that I must try their oyster w/ foie gras & uni....so I took it to go and ate it at the pool. Boy am I glad I did!! I loved it!! I mean what isn't to love about three of my fave dishes...Oysters...Uni...and Foie Gras?!?! Wow...melted in my mouth. First time ever trying this combo but won't be my last...
(4)
holland h.
Great food- but I cannot figure out the draw to the Modern. Not on the beach. Crappy noise. WTF?
(3)
Craig P.
Every Visit is Amazing!!!!!!!!!!
(5)
Isaac R.
Very very clean. If you had too much steak, grill, and heavy ramen soup, this is the place to purify your empty stomach. Probably the most soft and melty fish product I had in Waikiki
(4)
Lionel L.
Bottom line; Morimotos is an overpriced, pretentious, culturally safe fine dinning atmosphere to take someone to impress on a first date. Except if you take someone that's a foodie, you may be out of luck because the food is sub par at best--considering the price. What you are indirectly paying for in this restaurant is the ambiance and the setting. For a Japanese restaurant touted as authentic with it's fancy name and sign, it falls short of the dining experience. Take for example the price in relations to the portion. I ordered the loco moco (yes it's a mistake, why order this right?)but was mostly served with bits and pieces of sparse meat and canned gravy. My friends had the seafood and sushi, still far from enlightening any of our taste buds to say--wow that was good! I think we were all just shocked in awe as we thought--that's it? There were some positives! The desert. I would definitely go here for the desert. Yes it a pricey but flavorful and worth every bite. The disparity between desert and the main course is like black and white. Don't come To morimotos hungry and on a budget. My favorite feature of the restaurant was the restroom! It is clean! The urinals and commode are sleek white, the water closet room Is spacious and quiet. You can meditate in there if you want. The restroom is probably clean and static free enough to take apart a hard full of _____.
(2)
Chad Y.
Morimoto Waikiki is a great addition to the Honolulu culinary experience and I believe offers a great experience for the residents and guests of our fair city. That being said, I honestly don't believe that Morimoto Waikiki is one of those places that doesn't live up to its hype. It merely offers something different. Their menu is certainly unique its own way and you can certainly see how Morimoto and his team have added certain twists and tricks to make their dishes stand out. There are certainly highs and lows to it though. The raw seafood selections are quite phenomenal and you can certainly taste the freshness of the product and they certainly highlight it rather than mask it. However that's where the OMG this was good ends. The rest of the menu is certainly unique however the flavors wouldn't keep me coming back for more. Especially when I am going to end up paying $100/head for my menu. Service is certainly hit or miss. There are servers which offer a truly 5 star experience that know their menu and the food arrives in beautiful orchestration. On the other hand there are others that almost seem aloof. The ambiance is certainly Hollywood sheik with pulsating music, modern/contemporary decor, and the shiek vibe. Personally, I think that's what you are paying for... Certainly a good place to dine at, however is it really the work of an Iron Chef? Eh...certain items yes, a lot no.
(3)
Ken C.
It's been two years ago but I came in with high expectations at Morimotos and walked out with a disappointment. Felt the Omakase (all the same at morimoto locations) wasnt worth the value of its money.
(3)
Suzy K.
The best wagyu beef on O'ahu. Refreshingly modern atmosphere and vibe. Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto chillin' like a villain at the sushi bar late in the evening. Great view of the Honolulu Harbor with nice South Pacific breezes.
(5)
Devon S.
Ok so, I decided months ago that I was done with the whole Yelp thing. I had a good run, it was fun while it lasted, thanks for the memories. Morimoto's, however, brought me out of retirement. I had been wanting to try this place for quite some time; Morimoto being my favorite Iron Chef and all (well, he and Hiroyuki Sakai) and decided my birthday would finally be the day. As with every first visit to any Japanese restaurant, I always go straight for the sushi and there was definitely no shortage of options. One of the many offerings is the chef's sushi combination; $40, $80, $120, and $160 option. When I asked the server what was the difference between the four, he said that the higher priced ones come with higher grade fish and more exotic items. I consider myself a bit of a sushi connoisseur, so nothing less than the $120 option would grace this appetite. Much to my surprise, and somewhat to my dismay, 15 - 20 minutes later, I was presented with a cornucopious platter of pescatarian goodness the likes of which Neptune himself stood no chance of finishing. It was so big, the table of 5 Japanese people adjacent looked upon it (and me) with utter astonishment; whispering comments to one another in their native tongue that I need not have translated to understand the gist thereof. How in the world could the waiter look at me straight faced and allow me to order this thing without so much as a warning?! At first, I told the waiter he must have brought me another table's order, but he assured me that this monster was in fact all mine. When I asked him how I was supposed to finish this all by myself (the aforementioned table of 5 is now giggling, by the way), he suggested that I eat the nigiri first, then take the maki home to eat later. *deep sigh* Ok...ok, that sounds plausible. Let's do it...let's do it. After eating myself into a semi-comatose, "If I never see a piece of sushi again, it will be too soon" state, I had just begun to make some headway. Man, FOUR people could not have finished this. I tapped out. Eyes and mouth slightly open, I look over to said party of five and shake my head. Hysterical laughter ensued. The waiter returned and boxed up the rest of the sushi. His final insult? A plate of lime and coconut sorbet inscribed with "happy birthday" in chocolate ganache served with a smirk. I am currently in no shape to neither hug nor hurt him, so I just sink into my chair and moan. 5 stars to you, Morimoto's. Thanks so much for making my 35th memorable. "S"
(5)
Luke N.
Stick to the basics and you'll will not be disappointed. The chef's sashimi combination was awesome. I think that was the best mackerel I've ever had. The local tuna is really good and tender, has the softness of tuna belly. I have not tried most of the main courses or specialties but he sushi was excellent. Don't get the tuna pizza- it's gross, full of mayo.
(4)
Arabella M.
Great service, great food. You get what you paid for and it's true with this place. The cucumber drink was to die for. Steak was cook to perfection and the poke was so good and fresh, it just melts in your mouth. Wouldn't mind coming back here every night for dinner..
(5)
Jacqueline R.
Let me say one thing: too much hype about this place just because of the Iron Chef. I know, Iron Chef Morimoto is one of the best chefs out there, but I definitely think this place was overrated, and overpriced. They can probably get away with it because of the Iron Chef. The restaurant was located inside the Waikiki Marriott hotel. The actual restaurant is decorated very trendy and upscale. It was very nice and modern. We had a reservation and luckily didn't have to wait too long to be seated. We sat on the outdoor patio which was really pretty although it was right next to the harbor so we didn't get a beach view. The service was mediocre. I went with three friends and they all ordered the omakase. With each course, the waiter monotonously recited what was on the plate. It almost seemed too routine and boring for them. NOTE: If somebody in your party wants to order the omakase, do NOT go here unless EVERYBODY in your party wants it, because otherwise you will be sitting around doing nothing for a LONG time! As I said, my three friends all got it, but I ordered the wagyu filet mignon. My food came out at the same time they received their first course, but I was finished with my steak by their third or fourth course...still leaving me to sit through FIVE more courses! They came out at about 10-15 minute intervals, which easily had us stuck at the place for 2.5-3 hours. I got really bored and tired of sitting there with an empty plate while my friends omnomnomed their tiny sampler dishes. I also did not like how all of the items were a la carte. My steak was $50 as it is and I had to pay $8 just to get a side of potatoes. Kind of annoying. There isn't a bathroom located in the restaurant. You have to use the hotel's which is across the way. Very modern and interesting though. You should check it out. It took me the longest time to figure out how to turn on the faucet. Overall I think it's a nice restaurant for a night-on-the-town, but I don't think I'll be back again. It was too overrated and overpriced for me. I'm sure I can go somewhere with bigger and better food for a more affordable price just because it isn't in Waikiki and the restaurant of an Iron Chef.
(3)
Chantel B.
Booked our reservation here for February 15th since valentines day was booked already. The food was amazing we tried the oysters, surf and turf, gyoza and scallop. Didn't really care that much for the ice cream. We also tried their lychee mojitos and pineapple mojitos. Both were really yummy. We received excellent service and the staff was on it. Especially since they were busy. Their prices are pretty reasonable considering it is a high end Japanese restaurant. We will return back in the future :)
(5)
Cat P.
Chocolate peanut bombe dessert was the only bomb thing about this place the past 2 times I've visited. One of the best desserts I've ever had. I was highly disappointed in the Loco Moto. The flavors were reminiscent of salisbury steak and the presentation reminded me of school lunch at the cafeteria. Everything else was ok.
(3)
Megan G.
We came here with my in-laws to celebrate their last night on Oahu visiting. Being as I am pregnant, and cannot satisfy my ever-growing raw fish craving, I ordered some dishes I probably would not have ordered pre-pregnancy. We started with the toro tartare (sadly I had to let the other 3 diners have at this-- of course I was jealous as I've savored every last scrape of this dish in the past), the tempura calamari salad, and the pork gyoza. OK, I eat a LOT of salads at home. Typically I go out to eat to AVOID salads. This one though I am so glad I convinced the hubby and his parents to get. SO GOOD. If you are a calamari fan, this will blow your mind. Tempura fried and ever so light an crispy, the calamari melts in your mouth. The lightness of the salad that accompanies this is perfect. The gyoza were good too, and served with a cool bacon foam- points for presentation. I cannot stop dreaming of the calamari. We opted then to do individual entrees and share versus getting sushi, since I would have been left out. I told the mother-in-law to get the seafood toban-yaki as I have had it before and it is amazingly delicious. She was not disappointed and we were all jealous. Order this, you will not be left hungry or disappointed. Father-in-law ordered the lamb, husband had the ishi yaki buri bop, and I had the braised black cod. All were good, but we were all jealous of the diner with the tobanyaki. Thanks to a great evening again, Morimoto!!
(5)
Emily M.
Wow, there are some reviews on Yelp indicating this place isn't worth it. More recent reviews are positive, so we decided to go for it anyway. The cocktails I had were tasty (m-tini and kai kiss martini) but he food was mediocre at best. Maybe we chose poorly, but striking out on four dishes is unacceptable. Wagyu Carpaccio - too salty - no flavor Morimoto Sashimi - bland except for a couple of sauces Braised Lamb Shank - no flavor, too fatty Braised Black Cod - the fish was delicious, unfortunately it was drenched in a salty unagi sauce, which I did my best to scrape off Dare I say it - perhaps there's a reason Morimoto lost to Garces in the Tournament of Champions...
(1)
Gina L.
I had been dying to try this place, and what better time than on a beautiful vacation to Hawaii? I would give this place 5 stars alone on ambience. Gorgeous interior and patio area. It's located in the new Edition Hotel -- very modern and swanky. We were seated on the patio located by the harbor, where the weather was absolutely perfect and the sunset was breathtaking. I already knew exactly what I wanted: the Omakase tasting. Beautiful and unique presentations, but what did I expect, after seeing Morimoto on Iron Chef America. (I'll try to remember each course as accurately as possible, as I dined here about 3 weeks ago.) We started with the Toro and Hamachi tartare, served with multiple condiments that all complimented the fish in a delicious way. Next, was enlightened Kanpachi sashimi, and probably my favorite course of the dinner. SO delicate and fresh, with the perfect amount of marinade, garnishes, etc. There were only three pieces, but I guess that's what keeps you wanting more. The next dish was the most unique of all. It was Morimoto's version of "fondue." The dip was a mix of anchovies, garlic, maybe olive oil... and probably more ingredients that I can't recall (tasted great). This fondue was served with a variety of fresh vegetables as well as other interesting bites. An extremely fun way of dining, not to mention an even more delicious way of eating your veggies! Next up was the Chawanmushi. I was thrilled about this course because of the foie gras in the middle. The custard was AMAZING, absolutely amazing. However, I was slightly let down by the foie gras, as it wasn't as delicate and buttery as I usually like it. Then again, I've only ever had foie gras prepared with French techniques. I was still blown away by the custard, nonetheless. Nigiri came next, consisting of maguro, unagi, and I THINK sake and hamachi. As fresh as could be. We enjoyed the kelp tea afterwards, which I believe was the palate cleanser. It's really an odd drink, but delicious. Nothing like I've tasted before, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. For the main course, we were served a hearty plate of lobster, filet mignon, and pork medallions. The lobster was accompanied by this lemony sour cream sauce, to DIE for. I would dip anything in that. The beef and pork were unfortunately a little on the salty side for me, so I was disappoined by that. Dessert was good, but I'm not much of a dessert person. I remember a potato ice cream? Interesting, but it worked! Overall, a beautiful experience. I definitely recommend doing the Omakase as it's chef's choice, so you never know what's next, but you can expect to enjoy it!
(4)
Vira P.
Everything in Morimoto's restaurant was simple and clean-from the decor to their menu. Service was top notch! It's pricey, so save up so you can treat yourself!
(5)
Kitty K.
Took my mom there in May for quick lunch.....Loved the valet parking(Asian Female thing lol) Decor is clean, modern minimalism from Lobby to restrooms. We picked the Patio seats outdoor by the harbor ...great view ...adequate service , decent food for the price. We both ordered the set lunch . not too many people that day probably is right after Mother"s day weekend. lol
(3)
Haein P.
I am a huge Iron Chef fanatic and going to Morimoto was a top food priority. I can say the food adequately met my expectations. We had the morimoto omakase, which features Morimoto's best dishes as well as the seafood toban-yaki and kakuni. The morimoto omakase is a must-try for those that truly want to experience the essence of Chef Morimoto. The foie gras chawan mushi was the absolute best within the omakase. The warm and savory egg custard was perfectly paired with the robust flavors of foie gras and tender duck breast. Also, fun to try and innovative was the bagna cauda, which consists of a garlic-anchovy olive oil dip and various blanched vegetables with bite-sized bread and chicken. Another absolute favorite was the dessert included in this omakase, which was a soy-milk panna cotta that was extremely light and subtle and a kabocha souffle with okinawan sweet potato ice cream and foam as well as candied kabocha. This was divine, to say the least. The souffle was perfect in taste and texture. The soft and fluffy souffle was matched wonderfully with the sweet potato foam and ice cream that enhanced the natural sweetness of the pumpkin. The kakuni appetizer was okay. The description being that it was 10-hour braised pork belly with congee in a ginger soy jus made it appealing, but upon arrival, looked meager. The pork was definitely not as tender or fatty as I had hoped, but the congee was perfect with the ginger soy. Definitely not worth the price and perhaps not worth a second order if visited again. The seafood toban-yaki had a gorgeous array of seafood that was irresistablly soaking in a spicy red miso-sake broth. To my dismay, the broth was much too salty. If the sodium had been decreased a couple notches, this dish would have been flawless. While the food met my expectations, the service was abysmal. I was thoroughly appalled and disappointed especially considering the fact that we were paying roughly $250 for our dining experience. From the moment we stepped into the restaurant to the moment we paid and left, we felt unwelcomed and unappreciated. The hostesses were impolite and brusque as they 'guided' us to our table. Our server was equally rude and unprofessional in demeanor and eloquence. The several courses in the omakase are not identified within the menu and therefore, presumably it is the server's obligation to describe each course or at least mention them to us, as customers. Despite knowing that the bagna cauda was included within the omakase, he remained silent when we ordered a separate bagna cauda as an appetizer. Once the first was finished, he audaciously mentioned another one was coming with a smirk on his face. Throughout the course of the meal, he was rather unattentive and distracted. The annoyance brewing within me several days after the occasion makes me regret not complaining at the time. Hopefully this doesn't stop you from trying and enjoying Morimoto's high-quality and noteworthy food. If not for the lack of customary service and good ol' Alton Brown, we felt like judges on Iron Chef.
(3)
Jeffrey K.
WOW! The omikase was so devine I went back the next night for the omikase "repeat", featuring all new dishes! The omikase must have been 10 courses, including a dessert course. Each dish was vastly different from the previous and the flavors were spectacular. The foire gras mouse with seared duck was so good that it was the only thing I asked to be repeated from the night before! It's rich, but delicious! I will definitely be back here to try the latest omikase!
(5)
Chris C.
well the crab should stand on its own but smeared in sauce same for lobster which they did twice can we say noice
(3)
Marci M.
This was one of the most exquisite places I've ever been to. Of course, I would simply expect the utmost best out of this restaurant for it is owned by the famous Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. Each dish that was brought out was devoured with my eyes before it reached my mouth. Each presentation was too beautiful and perfect to eat. However, once we began to taste the dish, each bite would simply melt on the tongue and tingle every single taste bud there was. By the end of my girls night, my palat and tummy was filled with the most most wonderful seafood, steak, and chicken. I would, also, recommend the white lily drink as well. The expense is rather high, but well worth the expense for the experience. The waiters are very helpful with the dishes as well. If there are questions on how to consume the dish as well as recommendations as to what to order according to your taste, they are there to assist you. This is a beautiful atmosphere in which you can have your party in-doors or out-doors. I recommend anyone to go and enjoy, from a girls night out to a romantic evening for two. This a perfect high class restaurant for almost any occasion. Enjoy!
(5)
Samantha P.
The iron chef strikes again!! He didn't disappoint accept for not coming out from the kitchen for a Kodak moment :( Sit on the patio Eats: Wagyu Carpaccio Sushi assortment Braised black cod Get the cookbook!
(4)
Jeanie H.
In my heart (and in my stomach...) I am an Iron Chef fan and "wanna be". So Morimoto Waikiki was definitely on my hit list. The anticipation of my arrival here simply made my toes curl....I will say that visiting on a Friday night and experiencing the prelude of fireworks at the Hilton lagoon was the perfect setting and ascension into sublime cuisine. Culinary Art. This is the destination that will be set on a pedestal for special occasions that can honor a celebration. By choice, I am normally a casual diner, who prefers "street fare" and enjoys the "hole in the wall" type of experience. But for a treat....this hit the spot! The outdoor ambience was a given, but coupled with the modern decor and courteous service...this is what makes Morimoto ICHIBAN! Rollover onto the poolside of the double chaise loungers of The Modern Hotel, which lies adjacent.....if I had my choice...I would still be there for breakfast if they would let me :)
(5)
Al S.
Listen. I love food. I lot. Like, I'm kinda fat and I couldn't care less because food is awesome kinda love. But I've never understood the cooking shows talking about "flavor profiles" or "star of this food" or any of that crap. To me, it sounded like people trying to ruin something that was already awesome the way it was. Like that guy who wanted to be a server at Hooters. Then I went to Morimoto. Holy shit. I had the Duck Duck Duck, and it changed my life. Well, I mean, I ate frozen pizza the next day, so not my WHOLE life, but I'm starting to see what they're talking about. The different parts of the dish just... kinda... went together. They blended? Like when a really obnoxious white guy is about to trip into a cake, and just as he starts to fall a seriously snarky female of ethnic background comes around the corner to watch the whole thing and make the amazingly hilarious comment that would be racist if she were also white. Just that perfect combination of factors coming together to produce something divine, that's what it was. Bonus: Very few tourists! Biggest complaint: A little loud, actually... I think it was the acoustics. Or my screaming and jumping on the table. Regardless, people noticed.
(5)
Lyn L.
With the "big name" and all of the hype, I sure expected more! Arriving at the old Ilikai, I was curious to see what Morimoto's Waikiki was all about....simply not impressed. The entrance to the restaurant is nice enough...soft lighting, pretty wood, frosted glass....then the hostess too us to our table...."under the big top!"...OMG...we're gonna have a $100/person dinner under a tent!!!...with Christmas lights!!! Surely they could have done better! The tables are all lined up...felt like I was a t Sam's club or Costco!...furniture was nice enough, but I could share my food with my neighbor...actually ended up seated next to some friends so we were able to get some menu suggestions....then the people next to us sat down and as we were served our food, they got to survey it and we shared our food opinions.... We passed on the o-toro...they want $12 for one piece of o-toro!!! nuts! We started out with the * - oysters....6 of them, but REALLY small and ordinary. * - kakuni - braised 10 hour pork belly in the congee (jook) with gobo - that was pretty good...oh just figured out the gobo must have been those "wisps" * - ox tail soup - with garlic friend rice, cilantro and ginger - soup was kind of "shoyuee"...garlic friend rice had maybe 2 tablespoons...(I think they list each ingredient so you think you're getting a lot...but it's soooo little) * - Soft shell crab roll - that was decent...the crab was nice and crispy * - braised black cod - ginger-shoyu reduction ( tasted like Yoshida sauce that I overcooked...kind of burnt and syrupy and waaay tooooo sweet and heavy for the fish), pickled bell peppers (I almost missed it...I've seen confetti bigger than that!) and budo mame (4 black beans)...like I say they list EVERYTHING..ha ha *- 1/2 lb wagyu filet - this was probably the best thing ($55)...cooked just right with some rock salt on the outside. We were surprised that there is NO LOCAL FISH on the menu....kind of sad considering we live out in the middle of the ocean...they had keahole lobster, nalo farms and hamakua tomatoes tho'.... Dessert was chocolate caramel something with a scoop of vanilla ice cream....coffee was good... Since we were seated so closely to our neighbor, I couldn't help but notice that she didn't eat her dinner...she had the ishi yaki buri bop.....her husband had the crispy whole fish....which he said was delicious (like I said, we were seated so closely together) Presentation was ho-hum....people were nice so they get 2 stars.... Well, don't think we'll be back....for my $200 I'd rather spend it at Imana Tei instead of the "big top"....(it even had some patches in it!) Soooo not impressed....oh well...
(2)
Rodney K.
Went there last night, the menu selection is very small most of it being expensive sushi. I wasn't really in the mood for sushi so I thought I would get a steak however the 14oz steak was $84 so I settled on the loco moto their version of a loco moco. The meat was tender and pretty god but there were only 4 or 5 tiny chunks in the whole dish. The egg was about half the size of a normal egg. Half the plate was rice. The gravy tasted like the salsbury steak gravy from the frozen dinners at Safeway. After eating the egg, meat, and some of the rice I was still hungry, I only got full from eating the rest of the rice and gravy. I pretty much paid $22 for a bowl or rice. Very unfulfilling and unsatisfying. If you want a loco moco youre better off going to L&L.
(1)
Mz S.
My best friends took me here for my birthday dinner. The dinner was an amazing experience. I was a little turned off by the hostess, but that was quickly forgotten about when we were seated and welcomed warmly by our waitress. My favorite cocktail is there White Lily. I loved it - had about 5 of them. The yamamomo on the bottom of the glass is delicious and I wish I could have a whole jar of them. Here is what we ordered that evening. Appetizers: Gyoza - great but not my favorite Tofu - listen to the waiter/waitress/food runner, do not touch the lid, just let it sit and do it's magic. It comes with a delicious kim chee broth. Hands down, my favorite appetizer pork belly - delicious!! Sushi Platter - a great variety of sushi. Each piece was delectable and fresh. Loved every bite! Calamari Salad - I ordered a salad for my entree which was a smart move for me because by now, I was getting full. I loved the crispy calamari with the cool cripsy greens and the dressing is amazing. Needless to say, my best friend's girlfriend ate half of my salad because it was just so good and neglected her entree. Chawan Mushi with Foie Gras - my favoirte! I order this every time i go. It's velvety smooth and the flavors are amazing. Loved every bite. Dessert: Peanut butter chocolate bombe - I had this before and liked it but my best friend inhaled this before most of us could grab a bite. This was his favorite dessert by far. Salted Peanut ice cream - YUM! Grilled Pineapple - this was a light and delicious dessert Sorbert assortment - refreshing and light Semifreddo - this was my best friend's girlfriend's favorite. light and delicious I was very sad to learn that they no longer make the tofu souffle that came with the hot and cold tofu dessert. That was so delicious and unique. All in all, I had a wonderful meal here.
(4)
Crissy K.
A very solid four stars. Going in, I was really hoping I'd be able to give Morimoto five stars. Why? Look at the guy: He totally rocks the house on "Iron Chef America." So why four stars? Some friends and I had the omakase and shared a few other plates. While 90-95% of the items served with the omakase were at least solidly good (just the pork with the entree dish was really dry and boring, and the seasoning used on the lobster kinda smelled like body odor), few were spectacular, and I don't feel that all of these dishes were honestly the BEST representation of Morimoto's cooking. BUT . . . That said, Morimoto standard solidly good is a lot better than you get most places in Honolulu. The foie gras chawan mushi made me a believer in chawan mushi (after the one at Yohei nearly convinced me that I would never try it again). The hamachi and toro tartare, with its five accompanying garnishes, was a sight to behold, presentation-wise, but I had no hesitation digging in and savoring each flavor. The bagna cauda was so simple, yet so savory and mouth-watering. And don't forget: Don't limit yourself to the omakase. My favorite item we sampled had to be the kakuni -- the ten-hour pork belly. It was the most tender pork I have ever had, and I would go back for this alone. OK, and the lamb carpaccio, of which they just give you so much, it's a great deal right out of the bag. The service my friends and I received the night we went was quite good: The servers were very patient in explaining the components of each dish and even came back to go over one of the omakase dishes with someone who had been in the restroom when it first arrived at the table. It was difficult to hear the explanations at times because the room was so large and noisy, but that wasn't the fault of the servers themselves. I look forward to visiting Morimoto Waikiki again to see what else the menu has to offer!
(4)
Rebecka A.
Complimentary valet parking in front of The Modern. We had a reservation for 6:45 and arrived at 6:00, and they seated us right away which was great. I requested a table with a view on the on-line reservation form, and we were seated with a great view of the marina and setting sun. The waiter and water guy were attentive and patient when we took a long time to order drinks, appetizers and dinner. The Morimotini is cucumber, vodka and sake. It is strong and refreshing! For appetizers, we had the pork gyoza (with bacon cream foam! what does that even mean?!) and the ahi pizza. Sashimi grade ahi on a crispbread. The gyoza were ok, fun with the foam but I didn't taste too much bacon. The ahi pizza was amazing! So delicious. For dinner I ordered the duck, duck, duck. Of the three ducks, the best was the regular sliced duck breast meat with pineapple salsa on top. Delicious! The other two ducks, a meatball broth covered in a flaky crust top and a spring roll (note singularity: it's one spring roll cut in half) were both ok. The presentation of all the dishes was great. For dessert (yes we went all out!) we had the soy cheesecake and the peanut butter bomb. Dang is that peanut butter bomb, bomb! :D It's like a big candy bar, but very light and easy to eat. I would say that as far as fine dining goes, Morimoto does well. I didn't have anything I didn't like, but a few of the dishes didn't 'wow' me so that's why I gave it 4 stars and not 5. For the price I would have wanted a bit more pizzazz in those gyoza and the duck meatballs and spring roll. #100in2015 (#16)
(4)
Karl S.
We have been waning to try a Morimoto for quite a while, just never in the right time place. Very happy we found one on Oahu! Arrived for our 7 pm reservations and were warmly greeted by very friendly and professional Hostess, we were struck by how beautiful and relaxing the restaurant is decorated and laid out. Once seated our Server was on it, very accommodating with plenty of useful suggestions. We started with awesome Martinis. We tried the Yellowtail Pastrami and the Pork Gyoza, along with the Kakuni, a 10 hour braised Pork Belly all were absolutely amazing dishes. For the main course I picked the Seafood 'Toban Yaki' which was one of the best things I've ever eaten. Wifey chose the Australian Wagyu Filet, super tender and wonderful flavors. Overall one of the best dining experiences we've had in Waikiki, which is not an easy thing to do.
(5)
Harry N.
I came to this restaurant, because I was recommended by a family member, it came highly recommended. I gave it 5 stars because I truly felt the food was amazing and the service was even better. For every appetizer or main dish we were given a new set- up and new plates. Our glasses were always topped off, they wouldn't let our drinks get below half full. The sushi was delicious. The portions are small , but creatively prepared and the tastes are very unique. This style of sushi reminds me of the NOBU sushi chain in California. The prices were on the expensive side, but worth it. Our bill for 4 people, including drinks, appetizers and main dishes came out $350. To top everything off, the scenery from the outside balcony was amazing. You can watch the sinset.
(5)
Betsy B.
Modern atmosphere in the Modern Hotel owned by celebrity chef. I walked over from the Ilikai Hotel by coming past the pool but my friend drove and got validated parking. There is indoor and outdoor seating but if you arrive in the evening before the sun is down, it can be a challenge to get a seat where one of you doesn't have sun in your eyes-the curtains don't really block out the sun. In any event, the service was outstanding with our server being very helpful and attentive without being intrusive. We each had an appetizers to start which were generous proportions and filling. I had the tempura rock shrimp that came in a three section dish with one having shrimp in a spicy kochujan sauce, one having shrimp in wasabi aioli and the last being a ranch dressing with some celery sticks but it was interesting to dip the other shrimp lightly in the ranch dressing now and then as well. It was cooked nicely and enjoyed the taste. I had the California roll next which was very good. The last thing I had was a tofu cheesecake that we shared and it was more tasty than expected as well as being very light-more like a mouse. Although it can be pricey, you can easily get by with appetizers-I would have had an entree had I not already filled up. The service was as good as I've ever had. The only drawback was the noise level and glare from the sun. It is worth a visit at least once though.
(4)
Maggie B.
It was ok. Not anywhere as good as the MW Restaurant (although they are aiming for the same level) but certainly far better than Roy's Waikiki. The ambience was good and the service ok but the experience wasn't what it ought to be at these prices. We had the tasting menu with wine pairing. I never once heard what the courses were - the place is very noisy but more importantly the server seemed to be mailing it in. There was no proper introduction of each course. It felt that because we'd chosen the tasting menu, we were on an assembly line and no one really cared about our experience. That isn't how one should feel. The food was quite good - if only the servers cared...
(3)
Clay Y.
Very upscale Japanese restaurant, Service impeccable, wait staff very accommodating, friendly and explained each dish and presentation perfect. Everything is cooked to perfection. Table side presentation awesome. It's like dining in two different settings, inside you get the sound and noise bouncing off the walls but very elegant and air conditioned, the outside is more relaxed and if you get there before sunset you will be treated to an awesome sunset overlooking the boat harbor. If you can find parking on the street below it's $1.00 an hour, or valet. You can also park across the street for $7.00 and walk across the bridge on the second floor.
(4)
Mark W.
THIS IS NOT A THREE STAR EXPERIENCE! I've been to this restaurant on four different occasions over the past four years and each and every time the experience from the service to the food has been outstanding! Lobster perfect! Rock shrimp perfect! Alaskan King crab perfect! Pork dumplings perfect! Tofu perfect! These one and two star reviews simply make no sense to me since my experiences have always been so spot on and consistent over the years.
(5)
Elysse P.
The restaurant is located inside The Modern Honolulu (where we were staying). If you're a weirdo like me and watched Iron Chef before you went to sleep every night, you know who Chef Morimoto is. This was a must on my list so we made a ressie as soon as we booked our flights. The restaurant ambiance reflects The Modern. Gorgeous and chic, but still simple. Loved the floral artwork on the walls and moss tables... and even the little details like the clear chopsticks. + Sushi platter - they are very flexible when it comes to the different platters. As the prices go up, the quantity and quality go up as well. We went with the 180 option and specified we all really wanted uni. There were 5 of us. The chef worked with our request and made 5 of each fish. Our platter came with 7 different types of sushi (including our beloved uni), spicy tuna roll, and tamago to finish. DELICIOUS. This is definitely a must. + Oysters with foie gras and uni - Set of 3 oysters. 3 of my favorite things in one dish. DO it. + Toro tartar - Really enjoyed the presentation and flavor. The toro is SO fatty and the 5 sauces accompanying the toro definitely complete the dish. I would also recommend this. + Alaskan crab legs - we were excited because the waiter explained they would be flavored in spice... but disappointed to find out that the flavor was actually a spicy, thick mayo......... not really our preference. The side of fries were crispy, but again smothered in the mayonnaise and thus a big soggy and less appetizing as the sauce continued to soak. I would only recommend this dish to mayonnaise lovers. + pork belly congee - the pork belly is beyond tender and HAS SO MUCH FLAVOR. Worked perfectly with the congee (porridge). I would recommend this dish for sure. + 12th rose - HIBIKI 12 year old whiskey (really good Japanese whiskey) mixed with some sort of lavender lemonade, rosemary... and other stuff. I can't remember and it's not on their online menu yet! The waiter did mention that it's one of their newest cocktails. AMAZING. I was expecting to dish out on this meal, but it was not bad at all. Spent about $65/each with tip. The service is absolutely perfect. Our waiter was very informative, made great recommendations, and really worked with us in creating the perfect sushi platter. He also brought out complimentary sorbet and chocolate for my birthday :) I realllyyyy enjoyed Morimotos!
(5)
Jin H.
Foods are just ok, poor service quality. Good location by Harbor but uncomfortable table layout.
(2)
Reina L.
From the moment we walked in and Duane helped us with the menu...to all the great servers and the delicious foods...this has been one of my best birthday dinners. This is one of my top three restaurants! We started with the sashimi platter, then tried a sushi platter, from there we got the tenpura squid salad, and then finally decided to order our main course meals. I loved that Duane was so helpful and everyone was so friendly that this made my son and my first experience here wonderful!
(5)
Stephanie L.
I had dinner here on Friday, Mach 7, 2014. Despite all the negative reviews I decided to come here and surprise my boyfriend for our 4 year anniversary. It was raining so we weren't able to sit outside on the patio. By the looks of pictures it was really nice and even had a fire pit so I was pretty bummed. Morimoto's is located in the Modern Hotel and if you valet your car the restaurant will validate for up to 4 hours. The restaurant itself is beautiful and modern with an ocean feel. My boyfriend and I love sushi and we've been to a lot of high end sushi places (Mitch's, Sushi II, etc.) so we figured we would order sushi. Instead we decided to try the Omakase "chef's choice" cause we've never tried it before at any other restaurant that offered it. Priced at $140 a person you would have high expectations. I have got to say that the Omakase was amazing. I wish I took pictures but even the pictures wouldn't do justice as to how good everything tasted. The Sushi was so fresh and tasty. Our main course which was lobster, braised pork, and wagyu beef was to die for. Our coconut crusted butter mochi and banana nut ice cream dessert was amazing. The foie gras with duck breast was so buttery and fatty it melted so good in your mouth. Our waiters were very knowledgable and very friendly. The best part is that Iron Chef Morimoto was there and we were able to take a picture with him. The waiters won't bother Morimoto so that you can take a picture with him, you have to go up to him yourself and ask. He was very friendly and doesn't speak good english. Can't wait to come back again to try the pork gyoza or Omakase round 2!
(5)
Jeff L.
Ambiance and food presentation was fantastic! Iron Chef Rocks! Our server Sarah was great! Highly recommended.
(5)
Hiro S.
Came back here for Thanksgiving dinner. We started with fresh oysters - served with three different sauces. Continued with salad, white fish carpaccio, spicy crab legs, abalone takoyaki, Californian roll (w/real crab meat), and ramen noodle soup. Everything was tasty, but I was happy to validate their ramen noodle was still my favorite even after the previous executive chef's departure. The service was flawless, our drinks were replenished, and clean plates were brought on timely manner w/o asking. I hope they continue to maintain this level.
(5)
Yo S.
It was a windy Valentines so EVERYONE sat inside causing a back log on reservations. We were seated 45 mins late. A lot of other reservations looked frustrated about the wait which was understanding. Maybe a "free" round of drinks would have been nice once we were seated.. Hehe. Dinner was not as good as the last time we were here. The tempura appetizer was exceptional so we couldn't wait for our entrees. My wife had the "duck duck duck" which she said was OK. I had the surf and turf which was great except for the tea (seaweed water) to clean your palette. Service was exceptional and Chef Morimoto was there entertaining friends but would take selfies with patrons. Very cool... I will go back again but may try the sushi selection next time... Looked good from what I could see.
Given the prices here, I was disappointed by the food and service. There were six of us out for a business dinner and I was expecting to be transported (metaphorically) to Tokyo.
(3)
Toby T.
Morimoto Waikiki is one of my top three restaurants in Hawaii. Not only is it good for dinner, but also for lunch. The ambiance is great with a choice between indoor A/C our outdoor overlooking a yacht harbor at the Pacific Ocean. The restaurant is located in the sleek Modern Honolulu Hotel. Here are my top choices when dining: For dinner: MUST: Big Island Abalone Takoyaki Eat sushi. Get the Chef's combination. Appetizers are the Toro Tatare or Wagyu Carpaccio The Australian Wagyu Filet is Steakhouse quality (open 5pm - 10pm) For lunch: Get a Combo. Either the Sushi/Sashimi/Tempura combo or the Sushi/Loco Moto combo (loco moco made with wagyu beef and hayashi gravy) Make sure you get an ice tea. (open 11am - 2:30pm) And they also serve Ramen Soup too in case you are looking for something simple. Don't forget to leave room for dessert, the flavors are spectacular!
(5)
Malikah M.
Went for my Birthday and my husband and I had the Chefs sampler so that we could enjoy a taste of the menu and it was worth ever dime. Every bite was amazing and different. We enjoyed the experience!
(5)
Emma F.
We had the sushi here and it was fantastic. Our waiter was kind of MIA part of the night and the atmosphere left a lot to be desired (trying too hard). But the food was actually really outstanding. My advice, get the sushi.
(4)
Sweetie P.
This was my second visit to Morimoto's and the second time I was disappointed by the TASTE of the food. The oyster foie gras w/uni was ok. The soft shell crab roll was the worst I've had compared to many Japanese restaurants around town and Nobu's (which I thought had the best). It was dry & lacked seasoning. The uni & Japanese uni was fine. That's why we went for uni. The abalone balls were terrible!!! The dough on the inside was raw, had no taste and the abalone itself had little flavor. It was a shame that such a delicacy had been treated and prepared in such a manner. The main course, the filet w/poke, was a HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT. Although done to my liking (well), the steak was under-seasoned if seasoned at all and the poke did not taste like fresh fish and there was only 4 pieces of fish dressed up with 2 mozzarella cheese balls and 4 baby tomatoes. A watered down teriyaki sauce was served on the side, i guess for the steak, but didn't add much flavor. The mashed sweet potato was the best dish of the night. If you have $$$ to throw away on outrageous prices based on his celebrity, then this place is for you. If you appreciate food that tastes good, go somewhere else.
(1)
Jeanette S.
We made a 730 reservation on a Sunday morning even though it wasn't necessary, we were the only patrons there until about 8 AM. Who is actually up that early on a Sunday? We were seated outside overlooking the harbor. Lots of green and white seating and tables. Price wise, in my honest opinion, it's not as pricey as a lot of people say it is. Granted we had breakfast, but I've browsed the dinner and lunch menu and I don't think the prices are all that expensive. It's on par with the cost most hotel restaurants in Waikiki offer. Our server was pretty good, very nice, filling our waters, checking in on us. Would have been nice if he smiled, but it was early so it's understandable. The service made up for it. We had to wait a bit for our food to come, but it was ok since we were enjoying the view and just taking in the morning without the morning crowd. To start we ordered iced coffee for me, and orange juice for the husband. Iced coffee comes plain and they give you simple syrup and cream to add in accordingly to your taste. I usually have my coffee black but today I made an exception, a little cream and sugar won't hurt. For breakfast the husband had scrambled eggs, spam, toast, and potatoes. can't really go wrong with that, it's his go to breakfast order pretty much everywhere we go. I like to try different things so I had the traditional Japanese breakfast. It was pretty good! It came with miso soup, grilled miso fish, assorted pickled veggies, ahi poke, nori, and a poached egg. Definitely worth the cost! The miso fish tasted so yummy! It was nice a buttery. Love the pickled veggies, it's the first thing I ate. Ahi poke was good too, not like other places, where there is either too much or too little soy sauce, it was just right. I just wish they gave a bigger portion. My husband and I shared a short stack of the banana pancakes. I love bananas, and I definitely loved the banana pancakes. The banana flavoring is there but it's not too overpowering. We ordered it topped with fresh berries and macadamia nuts. It was so yummy we should have ordered the full stack instead of the half stack. Overall it was a pretty good experience friendly staff, good service, great food. We will be back. Next time for dinner.
(4)
Gen T.
I loved this place! Everything was great from the service to the decor... The food was definitely worth it. I'd like to especially say that the server and wait staff were really attentive and helpful and always gave you full description of all the items and were very friendly. We ordered the Wagyu Carpaccio, Poki which had a different twist on it than I've ever tried before, the oyster foie gras was fantastic and highly recommended, Tobanyaki was a first and I absolutely loved it but my favorite no matter where I go is Black Cod... YUM!!! A little on the pricey side but all in all I had a great night nothing bad at all to say about Morimotos. Cant wait to go back there again!!
(5)
Traci H.
I went here for a birthday lunch for someone in the office. Since the boss is paying why not! I have to say before coming here I've heard mixed reviews. From loved it to very disappointed. So I came here not knowing what to expect. First of all, the place was WOW! The restaurant was a vibrant green and white. Very modern Hawaii feel, it looks like it would be a great lounge if they did late night. ;) The Edition is updated from what I remember the Ilikai to be back when I had winterball and proms there! We had the pineapple tempura, and the lamb carpaccio. I wouldn't get the pineapple tempura again, it was interesting, but ok. I LOVED LOVED LOVED the lamb carpaccio! It was so soft and tender, and well seasoned! I drool at the thought of it! I love butterfish so I had the braised black cod (aka butterfish), which was delicious! It was so flavorful! It's small for an entree, but I was stuffed by the time dessert came around. One girl had the angry chicken and seemed to enjoy it. The angry chicken looked like one of the larger entrees. The other girl had the tempura, sushi, and sashimi set. It didn't look like much but it added up she said, and also said it was good. Our boss got the kakuni don, which is pork belly that is cooked for 10 hours. I had a taste and it was very flavorful. If you like shoyu pork, you'll like this. It is served over rice, and it's a pretty big bowl. We shared a tofu cheesecake for dessert and it was interesting. Light and fluffy, just a hint of a creamy cheese taste. Interesting to try once. They have a their own specialty drinks, one person loved the green flash. I tried the white lily, it was very citrusy...because of the yuzu. All in all I would love to go back. I will have to get the lamb carpaccio again! I would get the black cod, but I would like to try other things as well. It's pricey so it'll have to be a special occasion. The staff was warm and helpful. They did forget to bring tempura sauce though. :P
(4)
Steve O.
First - the service and decor were really good. My food was ok. I had the toro appetizer for $28. The tuna was good but I wasn't a fan of the presentation. You have to scrape the tuna off a plate and then put some topping on it. It was tasty but not worth the $28. For a main course I had the yellowtail cooked at the table, which is essentially a hot stone bowl. The dish was supposed to feature sushi grade tuna but didn't taste like that to me. The pieces had the darker spots where the fish doesn't taste good. It was an iron chef meal. In my opinion it wasn't that good. My wife had the Waygu with the egg and she said that was amazing. So I think you can get good food - you just need to choose wisely. Again the service was great.
(3)
Jackie P.
We had the following: - HAMACHI TARTARE...had to try it from seeing it on all the food shows. expected too much, probably won't order it again. - OYSTER FOIE GRAS...LOVED these! definitely order the sauce on the side since it is strong. will get 2 orders of this tasty goodness next time we come. - YOSE DOFU...good to try once, but will try other dishes next time. - PORK GYOZA...stay away from this one. what a waste of stomach space :( - CHEF'S LOCO MOTO...should've stayed away from reading the other reviews, boo. - SEAFOOD TOBAN YAKI...my FAVORITE dish of the night. can't wait to eat it again! Got too full, so next time we'll try the wagyu carpaccio, crispy whole fish, and maybe some tofu cheesecake.
(4)
Sandra C.
Beautiful presentation, food was good, a little pricey, and small portions. Rock shrimp appetizer with two sauces was tasty, but you can get that elsewhere easily. Pork belly on top of congee was excellent but it was a tiny portion ..1.5 inches x 1.5 inches of meat over an ounce or two of congee soup for $18. The fish was fresh for sushi. I had to put a credit card on open table to hold reservation, maybe because it was mother's day weekend. seemed like a way to appear really busy and booked. The restaurant was not full, although busy, from 6-8 on Sunday. Great service. Plates changed. Bathrooms, which was nice, oddly did nit have toilet seat covers and toilet was really low. Decor was nice with white drapery and shells on display and lights outside, but not an A + as others have rated. Read the reviews some stayed away from omakase which seemed like it would be a disappointment for $120. Expect to spend $$$$ anyways.
(4)
Terri Lynn S.
Excellent dining experience. Decided to have full-on appetizers instead of ordering dinner entrees. Very tasty and great presentation. Tempura Calamari Salad (highly recommend), Crispy Rock Shrimp Tempura, Tekka maki, Spicy Tuna, and California Roll. Wine and Beer went well with food. Complimentary Valet parking a plus.
(5)
John E.
The ambiance was very nice. We went at night so I couldn't tell you much about the view . I don't watch Iron Chef so apparently the chef there is famous. He was there greeting meeting people. The bill was very high but the experience was excellent. Our group tried several different entrees. Everyone raved over it. The service was excellent too. Our waiter really seem to know a lot about the food in the restaurant.
(5)
Brian B.
When my friend suggested going to this restaurant to co-celebrate our birthdays together, I jumped at the chance... What I always enjoy doing is trying new places, and especially going to new & unique dining places on my birthday and this place did not disappoint! When I found out where this place was located, which is in "The Edition Waikiki Hotel", I was like WTF is that?? I came to find out that this place is adjacent to the Ilikai Hotel and is actually pretty nice. Basically it's on the same side of the street as the Marriott Prince on Hobron Lane. If you know where Red Lobster or Outback Steakhouse is on Ala Moana Boulevard, you can easily find this place. As you go down Hobron, the entry for this place is on the left hand side of the block and towards the end. You have to look carefully or bring someone with you, because it's fairly easy to miss the valet area where you would pull in to go to this restaurant. Once inside, there's a beautiful lobby with a nice little waiting area that's decked out. The restaurant is on the right side, and when you enter it, you'll see a bunch of green couches & chairs with a little reception area. It's kinda small but once you get past that area and into the main dining area, it really opens up. BTW, there is also an area outside as well, where you can eat in the open air but we ate inside. You'll quickly notice that the ceiling is high and that all of the chairs and whatnot are green with brown wood tables. Hanging above some of the tables immediately to the right, and at the back where they have large groups, there are clear fiberglass boxes that have these huge seashells inside of them. To the left as you enter there is a white bar area with a picture of a purple-ish looking flower which is also on the far opposite wall as well(the same area where the large groups are seated). When you get to the table there is a nice white, rectangular plate with a cloth napkin and a small polished white stone on which a pair of clear chopsticks lay. Very nice presentation! On the center of our table, which was in the large group area, there was a huge cylinder with a shell inside of it that was sitting on some decorative rocks. The menu features quite a nice selection of items which range from hot & cold appetizers, noodle & soup dishes, entrees, steaks, and finally some sushi. There is also an extensive cocktail menu which features the usual drinks including sake & shochu. We ordered a few appetizers, a few highlights of which included an ahi pizza & Morimoto's sashimi which consists of five 3-layered pieces of sashimi. Also there were some rockefeller(?) oysters, fried gyoza, and a takoyaki-like dish(I forget exactly what was in it but it wasn't squid or octupus... one of my friends ordered it). Then came the main entree! I ordered the 16oz Wagyu New York Strip Steak with potatoes which was awesome! The steak was done to perfection and very succulent, the potatoes however were just a tad bit salty for my tastes.... I should've ordered some side vegetables to go along with it to break up the taste of everything... A few other friends ordered a rack of lamb, lobster & hamachi which all looked equally appetizing and very well presented! Finally we ended with desert which was awesome as well! I ordered a dish called "Hot & Cold Tofu" which was a cheesecake type of desert with a berry sorbet. A few friends ordered dishes such as a peanut butter dish & also a haupia desert too. All in all, I must say that I was very impressed with the overall meal. It was presented well & tasted as good as it looked. This is definitely a "wine & dine" kind of place that you take someone that you're trying to impress whether it's a date or a client. One thing that was kinda irritating is the fact that our server brought our food and went into a little bit too much detail about the dish we were eating, however I suppose it's to be expected since this is an iron chef restaurant. What would it be, if there wasn't a modicum of explanation into the thought behind the dishes that were created? The wait staff was pleasant as well, and the place didn't seem to get overly busy inside which was nice. I also had my shochu drink consistently full, so that was a nice touch as well! =) This is definitely a dining experience to try out! If you really want to go somewhere & get the full dining experience but don't mind paying a relatively good fee for it, go here! It's worth a try at least once, and it also makes for a good place to take someone to impress them too...
(4)
Craig F.
The worst! Service was terrible and the food worse. We asked the waiter if the chef would make something special for our friends Bday. Without thinking or missing a beat he answered with a rude and firm no. The manager came by and explained that the chef was underwater. The place was half full. Really! She then dug a herself a huge hole by telling us a couple lies and left. We ate the over priced appetizers and weak cocktails in front of us, paid the bill and left. I mentioned our experience to a local friend, who is a very high end guy, his reply, he nor any local would ever be seen dead at Morimoto!
(1)
Nicole L.
If you don't want to read my full critique, the bottom line is it's not worth the price. This was my first time dining at Morimotos and I took by boyfriend there for his birthday wanting a special experience. We arrived a few minutes before our reservation time and were told our table would be ready in "just a few moments".15 minutes later we were seated only after I approached Tue hostess and asked how much longer our table would be and if it would be better if we waited at the bar. We ordered the tasting menu and several ala carte dishes; the only standouts out of everything were the foie gras chawan mushi and yose dofu. The ala carte pork belly and butterfish (black cod) were both too sweet, and the tasting menu surf and turf had the toughest piece of wagyu I've ever tasted. When the servers brought out the Bagnacotta, they accidently brought 2 and proceeded to drop 1 on the table beside us before realizing their mistake, picking it back up, and dropping the same dish at our table. Otherwise service was ok, definetly not up to par with what's expected at a fine dining restaurant; several times dishes were served with the back of the handfirst, and although asked whether celebrating any special occasion when the reservation was made, there was no acknowledgment of my boyfriend's birthday- why make the effort to ask if there is no follow-up? The overall experience was not bad. The ambience, as noted in other reviews, is very relaxed, romantic, and cozy outside. Unfortunately, the food, nor the service, lived up to our expectations.
(2)
Davis O.
I went for a late secret Santa with some old High School friends a few days ago and was disappointed. The appetizers where all pretty good but I felt the entrees could be better. President Obama loves to come here when he visits Hawaii, unfortunately I don't know what he orders. I gave 3 stars for: great location with a view overlooking the marina; good restaurant decor; good service; and tasty appetizers.
(3)
Shawna F.
The other night was my birthday I brought with me a large party with a tab adding up to at least $1200, I was in the past a repeat customer but I will never go there again! I was treated like dirt. service was terrible, it took 40 minutes just to place an order for appetizers, and hour to receive our main course and no one was able to eat together because of how much time it took everyone to get there items (more than 20 minutes apart from the first dish to the last).This was not a busy night so my husband complained to the manager and was told they can't handle large parties (something I should have been informed of when I made my reservation several days in advance) he asked if he wanted to at least come talk to our table and the manager told him no. I had planned on ordering dessert and coffee for the whole table but my guests had grown inpatient. Part of my party (3 people) paid for there meals and left. I don't know why but the rest of us were stuck waiting for our tabs for another 45 minutes, my husband and I received our bill and paid along with one other person. We waited another 20 minuets for the rest of the bill to be divided until our server came over and told us that he was sorry that they will only split it 6 ways after all that time waiting. My husband once again talked to the manager and was told that wasn't so and that the check could be dived up, so he voided all the previous transactions and started over. At that point he said he would void the 18% gratuity after hearing the request a few different times that night. This took another 35 mins and the servers had to come back around and ask us what we all had again. Me and my husband told them we didn't need a new print out because we were paying in cash and were going to leave the money for the food with out the cost of gratuity. Once we started walking out the manager told us not to leave (here is where I'm confused) because they didn't have someone's money because she (one of the ladies that had previously left) signed the wrong receipt. I told them that they swiped her card and he told me she didn't I called her and she checked with her bank and she did indeed have a charge from the restaurant. He still said they didn't swipe the card and we had to stay because $300 was missing. I looked at the receipt and it was only an $80 tab and was the correct merchant copy and was signed. He pulled it from my view not wanting me to look at it and refused to tell me what the other amount of money is from he ignored me and started yelling saying we don't split bills here this I a classy place.(1. he already told us they do split bills 2. I have taken large groups to a number of "classy" places and have always split the bill) He then told security to call the police and to block us in the restaurant. I said that was unacceptable an tried to squeeze past but was shouldered away from the exit by two large men (This act was illegal, these people are to observe and report and nothing more nor are they to physically detain anyone). At this point we were all very upset. Some people even had to use the bathroom which is located outside. I asked the assistant manager what was going on and he told me he didn't know and hid in another room. My husband started calling the police himself which made the manager finally let us go yelling at my party of 12 to never come back and calling us trash. I stayed behind to ask who I can complain to, the manager whose name is Chad said he is the top guy no one above him. I'm sure the top guy is not a general manager and rather an owner or corp., but he refused to tell me anyhow. He also followed me out the door tell me I'm a real class act for giving them $200 even for a $197 bill and not the other $40 in gratuity which he already said we didn't have to pay. I told him he said we didn't have to pay that but he ignored me and continued calling me a "real class act" but its ok cause he "has it like that "and could "eat it" once again I told him it should have been taken off anyway and he got louder and told me I didn't pay a dime of it and said that we are really "honest people" and to never come back. When I get to the car I see the security are trying to pressure my remaining male guest in a fight and using colorful language (something none of us ever resorted to) This was supposed to be a celebration. I had intended on going out having a wonderful meal and probably most importantly for the establishment spending a lot of money. I thought that would be a place my friends and I would like to again visit but instead I was humiliated and my entire night was ruined because I had spent hours in that restaurant having a terrible time, as well as hours later contacting the police, filing a report and contacting my friend as to how they wanted to pursuer this incident. The police suggested I contact my Military lawyer. That route seems extreme and not something I am ready to pursuer but I do want to know that somethin
(1)
Robert R.
low grade dog food. the tempura shrimp was smothered in garlic aioli sauce and chili paste with a side of ranch dressing. the hamachi was the lowest grade available on island and needed to be cooked to eaten. thats not sashimi grade. go to roys or yanagi shushi and forget about morimoto. oh, and don't even get me started with the wine list.
(1)
Key-rah K.
did the 9-course to try. overall, the experience was worth the try...the ambiance was okay, the service was good, food was unique, drinks were ...well....ok (my first drink was made and served with a fruit fly in it----i sent it back and they shook me up a new, bug-free one). we were seated right away, near the sushi bar, it was a pretty green/white theme. i liked it! when it got busy, however, a couple was seated right next to us, no divider separating our seats. so...yeah. they were (rightnexttous). the woman was speaking and laughing quite loudly in another language, which made our dining experience not so pleasant from about 3/4ths into the dinner. if it wasn't for the awkward seating arrangement, i would have given a 4/5 stars....i still think its nice to be able to say i tried this spot. :o)
(3)
Adam M.
This was on my "go to" list for things to do on my Hawaii trip, so i was looking forward to eating here for some time. I made a reservation for 130pm and when i arrived the place was almost completely empty inside. our server greeted us and was very helpful in choosing different entree's and drinks. Me and a friend ordered 3 items, plus 2 drinks which totaled to approx. $260 (130 per person). -Toro Tare Tare: this was a very light appetizer, which included a variety of sauces to dip the tuna into for flavor. i would rate this 3.5/5 - Ahi Pizza: I really liked this item. is again was light but had spice (jalapenos), sweetness, and crunch. lots of flavor and very fresh. 4.5/5 - $120 sashimi option: Large iced platter full of delicately plated fresh raw fish. tuna, salmon, yellow tail, flounder, among many other types of premium fish cuts. very tasty! 5/5 -750ml of a morimoto house beer: Had lots of hops, but i was not very impressed with it, had a strange after taste and was not worth the $30-40 price tag. 2.5/5 - Bottle of morimoto's house sake: wonder flavor. this was a chilled sake on ice. had a sweet after taste of different fruit flavors (don't remember the fruits in the sake though) This was about $40. 5/5. This place did not blow my mind, but it definitely met my expectations. Next time i'm in Hawaii i would try to go here for dinner to try different food items not offered on the lunch menu.
(4)
Traci H.
I don't know the last time I jumped from 1 star to 3 stars but they did something right and I guess I'm also open to going again now! This time I went for lunch and I quite enjoyed it. $22 for the lunch special: nice fresh salad, miso soup, sushi (i substituted california rolls because I don't eat raw fish--they were very hesitant at first, but I'm not sure why because I think the rolls are cheaper than the fresh fancy sushi!), and a nice small size of the wagyu beef loco moto. That was so delicious. For the loco moto itself, it was nice fluffy rice, little pieces of wagyu beef--like steak, not ground hamburger, hamakua mushrooms, and a perfectly cooked sunnyside up egg. The gravy was delicious, not too salty, not too sweet. Then I got to taste some peanut butter dessert and the tofu cheesecake--that tofu cheesecake is heavenly. And really if you called it a soy cheesecake I don't think you would be so surprised. It's just that I imagined hard pieces of tofu on a graham cracker crust and that sounds disgusting. But that cheesecake has no cheese and is light and fluffy and the aftertaste might be better than the initial taste. It's so smooth on the tongue and so enjoyable. For lunch it's not too crowded and has a nice chill vibe. I'd totally go back for lunch, especially since I hear the tofu cheesecake is not served at dinner. Oh, one warning, the cheesecake is $10. My lunch was $22. So yes that one piece of cheesecake (served with some molasses ice cream is quite pricey). As much as I say it was a somewhat reasonable lunch, it was still pricey, so that's holding me back from 4 full stars. So maybe next time I'll get the review to 4 stars. Yelp 365 Challenge #18/365 August 18, 365
(3)
Geneva L.
So, a little late on this review since me and my boyfriend came here during spring break which was beginning of April, but school and life happened and tonight, I uploaded our Hawaii photos and man, did that make my mouth water. The Wagyu Carpaccio was amazing. The rest of the food was well above par, 4/5, but the reason I needed to write a review was because of our amazing server, Martin. He was absolutely amazing and was hands down the BEST server I've ever had. And I'm a sucker for accents too. Um, so we absolutely loved Martin but I don't think you really wanna hear about that. As for food, its been awhile so I forgot how amazing everything was, Martin however left a lasting impression.
(5)
Helen N.
Came here for dinner. Was able to reserve just two hours notice in advance on a Monday. Food was okay. I had the duck duck duck, hubby ordered the black cod with rice. Portion is kinda small so we also got beef carpaccio, spicy tuna roll, pork belly, toro and salmon nigiri, and a sorbet dessert. My favs was the beef carpaccio and black cod, the rest was just okay. Front staff was nice, but waiter seemed kinda not engaged so felt service was missing a bit. Ambiance is nice and mellow.
(3)
Dennis Y.
I didn't have the highest expectation for this place since I thought it was more of a tourist trap than anything else but I was pleasantly surprised that the food was pretty good. Like Nobu, you don't come here for the traditional sushi stuff but rather go for the more creative dishes that Morimoto seems to like to do. Its with these dishes where the combination of plating and food combo's that are fun and delicious. Perfect for an entertaining dining experience. Something that's definitely needed in Waikiki.
(4)
Jen G.
Had breakfast and lunch here (we were staying at the hotel). It was great! The breakfast was delicious -- the moco loco was great and so was the oatmeal. the oatmeal had this great flavor (I think from the chinese 5 spice in the granola). For lunch the bento boxes are awesome. I had the black cod. It was fantastic. And it came with salad, miso soup, 2 pieces of sushi, and 2 pieces of a roll. I thought that was a great deal for $22. We also had a rice bowl -- it was great.
(5)
Silva H.
The family and i found this on our previous vacation. We were so excited that our palette was introduced to various fresh flavours that when this family vacation was booked we had to visit Morimotos again. Celebrating Health and a new extended family ( my son proposed to his long time girlfriend) anyway, what can I say about the food, the service , the atmosphere, relaxed, upscale chic. We had 10 waiters at all time on our table. Rachael helped plan our evening weeks ago and was their to make sure everything was as planned. Thank you soooo much. Did I mention the food? AMAZING! Can't wait to return.
(5)
Rina S.
Subpar food, expensive for what they offer, bad service. Also ate here on Christmas Eve one year and found a beetle bug crawling in my salad. Disgusting.
(1)
Steven C.
Love the home made tofu at the table, and the rock shrimp are amazing... Portion is big enough to share. We will be back.
(5)
Jay H.
We went for my mother's birthday while visiting Oahu over the Thanksgiving Holiday. We went on a Saturday for lunch. We had a party of 6, one was a toddler and one an infant. We specifically went during lunch so as not to disturb dinner customers who may want a more formal dining experience. Service: 4/5 Our waiter didn't seem very knowledgeable about the food and mumbled quite a bit. We were served way better by the other staff who attended to us than our waiter. Don't get me wrong, this waiter would have been top notch at just about any other restaurant, but at a place like this, I expect the very best in wait staff. Food: 4.75/5 I initially thought the food was a 5 out of 5, but after comparing to another meal during our trip, I had to knock this down a bit. We ordered the Hamachi tartare as an appetizer, our toddler liked the lobster sandwich, mom had the Ishi Yaki Buri Bop, wife and dad had the daily special which was some kind of fish, and I had the chrashi. All in all, presentation was top notch. Food was good enough and as expected for a restaurant of this caliber. I wasn't blown away with the food, but wasn't disappointed either. Ambience/Location: 5/5 I thought the ambiance was great. Lunch was very quiet, we went when they first opened at 11am and only one other party came in during our hour and a half lunch. The average of the three ratings still rounds up to a 5 star. See my other review for a true 5 star meal on Oahu. I'd say this place was definitely casual for lunch and good for kids during lunch. Not so sure about dinner.
(5)
Rod S.
Ordered the Omakase and it was awesome!! My faves were 1.Toro and Hamachi Tar tare and 2. Foie Gras Chawanmushi. I want to try the Crispy whole fish and the Crab legs with fries next time. I called this an "Experience" because it didn't feel like just dinner...it was like a show too. The whole experience took 2 hours...it was awesome!!
(5)
Rachel S.
OVERRATED. The rib eye is good but that's it. Their portions are small and tasteless.
(2)
Tyson H.
The good: The service was excellent. Our waiter was extremely attentive to our table throughout the entire meal. The food was absolutely amazing. We ordered the Duck, Duck, Duck, and Cod for entrees; two sushi rolls; and soup. The quality was the best we had in Waikiki, but the price of the food surely matched it! I feel the food was priced well for the quality of food. The bad: The tables for two are extremely awkward. They are extremely long and have a "X" shaped bottom that makes it weird to place your feet. You also have to watch out for your knees!! The restaurant is extremely loud, and as the night went on it got even louder.
(4)
Katherine C.
The food was good and the lunch prices were pretty reasonable. It's Morimoto's and in Waikiki, so I don't think quantity should be expected. However, the quality was excellent and I've had pricier lunches that lacked the quality and presentation. Overall, I was very pleased and though the entrees aren't large, they are large enough to make you not feel the need to grab a 2nd lunch from some place else. I was surprised at how empty the place was on a Sunday for lunch. My friend loved the loco moco....I'm usually not a loco moco person but based off of his reviews and the lovely presentation, I think I'll have to give it a shot.
(4)
Quijana B.
There's very little I can add to the descriptions of the restaurant or the food or the overall experience. It is a lovely space. It is louder than it should be. The service is either very good or remarkably bad. The food is fun and fresh and worth trying at least once. What needs to be said is this. Order the tasting menu. And then order it again. And again. And again. Unlike most restaurants with a tasting menu that gets switched out from time to time, Morimoto's has a never-ending tasting menu. Each menu is 9 courses. Each menu costs the same. There will never be a repeat in the dishes presented to you. Here's the secret. It is up to you to remember which menu you are up to trying. During my second visit, I made the not horrible mistake of not letting my waiter know that I had already had the tasting menu once before, and was presented with the exact same menu as the first visit. My third trip to the restaurant was when I was smart enough to say something, and was rewarded with a new set of dishes to try. My dining companion was there for his first visit, and had a familiar menu. It was such a nice treat to be able to let him sample mine as well. I'm looking forward to the third menu! (And the fourth, fifth, sixth...)
(5)
Karen B.
My husband and I have been to Morimoto's Waikiki every 4th of July for the past 4 years and have alway had an enjoyable time. However, after this year we will look for another restaurant for our annual Anniversary celebration. The fact that they have a great view of the fireworks was not enough to justify the expense of the dinner and the exceptionally poor services we received, and most importantly the very poor quality food! Admittedly we are pretty hard customers to satisfy as we come from the San Francisco Bay Area where good restaurants and quality food abound. The experience this year went from bad to worse from the moment we checked in the with Hostess, who asked me to sigh a "Contract" upon entering. Never had to do that to eat dinner before! We were a little early so we asked if we could get a drink at the bar and take it out to the patio. The bartender said no, only bottle service out there that night. However, when they found that indeed we had a table reserved for the deck then we were "allowed' to take our drink out there. As far as the tasting menu went, some of it was mediocre and some of it was just plain terrible. The fish for the Sushi was not fresh tasting, of all things at a place that specializes in japanese seafood and sushi! Before our main course came out, our server left (change of shifts or some such thing) telling us it was too bad for us when my husband mentioned to her that he wasn't happy about this, and said that we should instead be glad for her because now she was off! She then forgot to tell her replacement to take over our table so it was about 25 minutes before we were served our main course! I have never felt happy to leave a dining establishment before but in this case we were extremely grateful to pay our more than $400.00 to leave! To top it off, I was appaled that there was an "administration" fee added to the cost of the dinner. We will not be back!
(1)
Kelly V.
Went here with the hubs, we had the hamachi tartare, he had the pork gyozq, and then we had sushi. For dessert we had the molten chocolate and almond lava cake. Everything was delicious and our server Paul (?) was friendly and helpful. Will be back again sometime!!
(5)
Grace C.
I was not impressed at all by this Morimoto location. We've been to the one in Napa, CA which was a lot better service wise. The only thing I liked better at this location was the decor and ambience...it was very modern, obviously since it's located inside the Modern hotel, and looked like it would fit in perfectly in Vegas with all the other high-end restaurants. Unfortunately, service was so slow and poor that even their luxurious decor couldn't save this review. The night was busy, but not THAT busy, and it took our server about 75 minutes to bring out appetizers and soup. We were in a rush since we had plans for after dinner, and after waiting 90 minutes for our sushi rolls to come, we told them to just pack it to go since we could not wait any longer.
(2)
Linda Chu T.
Lunch time - restaurant was pretty empty. Never have seen it so down before. Service, as usual was very attentive and always pleasant. We had the mini-burgers. This is not your McDonald's Jack-in-the-Box version. bit of bacon, womderful sauce I could not identify, cooked medium. Very tasty. Comes with a green salad, japanese pickles and the most wonderful french fries sprinkled with furikake. Topped off a yummy lunch with a mysterious tofu cheesecake. All kinds of unusual flavors on one plate. The tofu itself was like eating foam. But, beware: ice tea was $14 each.
(4)
Huli H.
We received a gift certificate last year from some friends. I enjoy Japanese cuisine thoroughly and always look for a great new experience. My first impression as we were seated was that I was amazed at the interior design. It's a fantastic looking restaurant, very sleek and "modern". So, my review of the dinner was that it was ok. We had the oyster foie gras and hamachi tartare as appetizers. It wasn't fun trying to eat the tartare and the oysters sauce was a little on the sweeter side Next, the Kakuni with congee was good, but again on the sweet side. Nigiri was nigiri, but they hardly had anything I wanted to order (amaebi, uni, wagyu beef, oh toro). They had the more expensive uni from Japan, which was good. Main course was the duck, duck, duck and the calamari salad. First off, it was more like calamari's with a few pieces of micro greens. Heavy on the oil and it was evident on the bottom of the platter. The duck, duck, duck should be an appetizer, it's a pairing of different styles of duck which turns out to be bland. So that was dinner, I won't describe dessert because it was simply ice cream. My biggest turn off was the waiter. It seemed like he was always behind on his tables because every time he came by he was in a mad rush. He did come by, but when he did, he'd rip his question and take off before even hearing my response. Very interesting. Last quirk was the error he made on the bill by charging us twice for an item without providing an apology. So, not a bad place but certainly not the best either. Nothing memorable except the people watching.
(2)
Satoru Y.
Great quality ingredients; but execution issues. I've been to Morimoto's a few times now, and it is a mixed bag. I really enjoy the quality of ingredients that they are using, but it always seems that something is missing. The atmosphere is very sleek and calming. I love the gorgeous decor and the outdoor resort seating with fire pits: really sleek environment. The plating and presentation is clean; but the food itself is not as intricate as I was expecting. The service does need some work: it is clunky at times. The dishes do use great ingredients, but there seems to be something amiss. Not sure if it's because the place is still trying to find its groove. Some dishes that stick in my mind that small changes would make a tremendous difference: The Oyster Foie Gras are these sizable shooters of oyster, uni and foie gras. But, there is too much teriyaki sauce that overpowers all those other rich flavors. The Eggs Benedict with the Jamon Iberico served on hash browns has great flavor, but the amount of hollandaise sauce kills the rich flavors of the thin slices of ham. The second time I ordered it, it was a huge improvement; less hollandaise, slightly more fried hash browns, and you can really taste the sweet, rich flavors of the ham. The jamon is just delicious: the 'wagyu' of ham. I would almost suggest to get the sauce on the side just to be safe. The Wagyu Carpaccio is great up to a halfway point. Besides the great thin cuts of beef, I love the yuzu soy and oil. However, I do think something is missing. They do have slices of ginger, but something tells me that adding a very subtle ginger oil would go even further. Some of the dishes were great: The Crispy Rock Shrimp, one serving with spicy bean sauce and one with wasabi aioli. It comes with ranch dressing with dill, but neither needed it. Hard to choose a favorite, but I did like the wasabi slightly more. The Lamb Rack, perfectly cooked lamb with a very subtle yuzu sauce. The sauce definitely showcases the lamb. It is served with a tasty ratatouille shooter. The Wagyu Sliders are great. Love the flavor of the beef and pork. They're so delicious, and comes with tasty wasabi fries and salad. The rest are pretty hit or miss. The Sushi is not worth pricing per piece, such better places to get sushi. The Loco Moto has a great Japanese curry-type gravy, and it does have small pieces of wagyu instead of a hamburger steak. The Lobster Melt has great pieces and a rich flavor, but comes off wanting more. I'll stop here since I notice my review is getting pretty long. Was looking forward to trying this place out, but seems that some things need adjustments.
(3)
David L.
If you go here, I would just stick to the apps and skip the entree. I had the whole fish tempura and the braised lamb shank. The lamb shank was enough to feed the whole family, and it was GOOD! The fish was just ok, and comes with the head and tail and crispy skin. The service was good. Def get the froi gras. And skip the drinks. They offer complimentary valet so take advantage of that.
(3)
Shane B.
OMG!!! Amazeballs!!! The sushi here was to die for... And the service and ambiance was excellent. The fusion between traditional Japanese and modern food is so well executed! I loved the mixed drinks as well, the 1775 was tremendous! Also was pleasantly surprised by the open concept kitchen, was good to see how well run this place is... Can't wait to go back!!!
(5)
Yasuo O.
You know. I just dont get it. There are good places, bad places and some that fall right in between. This clearly falls right into that area. Im not too sure why. The prices are a lil high, the service, a lil lousy, the food, nothign special unless you have no idea whats going on and how things are presented. Had the foie gras chawanmushi. it wasnt hot, it wasnt cold. room temperature. was it supposed to be this way? The ishiyaki was well.. nothing special. I think they forgot to put something on the buri / hamachi. was bland and didnt taste good seared at all. the whole fried fish things well... eat it at Chinese next time. Was so raw inside the meat was clearly not cooked. was it supposed to be like that? one pork appetizer i took a bite out of and sent it back to the kitchen. sweet, meat was overcooked, and I bit into a piece of char. sushi appetizers we had was well.. nothign special. the shari (rice) was actually hard in some places like the osu didnt mix well with the rice. the tempura pineapple.. pass on it next time. I just dont know what it is. I was sitting outside and one of those big okole roaches landed on the balcony railing potted area. i looked over and as if on cue, another one landed near my settings. I got up, asked a waiter to get rid of it and mr smart grabs his towel, flings it at the roach and goes flying towards my mom in law. WTF .... that clearly shaved off on the tips. not to mention if he was practicing his darwinism... When our bill came, it was a bit high. but considering we had drinks, a few pupus and stuff... 450 was fine. left 15% which was WAY more than generous. he tried. but you know how some people just know thier stuff and some just dont get it? this would be the latter. oh.. and when i opened the folio jacket, i noticed another persons bill in there for 900 bucks. hehehe serious? i told the manager, he kept sayin gsorry. without even wanting to know why i found it offensive i got another persons bill. had the same experience when i sent back my appetizer as well...
(3)
Ulanka B.
Good food with good portion sizes. Excellent staff. Decent drinks. Beautiful decor. A tad expensive but good. I sent an email about an incident over and have yet to hear a response and it's been 18 days to date.
(2)
Sheila K.
Better value than Nobus but some of the dishes were mah mah. Enjoyed the oysters with foie gras the most. Hamachi tartare was not hamachi worthy. The fish was not fatty and toppings were colorful but did not add to the dish. Deep fried whole fish also was good, but the duck, duck, duck was unexciting and bland. Haupia matcha dessert was good. The food took really long to come out, but the servers were courteous It was too loud to have a conversation
(3)
Pavel L.
Food: A+ Service: A+ We had a fairly large party (10 people, including an infant) and were accommodated perfectly. The staff was always around to answer questions but was not intrusive. Every dish exceeded our expectations. I can't say anything bad about it.
(5)
Tamra P.
I have been wanting to try this place for some time, despite the mixed reviews and steep prices. My hubby surprised me for my birthday with dinner here tonight, and we were joined by another couple, also here on their first visit. Morimoto is in what is now the Modern Hotel (previously the Edition). I love the decor: minimalist and modern with a little bit of ocean life thrown in the mix. The bathrooms have a beautiful minimalist design and feel very clean and spacious. Hey, they are important too! We were lucky enough to score a table on the lanai with a view of the harbor. It is a bit of a bustling, energetic vibe which was fine with us. We opted to order sushi and appetizers to share which made for a nice variety without completely blowing the bank. Softshell crab, salmon skin, California roll, spicy tuna, eel avocado roll were good middle of the road choices that would also appeal to those less adventurous. The tuna pizza was creative - crisp, cracker like crust with raw tuna, anchovy aioli, jalapeños and olives - delicious! Whitefish carpaccio was flavorful, but the favorite of the night was the crispy rock shrimp tempura. Half was in a mild wasabi coating, the other half was in a spicy kochujan coating with the most delicious ranch dressing dipping sauce I have ever tasted. The hubby, who loves buffalo chicken wings like a PMSing woman likes chocolate was in heaven. I also ordered the sake flight which was a nice variety of four 2oz sakes that end in a sweet umeshu tasting sake. Speaking of chocolate, I was served up a chocolate peanut bombe as a birthday dessert. No waiter serenade though? Kind of a bummer. Oh well. They did write birthday wishes in chocolate which was the only evidence left a few minutes later. Light and fluffy peanut buttery chocolate goodness......I was gonna share but thankfully everyone got their own. I was intrigued by the peanut butter powder on the ice cream - so good! I love when presentation is so aesthetically pleasing you feel like you are eating a work of art. Service was attentive, and they frequently wiped the table and removed/ changed dishes out. Overall great experience and I look forward to my next visit.
(4)
Jonathan K.
Had a reservation and were seated promptly. Waitress didn't come by our table until 15 minutes after. She apologized for the delay, but for a restaurant of this *supposed* caliber, she should at least stopped by for a quick hello instead of leaving us waiting the entire time. The prices at this restaurant are mind-blowing. Every other sushi restaurant I've been to has menu prices listed for two pieces of sushi. Here, the price is for each piece. So you're paying $13-15 dollars while other great-tasting sushi places are charging $7-8. This outrageous surcharge is applicable to the entire menu. I had one of the Morimoto soba beers, and they charged $18! You can get a similar beer from Rogue breweries at the store for, what, $5, $6? We had a yellowtail (maybe halibut?) appetizer, and it was basically a thin sliver of pasty fish spread onto a glass slab. Seriously, the slab of meat couldn't have been more than 2mm in width. And they charged like $22 or something. There was probably less actual yellowtail in this dish than in one piece of sushi. Rip-off. The best dish was the curry, until you realize that you're paying $28 for something that you could easily get for $8 somewhere else. It's difficult to leave this restaurant without feeling that you're paying for the name instead of the food. Will definitely not return.
Iron Chef Morimoto is a BEAST. If you didn't already know that then you should just leave now. I have been here twice and both times I've left with a happy tummy. My wallet wasn't exactly jumping for joy but if it's a special occasion, why not splurge on some Iron Chef caliber food? :)
(5)
John M.
The worst wait staff There is no one in charge and no one gives a damn about the customers.
(1)
Doug C.
We went today for the first time for lunch. The atmosphere was nice, but, I think being there during the day when there is a lot of sunlight was a disadvantage. The "white" menus were grubby and somewhat disgusting for a restaurant which by price should have higher standards. Also, the paint on many of the tables were cracked and the vinyl upholstery on many of the chairs were dirty and some were cracked. Service was excellent and everyone was gracious. They balanced attentiveness with leaving you alone enough to enjoy your food. It would have been nice though if they checked if I needed more coffee during dessert. To be fair though we were the last to leave, they were preparing for dinner and they never made us feel we were overstaying our welcome. (which we probably did) Our meal consisted of Hamachi Tartare, Wagyu Carpaccio, Steamed Scallops, Tempura Calamari Salad, Ishi Yaki Buri Bop, Haupia and an assortment of sorbets. Okay, truth be told at the end, before dessert, we had a second Carpaccio. The hamachi was very good, however, the condiments stole the show. The presentation was beautiful. But I would have preferred a presentation that was not a trick to eat without dropping the tartare trying to get both a condiment and tartare on the tiny flat spoon. Good luck dipping it in the sauce. Very good but the most expensive and our least favorite. Next we had the Wagyu Carpaccio. This was no less than incredible. The Carpaccio melted in our mouths and the flavors were light, adding to the beef and not distracting from it. The Steamed Scallops were cooked PERFECT. The flavor of the sauce was light and did not over power the delicate flavor of the scallops. The sauce/broth was delicious by itself. Did I mention the scallops were cooked perfectly? Wow The Calamari Tempura salad was very good. We were disappointed that they put the tempura under the salad which had dressing on it. It made the tempura soggy. I was more impressed with the salad with various types of greens and light dressing. If I ordered it again it would be for the salad not the tempura. Also, I would specifically ask they put the tempura around the salad instead of under it. The tempura was light and very good, just not particularly outstanding. Whether the Ishi Yaki Buri Bop, scallops or the Carpaccio was the best was debatable. All three were AMAZING. The Ishi Yaki Buri Bop is made table side. Our server seasoned, mixed the rice and seared the yellow tail perfectly in a hot pot at our table. The yellow tail melted in our mouths. I mean MELTED. My niece who is not particularly fond of sashimi loved this dish. She is becoming a believer. With both the yellow and carpaccio my niece and I looked at each other with each bite with disbelief and pure happiness. (okay, I know, believer and then disbelief...) Yes, we had a second Wagyu Carpaccio. It was THAT GOOD. For dessert we had the Haupia and assorted sorbets. The haupia was MUCH TOO FIRM, rather bland and not at all creamy like a good haupia should be. I don't know what the clear stuff was on top but it added nothing to the dessert, HOWEVER, the ginger-lime sorbet that came with the haupia was excellent. It might be a bit too tart for some, but, we thought it was great and the bold flavor almost made up for the lousy attempt at haupia. Almost. The assorted sorbets included mango-lilikoi, strawberry-guava and white peach-shiso (Japanese mint). They were all very good, but, we agreed the white peach-shiso was the best of the three. Very light, very refreshing. We both thought the white peach-shiso and ginger-lime sorbet were the highlights of the desserts. I highly suggest if you like ginger and lime ask for just a scoop of the sorbet and skip the haupia. If you're local this is the haupia that's left after the luau. You know what I'm talking about... The riesling was very nice, the coffee okay. I had one glass of wine and our total came to about $170.00. Would I go back? Maybe. If I did, however, it would be for the carpaccio, scallops, Ishi Yaki Buri Bop and the sorbets. I'd probably order different items menu rather than reorder the tartare, calamari salad or haupia. Because of the grubbiness and the haupia there was no way I could give this five stars. Morimoto is awesome. But, I can't imagine any locals liking his version of haupia. Then again, I'm sure his target audience is not locals.
(4)
Sang L.
I think I should just stop going to his restaurants. The menus are all pretty much the same, so I thought I should be different and order something unique to this location's restaurant. So we ordered the loco-moto, in addition to a bunch of sushi and sashimi of course. I was surprised at the presentation of the loco moco - I suppose it's not the most elegant of dishes, but thought they would spruce it up more than just using nice meat. The ambiance, service, quality was as expected, you're definitely paying for it right? I think if I'm looking for more unique food, I'll start trying other chef's restaurants.
(3)
Priscilla Y.
I was looking forward to trying a restaurant opened by an Iron Chef and this did not disappoint one bit! Everything was FANTASTIC! (Dinner: April 8, 2015) Favourite dish: Morimoto style poke! Everything inside the bowl just worked so well together; the avocado wasabi sorbet and marinated cherry tomatoes in the bowl were great additions. The yellowtail maki was fresh and traditional, but not something you cannot get elsewhere. The clam miso was large and tasty. Braised black cod was very flavourful and rich, great with some rice/veg! The Duck, duck, duck was a good way to try duck 3 ways. The lamb chop was tender and cooked perfectly. Overall service was great and the servers explained each dish as they served it! Our server even told us when we sat down that there was only one lamb chop left so if we wanted it she could save it for us right away! I will definitely come back for another meal when I'm back in town!!
(5)
Antaash U.
My husband would be a Morimoto groupie if he could. He has raved about Morimoto for years and frequented the Honolulu and Napa locations multiple times. We also have the good fortune that Morimoto took over Japonais in Chicago so that his cuisine is extremely accessible. My first Morimoto experience was in Chicago, and it was very enjoyable. So, there was no way I was going to pass up an opportunity to dine at the original location while on vacation in Hawaii. I thought it was odd that the restaurant was housed in a hotel, but the ambiance was tres chic and ultra modern. It definitely gave off a swanky vibe in an approachable way. I really wish we could have dined on the patio, but it was unfortunately unavailable that night. I wish I could say that I was blown away by the flavors and presentation. I just was not. I had really, really high expectations going in, and nothing lived up to them. Most of the items we ordered were underwhelming because they were the cooked or vegetarian rolls. Because I am currently pregnant, and unable to enjoy real sushi, I still thought that if Morimoto was going to put a vegetarian roll on the menu, that it would be the best darn vegetarian roll the could do. WRONG. If they're going to put 6 veggie options on their menu, they should really try to do something unique with them. However, that's not what happened. The asparagus roll was pretty much white rice with small pieces of under-cooked asparagus rolled into the middle. I thought that there homemade soy sauce would be the needed umph, but the soy sauce was way too salty for my taste and as blasphemous as it might be to say, I actually missed my Kikoman low sodium soy sauce :(. If their creativity for 6 rolls was stifled, they should consider perhaps offering 3 vegetarian friendly rolls, but really doing something special with them. I'm just saying... Everything we ordered from the hot appetizers to the rolls was bland, boring and forgettable. I really wanted to love it, but I just didn't. I wonder if the people writing rave reviews for this place have limited sushi experience or they're just blinded by the space and the Morimoto reputation to be objective. Either way, it was a miss for me, and I would never suggest to anyone visiting Honolulu to go out of their way to dine here.
(2)
Tanya C.
We were greeted by friendly staff that were very accommodating. (We were happy to see locals hired, especially because we knew a few of them). The restaurant itself is pretty big and beautifully decorated. We ordered the Toro tartare (a must get), kampachi carppaccio (another must get), pork gyoza with bacon foam (it was ok), soft shell crab sushi roll (it was ok), surf and turf (the steak was super soft and melted in your mouth, the poke was good quality and little to no tsuji), and chocolate shiso for dessert. Everything was plated beautifully and came out at appropriate times. We didn't have to wait long to eat. I went for my birthday and got a complimentary dessert as well. Suggestions: you could definitely share dishes, just order a bunch. The serving sizes weren't as small as we expected and were told.
(5)
Han Y.
Very nice! I live in the Modern and it's my first time try at this Japanese restaurant.The chicken Ramen's soup is very tasty,noodles are smooth.Service is good and enthusiastic.Highly recommended.
(5)
Rachael O.
Absolutely worth a visit, though, at these price points, choose wisely. I came for lunch with my son who is a chef in a Michelin-starred restaurant in the San Francisco Bay Area. I lived there for 18 years myself, so I have enjoyed some really fantastic meals which may sway my expectations. The servers were largely local, which means a great deal here in Hawaii. They were very attentive and competent, as expected in a restaurant of this caliber. The ambience is sheer perfection---light green and cream, gorgeous, modern, and tranquil. I was in no hurry for my food because I wanted to bask in it. As other reviewers have noted, it is in the Modern Hotel, which is absolutely lovely. I had one aim in eating here---to enjoy black cod, my favorite fish in the whole world. The lunch portion ($25) did not disappoint. Paired with miso soup, mixed green salad and chef's choice sushi (four nice pieces), it was the perfectly balanced meal. Of course that meant I needed to add a pear yuzu cocktail with jalapeño garnish ($14) and a trio of Wailua chocolate, green tea, and miso butterscotch ice cream for dessert ($10). The drink was strong and refreshing and the dessert was incredible. My son got the toro tartar ($35) which was gorgeously presented with and array of sauces--creme freche, wasabi, Maui onion, rice crackers and I forget the fifth (sorry!). The toro was good but not fantastic. It could have been a bit fresher and fattier, especially since this is winter. He also got a few pieces of nigiri and the Wagyu sliders with wasabi fries. He declared those better than the sushi and he's a major fan of sushi in general. I was surprised at previous raves about the sushi as overall, it's good, but not great and these are prices that call for great sushi. I will absolutely be back. Recommended for special occasions and getting your tranquil Zen vibe going.
(4)
Littleone P.
We had gone here for my bday...and honestly was the best meal in Honolulu. The restaurant was located in the cool Modern Hotel. Sunset views were spectacular seated in the outdoor section. Sashimi were excellent! !..fresh, melt in your mouth like butta. We had the whole fish..absolutely delish. I absolutely loved the green tea and desserts. Prices: in reality, you pay for the high end food which I do not have a problem about. It is actually probably just slightly higher than a tourist trap off Waikiki beach. But food is darn good. Service was impeccable. Would send any wayward tourist there
(5)
Jeff S.
Been wanting to head to Morimoto's for the last few trips to Hawaii - final made it! Absolutely fantastic - the location, view and food are off the charts - The sushi presentation was like a work of art and was probably some of the best i have ever had. The only downside.... service was not great - our waiter seemed distracted and pretty much ignored us for a table of pretty girls for the last hour of our visit. I tell you though, the food and ambiance well made up for the lack of service
(4)
A S.
Morimoto's is located in the modern hotel, up the stairs and right before you get to the pool area. There's plenty of places to sit and wait incase you have to wait for a table or your significant other haha. Once you go in you're greeted by most of the staff, and seated promptly in a large dining area which also has outdoor seating. We were there on a Friday night and the fireworks show is right outside morimoto's. Our waitress was kind and gave us ample time to look over their menu. Personally, not a great place to have a date because it's hard to talk over the noise around you. We ordered sushi and appetizers. The oysters were delicious; we had half a dozen and they were smaller but definitely tastier, but I wished we had ponzu, lemon and tobasco sauce! The sashimi combination looked awesome, and pretty fresh. Morimoto's sake flight was a first for me. I liked 3/5 sakes and they give you a pretty decent amount per sample. I was a bit disappointed with the uni and considering for the price you pay it should be absolutely fresh, and not taste a couple days old. Morimoto also validates parking and be sure to get it validated before you leave or be prepared to pay $16!! It was a nice first experience to try it but I doubt I'll go back to this location again.
(3)
Alessandra T.
Expensive but well worth it! ALL OF IT IS YUMMY. And so convenient if you stay inside this hotel. Def will come back!
(5)
LL N.
same as before......whatever....plenty of better sushi in town. a lot of hype for nothing. sit at the bar and get a martini, pretty good.
(2)
Leslie B.
I was so surprised to see the poor ratings. A group of 8 of us went for dinner and had the Omakase menu. It was a 7 course tasting menu and probably one of the best dinners I've ever had. The servers were spot on in describing every course and the presentation was amazing! If there is one negative it's that there was too much food. The 5th course was 6 pieces of nigiri and I could only manage one but shared with others in the party. The toro and hamachi tartare was amazing. Next was hot oil sashimi- hot oil poured over raw fish which basically cooked it. So Ono. fois gras chawanmushi was a custard with fois gras infused. It was very good but very rich so beware. . The kelp tea served right after helps counteract the Chawanmushi. Bagna cauda is fondue style with assorted veggies that you dip into a sauce of garlic, anchovy and olive oil which is served heated with a votive candle to keep it hot. Be careful though because you can easily tip it over. Surf n turf was next. Lobster tail, wagyu beef and pork tenderloin. Oh and if you're still hungry butter mochi and banana ice cream. Wine pairings throughout dinner were great. Food and service was excellent. I can't wait to return!
(5)
Chelsie A.
Morimoto has done it again. First in Delhi at Wasabi and now here. The decor, staff and food selection are a par above the rest. Our waiter Duane did a great job in explaining the specials, favorites and unique items on the menu. A must have is the Kakuni which was out of this world. The cocktails were fresh, delicious and quickly served. Last but not least we enjoyed melt in your mouth sashimi sampler that tasted as magnificently as it was presented. If you are looking for fresh and delicious sushi & Japanese food this is your place.
(5)
Adam K.
This place is extremely decadent & well laid out, open kitchen design with a sushi bar in front. Obama was here the night before which made me want to try it more. Presentation is clean & modern. I really love the decor, super stark white & chrome with splashes of green & brown to mimic the ocean front. We sat out on the lanai which was wonderful. They have a curious little couch area with a fire going next to it, very cozy. The view overlooks the marina. Yamazaki 12 yr scotch whiskey - Japan. Whiskey was spelled wrong on the menu. Kinda harsh, not very complex. Glenlivet - Ah that's better. Really awesome space, cannot emphasize that enough. Spicy King Crab Legs with Fries & American Cheese - the server proudly informed me that the fries accompanying the king crab legs had american cheese on them. Gross. I don't want to know what is in oreo filling either. These were really good however. Sushi & Sashimi - got a bunch of different ones, all fresh and tasty. Presentation could have been better. Kinda boring & for $14 a roll, I wanna see some confetti! Loco Moto - This is a dish that is on every Hawaiian restaurants menu, so I had to try the expensive, ritzy version of it. Really good. Wagyu beef in a yum gravy that was split right down the middle with rice forming 2 half circles and a fried egg on top. Fried fish - I ate the face. Morimoto Rouge Pilsner - Tasty and unique. Label is cool, check my photo. Ice cream desser - Meh, ok. Not great. 3 ice cream scoops, green tea, mocha & vanilla bean. I wish I got the Peanut Butter one. MAAAAAAAD expensive - dropped like $250 on the whole shebang. Next time, you will catch me at the sushi bar gettin simple rolls. Worth a try tho.
(4)
Gavin Y.
Went to Morimoto's after some friends highly recommended it and of course Iron Chef. The atmosphere is very nice and the sea shells in plexiglass was interesting. The restaurant has been open for awhile now and there is some wear and tear on the chairs/tables/utensils but nothing too bad. The food was typical of a high-end Waikiki restaurant, meaning okay and small portions. We had various appetizers and the surf and turf to share. The highlight was actually the wait service as they were very attentive and knowledgeable about the food. Overall our experience was okay but probably won't return as there are better options out there. In response to the General Manager's reply: We tried the Morimoto sashimi, Morimoto style poke, crispy rock shrimp tempura, foie gras chawan mushi, kakuni, and takoyaki. The best appetizer was the poke and the worst by far was the takoyaki.
(3)
Vishal D.
Great food, great atmosphere. Fish was fresh. Morimoto's combination of fantastic presentation and exquisite preparation made the meal fantastic. Great service
(5)
Leslie S.
Morimoto is my favorite place so far on Oahu. It is expensive, but makes for a special evening for a romantic dinner or birthday. By far, the Foie Gras Oysters are the BEST thing on the menu and are served on top of a bed of rock salt. Morimoto has it right when it comes to presentation and the wait staff are friendly and efficient. The last time I went, my boyfriend and I both ordered the Morimoto Omakase, which is the multi-course tasting menu and we also decided to get the wine pairing. In my opinion, the wine pairing is essential in getting the most out of the Omakase. It was simply amazing and each dish was like an edible piece of art and fun to eat! Whenever family comes to visit Hawaii for the first time, this is THE place to take them for an ultimate dining experience.
(5)
itsme i.
Service is extremely slow. Waitstaff consistently reaches across the table to serve dishes. The quality of service is not befitting an upscale restaurant - at all. I ordered some sushi, which was decent but not the best I've had and certainly not worth the price. Notably, when the sushi was served and the poor employee explained what was before me...I kindly asserted that their verbal description didn't match what I had ordered or what was on the plate (the kitchen did send out the right order - the employee just didn't know what kind of fish was being served - shameful, for a sushi restaurant). The response: "oh, yah." I also ordered a steak which was completely rare (I had requested medium rare). I prefer my steaks to be incorrectly cooked on the rare side rather than the well done side, but for these prices I expect perfection. I could tell that the steak was underdone before I even cut it open - it was that soft and rare. I won't be coming back here as there are plenty of truly high end dining experiences that are better worth my dining dollars - and yours, too.
(1)
Tony A.
Crazy expensive but well worth it. Go with a big group so you can all share. That's the best way to sample a little bit of everything.
(4)
Annie L.
I was staying at The Modern Honolulu for a week's vacation and I purposely picked this hotel because I was excited to eat at Morimoto Waikiki. The decor in the restaurant was modern and lovely but the food was definitely not up to my expectations. We started with the Morimoto sashimi. The presentation was nice but this dish wasn't anything spectacular. We then moved on to the seafood 'toban yaki' and 1/2lb australian wagyu filet. The seafood 'toban yaki' was plentiful but the red miso broth was way too salty. I needed to drink lots of water alongside my meal the entire night. The wagyu was good but it was a little odd that a side was not included. Sides are to be ordered separately and priced separately. Finally we ended with the ice cream and sorbet. This was probably my favourite course of the night. The flavours were original and very tasty and the presentation of the different flavours were clean and simple. Overall the dining atmosphere/environment was great but the food was definitely lacking with the exception of the ice cream and sorbet. I would probably not dine there again.
(3)
Samuel B.
I was not impressed. To start off the hostess was totally rude. She said I better go to y table and order now as soon as I walked in cause the kitchen was closing in 5 minutes. By the time the server came over (who was the only cool thing about this place) he said not to worry. When the sushi came out the fish was almost warm, it was very far from being cold and fresh.Its like if it was above room temperature. We ordered two bottles of champagne and that was not cold either. The waiter kept toping our glasses off almost to the top making it warm up even more. So if you want to eat warm sushi and drink warm champagne, then this is the place for you. Then the bill came...oh dang!
(2)
eshwar k.
Big fail. Let me preface this review by mentioning that 10 years ago we used to go to Morimoto's regulalry in the original US restaurant in Philadelphia while i was living there. At that time, Chef Morimoto would personally prepare omakase at a certain pricepoint and it was a great experience. Things have really changed. here is why you should skip the restaurant: 1. We had reservations at 8pm. Because it was Thanksgiving, the restaurant was not crowded. Still, we were made to wait for 10 minutes to be seated while the hostesses were doing ??? at their station. 2. Our first server was and probably still is an ass. He was emotionless, and offereed very little when we asked questions about the menu. He only came back to our table once, even though i kept a menu stating we would probably order more later. 3. We ordered a sushi combination. When another severe brought it to the table, and i am not joking, he did not know what was on the plate-- we recognized the tuna, salmon, and snapper, but really needed someone to educate us as to what we were eating. he was a nice guy, but his excuses were "i can't really see too well" and "i am not really sure if this fish is x or y-- sorry about that". He did not offer to get someone to the table who would be able to solve the apparent mystery, and of course our original sever never stopped even though he passed by several times, and we had asked a lot of questions about the sushi combo before ordering so you would figure he would want to make sure we were all good. Should we have stopped him? Maybe, but his attitude was a bit evasive/disinterested. 4. Subsequent plates were inconsistently described to us, and it is sadly evident that like other reviewers mention, a lot of the staff really does not know what they are serving, or they are unwilling to talke time to describe. shame on you! ingredients that make a particular dish unique are essential to highlight, to round out the dining experience. 5. After about an hour and a half, the restaurant crows was very thin, and our server was seriously MIA. By this time we were done with all entrees/plates and were waiting for someone to clear the table. finally a new server showed up. no intro from server one to say "hey i'm off for the evening-- here's your new server for the evening"-- this is a simple courtesy that would even occur at a chain restaurant. the new guy was much better, but didn't introduce himself either. 6. Overall quality of the food-- not that great!! Were they limited because of the holiday? yeah, possibly, but then you should not stay open on a day you can't guarantee consistent quality. Assuming that we ate on a representative day, the only interesting dish was the pork gyoza. the sushi combo was average in quality, at best. the tuna pizza tasted like something you would get at Cheesecake Factory. The wagyu carpaccio was OK but could be improved. I was going to order more sushi for a second round, but based on the underwhelming first round combined with crappy service, we called it a night by ordering 2 desserts rather than our typical "one and share". Desserts were good, although the popcorn is an unnecessary addition to the haupia cake. For a restaurant/owner with the reputation of providing a unique gastronomic experience, we barely had a marginal dinner. i will never return to Morimoto restaurants again. i read the manager's responses to some of the yelp reviews. he often asks the patron to consider coming back for another visit when things don't go right-- that is a ridiculous request. This restaurant should have their quality standard established at a baseline, and if not, there is no reason for second chances.
(1)
Marc H.
When there for our 1st wedding anniversary dinner. Ive heard good things about this place so we wanted to try it out for ourselves. We first ordered drinks to start off. I always like to order a nice Asahi to start off. For some reason, the beer didnt taste right. To me it tasted like a different beer than Asahi, but i couldnt tell cuz they gave me it in a glass already. I believe that the glass was warm to start with and not chilled because my beer became warm short after i ordered it. so i wasnt too happy about that. we then tried the steamed scallops and spicy tuna sushi. I thought the sushi was pretty good, and i liked the scallops but my wife didn't really care for them. For the main course i ordered the surf and turf while my wife ordered the ishi yaki buri bop (yellowtail cooked at tableside). lets start with my dish. I the steak was very small, only 6 oz, but it was very tasty. i like the really salty taste of it, where others may have thought it was too much. I wasnt a big fan of the sauce that came with steak, so i passed on that. the poke was very nice and had a mix of cheese and avocado paste, which was really tasty. i really enjoyed the okinawan sweet potato puree. that was the best! i just wish i was given more. my wife's dish was like something i could get at shokudo, so i compared it to that, and wasnt quite impressed. The service was pretty good, they were very attentive and check on us often. Overall, 3 stars, not the best, it was ok. Kinda pricey too, but probs not a place i would go back unless i have to.
(3)
Antonio T.
I've been to Morimoto Waikiki several times and have done the omakase every time. However, there are a few dishes that stand out for me. The toro tartar, the rock shrimp appetizer, lobster salad, and the braised kakuni pork. While the S.O. orders the perfectly prepared ribeye, I just am drawn to the opportunity to "play" with my food in the very interactive presentation of the omakase. I have only one silly-manini regret, that I missed a chance to get our pic taken with Morimoto himself during the grand opening weekend of the Edition.
(5)
Jason F.
I like this restaurant, but I don't love it. I've been to Morimoto NY, and had the same feelings. I think this may have to do with watching Morimoto on Iron Chef; I expect to have the same food he serves on TV, which isn't the case. The food is very good and has its creative flavors. Eating here brings the creativity I miss from NY. I did the omakase the first time I went. Dishes I liked: toro/yellowtail tartar, seared hamachi, salad and heated olive oil, panna cotta, okinawan potato dessert. Things I've ordered that I like: oyster foie gros. Dishes I didn't like: braised black cod (drenched in sauce that the taste of the fish was lost, plus it's something that is done better at other restaurants), foie gros chawan mushi (duck was cooked nicely, but didn't care for the taste of the rest of the dish), sushi (expect higher quality fish given that there are some pretty good places on this island), loco moco (nothing special, no real twist to the original dish). Also, the omakase feels about $20 overpriced for what it is. I will be going back some time in the future, probably in a few months. There are some very interesting and creative things on the menu that I still want to try despite some of the misses.
(4)
Tri D.
Girls in front were not very welcoming, I'm guessing because we had our 15 month with us. Not sure why this was an issue since the restaurant was very noisy and not what I would consider a romantic spot. Anyhow, the waiter and server staff was much more friendly. We had the omakase and the dishes were, as expected, innovative. But also, as expected, some of the dishes were misses. My favorite was the kona lobster portion of the entree course. The lobster was perfectly cooked and the seasoning enhanced the sweetness of the lobster. My least favorite was the pork and beef portion for the same course. The beef was drenched in a sauce that was overly salty and distracting to the beef. The pork was on the dry side and the seasoning was unspectacular. The oil fondue course was also a miss, the anchovy garlic paste would have been great on oil drizzled bread, but the whole fondue setup was a bit awkward as there is only a very short window when the oil is bubbling that the is hot enough to soften the veggies a little. Overall not a bad meal but I expected a little more. Would have been a solid 4 stars were it not for the attitude from the front staff.
(3)
Al C.
Well the wife and I had to hit up Morimoto after hearing that he had a new restaurant in Waikiki. Luckily for us he was actually there that day and the wife was sooooo happy to get her picture taken with him. We arrived a bit late and waited in the lounge area. The lounge is amazing as it is outside in the back overlooking the marina. Wow! Service was very slow there as it took us forever to get the wife a glass of wine. When we finally got seated the service was much better. Inside is very elegant and modern. Would expect nothing less from Morimoto san. We started off with a few appetizers. The tuna pizza was good. Fresh tuna, crispy crust, the anchovy aioli was superb. We also got the foie gras chawan mushi. Nice infused foie flavor. The wagyu carpaccio was maybe the best thing on the menu. It was lightly cooked on the outside and raw on the inside. Got the sourness of the yuzu mixed with the saltiness of the soy and the smoothness of oil which really added to the wagyu. Lastly, we got the yose dofu. While pretty good, I don't know that this fresh made tofu is any different than other fresh made tofu. Its just more expensive. Moving on to main courses, I had the seafood tobanyaki. Its kinda like a seafood stew. Nice fresh broth and nicely cooked seafood in a bowl. Good course but nothing special. The wife got the lamb rack which I thought was very good. Overall excellent meal in a very nice restaurant. A bit overpriced but that's almost to be expected. Food was good but not blown away.
(4)
Kela D.
The yose dofu was interesting. The Wagyu rib eye is comparable to other steakhouses. The service was exceptional and the waiter was attentive to our needs.
(4)
W H.
Morimoto is really excellent food at commensurate prices. The service was good and the food was fantastic. We had seven people and tried a lot of dishes. One stand out was spicy crab. This is succulent crab legs, cut so that there is no mess, with an outstanding spicy sauce. The "tableside " tofu is also excellent, and is served with an array of sauces/condiments. The wagyu beef was vey tasty and super tender. Also loved the Ahi Pizza, calamari salad, lamb shank and Keahole Lobster. again, prices here are not for the faint of heart. Moromoto is into branding. His own beer is $38, but you get 25 ounces!
(5)
Sherry M.
I was so excited to try Morimoto's. My mom, husband and I got to the restaurant an hour before our reservation. When we arrived, a host and hostess were there to greet us, checked us in, then walked us to the outside lounge. First impression was, "wow!" The service so far was great and the decor, trendy and hip. It's the type of lounge you would see in LA, or other trendy hotels. Once we found a place to wait comfortably, we ordered drinks. The cocktail menu looked impressive. It had a nice variety of drinks. My husband and I love our Mai Tais and know the difference between a good and bad one, so I was excited to try this one. First sip: not good. Took a couple of sips and gave it to my hubby. I sure hoped the food was much better. Finally, our reservation came up and the host seated us inside. Once seated, we immediately noticed how loud it was. We had to yell in order to hear each other. A lot of, "huh...what did you say?" going back and forth that evening. Nevertheless, I was still excited to try the food. Based on other Yelp reviews, I was familiar with menu and knew what I wanted to order. My mom and hubby deferred the selections to me. We decided to order a bunch of appetizers first and decide after whether to order entrees. So, here's a rundown of what I ordered: -Toro tartare -Sashimi -Steamed chicken salad -Wagyu carpaccio -Pork gyoza -Takoyaki -Regular sashimi You would think all of the above for three were enough. Not! The portions were so small and not filling at all. Presentation was creative and like art. The food though? Nothing special. For example, when the steamed chicken salad arrived, I asked, "where's the chicken?" Apparently it was shredded and mixed into a bunch of vegetables. It was ok. The takoyaki was the same. I've had many when I lived in Japan so I was looking forward to trying this one especially after seeing photos of it. Took the first bite and thought they forgot to put the abalone inside. After looking closer, to the second half, I found the tiny piece of abalone. I could get the same dishes at other restaurants and probably have 2 or 3 orders of each one for the same price as one at Morimoto's, although yes, won't have the same ambience and presentation. We decided to not order entrees based on our reviews of the appetizers. However, we were still hungry! Upon leaving, we ran into Morimoto. He reluctantly agreed to take a photo with us, so that was nice of him. But, I wouldn't give him 5 stars for "niceness." Sure, he probably has been asked many times to take a photo since opening, however, it comes with the territory. He kind of had a 'tude, then again, he is Iron Chef so maybe this is what made him successful and is part of his image. So, what did we do to satisfy our hunger pains? Went to Yanagi's. At last, a happy tummy and good night's sleep. In summary: -Comparable restaurants like Nobu's are much better. -Service is impeccable -Food is average -Decor is trendy -Too loud -Ken and Barbie wouldn't get full at Morimoto's
(2)
Maude L.
I really like the ambiance - it's a chic and modern space. The service was good and attentive. But the food was just good, not amazing or anything. We got a few different sushi orders, and it was all good, but not special, if you know what I mean. You expect a little something extra or innovative at a fancier, date-type place, which Morimoto's provides with it's ambiance and service, but not so much the food. But maybe their other entrees do deliver - may have to go back and try those.
(3)
Cheryl S.
All I can say is this is now my FAVORITE restaurant and I cant stop talking about it and I am dying to go again!!!! A little someone's b-day is coming up... Hint hint.... =) So we got to the new Edition Hotel (backside of the Ilikai) and pulled up to valet park our car and as soon as we stepped foot we were treated like royalty. They literally had 10 valet, bell desk guys waiting to help and be at your beck and call..how's that for 5+ star service!! I knew then that this place means business. So as we walked up to the restaurant I grew with anticipation as I had only heard extremely wonder reviews that I was just dying with pure eagerness. We were quickly greeted by the upmost professional staff. All I can say is that this hotel and restaurant spares no expense to service. The ratio of servers to guest seemed like 4 guest to 1. Now to say that is impressive the cooking staff was like an army. The kitchen is an open kitchen and you can see straight in. Since this restaurant just opened a couple days ago Iron Chef Morimoto was on site and in the kitchen. How's that for AWESOME! Also, most of the sushi chef's look like they just flew in from Japan. The deco was very Martha Stewart-ish. Clean fresh and simply elegant with the use of white, happy green, and hint of purple. It was very inviting. Now here is my review of the food. I was shocked with the nice menu choices it had something for everyone. We decided for our first visit we would do a medley of just appetizers which allowed us to try a little of everything and can I say that we weren't disappointed at all. Our first dish to be served was the rock shrimp tempura and it was delectable. They were bite size pieces of shrimp perfectly fried and crispy and seasoned with two different aioli's. One was a spicy kochujan aioli and the other was a wasabi aioli. They also had a coconut dipping sauce but the shrimp with their respected aioli was great in itself. That was just a perfect start to our meal. Next came the 10 hour pork kakuni which is his braised pork belly served on a hot rice congee. It literally melted in your mouth and the flavor was orgasmic. Then came his version of mandoo on a tomato sauce with bacon foam. Yes I said FOAM. All of their dishes are plated extremely well. Their attention to detail in their presentation is quite first-class and such high quality. Last we had the yosedofu which is fresh tofu created tableside. The processes takes about 7-10 minutes. They bring this liquid soy that literally after their presentation and the wait turns into fresh tofu. It is served with two dipping sauces the traditional soy sauce with the grated ginger, bonito flakes and scallions and my favorite a kim chee sauce which made the tofu in it taste like kim chee chige. That was just a wonderful treat. Unfortunately we were too full to try a dessert but definitely will next time. (I can't believe I am saying this...I know what no dessert!) This is now a truly first-class restaurant and it comes highly recommended as you will not be disappointed at all you will come out saying now I understand why he is an iron chef and that title is well deserved. Since this was opening week, and Iron Chef Morimoto was there, I was lucky enough to meet him in person. I just want to thank him and his amazing staff for a wonderful dining experience and I cant wait to the next time......
(5)
Catherine F.
The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated. The hostess staff were at best "cold" we were not greeted upon entering nor were we addresses as we left. The wait staff was average however we did have a waiter change in the middle if our meal. The quality of the food and it's preparation was excellent but the portions are extremely small but we did expect the size of the portions. We went to celebrate our anniversary and indicated that with our reservation. It was never acknowledged and the one thing the ruined this experience for us was the invasion of gnats. They got in everything! My wine had to be replaced because there were at least a half dozen that drowned themselves in my glass. My dinner although tasty I really didn't enjoy because I had to beat the gnats to my food so I ate faster than I would have and didn't savor the meal. Overall I am disappointed. I would not go back nor would I recommend.
(2)
Paul R.
Absolutely phenomenal. One of the best dining experiences we have had in Waikiki. Food was excellent and the service was prompt, engaging, and fun. Martin, our server, and the support wait staff were awesome. We had the Omakase and were in food nirvana by the end......in fact, we did not want it to end. Can't wait to go back and try Omakase round 2.
(5)
Patrick T.
What is this, I don't even... know how to describe this meal. Stunning. Best or second best meal I've had in my life. You will feel high after eating here. Came with a group of friends and we ordered a ton of dishes, and paid about 100 bucks each. Worth it. Started with the Morimoto style poke which was an interesting presentation with a few different "dips." Then went for the tempura calamari salad, which was fine. Oyster foie gras was EXCELLENT. Melt in your mouth deliciousness. Waygu carpaccio was quite nice. Kakuni (pork belly) was very good, though I didn't care much for the porridge it was in. Duck duck duck entree was just ok. seafood toban yaki was like a bouillabaise and was also tasty. The braised black cod was breathtakingly good. Didn't expect much, but it was perfectly cooked with a gushingly good sauce. Waygu filet was a finely cooked steak. For dessert, the tofu cheese cake was light and refreshing. vanilla roasted pineapple was nice. chocolate peanut bombe was VERY rich and good. Allez cuisine!
(5)
Anna F.
My friends said this place was good so I came here with high expectations. You know what, I didn't like it. I was impressed with the presentation of the food but the taste wasn't great. I ordered a few appetizers, a sushi roll, a few entrees, and a few desserts. Out of all the items my friends and I ordered, the only thing that blew me away was the chocolate peanut bombe dessert. If I had to come back here, I would just come for that dessert. The interior of the restaurant is very modern. The clear tables were cool. My table was outside on the deck next to the entrance of the Edition Hotel pool. Uh yeah, not a very good spot, the only view we got was the bushes. I think a table overlooking the marina would have been much better. For those who haven't tried this place yet, I say just come give it a shot. Maybe I didn't order the right items so I was disappointed. But this is a restaurant owned by an iron chef and I'd day it's a pretty big deal. Just remember to finish your meal off with the chocolate peanut bombe.
(3)
Alena H.
Don't eat here until they hire new management and hosts/hostess'! My first visit to this restaurant was with a friend who took me there for my birthday. We had a wonderful waitress and the Traditional Breakfast that I had was delicious. I decided to take my family there for breakfast on New Year's morning. Never again. I made my reservations online (so I guess I didn't get to experience the RUDENESS when you call to make one - I found out through my friend who took me there) and with the time I was given, assumed that it would be busy. No. We were greeted (by chance it seemed because everyone at the front seemed preoccupied with other things) after standing there for a few minutes then taken into the restaurant by whom I found out is one of the managers there (Antonio) - he must have had too much to drink the night before because he didn't greet us, wasn't friendly and just sat us in the middle of the restaurant where there was only one more person in there eating while everyone else was outside (and it wasn't even crowded). The first time I went there we were asked if we wanted to dine inside or out. For me, I find it offensive (and I could be wrong), but we were the only local family and I guess, weren't good enough to sit outside among the hotel guests. Note: it is an ICE BOX inside! Shleppily dressed Antonio sat us, we told him that one of our party members wasn't going to make it, he shrugged his shoulders and said "Whatever, it doesn't matter." and walked off! Then we sat in the freezing dining room area for at least 5-10 minutes without anyone acknowledging our existance! Oh hell no! I was livid by the time our waiter noticed us from outside and came in to help us. My husband asked if we could sit outside and he gladly accomodated us (I think mostly because he knew how pissed we were). From that point on, the service was much better. Breakfast is a good meal there - a little pricey but before our encounter with the front end staff, it didn't matter to me. Our waiter, Michael, did his best to make the rest of our dining experience there pleasant but my husband refuses to come back. Overall, the food is quite good but the service is soooo horrible! That place needs new management and hostess' who have some kind of customer service experience. They are RUDE and act as if they are doing us a favor by allowing us to dine in their fine restaurant. They should be working out on the pool deck and the pool deck staff in the restaurant because they are soooo much more filled with the Aloha Spirit than those horrible people are! Shame on them! What a terrible reflection on Chef Morimoto! They need to be FIRED!!!!!! They have such a great opportunity to appeal to locals being on the outskirts of Waikiki, in a good location, etc. But I guess they only care about one kind of patron. How unfortunate for them. Sad to say, I won't have anything nice to tell any of my friends if they ask me about the restaurant. It's just not worth it.
(2)
Rishiel L.
Must be the best Asian fusion restaurant I've been to yet. Tops sushi roku and Koi. It's classy, our waiter was great. We ordered the pork gyoza, lobster crab rolls, and some beef sAshimi, all of which was to die for. The Tuna pizza is what me and my bf really went crazy for. My only complaint is that when we walked in, the hostesses were chatting with each other, and made us wait when the restaurant was clearly almost empty. Before she came and got us, she was chatting with the other hostesses, and at one point was even walking backwards to chat with them. At a place like this, first impression is key, and everyone should hold their composure and be professional. Other than that, our servers were great!
(4)
Jennie K.
I tried Morimoto for the first time in NYC and I was pretty disappointed. Masaharu Morimoto is one of my favorite chefs, so I decided to give his restaurant another try. He definitely changed my mind. The restaurant in Waikiki is absolutely beautiful. The decor is very modern, clean and white. The staff was extemely knowledgeable and helpful. The food was great! Definitely was not disappointed this time around. My friend and I ordered the toro tartare, king crab tobanyaki (which was my absolute favorite), wagyu carpaccio, yellowtail "pastrami" (this was my least favorite), oysters, and green tea meringue. All of the food was absolutely delicious. The prices are high but that's to be expected. Enjoy yourself, indulge and spend some money. If you want to be cheap do not go here. I will definitely be going here again!
(5)
Janet K.
I remember watching Iron Chef Morimoto on the original Japanese Iron Chef show. He was always my favorite Iron Chef... back then, and even on the new Iron Chef America show. That's why I was extremely surprised and severely disappointed when I had a below mediocre experience at his namesake restaurant in Waikiki. I hated the lobster dish. I forced myself to eat it since it was like a $50 entree. The Kurobota pork was tasty and tender and the sushi was okay. The dessert we ordered was CRAP. It had no flavor... similar to eating sponge. The server we had sucked, but the bussers were super attentive. To top everything off, We had 5pm reservations so we could make it to the 730pm Bruno Mars concert on time and they didn't seat us until 520pm! We were the first ones there and they sat a group of girls before us! Don't say you're open at 5pm if you're not! I could have wasted $300 somewhere else. Never again!
(2)
Kris M.
Stopped in to check out The Modern and had a drink at the bar. The vibe does not sync with the look. Drinks were okay.
(3)
Naomi G.
Amazing service with outstanding food. Great team work between hostess' and servers! If you need a refill on a drink or need dishes to be taken away, any available server will take care of it, not just your designated server. Kai and Ayumi were great! Definitely recommend the wagyu carpaccio, rock shrimp and spicy tuna roll as appetizers and peanut butter bombe for dessert. Cucumber shiso cocktail was my favorite! We were very lucky to meet Chef Morimoto and experience his cuisine, we will be back for sure!
(5)
Evan S.
We had the omakase and it was truly a fantastic dining experience. Each course was beautiful, perfectly crafted and delicious. Every course was as exceptional as the one prior. We couldn't of been more pleased. The staff was incredibly attentive and explained each dish perfectly. Our servers (Brandon & Martin) were great. Having such good service really enhanced and complimented how incredible the food was. Thanks guys!
(5)
Shayna K.
You MUST get the tuna pizza. Sounds weird, I know, but trust me, it's the most innovative, labor-intensive specialty item on the menu. It is a taste sensation. Other than that, we've been only semi-impressed by our menu selections. Maybe the fault is with the selector...you can be the judge. Here's what I've tried so far: 1. Loco-moto: probably one of the most economically filling items, but, as my husband puts it, it gets kind of monotonous after a few bites. 2. Unagi hot pot: Yummers, but not if you've already eaten some sushi. Then it's just like a messed up sushi. But I like the crusty rice. 3. Ahi Caesar Salad: if 5 leaves of Romaine will fill you, along with some quality ahi, then this is your meal! I loved it, but then I wasn't too hungry. 4. One of the sushi rolls...can't remember exactly which one, but I'll assume they are the same: nothing special. You could be at Yanagi, California Rockin Sushi or Gyotaku and get the same for less. But don't get me wrong, I'd go back. I'd just order differently. No to the sushi (should've listened to our server who said it's just sushi. He was right!). The hotel itself is ubercool, the ambiance is wonderful, and the service is great. I love the outdoor seating area. LOVE, love. Inside is a little to noisy for me. The firepits, sky, and front row seats to the Friday night fireworks show cannot be beat!
(3)
Janet H.
I can finally say I've eaten at the Iron Chef's restaurant! To be honest, I didn't know some of the stuff I was eating, but nonetheless, everything was delicious! I felt like a queen and my giddy little taste buds were jumping up and down with excitement from all the scrumptious flavors. My friend and I got the omakase ($125), no regrets! Everything was so aesthetically pleasing. All the dishes were almost too pretty to eat! The highlights of the meal were the seafood dishes. The first appetizer was kind of like a pallet with tuna and some other fish and you dip it with wasabi, guacamole, seaweed paste, sour cream, soy sauce and some crunchy rice balls... yes, I know that does not sound appealing but it was amazing. The other appetizer was moi fish with ginger and other ingredients harmonizing with the fish. The server stated that moi is a type of fish long time ago that queens and kings could only eat. Yup, felt like a queen that night! Of course, then nigiri sushi was so delicious! I tried fish I haven't tried before either. The fish were so freshy and creamy. MmMm! The other main dish was surf n turf! The lobster was succulent, but I was not a fan of the steak. They actually undercooked it and had to send it back twice before it was finally cooked right. That was a bit traumatizing when I took my first bite. Luckily, the servers were happy to fix it and send it back. Finally, dessert was a bunch of root veggies/pumpkin. Ube ice cream, kabocha souffle? I can't remember... but everything was on point! The only dish I wasn't really a fan of was the weird veggie dish where you dip it in olive oil mixed with other things... it didn't have much flavor. I also noticed the table next to us had boiling oil, ours was just lukewarm. Overall, a delicious meal. It was fun spoiling myself for once! When else can you get lobster, steak, foie gras, and souffle all in one day? I thought it was worth the $125! of course, don't forget to request sitting at the patio. Gorgeous view, especially during sunset. Le sigh. Missing Hawaii.
(4)
K. S.
I wish I could give this place more stars, but I was very disappointed with the service and quality of food. My family and I had the omakase. The first three dishes were excellent. However, the latter four were seriously lacking. Egg Custard: Super salty Sushi: Not fresh. It tasted like it had recently been defrosted. Surf and turf: Lobster was salty and rubbery. Wagyu Beef was tough and did not taste fresh. Good Wagyu beef is tender and melts in your mouth. Butter Mochi: It tasted like old cereal with really old mochi. Given the hefty price, I expected better food. Last, but not least, it took two and a half hours for us to be served the complete omakase. There's no excuse as to why we have to wait to be served mediocre food. Chad, thank for your response. We dined on Christmas night.
(2)
Robert P.
Great with my kids and not pushy. Such a nice time. Food is not just tasty but also an experience.
(5)
Sean S.
Almost 5 stars. I think I went in with too high of expectations. Don't get me wrong, the food was very good just not exceptional. The service, ambiance and food presentation were all there. We had a group of 4 and went family style so we could choose a few different items. We started with the hamachi tartare (fun presentation but not overwhelming), white fish sashimi (great sauce and good fish), wagyu sashimi (decent meat but great sauce), tuna pizza (fun and different). Then we split 2 entrees. The whole fried fish and the seafood tepanyaki. The fish had a great sauce and the fish was good not great. The tepanyaki was very good. The sauce was a spicy/sweet sauce with clams, mussels, crab and lobster. This was excellent! Again, you won't be dissapointed in their food. Maybe your wallet but the food was good just not over the top like I thought it would be.
(4)
Gitanjali K.
deliciouso! Everything here is a piece of delectable art! Expensive but great for a special occasion! Outside deck is beautiful!
(5)
KarraJoel M.
One word to describe my first and lastMorimoto experience: underwhelming. Purchased Valentine's Day Omakase at $140 per person. Multiply by 2 people and add in cost of 2 wines = I'm now poorer... And still hungry after completion of 8 courses 3.5 hours later. Underwhelming experience and food. Amazing kuromoto oysters. Not amazing fish with scales, vegetables with in edible stems attached, and crispy burnt steak-ish items. Waited a long time between dishes, dropped a chopstick and got only 1 of 2 replaced. Seats and tables were close enough to a wonderful married couple; felt like we had double date and made new friends. Did I mention sitting exactly at the corner of the busiest walkway/entrance to seating area and having to strain to hear my boyfriend across the table? Parked in street parking lot, when contrary to restaurant staff statements, the valet was not full. Suggestion: 1) purchase menu items of your choice instead, and 2) go to restaurant with no food expectations.
(2)
Bravo J.
So I'm only giving 3 stars b/c I had a reservation at 7:45pm ... but was not seated until 8:30pm! I think it would've taken longer to get a table IF I wasn't constantly asking the receptionist what the hold up was and why EVERYONE else walking in was getting seated before me! At one point b/f we got seated - the manager came over -- and said we would we be seated soon ... but no apologies ... no nothing ...! He did send over an appetizer to the table once we were seated -- but I think I would've appreciated an apology over a free 17$ dish ... I had the seafood toban yaki ... DELISH!! OMG ... would fly over to HNL just to eat this again! this dish alone merits 5 stars ... it was that good! The hubby had sashimi ... he said it was fresh and tasy. It's expensive ... the tuna is "MP." It was 12$ a PIECE that day ... he had 3 pcs ... literally .5 inch slivers ... BUT -- he says it was very very good!! Be aware the miso soup is a BIG serving ~~ it's not the usual little bowl you get at a sushi restaurant ... it's the size of a PHO bowl ... :-) My friend had the calamari salad ~ which I stole many bites of b/c it was tasty!! I would order this dish again! Overall ~ the food is good! $$$! The fact that I had to wait a very long~ time even w/reservations and walk-in's were being seated before me put a damper in my dining experience at Morimoto Waikiki.
(3)
Stephanie L.
4 stars for service, 2 stars for food. Ordered: Tuna Pizza, Half Dozen Oysters, Kakuni (Pork Belly with Congee), Pork Gyoza, Ramen Soup, Oxtail Soup, MIxed Green Salad, Crispy Whole Fish, 1 piece Uni and 1 piece sea eel. Went there on Thursday night for dinner while staying at the Modern Hotel Waikiki. We've been to Morimoto New York and remember it being much better that this. The food was ok tasting - nothing really special or memorable. The best thing ordered was the oysters. Had my 11 month old daughter for dinner with us and asked for a bowl of plain congee for her which they charged us $4 for a tiny bowl - no more than 4 spoon fulls. Plain rice is also $4 a bowl. Overall, way over priced. I dont mind paying for a great meal - or even a good one. But I left here still hungry and underwhelmed. The only bright spot during dinner was that service was very good. I wouldnt go here again. If you want fancy dining, with overpriced food just for a "cool" atmosphere - then this place is for you. If you want excellent Japanese food and equally excellent service then I would recommend Miyabi instead.
(2)
Jayvell B.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the dining seats and tables and environment of the restaurant! I ordered an ice cream sampler with really great flavors: Green tea matcha, Miso Butterscotch (Absolute favorite), and a chocolate. I also ordered the pork belly sliders which were very flavorful. A great place for any occasion!
(4)
Maureen G.
My husband surprised me with reservations here for my birthday, ranks in my top two culinary experiences. I won't bore anyone with the details, but everything was really well done. Since moving to Hawaii this is the first time after a meal my husband has said, "we'll be coming back here." The biggest issue of the evening was trying to decide between ordering off menu or the omakase.. First world problems.
(5)
C R.
We were in Honolulu for our anniversary and looking for somewhere special for our anniversary night dinner. While the reviews for Morimoto weren't particularly stellar, it was close and convenient to where we were staying and they had an opening. Valet parking at the Edition Hotel is validated (free) by the restaurant, so driving there is your best bet. Upon entering the restaurant, there's a very nice, quiet and comfortable lounge to wait at and since we were a bit early, we got to relax there for a sec before being seated. We were given a lovely spot on the outside lanai (recommended as inside can get a little noisy) by the marina. Very romantic with candle-light and all. We had an excellent tofu+kimchee starter with was prepared at our table, given 10 minutes for the tofu to form. Both our dinner entrees were also outstanding (one of which was from his Iron Chef battles, which he won!) The only less than excellent point was that our particular server seemed a little inexperienced and stiff but he was still fine and did his best. The other servers looked much more at ease and top-notch. No points deducted there as he might have had a rough day or just starting out. We'd definitely come back here next time for a nice dinner, and we'll be sure to request the lanai again.
(5)
Laura D.
Ambiance: 5 starts The restaurant is beyootiful! A good place to go for just the ambiance. Decor is lovely, light, modern, chic. Food: 3.5 stars The food is good, but not any better than Izakaya Gaku (a personal fave) or Nobu. Sasabune still blows it out of the park. However, Morimoto is very good with modern innovations to old classics. The yose dofu (hot tofu) was really good, and the ishiyaki rice was not bad. The fish quality was on par with other good sushi restaurants, but not better. I had a pear yuzu cocktail with serrano chili and that was super yummy. I'd go back just for that, actually. Service: 4 stars Service was very good, as to be expected with the cost, which was, needless to say, not cheap.
(4)
Theresa N.
Just had dinner at Morimoto's for the first time and had a mixed experience. I tried the Omakase (9 course chef's choice). I loved the presentation and taste of the first course, but found the other courses okay. We actually ordered the O' Toro and wagyu for appetizers, which was pretty good. I actually prefer the Omakase at Alan Wong's, at least you can have it with wine pairings and the food tasted better. My wife had the Angry chicken and wasn't worth the price. It was okay, but a little too salty and strong chipotle flavor. For drinks we loved the ZD Cabernet by the glass ($18/ glass) and we ordered a bottle of Kubota Sake (Daiginjo), our favorite, a little pricey at $150 a bottle. My wife enjoyed the tofu cheese cake and we enjoyed our double espresso. Warning! We were seated outside, which we thought was cool at first because inside sounded like a cafeteria and you could hardly hear yourself talking. But anyway, they sat us next to the row of hedges next to the swimming pool and towards the end, big B-52 type roaches started to come out and they looked like they were going to fly. My wife is totally freaked out and we asked to be moved. One roach crawled up to our table and was stomped on. Not quite to expect at a four or five star restaurant. I guess the restaurant knows about it because they apologized and blamed it on the fertilizer. They did move us to a nicer setting right in front of the fire pit and they evening ended well. Total damage was over $600 for three. I would return to try other dishes and drinks.
(3)
Shatina L.
So I broke my cardinal rule of visiting an establishment before its been around for a year but I'm giving back to a slow economy. Would like to say love the decor. Simple and timeless with white leather furniture (easy to clean and replace) Not sure about the firepits but did add warmth as my party and I were seated outside. Despite the approaching storm and distinct burst of lightning in the distance and possible exposure to the elements, I would suggest sitting outside. It doesnt feel like you're waiting for the town meeting to start, distracted by the person next to you with the squeeky voice. But I digress. First and foremost, its all about the presentation: ambiance, flavors, service, the whole package. Obviously its not your local eatery, with food piled on the dish creating amalgamated flavors of gravies. Garnishes are strategically placed making you wonder if it took longer for them to put it all together than it was to prepare the dish. I opted for the omakase primarily because the menu itself seemed overwhelming. Why not allow the chef to do what he does best and just enjoy the meal, or in this case, meals? Try everything at least once in your life but what stands out the most for me here - and everyone will rank this the worse review ever - was the lemon creme fraiche, served w the roasted lobster. Not the lobster. Not the Wagyu. Not even the chawan mushi. But the sauce meant to hold 2nd fiddle to the entree. Yes, everything was savory to the palate and this didnt live up to the hype of that but that's all based on personal opinion. I personally think that it could be served with anything, frozen and whipped up as a dessert, and we wouldnt have been the wiser of its humble beginnings: heavy whipping cream with lemon essence. Cant order this on its own though- might as well eat the lobster that comes with it. Of course, I do have to comment on the service. Not swarming with wait help but just enough to be able to sidle in and fill your drink without the need to ask for more. You may have to wait, but spend it inquiring about the food on the other table with your company. All in all, a well enjoyed meal.
(4)
Cristina T.
First time in Hawaii, first time at Morimoto's. Service was excellent! Food was pretty good. I had their version of Hawaiian Poke, it was pretty filling, not at all what I expected, tuna was very tender and delicious. I had the spider roll, that was typical, nothing special. The shrimp tempura, very different, not traditional at all, they serve it in two styles of flavor, both which was delicious. The prices were pretty high, for the food, it should be priced moderately. Though I think the price comes from the name and the ambiance. I would still come back.
(4)
Val Y.
I'm quiet in person but when I write, you can't shut me up. Some additional postscripts: P.P.P.S.: Do not overlook making reservations and ask to sit at the sushi bar. There is allot going on in the kitchen and it is interesting and entertaining to watch the chef's prepare the food. Morimoto himself was there when we visited the restaurant. It is easier to take pictures of him when you are sitting at the sushi bar....even if he is just standing around and doing nothing. Morimoto-san show me what you got....COOK SOMETHING!!! P.P.P.P.S. - If you are a Morimoto fan, you MUST purchase his book "morimoto - The New Art of Japanese Cooking". It is a great cookbook. It explains his philosophy in the art of cooking. It has very nice photos; describes his approach to food preparation and shows techniques in sashimi-ing, preparing clams, octopus, salmon roe, vegetables, etc. Book price is $40.00. If he is in the restaurant, he will autograph the book for you. "To Val, Happy Birthday! Masaharu Morimoto"... in Japanese. You da man Morimoto-san! P.P.P.P.P.S. - Beware the Morimoto rally "SHOUT!" It can happen at any given moment with no warning. All the staff in the kitchen will, at Morimoto's command, "SHOUT!" It is a technique he uses to motivate the cooking staff. It happens so suddenly; it is startling; it shocked my gf and I. We don't know what they SHOUTED. The wait staff do not participate in this ceremony and our waitress could not explain clearly what happened. P.P.P.P.P.P.S. - This is a must do! Even if you don't have to and you are a male; use the men's restroom of the hotel which is across from Morimoto's. Did you find the toilet stalls? Did you figure out how to turn the faucet on in less than a minute? But WOW! the men's restroom is upper end and beautifully done. Maybe they should move the Morimoto interior design to the restroom and the restroom interior design to Morimoto's. The next time I go to Morimoto Waikiki, I will use the restroom at least three times and maybe even do a Number 2. And at least for one of those times, I will be using the women's restroom, just to see what that is like.
(3)
Paul M.
Morimoto's was on my checklist of must eat places along side Stage (wonderful) and Chef Mavro (some day). We went on a Thursday night and had an... average experience. There were 4 of us, and we shared everything we ordered. Atmosphere The hotel Morimoto's is in (The Edition) is pretty nice with expensive walls and bathrooms you feel privledged to use. The restaurant is decorated very nicely in soft whites and greens. I was really impressed walking in. We had asked for an outside table for our 7pm reservation so we could see the sunset. Unfortunately, we got one of the two tables off in the corner between the restaurant and The Edition's pool. The splashing kids and constant foot traffic behind my head wasn't exactly what I expected, but I go to restaurants for the food! Service We were seated immediately upon arrived on time to our reservation. The waitress was very nice and accomodating. The busers who brought our food one plate at a time were very nice and told us exactly what the dish was, breaking down the ingredients and cooking style. In the beginning, they brought us some food for another table along with our correct appetizers, which forced us to question the busers each time they brought us a new dish. They only brought the wrong one a couple times before the figured out where the right table was for the extra food. Also, service was a bit slow, however we had some cocktails and plenty of conversation to keep us going. In their defense, we did order in 4 or 5 waves. Food Most of the reviews I've seen said that the entrees were pretty unimpressing, so we did mostly appetizers with 1 sushi dish. Presentation on everything was excellent, however I had to say the flavor on each dish was just nice. I guess I came in with high expectations to be blown away with creative flavor combinations and bold flavors that only Morimoto could deliver. The Bacon Foam Gyoza was pretty good, but mostly on presentation. The gyoza was above average, but I guess not really living up to its price tag and fame. Everyone liked the Curry appetizer, which was probably the best thing we ate there. The tako yaki was cooked very well and the abalone was a perfect texture. The flavor was very subtle, but that's good for abolone. The Wasabi shrimp plate was nice, but pretty average. The only notible thing was that the wasabi flavor was perfect: there, but not over powering. We also had a pork appetizer, which I'm sad to say I don't even remember anything about. I think it was shoyu flavored. My wife and I had the iruka, which was really high quality. We really liked it, but unfortunately, its hard to justify $5 for 1 piece of sushi. We only ordered one main dish, which was the ginger pork. Everyone else liked it a lot, but it was just okay for me. Perhaps I was already tainted by my low expectation for the entree and we were drinking Sake at this point. Speaking of which, the Morimoto Sake was worth the entire evening. It was amazing. Not only did it had a brilliant floral flavor, perfect balance, and a great smoothness, it was also served in an amazing display that looked like it was made completely from ice (although it wasn't). It was the highlight of the meal for me. We didn't get desert, but the waitress brought us some sugared jellies anyway. I could tell it was made fresh as the pineapple flavored one had less gelatin than the others (or more juice). Pretty good for free. Value I think my disappointment is entirely because of the price of everything. We were ordering modestly and still managed to spend over $80 a person. The sushi is amazing, but it really needs to be the best thing on the planet for $5 a piece. However, I'm thinking of coming back just for the sushi... so perhaps it is the best sushi ever. The appetizers were all pretty decent, but more expensive than normal main courses. Summary I think my so-so reviews of the food are due to expectations from the high price tags and the name Morimoto. I don't go to restaurants where I know the name of the chef very often, so I kind of expect a lot with the fame. Unfortuately, our meal didn't live up to the expectations. We won't be coming back, unless we get a craving for some expensive sushi (or we can't find Morimoto Sake anywhere else). If we did come back, we'd definitely want a better table, we'd order only sushi for appetizers, and perhaps we'd give the entrees a more fair try. It would also help if the prices went down!
(3)
Duke J.
I actually came here a while ago with family for dinner, which was an awesome experience. We had reservations for 4 at 6pm and got there around 5:45pm but actually got seated early. Hostesses were very welcoming and immediately we were sat. the restaurant had a great ambiance. It was really hip and trendy and definitely more upbeat than your regular fine dining restaurant. Our server Ryan knew the menu exceptionally well and was able to answer any questions we asked. I liked that he was honest in what he suggested. now the food calamari salad: Like Ryan suggested, its a great dish to share with a group. the calamari was cooked tempura style which i really enjoyed. the light dressing also added a great balance to the fried calamari which sometimes can be heavy. takoyaki: personally, im not a big fan of traditional japanese tako yaki but this one had quite a twist. the takoyaki was actually made with abalone which was delicious. the herb butter also added a nice strong kick. tuna piza: crunchiness of the torilla along with the fresh soft tuna.... Genious! definitely worth trying. tobanyaki: i had this as my entree and it was just glorious. if youre a seafood lover than this dish screams your name when you read it in the menu. although it is a bit pricey, service, atmosphere and quality of food make it worth it in the end. i am definitely a believer in this restaurant worth trying out.
(5)
Paul M.
What a dichotomy-ultra poor service and ultra good food that takes FOREVER to get to your table! First we were told that valet was free until we actually arrived and was told that the valet was full and to park across the street in public parking. Well 20 minutes and 7 levels later we arrived late due to no fault of our own. Our table still wasn't ready so the bar was calling. I ordered a coke which was entirely flat! I guess the bartender thought I was retarded (even though I am a physician) because he had to call both the manager AND another bartender over to taste the coke and finally accept that it was, indeed, flat. Strike two and we have not even sat down yet! After finally being seated our waiter arrived in what seemed like an eternity and proceeded to fill our water glasses and then disappear again. I had to flag down another waiter, only to be told that "our waiter was in a rut" and that it would be awhile before we could order! Strike two and a half! After finally ordering, after a completely lackluster presentation of the menu, the food began to arrive in a slow drivel. The food was very very good but the service just went downhill from there (if that's possible?!?!). I have never seen such an apathetic, uninterested and flat out uncaring service staff in a long, long time! For the price it is deplorable. If you like sushi and abuse save your money and go to Sushi Sasabune instead!
(2)
Ralph Y.
While the food was all I expected it to be, for this kind of money I expected better atmosphere & portioning. We were seated outside next to the pool area. Granted we had some privacy but still when you're doling out that kind of serious money, I expect more than some thick shrubs. If you opt to dine inside, be prepared for noise levels that make it very difficult to hear someone across the table from you. Some will describe it as energetic; to me it was like sitting on the tarmac at an airport. I'm guessing the younger crowd enjoys that level and while I don't expect hushed tones, I do enjoy conversing with people on the same table without having to raise my voice. No question about the level of food and the taste of it. Creativity, flair are just words used to describe the experience. The polar opposite is the amount of food given. I truly felt it was Iron Chef portions. It borders on being cute if it were free. The Nigiri sushi was the most disappointing. Small piece (note one piece) and that was it. Who has ever gone to any sushi bar, ordered Nigiri style and had just one piece? But flavor, nothing special to speak of here, I think we were all disappointed by it. The rice had a texture that could not be described as umami by any stretch. Service was excellent and we took to heart a lot of suggestions that our wait person had. It was quick, attentive without being intrusive. I've seen some of the complaints regarding the service but I looked at other tables and none of them seemed to lacking. Bottom line, would I go back there, no. Value wise, I can name at least 6 other comparably priced restaurants that have better value with similar price tags.
(3)
Gail F.
I was taken here this year for a pre-Valentine's Day dinner (since my date and I both worked on the actual day) and it exceeded my expectations by far. We first got our cocktails in which I had the Mori-Mojito, which was his own spin on a mojito, and the Morimo-tini, which was made with his signature sake, vodka and cucumbers. The martini was super dry (which I like) and my mojito was awesome as well. For our appetizer, we had the takoyaki (with abalone instead of tako). For our entrees, my date had the Hamachi stone pot and I had the meal "Duck, Duck, Duck" which was seared duck breast with mango salsa, duck confit spring roll with potato and a duck meatball soup with puff pastry on top. The hamachi stone pot was SO good. They sear the hamachi just right in front of you and then mix it just as they would with any stone pot meal. For dessert, we shared the cold/hot tofu which was a tofu souflee, tofu cheesecake and a sour cherry sorbet with kinako chips (which were really fluffly and crunchy and delicious). All in all, the food was amazing. The thing I really loved about this place was that it isn't a typical Hawaii restaurant. It reminds me of restaurants my friends and I frequent when we travel to LA and it is something I believe Hawaii needs. Located in the new Edition Hotel, everything in there is swanky and just the right thing we need if we want to experience a swanky night on the town. I loved that they played house music whilst dining (I'm a big house music fan) and the decor is very chic. Our hostess wasn't the nicest, but I think it just comes down to the fact that it was the Saturday before Valentine's Day and maybe she just had bad customers before hand. I totally recommend this place. It isn't half bad to turn around from your table and see Chef Masaharu Morimoto potentially preparing your dishes. (-:
(4)
Paul M.
I was looking forward to checking out Morimoto during our trip to Hawaii. I have been a fan of his from the original Iron Chef so I definitely was curious to try some of his dishes. My wife had been to the Morimoto in Napa Valley and she said the food there was great. Morimoto is located inside the swank Modern Honolulu and it's chic white interior blends in great with the hotel's sleek aesthetic. We picked a table outside so we could enjoy the beautiful Honolulu night. First off the service here was great although the restaurant was very empty for some reason. My wife made the comment that at the Napa location she liked the appetizers much more than the entrees and oddly we found the same here as well. For apps we had: Crispy Rock Shrimp Tempura, Morimoto style poke, and a sushi roll. The Rock Shrimp tempura was great especially the spicy sauce. I liked the Poke as well although the foam was a little strange. Poke isn't really a dish that needs to be fancied up. For entrees we had: Chef's Loco moto, Seafood toban yaki, and the Ishi Yaki buri bop. Of the three I would say that the Ishi Yaki buri bop was the best although if you don't like seaweed don't order this as it has a strong seaweed taste. The Toban Yaki was very messy to eat and really didn't impress me as being an asian style dish. It was more like a Bouillabaisse in my opinion. The Loco moto is a dressed up version of a famous local comfort/hangover dish and was very mediocre. If you want to try this stick to the original in some local's spot. It will be cheap and good. Overall I would say that the experience here was positive but the food just wasn't that good for the price. Although it is rare, this is one of the occasions that the Iron Chef Japanese was defeated in his home stadium......
(3)
Takashi H.
Review based on the Chef's course menu ordered when the chef was in the house. Reality TV star Masaharu Morimoto has quite the draw, so I took a good friend from Tokyo to try Morimoto's with me. Having frequented the Iron Chef Yukio Hattori culinary institute in Tokyo, I had high hopes. The facade of authentic Japanese cuisine was quickly shattered within the first few courses. The wait staff didn't have a clue how to properly pronounce the Japanese names of dishes, nor what ingredients were in the food. Since a big part of authentic Japanese fine dining is talking about the ingredients, preparation style and philosophy, this experience was quite underwhelming. The hamachi tartar was served half frozen; it was neither fresh nor tasty. The shoyu and wasabi served with it tasted like the same sort in convenience store sushi. That's like the equivalent of putting ketchup on filet mignon. The entire experience was memorable for the wrong reasons. I wouldn't go back for another round unless the desserts and cocktails are so stellar I could justify abstaining from the lackluster food. I really would like to support the restaurant, but have a list of other authentic spots well worth the $$$.
(2)
Lorraine K.
Let me start off by saying the restaurant as a whole is beautiful. The decor, the lighting, the color scheme is all very pleasant to the eye. The waiting area is comfy and clean and the hostess are friendly. Parking is free if you dine there, just let valet know. The ambiance of the restaurant can be romantic but also fun if you're with a group of friends. The food was okay.. I think I was expecting it to be something more than what I experienced. I went with some girlfriends and we ordered a bunch of sushi and appetizers and one or two entrees& it was just good, not great. What kind of annoyed me is that my friends and I like to throw back a drink or two (or three or four). Cocktails are $14 which I found reasonable. We also ordered shots of patron and grey goose which at most places are $8 maybe $10. When we got our bill the shots were just as much as the cocktails, $14!! I couldn't believe it. After thinking about it, we should've asked how much they were but really? $14?! In the end, our drinks came coats 2x more than our food -_- Now it seems as if morimotos is going for a beachy theme, but I think they should consider a better ac system. The temperature in the restaurant was too warm for comfort and no, it wasn't because we had alcohol. I noticed it when we first walked in, however the reception area was a tad cooler. I give this place 3 stars bc I liked the presentation of the food, the interior design of the restaurant and the friendly staff.
(3)
Eric A.
4.5 stars if I could give that but I will round up. Came with wifey and our two kids. Excellent staff and treated our kids like royalty. Food was world class. I highly recommend the oysters foie gras. Perfection in 3 bites. I wish I had 10 more orders. -.5 stars for just the hint of haste in bringing our orders...would like to have had a touch more time in between...my wife disagrees though as she thought it was good given the kids always need to eat. This is just a nit. Looking forward to going back and definitely on the "places to eat when in waikiki" list!
(5)
W Q.
Lunch is an excellent value here for very high quality food. $25 gets you either chicken, fish, loco moco, or pork belly, with 2 pieces of sushi, one piece california roll, a salad, miso soup, and rice. The Loco Moco is an excellent deal here, high quality wagyu beef. For dessert, the butterscotch ice cream is to die for, and the strawberry lychee sorbet is also excellent. There was a dead bug in my miso soup, the soup was quickly replaced. I was pretty disappointed to see this in such a high end restaurant, but this is not going to stop me from returning -- but now I will always check for dead bugs before I start enjoying my miso soup! I do like the ambiance, and the quality of the food here very much. And the presentation of the food here is top notch. It's a work of art. If you're into eating art and burning lunch money, this is a great spot!
(5)
Wendy D.
Fantastic! And Mimi was a highlight as she assisted us thru the menu and drink selection! A must do if you are on Waikiki
(5)
Terence T.
Very disappointed. Not sure what they were going for - Japanese, fusion, Hawaiian??! It was none of it. He chawan mushi wasn't bad. The squid salad felt like two separate dishes, and the angry chicken was bland disputes being drenched in sauce, while the black cod was insanely salty. Bartender was good. So between the bartender and the chawan mushi is how I got to three stars. Really just a tourist trap, unfortunately like the location in NYC.
(3)
Baby B.
I ordered the fish at Morimoto. It was bland. Everything was bland. Maybe I ordered the wrong thing. But that night the Iron Chef failed me. But I'm still a fan. I don't blame whomever cooked that fish did a terrible job. My husband had the Duck Duck Duck an it was excellent. So I give it three stars on the fact that just my dish was awful.
(3)
Steve M.
We ate here for dinner and decided to go all out -- the table ordered the seven-course tasting menu (omakase), which is what I would recommend. Though not every dish was to our liking, many were fantastic, and the overall experience easily earns the 4-star rating. And since the menu is "chef's choice", some of the less tantalizing dishes will likely be weeded out. We ordered Morimoto-style drinks to start. The White Lilly and the Morimo-Tai (a mai tai concoction) were both delightful. The meal started with a memorable tartare that was so beautifully plated that you were immediately reminded that Morimoto is THE Iron Chef. The sushi and sashimi were perfect. Our meal featured an olive oil anchovy dip (ala fondue) that I could've done without. But the surf and turf was good, especially the seasoned lobster with creme fresh. Dessert was refeshing and quite tasty. Overall, a solid dining experience for $110 per person. Not bad for this kind of tasting menu. Morimoto himself was on hand to supervise the preparation of our meal, and he stepped out for photographs for a lucky few patrons. The rest of the night he was prominently visible in the open kitchen. Service was tremendously attentive and fairly well coordinated, particularly since this location has been open only a few weeks. And the atmosphere of the restaurant and the hotel it's located in (Edition) is clean and modern but did not seem too assuming. A very enjoyable dining experience.
(4)
Marilyn K.
My friend took my husband and I to Morimoto Waikiki for my birthday dinner while I was visiting Hawaii. When we were seated, I smelled the musty odor of stale food... not a good sign when one is dining in a "fine" restaurant! I looked around me...we were the furthest table from the kitchen and the tables around us were unoccupied. I can only assume that the ventilation was blowing kitchen smells directly to our table. So much for the ambience. The service started out as very attentive. Our server explained the menu and took our orders. Other servers brought our dishes. Then our original server disappeared! Another server brought us a dessert menu, took our dessert orders, and brought my friend the check. We never saw our original waiter again. (Even at coffee shops, waiters come to the table to let diners know if they are going off-shift. It was strange to find this lapse in service in a "fine-dining" restaurant.) As for the food...most of the dishes were too salty. I ordered the crispy fish. There was no starch to balance the saltiness of the fish. (A bowl of steamed rice was a side dish - $4.00) The oxtail soup broth was too salty. The "low-salt" soy sauce with dashi was so salty that none of us used it on our food. My friend's order of a deconstructed "Loco Moco" looked unappetizing. Half of the plate was white rice, the other half was mostly brown gravy with some chunks of meat swimming in it. And there was a sunny-side egg in the middle of the concoction. My friend barely touched her order. We did enjoy the two desserts we ordered. Perhaps there could be an excuse for our dining experience if the restaurant was crowded and the kitchen busy, but there were only a few occupied tables in a very large indoor space. There were more occupied tables outdoors. After the meal, my friend vowed never to return to Morimoto Waikiki.
(1)
Ash O.
..."So now America, with an open heart and an empty stomach, I say unto you in the words of my Uncle...Allez Cuisine!" WHAT WE ORDERED: Chef's Raw Bar Combination ($150) Hamachi Tartare ($24) Morimoto Poke ($19) Uni Caviar ($8) Foie Gras Chawan mushi ($17) Takoyaki ($18) Oyster Foie Gras ($22) Loco Moto with Wagyu Beef ($22) Duck, duck, duck ($28) Beverages (???) Now add it up. Go ahead. Ohhh okay, I'll do it for you *counting* add the four, carry the one - so comes out to be about a million billion dollars. [Editors note: I'm tricking you. The bill was actually $300-sumin' sumin']. A huge splurge, and somewhat faint-worthy, but IMHO it was soooo worth it. Need a last meal suggestion, because you're on death row? Tell the guard you want Morimoto's. Want to impress your wife/husband/girlfriend/boyfriend/in-laws/boss/UPS man/someone you've never met before? Need to bribe a politician? Eat cup noodles everyday for a week then take them here! Be like Nike and "Just Do It." Seriously though, this is what awesome tastes like. DISCLAIMER: You must be thinking to yourself, "Self, this gorgeous creature probably wears ten-carat diamonds while riding her purebred unicorn to her awaiting yacht in Lanikai." Well you're only a smidge right on that one. While I do enjoy the finer things in life, I don't think I would ever (single-handedly) pay that much money for dinner. My first Morimoto's experience was actually free, thanks to my very generous relative who was kind enough to treat my cousin and I. In real life, I only pimp my Charlie-Sheen-baller-shot-caller status everyday in my mind. You know before he went all cray-cray on the world. WINNING. You're welcome.
(4)
C. B.
Went for a couple of birthdays as this is one of our fav celebration spots. It also accommodates children well and free valet parking is great. Breakfasts and lunches are the bargain times . Relatively . We always start off with the freshly made before your eyes tofu. You might have to ask for it. In 8 minutes, voila! Deliciousness with several toppings including a kimchi soup or dashi type broth! The shared tempura calamari salad was perfect - they know how to do delicate tempura! The kids had jidori chicken ramen, and we had chirashi sushi, tempura and sushi combos and lobster sandwiches. Deserts were good along with the capuchinos.
(4)
Lily M.
Ordered the Live Octopus and Waygu Beef carpaccio, Oysters foie gras. The flavours were fantastic and worth every bite. For the main entree, I ordered the surf and turf with the prime rib filet rare and it did not disappoint. The steak melted in your mouth. Finished off with the ginger, Palm heart and macadamia nut cheesecake, hard to describe this other than you just have to try it.
(4)
Mindy A.
Chad L - not sure how to write you back! Anyway, no, my visit was on June 17th. Thanks for getting back to me, definitely appreciate the attention to guests' interests! Mindy
(4)
Victoria C.
I really wanted to like Morimoto and have been back a few times, unfortunately each time I go I am not that impressed. This last time that I went I decided to take my mom here for her birthday lunch (bad idea... should of learned the first 2 times) thinking that the lunch menu offers different items plus it's a little cheaper. She has never been to Morimoto so I thought it would be something nice for her to try. At lunch time they offer lunch sets which come with a few pieces of sushi, a salad and miso soup. They also have rice bowl dishes like chirashi and sandwiches. I ordered the lobster melt which came with wasabi fries (so good!) and a small salad. My meal was pretty good and one of the dishes I'd recommend getting. My sister got the hiyashi loco moco set which honestly we both have tasted better hiyashi before. The dish itself wasn't so bad but just nothing special. My mom's dish was the black cod fish set which unfortunately she did not like. She barely ate the fish as it wasn't appetizing and the sushi was just mediocre. It's unfortunate that such a nice fine dining place by a well known chef serves such mediocre food especially for the price you are paying! Thankfully the waiter took her cod fish off the bill but still a disappointment as she didn't enjoy her birthday lunch. I felt a little bad as I was the one that suggested this place! But it's okay because we had dinner somewhere much better! As for the things I like about Morimoto is their atmosphere. It's definitely very modern & chic. The place itself is actually pretty big and they have outdoor seating as well. Service was pretty good and our waiter was nice & accommodating. Food presentation was definitely on point. Too bad the food doesn't taste as good as it looks! The desserts made up for our unsatisfying meal. We tried the peanut bombe which is perfect if you love peanut butter! The tofu cheesecake was pretty interesting. It was nice and light. My mom also got a complimentary birthday sorbet which was very delicious. She was pleased with the desserts. *phew* At least something was good there!
(3)
Ivy Lou H.
Morimoto Waikiki is the place I wish I could eat at every night. You walk in and are greeted with a modern chic atmosphere that makes you feel like Iggy Azalea; "Fancy". The outdoor seating is really the best part of the restaurant and it's so nice to have the flames from the fireplace and beautiful people to occupy your eyes instead of your phone for a change. Tres Romantic. Go for the Lobster here as we did and you'll experience a crustacean that's packing some heat. The creme fraiche provides a perfect counter balance to the spices. Nearly everything on the menu was extremely enticing and not the same old boring choices we're usually faced with when eating out. Save room for the Chocolate Shisso or Chocolate Peanute Bombe desserts; they're like being tucked into bed with a kiss after a long day.
(5)
Paige S.
I've been here 5+ times over the span of 2 years and I can honestly say, it gets better every time. Lets keep this one short and sweet so you know whats up! Tips: Call ahead for reservations, or use open table! If you have special requests don't forget to ask, they have always been more than accommodating! Lunch during the weekdays are awesome, not as crowded and service is 10000%! Great for: Dinner with friends, lunch with your bffs -- not so good for an intimate romantic dinner. Location: On the 2nd floor of the Modern Hotel in Waikiki Parking: Valet! Ambiance: Modern, hip, upbeat, with an oriental be beachy twist. Service: Exceptional to say the least! It is even awesome during peak holiday hours with the entire restaurant bustling! What we ordered: Unless they have changed the menu in the past 6 months, we have tried 90% of the menu. I have not tried the omakase but you can bet your bottom i've got my eye on it! What you should order: --LUNCH--- Anything really, the entire menu is soooo affordable for quality foods in the heart of waikiki. Favorites are Chirashi Sushi, Loco Moto, Kakuni Don ---APPETIZERS--- Crispy rock shrimp tempura - MIND BLOWING FLAVORS! Wagyu carpaccio -- MELT IN YOUR MOUTH! !PINEAPPLE TEMPURA!!!! --- omg! SO GOOD! Kakuni -- Magic! --Dinner-- The special is ALWAYS a great choice -Crispy Whole Fish -Duck Duck Duck -Surf and turf -1lb australian wagyu rib eye -- you don't even need a knife, it just falls apart! -Sushi- Obviously all delicious, but the must order is oh toro for me! Desserts I have officially had them all and I LOVE THEM ALL! Did we see the Chef? YES! Actually, on our last trip there he was humbly cleaning the air vents or something in a casual shirt and white shorts! WHAT! I was star struck and missed my photo op but I SAW HIM! And you might too! Overall, Wonderful restaurant that is so delicious! From the very polite, attentive staff to the seriously mind blowing life changing food, there is no stone left unturned. I LOVE MORIMOTO WAIKIK! and I'm sure you will too! Make your way down here ASAP!
(5)
Kanoe I.
Dined at this modern Japanese eatery in the beautiful Modern Hotel and loved it! The restaurant's decor is what draws you in....pastel colors of green, beige and purple adds a contemporary and modern touch. They do have both indoor and outdoor seating. We opted to sit indoors because it was much more comfortable and it had a perfect view of the open space kitchen. Morimoto wasn't there...we were bummed. We stared at the menu and didn't know what to order so we asked our waitress for suggestions. Here is what she recommended and we enjoyed each dish: Tuna Pizza ($19): Very different and light, thinly sliced pieces of ahi over a thinly baked tortilla. The jalapeños add a little bite to it, which I thought made it tasty. We loved it so much, we ordered two. Whitefish Carpaccio ($17): Thinly sliced sashimi with hot oil, ginger and yuzu sauce. This dish was served with fresh greens. Very healthy and light.....Highly recommend this! Crispy Rock Shrimp Tempura ($18): This dish included battered shrimp prepared two different ways: one in a "spicy kochujan sauce" and the other in a "wasabi aioli sauce." Both were delicious. Tempura Calamari Salad ($18): Fresh greens with calamari in a white miso dressing. This salad was good but the fried calamari gave it an "unhealthy" taste. We ended up eating the greens and pushing the calamari to the side. Fresh Oysters: Beautiful presentation but the portion was small. They do offer several different sauces for it so that was good. I would opt for something else the next time. Overall, we really enjoyed our experience here and will definitely be back. Thank You to the staff for their excellent service!!
(5)
Celina Q.
As non-celebrators of Valentines Day, my boyfriend treated me to a romantic night at Morimotos on Friday the 13th (of February). Located in the Modern Hotel, Morimotos is the perfect blend of authentic Japanese cuisine, local flavor and that high-end ambiance we sometimes search for. Parking is valet, the restaurant validates, so good deal there. On this visit, there were three stand out items I need to mention: 1. Takoyaki app; twist on an Asian fave, it featured a decadent butter shoyu sauce with large takoyaki balls. These had abalone in them instead of tako, a bit pricey at $18 for 6 pieces, but hey, its Morimotos 2. Ishi Yaki Buri Bop; take the meat and toppings out of your traditional bibimbap and youve got this Morimoto creation. With fresh yellow tail and rice, this dish was made table side by out server. Though I didnt have any, the bf said it was a great dish 3. Chocolate Peanut Bombe; LOVE. not too sweet and a great size. Salted peanut ice cream is soo delish! And the cookie-like cremuex? melts in the mouth! Service was a little slow on this night, but we can blame that on a popular location and date so close to V-day. Keep in mind, Morimotos is also known for their sushi selection of rolls and nigiri, but nigiri orders only come with one piece! Make sure to order enough pieces for your group! Though I have no picture to prove it, Chef Morimoto himself was there on this special night! It was pretty cool to see a celebrity chef, even though his name is on the restaurant. From what I could tell, he was not meeting any guests or taking photos, boo.
(4)
Ariana M.
I think I have gone to Morimotos at least 4 or 5 times now. I really love the decor of the restaurant and the ambience. It was real comforting. Even the bathroom was real nice. Although I think the bathroom location is a bit inconvenient since it is located outside the restaurant. Besides that, the staff is always very polite and friendly; my water glass is never left empty. Each time I have been to Morimotos the food always comes out amazing. The portions are just like any other high-end restaurant, small. The quality of the ingredients and the creativity of presentation and execution really highlighted the Iron Chef's experience. The last time I went to Morimotos, we ordered the takoyaki for our first appetizer. Personally, I'm not a big fan of traditional Japanese takoyaki but this one had quite a twist. The takoyaki was actually made with abalone, which was delicious. The herb butter also added a nice strong kick. The Morimoto Sashimi platter was different from any Sashimi platter I've ever had. It was six stacked pieces of Salmon, Maguro, Hamachi and Pork belly. Each piece than had it's own little topping and was accompanied by FIVE different sauces in cool little squirt vials. It was a fun experience experimenting with the different sauces. The fish was fresh and tasted great. Presentation was excellent as expected. Definitely a must order item. For my entree I had the surf and turf, which came with fingerling potatoes over purple yam mash, Morimoto style poke with avocado wasabi sorbet and a nice wagyu filet. My steak was cooked to perfection and everything went well together. They even include a kelp tea thing for a palate cleanser to keep the surf and turf flavors separate.
(5)
Mr K.
I'm so sad to write this review. I'm originally from Hawaii and of Japanese descent. Chef Morimoto has always been a favorite of mine since the original Iron Chef. When traveling, my family and I like to eat at well known and acclaimed places for the experience. Morimoto Waikiki was definitely a destination dinner and I had high expectations. Unfortunately, by night's end, I was disappointed and confused. Let's start with the restaurant itself. It is a beautiful space. We sat on the lanai overlooking the marina which provided a nice tranquil ambiance. For food, my wife and I ordered the tasting menu. Perhaps we should have ordered ala carte in retrospect as there were maybe one or two dishes I would try again. The hamachi and toro tartare was cute, but it really didn't showcase the fish. The minced meat consistency is not appealing and all the accroutremonts are extraneous. The kampachi with hot sesame oil was good, a little play on chinese style steamed fish. The vegetable bagna calda was a throwaway dish. I mean it was ok, but it had no Japanese or island influence and maybe would be better served in a different context. The foie gras chawanmushi was easily the star of the night, traditional Japanese with a French twist and perfectly executed. This is what I expected for the entire meal. The intermezzo was a mushroom tea. However, I think it was eringi mushroom and not matsutake. Could have at least made a small dobin mushi. The nigiri plate was ok, but not something I would order in this setting. I was hoping that the mixed grill would be the saving grace at this point. Everything was overcooked and yet cold at the same time. Bummer because it's hard to mess up lobster and wagyu. I liked the dessert. The butter mochi was a nice touch. The service was acceptable, but for a restaurant of this caliber, it should be so much better. I shouldn't have to flag staff down for the wine pairing with the current dish or have my water glass completely empty for 10 minutes. Also, the waiter and food runners were giving me different descriptions for the same course. it's all in the details. In the end, Morimoto Waikiki didn't deliver. For reference, I easily have 50+ Michelin stars under my belt and depending on the list, close to half of the top 100 in the restaurants in the US ranging from casual to uber fine dining.At maybe $50 per person, this would get one more star from me, but at $200 per person it falls way short.
(3)
Sandra L.
I am a big fan of "Iron Chef" so I was really excited to try my first Morimoto restaurant. Sadly, I was underwhelmed. It's a beautiful setting and our server was kind but the food--- disappointing. I would say the experience felt like a commercial fusion one than one of an amazing, high-end restaurant. My friend and I were wishing we got a plate lunch instead. We had the pork dumplings which were tasty. We had the fish hot pot, the tuna pizza and some soju. Something was lacking for sure. Nothing was horrific, but it was just not memorable. Save your cash for a tastier joint.
(2)
Jason S.
I absolutely adore the design of the hotel Marimoto is located in, 'The Modern Honolulu'. Thus, I am still happy to have come here despite the expensive and lackluster meal. My service was slow & inattentive, which was frustrating. Waikiki is jam-packed with Japanese restaurants, so at the prices of Morimoto, I kinda expected something better than the plethora of other available options. The main dishes were tasty enough, but nothing spectacular, or even much better than what could be had elsewhere. However, I was only here for lunch, so the menu looked rather boring to me. The sashimi was the most disappointing since it was noticeably less fresh than the sashimi we just had the night before at 'Azure', although Morimoto has a bigger selection of sashimi.
(3)
Kira M.
My friends and I attended Morimotos for lunch and because we worked close by we just walked over. The restaurant was easy to find, spacious and beautiful. The hostess greeted us pleasantly and our waiter was quick to take our drink orders and offer to help is pick out our appetizer and entrees. He was very knowledgeable about the menu and we enjoyed his recommendations. The food was great and came with more than one side. The course was very filling and we all left satisfied.
(5)
Sara S.
Morimoto's is like that hot guy at the bar that you have a drink with and then later realize he has no substance, he's just... hot. I went here for Father's day lunch and was blown away by the decor and presentation of the food. Even the service was above average as well. Pretty much everything impressed me except the taste of the food itself. It was just A-OK for it's gajillion dollar price tag. The lunch menu is a lot more reasonable than the dinner menu but even then the food was still nothing to write home to your mother about. Best dressed award goes to the hamachi tartare, because it was presented in an awesome paper thin mould, complete with nori paste, wasabi, sour cream, and my favorite crunchy ball things. Looks super awesome but is gone in like 5 bites. Another cool appetizer is the fresh tofu that is made at your table. The waiter legitimately mixes the soy milk with salt water and it cooks at your table for 10 minutes. Feel free to ooh and aah, it's probably expected. Looks super awesome but is just.. tofu. I want Gazen's tofu. Wagyu beef was probably the most bang for your buck appetizer. Looks super awesome and tastes kinda awesome. Win. The ishiyaki buri bop that everyone talked about was just blah to me. It didn't even look good like all the other dishes we had prior, the least it could do was look amazing, right? It was very filling so if you order that it will probably be all you need but maybe I'm just not a fan of cooked hamachi. I thought it would just end up being seared but it was so hot that it ended up being cooked completely.... eh. Other members of our party tried the porkbelly kakuni bento and the wagyu beef loco moco. Very pretty but as far as overall satisfaction, meh's all around. Hence, Morimoto's is just A-OK. The appetizers were far more impressive than the entrees, but still not worth $$$$. No more money in da bank. Ganbare Morimoto san, if I return and order your sushi maybe I will be more impressed.
(3)
Rosie C.
I was really excited to try an Iron Chef establishment. I had high hopes for this place & envisioned having a high quality michelin-esque dining experience. Everything started off smoothly. Located inside The Modern Honolulu Hotel, the location was nice and felt appropriate. The ambiance was on point and the outdoor space overlooked the docked yachts and boats. The open kitchen was also pleasant and you could sit inside or in the outdoor tent (we sat outdoors; not by request). Service was good and our server was attentive and even recommended a few cocktails to us. We ordered a few appetizers and they were all amazing: - Oyster Foie Gras (warm, buttery, flavorful & melt-in-your-mouth) - Morimoto Sashimi (w/5 sauces in a squeeze tube: so innovative & delicious) - Sashimi Salad Everything was fine until we ordered our main entrees: - Duck, Duck, Duck (seared duck breast, spring roll, meatball soup w/pastry puff bread) - Surf & Turf (prime filet, poke, salt crusted fingerlings) Oh man... we were so underwhelmed by the entrees and frankly disappointed. The spring roll in the Duck Duck Duck reminded me of subpar chinese egg rolls and the broth in the meatball soup lacked flavor. It tasted watered down. The surf & turf dish wasn't a show stopper either. It's shocking that the appetizers did so well but the entrees were not to par... Had we had known the main entrees would be a flop, we would've stuck to the appetizers & probably some sashimi. I really wanted to like this place and while certain aspects were enjoyable It went from amazing to disappointing pretty quickly ... maybe I'll be generous and give it another shot (no promises)
(3)
Diane B.
I came to this restaurant with high standards only to be shut down :( My fiance and I came to eat here while we were in Hawaii only because I am obsessed with watching Morimoto on TV for iron chef. So anyways we ordered the 8 course Omakase. So when I ordered the Omakase I was thinking it was only Sashimi/sushi from my knowledge of omakase that's what it is, but I only got 2 dishes from the 8 that were raw fish. I was really disappointed after we left I didn't really like anything I ate besides the 2 out of 8 dishes that were served to us. I wouldn't recommend anyone to order the Omakase don't waste your money!
(1)
Wilson C.
It was like eating art. Good food, Great flavors & awesome service
(4)
Donna W.
For the money, was the worst meal we had in Honolulu. Have not spent $200 for a worst meal. Service not much better. Very disappointed.
(1)
John D.
I recently did a multi course meal here for an event along with wine pairing, the sushi this is was good but the rest was average. I got the overall impression that the management didn't prioritize events held here, despite charging a premium price. One of the staff accidentally damaged an expensive personal article of one of the guests. One of managers currently working there, on older caucasian brunette, denied all culpability despite not being there. This was an extremely unprofessional way of handling a mistake done by the staff
(1)
Callie S.
We were staying at The Modern and it was later in the evening, so Morimoto's was convenient. We had the rock shrimp tempura, some sushi, the tuna pizza, and the divers scallops. I was hesitant to go in because the reviews are all over the place, so though it is Chef Morimoto's restaurant, where you would expect impeccable food, service, and ambiance; I guess I didn't have high expectations. The food was good - the scallops I didn't care for at all - they definitely were under seasoned and the chili paste/broth was just an odd flavor, the jalapeños on the the tuna pizza lew out my palette, the hamachi wasn't the freshest. The other appetizers and sushi were good, not great. The service was good as well, but not great. It's a shame that such a famous, well known, chef would let the restaurant go and allow for "just good". When paying those prices, $$$$, I want exceptional.
(3)
Monique P.
I was excited about trying Morimoto's since we were staying at the resort it is housed but I'd have to say the experience was just meh. We were seated outside at a wobbly table and the atmosphere was nothing special. You could maybe see a few yachts on the marina but barely even that. The service was not bad however. We had the pork belly lunch and lobster melts which were ok. All in all, I would just say it was typical for resort dining... overpriced and underwhelmed. Not bad... I just had higher expectations.
(3)
grace n.
I've been to Morimoto in Napa so I knew more or less what to expect. I was sad to hear that I missed Morimoto by just a couple of weeks or so (dang it, Obama! Be in Honolulu when I'm there!) but the food was still delicious. I generally prefer appetizers to entrees so I made my friend order a bunch of small dishes and appetizers with me =) The oysters foie gras is a little bit of heaven in food form. Oysters? Yes please. Foie gras? Just stop it! This dish was probably my favorite during my week long trip to Hawaii. I also loved the toro hamachi and Morimoto's beef carpaccio is always delish. I forget what else we got. But when in doubt, get the oysters foie gras. nommm.
(4)
David C.
I am a fan of yose dofu. Definately one of the better appetizers I've had yet. The best i can describe it would be a fresh hot tofu created at table side. You will receive several options to dress your dish including a Daishi broth, Kim chee sauce, and some garnish toppings to finish it off. The dish is extremely light and would be a nice replacement for a starter soup. The way I like to eat it would be to dress the tofu with a 1:1 ratio of Daishi broth and Kim chee sauce. Dinner is amazing.
(4)
Kitty K.
I visited Morimoto's for a second time and once again, it didn't fail to impress. I ordered the shrimp tempura appetizer as an entree and I begun with the miso soup and clams. The shrimp was fresh, the crust was crispy, and the wasabi sauce and the sweet and sour sauces were creamy, rich and delicious. The cocktail of the day was light and crisp. I finished it off with a pot of green tea. The service was attentive and courteous.
(5)
derek n.
Was excited to try Morimoto's in Waikiki and had a chance to talk with some friends about their experiences and reviewed some of the yelp reviews beforehand, so luckily my expectations were not super high. First impression was that it was in this somewhat eclectic hotel that attempts at being trendy but unsure if it pulls it off. Second, as I walked into the restaurant entrance, was underwhelmed by the somewhat odd decor. The waiting area seating was trendy but somewhat unclean looking, all throughout the restaurant were these clear box fixtures hanging from the ceiling with coral in them (which I though was sort of a cliche and tacky). The inside seating was cramped and it was very loud, luckily we were seated outside and there were not too many people outside. Most of our party ordered the omakase but in addition, we ordered a few dishes separately. I would suggest the omakase on your first visit, it will give you a taste of a lot of different things. The separate appetizers and entrees were very nice sized portions. The stuff I really liked: - hamachi and toro tartare - fois gras chawan mushi (very rich, and I normally don't like chawan mushi) - omakase desserts - ice cream with sweet potato, panna cotta The stuff that was just okay: - yose dofu - rock shrimp - main course from omakase with lobster, pork, meat - sashimi and sushi omakase courses, probably the biggest disappointment - anchovy paste in oil heated over a candle was interesting, the vegetables were sort of plain and unappealing but the anchovy paste thing was good there was a palate cleanser 'kelp tea' that was strange and not that appealing nor cleansing so overall, there were some high and not so high points. obviously an expensive meal, but I would consider going back on a special occasion. Since I know what I like from the omakase and knowing the regular appetizer and main course portions are quite large for a high-end place, I'm sure the value will be much higher the next time around. one last thing, the service was excellent, which was one thing I was worried about from reading other yelp reviews
(3)
Janice C.
We had high expectation for this place and turned out the sashimi/sushi was not very fresh. I ordered the loco moto which basically is beef over rice and it was almost laughable since I've had something awfully smilar at a different Japanese restaurant that charges $10. We left within an hour, that's how unbearable the experience was.
(1)
Lindsay C.
Great place for a date night. It is expensive but worth it - our waiters, bartenders, and runners have always been knowledgeable and friendly. The food is delicious, fresh, and skillfully prepared (although if you make a reservation past 8:00 they sometimes run out of their specials). They also have a great selection of sake.
(4)
Stacy H.
The Iron Chef did not disappoint. We ordered the toro tartare and that was delicious, except it was angled in such a way that it was hard to get the toro out of the dish. The sauces were delicious! The oysters with the foie gras with uni were unbelievable. I ordred the ishiyaki buri bop and the braised black cod. These dishes were both delicious. For the price, you would expect a little more food, but overall the quality of the dishes were great.
(4)
Chris G.
I've been to the Philly and Napa Morimoto locations, so it was only a matter of time before heading to Morimoto Waikiki. We had a great seat, right near the water and our service was beyond excellent. The staff made sure we had anything we needed. We we with the recommended Ginjo Lychee Martini which had a pretty good kick. Starting off with the Morimoto Poke and the Hamachi Tartare. With the Hamachi it was hard to eat it slow, it was not only fun to eat but a delight for the senses. Moving on to the Wagyu beef, Kakuni and Ox tail soup. The Wagyu was so tasty and tender and I was suprised I liked the Ox tail soup, it's something I don't normally eat. Pikae Blossom and Coco Fraiche was a nice change from the Lychee Martini and afterwards we had a nice buzz going. Ending the night with the Chocolate Tart and we left with smiles from ear to ear.
(5)
Mo T.
I loved this guy on the iron chef. Very innovative and respectful, so it was exiting to go to his restaurant while on my honeymoon. the decor was awesome and we sat at the sushi bar overlooking the kitchen. it was a pleasure seeing the chefs in action. seeing the different dishes get done, and the presentation was amazing on some of these dishes. The wifey and I loved our sushi, calamari, ox tail soup, more sushi, and I forgot about the other dish we had. but overall, a great experience.
(5)
Gigi Y.
I went there w/a couple friends for lunch on a Friday. We shared a Soft-Shell Crab Roll. The soft-shell crab was crispy but the the sushi wasn't wrapped tight enough. I had a lobster melt which came with nicely seasoned fries (salt, furikake and a hint of wasabi) and salad. My friends had a Chicken Katsu Sandwich and the Mini Burgers. The Chicken Katsu Sandwich had mustard and katsu sauce which my friend thought was a strange combination. I was surprised at the size of the Mini Burgers... It was MINI for sure. There's three burgers and each burger probably has the diameter of 2 inches. My friend said it was enough for her though, with the fries and salad. I like the underwater themed decor of the restaurant. Overall it was good but I guess I expected to be WoW-ed from the restaurant of an Iron Chef.
(3)
Douglas L.
Had a wonderful and delicious dinner here at Morimoto's. The ambiance, staff, and food compliment each other.
(5)
Aki D.
I'm so sorry, but it's overrated. Although I hear it's a great place for lunch, dinner is.... just okay. I guess I was expecting much more from one of the original Iron Chefs.
(2)
Julie N.
OMG! My husband is still mad. Horrible service and overpriced.. OUr tab for 4 was 5 bills. What a waste of money.
(1)
June J.
Oysters are to die for. An absolute must! The best oysters I ever had the pleasure of slurping in my life! I'm salivating just thinking about those darn oysters!
(5)
Miss L.
Awesome ambience. Gorgeous and unique decor. Food was good a little pricey...we ordered 2 apps, 2 entrees, 1 dessert, 3 drinks and a sake flight - bill came out to $195 not including tip yet. Service was a 3 out of 5 - not great but not bad either. I would go again to try different things on their menu!
(4)
M L.
Sadly, my experience last night did not match these reviews, my expectations, or my experience at Morimoto's in NYC. We did the chef's tasting with 4 people. Our food was both bland and cold - repeatedly. Our cocktails were ok, but seemed to contain very little liquor. Our waiter was a mess. Friendly enough guy, but clearly needs more training. He began our night by looking exhausted and making a comment about being busy. Which is fine - whatever. But by the end of the night, he was venting to us about how stressful his other table had been, how things were a mess because the chef was out with the flu, and all sorts of other behind-the-scenes stories that were completely unprofessional. There seemed to be a general lack of training and attention to detail among the staff. One example - they served a fondue dish with little candles under the pot to keep it hot. My friend's candle arrived extinguished. Problem 1: the server didn't notice, so we had to flag them down and ask for a light. Problem 2: the server was having trouble getting it to light, but instead of trying once and then taking it back to deal with at the service station, he just hovered over my friend and fumbled with it near her head for awhile. Problem 3: once lit and put back in place, my friend noticed her oil was cold. Which means the candle didn't blow out on the journey from kitchen to table, it had been out for a bit. Another minor example of training issues that is similar to our overall experience. Our waiter brought us small dessert cocktails (about a quarter pour) for free, which was very nice of him and was greatly appreciated. But instead of saying "compliments of the house" or "you guys have been great, please enjoy this drink on me" or "we're testing out a new cocktail, and I'd love your feedback", we got "the bartender made an extra one accidentally and was going to throw it out, but I said we might as well give it to you." So his heart was in the right place, but could have used a little salesman finesse. Can you image this happening at another fine dining restaurant? And perhaps that is the issue - this property, although billed under Morimoto's name and priced to match, seems to have succumbed to the island lifestyle and is much more casual than was expected. Unfortunately, the allure of Hawaiian life doesn't excuse poorly executed dishes. There's plenty of other great restaurants on the island - spend your money there.
(1)
Frank W.
I only came here for breakfast and ordered the Loco Moco. I wasn't sure what it is but I can say it's average at best. A lot of curry sauce and little bits of pieces of "wagyu" beef. Could've been anything and I wouldn't have known. The servers were very attentive and nice though. But my real gripe is the decor. What is up with the outdoor chairs? They were dirty, and the leather on the seats were ripped or had chunks missing. This is not what you would expect for a place of Morimoto's caliber. I'm very disappointed at this lack of attention to details.
(3)
Jennie B.
It was my husbands bday so he had a choice of where to go. He decided to try Morimotos......he is an iron Chef so it must be good and expensive. COCKTAILS: always a martini, everywhere we go, Ketel One Vodka, 3 olives, blah, blah, blah...... he had a sip, and said it's watered down, he tells the our waiter ...... then proceed to order another one.... same watered down. This is my husbands drink at home and he very rarely complains about anything...... but get his drink right !!!! Not even an apology and not an offer of " can I get you another one, on us ?". APPETIZERS: 1. Calamari salad: good dressing, tasty, slightly weird presentation.....calamari was buried under all the greens, but it's good,I would recommend this. We tried to order the house green salad but the waiter, Mathew talked us out of ordering it because the calamari salad should be big enough.for both of us , he was right. 2. Oysters: 1/2 dozen, it's okay, nice, little and fresh 3. Pork Gyoza: nice presentation, meaty as described, with bacon foam and tomato sauce, it's pretty, looks like an " an alien flat egg" . It tastes good, just like pork Goya. 4. Uni Sushi ( from Japan) : we we're told it is much better than California Uni, it should be for $12 a piece. We are small eaters so after the 4 appetizers we went straight to deep fried fish, the was good, well presented, I just didn't understand the papaya salad......not mush taste, the soft tofu is also bland, just didn't get this dish at all. Dessert: nothing looked particularly special as described on the menu. NOTE: I probably got spoiled by dining at our favorite restaurant Michelles where they acknowledge special occasions, even by saying happy bday or just making us feel special. Our waiter acted as if he's doing us a favor by being there......not going back for sure.
(2)
Nt P.
We had a gift card for this place so we decide to go to celebrate an early Valentines. For the last year we been monitoring the Yelp and in the beginning the reviews were not good at all! So we just hung back to see if the reviews would improve - and it did. So we decide to take the plunge. The Ambiance: We had an early reservation at 5:15 and the place was wide open. The decor was unexpected, very modern, it took me by surprise, considering it's Japanese focused food (The 'fusion' part becomes evident when you read the menu). There were some reviews that complained the restaurant was very noisy and the tables were a bit far to sustain conversation. Because we went early, it was quiet, but I think I would have to agree with the reviews on the noise level - its a big open spaced dining area with an open kitchen with a lot of hard surfaces, thus the sounds just bounce around. There was outside seating available, but we passed due to the windiness that day. Perhaps some soft items / areas to damped the overall 'din' might be nice. We stayed for about 2 hours and as the restaurant patrons and additional staff came in, the increase in sound level was apparent. Minor note: what's with the solid Plexi-Glas table legs? It's translucent so I kept bumping into them as I sat due to the habit of wanting more space for stretching my legs - might be a bit cramped for larger or taller people. The Food: One word: delish! Again despite some negative reviews, we did not experience any bad or mediocre dish. We did a 'heavy pupu' dinner, thus we ordered a variety of cold and hot appetizer dishes to get a nice cross section of the chefs creations. We will list from Best dish of the night to least best: Wagyu Carpaccio: This was absolutely amazing, thinly slice beef presented like sashimi over a hot oil (which cooks the beef to medium rare) with yuzu soy and microgreens. This seems to be a very delicate dish despite the beef and I can see why some people may pan this dish - because I think the beef can be over cooked in the hot oil if left too long during busy times. Kakuni: Wow, this braised pork dish was a real comfort food. The slab of pork is about 3x3x1 and so tender it just falls apart as you cut into it. It is complemented on a bed of 'congee' or soft cooked rice. I think they could build an entree around this appetizer. Oyster Foie Gras: We were a bit hesitate about this one, due to the richness of the ingredients, but again: Wow - what a burst of flavors! It was a toss up between this and the Kakuni in terms of which was better (similar sweet soy profile). It comes open faced on a bed of hot salt, it's a hot appetizer, but the oysters are not cooked through. The foie gras complements the oyster and sweet teri sauce to the point that at times I thought I was eating something else (like an Unagi-don) or a very different take on Oyster Rockerfellers. Very nice. As with the Wagyu Carpaccio, I think this could have problems with the right 'cookedness' during busy times. Japanese Uni - Nigiri Sushi (2 piece order): Wow! We are glad to have tried this, for you Uni fans, the Japanese Uni is not as 'fatty' or 'sweet' as the Uni usually served, it is a bit firmer, smaller and more orange in color. If you look closely at this sushi, you will see about 4-6 individual uni pieces sitting onto the rice / nori. A bit expensive, but worth the experience. Negi-Hamachi Maki: Normally we only see Negi-toro on a menu, not often do you see Negi-Hamachi on a menu. Now if you are at the Sushi bar I am sure the Itamae will make it for you if you know. This roll was unusual in that the green onions were not mixed in with the Hamachi - it was rolled in on the side of the Hamachi and it was very thin green onions. Hamachi is a lot more delicate than Toro, so I think they did this one correctly to put the Hamachi flavor first and the onion as a condiment. Soft Shell Crab Roll: No much to say about this, except it was well executed and very tasting - portion was great. The best part was the crab was still warm and crispy! Hamachi - Nigiri Sushi (2 piece order): Nothing really to write home about, however the fish was fresh and very flavorful. I kinda expected a larger piece for the price, but I guess it was thick enough for a well rounded nigiri sushi. Takoyaki: This was our least favorite dish. However, it's not that it was not good, it was very flavorful. We thought using the Abalone instead of Octopus didn't make a difference, the texture was similar and the delicate flavor of the Abalone wasn't there due to the cooking. We thought this would make a great savory desert dish. I am at the word limit... hope this was a helpful review!
(4)
Allen Michael D.
Walked in for lunch and was greeted by very friendly staff. Made me feel very welcomed into the restaurant. I was given the choice to sit in or outside which was a great plus. The view from the patio was amazing! The staff was very helpful and knowledgeable about the menu and it made my decision even easier. This is what I enjoyed: 1) TORO TARE TARE - I've never tried it before so my server Kealoha explained how to eat it properly. First bite in and I absolutely loved it! The presentation was very nice with 5 different toppings to choose from. 2) TEMPURA CALAMARI SALAD - A generous portion of crisp mixed greens, on top of a bed of perfectly fried calamari. One of THE BEST salads I've ever tasted! 3) SUSHI - SAKE (Salmon), CHU-TORO, OTORO, SPICY SALMON ROLL. The sushi was TOP NOTCH and quality is amazing! The texture of the sake was so soft and it melted in my mouth like butter. The TORO's we're very Very VERY chewy. I ate one and left it in my mouth for a couple seconds with a big smile on my face. And the Spicy Salmon Roll was great! perfectly portioned Rolls with tons of taste and great quality! 4) KURO GOMA - I wanted to try something different for dessert and ordered this. Presentation looked great and the taste was a unique blend of black sesame, strawberries, and caramelized white chocolate. The sponge cake was definitely different and blended well with everything else the plate had to offer From the great food, friendly staff, and beautiful ambience, I will definitely be back to Morimotos!
(5)
William D.
There is a difference between refined and creative. And the omakaze selection was creative. There were some singles and some home runs. The first course tartare was hit or miss from bite to bite only because the dinner is responsible for seasoning. The second course carpaccio was very close to perfect. Third course vegatable and olive oil fondue had great ingredients but I felt I needed better instructions on how to prepare and enjoy. Fourth course fois gras was great and just the right portion size. Next was a kombu tea that was complex and refreshing. Fifth was a simple sushi plate that contained the single best piece of tuna I had ever had (proper temp proper age and perfect execution). The sixth meat selection was a hit and miss, curry lobster with lemon cream was inspired while the waygu beef was over cooked. Finally the desert was ruined by the cackling herd of drunk women that piled into the bar area screaming and laughing with each other while ruining everyone else's meal.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Valerie M.
I read the previous Yelp reviews so I was ready for a two star experience. But maybe because of the reviews I was expecting the worse and hoping for the best. When I was greeted with a chilly welcome, I decided to counter with a cheery "Happy Valentines Day, how's business tonight?" The receptionist immediately warmed up. Same with our server. He was acting all New Yorkish until I made small talk with him. He even gave me insider tips on what not to order. (thanks cuz!) My dining experience was fabulous. The Oyster Foie Gras was three cooked oysters on the half shell, each topped with a half inch cube of duck liver and Teri sauce. Sashimi salad had six pieces of fish and whole baby romaine lettuce leaves topped with an awesome oil infusion. For entree I had the black cod which was a huge chunk of fish marinaded perfectly in a savory sweet sauce. The Buri Bap was also very flavorful. It was mixed tableside and artistically presented in the heated clay hot pot which kept the food warm throughout the meal. We sat outside under the tent next to a fireplace. The inside dining looked austere and the tables were very close to each other so i'm glad we were outside. The ambience outside has a casual feel, although can be a bit noisy with the street and mopeds buzzing around. Still, it was nice to see the sky and masts from the boats docked in the Ala Wai Harbor. The very enjoyable dinner was marred by the parking situation. You see, we had parked our car in the parking structure across the Ilikai. The parking lot attendant didn't accept Morimoto's validation stamp and made us go back to the restaurant. The restaurant directed us to the valet downstairs for yet another stamp. There is some miscommunication going on between the two buildings and we were caught in between their squabbles. In the end it all worked out, but we wasted an extra 15 minutes going back and forth between the two buildings.
(4)David L.
Couldn't get dinner reservations (you need more than six weeks lead, apparently), but had no problem getting in for lunch. We had our choice of indoor or outdoor seating and opted for the open air. The service was exceptional; they had no problem that we were not in a hurry. The food -- both hot and raw -- was of the highest quality and different enough to pose a culinary challenge without turning off my two teens. To top it all off, Chef M dropped in for lunch and gracefully took a break from his own meal to pose for pictures with the family. It was like hanging out with Elvis for food nerds like us! We'll definitely be back.
(5)Jamie Z.
We liked everything about our experience here. The food was beautiful and the taste matched. Our server was attentive and kind. It was really loud which surprised me...the loud doesn't match the relaxed calm setting. It was probably from everyone ooohing and awwing over their plates.
(5)Ming Z.
I almost gave 4 stars. But for the price, and the name behind it, we did expect better food and service.
(3)Stacey K.
Spent a night here in June 2014 for an anniversary dinner. We decided on the Omakase. Chef Morimoto was in the kitchen that evening. Highlight of the entire night was watching him interact with staff for a short time in the open kitchen. Service was slow, waiters were flustered and stated that they were having a rough night because chef was in the restaurant. Took almost 2 and a half hours to finish our courses. I understand multiple courses and having dinner be about the experience, but this was a bit excessive. Would not recommend the Omakase. Over priced for the selection. Overall, we had been planning this for a very long time, and the evening left much to be desired. We will probably not be back. Much better offerings for the price to be found in O'ahu.
(3)A S.
Morimoto's is located in the modern hotel, up the stairs and right before you get to the pool area. There's plenty of places to sit and wait incase you have to wait for a table or your significant other haha. Once you go in you're greeted by most of the staff, and seated promptly in a large dining area which also has outdoor seating. We were there on a Friday night and the fireworks show is right outside morimoto's. Our waitress was kind and gave us ample time to look over their menu. Personally, not a great place to have a date because it's hard to talk over the noise around you. We ordered sushi and appetizers. The oysters were delicious; we had half a dozen and they were smaller but definitely tastier, but I wished we had ponzu, lemon and tobasco sauce! The sashimi combination looked awesome, and pretty fresh. Morimoto's sake flight was a first for me. I liked 3/5 sakes and they give you a pretty decent amount per sample. I was a bit disappointed with the uni and considering for the price you pay it should be absolutely fresh, and not taste a couple days old. Morimoto also validates parking and be sure to get it validated before you leave or be prepared to pay $16!! It was a nice first experience to try it but I doubt I'll go back to this location again.
(3)Alessandra T.
Expensive but well worth it! ALL OF IT IS YUMMY. And so convenient if you stay inside this hotel. Def will come back!
(5)LL N.
same as before......whatever....plenty of better sushi in town. a lot of hype for nothing. sit at the bar and get a martini, pretty good.
(2)Terry N.
I have to say that after reading all the comments I was skeptical on this place but I really what to see for myself if it was that bad. It was a Monday night and the patio seating was all packed. So I guess business is good. Our orders came very quickly and the food quality was amazing. Salmon from Australia, Uni from California ,Sake from Morimoto 's own winery in Japan. EXCELLENT. Glad I gave it a try.
(5)Leslie B.
I was so surprised to see the poor ratings. A group of 8 of us went for dinner and had the Omakase menu. It was a 7 course tasting menu and probably one of the best dinners I've ever had. The servers were spot on in describing every course and the presentation was amazing! If there is one negative it's that there was too much food. The 5th course was 6 pieces of nigiri and I could only manage one but shared with others in the party. The toro and hamachi tartare was amazing. Next was hot oil sashimi- hot oil poured over raw fish which basically cooked it. So Ono. fois gras chawanmushi was a custard with fois gras infused. It was very good but very rich so beware. . The kelp tea served right after helps counteract the Chawanmushi. Bagna cauda is fondue style with assorted veggies that you dip into a sauce of garlic, anchovy and olive oil which is served heated with a votive candle to keep it hot. Be careful though because you can easily tip it over. Surf n turf was next. Lobster tail, wagyu beef and pork tenderloin. Oh and if you're still hungry butter mochi and banana ice cream. Wine pairings throughout dinner were great. Food and service was excellent. I can't wait to return!
(5)Adam K.
This place is extremely decadent & well laid out, open kitchen design with a sushi bar in front. Obama was here the night before which made me want to try it more. Presentation is clean & modern. I really love the decor, super stark white & chrome with splashes of green & brown to mimic the ocean front. We sat out on the lanai which was wonderful. They have a curious little couch area with a fire going next to it, very cozy. The view overlooks the marina. Yamazaki 12 yr scotch whiskey - Japan. Whiskey was spelled wrong on the menu. Kinda harsh, not very complex. Glenlivet - Ah that's better. Really awesome space, cannot emphasize that enough. Spicy King Crab Legs with Fries & American Cheese - the server proudly informed me that the fries accompanying the king crab legs had american cheese on them. Gross. I don't want to know what is in oreo filling either. These were really good however. Sushi & Sashimi - got a bunch of different ones, all fresh and tasty. Presentation could have been better. Kinda boring & for $14 a roll, I wanna see some confetti! Loco Moto - This is a dish that is on every Hawaiian restaurants menu, so I had to try the expensive, ritzy version of it. Really good. Wagyu beef in a yum gravy that was split right down the middle with rice forming 2 half circles and a fried egg on top. Fried fish - I ate the face. Morimoto Rouge Pilsner - Tasty and unique. Label is cool, check my photo. Ice cream desser - Meh, ok. Not great. 3 ice cream scoops, green tea, mocha & vanilla bean. I wish I got the Peanut Butter one. MAAAAAAAD expensive - dropped like $250 on the whole shebang. Next time, you will catch me at the sushi bar gettin simple rolls. Worth a try tho.
(4)Dia De L.
Been here many times before and this time, prob the last . It's like someone dropped the ball. Food didn't taste fresh like before , maybe they are serving GMO and no local organic food. Sushi was ok, nothing special . Menus were dirty , disgusting , soy sauce all over them . Beat up . Same with the leather chairs holes in them , tables were beat up to . They should shut down the whole rest , remodel and rethink the menu . So many other places to eat on the island . Otherwise they should drop there prices or close up shop and open a coffee shop in the hotel .
(2)Gavin Y.
Went to Morimoto's after some friends highly recommended it and of course Iron Chef. The atmosphere is very nice and the sea shells in plexiglass was interesting. The restaurant has been open for awhile now and there is some wear and tear on the chairs/tables/utensils but nothing too bad. The food was typical of a high-end Waikiki restaurant, meaning okay and small portions. We had various appetizers and the surf and turf to share. The highlight was actually the wait service as they were very attentive and knowledgeable about the food. Overall our experience was okay but probably won't return as there are better options out there. In response to the General Manager's reply: We tried the Morimoto sashimi, Morimoto style poke, crispy rock shrimp tempura, foie gras chawan mushi, kakuni, and takoyaki. The best appetizer was the poke and the worst by far was the takoyaki.
(3)Vishal D.
Great food, great atmosphere. Fish was fresh. Morimoto's combination of fantastic presentation and exquisite preparation made the meal fantastic. Great service
(5)Leslie S.
Morimoto is my favorite place so far on Oahu. It is expensive, but makes for a special evening for a romantic dinner or birthday. By far, the Foie Gras Oysters are the BEST thing on the menu and are served on top of a bed of rock salt. Morimoto has it right when it comes to presentation and the wait staff are friendly and efficient. The last time I went, my boyfriend and I both ordered the Morimoto Omakase, which is the multi-course tasting menu and we also decided to get the wine pairing. In my opinion, the wine pairing is essential in getting the most out of the Omakase. It was simply amazing and each dish was like an edible piece of art and fun to eat! Whenever family comes to visit Hawaii for the first time, this is THE place to take them for an ultimate dining experience.
(5)itsme i.
Service is extremely slow. Waitstaff consistently reaches across the table to serve dishes. The quality of service is not befitting an upscale restaurant - at all. I ordered some sushi, which was decent but not the best I've had and certainly not worth the price. Notably, when the sushi was served and the poor employee explained what was before me...I kindly asserted that their verbal description didn't match what I had ordered or what was on the plate (the kitchen did send out the right order - the employee just didn't know what kind of fish was being served - shameful, for a sushi restaurant). The response: "oh, yah." I also ordered a steak which was completely rare (I had requested medium rare). I prefer my steaks to be incorrectly cooked on the rare side rather than the well done side, but for these prices I expect perfection. I could tell that the steak was underdone before I even cut it open - it was that soft and rare. I won't be coming back here as there are plenty of truly high end dining experiences that are better worth my dining dollars - and yours, too.
(1)Tony A.
Crazy expensive but well worth it. Go with a big group so you can all share. That's the best way to sample a little bit of everything.
(4)Aaron R.
I've been here with my girlfriend for our monthaversary twice this year. So here's my review. First off parking. For what I've seen, there is no big visual sign for Morimotos. Therefore to help you out I will help you to find the restaurant. You should head ongoing to Waikiki from Ala Moana beach side. You'll be on a small bridge afterwards. Stay on your right side and you'll see red lobster restaurant on your right hand side. Then turn right at the upcoming stoplight and then on your left hand side will be Morimotos. It's valet parking. I hope that will help. Secondly service. Service is great. It wasn't busy during the two time my girlfriend and I went but it does get busy during special events such as valentines day and what not. The second time Ive made RSVP they already at a record of me; I'm guessing they have a mobile number set to my information. So that was great. The food: the food was good. It wasn't a "omg" kind of good but just a "it was good" kind of good, If you get what I mean haha. I would recommend the Haupia green tea dessert though. I admit that I crave that dessert from time to time. Overall 4 out of 5 stars. The reason being that the food wasn't an "omg good" to me. Just as a side note, Morimotos is an Iron chef on the food network channel. I think it would of been nice to see him cook my food just like on TV.
(4)Cindy L.
Finally.... At last.... I made it here! After wanting to try Morimoto for a year, we finally made it here for our anniversary. Loved loved the décor of the restaurant, totally not your typical Japanese restaurant, in fact, if you didn't know it, you probably would not even guess it to be Japanese. It has a very contemporary and sleek atmosphere. We sat outside overseeing the Ala Wai harbor, there's were lots of lounge chairs, so people were having a good time and enjoying their cocktails. Now... the food..... we had the $120 7-courses omakase! 1) Hamachi and toro tartar - extremely fresh tartar complimented with a variety of seasonings 2) White fish Carpaccio 3) Local vegetable with anchovy olive oil dip 4) Foie gras chawan mushi - taste every bite of the liver, YUM! 5) Nigiri sampler 6) Wagyu beef and lobster sampler - melts in your mouth wagyu beef 7) Okinawan sweet potato ice cream with red bean mouse Since the portions were on the smaller scale, we also had the Chirashi bowl ($35). If you are an anchovy lover, you will like this chirashi bowl. The food was good, but doesn't meet up to my expectation of Morimoto. As the iron chef, I was really hoping that his dishes would be more creative than what we had. However, the service provided by the restaurant was excellent. Shout out to our server, Brandon, who totally know how to compliment a mother by talking about her baby.
(3)W H.
Morimoto is really excellent food at commensurate prices. The service was good and the food was fantastic. We had seven people and tried a lot of dishes. One stand out was spicy crab. This is succulent crab legs, cut so that there is no mess, with an outstanding spicy sauce. The "tableside " tofu is also excellent, and is served with an array of sauces/condiments. The wagyu beef was vey tasty and super tender. Also loved the Ahi Pizza, calamari salad, lamb shank and Keahole Lobster. again, prices here are not for the faint of heart. Moromoto is into branding. His own beer is $38, but you get 25 ounces!
(5)Cyrus H.
Stellar Sushi! The Octopus Carpaccio was fantastic - if you are an uni fan this is a must go, they offer both traditional pacific and Japanese.
(4)Cynthia W.
Where do I start?!?! The overall experience was great! From the atmosphere, decor, food to service! Our server was Joshua and he was very infomorative on all the entrees we had. Just to let you know what we had, we choose the Morimoto Omakase ($120.00 per person) which is a 8 course meal in mini bites! The menu is seasonal from what I understand so it changes. We had an semi-early reservation (6pm) and didn't leave until 830pm, so if you are in a rush, please choose another time when you have the time to enjoy this place. For beverages I ordered the White Lily (from another reviewer'ssuggestion) and Selected Sake Flight (which I did not try, so I won't be able to critic). The White Lily was yummy and I wish I had more than just one glass. Our dinner consist of (Course 1) Toro & Hamachi Tartare, (C2) Hot oil sashimi , it was sooo good and the texture was just perfect, (C3) Bagba Cauda, (C4) Foie Gras Chawanmushi, which was a nice surprise on the flavor and texture and how it just melted in my mouth, (C5) Intermezzo which is Konbu cha, sea kelp tea, which I didn't really like because it tasted like sea water (which they do tell you), (C6) Chef's selection seasonal nigiri sushi, which it was all yummy but I wish I ask for a list of all the nigiri we had, (C7) Surf & Turf, which is by far my favorite! The lobster was perfectly spiced (the only thing is I wish they had melted butter, in case...) but it is perfectly seasoned where you really dont need anything else ...and finall, the most important course (C8) Kabocha souffle cake- DESSERT!!! It was so good and lite. Just the perfect sweet! I agree the food isn't to die for but presentation and flavor is perfect for me to want to return to every time I go back to visit. It also makes me want to visit other Morimoto to see what they have to offer. As mentioned, I took in all aspect of the restaurant to give it a 5 Stars. Atmosphere was perfect and decor was simple but elegant and classy! We sat on the patio and had a great view the entire night. I really can't seem to stop praising about it...so I will leave you with this...GO and try it! You don't need to spend $120.00 per person (like us). I beleive you will still get a great experience overall!
(5)Jason T.
I love me this place! Let's just skip the sushi because it's amazing and you should know this already. It's Iron Chef Morimoto's place. Whatever you want it'll be awesome. Now outside of the sushi my favorite things are the pork gyoza and the yuri bop! Everything here is real good but if I could get those two things everytime I would. Also if you want sushi do the chef's choice menu. You'll get plates that look like stain glass windows. You might not eat it bc it'll look so pretty. But then you'll eat it and won't stop.
(4)Lily B.
We went on a double date to celebrate a very special occasion with some very dear friends, and I'm SO glad we were able to join them because dining at Morimoto's was a stupendous experience from start to finish! Valet parking available. We opted to dine on the lanai. Very modern and chic restaurant both inside and out. I loved the vibe. EVERY person we walked by greeted us on the way to the table WITH a smile. The chairs were pulled out for us. Napkins placed on our laps. Prompt service! The carafe for the pineapple iced tea is very cute! See my pics. My BF started with the poke. $19 My BF enjoyed this dish. yelp.com/user_local_phot… My friends got the wagyu carpaccio. They said it was beyond delicious! yelp.com/user_local_phot… The BF and I shared the crispy rock shrimp. $18 One was a spicy sauce and the other was more of a dynamite sauce. Both were good! Served with ranch. yelp.com/user_local_phot… We also shared the pork gyoza. $16 We were trippin' out on the presentation. Once you break through the bacon foam, you enter a world of delectable gyoza goodness. I'm the queen of picky, and I thought the tomato puree would be weird, but it complimented the gyoza perfectly. Deliciousness! yelp.com/user_local_phot… We also ordered a spicy ahi roll ($10), shrimp tempura roll ($10), california roll ($10), ahi sushi ($6), and kani [king crab] sushi ($9). yelp.com/user_local_phot… Lamb shank my friend ordered. She enjoyed this. yelp.com/user_local_phot… Surf and turf my friend ordered. 6 oz steak, poke, and potatoes. The sauce with the steak was yummy. yelp.com/user_local_phot… For entrees, I got a special: lobster ravioli with lobster tempura $28. I don't eat tobiko, and I didn't know the dish came with it. I swear our waiter is a ninja and he was watching as they delivered our food and must've seen my disappointment when the dish was presented to me... because he swooped outta no where and asked if everything was ok. I said yes but my BF said I don't eat tobiko and he said he'd have another plate prepared right away. Talk about service! He was extremely nice about it and stated he wanted me to enjoy my meal. This is what the dish looked like (first time). The tobiko gives it color. As I received my dish (second time), it was cooked perfectly and the lobster was in no way overcooked (I was concerned about the tempura) but it was juicy melt in your mouth yumminess! yelp.com/user_local_phot… My BF got the other special: kajiki $30. It was served with spinach and mushrooms in a miso something sauce. It was DELICIOUS! He ordered a side of rice ($4)... I ate half of his plate haha! yelp.com/user_local_phot… For dessert, we shared the chocolate peanut butter bomb. I'm pretty sure you know what I'm going to say... it definitely was THE BOMB!!! BOMB DELICIOUS!!! And look at the pic, it's BEAUTIFUL!!! There aren't words to describe the texture and taste that was going on... it was complex but an amazing symphony of flavor... if you dine at Morimoto (which you should), GET THIS DESSERT!!! $12 yelp.com/user_local_phot… I must say, our server, JOSHUA, was OUTSTANDING. We joked around with him... he kinda looks like Michael Symon from Iron Chef!!! He said he's gotten that before lol. Okay back to Joshua, he's great. Exceptional. The BF and I have dined at many fine dining restaurants. We've even been to swanky places in Beverly Hills (where we stood out like a sore thumb lol), but lemme tell you, JOSHUA (and the rest of the staff at Morimoto), provided us with THE BEST dining experience WE'VE EVER HAD. Yes people, EVER. THE BEST SERVICE EVER. No joke. Each time I used my Splenda, boom, they took away the rubbish. Water was never more than half empty. Plates were taken away promptly. He was so patient and answered all questions with grace and ease. Each item was explained in detail when presented to us. Utensils and plates were replenished frequently. Even my iced tea and my friends iced tea... we got new carafes and glasses. The list goes on. If management from Morimoto is reading this, JOSHUA is a keeper. He's amazing! An outstanding and memorable dinner. THANK YOU Joshua and Morimoto. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!
(5)Lefty R.
Let's say it up front, it's spendy. $120 for the omakase, but worth it. tuna tartare oil poached white fish with shoyu Japanese baugna cauda (it was the only dish I thought weak) chawan mushi infused with foie gras and served with duck breast (fantastic) 5 pieces of nigiri surf and turf: lobster claw baked in butter and spices, pork loin with mac nuts and an Australian wagyu beef filet which was fork tender. Dessert was coconut crusted mochi and ginger ice cream. Each presentation was straight from Iron Chef's kitchen stadium - amazing works of art.
(5)Amelia W.
I'll start with the food, which was really very good. We got the wagyu and sashimi to start and both were excellent. Wagyu practically melted and the sashimi sampler was unique - stacked layers of thinly sliced fish, caviar on top and served with 5 sauces. We ordered 4 standard sushi rolls and those were good as well. I would highly recommend the bartender's special Mai Tai. Really, really tasty. The service was also outstanding - attentive but not annoying. The hotel was hosting a couple of conferences and the restaurant looked like they were accustomed to large groups. Despite the large groups the service didn't miss a beat. When we decided to stay at the Modern for our 10th anniversary trip it seemed like the natural choice for an anniversary meal. We made the reservations 1 month in advance and also informed them of the special occasion. When we arrived we were seated out on the patio, but nowhere near the ocean view we requested and near the server station. The table literally was like an afterthought table and the chairs weren't even like the other chairs on the patio - so strange! A couple of other tables for 2 in better locations were free, but those were "reserved" and still empty when we departed.
(4)Kim S.
Ok, went back for dinner & that earned Morimoto an additional star. 1 word - Hamachi! If I have to add a 2nd word - black cod, aka butterfish. hamachi tartare - wasabi, maui onion, dashi soy - innovative presentation. Fresh, fresh, fresh. yellowtail 'pastrami' - togarashi, gin crème fraîche, candied olive - cured & tasted like meat. Yum yum. foie gras chawan mushi - duck breast, fresh wasabi, sweet dashi soy - super buttery. Gotta love foie gras. hamachi nigiri - Buttery smooth! Fresh, fresh, fresh. tamago - Wow, amazing! The most underappreciated player in the sushi world. negihamachi maki - Flavorful. Spice but no kick. braised black cod - ginger-soy reduction, pickled bell peppers, budo mame - wow, can I saw fresh again??! They don't call this rich, yummy fish butterfish for nothing. braised lamb shank - house polished sushi rice risotto - Big shank. Lots of meat. Heavy filling. Side aren't included, except for the lamb shank. So we ordered the house polished rice, baby bok choy & gai lan (chinese broccoli) - which were fine but nothing special. #4/31 Yelp Review Challenge
(4)Susan N.
What an amazing dinner we had. The interior of the restaurant was something to experience. It is simple, but modern. We had an appetizer of 2 types of shrimp that we so tasty and had a little bite to it. I had the duck duck duck as main course. Each duck item was really good especially the soup with meatball. My husband had angry chicken which he was amazing. So tasty and tender. The dessert bananas foster in a glass. So light and rich I will remember this dinner as one of the best I ever had.
(5)Rod S.
Ordered the Omakase and it was awesome!! My faves were 1.Toro and Hamachi Tar tare and 2. Foie Gras Chawanmushi. I want to try the Crispy whole fish and the Crab legs with fries next time. I called this an "Experience" because it didn't feel like just dinner...it was like a show too. The whole experience took 2 hours...it was awesome!!
(5)Rachel S.
OVERRATED. The rib eye is good but that's it. Their portions are small and tasteless.
(2)Darina H.
My husband and I had a gift certificate to Morimoto's Waikiki and were very excited to finally use when we arrived in Oahu for our honeymoon. Morimoto's can be a bit difficult to find if you're just driving by. The restaurant is located on the second floor of the "Modern" hotel in Honolulu. The restaurant itself is extremely modern and classy. The ambiance is definitely what I wasn't expecting when I set foot in the restaurant, very nice! The hostesses were very friendly and greeted us warmly. We didn't even have to wait, we were seated right away. Ryan was our waiter for the night and was extremely personable. He made excellent wine recommendations despite our indecisiveness but we finally got our drink orders in. For appetizers, we ordered the oyster foie gras and hamachi tartare! Delicious. The oysters were delicious and I am sad that they only served us four because I could have had four more! So good and so much flavor! I was uber impressed by their presentation of dishes. Very classy and they really took time to put their dishes together! For the main course, I ordered the "duck, duck, duck". SO GOOD! Probably the best duck dish I have ever had! I really enjoyed the three different types of ducks they had including the seared duck breast, the duck confit spring roll, duck meatball soup. Wow, where do i start?! The duck breast was perfect (moist, not saucy and delicious). The soup was wonderful (it had a crust that came on top of the soup cup) and very perfect, nothing I have ever had before. The springs rolls were OK, it complimented the dish perfectly. Excellent appetizers, service, and attention to detail. Enjoyed it very much! MAHALO!
(4)Craig P.
Every Visit is Amazing!!!!!!!!!!
(5)Isaac R.
Very very clean. If you had too much steak, grill, and heavy ramen soup, this is the place to purify your empty stomach. Probably the most soft and melty fish product I had in Waikiki
(4)Lionel L.
Bottom line; Morimotos is an overpriced, pretentious, culturally safe fine dinning atmosphere to take someone to impress on a first date. Except if you take someone that's a foodie, you may be out of luck because the food is sub par at best--considering the price. What you are indirectly paying for in this restaurant is the ambiance and the setting. For a Japanese restaurant touted as authentic with it's fancy name and sign, it falls short of the dining experience. Take for example the price in relations to the portion. I ordered the loco moco (yes it's a mistake, why order this right?)but was mostly served with bits and pieces of sparse meat and canned gravy. My friends had the seafood and sushi, still far from enlightening any of our taste buds to say--wow that was good! I think we were all just shocked in awe as we thought--that's it? There were some positives! The desert. I would definitely go here for the desert. Yes it a pricey but flavorful and worth every bite. The disparity between desert and the main course is like black and white. Don't come To morimotos hungry and on a budget. My favorite feature of the restaurant was the restroom! It is clean! The urinals and commode are sleek white, the water closet room Is spacious and quiet. You can meditate in there if you want. The restroom is probably clean and static free enough to take apart a hard full of _____.
(2)Devon S.
Ok so, I decided months ago that I was done with the whole Yelp thing. I had a good run, it was fun while it lasted, thanks for the memories. Morimoto's, however, brought me out of retirement. I had been wanting to try this place for quite some time; Morimoto being my favorite Iron Chef and all (well, he and Hiroyuki Sakai) and decided my birthday would finally be the day. As with every first visit to any Japanese restaurant, I always go straight for the sushi and there was definitely no shortage of options. One of the many offerings is the chef's sushi combination; $40, $80, $120, and $160 option. When I asked the server what was the difference between the four, he said that the higher priced ones come with higher grade fish and more exotic items. I consider myself a bit of a sushi connoisseur, so nothing less than the $120 option would grace this appetite. Much to my surprise, and somewhat to my dismay, 15 - 20 minutes later, I was presented with a cornucopious platter of pescatarian goodness the likes of which Neptune himself stood no chance of finishing. It was so big, the table of 5 Japanese people adjacent looked upon it (and me) with utter astonishment; whispering comments to one another in their native tongue that I need not have translated to understand the gist thereof. How in the world could the waiter look at me straight faced and allow me to order this thing without so much as a warning?! At first, I told the waiter he must have brought me another table's order, but he assured me that this monster was in fact all mine. When I asked him how I was supposed to finish this all by myself (the aforementioned table of 5 is now giggling, by the way), he suggested that I eat the nigiri first, then take the maki home to eat later. *deep sigh* Ok...ok, that sounds plausible. Let's do it...let's do it. After eating myself into a semi-comatose, "If I never see a piece of sushi again, it will be too soon" state, I had just begun to make some headway. Man, FOUR people could not have finished this. I tapped out. Eyes and mouth slightly open, I look over to said party of five and shake my head. Hysterical laughter ensued. The waiter returned and boxed up the rest of the sushi. His final insult? A plate of lime and coconut sorbet inscribed with "happy birthday" in chocolate ganache served with a smirk. I am currently in no shape to neither hug nor hurt him, so I just sink into my chair and moan. 5 stars to you, Morimoto's. Thanks so much for making my 35th memorable. "S"
(5)Luke N.
Stick to the basics and you'll will not be disappointed. The chef's sashimi combination was awesome. I think that was the best mackerel I've ever had. The local tuna is really good and tender, has the softness of tuna belly. I have not tried most of the main courses or specialties but he sushi was excellent. Don't get the tuna pizza- it's gross, full of mayo.
(4)Lori I.
After seeing all these great raving reviews on yelp, we decided to try Waikiki's newest restaurant. (The restaurant was just featured in yesterday's Star-Advertiser and Nadine Kam called it her "favorite restaurant", so once again, all you yelpers were right on the money.) Morimoto Waikiki just opened on Sept 28th, in what used to be the chapel in the old Ilikai Hotel. Now called "New Edition", the hotel has a completely different vibe, almost transporting you to LA or SF or even NY. The atmosphere was like something out of a movie scene, I was half expecting to see George Clooney or Brad Pitt appear. So we went for lunch to avoid the crowds. It was just as much a feast for the EYES as it was for the MOUTH. (most of my pictures I've attached have nothing to do with the food). There is one table that is made up of clear resin/acrylic with sea kelp stuck in the resin. It almost looked like you could find Nemo in there. Oh yeah, the food from the lunch menu: KAKUNI: 10 hour pork belly rice congee (rice porridge). It was very good, if not a little bit on the salty side. Definitely a must try. MORIMOTO SASHIMI (it wasn't on the lunch menu but since we read about it so much on yelp, we asked them if the chef would make it for us. HE DID!): 6 little mini 3-story towers, topped with 6 different condiments, and 6 different types of sauces served in little pipettes. They said "Just like art class -- make designs with the sauces (which are all different colors)." BLACK COD: a little heavy on the sauce, but overall it was pretty good. I prefer miso butterfish, but this was good too. LOBSTER SANDWICH: lobster and some kind of cheese on Japanese bread, cut into THIRDS... COCONUT Panna cotta: was like haupia. It was on top of a bed of lilikoi jelly noodles (??). Yeah, not sure what that was. Kaffir lime dust and basil seeds finished off the dish. My palette must not be sophisticated enough to enjoy all the unique flavors wrapped up in this one. PEANUT BUTTER FONDANT: If you like peanut butter, this is for you: this dish was like a peanut butter mousse and came with peanut butter ice cream, and a dollup of chocolate with a gold leaf on top. A bit pricey for lunch but we did splurge. (2 appetizers, 2 entrees, 2 desserts, 2 glasses of wine, 1 French press coffee=$150) Okay so the food was good but the feast going on for my eyes was just as good. The tables, the bar, the kitchen, the sculptures hanging in the clear boxes from the ceiling. Go to the bathrooms!!! They are not like any bathroom I've ever seen in Hawaii. There's a cute little bookstore/hotel gift shop right outside the restaurant (where Tanaka of Tokyo used to be) that sells all kinds of unique gifts. This restaurant is definitely going places! Maybe next time I'll see George or Brad sitting at the bar.
(5)Olivia D.
I had a fun time at the grand opening of Morimoto Waikiki, but it was mostly due to the company I was with, seeing other fun Yelpers, and my own excitement at being there. I wish it were more about the food. When my friends later asked me how the food was, all I could say was, "It was fine." Morimoto is located in the stylish new Edition Hotel, formerly the Ilikai. The lobby is sparse and modern, with grey ash wood accents and bare white walls. I loved the outside pool area lit with tons of candles, especially the area directly behind the restaurant, with long sofas and plump cushions to lounge on, surrounding fire pits . The atmosphere of the restaurant is equally modern, with white and lime green decor. My only frustration was that the table was so long, I felt too far away from my companion. We were trying to have a serious conversation and because of the table length and amount of noise in the restaurant, I had trouble hearing her. I also was conscious of my voice carrying over to other tables, because I didn't want to project so loudly that everyone could hear my personal business. I prefer sitting closer to my friends. We ate: Morimoto Sashimi--stacked sashimi--sake, seared toro, maguro, unagi, hamachi--with 5 bland sauces. Good presentation--the sashimi looked pretty next to the colorful sauces, but it was impossible to pick up from the plate using the chopsticks. 2 of my friends remarked that the fish was very "fishy" and the bland, oily sauces did not help that out at all. Oxtail soup--my fave. 3 meaty slices of oxtail, with a shoyu green onion dipping sauce, cilantro, and garlic fried rice on the side. The soup was delicious--the best on the island--and I loved that they grated fresh, sweet wasabi with a sharkskin paddle right at the table. The best part was when the food runner grated wasabi right onto my friend's cleavage and got all cute and flustered; he didn't know where to look! Immediately, a female Japanese manager appeared out of nowhere, sent him to get an oshibori, and took over. I appreciated that most of the fat was trimmed off the oxtails. I hate it when big chunks are left on. If the soup was served hot, it would have been perfect. The broth was barely warm--about room temperature. (Buta) Kakuni--pork belly slow-braised for 10-hours in soy sauce, mirin, sugar and dashi, served on rice porridge. Yes, I like soupy comfort foods. The pork was tender, but not fork-tender, with a hint of sake wine. It was a little too sweet for me. If they added a pinch of salt to the otherwise bland porridge, it would have helped balance out the sweetness for me. This one I don't recommend sharing because of the small portion size. Wagyu filet mignon--not impressed. I don't understand what the fuss is with American Wagyu beef anyway. I think people order it for the name. It is not worth the extra cost because it doesn't taste like Japanese beef. It tastes like regular steak, without the superb fatty marbling and flavor of Japanese Kobe beef. The breed is not as important as how it is raised. In Japan, they are confined indoors in individual pens in little condos and fed beer to help digestion . . . and you probably don't want me to go on. The filet, sprinkled with fluffy sea salt on a hot iron plate, was served with sweet onion jus, which tasted like a version of teriyaki sauce. The meat was dry, overcooked and barely seasoned with salt. Seafood 'toban yaki'--prawns, crab, scallops, clams, mussels, bok choy, and king oyster mushrooms. The first thing I noticed was that the baby bok choy sitting on top had dirt in between the leaves at the base--yuck. When I ate toban yaki in Japan, it was beef roasted on a ceramic plate. This was actually a bouillabaisse, with the broth made richer with the addition of miso and yuzu. It was delicious and a good portion size as well. My only complaint besides the dirt was that the scallops were tiny, overcooked disks and the baby lobster at the bottom was very mushy. But the flavor was good and the slices of French bread on the side were perfectly toasted. If they had served it with rouille, I would've been ecstatic. I wish we'd skipped the desserts. I ordered the tofu hot and cold and the roasted pineapple with castella cake and roasted rice ice cream. The tofu dessert consisted of a very light, cold Japanese-style cheesecake log with a hot souffle and a quenelle of sour cherry sorbet. The sorbet was watery and the souffle/cheesecake unflavorful. I usually love souffle, too. The other dessert didn't work because the cake was dry and the dry pineapple did not have any good roasted flavor; it made me long for a juicy, buttery pineapple upside-down cake. The ice cream was good. The best part of dinner was saying 'hi' to all the other Yelpers throughout the restaurant. Every time I walked past Min's table, he put food in my mouth. I scored lamb and gyoza! Bottom line: better than Nobu, but skip the American food like lamb, steak, lobster--they don't stand out.
(3)Pam C.
I ordered the Omakase. It was a 7 course meal, not to give too much away, so you can also enjoy the surprise, but I got... 3 courses of sushi, one veggie, one surf and turf. Dessert was my least favorite. My waiter did a wonderful job of describing every dish to me. I would visit again, but probably just get a couple rolls.
(4)Adam M.
This was on my "go to" list for things to do on my Hawaii trip, so i was looking forward to eating here for some time. I made a reservation for 130pm and when i arrived the place was almost completely empty inside. our server greeted us and was very helpful in choosing different entree's and drinks. Me and a friend ordered 3 items, plus 2 drinks which totaled to approx. $260 (130 per person). -Toro Tare Tare: this was a very light appetizer, which included a variety of sauces to dip the tuna into for flavor. i would rate this 3.5/5 - Ahi Pizza: I really liked this item. is again was light but had spice (jalapenos), sweetness, and crunch. lots of flavor and very fresh. 4.5/5 - $120 sashimi option: Large iced platter full of delicately plated fresh raw fish. tuna, salmon, yellow tail, flounder, among many other types of premium fish cuts. very tasty! 5/5 -750ml of a morimoto house beer: Had lots of hops, but i was not very impressed with it, had a strange after taste and was not worth the $30-40 price tag. 2.5/5 - Bottle of morimoto's house sake: wonder flavor. this was a chilled sake on ice. had a sweet after taste of different fruit flavors (don't remember the fruits in the sake though) This was about $40. 5/5. This place did not blow my mind, but it definitely met my expectations. Next time i'm in Hawaii i would try to go here for dinner to try different food items not offered on the lunch menu.
(4)Traci H.
I don't know the last time I jumped from 1 star to 3 stars but they did something right and I guess I'm also open to going again now! This time I went for lunch and I quite enjoyed it. $22 for the lunch special: nice fresh salad, miso soup, sushi (i substituted california rolls because I don't eat raw fish--they were very hesitant at first, but I'm not sure why because I think the rolls are cheaper than the fresh fancy sushi!), and a nice small size of the wagyu beef loco moto. That was so delicious. For the loco moto itself, it was nice fluffy rice, little pieces of wagyu beef--like steak, not ground hamburger, hamakua mushrooms, and a perfectly cooked sunnyside up egg. The gravy was delicious, not too salty, not too sweet. Then I got to taste some peanut butter dessert and the tofu cheesecake--that tofu cheesecake is heavenly. And really if you called it a soy cheesecake I don't think you would be so surprised. It's just that I imagined hard pieces of tofu on a graham cracker crust and that sounds disgusting. But that cheesecake has no cheese and is light and fluffy and the aftertaste might be better than the initial taste. It's so smooth on the tongue and so enjoyable. For lunch it's not too crowded and has a nice chill vibe. I'd totally go back for lunch, especially since I hear the tofu cheesecake is not served at dinner. Oh, one warning, the cheesecake is $10. My lunch was $22. So yes that one piece of cheesecake (served with some molasses ice cream is quite pricey). As much as I say it was a somewhat reasonable lunch, it was still pricey, so that's holding me back from 4 full stars. So maybe next time I'll get the review to 4 stars. Yelp 365 Challenge #18/365 August 18, 365
(3)Geneva L.
So, a little late on this review since me and my boyfriend came here during spring break which was beginning of April, but school and life happened and tonight, I uploaded our Hawaii photos and man, did that make my mouth water. The Wagyu Carpaccio was amazing. The rest of the food was well above par, 4/5, but the reason I needed to write a review was because of our amazing server, Martin. He was absolutely amazing and was hands down the BEST server I've ever had. And I'm a sucker for accents too. Um, so we absolutely loved Martin but I don't think you really wanna hear about that. As for food, its been awhile so I forgot how amazing everything was, Martin however left a lasting impression.
(5)Helen N.
Came here for dinner. Was able to reserve just two hours notice in advance on a Monday. Food was okay. I had the duck duck duck, hubby ordered the black cod with rice. Portion is kinda small so we also got beef carpaccio, spicy tuna roll, pork belly, toro and salmon nigiri, and a sorbet dessert. My favs was the beef carpaccio and black cod, the rest was just okay. Front staff was nice, but waiter seemed kinda not engaged so felt service was missing a bit. Ambiance is nice and mellow.
(3)Dennis Y.
I didn't have the highest expectation for this place since I thought it was more of a tourist trap than anything else but I was pleasantly surprised that the food was pretty good. Like Nobu, you don't come here for the traditional sushi stuff but rather go for the more creative dishes that Morimoto seems to like to do. Its with these dishes where the combination of plating and food combo's that are fun and delicious. Perfect for an entertaining dining experience. Something that's definitely needed in Waikiki.
(4)Jen G.
Had breakfast and lunch here (we were staying at the hotel). It was great! The breakfast was delicious -- the moco loco was great and so was the oatmeal. the oatmeal had this great flavor (I think from the chinese 5 spice in the granola). For lunch the bento boxes are awesome. I had the black cod. It was fantastic. And it came with salad, miso soup, 2 pieces of sushi, and 2 pieces of a roll. I thought that was a great deal for $22. We also had a rice bowl -- it was great.
(5)Gen T.
I loved this place! Everything was great from the service to the decor... The food was definitely worth it. I'd like to especially say that the server and wait staff were really attentive and helpful and always gave you full description of all the items and were very friendly. We ordered the Wagyu Carpaccio, Poki which had a different twist on it than I've ever tried before, the oyster foie gras was fantastic and highly recommended, Tobanyaki was a first and I absolutely loved it but my favorite no matter where I go is Black Cod... YUM!!! A little on the pricey side but all in all I had a great night nothing bad at all to say about Morimotos. Cant wait to go back there again!!
(5)Traci H.
I went here for a birthday lunch for someone in the office. Since the boss is paying why not! I have to say before coming here I've heard mixed reviews. From loved it to very disappointed. So I came here not knowing what to expect. First of all, the place was WOW! The restaurant was a vibrant green and white. Very modern Hawaii feel, it looks like it would be a great lounge if they did late night. ;) The Edition is updated from what I remember the Ilikai to be back when I had winterball and proms there! We had the pineapple tempura, and the lamb carpaccio. I wouldn't get the pineapple tempura again, it was interesting, but ok. I LOVED LOVED LOVED the lamb carpaccio! It was so soft and tender, and well seasoned! I drool at the thought of it! I love butterfish so I had the braised black cod (aka butterfish), which was delicious! It was so flavorful! It's small for an entree, but I was stuffed by the time dessert came around. One girl had the angry chicken and seemed to enjoy it. The angry chicken looked like one of the larger entrees. The other girl had the tempura, sushi, and sashimi set. It didn't look like much but it added up she said, and also said it was good. Our boss got the kakuni don, which is pork belly that is cooked for 10 hours. I had a taste and it was very flavorful. If you like shoyu pork, you'll like this. It is served over rice, and it's a pretty big bowl. We shared a tofu cheesecake for dessert and it was interesting. Light and fluffy, just a hint of a creamy cheese taste. Interesting to try once. They have a their own specialty drinks, one person loved the green flash. I tried the white lily, it was very citrusy...because of the yuzu. All in all I would love to go back. I will have to get the lamb carpaccio again! I would get the black cod, but I would like to try other things as well. It's pricey so it'll have to be a special occasion. The staff was warm and helpful. They did forget to bring tempura sauce though. :P
(4)Steve O.
First - the service and decor were really good. My food was ok. I had the toro appetizer for $28. The tuna was good but I wasn't a fan of the presentation. You have to scrape the tuna off a plate and then put some topping on it. It was tasty but not worth the $28. For a main course I had the yellowtail cooked at the table, which is essentially a hot stone bowl. The dish was supposed to feature sushi grade tuna but didn't taste like that to me. The pieces had the darker spots where the fish doesn't taste good. It was an iron chef meal. In my opinion it wasn't that good. My wife had the Waygu with the egg and she said that was amazing. So I think you can get good food - you just need to choose wisely. Again the service was great.
(3)Jackie P.
We had the following: - HAMACHI TARTARE...had to try it from seeing it on all the food shows. expected too much, probably won't order it again. - OYSTER FOIE GRAS...LOVED these! definitely order the sauce on the side since it is strong. will get 2 orders of this tasty goodness next time we come. - YOSE DOFU...good to try once, but will try other dishes next time. - PORK GYOZA...stay away from this one. what a waste of stomach space :( - CHEF'S LOCO MOTO...should've stayed away from reading the other reviews, boo. - SEAFOOD TOBAN YAKI...my FAVORITE dish of the night. can't wait to eat it again! Got too full, so next time we'll try the wagyu carpaccio, crispy whole fish, and maybe some tofu cheesecake.
(4)Sandra C.
Beautiful presentation, food was good, a little pricey, and small portions. Rock shrimp appetizer with two sauces was tasty, but you can get that elsewhere easily. Pork belly on top of congee was excellent but it was a tiny portion ..1.5 inches x 1.5 inches of meat over an ounce or two of congee soup for $18. The fish was fresh for sushi. I had to put a credit card on open table to hold reservation, maybe because it was mother's day weekend. seemed like a way to appear really busy and booked. The restaurant was not full, although busy, from 6-8 on Sunday. Great service. Plates changed. Bathrooms, which was nice, oddly did nit have toilet seat covers and toilet was really low. Decor was nice with white drapery and shells on display and lights outside, but not an A + as others have rated. Read the reviews some stayed away from omakase which seemed like it would be a disappointment for $120. Expect to spend $$$$ anyways.
(4)Terri Lynn S.
Excellent dining experience. Decided to have full-on appetizers instead of ordering dinner entrees. Very tasty and great presentation. Tempura Calamari Salad (highly recommend), Crispy Rock Shrimp Tempura, Tekka maki, Spicy Tuna, and California Roll. Wine and Beer went well with food. Complimentary Valet parking a plus.
(5)John E.
The ambiance was very nice. We went at night so I couldn't tell you much about the view . I don't watch Iron Chef so apparently the chef there is famous. He was there greeting meeting people. The bill was very high but the experience was excellent. Our group tried several different entrees. Everyone raved over it. The service was excellent too. Our waiter really seem to know a lot about the food in the restaurant.
(5)Brian B.
When my friend suggested going to this restaurant to co-celebrate our birthdays together, I jumped at the chance... What I always enjoy doing is trying new places, and especially going to new & unique dining places on my birthday and this place did not disappoint! When I found out where this place was located, which is in "The Edition Waikiki Hotel", I was like WTF is that?? I came to find out that this place is adjacent to the Ilikai Hotel and is actually pretty nice. Basically it's on the same side of the street as the Marriott Prince on Hobron Lane. If you know where Red Lobster or Outback Steakhouse is on Ala Moana Boulevard, you can easily find this place. As you go down Hobron, the entry for this place is on the left hand side of the block and towards the end. You have to look carefully or bring someone with you, because it's fairly easy to miss the valet area where you would pull in to go to this restaurant. Once inside, there's a beautiful lobby with a nice little waiting area that's decked out. The restaurant is on the right side, and when you enter it, you'll see a bunch of green couches & chairs with a little reception area. It's kinda small but once you get past that area and into the main dining area, it really opens up. BTW, there is also an area outside as well, where you can eat in the open air but we ate inside. You'll quickly notice that the ceiling is high and that all of the chairs and whatnot are green with brown wood tables. Hanging above some of the tables immediately to the right, and at the back where they have large groups, there are clear fiberglass boxes that have these huge seashells inside of them. To the left as you enter there is a white bar area with a picture of a purple-ish looking flower which is also on the far opposite wall as well(the same area where the large groups are seated). When you get to the table there is a nice white, rectangular plate with a cloth napkin and a small polished white stone on which a pair of clear chopsticks lay. Very nice presentation! On the center of our table, which was in the large group area, there was a huge cylinder with a shell inside of it that was sitting on some decorative rocks. The menu features quite a nice selection of items which range from hot & cold appetizers, noodle & soup dishes, entrees, steaks, and finally some sushi. There is also an extensive cocktail menu which features the usual drinks including sake & shochu. We ordered a few appetizers, a few highlights of which included an ahi pizza & Morimoto's sashimi which consists of five 3-layered pieces of sashimi. Also there were some rockefeller(?) oysters, fried gyoza, and a takoyaki-like dish(I forget exactly what was in it but it wasn't squid or octupus... one of my friends ordered it). Then came the main entree! I ordered the 16oz Wagyu New York Strip Steak with potatoes which was awesome! The steak was done to perfection and very succulent, the potatoes however were just a tad bit salty for my tastes.... I should've ordered some side vegetables to go along with it to break up the taste of everything... A few other friends ordered a rack of lamb, lobster & hamachi which all looked equally appetizing and very well presented! Finally we ended with desert which was awesome as well! I ordered a dish called "Hot & Cold Tofu" which was a cheesecake type of desert with a berry sorbet. A few friends ordered dishes such as a peanut butter dish & also a haupia desert too. All in all, I must say that I was very impressed with the overall meal. It was presented well & tasted as good as it looked. This is definitely a "wine & dine" kind of place that you take someone that you're trying to impress whether it's a date or a client. One thing that was kinda irritating is the fact that our server brought our food and went into a little bit too much detail about the dish we were eating, however I suppose it's to be expected since this is an iron chef restaurant. What would it be, if there wasn't a modicum of explanation into the thought behind the dishes that were created? The wait staff was pleasant as well, and the place didn't seem to get overly busy inside which was nice. I also had my shochu drink consistently full, so that was a nice touch as well! =) This is definitely a dining experience to try out! If you really want to go somewhere & get the full dining experience but don't mind paying a relatively good fee for it, go here! It's worth a try at least once, and it also makes for a good place to take someone to impress them too...
(4)Craig F.
The worst! Service was terrible and the food worse. We asked the waiter if the chef would make something special for our friends Bday. Without thinking or missing a beat he answered with a rude and firm no. The manager came by and explained that the chef was underwater. The place was half full. Really! She then dug a herself a huge hole by telling us a couple lies and left. We ate the over priced appetizers and weak cocktails in front of us, paid the bill and left. I mentioned our experience to a local friend, who is a very high end guy, his reply, he nor any local would ever be seen dead at Morimoto!
(1)Ace S.
Went in hoping to get WOWED and I can't say I was disappointed because the food was great, but considering the name and the prices, I thought there was room for improvements. Their ice cream desserts were amazing, and I ditched my diet for them. As far as complaints go, this place was freezing cold with the AC on blast. So sitting outside might be the way to go.
(4)Ann P.
Way too overpriced sushi. Menu is misleading- you only receive one half an order actually. They serve tap , not filtered water hoping you order a Pellegrino or equivalent
(1)Michelle B.
This restaurant had very cool decor, a great reputation, and great food. hOWEVER, for a restaurant of this calibre, I expected more in the service department. They didn't have our first 3 choices of bottles of wine. Then, they brought my husband's appetizer and main at the exact same time. We were eating a $200+ meal. That should NOT happen. He sent the main (steak) back, but they left his side of potatoes there, even though he was having gyoza as an appetizer. My courses were also brought together, but they said that they had assumed I wanted it that way (????) b/c I had ordered gyoza and sushi, and they considered sushi an appetizer. Very odd. Our food was delicious, I cannot fault the chefs. But the service definitely needs to improve at Morimoto Waikiki.
(3)Elaine K.
Hands down, one of the best dining experiences I've had. My boyfriend and I went to Honolulu back in late April and I was so geeked to find out that Morimoto Waikiki was right next door to our hotel. We weren't in town for very long since the trip was an impromptu weekend getaway, so we knew we had to make every meal count. The dishes were well thought out and presentation was impeccable. We ordered the toro tartare, the tempura calamari salad, whitefish carpaccio, xo diver scallops, and finished the meal with a couple of pieces of nigiri. Since the whole experience was kind of a splurge for us, we went all out and complemented the meal with the Morimoto hazelnut beer, the Morimoto Imperial Pilsner, and the Morimoto ginjo sake. When in Rome, right? I won't go into detail about every single dish, since no one has time for that. But, I highly recommend everything we tried because it was delicious. The pilsner beer, which was quite palatable, came in a really cool ceramic bottle that we were able to take with us - totally made up for the hefty price tag. The server also informed us that the ceramic bottle is great for keeping liquids cold or hot for up to 3 hours. We had to get creative with our packing since that bottle was definitely coming back to LA with us. Our server also told us about the Morimoto cookbook and let us flip through the display copy. The cookbook has a lot of photos and step-by-step procedures for his more renown dishes. We, of course, had to buy one - especially since the copy was signed by Morimoto. All in all, my boyfriend and I left the restaurant incredibly pleased with the food, the service, and the overall experience. I'm looking forward to going back during our upcoming trip to Honolulu in July.
(5)Lulu C.
Great ambiance outdoor, modern/chic decorations indoors and superb service! The Yose Dofu was the highlight of my meal! Who knew it was that simple to make fresh silky tofu?! Can't wait to go back to try everything else on their menu!
(5)David L.
If you go here, I would just stick to the apps and skip the entree. I had the whole fish tempura and the braised lamb shank. The lamb shank was enough to feed the whole family, and it was GOOD! The fish was just ok, and comes with the head and tail and crispy skin. The service was good. Def get the froi gras. And skip the drinks. They offer complimentary valet so take advantage of that.
(3)Alice C.
I may have had too high of an expectation set when I came here. I was real excited because it was on my lists of must try. I love the decor of the restaurant and the ambience. It was real comforting. Even the bathroom was real nice. Service was awesome. They tended to our every need. I remember our waiter Bronson would do a fantastic job describing all the food he brought out. Water was always refilled and was never once empty. The Drinks were great. They offered such wide variety of all sorts of alcohol. I read Christy K's review and had to give the White Lily a shot. It tasted like tangerines. It was really yummy. I loveeee my sweet cocktails. They even add a momo in the cocktail! We also had the cold sake sampler. I absolutely liked the ume one on account that I love drinking umeshu. The food is the important factor and that is what i was strictly rating +I did approve of the WAGYU CARPACCIO. It is so delicious! I could probably order 2 or 3 orders and eat it all by myself. -Toro tartare was nicely presented. It was interesting but I didn't care for it. I ordered a couple rolls. Spicy tuna, spicy salmon and Softshell crab. They were alright but not worth the price. we had Crispy whole fish. It was some kind of sea bass that had been deboned before it was fried, that was kind of mediocre. The rice they served was on the dry side. We had ordered Crab, Lobster, and Surf and Turf but I didn't try it but everyone said it was good so I'll take their word on it. One thing that bugged me was how long it took for the food to arrive. We were there from 7 - close and spent more time waiting than eating. I was so hungry to the point that I no longer wanted to eat. But you know what, I actually would probably give lunch a try sometimes since they have a different menu and would like to try sitting outside to admire the view. Or probably right before sunset. and I also want to come back to try their Omakase and then i'll probably do a rewrite to make up my mind on the food. PARKING: you can valet it and the restaurant will validate it so all you gotta do is just tip :)
(3)Marko C.
I was home and needed to host a very important dinner with the president (& executive staff) of one of Hong Kong's largest telecommunications firm. I made a reservation 2 months before my dinner & asked to sit outside. We were given the best table on the patio - one that looked at the Ke'ehi lagoon & boats on the harbor. My guests were impressed. It STOPPED here. Let the nightmare begin! The poor reviews on Morimoto Waikiki are true & I was sorely embarrassed about hosting an executive dinner here. It started when my guests and I tried to sit down at the table - the legs of the table and the seats were so packed together, *each* person at the table had to go side-saddle to slide into the park-bench booth seats. The women in our party had to sit at the ends because they all had skirts on. It wasn't pretty seeing men in suits do tumbles to just get into their seats. Worst of all, once seated, we learned that the table was actually a plastic picnic table with a fancy tablecloth on it. Sad. Sit outside, inside the restaurant smells like fried fish & is smelly. When our waitress, Laura, showed up at the table and had a SUPER huge attitude. She attempted to be nice, but her expression on the outside really indicated that she didn't want to be there. My guests tried to joke with here to make it a more comfortable situation, but we couldn't crack the ice. Every one of my guests politely indicated that she must have had a hard day & was in a bad mood. We later found out that this was her last week at the Waikiki restaurant and that she was moving to Napa to work at Morimoto Napa. 50% of her supporting wait staff was bad. When our dishes came, they were placed (sometimes plopped) at the table without any explanation of what we were eating. Only one staff took the time to explain the dish. Service Grade: D- Drink #1: Pear Yuzu Gimlet,$12. Yuzu citrus, Serrano chili, fresh lime sour, absolut pears vodka, topped with fresh yuzu zest. Outstanding, well-made drink with a good combination of sweet, spicy, salty, & sour! Grade: A Drink #2: TWO bottles of Pino Grigio wine, $38 ea. The wine was basic, no complaints. My main complaint was that we had to ask about 7+ times for the staff to help us refill the wine glasses. They placed the wines in a cooler about 12 feet away from the table & no one remembered which was our wine or if we had ordered wine. Grade: B Appetizer #1: Oyster Foie Gras, $22. Market oysters, foie gras, uni (sea urchin) and Teriyaki sauce. Everyone on Yelp had raved about this dish. The oysters were overcooked and the foie gras and uni on the top were burned crisp like bacon (all 2 orders, 6 pieces). Yelp pictures show a lot of teriyaki sauce, we got about 1-2 drops per oyster. This dish was dry, overcooked, crispy, and nasty. Grade: F. Appetizer #2: Foie Gras Chawan Mushi, $17. I love foie gras and was super excited to try the duck breast, fresh wasabi, sweet dashi soy in the egg custard. This dish had maybe one little pea-sized cube of duck in it and nothing else. It tasted cheaply made and had little flavor. Grade: F. My guests wanted to eat fresh fish from Hawaii and asked our waitress Laura for suggestions on what to order. They said specifically TWICE, "We want sashimi". Laura suggested that we order the "Chef's Special combination" for $40. We took two orders because we had multiple people at the table. When the order came out, we got combination SUSHI! One order came out with the appetizers, one order came out with dinner. TIMING? We questioned Laura about sushi vs sashimi and she insisted we said sushi. The sushi was about 10 pieces of nigiri sushi with two rolls (eel and California roll). The sushi tasted like it was from Genki sushi (low end sushi robot chain) or from Safeway/Foodland/Times supermarket. Grade: D- * Insert a 30-45 minute break between appetizers & dinner * Horrible timing of the food! Dinner #1: Crispy whole fish, $32. Fresh whole fish (small seabass) was deboned from the neck down & made with spicy tofu sauce, pickled papaya salad. The dish was visually stunning, but the deep fried fish had absolutely no flavor. Grade: D-. Dessert #1: Haupia semifreddo ($12). We were informed that Morimoto recently won an award with this dish! Coconut sorbet/ice cream served with coconut gelee (we got 3-5 little pea sized pieces), local honey (honeycomb that got stuck in your teeth), matcha meringue (that was difficult to eat with little flavor). Grade: D-. Almost $700 later for this dinner experience, and all guests went home disappointed. I was embarrassed. The food here is a shame. The service here is an even bigger shame. I am willing to pay good money for a good meal, but Morimoto Waikiki was an EPIC FAIL. The reviews are true - Morimoto Waikiki has visually exciting food but lacks in taste and service. Drinks Grade: B+ Food Grade: F+ Service Grade: F-. Overall Experience: D-
(1)Matt H.
Yes, it is pricey. So is your vacation, so is the hotel it is located in, so is life. Go here once. I had the omakase menu (not just sushi, a full kitchen omakase) and it was awesome. I also tried the Morimoto sake flight. It was good, but I already know what I like and should've just had a bottle of daiginjo. The omakse had about 8 courses and the server explained each of them. I was never rushed, though the restaurant wasn't busy yet. This was the best meal of my life (food-wise) thus far. Bring some of your favorite people, do the omakase and you will have the best meal of your life as well.
(5)Andy M.
Very pricey, but worth it. Omakase was the best sushi experience I've ever had. The Morimoto brand sake is decent but overpriced.
(5)Tyson H.
The good: The service was excellent. Our waiter was extremely attentive to our table throughout the entire meal. The food was absolutely amazing. We ordered the Duck, Duck, Duck, and Cod for entrees; two sushi rolls; and soup. The quality was the best we had in Waikiki, but the price of the food surely matched it! I feel the food was priced well for the quality of food. The bad: The tables for two are extremely awkward. They are extremely long and have a "X" shaped bottom that makes it weird to place your feet. You also have to watch out for your knees!! The restaurant is extremely loud, and as the night went on it got even louder.
(4)Jacqueline R.
Let me say one thing: too much hype about this place just because of the Iron Chef. I know, Iron Chef Morimoto is one of the best chefs out there, but I definitely think this place was overrated, and overpriced. They can probably get away with it because of the Iron Chef. The restaurant was located inside the Waikiki Marriott hotel. The actual restaurant is decorated very trendy and upscale. It was very nice and modern. We had a reservation and luckily didn't have to wait too long to be seated. We sat on the outdoor patio which was really pretty although it was right next to the harbor so we didn't get a beach view. The service was mediocre. I went with three friends and they all ordered the omakase. With each course, the waiter monotonously recited what was on the plate. It almost seemed too routine and boring for them. NOTE: If somebody in your party wants to order the omakase, do NOT go here unless EVERYBODY in your party wants it, because otherwise you will be sitting around doing nothing for a LONG time! As I said, my three friends all got it, but I ordered the wagyu filet mignon. My food came out at the same time they received their first course, but I was finished with my steak by their third or fourth course...still leaving me to sit through FIVE more courses! They came out at about 10-15 minute intervals, which easily had us stuck at the place for 2.5-3 hours. I got really bored and tired of sitting there with an empty plate while my friends omnomnomed their tiny sampler dishes. I also did not like how all of the items were a la carte. My steak was $50 as it is and I had to pay $8 just to get a side of potatoes. Kind of annoying. There isn't a bathroom located in the restaurant. You have to use the hotel's which is across the way. Very modern and interesting though. You should check it out. It took me the longest time to figure out how to turn on the faucet. Overall I think it's a nice restaurant for a night-on-the-town, but I don't think I'll be back again. It was too overrated and overpriced for me. I'm sure I can go somewhere with bigger and better food for a more affordable price just because it isn't in Waikiki and the restaurant of an Iron Chef.
(3)Chantel B.
Booked our reservation here for February 15th since valentines day was booked already. The food was amazing we tried the oysters, surf and turf, gyoza and scallop. Didn't really care that much for the ice cream. We also tried their lychee mojitos and pineapple mojitos. Both were really yummy. We received excellent service and the staff was on it. Especially since they were busy. Their prices are pretty reasonable considering it is a high end Japanese restaurant. We will return back in the future :)
(5)Cat P.
Chocolate peanut bombe dessert was the only bomb thing about this place the past 2 times I've visited. One of the best desserts I've ever had. I was highly disappointed in the Loco Moto. The flavors were reminiscent of salisbury steak and the presentation reminded me of school lunch at the cafeteria. Everything else was ok.
(3)Kelly G.
The best boyfriend in the world, who happens to be my boyfriend, got me, the Iron Chef fanatic, reservations to Moriomoto for my birthday! He tried really hard to keep the reservations a secret but the reservation email slipped up when he was showing me something on his monitor. Just remember that they have free valet parking at the Waikiki Edition Hotel for the restaurant! We were seated outside on the lanai, although kitchen seating would not have been half bad either. But onto the food and service! Drinks: Pikake Blossom - This drink intrigued me because the description included an organic jasmine liqueur. Although the jasmine didn't have a strong part in the drink, it did create a flower essence that I enjoyed. Moriomo-tai - Good mai tai drink, a bit more on the sour side for me. The bf really enjoyed this drink Morimoto Hazelnut - Superb beer. Loved the hazelnut accent! Great amber ale for all beer drinkers. Morimoto Imperial Pilsner - As the waiter poured this beer out, I thought he had brought the wrong beer out! An imperial beer that looks like a pale ale? But the moment you drink it, you definitely get the imperial flavors. Quite the intrigue! The waiter said most people keep the ceramic bottle as a souvenir but I was so buzzed I completely forgot about keeping it! Food: Lamb carpaccio - DELICIOUS. The bf is a fan of lamb and the moment I saw this appetizer, I knew he would get a kick out of this dish and he did. Loved everything about it. 16 oz Wagyu ribeye - DELICIOUS. Again another bf favorite. He couldn't stop eating. When it got down to the last few bites, he was trying to savor eat bite. The maui onion au jus was the perfect compliment to the steak. Moriomoto Omakase - DELICIOUS, worth it in my humble opinion 1. Toro & Hamachi tartare - Fun dish. Fresh fish. Classic Morimoto plate design. 2. Prepared Hamachi - excellent fish 3. Bagna Cauda - I could not stop myself from scraping every last bit of the artichoke/anchovy paste at the bottom of the olive oil fondue. 4. Fois Gras Chawan Mushi - Smooth, savory, yum. 5. Seafood tea broth? - Came as a palette cleanser 6. Assorted nigiri - Again fresh fish. Everything was yum. 7. Main entree - Lobster claw epice with creme fraiche with green onion had a Cajun-esque flavor that the fresh cream complimented nicely, Wagyu New York Strip beef with Maui onion au jus, ginger pork with asian pear marmalade which somehow outshined the pork itself! 8. Pre dessert of a tofu/jelly with peanut flavor, but was the 24 carat gold flake necessary? 9. Okinawan sweet potato cake, ice cream and foam! Chocolate peanut bombe - again, is the 24 carat gold flake necessary? delicious nonetheless. Morimoto "1972" sake - smoooooooooooooth. Service was excellent. They timed my omakase appetizer with the separate appetizer we ordered and our desserts as well! Everything came out as expected and more! Love love loved my experience here. Too bad Morimoto himself was not here for me to take a picture with or else it would have topped off my already excellent night. Would love to come back when my wallet can support my expensive eating habit.
(5)Nat N.
Honestly speaking, we only came here because we had a gift card. I had not heard anything strikingly positive about this place, and my impression from reading reviews and listening to feedback was that it's just the name that gets people in the door, not the quality of the food. So my expectations were not high. The nice thing about having low expectations is that if you have a bad experience, you won't be disappointed because you didn't expect much to begin with, but if it turns out to be something better than what you expected, then you walk away happy and glad that you gave it a shot. In this case, I am happy to report that Morimoto's has exceeded my expectations! First of all, I love how they are on OpenTable.com . It's so easy to make a reservation using that website. Our reservation was at 7:15 pm on a saturday night. Many Yelpers have complained about how long the wait was, even with reservations, but we were pleasantly surprised when the waitress seated us at our table at 7:15 pm, right on the dot. Our waiter was outstanding. He was very professional and was very helpful when we were deciding on what to order. Here's what we devoured: Appetizer: Takoyaki. My hubby loved it but I thought it was a little too rich. Salad: Tempura Calamari Salad - loved it! It came with a generous portion of calamari, fried to a crisp. Entrees: Crispy Whole Fish - loved it! The fish was deboned (the only reason why we agreed to order it. According to the waiter, it's the most highly ordered item at the restaurant. I can see why. It's not too often that you can order a whole fish, deboned. The tofu sauce was not overpowering and not spicy at all. Ishi yaki buri bop - LOVED it! It came with 4 generous slices of hamachi - so delicious. Dessert: haupia semifreddo - loved it! We split this because we were so full from our meal. This dessert was not too sweet and was the perfect compliment to our meal. The hubby was overly impressed with the size of the portions. On the way to the restaurant, he said we were going to have to make a stop at Zippy's on the way home because the portions were going to be manini, but that was not the case at all! The portions were very generous indeed and big enough to share between two people. We also liked the decor and vibe - it's very modern and hip. It's a little noisy if you dine inside. I would think it's probably a little less noisy if you dine on the outside.
(4)Yvonne M.
Iron chef restaurant, hello! Yes, I had to try it. Asian Fusion at its best. He even incorporates Hawaiian/Local elements in his menu (poke, loco moco, etc). Better prices than Nobus. (Don't get me wrong, I still like Nobus, but if it's a little pricey for you, go here) Although it was trendy, it was pretty kid friendly, we brought our son here. It was loud enough to where my son could talk loudly, play a game on my phone, or drop utensils... FOOD AND DRINKS ORDERED Coco Fraiche - crisp, clean drink Asahi Foie Gras Chawan Mushi - It will make your mouth water..for more! Miso Soup - normal tasting Spicy Tuna Roll - I tasted better.. Soft Shell Crab Roll - Delicious! Braised Black Cod - Amazing! Crispy Whole Fish - flavorful, but a little on the oily side... Assorted Sorbet - Refreshing ENVIRONMENT Located in the Waikiki Edition Hotel. High ceilings, lots of white, large windows, and relaxing lighting. It made me feel like I was in Hollywood. Lots of plant and marine life throughout the restaurant. They have indoor and outdoor seating. SERVICE Excellent and quick service. TIP Do valet. It will be the same price as parking across the street or stressing finding parking in the Ilikai docks area. The drive way to this hotel is under the bridge that connects the Red Lobster parking lot to the Ilikai Hotel.
(5)Paula G.
We had to. I mean Hawaii + Morimoto = GREAT FOOD. Since The great state of CA banned foie gras, my body literally needed a taste of it during our honeymoon. I think the third course was foie gras and Mr. Chef Morimoto DID NOT disappoint. I;ve been to the Napa, CA location and this location beats that. We went just right in time for the sunset. Yes. How so cliche. But it was stupendous. The servers here are freakin' awesome too. They knew their food. We had a lot of questions because aunthentic Japanase food is not some Korean owned roll slathered in eel sauce and baked mayonnaise. The server knew details of what the sushi was as well as the other weird things we ordered. Seriously, thumbs up and cool points.
(5)Chass B.
I was a bit hesitant to dine here after dining in the one in New York. I wasn't very impressed...at all. But, when it opened we wanted to dine somewhere different and nice. It was my fiance's birthday and he wanted to check it out, so why not!?! All in all, the food was good, service was great, and we left very happy! We would love to go back, but maybe we will keep it for our special occasions... Goes to show that you can never rate or compare two restaurants, even if it's the same name...
(4)KO W.
My wife and I are very picky when it comes to Japanese food, mainly the sashimi and sushi. We have gone to almost every Japanese restaurant in town and everywhere else we ever lived before moving here 3 years ago. About Morimoto, If you like "fusion" Japanese food and sit shoulder to shoulder with strangers then this is the place for you , Otherwise I wouldn't recommend any sushi/sashimi lovers to go there. Although they do have a nice selection of sushi/sashimi on their menu but all taste blend and the sushi rice is dry and hard, not better than any typical Japanese restaurant can offer with half the price.
(2)Guy h.
Single diners miight want to beware. I made a reservation and the restaurant was half-empty. First, girl at front says,"Would you be willing to sit at the sushi counter?" Second, the girl who seats me offers me the worst seat in the empty house. And third, when I speak to the manager about this--she misses the point. "You didn't like your seaint options?" Yeah, I didn't, but I liked the general denial of the humiliation being inflicted on me even less.
(2)Shay F.
Ya... I just gave this place 2 stars... I'm entitled to my own opinions. Anyways, I wasn't too impressed with this place. I had high expectations since people were like WoW... but to me, I was like meh. Why? Well, I don't eat meat, I don't eat spicy foods, I don't like wasabi, and I don't like yuzu.... Oh, and I'm allergic to lobster. That pretty much left me with .... nothing on the menu. So I ended up getting sushi here... which wasn't really anything special. I was sitting by the aisle on the outside part... and every time someone passed by it squeaked and my chair moved. That was pretty annoying too. I sure won't be rushing back...
(2)Ash O.
..."So now America, with an open heart and an empty stomach, I say unto you in the words of my Uncle...Allez Cuisine!" WHAT WE ORDERED: Chef's Raw Bar Combination ($150) Hamachi Tartare ($24) Morimoto Poke ($19) Uni Caviar ($8) Foie Gras Chawan mushi ($17) Takoyaki ($18) Oyster Foie Gras ($22) Loco Moto with Wagyu Beef ($22) Duck, duck, duck ($28) Beverages (???) Now add it up. Go ahead. Ohhh okay, I'll do it for you *counting* add the four, carry the one - so comes out to be about a million billion dollars. [Editors note: I'm tricking you. The bill was actually $300-sumin' sumin']. A huge splurge, and somewhat faint-worthy, but IMHO it was soooo worth it. Need a last meal suggestion, because you're on death row? Tell the guard you want Morimoto's. Want to impress your wife/husband/girlfriend/boyfriend/in-laws/boss/UPS man/someone you've never met before? Need to bribe a politician? Eat cup noodles everyday for a week then take them here! Be like Nike and "Just Do It." Seriously though, this is what awesome tastes like. DISCLAIMER: You must be thinking to yourself, "Self, this gorgeous creature probably wears ten-carat diamonds while riding her purebred unicorn to her awaiting yacht in Lanikai." Well you're only a smidge right on that one. While I do enjoy the finer things in life, I don't think I would ever (single-handedly) pay that much money for dinner. My first Morimoto's experience was actually free, thanks to my very generous relative who was kind enough to treat my cousin and I. In real life, I only pimp my Charlie-Sheen-baller-shot-caller status everyday in my mind. You know before he went all cray-cray on the world. WINNING. You're welcome.
(4)Rina S.
Subpar food, expensive for what they offer, bad service. Also ate here on Christmas Eve one year and found a beetle bug crawling in my salad. Disgusting.
(1)Steven C.
Love the home made tofu at the table, and the rock shrimp are amazing... Portion is big enough to share. We will be back.
(5)Jay H.
We went for my mother's birthday while visiting Oahu over the Thanksgiving Holiday. We went on a Saturday for lunch. We had a party of 6, one was a toddler and one an infant. We specifically went during lunch so as not to disturb dinner customers who may want a more formal dining experience. Service: 4/5 Our waiter didn't seem very knowledgeable about the food and mumbled quite a bit. We were served way better by the other staff who attended to us than our waiter. Don't get me wrong, this waiter would have been top notch at just about any other restaurant, but at a place like this, I expect the very best in wait staff. Food: 4.75/5 I initially thought the food was a 5 out of 5, but after comparing to another meal during our trip, I had to knock this down a bit. We ordered the Hamachi tartare as an appetizer, our toddler liked the lobster sandwich, mom had the Ishi Yaki Buri Bop, wife and dad had the daily special which was some kind of fish, and I had the chrashi. All in all, presentation was top notch. Food was good enough and as expected for a restaurant of this caliber. I wasn't blown away with the food, but wasn't disappointed either. Ambience/Location: 5/5 I thought the ambiance was great. Lunch was very quiet, we went when they first opened at 11am and only one other party came in during our hour and a half lunch. The average of the three ratings still rounds up to a 5 star. See my other review for a true 5 star meal on Oahu. I'd say this place was definitely casual for lunch and good for kids during lunch. Not so sure about dinner.
(5)Katherine C.
The food was good and the lunch prices were pretty reasonable. It's Morimoto's and in Waikiki, so I don't think quantity should be expected. However, the quality was excellent and I've had pricier lunches that lacked the quality and presentation. Overall, I was very pleased and though the entrees aren't large, they are large enough to make you not feel the need to grab a 2nd lunch from some place else. I was surprised at how empty the place was on a Sunday for lunch. My friend loved the loco moco....I'm usually not a loco moco person but based off of his reviews and the lovely presentation, I think I'll have to give it a shot.
(4)Quijana B.
There's very little I can add to the descriptions of the restaurant or the food or the overall experience. It is a lovely space. It is louder than it should be. The service is either very good or remarkably bad. The food is fun and fresh and worth trying at least once. What needs to be said is this. Order the tasting menu. And then order it again. And again. And again. Unlike most restaurants with a tasting menu that gets switched out from time to time, Morimoto's has a never-ending tasting menu. Each menu is 9 courses. Each menu costs the same. There will never be a repeat in the dishes presented to you. Here's the secret. It is up to you to remember which menu you are up to trying. During my second visit, I made the not horrible mistake of not letting my waiter know that I had already had the tasting menu once before, and was presented with the exact same menu as the first visit. My third trip to the restaurant was when I was smart enough to say something, and was rewarded with a new set of dishes to try. My dining companion was there for his first visit, and had a familiar menu. It was such a nice treat to be able to let him sample mine as well. I'm looking forward to the third menu! (And the fourth, fifth, sixth...)
(5)Evan S.
We had the omakase and it was truly a fantastic dining experience. Each course was beautiful, perfectly crafted and delicious. Every course was as exceptional as the one prior. We couldn't of been more pleased. The staff was incredibly attentive and explained each dish perfectly. Our servers (Brandon & Martin) were great. Having such good service really enhanced and complimented how incredible the food was. Thanks guys!
(5)Carol B.
It was a treat to have gone but that was about it. My hostess ordered the waygu carpaccio, very delicious, for appetizer. I had the kakuni don for my entree which included a tasty little sald with delicious tart dressing, and two sushi which I had to give my hostess since it was far too much food along with the pork which topped the rice bowl. The seasoning on the pork was overly sweet.The drink, a cucumber shiso collins was refreshing and amazingly potent.We had dessert too, i had the peanut butter concoction which was o.k. I am grateful for the chance to visit Morimotos on Oahu, having been to the one on Maui, but it seemed same old same old. Been there, done that.
(3)Karen B.
My husband and I have been to Morimoto's Waikiki every 4th of July for the past 4 years and have alway had an enjoyable time. However, after this year we will look for another restaurant for our annual Anniversary celebration. The fact that they have a great view of the fireworks was not enough to justify the expense of the dinner and the exceptionally poor services we received, and most importantly the very poor quality food! Admittedly we are pretty hard customers to satisfy as we come from the San Francisco Bay Area where good restaurants and quality food abound. The experience this year went from bad to worse from the moment we checked in the with Hostess, who asked me to sigh a "Contract" upon entering. Never had to do that to eat dinner before! We were a little early so we asked if we could get a drink at the bar and take it out to the patio. The bartender said no, only bottle service out there that night. However, when they found that indeed we had a table reserved for the deck then we were "allowed' to take our drink out there. As far as the tasting menu went, some of it was mediocre and some of it was just plain terrible. The fish for the Sushi was not fresh tasting, of all things at a place that specializes in japanese seafood and sushi! Before our main course came out, our server left (change of shifts or some such thing) telling us it was too bad for us when my husband mentioned to her that he wasn't happy about this, and said that we should instead be glad for her because now she was off! She then forgot to tell her replacement to take over our table so it was about 25 minutes before we were served our main course! I have never felt happy to leave a dining establishment before but in this case we were extremely grateful to pay our more than $400.00 to leave! To top it off, I was appaled that there was an "administration" fee added to the cost of the dinner. We will not be back!
(1)Kelly V.
Went here with the hubs, we had the hamachi tartare, he had the pork gyozq, and then we had sushi. For dessert we had the molten chocolate and almond lava cake. Everything was delicious and our server Paul (?) was friendly and helpful. Will be back again sometime!!
(5)Natasha D.
It was "okay". Our 1st night we went to Nobu which was AMAZING & heard this spot would be the same if not better. Well, it was okay. When I called to make reservations they asked if we were celebrating anything special. I let them know our honeymoon & thought we'd get at least good seating. Nope, sandwiched in between another couple (who was super cool) and this annoying table/walk way. I got the sake flight which was awesome. I asked for the Chef's choice and when delivered my server (who looked high) goes here you go. I ask "which is which" his reply "oh, um, do you want to know about them"....WTF any time you get a flight of ANYTHING they explain whats what! Fine. I let that roll off. Appetizer was spicy tuna (MEH..nothing spicy or good about them) & oysters, pretty good. Not fantastic but good! Entrees: Husband had the surf and turf, loved it! Said the steak was phenomenal. I had the yellow tail rice dish that is cooked against this stone that heats to about 400 degrees. PHENOMENAL! Here, something that redeemed itself. Desert: Chocolate Moulton Cake. Yuck. Tasted so dry. I kept drinking water after 2 bites, I was over it so I left my husband to finish. All and all, the server sucked. The dinner was over $200 & I would have taken that back to Nobu or a hole in the wall sushi joint any day.
(3)Chad Y.
Morimoto Waikiki is a great addition to the Honolulu culinary experience and I believe offers a great experience for the residents and guests of our fair city. That being said, I honestly don't believe that Morimoto Waikiki is one of those places that doesn't live up to its hype. It merely offers something different. Their menu is certainly unique its own way and you can certainly see how Morimoto and his team have added certain twists and tricks to make their dishes stand out. There are certainly highs and lows to it though. The raw seafood selections are quite phenomenal and you can certainly taste the freshness of the product and they certainly highlight it rather than mask it. However that's where the OMG this was good ends. The rest of the menu is certainly unique however the flavors wouldn't keep me coming back for more. Especially when I am going to end up paying $100/head for my menu. Service is certainly hit or miss. There are servers which offer a truly 5 star experience that know their menu and the food arrives in beautiful orchestration. On the other hand there are others that almost seem aloof. The ambiance is certainly Hollywood sheik with pulsating music, modern/contemporary decor, and the shiek vibe. Personally, I think that's what you are paying for... Certainly a good place to dine at, however is it really the work of an Iron Chef? Eh...certain items yes, a lot no.
(3)Ken C.
It's been two years ago but I came in with high expectations at Morimotos and walked out with a disappointment. Felt the Omakase (all the same at morimoto locations) wasnt worth the value of its money.
(3)Suzy K.
The best wagyu beef on O'ahu. Refreshingly modern atmosphere and vibe. Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto chillin' like a villain at the sushi bar late in the evening. Great view of the Honolulu Harbor with nice South Pacific breezes.
(5)Arabella M.
Great service, great food. You get what you paid for and it's true with this place. The cucumber drink was to die for. Steak was cook to perfection and the poke was so good and fresh, it just melts in your mouth. Wouldn't mind coming back here every night for dinner..
(5)Tyler C.
Had the Omakase for first timers. It was an awesome experience to eat here. The level of food was outstanding. The service we had was tops, though he was busy he was always looking at his tables and aware of what his diners were at and wanted. Very exciting eating experience I ever had in such a long time. Got to try....got to!! Went for Fathers Day dinner... :) Morimoto himself worked the sushi line...awesome!
(5)Jannet L.
absolutely gorgeous decor, so fresh and light. validated valet parking - the best idea ever. great service. hotel is gorgeous. food was fine. nothing mind blowing. of course beautifully presented and really a treat for the eyes. but i guess i thought it'd be incredibly delicious b/c he's the iron chef and all. i think i'll bring my mom here for lunch b/c it's just so beautiful and the parking is great. gotta love the free valet parking...
(3)Kevin D.
Not sure why this got such a low rating. If you cant afford to go there then dont! The food is the freshest I've tasted. Went to Alan Wong for dinner and Morimoto was better.
(5)Kristine T.
We went for dinner on my birthday and it was my very first experience at Morimoto Waikiki and at a "celebrity chef's" restaurant. Everything we ate, tasted good! However...the experience just wasn't quite all that we expected. We ordered the "Morimoto Style Poke" and the "Whitefish Carpaccio". Both delicious but the quality of the fish in the poke just wasn't as good as we were expecting. It was good, but thought it would be better at a Morimoto restaurant. Same with the "Chirashi". We were expecting better quality fish within the entree. It wasn't bad, but we were expecting better. The "Braised Black Cod" also tasted good. But the piece of fish seemed small for a dinner entree. The way it was plated too, perhaps made the piece of fish seem unusually small. The "Chef's Loco Moto" was also delicious, but again, maybe the plating of the entree contributed to the experience of the dish. This was served on a large round white plate. Half of the plate was rice. The other half was the wagyu beef in gravy. In the middle was the sunny side up egg, which seemed small...but maybe because the portion of rice and beef and gravy was large? The restaurant has light, lime green chairs, some of which looked dirty from wear and tear. Same goes for the white fabric-ed menus. They looked dirty. The food, I thought was good and tasty, but some of the other elements for an exceptional dining experience were lacking. Maybe my "standards" were a bit higher because this is a restaurant of a "celebrity chef". I don't know? :)
(3)Joanna Y.
Ok, so I guess Morimoto's is not known for their sushi. I was thoroughly disappointed when my one piece hamachi and spicy hamachi roll were probably one of (if not) the worst pieces of hamachi I've ever had. Comparable, or worse than Genki! I'm not sure if it was just the chef that was working, but I had high expectations for a restaurant as this. My saving grace was the Lobster Melt sandwich. I went during lunch time with my bf and I LOVED this sandwich. Generous chunks of lobster meat, juicy tomatoes, and melted cheese stuffed in between perfectly toasted bread. Ho mah gawd. This came with fries (which I must add were perfectly crisp and seasoned so I didn't need ketchup), salad, and pickles. My bf had the Loco Moto lunch set, which is Morimoto's take on a loco moco but with wagyu beef. I had a bite of his and it was pretty good. His came with rice, miso soup, and a salad. I also really like the decor. Super modern, nice and spacious atmosphere. Lunch time was not so packed but I can imagine it getting more packed at dinner time. We made reservations for lunch but it wasn't necessary. I would go again for the Lobster melt, or try the Seafood Teppanyaki that my bff raves about.
(4)Edmond K.
The restaurant is beautiful, Servers could use more training they seem confused when I went! but we could have got a new worker. not what I would expect from some one of that skill level. I expected more from the menu but I would go again
(3)Allie L.
Pineapple tempura with jamon iberico. This appetizer pretty much makes the meal.
(4)Mia N.
Some things were great, some just OK. But the setting is very nice and the service is very good. I guess for the prices and all of the hype I was expecting it to be totally mind blowing, but I wasn't blown away. I would probably give it another try though. Maybe order a few different things.
(3)Miyako L.
Motto Morimoto kudasai !! This meal was definitely a highlight of the trip. Strategically placed in the lobby level of the gorgeous Waikiki Edition hotel, this restaurant overlooks the harbor out onto the ocean. It was hard to make a choice whether to dine inside among the all white, super modern furniture with beautiful accents of orchids and coral... or outside on the warm and welcoming deck with a great view. Seeing as how it was one of the only days it did not rain on our trip, we opted for the deck in efforts to try to take advantage of the good weather :) We started with some delicately balanced cocktails that all had a very unique flavor quality about them. Next was the ahi pizza. This is very thinly sliced fresh ahi, placed on top of a cracker thin herbed crust, topped with crisscrosses of japanese mayo, slices of red onion, sliced jalapenos, and some kind of tasty sprouts. So good. Next was a sashimi cesar salad. I was curious how those two items would taste together, but somehow Morimoto's pulled it off! The sashimi skin is crusted with herbs and nori and placed next to a few leaves of seasoned romaine lettuce and sprinkled with a few croutons. Yum! Light, and tasty and perfect for lunch!! The third dish we shared was Morimoto's mini sliders. The sliders were made of Kobe beef, and each had a small piece of teriyaki salmon that was snuck in between the two buns too. The shoestring fries were sprinkled with nori and crystallized wasabi and had a mysterious dipping sauce that made you crave more. Overall such an awesome meal at Morimoto's of Waikiki, I can't wait to come back and try more of the menu!!
(5)Jenny K.
I was looking for a fine dining place to eat at and this place came up the service was good, food is beautifully presented but when I ate it I was not impress at all!
(4)Robert S.
Well I like this we had some amazing stuff in my opinion. The oysters Foi Gras and pork belly are divine. Duck, Duck, Duck is very good and the angry bird is good also. Was nice to find this place as a surprise Birthday dinner place.
(5)Patrick T.
What is this, I don't even... know how to describe this meal. Stunning. Best or second best meal I've had in my life. You will feel high after eating here. Came with a group of friends and we ordered a ton of dishes, and paid about 100 bucks each. Worth it. Started with the Morimoto style poke which was an interesting presentation with a few different "dips." Then went for the tempura calamari salad, which was fine. Oyster foie gras was EXCELLENT. Melt in your mouth deliciousness. Waygu carpaccio was quite nice. Kakuni (pork belly) was very good, though I didn't care much for the porridge it was in. Duck duck duck entree was just ok. seafood toban yaki was like a bouillabaise and was also tasty. The braised black cod was breathtakingly good. Didn't expect much, but it was perfectly cooked with a gushingly good sauce. Waygu filet was a finely cooked steak. For dessert, the tofu cheese cake was light and refreshing. vanilla roasted pineapple was nice. chocolate peanut bombe was VERY rich and good. Allez cuisine!
(5)Juan F.
My experience here was absolutely amazing. Probably one of the best meals I've ever had. Chef Morimoto is definitely worthy of being called an Iron Chef. The restaurant is relatively new. The inside is really decorous and modern. Everything is really bright and vivid. There are seats inside the restaurant and outside with the ocean view. The Food: Omg. I had a really hard time deciding what I wanted and the waitress recommended the Omasake. Since I went there for lunch, it was a 7 course meal. Had I went there for dinner, 9 course meal! I decided to give the Omasake a try. Course 1: Toro and Hamachi tartare. Absolutely delicious. The fish was chopped and served on a wooden plate? It also came with toppings for your fish including wasabi paste, rice crackers, guacamole, onions, sour cream. The fish literally melted in my mouth. Too good. Course 2: Seared Sashimi. I forgot what fish I got. I think it was red snapper. It was slightly seared and served with some kinda of a soy and yuzu sauce that complemented it perfectly. The fish again melted in my mouth. Course 3: I don't know what its called. Its kinda of a fondue that consisted of a small container with Oil and a piece of anchovy that is being heated. As the anchovy kinda dissolves in the oil, you can dip the veggies in it. Pretty good, but my breathe was burning after because of the anchovy. Course 4: Not really a course. It was just tea to "clean" my palate. Course 5: Nigiri. 5 piece nigiri that included hamachi, toro, and some that I cannot name. They were all delicious. Course 6: Wagyu Beef. Ordered it medium rare and thats how it came. It came with some sauce and some tiny potatoes. One of the best steaks I've ever had. It was so soft and tender. I didn't need the knife to cut it. Course 7: Guava Sorbet. Served in a bowl with Haupia, a sweet cracker, and fresh fruits. I cannot believe how GOOD the sorbet was! Best dessert I've had. Absolutely amazing experience.
(5)Carmen C.
If ever in Honolulu and you really want to splurge on a meal, you must try this restaurant. Not only is it located close to a very nice hotel, The Modern, but the location is beautiful. The food was "melt in your mouth" perfect, and the service perfect! Chef Morimoto, Congratulations! I am a very picky eater and I loved my food!
(5)Rick L.
What's better than spending quality time and sharing a meal at the brand new Morimoto Waikiki restaurant with my best friend/girlfriend, her terrific sister and a close friend from out of town? Nothing! Well,...until the Kakuni appetizer came out. Get out of the way people, the food is here! Kakuni, ten hour pork belly rice congee!!! Jesus Christ! The flavors shooting out this appetizer dish while it happily swims in perfect congee has got to be their best dish in the restaurant! The food as expected was simply amazing! Beautifully decorated and an eye opener whenever a new dish lay on our table. Wow, wow, wow! The pictures says it all, go take a look and I know you'll enjoy it as much as we did. Enjoy!
(4)Christine E.
I've been wanting to write this review foreverrrr. But, I'm not an avid yelper (yet) and just never seem to get on here. Anyways, last Christmas I had dinner here with 10 of my girlfriends. The only thing that I remember really enjoying was the foie gras with oysters and a teriyaki type sauce. I still think about those oysters til this day! Oh...and the sake. The sake was good. But the sushi...eh. The beef carpaccio...eh. Ahi salad...decent. The wagyu beef...eh. Pork gyoza....lame. etc. etc....nothing to write home about. I was very unimpressed. Not to mention our servers were unfriendly. They smiled, but not those geniune "i like my job smiles", you could tell that they rather be somewhere else...anywhere else. I did like the ambience though. The nice white decorations. It really made for a beautiful christmas dinner. But the food? All night I was just like...it's OK. and then, then the worst part of the night happened. Some server (i'm assuming he was the manager or something), came over, asked us how we were enjoying everything, then said to "keep it down". Excuse me, WHAT?! First of all, Morimotos is not a quiet restaurant. Next to us was a table of Japanese tourists yapping away and laughing and taking pictures. Across from us was a group of military people who would cheers by saying "Hoo Rahh!" really loudly. and WE get shushed?! This was a $1200.00 meal. and we were told basically to "shhh" at our Christmas dinner at an establishment that was obviously not one of those quiet, dark lit, romantic restaurants. I will never return. The food is on the level of what you can get at restaurants for half the price. And the service lacks any kind of care.
(2)Ashley Y.
I'm surpised at how low some of these ratings are. Every time I dine at Morimoto, I'm awed at the quality of food. I've dined here several times, and though I've always had an exceptional meal, this past experience was just the tiniest bit less than what I've come to expect. It doesn't matter, because I'm still such a fan and I'll always come back. I absolutely recommend that you make reservations, as I've heard it's difficult to get a table without one. My food is always prepared perfectly. The presentation is amazing every time, and I adore their outdoor seating. Morimoto is always a creative experience. The food is beautiful; the highest quality ingredients, good portion sizes, picturesque plating and attentive waitstaff. I'm never rushed, but the food isn't slow, either. It's pretty close to perfect. And I always enjoy it!
(5)Toni K.
The omakase was totally worth the hefty price tag attached. Each course was brought out by a different member of the kitchen staff, with a comprehensive description of the plate, plus eating suggestions. The Foie gras infused egg custard with duck breast slice was one of the best things I have eaten in my life. I was definitely getting stuffed by the surf and turf course, but soldiered on, thanks in part to a thoughtful menu that offered pairings that weren't too overwhelming when put together (not to mention, they normally allow 1.5 hrs for the tasting menu, but since the other members in my party ordered from the regular menu, they offered to bring out my dishes two at a time.) Loved the clean, modern interiors as well. Staff were friendly and knowledgeable.
(5)Pete T.
This was definitely a great experience. By far the most expensive and classiest restaurants we've ever visited to celebrate our 1 year anniversary. We opted for the omakase and was pretty floored right from the start with the tuna tartare. Exquisite! Other highlights included the fish in hot oil and our favourite, the foie grois rendered custard. That was the most intense flavour we've ever tasted! We extended that portion of the meal by 15minutes to fully enjoy every morsel. The waiters were incredibly knowledgeable and courteous throughout our meal. They really helped enhance the whole Morimoto experience. There was a monsoon happening, and they offered to setup a table for us inside the restaurant to avoid getting wet from the patio seating we had. The final entree was wagyu beef, lobster, creme fraiche, and pork chop. Pretty anticlimactic, in our opinion, but surprising to get all that in our set. We saw a couple next to us also get the omakase, but it was to share. They also ordered other dishes to try, which was absolutely brilliant! Definitely recommend going this route if it's your first time. All in all, a great experience.
(5)Janine K.
5 stars all around! Surf n turf- delicious. Lamb shank- fantastic flavors. Wagyu beef carpaccio - melts like butter in ur mouth. On dessert menu - espresso martini - OMG this is so yummy it will give u the big O! Service was top notch. Bring a sweater if u tend to get cold... The a/c was drafty. All the above with 2 glasses of wine $185. Was expecting $300+ so it was a wonderful surprise. Great poolside bar just outside of restaurant... Arrive early and chilax with a cocktail! Would definitely go there again!
(5)Jane L.
I absolutely love this place. They have great food, the FISH is the best I've ever eaten. It is so fresh. The location is wonderful right next to the beach a perfect place. The staff is very friendly, accomodating and quick service. I would definitely go back.
(5)Sim S.
If you only make it to one restaurant in Waikikikikiki...with your keiki Amazing Service. Great food. Excellent selection. Fair prices. Pretty much everything you could ask for in a Dining Experience. In addition, the Iron Chef himself is usually on hand for pictures. Might not be too happy in the background, but overall posed for some people and is available. If you could go to one restaurant, make this a stop. Family friendly as well as we had our 2 year old, and Ipad-busy or not, we only had to take him out on one quick walk as the food kept him seated for majority of dinner. Visited February 2012
(5)Surai J.
Just like his Iron Chef track record, the cuisine here is hit or miss. However, the service, the best I've ever experienced from paris to hawaii. I mean 5 star, think of everything, consideration to the n-th degree type of waiter. Where do they train? If the food could rise to the service, this place will the THE resturant everyone needs to experience. One note for families, this is one outdoor fine dining experience you can take your kids to. The patio opens up to a walkway and pool area, where your older children can hang and walk around while you continue to linger over dinner and drinks. They'll still be in sight :-)
(4)Callie S.
We were staying at The Modern and it was later in the evening, so Morimoto's was convenient. We had the rock shrimp tempura, some sushi, the tuna pizza, and the divers scallops. I was hesitant to go in because the reviews are all over the place, so though it is Chef Morimoto's restaurant, where you would expect impeccable food, service, and ambiance; I guess I didn't have high expectations. The food was good - the scallops I didn't care for at all - they definitely were under seasoned and the chili paste/broth was just an odd flavor, the jalapeños on the the tuna pizza lew out my palette, the hamachi wasn't the freshest. The other appetizers and sushi were good, not great. The service was good as well, but not great. It's a shame that such a famous, well known, chef would let the restaurant go and allow for "just good". When paying those prices, $$$$, I want exceptional.
(3)Chloe H.
Outstanding service. I came to Morimoto's with 20 people in total. Martin, our server, was fantastic -- especially for putting up with my family, which is no easy task! He explained everything well, was very friendly and charming, and even remembered me the last time I came here over a year ago! Talk about service, haha. The dinner was sort of an omakase. The wagyu carpaccio was fantastic! Definitely get that for an appetizer. One of my family members is vegetarian, and they were very accommodating -- they made her a vegetable bibimbop and other vegetarian dishes. i am a huge dessert fan, and the peanut butter and chocolate dessert was pretty light, all things considered. So, so, so good though. Overall, the food was filling and delicious. The only downside to my experience was that Chef Morimoto wasn't there!
(5)Charlene K.
Chef Morimoto was there! So this is what Heaven must taste like. Pork Belly dish has amazing flavor, Tartar slab is excellent and fun to eat. Sushi Combination presentation blew me away. A bouquet of assorted sashimi each cut was so delicate and tasty. The Surf and Turf steak is also succulent, it melts in your mouth and is seasoned so well your mouth will sing. Don't forget dessert! Chocolate peanut bomb is the favorite, it's rich and not too sweet. I liked the Vanilla roasted pineapple very refreshing light and sweet. It's a very modern fancy spot. I say date worthy. This was a special dinning experience. Mohalo to Chef Morimoto
(5)Angel L.
Everything about our experience here was amazing. The food, the ambiance, the service. I recommend this restaurant to anyone celebrating something special, the wait staff really makes a difference in the experience. They are wonderful. Our server Brandon especially, I would recommend him any day.
(5)Shane B.
OMG!!! Amazeballs!!! The sushi here was to die for... And the service and ambiance was excellent. The fusion between traditional Japanese and modern food is so well executed! I loved the mixed drinks as well, the 1775 was tremendous! Also was pleasantly surprised by the open concept kitchen, was good to see how well run this place is... Can't wait to go back!!!
(5)Sarah M.
My husband and I came here for our 2 year wedding anniversary. Located in the Modern hotel, It's a very classy joint great for special dates, and special occasions! We started off with salads my husband had the mixed green salad and I got the sashimi salad which were both fresh and yummy! We also got the spicy salmon roll, the salmon maki, and also the oh-toro which is the fatty tuna. The salmon sushi was all good, fresh, and yummy, The Oh-Toro was by far the most beautiful experience ever! It absolutely just melted in my mouth and i never wanted it to end!!! Now going on... For our main dishes we got the Chef's loco moto which is Chef Morimoto's spin on Loco moco and I got the braised black cod. The Loco Moto was okay... It was good but how glorious can gravy, meat, egg, and rice get then it already is. Now the braised black cod now is just delightful! I would most definitely revisit that dish everyday if I could! It just melted! My mouth just waters, just typing this out and imagining the flavors, and texture of it all! For dessert they brought out some mango sherbet on the house for our anniversary which was fresh light and tarty but in a good kinda way! then us being total dessert-holics we ordered a chocolate peanut bombe which was THE BOMB! we ate every last bite and would of licked the plate if it wouldn't make us look like classless human beings! As you can see we thoroughly enjoyed everything the only thing that went wrong was that we had to wait an extra 45 min for them to redo our main dish because they said it didn't come out the way they wanted which was all good because it was worth the wait! Our server was good, the food was amazing, the ambiance chic/sexy/classy and our night was perfect-o!
(5)ET C.
President Obama ate at Morimoto's back in December when he visited his hometown in Hawai'i ( abcnews.go.com/blogs/pol… ). Should that be a reason for people to stop by? No. Should a patio view of the Ke'ehi lagoon and boats on the harbor be the main reason to come here for a meal? No. How about great food? That should do it. We really enjoyed Morimoto's Omakase menu ("chef's choice tasting menu designed to allow us to experience the essence of Morimoto cuisine") -see pictures attached. Aside from that, the restaurant offers a great selection of sushi, sashimi, soups, noodles, fish and meat main courses and cocktails. I ordered the Pikake Blossom (tru organic vanilla vodka, freshly muddled thai basil, lemon juice and theia organic jasmine liqueur) and decided that this was the best cocktail I ever had, period. Room for dessert? Try whatever the chef has on his tasting menu, you'll love it! P.S. Not convinced yet? This review is pretty thorough: alohaupdate.com/2010/11/…
(4)Steve D.
Rude & uniformed employees to start. If you want to spend $60 on a Johnny walker blue label, that's right $60 go somewhere else. Good food but you will enjoy Roy's or Imanas just as much for half the price & get this, their employees won't treat you like crap. Also you can't park anywhere close unless you pay. Morimoto must pay for articles in magazines because this place is so overrated. Normally I don't care but I will also tell everyone to stay away from this place.
(1)Faye M.
My BF surprised me by making Valentine's Day reservations for Morimoto, but I talked him into changing it to the day before Valentine's only because it's in Waikiki and we probably would have been caught in crazy traffic on V Day. Plus, with changing the day and time, I was able to rack 1000 Open Table points!! So from the time he told me we were going to eat there until the night of our reservations, I read all the reviews I could and was hoping that we would be one of the lucky ones and have a good experience. So we ate there Sunday - Feb 13th and it was a great experience! We arrived about 15 minutes early and didn't have to wait to be seated, and also asked to sit outside (the girls in the front were very friendly and nice, unlike some of the other yelper's experiences). It was a little cramped out there, but still a good use of the outside space. I already knew I wanted to get the Omakase, but was pleasantly surprised to find a special Valentine's Day Omakase menu! So I got that with the wine pairings, which was $75 more. My BF didn't want to get the Omakase, since he wanted to try different items - so he ordered the Takoyaki Balls, Clam Miso Soup, and not one, but TWO(!!) entrees: the Duck Duck Duck and the Lobster Epice. My Omakase was very good, I enjoyed every dish that arrived - but my favorite was the sushi! It was soo cute - one was a heart shaped salmon nigiri thing, another was a rose made out of sashimi, and there was an ika nigiri sushi that looked like a rabbit for the Chinese New Year! It also came with ebi nigiri and tomago - the tomago didn't have any rice though, but it was still good! My main course of the Omakase was Beef Wellington and it was soo delicious! There was a total of about 6 courses in the Omakase and I enjoyed all of them! The time in between courses was kind of off, but not so much so that I was getting irritated. My BF's choices were also very tasty - the Takoyaki Balls were hot and fresh; his Clam Miso Soup was a big bowl - and it was very delicious. The Duck Duck Duck was good - I had one of his spring rolls, and a bite of his roast duck which was moist! The Lobster Epice was roasted lobster with a spice rub - it was OK, on the dry side and I didn't really care for the spice rub - we both prefer our lobster to be steamed/boiled with just plain butter and garlic. All in all, it was a great night to spend with my Valentine - service was good - our waters were always filled and table wiped clean of any food and/or drops of water. Our waiter, Benjamin was friendly and didn't even bat an eye when my BF ordered his 2 entrees! He actually told me that he was proud of my BF - LOL!! On a side note - it is much more romantic to sit outside in the evening; not only because of the sunset and views, but the noise level is at a lower decibel. Inside would be more for a big party!
(4)Cyndy K.
By default I had to give Morimoto's a star. Otherwise it would be zero stars They were not interested in serving us. We weren't interested in waiting. Aloha.....
(1)Monthakan B.
Dont expect to see the Iron Chef himself just because it's his restaurant! But you can always expect good food and excellent customer service here, any day, any time! Went there for our Xmas dinner and it was awesome!!! The beef carpaccio and Gyoza with Bacon Foam was to die for!!! And dont let me get started on the Baked Oysters with Foie Gras..... Mmmmm, Yummo!!!!
(5)Joyce F.
For: carpaccio, the modern Against: price, some food, typical service Other essentials: Free parking back in the boat harbor. It's a nice walk and less than five minutes. More: My friend and I went on an appetizer date and ordered the wagyu and whitefish carpaccio. That and the octopus carpaccio all have the same sauce but we ordered the second (whitefish) because the wagyu was so incredibly amazing. All three are hot and, though I prefer cold, I would definitely order them again. It's steep (wagyu $22) but, seriously, so worth it. There was a (cold) lamb carpaccio on the online menu but when we asked about it they said they 86ed that a long time ago. Sad. We also ordered the morimoto sashimi which was beautiful but anticlimactic. The sauces did not add at all to the fish. The yellowtail pastrami was okay, mainly because I love sashimi. My friend said it was interesting - not good or bad. It definitely had an interesting flavor combination. Lastly, we ordered the xo diver scallops. The sauce was good but salty and, as scallop lovers, we were both very underwhelmed with the dish. I'll definitely go back but it will probably be strictly carpaccio. Service was typical, offering suggestions every time they asked if we were ready to order. It seemed very posed. We sat inside but the outdoor patio looks breezy and cozy at the same time. While seated, you could see into the kitchen which I like. I think it gives me a false sense of cleanliness.The sake looked good but we passed on alcohol this night. Afterwards we cruised poolside at the Modern on one of their beach chair beds. There was a bar if that's your style but we just enjoyed the night air and bottle-lit trees.
(3)Jane H.
I want to give this place a 3.5 stars, but I just couldn't round up for several reasons. Let's start with why this place is nice, and how it earned the stars I gave it. The decor is nice -- it matches the environment it is in with a cool, laid back feel with cool looking dishes and utensils to go with it. There is a nice outdoor area that faces the sea, and it is a beautiful view! I was lucky enough to get the best view, happened to come on a Friday, and was able to see the fireworks! The food looked great, and the plating was delightful to the eyes. I got the omakase and the most memorable dish was the first one of fish pate. Service was excellent, and the spirits choices were wonderful. What were the problems? Morimoto doesn't understand sushi. If you are going to put together an omakase, you are displaying your best stuff, and the sushi dish was terrible. The sushi was the worst part of the whole dish -- poorly seasoned rice, poorly carved fish. The surf and turf was good, but not up to par from what I would expect from an Iron Chef. I ended up packing the turf and giving it to a homeless fellow, and as we walked away, we wished we did the same to the sushi! During the fireworks, the staff allowed everyone to get up and walk to where they felt was the best view. Which meant our perfect spot was infiltrated and not only did our view get somewhat obscured, but people were getting in our space!!! Not cool -- tell people to stay away from other diners. Let's end with -- I wasn't all that impressed by Morimoto NYC either.
(3)Chad O.
HUMAN BEINGS ARE NOT AN ENDANGERED SPECIES; HOWEVER THIS IS NOT FOR A LACK OF TRYING ~Douglas Noel Adams ______________________________________________ The turn of the century was upon us, 1900s were coming to an end and so was civilization too. A programing bug would cause computer clocks to "WTF", planes to drop from the sky, cities would go dark, and electronics to blow up or die. Seinfeld was over, Kenny died in South Park, even Bill Clinton knew to get one last fling before it was all over, what was left for us? Y2k was here, your best bet was to stock up and bunker in for a nuclear winter. Is your can of coke Y2k compliant? No? Good! It will be worth more in 2000! Mean while we were in college, burning out our last years alive busy as a construction worker on Kapiolani Blvd at 2pm, enduring professors preaching typical Baby Boomer propaganda while Gen Xers & Yers got good at keeping their mouth shut while non-verbally sub-communicating exactly where you could shove it. The Mayan calendar is going to end, and maybe the world will too.... again. Itty Bitty Money (IBM) is no longer here to screw it up, but that doesn't mean we have a loss for contenders. Where would you be for your last meal? I want a pleasant place, where a T-shirt drone can always show me to my 2nd choice of tables I'd choose. Who no longer needs my validation or my tip, but will still blow smoke up my ass if I treat them like a human being while being able to recite the 3 B's of the Hawaii Food Service Hospitality Industry (Buckets of Baffling Bullshit) when I ask, What's... In... This...? Someplace where I can take a date, and when she stares off, a fixed gaze on some far off point and I suspect she stopped trying to participate in reality and I can't really blame her. I can attribute it to an it-was-that-good-post-food-coma and NOT me boring her to death again, with sarcastic self-important syndrome anecdotes of the end of the world. Always order the lamb meat lovers. If you spend any amount of time flexing in the mirror and kissing your bicep, can't go wrong with Ahi Sashimi Ceasar Salad. Thinking of dessert? Anything with chocolate here is fabulous! And get more than one, with all of them saying Happy Birthday with your name on it whether it's your bday or not, oh and special celebration days here are a must, so why not the last day? Who's with me? ~Self Deluded Prophet The Pinky to your Brain
(4)Lucy M.
Even if the food weren't that good I'd still come back. The restaurant is beautiful and gorgeous. The people are super friendly and professional. The presentation of the food are like a piece of artwork. The location is awesome, right in the heart of the Modern Honolulu (Love this Hotel!!) by the harbor. It just feels special to be here. So the food....was amazing!!!! which makes the experience worth every penny well spent. The wagyu steak ($60) is a bit pricey but so delicious! The nigiris were pretty pricey as well which only came out as one piece instead of pairs but were amazing! The Sake that we had came out beautifully decorated and tasted good. We ordered the trio homemade ice cream for dessert and is a must have after a rich and delicious meal. The Morimoto in Napa compared was good and way busier but Morimoto Waikiki offered a better vibe and true aloha experience. :)
(5)Anna F.
My friends said this place was good so I came here with high expectations. You know what, I didn't like it. I was impressed with the presentation of the food but the taste wasn't great. I ordered a few appetizers, a sushi roll, a few entrees, and a few desserts. Out of all the items my friends and I ordered, the only thing that blew me away was the chocolate peanut bombe dessert. If I had to come back here, I would just come for that dessert. The interior of the restaurant is very modern. The clear tables were cool. My table was outside on the deck next to the entrance of the Edition Hotel pool. Uh yeah, not a very good spot, the only view we got was the bushes. I think a table overlooking the marina would have been much better. For those who haven't tried this place yet, I say just come give it a shot. Maybe I didn't order the right items so I was disappointed. But this is a restaurant owned by an iron chef and I'd day it's a pretty big deal. Just remember to finish your meal off with the chocolate peanut bombe.
(3)Jennie K.
I tried Morimoto for the first time in NYC and I was pretty disappointed. Masaharu Morimoto is one of my favorite chefs, so I decided to give his restaurant another try. He definitely changed my mind. The restaurant in Waikiki is absolutely beautiful. The decor is very modern, clean and white. The staff was extemely knowledgeable and helpful. The food was great! Definitely was not disappointed this time around. My friend and I ordered the toro tartare, king crab tobanyaki (which was my absolute favorite), wagyu carpaccio, yellowtail "pastrami" (this was my least favorite), oysters, and green tea meringue. All of the food was absolutely delicious. The prices are high but that's to be expected. Enjoy yourself, indulge and spend some money. If you want to be cheap do not go here. I will definitely be going here again!
(5)Janet K.
I remember watching Iron Chef Morimoto on the original Japanese Iron Chef show. He was always my favorite Iron Chef... back then, and even on the new Iron Chef America show. That's why I was extremely surprised and severely disappointed when I had a below mediocre experience at his namesake restaurant in Waikiki. I hated the lobster dish. I forced myself to eat it since it was like a $50 entree. The Kurobota pork was tasty and tender and the sushi was okay. The dessert we ordered was CRAP. It had no flavor... similar to eating sponge. The server we had sucked, but the bussers were super attentive. To top everything off, We had 5pm reservations so we could make it to the 730pm Bruno Mars concert on time and they didn't seat us until 520pm! We were the first ones there and they sat a group of girls before us! Don't say you're open at 5pm if you're not! I could have wasted $300 somewhere else. Never again!
(2)Kris M.
Stopped in to check out The Modern and had a drink at the bar. The vibe does not sync with the look. Drinks were okay.
(3)Naomi G.
Amazing service with outstanding food. Great team work between hostess' and servers! If you need a refill on a drink or need dishes to be taken away, any available server will take care of it, not just your designated server. Kai and Ayumi were great! Definitely recommend the wagyu carpaccio, rock shrimp and spicy tuna roll as appetizers and peanut butter bombe for dessert. Cucumber shiso cocktail was my favorite! We were very lucky to meet Chef Morimoto and experience his cuisine, we will be back for sure!
(5)Shayna K.
You MUST get the tuna pizza. Sounds weird, I know, but trust me, it's the most innovative, labor-intensive specialty item on the menu. It is a taste sensation. Other than that, we've been only semi-impressed by our menu selections. Maybe the fault is with the selector...you can be the judge. Here's what I've tried so far: 1. Loco-moto: probably one of the most economically filling items, but, as my husband puts it, it gets kind of monotonous after a few bites. 2. Unagi hot pot: Yummers, but not if you've already eaten some sushi. Then it's just like a messed up sushi. But I like the crusty rice. 3. Ahi Caesar Salad: if 5 leaves of Romaine will fill you, along with some quality ahi, then this is your meal! I loved it, but then I wasn't too hungry. 4. One of the sushi rolls...can't remember exactly which one, but I'll assume they are the same: nothing special. You could be at Yanagi, California Rockin Sushi or Gyotaku and get the same for less. But don't get me wrong, I'd go back. I'd just order differently. No to the sushi (should've listened to our server who said it's just sushi. He was right!). The hotel itself is ubercool, the ambiance is wonderful, and the service is great. I love the outdoor seating area. LOVE, love. Inside is a little to noisy for me. The firepits, sky, and front row seats to the Friday night fireworks show cannot be beat!
(3)Ben S.
There are two things that make life worth living: incredible Asian-fusion food and cucumber vodka drinks. If you're in or around Waikiki and not staying at The Modern Honolulu, you can at least partially redeem yourself by making a reservation at their world famous restaurant where your life will finally be fulfilled. I was originally a part of a party of 16 and had no issue getting a reservation. Nice afternoon weather led to happy hour which led to our party decreasing to about 9 people. With a simple call ahead there was no issue changing our reservation last minute! When you first walk into the restaurant, you'll be taken aback by the beautifully modern and tropically Asian design. Not to mention the eye-candy employees that are actually friendly and have personalities! Our table was prepared along the back wall of the open dining room under some pretty sick hanging coral art. Because we had a larger group, we asked for separate checks and our request was granted without the judgement and disdain that usually accompanies this procedure. For appetizers, I got the oysters. While they were pretty good, I have been spoiled by the monstrosities that come from the east coast so these tiny little guys were kind of disappointing. Most of the group got sushi rolls which were quick, fresh, and surprisingly affordable. We also got two orders of lamb and holy sweet baby Jesus! Melt in your mouth, take the bone home with you to gnaw on later amazing. The best drink on the menu is the M-tini. Cucumbers and vodka. That's all that matters. Total bill, tip and tax included, for two people? $80. Seriously, this should have been double the price considering the quality of food and service. If you only have time for one meal in Hawaii (bathing suits don't look good on everyone, people!) this is your place!
(4)Madoka P.
The desserts are amazing!! And the service was fantastic. Everyone was so friendly! We couldn't get last minute reservations so we had pupus downstairs at The Study before heading over here for... DESSERTS! We got the Chocolate Peanut Bombe, Haupia Semifreddo and Molten Lava Cake. All were delicious!! I will have to come back for the food. Only thing I didn't like was the volume of the place. It was so loud I felt like I had to yell across the table. Otherwise, it was awesome.
(4)Gina L.
I had been dying to try this place, and what better time than on a beautiful vacation to Hawaii? I would give this place 5 stars alone on ambience. Gorgeous interior and patio area. It's located in the new Edition Hotel -- very modern and swanky. We were seated on the patio located by the harbor, where the weather was absolutely perfect and the sunset was breathtaking. I already knew exactly what I wanted: the Omakase tasting. Beautiful and unique presentations, but what did I expect, after seeing Morimoto on Iron Chef America. (I'll try to remember each course as accurately as possible, as I dined here about 3 weeks ago.) We started with the Toro and Hamachi tartare, served with multiple condiments that all complimented the fish in a delicious way. Next, was enlightened Kanpachi sashimi, and probably my favorite course of the dinner. SO delicate and fresh, with the perfect amount of marinade, garnishes, etc. There were only three pieces, but I guess that's what keeps you wanting more. The next dish was the most unique of all. It was Morimoto's version of "fondue." The dip was a mix of anchovies, garlic, maybe olive oil... and probably more ingredients that I can't recall (tasted great). This fondue was served with a variety of fresh vegetables as well as other interesting bites. An extremely fun way of dining, not to mention an even more delicious way of eating your veggies! Next up was the Chawanmushi. I was thrilled about this course because of the foie gras in the middle. The custard was AMAZING, absolutely amazing. However, I was slightly let down by the foie gras, as it wasn't as delicate and buttery as I usually like it. Then again, I've only ever had foie gras prepared with French techniques. I was still blown away by the custard, nonetheless. Nigiri came next, consisting of maguro, unagi, and I THINK sake and hamachi. As fresh as could be. We enjoyed the kelp tea afterwards, which I believe was the palate cleanser. It's really an odd drink, but delicious. Nothing like I've tasted before, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. For the main course, we were served a hearty plate of lobster, filet mignon, and pork medallions. The lobster was accompanied by this lemony sour cream sauce, to DIE for. I would dip anything in that. The beef and pork were unfortunately a little on the salty side for me, so I was disappoined by that. Dessert was good, but I'm not much of a dessert person. I remember a potato ice cream? Interesting, but it worked! Overall, a beautiful experience. I definitely recommend doing the Omakase as it's chef's choice, so you never know what's next, but you can expect to enjoy it!
(4)Vira P.
Everything in Morimoto's restaurant was simple and clean-from the decor to their menu. Service was top notch! It's pricey, so save up so you can treat yourself!
(5)Tina M.
The ambiance is really nice. Menu is pricey but the food is delish. My favorite spot is to sit outside by the heat warmers and fire pit and have a martini while watching the sun set. Love the tofu and vegetable tempura.
(3)Michael M.
We had an amazing rehearsal dinner for my son on Thursday night. There were 19 of us and the service, ambiance, food and drinks all exceeded our expectations. Rachel had our table completely set up with our centerpiece, flowers, decor and gifts. We were able to use the seating area next to our table for cocktails and then were seated at the beautiful table for dinner. Our four course dinner was served family style and was served and cleared seamlessly. There was an abundance of food and much oohing and aahing from our guest. Their attentive service and caring attitude enhanced our evening and left wonderful memories for all who attended this special evening. It truly was an celebration of love and we thank the entire staff for the wonderful service.
(5)Eva Y.
Surprised that this place was disappointing to me. With all the hype and all, the sashimi appetizer was meh (while the waiter drops the sauce tube on the floor, picks it back up, and places it back on our plate). The fried fish was dry and the ma po tofu was not worth the money and the lack of flavor. The scallop in the dashi soup was over-cooked.... and dashi soup was way too sweet. The nigiri was only the best thing there.
(2)Cin T.
We dined here on the 2nd official opening day. Service wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. Luckily we ordered appetizers and entrees because the folks that ordered the Omakase (7-8 courses) were waiting forever for their food. Some as long as 4.5hrs. It was Chef Morimoto's last night in Honolulu, overheard that he was flying back home the next day. Glad we decided to brave the "new restaurant hiccups" or else we wouldn't have met him. He walked around to greet people and take pictures. Halfway through our service, he came over to our table again to see how we were doing. AWESOME! media4.px.yelpcdn.com/ph… yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Chef Morimoto has his own line of beers and sake. They had a huge barrel of his Morimoto Gingo Sake front and center on the dining floor. Everyone was able to sample some. It was really good! It has a nice subtle pear aroma and a sweet fruit finish, I wanted more. //www.yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDbsTS6VnWCHVJJHmEFPw?Âselect=n1N3YcYO55QkSyos0OLabg yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Got the Morimotini b/c it has Gingo Sake in it. The sake paired with Rain Organics Vodka worked really well. It was so smooth and tasty! yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Abalone Takoyaki $15: Pillowy, cheesy ball of goodness! We asked what sort of cheese it was but our server said she didn't know. The tako and Big Island Abalone pieces was a little chewy, but still a tasty dish. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Oyster Foie Gras $20: Two of my favorite things in one delicious bite. It's meant to be eaten as a shooter. The type of oysters vary with avail. We got Miyagi oysters that night. The Hudson Valley Foie Gras was so velvety smooth. It was seared and topped off with Kabayaki sauce (sweet soy/mirin unagi sauce). My only complaint with the dish is the kabayaki sauce, it was a little too sweet and overpowering against the delicate flavors of the oysters and foie. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Pork Gyozas w/Hamakua Tomato Sauce $15: Our server mentioned that its made with pork belly. The filling was very meaty and not at all fatty or grisly. The gyozas arrived hidden under a shell that's made from a mixture of bacon foam, corn starch and potato starch. It tasted a like crispy cheese but we were told that there wasn't any cheese used at all. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Wagyu Beef Tartare $19: Served with a cauliflower salad and cauliflower flan. The beef was mixed with sesame seed oil and yuzu soy and topped w/chopped ginger and tomatoes. The yuzu soy tasted a lot like the Kabayaki sauce that was in our oyster shooter. I prefer my tartare to be more on the savory side, it was a bit too sweet. Some crackers or toast points would've helped too. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… The cauliflower salad seemed like an afterthought, I don't even know why it was there. Drizzled with grape seed oil, this salad was flavorless. All I could taste was celery in every bite....I hate celery. The cauliflower flan was cooked perfectly and I loved the hidden egg yolk inside. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… My Lobster Epice w/Lemon Creme Fraiche ($47) was the disappointing part of the night. Everyone knows how much I LOVE lobster, but this dish was rough. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Everything was heavily coated in garam masala and oversalted, even the chanterelle mushrooms, asparagus and cauliflower. The cumin was overwhelming. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ga… The chilled kona lobster had very little meat and the tamale was scarce. I'm not asking for the 2lb beasts that Ruth's Chris serves, but for $47 I want to see more. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Oxtail Soup $14: Min seemed satisfied with his entree. It's served with a cilantro, chili sauce and fried rice. He mentioned the meat was really tender. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Chicken Noodle Soup $14: Neil wanted something light and opted for this entree b/c he craved udon noodles. The "udon" seemed more like thick ramen noodles. But the broth was tasty and I thought the noodles were cooked perfectly. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb…
(3)Amy M.
They ran out of the appetizer and main course I wanted. While disappointing, I could overlook this. (Though it would be nice if they told you before you looked at the menu.) Another person in our party ordered the filet, only to be told after placing order they ran out of that too. We mentioned these disappointments to the manager. She brushed it off as a busy season. We all ordered the Chocolate Peanut Bomb, which comes with salted peanut ice cream. THAT was substituted with vanilla ice cream, which we only learned once they brought out the desserts. When asked, the manager informed us it's now vanilla. One of the wait staff told us that they run out of items regularly, including that ice cream. This was a really disappointing experience. I was so taken with trying Morimoto food that I overlooked the multiple 1 and 2 star ratings on Yelp, a huge red flag.
(1)Lena Z.
I will start off with saying the atmosphere is nice and the view is great. But I will not go into much detail because this place isn't worth my time. First off, the hostess mistakenly gave us a four top table when we had five in our party. We had to awkwardly walk back to the bar and wait. The food is overrated and EASILY topped by much cheaper restaurants around town. For example, the tofu here cannot top Shokudo's homemade tofu for half the price. For $5, you can get a much better chicken ramen soup at Kohnotori. As for the California roll, I think Kozo Sushi has much better ones. The soft shell crab roll tasted bland and not fresh. The tempura soft shell crab tasted like anything fried thats been sitting for awhile if you know what I mean. Overall, the food here is just mediocre and I would not come here again. The service is good although the staff appears a bit untrained and not in sync with each other. This place is hype! Try not to get sucked in with the masses.
(2)Doris D.
After a lackluster lunch, I decided to try Morimoto's dinner service to see if it's the real deal. While it's definitely not the best food I've ever had in the U.S. (that honor goes to fine dining in nyc), I was impressed by the caliber of presentation. The presentation was definitely of fine dining quality. The food was hit or miss, unfortunately. Full disclosure, my boss treated us to this meal so I'm judging this meal purely based on quality of the food and service. I wouldn't venture to figure out how much was spent, but I think the bill was quite hefty. If I had to pay my own way, my critique would be much more harsh. Beef tartare - Very nice presentation, they tell you to pop the egg yolk and drag it across the meat. Taste was nothing special. Tempura calamari salad - Good, lots of greens. Again, nothing particular to note. Morimoto style poke - Nice attempt but the local stuff is much more tasty. Morimoto smoked sashimi - Wow factor was in the presentation, taste of the fish was quite underwhelming. They make a big deal of the five sauces, contained in these little test tube things, and you squeeze them on the fish, a mishmash of fishes into a roll. I was disappointed that the sauces did not bring out the fish but rather, the sauces were distracting. Foie gras chawan mushi - Others were turned off but I really liked this one. Never had it this way and the flavor was really deep and complex. Not for everybody though. Yose dofu - Tableside presentation was key. They make a big deal out of bringing this clay pot of liquid. They open up the lid and pour a concoction that's suppose to activate the liquid and turn it into tofu. Wait 15 minutes. Waiter comes back and opens the lid. Voila, silky tofu. Kakuni - pork belly congee - Very good. It's a very tiny portion which is expected. High quality throughout. Lovely cut of meat. Peasant food turned upside down. Chef's loco moto - Another bit of peasant food with an upscale twist. My coworker cleaned up his plate. Seafood toban yaki - My main entree. What was really impressive was, finally, the food. Every bit of seafood was cooked perfectly, including the star lobster tail. The broth itself was disarmingly spicy, though, but perfect with the seafood. Braised black cod - Very nice fish, cooked perfectly. Chocolate peanut bombe - The peanut ice cream was good. Tofu hot cold - The cheesecake and souffle were incredibly light, kudos to the pastry chef. Haupia semifreddo - Another gem. The matcha meringue was very clever. Overall a nice experience. Given that this sort of restaurant is rare in Hawaii, I was not surprised this celebrity chef restaurant garnered a lot of hype. Does it live up to the hype? I'm not entirely convinced. It does offer a different experience (is anybody else sick of hearing about Alan Wong's and Roy's?) As others have noted, the interior is cafeteria style and there's an open kitchen. Not a fan of the open kitchen and ambient noise, which at times was really loud. I was practically shouting throughout the dinner service so my dinner companions can hear me from across the largish tables. I would say MW is a solid place to impress someone. The pastry chef is extremely talented. My toban yaki and the black cod were excellent. The pork belly runs sweet, per mainland style of Asian cooking. However, the food (especially the appetizers) is a bit inconsistent and at times disappointing. I would go knowing what to avoid.
(4)Pack C.
well, he is the iron chef.. what can i really say.. First of all, there seems to be a wide range of dishes from ok to great. Your experience pretty much depends on what you ordered. My 2nd recommendation would be try a lot of appetizers here and just order 1 entree to share (assuming dinner for 2). Yellowtail Tartare. The side made it fun & surprise to eat. Next time i would order Toro though. We ordered Yellowtail 'coz it is slightly cheaper. However, once had it, i think it would taste better if there is more fat in the fish Sashimi: so gooood.. i hesitated about this one at first as it's all raw fish what Morimoto can really do to make it different. He did actually. He actually has different kinds of fish in one bite with very creative sauces. It was the must have dish foie gras: i can't remember its full name but it was one of the best & surprising dish. it looked really simple but it just melted in my mouth. Bouillabaise: seafood soup: tons of fresh seafood. i drank every single drop of the soup. it was a highlight of my meal Fish with black soy sauce: it was ok. it was too sweet to be good by itself. Overall, we love the experience. Morimoto is such a great, creative chef that you can really see it in his food. All the flavors are well balanced, no over-powering taste. I strongly recommend it
(5)janey T.
I was expecting phenomenal but was sadly disappointed. Kakuni- braised pork belly on congee - amazing Spicy king crab - too much sauce. Fried fish was ok. Fish in hot pot was good. Drinks were good. Service was good but our waiter seemed pushy and bored. Not very friendly and was not giving us a good vibe. It was super pricey and it was an absolute disappointment. There are much better places to eat at 1/3 of the cost.
(2)Kyle H.
I made it back for dinner and got to enjoy the romantic fire pits, plush white couches, candles and gauzy white curtains... If you didn't already know, I'll throw in a star or two if I love the place for it's ambiance and though each dish individually didn't leave me panting, I want to go here again and again for the experience. Also, if you think i'm overkill with the pics, here's another tidbit about me I know you really care about - I love being able to see what the food looks like before I order or knowing what to expect when the food comes out so the some of the schmancy descriptions on the menu using terms I can't pronounce is a little frustrating. So if you don't mind, I took a pic of everything we ordered and the captions are the title, description and price straight off of the iron chef's menu...I know, anal but whatever. Now you know why I still go to gyotaku even though their food sucks, I love me a menu with pictures! I think this is similar to my magazine habit, just look at the pictures and captions. I don't read the articles. I think i'd be in playboy's readership category. Oh, yeah...foood. Ok, moving on: Everything we ordered was shared family-style... Appetizers began with the tempura rock shrimp... This was the best dish of the night. I could have eaten this whole thing myself. Since it's the holiday season and I'd like to be on Santa's good list, I was a nice girl and shared. It was like light crispy buffalo shrimp, cooked perfectly with light breading tossed in the sauces then dipped into the coconut ranch, this was truly delicious. Please order it! yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… The other appetizers, poke was okay, nothing wowed me here except they were meticulous enough to skin the cherry tomatoes and the fish was cut in nice big chunks yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… The king crab was so highly recommended by our server, and when it came to the table, I'll admit it looked really impressive - the color from the red spice and tobiko was vibrant against the stark white dish (those BK fries came with it too so I was THRILLED about that of course) but it was a hard and messy app for sharing and was super salty! yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… The entrees we chose were the ishi yaki buri bop, the loco moto, rack of lamb and the whole crispy fish... I was so excited abou the ishi kayi (hamachi bi bimbap) but the hamachi was super-fishy tasting! I wouldn't get this again. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Now I WOULD get the chef's loco moto! I would've licked the plate if I was in another setting. There was very little wagyu but the gravy and rice, COMFORT FOOD at its' BEST! yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Lamb wasn't a rack, more like 3 little bones and the spam maki that came with it barely even had any spam. The lamb was delicious though! yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… I also loved the presentation of the cripy whole fish and in my mind, there is (almost) no way to go wrong with fried food. My only gripe was the mabo-tofu-like sauce wasn't very flavorful. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… The desserts were good, Thanks for the beautiful Happy Birthday art on the chocolate banana one but how come Chad's O's one had his name on it? I'm J. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… You know what's a great bonus? I told the waiter I didn't like my drinks too sweet and I guess they're still experimenting with their drink menu so I couldn't find the savory cucumber one I enjoyed so much last time I was here (bring it back!), he recommended the Pikake blossom. I told him it was good but too sweet, could I order an extra shot of vodka to pour in? He came back with a martini glass full of vodka! No joke: yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… SWEET! Makes me feel like they already know me! I'm your fan for life now!
(4)Yuree N.
I just had dinner here tonight with my family and I have to say I was impressed. I came in here without any real expectations (even though he's the iron chef and all), but I came out pretty satisfied. Decor/Ambiance: This place makes me miss LA SO MUCH. The decor was pretty trendy and definitely what you'd see in any LA restaurant of a similar type. I really liked that the lighting in the place was pretty bright and not that dim yellow lighting in other fancy shmancy restaurants. I'm still really confused as to what kind of restaurant this is. People were dressed in all types of attire: from aloha shirts and shorts, to tops with jeans, to girls in fancy dresses and guys wearing blazers, but no one really looked out of place regardless of what they were wearing. There was also a good number of tables here with kids so I'm thinking it can't be that fancy of a restaurant, although by looking at their menu prices alone you'd think they were. Food: YUM. I guess Morimoto is the Iron Chef for good reason. For appetizers we got: spicy crab, kakuni (recommended!), and tempura calamari salad. For entrees we got: Duck duck duck, crispy whole fish, some kind of pork dish (sorry, can't remember), and the angry chicken. If I had to tell you to get one thing, I would recommend the crispy whole fish. They deep fry the fish so you can eat EVERY part of it, even the bones (which actually taste like bacon!). And for all you chicken lovers, I'd order the angry chicken with caution because ours was pretty dry. Drinks: I got the Green Flash Martini, which had gin, Midori, and some other things. $10, pretty good. I wanted to try their 5 year aged sake but felt guilty about ordering a 3 oz glass for $19. One day! Service: Very, very good. The wait staff and bussers are very well-trained. And the manager is always there to address any concerns. Just the kind of service I'd expect to get with the price of this place. Price: Wheeeeeew, there's a reason why I came here with my family and that's because I'm a starving student who can't afford such luxuries without mommy and daddy. :) The bill came out to be almost $300 for 4 entrees, 2 appetizers, 1 salad, 2 sides, and 1 drink. If I had to compare the price to another restaurant, I'd say it's pretty similar to Roy's, but not as expensive as Alan Wong's or Nobu.
(4)Deborah K.
Everything I ate was absolutely delicious. The whitefish in yuzu appetizer was a standout. Opakapaka was sublime. Black cod was outstanding if a bit sweet. Pricey, but comparable with other high end restaurants and better than the competition. Great service. Ok wine list by the glass. Beautiful view and location. We stayed at the Modern Honolulu so this was just perfect.
(5)Kyle E.
Morimoto gave me one of the most unique dining experiences that I have ever had. Of the 11 or 12 things that my group ordered, almost everything was completely unique to the restaurant. The only thing that was nothing special was the spicy tuna roll, which was the same as any other place. However, everything else more than made up for this. The service was excellent, and the waiters were constantly keeping a watchful eye on us, ready to clear plates or fill up waters. I highly recommend all three of our appetizers, which were the tartar, tempura prawns, and gyoza. The tartar had various interesting toppings to go with it and the prawns were some of the best I had ever had. However, the gyoza was really something to try. It's filled with pork and has a "bacon foam" that was very cool. Again, I highly recommend it. My entree was the crispy whole fish, which was very good. The fish was buttery and melted in my mouth, and the spicy tofu sauce was a great compliment to it. The others got "duck, duck, duck", seared cod, and the buri bop, which were all good. For dessert, we had the haupia semifreddo and molten lava cake. The cake was great and went well with the red wine ice cream that it came with. With the modern interior and innovative dishes, Morimoto is definitely a top dining experience.
(5)Jeanette S.
I would probably have my last meal on Earth here. I shared the Chef Special and added on several other dishes with a friend, and I loved everything! I couldn't think of anything bad about any of the dishes I ate. The Chef Special, at $110, is extremely worth the price because it's a 9 course meal that turns out to be less than $15/course. I'm not exactly sure what everything is called, but this is the best I could remember everything by: 1. toro and hamachi tartare duo: this was really interesting because they presented it on this wooden plate where you have to shovel out your tartare 2. hot oil-seared sashimi kampachi with soy and yuzu: super yummy and tender and all the flavors eaten together made it really good 3. bagna cauda: dip the vegetables in the heated combination of olive oil, anchovy and garlic 4. pork shoulder: this was my favorite, but too bad I don't remember how they called it 5. this egg-ey soup tasted like those Japanese egg custard soups 6. a very fresh broth/soupey tea as a palate cleanser 7. an assortment of fresh nigiri sushi 8. the entree: Surf and Turf (Wagyu filet, lobster and ginger pork) 8.5. a complimentary dessert: panna cotta, soy milk and kuromitsu gelee 9. kabocha souflee: tasted a little like taro ice cream with custard Overall, I really enjoyed my dining experience here! The waiter was a bit slow, but was extremely patient as he explained everything a gazillion times. And the best part was, my friends and I got to see Chef Morimoto himself and shake his hand! :)
(5)Hon H.
Had a fab lunch, started with the pork gyoza yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… which had a wonderful bacon foam surrounding it. Also the tuna pizza was perfect. For the main entree I chose chefs loco moto, yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… the gravy was seasoned perfectly and went well with the wagging beef. Overall the service is slow but the waitress was very skilled and made sure we had a wonderful time.
(5)Mark M.
Today's lunch was supposed to be an event to remember. I've watched this Iron Chef on tv for years. I was amazed how he could create such inspired dishes on such a short amount of time every episode. I swore that if I could ever taste anything he had a hand in, I would. My girlfriend and I got ready this morning to do the touristy thing at the Edition Hotel in Waikiki. It's a nice place, it really is. Very NY like in style and furnishings. Unfortunately the only blemish to this hotel is this restaurant. I made reservations earlier in the week on Open Table. I've been looking forward to this meal ever since I heard that my favorite Iron Chef was building a restaurant in Hawaii. We entered the restaurant and we were 'greeted' by a snobby hostess who didn't really hear me too well. I repeated my name and then she showed us to our table. She never smiled at all. In fact, no one was smiling except for one female server. It sort of seemed like the staff didn't even want to be there. If they didn't want to be there, why the hell would I? We were seated across each other at a table for two and we had a pretty good sized table between us. We like to sit next to each other in restaurants so we can hear each other talk and so we can just be a little closer to each other. We were served water and that's when I noticed that the restaurant itself is very appealing in the aesthetics department. Every thing so looked so fresh, so clean, and very original. I also noticed an empty table meant for four so I asked our waiter if we could be seated there instead. Ten minutes went by and he didn't return to us. I saw him asking the hostess about our table and then I saw him walk over to tables to take orders, pour iced tea, and hand out menus. He didn't return to tell us we could or could not move. No hostess came over to us at all to inform us of our situation. The restaurant wasn't very busy today at all. There were maybe 15 or 20 other patrons in sight and a lot of open tables. If they were reserved, then that's fine. Come back and let us know at least. This restaurant was incredibly pricey and new. I would like to think that the service here would be a lot better, especially for a restaurant with an Iron Chef's name on it. If I wanted shitty service I could have taken my girlfriend to eat chicken nuggets an call it a day. No, this was supposed to make memories, and unfortunately, it did. Negative memories. I can honestly say that I have NEVER walked out of a restaurant in my entire life. One thing my father taught me is that there is a first time for everything. I just wish this time didn't have to be today and at this restaurant. I will eventually give this place another shot. Perhaps dinner on a Saturday or something. A time when they don't have their "D" crew running the show. There was simply no excuse for what happened today.
(1)Ginger O.
What can I say....this place is awesome! We have been there several times and each time the food is amazing. My husband usually gets one of the sets which has several different bites (like salad,sushi, sashimi, tempura. I have had pork belly, loco moco, and one of my favorites is the BEST chicken Ramen. We usually get a table outside overlooking the marina but if you like sitting at the sushi bar, it is beautiful.
(5)Juan P.
Oh, the price, the hostile price theme... Food is good but not great, but to be fair I guess it had to do with the overall experience. I was expecting to be seated inside, where the cool and the hip collide, but regretfully ended up outside in a rim table. Some things were really excellent, others were just OK. Maybe have to try it again. Or maybe not?
(3)Alyssa K.
Amazing decor, food, service, and hello - up to 1000 Open table dining points! I highly suggest you download open table on your iphone to make reservations so you can take advantage of the points. Eat here twice during bonus hours and you'll get a $20 Open Table certificate. How awesome. Anyways, on to the review.... Came here for lunch with my husband after a week of many happenings. I was in the mood to treat myself and was glad I chose Morimoto's. I ordered the kakuni bento and he got the lobster sandwich. I loved the kakuni bento. The pork belly was cut up into small chunks so it didn't taste so fatty. Very tasty. I'm not a big fan of lobster but the hubs said it was great. For dessert we ordered the tofu cheese cake. It was seriously delicious. I've tried making it before and Morimoto's put my version into its death bed. I think Morimoto uses both tofu and cheese in his version. It's so light, fluffy and delicious. We also go the peanut butter chocolate dessert. That was good too, but we preferred the tofu cheesecake. We will be back for sure.
(5)Zoe B.
It's a great experience, we had a part of 4 yesterday, we ordered oyster foie gras (hot appetizer), takoyaki(abalone hot appetizer), loco moco, udon, and 2 orders of duck duck duck. They were all delicious and we are very fulfilled. We are so happy to make the right choice. And the best is that we got to see Chef Morimoto! We took a picture with him too, making this meal even more valuable. We would go back again to try some other items in the future. I told Chef Morimoto that the food was really good, and he replied me saying "I know" with a very confident tone.
(4)Elaine D.
Now I don't mind paying for an expensive dinner provided that the food, service and ambiance was worth it. With that said, I was extremely disappointed with my dinner experience at Morimoto's. $70 for subpar food with subpar service in an ultra chic setting. Let's break it down. The Setting/Ambiance: clean lines, minimalist very reminiscent of an LA restaurant. The restaurant looks great but that's where you stop being impressed. The Food: I had the Kakuni (pork belly over congee) for an appetizer, the Morimotini and the duck,duck, duck for my entree with a side of bok choy. The pork belly was good but nothing to rave about. The drink was good and strong. The duck was the most disappointing dish I've ever eaten. It is duck done three ways and only two of the three were edible. The seared duck breast was ok though it could've used a little bit more flavor. Duck confit spring roll was good but then again how can you mess up a spring roll. Lastly, the duck meatball soup lacked the duck meatball and the soup had absolutely no flavor to it. It was a flavorless broth and a sorry excuse for a soup. The Service: was appalling! They looked like they had more than enough people running around and yet our own server was MIA for most of the meal! The food took way too long to come out. There was a void in between the appetizer and the entrees. The server barely checked in on our group to make sure our drinks were filled and since he was MIA we couldn't even flag him down when we wanted our check! This is not fine dining folks. Go there for the scene and the drinks, but don't expect the food to stimulate your taste buds.
(1)Min K.
I'm so backlogged with work Yelp took a backseat this month! I went with several friends to celebrate my contract approval for people whose occupations are based off of contracts. DELICIOUS is how I can describe it. Morimoto Waikiki is located in the uber modern and and stylish Edition Hotel. The lobby is chic and very European. I personally LOVED the restroom; when I buy my apartment the first renovation is the restroom. After a miserable failed attempt on a Saturday, we went on the grand opening, the 28th. Thank god for Opentable and reservations because it was PACKED! We first started at the bar, had several drinks, then moved onto our table where you meet all your friends and acquaintances! Olivia D, Tiffany from Fresh Cafe, Russ and Karla my favorite UYE host and hostess, and if I forgot you, I'm sorry, but the star was Morimoto-san! Woohoo for the Iron Chef! We got a meet and greet, and I even got a personal recommendation for my entrée, order the most expensive thing! But before the entrée comes along were the appetizers and free sake! Because it was the grand opening, there was a HUGE vat of sake. Everyone got a tasting and of course I was giddy for the sake. It really didn't do much for me; probably because we've been drinking since 5:00. The appetizers were ordered by Cin T while I went to MY restroom. The oyster Foie Gras, delicious. Although like Cin T said, the Kabayaki sauce was very overpowering. I would have preferred it sans sauce to really be able to taste the fresh oyster flavor and the livery taste of the Foie Gras. The gyoza was delicious, although I was scared looking at a very thin film engulfing the gyoza. But according to our server, it was a bacon film. The takoyaki was delicious! Reading Cin T's review, I had no idea it was abalone! The tartare, hmm, reminded me very much of the Korean yuk-hae but sweeter. I personally liked it. And the thinly sliced and fried lotus roots sprinkled with black sesame seeds were like popcorn! Btw if you guys want your hair to shine eat black sesame seeds! Sadly, being the fat lard I am ordered two entrée's. Yes, I know, two. I had the oxtail soup which oddly had the flavor profile of pho. Maybe it was cilantro, but it was so good I could have eaten another bowl of that. It came with garlic fried rice, cilantro, and the shoyu sauce where they grate fresh wasabi! Olivia D, mine was hot if it makes you feel better! Finally, my star entree recommended by the Iron Chef himself for me! I loved the lamb! Tender, medium rare, and seasoned perfectly, it was everything I could have asked for. And no need for mint jelly! Delicious, highly recommended, and what a lovely restaurant. I loved the simple modern decor and the color scheme of white. Make sure you don't have any other plans because we were there for about two hours. Btw, if you have the server Lisa, supposedly her name is "Michelle".
(5)Jade N.
29th Bday dinner with Mr. Nguyen. Morimoto is located in the New Edition Hotel in Waikiki. We ordered the "Chef's Choice" which was a nine course meal. price was very nice but worth it...Wowee it was delish! All of it. (view my pixies) the staff was awesome. very attentive to your needs and always made sure that we were comfortable. we sat outside which had a very gorgeous view of the harbor. the decor and ambiance definitely made you feel that you were in bliss. it's modern, clean, gorgeous style sets the mood for sure. to top it off...back to valet...the valet guy thanks us and addresses toney by his name... "Good night Mr. Nguyen (pronounced "win") " He pronounced it correctly too. wow. a must go/must try for sure!!!!
(5)Grimeater A.
I was filled with extremely high expectations since Iron Chef Morimoto has been my favorite Iron Chef throughout the Japanese and American TV series. I definitely was not disappointed! For appetizers I had the Morimoto Sashimi, Pork Gyoza and assorted Nigiri. The Morimoto Sashimi platter was different from any Sashimi platter I've ever had. It was six stacked peices of salmon, maguro, hamachi and pork belly. Each piece than had it's own little topping and was accompanied by FIVE different sauces in cool little squirt vials. It was a fun experience experimenting with the different sauces. The fish was fresh and tasted great. Presentation was excellent as expected. Definitely a must order item. The pork gyoza was served under a translucent flavored dome. Totally cool. It was nicely flavored and went well with the tomato sauce and bacon cream. The assorted nigiri was fresh and came with generous sized portions of seafood. For my entree I had the surf and turf which came with fingerling potatoes over purple yam mash, morimoto style poke with avocado wasabi sorbet and a nice wagyu filet. My steak was cooked to perfection and eveything went well together. They even include a kelp tea thing for a palate cleanser to keep the surf and turf flavors seperate. For desert I had the Peanut Butter bomb and tried some of my friends Green Tea Haupia cookie thing. They were both yummy and tasted different from your standard run of the mill deserts. I can't wait to try the other ones they offer. Morimoto Waikiki is definitely worth the hype and a must try! The prices seem pretty reasonable too considering the caliber of food being served. Seeing him in the kitchen was an experience in itself. You can tell Cheft Morimoto is passionate about his food. 5+ stars!
(5)Lindsay J.
OMG. i dont know how to express my feelings for this place, but "morimoto, you sir, are a culinary GENIUS!" (high pitched voice when saying the word "genius") the hub and i had visited here with some friends a few months ago, and the food was exceptionally good. so, the hub wanted to come here for our 2 year wedding anniversary. the last time we were here, morimoto was, so we were star struck and ordered sushi relentlessly. he wasnt there when we went this time, but nonetheless the food spoke for itself. we were sat quickly, but it took a little while for our server to come and greet us. (mind you, this was a pattern i noticed through the night, but thank god the food was so amazing i looked past it). she congratulated us on our anniversary (we made our reservations on opentable.com , and i had made a note that we were celebrating a special occasion). we ordered some cocktails and appetizers, as well as some sushi to start off. the hub got morimoto's hazelnut beer, and i ordered the pear yuzu gimlet. he liked the beer, and considering the fact that it was an $18 beer, im glad. my drink wasn't too bad either. it seemed strong, but it must have been because i was drinking on an empty stomach. we were both starving, so i was grateful when our food started to come out. we ordered 2 pieces each of maguro, ikura, and uni nigiri, and a few maki sushi: soft shell, spicy ahi, shikai, and eel avocado. the freshness of the fish is so amazing good... every bite was accompanied by a content sigh and a "mmmm..." i also ordered the oyster foie gras, and let me tell you, IT WAS FREAKIN' DELICIOUS!!! 3 oysters on the half shell, topped with pieces of uni and foie gras, topped with morimoto's teriyaki sauce. the combination of flavors were perfect and soo mouthwateringly good. i wanted to order 50 more if i could have... damn hubby for talking sense into me. lol. we ordered our entrees to share; the rack of lamb and the 16oz wagyu ribeye. both were cooked to a perfect medium rare, and the maui onion jus that was poured onto the sizzling platter the wagyu steak came on was simply mouthwatering. we ate in silence... only breaking it to look at each other with beaming smiles and the occasional "mmmm..." knowing all well that we were happy with our food. for dessert, we ordered the chocolate mille feuille, which had a quenelle of spiced chocolate ice cream, brulee'd bananas, and a quenelle of ganache. there was supposedly an avocado sauce that came with it but only came in the form of a skinny smear, which was not enough to compliment the dessert. the dessert tasted good, just as long as you managed to eat all the components of the dessert together. my only complaint is that i feel they really need to work on their customer service. we must have seen our server maybe 2 or 3 times the entire night? that was a problem the last time we were here too. if you're dropping $200+, you actually want decent customer service. or at least your water refilled. price-wise, i feel it was pretty reasonable. they do offer entrees for under $40, and have sushi platters that run for about $50-ish. but food-wise, morimoto's is no joke. this is definitely one of our top favorite restaurants, and we will be back... do you hear me oyster foie gras? i will be back... nom nom nom. :) *valet parking is free...
(5)Jet D.
Not as good as I thought it would be from the Iron Chef. The food was good but not great. Ambience is very nice. The best thing was the A5 Waygu beef which is off the menu. The Hamachi carpaccio was weird being grounded up. The place was totally empty - less than 15 people. I would only come back for the A5 Waygu beef.
(3)Christine P.
We're huge fans of the Iron Chef, in fact, we're watching an episode as I write this. Morimoto is a culinary genius, so we obviously had high expectations going in. I loved the decor. Very clean, spacious and modern, with whites, mint green and greys. The sushi bar gives a nice view of the chefs working. The location is fantastic, with a nice outdoor section overlooking the harbor. The service was average, pleasant enough. They didn't flinch when we walked in with our two kids. Having the little ones with us prevented us from doing the omakase. So instead, we got: oh-toro and chu-toro sashimi, spicy yellowtail roll, ishi yaki buri bop, and chirashi. The presentation was beautiful. The sashimi and chirashi were a feast for the eyes. The buri bop was fun because they cook it tableside in a hot stone bowl, but as a hardcore Korean bibimbap lover, the concept was not new. Honestly, I was underwhelmed. Perhaps if we had a wider sampling of the menu, more things would have stood out. But for the prices, and the chef's reputation, we expected more.
(3)Matt C.
I went to Morimotos for dinner with the fam on a friday night. Everyone knows that Masaharu Morimoto owns the restaurant so my family was curious about how good his menu isand this was what we ordered. Appetizers: - wagyu carpaccio: prob the best app i recommend this - whitefish carpaccio: pieces are small but still good - spicy tuna roll: its not spicy at all but the tuna is soft - softshellcrab roll: the least favorite of the apps - takoyaki: it isn't like any other takoyaki ive had, the batter tastes like pancakes! Main Course: - seafood tonban yaki: a bunch of mixed seafood in spicy red miso sake broth. The flavor is semi spicy and the broth is light and bitter. Overall it was ok but not filling. - loco moto: Your basic loco moco excect there is soft wagyu beef in it instead of a hamburger patty. Overall it was filling but i wasnt impressed. You could of sold it to me at a mediocre place and i wouldnt have known it was made from an upscale restaurant. - braised cod fish: butterfish with ginger soy sauce. This was the smallest portioned dish we has for the night, it also comes with no rice so we had to order a side. Overall I wasn't impressed at all. When i was at Morimotos I wanted to be wowed just like the judges were when he competed in iron chef. It's a place to try once and thats it, I know i will not be back here again. With the 3 of us eating tonight the bill came out to $175 not including tip and not including the plate lunch i went to get after. On a side note the servers all split their tips together so expect several different servers helping you out. Oh and you can't see their sign at night so you might get lost looking for the restaurant.
(3)Moshe H.
3rd time around . Same feeling of disappointment Food Is mediocre at best . I repeat , mediocre. Hamachi kama - is a 6 , nothing more Morios , gaku, yanagi, all of them are way way better , Hamachi belly sushi,- 5 , bear in mind . It's really not hard to make this dish good, t's rice ,fish , wasabi, - again u can find a better one even at sushi king , The List goes on, King crab legs over-spicy and rotten potato in the French fries ( seriously I took a pic ) Bi bim bap was ok, but rest is just mediocre , amazing decor , great ambience , but not enough to hide the fact that the king is naked , It's 3 times that I get here and I eat out a lot ! I come since EVRY time there's a new friend who wants to come and try this place so I go along with it , But seriously , do something about it , 400$ for 4 people with light type dinner and drinks and they tell u at the end that they put in the tip for u (18%) what it you want to give more ? Or less? Service is conceded , here's a tip to the waiter , you are my server . I respect you but you are here to make my time worth while not to teach me table mannerism and explains me why the tip is included , it cost you 50$ bud and I wish I had the pair to give you nothing at all. 2 starts cuz ur sake was good. And u valet . Punks See ya next tym with another dumb victim that will drag me here .
(2)Olivia G.
Loved it! beautiful food; excellent/knowledgable service matched by gorgeous setting. Highly recommend
(5)Alex R.
My new Favorite restaurant, this will have to be our once a week spot from now on! Amazingly not as expensive as I thought it was going to be and the service was excellent. The food and drink offerings are amazing. We started with some drinks and light appetizers. Management was gracious enough to offer a few appetizers courtesy of the house and so the feast began. my lovely lady started with the Morimotini, I had the Morimoto Shochu. I First up were the Oyster with Foie Gras, Oysters with a generous hunk of foie gras with a touch of Uni on it served on crused ice and ogo bathed in a Teriyaki sauce. Yose Dofu was prepared table side with a pair of sauces, Kimchee sauce and a amazing soy dashi. These were accompanied by sliced green onion, Katsuobushi and grated ginger. This dish was fantastic, the depth of the broths and the texture of the fresh tofu were simple amazing. Then they brought out the Foie Gras Chawanmushi. This is the dish that i dream about, I would murder children and small animals for another taste of this dish. Duck Breast, Foie Gras in a custard is my idea of heaven. Seared Wagyu Carpaccio was delivered and devoured. great but not murderously good. Sushi Was next so we decided to get a small bottle of the Morimoto Daiginjo. A great sake that was perfect with our sushi. Sushi was on deck. Oh-Toro, Tai, Mizudaku and Inari zushi. Good sushi. With our Entrees it was tine for wine. My gorgeous date went with the Verdeho Rueda for her dish the Buri Bop which is Morimoto's take on a korean hot pot with Buri a mature hamachi and I had the Kaiken Malbec to pair with my Duck Duck Duck entree featuring a Seared Duck brest, a duck confit spring roll and a duck meatball soup. For desert we shared the chocolate mille feuille. Over all a amazing meal this has to be in the top 3 restaurants on the island. The prices are not as high as I was expecting and for what you get over all a great value.
(5)Marty R.
My husband would have rated this place a little better than me, but he can write his own review. Here's why I'm giving it only three stars: 1 - be sure to order a specialty cocktail, especially one of the ones with shochu and yuzu, like the White Lily or the Kai Kiss. They're wonderful, delicate and tasty. They're priced high and come only in standard martini-size, but they're still worth it, they're so good. 2 - the decor is lovely. The chairs are very 'moderne', but comfortable and the color palatte is again, delicate and lovely. We had a 9pm res, and were only two of a few on the patio under the fairy lights and were the last to leave, it was pretty romantic. 3 - the service is so-so. Our first attendant (don't know if he was a bus boy or a server) was very friendly, but didn't make it clear that we were going to be charged for the bottle of water he was bringing ($7) and then proceeded to spray the woman at the next table with it when he opened it and then spilled half of it on our table during the pour. Because we lost 1/2 of it, we had to order another and were not compensated for the loss of the 1st bottle. Also, our actual order-taker was not very helpful in steering us with good suggestions, describing the dishes and helping us to not over-order. She was no help. I refrained from ordering a pricey entree and stuck to a couple of appetizers, still over-ordered and over-spent. 4 - I tried to question her about the sushi, in particular as the selections were pretty standard (crab & avocado, eel & avocado, softshell crab maki, tuna nigiri) and for the higher prices was trying to determine if the Morimoto 'touch' was going to make them more special in some way. It doesn't. HINT: if you can't discern what's a homemade soy sauce from a bottle of good Kikkoman, or can't recognize when a grain of rice is 'hand-polished', then stay away from ordering the sushi. You won't find it any better than you'll find at your favorite hometown sushi restaurant for 1/2 the price. 5 - However, DO order the magyu beef carpaccio! It's like buttah, and you'll be scarfing it down wishing you had another 1/2 lb of it. Also, the sashimi caesar salad, which my husband had, was very special and definitely worth ordering. The two of these items together would have made a very nice light meal. NOTE: I just checked out the photos here and they show the magyu beef "tartare" with a pretty cauliflower souffle and bits of cauliflower with it. I did not get the dish that looked like that. I got ONLY the beef with hot oil. Now I'm feeling even more ripped off. 6 - the miso soup was just okay. It was very delicate (unfortunately lacking in the stronger miso flavor that I order the soup for in other restaurants). 7 - ANOTHER HINT: be sure to tell them in your Open Table reservation that it's a special day of some kind and they'll treat you with a small scoop of some ice cream or sorbet on a pretty plate. We also ordered the roasted pineapple cake with pineapple 'salsa' and it was very good. 8 - All in all, I wish I had foregone the appetizers (except the carpaccio) and gone with the crispy skin salmon (which they were out of by the time we arrived), the steak or the surf and turf. I think I would have been happier for having eaten in a Morimoto restaurant if I had done that. Come to think of it, I've eaten at four Food Network allstars restaurants (Bobby Flay, Guy Fieri, Morimoto, Tyler Florence) and only Guy Fieri did not dissappoint. But that's another review...
(3)Jenn T.
I came here for a nice family dinner and heard that this restaurant promises amazing dishes with a cool atmosphere. Immediately as I walked into the restaurant, I noticed a very modern decor and feel to the restaurant. It kinda feels like your eating in an IKEA! It was very unique. As soon as we sat at our table, I noticed that there is a very open kitchen, where you can view the chefs creating dishes and they are very lively! On the other side of the restaurant is a nice view of the harbor and has an amazing view of the sunset during the right hours. We sat down and browsed the menu, which looked delicious! I wanted to try so many things, but obviously, time & money wise, I could not. We ended up getting a few appetizers, the morimoto sashimi appetizer, the whitefish carpaccio and the toro tartar. I was for one, really impressed with the unique presentation of each dish. They were are meticulously plated and designed with style!! They also had this creative idea behind them that you could mix and match sauces to go with the sashimi, which I though was really cool! For my entree, I decided to go with the rack of lamb. It was well cooked and great! My brother got the duck duck duck, which was also great as well. For dessert, we went with the tofu hot & cold. I know, at first I was like tofu for dessert?! But it's actually a soufflé and a cheesecake dish with a creative name. It was an extremely light dessert and goes amazing with coffee. They serve organic kona coffee, the exact same brew that they serve at the white house! (at least thats what our waiter said!). yelp.com/user_local_phot… I also ordered Moriomoto's own beer! It's apparently made from soba noodles, which sounds crazy to me! It was awesome, light and delicious! I suggest you try it! yelp.com/user_local_phot… The restaurant has a very contemporary feel to it. The service is wonderful and our waiter was very helpful with all of our questions. It was a great fine dining experience. The prices are a bit steep though for the type & quantity of food you get, but I think you pay for the unique concept of the dish and the amazing presentation it comes with. My one regret is that Morimoto himself was not present!! I had heard from other peoples experiences that he was there! :(
(4)Nikki C.
Been there twice. Once to have drinks with my husband and the other was a company dinner. Wasn't impressed....both times. The first time, I just had drinks and sushi...nothing special and my husband had a beer that was 32 bucks. Something we couldve got at Tamura's for way less. And as for the second time. Well I ordered fish,....I though it was going to be like a filet thing....NO! It was the WHOLE FISH!! And it was staring at me and it looked MAD....haha. Just couldn't do it....I ended up going home HUNGRY. Oh...and I was told by everyone that I asked that I didn't get what I ordered.....
(3)Hannah H.
I felt like I was just living a nightmare, but no, I just had dinner with my mother at Morimoto. This is my second time dining here (and I've had takeout several times). We booked a 5:30 reservation on Open Table and as we arrived I requested an outdoor table. The Hostess appeared annoyed and escorted us back to the lobby, told us to sit down, and explained that she needed to talk to the Hostess about seating. Wait, I thought she was the Hostess????? Note: It was 5:30 the restaurant was DEAD. I'm an early bird eater. After several minutes the frazzled girl came back to us and escorted us to a table outside. My mom and I each ordered a glass of the Pino Grigio ($12 per glass) and my goodness it looked like we were just drinking samplers of the wine. Next we ordered the Crab Rolls, Shrimp Tempura, and California Rolls. The waiter rolled his eyes as I placed our order and seemed incredibly frustrated that yes, this is all we wanted to eat for dinner. My mom and I felt incredibly embarrassed and neither of us were ever treated so poorly in our entire lives. He said he would leave the menu if we wanted to order more after we made it clear that our order would suffice. Please, 18 pieces of Sushi between two skinny women is plenty. No I don't want to order any thing else off the menu; raw fish doesn't appeal to me. Yuck. The sushi didn't take too long but we felt that we've had better; it tasted like it had been sitting around from lunch time. The one time our waiter asked us if we needed anything else my mom asked for more "Pickle Ginger" as we were given a teeny tiny amount that wouldn't even cover one roll. Needless to say, during our 45 minute dining nightmare the Ginger never arrived and the waiter never checked in with us again. Now, I have dined at many fancy expensive restaurants, please I lived in LA for four years and have dined with and among celebrities, and I will tell you that I have never been treated this way in my entire life. Not only was there a terrible atmosphere among the restaurant and staff, but there were several guys on either side of our table shining plates and glasses. Akward. It amazes me that more attention was given to the glasses and silverware than the diners in the restaurant. My advice to you is don't walk from Morimoto, RUN!!!!! I will never, ever, EVER dine at Morimoto again and I do not recommend it. My family and I are from SF, but we own property across the street from this restaurant and we will continue to spread the word. There are so many outstanding restaurants in Waikiki so I won't shed any tears on this one. I hope Management can get their priorities in order (and focus on the diners and the whole dining experience) or this place will continue to sink faster than the Titanic.
(1)Irene C.
Loved this restaurant! Decor was simple but elegant. Outside seating is also great with views of the marina. Food was excellent. I was told that the sushi was average so we ordered a few appetizers, main entrees and desserts. Here is what we got: Cold appetizer: Tuna pizza - tuna sashimi on a thin cracker crust with thin slices of onions, thin slices of jalapenos and baby cilantro. This was delicious. Hot appetizer: Rock shrimp - two different kinds of rock shrimp served with a coconut ranch dipping sauce. Very good and highly recommended. Entrees: Duck, duck, duck - duck served three different ways. Duck meatball soup, duck confit eggroll and thick slices of tender duck. This dish my mother-in-law ordered. She said this dish was average. Not too impressed with this dish and she loooooooves duck. Surf and turf - prime filet with tuna sashimi, served with a potato puree. This dish was sooooo good. Everything was very good. Seafood Toban Yaki - my husband ordered this dish and really loved it. It is on the spicer side so if you don't like spicy, have them prepare with less spice. Desserts: Choco peanut cake and the semi freddo. Both were very delicious. Light in sugar so you felt like you could have more and more! Choco peanut dessert had a 24-carat gold flake on it. Very fancy. Yummy too!! I went into this restaurant expecting to pay a lot. Total of two appetizers, three entrees, and two desserts, plus drinks, our tab came out to around $200. But hey, I'm on vacation!!!
(4)Larry B.
I didn't ever think I'd be the kind of guy who used words like surreal and transcendent when it came to a meal or a dish. I guess it's because in this world of fast food, slow food, fine food and everything in between, we often forget what really good food tastes like. Morimoto represents a new standard of restaurant in Hawaii much like the advent of new technology, lap tops turning into ipads, and big bulky TVs becoming less than an inch thick, it will no longer be enough for places like Alan Wongs to charge big money for really small bites of food. I think having restaurants in NYC and dealing with that level of competition, really helps an establishment to get out of the small town mentality that Hawaii often produces, and allows the resturant and chef to compete on an international stage. But enough about that, let's get to the food. Sushi was immaculate. Best aji and scallop nigiri I have ever tasted. Ever! Shockingly good lamb carpaccio, ruby red with scallions garlic and chive oil. Ahi pastrami, raw and crusted with spice, balanced by an unexpected and delightful combination of creme freshe and dried sweet olives. Like the restaurants bright decor of whites and lime greens, everything sort of comes together in harmony with the browns of the wood floors and the blue of the sky and harbor outside on the observation deck. I see myself here on a Saturday sipping sake and beer while getting a bite to eat before heading to the new club they are going to have in the hotel as well. Moving on, the king crab legs on the ap menu were succulent and spicy, and I think the star of the show was the cod. Sweet, fresh, and strangely went really well with my kona ipa. It was as if the Iron Chef himself had been the one preparing every dish, slaving away in his lab like clean kitchen producing these jewels of flavor just for us. Oh snap he was. That's right, Morimoto was back there overseeing the kitchen, and to insure your in good hands when he's not in town his executive chef for the Waikiki location was one of the guys battling beside him for food supremacy in kitchen stadium for years. See what I mean about surreal! They officially open on the 28th of September. Try to get there before the month long waiting list begins.
(5)Cicie W.
This is the first time I'm at an iron chef's restaurant, so naturally I expected a lot. When I came in and realized the restaurant wasn't full, I was honestly a bit worried. Where I'm from in San Francisco, good restaurants are always packed on a saturday night. I wasn't so deterred since I was still excited. The food here is definitely different. I like how it's very much about the freshness of the food and Morimoto really brought out the authenticity of everything that was served. The presentation is definitely a 5 star; it's just one of the best I've seen. The tofu made at table side was pretty cool, so was the Ahi tar tar. Portion is on the generous side for an upscale restaurant, so we ordered too much food. For the entree, I got the fried whole fish with tofu and pickled daikon. so I was really full afterward. The ambiance was great and service was top notch. Definitely a very pretty restaurant and good place to go on a date. Overall, it was good, but I wasn't blown away. Was it worth the money? I don't know, I guess so. It's definitely a different take on food and I enjoyed it, but it wasn't like the best meal of my life like I was hoping for. My friend that went to Morimoto's in Napa kind of said the same thing, now I know what they mean. After watching so many episodes of Iron Chef, I just expected more. Maybe that's why Morimoto's in on TV, the food definitely looks better than it tastes.
(4)Jamie M.
A-FKING AH-MAZING. Please excuse my language, but it was a great fine dining experience. From the beginning to the very end of our meal, it was so enjoyable and fun! We had reservations at 8:15PM. We arrived at 8PM and waited about 5 minutes before getting seated. The decor was ultra sheek, very open space, and modern. When you walk in, it feels like you could be walking into a club. The bar on the left. The kitchen/sushi bar on the right. There is also patio/outdoor seating. If you prefer to have a social drink and just cruise, you can go outside sit on these comfy couches by the bonfire pit. OH and gaze out into the stars and the view of Hawaiii's marina. Or you can relax cabana style as well. The newly renovated hotel, along with the restaurant, makes you feel like you're in a resort but at the same time feel like you're in the city. After being seated, we looked through the menu. Paul, our waiter was awesome! He was very informative & thoroughly knew the menu and the food. We even got to chat with him and found out he moved from South Africa & he loves to surf! Anyway, THE ORDER: I decided to go big and order the Omakase Chef's Choice for $110 per person. Whuaaat?! I love Iron Chef and Morimoto! Come to think about it, I was drinking his beer the other day (it was great btw)! The Omakase is a 7-course menu that lasts about 2 hours long! This course allowed me to get the basic essence of Morimoto's menu! I loved it! But because this was a 2 hour menu, Paul helped my fellow dinner companions to coordinate their food so I won't be eating by myself or their watching me eat and vice versa. Another star for Paul and his services. I will trrrry to name all of my dishes, but I believe the pictures will do better justice. 1st course - Tuna tartar 2nd course- Seared Hamachi (i believe) 3rd course - Artichoke & oil dip (i forget the name?!) 4th course - Froie Gras with a slice of Duck CLEANSER - some kind of seaweed tea 5th course - Sushi/Sashimi sampler 6th course - Surf & turf (lobster, beef, and pork) 7th course - Desert (2): this tofu jelly && Okinawa pumpkin pie ice cream It felt like I was one of those judges on Iron Chef trying all of Morimoto's creations. It was a great experience overall and worth every penny! I loved the seared hamachi! The oil, shoyu sauce, and taste of the hamachi was soOOO good! It was one of those experiences, where you take a bite and you had to close your eyes because of it's utter greatness in your mouth. I also enjoyed the froi gras, sushi/sashimi sampler, surf & turf, and the deserts. Maaan i loved everything!! I wanted to hug Morimoto himself, but because he wasn't there, I guess I had to settle with hugging myself (: Anyway, my fellow companions ordered the Poke appetizer, the Kakuni, Soft Shell Crab, and the fried Hamachi Kama. Even with my 7-course menu, I got to chance to taste each of the dishes. Poke SO fresh! Hamachi Kama cooked to perfection! Kakuni slow cooked for 10 hours! GOSSSH! Should I even continue talking about the food because I'm already itching to go back. ALL very exceptional & delectable dishes. Besides our water, we ordered the Tozai Snow Maiden Nigori. At first we were undecided, but they had a sake specialist help us decide what sake to go with. High class status, ya?! The Nigori will be my all time favorite. It was something you can just sip on without feeling like you had to take it as a shot because it could be too strong. Nopes, it was a sip & chill drink. It was very smooth and milky. Very appropriate for our meal. Moving on to the service, like I mentioned earlier Paul, was an A plus waiter. On top of that, everyone else kept our waters filled/ They never left our waters any lower than half way. Took our finished dishes away at appropriate times. Very nice & courteous. Explained our dishes upon serving. Everyone seemed to be working & keeping busy. We were definitely impressed with our overall dining experience. I guess the restaurant just opened last Tuesday from what one of the waiters were telling us. They are currently going through a soft opening and then a grand opening will occur at the end of the month? I think?! I forget now. By the time we left, I was so full and ready to go to sleep because I was struck with food coma. If this is a soft opening so far, then they are OFF to a great start!! The experience, the food, the service was well worth the price. Within range to average fine dining places. i heart this place. thank you.
(5)John O.
What can I say...WOW!!! I absolutely love this place! I have yet to have an entree here, but will soon. I have my taste buds set for the rack of lamb. The first time I came here I had lunch at their bar. They make a good Shochu Mojito. I had a fresh ahi tuna sandwich that came with a side salad and seasoned fries. Very tasty. The second time I chose to sit at their sushi bar and try some of their rolls. At first I thought I could just sit there without a reservation. It was not very busy at the sushi bar but was quickly informed that I needed a reservation. The host took down my name and immediately sat me. At the sushi bar, you could order from the full menu or just sushi or both. I opted just for the sushi. I had the fresh crab roll and the tempura roll. Both were delicious and came with fresh cut ginger. All of the ingredients were of course fresh. I thought the price for the rolls were reasonable. This place is a must try. Please be warned that some of the prices are a bit high, but the experience of eating at this place will more than make up for it.
(5)Jean H.
the sushi was to die for-- as in when you eat it, you wanna die. your last breath is wasted on asking god, "why??????", while you're thinking 'i paid so much for a death biteeeeeeeeeeee' *THUD* (you've hit the ground) with that said and out of the way, sushi is a no go, everything else was a sheer delight! sushi, no. EVERYTHING else, yes! i booked the table in advanced and i asked for the corner table with the best viewing of the fireworks. We really did get the best table in the house for the evening firework bonanza. The food (except for the sushi) was so amazing, I remember it to this day. And when i close my eyes and dream back to that fanciful dinner, my tongue swears its tasting savory delish-ocity. oh, lord, i dare say my tongue is wet right now watering away over that food.... great food, great company, great show. can i ask for more? oh, but i got more. great drinks. thank you Morimoto.... yet another successful morimoto experience (sans the nasty sushi)
(4)Brent M.
My wife and I visited during our honeymoon. The food was very good, although I have to admit it wasn't up to the level that we might expect from a celebrity chef (if I didn't know it was run by a celebrity chef I wouldn't have guessed it - this is not true for other celebrity chef establishments I have visited, including Eric Ripert's and Mario Batali's restaurants). Both the drinks and appetizers were 5-star level (for the app, we got the shrimp tempura). I got the surf-n-turf for my entree - the steak was very good, but for me the tuna was just okay. I had better elsewhere in Waikiki. My wife had a chicken dish with which she wasn't particularly impressed with the taste or the presentation. Maybe chicken wasn't the way to go at a place like this? This was definitely the exception, but it was enough to make the place 4 star and not 5-star for us. That being said, I definitely recommend this place, and I will visit again if I am in Honolulu.
(4)Alysha C.
I scheduled a Valentines/Birthday Dinner here a month ahead of time because I had heard through some friends that this place was pretty good. Let me tell you, I was beyond disappointed and somewhat ashamed when we dined there last night. The experience already started off bad as soon as we got there and valet told us they had ran out of parking and that we had to find street parking. Already a minus because my boyfriend and I were extremely dressed up and had to walk about a block or so to get back to the restraunt (I was wearing heels!! lol) As soon as we got upstairs we got a half ass greet from the front desk and they had a man escort us to a table outside. Our table was so small and all of the tables are so close together. it was so uncomfortable. we could practically hear the couples next to us entire conversation. Our waitress, Tricia greeted us promptly and was very friendly but after that she went missing for a pretty long time. When she did come back to take our order she ran off a whole list of things the kitchen had ran out of already! Shouldn't they have known to be stocked extra with everything on valentines day?? Especially if everyone made reservations ahead of time. Again disappointed. But that wasnt even the worse part. I do understand that it is Valentines Day and busy but it got rediculous when our appitizer didnt come out for 30 whole minutes!! Again not blaming it on the waitress but maybe the kitchen?! To make it worse we didn't get our main course for another hour! We were literly so close to walking out and we noticed another couple 2 tables down that actually did walk out. We just didn't want our night to be ruined that's why we decided to stay. The funny part was that there was so much staff present and no one was really attentive to us. We ordered the Morimoto Style Poke which was really good but seemed like only a single portioned size definatly not big enough to share. For main courses, I had the Surf & Turf to play it safe and my boyfriend had the wagyu ribeye with a side of potatoes. Both extremely fantastic dishes. So kudos to the chef. My boyfriend also had 2 glasses of St.Aubin wine that he said was really great.The only reason I gave this place 2 stars instead of 1 is because the food was actually pretty good. However, it wasn't so good that I'd endure the poor service for the amount of money I spent there. We both agreed that we will definatly not be dining here ever again. We'll probably go to Hy's next time!
(2)Kyle B.
I went here with a group of guys I work with. We had high expectations for an Iron Chef's restaurant. We left a little disappointed. First let me say that this place looks fantastic. I was very impressed with the look. It's well laid out, and everything looks great. Nothing is out of place here. You could see the entire line of the kitchen from where we sat. We got here late, so I couldn't really tell what kind of view of the scenery it has, but I'll bet its fantastic as well. The problem really was our waiter. He didn't seem like he really wanted to be there and was not very friendly. There was no "warmth" and I didn't feel very welcome by his demeanor. In fact, we almost felt like we were bothering him by our very presence. That being said, we ordered some sushi (Shrimp Tempura Roll, California Roll, and Spicy Yellowtail Roll) for our appetizer. It came pretty quickly and it was pretty good. I've actually had better tasting sushi in Rainbow City, Alabama. Yeah, that's right. Check my reviews for that one. For dinner, I had the "Duck Duck Duck", which is a seared duck breast, a duck spring roll, and duck meatball soup. I like duck and this was a pretty good dish. I think of the three, I enjoyed the duck meatball soup the best. Everything was hot, fresh, and flavorful. However, I thought for the portion size, it was a little pricey at nearly $30. Thank goodness for expense accounts! One of my co-workers is a little bit of a fussy eater. He really wanted a dish that was not on the menu. A quick check of the menu showed that they carried all the necessary ingredients to make it. So, he inquired about it. The waiter wasn't sure but decided to go ask. He was gone for several minutes and upon his return, he told us that no, the kitchen staff would not make his special request. We were a little insulted by this. You would think that Mr. Iron Chef would want to please and accommodate his guests. My friend finally settled on something else on the menu, but was not to happy about it. Overall, I was disappointed with the sushi and the service, but not with the main course. I would hope that the service is not representative of what you normally get at this upscale establishment. For the kind of money that we spent here, I expected to be treated a lot better.
(3)Wendy G.
I love this place. Do the Omakase (tasting menu). Done it twice with family visiting and everyone loved it! Even the picky teens were impressed. If you love food, you must go to this restaurant. Great Date Night! Beautiful food and Beautiful atmosphere!
(5)Sid G.
Location and aesthetic of the place is nice. The food is nothing to brag about. We were here 2 years ago when they opened and to me my opinion about this place is....MorimoNo. NOBU IS THE BEST RESTAURANT THAN THIS
(1)Frank G.
Food was excellent - the appetizers we thought might have been better than the entrees! The Pork Belly is a must! It was relatively reasonable for a high-end restaurant - the quality of the food justifies the price. Service was good - we had 2 main waiters/waitress to assist us.
(4)Hella B.
The one "high end" place on my visit to Honolulu. There is so much good food on the island I wasn't sure I could justify the price. After the appetizer my concerns were gone. We started off with tuna pizza. just great textures with the fish and whatever the crust was. There was also just enough salt on that crust to give it a perfect flavor. Next was the kakuni. This was a pork belly in some congee. This was probably the best pork belly I have ever had! I was very tempted in ordering a 2nd round. For the main I went with a black cod. Again this was cooked perfectly. Mind you I have no idea how to cook fish but this fish just peeled off in layers and was moist and had great texture. Guess that is perfect to me. Also had a couple of signature cocktails. All of this and I have to say the price was not that bad for a big named place. I would come back!
(4)Kenson K.
We decided to try this place for lunch today. This place has a very L.A. ambiance to it. Very modern furnishings with clean lines. Atmosphere was very nice with a view overlooking Alawai yacht harbor. I must say that service was excellent. Our server kept checking up on us to see if we were alright and was very accomodating. Ok for starters, we tried the mizudako. Now, I'm usually not a fan of tako just because its flavorless and has the consistency of a rubber eraser. This tako however is so tender and fresh. It has a sweet flavor to it. You can have this either as a sushi or sashimi. We opted for sashimi. I was debating whether or not to get the toban yaki or the loco moto, which is supposed to be a Morimotos version of a locomoco. I had tried the toban yaki before at Morimoto's New York restaurant and I remember that it was so good. So I figured maybe try something different. So I went for the loco moto. I wasn't too impressed. it was supposed to have wagyu beef in it, and i was expecting it to be like a locomoco, but it came out looking like beef curry. The gravy was sweet and a bit creamy with mushrooms and tasted just like beef goulash. So I was disappointed because I had ordered beef goulash. My partner had the kakuni pork don , which was pork belly slow cooked over a bed of rice. That was a winner. It just fell apart in your mouth. Ok so 4 stars overall. i wasn't too impressed with my dish but I think I might have ordered the wrong thing. The service was excellent, ambiance nice, and the tako and port dish, perfect.
(4)Jared S.
This is rock solid food from the Iron Chef.. Highlights: -uni sushi: best I've ever eaten. -whole fried fish: It was a Mediterranean sea bass, and it was incredible -The wife really liked her saketini I would skip the tuna tartar though, just my opinion.
(5)Megan G.
We came here with my in-laws to celebrate their last night on Oahu visiting. Being as I am pregnant, and cannot satisfy my ever-growing raw fish craving, I ordered some dishes I probably would not have ordered pre-pregnancy. We started with the toro tartare (sadly I had to let the other 3 diners have at this-- of course I was jealous as I've savored every last scrape of this dish in the past), the tempura calamari salad, and the pork gyoza. OK, I eat a LOT of salads at home. Typically I go out to eat to AVOID salads. This one though I am so glad I convinced the hubby and his parents to get. SO GOOD. If you are a calamari fan, this will blow your mind. Tempura fried and ever so light an crispy, the calamari melts in your mouth. The lightness of the salad that accompanies this is perfect. The gyoza were good too, and served with a cool bacon foam- points for presentation. I cannot stop dreaming of the calamari. We opted then to do individual entrees and share versus getting sushi, since I would have been left out. I told the mother-in-law to get the seafood toban-yaki as I have had it before and it is amazingly delicious. She was not disappointed and we were all jealous. Order this, you will not be left hungry or disappointed. Father-in-law ordered the lamb, husband had the ishi yaki buri bop, and I had the braised black cod. All were good, but we were all jealous of the diner with the tobanyaki. Thanks to a great evening again, Morimoto!!
(5)Emily M.
Wow, there are some reviews on Yelp indicating this place isn't worth it. More recent reviews are positive, so we decided to go for it anyway. The cocktails I had were tasty (m-tini and kai kiss martini) but he food was mediocre at best. Maybe we chose poorly, but striking out on four dishes is unacceptable. Wagyu Carpaccio - too salty - no flavor Morimoto Sashimi - bland except for a couple of sauces Braised Lamb Shank - no flavor, too fatty Braised Black Cod - the fish was delicious, unfortunately it was drenched in a salty unagi sauce, which I did my best to scrape off Dare I say it - perhaps there's a reason Morimoto lost to Garces in the Tournament of Champions...
(1)Kitty K.
Took my mom there in May for quick lunch.....Loved the valet parking(Asian Female thing lol) Decor is clean, modern minimalism from Lobby to restrooms. We picked the Patio seats outdoor by the harbor ...great view ...adequate service , decent food for the price. We both ordered the set lunch . not too many people that day probably is right after Mother"s day weekend. lol
(3)Kelly K.
Food was tasty, service good, ambience was beautiful but noisy. Overall a positive experience but not outstanding, hence 4 stars.
(4)J.k. S.
Signature Tuna Pizza and Wagyu beef. Order this, really!! Outstanding. Cool to actually see Chef Morimoto there when we visited too. Very impressed with both the food and the excellent service.
(5)Haein P.
I am a huge Iron Chef fanatic and going to Morimoto was a top food priority. I can say the food adequately met my expectations. We had the morimoto omakase, which features Morimoto's best dishes as well as the seafood toban-yaki and kakuni. The morimoto omakase is a must-try for those that truly want to experience the essence of Chef Morimoto. The foie gras chawan mushi was the absolute best within the omakase. The warm and savory egg custard was perfectly paired with the robust flavors of foie gras and tender duck breast. Also, fun to try and innovative was the bagna cauda, which consists of a garlic-anchovy olive oil dip and various blanched vegetables with bite-sized bread and chicken. Another absolute favorite was the dessert included in this omakase, which was a soy-milk panna cotta that was extremely light and subtle and a kabocha souffle with okinawan sweet potato ice cream and foam as well as candied kabocha. This was divine, to say the least. The souffle was perfect in taste and texture. The soft and fluffy souffle was matched wonderfully with the sweet potato foam and ice cream that enhanced the natural sweetness of the pumpkin. The kakuni appetizer was okay. The description being that it was 10-hour braised pork belly with congee in a ginger soy jus made it appealing, but upon arrival, looked meager. The pork was definitely not as tender or fatty as I had hoped, but the congee was perfect with the ginger soy. Definitely not worth the price and perhaps not worth a second order if visited again. The seafood toban-yaki had a gorgeous array of seafood that was irresistablly soaking in a spicy red miso-sake broth. To my dismay, the broth was much too salty. If the sodium had been decreased a couple notches, this dish would have been flawless. While the food met my expectations, the service was abysmal. I was thoroughly appalled and disappointed especially considering the fact that we were paying roughly $250 for our dining experience. From the moment we stepped into the restaurant to the moment we paid and left, we felt unwelcomed and unappreciated. The hostesses were impolite and brusque as they 'guided' us to our table. Our server was equally rude and unprofessional in demeanor and eloquence. The several courses in the omakase are not identified within the menu and therefore, presumably it is the server's obligation to describe each course or at least mention them to us, as customers. Despite knowing that the bagna cauda was included within the omakase, he remained silent when we ordered a separate bagna cauda as an appetizer. Once the first was finished, he audaciously mentioned another one was coming with a smirk on his face. Throughout the course of the meal, he was rather unattentive and distracted. The annoyance brewing within me several days after the occasion makes me regret not complaining at the time. Hopefully this doesn't stop you from trying and enjoying Morimoto's high-quality and noteworthy food. If not for the lack of customary service and good ol' Alton Brown, we felt like judges on Iron Chef.
(3)Jeffrey K.
WOW! The omikase was so devine I went back the next night for the omikase "repeat", featuring all new dishes! The omikase must have been 10 courses, including a dessert course. Each dish was vastly different from the previous and the flavors were spectacular. The foire gras mouse with seared duck was so good that it was the only thing I asked to be repeated from the night before! It's rich, but delicious! I will definitely be back here to try the latest omikase!
(5)Chris C.
well the crab should stand on its own but smeared in sauce same for lobster which they did twice can we say noice
(3)Marci M.
This was one of the most exquisite places I've ever been to. Of course, I would simply expect the utmost best out of this restaurant for it is owned by the famous Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. Each dish that was brought out was devoured with my eyes before it reached my mouth. Each presentation was too beautiful and perfect to eat. However, once we began to taste the dish, each bite would simply melt on the tongue and tingle every single taste bud there was. By the end of my girls night, my palat and tummy was filled with the most most wonderful seafood, steak, and chicken. I would, also, recommend the white lily drink as well. The expense is rather high, but well worth the expense for the experience. The waiters are very helpful with the dishes as well. If there are questions on how to consume the dish as well as recommendations as to what to order according to your taste, they are there to assist you. This is a beautiful atmosphere in which you can have your party in-doors or out-doors. I recommend anyone to go and enjoy, from a girls night out to a romantic evening for two. This a perfect high class restaurant for almost any occasion. Enjoy!
(5)Samantha P.
The iron chef strikes again!! He didn't disappoint accept for not coming out from the kitchen for a Kodak moment :( Sit on the patio Eats: Wagyu Carpaccio Sushi assortment Braised black cod Get the cookbook!
(4)Jeanie H.
In my heart (and in my stomach...) I am an Iron Chef fan and "wanna be". So Morimoto Waikiki was definitely on my hit list. The anticipation of my arrival here simply made my toes curl....I will say that visiting on a Friday night and experiencing the prelude of fireworks at the Hilton lagoon was the perfect setting and ascension into sublime cuisine. Culinary Art. This is the destination that will be set on a pedestal for special occasions that can honor a celebration. By choice, I am normally a casual diner, who prefers "street fare" and enjoys the "hole in the wall" type of experience. But for a treat....this hit the spot! The outdoor ambience was a given, but coupled with the modern decor and courteous service...this is what makes Morimoto ICHIBAN! Rollover onto the poolside of the double chaise loungers of The Modern Hotel, which lies adjacent.....if I had my choice...I would still be there for breakfast if they would let me :)
(5)Al S.
Listen. I love food. I lot. Like, I'm kinda fat and I couldn't care less because food is awesome kinda love. But I've never understood the cooking shows talking about "flavor profiles" or "star of this food" or any of that crap. To me, it sounded like people trying to ruin something that was already awesome the way it was. Like that guy who wanted to be a server at Hooters. Then I went to Morimoto. Holy shit. I had the Duck Duck Duck, and it changed my life. Well, I mean, I ate frozen pizza the next day, so not my WHOLE life, but I'm starting to see what they're talking about. The different parts of the dish just... kinda... went together. They blended? Like when a really obnoxious white guy is about to trip into a cake, and just as he starts to fall a seriously snarky female of ethnic background comes around the corner to watch the whole thing and make the amazingly hilarious comment that would be racist if she were also white. Just that perfect combination of factors coming together to produce something divine, that's what it was. Bonus: Very few tourists! Biggest complaint: A little loud, actually... I think it was the acoustics. Or my screaming and jumping on the table. Regardless, people noticed.
(5)Lyn L.
With the "big name" and all of the hype, I sure expected more! Arriving at the old Ilikai, I was curious to see what Morimoto's Waikiki was all about....simply not impressed. The entrance to the restaurant is nice enough...soft lighting, pretty wood, frosted glass....then the hostess too us to our table...."under the big top!"...OMG...we're gonna have a $100/person dinner under a tent!!!...with Christmas lights!!! Surely they could have done better! The tables are all lined up...felt like I was a t Sam's club or Costco!...furniture was nice enough, but I could share my food with my neighbor...actually ended up seated next to some friends so we were able to get some menu suggestions....then the people next to us sat down and as we were served our food, they got to survey it and we shared our food opinions.... We passed on the o-toro...they want $12 for one piece of o-toro!!! nuts! We started out with the * - oysters....6 of them, but REALLY small and ordinary. * - kakuni - braised 10 hour pork belly in the congee (jook) with gobo - that was pretty good...oh just figured out the gobo must have been those "wisps" * - ox tail soup - with garlic friend rice, cilantro and ginger - soup was kind of "shoyuee"...garlic friend rice had maybe 2 tablespoons...(I think they list each ingredient so you think you're getting a lot...but it's soooo little) * - Soft shell crab roll - that was decent...the crab was nice and crispy * - braised black cod - ginger-shoyu reduction ( tasted like Yoshida sauce that I overcooked...kind of burnt and syrupy and waaay tooooo sweet and heavy for the fish), pickled bell peppers (I almost missed it...I've seen confetti bigger than that!) and budo mame (4 black beans)...like I say they list EVERYTHING..ha ha *- 1/2 lb wagyu filet - this was probably the best thing ($55)...cooked just right with some rock salt on the outside. We were surprised that there is NO LOCAL FISH on the menu....kind of sad considering we live out in the middle of the ocean...they had keahole lobster, nalo farms and hamakua tomatoes tho'.... Dessert was chocolate caramel something with a scoop of vanilla ice cream....coffee was good... Since we were seated so closely to our neighbor, I couldn't help but notice that she didn't eat her dinner...she had the ishi yaki buri bop.....her husband had the crispy whole fish....which he said was delicious (like I said, we were seated so closely together) Presentation was ho-hum....people were nice so they get 2 stars.... Well, don't think we'll be back....for my $200 I'd rather spend it at Imana Tei instead of the "big top"....(it even had some patches in it!) Soooo not impressed....oh well...
(2)Rodney K.
Went there last night, the menu selection is very small most of it being expensive sushi. I wasn't really in the mood for sushi so I thought I would get a steak however the 14oz steak was $84 so I settled on the loco moto their version of a loco moco. The meat was tender and pretty god but there were only 4 or 5 tiny chunks in the whole dish. The egg was about half the size of a normal egg. Half the plate was rice. The gravy tasted like the salsbury steak gravy from the frozen dinners at Safeway. After eating the egg, meat, and some of the rice I was still hungry, I only got full from eating the rest of the rice and gravy. I pretty much paid $22 for a bowl or rice. Very unfulfilling and unsatisfying. If you want a loco moco youre better off going to L&L.
(1)Mz S.
My best friends took me here for my birthday dinner. The dinner was an amazing experience. I was a little turned off by the hostess, but that was quickly forgotten about when we were seated and welcomed warmly by our waitress. My favorite cocktail is there White Lily. I loved it - had about 5 of them. The yamamomo on the bottom of the glass is delicious and I wish I could have a whole jar of them. Here is what we ordered that evening. Appetizers: Gyoza - great but not my favorite Tofu - listen to the waiter/waitress/food runner, do not touch the lid, just let it sit and do it's magic. It comes with a delicious kim chee broth. Hands down, my favorite appetizer pork belly - delicious!! Sushi Platter - a great variety of sushi. Each piece was delectable and fresh. Loved every bite! Calamari Salad - I ordered a salad for my entree which was a smart move for me because by now, I was getting full. I loved the crispy calamari with the cool cripsy greens and the dressing is amazing. Needless to say, my best friend's girlfriend ate half of my salad because it was just so good and neglected her entree. Chawan Mushi with Foie Gras - my favoirte! I order this every time i go. It's velvety smooth and the flavors are amazing. Loved every bite. Dessert: Peanut butter chocolate bombe - I had this before and liked it but my best friend inhaled this before most of us could grab a bite. This was his favorite dessert by far. Salted Peanut ice cream - YUM! Grilled Pineapple - this was a light and delicious dessert Sorbert assortment - refreshing and light Semifreddo - this was my best friend's girlfriend's favorite. light and delicious I was very sad to learn that they no longer make the tofu souffle that came with the hot and cold tofu dessert. That was so delicious and unique. All in all, I had a wonderful meal here.
(4)Crissy K.
A very solid four stars. Going in, I was really hoping I'd be able to give Morimoto five stars. Why? Look at the guy: He totally rocks the house on "Iron Chef America." So why four stars? Some friends and I had the omakase and shared a few other plates. While 90-95% of the items served with the omakase were at least solidly good (just the pork with the entree dish was really dry and boring, and the seasoning used on the lobster kinda smelled like body odor), few were spectacular, and I don't feel that all of these dishes were honestly the BEST representation of Morimoto's cooking. BUT . . . That said, Morimoto standard solidly good is a lot better than you get most places in Honolulu. The foie gras chawan mushi made me a believer in chawan mushi (after the one at Yohei nearly convinced me that I would never try it again). The hamachi and toro tartare, with its five accompanying garnishes, was a sight to behold, presentation-wise, but I had no hesitation digging in and savoring each flavor. The bagna cauda was so simple, yet so savory and mouth-watering. And don't forget: Don't limit yourself to the omakase. My favorite item we sampled had to be the kakuni -- the ten-hour pork belly. It was the most tender pork I have ever had, and I would go back for this alone. OK, and the lamb carpaccio, of which they just give you so much, it's a great deal right out of the bag. The service my friends and I received the night we went was quite good: The servers were very patient in explaining the components of each dish and even came back to go over one of the omakase dishes with someone who had been in the restroom when it first arrived at the table. It was difficult to hear the explanations at times because the room was so large and noisy, but that wasn't the fault of the servers themselves. I look forward to visiting Morimoto Waikiki again to see what else the menu has to offer!
(4)Aya T.
I really thought I was going to be blown away by my dinner here but sadly this was not the case. My dining partner and I were hungry so we ordered quite a few things to share. I had to try one of their delicious sounding cocktails, the pear yuzu gimlet was pretty awesome. I loved the pear vodka with a touch of yuzu citrus, lime and serrano chile...very tasty! Our first dish was the Live Octopus Carpaccio. It was presented beautifully but I noticed right away there was a lot of sauce on the plate. Too much soy/yuzu/ginger sauce was drowning the octopus which was a shame because you couldn't taste the eight armed monster. I was really excited to see how the Yellowtail Pastrami was going to tickle my palate. Again the presentation was better than the taste. First of all the yellowtail was raw which I prefer but pastrami is cooked so I thought the spice coating on the fish would taste like pastrami? Nope, it was just yellowtail with a togarashi coating. Yeah I didn't get it either. Next up was the Oyster/Foie Gras/Uni dish. This would have been pretty damn tasty but they drowned it with teriyaki sauce?!? I was so disappointed by this. Why would you ruin such high quality ingredients with teriyaki sauce :(. Time to cleanse my palate with another cocktail, tried the Coco Fraiche with coconut vodka, lime, lemongrass syrup and coconut water. It was very tropical tasting but I preferred my first drink over this one. Our next dish was the winner out of the bunch. The Foie Gras chawan mushi with duck was excellent. Really elegant and creamy, I loved it! I had to get some sushi so we ordered the soft shell crab roll and a ume/shiso roll. The soft shell crab roll with avocado, asparagus and tobiko was amazing and the ume/shiso roll was just what I wanted. For our one and only main dish, we got the special crispy whole branzino with a spicy tofu sauce and pickled papaya salad. The fish by itself was perfect, crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside. I thought the other elements on the plate were totally unnecessary and didn't really complement the fish. The fish was ginormous but it was so delicious that we managed to eat the whole thing :)! For dessert, we tried the chocolate peanut bombe upon suggestion of our waiter. I liked the salted caramel ice cream but the rest of the dish was nothing special. Overall, I was pretty perplexed by the food. I think they are trying too hard to impress and most of the dishes just fall flat. I don't recommend spending the fortune that we did for dinner when there are some better dining options on the island.
(3)Michael S.
This is not about the food, as the food is outstanding and beats Nobu hands down, being one of the best in town, Chef was present! However, the front desk is ridiculous: 9:20p, four seats at Sushi bar open and four to six tables open, late in the evening, but no availability, at the bar or table??? No one coming, tables open and no seating??? Absolutely unacceptable. Will have to find more welcoming place. Too bad!
(1)Rachel H.
Was fortunate enough to eat here three times in a row and each meal was excellent. We stuck mainly to the sushi/sashimi selections or had the sushi chef design a selection from our request. The imaginative but yet classic presentation made even the smallest selection remarkable and sating. Fish was of the highest quality as you would expect. Pork gyoza and the salt crusted fingerlings are a must have off the hot menu. And the man himself was there all three nights. Fascinating to watch his oversight and his staff reactions.
(4)Stephanie Q.
Four words: SPICY ALASKAN KING CRAB *you must order this appetizer! We had the best table for 2 outside on the patio overlooking the harbor and sunset on our final night in Honolulu. The food, service and ambiance couldn't be beat! We stayed at the hotel as well and I suggest to have a cocktail at the pool bar before dinner, since it's literally 10 steps away. Go at sunset! It's never too crowded and although it's super trendy and new, it's not stuffy. I didn't think you had to dress up a ton either...although it's Hawaii and I don't think people really ever completely get decked out unless you go to some of the night clubs. I wore a simple summer dress and everyone was pretty much the same attire. This was on a Thursday night, so the weekend could get a litlle more fancy :)
(5)Al E.
Fantastic experience once again for our anniversary, and getting to meet Chef Morimoto made it even better!
(5)Shazam L.
Need "Iron Colon" to eat here. All three in our party had stomach issues after eating at this location. We had the lobster salad, sashimi, sushi and udon. Our only conclusion, we were served leftover expired food...as it was apparent. Iron colon with good medical insurance and a trust fund required to eat here. What a rip off.
(1)Jeffrey J.
2010 has really been the year of the Iron Chef for me, after already visiting Bobby Flay and Mario Batali restaurants earlier in the year. My recent vacation to Hawaii had me checking off another Iron Chef restaurant on the list - Masaharu Morimoto. While the white decor and modern furniture presented a nice elegance to the experience, I wasn't a huge fan of the coral or orchid decorations... just not my style. FYI, this place is in the ballerific Edition Hotel in Waikiki. The service was very good, the food came out with great timing, and everything was plated so beautifully. I had the trio of duck and it was very good. It was served as a meatball french onion soup style; traditional duck confit; and an eggroll filled with potato and duck. While the confit and meatball were excellent, I thought the eggroll didn't even measure up. It took such a back seat, it was practically in the trunk. Wah wah. We also sampled their sushi, for which the rolls were surprisingly priced reasonably. The nigiri though was fairly expensive as they charge per single piece, and I paid $7 for a single uni nigiri. Overall, I thought it was an excellent experience, but I thought it was lacking a little in the "wow" factor that prevented me from giving it the maximum 5 stars. Ala Cuisine!
(4)David C.
I am a fan of yose dofu. Definately one of the better appetizers I've had yet. The best i can describe it would be a fresh hot tofu created at table side. You will receive several options to dress your dish including a Daishi broth, Kim chee sauce, and some garnish toppings to finish it off. The dish is extremely light and would be a nice replacement for a starter soup. The way I like to eat it would be to dress the tofu with a 1:1 ratio of Daishi broth and Kim chee sauce. Dinner is amazing.
(4)Elizabeth N.
Made an improtu first visit last Friday & sat at the bar. Four stars for the bar, the service and ambiance/decor. 3 for the Ginger Pork dish we tried. It was good and surprisingly plentiful, but nothing that I haven't tasted before. Funny but I found the condiments (the marmalade relish and eggplant) more compelling than the meat itself! But as pairing with our shochu, the meal was a choice accompiniant. Overall, as a new restaurant/bar, they are still working out their kinks as the bartender was not quite familiar with the shochu section of the menu or the services they offered. But he was sincerely attentive and he got us an individual who was very knowledgeable (a japanese ex-pat) and she made the best recommendations for our shochu and gave us brief lesson on the types they serve and how it could be best enjoyed. It wasn't very busy in there that night (the place wasn't full) so maybe they were able to give us this undivided attention because of that. ??? Either way, we appreciated the attentive service, the recommendations and will go back for another round of shochu. Maybe even a bottle of it since like all respectable Japanese restaurants, they will hold your bottle for you to return to enjoy it. And due to of the overall vibe of this hotel, sitting in this restaurant, it doesn't feel like your in Hawaii at all. Whether or not this is a good thing depends on your personal state of mind. Here's my recap: Pros: -The service. Very attentive and they strive to get you exactly what you want and be happy with what you have. -The ambiance; very modern and simple and the propogated coconut plants in the front were way cool. -The portions of food were generous considering it's Waikiki prices. One dish of ginger pork was enough for two people. Cons: -Still working on the consistencies of their service. -Prices of course -The bar is adjacent to the two outdoor seating areas, thus there were gnats all over the bar aread. We killed four of them during our time there. The lady sitting next to us was complaining too. EEEEEEWWWWW. Better ventilation or fans near the exits could take care of this problem.
(4)Bernard N.
Wow, what a great opportunity to dine at Morimoto Waikiki! As this was a work dinner, the bill was taken care of. And this being our first time there, we relied upon the suggestions of our waitress and sommelier/manager. Everything they suggested was incredible! Hamachi Tartare - 4 Sashimi Salad - 4 Ishiyaki Buri Bop - 4 Wagyu Carpaccio - 5* Fried Whole Fish - 5 Wagyu Ribeye 160z - 5 Uni from Santa Monica & Tokyo - 5* Island Flavored Sorbets - 3 Haupia Semmifreddo - 5 Apple Martini - 4 Chikurin Sake - 5* Rose Wine - 3 *Wagyu Carpaccio, Uni from both Santa Monica & Tokyo , and the Chikurin Sake would be make the order list again. However, as we sampled only a small part of the menu, next time I I would try different appetizers and entrees as well. Service - 5 Food - 5 Price - 3 (easily over $100 per person) Overall - 4 We were seated on the patio deck and I think I preferred this as the inside was quite noisy. The weather was perfect and all the 'beautiful people' seemed to be out. The ambiance was great and since the Edition is a new hotel (luxury-end in the Marriott chain) all the amenities were state of the art.. Service was also fantastic! Everyone (6+ staff) who took care of us had personality and great spirit. This is fine dining, so be sure you are not prone to sticker shock!
(4)Hashim A.
This is my first time dining at one of Morimoto's restaurants and I must say I was impressed! The Waikiki location is his newest and although they have a few new restaurant kinks to iron out, the food and service were fantastic. Ryan, our waiter did a great job. The sushi and sashimi was fresh...i highly recommend the wagyu sashimi. Other dishes we had were the rock shrimp tempura, wagyu carpacchio (my personal favorite), spicy king crab, and clam miso soup. All were great. The peanut butter bombe dessert was also good. I don't drink but according to my girl the Pina Haupia and Pear Gimlet were good. So why didn't I give them 5 stars? One reason...atmosphere. It is REALLY loud in there. Sometimes you have to yell so the person next to you can hear you. Don't get me wrong the scene is trendy and the people are beautiful. It's also a good break from the laid back Waikiki vibe...It's just a little too loud. I'll try dining outside on the patio next time. Yes there will definitely be a next time.
(4)Christopher-desiree G.
IRON CHEF!!! Loved it! My husband brought me here for our first anniversary and I realized why we got married! First of all, the environment was clean and very neat. I absolutely loved the service we got. They answered our questions, gave us some tips on how to eat certain dishes, and let us know what items were popular. Second, their are 3 different menus! One for wines and drinks, one for the appetizers and entrees, and another for desserts. What to choose??? Since we couldn't decide, and this is why I know our love will last... Was to hit the appetizers. We decided that everything looked so good that we MUST COME BACK AGAIN to try the other things. We ordered the whitefish carpaccio, kakuni, spicy tuna maki, Morimoto poke. ALL WERE OH SO YUMMY! So I can't tell you which was our favorite. They all were. No wonder he's an Iron Chef! Ok, so the environment was awesome, the food was awesome, and the service was awesome. It was just an awesome night.
(5)Koren D.
Only one word comes to mind - LACKLUSTER. Had dinner there last night and both my husband and I had the omakase menu. What a huge disappointment. Every dish lacked in flavor and while our server was sweet, the kitchen sometimes took up to 15 minutes between courses. Really?? Did I mention how the tables are on top of each other as well? By far the worst tasting menu we have ever had at a "5 star" restaurant.
(1)Barb L.
The hotel we stayed at recommended them SO many times.....we wondered if they were getting kickbacks.....hahahaaaa..... Our last full day in Honolulu, we thought...we've been eating whatever so many days, let's just have a really good meal! We made a wrong turn...took us longer than expected...but we got there. The place was empty! We had to wait for the "hostess" to seat us.... The service was a little interesting....I would have gladly given 4 stars, if they were not that "interesting"....not sure if it was snootiness or whatever it is... Our daughter ordered the mini burgers - 5 stars Calamari salad - 2-3 stars...the fried calamari was a little too greasy for us... Nigiri sushi - 4-5 stars, toro was 5 stars.... Overall, we had a nice meal...just not the 5 star service I expected :)
(3)Marck N.
When I found out that Morimoto opened a restaurant in Oahu, I had to try it out.I enjoyed the New York restaurant and wanted to see if this one would be the same. Arrived here for lunch and it was fairly empty, though there was a lot of people in the kitchen doing their work. The feel of the restaurant is very airy, lots of space. More of an LA scene than New York, definitely not a Hawaii feel. The menu contained some of the same items from the New York restaurant. I decided on the live octopus sashimi for an appetizer and the Kakuni don (10 hour braised pork don). My partner had the waygu loco moco. The live octopus wasn't what I expected, as I was expecting the meat to still be wiggling. But it wasn't. The taste was quite different. Very sweet and delicate. A must to try. The Kakuni don was delicious. The sauce that its served in is very savory and tasty. It made me want to lick my empty bowl clean. Tasting my partners waygu beef loco moco, the gravy tasted like Hungarian goulash, very creamy and heavy. Not your regular loco moco. I wouldn't order it, hence my lick the bowl comment above. The staff was very attentive from our waitress to the bus boys. Everyone was very courteous, asking how everything was. All glasses were filled and refilled. It is pricey for lunch. If you do go, consider it a little splurge from the regular plate lunch places all over.
(4)Glenn G.
I always enjoy dining at Morimoto Waikiki. Being a value diner I prefer a series of appitizers over entrees. That way you can leave satisfied for about $50/person. Favorites are: Tuna Pizza - a crispy tortilla covered with lots of ahi sashimi Crispy Rock Shrimp Tempura with excellent sauces Yose Dofu - table side prepared fresh tofu
(5)Kevin L.
Went there and was presently surprised. Food was a little expensive but worth it. Morimoto was there and taking pictures with anyone that walked up to him. He was very polite and humble. He defiantly represented well for Iron Chef.
(4)Jerry E.
Sashimi presentation was unspectacular, and didn't measure up to the iron chef reputation as one would expect. Also, the seafood combo was average at best; however, the takoyakni made with Kona abalone was superb. I highly recommend to give it a try. A few observations: 1) the entrance door to the place was unremarkable (not standing out), 2) tables are seated too close on the lanai/patio, offering minimal privacy for conversation, 3) prices are much higher than competitors with no noticeable difference, and 4) the price for their small, lukewarm expresso was too exorbitant, something one should avoid at all cost, because it simply wasn't worth having it. It will unequivocally further ruining your expensive night out.
(2)Piyo S.
5 stars all the way Interior design: 5 stars Food: 5 stars Customer service: 5 stars There is nothing to complain about MORIMOTO Waikiki, food is always great, service is superb, and I love the modern interior design of this restaurant, it reminds me the living room of my house, as if they copyed my living room!? The sashimi quality is unbelievable, it melts like a butter in my mouth, the fish is never fishy like other Japanese restaurants. I have wonderful time @ MORIMORO everytime. A Message to Morimoto-san: Hawaii niwa mezurashii subetega kanpekina omise dato omoimasu. Ro-karuno akueikyouwo ukezuni, Itsumademo nihon reberu no hinshituwo ki-pu shite kudasaine!
(5)Ryan M.
Took my gf here on our anniversary. The service was great. our waitress really was awesome and very pleasant to talk to and had some great recommendations. knocks is that its SUPER loud in there so hard to have a romantic conversation. for appetizers we ended up getting the morimoto sashimi which i didn't like. it came with 5 different sauces to try, but the sashimi itself was layered and kind of blended all the flavors together. i personally enjoy eating the fish to taste the diffference. the sauces weren't anything to write home about either. we ordered drinks as well and the one that stood out was the yuzu mixed drink my gf had. i kept stealing it from her to taste. the appetizer came out within minutes of ordering, very impressive, but then the main entree took probably 30-40 minutes to come out which was exemplified by the shortness of the first course. the waitress gave us another round of drinks for the wait which was a great touch, but the kitchen was deifnitely backed up. the restaurant was full so i can understand but still a little too long for entrees. gf had the surf and turf. the steak au jus was amazing and the foam on the poke was yummy (ponzu) but the poke itself wasn't special. i had duck 3 ways and the best part was sadly the soup with meatballs. the other duck dishes were yummy but weren't memorable. there were spring rolls which was just okay but i've had duck spring rolls before that were delicious and the duck breast was good but i've had better as well. dessert wasn't great either as the description didn't match the plate. they had mentioned kona coffee ice cream and came out with vanilla. the nice thing was there was a coffee liquer drink that i had that was a nice finish to a pretty decent dinner. for the price i'd say its a great place for a fancy dinner but not somewhere i'd go back to. they do have an awesome outdoor fire pit that i didn't get to show to my gf, so maybe drinks outside would be a reason to go back.
(3)Monique P.
I was excited about trying Morimoto's since we were staying at the resort it is housed but I'd have to say the experience was just meh. We were seated outside at a wobbly table and the atmosphere was nothing special. You could maybe see a few yachts on the marina but barely even that. The service was not bad however. We had the pork belly lunch and lobster melts which were ok. All in all, I would just say it was typical for resort dining... overpriced and underwhelmed. Not bad... I just had higher expectations.
(3)grace n.
I've been to Morimoto in Napa so I knew more or less what to expect. I was sad to hear that I missed Morimoto by just a couple of weeks or so (dang it, Obama! Be in Honolulu when I'm there!) but the food was still delicious. I generally prefer appetizers to entrees so I made my friend order a bunch of small dishes and appetizers with me =) The oysters foie gras is a little bit of heaven in food form. Oysters? Yes please. Foie gras? Just stop it! This dish was probably my favorite during my week long trip to Hawaii. I also loved the toro hamachi and Morimoto's beef carpaccio is always delish. I forget what else we got. But when in doubt, get the oysters foie gras. nommm.
(4)derek n.
Was excited to try Morimoto's in Waikiki and had a chance to talk with some friends about their experiences and reviewed some of the yelp reviews beforehand, so luckily my expectations were not super high. First impression was that it was in this somewhat eclectic hotel that attempts at being trendy but unsure if it pulls it off. Second, as I walked into the restaurant entrance, was underwhelmed by the somewhat odd decor. The waiting area seating was trendy but somewhat unclean looking, all throughout the restaurant were these clear box fixtures hanging from the ceiling with coral in them (which I though was sort of a cliche and tacky). The inside seating was cramped and it was very loud, luckily we were seated outside and there were not too many people outside. Most of our party ordered the omakase but in addition, we ordered a few dishes separately. I would suggest the omakase on your first visit, it will give you a taste of a lot of different things. The separate appetizers and entrees were very nice sized portions. The stuff I really liked: - hamachi and toro tartare - fois gras chawan mushi (very rich, and I normally don't like chawan mushi) - omakase desserts - ice cream with sweet potato, panna cotta The stuff that was just okay: - yose dofu - rock shrimp - main course from omakase with lobster, pork, meat - sashimi and sushi omakase courses, probably the biggest disappointment - anchovy paste in oil heated over a candle was interesting, the vegetables were sort of plain and unappealing but the anchovy paste thing was good there was a palate cleanser 'kelp tea' that was strange and not that appealing nor cleansing so overall, there were some high and not so high points. obviously an expensive meal, but I would consider going back on a special occasion. Since I know what I like from the omakase and knowing the regular appetizer and main course portions are quite large for a high-end place, I'm sure the value will be much higher the next time around. one last thing, the service was excellent, which was one thing I was worried about from reading other yelp reviews
(3)Janice C.
We had high expectation for this place and turned out the sashimi/sushi was not very fresh. I ordered the loco moto which basically is beef over rice and it was almost laughable since I've had something awfully smilar at a different Japanese restaurant that charges $10. We left within an hour, that's how unbearable the experience was.
(1)Lindsay C.
Great place for a date night. It is expensive but worth it - our waiters, bartenders, and runners have always been knowledgeable and friendly. The food is delicious, fresh, and skillfully prepared (although if you make a reservation past 8:00 they sometimes run out of their specials). They also have a great selection of sake.
(4)Stacy H.
The Iron Chef did not disappoint. We ordered the toro tartare and that was delicious, except it was angled in such a way that it was hard to get the toro out of the dish. The sauces were delicious! The oysters with the foie gras with uni were unbelievable. I ordred the ishiyaki buri bop and the braised black cod. These dishes were both delicious. For the price, you would expect a little more food, but overall the quality of the dishes were great.
(4)Chris G.
I've been to the Philly and Napa Morimoto locations, so it was only a matter of time before heading to Morimoto Waikiki. We had a great seat, right near the water and our service was beyond excellent. The staff made sure we had anything we needed. We we with the recommended Ginjo Lychee Martini which had a pretty good kick. Starting off with the Morimoto Poke and the Hamachi Tartare. With the Hamachi it was hard to eat it slow, it was not only fun to eat but a delight for the senses. Moving on to the Wagyu beef, Kakuni and Ox tail soup. The Wagyu was so tasty and tender and I was suprised I liked the Ox tail soup, it's something I don't normally eat. Pikae Blossom and Coco Fraiche was a nice change from the Lychee Martini and afterwards we had a nice buzz going. Ending the night with the Chocolate Tart and we left with smiles from ear to ear.
(5)Mo T.
I loved this guy on the iron chef. Very innovative and respectful, so it was exiting to go to his restaurant while on my honeymoon. the decor was awesome and we sat at the sushi bar overlooking the kitchen. it was a pleasure seeing the chefs in action. seeing the different dishes get done, and the presentation was amazing on some of these dishes. The wifey and I loved our sushi, calamari, ox tail soup, more sushi, and I forgot about the other dish we had. but overall, a great experience.
(5)Gigi Y.
I went there w/a couple friends for lunch on a Friday. We shared a Soft-Shell Crab Roll. The soft-shell crab was crispy but the the sushi wasn't wrapped tight enough. I had a lobster melt which came with nicely seasoned fries (salt, furikake and a hint of wasabi) and salad. My friends had a Chicken Katsu Sandwich and the Mini Burgers. The Chicken Katsu Sandwich had mustard and katsu sauce which my friend thought was a strange combination. I was surprised at the size of the Mini Burgers... It was MINI for sure. There's three burgers and each burger probably has the diameter of 2 inches. My friend said it was enough for her though, with the fries and salad. I like the underwater themed decor of the restaurant. Overall it was good but I guess I expected to be WoW-ed from the restaurant of an Iron Chef.
(3)Jo C.
After dinning in here, I understand why it is only 3.5 starts. It is a very true yelp rating. I had Morimoto in Napa, CA a few times and was never let down once. I am very disappointed at Morimoto Waikiki. We ordered the toro tartare which is the equivalent of the tuna tartare in Napa. The rice crackers were stale. The oyster foie gras was the worst dish of the night. The oysters had sand and shells in them. It's unacceptable at a $$$$ restaurant. Lastly, I want to mention is the timing of each dish. There was no timing. All the cold appetizers were brought out at once, then waited for 15-20 minutes, then all the hot appetizers were brought out at once again. This is not the service that I am used to in Napa unfortunately.
(2)Marleen M.
We had the special crab cake appetizer, which was made of Keahole Lobster, alaskan king crab, scallops and some other stuff..it was DELICIOUS! For dinner we ordered an assortment of sushi and the crispy whole fish. The food was awesome....but, what makes this restaurant worth the price is their staff. Our waiter, Kaulana, was efficient, friendly, and anticipated our needs before we voiced them. The bus staff was quick without being obtrusive. What I really appreciated about the experience is that I did not feel the need to seek out "my" waiter. Every staff member that went by our table glanced over to be sure we were ok, or stopped to offer their assistance...again without being obtrusive. What a great experience! Thank you Kaulana and all the staff at Morimoto's.
(5)Kanani M.
Being a complete "foodie" I was excited when we decided to go to an Iron-Chef's restaurant. Everyone that heard we were going there seemed intrigued and excited for us as well. Unfortunately, it just didn't live up to the hype or the name associated with it. The ambiance was great, very clean lines, gorgeous setting. The staff was attentive, but seemed cold and too "programed". They did their duties on time and as scheduled and did not allow for any deviance from what they were trained, even if it was obvious that it did not fit the guests needs. We had a party of nine and decided to eat family style, so we got to try a little of everything. If I was grading the food based on presentation, I would've given it 5 stars. There was no detail left undone. The food was beautiful! However, in terms of taste, it left much to be desired. The sushi was not top-notch but was acceptable. The Wagyu steak was overcooked (ordered Med-Rare) and not very flavorful. The Whole Fish (which was the nights special- Sea Bass) with Tofu Sauce and Papaya Salad topping was so-so, it looked like it would have much more flavor than it did. The rock shrimp was served with 2 aioli sauces and a buttermilk dipping sauce also, the buttermilk drowned out the flavors of the wasabi aioli (which was good) and the (what we joked) was a buffalo rock shrimp sauce (which was not good). The dishes that were good? The tuna pizza (raw tuna served pizza style on a thin crust) and all of the deserts. The lattes were good. And the drink menu was well put together and was quite delightful also. All together, it wasn't a bad experience, it just didn't live up to expectations. I wouldn't go back for dinner, but I have heard that they have a decent brunch... maybe I will give that a try.
(2)Kara R.
I can't review the food because this restaurant would not seat us! At 9:40 on a Friday night, they stop seating?? Really? Why? Must be bad management
(1)Renee M.
We made sure that Morimoto was our first major dinner out for my husband's big "Hawaii 5-0" celebration on our trip to Oahu this year (this was our second visit to the restaurant). As always, they did not disappoint. We were seated outside, overlooking the harbor and had the perfect sunset view. Everything - from the toro tartare appetizer all the way through to the incredible entrees -- we did everything from the crispy whole fish to the chirashi sushi (for the birthday boy!) to the wagyu fillet. All of it was incredible. And the dessert, which I pre-ordered special from the wonderful front desk girl who worked with the chef (I'm so sorry I don't remember her name!) -- the dessert is worthy of a photo. They did a special sampler for us - and since there were six of us, they did THREE OF THEM (I was only expecting one). That meant every 2 people had the chance to try nearly every one of their out of this world desserts - from the tofu cheesecake to the chocolate peanut bombe. It was amazing and the perfect way to finish the perfect meal. Thank you, Martin, for your great service and to the chef for making a special evening all the more special! We'll be back again! PS - Go Sunday nights and visit The Modern Poolbar first for a cocktail and the wonderful music of local artist, Jeremy Cheng!
(5)Fay H.
Morimoto is da bomb! This is the second Iron Chef restaurant that we've been to (the other being Bobby Flay's Bar American in NYC). We were so impressed by this place - it totally blew Bobby Flay out of the water! The restaurant is situated on the marina. We had requested to sit outside near the fire pit. We were seated outside and could at least see the fire pit but we were lodged in between a large party and another couple. A little too close for comfort, but hey, I was here to eat not check out the neighborhood. We ordered: - Rock shrimp served two ways: wasabi and spicy korean style. The wasabi shrimp was some of the beat shrimp I have eaten in my life. We had just been at Giovanni's the day before and they had nothing on Morimoto. - Ahi tuna pizza. This had so much fish on it and a really yummy aioli. - Chirashi. This was ok. My only criticism was there seemed to be more veggies then fish. I could have gotten a dish like this most anywhere. - Soft shell crab tempura roll. This was a standard roll, nothing you couldn't get at your fab sushi place. The drinks were awesome. I got a Mai Haupia and a Mori-jito. Delish. I gave the restaurant 4 stars primarily because of the impeccable service and great atmosphere. I would def come back and maybe focus less in the sushi and more on the fusion app options.
(4)Christina G.
Wow. Really impressed by this Iron Chef restaurant! The food was great, I was here with a big party and everyone loved what they got. One friend got the prix fixe menu and she loved it and it looked amazing. Service was fine and it was a beautiful trendy spot. We had a great time.
(4)Christopher T.
Took my parents out for an early Christmas dinner here, came in with no expectations and was only slightly impressed. The restaurant itself looked nice, service was great, however the food I ordered was 3 stars at best. Sushi was average with what you'll find at many Waikiki sushi restaurants, in fact the only thing that saved this review was probably the crispy fish we ordered. It was battered and fried, a whole fish from head to tail for $37 and came covered in a mapo tofu sauce.. delicious! Definitely my favorite dish of the night. Nothing else impressed. Would come here again for that fish.
(4)Manda S.
Heads up: If you want the omakase, then EVERYONE on your table needs to get the omakase. They started this rule last month or so, and I think its only in effect on the weekends during dinner time (to make it easier on the kitchen). If you go during the weekday, during lunch, or on a weekend reaaaally late (9PM-ish), then I think your party should be fine. Here's some more tips regarding the omakase: - If you've got people in your party who have already had it, you can let your server know and they'll make a new set of dishes for those who are repeating. For example, the repeats in our party got a spicy king crab leg and an oyster with abalone takoyaki. Instead of the surf and turf, they got a piece of whole fried fish and something with clams (a soup?). They also got the tofu cheesecake instead of the kabocha muffin thing. - It takes about 3 hours to eat the omakase so please plan accordingly ---- Overall, I thought the omakase was good. Not amazingly fantastic (especially, given the price), but very good, solid food and it was definitely a very unique, one-of-a-kind experience. Maybe my expectations were too high? (I had heard stories of people who wanted to cry after eating the hamatchi/ahi paste dish.) For $120 a person, I was honestly hoping to have my mind blown by the sheer awesomeness of the food, but it didn't really happen too much. I kind of felt it when I ate the chu toro and the wagyu beef though. I'd give Morimoto's a B for the food but definitely an A+ for decor and presentation. Our party had a great time and we were well taken-care of. More tips! - The staff here are awesome. For $120 a person, you sure do get some 5-star staff, I swear. I really wish I caught her name (it started with a P and she was a very sweet, local girl). - I really liked the White Lily cocktail. It was shochu, calpico, and a dash of yuzu--if you like shochu shots, you'll like this! - Thank goodness that parking is easy -- the valet is free with validation from the restaurant.
(3)Judy H.
Came to Hawaii for vacation and had reservations at morimoto for the first night's fancy dinner. Was super excited since I love Japanese food and... Iron chef!!! The food was decent, though probably not worth the price. The service was TERRIBLE. at first it was good, but then we sat for 20 minutes after we finished our entrees because the waiter forgot about us. We tried to get his attention but he didn't see us... We had to flag someone else down to get him. Then we asked to speak with the manger. The waiter was good when he was interacting with us, he just needed to pay attention more. But this manager.... Wow. Really shouldn't be in any type of customer service role. First, took him about ten minutes to make his way over even though we could see he was not preoccupied with anything else. Then we told him about the unacceptable service and he said he could give us a free dessert (we were pretty upset by then since the service was so slow). My brother then said if it were him he would comp the whole meal and the manager just mumbled and walked away. We ordered dessert and then later the manager came back.., He said "I am going to comp your meal, even though most of me doesn't want to. I think you should be more forgiving since we did a good job at first and we made mistakes. But I will comp it because you asked for it, and I don't want you telling people we stink." Who says that?? What ever happened to customer is always right?? At the end of the conversation he asked "so are you going to tell everyone we suck?" they should really think harder about doing a training for their staff...
(1)Miki M.
I'd like to announce this restaurant on Yelp- its official opening is planned for June 2010. Thanks for your patience! This will be the hippest sushi bar in town. Chef Masaharu Morimoto- known to millions as star of Iron Chef and Iron Chef America- has garnered critical and popular acclaim for his seamless integration of Western and Japanese ingredients, effectively creating his own unique cuisine. Design: The design for Morimoto Waikiki is inspired by a light-color palette that embraces the tropical lifestyle of Hawaii in combination with Japanese tradition. Hardwood floors extend from the inside to the exterior deck spaces, while a floor-to-ceiling window offers diners a seamless view of the island's natural beauty. Announced Hours: Mon - Thurs: 6:30 am - 11:00 pm Fri - Sat: 6:30 am - 12:00 am Sun: 6:30 am - 11:00 pm Attire: Dressy Payment Options: Accepts all major credit cards Culinary Team: Jojo Vasquez, Executive Chef General Manager: Craig Kahila Parking: Street, Parking Lot, Valet Price Range: $$$ (30-50) Services: Takes Reservations, Walk-Ins Welcome, Good For Groups, Waiter Service, Outdoor Seating Specialties: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Coffee, Drinks
(5)Patrick C.
We made reservations here wanting to eat here but decided to eat somewhere else and cancelled. However, while at the pool...I said to myself that I must try their oyster w/ foie gras & uni....so I took it to go and ate it at the pool. Boy am I glad I did!! I loved it!! I mean what isn't to love about three of my fave dishes...Oysters...Uni...and Foie Gras?!?! Wow...melted in my mouth. First time ever trying this combo but won't be my last...
(4)Jeff G.
Great sushi and ramen soup. The yellowfin entree that was cooked on the table was very cool and tasty.
(5)Chris Y.
I've been to Morimoto's on three occasions and it's been mixed. It seems that the restaurant has great potential, but hasn't quite found it's groove. If you do get a chance, try the Omakase prie fixe menu. They do try to make things that are not on the menu and I feel that the dishes were better when served omakase. Not sure if the kitchen pays more attention, but the one time I did it, I couldn't have sworn it was a better cooked meal. The highlight: The Kabocha Souffle dessert. WOW! It was amazing. This dessert is not on the menu and was served with the Omakase menu. It was just so light and fluffy. I wish I could have that again! On on occasion I did have a chance to meet Morimoto himself. He does seem like a very down to earth kinda guy. He was very gracious and allow us to take a photo with him.
(4)Matthew S.
The Iron Chef cuisine reigns supreme.... Ate here 14-Jun, and the man was in the house. He was happy to pose for pictures with the patrons and was pretty cool. His dress code of shorts resonates with the location and style, smart casual. Cocktails are good and his own branded beer is very palatable. The food was exception, the seafood very fresh and menu extensive in depth. Our server, name forgotten in the blur of cocktails and wine, but he had recently served Obama on his visit. Very engaging, friendly and informative. Thanks for the great experience.....
(4)Kevin H.
I really don't know why this restaurant isn't getting better reviews. The atmosphere and decor is very nice, and reminiscent of an upscale restaurant in New York. The drinks are really tasty (especially the Morimotini) and also very stiff. The food is delicious!! There is a reason why this man is the Iron Chef! Almost everything we tried was very tasty and also innovative. We came here twice. The first time we got the omakase, which I highly recommend. All the courses were very good, and you will leave with a full stomach. The second time, we just came for appetizers. We had the oyster foie gras, the octopus carpaccio, the kanpachi sashimi, the ahi pizza, beef tartare, and some other dishes and they were all very good. I think this restaurant has some of the best food on the island. The only thing I didn't like about this place was the customer service. The waiters are all very young and I think most of them were hired simply because the restaurant had a fast opening. I give them credit for memorizing the menu, but they just don't seem very professional. One waiter spilled the fondue oil on my fiance's handbag and completely ruined the leather and tried to amend for it by saying "I can pay for the dry cleaning". I mean, come on! Are you serious??? How about you buy her a new bag? He didn't even comp our meal or give us free dessert or anything like that. Pretty ridiculous for a high-end restaurant.
(5)J H.
First the décor...WOW. this place looks awesome!!!! the glass walls were very pleasing to the eye. Service Good service, not the wow that the décor received. But still good enough Food Food was awesome, just what you would expect from an iron chef. the sashimi was fresh, the stake was cooked to perfection and the desert was wow. So why did I give it 3 stars?? The price. For what you paid for, it just was not worth it. For example, We got the sashimi plat for 40. how many did we get we got five types of fishes, with two pieces each. YIKES!!! you pay for the experiences. Don't expect to go out full without a bill of at least 300 - 400...and that is without wine....l
(3)Lexi P.
When we had to go through airport-esque security to get in, we were pretty sure someone important was there. Obama sitting in the corner and the secret service men scattered through the restaurant added to the ambiance of this lovely dinner. We were seated out on the lanai overlooking the harbor. We ordered a fantastic pork belly appetizer which was very tender. We also ordered the rock shrimp which came prepared in two different sauces- one being a buffalo sauce and the other this creamy wasabi deliciousness. For entrees we got the duck 3 ways and splurged on the $50 lobster. I will have dreams about this lobster.. it had a cajun seasoning and a lemon butter cream on the side. Simply amazing and worth every penny. The duck was slightly disappointing (especially because I usually looooove duck). I couldn't taste the duck in the egg roll (but my boyfriend liked it), the duck meatball was nothing special but the tender little piece of duck was good. Morimoto did a fantastic job with our dinner and it was such a treat getting to see him in person.
(5)Allison T.
Overall I'm giving the restaurant 4 stars since the food and service was excellent; but the prices are way too high. I was in Honolulu for a work trip. so I sat at the sushi bar. It was fantastic since it gave me an in-depth look at the inner workings of the kitchen. Unfortunately Morimoto was not in the house. Since it was just me I decided on an assortment of small dishes and appetizers. I ordered the famous Toro tartare (to die for!!), Aji (jack fish), wagyu beef nigiri, uni w/quail egg, kakuni (a little salty but good flavor), and a glass pinot grigio. Overall the food was good (besides the salty kakuni) but I ADORED the toro tartare. This brought my bill to $80, which seemed really steep considering I only ordered small items and was still a little hungry when I left. If you love the Food Network then this is a must-stop for the toro tartare! Otherwise save your hard earned dollars for another sushi restaurant in the area.
(4)Jennifer C.
YES! Come here. This is where you want to eat. Lets start with the ambiance... WHITE and modern. Feels like you're in Vegas or Miami (minus the juice heads). Definitely bring the heels! Food... Where else can you see a tofu in liquid form transform itself to edible, soft/firm tofu? The sauce and toppings really pair nicely with this one. I would definitely recommend ordering the veggie sushi... super fresh! Drinks... Got to get Sake! I ordered wine too of course but the Junmai Ginjo is BOMB! Parking: The only thing is... don't be fooled by the shared rooftop... Mormimoto is NOT part of Ilikai. If you want to valet, head to Edition Hotel.
(4)Sungalina H.
I've been to Morimoto's several times and the last two, I've left disappointed for two reasons. 1) the quality of the food and 2)the cost for the food--$12 for miso soup?, please! Last night, for a friend's birthday, I asked for the most popular dish and I was told that it was the black cod. I ordered that and it was way too salty. Also, the black cod only came with 5...count them, 5 black beans. The rest of the people in my group was under-whelmed by the meal as well. We also received an odd tasting sorbet that we could not eat, after the initial bite. The ambience is modern and sleek. I've gone to Morimoto's with a group of girls and ordered a plethora of appetizers and drinks. If the weather is nice, it is a wonderful place to lounge of the setee and fire and hang out but for a good meal, I'd choose another japanese restaurant (for half the price).
(2)J M.
This place was 5 stars all the way up to the main course... and then the stars started falling. I came with a group of 6 people and we ordered tons of apps and sushi. They were all fantastic. The rock shrimp being my favorite. But then the main course came and I was so disappointed. And it wasn't just me. Everyone at the table was disappointed. I didn't try one main course that was 5 star worthy. Mine was a 1 or 2 at best. My advise is if you do decide to eat here, then just stick with drinks, sushi, and appetizers.
(3)TRISHA C.
Yes, me and my husband watch Iron Chef, Morimoto is one of my favors. First night we landed, we went here straight for dinner. We actually went two more times during our 10 days vacation in Waikiki. So, shell we start? Morimoto Sashimi (Seared toro, smoked salmon, eel, tuna, hamachi, five sauces): Delicious creative dish and playful. I personally love this one a lot. Yose Dofu (Tofu prepared tableside, kimchee sauce, dashi broth): Best tofu ever had! Fantastic flavor. This is our top favor. Chief's Loco Moto (Wagyu beef, sunny side up peterson farm egg, hayashi gravy): Made me said wow and want more. Surf and Turf (Six ounces prime filet, morimoto style poke, salt crusted fingerlings): Yummy! Tuna Pizza (Olives, anchovy aioli, jalapeno): Chirashi Sushi (Morimoto style assorted sashimi over sushi rice, serve with miso soup): Oh I loveeeeee this main course!! The sashimi tasted so fresh and everything mix together very well! Morimoto Style Poke (Bocconcini, avocado wasabi sorbet, dashi foam): The fish, again, tasted so fresh! Kakuni (Ten hour pork belly, rice congee, braised pork jus): I'd say this is the best "congee" I've had, but of course, there's not much in the bowl. Pork was super tender and flavorful. Lobster Melt (Miso mayo, swiss cheese): We read lots reviews that we should try this, it was worth it!! Serves was great, polite, helpful and always smiles. they tell you how the dish was made and what's the right way to enjoy them. In conclusion, FABULOUS!! Will have to try Morimoto New York next time.
(5)Philip H.
Morimoto Waikiki was just as good as I remember having it the first time in New York City. Ambiance is more laid back local style but it still is nice. They have a really well priced lunch menu for those of you looking for a delicious lunch. My personal favorite is the kakuni 10 hour pork belly lunch set, which includes green salad, miso soup, and rice. I also am a HUGE fan of Morimotos pork gyoza in hamakua tomato sauce. For dinner, my favorite entree is the wagyu filet or the ribeye, depending on how much of a pig I want to be. In short, good food, good service, good drinks, good ambiance. Also, I love the Waikiki Edition so it doesnt hurt that you can walk downstairs to Lobby Bar for after dinner drinks :)
(4)Kendra C.
I know there are mixed reviews....please do your research before you come here to ensure a great experience. There should be no disappointments here. This is a class act. We visited Morimoto on Thursday July 28, 2011.....had an 8:15pm reservation. Restaurant was busy but not crazy. Service was friendly and attentive, beginning with the hostess station. We were greeted instantly and taken to a beautiful table right in front of the sushi bar. Our server arrived immediately and took our drink orders. We told her that we were planning to sample the menu and that we wanted a slow pace. She obliged perfectly. We started with the Morimoto smoked 'stacked' sashimi with the 5 sauces....each sauce compliments a different "stack." Experiment.....play......enjoy. My favorite was the clear sauce. I'll leave the rest up to you. Next was the yose dofu.....highly recommended. Yes, we've all had tofu before, but how many of us can say we have had freshly made tofu? Most of us buy the processed variety from the grocery. Try this. It's creamy, fluffy and delicious. Spicy king crab was our "entree".....there is no need to feel pressure to have an actual entree at Morimoto. Instead, taste the menu. The spicy crab was presented as a dish to share. There are 4 pieces of crab and believe it or not, french fries. Try this dish if you are a shellfish fan. Last were the egg sushi dishes....skip traditional dessert and try the tamago and kasutera. Traditional Japanese and so light and fluffy....you'll forget you are actually having dessert. Afterwards, visit t the pool bar at the Edition Hotel. It's about 50 feet away but feels like a mile away. Enjoy!
(5)Thai C.
Coming from a guy who prefers a fine cheeseburger over the best lobster, this was way over the top for me. The food, from what I can tell, was on par with what I had anticipated. Most of the items we ordered at Morimoto's have been more memorable at other restaurants with much lesser price tags. My final review is to go here for the ambiance and service, which were both top notch!! The food was already forgotten on the ride home.
(3)Jessica I.
Love this place! Ate here 2 times: the first time was a set dinner for a bday party. Sat at the long private table. Service was great. The second time, was awesome! between the four of us we had 11 appetizers, 4 entrees, 3 desserts and coffee!! lol, never again will order that much food. LOOOVED the appetizers, sooo delicious, every dish was gooood!!! The entrees is ok, I would prefer just ordering appetizers and sushi. (sorry forget what we ordered) The freshest hamachi you can get. And the dessert is to die for!! love the different ways they make dessert and is soo tasteful; the hot and cold tofu: tofu souffle and cheesecake, the matcha green tea cake thing, and the sorbets are delicious!
(5)Tracy E.
Don't waste your money!
(1)Tony M.
Morimoto's is well decorated, bright and modern. The hostess was nice and we didn't wait long for our table. The waiter was friendly, helpful with menu description and accommodating requests. The sushi was great, the quality of the fish was excellent. The special which was a grilled white fish (similar to a swordfish) was perfectly cooked, however I wasn't a huge fan of the miso sauce.
(4)vanny j.
I can't really say anything that hasn't already been said. My experience started off good with an attentive server and really good food, then the food started to get less good (unimpressive greasy tempura, over-dressed salad) and so did the service (long waits, lost/forgotten orders). We had to complain about an order we had made at the beginning that didn't arrive until over 2 hours later and had seen multiples of the same order go to other tables that were seated after us. The waiter didn't apologize but made excuses but the restaurant manager did apologize and comp us dessert so at least there was a small consolation for the screw up but when you pay top dollar at a restaurant I expect a lot more.
(3)Jaye V.
Bottom line: Spend your $150 someplace better. I ordered the lobster and was so disappointed i almost cried at the table. On the menu, it stated that it was accompanied by seasonal vegetables and i think i got two sticks of yellow carrots and three branches of broccolini. It came with a side of lemon creme fraiche to (as the server told us) cool down the spices. I think the best thing about the dish was the lemon creme fraiche. And lobster was far from spicy. It didn't even have a kick to it. I basically got a lobster with seasoning and a side plate of fraiche and twigs on top as garnish. It costed me 50 bucks. I think i could've done better if i had gone out to buy lobster, tossed it in seasoning and butter and made myself fraiche. My boyfriend, being a vegetarian, ordered some veggie rolls from the sushi bar. Not very fresh. I had built up anticipation expecting an incredible dining experience, but Morimoto Waikiki really disappointed me. I would never go there again. Maybe you ought to spend your money at Nobu or some where else.
(2)Ross M.
To be honest, I was a bit skeptical going in because of the celebrity factor and the Waikiki location (esp since I was never that interested in going to his NY location). My wife and I are both very into food and already had the best sushi ever a couple nights prior at Sasabune. I am so glad I was wrong. Everything was delicious and service was great. It was certainly expensive, but not as bad as I thought. The view of the sunset past the sailboats over the mountains was spectacular, so it can be nice to schedule dinner around sunset. It can be a little hot on the lanai, though. Additionally, there is a good view of the Hilton fireworks around 7:45, i believe only Tues and Fri. Now onto the food: my wife started with the cucumber Collins cocktail and I had one of Morimoto's signature Rogue beers; both were excellent. For appetizers, we got Hamachi tartare and wagyu carpaccio. The tartare comes with an interesting presentation with some traditional and non traditional condiments that you mix in yourself, so it is fun to experiment. The fish was good quality, too. The wagyu carpaccio melts in your mouth and a has a great mild citrus sauce for a little acidity. My wife got the butterfish entree, which was a good size piece, cooked perfectly - she was even able to ear it just pulling pieces off with chopsticks. There wasn't much else on the plate other than some sweet beans and pickled pepper skins (3 each). Would've been nice to have a few more beans, but not that big of a deal. I had the yellowtail buri bap, which was a delicious fancy Japanese take on bibimbap. Finally, the dessert was a peanut butter chocolate bombe, which was delicious and surprisingly light. In all, this is a celebrity owned restaurant in a nice location that really lives up to the hype and is worth considering for a special night out.
(5)Miss Y.
DON"T WASTE YOUR TIME HERE I really wanted to like this place but man.... the food was so sub par. I've had better at hole in the wall joints in San Francisco. The Restaurant Decor is impressive! Beautiful, clean and modern feel. The server and service was standard. Nothing to rave about. The food was just not delicious. I did the Omasake tasting menu. Sure, they serve it pretty on the plate, but everything just tasted Meh.... Boring. I can see how someone from a small town on the mainland can love this food... but anyone from New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago or any other major city with amazing restaurant would be majorly disappointed. I ordered a glass of wine and it was under poured. My glass was like 1/4 full. I felt like it was good for 3 or 4 sips...... and tasted as if it were opened 3 days ago This place set me back $460 for food and wine I didn't enjoy... So Sad. I MUST give credit to the Filet that my husband ordered. Best steak we've both had in a long time and we've eaten at all the best steak places in California. My one reason for giving one star... Oh... and Lastly, the hostess called me because I was 15 minutes late to my reservation, but cabs take for ever in Honolulu. She said "OK, we'll hold your table" In a super snooty attitude... LOL... I wanted to laugh when I walked in because the restaurant was only about 1/4 occupied.... if that. Puh-lease... (PS, this review is strictly for the restaurant. The Modern Honolulu Hotel where it resides is an awesome hotel)
(1)Stephanie G.
We found this place thru Yelp! We followed the recommendations & got the chef's multi-course menu. All were hits with me, but some were clunkers 4 my hubby. I should let viewers be warned that I have an atypical palate. My mom's famlily is from Denmark, so I have a weird affinity 4 cold pickled fish meals. Definitely not standard American food. I would have rated them to the max, but they r extremely pricey. We live in Nor Cal & frequent the City 4 dinner & the price we paid was even outside SF norm. Oh well the outdoor dining experience was out of this world. Perfect weather with attentive service, even while it was busy & slow.
(4)Kimo S.
This review is based off our DINNER experience a few nights ago. First off, my wife and I agree that Morimoto's is definitely a better dining experience than Nobu's. So if you were debating between the two, we recommend Morimoto's. A number of guests were doing the Omakase dinner for $110 per person, but we opted to order 5 dishes that were either recommended (thanks Yelp) or sounded yummy! -Tuna Pizza : Really good and fresh cuts of ahi, the cracker crust could have been a little thicker since it easily broke but still a winner dish. -Takoyaki : Disappointing and one of the reasons we docked a star. I assumed that a dish with the word "tako" in it would have bits of tako + abalone inside. Nope. Just a small piece of abalone. Plus the butter this was resting in was just too much. We both felt a bit nauseated after this dish... just too much butter. -Yose Dofu : This was one of our favorite dishes, don't pass up this opportunity to get this table cooked tofu dish. The sauces/toppings were fantastic and it was just really tasty and some of the freshest tofu you'll ever eat. -Ishi Yaki Buri Bop : Another great dish, prepared table side and was really quite tasty with fresh seared hamachi. The best part was having one side of the hamachi seared, the other side raw and tasting the difference flavors at once. Yum! -Oysters Foie Gras : This dish comes with only 3 oysters, but they are relatively good sizes. The sauce is a bit much and slightly overpowers the other flavors but it still was a good dish overall. Very fresh seafood uni and oysters were used and delectable foie gras. The wine list here is actually really good with a great well rounded selection, we went with the 2008 Costo De Oro Pinot Noir which is a great deal at $54, this is a Santa Barbara pinot which is really becoming a solid region in the past few years. Corkage fee is $25 per bottle, two bottle limit in case you were wondering that too. Overall, a great dining experience... service was a tad slow at times, they have a lot of workers but it seems the actual servers are stretched a little thin. Our dining experience for those five dishes took us about 2 hours, we weren't in a rush so it didn't bother us. But, if you are planning something after dinner, be forewarned.
(4)Patrick M.
Love the food. Thought I might get a to go order as I have done before. They said no but not just no...no with an attitude that was really disappointing. I expected a higher level of professionalism and polish I have seen at other locations.
(2)Gary P.
We went here for a nice lunch today. I will say that if you would like to try one of the finer restaurants in town to try them for lunch before you go all out on dinner. The lunch sets are a good size. I had the black cod, the sauce reminded me of the sauce that usually comes on unagi. The sushi was good but the yellowtail sashimi seemed a little butchered. I'm not sure I would go here for the price they charge for dinner but lunch was definitely worth it.This is one of the trendiest places in town, that's for sure.
(4)M. M.
Decided to come here for a nice fancy dinner out because it's supposed to be one of Waikiki's best restaurants and it was walking distance from our hotel. It's actually located inside the Modern Hotel and the entrance is not on Ala Moana, but is way down Hobron near the back of the hotel, so is a little tricky to find the first time. If you're wearing your shoeicide heels, be aware of where the entrance is and also that you'll have to walk up a big flight of steps to get in. By the way, a word about "dressy" as used in this listing: "Dressy" at this place means women wear a Hawaiian dress or a little cocktail dress, and men dress like beach bums. Granted, their beach bum attire probably cost them 800 dollars at Abercrombie and Finch, but where I come from (which is not Hawaii), "dressy" restaurants do not admit guys like the one who (obviously a regular) cruised in ahead of us wearing cargo shorts, a t-shirt and sandals. Most of the male patrons were just wearing slacks and a Hawaiian shirt or polo or even a t-shirt. This is more of an upscale-casual-fashionable joint than a dressy joint or high-fashion joint. Foodwise, we had the tofu that's made at the table, wagyu beef appetizer, the mixed seafood entree, the duck plate, and for dessert, sorbet and the peanut butter bombe. Also tried a sake flight. All of it was good, tasty and light and portions not too big. So the food was definitely four or maybe even five stars. Servicewise, things were a bit weird. We were greeted and seated by a friendly server, got our drinks, took our order, and then a bit later got our tofu started - they pour some gelling agent into it and then cover it and say it has to sit for 8 minutes. The 8 minutes seemed more like 15 but the restaurant was very busy (it was around 8:45 pm) so we figured they were just running a little slow. Our tofu got uncovered and we ate it. By this point it was around 9 pm. We had been visited by at least four waiters to get us this far in the process, some of them (like our main waiter) obviously very experienced and good at their trade and others (like the tofu uncoverer) seemed to be in their first month on the job, but it's all good, gotta train new staff, etc. After consuming our tofu we waited, and waited, and waited, for an extremely long time, for our entrees to show up. I don't know what happened but it took at least 45 more minutes to get our dinner (that we'd already ordered about a half hour before that). In total I think our entrees took well over an hour to make it to our table. To Morimoto's credit, both our main waiter and a hostess apologized to us for the delay (we never learned the reason for it) and they comped us a free order of the wagyu beef as we obviously looked really hungry by that point. It was a little weird/ uncomfortable because in the time it took for our food to arrive, the restaurant almost completely emptied out of other patrons and we went from being another table in a busy/.full place to being maybe one of three tables consuming food in a nearly empty place, since by 9:30 pm this place is dead (kind of weird for a supposedly hip/ fashionable restaurant in a major city). We were also visited by at least two more waiters in the course of getting our entrees, one of which was delivering a drink that we didn't order and that was supposed to go to someone else. So - four star food, three star service, two stars for whatever went haywire with our entrees = overall average three star experience given the price. I might come back because the food is really good, but the service seems to be hit or miss. I can see having six different waiters if it's a place where the wait staff puts on a big show, but tofu aside, this is not that kind of a place and it was very confusing why our main guy wasn't handling our service all the way through.
(3)Kalani C.
This is a 3.5 star review. With my friends "Where?" & "Damn Straight! Count me in!", we proceeded from the bookcase of the Lobby @ The Edition up to the Iron Chef's nobility. Maybe my friend was punchy after having two mean cocktails, but she immediately sensed sassy with one of the prima donna hostesses: "Do you folks have a reservation?" We're coming from the Lobby Bar and the waitress said there would be a table for us. "Under what name?" No name, she just said to come now and we could be seated. "Hmm, I don't recall." Doesn't someone here recall that conversation? The call was less than 5 minutes ago (referring to the 5 hostesses just standing there starring at us). This is where my punchy friend addressed the most-sassy-looking-hostess-of-them-all and said in East Coast accent nonetheless, 'You look suspicious like you don't believe us or something.' In which sassy replied, "No, I don't know, I just started." (Ah, you get an F for weakest comeback ever!). We were seated outside near the Edition's pool. Setting was chill and relaxed. The deck overlooking the marina was gorgeous as was the main dinning room inside; swanky. We started with more cocktails: Two Coco Fraiche (coconut vodka, lime, lemongrass, coconut water) and one Pear Yuzu Gimlet (yuzu citrus, Serrano chili). Delicious and extremely refreshing. I later had the Selected Sake Flight: All very nice except the ume one, not my cup of tea (or sake in this case). For food we ordered: The spicy King crab of Tobanjan aioli, tobiko and micro cilantro. Perfect spice while the crab was moist and tender. The Pineapple Tempura: Peculiar because the pineapple didn't seem fresh; dare I say canned?! Pork Gyoza of tomato sauce and bacon foam went over well and was among the favorites. Lastly was the Yose Dofu or fresh tofu done table side with kimchee sauce and dashi broth (the better of the two). This dish was the overall favorite. Light, flavorful with perfect garnishes. How does this stuff get created in minutes? No peeking please, that's right. It was a Friday night, so fireworks went off and a hula show on the pool deck unfolded before our eyes. Nice extras to a stellar "let's-go-out-for-drinks" evening. Despite the sassy reception and the service being juvenile and inexperienced, our guy was attentive and respectful, allowing us space for making decisions and placing orders in delayed fashion. Overall a nice experience that alleviated a stressful week and more cash than expected from the wallet.
(3)Ben K.
Amazing sashimi and sushi! It might have helped that the iron chef himself was in the kitchen but the food was really outstanding. The seafood was fresh and the attention to detail was great. Even the drinks were amazing. I had there house made whiskey..... Loved it! It is expensive but it was the best dinner we had by far while in Honolulu.
(5)Teddy C.
Morimoto's Waikiki Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Atmosphere: 5/5 Overall Experience: 5/5 AMAZING food...BREATHTAKING ambiance...ORIGINAL...MODERN...COURTEOUS and KNOWLEDGABLE waiters...who can ask for more at such a fancy restaurant? These are all the words that floated through my head while dining here. I have heard many mix reviews about this restaurant and I was hesitant to come and dine here. Some of my friends said it was amazing, a few others suggested to avoid the place at all costs! Chef Morimoto has a reputation with presenting modern cuisine that may not appeal to everyone's palate! I decided to not listen to others but critique this restaurant for myself. As a result, my stomach was in a very good mood after the eight-course meal! Eight courses! Yes! My mom, brother, and I ordered the Omakase! What better way to critique the restaurant than to actually try 8 different dishes at Morimoto's? Well by the end of the night, we actually had a ten-course meal, the extra two were an appetizer and another dessert. Some memorable dishes that comes to mind...hmm EVERYTHING! Haha, I'm kidding, but there were some dishes that I was astonished to come across. We first started with Morimoto's Poke. Amazing appetizer and a must try! This is not your typical local Hawaiian ahi poke, it is served with a bonito flavored foam, wasabi sorbet, and very fresh ahi tossed with roma tomatoes in a special sauce. My mouth was dancing in joy! I wanted more...but I had to save room for the rest of the courses. First of the eight courses was this ahi/hamachi tar tar served in the most peculiar way! It was on a small bamboo board, half ahi, half hamachi, and in the middle of the board is layers of condiments that you scoop with a mini spatula. You basically have to use your mini utensil to scrape off the fish and add whatever condiments you want! One thing our waiter told us was to "have fun while you eat!" After hearing that, I smiled and started to play with my food! It was the most fun I have had with my food in a long time! The rest of the courses included sashimi, sushi, chawan mushi, a vegetable dish that was served with an anchovy paste and olive oil as a dip which was also fun to play with! Remember, this is not Nobu's so in the Omakasu, you are not served the infamous otoro or the single slice of wagyu beef that melts in your mouth! At Morimoto's, our main entrée was a surf and turf of Cajun Lobster, NY steak and Ginger pork, all of which were VERY delicious. I didn't care much for the Lobster, simply because Cajun spices has no relation to anything in Asian cuisine, but the steak and ginger pork were very tender and flavorful. The last two courses of the omakase were two dessert courses. First we were given a pre-dessert...YES! I said pre-dessert! I guess to give your stomach a heads start for the final dessert? Anyway, it was DELICIOUS! Soy milk panna cotta with a brown sugar coating. YUM! Loved every bite! For the final dessert we were served a kabocha soufflé with sweet potato ice cream. I was quite hesitant because these were two vegetable flavors served as a dessert. Well when you dine at Morimoto's you should have an open mind! Try it! I did and I loved it! The warmth of the soufflé mixed with the ice cream was the perfect combination of any dessert to end such a fabulous meal! One thing I regret at the end of such a delectable meal was ordering the Peanut Bombe! It was NOT DA BOMB and it should not be on the dessert menu...lol. Other than that, we had very good customer service from all of the staff. They were very informative and educated us as each dish was served. Great experience here at Morimoto's and I am definitely coming back to dine! On a side note, do visit the bathroom. It was so beautifully and modernly designed that you kind of don't want to leave. Trust me, check it out! Haha.
(5)Sung S.
Main reason I didnt give it 5 stars... I enjoyed the layout of the restaurant but the seating was sorta uncomfortable. The chairs are made of plastic or hard something. I have a big ass or it was not that comfortable for me. Also the 2 person tables are aligned next to each other so basically I could hear the people next to us talking about sex and things I really didnt care for. Food wise..... tried the 9 course meal. LEGIT. Pricy but I guess you are here for some reason like celebrate a birthday or taking your gf or wife out for a special night together. So this means you aint that broke but really dont do this that often because you have to check yelp so you are making sure you dont drop a benjamin on some crappy food. Expect to pay $200-250 for 2 people to enjoy your dinner. If you cheap, then take yo woman to Rainbow Drive inn or McDonalds. If you want her to love you, then yes, DO IT! DONE!
(4)Jo Ann A.
Excellent food & service! Fresh tofu appetizer made right at our table! Black codfish soft & tasty; large plate of loco moco with premium beef - gourmet style. Ambience great for that special occasion.
(4)Tom A.
I had lunch here, can't say I loved it. We tried a few things: the Black Cod (so-so), the Chicken Katsu sandwich (removed all the bread.. was not feeling it), the rock shrimp (my favorite) and a few sushi rolls (again, just OK). For a high-end restaurant, I expected better. I had dinner when it opened a few years ago and I wasn't too impressed either. I'll probably read what others liked here and give it one more try before I write this place off.
(2)Grace C.
I was not impressed at all by this Morimoto location. We've been to the one in Napa, CA which was a lot better service wise. The only thing I liked better at this location was the decor and ambience...it was very modern, obviously since it's located inside the Modern hotel, and looked like it would fit in perfectly in Vegas with all the other high-end restaurants. Unfortunately, service was so slow and poor that even their luxurious decor couldn't save this review. The night was busy, but not THAT busy, and it took our server about 75 minutes to bring out appetizers and soup. We were in a rush since we had plans for after dinner, and after waiting 90 minutes for our sushi rolls to come, we told them to just pack it to go since we could not wait any longer.
(2)Linda Chu T.
Lunch time - restaurant was pretty empty. Never have seen it so down before. Service, as usual was very attentive and always pleasant. We had the mini-burgers. This is not your McDonald's Jack-in-the-Box version. bit of bacon, womderful sauce I could not identify, cooked medium. Very tasty. Comes with a green salad, japanese pickles and the most wonderful french fries sprinkled with furikake. Topped off a yummy lunch with a mysterious tofu cheesecake. All kinds of unusual flavors on one plate. The tofu itself was like eating foam. But, beware: ice tea was $14 each.
(4)Satoru Y.
Great quality ingredients; but execution issues. I've been to Morimoto's a few times now, and it is a mixed bag. I really enjoy the quality of ingredients that they are using, but it always seems that something is missing. The atmosphere is very sleek and calming. I love the gorgeous decor and the outdoor resort seating with fire pits: really sleek environment. The plating and presentation is clean; but the food itself is not as intricate as I was expecting. The service does need some work: it is clunky at times. The dishes do use great ingredients, but there seems to be something amiss. Not sure if it's because the place is still trying to find its groove. Some dishes that stick in my mind that small changes would make a tremendous difference: The Oyster Foie Gras are these sizable shooters of oyster, uni and foie gras. But, there is too much teriyaki sauce that overpowers all those other rich flavors. The Eggs Benedict with the Jamon Iberico served on hash browns has great flavor, but the amount of hollandaise sauce kills the rich flavors of the thin slices of ham. The second time I ordered it, it was a huge improvement; less hollandaise, slightly more fried hash browns, and you can really taste the sweet, rich flavors of the ham. The jamon is just delicious: the 'wagyu' of ham. I would almost suggest to get the sauce on the side just to be safe. The Wagyu Carpaccio is great up to a halfway point. Besides the great thin cuts of beef, I love the yuzu soy and oil. However, I do think something is missing. They do have slices of ginger, but something tells me that adding a very subtle ginger oil would go even further. Some of the dishes were great: The Crispy Rock Shrimp, one serving with spicy bean sauce and one with wasabi aioli. It comes with ranch dressing with dill, but neither needed it. Hard to choose a favorite, but I did like the wasabi slightly more. The Lamb Rack, perfectly cooked lamb with a very subtle yuzu sauce. The sauce definitely showcases the lamb. It is served with a tasty ratatouille shooter. The Wagyu Sliders are great. Love the flavor of the beef and pork. They're so delicious, and comes with tasty wasabi fries and salad. The rest are pretty hit or miss. The Sushi is not worth pricing per piece, such better places to get sushi. The Loco Moto has a great Japanese curry-type gravy, and it does have small pieces of wagyu instead of a hamburger steak. The Lobster Melt has great pieces and a rich flavor, but comes off wanting more. I'll stop here since I notice my review is getting pretty long. Was looking forward to trying this place out, but seems that some things need adjustments.
(3)Karen B.
Best experience ever. Isaac was our server and he had amazing knowledge of the sake and wine list. We were very pleased with the sake he brought to our table. We also had Ryan and Banessa as servers and they both had wonderful suggestions. Our favorite was the chicken salad. Our most recent visit we had the omakase. The tartar was a great indication that the rest of our night was going to be AMAZING. Thank God for our beautiful waitress Laura. Ma-HALAS!!! be back frm Chicago soon!!!
(5)John H.
You pay for what you get. Its pricey but the food is so good. Twice I got the "omakase" and was not disappointed! Staff are friendly and they have free valet. Every time I go back home I request to go here. It dosent matter who you are, they treat you good. Not like the mainland where the judge you by the way you dress.
(5)Yasuo O.
You know. I just dont get it. There are good places, bad places and some that fall right in between. This clearly falls right into that area. Im not too sure why. The prices are a lil high, the service, a lil lousy, the food, nothign special unless you have no idea whats going on and how things are presented. Had the foie gras chawanmushi. it wasnt hot, it wasnt cold. room temperature. was it supposed to be this way? The ishiyaki was well.. nothing special. I think they forgot to put something on the buri / hamachi. was bland and didnt taste good seared at all. the whole fried fish things well... eat it at Chinese next time. Was so raw inside the meat was clearly not cooked. was it supposed to be like that? one pork appetizer i took a bite out of and sent it back to the kitchen. sweet, meat was overcooked, and I bit into a piece of char. sushi appetizers we had was well.. nothign special. the shari (rice) was actually hard in some places like the osu didnt mix well with the rice. the tempura pineapple.. pass on it next time. I just dont know what it is. I was sitting outside and one of those big okole roaches landed on the balcony railing potted area. i looked over and as if on cue, another one landed near my settings. I got up, asked a waiter to get rid of it and mr smart grabs his towel, flings it at the roach and goes flying towards my mom in law. WTF .... that clearly shaved off on the tips. not to mention if he was practicing his darwinism... When our bill came, it was a bit high. but considering we had drinks, a few pupus and stuff... 450 was fine. left 15% which was WAY more than generous. he tried. but you know how some people just know thier stuff and some just dont get it? this would be the latter. oh.. and when i opened the folio jacket, i noticed another persons bill in there for 900 bucks. hehehe serious? i told the manager, he kept sayin gsorry. without even wanting to know why i found it offensive i got another persons bill. had the same experience when i sent back my appetizer as well...
(3)Ulanka B.
Good food with good portion sizes. Excellent staff. Decent drinks. Beautiful decor. A tad expensive but good. I sent an email about an incident over and have yet to hear a response and it's been 18 days to date.
(2)Sheila K.
Better value than Nobus but some of the dishes were mah mah. Enjoyed the oysters with foie gras the most. Hamachi tartare was not hamachi worthy. The fish was not fatty and toppings were colorful but did not add to the dish. Deep fried whole fish also was good, but the duck, duck, duck was unexciting and bland. Haupia matcha dessert was good. The food took really long to come out, but the servers were courteous It was too loud to have a conversation
(3)Pavel L.
Food: A+ Service: A+ We had a fairly large party (10 people, including an infant) and were accommodated perfectly. The staff was always around to answer questions but was not intrusive. Every dish exceeded our expectations. I can't say anything bad about it.
(5)Danny H.
If I was uber-rich and had no bills to pay, this is one restaurant that I would frequent at least once a week. The only reason I gave it 4-stars rather than 5 is b/c it's rather pricey! It's located in The Waikiki Edition Hotel so of course the atmosphere and decor is modern and typical of any fine dining place. It is a fairly large restaurant and it was filled to capacity. Recession? What recession...people must be eating their mortgages. I checked out the drink menu first and again like any other fine dining establishment or bar, it alone would have been enough to break the bank so I just had a beer. Food over drinks any day! We sat outside on the large lanai area with a nice backdrop of Waikiki. We're spoiled because a sunset above the horizon of the ocean on a beautiful day happens all the time here but it was still nice to see. The service was top notch. Our server, Kaulana knew the dishes inside and out and made everything sound irresistible. They were attentive but not overly attentive where it was like they were eavesdropping on your conversation a la Hiroshi. And finally, the food. The food was AWESOME! Everything is made when you order it, nothing is pre-made including the dessert. They even have their own rice polishing/producing facility. It's amazing how they take ordinary dishes and make them EXTRAORDINARY. I've never been to a place where I enjoyed every dish until now. Seafood 'Toban yaki': kona lobster, king crab, mussels, clams, diver scallops, in a red spicy miso-sake broth. The broth tastes a lot like the Spicy Pirikara broth at Ichiriki but with a little more kick. It's served with 6 pieces of a sliced baguette to dip in the oh so ono broth. Plenty of seafood to share. Braised black cod: ginger-soy reduction, pickled bell peppers, budo mame. This dish is like miso butterfish but better. Chef's Loco Moto: Wagyu beef, sunny side up egg, hayashi gravy, fukujinzuke. Not your ordinary loco moco. Wagyu beef and quail egg instead of your regular hamburger and egg. Like I said, ordinary to EXTRAORDINARY in one moto. Ishi yaki buri bop: yellowtail (hamachi) cooked tableside in a hot stone bowl. Just the name alone makes you want to get up and dance! It's Morimoto's take on a bi bim bap. Do the Ishi yaki buri bop!!! Chocolate Peanut Bombe: milk chocolate cremeux, salted peanut ice cream. I read mix reviews on this dessert but I thought it was SCRUMPTIOUS! It's like a melt in your mouth Reese's Peanut butter cup. The assorted sorbets are also made from scratch and are served with the real fruit chunks that correspond to the flavors. We had mango, lychee and honeydew. Appetizers we had: Takoyaki with abalone, beef curry pan, salmon skin roll and wagyu beef sushi...all were very good as well. I would highly recommend ordering a bunch of dishes and eating it family style. That way you can try a little bit of everything but beware, once you take a bite, you won't want to share anything! The total dining experience was 5-stars. So if you're in Waiks and not sure where to go, give Morimoto's a try...you won't be disappointed. But I've probably hyped it up too much and you'll be let down. So my parting words will be, "Don't go, it sucks, go get your loco moco from L&L" but if you listen to that, that's your bad. ; )
(4)Noreen L.
So we sit at a table this time. We ordered a la cart and opened a bottle of wine. Our server was excellent. He brought out new dishes every time our order came out on the perfect timing. Food was excellent and fresh. I truly liked the homemade ice cream, almost licked the plate!! I will definitely go back there again!
(4)Michael A.
The food was not good nor was the menu that interesting. Fish did not taste fresh. Rolls were boring. A $14 glass of wine was about 3 sips. And it was really expensive. When a dinner for 2 is $300, you should feel like you had an incredible dining experience, and it wasn't. This was mediocre at best. The service was the only good thing that evening. There are so many other incredible dining options in Honolulu, I recommend not wasting your time here unless you like being ripped off and underwhelmed. Also, they have a "dress code." When we called to ask if nice jeans were ok, the hostess snootily said they were not. However, when we got there dressed to the nines, I saw several people wearing jeans, shorts, and flips flops. To Morimoto - please don't be snooty about your dress code if you are not going to enforce it.
(2)Alyssa M.
This place is like a bad movie. You see a preview to a movie & it looks REALLY good...but then you go & after you watch the movie it's like "this sucked, WASTE OF MONEY". My bf & i did not know where Morimoto's Waikiki was, OR the Edition Hotel. We called the restaurant & this girl was TRYING to give me directions. She would say "turn left on McCully, then turn right INTO Waikiki"... 1. If you turn left on McCully then turn right, you LEAVE Waikiki & head towards Ala Moana. 2. After we turned on McCully she says "oh wait, nvm try go...wait hold on" & she puts me on f*cken hold. She has another girl try & give us directions who is giving us not BIG, WELL KNOWN landmarks...shit like "The ABC on that corner" or "McDonalds" hellooo...its WAIKIKI, they're EVERYWHERE! We finally find the place & we're like 15mins late to our reservation. We get snobbed by the 2 hostess' at the front (*bitches). We got sat at a table & never met our waitress until 15minutes later when she asked what drinks do we want? Then another 10 minutes go by, we finally get our drinks. My bf asked her what would she recommend from the menu? (bad idea) she fricken read almost EVERY single entree/appetizer in the menu. I had to cut her off & just tell her what i wanted, which was the first thing she talked about. then 30 minutes later we GET OUR FOOD! The bust boy was i think the nicest & most helpful person in that place. We asked if we could move 2 table together, & he asked around & came & moved our 2 tables together & took the plates away. $50 for a 8oz filet, $4 for a SMALL bowl of rice. crazy prices for the amount of food you get. i think in reality, you're not necessarily paying for the QUALITY, you're paying for their PRESENTATION. after we ate our $107 meal...we WERE going to order dessert but the waitress came around about another 30 minutes after our plates were taken away. we asked for the bill & that took another 10 minutes. $5 tip. YUP. sorry. BAD SERVICE. & you could get the same quality of food almost ANYWHERE. remember...you're paying for the PRESENTATION! (*not worth it)
(3)Mary H.
Five of us arrived for a Birthday celebration and asked for Arnold Palmers for two people (lemonade and ice tea mixed). The bartender not only informed us they don't have lemonade but he was unwilling to accommodate our simple request. The bartender went on to bad mouth us for getting a manager involved, to a guest at the bar. Next the server presented sushi but it was not what we had ordered. What? To top off the evening, a female manager presented my hot fish bowl which is cooked table side with her hair hanging over my food she was preparing the bowl. Ewww...I did not eat and I commented on her hair being over my food. She called over a busboy from clearing a table to finish my presentation. Worst service ever, out of control bartender. Managers who don't know how to wear hair in a food service environment.
(1)Grant U.
First time and it was for lunch...service, atmospher was great...disappointed in the food and value...all you are paying for is an elegant trendy presentation of japanese food..highly overated and prices are way too high
(3)Masumi K.
This place is exceptionally good in its own way. The food presentation is very well put and the food is delicious. This place can get very busy, thus slowing down table service a bit. The staff here is very friendly though. When you come here be sure to expect a table check over $100 or more. And definitely be sure to try their LOBSTER MELT! Coming here for breakfast, lunch, or dinner is good but it isn't a MUST. The atmosphere in here is simply gorgeous and I love it. Perfect for those anniversary dinners. Parking here is VALET only but is complimentary courtesy of Morimoto's. The table reservation for this place is very odd and ridiculous if you ask me. You call them to make a 'reservation' to RESERVE you a table. But they call you a week or so before your reservation date and tell you that they are committed to satisfying their customers. And they said that they would like it if their customers would show a side of commitment as well. So they ask for my credit card number over the phone. Of course, the first thing that came to my mind was "Why in the world do you need my credit card number?" and over the phone for that matter. They said to me, "We sincerely apologize. But it is in our policy that when you call to make a reservation for a table we just take and hold your credit card so you are 100% guaranteed a table no matter what." This seems completely odd to me because isn't that why I called them in the first place to MAKE a reservation for a table? And I definitely do not like giving credit card information over the telephone since it can easily be tapped into and privacy can be breached. The lady said that she can guarantee me that my information will be safe. And in case you all are probably wondering, if you cancel or cannot show up for your reservation they do not charge your credit card. But if you do notice some suspicious card activity popping up on your statements then you know where to turn to.
(3)Bach H.
Iron Chef Morimoto reigns supreme! We had such a lovely time at this restaurant while we were on vacay in Waikiki. The ambiance is gorgeous. The sunset is magnificent! The food was delish. My absolute favorite was the oyster foie gras appetizer. Coming from California, I am deprived of my foie gras, so I was ecstatic to see this on the menu. It was absolute heaven! We also ordered the pork belly appetizer special, toro, uni, whole fried fish [sea bass], and the yellowtail bimbimbop type of dish... I forget the exact name. Everything was wonderful. The uni was super-fresh! It was my boyfriend's first uni experience, so I am happy to say he loved it. The staff was friendly and helpful. Thanks, Morimoto's! We had such a spectacular time at your restaurant!
(5)David B.
Last night was my 1st at Morimotos. Must say that it did not live up to it's name. I wouldn't mind the price at all if this place could back it up with some top service and some mind blowing dishes. But that was not the case... It was a big let down for me. You are paying for the name, it's location, and it's decor. I forgot the name of my dish, but it was basically the bouillabaisse. Also ordered the Kakuni appetizer, and duck duck duck. All were just, OK. Bouillabaisse was tasty, a little over spiced in my opinion and the quality of the seafood they used was ok. They give you 6 tiny slices (Chips size) of dried up bread. Which is no where near enough to enjoy the broth. When I asked for more they told me it would be $3.50 for more. RIDICULOUS! those little bits of bread is not worth it! This really irritated me... Duck duck duck, to sum it up was just pretty boring. Kakuni, was a rip off! $16 for one slice of pork on a little rice soup. This Kakuni was way too sweet. Very American style in my opinion and not close to the taste of Japanese kakuni which is so much more nicely flavored. Service was just standard of restaurant service. So in my opinion it was a turn off. I've been to cheaper restaurants that provided better service.... Last when we got the bill, came to find out the sparkling water which was offered to us when we sat down, which seemed like complementary was not. They charged $7 a glass for this! And they just walked around in a glass pitcher so you just assumed this was a standard complimentary water. This threw everyone off, If you are going to charge us we should know about it. Or you should be dropping a bottle of sparkling water on the table. I thought this was such a rip off move by the restaurant.
(2)Jon W.
This is a beautiful restaurant in a beautiful setting. There are high points on the menu that are 5 star + like the white fish carpaccio, oysters with foie and uni and the lobster with gara masala. There were some 4 star dishes like the pizza, pastrami sushi and the beignets stuffed with abalone. Then there were the simple dishes like the poke that came in at 2 stars which is hard to imagine. The service started off a little spotty but got better as the restaurant came to life. The sake flights were "interesting" as they included a sweet plum wine on one and a cloyingly sweet sake on the other one as the final tasting. I'm not sure who spreads a sake flight over an entire dinner, but the 4th dessert taste was wasted with me. That was dinner. For breakfast, we ordered the Japanese breakfast which included house made tofu that included different side dishes and a soft boiled egg. As Japanese breakfasts go, it was a 5 star experience.
(4)Sandra Y.
Morimoto is my favorite Iron Chef!!!! That being said, eating at one of his restaurants was definitely on my bucket list. Good news is that I was in Hawaii with my BFF Dana, who had the same goal on her bucket list. Goal accomplished! We ordered: Appetizers: Hamachi Tartare, Whitefish (moi) Carpaccio, and the Takoyaki (with abalone). Entrees: Chef's Loco Moto (with waygu beef), Braised Black Cod, Steamed Salmon and Ume Shiso Maki. Desserts: Chocolate Peanut Bombe (milk chocolate creme with salted peanut ice cream) and Haupia Semifreddo (coconut gelee, honey and matcha meringue) If you've watched Morimoto in action on TV, you've seen his signature tartare on the wooden plank with the multiple dipping sauces. It's as amazing as it looks on television. The sashimi style Moi Carpaccio was just as delicious. The Abalone Yaki was like takoyaki but with abalone instead of octopus (obviously) and was pretty darn good, but I would have appreciated more abalone and less breading. (That might be the greedy abalone-lover in me) Entrees were lackluster compared to the apps we had just had. The gravy makes the loco moco, and our Loco Moto failed to impress. Both the fish were cooked perfectly, but the sauces weren't as great as we expected. (We took the leftover fish home and ate it the next day - broiled in the oven - and it was better the second time around). It's pretty hard to mess up coconut gelee with honey and green tea meringue. Or a chocolate and salted peanut butter combo. Yummo. He def won me back with the desserts. I know, super long review, but we ordered so much food I had to give Morimoto the time he deserves. Cliff notes: Appetizers and desserts were amazing, the entrees failed to impress.
(4)Daniel A.
The dinner experience here was disappointing compared to other options in Honolulu. Having previously been disappointed by the omakase, we opted to order from the menu this trip. Nothing was particularly noteworthy. We were staying at the Modern, and Morimoto is open for breakfast. I think breakfast is a better option here than dinner. I had the Loco Moto, which is Morimoto's take on a loco moco. That was better than anything I had at dinner.
(4)Brent S.
I have yet to come here for dinner, so I will update when I do. But if you're staying in Waikiki, you should really consider checking them out for breakfast. They have some interesting dishes you wouldn't expect. The Baked Eggs are cooked in with spinach for a unique flavor and texture. It also comes with prosciutto on french bread. The Eggs Benedict is served on hash browns for a distinctive dish. Very pleasantly surprised.
(4)Daniel C.
I think that the food here is slightly above average but the service does make up for it. Personally I feel that there is so much better places to dine at for the price you pay to dine here. Morimoto does entertain and takes pictures with you if he's there. I've had most of the menu items and nothing really stood out from the few times I have dined here. I do say try it and see for yourself because it is an experience.
(4)Jessica L.
I have eaten at his restaurants in NY and Japan, Waikiki is not yet on the same level. Service was very good, food was good but not up to the standards of his other restaurants. Architecture was similar, they didnt over do it which I liked. Price was high for the dishes they served, his menu needs to be updated.
(3)S. Y.
You must be kidding? I was sooo... looking forward to the meal on Xmas eve. My entire party of 6 was not happy. First of all, the decor is nice. Something different for Hawaii and very nicely done. However, I can't eat nice decor and it doesn't make up for the lack of professional level of service you would expect from such a hyped internationally known restaurant. First of all, the food was just so-so. I think any decent Asian fusion from any restaurant in town is pretty close at a fraction of the (over)price. Some of the ingredients used are obviously good, uni, toro, frois gras, and added to the flavor. But the preparations were just marginal in almost every course of the 120$ Omakase course. Especially the main dish of rib eye which for lack of comparison had the same texture as duck breast. Does that sound right to you? Finally, the service. It was horrible. Nobody knew what anyone on the table ordered and consistently served the wrong people the wrong things. (one person didn't have the omakase so is it that difficult to figure out?) . We had to ask for utensils after courses and when they did arrive they simply plopped them in front of you criss-crossed rather than setting them nicely? I would expect that from a coffee shop. But not Morimoto's!! C'mon. It took forever to get the waiters and even the final bill. I would have given them much less tip if I had the chance and they didn't charge me 20% service charge on my bill already and then give me the opportunity to add "additional tip" when signing my charge card. You must be joking. Never again.
(1)A L.
Definitely one of the best eating experiences on the island. Prices are steep, but that's to be expected at an iron chef restaurant. Surprisingly, our bill was pretty reasonable at the end of the night. We had: 1) Ahi Tuna Tartare - 5/5 2) Foie Gras Chawan Mushi - 5/5 3) Calamari Salad - 5/5 4) Hamachi Ishiburu Bop (sp?) - 3/5 5) Duck, Duck, Duck - 3/5 6) Pineapple cocktail (can't remember the name of it) 4/5 If I get a chance to come back here again, I would definitely just stick to the appetitzers...both cold and hot. #1-3 were all appetizers and the favorites of the night. Unfortunately the entrees didn't quite live up to their reputation for me which is why i took 1 star off. It didn't taste bad, just nothing that stood out for me to order it again Favorite of the night: the Foie Gras Chawan Mushi (kind of like this egg custard thing, similar to what you may get at korean restaurants) MMMmmmmmmm!
(4)Katrice K.
I came here with my coworkers and boss for a celebration so I have to say that I didn't foot the tab in any way which will probably affect my review of the restaurant since cost wasn't a big concern. After apprehensively reading the reviews from fellow yelpers I got the sense that this was a hit or miss type of restaurant. It has its really great moments and its not so great times, so I went in with a little fear that I led my coworkers astray as I picked the restaurant. The sight that greeted my eyes was highly pleasing with beautiful pictures on the walls and gorgeous lighting and very comfortable chairs and unique tables (ours was a couple of pieces of wood with lacquer covering it, so it had an unfinished yet refined quality about it). As we had a dd for the night my coworkers and I ordered some cocktails. I have to say if you like "girly" drinks the white lily is amazing. It doesn't taste like alcohol at all and is just yummy. One coworker ordered a lychee drink which was kind of strong and my boss ordered a mai tai which was also very strong and they kindly fulfilled her request to have the drink watered down with some simple syrup in a bigger glass which helped make it tolerable for her. For appetizers we started with the tofu that they make table side which came out better than I expected. They serve it with two different sauces, watch out, the kim chee one is apparently very spicy. I enjoyed watching them make the tofu and the guy who made it for us said the tofu doesn't always set properly. I don't know if I would order that again but the novelty of it is just so cool. We also ordered the spicy tuna roll, which was not memorable at all and I would say skip. The third appetizer was the takoyaki balls with abalone instead of tako, which was amazing! The sauce was delicious and the abalone so succulent. I'm not a big fan of takoyaki or abalone in general but somehow (maybe the alcohol that I had drunk) the abalone with the tako yaki worked and made me a very very happy foodie! Definitely would order that again! The fourth appetizer was a calamari salad which was so delicious with the lightly battered calamari steaming hot with a nice dressing and greens served with it. Note: this is one dish that you need to eat right away and not leave a little for later because once the calamari cools down it does not taste nearly as good. Definitely would order that again. For the entree course we had: Duck, duck, duck-it was ok, the best part to me was the puff pastry on top of the duck soup and the cold ginger type of accompaniment to the spring rolls. Hamachi stone pot- it was just ok, with the very tender fish and the crispy rice, the sauce was just like unagi sauce a little on the sweet side (is it wrong that I think Shokudo does almost as good of a job) Lamb- the lamb was sooo tender and just a little gamey but it was cooked perfectly of the three dishes that I tried I like the lamb the best, the spam onigi was ehhh, not fitting for the delicious lamb and the ratatouille was equally delicious Seafood boulinbaise- as this was on the spicy side I didn't try it but my coworkers seemed to enjoy it and my boss finished it all so it must have been good For dessert: Haupia between two green tea wafers- I actually really like this dessert and I hate coconut and green tea desserts. both items were extremely light and well executed Cantalope, blood orange, and watermelon gelato- nice and refreshing Peanut butter dessert- the peanut butter ice cream was delicious, while the other half was ok Spiced dark chocolate ice cream- the chocolate ice cream was infused with some thai chili which tasted interested definitely an iron chef moment but not my cup of tea, it also came with this banana dessert thing and another type of ice cream which I enjoyed Verdict although there were some hits and misses within my experience at Morimoto's I fully enjoyed my meal and would love to come back for another special occasion to try more food. Several of Morimoto's creations were quite unique and things I haven't tried before and I am happy I got to experience it with my coworkers.
(5)Teri Y.
Im going to make this short. High expectation met with poor outcomes. Crudite plate with olive oil with anchovy paste was overheated accidentally and resulted in a burn on my tongue...hard to appreciate the food after that. However, the lobster was so spicy that it burned right thru the burn. Im a fan of Iron Chef Morimoto so was excited to come, but sad at the result (and price). I do want to say that the waitstaff were really wonderful and the decor was gorgeous.
(2)Jeremy L.
An anniversary dinner in Hawaii has to have some class and we decided to have it at Morimoto's! High expectations from an Iron Chef even though he won't be there personally to cook. Still, his reputation is always on the line. Instead of the usual three course meal, we decided to go with the Omakase, which is a 8 course tasting menu! Extremely pricey, but so fun! Each course has a specific way of eating like our first course, a tartar of fishes with a variety of toppings that you use a metal paddle to eat with. Other courses are really good like a fois gras Charamushi and a surf and turf course. This is one of those meals where eating fast is a waste. You really have to slowly enjoy each course and really consider the flavors. One thing I like about Morimoto's is the drinks. I had a Pina Haupia, a pina colada cocktail of sorts and a Thai basil Green Flash Martini. Both are great, but I love the Green Flash Martini best! Before making a reservation to Morimoto's, consider that this is not a cheap place to eat at casually, but if it's for a special occasion, it doesn't hurt to indulge. Morimoto's is a great place with great service. With a name like that, they have to be!
(4)Nakoa T.
My fiancee and I had dinner here for my birthday and it was great I really enjoyed everything especially the sake sampler (: the sashimi platter was absolutely delicious and fresh everything we ate was right up my alley! we sat near the kitchen which was kind of hectic and loud I was a little disappointed that they didn't take my birthday into account when seating us but the decor and all around feel of the place makes up for any short comings especially the service our waiter was fun and energetic he really made us feel welcome he really catered to us it was lovely. over all the place is very clean, well lit, spacious yet cozy, nicely decorated, friendly well trained staff and most importantly the food is AMAZING. i would recommend this restaurant to anyone its well worth it!
(5)Laura M.
Came here with the fam for lunch on a gorgeous day. This place takes on a whole difference ambiance when there's sunshine pouring in from all angles. The waitstaff was chill and attentive, informative and pleasantly informal. And jeez, you can actually get a pretty effing good deal on food here during lunch, as opposed to it being a fantastic, decadent splurge when you come at night. A bunch of us ordered the sushi/sashimi lunch sets (pretty much all the lunch entrees come as sets with miso soup, tsukemono, etc.). I went rogue and ordered the lobster melt sandwich, which came with a small salad AND wasabi fries (usually I feel like you have to choose between the two) and these awesome housemade pickled cucumbers, peppers and onion. It was on thin grilled japanese bread, and let me tell you, there was plenty of lobster in it. PLENTY. In a good way, like you know they weren't trying to stiff you on the good stuff. It was sweet, succulent and perfectly cooked, tossed in a light shiso aioli and next to melty swiss cheese. It ruled, as did the wasabi fries. My dad ordered the braised cod over rice, and my aunt ordered the 10-hour pulled pork belly, which I tried. It was delicious, melt-in-your-mouth goodness, except it was a little heavy on the sweetness and could've stood to be balanced out with some subtle spice. We re-ordered the pork gyoza with Hamakua tomato sauce and bacon foam that we enjoyed last night, and also tried the tempura pineapple with jamon iberico and mint. That was piping hot and DELISH, especially when you got the perfect bite with all three components stacked on your fork. I love that almost everything is locally sourced. Another thing I liked is that basically when you order an iced tea, it's bottomless. They kept bringing me pitcher after after pitcher of it to sit next to place setting. And they offered simple syrup instead of regular sugar (which I think there was a missed opportunity to infuse with some tropical flavor for added zest). The stand-out dessert was the coconut panna cotta with lilikoi "noodles" and berries. Generally, I'm a chocolate-dessert type of girl but the fresh, tart zing of the noodles next to the cool, creamy panna cotta was an insane combo. Loved every bite of it.
(5)Nichole D.
it was ok. The service was great. They were out of the whole fish, which was a bummer. The menu wasn't obnoxiously priced like most fining dining in restaurants in Maui and Honolulu. We split the burybop (sp). It was not that exciting. I think if we ordered a different entree we would have been more excited about our meal. The sushi was also ok. All in all, the entire experience was just meh.
(3)Gitanjali K.
deliciouso! Everything here is a piece of delectable art! Expensive but great for a special occasion! Outside deck is beautiful!
(5)Anna A.
My fiance and I had dinner here on our last night in Oahu. He had the black cod and I had a filet/poke dish with fingerling potatoes that was TO DIE FOR. Morimoto has such a neat way of plating and the food is DELICIOUS. The atmosphere is awesome and the service was one of a kind. Our server helped us choose drinks that fit our style, explained everything that was on our plates and why, and was just another aspect of our dinner that made it 5-star. If we come back to Oahu when we visit the islands again, we will definitely come back!
(5)KarraJoel M.
One word to describe my first and lastMorimoto experience: underwhelming. Purchased Valentine's Day Omakase at $140 per person. Multiply by 2 people and add in cost of 2 wines = I'm now poorer... And still hungry after completion of 8 courses 3.5 hours later. Underwhelming experience and food. Amazing kuromoto oysters. Not amazing fish with scales, vegetables with in edible stems attached, and crispy burnt steak-ish items. Waited a long time between dishes, dropped a chopstick and got only 1 of 2 replaced. Seats and tables were close enough to a wonderful married couple; felt like we had double date and made new friends. Did I mention sitting exactly at the corner of the busiest walkway/entrance to seating area and having to strain to hear my boyfriend across the table? Parked in street parking lot, when contrary to restaurant staff statements, the valet was not full. Suggestion: 1) purchase menu items of your choice instead, and 2) go to restaurant with no food expectations.
(2)Bravo J.
So I'm only giving 3 stars b/c I had a reservation at 7:45pm ... but was not seated until 8:30pm! I think it would've taken longer to get a table IF I wasn't constantly asking the receptionist what the hold up was and why EVERYONE else walking in was getting seated before me! At one point b/f we got seated - the manager came over -- and said we would we be seated soon ... but no apologies ... no nothing ...! He did send over an appetizer to the table once we were seated -- but I think I would've appreciated an apology over a free 17$ dish ... I had the seafood toban yaki ... DELISH!! OMG ... would fly over to HNL just to eat this again! this dish alone merits 5 stars ... it was that good! The hubby had sashimi ... he said it was fresh and tasy. It's expensive ... the tuna is "MP." It was 12$ a PIECE that day ... he had 3 pcs ... literally .5 inch slivers ... BUT -- he says it was very very good!! Be aware the miso soup is a BIG serving ~~ it's not the usual little bowl you get at a sushi restaurant ... it's the size of a PHO bowl ... :-) My friend had the calamari salad ~ which I stole many bites of b/c it was tasty!! I would order this dish again! Overall ~ the food is good! $$$! The fact that I had to wait a very long~ time even w/reservations and walk-in's were being seated before me put a damper in my dining experience at Morimoto Waikiki.
(3)Stephanie L.
4 stars for service, 2 stars for food. Ordered: Tuna Pizza, Half Dozen Oysters, Kakuni (Pork Belly with Congee), Pork Gyoza, Ramen Soup, Oxtail Soup, MIxed Green Salad, Crispy Whole Fish, 1 piece Uni and 1 piece sea eel. Went there on Thursday night for dinner while staying at the Modern Hotel Waikiki. We've been to Morimoto New York and remember it being much better that this. The food was ok tasting - nothing really special or memorable. The best thing ordered was the oysters. Had my 11 month old daughter for dinner with us and asked for a bowl of plain congee for her which they charged us $4 for a tiny bowl - no more than 4 spoon fulls. Plain rice is also $4 a bowl. Overall, way over priced. I dont mind paying for a great meal - or even a good one. But I left here still hungry and underwhelmed. The only bright spot during dinner was that service was very good. I wouldnt go here again. If you want fancy dining, with overpriced food just for a "cool" atmosphere - then this place is for you. If you want excellent Japanese food and equally excellent service then I would recommend Miyabi instead.
(2)C R.
We were in Honolulu for our anniversary and looking for somewhere special for our anniversary night dinner. While the reviews for Morimoto weren't particularly stellar, it was close and convenient to where we were staying and they had an opening. Valet parking at the Edition Hotel is validated (free) by the restaurant, so driving there is your best bet. Upon entering the restaurant, there's a very nice, quiet and comfortable lounge to wait at and since we were a bit early, we got to relax there for a sec before being seated. We were given a lovely spot on the outside lanai (recommended as inside can get a little noisy) by the marina. Very romantic with candle-light and all. We had an excellent tofu+kimchee starter with was prepared at our table, given 10 minutes for the tofu to form. Both our dinner entrees were also outstanding (one of which was from his Iron Chef battles, which he won!) The only less than excellent point was that our particular server seemed a little inexperienced and stiff but he was still fine and did his best. The other servers looked much more at ease and top-notch. No points deducted there as he might have had a rough day or just starting out. We'd definitely come back here next time for a nice dinner, and we'll be sure to request the lanai again.
(5)Laura D.
Ambiance: 5 starts The restaurant is beyootiful! A good place to go for just the ambiance. Decor is lovely, light, modern, chic. Food: 3.5 stars The food is good, but not any better than Izakaya Gaku (a personal fave) or Nobu. Sasabune still blows it out of the park. However, Morimoto is very good with modern innovations to old classics. The yose dofu (hot tofu) was really good, and the ishiyaki rice was not bad. The fish quality was on par with other good sushi restaurants, but not better. I had a pear yuzu cocktail with serrano chili and that was super yummy. I'd go back just for that, actually. Service: 4 stars Service was very good, as to be expected with the cost, which was, needless to say, not cheap.
(4)Theresa N.
Just had dinner at Morimoto's for the first time and had a mixed experience. I tried the Omakase (9 course chef's choice). I loved the presentation and taste of the first course, but found the other courses okay. We actually ordered the O' Toro and wagyu for appetizers, which was pretty good. I actually prefer the Omakase at Alan Wong's, at least you can have it with wine pairings and the food tasted better. My wife had the Angry chicken and wasn't worth the price. It was okay, but a little too salty and strong chipotle flavor. For drinks we loved the ZD Cabernet by the glass ($18/ glass) and we ordered a bottle of Kubota Sake (Daiginjo), our favorite, a little pricey at $150 a bottle. My wife enjoyed the tofu cheese cake and we enjoyed our double espresso. Warning! We were seated outside, which we thought was cool at first because inside sounded like a cafeteria and you could hardly hear yourself talking. But anyway, they sat us next to the row of hedges next to the swimming pool and towards the end, big B-52 type roaches started to come out and they looked like they were going to fly. My wife is totally freaked out and we asked to be moved. One roach crawled up to our table and was stomped on. Not quite to expect at a four or five star restaurant. I guess the restaurant knows about it because they apologized and blamed it on the fertilizer. They did move us to a nicer setting right in front of the fire pit and they evening ended well. Total damage was over $600 for three. I would return to try other dishes and drinks.
(3)Shatina L.
So I broke my cardinal rule of visiting an establishment before its been around for a year but I'm giving back to a slow economy. Would like to say love the decor. Simple and timeless with white leather furniture (easy to clean and replace) Not sure about the firepits but did add warmth as my party and I were seated outside. Despite the approaching storm and distinct burst of lightning in the distance and possible exposure to the elements, I would suggest sitting outside. It doesnt feel like you're waiting for the town meeting to start, distracted by the person next to you with the squeeky voice. But I digress. First and foremost, its all about the presentation: ambiance, flavors, service, the whole package. Obviously its not your local eatery, with food piled on the dish creating amalgamated flavors of gravies. Garnishes are strategically placed making you wonder if it took longer for them to put it all together than it was to prepare the dish. I opted for the omakase primarily because the menu itself seemed overwhelming. Why not allow the chef to do what he does best and just enjoy the meal, or in this case, meals? Try everything at least once in your life but what stands out the most for me here - and everyone will rank this the worse review ever - was the lemon creme fraiche, served w the roasted lobster. Not the lobster. Not the Wagyu. Not even the chawan mushi. But the sauce meant to hold 2nd fiddle to the entree. Yes, everything was savory to the palate and this didnt live up to the hype of that but that's all based on personal opinion. I personally think that it could be served with anything, frozen and whipped up as a dessert, and we wouldnt have been the wiser of its humble beginnings: heavy whipping cream with lemon essence. Cant order this on its own though- might as well eat the lobster that comes with it. Of course, I do have to comment on the service. Not swarming with wait help but just enough to be able to sidle in and fill your drink without the need to ask for more. You may have to wait, but spend it inquiring about the food on the other table with your company. All in all, a well enjoyed meal.
(4)Cristina T.
First time in Hawaii, first time at Morimoto's. Service was excellent! Food was pretty good. I had their version of Hawaiian Poke, it was pretty filling, not at all what I expected, tuna was very tender and delicious. I had the spider roll, that was typical, nothing special. The shrimp tempura, very different, not traditional at all, they serve it in two styles of flavor, both which was delicious. The prices were pretty high, for the food, it should be priced moderately. Though I think the price comes from the name and the ambiance. I would still come back.
(4)Cheyenne C.
Phenomenal! We sat at the sushi bar and had the best sushi of our lives. The sushi chef was so nice and treated up very traditionally. The cocktails were also amazing! We were staying in the Modern Honolulu Hotel (where the restaurant is). After dinner there, we also went to breakfast and lunch the next day. Three meals in a row must mean something, right? We went to Alan Wong's earlier in the week and can easily say Morimoto's was better - better service, atmosphere, cocktails and food! It was also half the price!
(5)Reza S.
Overall an average place. The restaurant decor looked nice but the food was mediocre. I have had way better sushi at other much cheaper places. The waiter was very nice and knowledgeable but again I wasn't impressed with the food. Also the whole restaurant had a heavy fishy smell. Not too pleasant
(3)Val Y.
I'm quiet in person but when I write, you can't shut me up. Some additional postscripts: P.P.P.S.: Do not overlook making reservations and ask to sit at the sushi bar. There is allot going on in the kitchen and it is interesting and entertaining to watch the chef's prepare the food. Morimoto himself was there when we visited the restaurant. It is easier to take pictures of him when you are sitting at the sushi bar....even if he is just standing around and doing nothing. Morimoto-san show me what you got....COOK SOMETHING!!! P.P.P.P.S. - If you are a Morimoto fan, you MUST purchase his book "morimoto - The New Art of Japanese Cooking". It is a great cookbook. It explains his philosophy in the art of cooking. It has very nice photos; describes his approach to food preparation and shows techniques in sashimi-ing, preparing clams, octopus, salmon roe, vegetables, etc. Book price is $40.00. If he is in the restaurant, he will autograph the book for you. "To Val, Happy Birthday! Masaharu Morimoto"... in Japanese. You da man Morimoto-san! P.P.P.P.P.S. - Beware the Morimoto rally "SHOUT!" It can happen at any given moment with no warning. All the staff in the kitchen will, at Morimoto's command, "SHOUT!" It is a technique he uses to motivate the cooking staff. It happens so suddenly; it is startling; it shocked my gf and I. We don't know what they SHOUTED. The wait staff do not participate in this ceremony and our waitress could not explain clearly what happened. P.P.P.P.P.P.S. - This is a must do! Even if you don't have to and you are a male; use the men's restroom of the hotel which is across from Morimoto's. Did you find the toilet stalls? Did you figure out how to turn the faucet on in less than a minute? But WOW! the men's restroom is upper end and beautifully done. Maybe they should move the Morimoto interior design to the restroom and the restroom interior design to Morimoto's. The next time I go to Morimoto Waikiki, I will use the restroom at least three times and maybe even do a Number 2. And at least for one of those times, I will be using the women's restroom, just to see what that is like.
(3)Mo A.
Gotta give them a 1/5. The sea food medley I ordered was $46....and the lobster portion had this terrible sharp ammonia taste and my wife thought the same thing. If it wasn't for that weird taste the dish was stiff below average for any seafood medley. The appetizer was good. The drinks pretty good but not worth the $210 I spent including tip for 2 people.
(1)Steve T.
The decor is very light and colorful in the main dining room. We dined on the outdoor patio which was very comfortable in the evening. The service was very professional. All of the dishes were described in detail. That was a plus, because some of the dishes really had a lot going on, and needed some explanation. We ordered the Omakase (Chef's Choice). The number of dishes and the portion size were more than I expected. I was quite full at the end of the evening. The Foie Gras Chawanmushi was a favorite. It is like a custard with tons of Foie Gras flavor. Topped with slices of duck. Need I say more. Some of the dishes had some shortcomings. The sushi rice used for the sushi was dry and lacked flavor. The main course was overpowering with the sauces, which I would have preferred without. All of the dishes, however, had very unique presentations. Art on a plate? I am very glad to have tried this restaurant. But it is unlikely that I would return.
(3)David T.
I had been to Morimoto's restaurant when I was living in New York. I was not impressed and he had been my least favorite chef when I was actually watching the show years earlier. But during our vacation in Oahu, we had stayed at the Waikiki Edition. And the restaurant was in the hotel - so we decided to try it. Read up a little bit on the reviews before we decided to order from the menu. We had ordered the rock shrimp and the chawanmushi appetizers and a whole bunch of sushi. The sushi was extremely good, and the chawanmushi was interesting in a good way. Was very disappointed with the shrimp - it had too much sauce and was a little too fried. We couldn't eat more than a few. The place is pricey. Wouldn't do it too many times. But still much better than my experience in the New York restaurant. It has a nice view of the ocean, but sometimes a few tour busses would come through the adjoining street and we would get a whiff of exhaust sitting outside on the patio. Still, a very trendy place.
(4)Justin P.
Well, I did have very high hopes for someone as prestigious as the Iron Chef, but I must say that I was thoroughly disappointed. Fist, I'll say that their hosts need a lot more friendliness! The curry stuffed pan was delicious but small, and the sushi appetizers were well prepared and tasted great, as to be expected. The Tuna Pizza was wonderful. But the entres were more than lacking. The Chicken though tender and juicy, was way too salty and over spiced. The lamb was a pitifully tiny serving. Most of all the service sucked. Our waitress though charming she was when she was around, never checked on us, and we had to ask serval times to get our bill before our 20 minute wait to pay. Let's not mention the fact that no one came to refill our water until we finished our dessert. Over all, the food was all in all alright, but definitely not special enough for the hassle. And most Definitely did NOT live up to the expectation of the "Iron Chef"!
(2)H N.
This place is fantastic! We had taken my husband there for Father's Day and was very very impressed with the people, food, and atmosphere. The service from the waithelp (Josh and Mark), were excellent and the food was so well executed and cooked. This was one place that had mirugai nigiri and that was sooo delicious! The desserts, too, were just awesome! This was the best dining experience we've had in a long time and the manager (Chad) was so nice and accommodating. Thank you, Chad, for a perfect evening for all of us. Will definitely go back soon!
(5)Scott T.
Absolutely amazing food! Wonderful atmosphere. A little overpriced - especially the alcohol! The waiter left our bottle of "exclusive cabernet wine" on the adjacent table...Kirkland brand! Ha! What a ripoff...
(4)chanel y.
Very nice classy and modern restaurant, but the only problem was very noisy I felt like I was in a mall food court. The food was ok for its price, I expected more because its Chef Morimoto. I wouldnt care to go back unless someone invites me. Dessert was GREAT!!! :)
(3)Kevin C.
It's pricey, but it's damn good.
(4)Art T.
I am always a big fan of Chef Morimoto when he first appeared on the Japanese Iron Chef show and now American's version one. I was so excited when I learned that he was going to open his restaurant in Honolulu. Finally I went there for lunch the past weekend with my friends. I made the reservation through Open Table. The restaurant opens for lunch at 11 AM. The restaurant is spacious and has both indoor and outdoor seatings. Service Overall the service is pretty good. Audrey was the person who assisted us with the menu and selections. She ran through the menu and provided us some great suggestions for appetizers, the spicy king crab and wagyu carpaccio. The service was very attentive. Other staff came by the table to clean up and refill water diligently. Food I definitely would recommend the spicy king crab and wagyu carpaccio. They were very tasty. The presentation was awesome. All of us ordered the lunch set menu. I think they were great value. I had sahimi, tempura and sushi combination and my friend had kakuni don (ten hour pork belly). The ingredients were very fresh. Every dish was tasty and not overly salty like some of the restaurant. I also tasted my friend's entree, Kakuni Don, the pork was very well favored and tender. I was so full after finishing my lunch set. So, we decided to share the dessert, coconut panna cotta. The dessert was amazing. Later on that night, I had panna cotta dessert at House without a Key at Halekulani. I had to say, the one at Morimoto was much more sophisticated and silky. Ambience The design of the restaurant was fresh and modern contemporary. The corals, each table, and even the chopsticks were so well thought out. We loved the chopsticks so much that we bought some for ourselves. Parking The hotel and restaurant offer valet parking which is simply convenient. The staff was very friendly and courteous. I definitely will come back for lunch or dinner. This is not an everyday type of restaurant, or it will break my bank. But it is totally worth it for any special occasions.
(4)Nina V.
The scoring is based on price for value. The ambiance was a definite to see-and-be seen kind of place. The most exciting thing was sitting at a table very near the open-air kitchen where we could observe a very tanned Chef Morimoto hop around the kitchen in his white chef coat and white sneakers. The Japanese dishes were very cleanly done. (simple artful presentation and not overdone flavors) The less traditional fare was interesting but sometimes odd. The people-watching always makes it more enjoyable...what do I do with this implement and what was the sequence of steps the waiter just recounted to us?
(3)Annie Z.
Meh sums it up. Brought Justin here for his 30th birthday dinner and I wish we had tried somewhere else. The service was great, but the prices were way too high for the quality of the food. If you're going to spend money like this, better to hit up Nobu or Alan Wong's. Will say I love their chopsticks. They are a light blue, twisted plastic. Liked them so much Justin bought me a set to bring home :)
(2)Nick S.
This was most probably the best meal I've ever eaten (and one of the most expensive). We enjoyed the Omakase and a couple of carafes of Sake and thoroughly enjoyed it. I can't say the same for the man himself, who was having a rough night after a day of heavy rain and winds that put the patio out of action and packed out the restaurant. I basically enjoyed every one of the 9 courses and savored each mouthful slowly, hoping to make it last. My favorite dishes were the duck dish and a small plate of thinly sliced hamachi with olive oil and something else that tasted amazing (it was sometimes a little hard to hear the descriptions in full by the server due to the noise level!). I'm not sure how often the menu changes so don't go in there expecting to eat the same as me! If I had to really pick and find something negative to say it would be that the Wagyu beef was a little over cooked and not melt in the mouth like you'd expect. But that's something I'd otherwise let slide since the meal as a whole was verging on a spiritual experience. Eat there, expect to pay out for a meal you'll remember, it's worth every penny.
(5)Andrew H.
Overall a very good experience. Located in the Modern Hotel, this über-swank South-Beach style decorated Japanese restaurant did not disappoint. Hands down the best home-made wasabi I've ever tasted. All dishes were delicious, but relied a little too much on chilis (especially the Spicy King Crab, which just masked the delicate sweetness of the seafood). Wine list was "ok" and very expensive. Very good effort, cool vibe, and worth a special trip, but probably only once.
(4)Mike R.
Went when it first open when it's was Editions and it was one star. Thought it had to improve, wrong. Order Angry Chicken. I now know why the chicken is angry. Nothing more than chilly power and cumin. What a waste of a nice cut of chicken. Service was poor and employees had bad attitudes maybe they will get it one of these days.
(1)jean K.
Not just a meal, dining at Morimoto's Waikiki is an experience... Ambiance ~ is chic. Food~ freshness, taste, presentation all top notch. Each thing that came to our table, was better than the last. Topped it off with a few amazing desserts!! Wow~ Pricey for sure... but on those occasions where you are in the mood to splurge...
(5)Leslie R.
The Edition Hotel is a new boutique hotel in Waikiki. Morimoto made a good choice in locating his restaurant here. The place is beautiful! The tables, chairs and decor is modern, clean and lovely. Our first visit was for lunch since we thought our chances of a table would be secure. The service was impeccable. We ordered what we had read about. Husband had the Pork Belly and I had the sushi/sashimi/tempura combo. We also ordered a spicy hamachi maki. Every bite was delicious! For desert we shared the coconut panacotta....unbelievable! The food is as beautiful to look at as it tastes. We will return next week for dinner and I can't wait to try the omakase!
(5)Paul K.
Went last night for the 1st anniversary and have been there many times in the past year and was sincerely impressed each time with exemplary food, service and atmosphere.
(5)Kobu K.
I was very excited to eat here. The interior is very nice. But thats all I can say about it. Here is why I will not be back to this place. Service: There was not many people here and the food took FOREVER to get to our table. Food: Ok.. I often go to many nice restaurants here in Hawaii and when i travel. It seemed like the dishes here was overly thought out and almost seemed to be pushy in taste. Meaning lets just through some crap together and put it on a pretty plate then call it good. I ordered the Duck, Duck, Duck as my main dish. When the plate hit my table I was shocked to see how little food was on the plate. I am very used to small portions from living in Japan but this was ridiculous! The flavor well..wasn't any better than a Chinese food place downtown. Also ordered some sushi which took 30 mins to get to our table for 4 pieces only. The flavor of the sushi I would compare to Yanagi Sushi quality. Which isn't very good in my opinion. Sorry Local people I know you love this place. After dinner we ended up going to Buffalo wild wings because we were still hungry Overall I was extremely disappointed. This place is a big waste of time and money. If you want good Japanese food and the Best! Sushi in Hawaii then I recommend Imanas-Tei behind pucks alley. Bar-none the best Japanese and sushi in hawaii.
(1)Hikari K.
My hubby brought me here for my birthday, and I have to say...From the moment you walk into Morimoto's your taken back by the decor and ambiance. For starters we ordered the Toro & Hamachi tartar, best thing i've ever ate, definitely love at first bite! Wagyu carpaccio was light and full of flavor..several dishes followed all of which were amazing. If you're a fan of sake, I recommend Morimoto's Preminum 5 year Junmai and Ginjo you won't be disappointed. As if the fabulous food wasn't enough, your dining experience is paired with pure plating fabulousness! You kind of just sit there and admire the beauty of the dish for a minute. If you're looking for amazing food, ambiance and top notch service Morimoto's is def. the place.
(5)Kate R.
A-MAZING. Well worth every penny. Morimoto's is unreal - every time I go (I've been 3 times now) I get their 'White Lily' drink - try it! I highly recommend their rock shrimp, too. So tasty. Oh, and they have a secret dessert that's only available at night and by request - called "The Breakfast of Champions" - it features BACON. Yum.
(5)Lacey C.
Oh me oh my Morimoto = a piece of heavenly pie! If I could live in the pocket of the sushi chefs here, I totally would. As long as they fed me of course! :) I had the privilege to not only eat a MAGNIFICENT dinner (ordered off the menu) of Tuna Carpaccio and other delicious sushi concoctions, however I also was delighted to enjoy breakfast at this incredible edible establishment. Breakfast was served with french press coffee a mountain of fresh fruits, yogurt, granola and egg whites all very yummy! Highly recommend this place if you are needing a hot spot for a date, but be sure they are worth the dough because this isn't a bargain bin diner! Only the best for the best :)
(4)Brigitte P.
This is a super difficult review to write.. If I could rate the food on one scale and the service on another it would be completely different. Let me start with the food.. Every single thing I've tried on the menu has never disappointed.. It's music to my taste buds. I recently tried the Poke and OMG.. A-MAZING.. The presentation alone made me want to keep taking pictures of it all! Definitely really good and worth the price you pay for the FOOD... The service is hit or miss. Sometimes I've been there and you'll get the waiter/waitress that is very attentive and makes the whole experience quite pleasant. But there have been a couple occasions and unfortunately with the same waitress where I myself and my table felt like we weren't ordering the right things. We would ask for one type of sake and after ordering was told of a different (and more expensive) one to order.. All fine and good, but we didn't ask for an opinion.. We found this odd. Making the reservation alone brings along anxiety. I have a lot of friends and we are all very social and like going to places to eat and drink.. On a few occasions I've wanted to make reservations for 10+ and it was a problem of which I would have to settle with the customer relations person, Shannon. I've dealt with this person in the past for a Birthday and it was near impossible to communicate with this woman. It was so frustrating that I was running out of time and finally gave up and booked it at another restaurant with absolutely no problem.. On my last visit, I tried making it for exactly 10 hoping after 4 months they revamped a few kinks. I was told I would have to book through Shannon and based on my previous experience, was not doing that. Changed it to 8 and it was magically ok.. Weird. Long story short, if you can deal with mediocre service and feeling like you have to beg for good service, but enjoy really good food, definitely give it a try. But if you have no tolerance, don't even think about it.
(3)William C.
A modern fusion of Asian and American cuisine. Definitly lives uo to the reputation! Service: Great Atmopshere: Ok.. (tables cramped like many Honolulu places but the Lounge is nice) Food: Excellent Drinks: Excellent All Courses were good, some great, and unique. The level of creation required in what was presented showed great imagination. It was just fun! The Wagyu beef was not as good as Chef Mavro but the sashimi might be better!
(4)Robert N.
Good food, not great and definitely not worth spending the money we spent. I wouldn't go back and I would suggest those wanting great seafood to look at the local ma and pa places to provide a better product at a lower price. Sorry but I wasn't thrilled :-(
(3)Anton Z.
This Iron Chef is getting rusty. The biggest reason for the low score was the service. We were virtually ignored for the first ten minutes, while our server was helping the people around us who showed up after us. Once we did finally order, it took another ten minutes to get our drinks, which were acceptable if not particularly mind-blowing. I had a lunch set with sashimi, tempura, and sushi. The food was good, but individually the component parts felt like things I'd get from a conveyor belt sushi place back home. My partner enjoyed the chirashi, which had sushi over ride. Again, his meal was competent, but not really very exciting. Service aside, Morimoto Waikiki was good, especially if you forget that Morimoto is an Iron Chef. Much like some other places, it seems like Morimoto exchanged exciting flavors and food for something safe. That being said, you end up paying for the name, but at least the food is ok. One tip - make sure you check out the restroom...it's a fantastic space and weirdly was a highlight of the visit since it was so nice (weird, I know, but it's true!).
(2)Erika H.
Oversauced and overpriced. Everything was salty and had excessive sauce on it, including the foie gras oysters, pork belly, and spicy king crab legs. We were very disappointed that such a nice restaurant would end up being the worst meal we had in Honolulu.
(2)Wendy Y.
The service was excellent and the food was tasty! Would definitely go back there again! Valet parking was closed but garage parking was fully validated. Awesome experience. Thanks Chef Morimoto!
(5)Kelso A.
I give this restaurant a 3! I went during lunch today and really enjoyed the presentation! Nice green seats inside with the view of the harbor. I really liked the coral hanging from the ceiling! My favorites were the appetizers. We had the Crispy Rock Shrimp Tempura and the Beef Curry Bread! Super yummy. For entree, I ordered Loco Moto, super rich and yummy wagyu beef. Very filling, I had to get my order wrapped to take home. Only downer was that it took 45-55 minutes for our entrees to come out after the appetizers were done. We had a great server, Sonia, who made sure we knew what was going on with our food:) today she said the kitchen was behind. We didn't get to try desserts, but from the taste of the appetizers and entree, I would not doubt the taste in dessert. I wasn't a big fan of the sparkling water, so I would go with regular. The iced tea came out in a fancy looking container which really caught my eye! Tried to make a same-day reservation online but the website said there were no openings till 12:30 or 1:00, but when I called at 11:15, they said there were openings at 11:45, so I recommend calling! Overall, I enjoyed my experience there and would recommend it!
(3)L W.
I went to Morimoto's for my birthday dinner and left extremely disappointed in the entire experience. The wait staff is solemn, serious, and unfriendly. Whenever anyone in our party had questions, it was as if we were an annoyance. This was the first night Chef Morimoto was not there to oversee his workers since he left for New York so the quality must have dived because I went with high expectations after reading all the raving reviews. THE FOOD: Appetizer (not part of Omakase): Rock Shrimp Tempura: Panda Express, oily, slimy, engulfed in batter, could not find the shrimp. Omakase was TERRIBLE. Toro Tartar: Was hard, felt like it came out of the freezer. No taste, very bland. Sashimi Rolls: Teeny, tiny rolls of hamachi sashimi seared with hot peanut oil. The oil overpowered all the fish leaving an oily, slimy, unappetizing taste/texture. Salad: Hot oil comes bubbling in a bowl with a clump of garlic-anchovy paste in the middle. Diners are instructed to dip the large, raw vegetables (carrot, cauliflower, turnip, celery, crouton) into the hot oil and garlic. This was DISGUSTING. The oil was so overypowering, yet did not have any taste. Thus, it was as if I was eating oily, raw vegetables. Assorted nigiri 6pcs: I thought they couldn't screw this up but, Genki, Kozo, Aloha, anywhere would have been better than the paper thin, dry, ragged-cut nigiri Morimoto's presented. Surf and Turf: It was as if the bottle of cayenne popped open and breaded my lobster in its spices. The wagyu beef was chewy (some people spit it out), and the pork tasted and looked like Panda Express. Everything was disastrous. This dish was served at room temp. Kabocha Souffle and Sweet Potato Ice Cream: The kabocha souffle was cold and tasted like a Costco vanilla cupcake.T he ice cream was grainy and melted. Peanut Butter Bomb: When something says BOMB on the menu, you would expect it to be awesomely delicious. This it was NOT. It was like a light peanut butter mousse around a hershey bar. Came with peanut butter ice cream although I do not know how that tasted since it melted before it came to the table. Banana Dessert: It just didn't make sense! Cold caramelized bananas topped with a rectangular milk chocolate sheet. That's it. It was a baaaaaaaaaad experience made worse by a $400 bill.
(1)Maude L.
I really like the ambiance - it's a chic and modern space. The service was good and attentive. But the food was just good, not amazing or anything. We got a few different sushi orders, and it was all good, but not special, if you know what I mean. You expect a little something extra or innovative at a fancier, date-type place, which Morimoto's provides with it's ambiance and service, but not so much the food. But maybe their other entrees do deliver - may have to go back and try those.
(3)Janet K.
While I thought the appetizers we ordered were delicious (poke and foie gras chawan mushi), the sauce on the braised black cod I ordered for my main was way too salty. My bf ordered the moco loco and he enjoyed it. Additionally, the service was horrible. Our waitress forgot about my order so we waited like an hour for our main dishes. She did offer a complimentary dessert to try to make up for it but we were in no mood for dessert by then. She wasn't very personable - disappointing for a place like this.
(2)Allen B.
Absolutely one of the best dinners we have had! The service was flawless and the ambiance was beautiful. Outside or inside will create a memorable experience.
(5)Kimberly L.
Swank. Cool seafoam chunky decor and lots of acrylic. Clear acrylic chopsticks. Indigo Pistachio Orchid acrylic wall mural. Acrylic boxes of fleshy coral hanging from the ceiling. Lugubrious wood tables across which you can't hear your companions, the waiter, or much of anything because it's so noisy. I walked in and I wish I'd worn my new 4" fuschia stilettos, which I'd worn to Benihana the night before (mistake!) Too bad I didn't read the yelp reviews first and try the mythic bathrooms on for size. People dressed like they're in the club (a nice nightclub, that is). Characterize the food with the oft-teased "fancy food" presentation of Ogre-sized square white plates and a dab of food arranged artfully in one corner, a splash of sauce in the middle, and a doodle of a bite of something in the other corner. This describes my black rock cod perfectly. My bit of food was delish, resembling misoyaki butterfish. It came with 6 plump black beans that looked like mini-olves but tasted like azuki beans (meaning they'd been boiled in sugar?). Top it with a half-inch square of bell pepper skin and you have my entree. (No rice/starch came with it). Do not expect large portions here. $26 Speaking of the "slow food movement," this food was so slow I don't think there was any movement at all! After a 3-hour dinner (we only had 3 courses), our poor out-of-town guests were drooping a bit out-and-down :( Honorable mention goes to the server, who apologized so many times for my blemished teacup that he must have been taking the dishwashing error as a personal tar on his honor. For all that we had to wait an hour between each course (1 omakase sushi platter, 2 entree, 3 dessert), the staff was flocking like crazy to make sure our drink orders were fulfilled. I had genmaicha --green tea with roasted rice flavor--and they replaced my pot with a hot one halfway through. The mojito was apparently not good (not enough mint). PS the sushi was fall-apart nice. I hardly, if ever, eat expensive sushi, and at like $17/piece (I exaggerate--$75 for like 20 pieces) this was maybe the most expensive sushi I've eaten. The saba was a bit fishy but everything else didn't have any taste at all--I guess nigiri-lovers eat it for the tasteless soft texture? or perhaps the whomp of wasabi up the sinuses? Our guests had made the rsvp through the Trump Towers concierge, so we got some little chocolate truffles at the end. One was very bad. One was okay. One was good. Kind of like the three little bears. The ginger chew was goldilocks. The 12 girls sitting at the long table near us shrieked like a gawk of turkeys all night long. Desserts were ok. The peanut butter salted ice cream was nice. it came on the side of the chocolate peanut butter something or other, which resembled a fluffy mars bar with less taste. The chocolate banana mille feuille with avocado anglaise was just meh, best described as a banana trying to become a banana creme brulee but not succeeding, so covering itself in a rectangle of chocolate shell. I thumb this for dress-up-ability, cool decor, and artistically-presented tidbits of food. PS chef morimoto was pointed out to us as there, behind in the open ktichen.
(4)John L.
A great experience. The food was awesome, and the service was good. I am a big fan of the Iron Chef show, so when this place came to town, I had to check it out. Well, I have returned with some friends, so that says something because the price for a meal here is not cheap. The drinks are surprisingly good, and I suggest to order the Chef's selection with multiple courses. It was a wonderful culinary experience.
(5)Kristine M.
OK. Perhaps my expectations for this restaurant and the name accompanied with it were set too high, or I'm just hard to please. But, the overall dining experience here was awkward and confusing. The server in charge of our table was friendly and knowledgeable. The strange thing about dinner was how haphazard our appetizers, entrees, and sushi came out. Most fine dining restaurants have an order in which they serve their dishes, but we were getting entrees and appetizers at various times. The birthday girl ordered the omakase, and at one point they had three dishes set in front of her... that is not supposed to happen. The manager decided to stop by and instead of asking us, "How is the meal?" or "Are you enjoying yourselves?" She opened with, "Did you get your food yet?" Weirdness. The only highlight of the night was the tofu guy. He was so excited and animated about freakin' tofu! Crazy part was that he pulled us all into a tofu euphoria. It was a liquid, then turned into a solid! WHOOAAA!!! That guy should open his own restaurant and just serve tofu... now, that's a place I'd return to. Anyways, the food was OK. Not what I expected for the prices. Overall I was not impressed. Ala cuisine... NOT.
(2)Shane F.
Went for my cousins birthday dinner. Read the reviews and was excited to eat at my favorite iron chef's restaurant. My cousin had previously been there and so she ordered us some of her favorite appetizers. We had the: toro which was excellent especially with the seaweed sauce. A beef thing it was pretty good the sashimi platter which was excellent especially the hamachi Entrees: I ordered the Lamb Rack it came with 3 nice pieces of lamb and some kind of sauce i thought it made the lamb taste sweeter. i like the spam onigiri though haha. My dad got the omakase; it had nine courses and i got to try each one i don't want to go into detail but the one dish that stuck out to me was in the sushi platter that was the best unagi i have ever had and that is my favorite. Another of the dishes that stuck out was the chawanmushi ever sweet good consistency and just awesome. The entree was a nice sampler i think my favorite was the lobster. 110 is a lot to pay but if you have it and don't know what to get that is a good way to go. oh ya the desert was a pumpkin dish which was very good it had azuki beans in the middle Some other people had a fish dish which was pretty good as well. The deserts were excellent as well i loved the peanut butter bomb haha its a peanut butter like pastry and then peanut butter ice cream the taste is smooth and not what you would expect. We also had a chocolate thing with caramel in the middle rich so a bite was just enough for me. Long review for a great restaurant, oh ya on another note iron chef morimoto was actually there haha so like tourist we took a picture with him.
(4)Charlotte D.
I had heard mixed revues about this restaurant from friends but wanted to check it out for myself and I'm glad I did. I love, love, love the wagyu carpaccio! The flavor was a wonderful fusion of oil and a sauce I couldn't identify, the meat melted in my mouth! I also had the 6 oz filet and it was every bit as good as it should be, cooked to perfection and one could cut it with a fork if you happened to drop your knife on the floor. I'll go again to try different menu items. It's pricey, not an everyday place to eat but I enjoyed the food. The one thing I didn't care for was that the noise level in the restaurant was very high.This is not a place to take a first date or for an intimate dinner.
(4)Juvy A.
Went to Morimoto's on July 1st with a bunch of my girlfriends. It's a nice restaurant and fancy looking. We sat on the outside lanai which was perfect to see the Hilton hawn's fireworks show on a Friday night. The staff was really good and fast...although there were times when we weren't ready to order because we couldn't decide. We did ask for advice and the recommendations were good. All the food that we ordered were very delicious. The Wagyu beef was excellent and the IshiYaki Buri Bop was pretty neat and very filling. Overall, everything was good! On a side note, when they're very busy, sitting out in the lanai is better than sitting in the inside because it is very noisy and most of the time you'll be yelling at each other. Outside was perfect and not loud at all. Although it's a bit pricey, I would definitely will be visiting there again...I wouldn't suggest to go there starving though because your bill will add up...lol
(4)Hanwook K.
Overall not a great experience. The service was okay -- it felt like a diner than a fancy restaurant. I can't explain why, but the service just seemed too casual. The hostess wasn't super friendly, just very matter-the-fact. Our service wasn't super friendly, but she wasn't mean. She did wipe the table every time I spilled something. Okay -- too the food. We ordered the following: Tofu -- okay. Table side preparation. The kimchee sauce was weak. It tasted like watered down kimchee soup. Really watered down. The tofu set a bit firm. I was expecting something a bit more silken. Nevertheless, not a bad dish. Octopus Capaccio: Wow -- this was to die for. The flavor was great. The texture was a bit too goopy, but what do you expect for octopus. Spicy tuna, spicy yellow tail Maki -- these were fresh. You could taste the sesame seeds in the rice. It wasn't too spicy. It was solid standard spicy marki Spider roll (soft shell crab) -- yuk. The batter was think. The crab was flavorless and a bit bitter. I don't think they're in season but then again, if it isn't I wouldn't expect them the serve it. Spicy crab - yuk. Over cooked (probably because its baked after its steamed). the spicy sauce was mayo-y and thick. It was a single note spicy. The sauce over powers the delicate flavors of the crab. What a waste! The fries had the same sauce - same issue, sauce that overpowers the dish. I'm definitely not a fan of this dish. As you can see, I didn't love my experience here. The service was casual and not as refined as you expect for this level of restaurant. The food wasn't great. I suspect if we had ordered more raw foods, we may have had a slightly better experience. But I will never know.
(2)S M.
Food is a letdown, place is surviving on name and location alone. Staff were wonderful, but just a typical overpriced low quality Waikiki restaurant. Too bad!
(2)J R.
We were staying at the hotel next door, and decided to try Morimoto's. Easy reservations thru open table and walked over later that night. The restaurant is gorgeous and the pool area very trendy. TIP: if you also want to see the Fireworks, sit near the far left end along the railing. We tried the Tuna pizza (amazing), Abalone takoyaki (even better) Sashimi salad (meh, just okay) seafood to ban yaki (pretty good) Drinks were good but expensive. Overall great time
(5)Ryen L.
A Mixed Bag Positives: the atmosphere is amazing, the sushi (and seafood in general) is very delicious (including the octopus with Yuzu), the presentation of the food is great Negatives: too many un-trained grey shirt servers, and some of the food is more for an avant garde experience rather than taste I had the Morimoto Experience and the rest of my family (who had previously eaten here a couple of times) ordered ala carte. I would have to discourage the Morimoto Experience (9 course meal) as most of the courses were nowhere near as good as the entrees on the menu. (For example, one of my courses was raw vegetables such as a sliced carrot and bell pepper with a side of olive oil... it may have been presented on a cool plate, but I wish that it taste as good as it was presented). I noticed that there are two kinds of servers. Those in black shirts who take the order and speak with customers (they were adequately knowledgeable about the menu), and those in grey shirts (who appeared to not have been trained by management). It appears that they hired one grey shirt worker for every seat in the restaurant (all of them crowd on the side and talk to one another). The grey shirt workers deliver the food and take away dishes. Management needs to have stricter grooming policies with these employees (as they allowed facial hair, old dirty watches, and tattoos--not something you'd expect to see when paying so much for your meal). Additionally, the grey shirt servers didn't seem to know which side to serve from, and when clearing the table, they stacked the dirty plates in the middle of the table and scraped the food onto one plate--this is while we were all sitting at the table waiting for the next course. I blame management for poor training. Despite the poor service, I would have to say that the quality of all of the food (ingredients) was extremely high. Therefore, for the things they did well--they excelled. For everything else, it detracted from the experience.
(3)Risa A.
Nobu over morimoto anyday! The food was so so, dessert was salty, and he was supposed to come out to say hi but made us wait forever so we just left. It's overpriced for the quality you get.
(1)Patti K.
Our service was great. The atmosphere was beautiful. The food was fabulous. We had a very late dinner so we decided to order appetizers and a sushi platter instead of an entree. So glad we did!! Got to try a lot of great food that our waiter recommended. Even the dessert was superb! Pricey but great to go for a special occasion. Read the other reviews. This really helped us know what to expect when we walked in.
(5)Jesse C.
After reading the initial reviews from opening day I remained skeptic. So a group of friends and I went for lunch. We ordered a sashimi set, lobster melt sandwich, chicken katsu sandwich, and kakuni don (10hr pork belly). I got what I expected from Morimoto; simple, clean flavours. Everything was tasty but the prices are what I did not agree with. The desserts were unique but neither peanut butter fondant or tofu cheesecake (super light) caught my interest.
(3)Meg P.
Wow. Let me say that again, Wow. This place is located inside the Waikiki Edition Hotel, and let me tell you, you get an extra swing in your hips and an extra bounce in your step as soon as you set foot in here. From the lobby of the hotel up to the interior of the restaurant (can't comment on the hotel rooms as I didn't stay here), the place screams sexy, swanky, and cool. Don't take your energetic toddlers here; they won't be welcome. And a warning: don't dress like the typical Waikiki beach tourist (flip-flops, t-shirt, and shorts) here. You'll stand out, and not in a good way. As for the food, Morimoto definitely delivers. For appetizers, I tried the 10-hour pork belly with congee, and I loved that dish! I thought the congee was going to be a weird combination with pork belly, but it actually turned out to be really, really good! We also had their oyster foie gras, and that dish was also spectacular! I only wish we could have tried more of their apps, because they all sounded delicious. Alas, we are working-class stiffs, so on to the entrees we go. I had the "duck, duck, duck" which is basically duck cooked 3 ways. First is a seared duck breast, then there's the duck confit spring roll, and finally, the duck meatball soup. I have to say, I was not impressed with the duck spring roll, mostly because the dipping sauce it came with was ginger-based (lots of ginger chunks in it), and I don't like ginger. So that was a turn-off for me. But I liked the rest of my dish, the seared duck breast and the soup, so all was not lost. I only wish that they had included more of the crispy duck skin with the seared duck breast, but that is a trifling matter. My husband had the seafood toban yaki, which looks kind of like our cioppino here in San Francisco. It's mixed seafood in a spicy miso-sake broth, and he must have liked it because I never even got to try it! He devoured that dish like it was his last meal. I also got to try their clam miso soup, but I was not too impressed with that one. Don't get me wrong, the dish is perfectly ok, it's just that there's nothing spectacular about it either. It's miso soup, with clams. The end. Their desserts were ok, nothing really stood out for me from the desserts we tried. But I do love the space, and if you can get a table outside, it's a very cool, romantic atmosphere. Kind of loud, though. But should I be lucky enough to find myself on Oahu again, I will make every effort to come back here. And maybe even book a room at this swanky, uber-sexy Edition Hotel. That way, the staff can just roll me on up to my room as soon as I'm done pigging out on Chef Morimoto's food.
(4)Greg E.
Well worth the money spent for dinner!!! Wagyu carpaccio was amazing!! Their hamachi take on bi bim bap was cool with the table side cooking!! All the delectable desserts, had 4 of us sharing something different. And the waiter, Martin was awesome. Next one we're Adkins for his section. Very informative and helpful. Highly recommended for everyone to try!!!
(5)Sandy D.
This was our first date night in two years with my husband and we chose to come here for dinner. We ordered the omakase and basically, I felt it was overpriced. Our total ended up being over $300 with drinks and tip. For that much I felt like I should have had some other worldly experience with my food. That wasn't the case. The main course in the omakase was the most disappointing. It was two pieces of wagyu beef, two pieces of pork, one crab claw, and a small lobster tail. Service was okay. Waiter was knowledgable about the food and drinks. The servers who brought the dishes to the table described each dish. The timing of the dishes was inconsistent and it seemed that the kitchen became slower as the night went on as the restaurant filled up. My husband loves to watch Iron Chef and had high hopes. The food wasn't bad, but for the price our expectations were much more. We were going to be seated outside, but I wanted to sit inside, so the table we were led to had this big chunk missing from it. I guess this was the natural stone, but I had to keep my plate six inches away from me while I ate, because of the table. If you are a table of two, be prepared to sit close to the people next to you and feel like you're part of each other's dinner conversation. The bathroom in the hotel is really nice, though.
(3)Bonnie M.
Morimoto ruined my, my family's, and my friend's Christmas vacation! My friend and I got food poisoning on Christmas Eve 2012 at Morimoto's in Waikiki! We spent that night and the next few days in bed/the bathroom. I hadn't been that sick in over 20 years! My friend was sick for 4 days and only got better after going to an emergency clinic and getting two prescriptions. When I called the restaurant to let them know that we had both gotten sick, the person who answered the phone as well as the manager with whom I eventually spoke, didn't seem to believe me. The manager said to go to the doctor, get a medical report, and then return to the restaurant to discuss. Was she kidding?!?!?! We were in no state to go to a doctor. Besides, why would we waste a day and more money? Restaurants that aren't making hand over fist in profits would immediately try to accommodate a customer for something as simple as not liking the taste of the dish that one ordered. In fact, during our Hawaii vacation, one noodle shop did not charge my mother for her lunch and gave her a free dessert simply because her food arrived to the table a couple of minutes later than the rest of the group's. Our waiter was not friendly and treated us as if we knew nothing. I happened to have lived in Japan for 3 years, so I, in fact, did know something about Japanese food. The cocktails were pretty awful, too. I should have taken that as a clue of what was to come. Forget Morimoto's. You can have much nicer / healthier meals at McDonald's.
(1)Scott L.
We liked this location a lot more than the Napa location - sat outside on the covered patio with a view of the yacht club and Hilton Hawaiian Village (looking South) - a lot nicer view than looking at the Napa River. I mention the Village as Hilton has fireworks at approximately 7:45pm every Friday night. Thus, we got there at 6:15 and saw the sunset and then the fireworks. Service at this location was relaxed (not pretentious) while professional. Martin, our waiter, is on top of his game in describing and recommending dishes & drinks, coordinating courses with the multiple staff who brought out and described each dish again and the recommneded approach to eat. They were also excellent at wiping down the table after almost every course and filling water glasses. The outside tables are white compared to the dark tables inside, thus a lot of wiping down for my messy side of the table. Oops, I spilled something again! We did not notice a Manager making the rounds-checking on tables like Napa. No loss as we were in good hands with Martin. My Wifey had a Pina Haupia cocktail (lighter than a Pina Colada), appetizer of Morimoto Sashimi (layered sashimi with multiple sauces in tubes which the diner can use to paint/flavor their sashimi), entree of Black Cod (she mentioned the Napa cod tasted slightly better) with a side of Baby Bock Choy (a bit overcooked), and the Haupia Semifreddo (you gotta get this as this has a variety of flavors and textures). Closed out with French Press Kona Coffee (less acidic - will not screw up your digestion if you have a sensitive tummy). My son and I had the Ohmygosh for $120 each, I mean Omakase - Chef Tasting Selection. Seems pricey but the selection provides you a culinary tour of Morimoto's creativity (seven dishes with four being unique to the Waikiki location). - Toro/Haimachi Tartare (Signature dish - yeah, the one on TV where the fish is chopped up to a paste and a small metal paddle is used to eat with various condiments...once again, why chop up good fish,.but playing with food seems to be the Chef's objective to involve the diner..now I am beginning to understand the Master) - A hot oil seared crudo (reminded me of chinese style steamed fish with hot oil, soy sauce, and scallions - this was very good) - Bagna Cauda (Vegetable Fondue with Anchovy Paste set in the middle of boiling hot oil..playing with food again! Tasty!) - Foie Gras Chawan Mushi - (This was excellent - they have outlawed Foi Gras in California, thus this hits the spot...rich and flavorful) - Sushi Sampler (6 Nigiri - Medium Fatty Toro, Unagi, Tai, Haimachi, Amberjack?, and something else that I can't remember - all fresh with rice properly prepared) - Surf & Turf Sampler (Roasted or Grilled Quarter Kona Lobster with a Spicy Rub - we liked this so much that my son and i licked the shells, Two Bites of Australian Wagyu Beef - very good, and Ginger Pork Loin with Pear Marmalade - OK) - Pumpkin Souffle with Creme Fraiche (liked my Wife's Haupia Semifreddo a lot more). We closed our evening with an additional comped dessert - Wedding Anniversary that we mentioned on our Open Table reservation. Glad they remembered or I might have dropped them to 4 stars....LOL... An anniversary dinner to remember.....
(5)Dean L.
More hype than hope. Sake sampler and sushi sampling was good, not stellar. Expectation that nigiri would be sparkling and sushi bar chefs attentive for premium prices. Server was very knowledgeable and clearly informed. Great place for singles, dates, followers, guests, and upscale gatherings, but not two single heterosexual males. In comparison, we sampled the Don Quijote poke bar and bentos the next day for 1/5 of the price and it was just as satisfying, without the beautiful people.
(3)Julia C.
Hmm...I thought I had reviewed this but maybe only in my mind haha! I live down the street and so this is my go to place for breakfast. It's usually very quiet during weekdays (the benefits of being unemployed), and it's just so peaceful. The only minus for me is portion size is kind of huge. It's hard to eat so much for breakfast. I wish they had half plates. You can always take it to go though. Lunch is decent also, sandwiches are great and I prefer those to the set lunches, like the cod, which is a tad too sweet for me. If you are going for dinner for the first time, do the omakase. You will not regret it except for that short one hour where you may feel sick because it's quite a large tasting menu. My friend and I actually went home after the omakase dinner instead of our bar plan because we were that full (in a good way!) The lobster is a definite highlight. Definitely try a dessert, they are quite good. One star is just for their sound system which pipes in the music at a good, quiet level, so you can actually hear your friends speak and yet still listen to the music. The service has always been good, regardless of breakfast/lunch/dinner. I seem to always get the same table by the marina side, so it's kind of becoming "my table" and dear staff at Morimoto: please let me keep getting my table all the time! Even if you don't reserve through open table, they still ask for your name when you arrive so they must keep track of your seating in their system. Though I will keep pretending that it's Morimoto magic... The fire place lounge area is really nice at night. After you finish your dinner, can hop over there for drinks. Also, they have a bar menu for happy hour times (though I have yet to go during the off time, so not sure if the menu has special bar pricing or not). Sunday social is good (3rd Sunday monthly). I like the mimosa bar, though I kept feeling like snatching the drink out of the poor bartender's hand and mixing it myself, like a maniac all too eagerly awaiting my morning booze. Not sure why it's marked "NY style" though. NY style for me evokes a place with no reservations and waiting in a line, something like Tartine or Habana. Whereas Morimoto's accepts reservations and you won't be seeing a lineup around the corner. Valet can be a bit of a wait FYI (yes, I actually drove the ONE minute down the street once out of laziness++). Finally, the food itself is ok, on average. Some things are much better on the menu and some are just so-so (like that triple duck dish). However, it's not to the point where I would actually take away a star.
(4)Kc S.
The ambience was cool, very retro, we did not feel like we were in Hawaii. The service was superb. Started off with a lychee type martini and it was a cool, refreshing cocktail. We ordered the poke and toro tartars for appetizers and the presentation on both was like nothing I've experienced, and both were fresh, top of the line fish. Shared the yellow tail entree where the sear it in the bowl at the table, and it was amazing. This is my new favorite restaurant.
(5)Ryan I.
We went here for a birthday party recently, and decided to splurge for all 4 on our table and get the Morimoto omakase..... essentially a selection of items picked by the chef to give you a sampling of his best. And we were so glad we did! The first course was the toro and hamachi tartare. This was finely chopped toto (fatty tuna) and hamachi (yellowtail), served with the condiments in the middle, from top to bottom: nori, sour cream, wasabi, grated Maui onions, avocado, and rice cracker balls. There's also an ume that was made with a lumpy Japanese plum that was very different from most ume that I've had. The second course was a white fish carpaccio, drizzled with hot oil, shoyu, ginger, cilantro (basically Chinatown style), a little bit of garlic, and some tomatoes and a caper berry. I could have eaten 5 plates of this, it was SO good. The third course was a bagna cauda, which was a garlic and anchovy paste in hot oil (the dish actually has a little flame underneath it that makes the oil boil and bubble), served with vegetables and bread to be dipped fondue style. I felt like I was a judge on the Iron Chef! Course 4 was a palate cleanser that was a tea, but it was salty. It was like having sea water! The fifth course was sushi. What can I say, it was so good. Though not prepared by the master himself, it could have been. There was maguro, hamachi, sake, saba and unagi. My entree was the Wagyu filet mignon, medium rare, with salted fingerling potatoes and a Maui onion jus. Everything was delicious but the jus was outstanding. The other three diners on my table had lobster, done with Indian spices and a creme freche. We also ordered some wasabi fries on the side out of curiosity. The slight hint of wasabi was so nice. Dessert was a coconut panna cotta with lilikoi gelee, coconut tuile and berries. A beautifully light ending to an awesome lunch. What an incredible lunch. At $70 per person it wasn't cheap, but everything was the highest quality. It was a lot of food, but at the same time I wasn't disgustingly full. The atmosphere was really nice and the service was great. I can't say enough good things about this place. And it wasn't super crowded, but I seemed to be getting a couple of stares, because at first glance I resemble Mr. Morimoto!!
(5)H C.
being a regular here, we appreciate the acknowledgement and familiar faces. the service is commendable, the food is a hit or miss. we love the calamari salad to death, and the chef's raw bar combo. the other items may be fancy to look at, but it doesn't make sense...
(3)J L.
The decor was very nice and the food was good in general. Our waiter was really nice for the beginning of the meal, but toward the end just seemed unaccomodating. Maybe since we had a big party he automatically gets a 20% tip? He seemed put out just to take a picture of our table. So somewhat disappointed with the service. But the food was great, we really like the tofu (especially good if there are kids), the lamb, the black cod and the rice dish that's cooked in the stone bowl. For us the desserts weren't that great. We had the chocolate mille feuille, which came with a spiced chocolate ice cream that everyone thought was strange; and we ordered the pepper roasted pinapple which was ok, but definitely not worth $12. Alcoholic drinks were $14 each. So I think if we go again, we could skip the drinks and dessert and just try the main dishes. Portions are on the smaller side.
(3)Lionel P.
The girls insisted that we go experience one of Honolulu's newest culinary extravaganza. On arrival, five minutes early, we were told our table was not set yet and asked to wait 10 minutes. After 20 I went back to the hostess and told her that she was very good at "taking a reservation but not keeping a reservation". The manager stepped in said he would find us a table quickly. While the wait continued the hostess came back to me and told me I was making her look bad to her manager - sorry - waiting for a table is acceptable if you don't have a reservation. We were asked if we would mind dinning outside and we agreed - at the moment not knowing what he was really saying was - we have no table for you - would you mind eating in our over flow area that has no lighting and it will be imposable for someone of your age to read the menu or the wine list. To make up for it we did get a free Ahi pizza that was quite nice. As I held the candle for one of the girls with better eyes - Paul, from South Africa came to our rescue. Clearly fully versed on every item on the menu and the long list of specials - I felt calm and excited to continue with his attentive and charming attitude. Not on the menu but mentioned by Paul as a special was the Hamachi Kama - that was well worth the wait and was exceptional. The following is a brief look at items and some comments were needed for the kitchen. Morimoto Sashimi - Out Standing art Wagyu Beef Carpaccio - THE BEST DISH OF THE NIGHT - WOW Ramen Soup - The noodle was perfect - the broth very salty but tasty - I think someone either missed tasting this dish before it left the kitchen or it was on the boil too long - taste taste taste first before sending it out. Spicy King Crab - Out standing but save it for close to the end of your meal because of the high heat factor Takoyaki - Excellent flavor and done to perfection - WOW Kakuni - Not sure if this was the braised pork dish - but if it is - the portion size was too small and the sauce was screaming for rice on the side to enjoy every last drop. - What a great dish We sampled a bunch of sushi and as expected - perfect. The salmon skin role was a little too salty All and all a great meal - thanks to Paul. We will be back and recommend this place to others to experience.
(4)Kaneohe G.
Got the chefs recommendations of the chosen 7 course meal. Amazing flavors, small portions, but enough after all 7 courses. A bit on the spendy side, but a nice yearly splurge! Service was amazing!
(4)Howard C.
Over rated to say the least.
(1)Leona Y.
My family has been watching Iron Chef Japan for YEARS so when we found out there was a Morimoto restaurants in Honolulu we had to go! The restaurant is located inside a really swanky hotel a little closer to Ala Moana mall and away from the main Waikiki shoppping area. It's much quieter and much less Japanese tourists. The interior is very minimal and modern but still sophisticated. My parents and I all ordered the Omakase dinner which is $110 each. It has 7 courses and 2 desserts. What I really liked about this place is how interactive you are with your food. In a way Morimoto allows you to "play" with your dishes and suggests how they should be eaten. Although there are many courses, you don't feel overstuffed by the end and it was the perfect amount for me. If you're new to this restaurant I recommend the Omakase dinner! You get a feel of what types of flavors and ingredients Morimoto likes to use. Other people on Yelp have detailed reviews about this Omakase dinner so I will not go deep into it. All I can say that the presentation of the food and the description of the dishes by the waiters were exceptional :) Our waiter was Tzekin and he was great! He always made sure our water was filled and came by frequently to check up on us. Thanks Tzekin :) If you have a budget large enough to enjoy a dinner here I highly recommend it! Also, make sure to check out the bathrooms here!! Although you have to walk out of the restaurant and use the hotel restrooms, it is beautiful! Reminds me of the bathroms at Umi Sake House in Seattle where the doors are kinda hidden and difficult to find. Make sure you have a reservation when dining here. We came on a Monday night and it was VERY busy by the time we left (around 8pm).
(5)Elizabeth V.
I was invited for a sneak preview of this restaurant. Being that is was an invite-only event and I had reservations, I was made to wait 20 minutes past my reservation time and seated without menus. The bartender got our drink orders wrong and the acoustics were so loud that we had to shout across the table. The menu is very diverse with a good selection, but I'd rather go somewhere else in town that doesn't over- or under- season their food. The hostess was amazing and incredibly receptive and polite to our requests.
(2)serina c.
I loved loved loved this place. Very chic decor with attentive wait staff. The food was beyond awesome. The tempura calamari salad was delicious and had balanced flavors. I did not try the tuna pizza but I heard from my date it was pretty good. The clam miso soup was light and tasteful i wanted another bowl! I ordered the duck 3 ways for my entree and it did not disappoint. The duck meatball was so good in the puff pastry soup bowl and the duck breast was cooked perfectly. The 2 drinks I had were really strong also so I was a little tipsy leaving this place, which is always a good thing =)
(5)Melissa S.
I loved it! It is definitely on the pricey side but the food and Service was great! We loved the froie gras chawan mushi and the duck, duck, duck dishes. The ambience And decor of the restaurant was very clean and modern. One of the best part...chef morimoto was there and even though he was busy, he took the time to take a picture with us!
(5)Dub C.
4 of us went there. We were all pretty excited to go there. One word to describe the place "HYPE." We expected to splurge and try anything, and everything. Here is my breakdown: Service: server seemed new, and had a flat affect, attitude was kind of stuck up. Screwed up our order too. Food: sushi and sashimi nothing was special about it, except it was plated nice. Wagyu capaccio tasted like ginger onion beef from a chinese restaurant. Warning! do not order the wagyu ribeye, by far the most overratted item on the menu. For $85, the ranchers reserve rib eye from safeway was better. Fyi, if you havent had a wagyu steak, and your waiter asks you how you want it prepared, the best way to go is medium rare to medium. The reason being is because it needs to be cooked to some degree for the fat content to melt and flavor the steak. Anyhow, I ordered it medium rare, and the first one they brought out was well done. They gladly made me another one, but that too was medium well to medium. I just couldnt wait another 15-20 minutes for them to make another one. So i consumed that one. Duck duck duck was ok, the duck spring roll was pretty crappy. Rack of lamb was ok too, i had better at Hoku's Sunday brunch. Food that was good: foie gras chawan mushi, oyster foie gras, yellow tail pastrami, hamachi tartare, kakuni. Desert was good too. Drinks:over priced, prob spent about $400 just on drinks. Morimoto hazlenut was good, i would compare it to chimay. Morimote daiginjo and Morimoto 1972 was good, but not great. Had some wine and some cocktails that were not bad, but not good.
(3)Sherry T.
We love Morimoto's persona on Iron Chef and chose to have our last meal in Oahu here to celebrate. We did cocktails, apps, specials for main course, wine and desert. Food was good. Service was okay. Wine servings, however, were not generous at all. For the price point - good but not good enough to want to come back for the spend.
(3)Chris S.
As Rachel Zoe would say, Morimoto was "A-MA-ZING"! First off, it's part of "Edition," a swank hotel that really reflects a cosmopolitan vibe that you can only get from larger cities. At first glance, it reminded me of the St. Martin's Lane in London. Turns out it's done by the same man, Ian Schrager. But back to the food--we had the spicy salmon roll and crispy rock shrimp tempura as starters. It's very reminiscent of Koi or Katana in LA. For main dishes, we had the Ishi Yaki Buri Bop (a nod to a bi bim bap dish) and the Angry Chicken. Wrapped up the meal with a Haupia Semifreddo. It was good but not "let me lick the plate" good. Portions were perfect and presentation was on point. A well rounded delicious meal. If you're thirsty for something sweet, slam down some "Pina Haupia"-- their version of a Pina Colada on the rocks, not blended. I had 4, so 'nuff said. Service was freaking rock-star. Snaps to our server Ryan who kicked ass. You could tell the staff was trained well. He even pointed out some of the design elements of the space and the designer himself was eating at the table behind us. Werk. If you're a bathroom whore, check out their restrooms--it has swagger, like Sasha Fierce meets James Perse (word is, Miss B is in town for the grand opening this weekend). Overall, a must-do. Oh yea, we spied Mr. Morimoto himself. I was tempted to get a little TMZ, but decided to just take a quick shot of him on my cell.
(4)Tyler K.
My expectations for this place were pretty high and I must admit it did live up to a good amount of them. First of all the ambiance is great, clean colors with just enough local flair make this a comfortable, if not cool, place to enjoy the food. The food, for the most part, is absolutely divine. The oyster foie gros is honestly one of the best things I've ever had in my life and the crispy rock shrimp tempura was very flavorful. For my meal I ordered the omakase, which was really good, 1st course - Hamachi and toro tartare for the first course is always a great way to kick things off and is paired with 6 different garnishes. 2nd course - The kampachi was also very well done, seared and topped with seasame oil, shoyu and yuzu this is by no means something you can't get some where else but it is done well. 3rd course - Bagna Cauda, this is basically vegetables served with a bowl of hot oil and anchovy butter for your dipping pleasure. The presentation of this dish is impressive and the taste is yummy, what a great way to serve a vegetable dish. 4th course - Foie gros Chawanmushi a great take on a classic, this course is surprisingly familiar yet a new experience all rolled into one, the flavors blend in your mouth and create an amazing combination. Delicious. 5th course - Nigri Sushi, ehh nothing too special, really good but nothing new here lets move along. 6th course - OK I must say this was by far the BIGGEST LET DOWN for me and something I would've never expected. This course was dare I say...bad. Lobster, wagyu and ginger pork, sounds good right? Well the wagyu is good, the lobster is ok but the strong handed seasoning and cumin mask the great taste of the well cooked lobster, rather than accentuating it. Now the stinker, the pork, first of all the pork was waayyy over cooked and chewy, second of all why would you cut the pork so thin if you're going to put such a strong sauce on it? This course needs major changes to it. 7th course - Panna cotta with kuromitsu, solid pre-dessert course, the gelatin is thick and flavorful. 8th course - Kabocha souffle and Okinawan sweet potato ice cream this dessert was goooooddd, kabocha souffle was fluffy and ono, the sweet potato ice cream is creamy and tasty Overall my experience at Morimoto's was a good one but I'm a bit surprised the omakase is yet to change (I visited about a week after it opened). I do look forward to my next visit but the clunker that was the main course is hard to over come and no matter how superb the rest of the food, service and decor was I can't give this 5 stars.
(4)Sara B.
Wow what a gorgeous place! Granted, I haven't eaten here, but if you are looking for a relaxing, beautiful, zen-like place to cocktail, this is THE place! It literally is breathtakingly gorgeous. All white, and fresh atmosphere. Go to the patio, order a cocktail (they're expensive, but it's an experience, trust me) and soak in the good vibes... Lots of beautiful people in pretty clothes and great tans...what else could you ask for? Next time I go, I'm trying some sushi....
(4)Leigh W.
We decided to go and experience Morimoto Waikiki for our Valentines Day dinner tonight. 8:30 pm reservations - they were a little back logged and we ended up waiting for seating for about 10-15 min. We get seated outside, which was nice as it was not as noisy as the indoor seating; however, they sat us in a table right up against the back of one of their couch seating around the firepit. Immediately I felt uncomfortable sitting so close to strangers... where I could hear every word of their conversation and the man's elbow reaching around his girl is hanging slightly over my table. Who thought this seating arrangement was a good idea? uh... excuse me... I would like to move seats please.... Once relocated I felt much better to be able openly accept the atmosphere and finally look at the menu. Rock Shrimp tempura with wasabi aioli, spicy kochujan sauce with ranch dressing - - found that we liked them without the ranch... enjoyed this appetizer... Yose dofu, fresh tofu prepared table side with kim chee broth & dashi broth - - this was very cool - - to see the tofu prepared and firm over the course of 8-10 min... the kim chee broth is STRONG! beware! We enjoyed this appetizer as well... Sashimi salad: baby romaine, morimoto caesar dressing, quail egg - - the sashimi is seared and seasoned with furikake. The baby romaine are FULL leaves of romaine lettuce coated with the dressing. Difficult to eat using just the pretty chopsticks. Ladies - forget trying to be ladylike to eat this salad - pick a full leaf up and bite into it... it's the only way, unless you ask the waiter for a knife and fork... I also thought the seasoning on the sashimi was a bit salty... At this point... the kitchen was backed up... so we waited a while for our food. Since it was taking a little bit, our waiter brought us some konbu ocha. Not sure if they always do this before the main course or not, but it was a nice touch and allowed us something to pass the time with... When our food finally arrived it was well received... partially due to the wait, but more because we liked what we saw! Seafood Toban Yaki: kona lobster, king crab, mussel, clams, scallop, in a spicy red miso-sake sauce. My husband described it as seafood bouillabaisse on steroids with a kick! LOL needless to say he enjoyed it VERY much.. Cripsy Whole Fish: Big Island Fluke, spicy tofu sauce, pickled papaya salad... recommended by our waiter stating it was one of the more popular dishes ordered. Wonderful display - the entire fish is deep fried and EVERY THING IS EDIBLE! Fins, bones... everything... amazing... the fish is curled to hold lightly fried filets nicely for you... The spicy tofu sauce was okay, but I felt not enough... the fish was good, but i wanted more sauce or something to offset that deep fried taste... When finished they offered us a dessert menu... so we ordered: Trio of Sorbet: Flavors tonight were Melon, Cantaloupe & Pineapple. This was SO REFRESHING. I loved it! each little scoop is served on a small bed of finely chopped fruit of the flavor sorbet. wonderful - just wonderful! Peanut Better Bomb - - oh... my... God.... the salted peanut butter ice cream is THE BOMB! Forget the rest of the dessert on the plate - just eat the ice cream... I want pints of this ice cream! Yeah... seriously... the rest of the dessert was just not all that... I want to go back again - - with a camera and try some other things...
(3)Willis S.
Its been a while since I've been to this restaurant but I really wanna jot down a quick review of the restaurant and my overall experience. I LOVE cooking shows but have to admit that Iron Chef was never on my list how ever I'm easily star struck and just the mention of his name made me excited enough to post on my Facebook that id be dining @ Morimoto's. The Ambiance of the restaurant and the hotel it sits in is very modern yet warm. It kind gives you that feeling of "BEING FABULOUS WHEN YOU KNOW YOU REALLY AIN"T." I loved the outdoor seating and all the modern fixtures that accompanied the area. Our server was very knowledgable of the menu but somehow came across as a little too high and mighty? Thats all good with me...but don't play the high and mighty card and forget our side order of Tempura mister...just saying. I don't want to spend time talking about dishes that I can barely remember but the one dish I want to tell you about is the Spicy King Crab...it was so pho king delicious! Crab is a hard one to add a flavor to without pho king it up! but this Spicy crab was juicy flavorful and blended nicely with the spicy sauce. Desert was fine and part of the experience but not great enough to where I remember it bite by bite. This place definitely had a romantic flair and was maybe not well suited for a family dinner with my mom and sis....but would definitely be great if you want to make someone fall in love with you :-). If I'm in Honolulu and love comes around...we'll definitely make a stop here! P.S. I GOT TO SEE THE CHEF HIMSELF!
(4)DarTif S.
Lets see...where to start. Pros: -Great atmosphere and location can't be beat -Greeted with a smile and seated quickly -Waitress was quick to address our table -Lunch menu was reasonable and the selection was awesome -Valet service right in front, which makes dining here effortless. Cons: -Some items were not worth of the Morimito/Iron Chef status and should be used as bait to catch the fish of the day. -1st waitress couldn't really explain the items on the menu which was rather disappointing. -2nd waitress didn't bother to take our orders down and decided to memorize them instead. Guess what happens when you try this during lunch hour...FAIL -Had to wait almost 45 minutes for my order since she had to ask...after I brought up the status of my order. Overall it's a restaurant that just opened up here, so I'm willing to give this another try. Truthfully I was expecting a lot more from Morimoto's, but I guess every day can't be a 5 star operation right?
(3)Anastasia L.
This place is a hit or miss. It really depends on what you order. My fav dish from this restaurant was the oyster foie-gras. It was awesome. You don't go to a fushion japanese restaurant to order sushi or sashimi. You go there for their special dishes. I expected something to enter my mouth and have me salivate but it was a 50/50. The service of the hostess in the front sucked. She was totally rude to us and was very unprofessional. We also waited for an hr and 10 mins till we got seated even WITH rsvp. Don't expect too much maybe you'll appreciate it more.
(4)Tina T.
Went there for my birthday last year but never wrote my review until now. We made reservations 3 weeks in advance. When we arrived we saw that Chef Morimoto was there. We were swiftly taken to our table, but I was disappointed that despite making a reservation that long ago the table was nothing special, in fact sandwiched between two other big tables, not a good sign. Our waitress was very friendly, knows the dishes well, a thumbs up for her. The food however, came up very disappointing. We shared a couple appetizers, they were good but nothing memorable. As for the main, my friend ordered the curried flavored chicken, the chicken came up so dry and tough, it was extremely unappetizing. My deep fried fish was good, but I think I can get better at a thai restaurant for half the price. they were nice enough to let my friend order something else so he ordered the misoyaki butterfish (as a Japanese chef I assume Morimoto can't screw that up). Luckily this time it was good, but again I could get the same thing if not better at Yanagi's or any other Japanese establishment. The main left me so disappointed that I didn't even want to have dessert there. For the price my friend paid for our meal, I'd try to book Alan Wong, 3660 on the Rise, or Chai's Bistro instead for both the culinary experience and satisfaction.
(3)Indigo L.
This place SUCKS. The hype is what made it worse. Salt water as an entree? Are you kidding me? I thought the bar flies was one of the entrees in the course menu. Maybe Iron Chef was working on his new secret ingredient. Go to the Harbor Pub across the street for the same quality for a cheaper price. The service was great but couldn't save the food quality.
(1)Nicole C.
So this review is long overdue, but needless to say it was impressive. I came here for my birthday in December without any reservations and got seated outside because it was pretty busy, which I didn't mind at all. The view outside is really nice and I was really liking the atmosphere. However, when they found out it was my birthday they offered to give me the next table available. Funny enough, it only took 4 or 5 minutes for us to get a table. Our server was very funny, polite, and extremely knowledgeable of everything on the menu (of course). The service was very timely and we got our entrees within a minute of finishing our appetizer. For dessert I had the chocolate ice cream that was apparently made with spicy peppers, and it was DELICIOUS!!!! I absolutely have no complaints about their food. Overall great experience, especially for a last-minute decision for my bday dinner.
(5)Aaron H.
I'm not sure if I've ever felt as cheated as I did eating at Morimoto Waikiki, and I wasn't even paying. The level of disappointment that I felt after we were ripped off by this cynical joke of a restaurant even managed to wake me from my 5-year hiatus/hibernation from writing Yelp reviews, which I suppose offers some silver lining. And I used to be such a fan - one of my favorite meals of the early 2000s was the omakase at Morimoto's flagship Philly eatery... something I couldn't afford, but indulged in several times nonetheless. You know what it's like when you have those great memories of a movie you saw 10 years ago, and then when you watch it again, it kind of sucks? You would have been better off just sticking with the memories. Only here, it's not my tastes or the times that changed, it's the level of effort that Morimoto and his establishment put into the meal and the service, both of which were utterly mediocre and, honestly, kind of offensive. A $120pp omakase should be a flawless, unique, and delightful experience. The sushi was the highlight, and I'd rate it marginally better than what you can get from Whole Foods. Surf and turf: yawn. Raw veggies with the heated anchovy oil: gimmicky and not heated. Toro tartare: not fresh. Seaweed tea: all four of us thought it was a practical joke. Literally each course was a disappointment in some new and remarkably surprising way, which is its own strange and unusual feat. Morimoto definitely dropped some cash on the décor and the presentation of their food. No expense was spared as we were brought dozens of unique pieces of dishware and flatware during our seven courses. Too bad they're not paying any attention to high-quality ingredients or training the service staff. Take away the hype and the brand and there's nothing left anymore. You walk away from that meal, down the hall in the restaurant towards the exit, with deep feelings of regret (and again, not my money... this is cosmic regret), and then you see his cookbook on the wall for sale, and various other tacky branded pieces of irrelevance that you can buy, and you shake your head, and silently conclude that Morimoto is just phoning it in at this stage. There are so many great meals to be had... some of them expensive, and some of them dirt cheap... but don't give these people your money, because at this point, they're just cashing in on something that used to be great, and they clearly don't care about the food or about you.
(1)Matt R.
Had the Omakase ( chefs choice). Very good combonation the Morimoto cuisuine. I recomend it. In my opinion the cost should be adjusted to around 80.00 instead of the 120.00. It was the chefs choice, but Morimoto himself was not cooking it,,, As i do recommend it, the overall taste i dont feel was Iron Chef quality.
(3)Jenn W.
Sushi was good but I didn't think 5 star quality. Waited for over half hour just for salad, miso soup with 5 small pieces of chicken. Best part of the experience was the server. Pricey.
(3)Chi-Hye M.
The big hype about "Iron Chef" Morimoto is..."bleh" I was hoping to be able to dine on a day the chef was at the restaurant....but I had just missed him. :( I cant really say anything bad about the food. It was pretty darn awesome! i think we got the tuna pizza as one of the appetizers - this was really good! I had the angry chicken - chicken was nice and moist but the best part was the potatoes that came with the chicken. BEST potatoes ever! tiny potatoes with nothing but salt and i think they were baked...hands down the best baked potatoes...DROOL~~~ Service was great too. We had the best server. They even packaged our leftover rack of lamb so we could take it home for our dogs. Only negative part is when we went to pay they were going to add on a "plating" fee for the birthday cake i brought. When i called to make a reservation no one mentioned any kind of fee for plating. I was just surprised that he mentioned it only when i was going to pay. I don't have a problem paying for the plating...It just that no one told me about it until the end and the was he told me. "you're going to have to pay a plating fee of $5 per person for the cake you brought" ridiculous! I think the manager surprising me with a $5 plating fee just ruined the good experience at Morimoto.
(3)Andrei E.
One of the most disappointing dining experiences in a while! They try to be hip and cool, but come out as snooty and pretentious. Why have a dress code if you don't enforce it? The food is uninventive and the taste combinations are poorly constructed. The fish was not fresh! The price level is completely unjustified for the quality of the food you get. The service was fair, but could not compensate for the overall bad taste. Do not waste your time at this restaurant - there are so many better options in the city!
(1)robbie l.
Ive been to the Morimoto's in Napa and now Honolulu. The Honolulu restaurant is much prettier and tasteful in decor and atmosphere. Having lived in Japan and knowing how to cook and eat japanese food I was not very impressed with the food here. I find it interesting that the celebrity chefs of late have parlayed their "success and fame" into these chain restaurants. Very few succeed in producing high level good food. Perhaps in Japan Morimotos japanese food is awesome and maybe he is catering to a western palate in the US which makes his food adequate. Presentation is great and pretty. Food isnt bad it just isnt spectacular. I was very surprised that the quality and texture of the rice served was so poor. Good rice should be slightly chewy al dente and glossy. This rice was dull dry and soft like it was sitting out all day....bad bad bad! You are paying for the name and decor. If you want good japanese food go somewhere else.
(2)Scott K.
Food: My wife had the duck duck duck dinner, thought if was very tasty the duck melted in your mouth. Dish also came with soup and spring roll each containing duck, overall meal was impressive. I ordered the yellowtail hot rice bowl. I was very disappointed, felt it was simple and had no taste. I would not order this dish again. Service: was great we had a great waitress and all the support walking around filling up water taking plates was excellent. Summary: I will come back here again and want to try and order different dinners but was disappointed with my first experience at Morimoto's
(3)RosemaryAnn T.
I really wanted to love this place, but only ended up liking it. I think the service just didn't manage to tip the scale for me into the "LOVE" position. The setting was amazing. It was a gorgeous day and we walked through the restaurant to the deck in the back. We were all taken in by the decor--shades of whites, browns, and greens floor to ceiling, the square chairs surprisingly comfy. Since we were there at such an odd time, with the place empty, I guess I just expected faster service. Don't get me wrong, I can tell that every single thing that came out had taken a LONG time to prepare, I just didn't appreciate the wait. So as to not repeat the 423 other reviews, I'll just say what I haven't read in another review (not that I read them all, mind you). *Clam miso had an astounding number of clams in it--essentially one clam per two spoonfuls of broth. Wow. *The mini burgers had the cutest buns I have ever seen. Ever. Cuter than a baby's bottom. Seriously. *They were perfectly happy to customize my mojito (I prefer lychee over pineapple any day) but didn't seem to adjust any of the ingredients or proportions to account for the vast differences in the substituted flavor from the original. This surprised me. The mojito ended up quite generic, and I think it was due to this change and no further accounting for said change. There was no reason this shouldn't have been a flavor explosion. *The peanut butter fondant (like mousse made from resee's PB cups, food-gasm!) had gold leaf on it. There is only one thing in the world that I am allergic to and it _isn't_ peanuts. It's gold. I had to share this amazing dessert so that someone would take the gold off for me. *pout* I want that bite back!
(4)Mark W.
THIS IS NOT A THREE STAR EXPERIENCE! I've been to this restaurant on four different occasions over the past four years and each and every time the experience from the service to the food has been outstanding! Lobster perfect! Rock shrimp perfect! Alaskan King crab perfect! Pork dumplings perfect! Tofu perfect! These one and two star reviews simply make no sense to me since my experiences have always been so spot on and consistent over the years.
(5)Susan W.
Wish I could give half stars...I feel Morimoto deserves more. First fancy/expensive restaurant date! We both wanted to come here and also to check out the Modern hotel. It was hard trying to get in for parking because some dolphin tour bus was blocking the entrance for valet. Nonetheless, once you go up the stairs, you'll be greeted with the beautiful green and white decor of Morimoto. Honestly, we had no idea what to order. Judging from the menu prices, it was not worth it to order each entree individually...unless you're ballin`, but we didn't want to break our wallet. We settled for the $120 (per person) omakase set - which is basically a 7 multi-course tasting menu. Everything that was brought out to us was a mystery, but it was designed in way so that we would be able to experience the whole cuisine that Morimoto had to offer. It was our first time ordering a set menu that we had no idea what it consisted of...I was super excited to see and try all the dishes. 1st dish - Hamachi & Toro Tartare. I really enjoyed this one and how it was presented in this lil ice bowl. It was fun scraping the tartare (raw fish chopped up) and mixing it with the various components provided: nori paste, sour cream, wasabi, maui onion, avocado, and rice cracker. There was also dashi soy on the side. I liked how we could experiment with the overall taste. 2nd dish - Whitefish Carpaccio with hot oil, ginger, and yuzu soy. OMG this was delicious! Wish it came with more pieces haha. The fish was fresh and flavorful from soaking up all the yuzu soy. The seasonings they used were amazing as well...this carpaccio just slides into your mouth and down your throat effortlessly. 3rd dish - Foie Gras Chawan Mushi. This dish consisted of two small pieces of duck breast floating in a soup-base. I didn't particularly enjoy this because it felt like drinking butter and cream. It was a bit salty too. 4th dish - Bagna Cauda. The way I would describe this one is similar to a fondue style but not with chocolate and marshmallows...instead you have hot olive oil, garlic, anchovy, and local seasonal vegetables. I liked dipping the vegetables into the oil and getting to the bottom of it, where the anchovy was. Then, I would dip the oil, anchovy mix with the red pepper powder on my plate and that was what gave all those vegetables a very unique taste. 5th dish - Morimoto's sushi/sashimi. This was chef's choice and we were given 5 pieces arranged beautifully. This dish was alright, I would say their sushi is of good quality, but nothing special. Also, it would have been nice to be informed that once piece already had wasabi in it, cause we didn't know and we already had dipped it into our soy sauce mixed with wasabi. It made our mouth and nose burn. 6th dish - Australian wagyu rib eye and filet w/ local vegetables and cranberry maui onion, roasted keahole lobster "epice" w/ garam masala and lemon creme fraiche. This dish was our main entree and it was so delicious. At this point I was getting full. I was thankful that there were flavorful sauces to go with the dry meats. I didn't really care for the rib eye and filet w/vegetables, but the cranberry maui onion sauce made it tolerable. The roasted lobster was something else though...I love lobster but I have never had it done like this. It was super yummy and I remember it being spicy, but not too much..it had a very nice roasted/burntness to it and the lemon creme fraiche gave it a lighter, savory taste. 7th dish - Vanilla ice cream and coconut infused sticky rice cake with lemon kisses. DESSERT! I couldn't wait for this one because desserts are always my favorite part of a meal. What can I say? I loved it, especially liked how they incorporated crunchy rice flakes with the softness of ice cream. It was a mixture of different tastes and senses. My boyfriend and I were glad that we came here, just for the experience. We liked half of the things our set, the others were either okay or we didn't really care for them. Our main waiter, Mark was very informative and helped us out a lot. He even offered to take pictures for us and gave a tour of the restaurant before we sat down to eat. I don't really remember anyone else, as we had different waiters after that bringing out our dishes. If we ever do come here again, we will definitely come back later in the evening...just so we can sit on the lanai and view the sunset!
(3)Lina F.
I really enjoyed Morimotos, my experience there was unbelievable. My nephew Lawrence is a foodie and told me he was going so of course i invited myself. Our waiter was Duane and he was so hospitable and knowledgeable about the food. Actually, all of the people who brought dishes described how they were prepared and what was in it. Duane gave awesome recommendations. I had the Whitefish Carpaccio, the Chef's Choice Sushi, for my main course the Ishi Yaki Buri Bop and for dessert the Chocolate Peanut Bombe. OMG!!! Everything was so very, very good!!!
(5)Lea K.
Drinks: Morimoto Ale and White Lily Appetizers: Gyoza, Tuna Pizza, Spicy Yellowtail and Spicy Tuna Maki Main: Duck, Duck, Duck & Braised Lamb Shank
(4)Janice F.
"Iron Chef Moooooorimoto!" How can I not visit? Hawaii is the closest I'm going to get to Japan in a long time, so I had to make reservations at the newly opened Morimoto Waikiki. For the entire experience, setting, service, ambiance, and food - I'm going to give this five stars although based strictly on food, I would give it a 4 star. The setting is lovely, on the marina side of the Edition hotel. We got there just as dusk was setting in and sat on the patio - it is much more serene and relaxing than sitting inside the somewhat noisy dining room. You do miss out on the action from their open kitchen though. Modern, white, zen-like decor with firepits, tents, clear acrylic chopsticks, with rock place holders. You could hold a very nice wedding reception here without having to spend a dime on additional decor. There are a LOT of staff in this restaurant. Our waitress was very pleasant, each dish is presented by a different person with a brief description and then followed-up by the waitress. And finally.. here's what I ate: Toro tartare $28 - fascinating presentation. The tartare (excellent toro quality) is finely chopped, almost with a ground up texture - spread out thinly onto a wooden board, propped up against a bowl of ice. I was super confused about where the tartare was because all I could focus on was the condiments. You're given a small plate with different layers of crispy rice ball puffs, dashi soy, avocado cream, wasabi, creme fraiche and a savoury paste I think made of nori (very tasty). Also a sweet preserved plum is served with it. Experiment to find your favourite combination. I liked it best with the rice puffs, avocado, a bit of wasabi, and a fair amount of the miso paste. You scrape a bit of the tartare onto a little wooden paddle and then dip into the condiments. Morimoto style poke $18 - interesting interpretation, but not exceptionally tasty. Great quality poke, served with a very subtle wasabi sorbet, a visually pleasant but non-functional dashi foam, bocconcini (which really didn't work for me) and the best cherry tomatoes I've ever had. They cherry tomatoes are peeled, marinated in olive oil and very sweet. Best part of this appy. Foie gras chawan mush $16 - this has got to be the best cross-over dish ever thought of. Foie flavoured egg custard, sounds rather unpleasant but it is one of the most brilliant implementations of foie I've ever had. The custard is so mild, silky and just flavoured enough with foie that you don't get overwhelmed by the inherent richness of foie. Delicious, with a slightly thick dashi sauce. Served with a superfluous piece of duck breast. I would not eat the wasabi with this appy. It's a more upscale, better done version than I had at Raku in Vegas. Of course, it's also double the price. Definitely worth it. Oyster foie gras $20 - the sum is not greater than the parts in this case. I didn't quite get it. The terriyaki sauce is ordinary and overwhelming. On its own, the oyster, foie, and uni were all quite tasty and fresh quality, particularly the uni. Eaten together, all I could taste was oyster and terriyaki. I would give this a pass next time. Hot green tea soba with shrimp and veggie tempura $18 - this was our "filler" dish. The noodles are nicely green tea flavoured, but I guess I just don't like the slightly grainy soba texture that much. Broth and tempura were good, but not exceptional. *Desserts!* My favourite part of the meal! Haupia semifreddo $12 - green tea and coconut heaven!! This was a near-perfect dessert. Coconut semifreddo, served on top of a green tea meringue (slightly dry and too sweet, but still good) with cubes of clear coconut jelly and a bit of real honeycomb. Tofu hot and cold $12 - pleasantly surprised!! When given such brief descriptions as cheesecake, souffle, and cherry sorbet - I had no idea what to expect. The hot version was the souffle and it was deliciously creamy but light - slightly honey-flavoured. Fantastic paired with the sour cherry sorbet. The cold version of the cheesecake didn't wow me as much, but tastes a lot more appetizing than "tofu cheesecake" might sound. This was one of the most fun and interesting meals I've had all year, so for that - thanks Iron Chef Morimoto!!
(5)Tasha T.
Superb! Presentation was beautiful and flavors were on point! We started with the flight of sakes, which was amazing! We then ordered the morimotos style poke (great!), crispy whole fish (great!), braised black cod (okay; flavorful but it just tasted like unagi sauce), and chocolate dessert (great!). Staff were knowledgeable, attentive, and kind! Overall great experience! Afterwards we continued drinks at The Study in the hotel lobby. Highly recommend!
(5)Grace K.
I had hopes that this place was going to change my mind about dining at morimoto after the disappointing experience in NYC...I guess top notch is what you expect when coming to a top notch restaurant. 1st appetizer was the oyster and foie gras...ehhhh the oyster was super fishy! Ewww. I've been to the other sushi spots in waikiki and the $$ restaurants served better quality oysters than morimoto. The foie gras was good but it was so heavily marinated in teriyaki sauce. I wish sasabune had room for us today... :( The pork dumplings tasted like the pack of frozen dumplings at the supermarket that's on sale...with foam on top. Ikura was a bit salty / fishy. The sake was really good though. Please Morimoto, taste your food before serving it.
(1)J S.
Amazing food! Prepare to have your mind and taste buds blown! * sushi is expensive! Other then that is awesome!
(5)Michael M.
Fish just ok it looks like hey let's sell the tourist the cheep fish I can get better suchi in so cal or Arizona over priced low quality great service
(2)Steven F.
Beautiful Restaurant. Service was great.. But, Dress code looked non-existent... Get Seafood Toban Yaki - I think this was the winner. lots of seafood that tasted great. The liquid was a little salty so i dont' think it is meant to be eaten as a soup but more of a sauce for everything else in the bowl. Okay: Omakase. It is $120 and quite a bit of food. But i was a little disappointed because it is an iron chef's restaurant and i had quite high expectations. The presentation was fantastic. But as far as taste goes everything was pretty good, but no individual dish was so good that i would rave about it. Unless you feel like really splurging I would recommend just picking one of the main course dishes instead. Only because this choice is quite expensive and is not mind blowing. Wagyu Capraccio - 6 small pieces at $22 a dish. taste great, and very tender, but just know what you are getting for the price. Surf and Turf - Standard surf and turf. The lobster was cooked well and the sauces were flavorful. The filet looked like it was cooked perfectly but was still tough which makes me wonder it was really top grade beef... I didn't think this was that special. Avoid: Chirashi Sushi - The freshness of this dish was very sub-par. Definitely the worst dish we got at our table by far. There are lots of good sushi spots in hawaii, so get a cooked dish instead.
(3)jeffrey f.
This place is incredible! The Omakase was worth the money. Morimoto is the best! Also my wife had Duck Duck Duck and it was to die for. Go here!!
(5)Robert C.
This was our 2nd time having dinner at Morimoto's. The first time, I tried the omakase, which was very good. However, the 2nd time we went for my b-day and it was quite a letdown. We had the chef's sashimi combo and the oysters with uni and foie gras, then we split the seafood soup in red miso broth. The sashimi was okay, nothing spectacular. The oysters were pretty good, but nothing I would order again and the soup was borderline unacceptable. The lobster and mussels were overcooked and rubbery and the broth was too salty. Considering the price and perception of this restaurant and the quality of the cuisine, we will not be returning. On a bright note, the service was top notch.
(2)Jackie M.
Phenomenal; exactly what I expected of Morimoto. We splurged on the omakase and it was worth every penny. The sweet potato ice cream might be the best thing I've ever eaten, which I found to be impressive considering we'd already eaten 6 courses. I personally would not bring my children here but there were some well-behaved children nearby. The atmosphere is not romantic as we had hoped but more hip / trendy. Service was excellent; our waitress was very helpful in describing each course, which we fully appreciate. It is pricey, but for the foodie it is a must-do-at-least-once kind of place.
(5)Ken K.
We came to celebrate a birthday and decided to come to Morimoto's. Although the receptionists were flustered and forgot our name after checking in, the rest of the staff lived up to the good name. Especially our waiter, Ryan. Ryan knew the menu and could confidently and accurately make recommendations. The omakase was great. Since we had been in Philadelphia 's Morimoto I got the "repeat"omakase . The staff was very attentive and even brought a complimentary birthday dessert. So if you want to feel special and get treated well come here and ask for Ryan to take care of you.
(5)Christine C.
I was a little wary after seeing 3 1/2 stars, but YUM. (I had spent the week with food poisoning and so this was my 2nd REAL meal after eating porridge and plain toast for the past few days. This meal made me so happy.) The decor is super modern, sleek and clean. I loved it. This would seriously fit in back home in LA. We were staying at The Modern Honolulu already so we just walked downstairs. We checked in with the hostess on time for our reservation, but we still had to wait. Say whaaaa. I've NEVER had that happen at what would be considered an upscale restaurant. Neveeerrr! And it wasn't like a five minute wait, it was like 20 minutes MINIMUM. Our reservation was already later into the night because we had other things going on in the evening so we were hungry and tired by the time we sat down. The dress code is pretty lax. There were some people dressed up and some people super casual (there was a guy in jeans and a button up, not button up dress shirt.) Service was pretty friendly but lacking. We sat around for awhile before our waiter even popped up. Hungry, grumpy me was not that pleased. When we finally did order, we got the crispy rock shrimp tempura and kakuni. That kakuni was bomb.com . Seriously melt in your mouth amazing. The rock shrimp was yummylicious too. However, they give you A LOT. I don't really want to be one to complain about delicious shrimp, but this was way more than 2 of us could handle. It came out in a tray with 3 compartments. One was shrimp tossed in wasabi aioli, shrimp tossed in the spicy kochujan and then one with just ranch dressing. If you see wasabi and shy away because you can't handle spice/heat like me, don't be afraid. This isn't the flavor of your cheap, imitation wasabi paste. This stuff is divine! If you're in a group, this is a good app to share since there's so much of it. For our entrees, BF just got the $40 sushi combo and I got the duck,duck, duck. I didn't care too much for the duck confit spring roll (I'm not sure if I was still suffering shrimp overload or because my body was overloading on having eaten more than just a bowl of porridge.) Everything else, yummmmyyyy. BF enjoyed his sushi as well. We also got 2 orders of the oh-toro (1 order is 1 piece) and OH MY GAAWD. SO good. If you've never had toro, this will blow your mind. It is pricey though. MP was $12...for one piece. Eek! But oh was it worth it. I could have ordered so much more of that by itself. We had no room for dessert, but were super satisfied. 4 stars for the food, but 3 stars for the service due to wait and exceptionally slow table service (By the time we left, it was 11:00 (when our reservation was at 8:15!) This dinner didn't break the bank as much as I had expected either. For 1 cocktail, 1 tea, 2 appetizers, and 2 entrees, I spent under $200 (including tip.)
(4)J M.
The thrill is gone. Came here a few years back and it was awesome. Restaurant also was packed back then as well. Came back this week and was average at best. The place was half empty. I called about dress code and was told business casual. Yet when I showed up there were many people in sandals, shorts, jeans, hays etc. They are in Waikiki so either go casual or don't. The rock shrimp appetizer was great. Great start to the meal that made me genuinely excited for the rest to come but for my main dish I ordered the motto Loco. Same dish I had a few years ago and it was not good. Sauce was over powering, beef stringy and the egg added nothing. Sampled some sushi which was good but nothing amazing. Disappointed
(3)Tara C.
We were here for our annual "Christmas Eve dinner out", where we treat ourselves just as if Santa were sitting at the table saying "go ahead...you've been sooo good this year." I'm sorry, dear Yelpers, that its taken me this long to write this review. I've been too busy dreaming of going back to Morimotos. We started our evening with a couple of drinks at the bar because our table wasn't quite ready. No problem, we'll have a drinky - drink. I had a Pear-Yuzu Gimlet...or two that night. I really loved that drink - not a fan of sticky sweet drinks and this one struck a great balance for me. Like other Yelpes, our low-point was definitely the hostess experience. We really didn't mind waiting, but I hate it when they act like they are doing you a favor by seating you at all for a reservation. Then, we asked to sit at a better table since the place was emptying out and I couldn't see any reason to be jammed into a small table in the middle of the room. This restaurant is so elegant, but those tables in the middle are decidedly not a Feng Shui decision. They accommodated our request, but not before making us stand awkwardly in the middle of the restaurant while she went to the hostess stand. When we were seated, I went for another a drink...all that drama made me thirsty. We ordered Oysters on the 1/2 shell - and they were fantastic. I loved that they served them with Yuzu (see a theme beginning?) We also had the mizudako carpaccio, I'd never had that particular species of octopus, but it was so tender and sweet, it was totally worth the "m.p." next to it on the menu. Just then, I looked up and who did my wondering eyes appear? Morimoto, the Iron Chef himself! Working diligently behind the line. I almost died and truly couldn't take my eyes off him. When I finally refocused on the menu, I ordered the seafood "toban yaki" which our server recommended. I was sort of suspicious since its also one of the pricier items on the menu, but I was absolutely thrilled with the dish. It was delicate yet flavorful and beautifully presented, as was all our food. I don't recall what "I'll eat whatever you serve me" had, because I was too busy with my own dish to care. Overall, the food here is elegant and truly beautiful. The restaurant itself is minimalist with hard floors and high ceilings, which makes it a wee bit loud when it's full. It was exciting to eat when Morimoto was in the kitchen and he was very gracious when I almost tackled him on his way out for a photo. Apparently, he loves Hawaii as much as Hawaii loves him and he is frequently found in the kitchen, working on the line. Its extremely hard for a place like Morimotos to live up to the hype..and lucky for us they did. Of course, it didn't hurt that Morimoto was in the house and the entire place was on a total high because President Obama and entourage were in the house the night before. Honestly, for the food, service and experience we had, the prices were right in line. We've had meals in Honolulu that cost more and were less satisfying. So if you go: go all in and let your server make some suggestions. Keep your fingers crossed that Morimoto is in the house. And oh, yah, bring the credit card WITHOUT the limit, because you're going to want it.
(5)Tamra P.
I have been wanting to try this place for some time, despite the mixed reviews and steep prices. My hubby surprised me for my birthday with dinner here tonight, and we were joined by another couple, also here on their first visit. Morimoto is in what is now the Modern Hotel (previously the Edition). I love the decor: minimalist and modern with a little bit of ocean life thrown in the mix. The bathrooms have a beautiful minimalist design and feel very clean and spacious. Hey, they are important too! We were lucky enough to score a table on the lanai with a view of the harbor. It is a bit of a bustling, energetic vibe which was fine with us. We opted to order sushi and appetizers to share which made for a nice variety without completely blowing the bank. Softshell crab, salmon skin, California roll, spicy tuna, eel avocado roll were good middle of the road choices that would also appeal to those less adventurous. The tuna pizza was creative - crisp, cracker like crust with raw tuna, anchovy aioli, jalapeños and olives - delicious! Whitefish carpaccio was flavorful, but the favorite of the night was the crispy rock shrimp tempura. Half was in a mild wasabi coating, the other half was in a spicy kochujan coating with the most delicious ranch dressing dipping sauce I have ever tasted. The hubby, who loves buffalo chicken wings like a PMSing woman likes chocolate was in heaven. I also ordered the sake flight which was a nice variety of four 2oz sakes that end in a sweet umeshu tasting sake. Speaking of chocolate, I was served up a chocolate peanut bombe as a birthday dessert. No waiter serenade though? Kind of a bummer. Oh well. They did write birthday wishes in chocolate which was the only evidence left a few minutes later. Light and fluffy peanut buttery chocolate goodness......I was gonna share but thankfully everyone got their own. I was intrigued by the peanut butter powder on the ice cream - so good! I love when presentation is so aesthetically pleasing you feel like you are eating a work of art. Service was attentive, and they frequently wiped the table and removed/ changed dishes out. Overall great experience and I look forward to my next visit.
(4)Jonathan K.
Had a reservation and were seated promptly. Waitress didn't come by our table until 15 minutes after. She apologized for the delay, but for a restaurant of this *supposed* caliber, she should at least stopped by for a quick hello instead of leaving us waiting the entire time. The prices at this restaurant are mind-blowing. Every other sushi restaurant I've been to has menu prices listed for two pieces of sushi. Here, the price is for each piece. So you're paying $13-15 dollars while other great-tasting sushi places are charging $7-8. This outrageous surcharge is applicable to the entire menu. I had one of the Morimoto soba beers, and they charged $18! You can get a similar beer from Rogue breweries at the store for, what, $5, $6? We had a yellowtail (maybe halibut?) appetizer, and it was basically a thin sliver of pasty fish spread onto a glass slab. Seriously, the slab of meat couldn't have been more than 2mm in width. And they charged like $22 or something. There was probably less actual yellowtail in this dish than in one piece of sushi. Rip-off. The best dish was the curry, until you realize that you're paying $28 for something that you could easily get for $8 somewhere else. It's difficult to leave this restaurant without feeling that you're paying for the name instead of the food. Will definitely not return.
(2)Huli H.
We received a gift certificate last year from some friends. I enjoy Japanese cuisine thoroughly and always look for a great new experience. My first impression as we were seated was that I was amazed at the interior design. It's a fantastic looking restaurant, very sleek and "modern". So, my review of the dinner was that it was ok. We had the oyster foie gras and hamachi tartare as appetizers. It wasn't fun trying to eat the tartare and the oysters sauce was a little on the sweeter side Next, the Kakuni with congee was good, but again on the sweet side. Nigiri was nigiri, but they hardly had anything I wanted to order (amaebi, uni, wagyu beef, oh toro). They had the more expensive uni from Japan, which was good. Main course was the duck, duck, duck and the calamari salad. First off, it was more like calamari's with a few pieces of micro greens. Heavy on the oil and it was evident on the bottom of the platter. The duck, duck, duck should be an appetizer, it's a pairing of different styles of duck which turns out to be bland. So that was dinner, I won't describe dessert because it was simply ice cream. My biggest turn off was the waiter. It seemed like he was always behind on his tables because every time he came by he was in a mad rush. He did come by, but when he did, he'd rip his question and take off before even hearing my response. Very interesting. Last quirk was the error he made on the bill by charging us twice for an item without providing an apology. So, not a bad place but certainly not the best either. Nothing memorable except the people watching.
(2)John T.
Somewhere between 2 and 3 stars, but closer to 2. Food: I got the duck, duck, duck; and fiancé got the lamb. We shared the salmon skin maki, and the chocolate peanut bombe for dessert. Salmon skin was good, no complaints, but then again, can't really screw that up. Dessert was okay, no complaints, but nothing I would order again. The duck was horrible! Only the duck spring rolls were okay, but even the dipping sauce was bland. The plain pieces of duck were disgusting! Out of all the dishes, my fiancé's lamb was the best! I would eat that every day if I could. It was tender, fall off the bone, and so flavorful! Ambience: Okay, but not my cup of tea. For such an upscale restaurant, the menus were really dirty and the chair had holes in the upholstery. Also, my fiancé's menu was missing the last couple of pages. Staff: The hostesses have absolutely no personality or people skills. Just plain blank personalities with no smiles, and no "welcome to Morimoto's" or "thank you." Our waiter was nice but had to wait quite a while between dessert and getting our bill. Perhaps the best staff were the bus boys, or I should say bus girl, as she was the nicest out of all the staff. Worth the experience, but would not return. Rather go Yanagi's and get better quality food for slightly less.
(2)D G.
We went here for lunch. I thought the food was good. Drinks were awesome. The entrees seemed pricey. They have a great patio so sit outside if you can.
(3)Cassie T.
Morimoto, like the Iron Chef? This is what I asked my two friends when we were recently on our way to Morimoto in Waikiki. Wow, this is awesome! I felt a little star struck. I know I'm lame When we walked in all I could think of was that this place felt like a Spa or perhaps an upscale restaurant in Miami. How did I not know about this place before? I mean come on, I lived in Waikiki for four months! Love the décor! It is so clean and modern. White everywhere with accents of green. We had made a reservation on Open Table so when we walked in we were immediately greeted and seated. They offered us indoor or outdoor. We choose to sit outside. What a fab view! We were overlooking the harbor area and could see the ocean. Now this is how ladies should lunch! Our waiter was Kealoha and he was very nice. I have to say that the table presentation was very nice. But, do you know how there is always so much stuff on the table. I noticed that when I pushed the plate that was in front of me up and out of the way that he came back by and moved it back. WTH? A little later I noticed my friend do the same and sure enough he came right over to put it back in its place. Hmmmm? There were so many items on the menu that sounded delicious I really didn't know what to choose. Of course our waiter suggested the most expensive items. What a Salesman! We ordered a side order of the Wasabi fries to start, Yum! I ended up ordering the Loco Moto Lunch Set. At $22.00 this is a lot of food! It comes with the Loco Moto which is rice, steak, onions, gravy and of course the over easy egg. I thought this was pretty tasty but seeing as how I haven't had a traditional Loco Moco I had nothing to compare it to. This was also served with a few pieces of sushi, salad, and miso soup! My friend Alyson ordered the Sashimi and Sushi set which she said was ok but that the wasabi was really dry. Lisa ordered the Mini Burgers and was really not impressed. All in all I think you pay for the name and not so much the food. I will also say that I will give the place another shot during dinner. I believe the total price was around $75.00. I was surprised that it was only this much! The best part of this place was the sitting area outside the restaurant and the bathrooms. Is that bad? LOL.
(3)Leah Y.
Iron Chef Morimoto is a BEAST. If you didn't already know that then you should just leave now. I have been here twice and both times I've left with a happy tummy. My wallet wasn't exactly jumping for joy but if it's a special occasion, why not splurge on some Iron Chef caliber food? :)
(5)Expert F.
sometimes good sometimes really bad
(2)John M.
The worst wait staff There is no one in charge and no one gives a damn about the customers.
(1)Natalie L.
Two words: MISOYAKI BUTTERFISH. ok that might even be 4 words but who cares its to fricken DIE FOR at Morimoto's. The rock shrimp with kochujong sauce must be laced with crack. Addicting. The atmosphere is chic and modern, everything you'd expect from Chef Morimoto. It's pricey but like all things you get what you pay for. Worth every delicious bite.
(5)Kelly L.
It was mostly excellent for us. We admittedly "don't get" everything, but we understand quality. THIS is a quality restaurant. We also had the added pleasure/honor of having IRON CHEF Morimoto thee making our sushi for us. Must admit, it was a thrill. That having been said, the flavors, presentation and overall quality of the food is quite simply as good as it gets. There are more expensive restaurants (I think... a few?), more publicized restaurants and more critically acclaimed restaurants... but so what!!! Whatever you order here will be quality food. Combined this with Chef Morimoto's flavors (whether he creates it personally or not) and you have a really great plate of food. Omakase for her, Loco Moco for him. The Loco Moco was delicious... very different, very tasty. The only let down was the noticeable skimping on meat. It did actually come across more as a vegetable/beef curry with rice. Much like clams are distributed in clam chowder, if you will. Whereas the best loco moco is going to be a masterfully grilled cut of meat with gravy and rice. So, we would not order it again, but really... what were we thinking in the first place! Loco Moco from Morimoto? really? The reason we chose Loco Moco is because we also had the Omakase... which included 9 course (I think they advertise 7). Each Omakase is, be definition, chef's choice. We loved the choices. From sushi, tartar to expertly prepared veggies, stews, salad, fish a few ways, surf and turf, dessert. It did fell like a privilege at any price. Bottom line, to use, how can anyone pass up the opportunity to dine where Morimoto's art is being recreated. He is one of the best in the world, if not one of the best ever. The way the food is presented is... in a word... art. Bring confidence though. It's a teeny bit of the self absorbed side... from greeters to wait staff to diners. So if you are overly humble and outwardly inward... it might be a little uncomfortable. DON'T LET IT ruin your experience if you are... just delicious. Décor is awesome too. A clear view of the kitchen is pretty cool too. They work hard here! So... just GO!
(5)Stephanie L.
We have friends who live in Hawaii and this place was a recommendation by them. The interior of the space is really cool, nice clean lines, definitely my style, but the food wasn't as great as I thought I would be considering it's a Morimoto restaurant. The food was just okay. One dish that we did enjoy was the crispy shrimp with the different sauces. All the other dishes we ordered (we ordered 4 other dishes) wasn't quite up to my standard. Other reviewers mentioned the sushi being warm and our fish was a bit warm as well which is gross considering it's raw fish! We won't be going back the next time we're in town.
(3)Brent K.
Birthday dinner. Everything was fabulous ! Five appetizers, Every one enjoyed it. I Had the black cod, So good, Friends had the sea food combo, A little spicy but no complains, The korean style rice with fish, Very good, Four types of desert, Good service as usual, One complaint with the server. Not the waiter. This is a young crew, They lack experience. No one saw the mistake but me.
(5)Don D.
I had lunch at Morimoto's during the week. It was not busy. There were about 15 other people in the entire restaurant. Most of which were sitting outside on the patio. The restaurant looked almost like it was closed. I figured since they were not busy, food shouldnt take too long. We sat and it took a while for the server to get to our table. I believe there was only one server working at the time. So he was serving the 4 or 5 tables that were there also. I think the other people assisting him were bussers and possibly a bartender. My wife and I ordered our drinks first and also an appetizer. The drinks took a while to get to our table. Id estimate it at over 10 minutes. It was one cocktail off of the menu and one beer! I didnt think it should have taken that long. We started with the Crispy Shrimp. It is lightly breaded and tossed in two different sauces. One is Wasabi based and the other was something else (forgot what he said it was) but it was good. They had a little bit of spice to it but it was not overwhelming. It was very good and Id probably order it again if I went to visit again. For entrees, I ordered the Fish Sandwhich. My wife had the Loco Moto. My Fish Sandwich plate didnt really impress me. It was breaded and fried and it tasted bland. It came with pickles, a salad, and an order of fries. As for my wife, she didnt even eat her Loco Moto. Its not traditional so it takes getting used to. When I tried it, I thought it was more like beef stew than a loco moco. BUT, it the plate did come with a lot of food. It also came with a miso soup, an order of sushi, and a salad. We passed on dessert. The entire lunch was about "waiting". I didnt expect to wait so long for a place that was not busy. I wasnt expecting it to be as quick as McDonalds either. My wife and I were not in a rush so we didnt mind. We were just there to spend some time together and have lunch that weve never had before. Its pricey too. My beer was $9! For one appetizer, two entrees, one bottled beer, and one cocktail off the menu, it was $75. On the way out, the hostess' didnt even look up to say good-bye! Yikes! Overall, it wasnt a bad experience, but I really wasnt that impressed with it.
(3)Jason G.
This was surprisingly not that good. The waiter was terrible, seemed almost unable to speak a complete sentence and really struggled to concisely share the specials. The wagyu carpaccio was excellent, actually worthy of 5 stars, from there everything else was average. The pineapple tempura was okay, the chicken ramen soup is normally great but this time was lukewarm and not as savory as expected, the sushi wasn't that good.
(3)Diana C.
everything is fresh, made from scratch, taste great!!! Wasabi is not fake one like we can buy at supermarket so you can taste REAL fresh wasabi!!!
(5)Caroline S.
Awful. We came here while on honeymoon. I was really looking forward to some fantastic food, given Morimoto's fame as a chef. What we got was crawfish that was well past its expiration. My husband ordered a seafood medley dish and when we bit into the crawfish the overwhelming taste and smell of ammonia overpowered us. As we learned, this is the telltale sign that the seafood you're eating has been dead and sitting around for far too long. By the way, that dish cost $48. You'd be better off going to the Red Lobster across the street.
(1)Kristine A.
Excellent! This was a great meal. Expensive but so worth it. Located in the Modern Hotel near the yacht harbor, it was an easy walk from our condo on Seaside Ave in central Waikiki. I recommend reservations if you can make them. They tend to get pretty busy. We were greated by a friendly hostess and shown to a table on the outdoor patio - which was nice. View is just OK - but that didn't matter. Our waitress was excellent - she was so knowledgable about the menu and answered our many questions. We ended up sharing several items, including the delicious rice bowl with yellow tail - WOW. That was amazing and frankly enough for 2 people to share. I couldn't have eaten it all by myself. They make this dish table side -in a 450 degree bowl - it is so so good. I wish I hadn't waited to our last full day in Hawaii to eat there - as I would have returned. Also had some maki - that was good quality and actually not too badly priced. We paired the meal with a nice Star Lane Sauvignon Blanc. Only disappointment was that we didn't see the Iron Chef himself. Oh well, maybe next time.
(5)Christy K.
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this restaurant!!! The ambience is classy and light and fresh. I like that odd sea-green color, the hanging coral, the outdoor fire pits... It's like you leave Waikiki and you step into a swanky hip spot on Santa Barbara beach. Don't get me wrong though- I like it. The wait staff are so so friendly. When my bf and I went in, we sat outside and Ryan was our server. He was really on it, super friendly, and knowlegeable, and I have to credit him with our ordering the BEST things on the menu.... -The king crab legs!!!! I could eat this everyday! The crab meat is so soft and flavorful and the spicy sauce is delicious. I want the recipe!! -The lamb and wagyu carpaccios!!! I could eat this everyday too! The textures of the raw meats coupled with the oils and toppings... OMG. My mouth is watering as I type this. -The white lily cocktail! I'd like one every night before I go to bed, please. It's like alcoholic calpico. Why didn't anyone think of this sooner?! Thanks, Yelp, after writing this review, I want to back, ASAP. Yelp is making me broke by making me live through all my wonderful dining experiences again.
(5)Rishiel L.
Must be the best Asian fusion restaurant I've been to yet. Tops sushi roku and Koi. It's classy, our waiter was great. We ordered the pork gyoza, lobster crab rolls, and some beef sAshimi, all of which was to die for. The Tuna pizza is what me and my bf really went crazy for. My only complaint is that when we walked in, the hostesses were chatting with each other, and made us wait when the restaurant was clearly almost empty. Before she came and got us, she was chatting with the other hostesses, and at one point was even walking backwards to chat with them. At a place like this, first impression is key, and everyone should hold their composure and be professional. Other than that, our servers were great!
(4)Shannon K.
Beautiful outdoor seating, fresh delicious sushi, and great options for my fish-hating husband!
(4)Lauren T.
I made reservations here hoping that 3.5 stars wasn't warranted for my favorite Iron Chef and I was not disappointed. I don't understand why this place doesn't have better reviews. The ambiance is great, the waiter was great too he explained everything and was attentive, and the food was amazing. It's trendy and cool while also having amazing dishes to back it up. I mean to compare, it doesn't have the same upscale feel as Nobu, but it is definitely more upscale than places like Izakaya Gaku. But each restaurant has their own place/niche on the island and I would come back again for sure! We had the tofu (made table side... sooo cool), the lamb, and the ishi yaki buri bop, and some dessert I don't remember what it's called and it was "meh"... the lamb was to die for!!! And the ishi yaki buri bop had amazing flavor and the fish was so fresh and amazing.
(5)Shelly i.
This is not the most flattering review for me. In fact it explains why my brother's affectionate nickname for me is "heifer." But... here goes... My mom wanted to take my brother's fiancee out for her birthday and I suggested Morimoto. I made the reservations on Open Table and luckily we were able to get seated on the deck outside with the view of Keehi and the fire pits! I love those fire pits, although I do think they are impractical for a place that serves alcohol (which I can't have at the moment anyway cause I'm pregnant) cause that's just a lawsuit waiting to happen. My mom and future sis-in-law did partake. Mom had the Green Flash (it was so-so. I took a sip, it's not going to kill the baby) and the f-s-i-l had the White Lily on my recommendation. They both agreed that the White Lily was the better of the two drinks. I got to sip still water ($7! I am not making that mistake again, ice water all the way from now on). Bah, baby you'd better be worth it! We decided to order entirely off the cold and hot appetizer menu, which to me is the smartest way to eat at Morimoto. I've had several of the entrees (oxtail soup, crispy fish, surf and turf, ishi yaki buri bop) and wasn't too impressed. The sushi is all pretty standard too. BUT... BUT... I am totally in love with the interesting and innovative small bites here. This time we ordered: Hamachi Tartare $22 - I liked this better than the toro tartare. The flat metal scoops are a little difficult to maneuver, especially when dipping in the soy/dashi. Here's what I like to do, I scrape a little fish puree off the board and delicately dip a corner of the spatula in the sauce before playing around with the other toppings (the rice crackers are fun). If I lose any of the fish in the dashi, I save the sauce to pour over my next dish, the yose dofu. Yose Dofu $16 - No matter how many times I come it's always fun to have this dish. Also it fills bottomless pits like me up so you don't have to go to McDonald's for a burger after. The waiter came out, explained the dish and told us the kitchen would time the waiting period for the soy milk to go from watery to tofu-y for us. My f-s-i-l loved the freshness of this dish and the accompanying kim chee sauce. Tuna Pizza $18 - Yes, I know I'm not supposed to eat raw fish that's why I only had one piece of the little pizza. The crispy pizza comes cut into about 6 wedges, each about the size of a tortilla chip. This blend of crispy crust, paper-thin ahi, olives, tomato, creamy sauce and micro cilantro is awesome. At first I thought the olive would throw off the dish but it just adds a salty hmm-that's-interesting flavor. Oyster Foie Gras $20 - If you read my previous review, you know this is MY FAVORITE DISH OF ALL TIME!!! I love the silky feel in my mouth after I slurp one of these bad boys up. You get three to an order and one day I will order and not share. I'm just warning people in advance. Make sure to ask for the kabayaki (or teriyaki, whatever you want to call it) sauce on the side, so you can add to your taste. I like just a smidge. Rock Shrimp Tempura $16 - The shrimp are coated in a cornstarchy batter and then tossed with either a Buffalo-style kochojang sauce or a wasabi sauce. It comes with a dipper of a thin buttermilk ranch. Really yummy but so much shrimp... I never thought I would say that. Too much shrimp. What is wrong with me? It's good for ordering when you have 4-5 people sharing. Kakuni $16 - This comes in a big brimmed, tiny bowl. I'd order just to make fun of the bowl. In all seriousness, this dish is tasty but not ideally suited for sharing. It comes on top of a thin rice congee (porridge) and I'm not quite sure how you'd divide that (the waitress had taken our tofu bowls and spoons). It would make a great meal along with an appetizer though. Curry Pan $13 - Probably the only dish my mom and f-s-i-l didn't rave about. I was impressed by how thin they got the bread and the crunchy korroke outside, but it was rather ho hum after the previous dishes. Our waitress mentioned that we scored the last one, so apparently it's popular enough. I would be thrilled to get this in a bento, just not so much for a fine dinner. Okay, I know this was a LOOOONG review. So sorry. But there's only a little more to go! Stay with me! Honestly, if I had to do it over again I would have only ordered four appetizers instead of seven. My mom and f-s-i-l were groaning and complaining about how full they were after the rock shrimp. I told them to suck it up and order dessert. We split the Tofu Hot and Cold ($12) and the Roasted Pineapple Cake ($12). I really loved the marshmallow-y hot tofu souffle and the tofu cheesecake but wasn't too fond of the pineapple cake (the gelato and puffed rice it came with were great though). Both were way better than the chocolate peanut butter bombe I had once before though. I liked the subtle sweetness. [ Damn, I'm out of space.]
(5)Vanessa B.
Overall this place is over-rated FOOD: From appetizers to dinner, the food was not good. It defiantly looked fancy and looked appealing but lacking flavor. My fiancé and I love sushi and love watching Morimoto on TV and were very excited to try out his restaurant but was sadly disappointed. The drinks were good. They only had one selection of hot sake on the menu however. SERVICE: Nothing outstanding, decent service, they disappear for a long time. Drinks were not refilled accordingly. I've had better service at lower end restaurants than this place. Made reservations. ENVIRONMENT: Very romantic and beautiful scenery. Great for groups as well. The decor is very nice and relaxing. PRICE: Pretty expensive for the lack of flavor we had, but reasonable for his fame. Unfortunately, we do not plan on coming here again.
(2)Darren N.
Breakfast review Getting there: Free valet at the Edition Waikii if you're dining at Morimoto Waikiki. Ambiance: White furnishings, tall ceiling, and roominess make this place feel almost like a cafeteria, but it won't conjure up elementary school memories. The hanging massive white-washed coral in clear glass boxes and clean, comfortable, stylish and upscale seating reminds you that you're going to pay big bucks to eat here. Check out the pictures because they speak for themselves better than I can describe them. Service: Courteous and the timing of the beverage checks are spot on, not too frequent and not late. Food: I had the Local Style Breakfast which frankly, was a disappointment. The hash browns were small and dry, there were very few bacon pieces and although cooked well, nothing about it stood out. Same could be said about the rice (did not choose toast) and scrambled eggs. Their other breakfast menu options showed more innovation and for a restaurant like this along with the prices, I would expect more innovation than your average local style breakfast from an average diner. Side note, I heard good things about their banana pancakes and their loco moco had a healthy sized portion. The eggs benedict was also good but small portioned. Verdict and Takeaway: I can't fully judge this place since I've yet to try their lunch / dinner menus. That being said, I'm hoping they work to uplift their local style breakfast somehow and perhaps include a larger portion.
(3)Saw T.
Gotta say that I'm a little bit surprised by so many less than stellar reviews for this place. After eating dinner there last night with my wife and parents, we all agreed that we really enjoyed every single thing we ordered and want to check out the Napa branch that's close to home soon. For starters, we got the Morimoto Sashimi, the Tempura Calamari Salad and the Mixed Green Salad. The Morimoto Sashimi consisted of little stacks of seared toro, smoked salmon, eel, tuna and hamachi accompanied by 5 pipettes of different sauces, including Yellow Pepper, Yuzu and Arugula (don't remember the last 2). While a bit on the small side, the fish tasted fresh, the presentation was very unique and the dish had a lot of whimsy. The Mixed Green Salad had a bit of heat and was a massive portion. The Tempura Calamari Salad while not as huge as the Mixed Green Salad was also a large portion and the calamari stayed crispy and was not weighed down by the dressing. For entrees, we got the Roasted Lobster "Epice", the Crispy Whole Fish, a bunch of maki, and the Salt Crusted Fingerling Potatoes. The lobster dish was pretty spectacular. It was roasted in garam masala and appealed to my Indian palate. The fish, which happened to be a branzino, was crispy and came with a very flavorful spicy tofu sauce. The rolls while solid were not really memorable. The potatoes while prepared very simply were extremely tasty and I look forward to duplicating that dish some day soon. Overall, the entrees were a bit on the small size and paled in comparison the giant apps in terms of quantity. If we hadn't gone to Giovanni's Shrimp Truck a couple hours earlier, we would have needed to order more. Now on to the desserts! The Chocolate Caramel Tart was simply ridiculous. I've had similar tarts before but this version was so decadent and the caramel was gooey deliciousness. We came very close to ordering another one. The Chocolate Peanut Bombe was also pretty spectacular and in particular I enjoyed the salted peanut ice cream on the side. The Vanilla Roasted Pineapple was a sponge-cake based dessert that was solid but couldn't compete with the chocolate offerings. The service was also very good and the waitstaff was very attentive. We also enjoyed the minimalist modern decor. While the food wasn't cheap, it was in line with comparable restaurants and I don't really get all the complaints about the price.
(5)Bernard T.
I have been to Morimoto in New York and Napa. They are all great, but for some reason Morimoto at Waikiki was just OK to me. I think it can be better. Well, will give another try again on my next visit to Waikiki.
(3)Lynn C.
I went to Morimoto's in New York and was excited to see if it was different/as good as my experience previously. We arrived promptly for our reservation at 7 PM on a Tuesday evening. The look of the place is clean and crisp, very modern with touches of tropical-ness with the pictures of flowers and shells hanging from the ceiling. To begin, Trisha, our waitress, really made our experience. She was friendly and attentive and super sweet. We ordered some drinks, Morimoto sashimi as a starting dish and then our other dishes. Our sashimi came out VERY quickly. It was basically, 5 stacks of different of fish with different dipping sauces including some with chili, one with arugula, and unagi. It was meh and I ended up deconstructing the stacks (not sure if you were supposed to...). About 15 minutes later, our drinks came out. Another 20 minutes later, our food, came out. At least I believe it was about that time. Luckily my date was pleasant company or I would've gone bonkers. Trisha apologized profusely about 5 times and let us know that the manager would take care of our drinks that evening. I had the surf and turf (steak, Morimoto poke, and fingerlings) and the Boy had the duck duck duck (duck 3 ways). The waiter poured the au jus on the steak and had it sizzle (he was very considerate and held a napkin in between me and the steak in case of splatter). The au jus was amazing. The poke was just ok and the fingerlings + Okinawan potato were good. I read what I just typed and it sounds completely unexciting. It was good but just wasn't anything to get super excited about. The Boy liked his duck, commenting that the three of them separately were OK but together they made a great dish. Dessert was a chcooclate creme tart/cake thing with vanilla ice cream. On the menu it said it had kona coffee ice cream. Alas, not the case. We probably wouldn't have gotten if we had known it was going to be vanilla. It was a rocky dining experience with pretty good food. The atmosphere of the restaurant was good and our waitress was great. We did get to see Chef Morimoto but he retired to his room early (7 PM). I would have taken my New York Morimoto experience over my Waikiki Morimoto experience. Worth at least one try however.
(3)Matt G.
Sitting outside as the sun sets over Illikai boat harbor is something to behold. After being in Omaha, NE for 7 months, this ended up being the first place I went to upon my return to Honolulu. Even if I wasn't on a romantic date or anything, the ambiance and view were incredible. The only problem is that I hadn't had time to reacclimate to the humidity so I was sweating like a pig. Yuck. The food here is good. As a grad student who lives on student loans, looking through the menu made me die a litle bit on the inside but the food quality (as long as you know what to order) equates to the pricing more or less. It's not super expensive. We had Ryan as our server. Nice guy. Knowledgeable and most of all honest. As a former industry worker, you definitely come to appreciate honesty in your server. Of course some things will give you better bang for your buck, or there'll be unlisted items every once in a while, and some things are amazing no matter what it is or how much it costs. The yose dofu...is a tofu appetizer prepared table side. Although it's not anything I haven't had before, it was awesome. Props to our server on that one, and it was decently priced too. Again, you def appreciate when your server isn't just trying to push the most expensive items at you. I say come in with the expectations you'd have of any other restaurant and you won't be disappointed. But if you're one of those who are just here bc you heard oh Morimoto this or Iron Chef that, you're bound to set yourself up for disappointment.
(5)Jennifer B.
We just didn't want to believe our fellow Yelpers that Morimoto would accept a 3.5 star rating. So we took the plunge tonight and it was an epic fail. The evening started off well. We had a lovely table outside and were greeted by friendly wait staff. But things soon degraded from there. Husband ordered the prix-fixe 8 course dinner and I, not wanting so much food, opted for an appetizer and an entree. Nearly an hour into dinner, my husband was only on his second of 8 courses and I hadn't yet received my appetizer. It was only when we started to inquire, that we were told the entire computer system had gone down. We continued to wait and still nothing. So I approached the Manager on my way to the restroom, and let her know that we were unhappy. She apologized and I thought that would be the end of it, and food would start arriving in a timely manner. It seemed as time progressed that the wait staff all but disappeared, and empty plates sat on our table. Not at all the experience that we expected from a 4 star restaurant. I have to say that the food, when it did come, was well presented and delicious. Manager took 15% off bill, but there was a confusion over dessert. We understood that the waiter had offered us a dessert as a consolation, but discovered that we were charged. That too was taken off the bill. Perhaps this was an anomaly, but it seems not, given the 3.5 star Yelp rating. We came in with high expectations, and expected so much more, but sadly the experience fell short.
(2)Nina S.
Simply delicious! I snuck into Morimoto 30 minutes before the kitchen closed and was greeted with a reluctant smile by a very hot Swedish waiter. He seated us and after a lovely chat about the nordics, my guest and I dined on a dozen and a half oysters, some lovely bouillabaisse and a very unique green tea dessert. The flavor profiles were out of sight! I've never tasted food like that and I've been to Morimoto in NY tons of times. Morimoto gets high marks from me on decor, food and hot waitstaff! I will see you again!
(5)Vera P.
Morimoto's for Lunch on a weekday: I have no idea about dinner, but if it is as good as it SHOULD be on all counts, then their lunch is a step-child. The food was DELICIOUS & beautifully presented, but the service was TERRIBLE. Not enough help, not enough attention to the table's needs or wants, long waits . . . Wait staff is too casual. Management is too lax. Too bad! I think they would have a larger lunch crowd if they improved their service.
(3)Andie H.
We went here for the boyfriend's birthday just recently. They have complementary valet parking at the Modern(?), so it was a nice start. The ambiance is really contemporary. I liked it. It was a lot classier than the usual restaurants we haunt so it was a nice change. And it made me excited that THE chef Morimoto (I loved the old Iron Chefs) created this place. We got the Morimoto omakase, which was 7 predetermined courses prepared by the chef. $120 per person (yep you know I'll remember how much that costs). The cost was crazy for me, but since my boo wanted it, I was willing to splurge (the whole table has to order it, as a general rule, the server informed us). Even though the cost was high, the presentation was beautifully done. You could tell that Morimoto had thought up the presentations because they were almost too artful to eat! Each course had a different something that made it unique. One even had a oil melter with a tea light candle underneath!! I was impressed. The food was tasty. Every course I had was delish. Its hard to explain. But lots of seafood, and there was a nigiri course. If you get the omakase, be prepared to spend 3+ hours at the restaurant. It was a marathon. Once they started getting busy, it took a bit longer to get the next course. And if you are vegan, vegetarian, or some form of vegetable, I would suggest skipping the place altogether. I respect your choices, but this chick who was a vegan who sat next to us with her husband was annoying me with her "oh no I can't eat that, that, and THAT" to the waitress while her husband was contently devouring his chicken (odd couple...). I can't vouch for the alcohol, but the bf liked his very expensive sochu. Perhaps we should have just gone to a bar for that.. I would come back, if just to enjoy the dishes we loved in full size, and when I get a pay raise. And maybe one day we might just run into the Chef himself....????
(4)Mathew E.
My wife & I went on 1/12 for dinner, and definately will not go again. First off the positives: 1: Server was super attentive & nice. 2: The house polished rice used for all of the dishes was unique, and had a great taste & consistency. The Tempura Pineapple appetizer was out of sight, although it might have been better as a desert. The negatives: A quick disclaimer- I am a former chef who knows his way around a kitchen, having run 5 different kitchens in my tenure. 3: Loco Moco - I've been living in Hawaii for a number of years, and usually don't eat the local version of this because of the nasty gravy. I was very much looking forwards to trying Morimoto's verson. On the menu, it's described as a Hayashi gravy ( a type of Japanese veal based sauce ). The classic Loco Moco is kind of a local domburi, with rice on the bottom, topped with a hamburger patty, gravy, then an egg. The Morimoto's version just came with the rice on one side of the plate & the Hayashi gravy with meat in it on the other side. Looked just like Hayashi Beef, which I've had @ multiple home style restaurants in Japan, not Loco Moco. The gravy was seriously flawed. When I tasted it after is arrived, it had an unpleasant floury taste & texture. As my plate cooled, the gravy coagulated into an unpleasant mess of separated oil & floury paste. True Japanese Hayashi gravy has to avoid being boiled, because it breaks. It seems as though the kitchen tried to fix the broken sauce by incorporating more roux, but it just tasted really nasty. 4: My wife had the "Duck 3 Ways". Once again, a quick disclaimer: We lived in the Pacific Northwest for many years, we would have fresh duck pretty often, so we know what duck is supposed to taste like. The "Duck 3 Ways" had a pan seared duck great, duck consume with a duck meatball, & duck spring rolls. The pan seared breast was acceptable, cooked properly with an ok sauce. The duck consume's meatball had an unpleasant gamey undertone, and had the consistency of baby food. The duck spring rolls had an even more pronounced gamey flavor, literally in-edable. Overall, very disappointed in the food.
(1)Sandy K.
I was super excited to try a Morimoto restaurant, and I wasn't disappointed. Morimoto Waikiki is a beautifully decorated and spacious restaurant at the amazing Edition Hotel. You really have to be there to see the space and how wonderfully decorated and styled it is. Ambiance: Modern upscale. Service: Courteous and knowledgeable staff. Food: My expectations high, and they were met. Crispy rock shrimp tempura: It was served 3 ways; spicy kochujan, wasabi aioli, and coconut ranch. My favorite was the kochujan, but I may be biased since I am part Korean. Sake (salmon) nigiri: I will boldly claim that this is the best salmon I have ever had. Fresh and buttery and flavorful. It was heaven. Negitoro Maki: The perfect maki, fresh and rich at the same time. Tofu hot and cold: Loved it! When I saw tofu as a dessert, I had to get it. The taste, along with the presentation, was amazing. I am looking forward to my upcoming trip and will definitely make reservations at Morimoto Waikiki.
(4)Elle M.
Morimoto has a very sleek interior and spa-like atmosphere that reflects and incorporates the contemporary and upscale design of the hotel. The outdoor seating overlooking Ala Moana's boat harbor and hotel pool is absolutely stunning. Though, I must say, because the restaurant is situated on a lower level, the views do not compare to what you can get at Mariposa's.(IMO) The Edition Hotel including the lobby and restaurant's recessed lighting tend to get too dim during the evening and can be very inconvenient for patrons with poor eyesight. But if you are for a trendy ambiance with low lighting, it certainly has a classy yet casual setting that suits all ages. However, despite the spa-like interior, the obnoxious noise level is loud enough to get your ears popping. (Yelling across the table is so not romantic.) Also, be prepared for 1.5+ hour wait for food and the possibility of being lost trying to find the hidden restrooms tucked into a hallway so inconveniently located outside the restaurant. On a positive note, the convenience of a free valet definitely adds a touch of luxury. In spite of the mediocre food and service, overall, it was still a great experience. P.S. - Do NOT skip on dessert. The Chocolate Peanut Bombe is the bomb!
(3)Rob C.
as our quest to dine on the talents of celebrity and Iron Chefs continue, we leave this one w/ a sweet, blissfull, aftertaste. my wife and i had been dying to try Morimoto's offerings for the longest time. and we had no idea he even had a restaurant on Oahu. on my recent research to find the perfect place to dine for our 2 year engagement anniversary, i was thrilled to find Morimoto Waikiki. i tried to keep it a secret until my mom-n-pop in law, inadvertently ruined the surprise. haha, it's ok, i forgive you guys. ;) it was our last day on our most recent, 'cousin's wedding/vacay for us' visit of the island. we had high hopes and our expectations were met w/ flying colors. started off w/ drinks. wife had the one w/ jalepeno. forget the name but it was really tasty. i had the white lilly. yum! perfect aftertaste of yuzu and umeboshi. for apps, we had the white fish carpaccio and the 10 hour braised pork belly. both were excellent. the carpaccio is served w/ a medley of oils and citrus, including yuzu, sesame, and "don't know what but it's fucking tasty" stuffs. the pork belly is served in a luxurious rice congee and the meat is super rich, salty, slightly sweet and awesome. only gripe was that pretty much all the fat had rendered out and the meat was a bit tough. good for my wife, not so good for me. main course: wife had the whole fried fish and i had the black cod. the fried fish was phenomenal. it was crispy and moist and that papaya salad w/ the mabo tofu sauce, are you kidding me?! explosions of flavor. hit every taste bud w/ a fat smack. the only other whole fried fish that would compare is Mama's Fish House's whole fried fish on Maui. the black cod was perfectly cooked and bursting with umami. i wish the skin had been left on, as that is my favorite part of the fish. when i had made my reservation, i mentioned that we'd be celebrating our engagement anniversary. well, for dessert, they brought us a passion fruit/mango sorbet! it was sooooo good. my god. we also had the vanilla pineapple w/ coconut sorbet dessert, which was also really good. service was excellent. our server was informative, friendly, didn't rush us or take too long. if we had more time and a second stomach, we would have tried so much more. till next time...
(5)Shane S.
The very first weekend it opened I stumbled through what was then the "Edition" hotel. As I was strolling through the bar which became the restaurant I bumped right into a stern samurai looking Japanese guy with glasses. I thought "funny that guy really looks like the Iron Chef ! " He was there opening the restaurant..... I have tried a few things here. First time I had some small plates at the bar. I tried the Morimoto style poke which was ok. ( it is hard to mess with comfort food) rock shrimp tempura and a "Morimototini". It was interesting and tasty, however it did set me back over 50 bucks. Not exactly happy hour. One morning I decided to try the "Japanese breakfast" having had Japanese breakfast many times before I was excited to see Morimoto's take on a traditional meal. I was extremely disappointed to see that it was basically the same, but much smaller portions. Not very interesting, and not worth $26. Had to try the sushi bar......so I tried a few selections of fish flown in from Japan.... as well as a few local fishes. I have to say it was very good , but the connection I love between chef and diner was just not there. I like to talk to and watch the sushi chef and see where the fish is from and how they prepare each delicate morsel. The sushi bar was good, but we are talking "Iron Chef" standards here. Anyway it was cool as Morimoto sat down a few seats away speaking with some Japanese women. After a few drinks he was much happier than the other day, and he took pictures with many patrons including myself. My last dinner there I had the whole fried fish (branzino that night....wish he used local fish) The fish was excellent with a kinda mabo tofu sauce smothered on top. We also had the seafood " toban yaki " which consisted of crab, lobster, scallops, mussels and clams in a spicy miso sauce. ( like an Asian cioppino) I felt that this dish was a little over done, the broth.... very tasty but such a small portion. I know its splitting hairs, but how can you really go wrong with ingredients like that? Its like trying to take a bad picture of Brad Pitt !! What makes the place unique is the creativity of the #1 "Iron Chef", and the ambiance of the lounge nestled in a cool hip hotel. Try the craziest things on the menu... Come here to think outside the box, thats what a great Iron Chef does !! 3.5 stars
(4)Chary E.
My review really should be 6 stars Came here for dinner, we were seated quickly and greeted by our server. He too me to sit facing the kitchen as the iron chef himself was there, working (yes, making the sushi/sashimi that night) so that was a plus. The interior decor was amazing; crisp clean lines, white walls and modern furniture. It was a bit confusing to go around and find the entrance to the Modern but it took 3 right turns and a very far U turn. We had: Moto mojito- the basic mojito pumped up with sake, brown sugar and pineapple was very refreshing Pear gimlet- had a zing of jalapeño that complemented the citrusy vodka/gin combo I was especially happy to see that they had the Michael Picard Pinot noir that I so love Appetizers: Morimoto sashimi: thinly sliced variety of fish formed into perfect cubes and came with liquid droppers of 5 sauces.. My favorite would be the garlic and the chili sauce Tempura calamari salad- it looked like a tower of greens with miso dressing and the tempura calamari on the base. Very tasty and flavorful Wagyu carpaccio- ah-may-zzzziiiinnnnggg although I would have liked it rare I think it got cooked from the sesame seed oil.. Nevertheless it was still very very good Main course: Yellow tail cooked in hot stone- it was his tale on bibimbap. They cook it table side; they sear the fish on the sides of the hot stone bowl and cook the egg and rice on it. Then re-presenting it afterwards. Again, this was excellent Loco-moto- instead of the traditional locomoco grilled beef patty, it was sliced wagyu beef in veal gravy and quail egg. The taste reminds me of caldereta/ aka Filipino beef stew. It was very rich and yummy I gave the server a heads up about someone's birthday so for dessert the presented us a plate that said 'happy birthday' with an orchid and some coconut sherbet (omgsogood) I opted for the vanilla roasted pineapple- they grilled the vanilla ran angel cake and served it with lemon grass sherbet, pineapple purée and diced pineapples. Wow. My dad had the chocolate peanut bombe-chocolate peanut mousse with salted peanut ice cream. It was like eating a lighter more sophisticated version of. Snickers bar. Overall we enjoyed out experience. I politely asked chef morimoto if I could take his picture and he said yes of course! Yay! I highly recommend this place!! Now, off to the one in Napa which is much closer to home...
(5)Albert H.
Good location in the Hotel Modern ( valet parking only ) overlooking the marina. They have a ton of outdoor seating, which can be quite nice, especially in the evening. It is a bright, modern, big-city style restaurant. We had dinner and lunch here - in that order. Having been to the Napa restaurant, we wanted to reprise a few dishes and see what might be special at this location. The prices are high, but the quality and creativity of the dishes here just might be worth it. We tried Morimoto Sashimi ( a sort of everything-in-one-terrine approach ) for a second time and it was still good, if still a little too indistinct from mixing all those flavors together. The Foie Gras Chawanmushi was not as revolutionary as the one we had in Napa ... on the other hand, it's still available here. The "Live Octopus" dishes seem more of a gimmick than anything else - it's not actually, technically live; just raw and supposedly very fresh. For lunch, we sat at the sushi bar and ordered a few pieces of sashimi ( they are priced, rather high, by the single piece, but quality is excellent ). We also got them to make a shikai maki - a sort of ornate roll that's square in cross section and almost looks like a stained glass window. It was one of the least expensive dishes we ordered and also one of the most interesting. The sushi rice was well made and high quality, unlike our experience in Napa - and the fish was very fresh and well-cut. Both in the crowded dinner service and relatively calm lunch service, things were just a bit on island time - it took quite a while for the food to come out. The staff ( when we could find them ) did know the menu well. Drinks were interesting, but not really exciting. There's a lot of private label stuf going on here, including some very expensive beer made by Rogue offered by the bottle. Mixed drinks tended toward the somewhat fruity, and the sake list had selections by the glass of only Morimoto's own label, which is quite decent stuff, but not very interesting if you've already tried it. Overall, the place is expensive, but it has delicious and creative food served in a nice atmosphere, with an amazing variety on the menu. While you're there, check out the Moto Loco - Morimoto's take on the local dish that turns out to be kind of like curry rice. And kind of not.
(4)Doug C.
We went today for the first time for lunch. The atmosphere was nice, but, I think being there during the day when there is a lot of sunlight was a disadvantage. The "white" menus were grubby and somewhat disgusting for a restaurant which by price should have higher standards. Also, the paint on many of the tables were cracked and the vinyl upholstery on many of the chairs were dirty and some were cracked. Service was excellent and everyone was gracious. They balanced attentiveness with leaving you alone enough to enjoy your food. It would have been nice though if they checked if I needed more coffee during dessert. To be fair though we were the last to leave, they were preparing for dinner and they never made us feel we were overstaying our welcome. (which we probably did) Our meal consisted of Hamachi Tartare, Wagyu Carpaccio, Steamed Scallops, Tempura Calamari Salad, Ishi Yaki Buri Bop, Haupia and an assortment of sorbets. Okay, truth be told at the end, before dessert, we had a second Carpaccio. The hamachi was very good, however, the condiments stole the show. The presentation was beautiful. But I would have preferred a presentation that was not a trick to eat without dropping the tartare trying to get both a condiment and tartare on the tiny flat spoon. Good luck dipping it in the sauce. Very good but the most expensive and our least favorite. Next we had the Wagyu Carpaccio. This was no less than incredible. The Carpaccio melted in our mouths and the flavors were light, adding to the beef and not distracting from it. The Steamed Scallops were cooked PERFECT. The flavor of the sauce was light and did not over power the delicate flavor of the scallops. The sauce/broth was delicious by itself. Did I mention the scallops were cooked perfectly? Wow The Calamari Tempura salad was very good. We were disappointed that they put the tempura under the salad which had dressing on it. It made the tempura soggy. I was more impressed with the salad with various types of greens and light dressing. If I ordered it again it would be for the salad not the tempura. Also, I would specifically ask they put the tempura around the salad instead of under it. The tempura was light and very good, just not particularly outstanding. Whether the Ishi Yaki Buri Bop, scallops or the Carpaccio was the best was debatable. All three were AMAZING. The Ishi Yaki Buri Bop is made table side. Our server seasoned, mixed the rice and seared the yellow tail perfectly in a hot pot at our table. The yellow tail melted in our mouths. I mean MELTED. My niece who is not particularly fond of sashimi loved this dish. She is becoming a believer. With both the yellow and carpaccio my niece and I looked at each other with each bite with disbelief and pure happiness. (okay, I know, believer and then disbelief...) Yes, we had a second Wagyu Carpaccio. It was THAT GOOD. For dessert we had the Haupia and assorted sorbets. The haupia was MUCH TOO FIRM, rather bland and not at all creamy like a good haupia should be. I don't know what the clear stuff was on top but it added nothing to the dessert, HOWEVER, the ginger-lime sorbet that came with the haupia was excellent. It might be a bit too tart for some, but, we thought it was great and the bold flavor almost made up for the lousy attempt at haupia. Almost. The assorted sorbets included mango-lilikoi, strawberry-guava and white peach-shiso (Japanese mint). They were all very good, but, we agreed the white peach-shiso was the best of the three. Very light, very refreshing. We both thought the white peach-shiso and ginger-lime sorbet were the highlights of the desserts. I highly suggest if you like ginger and lime ask for just a scoop of the sorbet and skip the haupia. If you're local this is the haupia that's left after the luau. You know what I'm talking about... The riesling was very nice, the coffee okay. I had one glass of wine and our total came to about $170.00. Would I go back? Maybe. If I did, however, it would be for the carpaccio, scallops, Ishi Yaki Buri Bop and the sorbets. I'd probably order different items menu rather than reorder the tartare, calamari salad or haupia. Because of the grubbiness and the haupia there was no way I could give this five stars. Morimoto is awesome. But, I can't imagine any locals liking his version of haupia. Then again, I'm sure his target audience is not locals.
(4)Sang L.
I think I should just stop going to his restaurants. The menus are all pretty much the same, so I thought I should be different and order something unique to this location's restaurant. So we ordered the loco-moto, in addition to a bunch of sushi and sashimi of course. I was surprised at the presentation of the loco moco - I suppose it's not the most elegant of dishes, but thought they would spruce it up more than just using nice meat. The ambiance, service, quality was as expected, you're definitely paying for it right? I think if I'm looking for more unique food, I'll start trying other chef's restaurants.
(3)Dave F.
Chef Morimoto has created a special restaurant with excellent sushi and sashimi. If you are not interested, there's even duck on this eclectic menu. The restaurant was electric on a recent Thursday night when one of the patrons stood on a chair and pronounced all of us would celebrate with him with a glass of Christault Champagne. (Server said this was going for $500/bottle). The ambiance has a casual, beachy elegance and service is impeccable. This is a "must try" for Honolulu!
(5)Yen V.
Located in the Modern hotel with beautiful decor and location that's somewhat removed from all the action in Honolulu. Service was great Toro Tartare (4/5): Good but it did not impress me too much. Tuna (5/5): Now I get what good sushi is like. Salmon (5/5): I usually don't like salmon, but this one was impressive in quality. Seafood Toban yaki (5/5): A big pot of seafood swimming in a spicy miso broth served with some crusty bread. It got a bit too salty near the end because it was piping hot and perhaps had reduced and the seafood soaked a lot of the broth. Amazing and totally worth it. Surf and Turf (5/5): Divine. Turf was especially worthy. Though I can't say it would have filled me up. Pear yuzu gimlet (5/5): refreshing, light and citrus-y drink that went wonderfully with my seafood. Perfect for warm winter night on the patio. If I'm in Honolulu again, I might come back for drinks and the sushi bar.
(5)Jen S.
We came for lunch, which I think reflect prices that are definitely more reasonable if you want to have taste of Morimoto w/o breaking the bank. The best chirashi of my life! Fresh, sweet, chewy, FRESH. So GOOD. I think everyone else enjoyed their food, but definitely not as much as I did. Get the chirashi! Also, service was great and I really enjoyed the ambience of the place. Very modern and chic. We were a large party of 8 and the waiter was very accommodating, especially when I mentioned we were in a hurry.
(5)Mark S.
Second time here this year in October. Excellent service, great management, excellent portion sizes, incredible sushi. Would fly back to Honolulu (my least favorite island) just to eat at Morimoto.
(5)Cyn C.
Excellent customer service. Our waiter had a wonderful sense of humor! Now the food.. Came for lunch had the lobster melt and the loco moto set with the tofu cheesecake for dessert. Everyone around me ordered the lobster melt lol everything was wonderful I will definitely come again and again if in the area.
(5)George A.
OVERRATED. Fresher fish could be found at other Izakayas around town. Wife and I ordered 2 Omakase dinners. It would have been nice if the servers at least explained what was being dropped down in front of us. Mid meal there was a little tea pot that was dropped off. Mine was completely empty! I asked what the server what this was and she explained that it was a pallet cleanser. I showed her that it was brought to me completely empty! She looks at me as if I had already drunk it and just wanted more. Gimme a break. Great drinks and Sake though. You need it to chill you out from all the sub par offerings.
(2)J W.
Had to finally check out this place 2 weeks into our stay at the Modern. After walking by the entrance every morning, it was about time I finally made it into the restaurant for a meal. I think the 3 1/2 star average this place has on yelp is spot on. The decor is nice, modern, and very tastefully done. Service was as you'd expect for a restaurant at this price point. The place was about 3/4 empty when we visited for lunch on a monday afternoon. The kakuni don was a bit disappointing, basically a few shredded pieces of dried pork with some sweet soy sauce based sauce over rice. The rest of the lunch items were pretty average, the salad was a bit soggy. The lunch was a bit of a poor litmus test for what dinner may have to offer, but given I have another 6 weeks at the hotel, I might have to come back to see if the iron chef can live up to his reputation.
(3)Shandis C.
So what is a girl on budget doing at Morimoto you ask? At least that's what one of my dear yelp friends texted me the SECOND I checked in, LOL! (love you Steph!) True, I am the girl on a budget, but I am also, fortunately the girl who got gifted $100 towards Morimoto so the hubby and I were able to have a fantastical date night at one of the SWANKIEST places in town! If you are a girl (or a boy) that is on a budget like I am, then you're going to want to read on to the end. But before I even go there, on to Morimoto! Prior to going to Morimoto, of course I had to go to my trusty yelp ap to see what others have been saying about this must-visit hot spot. To my surprise, not so great reviews! A lot of 3 stars and not-so-impressed patrons. This was some serious rain on my parade to say the least, because I was really excited to try Morimoto, so I was hoping to have a different experience. Well, I must be easily won over or easy to please because my husband and I had nothing short of a 5 star experience! First of all, my love affairs with a good ambiance definitely got the best of me here! Swanky, swanky, SWANKY!! Probably my now favorite restaurant in terms of ambiance. Our server was really personable and attentive and the bus staff kept our waters full without being too overbearing. Presentation of food was gorgeous, clean and classy. We decided to order some appetizers, some sushi, some sashimi and one entree so that we could try a little bit of everything. The sashimi is to DIE for, melt in your mouth, and a surprisingly fun and filling dish was the yose dofu, which was fresh tofu made table side. The crispy whole fish was recommended to us, and though it was not knock-your-socks-off fabulous, it was still delicious and more than enough to feed both my husband and I. Wagyu carppacio was buttery and smooth. We also had a salmon skin maki roll which was simple but delectable nonetheless. Chocolate mille fueille was an mmmm with every bite - bruleed bananas and chocolate spiced ice cream...it's every girls' dream come true! It also came with a chocolate mousse which was a nice surprise since it wasn't mentioned on the menu. So you're still wondering how you can do Morimoto on a budget? So we were already planning our visit back to Morimoto, but knowing that we'd be on a budget the next time we come, I studied the menu for some DEALS and there ARE deals to be had! There is a big selection of maki sushi for about $7 for 6 pieces. While they are not antyhing "special" and they are quite straight forward, you could order 1, 2 or even 3 maki sushi rolls, and only spend $21! Considering that you will pay about $6 for a maki roll at a dirty, hole in the wall place at the dime a dozen premade sushi take outs on our island, $7 for a maki roll in a nice restaurant is worth your $$. There are also some soup and salad dishes like oxtail ($14), udon with shrimp tempura ($18), and tempura calamari salad ($15). There is even a "loco moto" entree for under $20. You could even mix and match one maki roll with a salad or some other appetizers in which there are many choices under $20. So yes, I am totally unashamed that I sat there at Morimoto mentally calculating my future budget meal, but I know there are those of you out there that secretly are thankful for me and my Pake ways, so you can private message me later to thank me :o) So there it is, the adventures of a budget girl in the land of the rich. Morimoto is one of those places that you have to try at least once, no matter what kind of experience have just to be able to say that you've been there. If you are a true foodie with a refined palate, you may not be as elated as I was to dine here. But if you are going for an overall great experience with "good" food, great ambiance and great service, no matter what kind of budget you are on, you will certainly have a good time at Morimoto!
(5)John T.
Nothing but high praise for this establishment. Morimoto's was the final stop of our Hawaiian vacation, just prior to our redeye flight home. Because of weather and the flight delays that seem to define Island Air, I could tell that we would not make our 6:30 reservation. I called the restaurant to inform them and was assured that we would be seated. As the delay got longer, I became certain that, despite those assurances, we'd end up at the Red Lobster across the plaza or worse (if that's possible). Arriving over an hour late, and with a rain storm that had shut down their outside seating, I figured that at best we'd have a lengthy wait and be rushed through our meal. Couldn't be further from what happened. We waited just a few minutes and sat down to a wonderful sashimi and sushi dinner. The sashimi was out of this world. Beautiful texture, flavor and presentation. The rolls we tried (spicy salmon and another I can't recall) were a delight. I didn't find the prices to be at all unreasonable for the high quality and portions that we received. Service was fast, without pushing or rushing, attentive without hovering over us. We were perfectly satisfied with our fish so did not try any of the entrees, but each that passed our table looked fantastic. Guaging by the reaction of the other diners, they agreed with our assessment. The Hotel Modern, which houses the restaurant, can be a little tricky to find. The valet parking enabled us to enter and leave without so much as a drop of rain despite the downpour. A terriffic dining experience.
(5)Jo J.
I love Morimoto, the chef, not so much the restaurant. The ambiance is great, it sets the mood for any occasion. I like how there's indoor and outdoor seating. I'm not so sure about how they divide or assign their waiters and if the sucky ones serve outside. I feel like our waiter paid little attention to my BFF and I. He barely stopped by our table and our food came out cold. We ordered the surf and turf platter and our beef was well done by the time it got to us. Best excuse the waiter could give us? Oh we're a little busy. Really? Cause I swear there's like only 10 other patrons in this restaurant aside from us. So what happens when it's a full house? Hmm. Well here's a surprise the steak is served on a hot plate that sizzles when the sauce is poured on it. How did I know this? Because the table next to us had a hot plate and we didn't! That's because our order probably sat out in the back counter, thus why the food was cold and why our steak ended up being overdone. Shucks, nice try with the excuse, I would have rather heard a simple apology rather than a flat out lie. I don't know if I would go back, maybe I would if my husband really wants to go. But for now the service lacked enough to keep me from coming back.
(3)Dustin E.
Thank you Stacy L. for the tip that Morimoto san was in town!!!! Thanks Val Y. Thanks yelpers for the reviews. We found out that Chef Morimoto was in town. I have a sister who is deeply in looooove with him. I know, he's married. It doesn't make a difference to her. Well unfortunately, sis is in Hilo on the Big island, so she is not in town.... Aw sugars... poor thing... So, off to Morimoto Waikiki. There are so many Yelps on the positive side and many on the underwhelmed side. I didn't know what to think. Here is the chance to see a celebrity chef (maybe) and experience $$$$ fine dining. I know, just have an open mind and soak it all in. The ambience was very interesting. The Modern hotel had a unique event going on, a Marine ball. There were soldiers with all their formal uniforms and medals all over and the girls all decked out in formal wear too. I peeked in the ballroom and wow! The place looks amazing. Modern hotel 5/5 Upon arrival, the valet is very well hidden behind tall palms. I think if you didn't know where Morimoto was, you'd have a hard time finding this turn into the valet. 4/5 I didn't think the steps to go up was very classy, but I remember the escalators that would always be out of service. So steps never get stuck, or eat little toes. It was pretty dim, and after drinks, I was holding the railing to get down. 3/5 On to the restaurant... Oooh, coral. Uh, coral. Ewww, coral. weird, coral. The decor was farm raised coral from the Philipines. Uh, different, coral. 3/5 Thanks to the yelper Val Y. who suggested sitting at the sushi bar. We were right in front of the HEAD SUSHI MASTER! Watching him expertly slicing paper thin sashimi. Arrangements like ikebana, and tasty morsels on really beautifully prepared platters. Wow. I felt like this was the show. 5/5 We had spicy salmon roll 5/5, eel with avocado maki 5/5, and we were very pleased. Started off with Wagyu beef carpaccio. The presentation was excellent, except for the micro cilantro. My friend is adamantly against eating cilantro, but I love it. The citrus hot oil with ginger garlic and soy sauce was amazing. I wish I had more. But after all it is called appetizer. It should be called appe-teaser, because I wanted more. 5/5 Tuna Pizza, YUMMY. 5/5 Again, the micro cilantro. Um, good for me, not so good for my friend. Still a 5 from me. :-) I had the whole deep fried fish. A Mediterranean cod. It looked very exotic. Okay, it looked creepy, but it was covered in spicy tofu, sort of like a mapo tofu. It was a really unique and tasty experience! 5/5. My friend had the angry chicken. Moist, spicy, organic, delicious. artfully decorated with deep fried rice noodles. 4/5. Chef Morimoto was in the kitchen, and he just came out occasionally to pose for pictures. Didn't even cook. He did come out to shmooze with some of the customers. I think he is very cool. Maybe he flirts with the high rollers. We did get pictures with him. YAY! I had the Chocolate Mille Feuille for dessert. It was a WOW dish. The chocolate cake, candied banana, dark chocolate piece with mousse, and the ice cream with cayenne heat in it was OUT OF THIS WORLD. Okay, maybe I don't get out much, but to me it was 5/5. My friend had the Chocolate Peanut Bombe. It was a squared log of peanut mousse dusted with coco, and a bit of vanilla-ish ice cream. It was the waitress' favorite. I thought it was very pretty, but didn't have the Wow factor like the chili chocolate ice cream. Our waitress was Aya. She patiently explained every menu item. We listened to some of her suggestions, but made our own choices. Morimoto ale beer went well with my dishes. Aya was very attentive, knowledgeable, and prompt. Each server carefully explained each dish presented so we knew what we were eating. It made it all the more enjoyable. So for the first time, 5/5. It was very pricey, and we decided to just have a moment of decadent pleasure. Morimoto san, doomo arigatoo. Yelp 365 Challenge: 84/365
(5)Diana A.
Food was amazing!! Service was horrible , we never got a refill on drinks. Anything we needed we waived down Other help.Waiter seemed to more attention to everyone but us. We were super excited and left soo disappointed.
(2)Liz T.
So torn!!! Morimoto or Alan Wong?!?!? Such a difficult choice! While I LOVE LOVE LOVE Alan Wong's, his menu is rather constant -- making it a dependable and predictable meal. SOO GOOD. On my last trip to Hawaii my sis, bro-in-law and I decided to shake things up and try Morimoto's. Ambience here is ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS. The inside of the restaurant is very modern and chic, and the outside patio is breathtaking, especially at sunset. The food is really spectacular. BEST - pineapple tempura. Gobbled this up!! MM! - tempura calamari salad. nicely cooked calmari and delicious, light dressing - seafood toban yaki. Lobster, ship, crab OH MY. Worth every penny and sucked up every last drop. -spicy king crab served with crabby fries. DROOL DROOL DROOL. Must have. - chocolate mille feuille. translation: banana, avocado pastry something with chocolate ice cream!! I wasn't a huge fan of the ice cream, but the dessert itself was super tasty. Not too heavy and a surprising flavor combo! GOOD - tuna pizza. tuna was YUM. Not sure if I'm a fan of the anchovy aioli.
(5)Bryce M.
Went there last week for a first time and read thru the reviews to get an idea of what was good and what was bad. The hotel is nice and the ambiance is good as there is a lot of whites and dark dim lights. The valet section is small so it did take a little while till a valet came up to our car, but i guess its a boutique style hotel so that was fine. So in looking at the menu I had some questions as to what I wanted. I asked the server what was good and she went thru telling us her favorites in the cold and hot appetizers and then her friend tapped her on her shoulder to talk to her and when she turned back she didn't finish the rest of the recommendation and just walked away. She came back a little later and I asked her what kind of oyster the raw bar was serving and she was real unsure and was like it is a Japanese type that starts with a "K". Other then that the service was overall good. They constantly checked up when needs, changed utensils, filled waters, friendly..... The first dish I started with was the raw oysters. It came with 6 of them and it was prepared three different ways. One with prepared ceviche still with lime and that was pretty good, the other was a ponzu with jalapeno and also was good especially with the little hotness, and the last was just cocktail sauce which was sub-par. The second dish was the pork kakuni. This dish was probably the best thing I had that night. The pork was flavored well and wasn't over sweet. It was very meaty and not too much fat in it. It shredded and was very well paired with a congee and soy-scallion jus. Next was crispy rock shrimp tempura. This was portion a lot bigger then I expected. It was about half a pound of shrimp. It came two ways: one was spicy kochujang and the other was a wasabi aioli. Both were ok, but definitely enough for four people. The sauce to dip it in was a coconut ranch. Sushi was next and I had the spicy tuna which was real good. It wasn't the mayo type spicy tuna. It was good and the fish was fresh. The other sushi was a soft shell crab roll. This was good to and was portioned well, and it had an asparagus in it which was a nice touch, Last on the dinner menu that we had was the seafood toban yaki. It was basically a bouillabaisse except in a spicy miso broth. It was filled with scallops, clams, mussels, king crab legs and half a kona lobster. It was portioned well, and the crab and lobster were cut so I could easily eat it out of shell. The flavor of the broth was a little disappointing. For being an iron chef and the price charged, I was expecting a lot more out of the flavors in his dishes. The morimoto soba beer was really good though. Light and flavorful with a little sweetness to the beer. Overall it was ok, I probably wouldn't return here unless the menu got changed. For the price paid, I think there is a lot better choices in Honolulu.
(3)Tony L.
Definitely a tourist trap. Keeping in mind I didn't have any sushi. I figure for the price for one piece of sushi, I can get two pieces at a more reputable sushi joint. The main issue I had was the overall menu items. It just didn't seem very Morimoto like. It felt like fancy hotel food. Gyoza in marinara sauce over foam, lobster sandwich was ok, but when compared to a lobster poboy from Boston, no comparison. I expected the food to be elevated. Chicken soup, it wasn't bad, but I was looking for some oomph. The side salad with every lunch meal, the vinegrette dressing was weak. I'm sure this place has great view and a drink or two, but if you're a foodie go somewhere else. I felt underwhelmed.
(2)Kyle H.
My girlfriend took me here for my birthday earlier this year due to my love of Iron Chef Japan and Morimoto in particular. It was a great follow up to our visit to Hirayuki Sakai's La Rochelle Shibuya in 2009. The restaurant itself has a trendy, modern interior and friendly service. The food was excellent and different. The roasted lobster epice with garam masala and lemon creme fraiche was a standout dish. The perfectly cooked lobster went surprisingly well with the subtle heat of the garam masala, which was kept in check by the lemon creme fraiche. Unfortunately, the piece of Wagyu I had as part of the Omakase menu was quite tough and not as flavorful as you would expect. For better wagyu, head over to Chef Mavro, where they use 100% pure bred Japanese Wagyu raised in Australia. However, the sushi was excellent, with very fresh, high-quality fish. This is someplace we will definitely return to.
(4)Gore S.
I had lunch here with a few friends over the thanksgiving holiday. Presentation of the food and taste was very good, but the portions were very small and not worth the price in my opinion. In terms of food - definitely good. In terms of price - not worth it. Perhaps worth a try but I wouldn't go back.
(4)Janet F.
I love it here! Food is delicious (although I don't agree with some of the prices). I love their Pork Gyoza. It is actually made differently compared to how I usually eat Gyoza. Let's just say... Bacon foam! Haha. I also find the chicken ramen very delicious! Flavorful without tasting too salty and you can taste the ginger they used to make it as well! Very refreshing and light! Their sashimi/sushi are fresh! Mmm... The Otoro just melts in your mouth. Oh! And their tuna tartare is to die for.
(4)Audrey S.
As a foodie, I took my boyfriend to Morimoto for a special dinner-date during our stay in Waikiki. I was quite impressed overall, however I do think the service could have been improved. We did come a little later than reservation time (20 mins late) and when I spoke to the desk the lady said we had to wait another 30-60 minutes for our table unsympathetically.. This was sort of frustrating as I booked a month in advance, but I knew it was my fault for not calling the restaurant to make sure they had that table for us.. so we sat at the bar till our table was ready and enjoyed some cocktails. But what really got me was the fact I requested during my booking to sit outside on the lanai, and we got seated indoors instead.. But, I got over it easily once we were seated and had our entree, I soon forgot all about being disappointed as sitting inside is still actually very pretty. We had a friendly waiter unlike the desk staff, and we played around with the chopsticks as they looked really cool like glass sticks! After our chopstick wars, we soon decided to get food in us. We ordered: Tuna Pizza - $18 (raw tuna pizza with delicious dressing) Morimoto Ginjo Sake, cold - $25 (caramalized pear aroma sake with stone fruit finish) Cripsy Rock Shrimp Tempura - $18 Abalone Takoyaki - $18 Chef Sashimi Combo - $40 Dessert: Chocolate Peanut Bombe - $12 Chocolate Caramel Tart - $12 Everything was delicious, what you'd expect from an Iron Chef.. All the small details in the food from the presentation to the after-tastes.. The only dish I thought was a little let-down for me was the sashimi combo, which was a few slices of sashimi on a giant plate of ice... Still looked/tasted good, but it was probably better getting something else like two maki rolls to share that had rice and probably bigger quantity. The sake was probably the best sake I've ever had, that's probably because I usually drink choya umeshu at Japanese restaurants, but I've had sake a few times before and this makes me want to drink sake more often. So to sum up, you will have a beautiful evening if you decide to dine here, just be aware with the strict reservations and to make sure to come on time for your table booking.. It gets crowded! Only come here though if you feel like you have a heavy wallet as it is quite an expensive menu. Take time to walk inside and explore The Modern Honolulu after dinner if your not staying there, its a remarkable hotel in itself.
(3)Ed T.
Awesome experiecne! Nearly perfect! We went there to celebrate our good friend, the Lee's for their wedding anniversary. We tried nearly everything! Although i was hoping for some more unusaal dishes, but since Morimoto wasn't in the house(we knew he would be there the next day to film the tv showm Hawaii Five O). We come to hawaii nearly every year for spring break so I am happy that he open this new restaurant. Will definitely come back here!
(5)Thompson P.
I had the set course meal. I really didn't care for the food but that's not fair to say they are terrible. Service was excellent though!
(2)Cely H.
@Faye: I think we were outside at the same time that night! Went here on heart day with the hubs. Sat outside and had a beautiful sunset and twinkling lights. I think our expectations were too high. We've eaten at restaurants ran by Mario and Bobby and we
(3)Serena W.
So I was lucky enough to be fed at this delightful establishment as pleasant bystander of someone's last meal on the island. I didn't know what I was in for, I wanted to go to Doraku, stupid girl! I am no foodie, but I love to eat. By that I mean, I yelp things at the last minute while standing in the middle of the street hungry and mad. I had no idea this restaurant was masterminded by an iron chef. Nor do I really know what that means. Soooo, we had the raw oysters, twice. Before and after the meal because I needed to confirm their awesome-sauceness. The ceviche was my favorite, such a flavor party. For a hot appetizer, the live octopus carpaccio was dreamy. Sliced thin enough that it wasn't too chewy and they were swimming in something sweet and tangy if my memory serves right. Soft shell crab roll is huge, one of those rolls that will end up in your lap if you don't just use your fingers. If anyone has any insight on this, please share. Am I supposed to cut it up with a knife and fork and then use chopsticks? Blah, guess I'm not a 'lady'. The 'soy sauce' they brought out was spectacular, not salty or sharp tasting and complemented the taste of the roll. We had fatty tuna, medium fatty tuna, salmon, and smoked salmon sashimi. They were all so fresh, clean and the cuts were in tune with the pricing. The salmon was smoked just right and very soft. Even after we had our second round of oysters, dessert was in the cards! We had the chocolate cake thing with caramel inside. I personally don't like caramel so I had a raspberry godiva espresso martini. Delicious! I was fast asleep 1/2 hour after this meal. Who needs to get wastey pants on a saturday night, when you can have Morimoto's!! Honestly, this was the best meal I have ever had. The service was impeccable and the ambiance was groovy. I can't wait to eat here again!
(5)Brian P.
Masaharu Morimoto. There's a reason he's an Iron Chef. And for those of you who will say the restaurant just takes his name, I have eaten food made by him here once and even got a picture with him. But besides that little cool factor, this place is great. The chawan mushi is amazing. It's so silky, smooth and decadent. The takoyaki is also excellent. I was not as impressed by the pineapple tempura but that has more to do with my own hyped up expectations. It was good but not mind blowing. The catch of the day, however, was the best fish dish I have ever eaten. I don't remember what it was (some kind of Mediterranean fish) but it was incredibly good. I've never managed to save enough room for dessert. so I can't comment on that but everything I've ever tried has been good to the best thing I ever ate so 5 stars.
(5)Chris S.
We went back - and it only got BETTER. The food, the ambiance, the views, the food - nothing else can hold a candle to our dinner tonight. Thank you Nic, thank you Megan and thank you Chef Morimoto and your staff for making tonight a night to remember. The toro belly sashimi was melt in your mouth fantastic, and the peanut chocolate bombe dessert was probably the finest dessert we have ever had. Good thing that you don't have a restaurant in the Scottsdale/Phoenix area - otherwise we would be there every other night. Thank you for making tonight such a special occasion.
(5)Sarina A.
This restaurant is at the perfect location- The Modern Honolulu. Ambiance, service, and food were all amazing. We had dinner outside rather than inside because I felt that inside was a tad bit stuffy in this heat. Every item we ordered had so much flavor and the presentation was very well done. We had the : morimoto sashimi- there were 5 cool different dippping sauces. this dish looks small but dont underestimate it because its still filling. oysters foie gras- the combination of the two was more than amazing. wagyu carpaccio- melts in your mouth! morimoto style poke- the mozzarella cheese and tomato added a good texture and flavor to the dish. chocolate peanut bombe- a must try. its just that good! We were given a complimentary dessert for our anniversary. It was their home made guava sorbet and it was delish! Each item was a must try!! I would defintely order each of these items again and would defintely come back.
(5)Vy N.
This restaurant is BEST for Friday dinner around 7:00pm! Location (4/5): This restaurant locates on the first floor inside the Modern Honolulu Hotel. It took us a while to find the entrance since we are not local. When we got there, there is a valet parking option so we didn't have to worry about finding parking. You can walk upstairs (stairs are on the right side of the entrance) or take the elevator to the restaurant. The restaurant itself is right next to the swimming pool which is beautiful! Since I requested for a beautiful view, they seated us outside so we can see the beautiful Harbor of Waikiki Beach full with yachts and caught the fireworks at night. Services (3/5): I tried to reserve seats through OpenTable and the app said there was no seat available until one more month. Then, I called directly to the restaurant and was able to get my reservation right away. If you have any specific requests such as writing personal message on the desserts, don't forget to tell them in advance! Since I did that and also requested for the best seats in the house, they gave us the most ideal spot for photo taking and watching the fireworks. Mahalo management staffs! On the other hand, their table service is without a doubt slow. I'm not sure if they have less staffs or what... It took them a long time to bring us food, and took them a longer time to clean our table! Food (3.5/5): Since the menu here is similar to the Morimoto menu in Napa, I was so excited to try everything! One of the MUST TRY dishes is the Toro tartare, the Morimoto signature dish. Everyone loved the experience and the uniqueness of the dish. Besides the fresh sushi, the flavors here is no way comparable to the Morimoto in Napa. Plus, the pricing is a little bit more expensive I believe. Whatever appetizer and main course you order, don't forget to order desserts! I'm not much of the sweet tooth kind of gal, but I love any chocolate dessert at any Morimoto! The dessert NEVER disappoints. Plus, this is a perfect way to end a meal, or to make someone in your party feel special with a written message on it! *romantic huh? wink wink* I would only come here on Friday nights around 7:00pm and reserve seats to be seated outside, because the fireworks at Hyatt happened around 7:45pm every Friday!
(3)Lisa S.
Set in the ultra stylish Modern Hotel my girls and I were looking forward to dining here for a belated wedding celebration for our staycation in Waikiki. Before we even sat down, I was already starting to question the quality of their service - mainly with their communication. Upon making reservations online, I noted that we'd be celebrating a special occasion. When receiving a courtesy call within the week prior to our reservation, I had confirmed that (1) we'd be placed near an area close to where we can view the Friday fireworks and (2) if something nice can be done in celebration for my recent newly wed friend. When checking in, I was asked again if we're celebrating something special and felt like I was reiterating what I discussed with someone earlier, but I figured maybe they forgot. We were seated on a table right outside their indoor dining area, which wasn't what I had thought, but at that point I didn't want to bother asking to be moved. The food was delicious, however diners should be advised that you're paying for the service, quality of food and the presentation. Nothing stood out, but their Duck Duck Duck is something I'd try again. When the dessert menu came, our waiter asked if we were celebrating anything special...."Are you kidding me??" I thought. Being that I wanted this to be a surprise for my girl, I was shocked that while I mentioned to the hostess in detail of what we were celebrating and even identified and spelt out her name, it was a disappointment to see that the message didn't get passed onto our waiter. So a little annoyed, I told the waiter to go check back with the hostess. 10 minutes later after nothing on their dessert menu interested us, a comp dessert came to us and the smiles on my girls made it all worth it. I would hope their communication with these type of things improve over time as for the type of restaurant this is, I'd expect better.
(3)Bogdan K.
Aloha, first let me say this is my first review of this restaurant in Waikiki, but not my first or fifth dining experience at this establishment. The reason to come here is simple, you expect a elevated experience in a comfortable yet classy atmosphere. However this Thursday was not the case, my sister who is traveling between Europe and Asia has a stopover in Honolulu, this was the place I chose and to my disappointment they did not deliver. The chef tasting menu, which we had number of times at this establishment was somehow missing that attention to detail we enjoy so much, the service and explanation of the dishes presented fell flat, somehow missing that spark. Will there be a next time I ask myself, with the options in town hmm I wonder.
(2)Cay A.
Martin, our server, was awesome! He was very knowledgeable about the food and his timing was perfect. The place is very nice -- located in The Modern Hotel where valet is complimentary. We were seated in the patio where the weather was perfect. The menu was very a very impressive fusion of flavors. Unfortunately, the dishes' taste did not live up to Morimoto or the $$$$ level. They were definitely good but we came in with with a super high expectation. My fave dish was the Morimoto poke where he seamlessly mixed bocconcini with cubes of tuna sashimi, togarashi and bonito flake foam.
(3)Victoria C.
I really wanted to like Morimoto and have been back a few times, unfortunately each time I go I am not that impressed. This last time that I went I decided to take my mom here for her birthday lunch (bad idea... should of learned the first 2 times) thinking that the lunch menu offers different items plus it's a little cheaper. She has never been to Morimoto so I thought it would be something nice for her to try. At lunch time they offer lunch sets which come with a few pieces of sushi, a salad and miso soup. They also have rice bowl dishes like chirashi and sandwiches. I ordered the lobster melt which came with wasabi fries (so good!) and a small salad. My meal was pretty good and one of the dishes I'd recommend getting. My sister got the hiyashi loco moco set which honestly we both have tasted better hiyashi before. The dish itself wasn't so bad but just nothing special. My mom's dish was the black cod fish set which unfortunately she did not like. She barely ate the fish as it wasn't appetizing and the sushi was just mediocre. It's unfortunate that such a nice fine dining place by a well known chef serves such mediocre food especially for the price you are paying! Thankfully the waiter took her cod fish off the bill but still a disappointment as she didn't enjoy her birthday lunch. I felt a little bad as I was the one that suggested this place! But it's okay because we had dinner somewhere much better! As for the things I like about Morimoto is their atmosphere. It's definitely very modern & chic. The place itself is actually pretty big and they have outdoor seating as well. Service was pretty good and our waiter was nice & accommodating. Food presentation was definitely on point. Too bad the food doesn't taste as good as it looks! The desserts made up for our unsatisfying meal. We tried the peanut bombe which is perfect if you love peanut butter! The tofu cheesecake was pretty interesting. It was nice and light. My mom also got a complimentary birthday sorbet which was very delicious. She was pleased with the desserts. *phew* At least something was good there!
(3)Ivy Lou H.
Morimoto Waikiki is the place I wish I could eat at every night. You walk in and are greeted with a modern chic atmosphere that makes you feel like Iggy Azalea; "Fancy". The outdoor seating is really the best part of the restaurant and it's so nice to have the flames from the fireplace and beautiful people to occupy your eyes instead of your phone for a change. Tres Romantic. Go for the Lobster here as we did and you'll experience a crustacean that's packing some heat. The creme fraiche provides a perfect counter balance to the spices. Nearly everything on the menu was extremely enticing and not the same old boring choices we're usually faced with when eating out. Save room for the Chocolate Shisso or Chocolate Peanute Bombe desserts; they're like being tucked into bed with a kiss after a long day.
(5)Krista J.
Awesome place! The place itself is beautiful. Great dishes. Get the omakase! The chef is truly amazing. I love this restaurant. Went here for my birthday and keep going back. Super friendly staff too!
(5)Paige S.
I've been here 5+ times over the span of 2 years and I can honestly say, it gets better every time. Lets keep this one short and sweet so you know whats up! Tips: Call ahead for reservations, or use open table! If you have special requests don't forget to ask, they have always been more than accommodating! Lunch during the weekdays are awesome, not as crowded and service is 10000%! Great for: Dinner with friends, lunch with your bffs -- not so good for an intimate romantic dinner. Location: On the 2nd floor of the Modern Hotel in Waikiki Parking: Valet! Ambiance: Modern, hip, upbeat, with an oriental be beachy twist. Service: Exceptional to say the least! It is even awesome during peak holiday hours with the entire restaurant bustling! What we ordered: Unless they have changed the menu in the past 6 months, we have tried 90% of the menu. I have not tried the omakase but you can bet your bottom i've got my eye on it! What you should order: --LUNCH--- Anything really, the entire menu is soooo affordable for quality foods in the heart of waikiki. Favorites are Chirashi Sushi, Loco Moto, Kakuni Don ---APPETIZERS--- Crispy rock shrimp tempura - MIND BLOWING FLAVORS! Wagyu carpaccio -- MELT IN YOUR MOUTH! !PINEAPPLE TEMPURA!!!! --- omg! SO GOOD! Kakuni -- Magic! --Dinner-- The special is ALWAYS a great choice -Crispy Whole Fish -Duck Duck Duck -Surf and turf -1lb australian wagyu rib eye -- you don't even need a knife, it just falls apart! -Sushi- Obviously all delicious, but the must order is oh toro for me! Desserts I have officially had them all and I LOVE THEM ALL! Did we see the Chef? YES! Actually, on our last trip there he was humbly cleaning the air vents or something in a casual shirt and white shorts! WHAT! I was star struck and missed my photo op but I SAW HIM! And you might too! Overall, Wonderful restaurant that is so delicious! From the very polite, attentive staff to the seriously mind blowing life changing food, there is no stone left unturned. I LOVE MORIMOTO WAIKIK! and I'm sure you will too! Make your way down here ASAP!
(5)Kanoe I.
Dined at this modern Japanese eatery in the beautiful Modern Hotel and loved it! The restaurant's decor is what draws you in....pastel colors of green, beige and purple adds a contemporary and modern touch. They do have both indoor and outdoor seating. We opted to sit indoors because it was much more comfortable and it had a perfect view of the open space kitchen. Morimoto wasn't there...we were bummed. We stared at the menu and didn't know what to order so we asked our waitress for suggestions. Here is what she recommended and we enjoyed each dish: Tuna Pizza ($19): Very different and light, thinly sliced pieces of ahi over a thinly baked tortilla. The jalapeños add a little bite to it, which I thought made it tasty. We loved it so much, we ordered two. Whitefish Carpaccio ($17): Thinly sliced sashimi with hot oil, ginger and yuzu sauce. This dish was served with fresh greens. Very healthy and light.....Highly recommend this! Crispy Rock Shrimp Tempura ($18): This dish included battered shrimp prepared two different ways: one in a "spicy kochujan sauce" and the other in a "wasabi aioli sauce." Both were delicious. Tempura Calamari Salad ($18): Fresh greens with calamari in a white miso dressing. This salad was good but the fried calamari gave it an "unhealthy" taste. We ended up eating the greens and pushing the calamari to the side. Fresh Oysters: Beautiful presentation but the portion was small. They do offer several different sauces for it so that was good. I would opt for something else the next time. Overall, we really enjoyed our experience here and will definitely be back. Thank You to the staff for their excellent service!!
(5)Celina Q.
As non-celebrators of Valentines Day, my boyfriend treated me to a romantic night at Morimotos on Friday the 13th (of February). Located in the Modern Hotel, Morimotos is the perfect blend of authentic Japanese cuisine, local flavor and that high-end ambiance we sometimes search for. Parking is valet, the restaurant validates, so good deal there. On this visit, there were three stand out items I need to mention: 1. Takoyaki app; twist on an Asian fave, it featured a decadent butter shoyu sauce with large takoyaki balls. These had abalone in them instead of tako, a bit pricey at $18 for 6 pieces, but hey, its Morimotos 2. Ishi Yaki Buri Bop; take the meat and toppings out of your traditional bibimbap and youve got this Morimoto creation. With fresh yellow tail and rice, this dish was made table side by out server. Though I didnt have any, the bf said it was a great dish 3. Chocolate Peanut Bombe; LOVE. not too sweet and a great size. Salted peanut ice cream is soo delish! And the cookie-like cremuex? melts in the mouth! Service was a little slow on this night, but we can blame that on a popular location and date so close to V-day. Keep in mind, Morimotos is also known for their sushi selection of rolls and nigiri, but nigiri orders only come with one piece! Make sure to order enough pieces for your group! Though I have no picture to prove it, Chef Morimoto himself was there on this special night! It was pretty cool to see a celebrity chef, even though his name is on the restaurant. From what I could tell, he was not meeting any guests or taking photos, boo.
(4)Rebecka A.
Complimentary valet parking in front of The Modern. We had a reservation for 6:45 and arrived at 6:00, and they seated us right away which was great. I requested a table with a view on the on-line reservation form, and we were seated with a great view of the marina and setting sun. The waiter and water guy were attentive and patient when we took a long time to order drinks, appetizers and dinner. The Morimotini is cucumber, vodka and sake. It is strong and refreshing! For appetizers, we had the pork gyoza (with bacon cream foam! what does that even mean?!) and the ahi pizza. Sashimi grade ahi on a crispbread. The gyoza were ok, fun with the foam but I didn't taste too much bacon. The ahi pizza was amazing! So delicious. For dinner I ordered the duck, duck, duck. Of the three ducks, the best was the regular sliced duck breast meat with pineapple salsa on top. Delicious! The other two ducks, a meatball broth covered in a flaky crust top and a spring roll (note singularity: it's one spring roll cut in half) were both ok. The presentation of all the dishes was great. For dessert (yes we went all out!) we had the soy cheesecake and the peanut butter bomb. Dang is that peanut butter bomb, bomb! :D It's like a big candy bar, but very light and easy to eat. I would say that as far as fine dining goes, Morimoto does well. I didn't have anything I didn't like, but a few of the dishes didn't 'wow' me so that's why I gave it 4 stars and not 5. For the price I would have wanted a bit more pizzazz in those gyoza and the duck meatballs and spring roll. #100in2015 (#16)
(4)Mr K.
I'm so sad to write this review. I'm originally from Hawaii and of Japanese descent. Chef Morimoto has always been a favorite of mine since the original Iron Chef. When traveling, my family and I like to eat at well known and acclaimed places for the experience. Morimoto Waikiki was definitely a destination dinner and I had high expectations. Unfortunately, by night's end, I was disappointed and confused. Let's start with the restaurant itself. It is a beautiful space. We sat on the lanai overlooking the marina which provided a nice tranquil ambiance. For food, my wife and I ordered the tasting menu. Perhaps we should have ordered ala carte in retrospect as there were maybe one or two dishes I would try again. The hamachi and toro tartare was cute, but it really didn't showcase the fish. The minced meat consistency is not appealing and all the accroutremonts are extraneous. The kampachi with hot sesame oil was good, a little play on chinese style steamed fish. The vegetable bagna calda was a throwaway dish. I mean it was ok, but it had no Japanese or island influence and maybe would be better served in a different context. The foie gras chawanmushi was easily the star of the night, traditional Japanese with a French twist and perfectly executed. This is what I expected for the entire meal. The intermezzo was a mushroom tea. However, I think it was eringi mushroom and not matsutake. Could have at least made a small dobin mushi. The nigiri plate was ok, but not something I would order in this setting. I was hoping that the mixed grill would be the saving grace at this point. Everything was overcooked and yet cold at the same time. Bummer because it's hard to mess up lobster and wagyu. I liked the dessert. The butter mochi was a nice touch. The service was acceptable, but for a restaurant of this caliber, it should be so much better. I shouldn't have to flag staff down for the wine pairing with the current dish or have my water glass completely empty for 10 minutes. Also, the waiter and food runners were giving me different descriptions for the same course. it's all in the details. In the end, Morimoto Waikiki didn't deliver. For reference, I easily have 50+ Michelin stars under my belt and depending on the list, close to half of the top 100 in the restaurants in the US ranging from casual to uber fine dining.At maybe $50 per person, this would get one more star from me, but at $200 per person it falls way short.
(3)Jana U.
Brandon was a wonderful server!! We came in with moderate expectations and were pleasantly surprised with the friendly service, delicious food and lovely outdoor setting. We had several dishes and all were expertly prepared and hot when they arrived at our table. The only issue was the wait time for our food. This is where Brandon really shined as our waiter. Sometimes waiters hide from tables when they know they've been waiting for food, but Brandon came out and personally gave updates in our food and apologized for the delay. The food was delicious and though the wait is long, it's worth it.
(3)Karl S.
We have been waning to try a Morimoto for quite a while, just never in the right time place. Very happy we found one on Oahu! Arrived for our 7 pm reservations and were warmly greeted by very friendly and professional Hostess, we were struck by how beautiful and relaxing the restaurant is decorated and laid out. Once seated our Server was on it, very accommodating with plenty of useful suggestions. We started with awesome Martinis. We tried the Yellowtail Pastrami and the Pork Gyoza, along with the Kakuni, a 10 hour braised Pork Belly all were absolutely amazing dishes. For the main course I picked the Seafood 'Toban Yaki' which was one of the best things I've ever eaten. Wifey chose the Australian Wagyu Filet, super tender and wonderful flavors. Overall one of the best dining experiences we've had in Waikiki, which is not an easy thing to do.
(5)Harry N.
I came to this restaurant, because I was recommended by a family member, it came highly recommended. I gave it 5 stars because I truly felt the food was amazing and the service was even better. For every appetizer or main dish we were given a new set- up and new plates. Our glasses were always topped off, they wouldn't let our drinks get below half full. The sushi was delicious. The portions are small , but creatively prepared and the tastes are very unique. This style of sushi reminds me of the NOBU sushi chain in California. The prices were on the expensive side, but worth it. Our bill for 4 people, including drinks, appetizers and main dishes came out $350. To top everything off, the scenery from the outside balcony was amazing. You can watch the sinset.
(5)Betsy B.
Modern atmosphere in the Modern Hotel owned by celebrity chef. I walked over from the Ilikai Hotel by coming past the pool but my friend drove and got validated parking. There is indoor and outdoor seating but if you arrive in the evening before the sun is down, it can be a challenge to get a seat where one of you doesn't have sun in your eyes-the curtains don't really block out the sun. In any event, the service was outstanding with our server being very helpful and attentive without being intrusive. We each had an appetizers to start which were generous proportions and filling. I had the tempura rock shrimp that came in a three section dish with one having shrimp in a spicy kochujan sauce, one having shrimp in wasabi aioli and the last being a ranch dressing with some celery sticks but it was interesting to dip the other shrimp lightly in the ranch dressing now and then as well. It was cooked nicely and enjoyed the taste. I had the California roll next which was very good. The last thing I had was a tofu cheesecake that we shared and it was more tasty than expected as well as being very light-more like a mouse. Although it can be pricey, you can easily get by with appetizers-I would have had an entree had I not already filled up. The service was as good as I've ever had. The only drawback was the noise level and glare from the sun. It is worth a visit at least once though.
(4)Elysse P.
The restaurant is located inside The Modern Honolulu (where we were staying). If you're a weirdo like me and watched Iron Chef before you went to sleep every night, you know who Chef Morimoto is. This was a must on my list so we made a ressie as soon as we booked our flights. The restaurant ambiance reflects The Modern. Gorgeous and chic, but still simple. Loved the floral artwork on the walls and moss tables... and even the little details like the clear chopsticks. + Sushi platter - they are very flexible when it comes to the different platters. As the prices go up, the quantity and quality go up as well. We went with the 180 option and specified we all really wanted uni. There were 5 of us. The chef worked with our request and made 5 of each fish. Our platter came with 7 different types of sushi (including our beloved uni), spicy tuna roll, and tamago to finish. DELICIOUS. This is definitely a must. + Oysters with foie gras and uni - Set of 3 oysters. 3 of my favorite things in one dish. DO it. + Toro tartar - Really enjoyed the presentation and flavor. The toro is SO fatty and the 5 sauces accompanying the toro definitely complete the dish. I would also recommend this. + Alaskan crab legs - we were excited because the waiter explained they would be flavored in spice... but disappointed to find out that the flavor was actually a spicy, thick mayo......... not really our preference. The side of fries were crispy, but again smothered in the mayonnaise and thus a big soggy and less appetizing as the sauce continued to soak. I would only recommend this dish to mayonnaise lovers. + pork belly congee - the pork belly is beyond tender and HAS SO MUCH FLAVOR. Worked perfectly with the congee (porridge). I would recommend this dish for sure. + 12th rose - HIBIKI 12 year old whiskey (really good Japanese whiskey) mixed with some sort of lavender lemonade, rosemary... and other stuff. I can't remember and it's not on their online menu yet! The waiter did mention that it's one of their newest cocktails. AMAZING. I was expecting to dish out on this meal, but it was not bad at all. Spent about $65/each with tip. The service is absolutely perfect. Our waiter was very informative, made great recommendations, and really worked with us in creating the perfect sushi platter. He also brought out complimentary sorbet and chocolate for my birthday :) I realllyyyy enjoyed Morimotos!
(5)Jin H.
Foods are just ok, poor service quality. Good location by Harbor but uncomfortable table layout.
(2)Reina L.
From the moment we walked in and Duane helped us with the menu...to all the great servers and the delicious foods...this has been one of my best birthday dinners. This is one of my top three restaurants! We started with the sashimi platter, then tried a sushi platter, from there we got the tenpura squid salad, and then finally decided to order our main course meals. I loved that Duane was so helpful and everyone was so friendly that this made my son and my first experience here wonderful!
(5)Jackie M.
Morimoto is a large chain. The restaurant its self is nice. The service was terrible all across the board. Shame on them. Our party arrived. The hostesses just stood up there, didnt greet anyone. It took them a few minutes to even acknowledge us to check in. The restaurant was probably about 15% occupied. & Mind you, this restaurant is huge. I already knew these hostesses were going to be a problem. Upon making the reservation, they were extremely rude over the phone. I called from upstairs, because I was a guest at the hotel. We were coming here for a birthday, and asked for their suggestion on where to be seated. She was very rude when she stated "its all preference". I had to pry into her, like does it get windy? Does it get cold? I need some suggestions dammnit. It was slow season in Hawaii. The restaurant was dead! I was really unimpressed. At dinner we ordered probably about 10 dishes (including sushi) between 4 people, and they could not get the timing right bringing them out. Sometimes it was super slow, or super fast. We were shocked, and had to tell them to slow down at one point because we got bombarded with 4 large dishes at once. Other than the absolute terrible service, sushi newbs would probably love this restaurant. The dishes look pretty, but hawaii has so many great sushi/japanese spots off the strip. If you prefer to go to a "famous chef" chain, I think the food is alot better at Nobu. Majority of this post reflects on the bad service across the board. The sushi is an average 3 star. The entrees were a 2.
(1)Neen J.
I have eaten at some of the most incredible restaurants in the world and I love the way food tastes and is plated ... this place blew my mind! Every single mouthful was a delight visually and in taste. My honey and I sat outside and it was quieter than inside and we ordered the tasting menu - so worth it. I got the GF version and it was almost identical to my honey. The first course of sashimi was served inside a shell filled with ice and accompanied with a small little shovel type device and we were encouraged to take a little fish and add some sauce and the many accompaniments with it. I can't explain how fun it was. The second course of white fish carpaccio in oil was spectacular. The sushimi course was generous and incredibly fresh. I loved the broth bath of anchovy with the vegetables and the entree of Australian wagyu beef, pork belly and fresh prawns was amazing. They also offer a salty tea like cleaner between course. The dessert was delish and I didn't want it to end but I couldn't have fitted in any more food - so many courses, so delicious. We felt very spoilt as there was also a fireworks display that night so the whole evening was very special. Our waiter Mark was attentive, caring and fun. I know there are mixed reviews on this place however our experience was excpetional from the moment we arrived until we left.
(5)Donald Kawika C.
What can I say! The food was amazing . Service was on par and the drinks were very good. I recommend the shrimp app followed by Duck Duck Duck or the grilled Butterfish......so good!
(5)Kristine L.
I do not know why this place got 3 1/2 stars. This place is hella bomb. Came here with my bf and his parents. We love all what we ordered. We tried to come back one more time before we leave oahu but we came in around 9pm and they didnt let anyone come in anymore. But its kooo.
(5)Rosalynn E.
Thank you Chad for reaching out....I decided to come back and try the dinner menu again. I have been here many times for breakfast and lunch but it's been years since for dinner. I saw that there are a few new items in the dinner menu there is a curry dish...sorry can't remember the name and duck, duck, duck that is prepared 3 different ways. I arrived at 6pm....I highly recommend to sit outside at this time. As we dined we were able to enjoy the most beautiful sunset. My main server was Andrew with 2 other guys that stopped by. He was informative and attentive...with a smile. Apps: toro tartare- a must, so pretty. Rock shrimp- everyone likes this including the kids. Wagyu carpaccio- served hot with Yuzu and soy YUMMY Dinner: Black cod or butterfish cooked to perfection Angry chicken- nice flavors the Pork Chops are thick and very very juicy. Dessert: chocolate cake. I can't wait to come back and do the omakase
(5)Barrett D.
Atmosphere: When approaching the entrance of Morimoto's, the place is stanchioned by two looming wooden doors; a resounding impression of power. I liked it already. Inside I was greeted by one of the most elegant dining areas I've had the privilege to experience. The entire room is tastefully decorated with sleek, modern furniture, clean colors, and clever accent pieces. Appropriate to Honolulu, a marine theme held sway with seashells prominently displayed and tile mosaics shouting from the walls. Service: The staff at Morimoto's left nothing to be desired. Service was faultless, prompt, and explanations of each dish by our waiter were succinct and fascinating. Each course arrived in a timely and well balanced manner. I especially liked the chopsticks and chopstick rests. I actually went out of my way to find them online and order some as a gift for a friend! You can find them at korin.com Food: Few things delight me like creative dishes and Morimoto's delivered in spades. Presentation was en pointe; beautifully plated, colorfully arranged, and absolutely delicious. My cocktail tasted like the nectar of the gods. Each course brought pomp and zest to the table. My experience: damn near perfect. I give a resounding recommendation for Morimoto's in Waikiki.
(5)Jaclyn O.
Located on the 2nd floor in the Modern Hotel, Morimoto-Waikiki has a lovely ambience, friendly staff, and great menu. The toro tartare ($28) and steamed scallops ($18) were delicious.
(5)Amy K.
The best. I had tuna pizza, octopus carpaccio, Australian wagyu filet, O Toro, ishi yaki buri bop, and rock shrimp tempura. Staff was friendly and knowledgeable. All around great experience.
(5)Rayshawn W.
The food at this restaurant is amazing!!!...and I'm not just hyping this up because Morimoto is an Iron Chef. The ambiance of the restaurant was nice and mellow. It wasn't a busy night so reservations weren't needed however it is recommended. The moment I sat down, I instantly began ordering appetizers and main courses. (I was excited to try Morimoto's food). The service was nice and opinions shared from the waiter helped on some of my rather quick choices. The food began to arrive and I was amazed. The food had a great taste and were not lacking in what I consider to be a decent portion in an upscale restaurant. His take on loco moco was epic and I cant even describe how good the spicy Alaskan King crab was. I actually believe his food is a lot better than Bobby Flay's which I've been argued against from others saying Flay's food tops all of the Iron Chefs. This is the 4th Iron Chef restaurant I've had the opportunity to visit and it ranks high on my list. I wish there was a Morimoto restaurant here in Los Angeles. Great food and well worth the price. Dinner 5/8/2014
(5)Silva H.
The family and i found this on our previous vacation. We were so excited that our palette was introduced to various fresh flavours that when this family vacation was booked we had to visit Morimotos again. Celebrating Health and a new extended family ( my son proposed to his long time girlfriend) anyway, what can I say about the food, the service , the atmosphere, relaxed, upscale chic. We had 10 waiters at all time on our table. Rachael helped plan our evening weeks ago and was their to make sure everything was as planned. Thank you soooo much. Did I mention the food? AMAZING! Can't wait to return.
(5)Daniel W.
Food was excellent! Service was nice. Was a little humid the night we went. Would be nice if they had some fans in the outdoor seating area to make it more comfortable. I know it is Hawaii, but it would be nice to have a dress policy for dinner service. I'm getting a little tired of going to Waikiki for fine dining and sitting next to tourists in t-shirts and slippers, while paying $100 a head for dinner.
(4)Courtney E.
Overall the food was delicious. I had dinner here with my sister on a Wednesday night, reservations recommended. Food: Tuna pizza = yum Foie gras chawan mushi = definitely get this, rich but so buttery tasting $45 Sushi plate - 10 pieces and a tuna roll Eel avocado roll Shrimp tempura roll I would say the sushi was average, nothing out of this world. Was fresh and good. No complaints. Tuna and foie gras are a must!
(4)Tom M.
Somebody's getting too big for their britches. This place has a great reputation and a pretty interior, but the cracks are showing. We went to get a cocktail on the patio at sunset around the fire pit, but almost missed it because the staff was inundated during a shift change. We watched 15-20 waiters and bus boys pass us without the slightest glance as they rushed to get tables ready for dinner. So after 10 minutes of trying to get someone's eye, I had to go to the bar myself. Behind the bar, they confirmed by suspicion about the shift change. I ordered drinks, but had to wait until the bartender cut up all the ingredients and garnishes (obviously, the previous shift didn't back up the bar and hung them out to dry). As I stood there, I got to watch the sun go down through the door out to the patio. Not the romantic drink together we'd hoped for. While our drinks were well-made, I had to notice that the fire pit couches we were sitting on were spotted with dark stains, and the white cocktail tables were worn and dirty. I'd really like to come back for their much-lauded dinners sometime, but it might take some convincing.
(3)Susan S.
Loved it. First time at the Waikiki location. Josh was amazing. Loved the Ahi Tartare...fabulous presentation. Calamari salad was tasty. Hamachi tacos were excellent. Sashimi Collection was a picture perfect display of numerous cuts of fresh fish. Delicious!!!
(5)Jennie M.
Holy Hanna-ble Lector! I am in serious love with Morimoto's! Sleek, sexy design with really intricate and amazing ocean art you feel like you are eating inside a 5 star restaurant in Atlantis. The walk up bar is a great place to come for a delicious cocktail and small bite (especially if you want the Morimoto experience without the Morimoto price tag). Yes, it's true, it is probably some of the most expensive sushi you'll ever eat, but it is just so worth it - at least to go once. Ever since the very beginning of the Iron Chef I have being absolutely enthralled by Chef Morimoto, and I am so glad I the opportunity to come. Every roll, cone, sushi, sushimi and roe was fresh, innovative and delicious. Oh, and they have the crazy coolest chopsticks I have ever used... I even bought a pair to bring home!
(5)Kazemaru Y.
The overall rating is a five... I haven't been to every country on the globe but I've lived on three continents and visited four. So I've eaten a few great meals in my days. For me the overall experience is very important... If the food is extremely good and the place not it can still be ok... But mostly the overall experience is what sets a 5 star. The Morimoto restaurant itself is extremely clean, modern yet comfortably designed. You can bring an important guest here without being nervous for the impression it will make. Loved sitting outside yet under cover with beautiful view over the harbor. All ingredients were very fresh and well selected. Each dish prepared carefully and well presented. The flavors well balanced and prepared. I love vegetarian sushi and each piece was delicious and small as sushi should be. One piece fits elegantly into your mouth in one bite without making a mess. You can eat in style here! Staff was super friendly and patient with all our detailed questions. Our guests commented with delight on the pleasant and calm nature of the waiter. Will definitely go back!
(5)Gray G.
This is a great restaurant for special occasions. It is located in Waikiki. I would say that the food is very expensive but it is well worth the experience. There are dining areas both inside and out. Inside you can watch the people in the kitchen busy at work and outside there is a beautiful view of the boat harbor which is especially magnificent at sunset. I don't remember the names of most of what we ordered but it was all very delicious. What stood out to me was the Hamachi Tacos and the Tuna Pizza. Both are must try appetizers! I would highly recommend this location. In addition, one thing I forgot to mention was our waiter. He is top notch. His name is Duane and he is very knowledgeable, very friendly. He came by our table many times and recommended some great dishes to us. I would like to have him as our waiter again when we go here in the future. You will have a great experience if you have him as a waiter. If the mangement is reading this, treat him well and maybe give him a raise! I hope all the waiters are like Duane.
(5)Reid A.
The Iron Chef lives up to expectations. Morimoto's was a great experience for my family and me. We had a $100 dollar gift card and that helped us through the door in the first place. I think most people would agree this place is pricey, but it isn't astronomically pricey. Without subtracting the gift card, we paid $60 per person - same as Roy's or Alan Wong's. I think what really made our experience great was the choice of ordering style, our server, and the atmosphere. I would not recommend doing your regular appetizer-entree-dessert type style. I highly recommend ordering tapa style that allows everyone to share the smaller dishes. This will give you the opportunity to try way more dishes without banking on one dish to satisfy you. I like this ordering style and it fits with Japanese izakaya places. Order 3 dishes and if you want more, you order more as you go along. There were a lot of stand-outs here, which is why I won't go into detail since you can't go wrong. The top 4 were - pork gyoza, whitefish carpaccio, takoyaki, and the choclate peanut bombe. The names sound simple, but trust me, they are all very unique and extremely good. The presentation was outstanding, just like on iron chef. I think it's best that I don't show you pictures of it...I leave that to other yelpers to spoil it for you. The service was on point. Our dining experience ran about 2 hours long. This is pretty normal fine dining eating time. The eating experience felt like an hour to me. Our server, Duane, explained in detail each dish and also answered any questions we had. Our server was a huge help and made very good recommendations. The atmosphere was very fitting for the hotel. The Modern is very modern, in a simplistic way. This hotel is so easy to miss. It seems like this hotel doesn't want to be seen. Simple forms and walls, with detail in certain areas. Morimoto's is very much the same way. It feels like a heavenly beach experience with white walls, hanging coral art installations, and light green accents. We sat inside, which was the better way to go. Outside gets dark and I seen a few people holding up their phones to read the menu. The parking is valet at the main entrance on Hobron Lane across Red Lobster. It's easy to miss, since there is no signage. Once you get out your car there is enough signage to guide you upstairs. Valet is free, just remember to validate it. The restrooms are outside the restaurant and they are beautiful. Make sure to use it, or just walk in to check it out. This was a great fine dining experience and I'd come here again for special occasions. This place got me with a gift card, but it will keep me coming back without one.
(5)Shekita T.
Original visit: Fall 2014 Only after experiencing the restaurant's other locations (Philadelphia, MB) was I able to truly appreciate the high quality of service and detail this restaurant offers! This is by far Morimoto's best location. I found both the Foie Gras Duck and Peanut Butter bomb especially satiating.
(5)Scott M.
My wife and I had just spent two wonderful weeks on Kauai and were slowly preparing for re-entry to the real world by doing some shopping at Ala Moana and dining in Honolulu. We were staying at the Moana Surfrider and decided to ask the concierge for a recommendation for really great sushi/sashimi. She had a few suggestions, but, top amongst them was Morimoto (and Nobu, but we know Nobu well here in Melbourne). I'd never heard of Morimoto. We don't watch American TV cooking programmes, and knew literally nothing about the chef, the venue, the menu; all we knew was the name and location and a recommendation from the concierge. So we said yes. We were lucky, the concierge was able to get us in for a 1700 seating, same day, and when it was a very busy season (02 Jan). The venue is gorgeous, spacious, comfortable. The service: WOW. My wife and I try to figure out how restaurants work, the zones, positions, etc, and Morimoto had, as far as I could tell, an unexpected way for the waiters to cover tables. It appeared that they would have tables to-and-from the front of the restaurant, rather than along the strong horizontal arrangement of tables themselves. I mention this because it creates a very subtle, yet pleasing, effect: The table immediately to your sides may have an entirely different waiter/waitress than you get. This makes the service feel more intimate, more specialised, and that there's plenty of staff to go around. I liked it, I appreciated it (and if you're reading this, Morimoto, I hope I'm not insane in noticing this). The meal: Spectacular. Every dish was fantastic. There were several things we wanted to order more of (the maki...we ended up with two extra maki rolls ordered at the end of the meal...YUM). Fish was fresh, excellent preparation, great presentation, everything made is smile and say "mmm" -- just last night my wife asked to go back! (If only we weren't thousands of kilometres away...) So, why only four stars instead of five? I have a rule about reviews/ratings: Consistency is key. I need to visit somewhere a few times and make sure that my initial impressions, no matter how rosy they may be, match up with a consistency of approach by the venue. I have no doubt that our next trip to Honolulu (later this year) will result in another Morimoto meal and I'll bump this up to 5 stars, but since we were at the last night of a spectacular holiday, I felt it fair to give it a second go, just to be sure. I'll also mention this: Some people complained about the prices -- in my opinion, they're insane. It was entirely reasonable for the meal. You should try eating out in Australia some time, where the same meal would cost you four or five times as much... GREAT restaurant, can't wait to return!!
(4)Priscilla Y.
I was looking forward to trying a restaurant opened by an Iron Chef and this did not disappoint one bit! Everything was FANTASTIC! (Dinner: April 8, 2015) Favourite dish: Morimoto style poke! Everything inside the bowl just worked so well together; the avocado wasabi sorbet and marinated cherry tomatoes in the bowl were great additions. The yellowtail maki was fresh and traditional, but not something you cannot get elsewhere. The clam miso was large and tasty. Braised black cod was very flavourful and rich, great with some rice/veg! The Duck, duck, duck was a good way to try duck 3 ways. The lamb chop was tender and cooked perfectly. Overall service was great and the servers explained each dish as they served it! Our server even told us when we sat down that there was only one lamb chop left so if we wanted it she could save it for us right away! I will definitely come back for another meal when I'm back in town!!
(5)BestofHawaiibyKalani S.
If you love traditional Japanese style Sushi & Sashimi my recommendation is to sit at the Sushi Bar and tell them Omakase please. Chef Suda san is a perfectionist when cutting his fish. I love the menu but don't expect traditional Japanese style cuisine. Pros: 1. Very professional staff at the front checking you in. 2. Sushi Chef Suda San Knife skills is a big asset to Morimoto Waikiki 3. The sake/Soju & wine selection is priced right for all. 4. Don't feel rushed to eat your food and leave. 5. Great selection of food from the menu especially the yoshi dofu Cons: 1. The A/C vent keep dripping water on to our shoulders 2. No Amai ebi (Fresh Sweet Shrimp) 3. Nothing else I can think of... :-) I've been to so many Japanese restaurants in Hawaii and Morimoto is one of my top recommendations to eat. BestofHawaiibyKalani.com
(5)Caleb S.
Food: 2.5 Stars Service: 4 Stars I am not sure what I was expecting when I walked in here, but Morimoto's failed to meet it. The food wasn't bad, but it wasn't what I would expect from a place that charges this much. It seemed uninspired and just didn't move the needle at all. We tried appetizers, salad, sushi sashimi, entrees and dessert, so this review isn't based off a single dish. The service was great, very prompt and friendly. The food came out quickly, but at our pace so we never felt rushed. Too bad the food flavor didn't match the service. I have to knock the overall rating based off the price to food quality ratio. TLDR: Save your money, try somewhere else.
(2)Kitty K.
I visited Morimoto's for a second time and once again, it didn't fail to impress. I ordered the shrimp tempura appetizer as an entree and I begun with the miso soup and clams. The shrimp was fresh, the crust was crispy, and the wasabi sauce and the sweet and sour sauces were creamy, rich and delicious. The cocktail of the day was light and crisp. I finished it off with a pot of green tea. The service was attentive and courteous.
(5)Antaash U.
My husband would be a Morimoto groupie if he could. He has raved about Morimoto for years and frequented the Honolulu and Napa locations multiple times. We also have the good fortune that Morimoto took over Japonais in Chicago so that his cuisine is extremely accessible. My first Morimoto experience was in Chicago, and it was very enjoyable. So, there was no way I was going to pass up an opportunity to dine at the original location while on vacation in Hawaii. I thought it was odd that the restaurant was housed in a hotel, but the ambiance was tres chic and ultra modern. It definitely gave off a swanky vibe in an approachable way. I really wish we could have dined on the patio, but it was unfortunately unavailable that night. I wish I could say that I was blown away by the flavors and presentation. I just was not. I had really, really high expectations going in, and nothing lived up to them. Most of the items we ordered were underwhelming because they were the cooked or vegetarian rolls. Because I am currently pregnant, and unable to enjoy real sushi, I still thought that if Morimoto was going to put a vegetarian roll on the menu, that it would be the best darn vegetarian roll the could do. WRONG. If they're going to put 6 veggie options on their menu, they should really try to do something unique with them. However, that's not what happened. The asparagus roll was pretty much white rice with small pieces of under-cooked asparagus rolled into the middle. I thought that there homemade soy sauce would be the needed umph, but the soy sauce was way too salty for my taste and as blasphemous as it might be to say, I actually missed my Kikoman low sodium soy sauce :(. If their creativity for 6 rolls was stifled, they should consider perhaps offering 3 vegetarian friendly rolls, but really doing something special with them. I'm just saying... Everything we ordered from the hot appetizers to the rolls was bland, boring and forgettable. I really wanted to love it, but I just didn't. I wonder if the people writing rave reviews for this place have limited sushi experience or they're just blinded by the space and the Morimoto reputation to be objective. Either way, it was a miss for me, and I would never suggest to anyone visiting Honolulu to go out of their way to dine here.
(2)Tanya C.
We were greeted by friendly staff that were very accommodating. (We were happy to see locals hired, especially because we knew a few of them). The restaurant itself is pretty big and beautifully decorated. We ordered the Toro tartare (a must get), kampachi carppaccio (another must get), pork gyoza with bacon foam (it was ok), soft shell crab sushi roll (it was ok), surf and turf (the steak was super soft and melted in your mouth, the poke was good quality and little to no tsuji), and chocolate shiso for dessert. Everything was plated beautifully and came out at appropriate times. We didn't have to wait long to eat. I went for my birthday and got a complimentary dessert as well. Suggestions: you could definitely share dishes, just order a bunch. The serving sizes weren't as small as we expected and were told.
(5)Han Y.
Very nice! I live in the Modern and it's my first time try at this Japanese restaurant.The chicken Ramen's soup is very tasty,noodles are smooth.Service is good and enthusiastic.Highly recommended.
(5)Rachael O.
Absolutely worth a visit, though, at these price points, choose wisely. I came for lunch with my son who is a chef in a Michelin-starred restaurant in the San Francisco Bay Area. I lived there for 18 years myself, so I have enjoyed some really fantastic meals which may sway my expectations. The servers were largely local, which means a great deal here in Hawaii. They were very attentive and competent, as expected in a restaurant of this caliber. The ambience is sheer perfection---light green and cream, gorgeous, modern, and tranquil. I was in no hurry for my food because I wanted to bask in it. As other reviewers have noted, it is in the Modern Hotel, which is absolutely lovely. I had one aim in eating here---to enjoy black cod, my favorite fish in the whole world. The lunch portion ($25) did not disappoint. Paired with miso soup, mixed green salad and chef's choice sushi (four nice pieces), it was the perfectly balanced meal. Of course that meant I needed to add a pear yuzu cocktail with jalapeño garnish ($14) and a trio of Wailua chocolate, green tea, and miso butterscotch ice cream for dessert ($10). The drink was strong and refreshing and the dessert was incredible. My son got the toro tartar ($35) which was gorgeously presented with and array of sauces--creme freche, wasabi, Maui onion, rice crackers and I forget the fifth (sorry!). The toro was good but not fantastic. It could have been a bit fresher and fattier, especially since this is winter. He also got a few pieces of nigiri and the Wagyu sliders with wasabi fries. He declared those better than the sushi and he's a major fan of sushi in general. I was surprised at previous raves about the sushi as overall, it's good, but not great and these are prices that call for great sushi. I will absolutely be back. Recommended for special occasions and getting your tranquil Zen vibe going.
(4)Littleone P.
We had gone here for my bday...and honestly was the best meal in Honolulu. The restaurant was located in the cool Modern Hotel. Sunset views were spectacular seated in the outdoor section. Sashimi were excellent! !..fresh, melt in your mouth like butta. We had the whole fish..absolutely delish. I absolutely loved the green tea and desserts. Prices: in reality, you pay for the high end food which I do not have a problem about. It is actually probably just slightly higher than a tourist trap off Waikiki beach. But food is darn good. Service was impeccable. Would send any wayward tourist there
(5)Jeff S.
Been wanting to head to Morimoto's for the last few trips to Hawaii - final made it! Absolutely fantastic - the location, view and food are off the charts - The sushi presentation was like a work of art and was probably some of the best i have ever had. The only downside.... service was not great - our waiter seemed distracted and pretty much ignored us for a table of pretty girls for the last hour of our visit. I tell you though, the food and ambiance well made up for the lack of service
(4)Paul M.
I was looking forward to checking out Morimoto during our trip to Hawaii. I have been a fan of his from the original Iron Chef so I definitely was curious to try some of his dishes. My wife had been to the Morimoto in Napa Valley and she said the food there was great. Morimoto is located inside the swank Modern Honolulu and it's chic white interior blends in great with the hotel's sleek aesthetic. We picked a table outside so we could enjoy the beautiful Honolulu night. First off the service here was great although the restaurant was very empty for some reason. My wife made the comment that at the Napa location she liked the appetizers much more than the entrees and oddly we found the same here as well. For apps we had: Crispy Rock Shrimp Tempura, Morimoto style poke, and a sushi roll. The Rock Shrimp tempura was great especially the spicy sauce. I liked the Poke as well although the foam was a little strange. Poke isn't really a dish that needs to be fancied up. For entrees we had: Chef's Loco moto, Seafood toban yaki, and the Ishi Yaki buri bop. Of the three I would say that the Ishi Yaki buri bop was the best although if you don't like seaweed don't order this as it has a strong seaweed taste. The Toban Yaki was very messy to eat and really didn't impress me as being an asian style dish. It was more like a Bouillabaisse in my opinion. The Loco moto is a dressed up version of a famous local comfort/hangover dish and was very mediocre. If you want to try this stick to the original in some local's spot. It will be cheap and good. Overall I would say that the experience here was positive but the food just wasn't that good for the price. Although it is rare, this is one of the occasions that the Iron Chef Japanese was defeated in his home stadium......
(3)Jayvell B.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the dining seats and tables and environment of the restaurant! I ordered an ice cream sampler with really great flavors: Green tea matcha, Miso Butterscotch (Absolute favorite), and a chocolate. I also ordered the pork belly sliders which were very flavorful. A great place for any occasion!
(4)Maureen G.
My husband surprised me with reservations here for my birthday, ranks in my top two culinary experiences. I won't bore anyone with the details, but everything was really well done. Since moving to Hawaii this is the first time after a meal my husband has said, "we'll be coming back here." The biggest issue of the evening was trying to decide between ordering off menu or the omakase.. First world problems.
(5)Michelle N.
Took my mom to dinner here tonight and she said everything was excellent! From the service to the food & I couldn't agree with her more!! We ordered hamachi tacos, kakuni, wagyu carpaccio, oyster foie gras, takoyaki, seafood tobanyaki, and Australian wagyu filet. Personally the oyster foie gras was my favorite! My mom couldn't pick because she loved everything! She said it was the best meal she had in years! We will definitely be coming back in the near future.
(5)Takashi H.
Review based on the Chef's course menu ordered when the chef was in the house. Reality TV star Masaharu Morimoto has quite the draw, so I took a good friend from Tokyo to try Morimoto's with me. Having frequented the Iron Chef Yukio Hattori culinary institute in Tokyo, I had high hopes. The facade of authentic Japanese cuisine was quickly shattered within the first few courses. The wait staff didn't have a clue how to properly pronounce the Japanese names of dishes, nor what ingredients were in the food. Since a big part of authentic Japanese fine dining is talking about the ingredients, preparation style and philosophy, this experience was quite underwhelming. The hamachi tartar was served half frozen; it was neither fresh nor tasty. The shoyu and wasabi served with it tasted like the same sort in convenience store sushi. That's like the equivalent of putting ketchup on filet mignon. The entire experience was memorable for the wrong reasons. I wouldn't go back for another round unless the desserts and cocktails are so stellar I could justify abstaining from the lackluster food. I really would like to support the restaurant, but have a list of other authentic spots well worth the $$$.
(2)Lorraine K.
Let me start off by saying the restaurant as a whole is beautiful. The decor, the lighting, the color scheme is all very pleasant to the eye. The waiting area is comfy and clean and the hostess are friendly. Parking is free if you dine there, just let valet know. The ambiance of the restaurant can be romantic but also fun if you're with a group of friends. The food was okay.. I think I was expecting it to be something more than what I experienced. I went with some girlfriends and we ordered a bunch of sushi and appetizers and one or two entrees& it was just good, not great. What kind of annoyed me is that my friends and I like to throw back a drink or two (or three or four). Cocktails are $14 which I found reasonable. We also ordered shots of patron and grey goose which at most places are $8 maybe $10. When we got our bill the shots were just as much as the cocktails, $14!! I couldn't believe it. After thinking about it, we should've asked how much they were but really? $14?! In the end, our drinks came coats 2x more than our food -_- Now it seems as if morimotos is going for a beachy theme, but I think they should consider a better ac system. The temperature in the restaurant was too warm for comfort and no, it wasn't because we had alcohol. I noticed it when we first walked in, however the reception area was a tad cooler. I give this place 3 stars bc I liked the presentation of the food, the interior design of the restaurant and the friendly staff.
(3)Eric A.
4.5 stars if I could give that but I will round up. Came with wifey and our two kids. Excellent staff and treated our kids like royalty. Food was world class. I highly recommend the oysters foie gras. Perfection in 3 bites. I wish I had 10 more orders. -.5 stars for just the hint of haste in bringing our orders...would like to have had a touch more time in between...my wife disagrees though as she thought it was good given the kids always need to eat. This is just a nit. Looking forward to going back and definitely on the "places to eat when in waikiki" list!
(5)W Q.
Lunch is an excellent value here for very high quality food. $25 gets you either chicken, fish, loco moco, or pork belly, with 2 pieces of sushi, one piece california roll, a salad, miso soup, and rice. The Loco Moco is an excellent deal here, high quality wagyu beef. For dessert, the butterscotch ice cream is to die for, and the strawberry lychee sorbet is also excellent. There was a dead bug in my miso soup, the soup was quickly replaced. I was pretty disappointed to see this in such a high end restaurant, but this is not going to stop me from returning -- but now I will always check for dead bugs before I start enjoying my miso soup! I do like the ambiance, and the quality of the food here very much. And the presentation of the food here is top notch. It's a work of art. If you're into eating art and burning lunch money, this is a great spot!
(5)Wendy D.
Fantastic! And Mimi was a highlight as she assisted us thru the menu and drink selection! A must do if you are on Waikiki
(5)Terence T.
Very disappointed. Not sure what they were going for - Japanese, fusion, Hawaiian??! It was none of it. He chawan mushi wasn't bad. The squid salad felt like two separate dishes, and the angry chicken was bland disputes being drenched in sauce, while the black cod was insanely salty. Bartender was good. So between the bartender and the chawan mushi is how I got to three stars. Really just a tourist trap, unfortunately like the location in NYC.
(3)Keiko J.
One word. ...terrible. Unsophisticated service. Nice plate but food no taste ...very sad. Such a nice interior ...but when I walked in to the restaurant, the place smells like fishmonger.
(2)Z Z.
This place is probably on its last leg. Went here for lunch on a Saturday afternoon and the restaurant was empty. My first impression was that the decor was ugly and old. The vomit green leather chairs were ripped and uncomfortable. The table that featured moss inside was a cool idea, but the water looked like it hasn't been changed in years. It also looked liked they recently painted the tables because there was paint drippings running down the sides of some of them. While these things are trivial, it speaks volumes about one important aspect; attention to details. As for the food...I ordered the chicken katsu sandwich, which came with a thin slice of chicken, shredded cabbage, and toasted white bread....yes, white bread. Wait, wasn't Chef Morimoto an "Iron Chef?" WTF?! I would expect this at a cheap local plate lunch place, not at an "esteemed fine dining establishment." While the sandwich was edible it was not enjoyable. We also ordered the soft shell crab roll, which was only part of the meal that I thought was decent. I also want to mention that our $14 cocktail which was supposed to have homemade lavender syrup tasted nothing like lavender. Also a bummer. My meal was so subpar that I decided to skip desert. Lastly, I want to point out that for the most part the lunch menu was somewhat reasonably priced...however, they did have some jaw dropping menu item prices (ex. $14 Kona Coffee and $18 Rouge beers). I would not recommend this place unless you are just looking for sushi and are willing to skip on everything else.
(2)Brad S.
Very disappointing. Would not return. Morimoto is a nicely appointed space in the hotel Modern. We booked for a table of 8, on Sunday the 29th. We arrived and the restaurant is completely empty, a bit of a buzz kill right off the bat. Even though there are only two other tables seated in the 200 person restaurant, they ask us to hang out in lobby , to have us order drinks. Cocktails are prepared well. We were sat at a large table, in the middle of the dining area. We order apps , the spicy crab legs and gyoza. things take a good while to come out , even though there are at least 10 kitchen staff and fewer than 15 patrons. These apps are good, not great. We order some sashimi at the same time. There is an odd ventilation problem that blows smoke and odor into the dining area. The service is awkward, big gap between app ordering and main course. Its so disconnected that the bus staff actually collects our menus before we have ordered entrees. Things come out too slow , then an avalanche putting multiple rounds of apps on the table at the same time. Waiter apologized a few times. The sushi is fresh and passable, hamachi tacos are good. The crispy rock shrimp are dunked in so much sauce that the breading actually falling off and terribly soggy. It's bad. For entrees, we had the turf and surf, pork chop , angry chicken and seafood toban yaki. Two steaks come out cremated, instead of Medium. The steaks are served on a sizzling hot plate. This adds to the problem, because when the meat sits in the pass , waiting to be served for too long, it will overcook, just on the serving plate. The waiter was again very apologetic, he comped a steak, but then took 30 min to get the replacement out ( in the totally empty restaurant). News flash, it takes 5 minutes to cook a baby fillet. Pork chop cooked nicely, juicy, but the sauce and crust was so salty , it was inedible. Angry chicken had a very interesting flavor, but the sauce tasted like it was concentrate that had been over reduced, and like the pork chop , was so salty we could not finish it. My toban yaki was missing several of the ingredients and more than 1/2 the clams were shut when the dish was served. This is cooking 101, don't serve shellfish that is not fresh, you can sicken people. Any first year chef should have caught this problem with the dish. The crab, which was good in the appetizer, was over cooked in the toban yaki, it was like rubber. The two shrimp were visually appealing , but done to the point they tasted like clay. The broth was very salty , unpleasantly so, but not as salty as the chicken or pork. You could at least eat it. Service- as said , awkward. I'll give the first waiter this, he tried hard. To add insult to injury, the waiter was split shifted and sent home midway through our service, leaving another waiter to pick up the pieces of our wrecked experience at Morimoto. Check open table for the same weekend, you will see another similarly unimpressed guest from the only other table seated in the dining room while we were there. Sad that a world class chef like Morimoto would allow his name to be attached to a restaurant like this.
(2)Tabby K.
Update for inflation - The sashimi and tempura set is$32 now. Still delicious though!!
(5)Chris G.
Iron Chef, Morimoto, should be happy to know that I had a good dining experience. The reviews seem to be mixed, but mine was nothing short of first rate quality. I must start by saying I was with another couple, who have a business relationship with the restaurant, so the staff was on their game from the second we sat down. We received several personal welcomes from managers and staff. The location is in The Modern hotel, which lives up to the name, very clean and modern - see related restaurant pictures, it reminds me of South Beach, FL. Our experience began at 7 pm on a Saturday night, and ended at 11, not sure where the 4 hours went, but I guess time flies when you are enjoying yourself. We sat outside, under the tent, with an ideal marina view. The entire setting felt special, again, see the pictures. We must have had 8 different people address our table, and they all came with insightful details on the food and drinks. Extra kudos to our head waiter, Martin, who was rock solid. For starters, we had several beverages, including the litchi martini, a local take on the martini (A), and my favorite, the Cucumber Shiso Collins (A+), made with Bombay Sapphire East Gin, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, fresh cucumber and lemon juice a cucumber cocktail, which reminded me of a mojito, but better! Our group also enjoyed a few bottles of white wine, they have a smaller wine list, but good choices. As for the food, we had a group of 4, so we went family style, utilizing our friends experience. - Tempura calamari salad, tasty, B+ - Tofu table side, delicious and a fun interesting process to witness, A - Ahi pizza, if the combo sounds good, you will not be disappointed, A - Crispy Rock Shrimp Tempura, seemed a little heavy on the breading, B - Chef's raw bar combination, filled with wonders from the sea, fresh oysters, Keahole lobster, and Alaskan king crab legs, the lobster and crab is already cut, A - Wagyu Beef, perfection! A - Crispy Whole Fish, loved the presentation (see my picture), I thought this was tasty, but not amazing, B+ Drinks Grade: A Food Grade: B+ Service Grade: A Overall Experience: A- They also have a cool bathroom, make sure to check it out, which I use as an indicator when it comes to a good overall experience. I 'almost' felt like I got what I paid for, 4.5 stars.
(4)Heather A.
Very modern & clean!! A different feel for Hawaii, so it was nice to experience that. We enjoyed the sushi & the drinks.
(4)Mami S.
decent food at a high price is all I can say. too many other options in Waikiki honoluu!
(3)Jorge C.
Continues to impress w/ innovative dishes & great service!!! Gotta stop by here every time we are in Oahu!
(5)Carol M.
Ox Tail Soup! You might not order something like ox tail soup at a fancy restaurant and I'm not quite sure why I did -- but it was out of this world! Also the Calamari salad was great! I would go back for those two things. Expensive yes, but if you just had the soup or the salad for lunch, it would be like any other nice restaurant and the portions are huge! I can't speak for some of the other entrees because I only got side dishes. You need a lot of time to eat here and the service is slow.
(4)Tina T.
Gorgeous restaurant located inside the modern hotel. As soon as I walked in, I knew I was in love. Fresh, clean, modern, chic with a touch of seaside glam. Everything inside that restaurant was beautiful down to the smallest details. The chopsticks were so cute (if anybody knows where to get them please let me know)! My bf and I made reservations for our last night which we almost cancelled b/c we were so full from having a late lunch. Decided to go anyway as it was our last chance. We ordered a couple cocktails, the spicy king crab, seafood toban yaki (side of rice is a must to soak up the broth) and peanut butter bomb for dessert. Next time we are back, we plan to stay at the modern and give Morimoto another try (on an empty stomach of course). Everything was delicious but we want the full experience next time! I didn't rate 5 starts b/c the service wasn't consistent throughout the evening. Our server was great, very knowledgable on menu items and offered great recommendations, however, front desk could use some work. We were not greeted and some woman who looked to be employed there stood behind the counter and chatted with what looked to be a friend the whole time. When we were finally greeted, we were given no direction to be seated in the wait area (though obvious). It just wasn't warm or inviting and def kept us anxious after we were seated. Fortunately our server was awesome.
(4)Diana T.
Husband and I had our 1st Year anniversary dinner at Morimoto Waikiki. Nice environment, great food, friendly service. However, portion is kindda little, but that's what fine dining is. We made reservation from open table and we had a complimentary Ice cream at the end saying "happy anniversary" on the plate, very sweet~
(4)Jason S.
I was able to visit my favorite resturant this week and try a whole new array of different dishes. The dishes we had were the wagyu ribeye steak, spicy hamachi maki, tuna sandwich with focaccia bread, soft shell crab roll, kakuni, and green tea ice cream. The dish I most enjoyed was the Tuna sandwich. This is not your ordinary tuna sandwich. They use big eye tuna along with roasted garlic mayo and arugula. The focaccia they use is house baked and outstanding! Then again mostly everything there is house made and at its freshest! Even the green tea ice cream is house made! Everything I've had at Morimoto's has by far exceeded my expectations each time. And as always the staff including the GM has been very hospitable and gracious. Always a pleasurable experience! Jason S.
(5)Seth M.
Got to watch Chef Morimoto prepare a private meal while we are. The portions were phenomenal and the food was ultra traditional, demonstrating and amazing control over the science of the ingredients. The service staff was top notch and really demonstrated what fine dining is all about. The place was loud, crowded, and reservations are an absolute must. If you like Japanese cuisine and have a few bucks to spare, I highly recommend it.
(4)Sara K.
Overall an excellent experience.The newly renovated interior makes a relaxing and subtly impressive ambiance. The perfect restaurant to try sake and Japanese inspired drinks. The signature white lily cocktail is a must! The rock shrimp tempura was perfectly executed and heavenly.
(5)Ana E.
Morimotos how I looked forward to the experience. Set in Modern hotel with nice outside seating. We had to wait over 30 minutes to even sit and had to wait in an overcrowded spot with many other people. Almost left (should have) Next we were seated outside and immediately were attended by an energetic and personable waiter. We elected for the tasting menu at $120 a piece. He asked if we had any allergies or food preferences. I told him I had a coconut allergy and that I don't do dessert. If there is a dessert planned I would rather substitute a savory dish. He told me there are no substitutions. (Strike 2) The food started coming. This started well with toro and hamachi tataki which was excellent. Then we had a fish carpaccio which was also tasty. This was followed by a bagna cauda. A strange fondue dish of boiling oil. Ok. Interesting. Then came the egg custard with foie gras. Well done but too rich for me. Then nothing more..... Nothing. The waiter apologized saying that the kitchen was backed up as they had 3 times the normal sushi orders. Waiting and waiting. We sat at 730pm. This course came out finally after 900pm. Crazy. It was ok for sushi. While we were halfway through with the sushi the main course of wag yu beef, pork and overseasoned lobster came out. At this point the dinner was so long you really couldn't enjoy the dish Then they brought us dessert. First a "consolation" dessert for waiting so long (after I told the guy I don't do dessert!). It was supposed to be the best thing on the menu. A peanut butter mousse. It was not great. Then, they brought our real dessert and it had coconut in it. REALLY!? Didn't u ask me about allergies cmon What a long expensive disappointment
(3)Tony S.
Loved it. Had the 8oz Australian wagyu steak, perfectly grilled and came with this amazing sauce . Place has a really good setting and vibe. Service was great. Had a reservation and seated and served promptly . One set back was we were seated outside and while we made it in time with for the sunset which was amazing, once it gets dark U realize your just next to a boat harbor and the hotel pool.
(4)Alexis Y.
I can't believe there is a single negative review here! I was incredibly impressed with Morimoto's. I came here a week ago with my husband and we are craving every bite again. We had made a reservation a few nights before which was incredibly simple. The staff was all very friendly and it was nice to have our server describe each meal in detail as it arrived. My husband is a huge fan of the man himself, Morimoto, and set very high standards for this place. All of his expectations were met. We began with the $50 sashimi spread which had beautifully cut fish that was the perfect choices, cuts, and freshness. Every plate was presented beautifully and was seasoned and cooked better than we could have imagined. I absolutely cannot wait to come back here, absolutely worth spending a few extra dollars for the night
(5)SB S.
Wow. Just deliciously fresh sushi. You don't need to fancy up fresh because it speaks for itself, but even then, they do a great job of playing it up. Like it's namesake, Morimoto is top shelf. Even better than it's restaurant is the hotel it's located in. Do yourself a favor and stay at the Modern. I've have few experiences like it where such service and beauty resided in the same place.
(4)Lauren O.
Hands down, the best restaurant I have ever been to. If Chef Morimoto is working, make sure your order the Omakase. TRUST ME. Everything here is cooked perfectly; it is beautiful aesthetically as well. The people who work here are great, and very knowledgeable. You often can see Chef here, directing everything that leaves the kitchen. The food is so good, I was once at an event at the adjoining hotel and my date and I ran out, ordered the Wagyu carpaccio while simultaneously closing out our bill, since we only had 10 minutes to spare. The view can't be beat, and there are always celebrities. My favorites: Surf and Turf, Bi-Buri-Bap, Omakase, Peanut Butter Bombs, Truffle Martini, Duck Duck Duck, Wagyu, ANY sushi, ANY damn thing chef recommends.
(5)Mali K.
All the dishes we had were beautifully presented and delicious. We arrived after two hikes and were extremely hungry. Get ready to order several appetizers, a couple of entrees and dessert in order to feel full. It's more a place to say you've been to, then a place to frequent unless you're the 1% or unless a newbie drags you. Highly recommended for those celebrating a special occasion - my husband took me for our anniversary and I took a friend for her birthday.
(4)jane u.
I'm sorry for this late review. My husband and I dine here about 1-2 x's, per month. Besides the complimentary valet and the beautiful scenery of the marina, the Food! The tuna pizza is so fresh, it is so unique the thin crust compliments the ahi and the sauce is amazing. I had ordered the deep fried boneless snapper, this truly is 1 of my top favorites. It is amazing that the chefs can de-bone a whole fish and deep fry it and just make Fish magic!! I ended my entree with uni, ikura, and Kani miso!! I love Morimoto's!
(5)Johnny C.
We ate at Morimoto's for my parents anniversary and let me tell you it was delicious. We started off with the calamari salad, Wagyu capaccio, and cured hamachi. The Wagyu capaccio was the best thing I've ever eaten, the meat just resonated with citrus flavors . For lunch entrees we had the lobster sandwich,pork bento, and chirashi. The French fries that came with my sandwich I had a touch of seaweed and wasabi flavors. We love dessert and I recommend you trying the miso butterscotch ice cream. It's something different and adventurous , the miso was not overpowering at all but added a nice salty element to the creamy ice cream . But all in all the desserts were great. We will be returning again for another special occasion very soon. The taste was great, plating spectacular, and most of all exactly what I expected from an Iron Chef.
(5)NATASHA F.
Morimoto was the place where my fiancé and I came for our first anniversary in napa sooo naturally for our second anni we came to the Oahu one! I didn't love it as much as Napa but still very good. The fish was amazing as expected, service was on point, decor was very trendy/modern, I honestly had a great night here! I cant wait to try more of Morimotos restaurants
(4)Juliann C.
You can't really go wrong here. The Good: * Great ambience * Beautiful architecture * Top notch service * Parking is always taken care of * Anything you order here... really you can't go wrong!!! Except the tartare. Yes, it was beautiful, and colorful. But I have also tried many other sushi places that do tartare justice. I have to say that was the most disappointing dish :( * Must must order the desserts... the sorbets and ice creams change every night and one night I enjoyed the CRISPY RICE sorbet ice cream.... HOLY MOLY BLEWWW MY MIND. But I was sad to find out that it's not a normal thing! * Seasonal Sake is a must have for me * wagyu carpaccio - MMMHMMM get it get it!! * whitefish carpaccio - i guess im a huge fan of carpaccio! The Bad: * Oh, the price burns a hole in my wallet, and my heart The Weird: * Interesting that Morimoto's even serves breakfast! Be sure to check that out :)
(5)Steven G.
Went there for my girlfriends birthday. It was so loud in there we couldn't even talk. Tables are also too wide seemed like she was across the room. Portions were too small, had to order dessert just to fill up. I will not be back Thank you for the response. I had the Hamachi rice bowl and my girlfriend had the Duck dish.
(2)Sue T.
I was there last night. I'm in on a trip from the mainland and I will begin by saying I'm a restaurant owner and a trained chef who's been in the food and bev industry for 30+ years. I was very much looking forward to taking out a dear friend to celebrate his business success. I called the restaurant and made a reso for 8:15. We arrived early, planning on a few cocktails at the bar....the young lady could not find our reservation. Her repeated questions, asking us to spell the last name, asking who I spoke to, peering into her touch screen with a troubled look....not good. The dining room was half empty, so we asked them to try and figure it out and we proceeded to the bar. Will was our mixologist. He was such a congenial, consummate professional. He and my companion fell easily into conversation on all things local and culinary. Drinks were wonderful. After a short time we were escorted to our table. After being seated so we could see the kitchen, we ordered....just two courses with open minds as to more. My companion then saw someone he knew, a food runner named Matt. Such a nice young man. He brought us some superlative sake and a small tasting plate thoroughly enjoyed with our cocktails. This is where it goes off the rails. Between the small plate delicacy and our appetizer, the wait was inordinately long. I sat and entertained myself as I watched the tickets go up, the food runners run, and servers seemingly do the same. Approximately 40 minutes later we received our appetizers. They were very good, and I decided to forgive the long wait, knowing that the server had given the order fire for our entrees. Alas not to be. We called it a day after waiting another 40 minutes. Our server came by the table and sheepishly told us our entrees would be out shortly as my companion went to the bar to settle the bill. As we were rising to leave the food runner brought out our fare. We sent it back. Will was very gracious as we took our exit Being in this business as well, I can tell you that if I had a two course ticket hang time of 1 hour + I would probably blow a vein. I'm very sorry to have experienced the venue this way and I'm uncertain as to where the breakdown exactly took place. I wish you luck and perhaps I will try you again when I'm on O'ahu again. The stars go to the bar and to food runner Matt
(2)Trisha G.
What an amazing experience. It's such a complete culinary experience both in taste and presentation. Located in the Modern Hotel, it's not surprising that the dining room is extremely modern. The restaurant is only a short walk from the valet. The dining room has both indoor and outdoor seating which allows for both a luxury and casual feel at the same time. Don't ask me how, but I liked it. The food was amazing. I went in with high expectations since this is an Iron Chef's restaurant in our hometown featuring local ingredients. To get a good taste of everything we ordered the Omakase, a selection of sake and some lychee cocktails for me. Omakase was the chef's choice of 8 courses running the gamut of protein from seafood to beef to pork to duck. The menu consisted of (1) toro tartare, (2) hot oil hamachi sashimi, (3) bagna cauda, (4) foie gras chawanmushi, (5) sea kelp tea palate cleanser, (6) assorted nigiri sushi, (7) main course of keyhole lobster, wagyu beef, pork tenderloin, (8) dessert: butter mochi & banana ice cream. Seriously, it was all amazing, drinks included. Without getting too into the whole menu, I'll talk about my faves.. TORO TARTARE was something I was waiting for and it did not disappoint. Toro deliciousness with all kinds of condiments (nori paste, fresh ground wasabi, arare, guacamole, and more). And it came in a bamboo dish in the most beautiful presentation. HOT OIL HAMACHI SASHIMI was also simple with hot oil and shoyu, but beautifully presented to showcase the taste of the fish. I wish there was a whole plate of it instead of the three delicate pieces on the plate. BAGNA CAUDA which is a blend of anchovies and foie gras topped with oil that comes to your table heated by a candle. All kinds of yummy veggies, chicken and bread to dip. Unexpected taste which made me wish I could have more. This is obviously a pricey meal, but the whole experience was wonderful. Note, that if you want a quick meal, this is not what you should order. The whole thing took 3 hours. It was exciting and calming. I'm also very impressed by the knowledgable staff.
(4)April F.
Morimoto has an absolutely gorgeous set up. It was spacious, lots of natural light flowed in, and there were lovely, pale colored curtains that lifted gently with the ocean breeze. The food, however, tasted ordinary. It wasn't bad. It just wasn't great, either. My pineapple mojito managed to be light and refreshing despite the alcohol content. The cucumber in my avocado rolls was sliced and added in such a way that it wasn't overbearing and basically yelling, "I'm here! Ruining the texture of your avocado roll!" The inari was actually the best I'd had, something I attribute to the texture not being rubbery and the flavor being light and just right. Still, nothing that I tasted really stood out. This was not one of those places where I am already planning my next trip before I leave, or literally dreaming of the food while I sleep (yes, I dream of food. I can't be the only one!) I wouldn't avoid this place, but it's not my first choice of eateries, either.
(2)Kim M.
This is one of my more favorite hotel restaurants on the island - not so much for the sushi or entrees, but more for the appetizers: FOIE GRAS CHAWAN MUSHI ($17) With duck breast, fresh wasabi, and sweet dashi soy. This is better than any chawan mushi I've ever had. I loved the flavors and mild creaminess. And, it wasn't too rich! YOSE DOFU ($19) Fresh tofu prepared tableside, accompanied by a kimchee broth/sauce, dashi, and other side garnishes. I love this tofu. Not only is it fresh, it's also pretty neat to have it made right at the table. Haha. I mean, the production itself isn't very exciting bc it has to remain covered... But it seems almost kind of magical. WAGYU CARPACCIO ($22) With hot oil, ginger, and yuzu soy. I love the yuzu flavor with the wagyu. It's a really superb combo. The three appetizers above are probably my favorite appetizers at the restaurant. I like some other dishes, too, but I will spare you the details. :P REASONABLE Anyway, I think Morimoto is pretty reasonable in terms of price (especially for this type of restaurant with the fancy ambiance, view, etc.). OPEN TABLE Morimoto Waikiki is an OpenTable restaurant, so grab those points. VERDICT It's kind of weird I haven't dined at Morimoto Waikiki more, but I guess I will. I've been here a few times now and have had pleasant experiences each time. Good food, great service, and a lovely ambiance at a fairly reasonable price. Thumbs up.
(4)Christie C.
Awesome. Just awesome. Service by a guy named Martin absolutely impeccable and delightful, sushi I had was outstanding, views are stunning, decor is minimalist and perfect, and overall this place is just "to a tee," if you get my drift. While some entrees are rather pricey, I felt my food was totally reasonable. 16$ for a glass of lovely chardonnay, 20$ for two maki rolls (totally filling) and I think 7$ for a chamomile tea afterward. 60$ or so for a really nice dinner is less than I'd have expected to pay. Other entrees ran around 29$ or so and for a very upscale restaurant with outstanding service, that's not bad at all.
(5)Melissa S.
Hi Chad, sorry for the harsh review and thank you for replying - I think we had too high expectations since we've been wanting to come here since we've moved on island three years ago, and are fans of Mr. Morimoto. We had reservations at 1pm and left at 3.
(1)Sam Z.
We tried poke for the first time here and it was absolutely delicious. You can tell how fresh all the ingredients used are especially the big eyed tuna. Also had the rock shrimp appetizer, and loved that as well!
(5)Antonio T.
I've been to Morimoto Waikiki several times and have done the omakase every time. However, there are a few dishes that stand out for me. The toro tartar, the rock shrimp appetizer, lobster salad, and the braised kakuni pork. While the S.O. orders the perfectly prepared ribeye, I just am drawn to the opportunity to "play" with my food in the very interactive presentation of the omakase. I have only one silly-manini regret, that I missed a chance to get our pic taken with Morimoto himself during the grand opening weekend of the Edition.
(5)Eric Robert R.
I am biased. There, I admit it. I am biased. It's only because I actually met the Chef... MASAHARU MORIMOTO! I know my friends are Bi-polar with their reviews being all over the plate (yes, plate) here at... MORIMOTO'S WAIKIKI! Hey, everyone has a say. Well, as long as you are worthy of it. I mean if you voted, you must be a registered voter first, right? Goddess or ugly, smart or dumb, I guess you still have a say, even with your one RL friend in life, but I'm the lucky one... I have many. Prettier ones too. Oh well, that's life. Anyways, since you're still here... Tyvm! Let's talk... MORIMOTO'S WAIKIKI! As everyone knows by now the chef is well known as the legendary Iron Chef! To me, Masaharu Morimoto is simply a super nice Japanese dude that looks Yakuza, but really is a marshmallow! Oh, and btw, he sure can cook with a ton of Hollywood kaboom! Sometimes it's all about show! Really! Gosh look what reality TV has done to our society! But really... Chef Morimoto is the real deal! Kinda a show-off, but he does back it up with real deal talent! MORIMOTO'S WAIKIKI! Located in the swank Modern Hotel in Waikiki. The restaurant ambiance is fancy. Probably more so at night. I mean if you plan to shell out some Benjamin's - dress the part, right? The restaurant offers 4-hours complimentary parking in the hotel - quite generous in busy Waikiki! My experience? I'll dig out my shun knife and say... I've always had a GREAT experience at... MORIMOTO'S WAIKIKI! I've been to the Waikiki location twice, but also experienced some Morimoto appetizers with my BFF, Heidi P., hand delivered to us by Morimoto, himself, at a gala earlier in the year. We had the Toro tartare w/ wasabi, Sour cream & nori w/ sweet soy dashi. Also, we sampled the Angry chicken w/ spice jus & blistered shishito peppers! I LOVED the Angry chicken! I've only experienced lunch at the restaurant, and quite frankly, the prices were on par with other high-end restaurants. I do realize dinner is more yen, but still... I've had the Oyster Foie Gras - market oysters, foie gras, uni, teriyaki sauce; Crispy Rock Shrimp Tempura - w/ spicy kochujan sauce, wasabi aioli, coconut ranch; Chefs Loco Mo"t"o (lunch set) - Wagyu beef, sunny side up local farm eggs, w/ Hayashi gravy. I opted out of the Pork gyoza... Don't get me wrong, I love gyoza, but for $16? Hmm. It does look yummy though... Maybe next time? Sandwiches can be had for about $15-$20 during lunch hours, too. The Katsu and Mini Wagyu burgers are so on my list. Again, the lunch menu is the best time for those with one eye on the faux Gucci pocketbook. Lunch-Sets run about $22-$32, but all sets include miso soup, green salad, and sushi in addition to the entree. Or, you can splurge on a dinner and order the omakase for about $120 per head. If it's your treat... Sure why not. I'm game! So yes, I definitely recommend... MORIMOTO'S WAIKIKI! It's fancy and a great place to impress an empress! It can get pricey, but if you know how to be frugal than its not too bad, really. Do lunch first is my suggestion... Same high-end foods for a fraction. Hey, maybe Masaharu's not slicing up every dish, but rest assured you'll be happy as a clam! Oh, and did I mention the desserts... Oh, baby! "I'm not a fighter, but in my mind I'm fighting every day. 'What's new? What am I doing?' I'm fighting myself. My soul is samurai. My roots aren't samurai, but my soul is." ~ Masaharu Morimoto OVERALL GRADE: 4.2-STARS! (Solid!) LIVE ALOHA... YELP REVIEW #379
(4)Cynthia C.
Came here a while back for celebratory proposal dinner. The decor was more modern than elegant, which surprised me. Come if you really appreciate art & style & presentation. Every dish we ordered was photo-worthy & a story to tell. Portions are small, so if you come famished, you will be spending a pretty penny to fill up. Service was very decent, but not the friendliest I've ever had. Flight of sake to share & ordered a few dishes to share: Hamachi tartare: small palette of chopped up yellowtail with a palette of sauces. Use a small-gelato-sized spoon to eat the dish. $24 Yosedofu: They bring a bowl out of liquid & do some wicked witch of the west magic & in 15 minutes, you get a solidified piece of tofu. Fun to watch. $19 Foie Gras chawanmushi: Delectable, silky, perfect balance of texture & flavor. Foie gras flavor is very evident but not overpowering to the delicacy of the dish. Definitely order. Probably my favorite dish of the night. $17 Wagyu Carpaccio: a few slices of very thin wagyu. you like your steak rare? you'll like this dish. Tender, flavorful, beefy. less creative culinary-wise than other dishes...probably should've tried the live octopus carpaccio instead. $22 duck, duck, duck: seared duck breast, duck spring roll, duck soup. beautifully presented. Yummy but nothing mind-blowing, but that's also probably because I like chinese-style duck the best. $29 I would definitely recommend for a few appetizers on a special day. It'll be something to remember without breaking the bank.
(4)Jerry L.
Amazing view of the harbor if you sit outside. The sashimi platter was just like how i remembered it. Delicious. Not a big fan of their Loco Moco
(4)KriStina T.
Morimoto has very modern, clean interior designs set with their open kitchen, pleasing plate presentations and remarkably trained servers with great knowledge of their menu and drinks background. I knew to expect nothing but the best here, but was highly disappointed when we came with our mind set on what to eat and it was out for the night. My fiancé and I celebrated our 6 years anniversary dinner and it was on our last night there so we couldn't come back the next day. We ended up having only a few dishes and left unsatisfied. No complimentary dessert was offered. The price averages about $30+ per dish which is portion for 1 hungry person or 2 skinny people, which is to be expected. The service was beyond excellent but I find Hawaii to have that in common everywhere. My fav was def the Taro Tartar, something you don't get to enjoy every day...
(3)Erica K.
I don't know why I haven't written a review for Morimoto's yet, as this is my all time favorite restaurant! We've been here over a dozen times since they first opened and have tried pretty much everything on the menu. I've never left Morimoto's unsatisfied.... Oh, wait! There was one night I left there not happy... It was a Valentine's dinner a couple years ago and Chef Morimoto was actually there! I was so thrilled!!! I walked up to him to say hello and tell him how big a fan I was. I also asked if I could get a photo with him. He looked up and told me that he was busy..... I was crushed. But, that has nothing to do with the food and service, just wanted to vent! Anyway, the food and service is always top notch! My favorites are the tuna tartar, calamari salad, spicy tuna pizza, king crab legs, salmon skin roll, loco moto.... Okay, obviously everything I've tried is my favorite! I just love this place!
(5)Rhea Cherie B.
AMBIANCE: B+ PRICE: D FOOD: B+ SERVICE: A Their service was pretty impeccable. The employees were very attentive and constantly came to refill our waters. I drink A LOT of water and I can't stand when I go to restaurants and they don't refill your water in a timely manner or in some cases, not at all until you ask. Well, I didn't have to worry about that here. Our main server was very informative and described the food very well. He was a good salesperson-he got us to order a lot of extra things we probably didn't need because he was very descriptive and made them sound so good. We didn't mind though, we like trying all kinds of different things. Many different gentlemen waited on our table (we were a party of 6) and one of my most important expectations at any restaurant was met: our water was constantly refilled. The food and drinks were great-fresh salmon, tasty oysters, a wide variety of drinks both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, dessert, you name it...but in all honesty, I've had better tasting food for a much lower price.
(4)Penny M.
I got to meet Morimoto! It was his 60th anniversary and he just happened to be there. Loved the rock shrimp tempura and the pork belly. My husband got a fresh fish selection. All was delicious.
(4)Ruthie C.
First off: definitely not on par with the NYC Morimoto. The view was beautiful so I suppose it was worth it to try. Service: they really need to step it up a little bit. We wrote on our open table reservation that we are on our honeymoon. There was no congratulation or anything welcoming. My husband left the table to add a surprise, and Morimoto staff said they would give us a sorbet on the house. But...this never came. We had a waiter that didn't have any eye contact and was not as professional as I would like. He was attentive and checked on us very frequently. Food: we got the spicy tuna roll without rice (wrapped in cucumber), pork belly congee, $40 sashimi combo, and the most amazing chocolate cake with marshmallow. I would definitely order the pork belly and the chocolate cake again. Those were the stars of our meal. The pork belly just melts in your mouth along with the congee. The chocolate cake was heaven in my mouth!!!! You get a bite of the torched marshmallow, dark chocolate from the cake and then mint ice cream. Soooooo delicious I wanted another one!!!! All in all: food was worth it but service needs to step it up for the customers!
(3)Tasmin R.
I don't understand the bad reviews for this restaurant as it lives up to all the expectations you would have for a fine dining establishment. Service was welcoming and attentive from the front desk to the water refill guy. Loved the decor and ambience. Finally and most importantly, the food was great. Impressive presentation and pleasing combinations of flavours. Desserts were both standouts. Would definitely come back. Had to knock off a star as they charge $8 for bottled water?!?! I'm sorry, but no 'artesian water' in the world is worth that. They should offer complimentary filtered tap water and have the pricey stuff as an option on the drinks menu. Offering it immediately as you sit down is sneaky as you're not really thinking at that point. Still, lovely restaurant.
(4)TD H.
This is my go to spot. Now, we're getting our kids into it. Great views and service. I have my favorites and they always hit the spot. Love the Maui Mai Tais and Mimosas.
(5)Jennifer G.
We have been to a few Morimoto's across the country. Each time it is delicious and the service is always on point. We chose this time to get a few appetizers so we could try a few items. My favorite has always been the tuna pizza. For a wow factor have the tofu done tableside. The tofu is made fresh served with tasty toppings. The view from the restaurant of the water is great and the local makes it easy walking distance from the nearby hotels. You can reserve on Open Table.
(4)Yang X.
I loved this place. Food is better than most other Japanese restaurants. Service is slow.
(4)Lauren C.
This review was based on our dinner the night of 4/29/15. My husband made reservations for my birthday about a week prior. We were both really excited as we hadn't been out to dinner together in over two months. Our reservations were for 6:30. Unfortunately our babysitter arrived a few minutes late, so we called the restaurant to let them know we'd be in around 6:45. The woman who answered the phone politely thanked us and said that wouldn't be a problem at all. We arrive and check-in earlier than expected, at 6:40. We're asked to be seated and wait (there is no one else waiting by the way). We waited. and waited. and waited, for about 5 minutes. At first I thought it was probably because they must have been busy or because perhaps they were setting up a special table for us (maybe a flower or card like a lot of the other high end restaurants do). The hostess finally comes to get us and takes us to our table. As we're walking through the main room I notice it is 95% empty. Our hostess takes us outside and seats us at a tiny, 2-seater table right in the path of traffic. She did mention my birthday and I thought that was a nice touch. There were at least 4 other tables that were empty near by. I didn't say anything because I was just trying to keep a positive attitude. Not really a big deal at this point. Our waiter comes and gets our drinks, everything is fine. As we were sitting at the table we notice that our drinks and chopsticks are literally spilling, falling, and shaking when people walk by. We had to hold on to our drinks so that they didn't spill or fall. Again, trying to make the best of it and just kind of grin and bear it. We order the rock shrimp appetizer and scallops as well as our entrees. My husband got sushi and I ordered a calamari salad. I was looking forward to the salad because I had a calamari salad from Bill's the other week and wanted to compare the two. It was starting to get busy and our appetizers were delivered by some of the kitchen staff. Our waiter came around once when our appetizers got there to check on us. My husband's sushi arrived when I was in the bathroom and it was also good. After about 15 minutes of waiting AFTER my husband's sushi arrived I finally grabbed another waiter (ours simply hadn't been around) and asked about my salad. At this point I wasn't interested in the salad since I'd eaten half of his and almost 1-1.5 hours had passed since we arrived. The waiter (not our original waiter) was kind and I felt bad because I know it wasn't his responsibility. He apologized and asked if we wanted the salad to go. He also told us that the manager would be there to speak with us. I kindly refused the salad entree because let's face it, calamari and salad aren't good leftover. At this point I was disappointed, but I wasn't mad. I understand that situations happen and mistakes happen. That is okay. But, here's where I really got frustrated and mad. The manager comes over in a rush and is very matter of fact. You can tell she's not genuine in her words and she really just gave excuses saying that there was a "miscommunication" between myself and the waiter. I told her it was my birthday and I mentioned that we were disappointed with the wait, the table, and now the fact that the entree just never showed up. She then asks, "well, was the food good?". I thought this was very condescending and unprofessional. In retrospect I can honestly say that I was being polite and respectful to the staff, I just wasn't pleased with the way things transpired. However, my husband and I were really, really disappointed in the way the situation was handled. What would have been a MUCH better way to address the situation would have just been a SINCERE apology without any excuses, and perhaps a small discount, free dessert, or voucher for next visit (this is common practice from Ruby Tuesday's to Ruth's Chris). Nope, we didn't get any of that. What makes me the most upset is just the fact that the manager was really insincere and the fact that the waiter didn't even come over to apologize. I understand they were busy and it would have made ALL the difference in the world to just say "I'm sorry this happened, please give us another chance". With that said, we won't be back. The food was good, however you can EASILY find food JUST as good with service that is MUCH MUCH better. Based on our experience we believe that Morimoto's is just a hyped up restaurant with a cool ambiance. That is not enough to keep our business. I'm not going to pay upwards of $200 to get poor service when we can pay the same amount or less and get food that is just as stellar and outstanding service. I hope for the restaurant's sake that this was just a one time bad experience for us and it doesn't happen again. We live in Honolulu and will not be back.
(1)Tina K.
We always wanted to go here n finally we did...it was so awesome! The food, everything we ordered was absolutely delicious! We decided to order alot of apps..the oyster with uni and foie gras was my favorite! Our server was very nice n helpful with explaining the menu n dishes..he recommended to try the octopus carpaccio n we tried it..deelish! The decor of the place was beautiful too..we are absolutely goin back for more!!
(5)Adrienne B.
I have wanted to eat here since moving to Honolulu so when my friend suggested a girls night out here I couldn't pass up the chance. As usual, I pre-gamed the menu and had taken a look at some Yelp photos and had an idea of what I wanted before even stepping foot inside. We arrived promptly for our reservations and were seated outside as requested. The ambiance of the restaurant is lovely, somewhat understated and kind of cozy in a sophisticated way. Our waiter came to our table to take our water preferences and to see if we wanted any cocktails. We had some questions regarding cocktails and he was able to walk us through cocktail options and he suggested the Moscow Mule to one of the women in our party who really liked her drink. I ordered the Grapefruit Mojito and found it to be the perfect blend. We placed our orders for appetizers, and our waiter encouraged us to keep our menus so we could order slowly and take our time (despite it being a Friday evening). I ordered the Tuna Pizza, and others ordered the gyoza, scallops and the tempura shrimp which we all took turns passing around the table. Although the tuna pizza was my favorite, the shrimp was a close second for me due to the flavorful sauces. The scallops were also lovely and the gyoza were prepared to perfection with a nice crispy pan sear. Although I had been eyeing the Chef's Tasting Menu as what I wanted to order, since no one else in my party was being overly adventurous (or eating as much), I went with the Chef's Sushi Selections and licked my plate clean. When my plate was brought out, the server took the time to name every piece of sushi on my plate for me, and sadly now I can't even remember my favorite piece because they were all impeccable. No one at the table really even talked during our main meals because we were all too busy "mmmmming" and smiling because of how happy our taste buds were. A few of us ended up with dessert and I had the peanut butter bombe and as our waiter said it's his favorite and I can see why. It was heavenly. The texture of the bombe was light and airy and the flavor was out of this world. The next time I go back tasting menu for sure.
(5)Kenneth L.
I was really curious about this place since it had Morimoto's namesake on here. I have always been curious to taste what kind of food an iron chef would have in their own restaurant. When I came in, I was excited and my wife and I were strongly considering the omakase option. I had a reservation telling them it was for an anniversary dinner. My wife and I had come in 10 minutes early thinking there would be a lot of people there. When we got there, the restaurant looked very EMPTY during dinner service. I should have taken this as a clue to run out of there as soon as possible. But I decided to stay thinking it was slow because it was a week night. They said "happy anniversary" to my wife and I and told us to wait to be seated. After 15 minutes of waiting, we were led to our table--a freaking booth with bench seating that was not intimate at all despite the restaurant being nearly empty. We got seated right next to the sushi bar. Other people had much nicer tables with more space around them. I was starting to get disappointed. After being seated, water took 15 minutes to come. I noticed some glares and coldness from the wait staff. They gave off the vibe that they thought my wife and I were low class or poor--like a snobby attitude to us. When our waitress started taking our orders, she was noticeably impatient and snobby. I asked about the omakase option and what was on it tonight and she gave me a lot of attitude about it. Using a very condescending tone she explained that it was a chef's choice menu like I was dumb. Wow haha she doesn't know how to listen. I explained to her that I know what a omakase is, I was asking what was ON it. Then with more attitude like I was wasting her time, she explained that it was a couple tartar dishes to start, a few slices of sashimi (chef's selection), a hot entree, etc,. My wife and I decided to pass because we didn't feel it was worth it to eat two dishes of tartar when we could order better things off the menu. Throughout the service we were never checked up on to see how things were. We saw our waitress by the bar leaning about socializing with everyone. Clearly she had other priorities. The food: We ordered the morimoto sashimi plate with the five sauces, crispy rock shrimp tempura, takoyaki, braised lamb shank, and duck duck duck. The morimoto sashimi plate while good and fun with the sauces was small and not really worth the $28 for it. You get 5 sauces: a green sauce that tastes like peas, an orange and yellow bell pepper sauce, and a shoyu ponzu sauce. The sashimi slices, while delicious, were tiny and only the size of postage stamps. The sauces were nothing special and didn't really do much but to hide the taste of the fish. The crispy rock shrimp tempura app was pretty bad. It was not crispy at all. It was soggy. It was divided on a plate with three sections: a section with the coconut ranch and celery, a "spicy" shrimp partition, and wasabi shrimp partition. The coconut ranch tasted just like regular hidden valley ranch, the "spicy" shrimp was soggy and not spicy at all! The wasabi shrimp had barely a hint of wasabi and was soggy as well. Terrible. The takoyaki was a very strange dish. When you think of takoyaki, you think of octopus dumplings with a takoyaki sauce. Something that works. Here at Morimoto's it is mozzarella cheese and "abalone" in an olive oil and balsamic vinegar sauce. I eat abalone and I know the texture and taste of it when it is cooked right. The abalone was tough and over cooked and did not taste good. Takoyaki should not have mozzarella cheese and olive oil sauce. Tako means octopus in Japanese, not mozzarella cheese and abalone in a olive oil balsamic vinegar sauce. Morimoto should know better. My wife had the duck duck duck dish. It was pretty pathetic. On the plate was 3 tiny 1inch by 1.5inch slices of duck, a puff pastry that was overly salty with two m&m sized duck meatballs, and a rather bland duck lumpia. My wife's favorite dishes are usually duck. She was so disappointed she didn't even want to finish it because it was either too salty or flavorless. I had the braised lamb shank. The risotto was the best part. But it came out luke warm. The lamb shank had good flavor for the first two millimeters of it but was so bland and dry after that. I found my self forcing myself to try to finish it. It was bad. We declined dessert after being so disappointed with everything. Our waitress finally shows up again and is only nice while giving us the check trying to fish for tips. Nice try. My wife and I are good tippers. If you expect a tip after that kind of service, you must be high or delusional. TLDR summary: I was so disappointed that I felt emo after eating here. Seriously. I felt like I wasted my time and was robbed of my money eating here. It was that bad. No wonder this place has been slipping on stars on yelp.
(1)Al D.
Went here for lunch on a Saturday. I made reservations but didn't need them as there were only 2 other parties at the restaurant. The décor is modern, but not that impressive. The seating looks worn and could use reupholstering. Had the soft shell crab maki roll for an appetizer and it was just ok. While all other maki come with 6 pieces, the soft shell crab roll, which is the most expensive by 40%, only comes with 5 pieces. I would rather spend the money on one of the yummy filling rolls at California Rock'n Sushi. I was interested in the lobster melt lunch special but was informed they were sold out. Bummer. Instead, I went with the pork belly kakuni. It came with miso soup (with home made tofu), a small salad, a sushi plate with 2 mini pieces of spicy crab roll, 1 salmon nigiri, and 1 Hamachi nigiri, and a small bowl with about a cup of white rice and a scoop of pulled pork-ish meat on top. I enjoyed my meal, although I was not blown away. The miso soup was standard. The sushi was just ok, nothing to write home about. The salad was good. And the pork was tasty, but not melt in your mouth, or anything. It was enough food to make me full. I also got a Waikiki Blush cocktail that was just ok. Service was average. Alas, I think this will be a one-time thing. For the price, I would rather go to Roy's, Doraku, or California Rock'n Sushi.
(3)Ying W.
We cant resist my friends recommendation of this restaurant so we made a reservation. We got there early and waited 20 minutes and get seated which is not the worst because we get a pretty nice outdoor sitting right next to the harbor. We ordered sashimi combo plate, duck duck duck, chicken ramen, and a lychee breeze. The drink is not as good as i imaged, the lychee flavor is there but felt a little strange.(the actual lychee in the drink soaked with alckhol is delicious tho) The sashimi is on a well decorated plate amd taste pretty good. The duck duck duck has couple thin slices of duck which the duck flavor is hard to tell, the soup is somewhat salty,the little roll with duck is just average.(do not recommend) The ramen tastes fine, maybe the restaurant might not want to use such a huge bowl but only less than half full..
(3)Mimi P.
I'm a fan of Chef Morimoto, so I thought I would love his restaurant. Sadly, that was not the case. I had made a reservation well in advance. When we arrived, our party of 3 was told that it would be just a couple of minutes, so we sat down and waited. And waited. Several more groups of 3 walked in and were seated while we were waiting. After waiting at least 30-45 minutes after our reservation time, we were seated. We ordered two glasses of wine, which didn't arrive until after we finished our first course. For the main course, we ordered the duck duck duck (tasty) and some sushi (good, but not especially memorable). We were about to start eating... but the soy sauce bottle we were given was empty. The waiter was nowhere in sight, so we waited. And stared at our food. And waited. Finally we were able to ask for soy sauce... and waited some more. By the end of the meal, we were still hungry, tired of waiting, and paying a large bill that the meal did not live up to. Maybe the restaurant was having an off day, and the service can be chalked up to a very busy night. But all in all, I wouldn't go back.
(3)Paul M.
Friendly staff, great view, and great food. Our waiter Todd was friendly and offered thoughtful answers to our questions and requests for recommendations. The rock shrimp appetizer was great while the gyoza was pretty good. I had the sushi combination and it was outstanding. The only thing that is keeping me from giving a fifth star is that their dessert menu didn't have any items that piqued my interest.
(4)S E.
fine dining at its best. superb. hats off to the chefs. love this place. had octupus salad and sushi and it was absolutely delicious. everything was exquisite and on point. friendly staff and very personable.
(5)Stephanie L.
I had dinner here on Friday, Mach 7, 2014. Despite all the negative reviews I decided to come here and surprise my boyfriend for our 4 year anniversary. It was raining so we weren't able to sit outside on the patio. By the looks of pictures it was really nice and even had a fire pit so I was pretty bummed. Morimoto's is located in the Modern Hotel and if you valet your car the restaurant will validate for up to 4 hours. The restaurant itself is beautiful and modern with an ocean feel. My boyfriend and I love sushi and we've been to a lot of high end sushi places (Mitch's, Sushi II, etc.) so we figured we would order sushi. Instead we decided to try the Omakase "chef's choice" cause we've never tried it before at any other restaurant that offered it. Priced at $140 a person you would have high expectations. I have got to say that the Omakase was amazing. I wish I took pictures but even the pictures wouldn't do justice as to how good everything tasted. The Sushi was so fresh and tasty. Our main course which was lobster, braised pork, and wagyu beef was to die for. Our coconut crusted butter mochi and banana nut ice cream dessert was amazing. The foie gras with duck breast was so buttery and fatty it melted so good in your mouth. Our waiters were very knowledgable and very friendly. The best part is that Iron Chef Morimoto was there and we were able to take a picture with him. The waiters won't bother Morimoto so that you can take a picture with him, you have to go up to him yourself and ask. He was very friendly and doesn't speak good english. Can't wait to come back again to try the pork gyoza or Omakase round 2!
(5)Ronnie K.
Whenever I think of Morimoto's I think of the Iron Chef. My expectations were so high, I guess I was expecting nothing short of a mouthgasm. Do not get me wrong, the food was good; however, I was far from blown away. The girl that seated us was ehh.. but our server was awesome. He made great recommendations and probably could recite the menu in Iambic pentameter with his eyes closed. The restaurant is moderately pricey, so you can definitely do some damage if you are hungry or with a large party.
(5)Doris C.
Lunch with a group and it was surprisingly delicious. Attentive wait staff. Loco moco^ the best I've had with slices of waging beef, delicious gingerly garnish and just done right rice. Miso soup had the lightest freshest tofu I've tasted. Sushi slices delicious very good quality. The light Asian-inspired dressing on nalo greens was very delicate. My friends ordered extra dressing while I thought it was just enough dressing. I will certainly go here again. Wonderful view too. Architecture and interior design is comfortable when chatting with friends. Quiet! ALOHA Doris
(5)Dan C.
Beautiful layout and presentation. We had the cod, the sashimi and the beef tenderloin. All were very delicious...it took a few minutes to figure out location because it is located in the back of a hotel instead of a stand alone restaurant. Only negative is that we both had a slight stomach ache in the middle of the night after eating.
(4)Monica C.
Let me just say that I was incredibly excited to come here. I've been watching Iron Chef for years with my dad and Morimoto was one of my favorites. I even remember the episode where Bobby Flay insulted Morimoto because he climbed on his cutting board and Morimoto was infuriated and I was like OH HECK NO BOBBY FLAY! Anywhoo, when I heard about a Morimoto restaurant, I made sure we made reservations to go. We knew we were heading into a place where we're going to drop a few bills but we were up for it especially if the food would be life changing. This was NOT the case, seriously was disappointed in this establishment. Service, food, the entire situation left a bad taste in my mouth, we'll probably never return. Based on the recent reviews, looks like others would agree. We were celebrating a special event, we got married on our original anniversary date so we were too busy to do our usual anniversary dinner so this was our make-up dinner and attempt to celebrate without 520 people. The experience went terribly sour real quick. I think that service can make or break a dining experience. Service was definitely a huge factor, but the food - I cannot fathom why it tasted so lackluster. I so badly wanted to like everything we ordered because I thought to myself, ok maybe I'm just being too picky. But one bad dish after the other, I knew it wasn't us. Our waitress was RUDE, I don't remember her name because after a while, my husband just interacted with her and I stopped even looking at her. But seriously, if you hate customers and have issues being nice to people, DON'T be a waitress. It was quite amazing to me - we didn't do or say anything to her that would spark this. She just full on started being a smartypants after being assigned to be our waitress. Most of the time, she was nowhere to be found. Barely any water refills, and never checked up on us. But super impatient and pushy when we were trying to put our order in. My husband and her almost got into a quarrel because she was talking to him like he was illiterate and rolling her eyes at him the WHOLE time. Ok, if you're concerned about us dining and ditching, don't make it obvious. So freaking rude considering that we didn't show up looking ghetto or tried to steal anything off the table, obviously we can afford to dine wherever we want, Morimoto is no exception. Despite how unhappy we looked, management didn't do squat. So this is a classy grand restaurant right? This place was full on empty, SOMEONE could have checked up on us if our waitress's behavior was beyond a snobby high school drama queen. I bet others have complained about her, but has gotten away with it so many times. At the end of the meal, she attempted to redeem herself... super shady. I left her like a $5 tip - yep you lost about $50 worth of tips that night. The food was meh. If meh was an adjective, that's what my palette would describe every dish that came out. Everything was very flat and poorly executed. Over salted, strange flavor combinations and just extremely bad quality for the few bites of food we received. For the $$$, you would expect the dishes to send you into a mouthgasm. I've had those experiences before where literally after you finish something you think to yourself, ok that was possibly the best meal I've ever had... When can I come here again!? Then the next couple of weeks, months you daydream about coming back. This wasn't the case here, after appetizer #2, I knew the ship was sinking. My husband had sashimi which looked appetizing but the portion size was ridiculous. I think it was $35 for five bites, I don't like sashimi so I let him finish all of it. He seemed to like it, but coming from Seattle, we have great sushi places around the area where this measured up. This was his favorite dish, sad considering it was 5 bites. We ordered crispy shrimp with wasabi aioli and a firecracker sauce. This should be renamed Soggy Shrimp because there was no crispiness whatsoever. I specifically picked this appetizer because I thought I would get incredibly crispy nuggets of shrimp with flavorful dipping sauces. I actually didn't eat all of it and I decided to not pack it to go. That's how disappointing this was and in all honesty, fried foods isn't a difficult dish to execute at all. This isn't risotto people! The sauces were very bland and single noted, no spices and the wasabi was so mild it just tasted like mayo. Do not order this! I picked Duck Duck Duck for my entree, the soup was so salty I couldn't eat it, it came with two dime sized duck meatballs which were tasteless. The duck breast was dry and mediocre, it wasn't seared properly and the duck lumpia would make Filipinos all over the world cringe and shake their heads. Never returning, other restaurants will give you a better dining experience, trust me. -- Apparently my name is Susan... Need I say more about customer service?! SMDH
(1)Noriaki S.
We have to consider about the expensive price of good restaurant in Honolulu.In honolulu good restaurant is too expensive, cheep restaurant is always bad.Here is awesome.This restaurant has a good american face and good japanese face. We can enjoy the raw oyster and lobster and we can enjoy the authentic japanese sushi bar style.That's very nice.
(4)Tom P.
Horrible. I wish we went to the red lobster next door. The other luke warm sushi review is spot on. The service was at best, strange, but the food was aggravating. I could go on about the poor service... From reception, to bar, to waiter they were all in attentive and extremely slow. We've all been there. The real question is the food. My date and I ordered the live octopus carpaccio and the sushi sampler platter. The carpaccio was way too salty. The octopus was good despite this, but there was no ingredient or sauce. Next was the $90 sushi sampler. The fish was luke warm. The rice was too sticky. The rice didn't taste good. The house made soy sauce with low sodium tasted like a salt mine. The sushi itself tasted like grocery store sushi. Mayhaps the fish was well sourced, but I highly doubt it. Overall, the sushi was what you get from a $20 all you can eat place. I was livid. Do not go. It's not a portion issue or cost; I'm a foodie. Do not go.
(1)Sarah M.
Really beautiful place. The food was great and the service was excellent. I had a great time.
(5)Richard H.
Rare treat to dine at the restaurant of Iron Chef, Morimoto! As other have mentioned, the best time to sample their amazing food is during lunch, or during Happy Hour, otherwise be prepared to "shell out" some serious cash. Morimoto is located in the gorgeously renovated Modern Hotel (adjacent to the Ilikai) in Waikiki. The entire experience from the friendly welcome from the hostess, dinning service, and departure is first class. Our waiter and wait staff were extremely respectful and observant of the customer's needs, and became transparent during our meal. Never interrupting or leaving your glass of water empty. Everything at our table from the chop stick holders, to the dinner napkins fit into the décor of the restaurant. They also offered a gourmet green tea, which had a slightly sweetened with a hint of fruit. I selected the Chirashi lunch special for $30, and loved every bit! The mixture of fresh sashimi slices, ikura, chunks of tamago, unagi, chuck of fresh cucumber, crab, and a slice of lotus root was absolutely incredible. The bowl was completely packed with this amazing combination of seafood, leaving me stuffed at the end of the meal. After my seafood feast, I sat there wishing that I didn't have to return to work. Try them for lunch, but go back for a meal with their own: soba/wheat beer!
(5)Joe B.
I had an OK experience here, but probably won't return. The interior has a lot of style. But I found the good to be just OK. The highlight was the cocktails - unique combinations and really delicious! But the food was more on the average side. The presentation was beautiful but the flavor was dull. By the time the entrees arrived I felt like we were paying more for atmosphere than for food. Two problems with the place - they are definitely NOT a focused on sustainable seafood. I can't imagine why any restaraunt in Hawaii would need to fly in lobster from Maine or sea Bass from the Mediterranean! And I was appalled to see them serving inhumane dishes like live octopus and foie gras. Topping it off, or server seemed bored and disinterested... I think this place just sees too many tourists to really achieve the fine dining that they strive for...
(2)Ben T.
Overall experience at Morimoto was top notch. Even though we had a reservation, we had to wait for an additional 45 min due to a storm taking out the restaurant's outdoor area. We passed the time by waiting at the bar, but were not actually pleased by the time we were seated. To make up for the unexpected wait, the restaurant gave us a free entree without us asking. It was delicious! All of the food was brilliantly presented and tasted amazing. A favourite was the pork belly congee which was simply divine.
(4)Connie H.
GET THE LUNCH SET! nuff said. Best value IMO you get variety and good portions. $25. I got angry chicken. It came with sushi salad soup and salad! My only recommendation/suggestion to management is to update the decor. They have limitations since the color scheme is white/light green, so the age of the chairs really show and all white plates and stuff show the slightest markings. For example, my white soy sauce container had a piece of food sticking to the bottom when it came to my table. I would def return for the lunch sets!
(4)Matt C.
Good food, amazing ambience. Probably one of the coolest restaurants I've ever eaten at. We didn't have reservations so we sat outside in the lounge. The service was pretty good and overall the food was good but not great like I had hoped for. I got the chirashi sushi (and I'm no sushi expert so I didn't know what it was beforehand) and all it was was leftover hunks of fish and vegetables in a big bowl over sushi rice. I think we would have had a better experience had we made reservations and not been on such a tight budget (student) as most of the other menu items looked and sounded delicious.
(4)Ben C.
When planning our trip to Honolulu, we knew we had to visit Morimoto. It was one of the best dining experiences we have had. I ordered the omakase (chef's menu), and each course was better than the last. I think my favourite was the foie gras chawan mushi, but I wouldn't have passed up on any of the seven courses. The other members of my family had sashimi, wagyu beef steak and assorted appetizers. Each dish was shared around the table and enjoyed by all. Services was friendly, helpful and fun. Can't say enough good things about this experience and it takes a place in my top five restaurants of all time.
(5)Alvin A.
Morimoto Waikiki: the best fine dining restaurant I've ever ate at especially on Oahu. I felt like a food judge that you see on tv. Me and My gf sat at 8pm and didn't stop eating till 10pm. It was awesome!!!!!! Here's the breakdown: 1. Food the food was awesome! Every bite I took was a slice of heaven.. The fish was so delicate and steak cut like butter. Dessert was magnificent! Flavors in each dish was like watching a symphony of harmonious proportions. Better put, it was like an orgy of flavors in my mouth! We had 4 appetizers, 2 main course, and 2 desserts 2. Food Presentations you know what was awesome about this place, the servers took their time and explained each dish that came out to us. The presentations was like an art painting you would want to hang on your wall. I didn't even want to touch them cause it was so pretty. The chefs took their time in creating masterpieces. Pretty much it reminded me when I first saw My gf, the hottest eye candy around ;) (brownie points) 3. Service service was great! They spaced out the appetizers, main course and desserts well. We was able to enjoy our food and enjoyed every bite. We didn't feel rushed at all. Every dish that was completed, we got new utensils, plates and got our tables wiped... Everytime!!! 3. Price let's just say you can't put a price on the Morimoto experience. That being said I could probably only afford going there Once a year preferably during tax season. LoL In my opinion, I've been to Roys, Ruth's Chris, Alan Wongs and John Dominis to name a few, Morimotos dinner menu blew all of them out of the water. Morimotos made all the other fine dining places on Oahu like newbies playing COD for the first time, made them look like rookies and I'm not even exaggerating! I'll definitely go there again, not anytime soon but again lol
(5)wanda M.
Wow! Food and drinks were superb! The only thing I didn't care for was the tables were so close together, we ended up talking with the next tables on both sides lol! And everyone is looking at the other tables to see what each other ordered! Much too close! Service was great! Best B.day dinner I ever had! Definitely returning!
(4)Mary W.
We came here for our honeymoon dinner - we mentioned this in our reservation and we were seated at a corner table with a nice view of the beach. Along with the dessert course in the tasting menu, we were served with a congratulations sorbet. The wait staff was pleasant and gave detailed explanation of the food and offered to take photos for us. The first two courses were amazing (tartar and sashimi) the other 5 that followed were mediocre (considering its $120 per person). The surf and turf was most disappointing - over seasoned and over cooked. We had a palette cleansing tea which tasted like salt water. Overall experience was okay but probably not for the price.
(3)Robert O.
My fam and I have been coming here ever since they opened and never have they disappointed. They really do take care of you there. One server that comes to mind is josh. Never met another server like him anywhere else. He treats you like family and makes your dinning experience even more memorable. On a 1 to 10 scale, I definitely give morimotos an 11.
(5)Melissa C.
We had been planning our visit to Morimoto for a year. We ended up having tapas and sushi. The pork belly was the highlight - I could have eaten about 6 of them. The sushi was fresh and clean, and the ahi tuna was like butter. It was nice to be able to see into the kitchen. Service was attentive, although, he forgot one of our appetizers. The atmosphere felt a little sterile - kind of like you couldn't get comfortable or else you would alter the clean room environment. But the food was the highlight and that's what we came for.
(4)Jacob N.
I've been to Morimoto Waikiki a couple times now, but it's only been for lunch, and I haven't been disappointed one bit! At first I was worried that it would be quite a pricey lunch since, you know, it's Morimoto, but I was pleasantly surprised when I noticed the lunch sets on the menu. The lunch sets range from $22 to $28 and include Miso soup, salad and sushi. Who would have thought you could eat at Morimoto for under $30?? Morimoto Junmai: yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… Crispy Rock Shrimp Tempura: I highly recommend this appetizer. Not only does it taste amazing, but it's also pretty reasonably priced! Wasabi Aioli: yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… Spicy Kochujang: yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… Ranch and celery: yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… Sashimi Sushi Combination: Should be called Tempura Sahimi combo. yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… Tempura: Crispy on the outside tender on the inside. yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… Sashimi and Sushi: Super fresh fish. yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… Sushi Omakase, $40: I want to try the pricier Omakase sets next time! yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… Tofu Cheesecake: yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… Vanilla Roasted Pineapple: yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… Some other special dessert: Unfortunately I don't remember what exactly it was, but it was like a flourless chocolate cake with espresso ice cream. yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… All of the food that I've tried here was simply spectacular. The flavors of each dish complimented the next, and with the reasonable price of the lunch menu you can't go wrong! I can't wait to see what the dinner experience here is like!
(4)Mark L.
Long and the short of it.....I would come here for Sushi and Sashimi any day of the week. It is incredibly fresh and perfectly prepared with delicate texture, kind of what you would expect at a restaurant of one of the greatest Chefs in the world. Some of the other items were a tiny bit hit and miss for me. The Foie Gras Chawan Mushi is RIDICULOUSLY good. Unreal texture and flavor, it is a do not miss! The Wagyu Carpaccio was really solid, although not the best I have had. The Duck, Duck, Duck, I was really looking forward to this and it fell flat for me. The duck meatballs in broth were superb, the other two items were just alright. The drinks are super solid and the service was as expected. Great thing that there was zero rush at all. The restaurant itself is well designed, pretty and calm. Most people seem to opt for the outside seating which we did not get a chance to try. Come down and get yourself some stuff, you won't regret it!
(4)Thi N.
Came last week with a friend. Went with the Omakase + wine tasting. The only dish that was a standout was the toro tartare, otherwise food very average for what we expected. Service not too bad but the waiters did not know or explain the wines that were coming out with the wine paring - at some points the wine glasses were just placed onto the table without any explanations. At $530 ($730 AUD) for 2 people after tax + tips, definitely could have been better.
(3)Maka K.
First word: AMAZING! Second word: Expensive.... Location/Parking: A restaurant founded by and named after Iron Chef Morimoto, it's located in The Modern hotel in Waikiki. The hotel valet is give 4hrs. complementary valet service with a validated ticket. I'm not sure how much it would be otherwise. Venue: The restaurant fits the hotel: modern. It's set mostly to a while and green color scheme, is very sheik and sleek, and definitely sets a classy and upscale tone. They feature both indoor seating as well as covered patio seating, which looks out over the boat harbor behind the hotel. It's a sophisticated and very calming restaurant. Food: Come on! It's an Iron Chef's restaurant. Enough said...or it should be, but I feel the need to elaborate. Chef Morimoto is Japanese and likewise is his restaurant, so the entire menu is gourmet Japanese food, and it's all freaking amazing. Yes, gourmet means smaller portions, but what you get is made of great quality ingredients and are always prepared perfectly. The food presentation is pristine and well balanced; I'm sure you'll notice the "zen" of it all. I also can't ignore the fact that Japanese cuisine never makes me feel guilty considering that a lot of it include fresh ingredients, clean flavors, and leave out a lot of fattening preparations that other Western based cuisines might employ. Service: The wait staff here are very well trained. They are knowledgeable about their entire menu, can tell you how things are made, everything that comes on the plate, and are willing to patiently answer all the questions you may have. In addition, they're also very accommodating; for example, a friend of mine had a bug fly into her wine glass and they were willing to replace it when asked (without an extra charge)---that's great service. Pricing: Gourmet is not normally cheap, let's be honest, but again, you're paying for your quality of food and the amazing service you receive. Ordering an appetizer, an entree, and a dessert can easily run you $60+, and that's not counting anything you might want to drink. If you can make it for lunch, they have great lunch sets (starting at $22) and sandwiches (starting at $15) that are more affordable than what you might find on the dinner menu, but still upholding the same service and food quality. Conclusion: I love the restaurant and will definitely return in the future, but it will probably be sparingly because of the price (or special occasions if we're talking about dinner).
(5)Harry K.
Way overpriced! Horrible service! Waiter simply did not listen. Bought Meat when we told him fish. & vegeys only! Go to Nobu instead or real sushi @ Yanagi. Shiso leaves were served rotten...see photo. Omakase - not a value!
(1)Reg A.
I don't get the bad reviews I've been to this location 4 times now on since its been open. I've done omakase twice! I was first hooked at the NYC location. For those who are complaining about the price.... YES, it is expensive for small portions! You should know what your getting into when dining at an "Original" Iron Chef restaurant. This time around I ordered: Tuna Pizza(Must try!) Pork belly congee(delicious!) Braised Lamb shank(surprisingly generous portion, but I wouldn't order again.) Tofu cheescake(still good!) Haupia Semifredo(Really good) Morimoto Hazelnut Beer(I liked it even though it was $18 bottle of beer) SERVICE: Everytime I've dined here its been great service. No complaints! I like how they explain what your eating & how to eat it! RECOMMENDATIONS: Tuna Pizza Tofu Cheesecake Omakase (for the experience & splurge for a special occasion).
(4)Christine D.
Excellent Atmosphere, service, decorating,,,,everything was great. And the food was perfect
(5)Fontane L.
It pains me to give Morimoto's only 2 stars, but I must be honest... I had high expectations of this place....I was on a girl's trip to Oahu, my first trip sans baby, and I wanted to have something really tasty... I would give it 3-4 stars if it wasn't so pricey and famous, but it really feel short of what is expected of a restaurant of this caliber. The four of us went with the omakase tasting menu ($120/pp?). The highlight of the meal was the foie gras chawanmushi, and the lowlight was the entree of meats. The entree had pork loin, beef, and lobster. Most disappointingly, my entree was lukewarm, and the lobster was rubbery. The other items were artful and tasty, but not as amazing as I expected? Included the hamachi tartare, nigiri, some kind of fondue-style dish with veggies and a hot anchovy-based dip, and other things I forget. Perhaps the experience would have been better on a different night or ordering just a handful of items from the menu...but I don't know that I'd come back.
(2)Aloha T.
Just good but not amazing. I would rather go to nobu for these prices. The service was mediocre. I had to ask for green tea 3 times. I never got it because after the 3rd time they said they don't have regular green tea, only flavored tea. Angry chicken was dry. Their version of bi bim bap was bland. Best part was the spicy Hamachi, which was fresh and tasty. Also had Hamachi pastrami, which great. Overall way too much money for pretty good food. For the price, Nobu is better and so is Morton's.
(3)Judith H.
Really good service. Average food. Over 200 seats and empty for lunch. Only three tables seated the entire lunch hour I was there. Nice restaurant but starting to look a little worn and dirty fabric on the chairs. Too expensive for what you get.
(3)Jon E.
I don't get the low reviews and the overall 3.5 stars. Service is attentive in general, food is high priced but hey, it's in the Modern hotel, it's Morimotos, what do you expect? So here is the guide to have a good dining experience. There are 7 Omakase sets at last count, I've had all of them. Ya, there are some things that are blah and some that are amazing, this is the same as any other place, the difference here is that in the omakase you are going to get 5 different dishes in smaller portion sizes. So, if you go with your sig other get 2 DIFFERENT omakase and share. Now you have 10 different things out of which you should probably like at least 8. Sure some desserts suck but I'm positive I would not have ordered the tofu cheesecake had it not been a part of omakase 2 (i think). The tofu cheesecake with black sugar ice cream and some wafer thing on the side is a sublime blend of subtle flavors and textures, worth going in itself, but then again you may hate it and think I'm crazy. Again, this is why you order 2 different omakase. Without omakase 4(i think) i wouldn't have tried the spicy seafood stew (toban somethingorother). That stew is the one thing I now order as an entree if not in the omakase mood, it's that good. That and the spicy king crab, what's not to like about spicy king crab right? So go in expecting to drop $300+ per couple, do it the right way and leave full and happy.
(5)Turana K.
so disappointed, selected this place to celebrate my birthday the worst decision i ever made. first of all my husband told them that it was my birthday and we need best table, instead they gave us small shitty table, after complaining they changed the table. Service is 0 for such prices. they never took away a dirty paper napkin from table, never changed it. food was ok, but very disappointing when u pay so much money to get ok food. we r never coming back!!!!
(1)M L.
Sadly, my experience last night did not match these reviews, my expectations, or my experience at Morimoto's in NYC. We did the chef's tasting with 4 people. Our food was both bland and cold - repeatedly. Our cocktails were ok, but seemed to contain very little liquor. Our waiter was a mess. Friendly enough guy, but clearly needs more training. He began our night by looking exhausted and making a comment about being busy. Which is fine - whatever. But by the end of the night, he was venting to us about how stressful his other table had been, how things were a mess because the chef was out with the flu, and all sorts of other behind-the-scenes stories that were completely unprofessional. There seemed to be a general lack of training and attention to detail among the staff. One example - they served a fondue dish with little candles under the pot to keep it hot. My friend's candle arrived extinguished. Problem 1: the server didn't notice, so we had to flag them down and ask for a light. Problem 2: the server was having trouble getting it to light, but instead of trying once and then taking it back to deal with at the service station, he just hovered over my friend and fumbled with it near her head for awhile. Problem 3: once lit and put back in place, my friend noticed her oil was cold. Which means the candle didn't blow out on the journey from kitchen to table, it had been out for a bit. Another minor example of training issues that is similar to our overall experience. Our waiter brought us small dessert cocktails (about a quarter pour) for free, which was very nice of him and was greatly appreciated. But instead of saying "compliments of the house" or "you guys have been great, please enjoy this drink on me" or "we're testing out a new cocktail, and I'd love your feedback", we got "the bartender made an extra one accidentally and was going to throw it out, but I said we might as well give it to you." So his heart was in the right place, but could have used a little salesman finesse. Can you image this happening at another fine dining restaurant? And perhaps that is the issue - this property, although billed under Morimoto's name and priced to match, seems to have succumbed to the island lifestyle and is much more casual than was expected. Unfortunately, the allure of Hawaiian life doesn't excuse poorly executed dishes. There's plenty of other great restaurants on the island - spend your money there.
(1)Frank W.
I only came here for breakfast and ordered the Loco Moco. I wasn't sure what it is but I can say it's average at best. A lot of curry sauce and little bits of pieces of "wagyu" beef. Could've been anything and I wouldn't have known. The servers were very attentive and nice though. But my real gripe is the decor. What is up with the outdoor chairs? They were dirty, and the leather on the seats were ripped or had chunks missing. This is not what you would expect for a place of Morimoto's caliber. I'm very disappointed at this lack of attention to details.
(3)Jennie B.
It was my husbands bday so he had a choice of where to go. He decided to try Morimotos......he is an iron Chef so it must be good and expensive. COCKTAILS: always a martini, everywhere we go, Ketel One Vodka, 3 olives, blah, blah, blah...... he had a sip, and said it's watered down, he tells the our waiter ...... then proceed to order another one.... same watered down. This is my husbands drink at home and he very rarely complains about anything...... but get his drink right !!!! Not even an apology and not an offer of " can I get you another one, on us ?". APPETIZERS: 1. Calamari salad: good dressing, tasty, slightly weird presentation.....calamari was buried under all the greens, but it's good,I would recommend this. We tried to order the house green salad but the waiter, Mathew talked us out of ordering it because the calamari salad should be big enough.for both of us , he was right. 2. Oysters: 1/2 dozen, it's okay, nice, little and fresh 3. Pork Gyoza: nice presentation, meaty as described, with bacon foam and tomato sauce, it's pretty, looks like an " an alien flat egg" . It tastes good, just like pork Goya. 4. Uni Sushi ( from Japan) : we we're told it is much better than California Uni, it should be for $12 a piece. We are small eaters so after the 4 appetizers we went straight to deep fried fish, the was good, well presented, I just didn't understand the papaya salad......not mush taste, the soft tofu is also bland, just didn't get this dish at all. Dessert: nothing looked particularly special as described on the menu. NOTE: I probably got spoiled by dining at our favorite restaurant Michelles where they acknowledge special occasions, even by saying happy bday or just making us feel special. Our waiter acted as if he's doing us a favor by being there......not going back for sure.
(2)Nt P.
We had a gift card for this place so we decide to go to celebrate an early Valentines. For the last year we been monitoring the Yelp and in the beginning the reviews were not good at all! So we just hung back to see if the reviews would improve - and it did. So we decide to take the plunge. The Ambiance: We had an early reservation at 5:15 and the place was wide open. The decor was unexpected, very modern, it took me by surprise, considering it's Japanese focused food (The 'fusion' part becomes evident when you read the menu). There were some reviews that complained the restaurant was very noisy and the tables were a bit far to sustain conversation. Because we went early, it was quiet, but I think I would have to agree with the reviews on the noise level - its a big open spaced dining area with an open kitchen with a lot of hard surfaces, thus the sounds just bounce around. There was outside seating available, but we passed due to the windiness that day. Perhaps some soft items / areas to damped the overall 'din' might be nice. We stayed for about 2 hours and as the restaurant patrons and additional staff came in, the increase in sound level was apparent. Minor note: what's with the solid Plexi-Glas table legs? It's translucent so I kept bumping into them as I sat due to the habit of wanting more space for stretching my legs - might be a bit cramped for larger or taller people. The Food: One word: delish! Again despite some negative reviews, we did not experience any bad or mediocre dish. We did a 'heavy pupu' dinner, thus we ordered a variety of cold and hot appetizer dishes to get a nice cross section of the chefs creations. We will list from Best dish of the night to least best: Wagyu Carpaccio: This was absolutely amazing, thinly slice beef presented like sashimi over a hot oil (which cooks the beef to medium rare) with yuzu soy and microgreens. This seems to be a very delicate dish despite the beef and I can see why some people may pan this dish - because I think the beef can be over cooked in the hot oil if left too long during busy times. Kakuni: Wow, this braised pork dish was a real comfort food. The slab of pork is about 3x3x1 and so tender it just falls apart as you cut into it. It is complemented on a bed of 'congee' or soft cooked rice. I think they could build an entree around this appetizer. Oyster Foie Gras: We were a bit hesitate about this one, due to the richness of the ingredients, but again: Wow - what a burst of flavors! It was a toss up between this and the Kakuni in terms of which was better (similar sweet soy profile). It comes open faced on a bed of hot salt, it's a hot appetizer, but the oysters are not cooked through. The foie gras complements the oyster and sweet teri sauce to the point that at times I thought I was eating something else (like an Unagi-don) or a very different take on Oyster Rockerfellers. Very nice. As with the Wagyu Carpaccio, I think this could have problems with the right 'cookedness' during busy times. Japanese Uni - Nigiri Sushi (2 piece order): Wow! We are glad to have tried this, for you Uni fans, the Japanese Uni is not as 'fatty' or 'sweet' as the Uni usually served, it is a bit firmer, smaller and more orange in color. If you look closely at this sushi, you will see about 4-6 individual uni pieces sitting onto the rice / nori. A bit expensive, but worth the experience. Negi-Hamachi Maki: Normally we only see Negi-toro on a menu, not often do you see Negi-Hamachi on a menu. Now if you are at the Sushi bar I am sure the Itamae will make it for you if you know. This roll was unusual in that the green onions were not mixed in with the Hamachi - it was rolled in on the side of the Hamachi and it was very thin green onions. Hamachi is a lot more delicate than Toro, so I think they did this one correctly to put the Hamachi flavor first and the onion as a condiment. Soft Shell Crab Roll: No much to say about this, except it was well executed and very tasting - portion was great. The best part was the crab was still warm and crispy! Hamachi - Nigiri Sushi (2 piece order): Nothing really to write home about, however the fish was fresh and very flavorful. I kinda expected a larger piece for the price, but I guess it was thick enough for a well rounded nigiri sushi. Takoyaki: This was our least favorite dish. However, it's not that it was not good, it was very flavorful. We thought using the Abalone instead of Octopus didn't make a difference, the texture was similar and the delicate flavor of the Abalone wasn't there due to the cooking. We thought this would make a great savory desert dish. I am at the word limit... hope this was a helpful review!
(4)Allen Michael D.
Walked in for lunch and was greeted by very friendly staff. Made me feel very welcomed into the restaurant. I was given the choice to sit in or outside which was a great plus. The view from the patio was amazing! The staff was very helpful and knowledgeable about the menu and it made my decision even easier. This is what I enjoyed: 1) TORO TARE TARE - I've never tried it before so my server Kealoha explained how to eat it properly. First bite in and I absolutely loved it! The presentation was very nice with 5 different toppings to choose from. 2) TEMPURA CALAMARI SALAD - A generous portion of crisp mixed greens, on top of a bed of perfectly fried calamari. One of THE BEST salads I've ever tasted! 3) SUSHI - SAKE (Salmon), CHU-TORO, OTORO, SPICY SALMON ROLL. The sushi was TOP NOTCH and quality is amazing! The texture of the sake was so soft and it melted in my mouth like butter. The TORO's we're very Very VERY chewy. I ate one and left it in my mouth for a couple seconds with a big smile on my face. And the Spicy Salmon Roll was great! perfectly portioned Rolls with tons of taste and great quality! 4) KURO GOMA - I wanted to try something different for dessert and ordered this. Presentation looked great and the taste was a unique blend of black sesame, strawberries, and caramelized white chocolate. The sponge cake was definitely different and blended well with everything else the plate had to offer From the great food, friendly staff, and beautiful ambience, I will definitely be back to Morimotos!
(5)William D.
There is a difference between refined and creative. And the omakaze selection was creative. There were some singles and some home runs. The first course tartare was hit or miss from bite to bite only because the dinner is responsible for seasoning. The second course carpaccio was very close to perfect. Third course vegatable and olive oil fondue had great ingredients but I felt I needed better instructions on how to prepare and enjoy. Fourth course fois gras was great and just the right portion size. Next was a kombu tea that was complex and refreshing. Fifth was a simple sushi plate that contained the single best piece of tuna I had ever had (proper temp proper age and perfect execution). The sixth meat selection was a hit and miss, curry lobster with lemon cream was inspired while the waygu beef was over cooked. Finally the desert was ruined by the cackling herd of drunk women that piled into the bar area screaming and laughing with each other while ruining everyone else's meal.
(5)Janet H.
I can finally say I've eaten at the Iron Chef's restaurant! To be honest, I didn't know some of the stuff I was eating, but nonetheless, everything was delicious! I felt like a queen and my giddy little taste buds were jumping up and down with excitement from all the scrumptious flavors. My friend and I got the omakase ($125), no regrets! Everything was so aesthetically pleasing. All the dishes were almost too pretty to eat! The highlights of the meal were the seafood dishes. The first appetizer was kind of like a pallet with tuna and some other fish and you dip it with wasabi, guacamole, seaweed paste, sour cream, soy sauce and some crunchy rice balls... yes, I know that does not sound appealing but it was amazing. The other appetizer was moi fish with ginger and other ingredients harmonizing with the fish. The server stated that moi is a type of fish long time ago that queens and kings could only eat. Yup, felt like a queen that night! Of course, then nigiri sushi was so delicious! I tried fish I haven't tried before either. The fish were so freshy and creamy. MmMm! The other main dish was surf n turf! The lobster was succulent, but I was not a fan of the steak. They actually undercooked it and had to send it back twice before it was finally cooked right. That was a bit traumatizing when I took my first bite. Luckily, the servers were happy to fix it and send it back. Finally, dessert was a bunch of root veggies/pumpkin. Ube ice cream, kabocha souffle? I can't remember... but everything was on point! The only dish I wasn't really a fan of was the weird veggie dish where you dip it in olive oil mixed with other things... it didn't have much flavor. I also noticed the table next to us had boiling oil, ours was just lukewarm. Overall, a delicious meal. It was fun spoiling myself for once! When else can you get lobster, steak, foie gras, and souffle all in one day? I thought it was worth the $125! of course, don't forget to request sitting at the patio. Gorgeous view, especially during sunset. Le sigh. Missing Hawaii.
(4)K. S.
I wish I could give this place more stars, but I was very disappointed with the service and quality of food. My family and I had the omakase. The first three dishes were excellent. However, the latter four were seriously lacking. Egg Custard: Super salty Sushi: Not fresh. It tasted like it had recently been defrosted. Surf and turf: Lobster was salty and rubbery. Wagyu Beef was tough and did not taste fresh. Good Wagyu beef is tender and melts in your mouth. Butter Mochi: It tasted like old cereal with really old mochi. Given the hefty price, I expected better food. Last, but not least, it took two and a half hours for us to be served the complete omakase. There's no excuse as to why we have to wait to be served mediocre food. Chad, thank for your response. We dined on Christmas night.
(2)Robert P.
Great with my kids and not pushy. Such a nice time. Food is not just tasty but also an experience.
(5)Sean S.
Almost 5 stars. I think I went in with too high of expectations. Don't get me wrong, the food was very good just not exceptional. The service, ambiance and food presentation were all there. We had a group of 4 and went family style so we could choose a few different items. We started with the hamachi tartare (fun presentation but not overwhelming), white fish sashimi (great sauce and good fish), wagyu sashimi (decent meat but great sauce), tuna pizza (fun and different). Then we split 2 entrees. The whole fried fish and the seafood tepanyaki. The fish had a great sauce and the fish was good not great. The tepanyaki was very good. The sauce was a spicy/sweet sauce with clams, mussels, crab and lobster. This was excellent! Again, you won't be dissapointed in their food. Maybe your wallet but the food was good just not over the top like I thought it would be.
(4)colleen a.
Morimoto's has a great ambience and you have your choice of indoor or outdoor seating overlooking the marina. The staff was courteous knowledgeable and friendly with good recommendations. We tried the Morimoto Omakase. If you don't know what that is, it's a chef's choice multi course tasting menu designed to allow you to experience the essence of Morimoto's cuisine. We found everything to be absolutely delicious, and the presentation was beautiful! Don't expect overloaded piles of food on a plate. Presentation and taste is key here, not quantity. After finishing the meal we were both pleasantly satisfied but not overstuffed. Perfect! Do be aware that this place is not cheap, and by the time you eat and have drinks you may find that you have spent several hundred dollars. For me this is a great place to go for a special occasion and I highly recommend it!
(5)Raquel A.
Love, love, love! Menu is off the chain! Everything was amazing and didn't disappoint. I don't want to recommend anything because you should try everything! Even the cocktails! Wait staff were extremely knowledgeable in the menu and had awesome suggestions. If you haven't been, you haven't lived!
(5)Rogei M.
PROS: +Quality food +Upscale modern clean atmosphere CONS: -$$$ AMBIANCE: Loved the upscale modern décor overlooking the Ilikai harbor! SERVICE: Excellent! Hostess and waitress were very attentive! FOOD: +HAMACHI at first I thought wow this is really overpriced for the portion size but it was quit filling and the taste was amazing. The presentation was absolutely lovely . +LOBSTER MELT the lobster melt itself was very savory. Side of salad and wasabi French fries. I loved the French fries! +PEANUT BUTTER FONDANT delectable & rich! VALUE: More on the pricey side $$$ but I could taste the great quality in the food. Overall, I had a few glasses of mimosas with my meal which made the experience fun. I enjoyed the decor and presentation of the food more than the taste of my meal. I would have loved to have meet Morimoto himself but he wasn't present at that time.
(3)lyndon l.
It's a little thread bare and we sat down to a really dirty napkin at my wife's seat. HOWEVER, the food was amazing! We had the chef's choice and it was fantasticalness. All was good and some items were great and we eat out a lot.
(5)Jonathan G.
Glad we took a chance on this place given some of the mixed reviews. Not only did we love it, we are planning to go back for another dinner before we end our trip. Our server was exceptional and so was the meal. There were so many good appetizers that we ended up just ordering a bunch and making that our dinner. I ordered a nigori sake that was served with the bottle in a bowl of crushed ice to keep it chilled...that was a nice touch. My wife ordered a sake flight that she enjoyed despite not ever thinking she was a big sake fan. Absolutely no complaints about this experience! All the dishes were expertly presented and delicious!
(5)Julianne C.
Came here on a business dinner and I must say, Morimoto is one of the more innovative Japanese restaurants in Honolulu. The main dining room was elegantly modern and chic and I loved the open kitchen concept. My colleague even noted that sometimes Chef Morimoto himself would be at the kitchen/sushi bar creating some of the dishes. The staff was extremely professional and was very attentive with our drink/food orders. Had a very enjoyable dining experience overall. One thing that stood out from my experience: the dashi foam - how cool was that?!
(4)Larry H.
Wonderful dinner on the outdoor patio. Sushi was fresh and both dinners were delicious. They aknowledged our anniversary.
(4)Kikuasu Y.
Excellent food! Excellent service!! We came here when it first opened and left unimpressed with both the food and the price but then we decided to give it another chance. Thank goodness that we did! The food was amazing! The sushi was fresh and a few things we rarely see like raw tako, sayori, fresh mirugai, fresh oysters, etc... The calamari salad, gyoza with bacon foam, spicy long crab with fries, and live tako sashimi were so delicious! The sushi chef was from Japan just moved to Hawaii 2 weeks ago but also really nice. Service was again, excellent! Best of all, we got to see Chef Morimoto himself!
(5)Farhana D.
As soon as we made reservations on the phone, my friend and I got a bad feeling about this place. The hostess on the phone was very cold and short anywhooo we let that slide and were super excited to dine at Morimotos. The restaurant itself is beautiful BUT being a 4 star restaurant I was expecting more from the main courses and desserts. We started off with the tempura calamari salad which was the best thing out of our whole meal. For our main course I had the Toban Yaki: lobster, shrimp, clams, mussells and scallops in a spicy red broth and my friend had the crispy whole snapper.... our entrees were lacking flavor and just plain disappointing. We also tried 3 desserts: tofu cheesecake, chocolate peanut bombe and haupia semifreddo.....all the desserts were boring and tasteless , the only thing tasty was the accompanying ice cream *sigh*. I gave 2 stars for the service + decent apps and drinks. Sadly overall this place was a fail.
(2).Alan Y.
Meh. I wanted to come here to experience some Iron Chef action. But, I must say, it did not live up to the hype built up in my own mind. All of the dishes were beautiful to look at, but I'm not in agreement with the statement "we eat with our eyes". If food doesn't taste good, then it's a fail. And at these prices, this food needed to taste amazeballs. We ordered the Hamachi Tartare -- a minced hamachi spackled onto a wooden square plate and scooped out with a little trowel. Even though the dish was unique in appearance, it was a shame for the hamachi to be rendered into fish pulp. Morimoto Style Poke was okay. It was your standard ahi, served with peeled cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and bacon foam. The ahi was undersalted and the mozzarella was tasteless. The bacon foam and the peeled tomatoes were nice. Pork Gyoza. Let's just say, this would be a good value if it were only $4. Bagna Cauda. Raw vegetables and two small croutons dipped into olive oil and anchovy and garlic paste. Sounded great, but really underwhelmballs. We also split a salad and an avocado roll. Sadly, those were the two best dishes of the night. I wish I could at least talk up their bar, but no, their signature drinks were also weak. I suppose I might come back, but just to try an entree, then leave.
(2)Sasha L.
Went to morimotos with some girl friends for lunch today, and as always am impressed by the decor! Morimotos has such a beautiful, calming ocean theme and is perfect for a nice lunch with friends. We went around noon and it was pretty empty. The lunch specials range from $15-30. I had the sushi and sashimi lunch special, and it came with tempura, salad, two California rolls and miso soup. I also had a carafe of their iced tea..so refreshing! Their sashimi as always is top notch, and after being alerted of my shellfish allergy, the server nicely substituted my shrimp tempura with a white fish tempura and my California roll (contains fresh crab meat) with a spicy tuna roll. Good looking out, thank you! My friends had the hamachi buribap, which is raw hamachi that they sear on the sizzling hot bowl it comes in, and mix your vegetables and rice into for you. It looked so good, I am definitely getting that next time! It was a little pricey, about $50 a head (with tip) for each of us for lunch. But it was a nice treat and such a nice relaxing leisurely lunch! Excellent service, great food and most importantly great company! I would come for dinner, but only if their best bartender Wade was working.
(5)Cameron B.
Ambiance: very loud. It felt as if I could walk out of this restaurant and find myself standing in a casino in Las Vegas or the streets of LA. It just feels a little out of place in Waikiki. The servers are constantly pulling plates from your table, speeding past you, pouring water into your not empty cup. It seemed a little excessive. Service: As I mentioned above, very thorough. They kept our drinks filled and plates clean. Our server was very good about explaining the menu but the workers dropping the plates off seemed to forget their scripted lines about what each item was. Food: We ordered a little bit of everything - from cold apps to entrees. The lamb entree - which was recommended was very dry. The surf and turf which I had was very good but the surf part was filled with more filler than fish. We ordered some sushi too and wasn't impressed with the plating. Compared to everything else, the sushi was kind of boring. The beautifully presented toro or hamachi tartare (I can't remember which we got) was delicious, the tempura calamari was soggy - I do not recommend) the waygu carpacio was like butter and I highly recommend, the kakuni - is Morimoto's take on the standard konbumaki but way more delicious and I probably could eat platefuls of that stuff. Dessert: if you're going to recommend something, boast about something - it better be amazing. we ordered the chocolate tarte and the peanut butter bombe (which was recommended). Both were just okay, nothing special. The bombe wasn't very bomb - and I was expecting more of a burst of peanut butter but got a mousse with just a hint instead. The chocolate tarte had a drizzle of kona coffee which was so far away from the plate that it didn't make sense? Drinks: I had the mai tai, mori-mojito, prosecco and a few glasses of wine. Funny enough, the mai tai was the best one but the mixed drinks felt very watered down - or well made. No alcohol flavor what so ever. Would I come back here? Probably not. It's a beautiful restaurant, very touristy and loud. There were few things on the menu I would like to try but it's not a place that I'd rush back to.
(4)Charlie A.
I really enjoyed the food and service here. I had the "Crispy Whole Fish" in spicy tofu sauce, and pickled papaya salad. Pricey but what an awesome experience! Enjoyed the best fireworks show on the beach for an extra bonus.
(5)Annie L.
I was staying at The Modern Honolulu for a week's vacation and I purposely picked this hotel because I was excited to eat at Morimoto Waikiki. The decor in the restaurant was modern and lovely but the food was definitely not up to my expectations. We started with the Morimoto sashimi. The presentation was nice but this dish wasn't anything spectacular. We then moved on to the seafood 'toban yaki' and 1/2lb australian wagyu filet. The seafood 'toban yaki' was plentiful but the red miso broth was way too salty. I needed to drink lots of water alongside my meal the entire night. The wagyu was good but it was a little odd that a side was not included. Sides are to be ordered separately and priced separately. Finally we ended with the ice cream and sorbet. This was probably my favourite course of the night. The flavours were original and very tasty and the presentation of the different flavours were clean and simple. Overall the dining atmosphere/environment was great but the food was definitely lacking with the exception of the ice cream and sorbet. I would probably not dine there again.
(3)Samuel B.
I was not impressed. To start off the hostess was totally rude. She said I better go to y table and order now as soon as I walked in cause the kitchen was closing in 5 minutes. By the time the server came over (who was the only cool thing about this place) he said not to worry. When the sushi came out the fish was almost warm, it was very far from being cold and fresh.Its like if it was above room temperature. We ordered two bottles of champagne and that was not cold either. The waiter kept toping our glasses off almost to the top making it warm up even more. So if you want to eat warm sushi and drink warm champagne, then this is the place for you. Then the bill came...oh dang!
(2)Chelsie A.
Morimoto has done it again. First in Delhi at Wasabi and now here. The decor, staff and food selection are a par above the rest. Our waiter Duane did a great job in explaining the specials, favorites and unique items on the menu. A must have is the Kakuni which was out of this world. The cocktails were fresh, delicious and quickly served. Last but not least we enjoyed melt in your mouth sashimi sampler that tasted as magnificently as it was presented. If you are looking for fresh and delicious sushi & Japanese food this is your place.
(5)Parlor T.
Huge fans of Morimoto and love japanese food, but this place was such a disappointment. We did the tasting menu which costs $140 a person and overall it was nothing special. The decor was nice but not practical, as the leather seats had seen better days, and the white tables and chairs looked a bit beat up. It was very raw and not many layers of flavor. Nothing spectacular. For good sushi you should really go to Mitch's Fish Market, well worth your money. Pluses: Dessert was good and service was really good as well. Not going back though
(1)Tommie S.
The food wasn't spectacular, but the ambiance and location were. This was my last stop in Honolulu, and it was a perfect last stop. Service was great, the outdoor patio made me feel like an absolute celebrity (right next to a boat dock, didn't see much beach), and drinks were good (had the melon martini and something very similar to the Moscoe Mule). Enjoyed the pork gyoza and calamari salad. Nothing absolutely spectacular, but it was good. There weren't many people present for lunch, but that made it even better. You should go at least once...
(4)Raymond F.
I was excited to try this place out but ended up walking out after the staff gave us lots of attitude when trying to switch from a noisy area to a less noisy area. For reference we got seated next to a table of 12, which is totally understandable for any restaurant. There were at least 3 other tables available with no other guests to be seated and the host gave lots of push back for trying to switch to unoccupied tables. The host walked away then we ended up walking over to a less noisy table and sat down. The next lady came by and mentioned that all the tables are reserved and didn't want to work with our needs of sitting in a less noisy area. The logic didn't add up; 3 unoccupied tables, and no one waiting in the lounge or bar to be seated at a table. I was really willing to give this a shot but the staff was really bothered by our decision to move to a less noisy area and they were not happy about accommodating us to a different table. Perhaps I'll get to try this place at a different time when there are different folks working.
(1)eshwar k.
Big fail. Let me preface this review by mentioning that 10 years ago we used to go to Morimoto's regulalry in the original US restaurant in Philadelphia while i was living there. At that time, Chef Morimoto would personally prepare omakase at a certain pricepoint and it was a great experience. Things have really changed. here is why you should skip the restaurant: 1. We had reservations at 8pm. Because it was Thanksgiving, the restaurant was not crowded. Still, we were made to wait for 10 minutes to be seated while the hostesses were doing ??? at their station. 2. Our first server was and probably still is an ass. He was emotionless, and offereed very little when we asked questions about the menu. He only came back to our table once, even though i kept a menu stating we would probably order more later. 3. We ordered a sushi combination. When another severe brought it to the table, and i am not joking, he did not know what was on the plate-- we recognized the tuna, salmon, and snapper, but really needed someone to educate us as to what we were eating. he was a nice guy, but his excuses were "i can't really see too well" and "i am not really sure if this fish is x or y-- sorry about that". He did not offer to get someone to the table who would be able to solve the apparent mystery, and of course our original sever never stopped even though he passed by several times, and we had asked a lot of questions about the sushi combo before ordering so you would figure he would want to make sure we were all good. Should we have stopped him? Maybe, but his attitude was a bit evasive/disinterested. 4. Subsequent plates were inconsistently described to us, and it is sadly evident that like other reviewers mention, a lot of the staff really does not know what they are serving, or they are unwilling to talke time to describe. shame on you! ingredients that make a particular dish unique are essential to highlight, to round out the dining experience. 5. After about an hour and a half, the restaurant crows was very thin, and our server was seriously MIA. By this time we were done with all entrees/plates and were waiting for someone to clear the table. finally a new server showed up. no intro from server one to say "hey i'm off for the evening-- here's your new server for the evening"-- this is a simple courtesy that would even occur at a chain restaurant. the new guy was much better, but didn't introduce himself either. 6. Overall quality of the food-- not that great!! Were they limited because of the holiday? yeah, possibly, but then you should not stay open on a day you can't guarantee consistent quality. Assuming that we ate on a representative day, the only interesting dish was the pork gyoza. the sushi combo was average in quality, at best. the tuna pizza tasted like something you would get at Cheesecake Factory. The wagyu carpaccio was OK but could be improved. I was going to order more sushi for a second round, but based on the underwhelming first round combined with crappy service, we called it a night by ordering 2 desserts rather than our typical "one and share". Desserts were good, although the popcorn is an unnecessary addition to the haupia cake. For a restaurant/owner with the reputation of providing a unique gastronomic experience, we barely had a marginal dinner. i will never return to Morimoto restaurants again. i read the manager's responses to some of the yelp reviews. he often asks the patron to consider coming back for another visit when things don't go right-- that is a ridiculous request. This restaurant should have their quality standard established at a baseline, and if not, there is no reason for second chances.
(1)Live Love Laugh D.
Little over rated but good ambiance over harbor nice location to see fireworks and sunset. Cocktails and quality of food are so so but its good place to hang out and enjoy with friend.
(3)John F.
I recently went to Morimoto Waikiki with some friends because one of them said Chef Morimoto was going to be there. Unfortunately, this was not true as Chef Morimoto was not in Hawaii - ZANNEN! However, Daniel Dae Kim of Hawaii Five-O fame was eating there that night but it was no big deal to me since I occasionally see him working out at the Honolulu Club. The food was fantastic but also carried a fantastic price. Other friends ordered things like the crispy whole fish for $37 which was a fresh whole fish, spicy tofu sauce, & pickled papaya salad and the spicy tuna roll which was chopped tuna, scallion, spicy sauce for $10. I tried to be a little cheap & just order a couple maki rolls so I ordered the spicy yellowtail roll which had chopped yellowtail, scallion, & spicy sauce for $10 and the California roll which had snow crab, cucumber, & avocado for $10. See my pictures! Although I was one of the first to order, my maki sushi rolls came much after everyone else's food. The manager noticed, apologized, & comped my food. SCORE! This restaurant is definitely very expensive but also very high quality. Save time by making your reservation using Open Table! opentable.com/hawaii/hon…
(5)Jeff L.
Ambiance and food presentation was fantastic! Iron Chef Rocks! Our server Sarah was great! Highly recommended.
(5)Hiro S.
Came back here for Thanksgiving dinner. We started with fresh oysters - served with three different sauces. Continued with salad, white fish carpaccio, spicy crab legs, abalone takoyaki, Californian roll (w/real crab meat), and ramen noodle soup. Everything was tasty, but I was happy to validate their ramen noodle was still my favorite even after the previous executive chef's departure. The service was flawless, our drinks were replenished, and clean plates were brought on timely manner w/o asking. I hope they continue to maintain this level.
(5)Yo S.
It was a windy Valentines so EVERYONE sat inside causing a back log on reservations. We were seated 45 mins late. A lot of other reservations looked frustrated about the wait which was understanding. Maybe a "free" round of drinks would have been nice once we were seated.. Hehe. Dinner was not as good as the last time we were here. The tempura appetizer was exceptional so we couldn't wait for our entrees. My wife had the "duck duck duck" which she said was OK. I had the surf and turf which was great except for the tea (seaweed water) to clean your palette. Service was exceptional and Chef Morimoto was there entertaining friends but would take selfies with patrons. Very cool... I will go back again but may try the sushi selection next time... Looked good from what I could see.
(4)Bill R.
Open table friendly. Sat at bar as I arrived early. Amazing selection of hand crafted cocktails. Shochu ginger Moscow mule. Outstanding. Seated outside great atmosphere. No problem as single diner. Sashimi salad. Fresh flavorful crusted ahi with morimoto take on Caesar salad topped with poached quail egg. Perfect app for one. Not for sharing. I cleaned the plate. Trying Shochu on the rocks. Made from barley this one. Really good on the rocks. Like a fine bourbon without the heavy bottom. And crystal clear. Also made from rice or sweet potato. Would like to try them all. Oyster foie gras with uni. Wow. Served in shell with teriyaki reduction each with a piece of foie gras and dollop of uni. Service began to suffer as my wait staff was suddenly swapped out. Sat for 15 minutes after the appetizer without having been asked what I would like for entree. WtF!? Got the opakapaka special. Outstanding. Tender flaky and flavorful. Not even close to being dried out which is so often the case here in Hawaii. Amazing sushi rice risotto. Didn't know there was such a thing. Intense chili aioli lightly coated the plate. Paired with napa valley first press Cabernet. Dark earthy funky bold. Stands up to spicy flavors. Dessert? If you're gonna offer me a soufflé that takes 20 minutes for dessert than give me the courtesy of ordering in advance. I'll pass! Check please. Fix your basic service issues to become world class. The waiters seem to merely go through the motions without any passion. The servers that bring the food where extremely knowledgable about the food they were serving though. Can't take anything away from the chefs the food is A plus! Basic wait staff etiquette will go a long way here. Overall I would recommend trying this place for the perfect execution of the food.
(4)A U.
Given the prices here, I was disappointed by the food and service. There were six of us out for a business dinner and I was expecting to be transported (metaphorically) to Tokyo.
(3)Toby T.
Morimoto Waikiki is one of my top three restaurants in Hawaii. Not only is it good for dinner, but also for lunch. The ambiance is great with a choice between indoor A/C our outdoor overlooking a yacht harbor at the Pacific Ocean. The restaurant is located in the sleek Modern Honolulu Hotel. Here are my top choices when dining: For dinner: MUST: Big Island Abalone Takoyaki Eat sushi. Get the Chef's combination. Appetizers are the Toro Tatare or Wagyu Carpaccio The Australian Wagyu Filet is Steakhouse quality (open 5pm - 10pm) For lunch: Get a Combo. Either the Sushi/Sashimi/Tempura combo or the Sushi/Loco Moto combo (loco moco made with wagyu beef and hayashi gravy) Make sure you get an ice tea. (open 11am - 2:30pm) And they also serve Ramen Soup too in case you are looking for something simple. Don't forget to leave room for dessert, the flavors are spectacular!
(5)Malikah M.
Went for my Birthday and my husband and I had the Chefs sampler so that we could enjoy a taste of the menu and it was worth ever dime. Every bite was amazing and different. We enjoyed the experience!
(5)Emma F.
We had the sushi here and it was fantastic. Our waiter was kind of MIA part of the night and the atmosphere left a lot to be desired (trying too hard). But the food was actually really outstanding. My advice, get the sushi.
(4)Sweetie P.
This was my second visit to Morimoto's and the second time I was disappointed by the TASTE of the food. The oyster foie gras w/uni was ok. The soft shell crab roll was the worst I've had compared to many Japanese restaurants around town and Nobu's (which I thought had the best). It was dry & lacked seasoning. The uni & Japanese uni was fine. That's why we went for uni. The abalone balls were terrible!!! The dough on the inside was raw, had no taste and the abalone itself had little flavor. It was a shame that such a delicacy had been treated and prepared in such a manner. The main course, the filet w/poke, was a HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT. Although done to my liking (well), the steak was under-seasoned if seasoned at all and the poke did not taste like fresh fish and there was only 4 pieces of fish dressed up with 2 mozzarella cheese balls and 4 baby tomatoes. A watered down teriyaki sauce was served on the side, i guess for the steak, but didn't add much flavor. The mashed sweet potato was the best dish of the night. If you have $$$ to throw away on outrageous prices based on his celebrity, then this place is for you. If you appreciate food that tastes good, go somewhere else.
(1)Jeanette S.
We made a 730 reservation on a Sunday morning even though it wasn't necessary, we were the only patrons there until about 8 AM. Who is actually up that early on a Sunday? We were seated outside overlooking the harbor. Lots of green and white seating and tables. Price wise, in my honest opinion, it's not as pricey as a lot of people say it is. Granted we had breakfast, but I've browsed the dinner and lunch menu and I don't think the prices are all that expensive. It's on par with the cost most hotel restaurants in Waikiki offer. Our server was pretty good, very nice, filling our waters, checking in on us. Would have been nice if he smiled, but it was early so it's understandable. The service made up for it. We had to wait a bit for our food to come, but it was ok since we were enjoying the view and just taking in the morning without the morning crowd. To start we ordered iced coffee for me, and orange juice for the husband. Iced coffee comes plain and they give you simple syrup and cream to add in accordingly to your taste. I usually have my coffee black but today I made an exception, a little cream and sugar won't hurt. For breakfast the husband had scrambled eggs, spam, toast, and potatoes. can't really go wrong with that, it's his go to breakfast order pretty much everywhere we go. I like to try different things so I had the traditional Japanese breakfast. It was pretty good! It came with miso soup, grilled miso fish, assorted pickled veggies, ahi poke, nori, and a poached egg. Definitely worth the cost! The miso fish tasted so yummy! It was nice a buttery. Love the pickled veggies, it's the first thing I ate. Ahi poke was good too, not like other places, where there is either too much or too little soy sauce, it was just right. I just wish they gave a bigger portion. My husband and I shared a short stack of the banana pancakes. I love bananas, and I definitely loved the banana pancakes. The banana flavoring is there but it's not too overpowering. We ordered it topped with fresh berries and macadamia nuts. It was so yummy we should have ordered the full stack instead of the half stack. Overall it was a pretty good experience friendly staff, good service, great food. We will be back. Next time for dinner.
(4)Rhemielyn U.
Had my birthday lunch here and it was beautiful. Besides the awesome service, food was also on point. Pricey but worth it. We had sashimi that just melt in your mouth. Their lunch set was also good esp their version of loco moco
(4)Edwin P.
Try the tasting menu it is super!
(5)Dan T.
After taking my five-year old daughter here a year or so ago, I have been wanting to go back with my wife. Well this past weekend we made it there and were not too impressed. We were seated and not asked for our drinks for about 10 minutes and then did not receive them for another ten minutes...not even a glass of water. Throughout the evening, we had to flag our waiter down for additional drinks, a desert menu, etc. The lamb I had was very bland and I find it very hard to think that Morimoto would put his seal of approval on that dish. My wife had the sea bass which was good and the spicy yellowtail appetizer we had was also good. After my first visit in which the table could not get a spot of water on it without the waiter wiping it off, I expected at least decent service but did not get it here on 5 July. With all of the places to go on island I will probably not take a third trip to Morimoto.
(2)Kathy O.
We went to Morimoto Waikiki last July, what a wonderful experience! Our server Duane was fantastic! One in our party was a picky eater and Duane went out of his way to find out what would suit her taste. He did a great job recommending a meal that was great for her. We had the Cucumber Shiso Collins and have been craving it since our visit. I emailed and was given a recipe so I could try to replicate it here in Texas! I can't wait to visit again!
(5)Marina M.
For my first time there, I requested a nice quiet table. They gave us a junk table right by where guests were obnoxious and loud right by the lounge couches. We ordered omakase, should've had a little more seafood variety. I only liked two dishes from omakase. Server was ok but was not a service you would get at fine dining restaurant. Overall I give three stars for an ok restaurant.
(3)C G.
My boyfriend and I went to Morimoto's this weekend for his birthday. I read more than enough reviews about bad service and junk food, but I still decided to bring him there anyway since it's supposed to be a fancy Japanese restaurant. We came early and were seated after a few minutes. We got a table outside, but my boyfriend wanted to sit inside. He's too much of a nice guy to say anything, so we just stayed outside. Our waiter was nice, but he did not show much emotion. We ordered a sushi sashimi combination and a Oh toro which my boyfriend absolutely loved. I was so happy that he loved it. For our entrees we got a steak with potatoes and a braised black cod. Both were delicious. Especially the cod. Our waiter wasn't around as often as before, so I started to see what others were saying about the service, but whatever. My boyfriend did point out that there were more people so I brushed it off. The bus boy came by for our waiter so at least someone served us. My boyfriend got a birthday dessert which we didn't know what it was, but it was interesting. All in all, as long as my boyfriend had a great time then I was happy. It was all for him. I would recommend the restaurant to people with an open mind. The bill was about $200, so bring your credit card.
(4)Dina N.
Once again, I appreciated the staff as they were professional, unpretentious and knowledgeable. And make you feel at home. While this is a high end restaurant, I always feel very comfortable and appreciate that it has a casual vibe to it. I don't feel that it is intimidating or that you have to dress up to go. Though dressing up is wonderful too! The food is consistently of high quality and I love the creativity AND the tradition within the food.
(5)Kevin N.
It is reasonably priced here esp. The pound waygu steak compared to Las Vegas which is around $200 for a pound. Sushi are tasty and suiting for some sampler options. The ambience can be utterly loud at night and there is no way avoid rude people around your area. Server is unknowledgable about the menu. I asked which yellowtail they were referring to... they asked another server and guessed it is yellowtail tuna while the other one says its yellowtail angelfish. It turns out, its a yellowtail hammachi. I had to ask a neighboring table what it is exactly. Servers seem also uninterested and tired as well :(
(2)Rachel L.
Quote from my husband: "this food is so incredibly delicious, if there was a hair on my food I'd probably devour it." Need I say more? To be clear... there was definitely not any hair in the food ;) Absolutely love the dinning atmosphere, the service, professionalism, and the cocktails are also really nice.
(5)Karla L.
This is a really good place to have a celebration or special occasion. The food was excellent. Some things I'd probably not order though for the price. The hamachi tartare and oyster foie gras was okay. I had the tiniest oysters for $22. But the entrees were amazing! The kealoha lobster and lamb shank were delicious. And the vanilla/strawberry profiteries were heavenly. Service was really great as well. There was a small wait between the appetizers and entrees but still good.
(5)Sandra L.
I am a big fan of "Iron Chef" so I was really excited to try my first Morimoto restaurant. Sadly, I was underwhelmed. It's a beautiful setting and our server was kind but the food--- disappointing. I would say the experience felt like a commercial fusion one than one of an amazing, high-end restaurant. My friend and I were wishing we got a plate lunch instead. We had the pork dumplings which were tasty. We had the fish hot pot, the tuna pizza and some soju. Something was lacking for sure. Nothing was horrific, but it was just not memorable. Save your cash for a tastier joint.
(2)Diane B.
I came to this restaurant with high standards only to be shut down :( My fiance and I came to eat here while we were in Hawaii only because I am obsessed with watching Morimoto on TV for iron chef. So anyways we ordered the 8 course Omakase. So when I ordered the Omakase I was thinking it was only Sashimi/sushi from my knowledge of omakase that's what it is, but I only got 2 dishes from the 8 that were raw fish. I was really disappointed after we left I didn't really like anything I ate besides the 2 out of 8 dishes that were served to us. I wouldn't recommend anyone to order the Omakase don't waste your money!
(1)Wilson C.
It was like eating art. Good food, Great flavors & awesome service
(4)Ariana M.
I think I have gone to Morimotos at least 4 or 5 times now. I really love the decor of the restaurant and the ambience. It was real comforting. Even the bathroom was real nice. Although I think the bathroom location is a bit inconvenient since it is located outside the restaurant. Besides that, the staff is always very polite and friendly; my water glass is never left empty. Each time I have been to Morimotos the food always comes out amazing. The portions are just like any other high-end restaurant, small. The quality of the ingredients and the creativity of presentation and execution really highlighted the Iron Chef's experience. The last time I went to Morimotos, we ordered the takoyaki for our first appetizer. Personally, I'm not a big fan of traditional Japanese takoyaki but this one had quite a twist. The takoyaki was actually made with abalone, which was delicious. The herb butter also added a nice strong kick. The Morimoto Sashimi platter was different from any Sashimi platter I've ever had. It was six stacked pieces of Salmon, Maguro, Hamachi and Pork belly. Each piece than had it's own little topping and was accompanied by FIVE different sauces in cool little squirt vials. It was a fun experience experimenting with the different sauces. The fish was fresh and tasted great. Presentation was excellent as expected. Definitely a must order item. For my entree I had the surf and turf, which came with fingerling potatoes over purple yam mash, Morimoto style poke with avocado wasabi sorbet and a nice wagyu filet. My steak was cooked to perfection and everything went well together. They even include a kelp tea thing for a palate cleanser to keep the surf and turf flavors separate.
(5)Jason S.
I absolutely adore the design of the hotel Marimoto is located in, 'The Modern Honolulu'. Thus, I am still happy to have come here despite the expensive and lackluster meal. My service was slow & inattentive, which was frustrating. Waikiki is jam-packed with Japanese restaurants, so at the prices of Morimoto, I kinda expected something better than the plethora of other available options. The main dishes were tasty enough, but nothing spectacular, or even much better than what could be had elsewhere. However, I was only here for lunch, so the menu looked rather boring to me. The sashimi was the most disappointing since it was noticeably less fresh than the sashimi we just had the night before at 'Azure', although Morimoto has a bigger selection of sashimi.
(3)Kira M.
My friends and I attended Morimotos for lunch and because we worked close by we just walked over. The restaurant was easy to find, spacious and beautiful. The hostess greeted us pleasantly and our waiter was quick to take our drink orders and offer to help is pick out our appetizer and entrees. He was very knowledgeable about the menu and we enjoyed his recommendations. The food was great and came with more than one side. The course was very filling and we all left satisfied.
(5)Sara S.
Morimoto's is like that hot guy at the bar that you have a drink with and then later realize he has no substance, he's just... hot. I went here for Father's day lunch and was blown away by the decor and presentation of the food. Even the service was above average as well. Pretty much everything impressed me except the taste of the food itself. It was just A-OK for it's gajillion dollar price tag. The lunch menu is a lot more reasonable than the dinner menu but even then the food was still nothing to write home to your mother about. Best dressed award goes to the hamachi tartare, because it was presented in an awesome paper thin mould, complete with nori paste, wasabi, sour cream, and my favorite crunchy ball things. Looks super awesome but is gone in like 5 bites. Another cool appetizer is the fresh tofu that is made at your table. The waiter legitimately mixes the soy milk with salt water and it cooks at your table for 10 minutes. Feel free to ooh and aah, it's probably expected. Looks super awesome but is just.. tofu. I want Gazen's tofu. Wagyu beef was probably the most bang for your buck appetizer. Looks super awesome and tastes kinda awesome. Win. The ishiyaki buri bop that everyone talked about was just blah to me. It didn't even look good like all the other dishes we had prior, the least it could do was look amazing, right? It was very filling so if you order that it will probably be all you need but maybe I'm just not a fan of cooked hamachi. I thought it would just end up being seared but it was so hot that it ended up being cooked completely.... eh. Other members of our party tried the porkbelly kakuni bento and the wagyu beef loco moco. Very pretty but as far as overall satisfaction, meh's all around. Hence, Morimoto's is just A-OK. The appetizers were far more impressive than the entrees, but still not worth $$$$. No more money in da bank. Ganbare Morimoto san, if I return and order your sushi maybe I will be more impressed.
(3)Rosie C.
I was really excited to try an Iron Chef establishment. I had high hopes for this place & envisioned having a high quality michelin-esque dining experience. Everything started off smoothly. Located inside The Modern Honolulu Hotel, the location was nice and felt appropriate. The ambiance was on point and the outdoor space overlooked the docked yachts and boats. The open kitchen was also pleasant and you could sit inside or in the outdoor tent (we sat outdoors; not by request). Service was good and our server was attentive and even recommended a few cocktails to us. We ordered a few appetizers and they were all amazing: - Oyster Foie Gras (warm, buttery, flavorful & melt-in-your-mouth) - Morimoto Sashimi (w/5 sauces in a squeeze tube: so innovative & delicious) - Sashimi Salad Everything was fine until we ordered our main entrees: - Duck, Duck, Duck (seared duck breast, spring roll, meatball soup w/pastry puff bread) - Surf & Turf (prime filet, poke, salt crusted fingerlings) Oh man... we were so underwhelmed by the entrees and frankly disappointed. The spring roll in the Duck Duck Duck reminded me of subpar chinese egg rolls and the broth in the meatball soup lacked flavor. It tasted watered down. The surf & turf dish wasn't a show stopper either. It's shocking that the appetizers did so well but the entrees were not to par... Had we had known the main entrees would be a flop, we would've stuck to the appetizers & probably some sashimi. I really wanted to like this place and while certain aspects were enjoyable It went from amazing to disappointing pretty quickly ... maybe I'll be generous and give it another shot (no promises)
(3)Donna W.
For the money, was the worst meal we had in Honolulu. Have not spent $200 for a worst meal. Service not much better. Very disappointed.
(1)John D.
I recently did a multi course meal here for an event along with wine pairing, the sushi this is was good but the rest was average. I got the overall impression that the management didn't prioritize events held here, despite charging a premium price. One of the staff accidentally damaged an expensive personal article of one of the guests. One of managers currently working there, on older caucasian brunette, denied all culpability despite not being there. This was an extremely unprofessional way of handling a mistake done by the staff
(1)Way D.
This rating is slightly biased because I brought a date and I was probably in a better mood than usual so my memory of the event might be better than it was but who cares. The food is cool. Not too crazy. Not the best thing I've ever eaten. But it was good. There is nothing I didn't like. Was it pricy? Yah but when you go to a high end restaurant you're gonna expect it to be a little expensive. The dishes were smaller in portion ( again typical in a fancy restaurant ) but everything was presented very well and I would say it was worth it. The service was impeccable. They were there to give me things before I asked and helped me before I knew I needed it. That just adds points all around. The place was in a good location attached in a very nice hotel. The decorations were modern and the view was spectacular. Great place for a date. Not an ideal place to eat with your homeboys. All in all a good experience.
(4)Esther C.
***4.5 stars*** We came at the behest of our friend for a fine dining experience. They seated us promptly and they were very patient with us given that we had an infant. We had two waiters! And they were fantastic and quite accommodating. We had the wagyu beef hot appetizer which was quite good, and also ordered a sushi platter which was good (felt like standard fare, but was good quality fish). Our friend and I ordered the ishi yaki buri bop which was quite delicious and my husband ordered the loco moco which was also good. The baby ate tamago and avocado (again, very accommodating). We had the molten chocolate cake which was fantastic! The ambience was more casual than most fine dining experiences, which may be a function of Hawaii and tourists. We took 0.5 star off because we've had better sushi given the price tag. Recommend: molten chocolate cake, coco fraiche drink Skip: sushi Note: they will validate parking if you valet
(4)John S.
This place was a huge disappointment. The food was nothing special, and the service unpolished. We expected much more. Shrimp appetizer was soggy. Salt crusted fingerling potatoes were bland, dried out, and NOT seasoned, let alone salt crusted. Angry chicken entree was bland and uninspired. Our server was unpolished and not interested in our concerns. We will not return.
(2)Anthony W.
We were a little hesitant to try this place because of some of the reviews but did it anyways because I've always wanted to try this Ironchef's restaurant. I'm glad I did. My wife and I both had the omakase dinner. We did ask what we were in store for and the waiter went through the menu before we took the plunge. So if you are a little hesitant like we were you should be able to ask what is on the omakase menu when you arrive to help you decide. I won't go through the whole menu, because I'm sure it changes often, but just know that we were very happy with the selections that night. My only complaint would be the speed of the dinner. They sure did take their time, and I'm sure it might have been intentional, but we did wait for quite some time between dishes. But if that was my only complaint, I'd be happy to dine here again. Just be sure to be ready to part wth some money because the place is pricey. Visited June 2012
(5)Arynn I.
Love love loved! This restaurant. Went on a whim with my friend after a fabulous weekend of training and fun. We figured we were already there, dressed up for business, why not enjoy Morimoto? I've wanted to come here for a while, especially since it's my mom's maiden name. (Maybe we could be related, who knows?) Nah, wishful thinking. So I made my reservations using open table (i did learn I don't use it enough cause I keep losing my points but that's totally beside the point). Great. I had to adjust a little cause I didn't want to be late for our dinner but it was at the beginning of dinner so not too hard to push back the res. My friend and I had all intention of just doing sushi and sake - but of course I had to look at the menu ahead of time and decided I wanted to try the Ishiyaki Buribop. We started with a sake, Morimoto Ginjo which was very smooth. Now I'm not the biggest lover of sake but I did have some this night. We also started with a Spicy Hamachi Roll. Delish. The hamachi was very fresh and tasty. I used a little shoyu but you really don't have to use any shoyu with it. Like I said, I wanted the Ishiyaki Buribop. I do enjoy ishi yaki style so it was exciting to have someone do this at the table. The rice and veggies were topped with slices of hamachi that were seared against the side of the bowl. Hearing it sizzle makes me smile! I have to say, it did not disappoint and we ate everything... Onto Dessert! I had to go for it. We got 2 desserts, the Chocolate Peanut Bombe and Chocolate Caramel Tart. I suggest if you ever get the Chocolate Caramel Tart with any other dessert, eat this one 2nd!! It's so delectable and rich! I could eat 3 of them! When you cut into the tart, the gooey caramel oozes out onto the plate with the cookie bottom. You gotta eat it with the ice cream to top off the taste. All I am going to say about the Chocolate Peanut Bombe was...it was good. :) I cannot wait to go back to the restaurant because I really want to splurge for the Omakase. But next time...
(5)Destiny S.
This is the best meal I have even eaten! My husband and I both choose the chef's tasting menu. From start to finish we both were overwhelmed at how incredible everything was. I also love that each dish was a work of art. We would both sit there enjoying how beautiful the dish was before starting to devour it. Our service was outstanding. We had a great server and several other guys continuously stopping by to check on us. The restaurant is very beautiful and there was killer live music happening outside in the lobby. The night was so wonderful and we will definitely return.
(5)Misty P.
Came here again on 05-25-12 for dinner. It was surprisingly emptier than I thought it would be for a Friday night. The service is still good. I haven't had bad service here since patronizing this restaurant. Take note though, if you are in a hurry, don't expect the service to be hurried or the food to come out too fast - especially if you get the omakase. It is best to come here with a unbooked schedule and a go with the flow attitude. Best to come here with good friends and have a couple of drinks with good food. My fiance and I took our friends from Boston out here. He and his wife absolutely loved it. We all got the omakase. The only gripe I have, is I've had the omakase more than once and it is always the same dishes. They need to mix it up a bit more...
(4)Jacquie M.
Ordered Omakase. Food was fabulous. 7 courses of deliciousness. Would recommend to anyone. Would do it all over again.
(5)Vanessa M.
We checked in excited and ready for a nice romantic honeymoon dinner and instead we were treated like... We were told that since we did not have reservations there was a wait, which we were fine with except when we went to the bar to have a seat we saw that the entire restaurant was empty. Only 3 tables with ppl. We thought that was odd but waited. Other ppl checked in n were immediate seated (must had reservations). Waited 15 mins n check back with host n they said a little longer. Got 2nd drink and restaurant is still pretty much empty. I ended up getting on my phone n made a reservation for 5 mins. This was just silly. Food was ok, way to expensive for what it is. Didn't really taste all that great. Not bad but expected much better. Presentation of food was nice
(2)Jordan V.
I read some of these reviews and was a little skeptical but I enjoyed everything we ordered! Yes it's a bit pricey but I had awesome service and for special occasions it was totally worth it in my opinion. Try the crispy rock shrimp tempura appitzer and the rib eye sooo good!
(5)Elise C.
Worst experience ever. Seriously you couldn't pay me to come back. Terrible atmosphere, terrible service and so-so food. Not surprisingly it was completely empty, Exorbitantly expensive for the quality. Had asked for an 8pm reservation outside and they told us it could only be 8:45pm and if we wanted outside it would be a further hour wait. NO ONE was there...we ended up staying until kitchen closed and no one came to claim the tables that was supposedly occupied. The hostess gave us some BS excuse as to why we couldn't sit where we requested...something about not wanting to overwhelm the kitchen and thereby delaying our food. Um just FYI we would have ordered the SAME food wherever we sat.
(1)Clarence L.
Love IC Morimoto and have enjoyed his food at Austin W&F fest and his restaurant in Philly. This experience was average. Small crowd for Sat 7p.m. Had four courses plus dessert that were good but not jaw dropping and server seemed a bit distracted. Overall still a solid meal but expected more. Restaurant is nicely laid out and offers lots of seating options. Will go back and try to order better :-)
(3)Lin L.
This review is based only on eating sushi/sashimi here. Yes, I understand you come to a place like this to order fish/steak or something fancy. But was disappointed at the sushi restaurant we ate the night before and wanted to fill my craving. Service is excellent, beer and sake good. Ordered an IPA that wasn't on the menu. Ordered the chef's raw bar combo ($80), sushi combo ($45) and the Chirashi. The raw combo was pretty good, but the oysters were awesome. It went really went down hill from here. The sushi combo was average, but the Chirashi was one of the poorest Ive ever had. Pieces were small, chopped up with some veggies. They tried to make it too fancy. Don't think I'll be coming back here. The regular menu didn't really interest me either.
(2)Jermel-Lynn Q.
This place is first off very pricey but the great thing is the intimate atmosphere that I had experienced. The food was also so delish. This was my first time here and I thought that it was great. At first though, the person the hostess was really sassy and was also rude to other customers. However, back to food. You have to try their desserts! OMG, the best dessert I've ever tasted. Their cocktails too, really generous amount of alcohol but you can't even tell. :) I thin that this place needs to train their hostesses as well to know a little bit of conversational Japanese in order to help accommodate their customers.
(4)Shelley V.
We have been to Morimotos 5 times now and absolutely love dining here. The food is impeccable and the service to match. Friday night we had the following dishes: Toro Tartare. A personal fave Pork Gzoya with bacon foam. Hot damn Oysters. So good Pork Kakuni with congee. This makes me want to crawl into the bowl and nap. Negitori rolls Hamachitori rolls Eel avocado rolls Tekka makki rolls Miso soup Lots of drinks We Morimoto ever since our first visit to the NY one that took 3 hours for our leisurely dining experience!!
(5)Lora H.
Dear Chef Morimoto-san. I love your restaurant. I love watching you on Iron Chef. I finally had a chance to do breakfast at your restaurant on Sunday and was so excited. The flavors of the food of course did not disappoint. However, and this is a BIG HOWEVER... the service was terrible. First of all, the restaurant was empty. I mean seriously, there were only about 5 tables filled. It took forever for someone to take our order. Then it took forever to bring our food out. It took forever to fill our water. It took forever to get our coffees refilled. I just don't understand. It's not the level of service that you come to expect at Chef Morimoto's restaurant. I can understand if the restaurant was bustling with people, but it was an extremely slow day. It was just inexcusable. And our food was cold by the time it came out. But because I love your restaurant, I of course will come back, but really, please work with your staff. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
(3)Meagan H.
Morimoto is always a success! A beautiful atmosphere, and amazing service! The food was really good, especially the tofu they prepare at your table!
(5)Courtney O.
I've eaten here for lunch and for dinner. The service is always great. I love the ambiance of the place. The presentation of the food is definitely five star. Sitting outside during the daytime and sipping a drink as you take in the breathtaking view is a wonderful experience. As for the food... uh... it's okay. For dinner one night we got the tuna tartar (wonderful yet very expensive and small!), chicken noodle soup (large but very expensive for broth and noodles!), and other various appetizers and entrees. All were done up very beautiful but I wasn't that impressed with the taste of everything and price. For lunch we had the lobster melt (okay), and the chicken katsu sandwich (the katsu sauce was not tasty at all and there was not enough of it). Lunch is much more reasonably priced however I still was not impressed by the taste of the food! Both sandwiches came with japanese pickles, wasabi french fries, and a salad. The salad was of the spring greens variety which I'm not a fan of. The best thing I ate had to be the wasabi french fries! They were really delicious! I recommend getting a side of them and a drink, then maybe going somewhere else to eat after... Valet parking is free with validation. The bathrooms are a little bit far from the restaurant.
(3)Jonathon G.
Maybe the finest dining experience I have ever had. Beautiful restaurant, good service, beautiful and interesting food.
(5)Clarissa M.
This updated review is for our experience renting and dining in the cabana on 4th of July. It was a wonderful experience for the out of town family. We had such a beautiful and perfect table of the view of the fireworks. The service and attention of the staff was superb. The food as always was outstanding. We were able to select the dishes we wanted for special night. It was served family style. The restaurant also made a special dish for my relative who had a very strict diet. We arrived for dinner at 6:00 pm the sun was still very bright but the staff pulled down the shades without any problem and catered to our every needs. This location is perfect for any event that you would like to celebrate or even a corporate meeting. I definitely recommend you give yourself and your loved ones a treat dining in the cabana at Morimoto!
(5)Mary T.
Restaurant was absolutely beautiful dinner was good. We also got a dessert, the chocolate peanut butter bomb and it was just ok. Also didn't love the $14.00 charge for a cup of coffee.
(4)Krystal F.
Dining experience was awesome. It was everything I expected from a top chefs restaurant dining at its best. Me start off by saying we are celebrating our honeymoon. The staff was very attentive. The food came on time for every course. We started off with a spicy salmon roll, fried calamari salad, the main entree was a deboned sea bass, the presentation was beautiful. For dessert we had sorbot. All very delicious.. The meal was reasonably priced. We would definitely come back here for dinner. The only thing I would say that was really high price was the wine but I didn't have any because my hotel complimentary drinks already made me feel saucy
(5)Janet E.
The food here is overrated and UNCLEAN. Why unclean? Well because two out of the three of us got deathly sick from some sort of food poisoning here. I felt the effects pretty immediately within an hour of being at this restaurant. I had to relieve myself by going to the hotel lobby restroom to vomit. (The restaurant is located in a hotel--its not a stand alone restaurant on the street.) The vomiting continued in the car ride back to our condo and continued through the night through all of Christmas eve and all of Christmas day. It was the worst. We called the restaurant to tell them about our food experience and they said there was nothing they could do without a note from a doctor confirming food poisoning. Seriously?? I guess I should have saved my vomit as proof since Morimoto's thought we were lying. How does a doctor confirm food poisoning? I wouldn't know since it NEVER happens to me. We should have known that this restaurant would not care about our illness since they did not allow us to sit outside in the patio. Their excuse was that the patio was already reserved because people had made the request with their reservation. However, the patio remained 75% empty BEFORE and AFTER our visit to the restaurant. Their garage was $7 to park and validation from Morimoto's was NOT allowed (according to the parking attendants sign). Morimoto won't even pay for their patrons to have discounted parking. The service we received at the restaurant was "nice" but there was no genuine substance behind the attitude. It was like a script he was following. The staff at the host/hostess table seemed to care more about their own conversations than attending to me when I needed assistance in locating the restroom. The food was expensive, especially since the food did not even stay in my stomach for more than an hour. The decor was very white and cold. It was not warm and comforting. It just did not feel good being here.
(1)Kalani S.
We've been coming to Morimoto's more often than before and love it, due to a few things. 1. Quality of Sushi and Sushi Chef is on par. 2. Customer service from the host, Bar tender, Waiters & Sushi Chef is consistent, Unlike other Japanese restaurants they pay no attention to you even though you drop $500 ++. 3. The Sake selection is priced right. Even though Morimoto's has great dishes their is one thing that is missing from this place and its a Happy Hour Menu. Iron Chef Morimoto we look forward in seeing a HH Menu.
(4)Jill B.
This place has its ups and downs. The oyster with foie gras and uni was spectacular. One of the best things I've ever put in my mouth. I also enjoyed the Hamachi sashimi and the black cod was very flavorable . I agree with another reviewer about the crab with spicy mayo. But I'm not a dynamite fan. We had the whole fish special and I felt the sauce lacked seasoning. I wish I could remembered the official title but it had ginger which I love and could not taste. It makes me crazy when kitchen staff don't check the seasoning before sending things out. The biggest issue I had was the server who wrote in a 18 percent tip for himself on a party of 4. I am an x-restaurant manager and and always tip at least 20 percent and many times more. We were with some people from Australia so maybe he thought he wasn't going to get a tip. I almost tipped $80 on top because I'm not used to seeing a tip written in on only 4 people.
(3)Morgan M.
Great food. Fantastic service. Portions are small but it is expected in a restaurant of this quality.
(4)Tim N.
This restaurant is owned by none other than Iron Chef Japan, Masaharu Morimoto. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Morimoto's style, he has training in traditional Kaiseki cuisine and sushi. He is also famous for incorporating western style into Japanese cooking. The result is a series of unique, flavorful dishes that are sure to leave an impression. All of the dishes were very well presented, and the presentation was only surpassed by the taste of the food. The only drawback is that it is quite pricey, and it can get very busy at times. If you are willing to commit your afternoon or evening (and your wallet) to delicious Japanese food, then this is the restaurant for you. I recommend!
(4)Dbear T.
Morimoto was good, but not great. I would say it was innovative Japanese/Asian cuisine with a modern take. I ordered a few things Chinese and Korean inspired. I love sushi, but having good sushi available in San Francisco I decided to try the Chef's cooked menu to get a flavor of Morimoto's cuisine. For appetizer I had the hamachi tartare and this was very good. It was some minced hamachi served on an nice plate with 6 different sauces. It was so pretty and good I just wished I had more. I also had the pork belly congee as an appetizer. This was a take on the Chinese dish and definitely more flavorful than the congee I grew up with. Anything with pork belly tastes really good, but once again I wish I had more. For the main dish I had the yellowtail bop. It was a take on the Korean bim bim bop. It was good and I loved the sauce. I would say the sauce was different than the regular bim bim bop sauce and more soy sauce like. The yellowtail made it feel healthier and lighter than the regular bim bim bop. I liked the dishes I had better than my husband's. My husband ordered the oyster foie gras with uni. I like oysters and I like foie gras, but I'm not sure I like it together. The oysters were covered in a thick sauce. I felt the sauce was too thick and sweet for my taste. I would've preferred plain raw oysters. My husband also ordered the the spicy alaskan king crab appetizer. There was nothing memorable about it. It seemed like a suped up crab cake. For the main dish he had the duck, duck, duck. This dish was not that great and was duck cooked three ways. There was a duck roll that seemed a like something you could get at a thai restaurant in San Francisco. I did not try the other two duck preparations. I would say from what I ordered, I would have give 4 stars, but I did not enjoy my husband's food as much. Total tab including tip was $217 and included three alcoholic drinks. One thing to mention is that they changed waiters on us. We had a baby with us and they accommodated us well even with a baby. I was not sure we would be allowed to dine. The first waiter was excellent and might have been a solid 4 stars if they had not changed waiters on us. He doted on our baby and when he saw she was getting restless he gave us some stones and learning chopsticks to distract her a bit. Our second waiter was okay, but not as attentive. I also liked that each server who delivered our plate explained the food to us. That was a nice added touch.
(3)Robyn N.
The hostess was small kine SASSY all three times I've been there. Yes the same GIRL! But super nice to my husband! Starters: Spicy King Crab... The sauce is deliciously spicy and the French fries it's served with is cooked perfectly! Crispy!!! Kakuni... Pork belly that cooked for 10 hours melt in your mouth. Takoyai abalone... Ewww! I was bummed last time cause they ran out. I get it this time and it SUCKED! I did not like it at all! Salad: Calamari Salad... More calamari than salad. It was ok. Sashimi Salad... Better than the calamari salad but, still nothing to wow about. Main: Whole Roasted Lobster "EPICE"... Best lobster I've ever eaten at a restaurant! Toban Yaki seafood soup... Yummy! The broth is wonderful!!! Clams are small and I don't like mussels but, other than that it's GREAT! Dessert: Peanut Butter Bombe... The salted peanut ice cream is BOMB!!! Probably the best ice cream I've ever had! Tofu hot&cold... Yuck! They should take that off the menu. Nothing about that was good! I do wanna try the crispy whole fish next time! :) I love the atmosphere and everything else about the Waikiki Edition Hotel!
(4)Joe B.
I took my girlfriend here on our 2 year anniversary while in Waikiki. We ordered to Omakase and it was wonderful. However, if you do not enjoy raw seafood, I recommend you don't choose this. More details: We arrived at about 630PM for our 7PM reservations that I made on Open Table. We sat at the bar while they set up our outdoor patio seating which was perfect because the sun was beginning to set. The service was perfect from beginning to end. It felt like we had 3 or 4 servers waiting on us. Every course of the meal was delicious and the servers paid such good attention that when once of us was away from the table they ensured they didn't serve the next portion. This attention to detail really sold me on Morimoto's. Even the restroom was clean and decorated beautifully. I highly recommend this place but make sure you bring your wallet.
(4)Jay G.
Good food, but fairly small portions. Probably best to just order a bunch of pupus and enjoy the mori mojito.
(4)Katya N.
Forgot to cancel my reservation during the weekend, got a call from the restaurant " confirming the reservation" at the time of it and when I said I had to cancel the lady on the other line was extremely rude and hung up on me. HUNG UP ON ME??? that's a first from a restaurant. We live here and were there once, liked the food, but with serving personnel that RUDE they won't see us again.
(1)Marc H.
When there for our 1st wedding anniversary dinner. Ive heard good things about this place so we wanted to try it out for ourselves. We first ordered drinks to start off. I always like to order a nice Asahi to start off. For some reason, the beer didnt taste right. To me it tasted like a different beer than Asahi, but i couldnt tell cuz they gave me it in a glass already. I believe that the glass was warm to start with and not chilled because my beer became warm short after i ordered it. so i wasnt too happy about that. we then tried the steamed scallops and spicy tuna sushi. I thought the sushi was pretty good, and i liked the scallops but my wife didn't really care for them. For the main course i ordered the surf and turf while my wife ordered the ishi yaki buri bop (yellowtail cooked at tableside). lets start with my dish. I the steak was very small, only 6 oz, but it was very tasty. i like the really salty taste of it, where others may have thought it was too much. I wasnt a big fan of the sauce that came with steak, so i passed on that. the poke was very nice and had a mix of cheese and avocado paste, which was really tasty. i really enjoyed the okinawan sweet potato puree. that was the best! i just wish i was given more. my wife's dish was like something i could get at shokudo, so i compared it to that, and wasnt quite impressed. The service was pretty good, they were very attentive and check on us often. Overall, 3 stars, not the best, it was ok. Kinda pricey too, but probs not a place i would go back unless i have to.
(3)Jason F.
I like this restaurant, but I don't love it. I've been to Morimoto NY, and had the same feelings. I think this may have to do with watching Morimoto on Iron Chef; I expect to have the same food he serves on TV, which isn't the case. The food is very good and has its creative flavors. Eating here brings the creativity I miss from NY. I did the omakase the first time I went. Dishes I liked: toro/yellowtail tartar, seared hamachi, salad and heated olive oil, panna cotta, okinawan potato dessert. Things I've ordered that I like: oyster foie gros. Dishes I didn't like: braised black cod (drenched in sauce that the taste of the fish was lost, plus it's something that is done better at other restaurants), foie gros chawan mushi (duck was cooked nicely, but didn't care for the taste of the rest of the dish), sushi (expect higher quality fish given that there are some pretty good places on this island), loco moco (nothing special, no real twist to the original dish). Also, the omakase feels about $20 overpriced for what it is. I will be going back some time in the future, probably in a few months. There are some very interesting and creative things on the menu that I still want to try despite some of the misses.
(4)Tri D.
Girls in front were not very welcoming, I'm guessing because we had our 15 month with us. Not sure why this was an issue since the restaurant was very noisy and not what I would consider a romantic spot. Anyhow, the waiter and server staff was much more friendly. We had the omakase and the dishes were, as expected, innovative. But also, as expected, some of the dishes were misses. My favorite was the kona lobster portion of the entree course. The lobster was perfectly cooked and the seasoning enhanced the sweetness of the lobster. My least favorite was the pork and beef portion for the same course. The beef was drenched in a sauce that was overly salty and distracting to the beef. The pork was on the dry side and the seasoning was unspectacular. The oil fondue course was also a miss, the anchovy garlic paste would have been great on oil drizzled bread, but the whole fondue setup was a bit awkward as there is only a very short window when the oil is bubbling that the is hot enough to soften the veggies a little. Overall not a bad meal but I expected a little more. Would have been a solid 4 stars were it not for the attitude from the front staff.
(3)Ron C.
Agree with the reviewers that said this restaurant was overhyped. I've had much better sushi and sashimi for my local sushi joint back home. And didn't have to pay through the nose. The rock shrimp were good. But they were the same as budakan back in NYC. Which kinda makes sense since its the same restaurant group. But, you'd think they'd change the recipe up a little. As for the whole red snapper. Omg. Blander than a 1950s Midwestern housewife. (what was that sauce supposed to be?) service was uneven at best. Amd, on a Friday nite at 8pm you'd think the restaurant would be packed. But, alas, half full. No wonder. The locals know better.
(2)Katherine L.
My review is based on the first time I went to Morimoto's, over a year ago. My boyfriend and I went to check out this place because we have heard some rave reviews from his friends. This is that kind of place where you spend a good deal of money for small dishes, ambiance and quality. First off, the ambiance is beautiful, which the upper-crust simple and bright nautical look. Very appropriate for being right off the beach in Waikiki, Hawaii. But some of the tables might be awkward to eat at, considering that some of their tops are not even. The table tops are made to look rough cut or scrap pieces. But overall, the atmosphere is really inviting and different. Service was decent, but not the best I have ever experienced. It took a while for the food to come out. I could see the table next to us have a lot of problems (i.e. their side of potatoes was missing, food took too long). The server was nice enough, but he was not necessarily the best spoken or knowledgeable. I would have expected better, considering my own restaurant working experience and the class of the restaurant. For appetizers we had the pork gyoza with bacon foam and hamachi tartare. The pork gyoza was kind of an asian fusion, as the bacon foam and tomato sauce added another layer of flavor to the dish that was unexpected, but delicious. The hamachi tartare was very light and delicate with a variation of "sides" to scrape and eat along with the hamachi. I am a real sucker for anything raw fish, so the hamachi tartare easily pleased me. A side note: the Morimoto drinks tend to be on the sweeter side, a little too sweet for me. For the main course, my boyfriend had the duck combo, which included seared duck, duck spring roll and duck meatball soup. His duck dish was good too, but rather unsurprisingly small. I had the chefs sashimi combination, which I cannot recommend enough. It is absolutely AMAZING! I was actually hesitant to order it, thinking that I should get something especially Morimoto. In the end, I DID NOT regret it at all. It was the best sashimi I have ever had in my life. It was huge, including approximately 3 or 4 pieces of 8 different kinds of fish. And it was so fresh and perfectly chilled, coming out on a bowl of crushed ice. Each fish comes with some kind of side (i.e. green onions, seaweed, daikon) It was only $36, which is pretty cheap, considering that the amount given and quality was out of the ballpark and it was only a few dollars more expensive than a standard Japanese place. Now comes the most important part: Dessert. The haupia semifreddo was intentionally a little dry, but it worked. It was really light, melting in your mouth, and I loved the combination of the coconut and green tee flavors. It's not like any dessert I have ever had. But hands down, I preferred the the chocolate peanut bombe. Morimoto's elevated that classic flavor combo to a very modern and divine creation. It was simply perfect, balanced with the sweet and salty, crunchy but so soft that it melts in your mouth. Personally, it is not one of my fave places, but I can definitely see its appeal. All in all, I would recommend this place to a friend, but it is not for everyone.
(4)ray c.
You should know that when you come to a place of this caliber, it should live up to all the hype - and it did. So why a 4-star and not 5-star? Without a doubt, our lovely city of Honolulu needs more jazzy spiffy trendy joints, and Morimoto is certainly what we need, and it delivers the atmosphere. Come here with your friends, have fun, drinks, pupus, you'll have a great time. It's hip, and it's got all the right vibes. It's a slim divide btwn minimalist modern trendy decor - and hospital sterile - and this place gladly takes the former, thank God. The inside setting is open-kitchen style... happy & noisy & fun. The outside is chill and relaxing, with a fire pit that really adds to the ambiance - I wouldn't change a thing, about the decor - it's fantastic, and I would go back just bcse of it. Ok, I write on Yelp because I'm more taste-centric type of eater and less of a fluff & atmosphere kinda guy. If you ask me - I go for taste rather then decor. Taste-wise, I think this place is 80% there, I just wish it tastes like it looks.
(4)Pabs G.
New restaurant in town. Decorations and furniture beautiful. Seats are close together. Environment is LOUD and not conducive to conversations around the table. Nice fireplace outside. Service okay. A bit unorganized. Expected more. Food: Liked the sashimi pizza, salad, salmon, and hot udon. Overall, worth going once to twice, but there are other restaurants in town with great food and service at a more affordable rate.
(3)Hanna M.
The food was average at best. For what it costs the food should have been excellent and the service amazing...but not the case at all... our bill for ten people was somewhere between 1500-2000...the food looked good and was presented well, but wasn't special in taste at all. half of us ordered the pre-set chef's menu which was not good at all. I felt bad for those guys. The biggest problem is that the whole dinner lasted about four hours which was WAY too long!!! There was too long a wait between the courses and when we told the staff they were apologetic but definitely not any faster. Disappointment!!
(2)J D.
Amazing, and an amazing deal! I've also eaten at Morimoto's in Tokyo and this was just as good. $110 for a 9 course tasting menu, of plate after plate of amazing stuff, including a pre-dessert, dessert. Yum! If you're not keen on letting the chef choose, you could easily create a 4 course meal for yourself for under $100. They also have plenty of reasonably priced wine bottles. The best thing we had was not on the tasting menu, buri bob (yellowtail seared on a hot bowl at your table) , so simple and delicious. I'd definitely go back if I end up in Waikiki again...and I'll go to any other Morimoto restaurants.
(5)Dave N.
It all depends on your expectations... The last time I went to where Morimoto Waikiki is located, it was part of the Ilikai Hotel. I was impressed by the Edition Hotel's renovations. Very upscale, very modern/trendy. The Morimoto Waikiki Restaurant takes it a step further with their decor. The layout is very open and, as mentioned in other reviews, the interior design is done in a modern, light green color scheme. As another reviewer mentioned, the three or four hostesses or receptionists were not the most friendly types. They weren't snobby or sassy, just not cheerful. They put no effort into pretending they were happy my wife and I were dining there. We had the earliest reservation, so my wife and I were the first customers to be seated. This gave us the opportunity to not only check out the restaurant, but also observe the employees in action. All kept very busy setting up, polishing already clean glasses and silverware, and other 'keep busy' tasks. Our waiter, Paul, spoke with a non-American accent, so it kind of added to the formal dining experience. if I were to guess, I'd say he was/is from New Zealand. (Forgive me if I am in error about Paul's accent.) Paul was extremely attentive to our needs and very well knowledged about everything on the menu - including the wine and sake. But this is what one would expect of a waiter at a restaurant of this level. Nonetheless, five stars to Paul. We started with appetizers - the sashimi salad and the 1/2 donzen market oysters. Portions were a bit on the small side, but we were their for quality, not quantity. Five stars for the salad, four at best for the oysters. Perhaps my expectations for the oysters were high, but they just missed the mark. There was nothing wrong with them at all, but I have had better at much lesser restaurants. I should mention, my wife ordered a glass of the Martin Ray Pinot Noir and I had the Morimoto Sake Moriawase (sake flight). Paul did an excellent job describing the characteristics of both my wife's Pinot and each of my four sake offerings. Next, we ordered some nigiri sushi. My wife tried several of her favorites and thoroughly enjoyed each. I had the sake (salmon), hamachi and oh-toro. I expected a lot from the sushi being served at Morimoto's and was not disappointed at all. The sake met my expectations, however the hamachi and oh-toro easily exceeded what I had hoped for. The hamachi I had that night was probably the second best I have ever had. (Best being from Nobu's in Las Vegas. I should note, the Las Vegas Nobu's has better hamachi than the Waikiki Nobu's - at least from the times I have dined at each.) The oh-toro... Best I have every had. (This might not be saying much as I normally do not order oh-toro. I have tried oh-toro from Nobu's in Las Vegas, Hakone in the Hawaii Prince Hotel and a few lesser restaurants and sushi bars.) For our main course, my wife and I shared the Chef's Loco Moco. I believe Paul called it the Loco Moto. My wife may have wanted to order something different, but she really enjoyed this dish. I, the one who decided to order the loco moco, actually thought it was okay at best - three stars from me, five from my wife. There were very small pieces of wagyu beef and not much of it. The gravy, which my wife loved, wasn't to my liking. I think I'm just not familiar with the hayashi style gravy. Being thoroughly full at this point, we opted not to order dessert. However, when my wife made our reservations, she mentioned it was our tenth wedding anniversary. With that said, Paul proceeded to surprise us with a guava sorbet. I expected a lot from Morimoto Waikiki and was not disappointed at all. Unfortunately, because my expectations were so high, I need to hold the Morimoto Waikiki restaurant to very high standards. If I could give them four and a half stars, I would. However, I just can't get myself to give them five stars. Unfair? Perhaps. Our tab came out to a couple dollars under $200. With tip, $240. My wife and I definitely cannot afford to go to Morimoto's often, but we would definitely go again.
(4)Charles S.
This was my second time to Morimoto's. This time with my brother and sister-in-law from Japan. I had made my reservation through open table and asked specifically for Japanese and English menus. When I got to the restaurant, I reminded them I needed Japanese menus, the hostess confirmed Japanese and English menus. After three times, we get to our table and we all have English menus. How stupid is that. When I remind the hostess I need five Japanese and one English menu they apologize and give me an the English speaker a Japanese menus. There is a major lack of common sense there. Later my sister-in-law orders the omakase. The runners continue to bring the omakase to my wife. Granted they're sister's, but they don't look alike and after the first, second, and third time of being told, they would make the correction. Total lack of communcation amoung the staff. I had call the restaurant earlier to tell them it was my wife's birthday. Surprize, they never wrote it down. So my wife got nothing! Then we are hit with the mandatory six person, 20% tip. Talk about insult to injury. I have been to Nobu's, La Mer and they deserve 20%. Morimoto's has a long ways to go. Saving grace was that the food was good. Morimoto's wants to be Honolulu's best restaurant. Management really needs to look at staff training. We had a wonderful experience the night before at BLT Steak House. The waiter Ed was superb! I was so upset, I called and talked to the assistant manager. He apologized and said they are have problems. He promised me the next time I return to let him know and things will be different. I personally ask myself, I have been burned twice there. Would you give them another chance? Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.
(3)Phi H.
Mr. Iron chef did not disappoint, food was delish, atmosphere was amazing, and we scored pictures with morimoto, couldn't ask for more with a night in oahu.
(5)Philip P.
Incredible food, drink, service, and appearance. A must visit in Waikiki located at the Modern Hotel. It is a little pricy but I feel the price is warrented.
(5)John K.
Overall lived up to the hype and reputation. Ambience is killer, try to sit outside, less noisy and a view of the harbor. Calamari salad was terrific and surprisingly a good deal. The Doris was wonderful. Bagna cauda was like a joke an oily tasteless dip with what appeared to be table scraps. Tobanyaki, the whole fish and the black cod were outstanding. Pricey place for the special meal.
(4)Gardelyn J.
Staff was friendly and very knowledgable about the menu. Nice view of the harbor. Wagyu beef carpaccio was excellent as expected as was the crispy whole fish. Both were buttery soft! The whole fish comes out sitting upright and appears as if its swimming on your plate. It's a good size portion for one but enough to allow others to taste from your plate. The yuzu sauce on the wagyu beef was the perfect touch for a light but fulfilling appetizer.
(4)Brian K.
I had the Omakase and while the price was significant the food and the presentation was well worth the price. Only thing is i don't feel like i passed the coolness factor for the spot. Started with this strange rectanglular platter of ahi tartare and hamachi tartare with a bevvy of fairly involved sauces for them, as well as the standard wasabi and shoyu. Truly remarkable flavor. If they brought me 2 of these I would not complain. Next was the best part of the meal. It was a foie gras with a bit of duck meat served in a bowl on top of a sort of egg custard (not sweet). Rich, complex and the custard just seemed to smooth everything out. And the serving size was perfect for this type of dish. Next a light broth to cleanse the palet. Sushi was fairly standard, chu toro was excellent. They did have a saba which although I can understand as being a traditional Japanese sushi, most of thee rest of the world finds it to be fishy and oily and rather unappealing. The "sifr and turf" was a Maine lobster claw and half a tail, very nicely done, some pork loin with a pear sauce, a couple of cubes of beef tenderloin that I actually could have used a couple more cubes of and a lemon/cream mixture to cleanse the palet between dishes. The "predessert" was a bit of an espresso, jelly like subtance over a type of custard and was absolutely extravagant with a wonderful aroma of fresh coffee. Sweet but not cloying. I ordered a double espresso for myself and it came next with a beautiful crema. Not as heavy as I like my espresso, but solid nonetheless. The dessert was a bit off for me. A small scoop of vanilla ice cream and what seemed to be a kind of sweet potato or perhaps taro mixture. A bit of a baked dried fruit and some fresh shaved mango. Kind of an odd taste. Not very sweet really. The predessert was far superior. All in all, nothing bad, many things superb and the service was exact as you would expect for the price you are paying. Also the wine list was great, we had a bottle of Far Niente (white) and a very nice Brunello di Montelcino (red). Again they are not affraid to charge. LOL.
(5)Adam E.
Amazing! My wife took me here for my birthday, and it IS a birthday treat...in quality and in price. Yes, it is VERY expensive, but the food is an experience. I highly recommend getting the teasing menu. It's so easy to go to a Japanese restaurant and just go with sushi and known-entities, but the tasting menu is a whirlwind of new flavors. Plus, my wife is pescatarian and they customized for her. 1st course- an amazing ahi and himachi tray with dipping accents 2nd course- maybe my favorite; a small tasting of perfect lightly cooked fish with sesame oil and other deliciousness. 3rd course- an oil fondue and anchovies paste, veggies for dipping and small chicken accent 4th course- a Foie Gras Egg custard with duck on top (clams for my wife) 5th course- SUSHI! a perfect 5pc nigiri selection. Entree- a 3pc collection of spiced lobster, glazed pork, and tender filet (sub crab and bass for my wife). Desert- MMMMM Kambocha (pumpkin) souffle with Sweet potato ice cream On top of all that we had a fantastic sake flight (and an other bottle of course) Truly a special meal that made for a special evening. If you can afford the splurge, it is worth it!
(5)Jennifer P.
Ambiance - fantastic. Great place for a group to celebrate an event, birthday, or to be seen. We ate on the lanai. Our reservations were early, so the sun was in my face a bit, but the waitstaff worked to block it with various tents. Service - amazing. Our server was knowledgeable, and helpful. Always there when we needed him and never there when we didn't. The speed at which food came out was perfect as well. We never felt rushed but we were languishing waiting for the next course. Food - good. this is the only reason I gave it four stars The presentation was fantastic, and the choices were eclectic, but nothing made me want to sing to the heavens the greatness of the food. Overall, a great place to celebrate with a group or take someone to impress them. As a date, maybe if you're trying to be seen or with it, but my husband and I would have preferred a little more intimacy. Hence the other reason for the four stars as it's good, but not over the top great.
(4)Gsk A.
We were staying at The Modern Hotel where the restaurant was located. Since I've already been to the one in NY and Napa many times, why not give this one a try also. In comparision with the others I think it's just average. Not a good as the others. I have already pretty much tried everything on the menu before. So i was really hoping to try something new since it's at a different location. Nothing really stood out. Pretty much the same menu. I'm not saying it's not good but was just really hoping to they have some more exotic items since we are in Honolulu surrounded by many ocean life. So if you have the money to splurge then I guess it's ok but if not while in Honolulu then there are plenty of other restaurant where your money can go much further and get real awesome sushi and unique dishes.
(3)Melissa D.
My husband and I went on a belated Valentine's Day date. I truly appreciated the ability to book a reservation online, and was happy to receive two email reminders. However, I neglected to review the restaurant's website before heading out. As a result, I parked in the self-park lot and had to pay $24 at the end of the night. VALET PARKING IS FREE, and the restaurant doesn't validate in the self-park lot across the street! Overall, our dining experience was great. This was our first visit to Morimoto Waikiki, and it met or exceeded our expectations. The restaurant's decor made for a warm, contemporary ambiance, although it was not particularly romantic. We were also seated next to another couple to the point that we could actually see what the other party was ordering and carry on a brief conversation. There was a family of tourists with young children who arrived shortly after we were there. I'm not sure if their visit to Morimoto was just to gawk at the raw bar and drink water because I didn't see them eating, but they were underdressed and quite disruptive. This is NOT a good family restaurant, although there were others that had perfectly well-behaved and well-dressed children. The menu selections were unique and unexpected. Armed with a few recommendations in mind, we selected three appetizers (foie gras chawan mushi, congee with pork belly, salad), two entrees (lamb with spam onigiri, ginger pork), two sides (fingerling potatoes, gai lan), and a dessert (hot/cold tofu). We were extremely pleased with everything we ate, and will return again to try other dishes.
(4)Katie L.
I was super super super EXCITED to go to Morimotos. With that said, I was disappointed at the service and food provided. The drinks were a-okay - definately not worth the average $12 per drink - with the exception of the white lily. That drink is sooo good! We had a bunch of appetizers - but, none were memorable for me to write about. However, we did have the tuna pizza - which was AMAZING and probably the best thing I had all night. For my entree, I had Morimoto's version of bi bim bap with Hamachi. The fish was super tender and soft and not overcooked at all - especially interesting to watch cause they cook it table side. However, they overload the sauce and it overcomes the entire dish. While the servers and bussers are super attentive, they mixed up our orders and dropped food off at our table that wasn't ours not once, but TWICE. On the upside, the presentation of the food is super nice and unique. And Morimoto was there the night we were dining. On the downside, for the price you pay and the service you get - its definately not worth it.
(3)Flynn M.
Gluten Free Friendly. Marked on menu. Probably can't have the tasting menu. My wife's favorite Iron Chef! We love Morimoto! Enough said, or can't say enough. The first time we came, a few years ago, was our wedding night dinner. It was just the two of us. I hadn't been diagnosed with celiac yet. We had the tasting menu and it was fantastic. Fulfilled one of my wife's fantasies. We felt like Iron Chef judges. Every item was superb in both taste and creativity. Part of the tasting included fois gras. My wife had never had fois gras and now she loves it. This was the best I've ever had. Talk about starting at the top. Other stand out items are the wagyu beef, the sushi appetizer, and duck. The cajun style lobster tail was average. Everything else was so over the top amazing that an average lobster tail stood out quite a bit. I'd never order it again. Since the tasting, we've been back three times. My wife says next time she's just going to have fois gras, two maybe three orders. We'll see if she isn't tempted out of her plan. Because the whole menu is so tempting. I've also enjoyed the sakes a great deal. Morimoto's is expensive but I've paid more for food in New York for less quality. Morimoto's is absolutely worth it and you should go out of your way to eat here.
(5)Sheryl G.
what: a beautiful, fine dining venue with modern japanese dishes that have a western twist. something good: the interior of morimotos is amazing! it's so beautifully decorated! the food is good but the presentation is what really captured me! the staff is so unbelievably well educated on every topic regarding the restaurant (whether it was about the menu or the decor), i was super impressed! every dish that is brought out is explained in great detail!! the quality of service here is impeccable! something not so good: it can be a little pricey, but the quality of service and presentation of the food items are well worth the prices :) something to try: crispy whole fish & omakase.
(5)Jenny L.
For a recent vacation to Hawai'i, we stayed at the Waikiki Edition so dinner at the Morimoto was a convenient meal choice after a long day being out and about. We had the takoyaki for an appetizer and it was average. My chirashi don was AMAZING - the presentation was meticulous and the sashimi were really fresh. Mother ordered the "new years box" (don't remember the proper name at the moment) which was intended as an appetizer and it was very much anit-pasto proportioning. Our mistake was listening to our awkward waitress when she described it as "okay as an appetizer or entree". Girl was mistaken. Sorely mistaken. The table next to us had the chef's menu which looked very appealing so we went back a few days after for it. It was a huge disappointment. The 9 courses dragged on for 2.5 hours (not one of those "I was so amazed by the food that the time just flew by" but more of a "I am so hungry. Where is my food!") and the food was average. Definitely not worth the price, even with the tourist levy. Maybe I expected a little too much from the Morimoto name?
(3)Tracy L.
"Yay! I'm a fan... of Jojo Vasquez, executive chef of Morimoto's Waikiki" Am I fan of the food he makes? HELL YEA!!! Am I a fan of the service? Hmmmmmmmm........ only if I get that one guy with a weird first name that has been in the F&B industry for years and is an amaaaaaazing server. No, if I get the college girl on one of my first tasting dinner's who actually told the person sitting next to me to "hurry up and eat so I can drop the next dish." (This actually happened and yes, we were jawslacked). The environment is a bit of the beachy outdoors brought indoor (think SoHA meets Dwell design, with IKEA bright lighting) by the lovable and uber talented Thomas Schoos. Does everybody get the design? No. But then again, I don't think the restaurant IS for everybody. To me, it is more of what we call in the hospitality industry, a "special occasion" restaurant where folks spend their anniversary dinners, Gramma's 100th birthday, or celebrating a friend's promotion. Here's what I know fer sure: Anything Chef Jojo makes is pretty damn spectacular. And, they have an awesome pastry chef too. The sitting area outside is lovely, especially if you have the cabana with its own ceiling fan. If it begins to rain, retractable awning gets cranked out. The fire pits are cool too. This place ain't cheap so think of a really good reason to go there for dinner. Otherwise, go to the bar, order a drink and pupus. Give the restaurant some time before they get all the kinks worked out tho. It typically takes a new restaurant 90 days to get everything working like a well-oiled machine. I have faith. And I will return...
(4)Jackson G.
We were very pleased with our entire experience here. All of us had the Omakase for $110, which included 9 courses of the chefs choosing. Since we don't get to Hawaii often, we thought this was worth trying so we could taste a number of dishes. The food was great. The tartar was the first dish and it was delicious. The surf and turf was the equivalent of the main course and that was really good. They tried to pass off a tea as one course, which was kind of ridiculous, but other than that, it was a great experience. The staff was friendly and attentive. The time between dishes was a little inconsistent and lengthy at times, but I'd still go back. I'd definitely recommend the Omakase experience if you have a chance to make it here. It's pricey yeah, but how often are you in Hawaii eating at Morimoto's? 9 different dishes gives you a great idea of the menu here.
(4)Kawai K.
Went here last night on a date and was not disappointed one bit. We began with the Oyster Foie Gras, which I thought might have been the best dish of the night, and an assortment of Sashimi. My favorite sashimi of the night was definitely the Oh-Toro. Next we had the Wagyu Carpaccio, which was my dates favorite dish of the night. It was ridiculously satisfying, if I do say so myself. For the main course I had the Braised Lamb Shank w/ a Sushi Rice Risotto. It was a large serving for this kind of restaurant and it was so moist that I used my fork to pull the meat from the bone the whole time I was eating it. The sushi rice was also very tasty. My dates main course was the Ishi Yaki Buri Bop. I loved they bring it to you in a hot bowl an cook it right in front of you. The seared Hamachi and Fried Rice were equally delicious from what I had tasted. We were not disappointed one bit. The best part of the whole night was the fact that Morimoto was actually there last night slicing our Sashimi. That made everything perfect!
(5)Jensen B.
I had heard about how good Morimoto's was and seen people check in on Facebook so we decided to check it out for ourselves. The ambience is nice. The service was good and our waitress was knowledgable of the menu. We were seated outside at the corner table in the back where it was very gusty and had sprinkles of rain. They covered the side railings with the tent extensions which was okay... atleast i wasnt getting wet. Our waitress recommended the tako poké to start and that's what I got. When the dish came I was slightly disappointed. Thinly sliced pieces of octopus were spread across the plate with dribbles of oil and sprinkles of salad. I really didn't know what to expect but judging from the appetizer I figured this was a place where you empty your wallet of cash and leave hungry after a full-course meal... And I was right. My main course was pretty tasty but I just remember licking off every bit of sauce on the plate. We both got dessert and were still hungry. Ordered a few drinks but decided not to go overboard with liquor on an "empty stomach." I really wanted to get something else to eat but figured we'd go to McDonald's after and share a 20-piece mcnuggets, which we did LOL! Maybe I'm being too critical of Morimoto's but I personally wouldn't go back. I don't think of myself as a cheap person when it comes to a fine-dining experience but I do like to feel satisfied after I leave. A person could spend the same amount of money elsewhere, receive the same level service, and get bigger portions of food with the quality. All-in-all, Morimoto's is a place where you pay for the name. I'm glad we went just to say we have been there but I don't recommend this to my friends. Instead, we would go to places such as Roy's, Stage, or Top of Waikiki.
(2)Chris Q.
The dining room is very modern and spacious. Its truly a very nice place to sit and eat. From there its a little downhill. Waiter was very attentive and knew the menu fairly well. Took our order and then that is when the problems started happening. There must have been something wrong with the extractor in the restaurant as it was very smoky in the dining room. There as a distinct smell of over fried food in the dining room which ruined the entire meal. Service was also very very slow. Took 1 hour to get appetizers. Mains didn't come any faster. The food itself was unremarkable. When you factor in the price it was very disappointing. Would not recommend and would not go back.
(2)Kimothy K.
My bf and I were excited to eat here for our anniversary. Our overall experience was a bit disappointing. We made reservations, but they sat us outside because they claim they were fully booked... though it looked like a decent amount of empty seats inside. It was also raining on and off throughout the evening and it was chilly! The rain was so loud at one point I couldn't even hear myself speak. The food was OK. I was under the impression that a good portion of the menu items were normal local fare, just a bit fancier and way overpriced... Loco Moto? Gyoza? Chicken Noodle Soup aka Ramen? I ended up ordering the Oxtail Soup which was tasty especially with the side of garlic fried rice mixed in. Meat was tender. Came with fresh grated wasabi. Still, it was lacking the ginger that we've all come to know and love with local oxtail soup. Also ordered the Toro Tartare. It was interesting with a wide variety of condiments... soy dashi, nori paste, sour cream, wasabi, onion, guacamole and crispy rice balls. Our server didn't do a good job of explaining how to eat this or what the different condiments were... so we found ourselves having to ask how to eat and what we were eating at least a couple times. The one thing that stood out was the Abalone Takoyaki. It's crisp on the outside, creamy on the inside with a good chunk of abalone in the center... all sitting in a pool of decadent butter sauce. I think they even put some tomato in it. Definitely the star of the evening.
(2)Coco M.
Excellent food. Better be good as you are paying for it $$$. Attentive wait staff and excellent service. Spent about $200 including a bottle of wine for two excluding $40 tip. My mom from Japan enjoyed very much.
(4)holland h.
Great food- but I cannot figure out the draw to the Modern. Not on the beach. Crappy noise. WTF?
(3)Rick B.
Great place for sushi and drinks.
(4)Mary B.
I was a guest of the Modern and was treated to a complete tasting menu. All I can say is the food was amazingly prepared and it was quite a task to complete the dessert. Braised black cod, the angry chicken moist and succulent, tuna pizza who would have thought this could exist, and the assorted nigiri and maki sushi exceptionally fresh. This was Friday night and next door the fireworks could be seen from the deck. The haupia semifreddo and chocolate caramel tart presentation was over the top. We were also served the white lily cocktail in a sexy martini glass. The service was impeccable and the waiters explained every dish and it's components. What a treat in Waikiki!
(5)Hellsaint D.
went for breakfest, decent but pricey
(3)natasha m.
I went to eat there on Valentines day. My overall opinion was Alright. The place is pretty fancy and nice, but the food was okay. We got the scallops, lobster, and steamed salmon. The food was way too pricy for the amount of food.
(3)Kai R.
This place is a bit hard to find because the signage is pretty small. I was a bit reluctant to make this the final meal of our vacation on Oahu given the mixed reviews, but since we had eaten at his NYC restaurant and had great meals, I decided to give it a shot. We were seated on the outdoor patio overlooking the marina. Other reviewers complained about the table spacing / we didn't have any issues and didn't feel crammed in. This is a big restaurant, but even inside it not seem to that the tables were crammed together. Service was what I would expect from a high end restaurant - very attentive the entire meal. Since we had a 3 year old, we didn't opt for the chef's tasting menu / ordered off of the regular menu. We had some sushi rolls for appetizers - all were fresh and very good (a little too much rice though). For the main course, the lobster and the surf 'n turf. Yes, a lobster for $49 is a bit pricey, but boy is it good - the spices are really fantastic / this isn't your usual boiled lobster. The surf 'n turf was just OK. The surf portion was his take on Poke and consisted of just three pieces of tuna with a few tomatoes. Fresh, but not really exciting. As for the filet, it was overcooked plain and simple. I requested medium rare and it was very much medium / no pink at all. We did not have desert, so can't comment on that portion of the menu.
(4)Chris P.
Food: delicious but overpriced. Service: on a scale of 1-10 I'd say -4. Been here a few times and had the same TERRRRRIBLE waitress twice..we complained the first time we went, and sure enough got her again the next time and ended up complaining again. stay away from "Mizuki"...shes so bad that I'm actually writing a review on yelp to warn people about her. For starters we ordered one of the cheaper sake's on the menu and she questioned whether or not we should stick with that or order the most expensive sake on the menu claiming that the bottle we ordered wouldnt have enough content for everyone at our table to enjoy a shot. Actually, Mizuki, we ordered the same bottle a week prior with the EXACT same amount of people and had plenty of sake to go around and we all liked it. I can understand an employee trying to point customers in the direction of something a little higher priced when theyre asked for their opinion on menu items, but dont question the decision our table made AFTER we ordered and then suggest we buy the most expensive sake on the menu. After that she had a pissed off look the entire night and never smiled once. Literally both times we've had her as out waitress we havent seen her smile. Ok, so here was the kicker of the night, our bill came out to somewhere around $350. We put $200 in cash and a debit card inside the bill. She comes back with the entire bill put on the card and no cash. We were all dumbfounded with what was going on when we realized that she "assumed" we gave her a $200 tip on a $350 bill. REALLY????? We then had to explain to her that we wanted the remaining balance after the $200 cash to be put on the card. pretty standard issue stuff, or so I thought. Who assumes that after giving terrible service someone will give you a $200 tip on a $350 bill???
(2)Baby B.
I ordered the fish at Morimoto. It was bland. Everything was bland. Maybe I ordered the wrong thing. But that night the Iron Chef failed me. But I'm still a fan. I don't blame whomever cooked that fish did a terrible job. My husband had the Duck Duck Duck an it was excellent. So I give it three stars on the fact that just my dish was awful.
(3)Steve M.
We ate here for dinner and decided to go all out -- the table ordered the seven-course tasting menu (omakase), which is what I would recommend. Though not every dish was to our liking, many were fantastic, and the overall experience easily earns the 4-star rating. And since the menu is "chef's choice", some of the less tantalizing dishes will likely be weeded out. We ordered Morimoto-style drinks to start. The White Lilly and the Morimo-Tai (a mai tai concoction) were both delightful. The meal started with a memorable tartare that was so beautifully plated that you were immediately reminded that Morimoto is THE Iron Chef. The sushi and sashimi were perfect. Our meal featured an olive oil anchovy dip (ala fondue) that I could've done without. But the surf and turf was good, especially the seasoned lobster with creme fresh. Dessert was refeshing and quite tasty. Overall, a solid dining experience for $110 per person. Not bad for this kind of tasting menu. Morimoto himself was on hand to supervise the preparation of our meal, and he stepped out for photographs for a lucky few patrons. The rest of the night he was prominently visible in the open kitchen. Service was tremendously attentive and fairly well coordinated, particularly since this location has been open only a few weeks. And the atmosphere of the restaurant and the hotel it's located in (Edition) is clean and modern but did not seem too assuming. A very enjoyable dining experience.
(4)Marilyn K.
My friend took my husband and I to Morimoto Waikiki for my birthday dinner while I was visiting Hawaii. When we were seated, I smelled the musty odor of stale food... not a good sign when one is dining in a "fine" restaurant! I looked around me...we were the furthest table from the kitchen and the tables around us were unoccupied. I can only assume that the ventilation was blowing kitchen smells directly to our table. So much for the ambience. The service started out as very attentive. Our server explained the menu and took our orders. Other servers brought our dishes. Then our original server disappeared! Another server brought us a dessert menu, took our dessert orders, and brought my friend the check. We never saw our original waiter again. (Even at coffee shops, waiters come to the table to let diners know if they are going off-shift. It was strange to find this lapse in service in a "fine-dining" restaurant.) As for the food...most of the dishes were too salty. I ordered the crispy fish. There was no starch to balance the saltiness of the fish. (A bowl of steamed rice was a side dish - $4.00) The oxtail soup broth was too salty. The "low-salt" soy sauce with dashi was so salty that none of us used it on our food. My friend's order of a deconstructed "Loco Moco" looked unappetizing. Half of the plate was white rice, the other half was mostly brown gravy with some chunks of meat swimming in it. And there was a sunny-side egg in the middle of the concoction. My friend barely touched her order. We did enjoy the two desserts we ordered. Perhaps there could be an excuse for our dining experience if the restaurant was crowded and the kitchen busy, but there were only a few occupied tables in a very large indoor space. There were more occupied tables outdoors. After the meal, my friend vowed never to return to Morimoto Waikiki.
(1)Jack G.
Took a client, her son and granddaughter to lunch. Prior to self parking, I asked the attendant if Morimoto's validates. She said that they do and showed me a validated ticket with Morimoto's stamp on it. Long story short, we had lunch, food was decent, but expensive ($85 ribeye ala carte). Spent about $400. Paid the bill. Put my parking ticket in the bill folio. The waiter comes back and says we don't validate self parking. Told him that the attendant says they do. He replies that they do, but only when there's no valet parking available. I ended up paying $35 for parking. If the Iron Chef wants to stay in business, he might want validate his patrons parking especially when they spend over $400 for lunch. I'll never go back!
(1)Kathy C.
I honestly don't know why people go here or rave about this place. You would think since he was an iron chef, the restaurant would be amazing!!!!! WRONG! We came here for my girlfriends birthday. There were about 6 girls and for dessert, they brought out a spoon of sherbet! A spoon! I thought it was a joke! They should have saved them the embarrassment and not even brought anything out. So sad and so disappointing. I went here another time for brunch with the girls and the only great thing about it was the bloody mary bar was awesome. Other than that, the food was still crap! Never coming back again.
(1)Everett A.
went there for a bday celebration and ordered the loco moco because it looked awesome on yelp pictures.. i think i had about 7 small pieces of beef and finished all but half my rice within 2 minutes.. we had awesome service and our waiter was super cool but i dont think we will be coming back here anytime soon.
(3)louis b.
The best meal I have had in quite some time. Just amazing service, wonderful ambiance, and I got to watch morimoto himself prepare my meal. Went with the tasting menu, and I was overwhelmed with its variety and taste. Still had to have the chocolate peanut butter bomb though. :)
(5)Glenn C.
First time here and did not disappoint. Large party of 12 all went with the omakasa (chef's tasting) menu. Everything I ate was delicious, but some strange combinations. Overall the food was great, but a little pretentious. Service was top notch and the views from the outdoor patio are amazing. The bar is a great place to have drinks. Several unique drinks and cool bartenders.
(4)Jerry L.
We went for dinner. The food was good but the waiter ripped us off. Be careful and ask before ordering sushi. It can get pricey if you assume as we did that a piece of sushi cost $10.00 or less. Our waiter asked us if we wanted a handroll sushi and not nigiri which is what is offered on the menu. We assumed it was included in the price but when we got our bill the one piece of sushi cost us $20.00 for one piece. So our three pieces of sushi cost us one at $20.00 and one at $12.00 and one at $14.00 each piece. I guess the waiter wanted a bigger tip. This is not how island folks like to be treated.
(1)Jr H.
First off, I'm a serious foodie. I think service, ambiance, and valet service is as important to your dining experience as food quality. Let me say SERVICE IS HORRIBLE here! I've eaten twice here, both times for dinner. The first time I had the tasting menu, referred to Omakase in this restaurant. The dishes were all small and very tasty. They came out very slowly. Taste-wise, the wagyu was the only disappointment. If you've ever had it at Hiroshi's Yakiniku Waikiki, you wouldn't take more than one bite of the Morimoto version. The lobster was Kona- likely farmed -- also a disappointment. Still, overall taste was very good for most items and presentation was impressive. There's another VERY costly down-side to this evening, but I'll continue with food first. During my second venture here we ordered various dishes. Again, all were very tasty with impressive presentation. Don't expect great sushi, order other items instead. This place couldn't touch Yohei or Maguro-ya's sushi. Service was horrible to say the least. Our waitress never came around. They have tons of workers yet you can't get anyone to stop by... here's why: they have some strange setup where all workers stand in line (often 10 workers deep) waiting for the prepared food to come off the prepared line. Then they take turns delivering the food out. This is sooooo ridiculous! Here you have an unpleasant looking line of workers doing nothing but waiting for food to come out and nobody at the tables is getting decent service. Inexcusable! So back to the first night. DON"T bring a nice car if you plan on using the Valet. On this evening I rode in my friend's new Benltey Supersports coupe (the only one on the island). We parked right in front and dropped a big tip which to anyplace else on this island says don't move my 286K car. Not these guys! They managed to move us down to the end of the curved valet entrance and scraped almost 180-degrees of his ceramic rims! Nice! What a bunch of amateurs. It turns out they blew the window out the back of someone's Escalade at a Chanel event a few weeks prior. In summary, go here once... if you must. Then after that, hang out at the lobby bar instead.
(2)Neil R.
This is a restaurant that lives up to the hype. Between the great food and fantastic atmosphere this is perhaps the most sophisticated Japanese style restaurants in Hawaii. Morimoto can occasionally been seen in the restaurant overseeing his team.
(5)Richard L.
We were in Hawaii for a few days and decided to try out Morimoto's restaurant. We've heard great things about this place. It was definitely a delicious meal. We had the Omakase and the food looked great and tasted great. They are getting a 4 star only because we went to Nobu the night before...
(4)Kela D.
The yose dofu was interesting. The Wagyu rib eye is comparable to other steakhouses. The service was exceptional and the waiter was attentive to our needs.
(4)bucca d.
This place was quite amazing. Finding the restaurant was also an adventure as i needed to use the yelp photos to help me identify the restaurant; there is no name at the entrance. To the food. We had the ahi and hamachi tartar. Excellent smeared poisson on top of a transparent ipodish rectangular plastic dish presented on a ice cold bowl with 5 dipping sauces. I didn't like all the sauces, esp the hoisin sauce but the other ones were pretty decent. The takoyahi abalone balls were delicious. The soft shell crab is highly not recommended as it was the worst dish of the night; some bites were tasty and crunchy but other bites were cartilage like chewy and fishy (cant remember which parts of the crab) - yuck. However, the main dish of surf and turf had melt in your mouth poke and the steak petite sirloin was amazingly good. In fact it was still tender the next day after being nuked in the microwave. The other main dish we had was the bi bimbop hamachi cooked right in front of us. Hamachi was tender and full of flavor and cooked just right. The hot stone bibimbop plate was delicious and provided additional mind stimulation. The fusion was amazing. My wife and i really enjoyed our evening meal outdoors on the wooden covered patio under the setting sun, rope lights, and sailboat masts docked by the harbor. Price wise - it was very EXPENSIVE.
(5)Adam C.
Yes, I'm a fan. I really like the hotel, though. I think the ambience here added a whole star to this review. I was impressed by the decor, clean straight lines modern, green accents, not seen too much in here in the islands, felt like an LA restaurant. I think I'm also one of those unconsciously directly affected by ambience so good job restaurant designers. the food was pretty sensational (appealing to most of my senses), elegant presentation, bold yet balanced and exotic flavors and excellent service. this open kitchen restaurant seemed nicer than other restaurants, maybe the brightness of the color palette gave it that edge. I also thought it was less noisy than most, though still don't expect a quiet dinner. we shared three appetizers, a sushi and an entree and amazingly our bill was $100 exactly as we were shooting for to match the amount we were gifted. what a treat! i'll definitely be back for more!
(4)B J.
A little late with this review so it'll be short, but better late than never. Treated my boyfriend here for his birthday in September. It was spectacular! I hate sitting in the seats where you basically share with your neighbor. So luckily, we were seated in the corner on the patio which had the most breathtaking view ever. We ordered the omakase but I don't remember each dish, all I know it was great! Unlike other yelpers, the service that nice was impeccable. I would definitely stop by again if I'm ever in Hawaii.
(5)Daniel L.
Amazing food, great service, great ambiance - 10s all around. I especially liked the appetizers - the sashimi salad was fantastic.
(5)Alexander S.
Amazing for lunch or dinner. Morimoto is a genius with food. The dollar may be high but if your looking for quality sushi and tasty asian fusion food, this is the place to eat.
(5)BAJIBU K.
I will start off with the good things: - Beautiful presentation for the food -Great atmosphere The not so good things: - For the price, the food was pretty "meh" The only thing I would order again would be the Wagyu Carpaccio, there was great texture and a buttery flavor, YUM!! -The Hamachi Tartare was nice to look at, but wasn't very creative with the flavors. Nothing stood out to me. -The Crispy Rock Shrimp Tempura was yummy, but I think I could have made this at home?? Ranch dressing with celery sticks?? REALLY?? -The Spicy King Crab.. open crab legs with a salty semi spicy sauce and French Fries with some kind of super salty mayo drizzle. The salt in this dish alone was enough for the entire meal! Maybe someone didn't screw the cap on correctly.... -Yose Dofu... cute, but the table side presentation sucked. Our server came over, poured some sauce in the tofu mixture and told us not to touch it then walked away. -WORST Oxtail Soup ever!! The soup tasted so oily/greasy and the oxtail itself was so chewy and I needed to cut it off the bone... I would rather have Zippy's Oxtail soup.... -The Crispy Whole Fish was really good! but kind of small?? The presentation was comparable to the Crispy Whole Fish at Tsunamis, but for the price, I'd rather eat it at Tsunamis... -The Duck Duck Duck was sooooooo disappointing. The duck was bloody AND chewy.... the puff pastry on the soup was burnt, and the spring rolls were ...spring rolls. But the WORST part of our dinner was our server!! He came over to take our drink order, and he had the manner of a dishwasher, just kind of stood there, he didn't even bother to give an introduction. The only reason I can recall his name is because it was at the top of our bill. I asked for a wine recommendation since I was thinking about getting the Omakase ($110) , and he told me "I don't know, here's the wine list" and handed me the wine list and walked away. He couldn't make any recommendations as to anything special we should order, he just stood there and stared at me. And after our mediocre experience, he ends the night by dropping/slamming the bill in front of me. I was so shocked, I didn't even know what to say. I'm not one to complain about horrible service, but after paying over $330 for dinner for 3 AND having something literally thrown near my face, I was so appalled that I had to let his manager know. I would NEVER go back to this place. There are tons of great restaurants to go to in town with better service that you don't have to pay an arm and a leg for!
(1)Christy M.
I've been hear for lunch and dinner already. Both experiences were great and the food was fabulous. I didn't try the Omakase and ordered a la carte instead. Presentation is stunning, food flavors are incredible, and the staff is great. Oh, and I must mention the atmosphere as well - totally relaxing, modern, and just GREAT. We sat inside for both occasions so I'm planning to try the patio on my next visit for dinner. Morimoto in Hawaii is a FABULOUS :)
(5)Little M.
We were really looking forward to a wonderful experience. We love new mod places and good Japanese food. By staff recommendation, we ordered the calamari salad, the whitefish carpaccio, and the sushi/sashimi Chef's combination. The calamari was in unseasoned heavy deep fried batter. I could not even tell you what was in it. I could not taste calamari. It was horrible. We felt full and weighted down after trying to like this dish. We were trying to figure out what we were missing. It turns out it was just bad. The whitefish carpaccio was okay. The seasoning and sauce was too strong for the lightness of the fish. The Chef's combination was a mixed bag. We were expecting some sashimi, and it came with a spicy tuna roll and 8 pieces of heavy wasabi laden sushi. The roll was good. The quality of the sushi was average.
(2)T S.
This place is amazing, amazing, amazing from the ambiance to the cocktails, to the wait staff and of course its food. As you walk in you feel transported into a high end serene place of fine dining. The lighting is just right, the decor is perfect, they don't miss a beat. I had the lychee martinis as well as the pina huapia (pineapple infused drink) which were both delicious and strong. I followed that with my main course the braised black cod. It was near perfection. I have had this dish before at Nobu, but I think this was probably better. Perfection! Everyone at the table loved all their dishes. Its no wonder Morimoto has the reputation he does, his food is amazing.
(5)Randy S.
I am very disappointed. I had very high hopes. The best thing about the meal was dessert and the coffee. Other than that it was overpriced. It was kind of a bummer. The dining room was incredibly loud and the wait staff made no effort to tell the drunks at the next table to chill out. Once they left the noise level was reduced but noise is a very big problem here. Our waiter (Paul) was awesome. It's a shame the entrees were a let down.
(2)Henry L.
Last year, we ate here three times. This year only once. It kind of lost its magic on us. Mind you the food is good, sushi fresh (especially the Japanese uni if you can get it), but something just did not click. Maybe because we had such high expectations? But, this time around, it just was not magical for us. Kids did not even want to come back, instead, they were screaming for Alan Wong's instead. Will try again when we come back next Christmas and see what happens then.
(3)Kar O.
Went here with Lora H for a girls night out. The restaurant itself is gorgeous and immaculately clean. We arrived early so we decided to have drinks outside on the deck overlooking the yacht harbor. It was really pretty outside, nice and toasty with fire pits and sofas with big cushions. Later, we went inside to have dinner. I ordered the omakase and my friend had the hamachi, sashimi, clam soup and cesear salad with fish. All the food was of high quality and delicious. I (surprisingly) liked the foie gras chawan mushi. i dont usually like anything with liver in it but this was delicious!. It was creamy, with a hint of liver, with duck sliced on the top. I also liked the hamachi toro tartar. The tsukudani sauce was delicious mixed with the cream. Sounds weird but I liked it alot. I also enjoyed the citrus zest on the sushi. It really added that extra layer of flavor to the fish and fresh wasabi. YUM. Portions are really really small and kind of expensive but it was sort of what I expected. Dessert dish contained a sweet potato foam, azuki bean souffle, and lychee sorbet. Also yummy. Food was good, service was excellent, I'll be back.
(4)Sara P.
We had a great Thursday night dinner here. We made a reservation but I'm not sure we necessarily needed one. I had the chirashi bowl which is a little different than ones I've had before. The pieces of fish were smaller but overall it was good. He ordered the omasake menu with 9 courses. Each course was brought out by a different server to explain what it is & how to eat it. Apparently they use onions in most things so if you don't like them, tell your server you're allergic. Seriously, ours said the chef will only put more on if you request none. I tried a few of the courses and they were all innovative, fresh and delicious! Its a great value if you want to try many different things. It came with 2 desserts and they made sure I had a spoon for those. With dinner we had 2 beers. One was Morimoto's imperial pilsner which came in a ceramic bottle that you could take home. The second was a hazelnut porter (?) but was actually lighter than our first beer. Best part of the meal: Morimoto himself was working the sushi counter :)
(4)Leo M.
I took my wife to Morimoto's for lunch on our 'child free' day on Oahu. It was the perfect choice - the view was lovely, the fresh air invigorating, and the service was impeccable. The food was more of a mixed bag - though understand that 'mixed' here means some of it was merely very good. On the plus side, the Morimoto Style Poke was a revelation - the mix of flavors and textures combined to create one of the most extraordinary dishes I have ever eaten. The sushi - paired with real wasabi - was also fabulous. In particular, the ikura was simply the best I've ever had. On the other hand, my wife wanted to try something more on the western side of the restaurant's fusion menu and went for the Morimoto special mini burgers and a salad. And these were merely very good. In general, I would suggest that if you are eating here and looking for something special you should seek out those dishes (like the poke) that are unique and provide the opportunity for the chef to show off a bit of technique. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Rosie C.
My boyfriend took me here about a week ago for our anniversary, a Wednesday night at 7, it was still pretty busy. First off the look of the restaurant is very nice and modern with just the right amount of lighting and very nice decor, however, the ambience was not so great, well at least for a nice romantic dinner. For one, it was very noisy, I could hardly hear my boyfriend and vice versa. Also, if there are just two of you, they seat you at tables that are literally arms-length away from the next table. I felt closer to the girl at the other table then to my boyfriend. When you have this dumb girl bragging to her friend about how she is so perfect, being that close got pretty annoying! Plus the servers could hardly squeeze through between the tables, that's how close they were. It didn't look like a problem if you were in a larger group, for those tables were not lined up with each other. Now for food, I don't eat seafood or red meat so it's sometimes hard for me to find food to eat at a fancier restaurant, however I checked Morimoto's menu prior to going and found some food I could eat. First week started of with the basic garden salad which I thought was fabulous but my boyfriend thought it was too fancy haha....dressing was kinda of citrusy. Then we got sushi, I got tamago nigiri and kappa maki, the tamago was excellent, but the kappa maki was horrible becasuse they put wasabi in it already...I HATE wasabi, so I was disappointed in that, especially when it's cucumber inside and you can't tell that wasabi is in the sushi! So, if you don't like wasabi like me, ask before getting any maki sushi. My boyfriend got the $12 fish, I forgot what it's called but I think it changes daily, and he said it was good. For our main dishes, I got the angry chicken and order rice and bok-choy to go with it. Excellent chicken! It had the flavor of chili (like chili and rice), and was nice and moist. The bok-choy was good, don't know how well you can spruce up bok-choy and the rice was good, I think it might have been the more expensive sushi rice, or maybe I'm trying to think that to justify the price haha! My boyfriend had the surf and turf, which consisted of steak and poke with I think mashed okinawan sweet potatoes...he wasn't as happy with his food as I was. He said it wasn't what he thought it was and it was a bit too fancy for him. Overall, I think the food quality was good...for the price? maybe not so much. We decided not to get dessert because they just seemed weird but the gave us a little happy anniversary dessert with was like a melon sorbet that tasted like a melona bar. Overall, I think they have good food, and very good service, but it is pretty pricey for being, as the website describes, "business casual". I think they need to fix the table situation, that's one thing that would prevent me from coming here again with my boyfriend. I think for a nice group dinner it might be nice but not so much a romantic dinner. However, it could be different outside on the patio, didn't even get a chance to look out there. Oh, and prior to going I also read the reviews on yelp and I agree, the bathrooms (right outside the restaurant in the hotel) are very nice....go in and take a look :)
(3)Cheryl K.
My parents took me out for my birthday here since their last experience was great. I love the ambiance - modern straight lines, contempo furniture, and decor. I'm a sucker for those places. When we walked in the hostesses greeted us and immediately sat us since my mom made a reservation. We ordered some cocktails and ordered our food. We ordered the pork gyoza and the tempura calamari salad for our appetizers. The portions were good enough for us four and the appetizers were delicious. My husband ordered the miso soup which was kinda huge. You know those little black bowls miso soup is usually served in? Anyways, I think it was like 4 of those combined. Portion was pretty big. So we order our entrees - my mom and I order the braised black cod (yes, BUTTERFISH!), my dad ordered the crispy whole fish, and my husband ordered the chef's loco moto. We waited quite a while for our food, I guess it may have been semi-busy on this Sunday but I think we waited a while. Anyways I think it was worth the wait. All of our dishes were presented super nice and the food just as great! I was not speaking for about 15 minutes straight as I was indulging in my butterfish and rice. The service was pretty on it. Also got a cute little dessert since it was my birthday. I think it was a melon sorbet or some sort. I was really full, happy, and satisfied! Anyways, I will return Morimoto Waikiki, I will return!
(5)Maggie F.
Omakase the only way to go. I went and loved it, this is not for hungry people. This is to experience food and beauty. I am not a fish person but every bite was amazing and will enjoy again and again! If you are ever there this is a must! Sorry to have missed Iron Chef Morimoto himself but it was an overall amazing place.
(5)Patrick B.
Great! This place is really special.
(5)Dawny M.
Amazing service, decor and food. John said it was like being a judge on the Iron Chef. We debated but finally decided to go with the Omakase. It was very expensive $120 per person before drinks and tip. There were no inexpensive wines on menu. We ordered Chardonnay, I think the least expensive was $65, but you can drink a glass not share a bottle. The dinners are priced such that you could order an entree with a couple appetizers and stay well under the $120, but what an experience. 7 courses and the only question they ask if for food allergies, the rest is up to them. We enjoyed ever course, the dessert was the least exciting but still good. Next time we go and there will be a next time, we will select items from the menu, but the Omakase was the way to experience Morimoto's for the first time. Worth the price!
(5)Saul J.
I had the best experience here during my recent trip to Hawaii. I stayed at the Modern Hotel which by the way is where Morimoto restaurant is. I dinned with two other friends and their perception of the food and service was the same as mine. Everything we ate, drank and tasted was so delicious and very well presented. Masaharu Morimoto has truly exceeded my expectations, then again he is and always in my view japanese Iron Chef.
(5)Stephanie I.
==HOLYY SHIIT== so i FINALLY ate at the infamous Morimoto's and i was completely impressed. my best friend took me here for my birthday and we both ordered the Morimoto Omakase ($70 for lunch, i believe it's around $110 if you order it at dinner time). Th
(5)Rina S.
I FOUND A BEETLE BUG CRAWLING IN MY SALAD!! It's Christmas eve and we decided to eat at Morimotos despite everyone telling us to go to Nobus. I was enjoying a mixed green salad and half way into my salad I found a black disgusting BEETLE BUG in my salad!!!!!!! I picked it up on my fork and almost ate it!!!!!! I called the server and brought it to his attention. He asked if we wanted ANOTHER salad. I answered with a sharp "Are you kidding me?!" He then brought a man who I guess was the manager (but by his sloppy attire and no name tag how could I tell) He opened the apology with a "This happens sometimes because we use organic greens that comes from the farm." He quickly added "But that definitely shouldn't happen and should never come out on the floor and Im very sorry." He took the salad off of the check and offered to give us a nice dessert on the house. You know what I have to say to that WTF! #1 Don't start the apology putting the blame on the farm. What kind of f*ing apology is that!?!? #2 How is knowing that there's bugs "SOMETIMES" in salads in the kitchen supposed to make me feel better about my food?! I don't ever want to know that there are bugs even in the kitchen! The manager didn't even come out to apologize when we got our check. They really need to train their staff to handle situations more appropriately before they open a restaurant like this. I can expect this kind of customer service at a cheap restaurant but not at a restaurant with these kind of prices! We should have listened to everyone and went to Nobu's!!
(1)Gloria C.
We dined there yesterday for my brother's birthday and overall the meal was pleasant. The lunch specials and the glasses of champagne were a bit pricey for me but thats what you expect from a fine-dining restaurant in Waikiki. It was good to go there once to experience the ambiance for special occasions such as this. Otherwise, they need to have better price points in order to have me as an frequent repeater.
(4)Al C.
Well the wife and I had to hit up Morimoto after hearing that he had a new restaurant in Waikiki. Luckily for us he was actually there that day and the wife was sooooo happy to get her picture taken with him. We arrived a bit late and waited in the lounge area. The lounge is amazing as it is outside in the back overlooking the marina. Wow! Service was very slow there as it took us forever to get the wife a glass of wine. When we finally got seated the service was much better. Inside is very elegant and modern. Would expect nothing less from Morimoto san. We started off with a few appetizers. The tuna pizza was good. Fresh tuna, crispy crust, the anchovy aioli was superb. We also got the foie gras chawan mushi. Nice infused foie flavor. The wagyu carpaccio was maybe the best thing on the menu. It was lightly cooked on the outside and raw on the inside. Got the sourness of the yuzu mixed with the saltiness of the soy and the smoothness of oil which really added to the wagyu. Lastly, we got the yose dofu. While pretty good, I don't know that this fresh made tofu is any different than other fresh made tofu. Its just more expensive. Moving on to main courses, I had the seafood tobanyaki. Its kinda like a seafood stew. Nice fresh broth and nicely cooked seafood in a bowl. Good course but nothing special. The wife got the lamb rack which I thought was very good. Overall excellent meal in a very nice restaurant. A bit overpriced but that's almost to be expected. Food was good but not blown away.
(4)Sherry M.
I was so excited to try Morimoto's. My mom, husband and I got to the restaurant an hour before our reservation. When we arrived, a host and hostess were there to greet us, checked us in, then walked us to the outside lounge. First impression was, "wow!" The service so far was great and the decor, trendy and hip. It's the type of lounge you would see in LA, or other trendy hotels. Once we found a place to wait comfortably, we ordered drinks. The cocktail menu looked impressive. It had a nice variety of drinks. My husband and I love our Mai Tais and know the difference between a good and bad one, so I was excited to try this one. First sip: not good. Took a couple of sips and gave it to my hubby. I sure hoped the food was much better. Finally, our reservation came up and the host seated us inside. Once seated, we immediately noticed how loud it was. We had to yell in order to hear each other. A lot of, "huh...what did you say?" going back and forth that evening. Nevertheless, I was still excited to try the food. Based on other Yelp reviews, I was familiar with menu and knew what I wanted to order. My mom and hubby deferred the selections to me. We decided to order a bunch of appetizers first and decide after whether to order entrees. So, here's a rundown of what I ordered: -Toro tartare -Sashimi -Steamed chicken salad -Wagyu carpaccio -Pork gyoza -Takoyaki -Regular sashimi You would think all of the above for three were enough. Not! The portions were so small and not filling at all. Presentation was creative and like art. The food though? Nothing special. For example, when the steamed chicken salad arrived, I asked, "where's the chicken?" Apparently it was shredded and mixed into a bunch of vegetables. It was ok. The takoyaki was the same. I've had many when I lived in Japan so I was looking forward to trying this one especially after seeing photos of it. Took the first bite and thought they forgot to put the abalone inside. After looking closer, to the second half, I found the tiny piece of abalone. I could get the same dishes at other restaurants and probably have 2 or 3 orders of each one for the same price as one at Morimoto's, although yes, won't have the same ambience and presentation. We decided to not order entrees based on our reviews of the appetizers. However, we were still hungry! Upon leaving, we ran into Morimoto. He reluctantly agreed to take a photo with us, so that was nice of him. But, I wouldn't give him 5 stars for "niceness." Sure, he probably has been asked many times to take a photo since opening, however, it comes with the territory. He kind of had a 'tude, then again, he is Iron Chef so maybe this is what made him successful and is part of his image. So, what did we do to satisfy our hunger pains? Went to Yanagi's. At last, a happy tummy and good night's sleep. In summary: -Comparable restaurants like Nobu's are much better. -Service is impeccable -Food is average -Decor is trendy -Too loud -Ken and Barbie wouldn't get full at Morimoto's
(2)Cheryl S.
All I can say is this is now my FAVORITE restaurant and I cant stop talking about it and I am dying to go again!!!! A little someone's b-day is coming up... Hint hint.... =) So we got to the new Edition Hotel (backside of the Ilikai) and pulled up to valet park our car and as soon as we stepped foot we were treated like royalty. They literally had 10 valet, bell desk guys waiting to help and be at your beck and call..how's that for 5+ star service!! I knew then that this place means business. So as we walked up to the restaurant I grew with anticipation as I had only heard extremely wonder reviews that I was just dying with pure eagerness. We were quickly greeted by the upmost professional staff. All I can say is that this hotel and restaurant spares no expense to service. The ratio of servers to guest seemed like 4 guest to 1. Now to say that is impressive the cooking staff was like an army. The kitchen is an open kitchen and you can see straight in. Since this restaurant just opened a couple days ago Iron Chef Morimoto was on site and in the kitchen. How's that for AWESOME! Also, most of the sushi chef's look like they just flew in from Japan. The deco was very Martha Stewart-ish. Clean fresh and simply elegant with the use of white, happy green, and hint of purple. It was very inviting. Now here is my review of the food. I was shocked with the nice menu choices it had something for everyone. We decided for our first visit we would do a medley of just appetizers which allowed us to try a little of everything and can I say that we weren't disappointed at all. Our first dish to be served was the rock shrimp tempura and it was delectable. They were bite size pieces of shrimp perfectly fried and crispy and seasoned with two different aioli's. One was a spicy kochujan aioli and the other was a wasabi aioli. They also had a coconut dipping sauce but the shrimp with their respected aioli was great in itself. That was just a perfect start to our meal. Next came the 10 hour pork kakuni which is his braised pork belly served on a hot rice congee. It literally melted in your mouth and the flavor was orgasmic. Then came his version of mandoo on a tomato sauce with bacon foam. Yes I said FOAM. All of their dishes are plated extremely well. Their attention to detail in their presentation is quite first-class and such high quality. Last we had the yosedofu which is fresh tofu created tableside. The processes takes about 7-10 minutes. They bring this liquid soy that literally after their presentation and the wait turns into fresh tofu. It is served with two dipping sauces the traditional soy sauce with the grated ginger, bonito flakes and scallions and my favorite a kim chee sauce which made the tofu in it taste like kim chee chige. That was just a wonderful treat. Unfortunately we were too full to try a dessert but definitely will next time. (I can't believe I am saying this...I know what no dessert!) This is now a truly first-class restaurant and it comes highly recommended as you will not be disappointed at all you will come out saying now I understand why he is an iron chef and that title is well deserved. Since this was opening week, and Iron Chef Morimoto was there, I was lucky enough to meet him in person. I just want to thank him and his amazing staff for a wonderful dining experience and I cant wait to the next time......
(5)Catherine F.
The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated. The hostess staff were at best "cold" we were not greeted upon entering nor were we addresses as we left. The wait staff was average however we did have a waiter change in the middle if our meal. The quality of the food and it's preparation was excellent but the portions are extremely small but we did expect the size of the portions. We went to celebrate our anniversary and indicated that with our reservation. It was never acknowledged and the one thing the ruined this experience for us was the invasion of gnats. They got in everything! My wine had to be replaced because there were at least a half dozen that drowned themselves in my glass. My dinner although tasty I really didn't enjoy because I had to beat the gnats to my food so I ate faster than I would have and didn't savor the meal. Overall I am disappointed. I would not go back nor would I recommend.
(2)Paul R.
Absolutely phenomenal. One of the best dining experiences we have had in Waikiki. Food was excellent and the service was prompt, engaging, and fun. Martin, our server, and the support wait staff were awesome. We had the Omakase and were in food nirvana by the end......in fact, we did not want it to end. Can't wait to go back and try Omakase round 2.
(5)superman o.
I was so hoping for this to be a big dream come true. But to no avail. My $85 "wagyu" steak was over cooked to med-well when the waiter boasted "chef recommends medium rare." It tasted like an average "ranchers reserve" from safeway! The nigiri sushi toppings looked like it was cut with a razor blade. The otoro was discolored and the king crab tasted like freezer burn and had cartilage still in it. Food came out slow, we waited 30 mins for our entrees and the restaurant was only half full. Is that how it is in New York or Philly? Service was the best part of the experience. Btw, the Morimoto poke was served with cheese balls... $25 for a iceberg lettuce wedge salad. Even with Frozen foie gras, it wasnt a "wow" at $25. With the millions they spent to come to Hawaii, I hope it gets better.
(2)Alena H.
Don't eat here until they hire new management and hosts/hostess'! My first visit to this restaurant was with a friend who took me there for my birthday. We had a wonderful waitress and the Traditional Breakfast that I had was delicious. I decided to take my family there for breakfast on New Year's morning. Never again. I made my reservations online (so I guess I didn't get to experience the RUDENESS when you call to make one - I found out through my friend who took me there) and with the time I was given, assumed that it would be busy. No. We were greeted (by chance it seemed because everyone at the front seemed preoccupied with other things) after standing there for a few minutes then taken into the restaurant by whom I found out is one of the managers there (Antonio) - he must have had too much to drink the night before because he didn't greet us, wasn't friendly and just sat us in the middle of the restaurant where there was only one more person in there eating while everyone else was outside (and it wasn't even crowded). The first time I went there we were asked if we wanted to dine inside or out. For me, I find it offensive (and I could be wrong), but we were the only local family and I guess, weren't good enough to sit outside among the hotel guests. Note: it is an ICE BOX inside! Shleppily dressed Antonio sat us, we told him that one of our party members wasn't going to make it, he shrugged his shoulders and said "Whatever, it doesn't matter." and walked off! Then we sat in the freezing dining room area for at least 5-10 minutes without anyone acknowledging our existance! Oh hell no! I was livid by the time our waiter noticed us from outside and came in to help us. My husband asked if we could sit outside and he gladly accomodated us (I think mostly because he knew how pissed we were). From that point on, the service was much better. Breakfast is a good meal there - a little pricey but before our encounter with the front end staff, it didn't matter to me. Our waiter, Michael, did his best to make the rest of our dining experience there pleasant but my husband refuses to come back. Overall, the food is quite good but the service is soooo horrible! That place needs new management and hostess' who have some kind of customer service experience. They are RUDE and act as if they are doing us a favor by allowing us to dine in their fine restaurant. They should be working out on the pool deck and the pool deck staff in the restaurant because they are soooo much more filled with the Aloha Spirit than those horrible people are! Shame on them! What a terrible reflection on Chef Morimoto! They need to be FIRED!!!!!! They have such a great opportunity to appeal to locals being on the outskirts of Waikiki, in a good location, etc. But I guess they only care about one kind of patron. How unfortunate for them. Sad to say, I won't have anything nice to tell any of my friends if they ask me about the restaurant. It's just not worth it.
(2)Tom L.
The service and food here are outstanding - but it is definitely a $$$$ experience. Lunch for 5 with the tip and drinks was over $500. Small portions - not unusual for a 5 star fusion restaurant.
(4)Edward L.
The restaurant bearing the name of Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, located in Waikiki, at the Edition Hotel, is definitely a place to be reckoned with. Let's just start with the Customer Service; from the time we drove up the driveway, our arrival was greeted by the valet, door opener, desk clerks, concierge desk, gift shop and the restaurant by the warmest smiles, so happy that you came and great attitude of what can we do to make it an awesome experience for you....maybe this is what we use to hear about, called "old school". We have all experienced one or two people that were attentive, knowledgeable, professional, etc., but to have everyone on the same page is truly awesome. The atmosphere is chic, upscale, contemporary to the max, exquisitely appointed. Now, lets get to the food with Chef Morimoto in the kitchen; regardless of what a Foodie you think you are, this menu has a lot of surprises, no one has ever thought of before....and don't even think of Presentation, because Chef Morimoto has raised the bar here.One of our main course was Crispy Whole Fish - big island fluke, spicy tofu sauce, pickled papaya salad, out of control! Until now, the best Crispy Whole Fish we have had, was in Chinatown, New York City. We then went on to Ten hour pork belly,yose dofu-fresh tofu prepared tableside,kimchee soup,dashi broth...tofu will never be the same again! We also tried a few more appetizers and finished with the "lightest" of the 5 signature desserts, sansho pepper roasted pineapple.. the presentation was spectacular! We were seated close to the kitchen and saw a few dishes go by that we will try next time; one was seafood "toban yaki"- kona lobster, king crab, mussel, clam, diver scallop, red miso-sake broth and the 16 ounce wagyu rib eye! Wow wow! They also have OMAKASE, that is "chef's choice", a multi-course tasting menu designed to allow you to experience the essence of morimoto's cuisine. Oh! did we mention the most important Service? .,.the service, and that includes everyone, waiter, bussers,hostess, etc.... best we have had on Oahu, not just one person was great, they were all great! ...you couldn't move your eyes without someone taking care of you. Also, last detail, we went on Wednesday evening and we were lucky to get a table, place was full with chic locals!!! Lots of Posers and everyone likes to pose sometimes.....
(5)Tia M.
So my boyfriend and I sometimes like to pick the more "fancy" restaurants like Roy's or Hoku's for special occasions. We came here on our 1-year anniversary, and we were in it more for the novelty of this restaurant than anything else... we knew it wouldn't have the most romantic ambience. :) But since it was a new restaurant in a fairly new hotel, we decided to give it a try. Located in the Waikiki Edition, this restaurant has very contemporary interior designs with a touch of orchids, seashells, and other Hawaii or beach themes. Very-Waikiki and quite the place for tourists and locals to ooh and ahh at. Valet parking only for this hotel, and it's on the house with a validated valet ticket. The moment you walk in, you may be dazzled by the interesting design of the restaurant, with the open kitchen area just behind the sushi bar as well as the vibrant orchid walls on opposite sides of the dining area. The service was very good, and the waiters and waitresses were happy to explain the menu to us--the foods are fairly exotic, or should I say "creatively" presented. My boyfriend ordered the Morimoto Smoked Sashimi ($26) which includes 4 different raw fishes sliced into squares and put into stacks, each stack containing 1 square of each fish--which was pretty interesting. He wasn't sure as to whether he should've eaten it stack by stack or... square by square, working through the stack? The 5 sauces that came with the sashimi were served and stored in separate pipettes--yes, the same clear, disposable ones that you used in your chemistry lab. This was a bit of a turn-off for me since it just made me think of toxic chemicals... I wasn't very thrilled at the fact that they included pipettes like that in a meal. My boyfriend liked the sashimi--sorry, I'm not much of a raw fish lover (except for ahi) and I wasn't feeling so well that night so I had to pass on this dish. He also ordered the Surf and Turf ($45) which included 6oz. prime filet, Morimoto-style poke topped with wasabi sorbet, and salt-crusted fingerlings. It also came with mashed Okinawan sweet potatoes which actually tasted exactly like regular mashed potatoes--not sweet as I expected. The prime filet, which I believe was the Wagyu beef, was AMAZING! Perfectly cooked medium-rare, and it was so soft! No heavy chewing here! I like to have some sort of greens in my meals so I decided to try the mixed green salad... the cheapest salad. :) It was some thinly chopped local mixed greens ($12)--amazing solid green color, not darks+lights, just one kind of green throughout the plate--LIGHTLY mixed with kabosu vinaigrette, and bonito flakes. The salad was garnished with some fresh pomegranate which was the most interesting thing on the plate for me. I got pretty bored of the salad after I attacked about half of the plate... My main entree was the Angry Chicken ($29) which included an organic half chicken, finger peppers, and spiced chicken jus, garnished with a huge pile of dried white rice noodle. I must say that the chicken was beautifully white and lean, just the way I like it. It was on the dryer side so those of you who like the juicy, fatty pieces of chicken--this isn't the plate for you. The finger peppers complimented the dish well (they were like mini-bell peppers) since the sauce tasted like a spicy burrito in a thick gravy form. I wish they used a different sort of "jus" and not such a burrito-tasting one. It was an interesting surprise... If I came here again, I probably wouldn't order it. *I would try the Wagyu beef! Your eyes may pop out at the price of these pieces of meat, but judging by my boyfriend's 6 oz. filet, I'd definitely enjoy that beef as a meal--worth the price! I wish I ordered the Wagyu beef... will order that if I come here again.* You have OUGHT to try this if you come here! We also had side orders of bakchoy ($8) and choysum ($8). I had no problem with those--no surprises came with these dishes. Rice does not come with the main entrees so my boyfriend had to order a bowl of rice ($4). One thing to remember: if you don't want to get an extra charge, order regular water and say "no" to the waiter's bottled water offer. Once we were seated, the waitress asked if we wanted bottled water and I immediately answered "yes" thinking it would be free... I thought "Wow this restaurant is much to fancy for regular water I guess?" They brought over a nice TALL glass bottle (think Voss) filled with water of which our beverage was gently poured from. We looked around at other tables and my boyfriend asked "Why are we one of the only tables with this bottle?" Most of the other tables had regular glasses of water with ice. Too bad I didn't realize that I would be fancily charged for this fancy water until our check came. Also, on those busy nights, don't expect to hear your tablemates across any table. Very noisy! Overall, good food. :) Good night out! If you're lucky, you get to see Iron Chef Morimoto himself at work--we did!
(4)Stewart O.
The food was horrible. I guess the only reason this place stays open is cause few ever come back. Anyone thinking this food is good, must not have tried real quality Japanese food.
(1)taro k.
Well, food is pretty good but price is as much as eating at four seasons in New York. Maybe there is a less priced good restaurant in Honolulu such as Indigo.
(4)Sheree C.
main dishes was cold when it reached our table, and the taste was really not worth the price... in short, this Iron Chief is good only for TV entertainment; if you want good food go else where. It was really disappointing and a wast of time to even try this place.... I speak only from my own and honest experience, there were 5 people in my party and none of us are happy with the food.
(1)Kaiulani K.
my only complaint is i had to be rolled out at the end of the meal. kind of like veruca salt in the chocolate factory. the ambience is there, but whether you dig it or not is up to you. it's pretty modern, but still allows for conversation. service is amazing. everyone is polite and knowldegeable, whether it's a waiter, busser, hostess, or anything. the courses come out at a good pace. lots of time for conversation, but they don't take too long. did not feel rushed or overlooked once. if you want the best seat in the house, ask for a view of the kitchen. or sit at the bar. this restaurant is good for all size parties. but what about the FOOD?! my play-by-play menu selections are below: we started with a sashimi salad, and let me tell you that morimoto makes an excellent casear. the sashimi was fresh, tender, and a great cut. the poached quail egg really added a nice bit of flavor. it was paired with a great champagne, which i did not expect, but was very happy to receive. the salmon carpaccio with hot oil was delicious. there are so many complex flavors, but it all pulls together very well. the salmon is a slice of sashimi bundled up and the parts that have had hot oil poured over are slightly cooked. i must say i did get a bone in one of my slices of salmon. for this i , unfortunately, had to deduct a star. luckily, i awarded morimoto's six stars in my head, so the 5 stars on yelp aren't really affected. WHEW. the wine was a verdejo and was light, fruity and perfect for the dish. the third course was a shikai maki with your usuall cucumber, maguro and egg, but deep fried- ornately displayed. there was some cured ham and a sweet bean to be eaten with it. on the same dish was THE BEST OXTAIL SOUP I'VE EVER HAD. it's a bit surprising because there's a puff pastry over it. you crack the buttery, salty and slightly sweet pastry to reveal a perfect broth and...OXTAIL WON TONS. ya heard me. i was a little tentative with my first bite, but pretty soon i had the bowl in hand and was pouring the last of it directly down my throat. while i loved kam bowl's soup, and i love asahi's, and i like jack's in aina haina, and mr. ojisan is pretty good, i can say that my favorite oxtail soup is at morimoto waikiki's. the wine was One Hope Chardonnay, and it was buttery, caramely, and great with the soup. by this point I was full. I was wondering how I was going to get through the actual entree and also the dessert. but then, iron chef morimoto, in all his glorious wonder, threw in a dish of sushi. there was hamachi, semi-fatty ahi, maguro, unagi,and skip jack. all fatty, tasty, and tender. paired with a junmai ginjo, very filling and refreshing. so noooow we head onto the entree. the braised black cod was tender and flaky. the saltiness of it blew my mind as it melted in my mouth (still talking about fish, here). the wagyu filet mignon was so tender and tasty, with flakes of salt over the top. it had an excellent crust and was a perfect medium rare. the pinot noir paired with it was wonderful with both surf and turf. dessert. ugh. thank goodness i didn't wear pants or else i'd have been popping at the seams. the haupia semifreddo was offset with matcha sponge cake, cookie crumbs, and meringue. a coconut gelee and cold, haupia mousse brought a nice element of sweet and creamy. with dessert there are options of tea or coffe. we decided on the african amber herbal tea, and i encourage herbal tea lovers to try it. the fragrance and flavor is very different, but everything i want in tea.
(5)Allison Y.
I was very excited when we started driving towards the crowded streets of Waikiki to a hotel called The Edition. Could it be?! Yes, it could be. Well.. here was my chance to finally try an "Iron Chef"'s food. And I was ecstatic! Walking through the hotel, you are immediately calmed with the cool and neutral colors of the furnishings and modern aesthetics of the decor. Since we had a reservation, we were immediately escorted to our table. The restaurant was airy and predominantly white with large coral pieces hanging from the ceiling in clear plexiglass cases. Cool vibe I thought. So to start our night, I ordered the Pear Yuzu Gimlet. A refreshing, light, slightly sour starter which I sipped throughout dinner. We decided to order a cold and hot appetizer. The Morimoto Smoked Sashimi came in bite-sized stacks of five different fishes and paired with your choice of sauces in cute plastic pippettes. It was mouth-watering, and surprisingly, the multiple fishes didn't compete with each other. Our hot appetizer was the Spicy King Crab. OMG. My hubby couldn't get enough of it. Creamy, spicy with small bits of tobiko for added crunch. It was devoured in minutes. The highlight of the dinner. The hubby ordered the "Duck Duck Duck", duck three ways, and I had the Braised Black Cod. The duck dish was "good" as relayed to me, but not "great". My dish was smooth and delicately sweet even though there was a dark rich ginger reduction on top. I felt the cod was very rich, and needed some acid to cut through the fattiness. The two small pieces of the pickled peppers wasn't enough. I asked our waiter for a small salad or dish of pickled vegetables on the side. He promptly brought it out, and ahhh... the combination was perfect. Even though I was stuffed, I couldn't resist dessert. It was cheesecake tofu with a sour cherry sauce-which I know sounds weird-but very light and delicious. A great finish to the night. The Iron Chef did not disappoint. I definitely would return, but probably next time, try the sushi selections. Our cold appetizer gave us an enticing view of the amazing possibilities of raw fish!
(4)Marcus K.
3.5 stars. came here while on vacation with the folks. Thought I'd take them out to a nice lunch, while staying in waikiki. I had such an awesome experience at Morimoto Napa, I though this would be a slam dunk. I was a bit disappointed to be honest. For some reason, the quality just wasn't there. Flavors were a little flatter. I've had some time to think about this, but I can't seem to put my finger on why. In any case, it's still a strong restaurant, but I left feeling that it could have been better.
(3)Amanda C.
One of the best dinners of my life! Our favorites were the loco moco and spicy crab appetizer! We also had the pineapple tempura appetizer and soft shell crab roll...yum! The service was great (Paul) and the ambiance as well. Hope to make it back there someday!
(5)eric e.
Ate here 2x for dinner and both times Iron Chef Morimoto was there. the first time i morimoto smoked sashimi, oysters, kakuni , Wagyu Filet, & Lamb Rack. 2nd time Oyster foie gras, Beef Tartare, Duck, Duck, Duck (seared duck breast, duck confit spring roll, duck meatball soup), chef's combination sushi, & some of my wife's wagyu ribeye. I have to say the smoked sashimi, oyster foie gras, beef tartare, & wagyu ribeye is to die for. I Also tried 3 of his beers. the black obi soba was the best overall. Food was awesome & service is great. I would highly recommend this place!
(5)David E.
I'm sad I can't give it 5-stars, and maybe it's because I had dreams of grandeur, but I will keep going back... It just didn't knock my socks off. I mean, it's the M-F-ing Iron Chef! I want my head to explode when I bite into an ahi roll. One of the really nice things about Morimoto is the atmosphere. There's fires and couches and curtains... on that note, limit the amount of booze you consume or you could get lost in the spider web of comfort! The sushi counter is second-to-none. I liked the rare, or out of the ordinary types of rolls he offered, and the chefs are very generous with letting you try things. The pupus are great, I recommend the Morimoto sliders... I think they're kobe and they melt in your mouth. Desserts are very well done as well. I can't say I'd tell you to go here over Roy's, but it's a nice alternative. The major reason I like Morimoto's as much as I do, is Morimoto himself. I first met him on set of Five-O and he was the nicest guy ever. He invited some of us over to the restaurant and met us there. My neighbor's Auntie and morimoto are childhood friends in Japan so he's always doing special things for her, birthday's etc. I also attended a fund-raiser for victims of the Japan disaster here with all you can eat pupus, sushi and an open bar that raised over one million dollars! An event that was covered by Hawaii News Now and Morimoto himself sang at. If you're in Waikiki and you want a really nice evening, give Morimoto's a shot. You'll leave happy.
(4)Danielle W.
Excellent food and great service. It doesn't have to be $$$$ - there were 3 of us ladies and we each ordered a specialty cocktail, three maki rolls, the very cool "pizza" appetizer and the hot plate entree. Completely full and cost about $40 per person including tip! I recommend the "pizza" because it was good and completely unique.
(4)Justin H.
Amazing! The wagyu carpaccio was fantastic, so was the tuna pizza
(5)P H.
New fave! Young, hip atmosphere with the most amazing calamari salad!
(5)Julie P.
My boyfriend and I were able to make a reservation with just one day's notice, which was a pleasant surprise. The restaurant is very sleek and modern. We were excited to be seated at an outdoor table overlooking the harbor. But just a few minutes after sitting down, a big roach ran across the side of the flower box directly next to the table. One of the wait staff saw it, too, and profusely apologized. We asked to be moved to another table, which the staff did without a problem. We thought our problems were over when the food starting coming out. We ordered two appetizers and two entrees. Appetizers: The Morimoto Sashimi was great, but the Tuna Pizza was the real standout. It was such a creative idea - highly recommended. They brought the appetizers out one at a time, which was a nice touch because it gave us a chance to share and not feel rushed. For entrees, we ordered the Seafood Toban Yaki and the Black Cod. My boyfriend's Toban Yaki came out first. We waited a few minutes for my meal to came out, but it was nowhere in site. After about five minutes, we caught the eye of the woman that helped us earlier with the roach problem. She alerted the kitchen that my meal wasn't out. It was another five minutes or so before it arrived, which really put a damper on the dinner. All of that said, both meals did end up being delicious. Overall, the staff was very helpful and very apologetic with both of our problems. They offered us free dessert - we said we weren't hungry anymore, but they brought it anyway (and we were glad they did!). We'd like to think our experience was just an exception because the food was really excellent.
(3)Celena K.
Beautiful restaurant, beautiful scenery, amazing food. Definitely worth every penny.
(5)Joy W.
What a disappointment. Decided to try this trendy "hotspot" for my husband's birthday but there are definitely still kinks that need to be worked out. The decor is modern and stylish but the tables are way too close together and it's extremely noisy...so much so that I could barely hear my husband across the table but I could definitely hear the girl next to me shouting at her date across their table. And that was a shame too as the service was quite horrible...we were left waiting for our food a lot of the time, and it would've been nice to have a nice conversation while we waited. Iron Chef Morimoto was there the night we visited so we both ordered the omakase. Then we waited and waited and waited for about half an hour before our first course came out. My husband had ordered drinks with his food but when they didnt arrive by the second course, he had to flag our waiter down to check on that. The food was quite good and beautifully presented but with omakase, you expect precise timing, one course after another with no lengthly lulls in between. (Also with omakase, you expect different dishes based on what's fresh and available that day but apparently it's always the same courses no matter what day you go.) Unfortunately after we finished one course, the next one would take forever to arrive and our bumbling busboy neglected to keep our water glasses filled. And one couple seated nearby came in an hour after us and they caught up to us by the fourth course. Again, they came in an HOUR after us! It was a slight consolation that my husband pointed out another couple that had been there before us and we ended up finishing our omakase before them, but in the end, I just really felt sorry for them. All in all, we were there for three awful hours. For the price you pay, you'd expect better service and a more enjoyable evening. Never again.
(2)Kris F.
I was expecting so many good things when I came to this restaurant but I left really disappointed. I came here for lunch with my boyfriend. It was almost completely empty...but for some reason they sat us in between the only other groups of people there! We were going to ask to be seated somewhere else but our server seemed super nervous and unsure of things so we just stuck it out. What I liked: I could make a reservation online :) The dessert was okay What I didn't like: The food! My boyfriend and I ordered the tuna pizza to share which was the only thing I can really remember liking. I ordered the udon and my boyfriend ordered the tempura set. We also ordered lots of different sushi. I can honestly say the only reason why we kept ordering things was because we wanted to leave liking something about our meal and happy about the money we spent. But..that didn't happen. The loud table next to us included 2 bodybuilder looking guys. They each ordered one of the set things for lunch and asked the server if it would be enough for them to eat. He said yes but when they brought it out for them they laughed when he walked away because it was soooo small! When they were leaving I heard them making plans to go get food someplace else. The woman with them ordered the chicken and she was very unhappy with it because it was so bloody and red and pink. Keep in mind we were so close to this table so I could see all their food. She was not over exaggerating! Her chicken didn't look right at all. She complained to the server and the manager came out and said that the chicken was cooked just fine but she must have cut a vein or something. They didn't even say they would fix it or bring her another one or anything. She was really unhappy and I would have been too. They didn't try to make her experience better at all. I'm not sure if they took her food off the bill, but at that point I think they just wanted to get out of there. Anyway, I can't ever imagine going back here again. I really really wanted to love everything!
(1)K T.
Finally made it to Morimoto Waikiki! Been wanting to go since it opened an was it worth the wait? Hmmm... I guess?? Don't get me wrong, the decor is beautiful and the food was good, but I have to say it wasn't outstanding, nor was there anything I just HAVE to go back again for. We sat outside on the deck and for an upscale place, the tables were a little too close for comfort for me. The table to the left of us had a gentleman seated at the end, which left barely enough room for people and servers to pass through, so the whole time I was distracted by people passing right next to me. To the right of us were a couple, obviously on a date and I felt like an intrusion and could hear everything as if they were conversing with me. That always makes me feel like I have to edit my conversation as well. The service was OK. Had an empty water glass for a while. I ordered a bottle of mineral water and the server would come by every so often and fill my glass, but I would have rather had him leave the bottle on the table than have to wait for refills. On to the food... We ordered the Hamachi Tartare appetizer. There was enough for just a taste for two people (which was expected). It was very good and came with a bit of about 5-6 different garnishes, including a nori paste, wasabi foam?, grated maui onions, little rice cracker balls and I can't remember the rest. We also go the yose dofu tofu appetizer which was very cool in presentation. It was brought to the table in a stone pot in liquid form, the server poured a salt water solution into it and covered it telling us not to peek as it sat for a few minutes. He returned to open the pot to the solidified tofu. It came with bonito flakes and green onion garnish and two sauces to top the tofu. The kim-chee sauce was really good. My friend ordered the chef's selection nigiri sushi platter - pretty self-explanatory. I ordered the braised black cod. It was very good, perfectly cooked, but not amazing by any means. Here's the amusing part, the menu said it was served with pickled bell peppers and budo mame. When the plates arrived and I dug in, I thought, "oh, I thought I was supposed to get some veggies with this". So on my plate were three 1/2" sized squares, one yellow, one red, one green. I realized that these were my pickled bell peppers. They were basically 1/2" squares cut out of the bell pepper skins and pickled. That's it. Ummm, excuse me, but what did they do with the rest of the peppers? I'm sorry but if the menu lists that it's served with bell peppers then go ahead and serve bell peppers. What I got was decoration and should have been left off the description of the meal. On the same note, I got about 5 budo mame. Awesome. Listen, I'm not a virgin to fine dining by any means, but it made me laugh.
(3)Clifton H.
The gf took me there for dinner last week to celebrate my bday. We were pretty lucky in that the Iron Chef himself was working that night. The decor is pretty trendy and the food is pricey, all of which were expected. We had the oysters, morimoto sashimi, salmon skin roll, and toban yaki. I had the peanut bombe for desert. All of these were excellent. The gf was prodding me to order some of that wagyu, but I just couldn't bring myself to order something that expensive; I guess it's the Chinese in me. I would have given the place 5 stars, except that there seemed to be little flies flying around. One even landed in my gf's drink. The waiter, who provided excellent service throughout the night, had it replaced. I really like the place, but I don't think there should be insects around when customers are eating.
(4)Alfred G.
I had 7 pm dinner reservations for Morimoto Waikiki and upon reading the reviews, I realized that my dining experience would be either a hit or miss so I was very optimistic and my expectations was on an even keel. Now before I go into details, I just wanted to say that after it was all said and done, After the smoke was cleared, my dining experience here was a very good one in which I have no problems whatsoever giving 5 stars. The service was excellent, upon arriving I had noticed that the restaurant was crowded (which was expected) and the restaurant had a modern look which I personally liked. Now according to some reviews, people were not seated right away and the people working the front desk were not friendly. For me, I experienced the complete opposite, As soon as I entered I was greeted with a warm, friendly smile and was seated right away outsie on the deck overlooking the harbor which was perfect because it was around 7pm and the scenery was awesome. The waitress we had was very friendly, outgoing she was very knowledgeable in answering any questions that I had recommending her personal favorites and explaining everything that I had ordered and how it was prepared. The bussers were also friendly and attentive making sure that my water was always full and that the table was clean etc. like I said, the overrall service was top notch, not too over/underwhelming. The food as well was good, The presentation was awesome as expected and the flavors were well balanced. For appetizers I ordered the smoked sashimi (toro,salmon,eel,tuna,hamachi) w/ 5 sauces,the sashimi was fresh, appealing and the sauces was great with it not masking the flavors of the fish at all. I also had the steamed scallops w/scallions in some kind of sauce which was nice and soft (the way it should be) I highly recommend it. Another highly recommended appetizer would be the Kakuni which is a ten hour cooked pork belly which was very soft, tender and succulent. For the Main course I had the Surf and Turf, now according to some reviews the meat was overcooked, mine was not. I had my steak prepared medium and it was cooked perfect, the fish and crusted fingerlings was great as well. For me Dessert was my favorite, You have to order the Chocolate Mille Feulle, it's bruleed bananas with an avocado anglaise and spiced chocolate ice cream I seriously could have eaten 5 more of that dessert especially the spiced chocolate ice cream. For me everything was great from the food, service etc. and I will be back again, for sure. For the other people who have had bad experiences dining there, I would suggest going again and give it another try. The restaurant has been open for only 6 months and maybe they were ironing out the kinks before they get it to where they want it to be both service and food wise, well after a very nice dining experience like I had, they are well on their way
(5)Kyle S.
First time going to Morimoto's and I was quite impressed. The service was good and the food was Great! Our overall experience here was pretty good but depends on where you are seated. Unfortunately we were seated next to the kitchen so is was a bit loud which made conversation difficult at times. If planning on going, I suggest doing some homework and look at the menu online before heading down. The menu is huge and everything look pretty good. It took us a while to look through everything and I just gave up and ordered the "omakase". I guess the waiter knew we were first timers so he suggested that so we could taste a little of everything.
(4)Mia F.
Not great at all and way over priced.
(3)Eddie L.
This one's a bit tough to review. I give it 3 stars for my meal but i'm sure it could easily be 4 or even 5 depending on what you order. The decor is gorgeous and it will make me take a second look at staying at the Edition the next time I'm in Waikiki. I'm a vegetarian so how could I ever really experience what this place has to offer? My Korean/Japanese fusion Mushroom rice in a stone pot was tasty but pretty expensive for what it was. I have no one to really blame but myself for ordering such a dish in this place. I did eat meat for over 30 years so if I could offer any advice about this place I would say don't screw around and pay the money for the omakase. Yeah it'll cost you over a $100 a head but shoot for the moon while you're here. Morimoto was in the kitchen while i was there and in retrospect I should have broken the rules and ordered the "chef's special". How often do you get to eat while the Iron Chef is working? It doesn't end all that bad for vegetarians here. The freshly made Tofu prepared table side is fantastic. As for service, our waitress was definitely sub par (fanning her face while she was talking to us.. really?) I'm guessing/hoping they are still getting the kinks out.
(3)Clayton L.
If you just want expensive dining then I guess this place is ok. As for me it's going to be zero alcohol because if you want to smoke they won't let you, even in the outside area outside upstaits, even in the non-seating area. You'll have to have someone watch the table, go all the way through the restaurant, down some long stairs, out to the sidewalk and then down the street to get rained on :(. If not you will get yelled at. One of the MOST HOSTILE places for smokers in all of Hawaii.
(1)Jeff S.
The one thing that I was really looking forward to eating was the Kakuni pork. I couldn't wait to taste Chef Morimoto's version. What I got was a well seasoned and flavorful piece of tough, stringy pork that required a knife and fork to cut through ($16). Disappointing. The duck three ways ($28) was pretty good but pales in comparison to the duck confit at Cafe Miro. I picked at a few of the other dishes around the table and nothing really curled my toes. Decor is nice and the service was OK but I really went for the food and was let down. One of those places that I wouldn't refuse to go back to but wouldn't choose to go back to either.
(3)Marcus F.
Very good food, but still a shaky start in Waikiki. Open for less then I week in the new Edition Hotel I had lunch at Morimoto Waikiki with my parents. Few people seemed to even know it had even opened yet and the spacious restaurant only had three other tables occupied. The space is modern with good use of translucent materials. From what I can tell by the use of shells and seaweeds they were going for a tasteful understated tide pool decor. The kitchen is in full view and you see the staff of 14 led by the executive chef strumming along. I ordered Morimoto Poke, Braised Pork Belly and Pineapple Cake with Rice Ice-Cream. My mom had the $22 sashimi lunch set. My father the black cod lunch set and the generic salmon skin roll and the more generic california roll. The food was quite good. The Morimoto Poke was light, fresh and clean. Cubed toro with peel cherry tomatoes (I think), bonito foam and whipped avocado. I tried some of black cod and it was perfectly cooked flaking with a touch of the chopsticks. I think it was a bit too sauce heavy but it was still might good. I also tried a few bites of the sashimi which was good, but not great. When you consider the price it was a great value. I would like to come again and try the Omakase sashimi, or perhaps better yet the Chefs Dinner tasting at a very reasonable $110. The cocktail list here was developed by Chandra Lam of Southern Wine and Spirits whom is very skilled bartender. She was not behind the stick and so I was tentative about how the bartender would make my drink. To my pleasant surprise they were very good. The cocktail list at Morimoto rely a bit heavy on flavored vodkas most cocktail list in Hawaii tend to do, but the drinks were still very good and I highly suggest giving them a go. The largest flaw at Morimoto is the execution of service. While the staff is friendly and accommodating, execution is rough and awkward. When food arrived place setting plates were still there and additional staff was waved in to remove them. They did not know who was receiving what dish and a bit of direction had to be given by us. A few minutes into the meal we were searching for soy sauce for the sashimi and when spotted doing so soy was promptly delivered. When my Braised Pork Belly arrived I used my chopsticks as that was the only silverware provided. A minute after my food had arrived a spoon was offered as the proper way to enjoy the dish. When my dessert arrived I has to ask for silverware as I had none. Then they had no idea what pieces of silverware to give me for the dessert and I had to make my best guess and choose. While none of this ruins a meal it certainly reflects a lack of polish which dampens the experience. I should reiterate that it had been open for less then a week when I gave it a try so one would hope these issues would be cleared up shortly. I certainly look foreword to coming back and trying more of the food here.
(4)Magnum P.
Wagyu beef carpacio...melts in your mouth. Black bean cod was tasty. tofu steamed at your table is unique. The Haupia green tea dessert was the perfect ending. Got to meet Chef Morimoto since he was in town and actually cooking all night. Impressive.
(5)Duke N.
My friends and I had recently won advanced screening tickets to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and was on Oahu for the day. We had heard about Morimoto's opening in Waikiki and decided to take a chance since we had a few hours to spare on obtaining a table for lunch even though we had no reservations. Even though we are avid Harry Potter fanatics, this was definitely the highlight of our trip! The ambiance was very modern, upscale, and trendy. The staff was very serious, but very professional and diligent. I had seen the fatty tuna tartare appetizer featured on the Food Network's "The Best Thing I Ever Ate" and it certainly was...fatty tuna that you scrape with a flat spoon, dip into a sauce, and your choice of minced onion, freshly ground wasabi, seaweed, or rice cracker. My friend ordered the lamb carpaccio which came highly recommended. I have had lamb prepared in every possible way and had been convinced that I'm just not a lamb eater, but I have to admit that I LOVED the lamb carpaccio. It was very fresh, and absolutely no hint of gaminess. For my main course I ordered the sushi and tempura combination. It was the freshest sushi you will find outside of Tsukiji, Japan. Truly the best thing I ever ate (outside of Tokyo) I can't wait to return!
(5)Kristina S.
We had the omakase. So phenomenal! My husband & I are real foodies and truly had a wonderful dining experience. I'm still thinking about the wonderful food we had...
(5)Janet L.
On our last day in Waikiki, we went there for breakfast before hitting the airport. At first look at the menu, looks average, especially the Banana macadamia nut pancake, but were we wrong!! We ordered it, and it just melts in your mouth. We've never had pancakes like that before and I've had many. the hash browns were so good. It was very fulfilling. We didn't mind paying $60 breakfast because it's well worth it! Kinda cool to eat at an Iron Chef owned restaurant. Waiter was fantastic, great service. Definitely going back.
(5)H A.
wow...simpy W O to the O W. This is what food on earth should be. The Wagyu Carpaccio, The Lamb Shank to the Duck, Duck, Duck. It simply amazing. I love how casual Morimoto's place is considering the Iron Chef title he's holding. Some people gave bad reviews cuz they expect the place should be classy and all, get a life!!! If you want service you can try morton's or something. Oh and the chocolate peanut butter bombe is simply AMAZING.
(5)Kim F.
Amazing. This place is not just food it's an experience. By far the best experience of my life. I highly recommend it to anyone open to mind blowing flavors and new food combinations. It is pricy but worth it. Just be prepared.
(5)Natalie K.
I went here with my family of 6, and we ordered almost every appetizer on the menu as well as salad and main course for each person and a main course for the table. We expected small dishes for ridiculous prices but instead we got way more food than we could finish! We passed our plates around so we could all try everything and not one dish was "just okay." every one was spectacular and delicious! And our bill was much less than we had expected. Our favorites were the surf and turf and the cod. The calamari salad appetizer and the sashimi pizza were our favorite appetizers. We stayed in Oahu for 12 days and this was the best food we had all trip. The atmosphere was beautiful as well. We sat outside overlooking the harbor and saw the sunset with candlelight and pretty lighting in the bushes and overhead as well as a firepit behind the table. The service was very friendly, and very quick. They really make you feel welcome and special. Chef Yoshi came out to greet us in person and he is very friendly and handsome too, and his food is amazing. My family couldn't stop talking about how nice and talented he is. We went home happy with full bellies. We couldn't have had a better dinner. I definitely would recommend this place to anyone and if you are fortunate enough to see Chef Yoshi, you should complement him in person because he is very friendly and looks like a hard worker in the kitchen. There are windows where you can see the kitchen and watch them cook. Our meal totaled to about 300 dollars for all 6 of us, and each main course ranged from about 18 to 45 dollars.
(5)Dim S.
The food was good. However, our waiter ruined the experience. It seems that our group was an inconvenience for him. The impression he imparted upon us was that we should be grateful that we were being served by him. Not much for smiling or saying much other than a few mumbling words. I think the kicker was they added gratuity to the bill because the size of our party. I've had much better service from my local Denny's and IHOP.
(1)Jennifer S.
Very good! Expensive, but worth it. Had some sushi and then the surf and turf and peanut butter bomb. All food was great - especially the potatoes that came with the dinner and the dessert.
(4)Irene K.
The location of this Morimoto is quite the stunner. It is hidden away from the main Waikiki strip but walking in, you feel like you're in a whole different area. Our order list: Morimoto's black obi soba beer: dark, hoppy, and refreshing Slow roasted pork belly: TO DIE FOR. As soon as the knife and fork hit the meat, it literally melted into the porridge. So soft and so perfect, it literally melts in your mouth. Surf and Turf: The perfect entree for the meat lover. Meat cooked perfectly with fingerling potatoes that were not even tasty but colorful. If you're a fan of poke (which is raw tuna pieces in a sauce) you will enjoy the texture and presentation of the poke. A few rolls and sushi orders later, we were stuffed but left room for dessert. Sanso Roasted Pineapple for dessert. The toasted rice ice cream was delicious. Perfectly sweetened. Husband is not a big desserts fan but enjoyed this platter. Our server was on point and was great with suggestions. The only problem we did have were the little fruit flies it seemed flocking our table because of the smell of the beer. It was a bit of a pain but from what we found out, its because they left the glass doors opened.
(4)Paul M.
Morimoto's was on my checklist of must eat places along side Stage (wonderful) and Chef Mavro (some day). We went on a Thursday night and had an... average experience. There were 4 of us, and we shared everything we ordered. Atmosphere The hotel Morimoto's is in (The Edition) is pretty nice with expensive walls and bathrooms you feel privledged to use. The restaurant is decorated very nicely in soft whites and greens. I was really impressed walking in. We had asked for an outside table for our 7pm reservation so we could see the sunset. Unfortunately, we got one of the two tables off in the corner between the restaurant and The Edition's pool. The splashing kids and constant foot traffic behind my head wasn't exactly what I expected, but I go to restaurants for the food! Service We were seated immediately upon arrived on time to our reservation. The waitress was very nice and accomodating. The busers who brought our food one plate at a time were very nice and told us exactly what the dish was, breaking down the ingredients and cooking style. In the beginning, they brought us some food for another table along with our correct appetizers, which forced us to question the busers each time they brought us a new dish. They only brought the wrong one a couple times before the figured out where the right table was for the extra food. Also, service was a bit slow, however we had some cocktails and plenty of conversation to keep us going. In their defense, we did order in 4 or 5 waves. Food Most of the reviews I've seen said that the entrees were pretty unimpressing, so we did mostly appetizers with 1 sushi dish. Presentation on everything was excellent, however I had to say the flavor on each dish was just nice. I guess I came in with high expectations to be blown away with creative flavor combinations and bold flavors that only Morimoto could deliver. The Bacon Foam Gyoza was pretty good, but mostly on presentation. The gyoza was above average, but I guess not really living up to its price tag and fame. Everyone liked the Curry appetizer, which was probably the best thing we ate there. The tako yaki was cooked very well and the abalone was a perfect texture. The flavor was very subtle, but that's good for abolone. The Wasabi shrimp plate was nice, but pretty average. The only notible thing was that the wasabi flavor was perfect: there, but not over powering. We also had a pork appetizer, which I'm sad to say I don't even remember anything about. I think it was shoyu flavored. My wife and I had the iruka, which was really high quality. We really liked it, but unfortunately, its hard to justify $5 for 1 piece of sushi. We only ordered one main dish, which was the ginger pork. Everyone else liked it a lot, but it was just okay for me. Perhaps I was already tainted by my low expectation for the entree and we were drinking Sake at this point. Speaking of which, the Morimoto Sake was worth the entire evening. It was amazing. Not only did it had a brilliant floral flavor, perfect balance, and a great smoothness, it was also served in an amazing display that looked like it was made completely from ice (although it wasn't). It was the highlight of the meal for me. We didn't get desert, but the waitress brought us some sugared jellies anyway. I could tell it was made fresh as the pineapple flavored one had less gelatin than the others (or more juice). Pretty good for free. Value I think my disappointment is entirely because of the price of everything. We were ordering modestly and still managed to spend over $80 a person. The sushi is amazing, but it really needs to be the best thing on the planet for $5 a piece. However, I'm thinking of coming back just for the sushi... so perhaps it is the best sushi ever. The appetizers were all pretty decent, but more expensive than normal main courses. Summary I think my so-so reviews of the food are due to expectations from the high price tags and the name Morimoto. I don't go to restaurants where I know the name of the chef very often, so I kind of expect a lot with the fame. Unfortuately, our meal didn't live up to the expectations. We won't be coming back, unless we get a craving for some expensive sushi (or we can't find Morimoto Sake anywhere else). If we did come back, we'd definitely want a better table, we'd order only sushi for appetizers, and perhaps we'd give the entrees a more fair try. It would also help if the prices went down!
(3)Duke J.
I actually came here a while ago with family for dinner, which was an awesome experience. We had reservations for 4 at 6pm and got there around 5:45pm but actually got seated early. Hostesses were very welcoming and immediately we were sat. the restaurant had a great ambiance. It was really hip and trendy and definitely more upbeat than your regular fine dining restaurant. Our server Ryan knew the menu exceptionally well and was able to answer any questions we asked. I liked that he was honest in what he suggested. now the food calamari salad: Like Ryan suggested, its a great dish to share with a group. the calamari was cooked tempura style which i really enjoyed. the light dressing also added a great balance to the fried calamari which sometimes can be heavy. takoyaki: personally, im not a big fan of traditional japanese tako yaki but this one had quite a twist. the takoyaki was actually made with abalone which was delicious. the herb butter also added a nice strong kick. tuna piza: crunchiness of the torilla along with the fresh soft tuna.... Genious! definitely worth trying. tobanyaki: i had this as my entree and it was just glorious. if youre a seafood lover than this dish screams your name when you read it in the menu. although it is a bit pricey, service, atmosphere and quality of food make it worth it in the end. i am definitely a believer in this restaurant worth trying out.
(5)Douglas L.
Had a wonderful and delicious dinner here at Morimoto's. The ambiance, staff, and food compliment each other.
(5)Aki D.
I'm so sorry, but it's overrated. Although I hear it's a great place for lunch, dinner is.... just okay. I guess I was expecting much more from one of the original Iron Chefs.
(2)Julie N.
OMG! My husband is still mad. Horrible service and overpriced.. OUr tab for 4 was 5 bills. What a waste of money.
(1)June J.
Oysters are to die for. An absolute must! The best oysters I ever had the pleasure of slurping in my life! I'm salivating just thinking about those darn oysters!
(5)Miss L.
Awesome ambience. Gorgeous and unique decor. Food was good a little pricey...we ordered 2 apps, 2 entrees, 1 dessert, 3 drinks and a sake flight - bill came out to $195 not including tip yet. Service was a 3 out of 5 - not great but not bad either. I would go again to try different things on their menu!
(4)Paul M.
What a dichotomy-ultra poor service and ultra good food that takes FOREVER to get to your table! First we were told that valet was free until we actually arrived and was told that the valet was full and to park across the street in public parking. Well 20 minutes and 7 levels later we arrived late due to no fault of our own. Our table still wasn't ready so the bar was calling. I ordered a coke which was entirely flat! I guess the bartender thought I was retarded (even though I am a physician) because he had to call both the manager AND another bartender over to taste the coke and finally accept that it was, indeed, flat. Strike two and we have not even sat down yet! After finally being seated our waiter arrived in what seemed like an eternity and proceeded to fill our water glasses and then disappear again. I had to flag down another waiter, only to be told that "our waiter was in a rut" and that it would be awhile before we could order! Strike two and a half! After finally ordering, after a completely lackluster presentation of the menu, the food began to arrive in a slow drivel. The food was very very good but the service just went downhill from there (if that's possible?!?!). I have never seen such an apathetic, uninterested and flat out uncaring service staff in a long, long time! For the price it is deplorable. If you like sushi and abuse save your money and go to Sushi Sasabune instead!
(2)Ralph Y.
While the food was all I expected it to be, for this kind of money I expected better atmosphere & portioning. We were seated outside next to the pool area. Granted we had some privacy but still when you're doling out that kind of serious money, I expect more than some thick shrubs. If you opt to dine inside, be prepared for noise levels that make it very difficult to hear someone across the table from you. Some will describe it as energetic; to me it was like sitting on the tarmac at an airport. I'm guessing the younger crowd enjoys that level and while I don't expect hushed tones, I do enjoy conversing with people on the same table without having to raise my voice. No question about the level of food and the taste of it. Creativity, flair are just words used to describe the experience. The polar opposite is the amount of food given. I truly felt it was Iron Chef portions. It borders on being cute if it were free. The Nigiri sushi was the most disappointing. Small piece (note one piece) and that was it. Who has ever gone to any sushi bar, ordered Nigiri style and had just one piece? But flavor, nothing special to speak of here, I think we were all disappointed by it. The rice had a texture that could not be described as umami by any stretch. Service was excellent and we took to heart a lot of suggestions that our wait person had. It was quick, attentive without being intrusive. I've seen some of the complaints regarding the service but I looked at other tables and none of them seemed to lacking. Bottom line, would I go back there, no. Value wise, I can name at least 6 other comparably priced restaurants that have better value with similar price tags.
(3)Gail F.
I was taken here this year for a pre-Valentine's Day dinner (since my date and I both worked on the actual day) and it exceeded my expectations by far. We first got our cocktails in which I had the Mori-Mojito, which was his own spin on a mojito, and the Morimo-tini, which was made with his signature sake, vodka and cucumbers. The martini was super dry (which I like) and my mojito was awesome as well. For our appetizer, we had the takoyaki (with abalone instead of tako). For our entrees, my date had the Hamachi stone pot and I had the meal "Duck, Duck, Duck" which was seared duck breast with mango salsa, duck confit spring roll with potato and a duck meatball soup with puff pastry on top. The hamachi stone pot was SO good. They sear the hamachi just right in front of you and then mix it just as they would with any stone pot meal. For dessert, we shared the cold/hot tofu which was a tofu souflee, tofu cheesecake and a sour cherry sorbet with kinako chips (which were really fluffly and crunchy and delicious). All in all, the food was amazing. The thing I really loved about this place was that it isn't a typical Hawaii restaurant. It reminds me of restaurants my friends and I frequent when we travel to LA and it is something I believe Hawaii needs. Located in the new Edition Hotel, everything in there is swanky and just the right thing we need if we want to experience a swanky night on the town. I loved that they played house music whilst dining (I'm a big house music fan) and the decor is very chic. Our hostess wasn't the nicest, but I think it just comes down to the fact that it was the Saturday before Valentine's Day and maybe she just had bad customers before hand. I totally recommend this place. It isn't half bad to turn around from your table and see Chef Masaharu Morimoto potentially preparing your dishes. (-:
(4)Stephen H.
I ate here for lunch on a Friday. it was fairly empty so we had a lot of attention from the staff. i was very impressed with the ambiance and style that the restaurant had to offer. I had the Rock shrimp (good) and blacken Ahi (good). Its pricey but great dining experience. Be back very soon with more friends for sure.
(4)D E.
5 stars as price is less than expected, although still not inexpensive. Went on a Sunday at 11am (opening) and the place had one other party. The $35 sushi platter was excellent. They have $35, $100 and $150 sushi and shashimi platters. They get more adventerous as you move up in price. Only downside to the $35 one is no duplicates so it's hard to compare with others. The selection is something like: tuna, striped bass, salmon, yellowtail, mackerel, shrimp, red clam, eel and spicy tuna rolls (6 pieces). The rice was perfect. They polish their own. They target local ingredients so everything was fresh. The crispy rock shrimp tempura appetizer was perfect. Came with a generous portions of spicy kochujan shrimp, wasabi shrimp and coconut ranch sauce. Bite size perfection. Had to try the braised black cod. I chose the larger portioned main course ($26) and another person selected the lunch set ($22). Turns out the main course cod is only slightly larger, not enough to notice unless you look close. The lunch set comes with soup and rice or bread. Plus salad. Go for the lunch set. The cod was great. Maybe it's me but the cod at Nobu's was better. This cod was still great. Wonderful sauce and tender fish. The angry chicken had a curry flavour and was moist and tender but came on a bone in case that's an issue for you, it was for the person who ordered it with us. Tried one desert. The sansho pepper roasted pineapple ($12). A nice sized portion, presented very nicely, and multiple flavours of salty rice, sweet pineapple, crispy wafer, and more. The rest was about half full when we left at 1pm. We will be going back this week. See you there.
(5)Lora H.
Wonderful atmosphere. The food didn't bowl me over especially for the price and the servers kind of forgot we were there. I hope things improve for them!
(2)Nikki N.
Everything there is amazing because its so cutting edge. The food is unique, different, and aesthetically pleasing. The restraint itself was very very nice and the outdoor ambiance was kind of like Rum Fire with the fire pits. The only thing is I will rarely be eating there because the pricing is out of my range.
(4)perry w.
Valet parkers from Edition hotel were horrible. Nobody came up to the car to introduce themselves. Wife had to get out of the car to ask if we were at the right place. The Valet guy said yes, and walked off. We were stumped. After parking was sorted. We proceeded to the rest. Very modern design. I had the Poke Cold Appetizer, the Spicy Crab Hot Appetizer, and the Seafood boullebaise. Best thing was the Spicy Crab. Everything else was ok. Nothing too spectacular or memorable, especially considering the price and the "Iron Chef" status. Wife got the Tasting Menu, which she liked, but we both didn't think any of it was an absolute must taste/have... except for the Spicy Crab... which in itself, is simply alaskan king crab with spicy tuna sauce on top of it. Overall the food was simple, clean, and light. The food was made well, but nothing was extraordinarily unique. Wouldn't go out of my way to eat here. Wouldn't necessarily go there for dinner again, maybe lunch if I was in the area already. Online reservations through open table are awesome.
(2)Reyn Yorio T.
This is a review about a dinner that occurred a few weeks back, right after the Tohoku Quake and Tsunami, and the restaurant's own benefit. I hosted a dinner for 14, and this was a first visit. Please note that this is about an IT restaurant, and a place to be seen in Waikiki at the moment. One of the things that quickly tells you how your evening is going to be, especially in Honolulu, is the parking. In this case, the valet service at the Edition Hotel which houses Morimoto Waikiki, is terrible. Not because of the efforts of the valets themselves, but the very fact that the turnabout can only accommodate four cars max at a time, and at 630PM with the cocktail and dinner crowd chafing to get in...you can imagine the pandemonium. Which leads me to the meal. We started with a number of appetizers, which included the rock shrimp, toro and hamachi tartare, pork gyozas, poke a la morimoto, and a couple of orders of the crispy calamari and iceberg wedge salads. First off, the tartare is interesting. It is served in 1/4 inch high square bamboo trays and looks like a food that was served in 2001: A Space Odyssey. Even with an array of condiments, this was not something you would have expected to see, nor would you find it all that appetizing to eat. The rock shrimp tempura bore a resemblance to popcorn shrimp...I am going to skip over the other dishes because, they aren't worth the typing effort. My guests had an array of entrees, of which I will mention the following: the lamb rack was excellent, the spam onigiri was actually amusing as the presentation was unique...rather than an actual slice of spam, the lowly luncheon meat was diced into VERY small squares and mixed with the rice to form the onigiri. Duck, duck, duck was a winner, with the various preparations of the fowl playing off each other really well. The wagyu filet, while soft and tender, did not impart the depth of flavor that you would expect from this kind of aged cut. The braised black cod? You know it as miso butterfish, and honestly, you could do no worse preparing it yourself at home fresh, or getting it from Aloha Tofu and Miso in a tub. Desserts? The mille feuille and the peanut butter bombe were deconstructed affairs...a term which I find akin to disastrous. If you were so lazy that you couldn't put your ingredients together in a proper way, don't apply a fancy term to it and expect us to pay the price. The tofu hot and cold on the other hand was sublime. Gentle, unique, and fun. All of which should serve as adjectives for any dining experience and Morimoto Waikiki could very well live up to just such a memory for people, his servers are certainly up to the task of delivering thus. At $175 dollars per person with drinks? There are better ways to entertain your friends.
(2)Ryan S.
Morimotos was an amazing dining experience!!! The service is superb and the food is delicious! The atmosphere is modern yet relaxed. We couldn't have celebrated our anniversary at any other place. I would recommend sitting outside as the restaurant sits right next to the marina, it's a beautiful view! We ordered the wagyu carpaccio and tempura roll as appetizers, and wagyu filet and loco logo as entrees. For desert we had a bacon doughnut and chocolate caramel tart. Since it was our anniversary they gave us a complimentary fruit sorbet. I would definitely order the fruit sorbet next time. If you're a beer drinker, have one of his signature beers! We will definitely be going back to morimotos eveytime we are on the island!
(5)Heidi S.
I really liked the ambience and food at this place. The Morimoto style poke was really interesting with a katsuo foam that lightly flavored the poke and the cheese and tomatoes really gave a nice change in texture. I didn't try the wasabi avocado sorbet, but my friend said it was super good. I got the chirashi bowl and my friend got the angry chicken which were both winners...the only thing I would say they can improve on is bringing the entrees out faster. The drinks, dessert (tofu cheesecake with a black honey ice cream) and appetizers came out promptly, but the entrees took a bit longer. I liked how it wasn't too noisy like it was at Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill and how the staff both service and kitchen are hardly noticeable when they're not serving you.
(4)Mike C.
This place is really good. Its expensive so if youre not cheap and willing to spend your money, its well worth it. Get the "Duck Duck Duck." The duck breast its phenomenal.Also, their wine and sake list is huge.
(4)Tad N.
Needless to say, much anticipated evening as we made reservation two weeks in advance. Glad we did, too, as it filled up fast on a Saturday evening. Cons - the arrival experience, valet parkers, etc., was mediocre at best. And the greeting at the restaurant entry was so lukewarm, we were disappointed. But then the evening only got better - thank goodness. First of all, Paul, the primary server, was Excellent! But so were all the floor service staff. Each and every dish was explained w/ enthusiasm and detail. The $75 sushi platter was a great starter for 4 of us; we also had the spicy king crab, miso pork belly; and for entrees, the ginger pork and the wagyu beef. Pricey? Yes. But overall, a nice evening for special occasions w/ special company.
(4)margaret m.
Kailas- love it but it's success is killing it for me....even if you go alone....wait is super long. Food & service has been fabulous. Too bad they don't take reservations...even same day. Great value
(4)L H.
Food and service were fabulous!
(5)Cecil N.
We dropped by Morimoto's quite by accident on our evening walk along the beach. The outside lounge seating was just too inviting to pass up! We decided to extend our drinks to some appetizer grazing, and the food and drinks were excellent. What really gives this place five stars, though, is the service. Our waitress (wish I could remember her name; Pauahi?) was fantastic, and even the bus-boys were obviously well trained. I would definitely try it for dinner.
(5)Rachel M.
Personally, I NEVER watch Food Network/ Iron Chef/ WHATEVER! so I had NO idea who this Morimoto guy was. However my boyfriend's sister had nothing but great things to say about the new Morimoto restaurant in Waikiki and since he is such a huge Food Network fan and his birthday was coming up, I decided to make reservations there. It was a little confusing for us to find since we heard that it was in the Ilikai/ NOT in the Ilikai. (?????) Little did we know that after complete renovation, the hotel is now called the Modern Hotel. (Side note: It looks fantastic now!) We got stuck in traffic due to roadwork in Waikiki and so I called to let the front desk know we would be running late and they were EXTREMELY nice about it and very understanding. When we got there we were awed by the decor of the place. It's really something else! The wait staff and our waitress were extremely friendly. We had ordered 3 appetizers: Morimoto Style Poke, Tuna Pizza and the Spicy Alaskan King Crab. The poke was good but it didn't strike me as anything to rave about. However their quality of fish was excellent! The pizza sounded gross to me at first but it ended up being surprisingly good. I read in another review that the spicy Alaskan king crab wasn't that spicy... UM NO. This dish is hella spicy people! (I'm half Korean too so I'm not weaksauce either!) It was good but it was a bit TOO MUCH for just the two of us. My boyfriend had gotten the Chef's Loco Moto which was pretty good as well. I ordered the Seafood Toban Yaki which took about 20 minutes to come out. They said it had something to do with the way the shell not being cooked up to the standard they wanted or something. Better then serving me something sub par I guess. However they apologized profusely for the long wait and offered us cider, complimentary. It was worth it because the dish ended up being delish! Customer service was excellent and the food lived up to it's Top Chef reputation. I pretty much broke the bank but I would probably come back... just maybe not anytime too soon. :)
(5)S. R.
I live about 45 minutes away from Waikiki, so it takes a lot for me to really enjoy a restaurant there. If anything goes wrong, I usually end up thinking--I drove 45 minutes for this? I really enjoyed everything about my dinner at Morimoto Waikiki. I can't wait to go there again. The food was great, our server was professional yet friendly (something that is usually missing in Hawaii restaurants--everyone is nice but not always the best at their job), and the restaurant provides free valet parking. Final thought: bacon foam--yum!
(5)Mandi C.
People I had spoke to said that they left Morimoto's hungry. I did not leave hungry. I actually didn't finish all my food. I shared my entree with the rest of the family. Which was great because they all got to taste how delicious my lamb was.
(5)Gayle N.
Loved the look! The drinks are over-rated and over-priced. We (2) were there for about 35 minutes and had 3 cocktails and one piece each sushi which I must say tasted over-priced. I could have gotten the same "quality" at a better price had I gone to Shirokiya. Will think twice before going there ever again. Got to have that moola and not be afraid to use it!
(2)Garrett R.
Easily the best Japanese meal I've ever had. Traditional ingredients done in a non traditional way, yet still very approachable. We ordered the Omakase (tasting) menu. My few complaints with the food arent worth mentioning. The ambience was terrible, which is odd because being a cook I hardly notice these things. I'm usually all about the food. It was very loud inside and not much better outside. We were sat in what looked like a cheap rental tent at at backyard wedding reception. The half lit Christmas lights strung along the support wires did nothing to redeem it. On the other hand, our server, Joshua, was phenomenal. A lot of the other wait staff seemed cold. The food runners were hit or miss. Overall worth one trip. The wait staff needs to tighten up a little, the food could be timed better, and the circus tent would have to go for me to spend this much again.
(5)Audrey A.
First impression. Bright, white and open. There was a party of 5 of us and since it was a first for all of us, we decided to try everything family style... which is why the first dish out made us laugh. The first dish to make it to our table was the braised pork belly on top of congee. It literally was a 1.5 inch perfect square of pork belly, enough for 1. We all started laughing. I wish the waiter would have told us that earlier. We had him bring another order. It was tender, tasted like other braised pork belly I've had in a simple chinese restaurant. But the presentation was simple and elegant. We then had the sashimi sampler that came with a variety of dipping sauces that allowed you to interact with your dish. Again, not mind blowing in taste. The tofu made table side was a unique presentation of a comfort food that reminded me of the visits to my mother's favorite tofu shop in Hong Kong. The star appetizer was definitely the foie gras chawan mushi. Perfectly creamy with all the richness of the foie in every bite. It came with a little duck breast, which would not have been missed if it didn't make it into this little bowl of heaven. This was my favorite. For the entrees, we had the wagyu rib eye. Simple, tender and as to be expected. The ginger glazed pork cutlets were very familiar in taste. The most disappointing entree was the "duck, duck, duck" . The duck confit was tender and again, as to be expected. The duck taro spring rolls were all taro. Maybe had a small essence of duck in it. The best thing about the duck broth with duck meatballs was the pastry shell on top. As a consensus of our whole dinner party, the best entree was the whole fried fish. Slightly spicy, light and crispy. Would definitely order again. Drink menu had some very delicious and unique cocktails. The morimotini was nice and dry. Also tried the savory cucumber cocktail which was delish, light and refreshing. All in all, a good experience... not a spectacular experience. Service was great. The dishes we had were beautifully presented but very familiar in flavor. Also, the menu was not as expensive as I thought it was going to be. Will be coming back soon with my group of girls before a night out on the town.
(4)Sasha K.
We had an excellent meal at Morimoto at the end of October. Both of us ordered the 8 course omakase so we didn't have to make any decisions about what to eat. The omakase selections were awesome! Most required the server to instruct us how to eat them...which sauce to dip first/second. After the 4th or 5th course, I started to worry that 8 courses would be too many, but when all was said and done, we were full, but not disgustingly so. They have a great Prosecco, too! There were an abundance of wait help/kitchen people buzzing around and we had excellent service the entire meal. Lastly, being the newest kid on the block, Morimoto outdoes the competition in decor and ambiance hands down. The Edition is tres chic! We'll definitely go back!
(4)Nicole L.
If you don't want to read my full critique, the bottom line is it's not worth the price. This was my first time dining at Morimotos and I took by boyfriend there for his birthday wanting a special experience. We arrived a few minutes before our reservation time and were told our table would be ready in "just a few moments".15 minutes later we were seated only after I approached Tue hostess and asked how much longer our table would be and if it would be better if we waited at the bar. We ordered the tasting menu and several ala carte dishes; the only standouts out of everything were the foie gras chawan mushi and yose dofu. The ala carte pork belly and butterfish (black cod) were both too sweet, and the tasting menu surf and turf had the toughest piece of wagyu I've ever tasted. When the servers brought out the Bagnacotta, they accidently brought 2 and proceeded to drop 1 on the table beside us before realizing their mistake, picking it back up, and dropping the same dish at our table. Otherwise service was ok, definetly not up to par with what's expected at a fine dining restaurant; several times dishes were served with the back of the handfirst, and although asked whether celebrating any special occasion when the reservation was made, there was no acknowledgment of my boyfriend's birthday- why make the effort to ask if there is no follow-up? The overall experience was not bad. The ambience, as noted in other reviews, is very relaxed, romantic, and cozy outside. Unfortunately, the food, nor the service, lived up to our expectations.
(2)Davis O.
I went for a late secret Santa with some old High School friends a few days ago and was disappointed. The appetizers where all pretty good but I felt the entrees could be better. President Obama loves to come here when he visits Hawaii, unfortunately I don't know what he orders. I gave 3 stars for: great location with a view overlooking the marina; good restaurant decor; good service; and tasty appetizers.
(3)Shawna F.
The other night was my birthday I brought with me a large party with a tab adding up to at least $1200, I was in the past a repeat customer but I will never go there again! I was treated like dirt. service was terrible, it took 40 minutes just to place an order for appetizers, and hour to receive our main course and no one was able to eat together because of how much time it took everyone to get there items (more than 20 minutes apart from the first dish to the last).This was not a busy night so my husband complained to the manager and was told they can't handle large parties (something I should have been informed of when I made my reservation several days in advance) he asked if he wanted to at least come talk to our table and the manager told him no. I had planned on ordering dessert and coffee for the whole table but my guests had grown inpatient. Part of my party (3 people) paid for there meals and left. I don't know why but the rest of us were stuck waiting for our tabs for another 45 minutes, my husband and I received our bill and paid along with one other person. We waited another 20 minuets for the rest of the bill to be divided until our server came over and told us that he was sorry that they will only split it 6 ways after all that time waiting. My husband once again talked to the manager and was told that wasn't so and that the check could be dived up, so he voided all the previous transactions and started over. At that point he said he would void the 18% gratuity after hearing the request a few different times that night. This took another 35 mins and the servers had to come back around and ask us what we all had again. Me and my husband told them we didn't need a new print out because we were paying in cash and were going to leave the money for the food with out the cost of gratuity. Once we started walking out the manager told us not to leave (here is where I'm confused) because they didn't have someone's money because she (one of the ladies that had previously left) signed the wrong receipt. I told them that they swiped her card and he told me she didn't I called her and she checked with her bank and she did indeed have a charge from the restaurant. He still said they didn't swipe the card and we had to stay because $300 was missing. I looked at the receipt and it was only an $80 tab and was the correct merchant copy and was signed. He pulled it from my view not wanting me to look at it and refused to tell me what the other amount of money is from he ignored me and started yelling saying we don't split bills here this I a classy place.(1. he already told us they do split bills 2. I have taken large groups to a number of "classy" places and have always split the bill) He then told security to call the police and to block us in the restaurant. I said that was unacceptable an tried to squeeze past but was shouldered away from the exit by two large men (This act was illegal, these people are to observe and report and nothing more nor are they to physically detain anyone). At this point we were all very upset. Some people even had to use the bathroom which is located outside. I asked the assistant manager what was going on and he told me he didn't know and hid in another room. My husband started calling the police himself which made the manager finally let us go yelling at my party of 12 to never come back and calling us trash. I stayed behind to ask who I can complain to, the manager whose name is Chad said he is the top guy no one above him. I'm sure the top guy is not a general manager and rather an owner or corp., but he refused to tell me anyhow. He also followed me out the door tell me I'm a real class act for giving them $200 even for a $197 bill and not the other $40 in gratuity which he already said we didn't have to pay. I told him he said we didn't have to pay that but he ignored me and continued calling me a "real class act" but its ok cause he "has it like that "and could "eat it" once again I told him it should have been taken off anyway and he got louder and told me I didn't pay a dime of it and said that we are really "honest people" and to never come back. When I get to the car I see the security are trying to pressure my remaining male guest in a fight and using colorful language (something none of us ever resorted to) This was supposed to be a celebration. I had intended on going out having a wonderful meal and probably most importantly for the establishment spending a lot of money. I thought that would be a place my friends and I would like to again visit but instead I was humiliated and my entire night was ruined because I had spent hours in that restaurant having a terrible time, as well as hours later contacting the police, filing a report and contacting my friend as to how they wanted to pursuer this incident. The police suggested I contact my Military lawyer. That route seems extreme and not something I am ready to pursuer but I do want to know that somethin
(1)Robert R.
low grade dog food. the tempura shrimp was smothered in garlic aioli sauce and chili paste with a side of ranch dressing. the hamachi was the lowest grade available on island and needed to be cooked to eaten. thats not sashimi grade. go to roys or yanagi shushi and forget about morimoto. oh, and don't even get me started with the wine list.
(1)Key-rah K.
did the 9-course to try. overall, the experience was worth the try...the ambiance was okay, the service was good, food was unique, drinks were ...well....ok (my first drink was made and served with a fruit fly in it----i sent it back and they shook me up a new, bug-free one). we were seated right away, near the sushi bar, it was a pretty green/white theme. i liked it! when it got busy, however, a couple was seated right next to us, no divider separating our seats. so...yeah. they were (rightnexttous). the woman was speaking and laughing quite loudly in another language, which made our dining experience not so pleasant from about 3/4ths into the dinner. if it wasn't for the awkward seating arrangement, i would have given a 4/5 stars....i still think its nice to be able to say i tried this spot. :o)
(3)Sara F.
I was here recently with my family on vacation & wanted to check out my fav Iron Chef's digs & was very happy with the results! My husband & I got the omikase which was actually not just traditional omikase sushi but was their version of a tasting menu. My parents shared sashimi & fried snapper. All were delicious! The sashimi was SO fresh & the presentation was gorgeous. Our omikase was a little more hit & miss, there was a delicious & beautiful presentation of wagyu beef, carpaccio & a great sushi roll but then there was a pretty bland sort of egg soup but overall everything was great & worth the money, (the tasting menu was only $110 per person). The drinks were great too, my Mom & I enjoyed great sake & cucumber cocktails. The dessert was probably my favorite part! A mix of a sweet potato & red bean cake, red beet ice cream which was SO good! The atmosphere & service was great as well, so was the decor, loved the clean, modern white & lime green everywhere. Would definitely recommend this place if you're looking for a fun & gorgeous night out!
(4)Nica N.
This was my 3rd time eating at Morimoto's. I had reservations at 7PM on Saturday. The restaurant was decently crowded, but not super crowded. There were open seats here and there, but the host (an Asian guy) told us our seat isn't ready. So we sat at the bar for a drink. I was hoping to sit somewhere other than the seat right behind the bar, which was open when we first walked into the restaurant. Then the hostess came up to us 15 minutes later to walk us to the seats right behind the bar. I was like $%#$??? So why couldn't they seat us when we first came into the restaurant?? A mystery... And the hostess wasn't friendly at all. If you hate your job so much, please quit. Other than this complaint, the food was pretty good. I wouldn't order the pork kakuni or the Morimoto loco moco. It wasn't that good. The rib eye and the beef carpaccio was good. The cocktails are OK. Nothing really special. The french press coffee at the end of the meal was good. I personally would not come back to Morimoto's again because I felt the host and the hostess to be very rude. I'd go to Nobu's instead in a heartbeat.
(3)Inland O.
We came to Morimoto on a Sunday around 1:30pm. The restaurant was practically empty (not a good sign?!). Originally I had wanted to try the omakase but found out from our waiter that they stopped serving omakase at ~1:30pm. We ended up ordering the Chirashi, the wagyu carpaccio, steamed scallops, chicken katsu sandwich, and the stone bowl grilled hamachi that they cook for you table side. The Chirashi is very fresh for all you sashimi lovers; beautiful colors and plenty of sashimi over a bed of the fluffiest rice. Both the wagyu and scallops were tender and delicious (the wagyu in particular is a must try). I enjoyed the scallops but my wife thought that it wasn't cooked well and seemed half raw (they were huge). The hamachi was decent, the fish itself very fresh/tender, but with simple flavors (not necessarily a bad thing). However, the chicken katsu sandwich was a disaster; didn't taste good at all - almost something you would find wrapped up at a japanese convenience store. The wasabi french fries were also very mediocre. Overall the meal was very good - would have been a 4-star for sure, but knocked down based on the value for what you get. Worth a try, but for what we paid and all the other choices on the island, I probably wouldn't return next time!
(3)Jen H.
My husband and I went here for lunch right when it opened. We didn't have reservations but there was no wait. We sat on the patio which had a nice view. The server was great. We had a couple of their cocktails which were very good, and for appetizer we ordered the tempura pineapple which I highly recommend! But be careful because it's HOT. Burned my mouth on it, being too anxious to stuff it into my face. I had the bento box with sashimi and tempura and California rolls. It's not that different than what you would find in another sushi restaurant, but I found the quality of the sashimi to be excellent... very fresh and melts in your mouth. I'm not even that big on sashimi, but I ate every bite, it was so good! It was the perfect portion, and I was full but not bursting at the end of the meal. My husband had a lobster melt and wasabi fries which was very good, but he felt it was too rich to finish all of it. Overall the service was good, the waiter was attentive, and the food was good. The atmosphere was great, very modern and sleek. We would definitely go back when we're in Honolulu.
(4)Jyb J.
the service was perfect because they were very friendly in explaining the food..my bf and i try the 7 course dinner.. most of the foods were raw so i had a hard time eating it. it was good but i dont like to eat raw foods that much..my favorite plate was the main course and the desert..i would love to go back and try some of the other foods..
(3)Mike K.
good but small portions.. sushi sucks i wouldnt recommend it you might as well go to sasabune or mitchs for that price ...
(4)Beth-Ann M.
I want to love this place...and I do love some of the things about it. The food is really delicious. The decor is awesome too! I have been coming here since it opened-maybe 8-10 times so far. The problem I have with it is the service. For a restaurant of this caliber the service should be top notch but at Morimoto's Honolulu it is just not up to par. There is a lot of waiting...for everything..and while some of the staff know a lot about the menu, some of them can't tell you what a listed ingredient on their menu is! I have talked with the management a number of times about the service and while they are very polite, I am not seeing any improvement. I really hope they get the staff up to standard because I truly do like to eat here but am embarrassed to bring any friends here due to the poor service at high prices. Please, Morimoto-step it up a notch!
(3)Sharelle C.
Ate here last night. Very nice atmosphere on the inside and outside was very cozy as there were couches next to the small center fireplaces. Dinner for two including tip was about $200 with drinks, appetizers, entrees, and desserts. The Ginja Lychee martini was very good. My boyfriend ordered his usual beer (Sapporo and Beach Bikini Blonde). The maki sushi was common. I think next time we'll order the sashimi instead. The poke was very rich and flavorful. For entrees, we ordered the Seafood Toban Yaki and the Surf & Turf. The toban yaki was a little spicy but in a good way. The spicy red-miso sake broth complimented the seafood nicely along with some toasted bread to dip into the broth. According to my boyfriend, the surf and turf was the best prime filet he's ever tasted. The sweet potato puree with salt crusted fingerlings was a nice balance to the dish along with the morimoto style poke. For dessert, we ordered morimoto's green tea blend (a nice palette clenser) with the tofu hot and cold for my boyfriend and the chocolate caramel dessert (not listed on the website dessert menu). The hot and cold tofu was interesting. It was sweet and the flavors balanced. The chocolate caramel dessert was gooey but in a good way. Both desserts came with dehydrated chocolate that simple melts at the touch of your toungue. The service was very on point, polite, and we enjoyed our overall experience. we will definitely be returning here over and over again. Oh and if you're lucky, Chef Morimoto will step out of the kitchen and walk around for a while to meet with his guests and for photo opportunities. It was late when we finished our meal and Chef was just starting his. We didnt want to disturb him so I guess we'll just have to catch him at another time.
(5)nikki m.
this review is based on 2 dining experiences. dinner #1 was with my favorite mike for his birthday. mind you, my partner does not like to celebrate getting older and therefore was not nearly as excited to try morimoto's as i was (mostly for fear he would be embarrassed by singing staff & free dessert with sparklers). i assured him that morimotos was not that kinda venue. dinner # 2 was with one of my besties. food first, then commentary on how these 2 dining experiences differed. collectively i have sampled: rock shrimp tempura: 2 coatings, a wasabi ailoli and kochujang aioli. the little buggers were crispy & light on the outside, warm & tender on the inside. neither aoili was as spicy as i would have liked, but the dish was satisfying & portion wise quite a lot. it was served with a refreshing coconut ranch dip. white fish carpacio: super DELISH! tender fish, yummy yet not overpowering sauce, and nice pile o'greens. tako carpacio: super super DELISH. i have never sampled tako that was so tender & tasty abalone tako yaki: perfect savory puff donuts in an herb butter sauce. tasty indeed, though i could not really tell that they were filled with abolone vs. tako pork kakuni: first thought, why so tiny? but this little morsel packed some serious flavor punch. sauce that initially seemed too sweet was a delightful compliment to that ultra tender pork belly goodness. ahi pizza: 'signature dish' according to our server. tuna was o' so fresh and the thinly sliced jalapeno was a nice compliment. oyster fois gras: this i did not sample...can't do the slimy thing, but miss melon raved that this app was divine. surf & turf: felt like i was a guest judge on iron chef when the dish was placed before us. wagyu beef with onion reduction was tender & tasty. the surf was morimoto's version of poke, which included ahi, fresh mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, avocado sorbet, and bonito foam. then there was the Okinawan mashed potatoes, full o' butter, and studded with other fingerlings that looked like space rocks. so cool! chu-toro: melt in your mouth YUMMY! drinks: 2 thumbs up for morimotini...a cucumber infused martini that was not at all frou frou and packed some vodka / sake punch. Morimoto's version of rogue beer was tasty too! Service: night 1 was kinda blah, which sucked since it was a special occasion. even though i had noted that it was my partner's birthday when making the reservation, this was never acknowledged by any of the staff. we were off to a great start, but somewhere between the 1st & 2nd appetizer, things took a turn for the worse. 30 minutes with no food, no water refills, and no refresher on our cocktail order. finally, someone other than our primary server took notice and stepped in. apparently our ticket order was lost, which happens sometimes...no biggie. but the fact that our server was MIA for so long and pretty unapologetic when he reappeared irked us both. once the oops was noticed, the rest of the evening flowed well. i would have marked 1 star lower, but i think we just happened to get the one not so stellar sever that evening. those that came to his rescue were professional, knowledgeable, and friendly. night 2 was a goldilocks experience...just right. knowledgeable and friendly server (Karen) who was there when we needed her, but not overly up in our space. not only that, but surrounding staff was attentive, noticing when our beer or sake was low and making sure to help us keep the libations flowing. all in all I *heart* morimoto's. i dare say that it surpasses nobu's in my humble estimation. the apprentice steps ahead of his mentor!
(5)Riley O.
Hello from sunny Waikiki. Ever get that dick feeling? Haha In all seriousness, my wife and I were really looking forward to trying out this place as we've had decent eating sessions at the various Nobu's and Koi's of the world. Morimoto's seemed to embody these places with a Japanese/Korean blowtorch. We purposely avoided going to Morimoto's on our 1st night (to let some anticipation build) at The Modern Hotel in Waikiki and even ignored the menu in advance because we wanted to be pleasantly surprised by just diving in. Hell, we were in Hawaii and there IS a fish auction here, which would make for some strong sashimi right? Our selections and opinions were: *Hamachi tartare (best thing we ordered, remarkable presentation and taste) *Yellowtail pastrami (it had a funk to it) *Maguro (it had a black cod funk to it) *Soft shell crab maki (my wife liked this) *Kani maki (and she also liked this) *Spicy King Crab (this came with a "not mentioned" on the menu and "unwanted" side of French Fries. one crab leg had a slight funk to its taste.) *Black Cod (with a Soy ginger reduction and a lot of bones. This dish mentioned that pickled peppers came with this dish. what we got were two pepper skins (one green, one red) in the shape and size of a postage stamp, maybe smaller.) *Creamy rock shrimp tempura (i am bummed that something like this was great, because everyone loves tempura and these little nuggets were like Dunkin' Donuts munchkins in a good way. there were two varieties as well, one in a kim chee spiced glaze and the other as a sweet wasabi coating.) *Sake and Morimoto's own Soba Buckwheat Ale brewed by the Rogue company in Newport, OR. (his brew and food will make you feel your pulse in your fingers post meal) Our "lead" server was insecure, left us alone for most of the evening, and was impatient with our simple questions about the menu. At one point, we hadn't finished eating our Hamachi tartare appetizer that included a much lauded single micro peach to cleanse our palettes. We asked our server politely if we could try that peach and she replies abruptly with, "We'll bring out more peaches..." that didn't happen until an hour later. That made for good laughter throughout the meal. After $200 +, we left feeling weighed down by the salty experiments, Mondrian-esque pretension and felt like we got screwed by the entire experience, but hey, onto the next eatery... Bottom line the experience was a Mori-no-no.
(2)I. K.
I've been here twice. The first time I've only had a couple of rolls, average stuff at a premium price. The next time I was in a group of six, and we got a couple of chef's combinations, which included some excellent rolls and sashimi accompanied by excellent sake. After all that we had some desserts, which I personally didn't appreciate all that much so I am giving the place an overall 4 stars.
(4)Joo S.
food - 3 stars service - 3 stars decor/ambiance - 5 stars i was pretty disappointed in this place. went here for my birthday dinner in december, and i was soooo excited to try iron chef morimoto's food. my girlfriends treated me to the omakase tasting, which included morimoto's famous toro/hamachi duo, a snapper appetizer, bagna cauda "hot bath," foie gras chawan mushi, assorted sushi, lobster/kobe beef/pork entree, and dessert. you could tell that presentation is really important for morimoto. everything looked better than it tasted. the toro/hamachi course and dessert were my favorites...the rest were forgettable. the foie gras chawan mushi was good but lukewarm by the time i got it. i've had better sushi, considering they fly their sushi straight from tsukiji market. the service was so spotty that my friends and i were all getting our appetizers and entrees at different times, and during dinner, some of us had food to eat while some didn't. it was weird. i've never experienced service like that before. one of the servers noticed that the pacing of my tasting was a little slow so she asked them to speed up the service...so all of a sudden i got my chawan mushi, palette cleanser, and sushi all at once! i was overwhelmed. we were really grateful to that server though because she really got the ball rolling with our meals. nevertheless, we were pretty shocked to find out that dinner was over three hours, which we didn't think it should have been. i must give kudos to the chef for the desserts. we got to try 3-4 different desserts, plus i got my omakase one. the desserts were devoured so fast you would've thought the 7 of us didn't eat dinner! my dessert was my favorite - imo ice cream with kabocha souffle and imo foam. so good! if not for the food, i would go back for the ambiance/decor. i'm a sucker for visuals. i loved the beautiful open space and the use of organic and earthy elements. lots of white, wood, and flowers...sexy!
(3)Patrick O.
Food was just OK. I was expecting it to be really great. Our party of four ordered 3 appetizers the calamari Salad (which was very good) three of the signature dishes to be served family style and three desserts. We also had two presses of coffee after dinner and several cocktails and a bottle of wine. Our bill was$422 which I thought was reasonable for what we ordered ($500 with tip.) What surprised me was the lack of service at this place. There was enough staff but IMHO they were not well trained. None of the servers had any proper table skills. When I asked that the table side preparation of yellowtail "Buri Bop" be served, the young kid just kind of looked at me and said "well there's a spoon and fork on the table for you". Undeterred, I asked our waitress if she wouldn't mind portioning out the entree so we could all experience the dish, she hesitated but fumbled her way through and got each of us a fairly equal portion by scraping it from the bowl to each plate. Unfortunately it was just not the experience I was expecting. Food was basically just tossed on the table any old way and no care was taken to serve from the proper side or clear from the proper side, etc. GREAT LOCATION- We arrived at sunset on a Friday evening and sat in the outdoor lounge area while waiting for our table. We enjoyed the comfortable seating area the great cocktails and appetizer and of course the Friday evening fireworks were a big hit. I would return here for drinks and PUPU's but probably not for dinner. Just too much hype and too high priced for a very subpar dining experience. I expected more Morimoto San
(3)Kensi T.
Beautiful, bright & airy interior with full walls of glass facing the harbor and ocean. Wait staff were warm, friendly and knowledgeable about menu items. Finding the place could be a little tricky since there seem to be no signs for the hotel or the restaurant. Drive down the street by Red Lobster, turn left into what looks like valet parking. If you see a bunch of valets, you're in the right place. They will direct you up a flight of stairs to the restaurant. Food was all tasty and beautifully presented. They tell you that items are meant to be shared, but be aware that serving size for different items varies widely. Abalone takoyaki, Morimoto's sashimi, California roll, gailan, and yosedofu all serve 6. Kakuni and inari are very small and serve only 1. (Yes, you can use your knife to cut into tiny pieces, but doubt you can get 6 pieces) Duck, duck, duck and Chef's loco moto serve maybe 4. All in all, the food may not be the best in the world, but the experience was fun and well worth the trip. Note about restrooms: Not in restaurant but across the hall in the hotel. Great looking, but no toilet seat covers or hooks for bags.
(4)Talon G.
I would've given 5 stars but my service was horrible. Took 30 minutes to finally get water & he only filled 3 of our 4 glasses. Then it took another 15 for him to return with my glass of wine. All the while I watched the table next to me get serviced 4 times. We waited another 15 minutes before I finally asked out water server to locate our waiter. He replied that he just got assigned to our table because they are short handed. Instead of getting mad I accepted because it was a holiday & mistakes happen. We ordered our appetizers & entrees at the same time. We got our entree & one of our appetizers didn't even come out. Had to ask, he forgot to order it. So he gave it to us for free. After receiving all our food, I forgot all about our long wait. The food was fabulous! Our table enjoyed the filet, ribeye, fried fish, Ishi yaki buri bop, spicy king crab & some sushi. The food was so good I'm looking forward to next time. If the food is good I'll usually go back to a restaurant regardless of the service.
(4)caroline s.
The food was original. The service was good. The desserts were AMAZING!
(4)bimi a.
Morimoto doesn't fail to please. My friends ordered sushi as an appetizer, and each piece was tender enough for a lady to bite into, and take 2 bites. I had the hamachi ishiyaki in stoneware, and it was excellent. It was seasoned just right, and Morimoto deserves bragging rights for his rice. The tofu cheesecake dessert was excellent as well. Hope everything remains the same when I visit again.
(5)Lynne A.
Nice restaurant, service is excellent, food was good but I'm still trying to figure out if it was really worth $375 for dinner. That could've been put into my sons savings account. shame on me!
(3)JAN I.
the restaurant isss soooo pretty...the kitchen isss incrediable. best thing was the food was very good and pretty on the plates. we say morimoto at the end of our dinner and took a pic with him...its pretty pricey...so be prepare to spend. at the end of it all its all worth it
(5)Camille H.
I checked this place out last night after all the hype around this new restaurant and i have to say it truly exceeded my expectations. Great ambiance. It's very modern and not what I had originally expected but loved it. Although, it's a pricey restaurant its still casual enough where you can comfortably carry on your conversations unlike some classy restaurants where you're eating in silence. We sat outside and you really feel like you are no longer in Waikiki but in a hip LA restaurant. The wait staff were very knowledgeable and i felt like we were taken care of from the minute we stepped in to the moment we left. As for food, fantastic!! My favorite restaurant is Hiroshi's at restaurant row but I think Morimoto's might now be my number one. The dishes are different and unique. I feel like I could not have had those dishes at another restaurant in Hawaii. I started off with a two appetizers. The first was an oyster, uni and foie gras combination in teriyaki sauce. SOOO good! It was the best part of my meal and I encourage anyone who doesn't mind eating these three things to try it. Next, I had a tartare appetizer with a flan with egg yolk and cauliflower salad. This was a great twist on the Japanese dish usually made with just raw meat, egg and slight seasoning. For entrees, I tried the lamb ribs and Morimoto's take on the Korean Bi Bim Bap. Both were delicious. The 'bi bim bap' was with seared hamachi and is prepared at the table in traditional korean stone pot. For dessert, peanut butter and dark chocolate. Yum! So, go try it!!! This restaurant won't disappoint!
(5)Dennis S.
Very disappointing! Much too expensive for what we got. The flavors of the dishes did not enhance the quality ingredients used but rather conflicted with it more often than not. The service was definitely "amatuerish"! The waiter's favorite recommendations all happened to be the most expensive dishes on the menu. The noise level was truly obnoxious to the point where I left the restaurant hoarse from yelling to be heard on a table for 4. I will definitely not return with so many other better eateries in Hawaii.
(3)Chris F.
2.5 is about where I sit right now. If the price point was lower is could easily be 3.5. The service was a bit sloppy and not what you'd expect at a place where your bill will look like it did if you really try to enjoy yourself here. As everyone says, decor is cool, presentation is very different and innovative. Some of the dishes are very good, but none worth the $. You could have much better Asian food all over this island and have much cleaner and more attentive service from professionals. This is not a shot at anyone who works there as I think they all worked to the best of what they were taught. Maybe it's just me, but when I spend that kind of cash, I expect to not want for anything. For example, "I wish a had a new plate to share this next appetizer." is a thought I don't think should cross my mind anywhere that I will spend $287 for a 4 top.
(2)Maria K.
My husband and I celebrated our anniversary at what was formerly "The Edition" back in August. We decided to eat at Morimoto for our anniversary dinner and had the hotel set up our reservation. When we arrived, we were quickly seated. The staff was friendly and the service was decent, however so many different people came to our table it was hard to determine who was our actually server. The food was good, however a little on the pricey side for what you get. The table next to us was celebrating a birthday, and they brought out a birthday desert with writing on the plate. I noticed this from our table and thought it was a nice touch, however when the end of our meal came, there was no celebratory "anniversary" desert. I figured they must not do this for anniversaries, but on the way out I asked the hostess and she informed me that yes they do send deserts out for anniversaries. She then told us she had informed our server it was our anniversary when we sat down and that he must have forgotten. She apologized for him; however it kind of disappointed me that they "forgot". It's really not that big of a deal, but when you spend that much for dinner it's the small things that stand out. Both my husband and I left a bit disappointed in our experience.
(3)K N.
Went to Morimoto for the first time. I wasn't as impressed as I thought I would be but I'm giving it four stars because there were a few things that were really interesting. We started off with the toro tartare which comes with several sauce including sour cream, guacamole, wasabi, and ponzu sauce to name a few. The toro was interestingly good with the sour cream. We also tried several other appetizers. The rock shrimp tempura was really good. I preferred the wasabi aioli which was a bit on the sweeter side and my husband preferred the kochijan which he said tasted sort of like buffalo wings. The shrimp was accompanied by a coconut ranch which added a light texture and sweet taste to the fried shrimp. The calamari salad was mediocre. It was served with a miso dressing which I found to be lacking in sugar; it was more on the salty side and I think I would have preferred the crunchy and fried calamari with something less heavy and salty in taste. The yose dofu was really neat; prepared table-side. It was soft, hot and different from store-bought tofu. My FAVORITE dish of the entire night was the kakuni which is a very tender, sweet, yet salty pork that literally melts in your mouth. I was so good I could have eaten that alone as an entree. The pork pork pork entree was pretty good (pork served three ways; one dish was a sort-of duck french onion soup) and the fried fluke was really crispy and tasty. The fluke was probably one of the best fried fish I've tried. We weren't in a raw fish mood so I think we will go there again to try more of their raw dishes.
(4)Pat J.
we took a distinguished guest to the restaurant about which we had heard great things. one of us ordered the tasting menu and the other 3 ordered 3 dishes each. so, first the positive comments: the food was exquisite, beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. the tempura salad, crab miso soup, oxtail soup, wagyu carpacchio and all sushis were delicious. now the bad stuff, our guest who ordered the tasting menu received only 4 of the 9 promised selections in a 31/2 hour period. the service was beyond dreadful. we were seated and given only 3 menus, our drinks were ordered but didnt come for at least 25 min when we were ready to order dinner, when one of us asked for the wine list, a selection of wines was named by the waitperson but no list was brought. when the third selection that two of us had ordered had not shown up after 3 hrs, we finally found our waitperson to ask and were told the kitchen had made an error and the order had been given to someone else. in other words, the service was unacceptable. To their credit when we spoke to the manager our meal was completely comped. This happened on a Tuesday, the restaurant was packed and clearly they did not have staff properly trained. It was really a shame and we sincerely hope they get their act together so that we can return and enjoy the spectacular food.
(2)C. B.
Went for a couple of birthdays as this is one of our fav celebration spots. It also accommodates children well and free valet parking is great. Breakfasts and lunches are the bargain times . Relatively . We always start off with the freshly made before your eyes tofu. You might have to ask for it. In 8 minutes, voila! Deliciousness with several toppings including a kimchi soup or dashi type broth! The shared tempura calamari salad was perfect - they know how to do delicate tempura! The kids had jidori chicken ramen, and we had chirashi sushi, tempura and sushi combos and lobster sandwiches. Deserts were good along with the capuchinos.
(4)Lily M.
Ordered the Live Octopus and Waygu Beef carpaccio, Oysters foie gras. The flavours were fantastic and worth every bite. For the main entree, I ordered the surf and turf with the prime rib filet rare and it did not disappoint. The steak melted in your mouth. Finished off with the ginger, Palm heart and macadamia nut cheesecake, hard to describe this other than you just have to try it.
(4)Mindy A.
Chad L - not sure how to write you back! Anyway, no, my visit was on June 17th. Thanks for getting back to me, definitely appreciate the attention to guests' interests! Mindy
(4)Maggie B.
It was ok. Not anywhere as good as the MW Restaurant (although they are aiming for the same level) but certainly far better than Roy's Waikiki. The ambience was good and the service ok but the experience wasn't what it ought to be at these prices. We had the tasting menu with wine pairing. I never once heard what the courses were - the place is very noisy but more importantly the server seemed to be mailing it in. There was no proper introduction of each course. It felt that because we'd chosen the tasting menu, we were on an assembly line and no one really cared about our experience. That isn't how one should feel. The food was quite good - if only the servers cared...
(3)Clay Y.
Very upscale Japanese restaurant, Service impeccable, wait staff very accommodating, friendly and explained each dish and presentation perfect. Everything is cooked to perfection. Table side presentation awesome. It's like dining in two different settings, inside you get the sound and noise bouncing off the walls but very elegant and air conditioned, the outside is more relaxed and if you get there before sunset you will be treated to an awesome sunset overlooking the boat harbor. If you can find parking on the street below it's $1.00 an hour, or valet. You can also park across the street for $7.00 and walk across the bridge on the second floor.
(4)Ronnie U.
In the newest hip Edition Hotel. Take your date to this place and you'll feel transported out of waikiki to a world filled with hollywood celebrities. Designers did an amazing job with the renovations of this old hotel. Food - good but really you're here to appreciate the sights as much as the flavor. (not to sure what the hanging rocks are for) Expect to spend a lot but who cares, it's a special occasion!
(4)Hillery G.
After visiting Morimoto's in New York, where we had excellent food, this was a bit of a downer. The service was just weird . . . it had been raining and we sat outside under a umbrella type thing. We wanted to sit in the three seats that were most under cover which seemed to be an annoyance to the server. The carpaccio was the highlight of the evening - really good. I also really liked the pineapple tempura, but others in my party though tit was too sweet - sweet is fine by me.
(3)w w.
Morimoto Waikiki is an absolutely beautiful restaurants with beautiful food. Sitting outside was just a fantastic experience. We had the chef menu. It is good for the first time visitor, and yet we were. But I would order my own likeness next time going to Morimoto Napa, which means more traditional Japanese food. Don't take me wrong that the food wasn't up to par. The food were delicious, just that I think to dig into the real fascinating side of Morimot I would go for the Japanese side of his. And yet, the morimoto jinjo(not the cheap one nor the dai jinjo) was absolutely lovely! That's a can't missed item.
(4)Leah R.
Solid food, but no surprises. Probably one of the best places to go to on the island, but I still don't feel that the restaurant as a whole is on par with the New York restaurant. Atmosphere is a lot more laid back here and tailored to being in the islands. White and very bright decor, while still trendy, pales in comparison to the New York location and the atmospheres they've created there. However, the outdoor seating and fire pits were nice touches and it's nice to enjoy some drinks out there. Service is a lot more laid back. I was actually disappointed that the service felt unprofessional and the servers weren't more eloquent when attempting to describe the dishes. It also seemed like they were constantly running around, so we weren't really being attended to. Put this in contrast with our experience in New York: There, we ordered so much that the waiter accidentally spilled a glass of water and a little got on my hubby's jacket. Not a second later, a manager was over there trying to help, and handing us his card to invite us back and cover the bill for the dry cleaning. Later they sent out even more dishes for us to enjoy on them. Totally unnecessary (I mean, it was an accident and it was a little bit of water), but greatly appreciated. It felt like they really wanted this to be a great dining experience for us, but I don't get the same feeling here. Given my less than dazzling takes on that stuff, the food is what still holds this place up. The seafood is fresh and the flavors are good. True Morimoto style and consistency, although I can't say that anything stuck out in my mind a month later...
(3)Kehaulani C.
Went here to celebrate my husband's birthday...with all the great reviews I had to try it...not to mention he is an Iron Chef and we are obsessed with that show! This place is NOT fancy...I either walked into a modern cafe or the wrong restaurant. I was literally having dinner with my husband and the girl on my left and couple on my right...you are THAT close. They actually chimed in during the decision making process...LOL. The highlight of the night was the sake sommelier. She recommended a fabulous sake. The food was good but not worth the $300 price tag for 2 people (okay...it was including the sake). If you want some GREAT Japanese food I suggest strolling towards Lewers and checking out Kaiwa. So my my two cents...this is probably a ridiculously fabulous place to have brunch and maybe cocktails at the bar.
(2)Ralph O.
The parents, the wife and I had dinner here on a Thursday night for the obvious reason that the restaurant belonged to Iron Chef Morimoto. We made reservations by Opentable with no problems. The service was A+and the servers knew their stuff. The restaurant was decorated in a modern look that fit right in with Hawaii lifestyle, just gorgeous. Unfortunately, I thought the food fell short. The parents and I got the tasting menu and the wife got a spider roll and fried whole fish as she is not a fan of uncooked food. I didn't try the spider roll but the wife enjoyed it. As for the fried fish, it was impressive that all the bones were removed but it tasted like any other fried fish that I had at a Chinese restaurant. As for the omakase, I won't describe every dish but see Kelly L's description as she does a great job. The dishes that stood out were the toro and hamachi tartare and the foie gras. Both were melt in your mouth delicious and I could have eaten these dishes all night. The vegetables with the artichoke/anchovy fondue was fun to eat. The "main course" of lobster, beef and pork though was a disappointment for me. The lobster was cooked with hot spices that didn't go well with the lobster. The beef was too sweet with the au jus that was used. I don't even remember what the pork tasted like. The nigiri sushi was good but I didn't think it belonged in a tasting menu. The dessert was okay with the ice cream and sweet potato cake. With the main dish and dessert falling short of expectations I can only give 3 stars. FYI: the sushi prices are for 1 piece and not the standard 2 pieces in Japanese restaurants.
(3)John N.
Had dinner here while on vacation in Hawaii. Morimoto Came a little late so if you want to try the tasting menu, please arrive at least 2 hours prior to closing. Had to order other items off the menu as it was just slightly more than an hour before closing. I have to say every item I tasted was prepared well and tasted great. I had the surf and turf with a steak, poke, soup and other items. The dinner was quite expensive, but I knew that coming in. I would prefer to give this place 3.5 stars, but I'll round up for Chef Morimoto. Anyways, come here to impress people or to treat yourself to something nice. Know full well that your wallet will be sore. P.S. had the beers here and they are actually pretty good, even if it's close to 20 bucks a bottle.
(4)Sheena C.
I'm not going to waste your time, so I'll make it quick. Atmosphere: Yes! Nice, swanky outside lounge-area overlooking the boat harbor with rice bowl-looking fire pits and the Edition is pretty... pretty (the paper towels in their bathroom are the thick, fancy kind--yes I judge places on what kind of paper-goods they stock in their bathrooms). Food: Disappointment. :( I mean, I wasn't bad, but it wasn't amazing. I only had a couple of sushi items off their lounge menu (did not go for dinner) and it did not blow me away. We actually ended up going to Yanagi later for the late-night specials and that was WAY better (esp. considering the price). Would definitely go back to feel fancy and drink with friends/the SO, but definitely not to eat.
(3)Manda Bear B.
***************** REVIEW 400 ****************** 3.5 Stars Located by the Harbor of Waikiki Beach, inside the Waikiki Edition Hotel. This Morimoto is new, modern, tropical design in light green, white, beach shells, and orchid photos through out the wall. A huge kitchen with at least 20 chefs & cooks, open the less than 20 seats at the sushi bar. An open space dining room, with straight up row of beautiful wooden tables, white leather chairs, and an outdoor cozy patio with woodfire. I was surprised to see how big the place is. Even we got late RSVP via OpenTable for 9 PM on a WED night, but we didn't get to our table till 9:30 PM. The 2 hostesses weren't as welcoming as I would expected, very odd! We sat at the bar for a some Sake, now the server at the bar was very kind, kept checking on our table for us. While the hostess kept telling me "we will call you when your table ready!" I was like REALLY? I've been waiting for half an hour madam! We got sat down, luckily our server was very courteous & apologize for the delay. Here is what we had: DRINKS: - Morimoto ' Daiginjo' Sake - it was nice, they were out of the Ginjo, so this was an up-sell, well done. - Alber Boxler 2003 Alsace France Pinot Gris - nice bottle to pair! FOOD: - Oyster with mignonette, Thai, & tartar sauce - fresh and cold just how we like it. - Sashimi combo - super fresh, super well cut, and nice all around. - Tuna Pizza, Olives, Anchovy Aioli, Jalapeño - what a nice surprised, a server at the Sheraton Waikiki told us about this dish, I wasn't sure, but it wasn't a pizza, just a pizza size cracker on the bottom, super thin & crispy, with tuna sashimi topping - a huge dish to share. The Jalapeño was a nice kick to it! - Tempura calamari salad - white miso dressing, crispy onion - it's a super generous portion, enough to share for 4 people! The salad was nice & light, the tempura was crisp and tasty. - Oyster Foie Gras, Uni, Teriyake sauce - 3 huge oysters with a piece of Foie Gras & Uni on it, this was just too rich for my taste. Too much Teriyaki sauce, it kills the Uni & Foie Gras too over-powering! - Yose Dofu - fresh tofu prepared table-side, Kimchi sauce & Daishi broth. They serve freshly made Tofu at your table in a black pot, 8 minutes later, the came by & pulled in a liquid to make the tofu harden. They serve with green chai, fish flake, ginger on the side as well. It was an interesting dish, nice with Kimchi sauce. However, I wish the tofu wasn't that soft! - Scallop, XO jan, Tokyo scallions - 4 big pieces of Diver scallops, toping with a little crispy cracker, this was 1 of my top dishes of the night. Just perfectly cooked. - Seafood "Toban Yaki" - Kona lobster, King crab, mussel, clam, diver scallop, spicy red miso-sake broth - serve with crouton breads on the side for dipping. Almost reminded me of Cioppino Italian seafood dish, however, this was better. The broth was tasty, just anough spice to it and full of flavor. This was big portion to share. The portion was so generous, I'm so NOT used to it. Some dishes were good, some just mediocre. However, I'm glad we got to try many dishes as we possible can, after all, we were on vacation right? Our server was definitely made up for the earlier wait & not courteous hostesses. We had a good time and this is definitely a place for a bigger group, that way you can share the food. Overall: 3.5 stars For value: 5 stars For Food: 4 stars For Service: 3 stars Ambiance: 4 stars For Location: Inside the Edition Hotel and you can spot some celebrity here. We saw Nick Lachey & his fiancee Vanessa Minnillo. He was shorter in person, & she was simply gorgeous!
(3)Ashley N.
I went to Morimoto Waikiki last year with my family to celebrate my birthday. I have been wanting to write this review for the longest time, but never got around to doing so until now. When I went, we made reservations and were quickly seated. The service was very good, as expected from a restaurant of this caliber. Since it was my birthday, I decided on the Morimoto Omakase Set ($120 per person), while my family all decided on choosing other entrees. Overall, the food was excellent. The Omakase did include a lot of raw fish selections, and being not too big of a fan of sushi and sashimi, it probably wasn't the best idea to get the Omakase. However I did enjoy a lot of the different courses, which were items I normally wouldn't have picked, but was glad to have tried. I do not regret ordering the Omakase at all. However, I was a little disappointed on the size of the entree course, since it did only include a taste of meat and pork, while many of the appetizers were several times larger :( On a side note, their foie gras chawan mushi was the best variation of chawan mushi that I've ever tasted. I would definitely get it again if I were to go back in the future. I would not recommend getting the Omakase if the other members of your party are ordering other items off the menu. The Omakase does take a very long time to finish, since the waiters will only bring you the next course when they notice you are finished with your current plate. For me, it did take over three hours to finish our entire meal... My family was disappointed by the fact that they did only bring out their items so it went along with the Omakase, since they had to sit for a few hours before ever seeing their entrees. Overall, Morimoto Waikiki does live up to Chef Morimoto's name. It is a very good restaurant to go to if you're going to celebrate an occasion, but mainly because of the prices of their dishes, I wouldn't come back in the near future just to have a dinner.
(3)Steve B.
We were looking forward to a gourmet experience at the famous Morimoto restaurant ("Iron Chef") in Honolulu last Christmas. The restaurant is in a nice location next to the Hilton Village and has a great ocean view. Unfortunately, the food and service were a disappointment. My wife's salad arrived with someone's long black hair in it. When we complained, the server simply offered to replace the salad, but with no apology or expression of concern. The remainder of the meal was dry and over-salted. Not a four star experience but it came with a four star price.
(2)Glenn N.
Had the opportunity to go to Morimoto's for dinner last night, As you walk in to this bright white and soft pale green room you are greeted by a friendly smile. the decor was nothing that I expected form a "Japanese" restaurant. You are transported to someplace like New York or LA. Fresh and clean very modern. Our server knew the menu inside and out and made great suggestions. We decided to eat family style so we ordered accordingly. The food we good but nothing special. I was looking forward to the Wagu steak and at $88.00 for a piece of meat my mouth was watering. However, the meat came to our table cold! Like it was sitting around for awhile. I would expect more from a fine dinning restaurant. But at least we had some good company to chat the night away.
(3)Krystal F.
Dining experience was awesome. It was everything I expected from a top chefs restaurant dining at its best. Me start off by saying we are celebrating our honeymoon. The staff was very attentive. The food came on time for every course. We started off with a spicy salmon roll, fried calamari salad, the main entree was a deboned sea bass, the presentation was beautiful. For dessert we had sorbot. All very delicious.. The meal was reasonably priced. We would definitely come back here for dinner. The only thing I would say that was really high price was the wine but I didn't have any because my hotel complimentary drinks already made me feel saucy
(5)Zoe B.
It's a great experience, we had a part of 4 yesterday, we ordered oyster foie gras (hot appetizer), takoyaki(abalone hot appetizer), loco moco, udon, and 2 orders of duck duck duck. They were all delicious and we are very fulfilled. We are so happy to make the right choice. And the best is that we got to see Chef Morimoto! We took a picture with him too, making this meal even more valuable. We would go back again to try some other items in the future. I told Chef Morimoto that the food was really good, and he replied me saying "I know" with a very confident tone.
(4)Jana U.
Brandon was a wonderful server!! We came in with moderate expectations and were pleasantly surprised with the friendly service, delicious food and lovely outdoor setting. We had several dishes and all were expertly prepared and hot when they arrived at our table. The only issue was the wait time for our food. This is where Brandon really shined as our waiter. Sometimes waiters hide from tables when they know they've been waiting for food, but Brandon came out and personally gave updates in our food and apologized for the delay. The food was delicious and though the wait is long, it's worth it.
(3)Mami S.
decent food at a high price is all I can say. too many other options in Waikiki honoluu!
(3)Jorge C.
Continues to impress w/ innovative dishes & great service!!! Gotta stop by here every time we are in Oahu!
(5)Ace S.
Went in hoping to get WOWED and I can't say I was disappointed because the food was great, but considering the name and the prices, I thought there was room for improvements. Their ice cream desserts were amazing, and I ditched my diet for them. As far as complaints go, this place was freezing cold with the AC on blast. So sitting outside might be the way to go.
(4)Stephanie G.
We found this place thru Yelp! We followed the recommendations & got the chef's multi-course menu. All were hits with me, but some were clunkers 4 my hubby. I should let viewers be warned that I have an atypical palate. My mom's famlily is from Denmark, so I have a weird affinity 4 cold pickled fish meals. Definitely not standard American food. I would have rated them to the max, but they r extremely pricey. We live in Nor Cal & frequent the City 4 dinner & the price we paid was even outside SF norm. Oh well the outdoor dining experience was out of this world. Perfect weather with attentive service, even while it was busy & slow.
(4)Cheyenne C.
Phenomenal! We sat at the sushi bar and had the best sushi of our lives. The sushi chef was so nice and treated up very traditionally. The cocktails were also amazing! We were staying in the Modern Honolulu Hotel (where the restaurant is). After dinner there, we also went to breakfast and lunch the next day. Three meals in a row must mean something, right? We went to Alan Wong's earlier in the week and can easily say Morimoto's was better - better service, atmosphere, cocktails and food! It was also half the price!
(5)Tommie S.
The food wasn't spectacular, but the ambiance and location were. This was my last stop in Honolulu, and it was a perfect last stop. Service was great, the outdoor patio made me feel like an absolute celebrity (right next to a boat dock, didn't see much beach), and drinks were good (had the melon martini and something very similar to the Moscoe Mule). Enjoyed the pork gyoza and calamari salad. Nothing absolutely spectacular, but it was good. There weren't many people present for lunch, but that made it even better. You should go at least once...
(4)Jo Ann A.
Excellent food & service! Fresh tofu appetizer made right at our table! Black codfish soft & tasty; large plate of loco moco with premium beef - gourmet style. Ambience great for that special occasion.
(4)Charlene K.
Chef Morimoto was there! So this is what Heaven must taste like. Pork Belly dish has amazing flavor, Tartar slab is excellent and fun to eat. Sushi Combination presentation blew me away. A bouquet of assorted sashimi each cut was so delicate and tasty. The Surf and Turf steak is also succulent, it melts in your mouth and is seasoned so well your mouth will sing. Don't forget dessert! Chocolate peanut bomb is the favorite, it's rich and not too sweet. I liked the Vanilla roasted pineapple very refreshing light and sweet. It's a very modern fancy spot. I say date worthy. This was a special dinning experience. Mohalo to Chef Morimoto
(5)Jeanette S.
I would probably have my last meal on Earth here. I shared the Chef Special and added on several other dishes with a friend, and I loved everything! I couldn't think of anything bad about any of the dishes I ate. The Chef Special, at $110, is extremely worth the price because it's a 9 course meal that turns out to be less than $15/course. I'm not exactly sure what everything is called, but this is the best I could remember everything by: 1. toro and hamachi tartare duo: this was really interesting because they presented it on this wooden plate where you have to shovel out your tartare 2. hot oil-seared sashimi kampachi with soy and yuzu: super yummy and tender and all the flavors eaten together made it really good 3. bagna cauda: dip the vegetables in the heated combination of olive oil, anchovy and garlic 4. pork shoulder: this was my favorite, but too bad I don't remember how they called it 5. this egg-ey soup tasted like those Japanese egg custard soups 6. a very fresh broth/soupey tea as a palate cleanser 7. an assortment of fresh nigiri sushi 8. the entree: Surf and Turf (Wagyu filet, lobster and ginger pork) 8.5. a complimentary dessert: panna cotta, soy milk and kuromitsu gelee 9. kabocha souflee: tasted a little like taro ice cream with custard Overall, I really enjoyed my dining experience here! The waiter was a bit slow, but was extremely patient as he explained everything a gazillion times. And the best part was, my friends and I got to see Chef Morimoto himself and shake his hand! :)
(5)Hon H.
Had a fab lunch, started with the pork gyoza yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… which had a wonderful bacon foam surrounding it. Also the tuna pizza was perfect. For the main entree I chose chefs loco moto, yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… the gravy was seasoned perfectly and went well with the wagging beef. Overall the service is slow but the waitress was very skilled and made sure we had a wonderful time.
(5)Alyssa K.
Amazing decor, food, service, and hello - up to 1000 Open table dining points! I highly suggest you download open table on your iphone to make reservations so you can take advantage of the points. Eat here twice during bonus hours and you'll get a $20 Open Table certificate. How awesome. Anyways, on to the review.... Came here for lunch with my husband after a week of many happenings. I was in the mood to treat myself and was glad I chose Morimoto's. I ordered the kakuni bento and he got the lobster sandwich. I loved the kakuni bento. The pork belly was cut up into small chunks so it didn't taste so fatty. Very tasty. I'm not a big fan of lobster but the hubs said it was great. For dessert we ordered the tofu cheese cake. It was seriously delicious. I've tried making it before and Morimoto's put my version into its death bed. I think Morimoto uses both tofu and cheese in his version. It's so light, fluffy and delicious. We also go the peanut butter chocolate dessert. That was good too, but we preferred the tofu cheesecake. We will be back for sure.
(5)Min K.
I'm so backlogged with work Yelp took a backseat this month! I went with several friends to celebrate my contract approval for people whose occupations are based off of contracts. DELICIOUS is how I can describe it. Morimoto Waikiki is located in the uber modern and and stylish Edition Hotel. The lobby is chic and very European. I personally LOVED the restroom; when I buy my apartment the first renovation is the restroom. After a miserable failed attempt on a Saturday, we went on the grand opening, the 28th. Thank god for Opentable and reservations because it was PACKED! We first started at the bar, had several drinks, then moved onto our table where you meet all your friends and acquaintances! Olivia D, Tiffany from Fresh Cafe, Russ and Karla my favorite UYE host and hostess, and if I forgot you, I'm sorry, but the star was Morimoto-san! Woohoo for the Iron Chef! We got a meet and greet, and I even got a personal recommendation for my entrée, order the most expensive thing! But before the entrée comes along were the appetizers and free sake! Because it was the grand opening, there was a HUGE vat of sake. Everyone got a tasting and of course I was giddy for the sake. It really didn't do much for me; probably because we've been drinking since 5:00. The appetizers were ordered by Cin T while I went to MY restroom. The oyster Foie Gras, delicious. Although like Cin T said, the Kabayaki sauce was very overpowering. I would have preferred it sans sauce to really be able to taste the fresh oyster flavor and the livery taste of the Foie Gras. The gyoza was delicious, although I was scared looking at a very thin film engulfing the gyoza. But according to our server, it was a bacon film. The takoyaki was delicious! Reading Cin T's review, I had no idea it was abalone! The tartare, hmm, reminded me very much of the Korean yuk-hae but sweeter. I personally liked it. And the thinly sliced and fried lotus roots sprinkled with black sesame seeds were like popcorn! Btw if you guys want your hair to shine eat black sesame seeds! Sadly, being the fat lard I am ordered two entrée's. Yes, I know, two. I had the oxtail soup which oddly had the flavor profile of pho. Maybe it was cilantro, but it was so good I could have eaten another bowl of that. It came with garlic fried rice, cilantro, and the shoyu sauce where they grate fresh wasabi! Olivia D, mine was hot if it makes you feel better! Finally, my star entree recommended by the Iron Chef himself for me! I loved the lamb! Tender, medium rare, and seasoned perfectly, it was everything I could have asked for. And no need for mint jelly! Delicious, highly recommended, and what a lovely restaurant. I loved the simple modern decor and the color scheme of white. Make sure you don't have any other plans because we were there for about two hours. Btw, if you have the server Lisa, supposedly her name is "Michelle".
(5)Chloe H.
Outstanding service. I came to Morimoto's with 20 people in total. Martin, our server, was fantastic -- especially for putting up with my family, which is no easy task! He explained everything well, was very friendly and charming, and even remembered me the last time I came here over a year ago! Talk about service, haha. The dinner was sort of an omakase. The wagyu carpaccio was fantastic! Definitely get that for an appetizer. One of my family members is vegetarian, and they were very accommodating -- they made her a vegetable bibimbop and other vegetarian dishes. i am a huge dessert fan, and the peanut butter and chocolate dessert was pretty light, all things considered. So, so, so good though. Overall, the food was filling and delicious. The only downside to my experience was that Chef Morimoto wasn't there!
(5)Sarah M.
My husband and I came here for our 2 year wedding anniversary. Located in the Modern hotel, It's a very classy joint great for special dates, and special occasions! We started off with salads my husband had the mixed green salad and I got the sashimi salad which were both fresh and yummy! We also got the spicy salmon roll, the salmon maki, and also the oh-toro which is the fatty tuna. The salmon sushi was all good, fresh, and yummy, The Oh-Toro was by far the most beautiful experience ever! It absolutely just melted in my mouth and i never wanted it to end!!! Now going on... For our main dishes we got the Chef's loco moto which is Chef Morimoto's spin on Loco moco and I got the braised black cod. The Loco Moto was okay... It was good but how glorious can gravy, meat, egg, and rice get then it already is. Now the braised black cod now is just delightful! I would most definitely revisit that dish everyday if I could! It just melted! My mouth just waters, just typing this out and imagining the flavors, and texture of it all! For dessert they brought out some mango sherbet on the house for our anniversary which was fresh light and tarty but in a good kinda way! then us being total dessert-holics we ordered a chocolate peanut bombe which was THE BOMB! we ate every last bite and would of licked the plate if it wouldn't make us look like classless human beings! As you can see we thoroughly enjoyed everything the only thing that went wrong was that we had to wait an extra 45 min for them to redo our main dish because they said it didn't come out the way they wanted which was all good because it was worth the wait! Our server was good, the food was amazing, the ambiance chic/sexy/classy and our night was perfect-o!
(5)ET C.
President Obama ate at Morimoto's back in December when he visited his hometown in Hawai'i ( abcnews.go.com/blogs/pol… ). Should that be a reason for people to stop by? No. Should a patio view of the Ke'ehi lagoon and boats on the harbor be the main reason to come here for a meal? No. How about great food? That should do it. We really enjoyed Morimoto's Omakase menu ("chef's choice tasting menu designed to allow us to experience the essence of Morimoto cuisine") -see pictures attached. Aside from that, the restaurant offers a great selection of sushi, sashimi, soups, noodles, fish and meat main courses and cocktails. I ordered the Pikake Blossom (tru organic vanilla vodka, freshly muddled thai basil, lemon juice and theia organic jasmine liqueur) and decided that this was the best cocktail I ever had, period. Room for dessert? Try whatever the chef has on his tasting menu, you'll love it! P.S. Not convinced yet? This review is pretty thorough: alohaupdate.com/2010/11/…
(4)Steve D.
Rude & uniformed employees to start. If you want to spend $60 on a Johnny walker blue label, that's right $60 go somewhere else. Good food but you will enjoy Roy's or Imanas just as much for half the price & get this, their employees won't treat you like crap. Also you can't park anywhere close unless you pay. Morimoto must pay for articles in magazines because this place is so overrated. Normally I don't care but I will also tell everyone to stay away from this place.
(1)Faye M.
My BF surprised me by making Valentine's Day reservations for Morimoto, but I talked him into changing it to the day before Valentine's only because it's in Waikiki and we probably would have been caught in crazy traffic on V Day. Plus, with changing the day and time, I was able to rack 1000 Open Table points!! So from the time he told me we were going to eat there until the night of our reservations, I read all the reviews I could and was hoping that we would be one of the lucky ones and have a good experience. So we ate there Sunday - Feb 13th and it was a great experience! We arrived about 15 minutes early and didn't have to wait to be seated, and also asked to sit outside (the girls in the front were very friendly and nice, unlike some of the other yelper's experiences). It was a little cramped out there, but still a good use of the outside space. I already knew I wanted to get the Omakase, but was pleasantly surprised to find a special Valentine's Day Omakase menu! So I got that with the wine pairings, which was $75 more. My BF didn't want to get the Omakase, since he wanted to try different items - so he ordered the Takoyaki Balls, Clam Miso Soup, and not one, but TWO(!!) entrees: the Duck Duck Duck and the Lobster Epice. My Omakase was very good, I enjoyed every dish that arrived - but my favorite was the sushi! It was soo cute - one was a heart shaped salmon nigiri thing, another was a rose made out of sashimi, and there was an ika nigiri sushi that looked like a rabbit for the Chinese New Year! It also came with ebi nigiri and tomago - the tomago didn't have any rice though, but it was still good! My main course of the Omakase was Beef Wellington and it was soo delicious! There was a total of about 6 courses in the Omakase and I enjoyed all of them! The time in between courses was kind of off, but not so much so that I was getting irritated. My BF's choices were also very tasty - the Takoyaki Balls were hot and fresh; his Clam Miso Soup was a big bowl - and it was very delicious. The Duck Duck Duck was good - I had one of his spring rolls, and a bite of his roast duck which was moist! The Lobster Epice was roasted lobster with a spice rub - it was OK, on the dry side and I didn't really care for the spice rub - we both prefer our lobster to be steamed/boiled with just plain butter and garlic. All in all, it was a great night to spend with my Valentine - service was good - our waters were always filled and table wiped clean of any food and/or drops of water. Our waiter, Benjamin was friendly and didn't even bat an eye when my BF ordered his 2 entrees! He actually told me that he was proud of my BF - LOL!! On a side note - it is much more romantic to sit outside in the evening; not only because of the sunset and views, but the noise level is at a lower decibel. Inside would be more for a big party!
(4)Cyndy K.
By default I had to give Morimoto's a star. Otherwise it would be zero stars They were not interested in serving us. We weren't interested in waiting. Aloha.....
(1)Monthakan B.
Dont expect to see the Iron Chef himself just because it's his restaurant! But you can always expect good food and excellent customer service here, any day, any time! Went there for our Xmas dinner and it was awesome!!! The beef carpaccio and Gyoza with Bacon Foam was to die for!!! And dont let me get started on the Baked Oysters with Foie Gras..... Mmmmm, Yummo!!!!
(5)Joyce F.
For: carpaccio, the modern Against: price, some food, typical service Other essentials: Free parking back in the boat harbor. It's a nice walk and less than five minutes. More: My friend and I went on an appetizer date and ordered the wagyu and whitefish carpaccio. That and the octopus carpaccio all have the same sauce but we ordered the second (whitefish) because the wagyu was so incredibly amazing. All three are hot and, though I prefer cold, I would definitely order them again. It's steep (wagyu $22) but, seriously, so worth it. There was a (cold) lamb carpaccio on the online menu but when we asked about it they said they 86ed that a long time ago. Sad. We also ordered the morimoto sashimi which was beautiful but anticlimactic. The sauces did not add at all to the fish. The yellowtail pastrami was okay, mainly because I love sashimi. My friend said it was interesting - not good or bad. It definitely had an interesting flavor combination. Lastly, we ordered the xo diver scallops. The sauce was good but salty and, as scallop lovers, we were both very underwhelmed with the dish. I'll definitely go back but it will probably be strictly carpaccio. Service was typical, offering suggestions every time they asked if we were ready to order. It seemed very posed. We sat inside but the outdoor patio looks breezy and cozy at the same time. While seated, you could see into the kitchen which I like. I think it gives me a false sense of cleanliness.The sake looked good but we passed on alcohol this night. Afterwards we cruised poolside at the Modern on one of their beach chair beds. There was a bar if that's your style but we just enjoyed the night air and bottle-lit trees.
(3)Elaine D.
Now I don't mind paying for an expensive dinner provided that the food, service and ambiance was worth it. With that said, I was extremely disappointed with my dinner experience at Morimoto's. $70 for subpar food with subpar service in an ultra chic setting. Let's break it down. The Setting/Ambiance: clean lines, minimalist very reminiscent of an LA restaurant. The restaurant looks great but that's where you stop being impressed. The Food: I had the Kakuni (pork belly over congee) for an appetizer, the Morimotini and the duck,duck, duck for my entree with a side of bok choy. The pork belly was good but nothing to rave about. The drink was good and strong. The duck was the most disappointing dish I've ever eaten. It is duck done three ways and only two of the three were edible. The seared duck breast was ok though it could've used a little bit more flavor. Duck confit spring roll was good but then again how can you mess up a spring roll. Lastly, the duck meatball soup lacked the duck meatball and the soup had absolutely no flavor to it. It was a flavorless broth and a sorry excuse for a soup. The Service: was appalling! They looked like they had more than enough people running around and yet our own server was MIA for most of the meal! The food took way too long to come out. There was a void in between the appetizer and the entrees. The server barely checked in on our group to make sure our drinks were filled and since he was MIA we couldn't even flag him down when we wanted our check! This is not fine dining folks. Go there for the scene and the drinks, but don't expect the food to stimulate your taste buds.
(1)Jade N.
29th Bday dinner with Mr. Nguyen. Morimoto is located in the New Edition Hotel in Waikiki. We ordered the "Chef's Choice" which was a nine course meal. price was very nice but worth it...Wowee it was delish! All of it. (view my pixies) the staff was awesome. very attentive to your needs and always made sure that we were comfortable. we sat outside which had a very gorgeous view of the harbor. the decor and ambiance definitely made you feel that you were in bliss. it's modern, clean, gorgeous style sets the mood for sure. to top it off...back to valet...the valet guy thanks us and addresses toney by his name... "Good night Mr. Nguyen (pronounced "win") " He pronounced it correctly too. wow. a must go/must try for sure!!!!
(5)Grimeater A.
I was filled with extremely high expectations since Iron Chef Morimoto has been my favorite Iron Chef throughout the Japanese and American TV series. I definitely was not disappointed! For appetizers I had the Morimoto Sashimi, Pork Gyoza and assorted Nigiri. The Morimoto Sashimi platter was different from any Sashimi platter I've ever had. It was six stacked peices of salmon, maguro, hamachi and pork belly. Each piece than had it's own little topping and was accompanied by FIVE different sauces in cool little squirt vials. It was a fun experience experimenting with the different sauces. The fish was fresh and tasted great. Presentation was excellent as expected. Definitely a must order item. The pork gyoza was served under a translucent flavored dome. Totally cool. It was nicely flavored and went well with the tomato sauce and bacon cream. The assorted nigiri was fresh and came with generous sized portions of seafood. For my entree I had the surf and turf which came with fingerling potatoes over purple yam mash, morimoto style poke with avocado wasabi sorbet and a nice wagyu filet. My steak was cooked to perfection and eveything went well together. They even include a kelp tea thing for a palate cleanser to keep the surf and turf flavors seperate. For desert I had the Peanut Butter bomb and tried some of my friends Green Tea Haupia cookie thing. They were both yummy and tasted different from your standard run of the mill deserts. I can't wait to try the other ones they offer. Morimoto Waikiki is definitely worth the hype and a must try! The prices seem pretty reasonable too considering the caliber of food being served. Seeing him in the kitchen was an experience in itself. You can tell Cheft Morimoto is passionate about his food. 5+ stars!
(5)H N.
This place is fantastic! We had taken my husband there for Father's Day and was very very impressed with the people, food, and atmosphere. The service from the waithelp (Josh and Mark), were excellent and the food was so well executed and cooked. This was one place that had mirugai nigiri and that was sooo delicious! The desserts, too, were just awesome! This was the best dining experience we've had in a long time and the manager (Chad) was so nice and accommodating. Thank you, Chad, for a perfect evening for all of us. Will definitely go back soon!
(5)Lindsay J.
OMG. i dont know how to express my feelings for this place, but "morimoto, you sir, are a culinary GENIUS!" (high pitched voice when saying the word "genius") the hub and i had visited here with some friends a few months ago, and the food was exceptionally good. so, the hub wanted to come here for our 2 year wedding anniversary. the last time we were here, morimoto was, so we were star struck and ordered sushi relentlessly. he wasnt there when we went this time, but nonetheless the food spoke for itself. we were sat quickly, but it took a little while for our server to come and greet us. (mind you, this was a pattern i noticed through the night, but thank god the food was so amazing i looked past it). she congratulated us on our anniversary (we made our reservations on opentable.com , and i had made a note that we were celebrating a special occasion). we ordered some cocktails and appetizers, as well as some sushi to start off. the hub got morimoto's hazelnut beer, and i ordered the pear yuzu gimlet. he liked the beer, and considering the fact that it was an $18 beer, im glad. my drink wasn't too bad either. it seemed strong, but it must have been because i was drinking on an empty stomach. we were both starving, so i was grateful when our food started to come out. we ordered 2 pieces each of maguro, ikura, and uni nigiri, and a few maki sushi: soft shell, spicy ahi, shikai, and eel avocado. the freshness of the fish is so amazing good... every bite was accompanied by a content sigh and a "mmmm..." i also ordered the oyster foie gras, and let me tell you, IT WAS FREAKIN' DELICIOUS!!! 3 oysters on the half shell, topped with pieces of uni and foie gras, topped with morimoto's teriyaki sauce. the combination of flavors were perfect and soo mouthwateringly good. i wanted to order 50 more if i could have... damn hubby for talking sense into me. lol. we ordered our entrees to share; the rack of lamb and the 16oz wagyu ribeye. both were cooked to a perfect medium rare, and the maui onion jus that was poured onto the sizzling platter the wagyu steak came on was simply mouthwatering. we ate in silence... only breaking it to look at each other with beaming smiles and the occasional "mmmm..." knowing all well that we were happy with our food. for dessert, we ordered the chocolate mille feuille, which had a quenelle of spiced chocolate ice cream, brulee'd bananas, and a quenelle of ganache. there was supposedly an avocado sauce that came with it but only came in the form of a skinny smear, which was not enough to compliment the dessert. the dessert tasted good, just as long as you managed to eat all the components of the dessert together. my only complaint is that i feel they really need to work on their customer service. we must have seen our server maybe 2 or 3 times the entire night? that was a problem the last time we were here too. if you're dropping $200+, you actually want decent customer service. or at least your water refilled. price-wise, i feel it was pretty reasonable. they do offer entrees for under $40, and have sushi platters that run for about $50-ish. but food-wise, morimoto's is no joke. this is definitely one of our top favorite restaurants, and we will be back... do you hear me oyster foie gras? i will be back... nom nom nom. :) *valet parking is free...
(5)Jet D.
Not as good as I thought it would be from the Iron Chef. The food was good but not great. Ambience is very nice. The best thing was the A5 Waygu beef which is off the menu. The Hamachi carpaccio was weird being grounded up. The place was totally empty - less than 15 people. I would only come back for the A5 Waygu beef.
(3)Christine P.
We're huge fans of the Iron Chef, in fact, we're watching an episode as I write this. Morimoto is a culinary genius, so we obviously had high expectations going in. I loved the decor. Very clean, spacious and modern, with whites, mint green and greys. The sushi bar gives a nice view of the chefs working. The location is fantastic, with a nice outdoor section overlooking the harbor. The service was average, pleasant enough. They didn't flinch when we walked in with our two kids. Having the little ones with us prevented us from doing the omakase. So instead, we got: oh-toro and chu-toro sashimi, spicy yellowtail roll, ishi yaki buri bop, and chirashi. The presentation was beautiful. The sashimi and chirashi were a feast for the eyes. The buri bop was fun because they cook it tableside in a hot stone bowl, but as a hardcore Korean bibimbap lover, the concept was not new. Honestly, I was underwhelmed. Perhaps if we had a wider sampling of the menu, more things would have stood out. But for the prices, and the chef's reputation, we expected more.
(3)Matt C.
I went to Morimotos for dinner with the fam on a friday night. Everyone knows that Masaharu Morimoto owns the restaurant so my family was curious about how good his menu isand this was what we ordered. Appetizers: - wagyu carpaccio: prob the best app i recommend this - whitefish carpaccio: pieces are small but still good - spicy tuna roll: its not spicy at all but the tuna is soft - softshellcrab roll: the least favorite of the apps - takoyaki: it isn't like any other takoyaki ive had, the batter tastes like pancakes! Main Course: - seafood tonban yaki: a bunch of mixed seafood in spicy red miso sake broth. The flavor is semi spicy and the broth is light and bitter. Overall it was ok but not filling. - loco moto: Your basic loco moco excect there is soft wagyu beef in it instead of a hamburger patty. Overall it was filling but i wasnt impressed. You could of sold it to me at a mediocre place and i wouldnt have known it was made from an upscale restaurant. - braised cod fish: butterfish with ginger soy sauce. This was the smallest portioned dish we has for the night, it also comes with no rice so we had to order a side. Overall I wasn't impressed at all. When i was at Morimotos I wanted to be wowed just like the judges were when he competed in iron chef. It's a place to try once and thats it, I know i will not be back here again. With the 3 of us eating tonight the bill came out to $175 not including tip and not including the plate lunch i went to get after. On a side note the servers all split their tips together so expect several different servers helping you out. Oh and you can't see their sign at night so you might get lost looking for the restaurant.
(3)Scott K.
Food: My wife had the duck duck duck dinner, thought if was very tasty the duck melted in your mouth. Dish also came with soup and spring roll each containing duck, overall meal was impressive. I ordered the yellowtail hot rice bowl. I was very disappointed, felt it was simple and had no taste. I would not order this dish again. Service: was great we had a great waitress and all the support walking around filling up water taking plates was excellent. Summary: I will come back here again and want to try and order different dinners but was disappointed with my first experience at Morimoto's
(3)Moshe H.
3rd time around . Same feeling of disappointment Food Is mediocre at best . I repeat , mediocre. Hamachi kama - is a 6 , nothing more Morios , gaku, yanagi, all of them are way way better , Hamachi belly sushi,- 5 , bear in mind . It's really not hard to make this dish good, t's rice ,fish , wasabi, - again u can find a better one even at sushi king , The List goes on, King crab legs over-spicy and rotten potato in the French fries ( seriously I took a pic ) Bi bim bap was ok, but rest is just mediocre , amazing decor , great ambience , but not enough to hide the fact that the king is naked , It's 3 times that I get here and I eat out a lot ! I come since EVRY time there's a new friend who wants to come and try this place so I go along with it , But seriously , do something about it , 400$ for 4 people with light type dinner and drinks and they tell u at the end that they put in the tip for u (18%) what it you want to give more ? Or less? Service is conceded , here's a tip to the waiter , you are my server . I respect you but you are here to make my time worth while not to teach me table mannerism and explains me why the tip is included , it cost you 50$ bud and I wish I had the pair to give you nothing at all. 2 starts cuz ur sake was good. And u valet . Punks See ya next tym with another dumb victim that will drag me here .
(2)Olivia G.
Loved it! beautiful food; excellent/knowledgable service matched by gorgeous setting. Highly recommend
(5)Rogei M.
PROS: +Quality food +Upscale modern clean atmosphere CONS: -$$$ AMBIANCE: Loved the upscale modern décor overlooking the Ilikai harbor! SERVICE: Excellent! Hostess and waitress were very attentive! FOOD: +HAMACHI at first I thought wow this is really overpriced for the portion size but it was quit filling and the taste was amazing. The presentation was absolutely lovely . +LOBSTER MELT the lobster melt itself was very savory. Side of salad and wasabi French fries. I loved the French fries! +PEANUT BUTTER FONDANT delectable & rich! VALUE: More on the pricey side $$$ but I could taste the great quality in the food. Overall, I had a few glasses of mimosas with my meal which made the experience fun. I enjoyed the decor and presentation of the food more than the taste of my meal. I would have loved to have meet Morimoto himself but he wasn't present at that time.
(3)lyndon l.
It's a little thread bare and we sat down to a really dirty napkin at my wife's seat. HOWEVER, the food was amazing! We had the chef's choice and it was fantasticalness. All was good and some items were great and we eat out a lot.
(5)Jonathan G.
Glad we took a chance on this place given some of the mixed reviews. Not only did we love it, we are planning to go back for another dinner before we end our trip. Our server was exceptional and so was the meal. There were so many good appetizers that we ended up just ordering a bunch and making that our dinner. I ordered a nigori sake that was served with the bottle in a bowl of crushed ice to keep it chilled...that was a nice touch. My wife ordered a sake flight that she enjoyed despite not ever thinking she was a big sake fan. Absolutely no complaints about this experience! All the dishes were expertly presented and delicious!
(5)Farhana D.
As soon as we made reservations on the phone, my friend and I got a bad feeling about this place. The hostess on the phone was very cold and short anywhooo we let that slide and were super excited to dine at Morimotos. The restaurant itself is beautiful BUT being a 4 star restaurant I was expecting more from the main courses and desserts. We started off with the tempura calamari salad which was the best thing out of our whole meal. For our main course I had the Toban Yaki: lobster, shrimp, clams, mussells and scallops in a spicy red broth and my friend had the crispy whole snapper.... our entrees were lacking flavor and just plain disappointing. We also tried 3 desserts: tofu cheesecake, chocolate peanut bombe and haupia semifreddo.....all the desserts were boring and tasteless , the only thing tasty was the accompanying ice cream *sigh*. I gave 2 stars for the service + decent apps and drinks. Sadly overall this place was a fail.
(2).Alan Y.
Meh. I wanted to come here to experience some Iron Chef action. But, I must say, it did not live up to the hype built up in my own mind. All of the dishes were beautiful to look at, but I'm not in agreement with the statement "we eat with our eyes". If food doesn't taste good, then it's a fail. And at these prices, this food needed to taste amazeballs. We ordered the Hamachi Tartare -- a minced hamachi spackled onto a wooden square plate and scooped out with a little trowel. Even though the dish was unique in appearance, it was a shame for the hamachi to be rendered into fish pulp. Morimoto Style Poke was okay. It was your standard ahi, served with peeled cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and bacon foam. The ahi was undersalted and the mozzarella was tasteless. The bacon foam and the peeled tomatoes were nice. Pork Gyoza. Let's just say, this would be a good value if it were only $4. Bagna Cauda. Raw vegetables and two small croutons dipped into olive oil and anchovy and garlic paste. Sounded great, but really underwhelmballs. We also split a salad and an avocado roll. Sadly, those were the two best dishes of the night. I wish I could at least talk up their bar, but no, their signature drinks were also weak. I suppose I might come back, but just to try an entree, then leave.
(2)Sasha L.
Went to morimotos with some girl friends for lunch today, and as always am impressed by the decor! Morimotos has such a beautiful, calming ocean theme and is perfect for a nice lunch with friends. We went around noon and it was pretty empty. The lunch specials range from $15-30. I had the sushi and sashimi lunch special, and it came with tempura, salad, two California rolls and miso soup. I also had a carafe of their iced tea..so refreshing! Their sashimi as always is top notch, and after being alerted of my shellfish allergy, the server nicely substituted my shrimp tempura with a white fish tempura and my California roll (contains fresh crab meat) with a spicy tuna roll. Good looking out, thank you! My friends had the hamachi buribap, which is raw hamachi that they sear on the sizzling hot bowl it comes in, and mix your vegetables and rice into for you. It looked so good, I am definitely getting that next time! It was a little pricey, about $50 a head (with tip) for each of us for lunch. But it was a nice treat and such a nice relaxing leisurely lunch! Excellent service, great food and most importantly great company! I would come for dinner, but only if their best bartender Wade was working.
(5)Cameron B.
Ambiance: very loud. It felt as if I could walk out of this restaurant and find myself standing in a casino in Las Vegas or the streets of LA. It just feels a little out of place in Waikiki. The servers are constantly pulling plates from your table, speeding past you, pouring water into your not empty cup. It seemed a little excessive. Service: As I mentioned above, very thorough. They kept our drinks filled and plates clean. Our server was very good about explaining the menu but the workers dropping the plates off seemed to forget their scripted lines about what each item was. Food: We ordered a little bit of everything - from cold apps to entrees. The lamb entree - which was recommended was very dry. The surf and turf which I had was very good but the surf part was filled with more filler than fish. We ordered some sushi too and wasn't impressed with the plating. Compared to everything else, the sushi was kind of boring. The beautifully presented toro or hamachi tartare (I can't remember which we got) was delicious, the tempura calamari was soggy - I do not recommend) the waygu carpacio was like butter and I highly recommend, the kakuni - is Morimoto's take on the standard konbumaki but way more delicious and I probably could eat platefuls of that stuff. Dessert: if you're going to recommend something, boast about something - it better be amazing. we ordered the chocolate tarte and the peanut butter bombe (which was recommended). Both were just okay, nothing special. The bombe wasn't very bomb - and I was expecting more of a burst of peanut butter but got a mousse with just a hint instead. The chocolate tarte had a drizzle of kona coffee which was so far away from the plate that it didn't make sense? Drinks: I had the mai tai, mori-mojito, prosecco and a few glasses of wine. Funny enough, the mai tai was the best one but the mixed drinks felt very watered down - or well made. No alcohol flavor what so ever. Would I come back here? Probably not. It's a beautiful restaurant, very touristy and loud. There were few things on the menu I would like to try but it's not a place that I'd rush back to.
(4)Charlie A.
I really enjoyed the food and service here. I had the "Crispy Whole Fish" in spicy tofu sauce, and pickled papaya salad. Pricey but what an awesome experience! Enjoyed the best fireworks show on the beach for an extra bonus.
(5)robbie l.
Ive been to the Morimoto's in Napa and now Honolulu. The Honolulu restaurant is much prettier and tasteful in decor and atmosphere. Having lived in Japan and knowing how to cook and eat japanese food I was not very impressed with the food here. I find it interesting that the celebrity chefs of late have parlayed their "success and fame" into these chain restaurants. Very few succeed in producing high level good food. Perhaps in Japan Morimotos japanese food is awesome and maybe he is catering to a western palate in the US which makes his food adequate. Presentation is great and pretty. Food isnt bad it just isnt spectacular. I was very surprised that the quality and texture of the rice served was so poor. Good rice should be slightly chewy al dente and glossy. This rice was dull dry and soft like it was sitting out all day....bad bad bad! You are paying for the name and decor. If you want good japanese food go somewhere else.
(2)RosemaryAnn T.
I really wanted to love this place, but only ended up liking it. I think the service just didn't manage to tip the scale for me into the "LOVE" position. The setting was amazing. It was a gorgeous day and we walked through the restaurant to the deck in the back. We were all taken in by the decor--shades of whites, browns, and greens floor to ceiling, the square chairs surprisingly comfy. Since we were there at such an odd time, with the place empty, I guess I just expected faster service. Don't get me wrong, I can tell that every single thing that came out had taken a LONG time to prepare, I just didn't appreciate the wait. So as to not repeat the 423 other reviews, I'll just say what I haven't read in another review (not that I read them all, mind you). *Clam miso had an astounding number of clams in it--essentially one clam per two spoonfuls of broth. Wow. *The mini burgers had the cutest buns I have ever seen. Ever. Cuter than a baby's bottom. Seriously. *They were perfectly happy to customize my mojito (I prefer lychee over pineapple any day) but didn't seem to adjust any of the ingredients or proportions to account for the vast differences in the substituted flavor from the original. This surprised me. The mojito ended up quite generic, and I think it was due to this change and no further accounting for said change. There was no reason this shouldn't have been a flavor explosion. *The peanut butter fondant (like mousse made from resee's PB cups, food-gasm!) had gold leaf on it. There is only one thing in the world that I am allergic to and it _isn't_ peanuts. It's gold. I had to share this amazing dessert so that someone would take the gold off for me. *pout* I want that bite back!
(4)Ronnie U.
In the newest hip Edition Hotel. Take your date to this place and you'll feel transported out of waikiki to a world filled with hollywood celebrities. Designers did an amazing job with the renovations of this old hotel. Food - good but really you're here to appreciate the sights as much as the flavor. (not to sure what the hanging rocks are for) Expect to spend a lot but who cares, it's a special occasion!
(4)Hillery G.
After visiting Morimoto's in New York, where we had excellent food, this was a bit of a downer. The service was just weird . . . it had been raining and we sat outside under a umbrella type thing. We wanted to sit in the three seats that were most under cover which seemed to be an annoyance to the server. The carpaccio was the highlight of the evening - really good. I also really liked the pineapple tempura, but others in my party though tit was too sweet - sweet is fine by me.
(3)w w.
Morimoto Waikiki is an absolutely beautiful restaurants with beautiful food. Sitting outside was just a fantastic experience. We had the chef menu. It is good for the first time visitor, and yet we were. But I would order my own likeness next time going to Morimoto Napa, which means more traditional Japanese food. Don't take me wrong that the food wasn't up to par. The food were delicious, just that I think to dig into the real fascinating side of Morimot I would go for the Japanese side of his. And yet, the morimoto jinjo(not the cheap one nor the dai jinjo) was absolutely lovely! That's a can't missed item.
(4)Leah R.
Solid food, but no surprises. Probably one of the best places to go to on the island, but I still don't feel that the restaurant as a whole is on par with the New York restaurant. Atmosphere is a lot more laid back here and tailored to being in the islands. White and very bright decor, while still trendy, pales in comparison to the New York location and the atmospheres they've created there. However, the outdoor seating and fire pits were nice touches and it's nice to enjoy some drinks out there. Service is a lot more laid back. I was actually disappointed that the service felt unprofessional and the servers weren't more eloquent when attempting to describe the dishes. It also seemed like they were constantly running around, so we weren't really being attended to. Put this in contrast with our experience in New York: There, we ordered so much that the waiter accidentally spilled a glass of water and a little got on my hubby's jacket. Not a second later, a manager was over there trying to help, and handing us his card to invite us back and cover the bill for the dry cleaning. Later they sent out even more dishes for us to enjoy on them. Totally unnecessary (I mean, it was an accident and it was a little bit of water), but greatly appreciated. It felt like they really wanted this to be a great dining experience for us, but I don't get the same feeling here. Given my less than dazzling takes on that stuff, the food is what still holds this place up. The seafood is fresh and the flavors are good. True Morimoto style and consistency, although I can't say that anything stuck out in my mind a month later...
(3)BestofHawaiibyKalani S.
If you love traditional Japanese style Sushi & Sashimi my recommendation is to sit at the Sushi Bar and tell them Omakase please. Chef Suda san is a perfectionist when cutting his fish. I love the menu but don't expect traditional Japanese style cuisine. Pros: 1. Very professional staff at the front checking you in. 2. Sushi Chef Suda San Knife skills is a big asset to Morimoto Waikiki 3. The sake/Soju & wine selection is priced right for all. 4. Don't feel rushed to eat your food and leave. 5. Great selection of food from the menu especially the yoshi dofu Cons: 1. The A/C vent keep dripping water on to our shoulders 2. No Amai ebi (Fresh Sweet Shrimp) 3. Nothing else I can think of... :-) I've been to so many Japanese restaurants in Hawaii and Morimoto is one of my top recommendations to eat. BestofHawaiibyKalani.com
(5)Caleb S.
Food: 2.5 Stars Service: 4 Stars I am not sure what I was expecting when I walked in here, but Morimoto's failed to meet it. The food wasn't bad, but it wasn't what I would expect from a place that charges this much. It seemed uninspired and just didn't move the needle at all. We tried appetizers, salad, sushi sashimi, entrees and dessert, so this review isn't based off a single dish. The service was great, very prompt and friendly. The food came out quickly, but at our pace so we never felt rushed. Too bad the food flavor didn't match the service. I have to knock the overall rating based off the price to food quality ratio. TLDR: Save your money, try somewhere else.
(2)Dbear T.
Morimoto was good, but not great. I would say it was innovative Japanese/Asian cuisine with a modern take. I ordered a few things Chinese and Korean inspired. I love sushi, but having good sushi available in San Francisco I decided to try the Chef's cooked menu to get a flavor of Morimoto's cuisine. For appetizer I had the hamachi tartare and this was very good. It was some minced hamachi served on an nice plate with 6 different sauces. It was so pretty and good I just wished I had more. I also had the pork belly congee as an appetizer. This was a take on the Chinese dish and definitely more flavorful than the congee I grew up with. Anything with pork belly tastes really good, but once again I wish I had more. For the main dish I had the yellowtail bop. It was a take on the Korean bim bim bop. It was good and I loved the sauce. I would say the sauce was different than the regular bim bim bop sauce and more soy sauce like. The yellowtail made it feel healthier and lighter than the regular bim bim bop. I liked the dishes I had better than my husband's. My husband ordered the oyster foie gras with uni. I like oysters and I like foie gras, but I'm not sure I like it together. The oysters were covered in a thick sauce. I felt the sauce was too thick and sweet for my taste. I would've preferred plain raw oysters. My husband also ordered the the spicy alaskan king crab appetizer. There was nothing memorable about it. It seemed like a suped up crab cake. For the main dish he had the duck, duck, duck. This dish was not that great and was duck cooked three ways. There was a duck roll that seemed a like something you could get at a thai restaurant in San Francisco. I did not try the other two duck preparations. I would say from what I ordered, I would have give 4 stars, but I did not enjoy my husband's food as much. Total tab including tip was $217 and included three alcoholic drinks. One thing to mention is that they changed waiters on us. We had a baby with us and they accommodated us well even with a baby. I was not sure we would be allowed to dine. The first waiter was excellent and might have been a solid 4 stars if they had not changed waiters on us. He doted on our baby and when he saw she was getting restless he gave us some stones and learning chopsticks to distract her a bit. Our second waiter was okay, but not as attentive. I also liked that each server who delivered our plate explained the food to us. That was a nice added touch.
(3)Robyn N.
The hostess was small kine SASSY all three times I've been there. Yes the same GIRL! But super nice to my husband! Starters: Spicy King Crab... The sauce is deliciously spicy and the French fries it's served with is cooked perfectly! Crispy!!! Kakuni... Pork belly that cooked for 10 hours melt in your mouth. Takoyai abalone... Ewww! I was bummed last time cause they ran out. I get it this time and it SUCKED! I did not like it at all! Salad: Calamari Salad... More calamari than salad. It was ok. Sashimi Salad... Better than the calamari salad but, still nothing to wow about. Main: Whole Roasted Lobster "EPICE"... Best lobster I've ever eaten at a restaurant! Toban Yaki seafood soup... Yummy! The broth is wonderful!!! Clams are small and I don't like mussels but, other than that it's GREAT! Dessert: Peanut Butter Bombe... The salted peanut ice cream is BOMB!!! Probably the best ice cream I've ever had! Tofu hot&cold... Yuck! They should take that off the menu. Nothing about that was good! I do wanna try the crispy whole fish next time! :) I love the atmosphere and everything else about the Waikiki Edition Hotel!
(4)Scott M.
My wife and I had just spent two wonderful weeks on Kauai and were slowly preparing for re-entry to the real world by doing some shopping at Ala Moana and dining in Honolulu. We were staying at the Moana Surfrider and decided to ask the concierge for a recommendation for really great sushi/sashimi. She had a few suggestions, but, top amongst them was Morimoto (and Nobu, but we know Nobu well here in Melbourne). I'd never heard of Morimoto. We don't watch American TV cooking programmes, and knew literally nothing about the chef, the venue, the menu; all we knew was the name and location and a recommendation from the concierge. So we said yes. We were lucky, the concierge was able to get us in for a 1700 seating, same day, and when it was a very busy season (02 Jan). The venue is gorgeous, spacious, comfortable. The service: WOW. My wife and I try to figure out how restaurants work, the zones, positions, etc, and Morimoto had, as far as I could tell, an unexpected way for the waiters to cover tables. It appeared that they would have tables to-and-from the front of the restaurant, rather than along the strong horizontal arrangement of tables themselves. I mention this because it creates a very subtle, yet pleasing, effect: The table immediately to your sides may have an entirely different waiter/waitress than you get. This makes the service feel more intimate, more specialised, and that there's plenty of staff to go around. I liked it, I appreciated it (and if you're reading this, Morimoto, I hope I'm not insane in noticing this). The meal: Spectacular. Every dish was fantastic. There were several things we wanted to order more of (the maki...we ended up with two extra maki rolls ordered at the end of the meal...YUM). Fish was fresh, excellent preparation, great presentation, everything made is smile and say "mmm" -- just last night my wife asked to go back! (If only we weren't thousands of kilometres away...) So, why only four stars instead of five? I have a rule about reviews/ratings: Consistency is key. I need to visit somewhere a few times and make sure that my initial impressions, no matter how rosy they may be, match up with a consistency of approach by the venue. I have no doubt that our next trip to Honolulu (later this year) will result in another Morimoto meal and I'll bump this up to 5 stars, but since we were at the last night of a spectacular holiday, I felt it fair to give it a second go, just to be sure. I'll also mention this: Some people complained about the prices -- in my opinion, they're insane. It was entirely reasonable for the meal. You should try eating out in Australia some time, where the same meal would cost you four or five times as much... GREAT restaurant, can't wait to return!!
(4)Kelly G.
The best boyfriend in the world, who happens to be my boyfriend, got me, the Iron Chef fanatic, reservations to Moriomoto for my birthday! He tried really hard to keep the reservations a secret but the reservation email slipped up when he was showing me something on his monitor. Just remember that they have free valet parking at the Waikiki Edition Hotel for the restaurant! We were seated outside on the lanai, although kitchen seating would not have been half bad either. But onto the food and service! Drinks: Pikake Blossom - This drink intrigued me because the description included an organic jasmine liqueur. Although the jasmine didn't have a strong part in the drink, it did create a flower essence that I enjoyed. Moriomo-tai - Good mai tai drink, a bit more on the sour side for me. The bf really enjoyed this drink Morimoto Hazelnut - Superb beer. Loved the hazelnut accent! Great amber ale for all beer drinkers. Morimoto Imperial Pilsner - As the waiter poured this beer out, I thought he had brought the wrong beer out! An imperial beer that looks like a pale ale? But the moment you drink it, you definitely get the imperial flavors. Quite the intrigue! The waiter said most people keep the ceramic bottle as a souvenir but I was so buzzed I completely forgot about keeping it! Food: Lamb carpaccio - DELICIOUS. The bf is a fan of lamb and the moment I saw this appetizer, I knew he would get a kick out of this dish and he did. Loved everything about it. 16 oz Wagyu ribeye - DELICIOUS. Again another bf favorite. He couldn't stop eating. When it got down to the last few bites, he was trying to savor eat bite. The maui onion au jus was the perfect compliment to the steak. Moriomoto Omakase - DELICIOUS, worth it in my humble opinion 1. Toro & Hamachi tartare - Fun dish. Fresh fish. Classic Morimoto plate design. 2. Prepared Hamachi - excellent fish 3. Bagna Cauda - I could not stop myself from scraping every last bit of the artichoke/anchovy paste at the bottom of the olive oil fondue. 4. Fois Gras Chawan Mushi - Smooth, savory, yum. 5. Seafood tea broth? - Came as a palette cleanser 6. Assorted nigiri - Again fresh fish. Everything was yum. 7. Main entree - Lobster claw epice with creme fraiche with green onion had a Cajun-esque flavor that the fresh cream complimented nicely, Wagyu New York Strip beef with Maui onion au jus, ginger pork with asian pear marmalade which somehow outshined the pork itself! 8. Pre dessert of a tofu/jelly with peanut flavor, but was the 24 carat gold flake necessary? 9. Okinawan sweet potato cake, ice cream and foam! Chocolate peanut bombe - again, is the 24 carat gold flake necessary? delicious nonetheless. Morimoto "1972" sake - smoooooooooooooth. Service was excellent. They timed my omakase appetizer with the separate appetizer we ordered and our desserts as well! Everything came out as expected and more! Love love loved my experience here. Too bad Morimoto himself was not here for me to take a picture with or else it would have topped off my already excellent night. Would love to come back when my wallet can support my expensive eating habit.
(5)Nat N.
Honestly speaking, we only came here because we had a gift card. I had not heard anything strikingly positive about this place, and my impression from reading reviews and listening to feedback was that it's just the name that gets people in the door, not the quality of the food. So my expectations were not high. The nice thing about having low expectations is that if you have a bad experience, you won't be disappointed because you didn't expect much to begin with, but if it turns out to be something better than what you expected, then you walk away happy and glad that you gave it a shot. In this case, I am happy to report that Morimoto's has exceeded my expectations! First of all, I love how they are on OpenTable.com . It's so easy to make a reservation using that website. Our reservation was at 7:15 pm on a saturday night. Many Yelpers have complained about how long the wait was, even with reservations, but we were pleasantly surprised when the waitress seated us at our table at 7:15 pm, right on the dot. Our waiter was outstanding. He was very professional and was very helpful when we were deciding on what to order. Here's what we devoured: Appetizer: Takoyaki. My hubby loved it but I thought it was a little too rich. Salad: Tempura Calamari Salad - loved it! It came with a generous portion of calamari, fried to a crisp. Entrees: Crispy Whole Fish - loved it! The fish was deboned (the only reason why we agreed to order it. According to the waiter, it's the most highly ordered item at the restaurant. I can see why. It's not too often that you can order a whole fish, deboned. The tofu sauce was not overpowering and not spicy at all. Ishi yaki buri bop - LOVED it! It came with 4 generous slices of hamachi - so delicious. Dessert: haupia semifreddo - loved it! We split this because we were so full from our meal. This dessert was not too sweet and was the perfect compliment to our meal. The hubby was overly impressed with the size of the portions. On the way to the restaurant, he said we were going to have to make a stop at Zippy's on the way home because the portions were going to be manini, but that was not the case at all! The portions were very generous indeed and big enough to share between two people. We also liked the decor and vibe - it's very modern and hip. It's a little noisy if you dine inside. I would think it's probably a little less noisy if you dine on the outside.
(4)Natasha D.
It was "okay". Our 1st night we went to Nobu which was AMAZING & heard this spot would be the same if not better. Well, it was okay. When I called to make reservations they asked if we were celebrating anything special. I let them know our honeymoon & thought we'd get at least good seating. Nope, sandwiched in between another couple (who was super cool) and this annoying table/walk way. I got the sake flight which was awesome. I asked for the Chef's choice and when delivered my server (who looked high) goes here you go. I ask "which is which" his reply "oh, um, do you want to know about them"....WTF any time you get a flight of ANYTHING they explain whats what! Fine. I let that roll off. Appetizer was spicy tuna (MEH..nothing spicy or good about them) & oysters, pretty good. Not fantastic but good! Entrees: Husband had the surf and turf, loved it! Said the steak was phenomenal. I had the yellow tail rice dish that is cooked against this stone that heats to about 400 degrees. PHENOMENAL! Here, something that redeemed itself. Desert: Chocolate Moulton Cake. Yuck. Tasted so dry. I kept drinking water after 2 bites, I was over it so I left my husband to finish. All and all, the server sucked. The dinner was over $200 & I would have taken that back to Nobu or a hole in the wall sushi joint any day.
(3)Kristine T.
We went for dinner on my birthday and it was my very first experience at Morimoto Waikiki and at a "celebrity chef's" restaurant. Everything we ate, tasted good! However...the experience just wasn't quite all that we expected. We ordered the "Morimoto Style Poke" and the "Whitefish Carpaccio". Both delicious but the quality of the fish in the poke just wasn't as good as we were expecting. It was good, but thought it would be better at a Morimoto restaurant. Same with the "Chirashi". We were expecting better quality fish within the entree. It wasn't bad, but we were expecting better. The "Braised Black Cod" also tasted good. But the piece of fish seemed small for a dinner entree. The way it was plated too, perhaps made the piece of fish seem unusually small. The "Chef's Loco Moto" was also delicious, but again, maybe the plating of the entree contributed to the experience of the dish. This was served on a large round white plate. Half of the plate was rice. The other half was the wagyu beef in gravy. In the middle was the sunny side up egg, which seemed small...but maybe because the portion of rice and beef and gravy was large? The restaurant has light, lime green chairs, some of which looked dirty from wear and tear. Same goes for the white fabric-ed menus. They looked dirty. The food, I thought was good and tasty, but some of the other elements for an exceptional dining experience were lacking. Maybe my "standards" were a bit higher because this is a restaurant of a "celebrity chef". I don't know? :)
(3)Joanna Y.
Ok, so I guess Morimoto's is not known for their sushi. I was thoroughly disappointed when my one piece hamachi and spicy hamachi roll were probably one of (if not) the worst pieces of hamachi I've ever had. Comparable, or worse than Genki! I'm not sure if it was just the chef that was working, but I had high expectations for a restaurant as this. My saving grace was the Lobster Melt sandwich. I went during lunch time with my bf and I LOVED this sandwich. Generous chunks of lobster meat, juicy tomatoes, and melted cheese stuffed in between perfectly toasted bread. Ho mah gawd. This came with fries (which I must add were perfectly crisp and seasoned so I didn't need ketchup), salad, and pickles. My bf had the Loco Moto lunch set, which is Morimoto's take on a loco moco but with wagyu beef. I had a bite of his and it was pretty good. His came with rice, miso soup, and a salad. I also really like the decor. Super modern, nice and spacious atmosphere. Lunch time was not so packed but I can imagine it getting more packed at dinner time. We made reservations for lunch but it wasn't necessary. I would go again for the Lobster melt, or try the Seafood Teppanyaki that my bff raves about.
(4)Robert N.
Good food, not great and definitely not worth spending the money we spent. I wouldn't go back and I would suggest those wanting great seafood to look at the local ma and pa places to provide a better product at a lower price. Sorry but I wasn't thrilled :-(
(3)Miyako L.
Motto Morimoto kudasai !! This meal was definitely a highlight of the trip. Strategically placed in the lobby level of the gorgeous Waikiki Edition hotel, this restaurant overlooks the harbor out onto the ocean. It was hard to make a choice whether to dine inside among the all white, super modern furniture with beautiful accents of orchids and coral... or outside on the warm and welcoming deck with a great view. Seeing as how it was one of the only days it did not rain on our trip, we opted for the deck in efforts to try to take advantage of the good weather :) We started with some delicately balanced cocktails that all had a very unique flavor quality about them. Next was the ahi pizza. This is very thinly sliced fresh ahi, placed on top of a cracker thin herbed crust, topped with crisscrosses of japanese mayo, slices of red onion, sliced jalapenos, and some kind of tasty sprouts. So good. Next was a sashimi cesar salad. I was curious how those two items would taste together, but somehow Morimoto's pulled it off! The sashimi skin is crusted with herbs and nori and placed next to a few leaves of seasoned romaine lettuce and sprinkled with a few croutons. Yum! Light, and tasty and perfect for lunch!! The third dish we shared was Morimoto's mini sliders. The sliders were made of Kobe beef, and each had a small piece of teriyaki salmon that was snuck in between the two buns too. The shoestring fries were sprinkled with nori and crystallized wasabi and had a mysterious dipping sauce that made you crave more. Overall such an awesome meal at Morimoto's of Waikiki, I can't wait to come back and try more of the menu!!
(5)Jenny K.
I was looking for a fine dining place to eat at and this place came up the service was good, food is beautifully presented but when I ate it I was not impress at all!
(4)Robert S.
Well I like this we had some amazing stuff in my opinion. The oysters Foi Gras and pork belly are divine. Duck, Duck, Duck is very good and the angry bird is good also. Was nice to find this place as a surprise Birthday dinner place.
(5)Keiko J.
One word. ...terrible. Unsophisticated service. Nice plate but food no taste ...very sad. Such a nice interior ...but when I walked in to the restaurant, the place smells like fishmonger.
(2)J D.
Amazing, and an amazing deal! I've also eaten at Morimoto's in Tokyo and this was just as good. $110 for a 9 course tasting menu, of plate after plate of amazing stuff, including a pre-dessert, dessert. Yum! If you're not keen on letting the chef choose, you could easily create a 4 course meal for yourself for under $100. They also have plenty of reasonably priced wine bottles. The best thing we had was not on the tasting menu, buri bob (yellowtail seared on a hot bowl at your table) , so simple and delicious. I'd definitely go back if I end up in Waikiki again...and I'll go to any other Morimoto restaurants.
(5)Dave N.
It all depends on your expectations... The last time I went to where Morimoto Waikiki is located, it was part of the Ilikai Hotel. I was impressed by the Edition Hotel's renovations. Very upscale, very modern/trendy. The Morimoto Waikiki Restaurant takes it a step further with their decor. The layout is very open and, as mentioned in other reviews, the interior design is done in a modern, light green color scheme. As another reviewer mentioned, the three or four hostesses or receptionists were not the most friendly types. They weren't snobby or sassy, just not cheerful. They put no effort into pretending they were happy my wife and I were dining there. We had the earliest reservation, so my wife and I were the first customers to be seated. This gave us the opportunity to not only check out the restaurant, but also observe the employees in action. All kept very busy setting up, polishing already clean glasses and silverware, and other 'keep busy' tasks. Our waiter, Paul, spoke with a non-American accent, so it kind of added to the formal dining experience. if I were to guess, I'd say he was/is from New Zealand. (Forgive me if I am in error about Paul's accent.) Paul was extremely attentive to our needs and very well knowledged about everything on the menu - including the wine and sake. But this is what one would expect of a waiter at a restaurant of this level. Nonetheless, five stars to Paul. We started with appetizers - the sashimi salad and the 1/2 donzen market oysters. Portions were a bit on the small side, but we were their for quality, not quantity. Five stars for the salad, four at best for the oysters. Perhaps my expectations for the oysters were high, but they just missed the mark. There was nothing wrong with them at all, but I have had better at much lesser restaurants. I should mention, my wife ordered a glass of the Martin Ray Pinot Noir and I had the Morimoto Sake Moriawase (sake flight). Paul did an excellent job describing the characteristics of both my wife's Pinot and each of my four sake offerings. Next, we ordered some nigiri sushi. My wife tried several of her favorites and thoroughly enjoyed each. I had the sake (salmon), hamachi and oh-toro. I expected a lot from the sushi being served at Morimoto's and was not disappointed at all. The sake met my expectations, however the hamachi and oh-toro easily exceeded what I had hoped for. The hamachi I had that night was probably the second best I have ever had. (Best being from Nobu's in Las Vegas. I should note, the Las Vegas Nobu's has better hamachi than the Waikiki Nobu's - at least from the times I have dined at each.) The oh-toro... Best I have every had. (This might not be saying much as I normally do not order oh-toro. I have tried oh-toro from Nobu's in Las Vegas, Hakone in the Hawaii Prince Hotel and a few lesser restaurants and sushi bars.) For our main course, my wife and I shared the Chef's Loco Moco. I believe Paul called it the Loco Moto. My wife may have wanted to order something different, but she really enjoyed this dish. I, the one who decided to order the loco moco, actually thought it was okay at best - three stars from me, five from my wife. There were very small pieces of wagyu beef and not much of it. The gravy, which my wife loved, wasn't to my liking. I think I'm just not familiar with the hayashi style gravy. Being thoroughly full at this point, we opted not to order dessert. However, when my wife made our reservations, she mentioned it was our tenth wedding anniversary. With that said, Paul proceeded to surprise us with a guava sorbet. I expected a lot from Morimoto Waikiki and was not disappointed at all. Unfortunately, because my expectations were so high, I need to hold the Morimoto Waikiki restaurant to very high standards. If I could give them four and a half stars, I would. However, I just can't get myself to give them five stars. Unfair? Perhaps. Our tab came out to a couple dollars under $200. With tip, $240. My wife and I definitely cannot afford to go to Morimoto's often, but we would definitely go again.
(4)Z Z.
This place is probably on its last leg. Went here for lunch on a Saturday afternoon and the restaurant was empty. My first impression was that the decor was ugly and old. The vomit green leather chairs were ripped and uncomfortable. The table that featured moss inside was a cool idea, but the water looked like it hasn't been changed in years. It also looked liked they recently painted the tables because there was paint drippings running down the sides of some of them. While these things are trivial, it speaks volumes about one important aspect; attention to details. As for the food...I ordered the chicken katsu sandwich, which came with a thin slice of chicken, shredded cabbage, and toasted white bread....yes, white bread. Wait, wasn't Chef Morimoto an "Iron Chef?" WTF?! I would expect this at a cheap local plate lunch place, not at an "esteemed fine dining establishment." While the sandwich was edible it was not enjoyable. We also ordered the soft shell crab roll, which was only part of the meal that I thought was decent. I also want to mention that our $14 cocktail which was supposed to have homemade lavender syrup tasted nothing like lavender. Also a bummer. My meal was so subpar that I decided to skip desert. Lastly, I want to point out that for the most part the lunch menu was somewhat reasonably priced...however, they did have some jaw dropping menu item prices (ex. $14 Kona Coffee and $18 Rouge beers). I would not recommend this place unless you are just looking for sushi and are willing to skip on everything else.
(2)Tina T.
Gorgeous restaurant located inside the modern hotel. As soon as I walked in, I knew I was in love. Fresh, clean, modern, chic with a touch of seaside glam. Everything inside that restaurant was beautiful down to the smallest details. The chopsticks were so cute (if anybody knows where to get them please let me know)! My bf and I made reservations for our last night which we almost cancelled b/c we were so full from having a late lunch. Decided to go anyway as it was our last chance. We ordered a couple cocktails, the spicy king crab, seafood toban yaki (side of rice is a must to soak up the broth) and peanut butter bomb for dessert. Next time we are back, we plan to stay at the modern and give Morimoto another try (on an empty stomach of course). Everything was delicious but we want the full experience next time! I didn't rate 5 starts b/c the service wasn't consistent throughout the evening. Our server was great, very knowledgable on menu items and offered great recommendations, however, front desk could use some work. We were not greeted and some woman who looked to be employed there stood behind the counter and chatted with what looked to be a friend the whole time. When we were finally greeted, we were given no direction to be seated in the wait area (though obvious). It just wasn't warm or inviting and def kept us anxious after we were seated. Fortunately our server was awesome.
(4)Diana T.
Husband and I had our 1st Year anniversary dinner at Morimoto Waikiki. Nice environment, great food, friendly service. However, portion is kindda little, but that's what fine dining is. We made reservation from open table and we had a complimentary Ice cream at the end saying "happy anniversary" on the plate, very sweet~
(4)Brad S.
Very disappointing. Would not return. Morimoto is a nicely appointed space in the hotel Modern. We booked for a table of 8, on Sunday the 29th. We arrived and the restaurant is completely empty, a bit of a buzz kill right off the bat. Even though there are only two other tables seated in the 200 person restaurant, they ask us to hang out in lobby , to have us order drinks. Cocktails are prepared well. We were sat at a large table, in the middle of the dining area. We order apps , the spicy crab legs and gyoza. things take a good while to come out , even though there are at least 10 kitchen staff and fewer than 15 patrons. These apps are good, not great. We order some sashimi at the same time. There is an odd ventilation problem that blows smoke and odor into the dining area. The service is awkward, big gap between app ordering and main course. Its so disconnected that the bus staff actually collects our menus before we have ordered entrees. Things come out too slow , then an avalanche putting multiple rounds of apps on the table at the same time. Waiter apologized a few times. The sushi is fresh and passable, hamachi tacos are good. The crispy rock shrimp are dunked in so much sauce that the breading actually falling off and terribly soggy. It's bad. For entrees, we had the turf and surf, pork chop , angry chicken and seafood toban yaki. Two steaks come out cremated, instead of Medium. The steaks are served on a sizzling hot plate. This adds to the problem, because when the meat sits in the pass , waiting to be served for too long, it will overcook, just on the serving plate. The waiter was again very apologetic, he comped a steak, but then took 30 min to get the replacement out ( in the totally empty restaurant). News flash, it takes 5 minutes to cook a baby fillet. Pork chop cooked nicely, juicy, but the sauce and crust was so salty , it was inedible. Angry chicken had a very interesting flavor, but the sauce tasted like it was concentrate that had been over reduced, and like the pork chop , was so salty we could not finish it. My toban yaki was missing several of the ingredients and more than 1/2 the clams were shut when the dish was served. This is cooking 101, don't serve shellfish that is not fresh, you can sicken people. Any first year chef should have caught this problem with the dish. The crab, which was good in the appetizer, was over cooked in the toban yaki, it was like rubber. The two shrimp were visually appealing , but done to the point they tasted like clay. The broth was very salty , unpleasantly so, but not as salty as the chicken or pork. You could at least eat it. Service- as said , awkward. I'll give the first waiter this, he tried hard. To add insult to injury, the waiter was split shifted and sent home midway through our service, leaving another waiter to pick up the pieces of our wrecked experience at Morimoto. Check open table for the same weekend, you will see another similarly unimpressed guest from the only other table seated in the dining room while we were there. Sad that a world class chef like Morimoto would allow his name to be attached to a restaurant like this.
(2)Tabby K.
Update for inflation - The sashimi and tempura set is$32 now. Still delicious though!!
(5)Chris G.
Iron Chef, Morimoto, should be happy to know that I had a good dining experience. The reviews seem to be mixed, but mine was nothing short of first rate quality. I must start by saying I was with another couple, who have a business relationship with the restaurant, so the staff was on their game from the second we sat down. We received several personal welcomes from managers and staff. The location is in The Modern hotel, which lives up to the name, very clean and modern - see related restaurant pictures, it reminds me of South Beach, FL. Our experience began at 7 pm on a Saturday night, and ended at 11, not sure where the 4 hours went, but I guess time flies when you are enjoying yourself. We sat outside, under the tent, with an ideal marina view. The entire setting felt special, again, see the pictures. We must have had 8 different people address our table, and they all came with insightful details on the food and drinks. Extra kudos to our head waiter, Martin, who was rock solid. For starters, we had several beverages, including the litchi martini, a local take on the martini (A), and my favorite, the Cucumber Shiso Collins (A+), made with Bombay Sapphire East Gin, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, fresh cucumber and lemon juice a cucumber cocktail, which reminded me of a mojito, but better! Our group also enjoyed a few bottles of white wine, they have a smaller wine list, but good choices. As for the food, we had a group of 4, so we went family style, utilizing our friends experience. - Tempura calamari salad, tasty, B+ - Tofu table side, delicious and a fun interesting process to witness, A - Ahi pizza, if the combo sounds good, you will not be disappointed, A - Crispy Rock Shrimp Tempura, seemed a little heavy on the breading, B - Chef's raw bar combination, filled with wonders from the sea, fresh oysters, Keahole lobster, and Alaskan king crab legs, the lobster and crab is already cut, A - Wagyu Beef, perfection! A - Crispy Whole Fish, loved the presentation (see my picture), I thought this was tasty, but not amazing, B+ Drinks Grade: A Food Grade: B+ Service Grade: A Overall Experience: A- They also have a cool bathroom, make sure to check it out, which I use as an indicator when it comes to a good overall experience. I 'almost' felt like I got what I paid for, 4.5 stars.
(4)Heather A.
Very modern & clean!! A different feel for Hawaii, so it was nice to experience that. We enjoyed the sushi & the drinks.
(4)Hanna M.
The food was average at best. For what it costs the food should have been excellent and the service amazing...but not the case at all... our bill for ten people was somewhere between 1500-2000...the food looked good and was presented well, but wasn't special in taste at all. half of us ordered the pre-set chef's menu which was not good at all. I felt bad for those guys. The biggest problem is that the whole dinner lasted about four hours which was WAY too long!!! There was too long a wait between the courses and when we told the staff they were apologetic but definitely not any faster. Disappointment!!
(2)Jason S.
I was able to visit my favorite resturant this week and try a whole new array of different dishes. The dishes we had were the wagyu ribeye steak, spicy hamachi maki, tuna sandwich with focaccia bread, soft shell crab roll, kakuni, and green tea ice cream. The dish I most enjoyed was the Tuna sandwich. This is not your ordinary tuna sandwich. They use big eye tuna along with roasted garlic mayo and arugula. The focaccia they use is house baked and outstanding! Then again mostly everything there is house made and at its freshest! Even the green tea ice cream is house made! Everything I've had at Morimoto's has by far exceeded my expectations each time. And as always the staff including the GM has been very hospitable and gracious. Always a pleasurable experience! Jason S.
(5)Seth M.
Got to watch Chef Morimoto prepare a private meal while we are. The portions were phenomenal and the food was ultra traditional, demonstrating and amazing control over the science of the ingredients. The service staff was top notch and really demonstrated what fine dining is all about. The place was loud, crowded, and reservations are an absolute must. If you like Japanese cuisine and have a few bucks to spare, I highly recommend it.
(4)Tom L.
The service and food here are outstanding - but it is definitely a $$$$ experience. Lunch for 5 with the tip and drinks was over $500. Small portions - not unusual for a 5 star fusion restaurant.
(4)superman o.
I was so hoping for this to be a big dream come true. But to no avail. My $85 "wagyu" steak was over cooked to med-well when the waiter boasted "chef recommends medium rare." It tasted like an average "ranchers reserve" from safeway! The nigiri sushi toppings looked like it was cut with a razor blade. The otoro was discolored and the king crab tasted like freezer burn and had cartilage still in it. Food came out slow, we waited 30 mins for our entrees and the restaurant was only half full. Is that how it is in New York or Philly? Service was the best part of the experience. Btw, the Morimoto poke was served with cheese balls... $25 for a iceberg lettuce wedge salad. Even with Frozen foie gras, it wasnt a "wow" at $25. With the millions they spent to come to Hawaii, I hope it gets better.
(2)Janet K.
While I thought the appetizers we ordered were delicious (poke and foie gras chawan mushi), the sauce on the braised black cod I ordered for my main was way too salty. My bf ordered the moco loco and he enjoyed it. Additionally, the service was horrible. Our waitress forgot about my order so we waited like an hour for our main dishes. She did offer a complimentary dessert to try to make up for it but we were in no mood for dessert by then. She wasn't very personable - disappointing for a place like this.
(2)Allen B.
Absolutely one of the best dinners we have had! The service was flawless and the ambiance was beautiful. Outside or inside will create a memorable experience.
(5)Edward L.
The restaurant bearing the name of Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, located in Waikiki, at the Edition Hotel, is definitely a place to be reckoned with. Let's just start with the Customer Service; from the time we drove up the driveway, our arrival was greeted by the valet, door opener, desk clerks, concierge desk, gift shop and the restaurant by the warmest smiles, so happy that you came and great attitude of what can we do to make it an awesome experience for you....maybe this is what we use to hear about, called "old school". We have all experienced one or two people that were attentive, knowledgeable, professional, etc., but to have everyone on the same page is truly awesome. The atmosphere is chic, upscale, contemporary to the max, exquisitely appointed. Now, lets get to the food with Chef Morimoto in the kitchen; regardless of what a Foodie you think you are, this menu has a lot of surprises, no one has ever thought of before....and don't even think of Presentation, because Chef Morimoto has raised the bar here.One of our main course was Crispy Whole Fish - big island fluke, spicy tofu sauce, pickled papaya salad, out of control! Until now, the best Crispy Whole Fish we have had, was in Chinatown, New York City. We then went on to Ten hour pork belly,yose dofu-fresh tofu prepared tableside,kimchee soup,dashi broth...tofu will never be the same again! We also tried a few more appetizers and finished with the "lightest" of the 5 signature desserts, sansho pepper roasted pineapple.. the presentation was spectacular! We were seated close to the kitchen and saw a few dishes go by that we will try next time; one was seafood "toban yaki"- kona lobster, king crab, mussel, clam, diver scallop, red miso-sake broth and the 16 ounce wagyu rib eye! Wow wow! They also have OMAKASE, that is "chef's choice", a multi-course tasting menu designed to allow you to experience the essence of morimoto's cuisine. Oh! did we mention the most important Service? .,.the service, and that includes everyone, waiter, bussers,hostess, etc.... best we have had on Oahu, not just one person was great, they were all great! ...you couldn't move your eyes without someone taking care of you. Also, last detail, we went on Wednesday evening and we were lucky to get a table, place was full with chic locals!!! Lots of Posers and everyone likes to pose sometimes.....
(5)Tia M.
So my boyfriend and I sometimes like to pick the more "fancy" restaurants like Roy's or Hoku's for special occasions. We came here on our 1-year anniversary, and we were in it more for the novelty of this restaurant than anything else... we knew it wouldn't have the most romantic ambience. :) But since it was a new restaurant in a fairly new hotel, we decided to give it a try. Located in the Waikiki Edition, this restaurant has very contemporary interior designs with a touch of orchids, seashells, and other Hawaii or beach themes. Very-Waikiki and quite the place for tourists and locals to ooh and ahh at. Valet parking only for this hotel, and it's on the house with a validated valet ticket. The moment you walk in, you may be dazzled by the interesting design of the restaurant, with the open kitchen area just behind the sushi bar as well as the vibrant orchid walls on opposite sides of the dining area. The service was very good, and the waiters and waitresses were happy to explain the menu to us--the foods are fairly exotic, or should I say "creatively" presented. My boyfriend ordered the Morimoto Smoked Sashimi ($26) which includes 4 different raw fishes sliced into squares and put into stacks, each stack containing 1 square of each fish--which was pretty interesting. He wasn't sure as to whether he should've eaten it stack by stack or... square by square, working through the stack? The 5 sauces that came with the sashimi were served and stored in separate pipettes--yes, the same clear, disposable ones that you used in your chemistry lab. This was a bit of a turn-off for me since it just made me think of toxic chemicals... I wasn't very thrilled at the fact that they included pipettes like that in a meal. My boyfriend liked the sashimi--sorry, I'm not much of a raw fish lover (except for ahi) and I wasn't feeling so well that night so I had to pass on this dish. He also ordered the Surf and Turf ($45) which included 6oz. prime filet, Morimoto-style poke topped with wasabi sorbet, and salt-crusted fingerlings. It also came with mashed Okinawan sweet potatoes which actually tasted exactly like regular mashed potatoes--not sweet as I expected. The prime filet, which I believe was the Wagyu beef, was AMAZING! Perfectly cooked medium-rare, and it was so soft! No heavy chewing here! I like to have some sort of greens in my meals so I decided to try the mixed green salad... the cheapest salad. :) It was some thinly chopped local mixed greens ($12)--amazing solid green color, not darks+lights, just one kind of green throughout the plate--LIGHTLY mixed with kabosu vinaigrette, and bonito flakes. The salad was garnished with some fresh pomegranate which was the most interesting thing on the plate for me. I got pretty bored of the salad after I attacked about half of the plate... My main entree was the Angry Chicken ($29) which included an organic half chicken, finger peppers, and spiced chicken jus, garnished with a huge pile of dried white rice noodle. I must say that the chicken was beautifully white and lean, just the way I like it. It was on the dryer side so those of you who like the juicy, fatty pieces of chicken--this isn't the plate for you. The finger peppers complimented the dish well (they were like mini-bell peppers) since the sauce tasted like a spicy burrito in a thick gravy form. I wish they used a different sort of "jus" and not such a burrito-tasting one. It was an interesting surprise... If I came here again, I probably wouldn't order it. *I would try the Wagyu beef! Your eyes may pop out at the price of these pieces of meat, but judging by my boyfriend's 6 oz. filet, I'd definitely enjoy that beef as a meal--worth the price! I wish I ordered the Wagyu beef... will order that if I come here again.* You have OUGHT to try this if you come here! We also had side orders of bakchoy ($8) and choysum ($8). I had no problem with those--no surprises came with these dishes. Rice does not come with the main entrees so my boyfriend had to order a bowl of rice ($4). One thing to remember: if you don't want to get an extra charge, order regular water and say "no" to the waiter's bottled water offer. Once we were seated, the waitress asked if we wanted bottled water and I immediately answered "yes" thinking it would be free... I thought "Wow this restaurant is much to fancy for regular water I guess?" They brought over a nice TALL glass bottle (think Voss) filled with water of which our beverage was gently poured from. We looked around at other tables and my boyfriend asked "Why are we one of the only tables with this bottle?" Most of the other tables had regular glasses of water with ice. Too bad I didn't realize that I would be fancily charged for this fancy water until our check came. Also, on those busy nights, don't expect to hear your tablemates across any table. Very noisy! Overall, good food. :) Good night out! If you're lucky, you get to see Iron Chef Morimoto himself at work--we did!
(4)Stewart O.
The food was horrible. I guess the only reason this place stays open is cause few ever come back. Anyone thinking this food is good, must not have tried real quality Japanese food.
(1)taro k.
Well, food is pretty good but price is as much as eating at four seasons in New York. Maybe there is a less priced good restaurant in Honolulu such as Indigo.
(4)Sheree C.
main dishes was cold when it reached our table, and the taste was really not worth the price... in short, this Iron Chief is good only for TV entertainment; if you want good food go else where. It was really disappointing and a wast of time to even try this place.... I speak only from my own and honest experience, there were 5 people in my party and none of us are happy with the food.
(1)Kaiulani K.
my only complaint is i had to be rolled out at the end of the meal. kind of like veruca salt in the chocolate factory. the ambience is there, but whether you dig it or not is up to you. it's pretty modern, but still allows for conversation. service is amazing. everyone is polite and knowldegeable, whether it's a waiter, busser, hostess, or anything. the courses come out at a good pace. lots of time for conversation, but they don't take too long. did not feel rushed or overlooked once. if you want the best seat in the house, ask for a view of the kitchen. or sit at the bar. this restaurant is good for all size parties. but what about the FOOD?! my play-by-play menu selections are below: we started with a sashimi salad, and let me tell you that morimoto makes an excellent casear. the sashimi was fresh, tender, and a great cut. the poached quail egg really added a nice bit of flavor. it was paired with a great champagne, which i did not expect, but was very happy to receive. the salmon carpaccio with hot oil was delicious. there are so many complex flavors, but it all pulls together very well. the salmon is a slice of sashimi bundled up and the parts that have had hot oil poured over are slightly cooked. i must say i did get a bone in one of my slices of salmon. for this i , unfortunately, had to deduct a star. luckily, i awarded morimoto's six stars in my head, so the 5 stars on yelp aren't really affected. WHEW. the wine was a verdejo and was light, fruity and perfect for the dish. the third course was a shikai maki with your usuall cucumber, maguro and egg, but deep fried- ornately displayed. there was some cured ham and a sweet bean to be eaten with it. on the same dish was THE BEST OXTAIL SOUP I'VE EVER HAD. it's a bit surprising because there's a puff pastry over it. you crack the buttery, salty and slightly sweet pastry to reveal a perfect broth and...OXTAIL WON TONS. ya heard me. i was a little tentative with my first bite, but pretty soon i had the bowl in hand and was pouring the last of it directly down my throat. while i loved kam bowl's soup, and i love asahi's, and i like jack's in aina haina, and mr. ojisan is pretty good, i can say that my favorite oxtail soup is at morimoto waikiki's. the wine was One Hope Chardonnay, and it was buttery, caramely, and great with the soup. by this point I was full. I was wondering how I was going to get through the actual entree and also the dessert. but then, iron chef morimoto, in all his glorious wonder, threw in a dish of sushi. there was hamachi, semi-fatty ahi, maguro, unagi,and skip jack. all fatty, tasty, and tender. paired with a junmai ginjo, very filling and refreshing. so noooow we head onto the entree. the braised black cod was tender and flaky. the saltiness of it blew my mind as it melted in my mouth (still talking about fish, here). the wagyu filet mignon was so tender and tasty, with flakes of salt over the top. it had an excellent crust and was a perfect medium rare. the pinot noir paired with it was wonderful with both surf and turf. dessert. ugh. thank goodness i didn't wear pants or else i'd have been popping at the seams. the haupia semifreddo was offset with matcha sponge cake, cookie crumbs, and meringue. a coconut gelee and cold, haupia mousse brought a nice element of sweet and creamy. with dessert there are options of tea or coffe. we decided on the african amber herbal tea, and i encourage herbal tea lovers to try it. the fragrance and flavor is very different, but everything i want in tea.
(5)Kelly L.
It was mostly excellent for us. We admittedly "don't get" everything, but we understand quality. THIS is a quality restaurant. We also had the added pleasure/honor of having IRON CHEF Morimoto thee making our sushi for us. Must admit, it was a thrill. That having been said, the flavors, presentation and overall quality of the food is quite simply as good as it gets. There are more expensive restaurants (I think... a few?), more publicized restaurants and more critically acclaimed restaurants... but so what!!! Whatever you order here will be quality food. Combined this with Chef Morimoto's flavors (whether he creates it personally or not) and you have a really great plate of food. Omakase for her, Loco Moco for him. The Loco Moco was delicious... very different, very tasty. The only let down was the noticeable skimping on meat. It did actually come across more as a vegetable/beef curry with rice. Much like clams are distributed in clam chowder, if you will. Whereas the best loco moco is going to be a masterfully grilled cut of meat with gravy and rice. So, we would not order it again, but really... what were we thinking in the first place! Loco Moco from Morimoto? really? The reason we chose Loco Moco is because we also had the Omakase... which included 9 course (I think they advertise 7). Each Omakase is, be definition, chef's choice. We loved the choices. From sushi, tartar to expertly prepared veggies, stews, salad, fish a few ways, surf and turf, dessert. It did fell like a privilege at any price. Bottom line, to use, how can anyone pass up the opportunity to dine where Morimoto's art is being recreated. He is one of the best in the world, if not one of the best ever. The way the food is presented is... in a word... art. Bring confidence though. It's a teeny bit of the self absorbed side... from greeters to wait staff to diners. So if you are overly humble and outwardly inward... it might be a little uncomfortable. DON'T LET IT ruin your experience if you are... just delicious. Décor is awesome too. A clear view of the kitchen is pretty cool too. They work hard here! So... just GO!
(5)Stephanie L.
We have friends who live in Hawaii and this place was a recommendation by them. The interior of the space is really cool, nice clean lines, definitely my style, but the food wasn't as great as I thought I would be considering it's a Morimoto restaurant. The food was just okay. One dish that we did enjoy was the crispy shrimp with the different sauces. All the other dishes we ordered (we ordered 4 other dishes) wasn't quite up to my standard. Other reviewers mentioned the sushi being warm and our fish was a bit warm as well which is gross considering it's raw fish! We won't be going back the next time we're in town.
(3)Brent K.
Birthday dinner. Everything was fabulous ! Five appetizers, Every one enjoyed it. I Had the black cod, So good, Friends had the sea food combo, A little spicy but no complains, The korean style rice with fish, Very good, Four types of desert, Good service as usual, One complaint with the server. Not the waiter. This is a young crew, They lack experience. No one saw the mistake but me.
(5)Don D.
I had lunch at Morimoto's during the week. It was not busy. There were about 15 other people in the entire restaurant. Most of which were sitting outside on the patio. The restaurant looked almost like it was closed. I figured since they were not busy, food shouldnt take too long. We sat and it took a while for the server to get to our table. I believe there was only one server working at the time. So he was serving the 4 or 5 tables that were there also. I think the other people assisting him were bussers and possibly a bartender. My wife and I ordered our drinks first and also an appetizer. The drinks took a while to get to our table. Id estimate it at over 10 minutes. It was one cocktail off of the menu and one beer! I didnt think it should have taken that long. We started with the Crispy Shrimp. It is lightly breaded and tossed in two different sauces. One is Wasabi based and the other was something else (forgot what he said it was) but it was good. They had a little bit of spice to it but it was not overwhelming. It was very good and Id probably order it again if I went to visit again. For entrees, I ordered the Fish Sandwhich. My wife had the Loco Moto. My Fish Sandwich plate didnt really impress me. It was breaded and fried and it tasted bland. It came with pickles, a salad, and an order of fries. As for my wife, she didnt even eat her Loco Moto. Its not traditional so it takes getting used to. When I tried it, I thought it was more like beef stew than a loco moco. BUT, it the plate did come with a lot of food. It also came with a miso soup, an order of sushi, and a salad. We passed on dessert. The entire lunch was about "waiting". I didnt expect to wait so long for a place that was not busy. I wasnt expecting it to be as quick as McDonalds either. My wife and I were not in a rush so we didnt mind. We were just there to spend some time together and have lunch that weve never had before. Its pricey too. My beer was $9! For one appetizer, two entrees, one bottled beer, and one cocktail off the menu, it was $75. On the way out, the hostess' didnt even look up to say good-bye! Yikes! Overall, it wasnt a bad experience, but I really wasnt that impressed with it.
(3)Jason G.
This was surprisingly not that good. The waiter was terrible, seemed almost unable to speak a complete sentence and really struggled to concisely share the specials. The wagyu carpaccio was excellent, actually worthy of 5 stars, from there everything else was average. The pineapple tempura was okay, the chicken ramen soup is normally great but this time was lukewarm and not as savory as expected, the sushi wasn't that good.
(3)Diana C.
everything is fresh, made from scratch, taste great!!! Wasabi is not fake one like we can buy at supermarket so you can taste REAL fresh wasabi!!!
(5)Caroline S.
Awful. We came here while on honeymoon. I was really looking forward to some fantastic food, given Morimoto's fame as a chef. What we got was crawfish that was well past its expiration. My husband ordered a seafood medley dish and when we bit into the crawfish the overwhelming taste and smell of ammonia overpowered us. As we learned, this is the telltale sign that the seafood you're eating has been dead and sitting around for far too long. By the way, that dish cost $48. You'd be better off going to the Red Lobster across the street.
(1)Kristine A.
Excellent! This was a great meal. Expensive but so worth it. Located in the Modern Hotel near the yacht harbor, it was an easy walk from our condo on Seaside Ave in central Waikiki. I recommend reservations if you can make them. They tend to get pretty busy. We were greated by a friendly hostess and shown to a table on the outdoor patio - which was nice. View is just OK - but that didn't matter. Our waitress was excellent - she was so knowledgable about the menu and answered our many questions. We ended up sharing several items, including the delicious rice bowl with yellow tail - WOW. That was amazing and frankly enough for 2 people to share. I couldn't have eaten it all by myself. They make this dish table side -in a 450 degree bowl - it is so so good. I wish I hadn't waited to our last full day in Hawaii to eat there - as I would have returned. Also had some maki - that was good quality and actually not too badly priced. We paired the meal with a nice Star Lane Sauvignon Blanc. Only disappointment was that we didn't see the Iron Chef himself. Oh well, maybe next time.
(5)Christy K.
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this restaurant!!! The ambience is classy and light and fresh. I like that odd sea-green color, the hanging coral, the outdoor fire pits... It's like you leave Waikiki and you step into a swanky hip spot on Santa Barbara beach. Don't get me wrong though- I like it. The wait staff are so so friendly. When my bf and I went in, we sat outside and Ryan was our server. He was really on it, super friendly, and knowlegeable, and I have to credit him with our ordering the BEST things on the menu.... -The king crab legs!!!! I could eat this everyday! The crab meat is so soft and flavorful and the spicy sauce is delicious. I want the recipe!! -The lamb and wagyu carpaccios!!! I could eat this everyday too! The textures of the raw meats coupled with the oils and toppings... OMG. My mouth is watering as I type this. -The white lily cocktail! I'd like one every night before I go to bed, please. It's like alcoholic calpico. Why didn't anyone think of this sooner?! Thanks, Yelp, after writing this review, I want to back, ASAP. Yelp is making me broke by making me live through all my wonderful dining experiences again.
(5)Jean H.
the sushi was to die for-- as in when you eat it, you wanna die. your last breath is wasted on asking god, "why??????", while you're thinking 'i paid so much for a death biteeeeeeeeeeee' *THUD* (you've hit the ground) with that said and out of the way, sushi is a no go, everything else was a sheer delight! sushi, no. EVERYTHING else, yes! i booked the table in advanced and i asked for the corner table with the best viewing of the fireworks. We really did get the best table in the house for the evening firework bonanza. The food (except for the sushi) was so amazing, I remember it to this day. And when i close my eyes and dream back to that fanciful dinner, my tongue swears its tasting savory delish-ocity. oh, lord, i dare say my tongue is wet right now watering away over that food.... great food, great company, great show. can i ask for more? oh, but i got more. great drinks. thank you Morimoto.... yet another successful morimoto experience (sans the nasty sushi)
(4)Brent M.
My wife and I visited during our honeymoon. The food was very good, although I have to admit it wasn't up to the level that we might expect from a celebrity chef (if I didn't know it was run by a celebrity chef I wouldn't have guessed it - this is not true for other celebrity chef establishments I have visited, including Eric Ripert's and Mario Batali's restaurants). Both the drinks and appetizers were 5-star level (for the app, we got the shrimp tempura). I got the surf-n-turf for my entree - the steak was very good, but for me the tuna was just okay. I had better elsewhere in Waikiki. My wife had a chicken dish with which she wasn't particularly impressed with the taste or the presentation. Maybe chicken wasn't the way to go at a place like this? This was definitely the exception, but it was enough to make the place 4 star and not 5-star for us. That being said, I definitely recommend this place, and I will visit again if I am in Honolulu.
(4)Alysha C.
I scheduled a Valentines/Birthday Dinner here a month ahead of time because I had heard through some friends that this place was pretty good. Let me tell you, I was beyond disappointed and somewhat ashamed when we dined there last night. The experience already started off bad as soon as we got there and valet told us they had ran out of parking and that we had to find street parking. Already a minus because my boyfriend and I were extremely dressed up and had to walk about a block or so to get back to the restraunt (I was wearing heels!! lol) As soon as we got upstairs we got a half ass greet from the front desk and they had a man escort us to a table outside. Our table was so small and all of the tables are so close together. it was so uncomfortable. we could practically hear the couples next to us entire conversation. Our waitress, Tricia greeted us promptly and was very friendly but after that she went missing for a pretty long time. When she did come back to take our order she ran off a whole list of things the kitchen had ran out of already! Shouldn't they have known to be stocked extra with everything on valentines day?? Especially if everyone made reservations ahead of time. Again disappointed. But that wasnt even the worse part. I do understand that it is Valentines Day and busy but it got rediculous when our appitizer didnt come out for 30 whole minutes!! Again not blaming it on the waitress but maybe the kitchen?! To make it worse we didn't get our main course for another hour! We were literly so close to walking out and we noticed another couple 2 tables down that actually did walk out. We just didn't want our night to be ruined that's why we decided to stay. The funny part was that there was so much staff present and no one was really attentive to us. We ordered the Morimoto Style Poke which was really good but seemed like only a single portioned size definatly not big enough to share. For main courses, I had the Surf & Turf to play it safe and my boyfriend had the wagyu ribeye with a side of potatoes. Both extremely fantastic dishes. So kudos to the chef. My boyfriend also had 2 glasses of St.Aubin wine that he said was really great.The only reason I gave this place 2 stars instead of 1 is because the food was actually pretty good. However, it wasn't so good that I'd endure the poor service for the amount of money I spent there. We both agreed that we will definatly not be dining here ever again. We'll probably go to Hy's next time!
(2)Kyle B.
I went here with a group of guys I work with. We had high expectations for an Iron Chef's restaurant. We left a little disappointed. First let me say that this place looks fantastic. I was very impressed with the look. It's well laid out, and everything looks great. Nothing is out of place here. You could see the entire line of the kitchen from where we sat. We got here late, so I couldn't really tell what kind of view of the scenery it has, but I'll bet its fantastic as well. The problem really was our waiter. He didn't seem like he really wanted to be there and was not very friendly. There was no "warmth" and I didn't feel very welcome by his demeanor. In fact, we almost felt like we were bothering him by our very presence. That being said, we ordered some sushi (Shrimp Tempura Roll, California Roll, and Spicy Yellowtail Roll) for our appetizer. It came pretty quickly and it was pretty good. I've actually had better tasting sushi in Rainbow City, Alabama. Yeah, that's right. Check my reviews for that one. For dinner, I had the "Duck Duck Duck", which is a seared duck breast, a duck spring roll, and duck meatball soup. I like duck and this was a pretty good dish. I think of the three, I enjoyed the duck meatball soup the best. Everything was hot, fresh, and flavorful. However, I thought for the portion size, it was a little pricey at nearly $30. Thank goodness for expense accounts! One of my co-workers is a little bit of a fussy eater. He really wanted a dish that was not on the menu. A quick check of the menu showed that they carried all the necessary ingredients to make it. So, he inquired about it. The waiter wasn't sure but decided to go ask. He was gone for several minutes and upon his return, he told us that no, the kitchen staff would not make his special request. We were a little insulted by this. You would think that Mr. Iron Chef would want to please and accommodate his guests. My friend finally settled on something else on the menu, but was not to happy about it. Overall, I was disappointed with the sushi and the service, but not with the main course. I would hope that the service is not representative of what you normally get at this upscale establishment. For the kind of money that we spent here, I expected to be treated a lot better.
(3)Wendy G.
I love this place. Do the Omakase (tasting menu). Done it twice with family visiting and everyone loved it! Even the picky teens were impressed. If you love food, you must go to this restaurant. Great Date Night! Beautiful food and Beautiful atmosphere!
(5)Sid G.
Location and aesthetic of the place is nice. The food is nothing to brag about. We were here 2 years ago when they opened and to me my opinion about this place is....MorimoNo. NOBU IS THE BEST RESTAURANT THAN THIS
(1)Frank G.
Food was excellent - the appetizers we thought might have been better than the entrees! The Pork Belly is a must! It was relatively reasonable for a high-end restaurant - the quality of the food justifies the price. Service was good - we had 2 main waiters/waitress to assist us.
(4)Hella B.
The one "high end" place on my visit to Honolulu. There is so much good food on the island I wasn't sure I could justify the price. After the appetizer my concerns were gone. We started off with tuna pizza. just great textures with the fish and whatever the crust was. There was also just enough salt on that crust to give it a perfect flavor. Next was the kakuni. This was a pork belly in some congee. This was probably the best pork belly I have ever had! I was very tempted in ordering a 2nd round. For the main I went with a black cod. Again this was cooked perfectly. Mind you I have no idea how to cook fish but this fish just peeled off in layers and was moist and had great texture. Guess that is perfect to me. Also had a couple of signature cocktails. All of this and I have to say the price was not that bad for a big named place. I would come back!
(4)Kenson K.
We decided to try this place for lunch today. This place has a very L.A. ambiance to it. Very modern furnishings with clean lines. Atmosphere was very nice with a view overlooking Alawai yacht harbor. I must say that service was excellent. Our server kept checking up on us to see if we were alright and was very accomodating. Ok for starters, we tried the mizudako. Now, I'm usually not a fan of tako just because its flavorless and has the consistency of a rubber eraser. This tako however is so tender and fresh. It has a sweet flavor to it. You can have this either as a sushi or sashimi. We opted for sashimi. I was debating whether or not to get the toban yaki or the loco moto, which is supposed to be a Morimotos version of a locomoco. I had tried the toban yaki before at Morimoto's New York restaurant and I remember that it was so good. So I figured maybe try something different. So I went for the loco moto. I wasn't too impressed. it was supposed to have wagyu beef in it, and i was expecting it to be like a locomoco, but it came out looking like beef curry. The gravy was sweet and a bit creamy with mushrooms and tasted just like beef goulash. So I was disappointed because I had ordered beef goulash. My partner had the kakuni pork don , which was pork belly slow cooked over a bed of rice. That was a winner. It just fell apart in your mouth. Ok so 4 stars overall. i wasn't too impressed with my dish but I think I might have ordered the wrong thing. The service was excellent, ambiance nice, and the tako and port dish, perfect.
(4)Jared S.
This is rock solid food from the Iron Chef.. Highlights: -uni sushi: best I've ever eaten. -whole fried fish: It was a Mediterranean sea bass, and it was incredible -The wife really liked her saketini I would skip the tuna tartar though, just my opinion.
(5)Jesse C.
After reading the initial reviews from opening day I remained skeptic. So a group of friends and I went for lunch. We ordered a sashimi set, lobster melt sandwich, chicken katsu sandwich, and kakuni don (10hr pork belly). I got what I expected from Morimoto; simple, clean flavours. Everything was tasty but the prices are what I did not agree with. The desserts were unique but neither peanut butter fondant or tofu cheesecake (super light) caught my interest.
(3)Katherine L.
My review is based on the first time I went to Morimoto's, over a year ago. My boyfriend and I went to check out this place because we have heard some rave reviews from his friends. This is that kind of place where you spend a good deal of money for small dishes, ambiance and quality. First off, the ambiance is beautiful, which the upper-crust simple and bright nautical look. Very appropriate for being right off the beach in Waikiki, Hawaii. But some of the tables might be awkward to eat at, considering that some of their tops are not even. The table tops are made to look rough cut or scrap pieces. But overall, the atmosphere is really inviting and different. Service was decent, but not the best I have ever experienced. It took a while for the food to come out. I could see the table next to us have a lot of problems (i.e. their side of potatoes was missing, food took too long). The server was nice enough, but he was not necessarily the best spoken or knowledgeable. I would have expected better, considering my own restaurant working experience and the class of the restaurant. For appetizers we had the pork gyoza with bacon foam and hamachi tartare. The pork gyoza was kind of an asian fusion, as the bacon foam and tomato sauce added another layer of flavor to the dish that was unexpected, but delicious. The hamachi tartare was very light and delicate with a variation of "sides" to scrape and eat along with the hamachi. I am a real sucker for anything raw fish, so the hamachi tartare easily pleased me. A side note: the Morimoto drinks tend to be on the sweeter side, a little too sweet for me. For the main course, my boyfriend had the duck combo, which included seared duck, duck spring roll and duck meatball soup. His duck dish was good too, but rather unsurprisingly small. I had the chefs sashimi combination, which I cannot recommend enough. It is absolutely AMAZING! I was actually hesitant to order it, thinking that I should get something especially Morimoto. In the end, I DID NOT regret it at all. It was the best sashimi I have ever had in my life. It was huge, including approximately 3 or 4 pieces of 8 different kinds of fish. And it was so fresh and perfectly chilled, coming out on a bowl of crushed ice. Each fish comes with some kind of side (i.e. green onions, seaweed, daikon) It was only $36, which is pretty cheap, considering that the amount given and quality was out of the ballpark and it was only a few dollars more expensive than a standard Japanese place. Now comes the most important part: Dessert. The haupia semifreddo was intentionally a little dry, but it worked. It was really light, melting in your mouth, and I loved the combination of the coconut and green tee flavors. It's not like any dessert I have ever had. But hands down, I preferred the the chocolate peanut bombe. Morimoto's elevated that classic flavor combo to a very modern and divine creation. It was simply perfect, balanced with the sweet and salty, crunchy but so soft that it melts in your mouth. Personally, it is not one of my fave places, but I can definitely see its appeal. All in all, I would recommend this place to a friend, but it is not for everyone.
(4)Jo C.
After dinning in here, I understand why it is only 3.5 starts. It is a very true yelp rating. I had Morimoto in Napa, CA a few times and was never let down once. I am very disappointed at Morimoto Waikiki. We ordered the toro tartare which is the equivalent of the tuna tartare in Napa. The rice crackers were stale. The oyster foie gras was the worst dish of the night. The oysters had sand and shells in them. It's unacceptable at a $$$$ restaurant. Lastly, I want to mention is the timing of each dish. There was no timing. All the cold appetizers were brought out at once, then waited for 15-20 minutes, then all the hot appetizers were brought out at once again. This is not the service that I am used to in Napa unfortunately.
(2)Marleen M.
We had the special crab cake appetizer, which was made of Keahole Lobster, alaskan king crab, scallops and some other stuff..it was DELICIOUS! For dinner we ordered an assortment of sushi and the crispy whole fish. The food was awesome....but, what makes this restaurant worth the price is their staff. Our waiter, Kaulana, was efficient, friendly, and anticipated our needs before we voiced them. The bus staff was quick without being obtrusive. What I really appreciated about the experience is that I did not feel the need to seek out "my" waiter. Every staff member that went by our table glanced over to be sure we were ok, or stopped to offer their assistance...again without being obtrusive. What a great experience! Thank you Kaulana and all the staff at Morimoto's.
(5)Kanani M.
Being a complete "foodie" I was excited when we decided to go to an Iron-Chef's restaurant. Everyone that heard we were going there seemed intrigued and excited for us as well. Unfortunately, it just didn't live up to the hype or the name associated with it. The ambiance was great, very clean lines, gorgeous setting. The staff was attentive, but seemed cold and too "programed". They did their duties on time and as scheduled and did not allow for any deviance from what they were trained, even if it was obvious that it did not fit the guests needs. We had a party of nine and decided to eat family style, so we got to try a little of everything. If I was grading the food based on presentation, I would've given it 5 stars. There was no detail left undone. The food was beautiful! However, in terms of taste, it left much to be desired. The sushi was not top-notch but was acceptable. The Wagyu steak was overcooked (ordered Med-Rare) and not very flavorful. The Whole Fish (which was the nights special- Sea Bass) with Tofu Sauce and Papaya Salad topping was so-so, it looked like it would have much more flavor than it did. The rock shrimp was served with 2 aioli sauces and a buttermilk dipping sauce also, the buttermilk drowned out the flavors of the wasabi aioli (which was good) and the (what we joked) was a buffalo rock shrimp sauce (which was not good). The dishes that were good? The tuna pizza (raw tuna served pizza style on a thin crust) and all of the deserts. The lattes were good. And the drink menu was well put together and was quite delightful also. All together, it wasn't a bad experience, it just didn't live up to expectations. I wouldn't go back for dinner, but I have heard that they have a decent brunch... maybe I will give that a try.
(2)Kara R.
I can't review the food because this restaurant would not seat us! At 9:40 on a Friday night, they stop seating?? Really? Why? Must be bad management
(1)Renee M.
We made sure that Morimoto was our first major dinner out for my husband's big "Hawaii 5-0" celebration on our trip to Oahu this year (this was our second visit to the restaurant). As always, they did not disappoint. We were seated outside, overlooking the harbor and had the perfect sunset view. Everything - from the toro tartare appetizer all the way through to the incredible entrees -- we did everything from the crispy whole fish to the chirashi sushi (for the birthday boy!) to the wagyu fillet. All of it was incredible. And the dessert, which I pre-ordered special from the wonderful front desk girl who worked with the chef (I'm so sorry I don't remember her name!) -- the dessert is worthy of a photo. They did a special sampler for us - and since there were six of us, they did THREE OF THEM (I was only expecting one). That meant every 2 people had the chance to try nearly every one of their out of this world desserts - from the tofu cheesecake to the chocolate peanut bombe. It was amazing and the perfect way to finish the perfect meal. Thank you, Martin, for your great service and to the chef for making a special evening all the more special! We'll be back again! PS - Go Sunday nights and visit The Modern Poolbar first for a cocktail and the wonderful music of local artist, Jeremy Cheng!
(5)Fay H.
Morimoto is da bomb! This is the second Iron Chef restaurant that we've been to (the other being Bobby Flay's Bar American in NYC). We were so impressed by this place - it totally blew Bobby Flay out of the water! The restaurant is situated on the marina. We had requested to sit outside near the fire pit. We were seated outside and could at least see the fire pit but we were lodged in between a large party and another couple. A little too close for comfort, but hey, I was here to eat not check out the neighborhood. We ordered: - Rock shrimp served two ways: wasabi and spicy korean style. The wasabi shrimp was some of the beat shrimp I have eaten in my life. We had just been at Giovanni's the day before and they had nothing on Morimoto. - Ahi tuna pizza. This had so much fish on it and a really yummy aioli. - Chirashi. This was ok. My only criticism was there seemed to be more veggies then fish. I could have gotten a dish like this most anywhere. - Soft shell crab tempura roll. This was a standard roll, nothing you couldn't get at your fab sushi place. The drinks were awesome. I got a Mai Haupia and a Mori-jito. Delish. I gave the restaurant 4 stars primarily because of the impeccable service and great atmosphere. I would def come back and maybe focus less in the sushi and more on the fusion app options.
(4)Susan S.
Loved it. First time at the Waikiki location. Josh was amazing. Loved the Ahi Tartare...fabulous presentation. Calamari salad was tasty. Hamachi tacos were excellent. Sashimi Collection was a picture perfect display of numerous cuts of fresh fish. Delicious!!!
(5)Manda S.
Heads up: If you want the omakase, then EVERYONE on your table needs to get the omakase. They started this rule last month or so, and I think its only in effect on the weekends during dinner time (to make it easier on the kitchen). If you go during the weekday, during lunch, or on a weekend reaaaally late (9PM-ish), then I think your party should be fine. Here's some more tips regarding the omakase: - If you've got people in your party who have already had it, you can let your server know and they'll make a new set of dishes for those who are repeating. For example, the repeats in our party got a spicy king crab leg and an oyster with abalone takoyaki. Instead of the surf and turf, they got a piece of whole fried fish and something with clams (a soup?). They also got the tofu cheesecake instead of the kabocha muffin thing. - It takes about 3 hours to eat the omakase so please plan accordingly ---- Overall, I thought the omakase was good. Not amazingly fantastic (especially, given the price), but very good, solid food and it was definitely a very unique, one-of-a-kind experience. Maybe my expectations were too high? (I had heard stories of people who wanted to cry after eating the hamatchi/ahi paste dish.) For $120 a person, I was honestly hoping to have my mind blown by the sheer awesomeness of the food, but it didn't really happen too much. I kind of felt it when I ate the chu toro and the wagyu beef though. I'd give Morimoto's a B for the food but definitely an A+ for decor and presentation. Our party had a great time and we were well taken-care of. More tips! - The staff here are awesome. For $120 a person, you sure do get some 5-star staff, I swear. I really wish I caught her name (it started with a P and she was a very sweet, local girl). - I really liked the White Lily cocktail. It was shochu, calpico, and a dash of yuzu--if you like shochu shots, you'll like this! - Thank goodness that parking is easy -- the valet is free with validation from the restaurant.
(3)Judy H.
Came to Hawaii for vacation and had reservations at morimoto for the first night's fancy dinner. Was super excited since I love Japanese food and... Iron chef!!! The food was decent, though probably not worth the price. The service was TERRIBLE. at first it was good, but then we sat for 20 minutes after we finished our entrees because the waiter forgot about us. We tried to get his attention but he didn't see us... We had to flag someone else down to get him. Then we asked to speak with the manger. The waiter was good when he was interacting with us, he just needed to pay attention more. But this manager.... Wow. Really shouldn't be in any type of customer service role. First, took him about ten minutes to make his way over even though we could see he was not preoccupied with anything else. Then we told him about the unacceptable service and he said he could give us a free dessert (we were pretty upset by then since the service was so slow). My brother then said if it were him he would comp the whole meal and the manager just mumbled and walked away. We ordered dessert and then later the manager came back.., He said "I am going to comp your meal, even though most of me doesn't want to. I think you should be more forgiving since we did a good job at first and we made mistakes. But I will comp it because you asked for it, and I don't want you telling people we stink." Who says that?? What ever happened to customer is always right?? At the end of the conversation he asked "so are you going to tell everyone we suck?" they should really think harder about doing a training for their staff...
(1)Miki M.
I'd like to announce this restaurant on Yelp- its official opening is planned for June 2010. Thanks for your patience! This will be the hippest sushi bar in town. Chef Masaharu Morimoto- known to millions as star of Iron Chef and Iron Chef America- has garnered critical and popular acclaim for his seamless integration of Western and Japanese ingredients, effectively creating his own unique cuisine. Design: The design for Morimoto Waikiki is inspired by a light-color palette that embraces the tropical lifestyle of Hawaii in combination with Japanese tradition. Hardwood floors extend from the inside to the exterior deck spaces, while a floor-to-ceiling window offers diners a seamless view of the island's natural beauty. Announced Hours: Mon - Thurs: 6:30 am - 11:00 pm Fri - Sat: 6:30 am - 12:00 am Sun: 6:30 am - 11:00 pm Attire: Dressy Payment Options: Accepts all major credit cards Culinary Team: Jojo Vasquez, Executive Chef General Manager: Craig Kahila Parking: Street, Parking Lot, Valet Price Range: $$$ (30-50) Services: Takes Reservations, Walk-Ins Welcome, Good For Groups, Waiter Service, Outdoor Seating Specialties: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Coffee, Drinks
(5)Mike C.
This place is really good. Its expensive so if youre not cheap and willing to spend your money, its well worth it. Get the "Duck Duck Duck." The duck breast its phenomenal.Also, their wine and sake list is huge.
(4)Daniel W.
Food was excellent! Service was nice. Was a little humid the night we went. Would be nice if they had some fans in the outdoor seating area to make it more comfortable. I know it is Hawaii, but it would be nice to have a dress policy for dinner service. I'm getting a little tired of going to Waikiki for fine dining and sitting next to tourists in t-shirts and slippers, while paying $100 a head for dinner.
(4)Courtney E.
Overall the food was delicious. I had dinner here with my sister on a Wednesday night, reservations recommended. Food: Tuna pizza = yum Foie gras chawan mushi = definitely get this, rich but so buttery tasting $45 Sushi plate - 10 pieces and a tuna roll Eel avocado roll Shrimp tempura roll I would say the sushi was average, nothing out of this world. Was fresh and good. No complaints. Tuna and foie gras are a must!
(4)Tom M.
Somebody's getting too big for their britches. This place has a great reputation and a pretty interior, but the cracks are showing. We went to get a cocktail on the patio at sunset around the fire pit, but almost missed it because the staff was inundated during a shift change. We watched 15-20 waiters and bus boys pass us without the slightest glance as they rushed to get tables ready for dinner. So after 10 minutes of trying to get someone's eye, I had to go to the bar myself. Behind the bar, they confirmed by suspicion about the shift change. I ordered drinks, but had to wait until the bartender cut up all the ingredients and garnishes (obviously, the previous shift didn't back up the bar and hung them out to dry). As I stood there, I got to watch the sun go down through the door out to the patio. Not the romantic drink together we'd hoped for. While our drinks were well-made, I had to notice that the fire pit couches we were sitting on were spotted with dark stains, and the white cocktail tables were worn and dirty. I'd really like to come back for their much-lauded dinners sometime, but it might take some convincing.
(3)Jennie M.
Holy Hanna-ble Lector! I am in serious love with Morimoto's! Sleek, sexy design with really intricate and amazing ocean art you feel like you are eating inside a 5 star restaurant in Atlantis. The walk up bar is a great place to come for a delicious cocktail and small bite (especially if you want the Morimoto experience without the Morimoto price tag). Yes, it's true, it is probably some of the most expensive sushi you'll ever eat, but it is just so worth it - at least to go once. Ever since the very beginning of the Iron Chef I have being absolutely enthralled by Chef Morimoto, and I am so glad I the opportunity to come. Every roll, cone, sushi, sushimi and roe was fresh, innovative and delicious. Oh, and they have the crazy coolest chopsticks I have ever used... I even bought a pair to bring home!
(5)Kazemaru Y.
The overall rating is a five... I haven't been to every country on the globe but I've lived on three continents and visited four. So I've eaten a few great meals in my days. For me the overall experience is very important... If the food is extremely good and the place not it can still be ok... But mostly the overall experience is what sets a 5 star. The Morimoto restaurant itself is extremely clean, modern yet comfortably designed. You can bring an important guest here without being nervous for the impression it will make. Loved sitting outside yet under cover with beautiful view over the harbor. All ingredients were very fresh and well selected. Each dish prepared carefully and well presented. The flavors well balanced and prepared. I love vegetarian sushi and each piece was delicious and small as sushi should be. One piece fits elegantly into your mouth in one bite without making a mess. You can eat in style here! Staff was super friendly and patient with all our detailed questions. Our guests commented with delight on the pleasant and calm nature of the waiter. Will definitely go back!
(5)Gray G.
This is a great restaurant for special occasions. It is located in Waikiki. I would say that the food is very expensive but it is well worth the experience. There are dining areas both inside and out. Inside you can watch the people in the kitchen busy at work and outside there is a beautiful view of the boat harbor which is especially magnificent at sunset. I don't remember the names of most of what we ordered but it was all very delicious. What stood out to me was the Hamachi Tacos and the Tuna Pizza. Both are must try appetizers! I would highly recommend this location. In addition, one thing I forgot to mention was our waiter. He is top notch. His name is Duane and he is very knowledgeable, very friendly. He came by our table many times and recommended some great dishes to us. I would like to have him as our waiter again when we go here in the future. You will have a great experience if you have him as a waiter. If the mangement is reading this, treat him well and maybe give him a raise! I hope all the waiters are like Duane.
(5)Reid A.
The Iron Chef lives up to expectations. Morimoto's was a great experience for my family and me. We had a $100 dollar gift card and that helped us through the door in the first place. I think most people would agree this place is pricey, but it isn't astronomically pricey. Without subtracting the gift card, we paid $60 per person - same as Roy's or Alan Wong's. I think what really made our experience great was the choice of ordering style, our server, and the atmosphere. I would not recommend doing your regular appetizer-entree-dessert type style. I highly recommend ordering tapa style that allows everyone to share the smaller dishes. This will give you the opportunity to try way more dishes without banking on one dish to satisfy you. I like this ordering style and it fits with Japanese izakaya places. Order 3 dishes and if you want more, you order more as you go along. There were a lot of stand-outs here, which is why I won't go into detail since you can't go wrong. The top 4 were - pork gyoza, whitefish carpaccio, takoyaki, and the choclate peanut bombe. The names sound simple, but trust me, they are all very unique and extremely good. The presentation was outstanding, just like on iron chef. I think it's best that I don't show you pictures of it...I leave that to other yelpers to spoil it for you. The service was on point. Our dining experience ran about 2 hours long. This is pretty normal fine dining eating time. The eating experience felt like an hour to me. Our server, Duane, explained in detail each dish and also answered any questions we had. Our server was a huge help and made very good recommendations. The atmosphere was very fitting for the hotel. The Modern is very modern, in a simplistic way. This hotel is so easy to miss. It seems like this hotel doesn't want to be seen. Simple forms and walls, with detail in certain areas. Morimoto's is very much the same way. It feels like a heavenly beach experience with white walls, hanging coral art installations, and light green accents. We sat inside, which was the better way to go. Outside gets dark and I seen a few people holding up their phones to read the menu. The parking is valet at the main entrance on Hobron Lane across Red Lobster. It's easy to miss, since there is no signage. Once you get out your car there is enough signage to guide you upstairs. Valet is free, just remember to validate it. The restrooms are outside the restaurant and they are beautiful. Make sure to use it, or just walk in to check it out. This was a great fine dining experience and I'd come here again for special occasions. This place got me with a gift card, but it will keep me coming back without one.
(5)Shekita T.
Original visit: Fall 2014 Only after experiencing the restaurant's other locations (Philadelphia, MB) was I able to truly appreciate the high quality of service and detail this restaurant offers! This is by far Morimoto's best location. I found both the Foie Gras Duck and Peanut Butter bomb especially satiating.
(5)Mo A.
Gotta give them a 1/5. The sea food medley I ordered was $46....and the lobster portion had this terrible sharp ammonia taste and my wife thought the same thing. If it wasn't for that weird taste the dish was stiff below average for any seafood medley. The appetizer was good. The drinks pretty good but not worth the $210 I spent including tip for 2 people.
(1)Steve T.
The decor is very light and colorful in the main dining room. We dined on the outdoor patio which was very comfortable in the evening. The service was very professional. All of the dishes were described in detail. That was a plus, because some of the dishes really had a lot going on, and needed some explanation. We ordered the Omakase (Chef's Choice). The number of dishes and the portion size were more than I expected. I was quite full at the end of the evening. The Foie Gras Chawanmushi was a favorite. It is like a custard with tons of Foie Gras flavor. Topped with slices of duck. Need I say more. Some of the dishes had some shortcomings. The sushi rice used for the sushi was dry and lacked flavor. The main course was overpowering with the sauces, which I would have preferred without. All of the dishes, however, had very unique presentations. Art on a plate? I am very glad to have tried this restaurant. But it is unlikely that I would return.
(3)David T.
I had been to Morimoto's restaurant when I was living in New York. I was not impressed and he had been my least favorite chef when I was actually watching the show years earlier. But during our vacation in Oahu, we had stayed at the Waikiki Edition. And the restaurant was in the hotel - so we decided to try it. Read up a little bit on the reviews before we decided to order from the menu. We had ordered the rock shrimp and the chawanmushi appetizers and a whole bunch of sushi. The sushi was extremely good, and the chawanmushi was interesting in a good way. Was very disappointed with the shrimp - it had too much sauce and was a little too fried. We couldn't eat more than a few. The place is pricey. Wouldn't do it too many times. But still much better than my experience in the New York restaurant. It has a nice view of the ocean, but sometimes a few tour busses would come through the adjoining street and we would get a whiff of exhaust sitting outside on the patio. Still, a very trendy place.
(4)Justin P.
Well, I did have very high hopes for someone as prestigious as the Iron Chef, but I must say that I was thoroughly disappointed. Fist, I'll say that their hosts need a lot more friendliness! The curry stuffed pan was delicious but small, and the sushi appetizers were well prepared and tasted great, as to be expected. The Tuna Pizza was wonderful. But the entres were more than lacking. The Chicken though tender and juicy, was way too salty and over spiced. The lamb was a pitifully tiny serving. Most of all the service sucked. Our waitress though charming she was when she was around, never checked on us, and we had to ask serval times to get our bill before our 20 minute wait to pay. Let's not mention the fact that no one came to refill our water until we finished our dessert. Over all, the food was all in all alright, but definitely not special enough for the hassle. And most Definitely did NOT live up to the expectation of the "Iron Chef"!
(2)Art T.
I am always a big fan of Chef Morimoto when he first appeared on the Japanese Iron Chef show and now American's version one. I was so excited when I learned that he was going to open his restaurant in Honolulu. Finally I went there for lunch the past weekend with my friends. I made the reservation through Open Table. The restaurant opens for lunch at 11 AM. The restaurant is spacious and has both indoor and outdoor seatings. Service Overall the service is pretty good. Audrey was the person who assisted us with the menu and selections. She ran through the menu and provided us some great suggestions for appetizers, the spicy king crab and wagyu carpaccio. The service was very attentive. Other staff came by the table to clean up and refill water diligently. Food I definitely would recommend the spicy king crab and wagyu carpaccio. They were very tasty. The presentation was awesome. All of us ordered the lunch set menu. I think they were great value. I had sahimi, tempura and sushi combination and my friend had kakuni don (ten hour pork belly). The ingredients were very fresh. Every dish was tasty and not overly salty like some of the restaurant. I also tasted my friend's entree, Kakuni Don, the pork was very well favored and tender. I was so full after finishing my lunch set. So, we decided to share the dessert, coconut panna cotta. The dessert was amazing. Later on that night, I had panna cotta dessert at House without a Key at Halekulani. I had to say, the one at Morimoto was much more sophisticated and silky. Ambience The design of the restaurant was fresh and modern contemporary. The corals, each table, and even the chopsticks were so well thought out. We loved the chopsticks so much that we bought some for ourselves. Parking The hotel and restaurant offer valet parking which is simply convenient. The staff was very friendly and courteous. I definitely will come back for lunch or dinner. This is not an everyday type of restaurant, or it will break my bank. But it is totally worth it for any special occasions.
(4)Nina V.
The scoring is based on price for value. The ambiance was a definite to see-and-be seen kind of place. The most exciting thing was sitting at a table very near the open-air kitchen where we could observe a very tanned Chef Morimoto hop around the kitchen in his white chef coat and white sneakers. The Japanese dishes were very cleanly done. (simple artful presentation and not overdone flavors) The less traditional fare was interesting but sometimes odd. The people-watching always makes it more enjoyable...what do I do with this implement and what was the sequence of steps the waiter just recounted to us?
(3)Annie Z.
Meh sums it up. Brought Justin here for his 30th birthday dinner and I wish we had tried somewhere else. The service was great, but the prices were way too high for the quality of the food. If you're going to spend money like this, better to hit up Nobu or Alan Wong's. Will say I love their chopsticks. They are a light blue, twisted plastic. Liked them so much Justin bought me a set to bring home :)
(2)Nick S.
This was most probably the best meal I've ever eaten (and one of the most expensive). We enjoyed the Omakase and a couple of carafes of Sake and thoroughly enjoyed it. I can't say the same for the man himself, who was having a rough night after a day of heavy rain and winds that put the patio out of action and packed out the restaurant. I basically enjoyed every one of the 9 courses and savored each mouthful slowly, hoping to make it last. My favorite dishes were the duck dish and a small plate of thinly sliced hamachi with olive oil and something else that tasted amazing (it was sometimes a little hard to hear the descriptions in full by the server due to the noise level!). I'm not sure how often the menu changes so don't go in there expecting to eat the same as me! If I had to really pick and find something negative to say it would be that the Wagyu beef was a little over cooked and not melt in the mouth like you'd expect. But that's something I'd otherwise let slide since the meal as a whole was verging on a spiritual experience. Eat there, expect to pay out for a meal you'll remember, it's worth every penny.
(5)Andrew H.
Overall a very good experience. Located in the Modern Hotel, this über-swank South-Beach style decorated Japanese restaurant did not disappoint. Hands down the best home-made wasabi I've ever tasted. All dishes were delicious, but relied a little too much on chilis (especially the Spicy King Crab, which just masked the delicate sweetness of the seafood). Wine list was "ok" and very expensive. Very good effort, cool vibe, and worth a special trip, but probably only once.
(4)Jennifer G.
We have been to a few Morimoto's across the country. Each time it is delicious and the service is always on point. We chose this time to get a few appetizers so we could try a few items. My favorite has always been the tuna pizza. For a wow factor have the tofu done tableside. The tofu is made fresh served with tasty toppings. The view from the restaurant of the water is great and the local makes it easy walking distance from the nearby hotels. You can reserve on Open Table.
(4)Yang X.
I loved this place. Food is better than most other Japanese restaurants. Service is slow.
(4)Lauren C.
This review was based on our dinner the night of 4/29/15. My husband made reservations for my birthday about a week prior. We were both really excited as we hadn't been out to dinner together in over two months. Our reservations were for 6:30. Unfortunately our babysitter arrived a few minutes late, so we called the restaurant to let them know we'd be in around 6:45. The woman who answered the phone politely thanked us and said that wouldn't be a problem at all. We arrive and check-in earlier than expected, at 6:40. We're asked to be seated and wait (there is no one else waiting by the way). We waited. and waited. and waited, for about 5 minutes. At first I thought it was probably because they must have been busy or because perhaps they were setting up a special table for us (maybe a flower or card like a lot of the other high end restaurants do). The hostess finally comes to get us and takes us to our table. As we're walking through the main room I notice it is 95% empty. Our hostess takes us outside and seats us at a tiny, 2-seater table right in the path of traffic. She did mention my birthday and I thought that was a nice touch. There were at least 4 other tables that were empty near by. I didn't say anything because I was just trying to keep a positive attitude. Not really a big deal at this point. Our waiter comes and gets our drinks, everything is fine. As we were sitting at the table we notice that our drinks and chopsticks are literally spilling, falling, and shaking when people walk by. We had to hold on to our drinks so that they didn't spill or fall. Again, trying to make the best of it and just kind of grin and bear it. We order the rock shrimp appetizer and scallops as well as our entrees. My husband got sushi and I ordered a calamari salad. I was looking forward to the salad because I had a calamari salad from Bill's the other week and wanted to compare the two. It was starting to get busy and our appetizers were delivered by some of the kitchen staff. Our waiter came around once when our appetizers got there to check on us. My husband's sushi arrived when I was in the bathroom and it was also good. After about 15 minutes of waiting AFTER my husband's sushi arrived I finally grabbed another waiter (ours simply hadn't been around) and asked about my salad. At this point I wasn't interested in the salad since I'd eaten half of his and almost 1-1.5 hours had passed since we arrived. The waiter (not our original waiter) was kind and I felt bad because I know it wasn't his responsibility. He apologized and asked if we wanted the salad to go. He also told us that the manager would be there to speak with us. I kindly refused the salad entree because let's face it, calamari and salad aren't good leftover. At this point I was disappointed, but I wasn't mad. I understand that situations happen and mistakes happen. That is okay. But, here's where I really got frustrated and mad. The manager comes over in a rush and is very matter of fact. You can tell she's not genuine in her words and she really just gave excuses saying that there was a "miscommunication" between myself and the waiter. I told her it was my birthday and I mentioned that we were disappointed with the wait, the table, and now the fact that the entree just never showed up. She then asks, "well, was the food good?". I thought this was very condescending and unprofessional. In retrospect I can honestly say that I was being polite and respectful to the staff, I just wasn't pleased with the way things transpired. However, my husband and I were really, really disappointed in the way the situation was handled. What would have been a MUCH better way to address the situation would have just been a SINCERE apology without any excuses, and perhaps a small discount, free dessert, or voucher for next visit (this is common practice from Ruby Tuesday's to Ruth's Chris). Nope, we didn't get any of that. What makes me the most upset is just the fact that the manager was really insincere and the fact that the waiter didn't even come over to apologize. I understand they were busy and it would have made ALL the difference in the world to just say "I'm sorry this happened, please give us another chance". With that said, we won't be back. The food was good, however you can EASILY find food JUST as good with service that is MUCH MUCH better. Based on our experience we believe that Morimoto's is just a hyped up restaurant with a cool ambiance. That is not enough to keep our business. I'm not going to pay upwards of $200 to get poor service when we can pay the same amount or less and get food that is just as stellar and outstanding service. I hope for the restaurant's sake that this was just a one time bad experience for us and it doesn't happen again. We live in Honolulu and will not be back.
(1)Tina K.
We always wanted to go here n finally we did...it was so awesome! The food, everything we ordered was absolutely delicious! We decided to order alot of apps..the oyster with uni and foie gras was my favorite! Our server was very nice n helpful with explaining the menu n dishes..he recommended to try the octopus carpaccio n we tried it..deelish! The decor of the place was beautiful too..we are absolutely goin back for more!!
(5)Adrienne B.
I have wanted to eat here since moving to Honolulu so when my friend suggested a girls night out here I couldn't pass up the chance. As usual, I pre-gamed the menu and had taken a look at some Yelp photos and had an idea of what I wanted before even stepping foot inside. We arrived promptly for our reservations and were seated outside as requested. The ambiance of the restaurant is lovely, somewhat understated and kind of cozy in a sophisticated way. Our waiter came to our table to take our water preferences and to see if we wanted any cocktails. We had some questions regarding cocktails and he was able to walk us through cocktail options and he suggested the Moscow Mule to one of the women in our party who really liked her drink. I ordered the Grapefruit Mojito and found it to be the perfect blend. We placed our orders for appetizers, and our waiter encouraged us to keep our menus so we could order slowly and take our time (despite it being a Friday evening). I ordered the Tuna Pizza, and others ordered the gyoza, scallops and the tempura shrimp which we all took turns passing around the table. Although the tuna pizza was my favorite, the shrimp was a close second for me due to the flavorful sauces. The scallops were also lovely and the gyoza were prepared to perfection with a nice crispy pan sear. Although I had been eyeing the Chef's Tasting Menu as what I wanted to order, since no one else in my party was being overly adventurous (or eating as much), I went with the Chef's Sushi Selections and licked my plate clean. When my plate was brought out, the server took the time to name every piece of sushi on my plate for me, and sadly now I can't even remember my favorite piece because they were all impeccable. No one at the table really even talked during our main meals because we were all too busy "mmmmming" and smiling because of how happy our taste buds were. A few of us ended up with dessert and I had the peanut butter bombe and as our waiter said it's his favorite and I can see why. It was heavenly. The texture of the bombe was light and airy and the flavor was out of this world. The next time I go back tasting menu for sure.
(5)Al D.
Went here for lunch on a Saturday. I made reservations but didn't need them as there were only 2 other parties at the restaurant. The décor is modern, but not that impressive. The seating looks worn and could use reupholstering. Had the soft shell crab maki roll for an appetizer and it was just ok. While all other maki come with 6 pieces, the soft shell crab roll, which is the most expensive by 40%, only comes with 5 pieces. I would rather spend the money on one of the yummy filling rolls at California Rock'n Sushi. I was interested in the lobster melt lunch special but was informed they were sold out. Bummer. Instead, I went with the pork belly kakuni. It came with miso soup (with home made tofu), a small salad, a sushi plate with 2 mini pieces of spicy crab roll, 1 salmon nigiri, and 1 Hamachi nigiri, and a small bowl with about a cup of white rice and a scoop of pulled pork-ish meat on top. I enjoyed my meal, although I was not blown away. The miso soup was standard. The sushi was just ok, nothing to write home about. The salad was good. And the pork was tasty, but not melt in your mouth, or anything. It was enough food to make me full. I also got a Waikiki Blush cocktail that was just ok. Service was average. Alas, I think this will be a one-time thing. For the price, I would rather go to Roy's, Doraku, or California Rock'n Sushi.
(3)Ying W.
We cant resist my friends recommendation of this restaurant so we made a reservation. We got there early and waited 20 minutes and get seated which is not the worst because we get a pretty nice outdoor sitting right next to the harbor. We ordered sashimi combo plate, duck duck duck, chicken ramen, and a lychee breeze. The drink is not as good as i imaged, the lychee flavor is there but felt a little strange.(the actual lychee in the drink soaked with alckhol is delicious tho) The sashimi is on a well decorated plate amd taste pretty good. The duck duck duck has couple thin slices of duck which the duck flavor is hard to tell, the soup is somewhat salty,the little roll with duck is just average.(do not recommend) The ramen tastes fine, maybe the restaurant might not want to use such a huge bowl but only less than half full..
(3)Mimi P.
I'm a fan of Chef Morimoto, so I thought I would love his restaurant. Sadly, that was not the case. I had made a reservation well in advance. When we arrived, our party of 3 was told that it would be just a couple of minutes, so we sat down and waited. And waited. Several more groups of 3 walked in and were seated while we were waiting. After waiting at least 30-45 minutes after our reservation time, we were seated. We ordered two glasses of wine, which didn't arrive until after we finished our first course. For the main course, we ordered the duck duck duck (tasty) and some sushi (good, but not especially memorable). We were about to start eating... but the soy sauce bottle we were given was empty. The waiter was nowhere in sight, so we waited. And stared at our food. And waited. Finally we were able to ask for soy sauce... and waited some more. By the end of the meal, we were still hungry, tired of waiting, and paying a large bill that the meal did not live up to. Maybe the restaurant was having an off day, and the service can be chalked up to a very busy night. But all in all, I wouldn't go back.
(3)Paul M.
Friendly staff, great view, and great food. Our waiter Todd was friendly and offered thoughtful answers to our questions and requests for recommendations. The rock shrimp appetizer was great while the gyoza was pretty good. I had the sushi combination and it was outstanding. The only thing that is keeping me from giving a fifth star is that their dessert menu didn't have any items that piqued my interest.
(4)S E.
fine dining at its best. superb. hats off to the chefs. love this place. had octupus salad and sushi and it was absolutely delicious. everything was exquisite and on point. friendly staff and very personable.
(5)Anastasia L.
This place is a hit or miss. It really depends on what you order. My fav dish from this restaurant was the oyster foie-gras. It was awesome. You don't go to a fushion japanese restaurant to order sushi or sashimi. You go there for their special dishes. I expected something to enter my mouth and have me salivate but it was a 50/50. The service of the hostess in the front sucked. She was totally rude to us and was very unprofessional. We also waited for an hr and 10 mins till we got seated even WITH rsvp. Don't expect too much maybe you'll appreciate it more.
(4)Tina T.
Went there for my birthday last year but never wrote my review until now. We made reservations 3 weeks in advance. When we arrived we saw that Chef Morimoto was there. We were swiftly taken to our table, but I was disappointed that despite making a reservation that long ago the table was nothing special, in fact sandwiched between two other big tables, not a good sign. Our waitress was very friendly, knows the dishes well, a thumbs up for her. The food however, came up very disappointing. We shared a couple appetizers, they were good but nothing memorable. As for the main, my friend ordered the curried flavored chicken, the chicken came up so dry and tough, it was extremely unappetizing. My deep fried fish was good, but I think I can get better at a thai restaurant for half the price. they were nice enough to let my friend order something else so he ordered the misoyaki butterfish (as a Japanese chef I assume Morimoto can't screw that up). Luckily this time it was good, but again I could get the same thing if not better at Yanagi's or any other Japanese establishment. The main left me so disappointed that I didn't even want to have dessert there. For the price my friend paid for our meal, I'd try to book Alan Wong, 3660 on the Rise, or Chai's Bistro instead for both the culinary experience and satisfaction.
(3)Indigo L.
This place SUCKS. The hype is what made it worse. Salt water as an entree? Are you kidding me? I thought the bar flies was one of the entrees in the course menu. Maybe Iron Chef was working on his new secret ingredient. Go to the Harbor Pub across the street for the same quality for a cheaper price. The service was great but couldn't save the food quality.
(1)Nicole C.
So this review is long overdue, but needless to say it was impressive. I came here for my birthday in December without any reservations and got seated outside because it was pretty busy, which I didn't mind at all. The view outside is really nice and I was really liking the atmosphere. However, when they found out it was my birthday they offered to give me the next table available. Funny enough, it only took 4 or 5 minutes for us to get a table. Our server was very funny, polite, and extremely knowledgeable of everything on the menu (of course). The service was very timely and we got our entrees within a minute of finishing our appetizer. For dessert I had the chocolate ice cream that was apparently made with spicy peppers, and it was DELICIOUS!!!! I absolutely have no complaints about their food. Overall great experience, especially for a last-minute decision for my bday dinner.
(5)Maggie F.
Omakase the only way to go. I went and loved it, this is not for hungry people. This is to experience food and beauty. I am not a fish person but every bite was amazing and will enjoy again and again! If you are ever there this is a must! Sorry to have missed Iron Chef Morimoto himself but it was an overall amazing place.
(5)Patrick B.
Great! This place is really special.
(5)Aaron H.
I'm not sure if I've ever felt as cheated as I did eating at Morimoto Waikiki, and I wasn't even paying. The level of disappointment that I felt after we were ripped off by this cynical joke of a restaurant even managed to wake me from my 5-year hiatus/hibernation from writing Yelp reviews, which I suppose offers some silver lining. And I used to be such a fan - one of my favorite meals of the early 2000s was the omakase at Morimoto's flagship Philly eatery... something I couldn't afford, but indulged in several times nonetheless. You know what it's like when you have those great memories of a movie you saw 10 years ago, and then when you watch it again, it kind of sucks? You would have been better off just sticking with the memories. Only here, it's not my tastes or the times that changed, it's the level of effort that Morimoto and his establishment put into the meal and the service, both of which were utterly mediocre and, honestly, kind of offensive. A $120pp omakase should be a flawless, unique, and delightful experience. The sushi was the highlight, and I'd rate it marginally better than what you can get from Whole Foods. Surf and turf: yawn. Raw veggies with the heated anchovy oil: gimmicky and not heated. Toro tartare: not fresh. Seaweed tea: all four of us thought it was a practical joke. Literally each course was a disappointment in some new and remarkably surprising way, which is its own strange and unusual feat. Morimoto definitely dropped some cash on the décor and the presentation of their food. No expense was spared as we were brought dozens of unique pieces of dishware and flatware during our seven courses. Too bad they're not paying any attention to high-quality ingredients or training the service staff. Take away the hype and the brand and there's nothing left anymore. You walk away from that meal, down the hall in the restaurant towards the exit, with deep feelings of regret (and again, not my money... this is cosmic regret), and then you see his cookbook on the wall for sale, and various other tacky branded pieces of irrelevance that you can buy, and you shake your head, and silently conclude that Morimoto is just phoning it in at this stage. There are so many great meals to be had... some of them expensive, and some of them dirt cheap... but don't give these people your money, because at this point, they're just cashing in on something that used to be great, and they clearly don't care about the food or about you.
(1)Matt R.
Had the Omakase ( chefs choice). Very good combonation the Morimoto cuisuine. I recomend it. In my opinion the cost should be adjusted to around 80.00 instead of the 120.00. It was the chefs choice, but Morimoto himself was not cooking it,,, As i do recommend it, the overall taste i dont feel was Iron Chef quality.
(3)Jenn W.
Sushi was good but I didn't think 5 star quality. Waited for over half hour just for salad, miso soup with 5 small pieces of chicken. Best part of the experience was the server. Pricey.
(3)Chi-Hye M.
The big hype about "Iron Chef" Morimoto is..."bleh" I was hoping to be able to dine on a day the chef was at the restaurant....but I had just missed him. :( I cant really say anything bad about the food. It was pretty darn awesome! i think we got the tuna pizza as one of the appetizers - this was really good! I had the angry chicken - chicken was nice and moist but the best part was the potatoes that came with the chicken. BEST potatoes ever! tiny potatoes with nothing but salt and i think they were baked...hands down the best baked potatoes...DROOL~~~ Service was great too. We had the best server. They even packaged our leftover rack of lamb so we could take it home for our dogs. Only negative part is when we went to pay they were going to add on a "plating" fee for the birthday cake i brought. When i called to make a reservation no one mentioned any kind of fee for plating. I was just surprised that he mentioned it only when i was going to pay. I don't have a problem paying for the plating...It just that no one told me about it until the end and the was he told me. "you're going to have to pay a plating fee of $5 per person for the cake you brought" ridiculous! I think the manager surprising me with a $5 plating fee just ruined the good experience at Morimoto.
(3)Andrei E.
One of the most disappointing dining experiences in a while! They try to be hip and cool, but come out as snooty and pretentious. Why have a dress code if you don't enforce it? The food is uninventive and the taste combinations are poorly constructed. The fish was not fresh! The price level is completely unjustified for the quality of the food you get. The service was fair, but could not compensate for the overall bad taste. Do not waste your time at this restaurant - there are so many better options in the city!
(1)Sara K.
Overall an excellent experience.The newly renovated interior makes a relaxing and subtly impressive ambiance. The perfect restaurant to try sake and Japanese inspired drinks. The signature white lily cocktail is a must! The rock shrimp tempura was perfectly executed and heavenly.
(5)Cheryl K.
My parents took me out for my birthday here since their last experience was great. I love the ambiance - modern straight lines, contempo furniture, and decor. I'm a sucker for those places. When we walked in the hostesses greeted us and immediately sat us since my mom made a reservation. We ordered some cocktails and ordered our food. We ordered the pork gyoza and the tempura calamari salad for our appetizers. The portions were good enough for us four and the appetizers were delicious. My husband ordered the miso soup which was kinda huge. You know those little black bowls miso soup is usually served in? Anyways, I think it was like 4 of those combined. Portion was pretty big. So we order our entrees - my mom and I order the braised black cod (yes, BUTTERFISH!), my dad ordered the crispy whole fish, and my husband ordered the chef's loco moto. We waited quite a while for our food, I guess it may have been semi-busy on this Sunday but I think we waited a while. Anyways I think it was worth the wait. All of our dishes were presented super nice and the food just as great! I was not speaking for about 15 minutes straight as I was indulging in my butterfish and rice. The service was pretty on it. Also got a cute little dessert since it was my birthday. I think it was a melon sorbet or some sort. I was really full, happy, and satisfied! Anyways, I will return Morimoto Waikiki, I will return!
(5)Dawny M.
Amazing service, decor and food. John said it was like being a judge on the Iron Chef. We debated but finally decided to go with the Omakase. It was very expensive $120 per person before drinks and tip. There were no inexpensive wines on menu. We ordered Chardonnay, I think the least expensive was $65, but you can drink a glass not share a bottle. The dinners are priced such that you could order an entree with a couple appetizers and stay well under the $120, but what an experience. 7 courses and the only question they ask if for food allergies, the rest is up to them. We enjoyed ever course, the dessert was the least exciting but still good. Next time we go and there will be a next time, we will select items from the menu, but the Omakase was the way to experience Morimoto's for the first time. Worth the price!
(5)Saul J.
I had the best experience here during my recent trip to Hawaii. I stayed at the Modern Hotel which by the way is where Morimoto restaurant is. I dinned with two other friends and their perception of the food and service was the same as mine. Everything we ate, drank and tasted was so delicious and very well presented. Masaharu Morimoto has truly exceeded my expectations, then again he is and always in my view japanese Iron Chef.
(5)Stephanie I.
==HOLYY SHIIT== so i FINALLY ate at the infamous Morimoto's and i was completely impressed. my best friend took me here for my birthday and we both ordered the Morimoto Omakase ($70 for lunch, i believe it's around $110 if you order it at dinner time). Th
(5)Glenn C.
First time here and did not disappoint. Large party of 12 all went with the omakasa (chef's tasting) menu. Everything I ate was delicious, but some strange combinations. Overall the food was great, but a little pretentious. Service was top notch and the views from the outdoor patio are amazing. The bar is a great place to have drinks. Several unique drinks and cool bartenders.
(4)Jerry L.
We went for dinner. The food was good but the waiter ripped us off. Be careful and ask before ordering sushi. It can get pricey if you assume as we did that a piece of sushi cost $10.00 or less. Our waiter asked us if we wanted a handroll sushi and not nigiri which is what is offered on the menu. We assumed it was included in the price but when we got our bill the one piece of sushi cost us $20.00 for one piece. So our three pieces of sushi cost us one at $20.00 and one at $12.00 and one at $14.00 each piece. I guess the waiter wanted a bigger tip. This is not how island folks like to be treated.
(1)Pabs G.
New restaurant in town. Decorations and furniture beautiful. Seats are close together. Environment is LOUD and not conducive to conversations around the table. Nice fireplace outside. Service okay. A bit unorganized. Expected more. Food: Liked the sashimi pizza, salad, salmon, and hot udon. Overall, worth going once to twice, but there are other restaurants in town with great food and service at a more affordable rate.
(3)Rina S.
I FOUND A BEETLE BUG CRAWLING IN MY SALAD!! It's Christmas eve and we decided to eat at Morimotos despite everyone telling us to go to Nobus. I was enjoying a mixed green salad and half way into my salad I found a black disgusting BEETLE BUG in my salad!!!!!!! I picked it up on my fork and almost ate it!!!!!! I called the server and brought it to his attention. He asked if we wanted ANOTHER salad. I answered with a sharp "Are you kidding me?!" He then brought a man who I guess was the manager (but by his sloppy attire and no name tag how could I tell) He opened the apology with a "This happens sometimes because we use organic greens that comes from the farm." He quickly added "But that definitely shouldn't happen and should never come out on the floor and Im very sorry." He took the salad off of the check and offered to give us a nice dessert on the house. You know what I have to say to that WTF! #1 Don't start the apology putting the blame on the farm. What kind of f*ing apology is that!?!? #2 How is knowing that there's bugs "SOMETIMES" in salads in the kitchen supposed to make me feel better about my food?! I don't ever want to know that there are bugs even in the kitchen! The manager didn't even come out to apologize when we got our check. They really need to train their staff to handle situations more appropriately before they open a restaurant like this. I can expect this kind of customer service at a cheap restaurant but not at a restaurant with these kind of prices! We should have listened to everyone and went to Nobu's!!
(1)Ron C.
Agree with the reviewers that said this restaurant was overhyped. I've had much better sushi and sashimi for my local sushi joint back home. And didn't have to pay through the nose. The rock shrimp were good. But they were the same as budakan back in NYC. Which kinda makes sense since its the same restaurant group. But, you'd think they'd change the recipe up a little. As for the whole red snapper. Omg. Blander than a 1950s Midwestern housewife. (what was that sauce supposed to be?) service was uneven at best. Amd, on a Friday nite at 8pm you'd think the restaurant would be packed. But, alas, half full. No wonder. The locals know better.
(2)ray c.
You should know that when you come to a place of this caliber, it should live up to all the hype - and it did. So why a 4-star and not 5-star? Without a doubt, our lovely city of Honolulu needs more jazzy spiffy trendy joints, and Morimoto is certainly what we need, and it delivers the atmosphere. Come here with your friends, have fun, drinks, pupus, you'll have a great time. It's hip, and it's got all the right vibes. It's a slim divide btwn minimalist modern trendy decor - and hospital sterile - and this place gladly takes the former, thank God. The inside setting is open-kitchen style... happy & noisy & fun. The outside is chill and relaxing, with a fire pit that really adds to the ambiance - I wouldn't change a thing, about the decor - it's fantastic, and I would go back just bcse of it. Ok, I write on Yelp because I'm more taste-centric type of eater and less of a fluff & atmosphere kinda guy. If you ask me - I go for taste rather then decor. Taste-wise, I think this place is 80% there, I just wish it tastes like it looks.
(4)Charles S.
This was my second time to Morimoto's. This time with my brother and sister-in-law from Japan. I had made my reservation through open table and asked specifically for Japanese and English menus. When I got to the restaurant, I reminded them I needed Japanese menus, the hostess confirmed Japanese and English menus. After three times, we get to our table and we all have English menus. How stupid is that. When I remind the hostess I need five Japanese and one English menu they apologize and give me an the English speaker a Japanese menus. There is a major lack of common sense there. Later my sister-in-law orders the omakase. The runners continue to bring the omakase to my wife. Granted they're sister's, but they don't look alike and after the first, second, and third time of being told, they would make the correction. Total lack of communcation amoung the staff. I had call the restaurant earlier to tell them it was my wife's birthday. Surprize, they never wrote it down. So my wife got nothing! Then we are hit with the mandatory six person, 20% tip. Talk about insult to injury. I have been to Nobu's, La Mer and they deserve 20%. Morimoto's has a long ways to go. Saving grace was that the food was good. Morimoto's wants to be Honolulu's best restaurant. Management really needs to look at staff training. We had a wonderful experience the night before at BLT Steak House. The waiter Ed was superb! I was so upset, I called and talked to the assistant manager. He apologized and said they are have problems. He promised me the next time I return to let him know and things will be different. I personally ask myself, I have been burned twice there. Would you give them another chance? Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.
(3)Phi H.
Mr. Iron chef did not disappoint, food was delish, atmosphere was amazing, and we scored pictures with morimoto, couldn't ask for more with a night in oahu.
(5)Philip P.
Incredible food, drink, service, and appearance. A must visit in Waikiki located at the Modern Hotel. It is a little pricy but I feel the price is warrented.
(5)John K.
Overall lived up to the hype and reputation. Ambience is killer, try to sit outside, less noisy and a view of the harbor. Calamari salad was terrific and surprisingly a good deal. The Doris was wonderful. Bagna cauda was like a joke an oily tasteless dip with what appeared to be table scraps. Tobanyaki, the whole fish and the black cod were outstanding. Pricey place for the special meal.
(4)Tasha T.
Superb! Presentation was beautiful and flavors were on point! We started with the flight of sakes, which was amazing! We then ordered the morimotos style poke (great!), crispy whole fish (great!), braised black cod (okay; flavorful but it just tasted like unagi sauce), and chocolate dessert (great!). Staff were knowledgeable, attentive, and kind! Overall great experience! Afterwards we continued drinks at The Study in the hotel lobby. Highly recommend!
(5)TRISHA C.
Yes, me and my husband watch Iron Chef, Morimoto is one of my favors. First night we landed, we went here straight for dinner. We actually went two more times during our 10 days vacation in Waikiki. So, shell we start? Morimoto Sashimi (Seared toro, smoked salmon, eel, tuna, hamachi, five sauces): Delicious creative dish and playful. I personally love this one a lot. Yose Dofu (Tofu prepared tableside, kimchee sauce, dashi broth): Best tofu ever had! Fantastic flavor. This is our top favor. Chief's Loco Moto (Wagyu beef, sunny side up peterson farm egg, hayashi gravy): Made me said wow and want more. Surf and Turf (Six ounces prime filet, morimoto style poke, salt crusted fingerlings): Yummy! Tuna Pizza (Olives, anchovy aioli, jalapeno): Chirashi Sushi (Morimoto style assorted sashimi over sushi rice, serve with miso soup): Oh I loveeeeee this main course!! The sashimi tasted so fresh and everything mix together very well! Morimoto Style Poke (Bocconcini, avocado wasabi sorbet, dashi foam): The fish, again, tasted so fresh! Kakuni (Ten hour pork belly, rice congee, braised pork jus): I'd say this is the best "congee" I've had, but of course, there's not much in the bowl. Pork was super tender and flavorful. Lobster Melt (Miso mayo, swiss cheese): We read lots reviews that we should try this, it was worth it!! Serves was great, polite, helpful and always smiles. they tell you how the dish was made and what's the right way to enjoy them. In conclusion, FABULOUS!! Will have to try Morimoto New York next time.
(5)Philip H.
Morimoto Waikiki was just as good as I remember having it the first time in New York City. Ambiance is more laid back local style but it still is nice. They have a really well priced lunch menu for those of you looking for a delicious lunch. My personal favorite is the kakuni 10 hour pork belly lunch set, which includes green salad, miso soup, and rice. I also am a HUGE fan of Morimotos pork gyoza in hamakua tomato sauce. For dinner, my favorite entree is the wagyu filet or the ribeye, depending on how much of a pig I want to be. In short, good food, good service, good drinks, good ambiance. Also, I love the Waikiki Edition so it doesnt hurt that you can walk downstairs to Lobby Bar for after dinner drinks :)
(4)Amanda C.
One of the best dinners of my life! Our favorites were the loco moco and spicy crab appetizer! We also had the pineapple tempura appetizer and soft shell crab roll...yum! The service was great (Paul) and the ambiance as well. Hope to make it back there someday!
(5)eric e.
Ate here 2x for dinner and both times Iron Chef Morimoto was there. the first time i morimoto smoked sashimi, oysters, kakuni , Wagyu Filet, & Lamb Rack. 2nd time Oyster foie gras, Beef Tartare, Duck, Duck, Duck (seared duck breast, duck confit spring roll, duck meatball soup), chef's combination sushi, & some of my wife's wagyu ribeye. I have to say the smoked sashimi, oyster foie gras, beef tartare, & wagyu ribeye is to die for. I Also tried 3 of his beers. the black obi soba was the best overall. Food was awesome & service is great. I would highly recommend this place!
(5)Kendra C.
I know there are mixed reviews....please do your research before you come here to ensure a great experience. There should be no disappointments here. This is a class act. We visited Morimoto on Thursday July 28, 2011.....had an 8:15pm reservation. Restaurant was busy but not crazy. Service was friendly and attentive, beginning with the hostess station. We were greeted instantly and taken to a beautiful table right in front of the sushi bar. Our server arrived immediately and took our drink orders. We told her that we were planning to sample the menu and that we wanted a slow pace. She obliged perfectly. We started with the Morimoto smoked 'stacked' sashimi with the 5 sauces....each sauce compliments a different "stack." Experiment.....play......enjoy. My favorite was the clear sauce. I'll leave the rest up to you. Next was the yose dofu.....highly recommended. Yes, we've all had tofu before, but how many of us can say we have had freshly made tofu? Most of us buy the processed variety from the grocery. Try this. It's creamy, fluffy and delicious. Spicy king crab was our "entree".....there is no need to feel pressure to have an actual entree at Morimoto. Instead, taste the menu. The spicy crab was presented as a dish to share. There are 4 pieces of crab and believe it or not, french fries. Try this dish if you are a shellfish fan. Last were the egg sushi dishes....skip traditional dessert and try the tamago and kasutera. Traditional Japanese and so light and fluffy....you'll forget you are actually having dessert. Afterwards, visit t the pool bar at the Edition Hotel. It's about 50 feet away but feels like a mile away. Enjoy!
(5)Thai C.
Coming from a guy who prefers a fine cheeseburger over the best lobster, this was way over the top for me. The food, from what I can tell, was on par with what I had anticipated. Most of the items we ordered at Morimoto's have been more memorable at other restaurants with much lesser price tags. My final review is to go here for the ambiance and service, which were both top notch!! The food was already forgotten on the ride home.
(3)Jessica I.
Love this place! Ate here 2 times: the first time was a set dinner for a bday party. Sat at the long private table. Service was great. The second time, was awesome! between the four of us we had 11 appetizers, 4 entrees, 3 desserts and coffee!! lol, never again will order that much food. LOOOVED the appetizers, sooo delicious, every dish was gooood!!! The entrees is ok, I would prefer just ordering appetizers and sushi. (sorry forget what we ordered) The freshest hamachi you can get. And the dessert is to die for!! love the different ways they make dessert and is soo tasteful; the hot and cold tofu: tofu souffle and cheesecake, the matcha green tea cake thing, and the sorbets are delicious!
(5)Tracy E.
Don't waste your money!
(1)Tony M.
Morimoto's is well decorated, bright and modern. The hostess was nice and we didn't wait long for our table. The waiter was friendly, helpful with menu description and accommodating requests. The sushi was great, the quality of the fish was excellent. The special which was a grilled white fish (similar to a swordfish) was perfectly cooked, however I wasn't a huge fan of the miso sauce.
(4)vanny j.
I can't really say anything that hasn't already been said. My experience started off good with an attentive server and really good food, then the food started to get less good (unimpressive greasy tempura, over-dressed salad) and so did the service (long waits, lost/forgotten orders). We had to complain about an order we had made at the beginning that didn't arrive until over 2 hours later and had seen multiples of the same order go to other tables that were seated after us. The waiter didn't apologize but made excuses but the restaurant manager did apologize and comp us dessert so at least there was a small consolation for the screw up but when you pay top dollar at a restaurant I expect a lot more.
(3)Jaye V.
Bottom line: Spend your $150 someplace better. I ordered the lobster and was so disappointed i almost cried at the table. On the menu, it stated that it was accompanied by seasonal vegetables and i think i got two sticks of yellow carrots and three branches of broccolini. It came with a side of lemon creme fraiche to (as the server told us) cool down the spices. I think the best thing about the dish was the lemon creme fraiche. And lobster was far from spicy. It didn't even have a kick to it. I basically got a lobster with seasoning and a side plate of fraiche and twigs on top as garnish. It costed me 50 bucks. I think i could've done better if i had gone out to buy lobster, tossed it in seasoning and butter and made myself fraiche. My boyfriend, being a vegetarian, ordered some veggie rolls from the sushi bar. Not very fresh. I had built up anticipation expecting an incredible dining experience, but Morimoto Waikiki really disappointed me. I would never go there again. Maybe you ought to spend your money at Nobu or some where else.
(2)Ross M.
To be honest, I was a bit skeptical going in because of the celebrity factor and the Waikiki location (esp since I was never that interested in going to his NY location). My wife and I are both very into food and already had the best sushi ever a couple nights prior at Sasabune. I am so glad I was wrong. Everything was delicious and service was great. It was certainly expensive, but not as bad as I thought. The view of the sunset past the sailboats over the mountains was spectacular, so it can be nice to schedule dinner around sunset. It can be a little hot on the lanai, though. Additionally, there is a good view of the Hilton fireworks around 7:45, i believe only Tues and Fri. Now onto the food: my wife started with the cucumber Collins cocktail and I had one of Morimoto's signature Rogue beers; both were excellent. For appetizers, we got Hamachi tartare and wagyu carpaccio. The tartare comes with an interesting presentation with some traditional and non traditional condiments that you mix in yourself, so it is fun to experiment. The fish was good quality, too. The wagyu carpaccio melts in your mouth and a has a great mild citrus sauce for a little acidity. My wife got the butterfish entree, which was a good size piece, cooked perfectly - she was even able to ear it just pulling pieces off with chopsticks. There wasn't much else on the plate other than some sweet beans and pickled pepper skins (3 each). Would've been nice to have a few more beans, but not that big of a deal. I had the yellowtail buri bap, which was a delicious fancy Japanese take on bibimbap. Finally, the dessert was a peanut butter chocolate bombe, which was delicious and surprisingly light. In all, this is a celebrity owned restaurant in a nice location that really lives up to the hype and is worth considering for a special night out.
(5)Grace K.
I had hopes that this place was going to change my mind about dining at morimoto after the disappointing experience in NYC...I guess top notch is what you expect when coming to a top notch restaurant. 1st appetizer was the oyster and foie gras...ehhhh the oyster was super fishy! Ewww. I've been to the other sushi spots in waikiki and the $$ restaurants served better quality oysters than morimoto. The foie gras was good but it was so heavily marinated in teriyaki sauce. I wish sasabune had room for us today... :( The pork dumplings tasted like the pack of frozen dumplings at the supermarket that's on sale...with foam on top. Ikura was a bit salty / fishy. The sake was really good though. Please Morimoto, taste your food before serving it.
(1)J S.
Amazing food! Prepare to have your mind and taste buds blown! * sushi is expensive! Other then that is awesome!
(5)Sarina A.
This restaurant is at the perfect location- The Modern Honolulu. Ambiance, service, and food were all amazing. We had dinner outside rather than inside because I felt that inside was a tad bit stuffy in this heat. Every item we ordered had so much flavor and the presentation was very well done. We had the : morimoto sashimi- there were 5 cool different dippping sauces. this dish looks small but dont underestimate it because its still filling. oysters foie gras- the combination of the two was more than amazing. wagyu carpaccio- melts in your mouth! morimoto style poke- the mozzarella cheese and tomato added a good texture and flavor to the dish. chocolate peanut bombe- a must try. its just that good! We were given a complimentary dessert for our anniversary. It was their home made guava sorbet and it was delish! Each item was a must try!! I would defintely order each of these items again and would defintely come back.
(5)Angel L.
Everything about our experience here was amazing. The food, the ambiance, the service. I recommend this restaurant to anyone celebrating something special, the wait staff really makes a difference in the experience. They are wonderful. Our server Brandon especially, I would recommend him any day.
(5)Jackie M.
Phenomenal; exactly what I expected of Morimoto. We splurged on the omakase and it was worth every penny. The sweet potato ice cream might be the best thing I've ever eaten, which I found to be impressive considering we'd already eaten 6 courses. I personally would not bring my children here but there were some well-behaved children nearby. The atmosphere is not romantic as we had hoped but more hip / trendy. Service was excellent; our waitress was very helpful in describing each course, which we fully appreciate. It is pricey, but for the foodie it is a must-do-at-least-once kind of place.
(5)Ken K.
We came to celebrate a birthday and decided to come to Morimoto's. Although the receptionists were flustered and forgot our name after checking in, the rest of the staff lived up to the good name. Especially our waiter, Ryan. Ryan knew the menu and could confidently and accurately make recommendations. The omakase was great. Since we had been in Philadelphia 's Morimoto I got the "repeat"omakase . The staff was very attentive and even brought a complimentary birthday dessert. So if you want to feel special and get treated well come here and ask for Ryan to take care of you.
(5)Vy N.
This restaurant is BEST for Friday dinner around 7:00pm! Location (4/5): This restaurant locates on the first floor inside the Modern Honolulu Hotel. It took us a while to find the entrance since we are not local. When we got there, there is a valet parking option so we didn't have to worry about finding parking. You can walk upstairs (stairs are on the right side of the entrance) or take the elevator to the restaurant. The restaurant itself is right next to the swimming pool which is beautiful! Since I requested for a beautiful view, they seated us outside so we can see the beautiful Harbor of Waikiki Beach full with yachts and caught the fireworks at night. Services (3/5): I tried to reserve seats through OpenTable and the app said there was no seat available until one more month. Then, I called directly to the restaurant and was able to get my reservation right away. If you have any specific requests such as writing personal message on the desserts, don't forget to tell them in advance! Since I did that and also requested for the best seats in the house, they gave us the most ideal spot for photo taking and watching the fireworks. Mahalo management staffs! On the other hand, their table service is without a doubt slow. I'm not sure if they have less staffs or what... It took them a long time to bring us food, and took them a longer time to clean our table! Food (3.5/5): Since the menu here is similar to the Morimoto menu in Napa, I was so excited to try everything! One of the MUST TRY dishes is the Toro tartare, the Morimoto signature dish. Everyone loved the experience and the uniqueness of the dish. Besides the fresh sushi, the flavors here is no way comparable to the Morimoto in Napa. Plus, the pricing is a little bit more expensive I believe. Whatever appetizer and main course you order, don't forget to order desserts! I'm not much of the sweet tooth kind of gal, but I love any chocolate dessert at any Morimoto! The dessert NEVER disappoints. Plus, this is a perfect way to end a meal, or to make someone in your party feel special with a written message on it! *romantic huh? wink wink* I would only come here on Friday nights around 7:00pm and reserve seats to be seated outside, because the fireworks at Hyatt happened around 7:45pm every Friday!
(3)Chris S.
We went back - and it only got BETTER. The food, the ambiance, the views, the food - nothing else can hold a candle to our dinner tonight. Thank you Nic, thank you Megan and thank you Chef Morimoto and your staff for making tonight a night to remember. The toro belly sashimi was melt in your mouth fantastic, and the peanut chocolate bombe dessert was probably the finest dessert we have ever had. Good thing that you don't have a restaurant in the Scottsdale/Phoenix area - otherwise we would be there every other night. Thank you for making tonight such a special occasion.
(5)Christopher T.
Took my parents out for an early Christmas dinner here, came in with no expectations and was only slightly impressed. The restaurant itself looked nice, service was great, however the food I ordered was 3 stars at best. Sushi was average with what you'll find at many Waikiki sushi restaurants, in fact the only thing that saved this review was probably the crispy fish we ordered. It was battered and fried, a whole fish from head to tail for $37 and came covered in a mapo tofu sauce.. delicious! Definitely my favorite dish of the night. Nothing else impressed. Would come here again for that fish.
(4)Lisa S.
Set in the ultra stylish Modern Hotel my girls and I were looking forward to dining here for a belated wedding celebration for our staycation in Waikiki. Before we even sat down, I was already starting to question the quality of their service - mainly with their communication. Upon making reservations online, I noted that we'd be celebrating a special occasion. When receiving a courtesy call within the week prior to our reservation, I had confirmed that (1) we'd be placed near an area close to where we can view the Friday fireworks and (2) if something nice can be done in celebration for my recent newly wed friend. When checking in, I was asked again if we're celebrating something special and felt like I was reiterating what I discussed with someone earlier, but I figured maybe they forgot. We were seated on a table right outside their indoor dining area, which wasn't what I had thought, but at that point I didn't want to bother asking to be moved. The food was delicious, however diners should be advised that you're paying for the service, quality of food and the presentation. Nothing stood out, but their Duck Duck Duck is something I'd try again. When the dessert menu came, our waiter asked if we were celebrating anything special...."Are you kidding me??" I thought. Being that I wanted this to be a surprise for my girl, I was shocked that while I mentioned to the hostess in detail of what we were celebrating and even identified and spelt out her name, it was a disappointment to see that the message didn't get passed onto our waiter. So a little annoyed, I told the waiter to go check back with the hostess. 10 minutes later after nothing on their dessert menu interested us, a comp dessert came to us and the smiles on my girls made it all worth it. I would hope their communication with these type of things improve over time as for the type of restaurant this is, I'd expect better.
(3)Bogdan K.
Aloha, first let me say this is my first review of this restaurant in Waikiki, but not my first or fifth dining experience at this establishment. The reason to come here is simple, you expect a elevated experience in a comfortable yet classy atmosphere. However this Thursday was not the case, my sister who is traveling between Europe and Asia has a stopover in Honolulu, this was the place I chose and to my disappointment they did not deliver. The chef tasting menu, which we had number of times at this establishment was somehow missing that attention to detail we enjoy so much, the service and explanation of the dishes presented fell flat, somehow missing that spark. Will there be a next time I ask myself, with the options in town hmm I wonder.
(2)Cay A.
Martin, our server, was awesome! He was very knowledgeable about the food and his timing was perfect. The place is very nice -- located in The Modern Hotel where valet is complimentary. We were seated in the patio where the weather was perfect. The menu was very a very impressive fusion of flavors. Unfortunately, the dishes' taste did not live up to Morimoto or the $$$$ level. They were definitely good but we came in with with a super high expectation. My fave dish was the Morimoto poke where he seamlessly mixed bocconcini with cubes of tuna sashimi, togarashi and bonito flake foam.
(3)Sandra Y.
Morimoto is my favorite Iron Chef!!!! That being said, eating at one of his restaurants was definitely on my bucket list. Good news is that I was in Hawaii with my BFF Dana, who had the same goal on her bucket list. Goal accomplished! We ordered: Appetizers: Hamachi Tartare, Whitefish (moi) Carpaccio, and the Takoyaki (with abalone). Entrees: Chef's Loco Moto (with waygu beef), Braised Black Cod, Steamed Salmon and Ume Shiso Maki. Desserts: Chocolate Peanut Bombe (milk chocolate creme with salted peanut ice cream) and Haupia Semifreddo (coconut gelee, honey and matcha meringue) If you've watched Morimoto in action on TV, you've seen his signature tartare on the wooden plank with the multiple dipping sauces. It's as amazing as it looks on television. The sashimi style Moi Carpaccio was just as delicious. The Abalone Yaki was like takoyaki but with abalone instead of octopus (obviously) and was pretty darn good, but I would have appreciated more abalone and less breading. (That might be the greedy abalone-lover in me) Entrees were lackluster compared to the apps we had just had. The gravy makes the loco moco, and our Loco Moto failed to impress. Both the fish were cooked perfectly, but the sauces weren't as great as we expected. (We took the leftover fish home and ate it the next day - broiled in the oven - and it was better the second time around). It's pretty hard to mess up coconut gelee with honey and green tea meringue. Or a chocolate and salted peanut butter combo. Yummo. He def won me back with the desserts. I know, super long review, but we ordered so much food I had to give Morimoto the time he deserves. Cliff notes: Appetizers and desserts were amazing, the entrees failed to impress.
(4)Daniel A.
The dinner experience here was disappointing compared to other options in Honolulu. Having previously been disappointed by the omakase, we opted to order from the menu this trip. Nothing was particularly noteworthy. We were staying at the Modern, and Morimoto is open for breakfast. I think breakfast is a better option here than dinner. I had the Loco Moto, which is Morimoto's take on a loco moco. That was better than anything I had at dinner.
(4)Julianne C.
Came here on a business dinner and I must say, Morimoto is one of the more innovative Japanese restaurants in Honolulu. The main dining room was elegantly modern and chic and I loved the open kitchen concept. My colleague even noted that sometimes Chef Morimoto himself would be at the kitchen/sushi bar creating some of the dishes. The staff was extremely professional and was very attentive with our drink/food orders. Had a very enjoyable dining experience overall. One thing that stood out from my experience: the dashi foam - how cool was that?!
(4)Larry H.
Wonderful dinner on the outdoor patio. Sushi was fresh and both dinners were delicious. They aknowledged our anniversary.
(4)S. Y.
You must be kidding? I was sooo... looking forward to the meal on Xmas eve. My entire party of 6 was not happy. First of all, the decor is nice. Something different for Hawaii and very nicely done. However, I can't eat nice decor and it doesn't make up for the lack of professional level of service you would expect from such a hyped internationally known restaurant. First of all, the food was just so-so. I think any decent Asian fusion from any restaurant in town is pretty close at a fraction of the (over)price. Some of the ingredients used are obviously good, uni, toro, frois gras, and added to the flavor. But the preparations were just marginal in almost every course of the 120$ Omakase course. Especially the main dish of rib eye which for lack of comparison had the same texture as duck breast. Does that sound right to you? Finally, the service. It was horrible. Nobody knew what anyone on the table ordered and consistently served the wrong people the wrong things. (one person didn't have the omakase so is it that difficult to figure out?) . We had to ask for utensils after courses and when they did arrive they simply plopped them in front of you criss-crossed rather than setting them nicely? I would expect that from a coffee shop. But not Morimoto's!! C'mon. It took forever to get the waiters and even the final bill. I would have given them much less tip if I had the chance and they didn't charge me 20% service charge on my bill already and then give me the opportunity to add "additional tip" when signing my charge card. You must be joking. Never again.
(1)A L.
Definitely one of the best eating experiences on the island. Prices are steep, but that's to be expected at an iron chef restaurant. Surprisingly, our bill was pretty reasonable at the end of the night. We had: 1) Ahi Tuna Tartare - 5/5 2) Foie Gras Chawan Mushi - 5/5 3) Calamari Salad - 5/5 4) Hamachi Ishiburu Bop (sp?) - 3/5 5) Duck, Duck, Duck - 3/5 6) Pineapple cocktail (can't remember the name of it) 4/5 If I get a chance to come back here again, I would definitely just stick to the appetitzers...both cold and hot. #1-3 were all appetizers and the favorites of the night. Unfortunately the entrees didn't quite live up to their reputation for me which is why i took 1 star off. It didn't taste bad, just nothing that stood out for me to order it again Favorite of the night: the Foie Gras Chawan Mushi (kind of like this egg custard thing, similar to what you may get at korean restaurants) MMMmmmmmmm!
(4)Katrice K.
I came here with my coworkers and boss for a celebration so I have to say that I didn't foot the tab in any way which will probably affect my review of the restaurant since cost wasn't a big concern. After apprehensively reading the reviews from fellow yelpers I got the sense that this was a hit or miss type of restaurant. It has its really great moments and its not so great times, so I went in with a little fear that I led my coworkers astray as I picked the restaurant. The sight that greeted my eyes was highly pleasing with beautiful pictures on the walls and gorgeous lighting and very comfortable chairs and unique tables (ours was a couple of pieces of wood with lacquer covering it, so it had an unfinished yet refined quality about it). As we had a dd for the night my coworkers and I ordered some cocktails. I have to say if you like "girly" drinks the white lily is amazing. It doesn't taste like alcohol at all and is just yummy. One coworker ordered a lychee drink which was kind of strong and my boss ordered a mai tai which was also very strong and they kindly fulfilled her request to have the drink watered down with some simple syrup in a bigger glass which helped make it tolerable for her. For appetizers we started with the tofu that they make table side which came out better than I expected. They serve it with two different sauces, watch out, the kim chee one is apparently very spicy. I enjoyed watching them make the tofu and the guy who made it for us said the tofu doesn't always set properly. I don't know if I would order that again but the novelty of it is just so cool. We also ordered the spicy tuna roll, which was not memorable at all and I would say skip. The third appetizer was the takoyaki balls with abalone instead of tako, which was amazing! The sauce was delicious and the abalone so succulent. I'm not a big fan of takoyaki or abalone in general but somehow (maybe the alcohol that I had drunk) the abalone with the tako yaki worked and made me a very very happy foodie! Definitely would order that again! The fourth appetizer was a calamari salad which was so delicious with the lightly battered calamari steaming hot with a nice dressing and greens served with it. Note: this is one dish that you need to eat right away and not leave a little for later because once the calamari cools down it does not taste nearly as good. Definitely would order that again. For the entree course we had: Duck, duck, duck-it was ok, the best part to me was the puff pastry on top of the duck soup and the cold ginger type of accompaniment to the spring rolls. Hamachi stone pot- it was just ok, with the very tender fish and the crispy rice, the sauce was just like unagi sauce a little on the sweet side (is it wrong that I think Shokudo does almost as good of a job) Lamb- the lamb was sooo tender and just a little gamey but it was cooked perfectly of the three dishes that I tried I like the lamb the best, the spam onigi was ehhh, not fitting for the delicious lamb and the ratatouille was equally delicious Seafood boulinbaise- as this was on the spicy side I didn't try it but my coworkers seemed to enjoy it and my boss finished it all so it must have been good For dessert: Haupia between two green tea wafers- I actually really like this dessert and I hate coconut and green tea desserts. both items were extremely light and well executed Cantalope, blood orange, and watermelon gelato- nice and refreshing Peanut butter dessert- the peanut butter ice cream was delicious, while the other half was ok Spiced dark chocolate ice cream- the chocolate ice cream was infused with some thai chili which tasted interested definitely an iron chef moment but not my cup of tea, it also came with this banana dessert thing and another type of ice cream which I enjoyed Verdict although there were some hits and misses within my experience at Morimoto's I fully enjoyed my meal and would love to come back for another special occasion to try more food. Several of Morimoto's creations were quite unique and things I haven't tried before and I am happy I got to experience it with my coworkers.
(5)Terry N.
I have to say that after reading all the comments I was skeptical on this place but I really what to see for myself if it was that bad. It was a Monday night and the patio seating was all packed. So I guess business is good. Our orders came very quickly and the food quality was amazing. Salmon from Australia, Uni from California ,Sake from Morimoto 's own winery in Japan. EXCELLENT. Glad I gave it a try.
(5)Jeremy L.
An anniversary dinner in Hawaii has to have some class and we decided to have it at Morimoto's! High expectations from an Iron Chef even though he won't be there personally to cook. Still, his reputation is always on the line. Instead of the usual three course meal, we decided to go with the Omakase, which is a 8 course tasting menu! Extremely pricey, but so fun! Each course has a specific way of eating like our first course, a tartar of fishes with a variety of toppings that you use a metal paddle to eat with. Other courses are really good like a fois gras Charamushi and a surf and turf course. This is one of those meals where eating fast is a waste. You really have to slowly enjoy each course and really consider the flavors. One thing I like about Morimoto's is the drinks. I had a Pina Haupia, a pina colada cocktail of sorts and a Thai basil Green Flash Martini. Both are great, but I love the Green Flash Martini best! Before making a reservation to Morimoto's, consider that this is not a cheap place to eat at casually, but if it's for a special occasion, it doesn't hurt to indulge. Morimoto's is a great place with great service. With a name like that, they have to be!
(4)Nakoa T.
My fiancee and I had dinner here for my birthday and it was great I really enjoyed everything especially the sake sampler (: the sashimi platter was absolutely delicious and fresh everything we ate was right up my alley! we sat near the kitchen which was kind of hectic and loud I was a little disappointed that they didn't take my birthday into account when seating us but the decor and all around feel of the place makes up for any short comings especially the service our waiter was fun and energetic he really made us feel welcome he really catered to us it was lovely. over all the place is very clean, well lit, spacious yet cozy, nicely decorated, friendly well trained staff and most importantly the food is AMAZING. i would recommend this restaurant to anyone its well worth it!
(5)Turana K.
so disappointed, selected this place to celebrate my birthday the worst decision i ever made. first of all my husband told them that it was my birthday and we need best table, instead they gave us small shitty table, after complaining they changed the table. Service is 0 for such prices. they never took away a dirty paper napkin from table, never changed it. food was ok, but very disappointing when u pay so much money to get ok food. we r never coming back!!!!
(1)Susan W.
Wish I could give half stars...I feel Morimoto deserves more. First fancy/expensive restaurant date! We both wanted to come here and also to check out the Modern hotel. It was hard trying to get in for parking because some dolphin tour bus was blocking the entrance for valet. Nonetheless, once you go up the stairs, you'll be greeted with the beautiful green and white decor of Morimoto. Honestly, we had no idea what to order. Judging from the menu prices, it was not worth it to order each entree individually...unless you're ballin`, but we didn't want to break our wallet. We settled for the $120 (per person) omakase set - which is basically a 7 multi-course tasting menu. Everything that was brought out to us was a mystery, but it was designed in way so that we would be able to experience the whole cuisine that Morimoto had to offer. It was our first time ordering a set menu that we had no idea what it consisted of...I was super excited to see and try all the dishes. 1st dish - Hamachi & Toro Tartare. I really enjoyed this one and how it was presented in this lil ice bowl. It was fun scraping the tartare (raw fish chopped up) and mixing it with the various components provided: nori paste, sour cream, wasabi, maui onion, avocado, and rice cracker. There was also dashi soy on the side. I liked how we could experiment with the overall taste. 2nd dish - Whitefish Carpaccio with hot oil, ginger, and yuzu soy. OMG this was delicious! Wish it came with more pieces haha. The fish was fresh and flavorful from soaking up all the yuzu soy. The seasonings they used were amazing as well...this carpaccio just slides into your mouth and down your throat effortlessly. 3rd dish - Foie Gras Chawan Mushi. This dish consisted of two small pieces of duck breast floating in a soup-base. I didn't particularly enjoy this because it felt like drinking butter and cream. It was a bit salty too. 4th dish - Bagna Cauda. The way I would describe this one is similar to a fondue style but not with chocolate and marshmallows...instead you have hot olive oil, garlic, anchovy, and local seasonal vegetables. I liked dipping the vegetables into the oil and getting to the bottom of it, where the anchovy was. Then, I would dip the oil, anchovy mix with the red pepper powder on my plate and that was what gave all those vegetables a very unique taste. 5th dish - Morimoto's sushi/sashimi. This was chef's choice and we were given 5 pieces arranged beautifully. This dish was alright, I would say their sushi is of good quality, but nothing special. Also, it would have been nice to be informed that once piece already had wasabi in it, cause we didn't know and we already had dipped it into our soy sauce mixed with wasabi. It made our mouth and nose burn. 6th dish - Australian wagyu rib eye and filet w/ local vegetables and cranberry maui onion, roasted keahole lobster "epice" w/ garam masala and lemon creme fraiche. This dish was our main entree and it was so delicious. At this point I was getting full. I was thankful that there were flavorful sauces to go with the dry meats. I didn't really care for the rib eye and filet w/vegetables, but the cranberry maui onion sauce made it tolerable. The roasted lobster was something else though...I love lobster but I have never had it done like this. It was super yummy and I remember it being spicy, but not too much..it had a very nice roasted/burntness to it and the lemon creme fraiche gave it a lighter, savory taste. 7th dish - Vanilla ice cream and coconut infused sticky rice cake with lemon kisses. DESSERT! I couldn't wait for this one because desserts are always my favorite part of a meal. What can I say? I loved it, especially liked how they incorporated crunchy rice flakes with the softness of ice cream. It was a mixture of different tastes and senses. My boyfriend and I were glad that we came here, just for the experience. We liked half of the things our set, the others were either okay or we didn't really care for them. Our main waiter, Mark was very informative and helped us out a lot. He even offered to take pictures for us and gave a tour of the restaurant before we sat down to eat. I don't really remember anyone else, as we had different waiters after that bringing out our dishes. If we ever do come here again, we will definitely come back later in the evening...just so we can sit on the lanai and view the sunset!
(3)Elizabeth V.
I was invited for a sneak preview of this restaurant. Being that is was an invite-only event and I had reservations, I was made to wait 20 minutes past my reservation time and seated without menus. The bartender got our drink orders wrong and the acoustics were so loud that we had to shout across the table. The menu is very diverse with a good selection, but I'd rather go somewhere else in town that doesn't over- or under- season their food. The hostess was amazing and incredibly receptive and polite to our requests.
(2)Laura M.
Came here with the fam for lunch on a gorgeous day. This place takes on a whole difference ambiance when there's sunshine pouring in from all angles. The waitstaff was chill and attentive, informative and pleasantly informal. And jeez, you can actually get a pretty effing good deal on food here during lunch, as opposed to it being a fantastic, decadent splurge when you come at night. A bunch of us ordered the sushi/sashimi lunch sets (pretty much all the lunch entrees come as sets with miso soup, tsukemono, etc.). I went rogue and ordered the lobster melt sandwich, which came with a small salad AND wasabi fries (usually I feel like you have to choose between the two) and these awesome housemade pickled cucumbers, peppers and onion. It was on thin grilled japanese bread, and let me tell you, there was plenty of lobster in it. PLENTY. In a good way, like you know they weren't trying to stiff you on the good stuff. It was sweet, succulent and perfectly cooked, tossed in a light shiso aioli and next to melty swiss cheese. It ruled, as did the wasabi fries. My dad ordered the braised cod over rice, and my aunt ordered the 10-hour pulled pork belly, which I tried. It was delicious, melt-in-your-mouth goodness, except it was a little heavy on the sweetness and could've stood to be balanced out with some subtle spice. We re-ordered the pork gyoza with Hamakua tomato sauce and bacon foam that we enjoyed last night, and also tried the tempura pineapple with jamon iberico and mint. That was piping hot and DELISH, especially when you got the perfect bite with all three components stacked on your fork. I love that almost everything is locally sourced. Another thing I liked is that basically when you order an iced tea, it's bottomless. They kept bringing me pitcher after after pitcher of it to sit next to place setting. And they offered simple syrup instead of regular sugar (which I think there was a missed opportunity to infuse with some tropical flavor for added zest). The stand-out dessert was the coconut panna cotta with lilikoi "noodles" and berries. Generally, I'm a chocolate-dessert type of girl but the fresh, tart zing of the noodles next to the cool, creamy panna cotta was an insane combo. Loved every bite of it.
(5)Nichole D.
it was ok. The service was great. They were out of the whole fish, which was a bummer. The menu wasn't obnoxiously priced like most fining dining in restaurants in Maui and Honolulu. We split the burybop (sp). It was not that exciting. I think if we ordered a different entree we would have been more excited about our meal. The sushi was also ok. All in all, the entire experience was just meh.
(3)Dia De L.
Been here many times before and this time, prob the last . It's like someone dropped the ball. Food didn't taste fresh like before , maybe they are serving GMO and no local organic food. Sushi was ok, nothing special . Menus were dirty , disgusting , soy sauce all over them . Beat up . Same with the leather chairs holes in them , tables were beat up to . They should shut down the whole rest , remodel and rethink the menu . So many other places to eat on the island . Otherwise they should drop there prices or close up shop and open a coffee shop in the hotel .
(2)Aaron R.
I've been here with my girlfriend for our monthaversary twice this year. So here's my review. First off parking. For what I've seen, there is no big visual sign for Morimotos. Therefore to help you out I will help you to find the restaurant. You should head ongoing to Waikiki from Ala Moana beach side. You'll be on a small bridge afterwards. Stay on your right side and you'll see red lobster restaurant on your right hand side. Then turn right at the upcoming stoplight and then on your left hand side will be Morimotos. It's valet parking. I hope that will help. Secondly service. Service is great. It wasn't busy during the two time my girlfriend and I went but it does get busy during special events such as valentines day and what not. The second time Ive made RSVP they already at a record of me; I'm guessing they have a mobile number set to my information. So that was great. The food: the food was good. It wasn't a "omg" kind of good but just a "it was good" kind of good, If you get what I mean haha. I would recommend the Haupia green tea dessert though. I admit that I crave that dessert from time to time. Overall 4 out of 5 stars. The reason being that the food wasn't an "omg good" to me. Just as a side note, Morimotos is an Iron chef on the food network channel. I think it would of been nice to see him cook my food just like on TV.
(4)Cindy L.
Finally.... At last.... I made it here! After wanting to try Morimoto for a year, we finally made it here for our anniversary. Loved loved the décor of the restaurant, totally not your typical Japanese restaurant, in fact, if you didn't know it, you probably would not even guess it to be Japanese. It has a very contemporary and sleek atmosphere. We sat outside overseeing the Ala Wai harbor, there's were lots of lounge chairs, so people were having a good time and enjoying their cocktails. Now... the food..... we had the $120 7-courses omakase! 1) Hamachi and toro tartar - extremely fresh tartar complimented with a variety of seasonings 2) White fish Carpaccio 3) Local vegetable with anchovy olive oil dip 4) Foie gras chawan mushi - taste every bite of the liver, YUM! 5) Nigiri sampler 6) Wagyu beef and lobster sampler - melts in your mouth wagyu beef 7) Okinawan sweet potato ice cream with red bean mouse Since the portions were on the smaller scale, we also had the Chirashi bowl ($35). If you are an anchovy lover, you will like this chirashi bowl. The food was good, but doesn't meet up to my expectation of Morimoto. As the iron chef, I was really hoping that his dishes would be more creative than what we had. However, the service provided by the restaurant was excellent. Shout out to our server, Brandon, who totally know how to compliment a mother by talking about her baby.
(3)JAN I.
the restaurant isss soooo pretty...the kitchen isss incrediable. best thing was the food was very good and pretty on the plates. we say morimoto at the end of our dinner and took a pic with him...its pretty pricey...so be prepare to spend. at the end of it all its all worth it
(5)D G.
We went here for lunch. I thought the food was good. Drinks were awesome. The entrees seemed pricey. They have a great patio so sit outside if you can.
(3)Cynthia W.
Where do I start?!?! The overall experience was great! From the atmosphere, decor, food to service! Our server was Joshua and he was very infomorative on all the entrees we had. Just to let you know what we had, we choose the Morimoto Omakase ($120.00 per person) which is a 8 course meal in mini bites! The menu is seasonal from what I understand so it changes. We had an semi-early reservation (6pm) and didn't leave until 830pm, so if you are in a rush, please choose another time when you have the time to enjoy this place. For beverages I ordered the White Lily (from another reviewer'ssuggestion) and Selected Sake Flight (which I did not try, so I won't be able to critic). The White Lily was yummy and I wish I had more than just one glass. Our dinner consist of (Course 1) Toro & Hamachi Tartare, (C2) Hot oil sashimi , it was sooo good and the texture was just perfect, (C3) Bagba Cauda, (C4) Foie Gras Chawanmushi, which was a nice surprise on the flavor and texture and how it just melted in my mouth, (C5) Intermezzo which is Konbu cha, sea kelp tea, which I didn't really like because it tasted like sea water (which they do tell you), (C6) Chef's selection seasonal nigiri sushi, which it was all yummy but I wish I ask for a list of all the nigiri we had, (C7) Surf & Turf, which is by far my favorite! The lobster was perfectly spiced (the only thing is I wish they had melted butter, in case...) but it is perfectly seasoned where you really dont need anything else ...and finall, the most important course (C8) Kabocha souffle cake- DESSERT!!! It was so good and lite. Just the perfect sweet! I agree the food isn't to die for but presentation and flavor is perfect for me to want to return to every time I go back to visit. It also makes me want to visit other Morimoto to see what they have to offer. As mentioned, I took in all aspect of the restaurant to give it a 5 Stars. Atmosphere was perfect and decor was simple but elegant and classy! We sat on the patio and had a great view the entire night. I really can't seem to stop praising about it...so I will leave you with this...GO and try it! You don't need to spend $120.00 per person (like us). I beleive you will still get a great experience overall!
(5)Jason T.
I love me this place! Let's just skip the sushi because it's amazing and you should know this already. It's Iron Chef Morimoto's place. Whatever you want it'll be awesome. Now outside of the sushi my favorite things are the pork gyoza and the yuri bop! Everything here is real good but if I could get those two things everytime I would. Also if you want sushi do the chef's choice menu. You'll get plates that look like stain glass windows. You might not eat it bc it'll look so pretty. But then you'll eat it and won't stop.
(4)Lily B.
We went on a double date to celebrate a very special occasion with some very dear friends, and I'm SO glad we were able to join them because dining at Morimoto's was a stupendous experience from start to finish! Valet parking available. We opted to dine on the lanai. Very modern and chic restaurant both inside and out. I loved the vibe. EVERY person we walked by greeted us on the way to the table WITH a smile. The chairs were pulled out for us. Napkins placed on our laps. Prompt service! The carafe for the pineapple iced tea is very cute! See my pics. My BF started with the poke. $19 My BF enjoyed this dish. yelp.com/user_local_phot… My friends got the wagyu carpaccio. They said it was beyond delicious! yelp.com/user_local_phot… The BF and I shared the crispy rock shrimp. $18 One was a spicy sauce and the other was more of a dynamite sauce. Both were good! Served with ranch. yelp.com/user_local_phot… We also shared the pork gyoza. $16 We were trippin' out on the presentation. Once you break through the bacon foam, you enter a world of delectable gyoza goodness. I'm the queen of picky, and I thought the tomato puree would be weird, but it complimented the gyoza perfectly. Deliciousness! yelp.com/user_local_phot… We also ordered a spicy ahi roll ($10), shrimp tempura roll ($10), california roll ($10), ahi sushi ($6), and kani [king crab] sushi ($9). yelp.com/user_local_phot… Lamb shank my friend ordered. She enjoyed this. yelp.com/user_local_phot… Surf and turf my friend ordered. 6 oz steak, poke, and potatoes. The sauce with the steak was yummy. yelp.com/user_local_phot… For entrees, I got a special: lobster ravioli with lobster tempura $28. I don't eat tobiko, and I didn't know the dish came with it. I swear our waiter is a ninja and he was watching as they delivered our food and must've seen my disappointment when the dish was presented to me... because he swooped outta no where and asked if everything was ok. I said yes but my BF said I don't eat tobiko and he said he'd have another plate prepared right away. Talk about service! He was extremely nice about it and stated he wanted me to enjoy my meal. This is what the dish looked like (first time). The tobiko gives it color. As I received my dish (second time), it was cooked perfectly and the lobster was in no way overcooked (I was concerned about the tempura) but it was juicy melt in your mouth yumminess! yelp.com/user_local_phot… My BF got the other special: kajiki $30. It was served with spinach and mushrooms in a miso something sauce. It was DELICIOUS! He ordered a side of rice ($4)... I ate half of his plate haha! yelp.com/user_local_phot… For dessert, we shared the chocolate peanut butter bomb. I'm pretty sure you know what I'm going to say... it definitely was THE BOMB!!! BOMB DELICIOUS!!! And look at the pic, it's BEAUTIFUL!!! There aren't words to describe the texture and taste that was going on... it was complex but an amazing symphony of flavor... if you dine at Morimoto (which you should), GET THIS DESSERT!!! $12 yelp.com/user_local_phot… I must say, our server, JOSHUA, was OUTSTANDING. We joked around with him... he kinda looks like Michael Symon from Iron Chef!!! He said he's gotten that before lol. Okay back to Joshua, he's great. Exceptional. The BF and I have dined at many fine dining restaurants. We've even been to swanky places in Beverly Hills (where we stood out like a sore thumb lol), but lemme tell you, JOSHUA (and the rest of the staff at Morimoto), provided us with THE BEST dining experience WE'VE EVER HAD. Yes people, EVER. THE BEST SERVICE EVER. No joke. Each time I used my Splenda, boom, they took away the rubbish. Water was never more than half empty. Plates were taken away promptly. He was so patient and answered all questions with grace and ease. Each item was explained in detail when presented to us. Utensils and plates were replenished frequently. Even my iced tea and my friends iced tea... we got new carafes and glasses. The list goes on. If management from Morimoto is reading this, JOSHUA is a keeper. He's amazing! An outstanding and memorable dinner. THANK YOU Joshua and Morimoto. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!
(5)Kelly K.
Food was tasty, service good, ambience was beautiful but noisy. Overall a positive experience but not outstanding, hence 4 stars.
(4)J.k. S.
Signature Tuna Pizza and Wagyu beef. Order this, really!! Outstanding. Cool to actually see Chef Morimoto there when we visited too. Very impressed with both the food and the excellent service.
(5)Amelia W.
I'll start with the food, which was really very good. We got the wagyu and sashimi to start and both were excellent. Wagyu practically melted and the sashimi sampler was unique - stacked layers of thinly sliced fish, caviar on top and served with 5 sauces. We ordered 4 standard sushi rolls and those were good as well. I would highly recommend the bartender's special Mai Tai. Really, really tasty. The service was also outstanding - attentive but not annoying. The hotel was hosting a couple of conferences and the restaurant looked like they were accustomed to large groups. Despite the large groups the service didn't miss a beat. When we decided to stay at the Modern for our 10th anniversary trip it seemed like the natural choice for an anniversary meal. We made the reservations 1 month in advance and also informed them of the special occasion. When we arrived we were seated out on the patio, but nowhere near the ocean view we requested and near the server station. The table literally was like an afterthought table and the chairs weren't even like the other chairs on the patio - so strange! A couple of other tables for 2 in better locations were free, but those were "reserved" and still empty when we departed.
(4)Kim S.
Ok, went back for dinner & that earned Morimoto an additional star. 1 word - Hamachi! If I have to add a 2nd word - black cod, aka butterfish. hamachi tartare - wasabi, maui onion, dashi soy - innovative presentation. Fresh, fresh, fresh. yellowtail 'pastrami' - togarashi, gin crème fraîche, candied olive - cured & tasted like meat. Yum yum. foie gras chawan mushi - duck breast, fresh wasabi, sweet dashi soy - super buttery. Gotta love foie gras. hamachi nigiri - Buttery smooth! Fresh, fresh, fresh. tamago - Wow, amazing! The most underappreciated player in the sushi world. negihamachi maki - Flavorful. Spice but no kick. braised black cod - ginger-soy reduction, pickled bell peppers, budo mame - wow, can I saw fresh again??! They don't call this rich, yummy fish butterfish for nothing. braised lamb shank - house polished sushi rice risotto - Big shank. Lots of meat. Heavy filling. Side aren't included, except for the lamb shank. So we ordered the house polished rice, baby bok choy & gai lan (chinese broccoli) - which were fine but nothing special. #4/31 Yelp Review Challenge
(4)Melissa C.
We had been planning our visit to Morimoto for a year. We ended up having tapas and sushi. The pork belly was the highlight - I could have eaten about 6 of them. The sushi was fresh and clean, and the ahi tuna was like butter. It was nice to be able to see into the kitchen. Service was attentive, although, he forgot one of our appetizers. The atmosphere felt a little sterile - kind of like you couldn't get comfortable or else you would alter the clean room environment. But the food was the highlight and that's what we came for.
(4)Christine D.
Excellent Atmosphere, service, decorating,,,,everything was great. And the food was perfect
(5)Darina H.
My husband and I had a gift certificate to Morimoto's Waikiki and were very excited to finally use when we arrived in Oahu for our honeymoon. Morimoto's can be a bit difficult to find if you're just driving by. The restaurant is located on the second floor of the "Modern" hotel in Honolulu. The restaurant itself is extremely modern and classy. The ambiance is definitely what I wasn't expecting when I set foot in the restaurant, very nice! The hostesses were very friendly and greeted us warmly. We didn't even have to wait, we were seated right away. Ryan was our waiter for the night and was extremely personable. He made excellent wine recommendations despite our indecisiveness but we finally got our drink orders in. For appetizers, we ordered the oyster foie gras and hamachi tartare! Delicious. The oysters were delicious and I am sad that they only served us four because I could have had four more! So good and so much flavor! I was uber impressed by their presentation of dishes. Very classy and they really took time to put their dishes together! For the main course, I ordered the "duck, duck, duck". SO GOOD! Probably the best duck dish I have ever had! I really enjoyed the three different types of ducks they had including the seared duck breast, the duck confit spring roll, duck meatball soup. Wow, where do i start?! The duck breast was perfect (moist, not saucy and delicious). The soup was wonderful (it had a crust that came on top of the soup cup) and very perfect, nothing I have ever had before. The springs rolls were OK, it complimented the dish perfectly. Excellent appetizers, service, and attention to detail. Enjoyed it very much! MAHALO!
(4)Cynthia C.
Came here a while back for celebratory proposal dinner. The decor was more modern than elegant, which surprised me. Come if you really appreciate art & style & presentation. Every dish we ordered was photo-worthy & a story to tell. Portions are small, so if you come famished, you will be spending a pretty penny to fill up. Service was very decent, but not the friendliest I've ever had. Flight of sake to share & ordered a few dishes to share: Hamachi tartare: small palette of chopped up yellowtail with a palette of sauces. Use a small-gelato-sized spoon to eat the dish. $24 Yosedofu: They bring a bowl out of liquid & do some wicked witch of the west magic & in 15 minutes, you get a solidified piece of tofu. Fun to watch. $19 Foie Gras chawanmushi: Delectable, silky, perfect balance of texture & flavor. Foie gras flavor is very evident but not overpowering to the delicacy of the dish. Definitely order. Probably my favorite dish of the night. $17 Wagyu Carpaccio: a few slices of very thin wagyu. you like your steak rare? you'll like this dish. Tender, flavorful, beefy. less creative culinary-wise than other dishes...probably should've tried the live octopus carpaccio instead. $22 duck, duck, duck: seared duck breast, duck spring roll, duck soup. beautifully presented. Yummy but nothing mind-blowing, but that's also probably because I like chinese-style duck the best. $29 I would definitely recommend for a few appetizers on a special day. It'll be something to remember without breaking the bank.
(4)Jerry L.
Amazing view of the harbor if you sit outside. The sashimi platter was just like how i remembered it. Delicious. Not a big fan of their Loco Moco
(4)Sung S.
Main reason I didnt give it 5 stars... I enjoyed the layout of the restaurant but the seating was sorta uncomfortable. The chairs are made of plastic or hard something. I have a big ass or it was not that comfortable for me. Also the 2 person tables are aligned next to each other so basically I could hear the people next to us talking about sex and things I really didnt care for. Food wise..... tried the 9 course meal. LEGIT. Pricy but I guess you are here for some reason like celebrate a birthday or taking your gf or wife out for a special night together. So this means you aint that broke but really dont do this that often because you have to check yelp so you are making sure you dont drop a benjamin on some crappy food. Expect to pay $200-250 for 2 people to enjoy your dinner. If you cheap, then take yo woman to Rainbow Drive inn or McDonalds. If you want her to love you, then yes, DO IT! DONE!
(4)Deborah K.
Everything I ate was absolutely delicious. The whitefish in yuzu appetizer was a standout. Opakapaka was sublime. Black cod was outstanding if a bit sweet. Pricey, but comparable with other high end restaurants and better than the competition. Great service. Ok wine list by the glass. Beautiful view and location. We stayed at the Modern Honolulu so this was just perfect.
(5)Kyle E.
Morimoto gave me one of the most unique dining experiences that I have ever had. Of the 11 or 12 things that my group ordered, almost everything was completely unique to the restaurant. The only thing that was nothing special was the spicy tuna roll, which was the same as any other place. However, everything else more than made up for this. The service was excellent, and the waiters were constantly keeping a watchful eye on us, ready to clear plates or fill up waters. I highly recommend all three of our appetizers, which were the tartar, tempura prawns, and gyoza. The tartar had various interesting toppings to go with it and the prawns were some of the best I had ever had. However, the gyoza was really something to try. It's filled with pork and has a "bacon foam" that was very cool. Again, I highly recommend it. My entree was the crispy whole fish, which was very good. The fish was buttery and melted in my mouth, and the spicy tofu sauce was a great compliment to it. The others got "duck, duck, duck", seared cod, and the buri bop, which were all good. For dessert, we had the haupia semifreddo and molten lava cake. The cake was great and went well with the red wine ice cream that it came with. With the modern interior and innovative dishes, Morimoto is definitely a top dining experience.
(5)H A.
wow...simpy W O to the O W. This is what food on earth should be. The Wagyu Carpaccio, The Lamb Shank to the Duck, Duck, Duck. It simply amazing. I love how casual Morimoto's place is considering the Iron Chef title he's holding. Some people gave bad reviews cuz they expect the place should be classy and all, get a life!!! If you want service you can try morton's or something. Oh and the chocolate peanut butter bombe is simply AMAZING.
(5)Mark M.
Today's lunch was supposed to be an event to remember. I've watched this Iron Chef on tv for years. I was amazed how he could create such inspired dishes on such a short amount of time every episode. I swore that if I could ever taste anything he had a hand in, I would. My girlfriend and I got ready this morning to do the touristy thing at the Edition Hotel in Waikiki. It's a nice place, it really is. Very NY like in style and furnishings. Unfortunately the only blemish to this hotel is this restaurant. I made reservations earlier in the week on Open Table. I've been looking forward to this meal ever since I heard that my favorite Iron Chef was building a restaurant in Hawaii. We entered the restaurant and we were 'greeted' by a snobby hostess who didn't really hear me too well. I repeated my name and then she showed us to our table. She never smiled at all. In fact, no one was smiling except for one female server. It sort of seemed like the staff didn't even want to be there. If they didn't want to be there, why the hell would I? We were seated across each other at a table for two and we had a pretty good sized table between us. We like to sit next to each other in restaurants so we can hear each other talk and so we can just be a little closer to each other. We were served water and that's when I noticed that the restaurant itself is very appealing in the aesthetics department. Every thing so looked so fresh, so clean, and very original. I also noticed an empty table meant for four so I asked our waiter if we could be seated there instead. Ten minutes went by and he didn't return to us. I saw him asking the hostess about our table and then I saw him walk over to tables to take orders, pour iced tea, and hand out menus. He didn't return to tell us we could or could not move. No hostess came over to us at all to inform us of our situation. The restaurant wasn't very busy today at all. There were maybe 15 or 20 other patrons in sight and a lot of open tables. If they were reserved, then that's fine. Come back and let us know at least. This restaurant was incredibly pricey and new. I would like to think that the service here would be a lot better, especially for a restaurant with an Iron Chef's name on it. If I wanted shitty service I could have taken my girlfriend to eat chicken nuggets an call it a day. No, this was supposed to make memories, and unfortunately, it did. Negative memories. I can honestly say that I have NEVER walked out of a restaurant in my entire life. One thing my father taught me is that there is a first time for everything. I just wish this time didn't have to be today and at this restaurant. I will eventually give this place another shot. Perhaps dinner on a Saturday or something. A time when they don't have their "D" crew running the show. There was simply no excuse for what happened today.
(1)Ginger O.
What can I say....this place is awesome! We have been there several times and each time the food is amazing. My husband usually gets one of the sets which has several different bites (like salad,sushi, sashimi, tempura. I have had pork belly, loco moco, and one of my favorites is the BEST chicken Ramen. We usually get a table outside overlooking the marina but if you like sitting at the sushi bar, it is beautiful.
(5)Juan P.
Oh, the price, the hostile price theme... Food is good but not great, but to be fair I guess it had to do with the overall experience. I was expecting to be seated inside, where the cool and the hip collide, but regretfully ended up outside in a rim table. Some things were really excellent, others were just OK. Maybe have to try it again. Or maybe not?
(3)KriStina T.
Morimoto has very modern, clean interior designs set with their open kitchen, pleasing plate presentations and remarkably trained servers with great knowledge of their menu and drinks background. I knew to expect nothing but the best here, but was highly disappointed when we came with our mind set on what to eat and it was out for the night. My fiancé and I celebrated our 6 years anniversary dinner and it was on our last night there so we couldn't come back the next day. We ended up having only a few dishes and left unsatisfied. No complimentary dessert was offered. The price averages about $30+ per dish which is portion for 1 hungry person or 2 skinny people, which is to be expected. The service was beyond excellent but I find Hawaii to have that in common everywhere. My fav was def the Taro Tartar, something you don't get to enjoy every day...
(3)Erica K.
I don't know why I haven't written a review for Morimoto's yet, as this is my all time favorite restaurant! We've been here over a dozen times since they first opened and have tried pretty much everything on the menu. I've never left Morimoto's unsatisfied.... Oh, wait! There was one night I left there not happy... It was a Valentine's dinner a couple years ago and Chef Morimoto was actually there! I was so thrilled!!! I walked up to him to say hello and tell him how big a fan I was. I also asked if I could get a photo with him. He looked up and told me that he was busy..... I was crushed. But, that has nothing to do with the food and service, just wanted to vent! Anyway, the food and service is always top notch! My favorites are the tuna tartar, calamari salad, spicy tuna pizza, king crab legs, salmon skin roll, loco moto.... Okay, obviously everything I've tried is my favorite! I just love this place!
(5)Rhea Cherie B.
AMBIANCE: B+ PRICE: D FOOD: B+ SERVICE: A Their service was pretty impeccable. The employees were very attentive and constantly came to refill our waters. I drink A LOT of water and I can't stand when I go to restaurants and they don't refill your water in a timely manner or in some cases, not at all until you ask. Well, I didn't have to worry about that here. Our main server was very informative and described the food very well. He was a good salesperson-he got us to order a lot of extra things we probably didn't need because he was very descriptive and made them sound so good. We didn't mind though, we like trying all kinds of different things. Many different gentlemen waited on our table (we were a party of 6) and one of my most important expectations at any restaurant was met: our water was constantly refilled. The food and drinks were great-fresh salmon, tasty oysters, a wide variety of drinks both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, dessert, you name it...but in all honesty, I've had better tasting food for a much lower price.
(4)Penny M.
I got to meet Morimoto! It was his 60th anniversary and he just happened to be there. Loved the rock shrimp tempura and the pork belly. My husband got a fresh fish selection. All was delicious.
(4)Ruthie C.
First off: definitely not on par with the NYC Morimoto. The view was beautiful so I suppose it was worth it to try. Service: they really need to step it up a little bit. We wrote on our open table reservation that we are on our honeymoon. There was no congratulation or anything welcoming. My husband left the table to add a surprise, and Morimoto staff said they would give us a sorbet on the house. But...this never came. We had a waiter that didn't have any eye contact and was not as professional as I would like. He was attentive and checked on us very frequently. Food: we got the spicy tuna roll without rice (wrapped in cucumber), pork belly congee, $40 sashimi combo, and the most amazing chocolate cake with marshmallow. I would definitely order the pork belly and the chocolate cake again. Those were the stars of our meal. The pork belly just melts in your mouth along with the congee. The chocolate cake was heaven in my mouth!!!! You get a bite of the torched marshmallow, dark chocolate from the cake and then mint ice cream. Soooooo delicious I wanted another one!!!! All in all: food was worth it but service needs to step it up for the customers!
(3)Tasmin R.
I don't understand the bad reviews for this restaurant as it lives up to all the expectations you would have for a fine dining establishment. Service was welcoming and attentive from the front desk to the water refill guy. Loved the decor and ambience. Finally and most importantly, the food was great. Impressive presentation and pleasing combinations of flavours. Desserts were both standouts. Would definitely come back. Had to knock off a star as they charge $8 for bottled water?!?! I'm sorry, but no 'artesian water' in the world is worth that. They should offer complimentary filtered tap water and have the pricey stuff as an option on the drinks menu. Offering it immediately as you sit down is sneaky as you're not really thinking at that point. Still, lovely restaurant.
(4)TD H.
This is my go to spot. Now, we're getting our kids into it. Great views and service. I have my favorites and they always hit the spot. Love the Maui Mai Tais and Mimosas.
(5)NATASHA F.
Morimoto was the place where my fiancé and I came for our first anniversary in napa sooo naturally for our second anni we came to the Oahu one! I didn't love it as much as Napa but still very good. The fish was amazing as expected, service was on point, decor was very trendy/modern, I honestly had a great night here! I cant wait to try more of Morimotos restaurants
(4)Clayton L.
If you just want expensive dining then I guess this place is ok. As for me it's going to be zero alcohol because if you want to smoke they won't let you, even in the outside area outside upstaits, even in the non-seating area. You'll have to have someone watch the table, go all the way through the restaurant, down some long stairs, out to the sidewalk and then down the street to get rained on :(. If not you will get yelled at. One of the MOST HOSTILE places for smokers in all of Hawaii.
(1)Tad N.
Needless to say, much anticipated evening as we made reservation two weeks in advance. Glad we did, too, as it filled up fast on a Saturday evening. Cons - the arrival experience, valet parkers, etc., was mediocre at best. And the greeting at the restaurant entry was so lukewarm, we were disappointed. But then the evening only got better - thank goodness. First of all, Paul, the primary server, was Excellent! But so were all the floor service staff. Each and every dish was explained w/ enthusiasm and detail. The $75 sushi platter was a great starter for 4 of us; we also had the spicy king crab, miso pork belly; and for entrees, the ginger pork and the wagyu beef. Pricey? Yes. But overall, a nice evening for special occasions w/ special company.
(4)margaret m.
Kailas- love it but it's success is killing it for me....even if you go alone....wait is super long. Food & service has been fabulous. Too bad they don't take reservations...even same day. Great value
(4)L H.
Food and service were fabulous!
(5)Cecil N.
We dropped by Morimoto's quite by accident on our evening walk along the beach. The outside lounge seating was just too inviting to pass up! We decided to extend our drinks to some appetizer grazing, and the food and drinks were excellent. What really gives this place five stars, though, is the service. Our waitress (wish I could remember her name; Pauahi?) was fantastic, and even the bus-boys were obviously well trained. I would definitely try it for dinner.
(5)Jackson G.
We were very pleased with our entire experience here. All of us had the Omakase for $110, which included 9 courses of the chefs choosing. Since we don't get to Hawaii often, we thought this was worth trying so we could taste a number of dishes. The food was great. The tartar was the first dish and it was delicious. The surf and turf was the equivalent of the main course and that was really good. They tried to pass off a tea as one course, which was kind of ridiculous, but other than that, it was a great experience. The staff was friendly and attentive. The time between dishes was a little inconsistent and lengthy at times, but I'd still go back. I'd definitely recommend the Omakase experience if you have a chance to make it here. It's pricey yeah, but how often are you in Hawaii eating at Morimoto's? 9 different dishes gives you a great idea of the menu here.
(4)Anna A.
My fiance and I had dinner here on our last night in Oahu. He had the black cod and I had a filet/poke dish with fingerling potatoes that was TO DIE FOR. Morimoto has such a neat way of plating and the food is DELICIOUS. The atmosphere is awesome and the service was one of a kind. Our server helped us choose drinks that fit our style, explained everything that was on our plates and why, and was just another aspect of our dinner that made it 5-star. If we come back to Oahu when we visit the islands again, we will definitely come back!
(5)Rachel M.
Personally, I NEVER watch Food Network/ Iron Chef/ WHATEVER! so I had NO idea who this Morimoto guy was. However my boyfriend's sister had nothing but great things to say about the new Morimoto restaurant in Waikiki and since he is such a huge Food Network fan and his birthday was coming up, I decided to make reservations there. It was a little confusing for us to find since we heard that it was in the Ilikai/ NOT in the Ilikai. (?????) Little did we know that after complete renovation, the hotel is now called the Modern Hotel. (Side note: It looks fantastic now!) We got stuck in traffic due to roadwork in Waikiki and so I called to let the front desk know we would be running late and they were EXTREMELY nice about it and very understanding. When we got there we were awed by the decor of the place. It's really something else! The wait staff and our waitress were extremely friendly. We had ordered 3 appetizers: Morimoto Style Poke, Tuna Pizza and the Spicy Alaskan King Crab. The poke was good but it didn't strike me as anything to rave about. However their quality of fish was excellent! The pizza sounded gross to me at first but it ended up being surprisingly good. I read in another review that the spicy Alaskan king crab wasn't that spicy... UM NO. This dish is hella spicy people! (I'm half Korean too so I'm not weaksauce either!) It was good but it was a bit TOO MUCH for just the two of us. My boyfriend had gotten the Chef's Loco Moto which was pretty good as well. I ordered the Seafood Toban Yaki which took about 20 minutes to come out. They said it had something to do with the way the shell not being cooked up to the standard they wanted or something. Better then serving me something sub par I guess. However they apologized profusely for the long wait and offered us cider, complimentary. It was worth it because the dish ended up being delish! Customer service was excellent and the food lived up to it's Top Chef reputation. I pretty much broke the bank but I would probably come back... just maybe not anytime too soon. :)
(5)S. R.
I live about 45 minutes away from Waikiki, so it takes a lot for me to really enjoy a restaurant there. If anything goes wrong, I usually end up thinking--I drove 45 minutes for this? I really enjoyed everything about my dinner at Morimoto Waikiki. I can't wait to go there again. The food was great, our server was professional yet friendly (something that is usually missing in Hawaii restaurants--everyone is nice but not always the best at their job), and the restaurant provides free valet parking. Final thought: bacon foam--yum!
(5)Mandi C.
People I had spoke to said that they left Morimoto's hungry. I did not leave hungry. I actually didn't finish all my food. I shared my entree with the rest of the family. Which was great because they all got to taste how delicious my lamb was.
(5)Garrett R.
Easily the best Japanese meal I've ever had. Traditional ingredients done in a non traditional way, yet still very approachable. We ordered the Omakase (tasting) menu. My few complaints with the food arent worth mentioning. The ambience was terrible, which is odd because being a cook I hardly notice these things. I'm usually all about the food. It was very loud inside and not much better outside. We were sat in what looked like a cheap rental tent at at backyard wedding reception. The half lit Christmas lights strung along the support wires did nothing to redeem it. On the other hand, our server, Joshua, was phenomenal. A lot of the other wait staff seemed cold. The food runners were hit or miss. Overall worth one trip. The wait staff needs to tighten up a little, the food could be timed better, and the circus tent would have to go for me to spend this much again.
(5)Audrey A.
First impression. Bright, white and open. There was a party of 5 of us and since it was a first for all of us, we decided to try everything family style... which is why the first dish out made us laugh. The first dish to make it to our table was the braised pork belly on top of congee. It literally was a 1.5 inch perfect square of pork belly, enough for 1. We all started laughing. I wish the waiter would have told us that earlier. We had him bring another order. It was tender, tasted like other braised pork belly I've had in a simple chinese restaurant. But the presentation was simple and elegant. We then had the sashimi sampler that came with a variety of dipping sauces that allowed you to interact with your dish. Again, not mind blowing in taste. The tofu made table side was a unique presentation of a comfort food that reminded me of the visits to my mother's favorite tofu shop in Hong Kong. The star appetizer was definitely the foie gras chawan mushi. Perfectly creamy with all the richness of the foie in every bite. It came with a little duck breast, which would not have been missed if it didn't make it into this little bowl of heaven. This was my favorite. For the entrees, we had the wagyu rib eye. Simple, tender and as to be expected. The ginger glazed pork cutlets were very familiar in taste. The most disappointing entree was the "duck, duck, duck" . The duck confit was tender and again, as to be expected. The duck taro spring rolls were all taro. Maybe had a small essence of duck in it. The best thing about the duck broth with duck meatballs was the pastry shell on top. As a consensus of our whole dinner party, the best entree was the whole fried fish. Slightly spicy, light and crispy. Would definitely order again. Drink menu had some very delicious and unique cocktails. The morimotini was nice and dry. Also tried the savory cucumber cocktail which was delish, light and refreshing. All in all, a good experience... not a spectacular experience. Service was great. The dishes we had were beautifully presented but very familiar in flavor. Also, the menu was not as expensive as I thought it was going to be. Will be coming back soon with my group of girls before a night out on the town.
(4)Sasha K.
We had an excellent meal at Morimoto at the end of October. Both of us ordered the 8 course omakase so we didn't have to make any decisions about what to eat. The omakase selections were awesome! Most required the server to instruct us how to eat them...which sauce to dip first/second. After the 4th or 5th course, I started to worry that 8 courses would be too many, but when all was said and done, we were full, but not disgustingly so. They have a great Prosecco, too! There were an abundance of wait help/kitchen people buzzing around and we had excellent service the entire meal. Lastly, being the newest kid on the block, Morimoto outdoes the competition in decor and ambiance hands down. The Edition is tres chic! We'll definitely go back!
(4)Brian K.
I had the Omakase and while the price was significant the food and the presentation was well worth the price. Only thing is i don't feel like i passed the coolness factor for the spot. Started with this strange rectanglular platter of ahi tartare and hamachi tartare with a bevvy of fairly involved sauces for them, as well as the standard wasabi and shoyu. Truly remarkable flavor. If they brought me 2 of these I would not complain. Next was the best part of the meal. It was a foie gras with a bit of duck meat served in a bowl on top of a sort of egg custard (not sweet). Rich, complex and the custard just seemed to smooth everything out. And the serving size was perfect for this type of dish. Next a light broth to cleanse the palet. Sushi was fairly standard, chu toro was excellent. They did have a saba which although I can understand as being a traditional Japanese sushi, most of thee rest of the world finds it to be fishy and oily and rather unappealing. The "sifr and turf" was a Maine lobster claw and half a tail, very nicely done, some pork loin with a pear sauce, a couple of cubes of beef tenderloin that I actually could have used a couple more cubes of and a lemon/cream mixture to cleanse the palet between dishes. The "predessert" was a bit of an espresso, jelly like subtance over a type of custard and was absolutely extravagant with a wonderful aroma of fresh coffee. Sweet but not cloying. I ordered a double espresso for myself and it came next with a beautiful crema. Not as heavy as I like my espresso, but solid nonetheless. The dessert was a bit off for me. A small scoop of vanilla ice cream and what seemed to be a kind of sweet potato or perhaps taro mixture. A bit of a baked dried fruit and some fresh shaved mango. Kind of an odd taste. Not very sweet really. The predessert was far superior. All in all, nothing bad, many things superb and the service was exact as you would expect for the price you are paying. Also the wine list was great, we had a bottle of Far Niente (white) and a very nice Brunello di Montelcino (red). Again they are not affraid to charge. LOL.
(5)Adam E.
Amazing! My wife took me here for my birthday, and it IS a birthday treat...in quality and in price. Yes, it is VERY expensive, but the food is an experience. I highly recommend getting the teasing menu. It's so easy to go to a Japanese restaurant and just go with sushi and known-entities, but the tasting menu is a whirlwind of new flavors. Plus, my wife is pescatarian and they customized for her. 1st course- an amazing ahi and himachi tray with dipping accents 2nd course- maybe my favorite; a small tasting of perfect lightly cooked fish with sesame oil and other deliciousness. 3rd course- an oil fondue and anchovies paste, veggies for dipping and small chicken accent 4th course- a Foie Gras Egg custard with duck on top (clams for my wife) 5th course- SUSHI! a perfect 5pc nigiri selection. Entree- a 3pc collection of spiced lobster, glazed pork, and tender filet (sub crab and bass for my wife). Desert- MMMMM Kambocha (pumpkin) souffle with Sweet potato ice cream On top of all that we had a fantastic sake flight (and an other bottle of course) Truly a special meal that made for a special evening. If you can afford the splurge, it is worth it!
(5)Gardelyn J.
Staff was friendly and very knowledgable about the menu. Nice view of the harbor. Wagyu beef carpaccio was excellent as expected as was the crispy whole fish. Both were buttery soft! The whole fish comes out sitting upright and appears as if its swimming on your plate. It's a good size portion for one but enough to allow others to taste from your plate. The yuzu sauce on the wagyu beef was the perfect touch for a light but fulfilling appetizer.
(4)Jennifer P.
Ambiance - fantastic. Great place for a group to celebrate an event, birthday, or to be seen. We ate on the lanai. Our reservations were early, so the sun was in my face a bit, but the waitstaff worked to block it with various tents. Service - amazing. Our server was knowledgeable, and helpful. Always there when we needed him and never there when we didn't. The speed at which food came out was perfect as well. We never felt rushed but we were languishing waiting for the next course. Food - good. this is the only reason I gave it four stars The presentation was fantastic, and the choices were eclectic, but nothing made me want to sing to the heavens the greatness of the food. Overall, a great place to celebrate with a group or take someone to impress them. As a date, maybe if you're trying to be seen or with it, but my husband and I would have preferred a little more intimacy. Hence the other reason for the four stars as it's good, but not over the top great.
(4)Gsk A.
We were staying at The Modern Hotel where the restaurant was located. Since I've already been to the one in NY and Napa many times, why not give this one a try also. In comparision with the others I think it's just average. Not a good as the others. I have already pretty much tried everything on the menu before. So i was really hoping to try something new since it's at a different location. Nothing really stood out. Pretty much the same menu. I'm not saying it's not good but was just really hoping to they have some more exotic items since we are in Honolulu surrounded by many ocean life. So if you have the money to splurge then I guess it's ok but if not while in Honolulu then there are plenty of other restaurant where your money can go much further and get real awesome sushi and unique dishes.
(3)Melissa D.
My husband and I went on a belated Valentine's Day date. I truly appreciated the ability to book a reservation online, and was happy to receive two email reminders. However, I neglected to review the restaurant's website before heading out. As a result, I parked in the self-park lot and had to pay $24 at the end of the night. VALET PARKING IS FREE, and the restaurant doesn't validate in the self-park lot across the street! Overall, our dining experience was great. This was our first visit to Morimoto Waikiki, and it met or exceeded our expectations. The restaurant's decor made for a warm, contemporary ambiance, although it was not particularly romantic. We were also seated next to another couple to the point that we could actually see what the other party was ordering and carry on a brief conversation. There was a family of tourists with young children who arrived shortly after we were there. I'm not sure if their visit to Morimoto was just to gawk at the raw bar and drink water because I didn't see them eating, but they were underdressed and quite disruptive. This is NOT a good family restaurant, although there were others that had perfectly well-behaved and well-dressed children. The menu selections were unique and unexpected. Armed with a few recommendations in mind, we selected three appetizers (foie gras chawan mushi, congee with pork belly, salad), two entrees (lamb with spam onigiri, ginger pork), two sides (fingerling potatoes, gai lan), and a dessert (hot/cold tofu). We were extremely pleased with everything we ate, and will return again to try other dishes.
(4)Kaneohe G.
Got the chefs recommendations of the chosen 7 course meal. Amazing flavors, small portions, but enough after all 7 courses. A bit on the spendy side, but a nice yearly splurge! Service was amazing!
(4)Howard C.
Over rated to say the least.
(1)Katie L.
I was super super super EXCITED to go to Morimotos. With that said, I was disappointed at the service and food provided. The drinks were a-okay - definately not worth the average $12 per drink - with the exception of the white lily. That drink is sooo good! We had a bunch of appetizers - but, none were memorable for me to write about. However, we did have the tuna pizza - which was AMAZING and probably the best thing I had all night. For my entree, I had Morimoto's version of bi bim bap with Hamachi. The fish was super tender and soft and not overcooked at all - especially interesting to watch cause they cook it table side. However, they overload the sauce and it overcomes the entire dish. While the servers and bussers are super attentive, they mixed up our orders and dropped food off at our table that wasn't ours not once, but TWICE. On the upside, the presentation of the food is super nice and unique. And Morimoto was there the night we were dining. On the downside, for the price you pay and the service you get - its definately not worth it.
(3)Flynn M.
Gluten Free Friendly. Marked on menu. Probably can't have the tasting menu. My wife's favorite Iron Chef! We love Morimoto! Enough said, or can't say enough. The first time we came, a few years ago, was our wedding night dinner. It was just the two of us. I hadn't been diagnosed with celiac yet. We had the tasting menu and it was fantastic. Fulfilled one of my wife's fantasies. We felt like Iron Chef judges. Every item was superb in both taste and creativity. Part of the tasting included fois gras. My wife had never had fois gras and now she loves it. This was the best I've ever had. Talk about starting at the top. Other stand out items are the wagyu beef, the sushi appetizer, and duck. The cajun style lobster tail was average. Everything else was so over the top amazing that an average lobster tail stood out quite a bit. I'd never order it again. Since the tasting, we've been back three times. My wife says next time she's just going to have fois gras, two maybe three orders. We'll see if she isn't tempted out of her plan. Because the whole menu is so tempting. I've also enjoyed the sakes a great deal. Morimoto's is expensive but I've paid more for food in New York for less quality. Morimoto's is absolutely worth it and you should go out of your way to eat here.
(5)Janet F.
I love it here! Food is delicious (although I don't agree with some of the prices). I love their Pork Gyoza. It is actually made differently compared to how I usually eat Gyoza. Let's just say... Bacon foam! Haha. I also find the chicken ramen very delicious! Flavorful without tasting too salty and you can taste the ginger they used to make it as well! Very refreshing and light! Their sashimi/sushi are fresh! Mmm... The Otoro just melts in your mouth. Oh! And their tuna tartare is to die for.
(4)Ben T.
Overall experience at Morimoto was top notch. Even though we had a reservation, we had to wait for an additional 45 min due to a storm taking out the restaurant's outdoor area. We passed the time by waiting at the bar, but were not actually pleased by the time we were seated. To make up for the unexpected wait, the restaurant gave us a free entree without us asking. It was delicious! All of the food was brilliantly presented and tasted amazing. A favourite was the pork belly congee which was simply divine.
(4)Connie H.
GET THE LUNCH SET! nuff said. Best value IMO you get variety and good portions. $25. I got angry chicken. It came with sushi salad soup and salad! My only recommendation/suggestion to management is to update the decor. They have limitations since the color scheme is white/light green, so the age of the chairs really show and all white plates and stuff show the slightest markings. For example, my white soy sauce container had a piece of food sticking to the bottom when it came to my table. I would def return for the lunch sets!
(4)Alvin A.
Morimoto Waikiki: the best fine dining restaurant I've ever ate at especially on Oahu. I felt like a food judge that you see on tv. Me and My gf sat at 8pm and didn't stop eating till 10pm. It was awesome!!!!!! Here's the breakdown: 1. Food the food was awesome! Every bite I took was a slice of heaven.. The fish was so delicate and steak cut like butter. Dessert was magnificent! Flavors in each dish was like watching a symphony of harmonious proportions. Better put, it was like an orgy of flavors in my mouth! We had 4 appetizers, 2 main course, and 2 desserts 2. Food Presentations you know what was awesome about this place, the servers took their time and explained each dish that came out to us. The presentations was like an art painting you would want to hang on your wall. I didn't even want to touch them cause it was so pretty. The chefs took their time in creating masterpieces. Pretty much it reminded me when I first saw My gf, the hottest eye candy around ;) (brownie points) 3. Service service was great! They spaced out the appetizers, main course and desserts well. We was able to enjoy our food and enjoyed every bite. We didn't feel rushed at all. Every dish that was completed, we got new utensils, plates and got our tables wiped... Everytime!!! 3. Price let's just say you can't put a price on the Morimoto experience. That being said I could probably only afford going there Once a year preferably during tax season. LoL In my opinion, I've been to Roys, Ruth's Chris, Alan Wongs and John Dominis to name a few, Morimotos dinner menu blew all of them out of the water. Morimotos made all the other fine dining places on Oahu like newbies playing COD for the first time, made them look like rookies and I'm not even exaggerating! I'll definitely go there again, not anytime soon but again lol
(5)wanda M.
Wow! Food and drinks were superb! The only thing I didn't care for was the tables were so close together, we ended up talking with the next tables on both sides lol! And everyone is looking at the other tables to see what each other ordered! Much too close! Service was great! Best B.day dinner I ever had! Definitely returning!
(4)Mary W.
We came here for our honeymoon dinner - we mentioned this in our reservation and we were seated at a corner table with a nice view of the beach. Along with the dessert course in the tasting menu, we were served with a congratulations sorbet. The wait staff was pleasant and gave detailed explanation of the food and offered to take photos for us. The first two courses were amazing (tartar and sashimi) the other 5 that followed were mediocre (considering its $120 per person). The surf and turf was most disappointing - over seasoned and over cooked. We had a palette cleansing tea which tasted like salt water. Overall experience was okay but probably not for the price.
(3)Robert O.
My fam and I have been coming here ever since they opened and never have they disappointed. They really do take care of you there. One server that comes to mind is josh. Never met another server like him anywhere else. He treats you like family and makes your dinning experience even more memorable. On a 1 to 10 scale, I definitely give morimotos an 11.
(5)Camille H.
I checked this place out last night after all the hype around this new restaurant and i have to say it truly exceeded my expectations. Great ambiance. It's very modern and not what I had originally expected but loved it. Although, it's a pricey restaurant its still casual enough where you can comfortably carry on your conversations unlike some classy restaurants where you're eating in silence. We sat outside and you really feel like you are no longer in Waikiki but in a hip LA restaurant. The wait staff were very knowledgeable and i felt like we were taken care of from the minute we stepped in to the moment we left. As for food, fantastic!! My favorite restaurant is Hiroshi's at restaurant row but I think Morimoto's might now be my number one. The dishes are different and unique. I feel like I could not have had those dishes at another restaurant in Hawaii. I started off with a two appetizers. The first was an oyster, uni and foie gras combination in teriyaki sauce. SOOO good! It was the best part of my meal and I encourage anyone who doesn't mind eating these three things to try it. Next, I had a tartare appetizer with a flan with egg yolk and cauliflower salad. This was a great twist on the Japanese dish usually made with just raw meat, egg and slight seasoning. For entrees, I tried the lamb ribs and Morimoto's take on the Korean Bi Bim Bap. Both were delicious. The 'bi bim bap' was with seared hamachi and is prepared at the table in traditional korean stone pot. For dessert, peanut butter and dark chocolate. Yum! So, go try it!!! This restaurant won't disappoint!
(5)Talon G.
I would've given 5 stars but my service was horrible. Took 30 minutes to finally get water & he only filled 3 of our 4 glasses. Then it took another 15 for him to return with my glass of wine. All the while I watched the table next to me get serviced 4 times. We waited another 15 minutes before I finally asked out water server to locate our waiter. He replied that he just got assigned to our table because they are short handed. Instead of getting mad I accepted because it was a holiday & mistakes happen. We ordered our appetizers & entrees at the same time. We got our entree & one of our appetizers didn't even come out. Had to ask, he forgot to order it. So he gave it to us for free. After receiving all our food, I forgot all about our long wait. The food was fabulous! Our table enjoyed the filet, ribeye, fried fish, Ishi yaki buri bop, spicy king crab & some sushi. The food was so good I'm looking forward to next time. If the food is good I'll usually go back to a restaurant regardless of the service.
(4)caroline s.
The food was original. The service was good. The desserts were AMAZING!
(4)bimi a.
Morimoto doesn't fail to please. My friends ordered sushi as an appetizer, and each piece was tender enough for a lady to bite into, and take 2 bites. I had the hamachi ishiyaki in stoneware, and it was excellent. It was seasoned just right, and Morimoto deserves bragging rights for his rice. The tofu cheesecake dessert was excellent as well. Hope everything remains the same when I visit again.
(5)Lynne A.
Nice restaurant, service is excellent, food was good but I'm still trying to figure out if it was really worth $375 for dinner. That could've been put into my sons savings account. shame on me!
(3)Jacob N.
I've been to Morimoto Waikiki a couple times now, but it's only been for lunch, and I haven't been disappointed one bit! At first I was worried that it would be quite a pricey lunch since, you know, it's Morimoto, but I was pleasantly surprised when I noticed the lunch sets on the menu. The lunch sets range from $22 to $28 and include Miso soup, salad and sushi. Who would have thought you could eat at Morimoto for under $30?? Morimoto Junmai: yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… Crispy Rock Shrimp Tempura: I highly recommend this appetizer. Not only does it taste amazing, but it's also pretty reasonably priced! Wasabi Aioli: yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… Spicy Kochujang: yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… Ranch and celery: yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… Sashimi Sushi Combination: Should be called Tempura Sahimi combo. yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… Tempura: Crispy on the outside tender on the inside. yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… Sashimi and Sushi: Super fresh fish. yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… Sushi Omakase, $40: I want to try the pricier Omakase sets next time! yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… Tofu Cheesecake: yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… Vanilla Roasted Pineapple: yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… Some other special dessert: Unfortunately I don't remember what exactly it was, but it was like a flourless chocolate cake with espresso ice cream. yelp.com/biz_photos/mori… All of the food that I've tried here was simply spectacular. The flavors of each dish complimented the next, and with the reasonable price of the lunch menu you can't go wrong! I can't wait to see what the dinner experience here is like!
(4)Mark L.
Long and the short of it.....I would come here for Sushi and Sashimi any day of the week. It is incredibly fresh and perfectly prepared with delicate texture, kind of what you would expect at a restaurant of one of the greatest Chefs in the world. Some of the other items were a tiny bit hit and miss for me. The Foie Gras Chawan Mushi is RIDICULOUSLY good. Unreal texture and flavor, it is a do not miss! The Wagyu Carpaccio was really solid, although not the best I have had. The Duck, Duck, Duck, I was really looking forward to this and it fell flat for me. The duck meatballs in broth were superb, the other two items were just alright. The drinks are super solid and the service was as expected. Great thing that there was zero rush at all. The restaurant itself is well designed, pretty and calm. Most people seem to opt for the outside seating which we did not get a chance to try. Come down and get yourself some stuff, you won't regret it!
(4)Thi N.
Came last week with a friend. Went with the Omakase + wine tasting. The only dish that was a standout was the toro tartare, otherwise food very average for what we expected. Service not too bad but the waiters did not know or explain the wines that were coming out with the wine paring - at some points the wine glasses were just placed onto the table without any explanations. At $530 ($730 AUD) for 2 people after tax + tips, definitely could have been better.
(3)Alexander S.
Amazing for lunch or dinner. Morimoto is a genius with food. The dollar may be high but if your looking for quality sushi and tasty asian fusion food, this is the place to eat.
(5)Kensi T.
Beautiful, bright & airy interior with full walls of glass facing the harbor and ocean. Wait staff were warm, friendly and knowledgeable about menu items. Finding the place could be a little tricky since there seem to be no signs for the hotel or the restaurant. Drive down the street by Red Lobster, turn left into what looks like valet parking. If you see a bunch of valets, you're in the right place. They will direct you up a flight of stairs to the restaurant. Food was all tasty and beautifully presented. They tell you that items are meant to be shared, but be aware that serving size for different items varies widely. Abalone takoyaki, Morimoto's sashimi, California roll, gailan, and yosedofu all serve 6. Kakuni and inari are very small and serve only 1. (Yes, you can use your knife to cut into tiny pieces, but doubt you can get 6 pieces) Duck, duck, duck and Chef's loco moto serve maybe 4. All in all, the food may not be the best in the world, but the experience was fun and well worth the trip. Note about restrooms: Not in restaurant but across the hall in the hotel. Great looking, but no toilet seat covers or hooks for bags.
(4)colleen a.
Morimoto's has a great ambience and you have your choice of indoor or outdoor seating overlooking the marina. The staff was courteous knowledgeable and friendly with good recommendations. We tried the Morimoto Omakase. If you don't know what that is, it's a chef's choice multi course tasting menu designed to allow you to experience the essence of Morimoto's cuisine. We found everything to be absolutely delicious, and the presentation was beautiful! Don't expect overloaded piles of food on a plate. Presentation and taste is key here, not quantity. After finishing the meal we were both pleasantly satisfied but not overstuffed. Perfect! Do be aware that this place is not cheap, and by the time you eat and have drinks you may find that you have spent several hundred dollars. For me this is a great place to go for a special occasion and I highly recommend it!
(5)Raquel A.
Love, love, love! Menu is off the chain! Everything was amazing and didn't disappoint. I don't want to recommend anything because you should try everything! Even the cocktails! Wait staff were extremely knowledgeable in the menu and had awesome suggestions. If you haven't been, you haven't lived!
(5)Lulu C.
Great ambiance outdoor, modern/chic decorations indoors and superb service! The Yose Dofu was the highlight of my meal! Who knew it was that simple to make fresh silky tofu?! Can't wait to go back to try everything else on their menu!
(5)Dennis S.
Very disappointing! Much too expensive for what we got. The flavors of the dishes did not enhance the quality ingredients used but rather conflicted with it more often than not. The service was definitely "amatuerish"! The waiter's favorite recommendations all happened to be the most expensive dishes on the menu. The noise level was truly obnoxious to the point where I left the restaurant hoarse from yelling to be heard on a table for 4. I will definitely not return with so many other better eateries in Hawaii.
(3)Kenneth L.
I was really curious about this place since it had Morimoto's namesake on here. I have always been curious to taste what kind of food an iron chef would have in their own restaurant. When I came in, I was excited and my wife and I were strongly considering the omakase option. I had a reservation telling them it was for an anniversary dinner. My wife and I had come in 10 minutes early thinking there would be a lot of people there. When we got there, the restaurant looked very EMPTY during dinner service. I should have taken this as a clue to run out of there as soon as possible. But I decided to stay thinking it was slow because it was a week night. They said "happy anniversary" to my wife and I and told us to wait to be seated. After 15 minutes of waiting, we were led to our table--a freaking booth with bench seating that was not intimate at all despite the restaurant being nearly empty. We got seated right next to the sushi bar. Other people had much nicer tables with more space around them. I was starting to get disappointed. After being seated, water took 15 minutes to come. I noticed some glares and coldness from the wait staff. They gave off the vibe that they thought my wife and I were low class or poor--like a snobby attitude to us. When our waitress started taking our orders, she was noticeably impatient and snobby. I asked about the omakase option and what was on it tonight and she gave me a lot of attitude about it. Using a very condescending tone she explained that it was a chef's choice menu like I was dumb. Wow haha she doesn't know how to listen. I explained to her that I know what a omakase is, I was asking what was ON it. Then with more attitude like I was wasting her time, she explained that it was a couple tartar dishes to start, a few slices of sashimi (chef's selection), a hot entree, etc,. My wife and I decided to pass because we didn't feel it was worth it to eat two dishes of tartar when we could order better things off the menu. Throughout the service we were never checked up on to see how things were. We saw our waitress by the bar leaning about socializing with everyone. Clearly she had other priorities. The food: We ordered the morimoto sashimi plate with the five sauces, crispy rock shrimp tempura, takoyaki, braised lamb shank, and duck duck duck. The morimoto sashimi plate while good and fun with the sauces was small and not really worth the $28 for it. You get 5 sauces: a green sauce that tastes like peas, an orange and yellow bell pepper sauce, and a shoyu ponzu sauce. The sashimi slices, while delicious, were tiny and only the size of postage stamps. The sauces were nothing special and didn't really do much but to hide the taste of the fish. The crispy rock shrimp tempura app was pretty bad. It was not crispy at all. It was soggy. It was divided on a plate with three sections: a section with the coconut ranch and celery, a "spicy" shrimp partition, and wasabi shrimp partition. The coconut ranch tasted just like regular hidden valley ranch, the "spicy" shrimp was soggy and not spicy at all! The wasabi shrimp had barely a hint of wasabi and was soggy as well. Terrible. The takoyaki was a very strange dish. When you think of takoyaki, you think of octopus dumplings with a takoyaki sauce. Something that works. Here at Morimoto's it is mozzarella cheese and "abalone" in an olive oil and balsamic vinegar sauce. I eat abalone and I know the texture and taste of it when it is cooked right. The abalone was tough and over cooked and did not taste good. Takoyaki should not have mozzarella cheese and olive oil sauce. Tako means octopus in Japanese, not mozzarella cheese and abalone in a olive oil balsamic vinegar sauce. Morimoto should know better. My wife had the duck duck duck dish. It was pretty pathetic. On the plate was 3 tiny 1inch by 1.5inch slices of duck, a puff pastry that was overly salty with two m&m sized duck meatballs, and a rather bland duck lumpia. My wife's favorite dishes are usually duck. She was so disappointed she didn't even want to finish it because it was either too salty or flavorless. I had the braised lamb shank. The risotto was the best part. But it came out luke warm. The lamb shank had good flavor for the first two millimeters of it but was so bland and dry after that. I found my self forcing myself to try to finish it. It was bad. We declined dessert after being so disappointed with everything. Our waitress finally shows up again and is only nice while giving us the check trying to fish for tips. Nice try. My wife and I are good tippers. If you expect a tip after that kind of service, you must be high or delusional. TLDR summary: I was so disappointed that I felt emo after eating here. Seriously. I felt like I wasted my time and was robbed of my money eating here. It was that bad. No wonder this place has been slipping on stars on yelp.
(1)Jane H.
I want to give this place a 3.5 stars, but I just couldn't round up for several reasons. Let's start with why this place is nice, and how it earned the stars I gave it. The decor is nice -- it matches the environment it is in with a cool, laid back feel with cool looking dishes and utensils to go with it. There is a nice outdoor area that faces the sea, and it is a beautiful view! I was lucky enough to get the best view, happened to come on a Friday, and was able to see the fireworks! The food looked great, and the plating was delightful to the eyes. I got the omakase and the most memorable dish was the first one of fish pate. Service was excellent, and the spirits choices were wonderful. What were the problems? Morimoto doesn't understand sushi. If you are going to put together an omakase, you are displaying your best stuff, and the sushi dish was terrible. The sushi was the worst part of the whole dish -- poorly seasoned rice, poorly carved fish. The surf and turf was good, but not up to par from what I would expect from an Iron Chef. I ended up packing the turf and giving it to a homeless fellow, and as we walked away, we wished we did the same to the sushi! During the fireworks, the staff allowed everyone to get up and walk to where they felt was the best view. Which meant our perfect spot was infiltrated and not only did our view get somewhat obscured, but people were getting in our space!!! Not cool -- tell people to stay away from other diners. Let's end with -- I wasn't all that impressed by Morimoto NYC either.
(3)John T.
Somewhere between 2 and 3 stars, but closer to 2. Food: I got the duck, duck, duck; and fiancé got the lamb. We shared the salmon skin maki, and the chocolate peanut bombe for dessert. Salmon skin was good, no complaints, but then again, can't really screw that up. Dessert was okay, no complaints, but nothing I would order again. The duck was horrible! Only the duck spring rolls were okay, but even the dipping sauce was bland. The plain pieces of duck were disgusting! Out of all the dishes, my fiancé's lamb was the best! I would eat that every day if I could. It was tender, fall off the bone, and so flavorful! Ambience: Okay, but not my cup of tea. For such an upscale restaurant, the menus were really dirty and the chair had holes in the upholstery. Also, my fiancé's menu was missing the last couple of pages. Staff: The hostesses have absolutely no personality or people skills. Just plain blank personalities with no smiles, and no "welcome to Morimoto's" or "thank you." Our waiter was nice but had to wait quite a while between dessert and getting our bill. Perhaps the best staff were the bus boys, or I should say bus girl, as she was the nicest out of all the staff. Worth the experience, but would not return. Rather go Yanagi's and get better quality food for slightly less.
(2)Chad O.
HUMAN BEINGS ARE NOT AN ENDANGERED SPECIES; HOWEVER THIS IS NOT FOR A LACK OF TRYING ~Douglas Noel Adams ______________________________________________ The turn of the century was upon us, 1900s were coming to an end and so was civilization too. A programing bug would cause computer clocks to "WTF", planes to drop from the sky, cities would go dark, and electronics to blow up or die. Seinfeld was over, Kenny died in South Park, even Bill Clinton knew to get one last fling before it was all over, what was left for us? Y2k was here, your best bet was to stock up and bunker in for a nuclear winter. Is your can of coke Y2k compliant? No? Good! It will be worth more in 2000! Mean while we were in college, burning out our last years alive busy as a construction worker on Kapiolani Blvd at 2pm, enduring professors preaching typical Baby Boomer propaganda while Gen Xers & Yers got good at keeping their mouth shut while non-verbally sub-communicating exactly where you could shove it. The Mayan calendar is going to end, and maybe the world will too.... again. Itty Bitty Money (IBM) is no longer here to screw it up, but that doesn't mean we have a loss for contenders. Where would you be for your last meal? I want a pleasant place, where a T-shirt drone can always show me to my 2nd choice of tables I'd choose. Who no longer needs my validation or my tip, but will still blow smoke up my ass if I treat them like a human being while being able to recite the 3 B's of the Hawaii Food Service Hospitality Industry (Buckets of Baffling Bullshit) when I ask, What's... In... This...? Someplace where I can take a date, and when she stares off, a fixed gaze on some far off point and I suspect she stopped trying to participate in reality and I can't really blame her. I can attribute it to an it-was-that-good-post-food-coma and NOT me boring her to death again, with sarcastic self-important syndrome anecdotes of the end of the world. Always order the lamb meat lovers. If you spend any amount of time flexing in the mirror and kissing your bicep, can't go wrong with Ahi Sashimi Ceasar Salad. Thinking of dessert? Anything with chocolate here is fabulous! And get more than one, with all of them saying Happy Birthday with your name on it whether it's your bday or not, oh and special celebration days here are a must, so why not the last day? Who's with me? ~Self Deluded Prophet The Pinky to your Brain
(4)Lucy M.
Even if the food weren't that good I'd still come back. The restaurant is beautiful and gorgeous. The people are super friendly and professional. The presentation of the food are like a piece of artwork. The location is awesome, right in the heart of the Modern Honolulu (Love this Hotel!!) by the harbor. It just feels special to be here. So the food....was amazing!!!! which makes the experience worth every penny well spent. The wagyu steak ($60) is a bit pricey but so delicious! The nigiris were pretty pricey as well which only came out as one piece instead of pairs but were amazing! The Sake that we had came out beautifully decorated and tasted good. We ordered the trio homemade ice cream for dessert and is a must have after a rich and delicious meal. The Morimoto in Napa compared was good and way busier but Morimoto Waikiki offered a better vibe and true aloha experience. :)
(5)Michael M.
Fish just ok it looks like hey let's sell the tourist the cheep fish I can get better suchi in so cal or Arizona over priced low quality great service
(2)Aya T.
I really thought I was going to be blown away by my dinner here but sadly this was not the case. My dining partner and I were hungry so we ordered quite a few things to share. I had to try one of their delicious sounding cocktails, the pear yuzu gimlet was pretty awesome. I loved the pear vodka with a touch of yuzu citrus, lime and serrano chile...very tasty! Our first dish was the Live Octopus Carpaccio. It was presented beautifully but I noticed right away there was a lot of sauce on the plate. Too much soy/yuzu/ginger sauce was drowning the octopus which was a shame because you couldn't taste the eight armed monster. I was really excited to see how the Yellowtail Pastrami was going to tickle my palate. Again the presentation was better than the taste. First of all the yellowtail was raw which I prefer but pastrami is cooked so I thought the spice coating on the fish would taste like pastrami? Nope, it was just yellowtail with a togarashi coating. Yeah I didn't get it either. Next up was the Oyster/Foie Gras/Uni dish. This would have been pretty damn tasty but they drowned it with teriyaki sauce?!? I was so disappointed by this. Why would you ruin such high quality ingredients with teriyaki sauce :(. Time to cleanse my palate with another cocktail, tried the Coco Fraiche with coconut vodka, lime, lemongrass syrup and coconut water. It was very tropical tasting but I preferred my first drink over this one. Our next dish was the winner out of the bunch. The Foie Gras chawan mushi with duck was excellent. Really elegant and creamy, I loved it! I had to get some sushi so we ordered the soft shell crab roll and a ume/shiso roll. The soft shell crab roll with avocado, asparagus and tobiko was amazing and the ume/shiso roll was just what I wanted. For our one and only main dish, we got the special crispy whole branzino with a spicy tofu sauce and pickled papaya salad. The fish by itself was perfect, crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside. I thought the other elements on the plate were totally unnecessary and didn't really complement the fish. The fish was ginormous but it was so delicious that we managed to eat the whole thing :)! For dessert, we tried the chocolate peanut bombe upon suggestion of our waiter. I liked the salted caramel ice cream but the rest of the dish was nothing special. Overall, I was pretty perplexed by the food. I think they are trying too hard to impress and most of the dishes just fall flat. I don't recommend spending the fortune that we did for dinner when there are some better dining options on the island.
(3)Kc S.
The ambience was cool, very retro, we did not feel like we were in Hawaii. The service was superb. Started off with a lychee type martini and it was a cool, refreshing cocktail. We ordered the poke and toro tartars for appetizers and the presentation on both was like nothing I've experienced, and both were fresh, top of the line fish. Shared the yellow tail entree where the sear it in the bowl at the table, and it was amazing. This is my new favorite restaurant.
(5)Steven F.
Beautiful Restaurant. Service was great.. But, Dress code looked non-existent... Get Seafood Toban Yaki - I think this was the winner. lots of seafood that tasted great. The liquid was a little salty so i dont' think it is meant to be eaten as a soup but more of a sauce for everything else in the bowl. Okay: Omakase. It is $120 and quite a bit of food. But i was a little disappointed because it is an iron chef's restaurant and i had quite high expectations. The presentation was fantastic. But as far as taste goes everything was pretty good, but no individual dish was so good that i would rave about it. Unless you feel like really splurging I would recommend just picking one of the main course dishes instead. Only because this choice is quite expensive and is not mind blowing. Wagyu Capraccio - 6 small pieces at $22 a dish. taste great, and very tender, but just know what you are getting for the price. Surf and Turf - Standard surf and turf. The lobster was cooked well and the sauces were flavorful. The filet looked like it was cooked perfectly but was still tough which makes me wonder it was really top grade beef... I didn't think this was that special. Avoid: Chirashi Sushi - The freshness of this dish was very sub-par. Definitely the worst dish we got at our table by far. There are lots of good sushi spots in hawaii, so get a cooked dish instead.
(3)jeffrey f.
This place is incredible! The Omakase was worth the money. Morimoto is the best! Also my wife had Duck Duck Duck and it was to die for. Go here!!
(5)Robert C.
This was our 2nd time having dinner at Morimoto's. The first time, I tried the omakase, which was very good. However, the 2nd time we went for my b-day and it was quite a letdown. We had the chef's sashimi combo and the oysters with uni and foie gras, then we split the seafood soup in red miso broth. The sashimi was okay, nothing spectacular. The oysters were pretty good, but nothing I would order again and the soup was borderline unacceptable. The lobster and mussels were overcooked and rubbery and the broth was too salty. Considering the price and perception of this restaurant and the quality of the cuisine, we will not be returning. On a bright note, the service was top notch.
(2)Christine C.
I was a little wary after seeing 3 1/2 stars, but YUM. (I had spent the week with food poisoning and so this was my 2nd REAL meal after eating porridge and plain toast for the past few days. This meal made me so happy.) The decor is super modern, sleek and clean. I loved it. This would seriously fit in back home in LA. We were staying at The Modern Honolulu already so we just walked downstairs. We checked in with the hostess on time for our reservation, but we still had to wait. Say whaaaa. I've NEVER had that happen at what would be considered an upscale restaurant. Neveeerrr! And it wasn't like a five minute wait, it was like 20 minutes MINIMUM. Our reservation was already later into the night because we had other things going on in the evening so we were hungry and tired by the time we sat down. The dress code is pretty lax. There were some people dressed up and some people super casual (there was a guy in jeans and a button up, not button up dress shirt.) Service was pretty friendly but lacking. We sat around for awhile before our waiter even popped up. Hungry, grumpy me was not that pleased. When we finally did order, we got the crispy rock shrimp tempura and kakuni. That kakuni was bomb.com . Seriously melt in your mouth amazing. The rock shrimp was yummylicious too. However, they give you A LOT. I don't really want to be one to complain about delicious shrimp, but this was way more than 2 of us could handle. It came out in a tray with 3 compartments. One was shrimp tossed in wasabi aioli, shrimp tossed in the spicy kochujan and then one with just ranch dressing. If you see wasabi and shy away because you can't handle spice/heat like me, don't be afraid. This isn't the flavor of your cheap, imitation wasabi paste. This stuff is divine! If you're in a group, this is a good app to share since there's so much of it. For our entrees, BF just got the $40 sushi combo and I got the duck,duck, duck. I didn't care too much for the duck confit spring roll (I'm not sure if I was still suffering shrimp overload or because my body was overloading on having eaten more than just a bowl of porridge.) Everything else, yummmmyyyy. BF enjoyed his sushi as well. We also got 2 orders of the oh-toro (1 order is 1 piece) and OH MY GAAWD. SO good. If you've never had toro, this will blow your mind. It is pricey though. MP was $12...for one piece. Eek! But oh was it worth it. I could have ordered so much more of that by itself. We had no room for dessert, but were super satisfied. 4 stars for the food, but 3 stars for the service due to wait and exceptionally slow table service (By the time we left, it was 11:00 (when our reservation was at 8:15!) This dinner didn't break the bank as much as I had expected either. For 1 cocktail, 1 tea, 2 appetizers, and 2 entrees, I spent under $200 (including tip.)
(4)J M.
The thrill is gone. Came here a few years back and it was awesome. Restaurant also was packed back then as well. Came back this week and was average at best. The place was half empty. I called about dress code and was told business casual. Yet when I showed up there were many people in sandals, shorts, jeans, hays etc. They are in Waikiki so either go casual or don't. The rock shrimp appetizer was great. Great start to the meal that made me genuinely excited for the rest to come but for my main dish I ordered the motto Loco. Same dish I had a few years ago and it was not good. Sauce was over powering, beef stringy and the egg added nothing. Sampled some sushi which was good but nothing amazing. Disappointed
(3)Tara C.
We were here for our annual "Christmas Eve dinner out", where we treat ourselves just as if Santa were sitting at the table saying "go ahead...you've been sooo good this year." I'm sorry, dear Yelpers, that its taken me this long to write this review. I've been too busy dreaming of going back to Morimotos. We started our evening with a couple of drinks at the bar because our table wasn't quite ready. No problem, we'll have a drinky - drink. I had a Pear-Yuzu Gimlet...or two that night. I really loved that drink - not a fan of sticky sweet drinks and this one struck a great balance for me. Like other Yelpes, our low-point was definitely the hostess experience. We really didn't mind waiting, but I hate it when they act like they are doing you a favor by seating you at all for a reservation. Then, we asked to sit at a better table since the place was emptying out and I couldn't see any reason to be jammed into a small table in the middle of the room. This restaurant is so elegant, but those tables in the middle are decidedly not a Feng Shui decision. They accommodated our request, but not before making us stand awkwardly in the middle of the restaurant while she went to the hostess stand. When we were seated, I went for another a drink...all that drama made me thirsty. We ordered Oysters on the 1/2 shell - and they were fantastic. I loved that they served them with Yuzu (see a theme beginning?) We also had the mizudako carpaccio, I'd never had that particular species of octopus, but it was so tender and sweet, it was totally worth the "m.p." next to it on the menu. Just then, I looked up and who did my wondering eyes appear? Morimoto, the Iron Chef himself! Working diligently behind the line. I almost died and truly couldn't take my eyes off him. When I finally refocused on the menu, I ordered the seafood "toban yaki" which our server recommended. I was sort of suspicious since its also one of the pricier items on the menu, but I was absolutely thrilled with the dish. It was delicate yet flavorful and beautifully presented, as was all our food. I don't recall what "I'll eat whatever you serve me" had, because I was too busy with my own dish to care. Overall, the food here is elegant and truly beautiful. The restaurant itself is minimalist with hard floors and high ceilings, which makes it a wee bit loud when it's full. It was exciting to eat when Morimoto was in the kitchen and he was very gracious when I almost tackled him on his way out for a photo. Apparently, he loves Hawaii as much as Hawaii loves him and he is frequently found in the kitchen, working on the line. Its extremely hard for a place like Morimotos to live up to the hype..and lucky for us they did. Of course, it didn't hurt that Morimoto was in the house and the entire place was on a total high because President Obama and entourage were in the house the night before. Honestly, for the food, service and experience we had, the prices were right in line. We've had meals in Honolulu that cost more and were less satisfying. So if you go: go all in and let your server make some suggestions. Keep your fingers crossed that Morimoto is in the house. And oh, yah, bring the credit card WITHOUT the limit, because you're going to want it.
(5)Christine E.
I've been wanting to write this review foreverrrr. But, I'm not an avid yelper (yet) and just never seem to get on here. Anyways, last Christmas I had dinner here with 10 of my girlfriends. The only thing that I remember really enjoying was the foie gras with oysters and a teriyaki type sauce. I still think about those oysters til this day! Oh...and the sake. The sake was good. But the sushi...eh. The beef carpaccio...eh. Ahi salad...decent. The wagyu beef...eh. Pork gyoza....lame. etc. etc....nothing to write home about. I was very unimpressed. Not to mention our servers were unfriendly. They smiled, but not those geniune "i like my job smiles", you could tell that they rather be somewhere else...anywhere else. I did like the ambience though. The nice white decorations. It really made for a beautiful christmas dinner. But the food? All night I was just like...it's OK. and then, then the worst part of the night happened. Some server (i'm assuming he was the manager or something), came over, asked us how we were enjoying everything, then said to "keep it down". Excuse me, WHAT?! First of all, Morimotos is not a quiet restaurant. Next to us was a table of Japanese tourists yapping away and laughing and taking pictures. Across from us was a group of military people who would cheers by saying "Hoo Rahh!" really loudly. and WE get shushed?! This was a $1200.00 meal. and we were told basically to "shhh" at our Christmas dinner at an establishment that was obviously not one of those quiet, dark lit, romantic restaurants. I will never return. The food is on the level of what you can get at restaurants for half the price. And the service lacks any kind of care.
(2)Ashley Y.
I'm surpised at how low some of these ratings are. Every time I dine at Morimoto, I'm awed at the quality of food. I've dined here several times, and though I've always had an exceptional meal, this past experience was just the tiniest bit less than what I've come to expect. It doesn't matter, because I'm still such a fan and I'll always come back. I absolutely recommend that you make reservations, as I've heard it's difficult to get a table without one. My food is always prepared perfectly. The presentation is amazing every time, and I adore their outdoor seating. Morimoto is always a creative experience. The food is beautiful; the highest quality ingredients, good portion sizes, picturesque plating and attentive waitstaff. I'm never rushed, but the food isn't slow, either. It's pretty close to perfect. And I always enjoy it!
(5)Toni K.
The omakase was totally worth the hefty price tag attached. Each course was brought out by a different member of the kitchen staff, with a comprehensive description of the plate, plus eating suggestions. The Foie gras infused egg custard with duck breast slice was one of the best things I have eaten in my life. I was definitely getting stuffed by the surf and turf course, but soldiered on, thanks in part to a thoughtful menu that offered pairings that weren't too overwhelming when put together (not to mention, they normally allow 1.5 hrs for the tasting menu, but since the other members in my party ordered from the regular menu, they offered to bring out my dishes two at a time.) Loved the clean, modern interiors as well. Staff were friendly and knowledgeable.
(5)Pete T.
This was definitely a great experience. By far the most expensive and classiest restaurants we've ever visited to celebrate our 1 year anniversary. We opted for the omakase and was pretty floored right from the start with the tuna tartare. Exquisite! Other highlights included the fish in hot oil and our favourite, the foie grois rendered custard. That was the most intense flavour we've ever tasted! We extended that portion of the meal by 15minutes to fully enjoy every morsel. The waiters were incredibly knowledgeable and courteous throughout our meal. They really helped enhance the whole Morimoto experience. There was a monsoon happening, and they offered to setup a table for us inside the restaurant to avoid getting wet from the patio seating we had. The final entree was wagyu beef, lobster, creme fraiche, and pork chop. Pretty anticlimactic, in our opinion, but surprising to get all that in our set. We saw a couple next to us also get the omakase, but it was to share. They also ordered other dishes to try, which was absolutely brilliant! Definitely recommend going this route if it's your first time. All in all, a great experience.
(5)Janine K.
5 stars all around! Surf n turf- delicious. Lamb shank- fantastic flavors. Wagyu beef carpaccio - melts like butter in ur mouth. On dessert menu - espresso martini - OMG this is so yummy it will give u the big O! Service was top notch. Bring a sweater if u tend to get cold... The a/c was drafty. All the above with 2 glasses of wine $185. Was expecting $300+ so it was a wonderful surprise. Great poolside bar just outside of restaurant... Arrive early and chilax with a cocktail! Would definitely go there again!
(5)Jane L.
I absolutely love this place. They have great food, the FISH is the best I've ever eaten. It is so fresh. The location is wonderful right next to the beach a perfect place. The staff is very friendly, accomodating and quick service. I would definitely go back.
(5)Sim S.
If you only make it to one restaurant in Waikikikikiki...with your keiki Amazing Service. Great food. Excellent selection. Fair prices. Pretty much everything you could ask for in a Dining Experience. In addition, the Iron Chef himself is usually on hand for pictures. Might not be too happy in the background, but overall posed for some people and is available. If you could go to one restaurant, make this a stop. Family friendly as well as we had our 2 year old, and Ipad-busy or not, we only had to take him out on one quick walk as the food kept him seated for majority of dinner. Visited February 2012
(5)Surai J.
Just like his Iron Chef track record, the cuisine here is hit or miss. However, the service, the best I've ever experienced from paris to hawaii. I mean 5 star, think of everything, consideration to the n-th degree type of waiter. Where do they train? If the food could rise to the service, this place will the THE resturant everyone needs to experience. One note for families, this is one outdoor fine dining experience you can take your kids to. The patio opens up to a walkway and pool area, where your older children can hang and walk around while you continue to linger over dinner and drinks. They'll still be in sight :-)
(4)Maka K.
First word: AMAZING! Second word: Expensive.... Location/Parking: A restaurant founded by and named after Iron Chef Morimoto, it's located in The Modern hotel in Waikiki. The hotel valet is give 4hrs. complementary valet service with a validated ticket. I'm not sure how much it would be otherwise. Venue: The restaurant fits the hotel: modern. It's set mostly to a while and green color scheme, is very sheik and sleek, and definitely sets a classy and upscale tone. They feature both indoor seating as well as covered patio seating, which looks out over the boat harbor behind the hotel. It's a sophisticated and very calming restaurant. Food: Come on! It's an Iron Chef's restaurant. Enough said...or it should be, but I feel the need to elaborate. Chef Morimoto is Japanese and likewise is his restaurant, so the entire menu is gourmet Japanese food, and it's all freaking amazing. Yes, gourmet means smaller portions, but what you get is made of great quality ingredients and are always prepared perfectly. The food presentation is pristine and well balanced; I'm sure you'll notice the "zen" of it all. I also can't ignore the fact that Japanese cuisine never makes me feel guilty considering that a lot of it include fresh ingredients, clean flavors, and leave out a lot of fattening preparations that other Western based cuisines might employ. Service: The wait staff here are very well trained. They are knowledgeable about their entire menu, can tell you how things are made, everything that comes on the plate, and are willing to patiently answer all the questions you may have. In addition, they're also very accommodating; for example, a friend of mine had a bug fly into her wine glass and they were willing to replace it when asked (without an extra charge)---that's great service. Pricing: Gourmet is not normally cheap, let's be honest, but again, you're paying for your quality of food and the amazing service you receive. Ordering an appetizer, an entree, and a dessert can easily run you $60+, and that's not counting anything you might want to drink. If you can make it for lunch, they have great lunch sets (starting at $22) and sandwiches (starting at $15) that are more affordable than what you might find on the dinner menu, but still upholding the same service and food quality. Conclusion: I love the restaurant and will definitely return in the future, but it will probably be sparingly because of the price (or special occasions if we're talking about dinner).
(5)Harry K.
Way overpriced! Horrible service! Waiter simply did not listen. Bought Meat when we told him fish. & vegeys only! Go to Nobu instead or real sushi @ Yanagi. Shiso leaves were served rotten...see photo. Omakase - not a value!
(1)Reg A.
I don't get the bad reviews I've been to this location 4 times now on since its been open. I've done omakase twice! I was first hooked at the NYC location. For those who are complaining about the price.... YES, it is expensive for small portions! You should know what your getting into when dining at an "Original" Iron Chef restaurant. This time around I ordered: Tuna Pizza(Must try!) Pork belly congee(delicious!) Braised Lamb shank(surprisingly generous portion, but I wouldn't order again.) Tofu cheescake(still good!) Haupia Semifredo(Really good) Morimoto Hazelnut Beer(I liked it even though it was $18 bottle of beer) SERVICE: Everytime I've dined here its been great service. No complaints! I like how they explain what your eating & how to eat it! RECOMMENDATIONS: Tuna Pizza Tofu Cheesecake Omakase (for the experience & splurge for a special occasion).
(4)Fontane L.
It pains me to give Morimoto's only 2 stars, but I must be honest... I had high expectations of this place....I was on a girl's trip to Oahu, my first trip sans baby, and I wanted to have something really tasty... I would give it 3-4 stars if it wasn't so pricey and famous, but it really feel short of what is expected of a restaurant of this caliber. The four of us went with the omakase tasting menu ($120/pp?). The highlight of the meal was the foie gras chawanmushi, and the lowlight was the entree of meats. The entree had pork loin, beef, and lobster. Most disappointingly, my entree was lukewarm, and the lobster was rubbery. The other items were artful and tasty, but not as amazing as I expected? Included the hamachi tartare, nigiri, some kind of fondue-style dish with veggies and a hot anchovy-based dip, and other things I forget. Perhaps the experience would have been better on a different night or ordering just a handful of items from the menu...but I don't know that I'd come back.
(2)Aloha T.
Just good but not amazing. I would rather go to nobu for these prices. The service was mediocre. I had to ask for green tea 3 times. I never got it because after the 3rd time they said they don't have regular green tea, only flavored tea. Angry chicken was dry. Their version of bi bim bap was bland. Best part was the spicy Hamachi, which was fresh and tasty. Also had Hamachi pastrami, which great. Overall way too much money for pretty good food. For the price, Nobu is better and so is Morton's.
(3)Judith H.
Really good service. Average food. Over 200 seats and empty for lunch. Only three tables seated the entire lunch hour I was there. Nice restaurant but starting to look a little worn and dirty fabric on the chairs. Too expensive for what you get.
(3)Jon E.
I don't get the low reviews and the overall 3.5 stars. Service is attentive in general, food is high priced but hey, it's in the Modern hotel, it's Morimotos, what do you expect? So here is the guide to have a good dining experience. There are 7 Omakase sets at last count, I've had all of them. Ya, there are some things that are blah and some that are amazing, this is the same as any other place, the difference here is that in the omakase you are going to get 5 different dishes in smaller portion sizes. So, if you go with your sig other get 2 DIFFERENT omakase and share. Now you have 10 different things out of which you should probably like at least 8. Sure some desserts suck but I'm positive I would not have ordered the tofu cheesecake had it not been a part of omakase 2 (i think). The tofu cheesecake with black sugar ice cream and some wafer thing on the side is a sublime blend of subtle flavors and textures, worth going in itself, but then again you may hate it and think I'm crazy. Again, this is why you order 2 different omakase. Without omakase 4(i think) i wouldn't have tried the spicy seafood stew (toban somethingorother). That stew is the one thing I now order as an entree if not in the omakase mood, it's that good. That and the spicy king crab, what's not to like about spicy king crab right? So go in expecting to drop $300+ per couple, do it the right way and leave full and happy.
(5)Jackie M.
Morimoto is a large chain. The restaurant its self is nice. The service was terrible all across the board. Shame on them. Our party arrived. The hostesses just stood up there, didnt greet anyone. It took them a few minutes to even acknowledge us to check in. The restaurant was probably about 15% occupied. & Mind you, this restaurant is huge. I already knew these hostesses were going to be a problem. Upon making the reservation, they were extremely rude over the phone. I called from upstairs, because I was a guest at the hotel. We were coming here for a birthday, and asked for their suggestion on where to be seated. She was very rude when she stated "its all preference". I had to pry into her, like does it get windy? Does it get cold? I need some suggestions dammnit. It was slow season in Hawaii. The restaurant was dead! I was really unimpressed. At dinner we ordered probably about 10 dishes (including sushi) between 4 people, and they could not get the timing right bringing them out. Sometimes it was super slow, or super fast. We were shocked, and had to tell them to slow down at one point because we got bombarded with 4 large dishes at once. Other than the absolute terrible service, sushi newbs would probably love this restaurant. The dishes look pretty, but hawaii has so many great sushi/japanese spots off the strip. If you prefer to go to a "famous chef" chain, I think the food is alot better at Nobu. Majority of this post reflects on the bad service across the board. The sushi is an average 3 star. The entrees were a 2.
(1)Neen J.
I have eaten at some of the most incredible restaurants in the world and I love the way food tastes and is plated ... this place blew my mind! Every single mouthful was a delight visually and in taste. My honey and I sat outside and it was quieter than inside and we ordered the tasting menu - so worth it. I got the GF version and it was almost identical to my honey. The first course of sashimi was served inside a shell filled with ice and accompanied with a small little shovel type device and we were encouraged to take a little fish and add some sauce and the many accompaniments with it. I can't explain how fun it was. The second course of white fish carpaccio in oil was spectacular. The sushimi course was generous and incredibly fresh. I loved the broth bath of anchovy with the vegetables and the entree of Australian wagyu beef, pork belly and fresh prawns was amazing. They also offer a salty tea like cleaner between course. The dessert was delish and I didn't want it to end but I couldn't have fitted in any more food - so many courses, so delicious. We felt very spoilt as there was also a fireworks display that night so the whole evening was very special. Our waiter Mark was attentive, caring and fun. I know there are mixed reviews on this place however our experience was excpetional from the moment we arrived until we left.
(5)Donald Kawika C.
What can I say! The food was amazing . Service was on par and the drinks were very good. I recommend the shrimp app followed by Duck Duck Duck or the grilled Butterfish......so good!
(5)Kristine L.
I do not know why this place got 3 1/2 stars. This place is hella bomb. Came here with my bf and his parents. We love all what we ordered. We tried to come back one more time before we leave oahu but we came in around 9pm and they didnt let anyone come in anymore. But its kooo.
(5)Rosalynn E.
Thank you Chad for reaching out....I decided to come back and try the dinner menu again. I have been here many times for breakfast and lunch but it's been years since for dinner. I saw that there are a few new items in the dinner menu there is a curry dish...sorry can't remember the name and duck, duck, duck that is prepared 3 different ways. I arrived at 6pm....I highly recommend to sit outside at this time. As we dined we were able to enjoy the most beautiful sunset. My main server was Andrew with 2 other guys that stopped by. He was informative and attentive...with a smile. Apps: toro tartare- a must, so pretty. Rock shrimp- everyone likes this including the kids. Wagyu carpaccio- served hot with Yuzu and soy YUMMY Dinner: Black cod or butterfish cooked to perfection Angry chicken- nice flavors the Pork Chops are thick and very very juicy. Dessert: chocolate cake. I can't wait to come back and do the omakase
(5)Barrett D.
Atmosphere: When approaching the entrance of Morimoto's, the place is stanchioned by two looming wooden doors; a resounding impression of power. I liked it already. Inside I was greeted by one of the most elegant dining areas I've had the privilege to experience. The entire room is tastefully decorated with sleek, modern furniture, clean colors, and clever accent pieces. Appropriate to Honolulu, a marine theme held sway with seashells prominently displayed and tile mosaics shouting from the walls. Service: The staff at Morimoto's left nothing to be desired. Service was faultless, prompt, and explanations of each dish by our waiter were succinct and fascinating. Each course arrived in a timely and well balanced manner. I especially liked the chopsticks and chopstick rests. I actually went out of my way to find them online and order some as a gift for a friend! You can find them at korin.com Food: Few things delight me like creative dishes and Morimoto's delivered in spades. Presentation was en pointe; beautifully plated, colorfully arranged, and absolutely delicious. My cocktail tasted like the nectar of the gods. Each course brought pomp and zest to the table. My experience: damn near perfect. I give a resounding recommendation for Morimoto's in Waikiki.
(5)Jaclyn O.
Located on the 2nd floor in the Modern Hotel, Morimoto-Waikiki has a lovely ambience, friendly staff, and great menu. The toro tartare ($28) and steamed scallops ($18) were delicious.
(5)Amy K.
The best. I had tuna pizza, octopus carpaccio, Australian wagyu filet, O Toro, ishi yaki buri bop, and rock shrimp tempura. Staff was friendly and knowledgeable. All around great experience.
(5)Paul K.
Went last night for the 1st anniversary and have been there many times in the past year and was sincerely impressed each time with exemplary food, service and atmosphere.
(5)Rayshawn W.
The food at this restaurant is amazing!!!...and I'm not just hyping this up because Morimoto is an Iron Chef. The ambiance of the restaurant was nice and mellow. It wasn't a busy night so reservations weren't needed however it is recommended. The moment I sat down, I instantly began ordering appetizers and main courses. (I was excited to try Morimoto's food). The service was nice and opinions shared from the waiter helped on some of my rather quick choices. The food began to arrive and I was amazed. The food had a great taste and were not lacking in what I consider to be a decent portion in an upscale restaurant. His take on loco moco was epic and I cant even describe how good the spicy Alaskan King crab was. I actually believe his food is a lot better than Bobby Flay's which I've been argued against from others saying Flay's food tops all of the Iron Chefs. This is the 4th Iron Chef restaurant I've had the opportunity to visit and it ranks high on my list. I wish there was a Morimoto restaurant here in Los Angeles. Great food and well worth the price. Dinner 5/8/2014
(5)David E.
I'm sad I can't give it 5-stars, and maybe it's because I had dreams of grandeur, but I will keep going back... It just didn't knock my socks off. I mean, it's the M-F-ing Iron Chef! I want my head to explode when I bite into an ahi roll. One of the really nice things about Morimoto is the atmosphere. There's fires and couches and curtains... on that note, limit the amount of booze you consume or you could get lost in the spider web of comfort! The sushi counter is second-to-none. I liked the rare, or out of the ordinary types of rolls he offered, and the chefs are very generous with letting you try things. The pupus are great, I recommend the Morimoto sliders... I think they're kobe and they melt in your mouth. Desserts are very well done as well. I can't say I'd tell you to go here over Roy's, but it's a nice alternative. The major reason I like Morimoto's as much as I do, is Morimoto himself. I first met him on set of Five-O and he was the nicest guy ever. He invited some of us over to the restaurant and met us there. My neighbor's Auntie and morimoto are childhood friends in Japan so he's always doing special things for her, birthday's etc. I also attended a fund-raiser for victims of the Japan disaster here with all you can eat pupus, sushi and an open bar that raised over one million dollars! An event that was covered by Hawaii News Now and Morimoto himself sang at. If you're in Waikiki and you want a really nice evening, give Morimoto's a shot. You'll leave happy.
(4)Danielle W.
Excellent food and great service. It doesn't have to be $$$$ - there were 3 of us ladies and we each ordered a specialty cocktail, three maki rolls, the very cool "pizza" appetizer and the hot plate entree. Completely full and cost about $40 per person including tip! I recommend the "pizza" because it was good and completely unique.
(4)Justin H.
Amazing! The wagyu carpaccio was fantastic, so was the tuna pizza
(5)P H.
New fave! Young, hip atmosphere with the most amazing calamari salad!
(5)Danny H.
If I was uber-rich and had no bills to pay, this is one restaurant that I would frequent at least once a week. The only reason I gave it 4-stars rather than 5 is b/c it's rather pricey! It's located in The Waikiki Edition Hotel so of course the atmosphere and decor is modern and typical of any fine dining place. It is a fairly large restaurant and it was filled to capacity. Recession? What recession...people must be eating their mortgages. I checked out the drink menu first and again like any other fine dining establishment or bar, it alone would have been enough to break the bank so I just had a beer. Food over drinks any day! We sat outside on the large lanai area with a nice backdrop of Waikiki. We're spoiled because a sunset above the horizon of the ocean on a beautiful day happens all the time here but it was still nice to see. The service was top notch. Our server, Kaulana knew the dishes inside and out and made everything sound irresistible. They were attentive but not overly attentive where it was like they were eavesdropping on your conversation a la Hiroshi. And finally, the food. The food was AWESOME! Everything is made when you order it, nothing is pre-made including the dessert. They even have their own rice polishing/producing facility. It's amazing how they take ordinary dishes and make them EXTRAORDINARY. I've never been to a place where I enjoyed every dish until now. Seafood 'Toban yaki': kona lobster, king crab, mussels, clams, diver scallops, in a red spicy miso-sake broth. The broth tastes a lot like the Spicy Pirikara broth at Ichiriki but with a little more kick. It's served with 6 pieces of a sliced baguette to dip in the oh so ono broth. Plenty of seafood to share. Braised black cod: ginger-soy reduction, pickled bell peppers, budo mame. This dish is like miso butterfish but better. Chef's Loco Moto: Wagyu beef, sunny side up egg, hayashi gravy, fukujinzuke. Not your ordinary loco moco. Wagyu beef and quail egg instead of your regular hamburger and egg. Like I said, ordinary to EXTRAORDINARY in one moto. Ishi yaki buri bop: yellowtail (hamachi) cooked tableside in a hot stone bowl. Just the name alone makes you want to get up and dance! It's Morimoto's take on a bi bim bap. Do the Ishi yaki buri bop!!! Chocolate Peanut Bombe: milk chocolate cremeux, salted peanut ice cream. I read mix reviews on this dessert but I thought it was SCRUMPTIOUS! It's like a melt in your mouth Reese's Peanut butter cup. The assorted sorbets are also made from scratch and are served with the real fruit chunks that correspond to the flavors. We had mango, lychee and honeydew. Appetizers we had: Takoyaki with abalone, beef curry pan, salmon skin roll and wagyu beef sushi...all were very good as well. I would highly recommend ordering a bunch of dishes and eating it family style. That way you can try a little bit of everything but beware, once you take a bite, you won't want to share anything! The total dining experience was 5-stars. So if you're in Waiks and not sure where to go, give Morimoto's a try...you won't be disappointed. But I've probably hyped it up too much and you'll be let down. So my parting words will be, "Don't go, it sucks, go get your loco moco from L&L" but if you listen to that, that's your bad. ; )
(4)Allison Y.
I was very excited when we started driving towards the crowded streets of Waikiki to a hotel called The Edition. Could it be?! Yes, it could be. Well.. here was my chance to finally try an "Iron Chef"'s food. And I was ecstatic! Walking through the hotel, you are immediately calmed with the cool and neutral colors of the furnishings and modern aesthetics of the decor. Since we had a reservation, we were immediately escorted to our table. The restaurant was airy and predominantly white with large coral pieces hanging from the ceiling in clear plexiglass cases. Cool vibe I thought. So to start our night, I ordered the Pear Yuzu Gimlet. A refreshing, light, slightly sour starter which I sipped throughout dinner. We decided to order a cold and hot appetizer. The Morimoto Smoked Sashimi came in bite-sized stacks of five different fishes and paired with your choice of sauces in cute plastic pippettes. It was mouth-watering, and surprisingly, the multiple fishes didn't compete with each other. Our hot appetizer was the Spicy King Crab. OMG. My hubby couldn't get enough of it. Creamy, spicy with small bits of tobiko for added crunch. It was devoured in minutes. The highlight of the dinner. The hubby ordered the "Duck Duck Duck", duck three ways, and I had the Braised Black Cod. The duck dish was "good" as relayed to me, but not "great". My dish was smooth and delicately sweet even though there was a dark rich ginger reduction on top. I felt the cod was very rich, and needed some acid to cut through the fattiness. The two small pieces of the pickled peppers wasn't enough. I asked our waiter for a small salad or dish of pickled vegetables on the side. He promptly brought it out, and ahhh... the combination was perfect. Even though I was stuffed, I couldn't resist dessert. It was cheesecake tofu with a sour cherry sauce-which I know sounds weird-but very light and delicious. A great finish to the night. The Iron Chef did not disappoint. I definitely would return, but probably next time, try the sushi selections. Our cold appetizer gave us an enticing view of the amazing possibilities of raw fish!
(4)Marcus K.
3.5 stars. came here while on vacation with the folks. Thought I'd take them out to a nice lunch, while staying in waikiki. I had such an awesome experience at Morimoto Napa, I though this would be a slam dunk. I was a bit disappointed to be honest. For some reason, the quality just wasn't there. Flavors were a little flatter. I've had some time to think about this, but I can't seem to put my finger on why. In any case, it's still a strong restaurant, but I left feeling that it could have been better.
(3)Julie P.
My boyfriend and I were able to make a reservation with just one day's notice, which was a pleasant surprise. The restaurant is very sleek and modern. We were excited to be seated at an outdoor table overlooking the harbor. But just a few minutes after sitting down, a big roach ran across the side of the flower box directly next to the table. One of the wait staff saw it, too, and profusely apologized. We asked to be moved to another table, which the staff did without a problem. We thought our problems were over when the food starting coming out. We ordered two appetizers and two entrees. Appetizers: The Morimoto Sashimi was great, but the Tuna Pizza was the real standout. It was such a creative idea - highly recommended. They brought the appetizers out one at a time, which was a nice touch because it gave us a chance to share and not feel rushed. For entrees, we ordered the Seafood Toban Yaki and the Black Cod. My boyfriend's Toban Yaki came out first. We waited a few minutes for my meal to came out, but it was nowhere in site. After about five minutes, we caught the eye of the woman that helped us earlier with the roach problem. She alerted the kitchen that my meal wasn't out. It was another five minutes or so before it arrived, which really put a damper on the dinner. All of that said, both meals did end up being delicious. Overall, the staff was very helpful and very apologetic with both of our problems. They offered us free dessert - we said we weren't hungry anymore, but they brought it anyway (and we were glad they did!). We'd like to think our experience was just an exception because the food was really excellent.
(3)Celena K.
Beautiful restaurant, beautiful scenery, amazing food. Definitely worth every penny.
(5)Kawai K.
Went here last night on a date and was not disappointed one bit. We began with the Oyster Foie Gras, which I thought might have been the best dish of the night, and an assortment of Sashimi. My favorite sashimi of the night was definitely the Oh-Toro. Next we had the Wagyu Carpaccio, which was my dates favorite dish of the night. It was ridiculously satisfying, if I do say so myself. For the main course I had the Braised Lamb Shank w/ a Sushi Rice Risotto. It was a large serving for this kind of restaurant and it was so moist that I used my fork to pull the meat from the bone the whole time I was eating it. The sushi rice was also very tasty. My dates main course was the Ishi Yaki Buri Bop. I loved they bring it to you in a hot bowl an cook it right in front of you. The seared Hamachi and Fried Rice were equally delicious from what I had tasted. We were not disappointed one bit. The best part of the whole night was the fact that Morimoto was actually there last night slicing our Sashimi. That made everything perfect!
(5)Kyle S.
First time going to Morimoto's and I was quite impressed. The service was good and the food was Great! Our overall experience here was pretty good but depends on where you are seated. Unfortunately we were seated next to the kitchen so is was a bit loud which made conversation difficult at times. If planning on going, I suggest doing some homework and look at the menu online before heading down. The menu is huge and everything look pretty good. It took us a while to look through everything and I just gave up and ordered the "omakase". I guess the waiter knew we were first timers so he suggested that so we could taste a little of everything.
(4)Kris F.
I was expecting so many good things when I came to this restaurant but I left really disappointed. I came here for lunch with my boyfriend. It was almost completely empty...but for some reason they sat us in between the only other groups of people there! We were going to ask to be seated somewhere else but our server seemed super nervous and unsure of things so we just stuck it out. What I liked: I could make a reservation online :) The dessert was okay What I didn't like: The food! My boyfriend and I ordered the tuna pizza to share which was the only thing I can really remember liking. I ordered the udon and my boyfriend ordered the tempura set. We also ordered lots of different sushi. I can honestly say the only reason why we kept ordering things was because we wanted to leave liking something about our meal and happy about the money we spent. But..that didn't happen. The loud table next to us included 2 bodybuilder looking guys. They each ordered one of the set things for lunch and asked the server if it would be enough for them to eat. He said yes but when they brought it out for them they laughed when he walked away because it was soooo small! When they were leaving I heard them making plans to go get food someplace else. The woman with them ordered the chicken and she was very unhappy with it because it was so bloody and red and pink. Keep in mind we were so close to this table so I could see all their food. She was not over exaggerating! Her chicken didn't look right at all. She complained to the server and the manager came out and said that the chicken was cooked just fine but she must have cut a vein or something. They didn't even say they would fix it or bring her another one or anything. She was really unhappy and I would have been too. They didn't try to make her experience better at all. I'm not sure if they took her food off the bill, but at that point I think they just wanted to get out of there. Anyway, I can't ever imagine going back here again. I really really wanted to love everything!
(1)Tina M.
The ambiance is really nice. Menu is pricey but the food is delish. My favorite spot is to sit outside by the heat warmers and fire pit and have a martini while watching the sun set. Love the tofu and vegetable tempura.
(3)Shay F.
Ya... I just gave this place 2 stars... I'm entitled to my own opinions. Anyways, I wasn't too impressed with this place. I had high expectations since people were like WoW... but to me, I was like meh. Why? Well, I don't eat meat, I don't eat spicy foods, I don't like wasabi, and I don't like yuzu.... Oh, and I'm allergic to lobster. That pretty much left me with .... nothing on the menu. So I ended up getting sushi here... which wasn't really anything special. I was sitting by the aisle on the outside part... and every time someone passed by it squeaked and my chair moved. That was pretty annoying too. I sure won't be rushing back...
(2)Lefty R.
Let's say it up front, it's spendy. $120 for the omakase, but worth it. tuna tartare oil poached white fish with shoyu Japanese baugna cauda (it was the only dish I thought weak) chawan mushi infused with foie gras and served with duck breast (fantastic) 5 pieces of nigiri surf and turf: lobster claw baked in butter and spices, pork loin with mac nuts and an Australian wagyu beef filet which was fork tender. Dessert was coconut crusted mochi and ginger ice cream. Each presentation was straight from Iron Chef's kitchen stadium - amazing works of art.
(5)K T.
Finally made it to Morimoto Waikiki! Been wanting to go since it opened an was it worth the wait? Hmmm... I guess?? Don't get me wrong, the decor is beautiful and the food was good, but I have to say it wasn't outstanding, nor was there anything I just HAVE to go back again for. We sat outside on the deck and for an upscale place, the tables were a little too close for comfort for me. The table to the left of us had a gentleman seated at the end, which left barely enough room for people and servers to pass through, so the whole time I was distracted by people passing right next to me. To the right of us were a couple, obviously on a date and I felt like an intrusion and could hear everything as if they were conversing with me. That always makes me feel like I have to edit my conversation as well. The service was OK. Had an empty water glass for a while. I ordered a bottle of mineral water and the server would come by every so often and fill my glass, but I would have rather had him leave the bottle on the table than have to wait for refills. On to the food... We ordered the Hamachi Tartare appetizer. There was enough for just a taste for two people (which was expected). It was very good and came with a bit of about 5-6 different garnishes, including a nori paste, wasabi foam?, grated maui onions, little rice cracker balls and I can't remember the rest. We also go the yose dofu tofu appetizer which was very cool in presentation. It was brought to the table in a stone pot in liquid form, the server poured a salt water solution into it and covered it telling us not to peek as it sat for a few minutes. He returned to open the pot to the solidified tofu. It came with bonito flakes and green onion garnish and two sauces to top the tofu. The kim-chee sauce was really good. My friend ordered the chef's selection nigiri sushi platter - pretty self-explanatory. I ordered the braised black cod. It was very good, perfectly cooked, but not amazing by any means. Here's the amusing part, the menu said it was served with pickled bell peppers and budo mame. When the plates arrived and I dug in, I thought, "oh, I thought I was supposed to get some veggies with this". So on my plate were three 1/2" sized squares, one yellow, one red, one green. I realized that these were my pickled bell peppers. They were basically 1/2" squares cut out of the bell pepper skins and pickled. That's it. Ummm, excuse me, but what did they do with the rest of the peppers? I'm sorry but if the menu lists that it's served with bell peppers then go ahead and serve bell peppers. What I got was decoration and should have been left off the description of the meal. On the same note, I got about 5 budo mame. Awesome. Listen, I'm not a virgin to fine dining by any means, but it made me laugh.
(3)Scott T.
Absolutely amazing food! Wonderful atmosphere. A little overpriced - especially the alcohol! The waiter left our bottle of "exclusive cabernet wine" on the adjacent table...Kirkland brand! Ha! What a ripoff...
(4)Jensen B.
I had heard about how good Morimoto's was and seen people check in on Facebook so we decided to check it out for ourselves. The ambience is nice. The service was good and our waitress was knowledgable of the menu. We were seated outside at the corner table in the back where it was very gusty and had sprinkles of rain. They covered the side railings with the tent extensions which was okay... atleast i wasnt getting wet. Our waitress recommended the tako poké to start and that's what I got. When the dish came I was slightly disappointed. Thinly sliced pieces of octopus were spread across the plate with dribbles of oil and sprinkles of salad. I really didn't know what to expect but judging from the appetizer I figured this was a place where you empty your wallet of cash and leave hungry after a full-course meal... And I was right. My main course was pretty tasty but I just remember licking off every bit of sauce on the plate. We both got dessert and were still hungry. Ordered a few drinks but decided not to go overboard with liquor on an "empty stomach." I really wanted to get something else to eat but figured we'd go to McDonald's after and share a 20-piece mcnuggets, which we did LOL! Maybe I'm being too critical of Morimoto's but I personally wouldn't go back. I don't think of myself as a cheap person when it comes to a fine-dining experience but I do like to feel satisfied after I leave. A person could spend the same amount of money elsewhere, receive the same level service, and get bigger portions of food with the quality. All-in-all, Morimoto's is a place where you pay for the name. I'm glad we went just to say we have been there but I don't recommend this to my friends. Instead, we would go to places such as Roy's, Stage, or Top of Waikiki.
(2)Chris Q.
The dining room is very modern and spacious. Its truly a very nice place to sit and eat. From there its a little downhill. Waiter was very attentive and knew the menu fairly well. Took our order and then that is when the problems started happening. There must have been something wrong with the extractor in the restaurant as it was very smoky in the dining room. There as a distinct smell of over fried food in the dining room which ruined the entire meal. Service was also very very slow. Took 1 hour to get appetizers. Mains didn't come any faster. The food itself was unremarkable. When you factor in the price it was very disappointing. Would not recommend and would not go back.
(2)chanel y.
Very nice classy and modern restaurant, but the only problem was very noisy I felt like I was in a mall food court. The food was ok for its price, I expected more because its Chef Morimoto. I wouldnt care to go back unless someone invites me. Dessert was GREAT!!! :)
(3)Leslie R.
The Edition Hotel is a new boutique hotel in Waikiki. Morimoto made a good choice in locating his restaurant here. The place is beautiful! The tables, chairs and decor is modern, clean and lovely. Our first visit was for lunch since we thought our chances of a table would be secure. The service was impeccable. We ordered what we had read about. Husband had the Pork Belly and I had the sushi/sashimi/tempura combo. We also ordered a spicy hamachi maki. Every bite was delicious! For desert we shared the coconut panacotta....unbelievable! The food is as beautiful to look at as it tastes. We will return next week for dinner and I can't wait to try the omakase!
(5)Sara F.
I was here recently with my family on vacation & wanted to check out my fav Iron Chef's digs & was very happy with the results! My husband & I got the omikase which was actually not just traditional omikase sushi but was their version of a tasting menu. My parents shared sashimi & fried snapper. All were delicious! The sashimi was SO fresh & the presentation was gorgeous. Our omikase was a little more hit & miss, there was a delicious & beautiful presentation of wagyu beef, carpaccio & a great sushi roll but then there was a pretty bland sort of egg soup but overall everything was great & worth the money, (the tasting menu was only $110 per person). The drinks were great too, my Mom & I enjoyed great sake & cucumber cocktails. The dessert was probably my favorite part! A mix of a sweet potato & red bean cake, red beet ice cream which was SO good! The atmosphere & service was great as well, so was the decor, loved the clean, modern white & lime green everywhere. Would definitely recommend this place if you're looking for a fun & gorgeous night out!
(4)Nica N.
This was my 3rd time eating at Morimoto's. I had reservations at 7PM on Saturday. The restaurant was decently crowded, but not super crowded. There were open seats here and there, but the host (an Asian guy) told us our seat isn't ready. So we sat at the bar for a drink. I was hoping to sit somewhere other than the seat right behind the bar, which was open when we first walked into the restaurant. Then the hostess came up to us 15 minutes later to walk us to the seats right behind the bar. I was like $%#$??? So why couldn't they seat us when we first came into the restaurant?? A mystery... And the hostess wasn't friendly at all. If you hate your job so much, please quit. Other than this complaint, the food was pretty good. I wouldn't order the pork kakuni or the Morimoto loco moco. It wasn't that good. The rib eye and the beef carpaccio was good. The cocktails are OK. Nothing really special. The french press coffee at the end of the meal was good. I personally would not come back to Morimoto's again because I felt the host and the hostess to be very rude. I'd go to Nobu's instead in a heartbeat.
(3)Inland O.
We came to Morimoto on a Sunday around 1:30pm. The restaurant was practically empty (not a good sign?!). Originally I had wanted to try the omakase but found out from our waiter that they stopped serving omakase at ~1:30pm. We ended up ordering the Chirashi, the wagyu carpaccio, steamed scallops, chicken katsu sandwich, and the stone bowl grilled hamachi that they cook for you table side. The Chirashi is very fresh for all you sashimi lovers; beautiful colors and plenty of sashimi over a bed of the fluffiest rice. Both the wagyu and scallops were tender and delicious (the wagyu in particular is a must try). I enjoyed the scallops but my wife thought that it wasn't cooked well and seemed half raw (they were huge). The hamachi was decent, the fish itself very fresh/tender, but with simple flavors (not necessarily a bad thing). However, the chicken katsu sandwich was a disaster; didn't taste good at all - almost something you would find wrapped up at a japanese convenience store. The wasabi french fries were also very mediocre. Overall the meal was very good - would have been a 4-star for sure, but knocked down based on the value for what you get. Worth a try, but for what we paid and all the other choices on the island, I probably wouldn't return next time!
(3)Jen H.
My husband and I went here for lunch right when it opened. We didn't have reservations but there was no wait. We sat on the patio which had a nice view. The server was great. We had a couple of their cocktails which were very good, and for appetizer we ordered the tempura pineapple which I highly recommend! But be careful because it's HOT. Burned my mouth on it, being too anxious to stuff it into my face. I had the bento box with sashimi and tempura and California rolls. It's not that different than what you would find in another sushi restaurant, but I found the quality of the sashimi to be excellent... very fresh and melts in your mouth. I'm not even that big on sashimi, but I ate every bite, it was so good! It was the perfect portion, and I was full but not bursting at the end of the meal. My husband had a lobster melt and wasabi fries which was very good, but he felt it was too rich to finish all of it. Overall the service was good, the waiter was attentive, and the food was good. The atmosphere was great, very modern and sleek. We would definitely go back when we're in Honolulu.
(4)Jyb J.
the service was perfect because they were very friendly in explaining the food..my bf and i try the 7 course dinner.. most of the foods were raw so i had a hard time eating it. it was good but i dont like to eat raw foods that much..my favorite plate was the main course and the desert..i would love to go back and try some of the other foods..
(3)Mary T.
Restaurant was absolutely beautiful dinner was good. We also got a dessert, the chocolate peanut butter bomb and it was just ok. Also didn't love the $14.00 charge for a cup of coffee.
(4)Anton Z.
This Iron Chef is getting rusty. The biggest reason for the low score was the service. We were virtually ignored for the first ten minutes, while our server was helping the people around us who showed up after us. Once we did finally order, it took another ten minutes to get our drinks, which were acceptable if not particularly mind-blowing. I had a lunch set with sashimi, tempura, and sushi. The food was good, but individually the component parts felt like things I'd get from a conveyor belt sushi place back home. My partner enjoyed the chirashi, which had sushi over ride. Again, his meal was competent, but not really very exciting. Service aside, Morimoto Waikiki was good, especially if you forget that Morimoto is an Iron Chef. Much like some other places, it seems like Morimoto exchanged exciting flavors and food for something safe. That being said, you end up paying for the name, but at least the food is ok. One tip - make sure you check out the restroom...it's a fantastic space and weirdly was a highlight of the visit since it was so nice (weird, I know, but it's true!).
(2)Erika H.
Oversauced and overpriced. Everything was salty and had excessive sauce on it, including the foie gras oysters, pork belly, and spicy king crab legs. We were very disappointed that such a nice restaurant would end up being the worst meal we had in Honolulu.
(2)Wendy Y.
The service was excellent and the food was tasty! Would definitely go back there again! Valet parking was closed but garage parking was fully validated. Awesome experience. Thanks Chef Morimoto!
(5)Janet E.
The food here is overrated and UNCLEAN. Why unclean? Well because two out of the three of us got deathly sick from some sort of food poisoning here. I felt the effects pretty immediately within an hour of being at this restaurant. I had to relieve myself by going to the hotel lobby restroom to vomit. (The restaurant is located in a hotel--its not a stand alone restaurant on the street.) The vomiting continued in the car ride back to our condo and continued through the night through all of Christmas eve and all of Christmas day. It was the worst. We called the restaurant to tell them about our food experience and they said there was nothing they could do without a note from a doctor confirming food poisoning. Seriously?? I guess I should have saved my vomit as proof since Morimoto's thought we were lying. How does a doctor confirm food poisoning? I wouldn't know since it NEVER happens to me. We should have known that this restaurant would not care about our illness since they did not allow us to sit outside in the patio. Their excuse was that the patio was already reserved because people had made the request with their reservation. However, the patio remained 75% empty BEFORE and AFTER our visit to the restaurant. Their garage was $7 to park and validation from Morimoto's was NOT allowed (according to the parking attendants sign). Morimoto won't even pay for their patrons to have discounted parking. The service we received at the restaurant was "nice" but there was no genuine substance behind the attitude. It was like a script he was following. The staff at the host/hostess table seemed to care more about their own conversations than attending to me when I needed assistance in locating the restroom. The food was expensive, especially since the food did not even stay in my stomach for more than an hour. The decor was very white and cold. It was not warm and comforting. It just did not feel good being here.
(1)Kalani S.
We've been coming to Morimoto's more often than before and love it, due to a few things. 1. Quality of Sushi and Sushi Chef is on par. 2. Customer service from the host, Bar tender, Waiters & Sushi Chef is consistent, Unlike other Japanese restaurants they pay no attention to you even though you drop $500 ++. 3. The Sake selection is priced right. Even though Morimoto's has great dishes their is one thing that is missing from this place and its a Happy Hour Menu. Iron Chef Morimoto we look forward in seeing a HH Menu.
(4)Jill B.
This place has its ups and downs. The oyster with foie gras and uni was spectacular. One of the best things I've ever put in my mouth. I also enjoyed the Hamachi sashimi and the black cod was very flavorable . I agree with another reviewer about the crab with spicy mayo. But I'm not a dynamite fan. We had the whole fish special and I felt the sauce lacked seasoning. I wish I could remembered the official title but it had ginger which I love and could not taste. It makes me crazy when kitchen staff don't check the seasoning before sending things out. The biggest issue I had was the server who wrote in a 18 percent tip for himself on a party of 4. I am an x-restaurant manager and and always tip at least 20 percent and many times more. We were with some people from Australia so maybe he thought he wasn't going to get a tip. I almost tipped $80 on top because I'm not used to seeing a tip written in on only 4 people.
(3)Morgan M.
Great food. Fantastic service. Portions are small but it is expected in a restaurant of this quality.
(4)Valerie M.
I read the previous Yelp reviews so I was ready for a two star experience. But maybe because of the reviews I was expecting the worse and hoping for the best. When I was greeted with a chilly welcome, I decided to counter with a cheery "Happy Valentines Day, how's business tonight?" The receptionist immediately warmed up. Same with our server. He was acting all New Yorkish until I made small talk with him. He even gave me insider tips on what not to order. (thanks cuz!) My dining experience was fabulous. The Oyster Foie Gras was three cooked oysters on the half shell, each topped with a half inch cube of duck liver and Teri sauce. Sashimi salad had six pieces of fish and whole baby romaine lettuce leaves topped with an awesome oil infusion. For entree I had the black cod which was a huge chunk of fish marinaded perfectly in a savory sweet sauce. The Buri Bap was also very flavorful. It was mixed tableside and artistically presented in the heated clay hot pot which kept the food warm throughout the meal. We sat outside under the tent next to a fireplace. The inside dining looked austere and the tables were very close to each other so i'm glad we were outside. The ambience outside has a casual feel, although can be a bit noisy with the street and mopeds buzzing around. Still, it was nice to see the sky and masts from the boats docked in the Ala Wai Harbor. The very enjoyable dinner was marred by the parking situation. You see, we had parked our car in the parking structure across the Ilikai. The parking lot attendant didn't accept Morimoto's validation stamp and made us go back to the restaurant. The restaurant directed us to the valet downstairs for yet another stamp. There is some miscommunication going on between the two buildings and we were caught in between their squabbles. In the end it all worked out, but we wasted an extra 15 minutes going back and forth between the two buildings.
(4)David L.
Couldn't get dinner reservations (you need more than six weeks lead, apparently), but had no problem getting in for lunch. We had our choice of indoor or outdoor seating and opted for the open air. The service was exceptional; they had no problem that we were not in a hurry. The food -- both hot and raw -- was of the highest quality and different enough to pose a culinary challenge without turning off my two teens. To top it all off, Chef M dropped in for lunch and gracefully took a break from his own meal to pose for pictures with the family. It was like hanging out with Elvis for food nerds like us! We'll definitely be back.
(5)Jamie Z.
We liked everything about our experience here. The food was beautiful and the taste matched. Our server was attentive and kind. It was really loud which surprised me...the loud doesn't match the relaxed calm setting. It was probably from everyone ooohing and awwing over their plates.
(5)William C.
A modern fusion of Asian and American cuisine. Definitly lives uo to the reputation! Service: Great Atmopshere: Ok.. (tables cramped like many Honolulu places but the Lounge is nice) Food: Excellent Drinks: Excellent All Courses were good, some great, and unique. The level of creation required in what was presented showed great imagination. It was just fun! The Wagyu beef was not as good as Chef Mavro but the sashimi might be better!
(4)Kelso A.
I give this restaurant a 3! I went during lunch today and really enjoyed the presentation! Nice green seats inside with the view of the harbor. I really liked the coral hanging from the ceiling! My favorites were the appetizers. We had the Crispy Rock Shrimp Tempura and the Beef Curry Bread! Super yummy. For entree, I ordered Loco Moto, super rich and yummy wagyu beef. Very filling, I had to get my order wrapped to take home. Only downer was that it took 45-55 minutes for our entrees to come out after the appetizers were done. We had a great server, Sonia, who made sure we knew what was going on with our food:) today she said the kitchen was behind. We didn't get to try desserts, but from the taste of the appetizers and entree, I would not doubt the taste in dessert. I wasn't a big fan of the sparkling water, so I would go with regular. The iced tea came out in a fancy looking container which really caught my eye! Tried to make a same-day reservation online but the website said there were no openings till 12:30 or 1:00, but when I called at 11:15, they said there were openings at 11:45, so I recommend calling! Overall, I enjoyed my experience there and would recommend it!
(3)L W.
I went to Morimoto's for my birthday dinner and left extremely disappointed in the entire experience. The wait staff is solemn, serious, and unfriendly. Whenever anyone in our party had questions, it was as if we were an annoyance. This was the first night Chef Morimoto was not there to oversee his workers since he left for New York so the quality must have dived because I went with high expectations after reading all the raving reviews. THE FOOD: Appetizer (not part of Omakase): Rock Shrimp Tempura: Panda Express, oily, slimy, engulfed in batter, could not find the shrimp. Omakase was TERRIBLE. Toro Tartar: Was hard, felt like it came out of the freezer. No taste, very bland. Sashimi Rolls: Teeny, tiny rolls of hamachi sashimi seared with hot peanut oil. The oil overpowered all the fish leaving an oily, slimy, unappetizing taste/texture. Salad: Hot oil comes bubbling in a bowl with a clump of garlic-anchovy paste in the middle. Diners are instructed to dip the large, raw vegetables (carrot, cauliflower, turnip, celery, crouton) into the hot oil and garlic. This was DISGUSTING. The oil was so overypowering, yet did not have any taste. Thus, it was as if I was eating oily, raw vegetables. Assorted nigiri 6pcs: I thought they couldn't screw this up but, Genki, Kozo, Aloha, anywhere would have been better than the paper thin, dry, ragged-cut nigiri Morimoto's presented. Surf and Turf: It was as if the bottle of cayenne popped open and breaded my lobster in its spices. The wagyu beef was chewy (some people spit it out), and the pork tasted and looked like Panda Express. Everything was disastrous. This dish was served at room temp. Kabocha Souffle and Sweet Potato Ice Cream: The kabocha souffle was cold and tasted like a Costco vanilla cupcake.T he ice cream was grainy and melted. Peanut Butter Bomb: When something says BOMB on the menu, you would expect it to be awesomely delicious. This it was NOT. It was like a light peanut butter mousse around a hershey bar. Came with peanut butter ice cream although I do not know how that tasted since it melted before it came to the table. Banana Dessert: It just didn't make sense! Cold caramelized bananas topped with a rectangular milk chocolate sheet. That's it. It was a baaaaaaaaaad experience made worse by a $400 bill.
(1)Kimberly L.
Swank. Cool seafoam chunky decor and lots of acrylic. Clear acrylic chopsticks. Indigo Pistachio Orchid acrylic wall mural. Acrylic boxes of fleshy coral hanging from the ceiling. Lugubrious wood tables across which you can't hear your companions, the waiter, or much of anything because it's so noisy. I walked in and I wish I'd worn my new 4" fuschia stilettos, which I'd worn to Benihana the night before (mistake!) Too bad I didn't read the yelp reviews first and try the mythic bathrooms on for size. People dressed like they're in the club (a nice nightclub, that is). Characterize the food with the oft-teased "fancy food" presentation of Ogre-sized square white plates and a dab of food arranged artfully in one corner, a splash of sauce in the middle, and a doodle of a bite of something in the other corner. This describes my black rock cod perfectly. My bit of food was delish, resembling misoyaki butterfish. It came with 6 plump black beans that looked like mini-olves but tasted like azuki beans (meaning they'd been boiled in sugar?). Top it with a half-inch square of bell pepper skin and you have my entree. (No rice/starch came with it). Do not expect large portions here. $26 Speaking of the "slow food movement," this food was so slow I don't think there was any movement at all! After a 3-hour dinner (we only had 3 courses), our poor out-of-town guests were drooping a bit out-and-down :( Honorable mention goes to the server, who apologized so many times for my blemished teacup that he must have been taking the dishwashing error as a personal tar on his honor. For all that we had to wait an hour between each course (1 omakase sushi platter, 2 entree, 3 dessert), the staff was flocking like crazy to make sure our drink orders were fulfilled. I had genmaicha --green tea with roasted rice flavor--and they replaced my pot with a hot one halfway through. The mojito was apparently not good (not enough mint). PS the sushi was fall-apart nice. I hardly, if ever, eat expensive sushi, and at like $17/piece (I exaggerate--$75 for like 20 pieces) this was maybe the most expensive sushi I've eaten. The saba was a bit fishy but everything else didn't have any taste at all--I guess nigiri-lovers eat it for the tasteless soft texture? or perhaps the whomp of wasabi up the sinuses? Our guests had made the rsvp through the Trump Towers concierge, so we got some little chocolate truffles at the end. One was very bad. One was okay. One was good. Kind of like the three little bears. The ginger chew was goldilocks. The 12 girls sitting at the long table near us shrieked like a gawk of turkeys all night long. Desserts were ok. The peanut butter salted ice cream was nice. it came on the side of the chocolate peanut butter something or other, which resembled a fluffy mars bar with less taste. The chocolate banana mille feuille with avocado anglaise was just meh, best described as a banana trying to become a banana creme brulee but not succeeding, so covering itself in a rectangle of chocolate shell. I thumb this for dress-up-ability, cool decor, and artistically-presented tidbits of food. PS chef morimoto was pointed out to us as there, behind in the open ktichen.
(4)John L.
A great experience. The food was awesome, and the service was good. I am a big fan of the Iron Chef show, so when this place came to town, I had to check it out. Well, I have returned with some friends, so that says something because the price for a meal here is not cheap. The drinks are surprisingly good, and I suggest to order the Chef's selection with multiple courses. It was a wonderful culinary experience.
(5)Kristine M.
OK. Perhaps my expectations for this restaurant and the name accompanied with it were set too high, or I'm just hard to please. But, the overall dining experience here was awkward and confusing. The server in charge of our table was friendly and knowledgeable. The strange thing about dinner was how haphazard our appetizers, entrees, and sushi came out. Most fine dining restaurants have an order in which they serve their dishes, but we were getting entrees and appetizers at various times. The birthday girl ordered the omakase, and at one point they had three dishes set in front of her... that is not supposed to happen. The manager decided to stop by and instead of asking us, "How is the meal?" or "Are you enjoying yourselves?" She opened with, "Did you get your food yet?" Weirdness. The only highlight of the night was the tofu guy. He was so excited and animated about freakin' tofu! Crazy part was that he pulled us all into a tofu euphoria. It was a liquid, then turned into a solid! WHOOAAA!!! That guy should open his own restaurant and just serve tofu... now, that's a place I'd return to. Anyways, the food was OK. Not what I expected for the prices. Overall I was not impressed. Ala cuisine... NOT.
(2)Risa A.
Nobu over morimoto anyday! The food was so so, dessert was salty, and he was supposed to come out to say hi but made us wait forever so we just left. It's overpriced for the quality you get.
(1)Patti K.
Our service was great. The atmosphere was beautiful. The food was fabulous. We had a very late dinner so we decided to order appetizers and a sushi platter instead of an entree. So glad we did!! Got to try a lot of great food that our waiter recommended. Even the dessert was superb! Pricey but great to go for a special occasion. Read the other reviews. This really helped us know what to expect when we walked in.
(5)Natalie L.
Two words: MISOYAKI BUTTERFISH. ok that might even be 4 words but who cares its to fricken DIE FOR at Morimoto's. The rock shrimp with kochujong sauce must be laced with crack. Addicting. The atmosphere is chic and modern, everything you'd expect from Chef Morimoto. It's pricey but like all things you get what you pay for. Worth every delicious bite.
(5)Lina F.
I really enjoyed Morimotos, my experience there was unbelievable. My nephew Lawrence is a foodie and told me he was going so of course i invited myself. Our waiter was Duane and he was so hospitable and knowledgeable about the food. Actually, all of the people who brought dishes described how they were prepared and what was in it. Duane gave awesome recommendations. I had the Whitefish Carpaccio, the Chef's Choice Sushi, for my main course the Ishi Yaki Buri Bop and for dessert the Chocolate Peanut Bombe. OMG!!! Everything was so very, very good!!!
(5)Lea K.
Drinks: Morimoto Ale and White Lily Appetizers: Gyoza, Tuna Pizza, Spicy Yellowtail and Spicy Tuna Maki Main: Duck, Duck, Duck & Braised Lamb Shank
(4)Meg P.
Wow. Let me say that again, Wow. This place is located inside the Waikiki Edition Hotel, and let me tell you, you get an extra swing in your hips and an extra bounce in your step as soon as you set foot in here. From the lobby of the hotel up to the interior of the restaurant (can't comment on the hotel rooms as I didn't stay here), the place screams sexy, swanky, and cool. Don't take your energetic toddlers here; they won't be welcome. And a warning: don't dress like the typical Waikiki beach tourist (flip-flops, t-shirt, and shorts) here. You'll stand out, and not in a good way. As for the food, Morimoto definitely delivers. For appetizers, I tried the 10-hour pork belly with congee, and I loved that dish! I thought the congee was going to be a weird combination with pork belly, but it actually turned out to be really, really good! We also had their oyster foie gras, and that dish was also spectacular! I only wish we could have tried more of their apps, because they all sounded delicious. Alas, we are working-class stiffs, so on to the entrees we go. I had the "duck, duck, duck" which is basically duck cooked 3 ways. First is a seared duck breast, then there's the duck confit spring roll, and finally, the duck meatball soup. I have to say, I was not impressed with the duck spring roll, mostly because the dipping sauce it came with was ginger-based (lots of ginger chunks in it), and I don't like ginger. So that was a turn-off for me. But I liked the rest of my dish, the seared duck breast and the soup, so all was not lost. I only wish that they had included more of the crispy duck skin with the seared duck breast, but that is a trifling matter. My husband had the seafood toban yaki, which looks kind of like our cioppino here in San Francisco. It's mixed seafood in a spicy miso-sake broth, and he must have liked it because I never even got to try it! He devoured that dish like it was his last meal. I also got to try their clam miso soup, but I was not too impressed with that one. Don't get me wrong, the dish is perfectly ok, it's just that there's nothing spectacular about it either. It's miso soup, with clams. The end. Their desserts were ok, nothing really stood out for me from the desserts we tried. But I do love the space, and if you can get a table outside, it's a very cool, romantic atmosphere. Kind of loud, though. But should I be lucky enough to find myself on Oahu again, I will make every effort to come back here. And maybe even book a room at this swanky, uber-sexy Edition Hotel. That way, the staff can just roll me on up to my room as soon as I'm done pigging out on Chef Morimoto's food.
(4)Teri Y.
Im going to make this short. High expectation met with poor outcomes. Crudite plate with olive oil with anchovy paste was overheated accidentally and resulted in a burn on my tongue...hard to appreciate the food after that. However, the lobster was so spicy that it burned right thru the burn. Im a fan of Iron Chef Morimoto so was excited to come, but sad at the result (and price). I do want to say that the waitstaff were really wonderful and the decor was gorgeous.
(2)Sandy D.
This was our first date night in two years with my husband and we chose to come here for dinner. We ordered the omakase and basically, I felt it was overpriced. Our total ended up being over $300 with drinks and tip. For that much I felt like I should have had some other worldly experience with my food. That wasn't the case. The main course in the omakase was the most disappointing. It was two pieces of wagyu beef, two pieces of pork, one crab claw, and a small lobster tail. Service was okay. Waiter was knowledgable about the food and drinks. The servers who brought the dishes to the table described each dish. The timing of the dishes was inconsistent and it seemed that the kitchen became slower as the night went on as the restaurant filled up. My husband loves to watch Iron Chef and had high hopes. The food wasn't bad, but for the price our expectations were much more. We were going to be seated outside, but I wanted to sit inside, so the table we were led to had this big chunk missing from it. I guess this was the natural stone, but I had to keep my plate six inches away from me while I ate, because of the table. If you are a table of two, be prepared to sit close to the people next to you and feel like you're part of each other's dinner conversation. The bathroom in the hotel is really nice, though.
(3)Tracy L.
"Yay! I'm a fan... of Jojo Vasquez, executive chef of Morimoto's Waikiki" Am I fan of the food he makes? HELL YEA!!! Am I a fan of the service? Hmmmmmmmm........ only if I get that one guy with a weird first name that has been in the F&B industry for years and is an amaaaaaazing server. No, if I get the college girl on one of my first tasting dinner's who actually told the person sitting next to me to "hurry up and eat so I can drop the next dish." (This actually happened and yes, we were jawslacked). The environment is a bit of the beachy outdoors brought indoor (think SoHA meets Dwell design, with IKEA bright lighting) by the lovable and uber talented Thomas Schoos. Does everybody get the design? No. But then again, I don't think the restaurant IS for everybody. To me, it is more of what we call in the hospitality industry, a "special occasion" restaurant where folks spend their anniversary dinners, Gramma's 100th birthday, or celebrating a friend's promotion. Here's what I know fer sure: Anything Chef Jojo makes is pretty damn spectacular. And, they have an awesome pastry chef too. The sitting area outside is lovely, especially if you have the cabana with its own ceiling fan. If it begins to rain, retractable awning gets cranked out. The fire pits are cool too. This place ain't cheap so think of a really good reason to go there for dinner. Otherwise, go to the bar, order a drink and pupus. Give the restaurant some time before they get all the kinks worked out tho. It typically takes a new restaurant 90 days to get everything working like a well-oiled machine. I have faith. And I will return...
(4)Scott L.
We liked this location a lot more than the Napa location - sat outside on the covered patio with a view of the yacht club and Hilton Hawaiian Village (looking South) - a lot nicer view than looking at the Napa River. I mention the Village as Hilton has fireworks at approximately 7:45pm every Friday night. Thus, we got there at 6:15 and saw the sunset and then the fireworks. Service at this location was relaxed (not pretentious) while professional. Martin, our waiter, is on top of his game in describing and recommending dishes & drinks, coordinating courses with the multiple staff who brought out and described each dish again and the recommneded approach to eat. They were also excellent at wiping down the table after almost every course and filling water glasses. The outside tables are white compared to the dark tables inside, thus a lot of wiping down for my messy side of the table. Oops, I spilled something again! We did not notice a Manager making the rounds-checking on tables like Napa. No loss as we were in good hands with Martin. My Wifey had a Pina Haupia cocktail (lighter than a Pina Colada), appetizer of Morimoto Sashimi (layered sashimi with multiple sauces in tubes which the diner can use to paint/flavor their sashimi), entree of Black Cod (she mentioned the Napa cod tasted slightly better) with a side of Baby Bock Choy (a bit overcooked), and the Haupia Semifreddo (you gotta get this as this has a variety of flavors and textures). Closed out with French Press Kona Coffee (less acidic - will not screw up your digestion if you have a sensitive tummy). My son and I had the Ohmygosh for $120 each, I mean Omakase - Chef Tasting Selection. Seems pricey but the selection provides you a culinary tour of Morimoto's creativity (seven dishes with four being unique to the Waikiki location). - Toro/Haimachi Tartare (Signature dish - yeah, the one on TV where the fish is chopped up to a paste and a small metal paddle is used to eat with various condiments...once again, why chop up good fish,.but playing with food seems to be the Chef's objective to involve the diner..now I am beginning to understand the Master) - A hot oil seared crudo (reminded me of chinese style steamed fish with hot oil, soy sauce, and scallions - this was very good) - Bagna Cauda (Vegetable Fondue with Anchovy Paste set in the middle of boiling hot oil..playing with food again! Tasty!) - Foie Gras Chawan Mushi - (This was excellent - they have outlawed Foi Gras in California, thus this hits the spot...rich and flavorful) - Sushi Sampler (6 Nigiri - Medium Fatty Toro, Unagi, Tai, Haimachi, Amberjack?, and something else that I can't remember - all fresh with rice properly prepared) - Surf & Turf Sampler (Roasted or Grilled Quarter Kona Lobster with a Spicy Rub - we liked this so much that my son and i licked the shells, Two Bites of Australian Wagyu Beef - very good, and Ginger Pork Loin with Pear Marmalade - OK) - Pumpkin Souffle with Creme Fraiche (liked my Wife's Haupia Semifreddo a lot more). We closed our evening with an additional comped dessert - Wedding Anniversary that we mentioned on our Open Table reservation. Glad they remembered or I might have dropped them to 4 stars....LOL... An anniversary dinner to remember.....
(5)Dean L.
More hype than hope. Sake sampler and sushi sampling was good, not stellar. Expectation that nigiri would be sparkling and sushi bar chefs attentive for premium prices. Server was very knowledgeable and clearly informed. Great place for singles, dates, followers, guests, and upscale gatherings, but not two single heterosexual males. In comparison, we sampled the Don Quijote poke bar and bentos the next day for 1/5 of the price and it was just as satisfying, without the beautiful people.
(3)Julia C.
Hmm...I thought I had reviewed this but maybe only in my mind haha! I live down the street and so this is my go to place for breakfast. It's usually very quiet during weekdays (the benefits of being unemployed), and it's just so peaceful. The only minus for me is portion size is kind of huge. It's hard to eat so much for breakfast. I wish they had half plates. You can always take it to go though. Lunch is decent also, sandwiches are great and I prefer those to the set lunches, like the cod, which is a tad too sweet for me. If you are going for dinner for the first time, do the omakase. You will not regret it except for that short one hour where you may feel sick because it's quite a large tasting menu. My friend and I actually went home after the omakase dinner instead of our bar plan because we were that full (in a good way!) The lobster is a definite highlight. Definitely try a dessert, they are quite good. One star is just for their sound system which pipes in the music at a good, quiet level, so you can actually hear your friends speak and yet still listen to the music. The service has always been good, regardless of breakfast/lunch/dinner. I seem to always get the same table by the marina side, so it's kind of becoming "my table" and dear staff at Morimoto: please let me keep getting my table all the time! Even if you don't reserve through open table, they still ask for your name when you arrive so they must keep track of your seating in their system. Though I will keep pretending that it's Morimoto magic... The fire place lounge area is really nice at night. After you finish your dinner, can hop over there for drinks. Also, they have a bar menu for happy hour times (though I have yet to go during the off time, so not sure if the menu has special bar pricing or not). Sunday social is good (3rd Sunday monthly). I like the mimosa bar, though I kept feeling like snatching the drink out of the poor bartender's hand and mixing it myself, like a maniac all too eagerly awaiting my morning booze. Not sure why it's marked "NY style" though. NY style for me evokes a place with no reservations and waiting in a line, something like Tartine or Habana. Whereas Morimoto's accepts reservations and you won't be seeing a lineup around the corner. Valet can be a bit of a wait FYI (yes, I actually drove the ONE minute down the street once out of laziness++). Finally, the food itself is ok, on average. Some things are much better on the menu and some are just so-so (like that triple duck dish). However, it's not to the point where I would actually take away a star.
(4)Jannet L.
absolutely gorgeous decor, so fresh and light. validated valet parking - the best idea ever. great service. hotel is gorgeous. food was fine. nothing mind blowing. of course beautifully presented and really a treat for the eyes. but i guess i thought it'd be incredibly delicious b/c he's the iron chef and all. i think i'll bring my mom here for lunch b/c it's just so beautiful and the parking is great. gotta love the free valet parking...
(3)Kevin D.
Not sure why this got such a low rating. If you cant afford to go there then dont! The food is the freshest I've tasted. Went to Alan Wong for dinner and Morimoto was better.
(5)Ryan I.
We went here for a birthday party recently, and decided to splurge for all 4 on our table and get the Morimoto omakase..... essentially a selection of items picked by the chef to give you a sampling of his best. And we were so glad we did! The first course was the toro and hamachi tartare. This was finely chopped toto (fatty tuna) and hamachi (yellowtail), served with the condiments in the middle, from top to bottom: nori, sour cream, wasabi, grated Maui onions, avocado, and rice cracker balls. There's also an ume that was made with a lumpy Japanese plum that was very different from most ume that I've had. The second course was a white fish carpaccio, drizzled with hot oil, shoyu, ginger, cilantro (basically Chinatown style), a little bit of garlic, and some tomatoes and a caper berry. I could have eaten 5 plates of this, it was SO good. The third course was a bagna cauda, which was a garlic and anchovy paste in hot oil (the dish actually has a little flame underneath it that makes the oil boil and bubble), served with vegetables and bread to be dipped fondue style. I felt like I was a judge on the Iron Chef! Course 4 was a palate cleanser that was a tea, but it was salty. It was like having sea water! The fifth course was sushi. What can I say, it was so good. Though not prepared by the master himself, it could have been. There was maguro, hamachi, sake, saba and unagi. My entree was the Wagyu filet mignon, medium rare, with salted fingerling potatoes and a Maui onion jus. Everything was delicious but the jus was outstanding. The other three diners on my table had lobster, done with Indian spices and a creme freche. We also ordered some wasabi fries on the side out of curiosity. The slight hint of wasabi was so nice. Dessert was a coconut panna cotta with lilikoi gelee, coconut tuile and berries. A beautifully light ending to an awesome lunch. What an incredible lunch. At $70 per person it wasn't cheap, but everything was the highest quality. It was a lot of food, but at the same time I wasn't disgustingly full. The atmosphere was really nice and the service was great. I can't say enough good things about this place. And it wasn't super crowded, but I seemed to be getting a couple of stares, because at first glance I resemble Mr. Morimoto!!
(5)Dina N.
Once again, I appreciated the staff as they were professional, unpretentious and knowledgeable. And make you feel at home. While this is a high end restaurant, I always feel very comfortable and appreciate that it has a casual vibe to it. I don't feel that it is intimidating or that you have to dress up to go. Though dressing up is wonderful too! The food is consistently of high quality and I love the creativity AND the tradition within the food.
(5)Kevin N.
It is reasonably priced here esp. The pound waygu steak compared to Las Vegas which is around $200 for a pound. Sushi are tasty and suiting for some sampler options. The ambience can be utterly loud at night and there is no way avoid rude people around your area. Server is unknowledgable about the menu. I asked which yellowtail they were referring to... they asked another server and guessed it is yellowtail tuna while the other one says its yellowtail angelfish. It turns out, its a yellowtail hammachi. I had to ask a neighboring table what it is exactly. Servers seem also uninterested and tired as well :(
(2)Bonnie M.
Morimoto ruined my, my family's, and my friend's Christmas vacation! My friend and I got food poisoning on Christmas Eve 2012 at Morimoto's in Waikiki! We spent that night and the next few days in bed/the bathroom. I hadn't been that sick in over 20 years! My friend was sick for 4 days and only got better after going to an emergency clinic and getting two prescriptions. When I called the restaurant to let them know that we had both gotten sick, the person who answered the phone as well as the manager with whom I eventually spoke, didn't seem to believe me. The manager said to go to the doctor, get a medical report, and then return to the restaurant to discuss. Was she kidding?!?!?! We were in no state to go to a doctor. Besides, why would we waste a day and more money? Restaurants that aren't making hand over fist in profits would immediately try to accommodate a customer for something as simple as not liking the taste of the dish that one ordered. In fact, during our Hawaii vacation, one noodle shop did not charge my mother for her lunch and gave her a free dessert simply because her food arrived to the table a couple of minutes later than the rest of the group's. Our waiter was not friendly and treated us as if we knew nothing. I happened to have lived in Japan for 3 years, so I, in fact, did know something about Japanese food. The cocktails were pretty awful, too. I should have taken that as a clue of what was to come. Forget Morimoto's. You can have much nicer / healthier meals at McDonald's.
(1)Ann P.
Way too overpriced sushi. Menu is misleading- you only receive one half an order actually. They serve tap , not filtered water hoping you order a Pellegrino or equivalent
(1)Michelle B.
This restaurant had very cool decor, a great reputation, and great food. hOWEVER, for a restaurant of this calibre, I expected more in the service department. They didn't have our first 3 choices of bottles of wine. Then, they brought my husband's appetizer and main at the exact same time. We were eating a $200+ meal. That should NOT happen. He sent the main (steak) back, but they left his side of potatoes there, even though he was having gyoza as an appetizer. My courses were also brought together, but they said that they had assumed I wanted it that way (????) b/c I had ordered gyoza and sushi, and they considered sushi an appetizer. Very odd. Our food was delicious, I cannot fault the chefs. But the service definitely needs to improve at Morimoto Waikiki.
(3)Greg E.
Well worth the money spent for dinner!!! Wagyu carpaccio was amazing!! Their hamachi take on bi bim bap was cool with the table side cooking!! All the delectable desserts, had 4 of us sharing something different. And the waiter, Martin was awesome. Next one we're Adkins for his section. Very informative and helpful. Highly recommended for everyone to try!!!
(5)Elaine K.
Hands down, one of the best dining experiences I've had. My boyfriend and I went to Honolulu back in late April and I was so geeked to find out that Morimoto Waikiki was right next door to our hotel. We weren't in town for very long since the trip was an impromptu weekend getaway, so we knew we had to make every meal count. The dishes were well thought out and presentation was impeccable. We ordered the toro tartare, the tempura calamari salad, whitefish carpaccio, xo diver scallops, and finished the meal with a couple of pieces of nigiri. Since the whole experience was kind of a splurge for us, we went all out and complemented the meal with the Morimoto hazelnut beer, the Morimoto Imperial Pilsner, and the Morimoto ginjo sake. When in Rome, right? I won't go into detail about every single dish, since no one has time for that. But, I highly recommend everything we tried because it was delicious. The pilsner beer, which was quite palatable, came in a really cool ceramic bottle that we were able to take with us - totally made up for the hefty price tag. The server also informed us that the ceramic bottle is great for keeping liquids cold or hot for up to 3 hours. We had to get creative with our packing since that bottle was definitely coming back to LA with us. Our server also told us about the Morimoto cookbook and let us flip through the display copy. The cookbook has a lot of photos and step-by-step procedures for his more renown dishes. We, of course, had to buy one - especially since the copy was signed by Morimoto. All in all, my boyfriend and I left the restaurant incredibly pleased with the food, the service, and the overall experience. I'm looking forward to going back during our upcoming trip to Honolulu in July.
(5)John T.
Nothing but high praise for this establishment. Morimoto's was the final stop of our Hawaiian vacation, just prior to our redeye flight home. Because of weather and the flight delays that seem to define Island Air, I could tell that we would not make our 6:30 reservation. I called the restaurant to inform them and was assured that we would be seated. As the delay got longer, I became certain that, despite those assurances, we'd end up at the Red Lobster across the plaza or worse (if that's possible). Arriving over an hour late, and with a rain storm that had shut down their outside seating, I figured that at best we'd have a lengthy wait and be rushed through our meal. Couldn't be further from what happened. We waited just a few minutes and sat down to a wonderful sashimi and sushi dinner. The sashimi was out of this world. Beautiful texture, flavor and presentation. The rolls we tried (spicy salmon and another I can't recall) were a delight. I didn't find the prices to be at all unreasonable for the high quality and portions that we received. Service was fast, without pushing or rushing, attentive without hovering over us. We were perfectly satisfied with our fish so did not try any of the entrees, but each that passed our table looked fantastic. Guaging by the reaction of the other diners, they agreed with our assessment. The Hotel Modern, which houses the restaurant, can be a little tricky to find. The valet parking enabled us to enter and leave without so much as a drop of rain despite the downpour. A terriffic dining experience.
(5)Alice C.
I may have had too high of an expectation set when I came here. I was real excited because it was on my lists of must try. I love the decor of the restaurant and the ambience. It was real comforting. Even the bathroom was real nice. Service was awesome. They tended to our every need. I remember our waiter Bronson would do a fantastic job describing all the food he brought out. Water was always refilled and was never once empty. The Drinks were great. They offered such wide variety of all sorts of alcohol. I read Christy K's review and had to give the White Lily a shot. It tasted like tangerines. It was really yummy. I loveeee my sweet cocktails. They even add a momo in the cocktail! We also had the cold sake sampler. I absolutely liked the ume one on account that I love drinking umeshu. The food is the important factor and that is what i was strictly rating +I did approve of the WAGYU CARPACCIO. It is so delicious! I could probably order 2 or 3 orders and eat it all by myself. -Toro tartare was nicely presented. It was interesting but I didn't care for it. I ordered a couple rolls. Spicy tuna, spicy salmon and Softshell crab. They were alright but not worth the price. we had Crispy whole fish. It was some kind of sea bass that had been deboned before it was fried, that was kind of mediocre. The rice they served was on the dry side. We had ordered Crab, Lobster, and Surf and Turf but I didn't try it but everyone said it was good so I'll take their word on it. One thing that bugged me was how long it took for the food to arrive. We were there from 7 - close and spent more time waiting than eating. I was so hungry to the point that I no longer wanted to eat. But you know what, I actually would probably give lunch a try sometimes since they have a different menu and would like to try sitting outside to admire the view. Or probably right before sunset. and I also want to come back to try their Omakase and then i'll probably do a rewrite to make up my mind on the food. PARKING: you can valet it and the restaurant will validate it so all you gotta do is just tip :)
(3)Marko C.
I was home and needed to host a very important dinner with the president (& executive staff) of one of Hong Kong's largest telecommunications firm. I made a reservation 2 months before my dinner & asked to sit outside. We were given the best table on the patio - one that looked at the Ke'ehi lagoon & boats on the harbor. My guests were impressed. It STOPPED here. Let the nightmare begin! The poor reviews on Morimoto Waikiki are true & I was sorely embarrassed about hosting an executive dinner here. It started when my guests and I tried to sit down at the table - the legs of the table and the seats were so packed together, *each* person at the table had to go side-saddle to slide into the park-bench booth seats. The women in our party had to sit at the ends because they all had skirts on. It wasn't pretty seeing men in suits do tumbles to just get into their seats. Worst of all, once seated, we learned that the table was actually a plastic picnic table with a fancy tablecloth on it. Sad. Sit outside, inside the restaurant smells like fried fish & is smelly. When our waitress, Laura, showed up at the table and had a SUPER huge attitude. She attempted to be nice, but her expression on the outside really indicated that she didn't want to be there. My guests tried to joke with here to make it a more comfortable situation, but we couldn't crack the ice. Every one of my guests politely indicated that she must have had a hard day & was in a bad mood. We later found out that this was her last week at the Waikiki restaurant and that she was moving to Napa to work at Morimoto Napa. 50% of her supporting wait staff was bad. When our dishes came, they were placed (sometimes plopped) at the table without any explanation of what we were eating. Only one staff took the time to explain the dish. Service Grade: D- Drink #1: Pear Yuzu Gimlet,$12. Yuzu citrus, Serrano chili, fresh lime sour, absolut pears vodka, topped with fresh yuzu zest. Outstanding, well-made drink with a good combination of sweet, spicy, salty, & sour! Grade: A Drink #2: TWO bottles of Pino Grigio wine, $38 ea. The wine was basic, no complaints. My main complaint was that we had to ask about 7+ times for the staff to help us refill the wine glasses. They placed the wines in a cooler about 12 feet away from the table & no one remembered which was our wine or if we had ordered wine. Grade: B Appetizer #1: Oyster Foie Gras, $22. Market oysters, foie gras, uni (sea urchin) and Teriyaki sauce. Everyone on Yelp had raved about this dish. The oysters were overcooked and the foie gras and uni on the top were burned crisp like bacon (all 2 orders, 6 pieces). Yelp pictures show a lot of teriyaki sauce, we got about 1-2 drops per oyster. This dish was dry, overcooked, crispy, and nasty. Grade: F. Appetizer #2: Foie Gras Chawan Mushi, $17. I love foie gras and was super excited to try the duck breast, fresh wasabi, sweet dashi soy in the egg custard. This dish had maybe one little pea-sized cube of duck in it and nothing else. It tasted cheaply made and had little flavor. Grade: F. My guests wanted to eat fresh fish from Hawaii and asked our waitress Laura for suggestions on what to order. They said specifically TWICE, "We want sashimi". Laura suggested that we order the "Chef's Special combination" for $40. We took two orders because we had multiple people at the table. When the order came out, we got combination SUSHI! One order came out with the appetizers, one order came out with dinner. TIMING? We questioned Laura about sushi vs sashimi and she insisted we said sushi. The sushi was about 10 pieces of nigiri sushi with two rolls (eel and California roll). The sushi tasted like it was from Genki sushi (low end sushi robot chain) or from Safeway/Foodland/Times supermarket. Grade: D- * Insert a 30-45 minute break between appetizers & dinner * Horrible timing of the food! Dinner #1: Crispy whole fish, $32. Fresh whole fish (small seabass) was deboned from the neck down & made with spicy tofu sauce, pickled papaya salad. The dish was visually stunning, but the deep fried fish had absolutely no flavor. Grade: D-. Dessert #1: Haupia semifreddo ($12). We were informed that Morimoto recently won an award with this dish! Coconut sorbet/ice cream served with coconut gelee (we got 3-5 little pea sized pieces), local honey (honeycomb that got stuck in your teeth), matcha meringue (that was difficult to eat with little flavor). Grade: D-. Almost $700 later for this dinner experience, and all guests went home disappointed. I was embarrassed. The food here is a shame. The service here is an even bigger shame. I am willing to pay good money for a good meal, but Morimoto Waikiki was an EPIC FAIL. The reviews are true - Morimoto Waikiki has visually exciting food but lacks in taste and service. Drinks Grade: B+ Food Grade: F+ Service Grade: F-. Overall Experience: D-
(1)Matt H.
Yes, it is pricey. So is your vacation, so is the hotel it is located in, so is life. Go here once. I had the omakase menu (not just sushi, a full kitchen omakase) and it was awesome. I also tried the Morimoto sake flight. It was good, but I already know what I like and should've just had a bottle of daiginjo. The omakse had about 8 courses and the server explained each of them. I was never rushed, though the restaurant wasn't busy yet. This was the best meal of my life (food-wise) thus far. Bring some of your favorite people, do the omakase and you will have the best meal of your life as well.
(5)Andy M.
Very pricey, but worth it. Omakase was the best sushi experience I've ever had. The Morimoto brand sake is decent but overpriced.
(5)Juan F.
My experience here was absolutely amazing. Probably one of the best meals I've ever had. Chef Morimoto is definitely worthy of being called an Iron Chef. The restaurant is relatively new. The inside is really decorous and modern. Everything is really bright and vivid. There are seats inside the restaurant and outside with the ocean view. The Food: Omg. I had a really hard time deciding what I wanted and the waitress recommended the Omasake. Since I went there for lunch, it was a 7 course meal. Had I went there for dinner, 9 course meal! I decided to give the Omasake a try. Course 1: Toro and Hamachi tartare. Absolutely delicious. The fish was chopped and served on a wooden plate? It also came with toppings for your fish including wasabi paste, rice crackers, guacamole, onions, sour cream. The fish literally melted in my mouth. Too good. Course 2: Seared Sashimi. I forgot what fish I got. I think it was red snapper. It was slightly seared and served with some kinda of a soy and yuzu sauce that complemented it perfectly. The fish again melted in my mouth. Course 3: I don't know what its called. Its kinda of a fondue that consisted of a small container with Oil and a piece of anchovy that is being heated. As the anchovy kinda dissolves in the oil, you can dip the veggies in it. Pretty good, but my breathe was burning after because of the anchovy. Course 4: Not really a course. It was just tea to "clean" my palate. Course 5: Nigiri. 5 piece nigiri that included hamachi, toro, and some that I cannot name. They were all delicious. Course 6: Wagyu Beef. Ordered it medium rare and thats how it came. It came with some sauce and some tiny potatoes. One of the best steaks I've ever had. It was so soft and tender. I didn't need the knife to cut it. Course 7: Guava Sorbet. Served in a bowl with Haupia, a sweet cracker, and fresh fruits. I cannot believe how GOOD the sorbet was! Best dessert I've had. Absolutely amazing experience.
(5)Carmen C.
If ever in Honolulu and you really want to splurge on a meal, you must try this restaurant. Not only is it located close to a very nice hotel, The Modern, but the location is beautiful. The food was "melt in your mouth" perfect, and the service perfect! Chef Morimoto, Congratulations! I am a very picky eater and I loved my food!
(5)Rick L.
What's better than spending quality time and sharing a meal at the brand new Morimoto Waikiki restaurant with my best friend/girlfriend, her terrific sister and a close friend from out of town? Nothing! Well,...until the Kakuni appetizer came out. Get out of the way people, the food is here! Kakuni, ten hour pork belly rice congee!!! Jesus Christ! The flavors shooting out this appetizer dish while it happily swims in perfect congee has got to be their best dish in the restaurant! The food as expected was simply amazing! Beautifully decorated and an eye opener whenever a new dish lay on our table. Wow, wow, wow! The pictures says it all, go take a look and I know you'll enjoy it as much as we did. Enjoy!
(4)Mike R.
Went when it first open when it's was Editions and it was one star. Thought it had to improve, wrong. Order Angry Chicken. I now know why the chicken is angry. Nothing more than chilly power and cumin. What a waste of a nice cut of chicken. Service was poor and employees had bad attitudes maybe they will get it one of these days.
(1)Audrey S.
As a foodie, I took my boyfriend to Morimoto for a special dinner-date during our stay in Waikiki. I was quite impressed overall, however I do think the service could have been improved. We did come a little later than reservation time (20 mins late) and when I spoke to the desk the lady said we had to wait another 30-60 minutes for our table unsympathetically.. This was sort of frustrating as I booked a month in advance, but I knew it was my fault for not calling the restaurant to make sure they had that table for us.. so we sat at the bar till our table was ready and enjoyed some cocktails. But what really got me was the fact I requested during my booking to sit outside on the lanai, and we got seated indoors instead.. But, I got over it easily once we were seated and had our entree, I soon forgot all about being disappointed as sitting inside is still actually very pretty. We had a friendly waiter unlike the desk staff, and we played around with the chopsticks as they looked really cool like glass sticks! After our chopstick wars, we soon decided to get food in us. We ordered: Tuna Pizza - $18 (raw tuna pizza with delicious dressing) Morimoto Ginjo Sake, cold - $25 (caramalized pear aroma sake with stone fruit finish) Cripsy Rock Shrimp Tempura - $18 Abalone Takoyaki - $18 Chef Sashimi Combo - $40 Dessert: Chocolate Peanut Bombe - $12 Chocolate Caramel Tart - $12 Everything was delicious, what you'd expect from an Iron Chef.. All the small details in the food from the presentation to the after-tastes.. The only dish I thought was a little let-down for me was the sashimi combo, which was a few slices of sashimi on a giant plate of ice... Still looked/tasted good, but it was probably better getting something else like two maki rolls to share that had rice and probably bigger quantity. The sake was probably the best sake I've ever had, that's probably because I usually drink choya umeshu at Japanese restaurants, but I've had sake a few times before and this makes me want to drink sake more often. So to sum up, you will have a beautiful evening if you decide to dine here, just be aware with the strict reservations and to make sure to come on time for your table booking.. It gets crowded! Only come here though if you feel like you have a heavy wallet as it is quite an expensive menu. Take time to walk inside and explore The Modern Honolulu after dinner if your not staying there, its a remarkable hotel in itself.
(3)Ed T.
Awesome experiecne! Nearly perfect! We went there to celebrate our good friend, the Lee's for their wedding anniversary. We tried nearly everything! Although i was hoping for some more unusaal dishes, but since Morimoto wasn't in the house(we knew he would be there the next day to film the tv showm Hawaii Five O). We come to hawaii nearly every year for spring break so I am happy that he open this new restaurant. Will definitely come back here!
(5)Thompson P.
I had the set course meal. I really didn't care for the food but that's not fair to say they are terrible. Service was excellent though!
(2)Cely H.
@Faye: I think we were outside at the same time that night! Went here on heart day with the hubs. Sat outside and had a beautiful sunset and twinkling lights. I think our expectations were too high. We've eaten at restaurants ran by Mario and Bobby and we
(3)Serena W.
So I was lucky enough to be fed at this delightful establishment as pleasant bystander of someone's last meal on the island. I didn't know what I was in for, I wanted to go to Doraku, stupid girl! I am no foodie, but I love to eat. By that I mean, I yelp things at the last minute while standing in the middle of the street hungry and mad. I had no idea this restaurant was masterminded by an iron chef. Nor do I really know what that means. Soooo, we had the raw oysters, twice. Before and after the meal because I needed to confirm their awesome-sauceness. The ceviche was my favorite, such a flavor party. For a hot appetizer, the live octopus carpaccio was dreamy. Sliced thin enough that it wasn't too chewy and they were swimming in something sweet and tangy if my memory serves right. Soft shell crab roll is huge, one of those rolls that will end up in your lap if you don't just use your fingers. If anyone has any insight on this, please share. Am I supposed to cut it up with a knife and fork and then use chopsticks? Blah, guess I'm not a 'lady'. The 'soy sauce' they brought out was spectacular, not salty or sharp tasting and complemented the taste of the roll. We had fatty tuna, medium fatty tuna, salmon, and smoked salmon sashimi. They were all so fresh, clean and the cuts were in tune with the pricing. The salmon was smoked just right and very soft. Even after we had our second round of oysters, dessert was in the cards! We had the chocolate cake thing with caramel inside. I personally don't like caramel so I had a raspberry godiva espresso martini. Delicious! I was fast asleep 1/2 hour after this meal. Who needs to get wastey pants on a saturday night, when you can have Morimoto's!! Honestly, this was the best meal I have ever had. The service was impeccable and the ambiance was groovy. I can't wait to eat here again!
(5)Brian P.
Masaharu Morimoto. There's a reason he's an Iron Chef. And for those of you who will say the restaurant just takes his name, I have eaten food made by him here once and even got a picture with him. But besides that little cool factor, this place is great. The chawan mushi is amazing. It's so silky, smooth and decadent. The takoyaki is also excellent. I was not as impressed by the pineapple tempura but that has more to do with my own hyped up expectations. It was good but not mind blowing. The catch of the day, however, was the best fish dish I have ever eaten. I don't remember what it was (some kind of Mediterranean fish) but it was incredibly good. I've never managed to save enough room for dessert. so I can't comment on that but everything I've ever tried has been good to the best thing I ever ate so 5 stars.
(5)Parlor T.
Huge fans of Morimoto and love japanese food, but this place was such a disappointment. We did the tasting menu which costs $140 a person and overall it was nothing special. The decor was nice but not practical, as the leather seats had seen better days, and the white tables and chairs looked a bit beat up. It was very raw and not many layers of flavor. Nothing spectacular. For good sushi you should really go to Mitch's Fish Market, well worth your money. Pluses: Dessert was good and service was really good as well. Not going back though
(1)Ralph O.
The parents, the wife and I had dinner here on a Thursday night for the obvious reason that the restaurant belonged to Iron Chef Morimoto. We made reservations by Opentable with no problems. The service was A+and the servers knew their stuff. The restaurant was decorated in a modern look that fit right in with Hawaii lifestyle, just gorgeous. Unfortunately, I thought the food fell short. The parents and I got the tasting menu and the wife got a spider roll and fried whole fish as she is not a fan of uncooked food. I didn't try the spider roll but the wife enjoyed it. As for the fried fish, it was impressive that all the bones were removed but it tasted like any other fried fish that I had at a Chinese restaurant. As for the omakase, I won't describe every dish but see Kelly L's description as she does a great job. The dishes that stood out were the toro and hamachi tartare and the foie gras. Both were melt in your mouth delicious and I could have eaten these dishes all night. The vegetables with the artichoke/anchovy fondue was fun to eat. The "main course" of lobster, beef and pork though was a disappointment for me. The lobster was cooked with hot spices that didn't go well with the lobster. The beef was too sweet with the au jus that was used. I don't even remember what the pork tasted like. The nigiri sushi was good but I didn't think it belonged in a tasting menu. The dessert was okay with the ice cream and sweet potato cake. With the main dish and dessert falling short of expectations I can only give 3 stars. FYI: the sushi prices are for 1 piece and not the standard 2 pieces in Japanese restaurants.
(3)John N.
Had dinner here while on vacation in Hawaii. Morimoto Came a little late so if you want to try the tasting menu, please arrive at least 2 hours prior to closing. Had to order other items off the menu as it was just slightly more than an hour before closing. I have to say every item I tasted was prepared well and tasted great. I had the surf and turf with a steak, poke, soup and other items. The dinner was quite expensive, but I knew that coming in. I would prefer to give this place 3.5 stars, but I'll round up for Chef Morimoto. Anyways, come here to impress people or to treat yourself to something nice. Know full well that your wallet will be sore. P.S. had the beers here and they are actually pretty good, even if it's close to 20 bucks a bottle.
(4)Sheena C.
I'm not going to waste your time, so I'll make it quick. Atmosphere: Yes! Nice, swanky outside lounge-area overlooking the boat harbor with rice bowl-looking fire pits and the Edition is pretty... pretty (the paper towels in their bathroom are the thick, fancy kind--yes I judge places on what kind of paper-goods they stock in their bathrooms). Food: Disappointment. :( I mean, I wasn't bad, but it wasn't amazing. I only had a couple of sushi items off their lounge menu (did not go for dinner) and it did not blow me away. We actually ended up going to Yanagi later for the late-night specials and that was WAY better (esp. considering the price). Would definitely go back to feel fancy and drink with friends/the SO, but definitely not to eat.
(3)Manda Bear B.
***************** REVIEW 400 ****************** 3.5 Stars Located by the Harbor of Waikiki Beach, inside the Waikiki Edition Hotel. This Morimoto is new, modern, tropical design in light green, white, beach shells, and orchid photos through out the wall. A huge kitchen with at least 20 chefs & cooks, open the less than 20 seats at the sushi bar. An open space dining room, with straight up row of beautiful wooden tables, white leather chairs, and an outdoor cozy patio with woodfire. I was surprised to see how big the place is. Even we got late RSVP via OpenTable for 9 PM on a WED night, but we didn't get to our table till 9:30 PM. The 2 hostesses weren't as welcoming as I would expected, very odd! We sat at the bar for a some Sake, now the server at the bar was very kind, kept checking on our table for us. While the hostess kept telling me "we will call you when your table ready!" I was like REALLY? I've been waiting for half an hour madam! We got sat down, luckily our server was very courteous & apologize for the delay. Here is what we had: DRINKS: - Morimoto ' Daiginjo' Sake - it was nice, they were out of the Ginjo, so this was an up-sell, well done. - Alber Boxler 2003 Alsace France Pinot Gris - nice bottle to pair! FOOD: - Oyster with mignonette, Thai, & tartar sauce - fresh and cold just how we like it. - Sashimi combo - super fresh, super well cut, and nice all around. - Tuna Pizza, Olives, Anchovy Aioli, Jalapeño - what a nice surprised, a server at the Sheraton Waikiki told us about this dish, I wasn't sure, but it wasn't a pizza, just a pizza size cracker on the bottom, super thin & crispy, with tuna sashimi topping - a huge dish to share. The Jalapeño was a nice kick to it! - Tempura calamari salad - white miso dressing, crispy onion - it's a super generous portion, enough to share for 4 people! The salad was nice & light, the tempura was crisp and tasty. - Oyster Foie Gras, Uni, Teriyake sauce - 3 huge oysters with a piece of Foie Gras & Uni on it, this was just too rich for my taste. Too much Teriyaki sauce, it kills the Uni & Foie Gras too over-powering! - Yose Dofu - fresh tofu prepared table-side, Kimchi sauce & Daishi broth. They serve freshly made Tofu at your table in a black pot, 8 minutes later, the came by & pulled in a liquid to make the tofu harden. They serve with green chai, fish flake, ginger on the side as well. It was an interesting dish, nice with Kimchi sauce. However, I wish the tofu wasn't that soft! - Scallop, XO jan, Tokyo scallions - 4 big pieces of Diver scallops, toping with a little crispy cracker, this was 1 of my top dishes of the night. Just perfectly cooked. - Seafood "Toban Yaki" - Kona lobster, King crab, mussel, clam, diver scallop, spicy red miso-sake broth - serve with crouton breads on the side for dipping. Almost reminded me of Cioppino Italian seafood dish, however, this was better. The broth was tasty, just anough spice to it and full of flavor. This was big portion to share. The portion was so generous, I'm so NOT used to it. Some dishes were good, some just mediocre. However, I'm glad we got to try many dishes as we possible can, after all, we were on vacation right? Our server was definitely made up for the earlier wait & not courteous hostesses. We had a good time and this is definitely a place for a bigger group, that way you can share the food. Overall: 3.5 stars For value: 5 stars For Food: 4 stars For Service: 3 stars Ambiance: 4 stars For Location: Inside the Edition Hotel and you can spot some celebrity here. We saw Nick Lachey & his fiancee Vanessa Minnillo. He was shorter in person, & she was simply gorgeous!
(3)Ashley N.
I went to Morimoto Waikiki last year with my family to celebrate my birthday. I have been wanting to write this review for the longest time, but never got around to doing so until now. When I went, we made reservations and were quickly seated. The service was very good, as expected from a restaurant of this caliber. Since it was my birthday, I decided on the Morimoto Omakase Set ($120 per person), while my family all decided on choosing other entrees. Overall, the food was excellent. The Omakase did include a lot of raw fish selections, and being not too big of a fan of sushi and sashimi, it probably wasn't the best idea to get the Omakase. However I did enjoy a lot of the different courses, which were items I normally wouldn't have picked, but was glad to have tried. I do not regret ordering the Omakase at all. However, I was a little disappointed on the size of the entree course, since it did only include a taste of meat and pork, while many of the appetizers were several times larger :( On a side note, their foie gras chawan mushi was the best variation of chawan mushi that I've ever tasted. I would definitely get it again if I were to go back in the future. I would not recommend getting the Omakase if the other members of your party are ordering other items off the menu. The Omakase does take a very long time to finish, since the waiters will only bring you the next course when they notice you are finished with your current plate. For me, it did take over three hours to finish our entire meal... My family was disappointed by the fact that they did only bring out their items so it went along with the Omakase, since they had to sit for a few hours before ever seeing their entrees. Overall, Morimoto Waikiki does live up to Chef Morimoto's name. It is a very good restaurant to go to if you're going to celebrate an occasion, but mainly because of the prices of their dishes, I wouldn't come back in the near future just to have a dinner.
(3)Steve B.
We were looking forward to a gourmet experience at the famous Morimoto restaurant ("Iron Chef") in Honolulu last Christmas. The restaurant is in a nice location next to the Hilton Village and has a great ocean view. Unfortunately, the food and service were a disappointment. My wife's salad arrived with someone's long black hair in it. When we complained, the server simply offered to replace the salad, but with no apology or expression of concern. The remainder of the meal was dry and over-salted. Not a four star experience but it came with a four star price.
(2)Glenn N.
Had the opportunity to go to Morimoto's for dinner last night, As you walk in to this bright white and soft pale green room you are greeted by a friendly smile. the decor was nothing that I expected form a "Japanese" restaurant. You are transported to someplace like New York or LA. Fresh and clean very modern. Our server knew the menu inside and out and made great suggestions. We decided to eat family style so we ordered accordingly. The food we good but nothing special. I was looking forward to the Wagu steak and at $88.00 for a piece of meat my mouth was watering. However, the meat came to our table cold! Like it was sitting around for awhile. I would expect more from a fine dinning restaurant. But at least we had some good company to chat the night away.
(3)Pack C.
well, he is the iron chef.. what can i really say.. First of all, there seems to be a wide range of dishes from ok to great. Your experience pretty much depends on what you ordered. My 2nd recommendation would be try a lot of appetizers here and just order 1 entree to share (assuming dinner for 2). Yellowtail Tartare. The side made it fun & surprise to eat. Next time i would order Toro though. We ordered Yellowtail 'coz it is slightly cheaper. However, once had it, i think it would taste better if there is more fat in the fish Sashimi: so gooood.. i hesitated about this one at first as it's all raw fish what Morimoto can really do to make it different. He did actually. He actually has different kinds of fish in one bite with very creative sauces. It was the must have dish foie gras: i can't remember its full name but it was one of the best & surprising dish. it looked really simple but it just melted in my mouth. Bouillabaise: seafood soup: tons of fresh seafood. i drank every single drop of the soup. it was a highlight of my meal Fish with black soy sauce: it was ok. it was too sweet to be good by itself. Overall, we love the experience. Morimoto is such a great, creative chef that you can really see it in his food. All the flavors are well balanced, no over-powering taste. I strongly recommend it
(5)janey T.
I was expecting phenomenal but was sadly disappointed. Kakuni- braised pork belly on congee - amazing Spicy king crab - too much sauce. Fried fish was ok. Fish in hot pot was good. Drinks were good. Service was good but our waiter seemed pushy and bored. Not very friendly and was not giving us a good vibe. It was super pricey and it was an absolute disappointment. There are much better places to eat at 1/3 of the cost.
(2)Vanessa B.
Overall this place is over-rated FOOD: From appetizers to dinner, the food was not good. It defiantly looked fancy and looked appealing but lacking flavor. My fiancé and I love sushi and love watching Morimoto on TV and were very excited to try out his restaurant but was sadly disappointed. The drinks were good. They only had one selection of hot sake on the menu however. SERVICE: Nothing outstanding, decent service, they disappear for a long time. Drinks were not refilled accordingly. I've had better service at lower end restaurants than this place. Made reservations. ENVIRONMENT: Very romantic and beautiful scenery. Great for groups as well. The decor is very nice and relaxing. PRICE: Pretty expensive for the lack of flavor we had, but reasonable for his fame. Unfortunately, we do not plan on coming here again.
(2)Rachel L.
Quote from my husband: "this food is so incredibly delicious, if there was a hair on my food I'd probably devour it." Need I say more? To be clear... there was definitely not any hair in the food ;) Absolutely love the dinning atmosphere, the service, professionalism, and the cocktails are also really nice.
(5)Kyle H.
I made it back for dinner and got to enjoy the romantic fire pits, plush white couches, candles and gauzy white curtains... If you didn't already know, I'll throw in a star or two if I love the place for it's ambiance and though each dish individually didn't leave me panting, I want to go here again and again for the experience. Also, if you think i'm overkill with the pics, here's another tidbit about me I know you really care about - I love being able to see what the food looks like before I order or knowing what to expect when the food comes out so the some of the schmancy descriptions on the menu using terms I can't pronounce is a little frustrating. So if you don't mind, I took a pic of everything we ordered and the captions are the title, description and price straight off of the iron chef's menu...I know, anal but whatever. Now you know why I still go to gyotaku even though their food sucks, I love me a menu with pictures! I think this is similar to my magazine habit, just look at the pictures and captions. I don't read the articles. I think i'd be in playboy's readership category. Oh, yeah...foood. Ok, moving on: Everything we ordered was shared family-style... Appetizers began with the tempura rock shrimp... This was the best dish of the night. I could have eaten this whole thing myself. Since it's the holiday season and I'd like to be on Santa's good list, I was a nice girl and shared. It was like light crispy buffalo shrimp, cooked perfectly with light breading tossed in the sauces then dipped into the coconut ranch, this was truly delicious. Please order it! yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… The other appetizers, poke was okay, nothing wowed me here except they were meticulous enough to skin the cherry tomatoes and the fish was cut in nice big chunks yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… The king crab was so highly recommended by our server, and when it came to the table, I'll admit it looked really impressive - the color from the red spice and tobiko was vibrant against the stark white dish (those BK fries came with it too so I was THRILLED about that of course) but it was a hard and messy app for sharing and was super salty! yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… The entrees we chose were the ishi yaki buri bop, the loco moto, rack of lamb and the whole crispy fish... I was so excited abou the ishi kayi (hamachi bi bimbap) but the hamachi was super-fishy tasting! I wouldn't get this again. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Now I WOULD get the chef's loco moto! I would've licked the plate if I was in another setting. There was very little wagyu but the gravy and rice, COMFORT FOOD at its' BEST! yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Lamb wasn't a rack, more like 3 little bones and the spam maki that came with it barely even had any spam. The lamb was delicious though! yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… I also loved the presentation of the cripy whole fish and in my mind, there is (almost) no way to go wrong with fried food. My only gripe was the mabo-tofu-like sauce wasn't very flavorful. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… The desserts were good, Thanks for the beautiful Happy Birthday art on the chocolate banana one but how come Chad's O's one had his name on it? I'm J. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… You know what's a great bonus? I told the waiter I didn't like my drinks too sweet and I guess they're still experimenting with their drink menu so I couldn't find the savory cucumber one I enjoyed so much last time I was here (bring it back!), he recommended the Pikake blossom. I told him it was good but too sweet, could I order an extra shot of vodka to pour in? He came back with a martini glass full of vodka! No joke: yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… SWEET! Makes me feel like they already know me! I'm your fan for life now!
(4)Yuree N.
I just had dinner here tonight with my family and I have to say I was impressed. I came in here without any real expectations (even though he's the iron chef and all), but I came out pretty satisfied. Decor/Ambiance: This place makes me miss LA SO MUCH. The decor was pretty trendy and definitely what you'd see in any LA restaurant of a similar type. I really liked that the lighting in the place was pretty bright and not that dim yellow lighting in other fancy shmancy restaurants. I'm still really confused as to what kind of restaurant this is. People were dressed in all types of attire: from aloha shirts and shorts, to tops with jeans, to girls in fancy dresses and guys wearing blazers, but no one really looked out of place regardless of what they were wearing. There was also a good number of tables here with kids so I'm thinking it can't be that fancy of a restaurant, although by looking at their menu prices alone you'd think they were. Food: YUM. I guess Morimoto is the Iron Chef for good reason. For appetizers we got: spicy crab, kakuni (recommended!), and tempura calamari salad. For entrees we got: Duck duck duck, crispy whole fish, some kind of pork dish (sorry, can't remember), and the angry chicken. If I had to tell you to get one thing, I would recommend the crispy whole fish. They deep fry the fish so you can eat EVERY part of it, even the bones (which actually taste like bacon!). And for all you chicken lovers, I'd order the angry chicken with caution because ours was pretty dry. Drinks: I got the Green Flash Martini, which had gin, Midori, and some other things. $10, pretty good. I wanted to try their 5 year aged sake but felt guilty about ordering a 3 oz glass for $19. One day! Service: Very, very good. The wait staff and bussers are very well-trained. And the manager is always there to address any concerns. Just the kind of service I'd expect to get with the price of this place. Price: Wheeeeeew, there's a reason why I came here with my family and that's because I'm a starving student who can't afford such luxuries without mommy and daddy. :) The bill came out to be almost $300 for 4 entrees, 2 appetizers, 1 salad, 2 sides, and 1 drink. If I had to compare the price to another restaurant, I'd say it's pretty similar to Roy's, but not as expensive as Alan Wong's or Nobu.
(4)Shannon K.
Beautiful outdoor seating, fresh delicious sushi, and great options for my fish-hating husband!
(4)Lauren T.
I made reservations here hoping that 3.5 stars wasn't warranted for my favorite Iron Chef and I was not disappointed. I don't understand why this place doesn't have better reviews. The ambiance is great, the waiter was great too he explained everything and was attentive, and the food was amazing. It's trendy and cool while also having amazing dishes to back it up. I mean to compare, it doesn't have the same upscale feel as Nobu, but it is definitely more upscale than places like Izakaya Gaku. But each restaurant has their own place/niche on the island and I would come back again for sure! We had the tofu (made table side... sooo cool), the lamb, and the ishi yaki buri bop, and some dessert I don't remember what it's called and it was "meh"... the lamb was to die for!!! And the ishi yaki buri bop had amazing flavor and the fish was so fresh and amazing.
(5)Shelly i.
This is not the most flattering review for me. In fact it explains why my brother's affectionate nickname for me is "heifer." But... here goes... My mom wanted to take my brother's fiancee out for her birthday and I suggested Morimoto. I made the reservations on Open Table and luckily we were able to get seated on the deck outside with the view of Keehi and the fire pits! I love those fire pits, although I do think they are impractical for a place that serves alcohol (which I can't have at the moment anyway cause I'm pregnant) cause that's just a lawsuit waiting to happen. My mom and future sis-in-law did partake. Mom had the Green Flash (it was so-so. I took a sip, it's not going to kill the baby) and the f-s-i-l had the White Lily on my recommendation. They both agreed that the White Lily was the better of the two drinks. I got to sip still water ($7! I am not making that mistake again, ice water all the way from now on). Bah, baby you'd better be worth it! We decided to order entirely off the cold and hot appetizer menu, which to me is the smartest way to eat at Morimoto. I've had several of the entrees (oxtail soup, crispy fish, surf and turf, ishi yaki buri bop) and wasn't too impressed. The sushi is all pretty standard too. BUT... BUT... I am totally in love with the interesting and innovative small bites here. This time we ordered: Hamachi Tartare $22 - I liked this better than the toro tartare. The flat metal scoops are a little difficult to maneuver, especially when dipping in the soy/dashi. Here's what I like to do, I scrape a little fish puree off the board and delicately dip a corner of the spatula in the sauce before playing around with the other toppings (the rice crackers are fun). If I lose any of the fish in the dashi, I save the sauce to pour over my next dish, the yose dofu. Yose Dofu $16 - No matter how many times I come it's always fun to have this dish. Also it fills bottomless pits like me up so you don't have to go to McDonald's for a burger after. The waiter came out, explained the dish and told us the kitchen would time the waiting period for the soy milk to go from watery to tofu-y for us. My f-s-i-l loved the freshness of this dish and the accompanying kim chee sauce. Tuna Pizza $18 - Yes, I know I'm not supposed to eat raw fish that's why I only had one piece of the little pizza. The crispy pizza comes cut into about 6 wedges, each about the size of a tortilla chip. This blend of crispy crust, paper-thin ahi, olives, tomato, creamy sauce and micro cilantro is awesome. At first I thought the olive would throw off the dish but it just adds a salty hmm-that's-interesting flavor. Oyster Foie Gras $20 - If you read my previous review, you know this is MY FAVORITE DISH OF ALL TIME!!! I love the silky feel in my mouth after I slurp one of these bad boys up. You get three to an order and one day I will order and not share. I'm just warning people in advance. Make sure to ask for the kabayaki (or teriyaki, whatever you want to call it) sauce on the side, so you can add to your taste. I like just a smidge. Rock Shrimp Tempura $16 - The shrimp are coated in a cornstarchy batter and then tossed with either a Buffalo-style kochojang sauce or a wasabi sauce. It comes with a dipper of a thin buttermilk ranch. Really yummy but so much shrimp... I never thought I would say that. Too much shrimp. What is wrong with me? It's good for ordering when you have 4-5 people sharing. Kakuni $16 - This comes in a big brimmed, tiny bowl. I'd order just to make fun of the bowl. In all seriousness, this dish is tasty but not ideally suited for sharing. It comes on top of a thin rice congee (porridge) and I'm not quite sure how you'd divide that (the waitress had taken our tofu bowls and spoons). It would make a great meal along with an appetizer though. Curry Pan $13 - Probably the only dish my mom and f-s-i-l didn't rave about. I was impressed by how thin they got the bread and the crunchy korroke outside, but it was rather ho hum after the previous dishes. Our waitress mentioned that we scored the last one, so apparently it's popular enough. I would be thrilled to get this in a bento, just not so much for a fine dinner. Okay, I know this was a LOOOONG review. So sorry. But there's only a little more to go! Stay with me! Honestly, if I had to do it over again I would have only ordered four appetizers instead of seven. My mom and f-s-i-l were groaning and complaining about how full they were after the rock shrimp. I told them to suck it up and order dessert. We split the Tofu Hot and Cold ($12) and the Roasted Pineapple Cake ($12). I really loved the marshmallow-y hot tofu souffle and the tofu cheesecake but wasn't too fond of the pineapple cake (the gelato and puffed rice it came with were great though). Both were way better than the chocolate peanut butter bombe I had once before though. I liked the subtle sweetness. [ Damn, I'm out of space.]
(5)Darren N.
Breakfast review Getting there: Free valet at the Edition Waikii if you're dining at Morimoto Waikiki. Ambiance: White furnishings, tall ceiling, and roominess make this place feel almost like a cafeteria, but it won't conjure up elementary school memories. The hanging massive white-washed coral in clear glass boxes and clean, comfortable, stylish and upscale seating reminds you that you're going to pay big bucks to eat here. Check out the pictures because they speak for themselves better than I can describe them. Service: Courteous and the timing of the beverage checks are spot on, not too frequent and not late. Food: I had the Local Style Breakfast which frankly, was a disappointment. The hash browns were small and dry, there were very few bacon pieces and although cooked well, nothing about it stood out. Same could be said about the rice (did not choose toast) and scrambled eggs. Their other breakfast menu options showed more innovation and for a restaurant like this along with the prices, I would expect more innovation than your average local style breakfast from an average diner. Side note, I heard good things about their banana pancakes and their loco moco had a healthy sized portion. The eggs benedict was also good but small portioned. Verdict and Takeaway: I can't fully judge this place since I've yet to try their lunch / dinner menus. That being said, I'm hoping they work to uplift their local style breakfast somehow and perhaps include a larger portion.
(3)Joy W.
What a disappointment. Decided to try this trendy "hotspot" for my husband's birthday but there are definitely still kinks that need to be worked out. The decor is modern and stylish but the tables are way too close together and it's extremely noisy...so much so that I could barely hear my husband across the table but I could definitely hear the girl next to me shouting at her date across their table. And that was a shame too as the service was quite horrible...we were left waiting for our food a lot of the time, and it would've been nice to have a nice conversation while we waited. Iron Chef Morimoto was there the night we visited so we both ordered the omakase. Then we waited and waited and waited for about half an hour before our first course came out. My husband had ordered drinks with his food but when they didnt arrive by the second course, he had to flag our waiter down to check on that. The food was quite good and beautifully presented but with omakase, you expect precise timing, one course after another with no lengthly lulls in between. (Also with omakase, you expect different dishes based on what's fresh and available that day but apparently it's always the same courses no matter what day you go.) Unfortunately after we finished one course, the next one would take forever to arrive and our bumbling busboy neglected to keep our water glasses filled. And one couple seated nearby came in an hour after us and they caught up to us by the fourth course. Again, they came in an HOUR after us! It was a slight consolation that my husband pointed out another couple that had been there before us and we ended up finishing our omakase before them, but in the end, I just really felt sorry for them. All in all, we were there for three awful hours. For the price you pay, you'd expect better service and a more enjoyable evening. Never again.
(2)Saw T.
Gotta say that I'm a little bit surprised by so many less than stellar reviews for this place. After eating dinner there last night with my wife and parents, we all agreed that we really enjoyed every single thing we ordered and want to check out the Napa branch that's close to home soon. For starters, we got the Morimoto Sashimi, the Tempura Calamari Salad and the Mixed Green Salad. The Morimoto Sashimi consisted of little stacks of seared toro, smoked salmon, eel, tuna and hamachi accompanied by 5 pipettes of different sauces, including Yellow Pepper, Yuzu and Arugula (don't remember the last 2). While a bit on the small side, the fish tasted fresh, the presentation was very unique and the dish had a lot of whimsy. The Mixed Green Salad had a bit of heat and was a massive portion. The Tempura Calamari Salad while not as huge as the Mixed Green Salad was also a large portion and the calamari stayed crispy and was not weighed down by the dressing. For entrees, we got the Roasted Lobster "Epice", the Crispy Whole Fish, a bunch of maki, and the Salt Crusted Fingerling Potatoes. The lobster dish was pretty spectacular. It was roasted in garam masala and appealed to my Indian palate. The fish, which happened to be a branzino, was crispy and came with a very flavorful spicy tofu sauce. The rolls while solid were not really memorable. The potatoes while prepared very simply were extremely tasty and I look forward to duplicating that dish some day soon. Overall, the entrees were a bit on the small size and paled in comparison the giant apps in terms of quantity. If we hadn't gone to Giovanni's Shrimp Truck a couple hours earlier, we would have needed to order more. Now on to the desserts! The Chocolate Caramel Tart was simply ridiculous. I've had similar tarts before but this version was so decadent and the caramel was gooey deliciousness. We came very close to ordering another one. The Chocolate Peanut Bombe was also pretty spectacular and in particular I enjoyed the salted peanut ice cream on the side. The Vanilla Roasted Pineapple was a sponge-cake based dessert that was solid but couldn't compete with the chocolate offerings. The service was also very good and the waitstaff was very attentive. We also enjoyed the minimalist modern decor. While the food wasn't cheap, it was in line with comparable restaurants and I don't really get all the complaints about the price.
(5)Bernard T.
I have been to Morimoto in New York and Napa. They are all great, but for some reason Morimoto at Waikiki was just OK to me. I think it can be better. Well, will give another try again on my next visit to Waikiki.
(3)Expert F.
sometimes good sometimes really bad
(2)Clifton H.
The gf took me there for dinner last week to celebrate my bday. We were pretty lucky in that the Iron Chef himself was working that night. The decor is pretty trendy and the food is pricey, all of which were expected. We had the oysters, morimoto sashimi, salmon skin roll, and toban yaki. I had the peanut bombe for desert. All of these were excellent. The gf was prodding me to order some of that wagyu, but I just couldn't bring myself to order something that expensive; I guess it's the Chinese in me. I would have given the place 5 stars, except that there seemed to be little flies flying around. One even landed in my gf's drink. The waiter, who provided excellent service throughout the night, had it replaced. I really like the place, but I don't think there should be insects around when customers are eating.
(4)Lynn C.
I went to Morimoto's in New York and was excited to see if it was different/as good as my experience previously. We arrived promptly for our reservation at 7 PM on a Tuesday evening. The look of the place is clean and crisp, very modern with touches of tropical-ness with the pictures of flowers and shells hanging from the ceiling. To begin, Trisha, our waitress, really made our experience. She was friendly and attentive and super sweet. We ordered some drinks, Morimoto sashimi as a starting dish and then our other dishes. Our sashimi came out VERY quickly. It was basically, 5 stacks of different of fish with different dipping sauces including some with chili, one with arugula, and unagi. It was meh and I ended up deconstructing the stacks (not sure if you were supposed to...). About 15 minutes later, our drinks came out. Another 20 minutes later, our food, came out. At least I believe it was about that time. Luckily my date was pleasant company or I would've gone bonkers. Trisha apologized profusely about 5 times and let us know that the manager would take care of our drinks that evening. I had the surf and turf (steak, Morimoto poke, and fingerlings) and the Boy had the duck duck duck (duck 3 ways). The waiter poured the au jus on the steak and had it sizzle (he was very considerate and held a napkin in between me and the steak in case of splatter). The au jus was amazing. The poke was just ok and the fingerlings + Okinawan potato were good. I read what I just typed and it sounds completely unexciting. It was good but just wasn't anything to get super excited about. The Boy liked his duck, commenting that the three of them separately were OK but together they made a great dish. Dessert was a chcooclate creme tart/cake thing with vanilla ice cream. On the menu it said it had kona coffee ice cream. Alas, not the case. We probably wouldn't have gotten if we had known it was going to be vanilla. It was a rocky dining experience with pretty good food. The atmosphere of the restaurant was good and our waitress was great. We did get to see Chef Morimoto but he retired to his room early (7 PM). I would have taken my New York Morimoto experience over my Waikiki Morimoto experience. Worth at least one try however.
(3)Matt G.
Sitting outside as the sun sets over Illikai boat harbor is something to behold. After being in Omaha, NE for 7 months, this ended up being the first place I went to upon my return to Honolulu. Even if I wasn't on a romantic date or anything, the ambiance and view were incredible. The only problem is that I hadn't had time to reacclimate to the humidity so I was sweating like a pig. Yuck. The food here is good. As a grad student who lives on student loans, looking through the menu made me die a litle bit on the inside but the food quality (as long as you know what to order) equates to the pricing more or less. It's not super expensive. We had Ryan as our server. Nice guy. Knowledgeable and most of all honest. As a former industry worker, you definitely come to appreciate honesty in your server. Of course some things will give you better bang for your buck, or there'll be unlisted items every once in a while, and some things are amazing no matter what it is or how much it costs. The yose dofu...is a tofu appetizer prepared table side. Although it's not anything I haven't had before, it was awesome. Props to our server on that one, and it was decently priced too. Again, you def appreciate when your server isn't just trying to push the most expensive items at you. I say come in with the expectations you'd have of any other restaurant and you won't be disappointed. But if you're one of those who are just here bc you heard oh Morimoto this or Iron Chef that, you're bound to set yourself up for disappointment.
(5)Alfred G.
I had 7 pm dinner reservations for Morimoto Waikiki and upon reading the reviews, I realized that my dining experience would be either a hit or miss so I was very optimistic and my expectations was on an even keel. Now before I go into details, I just wanted to say that after it was all said and done, After the smoke was cleared, my dining experience here was a very good one in which I have no problems whatsoever giving 5 stars. The service was excellent, upon arriving I had noticed that the restaurant was crowded (which was expected) and the restaurant had a modern look which I personally liked. Now according to some reviews, people were not seated right away and the people working the front desk were not friendly. For me, I experienced the complete opposite, As soon as I entered I was greeted with a warm, friendly smile and was seated right away outsie on the deck overlooking the harbor which was perfect because it was around 7pm and the scenery was awesome. The waitress we had was very friendly, outgoing she was very knowledgeable in answering any questions that I had recommending her personal favorites and explaining everything that I had ordered and how it was prepared. The bussers were also friendly and attentive making sure that my water was always full and that the table was clean etc. like I said, the overrall service was top notch, not too over/underwhelming. The food as well was good, The presentation was awesome as expected and the flavors were well balanced. For appetizers I ordered the smoked sashimi (toro,salmon,eel,tuna,hamachi) w/ 5 sauces,the sashimi was fresh, appealing and the sauces was great with it not masking the flavors of the fish at all. I also had the steamed scallops w/scallions in some kind of sauce which was nice and soft (the way it should be) I highly recommend it. Another highly recommended appetizer would be the Kakuni which is a ten hour cooked pork belly which was very soft, tender and succulent. For the Main course I had the Surf and Turf, now according to some reviews the meat was overcooked, mine was not. I had my steak prepared medium and it was cooked perfect, the fish and crusted fingerlings was great as well. For me Dessert was my favorite, You have to order the Chocolate Mille Feulle, it's bruleed bananas with an avocado anglaise and spiced chocolate ice cream I seriously could have eaten 5 more of that dessert especially the spiced chocolate ice cream. For me everything was great from the food, service etc. and I will be back again, for sure. For the other people who have had bad experiences dining there, I would suggest going again and give it another try. The restaurant has been open for only 6 months and maybe they were ironing out the kinks before they get it to where they want it to be both service and food wise, well after a very nice dining experience like I had, they are well on their way
(5)Rhemielyn U.
Had my birthday lunch here and it was beautiful. Besides the awesome service, food was also on point. Pricey but worth it. We had sashimi that just melt in your mouth. Their lunch set was also good esp their version of loco moco
(4)Edwin P.
Try the tasting menu it is super!
(5)Eddie L.
This one's a bit tough to review. I give it 3 stars for my meal but i'm sure it could easily be 4 or even 5 depending on what you order. The decor is gorgeous and it will make me take a second look at staying at the Edition the next time I'm in Waikiki. I'm a vegetarian so how could I ever really experience what this place has to offer? My Korean/Japanese fusion Mushroom rice in a stone pot was tasty but pretty expensive for what it was. I have no one to really blame but myself for ordering such a dish in this place. I did eat meat for over 30 years so if I could offer any advice about this place I would say don't screw around and pay the money for the omakase. Yeah it'll cost you over a $100 a head but shoot for the moon while you're here. Morimoto was in the kitchen while i was there and in retrospect I should have broken the rules and ordered the "chef's special". How often do you get to eat while the Iron Chef is working? It doesn't end all that bad for vegetarians here. The freshly made Tofu prepared table side is fantastic. As for service, our waitress was definitely sub par (fanning her face while she was talking to us.. really?) I'm guessing/hoping they are still getting the kinks out.
(3)Ronnie K.
Whenever I think of Morimoto's I think of the Iron Chef. My expectations were so high, I guess I was expecting nothing short of a mouthgasm. Do not get me wrong, the food was good; however, I was far from blown away. The girl that seated us was ehh.. but our server was awesome. He made great recommendations and probably could recite the menu in Iambic pentameter with his eyes closed. The restaurant is moderately pricey, so you can definitely do some damage if you are hungry or with a large party.
(5)Doris C.
Lunch with a group and it was surprisingly delicious. Attentive wait staff. Loco moco^ the best I've had with slices of waging beef, delicious gingerly garnish and just done right rice. Miso soup had the lightest freshest tofu I've tasted. Sushi slices delicious very good quality. The light Asian-inspired dressing on nalo greens was very delicate. My friends ordered extra dressing while I thought it was just enough dressing. I will certainly go here again. Wonderful view too. Architecture and interior design is comfortable when chatting with friends. Quiet! ALOHA Doris
(5)Dan C.
Beautiful layout and presentation. We had the cod, the sashimi and the beef tenderloin. All were very delicious...it took a few minutes to figure out location because it is located in the back of a hotel instead of a stand alone restaurant. Only negative is that we both had a slight stomach ache in the middle of the night after eating.
(4)Monica C.
Let me just say that I was incredibly excited to come here. I've been watching Iron Chef for years with my dad and Morimoto was one of my favorites. I even remember the episode where Bobby Flay insulted Morimoto because he climbed on his cutting board and Morimoto was infuriated and I was like OH HECK NO BOBBY FLAY! Anywhoo, when I heard about a Morimoto restaurant, I made sure we made reservations to go. We knew we were heading into a place where we're going to drop a few bills but we were up for it especially if the food would be life changing. This was NOT the case, seriously was disappointed in this establishment. Service, food, the entire situation left a bad taste in my mouth, we'll probably never return. Based on the recent reviews, looks like others would agree. We were celebrating a special event, we got married on our original anniversary date so we were too busy to do our usual anniversary dinner so this was our make-up dinner and attempt to celebrate without 520 people. The experience went terribly sour real quick. I think that service can make or break a dining experience. Service was definitely a huge factor, but the food - I cannot fathom why it tasted so lackluster. I so badly wanted to like everything we ordered because I thought to myself, ok maybe I'm just being too picky. But one bad dish after the other, I knew it wasn't us. Our waitress was RUDE, I don't remember her name because after a while, my husband just interacted with her and I stopped even looking at her. But seriously, if you hate customers and have issues being nice to people, DON'T be a waitress. It was quite amazing to me - we didn't do or say anything to her that would spark this. She just full on started being a smartypants after being assigned to be our waitress. Most of the time, she was nowhere to be found. Barely any water refills, and never checked up on us. But super impatient and pushy when we were trying to put our order in. My husband and her almost got into a quarrel because she was talking to him like he was illiterate and rolling her eyes at him the WHOLE time. Ok, if you're concerned about us dining and ditching, don't make it obvious. So freaking rude considering that we didn't show up looking ghetto or tried to steal anything off the table, obviously we can afford to dine wherever we want, Morimoto is no exception. Despite how unhappy we looked, management didn't do squat. So this is a classy grand restaurant right? This place was full on empty, SOMEONE could have checked up on us if our waitress's behavior was beyond a snobby high school drama queen. I bet others have complained about her, but has gotten away with it so many times. At the end of the meal, she attempted to redeem herself... super shady. I left her like a $5 tip - yep you lost about $50 worth of tips that night. The food was meh. If meh was an adjective, that's what my palette would describe every dish that came out. Everything was very flat and poorly executed. Over salted, strange flavor combinations and just extremely bad quality for the few bites of food we received. For the $$$, you would expect the dishes to send you into a mouthgasm. I've had those experiences before where literally after you finish something you think to yourself, ok that was possibly the best meal I've ever had... When can I come here again!? Then the next couple of weeks, months you daydream about coming back. This wasn't the case here, after appetizer #2, I knew the ship was sinking. My husband had sashimi which looked appetizing but the portion size was ridiculous. I think it was $35 for five bites, I don't like sashimi so I let him finish all of it. He seemed to like it, but coming from Seattle, we have great sushi places around the area where this measured up. This was his favorite dish, sad considering it was 5 bites. We ordered crispy shrimp with wasabi aioli and a firecracker sauce. This should be renamed Soggy Shrimp because there was no crispiness whatsoever. I specifically picked this appetizer because I thought I would get incredibly crispy nuggets of shrimp with flavorful dipping sauces. I actually didn't eat all of it and I decided to not pack it to go. That's how disappointing this was and in all honesty, fried foods isn't a difficult dish to execute at all. This isn't risotto people! The sauces were very bland and single noted, no spices and the wasabi was so mild it just tasted like mayo. Do not order this! I picked Duck Duck Duck for my entree, the soup was so salty I couldn't eat it, it came with two dime sized duck meatballs which were tasteless. The duck breast was dry and mediocre, it wasn't seared properly and the duck lumpia would make Filipinos all over the world cringe and shake their heads. Never returning, other restaurants will give you a better dining experience, trust me. -- Apparently my name is Susan... Need I say more about customer service?! SMDH
(1)Noriaki S.
We have to consider about the expensive price of good restaurant in Honolulu.In honolulu good restaurant is too expensive, cheep restaurant is always bad.Here is awesome.This restaurant has a good american face and good japanese face. We can enjoy the raw oyster and lobster and we can enjoy the authentic japanese sushi bar style.That's very nice.
(4)Tom P.
Horrible. I wish we went to the red lobster next door. The other luke warm sushi review is spot on. The service was at best, strange, but the food was aggravating. I could go on about the poor service... From reception, to bar, to waiter they were all in attentive and extremely slow. We've all been there. The real question is the food. My date and I ordered the live octopus carpaccio and the sushi sampler platter. The carpaccio was way too salty. The octopus was good despite this, but there was no ingredient or sauce. Next was the $90 sushi sampler. The fish was luke warm. The rice was too sticky. The rice didn't taste good. The house made soy sauce with low sodium tasted like a salt mine. The sushi itself tasted like grocery store sushi. Mayhaps the fish was well sourced, but I highly doubt it. Overall, the sushi was what you get from a $20 all you can eat place. I was livid. Do not go. It's not a portion issue or cost; I'm a foodie. Do not go.
(1)Sarah M.
Really beautiful place. The food was great and the service was excellent. I had a great time.
(5)Richard H.
Rare treat to dine at the restaurant of Iron Chef, Morimoto! As other have mentioned, the best time to sample their amazing food is during lunch, or during Happy Hour, otherwise be prepared to "shell out" some serious cash. Morimoto is located in the gorgeously renovated Modern Hotel (adjacent to the Ilikai) in Waikiki. The entire experience from the friendly welcome from the hostess, dinning service, and departure is first class. Our waiter and wait staff were extremely respectful and observant of the customer's needs, and became transparent during our meal. Never interrupting or leaving your glass of water empty. Everything at our table from the chop stick holders, to the dinner napkins fit into the décor of the restaurant. They also offered a gourmet green tea, which had a slightly sweetened with a hint of fruit. I selected the Chirashi lunch special for $30, and loved every bit! The mixture of fresh sashimi slices, ikura, chunks of tamago, unagi, chuck of fresh cucumber, crab, and a slice of lotus root was absolutely incredible. The bowl was completely packed with this amazing combination of seafood, leaving me stuffed at the end of the meal. After my seafood feast, I sat there wishing that I didn't have to return to work. Try them for lunch, but go back for a meal with their own: soba/wheat beer!
(5)Joe B.
I had an OK experience here, but probably won't return. The interior has a lot of style. But I found the good to be just OK. The highlight was the cocktails - unique combinations and really delicious! But the food was more on the average side. The presentation was beautiful but the flavor was dull. By the time the entrees arrived I felt like we were paying more for atmosphere than for food. Two problems with the place - they are definitely NOT a focused on sustainable seafood. I can't imagine why any restaraunt in Hawaii would need to fly in lobster from Maine or sea Bass from the Mediterranean! And I was appalled to see them serving inhumane dishes like live octopus and foie gras. Topping it off, or server seemed bored and disinterested... I think this place just sees too many tourists to really achieve the fine dining that they strive for...
(2)Dan T.
After taking my five-year old daughter here a year or so ago, I have been wanting to go back with my wife. Well this past weekend we made it there and were not too impressed. We were seated and not asked for our drinks for about 10 minutes and then did not receive them for another ten minutes...not even a glass of water. Throughout the evening, we had to flag our waiter down for additional drinks, a desert menu, etc. The lamb I had was very bland and I find it very hard to think that Morimoto would put his seal of approval on that dish. My wife had the sea bass which was good and the spicy yellowtail appetizer we had was also good. After my first visit in which the table could not get a spot of water on it without the waiter wiping it off, I expected at least decent service but did not get it here on 5 July. With all of the places to go on island I will probably not take a third trip to Morimoto.
(2)Kathy O.
We went to Morimoto Waikiki last July, what a wonderful experience! Our server Duane was fantastic! One in our party was a picky eater and Duane went out of his way to find out what would suit her taste. He did a great job recommending a meal that was great for her. We had the Cucumber Shiso Collins and have been craving it since our visit. I emailed and was given a recipe so I could try to replicate it here in Texas! I can't wait to visit again!
(5)Marina M.
For my first time there, I requested a nice quiet table. They gave us a junk table right by where guests were obnoxious and loud right by the lounge couches. We ordered omakase, should've had a little more seafood variety. I only liked two dishes from omakase. Server was ok but was not a service you would get at fine dining restaurant. Overall I give three stars for an ok restaurant.
(3)C G.
My boyfriend and I went to Morimoto's this weekend for his birthday. I read more than enough reviews about bad service and junk food, but I still decided to bring him there anyway since it's supposed to be a fancy Japanese restaurant. We came early and were seated after a few minutes. We got a table outside, but my boyfriend wanted to sit inside. He's too much of a nice guy to say anything, so we just stayed outside. Our waiter was nice, but he did not show much emotion. We ordered a sushi sashimi combination and a Oh toro which my boyfriend absolutely loved. I was so happy that he loved it. For our entrees we got a steak with potatoes and a braised black cod. Both were delicious. Especially the cod. Our waiter wasn't around as often as before, so I started to see what others were saying about the service, but whatever. My boyfriend did point out that there were more people so I brushed it off. The bus boy came by for our waiter so at least someone served us. My boyfriend got a birthday dessert which we didn't know what it was, but it was interesting. All in all, as long as my boyfriend had a great time then I was happy. It was all for him. I would recommend the restaurant to people with an open mind. The bill was about $200, so bring your credit card.
(4)Shane F.
Went for my cousins birthday dinner. Read the reviews and was excited to eat at my favorite iron chef's restaurant. My cousin had previously been there and so she ordered us some of her favorite appetizers. We had the: toro which was excellent especially with the seaweed sauce. A beef thing it was pretty good the sashimi platter which was excellent especially the hamachi Entrees: I ordered the Lamb Rack it came with 3 nice pieces of lamb and some kind of sauce i thought it made the lamb taste sweeter. i like the spam onigiri though haha. My dad got the omakase; it had nine courses and i got to try each one i don't want to go into detail but the one dish that stuck out to me was in the sushi platter that was the best unagi i have ever had and that is my favorite. Another of the dishes that stuck out was the chawanmushi ever sweet good consistency and just awesome. The entree was a nice sampler i think my favorite was the lobster. 110 is a lot to pay but if you have it and don't know what to get that is a good way to go. oh ya the desert was a pumpkin dish which was very good it had azuki beans in the middle Some other people had a fish dish which was pretty good as well. The deserts were excellent as well i loved the peanut butter bomb haha its a peanut butter like pastry and then peanut butter ice cream the taste is smooth and not what you would expect. We also had a chocolate thing with caramel in the middle rich so a bite was just enough for me. Long review for a great restaurant, oh ya on another note iron chef morimoto was actually there haha so like tourist we took a picture with him.
(4)Charlotte D.
I had heard mixed revues about this restaurant from friends but wanted to check it out for myself and I'm glad I did. I love, love, love the wagyu carpaccio! The flavor was a wonderful fusion of oil and a sauce I couldn't identify, the meat melted in my mouth! I also had the 6 oz filet and it was every bit as good as it should be, cooked to perfection and one could cut it with a fork if you happened to drop your knife on the floor. I'll go again to try different menu items. It's pricey, not an everyday place to eat but I enjoyed the food. The one thing I didn't care for was that the noise level in the restaurant was very high.This is not a place to take a first date or for an intimate dinner.
(4)Karen B.
Best experience ever. Isaac was our server and he had amazing knowledge of the sake and wine list. We were very pleased with the sake he brought to our table. We also had Ryan and Banessa as servers and they both had wonderful suggestions. Our favorite was the chicken salad. Our most recent visit we had the omakase. The tartar was a great indication that the rest of our night was going to be AMAZING. Thank God for our beautiful waitress Laura. Ma-HALAS!!! be back frm Chicago soon!!!
(5)John H.
You pay for what you get. Its pricey but the food is so good. Twice I got the "omakase" and was not disappointed! Staff are friendly and they have free valet. Every time I go back home I request to go here. It dosent matter who you are, they treat you good. Not like the mainland where the judge you by the way you dress.
(5)Juvy A.
Went to Morimoto's on July 1st with a bunch of my girlfriends. It's a nice restaurant and fancy looking. We sat on the outside lanai which was perfect to see the Hilton hawn's fireworks show on a Friday night. The staff was really good and fast...although there were times when we weren't ready to order because we couldn't decide. We did ask for advice and the recommendations were good. All the food that we ordered were very delicious. The Wagyu beef was excellent and the IshiYaki Buri Bop was pretty neat and very filling. Overall, everything was good! On a side note, when they're very busy, sitting out in the lanai is better than sitting in the inside because it is very noisy and most of the time you'll be yelling at each other. Outside was perfect and not loud at all. Although it's a bit pricey, I would definitely will be visiting there again...I wouldn't suggest to go there starving though because your bill will add up...lol
(4)Hanwook K.
Overall not a great experience. The service was okay -- it felt like a diner than a fancy restaurant. I can't explain why, but the service just seemed too casual. The hostess wasn't super friendly, just very matter-the-fact. Our service wasn't super friendly, but she wasn't mean. She did wipe the table every time I spilled something. Okay -- too the food. We ordered the following: Tofu -- okay. Table side preparation. The kimchee sauce was weak. It tasted like watered down kimchee soup. Really watered down. The tofu set a bit firm. I was expecting something a bit more silken. Nevertheless, not a bad dish. Octopus Capaccio: Wow -- this was to die for. The flavor was great. The texture was a bit too goopy, but what do you expect for octopus. Spicy tuna, spicy yellow tail Maki -- these were fresh. You could taste the sesame seeds in the rice. It wasn't too spicy. It was solid standard spicy marki Spider roll (soft shell crab) -- yuk. The batter was think. The crab was flavorless and a bit bitter. I don't think they're in season but then again, if it isn't I wouldn't expect them the serve it. Spicy crab - yuk. Over cooked (probably because its baked after its steamed). the spicy sauce was mayo-y and thick. It was a single note spicy. The sauce over powers the delicate flavors of the crab. What a waste! The fries had the same sauce - same issue, sauce that overpowers the dish. I'm definitely not a fan of this dish. As you can see, I didn't love my experience here. The service was casual and not as refined as you expect for this level of restaurant. The food wasn't great. I suspect if we had ordered more raw foods, we may have had a slightly better experience. But I will never know.
(2)S M.
Food is a letdown, place is surviving on name and location alone. Staff were wonderful, but just a typical overpriced low quality Waikiki restaurant. Too bad!
(2)J R.
We were staying at the hotel next door, and decided to try Morimoto's. Easy reservations thru open table and walked over later that night. The restaurant is gorgeous and the pool area very trendy. TIP: if you also want to see the Fireworks, sit near the far left end along the railing. We tried the Tuna pizza (amazing), Abalone takoyaki (even better) Sashimi salad (meh, just okay) seafood to ban yaki (pretty good) Drinks were good but expensive. Overall great time
(5)Ryen L.
A Mixed Bag Positives: the atmosphere is amazing, the sushi (and seafood in general) is very delicious (including the octopus with Yuzu), the presentation of the food is great Negatives: too many un-trained grey shirt servers, and some of the food is more for an avant garde experience rather than taste I had the Morimoto Experience and the rest of my family (who had previously eaten here a couple of times) ordered ala carte. I would have to discourage the Morimoto Experience (9 course meal) as most of the courses were nowhere near as good as the entrees on the menu. (For example, one of my courses was raw vegetables such as a sliced carrot and bell pepper with a side of olive oil... it may have been presented on a cool plate, but I wish that it taste as good as it was presented). I noticed that there are two kinds of servers. Those in black shirts who take the order and speak with customers (they were adequately knowledgeable about the menu), and those in grey shirts (who appeared to not have been trained by management). It appears that they hired one grey shirt worker for every seat in the restaurant (all of them crowd on the side and talk to one another). The grey shirt workers deliver the food and take away dishes. Management needs to have stricter grooming policies with these employees (as they allowed facial hair, old dirty watches, and tattoos--not something you'd expect to see when paying so much for your meal). Additionally, the grey shirt servers didn't seem to know which side to serve from, and when clearing the table, they stacked the dirty plates in the middle of the table and scraped the food onto one plate--this is while we were all sitting at the table waiting for the next course. I blame management for poor training. Despite the poor service, I would have to say that the quality of all of the food (ingredients) was extremely high. Therefore, for the things they did well--they excelled. For everything else, it detracted from the experience.
(3)Miss Y.
DON"T WASTE YOUR TIME HERE I really wanted to like this place but man.... the food was so sub par. I've had better at hole in the wall joints in San Francisco. The Restaurant Decor is impressive! Beautiful, clean and modern feel. The server and service was standard. Nothing to rave about. The food was just not delicious. I did the Omasake tasting menu. Sure, they serve it pretty on the plate, but everything just tasted Meh.... Boring. I can see how someone from a small town on the mainland can love this food... but anyone from New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago or any other major city with amazing restaurant would be majorly disappointed. I ordered a glass of wine and it was under poured. My glass was like 1/4 full. I felt like it was good for 3 or 4 sips...... and tasted as if it were opened 3 days ago This place set me back $460 for food and wine I didn't enjoy... So Sad. I MUST give credit to the Filet that my husband ordered. Best steak we've both had in a long time and we've eaten at all the best steak places in California. My one reason for giving one star... Oh... and Lastly, the hostess called me because I was 15 minutes late to my reservation, but cabs take for ever in Honolulu. She said "OK, we'll hold your table" In a super snooty attitude... LOL... I wanted to laugh when I walked in because the restaurant was only about 1/4 occupied.... if that. Puh-lease... (PS, this review is strictly for the restaurant. The Modern Honolulu Hotel where it resides is an awesome hotel)
(1)Kimo S.
This review is based off our DINNER experience a few nights ago. First off, my wife and I agree that Morimoto's is definitely a better dining experience than Nobu's. So if you were debating between the two, we recommend Morimoto's. A number of guests were doing the Omakase dinner for $110 per person, but we opted to order 5 dishes that were either recommended (thanks Yelp) or sounded yummy! -Tuna Pizza : Really good and fresh cuts of ahi, the cracker crust could have been a little thicker since it easily broke but still a winner dish. -Takoyaki : Disappointing and one of the reasons we docked a star. I assumed that a dish with the word "tako" in it would have bits of tako + abalone inside. Nope. Just a small piece of abalone. Plus the butter this was resting in was just too much. We both felt a bit nauseated after this dish... just too much butter. -Yose Dofu : This was one of our favorite dishes, don't pass up this opportunity to get this table cooked tofu dish. The sauces/toppings were fantastic and it was just really tasty and some of the freshest tofu you'll ever eat. -Ishi Yaki Buri Bop : Another great dish, prepared table side and was really quite tasty with fresh seared hamachi. The best part was having one side of the hamachi seared, the other side raw and tasting the difference flavors at once. Yum! -Oysters Foie Gras : This dish comes with only 3 oysters, but they are relatively good sizes. The sauce is a bit much and slightly overpowers the other flavors but it still was a good dish overall. Very fresh seafood uni and oysters were used and delectable foie gras. The wine list here is actually really good with a great well rounded selection, we went with the 2008 Costo De Oro Pinot Noir which is a great deal at $54, this is a Santa Barbara pinot which is really becoming a solid region in the past few years. Corkage fee is $25 per bottle, two bottle limit in case you were wondering that too. Overall, a great dining experience... service was a tad slow at times, they have a lot of workers but it seems the actual servers are stretched a little thin. Our dining experience for those five dishes took us about 2 hours, we weren't in a rush so it didn't bother us. But, if you are planning something after dinner, be forewarned.
(4)Patrick M.
Love the food. Thought I might get a to go order as I have done before. They said no but not just no...no with an attitude that was really disappointing. I expected a higher level of professionalism and polish I have seen at other locations.
(2)Gary P.
We went here for a nice lunch today. I will say that if you would like to try one of the finer restaurants in town to try them for lunch before you go all out on dinner. The lunch sets are a good size. I had the black cod, the sauce reminded me of the sauce that usually comes on unagi. The sushi was good but the yellowtail sashimi seemed a little butchered. I'm not sure I would go here for the price they charge for dinner but lunch was definitely worth it.This is one of the trendiest places in town, that's for sure.
(4)M. M.
Decided to come here for a nice fancy dinner out because it's supposed to be one of Waikiki's best restaurants and it was walking distance from our hotel. It's actually located inside the Modern Hotel and the entrance is not on Ala Moana, but is way down Hobron near the back of the hotel, so is a little tricky to find the first time. If you're wearing your shoeicide heels, be aware of where the entrance is and also that you'll have to walk up a big flight of steps to get in. By the way, a word about "dressy" as used in this listing: "Dressy" at this place means women wear a Hawaiian dress or a little cocktail dress, and men dress like beach bums. Granted, their beach bum attire probably cost them 800 dollars at Abercrombie and Finch, but where I come from (which is not Hawaii), "dressy" restaurants do not admit guys like the one who (obviously a regular) cruised in ahead of us wearing cargo shorts, a t-shirt and sandals. Most of the male patrons were just wearing slacks and a Hawaiian shirt or polo or even a t-shirt. This is more of an upscale-casual-fashionable joint than a dressy joint or high-fashion joint. Foodwise, we had the tofu that's made at the table, wagyu beef appetizer, the mixed seafood entree, the duck plate, and for dessert, sorbet and the peanut butter bombe. Also tried a sake flight. All of it was good, tasty and light and portions not too big. So the food was definitely four or maybe even five stars. Servicewise, things were a bit weird. We were greeted and seated by a friendly server, got our drinks, took our order, and then a bit later got our tofu started - they pour some gelling agent into it and then cover it and say it has to sit for 8 minutes. The 8 minutes seemed more like 15 but the restaurant was very busy (it was around 8:45 pm) so we figured they were just running a little slow. Our tofu got uncovered and we ate it. By this point it was around 9 pm. We had been visited by at least four waiters to get us this far in the process, some of them (like our main waiter) obviously very experienced and good at their trade and others (like the tofu uncoverer) seemed to be in their first month on the job, but it's all good, gotta train new staff, etc. After consuming our tofu we waited, and waited, and waited, for an extremely long time, for our entrees to show up. I don't know what happened but it took at least 45 more minutes to get our dinner (that we'd already ordered about a half hour before that). In total I think our entrees took well over an hour to make it to our table. To Morimoto's credit, both our main waiter and a hostess apologized to us for the delay (we never learned the reason for it) and they comped us a free order of the wagyu beef as we obviously looked really hungry by that point. It was a little weird/ uncomfortable because in the time it took for our food to arrive, the restaurant almost completely emptied out of other patrons and we went from being another table in a busy/.full place to being maybe one of three tables consuming food in a nearly empty place, since by 9:30 pm this place is dead (kind of weird for a supposedly hip/ fashionable restaurant in a major city). We were also visited by at least two more waiters in the course of getting our entrees, one of which was delivering a drink that we didn't order and that was supposed to go to someone else. So - four star food, three star service, two stars for whatever went haywire with our entrees = overall average three star experience given the price. I might come back because the food is really good, but the service seems to be hit or miss. I can see having six different waiters if it's a place where the wait staff puts on a big show, but tofu aside, this is not that kind of a place and it was very confusing why our main guy wasn't handling our service all the way through.
(3)Kalani C.
This is a 3.5 star review. With my friends "Where?" & "Damn Straight! Count me in!", we proceeded from the bookcase of the Lobby @ The Edition up to the Iron Chef's nobility. Maybe my friend was punchy after having two mean cocktails, but she immediately sensed sassy with one of the prima donna hostesses: "Do you folks have a reservation?" We're coming from the Lobby Bar and the waitress said there would be a table for us. "Under what name?" No name, she just said to come now and we could be seated. "Hmm, I don't recall." Doesn't someone here recall that conversation? The call was less than 5 minutes ago (referring to the 5 hostesses just standing there starring at us). This is where my punchy friend addressed the most-sassy-looking-hostess-of-them-all and said in East Coast accent nonetheless, 'You look suspicious like you don't believe us or something.' In which sassy replied, "No, I don't know, I just started." (Ah, you get an F for weakest comeback ever!). We were seated outside near the Edition's pool. Setting was chill and relaxed. The deck overlooking the marina was gorgeous as was the main dinning room inside; swanky. We started with more cocktails: Two Coco Fraiche (coconut vodka, lime, lemongrass, coconut water) and one Pear Yuzu Gimlet (yuzu citrus, Serrano chili). Delicious and extremely refreshing. I later had the Selected Sake Flight: All very nice except the ume one, not my cup of tea (or sake in this case). For food we ordered: The spicy King crab of Tobanjan aioli, tobiko and micro cilantro. Perfect spice while the crab was moist and tender. The Pineapple Tempura: Peculiar because the pineapple didn't seem fresh; dare I say canned?! Pork Gyoza of tomato sauce and bacon foam went over well and was among the favorites. Lastly was the Yose Dofu or fresh tofu done table side with kimchee sauce and dashi broth (the better of the two). This dish was the overall favorite. Light, flavorful with perfect garnishes. How does this stuff get created in minutes? No peeking please, that's right. It was a Friday night, so fireworks went off and a hula show on the pool deck unfolded before our eyes. Nice extras to a stellar "let's-go-out-for-drinks" evening. Despite the sassy reception and the service being juvenile and inexperienced, our guy was attentive and respectful, allowing us space for making decisions and placing orders in delayed fashion. Overall a nice experience that alleviated a stressful week and more cash than expected from the wallet.
(3)Ben K.
Amazing sashimi and sushi! It might have helped that the iron chef himself was in the kitchen but the food was really outstanding. The seafood was fresh and the attention to detail was great. Even the drinks were amazing. I had there house made whiskey..... Loved it! It is expensive but it was the best dinner we had by far while in Honolulu.
(5)Dave F.
Chef Morimoto has created a special restaurant with excellent sushi and sashimi. If you are not interested, there's even duck on this eclectic menu. The restaurant was electric on a recent Thursday night when one of the patrons stood on a chair and pronounced all of us would celebrate with him with a glass of Christault Champagne. (Server said this was going for $500/bottle). The ambiance has a casual, beachy elegance and service is impeccable. This is a "must try" for Honolulu!
(5)Teddy C.
Morimoto's Waikiki Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Atmosphere: 5/5 Overall Experience: 5/5 AMAZING food...BREATHTAKING ambiance...ORIGINAL...MODERN...COURTEOUS and KNOWLEDGABLE waiters...who can ask for more at such a fancy restaurant? These are all the words that floated through my head while dining here. I have heard many mix reviews about this restaurant and I was hesitant to come and dine here. Some of my friends said it was amazing, a few others suggested to avoid the place at all costs! Chef Morimoto has a reputation with presenting modern cuisine that may not appeal to everyone's palate! I decided to not listen to others but critique this restaurant for myself. As a result, my stomach was in a very good mood after the eight-course meal! Eight courses! Yes! My mom, brother, and I ordered the Omakase! What better way to critique the restaurant than to actually try 8 different dishes at Morimoto's? Well by the end of the night, we actually had a ten-course meal, the extra two were an appetizer and another dessert. Some memorable dishes that comes to mind...hmm EVERYTHING! Haha, I'm kidding, but there were some dishes that I was astonished to come across. We first started with Morimoto's Poke. Amazing appetizer and a must try! This is not your typical local Hawaiian ahi poke, it is served with a bonito flavored foam, wasabi sorbet, and very fresh ahi tossed with roma tomatoes in a special sauce. My mouth was dancing in joy! I wanted more...but I had to save room for the rest of the courses. First of the eight courses was this ahi/hamachi tar tar served in the most peculiar way! It was on a small bamboo board, half ahi, half hamachi, and in the middle of the board is layers of condiments that you scoop with a mini spatula. You basically have to use your mini utensil to scrape off the fish and add whatever condiments you want! One thing our waiter told us was to "have fun while you eat!" After hearing that, I smiled and started to play with my food! It was the most fun I have had with my food in a long time! The rest of the courses included sashimi, sushi, chawan mushi, a vegetable dish that was served with an anchovy paste and olive oil as a dip which was also fun to play with! Remember, this is not Nobu's so in the Omakasu, you are not served the infamous otoro or the single slice of wagyu beef that melts in your mouth! At Morimoto's, our main entrée was a surf and turf of Cajun Lobster, NY steak and Ginger pork, all of which were VERY delicious. I didn't care much for the Lobster, simply because Cajun spices has no relation to anything in Asian cuisine, but the steak and ginger pork were very tender and flavorful. The last two courses of the omakase were two dessert courses. First we were given a pre-dessert...YES! I said pre-dessert! I guess to give your stomach a heads start for the final dessert? Anyway, it was DELICIOUS! Soy milk panna cotta with a brown sugar coating. YUM! Loved every bite! For the final dessert we were served a kabocha soufflé with sweet potato ice cream. I was quite hesitant because these were two vegetable flavors served as a dessert. Well when you dine at Morimoto's you should have an open mind! Try it! I did and I loved it! The warmth of the soufflé mixed with the ice cream was the perfect combination of any dessert to end such a fabulous meal! One thing I regret at the end of such a delectable meal was ordering the Peanut Bombe! It was NOT DA BOMB and it should not be on the dessert menu...lol. Other than that, we had very good customer service from all of the staff. They were very informative and educated us as each dish was served. Great experience here at Morimoto's and I am definitely coming back to dine! On a side note, do visit the bathroom. It was so beautifully and modernly designed that you kind of don't want to leave. Trust me, check it out! Haha.
(5)Raymond F.
I was excited to try this place out but ended up walking out after the staff gave us lots of attitude when trying to switch from a noisy area to a less noisy area. For reference we got seated next to a table of 12, which is totally understandable for any restaurant. There were at least 3 other tables available with no other guests to be seated and the host gave lots of push back for trying to switch to unoccupied tables. The host walked away then we ended up walking over to a less noisy table and sat down. The next lady came by and mentioned that all the tables are reserved and didn't want to work with our needs of sitting in a less noisy area. The logic didn't add up; 3 unoccupied tables, and no one waiting in the lounge or bar to be seated at a table. I was really willing to give this a shot but the staff was really bothered by our decision to move to a less noisy area and they were not happy about accommodating us to a different table. Perhaps I'll get to try this place at a different time when there are different folks working.
(1)Kikuasu Y.
Excellent food! Excellent service!! We came here when it first opened and left unimpressed with both the food and the price but then we decided to give it another chance. Thank goodness that we did! The food was amazing! The sushi was fresh and a few things we rarely see like raw tako, sayori, fresh mirugai, fresh oysters, etc... The calamari salad, gyoza with bacon foam, spicy long crab with fries, and live tako sashimi were so delicious! The sushi chef was from Japan just moved to Hawaii 2 weeks ago but also really nice. Service was again, excellent! Best of all, we got to see Chef Morimoto himself!
(5)Live Love Laugh D.
Little over rated but good ambiance over harbor nice location to see fireworks and sunset. Cocktails and quality of food are so so but its good place to hang out and enjoy with friend.
(3)John F.
I recently went to Morimoto Waikiki with some friends because one of them said Chef Morimoto was going to be there. Unfortunately, this was not true as Chef Morimoto was not in Hawaii - ZANNEN! However, Daniel Dae Kim of Hawaii Five-O fame was eating there that night but it was no big deal to me since I occasionally see him working out at the Honolulu Club. The food was fantastic but also carried a fantastic price. Other friends ordered things like the crispy whole fish for $37 which was a fresh whole fish, spicy tofu sauce, & pickled papaya salad and the spicy tuna roll which was chopped tuna, scallion, spicy sauce for $10. I tried to be a little cheap & just order a couple maki rolls so I ordered the spicy yellowtail roll which had chopped yellowtail, scallion, & spicy sauce for $10 and the California roll which had snow crab, cucumber, & avocado for $10. See my pictures! Although I was one of the first to order, my maki sushi rolls came much after everyone else's food. The manager noticed, apologized, & comped my food. SCORE! This restaurant is definitely very expensive but also very high quality. Save time by making your reservation using Open Table! opentable.com/hawaii/hon…
(5)Amy M.
They ran out of the appetizer and main course I wanted. While disappointing, I could overlook this. (Though it would be nice if they told you before you looked at the menu.) Another person in our party ordered the filet, only to be told after placing order they ran out of that too. We mentioned these disappointments to the manager. She brushed it off as a busy season. We all ordered the Chocolate Peanut Bomb, which comes with salted peanut ice cream. THAT was substituted with vanilla ice cream, which we only learned once they brought out the desserts. When asked, the manager informed us it's now vanilla. One of the wait staff told us that they run out of items regularly, including that ice cream. This was a really disappointing experience. I was so taken with trying Morimoto food that I overlooked the multiple 1 and 2 star ratings on Yelp, a huge red flag.
(1)Lena Z.
I will start off with saying the atmosphere is nice and the view is great. But I will not go into much detail because this place isn't worth my time. First off, the hostess mistakenly gave us a four top table when we had five in our party. We had to awkwardly walk back to the bar and wait. The food is overrated and EASILY topped by much cheaper restaurants around town. For example, the tofu here cannot top Shokudo's homemade tofu for half the price. For $5, you can get a much better chicken ramen soup at Kohnotori. As for the California roll, I think Kozo Sushi has much better ones. The soft shell crab roll tasted bland and not fresh. The tempura soft shell crab tasted like anything fried thats been sitting for awhile if you know what I mean. Overall, the food here is just mediocre and I would not come here again. The service is good although the staff appears a bit untrained and not in sync with each other. This place is hype! Try not to get sucked in with the masses.
(2)Pam C.
I ordered the Omakase. It was a 7 course meal, not to give too much away, so you can also enjoy the surprise, but I got... 3 courses of sushi, one veggie, one surf and turf. Dessert was my least favorite. My waiter did a wonderful job of describing every dish to me. I would visit again, but probably just get a couple rolls.
(4)Tyler C.
Had the Omakase for first timers. It was an awesome experience to eat here. The level of food was outstanding. The service we had was tops, though he was busy he was always looking at his tables and aware of what his diners were at and wanted. Very exciting eating experience I ever had in such a long time. Got to try....got to!! Went for Fathers Day dinner... :) Morimoto himself worked the sushi line...awesome!
(5)Tom A.
I had lunch here, can't say I loved it. We tried a few things: the Black Cod (so-so), the Chicken Katsu sandwich (removed all the bread.. was not feeling it), the rock shrimp (my favorite) and a few sushi rolls (again, just OK). For a high-end restaurant, I expected better. I had dinner when it opened a few years ago and I wasn't too impressed either. I'll probably read what others liked here and give it one more try before I write this place off.
(2)Shandis C.
So what is a girl on budget doing at Morimoto you ask? At least that's what one of my dear yelp friends texted me the SECOND I checked in, LOL! (love you Steph!) True, I am the girl on a budget, but I am also, fortunately the girl who got gifted $100 towards Morimoto so the hubby and I were able to have a fantastical date night at one of the SWANKIEST places in town! If you are a girl (or a boy) that is on a budget like I am, then you're going to want to read on to the end. But before I even go there, on to Morimoto! Prior to going to Morimoto, of course I had to go to my trusty yelp ap to see what others have been saying about this must-visit hot spot. To my surprise, not so great reviews! A lot of 3 stars and not-so-impressed patrons. This was some serious rain on my parade to say the least, because I was really excited to try Morimoto, so I was hoping to have a different experience. Well, I must be easily won over or easy to please because my husband and I had nothing short of a 5 star experience! First of all, my love affairs with a good ambiance definitely got the best of me here! Swanky, swanky, SWANKY!! Probably my now favorite restaurant in terms of ambiance. Our server was really personable and attentive and the bus staff kept our waters full without being too overbearing. Presentation of food was gorgeous, clean and classy. We decided to order some appetizers, some sushi, some sashimi and one entree so that we could try a little bit of everything. The sashimi is to DIE for, melt in your mouth, and a surprisingly fun and filling dish was the yose dofu, which was fresh tofu made table side. The crispy whole fish was recommended to us, and though it was not knock-your-socks-off fabulous, it was still delicious and more than enough to feed both my husband and I. Wagyu carppacio was buttery and smooth. We also had a salmon skin maki roll which was simple but delectable nonetheless. Chocolate mille fueille was an mmmm with every bite - bruleed bananas and chocolate spiced ice cream...it's every girls' dream come true! It also came with a chocolate mousse which was a nice surprise since it wasn't mentioned on the menu. So you're still wondering how you can do Morimoto on a budget? So we were already planning our visit back to Morimoto, but knowing that we'd be on a budget the next time we come, I studied the menu for some DEALS and there ARE deals to be had! There is a big selection of maki sushi for about $7 for 6 pieces. While they are not antyhing "special" and they are quite straight forward, you could order 1, 2 or even 3 maki sushi rolls, and only spend $21! Considering that you will pay about $6 for a maki roll at a dirty, hole in the wall place at the dime a dozen premade sushi take outs on our island, $7 for a maki roll in a nice restaurant is worth your $$. There are also some soup and salad dishes like oxtail ($14), udon with shrimp tempura ($18), and tempura calamari salad ($15). There is even a "loco moto" entree for under $20. You could even mix and match one maki roll with a salad or some other appetizers in which there are many choices under $20. So yes, I am totally unashamed that I sat there at Morimoto mentally calculating my future budget meal, but I know there are those of you out there that secretly are thankful for me and my Pake ways, so you can private message me later to thank me :o) So there it is, the adventures of a budget girl in the land of the rich. Morimoto is one of those places that you have to try at least once, no matter what kind of experience have just to be able to say that you've been there. If you are a true foodie with a refined palate, you may not be as elated as I was to dine here. But if you are going for an overall great experience with "good" food, great ambiance and great service, no matter what kind of budget you are on, you will certainly have a good time at Morimoto!
(5)Jo J.
I love Morimoto, the chef, not so much the restaurant. The ambiance is great, it sets the mood for any occasion. I like how there's indoor and outdoor seating. I'm not so sure about how they divide or assign their waiters and if the sucky ones serve outside. I feel like our waiter paid little attention to my BFF and I. He barely stopped by our table and our food came out cold. We ordered the surf and turf platter and our beef was well done by the time it got to us. Best excuse the waiter could give us? Oh we're a little busy. Really? Cause I swear there's like only 10 other patrons in this restaurant aside from us. So what happens when it's a full house? Hmm. Well here's a surprise the steak is served on a hot plate that sizzles when the sauce is poured on it. How did I know this? Because the table next to us had a hot plate and we didn't! That's because our order probably sat out in the back counter, thus why the food was cold and why our steak ended up being overdone. Shucks, nice try with the excuse, I would have rather heard a simple apology rather than a flat out lie. I don't know if I would go back, maybe I would if my husband really wants to go. But for now the service lacked enough to keep me from coming back.
(3)Liz T.
So torn!!! Morimoto or Alan Wong?!?!? Such a difficult choice! While I LOVE LOVE LOVE Alan Wong's, his menu is rather constant -- making it a dependable and predictable meal. SOO GOOD. On my last trip to Hawaii my sis, bro-in-law and I decided to shake things up and try Morimoto's. Ambience here is ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS. The inside of the restaurant is very modern and chic, and the outside patio is breathtaking, especially at sunset. The food is really spectacular. BEST - pineapple tempura. Gobbled this up!! MM! - tempura calamari salad. nicely cooked calmari and delicious, light dressing - seafood toban yaki. Lobster, ship, crab OH MY. Worth every penny and sucked up every last drop. -spicy king crab served with crabby fries. DROOL DROOL DROOL. Must have. - chocolate mille feuille. translation: banana, avocado pastry something with chocolate ice cream!! I wasn't a huge fan of the ice cream, but the dessert itself was super tasty. Not too heavy and a surprising flavor combo! GOOD - tuna pizza. tuna was YUM. Not sure if I'm a fan of the anchovy aioli.
(5)Reza S.
Overall an average place. The restaurant decor looked nice but the food was mediocre. I have had way better sushi at other much cheaper places. The waiter was very nice and knowledgeable but again I wasn't impressed with the food. Also the whole restaurant had a heavy fishy smell. Not too pleasant
(3)Ben C.
When planning our trip to Honolulu, we knew we had to visit Morimoto. It was one of the best dining experiences we have had. I ordered the omakase (chef's menu), and each course was better than the last. I think my favourite was the foie gras chawan mushi, but I wouldn't have passed up on any of the seven courses. The other members of my family had sashimi, wagyu beef steak and assorted appetizers. Each dish was shared around the table and enjoyed by all. Services was friendly, helpful and fun. Can't say enough good things about this experience and it takes a place in my top five restaurants of all time.
(5)Bryce M.
Went there last week for a first time and read thru the reviews to get an idea of what was good and what was bad. The hotel is nice and the ambiance is good as there is a lot of whites and dark dim lights. The valet section is small so it did take a little while till a valet came up to our car, but i guess its a boutique style hotel so that was fine. So in looking at the menu I had some questions as to what I wanted. I asked the server what was good and she went thru telling us her favorites in the cold and hot appetizers and then her friend tapped her on her shoulder to talk to her and when she turned back she didn't finish the rest of the recommendation and just walked away. She came back a little later and I asked her what kind of oyster the raw bar was serving and she was real unsure and was like it is a Japanese type that starts with a "K". Other then that the service was overall good. They constantly checked up when needs, changed utensils, filled waters, friendly..... The first dish I started with was the raw oysters. It came with 6 of them and it was prepared three different ways. One with prepared ceviche still with lime and that was pretty good, the other was a ponzu with jalapeno and also was good especially with the little hotness, and the last was just cocktail sauce which was sub-par. The second dish was the pork kakuni. This dish was probably the best thing I had that night. The pork was flavored well and wasn't over sweet. It was very meaty and not too much fat in it. It shredded and was very well paired with a congee and soy-scallion jus. Next was crispy rock shrimp tempura. This was portion a lot bigger then I expected. It was about half a pound of shrimp. It came two ways: one was spicy kochujang and the other was a wasabi aioli. Both were ok, but definitely enough for four people. The sauce to dip it in was a coconut ranch. Sushi was next and I had the spicy tuna which was real good. It wasn't the mayo type spicy tuna. It was good and the fish was fresh. The other sushi was a soft shell crab roll. This was good to and was portioned well, and it had an asparagus in it which was a nice touch, Last on the dinner menu that we had was the seafood toban yaki. It was basically a bouillabaisse except in a spicy miso broth. It was filled with scallops, clams, mussels, king crab legs and half a kona lobster. It was portioned well, and the crab and lobster were cut so I could easily eat it out of shell. The flavor of the broth was a little disappointing. For being an iron chef and the price charged, I was expecting a lot more out of the flavors in his dishes. The morimoto soba beer was really good though. Light and flavorful with a little sweetness to the beer. Overall it was ok, I probably wouldn't return here unless the menu got changed. For the price paid, I think there is a lot better choices in Honolulu.
(3)Tony L.
Definitely a tourist trap. Keeping in mind I didn't have any sushi. I figure for the price for one piece of sushi, I can get two pieces at a more reputable sushi joint. The main issue I had was the overall menu items. It just didn't seem very Morimoto like. It felt like fancy hotel food. Gyoza in marinara sauce over foam, lobster sandwich was ok, but when compared to a lobster poboy from Boston, no comparison. I expected the food to be elevated. Chicken soup, it wasn't bad, but I was looking for some oomph. The side salad with every lunch meal, the vinegrette dressing was weak. I'm sure this place has great view and a drink or two, but if you're a foodie go somewhere else. I felt underwhelmed.
(2)Kyle H.
My girlfriend took me here for my birthday earlier this year due to my love of Iron Chef Japan and Morimoto in particular. It was a great follow up to our visit to Hirayuki Sakai's La Rochelle Shibuya in 2009. The restaurant itself has a trendy, modern interior and friendly service. The food was excellent and different. The roasted lobster epice with garam masala and lemon creme fraiche was a standout dish. The perfectly cooked lobster went surprisingly well with the subtle heat of the garam masala, which was kept in check by the lemon creme fraiche. Unfortunately, the piece of Wagyu I had as part of the Omakase menu was quite tough and not as flavorful as you would expect. For better wagyu, head over to Chef Mavro, where they use 100% pure bred Japanese Wagyu raised in Australia. However, the sushi was excellent, with very fresh, high-quality fish. This is someplace we will definitely return to.
(4)Gore S.
I had lunch here with a few friends over the thanksgiving holiday. Presentation of the food and taste was very good, but the portions were very small and not worth the price in my opinion. In terms of food - definitely good. In terms of price - not worth it. Perhaps worth a try but I wouldn't go back.
(4)Albert H.
Good location in the Hotel Modern ( valet parking only ) overlooking the marina. They have a ton of outdoor seating, which can be quite nice, especially in the evening. It is a bright, modern, big-city style restaurant. We had dinner and lunch here - in that order. Having been to the Napa restaurant, we wanted to reprise a few dishes and see what might be special at this location. The prices are high, but the quality and creativity of the dishes here just might be worth it. We tried Morimoto Sashimi ( a sort of everything-in-one-terrine approach ) for a second time and it was still good, if still a little too indistinct from mixing all those flavors together. The Foie Gras Chawanmushi was not as revolutionary as the one we had in Napa ... on the other hand, it's still available here. The "Live Octopus" dishes seem more of a gimmick than anything else - it's not actually, technically live; just raw and supposedly very fresh. For lunch, we sat at the sushi bar and ordered a few pieces of sashimi ( they are priced, rather high, by the single piece, but quality is excellent ). We also got them to make a shikai maki - a sort of ornate roll that's square in cross section and almost looks like a stained glass window. It was one of the least expensive dishes we ordered and also one of the most interesting. The sushi rice was well made and high quality, unlike our experience in Napa - and the fish was very fresh and well-cut. Both in the crowded dinner service and relatively calm lunch service, things were just a bit on island time - it took quite a while for the food to come out. The staff ( when we could find them ) did know the menu well. Drinks were interesting, but not really exciting. There's a lot of private label stuf going on here, including some very expensive beer made by Rogue offered by the bottle. Mixed drinks tended toward the somewhat fruity, and the sake list had selections by the glass of only Morimoto's own label, which is quite decent stuff, but not very interesting if you've already tried it. Overall, the place is expensive, but it has delicious and creative food served in a nice atmosphere, with an amazing variety on the menu. While you're there, check out the Moto Loco - Morimoto's take on the local dish that turns out to be kind of like curry rice. And kind of not.
(4)Yen V.
Located in the Modern hotel with beautiful decor and location that's somewhat removed from all the action in Honolulu. Service was great Toro Tartare (4/5): Good but it did not impress me too much. Tuna (5/5): Now I get what good sushi is like. Salmon (5/5): I usually don't like salmon, but this one was impressive in quality. Seafood Toban yaki (5/5): A big pot of seafood swimming in a spicy miso broth served with some crusty bread. It got a bit too salty near the end because it was piping hot and perhaps had reduced and the seafood soaked a lot of the broth. Amazing and totally worth it. Surf and Turf (5/5): Divine. Turf was especially worthy. Though I can't say it would have filled me up. Pear yuzu gimlet (5/5): refreshing, light and citrus-y drink that went wonderfully with my seafood. Perfect for warm winter night on the patio. If I'm in Honolulu again, I might come back for drinks and the sushi bar.
(5)Jen S.
We came for lunch, which I think reflect prices that are definitely more reasonable if you want to have taste of Morimoto w/o breaking the bank. The best chirashi of my life! Fresh, sweet, chewy, FRESH. So GOOD. I think everyone else enjoyed their food, but definitely not as much as I did. Get the chirashi! Also, service was great and I really enjoyed the ambience of the place. Very modern and chic. We were a large party of 8 and the waiter was very accommodating, especially when I mentioned we were in a hurry.
(5)Mark S.
Second time here this year in October. Excellent service, great management, excellent portion sizes, incredible sushi. Would fly back to Honolulu (my least favorite island) just to eat at Morimoto.
(5)Cyn C.
Excellent customer service. Our waiter had a wonderful sense of humor! Now the food.. Came for lunch had the lobster melt and the loco moto set with the tofu cheesecake for dessert. Everyone around me ordered the lobster melt lol everything was wonderful I will definitely come again and again if in the area.
(5)George A.
OVERRATED. Fresher fish could be found at other Izakayas around town. Wife and I ordered 2 Omakase dinners. It would have been nice if the servers at least explained what was being dropped down in front of us. Mid meal there was a little tea pot that was dropped off. Mine was completely empty! I asked what the server what this was and she explained that it was a pallet cleanser. I showed her that it was brought to me completely empty! She looks at me as if I had already drunk it and just wanted more. Gimme a break. Great drinks and Sake though. You need it to chill you out from all the sub par offerings.
(2)Janet L.
On our last day in Waikiki, we went there for breakfast before hitting the airport. At first look at the menu, looks average, especially the Banana macadamia nut pancake, but were we wrong!! We ordered it, and it just melts in your mouth. We've never had pancakes like that before and I've had many. the hash browns were so good. It was very fulfilling. We didn't mind paying $60 breakfast because it's well worth it! Kinda cool to eat at an Iron Chef owned restaurant. Waiter was fantastic, great service. Definitely going back.
(5)J W.
Had to finally check out this place 2 weeks into our stay at the Modern. After walking by the entrance every morning, it was about time I finally made it into the restaurant for a meal. I think the 3 1/2 star average this place has on yelp is spot on. The decor is nice, modern, and very tastefully done. Service was as you'd expect for a restaurant at this price point. The place was about 3/4 empty when we visited for lunch on a monday afternoon. The kakuni don was a bit disappointing, basically a few shredded pieces of dried pork with some sweet soy sauce based sauce over rice. The rest of the lunch items were pretty average, the salad was a bit soggy. The lunch was a bit of a poor litmus test for what dinner may have to offer, but given I have another 6 weeks at the hotel, I might have to come back to see if the iron chef can live up to his reputation.
(3)serina c.
I loved loved loved this place. Very chic decor with attentive wait staff. The food was beyond awesome. The tempura calamari salad was delicious and had balanced flavors. I did not try the tuna pizza but I heard from my date it was pretty good. The clam miso soup was light and tasteful i wanted another bowl! I ordered the duck 3 ways for my entree and it did not disappoint. The duck meatball was so good in the puff pastry soup bowl and the duck breast was cooked perfectly. The 2 drinks I had were really strong also so I was a little tipsy leaving this place, which is always a good thing =)
(5)Melissa S.
I loved it! It is definitely on the pricey side but the food and Service was great! We loved the froie gras chawan mushi and the duck, duck, duck dishes. The ambience And decor of the restaurant was very clean and modern. One of the best part...chef morimoto was there and even though he was busy, he took the time to take a picture with us!
(5)Duke N.
My friends and I had recently won advanced screening tickets to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and was on Oahu for the day. We had heard about Morimoto's opening in Waikiki and decided to take a chance since we had a few hours to spare on obtaining a table for lunch even though we had no reservations. Even though we are avid Harry Potter fanatics, this was definitely the highlight of our trip! The ambiance was very modern, upscale, and trendy. The staff was very serious, but very professional and diligent. I had seen the fatty tuna tartare appetizer featured on the Food Network's "The Best Thing I Ever Ate" and it certainly was...fatty tuna that you scrape with a flat spoon, dip into a sauce, and your choice of minced onion, freshly ground wasabi, seaweed, or rice cracker. My friend ordered the lamb carpaccio which came highly recommended. I have had lamb prepared in every possible way and had been convinced that I'm just not a lamb eater, but I have to admit that I LOVED the lamb carpaccio. It was very fresh, and absolutely no hint of gaminess. For my main course I ordered the sushi and tempura combination. It was the freshest sushi you will find outside of Tsukiji, Japan. Truly the best thing I ever ate (outside of Tokyo) I can't wait to return!
(5)Kristina S.
We had the omakase. So phenomenal! My husband & I are real foodies and truly had a wonderful dining experience. I'm still thinking about the wonderful food we had...
(5)Natalie K.
I went here with my family of 6, and we ordered almost every appetizer on the menu as well as salad and main course for each person and a main course for the table. We expected small dishes for ridiculous prices but instead we got way more food than we could finish! We passed our plates around so we could all try everything and not one dish was "just okay." every one was spectacular and delicious! And our bill was much less than we had expected. Our favorites were the surf and turf and the cod. The calamari salad appetizer and the sashimi pizza were our favorite appetizers. We stayed in Oahu for 12 days and this was the best food we had all trip. The atmosphere was beautiful as well. We sat outside overlooking the harbor and saw the sunset with candlelight and pretty lighting in the bushes and overhead as well as a firepit behind the table. The service was very friendly, and very quick. They really make you feel welcome and special. Chef Yoshi came out to greet us in person and he is very friendly and handsome too, and his food is amazing. My family couldn't stop talking about how nice and talented he is. We went home happy with full bellies. We couldn't have had a better dinner. I definitely would recommend this place to anyone and if you are fortunate enough to see Chef Yoshi, you should complement him in person because he is very friendly and looks like a hard worker in the kitchen. There are windows where you can see the kitchen and watch them cook. Our meal totaled to about 300 dollars for all 6 of us, and each main course ranged from about 18 to 45 dollars.
(5)Dim S.
The food was good. However, our waiter ruined the experience. It seems that our group was an inconvenience for him. The impression he imparted upon us was that we should be grateful that we were being served by him. Not much for smiling or saying much other than a few mumbling words. I think the kicker was they added gratuity to the bill because the size of our party. I've had much better service from my local Denny's and IHOP.
(1)Jennifer S.
Very good! Expensive, but worth it. Had some sushi and then the surf and turf and peanut butter bomb. All food was great - especially the potatoes that came with the dinner and the dessert.
(4)Irene K.
The location of this Morimoto is quite the stunner. It is hidden away from the main Waikiki strip but walking in, you feel like you're in a whole different area. Our order list: Morimoto's black obi soba beer: dark, hoppy, and refreshing Slow roasted pork belly: TO DIE FOR. As soon as the knife and fork hit the meat, it literally melted into the porridge. So soft and so perfect, it literally melts in your mouth. Surf and Turf: The perfect entree for the meat lover. Meat cooked perfectly with fingerling potatoes that were not even tasty but colorful. If you're a fan of poke (which is raw tuna pieces in a sauce) you will enjoy the texture and presentation of the poke. A few rolls and sushi orders later, we were stuffed but left room for dessert. Sanso Roasted Pineapple for dessert. The toasted rice ice cream was delicious. Perfectly sweetened. Husband is not a big desserts fan but enjoyed this platter. Our server was on point and was great with suggestions. The only problem we did have were the little fruit flies it seemed flocking our table because of the smell of the beer. It was a bit of a pain but from what we found out, its because they left the glass doors opened.
(4)Sheryl G.
what: a beautiful, fine dining venue with modern japanese dishes that have a western twist. something good: the interior of morimotos is amazing! it's so beautifully decorated! the food is good but the presentation is what really captured me! the staff is so unbelievably well educated on every topic regarding the restaurant (whether it was about the menu or the decor), i was super impressed! every dish that is brought out is explained in great detail!! the quality of service here is impeccable! something not so good: it can be a little pricey, but the quality of service and presentation of the food items are well worth the prices :) something to try: crispy whole fish & omakase.
(5)Matt C.
Good food, amazing ambience. Probably one of the coolest restaurants I've ever eaten at. We didn't have reservations so we sat outside in the lounge. The service was pretty good and overall the food was good but not great like I had hoped for. I got the chirashi sushi (and I'm no sushi expert so I didn't know what it was beforehand) and all it was was leftover hunks of fish and vegetables in a big bowl over sushi rice. I think we would have had a better experience had we made reservations and not been on such a tight budget (student) as most of the other menu items looked and sounded delicious.
(4)Jenny L.
For a recent vacation to Hawai'i, we stayed at the Waikiki Edition so dinner at the Morimoto was a convenient meal choice after a long day being out and about. We had the takoyaki for an appetizer and it was average. My chirashi don was AMAZING - the presentation was meticulous and the sashimi were really fresh. Mother ordered the "new years box" (don't remember the proper name at the moment) which was intended as an appetizer and it was very much anit-pasto proportioning. Our mistake was listening to our awkward waitress when she described it as "okay as an appetizer or entree". Girl was mistaken. Sorely mistaken. The table next to us had the chef's menu which looked very appealing so we went back a few days after for it. It was a huge disappointment. The 9 courses dragged on for 2.5 hours (not one of those "I was so amazed by the food that the time just flew by" but more of a "I am so hungry. Where is my food!") and the food was average. Definitely not worth the price, even with the tourist levy. Maybe I expected a little too much from the Morimoto name?
(3)Jennifer B.
We just didn't want to believe our fellow Yelpers that Morimoto would accept a 3.5 star rating. So we took the plunge tonight and it was an epic fail. The evening started off well. We had a lovely table outside and were greeted by friendly wait staff. But things soon degraded from there. Husband ordered the prix-fixe 8 course dinner and I, not wanting so much food, opted for an appetizer and an entree. Nearly an hour into dinner, my husband was only on his second of 8 courses and I hadn't yet received my appetizer. It was only when we started to inquire, that we were told the entire computer system had gone down. We continued to wait and still nothing. So I approached the Manager on my way to the restroom, and let her know that we were unhappy. She apologized and I thought that would be the end of it, and food would start arriving in a timely manner. It seemed as time progressed that the wait staff all but disappeared, and empty plates sat on our table. Not at all the experience that we expected from a 4 star restaurant. I have to say that the food, when it did come, was well presented and delicious. Manager took 15% off bill, but there was a confusion over dessert. We understood that the waiter had offered us a dessert as a consolation, but discovered that we were charged. That too was taken off the bill. Perhaps this was an anomaly, but it seems not, given the 3.5 star Yelp rating. We came in with high expectations, and expected so much more, but sadly the experience fell short.
(2)Nina S.
Simply delicious! I snuck into Morimoto 30 minutes before the kitchen closed and was greeted with a reluctant smile by a very hot Swedish waiter. He seated us and after a lovely chat about the nordics, my guest and I dined on a dozen and a half oysters, some lovely bouillabaisse and a very unique green tea dessert. The flavor profiles were out of sight! I've never tasted food like that and I've been to Morimoto in NY tons of times. Morimoto gets high marks from me on decor, food and hot waitstaff! I will see you again!
(5)Vera P.
Morimoto's for Lunch on a weekday: I have no idea about dinner, but if it is as good as it SHOULD be on all counts, then their lunch is a step-child. The food was DELICIOUS & beautifully presented, but the service was TERRIBLE. Not enough help, not enough attention to the table's needs or wants, long waits . . . Wait staff is too casual. Management is too lax. Too bad! I think they would have a larger lunch crowd if they improved their service.
(3)J H.
First the décor...WOW. this place looks awesome!!!! the glass walls were very pleasing to the eye. Service Good service, not the wow that the décor received. But still good enough Food Food was awesome, just what you would expect from an iron chef. the sashimi was fresh, the stake was cooked to perfection and the desert was wow. So why did I give it 3 stars?? The price. For what you paid for, it just was not worth it. For example, We got the sashimi plat for 40. how many did we get we got five types of fishes, with two pieces each. YIKES!!! you pay for the experiences. Don't expect to go out full without a bill of at least 300 - 400...and that is without wine....l
(3)Andie H.
We went here for the boyfriend's birthday just recently. They have complementary valet parking at the Modern(?), so it was a nice start. The ambiance is really contemporary. I liked it. It was a lot classier than the usual restaurants we haunt so it was a nice change. And it made me excited that THE chef Morimoto (I loved the old Iron Chefs) created this place. We got the Morimoto omakase, which was 7 predetermined courses prepared by the chef. $120 per person (yep you know I'll remember how much that costs). The cost was crazy for me, but since my boo wanted it, I was willing to splurge (the whole table has to order it, as a general rule, the server informed us). Even though the cost was high, the presentation was beautifully done. You could tell that Morimoto had thought up the presentations because they were almost too artful to eat! Each course had a different something that made it unique. One even had a oil melter with a tea light candle underneath!! I was impressed. The food was tasty. Every course I had was delish. Its hard to explain. But lots of seafood, and there was a nigiri course. If you get the omakase, be prepared to spend 3+ hours at the restaurant. It was a marathon. Once they started getting busy, it took a bit longer to get the next course. And if you are vegan, vegetarian, or some form of vegetable, I would suggest skipping the place altogether. I respect your choices, but this chick who was a vegan who sat next to us with her husband was annoying me with her "oh no I can't eat that, that, and THAT" to the waitress while her husband was contently devouring his chicken (odd couple...). I can't vouch for the alcohol, but the bf liked his very expensive sochu. Perhaps we should have just gone to a bar for that.. I would come back, if just to enjoy the dishes we loved in full size, and when I get a pay raise. And maybe one day we might just run into the Chef himself....????
(4)Kim F.
Amazing. This place is not just food it's an experience. By far the best experience of my life. I highly recommend it to anyone open to mind blowing flavors and new food combinations. It is pricy but worth it. Just be prepared.
(5)Heidi S.
I really liked the ambience and food at this place. The Morimoto style poke was really interesting with a katsuo foam that lightly flavored the poke and the cheese and tomatoes really gave a nice change in texture. I didn't try the wasabi avocado sorbet, but my friend said it was super good. I got the chirashi bowl and my friend got the angry chicken which were both winners...the only thing I would say they can improve on is bringing the entrees out faster. The drinks, dessert (tofu cheesecake with a black honey ice cream) and appetizers came out promptly, but the entrees took a bit longer. I liked how it wasn't too noisy like it was at Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill and how the staff both service and kitchen are hardly noticeable when they're not serving you.
(4)Mathew E.
My wife & I went on 1/12 for dinner, and definately will not go again. First off the positives: 1: Server was super attentive & nice. 2: The house polished rice used for all of the dishes was unique, and had a great taste & consistency. The Tempura Pineapple appetizer was out of sight, although it might have been better as a desert. The negatives: A quick disclaimer- I am a former chef who knows his way around a kitchen, having run 5 different kitchens in my tenure. 3: Loco Moco - I've been living in Hawaii for a number of years, and usually don't eat the local version of this because of the nasty gravy. I was very much looking forwards to trying Morimoto's verson. On the menu, it's described as a Hayashi gravy ( a type of Japanese veal based sauce ). The classic Loco Moco is kind of a local domburi, with rice on the bottom, topped with a hamburger patty, gravy, then an egg. The Morimoto's version just came with the rice on one side of the plate & the Hayashi gravy with meat in it on the other side. Looked just like Hayashi Beef, which I've had @ multiple home style restaurants in Japan, not Loco Moco. The gravy was seriously flawed. When I tasted it after is arrived, it had an unpleasant floury taste & texture. As my plate cooled, the gravy coagulated into an unpleasant mess of separated oil & floury paste. True Japanese Hayashi gravy has to avoid being boiled, because it breaks. It seems as though the kitchen tried to fix the broken sauce by incorporating more roux, but it just tasted really nasty. 4: My wife had the "Duck 3 Ways". Once again, a quick disclaimer: We lived in the Pacific Northwest for many years, we would have fresh duck pretty often, so we know what duck is supposed to taste like. The "Duck 3 Ways" had a pan seared duck great, duck consume with a duck meatball, & duck spring rolls. The pan seared breast was acceptable, cooked properly with an ok sauce. The duck consume's meatball had an unpleasant gamey undertone, and had the consistency of baby food. The duck spring rolls had an even more pronounced gamey flavor, literally in-edable. Overall, very disappointed in the food.
(1)Sandy K.
I was super excited to try a Morimoto restaurant, and I wasn't disappointed. Morimoto Waikiki is a beautifully decorated and spacious restaurant at the amazing Edition Hotel. You really have to be there to see the space and how wonderfully decorated and styled it is. Ambiance: Modern upscale. Service: Courteous and knowledgeable staff. Food: My expectations high, and they were met. Crispy rock shrimp tempura: It was served 3 ways; spicy kochujan, wasabi aioli, and coconut ranch. My favorite was the kochujan, but I may be biased since I am part Korean. Sake (salmon) nigiri: I will boldly claim that this is the best salmon I have ever had. Fresh and buttery and flavorful. It was heaven. Negitoro Maki: The perfect maki, fresh and rich at the same time. Tofu hot and cold: Loved it! When I saw tofu as a dessert, I had to get it. The taste, along with the presentation, was amazing. I am looking forward to my upcoming trip and will definitely make reservations at Morimoto Waikiki.
(4)Elle M.
Morimoto has a very sleek interior and spa-like atmosphere that reflects and incorporates the contemporary and upscale design of the hotel. The outdoor seating overlooking Ala Moana's boat harbor and hotel pool is absolutely stunning. Though, I must say, because the restaurant is situated on a lower level, the views do not compare to what you can get at Mariposa's.(IMO) The Edition Hotel including the lobby and restaurant's recessed lighting tend to get too dim during the evening and can be very inconvenient for patrons with poor eyesight. But if you are for a trendy ambiance with low lighting, it certainly has a classy yet casual setting that suits all ages. However, despite the spa-like interior, the obnoxious noise level is loud enough to get your ears popping. (Yelling across the table is so not romantic.) Also, be prepared for 1.5+ hour wait for food and the possibility of being lost trying to find the hidden restrooms tucked into a hallway so inconveniently located outside the restaurant. On a positive note, the convenience of a free valet definitely adds a touch of luxury. In spite of the mediocre food and service, overall, it was still a great experience. P.S. - Do NOT skip on dessert. The Chocolate Peanut Bombe is the bomb!
(3)Rob C.
as our quest to dine on the talents of celebrity and Iron Chefs continue, we leave this one w/ a sweet, blissfull, aftertaste. my wife and i had been dying to try Morimoto's offerings for the longest time. and we had no idea he even had a restaurant on Oahu. on my recent research to find the perfect place to dine for our 2 year engagement anniversary, i was thrilled to find Morimoto Waikiki. i tried to keep it a secret until my mom-n-pop in law, inadvertently ruined the surprise. haha, it's ok, i forgive you guys. ;) it was our last day on our most recent, 'cousin's wedding/vacay for us' visit of the island. we had high hopes and our expectations were met w/ flying colors. started off w/ drinks. wife had the one w/ jalepeno. forget the name but it was really tasty. i had the white lilly. yum! perfect aftertaste of yuzu and umeboshi. for apps, we had the white fish carpaccio and the 10 hour braised pork belly. both were excellent. the carpaccio is served w/ a medley of oils and citrus, including yuzu, sesame, and "don't know what but it's fucking tasty" stuffs. the pork belly is served in a luxurious rice congee and the meat is super rich, salty, slightly sweet and awesome. only gripe was that pretty much all the fat had rendered out and the meat was a bit tough. good for my wife, not so good for me. main course: wife had the whole fried fish and i had the black cod. the fried fish was phenomenal. it was crispy and moist and that papaya salad w/ the mabo tofu sauce, are you kidding me?! explosions of flavor. hit every taste bud w/ a fat smack. the only other whole fried fish that would compare is Mama's Fish House's whole fried fish on Maui. the black cod was perfectly cooked and bursting with umami. i wish the skin had been left on, as that is my favorite part of the fish. when i had made my reservation, i mentioned that we'd be celebrating our engagement anniversary. well, for dessert, they brought us a passion fruit/mango sorbet! it was sooooo good. my god. we also had the vanilla pineapple w/ coconut sorbet dessert, which was also really good. service was excellent. our server was informative, friendly, didn't rush us or take too long. if we had more time and a second stomach, we would have tried so much more. till next time...
(5)Shane S.
The very first weekend it opened I stumbled through what was then the "Edition" hotel. As I was strolling through the bar which became the restaurant I bumped right into a stern samurai looking Japanese guy with glasses. I thought "funny that guy really looks like the Iron Chef ! " He was there opening the restaurant..... I have tried a few things here. First time I had some small plates at the bar. I tried the Morimoto style poke which was ok. ( it is hard to mess with comfort food) rock shrimp tempura and a "Morimototini". It was interesting and tasty, however it did set me back over 50 bucks. Not exactly happy hour. One morning I decided to try the "Japanese breakfast" having had Japanese breakfast many times before I was excited to see Morimoto's take on a traditional meal. I was extremely disappointed to see that it was basically the same, but much smaller portions. Not very interesting, and not worth $26. Had to try the sushi bar......so I tried a few selections of fish flown in from Japan.... as well as a few local fishes. I have to say it was very good , but the connection I love between chef and diner was just not there. I like to talk to and watch the sushi chef and see where the fish is from and how they prepare each delicate morsel. The sushi bar was good, but we are talking "Iron Chef" standards here. Anyway it was cool as Morimoto sat down a few seats away speaking with some Japanese women. After a few drinks he was much happier than the other day, and he took pictures with many patrons including myself. My last dinner there I had the whole fried fish (branzino that night....wish he used local fish) The fish was excellent with a kinda mabo tofu sauce smothered on top. We also had the seafood " toban yaki " which consisted of crab, lobster, scallops, mussels and clams in a spicy miso sauce. ( like an Asian cioppino) I felt that this dish was a little over done, the broth.... very tasty but such a small portion. I know its splitting hairs, but how can you really go wrong with ingredients like that? Its like trying to take a bad picture of Brad Pitt !! What makes the place unique is the creativity of the #1 "Iron Chef", and the ambiance of the lounge nestled in a cool hip hotel. Try the craziest things on the menu... Come here to think outside the box, thats what a great Iron Chef does !! 3.5 stars
(4)Chary E.
My review really should be 6 stars Came here for dinner, we were seated quickly and greeted by our server. He too me to sit facing the kitchen as the iron chef himself was there, working (yes, making the sushi/sashimi that night) so that was a plus. The interior decor was amazing; crisp clean lines, white walls and modern furniture. It was a bit confusing to go around and find the entrance to the Modern but it took 3 right turns and a very far U turn. We had: Moto mojito- the basic mojito pumped up with sake, brown sugar and pineapple was very refreshing Pear gimlet- had a zing of jalapeño that complemented the citrusy vodka/gin combo I was especially happy to see that they had the Michael Picard Pinot noir that I so love Appetizers: Morimoto sashimi: thinly sliced variety of fish formed into perfect cubes and came with liquid droppers of 5 sauces.. My favorite would be the garlic and the chili sauce Tempura calamari salad- it looked like a tower of greens with miso dressing and the tempura calamari on the base. Very tasty and flavorful Wagyu carpaccio- ah-may-zzzziiiinnnnggg although I would have liked it rare I think it got cooked from the sesame seed oil.. Nevertheless it was still very very good Main course: Yellow tail cooked in hot stone- it was his tale on bibimbap. They cook it table side; they sear the fish on the sides of the hot stone bowl and cook the egg and rice on it. Then re-presenting it afterwards. Again, this was excellent Loco-moto- instead of the traditional locomoco grilled beef patty, it was sliced wagyu beef in veal gravy and quail egg. The taste reminds me of caldereta/ aka Filipino beef stew. It was very rich and yummy I gave the server a heads up about someone's birthday so for dessert the presented us a plate that said 'happy birthday' with an orchid and some coconut sherbet (omgsogood) I opted for the vanilla roasted pineapple- they grilled the vanilla ran angel cake and served it with lemon grass sherbet, pineapple purée and diced pineapples. Wow. My dad had the chocolate peanut bombe-chocolate peanut mousse with salted peanut ice cream. It was like eating a lighter more sophisticated version of. Snickers bar. Overall we enjoyed out experience. I politely asked chef morimoto if I could take his picture and he said yes of course! Yay! I highly recommend this place!! Now, off to the one in Napa which is much closer to home...
(5)Stacey K.
Spent a night here in June 2014 for an anniversary dinner. We decided on the Omakase. Chef Morimoto was in the kitchen that evening. Highlight of the entire night was watching him interact with staff for a short time in the open kitchen. Service was slow, waiters were flustered and stated that they were having a rough night because chef was in the restaurant. Took almost 2 and a half hours to finish our courses. I understand multiple courses and having dinner be about the experience, but this was a bit excessive. Would not recommend the Omakase. Over priced for the selection. Overall, we had been planning this for a very long time, and the evening left much to be desired. We will probably not be back. Much better offerings for the price to be found in O'ahu.
(3)Stephen H.
I ate here for lunch on a Friday. it was fairly empty so we had a lot of attention from the staff. i was very impressed with the ambiance and style that the restaurant had to offer. I had the Rock shrimp (good) and blacken Ahi (good). Its pricey but great dining experience. Be back very soon with more friends for sure.
(4)D E.
5 stars as price is less than expected, although still not inexpensive. Went on a Sunday at 11am (opening) and the place had one other party. The $35 sushi platter was excellent. They have $35, $100 and $150 sushi and shashimi platters. They get more adventerous as you move up in price. Only downside to the $35 one is no duplicates so it's hard to compare with others. The selection is something like: tuna, striped bass, salmon, yellowtail, mackerel, shrimp, red clam, eel and spicy tuna rolls (6 pieces). The rice was perfect. They polish their own. They target local ingredients so everything was fresh. The crispy rock shrimp tempura appetizer was perfect. Came with a generous portions of spicy kochujan shrimp, wasabi shrimp and coconut ranch sauce. Bite size perfection. Had to try the braised black cod. I chose the larger portioned main course ($26) and another person selected the lunch set ($22). Turns out the main course cod is only slightly larger, not enough to notice unless you look close. The lunch set comes with soup and rice or bread. Plus salad. Go for the lunch set. The cod was great. Maybe it's me but the cod at Nobu's was better. This cod was still great. Wonderful sauce and tender fish. The angry chicken had a curry flavour and was moist and tender but came on a bone in case that's an issue for you, it was for the person who ordered it with us. Tried one desert. The sansho pepper roasted pineapple ($12). A nice sized portion, presented very nicely, and multiple flavours of salty rice, sweet pineapple, crispy wafer, and more. The rest was about half full when we left at 1pm. We will be going back this week. See you there.
(5)Lora H.
Wonderful atmosphere. The food didn't bowl me over especially for the price and the servers kind of forgot we were there. I hope things improve for them!
(2)Nikki N.
Everything there is amazing because its so cutting edge. The food is unique, different, and aesthetically pleasing. The restraint itself was very very nice and the outdoor ambiance was kind of like Rum Fire with the fire pits. The only thing is I will rarely be eating there because the pricing is out of my range.
(4)perry w.
Valet parkers from Edition hotel were horrible. Nobody came up to the car to introduce themselves. Wife had to get out of the car to ask if we were at the right place. The Valet guy said yes, and walked off. We were stumped. After parking was sorted. We proceeded to the rest. Very modern design. I had the Poke Cold Appetizer, the Spicy Crab Hot Appetizer, and the Seafood boullebaise. Best thing was the Spicy Crab. Everything else was ok. Nothing too spectacular or memorable, especially considering the price and the "Iron Chef" status. Wife got the Tasting Menu, which she liked, but we both didn't think any of it was an absolute must taste/have... except for the Spicy Crab... which in itself, is simply alaskan king crab with spicy tuna sauce on top of it. Overall the food was simple, clean, and light. The food was made well, but nothing was extraordinarily unique. Wouldn't go out of my way to eat here. Wouldn't necessarily go there for dinner again, maybe lunch if I was in the area already. Online reservations through open table are awesome.
(2)Reyn Yorio T.
This is a review about a dinner that occurred a few weeks back, right after the Tohoku Quake and Tsunami, and the restaurant's own benefit. I hosted a dinner for 14, and this was a first visit. Please note that this is about an IT restaurant, and a place to be seen in Waikiki at the moment. One of the things that quickly tells you how your evening is going to be, especially in Honolulu, is the parking. In this case, the valet service at the Edition Hotel which houses Morimoto Waikiki, is terrible. Not because of the efforts of the valets themselves, but the very fact that the turnabout can only accommodate four cars max at a time, and at 630PM with the cocktail and dinner crowd chafing to get in...you can imagine the pandemonium. Which leads me to the meal. We started with a number of appetizers, which included the rock shrimp, toro and hamachi tartare, pork gyozas, poke a la morimoto, and a couple of orders of the crispy calamari and iceberg wedge salads. First off, the tartare is interesting. It is served in 1/4 inch high square bamboo trays and looks like a food that was served in 2001: A Space Odyssey. Even with an array of condiments, this was not something you would have expected to see, nor would you find it all that appetizing to eat. The rock shrimp tempura bore a resemblance to popcorn shrimp...I am going to skip over the other dishes because, they aren't worth the typing effort. My guests had an array of entrees, of which I will mention the following: the lamb rack was excellent, the spam onigiri was actually amusing as the presentation was unique...rather than an actual slice of spam, the lowly luncheon meat was diced into VERY small squares and mixed with the rice to form the onigiri. Duck, duck, duck was a winner, with the various preparations of the fowl playing off each other really well. The wagyu filet, while soft and tender, did not impart the depth of flavor that you would expect from this kind of aged cut. The braised black cod? You know it as miso butterfish, and honestly, you could do no worse preparing it yourself at home fresh, or getting it from Aloha Tofu and Miso in a tub. Desserts? The mille feuille and the peanut butter bombe were deconstructed affairs...a term which I find akin to disastrous. If you were so lazy that you couldn't put your ingredients together in a proper way, don't apply a fancy term to it and expect us to pay the price. The tofu hot and cold on the other hand was sublime. Gentle, unique, and fun. All of which should serve as adjectives for any dining experience and Morimoto Waikiki could very well live up to just such a memory for people, his servers are certainly up to the task of delivering thus. At $175 dollars per person with drinks? There are better ways to entertain your friends.
(2)Ryan S.
Morimotos was an amazing dining experience!!! The service is superb and the food is delicious! The atmosphere is modern yet relaxed. We couldn't have celebrated our anniversary at any other place. I would recommend sitting outside as the restaurant sits right next to the marina, it's a beautiful view! We ordered the wagyu carpaccio and tempura roll as appetizers, and wagyu filet and loco logo as entrees. For desert we had a bacon doughnut and chocolate caramel tart. Since it was our anniversary they gave us a complimentary fruit sorbet. I would definitely order the fruit sorbet next time. If you're a beer drinker, have one of his signature beers! We will definitely be going back to morimotos eveytime we are on the island!
(5)Ana E.
Morimotos how I looked forward to the experience. Set in Modern hotel with nice outside seating. We had to wait over 30 minutes to even sit and had to wait in an overcrowded spot with many other people. Almost left (should have) Next we were seated outside and immediately were attended by an energetic and personable waiter. We elected for the tasting menu at $120 a piece. He asked if we had any allergies or food preferences. I told him I had a coconut allergy and that I don't do dessert. If there is a dessert planned I would rather substitute a savory dish. He told me there are no substitutions. (Strike 2) The food started coming. This started well with toro and hamachi tataki which was excellent. Then we had a fish carpaccio which was also tasty. This was followed by a bagna cauda. A strange fondue dish of boiling oil. Ok. Interesting. Then came the egg custard with foie gras. Well done but too rich for me. Then nothing more..... Nothing. The waiter apologized saying that the kitchen was backed up as they had 3 times the normal sushi orders. Waiting and waiting. We sat at 730pm. This course came out finally after 900pm. Crazy. It was ok for sushi. While we were halfway through with the sushi the main course of wag yu beef, pork and overseasoned lobster came out. At this point the dinner was so long you really couldn't enjoy the dish Then they brought us dessert. First a "consolation" dessert for waiting so long (after I told the guy I don't do dessert!). It was supposed to be the best thing on the menu. A peanut butter mousse. It was not great. Then, they brought our real dessert and it had coconut in it. REALLY!? Didn't u ask me about allergies cmon What a long expensive disappointment
(3)Tony S.
Loved it. Had the 8oz Australian wagyu steak, perfectly grilled and came with this amazing sauce . Place has a really good setting and vibe. Service was great. Had a reservation and seated and served promptly . One set back was we were seated outside and while we made it in time with for the sunset which was amazing, once it gets dark U realize your just next to a boat harbor and the hotel pool.
(4)Alexis Y.
I can't believe there is a single negative review here! I was incredibly impressed with Morimoto's. I came here a week ago with my husband and we are craving every bite again. We had made a reservation a few nights before which was incredibly simple. The staff was all very friendly and it was nice to have our server describe each meal in detail as it arrived. My husband is a huge fan of the man himself, Morimoto, and set very high standards for this place. All of his expectations were met. We began with the $50 sashimi spread which had beautifully cut fish that was the perfect choices, cuts, and freshness. Every plate was presented beautifully and was seasoned and cooked better than we could have imagined. I absolutely cannot wait to come back here, absolutely worth spending a few extra dollars for the night
(5)SB S.
Wow. Just deliciously fresh sushi. You don't need to fancy up fresh because it speaks for itself, but even then, they do a great job of playing it up. Like it's namesake, Morimoto is top shelf. Even better than it's restaurant is the hotel it's located in. Do yourself a favor and stay at the Modern. I've have few experiences like it where such service and beauty resided in the same place.
(4)Lauren O.
Hands down, the best restaurant I have ever been to. If Chef Morimoto is working, make sure your order the Omakase. TRUST ME. Everything here is cooked perfectly; it is beautiful aesthetically as well. The people who work here are great, and very knowledgeable. You often can see Chef here, directing everything that leaves the kitchen. The food is so good, I was once at an event at the adjoining hotel and my date and I ran out, ordered the Wagyu carpaccio while simultaneously closing out our bill, since we only had 10 minutes to spare. The view can't be beat, and there are always celebrities. My favorites: Surf and Turf, Bi-Buri-Bap, Omakase, Peanut Butter Bombs, Truffle Martini, Duck Duck Duck, Wagyu, ANY sushi, ANY damn thing chef recommends.
(5)Mali K.
All the dishes we had were beautifully presented and delicious. We arrived after two hikes and were extremely hungry. Get ready to order several appetizers, a couple of entrees and dessert in order to feel full. It's more a place to say you've been to, then a place to frequent unless you're the 1% or unless a newbie drags you. Highly recommended for those celebrating a special occasion - my husband took me for our anniversary and I took a friend for her birthday.
(4)J M.
This place was 5 stars all the way up to the main course... and then the stars started falling. I came with a group of 6 people and we ordered tons of apps and sushi. They were all fantastic. The rock shrimp being my favorite. But then the main course came and I was so disappointed. And it wasn't just me. Everyone at the table was disappointed. I didn't try one main course that was 5 star worthy. Mine was a 1 or 2 at best. My advise is if you do decide to eat here, then just stick with drinks, sushi, and appetizers.
(3)Kevin H.
I really don't know why this restaurant isn't getting better reviews. The atmosphere and decor is very nice, and reminiscent of an upscale restaurant in New York. The drinks are really tasty (especially the Morimotini) and also very stiff. The food is delicious!! There is a reason why this man is the Iron Chef! Almost everything we tried was very tasty and also innovative. We came here twice. The first time we got the omakase, which I highly recommend. All the courses were very good, and you will leave with a full stomach. The second time, we just came for appetizers. We had the oyster foie gras, the octopus carpaccio, the kanpachi sashimi, the ahi pizza, beef tartare, and some other dishes and they were all very good. I think this restaurant has some of the best food on the island. The only thing I didn't like about this place was the customer service. The waiters are all very young and I think most of them were hired simply because the restaurant had a fast opening. I give them credit for memorizing the menu, but they just don't seem very professional. One waiter spilled the fondue oil on my fiance's handbag and completely ruined the leather and tried to amend for it by saying "I can pay for the dry cleaning". I mean, come on! Are you serious??? How about you buy her a new bag? He didn't even comp our meal or give us free dessert or anything like that. Pretty ridiculous for a high-end restaurant.
(5)Lexi P.
When we had to go through airport-esque security to get in, we were pretty sure someone important was there. Obama sitting in the corner and the secret service men scattered through the restaurant added to the ambiance of this lovely dinner. We were seated out on the lanai overlooking the harbor. We ordered a fantastic pork belly appetizer which was very tender. We also ordered the rock shrimp which came prepared in two different sauces- one being a buffalo sauce and the other this creamy wasabi deliciousness. For entrees we got the duck 3 ways and splurged on the $50 lobster. I will have dreams about this lobster.. it had a cajun seasoning and a lemon butter cream on the side. Simply amazing and worth every penny. The duck was slightly disappointing (especially because I usually looooove duck). I couldn't taste the duck in the egg roll (but my boyfriend liked it), the duck meatball was nothing special but the tender little piece of duck was good. Morimoto did a fantastic job with our dinner and it was such a treat getting to see him in person.
(5)Allison T.
Overall I'm giving the restaurant 4 stars since the food and service was excellent; but the prices are way too high. I was in Honolulu for a work trip. so I sat at the sushi bar. It was fantastic since it gave me an in-depth look at the inner workings of the kitchen. Unfortunately Morimoto was not in the house. Since it was just me I decided on an assortment of small dishes and appetizers. I ordered the famous Toro tartare (to die for!!), Aji (jack fish), wagyu beef nigiri, uni w/quail egg, kakuni (a little salty but good flavor), and a glass pinot grigio. Overall the food was good (besides the salty kakuni) but I ADORED the toro tartare. This brought my bill to $80, which seemed really steep considering I only ordered small items and was still a little hungry when I left. If you love the Food Network then this is a must-stop for the toro tartare! Otherwise save your hard earned dollars for another sushi restaurant in the area.
(4)Jennifer C.
YES! Come here. This is where you want to eat. Lets start with the ambiance... WHITE and modern. Feels like you're in Vegas or Miami (minus the juice heads). Definitely bring the heels! Food... Where else can you see a tofu in liquid form transform itself to edible, soft/firm tofu? The sauce and toppings really pair nicely with this one. I would definitely recommend ordering the veggie sushi... super fresh! Drinks... Got to get Sake! I ordered wine too of course but the Junmai Ginjo is BOMB! Parking: The only thing is... don't be fooled by the shared rooftop... Mormimoto is NOT part of Ilikai. If you want to valet, head to Edition Hotel.
(4)Sungalina H.
I've been to Morimoto's several times and the last two, I've left disappointed for two reasons. 1) the quality of the food and 2)the cost for the food--$12 for miso soup?, please! Last night, for a friend's birthday, I asked for the most popular dish and I was told that it was the black cod. I ordered that and it was way too salty. Also, the black cod only came with 5...count them, 5 black beans. The rest of the people in my group was under-whelmed by the meal as well. We also received an odd tasting sorbet that we could not eat, after the initial bite. The ambience is modern and sleek. I've gone to Morimoto's with a group of girls and ordered a plethora of appetizers and drinks. If the weather is nice, it is a wonderful place to lounge of the setee and fire and hang out but for a good meal, I'd choose another japanese restaurant (for half the price).
(2)Johnny C.
We ate at Morimoto's for my parents anniversary and let me tell you it was delicious. We started off with the calamari salad, Wagyu capaccio, and cured hamachi. The Wagyu capaccio was the best thing I've ever eaten, the meat just resonated with citrus flavors . For lunch entrees we had the lobster sandwich,pork bento, and chirashi. The French fries that came with my sandwich I had a touch of seaweed and wasabi flavors. We love dessert and I recommend you trying the miso butterscotch ice cream. It's something different and adventurous , the miso was not overpowering at all but added a nice salty element to the creamy ice cream . But all in all the desserts were great. We will be returning again for another special occasion very soon. The taste was great, plating spectacular, and most of all exactly what I expected from an Iron Chef.
(5)Juliann C.
You can't really go wrong here. The Good: * Great ambience * Beautiful architecture * Top notch service * Parking is always taken care of * Anything you order here... really you can't go wrong!!! Except the tartare. Yes, it was beautiful, and colorful. But I have also tried many other sushi places that do tartare justice. I have to say that was the most disappointing dish :( * Must must order the desserts... the sorbets and ice creams change every night and one night I enjoyed the CRISPY RICE sorbet ice cream.... HOLY MOLY BLEWWW MY MIND. But I was sad to find out that it's not a normal thing! * Seasonal Sake is a must have for me * wagyu carpaccio - MMMHMMM get it get it!! * whitefish carpaccio - i guess im a huge fan of carpaccio! The Bad: * Oh, the price burns a hole in my wallet, and my heart The Weird: * Interesting that Morimoto's even serves breakfast! Be sure to check that out :)
(5)Jeff G.
Great sushi and ramen soup. The yellowfin entree that was cooked on the table was very cool and tasty.
(5)Chris Y.
I've been to Morimoto's on three occasions and it's been mixed. It seems that the restaurant has great potential, but hasn't quite found it's groove. If you do get a chance, try the Omakase prie fixe menu. They do try to make things that are not on the menu and I feel that the dishes were better when served omakase. Not sure if the kitchen pays more attention, but the one time I did it, I couldn't have sworn it was a better cooked meal. The highlight: The Kabocha Souffle dessert. WOW! It was amazing. This dessert is not on the menu and was served with the Omakase menu. It was just so light and fluffy. I wish I could have that again! On on occasion I did have a chance to meet Morimoto himself. He does seem like a very down to earth kinda guy. He was very gracious and allow us to take a photo with him.
(4)Matthew S.
The Iron Chef cuisine reigns supreme.... Ate here 14-Jun, and the man was in the house. He was happy to pose for pictures with the patrons and was pretty cool. His dress code of shorts resonates with the location and style, smart casual. Cocktails are good and his own branded beer is very palatable. The food was exception, the seafood very fresh and menu extensive in depth. Our server, name forgotten in the blur of cocktails and wine, but he had recently served Obama on his visit. Very engaging, friendly and informative. Thanks for the great experience.....
(4)Ben S.
There are two things that make life worth living: incredible Asian-fusion food and cucumber vodka drinks. If you're in or around Waikiki and not staying at The Modern Honolulu, you can at least partially redeem yourself by making a reservation at their world famous restaurant where your life will finally be fulfilled. I was originally a part of a party of 16 and had no issue getting a reservation. Nice afternoon weather led to happy hour which led to our party decreasing to about 9 people. With a simple call ahead there was no issue changing our reservation last minute! When you first walk into the restaurant, you'll be taken aback by the beautifully modern and tropically Asian design. Not to mention the eye-candy employees that are actually friendly and have personalities! Our table was prepared along the back wall of the open dining room under some pretty sick hanging coral art. Because we had a larger group, we asked for separate checks and our request was granted without the judgement and disdain that usually accompanies this procedure. For appetizers, I got the oysters. While they were pretty good, I have been spoiled by the monstrosities that come from the east coast so these tiny little guys were kind of disappointing. Most of the group got sushi rolls which were quick, fresh, and surprisingly affordable. We also got two orders of lamb and holy sweet baby Jesus! Melt in your mouth, take the bone home with you to gnaw on later amazing. The best drink on the menu is the M-tini. Cucumbers and vodka. That's all that matters. Total bill, tip and tax included, for two people? $80. Seriously, this should have been double the price considering the quality of food and service. If you only have time for one meal in Hawaii (bathing suits don't look good on everyone, people!) this is your place!
(4)Madoka P.
The desserts are amazing!! And the service was fantastic. Everyone was so friendly! We couldn't get last minute reservations so we had pupus downstairs at The Study before heading over here for... DESSERTS! We got the Chocolate Peanut Bombe, Haupia Semifreddo and Molten Lava Cake. All were delicious!! I will have to come back for the food. Only thing I didn't like was the volume of the place. It was so loud I felt like I had to yell across the table. Otherwise, it was awesome.
(4)Carol B.
It was a treat to have gone but that was about it. My hostess ordered the waygu carpaccio, very delicious, for appetizer. I had the kakuni don for my entree which included a tasty little sald with delicious tart dressing, and two sushi which I had to give my hostess since it was far too much food along with the pork which topped the rice bowl. The seasoning on the pork was overly sweet.The drink, a cucumber shiso collins was refreshing and amazingly potent.We had dessert too, i had the peanut butter concoction which was o.k. I am grateful for the chance to visit Morimotos on Oahu, having been to the one on Maui, but it seemed same old same old. Been there, done that.
(3)Michael M.
We had an amazing rehearsal dinner for my son on Thursday night. There were 19 of us and the service, ambiance, food and drinks all exceeded our expectations. Rachel had our table completely set up with our centerpiece, flowers, decor and gifts. We were able to use the seating area next to our table for cocktails and then were seated at the beautiful table for dinner. Our four course dinner was served family style and was served and cleared seamlessly. There was an abundance of food and much oohing and aahing from our guest. Their attentive service and caring attitude enhanced our evening and left wonderful memories for all who attended this special evening. It truly was an celebration of love and we thank the entire staff for the wonderful service.
(5)Eva Y.
Surprised that this place was disappointing to me. With all the hype and all, the sashimi appetizer was meh (while the waiter drops the sauce tube on the floor, picks it back up, and places it back on our plate). The fried fish was dry and the ma po tofu was not worth the money and the lack of flavor. The scallop in the dashi soup was over-cooked.... and dashi soup was way too sweet. The nigiri was only the best thing there.
(2)Cin T.
We dined here on the 2nd official opening day. Service wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. Luckily we ordered appetizers and entrees because the folks that ordered the Omakase (7-8 courses) were waiting forever for their food. Some as long as 4.5hrs. It was Chef Morimoto's last night in Honolulu, overheard that he was flying back home the next day. Glad we decided to brave the "new restaurant hiccups" or else we wouldn't have met him. He walked around to greet people and take pictures. Halfway through our service, he came over to our table again to see how we were doing. AWESOME! media4.px.yelpcdn.com/ph… yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Chef Morimoto has his own line of beers and sake. They had a huge barrel of his Morimoto Gingo Sake front and center on the dining floor. Everyone was able to sample some. It was really good! It has a nice subtle pear aroma and a sweet fruit finish, I wanted more. //www.yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDbsTS6VnWCHVJJHmEFPw?Âselect=n1N3YcYO55QkSyos0OLabg yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Got the Morimotini b/c it has Gingo Sake in it. The sake paired with Rain Organics Vodka worked really well. It was so smooth and tasty! yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Abalone Takoyaki $15: Pillowy, cheesy ball of goodness! We asked what sort of cheese it was but our server said she didn't know. The tako and Big Island Abalone pieces was a little chewy, but still a tasty dish. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Oyster Foie Gras $20: Two of my favorite things in one delicious bite. It's meant to be eaten as a shooter. The type of oysters vary with avail. We got Miyagi oysters that night. The Hudson Valley Foie Gras was so velvety smooth. It was seared and topped off with Kabayaki sauce (sweet soy/mirin unagi sauce). My only complaint with the dish is the kabayaki sauce, it was a little too sweet and overpowering against the delicate flavors of the oysters and foie. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Pork Gyozas w/Hamakua Tomato Sauce $15: Our server mentioned that its made with pork belly. The filling was very meaty and not at all fatty or grisly. The gyozas arrived hidden under a shell that's made from a mixture of bacon foam, corn starch and potato starch. It tasted a like crispy cheese but we were told that there wasn't any cheese used at all. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Wagyu Beef Tartare $19: Served with a cauliflower salad and cauliflower flan. The beef was mixed with sesame seed oil and yuzu soy and topped w/chopped ginger and tomatoes. The yuzu soy tasted a lot like the Kabayaki sauce that was in our oyster shooter. I prefer my tartare to be more on the savory side, it was a bit too sweet. Some crackers or toast points would've helped too. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… The cauliflower salad seemed like an afterthought, I don't even know why it was there. Drizzled with grape seed oil, this salad was flavorless. All I could taste was celery in every bite....I hate celery. The cauliflower flan was cooked perfectly and I loved the hidden egg yolk inside. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… My Lobster Epice w/Lemon Creme Fraiche ($47) was the disappointing part of the night. Everyone knows how much I LOVE lobster, but this dish was rough. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Everything was heavily coated in garam masala and oversalted, even the chanterelle mushrooms, asparagus and cauliflower. The cumin was overwhelming. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ga… The chilled kona lobster had very little meat and the tamale was scarce. I'm not asking for the 2lb beasts that Ruth's Chris serves, but for $47 I want to see more. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Oxtail Soup $14: Min seemed satisfied with his entree. It's served with a cilantro, chili sauce and fried rice. He mentioned the meat was really tender. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb… Chicken Noodle Soup $14: Neil wanted something light and opted for this entree b/c he craved udon noodles. The "udon" seemed more like thick ramen noodles. But the broth was tasty and I thought the noodles were cooked perfectly. yelp.com/biz_photos/gcDb…
(3)Paula G.
We had to. I mean Hawaii + Morimoto = GREAT FOOD. Since The great state of CA banned foie gras, my body literally needed a taste of it during our honeymoon. I think the third course was foie gras and Mr. Chef Morimoto DID NOT disappoint. I;ve been to the Napa, CA location and this location beats that. We went just right in time for the sunset. Yes. How so cliche. But it was stupendous. The servers here are freakin' awesome too. They knew their food. We had a lot of questions because aunthentic Japanase food is not some Korean owned roll slathered in eel sauce and baked mayonnaise. The server knew details of what the sushi was as well as the other weird things we ordered. Seriously, thumbs up and cool points.
(5)Chass B.
I was a bit hesitant to dine here after dining in the one in New York. I wasn't very impressed...at all. But, when it opened we wanted to dine somewhere different and nice. It was my fiance's birthday and he wanted to check it out, so why not!?! All in all, the food was good, service was great, and we left very happy! We would love to go back, but maybe we will keep it for our special occasions... Goes to show that you can never rate or compare two restaurants, even if it's the same name...
(4)KO W.
My wife and I are very picky when it comes to Japanese food, mainly the sashimi and sushi. We have gone to almost every Japanese restaurant in town and everywhere else we ever lived before moving here 3 years ago. About Morimoto, If you like "fusion" Japanese food and sit shoulder to shoulder with strangers then this is the place for you , Otherwise I wouldn't recommend any sushi/sashimi lovers to go there. Although they do have a nice selection of sushi/sashimi on their menu but all taste blend and the sushi rice is dry and hard, not better than any typical Japanese restaurant can offer with half the price.
(2)Doris D.
After a lackluster lunch, I decided to try Morimoto's dinner service to see if it's the real deal. While it's definitely not the best food I've ever had in the U.S. (that honor goes to fine dining in nyc), I was impressed by the caliber of presentation. The presentation was definitely of fine dining quality. The food was hit or miss, unfortunately. Full disclosure, my boss treated us to this meal so I'm judging this meal purely based on quality of the food and service. I wouldn't venture to figure out how much was spent, but I think the bill was quite hefty. If I had to pay my own way, my critique would be much more harsh. Beef tartare - Very nice presentation, they tell you to pop the egg yolk and drag it across the meat. Taste was nothing special. Tempura calamari salad - Good, lots of greens. Again, nothing particular to note. Morimoto style poke - Nice attempt but the local stuff is much more tasty. Morimoto smoked sashimi - Wow factor was in the presentation, taste of the fish was quite underwhelming. They make a big deal of the five sauces, contained in these little test tube things, and you squeeze them on the fish, a mishmash of fishes into a roll. I was disappointed that the sauces did not bring out the fish but rather, the sauces were distracting. Foie gras chawan mushi - Others were turned off but I really liked this one. Never had it this way and the flavor was really deep and complex. Not for everybody though. Yose dofu - Tableside presentation was key. They make a big deal out of bringing this clay pot of liquid. They open up the lid and pour a concoction that's suppose to activate the liquid and turn it into tofu. Wait 15 minutes. Waiter comes back and opens the lid. Voila, silky tofu. Kakuni - pork belly congee - Very good. It's a very tiny portion which is expected. High quality throughout. Lovely cut of meat. Peasant food turned upside down. Chef's loco moto - Another bit of peasant food with an upscale twist. My coworker cleaned up his plate. Seafood toban yaki - My main entree. What was really impressive was, finally, the food. Every bit of seafood was cooked perfectly, including the star lobster tail. The broth itself was disarmingly spicy, though, but perfect with the seafood. Braised black cod - Very nice fish, cooked perfectly. Chocolate peanut bombe - The peanut ice cream was good. Tofu hot cold - The cheesecake and souffle were incredibly light, kudos to the pastry chef. Haupia semifreddo - Another gem. The matcha meringue was very clever. Overall a nice experience. Given that this sort of restaurant is rare in Hawaii, I was not surprised this celebrity chef restaurant garnered a lot of hype. Does it live up to the hype? I'm not entirely convinced. It does offer a different experience (is anybody else sick of hearing about Alan Wong's and Roy's?) As others have noted, the interior is cafeteria style and there's an open kitchen. Not a fan of the open kitchen and ambient noise, which at times was really loud. I was practically shouting throughout the dinner service so my dinner companions can hear me from across the largish tables. I would say MW is a solid place to impress someone. The pastry chef is extremely talented. My toban yaki and the black cod were excellent. The pork belly runs sweet, per mainland style of Asian cooking. However, the food (especially the appetizers) is a bit inconsistent and at times disappointing. I would go knowing what to avoid.
(4)Lori I.
After seeing all these great raving reviews on yelp, we decided to try Waikiki's newest restaurant. (The restaurant was just featured in yesterday's Star-Advertiser and Nadine Kam called it her "favorite restaurant", so once again, all you yelpers were right on the money.) Morimoto Waikiki just opened on Sept 28th, in what used to be the chapel in the old Ilikai Hotel. Now called "New Edition", the hotel has a completely different vibe, almost transporting you to LA or SF or even NY. The atmosphere was like something out of a movie scene, I was half expecting to see George Clooney or Brad Pitt appear. So we went for lunch to avoid the crowds. It was just as much a feast for the EYES as it was for the MOUTH. (most of my pictures I've attached have nothing to do with the food). There is one table that is made up of clear resin/acrylic with sea kelp stuck in the resin. It almost looked like you could find Nemo in there. Oh yeah, the food from the lunch menu: KAKUNI: 10 hour pork belly rice congee (rice porridge). It was very good, if not a little bit on the salty side. Definitely a must try. MORIMOTO SASHIMI (it wasn't on the lunch menu but since we read about it so much on yelp, we asked them if the chef would make it for us. HE DID!): 6 little mini 3-story towers, topped with 6 different condiments, and 6 different types of sauces served in little pipettes. They said "Just like art class -- make designs with the sauces (which are all different colors)." BLACK COD: a little heavy on the sauce, but overall it was pretty good. I prefer miso butterfish, but this was good too. LOBSTER SANDWICH: lobster and some kind of cheese on Japanese bread, cut into THIRDS... COCONUT Panna cotta: was like haupia. It was on top of a bed of lilikoi jelly noodles (??). Yeah, not sure what that was. Kaffir lime dust and basil seeds finished off the dish. My palette must not be sophisticated enough to enjoy all the unique flavors wrapped up in this one. PEANUT BUTTER FONDANT: If you like peanut butter, this is for you: this dish was like a peanut butter mousse and came with peanut butter ice cream, and a dollup of chocolate with a gold leaf on top. A bit pricey for lunch but we did splurge. (2 appetizers, 2 entrees, 2 desserts, 2 glasses of wine, 1 French press coffee=$150) Okay so the food was good but the feast going on for my eyes was just as good. The tables, the bar, the kitchen, the sculptures hanging in the clear boxes from the ceiling. Go to the bathrooms!!! They are not like any bathroom I've ever seen in Hawaii. There's a cute little bookstore/hotel gift shop right outside the restaurant (where Tanaka of Tokyo used to be) that sells all kinds of unique gifts. This restaurant is definitely going places! Maybe next time I'll see George or Brad sitting at the bar.
(5)Olivia D.
I had a fun time at the grand opening of Morimoto Waikiki, but it was mostly due to the company I was with, seeing other fun Yelpers, and my own excitement at being there. I wish it were more about the food. When my friends later asked me how the food was, all I could say was, "It was fine." Morimoto is located in the stylish new Edition Hotel, formerly the Ilikai. The lobby is sparse and modern, with grey ash wood accents and bare white walls. I loved the outside pool area lit with tons of candles, especially the area directly behind the restaurant, with long sofas and plump cushions to lounge on, surrounding fire pits . The atmosphere of the restaurant is equally modern, with white and lime green decor. My only frustration was that the table was so long, I felt too far away from my companion. We were trying to have a serious conversation and because of the table length and amount of noise in the restaurant, I had trouble hearing her. I also was conscious of my voice carrying over to other tables, because I didn't want to project so loudly that everyone could hear my personal business. I prefer sitting closer to my friends. We ate: Morimoto Sashimi--stacked sashimi--sake, seared toro, maguro, unagi, hamachi--with 5 bland sauces. Good presentation--the sashimi looked pretty next to the colorful sauces, but it was impossible to pick up from the plate using the chopsticks. 2 of my friends remarked that the fish was very "fishy" and the bland, oily sauces did not help that out at all. Oxtail soup--my fave. 3 meaty slices of oxtail, with a shoyu green onion dipping sauce, cilantro, and garlic fried rice on the side. The soup was delicious--the best on the island--and I loved that they grated fresh, sweet wasabi with a sharkskin paddle right at the table. The best part was when the food runner grated wasabi right onto my friend's cleavage and got all cute and flustered; he didn't know where to look! Immediately, a female Japanese manager appeared out of nowhere, sent him to get an oshibori, and took over. I appreciated that most of the fat was trimmed off the oxtails. I hate it when big chunks are left on. If the soup was served hot, it would have been perfect. The broth was barely warm--about room temperature. (Buta) Kakuni--pork belly slow-braised for 10-hours in soy sauce, mirin, sugar and dashi, served on rice porridge. Yes, I like soupy comfort foods. The pork was tender, but not fork-tender, with a hint of sake wine. It was a little too sweet for me. If they added a pinch of salt to the otherwise bland porridge, it would have helped balance out the sweetness for me. This one I don't recommend sharing because of the small portion size. Wagyu filet mignon--not impressed. I don't understand what the fuss is with American Wagyu beef anyway. I think people order it for the name. It is not worth the extra cost because it doesn't taste like Japanese beef. It tastes like regular steak, without the superb fatty marbling and flavor of Japanese Kobe beef. The breed is not as important as how it is raised. In Japan, they are confined indoors in individual pens in little condos and fed beer to help digestion . . . and you probably don't want me to go on. The filet, sprinkled with fluffy sea salt on a hot iron plate, was served with sweet onion jus, which tasted like a version of teriyaki sauce. The meat was dry, overcooked and barely seasoned with salt. Seafood 'toban yaki'--prawns, crab, scallops, clams, mussels, bok choy, and king oyster mushrooms. The first thing I noticed was that the baby bok choy sitting on top had dirt in between the leaves at the base--yuck. When I ate toban yaki in Japan, it was beef roasted on a ceramic plate. This was actually a bouillabaisse, with the broth made richer with the addition of miso and yuzu. It was delicious and a good portion size as well. My only complaint besides the dirt was that the scallops were tiny, overcooked disks and the baby lobster at the bottom was very mushy. But the flavor was good and the slices of French bread on the side were perfectly toasted. If they had served it with rouille, I would've been ecstatic. I wish we'd skipped the desserts. I ordered the tofu hot and cold and the roasted pineapple with castella cake and roasted rice ice cream. The tofu dessert consisted of a very light, cold Japanese-style cheesecake log with a hot souffle and a quenelle of sour cherry sorbet. The sorbet was watery and the souffle/cheesecake unflavorful. I usually love souffle, too. The other dessert didn't work because the cake was dry and the dry pineapple did not have any good roasted flavor; it made me long for a juicy, buttery pineapple upside-down cake. The ice cream was good. The best part of dinner was saying 'hi' to all the other Yelpers throughout the restaurant. Every time I walked past Min's table, he put food in my mouth. I scored lamb and gyoza! Bottom line: better than Nobu, but skip the American food like lamb, steak, lobster--they don't stand out.
(3)Guy h.
Single diners miight want to beware. I made a reservation and the restaurant was half-empty. First, girl at front says,"Would you be willing to sit at the sushi counter?" Second, the girl who seats me offers me the worst seat in the empty house. And third, when I speak to the manager about this--she misses the point. "You didn't like your seaint options?" Yeah, I didn't, but I liked the general denial of the humiliation being inflicted on me even less.
(2)Alex R.
My new Favorite restaurant, this will have to be our once a week spot from now on! Amazingly not as expensive as I thought it was going to be and the service was excellent. The food and drink offerings are amazing. We started with some drinks and light appetizers. Management was gracious enough to offer a few appetizers courtesy of the house and so the feast began. my lovely lady started with the Morimotini, I had the Morimoto Shochu. I First up were the Oyster with Foie Gras, Oysters with a generous hunk of foie gras with a touch of Uni on it served on crused ice and ogo bathed in a Teriyaki sauce. Yose Dofu was prepared table side with a pair of sauces, Kimchee sauce and a amazing soy dashi. These were accompanied by sliced green onion, Katsuobushi and grated ginger. This dish was fantastic, the depth of the broths and the texture of the fresh tofu were simple amazing. Then they brought out the Foie Gras Chawanmushi. This is the dish that i dream about, I would murder children and small animals for another taste of this dish. Duck Breast, Foie Gras in a custard is my idea of heaven. Seared Wagyu Carpaccio was delivered and devoured. great but not murderously good. Sushi Was next so we decided to get a small bottle of the Morimoto Daiginjo. A great sake that was perfect with our sushi. Sushi was on deck. Oh-Toro, Tai, Mizudaku and Inari zushi. Good sushi. With our Entrees it was tine for wine. My gorgeous date went with the Verdeho Rueda for her dish the Buri Bop which is Morimoto's take on a korean hot pot with Buri a mature hamachi and I had the Kaiken Malbec to pair with my Duck Duck Duck entree featuring a Seared Duck brest, a duck confit spring roll and a duck meatball soup. For desert we shared the chocolate mille feuille. Over all a amazing meal this has to be in the top 3 restaurants on the island. The prices are not as high as I was expecting and for what you get over all a great value.
(5)Yvonne M.
Iron chef restaurant, hello! Yes, I had to try it. Asian Fusion at its best. He even incorporates Hawaiian/Local elements in his menu (poke, loco moco, etc). Better prices than Nobus. (Don't get me wrong, I still like Nobus, but if it's a little pricey for you, go here) Although it was trendy, it was pretty kid friendly, we brought our son here. It was loud enough to where my son could talk loudly, play a game on my phone, or drop utensils... FOOD AND DRINKS ORDERED Coco Fraiche - crisp, clean drink Asahi Foie Gras Chawan Mushi - It will make your mouth water..for more! Miso Soup - normal tasting Spicy Tuna Roll - I tasted better.. Soft Shell Crab Roll - Delicious! Braised Black Cod - Amazing! Crispy Whole Fish - flavorful, but a little on the oily side... Assorted Sorbet - Refreshing ENVIRONMENT Located in the Waikiki Edition Hotel. High ceilings, lots of white, large windows, and relaxing lighting. It made me feel like I was in Hollywood. Lots of plant and marine life throughout the restaurant. They have indoor and outdoor seating. SERVICE Excellent and quick service. TIP Do valet. It will be the same price as parking across the street or stressing finding parking in the Ilikai docks area. The drive way to this hotel is under the bridge that connects the Red Lobster parking lot to the Ilikai Hotel.
(5)Ming Z.
I almost gave 4 stars. But for the price, and the name behind it, we did expect better food and service.
(3)Susan N.
What an amazing dinner we had. The interior of the restaurant was something to experience. It is simple, but modern. We had an appetizer of 2 types of shrimp that we so tasty and had a little bite to it. I had the duck duck duck as main course. Each duck item was really good especially the soup with meatball. My husband had angry chicken which he was amazing. So tasty and tender. The dessert bananas foster in a glass. So light and rich I will remember this dinner as one of the best I ever had.
(5)Michael S.
This is not about the food, as the food is outstanding and beats Nobu hands down, being one of the best in town, Chef was present! However, the front desk is ridiculous: 9:20p, four seats at Sushi bar open and four to six tables open, late in the evening, but no availability, at the bar or table??? No one coming, tables open and no seating??? Absolutely unacceptable. Will have to find more welcoming place. Too bad!
(1)Rachel H.
Was fortunate enough to eat here three times in a row and each meal was excellent. We stuck mainly to the sushi/sashimi selections or had the sushi chef design a selection from our request. The imaginative but yet classic presentation made even the smallest selection remarkable and sating. Fish was of the highest quality as you would expect. Pork gyoza and the salt crusted fingerlings are a must have off the hot menu. And the man himself was there all three nights. Fascinating to watch his oversight and his staff reactions.
(4)Dustin E.
Thank you Stacy L. for the tip that Morimoto san was in town!!!! Thanks Val Y. Thanks yelpers for the reviews. We found out that Chef Morimoto was in town. I have a sister who is deeply in looooove with him. I know, he's married. It doesn't make a difference to her. Well unfortunately, sis is in Hilo on the Big island, so she is not in town.... Aw sugars... poor thing... So, off to Morimoto Waikiki. There are so many Yelps on the positive side and many on the underwhelmed side. I didn't know what to think. Here is the chance to see a celebrity chef (maybe) and experience $$$$ fine dining. I know, just have an open mind and soak it all in. The ambience was very interesting. The Modern hotel had a unique event going on, a Marine ball. There were soldiers with all their formal uniforms and medals all over and the girls all decked out in formal wear too. I peeked in the ballroom and wow! The place looks amazing. Modern hotel 5/5 Upon arrival, the valet is very well hidden behind tall palms. I think if you didn't know where Morimoto was, you'd have a hard time finding this turn into the valet. 4/5 I didn't think the steps to go up was very classy, but I remember the escalators that would always be out of service. So steps never get stuck, or eat little toes. It was pretty dim, and after drinks, I was holding the railing to get down. 3/5 On to the restaurant... Oooh, coral. Uh, coral. Ewww, coral. weird, coral. The decor was farm raised coral from the Philipines. Uh, different, coral. 3/5 Thanks to the yelper Val Y. who suggested sitting at the sushi bar. We were right in front of the HEAD SUSHI MASTER! Watching him expertly slicing paper thin sashimi. Arrangements like ikebana, and tasty morsels on really beautifully prepared platters. Wow. I felt like this was the show. 5/5 We had spicy salmon roll 5/5, eel with avocado maki 5/5, and we were very pleased. Started off with Wagyu beef carpaccio. The presentation was excellent, except for the micro cilantro. My friend is adamantly against eating cilantro, but I love it. The citrus hot oil with ginger garlic and soy sauce was amazing. I wish I had more. But after all it is called appetizer. It should be called appe-teaser, because I wanted more. 5/5 Tuna Pizza, YUMMY. 5/5 Again, the micro cilantro. Um, good for me, not so good for my friend. Still a 5 from me. :-) I had the whole deep fried fish. A Mediterranean cod. It looked very exotic. Okay, it looked creepy, but it was covered in spicy tofu, sort of like a mapo tofu. It was a really unique and tasty experience! 5/5. My friend had the angry chicken. Moist, spicy, organic, delicious. artfully decorated with deep fried rice noodles. 4/5. Chef Morimoto was in the kitchen, and he just came out occasionally to pose for pictures. Didn't even cook. He did come out to shmooze with some of the customers. I think he is very cool. Maybe he flirts with the high rollers. We did get pictures with him. YAY! I had the Chocolate Mille Feuille for dessert. It was a WOW dish. The chocolate cake, candied banana, dark chocolate piece with mousse, and the ice cream with cayenne heat in it was OUT OF THIS WORLD. Okay, maybe I don't get out much, but to me it was 5/5. My friend had the Chocolate Peanut Bombe. It was a squared log of peanut mousse dusted with coco, and a bit of vanilla-ish ice cream. It was the waitress' favorite. I thought it was very pretty, but didn't have the Wow factor like the chili chocolate ice cream. Our waitress was Aya. She patiently explained every menu item. We listened to some of her suggestions, but made our own choices. Morimoto ale beer went well with my dishes. Aya was very attentive, knowledgeable, and prompt. Each server carefully explained each dish presented so we knew what we were eating. It made it all the more enjoyable. So for the first time, 5/5. It was very pricey, and we decided to just have a moment of decadent pleasure. Morimoto san, doomo arigatoo. Yelp 365 Challenge: 84/365
(5)Stephanie Q.
Four words: SPICY ALASKAN KING CRAB *you must order this appetizer! We had the best table for 2 outside on the patio overlooking the harbor and sunset on our final night in Honolulu. The food, service and ambiance couldn't be beat! We stayed at the hotel as well and I suggest to have a cocktail at the pool bar before dinner, since it's literally 10 steps away. Go at sunset! It's never too crowded and although it's super trendy and new, it's not stuffy. I didn't think you had to dress up a ton either...although it's Hawaii and I don't think people really ever completely get decked out unless you go to some of the night clubs. I wore a simple summer dress and everyone was pretty much the same attire. This was on a Thursday night, so the weekend could get a litlle more fancy :)
(5)Al E.
Fantastic experience once again for our anniversary, and getting to meet Chef Morimoto made it even better!
(5)Shazam L.
Need "Iron Colon" to eat here. All three in our party had stomach issues after eating at this location. We had the lobster salad, sashimi, sushi and udon. Our only conclusion, we were served leftover expired food...as it was apparent. Iron colon with good medical insurance and a trust fund required to eat here. What a rip off.
(1)Jeffrey J.
2010 has really been the year of the Iron Chef for me, after already visiting Bobby Flay and Mario Batali restaurants earlier in the year. My recent vacation to Hawaii had me checking off another Iron Chef restaurant on the list - Masaharu Morimoto. While the white decor and modern furniture presented a nice elegance to the experience, I wasn't a huge fan of the coral or orchid decorations... just not my style. FYI, this place is in the ballerific Edition Hotel in Waikiki. The service was very good, the food came out with great timing, and everything was plated so beautifully. I had the trio of duck and it was very good. It was served as a meatball french onion soup style; traditional duck confit; and an eggroll filled with potato and duck. While the confit and meatball were excellent, I thought the eggroll didn't even measure up. It took such a back seat, it was practically in the trunk. Wah wah. We also sampled their sushi, for which the rolls were surprisingly priced reasonably. The nigiri though was fairly expensive as they charge per single piece, and I paid $7 for a single uni nigiri. Overall, I thought it was an excellent experience, but I thought it was lacking a little in the "wow" factor that prevented me from giving it the maximum 5 stars. Ala Cuisine!
(4)Elizabeth N.
Made an improtu first visit last Friday & sat at the bar. Four stars for the bar, the service and ambiance/decor. 3 for the Ginger Pork dish we tried. It was good and surprisingly plentiful, but nothing that I haven't tasted before. Funny but I found the condiments (the marmalade relish and eggplant) more compelling than the meat itself! But as pairing with our shochu, the meal was a choice accompiniant. Overall, as a new restaurant/bar, they are still working out their kinks as the bartender was not quite familiar with the shochu section of the menu or the services they offered. But he was sincerely attentive and he got us an individual who was very knowledgeable (a japanese ex-pat) and she made the best recommendations for our shochu and gave us brief lesson on the types they serve and how it could be best enjoyed. It wasn't very busy in there that night (the place wasn't full) so maybe they were able to give us this undivided attention because of that. ??? Either way, we appreciated the attentive service, the recommendations and will go back for another round of shochu. Maybe even a bottle of it since like all respectable Japanese restaurants, they will hold your bottle for you to return to enjoy it. And due to of the overall vibe of this hotel, sitting in this restaurant, it doesn't feel like your in Hawaii at all. Whether or not this is a good thing depends on your personal state of mind. Here's my recap: Pros: -The service. Very attentive and they strive to get you exactly what you want and be happy with what you have. -The ambiance; very modern and simple and the propogated coconut plants in the front were way cool. -The portions of food were generous considering it's Waikiki prices. One dish of ginger pork was enough for two people. Cons: -Still working on the consistencies of their service. -Prices of course -The bar is adjacent to the two outdoor seating areas, thus there were gnats all over the bar aread. We killed four of them during our time there. The lady sitting next to us was complaining too. EEEEEEWWWWW. Better ventilation or fans near the exits could take care of this problem.
(4)Bernard N.
Wow, what a great opportunity to dine at Morimoto Waikiki! As this was a work dinner, the bill was taken care of. And this being our first time there, we relied upon the suggestions of our waitress and sommelier/manager. Everything they suggested was incredible! Hamachi Tartare - 4 Sashimi Salad - 4 Ishiyaki Buri Bop - 4 Wagyu Carpaccio - 5* Fried Whole Fish - 5 Wagyu Ribeye 160z - 5 Uni from Santa Monica & Tokyo - 5* Island Flavored Sorbets - 3 Haupia Semmifreddo - 5 Apple Martini - 4 Chikurin Sake - 5* Rose Wine - 3 *Wagyu Carpaccio, Uni from both Santa Monica & Tokyo , and the Chikurin Sake would be make the order list again. However, as we sampled only a small part of the menu, next time I I would try different appetizers and entrees as well. Service - 5 Food - 5 Price - 3 (easily over $100 per person) Overall - 4 We were seated on the patio deck and I think I preferred this as the inside was quite noisy. The weather was perfect and all the 'beautiful people' seemed to be out. The ambiance was great and since the Edition is a new hotel (luxury-end in the Marriott chain) all the amenities were state of the art.. Service was also fantastic! Everyone (6+ staff) who took care of us had personality and great spirit. This is fine dining, so be sure you are not prone to sticker shock!
(4)Hashim A.
This is my first time dining at one of Morimoto's restaurants and I must say I was impressed! The Waikiki location is his newest and although they have a few new restaurant kinks to iron out, the food and service were fantastic. Ryan, our waiter did a great job. The sushi and sashimi was fresh...i highly recommend the wagyu sashimi. Other dishes we had were the rock shrimp tempura, wagyu carpacchio (my personal favorite), spicy king crab, and clam miso soup. All were great. The peanut butter bombe dessert was also good. I don't drink but according to my girl the Pina Haupia and Pear Gimlet were good. So why didn't I give them 5 stars? One reason...atmosphere. It is REALLY loud in there. Sometimes you have to yell so the person next to you can hear you. Don't get me wrong the scene is trendy and the people are beautiful. It's also a good break from the laid back Waikiki vibe...It's just a little too loud. I'll try dining outside on the patio next time. Yes there will definitely be a next time.
(4)Jack G.
Took a client, her son and granddaughter to lunch. Prior to self parking, I asked the attendant if Morimoto's validates. She said that they do and showed me a validated ticket with Morimoto's stamp on it. Long story short, we had lunch, food was decent, but expensive ($85 ribeye ala carte). Spent about $400. Paid the bill. Put my parking ticket in the bill folio. The waiter comes back and says we don't validate self parking. Told him that the attendant says they do. He replies that they do, but only when there's no valet parking available. I ended up paying $35 for parking. If the Iron Chef wants to stay in business, he might want validate his patrons parking especially when they spend over $400 for lunch. I'll never go back!
(1)Kathy C.
I honestly don't know why people go here or rave about this place. You would think since he was an iron chef, the restaurant would be amazing!!!!! WRONG! We came here for my girlfriends birthday. There were about 6 girls and for dessert, they brought out a spoon of sherbet! A spoon! I thought it was a joke! They should have saved them the embarrassment and not even brought anything out. So sad and so disappointing. I went here another time for brunch with the girls and the only great thing about it was the bloody mary bar was awesome. Other than that, the food was still crap! Never coming back again.
(1)Everett A.
went there for a bday celebration and ordered the loco moco because it looked awesome on yelp pictures.. i think i had about 7 small pieces of beef and finished all but half my rice within 2 minutes.. we had awesome service and our waiter was super cool but i dont think we will be coming back here anytime soon.
(3)louis b.
The best meal I have had in quite some time. Just amazing service, wonderful ambiance, and I got to watch morimoto himself prepare my meal. Went with the tasting menu, and I was overwhelmed with its variety and taste. Still had to have the chocolate peanut butter bomb though. :)
(5)Jr H.
First off, I'm a serious foodie. I think service, ambiance, and valet service is as important to your dining experience as food quality. Let me say SERVICE IS HORRIBLE here! I've eaten twice here, both times for dinner. The first time I had the tasting menu, referred to Omakase in this restaurant. The dishes were all small and very tasty. They came out very slowly. Taste-wise, the wagyu was the only disappointment. If you've ever had it at Hiroshi's Yakiniku Waikiki, you wouldn't take more than one bite of the Morimoto version. The lobster was Kona- likely farmed -- also a disappointment. Still, overall taste was very good for most items and presentation was impressive. There's another VERY costly down-side to this evening, but I'll continue with food first. During my second venture here we ordered various dishes. Again, all were very tasty with impressive presentation. Don't expect great sushi, order other items instead. This place couldn't touch Yohei or Maguro-ya's sushi. Service was horrible to say the least. Our waitress never came around. They have tons of workers yet you can't get anyone to stop by... here's why: they have some strange setup where all workers stand in line (often 10 workers deep) waiting for the prepared food to come off the prepared line. Then they take turns delivering the food out. This is sooooo ridiculous! Here you have an unpleasant looking line of workers doing nothing but waiting for food to come out and nobody at the tables is getting decent service. Inexcusable! So back to the first night. DON"T bring a nice car if you plan on using the Valet. On this evening I rode in my friend's new Benltey Supersports coupe (the only one on the island). We parked right in front and dropped a big tip which to anyplace else on this island says don't move my 286K car. Not these guys! They managed to move us down to the end of the curved valet entrance and scraped almost 180-degrees of his ceramic rims! Nice! What a bunch of amateurs. It turns out they blew the window out the back of someone's Escalade at a Chanel event a few weeks prior. In summary, go here once... if you must. Then after that, hang out at the lobby bar instead.
(2)Neil R.
This is a restaurant that lives up to the hype. Between the great food and fantastic atmosphere this is perhaps the most sophisticated Japanese style restaurants in Hawaii. Morimoto can occasionally been seen in the restaurant overseeing his team.
(5)Richard L.
We were in Hawaii for a few days and decided to try out Morimoto's restaurant. We've heard great things about this place. It was definitely a delicious meal. We had the Omakase and the food looked great and tasted great. They are getting a 4 star only because we went to Nobu the night before...
(4)bucca d.
This place was quite amazing. Finding the restaurant was also an adventure as i needed to use the yelp photos to help me identify the restaurant; there is no name at the entrance. To the food. We had the ahi and hamachi tartar. Excellent smeared poisson on top of a transparent ipodish rectangular plastic dish presented on a ice cold bowl with 5 dipping sauces. I didn't like all the sauces, esp the hoisin sauce but the other ones were pretty decent. The takoyahi abalone balls were delicious. The soft shell crab is highly not recommended as it was the worst dish of the night; some bites were tasty and crunchy but other bites were cartilage like chewy and fishy (cant remember which parts of the crab) - yuck. However, the main dish of surf and turf had melt in your mouth poke and the steak petite sirloin was amazingly good. In fact it was still tender the next day after being nuked in the microwave. The other main dish we had was the bi bimbop hamachi cooked right in front of us. Hamachi was tender and full of flavor and cooked just right. The hot stone bibimbop plate was delicious and provided additional mind stimulation. The fusion was amazing. My wife and i really enjoyed our evening meal outdoors on the wooden covered patio under the setting sun, rope lights, and sailboat masts docked by the harbor. Price wise - it was very EXPENSIVE.
(5)Henry L.
Last year, we ate here three times. This year only once. It kind of lost its magic on us. Mind you the food is good, sushi fresh (especially the Japanese uni if you can get it), but something just did not click. Maybe because we had such high expectations? But, this time around, it just was not magical for us. Kids did not even want to come back, instead, they were screaming for Alan Wong's instead. Will try again when we come back next Christmas and see what happens then.
(3)Lacey C.
Oh me oh my Morimoto = a piece of heavenly pie! If I could live in the pocket of the sushi chefs here, I totally would. As long as they fed me of course! :) I had the privilege to not only eat a MAGNIFICENT dinner (ordered off the menu) of Tuna Carpaccio and other delicious sushi concoctions, however I also was delighted to enjoy breakfast at this incredible edible establishment. Breakfast was served with french press coffee a mountain of fresh fruits, yogurt, granola and egg whites all very yummy! Highly recommend this place if you are needing a hot spot for a date, but be sure they are worth the dough because this isn't a bargain bin diner! Only the best for the best :)
(4)BAJIBU K.
I will start off with the good things: - Beautiful presentation for the food -Great atmosphere The not so good things: - For the price, the food was pretty "meh" The only thing I would order again would be the Wagyu Carpaccio, there was great texture and a buttery flavor, YUM!! -The Hamachi Tartare was nice to look at, but wasn't very creative with the flavors. Nothing stood out to me. -The Crispy Rock Shrimp Tempura was yummy, but I think I could have made this at home?? Ranch dressing with celery sticks?? REALLY?? -The Spicy King Crab.. open crab legs with a salty semi spicy sauce and French Fries with some kind of super salty mayo drizzle. The salt in this dish alone was enough for the entire meal! Maybe someone didn't screw the cap on correctly.... -Yose Dofu... cute, but the table side presentation sucked. Our server came over, poured some sauce in the tofu mixture and told us not to touch it then walked away. -WORST Oxtail Soup ever!! The soup tasted so oily/greasy and the oxtail itself was so chewy and I needed to cut it off the bone... I would rather have Zippy's Oxtail soup.... -The Crispy Whole Fish was really good! but kind of small?? The presentation was comparable to the Crispy Whole Fish at Tsunamis, but for the price, I'd rather eat it at Tsunamis... -The Duck Duck Duck was sooooooo disappointing. The duck was bloody AND chewy.... the puff pastry on the soup was burnt, and the spring rolls were ...spring rolls. But the WORST part of our dinner was our server!! He came over to take our drink order, and he had the manner of a dishwasher, just kind of stood there, he didn't even bother to give an introduction. The only reason I can recall his name is because it was at the top of our bill. I asked for a wine recommendation since I was thinking about getting the Omakase ($110) , and he told me "I don't know, here's the wine list" and handed me the wine list and walked away. He couldn't make any recommendations as to anything special we should order, he just stood there and stared at me. And after our mediocre experience, he ends the night by dropping/slamming the bill in front of me. I was so shocked, I didn't even know what to say. I'm not one to complain about horrible service, but after paying over $330 for dinner for 3 AND having something literally thrown near my face, I was so appalled that I had to let his manager know. I would NEVER go back to this place. There are tons of great restaurants to go to in town with better service that you don't have to pay an arm and a leg for!
(1)Christy M.
I've been hear for lunch and dinner already. Both experiences were great and the food was fabulous. I didn't try the Omakase and ordered a la carte instead. Presentation is stunning, food flavors are incredible, and the staff is great. Oh, and I must mention the atmosphere as well - totally relaxing, modern, and just GREAT. We sat inside for both occasions so I'm planning to try the patio on my next visit for dinner. Morimoto in Hawaii is a FABULOUS :)
(5)Lionel P.
The girls insisted that we go experience one of Honolulu's newest culinary extravaganza. On arrival, five minutes early, we were told our table was not set yet and asked to wait 10 minutes. After 20 I went back to the hostess and told her that she was very good at "taking a reservation but not keeping a reservation". The manager stepped in said he would find us a table quickly. While the wait continued the hostess came back to me and told me I was making her look bad to her manager - sorry - waiting for a table is acceptable if you don't have a reservation. We were asked if we would mind dinning outside and we agreed - at the moment not knowing what he was really saying was - we have no table for you - would you mind eating in our over flow area that has no lighting and it will be imposable for someone of your age to read the menu or the wine list. To make up for it we did get a free Ahi pizza that was quite nice. As I held the candle for one of the girls with better eyes - Paul, from South Africa came to our rescue. Clearly fully versed on every item on the menu and the long list of specials - I felt calm and excited to continue with his attentive and charming attitude. Not on the menu but mentioned by Paul as a special was the Hamachi Kama - that was well worth the wait and was exceptional. The following is a brief look at items and some comments were needed for the kitchen. Morimoto Sashimi - Out Standing art Wagyu Beef Carpaccio - THE BEST DISH OF THE NIGHT - WOW Ramen Soup - The noodle was perfect - the broth very salty but tasty - I think someone either missed tasting this dish before it left the kitchen or it was on the boil too long - taste taste taste first before sending it out. Spicy King Crab - Out standing but save it for close to the end of your meal because of the high heat factor Takoyaki - Excellent flavor and done to perfection - WOW Kakuni - Not sure if this was the braised pork dish - but if it is - the portion size was too small and the sauce was screaming for rice on the side to enjoy every last drop. - What a great dish We sampled a bunch of sushi and as expected - perfect. The salmon skin role was a little too salty All and all a great meal - thanks to Paul. We will be back and recommend this place to others to experience.
(4)Way D.
This rating is slightly biased because I brought a date and I was probably in a better mood than usual so my memory of the event might be better than it was but who cares. The food is cool. Not too crazy. Not the best thing I've ever eaten. But it was good. There is nothing I didn't like. Was it pricy? Yah but when you go to a high end restaurant you're gonna expect it to be a little expensive. The dishes were smaller in portion ( again typical in a fancy restaurant ) but everything was presented very well and I would say it was worth it. The service was impeccable. They were there to give me things before I asked and helped me before I knew I needed it. That just adds points all around. The place was in a good location attached in a very nice hotel. The decorations were modern and the view was spectacular. Great place for a date. Not an ideal place to eat with your homeboys. All in all a good experience.
(4)Esther C.
***4.5 stars*** We came at the behest of our friend for a fine dining experience. They seated us promptly and they were very patient with us given that we had an infant. We had two waiters! And they were fantastic and quite accommodating. We had the wagyu beef hot appetizer which was quite good, and also ordered a sushi platter which was good (felt like standard fare, but was good quality fish). Our friend and I ordered the ishi yaki buri bop which was quite delicious and my husband ordered the loco moco which was also good. The baby ate tamago and avocado (again, very accommodating). We had the molten chocolate cake which was fantastic! The ambience was more casual than most fine dining experiences, which may be a function of Hawaii and tourists. We took 0.5 star off because we've had better sushi given the price tag. Recommend: molten chocolate cake, coco fraiche drink Skip: sushi Note: they will validate parking if you valet
(4)Anthony W.
We were a little hesitant to try this place because of some of the reviews but did it anyways because I've always wanted to try this Ironchef's restaurant. I'm glad I did. My wife and I both had the omakase dinner. We did ask what we were in store for and the waiter went through the menu before we took the plunge. So if you are a little hesitant like we were you should be able to ask what is on the omakase menu when you arrive to help you decide. I won't go through the whole menu, because I'm sure it changes often, but just know that we were very happy with the selections that night. My only complaint would be the speed of the dinner. They sure did take their time, and I'm sure it might have been intentional, but we did wait for quite some time between dishes. But if that was my only complaint, I'd be happy to dine here again. Just be sure to be ready to part wth some money because the place is pricey. Visited June 2012
(5)Brent S.
I have yet to come here for dinner, so I will update when I do. But if you're staying in Waikiki, you should really consider checking them out for breakfast. They have some interesting dishes you wouldn't expect. The Baked Eggs are cooked in with spinach for a unique flavor and texture. It also comes with prosciutto on french bread. The Eggs Benedict is served on hash browns for a distinctive dish. Very pleasantly surprised.
(4)Daniel C.
I think that the food here is slightly above average but the service does make up for it. Personally I feel that there is so much better places to dine at for the price you pay to dine here. Morimoto does entertain and takes pictures with you if he's there. I've had most of the menu items and nothing really stood out from the few times I have dined here. I do say try it and see for yourself because it is an experience.
(4)Jessica L.
I have eaten at his restaurants in NY and Japan, Waikiki is not yet on the same level. Service was very good, food was good but not up to the standards of his other restaurants. Architecture was similar, they didnt over do it which I liked. Price was high for the dishes they served, his menu needs to be updated.
(3)Arynn I.
Love love loved! This restaurant. Went on a whim with my friend after a fabulous weekend of training and fun. We figured we were already there, dressed up for business, why not enjoy Morimoto? I've wanted to come here for a while, especially since it's my mom's maiden name. (Maybe we could be related, who knows?) Nah, wishful thinking. So I made my reservations using open table (i did learn I don't use it enough cause I keep losing my points but that's totally beside the point). Great. I had to adjust a little cause I didn't want to be late for our dinner but it was at the beginning of dinner so not too hard to push back the res. My friend and I had all intention of just doing sushi and sake - but of course I had to look at the menu ahead of time and decided I wanted to try the Ishiyaki Buribop. We started with a sake, Morimoto Ginjo which was very smooth. Now I'm not the biggest lover of sake but I did have some this night. We also started with a Spicy Hamachi Roll. Delish. The hamachi was very fresh and tasty. I used a little shoyu but you really don't have to use any shoyu with it. Like I said, I wanted the Ishiyaki Buribop. I do enjoy ishi yaki style so it was exciting to have someone do this at the table. The rice and veggies were topped with slices of hamachi that were seared against the side of the bowl. Hearing it sizzle makes me smile! I have to say, it did not disappoint and we ate everything... Onto Dessert! I had to go for it. We got 2 desserts, the Chocolate Peanut Bombe and Chocolate Caramel Tart. I suggest if you ever get the Chocolate Caramel Tart with any other dessert, eat this one 2nd!! It's so delectable and rich! I could eat 3 of them! When you cut into the tart, the gooey caramel oozes out onto the plate with the cookie bottom. You gotta eat it with the ice cream to top off the taste. All I am going to say about the Chocolate Peanut Bombe was...it was good. :) I cannot wait to go back to the restaurant because I really want to splurge for the Omakase. But next time...
(5)Destiny S.
This is the best meal I have even eaten! My husband and I both choose the chef's tasting menu. From start to finish we both were overwhelmed at how incredible everything was. I also love that each dish was a work of art. We would both sit there enjoying how beautiful the dish was before starting to devour it. Our service was outstanding. We had a great server and several other guys continuously stopping by to check on us. The restaurant is very beautiful and there was killer live music happening outside in the lobby. The night was so wonderful and we will definitely return.
(5)Misty P.
Came here again on 05-25-12 for dinner. It was surprisingly emptier than I thought it would be for a Friday night. The service is still good. I haven't had bad service here since patronizing this restaurant. Take note though, if you are in a hurry, don't expect the service to be hurried or the food to come out too fast - especially if you get the omakase. It is best to come here with a unbooked schedule and a go with the flow attitude. Best to come here with good friends and have a couple of drinks with good food. My fiance and I took our friends from Boston out here. He and his wife absolutely loved it. We all got the omakase. The only gripe I have, is I've had the omakase more than once and it is always the same dishes. They need to mix it up a bit more...
(4)Kar O.
Went here with Lora H for a girls night out. The restaurant itself is gorgeous and immaculately clean. We arrived early so we decided to have drinks outside on the deck overlooking the yacht harbor. It was really pretty outside, nice and toasty with fire pits and sofas with big cushions. Later, we went inside to have dinner. I ordered the omakase and my friend had the hamachi, sashimi, clam soup and cesear salad with fish. All the food was of high quality and delicious. I (surprisingly) liked the foie gras chawan mushi. i dont usually like anything with liver in it but this was delicious!. It was creamy, with a hint of liver, with duck sliced on the top. I also liked the hamachi toro tartar. The tsukudani sauce was delicious mixed with the cream. Sounds weird but I liked it alot. I also enjoyed the citrus zest on the sushi. It really added that extra layer of flavor to the fish and fresh wasabi. YUM. Portions are really really small and kind of expensive but it was sort of what I expected. Dessert dish contained a sweet potato foam, azuki bean souffle, and lychee sorbet. Also yummy. Food was good, service was excellent, I'll be back.
(4)Sara P.
We had a great Thursday night dinner here. We made a reservation but I'm not sure we necessarily needed one. I had the chirashi bowl which is a little different than ones I've had before. The pieces of fish were smaller but overall it was good. He ordered the omasake menu with 9 courses. Each course was brought out by a different server to explain what it is & how to eat it. Apparently they use onions in most things so if you don't like them, tell your server you're allergic. Seriously, ours said the chef will only put more on if you request none. I tried a few of the courses and they were all innovative, fresh and delicious! Its a great value if you want to try many different things. It came with 2 desserts and they made sure I had a spoon for those. With dinner we had 2 beers. One was Morimoto's imperial pilsner which came in a ceramic bottle that you could take home. The second was a hazelnut porter (?) but was actually lighter than our first beer. Best part of the meal: Morimoto himself was working the sushi counter :)
(4)Leo M.
I took my wife to Morimoto's for lunch on our 'child free' day on Oahu. It was the perfect choice - the view was lovely, the fresh air invigorating, and the service was impeccable. The food was more of a mixed bag - though understand that 'mixed' here means some of it was merely very good. On the plus side, the Morimoto Style Poke was a revelation - the mix of flavors and textures combined to create one of the most extraordinary dishes I have ever eaten. The sushi - paired with real wasabi - was also fabulous. In particular, the ikura was simply the best I've ever had. On the other hand, my wife wanted to try something more on the western side of the restaurant's fusion menu and went for the Morimoto special mini burgers and a salad. And these were merely very good. In general, I would suggest that if you are eating here and looking for something special you should seek out those dishes (like the poke) that are unique and provide the opportunity for the chef to show off a bit of technique. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Rosie C.
My boyfriend took me here about a week ago for our anniversary, a Wednesday night at 7, it was still pretty busy. First off the look of the restaurant is very nice and modern with just the right amount of lighting and very nice decor, however, the ambience was not so great, well at least for a nice romantic dinner. For one, it was very noisy, I could hardly hear my boyfriend and vice versa. Also, if there are just two of you, they seat you at tables that are literally arms-length away from the next table. I felt closer to the girl at the other table then to my boyfriend. When you have this dumb girl bragging to her friend about how she is so perfect, being that close got pretty annoying! Plus the servers could hardly squeeze through between the tables, that's how close they were. It didn't look like a problem if you were in a larger group, for those tables were not lined up with each other. Now for food, I don't eat seafood or red meat so it's sometimes hard for me to find food to eat at a fancier restaurant, however I checked Morimoto's menu prior to going and found some food I could eat. First week started of with the basic garden salad which I thought was fabulous but my boyfriend thought it was too fancy haha....dressing was kinda of citrusy. Then we got sushi, I got tamago nigiri and kappa maki, the tamago was excellent, but the kappa maki was horrible becasuse they put wasabi in it already...I HATE wasabi, so I was disappointed in that, especially when it's cucumber inside and you can't tell that wasabi is in the sushi! So, if you don't like wasabi like me, ask before getting any maki sushi. My boyfriend got the $12 fish, I forgot what it's called but I think it changes daily, and he said it was good. For our main dishes, I got the angry chicken and order rice and bok-choy to go with it. Excellent chicken! It had the flavor of chili (like chili and rice), and was nice and moist. The bok-choy was good, don't know how well you can spruce up bok-choy and the rice was good, I think it might have been the more expensive sushi rice, or maybe I'm trying to think that to justify the price haha! My boyfriend had the surf and turf, which consisted of steak and poke with I think mashed okinawan sweet potatoes...he wasn't as happy with his food as I was. He said it wasn't what he thought it was and it was a bit too fancy for him. Overall, I think the food quality was good...for the price? maybe not so much. We decided not to get dessert because they just seemed weird but the gave us a little happy anniversary dessert with was like a melon sorbet that tasted like a melona bar. Overall, I think they have good food, and very good service, but it is pretty pricey for being, as the website describes, "business casual". I think they need to fix the table situation, that's one thing that would prevent me from coming here again with my boyfriend. I think for a nice group dinner it might be nice but not so much a romantic dinner. However, it could be different outside on the patio, didn't even get a chance to look out there. Oh, and prior to going I also read the reviews on yelp and I agree, the bathrooms (right outside the restaurant in the hotel) are very nice....go in and take a look :)
(3)Adam C.
Yes, I'm a fan. I really like the hotel, though. I think the ambience here added a whole star to this review. I was impressed by the decor, clean straight lines modern, green accents, not seen too much in here in the islands, felt like an LA restaurant. I think I'm also one of those unconsciously directly affected by ambience so good job restaurant designers. the food was pretty sensational (appealing to most of my senses), elegant presentation, bold yet balanced and exotic flavors and excellent service. this open kitchen restaurant seemed nicer than other restaurants, maybe the brightness of the color palette gave it that edge. I also thought it was less noisy than most, though still don't expect a quiet dinner. we shared three appetizers, a sushi and an entree and amazingly our bill was $100 exactly as we were shooting for to match the amount we were gifted. what a treat! i'll definitely be back for more!
(4)B J.
A little late with this review so it'll be short, but better late than never. Treated my boyfriend here for his birthday in September. It was spectacular! I hate sitting in the seats where you basically share with your neighbor. So luckily, we were seated in the corner on the patio which had the most breathtaking view ever. We ordered the omakase but I don't remember each dish, all I know it was great! Unlike other yelpers, the service that nice was impeccable. I would definitely stop by again if I'm ever in Hawaii.
(5)Little M.
We were really looking forward to a wonderful experience. We love new mod places and good Japanese food. By staff recommendation, we ordered the calamari salad, the whitefish carpaccio, and the sushi/sashimi Chef's combination. The calamari was in unseasoned heavy deep fried batter. I could not even tell you what was in it. I could not taste calamari. It was horrible. We felt full and weighted down after trying to like this dish. We were trying to figure out what we were missing. It turns out it was just bad. The whitefish carpaccio was okay. The seasoning and sauce was too strong for the lightness of the fish. The Chef's combination was a mixed bag. We were expecting some sashimi, and it came with a spicy tuna roll and 8 pieces of heavy wasabi laden sushi. The roll was good. The quality of the sushi was average.
(2)T S.
This place is amazing, amazing, amazing from the ambiance to the cocktails, to the wait staff and of course its food. As you walk in you feel transported into a high end serene place of fine dining. The lighting is just right, the decor is perfect, they don't miss a beat. I had the lychee martinis as well as the pina huapia (pineapple infused drink) which were both delicious and strong. I followed that with my main course the braised black cod. It was near perfection. I have had this dish before at Nobu, but I think this was probably better. Perfection! Everyone at the table loved all their dishes. Its no wonder Morimoto has the reputation he does, his food is amazing.
(5)Randy S.
I am very disappointed. I had very high hopes. The best thing about the meal was dessert and the coffee. Other than that it was overpriced. It was kind of a bummer. The dining room was incredibly loud and the wait staff made no effort to tell the drunks at the next table to chill out. Once they left the noise level was reduced but noise is a very big problem here. Our waiter (Paul) was awesome. It's a shame the entrees were a let down.
(2)Carol M.
Ox Tail Soup! You might not order something like ox tail soup at a fancy restaurant and I'm not quite sure why I did -- but it was out of this world! Also the Calamari salad was great! I would go back for those two things. Expensive yes, but if you just had the soup or the salad for lunch, it would be like any other nice restaurant and the portions are huge! I can't speak for some of the other entrees because I only got side dishes. You need a lot of time to eat here and the service is slow.
(4)Brigitte P.
This is a super difficult review to write.. If I could rate the food on one scale and the service on another it would be completely different. Let me start with the food.. Every single thing I've tried on the menu has never disappointed.. It's music to my taste buds. I recently tried the Poke and OMG.. A-MAZING.. The presentation alone made me want to keep taking pictures of it all! Definitely really good and worth the price you pay for the FOOD... The service is hit or miss. Sometimes I've been there and you'll get the waiter/waitress that is very attentive and makes the whole experience quite pleasant. But there have been a couple occasions and unfortunately with the same waitress where I myself and my table felt like we weren't ordering the right things. We would ask for one type of sake and after ordering was told of a different (and more expensive) one to order.. All fine and good, but we didn't ask for an opinion.. We found this odd. Making the reservation alone brings along anxiety. I have a lot of friends and we are all very social and like going to places to eat and drink.. On a few occasions I've wanted to make reservations for 10+ and it was a problem of which I would have to settle with the customer relations person, Shannon. I've dealt with this person in the past for a Birthday and it was near impossible to communicate with this woman. It was so frustrating that I was running out of time and finally gave up and booked it at another restaurant with absolutely no problem.. On my last visit, I tried making it for exactly 10 hoping after 4 months they revamped a few kinks. I was told I would have to book through Shannon and based on my previous experience, was not doing that. Changed it to 8 and it was magically ok.. Weird. Long story short, if you can deal with mediocre service and feeling like you have to beg for good service, but enjoy really good food, definitely give it a try. But if you have no tolerance, don't even think about it.
(3)Jonathon G.
Maybe the finest dining experience I have ever had. Beautiful restaurant, good service, beautiful and interesting food.
(5)Clarissa M.
This updated review is for our experience renting and dining in the cabana on 4th of July. It was a wonderful experience for the out of town family. We had such a beautiful and perfect table of the view of the fireworks. The service and attention of the staff was superb. The food as always was outstanding. We were able to select the dishes we wanted for special night. It was served family style. The restaurant also made a special dish for my relative who had a very strict diet. We arrived for dinner at 6:00 pm the sun was still very bright but the staff pulled down the shades without any problem and catered to our every needs. This location is perfect for any event that you would like to celebrate or even a corporate meeting. I definitely recommend you give yourself and your loved ones a treat dining in the cabana at Morimoto!
(5)jean K.
Not just a meal, dining at Morimoto's Waikiki is an experience... Ambiance ~ is chic. Food~ freshness, taste, presentation all top notch. Each thing that came to our table, was better than the last. Topped it off with a few amazing desserts!! Wow~ Pricey for sure... but on those occasions where you are in the mood to splurge...
(5)Kobu K.
I was very excited to eat here. The interior is very nice. But thats all I can say about it. Here is why I will not be back to this place. Service: There was not many people here and the food took FOREVER to get to our table. Food: Ok.. I often go to many nice restaurants here in Hawaii and when i travel. It seemed like the dishes here was overly thought out and almost seemed to be pushy in taste. Meaning lets just through some crap together and put it on a pretty plate then call it good. I ordered the Duck, Duck, Duck as my main dish. When the plate hit my table I was shocked to see how little food was on the plate. I am very used to small portions from living in Japan but this was ridiculous! The flavor well..wasn't any better than a Chinese food place downtown. Also ordered some sushi which took 30 mins to get to our table for 4 pieces only. The flavor of the sushi I would compare to Yanagi Sushi quality. Which isn't very good in my opinion. Sorry Local people I know you love this place. After dinner we ended up going to Buffalo wild wings because we were still hungry Overall I was extremely disappointed. This place is a big waste of time and money. If you want good Japanese food and the Best! Sushi in Hawaii then I recommend Imanas-Tei behind pucks alley. Bar-none the best Japanese and sushi in hawaii.
(1)Hikari K.
My hubby brought me here for my birthday, and I have to say...From the moment you walk into Morimoto's your taken back by the decor and ambiance. For starters we ordered the Toro & Hamachi tartar, best thing i've ever ate, definitely love at first bite! Wagyu carpaccio was light and full of flavor..several dishes followed all of which were amazing. If you're a fan of sake, I recommend Morimoto's Preminum 5 year Junmai and Ginjo you won't be disappointed. As if the fabulous food wasn't enough, your dining experience is paired with pure plating fabulousness! You kind of just sit there and admire the beauty of the dish for a minute. If you're looking for amazing food, ambiance and top notch service Morimoto's is def. the place.
(5)Kate R.
A-MAZING. Well worth every penny. Morimoto's is unreal - every time I go (I've been 3 times now) I get their 'White Lily' drink - try it! I highly recommend their rock shrimp, too. So tasty. Oh, and they have a secret dessert that's only available at night and by request - called "The Breakfast of Champions" - it features BACON. Yum.
(5)Jermel-Lynn Q.
This place is first off very pricey but the great thing is the intimate atmosphere that I had experienced. The food was also so delish. This was my first time here and I thought that it was great. At first though, the person the hostess was really sassy and was also rude to other customers. However, back to food. You have to try their desserts! OMG, the best dessert I've ever tasted. Their cocktails too, really generous amount of alcohol but you can't even tell. :) I thin that this place needs to train their hostesses as well to know a little bit of conversational Japanese in order to help accommodate their customers.
(4)Shelley V.
We have been to Morimotos 5 times now and absolutely love dining here. The food is impeccable and the service to match. Friday night we had the following dishes: Toro Tartare. A personal fave Pork Gzoya with bacon foam. Hot damn Oysters. So good Pork Kakuni with congee. This makes me want to crawl into the bowl and nap. Negitori rolls Hamachitori rolls Eel avocado rolls Tekka makki rolls Miso soup Lots of drinks We Morimoto ever since our first visit to the NY one that took 3 hours for our leisurely dining experience!!
(5)Lora H.
Dear Chef Morimoto-san. I love your restaurant. I love watching you on Iron Chef. I finally had a chance to do breakfast at your restaurant on Sunday and was so excited. The flavors of the food of course did not disappoint. However, and this is a BIG HOWEVER... the service was terrible. First of all, the restaurant was empty. I mean seriously, there were only about 5 tables filled. It took forever for someone to take our order. Then it took forever to bring our food out. It took forever to fill our water. It took forever to get our coffees refilled. I just don't understand. It's not the level of service that you come to expect at Chef Morimoto's restaurant. I can understand if the restaurant was bustling with people, but it was an extremely slow day. It was just inexcusable. And our food was cold by the time it came out. But because I love your restaurant, I of course will come back, but really, please work with your staff. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
(3)Meagan H.
Morimoto is always a success! A beautiful atmosphere, and amazing service! The food was really good, especially the tofu they prepare at your table!
(5)John S.
This place was a huge disappointment. The food was nothing special, and the service unpolished. We expected much more. Shrimp appetizer was soggy. Salt crusted fingerling potatoes were bland, dried out, and NOT seasoned, let alone salt crusted. Angry chicken entree was bland and uninspired. Our server was unpolished and not interested in our concerns. We will not return.
(2)Courtney O.
I've eaten here for lunch and for dinner. The service is always great. I love the ambiance of the place. The presentation of the food is definitely five star. Sitting outside during the daytime and sipping a drink as you take in the breathtaking view is a wonderful experience. As for the food... uh... it's okay. For dinner one night we got the tuna tartar (wonderful yet very expensive and small!), chicken noodle soup (large but very expensive for broth and noodles!), and other various appetizers and entrees. All were done up very beautiful but I wasn't that impressed with the taste of everything and price. For lunch we had the lobster melt (okay), and the chicken katsu sandwich (the katsu sauce was not tasty at all and there was not enough of it). Lunch is much more reasonably priced however I still was not impressed by the taste of the food! Both sandwiches came with japanese pickles, wasabi french fries, and a salad. The salad was of the spring greens variety which I'm not a fan of. The best thing I ate had to be the wasabi french fries! They were really delicious! I recommend getting a side of them and a drink, then maybe going somewhere else to eat after... Valet parking is free with validation. The bathrooms are a little bit far from the restaurant.
(3)Jacquie M.
Ordered Omakase. Food was fabulous. 7 courses of deliciousness. Would recommend to anyone. Would do it all over again.
(5)Vanessa M.
We checked in excited and ready for a nice romantic honeymoon dinner and instead we were treated like... We were told that since we did not have reservations there was a wait, which we were fine with except when we went to the bar to have a seat we saw that the entire restaurant was empty. Only 3 tables with ppl. We thought that was odd but waited. Other ppl checked in n were immediate seated (must had reservations). Waited 15 mins n check back with host n they said a little longer. Got 2nd drink and restaurant is still pretty much empty. I ended up getting on my phone n made a reservation for 5 mins. This was just silly. Food was ok, way to expensive for what it is. Didn't really taste all that great. Not bad but expected much better. Presentation of food was nice
(2)Jordan V.
I read some of these reviews and was a little skeptical but I enjoyed everything we ordered! Yes it's a bit pricey but I had awesome service and for special occasions it was totally worth it in my opinion. Try the crispy rock shrimp tempura appitzer and the rib eye sooo good!
(5)Elise C.
Worst experience ever. Seriously you couldn't pay me to come back. Terrible atmosphere, terrible service and so-so food. Not surprisingly it was completely empty, Exorbitantly expensive for the quality. Had asked for an 8pm reservation outside and they told us it could only be 8:45pm and if we wanted outside it would be a further hour wait. NO ONE was there...we ended up staying until kitchen closed and no one came to claim the tables that was supposedly occupied. The hostess gave us some BS excuse as to why we couldn't sit where we requested...something about not wanting to overwhelm the kitchen and thereby delaying our food. Um just FYI we would have ordered the SAME food wherever we sat.
(1)Clarence L.
Love IC Morimoto and have enjoyed his food at Austin W&F fest and his restaurant in Philly. This experience was average. Small crowd for Sat 7p.m. Had four courses plus dessert that were good but not jaw dropping and server seemed a bit distracted. Overall still a solid meal but expected more. Restaurant is nicely laid out and offers lots of seating options. Will go back and try to order better :-)
(3)Lin L.
This review is based only on eating sushi/sashimi here. Yes, I understand you come to a place like this to order fish/steak or something fancy. But was disappointed at the sushi restaurant we ate the night before and wanted to fill my craving. Service is excellent, beer and sake good. Ordered an IPA that wasn't on the menu. Ordered the chef's raw bar combo ($80), sushi combo ($45) and the Chirashi. The raw combo was pretty good, but the oysters were awesome. It went really went down hill from here. The sushi combo was average, but the Chirashi was one of the poorest Ive ever had. Pieces were small, chopped up with some veggies. They tried to make it too fancy. Don't think I'll be coming back here. The regular menu didn't really interest me either.
(2)Noreen L.
So we sit at a table this time. We ordered a la cart and opened a bottle of wine. Our server was excellent. He brought out new dishes every time our order came out on the perfect timing. Food was excellent and fresh. I truly liked the homemade ice cream, almost licked the plate!! I will definitely go back there again!
(4)Michael A.
The food was not good nor was the menu that interesting. Fish did not taste fresh. Rolls were boring. A $14 glass of wine was about 3 sips. And it was really expensive. When a dinner for 2 is $300, you should feel like you had an incredible dining experience, and it wasn't. This was mediocre at best. The service was the only good thing that evening. There are so many other incredible dining options in Honolulu, I recommend not wasting your time here unless you like being ripped off and underwhelmed. Also, they have a "dress code." When we called to ask if nice jeans were ok, the hostess snootily said they were not. However, when we got there dressed to the nines, I saw several people wearing jeans, shorts, and flips flops. To Morimoto - please don't be snooty about your dress code if you are not going to enforce it.
(2)Alyssa M.
This place is like a bad movie. You see a preview to a movie & it looks REALLY good...but then you go & after you watch the movie it's like "this sucked, WASTE OF MONEY". My bf & i did not know where Morimoto's Waikiki was, OR the Edition Hotel. We called the restaurant & this girl was TRYING to give me directions. She would say "turn left on McCully, then turn right INTO Waikiki"... 1. If you turn left on McCully then turn right, you LEAVE Waikiki & head towards Ala Moana. 2. After we turned on McCully she says "oh wait, nvm try go...wait hold on" & she puts me on f*cken hold. She has another girl try & give us directions who is giving us not BIG, WELL KNOWN landmarks...shit like "The ABC on that corner" or "McDonalds" hellooo...its WAIKIKI, they're EVERYWHERE! We finally find the place & we're like 15mins late to our reservation. We get snobbed by the 2 hostess' at the front (*bitches). We got sat at a table & never met our waitress until 15minutes later when she asked what drinks do we want? Then another 10 minutes go by, we finally get our drinks. My bf asked her what would she recommend from the menu? (bad idea) she fricken read almost EVERY single entree/appetizer in the menu. I had to cut her off & just tell her what i wanted, which was the first thing she talked about. then 30 minutes later we GET OUR FOOD! The bust boy was i think the nicest & most helpful person in that place. We asked if we could move 2 table together, & he asked around & came & moved our 2 tables together & took the plates away. $50 for a 8oz filet, $4 for a SMALL bowl of rice. crazy prices for the amount of food you get. i think in reality, you're not necessarily paying for the QUALITY, you're paying for their PRESENTATION. after we ate our $107 meal...we WERE going to order dessert but the waitress came around about another 30 minutes after our plates were taken away. we asked for the bill & that took another 10 minutes. $5 tip. YUP. sorry. BAD SERVICE. & you could get the same quality of food almost ANYWHERE. remember...you're paying for the PRESENTATION! (*not worth it)
(3)Mary H.
Five of us arrived for a Birthday celebration and asked for Arnold Palmers for two people (lemonade and ice tea mixed). The bartender not only informed us they don't have lemonade but he was unwilling to accommodate our simple request. The bartender went on to bad mouth us for getting a manager involved, to a guest at the bar. Next the server presented sushi but it was not what we had ordered. What? To top off the evening, a female manager presented my hot fish bowl which is cooked table side with her hair hanging over my food she was preparing the bowl. Ewww...I did not eat and I commented on her hair being over my food. She called over a busboy from clearing a table to finish my presentation. Worst service ever, out of control bartender. Managers who don't know how to wear hair in a food service environment.
(1)Grant U.
First time and it was for lunch...service, atmospher was great...disappointed in the food and value...all you are paying for is an elegant trendy presentation of japanese food..highly overated and prices are way too high
(3)Masumi K.
This place is exceptionally good in its own way. The food presentation is very well put and the food is delicious. This place can get very busy, thus slowing down table service a bit. The staff here is very friendly though. When you come here be sure to expect a table check over $100 or more. And definitely be sure to try their LOBSTER MELT! Coming here for breakfast, lunch, or dinner is good but it isn't a MUST. The atmosphere in here is simply gorgeous and I love it. Perfect for those anniversary dinners. Parking here is VALET only but is complimentary courtesy of Morimoto's. The table reservation for this place is very odd and ridiculous if you ask me. You call them to make a 'reservation' to RESERVE you a table. But they call you a week or so before your reservation date and tell you that they are committed to satisfying their customers. And they said that they would like it if their customers would show a side of commitment as well. So they ask for my credit card number over the phone. Of course, the first thing that came to my mind was "Why in the world do you need my credit card number?" and over the phone for that matter. They said to me, "We sincerely apologize. But it is in our policy that when you call to make a reservation for a table we just take and hold your credit card so you are 100% guaranteed a table no matter what." This seems completely odd to me because isn't that why I called them in the first place to MAKE a reservation for a table? And I definitely do not like giving credit card information over the telephone since it can easily be tapped into and privacy can be breached. The lady said that she can guarantee me that my information will be safe. And in case you all are probably wondering, if you cancel or cannot show up for your reservation they do not charge your credit card. But if you do notice some suspicious card activity popping up on your statements then you know where to turn to.
(3)Bach H.
Iron Chef Morimoto reigns supreme! We had such a lovely time at this restaurant while we were on vacay in Waikiki. The ambiance is gorgeous. The sunset is magnificent! The food was delish. My absolute favorite was the oyster foie gras appetizer. Coming from California, I am deprived of my foie gras, so I was ecstatic to see this on the menu. It was absolute heaven! We also ordered the pork belly appetizer special, toro, uni, whole fried fish [sea bass], and the yellowtail bimbimbop type of dish... I forget the exact name. Everything was wonderful. The uni was super-fresh! It was my boyfriend's first uni experience, so I am happy to say he loved it. The staff was friendly and helpful. Thanks, Morimoto's! We had such a spectacular time at your restaurant!
(5)David B.
Last night was my 1st at Morimotos. Must say that it did not live up to it's name. I wouldn't mind the price at all if this place could back it up with some top service and some mind blowing dishes. But that was not the case... It was a big let down for me. You are paying for the name, it's location, and it's decor. I forgot the name of my dish, but it was basically the bouillabaisse. Also ordered the Kakuni appetizer, and duck duck duck. All were just, OK. Bouillabaisse was tasty, a little over spiced in my opinion and the quality of the seafood they used was ok. They give you 6 tiny slices (Chips size) of dried up bread. Which is no where near enough to enjoy the broth. When I asked for more they told me it would be $3.50 for more. RIDICULOUS! those little bits of bread is not worth it! This really irritated me... Duck duck duck, to sum it up was just pretty boring. Kakuni, was a rip off! $16 for one slice of pork on a little rice soup. This Kakuni was way too sweet. Very American style in my opinion and not close to the taste of Japanese kakuni which is so much more nicely flavored. Service was just standard of restaurant service. So in my opinion it was a turn off. I've been to cheaper restaurants that provided better service.... Last when we got the bill, came to find out the sparkling water which was offered to us when we sat down, which seemed like complementary was not. They charged $7 a glass for this! And they just walked around in a glass pitcher so you just assumed this was a standard complimentary water. This threw everyone off, If you are going to charge us we should know about it. Or you should be dropping a bottle of sparkling water on the table. I thought this was such a rip off move by the restaurant.
(2)Jon W.
This is a beautiful restaurant in a beautiful setting. There are high points on the menu that are 5 star + like the white fish carpaccio, oysters with foie and uni and the lobster with gara masala. There were some 4 star dishes like the pizza, pastrami sushi and the beignets stuffed with abalone. Then there were the simple dishes like the poke that came in at 2 stars which is hard to imagine. The service started off a little spotty but got better as the restaurant came to life. The sake flights were "interesting" as they included a sweet plum wine on one and a cloyingly sweet sake on the other one as the final tasting. I'm not sure who spreads a sake flight over an entire dinner, but the 4th dessert taste was wasted with me. That was dinner. For breakfast, we ordered the Japanese breakfast which included house made tofu that included different side dishes and a soft boiled egg. As Japanese breakfasts go, it was a 5 star experience.
(4)Christina G.
Wow. Really impressed by this Iron Chef restaurant! The food was great, I was here with a big party and everyone loved what they got. One friend got the prix fixe menu and she loved it and it looked amazing. Service was fine and it was a beautiful trendy spot. We had a great time.
(4)Gloria C.
We dined there yesterday for my brother's birthday and overall the meal was pleasant. The lunch specials and the glasses of champagne were a bit pricey for me but thats what you expect from a fine-dining restaurant in Waikiki. It was good to go there once to experience the ambiance for special occasions such as this. Otherwise, they need to have better price points in order to have me as an frequent repeater.
(4)Christopher-desiree G.
IRON CHEF!!! Loved it! My husband brought me here for our first anniversary and I realized why we got married! First of all, the environment was clean and very neat. I absolutely loved the service we got. They answered our questions, gave us some tips on how to eat certain dishes, and let us know what items were popular. Second, their are 3 different menus! One for wines and drinks, one for the appetizers and entrees, and another for desserts. What to choose??? Since we couldn't decide, and this is why I know our love will last... Was to hit the appetizers. We decided that everything looked so good that we MUST COME BACK AGAIN to try the other things. We ordered the whitefish carpaccio, kakuni, spicy tuna maki, Morimoto poke. ALL WERE OH SO YUMMY! So I can't tell you which was our favorite. They all were. No wonder he's an Iron Chef! Ok, so the environment was awesome, the food was awesome, and the service was awesome. It was just an awesome night.
(5)Koren D.
Only one word comes to mind - LACKLUSTER. Had dinner there last night and both my husband and I had the omakase menu. What a huge disappointment. Every dish lacked in flavor and while our server was sweet, the kitchen sometimes took up to 15 minutes between courses. Really?? Did I mention how the tables are on top of each other as well? By far the worst tasting menu we have ever had at a "5 star" restaurant.
(1)Barb L.
The hotel we stayed at recommended them SO many times.....we wondered if they were getting kickbacks.....hahahaaaa..... Our last full day in Honolulu, we thought...we've been eating whatever so many days, let's just have a really good meal! We made a wrong turn...took us longer than expected...but we got there. The place was empty! We had to wait for the "hostess" to seat us.... The service was a little interesting....I would have gladly given 4 stars, if they were not that "interesting"....not sure if it was snootiness or whatever it is... Our daughter ordered the mini burgers - 5 stars Calamari salad - 2-3 stars...the fried calamari was a little too greasy for us... Nigiri sushi - 4-5 stars, toro was 5 stars.... Overall, we had a nice meal...just not the 5 star service I expected :)
(3)Marck N.
When I found out that Morimoto opened a restaurant in Oahu, I had to try it out.I enjoyed the New York restaurant and wanted to see if this one would be the same. Arrived here for lunch and it was fairly empty, though there was a lot of people in the kitchen doing their work. The feel of the restaurant is very airy, lots of space. More of an LA scene than New York, definitely not a Hawaii feel. The menu contained some of the same items from the New York restaurant. I decided on the live octopus sashimi for an appetizer and the Kakuni don (10 hour braised pork don). My partner had the waygu loco moco. The live octopus wasn't what I expected, as I was expecting the meat to still be wiggling. But it wasn't. The taste was quite different. Very sweet and delicate. A must to try. The Kakuni don was delicious. The sauce that its served in is very savory and tasty. It made me want to lick my empty bowl clean. Tasting my partners waygu beef loco moco, the gravy tasted like Hungarian goulash, very creamy and heavy. Not your regular loco moco. I wouldn't order it, hence my lick the bowl comment above. The staff was very attentive from our waitress to the bus boys. Everyone was very courteous, asking how everything was. All glasses were filled and refilled. It is pricey for lunch. If you do go, consider it a little splurge from the regular plate lunch places all over.
(4)Glenn G.
I always enjoy dining at Morimoto Waikiki. Being a value diner I prefer a series of appitizers over entrees. That way you can leave satisfied for about $50/person. Favorites are: Tuna Pizza - a crispy tortilla covered with lots of ahi sashimi Crispy Rock Shrimp Tempura with excellent sauces Yose Dofu - table side prepared fresh tofu
(5)Kevin L.
Went there and was presently surprised. Food was a little expensive but worth it. Morimoto was there and taking pictures with anyone that walked up to him. He was very polite and humble. He defiantly represented well for Iron Chef.
(4)Jerry E.
Sashimi presentation was unspectacular, and didn't measure up to the iron chef reputation as one would expect. Also, the seafood combo was average at best; however, the takoyakni made with Kona abalone was superb. I highly recommend to give it a try. A few observations: 1) the entrance door to the place was unremarkable (not standing out), 2) tables are seated too close on the lanai/patio, offering minimal privacy for conversation, 3) prices are much higher than competitors with no noticeable difference, and 4) the price for their small, lukewarm expresso was too exorbitant, something one should avoid at all cost, because it simply wasn't worth having it. It will unequivocally further ruining your expensive night out.
(2)Piyo S.
5 stars all the way Interior design: 5 stars Food: 5 stars Customer service: 5 stars There is nothing to complain about MORIMOTO Waikiki, food is always great, service is superb, and I love the modern interior design of this restaurant, it reminds me the living room of my house, as if they copyed my living room!? The sashimi quality is unbelievable, it melts like a butter in my mouth, the fish is never fishy like other Japanese restaurants. I have wonderful time @ MORIMORO everytime. A Message to Morimoto-san: Hawaii niwa mezurashii subetega kanpekina omise dato omoimasu. Ro-karuno akueikyouwo ukezuni, Itsumademo nihon reberu no hinshituwo ki-pu shite kudasaine!
(5)Diana A.
Food was amazing!! Service was horrible , we never got a refill on drinks. Anything we needed we waived down Other help.Waiter seemed to more attention to everyone but us. We were super excited and left soo disappointed.
(2)Ryan M.
Took my gf here on our anniversary. The service was great. our waitress really was awesome and very pleasant to talk to and had some great recommendations. knocks is that its SUPER loud in there so hard to have a romantic conversation. for appetizers we ended up getting the morimoto sashimi which i didn't like. it came with 5 different sauces to try, but the sashimi itself was layered and kind of blended all the flavors together. i personally enjoy eating the fish to taste the diffference. the sauces weren't anything to write home about either. we ordered drinks as well and the one that stood out was the yuzu mixed drink my gf had. i kept stealing it from her to taste. the appetizer came out within minutes of ordering, very impressive, but then the main entree took probably 30-40 minutes to come out which was exemplified by the shortness of the first course. the waitress gave us another round of drinks for the wait which was a great touch, but the kitchen was deifnitely backed up. the restaurant was full so i can understand but still a little too long for entrees. gf had the surf and turf. the steak au jus was amazing and the foam on the poke was yummy (ponzu) but the poke itself wasn't special. i had duck 3 ways and the best part was sadly the soup with meatballs. the other duck dishes were yummy but weren't memorable. there were spring rolls which was just okay but i've had duck spring rolls before that were delicious and the duck breast was good but i've had better as well. dessert wasn't great either as the description didn't match the plate. they had mentioned kona coffee ice cream and came out with vanilla. the nice thing was there was a coffee liquer drink that i had that was a nice finish to a pretty decent dinner. for the price i'd say its a great place for a fancy dinner but not somewhere i'd go back to. they do have an awesome outdoor fire pit that i didn't get to show to my gf, so maybe drinks outside would be a reason to go back.
(3)Chris F.
2.5 is about where I sit right now. If the price point was lower is could easily be 3.5. The service was a bit sloppy and not what you'd expect at a place where your bill will look like it did if you really try to enjoy yourself here. As everyone says, decor is cool, presentation is very different and innovative. Some of the dishes are very good, but none worth the $. You could have much better Asian food all over this island and have much cleaner and more attentive service from professionals. This is not a shot at anyone who works there as I think they all worked to the best of what they were taught. Maybe it's just me, but when I spend that kind of cash, I expect to not want for anything. For example, "I wish a had a new plate to share this next appetizer." is a thought I don't think should cross my mind anywhere that I will spend $287 for a 4 top.
(2)Maria K.
My husband and I celebrated our anniversary at what was formerly "The Edition" back in August. We decided to eat at Morimoto for our anniversary dinner and had the hotel set up our reservation. When we arrived, we were quickly seated. The staff was friendly and the service was decent, however so many different people came to our table it was hard to determine who was our actually server. The food was good, however a little on the pricey side for what you get. The table next to us was celebrating a birthday, and they brought out a birthday desert with writing on the plate. I noticed this from our table and thought it was a nice touch, however when the end of our meal came, there was no celebratory "anniversary" desert. I figured they must not do this for anniversaries, but on the way out I asked the hostess and she informed me that yes they do send deserts out for anniversaries. She then told us she had informed our server it was our anniversary when we sat down and that he must have forgotten. She apologized for him; however it kind of disappointed me that they "forgot". It's really not that big of a deal, but when you spend that much for dinner it's the small things that stand out. Both my husband and I left a bit disappointed in our experience.
(3)K N.
Went to Morimoto for the first time. I wasn't as impressed as I thought I would be but I'm giving it four stars because there were a few things that were really interesting. We started off with the toro tartare which comes with several sauce including sour cream, guacamole, wasabi, and ponzu sauce to name a few. The toro was interestingly good with the sour cream. We also tried several other appetizers. The rock shrimp tempura was really good. I preferred the wasabi aioli which was a bit on the sweeter side and my husband preferred the kochijan which he said tasted sort of like buffalo wings. The shrimp was accompanied by a coconut ranch which added a light texture and sweet taste to the fried shrimp. The calamari salad was mediocre. It was served with a miso dressing which I found to be lacking in sugar; it was more on the salty side and I think I would have preferred the crunchy and fried calamari with something less heavy and salty in taste. The yose dofu was really neat; prepared table-side. It was soft, hot and different from store-bought tofu. My FAVORITE dish of the entire night was the kakuni which is a very tender, sweet, yet salty pork that literally melts in your mouth. I was so good I could have eaten that alone as an entree. The pork pork pork entree was pretty good (pork served three ways; one dish was a sort-of duck french onion soup) and the fried fluke was really crispy and tasty. The fluke was probably one of the best fried fish I've tried. We weren't in a raw fish mood so I think we will go there again to try more of their raw dishes.
(4)Pat J.
we took a distinguished guest to the restaurant about which we had heard great things. one of us ordered the tasting menu and the other 3 ordered 3 dishes each. so, first the positive comments: the food was exquisite, beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. the tempura salad, crab miso soup, oxtail soup, wagyu carpacchio and all sushis were delicious. now the bad stuff, our guest who ordered the tasting menu received only 4 of the 9 promised selections in a 31/2 hour period. the service was beyond dreadful. we were seated and given only 3 menus, our drinks were ordered but didnt come for at least 25 min when we were ready to order dinner, when one of us asked for the wine list, a selection of wines was named by the waitperson but no list was brought. when the third selection that two of us had ordered had not shown up after 3 hrs, we finally found our waitperson to ask and were told the kitchen had made an error and the order had been given to someone else. in other words, the service was unacceptable. To their credit when we spoke to the manager our meal was completely comped. This happened on a Tuesday, the restaurant was packed and clearly they did not have staff properly trained. It was really a shame and we sincerely hope they get their act together so that we can return and enjoy the spectacular food.
(2)Irene C.
Loved this restaurant! Decor was simple but elegant. Outside seating is also great with views of the marina. Food was excellent. I was told that the sushi was average so we ordered a few appetizers, main entrees and desserts. Here is what we got: Cold appetizer: Tuna pizza - tuna sashimi on a thin cracker crust with thin slices of onions, thin slices of jalapenos and baby cilantro. This was delicious. Hot appetizer: Rock shrimp - two different kinds of rock shrimp served with a coconut ranch dipping sauce. Very good and highly recommended. Entrees: Duck, duck, duck - duck served three different ways. Duck meatball soup, duck confit eggroll and thick slices of tender duck. This dish my mother-in-law ordered. She said this dish was average. Not too impressed with this dish and she loooooooves duck. Surf and turf - prime filet with tuna sashimi, served with a potato puree. This dish was sooooo good. Everything was very good. Seafood Toban Yaki - my husband ordered this dish and really loved it. It is on the spicer side so if you don't like spicy, have them prepare with less spice. Desserts: Choco peanut cake and the semi freddo. Both were very delicious. Light in sugar so you felt like you could have more and more! Choco peanut dessert had a 24-carat gold flake on it. Very fancy. Yummy too!! I went into this restaurant expecting to pay a lot. Total of two appetizers, three entrees, and two desserts, plus drinks, our tab came out to around $200. But hey, I'm on vacation!!!
(4)Marty R.
My husband would have rated this place a little better than me, but he can write his own review. Here's why I'm giving it only three stars: 1 - be sure to order a specialty cocktail, especially one of the ones with shochu and yuzu, like the White Lily or the Kai Kiss. They're wonderful, delicate and tasty. They're priced high and come only in standard martini-size, but they're still worth it, they're so good. 2 - the decor is lovely. The chairs are very 'moderne', but comfortable and the color palatte is again, delicate and lovely. We had a 9pm res, and were only two of a few on the patio under the fairy lights and were the last to leave, it was pretty romantic. 3 - the service is so-so. Our first attendant (don't know if he was a bus boy or a server) was very friendly, but didn't make it clear that we were going to be charged for the bottle of water he was bringing ($7) and then proceeded to spray the woman at the next table with it when he opened it and then spilled half of it on our table during the pour. Because we lost 1/2 of it, we had to order another and were not compensated for the loss of the 1st bottle. Also, our actual order-taker was not very helpful in steering us with good suggestions, describing the dishes and helping us to not over-order. She was no help. I refrained from ordering a pricey entree and stuck to a couple of appetizers, still over-ordered and over-spent. 4 - I tried to question her about the sushi, in particular as the selections were pretty standard (crab & avocado, eel & avocado, softshell crab maki, tuna nigiri) and for the higher prices was trying to determine if the Morimoto 'touch' was going to make them more special in some way. It doesn't. HINT: if you can't discern what's a homemade soy sauce from a bottle of good Kikkoman, or can't recognize when a grain of rice is 'hand-polished', then stay away from ordering the sushi. You won't find it any better than you'll find at your favorite hometown sushi restaurant for 1/2 the price. 5 - However, DO order the magyu beef carpaccio! It's like buttah, and you'll be scarfing it down wishing you had another 1/2 lb of it. Also, the sashimi caesar salad, which my husband had, was very special and definitely worth ordering. The two of these items together would have made a very nice light meal. NOTE: I just checked out the photos here and they show the magyu beef "tartare" with a pretty cauliflower souffle and bits of cauliflower with it. I did not get the dish that looked like that. I got ONLY the beef with hot oil. Now I'm feeling even more ripped off. 6 - the miso soup was just okay. It was very delicate (unfortunately lacking in the stronger miso flavor that I order the soup for in other restaurants). 7 - ANOTHER HINT: be sure to tell them in your Open Table reservation that it's a special day of some kind and they'll treat you with a small scoop of some ice cream or sorbet on a pretty plate. We also ordered the roasted pineapple cake with pineapple 'salsa' and it was very good. 8 - All in all, I wish I had foregone the appetizers (except the carpaccio) and gone with the crispy skin salmon (which they were out of by the time we arrived), the steak or the surf and turf. I think I would have been happier for having eaten in a Morimoto restaurant if I had done that. Come to think of it, I've eaten at four Food Network allstars restaurants (Bobby Flay, Guy Fieri, Morimoto, Tyler Florence) and only Guy Fieri did not dissappoint. But that's another review...
(3)Jenn T.
I came here for a nice family dinner and heard that this restaurant promises amazing dishes with a cool atmosphere. Immediately as I walked into the restaurant, I noticed a very modern decor and feel to the restaurant. It kinda feels like your eating in an IKEA! It was very unique. As soon as we sat at our table, I noticed that there is a very open kitchen, where you can view the chefs creating dishes and they are very lively! On the other side of the restaurant is a nice view of the harbor and has an amazing view of the sunset during the right hours. We sat down and browsed the menu, which looked delicious! I wanted to try so many things, but obviously, time & money wise, I could not. We ended up getting a few appetizers, the morimoto sashimi appetizer, the whitefish carpaccio and the toro tartar. I was for one, really impressed with the unique presentation of each dish. They were are meticulously plated and designed with style!! They also had this creative idea behind them that you could mix and match sauces to go with the sashimi, which I though was really cool! For my entree, I decided to go with the rack of lamb. It was well cooked and great! My brother got the duck duck duck, which was also great as well. For dessert, we went with the tofu hot & cold. I know, at first I was like tofu for dessert?! But it's actually a soufflé and a cheesecake dish with a creative name. It was an extremely light dessert and goes amazing with coffee. They serve organic kona coffee, the exact same brew that they serve at the white house! (at least thats what our waiter said!). yelp.com/user_local_phot… I also ordered Moriomoto's own beer! It's apparently made from soba noodles, which sounds crazy to me! It was awesome, light and delicious! I suggest you try it! yelp.com/user_local_phot… The restaurant has a very contemporary feel to it. The service is wonderful and our waiter was very helpful with all of our questions. It was a great fine dining experience. The prices are a bit steep though for the type & quantity of food you get, but I think you pay for the unique concept of the dish and the amazing presentation it comes with. My one regret is that Morimoto himself was not present!! I had heard from other peoples experiences that he was there! :(
(4)Nikki C.
Been there twice. Once to have drinks with my husband and the other was a company dinner. Wasn't impressed....both times. The first time, I just had drinks and sushi...nothing special and my husband had a beer that was 32 bucks. Something we couldve got at Tamura's for way less. And as for the second time. Well I ordered fish,....I though it was going to be like a filet thing....NO! It was the WHOLE FISH!! And it was staring at me and it looked MAD....haha. Just couldn't do it....I ended up going home HUNGRY. Oh...and I was told by everyone that I asked that I didn't get what I ordered.....
(3)Mary B.
I was a guest of the Modern and was treated to a complete tasting menu. All I can say is the food was amazingly prepared and it was quite a task to complete the dessert. Braised black cod, the angry chicken moist and succulent, tuna pizza who would have thought this could exist, and the assorted nigiri and maki sushi exceptionally fresh. This was Friday night and next door the fireworks could be seen from the deck. The haupia semifreddo and chocolate caramel tart presentation was over the top. We were also served the white lily cocktail in a sexy martini glass. The service was impeccable and the waiters explained every dish and it's components. What a treat in Waikiki!
(5)Hannah H.
I felt like I was just living a nightmare, but no, I just had dinner with my mother at Morimoto. This is my second time dining here (and I've had takeout several times). We booked a 5:30 reservation on Open Table and as we arrived I requested an outdoor table. The Hostess appeared annoyed and escorted us back to the lobby, told us to sit down, and explained that she needed to talk to the Hostess about seating. Wait, I thought she was the Hostess????? Note: It was 5:30 the restaurant was DEAD. I'm an early bird eater. After several minutes the frazzled girl came back to us and escorted us to a table outside. My mom and I each ordered a glass of the Pino Grigio ($12 per glass) and my goodness it looked like we were just drinking samplers of the wine. Next we ordered the Crab Rolls, Shrimp Tempura, and California Rolls. The waiter rolled his eyes as I placed our order and seemed incredibly frustrated that yes, this is all we wanted to eat for dinner. My mom and I felt incredibly embarrassed and neither of us were ever treated so poorly in our entire lives. He said he would leave the menu if we wanted to order more after we made it clear that our order would suffice. Please, 18 pieces of Sushi between two skinny women is plenty. No I don't want to order any thing else off the menu; raw fish doesn't appeal to me. Yuck. The sushi didn't take too long but we felt that we've had better; it tasted like it had been sitting around from lunch time. The one time our waiter asked us if we needed anything else my mom asked for more "Pickle Ginger" as we were given a teeny tiny amount that wouldn't even cover one roll. Needless to say, during our 45 minute dining nightmare the Ginger never arrived and the waiter never checked in with us again. Now, I have dined at many fancy expensive restaurants, please I lived in LA for four years and have dined with and among celebrities, and I will tell you that I have never been treated this way in my entire life. Not only was there a terrible atmosphere among the restaurant and staff, but there were several guys on either side of our table shining plates and glasses. Akward. It amazes me that more attention was given to the glasses and silverware than the diners in the restaurant. My advice to you is don't walk from Morimoto, RUN!!!!! I will never, ever, EVER dine at Morimoto again and I do not recommend it. My family and I are from SF, but we own property across the street from this restaurant and we will continue to spread the word. There are so many outstanding restaurants in Waikiki so I won't shed any tears on this one. I hope Management can get their priorities in order (and focus on the diners and the whole dining experience) or this place will continue to sink faster than the Titanic.
(1)natasha m.
I went to eat there on Valentines day. My overall opinion was Alright. The place is pretty fancy and nice, but the food was okay. We got the scallops, lobster, and steamed salmon. The food was way too pricy for the amount of food.
(3)Larry B.
I didn't ever think I'd be the kind of guy who used words like surreal and transcendent when it came to a meal or a dish. I guess it's because in this world of fast food, slow food, fine food and everything in between, we often forget what really good food tastes like. Morimoto represents a new standard of restaurant in Hawaii much like the advent of new technology, lap tops turning into ipads, and big bulky TVs becoming less than an inch thick, it will no longer be enough for places like Alan Wongs to charge big money for really small bites of food. I think having restaurants in NYC and dealing with that level of competition, really helps an establishment to get out of the small town mentality that Hawaii often produces, and allows the resturant and chef to compete on an international stage. But enough about that, let's get to the food. Sushi was immaculate. Best aji and scallop nigiri I have ever tasted. Ever! Shockingly good lamb carpaccio, ruby red with scallions garlic and chive oil. Ahi pastrami, raw and crusted with spice, balanced by an unexpected and delightful combination of creme freshe and dried sweet olives. Like the restaurants bright decor of whites and lime greens, everything sort of comes together in harmony with the browns of the wood floors and the blue of the sky and harbor outside on the observation deck. I see myself here on a Saturday sipping sake and beer while getting a bite to eat before heading to the new club they are going to have in the hotel as well. Moving on, the king crab legs on the ap menu were succulent and spicy, and I think the star of the show was the cod. Sweet, fresh, and strangely went really well with my kona ipa. It was as if the Iron Chef himself had been the one preparing every dish, slaving away in his lab like clean kitchen producing these jewels of flavor just for us. Oh snap he was. That's right, Morimoto was back there overseeing the kitchen, and to insure your in good hands when he's not in town his executive chef for the Waikiki location was one of the guys battling beside him for food supremacy in kitchen stadium for years. See what I mean about surreal! They officially open on the 28th of September. Try to get there before the month long waiting list begins.
(5)Gayle N.
Loved the look! The drinks are over-rated and over-priced. We (2) were there for about 35 minutes and had 3 cocktails and one piece each sushi which I must say tasted over-priced. I could have gotten the same "quality" at a better price had I gone to Shirokiya. Will think twice before going there ever again. Got to have that moola and not be afraid to use it!
(2)Michelle N.
Took my mom to dinner here tonight and she said everything was excellent! From the service to the food & I couldn't agree with her more!! We ordered hamachi tacos, kakuni, wagyu carpaccio, oyster foie gras, takoyaki, seafood tobanyaki, and Australian wagyu filet. Personally the oyster foie gras was my favorite! My mom couldn't pick because she loved everything! She said it was the best meal she had in years! We will definitely be coming back in the near future.
(5)Rick B.
Great place for sushi and drinks.
(4)Hellsaint D.
went for breakfest, decent but pricey
(3)Kevin C.
It's pricey, but it's damn good.
(4)Patrick O.
Food was just OK. I was expecting it to be really great. Our party of four ordered 3 appetizers the calamari Salad (which was very good) three of the signature dishes to be served family style and three desserts. We also had two presses of coffee after dinner and several cocktails and a bottle of wine. Our bill was$422 which I thought was reasonable for what we ordered ($500 with tip.) What surprised me was the lack of service at this place. There was enough staff but IMHO they were not well trained. None of the servers had any proper table skills. When I asked that the table side preparation of yellowtail "Buri Bop" be served, the young kid just kind of looked at me and said "well there's a spoon and fork on the table for you". Undeterred, I asked our waitress if she wouldn't mind portioning out the entree so we could all experience the dish, she hesitated but fumbled her way through and got each of us a fairly equal portion by scraping it from the bowl to each plate. Unfortunately it was just not the experience I was expecting. Food was basically just tossed on the table any old way and no care was taken to serve from the proper side or clear from the proper side, etc. GREAT LOCATION- We arrived at sunset on a Friday evening and sat in the outdoor lounge area while waiting for our table. We enjoyed the comfortable seating area the great cocktails and appetizer and of course the Friday evening fireworks were a big hit. I would return here for drinks and PUPU's but probably not for dinner. Just too much hype and too high priced for a very subpar dining experience. I expected more Morimoto San
(3)Daniel L.
Amazing food, great service, great ambiance - 10s all around. I especially liked the appetizers - the sashimi salad was fantastic.
(5)Sharelle C.
Ate here last night. Very nice atmosphere on the inside and outside was very cozy as there were couches next to the small center fireplaces. Dinner for two including tip was about $200 with drinks, appetizers, entrees, and desserts. The Ginja Lychee martini was very good. My boyfriend ordered his usual beer (Sapporo and Beach Bikini Blonde). The maki sushi was common. I think next time we'll order the sashimi instead. The poke was very rich and flavorful. For entrees, we ordered the Seafood Toban Yaki and the Surf & Turf. The toban yaki was a little spicy but in a good way. The spicy red-miso sake broth complimented the seafood nicely along with some toasted bread to dip into the broth. According to my boyfriend, the surf and turf was the best prime filet he's ever tasted. The sweet potato puree with salt crusted fingerlings was a nice balance to the dish along with the morimoto style poke. For dessert, we ordered morimoto's green tea blend (a nice palette clenser) with the tofu hot and cold for my boyfriend and the chocolate caramel dessert (not listed on the website dessert menu). The hot and cold tofu was interesting. It was sweet and the flavors balanced. The chocolate caramel dessert was gooey but in a good way. Both desserts came with dehydrated chocolate that simple melts at the touch of your toungue. The service was very on point, polite, and we enjoyed our overall experience. we will definitely be returning here over and over again. Oh and if you're lucky, Chef Morimoto will step out of the kitchen and walk around for a while to meet with his guests and for photo opportunities. It was late when we finished our meal and Chef was just starting his. We didnt want to disturb him so I guess we'll just have to catch him at another time.
(5)nikki m.
this review is based on 2 dining experiences. dinner #1 was with my favorite mike for his birthday. mind you, my partner does not like to celebrate getting older and therefore was not nearly as excited to try morimoto's as i was (mostly for fear he would be embarrassed by singing staff & free dessert with sparklers). i assured him that morimotos was not that kinda venue. dinner # 2 was with one of my besties. food first, then commentary on how these 2 dining experiences differed. collectively i have sampled: rock shrimp tempura: 2 coatings, a wasabi ailoli and kochujang aioli. the little buggers were crispy & light on the outside, warm & tender on the inside. neither aoili was as spicy as i would have liked, but the dish was satisfying & portion wise quite a lot. it was served with a refreshing coconut ranch dip. white fish carpacio: super DELISH! tender fish, yummy yet not overpowering sauce, and nice pile o'greens. tako carpacio: super super DELISH. i have never sampled tako that was so tender & tasty abalone tako yaki: perfect savory puff donuts in an herb butter sauce. tasty indeed, though i could not really tell that they were filled with abolone vs. tako pork kakuni: first thought, why so tiny? but this little morsel packed some serious flavor punch. sauce that initially seemed too sweet was a delightful compliment to that ultra tender pork belly goodness. ahi pizza: 'signature dish' according to our server. tuna was o' so fresh and the thinly sliced jalapeno was a nice compliment. oyster fois gras: this i did not sample...can't do the slimy thing, but miss melon raved that this app was divine. surf & turf: felt like i was a guest judge on iron chef when the dish was placed before us. wagyu beef with onion reduction was tender & tasty. the surf was morimoto's version of poke, which included ahi, fresh mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, avocado sorbet, and bonito foam. then there was the Okinawan mashed potatoes, full o' butter, and studded with other fingerlings that looked like space rocks. so cool! chu-toro: melt in your mouth YUMMY! drinks: 2 thumbs up for morimotini...a cucumber infused martini that was not at all frou frou and packed some vodka / sake punch. Morimoto's version of rogue beer was tasty too! Service: night 1 was kinda blah, which sucked since it was a special occasion. even though i had noted that it was my partner's birthday when making the reservation, this was never acknowledged by any of the staff. we were off to a great start, but somewhere between the 1st & 2nd appetizer, things took a turn for the worse. 30 minutes with no food, no water refills, and no refresher on our cocktail order. finally, someone other than our primary server took notice and stepped in. apparently our ticket order was lost, which happens sometimes...no biggie. but the fact that our server was MIA for so long and pretty unapologetic when he reappeared irked us both. once the oops was noticed, the rest of the evening flowed well. i would have marked 1 star lower, but i think we just happened to get the one not so stellar sever that evening. those that came to his rescue were professional, knowledgeable, and friendly. night 2 was a goldilocks experience...just right. knowledgeable and friendly server (Karen) who was there when we needed her, but not overly up in our space. not only that, but surrounding staff was attentive, noticing when our beer or sake was low and making sure to help us keep the libations flowing. all in all I *heart* morimoto's. i dare say that it surpasses nobu's in my humble estimation. the apprentice steps ahead of his mentor!
(5)Riley O.
Hello from sunny Waikiki. Ever get that dick feeling? Haha In all seriousness, my wife and I were really looking forward to trying out this place as we've had decent eating sessions at the various Nobu's and Koi's of the world. Morimoto's seemed to embody these places with a Japanese/Korean blowtorch. We purposely avoided going to Morimoto's on our 1st night (to let some anticipation build) at The Modern Hotel in Waikiki and even ignored the menu in advance because we wanted to be pleasantly surprised by just diving in. Hell, we were in Hawaii and there IS a fish auction here, which would make for some strong sashimi right? Our selections and opinions were: *Hamachi tartare (best thing we ordered, remarkable presentation and taste) *Yellowtail pastrami (it had a funk to it) *Maguro (it had a black cod funk to it) *Soft shell crab maki (my wife liked this) *Kani maki (and she also liked this) *Spicy King Crab (this came with a "not mentioned" on the menu and "unwanted" side of French Fries. one crab leg had a slight funk to its taste.) *Black Cod (with a Soy ginger reduction and a lot of bones. This dish mentioned that pickled peppers came with this dish. what we got were two pepper skins (one green, one red) in the shape and size of a postage stamp, maybe smaller.) *Creamy rock shrimp tempura (i am bummed that something like this was great, because everyone loves tempura and these little nuggets were like Dunkin' Donuts munchkins in a good way. there were two varieties as well, one in a kim chee spiced glaze and the other as a sweet wasabi coating.) *Sake and Morimoto's own Soba Buckwheat Ale brewed by the Rogue company in Newport, OR. (his brew and food will make you feel your pulse in your fingers post meal) Our "lead" server was insecure, left us alone for most of the evening, and was impatient with our simple questions about the menu. At one point, we hadn't finished eating our Hamachi tartare appetizer that included a much lauded single micro peach to cleanse our palettes. We asked our server politely if we could try that peach and she replies abruptly with, "We'll bring out more peaches..." that didn't happen until an hour later. That made for good laughter throughout the meal. After $200 +, we left feeling weighed down by the salty experiments, Mondrian-esque pretension and felt like we got screwed by the entire experience, but hey, onto the next eatery... Bottom line the experience was a Mori-no-no.
(2)I. K.
I've been here twice. The first time I've only had a couple of rolls, average stuff at a premium price. The next time I was in a group of six, and we got a couple of chef's combinations, which included some excellent rolls and sashimi accompanied by excellent sake. After all that we had some desserts, which I personally didn't appreciate all that much so I am giving the place an overall 4 stars.
(4)Joo S.
food - 3 stars service - 3 stars decor/ambiance - 5 stars i was pretty disappointed in this place. went here for my birthday dinner in december, and i was soooo excited to try iron chef morimoto's food. my girlfriends treated me to the omakase tasting, which included morimoto's famous toro/hamachi duo, a snapper appetizer, bagna cauda "hot bath," foie gras chawan mushi, assorted sushi, lobster/kobe beef/pork entree, and dessert. you could tell that presentation is really important for morimoto. everything looked better than it tasted. the toro/hamachi course and dessert were my favorites...the rest were forgettable. the foie gras chawan mushi was good but lukewarm by the time i got it. i've had better sushi, considering they fly their sushi straight from tsukiji market. the service was so spotty that my friends and i were all getting our appetizers and entrees at different times, and during dinner, some of us had food to eat while some didn't. it was weird. i've never experienced service like that before. one of the servers noticed that the pacing of my tasting was a little slow so she asked them to speed up the service...so all of a sudden i got my chawan mushi, palette cleanser, and sushi all at once! i was overwhelmed. we were really grateful to that server though because she really got the ball rolling with our meals. nevertheless, we were pretty shocked to find out that dinner was over three hours, which we didn't think it should have been. i must give kudos to the chef for the desserts. we got to try 3-4 different desserts, plus i got my omakase one. the desserts were devoured so fast you would've thought the 7 of us didn't eat dinner! my dessert was my favorite - imo ice cream with kabocha souffle and imo foam. so good! if not for the food, i would go back for the ambiance/decor. i'm a sucker for visuals. i loved the beautiful open space and the use of organic and earthy elements. lots of white, wood, and flowers...sexy!
(3)Janice F.
"Iron Chef Moooooorimoto!" How can I not visit? Hawaii is the closest I'm going to get to Japan in a long time, so I had to make reservations at the newly opened Morimoto Waikiki. For the entire experience, setting, service, ambiance, and food - I'm going to give this five stars although based strictly on food, I would give it a 4 star. The setting is lovely, on the marina side of the Edition hotel. We got there just as dusk was setting in and sat on the patio - it is much more serene and relaxing than sitting inside the somewhat noisy dining room. You do miss out on the action from their open kitchen though. Modern, white, zen-like decor with firepits, tents, clear acrylic chopsticks, with rock place holders. You could hold a very nice wedding reception here without having to spend a dime on additional decor. There are a LOT of staff in this restaurant. Our waitress was very pleasant, each dish is presented by a different person with a brief description and then followed-up by the waitress. And finally.. here's what I ate: Toro tartare $28 - fascinating presentation. The tartare (excellent toro quality) is finely chopped, almost with a ground up texture - spread out thinly onto a wooden board, propped up against a bowl of ice. I was super confused about where the tartare was because all I could focus on was the condiments. You're given a small plate with different layers of crispy rice ball puffs, dashi soy, avocado cream, wasabi, creme fraiche and a savoury paste I think made of nori (very tasty). Also a sweet preserved plum is served with it. Experiment to find your favourite combination. I liked it best with the rice puffs, avocado, a bit of wasabi, and a fair amount of the miso paste. You scrape a bit of the tartare onto a little wooden paddle and then dip into the condiments. Morimoto style poke $18 - interesting interpretation, but not exceptionally tasty. Great quality poke, served with a very subtle wasabi sorbet, a visually pleasant but non-functional dashi foam, bocconcini (which really didn't work for me) and the best cherry tomatoes I've ever had. They cherry tomatoes are peeled, marinated in olive oil and very sweet. Best part of this appy. Foie gras chawan mush $16 - this has got to be the best cross-over dish ever thought of. Foie flavoured egg custard, sounds rather unpleasant but it is one of the most brilliant implementations of foie I've ever had. The custard is so mild, silky and just flavoured enough with foie that you don't get overwhelmed by the inherent richness of foie. Delicious, with a slightly thick dashi sauce. Served with a superfluous piece of duck breast. I would not eat the wasabi with this appy. It's a more upscale, better done version than I had at Raku in Vegas. Of course, it's also double the price. Definitely worth it. Oyster foie gras $20 - the sum is not greater than the parts in this case. I didn't quite get it. The terriyaki sauce is ordinary and overwhelming. On its own, the oyster, foie, and uni were all quite tasty and fresh quality, particularly the uni. Eaten together, all I could taste was oyster and terriyaki. I would give this a pass next time. Hot green tea soba with shrimp and veggie tempura $18 - this was our "filler" dish. The noodles are nicely green tea flavoured, but I guess I just don't like the slightly grainy soba texture that much. Broth and tempura were good, but not exceptional. *Desserts!* My favourite part of the meal! Haupia semifreddo $12 - green tea and coconut heaven!! This was a near-perfect dessert. Coconut semifreddo, served on top of a green tea meringue (slightly dry and too sweet, but still good) with cubes of clear coconut jelly and a bit of real honeycomb. Tofu hot and cold $12 - pleasantly surprised!! When given such brief descriptions as cheesecake, souffle, and cherry sorbet - I had no idea what to expect. The hot version was the souffle and it was deliciously creamy but light - slightly honey-flavoured. Fantastic paired with the sour cherry sorbet. The cold version of the cheesecake didn't wow me as much, but tastes a lot more appetizing than "tofu cheesecake" might sound. This was one of the most fun and interesting meals I've had all year, so for that - thanks Iron Chef Morimoto!!
(5)Cicie W.
This is the first time I'm at an iron chef's restaurant, so naturally I expected a lot. When I came in and realized the restaurant wasn't full, I was honestly a bit worried. Where I'm from in San Francisco, good restaurants are always packed on a saturday night. I wasn't so deterred since I was still excited. The food here is definitely different. I like how it's very much about the freshness of the food and Morimoto really brought out the authenticity of everything that was served. The presentation is definitely a 5 star; it's just one of the best I've seen. The tofu made at table side was pretty cool, so was the Ahi tar tar. Portion is on the generous side for an upscale restaurant, so we ordered too much food. For the entree, I got the fried whole fish with tofu and pickled daikon. so I was really full afterward. The ambiance was great and service was top notch. Definitely a very pretty restaurant and good place to go on a date. Overall, it was good, but I wasn't blown away. Was it worth the money? I don't know, I guess so. It's definitely a different take on food and I enjoyed it, but it wasn't like the best meal of my life like I was hoping for. My friend that went to Morimoto's in Napa kind of said the same thing, now I know what they mean. After watching so many episodes of Iron Chef, I just expected more. Maybe that's why Morimoto's in on TV, the food definitely looks better than it tastes.
(4)Jamie M.
A-FKING AH-MAZING. Please excuse my language, but it was a great fine dining experience. From the beginning to the very end of our meal, it was so enjoyable and fun! We had reservations at 8:15PM. We arrived at 8PM and waited about 5 minutes before getting seated. The decor was ultra sheek, very open space, and modern. When you walk in, it feels like you could be walking into a club. The bar on the left. The kitchen/sushi bar on the right. There is also patio/outdoor seating. If you prefer to have a social drink and just cruise, you can go outside sit on these comfy couches by the bonfire pit. OH and gaze out into the stars and the view of Hawaiii's marina. Or you can relax cabana style as well. The newly renovated hotel, along with the restaurant, makes you feel like you're in a resort but at the same time feel like you're in the city. After being seated, we looked through the menu. Paul, our waiter was awesome! He was very informative & thoroughly knew the menu and the food. We even got to chat with him and found out he moved from South Africa & he loves to surf! Anyway, THE ORDER: I decided to go big and order the Omakase Chef's Choice for $110 per person. Whuaaat?! I love Iron Chef and Morimoto! Come to think about it, I was drinking his beer the other day (it was great btw)! The Omakase is a 7-course menu that lasts about 2 hours long! This course allowed me to get the basic essence of Morimoto's menu! I loved it! But because this was a 2 hour menu, Paul helped my fellow dinner companions to coordinate their food so I won't be eating by myself or their watching me eat and vice versa. Another star for Paul and his services. I will trrrry to name all of my dishes, but I believe the pictures will do better justice. 1st course - Tuna tartar 2nd course- Seared Hamachi (i believe) 3rd course - Artichoke & oil dip (i forget the name?!) 4th course - Froie Gras with a slice of Duck CLEANSER - some kind of seaweed tea 5th course - Sushi/Sashimi sampler 6th course - Surf & turf (lobster, beef, and pork) 7th course - Desert (2): this tofu jelly && Okinawa pumpkin pie ice cream It felt like I was one of those judges on Iron Chef trying all of Morimoto's creations. It was a great experience overall and worth every penny! I loved the seared hamachi! The oil, shoyu sauce, and taste of the hamachi was soOOO good! It was one of those experiences, where you take a bite and you had to close your eyes because of it's utter greatness in your mouth. I also enjoyed the froi gras, sushi/sashimi sampler, surf & turf, and the deserts. Maaan i loved everything!! I wanted to hug Morimoto himself, but because he wasn't there, I guess I had to settle with hugging myself (: Anyway, my fellow companions ordered the Poke appetizer, the Kakuni, Soft Shell Crab, and the fried Hamachi Kama. Even with my 7-course menu, I got to chance to taste each of the dishes. Poke SO fresh! Hamachi Kama cooked to perfection! Kakuni slow cooked for 10 hours! GOSSSH! Should I even continue talking about the food because I'm already itching to go back. ALL very exceptional & delectable dishes. Besides our water, we ordered the Tozai Snow Maiden Nigori. At first we were undecided, but they had a sake specialist help us decide what sake to go with. High class status, ya?! The Nigori will be my all time favorite. It was something you can just sip on without feeling like you had to take it as a shot because it could be too strong. Nopes, it was a sip & chill drink. It was very smooth and milky. Very appropriate for our meal. Moving on to the service, like I mentioned earlier Paul, was an A plus waiter. On top of that, everyone else kept our waters filled/ They never left our waters any lower than half way. Took our finished dishes away at appropriate times. Very nice & courteous. Explained our dishes upon serving. Everyone seemed to be working & keeping busy. We were definitely impressed with our overall dining experience. I guess the restaurant just opened last Tuesday from what one of the waiters were telling us. They are currently going through a soft opening and then a grand opening will occur at the end of the month? I think?! I forget now. By the time we left, I was so full and ready to go to sleep because I was struck with food coma. If this is a soft opening so far, then they are OFF to a great start!! The experience, the food, the service was well worth the price. Within range to average fine dining places. i heart this place. thank you.
(5)John O.
What can I say...WOW!!! I absolutely love this place! I have yet to have an entree here, but will soon. I have my taste buds set for the rack of lamb. The first time I came here I had lunch at their bar. They make a good Shochu Mojito. I had a fresh ahi tuna sandwich that came with a side salad and seasoned fries. Very tasty. The second time I chose to sit at their sushi bar and try some of their rolls. At first I thought I could just sit there without a reservation. It was not very busy at the sushi bar but was quickly informed that I needed a reservation. The host took down my name and immediately sat me. At the sushi bar, you could order from the full menu or just sushi or both. I opted just for the sushi. I had the fresh crab roll and the tempura roll. Both were delicious and came with fresh cut ginger. All of the ingredients were of course fresh. I thought the price for the rolls were reasonable. This place is a must try. Please be warned that some of the prices are a bit high, but the experience of eating at this place will more than make up for it.
(5)Mike K.
good but small portions.. sushi sucks i wouldnt recommend it you might as well go to sasabune or mitchs for that price ...
(4)Beth-Ann M.
I want to love this place...and I do love some of the things about it. The food is really delicious. The decor is awesome too! I have been coming here since it opened-maybe 8-10 times so far. The problem I have with it is the service. For a restaurant of this caliber the service should be top notch but at Morimoto's Honolulu it is just not up to par. There is a lot of waiting...for everything..and while some of the staff know a lot about the menu, some of them can't tell you what a listed ingredient on their menu is! I have talked with the management a number of times about the service and while they are very polite, I am not seeing any improvement. I really hope they get the staff up to standard because I truly do like to eat here but am embarrassed to bring any friends here due to the poor service at high prices. Please, Morimoto-step it up a notch!
(3)Steven G.
Went there for my girlfriends birthday. It was so loud in there we couldn't even talk. Tables are also too wide seemed like she was across the room. Portions were too small, had to order dessert just to fill up. I will not be back Thank you for the response. I had the Hamachi rice bowl and my girlfriend had the Duck dish.
(2)Sue T.
I was there last night. I'm in on a trip from the mainland and I will begin by saying I'm a restaurant owner and a trained chef who's been in the food and bev industry for 30+ years. I was very much looking forward to taking out a dear friend to celebrate his business success. I called the restaurant and made a reso for 8:15. We arrived early, planning on a few cocktails at the bar....the young lady could not find our reservation. Her repeated questions, asking us to spell the last name, asking who I spoke to, peering into her touch screen with a troubled look....not good. The dining room was half empty, so we asked them to try and figure it out and we proceeded to the bar. Will was our mixologist. He was such a congenial, consummate professional. He and my companion fell easily into conversation on all things local and culinary. Drinks were wonderful. After a short time we were escorted to our table. After being seated so we could see the kitchen, we ordered....just two courses with open minds as to more. My companion then saw someone he knew, a food runner named Matt. Such a nice young man. He brought us some superlative sake and a small tasting plate thoroughly enjoyed with our cocktails. This is where it goes off the rails. Between the small plate delicacy and our appetizer, the wait was inordinately long. I sat and entertained myself as I watched the tickets go up, the food runners run, and servers seemingly do the same. Approximately 40 minutes later we received our appetizers. They were very good, and I decided to forgive the long wait, knowing that the server had given the order fire for our entrees. Alas not to be. We called it a day after waiting another 40 minutes. Our server came by the table and sheepishly told us our entrees would be out shortly as my companion went to the bar to settle the bill. As we were rising to leave the food runner brought out our fare. We sent it back. Will was very gracious as we took our exit Being in this business as well, I can tell you that if I had a two course ticket hang time of 1 hour + I would probably blow a vein. I'm very sorry to have experienced the venue this way and I'm uncertain as to where the breakdown exactly took place. I wish you luck and perhaps I will try you again when I'm on O'ahu again. The stars go to the bar and to food runner Matt
(2)Krista J.
Awesome place! The place itself is beautiful. Great dishes. Get the omakase! The chef is truly amazing. I love this restaurant. Went here for my birthday and keep going back. Super friendly staff too!
(5)Trisha G.
What an amazing experience. It's such a complete culinary experience both in taste and presentation. Located in the Modern Hotel, it's not surprising that the dining room is extremely modern. The restaurant is only a short walk from the valet. The dining room has both indoor and outdoor seating which allows for both a luxury and casual feel at the same time. Don't ask me how, but I liked it. The food was amazing. I went in with high expectations since this is an Iron Chef's restaurant in our hometown featuring local ingredients. To get a good taste of everything we ordered the Omakase, a selection of sake and some lychee cocktails for me. Omakase was the chef's choice of 8 courses running the gamut of protein from seafood to beef to pork to duck. The menu consisted of (1) toro tartare, (2) hot oil hamachi sashimi, (3) bagna cauda, (4) foie gras chawanmushi, (5) sea kelp tea palate cleanser, (6) assorted nigiri sushi, (7) main course of keyhole lobster, wagyu beef, pork tenderloin, (8) dessert: butter mochi & banana ice cream. Seriously, it was all amazing, drinks included. Without getting too into the whole menu, I'll talk about my faves.. TORO TARTARE was something I was waiting for and it did not disappoint. Toro deliciousness with all kinds of condiments (nori paste, fresh ground wasabi, arare, guacamole, and more). And it came in a bamboo dish in the most beautiful presentation. HOT OIL HAMACHI SASHIMI was also simple with hot oil and shoyu, but beautifully presented to showcase the taste of the fish. I wish there was a whole plate of it instead of the three delicate pieces on the plate. BAGNA CAUDA which is a blend of anchovies and foie gras topped with oil that comes to your table heated by a candle. All kinds of yummy veggies, chicken and bread to dip. Unexpected taste which made me wish I could have more. This is obviously a pricey meal, but the whole experience was wonderful. Note, that if you want a quick meal, this is not what you should order. The whole thing took 3 hours. It was exciting and calming. I'm also very impressed by the knowledgable staff.
(4)April F.
Morimoto has an absolutely gorgeous set up. It was spacious, lots of natural light flowed in, and there were lovely, pale colored curtains that lifted gently with the ocean breeze. The food, however, tasted ordinary. It wasn't bad. It just wasn't great, either. My pineapple mojito managed to be light and refreshing despite the alcohol content. The cucumber in my avocado rolls was sliced and added in such a way that it wasn't overbearing and basically yelling, "I'm here! Ruining the texture of your avocado roll!" The inari was actually the best I'd had, something I attribute to the texture not being rubbery and the flavor being light and just right. Still, nothing that I tasted really stood out. This was not one of those places where I am already planning my next trip before I leave, or literally dreaming of the food while I sleep (yes, I dream of food. I can't be the only one!) I wouldn't avoid this place, but it's not my first choice of eateries, either.
(2)Kim M.
This is one of my more favorite hotel restaurants on the island - not so much for the sushi or entrees, but more for the appetizers: FOIE GRAS CHAWAN MUSHI ($17) With duck breast, fresh wasabi, and sweet dashi soy. This is better than any chawan mushi I've ever had. I loved the flavors and mild creaminess. And, it wasn't too rich! YOSE DOFU ($19) Fresh tofu prepared tableside, accompanied by a kimchee broth/sauce, dashi, and other side garnishes. I love this tofu. Not only is it fresh, it's also pretty neat to have it made right at the table. Haha. I mean, the production itself isn't very exciting bc it has to remain covered... But it seems almost kind of magical. WAGYU CARPACCIO ($22) With hot oil, ginger, and yuzu soy. I love the yuzu flavor with the wagyu. It's a really superb combo. The three appetizers above are probably my favorite appetizers at the restaurant. I like some other dishes, too, but I will spare you the details. :P REASONABLE Anyway, I think Morimoto is pretty reasonable in terms of price (especially for this type of restaurant with the fancy ambiance, view, etc.). OPEN TABLE Morimoto Waikiki is an OpenTable restaurant, so grab those points. VERDICT It's kind of weird I haven't dined at Morimoto Waikiki more, but I guess I will. I've been here a few times now and have had pleasant experiences each time. Good food, great service, and a lovely ambiance at a fairly reasonable price. Thumbs up.
(4)Christie C.
Awesome. Just awesome. Service by a guy named Martin absolutely impeccable and delightful, sushi I had was outstanding, views are stunning, decor is minimalist and perfect, and overall this place is just "to a tee," if you get my drift. While some entrees are rather pricey, I felt my food was totally reasonable. 16$ for a glass of lovely chardonnay, 20$ for two maki rolls (totally filling) and I think 7$ for a chamomile tea afterward. 60$ or so for a really nice dinner is less than I'd have expected to pay. Other entrees ran around 29$ or so and for a very upscale restaurant with outstanding service, that's not bad at all.
(5)Melissa S.
Hi Chad, sorry for the harsh review and thank you for replying - I think we had too high expectations since we've been wanting to come here since we've moved on island three years ago, and are fans of Mr. Morimoto. We had reservations at 1pm and left at 3.
(1)Sam Z.
We tried poke for the first time here and it was absolutely delicious. You can tell how fresh all the ingredients used are especially the big eyed tuna. Also had the rock shrimp appetizer, and loved that as well!
(5)Eric Robert R.
I am biased. There, I admit it. I am biased. It's only because I actually met the Chef... MASAHARU MORIMOTO! I know my friends are Bi-polar with their reviews being all over the plate (yes, plate) here at... MORIMOTO'S WAIKIKI! Hey, everyone has a say. Well, as long as you are worthy of it. I mean if you voted, you must be a registered voter first, right? Goddess or ugly, smart or dumb, I guess you still have a say, even with your one RL friend in life, but I'm the lucky one... I have many. Prettier ones too. Oh well, that's life. Anyways, since you're still here... Tyvm! Let's talk... MORIMOTO'S WAIKIKI! As everyone knows by now the chef is well known as the legendary Iron Chef! To me, Masaharu Morimoto is simply a super nice Japanese dude that looks Yakuza, but really is a marshmallow! Oh, and btw, he sure can cook with a ton of Hollywood kaboom! Sometimes it's all about show! Really! Gosh look what reality TV has done to our society! But really... Chef Morimoto is the real deal! Kinda a show-off, but he does back it up with real deal talent! MORIMOTO'S WAIKIKI! Located in the swank Modern Hotel in Waikiki. The restaurant ambiance is fancy. Probably more so at night. I mean if you plan to shell out some Benjamin's - dress the part, right? The restaurant offers 4-hours complimentary parking in the hotel - quite generous in busy Waikiki! My experience? I'll dig out my shun knife and say... I've always had a GREAT experience at... MORIMOTO'S WAIKIKI! I've been to the Waikiki location twice, but also experienced some Morimoto appetizers with my BFF, Heidi P., hand delivered to us by Morimoto, himself, at a gala earlier in the year. We had the Toro tartare w/ wasabi, Sour cream & nori w/ sweet soy dashi. Also, we sampled the Angry chicken w/ spice jus & blistered shishito peppers! I LOVED the Angry chicken! I've only experienced lunch at the restaurant, and quite frankly, the prices were on par with other high-end restaurants. I do realize dinner is more yen, but still... I've had the Oyster Foie Gras - market oysters, foie gras, uni, teriyaki sauce; Crispy Rock Shrimp Tempura - w/ spicy kochujan sauce, wasabi aioli, coconut ranch; Chefs Loco Mo"t"o (lunch set) - Wagyu beef, sunny side up local farm eggs, w/ Hayashi gravy. I opted out of the Pork gyoza... Don't get me wrong, I love gyoza, but for $16? Hmm. It does look yummy though... Maybe next time? Sandwiches can be had for about $15-$20 during lunch hours, too. The Katsu and Mini Wagyu burgers are so on my list. Again, the lunch menu is the best time for those with one eye on the faux Gucci pocketbook. Lunch-Sets run about $22-$32, but all sets include miso soup, green salad, and sushi in addition to the entree. Or, you can splurge on a dinner and order the omakase for about $120 per head. If it's your treat... Sure why not. I'm game! So yes, I definitely recommend... MORIMOTO'S WAIKIKI! It's fancy and a great place to impress an empress! It can get pricey, but if you know how to be frugal than its not too bad, really. Do lunch first is my suggestion... Same high-end foods for a fraction. Hey, maybe Masaharu's not slicing up every dish, but rest assured you'll be happy as a clam! Oh, and did I mention the desserts... Oh, baby! "I'm not a fighter, but in my mind I'm fighting every day. 'What's new? What am I doing?' I'm fighting myself. My soul is samurai. My roots aren't samurai, but my soul is." ~ Masaharu Morimoto OVERALL GRADE: 4.2-STARS! (Solid!) LIVE ALOHA... YELP REVIEW #379
(4)Kai R.
This place is a bit hard to find because the signage is pretty small. I was a bit reluctant to make this the final meal of our vacation on Oahu given the mixed reviews, but since we had eaten at his NYC restaurant and had great meals, I decided to give it a shot. We were seated on the outdoor patio overlooking the marina. Other reviewers complained about the table spacing / we didn't have any issues and didn't feel crammed in. This is a big restaurant, but even inside it not seem to that the tables were crammed together. Service was what I would expect from a high end restaurant - very attentive the entire meal. Since we had a 3 year old, we didn't opt for the chef's tasting menu / ordered off of the regular menu. We had some sushi rolls for appetizers - all were fresh and very good (a little too much rice though). For the main course, the lobster and the surf 'n turf. Yes, a lobster for $49 is a bit pricey, but boy is it good - the spices are really fantastic / this isn't your usual boiled lobster. The surf 'n turf was just OK. The surf portion was his take on Poke and consisted of just three pieces of tuna with a few tomatoes. Fresh, but not really exciting. As for the filet, it was overcooked plain and simple. I requested medium rare and it was very much medium / no pink at all. We did not have desert, so can't comment on that portion of the menu.
(4)Chris P.
Food: delicious but overpriced. Service: on a scale of 1-10 I'd say -4. Been here a few times and had the same TERRRRRIBLE waitress twice..we complained the first time we went, and sure enough got her again the next time and ended up complaining again. stay away from "Mizuki"...shes so bad that I'm actually writing a review on yelp to warn people about her. For starters we ordered one of the cheaper sake's on the menu and she questioned whether or not we should stick with that or order the most expensive sake on the menu claiming that the bottle we ordered wouldnt have enough content for everyone at our table to enjoy a shot. Actually, Mizuki, we ordered the same bottle a week prior with the EXACT same amount of people and had plenty of sake to go around and we all liked it. I can understand an employee trying to point customers in the direction of something a little higher priced when theyre asked for their opinion on menu items, but dont question the decision our table made AFTER we ordered and then suggest we buy the most expensive sake on the menu. After that she had a pissed off look the entire night and never smiled once. Literally both times we've had her as out waitress we havent seen her smile. Ok, so here was the kicker of the night, our bill came out to somewhere around $350. We put $200 in cash and a debit card inside the bill. She comes back with the entire bill put on the card and no cash. We were all dumbfounded with what was going on when we realized that she "assumed" we gave her a $200 tip on a $350 bill. REALLY????? We then had to explain to her that we wanted the remaining balance after the $200 cash to be put on the card. pretty standard issue stuff, or so I thought. Who assumes that after giving terrible service someone will give you a $200 tip on a $350 bill???
(2)Tim N.
This restaurant is owned by none other than Iron Chef Japan, Masaharu Morimoto. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Morimoto's style, he has training in traditional Kaiseki cuisine and sushi. He is also famous for incorporating western style into Japanese cooking. The result is a series of unique, flavorful dishes that are sure to leave an impression. All of the dishes were very well presented, and the presentation was only surpassed by the taste of the food. The only drawback is that it is quite pricey, and it can get very busy at times. If you are willing to commit your afternoon or evening (and your wallet) to delicious Japanese food, then this is the restaurant for you. I recommend!
(4)Joe B.
I took my girlfriend here on our 2 year anniversary while in Waikiki. We ordered to Omakase and it was wonderful. However, if you do not enjoy raw seafood, I recommend you don't choose this. More details: We arrived at about 630PM for our 7PM reservations that I made on Open Table. We sat at the bar while they set up our outdoor patio seating which was perfect because the sun was beginning to set. The service was perfect from beginning to end. It felt like we had 3 or 4 servers waiting on us. Every course of the meal was delicious and the servers paid such good attention that when once of us was away from the table they ensured they didn't serve the next portion. This attention to detail really sold me on Morimoto's. Even the restroom was clean and decorated beautifully. I highly recommend this place but make sure you bring your wallet.
(4)Jay G.
Good food, but fairly small portions. Probably best to just order a bunch of pupus and enjoy the mori mojito.
(4)Katya N.
Forgot to cancel my reservation during the weekend, got a call from the restaurant " confirming the reservation" at the time of it and when I said I had to cancel the lady on the other line was extremely rude and hung up on me. HUNG UP ON ME??? that's a first from a restaurant. We live here and were there once, liked the food, but with serving personnel that RUDE they won't see us again.
(1)Cyrus H.
Stellar Sushi! The Octopus Carpaccio was fantastic - if you are an uni fan this is a must go, they offer both traditional pacific and Japanese.
(4)Karla L.
This is a really good place to have a celebration or special occasion. The food was excellent. Some things I'd probably not order though for the price. The hamachi tartare and oyster foie gras was okay. I had the tiniest oysters for $22. But the entrees were amazing! The kealoha lobster and lamb shank were delicious. And the vanilla/strawberry profiteries were heavenly. Service was really great as well. There was a small wait between the appetizers and entrees but still good.
(5)Kimothy K.
My bf and I were excited to eat here for our anniversary. Our overall experience was a bit disappointing. We made reservations, but they sat us outside because they claim they were fully booked... though it looked like a decent amount of empty seats inside. It was also raining on and off throughout the evening and it was chilly! The rain was so loud at one point I couldn't even hear myself speak. The food was OK. I was under the impression that a good portion of the menu items were normal local fare, just a bit fancier and way overpriced... Loco Moto? Gyoza? Chicken Noodle Soup aka Ramen? I ended up ordering the Oxtail Soup which was tasty especially with the side of garlic fried rice mixed in. Meat was tender. Came with fresh grated wasabi. Still, it was lacking the ginger that we've all come to know and love with local oxtail soup. Also ordered the Toro Tartare. It was interesting with a wide variety of condiments... soy dashi, nori paste, sour cream, wasabi, onion, guacamole and crispy rice balls. Our server didn't do a good job of explaining how to eat this or what the different condiments were... so we found ourselves having to ask how to eat and what we were eating at least a couple times. The one thing that stood out was the Abalone Takoyaki. It's crisp on the outside, creamy on the inside with a good chunk of abalone in the center... all sitting in a pool of decadent butter sauce. I think they even put some tomato in it. Definitely the star of the evening.
(2)Coco M.
Excellent food. Better be good as you are paying for it $$$. Attentive wait staff and excellent service. Spent about $200 including a bottle of wine for two excluding $40 tip. My mom from Japan enjoyed very much.
(4)Jeff S.
The one thing that I was really looking forward to eating was the Kakuni pork. I couldn't wait to taste Chef Morimoto's version. What I got was a well seasoned and flavorful piece of tough, stringy pork that required a knife and fork to cut through ($16). Disappointing. The duck three ways ($28) was pretty good but pales in comparison to the duck confit at Cafe Miro. I picked at a few of the other dishes around the table and nothing really curled my toes. Decor is nice and the service was OK but I really went for the food and was let down. One of those places that I wouldn't refuse to go back to but wouldn't choose to go back to either.
(3)jane u.
I'm sorry for this late review. My husband and I dine here about 1-2 x's, per month. Besides the complimentary valet and the beautiful scenery of the marina, the Food! The tuna pizza is so fresh, it is so unique the thin crust compliments the ahi and the sauce is amazing. I had ordered the deep fried boneless snapper, this truly is 1 of my top favorites. It is amazing that the chefs can de-bone a whole fish and deep fry it and just make Fish magic!! I ended my entree with uni, ikura, and Kani miso!! I love Morimoto's!
(5)Marcus F.
Very good food, but still a shaky start in Waikiki. Open for less then I week in the new Edition Hotel I had lunch at Morimoto Waikiki with my parents. Few people seemed to even know it had even opened yet and the spacious restaurant only had three other tables occupied. The space is modern with good use of translucent materials. From what I can tell by the use of shells and seaweeds they were going for a tasteful understated tide pool decor. The kitchen is in full view and you see the staff of 14 led by the executive chef strumming along. I ordered Morimoto Poke, Braised Pork Belly and Pineapple Cake with Rice Ice-Cream. My mom had the $22 sashimi lunch set. My father the black cod lunch set and the generic salmon skin roll and the more generic california roll. The food was quite good. The Morimoto Poke was light, fresh and clean. Cubed toro with peel cherry tomatoes (I think), bonito foam and whipped avocado. I tried some of black cod and it was perfectly cooked flaking with a touch of the chopsticks. I think it was a bit too sauce heavy but it was still might good. I also tried a few bites of the sashimi which was good, but not great. When you consider the price it was a great value. I would like to come again and try the Omakase sashimi, or perhaps better yet the Chefs Dinner tasting at a very reasonable $110. The cocktail list here was developed by Chandra Lam of Southern Wine and Spirits whom is very skilled bartender. She was not behind the stick and so I was tentative about how the bartender would make my drink. To my pleasant surprise they were very good. The cocktail list at Morimoto rely a bit heavy on flavored vodkas most cocktail list in Hawaii tend to do, but the drinks were still very good and I highly suggest giving them a go. The largest flaw at Morimoto is the execution of service. While the staff is friendly and accommodating, execution is rough and awkward. When food arrived place setting plates were still there and additional staff was waved in to remove them. They did not know who was receiving what dish and a bit of direction had to be given by us. A few minutes into the meal we were searching for soy sauce for the sashimi and when spotted doing so soy was promptly delivered. When my Braised Pork Belly arrived I used my chopsticks as that was the only silverware provided. A minute after my food had arrived a spoon was offered as the proper way to enjoy the dish. When my dessert arrived I has to ask for silverware as I had none. Then they had no idea what pieces of silverware to give me for the dessert and I had to make my best guess and choose. While none of this ruins a meal it certainly reflects a lack of polish which dampens the experience. I should reiterate that it had been open for less then a week when I gave it a try so one would hope these issues would be cleared up shortly. I certainly look foreword to coming back and trying more of the food here.
(4)Magnum P.
Wagyu beef carpacio...melts in your mouth. Black bean cod was tasty. tofu steamed at your table is unique. The Haupia green tea dessert was the perfect ending. Got to meet Chef Morimoto since he was in town and actually cooking all night. Impressive.
(5)Mia F.
Not great at all and way over priced.
(3)H C.
being a regular here, we appreciate the acknowledgement and familiar faces. the service is commendable, the food is a hit or miss. we love the calamari salad to death, and the chef's raw bar combo. the other items may be fancy to look at, but it doesn't make sense...
(3)J L.
The decor was very nice and the food was good in general. Our waiter was really nice for the beginning of the meal, but toward the end just seemed unaccomodating. Maybe since we had a big party he automatically gets a 20% tip? He seemed put out just to take a picture of our table. So somewhat disappointed with the service. But the food was great, we really like the tofu (especially good if there are kids), the lamb, the black cod and the rice dish that's cooked in the stone bowl. For us the desserts weren't that great. We had the chocolate mille feuille, which came with a spiced chocolate ice cream that everyone thought was strange; and we ordered the pepper roasted pinapple which was ok, but definitely not worth $12. Alcoholic drinks were $14 each. So I think if we go again, we could skip the drinks and dessert and just try the main dishes. Portions are on the smaller side.
(3)Edmond K.
The restaurant is beautiful, Servers could use more training they seem confused when I went! but we could have got a new worker. not what I would expect from some one of that skill level. I expected more from the menu but I would go again
(3)Allie L.
Pineapple tempura with jamon iberico. This appetizer pretty much makes the meal.
(4)Mia N.
Some things were great, some just OK. But the setting is very nice and the service is very good. I guess for the prices and all of the hype I was expecting it to be totally mind blowing, but I wasn't blown away. I would probably give it another try though. Maybe order a few different things.
(3)Leona Y.
My family has been watching Iron Chef Japan for YEARS so when we found out there was a Morimoto restaurants in Honolulu we had to go! The restaurant is located inside a really swanky hotel a little closer to Ala Moana mall and away from the main Waikiki shoppping area. It's much quieter and much less Japanese tourists. The interior is very minimal and modern but still sophisticated. My parents and I all ordered the Omakase dinner which is $110 each. It has 7 courses and 2 desserts. What I really liked about this place is how interactive you are with your food. In a way Morimoto allows you to "play" with your dishes and suggests how they should be eaten. Although there are many courses, you don't feel overstuffed by the end and it was the perfect amount for me. If you're new to this restaurant I recommend the Omakase dinner! You get a feel of what types of flavors and ingredients Morimoto likes to use. Other people on Yelp have detailed reviews about this Omakase dinner so I will not go deep into it. All I can say that the presentation of the food and the description of the dishes by the waiters were exceptional :) Our waiter was Tzekin and he was great! He always made sure our water was filled and came by frequently to check up on us. Thanks Tzekin :) If you have a budget large enough to enjoy a dinner here I highly recommend it! Also, make sure to check out the bathrooms here!! Although you have to walk out of the restaurant and use the hotel restrooms, it is beautiful! Reminds me of the bathroms at Umi Sake House in Seattle where the doors are kinda hidden and difficult to find. Make sure you have a reservation when dining here. We came on a Monday night and it was VERY busy by the time we left (around 8pm).
(5)Dub C.
4 of us went there. We were all pretty excited to go there. One word to describe the place "HYPE." We expected to splurge and try anything, and everything. Here is my breakdown: Service: server seemed new, and had a flat affect, attitude was kind of stuck up. Screwed up our order too. Food: sushi and sashimi nothing was special about it, except it was plated nice. Wagyu capaccio tasted like ginger onion beef from a chinese restaurant. Warning! do not order the wagyu ribeye, by far the most overratted item on the menu. For $85, the ranchers reserve rib eye from safeway was better. Fyi, if you havent had a wagyu steak, and your waiter asks you how you want it prepared, the best way to go is medium rare to medium. The reason being is because it needs to be cooked to some degree for the fat content to melt and flavor the steak. Anyhow, I ordered it medium rare, and the first one they brought out was well done. They gladly made me another one, but that too was medium well to medium. I just couldnt wait another 15-20 minutes for them to make another one. So i consumed that one. Duck duck duck was ok, the duck spring roll was pretty crappy. Rack of lamb was ok too, i had better at Hoku's Sunday brunch. Food that was good: foie gras chawan mushi, oyster foie gras, yellow tail pastrami, hamachi tartare, kakuni. Desert was good too. Drinks:over priced, prob spent about $400 just on drinks. Morimoto hazlenut was good, i would compare it to chimay. Morimote daiginjo and Morimoto 1972 was good, but not great. Had some wine and some cocktails that were not bad, but not good.
(3)Sherry T.
We love Morimoto's persona on Iron Chef and chose to have our last meal in Oahu here to celebrate. We did cocktails, apps, specials for main course, wine and desert. Food was good. Service was okay. Wine servings, however, were not generous at all. For the price point - good but not good enough to want to come back for the spend.
(3)Chris S.
As Rachel Zoe would say, Morimoto was "A-MA-ZING"! First off, it's part of "Edition," a swank hotel that really reflects a cosmopolitan vibe that you can only get from larger cities. At first glance, it reminded me of the St. Martin's Lane in London. Turns out it's done by the same man, Ian Schrager. But back to the food--we had the spicy salmon roll and crispy rock shrimp tempura as starters. It's very reminiscent of Koi or Katana in LA. For main dishes, we had the Ishi Yaki Buri Bop (a nod to a bi bim bap dish) and the Angry Chicken. Wrapped up the meal with a Haupia Semifreddo. It was good but not "let me lick the plate" good. Portions were perfect and presentation was on point. A well rounded delicious meal. If you're thirsty for something sweet, slam down some "Pina Haupia"-- their version of a Pina Colada on the rocks, not blended. I had 4, so 'nuff said. Service was freaking rock-star. Snaps to our server Ryan who kicked ass. You could tell the staff was trained well. He even pointed out some of the design elements of the space and the designer himself was eating at the table behind us. Werk. If you're a bathroom whore, check out their restrooms--it has swagger, like Sasha Fierce meets James Perse (word is, Miss B is in town for the grand opening this weekend). Overall, a must-do. Oh yea, we spied Mr. Morimoto himself. I was tempted to get a little TMZ, but decided to just take a quick shot of him on my cell.
(4)Tyler K.
My expectations for this place were pretty high and I must admit it did live up to a good amount of them. First of all the ambiance is great, clean colors with just enough local flair make this a comfortable, if not cool, place to enjoy the food. The food, for the most part, is absolutely divine. The oyster foie gros is honestly one of the best things I've ever had in my life and the crispy rock shrimp tempura was very flavorful. For my meal I ordered the omakase, which was really good, 1st course - Hamachi and toro tartare for the first course is always a great way to kick things off and is paired with 6 different garnishes. 2nd course - The kampachi was also very well done, seared and topped with seasame oil, shoyu and yuzu this is by no means something you can't get some where else but it is done well. 3rd course - Bagna Cauda, this is basically vegetables served with a bowl of hot oil and anchovy butter for your dipping pleasure. The presentation of this dish is impressive and the taste is yummy, what a great way to serve a vegetable dish. 4th course - Foie gros Chawanmushi a great take on a classic, this course is surprisingly familiar yet a new experience all rolled into one, the flavors blend in your mouth and create an amazing combination. Delicious. 5th course - Nigri Sushi, ehh nothing too special, really good but nothing new here lets move along. 6th course - OK I must say this was by far the BIGGEST LET DOWN for me and something I would've never expected. This course was dare I say...bad. Lobster, wagyu and ginger pork, sounds good right? Well the wagyu is good, the lobster is ok but the strong handed seasoning and cumin mask the great taste of the well cooked lobster, rather than accentuating it. Now the stinker, the pork, first of all the pork was waayyy over cooked and chewy, second of all why would you cut the pork so thin if you're going to put such a strong sauce on it? This course needs major changes to it. 7th course - Panna cotta with kuromitsu, solid pre-dessert course, the gelatin is thick and flavorful. 8th course - Kabocha souffle and Okinawan sweet potato ice cream this dessert was goooooddd, kabocha souffle was fluffy and ono, the sweet potato ice cream is creamy and tasty Overall my experience at Morimoto's was a good one but I'm a bit surprised the omakase is yet to change (I visited about a week after it opened). I do look forward to my next visit but the clunker that was the main course is hard to over come and no matter how superb the rest of the food, service and decor was I can't give this 5 stars.
(4)Sara B.
Wow what a gorgeous place! Granted, I haven't eaten here, but if you are looking for a relaxing, beautiful, zen-like place to cocktail, this is THE place! It literally is breathtakingly gorgeous. All white, and fresh atmosphere. Go to the patio, order a cocktail (they're expensive, but it's an experience, trust me) and soak in the good vibes... Lots of beautiful people in pretty clothes and great tans...what else could you ask for? Next time I go, I'm trying some sushi....
(4)Leigh W.
We decided to go and experience Morimoto Waikiki for our Valentines Day dinner tonight. 8:30 pm reservations - they were a little back logged and we ended up waiting for seating for about 10-15 min. We get seated outside, which was nice as it was not as noisy as the indoor seating; however, they sat us in a table right up against the back of one of their couch seating around the firepit. Immediately I felt uncomfortable sitting so close to strangers... where I could hear every word of their conversation and the man's elbow reaching around his girl is hanging slightly over my table. Who thought this seating arrangement was a good idea? uh... excuse me... I would like to move seats please.... Once relocated I felt much better to be able openly accept the atmosphere and finally look at the menu. Rock Shrimp tempura with wasabi aioli, spicy kochujan sauce with ranch dressing - - found that we liked them without the ranch... enjoyed this appetizer... Yose dofu, fresh tofu prepared table side with kim chee broth & dashi broth - - this was very cool - - to see the tofu prepared and firm over the course of 8-10 min... the kim chee broth is STRONG! beware! We enjoyed this appetizer as well... Sashimi salad: baby romaine, morimoto caesar dressing, quail egg - - the sashimi is seared and seasoned with furikake. The baby romaine are FULL leaves of romaine lettuce coated with the dressing. Difficult to eat using just the pretty chopsticks. Ladies - forget trying to be ladylike to eat this salad - pick a full leaf up and bite into it... it's the only way, unless you ask the waiter for a knife and fork... I also thought the seasoning on the sashimi was a bit salty... At this point... the kitchen was backed up... so we waited a while for our food. Since it was taking a little bit, our waiter brought us some konbu ocha. Not sure if they always do this before the main course or not, but it was a nice touch and allowed us something to pass the time with... When our food finally arrived it was well received... partially due to the wait, but more because we liked what we saw! Seafood Toban Yaki: kona lobster, king crab, mussel, clams, scallop, in a spicy red miso-sake sauce. My husband described it as seafood bouillabaisse on steroids with a kick! LOL needless to say he enjoyed it VERY much.. Cripsy Whole Fish: Big Island Fluke, spicy tofu sauce, pickled papaya salad... recommended by our waiter stating it was one of the more popular dishes ordered. Wonderful display - the entire fish is deep fried and EVERY THING IS EDIBLE! Fins, bones... everything... amazing... the fish is curled to hold lightly fried filets nicely for you... The spicy tofu sauce was okay, but I felt not enough... the fish was good, but i wanted more sauce or something to offset that deep fried taste... When finished they offered us a dessert menu... so we ordered: Trio of Sorbet: Flavors tonight were Melon, Cantaloupe & Pineapple. This was SO REFRESHING. I loved it! each little scoop is served on a small bed of finely chopped fruit of the flavor sorbet. wonderful - just wonderful! Peanut Better Bomb - - oh... my... God.... the salted peanut butter ice cream is THE BOMB! Forget the rest of the dessert on the plate - just eat the ice cream... I want pints of this ice cream! Yeah... seriously... the rest of the dessert was just not all that... I want to go back again - - with a camera and try some other things...
(3)Willis S.
Its been a while since I've been to this restaurant but I really wanna jot down a quick review of the restaurant and my overall experience. I LOVE cooking shows but have to admit that Iron Chef was never on my list how ever I'm easily star struck and just the mention of his name made me excited enough to post on my Facebook that id be dining @ Morimoto's. The Ambiance of the restaurant and the hotel it sits in is very modern yet warm. It kind gives you that feeling of "BEING FABULOUS WHEN YOU KNOW YOU REALLY AIN"T." I loved the outdoor seating and all the modern fixtures that accompanied the area. Our server was very knowledgable of the menu but somehow came across as a little too high and mighty? Thats all good with me...but don't play the high and mighty card and forget our side order of Tempura mister...just saying. I don't want to spend time talking about dishes that I can barely remember but the one dish I want to tell you about is the Spicy King Crab...it was so pho king delicious! Crab is a hard one to add a flavor to without pho king it up! but this Spicy crab was juicy flavorful and blended nicely with the spicy sauce. Desert was fine and part of the experience but not great enough to where I remember it bite by bite. This place definitely had a romantic flair and was maybe not well suited for a family dinner with my mom and sis....but would definitely be great if you want to make someone fall in love with you :-). If I'm in Honolulu and love comes around...we'll definitely make a stop here! P.S. I GOT TO SEE THE CHEF HIMSELF!
(4)DarTif S.
Lets see...where to start. Pros: -Great atmosphere and location can't be beat -Greeted with a smile and seated quickly -Waitress was quick to address our table -Lunch menu was reasonable and the selection was awesome -Valet service right in front, which makes dining here effortless. Cons: -Some items were not worth of the Morimito/Iron Chef status and should be used as bait to catch the fish of the day. -1st waitress couldn't really explain the items on the menu which was rather disappointing. -2nd waitress didn't bother to take our orders down and decided to memorize them instead. Guess what happens when you try this during lunch hour...FAIL -Had to wait almost 45 minutes for my order since she had to ask...after I brought up the status of my order. Overall it's a restaurant that just opened up here, so I'm willing to give this another try. Truthfully I was expecting a lot more from Morimoto's, but I guess every day can't be a 5 star operation right?
(3)Kehaulani C.
Went here to celebrate my husband's birthday...with all the great reviews I had to try it...not to mention he is an Iron Chef and we are obsessed with that show! This place is NOT fancy...I either walked into a modern cafe or the wrong restaurant. I was literally having dinner with my husband and the girl on my left and couple on my right...you are THAT close. They actually chimed in during the decision making process...LOL. The highlight of the night was the sake sommelier. She recommended a fabulous sake. The food was good but not worth the $300 price tag for 2 people (okay...it was including the sake). If you want some GREAT Japanese food I suggest strolling towards Lewers and checking out Kaiwa. So my my two cents...this is probably a ridiculously fabulous place to have brunch and maybe cocktails at the bar.
(2)Patrick C.
We made reservations here wanting to eat here but decided to eat somewhere else and cancelled. However, while at the pool...I said to myself that I must try their oyster w/ foie gras & uni....so I took it to go and ate it at the pool. Boy am I glad I did!! I loved it!! I mean what isn't to love about three of my fave dishes...Oysters...Uni...and Foie Gras?!?! Wow...melted in my mouth. First time ever trying this combo but won't be my last...
(4)holland h.
Great food- but I cannot figure out the draw to the Modern. Not on the beach. Crappy noise. WTF?
(3)Craig P.
Every Visit is Amazing!!!!!!!!!!
(5)Isaac R.
Very very clean. If you had too much steak, grill, and heavy ramen soup, this is the place to purify your empty stomach. Probably the most soft and melty fish product I had in Waikiki
(4)Lionel L.
Bottom line; Morimotos is an overpriced, pretentious, culturally safe fine dinning atmosphere to take someone to impress on a first date. Except if you take someone that's a foodie, you may be out of luck because the food is sub par at best--considering the price. What you are indirectly paying for in this restaurant is the ambiance and the setting. For a Japanese restaurant touted as authentic with it's fancy name and sign, it falls short of the dining experience. Take for example the price in relations to the portion. I ordered the loco moco (yes it's a mistake, why order this right?)but was mostly served with bits and pieces of sparse meat and canned gravy. My friends had the seafood and sushi, still far from enlightening any of our taste buds to say--wow that was good! I think we were all just shocked in awe as we thought--that's it? There were some positives! The desert. I would definitely go here for the desert. Yes it a pricey but flavorful and worth every bite. The disparity between desert and the main course is like black and white. Don't come To morimotos hungry and on a budget. My favorite feature of the restaurant was the restroom! It is clean! The urinals and commode are sleek white, the water closet room Is spacious and quiet. You can meditate in there if you want. The restroom is probably clean and static free enough to take apart a hard full of _____.
(2)Chad Y.
Morimoto Waikiki is a great addition to the Honolulu culinary experience and I believe offers a great experience for the residents and guests of our fair city. That being said, I honestly don't believe that Morimoto Waikiki is one of those places that doesn't live up to its hype. It merely offers something different. Their menu is certainly unique its own way and you can certainly see how Morimoto and his team have added certain twists and tricks to make their dishes stand out. There are certainly highs and lows to it though. The raw seafood selections are quite phenomenal and you can certainly taste the freshness of the product and they certainly highlight it rather than mask it. However that's where the OMG this was good ends. The rest of the menu is certainly unique however the flavors wouldn't keep me coming back for more. Especially when I am going to end up paying $100/head for my menu. Service is certainly hit or miss. There are servers which offer a truly 5 star experience that know their menu and the food arrives in beautiful orchestration. On the other hand there are others that almost seem aloof. The ambiance is certainly Hollywood sheik with pulsating music, modern/contemporary decor, and the shiek vibe. Personally, I think that's what you are paying for... Certainly a good place to dine at, however is it really the work of an Iron Chef? Eh...certain items yes, a lot no.
(3)Ken C.
It's been two years ago but I came in with high expectations at Morimotos and walked out with a disappointment. Felt the Omakase (all the same at morimoto locations) wasnt worth the value of its money.
(3)Suzy K.
The best wagyu beef on O'ahu. Refreshingly modern atmosphere and vibe. Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto chillin' like a villain at the sushi bar late in the evening. Great view of the Honolulu Harbor with nice South Pacific breezes.
(5)Devon S.
Ok so, I decided months ago that I was done with the whole Yelp thing. I had a good run, it was fun while it lasted, thanks for the memories. Morimoto's, however, brought me out of retirement. I had been wanting to try this place for quite some time; Morimoto being my favorite Iron Chef and all (well, he and Hiroyuki Sakai) and decided my birthday would finally be the day. As with every first visit to any Japanese restaurant, I always go straight for the sushi and there was definitely no shortage of options. One of the many offerings is the chef's sushi combination; $40, $80, $120, and $160 option. When I asked the server what was the difference between the four, he said that the higher priced ones come with higher grade fish and more exotic items. I consider myself a bit of a sushi connoisseur, so nothing less than the $120 option would grace this appetite. Much to my surprise, and somewhat to my dismay, 15 - 20 minutes later, I was presented with a cornucopious platter of pescatarian goodness the likes of which Neptune himself stood no chance of finishing. It was so big, the table of 5 Japanese people adjacent looked upon it (and me) with utter astonishment; whispering comments to one another in their native tongue that I need not have translated to understand the gist thereof. How in the world could the waiter look at me straight faced and allow me to order this thing without so much as a warning?! At first, I told the waiter he must have brought me another table's order, but he assured me that this monster was in fact all mine. When I asked him how I was supposed to finish this all by myself (the aforementioned table of 5 is now giggling, by the way), he suggested that I eat the nigiri first, then take the maki home to eat later. *deep sigh* Ok...ok, that sounds plausible. Let's do it...let's do it. After eating myself into a semi-comatose, "If I never see a piece of sushi again, it will be too soon" state, I had just begun to make some headway. Man, FOUR people could not have finished this. I tapped out. Eyes and mouth slightly open, I look over to said party of five and shake my head. Hysterical laughter ensued. The waiter returned and boxed up the rest of the sushi. His final insult? A plate of lime and coconut sorbet inscribed with "happy birthday" in chocolate ganache served with a smirk. I am currently in no shape to neither hug nor hurt him, so I just sink into my chair and moan. 5 stars to you, Morimoto's. Thanks so much for making my 35th memorable. "S"
(5)Luke N.
Stick to the basics and you'll will not be disappointed. The chef's sashimi combination was awesome. I think that was the best mackerel I've ever had. The local tuna is really good and tender, has the softness of tuna belly. I have not tried most of the main courses or specialties but he sushi was excellent. Don't get the tuna pizza- it's gross, full of mayo.
(4)Arabella M.
Great service, great food. You get what you paid for and it's true with this place. The cucumber drink was to die for. Steak was cook to perfection and the poke was so good and fresh, it just melts in your mouth. Wouldn't mind coming back here every night for dinner..
(5)Jacqueline R.
Let me say one thing: too much hype about this place just because of the Iron Chef. I know, Iron Chef Morimoto is one of the best chefs out there, but I definitely think this place was overrated, and overpriced. They can probably get away with it because of the Iron Chef. The restaurant was located inside the Waikiki Marriott hotel. The actual restaurant is decorated very trendy and upscale. It was very nice and modern. We had a reservation and luckily didn't have to wait too long to be seated. We sat on the outdoor patio which was really pretty although it was right next to the harbor so we didn't get a beach view. The service was mediocre. I went with three friends and they all ordered the omakase. With each course, the waiter monotonously recited what was on the plate. It almost seemed too routine and boring for them. NOTE: If somebody in your party wants to order the omakase, do NOT go here unless EVERYBODY in your party wants it, because otherwise you will be sitting around doing nothing for a LONG time! As I said, my three friends all got it, but I ordered the wagyu filet mignon. My food came out at the same time they received their first course, but I was finished with my steak by their third or fourth course...still leaving me to sit through FIVE more courses! They came out at about 10-15 minute intervals, which easily had us stuck at the place for 2.5-3 hours. I got really bored and tired of sitting there with an empty plate while my friends omnomnomed their tiny sampler dishes. I also did not like how all of the items were a la carte. My steak was $50 as it is and I had to pay $8 just to get a side of potatoes. Kind of annoying. There isn't a bathroom located in the restaurant. You have to use the hotel's which is across the way. Very modern and interesting though. You should check it out. It took me the longest time to figure out how to turn on the faucet. Overall I think it's a nice restaurant for a night-on-the-town, but I don't think I'll be back again. It was too overrated and overpriced for me. I'm sure I can go somewhere with bigger and better food for a more affordable price just because it isn't in Waikiki and the restaurant of an Iron Chef.
(3)Chantel B.
Booked our reservation here for February 15th since valentines day was booked already. The food was amazing we tried the oysters, surf and turf, gyoza and scallop. Didn't really care that much for the ice cream. We also tried their lychee mojitos and pineapple mojitos. Both were really yummy. We received excellent service and the staff was on it. Especially since they were busy. Their prices are pretty reasonable considering it is a high end Japanese restaurant. We will return back in the future :)
(5)Cat P.
Chocolate peanut bombe dessert was the only bomb thing about this place the past 2 times I've visited. One of the best desserts I've ever had. I was highly disappointed in the Loco Moto. The flavors were reminiscent of salisbury steak and the presentation reminded me of school lunch at the cafeteria. Everything else was ok.
(3)Megan G.
We came here with my in-laws to celebrate their last night on Oahu visiting. Being as I am pregnant, and cannot satisfy my ever-growing raw fish craving, I ordered some dishes I probably would not have ordered pre-pregnancy. We started with the toro tartare (sadly I had to let the other 3 diners have at this-- of course I was jealous as I've savored every last scrape of this dish in the past), the tempura calamari salad, and the pork gyoza. OK, I eat a LOT of salads at home. Typically I go out to eat to AVOID salads. This one though I am so glad I convinced the hubby and his parents to get. SO GOOD. If you are a calamari fan, this will blow your mind. Tempura fried and ever so light an crispy, the calamari melts in your mouth. The lightness of the salad that accompanies this is perfect. The gyoza were good too, and served with a cool bacon foam- points for presentation. I cannot stop dreaming of the calamari. We opted then to do individual entrees and share versus getting sushi, since I would have been left out. I told the mother-in-law to get the seafood toban-yaki as I have had it before and it is amazingly delicious. She was not disappointed and we were all jealous. Order this, you will not be left hungry or disappointed. Father-in-law ordered the lamb, husband had the ishi yaki buri bop, and I had the braised black cod. All were good, but we were all jealous of the diner with the tobanyaki. Thanks to a great evening again, Morimoto!!
(5)Emily M.
Wow, there are some reviews on Yelp indicating this place isn't worth it. More recent reviews are positive, so we decided to go for it anyway. The cocktails I had were tasty (m-tini and kai kiss martini) but he food was mediocre at best. Maybe we chose poorly, but striking out on four dishes is unacceptable. Wagyu Carpaccio - too salty - no flavor Morimoto Sashimi - bland except for a couple of sauces Braised Lamb Shank - no flavor, too fatty Braised Black Cod - the fish was delicious, unfortunately it was drenched in a salty unagi sauce, which I did my best to scrape off Dare I say it - perhaps there's a reason Morimoto lost to Garces in the Tournament of Champions...
(1)Gina L.
I had been dying to try this place, and what better time than on a beautiful vacation to Hawaii? I would give this place 5 stars alone on ambience. Gorgeous interior and patio area. It's located in the new Edition Hotel -- very modern and swanky. We were seated on the patio located by the harbor, where the weather was absolutely perfect and the sunset was breathtaking. I already knew exactly what I wanted: the Omakase tasting. Beautiful and unique presentations, but what did I expect, after seeing Morimoto on Iron Chef America. (I'll try to remember each course as accurately as possible, as I dined here about 3 weeks ago.) We started with the Toro and Hamachi tartare, served with multiple condiments that all complimented the fish in a delicious way. Next, was enlightened Kanpachi sashimi, and probably my favorite course of the dinner. SO delicate and fresh, with the perfect amount of marinade, garnishes, etc. There were only three pieces, but I guess that's what keeps you wanting more. The next dish was the most unique of all. It was Morimoto's version of "fondue." The dip was a mix of anchovies, garlic, maybe olive oil... and probably more ingredients that I can't recall (tasted great). This fondue was served with a variety of fresh vegetables as well as other interesting bites. An extremely fun way of dining, not to mention an even more delicious way of eating your veggies! Next up was the Chawanmushi. I was thrilled about this course because of the foie gras in the middle. The custard was AMAZING, absolutely amazing. However, I was slightly let down by the foie gras, as it wasn't as delicate and buttery as I usually like it. Then again, I've only ever had foie gras prepared with French techniques. I was still blown away by the custard, nonetheless. Nigiri came next, consisting of maguro, unagi, and I THINK sake and hamachi. As fresh as could be. We enjoyed the kelp tea afterwards, which I believe was the palate cleanser. It's really an odd drink, but delicious. Nothing like I've tasted before, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. For the main course, we were served a hearty plate of lobster, filet mignon, and pork medallions. The lobster was accompanied by this lemony sour cream sauce, to DIE for. I would dip anything in that. The beef and pork were unfortunately a little on the salty side for me, so I was disappoined by that. Dessert was good, but I'm not much of a dessert person. I remember a potato ice cream? Interesting, but it worked! Overall, a beautiful experience. I definitely recommend doing the Omakase as it's chef's choice, so you never know what's next, but you can expect to enjoy it!
(4)Vira P.
Everything in Morimoto's restaurant was simple and clean-from the decor to their menu. Service was top notch! It's pricey, so save up so you can treat yourself!
(5)Kitty K.
Took my mom there in May for quick lunch.....Loved the valet parking(Asian Female thing lol) Decor is clean, modern minimalism from Lobby to restrooms. We picked the Patio seats outdoor by the harbor ...great view ...adequate service , decent food for the price. We both ordered the set lunch . not too many people that day probably is right after Mother"s day weekend. lol
(3)Haein P.
I am a huge Iron Chef fanatic and going to Morimoto was a top food priority. I can say the food adequately met my expectations. We had the morimoto omakase, which features Morimoto's best dishes as well as the seafood toban-yaki and kakuni. The morimoto omakase is a must-try for those that truly want to experience the essence of Chef Morimoto. The foie gras chawan mushi was the absolute best within the omakase. The warm and savory egg custard was perfectly paired with the robust flavors of foie gras and tender duck breast. Also, fun to try and innovative was the bagna cauda, which consists of a garlic-anchovy olive oil dip and various blanched vegetables with bite-sized bread and chicken. Another absolute favorite was the dessert included in this omakase, which was a soy-milk panna cotta that was extremely light and subtle and a kabocha souffle with okinawan sweet potato ice cream and foam as well as candied kabocha. This was divine, to say the least. The souffle was perfect in taste and texture. The soft and fluffy souffle was matched wonderfully with the sweet potato foam and ice cream that enhanced the natural sweetness of the pumpkin. The kakuni appetizer was okay. The description being that it was 10-hour braised pork belly with congee in a ginger soy jus made it appealing, but upon arrival, looked meager. The pork was definitely not as tender or fatty as I had hoped, but the congee was perfect with the ginger soy. Definitely not worth the price and perhaps not worth a second order if visited again. The seafood toban-yaki had a gorgeous array of seafood that was irresistablly soaking in a spicy red miso-sake broth. To my dismay, the broth was much too salty. If the sodium had been decreased a couple notches, this dish would have been flawless. While the food met my expectations, the service was abysmal. I was thoroughly appalled and disappointed especially considering the fact that we were paying roughly $250 for our dining experience. From the moment we stepped into the restaurant to the moment we paid and left, we felt unwelcomed and unappreciated. The hostesses were impolite and brusque as they 'guided' us to our table. Our server was equally rude and unprofessional in demeanor and eloquence. The several courses in the omakase are not identified within the menu and therefore, presumably it is the server's obligation to describe each course or at least mention them to us, as customers. Despite knowing that the bagna cauda was included within the omakase, he remained silent when we ordered a separate bagna cauda as an appetizer. Once the first was finished, he audaciously mentioned another one was coming with a smirk on his face. Throughout the course of the meal, he was rather unattentive and distracted. The annoyance brewing within me several days after the occasion makes me regret not complaining at the time. Hopefully this doesn't stop you from trying and enjoying Morimoto's high-quality and noteworthy food. If not for the lack of customary service and good ol' Alton Brown, we felt like judges on Iron Chef.
(3)Jeffrey K.
WOW! The omikase was so devine I went back the next night for the omikase "repeat", featuring all new dishes! The omikase must have been 10 courses, including a dessert course. Each dish was vastly different from the previous and the flavors were spectacular. The foire gras mouse with seared duck was so good that it was the only thing I asked to be repeated from the night before! It's rich, but delicious! I will definitely be back here to try the latest omikase!
(5)Chris C.
well the crab should stand on its own but smeared in sauce same for lobster which they did twice can we say noice
(3)Marci M.
This was one of the most exquisite places I've ever been to. Of course, I would simply expect the utmost best out of this restaurant for it is owned by the famous Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. Each dish that was brought out was devoured with my eyes before it reached my mouth. Each presentation was too beautiful and perfect to eat. However, once we began to taste the dish, each bite would simply melt on the tongue and tingle every single taste bud there was. By the end of my girls night, my palat and tummy was filled with the most most wonderful seafood, steak, and chicken. I would, also, recommend the white lily drink as well. The expense is rather high, but well worth the expense for the experience. The waiters are very helpful with the dishes as well. If there are questions on how to consume the dish as well as recommendations as to what to order according to your taste, they are there to assist you. This is a beautiful atmosphere in which you can have your party in-doors or out-doors. I recommend anyone to go and enjoy, from a girls night out to a romantic evening for two. This a perfect high class restaurant for almost any occasion. Enjoy!
(5)Samantha P.
The iron chef strikes again!! He didn't disappoint accept for not coming out from the kitchen for a Kodak moment :( Sit on the patio Eats: Wagyu Carpaccio Sushi assortment Braised black cod Get the cookbook!
(4)Jeanie H.
In my heart (and in my stomach...) I am an Iron Chef fan and "wanna be". So Morimoto Waikiki was definitely on my hit list. The anticipation of my arrival here simply made my toes curl....I will say that visiting on a Friday night and experiencing the prelude of fireworks at the Hilton lagoon was the perfect setting and ascension into sublime cuisine. Culinary Art. This is the destination that will be set on a pedestal for special occasions that can honor a celebration. By choice, I am normally a casual diner, who prefers "street fare" and enjoys the "hole in the wall" type of experience. But for a treat....this hit the spot! The outdoor ambience was a given, but coupled with the modern decor and courteous service...this is what makes Morimoto ICHIBAN! Rollover onto the poolside of the double chaise loungers of The Modern Hotel, which lies adjacent.....if I had my choice...I would still be there for breakfast if they would let me :)
(5)Al S.
Listen. I love food. I lot. Like, I'm kinda fat and I couldn't care less because food is awesome kinda love. But I've never understood the cooking shows talking about "flavor profiles" or "star of this food" or any of that crap. To me, it sounded like people trying to ruin something that was already awesome the way it was. Like that guy who wanted to be a server at Hooters. Then I went to Morimoto. Holy shit. I had the Duck Duck Duck, and it changed my life. Well, I mean, I ate frozen pizza the next day, so not my WHOLE life, but I'm starting to see what they're talking about. The different parts of the dish just... kinda... went together. They blended? Like when a really obnoxious white guy is about to trip into a cake, and just as he starts to fall a seriously snarky female of ethnic background comes around the corner to watch the whole thing and make the amazingly hilarious comment that would be racist if she were also white. Just that perfect combination of factors coming together to produce something divine, that's what it was. Bonus: Very few tourists! Biggest complaint: A little loud, actually... I think it was the acoustics. Or my screaming and jumping on the table. Regardless, people noticed.
(5)Lyn L.
With the "big name" and all of the hype, I sure expected more! Arriving at the old Ilikai, I was curious to see what Morimoto's Waikiki was all about....simply not impressed. The entrance to the restaurant is nice enough...soft lighting, pretty wood, frosted glass....then the hostess too us to our table...."under the big top!"...OMG...we're gonna have a $100/person dinner under a tent!!!...with Christmas lights!!! Surely they could have done better! The tables are all lined up...felt like I was a t Sam's club or Costco!...furniture was nice enough, but I could share my food with my neighbor...actually ended up seated next to some friends so we were able to get some menu suggestions....then the people next to us sat down and as we were served our food, they got to survey it and we shared our food opinions.... We passed on the o-toro...they want $12 for one piece of o-toro!!! nuts! We started out with the * - oysters....6 of them, but REALLY small and ordinary. * - kakuni - braised 10 hour pork belly in the congee (jook) with gobo - that was pretty good...oh just figured out the gobo must have been those "wisps" * - ox tail soup - with garlic friend rice, cilantro and ginger - soup was kind of "shoyuee"...garlic friend rice had maybe 2 tablespoons...(I think they list each ingredient so you think you're getting a lot...but it's soooo little) * - Soft shell crab roll - that was decent...the crab was nice and crispy * - braised black cod - ginger-shoyu reduction ( tasted like Yoshida sauce that I overcooked...kind of burnt and syrupy and waaay tooooo sweet and heavy for the fish), pickled bell peppers (I almost missed it...I've seen confetti bigger than that!) and budo mame (4 black beans)...like I say they list EVERYTHING..ha ha *- 1/2 lb wagyu filet - this was probably the best thing ($55)...cooked just right with some rock salt on the outside. We were surprised that there is NO LOCAL FISH on the menu....kind of sad considering we live out in the middle of the ocean...they had keahole lobster, nalo farms and hamakua tomatoes tho'.... Dessert was chocolate caramel something with a scoop of vanilla ice cream....coffee was good... Since we were seated so closely to our neighbor, I couldn't help but notice that she didn't eat her dinner...she had the ishi yaki buri bop.....her husband had the crispy whole fish....which he said was delicious (like I said, we were seated so closely together) Presentation was ho-hum....people were nice so they get 2 stars.... Well, don't think we'll be back....for my $200 I'd rather spend it at Imana Tei instead of the "big top"....(it even had some patches in it!) Soooo not impressed....oh well...
(2)Rodney K.
Went there last night, the menu selection is very small most of it being expensive sushi. I wasn't really in the mood for sushi so I thought I would get a steak however the 14oz steak was $84 so I settled on the loco moto their version of a loco moco. The meat was tender and pretty god but there were only 4 or 5 tiny chunks in the whole dish. The egg was about half the size of a normal egg. Half the plate was rice. The gravy tasted like the salsbury steak gravy from the frozen dinners at Safeway. After eating the egg, meat, and some of the rice I was still hungry, I only got full from eating the rest of the rice and gravy. I pretty much paid $22 for a bowl or rice. Very unfulfilling and unsatisfying. If you want a loco moco youre better off going to L&L.
(1)Mz S.
My best friends took me here for my birthday dinner. The dinner was an amazing experience. I was a little turned off by the hostess, but that was quickly forgotten about when we were seated and welcomed warmly by our waitress. My favorite cocktail is there White Lily. I loved it - had about 5 of them. The yamamomo on the bottom of the glass is delicious and I wish I could have a whole jar of them. Here is what we ordered that evening. Appetizers: Gyoza - great but not my favorite Tofu - listen to the waiter/waitress/food runner, do not touch the lid, just let it sit and do it's magic. It comes with a delicious kim chee broth. Hands down, my favorite appetizer pork belly - delicious!! Sushi Platter - a great variety of sushi. Each piece was delectable and fresh. Loved every bite! Calamari Salad - I ordered a salad for my entree which was a smart move for me because by now, I was getting full. I loved the crispy calamari with the cool cripsy greens and the dressing is amazing. Needless to say, my best friend's girlfriend ate half of my salad because it was just so good and neglected her entree. Chawan Mushi with Foie Gras - my favoirte! I order this every time i go. It's velvety smooth and the flavors are amazing. Loved every bite. Dessert: Peanut butter chocolate bombe - I had this before and liked it but my best friend inhaled this before most of us could grab a bite. This was his favorite dessert by far. Salted Peanut ice cream - YUM! Grilled Pineapple - this was a light and delicious dessert Sorbert assortment - refreshing and light Semifreddo - this was my best friend's girlfriend's favorite. light and delicious I was very sad to learn that they no longer make the tofu souffle that came with the hot and cold tofu dessert. That was so delicious and unique. All in all, I had a wonderful meal here.
(4)Crissy K.
A very solid four stars. Going in, I was really hoping I'd be able to give Morimoto five stars. Why? Look at the guy: He totally rocks the house on "Iron Chef America." So why four stars? Some friends and I had the omakase and shared a few other plates. While 90-95% of the items served with the omakase were at least solidly good (just the pork with the entree dish was really dry and boring, and the seasoning used on the lobster kinda smelled like body odor), few were spectacular, and I don't feel that all of these dishes were honestly the BEST representation of Morimoto's cooking. BUT . . . That said, Morimoto standard solidly good is a lot better than you get most places in Honolulu. The foie gras chawan mushi made me a believer in chawan mushi (after the one at Yohei nearly convinced me that I would never try it again). The hamachi and toro tartare, with its five accompanying garnishes, was a sight to behold, presentation-wise, but I had no hesitation digging in and savoring each flavor. The bagna cauda was so simple, yet so savory and mouth-watering. And don't forget: Don't limit yourself to the omakase. My favorite item we sampled had to be the kakuni -- the ten-hour pork belly. It was the most tender pork I have ever had, and I would go back for this alone. OK, and the lamb carpaccio, of which they just give you so much, it's a great deal right out of the bag. The service my friends and I received the night we went was quite good: The servers were very patient in explaining the components of each dish and even came back to go over one of the omakase dishes with someone who had been in the restroom when it first arrived at the table. It was difficult to hear the explanations at times because the room was so large and noisy, but that wasn't the fault of the servers themselves. I look forward to visiting Morimoto Waikiki again to see what else the menu has to offer!
(4)Rebecka A.
Complimentary valet parking in front of The Modern. We had a reservation for 6:45 and arrived at 6:00, and they seated us right away which was great. I requested a table with a view on the on-line reservation form, and we were seated with a great view of the marina and setting sun. The waiter and water guy were attentive and patient when we took a long time to order drinks, appetizers and dinner. The Morimotini is cucumber, vodka and sake. It is strong and refreshing! For appetizers, we had the pork gyoza (with bacon cream foam! what does that even mean?!) and the ahi pizza. Sashimi grade ahi on a crispbread. The gyoza were ok, fun with the foam but I didn't taste too much bacon. The ahi pizza was amazing! So delicious. For dinner I ordered the duck, duck, duck. Of the three ducks, the best was the regular sliced duck breast meat with pineapple salsa on top. Delicious! The other two ducks, a meatball broth covered in a flaky crust top and a spring roll (note singularity: it's one spring roll cut in half) were both ok. The presentation of all the dishes was great. For dessert (yes we went all out!) we had the soy cheesecake and the peanut butter bomb. Dang is that peanut butter bomb, bomb! :D It's like a big candy bar, but very light and easy to eat. I would say that as far as fine dining goes, Morimoto does well. I didn't have anything I didn't like, but a few of the dishes didn't 'wow' me so that's why I gave it 4 stars and not 5. For the price I would have wanted a bit more pizzazz in those gyoza and the duck meatballs and spring roll. #100in2015 (#16)
(4)Karl S.
We have been waning to try a Morimoto for quite a while, just never in the right time place. Very happy we found one on Oahu! Arrived for our 7 pm reservations and were warmly greeted by very friendly and professional Hostess, we were struck by how beautiful and relaxing the restaurant is decorated and laid out. Once seated our Server was on it, very accommodating with plenty of useful suggestions. We started with awesome Martinis. We tried the Yellowtail Pastrami and the Pork Gyoza, along with the Kakuni, a 10 hour braised Pork Belly all were absolutely amazing dishes. For the main course I picked the Seafood 'Toban Yaki' which was one of the best things I've ever eaten. Wifey chose the Australian Wagyu Filet, super tender and wonderful flavors. Overall one of the best dining experiences we've had in Waikiki, which is not an easy thing to do.
(5)Harry N.
I came to this restaurant, because I was recommended by a family member, it came highly recommended. I gave it 5 stars because I truly felt the food was amazing and the service was even better. For every appetizer or main dish we were given a new set- up and new plates. Our glasses were always topped off, they wouldn't let our drinks get below half full. The sushi was delicious. The portions are small , but creatively prepared and the tastes are very unique. This style of sushi reminds me of the NOBU sushi chain in California. The prices were on the expensive side, but worth it. Our bill for 4 people, including drinks, appetizers and main dishes came out $350. To top everything off, the scenery from the outside balcony was amazing. You can watch the sinset.
(5)Betsy B.
Modern atmosphere in the Modern Hotel owned by celebrity chef. I walked over from the Ilikai Hotel by coming past the pool but my friend drove and got validated parking. There is indoor and outdoor seating but if you arrive in the evening before the sun is down, it can be a challenge to get a seat where one of you doesn't have sun in your eyes-the curtains don't really block out the sun. In any event, the service was outstanding with our server being very helpful and attentive without being intrusive. We each had an appetizers to start which were generous proportions and filling. I had the tempura rock shrimp that came in a three section dish with one having shrimp in a spicy kochujan sauce, one having shrimp in wasabi aioli and the last being a ranch dressing with some celery sticks but it was interesting to dip the other shrimp lightly in the ranch dressing now and then as well. It was cooked nicely and enjoyed the taste. I had the California roll next which was very good. The last thing I had was a tofu cheesecake that we shared and it was more tasty than expected as well as being very light-more like a mouse. Although it can be pricey, you can easily get by with appetizers-I would have had an entree had I not already filled up. The service was as good as I've ever had. The only drawback was the noise level and glare from the sun. It is worth a visit at least once though.
(4)Maggie B.
It was ok. Not anywhere as good as the MW Restaurant (although they are aiming for the same level) but certainly far better than Roy's Waikiki. The ambience was good and the service ok but the experience wasn't what it ought to be at these prices. We had the tasting menu with wine pairing. I never once heard what the courses were - the place is very noisy but more importantly the server seemed to be mailing it in. There was no proper introduction of each course. It felt that because we'd chosen the tasting menu, we were on an assembly line and no one really cared about our experience. That isn't how one should feel. The food was quite good - if only the servers cared...
(3)Clay Y.
Very upscale Japanese restaurant, Service impeccable, wait staff very accommodating, friendly and explained each dish and presentation perfect. Everything is cooked to perfection. Table side presentation awesome. It's like dining in two different settings, inside you get the sound and noise bouncing off the walls but very elegant and air conditioned, the outside is more relaxed and if you get there before sunset you will be treated to an awesome sunset overlooking the boat harbor. If you can find parking on the street below it's $1.00 an hour, or valet. You can also park across the street for $7.00 and walk across the bridge on the second floor.
(4)Mark W.
THIS IS NOT A THREE STAR EXPERIENCE! I've been to this restaurant on four different occasions over the past four years and each and every time the experience from the service to the food has been outstanding! Lobster perfect! Rock shrimp perfect! Alaskan King crab perfect! Pork dumplings perfect! Tofu perfect! These one and two star reviews simply make no sense to me since my experiences have always been so spot on and consistent over the years.
(5)Elysse P.
The restaurant is located inside The Modern Honolulu (where we were staying). If you're a weirdo like me and watched Iron Chef before you went to sleep every night, you know who Chef Morimoto is. This was a must on my list so we made a ressie as soon as we booked our flights. The restaurant ambiance reflects The Modern. Gorgeous and chic, but still simple. Loved the floral artwork on the walls and moss tables... and even the little details like the clear chopsticks. + Sushi platter - they are very flexible when it comes to the different platters. As the prices go up, the quantity and quality go up as well. We went with the 180 option and specified we all really wanted uni. There were 5 of us. The chef worked with our request and made 5 of each fish. Our platter came with 7 different types of sushi (including our beloved uni), spicy tuna roll, and tamago to finish. DELICIOUS. This is definitely a must. + Oysters with foie gras and uni - Set of 3 oysters. 3 of my favorite things in one dish. DO it. + Toro tartar - Really enjoyed the presentation and flavor. The toro is SO fatty and the 5 sauces accompanying the toro definitely complete the dish. I would also recommend this. + Alaskan crab legs - we were excited because the waiter explained they would be flavored in spice... but disappointed to find out that the flavor was actually a spicy, thick mayo......... not really our preference. The side of fries were crispy, but again smothered in the mayonnaise and thus a big soggy and less appetizing as the sauce continued to soak. I would only recommend this dish to mayonnaise lovers. + pork belly congee - the pork belly is beyond tender and HAS SO MUCH FLAVOR. Worked perfectly with the congee (porridge). I would recommend this dish for sure. + 12th rose - HIBIKI 12 year old whiskey (really good Japanese whiskey) mixed with some sort of lavender lemonade, rosemary... and other stuff. I can't remember and it's not on their online menu yet! The waiter did mention that it's one of their newest cocktails. AMAZING. I was expecting to dish out on this meal, but it was not bad at all. Spent about $65/each with tip. The service is absolutely perfect. Our waiter was very informative, made great recommendations, and really worked with us in creating the perfect sushi platter. He also brought out complimentary sorbet and chocolate for my birthday :) I realllyyyy enjoyed Morimotos!
(5)Jin H.
Foods are just ok, poor service quality. Good location by Harbor but uncomfortable table layout.
(2)Reina L.
From the moment we walked in and Duane helped us with the menu...to all the great servers and the delicious foods...this has been one of my best birthday dinners. This is one of my top three restaurants! We started with the sashimi platter, then tried a sushi platter, from there we got the tenpura squid salad, and then finally decided to order our main course meals. I loved that Duane was so helpful and everyone was so friendly that this made my son and my first experience here wonderful!
(5)Stephanie L.
I had dinner here on Friday, Mach 7, 2014. Despite all the negative reviews I decided to come here and surprise my boyfriend for our 4 year anniversary. It was raining so we weren't able to sit outside on the patio. By the looks of pictures it was really nice and even had a fire pit so I was pretty bummed. Morimoto's is located in the Modern Hotel and if you valet your car the restaurant will validate for up to 4 hours. The restaurant itself is beautiful and modern with an ocean feel. My boyfriend and I love sushi and we've been to a lot of high end sushi places (Mitch's, Sushi II, etc.) so we figured we would order sushi. Instead we decided to try the Omakase "chef's choice" cause we've never tried it before at any other restaurant that offered it. Priced at $140 a person you would have high expectations. I have got to say that the Omakase was amazing. I wish I took pictures but even the pictures wouldn't do justice as to how good everything tasted. The Sushi was so fresh and tasty. Our main course which was lobster, braised pork, and wagyu beef was to die for. Our coconut crusted butter mochi and banana nut ice cream dessert was amazing. The foie gras with duck breast was so buttery and fatty it melted so good in your mouth. Our waiters were very knowledgable and very friendly. The best part is that Iron Chef Morimoto was there and we were able to take a picture with him. The waiters won't bother Morimoto so that you can take a picture with him, you have to go up to him yourself and ask. He was very friendly and doesn't speak good english. Can't wait to come back again to try the pork gyoza or Omakase round 2!
(5)Jeff L.
Ambiance and food presentation was fantastic! Iron Chef Rocks! Our server Sarah was great! Highly recommended.
(5)Hiro S.
Came back here for Thanksgiving dinner. We started with fresh oysters - served with three different sauces. Continued with salad, white fish carpaccio, spicy crab legs, abalone takoyaki, Californian roll (w/real crab meat), and ramen noodle soup. Everything was tasty, but I was happy to validate their ramen noodle was still my favorite even after the previous executive chef's departure. The service was flawless, our drinks were replenished, and clean plates were brought on timely manner w/o asking. I hope they continue to maintain this level.
(5)Yo S.
It was a windy Valentines so EVERYONE sat inside causing a back log on reservations. We were seated 45 mins late. A lot of other reservations looked frustrated about the wait which was understanding. Maybe a "free" round of drinks would have been nice once we were seated.. Hehe. Dinner was not as good as the last time we were here. The tempura appetizer was exceptional so we couldn't wait for our entrees. My wife had the "duck duck duck" which she said was OK. I had the surf and turf which was great except for the tea (seaweed water) to clean your palette. Service was exceptional and Chef Morimoto was there entertaining friends but would take selfies with patrons. Very cool... I will go back again but may try the sushi selection next time... Looked good from what I could see.
(4)Bill R.
Open table friendly. Sat at bar as I arrived early. Amazing selection of hand crafted cocktails. Shochu ginger Moscow mule. Outstanding. Seated outside great atmosphere. No problem as single diner. Sashimi salad. Fresh flavorful crusted ahi with morimoto take on Caesar salad topped with poached quail egg. Perfect app for one. Not for sharing. I cleaned the plate. Trying Shochu on the rocks. Made from barley this one. Really good on the rocks. Like a fine bourbon without the heavy bottom. And crystal clear. Also made from rice or sweet potato. Would like to try them all. Oyster foie gras with uni. Wow. Served in shell with teriyaki reduction each with a piece of foie gras and dollop of uni. Service began to suffer as my wait staff was suddenly swapped out. Sat for 15 minutes after the appetizer without having been asked what I would like for entree. WtF!? Got the opakapaka special. Outstanding. Tender flaky and flavorful. Not even close to being dried out which is so often the case here in Hawaii. Amazing sushi rice risotto. Didn't know there was such a thing. Intense chili aioli lightly coated the plate. Paired with napa valley first press Cabernet. Dark earthy funky bold. Stands up to spicy flavors. Dessert? If you're gonna offer me a soufflé that takes 20 minutes for dessert than give me the courtesy of ordering in advance. I'll pass! Check please. Fix your basic service issues to become world class. The waiters seem to merely go through the motions without any passion. The servers that bring the food where extremely knowledgable about the food they were serving though. Can't take anything away from the chefs the food is A plus! Basic wait staff etiquette will go a long way here. Overall I would recommend trying this place for the perfect execution of the food.
(4)A U.
Given the prices here, I was disappointed by the food and service. There were six of us out for a business dinner and I was expecting to be transported (metaphorically) to Tokyo.
(3)Toby T.
Morimoto Waikiki is one of my top three restaurants in Hawaii. Not only is it good for dinner, but also for lunch. The ambiance is great with a choice between indoor A/C our outdoor overlooking a yacht harbor at the Pacific Ocean. The restaurant is located in the sleek Modern Honolulu Hotel. Here are my top choices when dining: For dinner: MUST: Big Island Abalone Takoyaki Eat sushi. Get the Chef's combination. Appetizers are the Toro Tatare or Wagyu Carpaccio The Australian Wagyu Filet is Steakhouse quality (open 5pm - 10pm) For lunch: Get a Combo. Either the Sushi/Sashimi/Tempura combo or the Sushi/Loco Moto combo (loco moco made with wagyu beef and hayashi gravy) Make sure you get an ice tea. (open 11am - 2:30pm) And they also serve Ramen Soup too in case you are looking for something simple. Don't forget to leave room for dessert, the flavors are spectacular!
(5)Malikah M.
Went for my Birthday and my husband and I had the Chefs sampler so that we could enjoy a taste of the menu and it was worth ever dime. Every bite was amazing and different. We enjoyed the experience!
(5)Emma F.
We had the sushi here and it was fantastic. Our waiter was kind of MIA part of the night and the atmosphere left a lot to be desired (trying too hard). But the food was actually really outstanding. My advice, get the sushi.
(4)Sweetie P.
This was my second visit to Morimoto's and the second time I was disappointed by the TASTE of the food. The oyster foie gras w/uni was ok. The soft shell crab roll was the worst I've had compared to many Japanese restaurants around town and Nobu's (which I thought had the best). It was dry & lacked seasoning. The uni & Japanese uni was fine. That's why we went for uni. The abalone balls were terrible!!! The dough on the inside was raw, had no taste and the abalone itself had little flavor. It was a shame that such a delicacy had been treated and prepared in such a manner. The main course, the filet w/poke, was a HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT. Although done to my liking (well), the steak was under-seasoned if seasoned at all and the poke did not taste like fresh fish and there was only 4 pieces of fish dressed up with 2 mozzarella cheese balls and 4 baby tomatoes. A watered down teriyaki sauce was served on the side, i guess for the steak, but didn't add much flavor. The mashed sweet potato was the best dish of the night. If you have $$$ to throw away on outrageous prices based on his celebrity, then this place is for you. If you appreciate food that tastes good, go somewhere else.
(1)Jeanette S.
We made a 730 reservation on a Sunday morning even though it wasn't necessary, we were the only patrons there until about 8 AM. Who is actually up that early on a Sunday? We were seated outside overlooking the harbor. Lots of green and white seating and tables. Price wise, in my honest opinion, it's not as pricey as a lot of people say it is. Granted we had breakfast, but I've browsed the dinner and lunch menu and I don't think the prices are all that expensive. It's on par with the cost most hotel restaurants in Waikiki offer. Our server was pretty good, very nice, filling our waters, checking in on us. Would have been nice if he smiled, but it was early so it's understandable. The service made up for it. We had to wait a bit for our food to come, but it was ok since we were enjoying the view and just taking in the morning without the morning crowd. To start we ordered iced coffee for me, and orange juice for the husband. Iced coffee comes plain and they give you simple syrup and cream to add in accordingly to your taste. I usually have my coffee black but today I made an exception, a little cream and sugar won't hurt. For breakfast the husband had scrambled eggs, spam, toast, and potatoes. can't really go wrong with that, it's his go to breakfast order pretty much everywhere we go. I like to try different things so I had the traditional Japanese breakfast. It was pretty good! It came with miso soup, grilled miso fish, assorted pickled veggies, ahi poke, nori, and a poached egg. Definitely worth the cost! The miso fish tasted so yummy! It was nice a buttery. Love the pickled veggies, it's the first thing I ate. Ahi poke was good too, not like other places, where there is either too much or too little soy sauce, it was just right. I just wish they gave a bigger portion. My husband and I shared a short stack of the banana pancakes. I love bananas, and I definitely loved the banana pancakes. The banana flavoring is there but it's not too overpowering. We ordered it topped with fresh berries and macadamia nuts. It was so yummy we should have ordered the full stack instead of the half stack. Overall it was a pretty good experience friendly staff, good service, great food. We will be back. Next time for dinner.
(4)Gen T.
I loved this place! Everything was great from the service to the decor... The food was definitely worth it. I'd like to especially say that the server and wait staff were really attentive and helpful and always gave you full description of all the items and were very friendly. We ordered the Wagyu Carpaccio, Poki which had a different twist on it than I've ever tried before, the oyster foie gras was fantastic and highly recommended, Tobanyaki was a first and I absolutely loved it but my favorite no matter where I go is Black Cod... YUM!!! A little on the pricey side but all in all I had a great night nothing bad at all to say about Morimotos. Cant wait to go back there again!!
(5)Traci H.
I went here for a birthday lunch for someone in the office. Since the boss is paying why not! I have to say before coming here I've heard mixed reviews. From loved it to very disappointed. So I came here not knowing what to expect. First of all, the place was WOW! The restaurant was a vibrant green and white. Very modern Hawaii feel, it looks like it would be a great lounge if they did late night. ;) The Edition is updated from what I remember the Ilikai to be back when I had winterball and proms there! We had the pineapple tempura, and the lamb carpaccio. I wouldn't get the pineapple tempura again, it was interesting, but ok. I LOVED LOVED LOVED the lamb carpaccio! It was so soft and tender, and well seasoned! I drool at the thought of it! I love butterfish so I had the braised black cod (aka butterfish), which was delicious! It was so flavorful! It's small for an entree, but I was stuffed by the time dessert came around. One girl had the angry chicken and seemed to enjoy it. The angry chicken looked like one of the larger entrees. The other girl had the tempura, sushi, and sashimi set. It didn't look like much but it added up she said, and also said it was good. Our boss got the kakuni don, which is pork belly that is cooked for 10 hours. I had a taste and it was very flavorful. If you like shoyu pork, you'll like this. It is served over rice, and it's a pretty big bowl. We shared a tofu cheesecake for dessert and it was interesting. Light and fluffy, just a hint of a creamy cheese taste. Interesting to try once. They have a their own specialty drinks, one person loved the green flash. I tried the white lily, it was very citrusy...because of the yuzu. All in all I would love to go back. I will have to get the lamb carpaccio again! I would get the black cod, but I would like to try other things as well. It's pricey so it'll have to be a special occasion. The staff was warm and helpful. They did forget to bring tempura sauce though. :P
(4)Steve O.
First - the service and decor were really good. My food was ok. I had the toro appetizer for $28. The tuna was good but I wasn't a fan of the presentation. You have to scrape the tuna off a plate and then put some topping on it. It was tasty but not worth the $28. For a main course I had the yellowtail cooked at the table, which is essentially a hot stone bowl. The dish was supposed to feature sushi grade tuna but didn't taste like that to me. The pieces had the darker spots where the fish doesn't taste good. It was an iron chef meal. In my opinion it wasn't that good. My wife had the Waygu with the egg and she said that was amazing. So I think you can get good food - you just need to choose wisely. Again the service was great.
(3)Jackie P.
We had the following: - HAMACHI TARTARE...had to try it from seeing it on all the food shows. expected too much, probably won't order it again. - OYSTER FOIE GRAS...LOVED these! definitely order the sauce on the side since it is strong. will get 2 orders of this tasty goodness next time we come. - YOSE DOFU...good to try once, but will try other dishes next time. - PORK GYOZA...stay away from this one. what a waste of stomach space :( - CHEF'S LOCO MOTO...should've stayed away from reading the other reviews, boo. - SEAFOOD TOBAN YAKI...my FAVORITE dish of the night. can't wait to eat it again! Got too full, so next time we'll try the wagyu carpaccio, crispy whole fish, and maybe some tofu cheesecake.
(4)Sandra C.
Beautiful presentation, food was good, a little pricey, and small portions. Rock shrimp appetizer with two sauces was tasty, but you can get that elsewhere easily. Pork belly on top of congee was excellent but it was a tiny portion ..1.5 inches x 1.5 inches of meat over an ounce or two of congee soup for $18. The fish was fresh for sushi. I had to put a credit card on open table to hold reservation, maybe because it was mother's day weekend. seemed like a way to appear really busy and booked. The restaurant was not full, although busy, from 6-8 on Sunday. Great service. Plates changed. Bathrooms, which was nice, oddly did nit have toilet seat covers and toilet was really low. Decor was nice with white drapery and shells on display and lights outside, but not an A + as others have rated. Read the reviews some stayed away from omakase which seemed like it would be a disappointment for $120. Expect to spend $$$$ anyways.
(4)Terri Lynn S.
Excellent dining experience. Decided to have full-on appetizers instead of ordering dinner entrees. Very tasty and great presentation. Tempura Calamari Salad (highly recommend), Crispy Rock Shrimp Tempura, Tekka maki, Spicy Tuna, and California Roll. Wine and Beer went well with food. Complimentary Valet parking a plus.
(5)John E.
The ambiance was very nice. We went at night so I couldn't tell you much about the view . I don't watch Iron Chef so apparently the chef there is famous. He was there greeting meeting people. The bill was very high but the experience was excellent. Our group tried several different entrees. Everyone raved over it. The service was excellent too. Our waiter really seem to know a lot about the food in the restaurant.
(5)Brian B.
When my friend suggested going to this restaurant to co-celebrate our birthdays together, I jumped at the chance... What I always enjoy doing is trying new places, and especially going to new & unique dining places on my birthday and this place did not disappoint! When I found out where this place was located, which is in "The Edition Waikiki Hotel", I was like WTF is that?? I came to find out that this place is adjacent to the Ilikai Hotel and is actually pretty nice. Basically it's on the same side of the street as the Marriott Prince on Hobron Lane. If you know where Red Lobster or Outback Steakhouse is on Ala Moana Boulevard, you can easily find this place. As you go down Hobron, the entry for this place is on the left hand side of the block and towards the end. You have to look carefully or bring someone with you, because it's fairly easy to miss the valet area where you would pull in to go to this restaurant. Once inside, there's a beautiful lobby with a nice little waiting area that's decked out. The restaurant is on the right side, and when you enter it, you'll see a bunch of green couches & chairs with a little reception area. It's kinda small but once you get past that area and into the main dining area, it really opens up. BTW, there is also an area outside as well, where you can eat in the open air but we ate inside. You'll quickly notice that the ceiling is high and that all of the chairs and whatnot are green with brown wood tables. Hanging above some of the tables immediately to the right, and at the back where they have large groups, there are clear fiberglass boxes that have these huge seashells inside of them. To the left as you enter there is a white bar area with a picture of a purple-ish looking flower which is also on the far opposite wall as well(the same area where the large groups are seated). When you get to the table there is a nice white, rectangular plate with a cloth napkin and a small polished white stone on which a pair of clear chopsticks lay. Very nice presentation! On the center of our table, which was in the large group area, there was a huge cylinder with a shell inside of it that was sitting on some decorative rocks. The menu features quite a nice selection of items which range from hot & cold appetizers, noodle & soup dishes, entrees, steaks, and finally some sushi. There is also an extensive cocktail menu which features the usual drinks including sake & shochu. We ordered a few appetizers, a few highlights of which included an ahi pizza & Morimoto's sashimi which consists of five 3-layered pieces of sashimi. Also there were some rockefeller(?) oysters, fried gyoza, and a takoyaki-like dish(I forget exactly what was in it but it wasn't squid or octupus... one of my friends ordered it). Then came the main entree! I ordered the 16oz Wagyu New York Strip Steak with potatoes which was awesome! The steak was done to perfection and very succulent, the potatoes however were just a tad bit salty for my tastes.... I should've ordered some side vegetables to go along with it to break up the taste of everything... A few other friends ordered a rack of lamb, lobster & hamachi which all looked equally appetizing and very well presented! Finally we ended with desert which was awesome as well! I ordered a dish called "Hot & Cold Tofu" which was a cheesecake type of desert with a berry sorbet. A few friends ordered dishes such as a peanut butter dish & also a haupia desert too. All in all, I must say that I was very impressed with the overall meal. It was presented well & tasted as good as it looked. This is definitely a "wine & dine" kind of place that you take someone that you're trying to impress whether it's a date or a client. One thing that was kinda irritating is the fact that our server brought our food and went into a little bit too much detail about the dish we were eating, however I suppose it's to be expected since this is an iron chef restaurant. What would it be, if there wasn't a modicum of explanation into the thought behind the dishes that were created? The wait staff was pleasant as well, and the place didn't seem to get overly busy inside which was nice. I also had my shochu drink consistently full, so that was a nice touch as well! =) This is definitely a dining experience to try out! If you really want to go somewhere & get the full dining experience but don't mind paying a relatively good fee for it, go here! It's worth a try at least once, and it also makes for a good place to take someone to impress them too...
(4)Craig F.
The worst! Service was terrible and the food worse. We asked the waiter if the chef would make something special for our friends Bday. Without thinking or missing a beat he answered with a rude and firm no. The manager came by and explained that the chef was underwater. The place was half full. Really! She then dug a herself a huge hole by telling us a couple lies and left. We ate the over priced appetizers and weak cocktails in front of us, paid the bill and left. I mentioned our experience to a local friend, who is a very high end guy, his reply, he nor any local would ever be seen dead at Morimoto!
(1)Nicole L.
If you don't want to read my full critique, the bottom line is it's not worth the price. This was my first time dining at Morimotos and I took by boyfriend there for his birthday wanting a special experience. We arrived a few minutes before our reservation time and were told our table would be ready in "just a few moments".15 minutes later we were seated only after I approached Tue hostess and asked how much longer our table would be and if it would be better if we waited at the bar. We ordered the tasting menu and several ala carte dishes; the only standouts out of everything were the foie gras chawan mushi and yose dofu. The ala carte pork belly and butterfish (black cod) were both too sweet, and the tasting menu surf and turf had the toughest piece of wagyu I've ever tasted. When the servers brought out the Bagnacotta, they accidently brought 2 and proceeded to drop 1 on the table beside us before realizing their mistake, picking it back up, and dropping the same dish at our table. Otherwise service was ok, definetly not up to par with what's expected at a fine dining restaurant; several times dishes were served with the back of the handfirst, and although asked whether celebrating any special occasion when the reservation was made, there was no acknowledgment of my boyfriend's birthday- why make the effort to ask if there is no follow-up? The overall experience was not bad. The ambience, as noted in other reviews, is very relaxed, romantic, and cozy outside. Unfortunately, the food, nor the service, lived up to our expectations.
(2)Davis O.
I went for a late secret Santa with some old High School friends a few days ago and was disappointed. The appetizers where all pretty good but I felt the entrees could be better. President Obama loves to come here when he visits Hawaii, unfortunately I don't know what he orders. I gave 3 stars for: great location with a view overlooking the marina; good restaurant decor; good service; and tasty appetizers.
(3)Shawna F.
The other night was my birthday I brought with me a large party with a tab adding up to at least $1200, I was in the past a repeat customer but I will never go there again! I was treated like dirt. service was terrible, it took 40 minutes just to place an order for appetizers, and hour to receive our main course and no one was able to eat together because of how much time it took everyone to get there items (more than 20 minutes apart from the first dish to the last).This was not a busy night so my husband complained to the manager and was told they can't handle large parties (something I should have been informed of when I made my reservation several days in advance) he asked if he wanted to at least come talk to our table and the manager told him no. I had planned on ordering dessert and coffee for the whole table but my guests had grown inpatient. Part of my party (3 people) paid for there meals and left. I don't know why but the rest of us were stuck waiting for our tabs for another 45 minutes, my husband and I received our bill and paid along with one other person. We waited another 20 minuets for the rest of the bill to be divided until our server came over and told us that he was sorry that they will only split it 6 ways after all that time waiting. My husband once again talked to the manager and was told that wasn't so and that the check could be dived up, so he voided all the previous transactions and started over. At that point he said he would void the 18% gratuity after hearing the request a few different times that night. This took another 35 mins and the servers had to come back around and ask us what we all had again. Me and my husband told them we didn't need a new print out because we were paying in cash and were going to leave the money for the food with out the cost of gratuity. Once we started walking out the manager told us not to leave (here is where I'm confused) because they didn't have someone's money because she (one of the ladies that had previously left) signed the wrong receipt. I told them that they swiped her card and he told me she didn't I called her and she checked with her bank and she did indeed have a charge from the restaurant. He still said they didn't swipe the card and we had to stay because $300 was missing. I looked at the receipt and it was only an $80 tab and was the correct merchant copy and was signed. He pulled it from my view not wanting me to look at it and refused to tell me what the other amount of money is from he ignored me and started yelling saying we don't split bills here this I a classy place.(1. he already told us they do split bills 2. I have taken large groups to a number of "classy" places and have always split the bill) He then told security to call the police and to block us in the restaurant. I said that was unacceptable an tried to squeeze past but was shouldered away from the exit by two large men (This act was illegal, these people are to observe and report and nothing more nor are they to physically detain anyone). At this point we were all very upset. Some people even had to use the bathroom which is located outside. I asked the assistant manager what was going on and he told me he didn't know and hid in another room. My husband started calling the police himself which made the manager finally let us go yelling at my party of 12 to never come back and calling us trash. I stayed behind to ask who I can complain to, the manager whose name is Chad said he is the top guy no one above him. I'm sure the top guy is not a general manager and rather an owner or corp., but he refused to tell me anyhow. He also followed me out the door tell me I'm a real class act for giving them $200 even for a $197 bill and not the other $40 in gratuity which he already said we didn't have to pay. I told him he said we didn't have to pay that but he ignored me and continued calling me a "real class act" but its ok cause he "has it like that "and could "eat it" once again I told him it should have been taken off anyway and he got louder and told me I didn't pay a dime of it and said that we are really "honest people" and to never come back. When I get to the car I see the security are trying to pressure my remaining male guest in a fight and using colorful language (something none of us ever resorted to) This was supposed to be a celebration. I had intended on going out having a wonderful meal and probably most importantly for the establishment spending a lot of money. I thought that would be a place my friends and I would like to again visit but instead I was humiliated and my entire night was ruined because I had spent hours in that restaurant having a terrible time, as well as hours later contacting the police, filing a report and contacting my friend as to how they wanted to pursuer this incident. The police suggested I contact my Military lawyer. That route seems extreme and not something I am ready to pursuer but I do want to know that somethin
(1)Robert R.
low grade dog food. the tempura shrimp was smothered in garlic aioli sauce and chili paste with a side of ranch dressing. the hamachi was the lowest grade available on island and needed to be cooked to eaten. thats not sashimi grade. go to roys or yanagi shushi and forget about morimoto. oh, and don't even get me started with the wine list.
(1)Key-rah K.
did the 9-course to try. overall, the experience was worth the try...the ambiance was okay, the service was good, food was unique, drinks were ...well....ok (my first drink was made and served with a fruit fly in it----i sent it back and they shook me up a new, bug-free one). we were seated right away, near the sushi bar, it was a pretty green/white theme. i liked it! when it got busy, however, a couple was seated right next to us, no divider separating our seats. so...yeah. they were (rightnexttous). the woman was speaking and laughing quite loudly in another language, which made our dining experience not so pleasant from about 3/4ths into the dinner. if it wasn't for the awkward seating arrangement, i would have given a 4/5 stars....i still think its nice to be able to say i tried this spot. :o)
(3)Adam M.
This was on my "go to" list for things to do on my Hawaii trip, so i was looking forward to eating here for some time. I made a reservation for 130pm and when i arrived the place was almost completely empty inside. our server greeted us and was very helpful in choosing different entree's and drinks. Me and a friend ordered 3 items, plus 2 drinks which totaled to approx. $260 (130 per person). -Toro Tare Tare: this was a very light appetizer, which included a variety of sauces to dip the tuna into for flavor. i would rate this 3.5/5 - Ahi Pizza: I really liked this item. is again was light but had spice (jalapenos), sweetness, and crunch. lots of flavor and very fresh. 4.5/5 - $120 sashimi option: Large iced platter full of delicately plated fresh raw fish. tuna, salmon, yellow tail, flounder, among many other types of premium fish cuts. very tasty! 5/5 -750ml of a morimoto house beer: Had lots of hops, but i was not very impressed with it, had a strange after taste and was not worth the $30-40 price tag. 2.5/5 - Bottle of morimoto's house sake: wonder flavor. this was a chilled sake on ice. had a sweet after taste of different fruit flavors (don't remember the fruits in the sake though) This was about $40. 5/5. This place did not blow my mind, but it definitely met my expectations. Next time i'm in Hawaii i would try to go here for dinner to try different food items not offered on the lunch menu.
(4)Traci H.
I don't know the last time I jumped from 1 star to 3 stars but they did something right and I guess I'm also open to going again now! This time I went for lunch and I quite enjoyed it. $22 for the lunch special: nice fresh salad, miso soup, sushi (i substituted california rolls because I don't eat raw fish--they were very hesitant at first, but I'm not sure why because I think the rolls are cheaper than the fresh fancy sushi!), and a nice small size of the wagyu beef loco moto. That was so delicious. For the loco moto itself, it was nice fluffy rice, little pieces of wagyu beef--like steak, not ground hamburger, hamakua mushrooms, and a perfectly cooked sunnyside up egg. The gravy was delicious, not too salty, not too sweet. Then I got to taste some peanut butter dessert and the tofu cheesecake--that tofu cheesecake is heavenly. And really if you called it a soy cheesecake I don't think you would be so surprised. It's just that I imagined hard pieces of tofu on a graham cracker crust and that sounds disgusting. But that cheesecake has no cheese and is light and fluffy and the aftertaste might be better than the initial taste. It's so smooth on the tongue and so enjoyable. For lunch it's not too crowded and has a nice chill vibe. I'd totally go back for lunch, especially since I hear the tofu cheesecake is not served at dinner. Oh, one warning, the cheesecake is $10. My lunch was $22. So yes that one piece of cheesecake (served with some molasses ice cream is quite pricey). As much as I say it was a somewhat reasonable lunch, it was still pricey, so that's holding me back from 4 full stars. So maybe next time I'll get the review to 4 stars. Yelp 365 Challenge #18/365 August 18, 365
(3)Geneva L.
So, a little late on this review since me and my boyfriend came here during spring break which was beginning of April, but school and life happened and tonight, I uploaded our Hawaii photos and man, did that make my mouth water. The Wagyu Carpaccio was amazing. The rest of the food was well above par, 4/5, but the reason I needed to write a review was because of our amazing server, Martin. He was absolutely amazing and was hands down the BEST server I've ever had. And I'm a sucker for accents too. Um, so we absolutely loved Martin but I don't think you really wanna hear about that. As for food, its been awhile so I forgot how amazing everything was, Martin however left a lasting impression.
(5)Helen N.
Came here for dinner. Was able to reserve just two hours notice in advance on a Monday. Food was okay. I had the duck duck duck, hubby ordered the black cod with rice. Portion is kinda small so we also got beef carpaccio, spicy tuna roll, pork belly, toro and salmon nigiri, and a sorbet dessert. My favs was the beef carpaccio and black cod, the rest was just okay. Front staff was nice, but waiter seemed kinda not engaged so felt service was missing a bit. Ambiance is nice and mellow.
(3)Dennis Y.
I didn't have the highest expectation for this place since I thought it was more of a tourist trap than anything else but I was pleasantly surprised that the food was pretty good. Like Nobu, you don't come here for the traditional sushi stuff but rather go for the more creative dishes that Morimoto seems to like to do. Its with these dishes where the combination of plating and food combo's that are fun and delicious. Perfect for an entertaining dining experience. Something that's definitely needed in Waikiki.
(4)Jen G.
Had breakfast and lunch here (we were staying at the hotel). It was great! The breakfast was delicious -- the moco loco was great and so was the oatmeal. the oatmeal had this great flavor (I think from the chinese 5 spice in the granola). For lunch the bento boxes are awesome. I had the black cod. It was fantastic. And it came with salad, miso soup, 2 pieces of sushi, and 2 pieces of a roll. I thought that was a great deal for $22. We also had a rice bowl -- it was great.
(5)Silva H.
The family and i found this on our previous vacation. We were so excited that our palette was introduced to various fresh flavours that when this family vacation was booked we had to visit Morimotos again. Celebrating Health and a new extended family ( my son proposed to his long time girlfriend) anyway, what can I say about the food, the service , the atmosphere, relaxed, upscale chic. We had 10 waiters at all time on our table. Rachael helped plan our evening weeks ago and was their to make sure everything was as planned. Thank you soooo much. Did I mention the food? AMAZING! Can't wait to return.
(5)Rina S.
Subpar food, expensive for what they offer, bad service. Also ate here on Christmas Eve one year and found a beetle bug crawling in my salad. Disgusting.
(1)Steven C.
Love the home made tofu at the table, and the rock shrimp are amazing... Portion is big enough to share. We will be back.
(5)Jay H.
We went for my mother's birthday while visiting Oahu over the Thanksgiving Holiday. We went on a Saturday for lunch. We had a party of 6, one was a toddler and one an infant. We specifically went during lunch so as not to disturb dinner customers who may want a more formal dining experience. Service: 4/5 Our waiter didn't seem very knowledgeable about the food and mumbled quite a bit. We were served way better by the other staff who attended to us than our waiter. Don't get me wrong, this waiter would have been top notch at just about any other restaurant, but at a place like this, I expect the very best in wait staff. Food: 4.75/5 I initially thought the food was a 5 out of 5, but after comparing to another meal during our trip, I had to knock this down a bit. We ordered the Hamachi tartare as an appetizer, our toddler liked the lobster sandwich, mom had the Ishi Yaki Buri Bop, wife and dad had the daily special which was some kind of fish, and I had the chrashi. All in all, presentation was top notch. Food was good enough and as expected for a restaurant of this caliber. I wasn't blown away with the food, but wasn't disappointed either. Ambience/Location: 5/5 I thought the ambiance was great. Lunch was very quiet, we went when they first opened at 11am and only one other party came in during our hour and a half lunch. The average of the three ratings still rounds up to a 5 star. See my other review for a true 5 star meal on Oahu. I'd say this place was definitely casual for lunch and good for kids during lunch. Not so sure about dinner.
(5)Rod S.
Ordered the Omakase and it was awesome!! My faves were 1.Toro and Hamachi Tar tare and 2. Foie Gras Chawanmushi. I want to try the Crispy whole fish and the Crab legs with fries next time. I called this an "Experience" because it didn't feel like just dinner...it was like a show too. The whole experience took 2 hours...it was awesome!!
(5)Rachel S.
OVERRATED. The rib eye is good but that's it. Their portions are small and tasteless.
(2)Tyson H.
The good: The service was excellent. Our waiter was extremely attentive to our table throughout the entire meal. The food was absolutely amazing. We ordered the Duck, Duck, Duck, and Cod for entrees; two sushi rolls; and soup. The quality was the best we had in Waikiki, but the price of the food surely matched it! I feel the food was priced well for the quality of food. The bad: The tables for two are extremely awkward. They are extremely long and have a "X" shaped bottom that makes it weird to place your feet. You also have to watch out for your knees!! The restaurant is extremely loud, and as the night went on it got even louder.
(4)Katherine C.
The food was good and the lunch prices were pretty reasonable. It's Morimoto's and in Waikiki, so I don't think quantity should be expected. However, the quality was excellent and I've had pricier lunches that lacked the quality and presentation. Overall, I was very pleased and though the entrees aren't large, they are large enough to make you not feel the need to grab a 2nd lunch from some place else. I was surprised at how empty the place was on a Sunday for lunch. My friend loved the loco moco....I'm usually not a loco moco person but based off of his reviews and the lovely presentation, I think I'll have to give it a shot.
(4)Quijana B.
There's very little I can add to the descriptions of the restaurant or the food or the overall experience. It is a lovely space. It is louder than it should be. The service is either very good or remarkably bad. The food is fun and fresh and worth trying at least once. What needs to be said is this. Order the tasting menu. And then order it again. And again. And again. Unlike most restaurants with a tasting menu that gets switched out from time to time, Morimoto's has a never-ending tasting menu. Each menu is 9 courses. Each menu costs the same. There will never be a repeat in the dishes presented to you. Here's the secret. It is up to you to remember which menu you are up to trying. During my second visit, I made the not horrible mistake of not letting my waiter know that I had already had the tasting menu once before, and was presented with the exact same menu as the first visit. My third trip to the restaurant was when I was smart enough to say something, and was rewarded with a new set of dishes to try. My dining companion was there for his first visit, and had a familiar menu. It was such a nice treat to be able to let him sample mine as well. I'm looking forward to the third menu! (And the fourth, fifth, sixth...)
(5)Karen B.
My husband and I have been to Morimoto's Waikiki every 4th of July for the past 4 years and have alway had an enjoyable time. However, after this year we will look for another restaurant for our annual Anniversary celebration. The fact that they have a great view of the fireworks was not enough to justify the expense of the dinner and the exceptionally poor services we received, and most importantly the very poor quality food! Admittedly we are pretty hard customers to satisfy as we come from the San Francisco Bay Area where good restaurants and quality food abound. The experience this year went from bad to worse from the moment we checked in the with Hostess, who asked me to sigh a "Contract" upon entering. Never had to do that to eat dinner before! We were a little early so we asked if we could get a drink at the bar and take it out to the patio. The bartender said no, only bottle service out there that night. However, when they found that indeed we had a table reserved for the deck then we were "allowed' to take our drink out there. As far as the tasting menu went, some of it was mediocre and some of it was just plain terrible. The fish for the Sushi was not fresh tasting, of all things at a place that specializes in japanese seafood and sushi! Before our main course came out, our server left (change of shifts or some such thing) telling us it was too bad for us when my husband mentioned to her that he wasn't happy about this, and said that we should instead be glad for her because now she was off! She then forgot to tell her replacement to take over our table so it was about 25 minutes before we were served our main course! I have never felt happy to leave a dining establishment before but in this case we were extremely grateful to pay our more than $400.00 to leave! To top it off, I was appaled that there was an "administration" fee added to the cost of the dinner. We will not be back!
(1)Kelly V.
Went here with the hubs, we had the hamachi tartare, he had the pork gyozq, and then we had sushi. For dessert we had the molten chocolate and almond lava cake. Everything was delicious and our server Paul (?) was friendly and helpful. Will be back again sometime!!
(5)Grace C.
I was not impressed at all by this Morimoto location. We've been to the one in Napa, CA which was a lot better service wise. The only thing I liked better at this location was the decor and ambience...it was very modern, obviously since it's located inside the Modern hotel, and looked like it would fit in perfectly in Vegas with all the other high-end restaurants. Unfortunately, service was so slow and poor that even their luxurious decor couldn't save this review. The night was busy, but not THAT busy, and it took our server about 75 minutes to bring out appetizers and soup. We were in a rush since we had plans for after dinner, and after waiting 90 minutes for our sushi rolls to come, we told them to just pack it to go since we could not wait any longer.
(2)Linda Chu T.
Lunch time - restaurant was pretty empty. Never have seen it so down before. Service, as usual was very attentive and always pleasant. We had the mini-burgers. This is not your McDonald's Jack-in-the-Box version. bit of bacon, womderful sauce I could not identify, cooked medium. Very tasty. Comes with a green salad, japanese pickles and the most wonderful french fries sprinkled with furikake. Topped off a yummy lunch with a mysterious tofu cheesecake. All kinds of unusual flavors on one plate. The tofu itself was like eating foam. But, beware: ice tea was $14 each.
(4)Huli H.
We received a gift certificate last year from some friends. I enjoy Japanese cuisine thoroughly and always look for a great new experience. My first impression as we were seated was that I was amazed at the interior design. It's a fantastic looking restaurant, very sleek and "modern". So, my review of the dinner was that it was ok. We had the oyster foie gras and hamachi tartare as appetizers. It wasn't fun trying to eat the tartare and the oysters sauce was a little on the sweeter side Next, the Kakuni with congee was good, but again on the sweet side. Nigiri was nigiri, but they hardly had anything I wanted to order (amaebi, uni, wagyu beef, oh toro). They had the more expensive uni from Japan, which was good. Main course was the duck, duck, duck and the calamari salad. First off, it was more like calamari's with a few pieces of micro greens. Heavy on the oil and it was evident on the bottom of the platter. The duck, duck, duck should be an appetizer, it's a pairing of different styles of duck which turns out to be bland. So that was dinner, I won't describe dessert because it was simply ice cream. My biggest turn off was the waiter. It seemed like he was always behind on his tables because every time he came by he was in a mad rush. He did come by, but when he did, he'd rip his question and take off before even hearing my response. Very interesting. Last quirk was the error he made on the bill by charging us twice for an item without providing an apology. So, not a bad place but certainly not the best either. Nothing memorable except the people watching.
(2)Satoru Y.
Great quality ingredients; but execution issues. I've been to Morimoto's a few times now, and it is a mixed bag. I really enjoy the quality of ingredients that they are using, but it always seems that something is missing. The atmosphere is very sleek and calming. I love the gorgeous decor and the outdoor resort seating with fire pits: really sleek environment. The plating and presentation is clean; but the food itself is not as intricate as I was expecting. The service does need some work: it is clunky at times. The dishes do use great ingredients, but there seems to be something amiss. Not sure if it's because the place is still trying to find its groove. Some dishes that stick in my mind that small changes would make a tremendous difference: The Oyster Foie Gras are these sizable shooters of oyster, uni and foie gras. But, there is too much teriyaki sauce that overpowers all those other rich flavors. The Eggs Benedict with the Jamon Iberico served on hash browns has great flavor, but the amount of hollandaise sauce kills the rich flavors of the thin slices of ham. The second time I ordered it, it was a huge improvement; less hollandaise, slightly more fried hash browns, and you can really taste the sweet, rich flavors of the ham. The jamon is just delicious: the 'wagyu' of ham. I would almost suggest to get the sauce on the side just to be safe. The Wagyu Carpaccio is great up to a halfway point. Besides the great thin cuts of beef, I love the yuzu soy and oil. However, I do think something is missing. They do have slices of ginger, but something tells me that adding a very subtle ginger oil would go even further. Some of the dishes were great: The Crispy Rock Shrimp, one serving with spicy bean sauce and one with wasabi aioli. It comes with ranch dressing with dill, but neither needed it. Hard to choose a favorite, but I did like the wasabi slightly more. The Lamb Rack, perfectly cooked lamb with a very subtle yuzu sauce. The sauce definitely showcases the lamb. It is served with a tasty ratatouille shooter. The Wagyu Sliders are great. Love the flavor of the beef and pork. They're so delicious, and comes with tasty wasabi fries and salad. The rest are pretty hit or miss. The Sushi is not worth pricing per piece, such better places to get sushi. The Loco Moto has a great Japanese curry-type gravy, and it does have small pieces of wagyu instead of a hamburger steak. The Lobster Melt has great pieces and a rich flavor, but comes off wanting more. I'll stop here since I notice my review is getting pretty long. Was looking forward to trying this place out, but seems that some things need adjustments.
(3)David L.
If you go here, I would just stick to the apps and skip the entree. I had the whole fish tempura and the braised lamb shank. The lamb shank was enough to feed the whole family, and it was GOOD! The fish was just ok, and comes with the head and tail and crispy skin. The service was good. Def get the froi gras. And skip the drinks. They offer complimentary valet so take advantage of that.
(3)Shane B.
OMG!!! Amazeballs!!! The sushi here was to die for... And the service and ambiance was excellent. The fusion between traditional Japanese and modern food is so well executed! I loved the mixed drinks as well, the 1775 was tremendous! Also was pleasantly surprised by the open concept kitchen, was good to see how well run this place is... Can't wait to go back!!!
(5)Yasuo O.
You know. I just dont get it. There are good places, bad places and some that fall right in between. This clearly falls right into that area. Im not too sure why. The prices are a lil high, the service, a lil lousy, the food, nothign special unless you have no idea whats going on and how things are presented. Had the foie gras chawanmushi. it wasnt hot, it wasnt cold. room temperature. was it supposed to be this way? The ishiyaki was well.. nothing special. I think they forgot to put something on the buri / hamachi. was bland and didnt taste good seared at all. the whole fried fish things well... eat it at Chinese next time. Was so raw inside the meat was clearly not cooked. was it supposed to be like that? one pork appetizer i took a bite out of and sent it back to the kitchen. sweet, meat was overcooked, and I bit into a piece of char. sushi appetizers we had was well.. nothign special. the shari (rice) was actually hard in some places like the osu didnt mix well with the rice. the tempura pineapple.. pass on it next time. I just dont know what it is. I was sitting outside and one of those big okole roaches landed on the balcony railing potted area. i looked over and as if on cue, another one landed near my settings. I got up, asked a waiter to get rid of it and mr smart grabs his towel, flings it at the roach and goes flying towards my mom in law. WTF .... that clearly shaved off on the tips. not to mention if he was practicing his darwinism... When our bill came, it was a bit high. but considering we had drinks, a few pupus and stuff... 450 was fine. left 15% which was WAY more than generous. he tried. but you know how some people just know thier stuff and some just dont get it? this would be the latter. oh.. and when i opened the folio jacket, i noticed another persons bill in there for 900 bucks. hehehe serious? i told the manager, he kept sayin gsorry. without even wanting to know why i found it offensive i got another persons bill. had the same experience when i sent back my appetizer as well...
(3)Ulanka B.
Good food with good portion sizes. Excellent staff. Decent drinks. Beautiful decor. A tad expensive but good. I sent an email about an incident over and have yet to hear a response and it's been 18 days to date.
(2)Sheila K.
Better value than Nobus but some of the dishes were mah mah. Enjoyed the oysters with foie gras the most. Hamachi tartare was not hamachi worthy. The fish was not fatty and toppings were colorful but did not add to the dish. Deep fried whole fish also was good, but the duck, duck, duck was unexciting and bland. Haupia matcha dessert was good. The food took really long to come out, but the servers were courteous It was too loud to have a conversation
(3)Pavel L.
Food: A+ Service: A+ We had a fairly large party (10 people, including an infant) and were accommodated perfectly. The staff was always around to answer questions but was not intrusive. Every dish exceeded our expectations. I can't say anything bad about it.
(5)Tamra P.
I have been wanting to try this place for some time, despite the mixed reviews and steep prices. My hubby surprised me for my birthday with dinner here tonight, and we were joined by another couple, also here on their first visit. Morimoto is in what is now the Modern Hotel (previously the Edition). I love the decor: minimalist and modern with a little bit of ocean life thrown in the mix. The bathrooms have a beautiful minimalist design and feel very clean and spacious. Hey, they are important too! We were lucky enough to score a table on the lanai with a view of the harbor. It is a bit of a bustling, energetic vibe which was fine with us. We opted to order sushi and appetizers to share which made for a nice variety without completely blowing the bank. Softshell crab, salmon skin, California roll, spicy tuna, eel avocado roll were good middle of the road choices that would also appeal to those less adventurous. The tuna pizza was creative - crisp, cracker like crust with raw tuna, anchovy aioli, jalapeños and olives - delicious! Whitefish carpaccio was flavorful, but the favorite of the night was the crispy rock shrimp tempura. Half was in a mild wasabi coating, the other half was in a spicy kochujan coating with the most delicious ranch dressing dipping sauce I have ever tasted. The hubby, who loves buffalo chicken wings like a PMSing woman likes chocolate was in heaven. I also ordered the sake flight which was a nice variety of four 2oz sakes that end in a sweet umeshu tasting sake. Speaking of chocolate, I was served up a chocolate peanut bombe as a birthday dessert. No waiter serenade though? Kind of a bummer. Oh well. They did write birthday wishes in chocolate which was the only evidence left a few minutes later. Light and fluffy peanut buttery chocolate goodness......I was gonna share but thankfully everyone got their own. I was intrigued by the peanut butter powder on the ice cream - so good! I love when presentation is so aesthetically pleasing you feel like you are eating a work of art. Service was attentive, and they frequently wiped the table and removed/ changed dishes out. Overall great experience and I look forward to my next visit.
(4)Jonathan K.
Had a reservation and were seated promptly. Waitress didn't come by our table until 15 minutes after. She apologized for the delay, but for a restaurant of this *supposed* caliber, she should at least stopped by for a quick hello instead of leaving us waiting the entire time. The prices at this restaurant are mind-blowing. Every other sushi restaurant I've been to has menu prices listed for two pieces of sushi. Here, the price is for each piece. So you're paying $13-15 dollars while other great-tasting sushi places are charging $7-8. This outrageous surcharge is applicable to the entire menu. I had one of the Morimoto soba beers, and they charged $18! You can get a similar beer from Rogue breweries at the store for, what, $5, $6? We had a yellowtail (maybe halibut?) appetizer, and it was basically a thin sliver of pasty fish spread onto a glass slab. Seriously, the slab of meat couldn't have been more than 2mm in width. And they charged like $22 or something. There was probably less actual yellowtail in this dish than in one piece of sushi. Rip-off. The best dish was the curry, until you realize that you're paying $28 for something that you could easily get for $8 somewhere else. It's difficult to leave this restaurant without feeling that you're paying for the name instead of the food. Will definitely not return.
(2)Cassie T.
Morimoto, like the Iron Chef? This is what I asked my two friends when we were recently on our way to Morimoto in Waikiki. Wow, this is awesome! I felt a little star struck. I know I'm lame When we walked in all I could think of was that this place felt like a Spa or perhaps an upscale restaurant in Miami. How did I not know about this place before? I mean come on, I lived in Waikiki for four months! Love the décor! It is so clean and modern. White everywhere with accents of green. We had made a reservation on Open Table so when we walked in we were immediately greeted and seated. They offered us indoor or outdoor. We choose to sit outside. What a fab view! We were overlooking the harbor area and could see the ocean. Now this is how ladies should lunch! Our waiter was Kealoha and he was very nice. I have to say that the table presentation was very nice. But, do you know how there is always so much stuff on the table. I noticed that when I pushed the plate that was in front of me up and out of the way that he came back by and moved it back. WTH? A little later I noticed my friend do the same and sure enough he came right over to put it back in its place. Hmmmm? There were so many items on the menu that sounded delicious I really didn't know what to choose. Of course our waiter suggested the most expensive items. What a Salesman! We ordered a side order of the Wasabi fries to start, Yum! I ended up ordering the Loco Moto Lunch Set. At $22.00 this is a lot of food! It comes with the Loco Moto which is rice, steak, onions, gravy and of course the over easy egg. I thought this was pretty tasty but seeing as how I haven't had a traditional Loco Moco I had nothing to compare it to. This was also served with a few pieces of sushi, salad, and miso soup! My friend Alyson ordered the Sashimi and Sushi set which she said was ok but that the wasabi was really dry. Lisa ordered the Mini Burgers and was really not impressed. All in all I think you pay for the name and not so much the food. I will also say that I will give the place another shot during dinner. I believe the total price was around $75.00. I was surprised that it was only this much! The best part of this place was the sitting area outside the restaurant and the bathrooms. Is that bad? LOL.
(3)Leah Y.
Iron Chef Morimoto is a BEAST. If you didn't already know that then you should just leave now. I have been here twice and both times I've left with a happy tummy. My wallet wasn't exactly jumping for joy but if it's a special occasion, why not splurge on some Iron Chef caliber food? :)
(5)John M.
The worst wait staff There is no one in charge and no one gives a damn about the customers.
(1)Doug C.
We went today for the first time for lunch. The atmosphere was nice, but, I think being there during the day when there is a lot of sunlight was a disadvantage. The "white" menus were grubby and somewhat disgusting for a restaurant which by price should have higher standards. Also, the paint on many of the tables were cracked and the vinyl upholstery on many of the chairs were dirty and some were cracked. Service was excellent and everyone was gracious. They balanced attentiveness with leaving you alone enough to enjoy your food. It would have been nice though if they checked if I needed more coffee during dessert. To be fair though we were the last to leave, they were preparing for dinner and they never made us feel we were overstaying our welcome. (which we probably did) Our meal consisted of Hamachi Tartare, Wagyu Carpaccio, Steamed Scallops, Tempura Calamari Salad, Ishi Yaki Buri Bop, Haupia and an assortment of sorbets. Okay, truth be told at the end, before dessert, we had a second Carpaccio. The hamachi was very good, however, the condiments stole the show. The presentation was beautiful. But I would have preferred a presentation that was not a trick to eat without dropping the tartare trying to get both a condiment and tartare on the tiny flat spoon. Good luck dipping it in the sauce. Very good but the most expensive and our least favorite. Next we had the Wagyu Carpaccio. This was no less than incredible. The Carpaccio melted in our mouths and the flavors were light, adding to the beef and not distracting from it. The Steamed Scallops were cooked PERFECT. The flavor of the sauce was light and did not over power the delicate flavor of the scallops. The sauce/broth was delicious by itself. Did I mention the scallops were cooked perfectly? Wow The Calamari Tempura salad was very good. We were disappointed that they put the tempura under the salad which had dressing on it. It made the tempura soggy. I was more impressed with the salad with various types of greens and light dressing. If I ordered it again it would be for the salad not the tempura. Also, I would specifically ask they put the tempura around the salad instead of under it. The tempura was light and very good, just not particularly outstanding. Whether the Ishi Yaki Buri Bop, scallops or the Carpaccio was the best was debatable. All three were AMAZING. The Ishi Yaki Buri Bop is made table side. Our server seasoned, mixed the rice and seared the yellow tail perfectly in a hot pot at our table. The yellow tail melted in our mouths. I mean MELTED. My niece who is not particularly fond of sashimi loved this dish. She is becoming a believer. With both the yellow and carpaccio my niece and I looked at each other with each bite with disbelief and pure happiness. (okay, I know, believer and then disbelief...) Yes, we had a second Wagyu Carpaccio. It was THAT GOOD. For dessert we had the Haupia and assorted sorbets. The haupia was MUCH TOO FIRM, rather bland and not at all creamy like a good haupia should be. I don't know what the clear stuff was on top but it added nothing to the dessert, HOWEVER, the ginger-lime sorbet that came with the haupia was excellent. It might be a bit too tart for some, but, we thought it was great and the bold flavor almost made up for the lousy attempt at haupia. Almost. The assorted sorbets included mango-lilikoi, strawberry-guava and white peach-shiso (Japanese mint). They were all very good, but, we agreed the white peach-shiso was the best of the three. Very light, very refreshing. We both thought the white peach-shiso and ginger-lime sorbet were the highlights of the desserts. I highly suggest if you like ginger and lime ask for just a scoop of the sorbet and skip the haupia. If you're local this is the haupia that's left after the luau. You know what I'm talking about... The riesling was very nice, the coffee okay. I had one glass of wine and our total came to about $170.00. Would I go back? Maybe. If I did, however, it would be for the carpaccio, scallops, Ishi Yaki Buri Bop and the sorbets. I'd probably order different items menu rather than reorder the tartare, calamari salad or haupia. Because of the grubbiness and the haupia there was no way I could give this five stars. Morimoto is awesome. But, I can't imagine any locals liking his version of haupia. Then again, I'm sure his target audience is not locals.
(4)Sang L.
I think I should just stop going to his restaurants. The menus are all pretty much the same, so I thought I should be different and order something unique to this location's restaurant. So we ordered the loco-moto, in addition to a bunch of sushi and sashimi of course. I was surprised at the presentation of the loco moco - I suppose it's not the most elegant of dishes, but thought they would spruce it up more than just using nice meat. The ambiance, service, quality was as expected, you're definitely paying for it right? I think if I'm looking for more unique food, I'll start trying other chef's restaurants.
(3)Priscilla Y.
I was looking forward to trying a restaurant opened by an Iron Chef and this did not disappoint one bit! Everything was FANTASTIC! (Dinner: April 8, 2015) Favourite dish: Morimoto style poke! Everything inside the bowl just worked so well together; the avocado wasabi sorbet and marinated cherry tomatoes in the bowl were great additions. The yellowtail maki was fresh and traditional, but not something you cannot get elsewhere. The clam miso was large and tasty. Braised black cod was very flavourful and rich, great with some rice/veg! The Duck, duck, duck was a good way to try duck 3 ways. The lamb chop was tender and cooked perfectly. Overall service was great and the servers explained each dish as they served it! Our server even told us when we sat down that there was only one lamb chop left so if we wanted it she could save it for us right away! I will definitely come back for another meal when I'm back in town!!
(5)Antaash U.
My husband would be a Morimoto groupie if he could. He has raved about Morimoto for years and frequented the Honolulu and Napa locations multiple times. We also have the good fortune that Morimoto took over Japonais in Chicago so that his cuisine is extremely accessible. My first Morimoto experience was in Chicago, and it was very enjoyable. So, there was no way I was going to pass up an opportunity to dine at the original location while on vacation in Hawaii. I thought it was odd that the restaurant was housed in a hotel, but the ambiance was tres chic and ultra modern. It definitely gave off a swanky vibe in an approachable way. I really wish we could have dined on the patio, but it was unfortunately unavailable that night. I wish I could say that I was blown away by the flavors and presentation. I just was not. I had really, really high expectations going in, and nothing lived up to them. Most of the items we ordered were underwhelming because they were the cooked or vegetarian rolls. Because I am currently pregnant, and unable to enjoy real sushi, I still thought that if Morimoto was going to put a vegetarian roll on the menu, that it would be the best darn vegetarian roll the could do. WRONG. If they're going to put 6 veggie options on their menu, they should really try to do something unique with them. However, that's not what happened. The asparagus roll was pretty much white rice with small pieces of under-cooked asparagus rolled into the middle. I thought that there homemade soy sauce would be the needed umph, but the soy sauce was way too salty for my taste and as blasphemous as it might be to say, I actually missed my Kikoman low sodium soy sauce :(. If their creativity for 6 rolls was stifled, they should consider perhaps offering 3 vegetarian friendly rolls, but really doing something special with them. I'm just saying... Everything we ordered from the hot appetizers to the rolls was bland, boring and forgettable. I really wanted to love it, but I just didn't. I wonder if the people writing rave reviews for this place have limited sushi experience or they're just blinded by the space and the Morimoto reputation to be objective. Either way, it was a miss for me, and I would never suggest to anyone visiting Honolulu to go out of their way to dine here.
(2)Tanya C.
We were greeted by friendly staff that were very accommodating. (We were happy to see locals hired, especially because we knew a few of them). The restaurant itself is pretty big and beautifully decorated. We ordered the Toro tartare (a must get), kampachi carppaccio (another must get), pork gyoza with bacon foam (it was ok), soft shell crab sushi roll (it was ok), surf and turf (the steak was super soft and melted in your mouth, the poke was good quality and little to no tsuji), and chocolate shiso for dessert. Everything was plated beautifully and came out at appropriate times. We didn't have to wait long to eat. I went for my birthday and got a complimentary dessert as well. Suggestions: you could definitely share dishes, just order a bunch. The serving sizes weren't as small as we expected and were told.
(5)Han Y.
Very nice! I live in the Modern and it's my first time try at this Japanese restaurant.The chicken Ramen's soup is very tasty,noodles are smooth.Service is good and enthusiastic.Highly recommended.
(5)Rachael O.
Absolutely worth a visit, though, at these price points, choose wisely. I came for lunch with my son who is a chef in a Michelin-starred restaurant in the San Francisco Bay Area. I lived there for 18 years myself, so I have enjoyed some really fantastic meals which may sway my expectations. The servers were largely local, which means a great deal here in Hawaii. They were very attentive and competent, as expected in a restaurant of this caliber. The ambience is sheer perfection---light green and cream, gorgeous, modern, and tranquil. I was in no hurry for my food because I wanted to bask in it. As other reviewers have noted, it is in the Modern Hotel, which is absolutely lovely. I had one aim in eating here---to enjoy black cod, my favorite fish in the whole world. The lunch portion ($25) did not disappoint. Paired with miso soup, mixed green salad and chef's choice sushi (four nice pieces), it was the perfectly balanced meal. Of course that meant I needed to add a pear yuzu cocktail with jalapeño garnish ($14) and a trio of Wailua chocolate, green tea, and miso butterscotch ice cream for dessert ($10). The drink was strong and refreshing and the dessert was incredible. My son got the toro tartar ($35) which was gorgeously presented with and array of sauces--creme freche, wasabi, Maui onion, rice crackers and I forget the fifth (sorry!). The toro was good but not fantastic. It could have been a bit fresher and fattier, especially since this is winter. He also got a few pieces of nigiri and the Wagyu sliders with wasabi fries. He declared those better than the sushi and he's a major fan of sushi in general. I was surprised at previous raves about the sushi as overall, it's good, but not great and these are prices that call for great sushi. I will absolutely be back. Recommended for special occasions and getting your tranquil Zen vibe going.
(4)Littleone P.
We had gone here for my bday...and honestly was the best meal in Honolulu. The restaurant was located in the cool Modern Hotel. Sunset views were spectacular seated in the outdoor section. Sashimi were excellent! !..fresh, melt in your mouth like butta. We had the whole fish..absolutely delish. I absolutely loved the green tea and desserts. Prices: in reality, you pay for the high end food which I do not have a problem about. It is actually probably just slightly higher than a tourist trap off Waikiki beach. But food is darn good. Service was impeccable. Would send any wayward tourist there
(5)Jeff S.
Been wanting to head to Morimoto's for the last few trips to Hawaii - final made it! Absolutely fantastic - the location, view and food are off the charts - The sushi presentation was like a work of art and was probably some of the best i have ever had. The only downside.... service was not great - our waiter seemed distracted and pretty much ignored us for a table of pretty girls for the last hour of our visit. I tell you though, the food and ambiance well made up for the lack of service
(4)A S.
Morimoto's is located in the modern hotel, up the stairs and right before you get to the pool area. There's plenty of places to sit and wait incase you have to wait for a table or your significant other haha. Once you go in you're greeted by most of the staff, and seated promptly in a large dining area which also has outdoor seating. We were there on a Friday night and the fireworks show is right outside morimoto's. Our waitress was kind and gave us ample time to look over their menu. Personally, not a great place to have a date because it's hard to talk over the noise around you. We ordered sushi and appetizers. The oysters were delicious; we had half a dozen and they were smaller but definitely tastier, but I wished we had ponzu, lemon and tobasco sauce! The sashimi combination looked awesome, and pretty fresh. Morimoto's sake flight was a first for me. I liked 3/5 sakes and they give you a pretty decent amount per sample. I was a bit disappointed with the uni and considering for the price you pay it should be absolutely fresh, and not taste a couple days old. Morimoto also validates parking and be sure to get it validated before you leave or be prepared to pay $16!! It was a nice first experience to try it but I doubt I'll go back to this location again.
(3)Alessandra T.
Expensive but well worth it! ALL OF IT IS YUMMY. And so convenient if you stay inside this hotel. Def will come back!
(5)LL N.
same as before......whatever....plenty of better sushi in town. a lot of hype for nothing. sit at the bar and get a martini, pretty good.
(2)Leslie B.
I was so surprised to see the poor ratings. A group of 8 of us went for dinner and had the Omakase menu. It was a 7 course tasting menu and probably one of the best dinners I've ever had. The servers were spot on in describing every course and the presentation was amazing! If there is one negative it's that there was too much food. The 5th course was 6 pieces of nigiri and I could only manage one but shared with others in the party. The toro and hamachi tartare was amazing. Next was hot oil sashimi- hot oil poured over raw fish which basically cooked it. So Ono. fois gras chawanmushi was a custard with fois gras infused. It was very good but very rich so beware. . The kelp tea served right after helps counteract the Chawanmushi. Bagna cauda is fondue style with assorted veggies that you dip into a sauce of garlic, anchovy and olive oil which is served heated with a votive candle to keep it hot. Be careful though because you can easily tip it over. Surf n turf was next. Lobster tail, wagyu beef and pork tenderloin. Oh and if you're still hungry butter mochi and banana ice cream. Wine pairings throughout dinner were great. Food and service was excellent. I can't wait to return!
(5)Chelsie A.
Morimoto has done it again. First in Delhi at Wasabi and now here. The decor, staff and food selection are a par above the rest. Our waiter Duane did a great job in explaining the specials, favorites and unique items on the menu. A must have is the Kakuni which was out of this world. The cocktails were fresh, delicious and quickly served. Last but not least we enjoyed melt in your mouth sashimi sampler that tasted as magnificently as it was presented. If you are looking for fresh and delicious sushi & Japanese food this is your place.
(5)Adam K.
This place is extremely decadent & well laid out, open kitchen design with a sushi bar in front. Obama was here the night before which made me want to try it more. Presentation is clean & modern. I really love the decor, super stark white & chrome with splashes of green & brown to mimic the ocean front. We sat out on the lanai which was wonderful. They have a curious little couch area with a fire going next to it, very cozy. The view overlooks the marina. Yamazaki 12 yr scotch whiskey - Japan. Whiskey was spelled wrong on the menu. Kinda harsh, not very complex. Glenlivet - Ah that's better. Really awesome space, cannot emphasize that enough. Spicy King Crab Legs with Fries & American Cheese - the server proudly informed me that the fries accompanying the king crab legs had american cheese on them. Gross. I don't want to know what is in oreo filling either. These were really good however. Sushi & Sashimi - got a bunch of different ones, all fresh and tasty. Presentation could have been better. Kinda boring & for $14 a roll, I wanna see some confetti! Loco Moto - This is a dish that is on every Hawaiian restaurants menu, so I had to try the expensive, ritzy version of it. Really good. Wagyu beef in a yum gravy that was split right down the middle with rice forming 2 half circles and a fried egg on top. Fried fish - I ate the face. Morimoto Rouge Pilsner - Tasty and unique. Label is cool, check my photo. Ice cream desser - Meh, ok. Not great. 3 ice cream scoops, green tea, mocha & vanilla bean. I wish I got the Peanut Butter one. MAAAAAAAD expensive - dropped like $250 on the whole shebang. Next time, you will catch me at the sushi bar gettin simple rolls. Worth a try tho.
(4)Gavin Y.
Went to Morimoto's after some friends highly recommended it and of course Iron Chef. The atmosphere is very nice and the sea shells in plexiglass was interesting. The restaurant has been open for awhile now and there is some wear and tear on the chairs/tables/utensils but nothing too bad. The food was typical of a high-end Waikiki restaurant, meaning okay and small portions. We had various appetizers and the surf and turf to share. The highlight was actually the wait service as they were very attentive and knowledgeable about the food. Overall our experience was okay but probably won't return as there are better options out there. In response to the General Manager's reply: We tried the Morimoto sashimi, Morimoto style poke, crispy rock shrimp tempura, foie gras chawan mushi, kakuni, and takoyaki. The best appetizer was the poke and the worst by far was the takoyaki.
(3)Vishal D.
Great food, great atmosphere. Fish was fresh. Morimoto's combination of fantastic presentation and exquisite preparation made the meal fantastic. Great service
(5)Leslie S.
Morimoto is my favorite place so far on Oahu. It is expensive, but makes for a special evening for a romantic dinner or birthday. By far, the Foie Gras Oysters are the BEST thing on the menu and are served on top of a bed of rock salt. Morimoto has it right when it comes to presentation and the wait staff are friendly and efficient. The last time I went, my boyfriend and I both ordered the Morimoto Omakase, which is the multi-course tasting menu and we also decided to get the wine pairing. In my opinion, the wine pairing is essential in getting the most out of the Omakase. It was simply amazing and each dish was like an edible piece of art and fun to eat! Whenever family comes to visit Hawaii for the first time, this is THE place to take them for an ultimate dining experience.
(5)itsme i.
Service is extremely slow. Waitstaff consistently reaches across the table to serve dishes. The quality of service is not befitting an upscale restaurant - at all. I ordered some sushi, which was decent but not the best I've had and certainly not worth the price. Notably, when the sushi was served and the poor employee explained what was before me...I kindly asserted that their verbal description didn't match what I had ordered or what was on the plate (the kitchen did send out the right order - the employee just didn't know what kind of fish was being served - shameful, for a sushi restaurant). The response: "oh, yah." I also ordered a steak which was completely rare (I had requested medium rare). I prefer my steaks to be incorrectly cooked on the rare side rather than the well done side, but for these prices I expect perfection. I could tell that the steak was underdone before I even cut it open - it was that soft and rare. I won't be coming back here as there are plenty of truly high end dining experiences that are better worth my dining dollars - and yours, too.
(1)Tony A.
Crazy expensive but well worth it. Go with a big group so you can all share. That's the best way to sample a little bit of everything.
(4)Annie L.
I was staying at The Modern Honolulu for a week's vacation and I purposely picked this hotel because I was excited to eat at Morimoto Waikiki. The decor in the restaurant was modern and lovely but the food was definitely not up to my expectations. We started with the Morimoto sashimi. The presentation was nice but this dish wasn't anything spectacular. We then moved on to the seafood 'toban yaki' and 1/2lb australian wagyu filet. The seafood 'toban yaki' was plentiful but the red miso broth was way too salty. I needed to drink lots of water alongside my meal the entire night. The wagyu was good but it was a little odd that a side was not included. Sides are to be ordered separately and priced separately. Finally we ended with the ice cream and sorbet. This was probably my favourite course of the night. The flavours were original and very tasty and the presentation of the different flavours were clean and simple. Overall the dining atmosphere/environment was great but the food was definitely lacking with the exception of the ice cream and sorbet. I would probably not dine there again.
(3)Samuel B.
I was not impressed. To start off the hostess was totally rude. She said I better go to y table and order now as soon as I walked in cause the kitchen was closing in 5 minutes. By the time the server came over (who was the only cool thing about this place) he said not to worry. When the sushi came out the fish was almost warm, it was very far from being cold and fresh.Its like if it was above room temperature. We ordered two bottles of champagne and that was not cold either. The waiter kept toping our glasses off almost to the top making it warm up even more. So if you want to eat warm sushi and drink warm champagne, then this is the place for you. Then the bill came...oh dang!
(2)eshwar k.
Big fail. Let me preface this review by mentioning that 10 years ago we used to go to Morimoto's regulalry in the original US restaurant in Philadelphia while i was living there. At that time, Chef Morimoto would personally prepare omakase at a certain pricepoint and it was a great experience. Things have really changed. here is why you should skip the restaurant: 1. We had reservations at 8pm. Because it was Thanksgiving, the restaurant was not crowded. Still, we were made to wait for 10 minutes to be seated while the hostesses were doing ??? at their station. 2. Our first server was and probably still is an ass. He was emotionless, and offereed very little when we asked questions about the menu. He only came back to our table once, even though i kept a menu stating we would probably order more later. 3. We ordered a sushi combination. When another severe brought it to the table, and i am not joking, he did not know what was on the plate-- we recognized the tuna, salmon, and snapper, but really needed someone to educate us as to what we were eating. he was a nice guy, but his excuses were "i can't really see too well" and "i am not really sure if this fish is x or y-- sorry about that". He did not offer to get someone to the table who would be able to solve the apparent mystery, and of course our original sever never stopped even though he passed by several times, and we had asked a lot of questions about the sushi combo before ordering so you would figure he would want to make sure we were all good. Should we have stopped him? Maybe, but his attitude was a bit evasive/disinterested. 4. Subsequent plates were inconsistently described to us, and it is sadly evident that like other reviewers mention, a lot of the staff really does not know what they are serving, or they are unwilling to talke time to describe. shame on you! ingredients that make a particular dish unique are essential to highlight, to round out the dining experience. 5. After about an hour and a half, the restaurant crows was very thin, and our server was seriously MIA. By this time we were done with all entrees/plates and were waiting for someone to clear the table. finally a new server showed up. no intro from server one to say "hey i'm off for the evening-- here's your new server for the evening"-- this is a simple courtesy that would even occur at a chain restaurant. the new guy was much better, but didn't introduce himself either. 6. Overall quality of the food-- not that great!! Were they limited because of the holiday? yeah, possibly, but then you should not stay open on a day you can't guarantee consistent quality. Assuming that we ate on a representative day, the only interesting dish was the pork gyoza. the sushi combo was average in quality, at best. the tuna pizza tasted like something you would get at Cheesecake Factory. The wagyu carpaccio was OK but could be improved. I was going to order more sushi for a second round, but based on the underwhelming first round combined with crappy service, we called it a night by ordering 2 desserts rather than our typical "one and share". Desserts were good, although the popcorn is an unnecessary addition to the haupia cake. For a restaurant/owner with the reputation of providing a unique gastronomic experience, we barely had a marginal dinner. i will never return to Morimoto restaurants again. i read the manager's responses to some of the yelp reviews. he often asks the patron to consider coming back for another visit when things don't go right-- that is a ridiculous request. This restaurant should have their quality standard established at a baseline, and if not, there is no reason for second chances.
(1)Marc H.
When there for our 1st wedding anniversary dinner. Ive heard good things about this place so we wanted to try it out for ourselves. We first ordered drinks to start off. I always like to order a nice Asahi to start off. For some reason, the beer didnt taste right. To me it tasted like a different beer than Asahi, but i couldnt tell cuz they gave me it in a glass already. I believe that the glass was warm to start with and not chilled because my beer became warm short after i ordered it. so i wasnt too happy about that. we then tried the steamed scallops and spicy tuna sushi. I thought the sushi was pretty good, and i liked the scallops but my wife didn't really care for them. For the main course i ordered the surf and turf while my wife ordered the ishi yaki buri bop (yellowtail cooked at tableside). lets start with my dish. I the steak was very small, only 6 oz, but it was very tasty. i like the really salty taste of it, where others may have thought it was too much. I wasnt a big fan of the sauce that came with steak, so i passed on that. the poke was very nice and had a mix of cheese and avocado paste, which was really tasty. i really enjoyed the okinawan sweet potato puree. that was the best! i just wish i was given more. my wife's dish was like something i could get at shokudo, so i compared it to that, and wasnt quite impressed. The service was pretty good, they were very attentive and check on us often. Overall, 3 stars, not the best, it was ok. Kinda pricey too, but probs not a place i would go back unless i have to.
(3)Antonio T.
I've been to Morimoto Waikiki several times and have done the omakase every time. However, there are a few dishes that stand out for me. The toro tartar, the rock shrimp appetizer, lobster salad, and the braised kakuni pork. While the S.O. orders the perfectly prepared ribeye, I just am drawn to the opportunity to "play" with my food in the very interactive presentation of the omakase. I have only one silly-manini regret, that I missed a chance to get our pic taken with Morimoto himself during the grand opening weekend of the Edition.
(5)Jason F.
I like this restaurant, but I don't love it. I've been to Morimoto NY, and had the same feelings. I think this may have to do with watching Morimoto on Iron Chef; I expect to have the same food he serves on TV, which isn't the case. The food is very good and has its creative flavors. Eating here brings the creativity I miss from NY. I did the omakase the first time I went. Dishes I liked: toro/yellowtail tartar, seared hamachi, salad and heated olive oil, panna cotta, okinawan potato dessert. Things I've ordered that I like: oyster foie gros. Dishes I didn't like: braised black cod (drenched in sauce that the taste of the fish was lost, plus it's something that is done better at other restaurants), foie gros chawan mushi (duck was cooked nicely, but didn't care for the taste of the rest of the dish), sushi (expect higher quality fish given that there are some pretty good places on this island), loco moco (nothing special, no real twist to the original dish). Also, the omakase feels about $20 overpriced for what it is. I will be going back some time in the future, probably in a few months. There are some very interesting and creative things on the menu that I still want to try despite some of the misses.
(4)Tri D.
Girls in front were not very welcoming, I'm guessing because we had our 15 month with us. Not sure why this was an issue since the restaurant was very noisy and not what I would consider a romantic spot. Anyhow, the waiter and server staff was much more friendly. We had the omakase and the dishes were, as expected, innovative. But also, as expected, some of the dishes were misses. My favorite was the kona lobster portion of the entree course. The lobster was perfectly cooked and the seasoning enhanced the sweetness of the lobster. My least favorite was the pork and beef portion for the same course. The beef was drenched in a sauce that was overly salty and distracting to the beef. The pork was on the dry side and the seasoning was unspectacular. The oil fondue course was also a miss, the anchovy garlic paste would have been great on oil drizzled bread, but the whole fondue setup was a bit awkward as there is only a very short window when the oil is bubbling that the is hot enough to soften the veggies a little. Overall not a bad meal but I expected a little more. Would have been a solid 4 stars were it not for the attitude from the front staff.
(3)Al C.
Well the wife and I had to hit up Morimoto after hearing that he had a new restaurant in Waikiki. Luckily for us he was actually there that day and the wife was sooooo happy to get her picture taken with him. We arrived a bit late and waited in the lounge area. The lounge is amazing as it is outside in the back overlooking the marina. Wow! Service was very slow there as it took us forever to get the wife a glass of wine. When we finally got seated the service was much better. Inside is very elegant and modern. Would expect nothing less from Morimoto san. We started off with a few appetizers. The tuna pizza was good. Fresh tuna, crispy crust, the anchovy aioli was superb. We also got the foie gras chawan mushi. Nice infused foie flavor. The wagyu carpaccio was maybe the best thing on the menu. It was lightly cooked on the outside and raw on the inside. Got the sourness of the yuzu mixed with the saltiness of the soy and the smoothness of oil which really added to the wagyu. Lastly, we got the yose dofu. While pretty good, I don't know that this fresh made tofu is any different than other fresh made tofu. Its just more expensive. Moving on to main courses, I had the seafood tobanyaki. Its kinda like a seafood stew. Nice fresh broth and nicely cooked seafood in a bowl. Good course but nothing special. The wife got the lamb rack which I thought was very good. Overall excellent meal in a very nice restaurant. A bit overpriced but that's almost to be expected. Food was good but not blown away.
(4)Kela D.
The yose dofu was interesting. The Wagyu rib eye is comparable to other steakhouses. The service was exceptional and the waiter was attentive to our needs.
(4)W H.
Morimoto is really excellent food at commensurate prices. The service was good and the food was fantastic. We had seven people and tried a lot of dishes. One stand out was spicy crab. This is succulent crab legs, cut so that there is no mess, with an outstanding spicy sauce. The "tableside " tofu is also excellent, and is served with an array of sauces/condiments. The wagyu beef was vey tasty and super tender. Also loved the Ahi Pizza, calamari salad, lamb shank and Keahole Lobster. again, prices here are not for the faint of heart. Moromoto is into branding. His own beer is $38, but you get 25 ounces!
(5)Sherry M.
I was so excited to try Morimoto's. My mom, husband and I got to the restaurant an hour before our reservation. When we arrived, a host and hostess were there to greet us, checked us in, then walked us to the outside lounge. First impression was, "wow!" The service so far was great and the decor, trendy and hip. It's the type of lounge you would see in LA, or other trendy hotels. Once we found a place to wait comfortably, we ordered drinks. The cocktail menu looked impressive. It had a nice variety of drinks. My husband and I love our Mai Tais and know the difference between a good and bad one, so I was excited to try this one. First sip: not good. Took a couple of sips and gave it to my hubby. I sure hoped the food was much better. Finally, our reservation came up and the host seated us inside. Once seated, we immediately noticed how loud it was. We had to yell in order to hear each other. A lot of, "huh...what did you say?" going back and forth that evening. Nevertheless, I was still excited to try the food. Based on other Yelp reviews, I was familiar with menu and knew what I wanted to order. My mom and hubby deferred the selections to me. We decided to order a bunch of appetizers first and decide after whether to order entrees. So, here's a rundown of what I ordered: -Toro tartare -Sashimi -Steamed chicken salad -Wagyu carpaccio -Pork gyoza -Takoyaki -Regular sashimi You would think all of the above for three were enough. Not! The portions were so small and not filling at all. Presentation was creative and like art. The food though? Nothing special. For example, when the steamed chicken salad arrived, I asked, "where's the chicken?" Apparently it was shredded and mixed into a bunch of vegetables. It was ok. The takoyaki was the same. I've had many when I lived in Japan so I was looking forward to trying this one especially after seeing photos of it. Took the first bite and thought they forgot to put the abalone inside. After looking closer, to the second half, I found the tiny piece of abalone. I could get the same dishes at other restaurants and probably have 2 or 3 orders of each one for the same price as one at Morimoto's, although yes, won't have the same ambience and presentation. We decided to not order entrees based on our reviews of the appetizers. However, we were still hungry! Upon leaving, we ran into Morimoto. He reluctantly agreed to take a photo with us, so that was nice of him. But, I wouldn't give him 5 stars for "niceness." Sure, he probably has been asked many times to take a photo since opening, however, it comes with the territory. He kind of had a 'tude, then again, he is Iron Chef so maybe this is what made him successful and is part of his image. So, what did we do to satisfy our hunger pains? Went to Yanagi's. At last, a happy tummy and good night's sleep. In summary: -Comparable restaurants like Nobu's are much better. -Service is impeccable -Food is average -Decor is trendy -Too loud -Ken and Barbie wouldn't get full at Morimoto's
(2)Maude L.
I really like the ambiance - it's a chic and modern space. The service was good and attentive. But the food was just good, not amazing or anything. We got a few different sushi orders, and it was all good, but not special, if you know what I mean. You expect a little something extra or innovative at a fancier, date-type place, which Morimoto's provides with it's ambiance and service, but not so much the food. But maybe their other entrees do deliver - may have to go back and try those.
(3)Cheryl S.
All I can say is this is now my FAVORITE restaurant and I cant stop talking about it and I am dying to go again!!!! A little someone's b-day is coming up... Hint hint.... =) So we got to the new Edition Hotel (backside of the Ilikai) and pulled up to valet park our car and as soon as we stepped foot we were treated like royalty. They literally had 10 valet, bell desk guys waiting to help and be at your beck and call..how's that for 5+ star service!! I knew then that this place means business. So as we walked up to the restaurant I grew with anticipation as I had only heard extremely wonder reviews that I was just dying with pure eagerness. We were quickly greeted by the upmost professional staff. All I can say is that this hotel and restaurant spares no expense to service. The ratio of servers to guest seemed like 4 guest to 1. Now to say that is impressive the cooking staff was like an army. The kitchen is an open kitchen and you can see straight in. Since this restaurant just opened a couple days ago Iron Chef Morimoto was on site and in the kitchen. How's that for AWESOME! Also, most of the sushi chef's look like they just flew in from Japan. The deco was very Martha Stewart-ish. Clean fresh and simply elegant with the use of white, happy green, and hint of purple. It was very inviting. Now here is my review of the food. I was shocked with the nice menu choices it had something for everyone. We decided for our first visit we would do a medley of just appetizers which allowed us to try a little of everything and can I say that we weren't disappointed at all. Our first dish to be served was the rock shrimp tempura and it was delectable. They were bite size pieces of shrimp perfectly fried and crispy and seasoned with two different aioli's. One was a spicy kochujan aioli and the other was a wasabi aioli. They also had a coconut dipping sauce but the shrimp with their respected aioli was great in itself. That was just a perfect start to our meal. Next came the 10 hour pork kakuni which is his braised pork belly served on a hot rice congee. It literally melted in your mouth and the flavor was orgasmic. Then came his version of mandoo on a tomato sauce with bacon foam. Yes I said FOAM. All of their dishes are plated extremely well. Their attention to detail in their presentation is quite first-class and such high quality. Last we had the yosedofu which is fresh tofu created tableside. The processes takes about 7-10 minutes. They bring this liquid soy that literally after their presentation and the wait turns into fresh tofu. It is served with two dipping sauces the traditional soy sauce with the grated ginger, bonito flakes and scallions and my favorite a kim chee sauce which made the tofu in it taste like kim chee chige. That was just a wonderful treat. Unfortunately we were too full to try a dessert but definitely will next time. (I can't believe I am saying this...I know what no dessert!) This is now a truly first-class restaurant and it comes highly recommended as you will not be disappointed at all you will come out saying now I understand why he is an iron chef and that title is well deserved. Since this was opening week, and Iron Chef Morimoto was there, I was lucky enough to meet him in person. I just want to thank him and his amazing staff for a wonderful dining experience and I cant wait to the next time......
(5)Catherine F.
The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated. The hostess staff were at best "cold" we were not greeted upon entering nor were we addresses as we left. The wait staff was average however we did have a waiter change in the middle if our meal. The quality of the food and it's preparation was excellent but the portions are extremely small but we did expect the size of the portions. We went to celebrate our anniversary and indicated that with our reservation. It was never acknowledged and the one thing the ruined this experience for us was the invasion of gnats. They got in everything! My wine had to be replaced because there were at least a half dozen that drowned themselves in my glass. My dinner although tasty I really didn't enjoy because I had to beat the gnats to my food so I ate faster than I would have and didn't savor the meal. Overall I am disappointed. I would not go back nor would I recommend.
(2)Paul R.
Absolutely phenomenal. One of the best dining experiences we have had in Waikiki. Food was excellent and the service was prompt, engaging, and fun. Martin, our server, and the support wait staff were awesome. We had the Omakase and were in food nirvana by the end......in fact, we did not want it to end. Can't wait to go back and try Omakase round 2.
(5)Patrick T.
What is this, I don't even... know how to describe this meal. Stunning. Best or second best meal I've had in my life. You will feel high after eating here. Came with a group of friends and we ordered a ton of dishes, and paid about 100 bucks each. Worth it. Started with the Morimoto style poke which was an interesting presentation with a few different "dips." Then went for the tempura calamari salad, which was fine. Oyster foie gras was EXCELLENT. Melt in your mouth deliciousness. Waygu carpaccio was quite nice. Kakuni (pork belly) was very good, though I didn't care much for the porridge it was in. Duck duck duck entree was just ok. seafood toban yaki was like a bouillabaise and was also tasty. The braised black cod was breathtakingly good. Didn't expect much, but it was perfectly cooked with a gushingly good sauce. Waygu filet was a finely cooked steak. For dessert, the tofu cheese cake was light and refreshing. vanilla roasted pineapple was nice. chocolate peanut bombe was VERY rich and good. Allez cuisine!
(5)Anna F.
My friends said this place was good so I came here with high expectations. You know what, I didn't like it. I was impressed with the presentation of the food but the taste wasn't great. I ordered a few appetizers, a sushi roll, a few entrees, and a few desserts. Out of all the items my friends and I ordered, the only thing that blew me away was the chocolate peanut bombe dessert. If I had to come back here, I would just come for that dessert. The interior of the restaurant is very modern. The clear tables were cool. My table was outside on the deck next to the entrance of the Edition Hotel pool. Uh yeah, not a very good spot, the only view we got was the bushes. I think a table overlooking the marina would have been much better. For those who haven't tried this place yet, I say just come give it a shot. Maybe I didn't order the right items so I was disappointed. But this is a restaurant owned by an iron chef and I'd day it's a pretty big deal. Just remember to finish your meal off with the chocolate peanut bombe.
(3)Alena H.
Don't eat here until they hire new management and hosts/hostess'! My first visit to this restaurant was with a friend who took me there for my birthday. We had a wonderful waitress and the Traditional Breakfast that I had was delicious. I decided to take my family there for breakfast on New Year's morning. Never again. I made my reservations online (so I guess I didn't get to experience the RUDENESS when you call to make one - I found out through my friend who took me there) and with the time I was given, assumed that it would be busy. No. We were greeted (by chance it seemed because everyone at the front seemed preoccupied with other things) after standing there for a few minutes then taken into the restaurant by whom I found out is one of the managers there (Antonio) - he must have had too much to drink the night before because he didn't greet us, wasn't friendly and just sat us in the middle of the restaurant where there was only one more person in there eating while everyone else was outside (and it wasn't even crowded). The first time I went there we were asked if we wanted to dine inside or out. For me, I find it offensive (and I could be wrong), but we were the only local family and I guess, weren't good enough to sit outside among the hotel guests. Note: it is an ICE BOX inside! Shleppily dressed Antonio sat us, we told him that one of our party members wasn't going to make it, he shrugged his shoulders and said "Whatever, it doesn't matter." and walked off! Then we sat in the freezing dining room area for at least 5-10 minutes without anyone acknowledging our existance! Oh hell no! I was livid by the time our waiter noticed us from outside and came in to help us. My husband asked if we could sit outside and he gladly accomodated us (I think mostly because he knew how pissed we were). From that point on, the service was much better. Breakfast is a good meal there - a little pricey but before our encounter with the front end staff, it didn't matter to me. Our waiter, Michael, did his best to make the rest of our dining experience there pleasant but my husband refuses to come back. Overall, the food is quite good but the service is soooo horrible! That place needs new management and hostess' who have some kind of customer service experience. They are RUDE and act as if they are doing us a favor by allowing us to dine in their fine restaurant. They should be working out on the pool deck and the pool deck staff in the restaurant because they are soooo much more filled with the Aloha Spirit than those horrible people are! Shame on them! What a terrible reflection on Chef Morimoto! They need to be FIRED!!!!!! They have such a great opportunity to appeal to locals being on the outskirts of Waikiki, in a good location, etc. But I guess they only care about one kind of patron. How unfortunate for them. Sad to say, I won't have anything nice to tell any of my friends if they ask me about the restaurant. It's just not worth it.
(2)Rishiel L.
Must be the best Asian fusion restaurant I've been to yet. Tops sushi roku and Koi. It's classy, our waiter was great. We ordered the pork gyoza, lobster crab rolls, and some beef sAshimi, all of which was to die for. The Tuna pizza is what me and my bf really went crazy for. My only complaint is that when we walked in, the hostesses were chatting with each other, and made us wait when the restaurant was clearly almost empty. Before she came and got us, she was chatting with the other hostesses, and at one point was even walking backwards to chat with them. At a place like this, first impression is key, and everyone should hold their composure and be professional. Other than that, our servers were great!
(4)Jennie K.
I tried Morimoto for the first time in NYC and I was pretty disappointed. Masaharu Morimoto is one of my favorite chefs, so I decided to give his restaurant another try. He definitely changed my mind. The restaurant in Waikiki is absolutely beautiful. The decor is very modern, clean and white. The staff was extemely knowledgeable and helpful. The food was great! Definitely was not disappointed this time around. My friend and I ordered the toro tartare, king crab tobanyaki (which was my absolute favorite), wagyu carpaccio, yellowtail "pastrami" (this was my least favorite), oysters, and green tea meringue. All of the food was absolutely delicious. The prices are high but that's to be expected. Enjoy yourself, indulge and spend some money. If you want to be cheap do not go here. I will definitely be going here again!
(5)Janet K.
I remember watching Iron Chef Morimoto on the original Japanese Iron Chef show. He was always my favorite Iron Chef... back then, and even on the new Iron Chef America show. That's why I was extremely surprised and severely disappointed when I had a below mediocre experience at his namesake restaurant in Waikiki. I hated the lobster dish. I forced myself to eat it since it was like a $50 entree. The Kurobota pork was tasty and tender and the sushi was okay. The dessert we ordered was CRAP. It had no flavor... similar to eating sponge. The server we had sucked, but the bussers were super attentive. To top everything off, We had 5pm reservations so we could make it to the 730pm Bruno Mars concert on time and they didn't seat us until 520pm! We were the first ones there and they sat a group of girls before us! Don't say you're open at 5pm if you're not! I could have wasted $300 somewhere else. Never again!
(2)Kris M.
Stopped in to check out The Modern and had a drink at the bar. The vibe does not sync with the look. Drinks were okay.
(3)Naomi G.
Amazing service with outstanding food. Great team work between hostess' and servers! If you need a refill on a drink or need dishes to be taken away, any available server will take care of it, not just your designated server. Kai and Ayumi were great! Definitely recommend the wagyu carpaccio, rock shrimp and spicy tuna roll as appetizers and peanut butter bombe for dessert. Cucumber shiso cocktail was my favorite! We were very lucky to meet Chef Morimoto and experience his cuisine, we will be back for sure!
(5)Evan S.
We had the omakase and it was truly a fantastic dining experience. Each course was beautiful, perfectly crafted and delicious. Every course was as exceptional as the one prior. We couldn't of been more pleased. The staff was incredibly attentive and explained each dish perfectly. Our servers (Brandon & Martin) were great. Having such good service really enhanced and complimented how incredible the food was. Thanks guys!
(5)Shayna K.
You MUST get the tuna pizza. Sounds weird, I know, but trust me, it's the most innovative, labor-intensive specialty item on the menu. It is a taste sensation. Other than that, we've been only semi-impressed by our menu selections. Maybe the fault is with the selector...you can be the judge. Here's what I've tried so far: 1. Loco-moto: probably one of the most economically filling items, but, as my husband puts it, it gets kind of monotonous after a few bites. 2. Unagi hot pot: Yummers, but not if you've already eaten some sushi. Then it's just like a messed up sushi. But I like the crusty rice. 3. Ahi Caesar Salad: if 5 leaves of Romaine will fill you, along with some quality ahi, then this is your meal! I loved it, but then I wasn't too hungry. 4. One of the sushi rolls...can't remember exactly which one, but I'll assume they are the same: nothing special. You could be at Yanagi, California Rockin Sushi or Gyotaku and get the same for less. But don't get me wrong, I'd go back. I'd just order differently. No to the sushi (should've listened to our server who said it's just sushi. He was right!). The hotel itself is ubercool, the ambiance is wonderful, and the service is great. I love the outdoor seating area. LOVE, love. Inside is a little to noisy for me. The firepits, sky, and front row seats to the Friday night fireworks show cannot be beat!
(3)Janet H.
I can finally say I've eaten at the Iron Chef's restaurant! To be honest, I didn't know some of the stuff I was eating, but nonetheless, everything was delicious! I felt like a queen and my giddy little taste buds were jumping up and down with excitement from all the scrumptious flavors. My friend and I got the omakase ($125), no regrets! Everything was so aesthetically pleasing. All the dishes were almost too pretty to eat! The highlights of the meal were the seafood dishes. The first appetizer was kind of like a pallet with tuna and some other fish and you dip it with wasabi, guacamole, seaweed paste, sour cream, soy sauce and some crunchy rice balls... yes, I know that does not sound appealing but it was amazing. The other appetizer was moi fish with ginger and other ingredients harmonizing with the fish. The server stated that moi is a type of fish long time ago that queens and kings could only eat. Yup, felt like a queen that night! Of course, then nigiri sushi was so delicious! I tried fish I haven't tried before either. The fish were so freshy and creamy. MmMm! The other main dish was surf n turf! The lobster was succulent, but I was not a fan of the steak. They actually undercooked it and had to send it back twice before it was finally cooked right. That was a bit traumatizing when I took my first bite. Luckily, the servers were happy to fix it and send it back. Finally, dessert was a bunch of root veggies/pumpkin. Ube ice cream, kabocha souffle? I can't remember... but everything was on point! The only dish I wasn't really a fan of was the weird veggie dish where you dip it in olive oil mixed with other things... it didn't have much flavor. I also noticed the table next to us had boiling oil, ours was just lukewarm. Overall, a delicious meal. It was fun spoiling myself for once! When else can you get lobster, steak, foie gras, and souffle all in one day? I thought it was worth the $125! of course, don't forget to request sitting at the patio. Gorgeous view, especially during sunset. Le sigh. Missing Hawaii.
(4)K. S.
I wish I could give this place more stars, but I was very disappointed with the service and quality of food. My family and I had the omakase. The first three dishes were excellent. However, the latter four were seriously lacking. Egg Custard: Super salty Sushi: Not fresh. It tasted like it had recently been defrosted. Surf and turf: Lobster was salty and rubbery. Wagyu Beef was tough and did not taste fresh. Good Wagyu beef is tender and melts in your mouth. Butter Mochi: It tasted like old cereal with really old mochi. Given the hefty price, I expected better food. Last, but not least, it took two and a half hours for us to be served the complete omakase. There's no excuse as to why we have to wait to be served mediocre food. Chad, thank for your response. We dined on Christmas night.
(2)Robert P.
Great with my kids and not pushy. Such a nice time. Food is not just tasty but also an experience.
(5)Sean S.
Almost 5 stars. I think I went in with too high of expectations. Don't get me wrong, the food was very good just not exceptional. The service, ambiance and food presentation were all there. We had a group of 4 and went family style so we could choose a few different items. We started with the hamachi tartare (fun presentation but not overwhelming), white fish sashimi (great sauce and good fish), wagyu sashimi (decent meat but great sauce), tuna pizza (fun and different). Then we split 2 entrees. The whole fried fish and the seafood tepanyaki. The fish had a great sauce and the fish was good not great. The tepanyaki was very good. The sauce was a spicy/sweet sauce with clams, mussels, crab and lobster. This was excellent! Again, you won't be dissapointed in their food. Maybe your wallet but the food was good just not over the top like I thought it would be.
(4)Gitanjali K.
deliciouso! Everything here is a piece of delectable art! Expensive but great for a special occasion! Outside deck is beautiful!
(5)KarraJoel M.
One word to describe my first and lastMorimoto experience: underwhelming. Purchased Valentine's Day Omakase at $140 per person. Multiply by 2 people and add in cost of 2 wines = I'm now poorer... And still hungry after completion of 8 courses 3.5 hours later. Underwhelming experience and food. Amazing kuromoto oysters. Not amazing fish with scales, vegetables with in edible stems attached, and crispy burnt steak-ish items. Waited a long time between dishes, dropped a chopstick and got only 1 of 2 replaced. Seats and tables were close enough to a wonderful married couple; felt like we had double date and made new friends. Did I mention sitting exactly at the corner of the busiest walkway/entrance to seating area and having to strain to hear my boyfriend across the table? Parked in street parking lot, when contrary to restaurant staff statements, the valet was not full. Suggestion: 1) purchase menu items of your choice instead, and 2) go to restaurant with no food expectations.
(2)Bravo J.
So I'm only giving 3 stars b/c I had a reservation at 7:45pm ... but was not seated until 8:30pm! I think it would've taken longer to get a table IF I wasn't constantly asking the receptionist what the hold up was and why EVERYONE else walking in was getting seated before me! At one point b/f we got seated - the manager came over -- and said we would we be seated soon ... but no apologies ... no nothing ...! He did send over an appetizer to the table once we were seated -- but I think I would've appreciated an apology over a free 17$ dish ... I had the seafood toban yaki ... DELISH!! OMG ... would fly over to HNL just to eat this again! this dish alone merits 5 stars ... it was that good! The hubby had sashimi ... he said it was fresh and tasy. It's expensive ... the tuna is "MP." It was 12$ a PIECE that day ... he had 3 pcs ... literally .5 inch slivers ... BUT -- he says it was very very good!! Be aware the miso soup is a BIG serving ~~ it's not the usual little bowl you get at a sushi restaurant ... it's the size of a PHO bowl ... :-) My friend had the calamari salad ~ which I stole many bites of b/c it was tasty!! I would order this dish again! Overall ~ the food is good! $$$! The fact that I had to wait a very long~ time even w/reservations and walk-in's were being seated before me put a damper in my dining experience at Morimoto Waikiki.
(3)Stephanie L.
4 stars for service, 2 stars for food. Ordered: Tuna Pizza, Half Dozen Oysters, Kakuni (Pork Belly with Congee), Pork Gyoza, Ramen Soup, Oxtail Soup, MIxed Green Salad, Crispy Whole Fish, 1 piece Uni and 1 piece sea eel. Went there on Thursday night for dinner while staying at the Modern Hotel Waikiki. We've been to Morimoto New York and remember it being much better that this. The food was ok tasting - nothing really special or memorable. The best thing ordered was the oysters. Had my 11 month old daughter for dinner with us and asked for a bowl of plain congee for her which they charged us $4 for a tiny bowl - no more than 4 spoon fulls. Plain rice is also $4 a bowl. Overall, way over priced. I dont mind paying for a great meal - or even a good one. But I left here still hungry and underwhelmed. The only bright spot during dinner was that service was very good. I wouldnt go here again. If you want fancy dining, with overpriced food just for a "cool" atmosphere - then this place is for you. If you want excellent Japanese food and equally excellent service then I would recommend Miyabi instead.
(2)Jayvell B.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the dining seats and tables and environment of the restaurant! I ordered an ice cream sampler with really great flavors: Green tea matcha, Miso Butterscotch (Absolute favorite), and a chocolate. I also ordered the pork belly sliders which were very flavorful. A great place for any occasion!
(4)Maureen G.
My husband surprised me with reservations here for my birthday, ranks in my top two culinary experiences. I won't bore anyone with the details, but everything was really well done. Since moving to Hawaii this is the first time after a meal my husband has said, "we'll be coming back here." The biggest issue of the evening was trying to decide between ordering off menu or the omakase.. First world problems.
(5)C R.
We were in Honolulu for our anniversary and looking for somewhere special for our anniversary night dinner. While the reviews for Morimoto weren't particularly stellar, it was close and convenient to where we were staying and they had an opening. Valet parking at the Edition Hotel is validated (free) by the restaurant, so driving there is your best bet. Upon entering the restaurant, there's a very nice, quiet and comfortable lounge to wait at and since we were a bit early, we got to relax there for a sec before being seated. We were given a lovely spot on the outside lanai (recommended as inside can get a little noisy) by the marina. Very romantic with candle-light and all. We had an excellent tofu+kimchee starter with was prepared at our table, given 10 minutes for the tofu to form. Both our dinner entrees were also outstanding (one of which was from his Iron Chef battles, which he won!) The only less than excellent point was that our particular server seemed a little inexperienced and stiff but he was still fine and did his best. The other servers looked much more at ease and top-notch. No points deducted there as he might have had a rough day or just starting out. We'd definitely come back here next time for a nice dinner, and we'll be sure to request the lanai again.
(5)Laura D.
Ambiance: 5 starts The restaurant is beyootiful! A good place to go for just the ambiance. Decor is lovely, light, modern, chic. Food: 3.5 stars The food is good, but not any better than Izakaya Gaku (a personal fave) or Nobu. Sasabune still blows it out of the park. However, Morimoto is very good with modern innovations to old classics. The yose dofu (hot tofu) was really good, and the ishiyaki rice was not bad. The fish quality was on par with other good sushi restaurants, but not better. I had a pear yuzu cocktail with serrano chili and that was super yummy. I'd go back just for that, actually. Service: 4 stars Service was very good, as to be expected with the cost, which was, needless to say, not cheap.
(4)Theresa N.
Just had dinner at Morimoto's for the first time and had a mixed experience. I tried the Omakase (9 course chef's choice). I loved the presentation and taste of the first course, but found the other courses okay. We actually ordered the O' Toro and wagyu for appetizers, which was pretty good. I actually prefer the Omakase at Alan Wong's, at least you can have it with wine pairings and the food tasted better. My wife had the Angry chicken and wasn't worth the price. It was okay, but a little too salty and strong chipotle flavor. For drinks we loved the ZD Cabernet by the glass ($18/ glass) and we ordered a bottle of Kubota Sake (Daiginjo), our favorite, a little pricey at $150 a bottle. My wife enjoyed the tofu cheese cake and we enjoyed our double espresso. Warning! We were seated outside, which we thought was cool at first because inside sounded like a cafeteria and you could hardly hear yourself talking. But anyway, they sat us next to the row of hedges next to the swimming pool and towards the end, big B-52 type roaches started to come out and they looked like they were going to fly. My wife is totally freaked out and we asked to be moved. One roach crawled up to our table and was stomped on. Not quite to expect at a four or five star restaurant. I guess the restaurant knows about it because they apologized and blamed it on the fertilizer. They did move us to a nicer setting right in front of the fire pit and they evening ended well. Total damage was over $600 for three. I would return to try other dishes and drinks.
(3)Shatina L.
So I broke my cardinal rule of visiting an establishment before its been around for a year but I'm giving back to a slow economy. Would like to say love the decor. Simple and timeless with white leather furniture (easy to clean and replace) Not sure about the firepits but did add warmth as my party and I were seated outside. Despite the approaching storm and distinct burst of lightning in the distance and possible exposure to the elements, I would suggest sitting outside. It doesnt feel like you're waiting for the town meeting to start, distracted by the person next to you with the squeeky voice. But I digress. First and foremost, its all about the presentation: ambiance, flavors, service, the whole package. Obviously its not your local eatery, with food piled on the dish creating amalgamated flavors of gravies. Garnishes are strategically placed making you wonder if it took longer for them to put it all together than it was to prepare the dish. I opted for the omakase primarily because the menu itself seemed overwhelming. Why not allow the chef to do what he does best and just enjoy the meal, or in this case, meals? Try everything at least once in your life but what stands out the most for me here - and everyone will rank this the worse review ever - was the lemon creme fraiche, served w the roasted lobster. Not the lobster. Not the Wagyu. Not even the chawan mushi. But the sauce meant to hold 2nd fiddle to the entree. Yes, everything was savory to the palate and this didnt live up to the hype of that but that's all based on personal opinion. I personally think that it could be served with anything, frozen and whipped up as a dessert, and we wouldnt have been the wiser of its humble beginnings: heavy whipping cream with lemon essence. Cant order this on its own though- might as well eat the lobster that comes with it. Of course, I do have to comment on the service. Not swarming with wait help but just enough to be able to sidle in and fill your drink without the need to ask for more. You may have to wait, but spend it inquiring about the food on the other table with your company. All in all, a well enjoyed meal.
(4)Cristina T.
First time in Hawaii, first time at Morimoto's. Service was excellent! Food was pretty good. I had their version of Hawaiian Poke, it was pretty filling, not at all what I expected, tuna was very tender and delicious. I had the spider roll, that was typical, nothing special. The shrimp tempura, very different, not traditional at all, they serve it in two styles of flavor, both which was delicious. The prices were pretty high, for the food, it should be priced moderately. Though I think the price comes from the name and the ambiance. I would still come back.
(4)Val Y.
I'm quiet in person but when I write, you can't shut me up. Some additional postscripts: P.P.P.S.: Do not overlook making reservations and ask to sit at the sushi bar. There is allot going on in the kitchen and it is interesting and entertaining to watch the chef's prepare the food. Morimoto himself was there when we visited the restaurant. It is easier to take pictures of him when you are sitting at the sushi bar....even if he is just standing around and doing nothing. Morimoto-san show me what you got....COOK SOMETHING!!! P.P.P.P.S. - If you are a Morimoto fan, you MUST purchase his book "morimoto - The New Art of Japanese Cooking". It is a great cookbook. It explains his philosophy in the art of cooking. It has very nice photos; describes his approach to food preparation and shows techniques in sashimi-ing, preparing clams, octopus, salmon roe, vegetables, etc. Book price is $40.00. If he is in the restaurant, he will autograph the book for you. "To Val, Happy Birthday! Masaharu Morimoto"... in Japanese. You da man Morimoto-san! P.P.P.P.P.S. - Beware the Morimoto rally "SHOUT!" It can happen at any given moment with no warning. All the staff in the kitchen will, at Morimoto's command, "SHOUT!" It is a technique he uses to motivate the cooking staff. It happens so suddenly; it is startling; it shocked my gf and I. We don't know what they SHOUTED. The wait staff do not participate in this ceremony and our waitress could not explain clearly what happened. P.P.P.P.P.P.S. - This is a must do! Even if you don't have to and you are a male; use the men's restroom of the hotel which is across from Morimoto's. Did you find the toilet stalls? Did you figure out how to turn the faucet on in less than a minute? But WOW! the men's restroom is upper end and beautifully done. Maybe they should move the Morimoto interior design to the restroom and the restroom interior design to Morimoto's. The next time I go to Morimoto Waikiki, I will use the restroom at least three times and maybe even do a Number 2. And at least for one of those times, I will be using the women's restroom, just to see what that is like.
(3)Paul M.
Morimoto's was on my checklist of must eat places along side Stage (wonderful) and Chef Mavro (some day). We went on a Thursday night and had an... average experience. There were 4 of us, and we shared everything we ordered. Atmosphere The hotel Morimoto's is in (The Edition) is pretty nice with expensive walls and bathrooms you feel privledged to use. The restaurant is decorated very nicely in soft whites and greens. I was really impressed walking in. We had asked for an outside table for our 7pm reservation so we could see the sunset. Unfortunately, we got one of the two tables off in the corner between the restaurant and The Edition's pool. The splashing kids and constant foot traffic behind my head wasn't exactly what I expected, but I go to restaurants for the food! Service We were seated immediately upon arrived on time to our reservation. The waitress was very nice and accomodating. The busers who brought our food one plate at a time were very nice and told us exactly what the dish was, breaking down the ingredients and cooking style. In the beginning, they brought us some food for another table along with our correct appetizers, which forced us to question the busers each time they brought us a new dish. They only brought the wrong one a couple times before the figured out where the right table was for the extra food. Also, service was a bit slow, however we had some cocktails and plenty of conversation to keep us going. In their defense, we did order in 4 or 5 waves. Food Most of the reviews I've seen said that the entrees were pretty unimpressing, so we did mostly appetizers with 1 sushi dish. Presentation on everything was excellent, however I had to say the flavor on each dish was just nice. I guess I came in with high expectations to be blown away with creative flavor combinations and bold flavors that only Morimoto could deliver. The Bacon Foam Gyoza was pretty good, but mostly on presentation. The gyoza was above average, but I guess not really living up to its price tag and fame. Everyone liked the Curry appetizer, which was probably the best thing we ate there. The tako yaki was cooked very well and the abalone was a perfect texture. The flavor was very subtle, but that's good for abolone. The Wasabi shrimp plate was nice, but pretty average. The only notible thing was that the wasabi flavor was perfect: there, but not over powering. We also had a pork appetizer, which I'm sad to say I don't even remember anything about. I think it was shoyu flavored. My wife and I had the iruka, which was really high quality. We really liked it, but unfortunately, its hard to justify $5 for 1 piece of sushi. We only ordered one main dish, which was the ginger pork. Everyone else liked it a lot, but it was just okay for me. Perhaps I was already tainted by my low expectation for the entree and we were drinking Sake at this point. Speaking of which, the Morimoto Sake was worth the entire evening. It was amazing. Not only did it had a brilliant floral flavor, perfect balance, and a great smoothness, it was also served in an amazing display that looked like it was made completely from ice (although it wasn't). It was the highlight of the meal for me. We didn't get desert, but the waitress brought us some sugared jellies anyway. I could tell it was made fresh as the pineapple flavored one had less gelatin than the others (or more juice). Pretty good for free. Value I think my disappointment is entirely because of the price of everything. We were ordering modestly and still managed to spend over $80 a person. The sushi is amazing, but it really needs to be the best thing on the planet for $5 a piece. However, I'm thinking of coming back just for the sushi... so perhaps it is the best sushi ever. The appetizers were all pretty decent, but more expensive than normal main courses. Summary I think my so-so reviews of the food are due to expectations from the high price tags and the name Morimoto. I don't go to restaurants where I know the name of the chef very often, so I kind of expect a lot with the fame. Unfortuately, our meal didn't live up to the expectations. We won't be coming back, unless we get a craving for some expensive sushi (or we can't find Morimoto Sake anywhere else). If we did come back, we'd definitely want a better table, we'd order only sushi for appetizers, and perhaps we'd give the entrees a more fair try. It would also help if the prices went down!
(3)Duke J.
I actually came here a while ago with family for dinner, which was an awesome experience. We had reservations for 4 at 6pm and got there around 5:45pm but actually got seated early. Hostesses were very welcoming and immediately we were sat. the restaurant had a great ambiance. It was really hip and trendy and definitely more upbeat than your regular fine dining restaurant. Our server Ryan knew the menu exceptionally well and was able to answer any questions we asked. I liked that he was honest in what he suggested. now the food calamari salad: Like Ryan suggested, its a great dish to share with a group. the calamari was cooked tempura style which i really enjoyed. the light dressing also added a great balance to the fried calamari which sometimes can be heavy. takoyaki: personally, im not a big fan of traditional japanese tako yaki but this one had quite a twist. the takoyaki was actually made with abalone which was delicious. the herb butter also added a nice strong kick. tuna piza: crunchiness of the torilla along with the fresh soft tuna.... Genious! definitely worth trying. tobanyaki: i had this as my entree and it was just glorious. if youre a seafood lover than this dish screams your name when you read it in the menu. although it is a bit pricey, service, atmosphere and quality of food make it worth it in the end. i am definitely a believer in this restaurant worth trying out.
(5)Paul M.
What a dichotomy-ultra poor service and ultra good food that takes FOREVER to get to your table! First we were told that valet was free until we actually arrived and was told that the valet was full and to park across the street in public parking. Well 20 minutes and 7 levels later we arrived late due to no fault of our own. Our table still wasn't ready so the bar was calling. I ordered a coke which was entirely flat! I guess the bartender thought I was retarded (even though I am a physician) because he had to call both the manager AND another bartender over to taste the coke and finally accept that it was, indeed, flat. Strike two and we have not even sat down yet! After finally being seated our waiter arrived in what seemed like an eternity and proceeded to fill our water glasses and then disappear again. I had to flag down another waiter, only to be told that "our waiter was in a rut" and that it would be awhile before we could order! Strike two and a half! After finally ordering, after a completely lackluster presentation of the menu, the food began to arrive in a slow drivel. The food was very very good but the service just went downhill from there (if that's possible?!?!). I have never seen such an apathetic, uninterested and flat out uncaring service staff in a long, long time! For the price it is deplorable. If you like sushi and abuse save your money and go to Sushi Sasabune instead!
(2)Ralph Y.
While the food was all I expected it to be, for this kind of money I expected better atmosphere & portioning. We were seated outside next to the pool area. Granted we had some privacy but still when you're doling out that kind of serious money, I expect more than some thick shrubs. If you opt to dine inside, be prepared for noise levels that make it very difficult to hear someone across the table from you. Some will describe it as energetic; to me it was like sitting on the tarmac at an airport. I'm guessing the younger crowd enjoys that level and while I don't expect hushed tones, I do enjoy conversing with people on the same table without having to raise my voice. No question about the level of food and the taste of it. Creativity, flair are just words used to describe the experience. The polar opposite is the amount of food given. I truly felt it was Iron Chef portions. It borders on being cute if it were free. The Nigiri sushi was the most disappointing. Small piece (note one piece) and that was it. Who has ever gone to any sushi bar, ordered Nigiri style and had just one piece? But flavor, nothing special to speak of here, I think we were all disappointed by it. The rice had a texture that could not be described as umami by any stretch. Service was excellent and we took to heart a lot of suggestions that our wait person had. It was quick, attentive without being intrusive. I've seen some of the complaints regarding the service but I looked at other tables and none of them seemed to lacking. Bottom line, would I go back there, no. Value wise, I can name at least 6 other comparably priced restaurants that have better value with similar price tags.
(3)Gail F.
I was taken here this year for a pre-Valentine's Day dinner (since my date and I both worked on the actual day) and it exceeded my expectations by far. We first got our cocktails in which I had the Mori-Mojito, which was his own spin on a mojito, and the Morimo-tini, which was made with his signature sake, vodka and cucumbers. The martini was super dry (which I like) and my mojito was awesome as well. For our appetizer, we had the takoyaki (with abalone instead of tako). For our entrees, my date had the Hamachi stone pot and I had the meal "Duck, Duck, Duck" which was seared duck breast with mango salsa, duck confit spring roll with potato and a duck meatball soup with puff pastry on top. The hamachi stone pot was SO good. They sear the hamachi just right in front of you and then mix it just as they would with any stone pot meal. For dessert, we shared the cold/hot tofu which was a tofu souflee, tofu cheesecake and a sour cherry sorbet with kinako chips (which were really fluffly and crunchy and delicious). All in all, the food was amazing. The thing I really loved about this place was that it isn't a typical Hawaii restaurant. It reminds me of restaurants my friends and I frequent when we travel to LA and it is something I believe Hawaii needs. Located in the new Edition Hotel, everything in there is swanky and just the right thing we need if we want to experience a swanky night on the town. I loved that they played house music whilst dining (I'm a big house music fan) and the decor is very chic. Our hostess wasn't the nicest, but I think it just comes down to the fact that it was the Saturday before Valentine's Day and maybe she just had bad customers before hand. I totally recommend this place. It isn't half bad to turn around from your table and see Chef Masaharu Morimoto potentially preparing your dishes. (-:
(4)Paul M.
I was looking forward to checking out Morimoto during our trip to Hawaii. I have been a fan of his from the original Iron Chef so I definitely was curious to try some of his dishes. My wife had been to the Morimoto in Napa Valley and she said the food there was great. Morimoto is located inside the swank Modern Honolulu and it's chic white interior blends in great with the hotel's sleek aesthetic. We picked a table outside so we could enjoy the beautiful Honolulu night. First off the service here was great although the restaurant was very empty for some reason. My wife made the comment that at the Napa location she liked the appetizers much more than the entrees and oddly we found the same here as well. For apps we had: Crispy Rock Shrimp Tempura, Morimoto style poke, and a sushi roll. The Rock Shrimp tempura was great especially the spicy sauce. I liked the Poke as well although the foam was a little strange. Poke isn't really a dish that needs to be fancied up. For entrees we had: Chef's Loco moto, Seafood toban yaki, and the Ishi Yaki buri bop. Of the three I would say that the Ishi Yaki buri bop was the best although if you don't like seaweed don't order this as it has a strong seaweed taste. The Toban Yaki was very messy to eat and really didn't impress me as being an asian style dish. It was more like a Bouillabaisse in my opinion. The Loco moto is a dressed up version of a famous local comfort/hangover dish and was very mediocre. If you want to try this stick to the original in some local's spot. It will be cheap and good. Overall I would say that the experience here was positive but the food just wasn't that good for the price. Although it is rare, this is one of the occasions that the Iron Chef Japanese was defeated in his home stadium......
(3)Takashi H.
Review based on the Chef's course menu ordered when the chef was in the house. Reality TV star Masaharu Morimoto has quite the draw, so I took a good friend from Tokyo to try Morimoto's with me. Having frequented the Iron Chef Yukio Hattori culinary institute in Tokyo, I had high hopes. The facade of authentic Japanese cuisine was quickly shattered within the first few courses. The wait staff didn't have a clue how to properly pronounce the Japanese names of dishes, nor what ingredients were in the food. Since a big part of authentic Japanese fine dining is talking about the ingredients, preparation style and philosophy, this experience was quite underwhelming. The hamachi tartar was served half frozen; it was neither fresh nor tasty. The shoyu and wasabi served with it tasted like the same sort in convenience store sushi. That's like the equivalent of putting ketchup on filet mignon. The entire experience was memorable for the wrong reasons. I wouldn't go back for another round unless the desserts and cocktails are so stellar I could justify abstaining from the lackluster food. I really would like to support the restaurant, but have a list of other authentic spots well worth the $$$.
(2)Lorraine K.
Let me start off by saying the restaurant as a whole is beautiful. The decor, the lighting, the color scheme is all very pleasant to the eye. The waiting area is comfy and clean and the hostess are friendly. Parking is free if you dine there, just let valet know. The ambiance of the restaurant can be romantic but also fun if you're with a group of friends. The food was okay.. I think I was expecting it to be something more than what I experienced. I went with some girlfriends and we ordered a bunch of sushi and appetizers and one or two entrees& it was just good, not great. What kind of annoyed me is that my friends and I like to throw back a drink or two (or three or four). Cocktails are $14 which I found reasonable. We also ordered shots of patron and grey goose which at most places are $8 maybe $10. When we got our bill the shots were just as much as the cocktails, $14!! I couldn't believe it. After thinking about it, we should've asked how much they were but really? $14?! In the end, our drinks came coats 2x more than our food -_- Now it seems as if morimotos is going for a beachy theme, but I think they should consider a better ac system. The temperature in the restaurant was too warm for comfort and no, it wasn't because we had alcohol. I noticed it when we first walked in, however the reception area was a tad cooler. I give this place 3 stars bc I liked the presentation of the food, the interior design of the restaurant and the friendly staff.
(3)Eric A.
4.5 stars if I could give that but I will round up. Came with wifey and our two kids. Excellent staff and treated our kids like royalty. Food was world class. I highly recommend the oysters foie gras. Perfection in 3 bites. I wish I had 10 more orders. -.5 stars for just the hint of haste in bringing our orders...would like to have had a touch more time in between...my wife disagrees though as she thought it was good given the kids always need to eat. This is just a nit. Looking forward to going back and definitely on the "places to eat when in waikiki" list!
(5)W Q.
Lunch is an excellent value here for very high quality food. $25 gets you either chicken, fish, loco moco, or pork belly, with 2 pieces of sushi, one piece california roll, a salad, miso soup, and rice. The Loco Moco is an excellent deal here, high quality wagyu beef. For dessert, the butterscotch ice cream is to die for, and the strawberry lychee sorbet is also excellent. There was a dead bug in my miso soup, the soup was quickly replaced. I was pretty disappointed to see this in such a high end restaurant, but this is not going to stop me from returning -- but now I will always check for dead bugs before I start enjoying my miso soup! I do like the ambiance, and the quality of the food here very much. And the presentation of the food here is top notch. It's a work of art. If you're into eating art and burning lunch money, this is a great spot!
(5)Wendy D.
Fantastic! And Mimi was a highlight as she assisted us thru the menu and drink selection! A must do if you are on Waikiki
(5)Terence T.
Very disappointed. Not sure what they were going for - Japanese, fusion, Hawaiian??! It was none of it. He chawan mushi wasn't bad. The squid salad felt like two separate dishes, and the angry chicken was bland disputes being drenched in sauce, while the black cod was insanely salty. Bartender was good. So between the bartender and the chawan mushi is how I got to three stars. Really just a tourist trap, unfortunately like the location in NYC.
(3)Baby B.
I ordered the fish at Morimoto. It was bland. Everything was bland. Maybe I ordered the wrong thing. But that night the Iron Chef failed me. But I'm still a fan. I don't blame whomever cooked that fish did a terrible job. My husband had the Duck Duck Duck an it was excellent. So I give it three stars on the fact that just my dish was awful.
(3)Steve M.
We ate here for dinner and decided to go all out -- the table ordered the seven-course tasting menu (omakase), which is what I would recommend. Though not every dish was to our liking, many were fantastic, and the overall experience easily earns the 4-star rating. And since the menu is "chef's choice", some of the less tantalizing dishes will likely be weeded out. We ordered Morimoto-style drinks to start. The White Lilly and the Morimo-Tai (a mai tai concoction) were both delightful. The meal started with a memorable tartare that was so beautifully plated that you were immediately reminded that Morimoto is THE Iron Chef. The sushi and sashimi were perfect. Our meal featured an olive oil anchovy dip (ala fondue) that I could've done without. But the surf and turf was good, especially the seasoned lobster with creme fresh. Dessert was refeshing and quite tasty. Overall, a solid dining experience for $110 per person. Not bad for this kind of tasting menu. Morimoto himself was on hand to supervise the preparation of our meal, and he stepped out for photographs for a lucky few patrons. The rest of the night he was prominently visible in the open kitchen. Service was tremendously attentive and fairly well coordinated, particularly since this location has been open only a few weeks. And the atmosphere of the restaurant and the hotel it's located in (Edition) is clean and modern but did not seem too assuming. A very enjoyable dining experience.
(4)Marilyn K.
My friend took my husband and I to Morimoto Waikiki for my birthday dinner while I was visiting Hawaii. When we were seated, I smelled the musty odor of stale food... not a good sign when one is dining in a "fine" restaurant! I looked around me...we were the furthest table from the kitchen and the tables around us were unoccupied. I can only assume that the ventilation was blowing kitchen smells directly to our table. So much for the ambience. The service started out as very attentive. Our server explained the menu and took our orders. Other servers brought our dishes. Then our original server disappeared! Another server brought us a dessert menu, took our dessert orders, and brought my friend the check. We never saw our original waiter again. (Even at coffee shops, waiters come to the table to let diners know if they are going off-shift. It was strange to find this lapse in service in a "fine-dining" restaurant.) As for the food...most of the dishes were too salty. I ordered the crispy fish. There was no starch to balance the saltiness of the fish. (A bowl of steamed rice was a side dish - $4.00) The oxtail soup broth was too salty. The "low-salt" soy sauce with dashi was so salty that none of us used it on our food. My friend's order of a deconstructed "Loco Moco" looked unappetizing. Half of the plate was white rice, the other half was mostly brown gravy with some chunks of meat swimming in it. And there was a sunny-side egg in the middle of the concoction. My friend barely touched her order. We did enjoy the two desserts we ordered. Perhaps there could be an excuse for our dining experience if the restaurant was crowded and the kitchen busy, but there were only a few occupied tables in a very large indoor space. There were more occupied tables outdoors. After the meal, my friend vowed never to return to Morimoto Waikiki.
(1)Ash O.
..."So now America, with an open heart and an empty stomach, I say unto you in the words of my Uncle...Allez Cuisine!" WHAT WE ORDERED: Chef's Raw Bar Combination ($150) Hamachi Tartare ($24) Morimoto Poke ($19) Uni Caviar ($8) Foie Gras Chawan mushi ($17) Takoyaki ($18) Oyster Foie Gras ($22) Loco Moto with Wagyu Beef ($22) Duck, duck, duck ($28) Beverages (???) Now add it up. Go ahead. Ohhh okay, I'll do it for you *counting* add the four, carry the one - so comes out to be about a million billion dollars. [Editors note: I'm tricking you. The bill was actually $300-sumin' sumin']. A huge splurge, and somewhat faint-worthy, but IMHO it was soooo worth it. Need a last meal suggestion, because you're on death row? Tell the guard you want Morimoto's. Want to impress your wife/husband/girlfriend/boyfriend/in-laws/boss/UPS man/someone you've never met before? Need to bribe a politician? Eat cup noodles everyday for a week then take them here! Be like Nike and "Just Do It." Seriously though, this is what awesome tastes like. DISCLAIMER: You must be thinking to yourself, "Self, this gorgeous creature probably wears ten-carat diamonds while riding her purebred unicorn to her awaiting yacht in Lanikai." Well you're only a smidge right on that one. While I do enjoy the finer things in life, I don't think I would ever (single-handedly) pay that much money for dinner. My first Morimoto's experience was actually free, thanks to my very generous relative who was kind enough to treat my cousin and I. In real life, I only pimp my Charlie-Sheen-baller-shot-caller status everyday in my mind. You know before he went all cray-cray on the world. WINNING. You're welcome.
(4)C. B.
Went for a couple of birthdays as this is one of our fav celebration spots. It also accommodates children well and free valet parking is great. Breakfasts and lunches are the bargain times . Relatively . We always start off with the freshly made before your eyes tofu. You might have to ask for it. In 8 minutes, voila! Deliciousness with several toppings including a kimchi soup or dashi type broth! The shared tempura calamari salad was perfect - they know how to do delicate tempura! The kids had jidori chicken ramen, and we had chirashi sushi, tempura and sushi combos and lobster sandwiches. Deserts were good along with the capuchinos.
(4)Lily M.
Ordered the Live Octopus and Waygu Beef carpaccio, Oysters foie gras. The flavours were fantastic and worth every bite. For the main entree, I ordered the surf and turf with the prime rib filet rare and it did not disappoint. The steak melted in your mouth. Finished off with the ginger, Palm heart and macadamia nut cheesecake, hard to describe this other than you just have to try it.
(4)Mindy A.
Chad L - not sure how to write you back! Anyway, no, my visit was on June 17th. Thanks for getting back to me, definitely appreciate the attention to guests' interests! Mindy
(4)Victoria C.
I really wanted to like Morimoto and have been back a few times, unfortunately each time I go I am not that impressed. This last time that I went I decided to take my mom here for her birthday lunch (bad idea... should of learned the first 2 times) thinking that the lunch menu offers different items plus it's a little cheaper. She has never been to Morimoto so I thought it would be something nice for her to try. At lunch time they offer lunch sets which come with a few pieces of sushi, a salad and miso soup. They also have rice bowl dishes like chirashi and sandwiches. I ordered the lobster melt which came with wasabi fries (so good!) and a small salad. My meal was pretty good and one of the dishes I'd recommend getting. My sister got the hiyashi loco moco set which honestly we both have tasted better hiyashi before. The dish itself wasn't so bad but just nothing special. My mom's dish was the black cod fish set which unfortunately she did not like. She barely ate the fish as it wasn't appetizing and the sushi was just mediocre. It's unfortunate that such a nice fine dining place by a well known chef serves such mediocre food especially for the price you are paying! Thankfully the waiter took her cod fish off the bill but still a disappointment as she didn't enjoy her birthday lunch. I felt a little bad as I was the one that suggested this place! But it's okay because we had dinner somewhere much better! As for the things I like about Morimoto is their atmosphere. It's definitely very modern & chic. The place itself is actually pretty big and they have outdoor seating as well. Service was pretty good and our waiter was nice & accommodating. Food presentation was definitely on point. Too bad the food doesn't taste as good as it looks! The desserts made up for our unsatisfying meal. We tried the peanut bombe which is perfect if you love peanut butter! The tofu cheesecake was pretty interesting. It was nice and light. My mom also got a complimentary birthday sorbet which was very delicious. She was pleased with the desserts. *phew* At least something was good there!
(3)Ivy Lou H.
Morimoto Waikiki is the place I wish I could eat at every night. You walk in and are greeted with a modern chic atmosphere that makes you feel like Iggy Azalea; "Fancy". The outdoor seating is really the best part of the restaurant and it's so nice to have the flames from the fireplace and beautiful people to occupy your eyes instead of your phone for a change. Tres Romantic. Go for the Lobster here as we did and you'll experience a crustacean that's packing some heat. The creme fraiche provides a perfect counter balance to the spices. Nearly everything on the menu was extremely enticing and not the same old boring choices we're usually faced with when eating out. Save room for the Chocolate Shisso or Chocolate Peanute Bombe desserts; they're like being tucked into bed with a kiss after a long day.
(5)Paige S.
I've been here 5+ times over the span of 2 years and I can honestly say, it gets better every time. Lets keep this one short and sweet so you know whats up! Tips: Call ahead for reservations, or use open table! If you have special requests don't forget to ask, they have always been more than accommodating! Lunch during the weekdays are awesome, not as crowded and service is 10000%! Great for: Dinner with friends, lunch with your bffs -- not so good for an intimate romantic dinner. Location: On the 2nd floor of the Modern Hotel in Waikiki Parking: Valet! Ambiance: Modern, hip, upbeat, with an oriental be beachy twist. Service: Exceptional to say the least! It is even awesome during peak holiday hours with the entire restaurant bustling! What we ordered: Unless they have changed the menu in the past 6 months, we have tried 90% of the menu. I have not tried the omakase but you can bet your bottom i've got my eye on it! What you should order: --LUNCH--- Anything really, the entire menu is soooo affordable for quality foods in the heart of waikiki. Favorites are Chirashi Sushi, Loco Moto, Kakuni Don ---APPETIZERS--- Crispy rock shrimp tempura - MIND BLOWING FLAVORS! Wagyu carpaccio -- MELT IN YOUR MOUTH! !PINEAPPLE TEMPURA!!!! --- omg! SO GOOD! Kakuni -- Magic! --Dinner-- The special is ALWAYS a great choice -Crispy Whole Fish -Duck Duck Duck -Surf and turf -1lb australian wagyu rib eye -- you don't even need a knife, it just falls apart! -Sushi- Obviously all delicious, but the must order is oh toro for me! Desserts I have officially had them all and I LOVE THEM ALL! Did we see the Chef? YES! Actually, on our last trip there he was humbly cleaning the air vents or something in a casual shirt and white shorts! WHAT! I was star struck and missed my photo op but I SAW HIM! And you might too! Overall, Wonderful restaurant that is so delicious! From the very polite, attentive staff to the seriously mind blowing life changing food, there is no stone left unturned. I LOVE MORIMOTO WAIKIK! and I'm sure you will too! Make your way down here ASAP!
(5)Kanoe I.
Dined at this modern Japanese eatery in the beautiful Modern Hotel and loved it! The restaurant's decor is what draws you in....pastel colors of green, beige and purple adds a contemporary and modern touch. They do have both indoor and outdoor seating. We opted to sit indoors because it was much more comfortable and it had a perfect view of the open space kitchen. Morimoto wasn't there...we were bummed. We stared at the menu and didn't know what to order so we asked our waitress for suggestions. Here is what she recommended and we enjoyed each dish: Tuna Pizza ($19): Very different and light, thinly sliced pieces of ahi over a thinly baked tortilla. The jalapeños add a little bite to it, which I thought made it tasty. We loved it so much, we ordered two. Whitefish Carpaccio ($17): Thinly sliced sashimi with hot oil, ginger and yuzu sauce. This dish was served with fresh greens. Very healthy and light.....Highly recommend this! Crispy Rock Shrimp Tempura ($18): This dish included battered shrimp prepared two different ways: one in a "spicy kochujan sauce" and the other in a "wasabi aioli sauce." Both were delicious. Tempura Calamari Salad ($18): Fresh greens with calamari in a white miso dressing. This salad was good but the fried calamari gave it an "unhealthy" taste. We ended up eating the greens and pushing the calamari to the side. Fresh Oysters: Beautiful presentation but the portion was small. They do offer several different sauces for it so that was good. I would opt for something else the next time. Overall, we really enjoyed our experience here and will definitely be back. Thank You to the staff for their excellent service!!
(5)Celina Q.
As non-celebrators of Valentines Day, my boyfriend treated me to a romantic night at Morimotos on Friday the 13th (of February). Located in the Modern Hotel, Morimotos is the perfect blend of authentic Japanese cuisine, local flavor and that high-end ambiance we sometimes search for. Parking is valet, the restaurant validates, so good deal there. On this visit, there were three stand out items I need to mention: 1. Takoyaki app; twist on an Asian fave, it featured a decadent butter shoyu sauce with large takoyaki balls. These had abalone in them instead of tako, a bit pricey at $18 for 6 pieces, but hey, its Morimotos 2. Ishi Yaki Buri Bop; take the meat and toppings out of your traditional bibimbap and youve got this Morimoto creation. With fresh yellow tail and rice, this dish was made table side by out server. Though I didnt have any, the bf said it was a great dish 3. Chocolate Peanut Bombe; LOVE. not too sweet and a great size. Salted peanut ice cream is soo delish! And the cookie-like cremuex? melts in the mouth! Service was a little slow on this night, but we can blame that on a popular location and date so close to V-day. Keep in mind, Morimotos is also known for their sushi selection of rolls and nigiri, but nigiri orders only come with one piece! Make sure to order enough pieces for your group! Though I have no picture to prove it, Chef Morimoto himself was there on this special night! It was pretty cool to see a celebrity chef, even though his name is on the restaurant. From what I could tell, he was not meeting any guests or taking photos, boo.
(4)Ariana M.
I think I have gone to Morimotos at least 4 or 5 times now. I really love the decor of the restaurant and the ambience. It was real comforting. Even the bathroom was real nice. Although I think the bathroom location is a bit inconvenient since it is located outside the restaurant. Besides that, the staff is always very polite and friendly; my water glass is never left empty. Each time I have been to Morimotos the food always comes out amazing. The portions are just like any other high-end restaurant, small. The quality of the ingredients and the creativity of presentation and execution really highlighted the Iron Chef's experience. The last time I went to Morimotos, we ordered the takoyaki for our first appetizer. Personally, I'm not a big fan of traditional Japanese takoyaki but this one had quite a twist. The takoyaki was actually made with abalone, which was delicious. The herb butter also added a nice strong kick. The Morimoto Sashimi platter was different from any Sashimi platter I've ever had. It was six stacked pieces of Salmon, Maguro, Hamachi and Pork belly. Each piece than had it's own little topping and was accompanied by FIVE different sauces in cool little squirt vials. It was a fun experience experimenting with the different sauces. The fish was fresh and tasted great. Presentation was excellent as expected. Definitely a must order item. For my entree I had the surf and turf, which came with fingerling potatoes over purple yam mash, Morimoto style poke with avocado wasabi sorbet and a nice wagyu filet. My steak was cooked to perfection and everything went well together. They even include a kelp tea thing for a palate cleanser to keep the surf and turf flavors separate.
(5)Mr K.
I'm so sad to write this review. I'm originally from Hawaii and of Japanese descent. Chef Morimoto has always been a favorite of mine since the original Iron Chef. When traveling, my family and I like to eat at well known and acclaimed places for the experience. Morimoto Waikiki was definitely a destination dinner and I had high expectations. Unfortunately, by night's end, I was disappointed and confused. Let's start with the restaurant itself. It is a beautiful space. We sat on the lanai overlooking the marina which provided a nice tranquil ambiance. For food, my wife and I ordered the tasting menu. Perhaps we should have ordered ala carte in retrospect as there were maybe one or two dishes I would try again. The hamachi and toro tartare was cute, but it really didn't showcase the fish. The minced meat consistency is not appealing and all the accroutremonts are extraneous. The kampachi with hot sesame oil was good, a little play on chinese style steamed fish. The vegetable bagna calda was a throwaway dish. I mean it was ok, but it had no Japanese or island influence and maybe would be better served in a different context. The foie gras chawanmushi was easily the star of the night, traditional Japanese with a French twist and perfectly executed. This is what I expected for the entire meal. The intermezzo was a mushroom tea. However, I think it was eringi mushroom and not matsutake. Could have at least made a small dobin mushi. The nigiri plate was ok, but not something I would order in this setting. I was hoping that the mixed grill would be the saving grace at this point. Everything was overcooked and yet cold at the same time. Bummer because it's hard to mess up lobster and wagyu. I liked the dessert. The butter mochi was a nice touch. The service was acceptable, but for a restaurant of this caliber, it should be so much better. I shouldn't have to flag staff down for the wine pairing with the current dish or have my water glass completely empty for 10 minutes. Also, the waiter and food runners were giving me different descriptions for the same course. it's all in the details. In the end, Morimoto Waikiki didn't deliver. For reference, I easily have 50+ Michelin stars under my belt and depending on the list, close to half of the top 100 in the restaurants in the US ranging from casual to uber fine dining.At maybe $50 per person, this would get one more star from me, but at $200 per person it falls way short.
(3)Sandra L.
I am a big fan of "Iron Chef" so I was really excited to try my first Morimoto restaurant. Sadly, I was underwhelmed. It's a beautiful setting and our server was kind but the food--- disappointing. I would say the experience felt like a commercial fusion one than one of an amazing, high-end restaurant. My friend and I were wishing we got a plate lunch instead. We had the pork dumplings which were tasty. We had the fish hot pot, the tuna pizza and some soju. Something was lacking for sure. Nothing was horrific, but it was just not memorable. Save your cash for a tastier joint.
(2)Jason S.
I absolutely adore the design of the hotel Marimoto is located in, 'The Modern Honolulu'. Thus, I am still happy to have come here despite the expensive and lackluster meal. My service was slow & inattentive, which was frustrating. Waikiki is jam-packed with Japanese restaurants, so at the prices of Morimoto, I kinda expected something better than the plethora of other available options. The main dishes were tasty enough, but nothing spectacular, or even much better than what could be had elsewhere. However, I was only here for lunch, so the menu looked rather boring to me. The sashimi was the most disappointing since it was noticeably less fresh than the sashimi we just had the night before at 'Azure', although Morimoto has a bigger selection of sashimi.
(3)Kira M.
My friends and I attended Morimotos for lunch and because we worked close by we just walked over. The restaurant was easy to find, spacious and beautiful. The hostess greeted us pleasantly and our waiter was quick to take our drink orders and offer to help is pick out our appetizer and entrees. He was very knowledgeable about the menu and we enjoyed his recommendations. The food was great and came with more than one side. The course was very filling and we all left satisfied.
(5)Sara S.
Morimoto's is like that hot guy at the bar that you have a drink with and then later realize he has no substance, he's just... hot. I went here for Father's day lunch and was blown away by the decor and presentation of the food. Even the service was above average as well. Pretty much everything impressed me except the taste of the food itself. It was just A-OK for it's gajillion dollar price tag. The lunch menu is a lot more reasonable than the dinner menu but even then the food was still nothing to write home to your mother about. Best dressed award goes to the hamachi tartare, because it was presented in an awesome paper thin mould, complete with nori paste, wasabi, sour cream, and my favorite crunchy ball things. Looks super awesome but is gone in like 5 bites. Another cool appetizer is the fresh tofu that is made at your table. The waiter legitimately mixes the soy milk with salt water and it cooks at your table for 10 minutes. Feel free to ooh and aah, it's probably expected. Looks super awesome but is just.. tofu. I want Gazen's tofu. Wagyu beef was probably the most bang for your buck appetizer. Looks super awesome and tastes kinda awesome. Win. The ishiyaki buri bop that everyone talked about was just blah to me. It didn't even look good like all the other dishes we had prior, the least it could do was look amazing, right? It was very filling so if you order that it will probably be all you need but maybe I'm just not a fan of cooked hamachi. I thought it would just end up being seared but it was so hot that it ended up being cooked completely.... eh. Other members of our party tried the porkbelly kakuni bento and the wagyu beef loco moco. Very pretty but as far as overall satisfaction, meh's all around. Hence, Morimoto's is just A-OK. The appetizers were far more impressive than the entrees, but still not worth $$$$. No more money in da bank. Ganbare Morimoto san, if I return and order your sushi maybe I will be more impressed.
(3)Rosie C.
I was really excited to try an Iron Chef establishment. I had high hopes for this place & envisioned having a high quality michelin-esque dining experience. Everything started off smoothly. Located inside The Modern Honolulu Hotel, the location was nice and felt appropriate. The ambiance was on point and the outdoor space overlooked the docked yachts and boats. The open kitchen was also pleasant and you could sit inside or in the outdoor tent (we sat outdoors; not by request). Service was good and our server was attentive and even recommended a few cocktails to us. We ordered a few appetizers and they were all amazing: - Oyster Foie Gras (warm, buttery, flavorful & melt-in-your-mouth) - Morimoto Sashimi (w/5 sauces in a squeeze tube: so innovative & delicious) - Sashimi Salad Everything was fine until we ordered our main entrees: - Duck, Duck, Duck (seared duck breast, spring roll, meatball soup w/pastry puff bread) - Surf & Turf (prime filet, poke, salt crusted fingerlings) Oh man... we were so underwhelmed by the entrees and frankly disappointed. The spring roll in the Duck Duck Duck reminded me of subpar chinese egg rolls and the broth in the meatball soup lacked flavor. It tasted watered down. The surf & turf dish wasn't a show stopper either. It's shocking that the appetizers did so well but the entrees were not to par... Had we had known the main entrees would be a flop, we would've stuck to the appetizers & probably some sashimi. I really wanted to like this place and while certain aspects were enjoyable It went from amazing to disappointing pretty quickly ... maybe I'll be generous and give it another shot (no promises)
(3)Diane B.
I came to this restaurant with high standards only to be shut down :( My fiance and I came to eat here while we were in Hawaii only because I am obsessed with watching Morimoto on TV for iron chef. So anyways we ordered the 8 course Omakase. So when I ordered the Omakase I was thinking it was only Sashimi/sushi from my knowledge of omakase that's what it is, but I only got 2 dishes from the 8 that were raw fish. I was really disappointed after we left I didn't really like anything I ate besides the 2 out of 8 dishes that were served to us. I wouldn't recommend anyone to order the Omakase don't waste your money!
(1)Wilson C.
It was like eating art. Good food, Great flavors & awesome service
(4)Donna W.
For the money, was the worst meal we had in Honolulu. Have not spent $200 for a worst meal. Service not much better. Very disappointed.
(1)John D.
I recently did a multi course meal here for an event along with wine pairing, the sushi this is was good but the rest was average. I got the overall impression that the management didn't prioritize events held here, despite charging a premium price. One of the staff accidentally damaged an expensive personal article of one of the guests. One of managers currently working there, on older caucasian brunette, denied all culpability despite not being there. This was an extremely unprofessional way of handling a mistake done by the staff
(1)Callie S.
We were staying at The Modern and it was later in the evening, so Morimoto's was convenient. We had the rock shrimp tempura, some sushi, the tuna pizza, and the divers scallops. I was hesitant to go in because the reviews are all over the place, so though it is Chef Morimoto's restaurant, where you would expect impeccable food, service, and ambiance; I guess I didn't have high expectations. The food was good - the scallops I didn't care for at all - they definitely were under seasoned and the chili paste/broth was just an odd flavor, the jalapeños on the the tuna pizza lew out my palette, the hamachi wasn't the freshest. The other appetizers and sushi were good, not great. The service was good as well, but not great. It's a shame that such a famous, well known, chef would let the restaurant go and allow for "just good". When paying those prices, $$$$, I want exceptional.
(3)Monique P.
I was excited about trying Morimoto's since we were staying at the resort it is housed but I'd have to say the experience was just meh. We were seated outside at a wobbly table and the atmosphere was nothing special. You could maybe see a few yachts on the marina but barely even that. The service was not bad however. We had the pork belly lunch and lobster melts which were ok. All in all, I would just say it was typical for resort dining... overpriced and underwhelmed. Not bad... I just had higher expectations.
(3)grace n.
I've been to Morimoto in Napa so I knew more or less what to expect. I was sad to hear that I missed Morimoto by just a couple of weeks or so (dang it, Obama! Be in Honolulu when I'm there!) but the food was still delicious. I generally prefer appetizers to entrees so I made my friend order a bunch of small dishes and appetizers with me =) The oysters foie gras is a little bit of heaven in food form. Oysters? Yes please. Foie gras? Just stop it! This dish was probably my favorite during my week long trip to Hawaii. I also loved the toro hamachi and Morimoto's beef carpaccio is always delish. I forget what else we got. But when in doubt, get the oysters foie gras. nommm.
(4)David C.
I am a fan of yose dofu. Definately one of the better appetizers I've had yet. The best i can describe it would be a fresh hot tofu created at table side. You will receive several options to dress your dish including a Daishi broth, Kim chee sauce, and some garnish toppings to finish it off. The dish is extremely light and would be a nice replacement for a starter soup. The way I like to eat it would be to dress the tofu with a 1:1 ratio of Daishi broth and Kim chee sauce. Dinner is amazing.
(4)Kitty K.
I visited Morimoto's for a second time and once again, it didn't fail to impress. I ordered the shrimp tempura appetizer as an entree and I begun with the miso soup and clams. The shrimp was fresh, the crust was crispy, and the wasabi sauce and the sweet and sour sauces were creamy, rich and delicious. The cocktail of the day was light and crisp. I finished it off with a pot of green tea. The service was attentive and courteous.
(5)derek n.
Was excited to try Morimoto's in Waikiki and had a chance to talk with some friends about their experiences and reviewed some of the yelp reviews beforehand, so luckily my expectations were not super high. First impression was that it was in this somewhat eclectic hotel that attempts at being trendy but unsure if it pulls it off. Second, as I walked into the restaurant entrance, was underwhelmed by the somewhat odd decor. The waiting area seating was trendy but somewhat unclean looking, all throughout the restaurant were these clear box fixtures hanging from the ceiling with coral in them (which I though was sort of a cliche and tacky). The inside seating was cramped and it was very loud, luckily we were seated outside and there were not too many people outside. Most of our party ordered the omakase but in addition, we ordered a few dishes separately. I would suggest the omakase on your first visit, it will give you a taste of a lot of different things. The separate appetizers and entrees were very nice sized portions. The stuff I really liked: - hamachi and toro tartare - fois gras chawan mushi (very rich, and I normally don't like chawan mushi) - omakase desserts - ice cream with sweet potato, panna cotta The stuff that was just okay: - yose dofu - rock shrimp - main course from omakase with lobster, pork, meat - sashimi and sushi omakase courses, probably the biggest disappointment - anchovy paste in oil heated over a candle was interesting, the vegetables were sort of plain and unappealing but the anchovy paste thing was good there was a palate cleanser 'kelp tea' that was strange and not that appealing nor cleansing so overall, there were some high and not so high points. obviously an expensive meal, but I would consider going back on a special occasion. Since I know what I like from the omakase and knowing the regular appetizer and main course portions are quite large for a high-end place, I'm sure the value will be much higher the next time around. one last thing, the service was excellent, which was one thing I was worried about from reading other yelp reviews
(3)Janice C.
We had high expectation for this place and turned out the sashimi/sushi was not very fresh. I ordered the loco moto which basically is beef over rice and it was almost laughable since I've had something awfully smilar at a different Japanese restaurant that charges $10. We left within an hour, that's how unbearable the experience was.
(1)Lindsay C.
Great place for a date night. It is expensive but worth it - our waiters, bartenders, and runners have always been knowledgeable and friendly. The food is delicious, fresh, and skillfully prepared (although if you make a reservation past 8:00 they sometimes run out of their specials). They also have a great selection of sake.
(4)Stacy H.
The Iron Chef did not disappoint. We ordered the toro tartare and that was delicious, except it was angled in such a way that it was hard to get the toro out of the dish. The sauces were delicious! The oysters with the foie gras with uni were unbelievable. I ordred the ishiyaki buri bop and the braised black cod. These dishes were both delicious. For the price, you would expect a little more food, but overall the quality of the dishes were great.
(4)Chris G.
I've been to the Philly and Napa Morimoto locations, so it was only a matter of time before heading to Morimoto Waikiki. We had a great seat, right near the water and our service was beyond excellent. The staff made sure we had anything we needed. We we with the recommended Ginjo Lychee Martini which had a pretty good kick. Starting off with the Morimoto Poke and the Hamachi Tartare. With the Hamachi it was hard to eat it slow, it was not only fun to eat but a delight for the senses. Moving on to the Wagyu beef, Kakuni and Ox tail soup. The Wagyu was so tasty and tender and I was suprised I liked the Ox tail soup, it's something I don't normally eat. Pikae Blossom and Coco Fraiche was a nice change from the Lychee Martini and afterwards we had a nice buzz going. Ending the night with the Chocolate Tart and we left with smiles from ear to ear.
(5)Mo T.
I loved this guy on the iron chef. Very innovative and respectful, so it was exiting to go to his restaurant while on my honeymoon. the decor was awesome and we sat at the sushi bar overlooking the kitchen. it was a pleasure seeing the chefs in action. seeing the different dishes get done, and the presentation was amazing on some of these dishes. The wifey and I loved our sushi, calamari, ox tail soup, more sushi, and I forgot about the other dish we had. but overall, a great experience.
(5)Gigi Y.
I went there w/a couple friends for lunch on a Friday. We shared a Soft-Shell Crab Roll. The soft-shell crab was crispy but the the sushi wasn't wrapped tight enough. I had a lobster melt which came with nicely seasoned fries (salt, furikake and a hint of wasabi) and salad. My friends had a Chicken Katsu Sandwich and the Mini Burgers. The Chicken Katsu Sandwich had mustard and katsu sauce which my friend thought was a strange combination. I was surprised at the size of the Mini Burgers... It was MINI for sure. There's three burgers and each burger probably has the diameter of 2 inches. My friend said it was enough for her though, with the fries and salad. I like the underwater themed decor of the restaurant. Overall it was good but I guess I expected to be WoW-ed from the restaurant of an Iron Chef.
(3)Douglas L.
Had a wonderful and delicious dinner here at Morimoto's. The ambiance, staff, and food compliment each other.
(5)Aki D.
I'm so sorry, but it's overrated. Although I hear it's a great place for lunch, dinner is.... just okay. I guess I was expecting much more from one of the original Iron Chefs.
(2)Julie N.
OMG! My husband is still mad. Horrible service and overpriced.. OUr tab for 4 was 5 bills. What a waste of money.
(1)June J.
Oysters are to die for. An absolute must! The best oysters I ever had the pleasure of slurping in my life! I'm salivating just thinking about those darn oysters!
(5)Miss L.
Awesome ambience. Gorgeous and unique decor. Food was good a little pricey...we ordered 2 apps, 2 entrees, 1 dessert, 3 drinks and a sake flight - bill came out to $195 not including tip yet. Service was a 3 out of 5 - not great but not bad either. I would go again to try different things on their menu!
(4)M L.
Sadly, my experience last night did not match these reviews, my expectations, or my experience at Morimoto's in NYC. We did the chef's tasting with 4 people. Our food was both bland and cold - repeatedly. Our cocktails were ok, but seemed to contain very little liquor. Our waiter was a mess. Friendly enough guy, but clearly needs more training. He began our night by looking exhausted and making a comment about being busy. Which is fine - whatever. But by the end of the night, he was venting to us about how stressful his other table had been, how things were a mess because the chef was out with the flu, and all sorts of other behind-the-scenes stories that were completely unprofessional. There seemed to be a general lack of training and attention to detail among the staff. One example - they served a fondue dish with little candles under the pot to keep it hot. My friend's candle arrived extinguished. Problem 1: the server didn't notice, so we had to flag them down and ask for a light. Problem 2: the server was having trouble getting it to light, but instead of trying once and then taking it back to deal with at the service station, he just hovered over my friend and fumbled with it near her head for awhile. Problem 3: once lit and put back in place, my friend noticed her oil was cold. Which means the candle didn't blow out on the journey from kitchen to table, it had been out for a bit. Another minor example of training issues that is similar to our overall experience. Our waiter brought us small dessert cocktails (about a quarter pour) for free, which was very nice of him and was greatly appreciated. But instead of saying "compliments of the house" or "you guys have been great, please enjoy this drink on me" or "we're testing out a new cocktail, and I'd love your feedback", we got "the bartender made an extra one accidentally and was going to throw it out, but I said we might as well give it to you." So his heart was in the right place, but could have used a little salesman finesse. Can you image this happening at another fine dining restaurant? And perhaps that is the issue - this property, although billed under Morimoto's name and priced to match, seems to have succumbed to the island lifestyle and is much more casual than was expected. Unfortunately, the allure of Hawaiian life doesn't excuse poorly executed dishes. There's plenty of other great restaurants on the island - spend your money there.
(1)Frank W.
I only came here for breakfast and ordered the Loco Moco. I wasn't sure what it is but I can say it's average at best. A lot of curry sauce and little bits of pieces of "wagyu" beef. Could've been anything and I wouldn't have known. The servers were very attentive and nice though. But my real gripe is the decor. What is up with the outdoor chairs? They were dirty, and the leather on the seats were ripped or had chunks missing. This is not what you would expect for a place of Morimoto's caliber. I'm very disappointed at this lack of attention to details.
(3)Jennie B.
It was my husbands bday so he had a choice of where to go. He decided to try Morimotos......he is an iron Chef so it must be good and expensive. COCKTAILS: always a martini, everywhere we go, Ketel One Vodka, 3 olives, blah, blah, blah...... he had a sip, and said it's watered down, he tells the our waiter ...... then proceed to order another one.... same watered down. This is my husbands drink at home and he very rarely complains about anything...... but get his drink right !!!! Not even an apology and not an offer of " can I get you another one, on us ?". APPETIZERS: 1. Calamari salad: good dressing, tasty, slightly weird presentation.....calamari was buried under all the greens, but it's good,I would recommend this. We tried to order the house green salad but the waiter, Mathew talked us out of ordering it because the calamari salad should be big enough.for both of us , he was right. 2. Oysters: 1/2 dozen, it's okay, nice, little and fresh 3. Pork Gyoza: nice presentation, meaty as described, with bacon foam and tomato sauce, it's pretty, looks like an " an alien flat egg" . It tastes good, just like pork Goya. 4. Uni Sushi ( from Japan) : we we're told it is much better than California Uni, it should be for $12 a piece. We are small eaters so after the 4 appetizers we went straight to deep fried fish, the was good, well presented, I just didn't understand the papaya salad......not mush taste, the soft tofu is also bland, just didn't get this dish at all. Dessert: nothing looked particularly special as described on the menu. NOTE: I probably got spoiled by dining at our favorite restaurant Michelles where they acknowledge special occasions, even by saying happy bday or just making us feel special. Our waiter acted as if he's doing us a favor by being there......not going back for sure.
(2)Nt P.
We had a gift card for this place so we decide to go to celebrate an early Valentines. For the last year we been monitoring the Yelp and in the beginning the reviews were not good at all! So we just hung back to see if the reviews would improve - and it did. So we decide to take the plunge. The Ambiance: We had an early reservation at 5:15 and the place was wide open. The decor was unexpected, very modern, it took me by surprise, considering it's Japanese focused food (The 'fusion' part becomes evident when you read the menu). There were some reviews that complained the restaurant was very noisy and the tables were a bit far to sustain conversation. Because we went early, it was quiet, but I think I would have to agree with the reviews on the noise level - its a big open spaced dining area with an open kitchen with a lot of hard surfaces, thus the sounds just bounce around. There was outside seating available, but we passed due to the windiness that day. Perhaps some soft items / areas to damped the overall 'din' might be nice. We stayed for about 2 hours and as the restaurant patrons and additional staff came in, the increase in sound level was apparent. Minor note: what's with the solid Plexi-Glas table legs? It's translucent so I kept bumping into them as I sat due to the habit of wanting more space for stretching my legs - might be a bit cramped for larger or taller people. The Food: One word: delish! Again despite some negative reviews, we did not experience any bad or mediocre dish. We did a 'heavy pupu' dinner, thus we ordered a variety of cold and hot appetizer dishes to get a nice cross section of the chefs creations. We will list from Best dish of the night to least best: Wagyu Carpaccio: This was absolutely amazing, thinly slice beef presented like sashimi over a hot oil (which cooks the beef to medium rare) with yuzu soy and microgreens. This seems to be a very delicate dish despite the beef and I can see why some people may pan this dish - because I think the beef can be over cooked in the hot oil if left too long during busy times. Kakuni: Wow, this braised pork dish was a real comfort food. The slab of pork is about 3x3x1 and so tender it just falls apart as you cut into it. It is complemented on a bed of 'congee' or soft cooked rice. I think they could build an entree around this appetizer. Oyster Foie Gras: We were a bit hesitate about this one, due to the richness of the ingredients, but again: Wow - what a burst of flavors! It was a toss up between this and the Kakuni in terms of which was better (similar sweet soy profile). It comes open faced on a bed of hot salt, it's a hot appetizer, but the oysters are not cooked through. The foie gras complements the oyster and sweet teri sauce to the point that at times I thought I was eating something else (like an Unagi-don) or a very different take on Oyster Rockerfellers. Very nice. As with the Wagyu Carpaccio, I think this could have problems with the right 'cookedness' during busy times. Japanese Uni - Nigiri Sushi (2 piece order): Wow! We are glad to have tried this, for you Uni fans, the Japanese Uni is not as 'fatty' or 'sweet' as the Uni usually served, it is a bit firmer, smaller and more orange in color. If you look closely at this sushi, you will see about 4-6 individual uni pieces sitting onto the rice / nori. A bit expensive, but worth the experience. Negi-Hamachi Maki: Normally we only see Negi-toro on a menu, not often do you see Negi-Hamachi on a menu. Now if you are at the Sushi bar I am sure the Itamae will make it for you if you know. This roll was unusual in that the green onions were not mixed in with the Hamachi - it was rolled in on the side of the Hamachi and it was very thin green onions. Hamachi is a lot more delicate than Toro, so I think they did this one correctly to put the Hamachi flavor first and the onion as a condiment. Soft Shell Crab Roll: No much to say about this, except it was well executed and very tasting - portion was great. The best part was the crab was still warm and crispy! Hamachi - Nigiri Sushi (2 piece order): Nothing really to write home about, however the fish was fresh and very flavorful. I kinda expected a larger piece for the price, but I guess it was thick enough for a well rounded nigiri sushi. Takoyaki: This was our least favorite dish. However, it's not that it was not good, it was very flavorful. We thought using the Abalone instead of Octopus didn't make a difference, the texture was similar and the delicate flavor of the Abalone wasn't there due to the cooking. We thought this would make a great savory desert dish. I am at the word limit... hope this was a helpful review!
(4)Allen Michael D.
Walked in for lunch and was greeted by very friendly staff. Made me feel very welcomed into the restaurant. I was given the choice to sit in or outside which was a great plus. The view from the patio was amazing! The staff was very helpful and knowledgeable about the menu and it made my decision even easier. This is what I enjoyed: 1) TORO TARE TARE - I've never tried it before so my server Kealoha explained how to eat it properly. First bite in and I absolutely loved it! The presentation was very nice with 5 different toppings to choose from. 2) TEMPURA CALAMARI SALAD - A generous portion of crisp mixed greens, on top of a bed of perfectly fried calamari. One of THE BEST salads I've ever tasted! 3) SUSHI - SAKE (Salmon), CHU-TORO, OTORO, SPICY SALMON ROLL. The sushi was TOP NOTCH and quality is amazing! The texture of the sake was so soft and it melted in my mouth like butter. The TORO's we're very Very VERY chewy. I ate one and left it in my mouth for a couple seconds with a big smile on my face. And the Spicy Salmon Roll was great! perfectly portioned Rolls with tons of taste and great quality! 4) KURO GOMA - I wanted to try something different for dessert and ordered this. Presentation looked great and the taste was a unique blend of black sesame, strawberries, and caramelized white chocolate. The sponge cake was definitely different and blended well with everything else the plate had to offer From the great food, friendly staff, and beautiful ambience, I will definitely be back to Morimotos!
(5)William D.
There is a difference between refined and creative. And the omakaze selection was creative. There were some singles and some home runs. The first course tartare was hit or miss from bite to bite only because the dinner is responsible for seasoning. The second course carpaccio was very close to perfect. Third course vegatable and olive oil fondue had great ingredients but I felt I needed better instructions on how to prepare and enjoy. Fourth course fois gras was great and just the right portion size. Next was a kombu tea that was complex and refreshing. Fifth was a simple sushi plate that contained the single best piece of tuna I had ever had (proper temp proper age and perfect execution). The sixth meat selection was a hit and miss, curry lobster with lemon cream was inspired while the waygu beef was over cooked. Finally the desert was ruined by the cackling herd of drunk women that piled into the bar area screaming and laughing with each other while ruining everyone else's meal.
(5)