4. Restaurants

Tangö Contemporary Café

1288 Ala Moana Blvd,Ste 120, Honolulu, HI, 96814
  • (808) 593-7288
  • Store is closed

Tangö Contemporary Café Menu

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.

  • Esteban W.

    Tango, so what's with the two dots above the "O". We can't get ourselves an IKEA here on O'ahu, but sure enough the Swedish spirit lives on with Tango. Now I am not completely sure, sure if they deem themselves the authority on all things Swedish here in the middle of the Pacific, but I came to my own conclusion just reading some interesting ingredients from the Breakfast menu... Like Glavix - who didn't Google THAT while trying to decide what set of benedicts they wanted to order? For breakfast, the menu is delightfully limited to one side of a 6x9 sheet of menu, which is nice since you don't have to spend like 48 minutes trying to figure out what kind of breakfast bullshit you want to order. A good portion of it is reserved for eggs Benedict recipes and the remaining part of the menu is filled with the regular breakfast trimmings that you kind find at any other typical breakfast joint. You may not find an EKTORP Sofa or the BRASA floor lamp, or even the LINNARP desk of your dreams, but you will however find a pretty damn tasty meal, and you won't even have to build it yourself, it comes assembled for you. The GOOD: The benedicts are delicious. You can't really go wrong with them, and Tango takes the traditional and twists it - Scandinavian style. I myself decided to switch up the Benedicts and get a half/half plate of Crab Hash and Smoked Salmon. Flavors that you don't traditionally see on the islands and are satisfying for a breakfast get together with some few good friends. My company Artie T. and Justin R. both enjoyed the Loco Moco (a loco moco inspired Benedict) which was as creative as it was delicious. Tender and flavorful steak marinated to perfection over savory rice and topped with the proverbial and quintessential poached egg. All the Benedicts come with slivers of fruit and breakfast styled potato chunks on the side. The coffee is also made to order with unnatural freshness. Tango claims that they brew your cup only moments after you ask for it - and they truly make you believe that when they come out with a hand-held tin carafe containing deliciously brewed caffeine. The BAD: Although I hear the best time is about 8:30am, every other time, apparently comes with a side of wait outside for a table. I think it's their specialty. On my visit, 10am Sunday morning (breakfast ends at 10:30) I was lucky enough to be meeting someone who did all the waiting for me. Service, although nice, is a bit slow - at least our server had something missing up top, meaning I think he wasn't the sweetest Lingonberry on the bush. We waited several minutes after he said he would refill my coffee, then had to remind him, after that we just asked someone else when he never returned. He often appeared to avoid our table all together and when it came to ordering, he got one of the Benedicts incorrect [we didn't fuss about it though, it still tasted amazing]. I am not sure of his name, but he seems to stick out from the other servers - rather tall male, and non-Asian, has nice eyes though - that's about it, nothing much behind them. Another BAD: On a side note, a 'hash' is a mixture of meat pieces and various other things like vegetables, spices mashed together. I guess I didn't quite understand 'Crab hash' or at least the 'Hash' portion because my 'crab' hash came back with clearly identifiable shrimp pieces. I think I was expecting more crab, instead of a mixture of seafood, with that being said, maybe the name should be a "seafood hash" instead of 'crab' (in my humble opinion). Overall, I like Tango. Aesthetically, the interior is very nice and well put together, cozy and comforting. The food was delicious and the coffee was amazing. Three hungry guys: three Benedict plates, two coffees and a small orange juice with %15 tip = $43, so no too pricy in terms of a clearly higher-end breakfast experience. Will I come back, definitely. I saw some other menu items I am truly interested in, mainly, Glavix. So here in Hawai'i, we may not be able to take home and assemble or DALFRED stools, NUMERAR desk or LIDINGO TV stand, but we can truly enjoy some Swedish inspired (I think) dishes that will satisfy the breakfast cravings.

    (3)

  • Nickie M.

    I come here for their Salmon Benedict and coffee. Today, they added spinach to my Benedict, per my request. They also served this red sauce that just made my meal more delish. I'm enjoying my breakfast. Great service. And parking was easy, too.

    (5)

  • Alice C.

    Last night I was desperately in search for a cafe that served tea and coffee and was cozy so I was yelping around when I stumbled upon here. I used to work in the Ward complex and I used to go often to the cafe it was prior to becoming Tango contemporary cafe. Anywho I decided to meet there with my girlfriends and I was quite surprised by the selection they had. Its not big but they did offer some pretty good options. They have sandwich, some themed nights of foods like wednesday pasta nights, I think it was friday bbqs (or maybe thursday?) They had some bread, desserts (including macarons and fruit tarts) some salads, sandwiches, breakfast and of course tea and coffee! So I ordered a Chicken Pesto sandwich, you really can't go wrong with that. It was absolutely delicious. They gave the choice of greens or pasta salad, and I absolutely love my pasta salad so I chose that and it came in such a cute display. They have a wide selection of italian sodas, which I am also a huge fan of. I tried the toasted marshmallow flavored italian cream soda and you could DEFINITELY taste the toasted marshmallow. It was quite interesting. I think I prefer my usual vanilla cream soda. After my sandwich I ordered Macarons. My love for macarons increases everytime. I got my favorite three flavors: Hawaiian salted caramel, Red velvet, & Matcha green tea. Call me cliche but those are the best flavors. Its $2.15 each or 8 for $16 and their macarons are made from Cake Works. Aside from my new discovery, the service there is great. There was a girl taking orders and serving and mainly in the front, and a guy who makes the food and they were both so nice. My friends were happy with their visit too so we will be returning for more catch up dates. The best part is that its not crazy busy so its definitely quiet and comforting. Check it out if you're around the area. I'm gonna have to go back and see if they have wifi. Perhaps they could earn that last star with it? :)

    (4)

  • Stella L.

    Food and quality was good. The only thing was the waiter told us we could not sit closer to the window and took us all the way back on the corner. There were 3 tables of two that were empty till the end!! The nerve!

    (3)

  • Suzanne R.

    Tango is awesome! It's a cute little cafe, rustic, modern, contemporary... Great atmosphere. And the food is always delicious, fresh and prepared to perfection. Chef Goran really knows his way around the kitchen! Plus, they give back to the community and help out the less fortunate. How can you beat that?! It's located on the Ala Moana end of the Ward area and parking is a breeze. They validate for the lot in their building, and there's also tons of parking in all of the other Ward lots. So, no excuses. Go check out Tango ASAP! :-D

    (5)

  • J K.

    Went for breakfast on a weekday recently after reviewing a handful of yelp reviews and I was glad that I did. The duck hash was delicious and french pressed coffee was also great. I am a real stickler when it comes to sunny side up eggs. The bottom of a sunny side egg should never be brown and burnt, and the top of the egg shouldn't look runny or bubbly. A true sunny side egg is soft and silky. Kudos to the kitchen on a perfectly cooked sunny side egg! The service was attentive, but not overbearing, my coffee was refilled on numerous occasions without asking, and overall I had one of the best breakfast experiences in a long time dinning at this fine establishment. I plan to be a repeat customer for sure.

    (5)

  • Cin T.

    Because we got there 35mins too late, the breakfast menu was no longer in effect. It was a little disappointing since my friend and I were wanting to try their much-talked about varieties of eggs benedicts. The "loco moco" (heard they use tender-braised beef on this special benedict) and crab hash bennies were both on my must-try list, oh well. I was only bummed for a good 5 secs, the lunch menu sounded great so I was looking forward to a great meal. Sadly, my dish a failure. DUCK LEG CONFIT WITH THYME DEMI-GLACE (served w/a crispy risotto cake and sauteed veggies for $13.25): I tanked 4 glasses of water in order to finish this dish. The meat was intensely salty, almost inedible. Maybe they forgot to rinse off the salty brine before cooking?? Maybe the brining process poorly executed? Who knows.... The "thyme demi glace" was bland & tasteless. I got a couple measly pieces of broccoli rabe and 2 teeny tiny carrots. Not enough to tame the vicious salt attack. The crispy risotto cake was crusty on the outside and mushy on the inside. Someone mentioned that it was merely an afterthought, leftovers from the previous dinner service made into cakes. I noticed other pics of duck confit served with regular creamy risotto. Despite what was mentioned, the risotto was the best part of my dish. yelp.com/biz_photos/vR53… Perhaps I've developed higher expectations when it comes to duck confit these days. Once you have something amazing & perfect like Alembic's Duck Confit, nothing else seems to measure up. Alembic's confit is perfectly seasoned and delicious: yelp.com/biz_photos/f8fY… BREADED PORK CUTLET w/HAMAKUA MUSHROOM RAGOUT & VEGGIES ($13.50): You get a choice between fries or rice. Luckily my friend opted for the rice because the gravy was really rich. TOO MUCH wine & butter were used in this gravy because that's all you could taste. The mushroom ragout was just sauteed mushrooms topped off w/the gravy. The cutlet itself was cooked to the right doneness and the portion size was huge. Unfortunately, the flavors were......well, not there. It was just panko-crusted and fried, the meat was under-seasoned. There was an absence of salt on this dish for sure, complete polar opposite of my confit dish. yelp.com/biz_photos/vR53… Service was great and the food came out very fast. Our server was cheerful and attentive. Think she must've read my mind about my salty entree because my water glass was never empty! Thank goodness! Would've given Tango 3 stars overall but in the end, the food is what matters. Our entrees failed to impress, hence the 2 stars aka "meh, i've had better" rating.

    (2)

  • Philip J.

    Always consistent good food and value. They don't have a multi-page menu, like many restaurant's, so they can concentrate on quality and excellent presentation. I've never been disappointed BUT sometimes I find the lovely place a tad too cold

    (4)

  • Denise K.

    Tango is kind of randomly located, in a building between Ala Moana mall and Ward Centers. There's free, validated parking in the parking garage behind the restaurant. You walk in and the decor is bright, white and modern. We arrived at noon and the place was packed. Every single table was taken. The menu is pretty straightforward with basic American fare. My girlfriend ordered the hamakua mushroom risotto with grilled shrimp and it was tasty. I ordered a bowl of tomato bisque soup and it was hearty. It had small chunks of tomato in it, which I enjoyed. I ordered the Wednesday daily special: shrimp and scallops in lobster cream sauce over brown rice. My dish was pretty good. The seafood was cooked perfectly but for $15 I only got 3 shrimp and 3 thinly cut scallops and a big heap of brown rice. I wish there was less rice, more seafood, and more cream sauce. We shared the creme brulee and we left satisfied with our meals. The servers need to step up their game. An ice tea was forgotten about. Food was dropped off at the table and our server never came back to check on us. By the time he came back to our table, he was ready to drop off a dessert menu. Boo! Not sure I'll ever revisit tango but I guess you have to try everything once.

    (3)

  • Guy A.

    Not sure what the problem with the manager is but he makes people wait even when there are open tables. Cobb salad was good but the dressing was watery. Wait staff was excellent though!

    (3)

  • Jane U.

    I finally joined Yelp so I can do a review of one of my most favorite place to eat. I've taken many people from out of state to Tango and they absolutely love the food. Their brunch is wonderful. My most favorite brunch choice is the Seafood Crepe. The stock that they use to create this dish is so tasty! Their Crab Benedict is awesome and their Loco moco is magical. For lunch, I love the Hamakua mushroom risotto. Also, their seafood stew is absolutely fabulous! My favorite dessert is the Affogato di Gelato. This dessert consists of 3 scoops of vanilla bean ice cream within a champagne glass. The wait staff pours hot Expresso over the ice cream. It is soooo good. For dinner, make sure to try the tasting menu. It is a fabulous deal for the price. All the choices in the chef's menu is fabulous. But wait, at the end of the chef's menu is one of the best desserts you will ever have...it is a dessert sampler! You get to taste the best of the best desserts and the sampler has generous servings of each dessert. The service is consistently excellent. I totally recommend this place to everyone. I guarantee that you will absolutely agree that this place is one of the best restaurants on Oahu.

    (5)

  • Norma M.

    I love this place and whenever I am visiting from the mainland, I have to have a meal there. You can't go wrong with anything you pick from the menu. The chef's choice for dinner is reasonable and generous portions.

    (5)

  • Nicole K.

    Tango is a cute little restaurant tucked away near Nordstrom Rack and Panya (formerly P.F. Chang's). Parking is located in the building (with validation) or you can just park in the Nordstrom Rack/TJ Maxx lot and cross the street. The restaurant is a bit small, so reservations will ensure you get a table. Tango is known for incorporating fresh and local ingredients into their menu. Their Hamakua Mushroom Risotto gets rave reviews - and for good reason! It is so good! On a recent dinner with friends, over half the table ordered it. I was about to be the 6th or 7th person to get it, but the waiter recommended I try the Hawaiian Kiawe Smoked Salt Crusted Salmon. It was absolutely delicious. I'm not sure if it was better than the risotto, but it was a good change of pace and assurance that their entire menu has star quality! They can accommodate large parties (our dinner party was about 12 people), but I recommend this place for more intimate gatherings as well. Candles, wine, and good food? Perfect date location!

    (4)

  • Arlene P.

    Pricey! But nice atmosphere for a mall location. I am thankful to them that although they were pretty busy for dinner time and pretty fancy shmancy, they still allowed us to just relax with some tea and didn't treat us any differently. THAT wins my respect. Thank you!

    (5)

  • Jason H.

    CONVO @ TANGO Friend: Do you want to share something? Me: Uhhh........no. Everything is too good. Why would I wanna do that? Friend: You're so right. What the hell am I thinking??? This is why we're friends. You know what's best. Me: True dat. I came here for brunch with my friend and we loved it! I ordered the Cobb Salad and it was just PERFECT. I'll definitely order it again when I come on my next visit. I have been to Tango a few times and it's definitely my go-to spot for brunch on a lazy Sunday morning. Breakfast is only served until 10:30 and lunch officially starts at 11:00. I can never wake up early enough for breakfast, but the lunch menu is very good that I don't even care! It's a Win-Win situation!

    (5)

  • Lorilynn L.

    Food was pretty good, service not so much. The coffee was EXCELLENT! Our waiter was a really nice guy; however, the other guy was a little on the grumpy side, irritated with our stroller...hmmm. the food was ok, most of it on the healthyside, which is good, yet some of the flavor seemed a bit skimped. I would try it again tho, it has potential, its cute, its small, the atmosphere overall was pleasing.

    (3)

  • Bruce T.

    The food is very good and the service excellent. I have come to Tango a few times now and event visit has been amazing. There is a pretty good wine selection here also. This is deifying a place I recommend and would never turn down a visit to.

    (4)

  • Rod U.

    Note: Lunch and dinner review only. The embodiment of a good European café. Unpretentious, reasonably priced, simple, inspired, tasty food. All that's missing is the packed sidewalk seating to people watch. Scandinavian chef equals delicious gravlax (cured salmon). Soft, melting fat, moist, no sinew. Gentle like cold smoked salmon without the bitter, smoky edge. As an open face sandwich (layers over thin slice tomato, cucumber and hard boiled eggs with springs of fresh dill and a garlic boursin spread) or as a starter with potato salad, crispy salmon skin, and a dill, mustard sauce; simply put sublime. For lunch, an excellent, albeit small, grilled mahi sandwich or locally reared, grass fed beef burger. A bizarre carrot, raisin, orange juice slaw accompanies every sandwich and somehow works to brighten each bite. Dinner screams Euro café. For starters, a perfectly grilled Hamakua king oyster mushrooms sautéed in garlic and herbs and served with giant "croutons" or a crostini topped with garlicky mushrooms and tender escargot Win and win.. Top mains include a duo of duck (juicy smoked breast cooked medium, drizzled with poha berry demi then a confit leg finished crisp atop grilled polenta and baked cauliflower). Sides bring out the mineral flavors of the smoked duck, the confit adds richness and depth. Just a great way to enjoy a duck. The langoustines, smoked trout roe, barely warned fresh tomatoes all atop a fettuccini in light cream sauce. The langoustines are consistently overcooked but the flavors of the dish harmonize so well, it's easy to overlook. Very consistent. Sensible portions. Well practiced. efficient service. Weak wine list. Fair prices. . Solid without being gimmicky.

    (4)

  • Julia D.

    The food is healthy and delicious. The atmosphere's clean and chic. I forgot my waiters name, but they were all friendly. The caramelized onion soup is delish and cheesy. Melts in your mouth

    (5)

  • Jenni M.

    I don't like to give 3 stars because the ambience is great, people were nice, but the food was disappointing. I ordered the gravlax and didn't get what I ordered, took a while to flag someone down, so decided to just eat it because hunger won. There was no flavor in my meal, put salt and Tabasco to give it something. Also, when I wanted to possibly try some pancakes, they told me the kitchen was closed. Usually waiters will inform you before they close the kitchen which didn't happen. Like previously stated the ambience is nice and so are the people but the food and price doesn't call me back.

    (3)

  • K T.

    Three years after writing my first review about Tango, it's still my go-to place. Love it!!

    (5)

  • Al D.

    Nice for lunch but definitely make reservations. I like the risotto. The flavor of their dishes are good and the space is cute but there's little privacy. Parking is validated. I would still return.

    (3)

  • Lily B.

    On some evenings, the BF and I are in an adventurous mood and we just wanna eat somewhere we've never been to. Insert the wonderful Yelp app! We wanted to go to D&B's for some drinks and games after dinner, so we thought we'd give Tango a try. I like that they have their own parking garage (free!). It's right behind the restaurant and there was ample parking for our 5PM dinner. I called ahead to make reservations just in case, since we didn't know how busy they would be. When we arrived there were 2 other couples already enjoying dinner. The restaurant is pretty small but it's very cute/cozy/fancy. Weird but I don't know how to sum it up exactly. I liked the interior let's just say. It was also very clean. We were greeted and seated right away. Service from start to finish was efficient and very friendly! Onto the food. We were started with complimentary bread and butter. yelp.com/user_local_phot… For an appetizer, we ordered seared scallops with wilted spinach. $13.50. The scallops were cooked perfectly and the dish was delicious! I'm not a fan of spinach, but I ate everything! yelp.com/user_local_phot… We also got a classic caesar salad. $11.00 The salad was okay. It could've used a bit more dressing. It wasn't anything out of this world. In retrospect, we should've ordered another scallop appetizer instead of the salad! yelp.com/user_local_phot… For entrees, I ordered the hamakua mushroom risotto with garlic shrimp. $20.50. I'm really not a food connoisseur, and I'll be honest, I've never made risotto myself before, but I ate everything in front of me! The shrimp was delicious and my BF ate the asparagus. The risotto was pretty thick but I was hungry and I will say it tasted good! yelp.com/user_local_phot… My BF ordered the smoked duck breast and duck leg confit. $23. He at emost of it. He usually eats his duck fully cooked and from Chinese restaurants (lol) and this was something different for him. He enjoyed it. The dish was very pretty! yelp.com/user_local_phot… For dessert, we ordered the kona coffee ice cream cake. I think it was $6? It was very good. The ice cream was pretty soft by the time we got it but it was still good. Overall, a reasonably priced and tasty dinner. We're glad we gave Tango a try. Would we go back? Sure would. It seems the reviews rave about breakfast, so we'll have to try that out one day. We'd go back for lunch or dinner though and try something different.

    (4)

  • jen K.

    I can't complain what I had here today. I ordered the shrimp risotto and the shrimp was perfectly juicy and asparagus was nicely seasoned. The best part about this dish was the risotto. It was nice and creamy and had a good texture. It even had mushrooms cooked in there which is a bonus. My bf had this dish with potatoes and onions with egg on top. It tasted kinda salty but was still good. Bf's friend ordered the steak but he didn't seem to enjoy as much as we did. So I guess don't order the steak? It looked pretty dry. Overall, the service was efficient and we were sat right away. What a perfect lunch place in ward area!

    (5)

  • Ranier A.

    This place gets overlooked sometimes because it seemed like a drag to find parking there(pre-parking structure days). I must admit, if it hadn't been for the development of TJ Maxx, having Stussy nearby (S/O to Zen) or the relocation of Nordstrom Rack, I wouldn't have brought my girlfriend here to check it out. I think there might be some parking/valet at the restaurant, but because I am satisfied with the walk from Nordstrom Rack, it doesn't bother me to confirm it. Anyway, when you get to this place, you could see why the chicks love this place. So for all you guys out there, put this place as a good go-to spot in your rotation when it comes to bringing your significant other or a first date. Here's the reason: it looks like spot where an Asian Laguna Beach show would shoot at. All girls would want that Lauren-nesque scene where you sit at a fancy/boutique-y spot and talk with their boyfriend or girl buddy about life. Environment/Feel A white setting with subtle decorations that definitely lives up to the "contemporary" feel. Dudes should know that if a restaurant has "contemporary" in their name, take your chick there. Place is clean. They only take reservations when you have 6+ in your party. If not, walk-ins is what you do and the wait isn't that bad anyway. Staff/Service Staff was professional, courteous, informative, never in a rush, and respectful. So no complaints there. Food I ate here two times and both times were for breakfast so my go-to dish for any morning spot is the eggs benedict. I've tried the Salmon Benedict, Crab Hash Benedict, and the Loco Moco Benedict. You can't go wrong on these three, but the cool thing about Tango is that you can go halfsies on a benny so that you don't get bored. So if you're thinking about the Salmon (smoky/salty flavor), then go with the Crab Hash to switch it up on your taste buds. The Loco Moco has a braised beef with a subtle glaze of gravy on top of the fried rice. The gravy amount is just enough so that it doesn't flood the rice. That's the egg yolk's job to flood the rice btw. Crabhash has a good amount of crabmeat so that you can taste the creature. I've also tried the Shredded Duck Confit Hash which is good and filling, but I'd put bennys first on my priority list. It has pieces of duck (can't go wrong with duck meat) and potatoes with a sunny side up egg on top. The benedicts come with potatoes and some slices of fruit. But don't expect to get your fill from one plate. The portions are not small, but adequate enough so that you don't get super full. Unless you order sides, which isn't a bad thing either. Final word There's free wi-fi here, so it's a great spot to bring your tablet. So if you're staggin' it, you have a good reason to look "occupied" lol. So with the setting, the staff, free wi-fi and a benedict plate for $10-11, it's good. The experience and a social media pic of the food as a souvenir is well worth it. Bring someone here if you want to have a good conversation and eat. But if that person you bring doesn't carry a conversation well, the setting and food will help compensate for that. Again, there's free wi-fi anyway haha.

    (4)

  • Sarah A.

    I've enjoyed coming to Tango for several years. The food is always tasty, the service is friendly and efficient, and the atmosphere is comfortable and clean. My favorites here are the Sea Bass (that used to be Moi back in the day), Tenderloin, and Salmon dishes. The desserts here are also very tasty, including the Warm Brownie dessert...winners! You are able to enjoy quality food without burning a hole in your pocket. While I've only been here for dinner, Tango is also open for breakfast and lunch, which makes it a great place for business or pleasure. I like to take out-of-town visitors here because it is close to Waikiki (without being in Waikiki). Now that PF Changs is closed (the Waikiki branch is still open), there is usually plenty of validated guest parking available at Hokua, which makes this place even more of a plus!

    (5)

  • Lup Wah M.

    First time eating here since it was suggested to us from a customer. Very modern decor. The food and service was ok. However I have to say two thumbs up for accommodating my picky son. Other than that it was an ok experience as so was the food.

    (3)

  • Laura-ashley E.

    Awesome food. Awesome atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Dons A.

    5 stars Parking is available in their lot with validation. Regulars park in front. More parking available at the garage connected to the Rack, etc. 3 stars One restroom with a toilet available for women. Average. Clean. One for men. No experience so no review comment. 4 stars Food is good. Across the board for BLD. My go to is affogato, cappuccino, salmon salad or roasted beet, risotto, grav lax, muesli, curry ok...I have been here many times. Let's say it is all good. It may get mundane if you dine here regularly. Greens may be slimy (couple pieces). Other than that, consistent, delicious and quality dishes. 4 stars Service. We are all human. When it gets busy and they are full, Janine is consistent, efficient and attentive. No comment for other servers. They are good when not in the weeds. No smile from the hostess. 3 stars Atmosphere is pleasant. Not for an intimate meal or romance as it is close seating and it gets loud when the place is full. Also, not for an hour long meal unless you beat the rush here. In a hurry? I order my drink & dessert. I enjoy it there. Then, I take my appetizer and entrée to go (1 hour during the rush). Many relaxing, long meals here if you miss the crowd. Only 1 refill on coffee. Remember to sit in Janine's section. She works M -F days and nights.

    (4)

  • Michelle T.

    My friend brought me here for brunch and I decided I would order one of the Eggs Benedict dishes. The dish comes with 2 and my friend let me know that you can order 2 different ones. What?!?! I can try 2 different Eggs Benedicts?? Yes you can!! So I ordered the Crab Hash Benedict and the Salmon Benedict. Both yummy. I saw many other items on the menu I want to come back and try.

    (4)

  • Rhea Cherie B.

    Tango is a teeny tiny café with nice, modern décor and a slightly upscale atmosphere. The night we went for dinner, their patrons were mostly business professionals as I recognized a few familiar faces. The norm was business casual attire (un-tucked Aloha shirts with jeans or Dockers-type shorts and women wore casual dresses with flats or even fancy slippers). An employee greeted us as we walked in and asked if we had reservations. We replied "No" and she had this look on her face like "Oh. Why not?" Understandably so, like I mentioned, this café is really tiny and you can see the entire restaurant from the entrance and the bar only consists of 4, maybe 5 stools. However, I docked the customer service points because of the facial expression she made when she discovered we didn't have reservations. C'mon, where's your customer service face? Reluctantly, she seated us at the only open table they had. The size of the restaurant turned out to be a problem for us because since the place is so small, all of the tables are so close to each other. During the entire course of our dinner, we had to listen to everyone else's conversations. We could literally make out the conversations on the 3 tables surrounding our table. Tip: If you're looking for more of a private dinner setting, you may want to skip Tango. Our server wasn't very friendly, in fact-I can't even recall him smiling at us once. He was more of a cut-to-the-chase type of guy when he was at our table. Don't get me wrong, he was pretty attentive and made sure to check on us and constantly refilled my water (I drink A LOT of water) but he didn't go the extra mile like I noticed he did with the table next to us. He chatted it up with them and was smiling and laughing and offered other wines-which they agreed to try. I'm pretty sure that had a lot to do with the fact that they were ordering wine by the bottle. I guess our bottles of Heineken and flights of Sake weren't good enough for him to go the extra mile. Possibly, maybe? I don't mean to be cynical but we all know the reality of money talking. Our food came out pretty quickly and they timed it pretty well that by the time we were done with appetizers, our main courses arrived shortly after. The same went for dessert-it arrived not too long after I was done eating my main course(s). The reason I say courses is because I ordered the Tasting Menu A: Sweedish Gravlax with Crispy Skin (Salmon) Potato Salad, Mustard Dill Sauce 2/5: The salmon was really fresh but the dish was extremely salty, even for me who craves salty food. Gravlax is normally salty but this one was way over the top salty. The potato salad complemented the dish really well and helped to mute the saltiness but overall, it was hard to enjoy the salmon and the skin when they were overly-salty. Hamakua Mushroom Risotto Garlic Shrimp, Sauteed Asparagus 4/5: This is the risotto that everyone must have been raving about. It was delicious and the texture of the risotto was nice and creamy. Asian Style Five Spice Braised Beef Mashed Potato, Chili Fried Onion Rings 5/5: The beef was really tender and flavored really well. It was the "fall of the bone" type of tender. The beef was also really fatty which is probably another reason why it tasted so amazing. Tip: if you're looking for a dinner with lean meat, skip the beef dish. Dessert Trio Crème Brulee, warm brownie with raspberry sauce and Kona coffee ice cream 3/5: The ice cream was nothing out of the ordinary and the crème brulee wasn't as flavorful as I hoped it would be but the brownie was delicious-it was warm, moist and tasted like it was freshly baked. I would return to Tango strictly for the food but I would like to give breakfast and lunch a try next time. Hopefully we get better service when we return. I agree with a lot of the previous reviews on Tango-many were disappointed because the reviews were so good. I would definitely have enjoyed the restaurant better if the customer service was better. Maybe I'm such a stickler because I'm used to receiving great customer service at places that don't cost as much but mmmeh...it is what it is. I'm torn-food was great but customer service was so-so. I expect a higher caliber of customer service when I pay a little more for food. Don't you? FOOD: A CUSTOMER SERVICE: C

    (3)

  • T M.

    Still great food. Same menu. Must eat place for us when in Honolulu.

    (4)

  • Suzanne T.

    I SO wanted to love this place! I go to Hokua a lot for work and the smells wafting into the parking lot from Tango are delicious. Plus several of my coworkers go here regularly (it's within walking distance of our office) and rave about it. The first time I ordered salmon on a bed of greens. The flavor of the salmon wasn't good. Not like it was spoiled or anything, but not delicious by any stretch. The salad was okay, but contained some bitter greens, which I really dislike. It was lunchtime and the restaurant was crowded, so service was a little slow, but reasonable. The second time I tried the onion soup and a small house salad. Both were good, but not memorable. (Side note: I loooove a good cheesy french onion soup! My favorite was the one at TGI Friday's - I know, it was a corny chain, but I liked it!) Again, this was lunchtime, but earlier, around 11am, so not crowded, and the service was still pretty slow.

    (2)

  • Vivienne K.

    Decent Scandinavian-New American fusion breakfast cuisine. The chef seems to use quality ingredients. a bit on the pricey side.

    (3)

  • Jen N.

    Perfect lunch spot to meet a friend, client, or date. Ceiling to floor windows allow you to enjoy a day of beautiful Hawaiian weather in the comfort of air-conditioning. I intentionally went on a Friday so I could try their Dungenous Crab Cake Sandwich, and was not disappointed. There was no skimping on the crab and no filler in the crab cakes (thank the crab cake gods!). Avocado and butter lettuce kept the sandwich creamy but fresh, and a russian dressing was thoughtfully served on the side so that the customer could flavor according to preference. I chose a mixed green salad, which was surprisingly generous in size. Although the sandwich was described as having a "nori bun," don't expect anything exciting. The bun was a normal toasted soft bun with what looked like a small sprinkle of furikake on the top. It was yummy, but nothing new.

    (4)

  • Jason D.

    This restaurant was on my to go to list for a long long time. Now that I've been here, I would say that I would return. Came here on a Sunday afternoon for lunch. They weren't that busy, which is good because this place is small! I always thought this place sat more people, but maybe I'm just getting confused with the huge P.F. Chang's next door. Wanted to try something different, I ordered the gravlax sandwich, per the menu, described as Boursin Cheese Spread, Egg, Tomato and Cucumber and Mustard Dill Sauce. It didn't say and the server didn't describe that there was raw salmon on this open-faced sandwich, so thank goodness I like salmon. And you know what, it tasted really good! The sandwich tasted fresh and was light yet filling at the same time. For that reason, I was able to get dessert! The blueberry bread pudding was perfectly sized for my friend and I to share, and it was the perfect balance of richness and sweetness.

    (4)

  • Linda K.

    One early morning while looking for a place to eat breakfast Tango Cafe came in to the conversation and minutes after we were standing outside about to walk in. I knew that they had some Swedish items on their menu so I was very excited to try those, mainly because I need to try anything Swedish .. and knowing that the owner and chef is swedish/finish .. well .. another reason trying everything Swedish. The place quickly filled up (surprised at how many go here for breakfast), the food came out quickly and was like expected very good! I really don't have anything negative to say about Tango ... not a single word. Try their swedish pancakes (they are awesome) and their little danish things . nom nom nom ...

    (4)

  • Brandy W.

    What a great find in the Ward area! This cafe has taken the place of PF Chang's. I'm sad the only PF is now in Waikiki. This makes sense, but this one was definitely the PF for the locals. Anyways, I digress. This place is small, and it seems recommended to make reservations. There are maybe 15 tables in the entire space. We came by around 5:15 on a Saturday without issue. The service was impeccable by a lovely pregnant lady. i didn't catch her name. I ordered the catch of the day, a sautee'd monchong with mashed potatoes and summer vegetables. I added on the soup of the day, egg drop, and the sorbet. Luckily, you have an option of the sorbet or gelato, although this is not mentioned in the menu. I thought my dish was a little bland. The demographic of the restaurant seemed to be older, and this could possibly explain the lack of flavor in the dish. The egg drop soup was ordinary but of high quality. However I keep this review fairly high because of my husband's dish. He ordered the braised beef. The beef melted in your mouth with seasoning. I was very jealous of his dish. I believed my egg drop soup was better than his french onion soup. The desserts were delicious. The chocolate gelato was rich and creamy, while my husband's kona coffee cake was full of flavor and full of brain freeze :) The decor was Eastern mixed with mid century modern. It was tastefully decorated as a beautiful date place. Ordering the special of the day is always a risk. However, I hope I just caught them on an off day. Park next door at TJ Maxx, not in the building for free parking.

    (4)

  • Jason C.

    I'm surprised that I can now write a 5 star review when early last year I gave Tango a very disappointing 3 stars for lunch. A friend invited me to breakfast so we could have a nice (and candid) conversation away from the office. Because of the recommendation of my friend and our server, I chose the "Loco Moco" Eggs Benedict. It was excellent, easily winning a spot on my cravable list! This upscale hybrid breakfast is two elegant towers of fork tender braised beef on top of fried rice, then topped with a poached egg and a judicious amount of Hollandaise sauce. The serving size was perfect; I wasn't rolling out the door and didn't feel like I needed a nap. To elevate meal even further, the coffee is exceptional. I'm sure they brew very small batches, because even the refills have a have a great crema, and that's not something you can get with a glass globe coffee pot! Our service was very warm, friendly and helpful. I enthusiastically give Tango high marks for an outstanding breakfast!

    (5)

  • Vince L.

    I couldn't really tell who the intended audience is for the restaurant. It's right in the Ward center and was not busy at all on a weekend afternoon. At first thought, I guessed it serviced mainly the office lunch crowd. However, there are signs about evening events and all. Oh well. So I looked through the menu, and the lemongrass chicken on flatbread sounded interesting. And I have to say that it beat my expectations. It's fusion-y, but the chicken was flavorful and tender. You order at the counter and they bring it to your table. It's not intended to be full-service, but the staff was super friendly and helpful. Throughout my meal, I kept thinking that the food would be tastier if the cafe were more crowded. I would come back again.

    (3)

  • Heidi P.

    I am hooked! I used to live a few blocks up the street and came here twice to have their crab and salmon eggs benedict for breakfast. I totally enjoyed it. I always said I would go for lunch there. Well today I did! I love the feel of the restaurant - very clean, simple lines, they have a nice way to create an intimate space for their diners by dividing the restaurant down the middle with a nice creative display of branches and lanterns. The menu had so many great things to choose from that I could not decide. Pan Seared New York Steak, Dungeness Crab Cake Sandwich with Avocado on a Nori bun, Chopped Spinach Salad with Tomates and Bacon, or the Hamakua Mushroom Risotto with Asparagus and Garlic Shrimp! Ok I am getting hungry again. I tried the Mushroom Risotto and was not disappointed! The average entree is about $13 - $15 dollars and their portion size totally meets that price - very generous. I of course made a pig out of myself and ate the entire plateful because it was that good. I did not get to dessert but you better believe that is on my list - Blueberry Rice Pudding and Kona Coffe Ice Cream Drizzled with Espresso was just two of the items they had - can I get a yeeeahhhhh!

    (5)

  • Bee Y.

    Came here for dinner and it was so good that we had to come back for breakfast the next day! Highly recommend the mushroom risotto and braised beef dishes. The lychee sorbet is refreshing, juicy, and delicious. Very cool, different breakfast dishes. The coffee is flavourful and comes with a free refill! Decor is beautiful. Small restaurant but worth the wait if there's a line. Staff is friendly and accommodating to food allergies as well. Food came promptly and great recommendations from our server.

    (5)

  • Kim M.

    THE EARLY BIRD The early bird catches the Tango breakfast worm. And I am the bird. Breakfast is served only from 7AM-10AM, but that's a large enough window for me! I will gladly wake up at the crack of dawn, fight through annoying morning traffic, and run yellow-red traffic lights to make it to breakfast at Tango! 5 KINDS OF BENEDICT Naturally, the first thing I noticed on the menu was the tempting Benedict assortment: - Crab Hash Benedict - Smoked Salmon or Gravlax Benedict - Traditional Eggs Benedict (Two Eggs, Canadian Bacon, English Muffin, & Hollandaise) - "Loco Moco" Eggs Benedict (Two Eggs, Tender Braised Beef on Fried Rice, topped w/ Hollandaise) - Eggs Florentine (Two Eggs & Fresh Sautéed Spinach topped w/ Hollandaise, on English Muffin halves. SHARING REALLY IS CARING Such a beautiful selection, so it was hard to just go with the Traditional. (For my first order of Eggs Benedict at a restaurant, I usually go with the "traditional" to set the benchmark for all future Benedict styles to be had there. And also as a measure against other "traditional" Benedict I've tried elsewhere.) Me and my breakfast date (Grandpa) both shared the Traditional Eggs Benedict (2 Benedict) + the Eggs Florentine (2 Benedict), and each ended up with one of each type on our plates. Sharing really is caring! TRADITIONAL EGGS BENEDICT The Traditional Benedict was delicious. yelp.com/biz_photos/vR53… The Hollandaise was lighter than I'm used to, but I still enjoyed it like I would any other Benedict. The Canadian Bacon wasn't thick or anything, but it was flavorful. And just like everything else, the English Muffin was also high in flavor. There wasn't any one element that really overpowered the Benedict, which was good... All the ingredients were perfectly portioned and worked well together. EGGS FLORENTINE Eggs Florentine, IMO, has a tendency of being either too buttery or too mushy, or something. However, I did not run into any issues with Tango's Eggs Florentine. The spinach was delicately sautéed; the Hollandaise was light, but tasty; the poached eggs were flawless; and the English Muffin added a nice layer of texture and flavor to the dish. A well put-together Florentine! yelp.com/biz_photos/vR53… **Add tomato to the Eggs Florentine for only $.50 more. CONFIT DUCK HASH The Confit Duck Hash breakfast dish sounded amazing on the menu, but we had already settled our Benedict dilemma . . . We weren't super set on overstuffing ourselves, so I asked our server to check on whether or not the Confit Duck Hash could be ordered as a side dish. As it turned out, according to our server, it really wasn't a problem at all. SO, we were able to enjoy the Confit Duck Hash with onion and potato as a side dish for only $4!!! SUPER STELLAR DEAL! This is what you call having our cake and eating it too! Or better yet, having our Benedict and eating our Confit Duck Hash, too! And it was freaking tasty as heck. yelp.com/biz_photos/vR53… VERDICT I am a fan of the delicious and affordable breakfast at Tango. For the two of us, Grandpa and I, the bill came out to $24 including tax. That was for the 2 orders of Benedict (Traditional and Florentine) and the side of Duck Hash! They really upped the ante on my favorite meal of the day. And even though Tango's breakfast menu isn't the most extensive, it doesn't need to be; what they have is perfect. ;) Besides, all I really need in life are Eggs Benedict and Confit Duck Hash. Free parking with validation. Yelp 365 - #277/365

    (5)

  • Maya K.

    I used to love Tango. Breakfast is still great, but do not go there for dinner! We went on a Tuesday night and everything was sub-par: 1) Caesar salad had too much dressing 2) French onion soup was too salty - like it was leftovers from a couple of days ago 3) Salmon was undercooked 4) Chicken was overlooked 5) Freshly baked bread was too hard And we thought we can't go wrong with crepe (I mean we love their breakfast!)... However: 5) Crepe wasn't even freshly made! It was precooked and microwaved, and wasn't even warm all the way. We love the service there, and the proximity to ward, but sorry Tango - it will be a while before we come back for dinner. :(

    (2)

  • Brandon S.

    I'll be very honest. If you're in a rush you shouldn't eat here. If you have little kids with you, don't eat here either. The food here is very good but the wait to get your food is almost unacceptable. The other night we had a 6:30pm reservation and didn't get out of the restaurant until 9pm. 2-1/2 hours for dinner. So like I said, if you're in a rush, don't bother coming here. But if you're alright with the wait, like if you're on a first date or just feel like hanging out then you've found the right place. My party showed up and had some garlic butter clams and crab cakes for appetizers, it's a good thing we did because about 30-45 minutes later did our main entrees come out. I'm happy that I didn't need to rush anywhere because every bite of my beef tenderloin was worth waiting for. I did however feel sorry for the party across from us b/c they did have kids and it looked like they canceled their order and walked out. Oh well. Anyway, if you have the chance after day of shopping at Ward Centers/TJ Maxx make sure you stop by Tango if you have some time to hang out. Good stuff.

    (3)

  • Christina S.

    I have mixed opinions about this place. I like it for breakfast but I don't like it for lunch. They say they serve brunch but it's really only breakfast. They don't serve between 10:00AM-11:00AM. Their breakfast food is good but I havent had it in a long time because I always seem to show up right after 10AM. The last time I had lunch I ordered the French onion soup and the garlic shrimp risotto. I was sadly disappointed. The soup was good but shrimp were bland, it seemed like they only seasoned them with a little bit of garlic salt and the risotto was even more bland (it didn't have any flavor at all). It looked pretty on the plate but that's about it. I probably won't be going back unless I get my butt out of bed earlier just to eat breakfast (not what I usually want to do on my day off).

    (1)

  • Kate P.

    Came here on for brunch on a recomendation. It was...OK. We tried the Traditional and Crab Benedicts. The Crab one was pretty dry, it needed a sauce or at least a runny egg... I love runny eggs! I couldn't finish it, it was just so dry. It was pretty plain, atmosphere wise, and pretty loud as the tables were very close together. The coffee was excellent, however.

    (3)

  • Aryn m.

    Had breakfast here and the corned beef hash and eggs Benedict were delicious. I saw a braised beef loco moco go by on a nice mound of fried rice that I think I will try next time.

    (5)

  • Coreen L.

    I love coming to Tango! Tucked away from the malls, this place has a calm and contemporary vibe. Their staff are always very nice and attentive, and they know their stuff! I would recommend you make a reservation though, sometimes Tango is very busy. My favorite here, I would have to say is the risotto with grilled shrimp, which I've had a couple times and has been consistently perfect. I also enjoyed their burger at lunch, just the right seasoning and a small portion of fries, which was just right.. Nice wine selection as well! Parking is super easy there at Hokua, again a great option when you want a nice meal away from the malls.

    (4)

  • Lai T.

    What looked like no wait ended up being about a 10 min wait because we has a party of 3 instead of 2. But a couple other parties of 4 and 2 were seated before us. I'm sure there was a good reason for this, but I was slightly annoyed because I was starting to get hangry. Granted, 3 different waiters asked us how many we're in our party. The nicest one being a waitress who informed is she was waiting for her table to pay. When we were finally seated, I was pleased to find that our waitress was amicable and knew the menu well. I ordered a Thai Coffee and the Gravlax Eggs Benedict (adding spinach and tomato, as suggested by our server) along with a side of the Duck Confit Hash. My bf tried a vanilla coffee drink (forgot the name) and the Swedish pancakes. Honestly, the Thai Coffee tasted like watered down condensed milk to me. I asked for extra condensed milk to be added so then it just tasted like warm condensed milk. I didn't taste anything Thai about it...next time I am going to stick with a more traditional coffee drink. I really enjoyed my entree. It was funny because they initially forgot to put the smoked salmon on my Eggs Benedict (it just came with spinach and tomato), but the server caught the error as soon as my plate was put down and she had it remedied right away. It was worth it to add the spinach and tomato (I think it was an additional $1 something). I really liked the potatoes which accompanied my eggs benedict. The Duck Confit Hash was also very good! I also had a small bite of the Swedish Pancakes, but was not too impressed. The dainty pancakes are not for those looking for a hearty dish. I will say this though, the fruit topping on the pancakes was pretty good and my bf really enjoyed his meal. If you like crepes, you will probably love these pancakes. As we were leaving, there were a couple of parties waiting to be seated. They do get busy on Sundays so if you want breakfast, plan on arriving around or before 9 AM because breakfast ends at 10 AM. Would I come back to Tango? Most definitely. I'm curious to try the non-breakfast items.

    (4)

  • Amy G.

    hmm, I should have read Emi's review before coming here. Came here for breakfast with fellow yelpers Milly C., Jordan C, and Alen N. I had the loco moco benedict while Milly and Jordan had the crab benedicts. Alen had the regular benedict. anyways, they were all very good. we were very happy with what we ordered. Although the portions looked small, they definitely filled me up till dinner. The loco moco came with fried rice and braised beef (very different from your normal beef patty) with eggs and the hollandaise sauce. I think they did a good job on taking a local favorite and turning it into something a little more upscale and different (something i would recommend trying at least once if you do go there for breakfast) I do wish we got the swedish pancakes, but our server described them as very light and unfilling, and since we were all hungry, no one wanted to order that. I will def try that the next time i go back for breakfast. parking is in the hokua tower and its free with vailidation. The only downside to breakfast here is that it ends at 10. I know they were turning away a few people who came in after. Also, since the place is small, do expect a wait.

    (4)

  • Lora H.

    Finally tried brunch here! Such a cute place. They only take reservations for parties of 6 or more so I would recommend going early! The wait wasn't too long though. Prices are good, the brunch selections were really good - a nice mix of breakfast items and lunch items. I had the frittata. That was pretty good, but the portion size was fairly small. We also split the Swedish pancakes. Never had Swedish pancakes before. It was okay... nothing spectacular, but appearance wise, they were cute. Tiny dollar sized pancakes. And we also split the crabs benedict. Pretty good.... bread was a little weird though. Their coffee was awesome. I think it is individually brewed cups so it was really good, fresh, clean coffee! Free parking in the structure, cute atmosphere, what's not to like!

    (4)

  • Caleb R.

    Came here on a recommendation from a friend. We looked up the menu online and were sold. Duck confit hash? Gravlax Benedict? Sign me up! Unfortunately the menu turned out to be much better in theory than in practice. I think this place has some sort of aversion to spice, as in they don't use any. Like at all. The duck confit was flavorless and dry. The crab cake Benedict was also extremely bland. How do you make a bland, salt-less hollandaise? I didn't even know it was possible but the chefs here seemed to have perfected it.

    (3)

  • Jody S.

    Let me see....this place confuses me,truly. It always gets really great reviews and I don't get it. To me it's just ok. And not an awesome okay but a, meh....ok, I guess. Why do I feel that way? First service is always slow. I mean really...does it take THAT long to make a Caesar salad and some sandwiches? PUULEASE! It's NOT that difficult. And I don't know how many times my glass remains empty of water and have to continue to ask to get it refilled. Very disappointing!

    (3)

  • Maria V.

    i really like the service in this place. i think its perfectly balanced between friendliness and professionalism. The food is good. and i love the deco inside the place. Plus, the parking is a definite plus. a little pricey at night but not really considering most places with that type of food. I'm a fan!

    (4)

  • Jennifer V.

    Calm and relaxing ambiance w/ timely & efficient service. Food presentation was nice, the coffee was outstanding and was brewed to order. The only suggestion would be for our server to be more educated about the menu items. He described the texture of the Thai snapper as, "it looks like a trout".

    (4)

  • Peggy L.

    One of our favorite places to get a great dinner. Easy parking, lots of choices. Definitely recommend getting reservations. Oh and breakfast is great - just like Longhi's but much cheaper (and of course, no view)....

    (4)

  • Maka K.

    After seeing them featured in one edition of Dining Out from the Sunday paper a few weeks ago about how they serve good eggs benedict, my bf really wanted to try this place out for breakfast. We finally got the chance this past Saturday morning. They stop serving breakfast/brunch at 10:30am and start up lunch again at 11am. Parking is behind the restaurant in a garage that free for restaurant patrons, OR you can park in the huge parking garage adjacent to TJ Maxx and walk just across the street to the restaurant. I didn't realize that there was going to be such a wait for this place, but once I saw the physical size of the interior, I guess I wasn't really surprised. I read other Yelp reviews while we waited 30min outside on their provided benches (I should've taken a jacket, brr), decided what I was going to eat, and geared up for some semi-slow service (via the complaints of some yelpers). When we finally got called and seated, we were handed menus by the host and left to browse. That's where the service issues I have started. Our waiter came by a minute or so later, didn't greet us or give us his name (pointed out by my bf who normally doesn't care...so I knew something was up) and asked us if we wanted something to drink then disappeared apparently to bring us our requested waters. He brought the water maybe 5 minutes later? Somehow I feel like 5 minutes for just plain water isn't right...but I could excuse that as the place was full of diners. Thanks to my time with Yelp before being seated, we decided to order Gravlax Benedict ($10) and orange juice ($2.50 for an average glass) for my bf, and the "Plattar" Sweedish Pancakes (with fresh fruits & whipped cream) ($8.50) for me because it was a healthy option and sounded delicious. And then we waited...a long time...like I was expecting to, so I wasn't that surprised or phased by it. We weren't in a rush and I figured that if the food was good, it would be worth the wait. So no real strike against service from me here except that it meant having to listen to my bf complain about how "starving" he was. Food came and the waiter asked if we needed anything; bf asked for ketchup...ketchup that never came...and neither did a check up on our table or how the food was. Arg...but we were hungry and he didn't NEED the ketchup, so we ended up eating our meals despite the missing condiment. He'd never had gravlax before, so he thought it was a bit salty, but I thought it was fine and the potatoes that came as a side were delicious, well seasoned and tender. My swedish pancakes had such promise with all it's bright fresh fruits on it....and then I ate one...and another...and realized that they were all a bit burnt/charred and that i could taste it. Sad about that because it would have otherwise been a really good dish! I'm not one to send things back, but I almost did this time because the pancakes were the star of this dish and how were they gonna burn my pancakes?! But like my "starving" bf, I was too hungry after the long wait and didn't want to wait for more food so I just ate it all (attempting to cover up the burnt taste by using ALL the whipped cream that came with the dish). We finished eating, a busser took our empty plates, and without asking if we wanted anything else, our server just dropped the check off at the table and walked away...wait, what?! What if I wanted dessert or tea or something more? Anywho, we paid our bill, but I don't necessarily think the my food's quality, the long wait, or the service were worth what we paid. I'd be willing to go back and try it again, perhaps for a different meal of the day, but for the time being 2 stars. Would have been 3 if my pancakes weren't burnt, and 4 if the service was better.

    (2)

  • Emi H.

    I am a huge fan of breakfast at Tango! $10-$15 per person and very yummy. Order these three items: 1) Swedish pancakes 2) Gravlax eggs benedict 3) Coffee (It's the best in town! Swear on my dead goldfish!) If you order anything else, do not blame me for any of your misfortune. I just handed you the keys to my Universe. My favorite thing to enjoy at Tango is their TT (Third Tuesday) Wine Dinner. It's about $50 per person and includes four courses PLUS wine pairings! Often it's the best meal I'll have all month and the value is unbelievable. Each month they feature a different winery so it's always a new experience. One thing I would warn you about though is that it's really easy to stumble drunk out of Tango after this wine dinner. It's definitely something to be enjoyed with good friends who appreciate the finer things in life! Be sure to make reservations well ahead of time for either 5:30 pm or 8:00 pm as they often sell out on both seatings. I enjoy their homemade bread and have been known to ask the waiter to bring me back a second basket with butter. I admit that I am a carb whore. Don't judge. Yelp 365 Challenge: #137/365 (The Wine Dinner)

    (5)

  • Mikala L.

    Stood in doorway for 10 minutes. 3 waiters walked within 3 feet from me and manager saw me from kitchen and no one acknowledged or greeted us. Finally after 15 min standing plainly at the only entrance of their restaurant, I was grumpily greeted and informed that I need to sign in on the board - which was hidden in the plant and a pen was no where to be found. Hence, decided there are many other restaurants just in that area that train their staff better if they value their customers.

    (1)

  • Naz M.

    Husband and l got 2 sandwiches yesterday and paid $25 It's a clean little cafe&restaurant but very expensive. Sandwiches werent special, either. However, if you are a picky person and can't eat everywhere, this cafe is really clean

    (3)

  • Kristen K.

    *3.5 stars since there is no half-star option! Located in the Hokua building....validated free parking, which is a plus. I love the ambiance of this place. It's modern and sleek and I love the flower paintings on the walls. However----service can be a hit or miss. Sometimes they are terribly slow for such a small restaurant. Dinner was ok but nothing spectacular from what I remember....I personally prefer this place for brunch/lunch and have been here multiple times for that. The desserts are really good....they have this cinnamon ice cream that comes with the cobbler (they will also let you order it on the side!)....it is to die for.

    (3)

  • Mahina C.

    My mommy introduced me to this place a few years ago, and it just gives that bistro, cafe feeling. Love the atmosphere!! It's located in the corner of the Hokua building next to PF Changs. Parking lot entrance is to the left and make sure to validate your card. I highly recommend the mushroom risotto as everyone previously said. Not really great with shrimp, or chicken, since it's kind of dry. another must try is their french onion soup. Probably on my top list around town. I will be back to yelp about dinner when I try it! or breakfast!

    (3)

  • Grace H.

    I am writing this review after eating here for breakfast and dinner. I'm a fan of both mealtimes! Let's start of with the most important meal of the day...breakfast! I came with my Yelptern brother Jace H. and my not-so-Yelper mother, who can be somewhat of a harsh critic, so I knew that Tango had to bring the goods. We ordered a round of coffee, which is made from an actual espresso maker! I was instantly impressed as I drink coffee like water and love a strong cup of joe. Our order consisted of the crab hash eggs benedict (mine), the country styled corn beef hash with scrambled eggs (brother's), and the buttermilk banana pancakes (mother's). We were all thoroughly impressed and even had leftovers to take home. I'll end my review with my favorite meal of the day...dinner! We started dinner off with the roasted garlic clams, which were almost forgettable but still good. The clams were on the smaller side and came with 2 or 3 baguettes that you can dip into the roasted garlic juiciness. My friend and I only realized that the food took a while because we started feeling not hungry anymore. So that's my one and only feedback about this place. But our main dishes: the mushroom risotto with garlic shrimp and the lobster fettucine were absolutely divine. I think my dish (the risotto) was definitely the better pick of the two. My friend who thinks he has an allergy to mushrooms was willing to risk his life and eat the risotto. He even said that the next time he goes there he's going to order the risotto, sans mushrooms of course! Tango, as I'm back in Seattle, I know I'll be having dreams of your amazing food tonight.

    (4)

  • Jennifer Y.

    Beautiful interior. Good place for lunch and groups up to ~6. Reservations are good to have. Club salad was good. The French onion soup looked yummy and so did the open faced salmon sandwich with the fancy name. The lattes weren't too fancy & no latte art, but hey, it's Honolulu/Kakaako, not the San Francisco Mission district. Would probably come back again knowing that it's a good lunch spot by the Ala Moana work area.

    (4)

  • Austin Y.

    Excellent service provided by Reuben. First time eating there and we didn't realize they closed in 5 min. He offered to reserve a table to sit down even with the limited time and never made us feel hurried. I tried the Hamakua Mushroom Frittata. Excellent dish. I would highly recommend trying it. I'm a big fan of customer service and it's been a long time since I've witnessed this level executed at this price point. Usually you have to pay top dollar for this type of dining experience.

    (5)

  • Mimi G.

    I had misgivings about having lunch at Tango because the last time I ate there it was uninspired, however it was my mom's suggestion and I was trying to be agreeable--an activity that often ends up with unfortunate results. Nevertheless, there we were. The hostess greeted us and told us to take the two top over there and pointed in the general direction of several two tops, whatever, we picked a table. We both ordered the mahimahi sandwich and a nori bun. The fish was over cooked and dry, the tartar sauce was an off yellow color, and the bun was hard and dry. The waitress had told us that the nori was mixed into the dough before it was baked, well be as it may, this was a hard dry multigrain bun. I have no idea who got the nori bun, but it was not us. When my mother mentioned that the bun did not appear to contain any nori the waitress said, "oh! you like nori," kind of like she thought it was a cute thing to like. After lunch my mother consoled me by saying, "don't worry, you can have lunch again tomorrow." She had a good point and fortunately, it won't be at Tango.

    (2)

  • Natasha L.

    After eating here three times, Tango has never disappointed. I first ate here for my work's welcome luncheon. I had the Cobb Salad which was delicious. It was chopped and I honestly didn't think I was going to finish it because they gave you so much. But it was so good that I finished it anyway. Had their Lilikoi Italian Cream Soda for dessert. :3 Second time here, I brought my boyfriend for lunch. I had the Confit Duck Burger with a side of fries, and he had the Hamakua Mushroom Risotto with Asparagus. The burger was more than enough to feed me, and it was super neat. It's slightly smaller than a burger that you'd get at the Counter, but at least it wasn't falling all over the place like humongous burgers are apt to do. The fries were excellent. Hardly oily and super crisp. My boyfriend's mushroom risotto was superb as well. Our only gripe was that it's a bit small. But the risotto is pretty rich (and super tasty) so I can see how it was a bit filling. We also had the Lilikoi Italian Cream Soda for dessert. Went there for breakfast today and I had the Sweetbread French Toast with seasonal fruit. My boyfriend had the Confit Duck Hash with Onion and Potato. Now, I've had excellent french toast at Kaila's, but what makes this one different is that it does not need syrup, is not eggy at all, and comes with delicious blueberry sauce that isn't overwhelmingly sweet nor tart, but just right. I also like that they diced up the fruit into tiny pieces so that I'm able to eat them with the french toast. As much as I enjoyed the french toast, the duck hash was AMAZING. AMAAAAAZNG. I could not get enough of it. We usually go to Kaila's for breakfast but as Kaila's always has a wait, Tango might be our new breakfast place, as we always manage to find seats here every time we've come. Oh, we also had their french roast and thai iced coffee - both equally yummy. All in all, you get what you pay for. Tango is a little on the pricey side, but the quality is worth it.

    (5)

  • Karen D.

    Tango Contemporary Cafe is my new go-to place for LUNCH more than dinner. You get the same great food and service at a much better price. I ate here for dinner right after they first opened. While it was good, it seemed pretty pricey overall, and I had not been back since. I recently tried again during lunch and was favorably impressed. Unlike another recent diner, my duck confit dish was excellent: tender and flavorful with a delicious demi glace. The crispy cheese risotto was good, too. I requested a salad in lieu of the sauteed veggies and was happy with that as well. The portion sizes were good, and I even took home leftovers. The restaurant wasn't too busy, and it was a relaxing, classy atmosphere in which to "talk story" and conduct a little business. The service was attentive, courteous, and efficient. I will definitely be back for lunch. Tango Cafe is located in the Hokua Building at Queen and Auahi Sts, near PF Chang China Bistro. Hours are Sat-Sun: 8-10:30am, 11am-9:30pm; Mon-Fri: 7-10am, 11am-9:30pm. Parking in the attached garage is free with validation. Yelp 365 Challenge #074/365

    (4)

  • Sarah W.

    Tango served me the best freshly prepared danish pastry I've ever ever had. GET THE PASTRIES IF YOU GO HERE. They're only $1/piece. I tried the duck confit hash. It was pretty tasty, though there was too little duck for the price. The swedish pancakes were divine. You'll get 3 pancakes, all perfectly golden brown, macerated berries, and whipped cream on the side. It's tasty and oh so yummy. If I went here again I'd try the portuguese fried rice because my mom's friend got it and it is well worth the money! Also looked mighty tasty...I guess this is only something you could find at a trendy danish breakfast joint in Hawaii (fried rice for breakfast)! ALSO:: if you happen to be waiting outside they'll serve comp coffee. How wonderful is that?!

    (4)

  • Greg C.

    Three to Tango! My first venture out to this Ward area restaurant yesterday, and it wasn't what I hoped for. Our server was not the happy go-lucky server you hope to get for a business luncheon. She just didn't seem happy to be there. Let's talk food. I ordered the Hamakua Mushroom Risotto with Chicken. The first mistake was mine, as one person in my party ordered the same thing, but with shrimp. I don't like shrimp. I'm allergic to shrimp. Shrimp don't like me. Why I said, 'I'll have the same thing she's having' is beyond me. When the Risotto with shrimp was placed in front of me, I had to beg my server to take it away and replace with chicken. Remember, she didn't seem happy to be there, and now she didn't look happy to be with me. Such is the holiday spirit. Server: 'D' Once I got what I really wanted, the Risotto left alot to be desired. Firstly, there was barely a Hamakua mushroom in sight. Secondly, the Risotto was a little too al dente and clumpy. Thirdly, the chicken on top was actually pretty good. Entree: 'C' We decided to make a day of it and order dessert. I ordered the creme brulee. Crunchy on the top, sweet all the way through, but not over-the-top. Some fresh berries on the side. Dessert: 'A' I'll probably go back and try Tango's again, only because I hear they offer a mean breakfast (right Emi H?). Wish me luck! Oh, as for parking, you can park around the right side of the restaurant in their parking structre and get validation for 2.5 hours, but I parked over at the new parking structure across the way from Ward Center. It's free, and requires a short walk.

    (3)

  • Faye M.

    Had dinner twice over here, and I enjoyed myself both times! Both times I had salmon, but they were prepared 2 different ways, so it's not like I just ate the same dish twice... The first time I had the salmon that's on the menu (I forget what it was called) but I remember it being very delicious and I had no complaints :) I shared the creme brûlée with my date, and it was pretty good too! Last night was my second time there and we started off with French Onion Soup. Let me just say - that was the best FOS I've had so far in my life! The broth was dark and flavorful, the onions were soft and carmalized to perfection! The best part was the cheese! The bowl wasn't smothered in cheese, so it wasn't a big gooey mess like most FOSs! Everything about it was perfection! Their special was Copper River Salmon w/Dill Sauce, Smashed Potatoes, and Grilled Vegetables. OMG it was sooo good!! The portion size was pretty big & the sauce paired perfectly with it :) The smashed potatoes were OK, I didn't eat much of it (needed to reserve space for all the salmon!) and there wasn't enough vegetables for my taste...but they were prepared well. My friend had the Garlic Shrimp Risotto, but she wasn't very happy with it...she said there wasn't enough garlic taste :( Service was very attentive - filling our water glass as soon as it reached the half mark, checking our IDs when we ordered wine (that's a WHOLE star right there!) and they all acknowledge you when you walk in and say bye when you leave.

    (4)

  • Tyler C.

    I have been coming here since they opened. Relaxed atmosphere and good food. The wait staff has always been on top of things. You don't need to ask for a refill of coffee or water. The breakfast has good selections and you will find some good different styles of food.

    (4)

  • Jennifer G.

    I got the club sandwich. It was so good! They give you the option of salad or fries for a side which is nice. The dressing on the salad was yummy! In fact all the food around there looked great!

    (4)

  • Leslie B.

    Always looking for new places to go for Sunday breakfast. We decided to give Tango a try. I've been there for lunch a lot of times and never been disappointed. Got there a little after 8:00am and were seated right away. French pressed coffee is totally worth it. Had crab hash Benedict, hubby had scrambled eggs and Portuguese sausage. Both were excellent. Eggs prepared perfectly - soft poached egg. Yummy. The fruit garnish - 1/2 strawberry, orange slice, honeydew melon slice were so sweet but I doubt they could be sliced any thinner. By the time we left a little after 9am there were peeps waiting outside so go early. Definitely a winner!

    (5)

  • Kahanalei M.

    We got here a little after it opened at 11am and ordered the Grilled Mahi Mahi Sandwich on Nori Bun. This was satisfying and really delicious! I didn't think the fish was dry at all, instead it was grilled just right and juicy on the inside. The fries, shredded carrots and pickle on the side were tasty as well. Portion-wise, I thought it was a sufficient amount - not too much, not too little. When we arrived, there were about 4-5 customers inside, but when we left, right after 12pm, the place was packed and there were around 12-14 people waiting outside. The restaurant itself has a nice and modern vibe to it and our male server was very pleasant and gave great service. A hair stylist of mine recommended their club sandwich - that would be something I'd like to try that the next time I come here, and I heard their breakfast menu is good too!

    (5)

  • Terry K.

    Yelp Challenge 365 # 42/365 I tried very hard to find cause for 4-5 stars fellow Yeeps but just could not. I suppose if I were there for breakfast or brunch, the story may be different as I've had great brunches there... but dinner? I don't think so. One lemon grass cosmo please and a chardonnay for my friend. I will say the lemon grass cosmo was pretty darned good; refreshing, if I had to sum it up in one word. Foie gras appetizer and escargot appetizer... well, I will always try foie gras at any restaurant (its on my list of must tries=no matter what). laced with a red wine sauce :( a little to salty the escargot was also in a red wine sauce and little pieces of parmesan cheese was thrown on top of it. Oh, there were little garbanzo beans floating on them also and they all sat on a crostini now soggy from the sauce... :( seared scallops on wilted spinach... I'd have to say it was okay. Besides, can one mess up on a spinach salad? Sorry- no dessert, no coffee., I must leave.... The good parts: service was excellent and parking is free Maybe, they should stick to breakfast and brunches.

    (3)

  • Theresa J.

    I love this place! Good service, good food, good lighting and simple style and OM NOM NOMs. CON: There can be a wait. But it's worth it. PRO: Everything else. I always get the coffee no matter the time of day, it's very prepared and basically delicious. The open faced shrimp sandwich is fresh and light. Great for lunch. Pair with the salad it comes with or get fries. I love the onion soup. It's got a layer of yummy cheese that molests your spoon and giant onions with a fantastic base. I always end up gnawing on my spoon to get off all that cheese. For dessert I'm a coffee addict so I get the Affogato di Gelato... Which is heaven!

    (5)

  • Shay F.

    I had the steamed moi and affogato yesterday...oh boy. They were good. I also tasted my parents french onion soup and caesar salad, which were both good too! They're improving! Oh, and I found out that the chef is from Finland! Totally cool!

    (4)

  • Nicole K.

    Yelp 365: 06/365 I have eaten here a couple of times, and this review will encompass both. My cousin who lives in Seattle and I both have the same birthday, and our family took us here for dinner. Such an excellent choice. We started off with the Sweet Caramelized Onion Soup, which was the best choice ever. It was kind of cold in the restaurant, and this just warmed me up. It wasn't a really powerful flavor, but heck you knew it was there. We also started with the Escargot on Sour Dough Crostini. I love escargot. Their sauce isn't as garlicy as Chart House's sauce, but this was very very good. A light dark brown sauce that complimented the mushrooms and escargot. My cousin doesn't like escargot, but she took a "mushroom" off the plate. Sorry sweetie, that wasn't a mushroom. Also on our starting order was the Roasted Red and Golden Beet Salad with Goat Cheese :) You must get this. I'm a huge fan of goat cheese and their dressing is delectable. My mom and I also split the Caesar salad. Now for the entrees we got that night: (1) My aunty and I got the Sautéed Seabass with Tomato Fennel Coulis. It's served on a bed of ratatouille, so I knew I had to get that. The coulis wasn't overcooked or anything like that. I hate it when my fish is dry, but this piece was moist and packed with flavor. (2) My mom and my cousin got the Lobster and Goat Cheese Ravioli with Fresh Basil. Again, I love goat cheese. So sorry mom for eating one of your ravioli pieces. (3) My uncle and my other cousin got the Hamakua Mushroom Risotto with Garlic Shrimp. So so so so good. My cousin kept asking if I wanted a shrimp. Heck yes I do!!!! Plump little shrimpies just waiting to be eaten. I'm normally not a fan of risotto because of the texture, but after smelling their dishes, I knew I needed to try some. And for dessert? We got the Creme Brulee. Okay, first of all this isn't your ordinary creme brulee. There's a hint of lemon or ginger or something. And it isn't heavy at all! This was good because I was so full after dinner that I don't think I could have handled a heavy dessert. But this was absolutely excellent. ----- Okay, now for the most recent visit. Thomas O., David C., and I hit up this place after the madness at First Friday. We decided not to start with any appetizers. We just wanted to dig in. (And thanks to Tango for letting me make a reservation right before last call. You guys are the best). Thomas O. got the special of the night. He pretty much knew he wanted it as soon as the words left our waiter's mouth. Osso Bucco. Thomas that was a good choice. That's all I have to say. We did a little food swapping and I was able to taste test. First off that meat was TEEEEEENDER. It almost kind of melted in my mouth. And the marrow? We split it. Heavenly. Absolutely heavenly. We were thinking we should go in the back and ask them if we can have their bones. HAHAHAHA. David C. got the Asian Style Five Spice Braised Beef. Excellent flavors. Talk about a party in my mouth. And who ever thought of chili fried onions on top of the braised beef, please marry me and cook for me all the time. I got the Lobster Goat Cheese Ravioli. For me, I could definitely taste the goat cheese, but not so much the lobster. But Thomas O. said he could taste the lobster. I guess we all have different taste buds. But yes, Thomas O. is right, dip the bread in their amazing sauce :) And for dessert, we topped it off with the Creme Brulee. I told them it was a must-try, and I'm glad both of them enjoyed it. Tango, I will be coming back to you (even though your prices are sometimes out of my reach), but heck yesterday was pay day. And Thomas O., I think it takes three to tango (according to Geico). HAHA.

    (5)

  • Les M.

    My first time at a Brunch Boozers event and my first time at Tango Cafe. The verdict for both.....pretty damn good. What good is a "Boozer" event without the booze? Not to worry, Tango's fully stocked bar hiding behind the dining counter has your Bloody Mary fix to help you kickstart your Sunday Funday. Just add your own Tobasco, their rendition is very mild in the spice department. However, I'm hungry too. "Stop whining!" youtube.com/watch?v=WL1l… Tango's kitchen offers delicious dishes, from a twist on the famous Loco Moco to an unlikely breakfast item like Confit Duck Hash. THE LOCO MOCO BENEDICT ($9.50 ) - Usually when you think Loco Moco you think two fried eggs, over a ground hamburger patty, over a mound of white rice, covered in gravy. Tango's twist on the classic goes a little something like this: One fried egg, over a fall-off-the-bone soft cut of quality cow, over a hockey puck shaped monument of fried rice, sans gravy, sub hollandaise sauce. You get two of these unique works of art, and the black olive garnishing the center of the benedicts makes it look like you have a pair of beckoning boobs yelp.com/biz_photos/vR53… on your plate that you just wanna motorboat the shit out of youtube.com/watch?v=hetI… . THE CONFIT DUCK HASH ($10.25) - The duck itself was a little dry and actually tasted more like roasted pork than duck. Guess I'm just used to the Chinese version of duck and the thick skin/fat that gives it most of its unique flavor. The potatoes were really good though, cut with a fork soft and flavorful. yelp.com/biz_photos/vR53… Besides the satisfying fare and potent potables, the Yelpy Brunch Boozers themselves yelp.com/biz_photos/vR53… made me give the event 5 stars and ensured that my Sunday "dumped the S for an F" like I was into alphabet dating. Fun times were had, can't wait for the next one. See you all there!! #Yelp 365 - 022/365

    (5)

  • Cintamani A.

    The first time I went there I enjoyed the cafe but the appeal has since warn off. There are some pretty good dishes with some oh so average ones but nothing bad. Nothing really wrong with it besides lacking some passion and not enough seasonings in certain dishes. It's definitely not a place I would swear off but also a place I probably won't visit any time soon since there's more worthwhile restaurants to check out in the same vicinity. The service is alright, the decor pleasant with matching music, an abundance of natural lighting that makes artificial redundant and cleanly. Just a warning, the creme brulee top layer is as sharp as shards of glass! Tasty yet somewhat unsettling. Dangerous dessert, indeed.

    (3)

  • Michele M.

    Breakfast, lunch or dinner. No matter what meal it ends up being when I plop down in one of Tango's seats, I always leave a happy camper!!! My husband loves the 50/50 eggs benedict. I am a huge portuguese sausage/eggs/rice type of gal. So I get sausage or ham, scrambled eggs and brown rice. For lunch, I usually make any attempt to order an entree with fries. Those are my weakness! I love the fries here. Just the right amount of crisp and salt!! The burger is sooo satisfying. Dinner is no slouch either. A dear friend reserved half the restaurant one night for her rehearsal dinner. The picnic tables are rustic and charming!! The duck and braised beef are excellent. Super tender and very tasty!! We used to go more frequently for Sunday breakfast...Hopefully we can get back into the groove with the routine again real soon!!!

    (5)

  • Iris T.

    If they had brunch places like Tango near me, I'd be the happiest person EVER. Why? Well lemme tell you guys: 1) It's a cute cafe that just exudes a relaxing and chill atmosphere. What better way to spend your morning than to hang out in a cafe like that? 2) The food!! I got their "Loco Moco" eggs benedict without the hollandaise sauce. Although I've never had the "loco moco" in its traditional preparation, this variation of it is just so delicious that I doubt the original version could be better. Tango's version is braised beef on top of fried rice and poached eggs. So. Good. One bite and twas love. 3) The price -- it's about par for the brunch course as far as prices go.. and the food's definitely ABOVE par so you definitely get more bang for your buck, Yelp friends! This place is definitely on my "must-return-to" list of restaurants on any future trips to Hawaii!

    (4)

  • Erica W.

    We went to Tango Cafe looking for a quiet, tasteful restaurant to have a drink and maybe some dessert before our movie at Ward Theatre. Tango Cafe was exactly what we were looking for. The restaurant is small but uses its space well--every table really feels like the best table. The lighting is intimate and the decorations are trendy. Tango Cafe's best features, though, are their servers, who are knowledgable, polite, and know just when to interrupt and when to leave you alone. They have a great wine menu, a full bar, tasty desserts, and the French Onion soup is a steal. They are supposed to have a great breakfast and the full menu looks amazing, so I plan on returning. I really just appreciated that they were such a sharp contrast to the noisier chain restaurants around the theatre, but they stand on their own merits as a good solid restaurant.

    (4)

  • Kelly M.

    Went for dinner. Entrees in the low $20, plus $10 for a salad, makes for a more expensive meal than I expected for $$. I agreed with a couple of other yelpers that it is overpriced for dinner. Food was good. Starters were a parmesan and potato soup. Quite nice. Ceaser salad was bland. Liked the anchovy on top. In so many places it's easy to forget that Ceaser salad is supposed to be an anchovy based dressing. Our entrees were fish of the day (marlin) and duck breast with confit leg. Both were overcooked. Not to the point of being tough, but definitely to the point where there wasn't a rose-y bit of color in the middle or a bit of uncooked texture. This is how my grandparents like their food cooked. Not what I expected from a contemporary cafe. Sides were fine, some naked steam veggie, done perfectly - baby-sized and fresh. Overall a good restaurant. But there are so many restaurants and so little time.....

    (3)

  • LesliAnn K.

    Went to Tango for dinner. The positives are its got a cool decor and interior. Came here for a bachelorette party and suggested it because it seemed like a good gathering place for the girls. Ordered the Hamakua Mushroom Risotto with Shrimp and Sauteed Asparagus for my entree. Sounded better than it was. Did not feel it was worth the steep price of $20.50. Consistency of the risotto was not good, some grains were harder than others. I found myself chewing a little harder at times depending on the bite. Maybe I need to come here for breakfast or lunch instead.

    (2)

  • Christina M.

    I am here in Hawaii for the first time, and have been open to trying new restaurants. A friend of mine, who lives here 3 months out of the year recommended it highly. The spot is small, but aesthetically appealing, wood, soft lighting surrounded by all-glass corner spot walls. The staff is incredibly friendly. Not much of a bar... But there is a place where you can sit and wait for your table and get something to drink. We made reservations so the wait wasn't long. I ordered the scallops appetizer, and my friend got the clams. I didn't think I liked clams but this was yummy... garlicy and tasty. Mine also was delicious, each scallop on spinach... My meal was a Special with Monkfish, potatoes with a delicious sauce. I haven't licked my plate since being here.... I am a picker, but everything was so good I ate every drop of appetizer, meal, and dipped my french bread into my friend's clam sauce.... Definite winner!

    (4)

  • Myong C.

    I've been a fan of Tango for a while, often selecting it a place for a small business lunch or for a casual dinner. What I like about the place is that it gives you a fine dining vibe without the fine dining cost. My most recent visit was for Mother's Day dinner and all 3 people in our party walked out happy with the meal. We started off with the portabello mushroom and crab hash appetizer. This was da winnahs! The 3 of scarfed this down and before you knew it, all you could see was the white of the plate cuz we even slurped up all the delicious sauce with the house bread. I also ordered a bowl of the soup du jour (lobster bisque) and the waiter was nice enough to take it upon himself to serve the soup in 3 separate bowls so we wouldn't have to bang spoons as we ate. The bisque was good, but just a bit too salty and lacked just a bit of richness for a bisque in my opinion. Then it was entree time. My mom ordered the beef tenderloin with potatoes and of course I had a bite. The meat came out a tad undercooked (she ordered it medium rare but it looked more on the rare side) but it was definitely tender and very tasty. She must've liked it since she didn't leave a single item on her plate! My dad ordered the braised beef and he thought it was perfect. You see, my dad has bad teeth so he can't chew tough meats but the braised beef was so tender he could cut it with his fork and he had no problems chewing it. The mashed potatoes that accompanied the beef was also very good. I ordered the duck breast and leg confit dish. I'm a big fan of duck so I wanted to see what they could do with it. I too was quite satisfied with my order although I am not a fan of the polenta that was served with it. As for the service, it was top notch as usual. I've received great service every time I've dined here and Sunday night was no different. With all that food plus tax and tip the total for the 3 of us came out to less than $100. That's pretty damn good considering the food, atmosphere, and service we received. Overall, a great place to get find dining type food for middle of the road costs. I can eat here anytime.

    (4)

  • Denalee C.

    I came here last night for a baby shower with 7 of my relatives. I arrived at 6:30 and because there were some tardy party goers, we didn't order till maybe 7:00. The place was surprisingly packed for a Thursday night. There was a party of four behind us and a party of 6 on the left of us that both arrived after us (but I suspect ordered before us) We didn't order appetizers but maybe we should have as our food didn't arrive until 8:10. The party of 6 near us got their food ten minutes before we did and the party of 4 behind us got their food 5 minutes before us. The crazy thing is that there is only 10 entree options, including the nightly special! Which means the kitchen isn't efficient. We didn't get bread until maybe 7:30 after sitting there for an hour. However, the bread was fresh from the oven, crunchy on the outside and warm and soft on the inside. And oh, the butter is to die for. My onion soup was very tasty and the cheese was the best! My scallop spinach salad was OK, not fantastic. I probably won't order it again. Word to the wise: go early. order quick. get appetizers. ask for bread.

    (4)

  • Chris O.

    So torn with Tango after my most recent visit. Breakfast is a solid 4 stars (my previous review) Lunch is a 3. On two different visits I tried the Breaded Pork Cutlet and the Char Grilled Herb Rubbed Flank Steak. The pork cutlet was awesome. At first you'll notice that the cutlet is on the thinner side but it's nicely breaded, generous in portion, and the gravy was excellent. If you're unsure about what to get, I recommend this as a "safe" entree. The flank steak, ugh, it pains me to even think about it. Presentation wise, it looked nice. But once I brought the first piece to my mouth, I noticed it was cooked well done when I ordered medium rare. I also need to keep in mind that a flank cut is one of the tougher cuts of beef, but my pieces were rather chewy. To add onto my displeasure, it lacked flavor. Even with the steak butter, I found it very bland. I was so disappointed that I couldn't finish the last 3 pieces of steak (and there's only around 8 pieces to start off with). I was also semi-disappointed with the french onion soup here. When I picture a french onion soup, I think of cheese covering the entire soup, and even a few crispy cheese "drippings" stuck to the rim of the bowl. However, Tango is rather sparing with their cheese as floats in the middle of the soup (also making it harder to scoop).

    (3)

  • Lorraine S.

    You might expect high prices at this tiny restaurant, smashed up against Panya and Bank of Hawaii. And you will be pleasantly surprised at how reasonable they are. The food is simple but excellent, every time. They don't know the meaning of over salted or over cooked. The owner (I believe she's the owner) is the nicest woman in Honolulu, she always treats my elderly mom as if she were a queen. (In my mind, she is!) and she is thoughtful, sweet, and kind. The staff come racing over to open the door when they see me approach the wheelchair.....that is a delightful change from many restaurants, where the host simply stands and watches you struggle with the door with a blank look on her face... the food is a million times better than Panya, next door, and much faster, too. The only downside is that because it's a small place, you will have a wait for breakfast. So what, it's worth it. I'd give 10 stars if I could...and I don't say that lightly.

    (5)

  • Chris M.

    My family and I had a belated Mother's day breakfast recently at Tango's. I'm glad we all ordered something different - gave us the chance to try some of everything! SMOKED SALMON EGGS BENEDICT, $10.00 If you're craving a benedict without the heaviness of Canadian bacon or another filling meat, this is a good option. The smoked salmon was tasty and of pretty high quality, I just wished there was a little more of it. The hollandaise sauce was just okay for me....it was thin, light yellow, and a little runny. SWEET BREAD FRENCH TOAST, $8.50 This was okay, nothing that really stood out. I liked the fresh fruit topping - strawberries, cantaloupe, melon, and blueberries. SWEDISH PANCAKES, $8.50 My niece didn't care for this, so I actually got to have more than a few bites. These thin, tiny pancakes were spectacular with the fresh fruit and whipped cream! I don't think I would have gotten full off of just this dish, though - portion is on the smaller side. BANANA PANCAKES, $8.00 A standard fluffy stack of pancakes that are very filling; making up for the smaller portion sizes of other dishes that we ordered....doesn't even come close to Cinnamon's though. FRIED RICE WITH PORTUGUESE SAUSAGE & ONE EGG, $8.50 Had a taste of this; it was a very good-sized portion of decent fried rice with slices of portuguese sausage. LION COFFEE, $2.25 (one refill) They don't grind the beans until you order it, so this was one FRESH and strong cup of coffee! I was definitely awake after this! SERVICE Our waitress seemed overwhelmed at times, which I didn't quite understand because the restaurant is small and there were 2 other servers, plus an expeditor/manager. Our water glasses were refilled, though slower than I would have preferred. The nice thing for Tango is that the decor is pleasing to the eye, and with good company and flowing conversation, the glitches in brunch service are not as noticeable. PARKING Lots of parking in their covered lot, a big reason we decided on coming here because my aunty hates stressing out over parking spots. RESTROOMS Very, very clean! You might laugh, but I tend to pay more attention to restrooms when we're dining out with the little kid. Tango has one of the nicest restrooms in town! RESERVATIONS HIghly recommended, especially if you are going to be there with more than one person. I noticed that a few parties missed out on breakfast service since they tried to walk in when all tables were occupied. If you have a large appetite like I do, make sure to order accordingly, as some of the dishes will not fill you up. More like 3.5 stars, but I'll wait to bump up the rating after coming back to try the Loco Moco Benedict!

    (3)

  • Paul M.

    With all of the signs boasting of their great reviews and awards, I had high hopes for this place. Alas, it was disappointing. I got the confit duck burger and my friend got their steak. She ordered her steak medium and it came out well done and dry. The duck burger was almost in edible. The duck was horribly over cooked, dry and little to no flavor. I will say that their fries and homemade ketchup were pretty tasty. Coffee was also top notch. Service was quick and friendly but I don't think I'd be returning any time soon.

    (2)

  • Doris D.

    A disappointing experience at Tango, unfortunately. The food was barely decent and unimaginative. The restaurant is certainly contemporary in style but lacking in the actual food department. Seared Scallops on Wilted Spinach - Anchovy Herb Dressing with Shallots and Garlic - 10.95 - Just ok. The scallops were decently prepared but I wouldn't say it was anything special. Classic Caesar Salad - Hearts of Romaine, Caesar Dressing, Roasted Garlic Crouton - 9.75 - Just ok. Can't really mess up a caesar salad. Lobster and Goat Cheese Ravioli with Fresh Basil - Lobster Sauce, Pesto and Asparagus - 21.50 - my entree and i have to say it was pretty awful. The "lobster sauce" was a sad cream sauce lacking in luster and flavor. The ravioli filling was so lacking in flavor that I couldn't even taste any of the components of the filling, i.e., lobster and goat cheese. It was just mush. And the pasta was poorly cooked, aiming for al dente but winding up with an undercooked mess - the rims of the ravioli were very hard and practically inedible. I ate two and simply could not bear to finish it. Chocolate Brownie with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream 5.50 - Just ok, very old fashioned dessert for a "comtemporary" cafe.

    (1)

  • Annie L.

    I heart Tango. After hearing pretty good reviews about this place, the bf and I decided to do date night here. We went at about 830 on a Wednesday night and got seated right away without a reservation. This restaurant is actually a lot tinier than it looks, with only 2 people working the entire floor but they did extremely well. We ordered the Seared Scallop Spinach salad (~10), really delish...must try! We shared it and they even split it and brought it out on 2 plates, which was perfect as a starter. We also tried the salmon chowder...pretty standard chowder, wasn't blown away by it. For entrees, we got the Lobster goat cheese ravioli w/ asparagus (~20), and the rack of lamb medium rare (~27). Both were scrumptious...and they did the medium rare very good...it came out nice and pink, which most places usually do too cooked. The ravioli was good, but I can see it getting kind of heavy if that's all you order so sharing it makes it perfect. We also got they lychee sorbet and coffee ice cream cake for desserts. The sorbet was nice and light and really cleared your palate after such a great meal. The cake was a bit much for my but my bf ate every last bite. Bill came out to be about 75buckaroos.... we were both extremely satisfied and impresses with Tango and will definitely be back to try more. Who knows, maybe we'll take some tango lessons too :)

    (5)

  • Kristen C.

    268/365 Ive been meaning to come here and I finally got the chance when i suggested it to my BF. We came around 530-6p and there were only a few other diners there so we didnt have to wait to get a table, esp considering we didnt make a reservation, which I would recommend as the place is a bit small. They bring complimentary bread that warm and crispy. For my entree I got their seafood stew in saffron broth and that was delish. For dessert we shared their blueberry bread pudding which was just alright and not enough blueberries. Overall the service was great and the food was pretty good so i'll def be going back :)

    (4)

  • Jamila J.

    Wavered between 4 and 5 stars and decided to round up! Come along on my journey with Tango. The Reservation: I was making a dinner reservation for 15 people on a Saturday night at 7pm. Just a bit of a challenge. I was having a lot of trouble, especially with my normal spots, and it was the Monday before we were supposed to have this dinner. I came to Yelp to find some new spots and saw the reviews and decided to try it out. The reviews talked about how small the place was so I wasn't too optimistic that they would be okay with 15 people. I was completely wrong! I called expecting the worst and got the best. The woman on the phone was so excited to host a party of 15, even wanted to know the special occasion. She even called to reconfirm the day before the reservation and say they couldn't wait to have us. I was very excited about this place. The Drinks: What better place to start! First, there are no drink specials. Now that's out of the way, the bar is decent, limited selection. They have a bunch of Sochu drink cocktails to choose from. My friend ordered a drink that was definitely not good and the server noticed this, figured out what the problem was and mixed another drink to make sure we were happy with it. That's some great service. The Appetizers: A good mix choices. I had the Soup du jour, which was tomato basil soup. I must say, I was very disappointed with the soup. It wasn't creamy, hearty, nothing. Just watery, like it was out of the can with too much water. Other appetizers ordered were the Escargot. It was delicious! Huge pile of escargot on a bread of some sort. Yummy goodness. The clams also came in a huge pile and were awesome as well. The Entrees: Luckily, I was with a great group of friends, so we passed around the plates. I ordered the Braised Short Ribs. Was completely enjoyable and a great choice. Seared Ahi was definitely a hit. One of my friends was like I don't want it to be raw, so they actually cooked it all the way through for her! I'm not that much of a Risotto fan, but the Seafood Rissoto was also amazing. Perfectly cooked. The Rack of Lamb was also awesome, the sauce they used was out of this world. By far the best of the night was the Lobster & Goat Cheese Ravioli was amazing. If you like Lobster, Cheese (the goat cheese is not too overpowering) and Ravioli, this will be a religious experience! The dessert: I got the complete meal, so it came with soup du jour and my choice of Ice Cream or Sorbet. I chose the Cinnamon Ice Cream, seriously one of my favorite flavors of Ice Cream and it was wonderful! Glad to know there's at least one place to get this. I didn't try any of the other desserts, so all I can say is the looked real pretty! All in all, it was a great experience. There was only one server for the 15 of us and I think the service was awesome. Hats off to him! They were accommodating and welcoming. I will be back to Tango. Can't wait to try breakfast and lunch!

    (5)

  • M L.

    Consistently fresh and tasty dishes at Tango. Everyone was happy with their choices today, which included the ali'i mushrooms on fettuccine, mahi mahi sandwich and New York steak, as well as a shared serving of Kona coffee ice cream cake. Prompt, friendly service, in a relaxed and casual ambiance. Reasonable prices.

    (4)

  • Paul T.

    One of our most favorite restaurants for lunch... we usually come here after the lunch crowd, around 2 pm... been coming here since it opened... great daily soups... all entrees consistently good...

    (5)

  • Victoria C.

    Whenever I'm in the mood to have a nice brunch and catch up sesh with my girlfriends, I think of Tango. It's the perfect spot to catch up with friends or to have a nice dinner. I usually don't bring my fiance here though.. to me it's more of a place you'd go with your girls. When I'm craving for something light.. I typically order a salad there but warning you, they are pretty big! And can get pretty filling :) I also like their onion soup and their open faced sandwiches. I have yet to try their desserts cause I always get too full from my entree. But from what I've seen.. they look pretty good! This place is also not too pricey.. ans so far the service has been pretty good!

    (4)

  • Kalani C.

    Came here for dinner with my cousin before heading to the Erykah Badu concert. As always, the vibe is relaxed and mellow. I had the Roasted All Natural Free Range Jidori Chicken Breast on Seasoned rice in a Coconut Curry Sauce (4 stars). Pleasant dish with chicken breast seasoned and prepared well. The coconut curry sauce was a nice touch and I wish there was more on the plate. I also had their micro greens with a balsamic-based dressing that tasted fine (4 stars). My cousin had the Hamakua Mushroom Risotto with Garlic Shrimp Sautéed Asparagus (4 stars) that wasn't overwhelmingly heavy tasting as a lot of risotto tend to be, just flavorful and light. The wines by the glass were reasonable and well selected for a mid-range palette and not exorbitant and unattainable (yet there were some wines you could certainly do that if you wished). I even noticed they had vodka and shochu cocktails as well as a $12 flight of three sakes: Very cool! Dessert was a shared bowl of lychee sorbet. I don't really like lychee, but this was very refreshing and didn't have that aftertaste that I hate: 4 stars. Service was fine, no issues and he got the job done without really being noticed, so 4 stars. I haven't been here for quite some time, but glad we decided to. Looking forward to another experience here soon.

    (4)

  • Chase G.

    I would give this place zero if I could. Bottom line: I saw a mouse. They didn't seem to care. I don't even need to mention the sub-par service. Fail.

    (1)

  • Brian A.

    I have to say nothing really stood out to me as overtly Swedish, although I have to admit that my experience with Swedish cuisine probably starts and ends (like everyone else) with the cookies I bought and meatballs I ate at Ikea. We've dined here several times for breakfast and every time I didn't have that profound moment that inspires me to really want to return. I mean it's someplace that I'd continually visit with friends, but probably not someplace I would volunteer myself to go to. The service was good, interior stylish and clean, we've never had an issue finding a seat, and parking wasn't a problem since we just parked in the structure.

    (3)

  • Victoria G.

    Limited seletion. Penna pasta was watery and duck burger was salty

    (1)

  • Zar A.

    I've been here on two occasions. My first time here was on Christmas Eve evening in 2009. My second time here was this past weekend [Dec 2010] for their breakfast menu. CHRISTMAS EVE - SET MENU For their Christmas Eve dinner, they had a set menu. I can't remember what we ordered but my friend and I were very impressed with this place. In 2009, when we went, and Tango had just recently opened as the Hokua tower had just opened. The price for their menu was very decent as we thought it would be off the wall for being located in such a nice Tower. It was a three course meal and I remember coming in famished and leaving very satisfied. BREAKFAST MENU I came in on the account of Emi H's two reviews on how fabulous their breakfast menu here was. I didn't think this place served breakfast, but apparently, they do, and apparently, it's GOOOOOODDDD. They are well known for their eggs benedict here. But if you know me, you know that I don't follow the crowd. I do my own thing. But, based on Emi H's awesome review, I ordered their Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict and my friend ordered their Loco Moco Benedict. OMFG, it was sooooooo good! So, the price? Very decent. $9.50 for each plus $2 for coffee. Any breakfast place in Kailua would cost the same. So, expensive? Nahhhh... Good price for awesome breakfast food. Also, a tip, come after 9AM and it gets really busy. Expect a wait. Come before 8AM and you're good to go! The place is small, so, there are only a few tables. But, for the nice service and awesome food, I would wait.... Parking is free in Hokua Tower. This is now one of my new favorite spots for breakfast, in addition to dinner!

    (5)

  • Mandy F.

    We went there for dinner, all the other time we tried going there for breakfast there was too long of a wait. The ambiance was great, besides the tables being a bit too close to our neighbors. First off, their menu is beautiful, it is a balance of fresh delicate appetizers to classics in their entree section. Needless to say, I was very impressed and couldn't wait to try the food. I ordered their Coq au Vin dish because I couldn't help myself, I never see this on a menu, and despite my apprehension that any place would put the time into making this classic and giving it the time it deserves, I relished in the thought that I may have found the place. I'm sure you are as excited as I was, to find out if it was a success. Unfortunately I cant tell you it was great, not even good, not only was the sauce way too salty, the chicken was obviously not cooked in the sauce like it should have been. It had been lightly fried and placed on top of some dry potatoes au gratin--which I should call scalloped potatoes because there was no "gratin". My boyfriend got the pork chops, and as you can guess, they were very dry and chewy, and the sauce was very salty. Maybe it was the line cook that night, maybe it's like that every night? -The chef is salt happy -my entree was not worth $21.00 by any means -Consider revising your menu to something more appropriate to your name "contemporary", it is a travesty to list these classic dishes and not live up to their names.

    (2)

  • Josh D.

    I have heard alot about this place and I really really wanted to give them a good review. I went on a Friday evening around 7:30 with my friend. It was not crowded so we only waited for a good 5 minutes. We were seated all the way at the far right corner. I thought it would be nice since it's away from the noise and just to ourselves. My friend ordered the braised beef while I ordered the pork chop. We even ordered the complete meal that came with the salad/soup and the sorbet at the end for $6.50 more. I ordered the refillable plantion tea since sodas are not refillable. My friend only wanted water. We got our soup and salad and after that, it was a long wait until we got our entree'. So we were hanging onto our bread. On top of that, the waiter did not come around to give us water or any refills until we got our order. I even told my friend, "This is what it must feel like when customers are waiting for their dinner on the TV show, Hell's kitchen". Finally our order comes. Our plates were not significant in anyway, although the food was good - it was not worth $28 for the portion that we had. So we eat. Service was definitely lacking here because we got refills only once during the time we were eating our entree and talking. Maybe because it was where we were sitting that they "may have forgotten about us?" Oh... and no one - not one of the servers even our main server came to ask us if everything was good - not even when they came that one time when they were refilling our drinks. Not even when they were clearing our table for dessert... nothing like, "How was dinner?" "How did you like your pork chop?" Nothing. On top of that, I didn't feel full. Then came dessert. I got the lychee sorbet while my friend got the chocolate. THREE LITTLE BALLS OF SORBET and spoon that came with it was larger than that! All in all we paid $61 and some change for that meal. I would not come back here and when we were walking out, my friend said that this is not worth the money and he too would not come back. Another thing, I did not see any kid's menu and the way the seats are set up, it doesn't seem ideal for parties larger than 6.

    (2)

  • Nick Y.

    Like a perfect vocal arrangement, the three part harmony of Tango's Duck Leg Confit -- the tender, fat-poached leg; the creamy, cheesy risotto cake; and the deeply flavored thyme jus -- struck a chord that resonated golden across my palate. I think that even Christopher Walken would find it to have the perfect amount of cowbell. Also, at $11.50, not only is it a much better deal than the duck breast on the dinner menu, it's a much better deal than a lot of the plate lunch I've had recently (Poke Stop, The Alley, Giovanni's Shrimp, Kiawe Grill). It's much more delicious, as well.

    (5)

  • Brande B.

    If I could give a half star review I'd give this place 3.5 stars. Our cab driver recommend this place, so we will tried this before we went home. The food was good, but our service is why I only give them 3.5 stars. When I return to Honolulu I'll come again and hopefully I will have better service.

    (3)

  • Jillian P.

    After years of seeing this place, I finally ate here for the first time. ATMOSPHERE: I really love the decor in there! Sooo gorgeous. Their chandeliers are to die for and they have three huge panels of what looks like a Marimekko print. :) So in love! I think as far as atmosphere goes, my coworker described it best when he said, "This place is perfect for business lunches." It's very swanky and nice, professional and clean. It's also very bright in there as opposed to other restaurants of similar caliber. SERVICE: Not gonna lie, absolutely horrible. Upon entering the establishment, there's a little tiny sign that says, "Please wait to be seated." Granted, there was what looked to be like a waiting list. In my defense, I have been to restaurants with lists which have had signage stating to do so. Anyhow, as we were waiting there, not ONE server acknowledged us. Until finally, one lady (who ended up being our server) said sassily, "Did you put your name on the list?" We did and then proceeded to wait outside. Throughout the entire duration of our lunch, our server was not kind at all and was actually really sassy throughout. She came by and dropped off my ketchup and failed to let us know what it was. When we asked her upon her return, she seemed to get defensive and gave us a sassy response about how it was their homemade ketchup and how everything including mayo is made in house, blah blah. Anyway, long story short, she barely talked to us, never cracked a smile, and she made it seem like it was a hassle to serve us. FOOD: Very delicious. The fries were ono and I don't really think you can screw up a club sandwich. Nonetheless, taste and presentation were great. One of my other friends had their special, which was the beef stroganoff. He said it was really tasty and seemed to thoroughly enjoy it. OVERALL: If this rating were going off of the atmosphere and food alone, guaranteed a five star rating. However, service was so bad, I had to give this place three stars. Judging on all of the other reviews I'm seeing to the left, they must've had good service. Our server was probably having a bad day or something. Still, I'm not so quick to HIGHLY recommend this place. However, I do see myself stopping in again sometime in the maybe distant future.

    (3)

  • Christine N.

    Went for lunch yesterday. We shared a chicken salad sandwich and the caesar salad. Everything about both dishes was perfect. The chicken salad had a light curry flavor, or was that the herb focacia? Half a sandwich was more than filling. I ordered the toss salad instead of fries to accompany the sandwich. The salad dressing was divine! Ended up at Tango Market across the street afterwards purchasing the dressing to take home. Dessert was the Kona coffee ice cream cake! Service was excellent, food was delicious and the modern decor makes it all fit magically.

    (5)

  • Bethanie C.

    Beautiful little cafe nook, cozy atmosphere-a bit on the small side. food was very good & I liked the crunchy bread. Service was great. Parking is tough, can be a bit noisy in there at times.

    (3)

  • Tamra P.

    Took a favorite customer out to dinner with my new boss and it was a hit. We went super early to beat the rush--I've been here when it's packed and there is a wait. (Seemed to pick up around 7p on a Monday.) Service was attentive and friendly. Fois gras appetizer was delicate yet rich tasting, the apples were a nice contrast. My boss like the fish special, and my customer loved the beet salad. The bouillabase was good, but didn't blow me away. It was a pretty healthy, light option though. I've had the risotto before which was fantabulous. Dessert was a hit for everyone. The cinnamon ice cream had a nice spice to it. I swapped out the vanilla for the cinanamon with the brownie, which had a nice spice. The strawberry crumble was delicious, and my boss enjoyed his bread pudding. Portion sizes were nice- we left satisfied but not stuffed. I would love to go and try the tasting menu and brunch as well as the new to-go spot!

    (4)

  • Jenn T.

    This is a wonderful little place, especially for breakfast! It's very hard to find a nice, relaxing breakfast place on the island that serves traditional breakfast food, especially eggs benedict (which is my fav!). They have an awesome crab hash benedict, as well as great pancakes and French toast. They also have local style breakfast dishes with a twist, such as loco moco benedict or fried rice with eggs and portuguese sausage. The menu for dinner is also quite good, with a delicious spinach salad, a great rack of lamb, lobster ravioli and awesome dessert choices. The restaurant is small and in the same building as the hokua condos. Parking is in the structure behind the building and is free with validation. The service here is great and the staff is polite and attentive. I'd definitely recommend coming here for a nice meal!! The prices are pretty decent for the quality of food they serve :). Hope you enjoy it just as much as I do!

    (4)

  • Clarissa C.

    Food is pretty good. I was disappointed to find hair in my food under my eggs. I didn't eat much of my food before I found the hair. The server asked if I wanted a to go box and told him I had hair in my food so, no thank you. So he charged me full price and gave me a Danish to compensate the hair. I don't eat Danishes so I left it and left disappointed and hungry. :(

    (1)

  • Shirlene T.

    Returned here recently for lunch again and once again this place keeps me coming back because the food is tasty, the atmosphere is nice, and you don't have to wait long for a table. The servers provide good service and helpful when asked questions about the menu. Food: The three of us ordered the Cobb salad, Hamakua mushroom Risotto w garlic shrimp, and the Breaded pork cutlet. The Cobb salad is my standard fav while the Risotto and the Pork cutlet were items that we tried for the first time. I must say they were very tasty, as I expected. Since this was the second time I've been here, I was not disappointed, rather pleasingly satisfied with the quality, quantity, and price. Overall: One of my fav places to have a leisure and tasty lunch. I'll have to return for dinner and check out their evening dishes and dessert as well.

    (4)

  • Janice H.

    What a way to ruin my anniversary dinner. Our first dinner date was at Onjin's, but sadly, she closed ahead of her time. Bf decided to take me here since it's a small, intimate venue and one of his closet friends works as a server & raved about the food. He wasn't serving the night (Strike #1). The food could never live up the the fusion genius of that mad Korean women. Taste = so-so, portions were piddly (Strike #2). Service was nothing exceptional ... wasn't neglected like the bastard step-child in a bitter family feud, but neither was it exceptional (Strike #3! You sucked!) Overrated, overhyped & the attraction of eating here seems it's because "all-of-the-trendy-Asian-townie-twenty-to-thirty-­somethings-in-Honolulu-come-here-with-its-modern-­chic-minimalist-urban-decor-so-the-food-must-­obviously-be-superb!" "OMG-is-that-how-you-spell-'superb'"?!? Our bill, including tip, was $75+ & there was no fight the next morning over who got to eat the leftovers. I'd be a lot more forgiving if the meal hadn't been expensive (unlike 80% of the young adult population in Honolulu, I'm not a "big ballah" who can afford regular dinners l'dat), if it hadn't been a very special occasion & if the food had been even halfway decent for the price paid. Pass, go, do not collect.

    (1)

  • Darren N.

    Getting there: Easy to find, across of the now-closed Borders at Ward. Parking can be had free in the building or at Ward. Ambiance: Clean, comfortable, and a good place to have a relaxing conversation. Wood tables and chair/bench seating and a small bar style section and in the morning there's nice indirect sunlight which helps out us non-morning people. The restaurant is not large and there are waiting benches outside the restaurant. Service: Fast food and drink service. Courteous but they do have problems ringing up multiple bills and credit cards if your group decides to have separate checks. I have no idea what's up with that. Food: I opted for the farmer's breakfast, which had a good helping of eggs, bacon, and potatoes. Unfortunately one of my sliced potato pieces looked a little underdone but overall the meal was a success. Crispy bacon and cleanly prepared eggs were winners here (no greasy food). Their coffee here is pretty good, I hear they have an expensive and large press, and I can vouch for the caramel macchiato's flavor and smoothness. Verdict and Takeaway: The positives sightly beat out the negatives for me but I'd have to try out their other menus to get a complete picture of the place. I appreciate the quality and amount of food, you feel like you're eating a bit upscale but the portions aren't skimped on.

    (4)

  • Jen H.

    I really really like this restaurant. The atmosphere in the daytime is like.. family. Its just so nice to come to and have a good time with someone while eating great food. I personally like the way the food is prepared, the chef I know is Swedish, and even though the menu doesn't seem overly Swedish, I enjoy every dish because its refreshing. My bf particularly enjoys their breakfast menu of loco moco with braised beef on fried rice. I like how healthy their food seems, its not greasy like some other places. This place is a great date place too because on holidays, they sometimes have special 3-course menus which showcase items that they don't have on their regular menu. We went during Christmas time and they had their restaurant dimmed with pretty christmas lights and a really classy full course dinner. So romantic! Might I also add that their tiramisu from the tango market is THE BEST? you can tell the whipped cream isn't fake and is handwhipped!

    (5)

  • Maile M.

    Tango was amazing! Came here for brunch this morning and there was a bit of a wait, but very, very worth it. We ordered the Swedish breakfast sausage potatoes and sunny side up egg, eggs florentine, a short stack of buttermilk pancakes and 2 rounds of mimosas/bloody mary's. Sunday Funday indeed! The sausage in the special was so delicious, I'm still thinking about it. And the eggs in the florentine were poached PERFECTLY, which I'm really picky about. And, as Pua mentioned below, the hollandaise was perfect. Pancakes were delicious, not too fluffy, which I'm a fan of. BF loved the bloody mary's, and I loved the mimosas because they were using good OJ/champagne. All in all, will definitely be coming back to this place for breakfast in the near future, and I can't wait to try their dinner and lunch menus!

    (4)

  • Kat D.

    I've read so much about Tango while I was still iving on the mainland, and I was super excited to try it once I moved home. So, my mom, aunty, and I decided to have lunch here on a Saturday afternoon after a TJ Maxx shopping spree. We walked in and were seated immediately, even the restaurant was full. We got our menus and drink orders taken very quickly. All good so far. Our waitress came back maybe 10 minutes later to take our orders, but never really introduced herself or seemed like she was happy. I got the shrimp and asparagus risotto, mom got a club sammie, aunty got the open face shrimp salad sammie. I have to say that the food was excellent. Everything was perfect. My risotto creamy, shrimp cooked just right, and asparagus tender-crisp. They enjoyed their sammies and fries. Chef Goran was cooking and seemed very intense (but in a good way). My only complaint is the service. Not once did our waitress check up on us. Granted the restaurant was full, but it's not a huge place. And there was a total of 2.5 servers, so I don't know what the issue was. It was so bad that I had to flag down another server and ask for the check and a takeout box...I explained that our server had "disappeared", and that I was sorry to bother him. Anyway, I really, really think they need better servers because the food and atmosphere is so good that it's a shame theycan't offer the total package. Definitely want to go back and try some of the different martinis they have and also the portabella burger...but I'm hesitant because of the terrible service!!

    (4)

  • Kevin T.

    Prices are alright Food is good but not awesome No refills on soda which is lame. ($2.00 for one soda) Nice resturant in a modern building. I feel, however, that this place is too yuppified for my taste. As for the food, I got the duck confit burger. It came with Fries, coleslaw, and the burger. It was a well balanced dish and satisfied me. However, I Feel the dish might have been more appetizing "visually and/or texturally" had they just cut whole pieces of duck rather than shreading the poor duck and reshaping it into a patty. The creme brûlée was very nice and is priced fare at $5.35 Idk if I'm coming back though. They need to make free refills on soda!!!!!!!

    (4)

  • Hyunny P.

    This place is awesome. So friendly. So clean. Good service. Came with my friend and husband. Friend had a grilled veggie sandwhich. Hubby had the Tuesday special consisting of meatballs in a creamy sauce. I had a seafood stew. Everything was wonderful, especially the bill. The price here is the best part. With all the nice decor, service, and taste of food...I've found my favorite new place.

    (5)

  • Robert D.

    So I came in to eat the other day and I must say i am impressed with the food here. I had the sea bass and ratatouille and it was perfect. While I enjoyed the food the service was average. Let's face it, I'm not gonna tell a server how much money I have in my pocket, but it's damn well sure enough to cover the meal and more. That night I dressed casual, Ecko Shirt, Jeans and dress shoes and the misses dressed in a similar fashion. Around us were a few professionals, in aloha wear etc. while I cannot say this for everyone in the restaurant I believe we got a few looks for the way we were dressed? Great, as if I didn't want an awkward meal to begin with... I guess that's my fault. I'm also assuming the manner of which you're dressed and the size of your party determines the level of service you receive? Pretty much ordered our apps and main courses and rarely saw our server for the rest of the night. The 8-10 top next to us seemed more of a money maker anyways so whatever. So, if you're looking for a place that has great food and limited server interruptions this is the place to go! I wouldn't mind coming back again, maybe next time I'll suit up and we'll see what happens.

    (3)

  • Dawn T.

    Came here for lunch with my husband and kids. My husband & I had the club sandwich and my daughters shared the classic burger. Both were delicious. Service was quick. Server was attentive enough. Wish they served breakfast all day or at least a little longer. Will have to come by during their breakfast hours to check out their food. Overall had a wonderful experience

    (5)

  • Jill B.

    On the odd weekday morning when both my partner in brunching crime and I were off of work, she suggested we try this awesome new place next to the Ward PF Chang's. It's location next to PF Chang's made me suspicious but I'm always eager to try a new brunch location. Several other reviewers have noted a long wait for a table. I think this is an exclusively weekends issue because on the Thursday morning we strolled down there, we were seated right away. As for the ambiance, it does kind of feel like you're eating at the IKEA breakfast cafe but not necessarily in a bad way. The menu isn't long and eclectic which was nice because sometimes too many options can be overwhelming. My friend and I both decided on the braised beef loco moco and I am SO glad that we did! Our dishes arrived as two perfectly shaped mounds of fried rice with a nice portion of braised beef sitting atop each mound. This was then topped by the requisite egg (only this egg was poached which made me really happy) and instead of brown gravy (which I don't like at all and is the reason I never order loco moco otherwise) my rice, beef, and egg were topped with hollandaise sauce. It sounds weird and tasted.... interesting.... but I liked it. Somehow all the flavors worked well together. I'd definitely order that again in the future but was also really intrigued by their benedicts menu. The service that we experienced was pretty good. There wasn't someone in your face all the time nor were we totally ignored. Sitting right by the door was a little uncomfortable but they don't have a lot of dining area space to work with so I just sort of accepted it. Plus it was a weekday so not a lot of foot traffic in and out.

    (5)

  • Michelle G.

    I've been a patron to this restaurant since January 2009. Chef Göran Streng and Tami are so welcoming and I just love the contemporary eclectic dishes that they serve. Not to mention I love how the restaurant is decorated inside. It makes me feel like I am somewhere in Europe or in a bustling city on the mainland. One of my coworkers always had lunch there and I decided to give it a try after seeing her order. I was not disappointed and I came back for more!! Don't get me wrong, this restaurant is pricey but I like to treat myself to it every now and then. Breakfast: I love the Traditional Eggs Benedict - I can't find anywhere else that makes it better. Lunch: I am not a vegetarian at all. I LOVE meat and am very skeptical to veggies only burgers. But for some reason I decided to give this dish a try. It's the Grilled Portobello Mushroom "Burger" for me. I like to add extra (2x) avocado, grilled onions, and swiss cheese. Then instead of french fries I like to have it with fresh baby greens. Also try... Grilled Pesto Glazed Salmon On Salad of mixed Baby Greens, Tomato and Asparagus, Balsamic Vinaigrette Confit Duck "Burger" On Brown Rice Bun, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion Duck Leg Confit with Thyme Demi Glace Crispy Risotto Cake with Vegetables Hamakua Mushroom Risotto with Asparagus Garlic Shrimp or Grilled Chicken Dinner: They serve only Hamakua Mushroom Risotto with Garlic Shrimp and Sautéed Asparagus at night but since I am on a first name basis with the staff, I always request for Hamakua Mushroom Risotto with Duck Leg Confit and a side order of steamed veggies. They know this is how I like it and I guess for always coming in there and talking stories with them they go out of their way to show their aloha for my patronage. Also try... Mustard Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb Roasted Garlic Thyme Jus, Mashed Potato Lobster and Goat Cheese Ravioli with Fresh Basil Lobster Sauce, Pesto and Asparagus Herb Crusted Chicken Breast on Penne Pasta Grilled Marinated Vegetables, Tomato Basil Coulis Dessert: I love love love the Strawberry Mango Crumble with Cinnamon Ice Cream or the Crepes with Warm Berry Compote & Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. In the past I asked and received the crepes dish with strawberry mango instead of the warm berry compote before but any variation is delicious.

    (5)

  • Mallory M.

    Came here for the breakfast. I got the fried rice that came with one egg anyway and sausage. It was pretty ono but the service was just okay. I love the feel of the place and the way it looks. I love how you can't fit more than 50 people in there so it wont ever feel really crowded. But good place to eat and its pretty cheap for the food they serve!

    (4)

  • Aya T.

    3.5 stars for dinner at Tango. Started with the goat cheese, roasted beet salad... love me some beets. I had the hoisin salmon with mashed potatoes which was nothing special. The kona coffee ice cream cake was mostly ice cream and it did the trick for something sweet. I think the atmosphere is nice here but it's small so during prime dining hours it gets really busy.

    (3)

  • Alen N.

    This review is for their breakfast. I like the location because its not in the congested part of Ward Centre, but within walking distance. It has a nice modern and decorative feel inside the restaurant. I came here with a couple of friends for breakfast and overall, I enjoyed it! If you are around Ward or Ala Moana, I would suggest you to check it out. Parking: You can park in their structure (free parking), or next to the new TJ Maxx. Food: My benedict had a nice display. It was pretty good. I was happy with my food. My friends liked their breakfast too. Prices: It's not too bad. It's around $10~13 for some of their breakfast items. Seating: It wasn't crowded at all. Tip: The restaurant is pretty small, so I'm not quite sure if they can take in a really large group. Their breakfast ends at 10, so get their early!

    (4)

  • Lyn L.

    Loved it!!!! Bright, contemporary, clean and fresh! Loved the great selections on the menu....I had the salmon salad...it was delicious! The server was really efficient and knowledgeable...I thought the prices were reasonable and definitely want to go back there again! I'll keep you updated and I go thorough the menu... Parking was free...don't know if it's that way all the time, but that's nice too!

    (5)

  • Joseph M.

    Ok I have ate breakfast twice at this location and it really is a good place (in my top five places) to have breakfast. They do serve lunch and dinner, but I have not gone yet. The coffee was really good and I had a mocha and a thai mocha too. I had the original egg's benedict, which was good and I also had the confit duck hash, which was very good too. I would go back for other dishes and probably try other meals later in the day to see how their lunch/dinner is too.

    (4)

  • Kellie K.

    Came here for breakfast. I think their items are forgetable. The price of their breakfast items were under $10 but small portioned. I would rather eat at Bogarts for breakfast which is busier and a little more pricey. But Bogart's food is much more tasty and bigger portioned. I ordered the Muesli. I liked it but I make the same oatmeal at home..nothing special. My friends ordered their pancakes and sweet french toast, egg benedict and that potato dish with sausage and sunny side egg on top. The potato reminded me of corn chowder potatos which intrigued my tongue a little bit. Those dishes were okay but won't make me crave for it. I don't think I'll come back for breakfast but I want to come back for dinner to try their creme brulee.

    (3)

  • Ka'imi L.

    Had dinner with my mom the other night on Saturday. We took seats at the bar cause it was crowded that night (go figure). Appetizer: We had the gravlax which was very tasty! Definitely order it. Entree: My mom had the Risotto which was pretty good, but I had the Moi and I thought it was good as well. All in all, I'd say the food is quite amazing for the price you're paying. Definitely will return here for breakfast or lunch someday.

    (4)

  • Kelly T.

    [Note: I had some pretty high hopes of dining at Tango as it regularly gets high ratings on Yelp. My first visit was for lunch, which was a nice experience from what I remembered. Sadly, my second visit for dinner was totally undwhelming...dissappointing in fact...and a lot more expensive than the lunch menu.] LOCATION: It's in town and there's parking in the garage. One STAR for that! AMBIANCE: Nicely decorated for a small restaurant, although it can get noisy quickly, especially if there are larger parties seated in the section on the left side. Another STAR! RESERVATIONS: Although we made reservations ahead of time, and got there 10 minutes early, they seemed a bit frazzled when we checked in. It was one of those situations where, just as we walked in, a couple walked in ahead of us (without reservations) and were seated first...[note here, that they got the better table, a four top instead of a two.] I held my breath for a second because I knew what was going to happen and it did...we ended up getting seated at the very tiny table-for-two along the right side of the restaurant. Wouldn't have been a big deal if I hadn't seen the other people get seated in a better area, just because they got there first, sans reservation. (Totally felt like that episode in Seinfeld...the one at the Chinese restaurant....ugh) To make things worse, we were seated right under the air conditioning duct, and it dripped on my friend a few times. SERVICE: The service was somewhere above average, however, we were pretty hungry, cold, and wet (from the leaky air duct) that we probably weren't noticing much of anything at that point. FOOD: If I could take back that hour of my life, while we were eating...I would. We started off with the lobster bisque and after a few sips of the lukewarm soup...agreed that it tasted like pureed Chef Boyardee, for real. The scallop appetizer was raw...gelatinous, cold, and slimy...not so bad if we were at the sushi bar, but this was supposed to be "seared". For my entree I ordered the penne pasta with chicken. It was room temperature, and the pasta was overcooked and watery. My friend ordered the moi, which wasn't bad...but we both agreed that we've had better. DESSERT: We both passed on dessert...after the whole experience, we didn't want to waste another minute there.

    (2)

  • Janet K.

    The food was excellent and the service was great! Appetizer - Swedish Gravlax with Crispy Skin. It's a marinated salmon with a mustard dill sauce and potato salad. So simple yet delicious. Salad - Spinach Salad with Seared Scallops. Entree - Mushroom Risotto with garlic shrimp and asparagus and lobster goat cheese ravioli. Probably one of the BEST risotto dish I ever tasted. So much flavor and not too greasy! We had dessert but I forgot what it was. Not memorable enough... Not good enough! Definitely worth going back! They're open for breakfast and lunch too!

    (4)

  • Kimmy C.

    The best thing about this place is the waiter Kainoa. He has the best sense of humor / personality. The food is creative but portions are small. The wait is long if you go late. If you are going for dinner sit in the back, the setting sun shines into the restaurant and blinds you through the glass, it creates a sauna effect. The crab benedict is good but dry, needs more sauce. Its cool, trendy, and hip, but if youre hungry go some place else.

    (4)

  • Todd O.

    i've been spoiled by the east coast. when i get the tasting menu at restaurants, i expect to be tasting the best food this place has to offer...food representative of the chef, telling me this is what she'd serve me if i were eating at her home and she was trying to have my babies later that night (an all too familiar scene in my [dream] life). tango's been acclaimed with awards from honolulu magazine...nonetheless, michelin would disagree. ordered both of their 4-course tasting menu's ($36 and $45, respectively). here's what both offered: - appetizers: (A) swedish gravlax with crispy skin. AWESOME. if you like salmon sashimi, this is as close and good as it gets when it comes to euro bistro...and the crispy skin adds a nice crunch to the delicious potato salad (despite the fact that everyone else in hawaii uses mac salad) (B) seared scallops on wilted spinach...or should i say scallop, while it was perfectly seared, it could have used a little more seasoning, but of course, paired well with the spinach. - 2nd appetizer: (A) roasted beet salad with goat cheese. so, i don't like raw cheese, so you can already guess my opinion of this dish. (B) tomato and sweet onion salad. appears to be local and fresh. however, could have used something else. like the steak sauce from peter lugers. - main dish: (A) braised beef. the beef would fall off a bone if there was one. lots of spices that made this the tastiest dish of the night, but they overdid it with the amount of sauce on the side (B) mustard herb crusted rack of lamb. cooked medium rare, the way i like it. this also had a lot of flavor, and wasn't too gamey in taste. - dessert: a dessert sampler trio with a slice of their delicious kona coffee ice cream cake, a spoonful of their creme brulee, and a very rich chocolate brownie. be sure to conclude your meal with their house-brewed lion's coffee ($2.25). if you're planning to try one of those main dishes to begin with, order the tasting menu, as it's a much better deal than getting all of what's being offered ala carte. service was impeccable, and i liked the modern decor of tango. while it isn't up to the standards of nyc, for hawaii, it's a great addition to the restaurant scene.

    (3)

  • JJ Z.

    I usually have a lovely time at Tango when I've dined here in the past for special holiday brunch events and they would have gotten more stars if I based this review on those previous occasions. In any case I thought I would give it a try on a regular Sunday. I arrived 11:10 am so breakfast service was over. The lunch menu looked delicious but I was really craving breakfast so I decided to leave and head to a restaurant that serves breakfast at least until noon (e.g. BC Diner). The staff which is normally friendly and helpful did not even mention that their sister restaurant Tango Market served breakfast/brunch items until 5pm! They were willing to let me walk out the door and NOT inform us that Tango Market served breakfast items throughout the day. Are both establishments in competition with each other? Different owners? The only reason they get two stars is that our waiter DID give me a free coffee refill before heading out because I paid for a cup as I was deciding whether I wanted breakfast or lunch.

    (2)

  • Ira J.

    Without a reservation, we walked to Tango Contemporary Café after watching a movie at Ward. Even though the dining room was full, the friendly hostess offered us seats at the counter. It was very narrow, but it was our choice not to wait for a table. The menu had a variety of tempting choices. I chose the 'Grilled Grass Fed Tenderloin of Beef' at $23.50. My wife chose the 'Seared Scallops on Wilted Spinach' (it's an appetizer but she chose it as her entrée) at $9.50. Our friend chose the 'Asian Style Five Spice Braised Beef' at $19.75. We ate family style, and each got to try everything. This was a good thing, because all the dishes were outstanding. The service was friendly and prompt. The atmosphere was interesting (in a good way) and inviting. In spite of our choice to sit at the narrow counter, our dinner at Tango Contemporary Café was very pleasant. We will go back and if we plan ahead enough, we'll reserve a table.

    (4)

  • Brian M.

    Great atmosphere and ambiance. Clams for an appetizer were quite tasty. The bread they bring out is ok, nothing spectacular. Next I was brought out their house salad which consists of greens, tomatoes and balsamic. To me this was the only part of the meal I didn't care for, wasn't really as fresh as it should be. The Entree I chose was the Asian beef that comes with mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables, pretty good dish and the portion sizes are probably spot on. Overall a good experience but a bit lofty on their pricing. Hope this was helpful.

    (3)

  • Dave W.

    It is a smaller restaurant, but when I came late one evening and did not have reservations, they were able to seat us within around 3 minutes and had our water and drink orders taken promptly. I had the duck confit and I was very pleased with it. The taste and the texture was spot on, the only thing that left me wanting was the polenta. It was not my fave, although that didn't stop me from eating it all. The desert I had was really good as well, I forget what it was called but it was basically a delicious apple cobbler with cinnamon gelato... I had a really great time at Tango; the service and the great food made it a winner in my book.

    (4)

  • Jana M.

    Hubby and I tried it for dinner and genuinely loved everything about it. Decor is modern, it's a small place so I could see how it would fill up fast, but we went for dinner at 6 PM on Tuesday and it was only about 1/3-1/2 full. Server was quiet but very polite and patient, explained everything and seemed to know his stuff. We got their style french onion soup, spinach salad with scallops, steak with potatoes, and blueberry bread pudding with vanilla ice cream. We shared everything and my husband ordered a glass of wine and an espresso. It was all very delicious. It was more expensive then we expected from the $$ on yelp (entrees were $20-$28 or so), but since we shared, it wasn't too expensive, and we liked it so much that we already have a plan to come back and next time he's going to get the pork chops and I'm going to get the mushroom risotto with cream sauce. YUMMMMM!!! Lady next to us got it with chicken I think and it looked soooo good. We worked in restaurants for years and are very picky with our food and service but this place made us happy campers.

    (5)

  • Andrea J.

    Went here today with my mom for lunch with high expectations but, unfortunately, it all fell flat Caramelized Onion Soup ($6.00) - it was okay. The emmental (which was basically swiss cheese, lol) was melted thoroughly, which I liked. The Duck Confit "Burger" ($11.50) - was dry as the Sahara. The confit itself is good, but altogether, it was disappointing. I had 2 bites of it as a burger and I decided to just eat the duck. Everything else on their lunch menu didn't really attract me, but I should have just ordered the mushroom fettucini. Hamakua mushroom risotto with chicken ($15.50) - I enjoyed this the first time I went here so I naturally ordered this for my mom. She loved the risotto but she too thought the grilled chicken was unseasoned and dry, borderline overcooked. The risotto is the only redeeming part of this lunch. We didn't even order dessert after that and we ALWAYS do. The service isn't as quick as everyone thinks it is. It wasn't too crowded and I don't think there was a lot of cooking done at this lunch hour. I looked around the restaurant and I see a lot of salads and sandwiches... but I didn't mind that too much as my mom did. What I did mind was the fly buzzing above our heads from the moment we sat down til we finished and got up. Gross. Also, the wait staff NEVER asked how we liked our dishes either. I was tempted to not leave a tip but I wasn't that cruel. I would only come back to Tango if I was craving for risotto. But even then, I might as well cook it myself.

    (2)

  • Angela B.

    Love this place! Me and my husband walked in their one night and loved it so much that we rented out this place for family/friends dinner. Food was great and Tammy (owner) was very helpful and attentive. Their prices are very reasonable for the quality and has nice setting. We have returned several times since and food and service has been always consistent!

    (5)

  • M E.

    Good and quick

    (3)

  • Dean N.

    I dined at this restaurant last night with an old friend whom I have not seem for a while. Reading the Yelp reviews helped me to decide which entree I chose to order (Lobster ravioli). First, the setting and decor. I found this little establishment to be very quaint an cute. It's not a large restaurant so having a large party there may not be a good choice. Unless, the have a back seating area which I didn't know about. The decor was cute. Clean and well designed construction which made the restaurant feel homey. I did like the tall wine refrigerator by the kitchen. Although I do not drink alcohol, it did catch my eye. 2nd, the food. My friend and I shared a portebello mushroom appetizer and spinach goat cheese salad. Both dishes were good. The sauce to the portebello mushroom entree was yummy. As for our main entrees, my friend order the risotto and I lobster ravioli. Both entrees were good. The sauce to the ravioli was creamy and not over powering. The same with the risotto.. We both skipped desert. 3rd, the staff. I found the staff to be attentive and friendly. (But, I guess that locals for you because in LA, there are crappy staff people working at good restaurants. 4th, the parking. They have underground parking and is free for 2 1/5 hours with a validation fro Tango. I should give props to the parking attendant too since my friend and I stood in the parking garage and spoke an extra 45 minutes and the parking attendant was attentive enough to ask for our tickets, checked if we owed any additional amounts due (over the 2 1/5 hour free validation). Basically, we was looking after our backs so that we wouldn't incur more additional parking fees since my friend and I were engrossed in conversation standing in the parking lot. (Oh the small things like this make me miss Hawaii). Overall, I would recommend this restaurant to my friends and any other people looking for a good place too eat.

    (4)

  • Ryan L.

    This place is a bit out of my normal lunch price range. However, since i work near it i end up here a bunch. I mostly stick to the sandwiches and burgers. They are always great. Burgers are cooked perfectly and the sandwiches are beautiful. My favorite part is the french fries, though. tastey little buggers which are always salty and crispy. my fav. also the staff has always been super nice to me and make it a pleasure to come in. next time imma try the onion soup, i saw it and it looked amazing. perhaps ill try that this week.

    (4)

  • Katheryn H.

    It was our weekly GNO [Girl's night out] and one of my girlfriends suggested that we come here. I've never been here before, so I thought it would be fun to try something new. The place is small, and i like it! It's very cozy. The decor went really well with the food. And service was great! Their dinner rolls were delicious! Freshly baked and served hot. It's flakey on the outside and soft on the inside. One of the best dinner rolls I've had in a while. For dinner, I had ordered the Grilled Grass Fed Tenderloin of Beef, and let me tell you, THAT WAS AN ORGASM IN MY MOUTH! The portion size was just right. It wasn't too big or too small. It left you satisfied enough to eat dessert! For dessert I had the Kona Coffee, Vanilla, and Chocolate chantilly cake. That was delicious also!! The manager, I'm assuming she was the manager, had taken our dessert order and we had talked about trying the Thai Mocha, which we heard was to die for. But since we were each ordering a dessert, we decided to opt out for the coffee and just stick to desserts. After taking our order, she brings us a Thai Mocha with 3 straws for us to share. We were so surprised and thankful. It was soooo delicious. We drank it all! As we got our bill, we were surprised to see that we were actually charged for the coffee. Seeing as how we didn't order it, we had thought she brought it out to us complimentary. But with it only being $3.50 we decided to pay for it. Would definitely come back! :]

    (4)

  • Kevin N.

    Looking over at most of the reviews on here, it seems that the breakfast needs help; however, I will rate their dinner service 5 stars. Inside: small, modern and contemporary, clean, and music in the background. Service: My server was a gentleman, very respectful, attentive, and knowledgeable. Food: Their Hawaiian local mushroom was really good served with their garlic bread. Their bread was also fresh served along with a nicely whipped butter for them. There's a $6.50 deal (really good deal) which comes with a salad or soup of the day AND a choice of a sorbet or gelato. Normally, I will have my salad with no dressing, but a lot of people complimented on their dressing that it is delicious and right on your palatte. I had the seafood medley with their hand cut fettuccine, normally I don't order fettuccine because it's too greasy, buttery, and creamy. Not this fettuccine, it's well-balanced with the cream, butter, cheese, and light hint of sea salt. Their fettuccine is also beautifully hand made. The seafood medley, you get a combination of caviar, scallops, clams, mussels, and peeled shrimp -- all cooked perfectly with details. Dessert: I had their cinnamon and vanilla gelato. It's like the taste of cinnamon toast crunch, but not that sugary, balanced, and perfect to end the meal with. Note that: it seems to be pricey, but it's not Oh yeah, they do free refills too! Conclusion: Excellent service, good food for a reasonable price, use sustainable, organic, and local ingredients, and great dishes which are like French and Asian-Hawaiian theme. Also, they validate your parking, but I walked there, instead.

    (5)

  • Vicky K.

    Our friends who live at the Hokua recommended this restaurant for lunch...and we're so glad they did! The cafe is a breath of fresh air amongst the numerous eateries on Oahu! It's like eating at a cafe in Italy on Lake Maggiore; Where, the menu & food is simple, fresh, uncomplicated. We ordered a Kobe Beef Pastrami Sandwich & Cobb Salad. Both dishes were attractively presented & prepared well. The portions are generous & well balanced. What impressed me about the Kobe Beef Pastrami Sandwich is the pastrami. The meat itself is tender & juicy. Just the right amount of pepper & slightly burnt edges to make it savory. The pastrami has unnoticeable gristle. Though, it has just enough fat to make it flavorful & melt away as you bite into it. Because of its high quality, you can take a big bite and not worry about pulling out the pastrami from your sandwich. The Cobb Salad tasted fresh, crisp, lite, deliciously - homegrown. The bacon strips were crispy, not burnt, no chewy pieces of fat on it. The cubed eggs & chicken pieces tasted farm fresh (not wild or gamey) & organic. We ended up splitting the sandwich & salad because they both were soo good. This is a very attractive place. From the easy parking, to paying the bill. The service was superb....warm, friendly, knowledgeable & attentive. We enjoyed our experience very much and look forward to returning....soon. Support local business.

    (4)

  • Celise N.

    I've been to Tango at least 5 times and each time I've left happy. I was really sad to read the negative reviews. Well, here is my take on the place. Location - It is in the Hokua building next to PF Changs, so it is pretty easy to find and there has always been more than adequate validated parking in the building. There is also a wide circular driveway in front that is not very busy. It was perfect to park and run out to pick up a take out order. Decor - The restaurant is very clean, modern and airy. One small detraction is that since it is small, the tables are set rather close together. Better not go there if you have any secrets to keep. Food - Everything I or my campanions have eaten have been so delicious. I had the Hamakua Risotto with Grilled chicken, the ham/salami/brie on naan bread sandwich, the portobello mushroom "burger". Every one was awesome, each and every time. My campanions have had the french onion soup, grilled salmon salad, club sandwich, grilled fish sandwich and each one declared their entree as wonderful. Every cup of coffee is made to order - yum! Dessert delicious. We can't stop raving. Price - I've only been there for lunch. But yesterday, I went with three other people. Entrees for 4, one iced tea, one hot tea, one beer only totalled $50! When you walk into the place, it looks expensive but it really isn't. Tango is cheaper than Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, ryan's Kincaid's etc. I think lunch prices are on par with Kakaako Kitchen which is a take out type place with no service! So, you get excellent value for your dollar. Service - Previous reviews mentioned slow service. But in the five times I've been there, I've never encountered slow service. perhaps it is because I make a point of going early (at 11:15 am) to ensure a table. I would highly recommend this resaturant and every single friend I've taken there for lunch has vowed to return. Just for the record, I'm not a relative of anyone that works there.

    (5)

  • Kyle B.

    First time for Dinner and was just as great as Breakfast and Lunch!!

    (4)

  • Jennifer W.

    Literally, we were trying to find a new spot that we have not eaten yet. We drove passed this restaurant and decided to make a reservation for the next evening for dinner. Drive around into the parking garage and take the ticket to validate. Yes, this restaurant is conveniently located next to PF Changs. My sisters were quite satisfied with the food and service at this restaurant. First, we had the froi gras and scallops for the appetizers. The sautéed froi gras with starter was deglazed apples and currants were average. Maybe because we wanted more froi gras. :) The seared scallops were perfectly cooked and great tasting. Yum! Ok, after that...we had our wines with our meats. First, I would need to say, Casey offered fantastic service to us. We had so many questions about the wines and the meats. Where is this wine from and what year is it? (Wasn't on the menu). How does this wine taste? Where is the lamb from? Even though, he did not know what the answers were, he took the initiative to find out. He probably was thinking "Gosh, these girls!" LOL He let us wine taste the wines before he poured the glasses. Each one of us had a different red to pair with what we ate. Anyways, our mustard-herbed rack of lamb, grilled tenderloin of beef, and the sautéed duck breast and confit were excellent entrees. For dessert, we had the kona coffee ice cream cake. The kona coffee ice cream cake was more of a cake then it had ice cream. But, it was still fabulous! Great food and service! Now, we just we have to try it for brunch!

    (4)

  • Kanoe K.

    So when some friends suggested eating Sunday brunch at Tango ... I wasn't sure what to expect. With a name like Tango, I'm more inclined to think of a dance studio instead of a restaurant ... but after looking up the reviews for this place I was excited to try the eggs benedict. On the day we went it was STORMING and there's no awning covering the door to the restaurant so it was a challenge to dodge all the rain. Luckily we didn't have to wait long to be seated so we weren't too soaked when we sat. The menu for brunch is pretty simple, but because everyone has said to try the eggs benedict ... I didn't even look at the other menu options. I chose to eat the Crab Hash Eggs Benedict. The friends I was with ordered the Salmon Eggs Benedict and the Loco Moco Eggs Benedict. We were all very excited to try the food and when it came we were not disappointed. The Crab Hash Benedict was extremely tasty and the hollandaise sauce felt so light and not heavy at all. I was also able to try my friends dishes and they were both cooked to perfection. The beef in the Loco Moco Benedict was not the traditional beef ... it was more like beef tenderloin and it was so moist and delicious. In addition to the food, my friends ordered cups of the famous coffee. Note that you will probably be waiting a while for your cup if the restaurant is busy because there's only one coffee machine that makes one cup at a time (but we found out it actually makes enough for two cups at once). So if you want to take advantage of that free refill, you'll have to plan ahead and order before you finish your first cup! Specific to the holidays, Tango will be serving Christmas dinner and it sounded delicious!! If you don't have family dinner planned already, you may want to consider making a reservation to spend your Christmas night at Tango! FINAL VERDICT: This restaurant has a very contemporary vibe and offers some interesting menu choices. The price for the Sunday brunch is very reasonable and the food is a must try!

    (4)

  • Austen I.

    I came back for more Tango goodness and I was not disappointed. I ended up having the following: Sautéed Moi with Tomato Fennel Coulis The moi skin was crispy on the outside just the way I like it. +10 awesome points. The moi was served over a Ratatouille of Vegetables, which tasted like a light tomato soup with assorted vegetables. I was hesitant , but it went well with the fish. My only issue was that it wasn't served with any starch so I ended up having to dip the table bread into the sauce. Not a bad thing at all considering I like their bread. Sautéed Sweet Mustard Dill Glazed Salmon I really enjoyed this dish. The dill mustard flavor really brought out the salmon and the salmon itself was cooked nicely. Very moist and flavorful. The service was excellent. It didn't matter that the restaurant was completely empty except for 2 other parties. Our waiter Mark was helpful and went the extra mile to explain the specials, the wine, our meals, and any questions we had about our after-dinner coffees. Is it me or is Tango right on the that dreadful line of being overpriced? Don't get me wrong. I love the food and the service definitely makes coming back worthwhile, but I feel like everything should be below $20. A couple bucks doesn't seem like a lot, but i feel that it should be in that range when compared to other restaurants. Just a random thing I noticed after looking at the menu and finishing my meal. Also if you were wondering, the attire at Tango is very casual. With the entrees prices being close/over $20, I was wondering if a collard shirt was necessary. Absolutely not. Wear your rocking t-shirts to your hearts content.

    (4)

  • John O.

    A friend of mine introduced me to this restaurant. I always wanted to try it out but was a bit skeptical because I was not sure if it was similar to another Tango Restaurant I had been to in California. I was not that impressed with that place. We came here for breakfast. You really can't go wrong with breakfast right? We entered the place and it was packed! That was a good sign of a good place to eat. My friend was pretty advent that the coffee was good here. He was right. Very smooth and tasty. I don't use cream in my coffee as I rather taste the coffee than a bunch of cream and sugar. Just my preference. The menu consisted with a wide variety of Benedict's. The decision was easy for me; Eggs Benedict with salmon. I love that combination! My friend had ordered a mix of two types of Benedict's which was nice that the place would do that. Overall, I thought the experience was great. The meal was filling and the coffee was yummy. I will be back for sure.

    (4)

  • Russel M.

    The Tango WIne Dinners (3rd Tue of the Month) are really fantastic. Last nights was focused on Duck Breast, Foie Gras Ravioli, Duck Confit with Duckhorn Wines. Amazing deal at $49- pp. Service continues to amaze us with no delay between courses.

    (5)

  • Lindsi K.

    SUMMARY: SERVICE SUCKS If I could give this place 0 stars, I would - even 1 star is too much for this place. I've had better service at gas station toilets. Read on for details. I went in on Kam Day Saturday for an early breakfast with my brother and his wife. This place had come highly recommended from both of them, and they raved about the food. We got there 15 minutes before they opened, and by the time they did open their doors, there were about 10 people waiting outside with us. We sat there for 20 minutes while EVERYONE around us had ordered and was served. WTF!?! They brought some of the tables their food before they even brought us our water. Suffice to say that by then, we were disgusted, and got up and left. Tango lost an extended family of loyal customers after this experience, and we will continue to tell people about our horrible service. For those of you who would like to try it, please make sure that you dress well and flash some of your brand name accoutrements when you walk in. Otherwise, they might make you sit outside the back door near the dumpsters.

    (1)

  • Sita L.

    Another great New Years Eve at Tango. This is our second year. Great job. Fillet of Beef with Foie Gras, mash potatoes perfect, veggies perfect, love the demi glace sauce, my dinner partners had rack of lamb. I assumed that was done perfect!, no sound and empty plates!! Had to stop my husband from throwing bones over his shoulder!!! lol Appetizers rocked. Huge scallop which was wrapped with cured slice of salmon and a salmon cream on the side. Biggest disappointment, service. They got jammed and after dinners, no waiter, waited, waited..... decided to take dessert home. Oh well, minor irritation. Still hit the place for breakfast almost every weekend.

    (5)

  • Janice C.

    This is one of my favorite restaurants in Hawaii. It has a simple menu and is reasonably priced for the food, service, and ambiance for dinner and breakfast. I haven't eaten lunch at Tango yet, but I'm sure it's just as good as breakfast and dinner. For dinner, I always order: 1. Seared Scallop Spinach Salad - I love this salad. It's not too heavy, and has a great blend of flavors with the scallops and mushrooms and dressing. This salad is great to split between two people; it's big enough to split so you don't get too full for the main course! 2. Seafood Bouillabaise - I don't eat clams or mussels, but they are willings to accommodate your needs. The soup is super tasty along with the shrimp, fish, and potatoes. I always finish the ENTIRE dish and soak up all the soup with the bread. Yum! Their coffee is also really fresh and goes well with any dessert you order. My friend ordered the sea bass - which I had a BIG bite of - and it was sooo good. Great sauce and the fish was super moist. Overall, every time I've eaten here I've never been disappointed with the food. Good and friendly service who care about making a great dining experience!

    (5)

  • Dawn S.

    When I first pulled up to the Hokua Towers, I wondered if I was in the right place. Then I saw them, behind the large glass windows...people sitting at tables, servers bustling around. I was in the right place. :) Walking in, I was immediately taken by the industrial (or, as Becky T. puts it - "IKEA-esque") decor of the restaurant. Dark wood, cafe-like seating, and a very open, airy feel to it. Contrary to one of the older revews, my parking ticket from Hokua Towers WAS validated, I didn't pay for parking. Not sure if the parking sitch was negotiated after that review was written or not...*shrug* I ended up ordering the mushroom risotto w/grilled asparagus and shrimp....delicious. Devoured the entire plate like it was going out of style. Overall, nice atmosphere, helpful and friendly staff, easy to park...4-4.5 shakas from me. Now...I need to try this place for breakfast, based on the reviews... :)

    (4)

  • Teddy C.

    Tango has become one of my favorite places to dine at for lunch! I love the contemporary atmosphere and the lively staff, making the dining experience even more enjoyable! With my numerous experiences here, there are some great dishes and some mediocre ones. My favorite lunch dish so far is the Traditional Sandwich, which is basically a club sandwich. It is loaded with everything you desire in a club and it is 10x better than the one sold at Zippy's! Even the price is much more reasonable. Their French Onion soup is a must! Everytime I come here, I have to get the soup. One of my favorites! We also ordered the Caesar Salad with grilled shrimp. YUM! My favorite ingredient in the salad is the shrimp itself. It is mildly seasoned shrimp grilled to tenderness, a perfect combination with the Caesar salad. For lunch today, I got the Hamakua Mushroom Risotto with Asparagus and Bacon. I wasn't very please with this dish at all, I think the risotto could have been more tender. I have also tried the Seafood stew. This was something that came as a pleasant surprise! So much flavor in each bite and you must order rice with the dish! The soup is too good to be wasted without a bowl of hearty rice! =) Don't forget to try the dessert after you meal! So far I have tried the mango crumble, crepe, and kona coffee cake, all of which I'd recommend. Happy Dining to you!

    (4)

  • Jerilyn W.

    tango's pesto salmon salads are the best

    (5)

  • Anne B.

    I've been to Tango about three times- once for lunch and twice for dinner. Their food is creative and desserts are amazing but I still think the service could be a little better. The waiters didn't check on us as often as I would have liked and it seems like we were always waiting a long time for the bill. I don't know if others feel this way, but for an expensive restaurant such as Tango, I expect the service to match the price tag. I think I would only go there again just for the dessert.

    (3)

  • Shayla N.

    "Hey girls, where should we go for lunch?" "Let's do TANGO!" "Should we get a bottle of wine?" "Is that even a question?" "I love you girls because you'll drink wine before noon with me, haha!" Yes, that was a paraphrased version of a real conversation that took place this past Tuesday between me and my 2 BFFs. Don't get it twisted, we don't always tackle bottles of wine with lunch! But it was a special day, so we wanted to have a fun. Anyways, we got there right before the lunch crowd, at about 11:45. My favorite server, John, wasn't working, so the service was just okay. However, the owner Tammy came over and made us feel like VIPs, as she always does. Tip: Ask her for wine recommendations (she might have something special that's not on the menu). She brought out a special bottle of Chardonnay. We notice that Tammy always takes the time to greet guests and make everyone feel welcome. As always, our meal was delicious and fulfilling. The prices are also very reasonable for what you get (average $10-15). I almost always order the Penne Pasta with Grilled Chicken and Vegetables, but my friends ordered that. So instead I got the Confit Duck "Burger" which was A-MA-ZING! It was the first time I tried it and I'm so glad I did! I've also tried the Traditional Club sandwich, which I like because it comes with my 3 faves: bacon, turkey, and most importantly, AVOCADO! I'm not into seafood, but my friends love the Hamakua Mushroom Risotto with Asparagus and Garlic Shrimp. The cool and relaxing atmosphere makes the experience all the more enjoyable. For a classy lunch with classy friends, you can't go wrong with Tango.

    (5)

  • Fernando G.

    we were hungry and looking for something good ! we "tangoed" it. hehe my friend, who is an executive chef suggested we meet at this unpretentious culinary heaven. we did ... boy, was i impressed ! kathy s and kelli b were running a bit behind schedule. well, good for me. their forgiven tardiness gave me a chance to taste a delicious saving of potato soup . i asked the manager to please help me get rid of the evidence. again, i was hungry and the ladies were behind schedule. she so gracefully did. she even convinced me to add one of her signature "lemongrass" martinis; which i thought was an excellent idea and would help me cope with the extra minutes. hehe well, the roasted beet salad was amazing, as was the whole wheat bread that came with it. the delicately smeared aiole over the bread was rich yet not so over powering and the same time, it way delicious. my serving: the crab sandwich special ! yumm all in all, a great experience and fantastic time had by all. no dessert tho; the ladies had to run and i already had had my share of sweet. first the potato soup and then my lemongrass martini.

    (5)

  • Karina U.

    Just had lunch with co-workers and it was pretty lack luster. I wanted to like it. It had potential. But ultimately it was forgettable. Food: Ordered the mahi sandwich on nori bun w fries. Boring boring boring. The mahi was dry, the bun had a few sprinklings of nori on it and the fries were the frozen steak ones you can get from safeway. At one point I bit into my sandwich and I said "Huh. This is tastes like a filet-o-fish." Wack. Service: During lunch rush we were still able to score a table in 5 mins and our server was very attentive and friendly. Bang-a-rang: shrug. nothing really bangin' about it. At the very least it was a clean restaurant with pleasant decor. Heads-up: Parking can be nuts and they don't do reservations. Verdict: I might give it another shot for breakfast but I was unimpressed for the most part.

    (2)

  • Leah R.

    I'm so disappointed. I really wanted to like this place. It looks like a nice place and that there was some thought put into the menu and presentation. But the quality of the food was a huge let down during my lunch here. The risotto wasn't cooked right. It was still very tough and under cooked. And the tomato and avocado in the club sandwich were overly soft, mealy and brown. Gross. It makes me question the freshness of their ingredients if something so visibly bad was allowed to come out. What else is back there? Worst of all, the head chef was in the kitchen while food of this poor quality was going out. I was staring straight at him from my seat at the bar. It seems like no one was looking at the plates or tasting the food as it left the kitchen.

    (1)

  • Thi L.

    Came here on a Wednesday night for dinner with a friend. I had been before for lunch and always liked it. I was initially turned off a bit because when we first walked in, the waiter rushed over and just asked 'do you have a reservation?' personally, i like a 'hi' at the very least. I can understand if the restaurant was swamped and there were people waiting to be seated, but that wasn't the case. Anyway, I'm trying to be more forgiving these days so I didn't hold a grudge. We both ordered the duck with foie gras sauce and polenta. When our food came, I started eagerly eating. It was very tasty...but I kept on looking for the polenta. They had subbed it with mashed potatoes. I think that's something our waiter should have known/told us when we ordered it...but maybe the kitchen didn't tell him. Whatever the case, I was slightly disappointed to not have any. Dessert was creme brulee and friend had the crepes. He wasn't very excited about them and I had to agree that they were kind of boring and bland, despite the colorful looking berry filling. The vanilla ice cream helped it a bit, but not much. My creme brulee was alright. I would come back again if I was in the area - nice ambiance and the wait staff redeemed themselves with attentive service.

    (3)

  • Michelle O.

    One of my volunteer groups hosts our wkly meetings here given the convenient parking and the ample seating. The ambiance is definitely cafe with the contemporary jazz tracks heard overhead but yet it serves full meals like a normal restaurant. They have a variety of dishes from Shepard's Pie to Eggplant Parmesan, and a lot of salads and sandwiches. If you still have room for dessert, there are puddings/cakes/cookies, etc in the refrigerated & regular cases.

    (4)

  • Justin W.

    we went here after reading about it in Honolulu magazine. We went here for breakfast and the presentation was outstanding, however our crepes were really burnt and we had to send them back. When they brought the new ones out they were less burnt but never the less still burnt. They never did come by to refill my coffee which made me wonder if they gave free refills on coffee. I had ordered a loco moco with a roast on top which was really bland. The tables are really crammed, the decor is very modern though, but it couldn't overcome the rest of the experience. Will probably not be back, Sorry Tango but first impressions are everything!

    (2)

  • Jonathan I.

    After wanting to try this place out for a long time, I finally had the pleasure of eating dinner at Tango....maybe I should have gone for breakfast or lunch instead.... All the reviews I have read rave about the Loco Moco, or the varieties of Benedict...so off of a pure assumption, I though that dinner would be excellent as well. I can't quite remember what movie it originates from, but the saying goes, "Assumption is the mother of all F&@*-ups"....and how true that was in this case. I mean the food wasn't THAT bad really, but I guess I was hoping for so much more. The staff there were absolutely wonderful and friendly as well....I think I set myself up for disappointment on this one the more I think about it. Maybe I will try to get over there for breakfast or lunch soon and revise my thinking a bit.....hopefully. I had the braised beef, a semi-cold beer and a bowl of Lobster bisque. The beef was tender and tasty, but the flavor was a bit odd. The beer, well should have been a lot colder, period. The soup and bread were the highlights to me actually. The bisque was creamy and flavorful, and the bread was warm and soft. *sigh*

    (3)

  • Guy H.

    As strange as it sounds, my first experience here has been take-out. So I can only comment on the food, and the service at ordering and pickup. This past Thursday night my mom and I decided to try something different for dinner. Thursdays are take-out night, and we have no compunction with ordering out from a traditional sit in style resturant. If anything, this is more of a test of the food and chef's competence. We ordered 4 items: Portobello Mushroom & Crab Hash Napoleon with Spinach - The Roasted Garlic Cream, Red Wine Reduction really made this app. The spinich was cooked well but not chewey, even after the travel time. Hamakua Mushroom Risotto with Garlic Shrimp - The risotto was cooked well, again considering it was not just going from kitchen to table; the risotto was niether mushy nor chewey. The real suprise was the shrimp. Cooked just right so that by the time it got home it was still soft, tender, and juicy. Grilled Tenderloin of beef with Green Peppercorn Sauce - We were of differing opinions on this one, mainly the sauce. I liked it, she didn't. The sauce managed to taste like peppercorn while having a slight sweetness to it. I ordered the tenderloin medium rare and it was perfect when I got it home. The potatoes were cooked to perfection. Could have used a little more veggies in this one though. Blueberry Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce - Very good. You could actually see the vanilla floating in the sauce. Sweet with a tart contrast of the berries. Probably would have been better hot out of the kitchen. Ordering over the phone was easy, didn't have to repeat anything or worry that the person on the other end didn't hear the order correctly. It took about 15 minutes to prepare everything, when I got there they were packaging it all up. They even provided bread and butter and staged the dishes as best as possible in the take out containers. I will definately go back. Price is sightly high, for a regular eat out, but the food in my opinion was worth it.

    (4)

  • Tiffany B.

    I was pleasantly surprised when I walked in. cute atmosphere and the food was good, tasty, and right on point. Nice place to have a breakfast meeting.

    (5)

  • Jesse W.

    Twice here in the past week. First was for lunch, we arrived shortly after 1pm which meant the place was winding down - good thing we made a reservation, I think we would have been out of luck otherwise. Parking is available in Hokuo, easier to walk straight out of the vehicle garage entrance (vs out main pedestrian entrance which takes you to other side). I ordered the butter lettuce and radicchio salad, nicely proportioned and served with dressing on the side. Would definitely order it again for lunch- Second visit was during a weekday for dinner. Restaurant wasn't as crowded as during lunch hour, I ordered the hamakua infused risotto with grilled shrimp - very well made and cooked perfectly. Our friend ordered the grilled pork chop, it looked good but the same dish served at Pineapple Room seems more tasty (pork chop thicker there). Anyways, yummy and we'll be back-

    (4)

  • Alyssa K.

    Fiance and I go here 1-2 times a month on the weekends for breakfast. It's very gourmet at non gourmet prices! You really can't beat that. Most dishes are under $10. They have some swedish breakfast specialty items too. must try.

    (5)

  • kristine f.

    I have been here a handful of times for both lunch and dinner. Tango Contemporary Café is a great place for a quaint lunch with your gal pals or a date night with your other half. I love it. The décor of the restaurant is upbeat but yet calming at the same time. I love that the restaurant doesn't get too loud and allows diners to enjoy a nice conversation with their guests. I enjoyed a bowl of their Sweet Caramalized Onion Soup which is basically their version of French Onion Soup. I was honestly full after my bowl of soup. The first time I tried Tango I ordered Hamakua Mushroom Risotto with Garlic Shrimp. It was quite filling but so delish! The risotto was cooked to perfection. During that same experience, I was able to sample my friend's order of Mustard Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb which was also very yummy. The second time we tried this place was for a friend of mine's birthday, which I ordered Grilled Grass Fed Tenderloin of beef. The beef was very moist and tender. It was a great choice. The Crème Brulee was also to my liking. The Blueberry Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce was also quite tasty, and keep in mind I am not a Bread Pudding fan. Prices are a little on the higher end for a Café. But if you're in the mood for a chill night out with the girl's consider Tango. Keep in mind, this won't be a cheap eats!

    (4)

  • Jeremy D.

    What to say? Good food, good service, and great coffee! Oh, convenient parking too! Typically come here for breakfast or lunch. There are so many good dishes on both menus. Choosing what to order is usually the worst part of my visit! Prices are good too and at ~$10 it's hard to go wrong. The dinner menu is little higher, but the portions are probably bigger. My favorites... Breakfast: Any of the benedicts (try 1/2 & 1/2!) The platter/Swedish pancakes (light and tasty) Lunch: Mushroom Risotto Salmon salad Blue cheese suffed burger (bun on request) Enjoy!

    (4)

  • Mizuho M.

    Came here for lunch and dinner. For lunch I had the Salmon Gravalax, with french fries. It was a slice of bread with sliced hard-boiled egg, smoked salmon, and cheese, I think, with veggies. It was good! I would get that again. And for dessert I had the crepes with warm berry compote, which was suuuper delicious :) For dinner, I had the chicken pasta? I forget exactly what the name was, but there's only one dish of chicken pasta. It was pretty good. My boyfriend had the hamakua mushroom risotto. That was yummy. However, the portions are small (my bf scarfed up the risotto in like five minutes). So if you like big portions, this isn't really the place to go for dinner anyway. Lunch portions are ample, though. Service was good. I spilled marinara sauce on my white top, and whilst I was frantically blotting it with my napkin, the waiter noticed and brought me some club soda :) Thank you! The place is tiny, so it gets crowded really fast. Make reservations or go early! It was packed for lunch and dinner.

    (4)

  • Cecilia D.

    What can I say? I *heart* Chef Göran! Love the ambiance, the friendly service, and most of all the food and wine. My faves are the hamakua mushroom & garlic shrimp risotto and lobster & goat cheese ravioli. Feel free to serve me up some seared scallops and rack of lamb too... I have only had the pleasure of doing lunch/dinner at Tango. And as a dessert gal, I must say that Chef makes THE best bread pudding with vanilla sauce. Hands down. Next up, breakfast...hopefully soon. I want to also give a shout out to Tami, Chef's business partner and who runs the dining room. She always greets us with a smile and a big hug! Truly one of my favorite restaurants in town.

    (5)

  • Alex G.

    Nice little brunch spot on a Sunday. I got the crab hash benedict with potatoes. it was delicious. the service was attentive and the ambiance is simple yet modern. the coffee was good and they do give free refills so that's a major plus. i can't wait to go back and try other things!

    (4)

  • Dawn G.

    Came here for breakfast for the second time. The fried rice was nothing special and a little to dry for my taste. My daughter liked her crab hash benedict and preferred it over the loco moco benedict that she had the previous time we were here. They use a lot of asian five spice on the beef so if you like that flavor then I guess it's fine but it overwhelms the rest of the food . The food here is nothing special but it's okay. If you go for breakfast, get there when they open, 8am, so you don't have to wait to be seated. It''s rather small and fills up quickly since there aren't many places open for breakfast early on a Sunday. One thing that I absolutely love is their coffee. It's the best that I've had so far on my mission to find my favorite place for breakfast.

    (3)

  • Shelby K.

    Tango Contemporary Cafe is located in Ward next to P.F. Chang. Went there for a birthday dinner and the atmosphere was pretty and romantic. They have beautiful paintings on their wall as well as cute lighting all around the restaurant. The food is rather on the pricer side, so if you don't mind spending about $11 for 3 pieces of scallop than this is the place to go. The food is good, assuming that your also paying for the look your food. Plates of food come out in a fancy plate setting and the service there is nice. I ordered the Scallop Spinach, which had 3 pieces of scallop and some cooked spinach on the bottom. I also ordered the Mushroom Risotto which had shrimp in it as well. The plate looks small, but it's rather filling. Overall, this restaurant was yummy and definitely a place to go for a nice meal.

    (4)

  • Cerise M.

    Awesome place! My boyfriend and I went there after a co-worker recommended it and have went back atleast three times within the last few months. Dinner is awesome and we cant wait to try breakfast and lunch!! Porkchop is great. My boyfriend loves the mahi mahi. And the cinnamon ice cream that comes with the strawberry mango crumble is TO DIE FOR. Their coffee and espresso machine is great! Got me a mocha iced coffee to go with dessert. On top of the food the atmosphere and decor is so contemporary and just our cup of tea!

    (5)

  • Roger S.

    I had the tasting menu which consisted of the gravlax, risotto, braised beef, and a dessert sample platter. The fried onions on the beef was stale/soggy. The tasting menu was a good value at $36. However, the entrees were on the pricey side. If the food was prepared well, I wouldn't mind paying the price, but they weren't...There were also relatively few diners and the ambiance was lacking. Why did some people have candles lit on their table, but not mine...

    (3)

  • Scott H.

    Breakfast is great here. I had eaten dinner and heard that their breakfast was just as good. high makamaka dining this is... I had the locomoco Benedict: two rounds of their fried rice, each topped with braised steak, then a poached egg each and covered in hollandaise. So good. Their fried rice is not your Patty's Chinese Kitchen variety. Still very good, with sometimes larger chunks of carrot. Plenty of flavor and enough meat in the fried rice. The braised steak is great...tender and flavorful...topped with a soft cooked (yolk still runny!) poached egg and covered in a tasty hollandaise sauce. Perfect. My mother got the Portuguese sausage and fried rice. A HUGE bowl of fried rice and a few slices of some kind of portuguese sausage that I've never had before, mild with a great gamey flavor. The bowl is HUGE and she shared with me. Tango's breakfast definitely on par with the quality of their dinners...

    (5)

  • Kalae P.

    "Tango". "Ahh, Tango". First of all, the food is DELICIOUS. Secondly, the staff & service is OFF THE CHART AWESOME. Finally, the atmosphere & swagga (style) of this place is SWEEET! Yes, I once worked here at Tango and believe me I enjoyed every minute of it. The job was a bit challenging (knowing that there are tons of people that rush in when we're about to close), but the staff I worked with as well as the food served was amazing! In a customers point of view, my all time favorite is the Risotto with Hamakua Shrimp & Asparagus (winner baby)! Dessert, well all of the selections, but especially the bread pudding (ahhh yumm). Pretty much every single thing on the menu is a must have and coming back to this restaurant is a no brainer once you've tried a couple of things off the menu. The final plus for Tango CC, which I've already stated but NEED to say again, is that the service is great! Walk in with a smile and warm personality, and they will give you exceptional, superb service. Writing this actually reminds me, I have to go back to drop in and say 'hi' and enjoy some good food :)

    (5)

  • Philip H.

    We frequent Tango because of their outstanding food, and affordable prices! Also, one of the best mushroom risottos in town! Tango is a cute little cafe with a modern vibe. Family owned and operated, it stays true to values such as good food, quality ingredients, and friendly service. My personal favorite is the Hamakua mushroom risotto. It is so delicious and never lets me down! They also have amazing breakfast. Eggs benedict is bomb! Give it a try! Im sure you will enjoy it!

    (5)

  • papaya s.

    Nice atmosphere, tasty and somewhat unique dining selections, and reasonable prices. Solid bet, overall! We arrived at 1 pm for lunch on a Sunday and waited about 15 minutes for a table. I ordered the open-faced lox sandwich, served with a green side salad -- you may also select fries (~$9.75). The lox were pretty pink and fresh, and the creamy cheese, greens, tomatoes and hard boiled eggs that accompanied them were added treats. I also ordered the berry crepes, served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, for dessert (~$5.75). Those were light and delish, and a nice way to complete the meal. I was well-fed and definitely felt I received a good value for my money. My one complaint would be the rushed service. Our server was constantly in motion and a bit pushy in wanting to take our order and clear our plates. She wasn't rude, but it did take away from a completely relaxing dining experience. It's hard to find restaurants serving quality products, with fresh ingredients, at reasonable prices here in Honolulu... Tango is one such option. Try it!

    (4)

  • bryan d.

    I live upstairs so it is very convenient. When the food is done right its great! However service is very very very very inconsistent and so is the food quality. Every time I walk in its a roll of the dice. Nice breakfast selection and they open earlier on weekdays 7:30 I believe which is nice. Dinner has about 6 choices, I usually get the braised beef or the chicken pasta. You should try it once for a new experience it has lots of potential hopefully it gets better.

    (3)

  • Robert D.

    Echoing Theresa, I LOVE THIS PLACE! Great ambiance, location, food, etc. The Onion Soup alone is worth a visit. 5+ stars from us.

    (5)

  • K.J. N.

    Husband took me to Tango for the prix fixe menu on my birthday and so glad he did! The ambiance is light and bright and is enough to lift you out of the birthday blues. You must order by 1730 hrs and the choices were quite impressive. I went with the chowder instead of salad. The chowder was perfectly seasoned and not over-salted. I also ordered the Hamakua Mushroom Risotto with Shrimp and Asparagus and the blueberry bread pudding. The complimentary glass of Omrah chardonnay was delicious, but you can choose champagne or prosecco too. Complimentary bread comes hot straight from the oven. I must mention that my husband's Strawberry Mango Crumble with Cinammon Ice Cream was even better than mine and the best dessert I've eaten in a while, so much so that I greedily ate it, albeit my allergy to strawberries! Service was prompt, friendly, and doting. I'm definitely returning. After dinner, we walked straight to TJ Maxx to shop and saw the couple dining next to us. We waved at each other, and they looked happy and satisfied too--great way to end the evening!

    (4)

  • Caitlin T.

    So today we went back for lunch since the dinner menu is overpriced, in my opinion. We shared a French Onion Soup to start. Fantastic! Onion soups, if not done right, can be very salty. This definitely was done right. A good amount of gooey, stringy cheese on top of a crouton the size of the bowl. A good start to a nice lunch. For our entrees we both ordered the Risotto, mine with the garlic shrimp and his with chicken. The risotto was good, but I have definitely had better. Good texture, creamy with melted cheese on top. Shrimp didn't necessarily seem very garlicky, just tasted like plain old shrimp. His chicken was dry. We decided to take advantage of the desert menu and order a Blueberry Bread Pudding to go. We had it for desert after dinner tonight. It was good, but I have had better. So 1 Onion Soup, 2 Risottos, 1 Bread Pudding and a Coke came out to be $46 plus tip. Kind of steep for lunch, but we did walk away with a desert to go and quite a bit of risotto leftover. So, in conclusion, it seems Tango can be hit or miss. Some things are great and others not so great.

    (3)

  • Min K.

    I love Tango. Despite the fact that the ceiling is the most gnarliest thing I have seen at a restaurant, the food has turned me into a believer. The bouillabaisse, Hamakua mushroom risotto, French onion soup, scallops, affogato, all to eat and die for. The bouillabaisse was a bit salty for my taste, but for some people it may be their cup of tea. My friend enjoys it with rice and it seems like it compliments well as an accompaniment. The mushroom risotto; perfect. I can't say anything else. I was on cloud nine. :) The french onion soup was good; flavorful and definitely with a meaty flavor. I'd highly recommend this restaurant. PS: The wine are not chilled enough. The wine we drank, lukewarm.

    (5)

  • Jesse B.

    I love this place, one of my favorites! Service and ambiance are always impeccable! Every time I'm in the area, whether I dine-in or take-out, I always get the Duck Leg Confit w/ crispy risotto cake and vegetables! I've tried the Duck confit sandwich, but the entree is much better! If you like duck, this is a must try; the duck meat is fall-off-the-bone tender and the risotto cake has a nice light crispy outside! This is a dish I'm ALWAYS craving!!! The last time I ate there, we also tried the Grilled Mahi Mahi Sandwich on Nori Bun, which I also loved! The mahi mahi was very soft and moist! The nori bun definitely complimented the mahi mahi. Pricing for lunch is very reasonable; dinner can be a bit expensive.

    (5)

  • Jenny C.

    I went to Tango for the first time over the weekend. I wouldn't say their menu is extensive, but I think a typical customer can probably find something they like. I ordered their lamb while my friend ordered the pork chop. We skipped out on an appetizer this time because we wanted to try dessert. Well, this is the first time I've seen the restaurant so full! We were seated at the bar since we had no reservations, our orders were taken and the wait for food was a LONG time. I guess I can understand it since there were so many people there and it's not a huge kitchen. The lamb was pretty good, I wasn't wowed but not disappointed either...and they cooked it the way I wanted it! My friend said his pork chop was a bit dry so I'm not sure if he would order it again. The Kona Ice Cream cake dessert was delicious! We also tried a signature blueberry bread pudding? Not a winner, the pudding was much too bready and just felt like wet bread...the texture was all wrong. All in all, I wouldn't mind trying this place again for other dishes.

    (3)

  • Alex O.

    Service, taste, presentation, I was completely beguiled by the appeal of this phenomenal cafe! Don't forget to get the Kona Coffee Ice Cream Cake before ta

    (4)

  • R L.

    One of my few favorite places to go for breakfast. Very reasonable price for quality food. The smoked salmon eggs benedict was very superb! If you like coffee you have to at least try their Americano. The fresh bold taste of coffee the Americano is how all coffee should taste like. I highly recommend you try this place for breakfast and don't forget to bring a partner...takes two to tango.

    (5)

  • Trish P.

    had this been a year ago, i would have given them only 2 stars. the FIRST time i went here for dinner, the service was bad, the food under-portioned and over-priced. this would be my second time visiting for lunch. this time around, it was much, much better. the waiter was knowledgeable, helpful, and quick. for lunch i had the hamakua mushroom risotto with aspargus and grilled chicken. the risotto was done perfect, the chicken was nicely grilled without being burnt, and still remained moist. for dessert, the crepes with berry compote and vanilla bean ice cream. the berry compote could have been sweeter, but the crepe was very good and the ice cream good too. although i was originally dreading going here, based on my past encounter, i'm glad i re-visited. maybe i'll try again for dinner and see if the dinner menu got any better - b/c last time, it sucked so bad, i wanted to ask for a refund.

    (4)

  • Karen H.

    A couple of months ago, my b.f. wanted to go to Sunday brunch - he likes the brunch at the Prince hotel but the last two times we've gone, I haven't been as pleased with the food. So, I researched Yelp to find somewhere to have breakfast and Tango Cafe popped up. The reviews were good so I persuaded my b.f. to try it. I had the gravlax benedict and I think my b.f. had the loco moco benedict. I loved mine but I don't think my b.f. was as happy with his breakfast. However, we both enjoyed the coffee and I definitely wanted to come back again. So we went back a couple of times for breakfast. We've found that ordering the gravlax benedict and the Swedish pancakes and then sharing works the best for us. I told my son and daughter-in-law about Tango and they went to have dinner there twice. They tried the bouillabaise, duck confit, ravioli and lamb enrees as well as the escargot appetizer. My son recommended we have dinner there and said we should try the escargot, ravioli and/or lamb. We decided to have dinner there last night. We didn't make reservations and fortunately there were tables open when we arrived. We were seated immediately but service was slow. We had the escargot as an appetizer and when it finally arrived, we both enjoyed it. Then another wait for my b.f.'s salad to be served (he ordered the complete dinner) After he finished his salad, another wait for my risotto and shrimp and his seabass! My risotto was undercooked and too salty so it overwhelmed everything else. On the other hand, my b.f. was underwhelmed by his seabass. So after both plates were cleared away, we waited again for our server to check with us about dessert. We decided to have decaf coffee and I ordered the creme brulee. My b.f. said his lychee sorbet was very refreshing and finished off the meal wonderfully. The creme brulee was good and so was the coffee. By the time the bill arrived, my b.f. realized it was almost 9 p.m. (we got there about 7:30 and were supposed to go to Ala Moana Center after dinner!). So I think we'll do better by sticking with breakfasts there.

    (3)

  • Kathy F.

    Ate here for Mother's Day for the first time. The menu for the day had less selection from their normal menu. Despite the typo on the menu and the increased prices from that on their website, the food was nothing really special. Our table ordered the corned beef hash, french toast, eggs benedict, and creme brûlée for dessert. The portions were small for the big prices...almost like ordering room service in a hotel! The creme brûlée would have been good if the top hadn't been so thick. I did enjoy the coffee and the Danishes. Don't think I'll be making any special trips there soon. I think increasing prices because it's Mother 's Day is wrong! Either that or your website needs updating.

    (2)

  • Allie L.

    Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. And Tango really hits the spot. In addition to having the most amazing coffee on the island, they have some really awesome things on their breakfast menu. My whole family's favorite is the cold mueseli. Sounds strange, but really delicious. And a MUST HAVE is the loco moco eggs benedict. It really isn't what you think it is. Get there early, they stop breakfast service at 10:30.

    (5)

  • Tammy T.

    I went with a friend of mine for lunch. She had been there once before with another one of her friends. The space was very clean, open, and the large windows made it seem very pleasant with all the natural light coming in. I felt like I should be drinking tea, wearing a big hat, laughing about taking about girly stuff. We got (pictures): Open faced gravlax sandwich on finnish rye - 8.50 Herb crusted chicken breast on fettuccine - 14.50 Crepes w/ warm berry compote and vanilla bean ice cream - 5.50 Oh and I get my coffee cold, but the only option was it hot, and a cup of ice on the side. If she was here she'd tell you all "don't get the bread pudding it's horrible". It was the first thing she said to me when we entered. ha ha. The presentation was nice, the tattooed waiter guy was absolutely wonderful and was totally patient with my indecisive-picky-self. Definitely not a place I would see myself going all the time, its more of those "Hey Jane, let's get together for lunch and catch up on old times?" type of place. Original visit: 6/18/08

    (3)

  • L W.

    Thoroughly unimpressed are the two words I would use to describe my dining experience at Tango. THE FOOD: Pricey and misleading. Duck Confit Burger: The few, messy shreds of duck in between the bun were extremely dry and tasteless. The mayo on the bun certainly did not match the dishes French origins. The bun was nice and warm, however, is something one can buy from the supermarket. The accompanying fries were thick cut (which I do NOT mind) but were extremely starchy and flavorless. I had to request salt, pepper, and ketchup to give everything flavor. Open-Faced Gravlox Sandwich: The salmon gravlox which was patterened between lettuce, tomato, and slices of hard boiled egg, had no smokey flavor whatsoever and in fact, tasted like salmon sashimi. The "cheese spread" which was spread across the dry, cardboard-like pieces of rye bread, tasted more like mayonaise than anything else. The vinaigrette that was drizzled over the entire dish overpowered the blandness of the sandwich to the point where I had to wipe off some of the dressing so I could taste the bland salmon -_- Fruit Crepes: No flavor again! Three mini crepes were overcooked (burnt) and filled with a typical mixed fruit compote. Accompanied with half melted vanilla ice cream. Lychee Sorbet: The sorbet was icy, chunky, and half melted. Although the lychee flavor was present, the consistency and sloppy presentation took away from the flavor. SERVICE: Slow, rude, and unattentive. Our waitress slammed plates down on our table, rushed our ordering, and gave us attitude when we asked questions about the menu. The funny thing is, the restaurant was not even close to being full. AMBIANCE: Nicely lit by the natural sunlight. However, the clumpy, unfinished, and cancerous-looking ceiling may cause one to lose their appetite. OVERALL: Not worth it. Opt for the many other Ward eateries.

    (2)

  • Susan A.

    We come here time and again...the breads on their sandwiches are fresh, distinctively flavored to pair with the sandwich's main attraction. The sandwiches themselves are tasty, the prices reasonable and the staff excellent. It's the perfect, light but satisfying lunch break I like to take with the girls. I'm a Marimekko fan, so their clean-lined decor is another plus!

    (3)

  • First Name L.

    We barely made it to breakfast but the waiter was nice enough to let us come in and eat. I don't get those stupid fucking policies anyway. You're a restaurant, serve us food. Does it matter if it's Breakfast or Lunch? Geez. Most of the food ordered was presented very nicely. My daughter really liked her Eggs Benedict, my wife liked her standard meat and eggs, and I almost wanted to return my corned beef. When you go to a nice place to eat, you expect a certain level of quality. These guys were serving Denny's quality corned beef. This shit was out of a fucking can. That's just not cool. Bogart's serves excellent corned beef. Tango, what a joke. TOTAL JOKE.

    (2)

  • Amber W.

    Ate lunch here last week and it was surprisingly good. I had a super fresh beet salad with goat cheese and not too expensive. Wide variety on the menu. I'd like to go back for dinner. With a lunch like that, I bet they have a good dinner. It's like looking at the size of a man's hands and thinking, well, you know.

    (4)

  • Tania P.

    I've been here three times, twice for breakfast. The crab hash benedict and the loco moco benedict are both great AND priced around ten bucks!!! The smoked salmon benedict is nothing special... What's great about ordering the benedict is that you can do two half orders...so your taste buds can enjoy two types! On top of that the service AND THE COFFEE are great!

    (4)

  • Romella J.

    Overall, worth the price.

    (3)

  • Meep M.

    Tango is a small (and I do mean small) fusion Contemporary Restaurant . Went here for lunch and my first thought was, "Hey, pretty nice". The layout is simple and clean, but those Chinese cat statues gotta go. Looking at the Lunch menu, I kinda wish they offered a better selection of appetizers for lunch or if people could at least order from the dinner menu. I understand it's lunch and most people dont like to stuff their faces mid day, but Im not most people. After looking through the menu my bf and I ordered the Onion Soup, the Soup of the Day (Clam Chowder), Duck Confit, and Mushroom Risotto (I am a huge risotto fan). -The Onion Soup to me didnt have enough onions in it, but lovely. -The Clam Chowder was on the watery side and very under-seasoned. -I loved the Duck Confit. Nothing more to say about that, but order it. -The Mushroom Risotto was...eh nothing special. In general, all our dishes were very under-seasoned, which I thought was just my taste-buds (I like more salt than the average person), but my bf also thought it was extremely under-seasoned. At least it easier to add salt than minus. The one thing that really bugged me about this restaurant was the not so good wine list, no cocktails, AND THE UGLY CEILING! I advise you right now...do not look up. Usually i would give 3 stars, but after re-seasoning our dishes, they were all acceptable and yummy, but it's the Duck Confit that made my meal. I definitely wanna go back to try the dinner menu.

    (4)

  • Phung C.

    I've been hearing a lot about his place but never went there. Finally during lunch one day, a coworker and I was going out for lunch and she suggested we go there. Great, I finally get to try it out. It's located one the ground level of the Hokua condominium near PF Chang. Parking is validated. We got seated fairly fast and had enough time to study their menu. The prices were very reasonalbe. I was going to order one of their sandwiches but then saw the entrees and that made me change my mind completely. I ordered the Duck Confit with Thyme Jus and my girlfriend ordered the Grilled Portobello Mushroom "Burger". The Duck Confit came with two small duck legs was served with a Risotto Cake and vegetables. I really enjoyed the risotto as it was a bit crispy on the outside and perfect on the inside. It went well with the Thyme Jus. I would definately come back to try other items on the menu.

    (4)

  • Meg T.

    My family loves this restaurant. We know one of the servers there, who worked at On-jin's before it closed and all the servers are really awesome and are really attentive as well. The hamakua mushroom risotto is amazing, and it also comes with garlic shrimp. We also get the salmon gravlox with the crispy salmon skin and macaroni salad. The bouillabaisse is also excellent and the lamb is also excellent. Even after being away for a bit, Tango is just as good as I remember. Parking is validated and I absolutely love the coziness of the restaurant.

    (5)

  • Glenn N.

    One great thing about going to dinner with a bunch of women is that they always end up giving me half their appetizer, entree and dessert. Don't know why but that was the case at this fine place and I was stuffed but at least I had a taste of many, many of Tango's specialties. The following is what I had a taste of - For starters I had 2 Sweet Carmelized Onion Soup. This was sooooo good I was lucky to of the girls gave me their full cups. Wow! I ordered the Vine Ripened Tomato and Sweet Onion Salad. Best salad I have ever eaten. I will order this salad again upon on my return visit. Entrees - I had the Mustard Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb with Thyme Demi Glace. It was good but nothing special. Mashed potatos was cold. Wasn't sure if that was the intent. Thus 4 star instead of 5. Next was the sampler from the 4 women who ordered the Asian Style Five Spice Braised Beef with Chili Fried Onion Rings, Lobster and Goat Cheese Ravioli with Fresh Basil, Pesto and Asparagus and finally the Sauteed SeaBass with tomato Fennel Coulis. My stomach was about to explode! I just can't turn down food! Finally, dessert - Blueberry Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce and Kona Coffee, Vanilla and Italian Chocolate ice Cream with Chiffon Cake. I don't know what's worse - being stuffed or having vertigo,..........

    (4)

  • Michelle N.

    The price isn't so bad, but the food is GREAT! They give a pretty big amount of food and my food came out fast. I've only gone for lunch.. can't wait to try what they have for dinner.

    (4)

  • Justin Y.

    Got to go to Tango twice this past week, once with business partners & once with family & both times were great! Ah I love being able to give great reviews...so here we go. Food - The food was very good. Very very tasty! Had the Hamakua Mushroom risotto & the Asian five spice braised beef, both great. The desserts were really good as well...we pretty much ordered 1 of almost everything and let everyone pick at them. The bread pudding & brownie are highly detrimental to my well-being, as I could probably eat them until i'm sick. Good thing the portion sizes are thought out! (Yay, a restaurant that doesn't serve "hawaii" sized portions...ugh I don't need or want 2 meals worth of food in one sitting.) Service - Both times the waiters & hostess were very nice & helpful...the 2nd time around things were a little slow, but not due to the wait staff. I enjoy the bread there, so I didn't mind the wait at all. Etc - Lots of free parking in the structure, ambiance is nice in there, although since it's a small place it could get a little loud if a rowdy party is in there...haven't seen that happen though. I'd definitely go back for dinner again, in fact I guarantee I will since I really want to try that lamb!

    (5)

  • Gee Gee M.

    Took a friend there to Tango since he never ate there and as usual, everything was great - we had the Mahi Sand and the Shrimp Risotto - started with the soup of the day which was great - a Turkey Gumbo or something like that - and we also decided to have desserts - Ice Cream with Expresso and the Mango Cobbler - the Cobbler is so good - I try to eat at Tango every chance I get and it is usually the Mahi Sand or the Cobb Salad and once in a while the Duck with the Risotto Cake or Shrimp Risotto - lots to choose from and when you feel like it - go for a dessert too!

    (5)

  • Love S.

    Thank you for dinner last night, Kainoa. That bottle of 2480 Cab was to die. Ok, I'm exaggerating but it was very good. Apps: Foie gras was good but I've had better. Sushi was ok. Starter: French onion was very flavorful, really good Main: Duck was delicious but a very small portion. The duck at Roy's is better and a much larger portion as an appetizer. But it still was fantastic. I tried a bite of the risotto and I have to agree with Nick Y. I like Tango, prices are reasonable, nice ambiance and we had a very cute waiter with dimples. OOH LA LA.

    (4)

  • Tina T.

    this is my local hangout place. The food is consistently good, I love their salads and the onion soup (very comforting on a cold night) the grass-fed tenderloin is great. And I've always enjoyed their salmon. Price is reasonable for the quality of the food and the service is superb. They also have a good choice of wines that are not all that common in other restaurants in the city.

    (4)

  • Natasha G.

    my parents took me there for lunch yesterday. they have told me that their breakfasts are fantastic. we were too late for breakfast so we had the lunch and i thought it was delicious! the place is very enjoyable to share a meal. the male server was awesome very attentive even though he was very busy. my dad and i had the special which was the beef stroganoff. fat thick egg noodles with huge mushrooms and tender steak. mmmm can't wait to try their breakfasts!

    (5)

  • R C.

    My friend and I had a dinner here a few days ago. Tango is supposed to be European/Asian fusion. The head chef is Swedish (He should smile a little bit more) Well, the thing about European food is that for most part it's simple and very bland so the Asian fusion is supposed to add the zing to it. At Tango -something is missing, like that tanggggy tango to the meal. We started off with the Sweet Caramelized Onion Soup (with melted gruyere and parmesan cheese). The "French" inspired soup was a little salty, with a piece or blob of cheese dropped in the middle of a big bowl, kind of non French like. No other appetizers was needed; the bread was warm and good with butter. We shared two entrees- Sautéed Moi with Tomato Fennel Coulis and Hamakua Mushroom Risotto with Garlic Shrimp.What I know of Moi is that that crispy skin is the best part. Sadly, the fennel coulis didn't do the entree any justice. Moi taste better with something a little tangy-not creamy or bland! The crispy skins needed a sauce that allowed it to shine and melt in my mouth! Something was missing, the taste was too bland. If it's ASIAN fusion , the chef should use some miracle sauce to save this dish, afterall, Moi is a local favorite. A tiny squirt of lemon or a light drizzle of shoyu could be just the right accent for the crispy skin. The Risotto dish had a good amount of mushroom but that "garlic" flavor was hard to taste. 5 pieces of succulent shrimp and a few pieces of asparagus, not bad for the price. I love Risotto! but this one barely had any taste to it, I mean--- it was like eating unsalted butter!!! Service was o.k. It wasn't extraordinary , although, two male servers were frequently checking on our table... maybe because we were single females or they were doing their job. I am not too sure. Oh another thing that was annoying: We didn't have a reservation so we lingered around for 15 mins watching over other diners. It's kind of weird and uncomfortable to stand infront of people while they enjoy their meal. Very uncomfortable especially in a small restaurant. The restaurant should add a few chairs outside for guest to wait. The service was ok, the wait was a little weird, but the food needed some zing to it! I will eat here again, maybe not the Moi.

    (2)

  • Crystal B.

    I worked at P.F. Chang's next to Tango for quite some time before I gave in to my curiosity and ventured in. I planned on just getting an appetizer and glass of wine after work, and sat at the "bar" toward the back of the restaurant. It's a slightly awkward place to sit, because there is a partition which let's you see only the heads if those in the kitchen.... I'd like to see either no kitchen or full exhibition kitchen, the in between was a little strange. No big deal though. The service was attentive and the duck confit tart was wonderful. The contrast in flavors between the chevre and the mango (i think it was mango... it was a while ago) was wonderful. The food is thoughtful and technically solid. When they found out I was industry they refilled my wine on the house and brought me a complimentary dessert. Unexpected and very thoughtful. Overall a very enjoyable experience. My only criticism would be that I would like to see some elevation in small details, like nicer wine glasses. Not big issues, just small things that would put the experience over the top. Definitely recommend trying it out.

    (4)

  • Cathy S.

    LOVED the crab benedict! Get it with sliced tomato and spinach...so yummy I came back 3 times during my 5 day trip to have this :)

    (4)

  • Sonya K.

    I'm surprised on how the service was utterly disappointing. As my boyfriend and I walked in, nobody greeted us and nobody told us where to sit. We basically sat ourselves down and had to grab a server's attention to get the menus. The menu seemed interesting and I was excited to try something new around my neighborhood. My boyfriend ordered pork cutlet and I had the triple deck sandwich. Before ordering our food, I briefly asked the server if there was any sauce in the sandwich because I am allergic to egg. He replied, "No." When the food came out, the first thing my boyfriend and I spotted on the plate was a strand of white hair. We ignored it. When I took that first bite out of my sandwich, I found mayonnaise. I asked the server again if that was mayonnaise and he said, "yes." I told him to make me a new one and he came back out with my sandwich and said that I had to pay for that sandwich because I took one bite. He also said, "My manager told me he can eat it". So, I'm going to let my boyfriend eat both plates and pay for an extra sandwich?? Then the manager came out and told me that mayonnaise is not a sauce and said it was a spread. I had to look up on google to see what mayonnaise was. It says it is a sauce or a spread. After arguing with the manager, she finally gave me a new sandwich without the extra charge. The food was ok and not all that great. The rest of the service just went downhill after. We had no service at all. Our server also gave me a tiny box when I had a lot of food on my plate I wanted to take home. I came in Tango happy and excited to try something new and left angry and insatiable. I don't think I am going to finish that sandwich I brought home.

    (1)

  • Stacie P.

    The first few times I drove by and saw the sign for Tango I had no idea what it was; I think I actually thought it may have been a juice bar. Fortunately, I was shown the error of my way and discovered that Tango serves some delicious looking breakfast items thanks to a friend of mine who was on summer break and spent her mornings making me jealous by having breakfast at a different spot every day, taunting me with pictures of all the yummy food she was eating; Tango quickly came to be one of my must try places. I know I'm raving about their breakfast but my first and, thus far, only opportunity to eat here was for dinner this past Monday when my cousin called me for one of our spontaneous get togethers and suggested that we meet at one of the restaurants we've been wanting to dine at - Tango. When I arrived it was 15 minutes before 6p.m and my cousin was already seated at a table sipping a glass of champagne bought for her by the only other customers in the restaurant. It was early so the place was empty; apparently they open at 5pm for dinner. We didn't have reservations but we were fortunate to get a table because the restaurant filled up as the night progressed. The menu isn't extensive but because of my indecisive personality, I had a difficult time deciding what to order; it didn't help matters that I wanted to try more than one item but a compromise was had and my cousin and I decided to order one appetizer to share and an entree each, allowing us the best of both worlds. Throughout the entire night, I kept telling my cousin how I thought we made the best decision with respect to both how and what we ordered. For starters, we had the escargot and sourdough crostini. I've only had escargot once and, as unappealing as it sounds to eat snails, I was pleasantly surprised at how deliciously buttery they were. The escargot at Tango was anything but buttery and was a different take on the traditional way of serving it. I'm embarrassed to admit that I don't recall the menu's description of how the escargot was prepared but, in my own words, it's preparation reminded me of Chicken Marsala; it came on a piece of sourdough crostini with several escargot on top with a brown-like gravy, hence the comparison to chicken Marsala. Fortunately my rudimentary culinary experience isn't a reflection on how the food tasted because I thought the escargot was delicious and loved the twist. I do, though, have to admit that I was somewhat disappointed by the fact that the crostini bread was soaked in the "brown gravy-like" sauce making it mushy. I like crostini for the very reason that it's like toast and was looking forward to being able to dip the bread into the sauce. For our entrees my cousin ordered the risotto, which Tango is known for; I ordered the Lobster ravioli. The risotto came with approximately 5 pieces of shrimp and a few sprigs of asparagus on top, and the Lobster Ravioli also was served with sprigs of asparagus. Both were delicious and I had no problem polishing off what my cousin couldn't finish. The only problem is that I tend to eat slowly, or at least I did that day, and the pastas got cold and then sticky making the last several bites rather chewy...but it didn't stop me from licking my plate clean! To top it all off, we made one of our entrees a complete meal so we got a salad and dessert; for dessert we ordered the cinnamon gelato. The gelato was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G and, if I hadn't eaten the appetizer, salad and entree before the dessert I would've been disappointed in the fact that the serving portion was a mere 3 melon-ball size scoops of gelato but it was just enough, enough to taste and satisfy a sweet tooth. I can't wait to return and try their breakfast; they even serve tea, however that's done across the street at Tango Market, located in the space that formerly was Sakura Cakes. This place is amazing it's no wonder they've expanded to include their "market", which seems to provide more "on the go" food fare. There's so many things to try and so little time!!!!

    (5)

  • Michael M.

    The food is mediocre at best and the service was quite slow. I really wanted to like this place because it is in a great location, but the management / owner didn't deliver.

    (2)

  • Kina S.

    Seriously the BEST Eggs Benedict in Honolulu!! The Chef is from Sweden and specializes in this (as told by our fantastic server). Order the traditional with spinach and tomato...and extra sauce for those who love it....also their coffee is awesome!! Fresh brewed European style...reminds me of the "flat white" type of coffee in Australia...good stuff:). We had a family celebration breakfast and had such a great time (they serve bloody marys and mimosas) that we didn't want to leave... Our server (local guy) truly was outstanding...very attentive...drinks got refilled before we realized they were nearing empty and even offered a cup of coffee to go for us because we spoke so highly of it...we are now on our 2nd visit...just as great... And we will be back often!!

    (4)

  • Alexandria G.

    I have to admit, it's a nice change to come to a mod, contemporary cafe for breakfast instead of the usual local place like Zippy's . I've only ever been for breakfast and the food is good, but nothing is exceptional. I think I just like the decor and ambience so much that I keep going back even though I never crave their food. One thing that stands out about Tango is their coffee. It's definitely a far cry from the instant, mud/sludge concoctions that other breakfast places serve. This coffee is always fresh, piping hot, and full of flavor. When you need a refill they brew a new cup for you and it makes you feel so special :) I say go just for the coffee.

    (4)

  • Sheri B.

    Great breakfast place. we boh had duck hash with poached eggs. Easy, validated parking steps from the building. Next to Ward Center. Fabulous!

    (5)

  • Drew P.

    I'll start out by saying the coffee is amazing. The menu is also very creative - mixing Scandanavian elements with local favorites. On my visit, I had the braised beef benedict, which was served on a bed of fried rice. Although the portions are small by local standards, it's more than enough to fill most appetites. I was intrigued by the fact that they had a full bar, but at 8am, I wasn't going to indulge. But I can't say enough about the coffee! PROS: - Great food, interesting and creative menu - Reasonable portions - Excellent coffee - Great service CONS: - Can't think of any

    (5)

  • Ryan T.

    I have never been here for dinner, but lunch and breakfast are great here. The gravlax sandwich and risotto are just yummy. Since they do not take reservations for lunch, you either have to get here early or late to beat the lunch rush. This yuppie hangout is a cool place with delicious food.

    (4)

  • Jarrett S.

    I came for the brunch menu, decor was nice, but not a big fan of the seating style. Most of the tables seat 6, and the seats were a little close together. I ordered the Confit duck hash, it was kind of bland, the fresh fruit was small and not sweet at all. I'm not sure what I was expecting with the duck confit, but the pieces were small, shredded, and overcooked (seems like a waste of good duck or a use for their scraps). I also had the Vietnamese coffee that was OK but tasted strangely more like a latte. Together with the Bistro prices made it not a very memorable experience.

    (2)

  • Olivet K.

    Nice interior, but the two tops are pushed pretty closely together. Food was good, but probably not worth the price (all entrees between $21-$25). Our service was polite and timely, but added nothing to the meal. The drink selection was seriously lacking.

    (2)

  • Wendy Y.

    LOVE the coffee here! The eggs Benedict is the best!! Go-to breakfast - Traditional/crab eggs Benedict. Service is good - very busy. Expect to wait in line if you go during busy breakfast hour (9-10:30a). My favorite breakfast place :)

    (5)

  • Edwina K.

    I can't believe I have not yelped this place. There was a time where I was on a tango kick - had breakfast, lunch, and dinner here in one wekeend! My favorite time to go is for lunch. Go after 1pm b/c there is always a wait during peak hours. My favorite menu item - their burger!! They serve the best burger b/c it's freshly made, not frozen, juicy, and the whole wheat rice brown rice bun is always fresh (topped with sunflower seeds). It is soooooooo yummy!! It's the only dish I'll order along with their famous caramel cappuccino. Breakfast - not the greatest, portions are small. Dinner - pricey but I did enjoy their Sweet Caramelized Onion Soup & Shrimp Tempura with Sweet Chili Sauce. If you haven't tried their classic burger - go ahead and do so. Make sure you order it medium or med rare. Other toppings are available.

    (4)

  • Jenny M.

    Service here wasn't the best. Nor was the food. Our server was a bit scatter-brained and forgot a lot of stuff. It wasn't really busy so we couldn't understand why the service was so bad. As for the food, nothing really special. I had the Ham, Salami & Brie Sandwich which came with french fries and my bf had the Salmon Gravlax which was accompanied by a salad and ...hair, 2 strands. Ultimately, probably not a place we'll be rushing back to soon.

    (2)

  • Amanda Z.

    Tango has a nice, simple interior, with great food and hit-or-miss service. The first time we went for dinner and the food was not that impressive for the price, as well as, the service was especially bad (ignored by the waiter for half the night). Luckily I was forced to give it a second chance, as it's one of my coworkers faves, so I've been back several times for lunch and once for breakfast and have had better experiences. The one time I went for breakfast, I tried the sausage/potato/ham hash with eggs. It was really good! Out of the many times I've been to lunch, I've tried the open-faced salmon sandwich (good!!!!), club salad (good, tons of ingredients), roasted vegetable salad, and most recently: the daily special on Monday, the madras curry. If you go on a Monday, you should definitely try the curry, it is DELISH! The shrimp and eggplant were cooked perfectly and all the flavors went so well together, I practically licked my plate clean! I would highly recommend breakfast and lunch at Tango's.

    (4)

  • Art T.

    I always enjoy having my breakfast here. The coffee is great and is made to order. I have had my egg Benedict here and other selections. They are all great. In addition, the price is so reasonable. On the other hand, the Big City Diner is over priced considering the food they serve there.

    (4)

  • Helen K.

    Went here for their breakfast menu this past weekend. I ordered the salmon eggs benedict and the boyfriend ordered the spinach benedict. Both were yummy. Not too experienced in the egss benedict, but from what I tasted it was delicious. Potatoes were delicious as well! I'm usually not a fan of roasted potatoes.. I will probably come back just to try other items on their menu. Waiters and hostess was very attentive with our order and with our drinks.

    (4)

  • Savannah G.

    After receiving Yelp's last newsletter about breakfast, I decided to give this place a try....only, I didn't try the breakfast, I went with lunch first. I'm kind of a breakfast snob so before I jumped in, I wanted to test the water first. Bottom line: I wasn't impressed. It could be what I ordered and I'm willing to give it a second try but I just wasn't overwhelmed by the service or the food. I ordered a portabello mushroom burger and added cheese and avocado (.50 cents extra per item). When my burger came to me, the entire portabello was flattened out and overcooked. In the past, I've had portabello burgers at other restaurants that are big and juicy like a burger should be. My burger however was dry with barely any mayo and they offered no other condiments to go on it. They also forgot to put my cheese on it and when I reminded the waitress she brought it to me cold on a plate. I really wanted the cheese so I ate it anyway but it wasn't what I wanted. My friend and I also ordered the italian cream sodas but when they brought them, they forgot to bring the cream (they typically provide it on the side the waitress said) so we had to wait about 10 minutes before we could flag one of our waitresses down to ask them where the cream was. On another note, my friend got the grilled veggie sandwich and she said it was mediocre at best, nothing to write home about. Having said all that, I have heard people say that the french onion soup is really good so I'm willing to give it another shot. I'll change my rating if they deserve it! For now, I'm abstaining from trying breakfast there...

    (2)

  • kahau m.

    came here for breakfast with a group of 12. my expectations were pretty low being that it is kind of tucked in the corner behind PF Changs. the table ordered a pretty good selection off the menu. i had the loco moco benedict. it was pretty damn good. char siu fried rice topped with braised, boneless short ribs, two poached eggs and hollandaise. HOLY CRAP. i needed a nap after that one. i was quite surprised at the service level they have for breakfast. very attentive. coffee was brewed to order and filled tableside. food was timely and well presented. i would return for breakfast fo sho.

    (4)

  • Emily D.

    Fresh french-press coffee to order, light hollandaise, and perfectly poached eggs benedict! Fun atmosphere and friendly staff. Highly recommend splitting your eggs benedict order (I get one florentine and one salmon) for added variety. Definitely try to get there early on the weekends, though, cause it is limited seating, but well worth the wait!

    (5)

  • Andrew U.

    I thought this was a great place for breakfast that is so different from what you find in the local environs. Tucked behind PF Changs it is very unassuming and you have to sort of know how to get there. As I said breakfast was great. True to Chef Goran's swedish roots there are some nice additions to the menu. I had the Pytt I Panna, which is basically a swedish ham and sausage hash. This was delish. My wife had the fried rice with a fried egg on the top which was wonderful. The coffee they served was flavorful and each cup was individually brewed. The service was very attentive and the decor was modern as were the food preparations. I would definitely make a trip back here.

    (4)

  • Joo S.

    when i initially began this review, my belly was still happy and full from my late lunch at tango yesterday. my mom and i stumbled in here hoping that they were still serving lunch at 2:45 pm, and they were! the lunch menu is so affordable and the food did not disappoint! my mom got the wednesday special: scallops and shrimp in lobster cream sauce with asparagus, basil, and brown rice. SO good. just wish there was a little more sauce, but other than that, no complaints. i got the seafood stew in tomato saffron broth with some sort of garlic bread. eating this was so comforting, it would be the perfect stew to warm you up on a cold day. cold days in hawaii are few and far between, so i couldn't help wishing i had this to eat on all those freezing days when i lived in places that had real winters. the only complaint with this one was that perhaps the mussels were overcooked b/c i kept getting pieces of broken shells in my mouth. i usually don't eat mussels so i'm not sure if the shells are just really fragile and that happens a lot? as for beverages, i thought i should mention that it was nice that i could add my own peach syrup to my bottomless iced tea to my liking. the peach syrup came in a tiny little saucer, cute touch. my mom's coffee was uber strong, just drinking a sip of hers sent me into palpitations. okay i exaggerate but i definitely want to get the coffee the next time i go... we finished our meals with their signature blueberry bread pudding a la mode. my mom doesn't even like ice cream but she loved the vanilla bean ice cream they served with it. the bread pudding was delightful, with a beautiful vanilla bean sauce poured over it. midway through dessert, i was so stuffed and ready to explode but i didn't care because i was enjoying it so much! can't wait to go back and try their onion soup and other tantalizing specials. the service was really good, everyone was very polite and accommodating.

    (5)

  • Rei K.

    The food here was unexceptional, and the service was horrible. They seated my bf and I twenty minutes after our reservation time...at a table that was open the whole time. When we were finally seated---without menus---it took our waitress another 10 minutes to stop by our table. No apology. Just, "Oh, you don't have menus." Water came in another 5....at least another 10 or 15 for the drinks we ordered. (It's not even as if they were busy...because if that were the case we would have understood.) Neither the sushi rolls (w/ the stale nori), or the french onion soup appetizers were good. My bf's bouillabaisse resembled watered down canned soup with random seafood haphazardly thrown in. My shrimp & mushroom risotto would have been ok had it not been really cold. It was the first time we skipped dessert at a restaurant. We had read a good review about this place, so we were pretty disappointed.

    (1)

  • C O.

    Tango is a fantastic gem of a restaurant hidden in the Hokua building next to the unfortunate hot mess than is P.F. Changs. Not many places on Oahu serve fine food for all three meals of the day, but Tango does and does it well! For fine dining (contemporary asian-american fusion) there isn't a better deal anywhere on the island. The portions are large, the menu is fresh and inspired, and the prices are some of the lowest you'll find for that quality of food! The service is professional, the decor is modern and chic, the beer/wine selection is good (not great), and parking is easy! Tango has made a fan out of me and might, just might, become my default casual fine-dining restaurant on Oahu!

    (4)

  • melody p.

    I called 3 days ago to make reservations so that my family along with my friend's family could have dinner together. I specifically told them that our party had 3 children. When we got there, the server was really nice and sat us down. We quickly ordered te kid's meals so that they could begin to eat while my friend and I could catch up. I immediately notice this haole guy in the kitchen glaring at the kids. I thought maybe he had something wrong with his eyes so I ignored it but then looked over again and he was still glaring at the children who were quietly playing with their cars. I then turn to my husband and friend and pointed it out to them. All of the adults turn to this guy in the kitchen and watch him continuously give stink eye to our kids. It was quite obvious that he hated the fact that we had children in the restaurant. Being a mama bear who is protective of my young, I couldn't sit back quietly anymore. I called over a random worker there and gave him an earful regarding the haole chef and told him that we were leaving. This is not how you treat paying customers. It's not like we took the children to La Mer. A note to the haole douchebag: This is the aloha state which means you are kind and courteous to your customers especially when the children were well behaved. If you want to be a pretentious jerk, pack your bags and move to New York City but that's If you can cut it with the top notch chefs out there.

    (1)

  • Michael L.

    What a fabulous Thanksgiving Dinner! It was either here or Zippy's...I'm sure we made the right choice. We were sat right on time, and the service was well timed. I love this place.

    (5)

  • Christine C.

    my boyfriend's parents and us came here for a nice dinner-- they take reservations but even though we had a reservation we ended up waiting.. service was friendly and helpful but my bf's mom had ordered wine, and they brought out the wrong one that was more expensive and the mistake wasn't realized until we got the bill and saw that her glasses of wine were way more than the one she ordered. i don't remember the food from here that much but i do distinctly remember their french onion soup being really good. their lamb was cooked well & the menu had a lot of different options, including sets. i feel like it was little on the pricier side but it's a good place to go to have a nice sit down dinner for a special occasion

    (3)

  • Krissy K.

    Charming, well priced, and delicious. I pretty much love everything about Tango. The flavors are distinctive without being overpowering, and the service is very good. I have never had anything less than a pleasant experience here. One of my favorites.

    (5)

  • Courtney T.

    This is a little cafe, but it has nice, clean, modern decor. It's not a very fancy place, but it doesn't need to be. I've eaten here for breakfast and dinner. The menu isn't super extensive, but i think having a handful of quality items is better than having a million mediocre choices. For breakfast, I've eaten the corned beef hash, as I usually order for breakfast at most places. It was pretty delicious. I would like to try the eggs benedict the next time I eat there. The latest dinner I ate here was the lobster ravioli. It was tender and very tasty. Not too creamy, but just right. The dessert I had was the lychee sorbet...good, but nothing extraordinary. I tried my mother's rissoto, which was good too. My sister's hoisin salmon was pretty delicious. I also enjoyed the mango crumble, it was warm and soft, and had a yummy crumble thing on the top. The brownie/ice cream is pretty yummy as well. The waiters are very friendly, very attentive. The co-owner(?) is a very friendly woman as well.

    (5)

  • Rita L.

    just came back from a baby shower here! we had a very good breakfast here! again, i love the ambiance and the service was great! must haves here, the eggs benedict, banana pancakes, and the fried rice! wow, the portions were great...the french toast was very good but kinda small compared to the others! the eggs benedicts here was soo good! i mean really good! all the girls here ordered coffee and swore it was the best coffee they ever had. apparently its european style and every cup is made one at a time. we would come here again for breakfast thats for sure... thought that parking was free with validation, its $3!

    (4)

  • Tadd T.

    NEW LUNCH MENU! Check out their website for their summer offerings--they look very good, now more of what we actually consider "contemporary cuisine." I see a sweet Madras curry; Chef Streng's been talking about putting it on the menu for months, so I'm eager to try it out.

    (4)

  • Cynthia A.

    I was excited to try a new place. The decor was fun and clean-looking, mostly white with some bright orange. Had the "crispy duck". The un-crispiness of it was disappointing, but the flavor was good. The sauce that it came with was a little weird for me, maybe too much worcestershire sauce (or something similar?) for my preference. The duck flavor was good sans sauce, but again, was not crispy in the least. Came with bland mashies and a few baby veggies. I appreciated the small portions. The taste of my hubby's entree of braised beef was good. It was a larger portion than my duck so we had a few bites for the inlaws' dog. Had a taste of the hubby's dessert - chocolate ice cream cake served with a sliced strawberry and other diced fruit. The fruit was good. The cake was not. Seemed like it could have been purchased out of an ice cream truck, and was topped with what tasted like Hershey's syrup. Ew. Don't feed me cheap chocolate. That's a sure way to irritate me. Halloween candy is an exception due to the nostalgia factor. My taste of lilikoi sorbet was yummy, and the port was good.

    (3)

  • AsianRunningDiva S.

    Came here for Easter Brunch after church without a reservation, but we were seated immediately--it was still early in the morning! They weren't serving their normal menu, just a few options to chose from, but they were giving fruit and bread to accompany the meal! We ordered the salmon benedict and the french toast with strawberries! SO GOOD! I was only able to eat one half of the muffin with an egg and salmon on top! So filling! A great brunch though! We didn't go for the mimosas, but that would have topped the meal! Stocked bar available too! Small cafe, but very quaint! I can see the cafe from my apt, but have never gone in! A little pricey, but good quality food--and we never go out for brunch so this was a treat! :)

    (4)

  • Spencer T.

    Talk about a disappointment. The GF and I thought we'd be going out for a nice diner at a reasonable restaurant, but instead we got Tango-ed. The ambiance was ok. The only thing that bugged me about the exposed ceiling was what looked like excessive mold and mildew infecting a good amount of the area. Is that safe? Other than that, everything in eye-line looked clean and precise. Very angular, very straight. Not terrible, but not creative either. The food is very similar. The acoustics in the restaurant were terrible. My date was forced to speak loud enough for the next two tables, a noticeable point, since I could head the entire conversation of the surrounding tables, just not my date. We started with the bread, as most people do. First, let me just say that the bread was good, if not better than the average restaurant. It was crusty, with just enough give to it, while yielding a nice flavor as well. Exactly the way bread should be. What bothered me was the nagging suspicion that it was simply cut and toasted ciabatta bread from costco. For appetizers we had the foie gras and the onion soup. Maybe it's me, but when I eat foie gras, I expect to be wowed. It was served with a raspberry sauce that was completely uninspired, and hung with mayonnaise, which overpowered the natural flavor of the foie gras. Either augment the flavor in a creative way, or bring out the flavor, but don't cover it up! Most disappointing was that they used good foie gras too. It wasn't cheap, nor small, but it was a good size with a healthy color, and they put it to waste. The soup was pretty good, using fresh mozzarella, with a deep onion taste to it. Possibly the best onon soup on the island, but could use less salt. For entrees: The gf had the lobster ravioli. I had risotto, as recommended by the staff. The lobster ravioli was dry, and was too distracting to bring out the flavor of the goat cheese and lobster. I've been around Italy, and have a deep affection for al dente pasta; usually wanting my pasta with a little less give than most Americans, but this was another story. It seems they might have taken too long to dry the pasta, leaving the edges brittle and starchy tasting. The basil sauce served with it was pungent, lacking balance. Instead of the different flavors working in concert with one another, it ended up being more of a competition to see which one would be the dominant flavor of the dish. Instead of bringing the flavors together, it seems they decided to simply add salt. Not a good strategy. The mushroom risotto was recommended by two members of the staff, along with a few other reviewers on yelp. I'm sorry, but this is not the way risotto should be done. Some parts of the risotto were over-cooked, almost to a liquid-like consistency, and other parts were dry, grainy, and had an almost Styrofoam feel to it. The sauce was basically heavy cream, butter, and cheese. No dimension. No creativity. If there were any herbs to brighten or darken the dish, they were incredibly quiet, leaving me with the terrible consistency of the risotto with the mushrooms and shrimp sitting on top of it. Again, there didn't seem to be any effort to bring the ingredients together, to make them work with one another. The dishes had all the thought of a McDonalds menu without the creativity. We didn't bother to stay for desert, seeing as we completely lost our appetites from the entrees. The good: Great staff with a great attitude. Our glasses were never empty, and they were eager to help us navigate our way through the menu. Tango would have gotten only one star if not for the staff. The bad: The food. While using good quality ingredients, there was a lack of effort and thoughtfulness put into it. The execution was off-key and mediocre. The ugly: The ceiling.

    (2)

  • Angelica A.

    Went here for breakfast on Saturday to celebrate a close friend of mines birthday. We're all big breakfast fans so we were excited to give this place a try! I researched the menu and yelp reviews ahead of time so i knew exactly what i was getting...the loco moco benedict and sweet bread french toast. I had a hard time choosing between the two so i decided to go with both and share with the other diners. The birthday girl went with the smoked salmon bagel and swedish pancakes. The other 2 diners with us ordered the Portuguese sausage and eggs with fried rice, traditional eggs benedict and the banana pancakes. Yes we ordered for an army...it was our own personal buffet. The loco moco benedict was alright i enjoyed the braised beef it was really tender but the eggs were over cooked and weren't runny, so i had to wait for them to make new eggs. Also the fried rice that came with it was a little too over powered by the celery. I think my experience would have been better if the eggs were cooked to perfection. The sweet bread french toast on the other hand was great. I really enjoyed it and gobbled most of it up on my own. As for the maple and coconut syrup it came with it was just alright. The maple syrup didn't have that maple flavor to it a little too sweet and the coconuts syrup tasted more vanilla-ish...or simple syrupy! I wasn't a fan of either so i asked for a side of whip cream...which was excellent and went well with the french toast and berries. The birthday girl seemed to really enjoy her smoked salmon bagel as for the swedish pancakes they were a little burnt :( As for our other 2 guest they said the banana pancakes weren't too impressive and they had the same problem with the fried rice being over powered with celery and the eggs benedicts eggs were also over cooked. They also had to wait for new eggs to be made. Oh and they found a piece of metal in the eggs benedict which made them not want to eat it. We made sure to have that taken of the bill! Overall the breakfast there was alright i would go back and order the sweet bread french toast but that would probably be it. Also i have to say that the wait staff there was kind of all over the place and it was hard to get their attention at times.

    (2)

  • Andrew D.

    Everytime I've eaten here I left satisfied. The service was great, the food was excellent. I came for both lunch service and dinner. During lunch, the sandwiches are quite bomb and during their dinner service, the lamb is delicious! One of my favorite restaurants to dine.

    (5)

  • Jared T.

    The breakfast and lunch are the best here. Dinner is pretty pricey and haven't really found anything I enjoy on their dinner menu. Favorite by far is the Club sandwich.

    (3)

  • Jeremy Y.

    I being coming here for about a year. I had a craving for their onion soup, so when my female friend asked me where I wanted to eat for my bday, I wanted to eat at Tango's. She had never eaten here before and was very curious as amateur food critic. I had never seen her smile so much with every bite she took!!!! She loved every single dish that we had and stated that it was the best meal she every had!!!! She based her statement on the fact that both of us had never tried the dishes we ordered and that fact that she each dish like was very adventurous.

    (4)

  • Demur E.

    UPDATE (5/10/08): By coincidence, I happened to have dinner at Tango as well as breakfast the next morning (and no, I didn't sleep over). Yup, they serve breakfast on the weekends now from 8 - 10:30 a.m. Fried rice w/ portuguese sausage was tasty and the corned beef hash was homemade. I had the crab hash benedict. Buttered English muffin. Perfectly poached eggs. Yummy hollandaise sauce. Awesome. For dinner, I tried the lamb and it was fantastic! I ate it all, so no leftovers to enjoy. *sigh* French onion soup was average (Le Bistro's one is better). Check out the new pics, too. Food: Delicious, great quality and amazingly affordable. Asian style 5-Spice Braised Beef with pureed potato and chili fried onion rings - Four big chunks of beef so tender I did not really need a knife (just some fork action). Moist, savory and not too heavy on the 5 spice (I'm not a big fan of anise). Hamakua mushroom risotto with garlic shrimp and asparagus - Rich, creamy, a little heavy-handed with the parmesan. The shrimp were big and plump. It's a good idea to share that dish unless you can handle the richness. Crispy duck breast with spice wine sauce - Oh my! The meat was soooo flavorful and tender with just the right amount of crispy skin. All those dishes (and most of the other entres) are under $20. They also have sauted moi with tomato fennel coulis, hoisin glazed salmon, mustard crusted rack of lamb, sterling silver pork chop, lobster and goat cheese ravioli, and a grilled sirloin steak with herb butter on smokey cedar plank. I'm going for that or the lamb the next time I go to Tango...oh yes, there will be a next time! For $6.50 more, you get the soup du jour or salad and a sorbet. The soup when I went was a creamy mushroom which was thick and rich and had a very beefy stock. Not your Campbell's by a long shot. The salads were regular garden salads, but had a nice creamy yet acidic dressing. The sorbet was lilikoi and pretty good. I, of course, had to go for a "real" dessert. I got the rhubarb crumble, which was warm and sweet and delicious. It came with cinnamon ice cream, which was good, but if I may be immodest here amongst my friends, I think the cinnamon ice cream I make tastes better. They also have bread pudding (which was ok, I think Sam Choy's and Russel Siu's are better). They have a handful of starters and salads that also look promising. Not a huge menu, but quite enough variety. Service: Nice, but spotty. Tango has only been open about 5 weeks, so they are still trying to work some of the kinks out. Apparently the evening we went, the dishwasher called in sick and the wait staff had to take turn washing dishes! In any case, that's why they said they were so slow. I met my friends about 45 min. late and they had not even ordered yet! They had just opened up a couple of bottles of wine (no liquor license yet, so it's BYOB...but $10 per bottle corkage fee!) Things came slow, but the food was the right temperature and delicious. I little slow on the water and they forgot my coffee, but I only had to remind them once and out it came! The wait staff is very nice and obviously trying their best. Ambiance: Modern. It's a small space (especially compared to their neighbor P.F. Chang's), so it feels a bit crowded. It's a cheery, comfortable space with cut-outs in the windows and benches against the wall (no booths, though). Overall: The scrumptious food and affordability will definitely have me returning. If you go (and I hope you will!) don't be in a rush to see a movie or something like that. It's definitely leisurely dining. Great if you want to catch up with old friends or share some intimate time with your sweetie. Warning: The parking validation for Tango is the same for Starbucks and P.F. Chang's, which is only good for 2 hours. I was there about 3-4 hours and was charged $9.00 for parking. It might be better to park in one of the Ward lots and walk...especially if you stuffed yourself like I did. I could've done with a nice walk afterwards!

    (4)

  • nate h.

    I must admit...i am a regular at Tango. The food is amazingly consistent...the quality, presentation and price are spot on. I have eaten here at all times of the day and i rarely walk out without a smile. Breakfast has to be my favorite as both the food selection and insanely good coffee set the day off to a great start. My defaults are the loco moco for breakfast and the Duck for dinner. The building itself does have a Ikea meets a European warehouse feel but it works for the place. It is rather small so you may find that you have to wait for a table. While that may be a problem for some...for me, it tells me that they are doing a damn fine job as a restaurant. This is backed up by Tango consistently winning a spot as an Hale Aina Award Winner.

    (5)

  • Wade T.

    I LOVE THIS PLACE. Normally, I would rate it a 4 because service is great at times and sometimes a little slow, but that is expected for a new restaurant until they work out the kinks. But I rated it a 5 to offset some of the terrible reviews I have read here. With that being said, on to the food.. The french onion soup is by far the best I have eaten anywhere. And I eat out ALL THE TIME. I have had the brasied beef which was tender and the seafood ravioli which were tasty. I enjoyed the hamakua mushroom risotto. I also have had the pork chop. Everything I have eaten so far had been great. The price is right. A high priced dinner for a reasonable price. How can you go wrong? I would reccomend Tango to anyone for lunch and dinner.

    (5)

  • Susan N.

    Have been to Tango several times. I usually order the sample. The apperitizer, salad and dessert was exceptional as usual. Unfortunately the main course, the spiced steak was cold. So were the potatoes and vegetables. Think they need to serve the hot food much faster.

    (3)

  • Paul R.

    It has been 3 years since my last visit to Tango, needless to say my last visit did not go so well. I was very happy this time with dinner. Hot food hot, cold food cold and all the flavors and textures described on the menu arrived at my table all presented beautifully. Portobello Crab Hash was wonderful, Gravlox so flavorful. Seabass portion was HUGE and so complex, that was my favorite. My friends had a really nice 5 spice Short Rib and delicious Herb Crusted Lamb. The dessert trio could not have been better. I think this time my only problem with Tango was that the servers did not seem very confident or sure of themselves. However they were all very nice. I am glad I went back. It was worth it.

    (4)

  • D W.

    Stopped in for lunch after Tango was highly recommended by several friends. I thought it was an average experience and I guess, I expected more, since I walked away a little disappointed. I ordered the duck confit, wasn't impressed. The salads looked pretty fresh so maybe my entree choice was misstep on my part. The Good: Plating and presentation is really great and the portions were generous. The Not-So-Good: See above. My dish wasn't exceptionally good and the menu was disappointingly limited.

    (2)

  • Jo H.

    I went there once and didn't really have anything memorable. Then I went for a second time the other week and really loved it. It's TINY and kind of crowded but not too noisy or complicated. The service could definitely have been better, but the food was fabulous. The only thing was that the food came out at different times, so by the time I got my lamb, some of my friends were almost finished with their entrees. We had the wild mushroom risotto with shrimp which was so rich and creamy and yummy and the shrimp were PERFECTLY cooked (don't you hate it when your shrimp are overcooked???), and I had the lamb which came out perfectly medium rare and so tender. I only wish i had more!! We also got the lobster and goat cheese ravioli which was delicious but a little too al dente for me and the salmon with the hoisin glaze which was okay but it definitely wasn't the best salmon i've had. For dessert we had the coffee ice cream cake which was really good--the cake was really light. All in all, a good dining experience, i will definitely be back to this restaurant . I'm not sure if they have a full bar, but they have a wine list for sure.

    (4)

  • d s.

    My review here is specifically for lunch, not breakfast or dinner. Came here with high expectations from all the hype I've heard about this place. Needless to say I was very disappointed. I've only been to a few places that have let me down so much. I can't remember what my friend had (she was also disappointed) however, I ordered the French Onion soup and the open face salmon sandwich. First the soup, terrible. Now I realize very few places are willing to do French Onion soup right, but the soup here was not even close! There were a few pieces of toast in the soup and just a few pieces of cheese. Worse, not much going on with onions too! Better off going across the street to Ryan's. Finally, the salmon sandwich. TOO SALTY! Whoa! I've had good gravlax before and this was not it. Plus, it was stringy (should almost melt in your mouth) and I found a few bones also. Disappointing. Maybe folks enjoy a place if it's trendy and disregard the bad food. The customers here seem to be on the higher end of the food chain. I guess it can't hurt that it's in the Hokua condo building. I'll have to try breakfast one day but won't have my hopes up too high. Oh yeah, last thing that peeved me, no refills on soft drinks! WTF?!

    (1)

  • Lisa K.

    tangocafehawaii.com Hearing about the spotty service, I stopped by with a friend for an early meal at 5:30 to beat the dinner rush. We had the place to ourselves until the people started to flood in at 6:00. Service wasn't that bad. Our waiter was definitely trying very hard to make it a good experience. The only bad thing about getting there too early is the lack of window shades. There isn't a single seat in the house where you can avoid having the sun shine in your eyes at that hour. We shared the portabello mushroom & crab hash. The crab hash was like a crab cake which matched well with the garlic cream/wine reduction sauce. The appetizer itself wasn't very large but the richness of the crab cake would have made it difficult for me to eat the entire dish myself since I'm not the largest crab fan. Next was the Swedish gravlax with crisy skin and potato salad. The gravlax again complemented well with the mustard sauce. The crispy salmon skin made me want a side of rice to go along with it. For the entree, the sauteed moi with tomato coulis and roasted vegetables was excellent. The tomato coulis was not too sweet and had no harsh taste to it at all. The moi was cooked perfectly. Crispy on the outside, moist on the inside. The mushroom risotto was also very good. It was rich and creamy. Sharing the two appetizers, eating the moi and eating too much of the bread which came with a simple salted whipped butter left me too full to eat dessert. Based on this meal, I will definitely visit this place again.

    (4)

  • Jim C.

    Whenever I drive pass the Tango Cafe, I try to remind myself to give it a try. The decor looked very inviting with the large windows, high ceiling and well lit interior. My wife and I finally make it there this past weekend for a late lunch. There were a few people there no included the small gathering for a baby shower. This looks promising, I thought. There were at least seven or eight open tables, but they still tried to seat us next to another diner on a small table for two. We asked to sit on a larger table, they seemed confused. The waiter finally said we could sit anywhere. The menu came immediately, the water poured and we were asked if we wanted anything else to start. Very good beginning. The waiter was very informed about the menu, answered our questions and made suggestions. Another plus. I ordered the gravlav open sandwich and my wife ordered the risotto with grilled shrimp. The food arrived looking good. The gravlax layered between slices of fresh tomatos, hard-boiled egg, Japan cucumbers, was visually appealing. All the ingredients were fresh and tasty. Only the bottom slice of Rye bread was a bit dry. The cream cheese spread helped but I couldn't finish the bread. The accompanying french fries were hot and crispy. Unfortunately, my wife's risotto was bad enough for me to not to return. The rice was hard. This is not risotto. You can make this at home, if you want to. Take day-old rice, heat up a can of Campbells Cream of Mushroom soup and pour it over the rice. Voila! I didn't taste any cheese that's typical of risotto. When one of the wait help came to asked how it was, I hand motioned "so-so" and she reponded "it's okay" and walked away. Never came back. When we told the waiter later that the rice was hard, he said we should have told him earlier, he would have replaced it with another. There were many items on the menu, I was trying to decide on. Unfortunately, I have to make that decision again. Good luck to you Tango Cafe, I hope you can do something about the risotto.

    (1)

  • Dustin K.

    not wanting to travel all the way over to kailua for some eggs benedict we decided to try out Tango.. we've been here serveral times for dinner but we've never made it for breakfast... so on this sepcial day we decided to drop by and try it out.. wife: traditional eggs benedict.. myself: 'loco moco' eggs benedict.. wife: eggs over cooked.. sauce okay.. potatoes were perfect.. me: not what i expected.. i should have known it wasn't going to be swiming in gravy when loco moco was in " "... fried rice could need some work on it.. char siu was rubber.. and it seem like it was made the night before.. eggs were perfect.. meat was okay.. needed a little kick to it so tobassco it was to kill it.. would i go back?? well maybe.. next time we'll wait till 11 for lunch..

    (3)

  • H J.

    I have been here for dinner once and breakfast a few times. Dinner: not that memorable, what you would expect from a $20 plate at a contemporary kind of restaurant, similar to Town. Breakfast: so great. The food is fresh, coffee is strong and the atmosphere of the restaurant is inspiring in the early hours of the day, open, clean and light with stylish yet simple decor. The Swedish pancakes are especially good. I give 5 stars because there aren't a lot of places around Honolulu that offer what Tango does between 7-10am and at totally affordable prices ($7-10).

    (5)

  • Jannet L.

    came here for lunch. validated parking a big plus. setting modern and clean. had the risotto with grilled shrimp which was fine. the waiter was new and forgot to put in my order so it was late and it might've been rushed b/c the rice was a little crunchy. whatever, we all make mistakes. hub had the gravlax open face sandwich which was fresh and excellent. i thought the salmon would be really salty but it wasn't. it was soft and melt in your mouth. had the brownie with ice cream for dessert which was so yummy but so rich, couldn't finish it. was like 11 bucks for entree and 6 bucks for dessert. i think the fresher food might be more delicious - will have to try the salad next time. mostly i'm giving in a 4 for the salmon and the setting and the validated parking.

    (4)

  • Justin S.

    I only eat breakfest or lunch here and this place is great for both. I prefer their lunch menu. Good food that is very reasonable. This place is small and normally always busy. Service can be a little slow sometimes and you'll get the feeling they are trying to rush you out of there so they can flip the table. If the service was better, I would rate 4 stars. The food is very good and its definitely worth checking out.

    (3)

  • Misa D.

    Had a wonderful experience there for dinner . It was my hubby's bday and we celebrated inviting 6 friends for drinks and dinner. They service was wonderful. The food was great! Everyone had a great time and the the total bill was very inexpensive. Before tip, it came out to $363.25 for a total of 8 people. We had 2 bottles of wine and 2 cocktails, 4 appetizers, 3 salads, 8 entrees, 5 desserts, and 6 coffees (i am looking at my bill right now...i was amazed!!).

    (4)

  • Sandy D.

    Came here for breakfast for the first time with my 7 year old daughter. We had been trying different breakfast places other than McDonald's. We were seated right away and she ordered the Swedish Pancakes with a side of Portuguese Sausage and I ordered the Pytt I Panna. Mine was filling and tasty. My daughter's pancakes came out burnt so I told her to cover it with the whipped cream. I finished my dish and noticed that her side of portuguese sausage hadn't come. By the time it came, she had almost finished her meal. My daughter's comment is that the pancakes are better than McDonald's but she's had better service elsewhere. I don't think people bring young children here. I didn't see any high chairs and there is no child's menu.

    (3)

  • N. O.

    What's the sense of making a reservation?... They still made us wait about 20 to 30 minutes, then tried to seat 5 persons on one small table. Food was okay, nothing to rave about, service very slow. When we asked for water, they said they ran out of cups. Terrible memories!!

    (1)

  • G W.

    I took my wife their on Mothers Day and was not impresed. The hostess was professional but the service was extremely slow. We asked repeatedly for coffee which is handmade took almost 20 mins to get. The empty plates and utensils stayed on the table too long making paying for the ambience not worth it. The food on Mothers Day looked and tasted mass produced. The regular menu showed prices in the $10-$15 dollar range. On Mothers Day prices went up to $20. I couldn't tell the difference in entrees from regular to special occassions. The service was slow; there is no excuse for being understaffed when you have scheduled reservations. The food was just so-so. I would not go there on special occassions only to pay extra for nothing. They gave M-Day entrees lobster bisque soup, which tasted watered down, maybe that's why it costs more.

    (2)

  • Joe K.

    To me Tango seems to be one of those places that gets too hyped for its own good. I watched it as the space was getting fitted out. But was never really tempted to try it. Then over the course of a couple of months, everyone I ran into kept asking me if I had tried Tango. And each time, the question was followed by glowing review of the food. So finally I got around to trying it out. I do like the casual and bright setting. It's all very simple and very open. But I have to say, the food was not bad, but definitely nothing special. Between the four of us at dinner, we tried quite a good chunk of the items on the menu. Sad to say, nothing was horrid, but nothing was really impressive. My beef was in fact quite a bit over salted. Service was not bad, but again nothing exceptional. Since my one dinner experience, I haven't been tempted to go back. There are just too many other places that are consistently better. On the other hand, if I lived in the building (which I don't), I would probably go there mostly likely for breakfast. I haven't been for breakfast, but how badly can you do breakfast?

    (2)

  • Carol L.

    What a cute little cafe!! My sister and I went her for lunch! such a delight!! I had the Cobb Salad! Refreshing, healthy, yummy!! I sampled the open Faced Shrimp Salad Sandwich..also yummy!! Service a bit slow granted they were busy. Will surely come again!!

    (5)

  • Jerome B.

    Valentines Day, and we Tangoed... Wasn't a bad stage to boogey down to. Dimly lit and full of couples, Tango set the stage with a romantic atmosphere in a cozy little spot. Tango had a special set menu for Valentines Day. Luckily, everyone in my group ordered something different so I could try a little bit of everything. Salmon, Lobster Ravioli, Steak and Duck. The meal started with a Mushroom stuffed with artichoke, followed by a salad with a balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Both were very good, not enough to warrant their own reviews. The main dish was the roast duck and duck confit. The confit was outstanding. The duck meat was juicy, not overcooked. The sweet glaze was a very good compliment to the duck's natural flavors. The roast duck; however, was overly done. It felt like it disintegrated in my mouth . Luckily, the dessert saved the day. A raspberry sorbet shaped in a heart (aww... so cute =P), half of the heart covered with a dark chocolate shell on top of whipped cream. This was paired with a dark-chocolate dipped strawberry on top of a brownie. Wow! A nice ending to a very good meal. The service was ok, there's paid parking right net door. It's a nice place to go for dinner.

    (4)

  • George D.

    THE LAST TANGO! Why all the hype from my friends? this place is a little gem, the owners are norwegian and the service is excellent, is all I heard. My wife and I went for breakfast and ordered the swedish pancakes and bagel and lox. First we were told the kitchen is closing so hurry and order. We did and nothing came very quickly and several side orders forgotten. My pancakes must have been cooked next to the hamburger on the grill and tasted more like beef than cake. However, I must say they were beautiful. The lox and bagel, were "a lox and bagel". Food came slowly but was accompanied by the check as we were again reminded they were closing. Ambiance: 3 too sterile for me Service 2 Food 2 Ill try again in a few months.

    (2)

  • Ronnie U.

    went for lunch the other day. Appetizer: Salad - not sure if they were running out of lettuce or maybe it was organic. But the lettuce looked old (like it was in the fridge too long) color was changing. We asked to replace it and they did. Main: lamb dish was really salty - again was the ingredients getting old and you had to cover the taste? Service is good and so is ambiance for lunch, but food needs to be improved (at least for lunch). Price is fine. Parking is good.

    (3)

  • renee w.

    Service was good, food was delicious and the portion was generous! iI had the shrimp tempura salad and my husband had the open face gravlax sandwich. Both were very tasty and the food was so fresh. I'll continue to eat here every time i visit Hawaii!

    (4)

  • Grape C.

    Upgraded one more star to four stars, why not? I've had some space, they fixed things, everything is all good now.

    (4)

  • Takeshi S.

    Food and speed realy good. Service not so much.

    (3)

  • Jodie B.

    I went to Tango's for lunch with some co-workers to celebrate my birthday. It was my first time and I've already decided that I'm going to add it to my rotation of go to eateries in the Ward area. The service was efficient, the ambiance is pleasant and the food was delicious. I had a special of scallops and shrimp with asparagus and basil in a lobster cream sauce over brown rice and it was great. The scallops and shrimp were cooked just right and the brown rice soaked up the sauce nicely. For dessert we shared the blueberry bread pudding with vanilla sauce and it was nice and light (for bread pudding) and the blueberries added a nice flavor compliment. We also had the Chocolate Brownie with vanilla bean ice cream, the brownie was nothing special but the ice cream was tasty. Overall great experience. I thought the prices were reasonable for the quality of the food and the ambience of restaurant. I'm excited to return and try more of their menu! Add on- Went back this past week (7/27/10) and had the resotto with garlic shrimp, tasty but needed a little more flavor..salt? Ordered the brownie with vanilla bean ice cream, this time the brownie was fudgy and delicious! Also tried the mango/strawberry cobbler with cinnamon ice cream, the cobbler was kind of a messy mash of fruit covered in a little bit of crumble (which is the best part of cobbler and should have had a lot more of it!) but the cinnamon ice cream was good!

    (4)

  • Mike M.

    I really like Tango. A nice menu that's cooked with flair. I loved the tuna special and the braised short ribs. Of the three meals I've had the only disappointment was the pork chop which was a little underseasoned and only average where everything else I've tried has been good or better. Bread pudding is great! Wines are reasonably priced.

    (4)

  • Marisa O.

    The food is fresh-tasting and delicious. Flavorful, and perfectly seasoned. If it were based just on food, five stars, hands down. Price is okay. Brings it down to four and a half. Ambiance is okay. Kind of pokey for a place with such great fare. But the worst thing by far is the SERVICE! I have NEVER had such awful service from the moment we stepped in the door until we stepped out. No greetings of any kind, barely even eye contact. AND IT WASN'T EVEN BUSY! I served for many years, and I could not BELIEVE it!

    (2)

  • Sean S.

    Went to Tango for breakfast and really enjoyed it. Tango is a small restaurant with a metro feel to it. Breakfast menu is not overbearing. Staff is very friendly and parking was not a problem. If you have trouble finding Tango, it's near Ward Center next to the PF Chang's. I highly recommend local's and visitors to check Tango's. I would definitely like to try their lunch and dinner menu's.

    (4)

  • Jenn W.

    Very trendy cafe in a great location. Parking is awesome because you can park at the Hokua and get validation. Tables are really close together though which can be a little annoying (depending on who you sit by). Menu is quite limited so there aren't too many choices. I went with the braised beef and french onion soup. The beef was very tender but I wasn't a huge fan of the sauce which tasted like five spice. The mashed potatoes also tasted like it was instant. The soup was excellent though and I'll be back just to eat that.

    (3)

  • Danielle Y.

    I live upstairs, so I've visited Tango at least twenty times, but no more. It's unfortunate because there are several things going for this place: 1) It's clean and cheery 2) The food is (usually) quite good and very affordable 3) The coffee is excellent 4) There is a dearth of adequate breakfast/brunch/coffee/lunch places in Hawaii. So why do I refuse to patronize this establishment? 1) The restaurant has too many tables for its size. The noise level can be really uncomfortable. Also, the majority of times I have eaten there (whether for breakfast, lunch, or dinner), I have been able to overhear conversations. It's really unpleasant, and even more so when you consider that others can hear you just as easily. 2) The food is inconsistent, more so for take-out than dining in. One time I ordered the mushroom burger, and although I picked it up as soon as it was ready, the burger was cold. It was as if they had taken a cold mushroom from the fridge and slathered on some dressing and put it in the box. It was really gross. 3) The above reasons are minor and I would go back in spite of them. But this is the deal breaker: The service here SUCKS. The number of waitpeople never seems to be sufficient. They always seem to be rushing from table to table, and the service you get really depends on how many people you are dining with (larger parties receive better service and smaller ones are almost ignored). Since there is not enough staff, the ones who are working usually seem frazzled and this makes the service they provide quite unsatisfactory. -There is no host table in the front, and no place to wait save for some chairs outside. However, it can get chilly at night and waiting outside is thus very uncomfortable. There have been times when the chairs have been full and I've stood waiting for a table. -90% of the time I've eaten here, the food took way too long to arrive. It's awful. Usually 30 minutes for an entree, sometimes longer if you're with a larger party and if the restaurant is crowded. One time I ordered take-out (pork chop) and it took ONE HOUR for me to get it. I called to place my order 20 minutes before I intended on eating it, and walked downstairs after 20 minutes. I waited in the restaurant for 15 minutes before they said it would take some time. So I went back upstairs and had to wait for one hour for them to finish cooking it. -Now for the **********deal breaker of the deal breakers.********* The female manager/owner (the old woman with the glasses) is absolutely horrid. Even though I have eaten here numerous times since its opening, she doesn't recognize me, perhaps because I am usually dining in with other people, and I change my hair quite often. When I have come to the restaurant with a big group she acts very sweet and friendly, but there have been more than a few times when I have come in to eat by myself that she has displayed the most unfriendly and rude attitude. It's disturbing. One afternoon I was eating lunch by myself, and my pasta was mushy and my chicken was dry and bland--it was inedible. I told my waiter about the food, and I expected to be offered a new dish, but the "manager" came out and very rudely told me that she didn't feel there was any problem with my food. I have never experienced such awful treatment anywhere. It's too bad, because Chef Goran is really a nice person. But the woman who manages this place is so awful. I wish he would find a new partner.

    (1)

  • Christopher D.

    My wife and I went for our second dinner in the last two years. For some reason, we keep forgetting this place exists! Some might say that is an indication that it's not particularly memorable. Au contraire. Both times we have had wonderful meals (and service) and will be going back. The reason we have not gone more frequently is simply a matter of distance from home. The dinner: We brought a bottle of Karl Lawrence 2007 Napa cab, but ordered a couple of glass of bubbly and white off the menu to accompany our starters (seared scallops and foie gras). Both were fantastic! The scallops were still a little raw in the middle (what my wife likes to call "medium rare") and were perfectly cooked and served on a bed on bed of wilted spinach. The foie gras was beautifully done and seared perfectly. The accompanying slices of caramelized apple were unnecessary, but OK. Our mains were Asian 5 spice braised beef and tenderloin with green peppercorns. Again, perfectly done, and great with the cab. The braised beef was tender, melt-in-your-mouth. The tenderloin, although ordered as "medium rare" arrived closer to medium. No worries. It was great. The thing that irks me about a lot of contemporary restaurants in the Honolulu area is their love of salt. I no longer go to places like 3660 On the Rise, Mediterraneo, and Town (and Roy's seems to be following suit, unfortunately) because of their propensity to pour an ocean of salt into every dish. Here, at Tango (and at places like Cafe Miro), the chefs let the ingredients do the talking. Everything was very nicely prepared. Our server (Marc) was fantastic, friendly, and very warm. I have two complaints, however. First, when I called to make the reservation, the woman who took my call informed me that the corkage fee is $10. When we were seated at the restaurant, I was told it was $15. Many places would have apologized for the mistake and said, "no problem, if you were told $10, then $10 it is." The other thing is I gave a glass of wine for the kitchen and send the bottle back so the chef could see it. He sent word back to me (via the server) that the wine was "beautiful" (which is was) and that he appreciated the opportunity to try it. He also appreciated the compliments we paid about the food, particularly the modest use of salt. I fully expected the corkage fee to be waived, but it was not. That's bad form. Really bad. I could have said something, but didn't. Next time, I will. In any case, that is not enough to keep me from returning. This tiny place is a gem. One other thing: I don't think the menu has changed in two years. If we went more often, I suspect we would have gone through most items and would be less likely to return. If Tango is counting on the tourist business, then they can afford, I suppose, to keep their menu the same. However, that does a disservice to us kama'aina. Overall, a wonderful meal, and we'll definitely be returning.

    (4)

  • Naoko M.

    It is used to be great ... when they opened. Of course there aren't many choice around here so you can go if you want OK food but nicely decorated restaurant . Personally I would go to Mariposa or Stage in the same category though. Club sandwich and burgers are safe choice, fyi.

    (2)

  • malia h.

    I've eaten at Tango for breakfast and lunch and the food is delicious. Love the gravlax sandwich, swedish pancakes, lox benedict. All sandwiches come with deliecious fries. There's no kiddie menu but they did make a half portion of pasta for my child.

    (5)

  • Vicky B.

    NOT GOOD FOR LARGE PARTIES EVEN IF YOU MAKE A RESERVATION. We had reservations for 730, we arrived at 720 and were told it would be 10 more minutes, maybe 15. That was fine... but 745 rolled around and we (all 11 of us) were still standing outside. So we asked again how long, and were told 10 minutes. Long story short, it ended up being over an hour that we had to wait before being sat. Yes, we should have left and gone somewhere else, but with 11 people we didn't want to chance it. While the management did offer to let us order a drink and drink it outside (is that even legal) they did nothing further to accommodate us. Seriously, would comped drinks or even 5% off the bill hurt when you made us wait for over an hour??? AND we had to constantly check in, they left us standing outside the entire time and only seemed to remember we were there when we went in to ask how much longer! Like everyone said the food was great (which is why they get two stars) but the ambiance - way too many tables squished into a small place. The ceiling needs a major cleaning... we were afraid chunks of dusty asbestos my fall onto us or in our food during our meal. Finally, the beer selection was awful - Heineken, Heineken Light and one domestic beer - are you kidding me?! The wine selection was fine, but still such good food should be accompanied by a decent bottle of beer! If the management could get their act together, we would give the place four stars... however due to the inconvenience of waiting and NO offer of accommodation from management - two stars it is.

    (2)

  • Bella B.

    You know...I wish I can write a fair review about the food here but that is impossible since we didn't get that far. I made a reservations for 20 for a very special birthday party. We showed up and the older woman who was in charge there told me that I made the reservations wrong. She proceed to accuse me of making the mistake and not her, when we spoke at the time of making the reservations. I've only known my best friend for 30 years and so I must have made the mistake of not knowing her birthday. It makes PERFECT sense for me to make a reservation for Monday night when her birthday is on Saturday. "rolls eyes" We were left scrambling to find a nice restaurant that would accommodate a party of 20 at 7:30 on a Saturday night. What a horrible experience. Disastrous. That woman's way of handling HER mistake was disgraceful. Suffice to say...we will never go back there. If thats the way the place is ran...then I wish them luck on making it.

    (1)

  • Steven O.

    Love the food the place is cute. And they serve lunch all day.

    (5)

  • Athena L.

    Lunch is very busy in this small wonderful cafe. Did lunch about 4 or 5 times and dinner once. Recommended: mushroom shrimp risotto with asparagus salmon gravlax plate Onion soup (great once and watery another time) Dinner is much more relaxed and quieter. Our waiter was very attentive and accomodating. I had Osso Bucco which was pretty good, but not the best I've had. The desserts are good but not memorable. Their presentation of the dishes are lovely. I appreciate the thoughfulness in making each dish special. Overall, I always came away very pleased with the whole experience, from the ample easy validated parking to the excellent value of their product. Not to be missed is their coffee. It is sublime. I only order the americano but it is soooo good! The waiter said it is just regular grade coffee but they imported a fancy coffee machine from Europe to extract it. I always recommend it to friends.

    (4)

  • Frank B.

    Had a fantastic lunch at Tango Contemporary Cafe. This place is a hidden gem! Great food, service, and the coffee is superb. I had the Grilled Mahi-Mahi Sandwich and my lunch companion the grilled steak. Both were fantastic. Save room for dessert -- the creme brulee and the vanilla bean ice cream are both superb. Highly recommended!!

    (5)

  • Jae P.

    Went there with my girlfriend and her extended family a couple hours after I ran the Honolulu Marathon, so I'm not sure if my review is tainted with the extreme pain and fatigue I was feeling in every nook of my body. So dear readers, please take this review with a grain of salt. Speaking of salt, this restaurant had the coolest salt shaker/black pepper grinder I've ever seen. Unfortunately, that was all about all the kudos this place should get. Our meal was very lackluster. I had the crispy duck breast, which was neither crispy or a breast (my girlfriend's cousin commented that if this was a breast, it probably came from an A-Cup...a sentiment I can wholeheartedly agree with). I was served a whole 5 whopping pieces, along with a small serving of mashed potatoes and vegetables. While the presentation was beautiful, I found it rather dubious that this meal would fill me up (kind of reminded me of all those commercials where they showcase an expensive restaurant and the people get these super small portions). The duck meat (?) was tender, but lacked any discernible taste. The accompanying sauce was okay, but it also lacked anything that made my taste buds go "wow!" For $19.50, I would think the portions could be bigger and the food tastier. Remember that cool salt shaker thing I talked about earlier? I had to use a helping of that to get my meal to a point where my tongue would accept it. My girlfriend had the shrimp pasta. It looked okay, but her shrimp were rather puny. She seemed to enjoy it, but I can't comment on the taste since I declined a sample based on my experience with their duck breast. Maybe I should have gotten the moi. It also took a long while for us to be served. I'm not sure what the problem was since tables that had been seated way after us were being served their entrees before us. About the only positive at this restaurant was the french onion soup. I've tasted better, but the one here was pretty good. Nice thick broth, and tasty cheese. Unfortunately, that's not going to be enough to convince me to come back for more. You can do better with your money (especially in the economy that we're in).

    (2)

  • l c.

    we had a wonderful experience recently at tango for breakfast. arrived around 930AM on a midweek day. the restaurant was about 1/2 full. we were immediately greeted and sat at a nice table where we could enjoy the lovely atmosphere and calming decor. we had coffee and a latte. both were hot, freshly made and very flavorful. one of us had the pancakes with berries and the other the eggs benedict with a very fresh crab cake. we split both which were accompanied by fresh fruit and flowers. the service was great and the food oh, so tasty. not sure what happened to those with poor reviews as this was not our experience at all. this place is a breath of fresh air with an innovative menu. highly reccommend.

    (5)

  • Elle B.

    To understand Tango requires one to look at the context of the owners, two ex-Hawaii Prince people. Therefore what you have is a casual cafe that serves hotel quality food at much lower prices. So if you look at it as an affordable cafe, you'll be satisfied, but if you expect cutting edge culinary magic you might be disappointed. Hotel quality food is a double edged sword. While on the one hand Chef Streng's food definitely shows strong technical fundamentals and the judicious use of high quality ingredients sourced from the same suppliers of major hotels in Honolulu, the menu is a bit dated and "safe" (my way of saying boring). You can easily eat the same food just about anywhere in the world. On the other side of the coin, the menu is designed to please a broad spectrum of palates which is definitely geared to the customer base of the Ward area- younger, somewhat affluent and traveled, but not to the point of being adventurous food snobs. Sadly I'd expect greater depth of local taste integration from a founding member of the HRC movement and someone widely considered by the media to be on the same playing field as Roy and Alan. The dinner food is hit or miss. The few local nods were complete duds. Temaki sushi was so tough the nori pretty much stripped the skin off my lips. The tempura was a disaster; skinny and looked like the batter fried shrimp you'd find at red lobster served with a sweet chili sauce that came straight out of the mae ploy bottle. The bread is good (tastes like Bale ciabatta). The foie gras was fine but got dwarfed by the crostini and salad that garnished the plate. The lamb chops are very good, the only true success on my visit. The special of the day was Ossobucco, which was dominated by the taste of tomato and the lack of gremolata made me want to downgrade it to veal shank stew. I looked around at the other tables and noticed that almost every entree had the same starch and vegetable garnish (told you boring!, but they're a "cafe" so I guess that is acceptable). The lychee sorbet was good (tastes like La Gelateria). The wine list is very affordable though selections are somewhat limited. Service is efficient and friendly. Wise tip...don't park in Hokua tower. Even with validation it cost me $6! Park at Ward Center and sneak over. In conclusion, I would eat here again mostly because the prices are resonable and I'm still curious to see what Chef Streng is truly capable of. Its very challenging in this state, and especially in this economy to do what he and his partner are doing. Its worth giving them the chance to succeed.

    (3)

  • Jocelyn L.

    "Good mushroom risotto. good sushi. but nothing in terms of ambience. kinda depressing coz it was so empty."

    (3)

  • Becky T.

    I like the ambiance of the place. It's airy with lots of Ikea-esque decor that is fitting when you consider that the chef is Scandinavian. It's a nice place for a date and their food was good and generously portioned. I've been a sucker for seared scallops lately, and was happy to see that they had a scallop appetizer. Imagine my surprise though when the dish arrived and it was actually a salad of greens with seared scallops. So it turned out to be quite a hefty appetizer, but a very good one nonetheless. Warm bread was provided with softened butter which I could have just eaten loaf after loaf. The braised five spice short rib that I got as my main course was just wonderful and along with the brocollini and mashed potatoes was the ultimate in comfort food. My date ordered the tasting menu: his favorite part was the lobster ravioli which was really good and creamy. However he thought his lamb entree was a little underseasoned and there was no choice in desserts for the tasting menu and it was a warm chocolate brownie a la mode. He can't eat chocolate so that was crappy for him, but luckily I eat chocolate, so it was good for me!

    (4)

  • Musicophile- H.

    Had Father's day lunch (miso salmon) and food was okay. Expected more flavors in food since price was high. Service was excellent & atmosphere was great. Waiter service was first class.

    (3)

  • Kimberly A.

    Great value; we had the turkey club sandwich and the shrimp caeser salad, and both were fantastic! The buttery, garlic-y shrimp atop the perfect caeser salad dressing with fresh croutons ranks in the best caeser salads on the island. The club sandwich had an extra layer of bread (triple decker) which was a little much for me, personally, but I'm sure someone else loves it. I took out the extra bread and devoured the whole thing. Topped with a Deschutes beer, our fantastic lunch came in well under $30. We'll be back!

    (5)

  • Melissa S.

    I WAS a big fan of Tango. Their coffee is the best anywhere. Their food is usually good (though one time my friend had to send back the risotto). I often recommend friends to go when they need to think of a place. If there's one best thing about Tango, it's their COFFEE. You can buy take out coffee there because, for $2, it is much better than Starbucks or Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. But their SERVICE is AWFUL! I went to breakfast the other day for a business meeting. We got there by 9:15am as I read on the website that they served breakfast until 10am. There were about two other tables there when we arrived. Before I even finished eating, our waiter placed the check on our table. And without explaining that they close between 10-11am, and that (maybe) they need to close out the checks for breakfast, he came back every two minutes to try to take the check. Finally, we got fed up and left without finishing our discussion. Then our waiter said, "you can sit as long as you want, I just need the check." It's AWFUL service! I will not recommend friends or clients to go there again. Though I will still get take out food or coffee.

    (3)

  • Kristen N.

    Many aspects about this restaurant give me the impression that, at some point, things that started out strong before either momentum or interest was lost. For instance, the risotto that was supposed to be fantastic had it only been cooked completely; the parts of dark meat on the duck that were evidently marinated in salt (a no-no since I can't tolerate salty flavor); the dust bunnies on the window sills in plain view--ew, I just got up brusquely and walked across the restaurant; the staff that maintained an unpleasantly too casual of a tone on the phone. And this lady, who looked like she was in charge, she asked if I was going to finish the duck and I was about to tell her why I wouldn't, when she just walked away. In fairness, the bread was yummy, the wait staff were attentive, and the malbec was so good (should have written it down). Yeah, like I would go back to a restaurant for their complementary bread and wine I can get from drug stores.

    (2)

  • Corinne K.

    My husband has been wanting to bring me here ever since he came here with a friend so we went on a Sunday for breakfast. Signed in with a couple of deuces signed in ahead of us then went to sit outside. A couple of minutes later a party of 7 walks in and gets seated immediately. Okay, I guess they don't seat that larger table til a big party comes in. We get seated a few minutes later. The noise level is incredible. As we were waiting for out food I notice a couple and toddler outside waiting. They then got seated on the other side of the "decorations down the middle" from us. Food took awhile but I didn't realize how long (as we were in no rush) until I happened to look over and that same couple and kid already got their food. Just as I was going to say something out food came out. I ordered the traditional Benedict. It was okay thought the canadian bacon was very thin and the bottom of the english muffin was very hard to cut. My husband ordered the Crab Benedict. It was very good. Service was a bit slow even on the drinks. The asian server was very nice. The other one not so much. Yeah, we really couldn't tell who our real server was. Husband wants to try dinner here so I'll give it another try.

    (3)

  • Gail M.

    I ordered the duck confit and a cappucino. The food is pretty good and reasonably priced. I thought the service was terrible. It was very brusque. Maybe they are trying to be efficient but efficient doesn't have to mean rude or cold. I hate when waiters say thank you without even making eye contact. It is so insincere. When I declined to order dessert the waiter asked if I was sure. I was kind of offended, when a customer says no it means no. I could have been diabetic for all he knew. I think the menu could be expanded to include more appetizers. I wanted to order more than an entree but did not like the soup selection and did not want to order an entree sized salad.

    (2)

  • Greg S.

    I was conflicted about how to feel about this place. Located next to PF Changs by Ward Center, this is a unique establishment for that area, serving contemporary American near gourmet food (by my amateur opinion). The decor succeeds and the menu seems ambitious, at least judging from the menu descriptions. We shared a mushroom risotto with a cream of tomato with roasted garlic soup to start. The soup du jour was average and the risotto had a good texture and flavor but didn't blow me away. Prices weren't too bad, but started to approach the point where I expect the food to be above average. Overall, I think this place is worth checking out, if nothing else but to try something different than it's surrounding chains. I'll be back at some point to try some of the other interesting menu items.

    (3)

  • Milo R.

    3.5......The food, service, cleanliness, & atmosphere is great. Kitchen looks outstandingly clean. The price is $$. My wife gives it a 4 but I give it a 3.

    (3)

  • Natalie L.

    had the grilled salmon salad. salmon was cooked perfectly and the dressing was yummy. what wasn't so yummy was the huge floating hunk of black mold/ algae in my friend's water glass. how the server brought that over to the table without noticing, i can't imagine. he was quick to fix the problem and brought her a new glass of water but by then the damage was done. yikes!

    (3)

  • Food C.

    We got our drinks quickly. Then it was all downhill from there. My sister practically finished her iced tea before the server came to take our order, and she wasn't gulping it down. We ordered the beet salad, duck confit burger, and the hamakua mushroom risotto. In the meantime I had to ask 2x for a straw and when I asked for hot sauce our waitress said we have sriracha and tobasco. I asked for cholula or tapatio and she cocked her head and stared at me for about 5 seconds before I said, "nevermind, I don't want any." but she came back with tobasco and no straw. When we got our salad, it was ok, and a few minutes later the waitress brought our other food. The risotto was not al dente, it was very much underdone. I had to call the waitress over because she didn't check to see if the food was ok. At the time my sister had given me half of her duck burger which tasted like chicken. The waitress explained that the chef makes the "orzo pasta" crunchy, so I asked her to take it away I didn't want it. She comes back and says the chef can recook it mushy, like how I want it. I said my sister already gave me half her sandwich but she said the chef was already doing it. Anyway, bad service and less than mediocre food. It was my first visit here and I was disappointed, but my sister used to frequent the place a lot at dinner said the food used to be good and the service used to be great. But neither one of us is going back after today.

    (1)

  • K N.

    We had lunch at tango for the first time and it was very good. We shared the caesar salad with chicken and risotto with shrimp- both were very delicious. Service was really good too. I will definitely go back to try their breakfast.

    (4)

  • pepper s.

    Lunch - beet salad (split), duck confit burger, hamakua mushroom risotto. Service - bad. The waitress made us wait til we were almost done with our drinks before taking our order. She brought the salad out with two of the smallest bread plates and two minutes later, she brought out our sandwich and entree. She didn't have a clue as to what tapatio or cholula was but when I said that it was ok, i don't need hotsauce but I would like a straw. She brought some tobasco, but no straw. When I got my risotto, it was crunchy. The waitress didn't come by at all after we got our food, so I had to wave her over (I hate doing that). But by that time I had already eaten half of my sister's duck confit burger which tasted like chicken :( I told her that the rice was too hard. She said the orzo is made crunchy by the chef and that's how it is. I said I don't like it, you can take it away. She came back and said the chef can make it mushy like how you like it. I said, no thanks I ate half of my sister's sandwich. She said the chef is doing it now. What can I say? I didn't want it after the first bite and I'm certainly not going to want it "mushy." I'm all about al dente, but not crunchy. And its not Orzo, its arborio RICE! Overall bad food and bad service. It was my first time so I was disappointed. But my sister used to frequent the place a lot for dinner and she said the food used to be good and the service used to be good. But neither of us will be back.

    (1)

  • Tommy B.

    Reviewed this place for lunch just over a week ago, but just returned from a dinner for six at Tango that was even better than my previous lunch experience. The menu isn't huge, nut everything on it seems to be done very, very well. Price wise it is definitely a splurge for me, but we were celebrating my significant other's birthday...worth every penny. My duck and onion starter was fantastic. Unfortunately, my Asian braised beef was a tiny bit on the dry side, but it was the only dish at the table that was not excellent. Three other loved their tasting menu B options that included a scallop starter, lamb chops, and a dessert sampler. My strawberry mango crumble and delicious decaf were a wonderful way to end a fabulous meal. Service, as before, was nicely attentive, helpful, and friendly but never intrusive. Very satisfying celebratory dinner but I didn't leave feeling overly stuffed. This place is great.

    (4)

  • John C.

    Went there on May 13, 2008, since heard quite a bit of hype on the place. Originally was supposed to go to another restaurant, but had guests in town and thought we would try this place out. Things got off to a not so great start with the parking being FULL. It was a nightmare to park and the valet people were just not very helpful. Finally got to Tango at 12:00pm and the place did not have an empty seat. Saw the "Please Wait To Be Seated" sign. No problem. Were we wrong. . . . The waitress was curt and borderline rude. Came up to us and stated the obvious "The are no seats right now." The three of us stood in line and waited. About 12:10pm, another group of three arrived and stood behind us. They were chatting and seem to know the waitress that was rude to us. No worries . . . . When a table opened up, guess what happened? The waitress spoke with Tami (part owner) and they seated the other party before us! They didn't even have the courtesy to explain things to us. I called Tami over and asked why they were seated before us. She makes and excuse that they were here first . . . . Hmm . . . . Can you say BS? Suffice it to say, we were not happy and told Tami that she was completely useless and we were never coming back to Tango again! Sincerely believe that no matter how good the food is, service and ambiance are equally important. Service is terrible at Tango. Even one of their bussers admitted that much! Would have loved to try the food and rate it, but hey, just this horrible experience alone gives Tango a big "goose egg". One star is more than generous. Goran (part owner and chef) was nice, but they are in denial. When I called to let him know what happened, his response is "We've never had that sort of complaint before." Judging from the other postings here, bad service is pretty much a given at Tango. A lot of restaurants around town think they can charge big prices just because they are new, hip, etc. Think again! If your service sucks, well, you're going to crash and burn really quickly. If anyone is looking for good food, head over to Vino. We "rediscovered" it recently. Previously, the food was OK, nothing spectacular, but they had a new chef in the past 6 months and we were pleasantly surprised. The food was spectacular - blow us away and the price was extremely reasonable. The Pork Bean Soup was delicious and it was only $10 for a very generous portion. The lamb chops (previous menu) was divine for only $22. Service was top notch - attentive and courteous. A gem in the rough. ***Originally posted on May 13, 2008 but "disappeared." ****

    (1)

  • Wynee L.

    the ambience and coffee is great, but definitely not the same as before. portions got way smaller and sometimes food comes out cold. last time waited almost 45 minutes for food and waitress asked if i wanted my one coffee refill now or when my food came. seriously....only one refill for waiting that long. may need to wait a while before going back again.

    (2)

  • Lenny B.

    Took a very good friend for Father's Day since his kids were out of town. He had the scallops, came with three and they were huge!! I had the braised beef and it was very tender. And the bottle wine went very well with both dishes. As for dessert, we had the Cream brûlée and I think it was Strawberry Apple crumbs. Overall this place is great! I'm only giving it a four stars because they ran out of brownies with ice cream :-(

    (4)

  • Juliet M.

    Bummmmmmer. This is a fabulous example of trying quite hard, but missing the mark. So my long time buddy and me arrived at around 9:30a for some brunch accciones. There was a wait- a great sign that the food has possibly improved from my last visit. He and I are born and raised Californians and Bay Area bred at that! Snobs about food one might say or just spoiled rotten from a bay-bey. We both ordered coffee. It was tasty and hot, but when my cup was empty my bud had to ask me in front of the waiter TWICE if I would like a refill. As I was reviewing the menu there seemed to be some legit selections. I narrowed it down to the classic Benedict or the corned beef hash little skillet things they have...I decided on the corned beef hash- that is always a win-win...and at $10.50 it haaaaaas to be made from scratch-not can. I mean a can is $1.99 - and a 10lbs of 'taters is $2.99. I jokingly asked...after I ordered the corned beef hash - "just to make trice (John G you get zee street cred) I asked if their corned beef was canned. ....and....the server replied, "actually it is canned." Whaaaaat? ...cough uncomfortably... dear gosh. How does that skit go??! "I ain't got time for that." Ummmm, yup that's it. So I decided on the classic Benedict. It was ok. My egg yolk was not runny...a rookie mistake, not expected at all. The ketchup that is homemade was under seasoned (I added some serious sal) and the potatoes tasted like they sat on the griddle all morning, but it was only 10a. My bundle had the duck confit potatoes and he did not have complaints...also he was not complimentary. Due to learning about the canned meat, we checked if the confit was bagged and thank goodness it was not! He also had the papaya and it was as good as papayas get- I thank the higher up for creating them! Well tango, I think you need some salsa added for paaaa-zazzzzz.

    (3)

  • Angela C.

    It was Okay. The environment is nice. But it took awhile for the one of the servers to greet us, although it is a very small restaurant, they are definitely not in a hurry to seat their customers. We didn't like to stand by the door for too long waiting for a seat. It gave out a cold vibe. The food was ok, they are too salty for me. The food also took a long time to arrive. Just the free bread and dipping oil alone took about 15 minutes. The charcuterie took 25 minutes. We were just sitting with water for a while. Perhaps the restaurant doesn't want customer to finish their free bread and dipping, and ask for more, since the dishes were slow coming. We ordered the grass beef with ham wrapped prawns, and the duck leg confit and breasts. The beef was good, and the duck was OK. While in Paris, Duck leg confit was my favorite dish at Brasserie Lipp, I have been looking for this dish for a long time in Honolulu. Finally found it there at Tango. Sadly, it wasn't even comparable. Overall, the restaurant was OK, but probably will not remain on our memories for too long. Might not come back again because it isn't too attractive to us.

    (3)

  • Dawn B.

    The place is well located for downtown workers looking for a place to go out to lunch, tourists hanging out at Ward Center and Makiki, Wakiki and Ala Moana neighborhood locals looking for a place to eat breakfast and lunch for under $15 a plate. I've been there three times and ordered the same thing each time - the Gravlax sandwich with fries and the home made ketchup with a pickled veggie salad. It's in the $13 range and well worth it. I've had Gravlax sandwichs in Norway and Sweden where the sandwich is as common as a bento box here. The Tango version is just as good as what I've eaten in Scandinavia - thick rye bread, thin crisp slices of cucumber, firm tomatoes, very green lettuce and LOTS of salmon. Yum. All the food that comes out of the kitchen looks delicious. When I was with a party of 5 people everyone liked their food. The service there was not great before my most recent trip, but it wasn't bad either. Friendly but distracted is the best way to describe it. Here's the bad news about Tango: the service is awful when dining alone! I almost walked out before I even ordered because two tables that came in after me had drinks and had ordered and all I'd gotten was a "someone will be with you soon" 10 minutes after I sat down. The restaurant is tiny; maybe 20 squeezed together tables make up the service area. Yet, some how, the wait staff did not refill my water glass or hot tea kettle. They dropped off my food and did not check back to see if the food was OK or if anything else was needed. They did not clear dirty dishes until they brought the check. I dine alone quite often, I know my check total will be lower than a table with couples or a larger party. But, I also don't linger, and I always pad the tip, if I don't get the "hurry up and get out" treatment. I tipped 18% because 1. the food was good and 2. I just wanted to put down my $20 and get out of there and go where other people could actually see me since clearly at Tango I was covered by a cloak of invisibility.. So, I'll go back to Tango, but I'll take a friend or two or three.

    (3)

  • Pam M.

    I ate at Tango for brunch today & tried their Swedish pancakes, after reading Emi's review & recommendation. I was not disappointed - the Swedish pancakes are accompanied by fresh berries and a slightly tart berry compote and a side of fresh whipped cream. It was light & flavorful. I ordered a half order of Muesli of oats & honey, which came with walnuts, fresh strawberries & blueberries and petite pieces of honeydew & cantaloupe, and very filling. Service is prompt & friendly. I didn't make a brunch reservation, but if you have a group, I would recommend it.

    (4)

  • K K.

    Breakfast coffee with one friend turned into more of a brunch thing waiting for a friend to show up but anyhow, I normally drink Starbucks iced caramel macchiato's so I figured why not try one here since its early in the morning & I'm a bit tired. Omg! I loved it! I wanted to get another but that would be dangerous since I'm sensation to caffeine. I had previously looked online at the menu & was set on getting the smoked salmon bagel. Got there & looked at the menu, didn't see any so I said I hope I can get the risotto. It's very rare that you find risotto on a menu anywhere. Wait for the food wasn't that long, ordered it with chicken....should have ordered it with shrimp instead. Everything was good except the chicken, it was on the dry side. But no big deal just ate a couple of pieces. For some reason or another, my crazy friends decided to order desserts at like 9:30 am... For the creme brûlée which was amazing & the strawberry mango crumble? I'm allergic to fresh mango so I had a taste of it, that too was pretty amazing! Overall I'd come back for the coffee & to try other items on the menu.

    (4)

  • Nadia K.

    I've always liked the ambiance of this little cafe, but nothing about the food was calling me to return. That is, until I heard they were serving brunch on the weekends. The next chance I got, I rounded up the family and made a reservation for a Saturday morning. We were not disappointed. The extensive brunch menu offers a great selection that ensures there is something for everyone in your party. And it's affordable. I loved my bagel burger ($11.50) and the Swedish pancakes ($8.75) were very delicious without being too sweet. My family had the shredded duck confit hash ($9.75), original Pytt I Panna - Swedish for stuff in a pan ($9.50), country style corned beef hash ($9.50) and Hamakua mushroom frittata ($12.50). We ordered ala carte for the little ones: bacon ($3.75) and 2 eggs ($3.25) We ended the meal with affogato di gelato ($6.50). It was excellent and I liked that they could do decaf espresso shots for my pregnant sister. With its affordable prices and bright ambiance, this place is perfect to host a celebration if you have a small group of about 20 or less. There are 3 rectangular tables that line one of the walls which can seat 6-8 people each. Will definitely be back!

    (4)

  • Lanie P.

    The server that was assigned to our group of 18 was very gracious and efficient. We had lots of fun at Tango, the food was delicious and the raspberry sorbet was wonderful. Thanks, Tango Cafe

    (4)

  • Gayle N.

    I've been to Tango's many times, I don't know why I haven't written a review before. I love the gravlox!!! When I first went there and read the description, I must have been in a experimental mood because I can't for the life of me figure out the reason for ordering it...just not me. I'm more of the cheeseburger and fries (safe; know what I'm getting type). BUT...ever since that first time, it is all that I'll order when there! I just love it! So fresh, so juicy, so yum! Healthy too...that's another "not like me" thing. The salmon is so soft and plentiful, with sliced boiled egg, and greens, tomatoes with a special sauce layered open-faced on bread...deee-lish! There is so much, it is hard to finish....lucky me, I get to have it for dins too! That's such a winner!

    (5)

  • Ariana M.

    Oh Hurricane Iselle... I am thankful that you hardly hit Oahu. And thanks for causing me to have a day off of work ;) However, everything was closed that Friday!! RAWR. Trying to find a place to eat was difficult =__= THANK GOODNESS TANGO WAS OPEN~! I been to Tango once for dinner a couple years back. I never tried their lunch menu, so I was excited to get to try something new. When we arrived at Tango, we were seated immediately. It wasn't busy, and I'm guessing that's because a lot of people were unaware that they were open. The server was super nice and attentive. He went over the specials of the day and recommended a lot of good dishes. The Grub. [[ GRAVLAX SANDWICH $12.50 ]] yelp.com/biz_photos/tang… This is Chef Goran's signature. This delish sandwich comes with boursin cheese, sliced hard boiled egg, tomato, cucumber, and mustard dill sauce. This wasn't your typical sandwich you eat between two slices of bread. The presentation was beautifully arranged with all the yummy toppings on top of one slice of bread. So this is more of a fork and knife kind of deal. [[ CRAB CAKE SANDWICH $15.50 ]] yelp.com/biz_photos/tang… Decided to try this because it was the Friday daily special. I mean how could you say no to Dungeness crab cake sandwich with avocado and nori bun! :D Overall I thought this place was great~! The server was attentive and the food was good. I found out that they serve breakfast here too,so I definitely want to come back to check that out! :3

    (5)

  • Tuula M.

    Had crab meat Benedict, AMAZING! Coffee fantastic. Very popular spot, decor is modern, which I love.

    (5)

  • Julie D.

    My husband and I were super hungry and I anyways wanted to try this place out. I can be an indecisive person with food so I kept debating on whether to chose the crab benedict or spinach Florentine benedict. Then the really nice waitress says "you can actually choose two different benedicts since the plates comes in twos." Of course I did exactly what she offered. I wasn't disappointed because both were delicious! My husband got the braised beef benedict. Just looking at it, I felt like sticking my fork into it and wow I could tell the meat was super moist. The beef was on a bed of fried rice and topped with a poached egg and hollandaise sauce...how can you go wrong with that. My husband loved his plate. All together with tip we spent about $30. Another star goes to the free parking structure. We will probably be back to try their lunch and dinner menu.

    (5)

  • Kelli S.

    I've been to Tango Contemporary Café a few times, and this place has always been a great spot for a more upscale lunch in a peaceful, quaint environment. The food here is always fresh, and service is spot-on. If you're going to Tango for lunch, though, plan on going early, as the eatery is on the smaller side and can easily get crowded. If you go during prime lunch hours, you'll probably have to wait for a bit. My trips to Tango have always been for lunch, and I've always enjoyed my meal. I think I ordered the same thing both times, but there are still plenty of menu items that I have yet to try. Here's what I would recommend: "Grilled Mahi Mahi Sandwich": This has been my go-to entrée so far from Tango, and it features fresh fish on a nori bun and is served with tartar sauce. I love the fresh taste of the mahi, and though I never use the tartar, the nori bun sports plenty of taste and welcomed texture. All sandwiches are served with mixed greens or French Fries, and I always go for the French fries. You can't have a good sandwich without fries! I like the fries here because they're not too thin or overly crispy. "Duck Confit Burger": I haven't had too many sandwiches or burgers made with duck confit, but I HAVE had good duck confit fries and chips in my lifetime, so I'm sure I would enjoy this entrée. It includes a whole wheat bun, lettuce, tomatoes and an onion. I would order my burger sans the last two ingredients and would opt for French fries. "Breaded Pork Cutlet": Pork cutlet/tonkatsu is one of my favorite local meals, so I can't wait to taste the fresh version at Tango. I like my cutlet with a sufficiently breaded, crispy exterior, so my hopes are high for this dish! This breaded culet comes with a Hamakua Mushroom Ragout, vegetables and French fries. Sounds like a great, balanced meal! "Dungeness Crab Cake Sandwich": There is a different lunch special featured on every day, and this Friday lunch special is pricier but it sounds like a phenomenal sandwich. This sandwich includes a tasty Dungeness crab cake topped with avocado and served in a nori bun and it comes with your choice of mixed greens or French fries. I would definitely go with the fries, and since I do love a good crab patty, I'm intrigued to see what the crab cake sandwich from Tango tastes like. "Strawberry Mango Crumble with Cinnamon Ice Cream": During our first visit to Tango, the BF insisted on getting this dessert. He had it before and said the cinnamon ice cream was to die for. Since I prefer chocolaty desserts over sweet ones, I wasn't keen on the strawberry mango crumble at first, but it turned out to be rather refreshing. It was a bit tart because of the mango, but I enjoyed the crust (probably more than the filing) and I ate most of the cinnamon ice cream (the BF gladly finished off most of the crumble). This dessert was definitely unique, thanks to the medley of flavors included, and the cinnamon ice cream provided that extra sweetness that the more-tart dessert needed. "Kona Coffee Ice Cream Cake": Now, this dessert sounds like it's right up my alley since it comprises several chocolate flavors. It includes Kona Coffee, Vanilla and Italian Chocolate ice cream with chiffon cake. Yum! I'm a huge fan of ice cream cakes (a la Baskin-Robbins), and I look forward to trying this sweet ice cream medley at some point. "Chocolate Brownie with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream": I can be pretty simple when it comes to my taste in dessert, and nothing makes me happier than a warm, moist, fudgy, chewy, chocolate brownie topped with luscious vanilla ice cream. Brownie points (pun intended) for this dessert because it includes fragrant, rich and creamy vanilla BEAN ice cream. "Loco Moco Benedict": If I ever visited Tango for breakfast, this is the entrée I would choose. Being a loco moco lover is more of a recent thing for me, and I'm always interested to try the various versions at different eateries. The Tango's take on this classic plate lunch dish features tender braised beef on fried rice. Already this savory entrée is a winner in my book because it features fried rice instead of regular white rice. Since I know nothing about this moco's gravy, though (I like thicker gravy, not runny gravy), I would probably ask for it on the side and drizzle the desired amount over my meal. "Fried Rice": This delicious-sounding entrée is featured during brunch, so I would definitely order it if I ever visited Tango's for brunch. It comprises Portuguese sausage and one egg (any style), so I would probably go for over easy. I do love a good, savory, salty fried rice, so I can't wait to try this Tango's version one day.

    (4)

  • A. M. R.

    Tango Restaurant will ALWAYS be an A plus in my book. The food is great. The ambiance is great, & the people that work there are fantastic! !. I hope they continue to have their business for a long time!!.

    (5)

  • Alison A.

    Cute little cafe crossed with a small selection of bar offerings like mixed drinks, a few scotches, and wine, and the entrees and burgers appeared from afar to have potential, but I wasn't too impressed with the quinoa salad, which had some spring mix greens (portioned for a small side salad, and about a half cup of quinoa on the side. Priced at over $14, I was expecting something with a little more flair, substance, and flavor--there was none, perhaps some light salt. Service was so-so. Though friendly and attentive to drink and water refills, our food took a long time, if I had to guess, about 35-40 minutes to come out of the kitchen. The place wasn't filled, and I couldn't understand why folks who sat down long after we ordered, received their hot entrees before ours.

    (2)

  • Jamie H.

    Stopped in after shopping at TJ Max and Pier One for lunch. There was a little bit of a wait but not much. I ordered the smoked salmon eggs benedict and it was delicious. Also had the plantation iced tea which was yummy. My friend ordered the risotto with chicken and she loved it as well! We both finished everything on our plates! Cute place to go to for lunch!

    (4)

  • Kathy A.

    How could I have driven past this cafe for several years and never stop? Well tan my hide in Oceanside I am a fan and have been in twice in a week, once with my mainland boss and the next day with honey bunny! The second try was mostly to made sure I could believe my lying eyes and my precocious palette. Off the charts coffee and as long as there is food on your plate the coffee keeps coming. First day I tried the Gravlax. A super mix of expertly sautéed potatoes, green and red peppers, onions and right before serving an addition of awesome gravlax. I have had this elsewhere and there is no comparison to what is served here. The gravlax was so soft and pure and when heated it didn't assume the flavor of any of the other ingredients. My companion ordered the Florentine Eggs Benedict. Even if she hadn't mentioned it was wonderful I would have made that assumption based on the orgasmic noises emanating from that side of the table. Next day I tried the Crab Hash Benedict. I like the focaccia bread served under the hash and eggs as I am not an English muffin fan. The crab hash was loaded with crab and tasted wonderfully crabby not a hint of fish. The eggs were poached perfectly and the sauce was excellent accenting the dish and not overpowering it. HB went for his usual Loco Moco. Tender, boneless beef short rib atop two small mounds of fried rice, topped with two poached eggs and a spoon of hollandaise sauce. Being a purest Loco Moco lover, he said it was "good" but not his style. Did I mention the off the charts coffee? When served my first cup I mistakenly thought someone added cream. I love my coffee as black and strong as you can make it. They make their coffee in an espresso maker and it comes topped with half an inch of espresso foam or crema. Luv luv luv that coffee and want that machine. Will be back very soon to try lunch and dinner.

    (4)

  • Dali H.

    Thank you Reuben for a great experience today for brunch. Excellent coffee, we had the Swedish pancakes and a gravlax sandwich....everything was fresh, delicious and well presented !! This is not the first visit, every time we've been here, the food has been amazing. Have yet to try something that we didn't like!!! But definitely sit in Reuben's area, he'll take great care of you!!!

    (5)

  • Jason C.

    I've seen this restaurant for a few years and always wanted to give it a try. So one night I decided to call a friend and check it out. It's located in the Hokua, next to Panya Bistro (past: PF Changs). This is a small restaurant, but the food looks good from what I read on the menu. We went in on a Sunday for dinner and there were a few tables open, so there was no waiting and service was fairly quick. The ambiance of this cafe is nice and tastefully done. The kitchen from what I could see, was on the smaller side. I ordered the bouillabaisse and my friend ordered the sea bass, minus the mashed potato, sub for veggies. Our server was friendly and very attentive. However, when we received our order, mine was good but my friends order came out wrong. He still had the mashed potato and no veggies. The server was quick to point out that the chef got it wrong. But I feel the server should have caught it before delivering it to us. The bouillabaisse was very flavorful, lots of strong notes and everything worked together in the dish. My friend also enjoyed his food, but was a little disappointed with the error in his order. I tasted his mashed potatos and found it to be a little weird (pesto mash), maybe because it was unfamiliar to me. Overall, I wouldn't say that our service was bad. We all make mistakes and I'd be happy to return to this cafe again. Because I really want to try the risotto and prawns.

    (4)

  • Rosie P.

    Where do I start? Breakfast... Best wholesome Swedish pancakes,, although I love the buttermilk ones too their gravlax are wonderful, Sweetbread french toast with fresh maple syrup and berries, oh yah! My friends love their eggs Benedict. For my taste, bene's can bed heavy, but if I get one, I love their florentine. Not too many places offer it and Tango does and I love theirs. They have the BEST COFFEE and the atmosphere is so lovely. It's light and airy, fun and stylish, cozy, but open. I love to just go and sit in the window and have coffee and talk. Ok, lunch, I looooove their risotto with shrimp! OMG, I could eat it all the time:)) They serve it for dinner too and I can't tell you how happy that makes me!! I also love their crab sandwhich when they have it, the beef stroganoff is very nice, especially on a rainy day, their beet salad is also one the absolute favorites on their menu, although note... It is NOT the same beet salad at night. I was very saddened by that as I love to get it for lunch and thought to share it with my dinner friends only to find out that it was much much smaller and not anywhere nearly as refreshing. Honestly, not worth getting at night, sad to say, but so wonderful to get at lunch! Let's see, dinner and dessert... The scallop and spinach salad is wonderful for starters, so are the escargot. They have fresh bread to enjoy with it. I love their bouillabaisse and get it often if I don't get the risotto, but their beef tenderloin is also very nice, as well as their duck. For dessert, the affogato is my unfailing favorite.

    (5)

  • Kawika B.

    I've been looking for a great weekend brunch spot that isn't just another plate of eggs or luke warm buffet. Brunch is a great time of day to enjoy some complex pairings that will get your weekend off to a great start, and the price is right to Tango. "Jansson's Temptation," Scandinavian Potato, Anchovy and Ham Casserole, Gravlax,Sunny Side Egg, with Beet Salad 12.50 There were 2 separate bowls of deliciousness. (Beet Salad vs. All the Fixins) Although most Americans will run from anchovies and salmon gravlax, throw your hands up and jump right into this new take on the "Baked Potato". When the you get bored with one bowl, jump to the next, and start all over, then rotate. Fun Brunch! Top notch coffee too, which is clutch for a long day. The atmosphere is industrial with hints of flora and fauna. Friendly servers and very clean location. I can't wait to try Chef Goran's Dinner. Dance on friends!!!!

    (4)

  • Ivy Lou H.

    Definitely 4 stars for this place! I love the interior design and the best service: they have high quality food and well trained staff. I was very surprised when I saw the bill was just $26.00 for 2 persons; It's a great deal!!! I got the traditional Eggs Benedict and hubby had fried rice and Portuguese sausage. Ooohhh... It was DELISH! We both love their coffee made by an espresso machine; tastes so fresh when compared to other restaurants or Starbucks! I highly recommend this place

    (4)

  • Tania L.

    Been here twice, about 1-2 year's time between each experience, both times for dinner. Not sure if it's fair to combine both experiences into one review, because after the first time I would give it a four-star review; the second would garner Simple enough, it averages to three stars. Food was good, not great. Its lure is the affordability in French food. First time dining I got the duck - breast was dry but the thigh was good. It was a bit overdressed with sauce. Second entree, I recall JB getting the Asian five spice duck - he loves anything with five spice, idk - and he was underwhelmed. Foie gras was great and Caesar salad standard tasty. Decent, affordable wine options. Service is the hiccup here that made the 2-star dip. In retrospect I probably came off douchey because I had written my complaints with the service on the back of the receipt. He was decently cordial but the moment that alerted me was in seeing HOW DIFFERENT his service was to the couple dining in the very table RIGHT NEXT TO US. I didn't want to say anything to JB initially but when I asked if he noticed something, the fact that he guessed what I was thinking reaffirmed that it wasn't just me being hypersensitive. He told the other table the specials of the day, offered them wine suggestions and samples, was personable... JB and I are NOT snobs -- food snobs, maybe -- but we are both in the industry so we get it. Like I said, we didn't have a problem with his service until we noticed the marked difference. They were dressed better because they were on a date. We were kind of dressed like sh*t because that's just how I usually dress and he looks really young. I don't know. To be fair, it wasn't blatant, and the other wait service were fine and good, but man... ... I'm not looking for any freebies at all; I can afford my sh*t. But I enjoyed dining there once upon a time and since this second visit, with so many other options out there, I will no longer have a hankering for this place. That's the biggest disappointment :/ maybe I'll get over it soon. Maybe.

    (3)

  • Maila G.

    I'm surprised more people don't rave about this place. The coffee is strong, delicious, & brewed by the cup. Love the atmosphere. My family and I left nothing on our plates. The danishes are flaky, buttery, & fresh. The blueberry pancakes were like the crispy overflow of the tops of blueberry muffins. Swedish pancakes were light and chewy. My husband went crazy for the crab Benedict. The loco moco Benedict is made with braised beef AND you can mix and match the benedicts in case you can't decide or want to try more than one. A great place for an all girls' breakfast, but guys like it too! Gotta love a place that makes pancakes from scratch & NOT from a mix. I think it's kind of lame when people give bad reviews based on portion size. More isn't always better. Personally, I think the portions are perfect especially because the food tastes so good, the ambience is nice, & the service is excellent. Creme brûlée wasn't our favorite, but it wasn't bad. Hamakua mushroom risotto was also delish with garlic shrimp.

    (5)

  • Lance T.

    Excellent decor and ambiance. Less is more in this little contemporary and comfortable joint. Ordered the Classic Burger - medium well. It was served well done, thus making it dry. The blue cheese crumble (I requested when I ordered) and the optional avocado truly saved this dry creation. The avocado was fresh. Loved the French fries and the dipping sauce (tangy hint of ketchup). Great place but the $18 is just a bit too pricy for this Classic burger. Would love to go back and check out other dishes.

    (3)

  • Debbie T.

    A delightful cafe for lunch. it was my first time there. The service was efficient and pleasantly interactive. It felt like I was a guest in their home. I enjoyed the mahi mahi sandwich with french fries, of course. The bottomless ice passion fruit tea was so good. Had plans for dessert elsewhere. will try theirs, the next time.

    (3)

  • Stephanie M.

    Impromptu date-nights are always full of laughter, adventure, and end with full tummys--well, at least mine do--and this night was no different! On this random Thursday evening we found ourselves heading towards our usual location: Ward. With restaurant selections seeming more and more slim we ventured over towards a few we hadn't tried yet. Tango's menu popped out at us immediately; every item sounding delicious and our mouths instantly salivating. We had to try it. The decor is lovely and perfect for date-nights, girls-night, or a quiet evening at the bar. With dimmed lights, table-clothed tables, and rustic centerpieces I felt like I was in another country. The one downside to Tango's menu is that I wanted to sample every single item. I had the hardest time choosing when my date said, "Let's each do a tasting". I looked down and saw two tasting menus, perfect for each of us. Each tasting included an appetizer, two entrees, and a sampling of desserts ($36/$45). For the price, and the quantity, the tasting is the way to go for first-timers. Our favorite was the Mushroom Risotto: perfectly creamy & rich. 2nd favorite was the Asian Style Five Spice Braised Beef: so tender you don't need a knife, perfectly seasoned and crunch oniony rings for texture. And, to make the meal even better, we shared a bottle of wine. The service was impeccable: informative, generous, attentive. We will definitely be going back for brunch, lunch, and dinner. Give Tango a shot!

    (5)

  • Donna M.

    Prior to actually coming here, Tango was barely a blip on my radar. Sure, I knew it was there, nestled on the ground floor of the Hokua building. But even though I work and play in the Kakaako/Ward area, I never bothered to venture out and try it. Now I ask myself... Why! I only wish I did sooner, because this place is surely a (not so hidden) gem! Now, if you love beets as much as I do, getting this salad is a no brainer. This is a beautiful salad consisting of both deep violet and golden roasted beets on a bed of fresh mixed greens. The sweet beets are contrasted by the sharp flavor of goat cheese morsels. The salad also comes with eggs and is tossed with a raspberry vinaigrette. The vinaigrette was a bold pink color, but didn't have a bold flavor--instead, when tossed with the salad, the dressing tied everything gracefully. They didn't skimp on the eggs or beets either. This was a refreshing light salad, and an awesome way to wake up our taste buds and kick off lunch. So, the day that I happened to come to Tangos, it was freakin' raining cats and dogs. I craved for something warm and soupy--but not a typical bowl of soup. The seafood stew was my entree of choice. This came loaded up with the entire ocean--succulent shrimps, chunks of white fish, mussels, and clams, all in a light but flavorful saffron broth. Chunks of potatoes immersed in the broth were tender and bursting with flavor. This came with two pieces of toasted rye, which I used to sop up the yummy stew. Normally I skip bread, but this was freakin' winner, I couldn't get enough! Herby and crusty, and perfect with soup, or just alone. The BF ordered the Hamakua Mushroom Risotto, and this was mind blowingly good! The risotto was warm, rich and delicious. The serving size was generous and each spoonful was hearty and savory, complemented by fresh, green asparagus and chicken (though you can also get it with grilled shrimp if you choose to do so). For sure this is something you'll want your own order of... I need to remember that next time! The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated--clean, bright and simple. Truthfully, it is a little small on the inside, so if it's a peak lunch or dinner time, come early or be prepared for a wait. From the art on the wall, to the light fixtures hanging from the ceiling, or the unique serving ware (don't mind me, i'm easily impressed by asymmetrical bowls) or even just the food---dining at Tango is not only a treat for the tastebuds but also for the eyes! My one and only gripe, is that the food took a really long time to come out; Understandable though, granted how slammed they were at the time. Besides, good things come to those who wait, right? Not always, but it certainly is the case here. I've made a mental note to check out the wine list based on everyone else's raves, but be sure to give the coffee here a try too! You won't regret it--thumbs up to their caramel macchiato, which by the way, comes in a gorgeous cup!

    (4)

  • Sam S.

    What can I say. I hardly ever review anything on here, because I find it's just not worth the effort. However, I was shocked to see this place didn't have a 5-star review. After eating there multiple times myself, I have had one of the most consistent high quality food experience possible. A bit on my background. I've travelled to 6 continents, 58 countries and have eaten in every state in the union. I've tasted everything from 2 Michelin star food in New York, London and San Francisco, to Zippies and Red Lobster.. As a general rule, better food costs more, but there are places (typically the chain's like Red Lobster, or whatever) where you pay an unreasonably high cost for food that is essentially taken off the back of a CISCO truck and prepared by $9/hr "cooks" ... Then you have your restaurants where the food is of the highest quality and prepared by either the Chef or his staff under very stict quality guidelines.. Usually this food will set you back $40-50 for a single course, and the portion WILL be very small. Which brings me to Tango Cafe. I have eaten both the breakfast and lunch there. My favorites are the Loco Benedict (the Chef's twist on the Loco Moco using perfectly cooked and relatively lean Braised beef), and for lunch I'm in love with the Breaded Pork Cutlet which is the Chef's take on a Germany Jager Schnitzel.. Without exception the flavor, quality, and consistency has been remarkable. I'm not a professional food critic, but I do fancy good food... This place is absolutely consistent and good, but the best part is ITS CHEAP! yes, not saying its' reasonable, or even fairly priced... no, by Hawaii standards it's down right cheap! There is ample FREE (with validation) parking also right behind the restaurant. The Chef, who is originally from Sweden is omnipresent in his restaurant. I have never come in where he wasn't diligently working with his staff, all of them efficiently doing their job and from what I can see ( again no expert, but using common sense) vin ery clean and hygienic kitchen. The wait staff is generally friendly, and attentive and the atmosphere is nice without being pretentious. This is truly a 5-star or more rated food establishment by any standard, but frankly with the limited options for food in Hawaii, this place covers it all, both local and international fare!

    (5)

  • Steven H.

    This place was good. I had the salmon Benedict which was better than average. The coffee was good and strong! The restaurant was on the small side when it comes to dining. I think the max capacity was like 40 people.

    (3)

  • Ayu S.

    Cafe atmosphere, food, cleanliness is perfect. I didn't feel like I'm in Hawaii. We went around 11am and we didn't need to wait in line but soon after there was long line. The only thing was we waited long time after we ordered. But overall, food was really good!

    (4)

  • Tera G.

    Great food and service. Love this place! Try the tasting menu. Smaller portions but still lots of food to fill you. Up. Risotto is my fave. Never have complaints bout the customer service either.

    (5)

  • Whit A.

    I'm glad we made reservations for a party of 9. We went on a Saturday at 1pm and there were people standing by the door waiting for a table. People blocked the door so I had to push my way through. The restaurant should at least have a waiting area just for convenience. The food was pretty good and service was exceptionally great. I had the Loco Moco Benedict and I liked it. My friend got the Seafood Crêpe (not really sure what it was called) and it was yummy! I wish I ordered that instead. For dessert, I tried the Strawberry Mango Crumble and it was alright. I just wanted to try something new. Majority got the brownie dessert and you could never go wrong with brownie and ice cream! The interior of the restaurant is nice and modern-looking. Also, the restaurant isn't that big so I recommend making reservations before going. I wouldn't mind eating here again.

    (4)

  • Chris C.

    My opinion of this popular lunch spot is still "meh." Not bad, not great. My friend and I visited for lunch yesterday. They have validated parking in their building. Since we were early (11:30 a.m.), the restaurant was not too crowded and the service was reasonable with our water glasses being consistently filled. It filled up fast later on and there was a wait for tables. My friend ordered the "Chef Göran's Signature Open Faced Gravlax Sandwich" which I would describe as the fanciest egg salad sandwich I have ever seen. She seemed to enjoy it and finished it. I ordered the Hamakua Mushroom Risotto with Asparagus and Garlic Shrimp. I was not impressed with my choice. The dish was predominately rice, as you can see in the photo, with very few mushrooms. The rice was a little mushy and overall the dish did not have much flavor. However, I did finish it so it wasn't that bad. I ordered the vanilla gelato for dessert, which was described on the menu as "ice cream." To me, there is a difference between ice cream and gelato. They are not the same thing, which the waitress did not seem to understand and clearly, neither did the person who designed the menu. The gelato, I was told, came from La Gelateria and was absolutely excellent. It was served in three tiny balls instead of one normal scoop which was irritating because it melts faster. I am a bit OCD when it comes to vanilla gelato. I thought the prices were slightly high for lunch but nothing outrageous, and the validated parking is a plus. Overall, not too bad.

    (3)

  • Lori F.

    Went here with good friends to enjoy a late holiday get together. I enjoyed the risotto with garlic shrimp. Very nice & filling too. We shared the beet salad, as well as their signature blueberry bread pudding & fruit crepes. Everything was great. Our waiter, as well as others, came around often to keep our drinks full. No validation necessary on Sundays, but keep your ticket. You'll need to swipe it to get out. Nice way to start off rhe new year, with good friends, good food & service.

    (4)

  • Reimi D.

    I was hesitant to try Tango because the reviews were very hit-or-miss. But I have now been here three times and can say that I plan on being a regular. I do prefer their breakfast menu, though. My hubby and I came here once for lunch and it was ooookkkkay. I had the open face shrimp sandwich, and though it was light yet filling, it was nothing to scream home about. The baby shrimp seemed a bit soggy, as if recently thawed, and the flavor was bland. Not the end of the world, just not something I would order again. Their breakfast, however, is awesome. I've tried the Gravlax Pytt i Panna (grilled potatoes, vegetables and lox with a sunny side up egg) on one occasion, and the muesli on the other. Both were really good, unlike anything you can get at most places. I enjoy the overall feel of their cafe--it's kind of Japanese-European, which I guess is what they are going for. The menu items are unique and worth trying. My hubby has tried the shredded duck confit hash, the house-made yogurt, and the vegetable sandwich. He loved the duck hash. For the yogurt, his only complaint was that it was served in a martini-like glass. He said it was hard to eat/enjoy because he was worried that he was going to tip the glass over. He said the vegetable sandwich was really good, but super messy. I have yet to try their dinner items, but I plan to. Over all, Tango has my seal of approval. It's a cute place to have a nice breakfast/brunch with some friends or a loved one. They have healthy menu choices, and they put a nice twist on some local favorites. You can park in the TJ Maxx/Nordstrom Rack parking lot, or in the Hokua building where it is free on the weekends. I think they validate during the week. The whole area is new, so it's got a good vibe. I recommend giving Tango a try!

    (4)

  • Lori M.

    I rated only 2 restaurants this high my entire 10 day trip. Most dining out has been disappointing overall but not here. The server Rueben was friendly with exceptional service. The food was very good with nice portions. Bread pudding was perfect.

    (5)

  • Judy S.

    We have had brunch here on several occasions and food is always fresh and delicious even when they are very busy. Great Kona coffee brewed as you order it. Waitstaff are attentive and setting is comfortable.

    (5)

  • Gernell Y.

    I am so glad to have found this little treasure. Our server was friendly, funny and patient with all of our questions. For starters we had the sautéed Foie Gras, I was in love right then! I had the Grass-fed beef with prosciutto wrapped shrimp. It was delicious. My date had the one of the specials, which was ono on top of a dashi shitake mushroom risotto. This place is a definite winner!

    (5)

  • Austin T.

    We had dinner tonight and it was very ok and better than average bistro cafe food. Super friendly attentive staff Good job on decor and quality of design

    (3)

  • Kris O.

    I dream about their Hamakua Mushroom Risotto with Shrimp & would give them 5 stars solely on the food but I'm disappointed with their customer service (that's why they get two stars). I've eaten here on several occasions & it doesn't matter if I'm waiting at the counter for take out or dining inside, I don't feel valued as a customer. When I waited at the bar for my take out, there was another customer waiting as well. The waitress offered her iced water & I wondered why I wasn't offered any water, especially since I sat right next to her. The last time I dined alone on a slow afternoon, I felt invisible. I finished eating my meal & waited twenty minutes before I could hunt down a waiter to ask for my check. I feel like I need to use a designer bag & dress up in order for their staff to pay attention to me. The food is consistent & on point but they definitely need to work on customer service skills.

    (2)

  • LaRaina W.

    Have you ever paid $30 for breakfast and still left hungry? If not feel free to come waste money at Tango! I ordered the Pytt i Panna, Swedish for "stuff in a pan" the gravlax option, it should be renamed "99% potatoes 2 slivers of salmon, topped with disappointment". So no thanks I won't be back.

    (1)

  • Jurija M.

    I don't like to give 1 stars. I used to use Yelp only to give 1 stars but I've come a long way since my rookie days... I can't help it though, I am so disappointed with my breakfast visit here last Saturday. We were seated immediately however we were ignored promptly and continually. A couple that came in after my boyfriend and I got waters and their orders taken before us. They were sitting right next to us! Hello, are we invisible? We should have been first. If not first, then we should have been next. Once we finally waved our waiter down to say we are ready, he simply took our orders and walked away. No asking if we'd like any beverages such as coffee or tea. Not to mention, I got a refill on my water only as we finished paying. I watched our sever as he served the food to the table next to us and as he prepped the table in front of us with a family of four. He got them ketchup, hot sauce, and maple syrup. I ordered the eggs Benedict and my boyfriend ordered the French toast. Where was our prepping items? Ketchup? Syrup? No where to be seen. 20 minutes later and the food comes out very sad looking. The French toast was mediocre-- nothing to rave about. The eggs Benedict was the worst I've had on the island. Runny egg whites and yolk. I like runny yolk, not the whites. The sauce was also watery and flavorless. The potatoes were cold. What. The. €$#%?! I do not recommend this place. No charm. No service. No flavor.

    (1)

  • Mey S.

    Excellent, excellent, excellent! Great staff and delicious food!! Nice location, comfortable setting and no validation required on weekends in the parking garage. The Salmon Benedict is wonderfully prepared and fulfilling. Keep ordering the mimosas... it's a perfect pair with breakfast or brunch. Will definitely be here again.

    (5)

  • Charo S.

    Eating at Tango was such a pleasure after a long day at work. I met up with a friend and took my boyfriend with me. The service was excellent and our waiter always checked up on us to see how we were doing. :) APPETIZERS: We ordered the FOIE GRAS and the ESCARGOT. They were pretty good. The foie gras was nice and buttery and the escargot was pretty good too. ENTREES: My friend ordered the HAMAKUA SHRIMP RISOTTO and she enjoyed that. My boyfriend ordered the DUCK and I ordered the LAMB. They both were really good and juicy. DESSERTS: We ordered the KONA COFFEE ICE CREAM CAKE, MANGO/STRAWBERRY CRUMBLE W/ CINNAMON ICE CREAM and BREAD PUDDING. They were good except for the crumble with cinnamon ice cream. It was just ok. I am not a fan of warm baked fruits and that's exactly what it was. The ice cream was ok, but it just wasn't my taste. The bread pudding was good, but my boyfriend makes killer bread pudding. My boyfriend ordered coffee and he said it was really good. :) All the food here was pretty good. It wasn't AMAZING, but it was pretty good and the service was great. It is kind of pricey though where the entrees are all $20+ so be aware of this. I would recommend this place!

    (4)

  • Michelle L.

    Talk about a splurge on this place. I ended up spending $36 for myself, not bad since the meal was good and I left stuffed. The four of us split a bottle of riesling since everyone dining there were drinking wine and of an older crowd. We wanted to be classy, too! I ordered the pork chop with the mushroom ragout, and my friends ordered the Caesar salad, duck, and chicken penne. The salad was huge for $9.00 and the pasta looked really good. My pork chop was a fat cut. It was a bit tougher than I would have liked but very yummy. My friend's duck was patheticly tiny. There were only 5-6 slices. I ended up giving him 1/4 of my pork chop since I was getting full. Since I've been having dessert binges at the end of every meal, duck friend and I ordered desserts. He got the crepes and I got the mango strawberry crumble. Good prices on the desserts since they're pretty big. My crumble was very sweet but the cinnamon ice cream balanced it out perfectly. Duck friend and I are the only ones with gym membership and we ended up eating the most. Go figure :P Our server was good. The only thing that bothered me a little were the warm wine glasses he gave us. Our first glass was warmer than I would have liked. The ceiling was fugly. Other than that, it was a really nice dinner. I want to come back for lunch since it seems to be a good spot for it.

    (4)

  • Maile K.

    Fresh fresh fresh food, seriously good. I got the cobb salad with no cheese and dressing on the side and everything was so light and tasty. The service was really nice.

    (5)

  • Jennifer N.

    Stopped in for lunch. Started the meal with tomato ginger soup, which was the best thing we had the entire meal. Jesse had the fish sandwich. He said the fish was bland and dry. I had the roasted veggie sandwich. It was huge. The side salads and carrot salad were both great compliments to the dishes. Overall, I don't think we will be back, but it was a decent lunch.

    (3)

  • Julia C.

    I really like this place, quite possibly thanks to the Finnish-leaning menu. I have not tried the whole menu, though I live way too near this place not to go more often and try every damn thing...wait, I just promised myself I will go here more often and be less lazy...but yeah, I always tend to go for the same menu items, usually something involving gravlax or the veggie lunch sandwich. Portion sizes are good (too large for me - leftovers!!) Technically, the place gets 4.75 just because it's not on opentable (hence, no dining points for me). I have amassed a significant amount of points even living in Honolulu just from all the breakfast reservations I make near my house. Speaking of reservations, make them. This place is small-ish and can get busy.

    (5)

  • Jessica T.

    This is easily one of my favorite restaurants on the island. (which is a huge compliment from me!) Food is delicious. Atmosphere is cute and trendy. Breakfast is delish. So much to choose from! Lunch is yummy. Their food is always so fresh. Dinner- YUM! A bit more pricey but it's so worth it. Dessert and coffee... omg, amazing. Favorites on the menu are: cappuccino, blueberry bread pudding, shrimp salad sandwich, mahi mahi, crepes, .... i could go on. Be sure to make a reservation for peak dinig hours. this place is tiny so seats are limited.

    (5)

  • Mark Y.

    Well, I've been here quite a few more times since the last update, at one point weekly, and I still think this place offers a solid breakfast. They don't serve the typical breakfast you'd find at most other places, they serve a really good bowl of muesli with fresh fruits of the season, and also a unique local style benedict. The benedict has fried rice instead of the english muffin, poached egg, and topped with braised beef. really tasty. They also have a normal eggs benedict and I think a crab benedict too. The coffee is also still one of the best on the island. Service is still...well, interesting. All the servers are friendly but 2 instances that come to mind: * Back when they served Steak & eggs for breakfast, when we asked the waiter what cut of beef the steak was, his reply was "I'm not sure, but I think it's Sterloin". And the same waiter said the Swedish pancakes came with "Fruit Composte"...hmmmm. * On the last visit, when we asked our server (a different one from the first visit) if the Corned beef hash was house-made or canned, his reply was, "canned, but it's a higher grade of canned corned beef than the usual type". This place gets really crowded on weekends.

    (4)

  • R T.

    Last Tuesday December 17th, 2012 I had lunch at Tango Cafe. without a line we were seatined quickly. The waitress approached us with no smile and an attitude that she couldn't be bothered. I ordered the Cobb salad and my friend ordered the special of the day Trout with squared potatoes. We waited 1/2 hour before our Lunch arrived. I asked the waitress for an order of bread and she Just said ok and left. 25 minutes later after we finished a very nice tasting lunch she dropped off a plate of focaccia bread which was stone cold. She also never asked if our orders were alright but just proceeded to bring the check. If I ever go back I will hopefully get better service!

    (2)

  • Rorry N.

    I've been here twice, both times for dinner, but I forget what I had here. Once it was a special of the day (I think some type of fish but not sure) and another time I think it was the beef or duck I believe. Both times the meals were delicious though. I can remember the beef or duck being very soft and tasty. The vegetables they put on the plates aren't the best looking so I didn't eat them. They're like small carrots and broccoli. The sauce was sweeter than I expected but it was surprisingly good. The mashed potatoes weren't anything special though, just the same as usual. I've also ordered the caramelized onion soup and it was okay. It tasted really herby because I think they put too much in there. But it wasn't salty, which was good. The cheese wasn't melted all the way so it was a bit tough. I've tasted better onion soup before. I wouldn't order it again but for those of you up to trying something different, by all means try the soup. For desserts, I've tried their bread pudding and the creme brulee. Neither was anything special. The bread pudding was a little dry and the sauce didn't taste too well. The creme brulee wasn't that tasty either and the top layer they torch was really thick and sharp when you broke it up. I would recommend breaking it down if you ever order the creme brulee. For the price of the food, I would expect something a little better. But the portions are pretty decent since I was able to finish my plate and ended up being stuffed after. It's a smaller, little more modern restaurant. Both times I went it ended up becoming busier as the night went along so I'd definitely recommend making reservations if you plan to go around 6:30-8 pm.

    (4)

  • Chad Y.

    After hearing some good things about Tango, I recently opted to bring some out of town guests here for dinner and found it to be pretty good. Tango offers a more limited menu, however the food is very flavorful and stands out. The service, while not bad, is the one area that could improve. The menu is smaller and more limited, however the food is pretty darn good. The braised short rib was fork tender and it just fell off the bone, enough said. The moi had a nice crust to it and the tomato flavors were very refreshing and unexpected. I opted for the Duck Confit with their signature hamakua mushroom risotto which was on special and certainly found it a delight. The duck was cooked well and was tender, the risotto however could have been cooked a little more through, but certainly had a flavor that didn't disappoint. The ambiance gives the feel of an outdoor cafe, yet you are indoors. the tree trunks that run down the center of the cafe helps break it down and make the space feel a lot more intimate, especially for those dates. The service leaves me wanting for more. Our server was busy and the restaurant felt understaffed. Yet at the same time, he was very knowledgeable and while he was busy, I never felt unattended to. It was truly weird. I think it all bottoms down to the timing, we waited for awhile for our food to arrive and it wasn't synchronized well. Get the timing down and I sure as heck could be here every other week! Oh, parking is around the corner and on the first level of Hokua tower. After parking, be prepared for a bit of a walk which can be a bit confusing if you have never been there before.

    (4)

  • Inthira M.

    I'm always wanting to try new breakfast places because it's my favorite meal of the day. Hot coffee, the smell of bacon, the endless possibilities of omelette choices... So, after finding out they serve breakfast (they open at 7am) I decided to eat here this morning. While waiting for my parents to arrive I looked around and noticed the picnic style tables they had against the window, the modern white lighting fixtures that screamed the Design Center (I wish I could afford lights from there), and because I only had about 5 hours of sleep I immediately ordered a cup of coffee. I'm pretty sure they make their coffee from an espresso machine or something because it was a little frothy when it came out... how cool! After looking at their menu I noticed that they also have things like caramel machiatto's but for half the price than Starbucks sells theirs!! After asking for the servers suggestions (it was either the eggs benedict.. my next question being which one out of the 3, or the pytt i panna sweedish dish) I was told to go with the benedict, and I could have one crab, one loco moco style (the loco moco style is not served with an English muffin, but with fried rice and braised beef. Very inventive). So because I like sampling a little of each, I chose the benedict of course! My mom chose the pytt i panna which was like home fries tossed with ham and sausage and topped with sunny side up eggs, and dad had the original eggs benedict.. what can I say, we're fans of benny. Lol. Strike 1) It took forever for the servers to refill our coffee, though they kept coming back to tell us "I'll be right back to refill your coffee." Strike 2) When our food came out everything looked wonderful I couldn't wait to dig in. But when I pierced into my poached egg, waiting for the yolk to ooze over my plate... it didn't. None of them did, both mine and my dad's were poached until they were cooked all the way through, not the way it should be. I was left to eat, essentially, a hard boiled egg with my meal. And, my English muffin on my crab benedict was completely burnt... and I mean, noticeably, the whole thing was burnt. How easy is it to toast the other half and give it to me. Luckily, they didn't get a third strike. I have also been here for lunch and I had the grilled pesto salmon salad which was great and just the right size, the French onion soup was wonderful, and the hamakua mushroom risotto with asparagus was perfectly cooked. So I guess a good meal with a bad cancels each other out and I'm willing to try them again with a clean slate. After all, everyone has their off days. And while browsing their menu they're very moderately priced for what the chef is offering: duck leg confit with thyme jus for only $11.50, lobster and goat cheese ravioli for $18.50, or sauteed moi (the fish of the Hawaiian gods... supposedly) with tomao fennel coulis (say that 3x fast) served with ratatouille style veggies for a mere $20.

    (3)

  • Briggs H.

    Oh yeah! Breakfast with our 2.5 year old and in laws. Forget about it, this place is legit! Braised short rib loco moco's, French toast, silky coffee all around and Bloody Mary's as well. Price was right, service and size of plates was great, can't wait to eat dinner here! Recommend. Family friendly.

    (4)

  • Cindy L.

    This is a great lunch place, a little away from Downtown. We usually come here for group lunches around 10 people and this place has beach bench seating area that could accommodate the group. Today I had the grilled pesto salmon salad ($12.50), and it was very good. The portion is more than enough for me. The salmon was cooked perfectly, not too over cooked where its' dry. The pesto and balsamic dressing on the toss green was very appetizing. My friends had the chicken penne pasta, cobb salad and burgers and everyone enjoyed their food. Their dessert is excellent as well; we had their Kona coffee chocolate ice cream cake and bread pudding. Perfecto! What I also enjoyed about this place is its décor. It has a very contemporary feel to it with big lanterns and blinds. And because they have full glass windows, the place is bright, which makes it look very clean.

    (3)

  • Virginia C.

    Did they run out of garlic??? For my entree I had the Hamakua mushroom risotto with garlic shrimp. I wasn't expecting this dish to be loaded with garlic but seriously I didn't even taste a hint of it. The menu did say "with garlic shrimp" right? I was a bit confused by this dish and it was just 'ok'. HOWEVER, I'm giving 4 stars because... * Service was great. Our server was very attentive and kept filling the water glasses. * The onion soup was delicious! Wasn't too salty or overloaded with a block of cheese that would make you feel like you gained 20 lbs after eating it. The caramelized onions were just right not soggy. * The wine I had was smooth - a Shiraz * My sweet tooth gave this star. I saw a dessert on the menu that I really want to try - strawberry mango crumble with cinnamon ice-cream. I should've ordered the salmon special of the evening because I was told it was very very good. So I guess I could give them another try, but stay away from the garlic items.

    (4)

  • Renee L.

    Awesome breakfast place. You have to try their signature Crab Cake Eggs Benedict made with real lump crab meat. It's heaven. The eggs benny can also be mix and match, so I suggest you either go with 1 Crab Cake + 1 Smoked Salmon, or 1 Crab Cake + 1 Kalua Pork.

    (4)

  • Jaynie K.

    Sweet Caramelized Onion Soup Melted Gruyere and Parmesan Cheese Crouton: I have to say that my soup was tasty, but the texture of the rubbery cheese and soggy crouton was a bit of a downer. Kailua's description was pretty much spot on. Traditional Club Sandwich Turkey, Bacon, Avocado, Lettuce and Tomato Toasted Wheat Bread: Pretty standard, I'd say. The bread was toasted nice and crispy, the veggies were fresh, and the fixings were good. Hamakua Mushroom Risotto with Asparagus Garlic Shrimp: This was a winner. The risotto was cooked just right, nice and creamy with a bite to it. It wasn't overcooked or mushy like jook. The asparagus and mushroom bits made for an interesting texture combination. The shrimp was well-cooked and seasoned perfectly. Blueberry Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce: Warm, soft, and not too sweet. Pillowy chunks of bread formed into a disc of heavenly yumminess, drizzled with a delicious vanilla sauce that I wanted to lick off the plate. I asked for a side of vanilla ice cream to go with it, and that was probably the best idea I've ever had. The warmth of the bread pudding with the cool glide of the ice cream... YUM! Iced tea: Standard. Service: Decent, but a little bit spotty. The server was friendly, but didn't seem all there at times.

    (4)

  • kay c.

    This has to be one of my favorite breakfast spots ever! I'm talking JUST BREAKFAST, not lunch or dinner. (not that their lunch/dinner is not good, but its just not to die for like their breakfast). I would eat here at least once a week if I lived in this city full time. First off, the ambiance gets an A+. It has a very clean and peaceful vibe to it and is a great place to start your day whether you're meeting family and friends for breakfast or just going in to eat by yourself and catch up on a good book or doing some business/work. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day and this one definitely hits the spot. I can never chose between the blueberry pancakes, muesli, or sweet bread french toast. You can probably tell I have a sweet tooth, but those are all super delicious. The french toast is sweet and yummy, the blueberry pancakes are light and fluffy, the muesli is sweet, but not overly sweet and super filling. I'd recommend the french toast if you're looking to have just the right amount of food. But if you're looking to be stuffed to the max I'd go for the blueberry pancakes. Each serving comes with three pancakes and although that may not seem like a lot to some of you, it fills you up, well at least if you're a 5 foot 4 inch tall girl. As for those of you who like savory breakfasts I'd recommend the loco moco benedict FOR SURE. Its not your typical hawaiian loco moco. Its got a contemporary flair to it...instead of a ground beef patty sitting on top of a scoop of white rice, this dish consist of beef short ribs sitting over some fried rice. And it's super delicious. I've never heard any one talk bad about this dish, ever! This place may seem a little pricey at first, but you really do get what you pay for. Good food, good service, and good atmosphere.

    (5)

  • John N.

    Went there for a business event during lunch and had their daily special. Decided to get the chicken curry along with a raspberry iced tea and kona coffee ice cream cake. Atmosphere is clean and very quiet. Service was prompt and helpful. The chicken curry was good, but I've had better in the past. Considering the price of the plate, I really wish it had more. The curry was a local style curry, better than fast food curry, and on par with some other restaurants serving the same. I actually like their dessert. The cake had perfect consistency and a very good flavor. I'm normally not the type that goes for dessert, but since a co-worker had recommended me on it, I had to try. Keep in mind that the parking structure is behind the restaurant and parking is free when you have it validated, so don't worry about street parking. Overall, this place is fairly expensive as I spent almost $30 just for lunch after gratuities. Food is actually good and dessert is a must.

    (3)

  • Elizabeth N.

    Went here for the first time, for breakfast as a fellow Yelper suggested the Muesli. It was very good! I like it better than Wailana House's muesli (although WH is cheaper and pretty good too), but that's expected when you're paying for the pretty, clean and modern atmosphere that Tango Cafe offers. I also tried the crab and braised beef benedict and both were very good.The crab was fresh meat and was delicately flavored. The braised beef and fried rice benedict was definitely asian inspired as it was a 5 spice beef and fried rice. I liked it, but my husband isn't a fan of the 5 spice flavor. The hollandaise sauce was very light and almost neutral in taste as it just blended both dishes nicely. Who'd thought hollandaise and 5 spce could work? I'll definitely come back for breakfast again and will be trying their lunch and dinner soon. My recap: Pros: -Nice atsmophere -Plenty of validated garage parking in Hokua (free on Sundays) -the cold Muesli! Yum -Yummy eggs benedict - you can mix and match your plates so I got 1 crab and 1 beef benedict. But they also have salmon and traditional eggs benedict -The service was great, super attentive folks and helpful (our server was the one who said you could mix and match your benedict plates) -Pricing; market price for about any other breakfast place I've been to on Oahu. $9.50 for the benedict, but it was fresh and yummy. Cons: -Small restaurant; we had our baby and stroller in there early (8am) and that's good because the place was 1/2 full and lot's of space, but about 9am the place was getting full and there was a wait.

    (4)

  • Keola m.

    After an early morning session of beach vball I thought id stop by this place and check it out. I thought i was gonna select from salads and sandwiches but, to my suprise there was a full breakfast menu. I now know that Tango Market a little ways down is what I was thinking of. BUT, since I was here and hungy I ordered. I noticed the menu was not your run of the mill breakfast menu. Thats a BIG PLUS in my book. Items like different choices of eggs benedict and variations of hash along with fruits, etc. At 930 on a sunday there was a small waiting line but they were seated quickly. I, in my wet shorts and tank top, decided to do take out. So, like I said before... I was thinking sandwich..... but ended up ordering Confit Duck Hash and eggs. I was a little disappointed in my hash. Mainly because my local mentality was telling me I was gonna get a hash patty made from Duck with eggs and rice. Not so. Instead it was slices of duck mixed with potatos and sweet onions. Similar to home style potatos you get with a regular breakfast. Dont get me wrong...it was good. Just not what I expected. The order was about $9.50 (I think). Not a bad price. Parking is availabe in the Hokua lot and on sundays there is no attendant but, you still need to take a ticket and present it to the machine on the way out. I plan to go back and be properly dressed, sit down and enjoy the ambiance.

    (3)

  • Weezee L.

    Nice location and decor.The tender loin is a nice choice. The tender loin is filling but the taste is ordinary The place is casual and comfortable. A good place for dates.

    (3)

  • Ka'ili H.

    Went to Lunch here two weeks in a row and loved it both times. The atmosphere is great and the customer service is right on. It's small in size, however the meal and service makes up for it. Both times I've gone for lunch the wait was less than five minutes, a plus in my book. The menu is simple, which is great for me since I have a hard time deciding what to get. The first time I dined, I had the open faced shrimp sandwich with the house salad. The Sandwich was messy, expected, yet pleased my palate. The balsamic dressing was great as well. My friend and I shared the strawberry mango crumble with ice cream, divine! they also make the crumble in house. The second time I dined was today, actually. I had the pesto glazed salmon salad. The salmon was cooked just right, the flavor was less fishy as some places cook their salmon. It was also tender and fell apart easily. For dessert I had the coffee ice cream cake, they don't make it there, but it was still good. I'd love to come back here for dinner and breakfast!

    (5)

  • J L.

    This review is for two different occasions. Both times we arrived early because of the reviews on yelp and both times we were seated quickly. Lots of parking. First time we parked at TJ Maxx and second time we parked in the structure, they validate. Its a cute little area with a nice decor. The first time I came here was for my b-day breakfast fix. I love eating Benedicts, so of course I ordered the crab hash Benedict. They have A few different Benedict's and my goal is to try them all! It was a tad bit pricey but I wasn't paying! It was delicious. It came with potatoes and some fruit. The potatoes were yummy. The second time I came, I didn't order any Benedict. Instead I ordered the confit duck with onion and potato. It came with an egg on top. It was pretty good I must say. I wanted something different and I was happy with my choice. Sadly, I couldn't finish the whole thing! Severs were attentive and nice. Place was clean. A bit pricey hence the 4 stars. Big plus, when ur done eating you can walk it off by window shopping and catching a movie!

    (4)

  • Jamie K.

    My coworkers and I always do take out from here and we love it. They are very consistent with our bulk orders and if we need to pickup in a hurry. Take out is just as good as dining in.

    (5)

  • Shelly i.

    Tango is perfect for impressing your out-of-town foodie visitors. I suggested Tango for dinner to one such visitor (and her fiance) and made a reservation on Friday for Friday night. Considering the ease in getting a reservation I was surprised to find the restaurant packed when I got there (unfortunately parking was packed too, more on that later). The restaurant is not very big, it maybe seats 40, not including the skinny counter. Service is of the take-your-time-and-enjoy variety. We were seated at seven and didn't end up leaving until 9:30. I liked the relaxed pace and the timing of the food and drinks. Since I don't want to give my unborn son/daughter fetal alcohol poisoning, I ordered an Italian creme soda. I was a little surprised when the soda came out with a side pitcher of cream. That was totally unexpected. Be careful not to add too much or you'll ruin the effervescent sparkle of the soda. Tango has some tempting tasting menus, but once I saw the white wine clams on their appetizer menu my mind was made up. I ordered the clams and the beet/goat cheese salad. The waiter was very knowledgeable regarding the menu and even checked if the goat cheese was made with pasteurized milk (damn baby handicapping again). Table bread was nice and chewy with big texture. I hogcheesed the basket and spread all the roasted garlic that accompanied the clams onto the bread. My guest asked to dip bread in my broth and I magnanimously (gotta use those SAT words) agreed, even though I didn't want to. The clams were plump and I didn't find any clamless shells... but I hold all clams in white wine sauce up to the Swiss Inn clam pedestal. These were better than Panya's but not as good as Swiss Inn. Too bad people have to get old and retire, no? I received my salad the same time as my friends' entrees. They seemed to like their food a lot because we didn't share bites like we normally would. All I remember is one of them had the crabcake napoleon and really liked it. My salad was good, the beets weren't too mushy and there were generous amounts of cheese. Dessert was a fruit compote crepe and it was what I picture when I think of Scandinavian food, hearty, healthy, stick to your ribs... The crepe was whole grain or buckwheat and the fruit was tart and juicy. It was well executed, but I prefer my deserts not to masquerade as health food. All-in-all I [and baby] left full and satisfied. The only reason it isn't five stars for me is because of the uber healthy dessert and the lack of parking. The lot behind the driveway was packed so I ended up parking at Pier One.

    (4)

  • Hawaiian M.

    I finished a light dinner at work by 5PM, to be ready for gym by 6:30PM. Spouse had finished a massage at 8:30PM and we were both looking to eat-out but not a lot. I was craving French Onion Soup. Did a Yelp search and Tango Contemporary Cafe had the most convenient distance from the Hawaii Convention Center, most convenient parking. It sounded the most attractive and the least hastle to get to. Parking on a Thursday night was sooo... easy. The friendly staff was very welcoming. The dinner crowd was mostly gone so the restaurant was not crowded; it was quiet, by comparison. The muffled night lighting, with candles, made the atmosphere very romantic. The French Onion Soup was piping hot and tasty, accompanied by crisp French bread and butter. The coffee made us forget what Starbucks tastes like. Then the creme broulet came out quickly. So large, and decorated with fruit. It was a great, low-key, enjoyable one-hour impromptu date for $26 (before tip), no waiting, and free parking! There wasn't one thing to improve-on. A hectic-free date probably isn't possible on a Friday or Saturday evening, but on other weeknights, the "sweet-spot", time-wise, must be 8:45-9:30PM

    (5)

  • Jenel O.

    I love the gravlax sandwich here... so yummy and price is good too. The salads and other things I've seen others order looks good too! I'd definitely go back. It's a pretty small restaurant which makes it hard for groups of any decent size. I'm not sure their reservation system - or if they even have one.

    (4)

  • Donna L.

    I finally had the opportunity to come here for breakfast, and it was absolutely delightful! Based on the recommendations of fellow Yelpers, I tried their gravlax (similar to smoked salmon) benedict, crab hash benedict, swedish pancakes, and coffeeeeeeeee! The benedict dishes were pretty good in their own right -- hollandaise sauce was on the lighter side, making the dish less heavy overall, which I liked. The side of country-style potatoes were a nice complement to the entree. They were simple, but very well-made and full of delicious flavor -- a perfect example of the saying "less is more." The pancakes were cute (if you could use cute to describe food hah!) -- little dollar-sized minis, topped with diced melons, blueberries, and sliced strawberries, along with a side of (freshly made?) whipped cream, which I enjoyed more than the actual pancakes themselves lol. I'm more of a waffle person, so I can't really say much about the pancakes, other than that they're okay -- not bad, but not out-of-this-world. One of my favorite parts of this whole experience was their coffee. If I remember correctly, they have a fancy shmancy $10k coffee/espresso machine, which brews amazing cups of magical goodness. All know is that I thoroughly enjoyed my cup of regular house coffee, along with all the free refills they gave me! If you like crema in your joe, then you'll love their java! Oh, and I can't forget to mention the excellent service we received! Our server, Kimmi(?), was fantastic. She was very patient with us and took her time to answer all our questions, and always checked in on us and made sure our waters and coffees were full. As far as the ambiance goes, I'm a fan of the modern decor and natural daytime lighting during the morning hours. Looking forward to checking them out for lunch! :D

    (4)

  • Alex S.

    The owner and the waiters here are sooo nice!! We just stopped in for the first time tonight to get takeout. Both the owner and the waiters were very attentive. They made great recommendations--we got the egg drop soup, the seafood pasta, the lamb rack, and the blueberry pudding. Everything was delicious!! They made all the substitutions we asked for-- blueberry pudding instead of the lychee sorbet--and they brought us an extra egg drop soup to snack on while we waited for the food. Free of charge. I rarely review restaurants on yelp. They either have to be really bad or really awesome. The service here and the quality of food really made the difference.

    (5)

  • Rise D.

    I had breakfast here recently with two friends. My eggs benedict with spinach and tomato was $10 and was really good. It came with potatoes. This place was pretty busy at 8:00 in the morning. I think I would come back if I was ever in the mood for more eggs benedict.

    (4)

  • n p.

    Finally made it here for breakfast. And it was goood :] Hot chocolate was a bit on the warm side but everything else we ordered - fried rice with Portuguese sausage and egg, -Plattar [Swedish pancakes], home fried breakfast potato, bread - was delicious.

    (4)

  • Bill T.

    Best breakfast on the island. We eat here almost weekly. It's consistent, quick and the food is top quality. Parking is free in the building w validation, and it's clean.

    (5)

  • Nick M.

    went here for lunch. highly recommend the gravlax open faced sandwich - smoked salmon, cucumber, boiled eggs, tomato, mayo, rye bread, dill. cut the salt and fattiness with a bottled ipa. my wife had the veggie sanwich, also very good. both came with little salads. price not to bad for lunch, and the atmosphere was nice, busy but not loud. good service, too.

    (4)

  • Michael S.

    Its 11am and I am still salivating over the amazing pre-fix dinner we had last night. I've already given this place 5 stars from my past breakfast experiences. Their Salmon and Gravlax Eggs Benedict have a warm and special place in my tummy. Not to mention the coffee and expresso are....BOMB!!! Once a month they have a pre-fix menu paired with wines, and you have to be super cool to get in(message me for details and I take Paypal donations). Fortunately we were able to get into this "sold-out" event. It started with a some gravlax on a bed of cucumbers and our first glass of champagne (more to come). The main dish was a free range chicken on a risotto w/ edamame. This was paired with a Pinot Noir from Washington. And there's more...The third dish was Baked Brie in Phyllo with a pickled pair. This was the dessert before the dessert. This had my GF's sweet tooth and sweetened up. Lastly, the dessert consisted of a strawberry mouse and a glass of Moscato. There was a man at the table who really enjoyed the Moscato, but I will withhold any names so his man card doesn't get revoked. Overall the pairings were well executed and the dishes were prepared to perfection. And guess what??!!? This was all only $49.50/person. So after all that food and wine you'd think I'd be ready to turn in. But the party must go on...to my next review!!

    (5)

  • Diana M.

    Local girlfriend recommended this spot to me. "Contemporary" = FRU FRU. Definitely a more slighly upscale, modern, and cute cafe. You get what you pay for; meaning, be prepared to spend a little more on breakfast. We ordered the following: Loco Moco (requested hollandaise sauce on the side) Crab Hash Benedict (requested hollandaise sauce on the side) Country Style Corned Beef Hash Each plate was well prepared and artistically presented. My braised beef was so unbelievably tasty and tender. The portions may not appear to be generous in size but if you're not one to BREATHE in your food all at once, then the amount is just right! We also ordered a mocha and a regular cup of coffee and both WERE BOMB!!!! I don't know what they do to their drinks but that deserved an extra star!! We hung out leisurely just so that we could thoroughly enjoy a second cup! =) Ambiance and quality of food was definitely worth the extra $$. Thanks again Liz!

    (4)

  • Jenee H.

    Came here for lunch on a Saturday - nice ambiance, friendly waitstaff. Priced a little high, but not over the top. I ordered the seafood stew - basically a cioppino - had fish, shrimp, mussels, clams and potatoes in a tomato-based broth. Quite flavorful. My husband ordered the risotto - very rich and tasty - interestingly tasted like mac and cheese to me, but in a good way. Good overall experience.

    (4)

  • Sara O.

    Great lunch stop while you are out shopping or on your way to the beach. As a visitor Hawaii can be pricey but Tango Cafe offers a nice setting and reasonably priced lunch. I opted for the Chicken Salad Sandwich with a side salad and my husband went with the Mahi Mahi Burger. Both tasted amazing and I had leftovers. Service was quick so we were able to continue our day of wandering around Honolulu.

    (5)

  • Nix M.

    Love Tangos! The coffee is amazing, super fresh made to order & they just keep it coming. The eggs Benedict is very good & they also have variations as well & allow mixing your order. Ex. One Eggs Benedict & one Crab Benedict in the same order. Everything just seems super fresh and extra yummy. The fried rice is also very good, with choice of meat. They even make their own homemade ketchup, super good. But to add icing on the cake the service is stellar! They are on it! And we appreciate that. Sometimes you have to wait for a table but never more than 5-10 minutes. Parking is validated too.

    (5)

  • Joy N.

    I have mixed feelings for this place... I've been here for breakfast and lunch a few times. Parking is validated in the Hokua parking lot so there's ample parking and it's covered :) It's usually pretty busy but so far, I didn't have to wait for a table. Breakfast was okay... nothing amazing... The first time I came here for lunch, I had the risotto but it was undercooked and very hard to eat. However, the second time I went for lunch, I had a mushroom fettucine dish and it was AMAZING! The noodles tasted homemade and was cooked perfectly al dente. I would come back again just for the pasta!! Oh... one more negative... no free refills on soft drinks? Kind of a bummers. Overall it's an okay restaurant. I'll definitely be coming back for the pasta, but everything else hasn't impressed me that much. Maybe I just need to explore the menu a bit more.

    (3)

  • Jenny S.

    Located right next to PF Changs in the Hoku building near Ward center, Tango Cafe is a place to go for a bite to eat! Decor is very welcoming and the touches of wood tables as well as the center piece gives the feeling of eating outside on a picnic. the food there is very good! I've tried their salads and burgers, all of it is just YUM! I've never had blue cheese dressing before, but after eating the salad here, I absolutely love blue cheese dressing on my salads!! I really enjoyed that the cafe isn't too big, because it gives off the intimate feeling and the noise level is low so carrying a conversation is quite easy. Overall, this place is a great experience and you'll be wanting to come back again and again. Also, they take reservations so if you're in a need of a quick lunch you can pre-order or even do take out!!!

    (5)

  • Crissy K.

    I'd heard so many good things about Tango from so many people over the past few years that I was eager to try it. The only thing that kept me away was the consistent warning I'd also hear: The service could be painfully slow. So I waited until I had a considerable amount of time and the appropriate dining partner. The opportunity finally presented itself yesterday. I wasn't terribly impressed with the variety of fare offered on the dinner menu. Nothing really jumped out at me. The salmon I ended up selecting was fine, but really only just -- not really worth $20, even with the mashed potatoes, asparagus and carrots (I won't even count the squash, since it was pretty much not edible). Nothing about it was special enough to make me want to get it again. For my friend and me, speed of service was not a problem: From 5:15 to 6:15 p.m., we were the only ones there. All customer attention was on us. That was a little strange, but at least we were serviced at a good pace as a result. Tango was OK, but it didn't really live up to any kind of hype. I probably wouldn't go out of my way to dine there again.

    (3)

  • laura a.

    I wasn't thrilled by the prospect of going here based on the menu I'd seen and upon arrival, my first impression was older people and diner smell. The meal proved me wrong. While it wasn't spectacular, it is definitely some of the better food in the area. Service was quick too.

    (4)

  • Thomas O.

    I can't believe I've lived three years without Tangö Contemporary Cafe (TCC) in my life. Umm can I count my last three years as not living?! Chefs Tammy and Goran will probably say "yes." Last night was August's First Friday and my friends and I made plans to go. I wanted to eat dinner first at Brasserie du Vin but yet again, as my friends and I are most famous for, plans changed! I was in Chinatown already walking around then I get the call that we're eating at TCC because BuV was booked for the whole night! Meh. I guess I should have expected that. Oh well, I had suggested earlier that we could also eat here at TCC, Ryan's, Stage, Amuse, or Restaurant Epic. Thanks be to the good graces of God we ended up at TCC. Nicole and David were able to snag a table at last call that had more than enough space for us. Naturally, I spread all of my gear out. Camera. Phone. Keys. Parking Card. Etc. Etc. I need to be comfortable when I eat or else I can't enjoy. These tables are extremely conducive to over ordering because of their expansiveness. The waiter was very patient with us and let us peruse the menu longer than we should have. He also proposed their daily specials, which is also when he decided to whisper sweet nothings about the Veal Osso Bucco ($26). I immediately said, "I Do!...I mean, I want that!!" He left for a bit for us to continue looking over the menu and David and Nicole decided to have the Asian Style Five Spice Braised Beef ($20.50) and the Lobster Goat Cheese Ravioli with Basil ($21.50) respectively. Being my first time, Nicole suggested we share our dishes and I was happy to do so. We also got a round of 3 KAI flavored Vodka Shots ($8) Lemongrass Ginger, Coconut something and Coconut something. Cheers to 3 weeks left of summer! yelp.com/biz_photos/vR53… Our meals came out very fast and we were impressed with the presentation, portion, and just EVERYTHING. Mine, even though looking pretty gnarly, was a thing of beauty within itself. David said, "I feel bad if I ate this fast. I think I have to eat this slowly to enjoy." And I couldn't agree with him more. "Fork tender." "Rich." "Sinful." "Indulgence." "It's pay day, you deserve this." Were all that crossed my mind and I was in love. yelp.com/biz_photos/vR53… I am not the biggest fan of seafood, but when it's in something that doesn't look like it was swimming two hours ago, then I'm fine. I had a ravioli and it was really delicious. The pasta was al dente but the lobster may have over powered the really mild goat cheese. However, the creamy pesto-y basil sauce was very good. Dip your bread in it and thank me. yelp.com/biz_photos/vR53… Now the braised beef is definitely something I would order on my own. I actually was going to get it until I heard about the Ossobucco. The flavors just go off in your mouth like fireworks and then you add those chili fried onions. BOOM! It's like you're in Beijing on Chinese New Year. After this phantasmagoric meal, we sealed the deal with Creme Brulée. Excellent. Excellent. Excellent. This place is great for a first date, anniversary, or a nice dinner with good friends. Whatever you do, share, because it takes two to Tangö. Or three in this case. Review 006/365

    (5)

  • Kate V.

    You know the Hawaii stereotype for breakfast and lunch (and even if you don't, I'm about to tell you). The former: rice, eggs, and spam (or some other greasy type of meat or "meat"), at least one variety of which is doused in gravy. The latter, more rice, chicken katsu (or another such type of deep fried protein), and a scoop of macaroni salad on the side (otherwise known as the "plate lunch"). What if I told you there is more to Hawaii breakfast and lunch than oil and carbs??? Would you believe me? Heck, before discovering Tango Contemporary Cafe I wouldn't have believed me. But 'tis true! Not that local food is bad, but if you ever have a hankering for good old traditional brunch food when you're in the islands, Tango's got you covered (hey, I'm a Hawaii girl at heart, but I lived in SF, the capital city of Sunday brunches, for six years... eggs benedict has become a tradition). Try the crab cakes benedict with spinach for breakfast. The accompanying homestyle potatoes hit the mark too. If you get here a little later, try the daily special. When I came it was the Kobe pastrami sandwich on rye. Maybe not THE kobe of pastrami or anything, but it was tasty. The grilled mahi mahi sandwich on a nori bun on the other hand was a little dry. I did eat it all though. All sandwiches served with your choice of salad or fries. I recommend the strawberry mango crumble with cinnamon ice cream. I mean if you're going all traditional American style then you might as well go all out and throw in some dessert while you're at it, right? Mainland cafe style meets Ala Moana/Ward oasis. The interior looks like one of those room setups in Ikea. Easy, validated parking. I approve!

    (4)

  • Melissa O.

    If you like eggs benedict, this is the place. You can even order two separate types on one order! The bloody Mary's are solid. I've been here once for lunch and the meal was as good as the breakfast. I hear they have wine tasting dinners as well, but I have never attended. The staff is attentive, yet not overly so, so you can have a nice conversation and enjoy your company or your reading material if you dine alone. Shared seating on occasion on one of the two picnic tables, but I have yet to meet someone who wasn't friendly or pleasant. Besides, the picnic table option lets you have a big party of say 12 and everyone can sit together, which is always a nice thing.

    (4)

  • Allison D.

    My boyfriend and I stumbled upon this place for breakfast - it was great! The place is nice and bright and the food is fresh and delicious. They only serve breakfast until 10:30 though, so arrive early! I recommend the eggs benedict - scrumptious!

    (4)

  • Mike O.

    I compare breakfast place by their eggs benedict. For me Tango's EB was pretty standard and A-Ok. Nothing really made it stand out. The hollindaise sauce was foamy and a little thin. Eggs were cooked perfect as well as the english muffin. My wife compares breakfast places with their french toast or pancakes. She has the blueberry filled pancakes. We both thought it was a little tough and spongy. Again, nothing special. She said coffee was really hot and good (only one refill). The interior was really nice and we sat at the counter so there was no wait. Parking is also a breeze with their big garage in Hokua. All in all we would eat there again, but wouldn't be our first choice.

    (3)

  • Lily B.

    Haven't been to Tango in a while but a girlfriend wanted to have lunch here before our shopping at the new location of Nordy Rack.... The menu is much larger than before, with many options that looked good. I usually stick with the mushroom risotto because I know it's good and consistent, what surprised me was my friend's club sandwich and the other dishes around the restaurant. Homemade ketchup! Large servings! Well executed and seasoned food! Good portion sizes for something made in house and by people who care about the food! Tango earned it's place on my list of stand-by restaurants. I will be back soon and to try something other than that addictive risotto...! Supporting local business = always a good choice.

    (5)

  • Rogei M.

    Came here on a Saturday, late lunch. Found parking at the IBM Ward building. Ambiance and interior design is very modern, nice, and clean. Greeted by staff and sat down right away. I had the Gravlax Sandwich: Salmon, boiled eggs, tomato, cucumber on honey oat bread and salad. Very good, healthy, light, and filling! Definitely a great place for lunch. Seems upscale but the prices is not so bad for lunch ($10-15) meals. Awesome service overall. I might consider being a regular!

    (4)

  • Richard H.

    This is the best place in Kakaako to have breakfast! The parking is located in the back of the restaurant. I am about a block away, so this place serves at a great early morning stroll, before a delicious meal. My favorite is the eggs Benedict with crab cakes, which can be ordered with tomato and spinach. The crab cakes or crab hash is freshly made, with visible chunks of tasty crab meat on top of English muffins, a poached egg, tomato and spinach, covered by their "special" hollandaise sauce. This is served with home fries, which are stir fried red potatoes with onions. I am a die-hard Starbucks fanatic, but their coffee is outstanding. Strong, rich, bold, and pairs nicely with your eggs Benedict.

    (5)

  • Paula D.

    Atmosphere, service, and food were good but I felt that some dishes were lacking. The beet salad was very good and I would definitely order it again but my entree, the rack of lamb, lacked flavor. It was okay but not really great. My husband had the crispy salmon gravlax as an appetizer and loved it (he is a big fan of smoked salmon so this was no surprise). He had the mushroom and shrimp risotto for dinner and seemed to enjoy it well enough even though he didn't realize risotto is a type of rice (haha - he likes simple things). Overall, I would come back but maybe try something different next time. I'd love to try their breakfast.

    (4)

  • Sherrie D.

    Well, I've been here a few times, never Yelped it before, should have. I gave it 3 stars because it was just ok. I can't say anything special or memorable about the place. I was really hungry for steak and they had one on the menu. My friends ordered the fish sandwich, they said it was ok. The peculiar thing about my steak, it was cut up and all the juices ran out of it. I did mention this to the server and she brought a new steak, whole. That was really nice and good PR. I would come back because of the service, not so much the food.

    (3)

  • Ryan M.

    Review for the breakfast portion only** Wife and son brought me here for a fathers day breakfast. Breakfast is my favorite weekend meal and Eggs benedict is my favorite breakfast dish. I can see why they brought me here. This place has both. Food As soon as I opened the menu I seen they about 4 or 5 different types of eggs benedict. I felt like a kid in a candy store and your parent says you can only choose one. I ended up going with the crab hash benedict. The crab and the poached egg were good but when I got to the hollandaise sauce I was a little disappointed. The consistency wasn't thick enough and when I looked closer I seen that the butter and yolk didn't emulsify properly. It still tasted pretty good but the hollandaise sauce is my favorite part of the benedict next to the meat. The dish also came with potatoes, fruit and a pastry. The average cost here was around 13 to 14 dollars a dish. Service I was surprised that this place takes reservations. Most cafes that I know of are walk in only. They took care of us well. Friendly, quick service, food came out on time, no problems with our orders and our water stayed full. Couldn't ask for more there. Environment This place is located in ward next to the PF Changs. They have a nice interior decor. My favorite is the chandelier. It is also your average size cafe that seats around 50 to 60 people. Although I may not be a fan of the breakfast, I do want to give this place another shot for the lunch since I have read so many good reviews about the lunch and dinner.

    (3)

  • Masa N.

    The quality of food, service and drinks are great. Parking is in the rear of the cafe. Daily specials are always a great surprise!

    (5)

  • Anna C.

    One of the best restaurants in the area with some of the best prices you can find! We had the shellfish crepes, the braised pork, and the gravlax sandwich. All of the dishes were absolutely perfect!

    (5)

  • Pualena P.

    All you need to know about Tango is they put magic in their hollandaise sauce. They make a few variations of eggs benedict and, if they use the same magic sauce on all of them, they're all AMAZING! Emi H. and I were famished after working at the Banana Man 5k last Saturday and needed to refuel before the City Solve Urban Race. She suggested Tango. I know it is always in my best interest to listen to Emi when it comes to places to eat. I would be a fool not to! This was no exception. Tango is amazing. I had the crab hash benedict which was like eating a delictible combination of crabcakes and eggs with magic sauce. I tried Emi's Swedish Pancakes, which were like little fruit-covered crepes. I think they sprinked magic in these, too. The best part is, you get an "upscale" breakfast cafe dining experience for a reasonable price! I think my benedict was around $10. I can't wait to go back to try their lunch menu! Bathroom Bonus: I'm a bathroom person. I use the restroom almost everywhere I go and I must say, Tango has a wonderful restroom! 5-stars for happy bottoms and clean hands!!! :)

    (5)

  • Leigh N.

    A consistent favorite for breakfast and leisurely dinners with friends or my love. They have the most delicious coffee ever served, I don't know or care what kind it is or why it's so freaking delicious...I just know it is and that I love it! Breakfast go to for me is the eggs Benedict with the most perfectly poached egg....mmmmmm!!! IMHO, if the eggs aren't cooked right with eggs Benny, that ruins EVERYTHING!! For dinner I enjoy the mushroom risotto with shrimp or the lamb chops....both are little bits of heaven. The deal sealer for me is that they have a nice Malbec by the glass...again, I don't know know or care what kind it is, I just know it's freaking delicious!!

    (4)

  • Brian B.

    Tango Contemporary Cafe is one of those places that's a nice little hidden gem that nobody knows about until they run into it while out & about or is told about it by friends. In my case, a friend told me about it before we went to see a movie while we were hanging out in the Ward area. Like I said earlier, it feels like this restaurant is hidden away because it's on the left hand side of the Hokua building to the left of P.F. Chang's. Yup, blink and you'll miss it! I never noticed it there before, but that's mostly because I've gone to P.F. Chang's and the area where Tango is located is nice and cozy. When you go inside, you'll notice that it's a nice and clean little restaurant that's got a white motif and wood-top looking tables. It's a very nice and modern looking place and feels very comfortable as well as classy. This is definitely a nice place to have lunch on a weekend if you're out cruising through Victoria Ward Centre or the Ward Theaters Entertainment Complex. The food here is nicely prepared and presented too. The price is also decent with all things considered. On the 2 occasions that I've come here, I had the herb rubbed flank steak which is always a scrumptious treat! The steak came out tender and flavorful thanks to the herb butter and the greens were nice and fresh too. On one occasion my friend got one of the club sandwiches which looked really delicious and another friend got a breaded pork cutlet which also looked really well prepared and tasty! If you're around the area and would like a nice place to go for lunch that's not super pricey but still really a treat, come here for some good eats! You won't regret stopping by...

    (4)

  • Traci H.

    I had mixed experiences so have to settle in the middle at 3 stars for now. But definitely good to go back to try out more things! The good: -Friendly service -Interesting menu -COFFEE--best thing and it's just kona coffee, but they must do something with it because it's one of the best coffees I've ever had. And I don't love coffee. -the Swedish pancakes-light but tasty. I wish they had other fruit compote though -lunch:Friday crabcake special sandwich. Great crab and a perfectly toasted bun, and fresh avocado -dessert: the espresso flavored gelato was mmmmmm. -free, validated covered parking The not as good -breakfast was ok food: corned beef hash was ok but I couldnt even tell if it was real fresh corned beef. No huge hunks of meat and hunky potatoes, sadly. Not too hefty. The loco moco Benedict was ok too. It was actually too much flavor all mixed in for me. The meat was also really fatty. And sadly the hollandaise wasn't my cup of tea. Sort of just bleh. Oh and their hours are strict. If you miss the breakfast cutoff (10:30 I think) they will not make an exception. And lunch doesn't start till half an hour later. I was hoping for some real comfort breakfast and was a little disappointed but lunch was really good. So it's on the list to try again! Maybe I just ordered the wrong things.

    (4)

  • Art D.

    Breakfast today was fantastic. We started with a deep, robust, dark roasted coffee. We ordered two dishes Loco Moco Eggs Benedict - tender braised beef on fried rice and hollandaise. I would order this mouth-watering dish again, which is enough to share. The other dish ordered was the Original Pytt i Panna, Swedish style potato, ham, sausage, and Sunnyside eggs - quite tasty. Both dishes were ample - we believe two servings. So we could say the two of us ate enough for 4 - and so soon after Thanksgiving. The odd thing is that we were just introduced to this restaurant last night. Since I failed to ask our friends what they thought of their dishes, I'll focus on our order. A special for the evening of Ossobucco served over a bed of pappardelle. The Ossobucco fell off the bone, but was not tender. However, the flavor was quite good so I overlooked the ever so slight chewiness. I definitely will come back when I'm in Honolulu.

    (4)

  • Nat N.

    It seems like a lot of people like Tango. I went once a long time ago for lunch and was not impressed (I cannot remember what I ordered but it must not have been memorable). Since we received a couple of gift certificates to Tango for Christmas, we decided to give their dinner menu a try. We started off splitting their Classic Caesar Salad. The salad took a while to get to us, esp. considering it was just a plate of lettuce, cheese, and croutons. My husband thought their salad dressing was pretty good. For our entrees, I ordered the Grilled Grass Fed Tenderloin of Beef. I asked for it medium well, however, it seemed more like well done. The meat was tough. My husband ordered the Asian Style Five Spice Braised Beef and we both agreed that it was definitely the better of the two. The meat was super tender and tasty. The mashed potatoes was a nice compliment and I loved the crispy onions. For dessert we ordered the strawberry mango crumble with cinnamon ice cream - I practically licked the plate clean. I'm not sure if we would go again if we had to pay out of pocket. The prices for the entrees are a bit steep and if I'm going to pay that much for dinner there are other places I'd rather go to.

    (3)

  • Local Boy K.

    Went to Tango last night for my birthday with a couple of my really good friends. We've been there many times before for special occasions, so when asked where I wanted to go for my bday, I chose Tango. I was looking forward to a nice dinner, but was super disappointed. I usually order the Sea Bass, which is super ono, but wanted to try something different...ordered the Duck Confit. I don't like my meats rare, so of course, I ordered my duck medium-well. Appetizers were ono, but when the entrée came, I was surprised to see red in the breast meat. Wasn't sure if it was the sauce so I cut into the meat, and immediately knew it was raw because of the texture. As I waited for the waitress to come back, I ate around the meat and sampled the veggies that came with it and the polenta cake. Those were pretty tasty. The waitress finally came back and when I explained that the breast was almost "RARE," she said, "I saw it too. I couldn't tell if it was the sauce, though." Ok, fair enough. About 10 minutes or so later, my food is returned to me. It's replated, but the sides were not. There was a half-eaten polenta cake and a sliver of a broccolini. You would think that they would at LEAST replate with new sides as well. Come on...it's $25. To top it off, the duck breast was rubbery and basically inedible. I'm sure they just stuck it under the broiler to recook it. Simply nasty! I've worked in restaurants before...if it's sent back, the proper thing to do is RECOOK a new dish! Of course, I didn't finish it. I'm a big eater, but didn't want to take what was left. Still starving, I plowed through dessert and kept my cool, so as not to upset my friends who were hosting the dinner for my birthday. No apologies, no inquiry about whether everything was ok. My plate was just cleared. So...the dinner was bad, but the wines and the desserts were ono. Unfortunately, we can find good drinks and sweets just about anywhere. If it's my choice for the next celebration, it won't be there!

    (1)

  • Isaac N.

    I tried Tango for dinner for the first time, and it was excellent! I've gone there previously for lunch a few times and it was never memorable but dinner is a WHOLE different experience! Our waiter was excellent. I wanted to start with beer, on their menu they had a Deschutes seasonal. I asked what the seasonal was and the waiter told me that it was a white IPA and he suggested getting it. I tried it and it a great suggestion. If you can ever find it, I would recommend Deschutes' Chainbreaker White IPA. There were four of us and we ordered family style. We started with the tomato and mozzarella, that was decent, but the only place I think has good caprese is Italy. We also had the Hamakua mushrooms as a starter. Thumbs up! Their bread is really good, and eating the mushrooms on the bread, ding ding ding winner! For dinner we ordered 2 entrees, the first was the duck breast and leg confit. I really liked it, but I love duck. The other three in the party didn't care so much for the breast part of the duck, claiming it was a little "gamy". The other main dish we ordered was one of the specials, I don't remember the exact name but it was mahimahi covered with crab meat with a lobster cream sauce. That was probably the best dish of the night. The fish was very moist and having the crab complement it was the bonus! The price was very reasonable for it being what I would consider French food. I am not really into their lunch but I would definitely go back for their dinner.

    (4)

  • Rebecca C.

    tried to make reservations for 630. unfortunately there were no tables for 4 except "2 tops". which didn't make sense as it is so easily to rearrange 2 tops into a 4. anyways I settled for 730. nice cozy romantic atmosphere. but boy this can be misleading if the service is bad. it took 20+ mins for someone to come take our order. we had to ask for bread and took an additional half hour. finally got to order the braised beef. it took an hour and a half + to get our food. how is that? when we only ordered entrees no appetizers. think they were killing the cow! pretty much lost my appetite while waiting. but since we were there for so long why not wait a "lil" while more for dessert. haha. ordered the blueberry bread pudding ala mode and that was the only awesomest thing of the night. it was good! in all service was really really slow for a small restaurant. what did it for the night was 2 couples seated after us left before us. 2 and a half hours for dinner at a non fine dining restaurant is ridiculous!!!

    (2)

  • Chelsea H.

    I wanted to love this place so badly because all of my friends rave about it. Maybe it was better back when they used to go all the time but when I went this past week, it wasn't as special as I thought. It was still good, but not as great as my friends hyped it up to be. I ordered their French onion soup to start & duck for entree. What's cool about this place is you can order an entree and for $6 you can add soup of the day or salad + sorbet. Soup of the day couldn't be French onion so I had to save that for another day. French onion soup was standard. Delicious & cheesy. BF had the foie gras, which had some kind of apple compote that was also super yum. The duck was ok. It came with a shank (think thats what it's called) and 4 smaller pieces. To be honest, it was a bit bland. It lacked salt. :( What I thought was weird about the experience was that when we got the bread, it was ROCK HARD. They only serve the end pieces with butter and I swear to god, if I threw one at my BF he probably would've gotten a black eye. It was embarrassing trying to chew through them. But, I was starving so I ate 2 pieces and then I just gave up. And then, after the server watched us gnaw on the bread like starving dogs, he finally brought warm bread that was so deliciously soft. Wtf?? I appreciate it but why couldn't you have just waited for the fresh bread to be ready. I thought that was weird. Overall, my Tango experience was ok. Maybe I will be back for lunch or order something different at dinner. At least now I know that stale, day old bread is not their service standard anymore. :D

    (4)

  • Mark M.

    Okay Emi H., I hope you're reading this. I was sold on this joint after reading your stellar review of Tango. I am honestly not one for eggs benedict. I actually only eat my eggs scrambled for whatever reason I'm not sure. Maybe it was something from my childhood, maybe I just don't like the way the rest of the egg preparation methods look... I don't know. That's a stark contrast in comparison to my girlfriend who LOVES eggs benedict and it seems like she's on a mission to find the perfect benedict. We arrived at Tango this morning at about 915 and were seated promptly by our server. I really wish I got her name because she was awesome! If the owner of Tango is reading this, the server with the tattoo on the inside of her right wrist deserves a raise and some praise. After taking some time to look over the menu, I said to myself: "Self, what the hey. Try the benedict." And I did. I ordered the crab cake benedict and that's when our server notified me that I could get a half an half order of the benedict if I wanted to. So I decided to get half crab cake and half gravlax. I've never had gravlax before and I was interested. For those of who don't know (or didn't know like me) gravlax is salmon that's been cured with salt, sugar, and dill. My love ordered the smoked salmon benedict and we anxiously awaited our order. When it was brought out I was very impressed. You get quite a lot for the money you put down. Each order costed about $9.50 and I think that's a great deal. There was some fresh fruit arranged in the corner of the plate with some roasted breakfast potatoes. I tried the gravlax first just to temper my curiosity. WOW. it tasted amazing! It wasn't as salty as I thought it would be and it didn't taste fishy like regular salmon does and for me that's a huge plus. The crab cake version was also incredible. I tried her smoked salmon benedict and was blown away again. Of the three, I have to say the smoked salmon tasted the best. But that's like saying winning one million and one dollars is better than winning one million. It's sad to say that I don't think she completed her mission of finding the perfect benedict. She came petty damn close though. What I can say however is this: I am now one for eggs benedict.

    (5)

  • Joanne P.

    I love Tango for breakfast. Swedish pancakes, eggs benedict, all yum and served with excellent service. So I was shocked tonight when 3 friends and I went for dinner and all four of us agreed that it was the worst service each of us had ever experienced. We were puzzled because our waiter, Robert, smiled a lot but always seemed to have an attitude. There was only one other table with customers when we walked in. As can happen with a mostly empty restaurant, it was cold. No hostess so Robert directed us to a table that blasted cold air at us. I asked if there was any way to lower the thermostat. Robert firmly said no, with no apology. I asked why not? He replied that the kitchen would warm up the room. He didn't seem apologetic that we were cold or try to alleviate our discomfort. He stepped away to get our drinks and we checked out an adjoining table which was warmer. When Robert returned, my friend requested that we be moved. Robert just looked at my friend and walked away. WTH? So we picked up all our stuff and moved ourselves. We were trying to have a good night so we kept smiling even though the service was putting a damper on things. Robert managed to take our orders without doing anything annoying but he kept saying things in such low volume that we often didn't hear him speak at all--especially if we were in the middle of a conversation! Very odd. The last straw was when one of my friends didn't have cash so she wanted to use her credit card. I figured it would be easier to just have the bill split between four cards rather than trying request enough change so that we could all pay her back. So I asked very nicely if Robert would do that for us. His response was, "uh no." What? even if you can't do it, wouldn't the correct response be "I'm so sorry but I'm unable to do that for you."? At this point, I was just plain pissed off. I can understand if you can't accommodate us on certain things, but to just flat out say NO and stare at us is UNACCEPTABLE. I asked him WHY NOT? He mumbled something about the system being unable to handle it. I said "really?" and he then changed his tune and said it was company policy. What a liar! I hope the management reads this review. My friends and I are very easygoing--we still gave him a very nice tip because none of us could bring ourselves to be mean. For all four of us to say this service was bizarre, awful and the worst we've ever seen is saying a lot. On our ride home, we concluded that Robert must have been impaired in some way. He seemed out of it and not very responsive. It's the only thing that makes sense! The food was 5 stars, service was 1 star so I averaged it to 3 stars. That's pretty generous after the evening we had.

    (3)

  • Richard S.

    This was an excellent dining experience with great, friendly, and professional service and excellent cuisine for dinner. It was so good we went back for brunch a few days later and found our first experience was not a fluke. To have such a gem of a fine restaurant in your neighborhood is truly a blessing. We enjoyed it so much we decided to give a gift certificate to a dear friend whom we know will enjoy equally.

    (5)

  • Shane T.

    The food was really good. The drinks are affordable. Parking is convenient. I totally enjoyed the meal. The servers were on it, but it took a while for our food to come. Definitely coming back!

    (4)

  • Gary N.

    It was a Bloody Mary morning as it was easily the most popular drink after water. It had been a while since I have started my day this way, with alcohol, but it was definitely a good thing. At least 6 of us of our party of 15 ordered it after word of mouth quickly spread among us on how good they were. The occasion was a UYE Brunch Boozers Quatro at Tango Contemporary Cafe. It was my first time here. After reviewing the menu for a moment, the Crab Hash Benedict caught my eye. Priced at only $10.50, it was a deal! The Crab Hash Benedict was as good as I hoped it would be when I consumed it after it arrived. Eggs were perfectly cooked with an appropriate amount of running when disturbed. Hollandaise made it complete. Some of our other parties' ones were unfortunately not that runny though. Good company and above average food made it worthwhile to eat here for breakfast this past Sunday. Can't wait to have another brunch Esteban! Also, another after party Seleena? Always love eating with everyone. Emi, Mike, and everyone else makes eating brunch very good. #Yelp 365 - 22/365

    (5)

  • Rissa K.

    Went here for lunch today with a gf of mine. I had the BLT sandwich with salad. It was pretty good! My had the Hamakua Mushroom Risotto with Shrimp and Asparagus. We both liked what we had. The restaurant was quite empty for lunch. The breakfast menu looks pretty good. Loved the decor here as well. The service wasn't so great though. Other than that I may be back for breakfast!

    (3)

  • Vanessa B.

    My first time! And the food was really awesome! I had the mushroom portobello burger with fries, and it was so delicious. I would go there again for lunch!

    (5)

  • Alysha K.

    I enjoyed my lunch at Tango Cafe. It has a modern ambiance feel to it too. Made me feel like I was in the mainland again. It's hard to find that kinda place in Hawaii. The french onion soup was so delicious. And the shrimp salad avocado sandwich was huge and tasty. I got to eat some for lunch the next day too. Service was good, no complaints. Would be back again!

    (4)

  • Claire M.

    One of my favorite restaurants. They're one of the few restaurants that offer foie gras and I was hooked! I enjoy their menu because it has the right amount of serving to my liking and they've been consistent with flavors. I've only eaten here for lunch and dinner, and I must come back for breakfast one day!

    (4)

  • Shep G.

    Great menu, I've been for lunch and dinner, both were good. I had the Lamb for dinner and it was VERY good, cooked just right and the service during dinner was also great. There was a very noisy group in there that night and it points out the fact that this place is pretty small, and it was REALLY loud as everyone raised their voices to be heard over each other. My lunch experience was also good food wise, but the service was a little lacking. She forgot some things and had to be roped in and reminded. I like that it is locally owned... and if I was headed to PF Chang's next door? I would veer into Tango instead!

    (4)

  • Chantelle T.

    I've driven by this place multiple times but never actually got a chance to go until this week! The interior is really beautiful -- bit of an industrial feel, warm lighting, and textured walls. It almost felt like I was back in LA. We decided to do it family style, sharing an appetizer and entree since we weren't that hungry. The appetizer we chose was the seared scallops on baby spinach with grape tomatoes and mushrooms. They offered to plate half-portions for us since we were splitting which was really nice. And we each had 3 scallops! I was definitely happy about that! Our entree was one of their daily specials: seared furikake ahi with a lobster sauce on mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables. The size of the fish was larger than expected so it's definitely worth the $26 they were charging. They also provided extra sauce on the side which was nice. The service was really good too. I would definitely come here again. Maybe next time I'll try their brunch offerings!

    (4)

  • Ryan S.

    I love the food here. I am glad that it wasn't busy when I went or I know my experience wouldn't be good. This restaurant is small but I think that's why the service was so good here. I ate there w/my friends & we tried each other's dishes there & it definitely did not disappoint. The risotto here is very tasty. I hope to go back soon!

    (5)

  • Kimi F.

    This was my first time here. Waited a good 20 minutes to be seated, since I didn't make a reservation. The place was decorated in a modern decor, which is always nice. The menu offered a decent selection of items. The waitress was just not into us and her facial expressions said a lot! We really enjoyed the food! However, service was lacking and that's really all I can focus on in this review. I really wanted to tell our waitress, if you're not happy doing what you do, go out and find something that does. Why do your customers have to put up with the, "I don't really want to be here attitude?" She was just fortunate that day, because my husband was not with me. If he had been with me, there would be no tip. Yet, I gave you a 15% tip, out of compassion. Hoping you were just having a one time off day? The irony of my experience was that she overcharged me on an iced tea. My friend ordered one and I just consumed water. Yet, when I got home and took a look at my receipt, I was charged for 2 iced teas, WTH (what the heck)! So, to all of my fellow Yelper's please check your bill to make sure it's accurate. Don't be like me and wait till you get home to notice that there's an error. I called to resolve the error, but the female manager was in a meeting and the person on the phone said to call back, but I never did. 3.5 stars for food 1 star for service or I should say attitude 4 stars for decor 3 stars on price of dishes Just saying, it'll be awhile before I give this place a second try.

    (3)

  • K C.

    Been here twice for dinner - I really like the decor/ambiance - like starry night in a spring forest. The appetizers are very good, well presented and I think, reasonably priced. I like ordering the onion soup, escargot, foie gras and garlic clams. The Hamakua mushroom risotto is very yummy and so is the sea bass. The first time our service was very good; the second, the server was neither upbeat nor engaging. Anyway, I'd still go back.

    (4)

  • S C.

    I've been here a handful of times now over the past 3-ish years, and love it every single time. I was introduced to this cute little restaurant by my mom who swears they have the best coffee ever (they do!) and go back as often as I can when I am back in Hawaii. I love the breakfast/brunch here, and recently had a chance (OK, was kind of forced to since I missed the breakfast cutoff time, and though initially disappointed, was glad I did) to try lunch here as well, and it surpassed my expectations. I mean, salads and sandwiches are a dime a dozen, and I was really craving breakfast foods, not lunch....but the ingredients they use are so fresh and well-prepared that I was humbled by being so grumpy that they stopped serving breakfast at only 10 am. I love supporting local businesses, and love that Tango has consistently good service and good food over many years. Bravo!

    (5)

  • Paul N.

    Had dinner on Friday. Great waiter. The Sledgehammer wine was good for the price and it well with the fantastic super awesome smoked and roasted duck. I will definitely go back and eat this again.

    (4)

  • Priscilla L.

    Prices are more than good (aka cheap), service is all there, and overall cute atmosphere ...perfect place for breakfast!! Specialty food items are definatley coffee and salmon eggs Benedict's. Have yet to go for dinner but planning on it!

    (5)

  • Aaron P.

    Came in for brunch at 1:20. Food was good, server definitely wasn't happy to have a table sit an hour before she was done with her shift. She seemed annoyed that we didn't know what we wanted and that we wanted explanations of some of the Swedish words on the menu, or that i wanted a drink after she had taken the order. Another sever dropped off the check before clearing the plates and without asking if we wanted dessert, which we did. After that, not so much. Maybe we'll try again in a few months

    (3)

  • Hillary J.

    Awesome

    (5)

  • Meg M.

    I woke up and couldn't talk. My nose was dripping, I sounded like a man when I managed to speak and my cough sounded somewhat like a seal's bark. Let's just say, I wasn't as enthusiastic as Justin to try a new place this morning. But... as usual I wanted him to chose the brunch place. (Yea, I'm a trooper, just cause I'm fighting some ninja-virus, doesn't mean I skip a meal...*brush my shoulders off*) So off to Tango Cafe we went. Y'all know I need my stimulating atmosphere and the inspiration lights and birch tree decor certainly provided that. All joking aside though, we were greeted with a smile and I was excited about the place just from looking around. (Okay, fine, I was really excited about the quick glimpse of a full wine fridge.... but I mean I had to rein it in, we were there for breakfast and all the booze from last night probably wasn't even out of my system yet.) The breakfast menu looked great and the photos on yelp looked better so I figured I couldn't loose. I eyed the coffee drinks with anticipation until Justin threatened to show me iphone evidence that coffee was just as bad as beer for my struggling immune system.... they looked super good though, next time I'll be trying those for sure. I ended up with a half order of (drum roll please) the smoked salmon bagel. Unfortunately, i think they forgot my cream cheese :( Maybe Justin told them it wasn't good for my germs.... Though the salmon was delicious and there was plenny of it, the meal wasn't the best I had. Luckliy, Justin is a sharer (of germs as well as food) so I got to have some of his meal: 1/2 order of crab hash benedict and 1/2 order of loco moco benedict. The crab hash benedict on a english muffin was deee-lish and the potatoes looked really good too. (Yea, i was mackin' on his plate, what up) All in all the food was fresh, the prices were great and I would definitely return- hopefully in better shape! I was so torn between 4 stars and 5 because though I wasn't a huge fan of my meal, the service was excellent, the atmosphere bomb-diggety and Justin's meal was pretty freakin amazing. With some theraflu in me I'm feeling generous so 5 stars it is. ....And I can't WAIT to go back for lunch and dinner (ummm.... and wine) ps- my apologies to the people next to us, I tried my best to keep my germs to myself... but take emergen-c just in case.... tis the season

    (4)

  • Kevin W.

    Danish pastries were outstanding - buttery and fluffy (esp guava) - and I don't normally like sweets. Salmon eggs Benedict - preferred the gravlax vs smoked salmon bc the smoked salmon is overcooked and almost like a cooked salmon benedicts whereas the gravlax is closer to raw. I don't know where they learned to smoke salmon, but it seems overcooked Sausage eggs potatoes etc were standard good. Kid friendly - much appreciated.

    (4)

  • Aaron L.

    Good food, hate the cutting corners! +$5 to share a plate!?! Ridiculous! Get some cloth napkins. Again though good food.

    (1)

  • Jolene K.

    Great service. Ambience is also great! Food is pricey, ranging from 17 dollars and up at dinner time. But I was perfectly satisfied after my meal. I had the Lobster and Goat Cheese ravoli. The taste is good but I would have definitely liked more than 5 ravoli for my money. I can't remember the price but it was close to 20 dollars. My boyfriend got the steak - it was tall, thick, but nothing to write home about. I like it and we thought about trying it again at lunch time. Definitely I will give it another shot.

    (3)

  • Brittany S.

    This place is a gem! I had the angel hair and zucchini pasta and my boyfriend had the mushroom risotto, both were very delicious! The drinks were also very tasty. The waitstaff was friendly and attentive and the atmosphere is relaxing. Would recommend to anyone! Can't wait to go again!

    (5)

  • Lynn M.

    Love the Loco Moco Benedict and the Swedish crepes. Coffee is great too! We came for Father's Day and they had a special brunch menu that was a little different from their regular menu. Brought friends here recently and everyone agreed, the coffee is a winner!

    (4)

  • Jason W.

    The Mahi-Mahi sandwich is amazing! Great price, filling, accompanied by fries or a salad! Snagged a bite of the hamburger too and that was quite good as well. Location is convenient with parking in the building and validation making parking free. The service was great and the time we went wasn't too crowded so it made for a pleasant afternoon. Very much enjoyed the experience here~

    (5)

  • Sheryl G.

    what: the middle ground in cafe society, neither a fine dining restaurant nor is it a plate lunch: their winning formula is their high design and low prices. something good: love, love, love the ambiance of this place and the care that goes into each dish. the plating is beautiful and if you dine in you will totally see how much effort is put into everything. breakfast is by far my favorite at this place!! something not so good: it gets super busy!! there is always, always a line for breakfast!! something to try: fried rice & hamakua mushroom risotto with garlic shrimp

    (5)

  • Charlie B.

    Service was okay (had to ask for bread, offered fresh ground pepper towards the end of the meal but otherwise attentive). Had salmon and seabass and both were over cooked, lacked flavor, smothered with extras, and over-thought as dishes. Will not recommend to anyone.

    (2)

  • Jordan S.

    Came here for breakfast one day while an outer-island cousin was in town. Had the fried rice. Very good. :) Portion was not bad. I cant remember what everyone else got, but no one complained. It was surprisingly empty other than one other party (going off on a tangent here), which included a guy wearing an orange shirt with the tetris logo on it. I quietly commented on the fact that the guy seemed kinda nerdy... I then found out that he was the guy who owns the licensing rights to tetris..... very rich dude.... Whoops.. Good thing he didnt hear me!

    (5)

  • Darcie I.

    Favorite place for breakfast. Usually get the fried rice w/ one egg and potuguese sausage, or the braised beef loco moco which is served over fried rice. Never disappointed me. Pressed coffee is made fresh to order, with unlimited refills. On the third Tuesday of every month, they have a special tasting menu that is paired with the alcohol of the month. Only drawback, the menu doesn't change. Atmosphere is casual, good place to go on dates.

    (4)

  • Racquel S.

    I've heard fabulous reviews about this place and how the swedish pancakes are a must try for breakfast! After looking at every picture on yelp I finally decided to drag my boyfriend here for breakfast. They stop serving breakfast at 10am so us late birds are always getting in the door right before they change their signs to Lunch. Parking is always easy because they have ample parking spaces and it is a few dollars w/ validation. So we finally get their and I already knew what to order... the swedish pancakes. They are really thin light pancakes with fresh fruits and a blueberry sauce over the fruits. Their are about four slices and served with a side of whip cream. I am telling you it is the best thing ever! My favorite type of pancake combo even better than boots and kimos macadamia pancakes! yup I said it, I wins by a milestone! Not only did I go their for breakfast I also went to try out their dinner menu with my girlfriends for GNO (girls night out) and it was amazing! The ambiance is just so romantic and relaxing with dim lights and candles lit everywhere with some christmas lights decorated on the windows. The place is just so lovely and it makes me feel like I'm in a magical place where it only comes alive at night! For dinner I had the catch of the day and the fish was Marlin. I never tried Marlin before but I am glad I tried it here for the first time. It was sauteed perfectly on top of some fluffy mashed potatoes and creamy white sauce drizzled all over the combo. It was just so delicious and I normally do not pig out but I could not help myself, I couldn't let the poor marlin go to waste so I did it a favor :) After eating dinner we move on to our favorite meal... dessert time for us! The manager was nice enough to come and start a conversation with us about the dessert menu, she was really helpful and so sweet. She overheard us talking about the Thai Mocha Coffee and she was raving about how their coffee is the best and we should try it. We passed on it because we were already full from dinner but had enough room for some dessert. We finally choose our desserts and I ordered the blueberry bread pudding with vanilla sauce. As we were waiting for our dessert, the manager came to our table and got us a Iced Thai Mocha with 3 straws for us to share. I thought that was sweet of her to let us try so the next time we knew we had to get it. When I got it it was still warm and it was just so fluffy and the sauce complemented it perfectly! Everything was perfect right? Wrong... just a little disappointed about the wait staff and how unfriendly they are. And also the Iced Thai Mocha we got from the manager was on our bill. I mean we assumed that it was free but I guess she was doing us a favor? I don't know but it was the though that counted. Definitely coming back for more though and next time I know it will be on my bill.

    (4)

  • Keiko J.

    I was very disappointing about this place. Despite the recommendation from the friends..., Why the sauce from the beef dish and my duck taste the same like a store bought demi gras? Why the mango berry crumble had solid brown sugar not even melted on the top of it and inside was piping hot ( did you use microwave oven?) Obviously , chef was not present last Fri. Bunch of kids were running the kitchen. I hope this place is better when he is there but over all it looks like either airline business class food or hotel banquet room food. Looks OK but no taste. Sorry

    (1)

  • Matthew P.

    Great wait staff, with a very warm spirit making the dining experience very enjoyable. The buttermilk pancakes are amazing with the coconut syrup. Make sure to get a cup of their coffee as well. If your staying in Waikiki area, make sure to leave the strip for great food and experience.

    (4)

  • Elin T.

    Had dinner at Tango tonight with my sisters and mama. Got there at 6pm and was seated right away. highly recommend the onion soup, lobster ravioli, lychee sorbet, and mango and strawberry crumble. service was really good too.

    (4)

  • Stacey K.

    Enjoyed lunch at tango today. I had the cobb salad which was pretty good- perfect amount of bacon, egg, avocado, etc. Only complaint is not enough lettuce. My girlfriend had the special which was scallops and shrimp in lobster sauce which was also pretty good. The lobster sauce was creamy but not too overpowering, the scallops weren't amazing but were cooked well. Unfortunately overall it was all sorta boring.

    (3)

  • KEVIN W.

    I wanted to eat everything on the menu when i went for dinner! I'm going back for sure...even though i was stuffed from the main course i had dessert to top off everything. During the end of our dinner the owner came out and talked to us to make sure we enjoyed our meal and also told us about their prix fixed menu they host on the 3rd Tuesday of the month. Sounded a little expensive but if its the same quality as the rest of the menu it will be worth it for anyone who is even a little bit of a foodie.

    (5)

  • Keola S.

    What a great little place to eat. The creativity behind the dishes are just amazing. They put a modern spin on breakfast classics. I just had the crab hash benedict and all I can say is

    (4)

  • Matt O.

    The one entree I will recommend may seem like it's not a lot but it was the best thing I've tasted for a while. It's the COBB SALAD! The ingredients were so fresh. I've never tasted a salad where the components meshed together so perfectly. Sometimes I have dreams about it. (YES! It was THAT good!) Anything on the dessert menu is tasty. I especially liked the strawberry mango crumble with cinnamon ice cream. Um...doesn't that just SOUND delicious?! The service was excellent. I suggest ordering the iced tea because free refills on anything delicious is always a plus. :)

    (5)

  • Kimberly A.

    My boyfriend works at this restaurant so one morning, we decided to give it a try & I loved it! Its a cute small restaurant with a very home-feeling to it. Servers were absolutely nice and I also met the owner, Tammy. She was awesome! I couldn't decide whether to get the regular eggs benedict or the crab cake one so she offered to let me do a mix n match! I also loved their hot chocolate & the creativity they used to serve it. My first experience was great. I recommend it (:

    (5)

  • Elle B.

    To understand Tango requires one to look at the context of the owners, two ex-Hawaii Prince people. Therefore what you have is a casual cafe that serves hotel quality food at much lower prices. So if you look at it as an affordable cafe, you'll be satisfied, but if you expect cutting edge culinary magic you might be disappointed. Hotel quality food is a double edged sword. While on the one hand Chef Streng's food definitely shows strong technical fundamentals and the judicious use of high quality ingredients sourced from the same suppliers of major hotels in Honolulu, the menu is a bit dated and "safe" (my way of saying boring). You can easily eat the same food just about anywhere in the world. On the other side of the coin, the menu is designed to please a broad spectrum of palates which is definitely geared to the customer base of the Ward area- younger, somewhat affluent and traveled, but not to the point of being adventurous food snobs. Sadly I'd expect greater depth of local taste integration from a founding member of the HRC movement and someone widely considered by the media to be on the same playing field as Roy and Alan. The dinner food is hit or miss. The few local nods were complete duds. Temaki sushi was so tough the nori pretty much stripped the skin off my lips. The tempura was a disaster; skinny and looked like the batter fried shrimp you'd find at red lobster served with a sweet chili sauce that came straight out of the mae ploy bottle. The bread is good (tastes like Bale ciabatta). The foie gras was fine but got dwarfed by the crostini and salad that garnished the plate. The lamb chops are very good, the only true success on my visit. The special of the day was Ossobucco, which was dominated by the taste of tomato and the lack of gremolata made me want to downgrade it to veal shank stew. I looked around at the other tables and noticed that almost every entree had the same starch and vegetable garnish (told you boring!, but they're a "cafe" so I guess that is acceptable). The lychee sorbet was good (tastes like La Gelateria). The wine list is very affordable though selections are somewhat limited. Service is efficient and friendly. Wise tip...don't park in Hokua tower. Even with validation it cost me $6! Park at Ward Center and sneak over. In conclusion, I would eat here again mostly because the prices are resonable and I'm still curious to see what Chef Streng is truly capable of. Its very challenging in this state, and especially in this economy to do what he and his partner are doing. Its worth giving them the chance to succeed.

    (3)

  • Jocelyn L.

    "Good mushroom risotto. good sushi. but nothing in terms of ambience. kinda depressing coz it was so empty."

    (3)

  • renee w.

    Service was good, food was delicious and the portion was generous! iI had the shrimp tempura salad and my husband had the open face gravlax sandwich. Both were very tasty and the food was so fresh. I'll continue to eat here every time i visit Hawaii!

    (4)

  • Grape C.

    Upgraded one more star to four stars, why not? I've had some space, they fixed things, everything is all good now.

    (4)

  • Takeshi S.

    Food and speed realy good. Service not so much.

    (3)

  • Becky T.

    I like the ambiance of the place. It's airy with lots of Ikea-esque decor that is fitting when you consider that the chef is Scandinavian. It's a nice place for a date and their food was good and generously portioned. I've been a sucker for seared scallops lately, and was happy to see that they had a scallop appetizer. Imagine my surprise though when the dish arrived and it was actually a salad of greens with seared scallops. So it turned out to be quite a hefty appetizer, but a very good one nonetheless. Warm bread was provided with softened butter which I could have just eaten loaf after loaf. The braised five spice short rib that I got as my main course was just wonderful and along with the brocollini and mashed potatoes was the ultimate in comfort food. My date ordered the tasting menu: his favorite part was the lobster ravioli which was really good and creamy. However he thought his lamb entree was a little underseasoned and there was no choice in desserts for the tasting menu and it was a warm chocolate brownie a la mode. He can't eat chocolate so that was crappy for him, but luckily I eat chocolate, so it was good for me!

    (4)

  • Musicophile- H.

    Had Father's day lunch (miso salmon) and food was okay. Expected more flavors in food since price was high. Service was excellent & atmosphere was great. Waiter service was first class.

    (3)

  • Kimberly A.

    Great value; we had the turkey club sandwich and the shrimp caeser salad, and both were fantastic! The buttery, garlic-y shrimp atop the perfect caeser salad dressing with fresh croutons ranks in the best caeser salads on the island. The club sandwich had an extra layer of bread (triple decker) which was a little much for me, personally, but I'm sure someone else loves it. I took out the extra bread and devoured the whole thing. Topped with a Deschutes beer, our fantastic lunch came in well under $30. We'll be back!

    (5)

  • Melissa S.

    I WAS a big fan of Tango. Their coffee is the best anywhere. Their food is usually good (though one time my friend had to send back the risotto). I often recommend friends to go when they need to think of a place. If there's one best thing about Tango, it's their COFFEE. You can buy take out coffee there because, for $2, it is much better than Starbucks or Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. But their SERVICE is AWFUL! I went to breakfast the other day for a business meeting. We got there by 9:15am as I read on the website that they served breakfast until 10am. There were about two other tables there when we arrived. Before I even finished eating, our waiter placed the check on our table. And without explaining that they close between 10-11am, and that (maybe) they need to close out the checks for breakfast, he came back every two minutes to try to take the check. Finally, we got fed up and left without finishing our discussion. Then our waiter said, "you can sit as long as you want, I just need the check." It's AWFUL service! I will not recommend friends or clients to go there again. Though I will still get take out food or coffee.

    (3)

  • Kristen N.

    Many aspects about this restaurant give me the impression that, at some point, things that started out strong before either momentum or interest was lost. For instance, the risotto that was supposed to be fantastic had it only been cooked completely; the parts of dark meat on the duck that were evidently marinated in salt (a no-no since I can't tolerate salty flavor); the dust bunnies on the window sills in plain view--ew, I just got up brusquely and walked across the restaurant; the staff that maintained an unpleasantly too casual of a tone on the phone. And this lady, who looked like she was in charge, she asked if I was going to finish the duck and I was about to tell her why I wouldn't, when she just walked away. In fairness, the bread was yummy, the wait staff were attentive, and the malbec was so good (should have written it down). Yeah, like I would go back to a restaurant for their complementary bread and wine I can get from drug stores.

    (2)

  • Corinne K.

    My husband has been wanting to bring me here ever since he came here with a friend so we went on a Sunday for breakfast. Signed in with a couple of deuces signed in ahead of us then went to sit outside. A couple of minutes later a party of 7 walks in and gets seated immediately. Okay, I guess they don't seat that larger table til a big party comes in. We get seated a few minutes later. The noise level is incredible. As we were waiting for out food I notice a couple and toddler outside waiting. They then got seated on the other side of the "decorations down the middle" from us. Food took awhile but I didn't realize how long (as we were in no rush) until I happened to look over and that same couple and kid already got their food. Just as I was going to say something out food came out. I ordered the traditional Benedict. It was okay thought the canadian bacon was very thin and the bottom of the english muffin was very hard to cut. My husband ordered the Crab Benedict. It was very good. Service was a bit slow even on the drinks. The asian server was very nice. The other one not so much. Yeah, we really couldn't tell who our real server was. Husband wants to try dinner here so I'll give it another try.

    (3)

  • Gail M.

    I ordered the duck confit and a cappucino. The food is pretty good and reasonably priced. I thought the service was terrible. It was very brusque. Maybe they are trying to be efficient but efficient doesn't have to mean rude or cold. I hate when waiters say thank you without even making eye contact. It is so insincere. When I declined to order dessert the waiter asked if I was sure. I was kind of offended, when a customer says no it means no. I could have been diabetic for all he knew. I think the menu could be expanded to include more appetizers. I wanted to order more than an entree but did not like the soup selection and did not want to order an entree sized salad.

    (2)

  • Greg S.

    I was conflicted about how to feel about this place. Located next to PF Changs by Ward Center, this is a unique establishment for that area, serving contemporary American near gourmet food (by my amateur opinion). The decor succeeds and the menu seems ambitious, at least judging from the menu descriptions. We shared a mushroom risotto with a cream of tomato with roasted garlic soup to start. The soup du jour was average and the risotto had a good texture and flavor but didn't blow me away. Prices weren't too bad, but started to approach the point where I expect the food to be above average. Overall, I think this place is worth checking out, if nothing else but to try something different than it's surrounding chains. I'll be back at some point to try some of the other interesting menu items.

    (3)

  • Milo R.

    3.5......The food, service, cleanliness, & atmosphere is great. Kitchen looks outstandingly clean. The price is $$. My wife gives it a 4 but I give it a 3.

    (3)

  • Natalie L.

    had the grilled salmon salad. salmon was cooked perfectly and the dressing was yummy. what wasn't so yummy was the huge floating hunk of black mold/ algae in my friend's water glass. how the server brought that over to the table without noticing, i can't imagine. he was quick to fix the problem and brought her a new glass of water but by then the damage was done. yikes!

    (3)

  • Food C.

    We got our drinks quickly. Then it was all downhill from there. My sister practically finished her iced tea before the server came to take our order, and she wasn't gulping it down. We ordered the beet salad, duck confit burger, and the hamakua mushroom risotto. In the meantime I had to ask 2x for a straw and when I asked for hot sauce our waitress said we have sriracha and tobasco. I asked for cholula or tapatio and she cocked her head and stared at me for about 5 seconds before I said, "nevermind, I don't want any." but she came back with tobasco and no straw. When we got our salad, it was ok, and a few minutes later the waitress brought our other food. The risotto was not al dente, it was very much underdone. I had to call the waitress over because she didn't check to see if the food was ok. At the time my sister had given me half of her duck burger which tasted like chicken. The waitress explained that the chef makes the "orzo pasta" crunchy, so I asked her to take it away I didn't want it. She comes back and says the chef can recook it mushy, like how I want it. I said my sister already gave me half her sandwich but she said the chef was already doing it. Anyway, bad service and less than mediocre food. It was my first visit here and I was disappointed, but my sister used to frequent the place a lot at dinner said the food used to be good and the service used to be great. But neither one of us is going back after today.

    (1)

  • K N.

    We had lunch at tango for the first time and it was very good. We shared the caesar salad with chicken and risotto with shrimp- both were very delicious. Service was really good too. I will definitely go back to try their breakfast.

    (4)

  • pepper s.

    Lunch - beet salad (split), duck confit burger, hamakua mushroom risotto. Service - bad. The waitress made us wait til we were almost done with our drinks before taking our order. She brought the salad out with two of the smallest bread plates and two minutes later, she brought out our sandwich and entree. She didn't have a clue as to what tapatio or cholula was but when I said that it was ok, i don't need hotsauce but I would like a straw. She brought some tobasco, but no straw. When I got my risotto, it was crunchy. The waitress didn't come by at all after we got our food, so I had to wave her over (I hate doing that). But by that time I had already eaten half of my sister's duck confit burger which tasted like chicken :( I told her that the rice was too hard. She said the orzo is made crunchy by the chef and that's how it is. I said I don't like it, you can take it away. She came back and said the chef can make it mushy like how you like it. I said, no thanks I ate half of my sister's sandwich. She said the chef is doing it now. What can I say? I didn't want it after the first bite and I'm certainly not going to want it "mushy." I'm all about al dente, but not crunchy. And its not Orzo, its arborio RICE! Overall bad food and bad service. It was my first time so I was disappointed. But my sister used to frequent the place a lot for dinner and she said the food used to be good and the service used to be good. But neither of us will be back.

    (1)

  • Tommy B.

    Reviewed this place for lunch just over a week ago, but just returned from a dinner for six at Tango that was even better than my previous lunch experience. The menu isn't huge, nut everything on it seems to be done very, very well. Price wise it is definitely a splurge for me, but we were celebrating my significant other's birthday...worth every penny. My duck and onion starter was fantastic. Unfortunately, my Asian braised beef was a tiny bit on the dry side, but it was the only dish at the table that was not excellent. Three other loved their tasting menu B options that included a scallop starter, lamb chops, and a dessert sampler. My strawberry mango crumble and delicious decaf were a wonderful way to end a fabulous meal. Service, as before, was nicely attentive, helpful, and friendly but never intrusive. Very satisfying celebratory dinner but I didn't leave feeling overly stuffed. This place is great.

    (4)

  • John C.

    Went there on May 13, 2008, since heard quite a bit of hype on the place. Originally was supposed to go to another restaurant, but had guests in town and thought we would try this place out. Things got off to a not so great start with the parking being FULL. It was a nightmare to park and the valet people were just not very helpful. Finally got to Tango at 12:00pm and the place did not have an empty seat. Saw the "Please Wait To Be Seated" sign. No problem. Were we wrong. . . . The waitress was curt and borderline rude. Came up to us and stated the obvious "The are no seats right now." The three of us stood in line and waited. About 12:10pm, another group of three arrived and stood behind us. They were chatting and seem to know the waitress that was rude to us. No worries . . . . When a table opened up, guess what happened? The waitress spoke with Tami (part owner) and they seated the other party before us! They didn't even have the courtesy to explain things to us. I called Tami over and asked why they were seated before us. She makes and excuse that they were here first . . . . Hmm . . . . Can you say BS? Suffice it to say, we were not happy and told Tami that she was completely useless and we were never coming back to Tango again! Sincerely believe that no matter how good the food is, service and ambiance are equally important. Service is terrible at Tango. Even one of their bussers admitted that much! Would have loved to try the food and rate it, but hey, just this horrible experience alone gives Tango a big "goose egg". One star is more than generous. Goran (part owner and chef) was nice, but they are in denial. When I called to let him know what happened, his response is "We've never had that sort of complaint before." Judging from the other postings here, bad service is pretty much a given at Tango. A lot of restaurants around town think they can charge big prices just because they are new, hip, etc. Think again! If your service sucks, well, you're going to crash and burn really quickly. If anyone is looking for good food, head over to Vino. We "rediscovered" it recently. Previously, the food was OK, nothing spectacular, but they had a new chef in the past 6 months and we were pleasantly surprised. The food was spectacular - blow us away and the price was extremely reasonable. The Pork Bean Soup was delicious and it was only $10 for a very generous portion. The lamb chops (previous menu) was divine for only $22. Service was top notch - attentive and courteous. A gem in the rough. ***Originally posted on May 13, 2008 but "disappeared." ****

    (1)

  • Kevin T.

    Prices are alright Food is good but not awesome No refills on soda which is lame. ($2.00 for one soda) Nice resturant in a modern building. I feel, however, that this place is too yuppified for my taste. As for the food, I got the duck confit burger. It came with Fries, coleslaw, and the burger. It was a well balanced dish and satisfied me. However, I Feel the dish might have been more appetizing "visually and/or texturally" had they just cut whole pieces of duck rather than shreading the poor duck and reshaping it into a patty. The creme brûlée was very nice and is priced fare at $5.35 Idk if I'm coming back though. They need to make free refills on soda!!!!!!!

    (4)

  • Hyunny P.

    This place is awesome. So friendly. So clean. Good service. Came with my friend and husband. Friend had a grilled veggie sandwhich. Hubby had the Tuesday special consisting of meatballs in a creamy sauce. I had a seafood stew. Everything was wonderful, especially the bill. The price here is the best part. With all the nice decor, service, and taste of food...I've found my favorite new place.

    (5)

  • Robert D.

    So I came in to eat the other day and I must say i am impressed with the food here. I had the sea bass and ratatouille and it was perfect. While I enjoyed the food the service was average. Let's face it, I'm not gonna tell a server how much money I have in my pocket, but it's damn well sure enough to cover the meal and more. That night I dressed casual, Ecko Shirt, Jeans and dress shoes and the misses dressed in a similar fashion. Around us were a few professionals, in aloha wear etc. while I cannot say this for everyone in the restaurant I believe we got a few looks for the way we were dressed? Great, as if I didn't want an awkward meal to begin with... I guess that's my fault. I'm also assuming the manner of which you're dressed and the size of your party determines the level of service you receive? Pretty much ordered our apps and main courses and rarely saw our server for the rest of the night. The 8-10 top next to us seemed more of a money maker anyways so whatever. So, if you're looking for a place that has great food and limited server interruptions this is the place to go! I wouldn't mind coming back again, maybe next time I'll suit up and we'll see what happens.

    (3)

  • Dawn T.

    Came here for lunch with my husband and kids. My husband & I had the club sandwich and my daughters shared the classic burger. Both were delicious. Service was quick. Server was attentive enough. Wish they served breakfast all day or at least a little longer. Will have to come by during their breakfast hours to check out their food. Overall had a wonderful experience

    (5)

  • Michelle G.

    I've been a patron to this restaurant since January 2009. Chef Göran Streng and Tami are so welcoming and I just love the contemporary eclectic dishes that they serve. Not to mention I love how the restaurant is decorated inside. It makes me feel like I am somewhere in Europe or in a bustling city on the mainland. One of my coworkers always had lunch there and I decided to give it a try after seeing her order. I was not disappointed and I came back for more!! Don't get me wrong, this restaurant is pricey but I like to treat myself to it every now and then. Breakfast: I love the Traditional Eggs Benedict - I can't find anywhere else that makes it better. Lunch: I am not a vegetarian at all. I LOVE meat and am very skeptical to veggies only burgers. But for some reason I decided to give this dish a try. It's the Grilled Portobello Mushroom "Burger" for me. I like to add extra (2x) avocado, grilled onions, and swiss cheese. Then instead of french fries I like to have it with fresh baby greens. Also try... Grilled Pesto Glazed Salmon On Salad of mixed Baby Greens, Tomato and Asparagus, Balsamic Vinaigrette Confit Duck "Burger" On Brown Rice Bun, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion Duck Leg Confit with Thyme Demi Glace Crispy Risotto Cake with Vegetables Hamakua Mushroom Risotto with Asparagus Garlic Shrimp or Grilled Chicken Dinner: They serve only Hamakua Mushroom Risotto with Garlic Shrimp and Sautéed Asparagus at night but since I am on a first name basis with the staff, I always request for Hamakua Mushroom Risotto with Duck Leg Confit and a side order of steamed veggies. They know this is how I like it and I guess for always coming in there and talking stories with them they go out of their way to show their aloha for my patronage. Also try... Mustard Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb Roasted Garlic Thyme Jus, Mashed Potato Lobster and Goat Cheese Ravioli with Fresh Basil Lobster Sauce, Pesto and Asparagus Herb Crusted Chicken Breast on Penne Pasta Grilled Marinated Vegetables, Tomato Basil Coulis Dessert: I love love love the Strawberry Mango Crumble with Cinnamon Ice Cream or the Crepes with Warm Berry Compote & Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. In the past I asked and received the crepes dish with strawberry mango instead of the warm berry compote before but any variation is delicious.

    (5)

  • Jill B.

    On the odd weekday morning when both my partner in brunching crime and I were off of work, she suggested we try this awesome new place next to the Ward PF Chang's. It's location next to PF Chang's made me suspicious but I'm always eager to try a new brunch location. Several other reviewers have noted a long wait for a table. I think this is an exclusively weekends issue because on the Thursday morning we strolled down there, we were seated right away. As for the ambiance, it does kind of feel like you're eating at the IKEA breakfast cafe but not necessarily in a bad way. The menu isn't long and eclectic which was nice because sometimes too many options can be overwhelming. My friend and I both decided on the braised beef loco moco and I am SO glad that we did! Our dishes arrived as two perfectly shaped mounds of fried rice with a nice portion of braised beef sitting atop each mound. This was then topped by the requisite egg (only this egg was poached which made me really happy) and instead of brown gravy (which I don't like at all and is the reason I never order loco moco otherwise) my rice, beef, and egg were topped with hollandaise sauce. It sounds weird and tasted.... interesting.... but I liked it. Somehow all the flavors worked well together. I'd definitely order that again in the future but was also really intrigued by their benedicts menu. The service that we experienced was pretty good. There wasn't someone in your face all the time nor were we totally ignored. Sitting right by the door was a little uncomfortable but they don't have a lot of dining area space to work with so I just sort of accepted it. Plus it was a weekday so not a lot of foot traffic in and out.

    (5)

  • Alen N.

    This review is for their breakfast. I like the location because its not in the congested part of Ward Centre, but within walking distance. It has a nice modern and decorative feel inside the restaurant. I came here with a couple of friends for breakfast and overall, I enjoyed it! If you are around Ward or Ala Moana, I would suggest you to check it out. Parking: You can park in their structure (free parking), or next to the new TJ Maxx. Food: My benedict had a nice display. It was pretty good. I was happy with my food. My friends liked their breakfast too. Prices: It's not too bad. It's around $10~13 for some of their breakfast items. Seating: It wasn't crowded at all. Tip: The restaurant is pretty small, so I'm not quite sure if they can take in a really large group. Their breakfast ends at 10, so get their early!

    (4)

  • Lyn L.

    Loved it!!!! Bright, contemporary, clean and fresh! Loved the great selections on the menu....I had the salmon salad...it was delicious! The server was really efficient and knowledgeable...I thought the prices were reasonable and definitely want to go back there again! I'll keep you updated and I go thorough the menu... Parking was free...don't know if it's that way all the time, but that's nice too!

    (5)

  • Joseph M.

    Ok I have ate breakfast twice at this location and it really is a good place (in my top five places) to have breakfast. They do serve lunch and dinner, but I have not gone yet. The coffee was really good and I had a mocha and a thai mocha too. I had the original egg's benedict, which was good and I also had the confit duck hash, which was very good too. I would go back for other dishes and probably try other meals later in the day to see how their lunch/dinner is too.

    (4)

  • Kellie K.

    Came here for breakfast. I think their items are forgetable. The price of their breakfast items were under $10 but small portioned. I would rather eat at Bogarts for breakfast which is busier and a little more pricey. But Bogart's food is much more tasty and bigger portioned. I ordered the Muesli. I liked it but I make the same oatmeal at home..nothing special. My friends ordered their pancakes and sweet french toast, egg benedict and that potato dish with sausage and sunny side egg on top. The potato reminded me of corn chowder potatos which intrigued my tongue a little bit. Those dishes were okay but won't make me crave for it. I don't think I'll come back for breakfast but I want to come back for dinner to try their creme brulee.

    (3)

  • Kelly T.

    [Note: I had some pretty high hopes of dining at Tango as it regularly gets high ratings on Yelp. My first visit was for lunch, which was a nice experience from what I remembered. Sadly, my second visit for dinner was totally undwhelming...dissappointing in fact...and a lot more expensive than the lunch menu.] LOCATION: It's in town and there's parking in the garage. One STAR for that! AMBIANCE: Nicely decorated for a small restaurant, although it can get noisy quickly, especially if there are larger parties seated in the section on the left side. Another STAR! RESERVATIONS: Although we made reservations ahead of time, and got there 10 minutes early, they seemed a bit frazzled when we checked in. It was one of those situations where, just as we walked in, a couple walked in ahead of us (without reservations) and were seated first...[note here, that they got the better table, a four top instead of a two.] I held my breath for a second because I knew what was going to happen and it did...we ended up getting seated at the very tiny table-for-two along the right side of the restaurant. Wouldn't have been a big deal if I hadn't seen the other people get seated in a better area, just because they got there first, sans reservation. (Totally felt like that episode in Seinfeld...the one at the Chinese restaurant....ugh) To make things worse, we were seated right under the air conditioning duct, and it dripped on my friend a few times. SERVICE: The service was somewhere above average, however, we were pretty hungry, cold, and wet (from the leaky air duct) that we probably weren't noticing much of anything at that point. FOOD: If I could take back that hour of my life, while we were eating...I would. We started off with the lobster bisque and after a few sips of the lukewarm soup...agreed that it tasted like pureed Chef Boyardee, for real. The scallop appetizer was raw...gelatinous, cold, and slimy...not so bad if we were at the sushi bar, but this was supposed to be "seared". For my entree I ordered the penne pasta with chicken. It was room temperature, and the pasta was overcooked and watery. My friend ordered the moi, which wasn't bad...but we both agreed that we've had better. DESSERT: We both passed on dessert...after the whole experience, we didn't want to waste another minute there.

    (2)

  • Janet K.

    The food was excellent and the service was great! Appetizer - Swedish Gravlax with Crispy Skin. It's a marinated salmon with a mustard dill sauce and potato salad. So simple yet delicious. Salad - Spinach Salad with Seared Scallops. Entree - Mushroom Risotto with garlic shrimp and asparagus and lobster goat cheese ravioli. Probably one of the BEST risotto dish I ever tasted. So much flavor and not too greasy! We had dessert but I forgot what it was. Not memorable enough... Not good enough! Definitely worth going back! They're open for breakfast and lunch too!

    (4)

  • Todd O.

    i've been spoiled by the east coast. when i get the tasting menu at restaurants, i expect to be tasting the best food this place has to offer...food representative of the chef, telling me this is what she'd serve me if i were eating at her home and she was trying to have my babies later that night (an all too familiar scene in my [dream] life). tango's been acclaimed with awards from honolulu magazine...nonetheless, michelin would disagree. ordered both of their 4-course tasting menu's ($36 and $45, respectively). here's what both offered: - appetizers: (A) swedish gravlax with crispy skin. AWESOME. if you like salmon sashimi, this is as close and good as it gets when it comes to euro bistro...and the crispy skin adds a nice crunch to the delicious potato salad (despite the fact that everyone else in hawaii uses mac salad) (B) seared scallops on wilted spinach...or should i say scallop, while it was perfectly seared, it could have used a little more seasoning, but of course, paired well with the spinach. - 2nd appetizer: (A) roasted beet salad with goat cheese. so, i don't like raw cheese, so you can already guess my opinion of this dish. (B) tomato and sweet onion salad. appears to be local and fresh. however, could have used something else. like the steak sauce from peter lugers. - main dish: (A) braised beef. the beef would fall off a bone if there was one. lots of spices that made this the tastiest dish of the night, but they overdid it with the amount of sauce on the side (B) mustard herb crusted rack of lamb. cooked medium rare, the way i like it. this also had a lot of flavor, and wasn't too gamey in taste. - dessert: a dessert sampler trio with a slice of their delicious kona coffee ice cream cake, a spoonful of their creme brulee, and a very rich chocolate brownie. be sure to conclude your meal with their house-brewed lion's coffee ($2.25). if you're planning to try one of those main dishes to begin with, order the tasting menu, as it's a much better deal than getting all of what's being offered ala carte. service was impeccable, and i liked the modern decor of tango. while it isn't up to the standards of nyc, for hawaii, it's a great addition to the restaurant scene.

    (3)

  • JJ Z.

    I usually have a lovely time at Tango when I've dined here in the past for special holiday brunch events and they would have gotten more stars if I based this review on those previous occasions. In any case I thought I would give it a try on a regular Sunday. I arrived 11:10 am so breakfast service was over. The lunch menu looked delicious but I was really craving breakfast so I decided to leave and head to a restaurant that serves breakfast at least until noon (e.g. BC Diner). The staff which is normally friendly and helpful did not even mention that their sister restaurant Tango Market served breakfast/brunch items until 5pm! They were willing to let me walk out the door and NOT inform us that Tango Market served breakfast items throughout the day. Are both establishments in competition with each other? Different owners? The only reason they get two stars is that our waiter DID give me a free coffee refill before heading out because I paid for a cup as I was deciding whether I wanted breakfast or lunch.

    (2)

  • Ira J.

    Without a reservation, we walked to Tango Contemporary Café after watching a movie at Ward. Even though the dining room was full, the friendly hostess offered us seats at the counter. It was very narrow, but it was our choice not to wait for a table. The menu had a variety of tempting choices. I chose the 'Grilled Grass Fed Tenderloin of Beef' at $23.50. My wife chose the 'Seared Scallops on Wilted Spinach' (it's an appetizer but she chose it as her entrée) at $9.50. Our friend chose the 'Asian Style Five Spice Braised Beef' at $19.75. We ate family style, and each got to try everything. This was a good thing, because all the dishes were outstanding. The service was friendly and prompt. The atmosphere was interesting (in a good way) and inviting. In spite of our choice to sit at the narrow counter, our dinner at Tango Contemporary Café was very pleasant. We will go back and if we plan ahead enough, we'll reserve a table.

    (4)

  • Brian M.

    Great atmosphere and ambiance. Clams for an appetizer were quite tasty. The bread they bring out is ok, nothing spectacular. Next I was brought out their house salad which consists of greens, tomatoes and balsamic. To me this was the only part of the meal I didn't care for, wasn't really as fresh as it should be. The Entree I chose was the Asian beef that comes with mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables, pretty good dish and the portion sizes are probably spot on. Overall a good experience but a bit lofty on their pricing. Hope this was helpful.

    (3)

  • Dave W.

    It is a smaller restaurant, but when I came late one evening and did not have reservations, they were able to seat us within around 3 minutes and had our water and drink orders taken promptly. I had the duck confit and I was very pleased with it. The taste and the texture was spot on, the only thing that left me wanting was the polenta. It was not my fave, although that didn't stop me from eating it all. The desert I had was really good as well, I forget what it was called but it was basically a delicious apple cobbler with cinnamon gelato... I had a really great time at Tango; the service and the great food made it a winner in my book.

    (4)

  • Jana M.

    Hubby and I tried it for dinner and genuinely loved everything about it. Decor is modern, it's a small place so I could see how it would fill up fast, but we went for dinner at 6 PM on Tuesday and it was only about 1/3-1/2 full. Server was quiet but very polite and patient, explained everything and seemed to know his stuff. We got their style french onion soup, spinach salad with scallops, steak with potatoes, and blueberry bread pudding with vanilla ice cream. We shared everything and my husband ordered a glass of wine and an espresso. It was all very delicious. It was more expensive then we expected from the $$ on yelp (entrees were $20-$28 or so), but since we shared, it wasn't too expensive, and we liked it so much that we already have a plan to come back and next time he's going to get the pork chops and I'm going to get the mushroom risotto with cream sauce. YUMMMMM!!! Lady next to us got it with chicken I think and it looked soooo good. We worked in restaurants for years and are very picky with our food and service but this place made us happy campers.

    (5)

  • Chase G.

    I would give this place zero if I could. Bottom line: I saw a mouse. They didn't seem to care. I don't even need to mention the sub-par service. Fail.

    (1)

  • Andrea J.

    Went here today with my mom for lunch with high expectations but, unfortunately, it all fell flat Caramelized Onion Soup ($6.00) - it was okay. The emmental (which was basically swiss cheese, lol) was melted thoroughly, which I liked. The Duck Confit "Burger" ($11.50) - was dry as the Sahara. The confit itself is good, but altogether, it was disappointing. I had 2 bites of it as a burger and I decided to just eat the duck. Everything else on their lunch menu didn't really attract me, but I should have just ordered the mushroom fettucini. Hamakua mushroom risotto with chicken ($15.50) - I enjoyed this the first time I went here so I naturally ordered this for my mom. She loved the risotto but she too thought the grilled chicken was unseasoned and dry, borderline overcooked. The risotto is the only redeeming part of this lunch. We didn't even order dessert after that and we ALWAYS do. The service isn't as quick as everyone thinks it is. It wasn't too crowded and I don't think there was a lot of cooking done at this lunch hour. I looked around the restaurant and I see a lot of salads and sandwiches... but I didn't mind that too much as my mom did. What I did mind was the fly buzzing above our heads from the moment we sat down til we finished and got up. Gross. Also, the wait staff NEVER asked how we liked our dishes either. I was tempted to not leave a tip but I wasn't that cruel. I would only come back to Tango if I was craving for risotto. But even then, I might as well cook it myself.

    (2)

  • Angela B.

    Love this place! Me and my husband walked in their one night and loved it so much that we rented out this place for family/friends dinner. Food was great and Tammy (owner) was very helpful and attentive. Their prices are very reasonable for the quality and has nice setting. We have returned several times since and food and service has been always consistent!

    (5)

  • M E.

    Good and quick

    (3)

  • Dean N.

    I dined at this restaurant last night with an old friend whom I have not seem for a while. Reading the Yelp reviews helped me to decide which entree I chose to order (Lobster ravioli). First, the setting and decor. I found this little establishment to be very quaint an cute. It's not a large restaurant so having a large party there may not be a good choice. Unless, the have a back seating area which I didn't know about. The decor was cute. Clean and well designed construction which made the restaurant feel homey. I did like the tall wine refrigerator by the kitchen. Although I do not drink alcohol, it did catch my eye. 2nd, the food. My friend and I shared a portebello mushroom appetizer and spinach goat cheese salad. Both dishes were good. The sauce to the portebello mushroom entree was yummy. As for our main entrees, my friend order the risotto and I lobster ravioli. Both entrees were good. The sauce to the ravioli was creamy and not over powering. The same with the risotto.. We both skipped desert. 3rd, the staff. I found the staff to be attentive and friendly. (But, I guess that locals for you because in LA, there are crappy staff people working at good restaurants. 4th, the parking. They have underground parking and is free for 2 1/5 hours with a validation fro Tango. I should give props to the parking attendant too since my friend and I stood in the parking garage and spoke an extra 45 minutes and the parking attendant was attentive enough to ask for our tickets, checked if we owed any additional amounts due (over the 2 1/5 hour free validation). Basically, we was looking after our backs so that we wouldn't incur more additional parking fees since my friend and I were engrossed in conversation standing in the parking lot. (Oh the small things like this make me miss Hawaii). Overall, I would recommend this restaurant to my friends and any other people looking for a good place too eat.

    (4)

  • Ryan L.

    This place is a bit out of my normal lunch price range. However, since i work near it i end up here a bunch. I mostly stick to the sandwiches and burgers. They are always great. Burgers are cooked perfectly and the sandwiches are beautiful. My favorite part is the french fries, though. tastey little buggers which are always salty and crispy. my fav. also the staff has always been super nice to me and make it a pleasure to come in. next time imma try the onion soup, i saw it and it looked amazing. perhaps ill try that this week.

    (4)

  • Katheryn H.

    It was our weekly GNO [Girl's night out] and one of my girlfriends suggested that we come here. I've never been here before, so I thought it would be fun to try something new. The place is small, and i like it! It's very cozy. The decor went really well with the food. And service was great! Their dinner rolls were delicious! Freshly baked and served hot. It's flakey on the outside and soft on the inside. One of the best dinner rolls I've had in a while. For dinner, I had ordered the Grilled Grass Fed Tenderloin of Beef, and let me tell you, THAT WAS AN ORGASM IN MY MOUTH! The portion size was just right. It wasn't too big or too small. It left you satisfied enough to eat dessert! For dessert I had the Kona Coffee, Vanilla, and Chocolate chantilly cake. That was delicious also!! The manager, I'm assuming she was the manager, had taken our dessert order and we had talked about trying the Thai Mocha, which we heard was to die for. But since we were each ordering a dessert, we decided to opt out for the coffee and just stick to desserts. After taking our order, she brings us a Thai Mocha with 3 straws for us to share. We were so surprised and thankful. It was soooo delicious. We drank it all! As we got our bill, we were surprised to see that we were actually charged for the coffee. Seeing as how we didn't order it, we had thought she brought it out to us complimentary. But with it only being $3.50 we decided to pay for it. Would definitely come back! :]

    (4)

  • Kevin N.

    Looking over at most of the reviews on here, it seems that the breakfast needs help; however, I will rate their dinner service 5 stars. Inside: small, modern and contemporary, clean, and music in the background. Service: My server was a gentleman, very respectful, attentive, and knowledgeable. Food: Their Hawaiian local mushroom was really good served with their garlic bread. Their bread was also fresh served along with a nicely whipped butter for them. There's a $6.50 deal (really good deal) which comes with a salad or soup of the day AND a choice of a sorbet or gelato. Normally, I will have my salad with no dressing, but a lot of people complimented on their dressing that it is delicious and right on your palatte. I had the seafood medley with their hand cut fettuccine, normally I don't order fettuccine because it's too greasy, buttery, and creamy. Not this fettuccine, it's well-balanced with the cream, butter, cheese, and light hint of sea salt. Their fettuccine is also beautifully hand made. The seafood medley, you get a combination of caviar, scallops, clams, mussels, and peeled shrimp -- all cooked perfectly with details. Dessert: I had their cinnamon and vanilla gelato. It's like the taste of cinnamon toast crunch, but not that sugary, balanced, and perfect to end the meal with. Note that: it seems to be pricey, but it's not Oh yeah, they do free refills too! Conclusion: Excellent service, good food for a reasonable price, use sustainable, organic, and local ingredients, and great dishes which are like French and Asian-Hawaiian theme. Also, they validate your parking, but I walked there, instead.

    (5)

  • Brian A.

    I have to say nothing really stood out to me as overtly Swedish, although I have to admit that my experience with Swedish cuisine probably starts and ends (like everyone else) with the cookies I bought and meatballs I ate at Ikea. We've dined here several times for breakfast and every time I didn't have that profound moment that inspires me to really want to return. I mean it's someplace that I'd continually visit with friends, but probably not someplace I would volunteer myself to go to. The service was good, interior stylish and clean, we've never had an issue finding a seat, and parking wasn't a problem since we just parked in the structure.

    (3)

  • Victoria G.

    Limited seletion. Penna pasta was watery and duck burger was salty

    (1)

  • Ka'imi L.

    Had dinner with my mom the other night on Saturday. We took seats at the bar cause it was crowded that night (go figure). Appetizer: We had the gravlax which was very tasty! Definitely order it. Entree: My mom had the Risotto which was pretty good, but I had the Moi and I thought it was good as well. All in all, I'd say the food is quite amazing for the price you're paying. Definitely will return here for breakfast or lunch someday.

    (4)

  • Shep G.

    Great menu, I've been for lunch and dinner, both were good. I had the Lamb for dinner and it was VERY good, cooked just right and the service during dinner was also great. There was a very noisy group in there that night and it points out the fact that this place is pretty small, and it was REALLY loud as everyone raised their voices to be heard over each other. My lunch experience was also good food wise, but the service was a little lacking. She forgot some things and had to be roped in and reminded. I like that it is locally owned... and if I was headed to PF Chang's next door? I would veer into Tango instead!

    (4)

  • Vicky K.

    Our friends who live at the Hokua recommended this restaurant for lunch...and we're so glad they did! The cafe is a breath of fresh air amongst the numerous eateries on Oahu! It's like eating at a cafe in Italy on Lake Maggiore; Where, the menu & food is simple, fresh, uncomplicated. We ordered a Kobe Beef Pastrami Sandwich & Cobb Salad. Both dishes were attractively presented & prepared well. The portions are generous & well balanced. What impressed me about the Kobe Beef Pastrami Sandwich is the pastrami. The meat itself is tender & juicy. Just the right amount of pepper & slightly burnt edges to make it savory. The pastrami has unnoticeable gristle. Though, it has just enough fat to make it flavorful & melt away as you bite into it. Because of its high quality, you can take a big bite and not worry about pulling out the pastrami from your sandwich. The Cobb Salad tasted fresh, crisp, lite, deliciously - homegrown. The bacon strips were crispy, not burnt, no chewy pieces of fat on it. The cubed eggs & chicken pieces tasted farm fresh (not wild or gamey) & organic. We ended up splitting the sandwich & salad because they both were soo good. This is a very attractive place. From the easy parking, to paying the bill. The service was superb....warm, friendly, knowledgeable & attentive. We enjoyed our experience very much and look forward to returning....soon. Support local business.

    (4)

  • Celise N.

    I've been to Tango at least 5 times and each time I've left happy. I was really sad to read the negative reviews. Well, here is my take on the place. Location - It is in the Hokua building next to PF Changs, so it is pretty easy to find and there has always been more than adequate validated parking in the building. There is also a wide circular driveway in front that is not very busy. It was perfect to park and run out to pick up a take out order. Decor - The restaurant is very clean, modern and airy. One small detraction is that since it is small, the tables are set rather close together. Better not go there if you have any secrets to keep. Food - Everything I or my campanions have eaten have been so delicious. I had the Hamakua Risotto with Grilled chicken, the ham/salami/brie on naan bread sandwich, the portobello mushroom "burger". Every one was awesome, each and every time. My campanions have had the french onion soup, grilled salmon salad, club sandwich, grilled fish sandwich and each one declared their entree as wonderful. Every cup of coffee is made to order - yum! Dessert delicious. We can't stop raving. Price - I've only been there for lunch. But yesterday, I went with three other people. Entrees for 4, one iced tea, one hot tea, one beer only totalled $50! When you walk into the place, it looks expensive but it really isn't. Tango is cheaper than Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, ryan's Kincaid's etc. I think lunch prices are on par with Kakaako Kitchen which is a take out type place with no service! So, you get excellent value for your dollar. Service - Previous reviews mentioned slow service. But in the five times I've been there, I've never encountered slow service. perhaps it is because I make a point of going early (at 11:15 am) to ensure a table. I would highly recommend this resaturant and every single friend I've taken there for lunch has vowed to return. Just for the record, I'm not a relative of anyone that works there.

    (5)

  • Kyle B.

    First time for Dinner and was just as great as Breakfast and Lunch!!

    (4)

  • Jennifer W.

    Literally, we were trying to find a new spot that we have not eaten yet. We drove passed this restaurant and decided to make a reservation for the next evening for dinner. Drive around into the parking garage and take the ticket to validate. Yes, this restaurant is conveniently located next to PF Changs. My sisters were quite satisfied with the food and service at this restaurant. First, we had the froi gras and scallops for the appetizers. The sautéed froi gras with starter was deglazed apples and currants were average. Maybe because we wanted more froi gras. :) The seared scallops were perfectly cooked and great tasting. Yum! Ok, after that...we had our wines with our meats. First, I would need to say, Casey offered fantastic service to us. We had so many questions about the wines and the meats. Where is this wine from and what year is it? (Wasn't on the menu). How does this wine taste? Where is the lamb from? Even though, he did not know what the answers were, he took the initiative to find out. He probably was thinking "Gosh, these girls!" LOL He let us wine taste the wines before he poured the glasses. Each one of us had a different red to pair with what we ate. Anyways, our mustard-herbed rack of lamb, grilled tenderloin of beef, and the sautéed duck breast and confit were excellent entrees. For dessert, we had the kona coffee ice cream cake. The kona coffee ice cream cake was more of a cake then it had ice cream. But, it was still fabulous! Great food and service! Now, we just we have to try it for brunch!

    (4)

  • Kanoe K.

    So when some friends suggested eating Sunday brunch at Tango ... I wasn't sure what to expect. With a name like Tango, I'm more inclined to think of a dance studio instead of a restaurant ... but after looking up the reviews for this place I was excited to try the eggs benedict. On the day we went it was STORMING and there's no awning covering the door to the restaurant so it was a challenge to dodge all the rain. Luckily we didn't have to wait long to be seated so we weren't too soaked when we sat. The menu for brunch is pretty simple, but because everyone has said to try the eggs benedict ... I didn't even look at the other menu options. I chose to eat the Crab Hash Eggs Benedict. The friends I was with ordered the Salmon Eggs Benedict and the Loco Moco Eggs Benedict. We were all very excited to try the food and when it came we were not disappointed. The Crab Hash Benedict was extremely tasty and the hollandaise sauce felt so light and not heavy at all. I was also able to try my friends dishes and they were both cooked to perfection. The beef in the Loco Moco Benedict was not the traditional beef ... it was more like beef tenderloin and it was so moist and delicious. In addition to the food, my friends ordered cups of the famous coffee. Note that you will probably be waiting a while for your cup if the restaurant is busy because there's only one coffee machine that makes one cup at a time (but we found out it actually makes enough for two cups at once). So if you want to take advantage of that free refill, you'll have to plan ahead and order before you finish your first cup! Specific to the holidays, Tango will be serving Christmas dinner and it sounded delicious!! If you don't have family dinner planned already, you may want to consider making a reservation to spend your Christmas night at Tango! FINAL VERDICT: This restaurant has a very contemporary vibe and offers some interesting menu choices. The price for the Sunday brunch is very reasonable and the food is a must try!

    (4)

  • Nick Y.

    Like a perfect vocal arrangement, the three part harmony of Tango's Duck Leg Confit -- the tender, fat-poached leg; the creamy, cheesy risotto cake; and the deeply flavored thyme jus -- struck a chord that resonated golden across my palate. I think that even Christopher Walken would find it to have the perfect amount of cowbell. Also, at $11.50, not only is it a much better deal than the duck breast on the dinner menu, it's a much better deal than a lot of the plate lunch I've had recently (Poke Stop, The Alley, Giovanni's Shrimp, Kiawe Grill). It's much more delicious, as well.

    (5)

  • Brande B.

    If I could give a half star review I'd give this place 3.5 stars. Our cab driver recommend this place, so we will tried this before we went home. The food was good, but our service is why I only give them 3.5 stars. When I return to Honolulu I'll come again and hopefully I will have better service.

    (3)

  • Austen I.

    I came back for more Tango goodness and I was not disappointed. I ended up having the following: Sautéed Moi with Tomato Fennel Coulis The moi skin was crispy on the outside just the way I like it. +10 awesome points. The moi was served over a Ratatouille of Vegetables, which tasted like a light tomato soup with assorted vegetables. I was hesitant , but it went well with the fish. My only issue was that it wasn't served with any starch so I ended up having to dip the table bread into the sauce. Not a bad thing at all considering I like their bread. Sautéed Sweet Mustard Dill Glazed Salmon I really enjoyed this dish. The dill mustard flavor really brought out the salmon and the salmon itself was cooked nicely. Very moist and flavorful. The service was excellent. It didn't matter that the restaurant was completely empty except for 2 other parties. Our waiter Mark was helpful and went the extra mile to explain the specials, the wine, our meals, and any questions we had about our after-dinner coffees. Is it me or is Tango right on the that dreadful line of being overpriced? Don't get me wrong. I love the food and the service definitely makes coming back worthwhile, but I feel like everything should be below $20. A couple bucks doesn't seem like a lot, but i feel that it should be in that range when compared to other restaurants. Just a random thing I noticed after looking at the menu and finishing my meal. Also if you were wondering, the attire at Tango is very casual. With the entrees prices being close/over $20, I was wondering if a collard shirt was necessary. Absolutely not. Wear your rocking t-shirts to your hearts content.

    (4)

  • John O.

    A friend of mine introduced me to this restaurant. I always wanted to try it out but was a bit skeptical because I was not sure if it was similar to another Tango Restaurant I had been to in California. I was not that impressed with that place. We came here for breakfast. You really can't go wrong with breakfast right? We entered the place and it was packed! That was a good sign of a good place to eat. My friend was pretty advent that the coffee was good here. He was right. Very smooth and tasty. I don't use cream in my coffee as I rather taste the coffee than a bunch of cream and sugar. Just my preference. The menu consisted with a wide variety of Benedict's. The decision was easy for me; Eggs Benedict with salmon. I love that combination! My friend had ordered a mix of two types of Benedict's which was nice that the place would do that. Overall, I thought the experience was great. The meal was filling and the coffee was yummy. I will be back for sure.

    (4)

  • Russel M.

    The Tango WIne Dinners (3rd Tue of the Month) are really fantastic. Last nights was focused on Duck Breast, Foie Gras Ravioli, Duck Confit with Duckhorn Wines. Amazing deal at $49- pp. Service continues to amaze us with no delay between courses.

    (5)

  • Lindsi K.

    SUMMARY: SERVICE SUCKS If I could give this place 0 stars, I would - even 1 star is too much for this place. I've had better service at gas station toilets. Read on for details. I went in on Kam Day Saturday for an early breakfast with my brother and his wife. This place had come highly recommended from both of them, and they raved about the food. We got there 15 minutes before they opened, and by the time they did open their doors, there were about 10 people waiting outside with us. We sat there for 20 minutes while EVERYONE around us had ordered and was served. WTF!?! They brought some of the tables their food before they even brought us our water. Suffice to say that by then, we were disgusted, and got up and left. Tango lost an extended family of loyal customers after this experience, and we will continue to tell people about our horrible service. For those of you who would like to try it, please make sure that you dress well and flash some of your brand name accoutrements when you walk in. Otherwise, they might make you sit outside the back door near the dumpsters.

    (1)

  • Sita L.

    Another great New Years Eve at Tango. This is our second year. Great job. Fillet of Beef with Foie Gras, mash potatoes perfect, veggies perfect, love the demi glace sauce, my dinner partners had rack of lamb. I assumed that was done perfect!, no sound and empty plates!! Had to stop my husband from throwing bones over his shoulder!!! lol Appetizers rocked. Huge scallop which was wrapped with cured slice of salmon and a salmon cream on the side. Biggest disappointment, service. They got jammed and after dinners, no waiter, waited, waited..... decided to take dessert home. Oh well, minor irritation. Still hit the place for breakfast almost every weekend.

    (5)

  • Janice C.

    This is one of my favorite restaurants in Hawaii. It has a simple menu and is reasonably priced for the food, service, and ambiance for dinner and breakfast. I haven't eaten lunch at Tango yet, but I'm sure it's just as good as breakfast and dinner. For dinner, I always order: 1. Seared Scallop Spinach Salad - I love this salad. It's not too heavy, and has a great blend of flavors with the scallops and mushrooms and dressing. This salad is great to split between two people; it's big enough to split so you don't get too full for the main course! 2. Seafood Bouillabaise - I don't eat clams or mussels, but they are willings to accommodate your needs. The soup is super tasty along with the shrimp, fish, and potatoes. I always finish the ENTIRE dish and soak up all the soup with the bread. Yum! Their coffee is also really fresh and goes well with any dessert you order. My friend ordered the sea bass - which I had a BIG bite of - and it was sooo good. Great sauce and the fish was super moist. Overall, every time I've eaten here I've never been disappointed with the food. Good and friendly service who care about making a great dining experience!

    (5)

  • Dawn S.

    When I first pulled up to the Hokua Towers, I wondered if I was in the right place. Then I saw them, behind the large glass windows...people sitting at tables, servers bustling around. I was in the right place. :) Walking in, I was immediately taken by the industrial (or, as Becky T. puts it - "IKEA-esque") decor of the restaurant. Dark wood, cafe-like seating, and a very open, airy feel to it. Contrary to one of the older revews, my parking ticket from Hokua Towers WAS validated, I didn't pay for parking. Not sure if the parking sitch was negotiated after that review was written or not...*shrug* I ended up ordering the mushroom risotto w/grilled asparagus and shrimp....delicious. Devoured the entire plate like it was going out of style. Overall, nice atmosphere, helpful and friendly staff, easy to park...4-4.5 shakas from me. Now...I need to try this place for breakfast, based on the reviews... :)

    (4)

  • Teddy C.

    Tango has become one of my favorite places to dine at for lunch! I love the contemporary atmosphere and the lively staff, making the dining experience even more enjoyable! With my numerous experiences here, there are some great dishes and some mediocre ones. My favorite lunch dish so far is the Traditional Sandwich, which is basically a club sandwich. It is loaded with everything you desire in a club and it is 10x better than the one sold at Zippy's! Even the price is much more reasonable. Their French Onion soup is a must! Everytime I come here, I have to get the soup. One of my favorites! We also ordered the Caesar Salad with grilled shrimp. YUM! My favorite ingredient in the salad is the shrimp itself. It is mildly seasoned shrimp grilled to tenderness, a perfect combination with the Caesar salad. For lunch today, I got the Hamakua Mushroom Risotto with Asparagus and Bacon. I wasn't very please with this dish at all, I think the risotto could have been more tender. I have also tried the Seafood stew. This was something that came as a pleasant surprise! So much flavor in each bite and you must order rice with the dish! The soup is too good to be wasted without a bowl of hearty rice! =) Don't forget to try the dessert after you meal! So far I have tried the mango crumble, crepe, and kona coffee cake, all of which I'd recommend. Happy Dining to you!

    (4)

  • Jerilyn W.

    tango's pesto salmon salads are the best

    (5)

  • Shayla N.

    "Hey girls, where should we go for lunch?" "Let's do TANGO!" "Should we get a bottle of wine?" "Is that even a question?" "I love you girls because you'll drink wine before noon with me, haha!" Yes, that was a paraphrased version of a real conversation that took place this past Tuesday between me and my 2 BFFs. Don't get it twisted, we don't always tackle bottles of wine with lunch! But it was a special day, so we wanted to have a fun. Anyways, we got there right before the lunch crowd, at about 11:45. My favorite server, John, wasn't working, so the service was just okay. However, the owner Tammy came over and made us feel like VIPs, as she always does. Tip: Ask her for wine recommendations (she might have something special that's not on the menu). She brought out a special bottle of Chardonnay. We notice that Tammy always takes the time to greet guests and make everyone feel welcome. As always, our meal was delicious and fulfilling. The prices are also very reasonable for what you get (average $10-15). I almost always order the Penne Pasta with Grilled Chicken and Vegetables, but my friends ordered that. So instead I got the Confit Duck "Burger" which was A-MA-ZING! It was the first time I tried it and I'm so glad I did! I've also tried the Traditional Club sandwich, which I like because it comes with my 3 faves: bacon, turkey, and most importantly, AVOCADO! I'm not into seafood, but my friends love the Hamakua Mushroom Risotto with Asparagus and Garlic Shrimp. The cool and relaxing atmosphere makes the experience all the more enjoyable. For a classy lunch with classy friends, you can't go wrong with Tango.

    (5)

  • Fernando G.

    we were hungry and looking for something good ! we "tangoed" it. hehe my friend, who is an executive chef suggested we meet at this unpretentious culinary heaven. we did ... boy, was i impressed ! kathy s and kelli b were running a bit behind schedule. well, good for me. their forgiven tardiness gave me a chance to taste a delicious saving of potato soup . i asked the manager to please help me get rid of the evidence. again, i was hungry and the ladies were behind schedule. she so gracefully did. she even convinced me to add one of her signature "lemongrass" martinis; which i thought was an excellent idea and would help me cope with the extra minutes. hehe well, the roasted beet salad was amazing, as was the whole wheat bread that came with it. the delicately smeared aiole over the bread was rich yet not so over powering and the same time, it way delicious. my serving: the crab sandwich special ! yumm all in all, a great experience and fantastic time had by all. no dessert tho; the ladies had to run and i already had had my share of sweet. first the potato soup and then my lemongrass martini.

    (5)

  • Karina U.

    Just had lunch with co-workers and it was pretty lack luster. I wanted to like it. It had potential. But ultimately it was forgettable. Food: Ordered the mahi sandwich on nori bun w fries. Boring boring boring. The mahi was dry, the bun had a few sprinklings of nori on it and the fries were the frozen steak ones you can get from safeway. At one point I bit into my sandwich and I said "Huh. This is tastes like a filet-o-fish." Wack. Service: During lunch rush we were still able to score a table in 5 mins and our server was very attentive and friendly. Bang-a-rang: shrug. nothing really bangin' about it. At the very least it was a clean restaurant with pleasant decor. Heads-up: Parking can be nuts and they don't do reservations. Verdict: I might give it another shot for breakfast but I was unimpressed for the most part.

    (2)

  • Anne B.

    I've been to Tango about three times- once for lunch and twice for dinner. Their food is creative and desserts are amazing but I still think the service could be a little better. The waiters didn't check on us as often as I would have liked and it seems like we were always waiting a long time for the bill. I don't know if others feel this way, but for an expensive restaurant such as Tango, I expect the service to match the price tag. I think I would only go there again just for the dessert.

    (3)

  • Keiko J.

    I was very disappointing about this place. Despite the recommendation from the friends..., Why the sauce from the beef dish and my duck taste the same like a store bought demi gras? Why the mango berry crumble had solid brown sugar not even melted on the top of it and inside was piping hot ( did you use microwave oven?) Obviously , chef was not present last Fri. Bunch of kids were running the kitchen. I hope this place is better when he is there but over all it looks like either airline business class food or hotel banquet room food. Looks OK but no taste. Sorry

    (1)

  • Matthew P.

    Great wait staff, with a very warm spirit making the dining experience very enjoyable. The buttermilk pancakes are amazing with the coconut syrup. Make sure to get a cup of their coffee as well. If your staying in Waikiki area, make sure to leave the strip for great food and experience.

    (4)

  • Esteban W.

    Tango, so what's with the two dots above the "O". We can't get ourselves an IKEA here on O'ahu, but sure enough the Swedish spirit lives on with Tango. Now I am not completely sure, sure if they deem themselves the authority on all things Swedish here in the middle of the Pacific, but I came to my own conclusion just reading some interesting ingredients from the Breakfast menu... Like Glavix - who didn't Google THAT while trying to decide what set of benedicts they wanted to order? For breakfast, the menu is delightfully limited to one side of a 6x9 sheet of menu, which is nice since you don't have to spend like 48 minutes trying to figure out what kind of breakfast bullshit you want to order. A good portion of it is reserved for eggs Benedict recipes and the remaining part of the menu is filled with the regular breakfast trimmings that you kind find at any other typical breakfast joint. You may not find an EKTORP Sofa or the BRASA floor lamp, or even the LINNARP desk of your dreams, but you will however find a pretty damn tasty meal, and you won't even have to build it yourself, it comes assembled for you. The GOOD: The benedicts are delicious. You can't really go wrong with them, and Tango takes the traditional and twists it - Scandinavian style. I myself decided to switch up the Benedicts and get a half/half plate of Crab Hash and Smoked Salmon. Flavors that you don't traditionally see on the islands and are satisfying for a breakfast get together with some few good friends. My company Artie T. and Justin R. both enjoyed the Loco Moco (a loco moco inspired Benedict) which was as creative as it was delicious. Tender and flavorful steak marinated to perfection over savory rice and topped with the proverbial and quintessential poached egg. All the Benedicts come with slivers of fruit and breakfast styled potato chunks on the side. The coffee is also made to order with unnatural freshness. Tango claims that they brew your cup only moments after you ask for it - and they truly make you believe that when they come out with a hand-held tin carafe containing deliciously brewed caffeine. The BAD: Although I hear the best time is about 8:30am, every other time, apparently comes with a side of wait outside for a table. I think it's their specialty. On my visit, 10am Sunday morning (breakfast ends at 10:30) I was lucky enough to be meeting someone who did all the waiting for me. Service, although nice, is a bit slow - at least our server had something missing up top, meaning I think he wasn't the sweetest Lingonberry on the bush. We waited several minutes after he said he would refill my coffee, then had to remind him, after that we just asked someone else when he never returned. He often appeared to avoid our table all together and when it came to ordering, he got one of the Benedicts incorrect [we didn't fuss about it though, it still tasted amazing]. I am not sure of his name, but he seems to stick out from the other servers - rather tall male, and non-Asian, has nice eyes though - that's about it, nothing much behind them. Another BAD: On a side note, a 'hash' is a mixture of meat pieces and various other things like vegetables, spices mashed together. I guess I didn't quite understand 'Crab hash' or at least the 'Hash' portion because my 'crab' hash came back with clearly identifiable shrimp pieces. I think I was expecting more crab, instead of a mixture of seafood, with that being said, maybe the name should be a "seafood hash" instead of 'crab' (in my humble opinion). Overall, I like Tango. Aesthetically, the interior is very nice and well put together, cozy and comforting. The food was delicious and the coffee was amazing. Three hungry guys: three Benedict plates, two coffees and a small orange juice with %15 tip = $43, so no too pricy in terms of a clearly higher-end breakfast experience. Will I come back, definitely. I saw some other menu items I am truly interested in, mainly, Glavix. So here in Hawai'i, we may not be able to take home and assemble or DALFRED stools, NUMERAR desk or LIDINGO TV stand, but we can truly enjoy some Swedish inspired (I think) dishes that will satisfy the breakfast cravings.

    (3)

  • Matt O.

    The one entree I will recommend may seem like it's not a lot but it was the best thing I've tasted for a while. It's the COBB SALAD! The ingredients were so fresh. I've never tasted a salad where the components meshed together so perfectly. Sometimes I have dreams about it. (YES! It was THAT good!) Anything on the dessert menu is tasty. I especially liked the strawberry mango crumble with cinnamon ice cream. Um...doesn't that just SOUND delicious?! The service was excellent. I suggest ordering the iced tea because free refills on anything delicious is always a plus. :)

    (5)

  • Leah R.

    I'm so disappointed. I really wanted to like this place. It looks like a nice place and that there was some thought put into the menu and presentation. But the quality of the food was a huge let down during my lunch here. The risotto wasn't cooked right. It was still very tough and under cooked. And the tomato and avocado in the club sandwich were overly soft, mealy and brown. Gross. It makes me question the freshness of their ingredients if something so visibly bad was allowed to come out. What else is back there? Worst of all, the head chef was in the kitchen while food of this poor quality was going out. I was staring straight at him from my seat at the bar. It seems like no one was looking at the plates or tasting the food as it left the kitchen.

    (1)

  • Thi L.

    Came here on a Wednesday night for dinner with a friend. I had been before for lunch and always liked it. I was initially turned off a bit because when we first walked in, the waiter rushed over and just asked 'do you have a reservation?' personally, i like a 'hi' at the very least. I can understand if the restaurant was swamped and there were people waiting to be seated, but that wasn't the case. Anyway, I'm trying to be more forgiving these days so I didn't hold a grudge. We both ordered the duck with foie gras sauce and polenta. When our food came, I started eagerly eating. It was very tasty...but I kept on looking for the polenta. They had subbed it with mashed potatoes. I think that's something our waiter should have known/told us when we ordered it...but maybe the kitchen didn't tell him. Whatever the case, I was slightly disappointed to not have any. Dessert was creme brulee and friend had the crepes. He wasn't very excited about them and I had to agree that they were kind of boring and bland, despite the colorful looking berry filling. The vanilla ice cream helped it a bit, but not much. My creme brulee was alright. I would come back again if I was in the area - nice ambiance and the wait staff redeemed themselves with attentive service.

    (3)

  • Michelle O.

    One of my volunteer groups hosts our wkly meetings here given the convenient parking and the ample seating. The ambiance is definitely cafe with the contemporary jazz tracks heard overhead but yet it serves full meals like a normal restaurant. They have a variety of dishes from Shepard's Pie to Eggplant Parmesan, and a lot of salads and sandwiches. If you still have room for dessert, there are puddings/cakes/cookies, etc in the refrigerated & regular cases.

    (4)

  • Jonathan I.

    After wanting to try this place out for a long time, I finally had the pleasure of eating dinner at Tango....maybe I should have gone for breakfast or lunch instead.... All the reviews I have read rave about the Loco Moco, or the varieties of Benedict...so off of a pure assumption, I though that dinner would be excellent as well. I can't quite remember what movie it originates from, but the saying goes, "Assumption is the mother of all F&@*-ups"....and how true that was in this case. I mean the food wasn't THAT bad really, but I guess I was hoping for so much more. The staff there were absolutely wonderful and friendly as well....I think I set myself up for disappointment on this one the more I think about it. Maybe I will try to get over there for breakfast or lunch soon and revise my thinking a bit.....hopefully. I had the braised beef, a semi-cold beer and a bowl of Lobster bisque. The beef was tender and tasty, but the flavor was a bit odd. The beer, well should have been a lot colder, period. The soup and bread were the highlights to me actually. The bisque was creamy and flavorful, and the bread was warm and soft. *sigh*

    (3)

  • Guy H.

    As strange as it sounds, my first experience here has been take-out. So I can only comment on the food, and the service at ordering and pickup. This past Thursday night my mom and I decided to try something different for dinner. Thursdays are take-out night, and we have no compunction with ordering out from a traditional sit in style resturant. If anything, this is more of a test of the food and chef's competence. We ordered 4 items: Portobello Mushroom & Crab Hash Napoleon with Spinach - The Roasted Garlic Cream, Red Wine Reduction really made this app. The spinich was cooked well but not chewey, even after the travel time. Hamakua Mushroom Risotto with Garlic Shrimp - The risotto was cooked well, again considering it was not just going from kitchen to table; the risotto was niether mushy nor chewey. The real suprise was the shrimp. Cooked just right so that by the time it got home it was still soft, tender, and juicy. Grilled Tenderloin of beef with Green Peppercorn Sauce - We were of differing opinions on this one, mainly the sauce. I liked it, she didn't. The sauce managed to taste like peppercorn while having a slight sweetness to it. I ordered the tenderloin medium rare and it was perfect when I got it home. The potatoes were cooked to perfection. Could have used a little more veggies in this one though. Blueberry Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce - Very good. You could actually see the vanilla floating in the sauce. Sweet with a tart contrast of the berries. Probably would have been better hot out of the kitchen. Ordering over the phone was easy, didn't have to repeat anything or worry that the person on the other end didn't hear the order correctly. It took about 15 minutes to prepare everything, when I got there they were packaging it all up. They even provided bread and butter and staged the dishes as best as possible in the take out containers. I will definately go back. Price is sightly high, for a regular eat out, but the food in my opinion was worth it.

    (4)

  • Tiffany B.

    I was pleasantly surprised when I walked in. cute atmosphere and the food was good, tasty, and right on point. Nice place to have a breakfast meeting.

    (5)

  • Jesse W.

    Twice here in the past week. First was for lunch, we arrived shortly after 1pm which meant the place was winding down - good thing we made a reservation, I think we would have been out of luck otherwise. Parking is available in Hokuo, easier to walk straight out of the vehicle garage entrance (vs out main pedestrian entrance which takes you to other side). I ordered the butter lettuce and radicchio salad, nicely proportioned and served with dressing on the side. Would definitely order it again for lunch- Second visit was during a weekday for dinner. Restaurant wasn't as crowded as during lunch hour, I ordered the hamakua infused risotto with grilled shrimp - very well made and cooked perfectly. Our friend ordered the grilled pork chop, it looked good but the same dish served at Pineapple Room seems more tasty (pork chop thicker there). Anyways, yummy and we'll be back-

    (4)

  • Alyssa K.

    Fiance and I go here 1-2 times a month on the weekends for breakfast. It's very gourmet at non gourmet prices! You really can't beat that. Most dishes are under $10. They have some swedish breakfast specialty items too. must try.

    (5)

  • kristine f.

    I have been here a handful of times for both lunch and dinner. Tango Contemporary Café is a great place for a quaint lunch with your gal pals or a date night with your other half. I love it. The décor of the restaurant is upbeat but yet calming at the same time. I love that the restaurant doesn't get too loud and allows diners to enjoy a nice conversation with their guests. I enjoyed a bowl of their Sweet Caramalized Onion Soup which is basically their version of French Onion Soup. I was honestly full after my bowl of soup. The first time I tried Tango I ordered Hamakua Mushroom Risotto with Garlic Shrimp. It was quite filling but so delish! The risotto was cooked to perfection. During that same experience, I was able to sample my friend's order of Mustard Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb which was also very yummy. The second time we tried this place was for a friend of mine's birthday, which I ordered Grilled Grass Fed Tenderloin of beef. The beef was very moist and tender. It was a great choice. The Crème Brulee was also to my liking. The Blueberry Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce was also quite tasty, and keep in mind I am not a Bread Pudding fan. Prices are a little on the higher end for a Café. But if you're in the mood for a chill night out with the girl's consider Tango. Keep in mind, this won't be a cheap eats!

    (4)

  • Jeremy D.

    What to say? Good food, good service, and great coffee! Oh, convenient parking too! Typically come here for breakfast or lunch. There are so many good dishes on both menus. Choosing what to order is usually the worst part of my visit! Prices are good too and at ~$10 it's hard to go wrong. The dinner menu is little higher, but the portions are probably bigger. My favorites... Breakfast: Any of the benedicts (try 1/2 & 1/2!) The platter/Swedish pancakes (light and tasty) Lunch: Mushroom Risotto Salmon salad Blue cheese suffed burger (bun on request) Enjoy!

    (4)

  • Mizuho M.

    Came here for lunch and dinner. For lunch I had the Salmon Gravalax, with french fries. It was a slice of bread with sliced hard-boiled egg, smoked salmon, and cheese, I think, with veggies. It was good! I would get that again. And for dessert I had the crepes with warm berry compote, which was suuuper delicious :) For dinner, I had the chicken pasta? I forget exactly what the name was, but there's only one dish of chicken pasta. It was pretty good. My boyfriend had the hamakua mushroom risotto. That was yummy. However, the portions are small (my bf scarfed up the risotto in like five minutes). So if you like big portions, this isn't really the place to go for dinner anyway. Lunch portions are ample, though. Service was good. I spilled marinara sauce on my white top, and whilst I was frantically blotting it with my napkin, the waiter noticed and brought me some club soda :) Thank you! The place is tiny, so it gets crowded really fast. Make reservations or go early! It was packed for lunch and dinner.

    (4)

  • Cecilia D.

    What can I say? I *heart* Chef Göran! Love the ambiance, the friendly service, and most of all the food and wine. My faves are the hamakua mushroom & garlic shrimp risotto and lobster & goat cheese ravioli. Feel free to serve me up some seared scallops and rack of lamb too... I have only had the pleasure of doing lunch/dinner at Tango. And as a dessert gal, I must say that Chef makes THE best bread pudding with vanilla sauce. Hands down. Next up, breakfast...hopefully soon. I want to also give a shout out to Tami, Chef's business partner and who runs the dining room. She always greets us with a smile and a big hug! Truly one of my favorite restaurants in town.

    (5)

  • Alex G.

    Nice little brunch spot on a Sunday. I got the crab hash benedict with potatoes. it was delicious. the service was attentive and the ambiance is simple yet modern. the coffee was good and they do give free refills so that's a major plus. i can't wait to go back and try other things!

    (4)

  • Dawn G.

    Came here for breakfast for the second time. The fried rice was nothing special and a little to dry for my taste. My daughter liked her crab hash benedict and preferred it over the loco moco benedict that she had the previous time we were here. They use a lot of asian five spice on the beef so if you like that flavor then I guess it's fine but it overwhelms the rest of the food . The food here is nothing special but it's okay. If you go for breakfast, get there when they open, 8am, so you don't have to wait to be seated. It''s rather small and fills up quickly since there aren't many places open for breakfast early on a Sunday. One thing that I absolutely love is their coffee. It's the best that I've had so far on my mission to find my favorite place for breakfast.

    (3)

  • Shelby K.

    Tango Contemporary Cafe is located in Ward next to P.F. Chang. Went there for a birthday dinner and the atmosphere was pretty and romantic. They have beautiful paintings on their wall as well as cute lighting all around the restaurant. The food is rather on the pricer side, so if you don't mind spending about $11 for 3 pieces of scallop than this is the place to go. The food is good, assuming that your also paying for the look your food. Plates of food come out in a fancy plate setting and the service there is nice. I ordered the Scallop Spinach, which had 3 pieces of scallop and some cooked spinach on the bottom. I also ordered the Mushroom Risotto which had shrimp in it as well. The plate looks small, but it's rather filling. Overall, this restaurant was yummy and definitely a place to go for a nice meal.

    (4)

  • Cerise M.

    Awesome place! My boyfriend and I went there after a co-worker recommended it and have went back atleast three times within the last few months. Dinner is awesome and we cant wait to try breakfast and lunch!! Porkchop is great. My boyfriend loves the mahi mahi. And the cinnamon ice cream that comes with the strawberry mango crumble is TO DIE FOR. Their coffee and espresso machine is great! Got me a mocha iced coffee to go with dessert. On top of the food the atmosphere and decor is so contemporary and just our cup of tea!

    (5)

  • Roger S.

    I had the tasting menu which consisted of the gravlax, risotto, braised beef, and a dessert sample platter. The fried onions on the beef was stale/soggy. The tasting menu was a good value at $36. However, the entrees were on the pricey side. If the food was prepared well, I wouldn't mind paying the price, but they weren't...There were also relatively few diners and the ambiance was lacking. Why did some people have candles lit on their table, but not mine...

    (3)

  • Scott H.

    Breakfast is great here. I had eaten dinner and heard that their breakfast was just as good. high makamaka dining this is... I had the locomoco Benedict: two rounds of their fried rice, each topped with braised steak, then a poached egg each and covered in hollandaise. So good. Their fried rice is not your Patty's Chinese Kitchen variety. Still very good, with sometimes larger chunks of carrot. Plenty of flavor and enough meat in the fried rice. The braised steak is great...tender and flavorful...topped with a soft cooked (yolk still runny!) poached egg and covered in a tasty hollandaise sauce. Perfect. My mother got the Portuguese sausage and fried rice. A HUGE bowl of fried rice and a few slices of some kind of portuguese sausage that I've never had before, mild with a great gamey flavor. The bowl is HUGE and she shared with me. Tango's breakfast definitely on par with the quality of their dinners...

    (5)

  • Kalae P.

    "Tango". "Ahh, Tango". First of all, the food is DELICIOUS. Secondly, the staff & service is OFF THE CHART AWESOME. Finally, the atmosphere & swagga (style) of this place is SWEEET! Yes, I once worked here at Tango and believe me I enjoyed every minute of it. The job was a bit challenging (knowing that there are tons of people that rush in when we're about to close), but the staff I worked with as well as the food served was amazing! In a customers point of view, my all time favorite is the Risotto with Hamakua Shrimp & Asparagus (winner baby)! Dessert, well all of the selections, but especially the bread pudding (ahhh yumm). Pretty much every single thing on the menu is a must have and coming back to this restaurant is a no brainer once you've tried a couple of things off the menu. The final plus for Tango CC, which I've already stated but NEED to say again, is that the service is great! Walk in with a smile and warm personality, and they will give you exceptional, superb service. Writing this actually reminds me, I have to go back to drop in and say 'hi' and enjoy some good food :)

    (5)

  • Philip H.

    We frequent Tango because of their outstanding food, and affordable prices! Also, one of the best mushroom risottos in town! Tango is a cute little cafe with a modern vibe. Family owned and operated, it stays true to values such as good food, quality ingredients, and friendly service. My personal favorite is the Hamakua mushroom risotto. It is so delicious and never lets me down! They also have amazing breakfast. Eggs benedict is bomb! Give it a try! Im sure you will enjoy it!

    (5)

  • papaya s.

    Nice atmosphere, tasty and somewhat unique dining selections, and reasonable prices. Solid bet, overall! We arrived at 1 pm for lunch on a Sunday and waited about 15 minutes for a table. I ordered the open-faced lox sandwich, served with a green side salad -- you may also select fries (~$9.75). The lox were pretty pink and fresh, and the creamy cheese, greens, tomatoes and hard boiled eggs that accompanied them were added treats. I also ordered the berry crepes, served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, for dessert (~$5.75). Those were light and delish, and a nice way to complete the meal. I was well-fed and definitely felt I received a good value for my money. My one complaint would be the rushed service. Our server was constantly in motion and a bit pushy in wanting to take our order and clear our plates. She wasn't rude, but it did take away from a completely relaxing dining experience. It's hard to find restaurants serving quality products, with fresh ingredients, at reasonable prices here in Honolulu... Tango is one such option. Try it!

    (4)

  • bryan d.

    I live upstairs so it is very convenient. When the food is done right its great! However service is very very very very inconsistent and so is the food quality. Every time I walk in its a roll of the dice. Nice breakfast selection and they open earlier on weekdays 7:30 I believe which is nice. Dinner has about 6 choices, I usually get the braised beef or the chicken pasta. You should try it once for a new experience it has lots of potential hopefully it gets better.

    (3)

  • Robert D.

    Echoing Theresa, I LOVE THIS PLACE! Great ambiance, location, food, etc. The Onion Soup alone is worth a visit. 5+ stars from us.

    (5)

  • K.J. N.

    Husband took me to Tango for the prix fixe menu on my birthday and so glad he did! The ambiance is light and bright and is enough to lift you out of the birthday blues. You must order by 1730 hrs and the choices were quite impressive. I went with the chowder instead of salad. The chowder was perfectly seasoned and not over-salted. I also ordered the Hamakua Mushroom Risotto with Shrimp and Asparagus and the blueberry bread pudding. The complimentary glass of Omrah chardonnay was delicious, but you can choose champagne or prosecco too. Complimentary bread comes hot straight from the oven. I must mention that my husband's Strawberry Mango Crumble with Cinammon Ice Cream was even better than mine and the best dessert I've eaten in a while, so much so that I greedily ate it, albeit my allergy to strawberries! Service was prompt, friendly, and doting. I'm definitely returning. After dinner, we walked straight to TJ Maxx to shop and saw the couple dining next to us. We waved at each other, and they looked happy and satisfied too--great way to end the evening!

    (4)

  • Caitlin T.

    So today we went back for lunch since the dinner menu is overpriced, in my opinion. We shared a French Onion Soup to start. Fantastic! Onion soups, if not done right, can be very salty. This definitely was done right. A good amount of gooey, stringy cheese on top of a crouton the size of the bowl. A good start to a nice lunch. For our entrees we both ordered the Risotto, mine with the garlic shrimp and his with chicken. The risotto was good, but I have definitely had better. Good texture, creamy with melted cheese on top. Shrimp didn't necessarily seem very garlicky, just tasted like plain old shrimp. His chicken was dry. We decided to take advantage of the desert menu and order a Blueberry Bread Pudding to go. We had it for desert after dinner tonight. It was good, but I have had better. So 1 Onion Soup, 2 Risottos, 1 Bread Pudding and a Coke came out to be $46 plus tip. Kind of steep for lunch, but we did walk away with a desert to go and quite a bit of risotto leftover. So, in conclusion, it seems Tango can be hit or miss. Some things are great and others not so great.

    (3)

  • Min K.

    I love Tango. Despite the fact that the ceiling is the most gnarliest thing I have seen at a restaurant, the food has turned me into a believer. The bouillabaisse, Hamakua mushroom risotto, French onion soup, scallops, affogato, all to eat and die for. The bouillabaisse was a bit salty for my taste, but for some people it may be their cup of tea. My friend enjoys it with rice and it seems like it compliments well as an accompaniment. The mushroom risotto; perfect. I can't say anything else. I was on cloud nine. :) The french onion soup was good; flavorful and definitely with a meaty flavor. I'd highly recommend this restaurant. PS: The wine are not chilled enough. The wine we drank, lukewarm.

    (5)

  • Justin W.

    we went here after reading about it in Honolulu magazine. We went here for breakfast and the presentation was outstanding, however our crepes were really burnt and we had to send them back. When they brought the new ones out they were less burnt but never the less still burnt. They never did come by to refill my coffee which made me wonder if they gave free refills on coffee. I had ordered a loco moco with a roast on top which was really bland. The tables are really crammed, the decor is very modern though, but it couldn't overcome the rest of the experience. Will probably not be back, Sorry Tango but first impressions are everything!

    (2)

  • Jesse B.

    I love this place, one of my favorites! Service and ambiance are always impeccable! Every time I'm in the area, whether I dine-in or take-out, I always get the Duck Leg Confit w/ crispy risotto cake and vegetables! I've tried the Duck confit sandwich, but the entree is much better! If you like duck, this is a must try; the duck meat is fall-off-the-bone tender and the risotto cake has a nice light crispy outside! This is a dish I'm ALWAYS craving!!! The last time I ate there, we also tried the Grilled Mahi Mahi Sandwich on Nori Bun, which I also loved! The mahi mahi was very soft and moist! The nori bun definitely complimented the mahi mahi. Pricing for lunch is very reasonable; dinner can be a bit expensive.

    (5)

  • Jenny C.

    I went to Tango for the first time over the weekend. I wouldn't say their menu is extensive, but I think a typical customer can probably find something they like. I ordered their lamb while my friend ordered the pork chop. We skipped out on an appetizer this time because we wanted to try dessert. Well, this is the first time I've seen the restaurant so full! We were seated at the bar since we had no reservations, our orders were taken and the wait for food was a LONG time. I guess I can understand it since there were so many people there and it's not a huge kitchen. The lamb was pretty good, I wasn't wowed but not disappointed either...and they cooked it the way I wanted it! My friend said his pork chop was a bit dry so I'm not sure if he would order it again. The Kona Ice Cream cake dessert was delicious! We also tried a signature blueberry bread pudding? Not a winner, the pudding was much too bready and just felt like wet bread...the texture was all wrong. All in all, I wouldn't mind trying this place again for other dishes.

    (3)

  • Karen H.

    A couple of months ago, my b.f. wanted to go to Sunday brunch - he likes the brunch at the Prince hotel but the last two times we've gone, I haven't been as pleased with the food. So, I researched Yelp to find somewhere to have breakfast and Tango Cafe popped up. The reviews were good so I persuaded my b.f. to try it. I had the gravlax benedict and I think my b.f. had the loco moco benedict. I loved mine but I don't think my b.f. was as happy with his breakfast. However, we both enjoyed the coffee and I definitely wanted to come back again. So we went back a couple of times for breakfast. We've found that ordering the gravlax benedict and the Swedish pancakes and then sharing works the best for us. I told my son and daughter-in-law about Tango and they went to have dinner there twice. They tried the bouillabaise, duck confit, ravioli and lamb enrees as well as the escargot appetizer. My son recommended we have dinner there and said we should try the escargot, ravioli and/or lamb. We decided to have dinner there last night. We didn't make reservations and fortunately there were tables open when we arrived. We were seated immediately but service was slow. We had the escargot as an appetizer and when it finally arrived, we both enjoyed it. Then another wait for my b.f.'s salad to be served (he ordered the complete dinner) After he finished his salad, another wait for my risotto and shrimp and his seabass! My risotto was undercooked and too salty so it overwhelmed everything else. On the other hand, my b.f. was underwhelmed by his seabass. So after both plates were cleared away, we waited again for our server to check with us about dessert. We decided to have decaf coffee and I ordered the creme brulee. My b.f. said his lychee sorbet was very refreshing and finished off the meal wonderfully. The creme brulee was good and so was the coffee. By the time the bill arrived, my b.f. realized it was almost 9 p.m. (we got there about 7:30 and were supposed to go to Ala Moana Center after dinner!). So I think we'll do better by sticking with breakfasts there.

    (3)

  • Courtney T.

    This is a little cafe, but it has nice, clean, modern decor. It's not a very fancy place, but it doesn't need to be. I've eaten here for breakfast and dinner. The menu isn't super extensive, but i think having a handful of quality items is better than having a million mediocre choices. For breakfast, I've eaten the corned beef hash, as I usually order for breakfast at most places. It was pretty delicious. I would like to try the eggs benedict the next time I eat there. The latest dinner I ate here was the lobster ravioli. It was tender and very tasty. Not too creamy, but just right. The dessert I had was the lychee sorbet...good, but nothing extraordinary. I tried my mother's rissoto, which was good too. My sister's hoisin salmon was pretty delicious. I also enjoyed the mango crumble, it was warm and soft, and had a yummy crumble thing on the top. The brownie/ice cream is pretty yummy as well. The waiters are very friendly, very attentive. The co-owner(?) is a very friendly woman as well.

    (5)

  • Rita L.

    just came back from a baby shower here! we had a very good breakfast here! again, i love the ambiance and the service was great! must haves here, the eggs benedict, banana pancakes, and the fried rice! wow, the portions were great...the french toast was very good but kinda small compared to the others! the eggs benedicts here was soo good! i mean really good! all the girls here ordered coffee and swore it was the best coffee they ever had. apparently its european style and every cup is made one at a time. we would come here again for breakfast thats for sure... thought that parking was free with validation, its $3!

    (4)

  • Tadd T.

    NEW LUNCH MENU! Check out their website for their summer offerings--they look very good, now more of what we actually consider "contemporary cuisine." I see a sweet Madras curry; Chef Streng's been talking about putting it on the menu for months, so I'm eager to try it out.

    (4)

  • Cynthia A.

    I was excited to try a new place. The decor was fun and clean-looking, mostly white with some bright orange. Had the "crispy duck". The un-crispiness of it was disappointing, but the flavor was good. The sauce that it came with was a little weird for me, maybe too much worcestershire sauce (or something similar?) for my preference. The duck flavor was good sans sauce, but again, was not crispy in the least. Came with bland mashies and a few baby veggies. I appreciated the small portions. The taste of my hubby's entree of braised beef was good. It was a larger portion than my duck so we had a few bites for the inlaws' dog. Had a taste of the hubby's dessert - chocolate ice cream cake served with a sliced strawberry and other diced fruit. The fruit was good. The cake was not. Seemed like it could have been purchased out of an ice cream truck, and was topped with what tasted like Hershey's syrup. Ew. Don't feed me cheap chocolate. That's a sure way to irritate me. Halloween candy is an exception due to the nostalgia factor. My taste of lilikoi sorbet was yummy, and the port was good.

    (3)

  • AsianRunningDiva S.

    Came here for Easter Brunch after church without a reservation, but we were seated immediately--it was still early in the morning! They weren't serving their normal menu, just a few options to chose from, but they were giving fruit and bread to accompany the meal! We ordered the salmon benedict and the french toast with strawberries! SO GOOD! I was only able to eat one half of the muffin with an egg and salmon on top! So filling! A great brunch though! We didn't go for the mimosas, but that would have topped the meal! Stocked bar available too! Small cafe, but very quaint! I can see the cafe from my apt, but have never gone in! A little pricey, but good quality food--and we never go out for brunch so this was a treat! :)

    (4)

  • Spencer T.

    Talk about a disappointment. The GF and I thought we'd be going out for a nice diner at a reasonable restaurant, but instead we got Tango-ed. The ambiance was ok. The only thing that bugged me about the exposed ceiling was what looked like excessive mold and mildew infecting a good amount of the area. Is that safe? Other than that, everything in eye-line looked clean and precise. Very angular, very straight. Not terrible, but not creative either. The food is very similar. The acoustics in the restaurant were terrible. My date was forced to speak loud enough for the next two tables, a noticeable point, since I could head the entire conversation of the surrounding tables, just not my date. We started with the bread, as most people do. First, let me just say that the bread was good, if not better than the average restaurant. It was crusty, with just enough give to it, while yielding a nice flavor as well. Exactly the way bread should be. What bothered me was the nagging suspicion that it was simply cut and toasted ciabatta bread from costco. For appetizers we had the foie gras and the onion soup. Maybe it's me, but when I eat foie gras, I expect to be wowed. It was served with a raspberry sauce that was completely uninspired, and hung with mayonnaise, which overpowered the natural flavor of the foie gras. Either augment the flavor in a creative way, or bring out the flavor, but don't cover it up! Most disappointing was that they used good foie gras too. It wasn't cheap, nor small, but it was a good size with a healthy color, and they put it to waste. The soup was pretty good, using fresh mozzarella, with a deep onion taste to it. Possibly the best onon soup on the island, but could use less salt. For entrees: The gf had the lobster ravioli. I had risotto, as recommended by the staff. The lobster ravioli was dry, and was too distracting to bring out the flavor of the goat cheese and lobster. I've been around Italy, and have a deep affection for al dente pasta; usually wanting my pasta with a little less give than most Americans, but this was another story. It seems they might have taken too long to dry the pasta, leaving the edges brittle and starchy tasting. The basil sauce served with it was pungent, lacking balance. Instead of the different flavors working in concert with one another, it ended up being more of a competition to see which one would be the dominant flavor of the dish. Instead of bringing the flavors together, it seems they decided to simply add salt. Not a good strategy. The mushroom risotto was recommended by two members of the staff, along with a few other reviewers on yelp. I'm sorry, but this is not the way risotto should be done. Some parts of the risotto were over-cooked, almost to a liquid-like consistency, and other parts were dry, grainy, and had an almost Styrofoam feel to it. The sauce was basically heavy cream, butter, and cheese. No dimension. No creativity. If there were any herbs to brighten or darken the dish, they were incredibly quiet, leaving me with the terrible consistency of the risotto with the mushrooms and shrimp sitting on top of it. Again, there didn't seem to be any effort to bring the ingredients together, to make them work with one another. The dishes had all the thought of a McDonalds menu without the creativity. We didn't bother to stay for desert, seeing as we completely lost our appetites from the entrees. The good: Great staff with a great attitude. Our glasses were never empty, and they were eager to help us navigate our way through the menu. Tango would have gotten only one star if not for the staff. The bad: The food. While using good quality ingredients, there was a lack of effort and thoughtfulness put into it. The execution was off-key and mediocre. The ugly: The ceiling.

    (2)

  • Angelica A.

    Went here for breakfast on Saturday to celebrate a close friend of mines birthday. We're all big breakfast fans so we were excited to give this place a try! I researched the menu and yelp reviews ahead of time so i knew exactly what i was getting...the loco moco benedict and sweet bread french toast. I had a hard time choosing between the two so i decided to go with both and share with the other diners. The birthday girl went with the smoked salmon bagel and swedish pancakes. The other 2 diners with us ordered the Portuguese sausage and eggs with fried rice, traditional eggs benedict and the banana pancakes. Yes we ordered for an army...it was our own personal buffet. The loco moco benedict was alright i enjoyed the braised beef it was really tender but the eggs were over cooked and weren't runny, so i had to wait for them to make new eggs. Also the fried rice that came with it was a little too over powered by the celery. I think my experience would have been better if the eggs were cooked to perfection. The sweet bread french toast on the other hand was great. I really enjoyed it and gobbled most of it up on my own. As for the maple and coconut syrup it came with it was just alright. The maple syrup didn't have that maple flavor to it a little too sweet and the coconuts syrup tasted more vanilla-ish...or simple syrupy! I wasn't a fan of either so i asked for a side of whip cream...which was excellent and went well with the french toast and berries. The birthday girl seemed to really enjoy her smoked salmon bagel as for the swedish pancakes they were a little burnt :( As for our other 2 guest they said the banana pancakes weren't too impressive and they had the same problem with the fried rice being over powered with celery and the eggs benedicts eggs were also over cooked. They also had to wait for new eggs to be made. Oh and they found a piece of metal in the eggs benedict which made them not want to eat it. We made sure to have that taken of the bill! Overall the breakfast there was alright i would go back and order the sweet bread french toast but that would probably be it. Also i have to say that the wait staff there was kind of all over the place and it was hard to get their attention at times.

    (2)

  • Andrew D.

    Everytime I've eaten here I left satisfied. The service was great, the food was excellent. I came for both lunch service and dinner. During lunch, the sandwiches are quite bomb and during their dinner service, the lamb is delicious! One of my favorite restaurants to dine.

    (5)

  • Jared T.

    The breakfast and lunch are the best here. Dinner is pretty pricey and haven't really found anything I enjoy on their dinner menu. Favorite by far is the Club sandwich.

    (3)

  • Jeremy Y.

    I being coming here for about a year. I had a craving for their onion soup, so when my female friend asked me where I wanted to eat for my bday, I wanted to eat at Tango's. She had never eaten here before and was very curious as amateur food critic. I had never seen her smile so much with every bite she took!!!! She loved every single dish that we had and stated that it was the best meal she every had!!!! She based her statement on the fact that both of us had never tried the dishes we ordered and that fact that she each dish like was very adventurous.

    (4)

  • Demur E.

    UPDATE (5/10/08): By coincidence, I happened to have dinner at Tango as well as breakfast the next morning (and no, I didn't sleep over). Yup, they serve breakfast on the weekends now from 8 - 10:30 a.m. Fried rice w/ portuguese sausage was tasty and the corned beef hash was homemade. I had the crab hash benedict. Buttered English muffin. Perfectly poached eggs. Yummy hollandaise sauce. Awesome. For dinner, I tried the lamb and it was fantastic! I ate it all, so no leftovers to enjoy. *sigh* French onion soup was average (Le Bistro's one is better). Check out the new pics, too. Food: Delicious, great quality and amazingly affordable. Asian style 5-Spice Braised Beef with pureed potato and chili fried onion rings - Four big chunks of beef so tender I did not really need a knife (just some fork action). Moist, savory and not too heavy on the 5 spice (I'm not a big fan of anise). Hamakua mushroom risotto with garlic shrimp and asparagus - Rich, creamy, a little heavy-handed with the parmesan. The shrimp were big and plump. It's a good idea to share that dish unless you can handle the richness. Crispy duck breast with spice wine sauce - Oh my! The meat was soooo flavorful and tender with just the right amount of crispy skin. All those dishes (and most of the other entres) are under $20. They also have sauted moi with tomato fennel coulis, hoisin glazed salmon, mustard crusted rack of lamb, sterling silver pork chop, lobster and goat cheese ravioli, and a grilled sirloin steak with herb butter on smokey cedar plank. I'm going for that or the lamb the next time I go to Tango...oh yes, there will be a next time! For $6.50 more, you get the soup du jour or salad and a sorbet. The soup when I went was a creamy mushroom which was thick and rich and had a very beefy stock. Not your Campbell's by a long shot. The salads were regular garden salads, but had a nice creamy yet acidic dressing. The sorbet was lilikoi and pretty good. I, of course, had to go for a "real" dessert. I got the rhubarb crumble, which was warm and sweet and delicious. It came with cinnamon ice cream, which was good, but if I may be immodest here amongst my friends, I think the cinnamon ice cream I make tastes better. They also have bread pudding (which was ok, I think Sam Choy's and Russel Siu's are better). They have a handful of starters and salads that also look promising. Not a huge menu, but quite enough variety. Service: Nice, but spotty. Tango has only been open about 5 weeks, so they are still trying to work some of the kinks out. Apparently the evening we went, the dishwasher called in sick and the wait staff had to take turn washing dishes! In any case, that's why they said they were so slow. I met my friends about 45 min. late and they had not even ordered yet! They had just opened up a couple of bottles of wine (no liquor license yet, so it's BYOB...but $10 per bottle corkage fee!) Things came slow, but the food was the right temperature and delicious. I little slow on the water and they forgot my coffee, but I only had to remind them once and out it came! The wait staff is very nice and obviously trying their best. Ambiance: Modern. It's a small space (especially compared to their neighbor P.F. Chang's), so it feels a bit crowded. It's a cheery, comfortable space with cut-outs in the windows and benches against the wall (no booths, though). Overall: The scrumptious food and affordability will definitely have me returning. If you go (and I hope you will!) don't be in a rush to see a movie or something like that. It's definitely leisurely dining. Great if you want to catch up with old friends or share some intimate time with your sweetie. Warning: The parking validation for Tango is the same for Starbucks and P.F. Chang's, which is only good for 2 hours. I was there about 3-4 hours and was charged $9.00 for parking. It might be better to park in one of the Ward lots and walk...especially if you stuffed yourself like I did. I could've done with a nice walk afterwards!

    (4)

  • nate h.

    I must admit...i am a regular at Tango. The food is amazingly consistent...the quality, presentation and price are spot on. I have eaten here at all times of the day and i rarely walk out without a smile. Breakfast has to be my favorite as both the food selection and insanely good coffee set the day off to a great start. My defaults are the loco moco for breakfast and the Duck for dinner. The building itself does have a Ikea meets a European warehouse feel but it works for the place. It is rather small so you may find that you have to wait for a table. While that may be a problem for some...for me, it tells me that they are doing a damn fine job as a restaurant. This is backed up by Tango consistently winning a spot as an Hale Aina Award Winner.

    (5)

  • Wade T.

    I LOVE THIS PLACE. Normally, I would rate it a 4 because service is great at times and sometimes a little slow, but that is expected for a new restaurant until they work out the kinks. But I rated it a 5 to offset some of the terrible reviews I have read here. With that being said, on to the food.. The french onion soup is by far the best I have eaten anywhere. And I eat out ALL THE TIME. I have had the brasied beef which was tender and the seafood ravioli which were tasty. I enjoyed the hamakua mushroom risotto. I also have had the pork chop. Everything I have eaten so far had been great. The price is right. A high priced dinner for a reasonable price. How can you go wrong? I would reccomend Tango to anyone for lunch and dinner.

    (5)

  • Susan N.

    Have been to Tango several times. I usually order the sample. The apperitizer, salad and dessert was exceptional as usual. Unfortunately the main course, the spiced steak was cold. So were the potatoes and vegetables. Think they need to serve the hot food much faster.

    (3)

  • Paul R.

    It has been 3 years since my last visit to Tango, needless to say my last visit did not go so well. I was very happy this time with dinner. Hot food hot, cold food cold and all the flavors and textures described on the menu arrived at my table all presented beautifully. Portobello Crab Hash was wonderful, Gravlox so flavorful. Seabass portion was HUGE and so complex, that was my favorite. My friends had a really nice 5 spice Short Rib and delicious Herb Crusted Lamb. The dessert trio could not have been better. I think this time my only problem with Tango was that the servers did not seem very confident or sure of themselves. However they were all very nice. I am glad I went back. It was worth it.

    (4)

  • D W.

    Stopped in for lunch after Tango was highly recommended by several friends. I thought it was an average experience and I guess, I expected more, since I walked away a little disappointed. I ordered the duck confit, wasn't impressed. The salads looked pretty fresh so maybe my entree choice was misstep on my part. The Good: Plating and presentation is really great and the portions were generous. The Not-So-Good: See above. My dish wasn't exceptionally good and the menu was disappointingly limited.

    (2)

  • Art T.

    I always enjoy having my breakfast here. The coffee is great and is made to order. I have had my egg Benedict here and other selections. They are all great. In addition, the price is so reasonable. On the other hand, the Big City Diner is over priced considering the food they serve there.

    (4)

  • Helen K.

    Went here for their breakfast menu this past weekend. I ordered the salmon eggs benedict and the boyfriend ordered the spinach benedict. Both were yummy. Not too experienced in the egss benedict, but from what I tasted it was delicious. Potatoes were delicious as well! I'm usually not a fan of roasted potatoes.. I will probably come back just to try other items on their menu. Waiters and hostess was very attentive with our order and with our drinks.

    (4)

  • Emily D.

    Fresh french-press coffee to order, light hollandaise, and perfectly poached eggs benedict! Fun atmosphere and friendly staff. Highly recommend splitting your eggs benedict order (I get one florentine and one salmon) for added variety. Definitely try to get there early on the weekends, though, cause it is limited seating, but well worth the wait!

    (5)

  • Andrew U.

    I thought this was a great place for breakfast that is so different from what you find in the local environs. Tucked behind PF Changs it is very unassuming and you have to sort of know how to get there. As I said breakfast was great. True to Chef Goran's swedish roots there are some nice additions to the menu. I had the Pytt I Panna, which is basically a swedish ham and sausage hash. This was delish. My wife had the fried rice with a fried egg on the top which was wonderful. The coffee they served was flavorful and each cup was individually brewed. The service was very attentive and the decor was modern as were the food preparations. I would definitely make a trip back here.

    (4)

  • Peggy L.

    One of our favorite places to get a great dinner. Easy parking, lots of choices. Definitely recommend getting reservations. Oh and breakfast is great - just like Longhi's but much cheaper (and of course, no view)....

    (4)

  • KEVIN W.

    I wanted to eat everything on the menu when i went for dinner! I'm going back for sure...even though i was stuffed from the main course i had dessert to top off everything. During the end of our dinner the owner came out and talked to us to make sure we enjoyed our meal and also told us about their prix fixed menu they host on the 3rd Tuesday of the month. Sounded a little expensive but if its the same quality as the rest of the menu it will be worth it for anyone who is even a little bit of a foodie.

    (5)

  • Keola S.

    What a great little place to eat. The creativity behind the dishes are just amazing. They put a modern spin on breakfast classics. I just had the crab hash benedict and all I can say is

    (4)

  • Elin T.

    Had dinner at Tango tonight with my sisters and mama. Got there at 6pm and was seated right away. highly recommend the onion soup, lobster ravioli, lychee sorbet, and mango and strawberry crumble. service was really good too.

    (4)

  • Stacey K.

    Enjoyed lunch at tango today. I had the cobb salad which was pretty good- perfect amount of bacon, egg, avocado, etc. Only complaint is not enough lettuce. My girlfriend had the special which was scallops and shrimp in lobster sauce which was also pretty good. The lobster sauce was creamy but not too overpowering, the scallops weren't amazing but were cooked well. Unfortunately overall it was all sorta boring.

    (3)

  • laura a.

    I wasn't thrilled by the prospect of going here based on the menu I'd seen and upon arrival, my first impression was older people and diner smell. The meal proved me wrong. While it wasn't spectacular, it is definitely some of the better food in the area. Service was quick too.

    (4)

  • Jo H.

    I went there once and didn't really have anything memorable. Then I went for a second time the other week and really loved it. It's TINY and kind of crowded but not too noisy or complicated. The service could definitely have been better, but the food was fabulous. The only thing was that the food came out at different times, so by the time I got my lamb, some of my friends were almost finished with their entrees. We had the wild mushroom risotto with shrimp which was so rich and creamy and yummy and the shrimp were PERFECTLY cooked (don't you hate it when your shrimp are overcooked???), and I had the lamb which came out perfectly medium rare and so tender. I only wish i had more!! We also got the lobster and goat cheese ravioli which was delicious but a little too al dente for me and the salmon with the hoisin glaze which was okay but it definitely wasn't the best salmon i've had. For dessert we had the coffee ice cream cake which was really good--the cake was really light. All in all, a good dining experience, i will definitely be back to this restaurant . I'm not sure if they have a full bar, but they have a wine list for sure.

    (4)

  • d s.

    My review here is specifically for lunch, not breakfast or dinner. Came here with high expectations from all the hype I've heard about this place. Needless to say I was very disappointed. I've only been to a few places that have let me down so much. I can't remember what my friend had (she was also disappointed) however, I ordered the French Onion soup and the open face salmon sandwich. First the soup, terrible. Now I realize very few places are willing to do French Onion soup right, but the soup here was not even close! There were a few pieces of toast in the soup and just a few pieces of cheese. Worse, not much going on with onions too! Better off going across the street to Ryan's. Finally, the salmon sandwich. TOO SALTY! Whoa! I've had good gravlax before and this was not it. Plus, it was stringy (should almost melt in your mouth) and I found a few bones also. Disappointing. Maybe folks enjoy a place if it's trendy and disregard the bad food. The customers here seem to be on the higher end of the food chain. I guess it can't hurt that it's in the Hokua condo building. I'll have to try breakfast one day but won't have my hopes up too high. Oh yeah, last thing that peeved me, no refills on soft drinks! WTF?!

    (1)

  • Lisa K.

    tangocafehawaii.com Hearing about the spotty service, I stopped by with a friend for an early meal at 5:30 to beat the dinner rush. We had the place to ourselves until the people started to flood in at 6:00. Service wasn't that bad. Our waiter was definitely trying very hard to make it a good experience. The only bad thing about getting there too early is the lack of window shades. There isn't a single seat in the house where you can avoid having the sun shine in your eyes at that hour. We shared the portabello mushroom & crab hash. The crab hash was like a crab cake which matched well with the garlic cream/wine reduction sauce. The appetizer itself wasn't very large but the richness of the crab cake would have made it difficult for me to eat the entire dish myself since I'm not the largest crab fan. Next was the Swedish gravlax with crisy skin and potato salad. The gravlax again complemented well with the mustard sauce. The crispy salmon skin made me want a side of rice to go along with it. For the entree, the sauteed moi with tomato coulis and roasted vegetables was excellent. The tomato coulis was not too sweet and had no harsh taste to it at all. The moi was cooked perfectly. Crispy on the outside, moist on the inside. The mushroom risotto was also very good. It was rich and creamy. Sharing the two appetizers, eating the moi and eating too much of the bread which came with a simple salted whipped butter left me too full to eat dessert. Based on this meal, I will definitely visit this place again.

    (4)

  • Jim C.

    Whenever I drive pass the Tango Cafe, I try to remind myself to give it a try. The decor looked very inviting with the large windows, high ceiling and well lit interior. My wife and I finally make it there this past weekend for a late lunch. There were a few people there no included the small gathering for a baby shower. This looks promising, I thought. There were at least seven or eight open tables, but they still tried to seat us next to another diner on a small table for two. We asked to sit on a larger table, they seemed confused. The waiter finally said we could sit anywhere. The menu came immediately, the water poured and we were asked if we wanted anything else to start. Very good beginning. The waiter was very informed about the menu, answered our questions and made suggestions. Another plus. I ordered the gravlav open sandwich and my wife ordered the risotto with grilled shrimp. The food arrived looking good. The gravlax layered between slices of fresh tomatos, hard-boiled egg, Japan cucumbers, was visually appealing. All the ingredients were fresh and tasty. Only the bottom slice of Rye bread was a bit dry. The cream cheese spread helped but I couldn't finish the bread. The accompanying french fries were hot and crispy. Unfortunately, my wife's risotto was bad enough for me to not to return. The rice was hard. This is not risotto. You can make this at home, if you want to. Take day-old rice, heat up a can of Campbells Cream of Mushroom soup and pour it over the rice. Voila! I didn't taste any cheese that's typical of risotto. When one of the wait help came to asked how it was, I hand motioned "so-so" and she reponded "it's okay" and walked away. Never came back. When we told the waiter later that the rice was hard, he said we should have told him earlier, he would have replaced it with another. There were many items on the menu, I was trying to decide on. Unfortunately, I have to make that decision again. Good luck to you Tango Cafe, I hope you can do something about the risotto.

    (1)

  • Bethanie C.

    Beautiful little cafe nook, cozy atmosphere-a bit on the small side. food was very good & I liked the crunchy bread. Service was great. Parking is tough, can be a bit noisy in there at times.

    (3)

  • Dustin K.

    not wanting to travel all the way over to kailua for some eggs benedict we decided to try out Tango.. we've been here serveral times for dinner but we've never made it for breakfast... so on this sepcial day we decided to drop by and try it out.. wife: traditional eggs benedict.. myself: 'loco moco' eggs benedict.. wife: eggs over cooked.. sauce okay.. potatoes were perfect.. me: not what i expected.. i should have known it wasn't going to be swiming in gravy when loco moco was in " "... fried rice could need some work on it.. char siu was rubber.. and it seem like it was made the night before.. eggs were perfect.. meat was okay.. needed a little kick to it so tobassco it was to kill it.. would i go back?? well maybe.. next time we'll wait till 11 for lunch..

    (3)

  • H J.

    I have been here for dinner once and breakfast a few times. Dinner: not that memorable, what you would expect from a $20 plate at a contemporary kind of restaurant, similar to Town. Breakfast: so great. The food is fresh, coffee is strong and the atmosphere of the restaurant is inspiring in the early hours of the day, open, clean and light with stylish yet simple decor. The Swedish pancakes are especially good. I give 5 stars because there aren't a lot of places around Honolulu that offer what Tango does between 7-10am and at totally affordable prices ($7-10).

    (5)

  • Jannet L.

    came here for lunch. validated parking a big plus. setting modern and clean. had the risotto with grilled shrimp which was fine. the waiter was new and forgot to put in my order so it was late and it might've been rushed b/c the rice was a little crunchy. whatever, we all make mistakes. hub had the gravlax open face sandwich which was fresh and excellent. i thought the salmon would be really salty but it wasn't. it was soft and melt in your mouth. had the brownie with ice cream for dessert which was so yummy but so rich, couldn't finish it. was like 11 bucks for entree and 6 bucks for dessert. i think the fresher food might be more delicious - will have to try the salad next time. mostly i'm giving in a 4 for the salmon and the setting and the validated parking.

    (4)

  • Justin S.

    I only eat breakfest or lunch here and this place is great for both. I prefer their lunch menu. Good food that is very reasonable. This place is small and normally always busy. Service can be a little slow sometimes and you'll get the feeling they are trying to rush you out of there so they can flip the table. If the service was better, I would rate 4 stars. The food is very good and its definitely worth checking out.

    (3)

  • Misa D.

    Had a wonderful experience there for dinner . It was my hubby's bday and we celebrated inviting 6 friends for drinks and dinner. They service was wonderful. The food was great! Everyone had a great time and the the total bill was very inexpensive. Before tip, it came out to $363.25 for a total of 8 people. We had 2 bottles of wine and 2 cocktails, 4 appetizers, 3 salads, 8 entrees, 5 desserts, and 6 coffees (i am looking at my bill right now...i was amazed!!).

    (4)

  • Mallory M.

    Came here for the breakfast. I got the fried rice that came with one egg anyway and sausage. It was pretty ono but the service was just okay. I love the feel of the place and the way it looks. I love how you can't fit more than 50 people in there so it wont ever feel really crowded. But good place to eat and its pretty cheap for the food they serve!

    (4)

  • Aya T.

    3.5 stars for dinner at Tango. Started with the goat cheese, roasted beet salad... love me some beets. I had the hoisin salmon with mashed potatoes which was nothing special. The kona coffee ice cream cake was mostly ice cream and it did the trick for something sweet. I think the atmosphere is nice here but it's small so during prime dining hours it gets really busy.

    (3)

  • Kimmy C.

    The best thing about this place is the waiter Kainoa. He has the best sense of humor / personality. The food is creative but portions are small. The wait is long if you go late. If you are going for dinner sit in the back, the setting sun shines into the restaurant and blinds you through the glass, it creates a sauna effect. The crab benedict is good but dry, needs more sauce. Its cool, trendy, and hip, but if youre hungry go some place else.

    (4)

  • Sandy D.

    Came here for breakfast for the first time with my 7 year old daughter. We had been trying different breakfast places other than McDonald's. We were seated right away and she ordered the Swedish Pancakes with a side of Portuguese Sausage and I ordered the Pytt I Panna. Mine was filling and tasty. My daughter's pancakes came out burnt so I told her to cover it with the whipped cream. I finished my dish and noticed that her side of portuguese sausage hadn't come. By the time it came, she had almost finished her meal. My daughter's comment is that the pancakes are better than McDonald's but she's had better service elsewhere. I don't think people bring young children here. I didn't see any high chairs and there is no child's menu.

    (3)

  • N. O.

    What's the sense of making a reservation?... They still made us wait about 20 to 30 minutes, then tried to seat 5 persons on one small table. Food was okay, nothing to rave about, service very slow. When we asked for water, they said they ran out of cups. Terrible memories!!

    (1)

  • G W.

    I took my wife their on Mothers Day and was not impresed. The hostess was professional but the service was extremely slow. We asked repeatedly for coffee which is handmade took almost 20 mins to get. The empty plates and utensils stayed on the table too long making paying for the ambience not worth it. The food on Mothers Day looked and tasted mass produced. The regular menu showed prices in the $10-$15 dollar range. On Mothers Day prices went up to $20. I couldn't tell the difference in entrees from regular to special occassions. The service was slow; there is no excuse for being understaffed when you have scheduled reservations. The food was just so-so. I would not go there on special occassions only to pay extra for nothing. They gave M-Day entrees lobster bisque soup, which tasted watered down, maybe that's why it costs more.

    (2)

  • Joe K.

    To me Tango seems to be one of those places that gets too hyped for its own good. I watched it as the space was getting fitted out. But was never really tempted to try it. Then over the course of a couple of months, everyone I ran into kept asking me if I had tried Tango. And each time, the question was followed by glowing review of the food. So finally I got around to trying it out. I do like the casual and bright setting. It's all very simple and very open. But I have to say, the food was not bad, but definitely nothing special. Between the four of us at dinner, we tried quite a good chunk of the items on the menu. Sad to say, nothing was horrid, but nothing was really impressive. My beef was in fact quite a bit over salted. Service was not bad, but again nothing exceptional. Since my one dinner experience, I haven't been tempted to go back. There are just too many other places that are consistently better. On the other hand, if I lived in the building (which I don't), I would probably go there mostly likely for breakfast. I haven't been for breakfast, but how badly can you do breakfast?

    (2)

  • Carol L.

    What a cute little cafe!! My sister and I went her for lunch! such a delight!! I had the Cobb Salad! Refreshing, healthy, yummy!! I sampled the open Faced Shrimp Salad Sandwich..also yummy!! Service a bit slow granted they were busy. Will surely come again!!

    (5)

  • Jerome B.

    Valentines Day, and we Tangoed... Wasn't a bad stage to boogey down to. Dimly lit and full of couples, Tango set the stage with a romantic atmosphere in a cozy little spot. Tango had a special set menu for Valentines Day. Luckily, everyone in my group ordered something different so I could try a little bit of everything. Salmon, Lobster Ravioli, Steak and Duck. The meal started with a Mushroom stuffed with artichoke, followed by a salad with a balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Both were very good, not enough to warrant their own reviews. The main dish was the roast duck and duck confit. The confit was outstanding. The duck meat was juicy, not overcooked. The sweet glaze was a very good compliment to the duck's natural flavors. The roast duck; however, was overly done. It felt like it disintegrated in my mouth . Luckily, the dessert saved the day. A raspberry sorbet shaped in a heart (aww... so cute =P), half of the heart covered with a dark chocolate shell on top of whipped cream. This was paired with a dark-chocolate dipped strawberry on top of a brownie. Wow! A nice ending to a very good meal. The service was ok, there's paid parking right net door. It's a nice place to go for dinner.

    (4)

  • George D.

    THE LAST TANGO! Why all the hype from my friends? this place is a little gem, the owners are norwegian and the service is excellent, is all I heard. My wife and I went for breakfast and ordered the swedish pancakes and bagel and lox. First we were told the kitchen is closing so hurry and order. We did and nothing came very quickly and several side orders forgotten. My pancakes must have been cooked next to the hamburger on the grill and tasted more like beef than cake. However, I must say they were beautiful. The lox and bagel, were "a lox and bagel". Food came slowly but was accompanied by the check as we were again reminded they were closing. Ambiance: 3 too sterile for me Service 2 Food 2 Ill try again in a few months.

    (2)

  • Ronnie U.

    went for lunch the other day. Appetizer: Salad - not sure if they were running out of lettuce or maybe it was organic. But the lettuce looked old (like it was in the fridge too long) color was changing. We asked to replace it and they did. Main: lamb dish was really salty - again was the ingredients getting old and you had to cover the taste? Service is good and so is ambiance for lunch, but food needs to be improved (at least for lunch). Price is fine. Parking is good.

    (3)

  • Jodie B.

    I went to Tango's for lunch with some co-workers to celebrate my birthday. It was my first time and I've already decided that I'm going to add it to my rotation of go to eateries in the Ward area. The service was efficient, the ambiance is pleasant and the food was delicious. I had a special of scallops and shrimp with asparagus and basil in a lobster cream sauce over brown rice and it was great. The scallops and shrimp were cooked just right and the brown rice soaked up the sauce nicely. For dessert we shared the blueberry bread pudding with vanilla sauce and it was nice and light (for bread pudding) and the blueberries added a nice flavor compliment. We also had the Chocolate Brownie with vanilla bean ice cream, the brownie was nothing special but the ice cream was tasty. Overall great experience. I thought the prices were reasonable for the quality of the food and the ambience of restaurant. I'm excited to return and try more of their menu! Add on- Went back this past week (7/27/10) and had the resotto with garlic shrimp, tasty but needed a little more flavor..salt? Ordered the brownie with vanilla bean ice cream, this time the brownie was fudgy and delicious! Also tried the mango/strawberry cobbler with cinnamon ice cream, the cobbler was kind of a messy mash of fruit covered in a little bit of crumble (which is the best part of cobbler and should have had a lot more of it!) but the cinnamon ice cream was good!

    (4)

  • Danielle Y.

    I live upstairs, so I've visited Tango at least twenty times, but no more. It's unfortunate because there are several things going for this place: 1) It's clean and cheery 2) The food is (usually) quite good and very affordable 3) The coffee is excellent 4) There is a dearth of adequate breakfast/brunch/coffee/lunch places in Hawaii. So why do I refuse to patronize this establishment? 1) The restaurant has too many tables for its size. The noise level can be really uncomfortable. Also, the majority of times I have eaten there (whether for breakfast, lunch, or dinner), I have been able to overhear conversations. It's really unpleasant, and even more so when you consider that others can hear you just as easily. 2) The food is inconsistent, more so for take-out than dining in. One time I ordered the mushroom burger, and although I picked it up as soon as it was ready, the burger was cold. It was as if they had taken a cold mushroom from the fridge and slathered on some dressing and put it in the box. It was really gross. 3) The above reasons are minor and I would go back in spite of them. But this is the deal breaker: The service here SUCKS. The number of waitpeople never seems to be sufficient. They always seem to be rushing from table to table, and the service you get really depends on how many people you are dining with (larger parties receive better service and smaller ones are almost ignored). Since there is not enough staff, the ones who are working usually seem frazzled and this makes the service they provide quite unsatisfactory. -There is no host table in the front, and no place to wait save for some chairs outside. However, it can get chilly at night and waiting outside is thus very uncomfortable. There have been times when the chairs have been full and I've stood waiting for a table. -90% of the time I've eaten here, the food took way too long to arrive. It's awful. Usually 30 minutes for an entree, sometimes longer if you're with a larger party and if the restaurant is crowded. One time I ordered take-out (pork chop) and it took ONE HOUR for me to get it. I called to place my order 20 minutes before I intended on eating it, and walked downstairs after 20 minutes. I waited in the restaurant for 15 minutes before they said it would take some time. So I went back upstairs and had to wait for one hour for them to finish cooking it. -Now for the **********deal breaker of the deal breakers.********* The female manager/owner (the old woman with the glasses) is absolutely horrid. Even though I have eaten here numerous times since its opening, she doesn't recognize me, perhaps because I am usually dining in with other people, and I change my hair quite often. When I have come to the restaurant with a big group she acts very sweet and friendly, but there have been more than a few times when I have come in to eat by myself that she has displayed the most unfriendly and rude attitude. It's disturbing. One afternoon I was eating lunch by myself, and my pasta was mushy and my chicken was dry and bland--it was inedible. I told my waiter about the food, and I expected to be offered a new dish, but the "manager" came out and very rudely told me that she didn't feel there was any problem with my food. I have never experienced such awful treatment anywhere. It's too bad, because Chef Goran is really a nice person. But the woman who manages this place is so awful. I wish he would find a new partner.

    (1)

  • Christopher D.

    My wife and I went for our second dinner in the last two years. For some reason, we keep forgetting this place exists! Some might say that is an indication that it's not particularly memorable. Au contraire. Both times we have had wonderful meals (and service) and will be going back. The reason we have not gone more frequently is simply a matter of distance from home. The dinner: We brought a bottle of Karl Lawrence 2007 Napa cab, but ordered a couple of glass of bubbly and white off the menu to accompany our starters (seared scallops and foie gras). Both were fantastic! The scallops were still a little raw in the middle (what my wife likes to call "medium rare") and were perfectly cooked and served on a bed on bed of wilted spinach. The foie gras was beautifully done and seared perfectly. The accompanying slices of caramelized apple were unnecessary, but OK. Our mains were Asian 5 spice braised beef and tenderloin with green peppercorns. Again, perfectly done, and great with the cab. The braised beef was tender, melt-in-your-mouth. The tenderloin, although ordered as "medium rare" arrived closer to medium. No worries. It was great. The thing that irks me about a lot of contemporary restaurants in the Honolulu area is their love of salt. I no longer go to places like 3660 On the Rise, Mediterraneo, and Town (and Roy's seems to be following suit, unfortunately) because of their propensity to pour an ocean of salt into every dish. Here, at Tango (and at places like Cafe Miro), the chefs let the ingredients do the talking. Everything was very nicely prepared. Our server (Marc) was fantastic, friendly, and very warm. I have two complaints, however. First, when I called to make the reservation, the woman who took my call informed me that the corkage fee is $10. When we were seated at the restaurant, I was told it was $15. Many places would have apologized for the mistake and said, "no problem, if you were told $10, then $10 it is." The other thing is I gave a glass of wine for the kitchen and send the bottle back so the chef could see it. He sent word back to me (via the server) that the wine was "beautiful" (which is was) and that he appreciated the opportunity to try it. He also appreciated the compliments we paid about the food, particularly the modest use of salt. I fully expected the corkage fee to be waived, but it was not. That's bad form. Really bad. I could have said something, but didn't. Next time, I will. In any case, that is not enough to keep me from returning. This tiny place is a gem. One other thing: I don't think the menu has changed in two years. If we went more often, I suspect we would have gone through most items and would be less likely to return. If Tango is counting on the tourist business, then they can afford, I suppose, to keep their menu the same. However, that does a disservice to us kama'aina. Overall, a wonderful meal, and we'll definitely be returning.

    (4)

  • Naoko M.

    It is used to be great ... when they opened. Of course there aren't many choice around here so you can go if you want OK food but nicely decorated restaurant . Personally I would go to Mariposa or Stage in the same category though. Club sandwich and burgers are safe choice, fyi.

    (2)

  • malia h.

    I've eaten at Tango for breakfast and lunch and the food is delicious. Love the gravlax sandwich, swedish pancakes, lox benedict. All sandwiches come with deliecious fries. There's no kiddie menu but they did make a half portion of pasta for my child.

    (5)

  • Mike M.

    I really like Tango. A nice menu that's cooked with flair. I loved the tuna special and the braised short ribs. Of the three meals I've had the only disappointment was the pork chop which was a little underseasoned and only average where everything else I've tried has been good or better. Bread pudding is great! Wines are reasonably priced.

    (4)

  • Marisa O.

    The food is fresh-tasting and delicious. Flavorful, and perfectly seasoned. If it were based just on food, five stars, hands down. Price is okay. Brings it down to four and a half. Ambiance is okay. Kind of pokey for a place with such great fare. But the worst thing by far is the SERVICE! I have NEVER had such awful service from the moment we stepped in the door until we stepped out. No greetings of any kind, barely even eye contact. AND IT WASN'T EVEN BUSY! I served for many years, and I could not BELIEVE it!

    (2)

  • Vicky B.

    NOT GOOD FOR LARGE PARTIES EVEN IF YOU MAKE A RESERVATION. We had reservations for 730, we arrived at 720 and were told it would be 10 more minutes, maybe 15. That was fine... but 745 rolled around and we (all 11 of us) were still standing outside. So we asked again how long, and were told 10 minutes. Long story short, it ended up being over an hour that we had to wait before being sat. Yes, we should have left and gone somewhere else, but with 11 people we didn't want to chance it. While the management did offer to let us order a drink and drink it outside (is that even legal) they did nothing further to accommodate us. Seriously, would comped drinks or even 5% off the bill hurt when you made us wait for over an hour??? AND we had to constantly check in, they left us standing outside the entire time and only seemed to remember we were there when we went in to ask how much longer! Like everyone said the food was great (which is why they get two stars) but the ambiance - way too many tables squished into a small place. The ceiling needs a major cleaning... we were afraid chunks of dusty asbestos my fall onto us or in our food during our meal. Finally, the beer selection was awful - Heineken, Heineken Light and one domestic beer - are you kidding me?! The wine selection was fine, but still such good food should be accompanied by a decent bottle of beer! If the management could get their act together, we would give the place four stars... however due to the inconvenience of waiting and NO offer of accommodation from management - two stars it is.

    (2)

  • Bella B.

    You know...I wish I can write a fair review about the food here but that is impossible since we didn't get that far. I made a reservations for 20 for a very special birthday party. We showed up and the older woman who was in charge there told me that I made the reservations wrong. She proceed to accuse me of making the mistake and not her, when we spoke at the time of making the reservations. I've only known my best friend for 30 years and so I must have made the mistake of not knowing her birthday. It makes PERFECT sense for me to make a reservation for Monday night when her birthday is on Saturday. "rolls eyes" We were left scrambling to find a nice restaurant that would accommodate a party of 20 at 7:30 on a Saturday night. What a horrible experience. Disastrous. That woman's way of handling HER mistake was disgraceful. Suffice to say...we will never go back there. If thats the way the place is ran...then I wish them luck on making it.

    (1)

  • Steven O.

    Love the food the place is cute. And they serve lunch all day.

    (5)

  • Athena L.

    Lunch is very busy in this small wonderful cafe. Did lunch about 4 or 5 times and dinner once. Recommended: mushroom shrimp risotto with asparagus salmon gravlax plate Onion soup (great once and watery another time) Dinner is much more relaxed and quieter. Our waiter was very attentive and accomodating. I had Osso Bucco which was pretty good, but not the best I've had. The desserts are good but not memorable. Their presentation of the dishes are lovely. I appreciate the thoughfulness in making each dish special. Overall, I always came away very pleased with the whole experience, from the ample easy validated parking to the excellent value of their product. Not to be missed is their coffee. It is sublime. I only order the americano but it is soooo good! The waiter said it is just regular grade coffee but they imported a fancy coffee machine from Europe to extract it. I always recommend it to friends.

    (4)

  • Frank B.

    Had a fantastic lunch at Tango Contemporary Cafe. This place is a hidden gem! Great food, service, and the coffee is superb. I had the Grilled Mahi-Mahi Sandwich and my lunch companion the grilled steak. Both were fantastic. Save room for dessert -- the creme brulee and the vanilla bean ice cream are both superb. Highly recommended!!

    (5)

  • Jae P.

    Went there with my girlfriend and her extended family a couple hours after I ran the Honolulu Marathon, so I'm not sure if my review is tainted with the extreme pain and fatigue I was feeling in every nook of my body. So dear readers, please take this review with a grain of salt. Speaking of salt, this restaurant had the coolest salt shaker/black pepper grinder I've ever seen. Unfortunately, that was all about all the kudos this place should get. Our meal was very lackluster. I had the crispy duck breast, which was neither crispy or a breast (my girlfriend's cousin commented that if this was a breast, it probably came from an A-Cup...a sentiment I can wholeheartedly agree with). I was served a whole 5 whopping pieces, along with a small serving of mashed potatoes and vegetables. While the presentation was beautiful, I found it rather dubious that this meal would fill me up (kind of reminded me of all those commercials where they showcase an expensive restaurant and the people get these super small portions). The duck meat (?) was tender, but lacked any discernible taste. The accompanying sauce was okay, but it also lacked anything that made my taste buds go "wow!" For $19.50, I would think the portions could be bigger and the food tastier. Remember that cool salt shaker thing I talked about earlier? I had to use a helping of that to get my meal to a point where my tongue would accept it. My girlfriend had the shrimp pasta. It looked okay, but her shrimp were rather puny. She seemed to enjoy it, but I can't comment on the taste since I declined a sample based on my experience with their duck breast. Maybe I should have gotten the moi. It also took a long while for us to be served. I'm not sure what the problem was since tables that had been seated way after us were being served their entrees before us. About the only positive at this restaurant was the french onion soup. I've tasted better, but the one here was pretty good. Nice thick broth, and tasty cheese. Unfortunately, that's not going to be enough to convince me to come back for more. You can do better with your money (especially in the economy that we're in).

    (2)

  • Sean S.

    Went to Tango for breakfast and really enjoyed it. Tango is a small restaurant with a metro feel to it. Breakfast menu is not overbearing. Staff is very friendly and parking was not a problem. If you have trouble finding Tango, it's near Ward Center next to the PF Chang's. I highly recommend local's and visitors to check Tango's. I would definitely like to try their lunch and dinner menu's.

    (4)

  • Jenn W.

    Very trendy cafe in a great location. Parking is awesome because you can park at the Hokua and get validation. Tables are really close together though which can be a little annoying (depending on who you sit by). Menu is quite limited so there aren't too many choices. I went with the braised beef and french onion soup. The beef was very tender but I wasn't a huge fan of the sauce which tasted like five spice. The mashed potatoes also tasted like it was instant. The soup was excellent though and I'll be back just to eat that.

    (3)

  • l c.

    we had a wonderful experience recently at tango for breakfast. arrived around 930AM on a midweek day. the restaurant was about 1/2 full. we were immediately greeted and sat at a nice table where we could enjoy the lovely atmosphere and calming decor. we had coffee and a latte. both were hot, freshly made and very flavorful. one of us had the pancakes with berries and the other the eggs benedict with a very fresh crab cake. we split both which were accompanied by fresh fruit and flowers. the service was great and the food oh, so tasty. not sure what happened to those with poor reviews as this was not our experience at all. this place is a breath of fresh air with an innovative menu. highly reccommend.

    (5)

  • Denise K.

    Tango is kind of randomly located, in a building between Ala Moana mall and Ward Centers. There's free, validated parking in the parking garage behind the restaurant. You walk in and the decor is bright, white and modern. We arrived at noon and the place was packed. Every single table was taken. The menu is pretty straightforward with basic American fare. My girlfriend ordered the hamakua mushroom risotto with grilled shrimp and it was tasty. I ordered a bowl of tomato bisque soup and it was hearty. It had small chunks of tomato in it, which I enjoyed. I ordered the Wednesday daily special: shrimp and scallops in lobster cream sauce over brown rice. My dish was pretty good. The seafood was cooked perfectly but for $15 I only got 3 shrimp and 3 thinly cut scallops and a big heap of brown rice. I wish there was less rice, more seafood, and more cream sauce. We shared the creme brulee and we left satisfied with our meals. The servers need to step up their game. An ice tea was forgotten about. Food was dropped off at the table and our server never came back to check on us. By the time he came back to our table, he was ready to drop off a dessert menu. Boo! Not sure I'll ever revisit tango but I guess you have to try everything once.

    (3)

  • Guy A.

    Not sure what the problem with the manager is but he makes people wait even when there are open tables. Cobb salad was good but the dressing was watery. Wait staff was excellent though!

    (3)

  • Jane U.

    I finally joined Yelp so I can do a review of one of my most favorite place to eat. I've taken many people from out of state to Tango and they absolutely love the food. Their brunch is wonderful. My most favorite brunch choice is the Seafood Crepe. The stock that they use to create this dish is so tasty! Their Crab Benedict is awesome and their Loco moco is magical. For lunch, I love the Hamakua mushroom risotto. Also, their seafood stew is absolutely fabulous! My favorite dessert is the Affogato di Gelato. This dessert consists of 3 scoops of vanilla bean ice cream within a champagne glass. The wait staff pours hot Expresso over the ice cream. It is soooo good. For dinner, make sure to try the tasting menu. It is a fabulous deal for the price. All the choices in the chef's menu is fabulous. But wait, at the end of the chef's menu is one of the best desserts you will ever have...it is a dessert sampler! You get to taste the best of the best desserts and the sampler has generous servings of each dessert. The service is consistently excellent. I totally recommend this place to everyone. I guarantee that you will absolutely agree that this place is one of the best restaurants on Oahu.

    (5)

  • Norma M.

    I love this place and whenever I am visiting from the mainland, I have to have a meal there. You can't go wrong with anything you pick from the menu. The chef's choice for dinner is reasonable and generous portions.

    (5)

  • Nicole K.

    Tango is a cute little restaurant tucked away near Nordstrom Rack and Panya (formerly P.F. Chang's). Parking is located in the building (with validation) or you can just park in the Nordstrom Rack/TJ Maxx lot and cross the street. The restaurant is a bit small, so reservations will ensure you get a table. Tango is known for incorporating fresh and local ingredients into their menu. Their Hamakua Mushroom Risotto gets rave reviews - and for good reason! It is so good! On a recent dinner with friends, over half the table ordered it. I was about to be the 6th or 7th person to get it, but the waiter recommended I try the Hawaiian Kiawe Smoked Salt Crusted Salmon. It was absolutely delicious. I'm not sure if it was better than the risotto, but it was a good change of pace and assurance that their entire menu has star quality! They can accommodate large parties (our dinner party was about 12 people), but I recommend this place for more intimate gatherings as well. Candles, wine, and good food? Perfect date location!

    (4)

  • Arlene P.

    Pricey! But nice atmosphere for a mall location. I am thankful to them that although they were pretty busy for dinner time and pretty fancy shmancy, they still allowed us to just relax with some tea and didn't treat us any differently. THAT wins my respect. Thank you!

    (5)

  • Jason H.

    CONVO @ TANGO Friend: Do you want to share something? Me: Uhhh........no. Everything is too good. Why would I wanna do that? Friend: You're so right. What the hell am I thinking??? This is why we're friends. You know what's best. Me: True dat. I came here for brunch with my friend and we loved it! I ordered the Cobb Salad and it was just PERFECT. I'll definitely order it again when I come on my next visit. I have been to Tango a few times and it's definitely my go-to spot for brunch on a lazy Sunday morning. Breakfast is only served until 10:30 and lunch officially starts at 11:00. I can never wake up early enough for breakfast, but the lunch menu is very good that I don't even care! It's a Win-Win situation!

    (5)

  • Rod U.

    Note: Lunch and dinner review only. The embodiment of a good European café. Unpretentious, reasonably priced, simple, inspired, tasty food. All that's missing is the packed sidewalk seating to people watch. Scandinavian chef equals delicious gravlax (cured salmon). Soft, melting fat, moist, no sinew. Gentle like cold smoked salmon without the bitter, smoky edge. As an open face sandwich (layers over thin slice tomato, cucumber and hard boiled eggs with springs of fresh dill and a garlic boursin spread) or as a starter with potato salad, crispy salmon skin, and a dill, mustard sauce; simply put sublime. For lunch, an excellent, albeit small, grilled mahi sandwich or locally reared, grass fed beef burger. A bizarre carrot, raisin, orange juice slaw accompanies every sandwich and somehow works to brighten each bite. Dinner screams Euro café. For starters, a perfectly grilled Hamakua king oyster mushrooms sautéed in garlic and herbs and served with giant "croutons" or a crostini topped with garlicky mushrooms and tender escargot Win and win.. Top mains include a duo of duck (juicy smoked breast cooked medium, drizzled with poha berry demi then a confit leg finished crisp atop grilled polenta and baked cauliflower). Sides bring out the mineral flavors of the smoked duck, the confit adds richness and depth. Just a great way to enjoy a duck. The langoustines, smoked trout roe, barely warned fresh tomatoes all atop a fettuccini in light cream sauce. The langoustines are consistently overcooked but the flavors of the dish harmonize so well, it's easy to overlook. Very consistent. Sensible portions. Well practiced. efficient service. Weak wine list. Fair prices. . Solid without being gimmicky.

    (4)

  • Julia D.

    The food is healthy and delicious. The atmosphere's clean and chic. I forgot my waiters name, but they were all friendly. The caramelized onion soup is delish and cheesy. Melts in your mouth

    (5)

  • Jenni M.

    I don't like to give 3 stars because the ambience is great, people were nice, but the food was disappointing. I ordered the gravlax and didn't get what I ordered, took a while to flag someone down, so decided to just eat it because hunger won. There was no flavor in my meal, put salt and Tabasco to give it something. Also, when I wanted to possibly try some pancakes, they told me the kitchen was closed. Usually waiters will inform you before they close the kitchen which didn't happen. Like previously stated the ambience is nice and so are the people but the food and price doesn't call me back.

    (3)

  • K T.

    Three years after writing my first review about Tango, it's still my go-to place. Love it!!

    (5)

  • Al D.

    Nice for lunch but definitely make reservations. I like the risotto. The flavor of their dishes are good and the space is cute but there's little privacy. Parking is validated. I would still return.

    (3)

  • Lily B.

    On some evenings, the BF and I are in an adventurous mood and we just wanna eat somewhere we've never been to. Insert the wonderful Yelp app! We wanted to go to D&B's for some drinks and games after dinner, so we thought we'd give Tango a try. I like that they have their own parking garage (free!). It's right behind the restaurant and there was ample parking for our 5PM dinner. I called ahead to make reservations just in case, since we didn't know how busy they would be. When we arrived there were 2 other couples already enjoying dinner. The restaurant is pretty small but it's very cute/cozy/fancy. Weird but I don't know how to sum it up exactly. I liked the interior let's just say. It was also very clean. We were greeted and seated right away. Service from start to finish was efficient and very friendly! Onto the food. We were started with complimentary bread and butter. yelp.com/user_local_phot… For an appetizer, we ordered seared scallops with wilted spinach. $13.50. The scallops were cooked perfectly and the dish was delicious! I'm not a fan of spinach, but I ate everything! yelp.com/user_local_phot… We also got a classic caesar salad. $11.00 The salad was okay. It could've used a bit more dressing. It wasn't anything out of this world. In retrospect, we should've ordered another scallop appetizer instead of the salad! yelp.com/user_local_phot… For entrees, I ordered the hamakua mushroom risotto with garlic shrimp. $20.50. I'm really not a food connoisseur, and I'll be honest, I've never made risotto myself before, but I ate everything in front of me! The shrimp was delicious and my BF ate the asparagus. The risotto was pretty thick but I was hungry and I will say it tasted good! yelp.com/user_local_phot… My BF ordered the smoked duck breast and duck leg confit. $23. He at emost of it. He usually eats his duck fully cooked and from Chinese restaurants (lol) and this was something different for him. He enjoyed it. The dish was very pretty! yelp.com/user_local_phot… For dessert, we ordered the kona coffee ice cream cake. I think it was $6? It was very good. The ice cream was pretty soft by the time we got it but it was still good. Overall, a reasonably priced and tasty dinner. We're glad we gave Tango a try. Would we go back? Sure would. It seems the reviews rave about breakfast, so we'll have to try that out one day. We'd go back for lunch or dinner though and try something different.

    (4)

  • Ranier A.

    This place gets overlooked sometimes because it seemed like a drag to find parking there(pre-parking structure days). I must admit, if it hadn't been for the development of TJ Maxx, having Stussy nearby (S/O to Zen) or the relocation of Nordstrom Rack, I wouldn't have brought my girlfriend here to check it out. I think there might be some parking/valet at the restaurant, but because I am satisfied with the walk from Nordstrom Rack, it doesn't bother me to confirm it. Anyway, when you get to this place, you could see why the chicks love this place. So for all you guys out there, put this place as a good go-to spot in your rotation when it comes to bringing your significant other or a first date. Here's the reason: it looks like spot where an Asian Laguna Beach show would shoot at. All girls would want that Lauren-nesque scene where you sit at a fancy/boutique-y spot and talk with their boyfriend or girl buddy about life. Environment/Feel A white setting with subtle decorations that definitely lives up to the "contemporary" feel. Dudes should know that if a restaurant has "contemporary" in their name, take your chick there. Place is clean. They only take reservations when you have 6+ in your party. If not, walk-ins is what you do and the wait isn't that bad anyway. Staff/Service Staff was professional, courteous, informative, never in a rush, and respectful. So no complaints there. Food I ate here two times and both times were for breakfast so my go-to dish for any morning spot is the eggs benedict. I've tried the Salmon Benedict, Crab Hash Benedict, and the Loco Moco Benedict. You can't go wrong on these three, but the cool thing about Tango is that you can go halfsies on a benny so that you don't get bored. So if you're thinking about the Salmon (smoky/salty flavor), then go with the Crab Hash to switch it up on your taste buds. The Loco Moco has a braised beef with a subtle glaze of gravy on top of the fried rice. The gravy amount is just enough so that it doesn't flood the rice. That's the egg yolk's job to flood the rice btw. Crabhash has a good amount of crabmeat so that you can taste the creature. I've also tried the Shredded Duck Confit Hash which is good and filling, but I'd put bennys first on my priority list. It has pieces of duck (can't go wrong with duck meat) and potatoes with a sunny side up egg on top. The benedicts come with potatoes and some slices of fruit. But don't expect to get your fill from one plate. The portions are not small, but adequate enough so that you don't get super full. Unless you order sides, which isn't a bad thing either. Final word There's free wi-fi here, so it's a great spot to bring your tablet. So if you're staggin' it, you have a good reason to look "occupied" lol. So with the setting, the staff, free wi-fi and a benedict plate for $10-11, it's good. The experience and a social media pic of the food as a souvenir is well worth it. Bring someone here if you want to have a good conversation and eat. But if that person you bring doesn't carry a conversation well, the setting and food will help compensate for that. Again, there's free wi-fi anyway haha.

    (4)

  • Sarah A.

    I've enjoyed coming to Tango for several years. The food is always tasty, the service is friendly and efficient, and the atmosphere is comfortable and clean. My favorites here are the Sea Bass (that used to be Moi back in the day), Tenderloin, and Salmon dishes. The desserts here are also very tasty, including the Warm Brownie dessert...winners! You are able to enjoy quality food without burning a hole in your pocket. While I've only been here for dinner, Tango is also open for breakfast and lunch, which makes it a great place for business or pleasure. I like to take out-of-town visitors here because it is close to Waikiki (without being in Waikiki). Now that PF Changs is closed (the Waikiki branch is still open), there is usually plenty of validated guest parking available at Hokua, which makes this place even more of a plus!

    (5)

  • Lup Wah M.

    First time eating here since it was suggested to us from a customer. Very modern decor. The food and service was ok. However I have to say two thumbs up for accommodating my picky son. Other than that it was an ok experience as so was the food.

    (3)

  • Laura-ashley E.

    Awesome food. Awesome atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Dons A.

    5 stars Parking is available in their lot with validation. Regulars park in front. More parking available at the garage connected to the Rack, etc. 3 stars One restroom with a toilet available for women. Average. Clean. One for men. No experience so no review comment. 4 stars Food is good. Across the board for BLD. My go to is affogato, cappuccino, salmon salad or roasted beet, risotto, grav lax, muesli, curry ok...I have been here many times. Let's say it is all good. It may get mundane if you dine here regularly. Greens may be slimy (couple pieces). Other than that, consistent, delicious and quality dishes. 4 stars Service. We are all human. When it gets busy and they are full, Janine is consistent, efficient and attentive. No comment for other servers. They are good when not in the weeds. No smile from the hostess. 3 stars Atmosphere is pleasant. Not for an intimate meal or romance as it is close seating and it gets loud when the place is full. Also, not for an hour long meal unless you beat the rush here. In a hurry? I order my drink & dessert. I enjoy it there. Then, I take my appetizer and entrée to go (1 hour during the rush). Many relaxing, long meals here if you miss the crowd. Only 1 refill on coffee. Remember to sit in Janine's section. She works M -F days and nights.

    (4)

  • Michelle T.

    My friend brought me here for brunch and I decided I would order one of the Eggs Benedict dishes. The dish comes with 2 and my friend let me know that you can order 2 different ones. What?!?! I can try 2 different Eggs Benedicts?? Yes you can!! So I ordered the Crab Hash Benedict and the Salmon Benedict. Both yummy. I saw many other items on the menu I want to come back and try.

    (4)

  • Rhea Cherie B.

    Tango is a teeny tiny café with nice, modern décor and a slightly upscale atmosphere. The night we went for dinner, their patrons were mostly business professionals as I recognized a few familiar faces. The norm was business casual attire (un-tucked Aloha shirts with jeans or Dockers-type shorts and women wore casual dresses with flats or even fancy slippers). An employee greeted us as we walked in and asked if we had reservations. We replied "No" and she had this look on her face like "Oh. Why not?" Understandably so, like I mentioned, this café is really tiny and you can see the entire restaurant from the entrance and the bar only consists of 4, maybe 5 stools. However, I docked the customer service points because of the facial expression she made when she discovered we didn't have reservations. C'mon, where's your customer service face? Reluctantly, she seated us at the only open table they had. The size of the restaurant turned out to be a problem for us because since the place is so small, all of the tables are so close to each other. During the entire course of our dinner, we had to listen to everyone else's conversations. We could literally make out the conversations on the 3 tables surrounding our table. Tip: If you're looking for more of a private dinner setting, you may want to skip Tango. Our server wasn't very friendly, in fact-I can't even recall him smiling at us once. He was more of a cut-to-the-chase type of guy when he was at our table. Don't get me wrong, he was pretty attentive and made sure to check on us and constantly refilled my water (I drink A LOT of water) but he didn't go the extra mile like I noticed he did with the table next to us. He chatted it up with them and was smiling and laughing and offered other wines-which they agreed to try. I'm pretty sure that had a lot to do with the fact that they were ordering wine by the bottle. I guess our bottles of Heineken and flights of Sake weren't good enough for him to go the extra mile. Possibly, maybe? I don't mean to be cynical but we all know the reality of money talking. Our food came out pretty quickly and they timed it pretty well that by the time we were done with appetizers, our main courses arrived shortly after. The same went for dessert-it arrived not too long after I was done eating my main course(s). The reason I say courses is because I ordered the Tasting Menu A: Sweedish Gravlax with Crispy Skin (Salmon) Potato Salad, Mustard Dill Sauce 2/5: The salmon was really fresh but the dish was extremely salty, even for me who craves salty food. Gravlax is normally salty but this one was way over the top salty. The potato salad complemented the dish really well and helped to mute the saltiness but overall, it was hard to enjoy the salmon and the skin when they were overly-salty. Hamakua Mushroom Risotto Garlic Shrimp, Sauteed Asparagus 4/5: This is the risotto that everyone must have been raving about. It was delicious and the texture of the risotto was nice and creamy. Asian Style Five Spice Braised Beef Mashed Potato, Chili Fried Onion Rings 5/5: The beef was really tender and flavored really well. It was the "fall of the bone" type of tender. The beef was also really fatty which is probably another reason why it tasted so amazing. Tip: if you're looking for a dinner with lean meat, skip the beef dish. Dessert Trio Crème Brulee, warm brownie with raspberry sauce and Kona coffee ice cream 3/5: The ice cream was nothing out of the ordinary and the crème brulee wasn't as flavorful as I hoped it would be but the brownie was delicious-it was warm, moist and tasted like it was freshly baked. I would return to Tango strictly for the food but I would like to give breakfast and lunch a try next time. Hopefully we get better service when we return. I agree with a lot of the previous reviews on Tango-many were disappointed because the reviews were so good. I would definitely have enjoyed the restaurant better if the customer service was better. Maybe I'm such a stickler because I'm used to receiving great customer service at places that don't cost as much but mmmeh...it is what it is. I'm torn-food was great but customer service was so-so. I expect a higher caliber of customer service when I pay a little more for food. Don't you? FOOD: A CUSTOMER SERVICE: C

    (3)

  • T M.

    Still great food. Same menu. Must eat place for us when in Honolulu.

    (4)

  • Suzanne T.

    I SO wanted to love this place! I go to Hokua a lot for work and the smells wafting into the parking lot from Tango are delicious. Plus several of my coworkers go here regularly (it's within walking distance of our office) and rave about it. The first time I ordered salmon on a bed of greens. The flavor of the salmon wasn't good. Not like it was spoiled or anything, but not delicious by any stretch. The salad was okay, but contained some bitter greens, which I really dislike. It was lunchtime and the restaurant was crowded, so service was a little slow, but reasonable. The second time I tried the onion soup and a small house salad. Both were good, but not memorable. (Side note: I loooove a good cheesy french onion soup! My favorite was the one at TGI Friday's - I know, it was a corny chain, but I liked it!) Again, this was lunchtime, but earlier, around 11am, so not crowded, and the service was still pretty slow.

    (2)

  • Vivienne K.

    Decent Scandinavian-New American fusion breakfast cuisine. The chef seems to use quality ingredients. a bit on the pricey side.

    (3)

  • Jen N.

    Perfect lunch spot to meet a friend, client, or date. Ceiling to floor windows allow you to enjoy a day of beautiful Hawaiian weather in the comfort of air-conditioning. I intentionally went on a Friday so I could try their Dungenous Crab Cake Sandwich, and was not disappointed. There was no skimping on the crab and no filler in the crab cakes (thank the crab cake gods!). Avocado and butter lettuce kept the sandwich creamy but fresh, and a russian dressing was thoughtfully served on the side so that the customer could flavor according to preference. I chose a mixed green salad, which was surprisingly generous in size. Although the sandwich was described as having a "nori bun," don't expect anything exciting. The bun was a normal toasted soft bun with what looked like a small sprinkle of furikake on the top. It was yummy, but nothing new.

    (4)

  • Jason D.

    This restaurant was on my to go to list for a long long time. Now that I've been here, I would say that I would return. Came here on a Sunday afternoon for lunch. They weren't that busy, which is good because this place is small! I always thought this place sat more people, but maybe I'm just getting confused with the huge P.F. Chang's next door. Wanted to try something different, I ordered the gravlax sandwich, per the menu, described as Boursin Cheese Spread, Egg, Tomato and Cucumber and Mustard Dill Sauce. It didn't say and the server didn't describe that there was raw salmon on this open-faced sandwich, so thank goodness I like salmon. And you know what, it tasted really good! The sandwich tasted fresh and was light yet filling at the same time. For that reason, I was able to get dessert! The blueberry bread pudding was perfectly sized for my friend and I to share, and it was the perfect balance of richness and sweetness.

    (4)

  • Linda K.

    One early morning while looking for a place to eat breakfast Tango Cafe came in to the conversation and minutes after we were standing outside about to walk in. I knew that they had some Swedish items on their menu so I was very excited to try those, mainly because I need to try anything Swedish .. and knowing that the owner and chef is swedish/finish .. well .. another reason trying everything Swedish. The place quickly filled up (surprised at how many go here for breakfast), the food came out quickly and was like expected very good! I really don't have anything negative to say about Tango ... not a single word. Try their swedish pancakes (they are awesome) and their little danish things . nom nom nom ...

    (4)

  • Brandy W.

    What a great find in the Ward area! This cafe has taken the place of PF Chang's. I'm sad the only PF is now in Waikiki. This makes sense, but this one was definitely the PF for the locals. Anyways, I digress. This place is small, and it seems recommended to make reservations. There are maybe 15 tables in the entire space. We came by around 5:15 on a Saturday without issue. The service was impeccable by a lovely pregnant lady. i didn't catch her name. I ordered the catch of the day, a sautee'd monchong with mashed potatoes and summer vegetables. I added on the soup of the day, egg drop, and the sorbet. Luckily, you have an option of the sorbet or gelato, although this is not mentioned in the menu. I thought my dish was a little bland. The demographic of the restaurant seemed to be older, and this could possibly explain the lack of flavor in the dish. The egg drop soup was ordinary but of high quality. However I keep this review fairly high because of my husband's dish. He ordered the braised beef. The beef melted in your mouth with seasoning. I was very jealous of his dish. I believed my egg drop soup was better than his french onion soup. The desserts were delicious. The chocolate gelato was rich and creamy, while my husband's kona coffee cake was full of flavor and full of brain freeze :) The decor was Eastern mixed with mid century modern. It was tastefully decorated as a beautiful date place. Ordering the special of the day is always a risk. However, I hope I just caught them on an off day. Park next door at TJ Maxx, not in the building for free parking.

    (4)

  • Jason C.

    I'm surprised that I can now write a 5 star review when early last year I gave Tango a very disappointing 3 stars for lunch. A friend invited me to breakfast so we could have a nice (and candid) conversation away from the office. Because of the recommendation of my friend and our server, I chose the "Loco Moco" Eggs Benedict. It was excellent, easily winning a spot on my cravable list! This upscale hybrid breakfast is two elegant towers of fork tender braised beef on top of fried rice, then topped with a poached egg and a judicious amount of Hollandaise sauce. The serving size was perfect; I wasn't rolling out the door and didn't feel like I needed a nap. To elevate meal even further, the coffee is exceptional. I'm sure they brew very small batches, because even the refills have a have a great crema, and that's not something you can get with a glass globe coffee pot! Our service was very warm, friendly and helpful. I enthusiastically give Tango high marks for an outstanding breakfast!

    (5)

  • Lorilynn L.

    Food was pretty good, service not so much. The coffee was EXCELLENT! Our waiter was a really nice guy; however, the other guy was a little on the grumpy side, irritated with our stroller...hmmm. the food was ok, most of it on the healthyside, which is good, yet some of the flavor seemed a bit skimped. I would try it again tho, it has potential, its cute, its small, the atmosphere overall was pleasing.

    (3)

  • Bruce T.

    The food is very good and the service excellent. I have come to Tango a few times now and event visit has been amazing. There is a pretty good wine selection here also. This is deifying a place I recommend and would never turn down a visit to.

    (4)

  • jen K.

    I can't complain what I had here today. I ordered the shrimp risotto and the shrimp was perfectly juicy and asparagus was nicely seasoned. The best part about this dish was the risotto. It was nice and creamy and had a good texture. It even had mushrooms cooked in there which is a bonus. My bf had this dish with potatoes and onions with egg on top. It tasted kinda salty but was still good. Bf's friend ordered the steak but he didn't seem to enjoy as much as we did. So I guess don't order the steak? It looked pretty dry. Overall, the service was efficient and we were sat right away. What a perfect lunch place in ward area!

    (5)

  • Vince L.

    I couldn't really tell who the intended audience is for the restaurant. It's right in the Ward center and was not busy at all on a weekend afternoon. At first thought, I guessed it serviced mainly the office lunch crowd. However, there are signs about evening events and all. Oh well. So I looked through the menu, and the lemongrass chicken on flatbread sounded interesting. And I have to say that it beat my expectations. It's fusion-y, but the chicken was flavorful and tender. You order at the counter and they bring it to your table. It's not intended to be full-service, but the staff was super friendly and helpful. Throughout my meal, I kept thinking that the food would be tastier if the cafe were more crowded. I would come back again.

    (3)

  • Kim M.

    THE EARLY BIRD The early bird catches the Tango breakfast worm. And I am the bird. Breakfast is served only from 7AM-10AM, but that's a large enough window for me! I will gladly wake up at the crack of dawn, fight through annoying morning traffic, and run yellow-red traffic lights to make it to breakfast at Tango! 5 KINDS OF BENEDICT Naturally, the first thing I noticed on the menu was the tempting Benedict assortment: - Crab Hash Benedict - Smoked Salmon or Gravlax Benedict - Traditional Eggs Benedict (Two Eggs, Canadian Bacon, English Muffin, & Hollandaise) - "Loco Moco" Eggs Benedict (Two Eggs, Tender Braised Beef on Fried Rice, topped w/ Hollandaise) - Eggs Florentine (Two Eggs & Fresh Sautéed Spinach topped w/ Hollandaise, on English Muffin halves. SHARING REALLY IS CARING Such a beautiful selection, so it was hard to just go with the Traditional. (For my first order of Eggs Benedict at a restaurant, I usually go with the "traditional" to set the benchmark for all future Benedict styles to be had there. And also as a measure against other "traditional" Benedict I've tried elsewhere.) Me and my breakfast date (Grandpa) both shared the Traditional Eggs Benedict (2 Benedict) + the Eggs Florentine (2 Benedict), and each ended up with one of each type on our plates. Sharing really is caring! TRADITIONAL EGGS BENEDICT The Traditional Benedict was delicious. yelp.com/biz_photos/vR53… The Hollandaise was lighter than I'm used to, but I still enjoyed it like I would any other Benedict. The Canadian Bacon wasn't thick or anything, but it was flavorful. And just like everything else, the English Muffin was also high in flavor. There wasn't any one element that really overpowered the Benedict, which was good... All the ingredients were perfectly portioned and worked well together. EGGS FLORENTINE Eggs Florentine, IMO, has a tendency of being either too buttery or too mushy, or something. However, I did not run into any issues with Tango's Eggs Florentine. The spinach was delicately sautéed; the Hollandaise was light, but tasty; the poached eggs were flawless; and the English Muffin added a nice layer of texture and flavor to the dish. A well put-together Florentine! yelp.com/biz_photos/vR53… **Add tomato to the Eggs Florentine for only $.50 more. CONFIT DUCK HASH The Confit Duck Hash breakfast dish sounded amazing on the menu, but we had already settled our Benedict dilemma . . . We weren't super set on overstuffing ourselves, so I asked our server to check on whether or not the Confit Duck Hash could be ordered as a side dish. As it turned out, according to our server, it really wasn't a problem at all. SO, we were able to enjoy the Confit Duck Hash with onion and potato as a side dish for only $4!!! SUPER STELLAR DEAL! This is what you call having our cake and eating it too! Or better yet, having our Benedict and eating our Confit Duck Hash, too! And it was freaking tasty as heck. yelp.com/biz_photos/vR53… VERDICT I am a fan of the delicious and affordable breakfast at Tango. For the two of us, Grandpa and I, the bill came out to $24 including tax. That was for the 2 orders of Benedict (Traditional and Florentine) and the side of Duck Hash! They really upped the ante on my favorite meal of the day. And even though Tango's breakfast menu isn't the most extensive, it doesn't need to be; what they have is perfect. ;) Besides, all I really need in life are Eggs Benedict and Confit Duck Hash. Free parking with validation. Yelp 365 - #277/365

    (5)

  • Brandon S.

    I'll be very honest. If you're in a rush you shouldn't eat here. If you have little kids with you, don't eat here either. The food here is very good but the wait to get your food is almost unacceptable. The other night we had a 6:30pm reservation and didn't get out of the restaurant until 9pm. 2-1/2 hours for dinner. So like I said, if you're in a rush, don't bother coming here. But if you're alright with the wait, like if you're on a first date or just feel like hanging out then you've found the right place. My party showed up and had some garlic butter clams and crab cakes for appetizers, it's a good thing we did because about 30-45 minutes later did our main entrees come out. I'm happy that I didn't need to rush anywhere because every bite of my beef tenderloin was worth waiting for. I did however feel sorry for the party across from us b/c they did have kids and it looked like they canceled their order and walked out. Oh well. Anyway, if you have the chance after day of shopping at Ward Centers/TJ Maxx make sure you stop by Tango if you have some time to hang out. Good stuff.

    (3)

  • Christina S.

    I have mixed opinions about this place. I like it for breakfast but I don't like it for lunch. They say they serve brunch but it's really only breakfast. They don't serve between 10:00AM-11:00AM. Their breakfast food is good but I havent had it in a long time because I always seem to show up right after 10AM. The last time I had lunch I ordered the French onion soup and the garlic shrimp risotto. I was sadly disappointed. The soup was good but shrimp were bland, it seemed like they only seasoned them with a little bit of garlic salt and the risotto was even more bland (it didn't have any flavor at all). It looked pretty on the plate but that's about it. I probably won't be going back unless I get my butt out of bed earlier just to eat breakfast (not what I usually want to do on my day off).

    (1)

  • Lai T.

    What looked like no wait ended up being about a 10 min wait because we has a party of 3 instead of 2. But a couple other parties of 4 and 2 were seated before us. I'm sure there was a good reason for this, but I was slightly annoyed because I was starting to get hangry. Granted, 3 different waiters asked us how many we're in our party. The nicest one being a waitress who informed is she was waiting for her table to pay. When we were finally seated, I was pleased to find that our waitress was amicable and knew the menu well. I ordered a Thai Coffee and the Gravlax Eggs Benedict (adding spinach and tomato, as suggested by our server) along with a side of the Duck Confit Hash. My bf tried a vanilla coffee drink (forgot the name) and the Swedish pancakes. Honestly, the Thai Coffee tasted like watered down condensed milk to me. I asked for extra condensed milk to be added so then it just tasted like warm condensed milk. I didn't taste anything Thai about it...next time I am going to stick with a more traditional coffee drink. I really enjoyed my entree. It was funny because they initially forgot to put the smoked salmon on my Eggs Benedict (it just came with spinach and tomato), but the server caught the error as soon as my plate was put down and she had it remedied right away. It was worth it to add the spinach and tomato (I think it was an additional $1 something). I really liked the potatoes which accompanied my eggs benedict. The Duck Confit Hash was also very good! I also had a small bite of the Swedish Pancakes, but was not too impressed. The dainty pancakes are not for those looking for a hearty dish. I will say this though, the fruit topping on the pancakes was pretty good and my bf really enjoyed his meal. If you like crepes, you will probably love these pancakes. As we were leaving, there were a couple of parties waiting to be seated. They do get busy on Sundays so if you want breakfast, plan on arriving around or before 9 AM because breakfast ends at 10 AM. Would I come back to Tango? Most definitely. I'm curious to try the non-breakfast items.

    (4)

  • Amy G.

    hmm, I should have read Emi's review before coming here. Came here for breakfast with fellow yelpers Milly C., Jordan C, and Alen N. I had the loco moco benedict while Milly and Jordan had the crab benedicts. Alen had the regular benedict. anyways, they were all very good. we were very happy with what we ordered. Although the portions looked small, they definitely filled me up till dinner. The loco moco came with fried rice and braised beef (very different from your normal beef patty) with eggs and the hollandaise sauce. I think they did a good job on taking a local favorite and turning it into something a little more upscale and different (something i would recommend trying at least once if you do go there for breakfast) I do wish we got the swedish pancakes, but our server described them as very light and unfilling, and since we were all hungry, no one wanted to order that. I will def try that the next time i go back for breakfast. parking is in the hokua tower and its free with vailidation. The only downside to breakfast here is that it ends at 10. I know they were turning away a few people who came in after. Also, since the place is small, do expect a wait.

    (4)

  • Kate P.

    Came here on for brunch on a recomendation. It was...OK. We tried the Traditional and Crab Benedicts. The Crab one was pretty dry, it needed a sauce or at least a runny egg... I love runny eggs! I couldn't finish it, it was just so dry. It was pretty plain, atmosphere wise, and pretty loud as the tables were very close together. The coffee was excellent, however.

    (3)

  • Aryn m.

    Had breakfast here and the corned beef hash and eggs Benedict were delicious. I saw a braised beef loco moco go by on a nice mound of fried rice that I think I will try next time.

    (5)

  • Coreen L.

    I love coming to Tango! Tucked away from the malls, this place has a calm and contemporary vibe. Their staff are always very nice and attentive, and they know their stuff! I would recommend you make a reservation though, sometimes Tango is very busy. My favorite here, I would have to say is the risotto with grilled shrimp, which I've had a couple times and has been consistently perfect. I also enjoyed their burger at lunch, just the right seasoning and a small portion of fries, which was just right.. Nice wine selection as well! Parking is super easy there at Hokua, again a great option when you want a nice meal away from the malls.

    (4)

  • Lora H.

    Finally tried brunch here! Such a cute place. They only take reservations for parties of 6 or more so I would recommend going early! The wait wasn't too long though. Prices are good, the brunch selections were really good - a nice mix of breakfast items and lunch items. I had the frittata. That was pretty good, but the portion size was fairly small. We also split the Swedish pancakes. Never had Swedish pancakes before. It was okay... nothing spectacular, but appearance wise, they were cute. Tiny dollar sized pancakes. And we also split the crabs benedict. Pretty good.... bread was a little weird though. Their coffee was awesome. I think it is individually brewed cups so it was really good, fresh, clean coffee! Free parking in the structure, cute atmosphere, what's not to like!

    (4)

  • Caleb R.

    Came here on a recommendation from a friend. We looked up the menu online and were sold. Duck confit hash? Gravlax Benedict? Sign me up! Unfortunately the menu turned out to be much better in theory than in practice. I think this place has some sort of aversion to spice, as in they don't use any. Like at all. The duck confit was flavorless and dry. The crab cake Benedict was also extremely bland. How do you make a bland, salt-less hollandaise? I didn't even know it was possible but the chefs here seemed to have perfected it.

    (3)

  • Jody S.

    Let me see....this place confuses me,truly. It always gets really great reviews and I don't get it. To me it's just ok. And not an awesome okay but a, meh....ok, I guess. Why do I feel that way? First service is always slow. I mean really...does it take THAT long to make a Caesar salad and some sandwiches? PUULEASE! It's NOT that difficult. And I don't know how many times my glass remains empty of water and have to continue to ask to get it refilled. Very disappointing!

    (3)

  • Maria V.

    i really like the service in this place. i think its perfectly balanced between friendliness and professionalism. The food is good. and i love the deco inside the place. Plus, the parking is a definite plus. a little pricey at night but not really considering most places with that type of food. I'm a fan!

    (4)

  • Maka K.

    After seeing them featured in one edition of Dining Out from the Sunday paper a few weeks ago about how they serve good eggs benedict, my bf really wanted to try this place out for breakfast. We finally got the chance this past Saturday morning. They stop serving breakfast/brunch at 10:30am and start up lunch again at 11am. Parking is behind the restaurant in a garage that free for restaurant patrons, OR you can park in the huge parking garage adjacent to TJ Maxx and walk just across the street to the restaurant. I didn't realize that there was going to be such a wait for this place, but once I saw the physical size of the interior, I guess I wasn't really surprised. I read other Yelp reviews while we waited 30min outside on their provided benches (I should've taken a jacket, brr), decided what I was going to eat, and geared up for some semi-slow service (via the complaints of some yelpers). When we finally got called and seated, we were handed menus by the host and left to browse. That's where the service issues I have started. Our waiter came by a minute or so later, didn't greet us or give us his name (pointed out by my bf who normally doesn't care...so I knew something was up) and asked us if we wanted something to drink then disappeared apparently to bring us our requested waters. He brought the water maybe 5 minutes later? Somehow I feel like 5 minutes for just plain water isn't right...but I could excuse that as the place was full of diners. Thanks to my time with Yelp before being seated, we decided to order Gravlax Benedict ($10) and orange juice ($2.50 for an average glass) for my bf, and the "Plattar" Sweedish Pancakes (with fresh fruits & whipped cream) ($8.50) for me because it was a healthy option and sounded delicious. And then we waited...a long time...like I was expecting to, so I wasn't that surprised or phased by it. We weren't in a rush and I figured that if the food was good, it would be worth the wait. So no real strike against service from me here except that it meant having to listen to my bf complain about how "starving" he was. Food came and the waiter asked if we needed anything; bf asked for ketchup...ketchup that never came...and neither did a check up on our table or how the food was. Arg...but we were hungry and he didn't NEED the ketchup, so we ended up eating our meals despite the missing condiment. He'd never had gravlax before, so he thought it was a bit salty, but I thought it was fine and the potatoes that came as a side were delicious, well seasoned and tender. My swedish pancakes had such promise with all it's bright fresh fruits on it....and then I ate one...and another...and realized that they were all a bit burnt/charred and that i could taste it. Sad about that because it would have otherwise been a really good dish! I'm not one to send things back, but I almost did this time because the pancakes were the star of this dish and how were they gonna burn my pancakes?! But like my "starving" bf, I was too hungry after the long wait and didn't want to wait for more food so I just ate it all (attempting to cover up the burnt taste by using ALL the whipped cream that came with the dish). We finished eating, a busser took our empty plates, and without asking if we wanted anything else, our server just dropped the check off at the table and walked away...wait, what?! What if I wanted dessert or tea or something more? Anywho, we paid our bill, but I don't necessarily think the my food's quality, the long wait, or the service were worth what we paid. I'd be willing to go back and try it again, perhaps for a different meal of the day, but for the time being 2 stars. Would have been 3 if my pancakes weren't burnt, and 4 if the service was better.

    (2)

  • Emi H.

    I am a huge fan of breakfast at Tango! $10-$15 per person and very yummy. Order these three items: 1) Swedish pancakes 2) Gravlax eggs benedict 3) Coffee (It's the best in town! Swear on my dead goldfish!) If you order anything else, do not blame me for any of your misfortune. I just handed you the keys to my Universe. My favorite thing to enjoy at Tango is their TT (Third Tuesday) Wine Dinner. It's about $50 per person and includes four courses PLUS wine pairings! Often it's the best meal I'll have all month and the value is unbelievable. Each month they feature a different winery so it's always a new experience. One thing I would warn you about though is that it's really easy to stumble drunk out of Tango after this wine dinner. It's definitely something to be enjoyed with good friends who appreciate the finer things in life! Be sure to make reservations well ahead of time for either 5:30 pm or 8:00 pm as they often sell out on both seatings. I enjoy their homemade bread and have been known to ask the waiter to bring me back a second basket with butter. I admit that I am a carb whore. Don't judge. Yelp 365 Challenge: #137/365 (The Wine Dinner)

    (5)

  • Mikala L.

    Stood in doorway for 10 minutes. 3 waiters walked within 3 feet from me and manager saw me from kitchen and no one acknowledged or greeted us. Finally after 15 min standing plainly at the only entrance of their restaurant, I was grumpily greeted and informed that I need to sign in on the board - which was hidden in the plant and a pen was no where to be found. Hence, decided there are many other restaurants just in that area that train their staff better if they value their customers.

    (1)

  • Naz M.

    Husband and l got 2 sandwiches yesterday and paid $25 It's a clean little cafe&restaurant but very expensive. Sandwiches werent special, either. However, if you are a picky person and can't eat everywhere, this cafe is really clean

    (3)

  • Grace H.

    I am writing this review after eating here for breakfast and dinner. I'm a fan of both mealtimes! Let's start of with the most important meal of the day...breakfast! I came with my Yelptern brother Jace H. and my not-so-Yelper mother, who can be somewhat of a harsh critic, so I knew that Tango had to bring the goods. We ordered a round of coffee, which is made from an actual espresso maker! I was instantly impressed as I drink coffee like water and love a strong cup of joe. Our order consisted of the crab hash eggs benedict (mine), the country styled corn beef hash with scrambled eggs (brother's), and the buttermilk banana pancakes (mother's). We were all thoroughly impressed and even had leftovers to take home. I'll end my review with my favorite meal of the day...dinner! We started dinner off with the roasted garlic clams, which were almost forgettable but still good. The clams were on the smaller side and came with 2 or 3 baguettes that you can dip into the roasted garlic juiciness. My friend and I only realized that the food took a while because we started feeling not hungry anymore. So that's my one and only feedback about this place. But our main dishes: the mushroom risotto with garlic shrimp and the lobster fettucine were absolutely divine. I think my dish (the risotto) was definitely the better pick of the two. My friend who thinks he has an allergy to mushrooms was willing to risk his life and eat the risotto. He even said that the next time he goes there he's going to order the risotto, sans mushrooms of course! Tango, as I'm back in Seattle, I know I'll be having dreams of your amazing food tonight.

    (4)

  • Jennifer Y.

    Beautiful interior. Good place for lunch and groups up to ~6. Reservations are good to have. Club salad was good. The French onion soup looked yummy and so did the open faced salmon sandwich with the fancy name. The lattes weren't too fancy & no latte art, but hey, it's Honolulu/Kakaako, not the San Francisco Mission district. Would probably come back again knowing that it's a good lunch spot by the Ala Moana work area.

    (4)

  • Austin Y.

    Excellent service provided by Reuben. First time eating there and we didn't realize they closed in 5 min. He offered to reserve a table to sit down even with the limited time and never made us feel hurried. I tried the Hamakua Mushroom Frittata. Excellent dish. I would highly recommend trying it. I'm a big fan of customer service and it's been a long time since I've witnessed this level executed at this price point. Usually you have to pay top dollar for this type of dining experience.

    (5)

  • Alice C.

    Last night I was desperately in search for a cafe that served tea and coffee and was cozy so I was yelping around when I stumbled upon here. I used to work in the Ward complex and I used to go often to the cafe it was prior to becoming Tango contemporary cafe. Anywho I decided to meet there with my girlfriends and I was quite surprised by the selection they had. Its not big but they did offer some pretty good options. They have sandwich, some themed nights of foods like wednesday pasta nights, I think it was friday bbqs (or maybe thursday?) They had some bread, desserts (including macarons and fruit tarts) some salads, sandwiches, breakfast and of course tea and coffee! So I ordered a Chicken Pesto sandwich, you really can't go wrong with that. It was absolutely delicious. They gave the choice of greens or pasta salad, and I absolutely love my pasta salad so I chose that and it came in such a cute display. They have a wide selection of italian sodas, which I am also a huge fan of. I tried the toasted marshmallow flavored italian cream soda and you could DEFINITELY taste the toasted marshmallow. It was quite interesting. I think I prefer my usual vanilla cream soda. After my sandwich I ordered Macarons. My love for macarons increases everytime. I got my favorite three flavors: Hawaiian salted caramel, Red velvet, & Matcha green tea. Call me cliche but those are the best flavors. Its $2.15 each or 8 for $16 and their macarons are made from Cake Works. Aside from my new discovery, the service there is great. There was a girl taking orders and serving and mainly in the front, and a guy who makes the food and they were both so nice. My friends were happy with their visit too so we will be returning for more catch up dates. The best part is that its not crazy busy so its definitely quiet and comforting. Check it out if you're around the area. I'm gonna have to go back and see if they have wifi. Perhaps they could earn that last star with it? :)

    (4)

  • Stella L.

    Food and quality was good. The only thing was the waiter told us we could not sit closer to the window and took us all the way back on the corner. There were 3 tables of two that were empty till the end!! The nerve!

    (3)

  • Suzanne R.

    Tango is awesome! It's a cute little cafe, rustic, modern, contemporary... Great atmosphere. And the food is always delicious, fresh and prepared to perfection. Chef Goran really knows his way around the kitchen! Plus, they give back to the community and help out the less fortunate. How can you beat that?! It's located on the Ala Moana end of the Ward area and parking is a breeze. They validate for the lot in their building, and there's also tons of parking in all of the other Ward lots. So, no excuses. Go check out Tango ASAP! :-D

    (5)

  • J K.

    Went for breakfast on a weekday recently after reviewing a handful of yelp reviews and I was glad that I did. The duck hash was delicious and french pressed coffee was also great. I am a real stickler when it comes to sunny side up eggs. The bottom of a sunny side egg should never be brown and burnt, and the top of the egg shouldn't look runny or bubbly. A true sunny side egg is soft and silky. Kudos to the kitchen on a perfectly cooked sunny side egg! The service was attentive, but not overbearing, my coffee was refilled on numerous occasions without asking, and overall I had one of the best breakfast experiences in a long time dinning at this fine establishment. I plan to be a repeat customer for sure.

    (5)

  • Kristen K.

    *3.5 stars since there is no half-star option! Located in the Hokua building....validated free parking, which is a plus. I love the ambiance of this place. It's modern and sleek and I love the flower paintings on the walls. However----service can be a hit or miss. Sometimes they are terribly slow for such a small restaurant. Dinner was ok but nothing spectacular from what I remember....I personally prefer this place for brunch/lunch and have been here multiple times for that. The desserts are really good....they have this cinnamon ice cream that comes with the cobbler (they will also let you order it on the side!)....it is to die for.

    (3)

  • Cin T.

    Because we got there 35mins too late, the breakfast menu was no longer in effect. It was a little disappointing since my friend and I were wanting to try their much-talked about varieties of eggs benedicts. The "loco moco" (heard they use tender-braised beef on this special benedict) and crab hash bennies were both on my must-try list, oh well. I was only bummed for a good 5 secs, the lunch menu sounded great so I was looking forward to a great meal. Sadly, my dish a failure. DUCK LEG CONFIT WITH THYME DEMI-GLACE (served w/a crispy risotto cake and sauteed veggies for $13.25): I tanked 4 glasses of water in order to finish this dish. The meat was intensely salty, almost inedible. Maybe they forgot to rinse off the salty brine before cooking?? Maybe the brining process poorly executed? Who knows.... The "thyme demi glace" was bland & tasteless. I got a couple measly pieces of broccoli rabe and 2 teeny tiny carrots. Not enough to tame the vicious salt attack. The crispy risotto cake was crusty on the outside and mushy on the inside. Someone mentioned that it was merely an afterthought, leftovers from the previous dinner service made into cakes. I noticed other pics of duck confit served with regular creamy risotto. Despite what was mentioned, the risotto was the best part of my dish. yelp.com/biz_photos/vR53… Perhaps I've developed higher expectations when it comes to duck confit these days. Once you have something amazing & perfect like Alembic's Duck Confit, nothing else seems to measure up. Alembic's confit is perfectly seasoned and delicious: yelp.com/biz_photos/f8fY… BREADED PORK CUTLET w/HAMAKUA MUSHROOM RAGOUT & VEGGIES ($13.50): You get a choice between fries or rice. Luckily my friend opted for the rice because the gravy was really rich. TOO MUCH wine & butter were used in this gravy because that's all you could taste. The mushroom ragout was just sauteed mushrooms topped off w/the gravy. The cutlet itself was cooked to the right doneness and the portion size was huge. Unfortunately, the flavors were......well, not there. It was just panko-crusted and fried, the meat was under-seasoned. There was an absence of salt on this dish for sure, complete polar opposite of my confit dish. yelp.com/biz_photos/vR53… Service was great and the food came out very fast. Our server was cheerful and attentive. Think she must've read my mind about my salty entree because my water glass was never empty! Thank goodness! Would've given Tango 3 stars overall but in the end, the food is what matters. Our entrees failed to impress, hence the 2 stars aka "meh, i've had better" rating.

    (2)

  • Sara O.

    Great lunch stop while you are out shopping or on your way to the beach. As a visitor Hawaii can be pricey but Tango Cafe offers a nice setting and reasonably priced lunch. I opted for the Chicken Salad Sandwich with a side salad and my husband went with the Mahi Mahi Burger. Both tasted amazing and I had leftovers. Service was quick so we were able to continue our day of wandering around Honolulu.

    (5)

  • Nix M.

    Love Tangos! The coffee is amazing, super fresh made to order & they just keep it coming. The eggs Benedict is very good & they also have variations as well & allow mixing your order. Ex. One Eggs Benedict & one Crab Benedict in the same order. Everything just seems super fresh and extra yummy. The fried rice is also very good, with choice of meat. They even make their own homemade ketchup, super good. But to add icing on the cake the service is stellar! They are on it! And we appreciate that. Sometimes you have to wait for a table but never more than 5-10 minutes. Parking is validated too.

    (5)

  • Joy N.

    I have mixed feelings for this place... I've been here for breakfast and lunch a few times. Parking is validated in the Hokua parking lot so there's ample parking and it's covered :) It's usually pretty busy but so far, I didn't have to wait for a table. Breakfast was okay... nothing amazing... The first time I came here for lunch, I had the risotto but it was undercooked and very hard to eat. However, the second time I went for lunch, I had a mushroom fettucine dish and it was AMAZING! The noodles tasted homemade and was cooked perfectly al dente. I would come back again just for the pasta!! Oh... one more negative... no free refills on soft drinks? Kind of a bummers. Overall it's an okay restaurant. I'll definitely be coming back for the pasta, but everything else hasn't impressed me that much. Maybe I just need to explore the menu a bit more.

    (3)

  • Thomas O.

    I can't believe I've lived three years without Tangö Contemporary Cafe (TCC) in my life. Umm can I count my last three years as not living?! Chefs Tammy and Goran will probably say "yes." Last night was August's First Friday and my friends and I made plans to go. I wanted to eat dinner first at Brasserie du Vin but yet again, as my friends and I are most famous for, plans changed! I was in Chinatown already walking around then I get the call that we're eating at TCC because BuV was booked for the whole night! Meh. I guess I should have expected that. Oh well, I had suggested earlier that we could also eat here at TCC, Ryan's, Stage, Amuse, or Restaurant Epic. Thanks be to the good graces of God we ended up at TCC. Nicole and David were able to snag a table at last call that had more than enough space for us. Naturally, I spread all of my gear out. Camera. Phone. Keys. Parking Card. Etc. Etc. I need to be comfortable when I eat or else I can't enjoy. These tables are extremely conducive to over ordering because of their expansiveness. The waiter was very patient with us and let us peruse the menu longer than we should have. He also proposed their daily specials, which is also when he decided to whisper sweet nothings about the Veal Osso Bucco ($26). I immediately said, "I Do!...I mean, I want that!!" He left for a bit for us to continue looking over the menu and David and Nicole decided to have the Asian Style Five Spice Braised Beef ($20.50) and the Lobster Goat Cheese Ravioli with Basil ($21.50) respectively. Being my first time, Nicole suggested we share our dishes and I was happy to do so. We also got a round of 3 KAI flavored Vodka Shots ($8) Lemongrass Ginger, Coconut something and Coconut something. Cheers to 3 weeks left of summer! yelp.com/biz_photos/vR53… Our meals came out very fast and we were impressed with the presentation, portion, and just EVERYTHING. Mine, even though looking pretty gnarly, was a thing of beauty within itself. David said, "I feel bad if I ate this fast. I think I have to eat this slowly to enjoy." And I couldn't agree with him more. "Fork tender." "Rich." "Sinful." "Indulgence." "It's pay day, you deserve this." Were all that crossed my mind and I was in love. yelp.com/biz_photos/vR53… I am not the biggest fan of seafood, but when it's in something that doesn't look like it was swimming two hours ago, then I'm fine. I had a ravioli and it was really delicious. The pasta was al dente but the lobster may have over powered the really mild goat cheese. However, the creamy pesto-y basil sauce was very good. Dip your bread in it and thank me. yelp.com/biz_photos/vR53… Now the braised beef is definitely something I would order on my own. I actually was going to get it until I heard about the Ossobucco. The flavors just go off in your mouth like fireworks and then you add those chili fried onions. BOOM! It's like you're in Beijing on Chinese New Year. After this phantasmagoric meal, we sealed the deal with Creme Brulée. Excellent. Excellent. Excellent. This place is great for a first date, anniversary, or a nice dinner with good friends. Whatever you do, share, because it takes two to Tangö. Or three in this case. Review 006/365

    (5)

  • Kate V.

    You know the Hawaii stereotype for breakfast and lunch (and even if you don't, I'm about to tell you). The former: rice, eggs, and spam (or some other greasy type of meat or "meat"), at least one variety of which is doused in gravy. The latter, more rice, chicken katsu (or another such type of deep fried protein), and a scoop of macaroni salad on the side (otherwise known as the "plate lunch"). What if I told you there is more to Hawaii breakfast and lunch than oil and carbs??? Would you believe me? Heck, before discovering Tango Contemporary Cafe I wouldn't have believed me. But 'tis true! Not that local food is bad, but if you ever have a hankering for good old traditional brunch food when you're in the islands, Tango's got you covered (hey, I'm a Hawaii girl at heart, but I lived in SF, the capital city of Sunday brunches, for six years... eggs benedict has become a tradition). Try the crab cakes benedict with spinach for breakfast. The accompanying homestyle potatoes hit the mark too. If you get here a little later, try the daily special. When I came it was the Kobe pastrami sandwich on rye. Maybe not THE kobe of pastrami or anything, but it was tasty. The grilled mahi mahi sandwich on a nori bun on the other hand was a little dry. I did eat it all though. All sandwiches served with your choice of salad or fries. I recommend the strawberry mango crumble with cinnamon ice cream. I mean if you're going all traditional American style then you might as well go all out and throw in some dessert while you're at it, right? Mainland cafe style meets Ala Moana/Ward oasis. The interior looks like one of those room setups in Ikea. Easy, validated parking. I approve!

    (4)

  • Melissa O.

    If you like eggs benedict, this is the place. You can even order two separate types on one order! The bloody Mary's are solid. I've been here once for lunch and the meal was as good as the breakfast. I hear they have wine tasting dinners as well, but I have never attended. The staff is attentive, yet not overly so, so you can have a nice conversation and enjoy your company or your reading material if you dine alone. Shared seating on occasion on one of the two picnic tables, but I have yet to meet someone who wasn't friendly or pleasant. Besides, the picnic table option lets you have a big party of say 12 and everyone can sit together, which is always a nice thing.

    (4)

  • Allison D.

    My boyfriend and I stumbled upon this place for breakfast - it was great! The place is nice and bright and the food is fresh and delicious. They only serve breakfast until 10:30 though, so arrive early! I recommend the eggs benedict - scrumptious!

    (4)

  • Mike O.

    I compare breakfast place by their eggs benedict. For me Tango's EB was pretty standard and A-Ok. Nothing really made it stand out. The hollindaise sauce was foamy and a little thin. Eggs were cooked perfect as well as the english muffin. My wife compares breakfast places with their french toast or pancakes. She has the blueberry filled pancakes. We both thought it was a little tough and spongy. Again, nothing special. She said coffee was really hot and good (only one refill). The interior was really nice and we sat at the counter so there was no wait. Parking is also a breeze with their big garage in Hokua. All in all we would eat there again, but wouldn't be our first choice.

    (3)

  • Mahina C.

    My mommy introduced me to this place a few years ago, and it just gives that bistro, cafe feeling. Love the atmosphere!! It's located in the corner of the Hokua building next to PF Changs. Parking lot entrance is to the left and make sure to validate your card. I highly recommend the mushroom risotto as everyone previously said. Not really great with shrimp, or chicken, since it's kind of dry. another must try is their french onion soup. Probably on my top list around town. I will be back to yelp about dinner when I try it! or breakfast!

    (3)

  • Lily B.

    Haven't been to Tango in a while but a girlfriend wanted to have lunch here before our shopping at the new location of Nordy Rack.... The menu is much larger than before, with many options that looked good. I usually stick with the mushroom risotto because I know it's good and consistent, what surprised me was my friend's club sandwich and the other dishes around the restaurant. Homemade ketchup! Large servings! Well executed and seasoned food! Good portion sizes for something made in house and by people who care about the food! Tango earned it's place on my list of stand-by restaurants. I will be back soon and to try something other than that addictive risotto...! Supporting local business = always a good choice.

    (5)

  • Rogei M.

    Came here on a Saturday, late lunch. Found parking at the IBM Ward building. Ambiance and interior design is very modern, nice, and clean. Greeted by staff and sat down right away. I had the Gravlax Sandwich: Salmon, boiled eggs, tomato, cucumber on honey oat bread and salad. Very good, healthy, light, and filling! Definitely a great place for lunch. Seems upscale but the prices is not so bad for lunch ($10-15) meals. Awesome service overall. I might consider being a regular!

    (4)

  • Richard H.

    This is the best place in Kakaako to have breakfast! The parking is located in the back of the restaurant. I am about a block away, so this place serves at a great early morning stroll, before a delicious meal. My favorite is the eggs Benedict with crab cakes, which can be ordered with tomato and spinach. The crab cakes or crab hash is freshly made, with visible chunks of tasty crab meat on top of English muffins, a poached egg, tomato and spinach, covered by their "special" hollandaise sauce. This is served with home fries, which are stir fried red potatoes with onions. I am a die-hard Starbucks fanatic, but their coffee is outstanding. Strong, rich, bold, and pairs nicely with your eggs Benedict.

    (5)

  • Paula D.

    Atmosphere, service, and food were good but I felt that some dishes were lacking. The beet salad was very good and I would definitely order it again but my entree, the rack of lamb, lacked flavor. It was okay but not really great. My husband had the crispy salmon gravlax as an appetizer and loved it (he is a big fan of smoked salmon so this was no surprise). He had the mushroom and shrimp risotto for dinner and seemed to enjoy it well enough even though he didn't realize risotto is a type of rice (haha - he likes simple things). Overall, I would come back but maybe try something different next time. I'd love to try their breakfast.

    (4)

  • Sherrie D.

    Well, I've been here a few times, never Yelped it before, should have. I gave it 3 stars because it was just ok. I can't say anything special or memorable about the place. I was really hungry for steak and they had one on the menu. My friends ordered the fish sandwich, they said it was ok. The peculiar thing about my steak, it was cut up and all the juices ran out of it. I did mention this to the server and she brought a new steak, whole. That was really nice and good PR. I would come back because of the service, not so much the food.

    (3)

  • Maya K.

    I used to love Tango. Breakfast is still great, but do not go there for dinner! We went on a Tuesday night and everything was sub-par: 1) Caesar salad had too much dressing 2) French onion soup was too salty - like it was leftovers from a couple of days ago 3) Salmon was undercooked 4) Chicken was overlooked 5) Freshly baked bread was too hard And we thought we can't go wrong with crepe (I mean we love their breakfast!)... However: 5) Crepe wasn't even freshly made! It was precooked and microwaved, and wasn't even warm all the way. We love the service there, and the proximity to ward, but sorry Tango - it will be a while before we come back for dinner. :(

    (2)

  • Nickie M.

    I come here for their Salmon Benedict and coffee. Today, they added spinach to my Benedict, per my request. They also served this red sauce that just made my meal more delish. I'm enjoying my breakfast. Great service. And parking was easy, too.

    (5)

  • Ryan M.

    Review for the breakfast portion only** Wife and son brought me here for a fathers day breakfast. Breakfast is my favorite weekend meal and Eggs benedict is my favorite breakfast dish. I can see why they brought me here. This place has both. Food As soon as I opened the menu I seen they about 4 or 5 different types of eggs benedict. I felt like a kid in a candy store and your parent says you can only choose one. I ended up going with the crab hash benedict. The crab and the poached egg were good but when I got to the hollandaise sauce I was a little disappointed. The consistency wasn't thick enough and when I looked closer I seen that the butter and yolk didn't emulsify properly. It still tasted pretty good but the hollandaise sauce is my favorite part of the benedict next to the meat. The dish also came with potatoes, fruit and a pastry. The average cost here was around 13 to 14 dollars a dish. Service I was surprised that this place takes reservations. Most cafes that I know of are walk in only. They took care of us well. Friendly, quick service, food came out on time, no problems with our orders and our water stayed full. Couldn't ask for more there. Environment This place is located in ward next to the PF Changs. They have a nice interior decor. My favorite is the chandelier. It is also your average size cafe that seats around 50 to 60 people. Although I may not be a fan of the breakfast, I do want to give this place another shot for the lunch since I have read so many good reviews about the lunch and dinner.

    (3)

  • Masa N.

    The quality of food, service and drinks are great. Parking is in the rear of the cafe. Daily specials are always a great surprise!

    (5)

  • Anna C.

    One of the best restaurants in the area with some of the best prices you can find! We had the shellfish crepes, the braised pork, and the gravlax sandwich. All of the dishes were absolutely perfect!

    (5)

  • Pualena P.

    All you need to know about Tango is they put magic in their hollandaise sauce. They make a few variations of eggs benedict and, if they use the same magic sauce on all of them, they're all AMAZING! Emi H. and I were famished after working at the Banana Man 5k last Saturday and needed to refuel before the City Solve Urban Race. She suggested Tango. I know it is always in my best interest to listen to Emi when it comes to places to eat. I would be a fool not to! This was no exception. Tango is amazing. I had the crab hash benedict which was like eating a delictible combination of crabcakes and eggs with magic sauce. I tried Emi's Swedish Pancakes, which were like little fruit-covered crepes. I think they sprinked magic in these, too. The best part is, you get an "upscale" breakfast cafe dining experience for a reasonable price! I think my benedict was around $10. I can't wait to go back to try their lunch menu! Bathroom Bonus: I'm a bathroom person. I use the restroom almost everywhere I go and I must say, Tango has a wonderful restroom! 5-stars for happy bottoms and clean hands!!! :)

    (5)

  • Leigh N.

    A consistent favorite for breakfast and leisurely dinners with friends or my love. They have the most delicious coffee ever served, I don't know or care what kind it is or why it's so freaking delicious...I just know it is and that I love it! Breakfast go to for me is the eggs Benedict with the most perfectly poached egg....mmmmmm!!! IMHO, if the eggs aren't cooked right with eggs Benny, that ruins EVERYTHING!! For dinner I enjoy the mushroom risotto with shrimp or the lamb chops....both are little bits of heaven. The deal sealer for me is that they have a nice Malbec by the glass...again, I don't know know or care what kind it is, I just know it's freaking delicious!!

    (4)

  • Brian B.

    Tango Contemporary Cafe is one of those places that's a nice little hidden gem that nobody knows about until they run into it while out & about or is told about it by friends. In my case, a friend told me about it before we went to see a movie while we were hanging out in the Ward area. Like I said earlier, it feels like this restaurant is hidden away because it's on the left hand side of the Hokua building to the left of P.F. Chang's. Yup, blink and you'll miss it! I never noticed it there before, but that's mostly because I've gone to P.F. Chang's and the area where Tango is located is nice and cozy. When you go inside, you'll notice that it's a nice and clean little restaurant that's got a white motif and wood-top looking tables. It's a very nice and modern looking place and feels very comfortable as well as classy. This is definitely a nice place to have lunch on a weekend if you're out cruising through Victoria Ward Centre or the Ward Theaters Entertainment Complex. The food here is nicely prepared and presented too. The price is also decent with all things considered. On the 2 occasions that I've come here, I had the herb rubbed flank steak which is always a scrumptious treat! The steak came out tender and flavorful thanks to the herb butter and the greens were nice and fresh too. On one occasion my friend got one of the club sandwiches which looked really delicious and another friend got a breaded pork cutlet which also looked really well prepared and tasty! If you're around the area and would like a nice place to go for lunch that's not super pricey but still really a treat, come here for some good eats! You won't regret stopping by...

    (4)

  • Kimberly A.

    My boyfriend works at this restaurant so one morning, we decided to give it a try & I loved it! Its a cute small restaurant with a very home-feeling to it. Servers were absolutely nice and I also met the owner, Tammy. She was awesome! I couldn't decide whether to get the regular eggs benedict or the crab cake one so she offered to let me do a mix n match! I also loved their hot chocolate & the creativity they used to serve it. My first experience was great. I recommend it (:

    (5)

  • Traci H.

    I had mixed experiences so have to settle in the middle at 3 stars for now. But definitely good to go back to try out more things! The good: -Friendly service -Interesting menu -COFFEE--best thing and it's just kona coffee, but they must do something with it because it's one of the best coffees I've ever had. And I don't love coffee. -the Swedish pancakes-light but tasty. I wish they had other fruit compote though -lunch:Friday crabcake special sandwich. Great crab and a perfectly toasted bun, and fresh avocado -dessert: the espresso flavored gelato was mmmmmm. -free, validated covered parking The not as good -breakfast was ok food: corned beef hash was ok but I couldnt even tell if it was real fresh corned beef. No huge hunks of meat and hunky potatoes, sadly. Not too hefty. The loco moco Benedict was ok too. It was actually too much flavor all mixed in for me. The meat was also really fatty. And sadly the hollandaise wasn't my cup of tea. Sort of just bleh. Oh and their hours are strict. If you miss the breakfast cutoff (10:30 I think) they will not make an exception. And lunch doesn't start till half an hour later. I was hoping for some real comfort breakfast and was a little disappointed but lunch was really good. So it's on the list to try again! Maybe I just ordered the wrong things.

    (4)

  • Art D.

    Breakfast today was fantastic. We started with a deep, robust, dark roasted coffee. We ordered two dishes Loco Moco Eggs Benedict - tender braised beef on fried rice and hollandaise. I would order this mouth-watering dish again, which is enough to share. The other dish ordered was the Original Pytt i Panna, Swedish style potato, ham, sausage, and Sunnyside eggs - quite tasty. Both dishes were ample - we believe two servings. So we could say the two of us ate enough for 4 - and so soon after Thanksgiving. The odd thing is that we were just introduced to this restaurant last night. Since I failed to ask our friends what they thought of their dishes, I'll focus on our order. A special for the evening of Ossobucco served over a bed of pappardelle. The Ossobucco fell off the bone, but was not tender. However, the flavor was quite good so I overlooked the ever so slight chewiness. I definitely will come back when I'm in Honolulu.

    (4)

  • Nat N.

    It seems like a lot of people like Tango. I went once a long time ago for lunch and was not impressed (I cannot remember what I ordered but it must not have been memorable). Since we received a couple of gift certificates to Tango for Christmas, we decided to give their dinner menu a try. We started off splitting their Classic Caesar Salad. The salad took a while to get to us, esp. considering it was just a plate of lettuce, cheese, and croutons. My husband thought their salad dressing was pretty good. For our entrees, I ordered the Grilled Grass Fed Tenderloin of Beef. I asked for it medium well, however, it seemed more like well done. The meat was tough. My husband ordered the Asian Style Five Spice Braised Beef and we both agreed that it was definitely the better of the two. The meat was super tender and tasty. The mashed potatoes was a nice compliment and I loved the crispy onions. For dessert we ordered the strawberry mango crumble with cinnamon ice cream - I practically licked the plate clean. I'm not sure if we would go again if we had to pay out of pocket. The prices for the entrees are a bit steep and if I'm going to pay that much for dinner there are other places I'd rather go to.

    (3)

  • Philip J.

    Always consistent good food and value. They don't have a multi-page menu, like many restaurant's, so they can concentrate on quality and excellent presentation. I've never been disappointed BUT sometimes I find the lovely place a tad too cold

    (4)

  • Local Boy K.

    Went to Tango last night for my birthday with a couple of my really good friends. We've been there many times before for special occasions, so when asked where I wanted to go for my bday, I chose Tango. I was looking forward to a nice dinner, but was super disappointed. I usually order the Sea Bass, which is super ono, but wanted to try something different...ordered the Duck Confit. I don't like my meats rare, so of course, I ordered my duck medium-well. Appetizers were ono, but when the entrée came, I was surprised to see red in the breast meat. Wasn't sure if it was the sauce so I cut into the meat, and immediately knew it was raw because of the texture. As I waited for the waitress to come back, I ate around the meat and sampled the veggies that came with it and the polenta cake. Those were pretty tasty. The waitress finally came back and when I explained that the breast was almost "RARE," she said, "I saw it too. I couldn't tell if it was the sauce, though." Ok, fair enough. About 10 minutes or so later, my food is returned to me. It's replated, but the sides were not. There was a half-eaten polenta cake and a sliver of a broccolini. You would think that they would at LEAST replate with new sides as well. Come on...it's $25. To top it off, the duck breast was rubbery and basically inedible. I'm sure they just stuck it under the broiler to recook it. Simply nasty! I've worked in restaurants before...if it's sent back, the proper thing to do is RECOOK a new dish! Of course, I didn't finish it. I'm a big eater, but didn't want to take what was left. Still starving, I plowed through dessert and kept my cool, so as not to upset my friends who were hosting the dinner for my birthday. No apologies, no inquiry about whether everything was ok. My plate was just cleared. So...the dinner was bad, but the wines and the desserts were ono. Unfortunately, we can find good drinks and sweets just about anywhere. If it's my choice for the next celebration, it won't be there!

    (1)

  • Isaac N.

    I tried Tango for dinner for the first time, and it was excellent! I've gone there previously for lunch a few times and it was never memorable but dinner is a WHOLE different experience! Our waiter was excellent. I wanted to start with beer, on their menu they had a Deschutes seasonal. I asked what the seasonal was and the waiter told me that it was a white IPA and he suggested getting it. I tried it and it a great suggestion. If you can ever find it, I would recommend Deschutes' Chainbreaker White IPA. There were four of us and we ordered family style. We started with the tomato and mozzarella, that was decent, but the only place I think has good caprese is Italy. We also had the Hamakua mushrooms as a starter. Thumbs up! Their bread is really good, and eating the mushrooms on the bread, ding ding ding winner! For dinner we ordered 2 entrees, the first was the duck breast and leg confit. I really liked it, but I love duck. The other three in the party didn't care so much for the breast part of the duck, claiming it was a little "gamy". The other main dish we ordered was one of the specials, I don't remember the exact name but it was mahimahi covered with crab meat with a lobster cream sauce. That was probably the best dish of the night. The fish was very moist and having the crab complement it was the bonus! The price was very reasonable for it being what I would consider French food. I am not really into their lunch but I would definitely go back for their dinner.

    (4)

  • Rebecca C.

    tried to make reservations for 630. unfortunately there were no tables for 4 except "2 tops". which didn't make sense as it is so easily to rearrange 2 tops into a 4. anyways I settled for 730. nice cozy romantic atmosphere. but boy this can be misleading if the service is bad. it took 20+ mins for someone to come take our order. we had to ask for bread and took an additional half hour. finally got to order the braised beef. it took an hour and a half + to get our food. how is that? when we only ordered entrees no appetizers. think they were killing the cow! pretty much lost my appetite while waiting. but since we were there for so long why not wait a "lil" while more for dessert. haha. ordered the blueberry bread pudding ala mode and that was the only awesomest thing of the night. it was good! in all service was really really slow for a small restaurant. what did it for the night was 2 couples seated after us left before us. 2 and a half hours for dinner at a non fine dining restaurant is ridiculous!!!

    (2)

  • Chelsea H.

    I wanted to love this place so badly because all of my friends rave about it. Maybe it was better back when they used to go all the time but when I went this past week, it wasn't as special as I thought. It was still good, but not as great as my friends hyped it up to be. I ordered their French onion soup to start & duck for entree. What's cool about this place is you can order an entree and for $6 you can add soup of the day or salad + sorbet. Soup of the day couldn't be French onion so I had to save that for another day. French onion soup was standard. Delicious & cheesy. BF had the foie gras, which had some kind of apple compote that was also super yum. The duck was ok. It came with a shank (think thats what it's called) and 4 smaller pieces. To be honest, it was a bit bland. It lacked salt. :( What I thought was weird about the experience was that when we got the bread, it was ROCK HARD. They only serve the end pieces with butter and I swear to god, if I threw one at my BF he probably would've gotten a black eye. It was embarrassing trying to chew through them. But, I was starving so I ate 2 pieces and then I just gave up. And then, after the server watched us gnaw on the bread like starving dogs, he finally brought warm bread that was so deliciously soft. Wtf?? I appreciate it but why couldn't you have just waited for the fresh bread to be ready. I thought that was weird. Overall, my Tango experience was ok. Maybe I will be back for lunch or order something different at dinner. At least now I know that stale, day old bread is not their service standard anymore. :D

    (4)

  • Mark M.

    Okay Emi H., I hope you're reading this. I was sold on this joint after reading your stellar review of Tango. I am honestly not one for eggs benedict. I actually only eat my eggs scrambled for whatever reason I'm not sure. Maybe it was something from my childhood, maybe I just don't like the way the rest of the egg preparation methods look... I don't know. That's a stark contrast in comparison to my girlfriend who LOVES eggs benedict and it seems like she's on a mission to find the perfect benedict. We arrived at Tango this morning at about 915 and were seated promptly by our server. I really wish I got her name because she was awesome! If the owner of Tango is reading this, the server with the tattoo on the inside of her right wrist deserves a raise and some praise. After taking some time to look over the menu, I said to myself: "Self, what the hey. Try the benedict." And I did. I ordered the crab cake benedict and that's when our server notified me that I could get a half an half order of the benedict if I wanted to. So I decided to get half crab cake and half gravlax. I've never had gravlax before and I was interested. For those of who don't know (or didn't know like me) gravlax is salmon that's been cured with salt, sugar, and dill. My love ordered the smoked salmon benedict and we anxiously awaited our order. When it was brought out I was very impressed. You get quite a lot for the money you put down. Each order costed about $9.50 and I think that's a great deal. There was some fresh fruit arranged in the corner of the plate with some roasted breakfast potatoes. I tried the gravlax first just to temper my curiosity. WOW. it tasted amazing! It wasn't as salty as I thought it would be and it didn't taste fishy like regular salmon does and for me that's a huge plus. The crab cake version was also incredible. I tried her smoked salmon benedict and was blown away again. Of the three, I have to say the smoked salmon tasted the best. But that's like saying winning one million and one dollars is better than winning one million. It's sad to say that I don't think she completed her mission of finding the perfect benedict. She came petty damn close though. What I can say however is this: I am now one for eggs benedict.

    (5)

  • Joanne P.

    I love Tango for breakfast. Swedish pancakes, eggs benedict, all yum and served with excellent service. So I was shocked tonight when 3 friends and I went for dinner and all four of us agreed that it was the worst service each of us had ever experienced. We were puzzled because our waiter, Robert, smiled a lot but always seemed to have an attitude. There was only one other table with customers when we walked in. As can happen with a mostly empty restaurant, it was cold. No hostess so Robert directed us to a table that blasted cold air at us. I asked if there was any way to lower the thermostat. Robert firmly said no, with no apology. I asked why not? He replied that the kitchen would warm up the room. He didn't seem apologetic that we were cold or try to alleviate our discomfort. He stepped away to get our drinks and we checked out an adjoining table which was warmer. When Robert returned, my friend requested that we be moved. Robert just looked at my friend and walked away. WTH? So we picked up all our stuff and moved ourselves. We were trying to have a good night so we kept smiling even though the service was putting a damper on things. Robert managed to take our orders without doing anything annoying but he kept saying things in such low volume that we often didn't hear him speak at all--especially if we were in the middle of a conversation! Very odd. The last straw was when one of my friends didn't have cash so she wanted to use her credit card. I figured it would be easier to just have the bill split between four cards rather than trying request enough change so that we could all pay her back. So I asked very nicely if Robert would do that for us. His response was, "uh no." What? even if you can't do it, wouldn't the correct response be "I'm so sorry but I'm unable to do that for you."? At this point, I was just plain pissed off. I can understand if you can't accommodate us on certain things, but to just flat out say NO and stare at us is UNACCEPTABLE. I asked him WHY NOT? He mumbled something about the system being unable to handle it. I said "really?" and he then changed his tune and said it was company policy. What a liar! I hope the management reads this review. My friends and I are very easygoing--we still gave him a very nice tip because none of us could bring ourselves to be mean. For all four of us to say this service was bizarre, awful and the worst we've ever seen is saying a lot. On our ride home, we concluded that Robert must have been impaired in some way. He seemed out of it and not very responsive. It's the only thing that makes sense! The food was 5 stars, service was 1 star so I averaged it to 3 stars. That's pretty generous after the evening we had.

    (3)

  • Gary N.

    It was a Bloody Mary morning as it was easily the most popular drink after water. It had been a while since I have started my day this way, with alcohol, but it was definitely a good thing. At least 6 of us of our party of 15 ordered it after word of mouth quickly spread among us on how good they were. The occasion was a UYE Brunch Boozers Quatro at Tango Contemporary Cafe. It was my first time here. After reviewing the menu for a moment, the Crab Hash Benedict caught my eye. Priced at only $10.50, it was a deal! The Crab Hash Benedict was as good as I hoped it would be when I consumed it after it arrived. Eggs were perfectly cooked with an appropriate amount of running when disturbed. Hollandaise made it complete. Some of our other parties' ones were unfortunately not that runny though. Good company and above average food made it worthwhile to eat here for breakfast this past Sunday. Can't wait to have another brunch Esteban! Also, another after party Seleena? Always love eating with everyone. Emi, Mike, and everyone else makes eating brunch very good. #Yelp 365 - 22/365

    (5)

  • Rissa K.

    Went here for lunch today with a gf of mine. I had the BLT sandwich with salad. It was pretty good! My had the Hamakua Mushroom Risotto with Shrimp and Asparagus. We both liked what we had. The restaurant was quite empty for lunch. The breakfast menu looks pretty good. Loved the decor here as well. The service wasn't so great though. Other than that I may be back for breakfast!

    (3)

  • Vanessa B.

    My first time! And the food was really awesome! I had the mushroom portobello burger with fries, and it was so delicious. I would go there again for lunch!

    (5)

  • Alysha K.

    I enjoyed my lunch at Tango Cafe. It has a modern ambiance feel to it too. Made me feel like I was in the mainland again. It's hard to find that kinda place in Hawaii. The french onion soup was so delicious. And the shrimp salad avocado sandwich was huge and tasty. I got to eat some for lunch the next day too. Service was good, no complaints. Would be back again!

    (4)

  • Claire M.

    One of my favorite restaurants. They're one of the few restaurants that offer foie gras and I was hooked! I enjoy their menu because it has the right amount of serving to my liking and they've been consistent with flavors. I've only eaten here for lunch and dinner, and I must come back for breakfast one day!

    (4)

  • Chantelle T.

    I've driven by this place multiple times but never actually got a chance to go until this week! The interior is really beautiful -- bit of an industrial feel, warm lighting, and textured walls. It almost felt like I was back in LA. We decided to do it family style, sharing an appetizer and entree since we weren't that hungry. The appetizer we chose was the seared scallops on baby spinach with grape tomatoes and mushrooms. They offered to plate half-portions for us since we were splitting which was really nice. And we each had 3 scallops! I was definitely happy about that! Our entree was one of their daily specials: seared furikake ahi with a lobster sauce on mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables. The size of the fish was larger than expected so it's definitely worth the $26 they were charging. They also provided extra sauce on the side which was nice. The service was really good too. I would definitely come here again. Maybe next time I'll try their brunch offerings!

    (4)

  • Ryan S.

    I love the food here. I am glad that it wasn't busy when I went or I know my experience wouldn't be good. This restaurant is small but I think that's why the service was so good here. I ate there w/my friends & we tried each other's dishes there & it definitely did not disappoint. The risotto here is very tasty. I hope to go back soon!

    (5)

  • Kimi F.

    This was my first time here. Waited a good 20 minutes to be seated, since I didn't make a reservation. The place was decorated in a modern decor, which is always nice. The menu offered a decent selection of items. The waitress was just not into us and her facial expressions said a lot! We really enjoyed the food! However, service was lacking and that's really all I can focus on in this review. I really wanted to tell our waitress, if you're not happy doing what you do, go out and find something that does. Why do your customers have to put up with the, "I don't really want to be here attitude?" She was just fortunate that day, because my husband was not with me. If he had been with me, there would be no tip. Yet, I gave you a 15% tip, out of compassion. Hoping you were just having a one time off day? The irony of my experience was that she overcharged me on an iced tea. My friend ordered one and I just consumed water. Yet, when I got home and took a look at my receipt, I was charged for 2 iced teas, WTH (what the heck)! So, to all of my fellow Yelper's please check your bill to make sure it's accurate. Don't be like me and wait till you get home to notice that there's an error. I called to resolve the error, but the female manager was in a meeting and the person on the phone said to call back, but I never did. 3.5 stars for food 1 star for service or I should say attitude 4 stars for decor 3 stars on price of dishes Just saying, it'll be awhile before I give this place a second try.

    (3)

  • K C.

    Been here twice for dinner - I really like the decor/ambiance - like starry night in a spring forest. The appetizers are very good, well presented and I think, reasonably priced. I like ordering the onion soup, escargot, foie gras and garlic clams. The Hamakua mushroom risotto is very yummy and so is the sea bass. The first time our service was very good; the second, the server was neither upbeat nor engaging. Anyway, I'd still go back.

    (4)

  • S C.

    I've been here a handful of times now over the past 3-ish years, and love it every single time. I was introduced to this cute little restaurant by my mom who swears they have the best coffee ever (they do!) and go back as often as I can when I am back in Hawaii. I love the breakfast/brunch here, and recently had a chance (OK, was kind of forced to since I missed the breakfast cutoff time, and though initially disappointed, was glad I did) to try lunch here as well, and it surpassed my expectations. I mean, salads and sandwiches are a dime a dozen, and I was really craving breakfast foods, not lunch....but the ingredients they use are so fresh and well-prepared that I was humbled by being so grumpy that they stopped serving breakfast at only 10 am. I love supporting local businesses, and love that Tango has consistently good service and good food over many years. Bravo!

    (5)

  • Paul N.

    Had dinner on Friday. Great waiter. The Sledgehammer wine was good for the price and it well with the fantastic super awesome smoked and roasted duck. I will definitely go back and eat this again.

    (4)

  • Priscilla L.

    Prices are more than good (aka cheap), service is all there, and overall cute atmosphere ...perfect place for breakfast!! Specialty food items are definatley coffee and salmon eggs Benedict's. Have yet to go for dinner but planning on it!

    (5)

  • Aaron P.

    Came in for brunch at 1:20. Food was good, server definitely wasn't happy to have a table sit an hour before she was done with her shift. She seemed annoyed that we didn't know what we wanted and that we wanted explanations of some of the Swedish words on the menu, or that i wanted a drink after she had taken the order. Another sever dropped off the check before clearing the plates and without asking if we wanted dessert, which we did. After that, not so much. Maybe we'll try again in a few months

    (3)

  • Meg M.

    I woke up and couldn't talk. My nose was dripping, I sounded like a man when I managed to speak and my cough sounded somewhat like a seal's bark. Let's just say, I wasn't as enthusiastic as Justin to try a new place this morning. But... as usual I wanted him to chose the brunch place. (Yea, I'm a trooper, just cause I'm fighting some ninja-virus, doesn't mean I skip a meal...*brush my shoulders off*) So off to Tango Cafe we went. Y'all know I need my stimulating atmosphere and the inspiration lights and birch tree decor certainly provided that. All joking aside though, we were greeted with a smile and I was excited about the place just from looking around. (Okay, fine, I was really excited about the quick glimpse of a full wine fridge.... but I mean I had to rein it in, we were there for breakfast and all the booze from last night probably wasn't even out of my system yet.) The breakfast menu looked great and the photos on yelp looked better so I figured I couldn't loose. I eyed the coffee drinks with anticipation until Justin threatened to show me iphone evidence that coffee was just as bad as beer for my struggling immune system.... they looked super good though, next time I'll be trying those for sure. I ended up with a half order of (drum roll please) the smoked salmon bagel. Unfortunately, i think they forgot my cream cheese :( Maybe Justin told them it wasn't good for my germs.... Though the salmon was delicious and there was plenny of it, the meal wasn't the best I had. Luckliy, Justin is a sharer (of germs as well as food) so I got to have some of his meal: 1/2 order of crab hash benedict and 1/2 order of loco moco benedict. The crab hash benedict on a english muffin was deee-lish and the potatoes looked really good too. (Yea, i was mackin' on his plate, what up) All in all the food was fresh, the prices were great and I would definitely return- hopefully in better shape! I was so torn between 4 stars and 5 because though I wasn't a huge fan of my meal, the service was excellent, the atmosphere bomb-diggety and Justin's meal was pretty freakin amazing. With some theraflu in me I'm feeling generous so 5 stars it is. ....And I can't WAIT to go back for lunch and dinner (ummm.... and wine) ps- my apologies to the people next to us, I tried my best to keep my germs to myself... but take emergen-c just in case.... tis the season

    (4)

  • Kevin W.

    Danish pastries were outstanding - buttery and fluffy (esp guava) - and I don't normally like sweets. Salmon eggs Benedict - preferred the gravlax vs smoked salmon bc the smoked salmon is overcooked and almost like a cooked salmon benedicts whereas the gravlax is closer to raw. I don't know where they learned to smoke salmon, but it seems overcooked Sausage eggs potatoes etc were standard good. Kid friendly - much appreciated.

    (4)

  • Aaron L.

    Good food, hate the cutting corners! +$5 to share a plate!?! Ridiculous! Get some cloth napkins. Again though good food.

    (1)

  • Mimi G.

    I had misgivings about having lunch at Tango because the last time I ate there it was uninspired, however it was my mom's suggestion and I was trying to be agreeable--an activity that often ends up with unfortunate results. Nevertheless, there we were. The hostess greeted us and told us to take the two top over there and pointed in the general direction of several two tops, whatever, we picked a table. We both ordered the mahimahi sandwich and a nori bun. The fish was over cooked and dry, the tartar sauce was an off yellow color, and the bun was hard and dry. The waitress had told us that the nori was mixed into the dough before it was baked, well be as it may, this was a hard dry multigrain bun. I have no idea who got the nori bun, but it was not us. When my mother mentioned that the bun did not appear to contain any nori the waitress said, "oh! you like nori," kind of like she thought it was a cute thing to like. After lunch my mother consoled me by saying, "don't worry, you can have lunch again tomorrow." She had a good point and fortunately, it won't be at Tango.

    (2)

  • Natasha L.

    After eating here three times, Tango has never disappointed. I first ate here for my work's welcome luncheon. I had the Cobb Salad which was delicious. It was chopped and I honestly didn't think I was going to finish it because they gave you so much. But it was so good that I finished it anyway. Had their Lilikoi Italian Cream Soda for dessert. :3 Second time here, I brought my boyfriend for lunch. I had the Confit Duck Burger with a side of fries, and he had the Hamakua Mushroom Risotto with Asparagus. The burger was more than enough to feed me, and it was super neat. It's slightly smaller than a burger that you'd get at the Counter, but at least it wasn't falling all over the place like humongous burgers are apt to do. The fries were excellent. Hardly oily and super crisp. My boyfriend's mushroom risotto was superb as well. Our only gripe was that it's a bit small. But the risotto is pretty rich (and super tasty) so I can see how it was a bit filling. We also had the Lilikoi Italian Cream Soda for dessert. Went there for breakfast today and I had the Sweetbread French Toast with seasonal fruit. My boyfriend had the Confit Duck Hash with Onion and Potato. Now, I've had excellent french toast at Kaila's, but what makes this one different is that it does not need syrup, is not eggy at all, and comes with delicious blueberry sauce that isn't overwhelmingly sweet nor tart, but just right. I also like that they diced up the fruit into tiny pieces so that I'm able to eat them with the french toast. As much as I enjoyed the french toast, the duck hash was AMAZING. AMAAAAAZNG. I could not get enough of it. We usually go to Kaila's for breakfast but as Kaila's always has a wait, Tango might be our new breakfast place, as we always manage to find seats here every time we've come. Oh, we also had their french roast and thai iced coffee - both equally yummy. All in all, you get what you pay for. Tango is a little on the pricey side, but the quality is worth it.

    (5)

  • Karen D.

    Tango Contemporary Cafe is my new go-to place for LUNCH more than dinner. You get the same great food and service at a much better price. I ate here for dinner right after they first opened. While it was good, it seemed pretty pricey overall, and I had not been back since. I recently tried again during lunch and was favorably impressed. Unlike another recent diner, my duck confit dish was excellent: tender and flavorful with a delicious demi glace. The crispy cheese risotto was good, too. I requested a salad in lieu of the sauteed veggies and was happy with that as well. The portion sizes were good, and I even took home leftovers. The restaurant wasn't too busy, and it was a relaxing, classy atmosphere in which to "talk story" and conduct a little business. The service was attentive, courteous, and efficient. I will definitely be back for lunch. Tango Cafe is located in the Hokua Building at Queen and Auahi Sts, near PF Chang China Bistro. Hours are Sat-Sun: 8-10:30am, 11am-9:30pm; Mon-Fri: 7-10am, 11am-9:30pm. Parking in the attached garage is free with validation. Yelp 365 Challenge #074/365

    (4)

  • Sarah W.

    Tango served me the best freshly prepared danish pastry I've ever ever had. GET THE PASTRIES IF YOU GO HERE. They're only $1/piece. I tried the duck confit hash. It was pretty tasty, though there was too little duck for the price. The swedish pancakes were divine. You'll get 3 pancakes, all perfectly golden brown, macerated berries, and whipped cream on the side. It's tasty and oh so yummy. If I went here again I'd try the portuguese fried rice because my mom's friend got it and it is well worth the money! Also looked mighty tasty...I guess this is only something you could find at a trendy danish breakfast joint in Hawaii (fried rice for breakfast)! ALSO:: if you happen to be waiting outside they'll serve comp coffee. How wonderful is that?!

    (4)

  • Greg C.

    Three to Tango! My first venture out to this Ward area restaurant yesterday, and it wasn't what I hoped for. Our server was not the happy go-lucky server you hope to get for a business luncheon. She just didn't seem happy to be there. Let's talk food. I ordered the Hamakua Mushroom Risotto with Chicken. The first mistake was mine, as one person in my party ordered the same thing, but with shrimp. I don't like shrimp. I'm allergic to shrimp. Shrimp don't like me. Why I said, 'I'll have the same thing she's having' is beyond me. When the Risotto with shrimp was placed in front of me, I had to beg my server to take it away and replace with chicken. Remember, she didn't seem happy to be there, and now she didn't look happy to be with me. Such is the holiday spirit. Server: 'D' Once I got what I really wanted, the Risotto left alot to be desired. Firstly, there was barely a Hamakua mushroom in sight. Secondly, the Risotto was a little too al dente and clumpy. Thirdly, the chicken on top was actually pretty good. Entree: 'C' We decided to make a day of it and order dessert. I ordered the creme brulee. Crunchy on the top, sweet all the way through, but not over-the-top. Some fresh berries on the side. Dessert: 'A' I'll probably go back and try Tango's again, only because I hear they offer a mean breakfast (right Emi H?). Wish me luck! Oh, as for parking, you can park around the right side of the restaurant in their parking structre and get validation for 2.5 hours, but I parked over at the new parking structure across the way from Ward Center. It's free, and requires a short walk.

    (3)

  • Hillary J.

    Awesome

    (5)

  • Faye M.

    Had dinner twice over here, and I enjoyed myself both times! Both times I had salmon, but they were prepared 2 different ways, so it's not like I just ate the same dish twice... The first time I had the salmon that's on the menu (I forget what it was called) but I remember it being very delicious and I had no complaints :) I shared the creme brûlée with my date, and it was pretty good too! Last night was my second time there and we started off with French Onion Soup. Let me just say - that was the best FOS I've had so far in my life! The broth was dark and flavorful, the onions were soft and carmalized to perfection! The best part was the cheese! The bowl wasn't smothered in cheese, so it wasn't a big gooey mess like most FOSs! Everything about it was perfection! Their special was Copper River Salmon w/Dill Sauce, Smashed Potatoes, and Grilled Vegetables. OMG it was sooo good!! The portion size was pretty big & the sauce paired perfectly with it :) The smashed potatoes were OK, I didn't eat much of it (needed to reserve space for all the salmon!) and there wasn't enough vegetables for my taste...but they were prepared well. My friend had the Garlic Shrimp Risotto, but she wasn't very happy with it...she said there wasn't enough garlic taste :( Service was very attentive - filling our water glass as soon as it reached the half mark, checking our IDs when we ordered wine (that's a WHOLE star right there!) and they all acknowledge you when you walk in and say bye when you leave.

    (4)

  • Kahanalei M.

    We got here a little after it opened at 11am and ordered the Grilled Mahi Mahi Sandwich on Nori Bun. This was satisfying and really delicious! I didn't think the fish was dry at all, instead it was grilled just right and juicy on the inside. The fries, shredded carrots and pickle on the side were tasty as well. Portion-wise, I thought it was a sufficient amount - not too much, not too little. When we arrived, there were about 4-5 customers inside, but when we left, right after 12pm, the place was packed and there were around 12-14 people waiting outside. The restaurant itself has a nice and modern vibe to it and our male server was very pleasant and gave great service. A hair stylist of mine recommended their club sandwich - that would be something I'd like to try that the next time I come here, and I heard their breakfast menu is good too!

    (5)

  • Terry K.

    Yelp Challenge 365 # 42/365 I tried very hard to find cause for 4-5 stars fellow Yeeps but just could not. I suppose if I were there for breakfast or brunch, the story may be different as I've had great brunches there... but dinner? I don't think so. One lemon grass cosmo please and a chardonnay for my friend. I will say the lemon grass cosmo was pretty darned good; refreshing, if I had to sum it up in one word. Foie gras appetizer and escargot appetizer... well, I will always try foie gras at any restaurant (its on my list of must tries=no matter what). laced with a red wine sauce :( a little to salty the escargot was also in a red wine sauce and little pieces of parmesan cheese was thrown on top of it. Oh, there were little garbanzo beans floating on them also and they all sat on a crostini now soggy from the sauce... :( seared scallops on wilted spinach... I'd have to say it was okay. Besides, can one mess up on a spinach salad? Sorry- no dessert, no coffee., I must leave.... The good parts: service was excellent and parking is free Maybe, they should stick to breakfast and brunches.

    (3)

  • Theresa J.

    I love this place! Good service, good food, good lighting and simple style and OM NOM NOMs. CON: There can be a wait. But it's worth it. PRO: Everything else. I always get the coffee no matter the time of day, it's very prepared and basically delicious. The open faced shrimp sandwich is fresh and light. Great for lunch. Pair with the salad it comes with or get fries. I love the onion soup. It's got a layer of yummy cheese that molests your spoon and giant onions with a fantastic base. I always end up gnawing on my spoon to get off all that cheese. For dessert I'm a coffee addict so I get the Affogato di Gelato... Which is heaven!

    (5)

  • Shay F.

    I had the steamed moi and affogato yesterday...oh boy. They were good. I also tasted my parents french onion soup and caesar salad, which were both good too! They're improving! Oh, and I found out that the chef is from Finland! Totally cool!

    (4)

  • Nicole K.

    Yelp 365: 06/365 I have eaten here a couple of times, and this review will encompass both. My cousin who lives in Seattle and I both have the same birthday, and our family took us here for dinner. Such an excellent choice. We started off with the Sweet Caramelized Onion Soup, which was the best choice ever. It was kind of cold in the restaurant, and this just warmed me up. It wasn't a really powerful flavor, but heck you knew it was there. We also started with the Escargot on Sour Dough Crostini. I love escargot. Their sauce isn't as garlicy as Chart House's sauce, but this was very very good. A light dark brown sauce that complimented the mushrooms and escargot. My cousin doesn't like escargot, but she took a "mushroom" off the plate. Sorry sweetie, that wasn't a mushroom. Also on our starting order was the Roasted Red and Golden Beet Salad with Goat Cheese :) You must get this. I'm a huge fan of goat cheese and their dressing is delectable. My mom and I also split the Caesar salad. Now for the entrees we got that night: (1) My aunty and I got the Sautéed Seabass with Tomato Fennel Coulis. It's served on a bed of ratatouille, so I knew I had to get that. The coulis wasn't overcooked or anything like that. I hate it when my fish is dry, but this piece was moist and packed with flavor. (2) My mom and my cousin got the Lobster and Goat Cheese Ravioli with Fresh Basil. Again, I love goat cheese. So sorry mom for eating one of your ravioli pieces. (3) My uncle and my other cousin got the Hamakua Mushroom Risotto with Garlic Shrimp. So so so so good. My cousin kept asking if I wanted a shrimp. Heck yes I do!!!! Plump little shrimpies just waiting to be eaten. I'm normally not a fan of risotto because of the texture, but after smelling their dishes, I knew I needed to try some. And for dessert? We got the Creme Brulee. Okay, first of all this isn't your ordinary creme brulee. There's a hint of lemon or ginger or something. And it isn't heavy at all! This was good because I was so full after dinner that I don't think I could have handled a heavy dessert. But this was absolutely excellent. ----- Okay, now for the most recent visit. Thomas O., David C., and I hit up this place after the madness at First Friday. We decided not to start with any appetizers. We just wanted to dig in. (And thanks to Tango for letting me make a reservation right before last call. You guys are the best). Thomas O. got the special of the night. He pretty much knew he wanted it as soon as the words left our waiter's mouth. Osso Bucco. Thomas that was a good choice. That's all I have to say. We did a little food swapping and I was able to taste test. First off that meat was TEEEEEENDER. It almost kind of melted in my mouth. And the marrow? We split it. Heavenly. Absolutely heavenly. We were thinking we should go in the back and ask them if we can have their bones. HAHAHAHA. David C. got the Asian Style Five Spice Braised Beef. Excellent flavors. Talk about a party in my mouth. And who ever thought of chili fried onions on top of the braised beef, please marry me and cook for me all the time. I got the Lobster Goat Cheese Ravioli. For me, I could definitely taste the goat cheese, but not so much the lobster. But Thomas O. said he could taste the lobster. I guess we all have different taste buds. But yes, Thomas O. is right, dip the bread in their amazing sauce :) And for dessert, we topped it off with the Creme Brulee. I told them it was a must-try, and I'm glad both of them enjoyed it. Tango, I will be coming back to you (even though your prices are sometimes out of my reach), but heck yesterday was pay day. And Thomas O., I think it takes three to tango (according to Geico). HAHA.

    (5)

  • Jenny S.

    Located right next to PF Changs in the Hoku building near Ward center, Tango Cafe is a place to go for a bite to eat! Decor is very welcoming and the touches of wood tables as well as the center piece gives the feeling of eating outside on a picnic. the food there is very good! I've tried their salads and burgers, all of it is just YUM! I've never had blue cheese dressing before, but after eating the salad here, I absolutely love blue cheese dressing on my salads!! I really enjoyed that the cafe isn't too big, because it gives off the intimate feeling and the noise level is low so carrying a conversation is quite easy. Overall, this place is a great experience and you'll be wanting to come back again and again. Also, they take reservations so if you're in a need of a quick lunch you can pre-order or even do take out!!!

    (5)

  • Crissy K.

    I'd heard so many good things about Tango from so many people over the past few years that I was eager to try it. The only thing that kept me away was the consistent warning I'd also hear: The service could be painfully slow. So I waited until I had a considerable amount of time and the appropriate dining partner. The opportunity finally presented itself yesterday. I wasn't terribly impressed with the variety of fare offered on the dinner menu. Nothing really jumped out at me. The salmon I ended up selecting was fine, but really only just -- not really worth $20, even with the mashed potatoes, asparagus and carrots (I won't even count the squash, since it was pretty much not edible). Nothing about it was special enough to make me want to get it again. For my friend and me, speed of service was not a problem: From 5:15 to 6:15 p.m., we were the only ones there. All customer attention was on us. That was a little strange, but at least we were serviced at a good pace as a result. Tango was OK, but it didn't really live up to any kind of hype. I probably wouldn't go out of my way to dine there again.

    (3)

  • Heidi P.

    I am hooked! I used to live a few blocks up the street and came here twice to have their crab and salmon eggs benedict for breakfast. I totally enjoyed it. I always said I would go for lunch there. Well today I did! I love the feel of the restaurant - very clean, simple lines, they have a nice way to create an intimate space for their diners by dividing the restaurant down the middle with a nice creative display of branches and lanterns. The menu had so many great things to choose from that I could not decide. Pan Seared New York Steak, Dungeness Crab Cake Sandwich with Avocado on a Nori bun, Chopped Spinach Salad with Tomates and Bacon, or the Hamakua Mushroom Risotto with Asparagus and Garlic Shrimp! Ok I am getting hungry again. I tried the Mushroom Risotto and was not disappointed! The average entree is about $13 - $15 dollars and their portion size totally meets that price - very generous. I of course made a pig out of myself and ate the entire plateful because it was that good. I did not get to dessert but you better believe that is on my list - Blueberry Rice Pudding and Kona Coffe Ice Cream Drizzled with Espresso was just two of the items they had - can I get a yeeeahhhhh!

    (5)

  • Bee Y.

    Came here for dinner and it was so good that we had to come back for breakfast the next day! Highly recommend the mushroom risotto and braised beef dishes. The lychee sorbet is refreshing, juicy, and delicious. Very cool, different breakfast dishes. The coffee is flavourful and comes with a free refill! Decor is beautiful. Small restaurant but worth the wait if there's a line. Staff is friendly and accommodating to food allergies as well. Food came promptly and great recommendations from our server.

    (5)

  • Les M.

    My first time at a Brunch Boozers event and my first time at Tango Cafe. The verdict for both.....pretty damn good. What good is a "Boozer" event without the booze? Not to worry, Tango's fully stocked bar hiding behind the dining counter has your Bloody Mary fix to help you kickstart your Sunday Funday. Just add your own Tobasco, their rendition is very mild in the spice department. However, I'm hungry too. "Stop whining!" youtube.com/watch?v=WL1l… Tango's kitchen offers delicious dishes, from a twist on the famous Loco Moco to an unlikely breakfast item like Confit Duck Hash. THE LOCO MOCO BENEDICT ($9.50 ) - Usually when you think Loco Moco you think two fried eggs, over a ground hamburger patty, over a mound of white rice, covered in gravy. Tango's twist on the classic goes a little something like this: One fried egg, over a fall-off-the-bone soft cut of quality cow, over a hockey puck shaped monument of fried rice, sans gravy, sub hollandaise sauce. You get two of these unique works of art, and the black olive garnishing the center of the benedicts makes it look like you have a pair of beckoning boobs yelp.com/biz_photos/vR53… on your plate that you just wanna motorboat the shit out of youtube.com/watch?v=hetI… . THE CONFIT DUCK HASH ($10.25) - The duck itself was a little dry and actually tasted more like roasted pork than duck. Guess I'm just used to the Chinese version of duck and the thick skin/fat that gives it most of its unique flavor. The potatoes were really good though, cut with a fork soft and flavorful. yelp.com/biz_photos/vR53… Besides the satisfying fare and potent potables, the Yelpy Brunch Boozers themselves yelp.com/biz_photos/vR53… made me give the event 5 stars and ensured that my Sunday "dumped the S for an F" like I was into alphabet dating. Fun times were had, can't wait for the next one. See you all there!! #Yelp 365 - 022/365

    (5)

  • Cintamani A.

    The first time I went there I enjoyed the cafe but the appeal has since warn off. There are some pretty good dishes with some oh so average ones but nothing bad. Nothing really wrong with it besides lacking some passion and not enough seasonings in certain dishes. It's definitely not a place I would swear off but also a place I probably won't visit any time soon since there's more worthwhile restaurants to check out in the same vicinity. The service is alright, the decor pleasant with matching music, an abundance of natural lighting that makes artificial redundant and cleanly. Just a warning, the creme brulee top layer is as sharp as shards of glass! Tasty yet somewhat unsettling. Dangerous dessert, indeed.

    (3)

  • Michele M.

    Breakfast, lunch or dinner. No matter what meal it ends up being when I plop down in one of Tango's seats, I always leave a happy camper!!! My husband loves the 50/50 eggs benedict. I am a huge portuguese sausage/eggs/rice type of gal. So I get sausage or ham, scrambled eggs and brown rice. For lunch, I usually make any attempt to order an entree with fries. Those are my weakness! I love the fries here. Just the right amount of crisp and salt!! The burger is sooo satisfying. Dinner is no slouch either. A dear friend reserved half the restaurant one night for her rehearsal dinner. The picnic tables are rustic and charming!! The duck and braised beef are excellent. Super tender and very tasty!! We used to go more frequently for Sunday breakfast...Hopefully we can get back into the groove with the routine again real soon!!!

    (5)

  • Leslie B.

    Always looking for new places to go for Sunday breakfast. We decided to give Tango a try. I've been there for lunch a lot of times and never been disappointed. Got there a little after 8:00am and were seated right away. French pressed coffee is totally worth it. Had crab hash Benedict, hubby had scrambled eggs and Portuguese sausage. Both were excellent. Eggs prepared perfectly - soft poached egg. Yummy. The fruit garnish - 1/2 strawberry, orange slice, honeydew melon slice were so sweet but I doubt they could be sliced any thinner. By the time we left a little after 9am there were peeps waiting outside so go early. Definitely a winner!

    (5)

  • Iris T.

    If they had brunch places like Tango near me, I'd be the happiest person EVER. Why? Well lemme tell you guys: 1) It's a cute cafe that just exudes a relaxing and chill atmosphere. What better way to spend your morning than to hang out in a cafe like that? 2) The food!! I got their "Loco Moco" eggs benedict without the hollandaise sauce. Although I've never had the "loco moco" in its traditional preparation, this variation of it is just so delicious that I doubt the original version could be better. Tango's version is braised beef on top of fried rice and poached eggs. So. Good. One bite and twas love. 3) The price -- it's about par for the brunch course as far as prices go.. and the food's definitely ABOVE par so you definitely get more bang for your buck, Yelp friends! This place is definitely on my "must-return-to" list of restaurants on any future trips to Hawaii!

    (4)

  • Erica W.

    We went to Tango Cafe looking for a quiet, tasteful restaurant to have a drink and maybe some dessert before our movie at Ward Theatre. Tango Cafe was exactly what we were looking for. The restaurant is small but uses its space well--every table really feels like the best table. The lighting is intimate and the decorations are trendy. Tango Cafe's best features, though, are their servers, who are knowledgable, polite, and know just when to interrupt and when to leave you alone. They have a great wine menu, a full bar, tasty desserts, and the French Onion soup is a steal. They are supposed to have a great breakfast and the full menu looks amazing, so I plan on returning. I really just appreciated that they were such a sharp contrast to the noisier chain restaurants around the theatre, but they stand on their own merits as a good solid restaurant.

    (4)

  • Kelly M.

    Went for dinner. Entrees in the low $20, plus $10 for a salad, makes for a more expensive meal than I expected for $$. I agreed with a couple of other yelpers that it is overpriced for dinner. Food was good. Starters were a parmesan and potato soup. Quite nice. Ceaser salad was bland. Liked the anchovy on top. In so many places it's easy to forget that Ceaser salad is supposed to be an anchovy based dressing. Our entrees were fish of the day (marlin) and duck breast with confit leg. Both were overcooked. Not to the point of being tough, but definitely to the point where there wasn't a rose-y bit of color in the middle or a bit of uncooked texture. This is how my grandparents like their food cooked. Not what I expected from a contemporary cafe. Sides were fine, some naked steam veggie, done perfectly - baby-sized and fresh. Overall a good restaurant. But there are so many restaurants and so little time.....

    (3)

  • LesliAnn K.

    Went to Tango for dinner. The positives are its got a cool decor and interior. Came here for a bachelorette party and suggested it because it seemed like a good gathering place for the girls. Ordered the Hamakua Mushroom Risotto with Shrimp and Sauteed Asparagus for my entree. Sounded better than it was. Did not feel it was worth the steep price of $20.50. Consistency of the risotto was not good, some grains were harder than others. I found myself chewing a little harder at times depending on the bite. Maybe I need to come here for breakfast or lunch instead.

    (2)

  • Christina M.

    I am here in Hawaii for the first time, and have been open to trying new restaurants. A friend of mine, who lives here 3 months out of the year recommended it highly. The spot is small, but aesthetically appealing, wood, soft lighting surrounded by all-glass corner spot walls. The staff is incredibly friendly. Not much of a bar... But there is a place where you can sit and wait for your table and get something to drink. We made reservations so the wait wasn't long. I ordered the scallops appetizer, and my friend got the clams. I didn't think I liked clams but this was yummy... garlicy and tasty. Mine also was delicious, each scallop on spinach... My meal was a Special with Monkfish, potatoes with a delicious sauce. I haven't licked my plate since being here.... I am a picker, but everything was so good I ate every drop of appetizer, meal, and dipped my french bread into my friend's clam sauce.... Definite winner!

    (4)

  • Myong C.

    I've been a fan of Tango for a while, often selecting it a place for a small business lunch or for a casual dinner. What I like about the place is that it gives you a fine dining vibe without the fine dining cost. My most recent visit was for Mother's Day dinner and all 3 people in our party walked out happy with the meal. We started off with the portabello mushroom and crab hash appetizer. This was da winnahs! The 3 of scarfed this down and before you knew it, all you could see was the white of the plate cuz we even slurped up all the delicious sauce with the house bread. I also ordered a bowl of the soup du jour (lobster bisque) and the waiter was nice enough to take it upon himself to serve the soup in 3 separate bowls so we wouldn't have to bang spoons as we ate. The bisque was good, but just a bit too salty and lacked just a bit of richness for a bisque in my opinion. Then it was entree time. My mom ordered the beef tenderloin with potatoes and of course I had a bite. The meat came out a tad undercooked (she ordered it medium rare but it looked more on the rare side) but it was definitely tender and very tasty. She must've liked it since she didn't leave a single item on her plate! My dad ordered the braised beef and he thought it was perfect. You see, my dad has bad teeth so he can't chew tough meats but the braised beef was so tender he could cut it with his fork and he had no problems chewing it. The mashed potatoes that accompanied the beef was also very good. I ordered the duck breast and leg confit dish. I'm a big fan of duck so I wanted to see what they could do with it. I too was quite satisfied with my order although I am not a fan of the polenta that was served with it. As for the service, it was top notch as usual. I've received great service every time I've dined here and Sunday night was no different. With all that food plus tax and tip the total for the 3 of us came out to less than $100. That's pretty damn good considering the food, atmosphere, and service we received. Overall, a great place to get find dining type food for middle of the road costs. I can eat here anytime.

    (4)

  • Denalee C.

    I came here last night for a baby shower with 7 of my relatives. I arrived at 6:30 and because there were some tardy party goers, we didn't order till maybe 7:00. The place was surprisingly packed for a Thursday night. There was a party of four behind us and a party of 6 on the left of us that both arrived after us (but I suspect ordered before us) We didn't order appetizers but maybe we should have as our food didn't arrive until 8:10. The party of 6 near us got their food ten minutes before we did and the party of 4 behind us got their food 5 minutes before us. The crazy thing is that there is only 10 entree options, including the nightly special! Which means the kitchen isn't efficient. We didn't get bread until maybe 7:30 after sitting there for an hour. However, the bread was fresh from the oven, crunchy on the outside and warm and soft on the inside. And oh, the butter is to die for. My onion soup was very tasty and the cheese was the best! My scallop spinach salad was OK, not fantastic. I probably won't order it again. Word to the wise: go early. order quick. get appetizers. ask for bread.

    (4)

  • Chris M.

    My family and I had a belated Mother's day breakfast recently at Tango's. I'm glad we all ordered something different - gave us the chance to try some of everything! SMOKED SALMON EGGS BENEDICT, $10.00 If you're craving a benedict without the heaviness of Canadian bacon or another filling meat, this is a good option. The smoked salmon was tasty and of pretty high quality, I just wished there was a little more of it. The hollandaise sauce was just okay for me....it was thin, light yellow, and a little runny. SWEET BREAD FRENCH TOAST, $8.50 This was okay, nothing that really stood out. I liked the fresh fruit topping - strawberries, cantaloupe, melon, and blueberries. SWEDISH PANCAKES, $8.50 My niece didn't care for this, so I actually got to have more than a few bites. These thin, tiny pancakes were spectacular with the fresh fruit and whipped cream! I don't think I would have gotten full off of just this dish, though - portion is on the smaller side. BANANA PANCAKES, $8.00 A standard fluffy stack of pancakes that are very filling; making up for the smaller portion sizes of other dishes that we ordered....doesn't even come close to Cinnamon's though. FRIED RICE WITH PORTUGUESE SAUSAGE & ONE EGG, $8.50 Had a taste of this; it was a very good-sized portion of decent fried rice with slices of portuguese sausage. LION COFFEE, $2.25 (one refill) They don't grind the beans until you order it, so this was one FRESH and strong cup of coffee! I was definitely awake after this! SERVICE Our waitress seemed overwhelmed at times, which I didn't quite understand because the restaurant is small and there were 2 other servers, plus an expeditor/manager. Our water glasses were refilled, though slower than I would have preferred. The nice thing for Tango is that the decor is pleasing to the eye, and with good company and flowing conversation, the glitches in brunch service are not as noticeable. PARKING Lots of parking in their covered lot, a big reason we decided on coming here because my aunty hates stressing out over parking spots. RESTROOMS Very, very clean! You might laugh, but I tend to pay more attention to restrooms when we're dining out with the little kid. Tango has one of the nicest restrooms in town! RESERVATIONS HIghly recommended, especially if you are going to be there with more than one person. I noticed that a few parties missed out on breakfast service since they tried to walk in when all tables were occupied. If you have a large appetite like I do, make sure to order accordingly, as some of the dishes will not fill you up. More like 3.5 stars, but I'll wait to bump up the rating after coming back to try the Loco Moco Benedict!

    (3)

  • Chris O.

    So torn with Tango after my most recent visit. Breakfast is a solid 4 stars (my previous review) Lunch is a 3. On two different visits I tried the Breaded Pork Cutlet and the Char Grilled Herb Rubbed Flank Steak. The pork cutlet was awesome. At first you'll notice that the cutlet is on the thinner side but it's nicely breaded, generous in portion, and the gravy was excellent. If you're unsure about what to get, I recommend this as a "safe" entree. The flank steak, ugh, it pains me to even think about it. Presentation wise, it looked nice. But once I brought the first piece to my mouth, I noticed it was cooked well done when I ordered medium rare. I also need to keep in mind that a flank cut is one of the tougher cuts of beef, but my pieces were rather chewy. To add onto my displeasure, it lacked flavor. Even with the steak butter, I found it very bland. I was so disappointed that I couldn't finish the last 3 pieces of steak (and there's only around 8 pieces to start off with). I was also semi-disappointed with the french onion soup here. When I picture a french onion soup, I think of cheese covering the entire soup, and even a few crispy cheese "drippings" stuck to the rim of the bowl. However, Tango is rather sparing with their cheese as floats in the middle of the soup (also making it harder to scoop).

    (3)

  • Lorraine S.

    You might expect high prices at this tiny restaurant, smashed up against Panya and Bank of Hawaii. And you will be pleasantly surprised at how reasonable they are. The food is simple but excellent, every time. They don't know the meaning of over salted or over cooked. The owner (I believe she's the owner) is the nicest woman in Honolulu, she always treats my elderly mom as if she were a queen. (In my mind, she is!) and she is thoughtful, sweet, and kind. The staff come racing over to open the door when they see me approach the wheelchair.....that is a delightful change from many restaurants, where the host simply stands and watches you struggle with the door with a blank look on her face... the food is a million times better than Panya, next door, and much faster, too. The only downside is that because it's a small place, you will have a wait for breakfast. So what, it's worth it. I'd give 10 stars if I could...and I don't say that lightly.

    (5)

  • Paul M.

    With all of the signs boasting of their great reviews and awards, I had high hopes for this place. Alas, it was disappointing. I got the confit duck burger and my friend got their steak. She ordered her steak medium and it came out well done and dry. The duck burger was almost in edible. The duck was horribly over cooked, dry and little to no flavor. I will say that their fries and homemade ketchup were pretty tasty. Coffee was also top notch. Service was quick and friendly but I don't think I'd be returning any time soon.

    (2)

  • Richard S.

    This was an excellent dining experience with great, friendly, and professional service and excellent cuisine for dinner. It was so good we went back for brunch a few days later and found our first experience was not a fluke. To have such a gem of a fine restaurant in your neighborhood is truly a blessing. We enjoyed it so much we decided to give a gift certificate to a dear friend whom we know will enjoy equally.

    (5)

  • Shane T.

    The food was really good. The drinks are affordable. Parking is convenient. I totally enjoyed the meal. The servers were on it, but it took a while for our food to come. Definitely coming back!

    (4)

  • Doris D.

    A disappointing experience at Tango, unfortunately. The food was barely decent and unimaginative. The restaurant is certainly contemporary in style but lacking in the actual food department. Seared Scallops on Wilted Spinach - Anchovy Herb Dressing with Shallots and Garlic - 10.95 - Just ok. The scallops were decently prepared but I wouldn't say it was anything special. Classic Caesar Salad - Hearts of Romaine, Caesar Dressing, Roasted Garlic Crouton - 9.75 - Just ok. Can't really mess up a caesar salad. Lobster and Goat Cheese Ravioli with Fresh Basil - Lobster Sauce, Pesto and Asparagus - 21.50 - my entree and i have to say it was pretty awful. The "lobster sauce" was a sad cream sauce lacking in luster and flavor. The ravioli filling was so lacking in flavor that I couldn't even taste any of the components of the filling, i.e., lobster and goat cheese. It was just mush. And the pasta was poorly cooked, aiming for al dente but winding up with an undercooked mess - the rims of the ravioli were very hard and practically inedible. I ate two and simply could not bear to finish it. Chocolate Brownie with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream 5.50 - Just ok, very old fashioned dessert for a "comtemporary" cafe.

    (1)

  • Jamila J.

    Wavered between 4 and 5 stars and decided to round up! Come along on my journey with Tango. The Reservation: I was making a dinner reservation for 15 people on a Saturday night at 7pm. Just a bit of a challenge. I was having a lot of trouble, especially with my normal spots, and it was the Monday before we were supposed to have this dinner. I came to Yelp to find some new spots and saw the reviews and decided to try it out. The reviews talked about how small the place was so I wasn't too optimistic that they would be okay with 15 people. I was completely wrong! I called expecting the worst and got the best. The woman on the phone was so excited to host a party of 15, even wanted to know the special occasion. She even called to reconfirm the day before the reservation and say they couldn't wait to have us. I was very excited about this place. The Drinks: What better place to start! First, there are no drink specials. Now that's out of the way, the bar is decent, limited selection. They have a bunch of Sochu drink cocktails to choose from. My friend ordered a drink that was definitely not good and the server noticed this, figured out what the problem was and mixed another drink to make sure we were happy with it. That's some great service. The Appetizers: A good mix choices. I had the Soup du jour, which was tomato basil soup. I must say, I was very disappointed with the soup. It wasn't creamy, hearty, nothing. Just watery, like it was out of the can with too much water. Other appetizers ordered were the Escargot. It was delicious! Huge pile of escargot on a bread of some sort. Yummy goodness. The clams also came in a huge pile and were awesome as well. The Entrees: Luckily, I was with a great group of friends, so we passed around the plates. I ordered the Braised Short Ribs. Was completely enjoyable and a great choice. Seared Ahi was definitely a hit. One of my friends was like I don't want it to be raw, so they actually cooked it all the way through for her! I'm not that much of a Risotto fan, but the Seafood Rissoto was also amazing. Perfectly cooked. The Rack of Lamb was also awesome, the sauce they used was out of this world. By far the best of the night was the Lobster & Goat Cheese Ravioli was amazing. If you like Lobster, Cheese (the goat cheese is not too overpowering) and Ravioli, this will be a religious experience! The dessert: I got the complete meal, so it came with soup du jour and my choice of Ice Cream or Sorbet. I chose the Cinnamon Ice Cream, seriously one of my favorite flavors of Ice Cream and it was wonderful! Glad to know there's at least one place to get this. I didn't try any of the other desserts, so all I can say is the looked real pretty! All in all, it was a great experience. There was only one server for the 15 of us and I think the service was awesome. Hats off to him! They were accommodating and welcoming. I will be back to Tango. Can't wait to try breakfast and lunch!

    (5)

  • M L.

    Consistently fresh and tasty dishes at Tango. Everyone was happy with their choices today, which included the ali'i mushrooms on fettuccine, mahi mahi sandwich and New York steak, as well as a shared serving of Kona coffee ice cream cake. Prompt, friendly service, in a relaxed and casual ambiance. Reasonable prices.

    (4)

  • Paul T.

    One of our most favorite restaurants for lunch... we usually come here after the lunch crowd, around 2 pm... been coming here since it opened... great daily soups... all entrees consistently good...

    (5)

  • Annie L.

    I heart Tango. After hearing pretty good reviews about this place, the bf and I decided to do date night here. We went at about 830 on a Wednesday night and got seated right away without a reservation. This restaurant is actually a lot tinier than it looks, with only 2 people working the entire floor but they did extremely well. We ordered the Seared Scallop Spinach salad (~10), really delish...must try! We shared it and they even split it and brought it out on 2 plates, which was perfect as a starter. We also tried the salmon chowder...pretty standard chowder, wasn't blown away by it. For entrees, we got the Lobster goat cheese ravioli w/ asparagus (~20), and the rack of lamb medium rare (~27). Both were scrumptious...and they did the medium rare very good...it came out nice and pink, which most places usually do too cooked. The ravioli was good, but I can see it getting kind of heavy if that's all you order so sharing it makes it perfect. We also got they lychee sorbet and coffee ice cream cake for desserts. The sorbet was nice and light and really cleared your palate after such a great meal. The cake was a bit much for my but my bf ate every last bite. Bill came out to be about 75buckaroos.... we were both extremely satisfied and impresses with Tango and will definitely be back to try more. Who knows, maybe we'll take some tango lessons too :)

    (5)

  • Kristen C.

    268/365 Ive been meaning to come here and I finally got the chance when i suggested it to my BF. We came around 530-6p and there were only a few other diners there so we didnt have to wait to get a table, esp considering we didnt make a reservation, which I would recommend as the place is a bit small. They bring complimentary bread that warm and crispy. For my entree I got their seafood stew in saffron broth and that was delish. For dessert we shared their blueberry bread pudding which was just alright and not enough blueberries. Overall the service was great and the food was pretty good so i'll def be going back :)

    (4)

  • Victoria C.

    Whenever I'm in the mood to have a nice brunch and catch up sesh with my girlfriends, I think of Tango. It's the perfect spot to catch up with friends or to have a nice dinner. I usually don't bring my fiance here though.. to me it's more of a place you'd go with your girls. When I'm craving for something light.. I typically order a salad there but warning you, they are pretty big! And can get pretty filling :) I also like their onion soup and their open faced sandwiches. I have yet to try their desserts cause I always get too full from my entree. But from what I've seen.. they look pretty good! This place is also not too pricey.. ans so far the service has been pretty good!

    (4)

  • Kalani C.

    Came here for dinner with my cousin before heading to the Erykah Badu concert. As always, the vibe is relaxed and mellow. I had the Roasted All Natural Free Range Jidori Chicken Breast on Seasoned rice in a Coconut Curry Sauce (4 stars). Pleasant dish with chicken breast seasoned and prepared well. The coconut curry sauce was a nice touch and I wish there was more on the plate. I also had their micro greens with a balsamic-based dressing that tasted fine (4 stars). My cousin had the Hamakua Mushroom Risotto with Garlic Shrimp Sautéed Asparagus (4 stars) that wasn't overwhelmingly heavy tasting as a lot of risotto tend to be, just flavorful and light. The wines by the glass were reasonable and well selected for a mid-range palette and not exorbitant and unattainable (yet there were some wines you could certainly do that if you wished). I even noticed they had vodka and shochu cocktails as well as a $12 flight of three sakes: Very cool! Dessert was a shared bowl of lychee sorbet. I don't really like lychee, but this was very refreshing and didn't have that aftertaste that I hate: 4 stars. Service was fine, no issues and he got the job done without really being noticed, so 4 stars. I haven't been here for quite some time, but glad we decided to. Looking forward to another experience here soon.

    (4)

  • Zar A.

    I've been here on two occasions. My first time here was on Christmas Eve evening in 2009. My second time here was this past weekend [Dec 2010] for their breakfast menu. CHRISTMAS EVE - SET MENU For their Christmas Eve dinner, they had a set menu. I can't remember what we ordered but my friend and I were very impressed with this place. In 2009, when we went, and Tango had just recently opened as the Hokua tower had just opened. The price for their menu was very decent as we thought it would be off the wall for being located in such a nice Tower. It was a three course meal and I remember coming in famished and leaving very satisfied. BREAKFAST MENU I came in on the account of Emi H's two reviews on how fabulous their breakfast menu here was. I didn't think this place served breakfast, but apparently, they do, and apparently, it's GOOOOOODDDD. They are well known for their eggs benedict here. But if you know me, you know that I don't follow the crowd. I do my own thing. But, based on Emi H's awesome review, I ordered their Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict and my friend ordered their Loco Moco Benedict. OMFG, it was sooooooo good! So, the price? Very decent. $9.50 for each plus $2 for coffee. Any breakfast place in Kailua would cost the same. So, expensive? Nahhhh... Good price for awesome breakfast food. Also, a tip, come after 9AM and it gets really busy. Expect a wait. Come before 8AM and you're good to go! The place is small, so, there are only a few tables. But, for the nice service and awesome food, I would wait.... Parking is free in Hokua Tower. This is now one of my new favorite spots for breakfast, in addition to dinner!

    (5)

  • Josh D.

    I have heard alot about this place and I really really wanted to give them a good review. I went on a Friday evening around 7:30 with my friend. It was not crowded so we only waited for a good 5 minutes. We were seated all the way at the far right corner. I thought it would be nice since it's away from the noise and just to ourselves. My friend ordered the braised beef while I ordered the pork chop. We even ordered the complete meal that came with the salad/soup and the sorbet at the end for $6.50 more. I ordered the refillable plantion tea since sodas are not refillable. My friend only wanted water. We got our soup and salad and after that, it was a long wait until we got our entree'. So we were hanging onto our bread. On top of that, the waiter did not come around to give us water or any refills until we got our order. I even told my friend, "This is what it must feel like when customers are waiting for their dinner on the TV show, Hell's kitchen". Finally our order comes. Our plates were not significant in anyway, although the food was good - it was not worth $28 for the portion that we had. So we eat. Service was definitely lacking here because we got refills only once during the time we were eating our entree and talking. Maybe because it was where we were sitting that they "may have forgotten about us?" Oh... and no one - not one of the servers even our main server came to ask us if everything was good - not even when they came that one time when they were refilling our drinks. Not even when they were clearing our table for dessert... nothing like, "How was dinner?" "How did you like your pork chop?" Nothing. On top of that, I didn't feel full. Then came dessert. I got the lychee sorbet while my friend got the chocolate. THREE LITTLE BALLS OF SORBET and spoon that came with it was larger than that! All in all we paid $61 and some change for that meal. I would not come back here and when we were walking out, my friend said that this is not worth the money and he too would not come back. Another thing, I did not see any kid's menu and the way the seats are set up, it doesn't seem ideal for parties larger than 6.

    (2)

  • Jillian P.

    After years of seeing this place, I finally ate here for the first time. ATMOSPHERE: I really love the decor in there! Sooo gorgeous. Their chandeliers are to die for and they have three huge panels of what looks like a Marimekko print. :) So in love! I think as far as atmosphere goes, my coworker described it best when he said, "This place is perfect for business lunches." It's very swanky and nice, professional and clean. It's also very bright in there as opposed to other restaurants of similar caliber. SERVICE: Not gonna lie, absolutely horrible. Upon entering the establishment, there's a little tiny sign that says, "Please wait to be seated." Granted, there was what looked to be like a waiting list. In my defense, I have been to restaurants with lists which have had signage stating to do so. Anyhow, as we were waiting there, not ONE server acknowledged us. Until finally, one lady (who ended up being our server) said sassily, "Did you put your name on the list?" We did and then proceeded to wait outside. Throughout the entire duration of our lunch, our server was not kind at all and was actually really sassy throughout. She came by and dropped off my ketchup and failed to let us know what it was. When we asked her upon her return, she seemed to get defensive and gave us a sassy response about how it was their homemade ketchup and how everything including mayo is made in house, blah blah. Anyway, long story short, she barely talked to us, never cracked a smile, and she made it seem like it was a hassle to serve us. FOOD: Very delicious. The fries were ono and I don't really think you can screw up a club sandwich. Nonetheless, taste and presentation were great. One of my other friends had their special, which was the beef stroganoff. He said it was really tasty and seemed to thoroughly enjoy it. OVERALL: If this rating were going off of the atmosphere and food alone, guaranteed a five star rating. However, service was so bad, I had to give this place three stars. Judging on all of the other reviews I'm seeing to the left, they must've had good service. Our server was probably having a bad day or something. Still, I'm not so quick to HIGHLY recommend this place. However, I do see myself stopping in again sometime in the maybe distant future.

    (3)

  • Christine N.

    Went for lunch yesterday. We shared a chicken salad sandwich and the caesar salad. Everything about both dishes was perfect. The chicken salad had a light curry flavor, or was that the herb focacia? Half a sandwich was more than filling. I ordered the toss salad instead of fries to accompany the sandwich. The salad dressing was divine! Ended up at Tango Market across the street afterwards purchasing the dressing to take home. Dessert was the Kona coffee ice cream cake! Service was excellent, food was delicious and the modern decor makes it all fit magically.

    (5)

  • Mandy F.

    We went there for dinner, all the other time we tried going there for breakfast there was too long of a wait. The ambiance was great, besides the tables being a bit too close to our neighbors. First off, their menu is beautiful, it is a balance of fresh delicate appetizers to classics in their entree section. Needless to say, I was very impressed and couldn't wait to try the food. I ordered their Coq au Vin dish because I couldn't help myself, I never see this on a menu, and despite my apprehension that any place would put the time into making this classic and giving it the time it deserves, I relished in the thought that I may have found the place. I'm sure you are as excited as I was, to find out if it was a success. Unfortunately I cant tell you it was great, not even good, not only was the sauce way too salty, the chicken was obviously not cooked in the sauce like it should have been. It had been lightly fried and placed on top of some dry potatoes au gratin--which I should call scalloped potatoes because there was no "gratin". My boyfriend got the pork chops, and as you can guess, they were very dry and chewy, and the sauce was very salty. Maybe it was the line cook that night, maybe it's like that every night? -The chef is salt happy -my entree was not worth $21.00 by any means -Consider revising your menu to something more appropriate to your name "contemporary", it is a travesty to list these classic dishes and not live up to their names.

    (2)

  • Tamra P.

    Took a favorite customer out to dinner with my new boss and it was a hit. We went super early to beat the rush--I've been here when it's packed and there is a wait. (Seemed to pick up around 7p on a Monday.) Service was attentive and friendly. Fois gras appetizer was delicate yet rich tasting, the apples were a nice contrast. My boss like the fish special, and my customer loved the beet salad. The bouillabase was good, but didn't blow me away. It was a pretty healthy, light option though. I've had the risotto before which was fantabulous. Dessert was a hit for everyone. The cinnamon ice cream had a nice spice to it. I swapped out the vanilla for the cinanamon with the brownie, which had a nice spice. The strawberry crumble was delicious, and my boss enjoyed his bread pudding. Portion sizes were nice- we left satisfied but not stuffed. I would love to go and try the tasting menu and brunch as well as the new to-go spot!

    (4)

  • Jenn T.

    This is a wonderful little place, especially for breakfast! It's very hard to find a nice, relaxing breakfast place on the island that serves traditional breakfast food, especially eggs benedict (which is my fav!). They have an awesome crab hash benedict, as well as great pancakes and French toast. They also have local style breakfast dishes with a twist, such as loco moco benedict or fried rice with eggs and portuguese sausage. The menu for dinner is also quite good, with a delicious spinach salad, a great rack of lamb, lobster ravioli and awesome dessert choices. The restaurant is small and in the same building as the hokua condos. Parking is in the structure behind the building and is free with validation. The service here is great and the staff is polite and attentive. I'd definitely recommend coming here for a nice meal!! The prices are pretty decent for the quality of food they serve :). Hope you enjoy it just as much as I do!

    (4)

  • Clarissa C.

    Food is pretty good. I was disappointed to find hair in my food under my eggs. I didn't eat much of my food before I found the hair. The server asked if I wanted a to go box and told him I had hair in my food so, no thank you. So he charged me full price and gave me a Danish to compensate the hair. I don't eat Danishes so I left it and left disappointed and hungry. :(

    (1)

  • Shirlene T.

    Returned here recently for lunch again and once again this place keeps me coming back because the food is tasty, the atmosphere is nice, and you don't have to wait long for a table. The servers provide good service and helpful when asked questions about the menu. Food: The three of us ordered the Cobb salad, Hamakua mushroom Risotto w garlic shrimp, and the Breaded pork cutlet. The Cobb salad is my standard fav while the Risotto and the Pork cutlet were items that we tried for the first time. I must say they were very tasty, as I expected. Since this was the second time I've been here, I was not disappointed, rather pleasingly satisfied with the quality, quantity, and price. Overall: One of my fav places to have a leisure and tasty lunch. I'll have to return for dinner and check out their evening dishes and dessert as well.

    (4)

  • Janice H.

    What a way to ruin my anniversary dinner. Our first dinner date was at Onjin's, but sadly, she closed ahead of her time. Bf decided to take me here since it's a small, intimate venue and one of his closet friends works as a server & raved about the food. He wasn't serving the night (Strike #1). The food could never live up the the fusion genius of that mad Korean women. Taste = so-so, portions were piddly (Strike #2). Service was nothing exceptional ... wasn't neglected like the bastard step-child in a bitter family feud, but neither was it exceptional (Strike #3! You sucked!) Overrated, overhyped & the attraction of eating here seems it's because "all-of-the-trendy-Asian-townie-twenty-to-thirty-­somethings-in-Honolulu-come-here-with-its-modern-­chic-minimalist-urban-decor-so-the-food-must-­obviously-be-superb!" "OMG-is-that-how-you-spell-'superb'"?!? Our bill, including tip, was $75+ & there was no fight the next morning over who got to eat the leftovers. I'd be a lot more forgiving if the meal hadn't been expensive (unlike 80% of the young adult population in Honolulu, I'm not a "big ballah" who can afford regular dinners l'dat), if it hadn't been a very special occasion & if the food had been even halfway decent for the price paid. Pass, go, do not collect.

    (1)

  • Darren N.

    Getting there: Easy to find, across of the now-closed Borders at Ward. Parking can be had free in the building or at Ward. Ambiance: Clean, comfortable, and a good place to have a relaxing conversation. Wood tables and chair/bench seating and a small bar style section and in the morning there's nice indirect sunlight which helps out us non-morning people. The restaurant is not large and there are waiting benches outside the restaurant. Service: Fast food and drink service. Courteous but they do have problems ringing up multiple bills and credit cards if your group decides to have separate checks. I have no idea what's up with that. Food: I opted for the farmer's breakfast, which had a good helping of eggs, bacon, and potatoes. Unfortunately one of my sliced potato pieces looked a little underdone but overall the meal was a success. Crispy bacon and cleanly prepared eggs were winners here (no greasy food). Their coffee here is pretty good, I hear they have an expensive and large press, and I can vouch for the caramel macchiato's flavor and smoothness. Verdict and Takeaway: The positives sightly beat out the negatives for me but I'd have to try out their other menus to get a complete picture of the place. I appreciate the quality and amount of food, you feel like you're eating a bit upscale but the portions aren't skimped on.

    (4)

  • Jen H.

    I really really like this restaurant. The atmosphere in the daytime is like.. family. Its just so nice to come to and have a good time with someone while eating great food. I personally like the way the food is prepared, the chef I know is Swedish, and even though the menu doesn't seem overly Swedish, I enjoy every dish because its refreshing. My bf particularly enjoys their breakfast menu of loco moco with braised beef on fried rice. I like how healthy their food seems, its not greasy like some other places. This place is a great date place too because on holidays, they sometimes have special 3-course menus which showcase items that they don't have on their regular menu. We went during Christmas time and they had their restaurant dimmed with pretty christmas lights and a really classy full course dinner. So romantic! Might I also add that their tiramisu from the tango market is THE BEST? you can tell the whipped cream isn't fake and is handwhipped!

    (5)

  • Maile M.

    Tango was amazing! Came here for brunch this morning and there was a bit of a wait, but very, very worth it. We ordered the Swedish breakfast sausage potatoes and sunny side up egg, eggs florentine, a short stack of buttermilk pancakes and 2 rounds of mimosas/bloody mary's. Sunday Funday indeed! The sausage in the special was so delicious, I'm still thinking about it. And the eggs in the florentine were poached PERFECTLY, which I'm really picky about. And, as Pua mentioned below, the hollandaise was perfect. Pancakes were delicious, not too fluffy, which I'm a fan of. BF loved the bloody mary's, and I loved the mimosas because they were using good OJ/champagne. All in all, will definitely be coming back to this place for breakfast in the near future, and I can't wait to try their dinner and lunch menus!

    (4)

  • Kat D.

    I've read so much about Tango while I was still iving on the mainland, and I was super excited to try it once I moved home. So, my mom, aunty, and I decided to have lunch here on a Saturday afternoon after a TJ Maxx shopping spree. We walked in and were seated immediately, even the restaurant was full. We got our menus and drink orders taken very quickly. All good so far. Our waitress came back maybe 10 minutes later to take our orders, but never really introduced herself or seemed like she was happy. I got the shrimp and asparagus risotto, mom got a club sammie, aunty got the open face shrimp salad sammie. I have to say that the food was excellent. Everything was perfect. My risotto creamy, shrimp cooked just right, and asparagus tender-crisp. They enjoyed their sammies and fries. Chef Goran was cooking and seemed very intense (but in a good way). My only complaint is the service. Not once did our waitress check up on us. Granted the restaurant was full, but it's not a huge place. And there was a total of 2.5 servers, so I don't know what the issue was. It was so bad that I had to flag down another server and ask for the check and a takeout box...I explained that our server had "disappeared", and that I was sorry to bother him. Anyway, I really, really think they need better servers because the food and atmosphere is so good that it's a shame theycan't offer the total package. Definitely want to go back and try some of the different martinis they have and also the portabella burger...but I'm hesitant because of the terrible service!!

    (4)

  • Lenny B.

    Took a very good friend for Father's Day since his kids were out of town. He had the scallops, came with three and they were huge!! I had the braised beef and it was very tender. And the bottle wine went very well with both dishes. As for dessert, we had the Cream brûlée and I think it was Strawberry Apple crumbs. Overall this place is great! I'm only giving it a four stars because they ran out of brownies with ice cream :-(

    (4)

  • Juliet M.

    Bummmmmmer. This is a fabulous example of trying quite hard, but missing the mark. So my long time buddy and me arrived at around 9:30a for some brunch accciones. There was a wait- a great sign that the food has possibly improved from my last visit. He and I are born and raised Californians and Bay Area bred at that! Snobs about food one might say or just spoiled rotten from a bay-bey. We both ordered coffee. It was tasty and hot, but when my cup was empty my bud had to ask me in front of the waiter TWICE if I would like a refill. As I was reviewing the menu there seemed to be some legit selections. I narrowed it down to the classic Benedict or the corned beef hash little skillet things they have...I decided on the corned beef hash- that is always a win-win...and at $10.50 it haaaaaas to be made from scratch-not can. I mean a can is $1.99 - and a 10lbs of 'taters is $2.99. I jokingly asked...after I ordered the corned beef hash - "just to make trice (John G you get zee street cred) I asked if their corned beef was canned. ....and....the server replied, "actually it is canned." Whaaaaat? ...cough uncomfortably... dear gosh. How does that skit go??! "I ain't got time for that." Ummmm, yup that's it. So I decided on the classic Benedict. It was ok. My egg yolk was not runny...a rookie mistake, not expected at all. The ketchup that is homemade was under seasoned (I added some serious sal) and the potatoes tasted like they sat on the griddle all morning, but it was only 10a. My bundle had the duck confit potatoes and he did not have complaints...also he was not complimentary. Due to learning about the canned meat, we checked if the confit was bagged and thank goodness it was not! He also had the papaya and it was as good as papayas get- I thank the higher up for creating them! Well tango, I think you need some salsa added for paaaa-zazzzzz.

    (3)

  • Angela C.

    It was Okay. The environment is nice. But it took awhile for the one of the servers to greet us, although it is a very small restaurant, they are definitely not in a hurry to seat their customers. We didn't like to stand by the door for too long waiting for a seat. It gave out a cold vibe. The food was ok, they are too salty for me. The food also took a long time to arrive. Just the free bread and dipping oil alone took about 15 minutes. The charcuterie took 25 minutes. We were just sitting with water for a while. Perhaps the restaurant doesn't want customer to finish their free bread and dipping, and ask for more, since the dishes were slow coming. We ordered the grass beef with ham wrapped prawns, and the duck leg confit and breasts. The beef was good, and the duck was OK. While in Paris, Duck leg confit was my favorite dish at Brasserie Lipp, I have been looking for this dish for a long time in Honolulu. Finally found it there at Tango. Sadly, it wasn't even comparable. Overall, the restaurant was OK, but probably will not remain on our memories for too long. Might not come back again because it isn't too attractive to us.

    (3)

  • Dawn B.

    The place is well located for downtown workers looking for a place to go out to lunch, tourists hanging out at Ward Center and Makiki, Wakiki and Ala Moana neighborhood locals looking for a place to eat breakfast and lunch for under $15 a plate. I've been there three times and ordered the same thing each time - the Gravlax sandwich with fries and the home made ketchup with a pickled veggie salad. It's in the $13 range and well worth it. I've had Gravlax sandwichs in Norway and Sweden where the sandwich is as common as a bento box here. The Tango version is just as good as what I've eaten in Scandinavia - thick rye bread, thin crisp slices of cucumber, firm tomatoes, very green lettuce and LOTS of salmon. Yum. All the food that comes out of the kitchen looks delicious. When I was with a party of 5 people everyone liked their food. The service there was not great before my most recent trip, but it wasn't bad either. Friendly but distracted is the best way to describe it. Here's the bad news about Tango: the service is awful when dining alone! I almost walked out before I even ordered because two tables that came in after me had drinks and had ordered and all I'd gotten was a "someone will be with you soon" 10 minutes after I sat down. The restaurant is tiny; maybe 20 squeezed together tables make up the service area. Yet, some how, the wait staff did not refill my water glass or hot tea kettle. They dropped off my food and did not check back to see if the food was OK or if anything else was needed. They did not clear dirty dishes until they brought the check. I dine alone quite often, I know my check total will be lower than a table with couples or a larger party. But, I also don't linger, and I always pad the tip, if I don't get the "hurry up and get out" treatment. I tipped 18% because 1. the food was good and 2. I just wanted to put down my $20 and get out of there and go where other people could actually see me since clearly at Tango I was covered by a cloak of invisibility.. So, I'll go back to Tango, but I'll take a friend or two or three.

    (3)

  • Pam M.

    I ate at Tango for brunch today & tried their Swedish pancakes, after reading Emi's review & recommendation. I was not disappointed - the Swedish pancakes are accompanied by fresh berries and a slightly tart berry compote and a side of fresh whipped cream. It was light & flavorful. I ordered a half order of Muesli of oats & honey, which came with walnuts, fresh strawberries & blueberries and petite pieces of honeydew & cantaloupe, and very filling. Service is prompt & friendly. I didn't make a brunch reservation, but if you have a group, I would recommend it.

    (4)

  • K K.

    Breakfast coffee with one friend turned into more of a brunch thing waiting for a friend to show up but anyhow, I normally drink Starbucks iced caramel macchiato's so I figured why not try one here since its early in the morning & I'm a bit tired. Omg! I loved it! I wanted to get another but that would be dangerous since I'm sensation to caffeine. I had previously looked online at the menu & was set on getting the smoked salmon bagel. Got there & looked at the menu, didn't see any so I said I hope I can get the risotto. It's very rare that you find risotto on a menu anywhere. Wait for the food wasn't that long, ordered it with chicken....should have ordered it with shrimp instead. Everything was good except the chicken, it was on the dry side. But no big deal just ate a couple of pieces. For some reason or another, my crazy friends decided to order desserts at like 9:30 am... For the creme brûlée which was amazing & the strawberry mango crumble? I'm allergic to fresh mango so I had a taste of it, that too was pretty amazing! Overall I'd come back for the coffee & to try other items on the menu.

    (4)

  • Nadia K.

    I've always liked the ambiance of this little cafe, but nothing about the food was calling me to return. That is, until I heard they were serving brunch on the weekends. The next chance I got, I rounded up the family and made a reservation for a Saturday morning. We were not disappointed. The extensive brunch menu offers a great selection that ensures there is something for everyone in your party. And it's affordable. I loved my bagel burger ($11.50) and the Swedish pancakes ($8.75) were very delicious without being too sweet. My family had the shredded duck confit hash ($9.75), original Pytt I Panna - Swedish for stuff in a pan ($9.50), country style corned beef hash ($9.50) and Hamakua mushroom frittata ($12.50). We ordered ala carte for the little ones: bacon ($3.75) and 2 eggs ($3.25) We ended the meal with affogato di gelato ($6.50). It was excellent and I liked that they could do decaf espresso shots for my pregnant sister. With its affordable prices and bright ambiance, this place is perfect to host a celebration if you have a small group of about 20 or less. There are 3 rectangular tables that line one of the walls which can seat 6-8 people each. Will definitely be back!

    (4)

  • Lanie P.

    The server that was assigned to our group of 18 was very gracious and efficient. We had lots of fun at Tango, the food was delicious and the raspberry sorbet was wonderful. Thanks, Tango Cafe

    (4)

  • Gayle N.

    I've been to Tango's many times, I don't know why I haven't written a review before. I love the gravlox!!! When I first went there and read the description, I must have been in a experimental mood because I can't for the life of me figure out the reason for ordering it...just not me. I'm more of the cheeseburger and fries (safe; know what I'm getting type). BUT...ever since that first time, it is all that I'll order when there! I just love it! So fresh, so juicy, so yum! Healthy too...that's another "not like me" thing. The salmon is so soft and plentiful, with sliced boiled egg, and greens, tomatoes with a special sauce layered open-faced on bread...deee-lish! There is so much, it is hard to finish....lucky me, I get to have it for dins too! That's such a winner!

    (5)

  • Brittany S.

    This place is a gem! I had the angel hair and zucchini pasta and my boyfriend had the mushroom risotto, both were very delicious! The drinks were also very tasty. The waitstaff was friendly and attentive and the atmosphere is relaxing. Would recommend to anyone! Can't wait to go again!

    (5)

  • Lynn M.

    Love the Loco Moco Benedict and the Swedish crepes. Coffee is great too! We came for Father's Day and they had a special brunch menu that was a little different from their regular menu. Brought friends here recently and everyone agreed, the coffee is a winner!

    (4)

  • Ariana M.

    Oh Hurricane Iselle... I am thankful that you hardly hit Oahu. And thanks for causing me to have a day off of work ;) However, everything was closed that Friday!! RAWR. Trying to find a place to eat was difficult =__= THANK GOODNESS TANGO WAS OPEN~! I been to Tango once for dinner a couple years back. I never tried their lunch menu, so I was excited to get to try something new. When we arrived at Tango, we were seated immediately. It wasn't busy, and I'm guessing that's because a lot of people were unaware that they were open. The server was super nice and attentive. He went over the specials of the day and recommended a lot of good dishes. The Grub. [[ GRAVLAX SANDWICH $12.50 ]] yelp.com/biz_photos/tang… This is Chef Goran's signature. This delish sandwich comes with boursin cheese, sliced hard boiled egg, tomato, cucumber, and mustard dill sauce. This wasn't your typical sandwich you eat between two slices of bread. The presentation was beautifully arranged with all the yummy toppings on top of one slice of bread. So this is more of a fork and knife kind of deal. [[ CRAB CAKE SANDWICH $15.50 ]] yelp.com/biz_photos/tang… Decided to try this because it was the Friday daily special. I mean how could you say no to Dungeness crab cake sandwich with avocado and nori bun! :D Overall I thought this place was great~! The server was attentive and the food was good. I found out that they serve breakfast here too,so I definitely want to come back to check that out! :3

    (5)

  • Tuula M.

    Had crab meat Benedict, AMAZING! Coffee fantastic. Very popular spot, decor is modern, which I love.

    (5)

  • Julie D.

    My husband and I were super hungry and I anyways wanted to try this place out. I can be an indecisive person with food so I kept debating on whether to chose the crab benedict or spinach Florentine benedict. Then the really nice waitress says "you can actually choose two different benedicts since the plates comes in twos." Of course I did exactly what she offered. I wasn't disappointed because both were delicious! My husband got the braised beef benedict. Just looking at it, I felt like sticking my fork into it and wow I could tell the meat was super moist. The beef was on a bed of fried rice and topped with a poached egg and hollandaise sauce...how can you go wrong with that. My husband loved his plate. All together with tip we spent about $30. Another star goes to the free parking structure. We will probably be back to try their lunch and dinner menu.

    (5)

  • Kelli S.

    I've been to Tango Contemporary Café a few times, and this place has always been a great spot for a more upscale lunch in a peaceful, quaint environment. The food here is always fresh, and service is spot-on. If you're going to Tango for lunch, though, plan on going early, as the eatery is on the smaller side and can easily get crowded. If you go during prime lunch hours, you'll probably have to wait for a bit. My trips to Tango have always been for lunch, and I've always enjoyed my meal. I think I ordered the same thing both times, but there are still plenty of menu items that I have yet to try. Here's what I would recommend: "Grilled Mahi Mahi Sandwich": This has been my go-to entrée so far from Tango, and it features fresh fish on a nori bun and is served with tartar sauce. I love the fresh taste of the mahi, and though I never use the tartar, the nori bun sports plenty of taste and welcomed texture. All sandwiches are served with mixed greens or French Fries, and I always go for the French fries. You can't have a good sandwich without fries! I like the fries here because they're not too thin or overly crispy. "Duck Confit Burger": I haven't had too many sandwiches or burgers made with duck confit, but I HAVE had good duck confit fries and chips in my lifetime, so I'm sure I would enjoy this entrée. It includes a whole wheat bun, lettuce, tomatoes and an onion. I would order my burger sans the last two ingredients and would opt for French fries. "Breaded Pork Cutlet": Pork cutlet/tonkatsu is one of my favorite local meals, so I can't wait to taste the fresh version at Tango. I like my cutlet with a sufficiently breaded, crispy exterior, so my hopes are high for this dish! This breaded culet comes with a Hamakua Mushroom Ragout, vegetables and French fries. Sounds like a great, balanced meal! "Dungeness Crab Cake Sandwich": There is a different lunch special featured on every day, and this Friday lunch special is pricier but it sounds like a phenomenal sandwich. This sandwich includes a tasty Dungeness crab cake topped with avocado and served in a nori bun and it comes with your choice of mixed greens or French fries. I would definitely go with the fries, and since I do love a good crab patty, I'm intrigued to see what the crab cake sandwich from Tango tastes like. "Strawberry Mango Crumble with Cinnamon Ice Cream": During our first visit to Tango, the BF insisted on getting this dessert. He had it before and said the cinnamon ice cream was to die for. Since I prefer chocolaty desserts over sweet ones, I wasn't keen on the strawberry mango crumble at first, but it turned out to be rather refreshing. It was a bit tart because of the mango, but I enjoyed the crust (probably more than the filing) and I ate most of the cinnamon ice cream (the BF gladly finished off most of the crumble). This dessert was definitely unique, thanks to the medley of flavors included, and the cinnamon ice cream provided that extra sweetness that the more-tart dessert needed. "Kona Coffee Ice Cream Cake": Now, this dessert sounds like it's right up my alley since it comprises several chocolate flavors. It includes Kona Coffee, Vanilla and Italian Chocolate ice cream with chiffon cake. Yum! I'm a huge fan of ice cream cakes (a la Baskin-Robbins), and I look forward to trying this sweet ice cream medley at some point. "Chocolate Brownie with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream": I can be pretty simple when it comes to my taste in dessert, and nothing makes me happier than a warm, moist, fudgy, chewy, chocolate brownie topped with luscious vanilla ice cream. Brownie points (pun intended) for this dessert because it includes fragrant, rich and creamy vanilla BEAN ice cream. "Loco Moco Benedict": If I ever visited Tango for breakfast, this is the entrée I would choose. Being a loco moco lover is more of a recent thing for me, and I'm always interested to try the various versions at different eateries. The Tango's take on this classic plate lunch dish features tender braised beef on fried rice. Already this savory entrée is a winner in my book because it features fried rice instead of regular white rice. Since I know nothing about this moco's gravy, though (I like thicker gravy, not runny gravy), I would probably ask for it on the side and drizzle the desired amount over my meal. "Fried Rice": This delicious-sounding entrée is featured during brunch, so I would definitely order it if I ever visited Tango's for brunch. It comprises Portuguese sausage and one egg (any style), so I would probably go for over easy. I do love a good, savory, salty fried rice, so I can't wait to try this Tango's version one day.

    (4)

  • A. M. R.

    Tango Restaurant will ALWAYS be an A plus in my book. The food is great. The ambiance is great, & the people that work there are fantastic! !. I hope they continue to have their business for a long time!!.

    (5)

  • Alison A.

    Cute little cafe crossed with a small selection of bar offerings like mixed drinks, a few scotches, and wine, and the entrees and burgers appeared from afar to have potential, but I wasn't too impressed with the quinoa salad, which had some spring mix greens (portioned for a small side salad, and about a half cup of quinoa on the side. Priced at over $14, I was expecting something with a little more flair, substance, and flavor--there was none, perhaps some light salt. Service was so-so. Though friendly and attentive to drink and water refills, our food took a long time, if I had to guess, about 35-40 minutes to come out of the kitchen. The place wasn't filled, and I couldn't understand why folks who sat down long after we ordered, received their hot entrees before ours.

    (2)

  • Jamie H.

    Stopped in after shopping at TJ Max and Pier One for lunch. There was a little bit of a wait but not much. I ordered the smoked salmon eggs benedict and it was delicious. Also had the plantation iced tea which was yummy. My friend ordered the risotto with chicken and she loved it as well! We both finished everything on our plates! Cute place to go to for lunch!

    (4)

  • Kathy A.

    How could I have driven past this cafe for several years and never stop? Well tan my hide in Oceanside I am a fan and have been in twice in a week, once with my mainland boss and the next day with honey bunny! The second try was mostly to made sure I could believe my lying eyes and my precocious palette. Off the charts coffee and as long as there is food on your plate the coffee keeps coming. First day I tried the Gravlax. A super mix of expertly sautéed potatoes, green and red peppers, onions and right before serving an addition of awesome gravlax. I have had this elsewhere and there is no comparison to what is served here. The gravlax was so soft and pure and when heated it didn't assume the flavor of any of the other ingredients. My companion ordered the Florentine Eggs Benedict. Even if she hadn't mentioned it was wonderful I would have made that assumption based on the orgasmic noises emanating from that side of the table. Next day I tried the Crab Hash Benedict. I like the focaccia bread served under the hash and eggs as I am not an English muffin fan. The crab hash was loaded with crab and tasted wonderfully crabby not a hint of fish. The eggs were poached perfectly and the sauce was excellent accenting the dish and not overpowering it. HB went for his usual Loco Moco. Tender, boneless beef short rib atop two small mounds of fried rice, topped with two poached eggs and a spoon of hollandaise sauce. Being a purest Loco Moco lover, he said it was "good" but not his style. Did I mention the off the charts coffee? When served my first cup I mistakenly thought someone added cream. I love my coffee as black and strong as you can make it. They make their coffee in an espresso maker and it comes topped with half an inch of espresso foam or crema. Luv luv luv that coffee and want that machine. Will be back very soon to try lunch and dinner.

    (4)

  • Dali H.

    Thank you Reuben for a great experience today for brunch. Excellent coffee, we had the Swedish pancakes and a gravlax sandwich....everything was fresh, delicious and well presented !! This is not the first visit, every time we've been here, the food has been amazing. Have yet to try something that we didn't like!!! But definitely sit in Reuben's area, he'll take great care of you!!!

    (5)

  • Jason C.

    I've seen this restaurant for a few years and always wanted to give it a try. So one night I decided to call a friend and check it out. It's located in the Hokua, next to Panya Bistro (past: PF Changs). This is a small restaurant, but the food looks good from what I read on the menu. We went in on a Sunday for dinner and there were a few tables open, so there was no waiting and service was fairly quick. The ambiance of this cafe is nice and tastefully done. The kitchen from what I could see, was on the smaller side. I ordered the bouillabaisse and my friend ordered the sea bass, minus the mashed potato, sub for veggies. Our server was friendly and very attentive. However, when we received our order, mine was good but my friends order came out wrong. He still had the mashed potato and no veggies. The server was quick to point out that the chef got it wrong. But I feel the server should have caught it before delivering it to us. The bouillabaisse was very flavorful, lots of strong notes and everything worked together in the dish. My friend also enjoyed his food, but was a little disappointed with the error in his order. I tasted his mashed potatos and found it to be a little weird (pesto mash), maybe because it was unfamiliar to me. Overall, I wouldn't say that our service was bad. We all make mistakes and I'd be happy to return to this cafe again. Because I really want to try the risotto and prawns.

    (4)

  • Rosie P.

    Where do I start? Breakfast... Best wholesome Swedish pancakes,, although I love the buttermilk ones too their gravlax are wonderful, Sweetbread french toast with fresh maple syrup and berries, oh yah! My friends love their eggs Benedict. For my taste, bene's can bed heavy, but if I get one, I love their florentine. Not too many places offer it and Tango does and I love theirs. They have the BEST COFFEE and the atmosphere is so lovely. It's light and airy, fun and stylish, cozy, but open. I love to just go and sit in the window and have coffee and talk. Ok, lunch, I looooove their risotto with shrimp! OMG, I could eat it all the time:)) They serve it for dinner too and I can't tell you how happy that makes me!! I also love their crab sandwhich when they have it, the beef stroganoff is very nice, especially on a rainy day, their beet salad is also one the absolute favorites on their menu, although note... It is NOT the same beet salad at night. I was very saddened by that as I love to get it for lunch and thought to share it with my dinner friends only to find out that it was much much smaller and not anywhere nearly as refreshing. Honestly, not worth getting at night, sad to say, but so wonderful to get at lunch! Let's see, dinner and dessert... The scallop and spinach salad is wonderful for starters, so are the escargot. They have fresh bread to enjoy with it. I love their bouillabaisse and get it often if I don't get the risotto, but their beef tenderloin is also very nice, as well as their duck. For dessert, the affogato is my unfailing favorite.

    (5)

  • Kawika B.

    I've been looking for a great weekend brunch spot that isn't just another plate of eggs or luke warm buffet. Brunch is a great time of day to enjoy some complex pairings that will get your weekend off to a great start, and the price is right to Tango. "Jansson's Temptation," Scandinavian Potato, Anchovy and Ham Casserole, Gravlax,Sunny Side Egg, with Beet Salad 12.50 There were 2 separate bowls of deliciousness. (Beet Salad vs. All the Fixins) Although most Americans will run from anchovies and salmon gravlax, throw your hands up and jump right into this new take on the "Baked Potato". When the you get bored with one bowl, jump to the next, and start all over, then rotate. Fun Brunch! Top notch coffee too, which is clutch for a long day. The atmosphere is industrial with hints of flora and fauna. Friendly servers and very clean location. I can't wait to try Chef Goran's Dinner. Dance on friends!!!!

    (4)

  • Ivy Lou H.

    Definitely 4 stars for this place! I love the interior design and the best service: they have high quality food and well trained staff. I was very surprised when I saw the bill was just $26.00 for 2 persons; It's a great deal!!! I got the traditional Eggs Benedict and hubby had fried rice and Portuguese sausage. Ooohhh... It was DELISH! We both love their coffee made by an espresso machine; tastes so fresh when compared to other restaurants or Starbucks! I highly recommend this place

    (4)

  • Tania L.

    Been here twice, about 1-2 year's time between each experience, both times for dinner. Not sure if it's fair to combine both experiences into one review, because after the first time I would give it a four-star review; the second would garner Simple enough, it averages to three stars. Food was good, not great. Its lure is the affordability in French food. First time dining I got the duck - breast was dry but the thigh was good. It was a bit overdressed with sauce. Second entree, I recall JB getting the Asian five spice duck - he loves anything with five spice, idk - and he was underwhelmed. Foie gras was great and Caesar salad standard tasty. Decent, affordable wine options. Service is the hiccup here that made the 2-star dip. In retrospect I probably came off douchey because I had written my complaints with the service on the back of the receipt. He was decently cordial but the moment that alerted me was in seeing HOW DIFFERENT his service was to the couple dining in the very table RIGHT NEXT TO US. I didn't want to say anything to JB initially but when I asked if he noticed something, the fact that he guessed what I was thinking reaffirmed that it wasn't just me being hypersensitive. He told the other table the specials of the day, offered them wine suggestions and samples, was personable... JB and I are NOT snobs -- food snobs, maybe -- but we are both in the industry so we get it. Like I said, we didn't have a problem with his service until we noticed the marked difference. They were dressed better because they were on a date. We were kind of dressed like sh*t because that's just how I usually dress and he looks really young. I don't know. To be fair, it wasn't blatant, and the other wait service were fine and good, but man... ... I'm not looking for any freebies at all; I can afford my sh*t. But I enjoyed dining there once upon a time and since this second visit, with so many other options out there, I will no longer have a hankering for this place. That's the biggest disappointment :/ maybe I'll get over it soon. Maybe.

    (3)

  • Jason W.

    The Mahi-Mahi sandwich is amazing! Great price, filling, accompanied by fries or a salad! Snagged a bite of the hamburger too and that was quite good as well. Location is convenient with parking in the building and validation making parking free. The service was great and the time we went wasn't too crowded so it made for a pleasant afternoon. Very much enjoyed the experience here~

    (5)

  • Maila G.

    I'm surprised more people don't rave about this place. The coffee is strong, delicious, & brewed by the cup. Love the atmosphere. My family and I left nothing on our plates. The danishes are flaky, buttery, & fresh. The blueberry pancakes were like the crispy overflow of the tops of blueberry muffins. Swedish pancakes were light and chewy. My husband went crazy for the crab Benedict. The loco moco Benedict is made with braised beef AND you can mix and match the benedicts in case you can't decide or want to try more than one. A great place for an all girls' breakfast, but guys like it too! Gotta love a place that makes pancakes from scratch & NOT from a mix. I think it's kind of lame when people give bad reviews based on portion size. More isn't always better. Personally, I think the portions are perfect especially because the food tastes so good, the ambience is nice, & the service is excellent. Creme brûlée wasn't our favorite, but it wasn't bad. Hamakua mushroom risotto was also delish with garlic shrimp.

    (5)

  • Lance T.

    Excellent decor and ambiance. Less is more in this little contemporary and comfortable joint. Ordered the Classic Burger - medium well. It was served well done, thus making it dry. The blue cheese crumble (I requested when I ordered) and the optional avocado truly saved this dry creation. The avocado was fresh. Loved the French fries and the dipping sauce (tangy hint of ketchup). Great place but the $18 is just a bit too pricy for this Classic burger. Would love to go back and check out other dishes.

    (3)

  • Donna M.

    Prior to actually coming here, Tango was barely a blip on my radar. Sure, I knew it was there, nestled on the ground floor of the Hokua building. But even though I work and play in the Kakaako/Ward area, I never bothered to venture out and try it. Now I ask myself... Why! I only wish I did sooner, because this place is surely a (not so hidden) gem! Now, if you love beets as much as I do, getting this salad is a no brainer. This is a beautiful salad consisting of both deep violet and golden roasted beets on a bed of fresh mixed greens. The sweet beets are contrasted by the sharp flavor of goat cheese morsels. The salad also comes with eggs and is tossed with a raspberry vinaigrette. The vinaigrette was a bold pink color, but didn't have a bold flavor--instead, when tossed with the salad, the dressing tied everything gracefully. They didn't skimp on the eggs or beets either. This was a refreshing light salad, and an awesome way to wake up our taste buds and kick off lunch. So, the day that I happened to come to Tangos, it was freakin' raining cats and dogs. I craved for something warm and soupy--but not a typical bowl of soup. The seafood stew was my entree of choice. This came loaded up with the entire ocean--succulent shrimps, chunks of white fish, mussels, and clams, all in a light but flavorful saffron broth. Chunks of potatoes immersed in the broth were tender and bursting with flavor. This came with two pieces of toasted rye, which I used to sop up the yummy stew. Normally I skip bread, but this was freakin' winner, I couldn't get enough! Herby and crusty, and perfect with soup, or just alone. The BF ordered the Hamakua Mushroom Risotto, and this was mind blowingly good! The risotto was warm, rich and delicious. The serving size was generous and each spoonful was hearty and savory, complemented by fresh, green asparagus and chicken (though you can also get it with grilled shrimp if you choose to do so). For sure this is something you'll want your own order of... I need to remember that next time! The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated--clean, bright and simple. Truthfully, it is a little small on the inside, so if it's a peak lunch or dinner time, come early or be prepared for a wait. From the art on the wall, to the light fixtures hanging from the ceiling, or the unique serving ware (don't mind me, i'm easily impressed by asymmetrical bowls) or even just the food---dining at Tango is not only a treat for the tastebuds but also for the eyes! My one and only gripe, is that the food took a really long time to come out; Understandable though, granted how slammed they were at the time. Besides, good things come to those who wait, right? Not always, but it certainly is the case here. I've made a mental note to check out the wine list based on everyone else's raves, but be sure to give the coffee here a try too! You won't regret it--thumbs up to their caramel macchiato, which by the way, comes in a gorgeous cup!

    (4)

  • Sam S.

    What can I say. I hardly ever review anything on here, because I find it's just not worth the effort. However, I was shocked to see this place didn't have a 5-star review. After eating there multiple times myself, I have had one of the most consistent high quality food experience possible. A bit on my background. I've travelled to 6 continents, 58 countries and have eaten in every state in the union. I've tasted everything from 2 Michelin star food in New York, London and San Francisco, to Zippies and Red Lobster.. As a general rule, better food costs more, but there are places (typically the chain's like Red Lobster, or whatever) where you pay an unreasonably high cost for food that is essentially taken off the back of a CISCO truck and prepared by $9/hr "cooks" ... Then you have your restaurants where the food is of the highest quality and prepared by either the Chef or his staff under very stict quality guidelines.. Usually this food will set you back $40-50 for a single course, and the portion WILL be very small. Which brings me to Tango Cafe. I have eaten both the breakfast and lunch there. My favorites are the Loco Benedict (the Chef's twist on the Loco Moco using perfectly cooked and relatively lean Braised beef), and for lunch I'm in love with the Breaded Pork Cutlet which is the Chef's take on a Germany Jager Schnitzel.. Without exception the flavor, quality, and consistency has been remarkable. I'm not a professional food critic, but I do fancy good food... This place is absolutely consistent and good, but the best part is ITS CHEAP! yes, not saying its' reasonable, or even fairly priced... no, by Hawaii standards it's down right cheap! There is ample FREE (with validation) parking also right behind the restaurant. The Chef, who is originally from Sweden is omnipresent in his restaurant. I have never come in where he wasn't diligently working with his staff, all of them efficiently doing their job and from what I can see ( again no expert, but using common sense) vin ery clean and hygienic kitchen. The wait staff is generally friendly, and attentive and the atmosphere is nice without being pretentious. This is truly a 5-star or more rated food establishment by any standard, but frankly with the limited options for food in Hawaii, this place covers it all, both local and international fare!

    (5)

  • Steven H.

    This place was good. I had the salmon Benedict which was better than average. The coffee was good and strong! The restaurant was on the small side when it comes to dining. I think the max capacity was like 40 people.

    (3)

  • Ayu S.

    Cafe atmosphere, food, cleanliness is perfect. I didn't feel like I'm in Hawaii. We went around 11am and we didn't need to wait in line but soon after there was long line. The only thing was we waited long time after we ordered. But overall, food was really good!

    (4)

  • Tera G.

    Great food and service. Love this place! Try the tasting menu. Smaller portions but still lots of food to fill you. Up. Risotto is my fave. Never have complaints bout the customer service either.

    (5)

  • Debbie T.

    A delightful cafe for lunch. it was my first time there. The service was efficient and pleasantly interactive. It felt like I was a guest in their home. I enjoyed the mahi mahi sandwich with french fries, of course. The bottomless ice passion fruit tea was so good. Had plans for dessert elsewhere. will try theirs, the next time.

    (3)

  • Stephanie M.

    Impromptu date-nights are always full of laughter, adventure, and end with full tummys--well, at least mine do--and this night was no different! On this random Thursday evening we found ourselves heading towards our usual location: Ward. With restaurant selections seeming more and more slim we ventured over towards a few we hadn't tried yet. Tango's menu popped out at us immediately; every item sounding delicious and our mouths instantly salivating. We had to try it. The decor is lovely and perfect for date-nights, girls-night, or a quiet evening at the bar. With dimmed lights, table-clothed tables, and rustic centerpieces I felt like I was in another country. The one downside to Tango's menu is that I wanted to sample every single item. I had the hardest time choosing when my date said, "Let's each do a tasting". I looked down and saw two tasting menus, perfect for each of us. Each tasting included an appetizer, two entrees, and a sampling of desserts ($36/$45). For the price, and the quantity, the tasting is the way to go for first-timers. Our favorite was the Mushroom Risotto: perfectly creamy & rich. 2nd favorite was the Asian Style Five Spice Braised Beef: so tender you don't need a knife, perfectly seasoned and crunch oniony rings for texture. And, to make the meal even better, we shared a bottle of wine. The service was impeccable: informative, generous, attentive. We will definitely be going back for brunch, lunch, and dinner. Give Tango a shot!

    (5)

  • Whit A.

    I'm glad we made reservations for a party of 9. We went on a Saturday at 1pm and there were people standing by the door waiting for a table. People blocked the door so I had to push my way through. The restaurant should at least have a waiting area just for convenience. The food was pretty good and service was exceptionally great. I had the Loco Moco Benedict and I liked it. My friend got the Seafood Crêpe (not really sure what it was called) and it was yummy! I wish I ordered that instead. For dessert, I tried the Strawberry Mango Crumble and it was alright. I just wanted to try something new. Majority got the brownie dessert and you could never go wrong with brownie and ice cream! The interior of the restaurant is nice and modern-looking. Also, the restaurant isn't that big so I recommend making reservations before going. I wouldn't mind eating here again.

    (4)

  • Chris C.

    My opinion of this popular lunch spot is still "meh." Not bad, not great. My friend and I visited for lunch yesterday. They have validated parking in their building. Since we were early (11:30 a.m.), the restaurant was not too crowded and the service was reasonable with our water glasses being consistently filled. It filled up fast later on and there was a wait for tables. My friend ordered the "Chef Göran's Signature Open Faced Gravlax Sandwich" which I would describe as the fanciest egg salad sandwich I have ever seen. She seemed to enjoy it and finished it. I ordered the Hamakua Mushroom Risotto with Asparagus and Garlic Shrimp. I was not impressed with my choice. The dish was predominately rice, as you can see in the photo, with very few mushrooms. The rice was a little mushy and overall the dish did not have much flavor. However, I did finish it so it wasn't that bad. I ordered the vanilla gelato for dessert, which was described on the menu as "ice cream." To me, there is a difference between ice cream and gelato. They are not the same thing, which the waitress did not seem to understand and clearly, neither did the person who designed the menu. The gelato, I was told, came from La Gelateria and was absolutely excellent. It was served in three tiny balls instead of one normal scoop which was irritating because it melts faster. I am a bit OCD when it comes to vanilla gelato. I thought the prices were slightly high for lunch but nothing outrageous, and the validated parking is a plus. Overall, not too bad.

    (3)

  • Lori F.

    Went here with good friends to enjoy a late holiday get together. I enjoyed the risotto with garlic shrimp. Very nice & filling too. We shared the beet salad, as well as their signature blueberry bread pudding & fruit crepes. Everything was great. Our waiter, as well as others, came around often to keep our drinks full. No validation necessary on Sundays, but keep your ticket. You'll need to swipe it to get out. Nice way to start off rhe new year, with good friends, good food & service.

    (4)

  • Reimi D.

    I was hesitant to try Tango because the reviews were very hit-or-miss. But I have now been here three times and can say that I plan on being a regular. I do prefer their breakfast menu, though. My hubby and I came here once for lunch and it was ooookkkkay. I had the open face shrimp sandwich, and though it was light yet filling, it was nothing to scream home about. The baby shrimp seemed a bit soggy, as if recently thawed, and the flavor was bland. Not the end of the world, just not something I would order again. Their breakfast, however, is awesome. I've tried the Gravlax Pytt i Panna (grilled potatoes, vegetables and lox with a sunny side up egg) on one occasion, and the muesli on the other. Both were really good, unlike anything you can get at most places. I enjoy the overall feel of their cafe--it's kind of Japanese-European, which I guess is what they are going for. The menu items are unique and worth trying. My hubby has tried the shredded duck confit hash, the house-made yogurt, and the vegetable sandwich. He loved the duck hash. For the yogurt, his only complaint was that it was served in a martini-like glass. He said it was hard to eat/enjoy because he was worried that he was going to tip the glass over. He said the vegetable sandwich was really good, but super messy. I have yet to try their dinner items, but I plan to. Over all, Tango has my seal of approval. It's a cute place to have a nice breakfast/brunch with some friends or a loved one. They have healthy menu choices, and they put a nice twist on some local favorites. You can park in the TJ Maxx/Nordstrom Rack parking lot, or in the Hokua building where it is free on the weekends. I think they validate during the week. The whole area is new, so it's got a good vibe. I recommend giving Tango a try!

    (4)

  • Lori M.

    I rated only 2 restaurants this high my entire 10 day trip. Most dining out has been disappointing overall but not here. The server Rueben was friendly with exceptional service. The food was very good with nice portions. Bread pudding was perfect.

    (5)

  • Judy S.

    We have had brunch here on several occasions and food is always fresh and delicious even when they are very busy. Great Kona coffee brewed as you order it. Waitstaff are attentive and setting is comfortable.

    (5)

  • Gernell Y.

    I am so glad to have found this little treasure. Our server was friendly, funny and patient with all of our questions. For starters we had the sautéed Foie Gras, I was in love right then! I had the Grass-fed beef with prosciutto wrapped shrimp. It was delicious. My date had the one of the specials, which was ono on top of a dashi shitake mushroom risotto. This place is a definite winner!

    (5)

  • Austin T.

    We had dinner tonight and it was very ok and better than average bistro cafe food. Super friendly attentive staff Good job on decor and quality of design

    (3)

  • Kris O.

    I dream about their Hamakua Mushroom Risotto with Shrimp & would give them 5 stars solely on the food but I'm disappointed with their customer service (that's why they get two stars). I've eaten here on several occasions & it doesn't matter if I'm waiting at the counter for take out or dining inside, I don't feel valued as a customer. When I waited at the bar for my take out, there was another customer waiting as well. The waitress offered her iced water & I wondered why I wasn't offered any water, especially since I sat right next to her. The last time I dined alone on a slow afternoon, I felt invisible. I finished eating my meal & waited twenty minutes before I could hunt down a waiter to ask for my check. I feel like I need to use a designer bag & dress up in order for their staff to pay attention to me. The food is consistent & on point but they definitely need to work on customer service skills.

    (2)

  • LaRaina W.

    Have you ever paid $30 for breakfast and still left hungry? If not feel free to come waste money at Tango! I ordered the Pytt i Panna, Swedish for "stuff in a pan" the gravlax option, it should be renamed "99% potatoes 2 slivers of salmon, topped with disappointment". So no thanks I won't be back.

    (1)

  • Jurija M.

    I don't like to give 1 stars. I used to use Yelp only to give 1 stars but I've come a long way since my rookie days... I can't help it though, I am so disappointed with my breakfast visit here last Saturday. We were seated immediately however we were ignored promptly and continually. A couple that came in after my boyfriend and I got waters and their orders taken before us. They were sitting right next to us! Hello, are we invisible? We should have been first. If not first, then we should have been next. Once we finally waved our waiter down to say we are ready, he simply took our orders and walked away. No asking if we'd like any beverages such as coffee or tea. Not to mention, I got a refill on my water only as we finished paying. I watched our sever as he served the food to the table next to us and as he prepped the table in front of us with a family of four. He got them ketchup, hot sauce, and maple syrup. I ordered the eggs Benedict and my boyfriend ordered the French toast. Where was our prepping items? Ketchup? Syrup? No where to be seen. 20 minutes later and the food comes out very sad looking. The French toast was mediocre-- nothing to rave about. The eggs Benedict was the worst I've had on the island. Runny egg whites and yolk. I like runny yolk, not the whites. The sauce was also watery and flavorless. The potatoes were cold. What. The. €$#%?! I do not recommend this place. No charm. No service. No flavor.

    (1)

  • Mey S.

    Excellent, excellent, excellent! Great staff and delicious food!! Nice location, comfortable setting and no validation required on weekends in the parking garage. The Salmon Benedict is wonderfully prepared and fulfilling. Keep ordering the mimosas... it's a perfect pair with breakfast or brunch. Will definitely be here again.

    (5)

  • Charo S.

    Eating at Tango was such a pleasure after a long day at work. I met up with a friend and took my boyfriend with me. The service was excellent and our waiter always checked up on us to see how we were doing. :) APPETIZERS: We ordered the FOIE GRAS and the ESCARGOT. They were pretty good. The foie gras was nice and buttery and the escargot was pretty good too. ENTREES: My friend ordered the HAMAKUA SHRIMP RISOTTO and she enjoyed that. My boyfriend ordered the DUCK and I ordered the LAMB. They both were really good and juicy. DESSERTS: We ordered the KONA COFFEE ICE CREAM CAKE, MANGO/STRAWBERRY CRUMBLE W/ CINNAMON ICE CREAM and BREAD PUDDING. They were good except for the crumble with cinnamon ice cream. It was just ok. I am not a fan of warm baked fruits and that's exactly what it was. The ice cream was ok, but it just wasn't my taste. The bread pudding was good, but my boyfriend makes killer bread pudding. My boyfriend ordered coffee and he said it was really good. :) All the food here was pretty good. It wasn't AMAZING, but it was pretty good and the service was great. It is kind of pricey though where the entrees are all $20+ so be aware of this. I would recommend this place!

    (4)

  • Michelle L.

    Talk about a splurge on this place. I ended up spending $36 for myself, not bad since the meal was good and I left stuffed. The four of us split a bottle of riesling since everyone dining there were drinking wine and of an older crowd. We wanted to be classy, too! I ordered the pork chop with the mushroom ragout, and my friends ordered the Caesar salad, duck, and chicken penne. The salad was huge for $9.00 and the pasta looked really good. My pork chop was a fat cut. It was a bit tougher than I would have liked but very yummy. My friend's duck was patheticly tiny. There were only 5-6 slices. I ended up giving him 1/4 of my pork chop since I was getting full. Since I've been having dessert binges at the end of every meal, duck friend and I ordered desserts. He got the crepes and I got the mango strawberry crumble. Good prices on the desserts since they're pretty big. My crumble was very sweet but the cinnamon ice cream balanced it out perfectly. Duck friend and I are the only ones with gym membership and we ended up eating the most. Go figure :P Our server was good. The only thing that bothered me a little were the warm wine glasses he gave us. Our first glass was warmer than I would have liked. The ceiling was fugly. Other than that, it was a really nice dinner. I want to come back for lunch since it seems to be a good spot for it.

    (4)

  • Maile K.

    Fresh fresh fresh food, seriously good. I got the cobb salad with no cheese and dressing on the side and everything was so light and tasty. The service was really nice.

    (5)

  • Jennifer N.

    Stopped in for lunch. Started the meal with tomato ginger soup, which was the best thing we had the entire meal. Jesse had the fish sandwich. He said the fish was bland and dry. I had the roasted veggie sandwich. It was huge. The side salads and carrot salad were both great compliments to the dishes. Overall, I don't think we will be back, but it was a decent lunch.

    (3)

  • Jolene K.

    Great service. Ambience is also great! Food is pricey, ranging from 17 dollars and up at dinner time. But I was perfectly satisfied after my meal. I had the Lobster and Goat Cheese ravoli. The taste is good but I would have definitely liked more than 5 ravoli for my money. I can't remember the price but it was close to 20 dollars. My boyfriend got the steak - it was tall, thick, but nothing to write home about. I like it and we thought about trying it again at lunch time. Definitely I will give it another shot.

    (3)

  • Tyler C.

    I have been coming here since they opened. Relaxed atmosphere and good food. The wait staff has always been on top of things. You don't need to ask for a refill of coffee or water. The breakfast has good selections and you will find some good different styles of food.

    (4)

  • Jennifer G.

    I got the club sandwich. It was so good! They give you the option of salad or fries for a side which is nice. The dressing on the salad was yummy! In fact all the food around there looked great!

    (4)

  • Julia C.

    I really like this place, quite possibly thanks to the Finnish-leaning menu. I have not tried the whole menu, though I live way too near this place not to go more often and try every damn thing...wait, I just promised myself I will go here more often and be less lazy...but yeah, I always tend to go for the same menu items, usually something involving gravlax or the veggie lunch sandwich. Portion sizes are good (too large for me - leftovers!!) Technically, the place gets 4.75 just because it's not on opentable (hence, no dining points for me). I have amassed a significant amount of points even living in Honolulu just from all the breakfast reservations I make near my house. Speaking of reservations, make them. This place is small-ish and can get busy.

    (5)

  • Jessica T.

    This is easily one of my favorite restaurants on the island. (which is a huge compliment from me!) Food is delicious. Atmosphere is cute and trendy. Breakfast is delish. So much to choose from! Lunch is yummy. Their food is always so fresh. Dinner- YUM! A bit more pricey but it's so worth it. Dessert and coffee... omg, amazing. Favorites on the menu are: cappuccino, blueberry bread pudding, shrimp salad sandwich, mahi mahi, crepes, .... i could go on. Be sure to make a reservation for peak dinig hours. this place is tiny so seats are limited.

    (5)

  • Mark Y.

    Well, I've been here quite a few more times since the last update, at one point weekly, and I still think this place offers a solid breakfast. They don't serve the typical breakfast you'd find at most other places, they serve a really good bowl of muesli with fresh fruits of the season, and also a unique local style benedict. The benedict has fried rice instead of the english muffin, poached egg, and topped with braised beef. really tasty. They also have a normal eggs benedict and I think a crab benedict too. The coffee is also still one of the best on the island. Service is still...well, interesting. All the servers are friendly but 2 instances that come to mind: * Back when they served Steak & eggs for breakfast, when we asked the waiter what cut of beef the steak was, his reply was "I'm not sure, but I think it's Sterloin". And the same waiter said the Swedish pancakes came with "Fruit Composte"...hmmmm. * On the last visit, when we asked our server (a different one from the first visit) if the Corned beef hash was house-made or canned, his reply was, "canned, but it's a higher grade of canned corned beef than the usual type". This place gets really crowded on weekends.

    (4)

  • R T.

    Last Tuesday December 17th, 2012 I had lunch at Tango Cafe. without a line we were seatined quickly. The waitress approached us with no smile and an attitude that she couldn't be bothered. I ordered the Cobb salad and my friend ordered the special of the day Trout with squared potatoes. We waited 1/2 hour before our Lunch arrived. I asked the waitress for an order of bread and she Just said ok and left. 25 minutes later after we finished a very nice tasting lunch she dropped off a plate of focaccia bread which was stone cold. She also never asked if our orders were alright but just proceeded to bring the check. If I ever go back I will hopefully get better service!

    (2)

  • Sheryl G.

    what: the middle ground in cafe society, neither a fine dining restaurant nor is it a plate lunch: their winning formula is their high design and low prices. something good: love, love, love the ambiance of this place and the care that goes into each dish. the plating is beautiful and if you dine in you will totally see how much effort is put into everything. breakfast is by far my favorite at this place!! something not so good: it gets super busy!! there is always, always a line for breakfast!! something to try: fried rice & hamakua mushroom risotto with garlic shrimp

    (5)

  • Wynee L.

    the ambience and coffee is great, but definitely not the same as before. portions got way smaller and sometimes food comes out cold. last time waited almost 45 minutes for food and waitress asked if i wanted my one coffee refill now or when my food came. seriously....only one refill for waiting that long. may need to wait a while before going back again.

    (2)

  • Rorry N.

    I've been here twice, both times for dinner, but I forget what I had here. Once it was a special of the day (I think some type of fish but not sure) and another time I think it was the beef or duck I believe. Both times the meals were delicious though. I can remember the beef or duck being very soft and tasty. The vegetables they put on the plates aren't the best looking so I didn't eat them. They're like small carrots and broccoli. The sauce was sweeter than I expected but it was surprisingly good. The mashed potatoes weren't anything special though, just the same as usual. I've also ordered the caramelized onion soup and it was okay. It tasted really herby because I think they put too much in there. But it wasn't salty, which was good. The cheese wasn't melted all the way so it was a bit tough. I've tasted better onion soup before. I wouldn't order it again but for those of you up to trying something different, by all means try the soup. For desserts, I've tried their bread pudding and the creme brulee. Neither was anything special. The bread pudding was a little dry and the sauce didn't taste too well. The creme brulee wasn't that tasty either and the top layer they torch was really thick and sharp when you broke it up. I would recommend breaking it down if you ever order the creme brulee. For the price of the food, I would expect something a little better. But the portions are pretty decent since I was able to finish my plate and ended up being stuffed after. It's a smaller, little more modern restaurant. Both times I went it ended up becoming busier as the night went along so I'd definitely recommend making reservations if you plan to go around 6:30-8 pm.

    (4)

  • Inthira M.

    I'm always wanting to try new breakfast places because it's my favorite meal of the day. Hot coffee, the smell of bacon, the endless possibilities of omelette choices... So, after finding out they serve breakfast (they open at 7am) I decided to eat here this morning. While waiting for my parents to arrive I looked around and noticed the picnic style tables they had against the window, the modern white lighting fixtures that screamed the Design Center (I wish I could afford lights from there), and because I only had about 5 hours of sleep I immediately ordered a cup of coffee. I'm pretty sure they make their coffee from an espresso machine or something because it was a little frothy when it came out... how cool! After looking at their menu I noticed that they also have things like caramel machiatto's but for half the price than Starbucks sells theirs!! After asking for the servers suggestions (it was either the eggs benedict.. my next question being which one out of the 3, or the pytt i panna sweedish dish) I was told to go with the benedict, and I could have one crab, one loco moco style (the loco moco style is not served with an English muffin, but with fried rice and braised beef. Very inventive). So because I like sampling a little of each, I chose the benedict of course! My mom chose the pytt i panna which was like home fries tossed with ham and sausage and topped with sunny side up eggs, and dad had the original eggs benedict.. what can I say, we're fans of benny. Lol. Strike 1) It took forever for the servers to refill our coffee, though they kept coming back to tell us "I'll be right back to refill your coffee." Strike 2) When our food came out everything looked wonderful I couldn't wait to dig in. But when I pierced into my poached egg, waiting for the yolk to ooze over my plate... it didn't. None of them did, both mine and my dad's were poached until they were cooked all the way through, not the way it should be. I was left to eat, essentially, a hard boiled egg with my meal. And, my English muffin on my crab benedict was completely burnt... and I mean, noticeably, the whole thing was burnt. How easy is it to toast the other half and give it to me. Luckily, they didn't get a third strike. I have also been here for lunch and I had the grilled pesto salmon salad which was great and just the right size, the French onion soup was wonderful, and the hamakua mushroom risotto with asparagus was perfectly cooked. So I guess a good meal with a bad cancels each other out and I'm willing to try them again with a clean slate. After all, everyone has their off days. And while browsing their menu they're very moderately priced for what the chef is offering: duck leg confit with thyme jus for only $11.50, lobster and goat cheese ravioli for $18.50, or sauteed moi (the fish of the Hawaiian gods... supposedly) with tomao fennel coulis (say that 3x fast) served with ratatouille style veggies for a mere $20.

    (3)

  • Chad Y.

    After hearing some good things about Tango, I recently opted to bring some out of town guests here for dinner and found it to be pretty good. Tango offers a more limited menu, however the food is very flavorful and stands out. The service, while not bad, is the one area that could improve. The menu is smaller and more limited, however the food is pretty darn good. The braised short rib was fork tender and it just fell off the bone, enough said. The moi had a nice crust to it and the tomato flavors were very refreshing and unexpected. I opted for the Duck Confit with their signature hamakua mushroom risotto which was on special and certainly found it a delight. The duck was cooked well and was tender, the risotto however could have been cooked a little more through, but certainly had a flavor that didn't disappoint. The ambiance gives the feel of an outdoor cafe, yet you are indoors. the tree trunks that run down the center of the cafe helps break it down and make the space feel a lot more intimate, especially for those dates. The service leaves me wanting for more. Our server was busy and the restaurant felt understaffed. Yet at the same time, he was very knowledgeable and while he was busy, I never felt unattended to. It was truly weird. I think it all bottoms down to the timing, we waited for awhile for our food to arrive and it wasn't synchronized well. Get the timing down and I sure as heck could be here every other week! Oh, parking is around the corner and on the first level of Hokua tower. After parking, be prepared for a bit of a walk which can be a bit confusing if you have never been there before.

    (4)

  • Briggs H.

    Oh yeah! Breakfast with our 2.5 year old and in laws. Forget about it, this place is legit! Braised short rib loco moco's, French toast, silky coffee all around and Bloody Mary's as well. Price was right, service and size of plates was great, can't wait to eat dinner here! Recommend. Family friendly.

    (4)

  • Cindy L.

    This is a great lunch place, a little away from Downtown. We usually come here for group lunches around 10 people and this place has beach bench seating area that could accommodate the group. Today I had the grilled pesto salmon salad ($12.50), and it was very good. The portion is more than enough for me. The salmon was cooked perfectly, not too over cooked where its' dry. The pesto and balsamic dressing on the toss green was very appetizing. My friends had the chicken penne pasta, cobb salad and burgers and everyone enjoyed their food. Their dessert is excellent as well; we had their Kona coffee chocolate ice cream cake and bread pudding. Perfecto! What I also enjoyed about this place is its décor. It has a very contemporary feel to it with big lanterns and blinds. And because they have full glass windows, the place is bright, which makes it look very clean.

    (3)

  • Virginia C.

    Did they run out of garlic??? For my entree I had the Hamakua mushroom risotto with garlic shrimp. I wasn't expecting this dish to be loaded with garlic but seriously I didn't even taste a hint of it. The menu did say "with garlic shrimp" right? I was a bit confused by this dish and it was just 'ok'. HOWEVER, I'm giving 4 stars because... * Service was great. Our server was very attentive and kept filling the water glasses. * The onion soup was delicious! Wasn't too salty or overloaded with a block of cheese that would make you feel like you gained 20 lbs after eating it. The caramelized onions were just right not soggy. * The wine I had was smooth - a Shiraz * My sweet tooth gave this star. I saw a dessert on the menu that I really want to try - strawberry mango crumble with cinnamon ice-cream. I should've ordered the salmon special of the evening because I was told it was very very good. So I guess I could give them another try, but stay away from the garlic items.

    (4)

  • Renee L.

    Awesome breakfast place. You have to try their signature Crab Cake Eggs Benedict made with real lump crab meat. It's heaven. The eggs benny can also be mix and match, so I suggest you either go with 1 Crab Cake + 1 Smoked Salmon, or 1 Crab Cake + 1 Kalua Pork.

    (4)

  • Jaynie K.

    Sweet Caramelized Onion Soup Melted Gruyere and Parmesan Cheese Crouton: I have to say that my soup was tasty, but the texture of the rubbery cheese and soggy crouton was a bit of a downer. Kailua's description was pretty much spot on. Traditional Club Sandwich Turkey, Bacon, Avocado, Lettuce and Tomato Toasted Wheat Bread: Pretty standard, I'd say. The bread was toasted nice and crispy, the veggies were fresh, and the fixings were good. Hamakua Mushroom Risotto with Asparagus Garlic Shrimp: This was a winner. The risotto was cooked just right, nice and creamy with a bite to it. It wasn't overcooked or mushy like jook. The asparagus and mushroom bits made for an interesting texture combination. The shrimp was well-cooked and seasoned perfectly. Blueberry Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce: Warm, soft, and not too sweet. Pillowy chunks of bread formed into a disc of heavenly yumminess, drizzled with a delicious vanilla sauce that I wanted to lick off the plate. I asked for a side of vanilla ice cream to go with it, and that was probably the best idea I've ever had. The warmth of the bread pudding with the cool glide of the ice cream... YUM! Iced tea: Standard. Service: Decent, but a little bit spotty. The server was friendly, but didn't seem all there at times.

    (4)

  • kay c.

    This has to be one of my favorite breakfast spots ever! I'm talking JUST BREAKFAST, not lunch or dinner. (not that their lunch/dinner is not good, but its just not to die for like their breakfast). I would eat here at least once a week if I lived in this city full time. First off, the ambiance gets an A+. It has a very clean and peaceful vibe to it and is a great place to start your day whether you're meeting family and friends for breakfast or just going in to eat by yourself and catch up on a good book or doing some business/work. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day and this one definitely hits the spot. I can never chose between the blueberry pancakes, muesli, or sweet bread french toast. You can probably tell I have a sweet tooth, but those are all super delicious. The french toast is sweet and yummy, the blueberry pancakes are light and fluffy, the muesli is sweet, but not overly sweet and super filling. I'd recommend the french toast if you're looking to have just the right amount of food. But if you're looking to be stuffed to the max I'd go for the blueberry pancakes. Each serving comes with three pancakes and although that may not seem like a lot to some of you, it fills you up, well at least if you're a 5 foot 4 inch tall girl. As for those of you who like savory breakfasts I'd recommend the loco moco benedict FOR SURE. Its not your typical hawaiian loco moco. Its got a contemporary flair to it...instead of a ground beef patty sitting on top of a scoop of white rice, this dish consist of beef short ribs sitting over some fried rice. And it's super delicious. I've never heard any one talk bad about this dish, ever! This place may seem a little pricey at first, but you really do get what you pay for. Good food, good service, and good atmosphere.

    (5)

  • John N.

    Went there for a business event during lunch and had their daily special. Decided to get the chicken curry along with a raspberry iced tea and kona coffee ice cream cake. Atmosphere is clean and very quiet. Service was prompt and helpful. The chicken curry was good, but I've had better in the past. Considering the price of the plate, I really wish it had more. The curry was a local style curry, better than fast food curry, and on par with some other restaurants serving the same. I actually like their dessert. The cake had perfect consistency and a very good flavor. I'm normally not the type that goes for dessert, but since a co-worker had recommended me on it, I had to try. Keep in mind that the parking structure is behind the restaurant and parking is free when you have it validated, so don't worry about street parking. Overall, this place is fairly expensive as I spent almost $30 just for lunch after gratuities. Food is actually good and dessert is a must.

    (3)

  • Elizabeth N.

    Went here for the first time, for breakfast as a fellow Yelper suggested the Muesli. It was very good! I like it better than Wailana House's muesli (although WH is cheaper and pretty good too), but that's expected when you're paying for the pretty, clean and modern atmosphere that Tango Cafe offers. I also tried the crab and braised beef benedict and both were very good.The crab was fresh meat and was delicately flavored. The braised beef and fried rice benedict was definitely asian inspired as it was a 5 spice beef and fried rice. I liked it, but my husband isn't a fan of the 5 spice flavor. The hollandaise sauce was very light and almost neutral in taste as it just blended both dishes nicely. Who'd thought hollandaise and 5 spce could work? I'll definitely come back for breakfast again and will be trying their lunch and dinner soon. My recap: Pros: -Nice atsmophere -Plenty of validated garage parking in Hokua (free on Sundays) -the cold Muesli! Yum -Yummy eggs benedict - you can mix and match your plates so I got 1 crab and 1 beef benedict. But they also have salmon and traditional eggs benedict -The service was great, super attentive folks and helpful (our server was the one who said you could mix and match your benedict plates) -Pricing; market price for about any other breakfast place I've been to on Oahu. $9.50 for the benedict, but it was fresh and yummy. Cons: -Small restaurant; we had our baby and stroller in there early (8am) and that's good because the place was 1/2 full and lot's of space, but about 9am the place was getting full and there was a wait.

    (4)

  • Keola m.

    After an early morning session of beach vball I thought id stop by this place and check it out. I thought i was gonna select from salads and sandwiches but, to my suprise there was a full breakfast menu. I now know that Tango Market a little ways down is what I was thinking of. BUT, since I was here and hungy I ordered. I noticed the menu was not your run of the mill breakfast menu. Thats a BIG PLUS in my book. Items like different choices of eggs benedict and variations of hash along with fruits, etc. At 930 on a sunday there was a small waiting line but they were seated quickly. I, in my wet shorts and tank top, decided to do take out. So, like I said before... I was thinking sandwich..... but ended up ordering Confit Duck Hash and eggs. I was a little disappointed in my hash. Mainly because my local mentality was telling me I was gonna get a hash patty made from Duck with eggs and rice. Not so. Instead it was slices of duck mixed with potatos and sweet onions. Similar to home style potatos you get with a regular breakfast. Dont get me wrong...it was good. Just not what I expected. The order was about $9.50 (I think). Not a bad price. Parking is availabe in the Hokua lot and on sundays there is no attendant but, you still need to take a ticket and present it to the machine on the way out. I plan to go back and be properly dressed, sit down and enjoy the ambiance.

    (3)

  • Weezee L.

    Nice location and decor.The tender loin is a nice choice. The tender loin is filling but the taste is ordinary The place is casual and comfortable. A good place for dates.

    (3)

  • Ka'ili H.

    Went to Lunch here two weeks in a row and loved it both times. The atmosphere is great and the customer service is right on. It's small in size, however the meal and service makes up for it. Both times I've gone for lunch the wait was less than five minutes, a plus in my book. The menu is simple, which is great for me since I have a hard time deciding what to get. The first time I dined, I had the open faced shrimp sandwich with the house salad. The Sandwich was messy, expected, yet pleased my palate. The balsamic dressing was great as well. My friend and I shared the strawberry mango crumble with ice cream, divine! they also make the crumble in house. The second time I dined was today, actually. I had the pesto glazed salmon salad. The salmon was cooked just right, the flavor was less fishy as some places cook their salmon. It was also tender and fell apart easily. For dessert I had the coffee ice cream cake, they don't make it there, but it was still good. I'd love to come back here for dinner and breakfast!

    (5)

  • J L.

    This review is for two different occasions. Both times we arrived early because of the reviews on yelp and both times we were seated quickly. Lots of parking. First time we parked at TJ Maxx and second time we parked in the structure, they validate. Its a cute little area with a nice decor. The first time I came here was for my b-day breakfast fix. I love eating Benedicts, so of course I ordered the crab hash Benedict. They have A few different Benedict's and my goal is to try them all! It was a tad bit pricey but I wasn't paying! It was delicious. It came with potatoes and some fruit. The potatoes were yummy. The second time I came, I didn't order any Benedict. Instead I ordered the confit duck with onion and potato. It came with an egg on top. It was pretty good I must say. I wanted something different and I was happy with my choice. Sadly, I couldn't finish the whole thing! Severs were attentive and nice. Place was clean. A bit pricey hence the 4 stars. Big plus, when ur done eating you can walk it off by window shopping and catching a movie!

    (4)

  • Jamie K.

    My coworkers and I always do take out from here and we love it. They are very consistent with our bulk orders and if we need to pickup in a hurry. Take out is just as good as dining in.

    (5)

  • Shelly i.

    Tango is perfect for impressing your out-of-town foodie visitors. I suggested Tango for dinner to one such visitor (and her fiance) and made a reservation on Friday for Friday night. Considering the ease in getting a reservation I was surprised to find the restaurant packed when I got there (unfortunately parking was packed too, more on that later). The restaurant is not very big, it maybe seats 40, not including the skinny counter. Service is of the take-your-time-and-enjoy variety. We were seated at seven and didn't end up leaving until 9:30. I liked the relaxed pace and the timing of the food and drinks. Since I don't want to give my unborn son/daughter fetal alcohol poisoning, I ordered an Italian creme soda. I was a little surprised when the soda came out with a side pitcher of cream. That was totally unexpected. Be careful not to add too much or you'll ruin the effervescent sparkle of the soda. Tango has some tempting tasting menus, but once I saw the white wine clams on their appetizer menu my mind was made up. I ordered the clams and the beet/goat cheese salad. The waiter was very knowledgeable regarding the menu and even checked if the goat cheese was made with pasteurized milk (damn baby handicapping again). Table bread was nice and chewy with big texture. I hogcheesed the basket and spread all the roasted garlic that accompanied the clams onto the bread. My guest asked to dip bread in my broth and I magnanimously (gotta use those SAT words) agreed, even though I didn't want to. The clams were plump and I didn't find any clamless shells... but I hold all clams in white wine sauce up to the Swiss Inn clam pedestal. These were better than Panya's but not as good as Swiss Inn. Too bad people have to get old and retire, no? I received my salad the same time as my friends' entrees. They seemed to like their food a lot because we didn't share bites like we normally would. All I remember is one of them had the crabcake napoleon and really liked it. My salad was good, the beets weren't too mushy and there were generous amounts of cheese. Dessert was a fruit compote crepe and it was what I picture when I think of Scandinavian food, hearty, healthy, stick to your ribs... The crepe was whole grain or buckwheat and the fruit was tart and juicy. It was well executed, but I prefer my deserts not to masquerade as health food. All-in-all I [and baby] left full and satisfied. The only reason it isn't five stars for me is because of the uber healthy dessert and the lack of parking. The lot behind the driveway was packed so I ended up parking at Pier One.

    (4)

  • Hawaiian M.

    I finished a light dinner at work by 5PM, to be ready for gym by 6:30PM. Spouse had finished a massage at 8:30PM and we were both looking to eat-out but not a lot. I was craving French Onion Soup. Did a Yelp search and Tango Contemporary Cafe had the most convenient distance from the Hawaii Convention Center, most convenient parking. It sounded the most attractive and the least hastle to get to. Parking on a Thursday night was sooo... easy. The friendly staff was very welcoming. The dinner crowd was mostly gone so the restaurant was not crowded; it was quiet, by comparison. The muffled night lighting, with candles, made the atmosphere very romantic. The French Onion Soup was piping hot and tasty, accompanied by crisp French bread and butter. The coffee made us forget what Starbucks tastes like. Then the creme broulet came out quickly. So large, and decorated with fruit. It was a great, low-key, enjoyable one-hour impromptu date for $26 (before tip), no waiting, and free parking! There wasn't one thing to improve-on. A hectic-free date probably isn't possible on a Friday or Saturday evening, but on other weeknights, the "sweet-spot", time-wise, must be 8:45-9:30PM

    (5)

  • Jenel O.

    I love the gravlax sandwich here... so yummy and price is good too. The salads and other things I've seen others order looks good too! I'd definitely go back. It's a pretty small restaurant which makes it hard for groups of any decent size. I'm not sure their reservation system - or if they even have one.

    (4)

  • Donna L.

    I finally had the opportunity to come here for breakfast, and it was absolutely delightful! Based on the recommendations of fellow Yelpers, I tried their gravlax (similar to smoked salmon) benedict, crab hash benedict, swedish pancakes, and coffeeeeeeeee! The benedict dishes were pretty good in their own right -- hollandaise sauce was on the lighter side, making the dish less heavy overall, which I liked. The side of country-style potatoes were a nice complement to the entree. They were simple, but very well-made and full of delicious flavor -- a perfect example of the saying "less is more." The pancakes were cute (if you could use cute to describe food hah!) -- little dollar-sized minis, topped with diced melons, blueberries, and sliced strawberries, along with a side of (freshly made?) whipped cream, which I enjoyed more than the actual pancakes themselves lol. I'm more of a waffle person, so I can't really say much about the pancakes, other than that they're okay -- not bad, but not out-of-this-world. One of my favorite parts of this whole experience was their coffee. If I remember correctly, they have a fancy shmancy $10k coffee/espresso machine, which brews amazing cups of magical goodness. All know is that I thoroughly enjoyed my cup of regular house coffee, along with all the free refills they gave me! If you like crema in your joe, then you'll love their java! Oh, and I can't forget to mention the excellent service we received! Our server, Kimmi(?), was fantastic. She was very patient with us and took her time to answer all our questions, and always checked in on us and made sure our waters and coffees were full. As far as the ambiance goes, I'm a fan of the modern decor and natural daytime lighting during the morning hours. Looking forward to checking them out for lunch! :D

    (4)

  • Alex S.

    The owner and the waiters here are sooo nice!! We just stopped in for the first time tonight to get takeout. Both the owner and the waiters were very attentive. They made great recommendations--we got the egg drop soup, the seafood pasta, the lamb rack, and the blueberry pudding. Everything was delicious!! They made all the substitutions we asked for-- blueberry pudding instead of the lychee sorbet--and they brought us an extra egg drop soup to snack on while we waited for the food. Free of charge. I rarely review restaurants on yelp. They either have to be really bad or really awesome. The service here and the quality of food really made the difference.

    (5)

  • Rise D.

    I had breakfast here recently with two friends. My eggs benedict with spinach and tomato was $10 and was really good. It came with potatoes. This place was pretty busy at 8:00 in the morning. I think I would come back if I was ever in the mood for more eggs benedict.

    (4)

  • n p.

    Finally made it here for breakfast. And it was goood :] Hot chocolate was a bit on the warm side but everything else we ordered - fried rice with Portuguese sausage and egg, -Plattar [Swedish pancakes], home fried breakfast potato, bread - was delicious.

    (4)

  • Bill T.

    Best breakfast on the island. We eat here almost weekly. It's consistent, quick and the food is top quality. Parking is free in the building w validation, and it's clean.

    (5)

  • Nick M.

    went here for lunch. highly recommend the gravlax open faced sandwich - smoked salmon, cucumber, boiled eggs, tomato, mayo, rye bread, dill. cut the salt and fattiness with a bottled ipa. my wife had the veggie sanwich, also very good. both came with little salads. price not to bad for lunch, and the atmosphere was nice, busy but not loud. good service, too.

    (4)

  • Michael S.

    Its 11am and I am still salivating over the amazing pre-fix dinner we had last night. I've already given this place 5 stars from my past breakfast experiences. Their Salmon and Gravlax Eggs Benedict have a warm and special place in my tummy. Not to mention the coffee and expresso are....BOMB!!! Once a month they have a pre-fix menu paired with wines, and you have to be super cool to get in(message me for details and I take Paypal donations). Fortunately we were able to get into this "sold-out" event. It started with a some gravlax on a bed of cucumbers and our first glass of champagne (more to come). The main dish was a free range chicken on a risotto w/ edamame. This was paired with a Pinot Noir from Washington. And there's more...The third dish was Baked Brie in Phyllo with a pickled pair. This was the dessert before the dessert. This had my GF's sweet tooth and sweetened up. Lastly, the dessert consisted of a strawberry mouse and a glass of Moscato. There was a man at the table who really enjoyed the Moscato, but I will withhold any names so his man card doesn't get revoked. Overall the pairings were well executed and the dishes were prepared to perfection. And guess what??!!? This was all only $49.50/person. So after all that food and wine you'd think I'd be ready to turn in. But the party must go on...to my next review!!

    (5)

  • Diana M.

    Local girlfriend recommended this spot to me. "Contemporary" = FRU FRU. Definitely a more slighly upscale, modern, and cute cafe. You get what you pay for; meaning, be prepared to spend a little more on breakfast. We ordered the following: Loco Moco (requested hollandaise sauce on the side) Crab Hash Benedict (requested hollandaise sauce on the side) Country Style Corned Beef Hash Each plate was well prepared and artistically presented. My braised beef was so unbelievably tasty and tender. The portions may not appear to be generous in size but if you're not one to BREATHE in your food all at once, then the amount is just right! We also ordered a mocha and a regular cup of coffee and both WERE BOMB!!!! I don't know what they do to their drinks but that deserved an extra star!! We hung out leisurely just so that we could thoroughly enjoy a second cup! =) Ambiance and quality of food was definitely worth the extra $$. Thanks again Liz!

    (4)

  • Jenee H.

    Came here for lunch on a Saturday - nice ambiance, friendly waitstaff. Priced a little high, but not over the top. I ordered the seafood stew - basically a cioppino - had fish, shrimp, mussels, clams and potatoes in a tomato-based broth. Quite flavorful. My husband ordered the risotto - very rich and tasty - interestingly tasted like mac and cheese to me, but in a good way. Good overall experience.

    (4)

  • Charlie B.

    Service was okay (had to ask for bread, offered fresh ground pepper towards the end of the meal but otherwise attentive). Had salmon and seabass and both were over cooked, lacked flavor, smothered with extras, and over-thought as dishes. Will not recommend to anyone.

    (2)

  • Jordan S.

    Came here for breakfast one day while an outer-island cousin was in town. Had the fried rice. Very good. :) Portion was not bad. I cant remember what everyone else got, but no one complained. It was surprisingly empty other than one other party (going off on a tangent here), which included a guy wearing an orange shirt with the tetris logo on it. I quietly commented on the fact that the guy seemed kinda nerdy... I then found out that he was the guy who owns the licensing rights to tetris..... very rich dude.... Whoops.. Good thing he didnt hear me!

    (5)

  • Darcie I.

    Favorite place for breakfast. Usually get the fried rice w/ one egg and potuguese sausage, or the braised beef loco moco which is served over fried rice. Never disappointed me. Pressed coffee is made fresh to order, with unlimited refills. On the third Tuesday of every month, they have a special tasting menu that is paired with the alcohol of the month. Only drawback, the menu doesn't change. Atmosphere is casual, good place to go on dates.

    (4)

  • Racquel S.

    I've heard fabulous reviews about this place and how the swedish pancakes are a must try for breakfast! After looking at every picture on yelp I finally decided to drag my boyfriend here for breakfast. They stop serving breakfast at 10am so us late birds are always getting in the door right before they change their signs to Lunch. Parking is always easy because they have ample parking spaces and it is a few dollars w/ validation. So we finally get their and I already knew what to order... the swedish pancakes. They are really thin light pancakes with fresh fruits and a blueberry sauce over the fruits. Their are about four slices and served with a side of whip cream. I am telling you it is the best thing ever! My favorite type of pancake combo even better than boots and kimos macadamia pancakes! yup I said it, I wins by a milestone! Not only did I go their for breakfast I also went to try out their dinner menu with my girlfriends for GNO (girls night out) and it was amazing! The ambiance is just so romantic and relaxing with dim lights and candles lit everywhere with some christmas lights decorated on the windows. The place is just so lovely and it makes me feel like I'm in a magical place where it only comes alive at night! For dinner I had the catch of the day and the fish was Marlin. I never tried Marlin before but I am glad I tried it here for the first time. It was sauteed perfectly on top of some fluffy mashed potatoes and creamy white sauce drizzled all over the combo. It was just so delicious and I normally do not pig out but I could not help myself, I couldn't let the poor marlin go to waste so I did it a favor :) After eating dinner we move on to our favorite meal... dessert time for us! The manager was nice enough to come and start a conversation with us about the dessert menu, she was really helpful and so sweet. She overheard us talking about the Thai Mocha Coffee and she was raving about how their coffee is the best and we should try it. We passed on it because we were already full from dinner but had enough room for some dessert. We finally choose our desserts and I ordered the blueberry bread pudding with vanilla sauce. As we were waiting for our dessert, the manager came to our table and got us a Iced Thai Mocha with 3 straws for us to share. I thought that was sweet of her to let us try so the next time we knew we had to get it. When I got it it was still warm and it was just so fluffy and the sauce complemented it perfectly! Everything was perfect right? Wrong... just a little disappointed about the wait staff and how unfriendly they are. And also the Iced Thai Mocha we got from the manager was on our bill. I mean we assumed that it was free but I guess she was doing us a favor? I don't know but it was the though that counted. Definitely coming back for more though and next time I know it will be on my bill.

    (4)

  • Kathy F.

    Ate here for Mother's Day for the first time. The menu for the day had less selection from their normal menu. Despite the typo on the menu and the increased prices from that on their website, the food was nothing really special. Our table ordered the corned beef hash, french toast, eggs benedict, and creme brûlée for dessert. The portions were small for the big prices...almost like ordering room service in a hotel! The creme brûlée would have been good if the top hadn't been so thick. I did enjoy the coffee and the Danishes. Don't think I'll be making any special trips there soon. I think increasing prices because it's Mother 's Day is wrong! Either that or your website needs updating.

    (2)

  • Tammy T.

    I went with a friend of mine for lunch. She had been there once before with another one of her friends. The space was very clean, open, and the large windows made it seem very pleasant with all the natural light coming in. I felt like I should be drinking tea, wearing a big hat, laughing about taking about girly stuff. We got (pictures): Open faced gravlax sandwich on finnish rye - 8.50 Herb crusted chicken breast on fettuccine - 14.50 Crepes w/ warm berry compote and vanilla bean ice cream - 5.50 Oh and I get my coffee cold, but the only option was it hot, and a cup of ice on the side. If she was here she'd tell you all "don't get the bread pudding it's horrible". It was the first thing she said to me when we entered. ha ha. The presentation was nice, the tattooed waiter guy was absolutely wonderful and was totally patient with my indecisive-picky-self. Definitely not a place I would see myself going all the time, its more of those "Hey Jane, let's get together for lunch and catch up on old times?" type of place. Original visit: 6/18/08

    (3)

  • L W.

    Thoroughly unimpressed are the two words I would use to describe my dining experience at Tango. THE FOOD: Pricey and misleading. Duck Confit Burger: The few, messy shreds of duck in between the bun were extremely dry and tasteless. The mayo on the bun certainly did not match the dishes French origins. The bun was nice and warm, however, is something one can buy from the supermarket. The accompanying fries were thick cut (which I do NOT mind) but were extremely starchy and flavorless. I had to request salt, pepper, and ketchup to give everything flavor. Open-Faced Gravlox Sandwich: The salmon gravlox which was patterened between lettuce, tomato, and slices of hard boiled egg, had no smokey flavor whatsoever and in fact, tasted like salmon sashimi. The "cheese spread" which was spread across the dry, cardboard-like pieces of rye bread, tasted more like mayonaise than anything else. The vinaigrette that was drizzled over the entire dish overpowered the blandness of the sandwich to the point where I had to wipe off some of the dressing so I could taste the bland salmon -_- Fruit Crepes: No flavor again! Three mini crepes were overcooked (burnt) and filled with a typical mixed fruit compote. Accompanied with half melted vanilla ice cream. Lychee Sorbet: The sorbet was icy, chunky, and half melted. Although the lychee flavor was present, the consistency and sloppy presentation took away from the flavor. SERVICE: Slow, rude, and unattentive. Our waitress slammed plates down on our table, rushed our ordering, and gave us attitude when we asked questions about the menu. The funny thing is, the restaurant was not even close to being full. AMBIANCE: Nicely lit by the natural sunlight. However, the clumpy, unfinished, and cancerous-looking ceiling may cause one to lose their appetite. OVERALL: Not worth it. Opt for the many other Ward eateries.

    (2)

  • Susan A.

    We come here time and again...the breads on their sandwiches are fresh, distinctively flavored to pair with the sandwich's main attraction. The sandwiches themselves are tasty, the prices reasonable and the staff excellent. It's the perfect, light but satisfying lunch break I like to take with the girls. I'm a Marimekko fan, so their clean-lined decor is another plus!

    (3)

  • First Name L.

    We barely made it to breakfast but the waiter was nice enough to let us come in and eat. I don't get those stupid fucking policies anyway. You're a restaurant, serve us food. Does it matter if it's Breakfast or Lunch? Geez. Most of the food ordered was presented very nicely. My daughter really liked her Eggs Benedict, my wife liked her standard meat and eggs, and I almost wanted to return my corned beef. When you go to a nice place to eat, you expect a certain level of quality. These guys were serving Denny's quality corned beef. This shit was out of a fucking can. That's just not cool. Bogart's serves excellent corned beef. Tango, what a joke. TOTAL JOKE.

    (2)

  • Amber W.

    Ate lunch here last week and it was surprisingly good. I had a super fresh beet salad with goat cheese and not too expensive. Wide variety on the menu. I'd like to go back for dinner. With a lunch like that, I bet they have a good dinner. It's like looking at the size of a man's hands and thinking, well, you know.

    (4)

  • Tania P.

    I've been here three times, twice for breakfast. The crab hash benedict and the loco moco benedict are both great AND priced around ten bucks!!! The smoked salmon benedict is nothing special... What's great about ordering the benedict is that you can do two half orders...so your taste buds can enjoy two types! On top of that the service AND THE COFFEE are great!

    (4)

  • Romella J.

    Overall, worth the price.

    (3)

  • Meep M.

    Tango is a small (and I do mean small) fusion Contemporary Restaurant . Went here for lunch and my first thought was, "Hey, pretty nice". The layout is simple and clean, but those Chinese cat statues gotta go. Looking at the Lunch menu, I kinda wish they offered a better selection of appetizers for lunch or if people could at least order from the dinner menu. I understand it's lunch and most people dont like to stuff their faces mid day, but Im not most people. After looking through the menu my bf and I ordered the Onion Soup, the Soup of the Day (Clam Chowder), Duck Confit, and Mushroom Risotto (I am a huge risotto fan). -The Onion Soup to me didnt have enough onions in it, but lovely. -The Clam Chowder was on the watery side and very under-seasoned. -I loved the Duck Confit. Nothing more to say about that, but order it. -The Mushroom Risotto was...eh nothing special. In general, all our dishes were very under-seasoned, which I thought was just my taste-buds (I like more salt than the average person), but my bf also thought it was extremely under-seasoned. At least it easier to add salt than minus. The one thing that really bugged me about this restaurant was the not so good wine list, no cocktails, AND THE UGLY CEILING! I advise you right now...do not look up. Usually i would give 3 stars, but after re-seasoning our dishes, they were all acceptable and yummy, but it's the Duck Confit that made my meal. I definitely wanna go back to try the dinner menu.

    (4)

  • Allie L.

    Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. And Tango really hits the spot. In addition to having the most amazing coffee on the island, they have some really awesome things on their breakfast menu. My whole family's favorite is the cold mueseli. Sounds strange, but really delicious. And a MUST HAVE is the loco moco eggs benedict. It really isn't what you think it is. Get there early, they stop breakfast service at 10:30.

    (5)

  • Phung C.

    I've been hearing a lot about his place but never went there. Finally during lunch one day, a coworker and I was going out for lunch and she suggested we go there. Great, I finally get to try it out. It's located one the ground level of the Hokua condominium near PF Chang. Parking is validated. We got seated fairly fast and had enough time to study their menu. The prices were very reasonalbe. I was going to order one of their sandwiches but then saw the entrees and that made me change my mind completely. I ordered the Duck Confit with Thyme Jus and my girlfriend ordered the Grilled Portobello Mushroom "Burger". The Duck Confit came with two small duck legs was served with a Risotto Cake and vegetables. I really enjoyed the risotto as it was a bit crispy on the outside and perfect on the inside. It went well with the Thyme Jus. I would definately come back to try other items on the menu.

    (4)

  • Meg T.

    My family loves this restaurant. We know one of the servers there, who worked at On-jin's before it closed and all the servers are really awesome and are really attentive as well. The hamakua mushroom risotto is amazing, and it also comes with garlic shrimp. We also get the salmon gravlox with the crispy salmon skin and macaroni salad. The bouillabaisse is also excellent and the lamb is also excellent. Even after being away for a bit, Tango is just as good as I remember. Parking is validated and I absolutely love the coziness of the restaurant.

    (5)

  • Glenn N.

    One great thing about going to dinner with a bunch of women is that they always end up giving me half their appetizer, entree and dessert. Don't know why but that was the case at this fine place and I was stuffed but at least I had a taste of many, many of Tango's specialties. The following is what I had a taste of - For starters I had 2 Sweet Carmelized Onion Soup. This was sooooo good I was lucky to of the girls gave me their full cups. Wow! I ordered the Vine Ripened Tomato and Sweet Onion Salad. Best salad I have ever eaten. I will order this salad again upon on my return visit. Entrees - I had the Mustard Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb with Thyme Demi Glace. It was good but nothing special. Mashed potatos was cold. Wasn't sure if that was the intent. Thus 4 star instead of 5. Next was the sampler from the 4 women who ordered the Asian Style Five Spice Braised Beef with Chili Fried Onion Rings, Lobster and Goat Cheese Ravioli with Fresh Basil, Pesto and Asparagus and finally the Sauteed SeaBass with tomato Fennel Coulis. My stomach was about to explode! I just can't turn down food! Finally, dessert - Blueberry Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce and Kona Coffee, Vanilla and Italian Chocolate ice Cream with Chiffon Cake. I don't know what's worse - being stuffed or having vertigo,..........

    (4)

  • Michelle N.

    The price isn't so bad, but the food is GREAT! They give a pretty big amount of food and my food came out fast. I've only gone for lunch.. can't wait to try what they have for dinner.

    (4)

  • Justin Y.

    Got to go to Tango twice this past week, once with business partners & once with family & both times were great! Ah I love being able to give great reviews...so here we go. Food - The food was very good. Very very tasty! Had the Hamakua Mushroom risotto & the Asian five spice braised beef, both great. The desserts were really good as well...we pretty much ordered 1 of almost everything and let everyone pick at them. The bread pudding & brownie are highly detrimental to my well-being, as I could probably eat them until i'm sick. Good thing the portion sizes are thought out! (Yay, a restaurant that doesn't serve "hawaii" sized portions...ugh I don't need or want 2 meals worth of food in one sitting.) Service - Both times the waiters & hostess were very nice & helpful...the 2nd time around things were a little slow, but not due to the wait staff. I enjoy the bread there, so I didn't mind the wait at all. Etc - Lots of free parking in the structure, ambiance is nice in there, although since it's a small place it could get a little loud if a rowdy party is in there...haven't seen that happen though. I'd definitely go back for dinner again, in fact I guarantee I will since I really want to try that lamb!

    (5)

  • Gee Gee M.

    Took a friend there to Tango since he never ate there and as usual, everything was great - we had the Mahi Sand and the Shrimp Risotto - started with the soup of the day which was great - a Turkey Gumbo or something like that - and we also decided to have desserts - Ice Cream with Expresso and the Mango Cobbler - the Cobbler is so good - I try to eat at Tango every chance I get and it is usually the Mahi Sand or the Cobb Salad and once in a while the Duck with the Risotto Cake or Shrimp Risotto - lots to choose from and when you feel like it - go for a dessert too!

    (5)

  • R C.

    My friend and I had a dinner here a few days ago. Tango is supposed to be European/Asian fusion. The head chef is Swedish (He should smile a little bit more) Well, the thing about European food is that for most part it's simple and very bland so the Asian fusion is supposed to add the zing to it. At Tango -something is missing, like that tanggggy tango to the meal. We started off with the Sweet Caramelized Onion Soup (with melted gruyere and parmesan cheese). The "French" inspired soup was a little salty, with a piece or blob of cheese dropped in the middle of a big bowl, kind of non French like. No other appetizers was needed; the bread was warm and good with butter. We shared two entrees- Sautéed Moi with Tomato Fennel Coulis and Hamakua Mushroom Risotto with Garlic Shrimp.What I know of Moi is that that crispy skin is the best part. Sadly, the fennel coulis didn't do the entree any justice. Moi taste better with something a little tangy-not creamy or bland! The crispy skins needed a sauce that allowed it to shine and melt in my mouth! Something was missing, the taste was too bland. If it's ASIAN fusion , the chef should use some miracle sauce to save this dish, afterall, Moi is a local favorite. A tiny squirt of lemon or a light drizzle of shoyu could be just the right accent for the crispy skin. The Risotto dish had a good amount of mushroom but that "garlic" flavor was hard to taste. 5 pieces of succulent shrimp and a few pieces of asparagus, not bad for the price. I love Risotto! but this one barely had any taste to it, I mean--- it was like eating unsalted butter!!! Service was o.k. It wasn't extraordinary , although, two male servers were frequently checking on our table... maybe because we were single females or they were doing their job. I am not too sure. Oh another thing that was annoying: We didn't have a reservation so we lingered around for 15 mins watching over other diners. It's kind of weird and uncomfortable to stand infront of people while they enjoy their meal. Very uncomfortable especially in a small restaurant. The restaurant should add a few chairs outside for guest to wait. The service was ok, the wait was a little weird, but the food needed some zing to it! I will eat here again, maybe not the Moi.

    (2)

  • Crystal B.

    I worked at P.F. Chang's next to Tango for quite some time before I gave in to my curiosity and ventured in. I planned on just getting an appetizer and glass of wine after work, and sat at the "bar" toward the back of the restaurant. It's a slightly awkward place to sit, because there is a partition which let's you see only the heads if those in the kitchen.... I'd like to see either no kitchen or full exhibition kitchen, the in between was a little strange. No big deal though. The service was attentive and the duck confit tart was wonderful. The contrast in flavors between the chevre and the mango (i think it was mango... it was a while ago) was wonderful. The food is thoughtful and technically solid. When they found out I was industry they refilled my wine on the house and brought me a complimentary dessert. Unexpected and very thoughtful. Overall a very enjoyable experience. My only criticism would be that I would like to see some elevation in small details, like nicer wine glasses. Not big issues, just small things that would put the experience over the top. Definitely recommend trying it out.

    (4)

  • Cathy S.

    LOVED the crab benedict! Get it with sliced tomato and spinach...so yummy I came back 3 times during my 5 day trip to have this :)

    (4)

  • Love S.

    Thank you for dinner last night, Kainoa. That bottle of 2480 Cab was to die. Ok, I'm exaggerating but it was very good. Apps: Foie gras was good but I've had better. Sushi was ok. Starter: French onion was very flavorful, really good Main: Duck was delicious but a very small portion. The duck at Roy's is better and a much larger portion as an appetizer. But it still was fantastic. I tried a bite of the risotto and I have to agree with Nick Y. I like Tango, prices are reasonable, nice ambiance and we had a very cute waiter with dimples. OOH LA LA.

    (4)

  • Sonya K.

    I'm surprised on how the service was utterly disappointing. As my boyfriend and I walked in, nobody greeted us and nobody told us where to sit. We basically sat ourselves down and had to grab a server's attention to get the menus. The menu seemed interesting and I was excited to try something new around my neighborhood. My boyfriend ordered pork cutlet and I had the triple deck sandwich. Before ordering our food, I briefly asked the server if there was any sauce in the sandwich because I am allergic to egg. He replied, "No." When the food came out, the first thing my boyfriend and I spotted on the plate was a strand of white hair. We ignored it. When I took that first bite out of my sandwich, I found mayonnaise. I asked the server again if that was mayonnaise and he said, "yes." I told him to make me a new one and he came back out with my sandwich and said that I had to pay for that sandwich because I took one bite. He also said, "My manager told me he can eat it". So, I'm going to let my boyfriend eat both plates and pay for an extra sandwich?? Then the manager came out and told me that mayonnaise is not a sauce and said it was a spread. I had to look up on google to see what mayonnaise was. It says it is a sauce or a spread. After arguing with the manager, she finally gave me a new sandwich without the extra charge. The food was ok and not all that great. The rest of the service just went downhill after. We had no service at all. Our server also gave me a tiny box when I had a lot of food on my plate I wanted to take home. I came in Tango happy and excited to try something new and left angry and insatiable. I don't think I am going to finish that sandwich I brought home.

    (1)

  • Stacie P.

    The first few times I drove by and saw the sign for Tango I had no idea what it was; I think I actually thought it may have been a juice bar. Fortunately, I was shown the error of my way and discovered that Tango serves some delicious looking breakfast items thanks to a friend of mine who was on summer break and spent her mornings making me jealous by having breakfast at a different spot every day, taunting me with pictures of all the yummy food she was eating; Tango quickly came to be one of my must try places. I know I'm raving about their breakfast but my first and, thus far, only opportunity to eat here was for dinner this past Monday when my cousin called me for one of our spontaneous get togethers and suggested that we meet at one of the restaurants we've been wanting to dine at - Tango. When I arrived it was 15 minutes before 6p.m and my cousin was already seated at a table sipping a glass of champagne bought for her by the only other customers in the restaurant. It was early so the place was empty; apparently they open at 5pm for dinner. We didn't have reservations but we were fortunate to get a table because the restaurant filled up as the night progressed. The menu isn't extensive but because of my indecisive personality, I had a difficult time deciding what to order; it didn't help matters that I wanted to try more than one item but a compromise was had and my cousin and I decided to order one appetizer to share and an entree each, allowing us the best of both worlds. Throughout the entire night, I kept telling my cousin how I thought we made the best decision with respect to both how and what we ordered. For starters, we had the escargot and sourdough crostini. I've only had escargot once and, as unappealing as it sounds to eat snails, I was pleasantly surprised at how deliciously buttery they were. The escargot at Tango was anything but buttery and was a different take on the traditional way of serving it. I'm embarrassed to admit that I don't recall the menu's description of how the escargot was prepared but, in my own words, it's preparation reminded me of Chicken Marsala; it came on a piece of sourdough crostini with several escargot on top with a brown-like gravy, hence the comparison to chicken Marsala. Fortunately my rudimentary culinary experience isn't a reflection on how the food tasted because I thought the escargot was delicious and loved the twist. I do, though, have to admit that I was somewhat disappointed by the fact that the crostini bread was soaked in the "brown gravy-like" sauce making it mushy. I like crostini for the very reason that it's like toast and was looking forward to being able to dip the bread into the sauce. For our entrees my cousin ordered the risotto, which Tango is known for; I ordered the Lobster ravioli. The risotto came with approximately 5 pieces of shrimp and a few sprigs of asparagus on top, and the Lobster Ravioli also was served with sprigs of asparagus. Both were delicious and I had no problem polishing off what my cousin couldn't finish. The only problem is that I tend to eat slowly, or at least I did that day, and the pastas got cold and then sticky making the last several bites rather chewy...but it didn't stop me from licking my plate clean! To top it all off, we made one of our entrees a complete meal so we got a salad and dessert; for dessert we ordered the cinnamon gelato. The gelato was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G and, if I hadn't eaten the appetizer, salad and entree before the dessert I would've been disappointed in the fact that the serving portion was a mere 3 melon-ball size scoops of gelato but it was just enough, enough to taste and satisfy a sweet tooth. I can't wait to return and try their breakfast; they even serve tea, however that's done across the street at Tango Market, located in the space that formerly was Sakura Cakes. This place is amazing it's no wonder they've expanded to include their "market", which seems to provide more "on the go" food fare. There's so many things to try and so little time!!!!

    (5)

  • Michael M.

    The food is mediocre at best and the service was quite slow. I really wanted to like this place because it is in a great location, but the management / owner didn't deliver.

    (2)

  • Kina S.

    Seriously the BEST Eggs Benedict in Honolulu!! The Chef is from Sweden and specializes in this (as told by our fantastic server). Order the traditional with spinach and tomato...and extra sauce for those who love it....also their coffee is awesome!! Fresh brewed European style...reminds me of the "flat white" type of coffee in Australia...good stuff:). We had a family celebration breakfast and had such a great time (they serve bloody marys and mimosas) that we didn't want to leave... Our server (local guy) truly was outstanding...very attentive...drinks got refilled before we realized they were nearing empty and even offered a cup of coffee to go for us because we spoke so highly of it...we are now on our 2nd visit...just as great... And we will be back often!!

    (4)

  • Alexandria G.

    I have to admit, it's a nice change to come to a mod, contemporary cafe for breakfast instead of the usual local place like Zippy's . I've only ever been for breakfast and the food is good, but nothing is exceptional. I think I just like the decor and ambience so much that I keep going back even though I never crave their food. One thing that stands out about Tango is their coffee. It's definitely a far cry from the instant, mud/sludge concoctions that other breakfast places serve. This coffee is always fresh, piping hot, and full of flavor. When you need a refill they brew a new cup for you and it makes you feel so special :) I say go just for the coffee.

    (4)

  • Sheri B.

    Great breakfast place. we boh had duck hash with poached eggs. Easy, validated parking steps from the building. Next to Ward Center. Fabulous!

    (5)

  • Drew P.

    I'll start out by saying the coffee is amazing. The menu is also very creative - mixing Scandanavian elements with local favorites. On my visit, I had the braised beef benedict, which was served on a bed of fried rice. Although the portions are small by local standards, it's more than enough to fill most appetites. I was intrigued by the fact that they had a full bar, but at 8am, I wasn't going to indulge. But I can't say enough about the coffee! PROS: - Great food, interesting and creative menu - Reasonable portions - Excellent coffee - Great service CONS: - Can't think of any

    (5)

  • Ryan T.

    I have never been here for dinner, but lunch and breakfast are great here. The gravlax sandwich and risotto are just yummy. Since they do not take reservations for lunch, you either have to get here early or late to beat the lunch rush. This yuppie hangout is a cool place with delicious food.

    (4)

  • Jarrett S.

    I came for the brunch menu, decor was nice, but not a big fan of the seating style. Most of the tables seat 6, and the seats were a little close together. I ordered the Confit duck hash, it was kind of bland, the fresh fruit was small and not sweet at all. I'm not sure what I was expecting with the duck confit, but the pieces were small, shredded, and overcooked (seems like a waste of good duck or a use for their scraps). I also had the Vietnamese coffee that was OK but tasted strangely more like a latte. Together with the Bistro prices made it not a very memorable experience.

    (2)

  • Olivet K.

    Nice interior, but the two tops are pushed pretty closely together. Food was good, but probably not worth the price (all entrees between $21-$25). Our service was polite and timely, but added nothing to the meal. The drink selection was seriously lacking.

    (2)

  • Wendy Y.

    LOVE the coffee here! The eggs Benedict is the best!! Go-to breakfast - Traditional/crab eggs Benedict. Service is good - very busy. Expect to wait in line if you go during busy breakfast hour (9-10:30a). My favorite breakfast place :)

    (5)

  • Tina T.

    this is my local hangout place. The food is consistently good, I love their salads and the onion soup (very comforting on a cold night) the grass-fed tenderloin is great. And I've always enjoyed their salmon. Price is reasonable for the quality of the food and the service is superb. They also have a good choice of wines that are not all that common in other restaurants in the city.

    (4)

  • Natasha G.

    my parents took me there for lunch yesterday. they have told me that their breakfasts are fantastic. we were too late for breakfast so we had the lunch and i thought it was delicious! the place is very enjoyable to share a meal. the male server was awesome very attentive even though he was very busy. my dad and i had the special which was the beef stroganoff. fat thick egg noodles with huge mushrooms and tender steak. mmmm can't wait to try their breakfasts!

    (5)

  • Alex O.

    Service, taste, presentation, I was completely beguiled by the appeal of this phenomenal cafe! Don't forget to get the Kona Coffee Ice Cream Cake before ta

    (4)

  • R L.

    One of my few favorite places to go for breakfast. Very reasonable price for quality food. The smoked salmon eggs benedict was very superb! If you like coffee you have to at least try their Americano. The fresh bold taste of coffee the Americano is how all coffee should taste like. I highly recommend you try this place for breakfast and don't forget to bring a partner...takes two to tango.

    (5)

  • Trish P.

    had this been a year ago, i would have given them only 2 stars. the FIRST time i went here for dinner, the service was bad, the food under-portioned and over-priced. this would be my second time visiting for lunch. this time around, it was much, much better. the waiter was knowledgeable, helpful, and quick. for lunch i had the hamakua mushroom risotto with aspargus and grilled chicken. the risotto was done perfect, the chicken was nicely grilled without being burnt, and still remained moist. for dessert, the crepes with berry compote and vanilla bean ice cream. the berry compote could have been sweeter, but the crepe was very good and the ice cream good too. although i was originally dreading going here, based on my past encounter, i'm glad i re-visited. maybe i'll try again for dinner and see if the dinner menu got any better - b/c last time, it sucked so bad, i wanted to ask for a refund.

    (4)

  • Jennifer V.

    Calm and relaxing ambiance w/ timely & efficient service. Food presentation was nice, the coffee was outstanding and was brewed to order. The only suggestion would be for our server to be more educated about the menu items. He described the texture of the Thai snapper as, "it looks like a trout".

    (4)

  • Edwina K.

    I can't believe I have not yelped this place. There was a time where I was on a tango kick - had breakfast, lunch, and dinner here in one wekeend! My favorite time to go is for lunch. Go after 1pm b/c there is always a wait during peak hours. My favorite menu item - their burger!! They serve the best burger b/c it's freshly made, not frozen, juicy, and the whole wheat rice brown rice bun is always fresh (topped with sunflower seeds). It is soooooooo yummy!! It's the only dish I'll order along with their famous caramel cappuccino. Breakfast - not the greatest, portions are small. Dinner - pricey but I did enjoy their Sweet Caramelized Onion Soup & Shrimp Tempura with Sweet Chili Sauce. If you haven't tried their classic burger - go ahead and do so. Make sure you order it medium or med rare. Other toppings are available.

    (4)

  • Jenny M.

    Service here wasn't the best. Nor was the food. Our server was a bit scatter-brained and forgot a lot of stuff. It wasn't really busy so we couldn't understand why the service was so bad. As for the food, nothing really special. I had the Ham, Salami & Brie Sandwich which came with french fries and my bf had the Salmon Gravlax which was accompanied by a salad and ...hair, 2 strands. Ultimately, probably not a place we'll be rushing back to soon.

    (2)

  • Amanda Z.

    Tango has a nice, simple interior, with great food and hit-or-miss service. The first time we went for dinner and the food was not that impressive for the price, as well as, the service was especially bad (ignored by the waiter for half the night). Luckily I was forced to give it a second chance, as it's one of my coworkers faves, so I've been back several times for lunch and once for breakfast and have had better experiences. The one time I went for breakfast, I tried the sausage/potato/ham hash with eggs. It was really good! Out of the many times I've been to lunch, I've tried the open-faced salmon sandwich (good!!!!), club salad (good, tons of ingredients), roasted vegetable salad, and most recently: the daily special on Monday, the madras curry. If you go on a Monday, you should definitely try the curry, it is DELISH! The shrimp and eggplant were cooked perfectly and all the flavors went so well together, I practically licked my plate clean! I would highly recommend breakfast and lunch at Tango's.

    (4)

  • Savannah G.

    After receiving Yelp's last newsletter about breakfast, I decided to give this place a try....only, I didn't try the breakfast, I went with lunch first. I'm kind of a breakfast snob so before I jumped in, I wanted to test the water first. Bottom line: I wasn't impressed. It could be what I ordered and I'm willing to give it a second try but I just wasn't overwhelmed by the service or the food. I ordered a portabello mushroom burger and added cheese and avocado (.50 cents extra per item). When my burger came to me, the entire portabello was flattened out and overcooked. In the past, I've had portabello burgers at other restaurants that are big and juicy like a burger should be. My burger however was dry with barely any mayo and they offered no other condiments to go on it. They also forgot to put my cheese on it and when I reminded the waitress she brought it to me cold on a plate. I really wanted the cheese so I ate it anyway but it wasn't what I wanted. My friend and I also ordered the italian cream sodas but when they brought them, they forgot to bring the cream (they typically provide it on the side the waitress said) so we had to wait about 10 minutes before we could flag one of our waitresses down to ask them where the cream was. On another note, my friend got the grilled veggie sandwich and she said it was mediocre at best, nothing to write home about. Having said all that, I have heard people say that the french onion soup is really good so I'm willing to give it another shot. I'll change my rating if they deserve it! For now, I'm abstaining from trying breakfast there...

    (2)

  • kahau m.

    came here for breakfast with a group of 12. my expectations were pretty low being that it is kind of tucked in the corner behind PF Changs. the table ordered a pretty good selection off the menu. i had the loco moco benedict. it was pretty damn good. char siu fried rice topped with braised, boneless short ribs, two poached eggs and hollandaise. HOLY CRAP. i needed a nap after that one. i was quite surprised at the service level they have for breakfast. very attentive. coffee was brewed to order and filled tableside. food was timely and well presented. i would return for breakfast fo sho.

    (4)

  • Joo S.

    when i initially began this review, my belly was still happy and full from my late lunch at tango yesterday. my mom and i stumbled in here hoping that they were still serving lunch at 2:45 pm, and they were! the lunch menu is so affordable and the food did not disappoint! my mom got the wednesday special: scallops and shrimp in lobster cream sauce with asparagus, basil, and brown rice. SO good. just wish there was a little more sauce, but other than that, no complaints. i got the seafood stew in tomato saffron broth with some sort of garlic bread. eating this was so comforting, it would be the perfect stew to warm you up on a cold day. cold days in hawaii are few and far between, so i couldn't help wishing i had this to eat on all those freezing days when i lived in places that had real winters. the only complaint with this one was that perhaps the mussels were overcooked b/c i kept getting pieces of broken shells in my mouth. i usually don't eat mussels so i'm not sure if the shells are just really fragile and that happens a lot? as for beverages, i thought i should mention that it was nice that i could add my own peach syrup to my bottomless iced tea to my liking. the peach syrup came in a tiny little saucer, cute touch. my mom's coffee was uber strong, just drinking a sip of hers sent me into palpitations. okay i exaggerate but i definitely want to get the coffee the next time i go... we finished our meals with their signature blueberry bread pudding a la mode. my mom doesn't even like ice cream but she loved the vanilla bean ice cream they served with it. the bread pudding was delightful, with a beautiful vanilla bean sauce poured over it. midway through dessert, i was so stuffed and ready to explode but i didn't care because i was enjoying it so much! can't wait to go back and try their onion soup and other tantalizing specials. the service was really good, everyone was very polite and accommodating.

    (5)

  • Rei K.

    The food here was unexceptional, and the service was horrible. They seated my bf and I twenty minutes after our reservation time...at a table that was open the whole time. When we were finally seated---without menus---it took our waitress another 10 minutes to stop by our table. No apology. Just, "Oh, you don't have menus." Water came in another 5....at least another 10 or 15 for the drinks we ordered. (It's not even as if they were busy...because if that were the case we would have understood.) Neither the sushi rolls (w/ the stale nori), or the french onion soup appetizers were good. My bf's bouillabaisse resembled watered down canned soup with random seafood haphazardly thrown in. My shrimp & mushroom risotto would have been ok had it not been really cold. It was the first time we skipped dessert at a restaurant. We had read a good review about this place, so we were pretty disappointed.

    (1)

  • C O.

    Tango is a fantastic gem of a restaurant hidden in the Hokua building next to the unfortunate hot mess than is P.F. Changs. Not many places on Oahu serve fine food for all three meals of the day, but Tango does and does it well! For fine dining (contemporary asian-american fusion) there isn't a better deal anywhere on the island. The portions are large, the menu is fresh and inspired, and the prices are some of the lowest you'll find for that quality of food! The service is professional, the decor is modern and chic, the beer/wine selection is good (not great), and parking is easy! Tango has made a fan out of me and might, just might, become my default casual fine-dining restaurant on Oahu!

    (4)

  • melody p.

    I called 3 days ago to make reservations so that my family along with my friend's family could have dinner together. I specifically told them that our party had 3 children. When we got there, the server was really nice and sat us down. We quickly ordered te kid's meals so that they could begin to eat while my friend and I could catch up. I immediately notice this haole guy in the kitchen glaring at the kids. I thought maybe he had something wrong with his eyes so I ignored it but then looked over again and he was still glaring at the children who were quietly playing with their cars. I then turn to my husband and friend and pointed it out to them. All of the adults turn to this guy in the kitchen and watch him continuously give stink eye to our kids. It was quite obvious that he hated the fact that we had children in the restaurant. Being a mama bear who is protective of my young, I couldn't sit back quietly anymore. I called over a random worker there and gave him an earful regarding the haole chef and told him that we were leaving. This is not how you treat paying customers. It's not like we took the children to La Mer. A note to the haole douchebag: This is the aloha state which means you are kind and courteous to your customers especially when the children were well behaved. If you want to be a pretentious jerk, pack your bags and move to New York City but that's If you can cut it with the top notch chefs out there.

    (1)

  • Michael L.

    What a fabulous Thanksgiving Dinner! It was either here or Zippy's...I'm sure we made the right choice. We were sat right on time, and the service was well timed. I love this place.

    (5)

  • Christine C.

    my boyfriend's parents and us came here for a nice dinner-- they take reservations but even though we had a reservation we ended up waiting.. service was friendly and helpful but my bf's mom had ordered wine, and they brought out the wrong one that was more expensive and the mistake wasn't realized until we got the bill and saw that her glasses of wine were way more than the one she ordered. i don't remember the food from here that much but i do distinctly remember their french onion soup being really good. their lamb was cooked well & the menu had a lot of different options, including sets. i feel like it was little on the pricier side but it's a good place to go to have a nice sit down dinner for a special occasion

    (3)

  • Krissy K.

    Charming, well priced, and delicious. I pretty much love everything about Tango. The flavors are distinctive without being overpowering, and the service is very good. I have never had anything less than a pleasant experience here. One of my favorites.

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :7:00 am - 9:3

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Breakfast
    Parking : Garage
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Trendy
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

Tangö Contemporary Café

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