4. Restaurants

Town

3435 Wai'alae Ave, Honolulu, HI, 96816
  • (808) 735-5900
  • Store is closed

Town Menu

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.

  • Joshua S.

    My girlfriend and I have been coming to Town for a couple of years. All of the staff is super cool. The bar manager, Dave, always has a new drink up his sleeve and quick to share interesting recipes to share with others. Yes, at times it takes a little while to get your food. For us that's fine because we're usually enjoying our wine, cocktail or whatever and each others' company. Breakfast, lunch or dinner - it's all good! We especially like the scones in the morning, fish dishes for lunch and either the hand cut pasta or kulana striploin with roquefort butter for dinner. Awesome!!!

    (5)

  • Jay C.

    Great place to meet friends or take a date to brunch on the weekend. Outdoor and indoor tables. Busy but wasn't too loud. I got the burrito which was a little on the greasy side. Service also was a little sparse but not bad by any means. This place also has pour over coffee...Didn't get it so not sure how it is... Patking is behind the restaurant.

    (4)

  • Natty D.

    Town is damn good. Their food and cocktails are damn good. Must gets: side of mushrooms (EVERY TIME), french fries (herbs fried alongside the potatoes), black mussels, steak, this list could go on Drinks: Bee's Knees, Southside. Two drinks and I felt nice and toasty. It is more on the pricey side, but totally worth it. Save it for a semi-causal, but nice occasion. They also do lunch which is just as good.

    (4)

  • Kim C.

    Loved finding the farm-to-table approach in the land of big steak and overfished seafood. The menu was inspired, unusual and totally delicious. I had lots of great options as a vegetarian, but no shortage of meat and fish on the menu for the rest of our party. Our local friend brought us here - I also appreciated the comfortable atmosphere and being off the beaten path. Don't miss the flatbread with pureed eggplant if it's on the menu!

    (5)

  • S M.

    Great little spot that my local friends took me to. I got an iced tea that was tasty. Definitely not Lipton. The tuna tartare was delish! I could have eaten that for dinner. A friend of mine got the vege pasta and that had a great sauce. My chicken dish was okay. The veges were great but I expected more seasoning on the meat. The place was packed with a hipster crowd and the service was great. Very attentive until we had to get our bill. The only other thing of note was the bathroom. It was down this weird dank hallway. I appreciate their commitment to local farms and ingredients. I'll definitely go again.

    (4)

  • Birgit S.

    We have only been to Town twice, but both times the food was amazing! And the service is so great, too. Everybody is so sweet and nice and makes you feel welcome and at home. A great place away from all those awful touristy and overpriced restaurants.

    (5)

  • Katrina F.

    Im really curious, there are SO many reviews talking about how bad the service is at Town. Ive heard it from friends too. So WHY doesn't the owner do something about it? Does it just not matter to them? Even more of a reason why I will never return. I understand you can't please everyone. I am realistic when it comes to customer service, Im not snobby and don't expect everyone to bend over backwards to get what I want. But this place is no good. If I wanted to eat at a hipster restaurant with stuck up employees and slow service I would go to LA.

    (1)

  • S D.

    One of my favorite restaurants in Honolulu. Food is always amazing. We love to sit at the bar while we dine there. Great experience. I love the salads and wine selection. Main courses are always very creative and very flavorful. Always my top pick!

    (5)

  • Mandie C.

    I know this place doesn't really need another review, but it's just that good! Every single part of the meal was amazing! From the drinks, to the bread, to the appetizers, and definitely the main course. I had been here for breakfast and lunch thought it was okay. The other day I came for dinner and was blown away! Skip the breakfast and lunch (although the coffee is pretty good) and save your money to blow at dinner. Order every thing, drinks, aps, dinner and dessert. And finish with coffee. The only thing I would change would be the food could come out a little faster, and it can be hard to get a table! Just make a reservation and enjoy a night in "Town."

    (5)

  • Amy N.

    My friend and I made reservations and arrived on time. We were the 2nd group that was seated as soon as they opened for dinner, however, we were the last ones to get water and order after about 5-7 tables sat down after us. I'd say we waited almost about 15-20 minutes just to get water and by then we haven't even ordered yet. As a server previously, I understand that servers are sectioned off and are in charge of managing their section, but I would have expected another server or even the hostess to offer us water after several of them passed by and even made eye contact with us seeing that we didn't have water. I had even asked a server to give us some water, which took them quite some time to get. This was our first introduction to the restaurant, which wasn't very good at all. I didn't even know who are server was. She hadn't introduced herself or even stop by to tell us that she'll be right with us as soon as she could. Finally, we got to order our food. Food was ok. I was a little irritated by then and to make it better, our server didn't return back to our table until we wanted our check. I don't think I will return for a second time. Just the service alone was a huge turnoff.

    (2)

  • Kim M.

    I'd really like to give Town at least 4 stars, but I can't. Sorry. I had heard so many awesome things about this place, but sadly my first experience was not so awesome. The food was great, but the service was nonexistent. I went for breakfast with my mom one morning. Okay, I know it's kind of like "self-serve yourself" in the morning, but come on... The bartender could have been waaaaay more friendly and a little more helpful, especially because I clearly was a Town newbie. The workers really seemed more concerned with their own conversations, stories, and gossip rather than customer service. Once we had gotten our food, I was ecstatic. I was soooo hungry, so I took my pictures and ate. 6-7 bites and my food was gone. Sad panda. I really wish the portions were a little bigger, especially because it was so good! But I guess that's good portion control. Hah. yelp.com/biz_photos/jkW1… yelp.com/biz_photos/jkW1… I would definitely give this place another try, but I hope the service improves. Yelp 365 - #115/365

    (3)

  • Norborne C.

    Very nice experience. Food was good. Server was attentive and helpful. Professionally run. Nice atmosphere. You'll enjoy yourself.

    (4)

  • Michael B.

    Fanastic! Went here for dinner (even with teenager in tow). Food was fantastic, Service was equally great. Don't expect fast food (I think it took us nearly 90min+ for our meal) but I believe it was because of what we ordered as well as how it was prepared. If you want touristy... go to Waikiki. If you are a foodie... come here. (oh... parking is a pain in the arse.... plan for 10-15 to find a space or take da cab).

    (5)

  • Melissa O.

    My friends love the mussels. I like the food options, but I haven't found one thing that I can say I crave. The drinks are nice. The art is fun and every changing. The parking is not bad, there is a dedicated lot in the back of the building.

    (3)

  • Christy T.

    I had the chicken with polenta and greens. Juiciest chicken I've ever had. It was amazing!

    (5)

  • Victoria C.

    So I actually went to Town a long time ago with my fiancé but for some reason I wasn't thoroughly impressed and never went back. I know lots of people rave about this restaurant but I never gave it a second chance to try it again until recently when I had to meet my girl friend to talk about bridesmaid stuff. To be honest, I wasn't to thrilled when I heard we were meeting at Town just cause my first experience wasn't that great. But I thought hey who knows, maybe this time will be different. Well it was! We ordered a bunch of small dishes and each an entree. I was in love with the avocado & papaya salad. Who knew that those would be such a good combo! The ahi tartare is also a must order! For my entree I ordered the hand cut pasta which had those big ugly looking mushrooms.. sorry I have no idea what they are called but they taste good!! The pasta was simple and delish. So far I was pretty impressed with the food. We still had room for dessert so we each ordered one and just shared. The chocolate pretzel was very rich and perfect for chocolate lovers. Don't be mistaken for an actual chocolate pretzel.. it's actually like a chocolate pie with a pretzel crust. The milk & honey panacotta was light & milky with a tart taste. That was prob one of my fav desserts. The lilikoi tart was a bit on the tangy side but still good. I'm glad I gave this place a 2nd try. Food was delish & service was good. It's a bit on a pricy side so I wouldn't say this a place I'd come to all the time. But definitely good for like date nights or meeting up for a nice dinner with the girls :)

    (4)

  • Kaimi Y.

    Town is a perfect organic, modern, and fun restaurant. The food is exceptional especially the ahi tartar. The homemade ginger ale is my favorite here followed black mussels and steak. The downside here is that the dishes are on the smaller side for the price you pay. The service is off and on. Sometimes the service is very attentive and helpful especially with recommending dishes. However, I have experienced some rude and forgetful waiters.

    (4)

  • Gabby F.

    Went here this morning and got a coffee and a chocolate pecan scone. My total was 5 something. My scone was large bit dry. Environment is cute and really nice. I'll try something different next time.

    (2)

  • Eddie P.

    This is my second time at Town. First visit comprised hanging with friends drinking and appetizers, so a review wasn't called for. Stopped by on a recent weekday evening at 9:30 and surprisingly it was moderately busy. Were seated quickly and staff tended to us in a decent amount of time. I've read some reviews on Town and would have to agree that with the decor and unique menu items it is attempting to cater to a hipster type crowd (not that there is anything wrong with that). Ordered drinks and the Ahi Tartare, which was very good, the one drawback was the serving was very small, three pieces to be exact, and I was expecting a bit more from it (from how it was described by the waitress) and it left me somewhat unsated. We did order the Gnocchi (which they checked to ensure the chef could produce of as they only had enough for 12 servings). If I were to compare the two dishes the Gnocchi was just about as good as the Ahi. They were also out of a couple of things on the menu, but no big deal. All things being said, Town is probably not for the average touristy gormandizers we often encounter along Kalakaua, but more for those with refined tastes who appreciate culinary aesthetics....and have slightly deeper pockets.

    (3)

  • Nicole K.

    It's been about a year since I've dined at Town and enjoyed the first 2 experiences, so I decided to get some friends together there that I haven't seen for a while. My boyfriend warned me eat a couple people told him that the food was over priced and that they tried too hard to make the menu seem as you are going to enjoy fine dining with no flavor. I brushed him off saying that they had decent reviews on yelp and I remembered how good the fries and gnocchi were. We had a nice table reserved for 6 and ordered drinks while we waited for our other couple to arrive. I didn't enjoy my cocktail but my bf enjoyed the whiskey he ordered. Fries were overdone but I don't mind them that way. The other couple arrived and we ordered shortly after. My chickpea and pork soup came quickly and had a few cubes of pork, 8 chickpeas and tons of greens. Not what I expected but edible. We waited over 30 minutes for our food and my boyfriend was 4 whiskeys in before I asked if our food was going to be ready soon (I usually don't ask but I hate being wrong when I recommend a place). They tempted us by putting out the bowl for our mussels and a steak knife for my friend stating, "we make everything fresh but your order will be out next". Another 10 minutes roll by before our dishes were served. I was terribly disappointed and I am usually not picky. Mussels had a strong wine and citrus taste and toast was burnt. We couldn't finish it not because the serving size but it just wasn't worth it. Gnocchi mushy with no flavor and served with some sliced grape tomatoes... No meat which was pretty tasteless. One out of 6 people really enjoyed there food. 2 of them had previous good experiences at Town but also agreed that it was not what they remembered. I will not be returning.

    (1)

  • Jim M.

    I dined here recently with a group of friends because it was one of my friend's birthday. I'll have to admit that the hype for Town is a bit more than the reality. First, I'm a picky eater so places that have things like pig heart on the menu is probably not for me, but I can usually find something to eat most anywhere. I had the chicken and must admit that it was really quite good. It was cooked well and seasoned nicely. The presentation was simple, but nice. Two of my friends had a fish dish. The presentation was reasonably nice but the fish was not fresh. One friend had the steak and it was a bit undercooked for her tastes. The good: the menu changes frequently so if there is not something you like, come back. My chicken dish was quite good. Their wine list was reasonably good. They do have some small tables outside which is nice but I think they are mostly for two-tops. The vegetables were fresh and local which is a big point in their favor and even justifies a bit higher prices. The bad: It was slow. Maybe I'm just too high strung, but 2.5 hours for simple appetizers and dinner was a bit long. The waiter was nice and professional but seemed busy and distracted. Maybe we reeked of "poor tippers" (which is certainly not the case considering I waited tables for 3 years during college.) Parking is hard to find. Literally, they have a small lot that is part of an apartment building off Waialae but I gave up and parked on the street. The portions were a bit small, but, it was, after all, "fancy food."

    (3)

  • Ann B.

    Guiltless pleasure.... I'm a huge fan of Town for lunch and dinner. I think it's one of the best values on the island. The chef uses fresh, local produce and proteins to create ever changing menu items. The dishes are creative, yet simple, and bring out the natural flavors of each ingredient. The dish that prompted this 5 star review, however, was a breakfast item. Fried polenta topped with sauteed bitter greens and sunny egg with pancetta. It's very difficult to find a healthy breakfast that tastes good. This was as tasty, if not better than any high carb, fatty gut bomb I would usually treat myself to for breakfast. This was not one of their regular menu items, but I hope it's a keeper. Paired with wifi and an expertly prepared latte (looking at the frothy milk poured in the shape of a leaf is half experience), and I might just turn into a morning person.

    (5)

  • Pat S.

    The owners' commitment to Hawaiian agriculture, slow-food, and sustainability is unmatched. This love for the 'aina shines through in so many dishes here and because of this it is my FAVORITE choice for dinner on Oahu. Love all the local foods and the hand pounded pa'i'ai dishes that change nightly. Also not to be missed are the vintage style cocktails (also change constantly) and the way they highlight so many amazing flavors. Lunch here hasn't been memorable, but the dinners are top notch.

    (5)

  • Ken A.

    You feel you must go to Town, because it embodies the edgy nouveau-Hawaii cuisine that everyone should know about. And it's not in Waikiki! But you will pay for it. We had only minor complaints with our food -- a steak requested medium-well came positively charred at the edges -- but otherwise quality, selection and presentation were unimpeachable. Service was flawless. The question is, how much will you pay for that? We paid about $200 for four, but there are places around Honolulu that can match or better our experience for a lot less.

    (3)

  • gerard f.

    Worth the trip.

    (5)

  • Alexis A.

    Fresh delicious food!! Only been here once but I loved the food... The menu was unique and the cocktails are a must try!

    (5)

  • Mari K.

    I REALLY wish I could give this place four stars. Went last week thinking it'd be a great place for a date night. I'd been once before, and needless to say, I was definitely impressed before. We went at 5:30 (when they open) thinking that because it was early we could easily find a table--when we were on our way it was too early to call for a reservation so we figured we'd take a chance. When we walked in the hostess who seated us took us to our table (there was only one other table of people) and as she put our menus down, instead of welcoming us, told us that she had another reservation at 7:30 (in 2 HOURS!) so to make sure we watched our time. TOTAL DOWNER for the rest of the night. Given that the hostess is the first person you interact with at a restaurant you'd hope she'd leave a good impression. Despite her comment we really had a wonderful dinner-the food was delicious, the ambiance comfortable and the company even better. But, I can't give four stars because I'm not convinced that if I recommend this place to you that you won't have the same lack luster service. Ed Kenney's back of house definitely delivers on quality food experience. Too bad the front of house service doesn't match his food product!

    (3)

  • Akiko T.

    I came here for dinner with friends visiting from Japan. I liked the store atmosphere because it was not like a LOCAL eatery per se since the restaurant had a fancy vibe to it. It was more like those restaurants you would see in Japan. As we waited for all of us to arrive, four of us that were there early ordered the French Fries. It was a bit oily for me but I liked the sourcream-ish dip that they had on the side. When everyone had arrived, we ordered two salads for the eight of us to share...we thought it would be enough but the portions were small compared to the price...something to keep in mind for next time :) I ordered the rissotto and it came with grilled broccoli and had lemon juice sprayed on it. LOVED that lemon flavor!! The portion for the main dish was perfect for me since I am not that much of a big eater. It might be a bit small for some people. I didn't order dessert as I was really full (rice fills my stomach fast), and I will try them next time. I also liked the fact that they allow free refills on hot tea (as long as that tea bag keeps steeping!). I ordered coffee, but my friends were able to get their second and third cups of tea which helped A LOT since we were seated at the outside tables and it just happened to be a chilly evening. I think I will come back for lunch next time. I heard you get a good amount of same quality food at a more reasonable price!

    (3)

  • Ingrid M.

    Didn't expect to like this restaurant but I must admit they had very tasty steak. The menu is very limited and the seating was not so great in my experience. Would definitely return but it wouldn't be my first choice.

    (3)

  • Macy R.

    This was my first time to the establishment. Before that, I've always tried their food at Art After Dark at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. Their big draw is being green, sustainable, and using fresh, local ingredients - all of which I like! Town's food is great and you can really taste the quality in all of their ingredients. Food presentation is also good too. I give Town, the restaurant, 3 stars because we weren't greeted by anyone for about 5 minutes at the host desk and service was really slow that evening. As nice as our waitress was, our food took an hour (maybe longer?). She apologized for the wait repeatedly and even gave us two free desserts. I am the most understanding person when it comes to delays in food and beverage as I have worked in F&B for years, but it always sucks to wait for your food when you're so hungry AND extremely tired. My advice from this experience is to get to Town early so you can avoid the late-night rush. And also make reservations as this place is always busy.

    (3)

  • Nicole V.

    If you don't mind waiting... and waiting... and then waiting some more for you food, then town is pretty good. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner I have have always enjoyed what I order, but I can't do the wait anymore. Even when the place is empty its slow. I have waited well over an hour for a main course at dinner. The last time I went with some friends on a Tuesday right when they opened and from appetizer to desert the courses gradually came slower and slower. I don't know if its the kitchen or the wait staff or both that is the problem. And no one apologizes or sends out an amuse bouche or anything. I guess its just normal there.

    (3)

  • Kalani C.

    This must be serendipity! Just checked my yelp app and noticed the messages wishing me congrats for receiving ROTD while I was actually having dinner at town! This place was packed on a Wednesday night and the food and service, as always, was great! I had the fresh opah done up in a lemon herb sauce that was just so easy on the palate; substantial without being overwhelming and adorned with locally grown veggies that made this dish a pleasure to devour. My friends had the hand-cut pasta and the monchong that was equally delightful. Dessert was a shared 'ohia 'ai or mountain apple crisp with caramel gelato...killer! Mahalo town, you always deliver the goods and I'm glad you remain local and true to your roots!

    (5)

  • C H.

    Friendly servers. Long wait for food. Out of the gnocchi. The hand cut pasta was good. I didn't die over it. The mussels were a good app. Over all it was good but nothing put it over the top for me. I could come back but there is so much in this area to check out right now.

    (4)

  • David I.

    With the vast divide which exists between foods' origins and its consumers, it is heartening to see one restaurant going the distance to bring the farm to the table. If only the quality of the food could reassure as to why this is such a worthy venture. Town is a quaint location off of Waialae Avenue which does its due diligence in conveying the intent behind its name while also possessing a modern flair . A plentifully-green garden out front, wooden doors and open veranda grants its outside a rustic country home feel. Indoors, contemporary designs and artwork lace its interior, while dim evening lighting casts a subdued ambiance. The menu comes with a caveat-it will change according to the availability of fresh ingredients (the drinks will sometimes change with it, interestingly enough). This makes it exciting and emphasizes the restaurant's priorities, encouraging the consumer to be more exploratory, a notion I agree with-it rarely does a restaurant justice to be judged by a single good entree. Unfortunately, while many of the ingredients are indeed fresh, where Town falls a little short is in its final product. My most recent visit started with a curry kabocha soup: creamy but not overmuch, with a spicy presence which lingers and defines its aftertaste. Included (but not necessarily listed... I had to ask the uncertain waiter to confirm with the chef) were cucumbers and almonds, which added an...interesting...3rd dimension, in addition to the peppermint leaves. A large portion, satisfying and definitely different, but still left me looking forward to my entree. The gnocchi was extremely soft, which I personally enjoyed, but with the abundance of fresh ingredients Town claims to bring to the table I was hoping for more in regards to flavor. The guanciale (pork cheeks, shredded in this case) was hardly detectable, and not nearly abundant enough. The sunchokes simply weren't there, physically or gustatorily. A disappointment, to be sure; the entree I had the last time was a little better than this. I tasted my mother's risotto and got mostly mush. Like oatmeal. With a little cheese. I could see why she left it largely untouched by the end of the meal. I admire Town's mission and message, but I hope they can improve on the mainstay of their business: the food. I will be back, but with much smaller expectations than my initial visits.

    (3)

  • Maria V.

    their vegetarian dish was SUPERB!!! their homemade pasta.....the bomb. rabbit with white beans and frise...delicious. service was very good. wine was a little expensive ($12/glass) overall, for the quality of food- i can't wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Alyssa K.

    I started coming here more regularly recently and I absolutely love the food here. I am upping my review to FIVE STARS (bling bling bling bling bling!!). Everything tastes so fresh and clean! Love how the lemonade has some parsley in it.. it gives it a nice tinge of green and slight bitterness.. My most recent favorite dish was the ahi linguine with lemon caper sauce. OH MY GOD It was so delicious!!!!! We've also tried the burger, big salad, mushroom soup, apple banana cream pie, and buttermilk panacotta. Apple banana cream pie was so good that I ended up trying to make it again at home. Of course, Town's was better. We're definitely going to be regulars here.

    (5)

  • Bertie W.

    Best meal in recent memory. The house-made gnocchi with a lamb ragu and mint were amazing. We were like, someone kidnapped an Italian grandmother and is hiding her on the backside of Diamond Head. The poke on risotto cakes starter was pretty good too, but overshadowed by the gnocchi. We weren't that hungry so we split an ulua main, which was great. It's been a few weeks but I seem to remember ulua with kalo, kale, and aioli. For dessert, the grapefruit-campari sorbet. The wine list is really nice, with lots of old world wines from Italy and Spain. My date was mad at me at the start of the meal but loved me again by the end.

    (5)

  • Jake M.

    This place is so frigging cool. I walked in with a book for a lazy, solo lunch before work and found three other people doing the same thing at the bar. The bartender was nice and knew a lot about the farm to table food on the menu; she recommended the burger, and so do I, it was juicy, tender and came on a tasty potato bun. My burger came with a choice of greens or fries and I ordered the former: super fresh and the rocket was peppery and delicious. Their beer selection is small, but formidable with good selections for different kinds of brews. It was too early for liquor, but the bar was stocked with dozens of bottles I've never heard of, and I'm eager to go back and explore. I'm not into wine, but my friends are impressed with their wine menu. Honestly, what I really loved was the overall feel of this place. Everything was clean and the use of colors, space and decor was really stimulating. Older adults sat at some tables while the college crowd sat at others. Very modern paintings on a bit of wall are juxtaposed by skateboards with cartoonish graphics on the opposite wall. A tall, older male in black leather came from the kitchen to tinker with the espresso machine and talk story with a young, clean-cut waitress. Basically, this place represents Kaimuki well in that it's wholesome, but trendy and eclectic. Can't wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Thomas L.

    Not sure why there is hype about this establishment. I typically read reviews, yet rarely write a review. I do believe in 2nd chances. This was my 2nd visit to this establishment. My 1st visit 6 months ago was not a good experience, slow service and mediocre food including having bitten on a small bone in my entree that shouldn't have been in my dish. Today's visit the service was even slower than last time. I wanted to try their homemade ginger ale drink but was told they're out of ginger ale. I had to go to bar to get sweetener for my iced tea after waiting 10 minutes. I ordered the lentil / mushroom patty sandwich. The server said it's tastey when I asked how it was. To say the least it was so bland upon taking my the first bite. My server brought me an aioli to try to help but that wasn't enough. Still hopeful I waited a while for my server to come past again, no luck so in desperate need to still eat I made another trip to the bar again to get salt & pepper. Wasn't worth the effort still bland. I will say the French fries were good but could barely eat 1/4 of the sandwich after all the effort. I was a bit surprised to see they charged me for the full plate considering I left so much sandwich on the plate but ate the fries. I wasn't looking for a free meal but 1/2 off considering how much went back. The salad with papaya was ok but small for an & $8.00 salad. The patrons who do 1/2 salad 1/2 fries with entree had almost as much salad. THEY HAD A 2nd CHANCE AND BLEW IT.

    (1)

  • Sara S.

    As much as it pains me to do this, I must update my review and dock a star. 4 stars is still not bad though eh? Not at all. At first when I read ppl's reviews complaining about the service, deep down inside I agreed but chose to ignore. However, the last time I went to Town, it took 2 hours to complete dinner. My family eats freaking fast, so if everything came out at a normal pace, we would've taken 70-80 min tops. Instead, we were constantly waiting in between dishes and it took like 15 min before we even ordered our food.... Sigh.. My kabocha risotto was freaking delicious though. And my sister's hand cut pasta was superb. Food still NOM NOM NOM, service= slowwwwwwwwwww

    (4)

  • Chris D.

    This restaurant reminded me a lot of a restaurant called "Animal" in Los Angeles. Some of the entrees and appetizers are aimed to please a customer with a refined palate. Town's menu changes weekly. Semi-casual to formal is appropriate attire when dining here. The mahi mahi was the best mahi mahi that I have had to date. This restaurant is a great place to go on a date at. Overall, my experience was very welcoming and genuine all the way through. I would definitely dine here again.

    (4)

  • Midday W.

    town restaurant is famous in honolulu but i was disapointed with the staff. I went once and it was 2 pm there were going to closed soon so the woman taking care of us was just cold and in hurry. Not nice feeling and serving, Otherwise the meal was good.

    (3)

  • Yumeko T.

    We love the food there! The bread is awesome and we needed refills. The food just didn't come fast enough for us because we were hungry and it was pretty busy that Sat night. The last time we came it was perfect so I guess they were just really busy.

    (4)

  • Kelley N.

    Apparently worms are now a dish served at Town. I had always wanted to try the place I had heard so much about and so took my granddaughter and her friend there for lunch today. We all ordered burgers with fries, my granddaughters burger was without a bun as she has celiac disease so she always eats her greens and tomato etc., when she was halfway through with her burger which wasn't great but okay she found a green caterpillar type worm in her greens and moved it onto the table,. The worm was about 1 inch long and very active which amused the girls who are teenagers. I went to the counter to ask to have our waitress come over when she was free. The waitress was a bit rude and not apologetic at all, she actually said that since they are organic and don't use pesticides this is to be expected, like worms in your food is an everyday thing there. I didn't ask for anything and was just letting her know about the worm when she said "there's nothing I can do but give you a small discount" which was 20 percent off of the one burger. Her overall attitude and tone was not what I expected from a restaurant I had heard so much about and even if they don't use pesticides the greens should be washed and no worms served. Fortunately my granddaughter is not easily rattled and she made a joke about the worm dancing and urinating on the table and named it Jeremy. I'm just hoping she didn't ingest any worm urine or other bad things in the greens she ate prior to finding Jeremy. Shame on Town for not being more customer oriented, the fries were wonderful though and worm free.

    (2)

  • Juliet M.

    What I want to know is what is not worth mentioning? I LOVe town with all my heart. If I had to marry a restaurant it would be a tough choice bt Town and Chez Panisse.

    (5)

  • Lizette A.

    Recommended by people who live on kauaii- Not impressed by this place. ordered two different salads which were fresh but with no taste. fries were greasy. gnocchi was good and what a small portion it was. the vegetable dish was fresh but salty - too many capers. this visit was the day before valentines. Service was eh- ok - nothing distinctive, wine was good - guess i needed one after all. TO HAVE PAID $100 I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED ALOT MORE IN FOOD TASTE AND SERVICE. resident from san francisco.

    (2)

  • J W.

    Been here for breakfast and been here for lunch plenty of times. There both great I like that the menu is never the same. So wat they have is wat u eat. And it's never a disappointment. The services is great great vibe inside and out I recommend everyone try this place

    (5)

  • Diane K.

    Food is good and "clean". The menu is neat and changes daily which is exciting. The service needs some help. The server we ended up with seemed annoyed with our requests. Will probably go again and hope for a different server.

    (3)

  • Sonia S.

    Yummy in my tummy! I'm always looking for new places to eat breakfast and was so happy to find out that Town was serving it up! I've dined at Town many times before for lunch and dinner, but today was a first for breakfast. You order at the counter and then seat yourself. My friend, Ryan R. and I both tried the Bruschetta, which was topped off with basil pesto egg, prosciutto, tomato slice and parmesan cheese shavings on top....broke the mouth! The flavors of the pesto egg, prosciutto and tomato were a match made in heaven! The scent, the taste were so dog gone delicious! It's so funny because since Ryan and I are both Yelpers and Foodies...we immediately take out our phones and start snapping away at our food. The tables around us must've been thinking...hmmm...are they food writers lol! We commented that by the time we get to eating, our food won't be hot anymore. Sure enough...but, it was still so delicioso! We also ordered the Breakfast Burrito to share. It was accompanied by sour cream and homemade salsa with tomatoes, cilantro and onions. It was tasty, but I'd definitely opt for the Bruschetta if you go for breakfast! On to the BACON...oh the BACON....if you like your bacon extra crispy, you MUST order the bacon here. A side order came with 4 stiff, crispy strips of bacon that snap, crackled and popped in your mouth! Tasty! As much as I'm not a coffee drinker anymore, when I saw the "Illy" sticker, I decided that I would drink a cup of joe this morning. The one cup morphed into 3 cups of coffee. It was exceptionally good with just the right amount of half and half and raw sugar.. All I can say is...get down and go to TOWN!

    (4)

  • Will B.

    Consider this a 4.5 star review. The food is incredibly yummy, which nudges my review into the top category. Town is what thoughtfully-prepared farm-to-table dining should be. The menu isn't large, but it's creative -- very likely you'll see something new and maybe surprising every time you come. It changes constantly, but there are some recurring themes -- gnocchi, pork, salads with Ma'o Farms greens. All of these are worth getting over and over again. Last time I had a Kulana (Big Island) striploin steak that was fantastic. They get creative with the desserts, too. I always leave happy and overstuffed. You can also drop a lot of money here, but there are a few ways to keep things cheaper. For example, get a bowl of polenta and the sautéed mushrooms, and mix them. Delicious! As others have said, the service can be slow. I haven't experienced the crazy slow that others talk about, but be advised -- don't plan to come here for dinner with plans an hour later. Town is a place you spend 2-3 hours. Enjoy it. The food is worth it. There is a parking lot behind the restaurant, but it's small and fills quickly, so you may need to park on the street nearby.

    (5)

  • B Y.

    The food here is delicious! Just slightly pricy but justified since it's local grown and fresh ingredients, I try to support local as much as possible so not bad at all! Service was good but a little slow, hence the 4 instead of 5 stars. Parking isn't to bad, it's behind the building. I would come here again.

    (4)

  • Angry B.

    WOW! This is one good restaurant!

    (5)

  • Danielle Y.

    So over this place. I believe that the kitchen is capable of making really great food and I have had some delicious, NYC-quality meals here, but the results are so hit-and-miss, I never know what to expect. Sometimes it's really good, but more and more often I find myself getting angry at myself for giving this place another chance, so I don't think I'll be visiting any longer. Most recently I ordered a salad with a side of chicken. The salad was literally four bits of greens with a few slices of some other vegetables; the chicken took up the majority of the room on the small dish. It was as if the kitchen decided to put the chicken on the plate and fill up the remaining room with the little greens they could. I've ordered this dish before and the salad comes on a big plate (it's CALLED "The Big Salad" on their menu, for heaven's sake) and the chicken either comes on a separate small plate or is pushed to the side of the big plate. Now that I think of it, I really should have sent it back because what I got is not what the big salad is supposed to be. I wasted $14 on a few sprigs of greens and three small pieces of chicken. The servers at the Downtown location were always great, professional and quick. The MAJORITY of the servers at the now remaining Kaimuki location are horrible. Snotty unprofessional hipsters who don't care to provide welcoming customer service or understand that some people are in a hurry and don't want to spend time lingering over a meal. Sorry, I'm just tired of this wannabe-Brooklyn trend that's currently encompassing Honolulu. Do it right.

    (1)

  • Johnathan S.

    I was invited back to Town recently am glad to say that I had a great experience there. Thanks to Brynn and staff for a lovely evening.

    (5)

  • Adrinna B.

    My friend and I met up here for lunch. We are both vegetarian, so honestly not a lot of options which surprised me because they're so into organic. Trust me, veggies don't always just want a pasta(which is what the waitress offered at first) so we both went with the lentil patty sandwich. It was very yummy! It came with a mixed greens salad, which was ok, but could use more dressing (the vinaigrette was almost imperceptible). Our waitress was ok, but she came and checked on us literally 30 seconds after she handed us the food and asked how it was tasting. We were like, "um, we don't know yet, give us one sec" which totally sent us into a giggle fit :). Overall a good place. I'd like to try it for dinner to see what the menu is like. This is the type of place that my hubby and I like (fresh, local, organic) having just moved from the Central Coast of CA where there is a huge focus on local organic foods in the restaurants. We shall see.

    (3)

  • Aileen D.

    Highly recommended from a foodie friend when I came home to visit the family. I highly advise recommendations. Service was gracious but not cloying. Can't believe I ordered the chicken but it was amazing. I definitely would order it again. The accompanying salad drassing and salad greens were perfect. I almost picked up my plate and licked the dressing off the plate. Yum. Will definitely visit again when I'm back in Hawaii.

    (5)

  • Sarah K.

    Who would have thought of naming their restaurant "Town"...and have it located right in Kaimuki town?! Great naming convention. They even sell shirts that say Town or Kaimuki. As if living in town wasn't bragging rights enough, we need to advertise it, too. LOL. Sorry West-side. This restaurant is known for its farm-to-table offerings, made to order with local ingredients. Their motto: "Local first, organic whenever possible, with Aloha always". And because things are fresh and made-to-order, it'll take time, things usually given that much care does, so plan ahead and be prepared to have a leisurely lunch or dinner. Settle in, take in the café ambiance, or sit outside for an al fresco experience and order a yummy cup of illy brand coffee (oh yum), café latte, or freshly squeezed fruit juice, and peruse through their daily menus that are "typed" handed to you on a clip board (classic). I won't bore you with words but will entice you by having you check out their website, townkaimuki.com . You can view their breakfast, lunch and dinner, beverage/cocktail/wine menus. What I will tell you is that I am a creature of comfort and I get my breakfast fix from Town every so often and I am not disappointed. The Breakfast Panino with bacon (crispy, please) is so yummy, that a large cup of coffee and you are set for the whole morning. The panino is what some might call a panini, toasted/grilled bread that's oozing with perfectly melted Fontina cheese, scrambled egg and the option of adding in bacon or proscuitto (for an extra $1). They usually take 15-20 minutes (and at times a little longer if they're slammed by a crazy breakfast crowd) so please call ahead and save yourself the wait time. They also have homemade scones in all different flavors and combination of flavors (orange-beet, chocolate chips-walnuts, banana, plain, etc.) You'll just have to check it out for yourself, it's right on the counter but gotta get there early enough, sometimes they'll run out before 10am. Fortunately I can walk here from my workplace so parking not a problem, tee-hee. Hope you'll make it Town one of these days the next time you're in town! Bon appetito!

    (4)

  • Jonn D.

    Rating: 4/5 Date visited: 12/13/2011 Food: 4/5 Service: 4/5 Atmosphere: 4/5 Price: 3/5 Parking: 3/5 I've past this restaurant hundreds of times and finally dined here. I will definitely be back. Food: An ever changing menu that is not always the same, depending on available fresh local items. You have to like that. Lunch was just right...I had the burger which was just outstanding. The quality of the meat just stood out. I would like to see what the dinner menu is like. Service: Since I dined for lunch, it was surprisingly busy. Not sure if this is the norm, but was impressed with the indoor and outdoor seating mostly all occupied. Service could have been a little faster, but seemed like server was a one woman show. Atmosphere: Simple, clean and just enough. I liked it. Price: It was about $10.50, for my burger, and was worth every penny. Reasonable for the quality and local freshness they provide. Parking: Street and private lot available, but limited.

    (4)

  • Jenifer G.

    town's food can be inconsistent. I've had outstanding meals here, as well as ehh-so-so ones. The restaurant prides itself in changing menus, as they feature different dishes on fresh produce/organics available, which is a magnificent idea. (You may guess this is why it is inconsistent, but no.. the ahi tartare has its good and bad days!) The environment is quite modern, with a welcoming feel and friendly staff, with both indoor and outdoor seating. It can get pretty loud inside, so I wouldn't recommend it to those who prefer a quietly private atmosphere. BYOB, corkage fee $10. Small public parking lot in the back fills up fast. Limited street parking (Waialae/9th). I've gone at least 7 times in the last 3 years, so based on what I remember... 1st try: Dinner for 8, fell in love w/ the place. Ordered the rib eye steak and it was SO tender & tasty that I wanted to marry the damn thing! Huge portion and flavorful as heck. Ahi tartare appetizers (3 on a plate for $11) were delicious to die for. 2nd try: Lunch for 2, ordered an egg sandwich. I was expecting something different and new, like some spin on an egg sandwich, but alas, it was a plain 'ole egg sandwich that tastes better at home when I make it myself. Maybe town's mayo was too healthy for my own good? ha! I would recommend them toasting that bread for a quick minute too. Floppy bread w/ heavy egg mix on it? umm.. no thanks, right? Oh, at least the ahi tartare was not bad. 3rd try: Dinner for 2. Can't remember what dishes exactly but we enjoyed it (appetizer + entree + dessert). The flavors were spot on. 4th try: Lunch for 2. I swear to moses, the Cibatta sandwiches tore up the roofs of our mouths! OUCH. You know those kinds of sandwich attacks, right? I was pissed for the next 24 hours because my mouth was seriously raw, but ahh whatever. The human body heals. Guess what pissed me off more -- the UNFRESH ahi tartare. I was chewing through the fish! Hope that gives you an idea of what I had to endure! I couldn't even think of eating a second piece. 5th try: Breakfast for 2. I had some rustic egg dish (gee, I can't recall what it was!). I just remember the menu was small, and that I was happily satisfied with my meal. 6th try: Dinner for 6. Had 4 out-of-town guests that were excited to come to Honolulu and try this new spot. Unfortunately, town did not deliever as expected! 3 of them ordered a fish dish (opakapaka or opah?) and all of the fish was overcooked. There's nothing I hate more than an overcooked fish! I honestly can't remember what I even ordered myself, see, I was probably trying to block out the bad memory! I do remember just being disappointed. I felt really bad for the hype I gave my friends. Strike one for Jen! 7th try: Lunch for 2. Eggplant spread bruchetta appetizer was delicious, but pricey.. 2 pieces for $8. Ahi sandwich was delicioius, with an interesting tartar sauce. Fries were as if scraped from the bottom of the bowl or fryer.. short and kinda burnt, but still tasty. They fry that stuff w/ rosemary and basil -- yum! Overall, I know I will go to town again sometime, either for lunch or dinner. I think it can be a hit, or a miss, just depending on how fresh and available the ingredients are. It's definitely not cheap, but it's a chic place to try if you haven't gone yet.

    (4)

  • Anthony P.

    Better than average for a restaurant in Hawaii, but were this restaurant in any metropolitan area, it would be closed within a few months with the food selection and preparation.

    (3)

  • Natasha H.

    I feel like I am the five star queen - but this restaurant is worth it. We ordered half the menu including half the drink menu - just wanted to taste everything and they were all delicious. I must mention that I absolutely appreciate when an employee acknowledges you even when there are no tables available and really they can't do much for you. The hostess was so friendly and took the time to get us menus for drinks and to get us set up even though a table wasnt available yet - so many times someone will just let you float around waiting. She was all over it! I LOVE WHEN PEOPLE DO THEIR JOB, its really quite easy in the service industry, yet seems to be a rare find. So BIG THUMBS UP THERE! My favorite item on the menu that we ordered was the fresh pasta it was just so delicious. Worth checking out, hard to get reservations there unless you really plan - thats the only downside.

    (5)

  • C L.

    Ordered polenta, bitter greens, and ahi tartar. While the polenta was creamy and tasty, it was a bit buttery and I couldn't finish it. The bitter greens filled with chard, kale, pine nuts, cranberry, sautéed in olive oil was perfect. Ahi tartar was ok. Tator tots with chopped onion and ahi on top. The place is nice and great for a date night.

    (4)

  • Xrnr M.

    YOU PAY FOR WHAT YOU GET Disclaimer....Town is a bit pricey....however.... The food is awesome and fresh and the service is great! This was the first place that I ate at which was very locavore driven. I met both of the chefs/owners in different locations, one of them at a loi in Kaneohe, where they get some of their products. I decided to go eat there after that, since I very much appreciated that they were truly involved in supporting local agriculture and economy and making delicious food! I've had the gnocci, hand made pasta, buttermilk panna cotta, kulana striploin, the fried pa'i'ai and the house made lemonade. If you like poi then try the fried pa'i'ai it's to die for, the consistency is perfect. gnocci and pasta are made delicately and are quite dense to you may have to take some home. totally loved the flavor of the striploin, cooked to perfection! panna cotta was soooo good and it comes with a bit of honey mmmm....yum! We come here as a splurge special dinner since we are college students, but it is totally worth it. The staff is great and the food is made with TLC :) We should always try to support our local farmers and this restaurant does a great job!

    (5)

  • Sherry G.

    Great service! Start off with the French fries and garlic aoli, could have made a meal of those on their own. Happily did order an entre! The pork belly with polenta and bitter greens. The pork was cooked to perfection. While not a big fan of polenta the Town won me over. The menu changes depending on what is available from the local growers. Portions were just right, a hard thing to find but that I appreciate and applaud!

    (4)

  • Maria B.

    I'm giving 5 stars because the meal itself was flawless. Despite waiting 30 minutes to be seated after already making a reservation (the only negative). Food was amazing, service outstanding and the drinks were great! Was hesitant to go to Town as there are many bad reviews, but glad I went and will definitely be going again!

    (5)

  • Michael P.

    My partner and I were recommended this restaurant by a friend who is quite the foodie and had been here when her sister lived on Oahu. I would say that Town was the culinary highlight to our trip and that was with quite a few really nice restaurants in the mix. To start, we tend to visit restaurants in the Denver area that tend to focus on fresh and local ingredients and I felt that Town gave the same attention to this endeavor as we are use to from some of our favorite Denver restaurants. The two fish dishes (ono and monchong) we had were prepared just right and the server was quite attentive. While trying to decide on what to order for drinks, the server asked what types of things I liked and asked if I wanted the bartender to make something based on some of my likes - which typically are whiskey based. I tend to like doing this as it really gives a good idea of the bartender's skill and ability. Let me just say, if you like cocktails you will not be disappointed. After dinner, we decided to find some place close by to have drinks but decided to just move over to the bar at Town. The bar is quite small, but is quaint like the rest of the restaurant. I ended up ordering three drinks all on the bartender's whim and each one was just as complex and delicious as the last. While at the bar we were given recommendations by the bartender (if I remember correctly, I think his name was Dave) and the hostess for our stay on Oahu and also for one or two for Kauai. I would definitely not recommend this place if you do not plan to spend $100-$150 dollars for dinner and drinks, OTHERWISE I would strongly suggest giving it a try. If you like trying out of the ordinary cocktails, then go with the bartender's whim (yes, they are a bit pricey) but in my opinion worth it.

    (5)

  • Emily L.

    Town is an early riser. It's open when I am at 6:30 AM (M-Sat). I've had lunch here maybe twice but it's their illy coffee and flakiest scones ever that make them an ideal place to wake up to. There's nothing better than a cup of dark rich brew that even a half-n-half addict like myself can drink it straight without any bitter remorse. I've even had a few decafs while pregnant and both baby and I would do the illy dance, a bopping start to our day. Planning that drive to the North Shore or to Waikele or to Lanikai? Stop and grab some illies on your way out of Town along with a scone or two. You'll be geared up for an action packed day. Snoozers need not apply.

    (4)

  • Phill M.

    Town to me is the best of Honolulu's Neighborhood restaurants! Always Fresh, Always Local - and always a smile... open all day, Breakfast, lunch and Diner the food rarely disappoints! The Polenta is Grandma Style, the meat's always... and I mean ALWAYS cooked the way you order - but what really set me to write this review today was Breakfast! OMFFFFFFG - I'm British, Northern British - Manchester, Lancashire style British and when it comes to someone saying they have Black Pudding - I am there!! This morning I was presented with the best Black pudding I have eaten in the USA... Large Portion, 2 perfectly poached eggs, Grilled tomato (thanks for the add to the Dish Ed!) and a solid whole grain bread toast... butter and home made marmalade on the side!! It was perfect. Michelin Perfect. Wonderful food - unlimited coffee... friendly service and Black Pudding!! Love it!

    (5)

  • Alan M.

    Our party of three really enjoyed dinner at Town. I called to make reservations in the late afternoon on a Tuesday. The earliest available table inside was at 8:30 but they said if we come at 6:00 we should be able to get a table outside. That worked out because it was a warm Hawaii night and it was easier to talk outside. We asked the waitress for a cocktail recommendation and she suggested an off menu St-Germain Hummingbird made with sparkling wine, club soda and St-Germain (elderflower blossoms). It worked as a starter and went with our dinners. Each of us got a different salad all made with locally sourced organic vegetables. The quality really came through in the taste and appearance. I had the lettuces, pancetta, manchego, cherry tomatoes and walnuts. The others were avocado, mango, red oak, pecans, cucumber, green goddess; and arugala, strawberries, fennel, almond lavosh, tarragon, goat's cheese. All were tasty and refreshing. A new menu is printed every day. I'm not sure how much it varies but we were told that many of the items are only available infrequently. Two of us (I was one) got the monchong a local deep water fish with firm white flesh. It was served on a bed of farro with long beans, beets, swiss chard and salsa verde. The combination of flavors went well with the moderately flavored fish. There was maybe a little too much olive oil by the time I got to the bottom of the farro. I would get this again except that there are so many other great sounding items on the menu. The other meal was Opah, sometimes called moonfish. It is firmer and richer than monchong and is sometimes used for sushi. It was served with local veggies (cherry tomatoes, green beans, bok choy, carrots, daikon), limu (red seaweed) and Meyer lemon. It was also very tasty. I had the "salted pretzel tart for dessert, a slice of a rich chocolate tart with sea salt and a small amount of pretzel pieces. I liked it a lot but the winning dessert was the apple banana cream pie. Note, a sweet, small banana variety called an "apple banana" is grown in Hawaii. There were no apples in this desert. It would be worth a trip to Town just to have this with a cup of coffee. The service was great. Our waitress obviously was very familiar with the always changing menu and made great recommendations. She has mastered the tricky balanced between interrupting too often and not being around when you need something. I'm already looking forward to going back on my next trip to Oahu.

    (5)

  • Alex D.

    Town was a let-down. They were all out of most items. Unfortunately, we were not able to get a reservation earlier in the evening. When describing the menu, our waitress didn't even seem excited about the items left on the menu. I wish I had read her enthusiasm better and just left before she came back to the table to take our orders. And what we did order... well everything was over-salted. I really wanted to like this place, and I was embarrassed that I took family here during my last night in hnl.

    (1)

  • Sarah B.

    I was excited to try Town but left pretty disappointed. The ahi tartare was pretty good, but no better than I've had at cheaper restaurants elsewhere. The fried okra were variable -- a few were great, but most were not very crispy and some were unpleasantly soggy. My handcut pasta was surprisingly bad -- it supposedly involved anchovies but was so flavourless I wondered whether the kitchen had just forgotten to add them. My boyfriend enjoyed his meat dish but not enough to come back.

    (2)

  • Bryan A.

    Heck yeah! But why didn't anyone tell me about this place a long time ago? It was date night this past week. I highly recommend Town. The service was great. The drinks were very refreshing, in fact, they created a drink for me that was not on the menu. Wine selection was good too. The food was original and flavorful. I had reservations and they sat us right away. I think the place must get busy from the reviews. But it was a Saturday and I wasn't in a hurry. The staff new the menu and informed us if the dish would take a little longer to prepare. We had a nice bottle of wine and some wonderful conversation in the meantime. I would recommend this restaurant to couples or folks there for a relaxing evening. Not a place to bring children that need to eat and get out before the "melt down". I do highly recommend.

    (5)

  • Karen D.

    We made the mistake of eating here on a Saturday night. Our party really enjoyed the food and liked the restaurant's modern look, however, points were deducted under ambiance because the service, noise level, and temperature made the evening a lot less enjoyable than it could have been. Five points for food, one to two points for everything else. The air conditioning was running full blast on a cool evening (it was only 70 degrees outside, but inside it was MUCH cooler). When we asked that the a/c be turned down or off, we were told "no". We noticed other diners' teeth chattering, too. Because it was so loud inside the dining room, our throats were scratchy and hoarse by the end of dinner from shouting. Town is too pricey to be this uncomfortable, even if the food is great. Will likely only consider returning when the weather is pleasant enough to make dining on the lanai a good option, and will not return on a weekend night. Instead, I have been visiting their (more reasonably priced) sister restaurant at HiSAM. Yep, I vote with my wallet! :-p

    (3)

  • Inthira M.

    I've always wanted to eat at this place, but the fear of the unknown has stopped me from trying this place. I've always heard good things such as, their menu is all organic and they use only local produce so their menu constantly changes depending on the produce they get, and they're pet friendly (you can eat with your pet on the lanai). I was going to get my nails done with my girl friend so we decided to try this place. The menu is simple and to the point, only being 1 page (2 if you count the drink page.. they also have a seperate drink menu), the only thing is, we were totally confused by it. There are no headings, the food is just written in small bunches. So I wasn't sure if what I was reading was a salad, or a sandwich, or a pasta. What was in the dish didn't help either because they used words I've never seen before. For example, instead of spinach they said "tatsoi" (or something like that)... maybe being a fellow culinarian I should've known some of these words... but I didn't. Needless to say when the server came around we had a couple questions. We both decided on pasta, she had a simple penne, pesto, basil, and tomato pasta, I had a spaghetti with tomatoes, capers, ahi, and kalamata olives. Both arrived quickly and although it seemed like a small portion, it did fill me up. I didn't taste hers, but I'm sure it was good. Mine was awesome. It had just the right amount of capers and olives. The tuna wasn't big and chunky, but cubed small and delicate. The atmosphere is very soothing with nice decorative pieces and big light orange lights. When I try to think of something bad to say about this restaurant I can't really think of one. For some reason, it all just works. I do want to come back and try more dishes... maybe try their dinner menu.

    (3)

  • Breeze G.

    Loved the ambiance, service, and food. They do their veggie mushroom/lentil patty really nicely. I'd get it again. For dessert, banana creme pie. Came with homemade whipped cream, and an awesome chocolate topped crust. Next time I'd like to try their fries, overheard the waiter saying it's a three day process. Love how they switch out their menu per each service.

    (5)

  • Maria C.

    Amazing local ingredients. Cocktails!!!

    (5)

  • M C.

    All around it's OK. They will provide simple meal. but they are not too special but enjoyable. Unfortunately Customer Service is are questionable. (Especially over the phone. they hung op on me.)

    (3)

  • Cat K.

    This place is OK. I feel like every time I visit, the service is a gamble. Sometimes they are OK and everything is fine. Other times, their service is questionable - meaning they are not friendly. I feel as if the people who work here think they are a bit high browish? I asked them awhile back what type of green food program they were affiliated with (since they have a big sticker on their door) and no one could give me an answer? Please don't get on the organic/ green food bandwagon if your employees don't know anything about what your cafe supposedly is attempting to portray to the public. Please educate your employees and teach them some etiquette lessons. Food was OK. I think this place is really a 2.5 star place.

    (2)

  • Jennifer C.

    Such a cute place! Very SF/LA. Ambiance: Hip, trendy, comfortable. Spot you would take your friends to for some good eat and AMAZING drinks. Food: Yea, the fries- you must order. All my meat eating buds say this is the place to go. I love their veggie accommodations. Drinks: If you're picky with your drinks and you find yourself near Town, pop in and sit at the bar. Order that fancy concoction or that oldie but goody. I promise you won't be disappointed. Desserts: YES! Nuff said.

    (4)

  • Lisa S.

    I always enjoy coming to this restaurant. They offer a lot of unique items and there is a focus on the menu and cocktails featuring really fresh ingredients and produce. I am a fan of their martini list and the bread. The option of outdoor seating is very nice and I like the concept of eating local, supporting local businesses and farms. I didnt love my salad (which was arugula,) but I can take the blame for that - the components on the salad werent for me, but I gave it a shot anyway. Had a fantastic pork dish for dinner though and tried a few amazing drinks. I have pleasant service each time

    (4)

  • Valerie M.

    I've always enjoyed this restaurant for it's trendy decor and Chef Ed Kenney's creativity using fresh, local ingredients. The Restaurant week menu was $20 for choice of any salad on the menu, any pasta and any dessert. For the price, this was a bargain. The baby arugula salad greens were tough. My risotto con funghi was delish and the hand cut pasta was also very good. The sorbets were good too. Dinner also came with a plate of rustic French bread and kalamata olives. Next time, though I'm going to skip the special menu and just have my regular order: The black mussels, fennel, pastina, tomato, cinzano broth. It's the best!

    (3)

  • Melissa S.

    Tonight was my first time eating at Town. My husband took me on a dinner date and I was really excited because I heard their food was great. My friends were right, the food was great. If I were rating this place on food alone, I would give it between 4 and 5 stars. Unfortunately, the rest of our experience was pretty bad. Service- We were seated right by the front door, which I wasn't excited about at all, but it turned out to be fine. Our waiter was friendly and helpful at first. He was probably in his late twenties, with dark hair and glasses. He made recommendations when I asked him and picked out two great glasses of wine to go with our dinners (red for my husband and white for me). Our wine and salads came out at a good pace, not rushed but not too long. We ordered the mao greens salad to share and it was perfect for two. It came out split on two plates and the portion was large enough that I thought he might have misheard us and ordered us each our own. Great job Town! Unfortunately, after our salad course, things went from great to really bad. Our entrees took over 45 minutes to come out of the kitchen. I know because we got them an hour after we arrived. After about 30 minutes or so, our waiter came over really quick and apologized for the wait. He said that our order got stuck behind a large party's order and that our food should be out in a few minutes. Side note, the WORST thing that a waiter can do when there's an issue with food taking too long is to lie. The only large party in the restaurant was a party of six. If our food got delayed that long because of one party of six people, then the kitchen has issues. I don't think that's the case since we saw food cranking out all night. More likely, the ticket got lost in the shuffle or the waiter forgot to ring it in or fire it at the right time. That happens, hell I've done that myself, but you should always own your mistake. Sorry to rant some more, but for me, the worst part about the whole experience was the manager. She was blond, probably mid thirties. Maybe 5 minutes after our waiter swung by to apologize for the wait, she also swung by. She did not apologize except to say "Sorry to interrupt you. I just wanted to let you know that your food should be out in a couple minutes." First of all, she wasn't interrupting anything since she came by right after my husband left the table (a move which he described as chicken s&%t). Second of all, she didn't seem to show any concern. It was as if she was merely informing me and didn't really care if I was okay. REALLY BAD! ANOTHER 5 minutes later, the manager came by again. Again, no apology at all. This time she just dropped off two tiny cups of soup on a plate. She said, "Here's a little something for you while you're waiting." Almost no eye contact, no apology, no concern whatsoever. Thank GOD that our meal arrived about 2 minutes later since the soup (which we hadn't asked for in the first place) wasn't very flavorful at all. I took one bite and decided to wait for my food. Entrees- My husband had the striploin with roquefort butter and fries. I had the Opah with myer lemon and veggies. Both were DELICIOUS! The fries were particularly amazing (fried with herbs). My fish was cooked perfectly! We also had a side of polenta which was really yummy at first, but a bit too rich for me after more than a few bites (we left most of it uneaten). Our waiter came by once to check on our food, but the manager never came by the table again. I could see her the whole time though, because she was sitting about ten feet away, directly across from me at the bar. She was drinking wine and playing with her phone. Really professional right? It was obvious she was done for the night and didn't care about anything but finishing her shift out. After dinner, we were offered dessert, but not coffee or anything else. We ordered the chocolate, salted tart and it was delicious. Our server came by one more time and dropped off our check. Again, no offer of coffee, no eye contact, nothing. Glad I wasn't choking because probably neither the server or manager would have noticed. Soooo, to sum it up, FOOD IS GREAT! SERVICE and MANAGER, ESPECIALLY MANAGER, were AWFUL!!! I might try one more time because of the food alone, but that's a BIG maybe.

    (1)

  • Brooke M.

    A tad too pricey to eat here all the time, but the food was great. Everything was very fresh. We ordered a whole bunch of stuff for the table to share-- Curry Lentil Soup was the perfect thing to warm us up (it's a little chilly in there); House-made Linguine with Cauliflower (delish!); Gnocchi with Cabbage and Bacon (kind of boring without the bacon, which is how we ordered it for the veggies at the table); Arugula and Beet salad with orange, fennel, ricotta salata and roasted chickpeas; Flatbread "pizza" with eggplant spread and veggies. Kind of like a salad pizza with baba ghanoush, quite good. The desserts were also delicious. The salted pretzel chocolate tart was awesome. I need to try to recreate it at home. Buttermilk panna cotta with honey was a bit too tart for me, but the honey was nice. No problems with service and it wasn't too noisy on a Monday night. Came once on a Saturday night and I could barely hear the person sitting next to me.

    (4)

  • Alana R.

    I've only eaten breakfast here. Always tasty, and always a little on the oily side. All the food looks really good. Every time I order Polenta, it tastes different. Not bad, but the taste and texture is always different. I've never had polenta anywhere else so I don't know what it's supposed to be like. Ignorance is bliss.

    (4)

  • Bradley H.

    It's not as good as "A-OK" (three stars) but not as bad as "Meh, I've experienced better" (two stars), and probably closer to the latter... I just ate there today, and my friend was right...quite pretentious and definitely doesn't fit in next to the auto shops and "mom and pop" produce store nearby. Granted that i had the seared tombo and it was fresh, but i just couldn't figure out what the heck was underneath those pieces of fish...some of it looked like a pickle but tasted like a potato. Other parts looked like a potato but turned out to be some type of veggie. The broccoli looking thing was overcooked and looked like a burnt mini broccoli...like if you had taken a shirt and steam cleaned it 1,000 times so it was the size more proportioned to a stuffed animal. Coat the veggies with oil and you have something that left me shaking my head. My friend had the "panino." I thought it was a male panini or something, but it was just singular for panini (which apparently is plural). Either way, i have never asked for a panini and ended up with two sandwiches, but i suppose i'm splitting hairs on this matter. The panino was a veggie thing with fresh cut fries. I would have to say that the fries were probably the highlight of the dish, which should not be the case. The pricing was what you would expect for a place like this ($10-$20 for lunch per person), so don't go if you're prone to sticker shock (especially if you are used to $5 plate lunches). Overall, i've eaten food like this quite a bit (i live in california with all kinds of pretentious restaurants lining the streets), but it just didn't seem to flow (yes, i can be pretentious too). The tombo meal was componentially disjointed, and the panino dish was held afloat by the fries. Happy Eating!

    (2)

  • Michelle C.

    Food was good, but service was awful. We waited almost two hours for our food!

    (1)

  • Bonnie O.

    Tell me...whyyyyy did I wait soo long? Back during my brief stint as a program manager at Mary Charles in 2005, my coworker Heather told me her brother-in-law opened a really good restaurant in Kaimuki called Town. Heather has excellent taste. Heck she was Mary's prodigy and all the chefs in the state bowed to Heather. So why did I wait until 2011 to make my pilgrimage??? Ah well, it doesn't mater. The pertinent issue is I did. Town's food is all about freshness and flavorful. Chef Ed Kenney creates his daily menu around what is available from local farmers. The restaurant's tag line "Local first, organic whenever possible, with Aloha always" is spot on. It was recommended because I needed a lunch venue with yum vegetarian food. Very glad i listened. I tried their greens...succulent, refreshing leaves lightly tossed with a buttermilk dressing. Their pasta had that elusive give and chewiness and the sun-dried tomato sauce....pardon me as I wipe the drool that is trickling down the corns of my mouth as I relive this meal. Go. Go now if you've never experienced Town. Your taste buds and tummy will be glad you did.

    (5)

  • Joe C.

    I tried Town tonight after the WSJ featured it in the Off Duty Section. It was a great recommendation. Tried the Ahi Risotto Cakes, Mushroom Flat Bread, Mussels and the hand cut pasta with Ahi. Everything was delicious, i intend to make myself a regular at Town whenever I am in Honolulu.

    (4)

  • Ashley O.

    Been here a few times. After I get over the pretentiousness of most of the people in the place, I start to enjoy myself. Love the fries. The fries keep me coming back. And the drinks are good, too. I consider myself somewhat experienced but always end up having to ask questions about the menu. "What's a (fill in the blank)?" And everyone I end up eating with feels the same. What's up with that? Next time we're just gonna Google the stuff we don't know instead of getting a dubious and incredulous look from the server. The parking... SUCKS. You really have to wanna come here to eat and enjoy the drinks -- because the parking is a hassle and a half -- mainly because it's nonexistant.

    (3)

  • Kanani C.

    Best french fries I've ever had on this island. Super good grass-fed burger too, gf had a mushroom pasta. Prices aren't that bad for the quality of food you are getting. Good service too

    (5)

  • Tina Y.

    My only complaint is that the burger costs more than the hand cut pasta! It was quite a small, ordinary burger and not worth the $15.50 at lunchtime. Wish they had more lunch type dishes at lunch and not so many heavy dinner type dishes.

    (3)

  • Koyu W.

    Great food, awesome staff, wonderful atmosphere! Asking the waitress for recommendations is the way to go! If the risotto is on the menu, a definite recommendation! I also had the pan roasted chicken and it was to die for! Going home full and happy!! :)

    (5)

  • Kim S.

    My husband let me pick where I wanted to have my birthday dinner, so Town it was. I'd eaten here once about a year ago & wanted to give it another try. Be warned, the parking (as many other reviewers have mentioned) stinks. You will most likely end up driving around the block repeatedly only to be disappointed. We ended up finding street parking across the street, a block away. I ordered the black mussels for a starter, which was tasty but could've used a little more salt. My husband ordered the ahi tartare, which he said was just alright. For my entree I chose the pan roasted chicken, which was delish! Moist, tender & well-seasoned; even my husband liked it & he NEVER eats chicken. In fact, he enjoyed it so much that he's bringing my leftovers for his lunch tomorrow. Unfortunately, my husband got the Kulana striploin which was tough & chewy. The only highlight on his plate were the crispy fries. We skipped dessert because I had Baskin-Robbins ice cream cake at home but believe me, I was eyeing the panna cotta I saw on the menu. To sum it up, the food at Town wasn't horrible enough to make us cross it off on our list of viable dinner options but at the same time it wasn't great enough to render itself a star player. But I may have to come back just to try the panna cotta...

    (3)

  • Caroline C.

    I went with my daughter and two friends on mine from Ft. Lauderdale for lunch. The service was really good and the food was spectacular. I had fish over fresh veggies as did my friends. My daughter had the risotto , which was amazing.... Decent wine list, lively and hip atmosphere. The four of us ate lunch, had a bottle of wine and a few additional glasses of wine + espresso. Got out of there for $200.00 and this included 20% gratuity.... You will not be disappointed!!!

    (4)

  • Anton Z.

    Such a letdown. We came in expecting amazing, local fare, and got badly executed attempts at meals with local ingredients. The dark and stormy's had ginger syrup, which messed with the flavors. The flatbread with pancetta, cabbage, and gorgonzola dolce was dry and flavorless. Sadly our meals faired worse - the chicken was well cooked but flavorless, and my risotto with salmon was under-seasoned, while the salmon itself was between sashimi and undercooked. Sadly, service was also really slow...kinda surprising when the place was pretty empty. I expected that this place might just be new and learning, but apparently not. Too bad, because that would have made it ok.

    (1)

  • Megan G.

    We had a great meal here a few months ago and I am finally writing the review. We shared a nice bottle of Pinot Noir, a beet salad (my latest obsession) and the house made charcuterie platter. I had the tuna, he had the pork and both were memorable and divine! I will be back, thanks for a memorable meal Town!

    (5)

  • LesliAnn K.

    The food quality was a strength. The atmosphere...a little too loud and service was not the greatest. I do appreciate that they support local, organic and the menu often changes to reflect that. WIth this visit, I was very pleased with my choices. appetizer - eggplant, almonds, proscuitto, and freshly made mozzarella cheese. YUMM!! Dinner - Risotto with mushroom and kabocha (i think) It was a lot of creamy goodness. YUMM!!! This is more for the people who are looking to enjoy and try interesting combinations, with lighter appetites, as portions are not big.

    (3)

  • Elizabeth L.

    I have to say that my dining experience a Town was amazing. My pasta was delicious it was hand cut pasta... a little overdone perhaps but the flavor of the sauce and the different vegetables in it were really fresh and flavorful and it also had smokey pancetta... big chunks of it and grated Parmesan cheese. To start we had the french fries which are a must...they are super crispy shoestring potato fries with garlic and herbs and you get a big portion for only seven dollars. One of my friends had the mushroom Risotto and it was creamy and al dente it was perfect. My other friend had the mahi-mahi. It was grilled to perfection and served over a beautiful, colorful medley of vegetables. One of my friends got the specialty cocktail and although it was delicious I thought it was a bit pricey for $10...it was pretty small. I will definitely go back here. I am going to add this restaurant to one of my top 10 favorite restaurants on Oahu!

    (4)

  • L T.

    The formula to running a great restaurant seems simple: taste, consistency, and prompt and friendly service. At first glance, this restaurant appeared to be a great addition to the Honolulu food scene. The location has a fun local vibe, the design of the restaurant is pleasant and modern, the menu looks inventive and fresh, and the staff are nice. But to wait over an hour for food that is overcooked, salty, and one-dimensional is a serious disappointment, especially at the price point they charge. Another egregious error is to serve an appetizer with your main course. Timing is crucial in a restaurant environment. If the owner isn't able to make some simple changes to improve his restaurant, I would recommend that you spend your dining time elsewhere.

    (2)

  • jennifer c.

    We've eaten breakfast here twice, and it's crazy good. The polenta and eggs, fried rice, eggs and toast, and panino have all been fresh and delicious. Coffee is great and espresso is Stumptown (my Portland go-to). Service is with a smile and lots if aloha.

    (5)

  • Maka I.

    I love the food at Town! :) ... it is super delicious but the portions are on the small side and it is a little pricey for the size. The food is local and some organic. I wish they would serve larger portions and all organic. I love the Ulu soup but again it was about the size of a cup in my bowl. I am grateful they are serving local and some organic but maybe could drop the price or serve bigger portions. The service is great and I didn't have to wait for anything so that was really nice too. Thanks Town for providing another place for me to eat local and organic! :)

    (4)

  • Traci W.

    Pros: Food is consistently delicious and is generally local and organic. The menu is always a nice surprise because it changes daily. The ambience is casual yet sophisticated. Great date spot. Special props for always having at least 1-2 vegetarian/vegan options daily. Minor cons: Parking can be a pain as their lot fills up quickly and finding street parking in the area is like spotting a unicorn. It's definitely pricey and portions are usually pretty small. But I'm pretty small, so the dishes are always enough for me, but my husband is usually ready for a "second dinner" after we go.

    (4)

  • Jon W.

    Went for dinner and this not being the first visit I knew the food is good and the menu is ever changing. Its been awhile and I think its because of something I must have forgot. Service was eh and I only say that because it took long to get food and drinks. 2 hours from start to finish and only seemed average on the busy side. The size of portions to the cost is my big concern. $26 for a slightly small steak with french fries...Not really happy about that. I think the only thing worth the price was the mussels everything else was on the tiny side and less than spectacular. The overall taste was ok but after spending that much time waiting and eating and at that cost it wasn't worth it. Get the feeling that the owner of TOWN is more concerned with the trendy image. I ha vent been to a place that had so many customer's wearing fedora hats. I guess that should have been the trendy clue.

    (3)

  • Katie K.

    Oh Town, how I wish I could give you a better review... The food at town is always yummy. I used to live up 9th Ave and walked here for lunch fairly often. I also remember having a yummy dinner once as well, but as of late, my Town experiences have just not been pleasant, service wise. To be fair, I am talking about lunch, and understand dinner is a totally different animal. With that said, I LOVE their burger, which is why I continue to give them a chance. After today's experience though I think I'm going to wait a while before I return. My friend and I both ordered burgers, my Med Rare, and his Medium. First off, the burgers took a long time to come out. It was of course lunch hour, and they were fairly busy, so whatever. However, when they did come out the runner just dropped them off and walked away. The cheese was not melted on to the burger. They switched our temperatures. I need mustard. My friend needs mayo. And we both want salt and pepper. Our server did not make it to our table... He kept walking up to a table near us, grabbing one item at a time off the table, and completely ignoring us. My lunch date couldn't take it anymore, as much as I hate to admit this, he got up and found someone and had to ask for these items. Mean while my food has gotten cold. Being that I was extremely hungover today after Sunday funday, that didn't bother me that much and I inhaled most of my plate. So sorry Town, I know you make good food but I just can't handle the inattentive and slow service anymore :(

    (3)

  • Julie U.

    I could eat here every single day and be happy. The breakfast menu features some of the best deals on the island. The polenta, in particular, is to die for. I've never been to a restaurant that knew how to cook polenta, but this place definitely does. The lunches are also a great deal for those on a budget. I'm a big fan of their salads, especially those that feature veggies from MA'O Organic Farms. I also love how the restaurant supports local farmers and artists. For more reasons on why I love Town, please see my list of the best restaurants in Kaimuki: best5everything.com/best…

    (5)

  • Ash R.

    PROS: The food is here is indeed tasty, especially the desserts. CONS: 1.Slow service, couldn't even find one waiter/watiress throughout our experience here. 2. Portions are teeny tiny! They are 'french size' meaning you need at least 3 courses to be satisfied and 5 courses to really be full. 3. Overly expensive. This isn't LA, esp. considering the majority of foods are grown and purchased in Hawaii. 4. Seriously slow service. EX: after finishiing our mini-salad we waited about 30 minutes for more water and about 45 for the bill.

    (2)

  • Giovanni H.

    I have mixed feelings about Town, and waited several days to write this review so I could be as helpful to another person reserving a table as possible. Town is located on a corner and parking is not easily visible when you arrive, so prepare by locating street parking if you are running late. Upon entering the restaurant you will be greeted by a hostess wearing cut off shorts and a T-Shirt so do not be alarmed. Service is a bit slow and not very personalized (waitresses failed to ask the name of any member of my party, and only introduced herself after I asked "What's your name"). After the lack luster food and poor customer service I found it hard to pay $100 for a meal. I would not recommend this restaurant to my friends or family.

    (2)

  • Tammy T.

    3.5 stars...we actually went for breakfast which slowly rolled into lunch. Would have given it higher if it wasn't for the service. The service wasn't pleasant. The girl who ran the order area (behind the counter) was just not having a good day or something, ever time any one of us interacted with her, it just seem like we were bothering her. She gave us one word answers. Very standoffish. It came to the point we were bothering another lady, just because we didn't want to deal with her. Other then that the food was good. The atmosphere was nice. Portions are decent and not crazy insane large. 20 bucks can get you anything on the breakfast menu plus a coffee, and most of the lunch menu. We got: Breakfast Burrito 9.00 = A bit dry Biscuit & Gravy = My friend said was delicious. Some sort of Polenta thing = She enjoyed hers Gelato (lunch) = Her only complaint was that it said "vanilla bean, espresso, chocolate" the gelato came with 2 scoops, a brown and a white. Where is the 3rd one? Was the 3rd thing the cookie? Pasta thing (lunch) = Which she enjoyed

    (3)

  • T Y.

    This place has more problems than meets the eye.... From the seating to the food.... And my drink Who ever is the manager of the front of the house needs either train their staff or get shot in the face But let's talk about the food It took 1hr and 15min since we got seated to get our main dishes We only ordered 1 app , so from the time the app was finished to get our entree took about 45 minutes. When we ordered the restaurant was about 30% full.... So I have no idea why our food took so long. Now usually when the food takes long.. I'm okay with it IF the food is worth waiting for But in this particular scenario... The food was not. We had 2 entrees and ordered a gnocchi to share, this was the worst gnocchi I ever had. I even bought packaged gnocchi from Safeway and those were ALOT better. These from town tasted like eating some kind of starchy dry glop and as much as unappealing it tasted it also looked terrible, I understand the gnocchi is probably home made but that just looked like it was made in a 7th grade home economics class from a barely passing student. My entree was pretty much unmemorable except for the fact that the ahi was dry and bland... They offered us a free dessert on the house but we were already too disgusted from the length of time x taste of the food = we just wanted to gtfo Atleast I know I will never be back and will never want too

    (1)

  • A G.

    One of the best burgers I ever had is here. Juicy local beef burger with half fries and Nalo greens. Delicious. The dinner menu is also fabulous.

    (5)

  • Alethea P.

    Town is one of those restaurants that make you feel like you've been sucked through a rabbit hole. What? Okay let me explain. 1. The atmosphere is trendy, modern and rustic all at the same time, without really trying to be cool. It's super cool. 2. The menu is updated daily and printed onto like old grocery bags or something. It's totally awesome and great that the menu is always changing, because it keeps you from getting bored. 3. Town is eco-conscious. They recycle and have a composting area that creates new soil. They mostly use organic or local produce and use free-range chicken, etc. 4. The food is fantastico! I ordered a chicken dish that consisted of Baked chicken, which by the way, was the most juicy, tender chicken I've ever tasted! It also had large crunchy croutons, grapes, greens and a balsamic vinegar sauce..it was the strangest thing ever, but each ingredient complimented the other perfectly! The sourness of the sauce went great with the juicy chicken and sweet grapes and greens and the crunchy crouton. It was perfect! 5. The food is not super expensive but it's not cheap either. You get what you pay for, and mainly what you are paying for at Town is an experience! You are trying items you would not usually try, in an atmosphere that is not at all typical in Hawaii, and are supporting an environmentally conscious establishment. I am just waiting for the opportunity to go back to Town again! Love that place!

    (4)

  • Topher B.

    We went to Town one afternoon for lunch absolutely famished. I say that, because we really wanted something good to eat, and we wanted it relatively quickly. Town has a lot of things going for it: great menu, free WiFi, good location, but there were a few things that took away from the experience for us. Getting seated didn't take too long, but seeing our server did. I didn't catch his name, but he did not seem like he wanted to be working there that day, and did not pay us much attention. Visits, including ordering and getting our drinks, and ordering our food, took a very long time. The menu format also needs some work. I think it's really neat that they use recycled paper for their menus, but the way they type things out is difficult to read, and we were left guessing if a menu item was one item, or if it was separate items. The food was well prepared and relatively delicious. The only bad part was the portion. We both got the steak, hoping for a large portion to satisfy our voracious appetites, but when a tiny little medallion came out [tiny, even by fillet standards], we were both displeased. Perhaps an ounce indicator on the menu would have been helpful [although maybe not since it was difficult to read anyways]. However, I have had much better steak at better prices, and much more of it. We'll give Town another chance, and we'll definitely be ordering something else. Hopefully next time we'll get our money's worth. Perhaps it was just an off day when we went.

    (2)

  • William C.

    Great fish dishes with good wine and the service was attentive. Very nice for your typical Hawaii fine resteraunt. Crowded tables and the place could be cleaner but food is good.

    (3)

  • Yummy P.

    A friend of mine took me here after hearing his co-workers rave about it. It's been a while since my last visit - but after reading everyone's reviews on Town, I have to agree... The service was bad, parking is limited and the food over priced. I love the tapa style, organic and constant change of menu, but my experience there changed everything. We were one of two couples there, I had to ask for water and refills and it was about an hour wait for our food. I ordered the Ahi Tartare and Risotto Cake. It was alright. The Ahi wasn't as fresh and the Risotto Cake was a little dry. My friend had the Braised Cheeks which had a little too much sauce in my opinion. The Braised Cheeks are paired with greens and mashed potatoes which were swimming in the cheek sauce. Tasting it, not impressed. We planned on ordering more but after waiting an hour for the food, bad service and mediocre food, we left hungry. I wouldn't recommend it here just because of the service. I would give the food another shot but not until the service improves.

    (2)

  • Caroline F.

    I have been wanting to eat at Town for a while now, and finally decided to give it a try! Me and a friend went on a Tuesday night.. we had reservations for 730, but got there around 7... There were plenty of empty tables, but the hostess made it seem like it was an inconvenience that we were early. but we were seated immediately after the hostess made sure we knew how early we were.. Thanks.. We get it! (Parking here is Non-existent.. We had to park kinda far away..) It took a while for our server to greet us, and take or drink orders. I really think he was on drugs or something. Because he seemed REALLY spaced out, and forgetful. When we finally got a chance to order, I wasnt sure what to get, so I asked our server what his favorite thing on the menu was...( I usually do this when I go out to eat, because Im horrible at making decisions, and the servers usually always know best, and suggest the dishes THEY would want to eat.) Server: Everything is my favorite Me:Okay, well if you HAD to just pick one dish Server: I couldn't just pick one. They are all good. Me: Well.. which one would you consider to be the Best? Sever: Its an all around tie. They are all the best! Me: well since YOU love all of them, which one is the most popular? Server: Well all of our dishes are really popular. OH MY GOSH!! haha Obviously I wasn't getting anywhere with this guy! I don't care if they are ALL your favorite.. just name ONE! you don't even have to like it.. you can say ANY DISH!!.. As you can see our waiter was NOT helpful at all when it came to recommending a dish! The restaurants decor was really neat, and it was a nice ambiance. but it was SOO LOUD I felt like I had to scream at my friend for her to hear me! The food was just OKAY..I was expecting it to be AMAZING after reading some of the reviews, but I was disappointed.. very small portions, and rather pricey.. I was still hungry afterward Im glad I tried Town, but I dont think I will be back

    (2)

  • Sandy N.

    I understand the concept they are trying to attain but I think they're missing it. They have menus printed out daily so the food is prepared based on ingredients on hand. But the flavors were lacking the wow factor. We ordered the gnocchi with lamb sausage (too minty) and the white fish with fava beans. We were not too crazy about both meals and there was nothing special to them. The fish was fresh and moist, but too salty and the sauce was nothing but olive oil. The dandelion leaves were sooo bitter, ick. The bread was freshly baked and was pretty good. I wouldn't come here again.

    (2)

  • Kimi N.

    Loved Town! Went for dinner this past Saturday. I called ahead to ask what was on the menu, and the only time available for a party of two was 8:30pm, so I grabbed that slot. We got there at 8pm and wereseated immediately. Ambiance is super nice inside the restaurant with the dim lighting and clever lanterns. Also loved how they recycled old menus into coasters for drinks. Everything was super fresh tasting. We got the ahi tartare to start. I'm not a fan of raw fish but this was really tasty. The risottos cake the ahi rested on was very crispy. For entrees we got the handmade gnochi and the opah. The gnochi was flavorful and very rich ($17). The opah was grilled in olive oil on a bed of greens with ulu and peppers all thrown in. It was so moist and tasty! ($22) I think for locally grown food Town is reasonably priced. I also thought the portions for the entrees was very generous although the ahi tartar was kind of expensive for only 3 pieces ($11) but it was clear a lot of work was put into it. One thing that's pretty hilarious is that the bathroom is outside and through a hallway and it reminds me a lot of bathrooms at Chinese restaurants. While the interior of Town is very chic, bathroom definitely isn't. But meh, I'm not picky about that.

    (5)

  • Micah S.

    I went to Town's wine down Wednesday wine tasting. It was a very nice attmosphere and the food was delicious. The tables were outside and we were accompanied by a wine rep that walked us through our wine tasting. The food was great and the wine was good but the service of the server that came and served us after the tasting was the best part. He was attentive and very knowligable. This server made us feel apart of the culture at this restaurant and that is really the key to getting consistent business in my opinoin. So to sum it up good value I will definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Shawn C.

    This was my first visit to TOWN, but I was very pleased. Everything we ordered was good. Their basic philosophy is to use locally produced ingredients and organic produce whenever possible. The menu is very creative, with a variety of dishes to please vegetarians and omnivores alike. The service was very friendly, and the wait staff were enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the menu. The atmosphere is informal but has a rustic charm about it. It is a good place to bring a date. The outside seating fronts a busy intersection in Kaimuki, so it can be a bit noisy at times. Parking is free in the lot behind the restaurant.

    (4)

  • George B.

    If you want huge portions for little money, try Buca di Beppo. If you want delicious food, an excellent wine list, and don't mind spending a little money, then Town is an excellent choice. Our food was excellent and the service was very good as well.The lights went out across the island the night we ate there, so they brought around candles which made for a very romantic setting.

    (4)

  • Jerry W.

    Wonderful fresh food, thoughtfully prepared.

    (5)

  • John R.

    I really enjoyed dinner at Town. Their main emphasis is on local ingredients including steaks from the Big Island. The menu was the right size and had plenty of dishes to choose from. Small, but perfect wine list. Great little place just out of Waikiki. Worth the drive!! (or take a cab if you are visiting)

    (4)

  • Paul W.

    Scrumptious fusion menu and super friendly staff. The effort put into unique dishes with local ingredients and the casual atmosphere reminds me of Delfina in San Francisco. Our party shared some of the best pasta I've ever had, including giant, marshmallow-sized gnocchi that were perfectly firm on the outside and creamy-soft on the inside. Also had slightly tart and spicy braised oxtail with two-inch-wide noodles cut from homemade pasta sheets (sort of like giant pappardelle). They also have scrumptious sauteed items-- we ordered a total of three of the toasted-crispy local cauliflower, which had the size, color, and texture of mini broccoli crowns. Dense, icy locally-made gelato to finish. Plenty of street parking nearby. Lovely warped-wood light fixtures and a series of jeweled, ceramic elephants decorate the dining room. Very humble place with excellent food, by far my favorite dinner during our stay at Waikiki. Though we had to wait about 15 minutes once we got there since we were a relatively large part (5 adults), we soon forgot as we split three bottles of Amarone (and made the kids drive back to the hotel).

    (5)

  • Robert M.

    I eat at Town frequently as my son lives nearby,and recently have been disappointed by both the food and service. Their meat options are very limited and the service is often slow, especially when sitting at an outside table where if you can't be seen, you are easily forgotten.

    (3)

  • wineporn S.

    I want to move to an apartment on Kapahulu and Waialae so that I'll be walking distance from both Town and Side Street Inn and spend the rest of my life dining at these two restaurants. I grew up on O'ahu but live on the mainland now. When I come home, I go to the restaurants of my childhood. But on this trip I branched out and found a wonderful surprise in Town. I love the focus on American classics using local, organic ingredients with a touch of Hawaiian flare. We started with the Ahi Tartare. People rave about this and I thought it was good, but honestly, I'd rather have a bowl of good poke from the poke bar at Foodland. Then we had the Opah. OPAH! Hands down, the best piece of cooked fish I've had in the last 5 years, and possibly in my life. It was moist, tender, flavorful. It was perfectly fresh and reminiscent of the sea. The crust was perfectly done. We paired this with gnocci that somehow dissolves on the tongue. SO MUCH BETTER THAN TRADER JOES! exclaimed my boyfriend. The gnocci was served with pesto - so fresh and flavorful - made with arugula from Ma'o farms. I love Ma'o. No panic - go organic! Excellent cocktails. Reasonable prices. Lots of heaven.

    (5)

  • Jennifer D.

    I'm highly supportive of their "locally grown food" menu. However, we were underwhelmed with each entrée. At least we gained some amusement from our accident-prone waiter.

    (3)

  • Susan A.

    Love, love, love...am in love with Town (and secretly crushin on owner/chef, Ed Kenney, whom I got to meet at a cookbook signing this past July). Consistent, warm & enthusiastic service. Delicious, comforting and creative presentation of local-sometime-organic foods. Their roasted chicken over drippings-drenched-croutons (a menu staple) was off the grid scrumptious. Been there 5x's and we try to hit the place at least once per visit. Definitely recommend reservations for 1st seating, dinner, but, you're pretty safe for the lunch hour without.

    (4)

  • Nicole L.

    The service was great atmosphere was nice. The appetizers were good & unusual, we had the pig heart pa'i'ai on a bed of greens...I would never have thought I would like pig heart but my rule is to try everything twice, and I would definitely try that again. The mozzarella ap was also very good, both were inventive and seasoned very well. How ever the rest of the was dinner was lacking depth. I had the pasta with razor clams, it was very lemony and that's it, just sour, no other flavors came through, I was very disappointed. What my Husband had was good, the Italian sausage, but again lacking depth, it was served with extremely salty lentil's and mushy kale. Would I eat there again? Maybe for appetizers.

    (2)

  • Kim Y.

    My boyfriend chose Town to celebrate our 4month dinner date. We arrived on a Monday night, and the place was packed. I was excited to dine at a place that specialized in local organic food. Our server was very informative and attentive when he first came to the table, but it took quite a bit for our drinks to arrive. My boyfriend tried the dark and story (his first ever), and a 2003 bottle of red. The server explained the delay by saying that the "governor" had arrived, and that he couldn't find the bottle of wine. We ordered salads, the tasty fries for an appetizer, and entrees. The beef strip loin was cooked perfectly medium rare and the blue cheese butter added a nice bite, it was also a good cut size. The tuna was served a bit over cooked, and the portion size was small. Believe it or not the bread and olives didn't arrive till after our entrees. I must say the pretzel crusted chocolate tart with lavender salt was A-1. The pretzel crust was perfectly crisp and the chocolate was so smooth. The pineapple sorbet was good, but not the best ever. We will still go back, because the hostess was so nice, and shared her experience about her vibram five fingers shoes. The food is yumbos, but the service is so slow.

    (3)

  • Kristen K.

    The food was exceptional. We really enjoyed the creative dishes and simple ingredients.

    (5)

  • Shannon R.

    We called around 7:45 PM on a weeknight and was told they could fit us in (party of 2) at 8:15 PM. Perfect! The place was almost full, and a little loud, but otherwise the ambiance was fine, and there was some nice ocean-related art on the walls. Our server was very knowledgeable about the menu, and service was prompt. The cocktails here were outstanding (interesting combinations, and very strong!), as was all of the food. We ordered an appetizer, salad, entrees, and dessert. They were all interesting combinations of ingredients that you don't necessarily see at other restaurants. Most of the dishes also contained fresh produce and local meat or fish (all of Town's dishes are from locally-sourced ingredients). The homemade bread and olives, which they serve to every table, were phenomenal. I'd highly recommend the pretzel chocolate tart for dessert, and though we had the house-made pasta and roasted chicken (which were excellent), I'd bet any dish off the menu would be just as great! The bill for 2 of us wasn't that bad (I can't remember exactly what, somewhere around 80 to 100) especially considering all that we ordered.

    (5)

  • Nancy W.

    I was so relieved to find out there was a high-caliber restaurant in this area. I am so done with the places to eat in the Waikiki area--nothing super special. This restaurant is special--amazing dishes, drinks and desserts. I had the gnocchi, and it was to die for--a garlicky olive oil base with an indescribable flavor. The salad was also very creative and wonderful. The only real thing that needs improvement is the service--we were one of the first to be seated, and it took over 30 minutes after our salads were served to get our meal. The staff was good, but seemed rather indifferent and slightly unfriendly. Overall, however, a fantastic spot for a different, higher-end, dining experience.

    (4)

  • Lea K.

    Hand cut pasta with squash...Ah-mazing!

    (4)

  • Jirarat S.

    Once every few months my dad comes to visit and I get to escape my Waikiki bubble, if only for one meal, to eat at a resaturant otherwise deemed inaccessible. I live with my sister and we both don't drive so to have someone provide transportation and pay for our meal is just wonderful,,,and that's what parents are for, right? So we went to Town on a Tuesday night, around 6:30. It was pretty empty and we were seated right away. We were underwhelmed by the menu choices, There were a handful of appetizers, a few salads, and 7-8 entrees (including 3 pastas). I said I wasn't really interested in any particular dish and my dad asked us if we wanted to go somewhere else. I kind of wanted to get up and leave but that's always an awkward moment. We stayed and decided to order family-style. My sister was interested in how big the portions were and when she asked the waitress, she pretty much avoided saying flat out that the portions were on the smaller side. She said, "They're not overwhelming." You're damn right they're not overwhelming. She explained to us what some of the dishes were and my sister felt that it was in a snooty way. I didn't notice so much since I let dad and sis do the ordering. The 3 dishes we shared were the gnocchi with snap peas, mushroom risotto, and ono on a bed of veggies. The gnocchi was tasty but I didn't think the snap peas went well with it. The risotto wasn't bad, but not anything special either. The ono was fine, but I wished it had come with a starch also. Everything tatsed fresh since they try to use fresh, local, and organic ingredients. We realized towards the end of the meal that the menu was small probably because it changed a little everyday. It wasn't absurdly expensive but I would have felt better about eating there if I had walked out full. It was an okay experience but I probably would not come here again, even if someone pays for me.

    (3)

  • Chloe T.

    One of my favorite breakfast spots! They serve great Illy coffee and the ambiance is lovely. Their breakfasts are reasonably priced and great quality. Dinner is pretty spendy... the quality is great. You're definitely paying for a good product, but the portion sizes are a little small.

    (4)

  • Leah Y.

    My boyfriend and I came here for their Restaurant Week 2010 special: 3 courses for $20.10. SUCH a good deal and a great way to sample the fresh, local ingredients that Town advertises. We had a reservation and arrived early but got seated right away anyway--score! The hostess was so nice and explained what items we could choose from for the restaurant week special. Our waitress was also super friendly and took our orders promptly, mentioning that if we ordered all 3 courses at the get go, we'd have less of a wait between courses. I've read that service here can be slow so we of course opted for a shorter wait and ordered all 3 courses at once. For our first course, soup or salad, we both ordered salad. I got a roasted beet and arugula salad with ricotta salata and my bf got a Ma'o farms greens salad with manchego cheese and pancetta. For our entrees we ordered gnocchi with kabocha in a sage brown butter sauce and linguini with black mussels, fennel and tomato. Dessert picks were the "milk and honey" panna cotta and grilled banana bread with peanut brittle and creme fraiche. The salads were both good and refreshing and got us ready for our entrees. I especially liked the orange supremes and ricotta in my salad. Both entrees arrived a short while after we'd finished our salads, nice and hot, so we immediately dug in. My bf's gnocchi with kabocha was very rich with it's silky potato pillows and buttery pumpkin bites. Surprisingly, I could still taste a hint of the sage emerging from the decadent butter sauce, so that was definitely a plus. My linguini dish was good, but not my fave. The highlights of my dish were the mussels, which were cooked to tender mussel-y perfection and the pasta, which was nice and al dente. Dessert time--the buttermilk panna cotta had a silky smooth, melt in your mouth texture and tart yogurt like finish, which my bf and I both loved. It was rightfully garnished with some honey and papaya, both of which played well with the buttermilk tang, and made me wish I could have this dessert every morning for breakfast :) The grilled banana bread dessert was also good, especially after being grilled in butter on the flat top and garnished with some peanut brittle and bright creme fraiche. To wrap things up, my bf and I enjoyed our visit to Town--friendly service and tasty local ingredient centered dishes. We're always happy to support restaurants that recognize the significance of cooking with local ingredients, as we ourselves love using locally grown ingredients in our own kitchen. If you can get in on the restaurant week deal before it ends, I'd highly recommend it :)

    (3)

  • Aline T.

    Came back with my little sister. We came around 6:15pm and half the place was empty but we were told we'd have to sit outside because it was all reserved. If you don't make reservations, bring a warm jacket. It gets chilly outside. Ahi tartar was yummy. My sister got a house cured ham with polenta, greens and gravy. I thought the ham would have more flavor since it was cured but it was bland. My sister liked the pine nuts in the salad more than anything on the plate. I got the chicken. They can cook chicken very well. Since there weren't that many people, I got my chicken right after it was cooked, still hot! The skin was nicely crisped and the chicken wasn't overcooked. Town doesn't seem to like to flavor enhance their food. I know I say it's bland because I prefer some sort of flavor or seasoning but other people may like it. So, the chicken was cooked excellently, but I would have liked it more if it didn't taste only like chicken. Town is infamous for making you wait forever but the help wasn't so bad. Not the best, but not bad enough to make me angry. Bad enough to make me give 12% tip instead of 15%.

    (3)

  • Henry L.

    I only had breakfast but it was DISAPPOINTING. Coffee was serve yourself out of a thermos, and bland and weak. Not good for someone with a hangover wanting a really hard cup of joe. Bacon was nice texture, but everything else was really mediocre. Pancakes were just okay, fried rice with egg was too greasy, and bland. I had eggs and fish, the tuna was overcooked and dry. Maybe lunch and dinner are better, but breakfast was really weak, not on my list for another breakfast run.

    (2)

  • Steven E.

    We always enjoy dinner at Town. The menu is always changing and we like the creativity and local fresh ingredients. But we had some major issues this time. Our reservation was for 7:00 and we were seated right away and we sat. The service was poor and that is being generous. We had to ask for the bread, olive and butter after we didn't receive any by the time our appetizers were served. They brought our bowl of usually delicious fries and they were cold! We had to send them back to get a properly prepared order. The entrees were excellent so we thought we would order an after dinner drink and dessert. The grappa came right away but after 25 minutes we decided to cancel the dessert and call it a night. It must have been an off night at the Town.

    (2)

  • Cathy S.

    Good reviews is what brought me to Town Kaimuki on my visit to Honolulu. First, it's off the beaten path so unless you have a car, it's kind of hard to get to. Second, it's not all that. Breakfast is my favorite meal and I found the food and service to be lackluster. It's very self-service - you have to line up and order your food, get your own coffee, etc. That wasn't really the issue but the food wasn't all that great. Won't be coming back.

    (2)

  • Aubrey A.

    I had breakfast here yesterday and it was delicious! I got the breakfast burrito, pretty decent price and great portion size. I ate it all! Can't really comment on the service - we'd ordered and paid from inside and just had a short wait for the food to come out.

    (4)

  • Jenn H.

    This place is to die for. Soo many delicious yummy items to try. You kind of can't go wrong with anything you order. Everything is quite literally farm fresh, from LOCAL farms on Island. And the owners are respectable, very sweet and uber friendly. A little pricey, but you have to expect that when you are receiving top quality grass fed non-hormone raised meats, organic veggies and fruits and top quality service. I absolutely love this place. It's awesome. The menu can be a tad daunting for the uninitiated, but once you got it, you're good to go. And if you're ever at the Hawaii State Art Museum at 250 South Hotel, the cafe is like a mini Town, owned by the same people located on the first floor. Also, to die for!

    (5)

  • Sage S.

    Been there about a year ago, and went again last night with my gf, sister and her boyfriend. Bad service, really good food. It probably took about 20 minutes, likely more, to order our food. Waitress came with my beer first, and poured me a big cup of foam. So heres a tip if you eat here - POUR YOUR OWN BEER. At least that way if you pour it bad its your own fault. The beer had a little to do with it as mine was a microbrewed pale ale, and she poured the other lighter lager well...but still. No apology offered, she was probably ignorant that she even poured it crappy. BOO! She was nice and friendly tho. Just really slow on the service and a ruiner of beers. On to the food. So we got an order of fries which were yummy. A bit soggy and greasy, but nice herbs fried up in there made it nice. They couldve made it crispier and less oily tho. I had the handcut pasta - really good. Not sure about the green beans in there, but i guess some people like it. Noodles were excellent - it is handcut, sauce was good. My girlfriend got the risotto - excellent! Pancetta breadcrumbs and grilled green onion gave it amazing flavor. Really really good. I think its one of those riskier dishes to order tho, as the cooking consistency can change. This one was absolutely cooked to perfection! My sister got one of the fish entrees - eh, ah, um, it was fresh, cooked ok, not a lot of flavor im guessing so you can taste the fish. It was good, not great, the side veggies were crappy...our concensus least favorite dish of the night...i wouldnt waste my time ordering it because.... You have the opportunity to order the roasted chicken. My fatal flaw was not ordering the pan roasted chicken. It is good. No, it is GREAT! La-la-la-la! Juicy, tender, flavorful, excellent! The skin is crispy and tasty like it should be. I swear on my dead grandma it is the only thing i will ever order when i go there from now on. Love you grandma! I tend to disagree with some of the other reviews that say the portions arent big enough - they were not huge, but not tiny like 12th ave grill. I thought they were enough and i was really full after. I do agree that it is a little overpriced. Roast chicken was around $24 I think. Pasta was around $18. So definitely not cheap. Would i come back? Sure! maybe just once a year because of the price tho - i aint ballin yet playa!

    (4)

  • Domenica S.

    I went for lunch with my two fiend for lunch. The waitress told us to let the waiter know that we celebrate one of our friends birthday. We had a yummy salad with fresh herbs and fish. My friend eat a healthy burger which was good too. I am on a gluten free diet and it was a little hard to find something with no gluten, other then salad. I was asked if they have rice to substitute the pasta. It was not possible, so I had a salad. At the end we asked for little "something" to celebrate my friends birthday. So they came with a scoop of ice creme and a candle on it. Which was very lovely. But they came also with a bill of $ 2.06 for that. This was the first time in my life ever that I had to pay for something which is complementary in most of the restaurants. I think the food was fresh and good. I was only wondering if somebody who is very hungry has enough and yes I think the owner should be a bid more generous. Even tough the lunch was delicious, I left the restaurant with a bitter taste, so did my two friends.

    (3)

  • Yon S.

    Generally, girls like this place, guys don't. I was not impressed. The don't have things on the menu, and they are slow in service. Pricey for what it is and the quantity of food. Taste is not that unique either. But the owner is very sensitive about comments regarding value and price, it seems.

    (2)

  • Phillip C.

    Dined at Town 2 nights ago with my wife after reading reviews that were all over the place. The fresh local sourcing and food prep that we had read about enticed us to try the restaurant. It was fabulous. Service was prompt, friendly and professional....something we had read negative reviews of. We ordered pasta and a bevy of sides so we could try lots of things. I had read about the pasta, made fresh and with an incredibly flavorful sause, pancetta, and butternut squash. Truly excellent. The soup my wife ordered was leek soup...very flavorful; she had polenta, okra...unique treatment, like okra poppers with out the cheese, if that makes any sense, and bitter greens (bitter in the good sense). Why 4 stars and not 5? How about 4 1/2 stars. We may not have been transported to Nirvana, but we had a great dining experience and will return to try more of these fabulous dishes.

    (4)

  • Jennifer H.

    One of the most consistent lunch places around the island. Still, the pace of the service still not quite right. Feels a bit pricey for lunch too. Did like it better, but two pitches later, still throwing too much on the outside...

    (4)

  • Laurens L.

    Ed Kenney u have done it! Town is hands down the best and coolest coffee/breakfast/lunch/dinner place in Kaimuki if not all of Honolulu...good job man.

    (5)

  • Austen I.

    Chad Y.'s description of town says it all. Town is a shiek restaurant with great service in a casual atmosphere. I re-visted town during Restaurant Week and got the salad, pasta, dessert combo for $20.10. Like the web site menu said, it was the "Best deal in Town!" Everything tasted fine and the our server was excellent. She helped us make our wine selections and answer all of our questions about the menu. Making reservations is so simple with OpenTable. I love the fact that Town strives to use locally grown products. I'm giving Town three stars because I'm not sure if i would pay regular price. It sounds harsh, but I think this place is forgettable. When I think about it, I've been to Town three times and nothing about my menu selections has never stuck in my brain. The food is definitely not bad, but it's not something I'll ever crave. Dinner party at town? I'm not complaining. Ask me where to go for dinner and I'll probably never suggest Town. A friend recommended breakfast at Town. I will need to confirm/deny it's greatness.

    (3)

  • christopher c.

    Went back recently just for cocktails at the bar. Only maybe 7 seats, so it can get a bit crowded as the night wears on (after 8 PM? even on a weeknight!) I had a dark and stormy, amazingly great martini (which, historically, is a GIN cocktail, not vodka), and a floral Aviation. Very few bartenders in Hawaii even know of these old school cocktails let alone make them PERFECTLY. The goatee'd bartender (David?) is a master of his craft not only mixing great drinks, but great conversation (like a true old school bar man) and even knows the history behind his cocktails and the origins of his ingredients. Locally grown organic pomegranate, Maui rums, Kentucky bourbons, Oaxacan mezcals, weird European bitters and digestifs. Town might be known for its food, but I'll go back just for its cocktails (and maybe a small snack with my liquid dinner)!

    (5)

  • Cecily K.

    Good food but slightly overpriced. The parking is difficult, so figure out street parking or get there early enough to navigate the small lot behind it. Service was decent, nothing spectacular, but our waiter was polite and attentive, if not totally thrilled with his job. I ordered the chicken with pancetta--highly hiiiiiighly recommended! The best part of the dish was the bread: torn of chunks sauteed in the same pan juices as the bird with grapes, wilted greens and some ridiculous jus. My friend ordered the opah with lemon caper berries...the combo of roasted tomatoes with fish was excellent, but unfortunately, he was unaware of what a caper berry was until he bit into one and freaked out at the texture and flavor. Poor kid. He was all kinds of habuts after trying a piece of my dish. We also split the mussels as an appetizer and the broth was lightly flavored, not too heavy or too full of butter. Overall great food, satisfying and helpful service, but I'd rather reserve the four or five star rating for a place with better atmosphere. It was difficult to hear my friend talk and he was two feet away from me. Come here with a party if you don't care to hear what story so and so is repeating for the millionth time, but a first date might be a little awkward if you're trying to shout above the din all the time.

    (3)

  • Linda C.

    Town is a cute little place that is in the middle of a residential looking 'hood. Friendly service, nice atmosphere. We ordered multiple things off the menu (fish, chicken, pasta, gnocchi) - everything was tasty! Tips: 1) Get the pannacotta. Great flavor mix and texture! 2) There's actually a parking lot for the place, but it's hidden behind the restaurant so look for it. Street parking can be a bit tight otherwise.

    (4)

  • Nicole M.

    I love Town, especially any of the pasta dishes, salads, and fresh fish items. I find the food comforting and love the Milk and Honey panna cotta (but I just love panna cotta so color me completely biased). Plus, I enjoy the atmosphere - especially nice for some time with a friend or significant other. I don't find it terribly expensive except maybe for the drinks. And Yes, the parking is difficult. OH - and I like that the servers are always helpful with recommendations!! I love a good recommendation.

    (4)

  • Tupu S.

    I agree with a few of my fellow yelp friends when they say Town is overrated. I came here for dinner with a few friends a couple weeks ago and although the food and service wasn't bad, it wasn't the greatest either. In short, it wasn't memorable. Now I'm not sure if not being "memorable" is bad thing but the fact that my fingers aren't typing my usual witty one-liners, made-up words and basic creative thoughts boggles me.. But I guess, less "IS" more when something isn't very memorable? I'm sure I'll come back again when I'm in the Kaimuki area visiting friends and meeting with colleagues.

    (3)

  • R N.

    We had a great early dinner there. Enjoyed an Arugula Salad split, Pork Belly and Swordfish entree with a bottle of very good French Chardonnay! Chocolate Tart was good as well.

    (4)

  • La E.

    loved the flatbread. pasta was very salty to my taste. service was sub-par, dont have Kate as your server. maybe it was cuz we are a young local couple, but she was pretty inattentive particularly to our table; only filled our empty waters after our table was cleared and when she presented the check. I appreciate the use of local ingredients.

    (3)

  • Stefanie M.

    It was my first time dining at the Town and I had an amazing experience. I didn't know what to expect as I heard very different opinions about this place. Thankfully, I was thoroughly pleased as their food and service was excellent! The Town is as close as we can get in Hawaii for a farm to table restaurant. I definitely admire any restaurant for using as much locally grown ingredients as possible. This is no easy feat for any restaurant as they need to create a new menu on a daily basis using the ingredients on hand. A lot of the negatives things I read prior were about consistency which I totally understand, but that comes with the territory for any restaurants that whips up a new menu on a daily basis. Fortunately for our party we must have gone on a good night as the food and service was spot on! The menu at first can be a little confusing. To be honest, at first it looked as if I was reading a recipe card as the menu didn't have any headers and just listed the ingredients for each dish. Our server immediately noticed that we were newbies to the Town and came to rescue! He explained how the menu was laid out and recommended some popular dishes. Since it was all of our first times there we settled on a few small plates, pastas, and entrees to share. Our first dish that came out was the French fries. These are phenomenal as they are obviously cut fresh and are deep fried to perfection. Other dishes we sampled were the ahi tartare, ulu Pa'i'ai and tenderloin, black mussels, and the salami platter. All of the appetizers were very tasty and I would have recommended all of them. The pastas we had were the pork gnocchi and the kabocha risotto. The gnocchi had the perfect texture was smothered in a tasty pork topping. As for entrees we ordered the roasted chicken which was very moist and a steak that was cooked a perfect medium rare. Our server also informed us that they also offer a four course wine tasting every Wednesday night at 6:30 for $25PP. Our server said that reservations are necessary and it is limited to 20 people a week. Service that night was also excellent! Our server Antone was very personable and helpful. He made us feel at home by explaining the menu, recommended dishes and bottles of wine, and constantly checked up on us. The hostess was also very accommodating too. Since we came with a party of six during peak dinner hours without a reservation we were very lucky to be seated instantly. Overall, I really enjoyed the food that night and would definitely go back for more unique and fresh eats.

    (4)

  • Pila S.

    Be careful how you use the word expensive. Expensive has the connotation of a lack in value. A Pontiac is more 'expensive' than a BMW even though it is costs less. Labor is expensive, and making things from scratch costs money. If you want to eat low-cost sysco slop out of a bucket, this is not the place for you. If I paid myself minimum wage, it would take me all day and a lot of expensive ingredients to make something even approaching the tastiness of town.

    (5)

  • Janette F.

    I not a big fan of this place because of the parking, the concrete floors which make the place so loud with bouncing noise, and the lack of choices for a non-seaftood eater. The three times I have been there, I have been disappointed. I cannot understand why people rave about the place but i think if you are a decent chef at home, you can appreciate what goes into the meal.As I don't cook, I expect to be served what I want the way I want it and Town doesn't do a good job on either. The presentation is good, I have to give them that. Parking absolutely sucks and they should start a valet service or something because it is a nightmare on busy days because their little lot fills up in no time. And, I won't hike a mile to eat dinner just like I won't wait in line to get seated. Try it, you may like it but be ready to look for parking and tolerate the noise.

    (2)

  • Maxine M.

    This is a nice place to go as your regular spot or on a date... The food can be pricey, but it's a good trade off for the fact that the ingredients are fresh, local and menu constantly updated. The wine list is extensive with an array of options to choose from. I usually sit outside and it's never been an issue concerning service. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Semi - cons: Parking - there is supposedly a lot with 30 or so spots, I must be missing something because I have never been able to find it. I assume it could be the one behind the restaurant but it usually has a sign up for tenants of the apartment bldg and mentions towing... I have been annoyed, driving around the block on more than one occasion and ended up lucky to find street parking on Waialae. The location of the restroom - I never like it when I have to leave the venue and go outside to find the restrooms. Reminds me of an out house over yonder somewhere, especially passing by the back of the kitchen.

    (4)

  • MIke S.

    I came here for lunch on my last day of a 2 week Hawaii trip before heading to HNL for my flight back to the mainland. I wish I had more time to enjoy my meal and try more dishes. I ordered the fried tilapia sandwich that came with a nice green salad and string fries. The sandwich was delicious. Our server was very pleasant and friendly but don't expect fast service here. They take their time but IMO it's worth it. I wish I could've tried the affogato or the chocolate salt tart, both of which sounded delicious at the time. Parking was a bit of a challenge and I ended up finding street metered parking. Also, it's a bit loud (which I'm ok with) and kid friendly (which I'm ok with). I left wishing we'd found this place sooner. They had some of the more enticing dishes that I've found in Hawaii.

    (5)

  • Jesse W.

    8/7/10: Dinner here with wife, baby and friend. First time for wife, but it was probably my third visit. Excellent service and food overall. Last minute changes on a Saturday night and mixup at another restaurant left us headed in this direction. Luckily there were tables still available outside (inside was all booked). I ordered their daily special soup, mushrooom, well made with what looked like enoki mushrooms - taste was fine but after a whole bowl, it became a bit too much. I had their Ma'o greens salad, great taste with the variety of veggies along with slivers of cheese atop. I ordered their hand cut pasta, excellent and very fresh, cooked to perfection. Wife ordered the gnocchi, also well made and tasted great. We tried all three desserts, all were well made and weren't too sweet. Only draw back sitting outside was that it gets a bit windy. Overall we loved it!

    (4)

  • Tram L.

    Hubby and I wanted to eat something different, off the beaten path. I'm a member of Slow Food International and learned a while back that this restaurant (located in Kaimuki, past Waikiki a little ways) supports local farmers and everything on its menu is grown on the islands. Way to satisfy the hippie in us! It's a cute restaurant, contemporary and fills up fast. We were lucky without a reservation because we got hungry after some Christmas shopping and got there right when it opened for dinner, 5:30pm. Kind of reminiscent of a small hip restaurant in NY or SF. We started off with some bread and olives (free), and shared a fantastic salad of ruby red caramelized beets, tangerines, fresh goat cheese made on island, cucumber, and nice sharp arugula. So light and yummy. Perfect portion and not one of those big humongous salads that overwhelm you. For our main meal, hubby got the slow-roasted pork shoulder stuffed with fennel, collard greens and kale, and a side of buttery, creamy polenta. He put his fork in the meat and it literally was so tender it fell apart without a knife! Goodness gracious, it was delish. I got the homemade, hand-cut pasta with fresh mussels, squid, shrimp, and tomatoes in saffron broth. Pasta was so light and tender - inspires me to make my own pasta now! For dessert, we decided to get the "miel and honey" pannacotta. Loved it, and the fact that it was topped with starfruit and honey from Waimanalo Farms nearby made it taste all the better! Service was wonderful, the staff was so nice in explaining where our food was grown and what fresh ingredients they'd use to prepare their food. Their menu changes daily according to what's available. The menu outside the restaurant was from the day before's so I asked about the bottarga. They even make their own bottarga! Too bad they didn't offer it today, I would've tried it. We've had a string of bad service lately from other restaurants, messing up orders or taking too long, etc, so this was a breath of fresh air. For a full review with pics, please visit my blog, nutritiontokitchen.com/2…

    (4)

  • Rudolf H.

    This is an okay place to take a date, but the food is not always consistent in quality. Still, I think that it's better than most and ill definitely go back from time to time. Just wish I could rate it higher.

    (3)

  • Susan B.

    I went here at the end of the vacation/wedding of a lifetime. It was the perfect place to spend the last night where everyone who was in town for my friend's wedding were still together. We ordered family-style and everything was amazing! Though, the pork cheeks were the best. I'm not normally a cheek-eater either. We were a big party and the service was super on-top of our drink orders and refills and didn't get annoyed by the many questions we had. I've been a server and big groups (esp. big out of town groups with drinkers and young people) are not the favorite of the most servers, but they handled us with grace and speed. I plan to go there again...the next time I'm in Hawaii!

    (5)

  • Chi-Hye M.

    I really really wanted to like this place....but i can't. The food was just Bleh -.-" I love the interior of the place and the service was great too...parking was hard to find. I guess the only good thing about this place was the french fries. I had the risotto and it left a bad taste in my mouth...i'm sorry to say this but it was so bad the taste reminded me a throw up. I'm going to try this place again...and i hope i get a better experience this time......i hope.

    (2)

  • Maisha K.

    First of all, this restaurant has some yummy food and good service. Dinner was well worth it and I can't wait to come back and try more of their menu. Service: I was a bit way to try Town after reading all the negative reviews about their service here on Yelp, but I found it completely the opposite. They were all very friendly and helpful in explaining what the items on the menu were. I wouldn't say service was fast, but it also wasn't slow. It did slow a little as more people started to arrive, but nothing major. Town definitely made up for any delays with their friendly staff and prompt water refills (I drink a lot of water and my glass was probably refilled about 2-3 times). Food: Food was good and I'd definitely come back to try other items on their menu that looked tasty. For an appetizer we had grilled, slightly crispy flat bread with tomatoes, in-house made mozzarella, and some greens. It was delicious! (Complimentary crusty bread, butter and olives are also given :]) Our entrees were gnocchi with mushrooms and seared rare tuna with sweet potato. My dish was the gnocchi and though a bit on the rich side, was still delicious and very flavorful. I thought they had a nice texture, too--nice and soft/slightly chewy and definitely seemed fresh. I had a taste of my mom's tuna and it was also very good. I liked the way it was cooked (seared and rare on the inside) and thought it paired well with the sweet potato it came with. The portions were also a good size, perhaps even large. My mom and I are both pretty light eaters, and thus had enough leftover to take home for another meal :] I'd say that if you're usually satisfied after eating at a restaurant, you'll be satisfied here. We saved room for dessert and got the chocolate tart with pretzel crust which turned out to be my favorite of the night. VERY tasty. The saltiness of the pretzel was definitely a good complement to the chocolate. I love dessert, what can I say ;) DELICIOUS

    (4)

  • Tara C.

    Do I dare tell anyone this? Here's my latest update on Town..which I have been to now about 5X in the last month..but DURING THE DAY. The morning hours at Town are absolutely wonderful. Its quiet, the staff isn't rushed, the coffee and breakfast are amazing..and they have wi-fi. I may just make it my new office. My favorite time there is about 7:30AM, the morning light is beautiful, its cool in the restaurant..and did I mention they have great coffee?! You can even get a real coffee mug, which I highly recommend if you aren't taking it to "go". If you are - no worries - its biocompostable. My other new favorite beverage here is their sparkling water served in reusable glass bottles. Smart. Environmentally sustainable (in keeping with their mission) and perfectly wonderful. Yep, its Town for breakfast +meeting+coffee for me. See you there.

    (4)

  • Kevin K.

    One year later. Back again. Twice. Food is still excellent. I prefer weeknights, as it's a little less crowded. Our favorite spot in Honolulu...

    (5)

  • Ava C.

    We came here for Mother's Day dinner on Saturday night and we were all very happy with our experience. The food was very good. I had the strip loin, which is grass-fed and organic which is always a plus in my book. The fries were addicting, but the quantity is a bit overwhelming. I'd suggest more greens and fewer fries but that's just me. My husband had one of the fish entrees, which was also very good. Mussels for appetizers -- one of the better ones I've had. Mussels were fresh and the sauce very tasty. Only downsides are that the restaurant is not very big and we were seated by the open door. It was uncharacteristically cooler that evening so we would have preferred to switch to a more enclosed table -- but the entire restaurant was booked. Regardless, would return.

    (4)

  • Laci T.

    One of town's underground hot spots is a petite restaurant in Kaimuki simply called Town. Located on Waialae Avenue, you miss it if you blink your eyes. I decided to do my first review on Town because I was in the mood for something a little different... quality food with a quirky twist. Town seemed like the perfect place. Parking is limited, but then again, so is the seating in the restaurant. You can usually find parking behind the restaurant (and it's free - a rarity anywhere in town these days!). Reservations are highly recommended and can be done so online. When we got to the restaurant a little before 7:00, it was already crowded and bustling with noise. Since we had reservations, we were seated immediately. Town is known for their earth-friendly menu... literally. Their menus are printed daily on recycled paper and attached to cardboard clipboards. Town's motto is, "Local first, organic whenever possible, with Aloha always". Their food is always fresh and the menu changes daily. The furniture consists of a lot of wood, and their walls showcase local art. Even their to-go boxes are recycled cardboard (no Styrofoam here!). The creative minds behind Town are Chef/Owner Ed Kenney and Chef de Cuisine Dave Caldrero. Town has many specialty drinks to choose from, but I decided to try their lemonade, which they are famous for. And I have to say, it was really delicious and had a unique taste. Yellowish-green in color, this is not your typical lemonade. The restaurant flavors the drink with mint and parsley juice. While we were there, we had to try an alcoholic drink so we decided to order the "Ginger & Mary Anne" (Gilligan's Island fan, anyone?). This drink is described as being made of "muddled ginger, maker's mark, and fresh squeezed lemon". The drink was interesting to say the least, and had that long-lasting "kick". To start off with, we tried the Kulana grass fed roulade (a slice of stuffed meat that is rolled), which was served with sweet corn relish and wild arugula. If you can handle your beef prepared medium well or below, then you'll love this tasty dish. The meat was very tender and was well complimented by the corn and arugula. While dining at Town, you also get a complimentary round of bread with butter and an assortment of olives. I decided to try their pan roasted chicken with torn bread, tatsoi (also known as rosette bok choy), grapes, and pancata. The chicken was very flavorful, but the best part about this dish was the torn bread. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but to my surprise, it turned out to be similar to large croutons. The "croutons" were crispy and chewy all at the same time. The grapes also added an interesting touch to the dish. Each bite that had a grape in it was a surprising, but sweet explosion that balanced the entree. If you're a steak eater, then a must-try is the Kulana rib eye, prepared with Roquefort butter and served with Town's homemade French fries. The French fries alone make ordering this dish worth it. The fries are deep-fried until dark golden brown. I consider myself a "French fry connoisseur" and these fries are GOOD. Lightly tossed with fresh herbs and salt, these fries need nothing else. I must warn you though that the rib eye may not be what you're used to. Because Town serves locally raised, grass-fed beef, their meat does have a slightly gamey taste to it. Hardcore meat lovers and organic foodies alike would love this. If you still have room, you have to try a dessert at Town. Their desserts change all the time and all sound so delicious, including their fabulous handmade sorbets and gelatos. I decided to try the almond financier (French tea cake). This dessert was a perfect, sweet ending to a rather heavy meal. The dessert was small in stature, but had a consistency similar to mochi. It had a great almond flavor and was accompanied by fresh whipped cream and marinated fruit. Final thoughts: Town provided exactly what I was in the mood for, which was a unique and fulfilling dining experience. I would recommend going at a non-peak time if possible, as the restaurant does get crowded and noisy. For 2 drinks, 1 appetizer, 2 entrees, and 1 dessert, the bill totaled to under $80 (not including tip). If you're looking to try something different, the writing in the sidewalk in front of the restaurant says it best: Go to Town.

    (4)

  • Jenny M.

    I agree with the reviews about how Town is pricey for what you get. The decor and ambience of the restaurant is nice but the food however, is not worth the amount of money that they are charging for it. In all, I completely forgot about this place until I read the previous reviews which reminded me of how disappointed I was dining there.

    (2)

  • Laurie M.

    We ate dinner here on Saturday, May 25. Since moving to the island in August, we have heard nothing but glowing reviews about Town from fellow foodies, so we had high expectations for this meal. It was also my wife's birthday so it was a special dinner for us. I am not saying this to be arrogant in any way, but I am from New York and I worked in the restaurant industry there for over 10 years. I have dined at topnotch restaurants in the Hudson Valley, Manhattan, Chicago, New Orleans, San Francisco, Napa & Sonoma Valleys, and attended the James Beard awards. I know a little something about food. I did not expect the highest caliber of dining at Town, but after reading and hearing the great reviews, I did expect to be impressed. We were so disappointed. First off, our appetizer took well over 20 minutes to arrive at our table and when it did (we got the grilled fish collar) it was just OK, not a lot of flavor and a bit dry. I ordered the gnocchi which was the recommendation of our server and one of the most interesting sounding dishes on the menu that night and my wife ordered the pork entrée. Neither entrée arrived hot (they were room temp - cool) and the gnocchi was completely flavorless. I like to enjoy the meal as the chef intended it and I NEVER add any extra seasoning when I eat out at a nice restaurant (I usually never need to), but I had to ask for salt and pepper just to make it semi worth eating and that did not even help out that much. On a side note - the server did not check back with us for about 10 minutes, so I had to sit with my tasteless gnocchi in front of me while I waited to ask for salt and pepper. My wife's pork was served shaved, like deli meat. Unless we missed something, there was no indication that the meat was going to be served like that, otherwise she would not have ordered it. Again, the meat was not hot, nor was the polenta and neither were very good - they just tasted bland. The braised greens, however, were very nicely done. Oh, and the bread - the bread was good, but I don't like to fill up on bread. Our server was very nice and he could tell we were disappointed, but I guess he was too busy to be that concerned about it. The restaurant was filling up and the larger parties were definitely getting more attention than the deuces. We were too disappointed to try dessert.

    (2)

  • Leimalani F.

    Three words: GO FOR LUNCH I love Town for lunch, but despise their prices and small portions at dinner. Tastewise this restaurant has the fresh flavors of local produce nailed. Pastas were al dente and well flavored. The steak appetizer with white beans and wilted greens was delish. The prices and portions at dinner are problematic. We shop at Whole Paycheck, Kokua Market and various farmer's markets around honolulu. At Town, the profit margins favor the house. A $9 salad comes with a scant 3/4 cup of greens sparsely topped with mango and avocado. Dessert was divine, but cost us about $1.50 a bite (OUCH!) The ahi appetizer would have run $4 a bite (OUCH OUCH!) My martini was $10 (OUCH OUCH OUCH!) Go for lunch and make these simple flavors in your own kitchen with a pile of greens, a whole avocado, and an entire mango for 1/2 the price (all local and organic thank you very much).

    (2)

  • Caleb R.

    I just moved back to Hawaii after being in SF for three years for school. This place was really nice - it reminds me of a lot of really nice sidewalk cafes in SF. Unfortunately, thats automatically the connection my mind made and compared to ones I have been to there, it was slightly above average. To be fair, had I waited a couple months before going here or gone here before I lived in SF for a long time I probably would have given it four or more stars, but thems the breaks. I will go back again and hopefully find cause to give them a better review.

    (3)

  • Olivia D.

    I appreciate a restaurant like Town because the food here tastes very fresh and unfussy. I found the straightfoward flavors refreshing, as so many other restaurants in Hawaii fixate on Fusion everything. I absolutely loved the fresh mussels appetizer, the mushroom risotto, and the roast chicken with grapes and torn bread. My friends all ate fish for their entrees and each of them remarked on how delicious and fresh it tasted. The other reviewers seem to like the parsley lemonade, but I was not impressed by it at all. Minus one star for having the worst website I've ever seen. Why even bother to have such a crappy site?

    (4)

  • Margaret W.

    Not that awesome. Not sure why everyone says that it is. The location is terrible in my opinion, with very limited parking. I expected a lot after seeing it on a cooking channel so I guess my standards were ultra high. I stopped in for breakfast and ordered a breakfast burrito, that while good, could have come from anywhere at half the price. Additionally, I found the staff a little rude and the wait for food was long.

    (2)

  • Olivia M.

    Amazing!!!! But if you are into plain, basic meals this isn't the place for you. The menu changes daily according to the season and most of the ingredients you will have to google in order to understand what you are ordering. Their gnocchi is always good! Appetizers are all good and I swear they have the best bread ever. Drinks are kind of funky and fancy. The dessert is amazing no matter what you get. Everyone must try Town at least once!

    (5)

  • Gail F.

    After hearing mixed reviews about this place, I was ready to judge this place on my own. Their dated typewritten menu and their usage of recycled coasters of menus past was a nice touch that will separate that restaurant with others. The ambiance is very nice. My friend and I were immediately greeted by a hostess as we walked in. We were ushered towards a two seat table with one bench seating and one chair. The decor is very cute; reminds me of cafés I've visited in LA. I like the whole relaxed vibe with the waiters wearing such casual attire. Sometimes, seeing a busser wearing a bow tie intimidates me. The waitress we had was very helpful in explaining our menu. She offered us suggestions, so we went with them. I had the pan-roasted chicken while my friend had the hand-cut pasta. Both were excellent. I'd come back again and again to eat this food. (-:

    (4)

  • Melissa K.

    One of my favorite brunch spots! Love it, love it. The coffee is good and the food even better. Delicious! I like the presentation, portion sizes, and quality of the ingredients. I appreciate that Town uses locally grown produce .,. and a lot of it! It's notable that they use vegetables as a feature of the entree rather than as a perfunctory piece of greenery (e.g. parsley). Even when a vegetable is used as a garnish, it accents the meal. Great ambiance, very classy, yet relaxed and chill. A perfect place to spend a lazy Sunday.

    (4)

  • S O.

    Came to Honolulu thinking that I'd be getting fresh, innovative, regional food Love the concept here: refined local mine grindz. Nice, comfy place. Me and my sister ordered drinks. Mine, while yummy was ordinary My sisters, woulda been good to clear chest congestion. It reminded me of being in A redwood dry sauna, which is pleasant. Just not as a drink. Our waiter seemed very uninterested in us. He was proficient, at first. Not warm, that's ok. We started with ahi tartare- Sorry, it was pretty boring. Maybe a new twist to old school classic? Salads: MO'A greens: why is it so hard to properly dress a green salad? Plus, it was wilted, seemed it was not dressed to order. Mozzarella salad with persimmons: sounds really good but nothing brought this salad together. Grilled eggplant: that was pretty tasty, but too salty. Keep feta as sole salt source. Entree: Ono with local veggies and limu. Local from where? Kapahulu Safeway freezer? I didn't know limu could be cooked to tasteless sogginess. The fish was tough! I know it's a meaty fish, but so should the chef. The meal was uninspired, apathetic with poor technique. Maybe other dishes are better? I know we all have varying tastes and expectations. I'm sorry to all Town fans But what realty blew the night was our waiter. At one point, while trying to get his attention in vain, another wait staff took my additional drink order. She was super nice, we discussed the beer selection. The original waiter brought the drink to the table. He did not mention anything to this discontinuity. He went on to be pure passive aggressive. I am very patient with waiters, but dude, this is your job. Work it out before your shift I left he place feeling disparaged and kinda bewildered.

    (1)

  • C L.

    This was a hard one to rate. I want to give it 3.5 stars. 4 stars for breakfast and for drinks, 3 stars for dinner. Breakfast is wonderful. Excellent coffee, the polenta/eggs/greens dish seems almost healthy, and it's just a really chill place to relax and talk story leisurely. But dinner. The food was SUPER. The drinks (Bathtub Gin Gimlet and a Gin Martini) were top notch (though you paid for them!). But the service was slow and uneven. It's almost like they need one more server for the size of the restaurant. It also didn't help because we were really, really hungry after waiting 30 minutes for a table after we had made reservations. So, it's not a quiet relaxing spot for dinner. But it's a great spot for drinks at the bar OR for a wonderful, yummy, and relaxed breakfast.

    (4)

  • Kasi B.

    As a farm to table supporter I was very excited to learn about Town when I was on vacation - and the restaurant met every expectation. The service was great, the aesthetic pleasing and the food delicious! The chef blends flavors and textures creatively, leaving you wanting more of everything... The ideas and movement behind this restaurant is important for a healthy food system and I thank the staff of Town for doing a great job. Our server was educated on every ingredient and did a great job. I'd go back and I would recommend this restaurant again and again... I know my brother and his wife have since been, and loved it! Oh, and you'll rarely find such an awesome T-shirt. Love it.

    (5)

  • Demur E.

    Three and a half stars. Town is open for breakfast and it is yummy. I've eaten here for dinner and enjoyed the chicken with grapes on rustic croutons (aka torn toasted bread) the best. The ribeye steak is huge (lopping off my plate a little), but while good, not great like the one at Le Bistro. The mussels are also good, but Du Vin's comes with pommes frittes although Town's broth is a little more savory and spicy. Their risottos are also pretty darn creamy and delicious. But let's talk about breakfast. I had the "egg in a hole" which was an egg fried in the hole of olive brioche. It came with a side of ratatouille (which was delicious and tasted of white wine) and 3 or 4 strips of maple bacon (crisp and yummy as only bacon can be). My friend had the savory organic polenta (so smooth, buttery and creamy I could feel my arteries clogging, but what a way to go!) It came with sauteed bitter greens and pine nuts and a fried egg. They also have omelettes and banana pancakes and the like. Service: When I've been here for dinner, service has always been fairly good to very good. Wait staff made us feel comfortable and were attentive. For breakfast, you go to the bar and place your order. While not rude, the staff was not particularly friendly or helpful, either. It kind of reminded me of the service I get at Bogart's. Not impolite, but not really polite, either. Atmosphere: Much more casual for breakfast. The side doors are open that lead to the outdoor seating. Water and condiments are self-serve. For breakfast and for dinner I like the relaxed atmosphere. I prefer indoor seating, because the lanai seems so close to the traffic. Overall: I will definitely go back for breakfast. Dinner has been a bit more hit-and-miss with me.

    (3)

  • Jamie H.

    As an organic foodie from DC, I was pleasantly surprised to discover Town. Recommended by a family member, when I first looked at their website, it left much to be desired, but after hiking to the peak of Diamond Head, we were ready for second breakfast. It was amazing! I ordered the bruschetta topped with luau (taro greens in coconut milk), peppered pork and overeasy eggs. It was delicious beyond my expectations. The crispy bread coupled with the creamy luau was enough to have a taste bud orgasm, but then adding in the peppered pork and a slutty egg (as I like to call them) and I was in heaven. I also ordered the peanut butter, banana scone and snagged up the last one. Quick tip: if you want your choice of scones, make sure to get there before 9:30 am. We loved Town so much that my husband and I returned for lunch the day we flew out. We had a three course lunch that was a great aloha before leaving. Appetizer: Tuna on toast. A lightly dressed fresh cooked tuna with pickled celery sat on top of their delicious bread. Entree: Mahi mahi with roasted local vegetables topped with a tomato vinaigrette. This was absolutely divine. The mahi mahi was so fresh and light that the vinaigrette was the perfect accompaniment to flaky fish. And the veggies were so gorgeous that we actually tucked into them first before the fish. Big Island Burger with a side of greens and fries. The kitchen was kind enough to split our entree and the sides. They gave us each a half a burger with a side of fries and salad. I was really looking forward to the Big Island grass fed burger, since we had an amazing version of Loco Moco from Downbeat Diner that featured the same beef, but actually, this was a bit of a let down. The burger and fries weren't hot, but we were starving having expelled an insane amount of calories after climbing the Koko Head Crater early that morning, so I just ate it. It wasn't until after I had left that I suspected that the burger that was sent back from the table across from us was probably the same burger that was sold to us. If so, shame on them. If not...then the burger leaves a lot to be desired. Dessert: OMG. The salted chocolate tart with crumbled pretzels was so good that a fork fight ensued after the first bite. Get one per person unless you want to end up divorced it's that good! I'm envious of Hawaiians that can eat there any day because it really was delicious and I can't wait to go again when I return!

    (5)

  • Monir H.

    We went there on Saturday and had the best pork dish I have had for a long time. I love their french fries. The customer service is excellent and we had the best seat. What I love about Town is that their food is great no matter what you order and the atmosphere is very inviting. No matter if you sit inside or outside, you will get the best they have to offer. I highly recommend this restaurant. Don't forget to make a reservation.

    (5)

  • Marzan W.

    We were recommended to come to this area to check out some nice boutiques and shops. We saw neither of this within this 10 block vicinity. We were pretty hungry and it was late in afternoon so considered it to be lunchtime. They have a special Town Lemonade that's green 'cause it's made with basil. Tasted alright. I think I prefer the regular style lemonade. I had the gnocchi which I thought needed a bit more flavor. It was a bit bland.

    (3)

  • Chris D.

    If you like Nopa in the City like I do Town is a must. Great cocktails, Nice wine list and my steak was delish. If I lived on this isle I would be there all the time.

    (4)

  • Teresa W.

    This and Le Bistro are my favorite restaurants for a romantic evening with the boyfriend. The food is delicious and locally sourced. It can get loud so sit outside when you can. Also when it's busy the waits can be a little long, but shouldn't you be having an engrossing conversation anyway?

    (4)

  • asia h.

    Food was delicious, yet super, super salty. I mean heart-attack salty. Drinks though... not impressed. Nice music and ambiance, totally full and hence a bit noisy, but as it was Friday evening crowds are expected. Liked it, will come back, just 1 note for the future... making the menu look like absolute gibberish doesn't make you fancy dear Town, you food, ambiance and service are good enough to do that. That's from me, not a trendy, by tasty food eater. Ciao!

    (4)

  • Suzanne R.

    OVERRATED! i thought the food was ok, my steak was overcooked despite me stressing to the waiter that i love my steaks medium-rare closer to rare. but they are not a steak house so that's what i get. the risotto was very very good though. and the service mediocre.

    (2)

  • Jon Z.

    We both had a Burger with Cheese today. Burger, Bun, Cheese, Veggies PERFECT! French Fries are oily and soft...not that good. Nice place a mix of regular working people out to lunch and a few douchebaggy organic pretender rich people. The AC is a bit too high with the concrete floors and stainless tables...it is cold in there.

    (3)

  • Googleone G.

    Good food, appropriate portitions for the price. The bad part is the parking is hard to find during peak hours.

    (4)

  • Kevin M.

    Good vegetarian options and trendy atmosphere. Friendly staff, service a little slow but that's pretty standard for Hawaii.

    (4)

  • Joshua C.

    stark modern concrete space quiet @ weekday lunch loud @ daily dinner minimalist uncomplicated locally sourced organic fresh high quality ever evolving menu sometimes so-so sometimes slightly short of sublime in my five experiences generally quite good but not magically memorable pictures: yelp.com/biz_photos/jkW1…

    (3)

  • C S.

    WOAH. People are tearing this place up with their reviews. What's with the hate? Personally I like it here at Town. It's a nice place to have a cup of coffee or a meal. Local veggies (which in my book is always a bonus). Don't come here and expect to have an gigantic platter of food...the plates look classy...aka smaller servings. If you need to pig out, get a plate lunch instead. breakfast -- check -- great dinner -- check -- great -- tasty steak coffee -- check -- fabulous

    (4)

  • Alexis R.

    We've eaten at Town two times now, while visiting Waikiki for a conference, and have really enjoyed our meals. The menu has so many yummy-sounding choices that it is hard to decide what to order. The waitstaff is friendly and helpful. This is a great choice if you are visiting and want to get away from the strip and back into the neighborhoods.

    (4)

  • Rose N.

    The first time I came here about a year ago, I would have rated this restaurant 5 stars. The service was excellent and the grilled steak and pork was cooked perfectly and soooo delicious! We came to Town for dinner last month and we were very disappointed with the food and service. Maybe I just imagined how good the place really was.... We made reservations for 2, so we were seated right away. I ordered sangria and my boyfriend ordered a beer. It was kind of busy, so I didn't really mind that our drinks took a little while to arrive. We ordered the ahi tartar (my absolute favorite!), the steak, and fish. The menu is always different depending on the night, so I like how there's always something new to try. The food took at least 20 minutes to arrive and it would have been nice if the server let us know that the kitchen was backed up or whatever, but instead we were left wondering if she forgot our food. Plus she was MIA, so it wasn't like we could've waved her down to ask. Finally when our food arrived, half of our steak was medium and the other half of our steak was medium-well to well done even though we ordered it medium. Didn't feel like waiting another 20 minutes if we sent back the food, so we ended up with a steak that was half good and half hard and chewy and flavorless. The fish was meh. I liked all the different sautéed vegetables that came with it though. Very juicy and flavorful :). I really wish the food and service was just as awesome as the first time I came here, but everything was just bleh for what we had to pay for. Although I love how their ingredients are all fresh and local, We definitely could have made better steak and fish at home.

    (3)

  • Maria Q.

    Fffiiiinnnaaaallllyyy ate here after many trips to Downtown. We got a gift card for our wedding and splurged. I love that you can come as you are whether it's dressed up or super casual. Food was excellent and very fresh. The gnocchi (that we almost didn't get) was melt in your mouth ono. The pork chop was a nice hearty chop, flavorful and perfectly cooked. And we had a salted chococolate tart that I did't want to share with the boy. Best part? I'm stuffed but don't feel bloated.

    (5)

  • Jerrene T.

    Went here for dinner one night because my friend recommended it. Service was slow and we couldn't even hear each other talk. Our dinner took around two hours and we didn't even bother with dessert. Food was decent and I swore I'd never go back. My dad rolls into my neighborhood for lunch and chooses town. Good thing I decided to take a hour and a half lunch because it took FOREVER for the food to come. Most people had food so we didn't know why it took so long. So now I swear again that I'd never go back. Service sucked even more the second time because it took forever to get our drinks... jeez.

    (2)

  • Katherine H.

    I appreciate what Town tries to do with local ingredients, but the service has been awful every single time I've been in here. It takes between 10 and 20 minutes for anyone to even greet you, and you can go almost an hour without your server even stopping by the table to check on you. The food is all right, but not worth the customer service. This place is one of the most overrated restaurants I've ever been to.

    (2)

  • Brandy S.

    I've had both great and "meh" experiences here. The food is consistently stellar, but the service can sometimes be lacking. I've had breakfast, lunch and dinner here on numerous occasions. For breakfast, I made an impulse buy of the strawberry cream scone and fell into epicureal bliss at first bite. Incredibly moist, spiked with fresh strawberries - in a word: sublime. I'm tempted to say "scone" is a misnomer here since it's just too moist to be considered your average scone. For lunch, I've tried many of their dishes, from their house salad, their pesto panini to their wonderful carbonara with bucatini. Of the dinner entrees, the chicken with torn bread and grapes is my favorite. Keep in mind that their menu changes frequently so what you order one day may not be there the next time (except the chicken entree, which is always on the menu). I've had a taste of just about every dessert on their menu as well, but my personal favorite is the pannacotta drizzled with local honey. What is evident with every meal - breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert - is that the ingredients are fresh. The flavors just pop. There is usually a dinner crowd here, several of whom are regulars. Make reservations if you plan on coming at this time, because the two times I came here without them, I was treated with less than spectacular hospitality (I keep going back because the food really is worth it). However, my favorite time to dine here is for lunch. The menu is more limited, but the prices are lower and the crowd is less daunting. When Town first opened, I would have given them 5 stars, easily. But then the hype began. One of the two times I came here without a reservation, I was told by one of the servers, "Well, we'll try to squeeze you in. The cast of 'Lost' eats here regularly so it's been getting crowded. Do you think you can eat quickly? The party that we have this table reserved for will be here in an hour." The cast of "Lost." Really? Well, isn't that spiffy. Or not. Usually that would be enough for me to write off a restaurant for good - but again, the food is good. Good enough to overlook one or two really bad experiences out of about ten fantastic ones. Oh, and for the record, I could have eaten quickly enough to be out of there for the party that wanted that table. Except my chicken with torn bread took 30 minutes to come out. That was after waiting ten minutes for water and another ten minutes for our complimentary bread and olives. Again, dinner is not the best time to eat here if you want a relaxed atmosphere and the luxury of savoring your meal.

    (4)

  • Morgan R.

    I am always surprised when people rave about this place. Every meal I've had there has been pretty bad. The gnocchi was drenched in oil, the ham was under cooked. I've given it a couple tries, but have to say there's tons of places that are better in Kaimuki.

    (2)

  • Ryan F.

    This was probably my fifth time at Town, and I love this place more each time. They have a sophisticated wine and liquor selection, and the bartenders and wait staff are always willing to make a solid recommendation. I had the local caught opah with ma'o vegetables, and my date had the gnocchi, both were fantastic. We went all out on the meal, eggplant fritters for an appetizer, and gelato for dessert, a few glasses of great Italian wine and an after dinner cocktail, and the meal was very reasonably priced in my opinion. Love the atmosphere, both inside and out, just wish they had a little more spacious bar. Perhaps the only local dinner spot serving exclusively local and organic food, Town is tops in my book. Can't wait to go back.

    (4)

  • Amanda Z.

    Overall I like the concept of Town - fresh, local food - but the service we recently experienced was a huge turnoff. I understand that it was the holiday season, so they were really busy...but that doesn't excuse the rude service. Our experience started off with us flagging down the server to place our order. She comes to our table, and then says "hold on"...walks away towards the kitchen...walks past our table with drinks for another table...walks past our table again...and then finally comes back about 5 minutes later. Uhhh, okay. So the food. I shared the beet salad, mussels appetizer, steak salad and bowl of polenta w/the husband. The salads were good (although the steak one was over-dressed). The mussels were really tasty, but the thing I liked the best was the polenta. Holy, creamy, awesome goodness, I didn't want to share! Everyone enjoyed their food (esp. our one friend who has dietary restrictions and had to ask for substitutions) and we were having a good time (although it was quite noisy), but then when we asked to split the checks and the server was extremely rude - "that will take 30 minutes". Okay, yes, it may be a hassle, but you really don't have to speak in that way. Another astonishing thing we also witnessed, was the server asking another party to move to another table, even though they were not done with their meal yet...that ticked me off even though I wasn't the one moving! In the end, I left the restaurant feeling irritated and pretty much not wanting to return even though the food was delicious. You can have my table at Town, because I won't be back.

    (2)

  • holland h.

    Town is exactly what I rated it: "A-OK"..as in, I wouldnt avoid it, but I am not rushing back. We had drinks and pupus there and it was fine. The only complaint is that the food was the wrong temp (got cold before served)...but the local farmed food is worth going back to...jut wouldnt go out of my way to return. Like a lot of places in Hawaii, Town definitiely tries hard.

    (3)

  • Melanie B.

    This is one of my favorite go-to spots for dinner. I love that they use local, organic products, and my favorite items on the menu are the gnocchi, the hand-made pasta, and the french fries. I have always had respectable service - definitely keep this on the short list of restaurants I frequent.

    (4)

  • eric e.

    Tried this place cuz my wife's friend said it was good. Parking is here kinda confusing. its doesn't seem right to park near apartments. Had lunch here w/ the fam. The menu is not very big & seems like its supposed to be different everyday??? Well, i had the luau soup and mahi mahi. my wife had the burger w/ swiss, bacon, & fries. Everything here was seasoned very well. I really enjoyed the food. The prices were kinda high but everything seems to be fresh & local grown. I'd like to rate this place a 3.5 but i don't really dig the inconsistent menu.

    (3)

  • Cindy B.

    My all time favorite local restaurant. Be sure to try the mussells!

    (5)

  • Andrew G.

    Delicious focus on local constantly rotating menu of unique creations

    (5)

  • Dawn A.

    After reading the reviews here and from word of mouth, my friends and I decided to check it out. Our party of four went for lunch. Parking was confusing at first (we had to circle the block) but when we found it (located right after the Hot Mama Maternity clothing store) we nabbed a space. Even though the place was pretty packed we didn't have to wait long at all for a table. Upon sitting we got our drink orders (My friend got a "Corpse Reviver" which reminded us of a less sweet gin gimlet) then perused the menu which changes daily. This restaurant is all about using local produce and ingredients which is a plus in my book. Our orders arrived maybe 15 mins or so after we ordered. Our order consisted of the following: -Kuahiwi Ranch Grass-Fed Burger w/ French Fries (Sage, Rosemary, maybe truffle oil or salt were tossed with the fries for a twist on a staple) which got 4 stars -Parmesan Pesto Linguine w/ Green Beans and Potatoes which also got 4 stars...it had us wondering if the pesto was made from scratch. -Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder w/ Polenta which got 3 stars b/c my friend thought the Pork Shoulder was overcooked and stringy, but the Polenta was amazing it tasted buttery and cheesy at the same time! -I was supposed to have the Seared Ahi with Tomato Vinaigrette and local Veggies but they ran out of Ahi so I had a substitute fish. I'm not really a fan of vinaigrettes but this one was really tasty (sweet and tangy to give the fish a nice flavor and worked wonders for the veggies). The Veggies included steamed green beans, radishes, leeks, and baby corn. i would give my dish a 3 1/2 stars only b/c I felt the fish could have been cooked a little longer. So for our damage to our pockets totaled: $70.99 for 4 Overall I'd say we enjoyed our experience and will most likely return to see what else they have up their sleeves as far as food goes.

    (4)

  • Daisy S.

    Somehow.. I like this place. So chick looking... nice to hang out in. The place was empty for dinner... maybe we were too early? 6 pm? Anyway, the food is good, but not that would wow us. They change the menu frequently. The service is friendly.. when I went there the first time, the chef/ owner came out to our table and chat with us a little. That was good. I love the area as well.

    (3)

  • Sean W.

    This restaurant was very enjoyable. I had an arugula salad which was very fresh and tasty and had the pan roasted chicken. The chicken was very moist and juicy. The atmosphere of the restaurant was intersting; metal tables were a nice touch. There were a few good wines on the menu. Parking was a little difficult to find, but there is a lot of street parking if you go when it's not to packed. Overall, it was a very good experience.

    (4)

  • K. I.

    We had one our best dining experiences at Town. The service was first rate and the food simply excellent. I nad the gnocchi which was served wiht brown butter, sage and kabocha. It was simply perfect, the gnocchi was light the sauce did no overpower it. The salads were great as well and the bread they served is excellent. I had the great drink called a Town Cup which is a bourbon-based drink. i was great. I am liiking foward to return to Town, sooner rather tha later.

    (5)

  • Olivia F.

    Service was very friendly and the food was also awesome. I went with three of my girlfriends. We orded all the four appetizers on the menu and shared. I'll definitely go back to this restaurant and will recommend friends to check it out.

    (4)

  • Michelle R.

    Couldn't wait to eat here today based on the reviews. However, the food was completely underwhelming and the service was painfully bad even though it wasn't crowded. Our party of nine waited nearly an hour before getting our food. When I called the manager later to give some constructive feedback, he sounded disinterested and gave excuses for the poor service ("We have a hard time serving large parties" and "we were transitioning from breakfast to lunch so there were less servers"). This seems like a great place for a business meeting (like a Starbucks with food), but not a place for a bigger group celebration. Too bad I spent my birthday lunch here. Everyone in my party expressed disappointment. :-(

    (1)

  • Danielle Y.

    Went here to celebrate getting two journal articles published!!!! Thought it was pretty tasty, and while not a cheap meal I felt the price/food quality was accurate. Service was nice. When I couldn't decide between fries and salad our server just let me have halfsies of both. In the future though: FRIES. I mean, there were fried sage leaves in my fries. Fried sage leaves. They were crispy and sagey. As they should be. Would certainly go again for similar mini-celebrations.

    (3)

  • Tadd T.

    I don't let the hype get to me 'cause I've been a regular customer almost since its opening. Ed Kenney's cuisine proudly showcases locally grown ingredients like MA'O lettuces and Hamakua mushrooms. You might say he's the trendier, hipper version of Alan Wong. Kenney certainly knows how to treat chicken. Brined and pan-roasted, it seems like a dream, perfectly crisped skin giving way to juicy, flavorful meat, resting over warm tatsoi (think arugula meets spinach) and his version of migas, crunchy bread cubes taken from the Spanish country. A beautifully grilled breast shares space with gorgonzola, spicy mustard, and a drizzle of truffle honey between ciabatta, and the accompanying shoestring fries with garden herbs are irresistible. But the austerity of his salads can translate into blandness, and I really don't like chasing pine nuts around the plate with my fork--how can I not look foolish? And it seems a shame to shadow pristine 'ahi with balsamic vinegar, no matter how preciously aged. People praise the gnocchi for its softness, but these are just...mushy. Well-prepared gnocchi are luscious and texturally satisfying; they are not supposed to dissolve into applesauce-like granules. Admittedly, though, I love the buttery mushroom sauce that coated them. Desserts, like buttermilk panna cotta or Kula strawberry cream tart, can be equally eye-rollingly good, even if the grapefruit sorbetto makes my mouth pucker a little too much. Be aware that the menu changes each day, and parking is limited and somewhat of an annoyance, although given the clamor that fills Town's airy space, not many mind. Servers continue to vex me with their lack of ability to multitask (if they have something else on their mind NONE of them will acknowledge your presence at the door), but in the end they are most always smiley and cordial. The secret to enjoying a meal at Town...or anywhere else, for that matter: don't go with sky-high expectations. Relax and remain positive. Ready to try it now? Go!!

    (3)

  • Michelle L.

    While visiting Oahu, we wanted a more local restaurant outside of the tourist zone. Town was recommended and did not disappoint. Loved the fresh pasta. Wines were good but a larger (outside Italy) selection would be nice. Flatbread app was tasty.

    (4)

  • Sita L.

    my favorite place to go, HOWEVER, today was a bad experience. Went for breakfast on a Saturday. Made it till lunch waiting for eggs and bacon!! I had the polenta with pork and greens, and egg. Yup, one hour wait. Not sure what the deal was. No explanation. Even worse, bathroom was a mess, not been cleaned, the kitchen......well, if I had seen it, would have not eaten there. The other issue was, we had to wait so long that all the condiments where removed and we never got any after asking for them. Not sure what is going on, but I wont be hitting it at breakfast again. Even worse, I forgot I ate there, had to find another place to get more food. Guess it just was that small. Tasty, but small. Child portion. OH, then lets talk about table etiquette, the lady sitting next to me decided to watch a youtube video with the music on LOUD. Its loud in there already and then to hear the music blarring in my ear. Not restaurants fault, I think signs should be put up, like at doctors, when entering restaurant, turn down the volume on your damned cell phone.!!!

    (3)

  • Phillip A.

    Just had lunch here. Sonda was an amazing server - truly made lunch a joy. The food was amazing - and you must try the lemonade!!! Add this to your "do not miss" list in Honolulu.

    (5)

  • Cj L.

    I am always a fan of green concepts and people putting efforts in following so. Staff was friendly, had a great tomato soup (wasnt too heavy) , mao greens as always, a white bean pureed sandwich (which was suprisingly flavorful and moist, it had pickled cucumbers and sundried? tomatoes) with french fries (a bit too oily) but my friend had the bruschetta with shinsato pork and mustard greens (which he said was delicious, the pork looked moist /I wouldnt know much about meat since I am a pescitarian) in the end we had the apple banana cream pie since the chocolate pretzels were out. the pie was so light, heavenly sweetened with a big dollop of whip cream and the crust surely homemade...THE BOMB! I love town and its ambience...a place for people to get together for meetings, or just to grab a meal during the daytime...

    (5)

  • Sean S.

    Had breakfast at Town in Kaimuki. Good breakfast...fried rice was delicious. Nice ambiance; local style w/ an urban touch. The volume of rock music was also perfect for the breakfast setting. I can definitely see this place perfect for those small group morning meetings, followed by college student study/coffee sessions in the afternoon, and then causal dinner experience in the evening. Definitely a place to check out if you are a resident or visiting Oahu. Parking is limited to the shared parking lot in the back (in front of the apartment complex in the back) and street parking.

    (4)

  • Gavin T.

    Went on a Thursday night at 845pm, so it wasn't too busy. We ordered the Ahi tartar with the crispy risotto, which was good. Then we had the gnocchi, which was soft and full of flavor, and the Monchong, which was perfectly crusted and cooked perfectly. The fish was moist and the crusting on the fish was full of flavor. For dessert we ordered the panna cotta which was very good as well. Each dish well seasoned and flavored, I would definitely go back for the gnocchi and the panna cotta, maybe even for the Monchong, which exceeded my expectations.

    (4)

  • Gidget T.

    Some friends and I wanted to check out Town, so we went for lunch. When we got there, it was pretty empty, but the waiter let us know they were about to close the kitchen for the afternoon in 30 minutes so we would have to hurry to get our orders in. The menu was printed on paper, attached to a clipboard. They alternate the menu everyday, so I would image it would be a great place to eat if you want to try new things often. I tried the Fresh Mozzarella Pasta. Our food took some time to come out, especially considering there was hardly anyone in the restaurant. When the food came out, it all looked wonderful. They have good presentation and (according to the waiter) they use all locally grown or organic ingredients. I can imagine since everything was a bit pricey, considering the size of the portions. The mozzarella in my dish was fresh and the best I've ever tasted. Still, there was hardly enough there to be filling or even satisfying. After eating, we decided to get gelato and coffee, since they still served those when the kitchen was closed. They were delicious. The coffee was served in an oversized cup, but still probably more than you would spend at a coffee shop. Overall, I would say the food was good, but not good enough to justify their prices (even if they do support local farmers). The atmosphere is great. We had comfortable seating and despite having a large space, all the tables feel cozy and relaxing. The service was average. There was no host, and the waiter was mostly absent, but still knowledgeable about the menu and able to answer all of our questions. It's not somewhere I would visit again, but was by no means an unpleasant experience.

    (3)

  • Suzanne R.

    Was at Town during restaurant week and was very impressed! One of the best pastas I've ever had. EVER! It was so fresh and the sauce was light and tasty. And the burger was superb too! Then the meal was topped off with this awesome panacotta dessert which had the perfect balance of flavors and was not overly sweet. Absolutely delish! And seemed to be enjoyed by Mr. Neil Abercrombie as well, who was sitting a few tables away.

    (4)

  • James M.

    Kinda torn about this place. Service was very good for the most part. Our server actually steered us towards a special instead of the mainstream Mahi Mahi, and it was not an up sell. (He also secured a taxi to get us back to Waikiki at the end of the meal)The special was a fish only found in the area, and tasted amazing. We also had the gnocchi, which was also very good. The meal itself was without fault, actually. Wasn't really feeling the atmosphere, though. It seemed to be one of those restaurants that was trying to be very NYC, very sleek and expensive looking. It seemed to take itself a little too seriously. Perhaps that's what they were going for, and it seemed to attract that type of crowd. Not a Hawaiian shirt in the joint, save for the one I was wearing (and any local knows that it's not only tourists who wear them here). Enough griping. 5 star food, 3 star everything else, imo. Locally sourced and organic food is a major plus, and if you're after a classy, tasty, UWS type of joint, in Hawaii, you've found it.

    (4)

  • Kaili N.

    this place pissed me off. i dined here a few years ago after hearing the hype. we walked in without a res while they were still serving lunch...but about 5 minutes before dinner started. the place was totally, completely empty and they said that we would have to dine outside because they were completely booked. uh...ok. they gave us a lunch menu and said that we would need to order right away because dinner was going to start in a few minutes. i was like, "ok, well, can we order off of the dinner menu then?" duh. the rissotto was terrible...i couldn't take more than 2 bites. i don't remember what else we ordered, but i do recall a feeling of overall disappointment and irritation. when we left the restaurant there were only a few tables occupied. never ever ever again!

    (1)

  • Nori L.

    Pork shoulder was awesome. Gnocchi was very creamy. I would come here again

    (4)

  • Poe K.

    We checked this place out one of the nights we were in Honolulu. We knew going there it was a bit pricey. I remember walking in and being overwhelmed by the crowdedness and the noise!!! Ugh the ruckus! The service was mediocre. The server was not very attentive or efficient. I ordered their version of a garden salad; all fancied up with shavings of some cheese I had never heard of. To my surprise, it was delicious. For my entree I ordered potato gnocchi with sage butter and kabocha squash. It was the best gnocchi I'd ever had. I finished my food and I wanted to lick my bowl clean. I can't remember what my bf had, but he liked his food too. Overall, the food was excellent. The atmosphere was boisterous. The price was, well, high. Since ordinary people don't eat like this everyday, I say give it a try.

    (4)

  • Michael L.

    Dinner at town last night was superb! From first bite to last, it was interesting , local, beautifully plated, and exquisitely paired !

    (5)

  • Jon L.

    If there is one common truth to all the reviews here about "Town" is that their portions are small. I'm hungry... NOM NOM NOM. MOAR FOOD. The price point is all wrong here, considering their quality, quantity, and caliber. I definitely spent 75$ for two: two salads, two entrees, and no drinks. RIP OFF: UR DOIN IT RITE.

    (3)

  • C L.

    Went here for lunch with the hopes of fresh local food and all we got was a 40 minute wait for our food, seeing other people who arrived after us get their food first, burnt fries, and an unapologetic waiter. We thought maybe their strategy was to make us wait so long that when the food came out, it would be the best thing we'd ever eaten and all would be forgiven. That ended up not being the case either as the food was only mediocre. The waiter didn't apologize but did offer us free dessert. However, by that time, we weren't sure how much longer we'd have to wait for a mediocre dessert and decided against it. It seemed like another Honolulu restaurant trying to be cool and it was neither cool nor tasty.

    (1)

  • spot d.

    Urban hip meets Kaimuki. Town serves contemporary cuisine in a cool, modern, stripped down setting. The menu is eclectic with California/Med/Italian influences, a touch of Asian here and there, and an emphasis on organic and/or local ingredients. The staff is efficient, friendly and casual--your server is likely to be wearing a tank top and a tattoo. The type of place you might spot an off-duty cast member from Lost. (We did!) Standards include pacific fish, mussels, pastsa and pork cheeks. Standouts include a half-roasted chicken with roasted grapes, pancetta and torn bread and gnocchi with butternut squash, and poke on fresh rice cakes--and the pork cheeks. Town serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The lunch menu features a variety sandwiches and burgers and several items from the dinner menu. It's BYOB all day, but Town has delicious homemade lemonade. Mains at dinner are around $14 -- $20; around $8.00 for salads. Zuni Cafe x Aloha x 0.5 = Town Or so I've been told. Despite recent liberalizations in Hawaii's quarantine laws, I'm still not allowed in the restaurant.

    (4)

  • D S.

    Great food! Fresh and tasty. The "Town" lemonade sounded "interesting," in its description, but YUM! I'll be back.

    (4)

  • rupa k.

    The pan roasted chicken is the best thing on the menu. But, beware, it takes 30 minutes to make, so order it right when you sit down. The ahi appetizer is also really good, though a bit pricey. I love taking guests here, the staff is very friendly and the organic produce is really worth it. The only reason I took a star off is because of the wait time. I've been there at 6 pm on a Friday night when there weren't too many other patrons there and it still took almost 2 hours to complete our meal (we didn't get dessert). This was kind of an issue since I have a 15 month old and my friends have a 7 month old and if you have kids, you know that an hour and half is the max you can keep them entertained. If they worked on their service a bit, I would give them a 5.

    (4)

  • Kelly C.

    You don't get too many restaurants like this here on Oahu. I have been to town many times for dinner and I appreciate the ambience as well as the seasonal menu with locally grown choices. Sure, the parking situation is awful and I would beef up the wine menu, but I have to say it's a valiant effort to bring a refreshing restaurant to Oahu.

    (4)

  • N L.

    Service was slow (were they short on staff that night?); apps were good but failed to mention the nuts in the lamb dish (allergy issue). Side dish of corn was teeny tiny and really dry (almost hard), but for $7 we felt compelled to eat it. We had the pasta and the steak, both decent. Espresso gelato was yummy and very reasonably priced at $4. Enjoyed the ambiance, food was just okay. Not sure we'd go back.

    (2)

  • Sasha-sparkle y.

    soooo overrated and disappointing!!!! i ordered the lemonade. it didn't even taste fresh squeezed. it tasted like powdered lemonade. we started off with the ahi tartare. nothing exciting. it was bland and it was served on rice cakes. the rice cakes were soggy and the tartare had no taste. then we had the clam appetizer. so boring. nothing exciting. just clams in some garlic/wine broth. it was okay. the salad was really good. it was the best thing on the menu. all it was was greens with shaved cheese (i can't remember what kind of cheese maybe a parm?), pine nuts and pancetta. the pancetta was delish! salty and tasty. this was the ONLY dish that was actually good. for main entrees, i ordered the duck confit. the only good thing about this dish was that the duck was really tender. it was served with a farrow salad. this was basically a brown rice cold salad. with my dinner i would prefer my starch hot. maybe the farrow salad would have been better at lunch. it had a grilled baby bok choy also. it wasn't even a whole bok choy. it was like 1/4 of a bok choy and they are so small to begin with! the bok choy was grilled. well at least it had the grill marks but it was still totally crunchy like it was still raw. the duck was served with a date chutney type of sauce. boring. all it was was sweet and nothing else. it hardly had any taste and did nothing for the dish. for dessert i ordered the buttermilk panacotta. it had honey drizzled on the top. it was okay. nothing great. the panacotta was like buttermilk custard. it was missing something. the service was awesome. our waitress was really nice and attentive. just the food wasn't that great. oh yah, they give you bread with olives. i have to say the bread was really yummy. i don't know if they make it there or not. the only thing is that if you want more bread and olives they charge you for it. hey, if i'm paying around $25 for an entree and one duck leg at that, i would expect to get all the friggin' bread that i want for free! i wouldn't go back and i wouldn't recommend this place to friends. such a disappointment since i had high hopes for this cute neighborhood restaurant.

    (1)

  • Noe A.

    Town used to be my go-to breakfast!!! Now I can only dream of breakfast bitter greens with polenta. No weekday bteakfast? No Town for me. Minamina ho'i!

    (4)

  • Angela D.

    Although this place does not cater well to vegetarians, we still like it. It has a great vibe, the wine list is good, and the veggie side dishes can be combined for a meal if you don't eat meat or fish. We've been here several times and have enjoyed each meal.

    (4)

  • Ryan S.

    Went here for lunch. I'm not a gourmet chef. The food tasted great. I got the hand cut pasta ($15~). Was definitely disappointed in the portion size. My sons burger came out raw in the middle and had to be sent back ( I never send food back). The burger was ordered medium. I ended up eating about half his plate. Burger and fries were good and probably a better deal. Server never checked on us during meal so our drinks were left empty. Hard to understand the menu but that could just be my fault. Don't come here starving or be prepared to pony up some big money. At least there are cool light fixtures to look at while your waiting I suppose.

    (3)

  • itsme i.

    Town? More like the Republic of Salt. I've been here twice for dinner. The menu is simple and the items look fabulous. Before the meal, we enjoyed the complimentary bread, butter, olive oil, and olives. This was one of the highlights. The other bright spot was salad. Both times I really enjoyed the salads. However, they were a bit small. That's where the compliments end. The food is horrifically over-salted. I had a prosciutto pizza with grated Parmesan cheese. Perhaps the chef doesn't understand that cured meat and real Parmesan cheese are salty? It certainly seemed that he decided to add salt on top of these already salty ingredients. In either case, it was pretty horrific. For dinner I've had the ox-tail risotto and NY strip. The risotto was not bad. The ox-tail part of it, not so much. It was so salty that I was concerned about the long-term effects of the contorted faces I was making. The NY strip was tasty, but VERY tough and chewy. Definitely not a high-quality piece of meat. For the price charged, I expected much better. Finally, the service was bad. It took forever to get someone to take our order and just as long for the food to get to the table. Also, I didn't know that you could reserve a specific table. We were given a pretty junk table near the door and, when we asked whether or not we could have one of the three available tables farther into the restaurant (they were identical in size), we were told that those specific tables had been reserved and that we had to stay where we were. Given the conversations between the host and the people who eventually sat in those seats, I was skeptical. In any event, the worst part of the service relates to our wine. I don't have a problem paying a corkage fee, but if we're paying a fee they should at least provide a corkscrew or offer to open the bottle. Luckily, we had our own glasses and corkscrew. For having such a pretentious atmosphere and host, I have to say that their inability to properly earn their corkage fee was disappointing. Also, they didn't know how to properly serve or clear a table. I'm not usually nitpicky about that kind of stuff, but if they want to play haute wine-country cuisine, then they should do it right. Overall, this place has the kind of San Franciscan, yuppie snobbery that I abhor and specifically tried to avoid in moving to Honolulu. This would be tolerable if their food and service could keep pace with the atmosphere that they're so desperately trying to create. Thumbs down and I won't be coming back here again.

    (1)

  • C O.

    This is by far the most pretentious place I've seen in Hawaii. The service exudes the "I'm hollier than though" attitude and the prices fully support their arrogance. Their lunch menu is suprisingly good and only moderately overpriced. Their dinner menu, however, is an insult. We found the food to be moderately tasteless, the service to be rude and un-attentive, the prices to be absolutely obscene, and the experience dissapointing. The portions were so small and of such meager enjoyment the last time we dined here that we went home and made dinner on our own. Paying nearly $100 dollars for two people to leave hungry is a joke.

    (2)

  • Rob F.

    Anyplace you can grab a fancy range fed chicken served on torn bread with spinach and wash it down with a Pabst Blue Ribbon rules...good looking crowd most of the time...Chef's Ed and Dave are studs...

    (4)

  • Maxine A.

    Love this place. Super fresh, good service and yummy. The price is right too. You are getting local food, sometimes organic for a fair price. I go there once a week and have never been disappointed.

    (4)

  • Eric S.

    went for my girlfriends sister's bday. the girls started off with a glass of wine and a mojito while i had a eku beer which is extremely difficult to find i love the fact they carry beers that most places dont have so you have the chance to have something new. our appetizers were the ahi tartare which i just wanted more of and the mussels which had a thai like broth. i loved the fact that they sorta spaced out the meal without making you wait too long for your food and not feeling like they wanna make a quick buck out of you plus the ambiance is kinda modern which is a nice touch. the entrees where a good size not to the point where your gonna feel like your starving i had the chicken that was pan roasted with greens and panchetta the jus was addicting my gfs fish was cooked perfectly. finally there was dessert the milk honey panna cotta was like cheesecake and the honey added a touch of sweetness while the apple banana chocolate panini has become my new crack. awesome experience

    (5)

  • Charlie D.

    This is such a sweet find. You will kick yourself if you don't try this. Yummy ass food. I mean their motto is local first and organic when possible, and the food is really fab-u-lo-so. really ono. I wish I could have found room to eat more!

    (4)

  • Gina P.

    i loved my dinner here coupled with the organic OKO cab/merlot! i loved the organic concept and the service was great. my friends and i ordered the opah, pork shoulder with yummy polenta, and mahi. we had some guava cake and cantaloupe sorbet for dessert which just topped it off. the prices were reasonable and the portions were just the right size.

    (5)

  • Aloha M.

    I don't know how this restaurant gets good reviews. IT'S TERRIBLE! In 2006 I had a pleasurable experience with town but its day is over. Took a friend for dinner 7/16/2011 and wish I hadn't. The decor, what there is of it, is old and tired. We had an 8 pm reservation and stood at the hostess stand until 8:15 starring at our empty table. After being seated ordered drinks, Waiter was pleasant. About 10 minutes later waiter came back and took our food order. Both of us ordered MA'O organic salad and Ono with fresh vegetables. Salad came before drinks. Drinks came finally and were Martini served in a Daiquiri glass? And wine that wasn't even 1/4 of the small wine glass @ $12 a shot and a shot was about all it was. The Ono had no taste and looked like the frozen pieces you buy from Costco. The vegetables were also of frozen variety and looked and tasted like it. They were not "Local Fresh" as they contained varieties that don't grow here in Hawaii. Overall for $120.00 spent on dinner I could have done better in a microwave, which I don't use. Go somewhere else; Town has seen its day! The whole experience isn't even worth one star.

    (1)

  • Jeff A.

    San Francisco tones with "local" Hawaii appeal. Once you walk in, you feel like you are transported into a SOMA loft...(South of Market). The service was fantastic and we received a number of great menu recommendations. The prices are very reasonable and the food was a delight! I'm headed to Town for more menu attempts the next time I visit.

    (4)

  • K.J. N.

    Town was very accommodating to give our party of 7 the best corner table. The ambiance is casual modern, and our lighting fixture was very cool. They are eco-friendly and re-use old menus as coasters. The menus are cleverly displayed on clipboards. We started off with the suggested salad, a mixture of greens with mango, avocado, and walnuts--very light and nice. We ordered the gnocchi, risotto, ono, and rib-eye. Everything was tasty, and the rib-eye was excellent. Couldn't help wishing for bowls of rice for the steak and ono. Servings for the gnocchi, risotto, and ono were on the small side. The wait between the salad and main course was way too looooong, and we began to look around for our waitress. Some time after the food was served, loud, boom-box beat music began and was not conducive to conversation. I was surprised to hear this selection of music, as the ambiance called for the classier jazz which abounds the eateries in San Francisco. Luckily, the company and the bits of conversation that could be heard were great. Don't think I'd return.

    (3)

  • Tammy T.

    My boss treated me a lunch today. Town restaurant is opposite to my office so we didn't hv to go far in heavy rain and flooding today. I ordered their hand-cut pasta. The portion was really really small. It's like a snack size. I couldn't get full from that...... Other than that, the pasta tasted really good. Rich in flavor and and perfect match with the roasted egg plant. The restaurant was really busy and the service there was slow, we waited for 15 minutes to get water from them and another 20 minutes for food. I think I would come back here to try their burger and fries, I heard they are very good!

    (4)

  • Tom M.

    I liked the hip design of the place, the patio and especially the service. However, there do come up short on overall delivery. First, my beer came out warm (their cooler was acting up, but I shouldn't have to ask to put it on ice). We had a martini, and while good, it tasted watered down--the result of warm vodka in a warm shaker, I'd guess). They were out of several of the items or ingredients we tried to order, and we felt bad for the waitress who kept having to bring us bad news. I will say we loved the side salads. The beet and burrata salad was excellent and well-priced, and so was the avocado with pineapple salad (supposed to be avo/mango, but they ran out of mango--because so few of those in HI). The bruschetta was good and risotto decent, but not memorable. If they can work out a few kinks at Town, I'd probably really like it. But other local places are doing similar things better.

    (3)

  • Amber W.

    Oh my YUM. This place is SUPER good. Food, service, atmosphere... all pretty perfect. I recommend ordering a few things and sharing with your table. You'll get a nice taste of what they have to offer. Only reason I gave 4 stars is the price/portion of their non-entrées. I was a bit shocked to pay $12 for a "beet salad" that had a tiny tiny slice of beet laid over a few pieces of arugula. It doesn't have to be giant, but a but more would have felt right. And the homemade pasta was absolutely lovely but again, one of the smallest portions I've seen for the price ($18). The striploin was the most delicious I've ever tasted. Perfectly seasoned and well-portioned. The truffle fries and accompanying salad were also yummy. We didn't indulge this time, but their drink menu was enticing with some great variety. Can't wait to visit again for dinner and definitely want to try their breakfast.

    (4)

  • Jon W.

    Nominated for a prestigious James Beard Award, 2014 Best Chef: West, I placed Town on my "must try" list. The food was "meh. I've experience better,' definitely not worthy of a James Beard Award nomination. Service was decent, our waitress, while attentive, was tending to too many tables at once. To no fault of her own, I felt lost in her circus juggling act. The amount of time that lapsed from placing to receiving our initial drink order (beer and wine) kept us from ordering a second round. While the fresh pasta was rolled and cooked perfectly, the quantity did not match the price ($19), as the 'Bolognese' was sparse, very...very...sparse. The Aku tartare ($15) was served on crispy polenta. While crispy (polenta) and flavorful (tartare), the polenta was slightly larger than a half dollar and the tartare must have been measured using a melon baller. The polenta bowl, or was it Bowl 'o Polenta, was hardly memorable. Bland and uninteresting are better adjectives to describe this lackluster dish. The addition of mushrooms, hamakua are local, would have elevated this dish. Black Mussels. Absolutely delicious. Fresh, juicy, succulent, with an absolutely delicious broth made the mussels the dish of the night. If the order came with twice as many mussels as it did they would have been even better. I gave serious consideration placing another order. The kitchen seem disorganized. Our initial order of mussels and polenta were delivered together and we decided to order two more appetizers and an entrée, to share. This is where kitchen dysfunction reigned supreme. The remainder of the order - tartare, pasta, and charcuterie board - came out in that order, each ten minutes after the previous. Who eats a charcuterie board after their entrée? Bueller? Bueller? As a James Beard Award nominee my expectations for Town were lofty, and the restaurant missed the mark. At least it's pet friendly, as long as you don't mind being crammed between other tables.

    (2)

  • Jonathan C.

    I really love the concept of using local ingredients for their dishes. I've only been there once, but I really want to go again to try some of their other dishes as I only got a burger the last time I visited. So I ordered the Kuahiwi grass-fed hamburger which came on a potato roll, with MA'O greens. The burger was fine, but it wasn't anything spectacular. Nonetheless... I will definitely go back as I loved the atmosphere and the ambiance. Totally chill spot and the customer service was great!

    (4)

  • Moxy W.

    Good ole town! Dare I say you are my most favorite restaurant on the island, in spite of all those who take issue with you, much like that friend your other friends can't quite understand why you insist on hanging out with. Why do I like you so much? a) I can bring my dogs! b) I can have a decent cocktail with my wholesome breakfast that doesn't consist of just greasy stuff, like an awesome salad with pa'i'ai and fresh fish! c) You know how to showcase vegetables in an artistic, tasty way. And I can actually eat vegetables here!! d) You don't over-salt or over-season your dishes. You let the quality and integrity of your ingredients shine. e) I haven't ever had a bad meal in all the many times I've visited. f) I haven't visited in ages, but the dishes still surprise me delightfully as the very first time I ate here way back when. g) Your panna cotta has always had me wanting to lick the bowl. h) The casualness of the place might not merit a James Beard Award, but it's exactly why I keep coming back. i) It's a great laid back environment for being able to have a lingering meal where you can actually hear your dinner companion(s) without feeling rushed or pressured by waitstaff.

    (4)

  • Jaja H.

    A large group of us went to Town during Restaurant Week and we all walked out stuffed with smiles across our faces. Their prix fixed menu came with a multitude of options and was well worth the price! Great farm to table eatery in a cute neighborhood. I went for the Ma'o salad and kabocha gnocchi in brown butter sage sauce. Now, I have had plenty of chewy and gooey gnocchi that has turned me away. Yet kabocha squash is one of my faves. Town has managed to completely shift my aversion from gnocchi. Every bite simply melted in the mouth... I was in heaven and pleasantly surprised to say the least. The salad was flavorful and well-balanced. I also chose what was possibly the most unusual slice of dessert - peanut butter and chocolate cake with a local fruit jam inside the frosting, layered with bits of nutty mac crunch. It was MASSIVE and could've easily fed 5 people. A very interesting sweet and salty pairing with different layers of flavor. Hip and chic decor. A gem in Kaimuki. Service was attentive, especially for a large group. A nice date place if your partner can appreciate organic/farm to table, presentation over portion sizes and classy food with a twist!

    (5)

  • Nani Y.

    It was okay. Food was salty, atmosphere was nice, waitress was helpful and nice. Waitress explained how it worked. Can't believe the menu was on a clip board and typed then reused as coasters

    (2)

  • Mark C.

    First of all, the parking is bad but being from the Chicago area, it really isn't so bad as long as you are patient driving around the block a few times. Plus, I saw some interesting places people parked so I am assuming the local PD force is out solving crimes and not writing parking tickets. But I digress... Though we had a reservation, we decided to eat at the bar because the bartender was really knowledgeable about the wines and he gave us several to taste. We started off sharing a local organic green salad with pancetta- very good! My girlfriend (who looked especially hot in her black dress) got the mussels and I had the ahi tartar. The ahi was great but I thought the mussels had a too heavy onion flavor in the broth. We decided to split the local fresh fish entrée and we were very happy with that choice. Our bartender friend kept pouring great wines and we left content. This is a great local place away from the typical tourist places and worth a few drives around the block looking to park your car.

    (4)

  • Y C.

    I've been to town many many times for lunch and dinner and always recommend it to anyone in the vicinity. I like their food (fresh), philosophy (green), and location (away from all the other restaurants). Having gotten used to all these things, I expected lunch w/ a few friends to be no different from my prior experience - in other words, good. But of course, when you expect things in life, life likes to say, hey, yes, you, I'm going to slap you around a bit to lower your sense of entitlement. That is the only way to explain why my order was messed up and never corrected, the food was less than so-so, and the service was nonexistent. I mean, one mistake can be chalked up to the chef having a bad day, or shortage or servers, or just the restaurant having bad karma. But a one-two punch of bad food and bad service in a restaurant? Some one in the karmic universe does not like Town, methinks. I may give this place one more shot at my wallet eventually, but I'll stay away for now and stop recommending the place to my fellow foodies.

    (2)

  • Jill K.

    This is in regards to a take out order I was planning for a small business luncheon. I've eaten at Town before and their food is great, but their customer service is lacking in a real way. I phoned a few days in advance to inquire if Town could provide lunch for about 10 people . I was told by an employee that it should be no problem, but to call back tomorrow, as their ingredients are fresh and the menus change daily. I had him take down my name, number and my amount of people/which day which he said he'd pass along to a manager. I phoned back the next day to follow up about my inquiry when Ronda answered the phone. She was incredibly rude and unaccommodating. When I recited my request to her, she told me "We're in the middle of breakfast right now." When I asked her if she had heard anything about my order from the employee I spoke to the day before she told me that "yesterday was her day off, so she doesn't know." Also, I inquired about lunch for 10 at around 11 a.m., and told me that they "probably can't because they would have JUST opened for lunch." Then she said that someone would get back to me later and was about to hang up. I asked her if she'd like to take my number to get back to me and she scoffed and took it down with a sarcastic "Yes." I've been in the restaurant industry for 12 years and have never projected my or my organization's problems on my guests. I was taken aback at how every request I made or inquired about was met with a personal problem, like it was her day off and my favorite- they were in the middle of breakfast right now. I certainly appreciate the stressful nature of the restaurant business, but to make your prospective guest inquiring about a local business luncheon feel as if they are stupid to have bothered you in unacceptable. I took my business elsewhere. It's a shame that Ronda, who is associated with what's perceived to be one of Honolulu's premier dining destinations, doesn't embody the aloha spirit, much less the professionalism a place like Town no doubt wants and needs on the front line. Order from and dine at Town at your own risk. If you're paying a lot of money for good food, try somewhere else in town.

    (2)

  • Kiana M.

    First visit 2006...awesome!. second visit 2007.,.tables too close for privacy...third visit 2013 checking it out... Ok...LAST VISIT 2015...Town fell into comfort groove, I won't be back.

    (1)

  • Jennifer K.

    I had a out of town guest who wanted to try local food so we tried their dinner tonight. Everything was fresh and delicious. We loved their fresh fish entree so much. Our waitress was very sweet and helpful. They even accommodated my request for nice table sitting when I made last minute reservation. My guest enjoyed very much and she said she will come back here again. Overall, we really like their menu & food and friendly service.

    (4)

  • Joanna S.

    Four of us were very pleased with our meal. Everything is so fresh, different, and wonderfully prepared Our appetizers were outstanding: ahi on risotto cakes, mussels in dry vermouth and carrots prepared 3 ways Three people had the kapa and raved about it My seared rare ahi was the only weak spot. The ahi was cooked medium, not rare, although the flavor was good. A side dish of 3 kinds of mushrooms was excellent as was the pear tart.

    (5)

  • Pam M.

    Local first, organic when possible, Aloha always, is their motto. I try to support local businesses when possible, especially restaurants with yummy food. I've dined here many times over the years & enjoy their breakfast on weekends (sunny egg with polenta and greens finished with pancetta & mac nuts is my favorite breakfast item). Dinner menu changes nightly depending on the ingredients available (ex. no ahi during their breeding season) but they do have some regular items. Dinner menu favorites are the ahi tartare on risotto cakes (delicate & delicious), mussels in white wine & fennel broth, pork belly entree (if it's available) and chicken leg which is tender and moist with crispy skin. My bf likes their steak or fish special. Favorite dessert is their chocolate hazelnut gelato and since the serving is 2 scoops, you're allowed to choose a second gelato flavor so I usually get 2 different flavors (vanilla, caramel or espresso are usually the other options). It's served with a chocolate chip cookie on top. I love their ample outdoor seating. I've only dined inside the restaurant a few times a long while back but I usually sit outside so my dog, a little Yorkshire Terrier, can join us. The current outdoor tables are large, wooden frames on casters that lock so they roll as needed for adjustment. These large tables replaced their circular metal tables which were a challenge for group seating with lots of dishes being passed around. Service is generally friendly and prompt. They're so nice and will bring a water bowl for your four legged friends.

    (4)

  • Helen M.

    In economics class, I remember our professor telling us about the supply and consequent demand of large bluefin tuna. The more endangered they became, the more people want to get their hands on it and eat that last piece of sashimi. So nothing teaches you about love and desire quite like scarcity, now does it? Enter the gnocchi and mussels dilemma at Town, a trendy restaurant in Kaimuki that seemingly runs out of these two popular dishes every so often because of a low supply. I don't blame them for selling out of their items because hey, it happens. My first visit resulted in sold out gnocchi and mussels, so we ordered their French fries as a starter, and their hand cut pasta and risotto instead. I would totally order the fries again, very good to snack on! The hand cut pasta was delicious, with chunks of broccoli and seasoned perfectly. The risotto was great as well but I would choose the pasta over it. Still, in the risotto, you can really taste the sweetness from the corn and the okra brings a different taste and nice texture to the dish. After another random gamble to try their damn bluefin tuna of a dish, I was determined, and managed to order both gnocchi and mussels. (Side note: add bluefin tuna to your menu, that would drive me wild). Both lived up to the hype, thank goodness! The gnocchi was flavorful, and the texture was so soft without being mushy. The mussels were seasoned perfectly, and fresh from what I can tell. Both were melt in your mouth good. Would totally recommend, with or without the gnocchi or mussels on the menu. American gourmet comfort food at its tastiest!

    (5)

  • Maggie B.

    You'll never get a breakfast like this! We both had a bowl of breakfast goodness - tomato chili, eggs cooked to perfection that melted over the entire bowl when your fork touched them, lovely naan type bread to mop up the goodness....This was a very special spot with very special food. It's not for someone who wants bacon and eggs with no flair. I would highly recommend it for a foodie.

    (4)

  • Fran C.

    Mele kalikimaka, and hau'oli makahiki hou! (Merry Christmas & a Happy New Years!) As the year 2014 is coming to an end, what better way to spend your holiday, then to spend it with family, & friends! December is by far one of my favorite months.........why? Well, I love this time of year because I get to reconnect with family & friends......... Yes, we are all busy........and sometimes we lose track on what is really is important in life. What really is important to me is - 1. Ohana (Family) 2. Hoaloha (Friends) 3. Makana (my loyal furry 4 legged son, see #1) 4. Ke Akua (God, cuz someones gotta look out for ya!) Friday night was a time for me to reconnect with my good friends Sharon & Cathy.......they are by far the funniest foodie friends I have! Sometimes it's really hard to enjoy a meal when I'm with them, as they totally "CRACK ME UP!" They are some funny chicks I tell you! Where did we go for da "GRINDZ"? We went to a restaurant called "Town" in Kaimuki. Sharon & Cathy have been to this restaurant before..........but for me, it was an all time 1st. (Mahalo fo' accommodating a bruddah!) I've seen this place many times, as I drive past this restaurant all the time. Little did I know how busy this restaurant was, as they seem to have a very strong following. (I gotta tell you, last night the restaurant was packed!) I'm was also surprised at how big the restaurant was.........because when I look from the outside, the restaurant appeared to look like a small neighborhood bar. Now for da grindz...........as I got seated, the friendly waitress - Aviva served up some water & complimentary bread. The bread came with butter & olives in a dipping sauce. From there we ordered our drinks, then dinner......... For my meal, I started with a Mao Salad, then for my entree I had the Blackened Opakapaka with breadfruit. I must say I really enjoyed my Mao salad.........the Mao salad had organic lettuces, pancetta, manchego, cherry tomatoes, & walnuts. For my entree, I got the blackened opakapaka , and it came with some greens & breadfruit. For you folks that never had breadfruit before.........all I can say is Town really knows how to prepare breadfruit! The breadfruit texture reminded me of eating cut potatoes, but when you look at the cut pieces, you know it's not potatoes. My foodie friends at had ordered the following - Beet Salad, Squash Salad, Hand Cut Pasta, & Chicken........ Food was excellent (4 stars)............but company was even better! (10 stars). If you folks don't know this......TOWN is known for serving - "Local first, organic whenever possible, and with Aloha always" ............a pretty good motto, I must say........ Great service, and the our waitress Aviva was very helpful in explaining the menu to me. She also checked on us regularly to make sure we had what we needed. There is parking for the business complex (off of 9th Ave)..........there is a fairly large parking lot right behind this complex. When you pull into the parking lot, it may look like it belongs to an apartment complex, but it's for the business like Town, & some other businesses in the complex. Check 'em out gang! Eat local, and support Chef Ed Kenny & his gang at Town!

    (4)

  • L L.

    One of my very favorite restaurants of all time. I loved the old wine down Wednesday's but really enjoy the fish or pasta whenever I'm in Honolulu. Special note for anyone with a bell pepper allergy (like me), this place doesn't have any because the chef doesn't like bell peppers! So nice to order and not have to ask whether there are hidden peppers.

    (5)

  • Nikki H.

    This place is a solid 4 stars. I really enjoyed it, but I've had better and it didn't blow my socks off. I started with the liver bruchetta, which my waitress recommended but I didn't finish it because it tasted like a half shaker of salt had been poured on top. I can't trust my taste buds these days so maybe I'm wrong and it's actually a culinary art form of flavors. I was able to score a bowl of the gnocchi (they only serve 12 bowls a day) and omg, heaven. It was a party in my mouth. I loved every single bite. The menu can be a bit tricky so unless you are holding a PhD in every edible thing on the planet, get ready to ask wtf limu or pai'i'aia is. Don't worry, the menu changes daily so that might not be an issue for you. The music was good, the atmosphere is chill, the space is roomy.

    (4)

  • Brian M.

    Decided to check out town since we woke up late from the previous night. Easy to find parking at the adjacent lot and no line, unlike the other popular brekkie eateries. We were greeted right away as we walked in, but after being seated we were just left with a menu and didn't see anyone for at least 10minutes. So you know what happens when I'm left waiting with my phone in hand.... Review time!, darn that disease Yelptitist! Finally got some water and was told that the waiters are overwhelmed? I had that Whuuut?? look on my face, just say that they'll soon be with you instead please. It's not like this small restaurant is packed and there's a long line of people waiting. The waitress did come after few minutes later, but I'm already unhappy from the wait.. Breathe... Breathe.. Service did get better after we got our coffee's, maybe that was what I needed to calm me down, yup that was it! On to the food.... I had to order the fried rice remembering Pua P.'s review of this eatery for breakfast. Our orders came out in a timely fashion and I thought the portion of the fried rice was a little small for $9. My thoughts on the dish... It was pretty darn good with the spicy portuguese sausage chopped up inside along with some carrots and onions. Was it the best I ever tasted.. Nope, but it's definitely up there in my list of Ono fried rices. I don't know if Town will be in my rotation of brekkie places, but I would love to come back for lunch or dinner. *PS...Hey can we stop saying overwhelmed please, that just that makes me think of that saying "If you no can handle.. Quit!" *Overall for brekkie 3.5 stars , 3 for service and 4 for the fried rice.

    (4)

  • Kyle S.

    This place is so good. My boyfriend and I shared the burger and hand made pasta for lunch. The fries are amazing. The service is very friendly. They have a thing on the menu where you can scan it and see where and when the fish was caught. I've never seen that before. That's pretty cool. I definitely recommend them.

    (5)

  • Julia B.

    I go to town pretty frequently and I love it for certain things and hate it for others. I just found out that they are no longer doing their breakfasts there which is really sad because I think that was one of the things they did the best. They had amazing coffee as well as some amazing breakfast dishes such as their polenta and greens with egg dish. That is the BOMB. Luckily I noticed that they at least saved that breakfast item and put it on their lunch menu. Phewf. I love coming here for lunch. Its usually pretty mellow, its a great upscale atmosphere without being too expensive or pretentious. Their pastas are probably my favorite things to order. I haven't met one that I didn't like. There was one with pork belly and dandelion greens, and that was my favorite thing ever. I came back three times that week just to order that. Their burger is also pretty solid too, although they seem to skimp on the cheese, which costs extra. I had never had dinner at town and so my husband and I went for a special occasion. I ordered the gnocchi, which was probably the worst item I have ever ordered from a restaurant. My husband ordered the pre-fix menu with I think around 5 courses. It was fairly expensive and the portions were just really miniscule and the flavors were just OK. It also took about one hour between his 3rd and 4th course, which at that point I had eaten what I could of my gnocchi and was tired and grumpy and just wanted to go home. Overall our first dinner experience was one of my worst restaurant experiences yet. I still give 4 stars because its great service and ambiance and most the food i have had is really good and I will always be back here. Maybe it was just an off night for dinner.

    (4)

  • Mario Q.

    Breakfast is just lovely at Town. Menu is full of locally grown, in house made, and simply delicious items. Every egg dish is made to perfection. The fish is actually fresh. And, they have pa'i'ai!! Sit down, settle in and have a cup of their tasty coffee blend or a Stumptown espresso. My must haves are the "perfect" eggs with house made chorizo and the frittata of the day, whatever day it is. Honestly one of the only places on O'ahu that makes a frittata correctly, and it's right every time.

    (5)

  • Lindy E.

    Wonderful food and wonderful service! Their fish is amazing. The menu changes daily due to their commitment to using local and organic ingredients. Seriously one of the best meals in my life. I had the monchong with dandelion greens, roasted breadfruit (my favorite part!) and okra. My partner had their big salad with monchong added onto it, and his was delicious too! We also had their pa'i'ai appetizer (amazing!) and their apple banana cream pie (also really good even though I don't like bananas). It was all on point!

    (5)

  • Kawika B.

    Been here for Dinner and it was kinda Pretentious for Hawaii. Breakfast, however, is the best and brightest for this Kaimuki location. Come for the specials and stay for the Local Food. Ed puts almost too much thought into every ingredient. If you are looking to WOW! an out of TOWNer, bring em for a quick breakfast at this quaint and classy spot. Thanks Ed!

    (5)

  • Elizabeth N.

    Oh wow, I haven't wrote a review for this yet! Duh, been here about 3 times first time was in 2013, I would like to come more but to me, this isn't really a place to bring kids...although they offer a great grilled cheese sandwich for $5 for your keiki (not on the menu but they offer when they see who you rolling with). Plus, it's not a huge restaurant so not good too have a bunch a kids in there, or a big group for that matter (unless you get outside seating, then you don't feel bad having your kids there). It's more of a good grown up place to hang out and enjoy a good meal and conversation. My favorite here is actually a bunch of the sides, I love the butter sautéed mushrooms and throwing them into the polenta. To me, the polenta is a meal in itself and I actually will just order that and be done! Their polenta is creamy goodness. All the food here is thoughtfully made and you can really taste the quality and art in it. However, the last time we came, my husband ordered the Opah and it a bit overcooked and smelled fishy. Otherwise, that's the only time we were a disappointed with what we ordered. Because you pay for people who forage the islands for the most local and fresh ingredients, Town is not a cheap meal per se, but it is worth it when you can do it.

    (4)

  • Susan R.

    While I LOVE their concept-fresh, local, daily & seasonal, the flavors always disappoint me. I've been there at least 5-6 times & only enjoyed my meal once. My husband had the charcuterie board this evening, which was really good! I do understand their 3.5 star rating here. Very nice staff.

    (3)

  • Steve S.

    Not really sure how this is 3.5 stars as it is a solid 4. I'd go 4.5 if possible but can't go 5 yet. Simply a great place. Open air to the street in an off Waikiki location that is truly the local experience. Food was wonderful (try the Gnocchi), staff was great, and experience more than I expected. Will certainly be one of my "go to" places in Honolulu from here on.

    (4)

  • Stephanie P.

    That chicken. Most juicy flavorful yet crispy skin chicken. Chef creations are original satisfying the tongues senses. Ambiance is lovely made me feel like I'm back on mainland in LA

    (4)

  • Stephen L.

    I'm amazed at how Town has gotten so many good reviews. I feel like I must've been dining at a totally different restaurant. The service was great. The hostess set me up with a couple of chairs on the porch and took a drink order while we were waiting for our table to be ready. The waitresses were friendly and knowledgeable with any questions regarding the menu. I had the beet salad with arugula and a yogurt dressing. The beets were well undercooked and super crunchy, not enjoyable at all. For my entree, I went with the Monchong with an array of garden vegetables. The fish was lovely, well cooked and very tender, but the vegetables were cut large and uncooked. It was like eating a crudite of veggies. Totally a turn off with the lovely fish. Desert was unmemorable, in fact, I forgot what I had. Next time, I'll venture elsewhere.

    (2)

  • Calvin L.

    Delicious! Our 6 top for lunch had two orders of Orrichiette, two orders of fresh cut linguini, a hamburger plate with exceptional fries and a large salad. Everything was exceptional. Oh. And forgot they really nailed the chicken gumbo! The restaurant was full yet their service fast and efficient.

    (4)

  • Angel L.

    Where do I start? I want to start with this; the manager was very nice and understanding when we talked to her and I in no way blame the waitress who was very nice the whole time, now that that was said, this was a terrible experience. I've done a lot of tasting menus in my time and all of them take a bit of a wait- that's fine it leaves time in between to really enjoy the dishes. However with that said, no one should wait two hours for their food while the person with the tasting menu finally gets to the pasta dish. My friend waited two hours before she was served her pasta, it came when my fourth dish came-- you heard me-- two hours later. Sure we had a small appetizer about forty five minutes in to the waiting, but for her to wait that long while I slowly got served? Unheard of. She was too nice to complain, so when the pasta finally got there she ate quietly. But that isn't where it ends. The pasta was really bad in my opinion, it tasted like lasagna noodles covered in brown gravy. When I gave the dish to my friend I was asked how it was by the waitress and politely I answered that I didn't really care for it. The dish was defended and I understand pride for your restaurant, so I won't complain about that comment she made. The waitress then brought me the ham dish and the polenta was very good but god, the ham tasted like it was purchased from Safeway. The dessert wasn't very good either and I'm afraid at this point the entire dinner was unsalvageable. I will give them this, the Ahi tartar on risotto cakes was the best thing I had out of the entire meal-- which wasn't even on the tasting menu. I paid $65 dollars with the idea that the food would meet a certain standard which excuses such a high price for such small quality of food. I was greatly disappointed. When we couldn't hold back the disappointment for the evening any longer we spoke to the manager. We explained the long wait and I spared her my opinions on the food since I in no way wanted to be rude-- she gave my friend a free dessert and that was that. She thanked us for our feedback and she was very nice, but the $119 bill for food we waited three hours to not even like still stayed unwavering. Perhaps I'm just use to a different type of dining experience, if someone had said that to me I would have offered comp drinks or something more than a dessert. But no, I wasn't there for free food or drinks. I was there to enjoy food that I had heard good things about and I came out with a sense that I will not be recommending Town to any of my number of friends in the future. I would give this restaurant one star had the manager had not been very nice to try and save the bad taste this place left in our mouths.

    (2)

  • Kylene U.

    Their motto: "Local first, organic whenever possible, with Aloha always" I've dined at Town restaurant twice and I absolutely love it! Their menu is designed to please your taste buds using local organic produce and the presentation is visually stunning. I came unexpectedly for breakfast this time and ordered the "Polenta, Pancetta, Bitter Greens & Sunny Egg." It was delicious. I have to say their polenta is on point; it has a nice creamy texture. My other half ordered the "Breakfast bowl" aka the "Chili bowl." I had a taste of it and I liked how the flavors combined together. The only negative thing is the service. Granted they are nice when you ask them questions. They are not attentive; I wanted to order a Bloody Mary bc I heard good things about it. So I locked eyes and gave a long stare at my waitress signaling for her to come over but she thought nothing of it. So I ended up not ordering a drink. If you are looking to try a breakfast spot with NO WAIT, try Town! There is ample parking in the back. =)

    (5)

  • Jeff S.

    Seen Ed Kenney on TV and he seems like a nice guy trying to do good things in the kitchen. So I really wanted to like Town. Service was incredible. Food was just ok for me though. Tried their tasting menu ($65) and an order of gnocchi for the table which saved us from a stop at McDonalds on the way home. No home runs in the bunch. Stand outs would be the House cured ham dish although it only had a squirt of polenta which I was really looking forward to. The hand cut pasta dish had a good sauce but the green beans seemed out of place. Also kind of odd was the strips of baby corn in the gnocchi. The gnocchi itself was pretty good ($17.50).

    (3)

  • Nadia K.

    Not in the mood for bacon cheesecake or beer tiramisu after dinner at Brew'd, my friends and I went across the street to Town for coffee and desserts. We shared the salted chocolate pretzel tart and the milk honey panna cotta and I had my first affogato, a shot of espresso over vanilla gelato. I LOVED my affogato and it was a race to finish the creamy gelato before it melted away. It was delicious and it made me want more. Much more. The tart was really rich and I especially liked the pretzel crust. It's really good if you like a blend of sweet/salty. The panna cotta was firmer than what I'm used to but I really liked the flavor of the honey. I'm a fan of any restaurant with a good dessert menu.

    (4)

  • Julie H.

    My past two visits to Town have been really disappointing. I came with my boyfriend for dinner and again for lunch with a small group and both times the food took over an hour. The time I came with my boyfriend wasn't so bad since our waitress frequently updated us and apologized for the wait. Today, however, we weren't checked on at all so a member of our party physically got up and had to find someone to talk to. I wouldn't recommend this place to someone who's hungry but would recommend it for a lunch meeting since there's ample time for talking and taking notes before food actually arrives. I like that the menu changes daily but there are a lot of other dining options in Kaimuki. If I return for the food, it will only be for takeout.

    (2)

  • Al D.

    Has been hit or miss for me. I'd give it another chance though.

    (3)

  • Noriaki S.

    In really I acknowledged this place as only a cafe.That's my big mistake. This was a excellent restaurant and Here's a restaurant should be recognized in the world.Food category was Italian.It was great surprise that pasta was handmade fresh one.This restaurant was famous that supplied the organic food.So, mussels I ordered was not farmed. Roasted fish was perfectly warmed.Quite amazing! I recommend this restaurant to everyone.

    (5)

  • Sophia N.

    I went to town tonight and it was amazing. Its a small restaurant very popular among locals. I started off with the ahi tuna with risotto cakes which was not the best thing but it was pretty good. I also shared the muscles with my family which were absolutely scrumptious. For my main course i had the pork chop and it was possibly the most delicious pork chop ive ever had in my life. It was seasoned well and cooked to perfection. Overall i thought this was a great restaurant.

    (5)

  • Diane L.

    It was okay. Lots of waiting. Smallish portions for the amount you pay. Food was pretty good. Hard to understand the menu

    (3)

  • Madeleine F.

    Uggghhhhh. Town is SO pretentious it's actually painful. :( I've only ever left a review like this once, usually I give places I enjoy a solid 4-5 stars no matter what. I was REALLY excited to go here after hearing good things, and getting excited to go there for a friend's birthday event last year. Weeeell, I am still getting over the experience I had there - not great. :/ First off: The server (a woman) seemed VERY annoyed that we asked about things on the menu. (Also don't get me started on the MENU, it's printed in "type writer font" and on a clipboard and everything kind of blends into each other so it's hard to read even for me - a 26 year old with perfect eyesight) Secondly: Not only that but she just ASSUMED we knew all the overly-"fancy" food terms and ridiculous ingredients they used and seemed again put out by having to explain it. I felt like our party wasn't "young and hip" enough for her or something. It was... Uncomfortable. ~Disclaimer, my brother works at NOMA, yes THE Noma. They had been the number 1 restaurant in the world for a few years in a row prior to this year and are now ranked #3 so I've TRIED fancy, crazy and creative food. However, Noma managed to keep it classy without making you feel like you were an idiot for not knowing what things were - Town? Nope.~ Anyways, rant aside I'm not giving it one star because the FOOD was pretty tasty. We got some slab of beef with a side of some sort of shredded potato business and I am nearly always down for well-prepared meat. So one star for that, absolutely! :) I'm sure this place is great for some people - (*cough mostly hipsters from what I examined during my stay cough cough*) I however, and my family and friends did not love it. The food again was delicious but it was really expensive and not something you couldn't get somewhere that DIDN'T make you feel like a country bumpkin with no food-knowledge. :( Sorry Town, but you're not my cup o' tea.

    (2)

  • Chris Y.

    Fresh! Fab! Amazing food by amazing chefs! Come open minded and empty stomached!!! :)

    (5)

  • GLENN F.

    Our reservations last night were at 7:30pm on Apr 21, 2015. Gusty Tradewinds were blowing 15-20mph. Upon our arrival we were given a table outside for the 6 of us. The ladies were cold all night. The wind was blowing, we even had to cut the evening short because it started to rain We were the only ones outside and there were no other tables set up. Very disappointing dinner for my friends from the mainland. However they did enjoy the meal even though it got cold really fast. What was to be a nice evening with friends, I found myself at home by 9pm!!

    (4)

  • Tiffinie K.

    A friend from work recommended Town to me, citing the very delicious food. When I visited, I noticed that there's not a lot of parking around the area. I made reservations so we were seated right away. My friend was right. The food was very delicious. I got the gnocchi. The service was very slow. We had to wait to get asked for drinks, in between drinks, while we were eating, and waiting for the check. Price wise, it was about $100 for two people including four drinks, but not counting tip. Might go there again because the food was really good. But the parking in service left something to be desired.

    (3)

  • Shiloh C.

    I am very disappointed! I come into this restaurant time and time again! And my birthday is tomorrow and I chose to have my friends and my birthday celebration at this particular restaurant and when I called in today to add more people onto the reservation this young lady named Patricia, was rude, sarcastic and very impatient with me on the phone!!! throughout the entire conversation she very unhelpful and through the phone her sarcasm was very clear! I asked politely if I could add 5 more people to my party and she was very rude about that, but still accommodated my request! When I asked for her name she instantly when into self defense and said "well if u call my manager, she'll tell you the exact same thing" I didn't say anything about calling the manager! Then I asked her why she was rude and her sarcasm escalated!!! I truly believe people deserve a second chance when they behave very rudely to guests, but management needs to go over how she can improve her attitude!

    (2)

  • Jeremy B.

    Went on a Saturday evening. The waitress was incredibly kind and helpful. The drinks were less then impressive. The mojito had shredded mint and an over abundance of club soda. The dinner was above average. The monchung was well prepared but a bit soggy The vanilla bean ice cream was plentiful. Overall a slightly better than average experience.

    (3)

  • Marc K.

    Food 4 stars Service 4 star Ambiance 1 star The noise is deafening! You must scream for your table mates to hear you!!

    (3)

  • Sammy S.

    This place seems to be getting better with age! A few years back I might selected 3 stars, as the menu was a bit too eclectic for my taste and dishes could be hit or miss. But more recently, the menu choices and preparation have been so spot on. We've had great luck with some of the recent rotating or special dishes, like mushroom soup or fish sausage (delicious I promise) as well as our favorites like hand cut pasta, mussels, and ahi tartare. Town also has an interesting and well-priced wine list and very good cocktails. Even with a bunch of new choices, Town keeps moving up our list of favorite dinner places.

    (5)

  • Jody S.

    I have passed this place over and over again, and have never stopped in. However, when my mentor suggested lunch there, I was totally down and game for it. He said it was a total 'Jody' spot so of course I was intrigued. The place had ample parking which I love as if you know that area, there is NOT a lot of parking especially on the streets. The décor was simple with a lot of open space, which I like. (don't want to feel claustrophobic when I am eating OR feel like someone is listening in on our conversation). The menu reminded me of the menu at HiSam with locally grown food and paper menus on a clipboard. The waitress was super knowledgeable and answered all of my questions excellently. My mentor ordered a ham dish and I ordered the homemade pasta, vegetarian style. We both enjoyed our meals, wiping each of our plates pretty much clean! I ordered an espresso gelato for dessert and it came in this really cool mini mason jar with a cookie on top. Sooo cute, truly! Overall, loved this place.

    (4)

  • Jay H.

    Would have given five stars purely for having that amazing breakfast burrito they used to have. BUTTTT, they get minus stars because they have taken it off their menu. Isn't that the worse? when you go somewhere ONLY for one thing and then they take that away?? this is my current relationship with Town.

    (3)

  • Shannon S.

    Very good food local produce and some of the best service reasonable prices great flavors

    (5)

  • Lucia M.

    Service was excellent, not intrusive and very good timing. Food was outstanding, specially the gnocci and the ahi tartare. Really enjoyed the atmosphere, and the sustainable, recycled menus as coasters was definitely an awesome touch! Parking in the area is an issue.

    (4)

  • Cindy B.

    I really wanted to like this place because of the chef and all the good things I heard about it. I'm going to start with a positive: the buttermilk panna cotta was excellent. I would come back just to have this again. The hand-cut pasta with kale, dried (cod?) roe and capers was a disapointment. The pasta was al dente perfect. I expected a briny salty flavor from the roe and capers. I don't like to salt or pepper my dishes, allowing to enjoy the meal the way the chef intended. I asked the waitress where the dried roe or capers were, as I didn't see it in the plate. She came back to tell me the dried roe is shaved (I guess I missed it) and the capers were fried. I wish it had more flavor. The service was a bit slow even though it was past 1pm and the restaurant was half full. While we were waiting for a 4th person, we told the waitress we were going to eat ahead of our late friend. Still...service could have improved. According to the Web site, the menu changes depending on what's fresh for that day. I am intrigued enough to come back to try others on the menu, or even go across the street to the Superette for a something different.

    (3)

  • Will C.

    1st time here. Heard good things about this place, however it was disappointing... Others recommended ahi tartar, risotto, black mussels, but they weren't available. Too pricey for the amount of food. The bread on the bruchette and burger bun was burnt. The cloth napkins left alot of lint on my clothing. Will not be coming back...

    (2)

  • Anne L.

    Town was an O.K. restaurant. The service was good, but I wish there were a little more dishes and entrées to choose from. The food was mediocre. The meat was very salty on the strip loin because of the Roquefort butter, and it was WAAAAY too overpriced! It was $30. The only thing that was good there were the fries. The salad was decent as well, but overall, a HUGE dissapointment.

    (3)

  • Cara H.

    The kabocha risotto is so creamy and wonderful! The eggplant parm sandwich was pretty bomb and the linguini with hamakua mushrooms and pancetta also very good! We tried the mango sorbet, very fresh and perfect with the cookie. I love that they use local products! The only problem I had with this place is they took super, duper long for us to get our food. The food was worth it though, I'd go back.

    (4)

  • Darin O.

    Taking Trendy to the trendiest level possible with new and tasty food all around. Talk to your waitress- ask what is good and going on. Do not come preset on ordering a hamburger no matter what. It is not what you do here. Here you have a small conversation, ask what is fresh and what she would recommend and how the chef feels abut a dish before even looking at the menu. The chef is wonderful- he was in the old YWCA (women's ymca) downtown. Then he started his own brick mortar that is separate- Town. He wants to do everything right- from finding a good taste to trying a new blend to sourcing as much possible locally so that it pops and is fresh. Did I mention that he likes it fresh? Ask what wine would go well. Ask what the waitress would think would go great with this or that. Ask away. The staff is super happy to be there and it shows. Don't be afraid of trying something new or radical- papaya with cucumber and something else that I don't recognize all in the same dish- I didn't order it but someone else is willing to let me try it- why not? it tastes strangely good even though it sounds funny. Food is meant to be enjoyed and it is quite enjoyable at Town. Wonderful to share with friends and have a great night out on the Town. Here are the problems- the quality of the food is great; service is friendly even shows aloha, full bar serves some items you would not normally try and the place is small so it is an intimate evening out. The problem- you will now want to go back there sooner than you had planned and you need to invite more people to share the experience with you so that you don't feel glutinous for going back so soon.

    (5)

  • Jennifer S.

    My husband and I enjoyed the tasting menu (again) tonight. The wine pairings were perfect and the service (food and bar) was excellent. I always point people here (and 12 Ave) when they are looking for great food.

    (5)

  • Harry K.

    This has been a favorite for years. Ed's crew continue to serve up fine local sourced island fresh fish and vegeys. Bourdain just ate there on his weird CNN Hawaii episode. He had many choices. Small but always consistent! Save room for dessert!

    (5)

  • Jody K.

    Ok... we are from LA and love restaurants such as Mozza, Sun cafe, Cube, Macceroni Republic, ink and wholefoods lol... I will definitely compare and recommend this tasting/wine pairing with the best of them!!!! Wow! Service, food and wine were among the best of the best! Hand cut pasta - beef sugo was Uh-amazing. Thank you for a wonderful experience with fresh organic food! What a treasure!

    (5)

  • Greg W.

    Polenta with bitter greens Sautéd with macadamia nuts and pancetta with a fried egg on top and shaved Parmesan cheese. All ingredients local to Oahu! Awesome meal and great restaurant. I bet parking is a problem during dinner but not breakfast.

    (5)

  • Louisa N.

    My husband and I ate there for our anniversary which happened to be in the middle of the week. Boy was it crowded when we arrived at 8:30pm for our reservation! This place is popular! So the food being local and organic is a plus. They have an interesting menu. Stuff like pa'i'ai, he'e, cured opelu. I settled on Monchong with vegetables, hubby got strip steak (grass fed beef) which came with shoestring fries. My fish was good, very healthy preparation. My husband liked his steak, and while the fries were good, he thought it should come with a different potato dish like mashed or sautéed. The salad was super tiny and so was the ahi tartar. Both were good but we shared it so it was just a couple bites of each. Overall, our service was good for how busy it was. Our entrees came at the right time. The prices are high for the atmosphere, which the decor was basic but people seem to dress up here. I gave it 4 stars because of the price versus portion size versus atmosphere. Our bill was $110 for two. Only for special occasions.

    (4)

  • Vanessa F.

    Very very nice restaurant! And very refined cuisine! Delicious!... Service is great! I am French and am used to the best European food ever if i can say... From Michelin star chefs to little gastronomic bistro places...And to me, it's just a very nice trendy place and a beautiful "cuisine"! A little expensive but worth the price! It's European but also American and of course Hawaiian... A real fusion! I loved it and their wine pairings as well! Go for it!!!! :)

    (5)

  • Buju D.

    I am Jamaican! That being said...if I say the food is great! It is Great! The place is a bit cozy, but, when the steel drums start to sound and the crowd starts chatting, you are immediately transported to an island, resort style vibe...in my personal opinion, this place needs to be on the beach front!!! Being tucked away in a plaza does not do it any justice! Im going to stop now because I am about to get emotional... -the end-

    (5)

  • Kyle O.

    Food was ok, nothing to write home about. Service and food to come out was really slow. When I asked the server about the long delay she said it was because I ordered my burger medium-well and not medium. I've cooked a few burgers in my day and I know it doesn't take very long to move up the done ladder. If your cooks are slow and/or busy just admit it and apologize, don't blame your customers. I won't be going back or recommending.

    (2)

  • Jason Q.

    I am not quite sure why this restaurant does not really appeal to me. I've been twice. Once in 2009 and again this month. Guess it's safe to say that waiting 4 years to dine here says something. The environment is nice, and the service is fine. Our waitress had a nice, genuine smile and was attentive. The food to me is just okay. Although the dishes are well presented, the flavors have never wowed me. Last night, I ate the pork shoulder with polenta and greens. The pork shoulder was equivalent to eating a nice slap of thick bacon. It came crispy which I like. It also came with a lot of fat and grease which I also like however suffer from later. The polenta to me had no taste. Very bland. Same with the greens. Maybe my expectations for this place are too high, and never get met. Regardless, I am okay with dining here once every 4 years.

    (3)

  • Derek F.

    While the food wasn't bad, the service was supremely disappointing. The beet salad was so-so, the dish needed more acid and salt. We ordered the kabocha fritters, but they never came. The kids ordered burgers, which came out lukewarm and the fries were cold. The hand-cut pasta was passable. I had the big salad with fresh fish. Surprisingly the "easiest" dish took 30 mins more than any other dish to come out. When it did, the fish was cold, overcooked, and dry. The most disappointing thing was the poor service. Our meals took forever. The wrong dishes were brought to us. We didn't get out meals at the same time. No condiments or pepper was offered. Our water wasn't filled once. What should have been a 45min meal took nearly 2 hours. Avoid this restaurant if you value your time.

    (1)

  • Reid S.

    I've only been to Town twice in my life, the first was when they just opened, and the second last week. I can say there was such a big difference between then and now, a good difference. My first time at Town was rather unmemorable, the only highlights I remember were their lemonade and fries. I always thought of it as just a trendy place to eat, where the atmosphere can hide decent food. But since my first visit, I've never seen Town empty, so I always knew that there was something special there. I'm never able to get a reservation of hungry Friday and Saturday nights, a definite good sign that this establishment is not only delicious and appealing, but more importantly, promising. You can see this phenomenon from the street. Apparently there is a parking lot in the back, I just don't park there because I have a phobia of not finding parking, so I venture across Waialae Ave. and park on the street, no big deal. They have outdoor seating that is open to non-reservation diners, which I think is a good idea because it gives us indecisive eaters a chance! It's hard to realize that you're in Kaimuki because Town feels like an out-of-island experience, somewhere in SoCal, it's a nice feeling. I ordered their White Sangria, which was sweet and delicious, very refreshing for a hot summer's day. For my entreé, I ordered their handcut pasta with panchetta, which was amazing! The noodles were cooked perfectly, and the flavors were savory, sharp, and full-bodied. I really enjoyed my meal. Their bread selection was also very tasty, two types of bread with a dish for olive oil and pitted olives, very very very nice! My friend ordered their sirloin steak and she seemed to really enjoy it! All good signs, all good signs. I'll definitely come back soon, if I can get a table! They have a promising menu, very eclectic and innovative and all with local ingredients and flavors. It is truly a high-end local restaurant. All I can say is thank you thank you Ed Kenney! Buff n Blue pride all the way!

    (4)

  • Katie D.

    Best local spot I've been to. Monchong with local veggies was beyond words. Hubby's Uku was equally pleasurable. Start with mussels. You can't go wrong!!!! Seriously. Go here.

    (5)

  • Jennifer G.

    Town really disappointed. Service was slow, parking non-existent, and they don't have jelly or ketchup at breakfast?? The menu and food choices sound delicious, but when you get them they are lacking flavor. Organic is good, seasoned is better. They were also very expensive, $60 for two entrees and two drinks?? It definitely was not worth the parking ticket I received.

    (2)

  • Alyssa M.

    i've been here twice, with some friends...they love it here! the location is decent, but the parking lot seems a little ghetto. the service the first time around was excellent. we were immediately seated since we had a reservation for dinner. our waitress was very nice and always check up on us. the second time we went, we went for lunch. we were seated quickly, but it took forever to even get water. the waitress was nice, but not as efficient. as for the food, my friend and i got the hand crafted pasta which was yummy (both times). supposedly, the menu changes everyday, but i felt that the pasta was the same the both times i went. if not the same, very similar. however, it was tasty and fulfilling. my friend's bf got the pork belly plate and it was very good. he let me have a taste, and the pork belly literally melted in your mouth. i only gave town 4 stars because the service was ok, and the food takes a while to come out. also, the prices are a tad steep if you ask me.

    (4)

  • Malia S.

    What Ed Kenney started with Town years ago has shaped and improved the local food scene more than I can say. His dedication to locally-sourced, organic, and delicious ingredients is commendable, and it shines through the daily-changing menu and the delicious food that comes out of the kitchen. Town recently closed breakfast service, after 10 full years of fried rice and bloody mary's, but I'll continue to be a frequent lunch and dinner customer for as often as the restaurant continues to open its doors. Love the handcut pasta, love all of the waiters and the friendly service. I recommend trying the pa'i'ai!

    (5)

  • W Q.

    Great farm to table restaurant. The ingredients are fresh and high quality. Lunch is an amazing value, $15 entrees. Portions are small, but it is just right for lunch, and it is very well made. Had the pan-roasted chicken, absolutely delicious. Had a really enjoyable meal here. Parking is directly behind the restaurant, looks like apartment parking, but 10 stalls are actually for the restaurant. Great spot for lunch, highly recommended!

    (5)

  • Ronald G.

    I used to like this place. But on my most recent breakfast visit my wifes order was incorrectly made and my frittata was served cold. They corrected the order and warmed my frittata but the food wasn't that good. Perhaps the chef changed or something.

    (2)

  • Shuji K.

    Town just cancelled my Thanksgiving reservations. Apparently they don't open on Thanksgiving. They waited one week before Thanksgiving to tell me, when I made that reservation months ahead. I am now inconvenienced with having to come up with a reservation for four for dinner, and need to find a place that my grandmother would be caught dead using her walker/cane. If they don't even know what's going on with their scheduling, it makes me doubt their ability to prepare decent food.

    (1)

  • Addie L.

    A bit on the pricey side on what you get in terms of portions but we think it's worth it. We ordered the baked chicken leg and balked at the $22 price but ordered it because we heard that this an excellent dish. It lived up to the hype, the skin is extremely crispy, the meat is soft and well seasoned to the bone. Is this really chicken? The mac nuts and pancetta are nice subtle touches that round out this excellent dish. The risotto with roasted cabbage was not bad either. A bit creamy for my tastes and the risotto was slightly undercooked. But the flavors were there and everything blended in together. For dessert, we ordered the banana cream pie and panna cotta, Both were excellent and you can tell they used really high quality ingredients. Not too sweet or overpowering as the other standard desserts you get from other restaurants. Service is a bit slow but very friendly. It gets a bit loud in prime dinner time, so if you are looking for a quiet romantic dinner, Café Miro across the street is probably a better choice. Recommended!

    (4)

  • Jon H.

    Town is 5 stars no question! Let's begin with my favorite: gnocchi. For something so relatively simple in concept, finding great gnocchi is really damn hard. Sometimes the texture is just right, but the flavor lacks. And other times vice versa. Thankfully, there's Town. And if gnocchi's your thing, you owe to yourself to eat here asap. First things first, let's talk about the texture, which is out of this world! So smooth and they almost melt in your mouth. But at the same time the scratch made hand-cut gnocchi holds up enough that the sauce doesn't make it soggy. And then we have the flavor, which pops with the acidity of the lemon and caper sauce. The sunchokes, which are the roots of a type of sunflower, adds a another starch to the dish, but with a unique nutty flavor as well. All together, the dish absolutely works. 10/10 would order every time! However, the chefs at Town only prepare a certain number of orders per day, so make sure to either get there early or check with your server first thing when you get there. And there's so much more to Town than just the amazing gnocchi. Every meal should start with a bowl of black mussels. They're served in a broth of the mussel liquor and vermouth, and honestly you're gonna end up ordering another bowl because the first one goes by too quickly. And the toasty bread that accompanies the mussels is the perfect way to soak up all that delicious broth. Another winner are the fries. You might be thinking to yourself why fries when there's so many other choices, but I swear to you that these are the tastiest, crispiest fries you'll ever have tasted. And if you pair an order of fries with the mussels--DO IT!--they're just another perfect vessel for that broth. Just thinking about it now is making my mouth water. Town is open Monday to Saturday for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and if you're looking to treat yourself to some wonderful food, you found the right place.

    (5)

  • Hathaway J.

    We have been back several times. Brie, the awesome manager, invited us back on the house. We are life long customers now. So impressed with the food and service. Real aloha. Thank you!

    (5)

  • Ainslie P.

    I have been going to Town for some years now and always liked it....HOWEVER that all changed today. I tried to book a table for 15 people for my husbands birthday. Brin who told me she was the general manager was so rude and couldnt care less about me. It felt like they were doing me a huge favour by having us there... She gave us absolutely ridiculous times for the booking so it made it almost impossible to book the table. a table with 15 people isnt a big table.... we were also made to split this table because they can not handle a small table of 15. Now i have worked as a chef for a good part pf my life and know when the table is going to be too big... also this booking was being made on a Thursday night....not Friday, saturday or sunday i cancelled my booking and as i mentioned to the GM, she was not helpful and made me feel very uncomfortable and like my time was not worth anything... she made me feel like i was just taking up her time... we have booked at Buho Mexican in waikiki who gladly took our booking and gave us the time we wanted... no more Town for us......

    (1)

  • RB19971 R.

    The food was pretty good, but the service mediocre. The boar sausage was very good. At breakfast, or any meal in a restaurant to be frank - I don't expect to hear boom boom boom from the speakers. The restaurant has issues with noise to begin with, they have installed noise canceling foam on the ceilings, so to play boom boom music seems like an oxymoron. The prices were very reasonable, and i will go back again, but i can only hope they get their act together, otherwise they will end up just like SALT - closed.

    (4)

  • Elaine F.

    Heard a lot about Town but as I sit here waiting for an hour for our food, no refill on drinks and still waiting I hate to say I'm disappointed with the service,

    (2)

  • Mark L.

    Town, you are my JAM!!! You were fantastic the 3 times we saw you on our last visit, and the 2 times we visiting you on this trip were even better. Staff is super friendly and makes every effort to take care of you. the ONLY hiccup on this visit was, it looked like they were a little short staffed and so our first round of drinks came out a tiny bit slow. The staff immediately took care of it and comped the drinks. The food is better than ever and the old standby Ahi on Risotto is still perfection! Thank you for making every trip here such a great time! This place is NIRVANA in what can be a very "challenged" food scene on the island. Keep up the great work!

    (5)

  • Mary G.

    The worst service I have ever experienced. 30 min wait with lots of empty tables and a super rude waitress!

    (1)

  • Manny B.

    Great and creative food. Service was great and attentive. They have creative bottled drinks and great pasta/fish dishes that are very tastefully prepared. I would come back here one day just to taste it all over again. Good Job!

    (4)

  • K B.

    Food is good, but not great. Service staff ranges from sassy to efficient. Was here for breakfast. The vege frittata was nothing special, and the only "vege" thing about it was it had some skinny green beans? and onion in it. The side salad was something out of a bag from Costco. Coffee was good though. Was greeted by a hostess that had a bit of attitude (we asked if she could temporarily unlock the front door, to allow our handicap friend a short walk to the table, and she said "no"). The waitress was much better and knew the menu quite well. Her "helper" seemed indifferent, and requests for more water/coffee took way too long. By the way, the place wasn't busy. Finally, it would be great if they turned the music down a notch. It impedes normal conversation. I'll give them another chance, perhaps when they're having a good day.

    (3)

  • Paul Kaulana L.

    So I had made a reservation for this restaurant I heard so much of. For what I've heard of Town, I was not impressed with some dishes. The potatoe soup that we ordered was not potatoes but more so garbanzo beans soup. Unfortunately we had it sent back because it was not what we expected. Appetizer we ordered to Ahi Tartar balls. The presentation was displeasing, 3 ahi balls laid out on a plate. Thought there would've taken the time for better presentation but not so much. Ahi was room temperature and tasted ok. Not much to talk about. We ordered the beef loin medium well with the fries and salad. The salad was good but meat was kinda dry. I will come back to try other dishes but not the ones already tried. Maybe next time will be better.

    (2)

  • Cyndi K.

    I had heard so much about this place, both good and not so good. We finally tried it for my husband's birthday. The wait staff was very pleasant and answered questions. The food, however, was just mediocre. The Opah (fish) was not fresh, and had a strong fishy flavor for that usually mild fish. The french fries, which seemed to be so popular, were over salted and not that tasty. My son's salad was very fresh and tasty, I have to say (Ma'o greens). The roasted beet salad was mushy. I don't think we would chose to go back there anytime soon. There are alot better restaurants for special occasions.

    (3)

  • Seagem F.

    Love the farm to table method. One of the first of its kind to take on this local farm to table method. This restaurant has been here about 15 years. No mussels and or ahi tare tare which are our favorite apps. The chicken is pan roasted and get the fries which are so good. This is a swanky hipster place and has a bar with some great drinks! There is outside seating. The parking is on 9th ave. After you pass restaurant on right and the lot is right after that. The menu changes every day. So, if you had something wonderful, it might not be there the next time. The breakfast is fabulous. I like the ahi one if they still have. Today I ordered the breakfast burrito with chorizo! Have an awesome day!!!

    (5)

  • love k.

    The worst service ever. My gut told me to leave the minute and the way the server greeted us. I will never return. It doesn't even deserve a star.

    (1)

  • Benhur B.

    I don't know what took me so long to try this place. I'm glad I did though. Now I'm a fan and will definitely come back. After a hike, a friend of mine, her dog and I were hungry. We decided on here because it has pet friendly outdoor seating. They have an ample amount of parking stalls at the back of the conveniently located restaurant. So no problem. Service was genuine and pleasant. They even brought out a water bowl for our furry friend. Water glasses were always filled too. That's a great thing after a 2 hour hike. I ordered the Orecchiette Pasta in Pork Sugo Sauce. Wait for food wasn't too long. Their portions are just right. For a $13 entree, it seems a little steep, but the quality and taste of dish + great service made it all worth it. Oh, and interior is pretty cool too!

    (4)

  • Sheena C.

    BREAKFAST REVIEW I would say that I am a breakfast "regular" here--no, scratch that, lets say "returnee." I've been here for breakfast over 10 times (most times alone) because of the free wifi, bottomless coffee, and the fact that it is mellow and never super crowded or loud. The first few times I ate here, I loved it. I usually get the polenta with egg on bitter greens. I still get it, but it is quite oily. Other bfast menu items include (but not limited to) a bfast burrito (a-ok), fried rice and eggs (yummy, but it isn't hard to mess this up--plus a LARGE portion), and yogurt with granola. Most times I am in the mood for something light, which limits me to the yogurt or one of their baked goods. However, I can't justify spending about the same price as a "hearty" bfast item on yogurt and granola, so I stick with the polenta and then feel greasy and fat the rest of the day. :( I love the atmosphere so much, but really wish they offered lighter items--maybe a smoothie? Or an acai bowl? Or how about an egg with a piece of toast and fruits? Don't get me wrong--I love Town's ambiance and service, but the breakfast menu is just too... heavy for me. I have been in search of a restaurant with a similar atmosphere, with no success. Thus, I will return for the time being.

    (3)

  • Educated Consumer M.

    I take all my out-of-town guests here for quality food, wine and people watching. I've had all their vegetarian dishes, but my favorites are actually sides: polenta (savory, buttery, heavenly, goodness), and the bitter greens. Thank god I don't live in that neighborhood, otherwise, I'd be there every night.

    (5)

  • Yun Y.

    Ooooh Town, why have I taken so long to come and see you even after I moved into the neighborhood? I feel like I have been missing out on life for too long. This is a restaurant where you start salivating when each dish is taken past your table and you have the urge to order just one more dish...to complement the last dish. I mean, you can always take a doggie bag home right? Well last nite we had a group dinner and had a great time. The ambience there is dark and modern and conducive to a jolly time. I ordered the perfectly cooked Opah under a delectible wallup of papaya salsa, surrounded by a variety of veggies to include bok choy, daikong, and fried breadfruit (ulu), which was AMAZING! I ordered the same dish to take home to my mom. I could not enjoy this meal without sharing it with someone else. My neighbors were unlucky enough to have me play trading games, "I'll trade you a piece of my fish for a piece of your meal." Mine looked delicious enough, that everyone partook in some so that I could try the beef ragu, arugula salad, and pork chops. Everything was perfect! This is why I live to eat and eat to live! For places like this! I'll be back soon Town!

    (5)

  • Patrick K.

    Perhaps not in the glitziest part of honolulu, Town may be aimed more at locals than tourist-types. A long walk but an easy drive inland from the shore, Town should be a go-to in Honolulu (if it isn't already). The daily menu starts you off with an inspirational missive from a renowned chef or critic. Tonight (5/6/14) was Anthony Bourdain, which was a promising start. The evening only got better. Our waitress was knowledgeable about the drinks and even assured me the bartender was able to make my (foppish but delicious) French 75. The corn chowder was a fun departure from the expected, and the mustard frill salad was a light salad with tasty fresh local fruit. The limited-run gnocchi was a knock-out, but was very rich and only finished after all 4 diners pitched in. Same with the risotto: rich and delicious. The strip steak was extraordinarily flavorful, and whatever the chef did with the chicken leg, he needs to keep doing it. Forever. We didn't make it to dessert but I'm confident that it, too, would have blown our minds. Get yourself to Town. ASAP.

    (5)

  • Patrick's Taxi Honolulu Hawaii W.

    yes yes yes..... love their food, service and price.... make sure to visit!! I always take my guests here for lunch.... they love it too !!

    (5)

  • Aaron H.

    Great value for breakfast and lunch, and they remember their regulars and their orders. Probably my favorite Bloody Mary in Honolulu; their risottos are great when they have them. I love what they do with polenta (formed and then griddled). However: they can't fire a burger to temp; I always forget, order a burger medium, and then get shoe leather because they use a really lean mix and default to quite well. They really want to take care of you, so much so that when you send food back they'll rush and miss details trying to make it right - so I got a rare burger with different toppings than the medium burger I ordered. Despite this, they're still one of my favorite breakfast and lunch spots, my default if I'm not doing ramen. Oh and their cocktail menu is fantastic but everyone knows about them now and it's hard to get a table for dinner :s

    (4)

  • Jenny F.

    I've come back to Town a three times within the past couple months, and it has not failed to impress! I've stuck with seafood twice, both times were perfectly cooked and beautifully seasoned. My favorite was swordfish with chunks of roasted taro and kale. yum! I've also had their shinsato pork, which was slightly overcooked, but still good. Most recently I went with a vegetarian friend, and we decided just to get a number of their sides: bowl of polenta, Hamakua mushrooms, bitter greens, and flatbread. Everything was delicious, especially the Hamakua mushrooms! I highly recommend them. I hear this is essentially the vegetarian plate, which isn't on the menu. To finish, my friend turned me on to their hazelnut chocolate gelato. Oh dear. It's a small mason jar full (about 2 large scoops) with a chocolate chip cookie for $4. SO CHEAP, and so rich and delicious. According to my friend, "It's one of those things that you would sneak down to the kitchen in the middle of the night to eat and then lick the bowl when no one's watching." Definitely give it a try. I'm surprised that Town only has 3.5 stars as its rating. It's up there as one of my favorite places on the island, and definitely a place to take visitors or come for a special occasion!

    (5)

  • Michael L.

    Overall, I would say that we enjoyed our dinner. The downside we had at this restaurant, which I will list below, put a damper on our evening. Host Very nice. Not necessarily very warm with her welcome, but still nice. What was interesting is that there were a number of tables open but still had to wait. Service Our food server was also friendly. She was very attentive and provided some insight on our food options and questions. The drawback on her service is the food took over 50 minutes to be served, and she never apologized. She did offer additional bread, but a simple acknowledgement that our food was on it's way would have been a simple and nice gesture. Food I had the strip loin with french fries and both were very tasty. My wife had the chicken with a side of polenta. The polenta was fantastic! Overall, great place.

    (4)

  • Mark H.

    My favorite restaurant in Honolulu. Great combination of a local atmosphere with a really good restaurant. We go at least once every time with friends or family when we visit Honolulu.

    (5)

  • Anna G.

    I recommend the strip loin with French fries! Lives up to the name of "gourmet comfort food"!

    (4)

  • Anne H.

    Had a great meal at Town, everything about it was enjoyable. Excellent service and outstanding food. Far and away the best we have had in Honululu and it was quiet enough to have a conversation. I thought the price was great for the quality.

    (5)

  • Pualena P.

    To call myself an "early riser" is an understatement. I am often up long before the sun rises, and I have usually worked up an appetite for a good, hearty breakfast by 7am. So I am ALWAYS on the lookout for amazing breakfast spots! Town has officially made my breakfast list, and its shining star (or, five stars, as it may be) is their fried rice! Admittedly, I have only had the fried rice there for breakfast, but it was good enough to deserve a review of its own! Deliciously seasoned rice fried with locally grown onions, carrots, and portuguese sausage under two over easy eggs. I like to top it off with their Hawaiian hot hot chili sauce from the caddy. Yuuuum yum yum! Pair it with one of their coffees or fresh juice, and you have a filling breakfast to jump start the rest of your day!

    (5)

  • Bob B.

    Great tasting food! Every dish was full of flavor from first to last bite. Taste of town with wine sampling comes at a perfect pace to allow you time to enjoy each course. Chicken cooked exactly and complimented well with salad. Service very friendly and helpful, if this was your first visit. A little pricey, but great for a special treat or night out.

    (5)

  • Kepa D.

    I absolutely love Town for any meal including breakfast. I've loved their lunches and dinners for years, but in the past few months I've discovered the joy of their breakfasts as well. Farm fresh organic eggs prepared exactly as I like, fried Pa'i'ai and a simple green salad never tasted so good together for breakfast until I tried them here. Service is still on the casual side, so if you are in a rush, manage those expectations. BTW, the fresh orange juice is the real deal.

    (5)

  • Julia P.

    I'll give this place 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Got the recommendation to dine here from an article I had read a few years back. The place is like a "farm to table", "local", "organic", "sustainable" type place and it has all the casual decor to go along with it including a menu that looks like it just came out of a typewriter without lining up the margins and using old papers as coasters. The food itself was decent. I will say their tomato soup was a new taste I had never had (they added parmesan cheese into it) and the TOWN lemonade was a mix of citrus fruit and cucumbers - very fruity/vegetably taste and unique. The main course consisted of ahi which was okay and chicken which was very tender and well cooked. Prior to main courses were the gnocchi and hand cut noodles - both above average. The side of mushrooms was decent as well. All in all, I think this place had unique flavors in a nice casual setting. I didn't think it was overwhelmingly awesome but it's definitely worth a stop while in Oahu at least once in your life.

    (4)

  • Paul C.

    Through a friend who posted his breakfast pic from here on Facebook the other day, I bookmarked this place and made the effort to make it down this morning. Arrived here at about 830am and I was surprised on how much traffic on Waialae Ave west bound but luckily I was going east. Pulled up to the parking lot and there were just a few open spots. To the left was Crab City and their parking lot had a big sign to warn you Town patrons will get their cars towed away if they park there. BEWARE!!! Came here with a friend who previously dined here several years ago. As you walk to the entrance which is on Waialae Ave side, there were many tables for outdoor seating. At the entrance to the left were the 2 menus posted: the regular daily menu and today's specials. The menu items seem on the healthier side with a nice variety. I loved the restaurant's quote "Local first, organic whenever possible, with Aloha always." You order your food and pay at the same time. Then you get a number and the seating is open. There were quite a few tables and booths inside. We found the interior quite dark so we chose to sit near the windows. After sitting down, you place your number on the table and wait. Oh, and the water was self-service, which is to your left when you order your food. They weren't really that busy at all so the food came out quite quickly. We ordered the specials of the day. I had the banana pancakes w/ bacon and my friend had the frittata with veggies and goat cheese. I must admit the food is pretty good here. I tried the frittata and it was delicious. My bacon was INCREDIBLE!!! Nice and smokey. They give you SIX slices!!! But the banana pancakes were a little disappointing as I've had better. After I took a bite of the bacon, it was so yummy and packed with flavor that it overpowered the pancakes. I then felt like my pancakes became bland and eventually didn't finish them. I also took a sip of the orange juice that my friend ordered. As a fellow foodie, he WOW'ed the fresh orange taste. Indeed it was outstanding but at about nearly $5 a small glass, I think I'll pass... Overall, it was a great dining experience and next time I come here it'll be for either lunch or dinner. NOTE: Each plate came with a wedge of local orange (not sure?) and my friend commented how SOUR it was. I ENJOY extreme flavors and yes, it was sour but I was able to finish my wedge. Perhaps the kitchen should check the fruit before serving them?

    (4)

  • Tiana G.

    3 stars for the food, would definitely return to try another dish or strictly take out. Service needs some improvement. Wish I had the other waiter.

    (3)

  • Paola R.

    Town has a constantly changing menu of deliciousness, with entrees ranging between $11-$15. It's a little pricey, but worth it. Right now, they have a risotto with broccoli, anchovies, and capers. I don't know what possessed me to get this because I don't like two of those three items (can you guess which one?), but I gave it a shot and loved it. I guess they all taste great combined! They serve breakfast until 10:45a, and it's on my to do list to come back for restaurant. The restaurant has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. I came here during lunch on a Monday and it was only fairly packed.

    (4)

  • Elizabeth A.

    We're from the Bay Area and thought this was our best meal on the island. We had three salads (lettuce/pancetta, avocado/fruit/mustard, arugula/beets) and each one was one of the best we'd ever had. My children ordered the gnocchi, which wasn't my favorite as it was a little under seasoned. Overall, a fabulous meal.

    (5)

  • Stefanie D.

    Ehhhh I think Town is pretty overrated. I know it has a ton of great reviews...it's sooo trendy...progressive...Michelle Obama ate here...etc but I wasn't too impressed. First off, the food descriptions are so overly and unnecessarily complicated. By no means do I consider myself a true foodie but I do think I know something...when I went to Town I had to bust out my phone and Google some of the ingredients as well as ask our server. Please don't tell me everyone eating at this restaurant knows every variety of lettuce and it's just me sitting there wondering what the hell I'm about to order. Also speaking of the service, it was incredibly and painstakingly slow. Usually a lunch takes less than an hour and my girl friend and I were there over that even though we were done in less than that time. The wait between asking for the bill and then the bill actually coming was ridiculously long. Aside from the slow service and complicated menu, I enjoyed the food I ate, though sadly it wasn't good enough to warrant a second visit yet.

    (3)

  • Ray F.

    After paying $8.50 for the perfect egg breakfast recently and waiting for what seemed like 45 minutes(even though there were only 2 other tables occupied) I was extremely disappointed when the server brought it to my table. It was served in the smaller of their two sized bowls and it was literally only halfway full. I requested the egg scrambled instead of over easy and that must have pissed off the cook. Not only that, but half an hour after leaving, I had to run into another restaurant to use their restroom! I really feel the cook or whoever spiked it with some sort of laxative, either that or something was spoiled, although I couldn't taste it. Small servings and food tampering/food poisoning, whatever it was, is enough to make me never eat there again!

    (1)

  • Shaun G.

    So I went back to town and I've changed my opinion. We got wine, a few appetizers, steak, and gnocchi. Food came fast, and I gotta say, it was perfect. Service was friendly and not in your face. Will be coming back more often.

    (5)

  • Kurtis W.

    This review is about the food only. Town can be as sophisticated as you want it to be or as laid back island life as you want. The thing that sets it apart from most other organic or cheesy places is that the food tastes so good. The fact that almost everything is locally sourced is a plus, not a gimmick. The food is pretty reasonably priced for the quality. I've tried just about everything on the menu, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I like the slightly rotating menu to keep things fresh. I really like and recommend the pork shoulder, though I wish they'd bring back the breakfast burrito. My personal lunch favorite is their burger and dinner is the Ono, though you can't go wrong with the strip loin. If I can, I always try to bring visitors or new people here so that they can see something the island has to offer away from Waikiki. So far no one has walked away disappointed.

    (5)

  • Jessica P.

    Never thought that my first Yelp review would be a negative one, but here it goes. Went to Town for lunch. I had been looking forward to eating here for a while, but every time we've tried, they're just too crowded. Late afternoon lunch seemed like perfect timing. Unlike most of the reviews here on Yelp, our service was very good! Unfortunately it was the food that was really pretty bad. I ordered the penne with pan-seared pancetta and mushrooms. The sauce on the pasta was basically oil with little flavor. There was absolutely no searing on my pancetta. It was simply warmed and softened and fatty tasting. Big disappointment. My son ordered the burger. He couldn't even finish it, and he always finishes his burgers ;) He said it had a weird fishy aftertaste. The fries were way overcooked, so they tasted more like those shoestring things you get in a can. They did remove the burger from our bill, even though I did not request that. We just asked if it was cooked on the same grill as the fish, trying to find an explanation for the weird flavor. So sorry to be a downer on Town, but for all the hype and praise this spot receives, I was pretty shocked at how bad the food was. At least our waitress was great, though.

    (2)

  • K S.

    When I asked our waiter why the olives that came with the starter tasted fresher than any I'd ever eaten, he said they cure them themselves! Good answer! Seriously. The best ever. A lot of locavore places get hype and love because of the concept or votes from friends of the proprietor but the dishes can be imbalanced and ill conceived. Town actually matches the hype, however. Overall smart and well-executed dishes. The atmosphere is fine; it's really about the food. The prices seem reasonable for the concept and deliciousness. I felt like I was keeping our busy waiter just to understand menu options. A menu glossary would be super helpful and put less pressure on the servers to educate diners.

    (4)

  • Rafael G.

    What a great restaurant. Open for about 10 years, this place is a hidden gem that captures the food to farm concept beautifully. The vegetables, fresh fish and meats were so Ono (delicious). The meat (braised short ribs) melts in your mouth. The apple banana cream pie and salted chocolate pretzel tart are must haves.

    (5)

  • Sean H.

    So my cuz recommended this place and boy did it disappoint!!we all had cheeseburgers and let me say just down right horrible! I asked for my burger to be cooked medium not well and everyone else asked for the same and was it ever overcooked avoid this place at all cost overpriced food and quality SUCKS!!

    (1)

  • Diane K.

    We went to Town to celebrate our friend's birthday last night. For the first time in a while, I had NO expectations prior to visiting a restaurant. On the way there, my friends were looking forward to reuniting with Ernesto. They told me Ernesto is a shirtless man who dances at tables. I must've lived in LA too long because I believed them and was admittedly quite stoked. Ernesto turned out to be a cocktail. I was disappointed there was no table-side entertainment and they were sad to find out Ernesto had left Town with its creator. It didn't take long for me to get over unfulfilled promises as the food here is incredible. The gnocchi is soooooooooooooooooooooooo good. I'm not one to elongate vowels, but trust me, it was THAT good. The menu changes on a daily basis, but everything I ate here was impressive. The decor is very cute. It reminds me of a cafe that one would find in East Village in New York. GREAT place to celebrate a special occasion with excellent cuisine and snazzy drinks (definitely try the Jeju).

    (5)

  • Robbie M.

    I had been waiting to go to Town for months. My fellow foodie friend came for a visit. For the most part it was everything we expected. Exceptionally creative dishes and well presented. Our waitress was knowledgable about each dish and the wines. We loved the pacing of the courses. There was ample time between our first course and second . The way elegant food should be prepared. If you are looking for a fast in and out this isn't the place. It is great for conversations. The reason I did not rate it a five star is that my rabbit leg came swimming in oil. I had to take it out of the dish and eat it on my bread plate. I love rabbit and was glad to see it on the menu.

    (4)

  • Cara T.

    The food and overall ambiance was good. The menu was written with language which isn't common to most people, so my husband and I spent a majority of the time googling items. Cocktail menu lacked the general staple liquor, and the drink I ordered was overpowered by the smoke and tied to fruits which didn't compliment the tequila. Our waitress was rude, and rarely checked on us. It was obvious that we had clearly annoyed her with some of our questions concerning the menu. The check was issued midway through our dessert as a message to finish up and get out. For a place that has such a welcoming vibe, our waitress did nothing but push us out.

    (3)

  • Joli W.

    This was probably our fifth visit to Town, and it was eagerly anticipated. There were 4 of us and we started with cocktails (yumm) and shared the following: red oak salad, ahi tartare, black mussels, risotto,and the opah. Everything - and I mean everything - was outstanding, absolutely no complaints. There were some slow spots in terms of the food service, but our server, Tiffany, kept us updated. And, you know, that goes a long way to make me happy. Have to comment on a reviewer below, who complained that he wasn't allowed to bring their own beer. Buddy, perhaps there was miscommunication, but I'd love to know what beer was so special that you wanted to bring to a restaurant. I've never heard of this practice before; wine yes, beer no. Can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • didi w.

    Most delicious meal I had on all the islands! Dreaming of their food! We had a dinner for 4 people. One of us did the tasting menu with wine pairing. We also tried an order of gnocchi to share which was delicious! I had the beet salad which was a dream come true, the beets were like no other beets I ever tried. Then I had the steak with polenta and some green stuff, it exactly hit the spot. The polenta is just like I would describe the perfect polenta: buttery, cheesy and creamy. Yum! Also had the chocolate salted caramel desert and banana apple cream pie. Both were fantastic. Oh and last but not least the service was amazing!! I am going back there to try their brunch menu. They got me hooked with their fresh and local food!

    (5)

  • Rachael C.

    Had breakfast here yesterday and was going to book a party but left changing my mind. The service was shocking, our waitress was just rude. One of our coffees was cold so the server heated it up to the point you couldn't touch the cup. Not sure if that was deliberate, but we were almost to scared to tell her. One of our guests came after we ordered and trying to get her breakfast order put in was apparently a massive inconvenience to the server. The food took an hour, we didn't see our server at all during that time, so no second coffees or drinks. When the food came it was fantastic but the plates were never collected and we left 90 mins later feeling like we were a nuisance to them in what was a very empty restaurant. We paid the bill because I took it up to get paid and needless to say the tip reflected the service ( although 10% was way more generous than she deserved) sad as I really love this place

    (2)

  • Timmy W.

    The pork was absolutely delicious, definitely a good choice if you can't decide what to get. the mahi mahi was good but not fantastic. Vegetables were garden fresh and tasted great. The wait staff was extremely nice and pleasant. Only downside was the inside of the restaurant was extremely loud, other than that, it's a nice place to eat.

    (4)

  • Nikki M.

    I heard great things about this restaurant and was eager to try it out. I went on a Saturday night and since I had reservations, I was seated immediately. The service continued to be outstanding throughout the evening. Their beet salad was fantastic! I ordered a pork chop, which was a little dry (hence, I took away a star on the rating). But my boyfriend's rib eye was so juicy and delicious! It had blue cheese melted on top. I have already recommended this place to numerous people and will be back again!

    (4)

  • Todd G.

    Service is nonexistent. We were seated by the hostess quickly, then we waited....and waited....and waited. Then we received water and asked about the specials. She said she didn't know, we had to ask our server. She said she was the "janitor" I could tell later that she was the busser. Eventually the janitor took our order. By the way, we still haven't met our server. Then our order was delivered by the hostess. After realizing that we were going to continually get ignored by our server we decided not to order anything else. We were planning on having some drinks. After sitting for a while with empty plates I flagged down the hostess to get the check. Finally guess who delivers our check, our server! And to no surprise it took forever for her to take my money. So basically we we're not checked on one time. The food was alright, but I won't be returning. Too bad because I liked this place.

    (1)

  • Team P.

    Town.... Oh, Town.... If you weren't so convinced of your own coolness, you might actually be kind of cool... We have eaten at Town on several occasions, so obviously the place has some positive characteristics that have brought as back more than once. The ambiance is hip, the clientele are beautiful, and the menu has some tasty food items. But the overall experience has consistently left us disappointed. The Hostesses Girls in their early 20s who perceive themselves as the gatekeepers to some precious inner sanctum, they could use some serious training in customer service and a little reality check about their significance in the larger world. A recent attempt to make lunch reservations by telephone illustrates what you might expect from them: Team P: "Hello, could we make reservations for a table of 4 at 11:00 today?" Hostess: "No. We're all booked up." Team P: "Well, do you have any tables available at 11:15 or 11:30?" Hostess: "I don't know. I'd have to check." Team P: "Ok." Hostess: "Would you like me to check?" Team P: "Yes, please." Hostess (after several minutes on hold): "We can squeeze you in at 11:15." Team P: "Thank you." Arriving at 11:00 to intercept our lunch guests and inform them we couldn't get a reservation until 11:15, we found the restaurant completely empty, except for our lunch guests who were already seated without reservations. Our lunch lasted from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm, and at no point during those two hours was the restaurant more than half full. Breakfast We've only been here once for breakfast. The food was tasty, but the service was predictably lackluster. We ordered banana pancakes and quiche. When the banana pancakes were brought to the table, the server informed us that there was no more quiche (presumably she just discovered this fact when she went to grab the hot pancakes). A new order was placed for polenta, and then the decision had to be made whether to let the pancakes grow cold while waiting for the polenta, or to eat in tandem. Both the banana pancakes and the polenta were delicious, as was the bacon. The coffee was fantastic, the orange juice was bursting with flavor, and we strongly recommend the bloody marys. Just don't expect any of it to arrive at your table in a timely manner. Lunch Again, good food, bad service. The salads are fantastic (both the Ma'o organic lettuces and the arugula) and the hamburger is honestly one of the tastiest in Honolulu. However, the hostesses are an unnecessary obstacle and the waitstaff are less than efficient. Dinner The place fills up at night, so reservations are a must. It's easier to make those reservations online than trying to deal with one of the customer-blocking hostesses on the phone. The waitstaff are knowledgeable about the food and they are able to make some good recommendations, but they're not terribly knowledgeable about waiting tables, so be prepared to wait and then swap plates when the food arrives (they can't be bothered to remember who ordered what). The appetizers are probably the best part of the dinner menu. The ahi tartare is not to be missed, and the pa'i 'ai and he'e (hand-pounded, fried poi with grilled octopus) are absolutely delicious. The entrees are hit or miss, with fish being a better option than steak. Would we recommend this place? No, not really. Will we ever eat there again? Probably. Will the waitstaff really earn their tip? Probably not.

    (3)

  • Jennifer S.

    This place is excellent! I had the mahi mahi and it melted in my mouth. It was crisp on top and very soft and tender underneath. The vegetables were just right and the sauce was light and tangy. Mia was my server and was terrific! I highly recommend checking this place out.

    (5)

  • Randy K.

    I had the pleasure of eating at Town with a group of ocean scientists visiting Honolulu for the Ocean Sciences Meeting. We were there at the invitation of the executive chef, Ed Kenney, who wanted to share with us his efforts to use sustainably caught seafood and local produce. It was, quite simply, one of the finest meals I've ever eaten. The cuisine was at once both innovative and "homey," which I attribute to Ed's focus on honoring the ingredients and food traditions of the local region. I especially enjoyed the aku (skipjack) tartare and fried he'e (octopus) with pipinola greens. And the desserts were to die for! If you are looking to try something a little bit new and different, that you can feel really good about enjoying, I urge you to "go to Town!"

    (5)

  • Susan J.

    The trouble with Town is that it is so uneven. In my last three visits, two were completely satisfactory for both me and my guests, and yet the last one made me want to cross it off my list. Four of us came for lunch, and I ordered their burger, but without any mayo or sauce. I emphasized this two or three times. The food arrived, and I peeked into my bun - and there was some kind of pinkish gunky sauce on it. I told the waitress, who said, "Oh, that's my bad," and whisked the whole plate away, including the usually delicious Town fries. Even though I urged them to start, by friends were reluctant to eat while I was still waiting, so their food started to cool down. A few minutes later the waitress came back. I could see by the limpness of the fries that she hadn't gotten me new ones, so instead of crisply delicious, they were soggy. I then peeked inside my bun again - and saw that all she had done was to wipe the bottom of the burger and replace the bottom bun. Pink gunky stuff was still adhering to the bottom of the burger! I didn't want to keep my polite friends from their meal by sending it back again, so I just pulled out my napkin and wiped the rest of the gunk off myself (so Town, if you want to know why one of your lunch napkins seems permanently stained from hamburger grease, well, now you know). However, I could still taste some residue from the sauce and as a result I just ate around the edges of the burger and left most of the fries. The experience was quite unsatisfactory. I have been to Town on a number of other occasions with friends, and this is my general experience - about two thirds of the time the food is great, and the other third, someone has an issue with the food that frankly, in a good restaurant, would either not come up, or would be fixed properly. I'm tired of never knowing which Town I'm going to get. It's bad enough when the dish that they mess up is mine, but it's even worse when it's your guest's, so I won't be inviting anyone to join me at Town any time soon.

    (2)

  • Jaimy B.

    I like Town a lot, but it's not a favorite. I live very close by, but I didn't try it until two years ago. The food is very delicious and the service is great! What throws me off is that they change their menu. The second time I went, I was looking forward to the gnocchi; unfortunately it was not available. Since it's busy all the time, reservations are always necessary, as well. Although they are very flexible about changing the number of people last minute. I admit I was shocked how expensive it was as well. As delicious as the food is, I'd much rather go to Kit N' Kitchen. They do have wine tasting with a set menu every Wednesday. I am planning on trying it, but the reservations fill up FAST. This is a good restaurant for dates/families/big groups. They have indoor and outdoor seating, which I like. Overall, I enjoy this place.

    (4)

  • Sam K.

    Food is fantastic but the staff is incompetent. Accuracy of reservations is hit or miss and every take-out order we have made this year has been: 1. Forgetting a take-out order causing a 40 minute wait while the manger assures you that "it will be just a few minutes." the manager then disappears and never returns to apologize. 2. Got the wrong order and leaving us with 1 order for 2 people 3. Forgot dessert that was ordered 4. Got the order completely wrong 5. Completely lost the order Calling them to make any reservations is difficult with the loud background noise. When you bring it to the attention of the manager, you get an apology, but there is never an improvement. The hostess(es) are clearly not capable of completing a take-out order or making accurate reservations. We love the food - it is fantastic but until the management can fix what is wrong with the staff, then we will stay away.

    (1)

  • Alecia B.

    We had great food and cocktails for our dinner at Town. The food was slow to come out because they got slammed after we sat down but they apologized and made it up to us with a dessert. If it weren't for the service hiccups I would have given it four stars. I would still highly recommend this restaurant! It's one of the best meals I had during my first trip to Honolulu and I would still return.

    (3)

  • Sukalia O.

    Think that glistening pork chop of succulent and perfectly grill marked wonderfulness is exactly what your mouth is anticipating? Well... Maybe... But the poor pig was already dead. Why'd they have to kill it with horrifying, sawdust causing well-doneness? It makes my souls weep at the waste of a good piece of meat. On the plus side, they know how to make a bitch'n pan sauce. They can deglazed the that sauté like a champ! The bread is very chewy and awesome, there's something gorgeous about the marriage of olive oil AND butter that leaves the palette super happy. The kobucha salad was nicely balanced, albeit basic, but there's nothing wrong with that. Although I feel like they went out and found the most bland goat cheese available on the market and added a bit of cinnamon... Then smeared it on the plate for a little nuevo flair. The cocktails are most excellent, interesting and fun. The basil gimlet was a delightful ray of love to my windy night. And I'm a girl who really likes her gimlets. The beef dish my friend ordered didn't do anything special for either of us. It tasted of neither the herbs it was rolled and braised with, or really, anything special and beefy. All and all, for the huge expectations I had walking into this place, maybe they were just too high.

    (2)

  • Geo J.

    We had a great time at Town. There was plenty of parking in their lot behind their building, which is at a premium in this neighborhood. We were greeted by a friendly hostess who took us straight away to our table. Our server explained the menu to us and gave us a few moments to contemplate drinks and dinner choices. Bread, olives and water were brought to our table promptly. I enjoyed the artisan cocktail "Smokey Dove" while my wife had a basil gimlet. Both were mixed to perfection, with a nice balance of ingredients. Our server was attentive, but not intrusive as we went through our salads to the main course. My hand-cut pasta with wild boar ragu was savory and delicious; served piping hot. My wife's Opa dish was also quite tasty and served equally hot. All in all it was a very enjoyable evening. The space is small, but with a chic urban vibe. There is also a large outdoor patio where pets are welcomed.

    (5)

  • Michiko H.

    Great place for date night. Cute. Trendy. Intimate. Classy. . Service was good and quick, nothing really stands out. Food was delicious, all pasta is handmade that day so everything is fresh. Yum Street parking is a bitch. ugh. Food was pricey, was not expecting to dish out $15-$25 at first for a medium sized serving dish but overall the experience and taste of the food left me a happy customer. Domo Arigatou Mr.Roboto

    (4)

  • Claire P.

    There menu is hard to read had very slow service, food took forever and when you got it there wasnt much food at all for what you pay. loud atmosphere and an overl not so good experience i went there for lunch but heard about their breakfast. doubt i will ever go back.

    (1)

  • Justin M.

    Understaffed. Waits will be incurred because of this. We're here for breakfast and have waited 20 to be seated, 15 to order, 10 for a Bloody Mary, 8 + reflag of waitress for a single coffee refill. Busy, we get it. Just be mindful of this and the consequences when you eat here. Food was ok, nothing to write home about with exception to the polenta w/ pancetta, kale and eggs. That was fabulous, easily 4.5 stars on it's own.

    (3)

  • Lisa P.

    This review is for breakfast and lunch. I've been to Town close to ten times now and have had a couple positive experiences. The food is good the servers are friendly but most of the meals I've had at Town have left me frustrated and disappointed. My main issue is the slow and inattentive service. I most times, get the feeling that the servers have simply forgotten that I'm there. Also the drinks take forever. There have been several times that my meal has lasted more than two hours...not by my choice. I keep returning because it's a convenient location and the food is good. I just wish they could improve their appalling service. If you don't have extra time to wait to be greeted, wait to order, wait to get drinks, wait for food and wait for a check, I wouldn't go to Town.

    (2)

  • Celeste B.

    Town had the honor of hosting First Lady Michelle Obama today. This review is related to both the food and regular experience, and also the experience directly related to how the restaurant team (really two people in particular) treated the average customer while serving the First Lady. Part I is the First Lady related experience. Part II is the regular review, if you are most interested in that. Part I - First Lady Michelle Obama entered the restaurant without incident, to enjoy a private lunch with her loved ones. Of course, for the rest of the patrons, this was a very exciting experience, and we all struggled to contain our excitement and respect the space of the First Lady and her guests. I made one attempt at a photo, and stopped after that, since I thought it rude to continue to attempt such a thing while she was trying to eat lunch. Later, after the exceptionally slow service dragged our lunch out to nearly two hours, and after having my two and a half year old son asking to say hi to the First Lady, we decided to ask the staffers with the First Lady if she would be willing to take a picture with the toddler. They politely declined on her behalf, though the First Lady did say that she would say goodbye on her way out. We of course thanked the staffers, and were understanding, though slightly disappointing. Of course, she is on her holiday vacation, and she is not required to take pictures with us. We continued to give her her space as we and the other patrons had done the entire time we shared the space. A few minutes later, after we paid our $200 bill for 6 people, a blond woman who appeared to be a manager (and who, to this point, had been polite with us), came over to my father, a part time Honolulu resident who frequents Town as a regular customer, and said the following: "In our restaurant, we respect other people's privacy." She went on to say that we shouldn't have made an attempt to speak to the First Lady. My father informed her that she would no longer have his business, and was offended by the manner in which she came up to him, in front of his family, to give him what might have otherwise been acceptable feedback. My problems with this behavior we as follows: 1. Michelle Obama is my First Lady as much as she is anyone else's. She took the job with her husband willingly, and we are thankful for it. We made no effort to invade anyone's privacy, and spoke with staffers whose job it is to field questions like ours. We did nothing wrong. 2. If the restaurant has a policy for when public figures or celebrities are in attendance, they should communicate this to patrons in advance. It is offensive to slap my hand before you have set an expectation. This is behavior management 101 in ANY setting. 3. If the management had feedback for us, they should have had the professional courtesy to ask my father to speak privately, instead of publicly chastising our innocent request to the staffers. Michelle Obama, along with every other celebrity and public figure, makes a choice to give up some of their "privacy." I indeed respect the First Lady, and do not feel that we were in violation of her privacy or anyone else's when we asked the staffers if she would be willing to take a picture with us. We were not offended or upset in any way when she declined, as is her right. She was as beautiful in person as in any photo, and I appreciated the kindness with which the staffers and secret service cared for her and declined our request. I do not share this sentiment toward Town. Part II Aside from exceptionally slow service, the overall experience at Town in Honolulu was mediocre at best. While our waitress was lovely, time between placing our order and each course of the meal was exceptionally long, causing a 60 minute stay to become more like 120 minutes. They were out of two different kinds of popular sodas on the menu, and their most popular dessert. They failed to bring kids' pasta at all to the table, though it was ordered right in the beginning of the meal. The beef in their beef soup was fatty and gray, though the broth, beans and vegetables in the soup were good. The food was decent, fresh, though oily. We smelled like grill and oil upon leaving. I did not enjoy my mushroom and lentil patty - it was really rather strong and I did not care for the texture. Their big salad, with added fish, was $17.00, though I could purchase the pack of organic greens they used at Safeway. Big disappointment. There is nothing Town could do to make me come back after the public chastisement. I will never recommend it to anyone, and will actively discourage anyone who will listen from going to this restaurant. We all work very hard for our money, just like the owners and staff at Town, and I would prefer to spend my blood, sweat and tears on a place that values its regular customers as much as the public figures who all of us share.

    (1)

  • Sachi B.

    Everything So Good!!!! Took a little while to get use to the menu...... Definitely I will go again!!!

    (4)

  • Dan S.

    Food generally pretty good. Today at lunch didn't need the loud heavy metal music pumping while trying to converse with friends. Opah fish was good though wasn't fresh. The side vegetables were creative. Will go back again.

    (3)

  • Raul D.

    All around, very solid. Went in at the beginning of our last trip to Oahu and the food was over-salted. Went back in at the end of our trip and gently told our waitress, food was dead on. Very decent drinks, exceptionally friendly staff. Perfect place to go if your looking for something outside of down town Honolulu.

    (4)

  • Laura L.

    Really good food but took a long time (like an hour). No explanation from server but like I said food was good. My husband and kids said I should rate 3 stars but I think food quality is the most important part of the dining experience.

    (4)

  • Josef H.

    Ambience was good but the restaurant was very noisy. A bit on the pricey side and portions are mediocre. Menu choices are very limited.

    (3)

  • Amanda N.

    Had a lovely dinner here with some friends. We each had something different and they all were excellent. The service was friendly though a little slow. The only true negative was that the bartender wouldn't make an espresso martini. They have espresso and a cocktail menu. A bit disappointing.

    (4)

  • Warren F.

    My first time there and I am impressed by the food and service. We had the pa'i'ai, gnocchi, and the pork chop and the sauces were amazing. The service was friendly and attentive. As a New Orleans native I give this 5 stars and that doesn't come easy by me. Thank you Town for the best dinning experience on the island, we will be back!!

    (5)

  • Jessica H.

    Excellent food, fresh ingredients! Cool, relaxed environment. However, service by Tiffany was extremely slow. Killed the atmosphere and mood.

    (4)

  • Lisa M.

    I've eaten at Town a couple of times before and was not impressed by their service. I have to say, I have always enjoyed their ambiance though! Tonight, our family ate there and enjoyed an opa, stripsirloin (a bit tough, but tasty), and risotto. The kids had the mac and cheese. As simplistic as mac and cheese sounds, it was quite tasty! The opa was was delicious and it was served on a bed of local veggies- bok choy, carrots, onion, and cherry tomatoes. The reason why I'm rating it 3 stars is because while the food was delish, the portions were small. Tonight, the service was below average. Our reservations were at 5:30pm. The waitress came to take our drink order around 5:45pm. Keep in mind, there were only 4 other parties in the restaurant. When she returned with our drinks around 5:55pm, I asked her to take our dinner order (since we didn't want to wait for her again). We ordered our meal and did not receive it until 6:40pm. I thought that was a bit long. We even had to ask her if our meal was coming. With no apology, it started to create a not so pleasant experience. The dessert was lovely! It also took a while to get to us. We had the salted chocolate pretzel, bread pudding, gelato and banana pie. All in all, the food was good, but the service was less than average. We sat down at 5:30 and left at 7:50pm- for ordering dinner and dessert, I thought that was a bit long.

    (3)

  • Reid I.

    I went to this restaurant this past week for the 1st time with my girlfriend. We had a 6:45 pm reservation. I was running late or should I say my girlfriend was, we left at 6:30 pm. I called the restaurant and explained we will be late and will come around 7:00 PM. The lady said not a problem just that we might have a shorter time to dine. We got there just before 7:00, luckily there was no traffic. For starters we ate the ahi tartare, a mango pecan salad , and the bean soup. All the appetizers were delicious. I'm surprised my girlfriend liked the ahi tartare as she doesn't eat raw fish. As for the entrees, I ordered the hand cut pasta shinsato pork. This dish was awesome, the first taste exploded in my mouth. I'm not sure if it was the homemade pasta's texture or the pork that made it so delicious. But a great combination. My girlfriend ordered the leg of lamb. She said it was also delicious but she was envious of my dish and wanted to trade me.

    (4)

  • Brandy W.

    I had incredibly high hopes for this restaurant and kaimuki area. At this time a friend of mine and I were cruising around Kaimuki, commenting on how much it reminded us of Melrose back in LA. Seeing Town by the road, the open air space of the restaurant reminded us of a time long past of morning brunch in LA (I'd say Sunday brunch, but in the city of Angels, it's brunch everyday) The day we came, we ordered breakfast burritos and gnocchi. The burrito was nothing to write home about. It was standard potato, meat and cheese burrito. Unfortunately, that was the better of the two dishes. My friend ordered the homemade pasta. First of all, they almost forgot to bring it! We waited a very very long time (especially for a near empty restaurant) for the food, and my friend hated it. I found it quite tasteless, but she ended up splitting my burrito with me. Our consensus: this restaurant is trying too hard to be hip. Maybe we just ordered the wrong food. I'd be willing to try this place again for dinner where they might specialize in the food better and might have more help to speed up the waiting issue. However for now, I would rather they focus on perfecting old favorites like breakfast burritos before they venture out into unique creations like the homemade pasta.

    (2)

  • Nicole R.

    The menu is small but creative and top quality. Eating at Town makes you forget you're in Honolulu - it looks and feels more like an eatery you'd expect in hipster hoods of Seattle or San Francisco. If you're going for dinner, make sure to try the house made gnocchi, but be sure to arrive early because there's a limited number of orders available on any given night and they go fast. For breakfast, make sure you try one of their yummy scones! Great spot for a business meal or a date night. Parking in the back is very limited - you may have better luck on the streets nearby.

    (4)

  • Ilene B.

    Always fresh and accommodating when I ask for a different item that's not on the menu. All local and fresh ingredients!

    (5)

  • Lizzy S.

    Came here on a recommendation from the concierge at our hotel. Everything we ordered was delicious! You can't go wrong with any of the menu selections. If they have gnocchi - GET IT! They only make a limited amount. It's very rich but seriously the best I've ever tasted!

    (5)

  • Bonny S.

    Farm to table concept. Menu changes daily Hand cut pasta - delish Chocolate pretzel, not what you would expect; delish Ahi tuna tartare on risotto - eh Mussels - eh

    (3)

  • Mikella W.

    Your experience here will literally always depend on who your server is. I've dined here about 6 times and love their fresh, local food. Even with good food, bad service can destroy that to the point where I had to speak to the manager and I've never had to do that before. Other times the server has been wonderful with our food arriving in a timely manner, like Tiffany. My favorite dishes are the fresh gnocchi that they only make around 12 orders of each day and also the veggie platter with polenta.

    (4)

  • Craig T.

    Awesome dinner.....they do the whole hog butchering, and the results are great. Pasta was excellent too, and the service was really genuine. Their sommelier has created a great wine list at amazing prices. We were very interested in a sparkling rose, and we were offered a glass at the end of dinner. Wish I were in Honolulu more....

    (5)

  • Nancy C.

    Delicious dinner- great service! We had the Monchong preceded by a delicious salad with accents of Pancetta, Manchengo, cherry tomatoes, and walnuts.

    (5)

  • chris v.

    Still the best restaurant in the state of Hawai'i. Great to see it get better and better each year (generally a rarity in restaurants that get so good so fast, especially here in Hawai'i) but Ed and the crew put in their all every service , every day. You should not only go once, make sure you go many times and experience breakfast, lunch and dinner.

    (5)

  • Trevor G.

    We had an amazing dining experience. Thank you to our server Mia who guided us though the menu and made excellent suggestions. We thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of our meal. Five stars.

    (5)

  • Nat N.

    This is not the place to go if 1) you're hungry and/or 2) you're looking for a quiet, romantic ambiance. I ordered the cavatelli, prosciutto ragu ($18). Cavatelli pasta by its very nature is not visually appealing - they looked like worms. It was served in a big pasta bowl, but the portion was small. My friend ordered the same thing, and it almost looked like they split our entrees in half and gave us each 1/2 of a full order. Luckily my friend ordered a side of hamakua mushrooms which was a nice compliment to the pasta. The dishes were bursting with flavor and they were served hot. Town definitely does not short change you on the flavor. The atmosphere is loud, so if you're looking for a place where you can have a conversation with your fellow diners without shouting, you may want to consider another venue. They have free parking in the back (entrance is on 9th avenue - a one way street going makai), which is a definite plus since street parking in Kaimuki is hard to find.

    (3)

  • Blair R.

    Organic and fresh restaurant. They use the best of local ingredients and the menu changes daily based on the availability of items. Had the sirloin and it was seasoned and cooked to a perfect medium rare. The fries and arugala salad were perfectly paired. My wife had the lamb ragu. Lamb was perfectly marinated and the sauce and mint were not too overpowering. I recommend making this a date night spot with your spouse. Expect to pay about $100 with tip and drinks for two, But we'll worth it.

    (5)

  • Suzy R.

    The food was delicious. We had the ahi tartar, opah, chicken and gnocchi. For dessert the salted chocolate pretzel tart. Some bites were too salty, but it was still good. The service was friendly and knowledgeable but slow. They definitely need to hire more servers so we don't have to wait soon long for service.

    (4)

  • Sabrina K.

    Town is one of my favorites! Service is extremely friendly, ambiance is intimate and trendy, the food is quality, and the drink selection is creative. I've been to Town for date nights, birthday dinners, and as a great spot to take friends who are visiting. From the moment I dipped into the bread with butter, olives, and olive oil in my first visit, I knew I was in for a heavenly meal. My favorite dishes to order: ahi tartare over risotto cakes, gnocchi, risotto, and sirloin.

    (5)

  • Melanie C.

    Of course wonderful fresh and local ingredients. And really inventive combinations, perfectly executed. The boudin blanc was amazing textures and flavors with the sausage finely ground and delicate, and then a bit crunchy local "fern" with broccolini texture, heirloom cherry tomatoes, and a chewy savory taro 'cake'. Amazing. The sugo gnocchi was melt in your mouth. The local fish (which was like halibut) with fresh okra and this starchy vegetable like a Japanese sweet potato. Delicious! Really interesting, cool cocktails from Jordan - from the SF Bay Area. :) I think my only 'complaint' would be that the pastry cheffing is a bit less well-done. The chocolate banana cream pie was delicious but the crust was tough. But, tasted great. Love this place!

    (5)

  • Paul S.

    Here's the deal. 4.5-5 stars for food. Great local ingredients and creative combinations you might not think of yourself. Fresh home made pastas that are great. 3.5-4 stars for service. A little hit or miss but pretty good overall if you have reasonable expectations. 4 stars for ambiance. Nice & cozy dim lighting with a bit of modern appeal. Tables a little close to each other. 4-4.5 stars for bar. Creative craft cocktails with a nice wine menu. Overall one of our favorite places to eat for the price and quality when we can get a table. :)

    (4)

  • Lori I.

    Breakfast is served! Place your order at the bar and have a seat. They'll bring your food to your table.... Fried rice with "pocho" and 2 sunny side eggs. How do you make fried rice even better? They use the freshest ingredients: celery, radishes, and carrots which must have come out of the ground this morning. How do I know? Because I just can't imagine how it could possibly take that long to serve the dish unless they were harvesting the vegetables just for my fried rice. The food is good. I probably will come back, but only if someone else wants to come here. I thought I was still hungry after I finished the fried rice but it was just because I scarfed it down too fast. I almost ordered a second order of fried rice but I didn't have enough time to wait for another bowl...and after a while I felt full.

    (3)

  • Troy Y.

    Had the strip loin and mahi. Was very good and really enjoyed the service and atmosphere. Parking is hard to come by, but walking a little is not a big deal. You probably need it. They made me a margarita from scratch and was very good.

    (5)

  • Rebecca M.

    Decided to come here for lunch after a long grueling day at school. Walked in the door at about 1pm. It was about half Packed and still had ample seating. Got greeted and seated right away by a very friendly brunette. My waitress came up right after and I explained I was waiting for a friend. Who ends up walking in the door right after. She waited for him to take a seat and patiently asked what we wanted to drink. Throughout the meal the service was exceptional. Very patient kind staff who seem caring at the same time. The food: I got the Ma'o salad with the fresh fish of the day which was some kind of swordfish. So I expected it to be a little more on the firm texture side which it was. Cooked to perfection and definitely fresh. The salad itself had DELICIOUS veggies in it. And super yummy... Parmesan? Cheese. My friend got the linguini with mussels. The sauce was a little runny but had a nice buttery taste without being too heavy. The noodles were also cooked to perfection. Not mushy but done. My only complaint is the portions!?!? I'm a very hungry girl. And I get the food is local, hopefully organic for that price, and in Hawaii not an easy place to come by. But my salad, the size of an app salad. I've worked for local organic farms as a CSA employee and I Know the produce does not cost enough to charge me 13.50 for an app size salad and about a 4oz fillet of SWORDFISH. But hey. The employees here made it an awesome visit and the food WAS really good. But I am going to whole foods right now to get a second meal.

    (4)

  • Debbie R.

    Ate here for the first time last weekend. The food: very tasty, but they just don't give you that much. We ordered the Gnocci (it had shredded pork with some sort of tangy tomatillo sauce - to DIE FOR) which was so dang good, I literally could have licked the bowl. We also ordered the hand cut pasta with peppers and tomato base sauce. That was good, but not as good as that Gnocci! Next item we ordered was the slow roasted pork shoulder with polenta and steamed greens - rather tasty, but again . . that Gnocci. If I'm not making myself clear here . . . GET THE GNOCCI! They only make a few servings a day, and when its gone, its gone (I think its like 16 servings are made), so get there early! as for the price, I'd say its moderately priced. The 3 of us got out of there for $100 plus tip. We had wine and dessert . . oh, the dessert! Yes, you WILL have room for that . . . we got their version of banana cream pie (eh, it was OK) and this chocolate pie with a pretzel crust which was a delight for the tastebuds - salty, sweet, yummy! You will have to find parking on street or a couple blocks over at the municipal lot, as they really have NO parking for such a popular establishment (there's a small lot in back that has 2-3 spots). Would I return here? Yes . . . for that Gnocci! =)

    (3)

  • Rosie K.

    I really like Town! One of the few places I can go and simply ask the waiter for a vegan dish. I never know exactly what's coming, but it's always delicious! I love knowing that the ingredients are (in large part) local. I'm also a big fan of outdoor seating and love seeing the dogs that come to dinner with their owners. : )

    (5)

  • Misty P.

    I ate here with a bunch of friends for dinner. I like that this restaurant tries to use as much local ingredients in its food. We got the Big Island beef steak and it came with potato fries. We also had a salad which was tasty. As far as the steak, it was ok. As a side, the fries were kinda meh. I wished it was something else that didn't make your mouth so dry such as a loaded baked potato, rice or mashed potato. It seemed popular and crowded. I guess for me, it wasn't all that great for me to rave about it and come back again. It just seems really trendy and that's all. It's a little bit too expensive for my taste for what I was served. Parking sucks...

    (3)

  • Duncan H.

    This is my go to spot on Waialae. Town simply never disappoints. From the craft cocktails to the fresh food I have always enjoyed my experience. Let's not forget about the fantastic breakfast options. With Waialae avenue having a bit of a renaissance, Town has been a leader in the movement. Thanks Ed for creating the best restaurant in the area!

    (5)

  • Lynne B.

    Food is great. Should try the Ma'o (unique salad that is to die for), their mussels (the broth is awesome), pannacotta for dessert is a must, hand cut pasta, orchiette pasta, & risotto are my favorites. I only come back for the food but service sucks! They always take way too long for the food to come out after we order. Even when its slow. 3 out of the 4 times we ate here there is always something that goes wrong. Its usually the long wait. They did compensate us but we rather have a great experience more than anything. One of my biggest pet peeves is water not being filled & this is one restaurant that needs to improve on this. Theres no parking but plenty street parking.

    (3)

  • Jen G.

    Excellent dinner!!! The food was fantastic. The ahi on risotto was great. The fish was awesome. The service was great. They have a parking lot. You pass the restaurant and right before the apt complex is a lot.

    (5)

  • Jeff R.

    Love just sitting at the bar, getting drink ideas from the bartender and eating the ahi tartare and the pa'i'ai.

    (4)

  • Chantel C.

    I am happy to add Town to my list of fave's! I highly recommend this restaurant to both locals AND guests from out of town. I loved the local flavor, and super fresh ingredients. They change their menu daily, but if they have the seared ahi, get it! The seared ahi was perfect. It came with cubes of taro, and vegetables prepared like I have NEVER tasted before! Simply amazing. I also was able to steal a bite of the pork loin, which was also excellent. Super tasty and tender, but a bit too fatty for my liking. The service and food were really excellent. The waitress that we had was very friendly and attentive, but not too intrusive. I cannot wait to go back to try other menu items! Two thumbs up Town! You definitely live up to the rave. My experience there was really great, and I can't really see how some people rated them lower that five stars. Go local!

    (5)

  • Craig M.

    Town has developed a nice reputation for its creative food and on one particular morning, I dropped by to try their breakfast. The first thing you see when you walk in is the bar, with tables to the right, then a left turn with the seating area extending toward the back of the restaurant. To order breakfast, you need to place your order and pay at the corner of the bar, grab your juice and/or coffee, and find a table. When your order is ready, someone brings it to your table. Their regular waitress service begins during lunchtime. No problem, I've done this before. Their regular breakfast menu offers (1) granola, fruit, yogurt and honey, (2) two eggs, rice or toast with bacon ponch or fresh fish, (3) a breakfast burrito with eggs and tontine panino, or with bacon or prosciutto. On the day I was there, the breakfast specials included (1) banana pancakes with eggs or bacon, (2) bruschetta, arugula pesto eggs, prosciutto, Waimea tomato and parmesan cheese, (2) grilled polenta, luganega sausage, lacinato kale and a sunny-side up egg, and (3) a frittata of red onion, Hamakua mushroom, green beans, and goat cheese, with a simple salad. I ordered the polenta breakfast, picked out a nice filtered sunlight table and settled back with my coffee to read the newspaper, taking in the homey ambiance and listening to the light rain outside. Not too long afterwards, my meal arrived. It was delicious. The strong flavor of the kale with its carmelized onions, little raisins, garlic and chili flakes was tempered by the creamy soft polenta (crispy-fried on the outside, mouth-melty on the inside). When I broke open the egg yolk, it flowed like a golden volcano onto the kale and polenta. The sausage hit the spot, providing me with a bit of morning meat protein to sustain me until my next meal. Muy delicioso! The next time I went there, it was for lunch with family. The wife ordered the uhu (parrotfish), which was quite delicious, beautifully moist and tender. Mother-in-law ordered the chicken-green papaya soup. She hated it, so my brother-in-law ate it for her. He had gone conservative and ordered a "Big Salad," which looked great (he liked it). I ordered the roast pork with grilled polenta and lacinato kale, fondly remembering how wonderful the sides tasted the last time I was there. I wasn't disappointed, except that I thought the pork was a bit too firm. When I think of roast pork, I think fatty juicy, which definitely it was not. The soy-based flavor was exceptional, however. And what can I say about the polenta except that it was creamy and yummy; the kale was great as well, just as I remembered it. Oh, and both times, I thought the coffee was very, very good - bold, rich and deep in flavor. There's adequate parking at the lot next door, and if that's full, street parking is available as well.

    (5)

  • Angela A.

    Just got back from a nice Saturday breakfast at Town. You order at the bar and serve yourself coffee which, combined with the open-air ambiance, creates such a relaxed and easy going vibe perfect for breakfast. My friend and I spent just about $10 each and enjoyed a breakfast burrito (eggs, queso fresco, chorizo) and a egg, fontina, and prosciutto panino. Both were delicious and just the right size. Good food, no fuss breakfast!

    (5)

  • Courtney B.

    In my fantasy life, Town chef/owner Ed Kenney is my live-in cook and wakes me up every morning with a tray of breakfast in bed, complete with morning paper and freshly-cut flowers. Unfortunately, I haven't quite worked out that scenario with Ed yet, so instead I hoof it over to Town's Waialae Ave. location at 7am to wake up with Stumptown coffee ($2) and their perfect egg, fontina and proscuitto panino ($5.75). They also offer home-baked scones ($2) and daily specials like a frittata with asparagus, broccoli and carrot and a side of mixed greens ($8.95). Everything is delicious. And Ed, if you're reading this, call me!

    (5)

  • Jason G.

    Love the ever changing dinner menu, the atmosphere, and the staff. Only negative is this place can get crowded...can be a looooong wait for a table.

    (4)

  • Charles B.

    Hmmmm. I took my wife here on our anniversary via a recommendation from an acquaintance on the North Shore. The ambience reminded me of eating at Beretta in the Mission in San Francisco -- unassuming decor, hipster-like cocktails and a relaxed but intellectual vibe. The food was spectacular. We are pescetarian (veggies and seafood only) and we ordered an arugula salad, black mussels appetizer, ahi tombo with white beans and hand-cut pasta. We could truly taste the love and mindfulness of the chef in each dish; the fresh, clean, subtle flavors of the farm-to-table ethos. Sadly, the quality of service did not match the food. Upon walking in, I saw what looked to be a picso sour sitting half-gulped at the hostess stand - was it hers? Doubtful, but we'll never know. Then came our server -- she was nice but I expected more depth and personality and connectivity to the integrity of the menu. Instead, she seemed more like an order-taking robot who would answer our menu inquiries with "Yes, that's good" or "I really like that salad. It has [list all the ingredients of the salad...]." She was also indifferent to the fact that it was our anniversary and we were celebrating a special evening. We'll go again with some caution. If the service is the same, then we'll just wait to go back to Beretta in the Mission.

    (3)

  • Michelle D.

    We made a reservation,arrived in time,and even though the place was busy,were seated immediately. The food and the service was excellent. Some portions could be bigger but the attentive service and delicious food made up for it. The risotto w mushroom,corn,and roasted shallot was perfect,the buttermilk honey panna cotta was tdf although a little on the loose side. The steak was tender and the pork belly meaty....,presentation is very nice. Will repeat

    (4)

  • Amanda A.

    I love the atmosphere here. Very relaxed and open. The food is excellent! Their pork shoulder with polenta and bitter greens was so good. The meat was tender and the sides complimented the dish perfectly. The gnocchi was also incredible, but they only have twelve orders per night, so if that's what you want, come early! The only issue I have is the service. It's hit or miss. But I don't want to harp on it too much because the food is so good.

    (4)

  • Stephen B.

    So after hearing so many things about this place and really digging their menu on a day to day basis, I decided to finally check the place out. I work as a concierge and I am always telling my guests in Waikiki with a rental car about this place and how great it is so I figured I should see if I'm telling the truth...the food is definitely great but the service is absolutely terrible. They are ill equipped in the front of the house to deal with the wonders created by the back of the house. Deciding to take my GF someplace special, I made the reservation via Open Table about 6 days in advance and when we got there, the table was "...just finishing up." Absolutely not a problem, we both spent years in restaurants so we get it. Ten minutes later, the lady (manager) sticks us at a table by the bar literally RIGHT next to the entrance. So close that guests entering would bump into my girlfriend. It was blatant that this was the most undesirable table in the restaurant. There were other open tables, however we chose not to make a stink figuring people that push for special tables drive us nuts at our jobs. But still, we weren't a walk-in... Whatever, we're hungry, we get it, we aren't fussy. We sit down excited to get started on our evening. LITERALLY 16 minutes later someone dropped off two glasses of water without ice and filled halfway and told us he'd be back. Not even a "jeez I'm sorry its so busy ill be right back with you thank you for bearing with me!" About 5 minutes later he came up to greet us. In my opinion, a little acknowledgement goes a long way! Finally we ordered and we went big: A salad, two apps, two entrees, and two desserts. The food is absolutely incredible on many levels. Flavorful, unique, etc. Once again, however, the service put a damper on things. The time it took to get our appetizers was absolutely obscene. Between salad and appetizer courses we waited close to an hour. Honestly, for mussels and tuna tartare. Then, we were brought out one of the two, but not the second. Serving 101: if all food isn't ready, don't bring it out! 20 minutes after my GF got her app, I got mine. Then of course, the entrees came before I was finished. At this point the manager came up and introduced herself and I thought she was going to apologize or thank us for our patience, something like that. NOPE, she just wanted the extra chairs at our table to use elsewhere. Hilarious. Let me say though that I totally understand how busy they were. Two large parties were seated and I'm sure their kitchen went into the weeds. The time it took is not a problem to me. It's the total disregard we were shown as we just sat there. Who knows, maybe the guy had a lot of tables or something. He did make up for it by buying one of our two desserts at the end which was nice. The guy was busy no doubt and I get that. It just kind of felt like we were an afterthought the entire night - The two people jammed into the corner that aren't ordering alcohol. Food was fabulous with one exception: my med-rare steak came out still mooing thus it was incredibly chewy. Flavors were incredible. -Monchong fish my GF said was unreal. -Mussels app incredible -Toasted chickpeas on the salad? Genius -That honey pannacotta should be illegal -Apple banana cream pie? Enough said A night of extreme highs and extreme lows!

    (3)

  • T. J.

    Delicious dinner including ahi poke on risotto cakes (apparently we weren't as sick of this dish as we thought we were), grilled opah with baby veggies that was fresh and simple, bitter greens as a perfect side. Butter, olives and olive juice combined - great idea. Service was efficient and friendly. All in a hip energetic neighborhood restaurant - we felt like we were dining back in S.F. but with the benefit of the tropics. Not sure why the low ratings but then again we only ate here once. Street parking was not a problem.

    (4)

  • Tasha T.

    Everything in this place rocks. From the amazing food, to the exquisitely crafted drinks... I love town! I have been fortunate enough to venture here on very diverse occasions: breakfast & dinner. Both times, the staff was friendly, attentive, and helpful. Make sure you check out Kyle at the bar. Very talented mixologist who whips up classy cocktails that always hit the spot! Be sustainable Hawaii, eat local! All good everything, at Town.

    (5)

  • Wes L.

    Food was so so... Service was really really slow. Everyone was very nice when we saw them. If there's anything great about this place it's the ambiance and decor. We had waited almost 45 minutes from when the appetizers were served to when the entrees came. No sorry. No explanation. We got bread but it wasn't tied into the slow service. We had gnocchi, risotto, chicken... Then they took forever to bring our bill. I also had bugs in my water but I don't really hold that against them. Won't be going back again.

    (2)

  • Carol M.

    I met my girlfriend for dinner here even though her cousin who lives and works in Kaimuki said it wasn't very good. We had a fabulous dinner and I came home raving about the hand cut pasta. I then took my husband and son to the restaurant and was seriously embarrassed because of the slow service (1-1/2 hours ) to get 2 pasta entrees and roasted chicken. The pasta was very ho hum and the roast chicken was pretty ordinary but still tasty. The waiter was so unapologetic and kept saying that the restaurant was so busy (like he was bragging). There was no acknowledgment for the 1 - 1/2 hour wait just to get the (uncomplicated roast chicken and pasta) food. My husband and son said they would never come back, while I still have memories of the hand cut pasta from my other Town experience. My son even requested a substitution (for chicken) in his pasta but it was never done or acknowledged that they didn't make the substitution. After waiting 1 - 1/2 hours we asked where the chicken was and the waiter said we could order some roast chicken (entree portion) if we wanted (and wait another 1-1/2 hours)? No way. It's a problem with consistency, I believe. I did have one great meal here. The pasta portions are small though. Don't order this if you're hungry. Better yet, don't come here if you're hungry because you'll be waiting till kingdom come for your food. We thought about going over to Crab King and just ordering dinner. My husband and son thought it was the worst restaurant service they've ever experienced. I'm sad because this restaurant is pet friendly and I wanted to bring our dog when she's old enough and well-behaved enough to go to a restaurant. In fact, I've been telling people that one of the goals for our puppy is to have it so well behaved, she can go to Town Restaurant with us! That's not going to happen anymore. :-(

    (1)

  • John B.

    We have dined at Town several times and while they are always crowded, they nearly always try to accommodate us. I am so sorry about the family that was dressed down in public during a dignitary visit. if I could, I would give you a hug. Sounds like a poor choice of words incident. ..it happens to us all. Every patron deserves genuine respect and kindness....our warmest regards and Aloha from a fellow diner who cares.

    (3)

  • Andrea R.

    For folks who want to leave Waikiki for exotic drinks, Town is a classy favorite of the locals. Located on Waialae Avenue, the warm and intimate atmosphere will have patrons ordering several cocktails, like this grape caipirinha to cool off after a long day. The dinner menu offers a selection of locally sourced food and is a great choice for sustainably conscious eaters. Town's motto is "Local first, organic whenever possible, with Aloha always."

    (5)

  • Rachel G.

    My new favorite place to eat. Very tasty and unique. Love the gnocchi and anything with bruschetta. The food takes a while but i think its due to the amount of time they need to make it. If you go during a busy day I suggest you have some extra time on your hands. But the wait is truly worth it. Try the town lemonade, very good.

    (4)

  • Sharon H.

    This was my third visit of the year, and this time I'm happy to say parking was a breeze. Note: park in the lot on 9th Avenue behind the restaurant; there's a row of open stalls if you go early enough. Now for the food! Lovely bread and olives with butter to start (complimentary). My dinner mates and I are watching our girlish figures so we just ordered salad ... and fries. The fries came out piping hot, crispy and flavored with snipped herbs and an aioli dipping sauce. Be sure to order extra sauce because it goes fast. The arugula salad was lightly dressed and tossed with melt-in-your-mouth chunks of kabocha, slivers of pickled onions and shaved parmesan. Delicious! But, portion could have been larger. One dinner mate polished off the Ma'o salad greens quickly and was hungry enough to order an eggplant caponata with mozzarella. Nice, but not impressive. Suggest you go online the day of your visit to check out the menu in advance since it can change. From my previous visit, I was hoping to order the gnocchi with kabocha and brown butter sage sauce, but it was wasn't offered. Instead, the gnocchi came with cauliflower, not quite what I had hoped. In the end, we were too full to order an entree, but we definitely want to return!

    (4)

  • Chelsea M.

    Always great food and awesome service. I love the ever-changing menu and selection of local organic ingredients. Definitely a favorite of mine.

    (5)

  • Britney L.

    Amazing local food, great atmosphere and service. Even had a cool art show going on. I hear the menu rotates which means you can keep going back if you love it, and not have the same thing twice! I would recommend a reservation if possible, seemed like the place to be!

    (5)

  • Tred E.

    I'll never return. After being told in advance that customers could bring their own beer, my two friends were enjoying a Bud as we settled in to order. The waiter said you could not bring in beer. My friends explained when calling, they were told otherwise. Waiter goes to ask a manager. The kitchen manager appears, in his grubby t-shirt and baseball cap. No beer he says. The situation is explained again. Kitchen manager asks who did you talk to? He/ she will be disciplined. So what should we do with the beers? Me- why don't you bring them a beer on the house to make it right? Kitchen Manager- why should I give them a free beer? I'll bring them glasses and they can finish their beers. But I'm not doing it willingly. We're out of there and never going back. Who needs attitude like the kitchen manager when we're trying to order and enjoy lunch. One star because I have to in order to get out of this post. But that's too generous.

    (1)

  • Yosapon T.

    AWESOME SERVICEEEEE & FOOD ! My highlight about this place is the service i always determine the service by how fast they refill my water and how many time they refilled it. Sorry i am a heavy water drinker.... but i was super amazed because when we first sat and talked they kept-ed refilling my water constantly as if they had no one else to serve but our server where managing a lot of tables ~ After dinner 1 hour later as a consequence of drinking almost 10 glass of water i went to the bathroom almost 5 times !! HAHAHAAHHAA Anyway the food was super good everything is fresh and all the food are local grown produce which is great for the economy of Hawaii. : ) My highlight were actually the complimentary starter hHAHAHAHHA i like their bread it was so fresh with olives and dipped with butter and olive oil omg i want one now... Most of the food are coated with olive oil so it got a bit oily at the end but all their food were packed with flavor which is so AMAAAAZZING ! So if you want to eat this place just ask the waiter for waitress what is good because there menu is confusing and changes everyday Oh and reserve if possible !!!

    (5)

  • katherine s.

    We love dining at Town. It is a great, easy dinner. The food is consistency good and service is friendly. Last weekend their bar was super busy so they brought a free glass of prosecco to tide us over until our drinks arrived!

    (4)

  • Katie S.

    Seems to be a popular place in Honolulu. It had a nice local feel in regards to its decor and menu. The food was good - not necessarily amazing. It also was a bit pricey - but that may be because it's all local and in Hawaii.

    (3)

  • Alanna M.

    What can I say.... Yum! Spot in with flavors and fresh ingredients. From why I hear the menu changes daily. So good!

    (5)

  • Kat R.

    Great ambience and overall vibe. Menu looked fresh and seasonal and felt like it was reasonably priced. Brought out great bread and butter with some olives and took our order quickly. Took over an hour for our food to come out which was unfortunate but handled well. They brought out some soup shooters and more bread and were apologetic. Then the manager came over and took half off our bill which was very apologetic. We got there and 7 and didn't leave until 9 so the discount and way it was handled was appreciated. Food was a bit disappointing - everything was very oily and gnocchi was a tad undercooked.

    (3)

  • Fran C.

    We're not from Honolulu but a friend recommended to go to Town for dinner. I went there with my significant other because it was his birthday and our anniversary. For drinks we had Pimm's cup and an IPA. For food, they started us off with some fresh homemade bread with olive oil, olives and butter for dipping. We had the red oak salad with mango and avocados, for appetizer--the makaba lamb mortadella with homemade ricotta, pickled green mango with some flatbread for appetizer and the main course was monchong (local white fish), local veggies, limu (seaweed) and meyer lemon. Our dessert was "milk and honey" pannacotta from Manoa. Town is a farm to table restaurant and it is amazing. I will definitely go back because I heard they menu changes daily. Special features: fit for foodies,neighborhood gem,notable wine list,hot spot,special occasion

    (5)

  • Cindy L.

    Just went to Town last night for Restaurant Week with my girlfriends. Their special was an excellent deal, $20.10 for a 3-course meal (choice of salad, pasta and dessert from their regular menu). You would think that they will give you smaller portions, right? Guess again. They gave the full portion. Here's what we tried: Town Lemonade - Lemonade with a splash of parsley juice. Very refreshing. House Fries - Freshly cut potato fries mixed with deep fried mints, parsley and etc. We tried all three of the house salads of the night. Although I was a bit disappointed with the flat iron steak on the salad. It was too dry and the meat was bland. Risotto with smoked ham - The taste was good, however, the texture was too much like congee. I like to see individual grains in my risotto. Fresh Cut Pasta with Beef - The pasta was very good, however, the beef sauce was a bit over powering. Penne pasta with pesto sauce, potato and beans - Taste just like how it sounds. For desserts, we had the banana bread, chocolate pretzel and yogurt. The banana bread was excellent, it was caramelized and grilled on both side. Service was excellent, our waitress was very friendly and checks on us once in a while even though the restaurant was packed last night. All in all, it was a good deal since it would have cost over $40 per person if we were to pay regular price.

    (3)

  • Bill T.

    This is my favorite lunch restaurant. Outside of Waikiki and downtown, so you don't have to deal with the crowds. But it does get crowded here so make a reservation. Food is excellent. Order the risotto or the fresh fish. You won't be disappointed. Service is casual and friendly. Smiles are natural and they genuinely care about your experience. We bring the littles here for early dinner sometimes. Stainless steel tables and concrete floors reduce the stress of the inevitable spills. No kids menu, but they're pretty quick to suggest some kid friendly items. Parking can be tricky in Kaimuki. There's a small lot behind the restaurant, but if you see a metered stall on the street - grab it!

    (5)

  • David M.

    I had a reservation for 7:15 pm and came perfectly on time. Unfortunately, the group that occupied our table lounged around after their meal. I asked the hostess how long a wait and couldn't get a firm answer. So while waiting outside for our table in the windy evening, I spied Cafe Miro right across the street. I walked over and they took us in at that instant. Best dinner I have ever had in Honolulu........at Cafe Miro!! Sorry Town, your loss is Miro's gain! I am definately coming back to Cafe MIro!

    (1)

  • Dom R.

    I recently had dinner here with a friend on a Wednesday night... I had to use the wash closet when we first got there, and I was pointed in the direction of a suspect looking door in the back corner. I then traversed a most convoluted path back to the bathroom. The hall was kind of dingy, but the bathroom was clean. The only issue I had was getting back. While there are many signs pointing you towards the restrooms, there are none pointing back to the restaurant. I also had trouble recognizing the door I had exited the restaurant from, until I noticed scrawled on a metal mail slot in sharpie, "THIS IS TOWN." Classy. Enough about the toilets, the atmosphere of the restaurant was quite excellent, a fresh hip feel not too unfamiliar from what you might find in San Francisco or Manhattan. It was not too loud, but not too quiet. I felt at ease. The menu, which I was told, is constantly changing... From the website, "Dinner menu changes daily based availability of local ingredients. Menu below is for example only." I really like that. There were many options and several odd pairings that perked my interest. We started with the Ahi Tartare and a bowl of soup du jour, a blend of squash and curry. I was not too impressed with the soup until they brought out the foccacia bread, it was then made amazing. They must make their bread on site. The Ahi Tartare was incredible. The entrees were excellent. I ordered a striploin with fries and some very fresh greens. The greens were absolutely delicious, and the steak was cooked to perfection. I am not really sure why they dropped the ball on the fries. Some were burnt, some were uncooked, and some were just right... I enjoyed about a third of them with my steak. My friend had the hand-cut pasta. It looked pretty amazing. I cannot speak as to how it tasted, but its smell and appearance appealed to the italian inside of me. I wish I would have gotten the pasta. I wholly recommend Town for your next culinary expedition.

    (4)

  • Kari N.

    I eat here often. Great spot for a breakfast meeting when you want a place away from downtown or Waikiki. The food is always great and offers items you recognize and a few you don't to expand your dining selection acumen. Service is excellent. Give it a try!

    (5)

  • Teri K.

    Whether you're just going for a quick drink or a celebratory dinner party, you won't be disappointed. Ed Kenney and his crew create amazing food & serve it in a lovely, casual, friendly setting.

    (5)

  • Angel L.

    Our first time here eating dinner for my bf birthday dinner with his dad, I should say they have a nice ambiance reminds me of San Francisco kind of look and the food is not that bad but I had my expectation really low! Of course, we brought several bottle of champagne & wines to drink with our food too bad they charge for corkage pretty expensive but it'll be nice with free corkage! We would definitely come back again!

    (3)

  • Yuko A.

    I came to have lunch with a friend for Restaurant Week because of their killer deal. $20 for salad, pasta, and dessert? Can't beat that! It was pretty busy for a weekday lunch so I guess everyone was thinking the same thing. I ordered the salad with manchego, pancetta, and walnuts. Nothing special, a little bit oily on the dressing. I got the pesto linguine for my pasta and it was SO OILY! I grew up eating my parents homemade pesto they made from the garden so maybe I'm spoiled but this was too oily. The pasta was cooked right but the sauce was a little too much, I don't think I would get it again. My friend's tomato pasta was better and not even half as oily as mine. The best part about the meal was my mango sorbet. It hit the spot. It was incredibly refreshing and smooth, no chunky hardened bits. Not only was the food only okay but the service was very disappointing. Our waitress didn't smile throughout the meal and didn't seem interested in serving us at all. Yes she did what she was supposed to but she had no emotions doing it. At one point, even though we were clearly done with our dishes she walked around, setting up tables. It was a little irritating because she knew the people at the table next to us and was so friendly and happy, She plopped our check down while we were eating dessert, even though it wasn't even busy by that time. YELP 365: 023/365

    (3)

  • Kana T.

    I LOVE this restaurant. Been here several times now, and it never disappoints. I had their sirloin steak last night, and it was cooked perfectly. Came with french fries and arugula, which was great also. Free parking in the back of the restaurant, and I believe they are pet friendly if you sit outside because I saw Scott Caan eating here one time with his dog. Their butter that they serve with their complimentary bread and olives is probably the best butter I've ever had. I wish they always had their burger on the menu. I could eat that every day...

    (5)

  • Gspot H.

    great lunches. The Food is great. Always has soup. Apparently the Drinks are great, however I don't drink at meals. new Outdoor seating area. Parking in Back. I used to love their appetizer of grilled baby corn, but they don't seem to have it anymore.

    (4)

  • Sarah G.

    My husband and I went to town our first night on Oahu. I had read good things about it and my friend recommended it as well. What a great place! The dining area is the perfect size- it's intimate but casual with great music in the background. Food: We started with the farro and mozzarella appetizer- my husband wasn't wowed by flavors but I liked the subtlety of it and how "clean" it was. We also shared the black mussels-- hmmm, the broth was delicious! More bread for mopping up the broth please! For entrees, he had the grilled monchong and I had the glorious gnocchi. I have never had such light and fluffy gnocchi before. They are pillows of happiness in a bowl! My husband also LOVED his dish. We are both singing praises 3 days later. The service was also top notch! I would highly recommend this place.

    (5)

  • Esther F.

    Me: Would you like to go to town or downtown to eat for our meeting? Person (M): Sure, Let's go to TOWN. (.... what?) I learned of this place just a few days ago and was told to reserve a table, and so I did, through Yelp/OpenTable! I came on Friday, 3/2/2012 at noon. My friend and I had a meeting here with M, and it wasn't something I expected. Since it was a business meeting, we dressed in our business attire, and my friend was getting whistled at by cars on the side. As we walked in, most people were dressed casual, but well, we got to look good for a meeting, so, we thought we were fancy. Outside of Town, it didn't look much, but when you walk in, it looks much nicer and it feels like home in a way. The music they play isn't too distracting either. Bad thing is, when this place gets full, it'll be a little bit too loud, so it's kind of hard to hear when speaking with others. Anyway, we were greeted by a waitress and we told her we had a reservation for 3, and to my surprise, M was there and we quickly sat because not many people were in Town at the time. The waitress was nice, but we kept telling her to wait because we haven't looked at the menu yet since we went straight to business.. Whoops. But.. we finally ordered at around 1 PM. The menu's interesting and simple. Though, I got confused about what things were on the menu because sometimes it doesn't say pasta, salad, etc. unless you assume it is, or just ask. I didn't know what to order because I was confused with the menu, and so I asked the waitress what would she recommend. She says the hand-cut pasta, with broccoli, mushrooms, chili, and bread crumbs ($14) was a favorite. She told us that they're running out of hand-cut pasta, so they'll give me a different pasta. While waiting, which is probably about 10-15 minutes (time went by because we were too busy dealing with business), I noticed some food were still left on the table in the restaurant. It's been sitting there for a good... hour. I assume the waitress didn't realize someone was gone? Oh, there were only 2-3 waitresses. So service can be pretty bad. -1 So, when our food came, it looked delicious, and I was pretty hungry too. Upsetting thing... They ran out of hand-cut pasta, and instead, gave me linguini pasta. I took a bite out of it, and I don't know if it was just me (with my unprofessional taste buds for pasta), but it didn't taste very much. What I really tasted was the mushroom and broccoli. Otherwise, it was very light tasting, and I felt like I had more oil in me than I would like. Or it would probably be the linguini pasta. Overall, it was decent, and for the price... (since it's also organic) I would say it's okay, but it's not something I would come to pay for. Next time, I would want to try the salad if I were to come back, that looked delicious. For now, it'll be three stars.

    (3)

  • Rod U.

    Excellent attempt at a true farm to table restaurant. Consistency is a problem. The menu at Town reads well; loaded with farm fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Flavor combinations are inventive and taste good when the dish is properly seasoned and prepared. As mentioned consistency is a major problem. On one visit, the gnocchi with sage brown butter was perfect. Soft pillows dressed simply. On another visit, the gnocchi was so overcooked, pasty and rubbery. There are also problems with the consistency of cooking proteins. Dry chicken, blue steak (it was still moo-ing), overdone steak (not quite beef jerky but close). Stick to the vegetarian options where the least amount of cooking is required and you won't go wrong. Service is good especially in their handling of problems caused by the kitchen. The wine list is exceptional and very well chosen for a small restaurant. Prices are fair. Not perfect but overall, not bad. Recommended.

    (3)

  • Kat L.

    I work nights so unfortunately I don't get to partake in their amazing dinner menu often. But I come to town for the BREAKFAST!! I love two things about breakfast at TOWN: Firstly, the food is amazing, of course, after all this is TOWN we're talking about. They never cease to impress. My personal addictions, the BREAKFAST BURRITO, chorizo, eggs, and roasted potatoes with an amazing salsa fresca. And I dream about their FRIED RICE. A big delicious bowl topped with eggs how you like em. So comforting and satisfying, but somehow manages to not make you feel horrible after! Local style comfort food at its without the side effects! Secondly, I love the atmosphere and setup. You go up to the counter and order, get a number and sit anywhere. It's SELF SERVE coffee and water. (Unless you're doing something fancy like a cappuccino or cocktail. Yes they have booze.) There's no table service. You're just left alone to enjoy your breakfast. It's the perfect place if you have some work to get done. I've taken a laptop here and studied for hours. FREE WIFI. Or if you're having breakfast with that friend you haven't seen in months and know you're gonna need at least two hours to catch up, it's great to know you're not taking up a table in someones section. Or ruining it for the people lined up out the door ala Cafe Kaila (I love you too! Absolutely worth the wait) No one bothers you. Even when lunch starts up at 11. There's usually a few empty table anyway. And I have to say even though it's self service, the staff is friendly and awesome. Ally can put on smile on my face on even the worst of mornings! Love you TOWN. Keep it up.

    (5)

  • Shay F.

    I had dinner here the other day, and it was GOOD! I had the ahi tartare, bruchetta, and gnocchi, and they were all soooo delicious. I even had the crepe cake. But that was only ok. I think I've been spoiled eating those crepe cakes in Japan.

    (4)

  • Janet K.

    I think I found another favorite spot, but the menu changes daily so what you may have liked this time may not be around the next time. Appetizer - Ahi tartare on risotto cake. Doesn't look like much but the flavors and textures go well together. Salad - Ka'a'awa avocado salad w/ pecans, radish and onions in a buttermilk dressing. Creamy, but not too heavy left me excited and wanting more. Entree - Opah in a Meyer lemon-caper berry butter w/ local veggies. I was imagining that this may be kind of heavy because of the lemon butter, but it was surprisingly light. There was a medley of local and organic vegetables (no carbs) accompanying the perfectly cooked fish. You can totally tell the vegetables are locally grown. It has this sweetness and fresh crisp taste that can't be duplicated by store bought produce. Boyfriend's entree - Kulana Striploin w/ Roquefort butter crust, french fries and arugula salad. He describes it as, "Succulent and moist. It was very good for a non-steakhouse." I tried the fries and it was nice and crisp without the oiliness. Dessert - Crepe Cake. I was so full at the end of dinner but we couldn't leave without trying the crepe cake. I mean C'MON! We polished it off with no problem. It was layers of crepe with a light whip in the layers. It wasn't too sweet and it was the perfect ending to a great meal. The service was impeccable and the ambiance is perrrfect! Why did I dock a star? Parking situation sucks, menu wasn't too large and since I only eat seafood, I was verrrry limited. Like I said earlier, menu changes daily. That can be a good thing and a bad thing. It can be like a surprise every time you go, but you can't have a favorite item to look forward to either. So as the Terminator would say... I'll be back!

    (4)

  • Kimee B.

    I know I'm late to the party, but BETTER LATE THAN NEVER! Since temporarily moving to Kaimuki last month I have bee here several times and absolutely DIG it. The first for an early business meeting where I was treated to a yummy selection of scones, bottomless coffee, french toast bread pudding and creamy polenta with mac nuts and a perfectly cooked runny egg on top. YUM! I mean...YUM! I then decided to bring my Yelp addicted father (Roy) because he loves to try out new places and....well, yelp about them. I ordered the polenta again (because I couldn't stop dreaming about it) that I shared with my Mom and my Pops ordered a sandwich and a bloody mary with extra olives. The Bloody Mary came with a nice, crisp piece of bacon on top of it. I know bacon is totally overplayed right now, but I wasn't mad at this addition. It was pretty awesome. My third trip there was for my boyfriend's birthday. I ordered the risotto which was good...but the server suggested the special fish of the day and it was OFF THE CHAIN! You gotta love a good suggestion. The BF loved it and so did I! For the price it was beautifully presented and prepared. It came with lovely pickled veggies and a pickled watermelon. WATERMELON! The decor is simple and clean and the service is on point. I always take a snapshot of my dishes and make sure to mention @edstown (the owner) on twitter and instagram. He is always happy to hear from his customers. I plan to try everything on this menu because it all sounds DELICIOUS and I have had nothing but amazing experiences so far. I am proud to admit that I AM A TOWNIE!!!

    (5)

  • Jean P.

    I eat breakfast here every month with my friends. I love the granola bowl (it's a must for me) although the frittata is pretty legit. Loss of 1 star for lack of options in the breakfast menu but I understand why. Every time I go here it's packed (for good reason). The coffee and cappuccino is delicious as well. I have yet to eat anything here that I wasn't completely happy with afterward. Just sayin'

    (4)

  • Quyen N.

    Motto is "Local first, organic whenever possible, with Aloha always" That I like. The menu changes based on what fresh local ingredients are available. This restaurant is very vegan-friendly. The night I went, the server pointed out a bunch of salads and an entree that can be made vegan. He also mentioned the chef typically cooks up a vegan-friendly platter of available vegetables. Instead of the veg platter, I opted for the baby arugula, beets, fennel, orangel chickpeas; eggplant caponata. Super delicious! The sorbet was tempting, but I abstained.

    (4)

  • Carolyn S.

    Parking-- difficult, but I suppose almost everywhere in that area is. Food-- I went during lunch, and it was good, but in my opinion way overpriced. I had a beer, and although they have good selection, still way overpriced. I went with coworkers for lunch and I ordered whatever the vegetarian sandwich/burger option was. Everything tasted fine, but I don't know that I would go back very often at that price; probably I would only go back at the suggestion of my coworkers. I know it is organic or farm to table or whatever, which is fine and explains the high prices, but not really a huge priority for me. Service was a little slow but that could also be because we were one of two large parties eating there.

    (3)

  • Doris D.

    I still say it's a decent option for new American but I wouldn't go out of my way for another reservation. I went again and got the slow roasted pork shoulder, polenta, bitter greens ($24.50). The pork was a little chewy and the "roasted" flavor didn't really kick in; at different points I got a toothful of cracked pepper which was definitely not pleasant. It had the right amount of salt, though. The bitter greens were good, sauteed with pine nuts and some sort of raisin. The polenta was good. My husband got the kulana striploin, roquefort butter, french fries, arugula ($26). The striploin was just alright, nothing to write home about. The service remains a problem. We got tables outside for 8 people (tip: do not sit outside on a windy night, it was so cold and another table's wine glass flew at us and shattered, luckily, when it hit our table's leg). We must have waited like 40-45 minutes for our entrees. We got 1 bread refill after someone asked and we had to fetch our waiter from inside every time we needed service, i.e., take our orders or the check or water refills. Also, my food got cold like 1 minute after service so next time I'd opt to sit inside!

    (3)

  • John W.

    Located on waialae its convenient and thankfully outside of waikiki. Parking can be tricky usually you'll need to find something on the street. The restaurant has a modern cozy feel. The down side to that is tables are very close and pray you're not seated at the table at the back next to the door that leads to the hall that leads to the restrooms. The food is good and fresh. We enjoyed the gnocchi and the mahimahi. The taste was clean. The mahimahi was very simply prepared with vegetables, nothing groundbreaking but good. The gnocchi was very well done. Price is reasonable to a tad high. Nice options for wine and drinks. Service was slow to adequete. Definately not the friendliest of staff but not terrible. We walked in on a friday and waited forty minutes for a table. Unfortunately we had to wait outside would be nice to have more bar space to wait at. Overall worth a try

    (3)

  • K-bis M.

    This place is one of my favorites. Great place for a date, or a nice meal in a comfortable ambience. If you want to sit inside, you should MAKE A RESERVATION. It gets busy particularly in the weekends. The fresh food is so much better than reheated crap you find at most places. fyi, for dessert the pennacota is amazing!! and The drinks and strong and tasty. Boom!

    (4)

  • Alan M.

    So I'll start my review with my final verdict: I LOVE Town!!! It's a quintessential local restaurant; the ambience, location and food creates an inviting experience highlighting Hawaiian hospitality with locally grown organic ingredients and innovative combinations that can only be conceived here on this heavenly island of dreams. Located on the corner of of a mixed-use, res/comm neighborhood, Town is housed in charm and quaintness of a modern island cottage; adorned in holiday festivity, the truth warmth of this dining venue shone brightly through its large windows with the liveliness of happy diners being entertained and I was psyched! Inside was definitely indicative of the exterior and more; a modern take on interiors that managed to retain a warm cosy feeling (albeit a little loud- hard finishes has its drawback, designers...). Having done some reconnaissance about Town, I quickly learned of Chef/Owner Ed Kenney, who's mantra: 'local first, whenever possible with aloha always' clearly indicated by the care and deliciousness of the dishes coming out of his kitchen, enlightened me to the endless possibility of high quality Hawaiian cuisine. And judging by the holiday party that we were privy to that night, he clearly had a close relationship with the local growers and farms; he's in fact, on the board of directors for MA'O Organic Farms, which the entire company seemed to congregate en masse in full holiday cheer. As you peruse through the menu, the explanations are deceptively simple; the description looks like any other menu in any restaurant in any city. And although it's seem to be a problem of luxury, it does set my mind spinning. But the knowledge of their care in local organics, this island can boast some of the best fruits and vegetables I've ever had-so that narrowed down the choices. We started with The Grilled Flatbread + Yakon, (root vegetable resembling Yams) + Radishes + Gorgonzola Dolce Latte + Parsley. Not knowing exactly what to expect, I was ostensibly surprised when the dish arrived to the table; large, thinly sliced Yakon with colorful discs of radishes covered the glistening, crusty flatbread. But what a great dish - the crispy vegetables contrasted the sharp Gorgonzola bite and the creamy Olive oil with soft yet crunchy, chewy carbs. I LOVE THIS TO DEATH! Definitely would come back to Town just to eat this again.. Accompanied with the Flatbread, we ordered a Salad chock full of local organics: Arugula + Beets + Fennel, Orange + Toasted Chickpeas + Mint + Riccotta Salata. If only I grew up with this leafy abundance, I would have been an herbivore...not really but you get the sentiment. Apart from my obsession with Arugula and Beets, What really impressed me was the Fennel and Oranges which set this Salad apart from the rest. Another great touch, the Chickpeas were toasted to a nutty crunch which balanced the Ricotta. I rarely rave, even mention Salads, but this one is for the books. Now for the absolute highlight of the evening, maybe even the entire trip - we ordered the Gnocchi + Imu Pork + Napa Cabbage + Scallions. Given that there's only a number of dishes served each night, it made it all the more exclusive to order (sucker). But what I didn't expect was it to be so friggin good! Soft and pillowy like mochi, it was the best gnocchi I've had in a very very long time (the last was at Bouchon). The difference with Town's version was the Imu Pork and Napa Cabbage had a distinct Asian flair in it's ingredients, while preserving it European origins of simplicity. Another reason to-come-back kinda dish!! As for the Main Dish, we ordered the Shinsato Pork Belly + Polenta + Bitter Greens + Salsa Verde. I really enjoyed the uniqueness of how the Pork Belly was prepared, pan fried like a really decadent, thick cuts of Bacon, I relished this oldie but goodie cut of Pig Poultry in an entirely new way! And the Salsa Verde really made it stand out, I even ate the fatty parts (normally I have precision of Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon with OCD as I release the little bit of meat that's left after I've banished the cholesterol laden, but sweet heavenly god oh-so-good blubber). Seriously, as nights go, Town could do no wrong! I think I'm in love..with their food...marry me... As the evening drew slowly to a close, I couldn't have asked for the dessert to be as lovely as the rest of the meal, so with relative ease we chose: "Milk + Honey" Buttermilk Panna Cotta + Nalo Meli Honey + Starfruit. Nom Nom! Best Panna Cotta ever, with awesome local sourced Honey that put it over the top! If you haven't figured it out by now, I am so impressed with Town, it's a definite must go to place in Honolulu, and the next time, I promise to get there for Brunch so I can stay and eat ther the enitre day until dinner! Ratings (Out of Five Stars) Food: 5 Ambience: 5 Service: 5 Perfect Score!!!

    (5)

  • Ang F.

    You'll have to make a trek out of the touristy parts to enjoy this restaurant, but it was certainly worth it. If you're looking for a change from all the usual food court/ truck stuff, then this is the spot for you. Don't get me wrong, I can get down with a plate lunch. But after eating that for nearly a week straight, let's just say you start looking for something a little bit different ... and with less mayonaise! Town is one of those seasonal/ farm to table restaurants, so the menu changes daily. But here's what we ate: Ahi tartare on risotto cakes, mixed green salad with mango, avocado and green goddess dressing, lamb patty with vegetables (appetizer), handmade gnocchi with sugo, hand-cut pasta with vegetables and ricotta, panna cotta, and vanilla + espresso ice cream. This place has great ambiance too - very relaxed but still attentive to service and the food.

    (4)

  • Larry G.

    Wife and I have driven by Town a few times and with my mom in town visiting, it provided us a great excuse to finally eat there. Made reservations (I would say a must on Friday/Saturday nights) and didn't have to wait to be seated. Only about 10-12 tables with a small bar and can be somewhat loud but not unbearable and enough room between tables so that you could have a conversation without your neighbors overhearing everything! Started with cocktails, two of the specialty cocktails off the list (although they can basically get you anything). Drinks were tasty but as they were served in champagne glasses, was a little put off by the $10 price tag.... They have an extensive wine menu, something you don't always find in a restaurant of this size. Menu is constantly rotating so can only speak of what we had this night but there were several entrees that we wanted to try so making a decision was difficult!! We started with the gnocchi which was mixed with grilled turnips which were really incredible tasting. The gnocchi is normally an entree but we split it and was more than enough for two... For the entrees, my wife and the double porkchop (pork was from a local farm and humongous!) which was perfectly cooked and sooo tender. The accompanying polenta and sauteed vegetables were great as well and just enough so that the huge porkchop didn't overpower the plate. I had the opah with root vegetables and all were cooked to perfection; fish was firm yet juicy and flavorful and the vegetables still had a bit of crunch which is exactly how I like them. The vegetables were accompanied with a light citrus sauce that was excellent as well. Having stuffed ourselves, we begged off on dessert but will be back to try at another time. As for service; couldn't have had had a better server than Antonio; well versed in the menu and cocktails, around when we needed him and then gone. Ask for him when you go... All in all a great meal in a great atmosphere; the wind was blowing too hard to sit outside but would make a great place for cocktails and appetizers once the trade winds calm down!!

    (4)

  • Jessica S.

    I was really looking forward to this place but ended up really disappointed. The fries and burger looked really good in the yelp pics but the fries were so overdone and so crispy you couldn't even taste potato. The burger also had a weird fishy taste to it. We also had the chicken and polenta and the penne with pancetta which was average at best. Overall it was super overpriced for not good food. I wouldn't recommend it because there are much better places in the area.

    (2)

  • M H.

    The menu reminds me of one of our favorites A16 in the Bay Area. In how they describe their food present options and craft the menu. Unfortunately we did not feel that the service, preparation, or ingredients were on par with our favorite and hopes for Town. We waited a long time to be served and then our food was not as warm or inspired as I would have liked. Then we waited for a while for the plates to be cleared and were presented with our check...we would have had dessert and after dinner drinks, but we're not afforded the opportunity or thanked or acknowledged as we departed. The restaurant does seem popular. It was full and people were waiting.

    (2)

  • Sheila K.

    I came here to try their handcut pastas for lunch, but unfortunately it was not on the menu that day, so instead I ordered one of their penne pastas with tomato sauce... The sauce had a nice flavor, but I must say that after living on the stuff in college, I know when penne tastes like SAFEWAY BRAND pasta, and I'm not generalizing at all here, I really do mean THE Safeway brand. And of course Safeway brand pasta is decent, but that's not what I'm paying a premium price for. Dessert fared better: I ordered their delicious buttermilk pannacotta, lightly drizzled in honey. Exquisite, velvety, and oh so fresh-tasting! I would give more stars on this dish alone, but alas I feel I must rate my entire experience. The service leaves much to be desired. The servers are friendly and warm, but couldn't cover the fact that we spent a lot of time waiting. Waiting for our drinks. Then waiting for the missing drink to arrive. Waiting for the entrees. Waiting for the dessert menu. Waiting for the bill. Waiting, waiting, waiting. All in all, I think this place has potential, I like the fact that they go organic. Maybe I'll be back when, and if, it improves.

    (2)

  • Edward L.

    So let's start by Saying that I love the food at Town!!!! I have been here over 20 times in the last few years and the food is always on point. The service is really hit or miss. I have gone and had excellent service and also had some of the worst service of my life; like not being able to get a server for 20 minutes and needing something. I still continue to go back for the excellent food and just endure the service roulette. I am not going to say anything about the food , because every time I go they impress me with some new innovative farm fresh meal. Town is a restaurant where you can try something new and have a new favorite. The last time I went Nanako made me try a vegetable sandwich at lunch( I hate vegetables 100% Beef guy) trying to be a good partner ; I said sure honey get the vegetable sandwich..UGGG. We got the sandwich and it was the Best sandwich I have ever had. Now I crave that sandwich instead of burgers? Unbelievable!!!! The food at Town is off the Hook... 5 Stars The service at town unpredictable... 2 stars at Lunch and 3 stars at Dinner. The service can be 5 stars if you hit the Jackpot...LOL Overall its worth going to one of the only restaurants in Hawaii that great innovative and Farm to table menu with homemade pasta (it's the Bomb).

    (4)

  • Travis T.

    Sad to say, no more Wine Down @ Town in 2012 :( RIP best deal in town I just wanna chime in here to say this is one of my top ranking restaurants. I love the apps here, especially the ahi tartare on risotto cakes, mussels, and the ever-changing flavors and ingredients in the gnocchi and risotto. The entrees aren't super strong compared to the apps but since they are always changing you know the tastes are fresh and local. I love that they take pride in their ingredients and do their best to use local products as much as possible. They do their best to be green and support sustainability. This place definitely has it's own style and soul and that shows through in their food, drink, and service.

    (5)

  • Pootunui W.

    Love the diversity of Town's every changing menu. Also love that they feature local farms and foods that you don't necessarily see on most menus in Hawaii such as Hawaiian pa'i'ai etc. Am looking forward to trying their breakfast soon.

    (4)

  • Jenn T.

    I love this little, cozy restaurant. It sorta reminds me of a nice vineyard type of eating...except its right on waialae in a busy city lol! I haven't been here in awhile, and I came recently for my birthday. It was nice to see a change in the menu, though I'm pretty sure they change up their dishes very frequently! We ordered the mussels, which were SUPER delicious. I love that it comes with a creamy, buttery sauce that you can dip the toasted bread in and eat the mussels with! We also ordered the ahi tartare, which is fresh and tasty as well. The bruschetta is also another great appetizer to get!! As for entrees, I tried the homemade pasta with fennel, tomatoes and herbs. It was very very good, the pasta was fresh and I had a light flavor to it! I also tried some of the risotto and uku (fish). The fish was cooked perfectly, moist and delicious. I would definitely get that next time! As for dessert, we got a couple scoops of the gelato--chocolate hazelnut and vanilla. The chocolate flavor tasted exactly like nutella! but I loved the light and creamy vanilla much better. We brought our own wine because I definitely remembered that this place used to be BYOB...but now they have a whole extensive wine list!! That's a super awesome upgrade for me!

    (4)

  • Maximilian H.

    My cousin, god bless his soul, suggested that our whole family should go to Towne. Our reservation was for 7pm on a Friday night. We arrived on time and discovered the place was crowded and that there was no one at front to seat us or even confirm we had a reservation. I walked through the restaurant and after a few minutes I found a waitress who was willing to help. She told us our table just needed to be set and that it would be just a few minutes. Twenty minutes passed before we were finally sat down. I couldn't tell what the hell was on the menue. None of us could. There'd be a word we understand like egg plant but it would be surrounded by words in some devilish language I have never heard before. We ordered our food and sat back awaiting what we assumed would be a delicious meal. It took nearly two hours to get our food. I understand the place is busy but our food arrived after 9pm. As always I got antsy after sitting still for over an hour and had to walk outside for a few minutes to regain my composure. Our waitress was okay but certainly did not think anything was unusual with our wait time. From talking with a few other people it appears Towne is the kind of place where you expect to wait. The food was okay. I got the entre steak and it was edible but nothing special. Not any better than Red Robins or any other place significantly cheaper. After dinner we got our bill and found that we were overcharged for several drinks. Our waitress saw the error when we pointed it out and there we waited again as she figured it out. We left at 9:40pm. This place may be for some, but not for me. Bring a board game if you plan on eating here to help pass the time because your dinner's two hours away.

    (2)

  • Jay B.

    BEST PORK CHOP: Why is this pork chop so incredibly bomb?!! I am in love. & awesome how they serve with fresh local green beans, tomatoes, & herbs. Droooooool. When I'm away from the islands, I dream of Town's pork chop. SALMON RISOTTO: This was good, but just ok. (See pork chop above). VEGETABLES: This place knows how to cook vegetables! I love how everything's locally sourced, & none of the entrees come with starches--it's all protein & veggies, which shows this chef knows about trophology/digestion/food combining rules. Starches are available on the side order menu. SERVICE: Jordan is the bomb!

    (5)

  • Coreen L.

    Worms, pebbles & dirt...oh my! So sad to post only 2 stars to one of my favorite places! But today's experience was unfortunate. The ONLY saving grace, was that we had a very sweet waitress today - she is the reason I'm willing to give Town another chance down the road. Yes, unfortunately there was a LIVE worm in my burger today...still wiggling! At first, I thought I was hallucinating and just couldn't believe it! Our waitress, who had been attentive and otherwise awesome, was extremely apologetic, almost embarrassed on behalf of the restaurant. She was quick to redo my order, make sure I was okay (which I was) and very attentive throughout the rest of our meal. However, there was another server (maybe even a manager not sure); who was so obnoxious and rude when we first sat down; and he was initially the person I flagged when I noticed the worm. He responded by taking it away without a word. A few minutes later, he had the nerve to come back to our table to "explain" that since the restaurant uses organic - especially mainland produce - that's why we had a worm. REALLY!? NO! Its because your kitchen staff didn't properly rinse the produce...THAT'S why there was a worm in my food!!!!!!! Another table, next to us also complained that there was pebbles & dirt in their food - again probably because the kitchen didn't do a good job of washing produce before serving!! Aw, come on that's just lame! Poor waitress was again embarrassed but very gracious and apologetic. Again, this is a great place with delicious food. Obviously there are some kinks to work through, especially in the kitchen.

    (2)

  • Joseph R.

    FOOD & DRINK: 5/5. Imaginative, what they did with (to?) that potato still amazes me, utterly yummy use of local ingredients. This is fusion dining with a local flair. Cocktails skew to a witty concoction short list, but there is a proper bar. The veg, the meat dishes, and the desserts here are clearly carefully crafted. SERVICE: 4/5. Sometimes (rarely) it's hard to flag down a waiter for your 2nd drink, which is probably costing them in restaurant (and tip) revenue. Food wait time is normal. Open Table reservations, or phone (meh) are definitely wise. Not being open late on weeknights, and being closed Sundays are major points docked for this type of establishment :( SETTING: 3/5. Dimly lit in the cozy way, usually thronged with people, and it has outdoor seating! Still, it's always very loud. And the little 2-person tables are a mite big, so that you're surprisingly distant (especially considering the noise). Get cozier seating arrangements, folks! Plating is well done, and portion size is moderately generous without being American Glutton. Restaurant itself is easy to spot, but a pain to park. Drop your passengers off and circle the block(s) in widening loops and hope you find a lucky street spot. Or park under the 10th St underpass and walk dinner off. Conclusions: VALUE: 5/5. Bill was about $50 for bottle of wine, two entrees. Seems appropriately priced for the great food you get. You'll have to stomach the bad parking and the noise level. FUTURE USE: So far this is my favorite place in my immediate neighborhood. Will continue to recommend to friends and bring all sorts of guests here. Starting to have mixed thoughts on using it for a cozy date night, though--unless you can get one of the fantastic outdoor spots.

    (5)

  • Chris Z.

    I have been to Town twice for lunch and once for dinner. I was leaning on three stars, but the manager and servers handling of certain issue gave them a boost. $15 corking! Service can be slow, but at dinner recently we had a great waitress who was attentive and friendly. I think town does burgers and pasta really well. Every pasta I have had has been cooked almost perfectly and has a perfect amount of sauce for each serving. The veggie panini was a disappointment. Bread with a thin slice of veggies (I think you could find a thicker smear of mustard on most burgers). The entrees I have had are good but not great. We had a mix up with the kitchen last time they were there. Entrees overcooked etc. I have to say management handled the situation quite well. Always happy to go back to Town.

    (4)

  • Tyler K.

    Town is a great restaurant. Not only is the food delicious, but their support of local agriculture makes it that much more satisfying. The menu changes depending on what they have so come back often; but the one thing you can be sure of is the ingredients will be fresh. Try the crepe cake if it's available.

    (5)

  • Sheryl G.

    what: a cute restaurant that uses local first and organic when possible : ) something good: the restaurant is really cute and the atmosphere is perfect for a night out with friends~! they just have really cool small touches throughout the restaurant, i love the logo and the fact that the coasters are menus that were cut up : ) we sat at the bar since it was so busy! the workers were really accommodating by bringing by an extra chair~ we had our entire meal and it was actually ok and not too uncomfy~! i had the handcut pasta which was good and i thought the portions were pretty good : ) !! i would like to try some of the other items on the menu~ something not so good: i'll let you know next time : ) something to try: hand cut pasta (18)

    (4)

  • Hathaway J.

    My husband and I have been going to Town for a couple of years now and have had some really great meals, but also, unfortunately, some really bad ones. About six months ago we had one of the bad meal/experiences and I wrote a negative Yelp review because I was so frustrated. I really want to love Town and dine there as much as possible and I thought they should know about my lunch experience. Town read my review and they responded. Brynn who is a manger at Town reached out to me and invited my husband and I to be her guest for our next visit to Town. She explained that they have gone through some internal changes and they wanted to make it up to us. We had the BEST meal and the BEST service and they really made an effort to show us how professional and amazing this place is. We are life long supporters of Town and anything Ed does. Thank you guys!! I would highly recommend this place to anyone interested and will take all of my out of town guests here. It is a truly special place and is run with lots of aloha. Not to mention the food is AMAZING! Go here and enjoy!

    (5)

  • Pati O.

    Good, interesting food. Service at lunch wasn't the best, but the food made up for it. I am looking forward to visiting again.

    (4)

  • Chrizzle D.

    Maybe it's just me, but I really don't care for this place. The whole reason why I went there was because I've heard a few good things about them. Just like a movie trailer that shows all the good parts, I should've guessed the same few good reviews I've heard was all that I should expect. There's nothing extremely wrong with the food, but it's completely over priced for what you're getting. Dare I say it, but I think I might've been able to make something a little better that would've cost a FRACTION of what I spent. All in all, lovely atmosphere, I do like that they "buy local" produce...but the price makes it not worth it. Side note: parking can be an issue. I think they have a small lot with 4 stalls (or something like that). However, do look around the neighborhood as there are options there.

    (2)

  • Mindy D.

    FOODIE HEAVEN. I love restaurants that make an effort to use fresh, local, organic ingredients when possible. This reminds me so much of home, San Francisco :) Because of the use of local ingredients, the menu changes constantly. I'm not sure if it changes on a daily/weekly basis, but it has not been the same the times I've been there. There are a few items that remain on the menu at all times, pan roasted chicken, risotto, pasta, etc (though their preparation may differ). One dish I definitely recommend is the mussels. HOLY MOTHER... the broth is to die for. It should be called mussel soup. It's loaded with juicy, succulent mussels and a fair amount of fennel and other herbs. Take advantage of the delicious, addictive broth and get more bread to dip with. I promise you won't regret it. Carbs what? I also enjoy the risotto with salmon, so perfectly cooked and seasoned. You do get served bread, butter, and precisely four olives to start off. As good as the bread may be, don't fill up on them because the entrees are worth waiting for... well, unless you dip the bread in the mussel broth, then that's an exception ;) There is an extensive wine list, though I can barely make out a few of them. So if you're a wine connoisseur, then you'll definitely be impressed. They are pretty booked on most nights but the outside tables are always up for grabs if you don't mind waiting. Soooo... if you're impatient like me, be sure to make reservations... and be on time.

    (5)

  • Scott M.

    best farm to table restaurant. creative dishes and great use of local grown products. plenty parking and ono grinds, we like this place alot

    (4)

  • Russel M.

    There is a freshness that makes most of Town's menu a cut above the typical Honolulu Restaurant. We really like the menu and overall vibe. With so many natural choices on the menu it's hard to decide. The hand cut fresh Pasta is a must! Fresh Veggies are prepared to enhance the overall entree they accompany.

    (4)

  • Bj S.

    Overall the atmosphere and food was great - the menu had a lot of words the common eater would not know but the great staff was very helpful in explaining what was what. I ate the mussels - they were great! i just wanted to stick a straw in the sauce and drink it down. It was amazing with the bread.....and after all the hype I've heard about this place, I'd go back again, because the menu always changes and so does the artwork. AND you can eat in slippers and tshirt! AAAAAAloha!

    (3)

  • Haein P.

    Town is definitely one of my favorite restaurants in Hawaii. I've been here on several different occasions for both lunch and dinner and have had consistently positive experiences. I especially love the fact that they're advocates of going local and keeping Hawaii sustainable through our own resources. They also go organic whenever possible. FOOD: + hand-cut pasta : this is one of my favorite items on their menu. The sauce and ingredients changed based upon availability and what's in season, but the two or three times I've tried or ordered it, I've always been satisfied. Most recently, the hand-cut pasta was served with fragrant red onions, rosemary, chili, and tomatoes in a luscious sauce. ($14) + kuahuwi grass-fed burger on potato roll : I have slightly mixed feelings about their burger because while it is tasty and juicy, I believe the wonderfully grass-fed beef isn't done justice due to a lack of proper/basic seasoning, which renders it somewhat bland. On the other hand, their fries are AMAZING and ridiculously addictive. I'm not sure as to what type of oil they use to fry their fries, but I want to know asap so I can re-create them at home! ($10?) - ma'o organic lettuce salad : while ostensibly fresh and delicious, I think this salad is rather meager especially in comparison to the price ($8). There isn't too much pancetta, but the fresh slivers of manchego are DELICIOUS, definitely my favorite part of the salad. SERVICE: - this restaurant loses a star from me because of their service. It isn't horrible, but I definitely haven't had stellar service on any given visit there. Most recently, we waited at the host stand for a good 5-10 minutes without so much as acknowledgement or greeting despite being seen and having had eye contact with several of the workers. AMBIANCE: + I love how this restaurant is so homey and quaint. It has a timelessness to it with a wonderful balance between trendy and rustic. Definitely a good place to go on a date, business meeting, get-together with friends, etc.

    (4)

  • Tim J.

    Very pleased with each meal we have had here... Nice to find this farm2table option! Will be back.

    (4)

  • D K.

    Town was once considered one of my favorite restaurants on this island aside from La Mer, Le Bistro, and 3660 On The Rise. Sadly our last three experiences have been drastically sub-par. The food has repeatedly disappointed as of late. The most recent visit resulted in the deletion of contact information on my cell phone. The chicken just hasn't been the same since their original source retired and the fries during our last dining sufferance was like a knotted ball of burnt oil, literally unpalatable. The mussels tasted old, and the server had a few too many hits from the bong.

    (1)

  • R.G. W.

    We went here for lunch. Service was horrible. We waited almost an hour for our food, and in the meantime were not treated to water service. I ordered a bacon/gorgonzola burger. The burger was charred to a crisp (I had requested medium-rare) and the fries were incredibly greasy and not well cooked. My wife ordered the vegetable long rice. It should've been called the 'shoyu long rice' because it was basically long rice noodles swimming in shoyu. Even the vegetables used were brown, I guess from wallowing in shoyu.

    (1)

  • Dan R.

    I love TOWN. Or loved TOWN. So this isn't a review that makes me happy to write. It has been one of our favorite restaurants, but it seems to be slipping. I've seen this in other recent reviews and am sad to say it's true. Tonight we had a reservation for 4 at 7:30. Showed up on time and got a table crammed against another table so closely I couldn't hear our table's conversation over theirs! I don't mind a noisy spot, but that's too close. I don't want to know those things about other people, but I can't tell them to stop talking...awkward. But the real problem was the service. It was just about as bad as it gets. We had to wait forever to order and then, our Main courses-which were mostly appetizers-took over an HOUR to come! Seriously. Our reservation was at 7:30, we did not get our Main courses until 8:55. We did have appetizers. But they were salads... The waitress made it worse because she clearly didn't care. It was hard to find her and when we mentioned how long it had been she said "oh, yeah". And then 20 more minutes goes by. Finally we got our Tuna Ahi tartar and rabbit risotto (which shouldn't take that long) and the risotto had two small pieces of rabbit, like tiny, almost fragments. And only 6 shavings of okra in it. the rest was rice. For $18, there should be Something in there. It was, frankly, pretty boring. And having waited as long as we did, a real let down. The waitress never said sorry for the long wait, never offered us more bread even. Did nothing. And then when we let her know we had to go, she still took forever to get the bill to us. We've had great interactions with their staff in the past, but those great workers seem to be mostly gone. It's time to find another favorite place.

    (2)

  • Stephanie Q.

    5 stars for the food and our server Tiffany! She's the adorable Japanese gal with short curly hair and also teaches Zumba. Tell her Stephanie from San Fran says what's up! I'm sorry but I have to take away 2 stars for the crappy attitude of the host. Don't know what his name was. We sat down for dinner at like 9pm last TUESDAY. Everyone was pretty much winding down and the restaurant was only half full. The AC was blasting (I mean literally blasting) right onto our table and I was wearing a cute dress and didn't want to cover it with a parka! I mean, it's Hawaii! Didn't think I needed to pack a scarf and wool jacket to eat dinner! I asked our sweet waitress if we could move and she went to the host and I saw his face (wasn't more than 4 ft. away) and he said no. Ummmm....why not? The restaurant is half empty! He said he turned down the AC but whatever. It's a Tuesday with no one here! I used my cloth napkin to cover up as much as possible during the dinner. haha! Get it together HOST!

    (3)

  • Mark J.

    Tried to give them my money at 3 pm and they wouldn't take it. Goofball hours. This is America, work a full day.

    (1)

  • Ashley N.

    I love this place! Open and homey atmosphere, friendly staff, healthy but YUMMY food. The menu changes often but if you just show them a picture of what you've had in the past or remember the name of it they can make something similar. Also the townie margarita is very refreshing. Just the right amount of sweet from the agave.

    (5)

  • Sarah S.

    I feel mixed about Town. Food is delicious, the decor is trendy hip and the waitstaff are hipster chic. However, our main complaint was and is the service. We went on a typically slow weeknight and the restaurant was PACKED. We were surprised how many tables (both inside and out) there were considering the size of the actual restaurant and kitchen. The floor was significantly and noticeably understaffed and our waitress was inattentive, haste and visibly annoyed with the customers which always shocks me. We made reservations and were immediately seated and quickly put our orders in. It took 15 mins (after ordering) to receive our drinks. Then- our food took an hour and 10 mins to receive which is abnormally long. We started to notice every other table receive their meals and when we politely questioned the time, we were met with a slightly aggressive response with no apology or explanation. Our food luckily quickly came out after and once we received our meal, it was the last time we had any communication with our waitress. She avoided our table and any eye contact or attempts at flagging her down to receive our check. Once she printed the check, she gave it without a pen and again, we had to wait and flag her down to receive a pen. We thought we had done something wrong because this waitress was really going out of her way to really prove she was 'over our table'. We left very dissatisfied considering the food was pretty darn good. My personal opinion is that the management needs to eliminate the outside seating options. Why? It adds several more tables to a restaurant that can't handle capacity. The wait staff seem over worked and super underwhelmed with their jobs. We left paying over $100 and couldn't believe the terrible service we experienced. Such a bummer!

    (3)

  • Chad Y.

    Town epitomizes the farm to table concept in my humble opinion and is a model example of how you can find a chef who uses their products to showcase their menu. With great food, good service, and a comfortable atmosphere, what is there not to like? I've gone on several occasions for lunch and dinner and their handmade pastas are to die for and the local ingredients they add make it even better! If you want to try a good pasta noodle, go to Town. The other menu items are good with their soups being warm and savory on a cold day, their salads being a refreshing luncheon. While their burgers and other sandwiches are a nice casual meal. The service is good with the wait staff being very attentive. They could know their menu a bit better, but considering it changes daily they do one hell of a job. The location is a casual industrial vibe and pleasant for a group outing, casual lunch, or even an intimate meal. Parking is in the rear but can fill up quick so be sure to add a few extra minutes to be sure you are on time for your reservation!

    (4)

  • Tery L.

    Farm to table food. Their fresh squeezed apple juice is very refreshing. And their fries are a must try.

    (5)

  • Alex M.

    The cocktails were really good, particularly the town cup. The carrot and kabucha soup they had that day was fantastic, rich and creamy but still remained refreshing, a great balance. The polenta is a must if on the menu. Some of the best I've ever had. Not sure if it was just the night we went (it was during cocktail week) but reservations seemed to be a must.

    (4)

  • Randi J.

    My work family had lunch at Town today. I love the ambiance here. Chic and trendy with a natural, slightly "outdoorsy" feel. And the artwork is always fun and quirky. Eating here makes me feel healthy and earth friendly because they use fresh, organic, and as much as possible, local products AND they recycle (bonus points!) BUT the prices break the bank. Well, my bank, anyway. I work at a non-profit org, people. Linguini pancetta, daikon, green onion $15.50: 2/5 stars. Pasta was a bit too oily for me and like the rating says, "Meh, I've experienced better." Kuahiwi grass-fed hamburger on potato roll w/cheese and bacon $14.50: 4/5 starts. Delicious! Maybe the "grass-fed" title is tricking my brain but this burger definitely tasted juicier and "fuller" (Don't know how to further explain. You just gotta taste it.). This order comes with a side of also very delicious fries. But you see what I mean about price?? Apple-banana creme pie $7: 3/5 stars. Good but I probably won't order it again. Order if you're in the mood for banana flavor. :) Salted chocolate-pretzel tart $7: 2/5 stars. Order this only if you're a fan of chocolate and pretzels...which I am not. Not sure what kind of chocolate they use. Tasted like an in-between milk and dark. Not too sweet, not too cacao-ish (bitter). Buttermilk pannacotta $7: 5/5 stars. Perfect balance of tart and sweet IMHO.

    (3)

  • Spidey S.

    Chef Ed Kenney has a great concept here - each day offers different items depending on availability and seasonality of ingredients. Too bad the food is so inconsistent. The ingredients they use are of excellent quality; however, consistency in good tasting products served should be a given, especially given his concept. I know it is difficult to find quality cooks/chefs in Hawai'i, but I also know it's possible. I've been told on multiple occasions that Chef Kenney does not keep his employees very happy, which is directly reflected upon the food being served. His "downTOWN" establishment in the HISAM building seems to have more consistent tasting products...although, the service at that particular establishment is severely lacking. especially the female cashier in front. however, you get slightly better service and a better menu when you "dine-in" ... which is ridiculous, b/c how many people get longer than an hour for lunch in that area? not many! advice to Chef Kenney - cater to your "take-out" crowd more so than the "dine-in" crowd. that's your real money maker. if the servers can't pitch in on the other side, they shouldn't be getting tips at all anyway. good restaurants are based on crews tht work well together. if anything, aim for a faster paced cashier in the front with someone else scooping the sides. be sure to re-train that girl in front so that she can do a better job. in any spot - it's, technically, the manager's fault for crappy service.

    (1)

  • Tellia W.

    I really like this place. Kind of a funky little cool vibe and the food is really good. I had a very good experience here and would most likely return.

    (4)

  • Josh M.

    Super awesome. Cool, casual and ever so delicious. The perfect retreat for foodie-snobs on the prowl in Oahu. How else to get away from the tired tourist traps and the overblown Waikiki cost structure? This was our final & favorite meal of the week, and I'd put it up there with some of So Cal's best -- but with warm Hawaiian breeze blowing in the door. Host and service were both lovely, and were clearly fans of the menu and locale. The kitchen made split plates (including soup) with no hassle, and everyone was professionally attentive but always relaxed. It's hard work to make it look this easy. We had the tuna tartare (tiny but AMAZING), gnocci, hand-cut pasta, pork shoulder and mushrooms, along with a curry kombucha soup. Pretty much delish, up & down. After the tartare (did I mention AMAZING), I thought the pasta was tops but others had their favorites. The location is a good cab ride up the street from Waikiki if that's your strip, but I know, I know, you're a local. So fine, enjoy it while you can. When I come back I'm eating up all the tartare on the block.

    (5)

  • Nikki W.

    We really enjoyed the menu and atmosphere this place had to offer. Parking is tight but well worth it!

    (5)

  • Jesse F.

    3 stars at best for the overall experience. Parking does not exist, you would be better off to immediately accept that fact and go a block or so away for parking. Our reservation was honored 10 minutes early even with a decent crowd, which was nice. The food....we started with the tuna tartare, different, but tasty. Small dish. The cold tartare was on a warm rice cake. For dinner, the opah and the chicken breast. We also shared some baby corn. The opah was aight, a little soggy though. The chicken breast tasted good, but the portion was massive. I stuffed myself and shared a few bites with Jennifer, and half it of was still on the plate. Wish there would have been more veggies on plate. Dessert, the pretzel crust chocolate tart. Dark chocolate is delicious, enough said.

    (3)

  • Stephen M.

    My wife and I LOVE this place! We came for dinner and started with the Ahi Tartare, followed with the chicken and pancetta, and closed off with the chocolate tart. Everything was fresh and prepared perfectly. We especially enjoy sitting at the counter. The new bartender is great, but we also miss the old bartender (David?), who apparently opened his own place in Kauai last month. "Town" is located on the corner of 9th and Waialae Avenue in Kaimuki and has become our favorite date spot away from the hustle and bustle of town.

    (5)

  • Arlene A.

    4.5 stars Love the low-key but upscale/modern/green vibe of Town. Food is always made with the "farm to table" concept in mind. And you know exactly what's included in a dish by looking at the list of ingredients on their daily menu. I had the hand cut pasta with pancetta, hamakua mushrooms,carmelized onions and white wine sauce today. So savory! I'd eat this everyday if I could afford $14 lunches, but alas, that is not so. I also ordered their fresh lemonade which was a lot more potent that I'm used to. Asked the waiter what else they mixed in and she said they added parsley leaves which helps balance the sweet and sour. Hmm...guess it was okay, but be forewarned...don't order it if you can't handle tart! It's always a pleasant surprise coming back here cause you never know what's on the menu. Knowing that alone will keep you coming back for more!

    (4)

  • Ryan R.

    I've heard nothing but good things about this place and had to try it! Confused at first when just walking in, but found out that you have to order at the counter and seat yourself lol. Went here on a Monday morning with my friend Sonia S. We both had the Bruschetta, made with basil pesto egg, prosciutto, tomato slices and parmesan cheese on top! It looked so good I almost didn't want to eat it ... but of course I had to! From the minute it entered my mouth to the last bite, it was exactly what I was hoping it would be ... an array of flavors, crispy and sweet with a splash of fresh basil and olive oil. Words cannot describe the greatness of this dish! Sonia S couldn't resist the temptation to order a breakfast burrito since it was recommended by one of the workers ... and of course I was not going to let her enjoy it by herself so I agreed to assist in devouring it! Homemade salsa, sour cream, tomatoes, onions and cilantro made this dish! It was great, but the bruschetta was definitely better! And because no breakfast can go without bacon and coffee ... we had to have a dabble of that as well. The bacon came out extra crispy ... just the way the man intended. It was cooked to perfection and even had beads of oil shimmering off of it's tough exterior to the point I needed to take a shower because it was making me sweat just looking at it. A wonderful explosion of flavor from the first bite! The coffee is self-serve, which is a plus because there is nothing I hate more than a server coming over and filling my cup to the top while messing up my cream to sugar and coffee ratio! I got to enjoy it to the last drop then went back for me ... ok, 4 more times, but hell who's counting. Going back again this week ... this is a MUST if you love a quaint breakfast joint.

    (4)

  • Fernando G.

    for not being a "linguist -- much less a food critic," i seriously have amazing things to say about this place. IT IS GREAT and their food is fantastic ! i was not there to see who was seating next to me ... nor was i interested on what others were conversing. i paid no mind to noise levels or what passing by dishes looked like. i was there to enjoy the company of my visiting friends and to enjoy the food i had ordered ... nothing else. i enjoyed both. it never fails. ahi tartare and gnochi with avocado salad as appetizer had my friends wishing there was never and end to the epicurian experience ... the ahi tartare was excellent ! the gnocci won their hearts. and as for the salad, well, we had to ask "sonda" for a second round of their delicious focaccia. it was incredible ! wow we had pork served with bitter greens and polenta. yummm the chicken on a bed of tatsoi and pancetta was to die for. the steak was perfectly done ... the mushrooms severd with it were a major hit. the tombo had an amazing finish and naturally, my opah. the veggies served with my opah were beyond delicious. i love mayer lemon. enough said ! and to top it all off, the black mussels we shared had my eyes rolling. pastina, garlic and fennel ? please... i love fennel. any how, when at TOWN, plan on having a good meal and in enjoying the company of those you are with. the rest, can be a challenge. better yet, a big componnent of your experience and what you make of it. yummm cheese cake with "kula" strawberry culie. fantastic ! :)

    (5)

  • Mark M.

    Town isn't somewhere to go for cheap eats. It also isn't somewhere to go if you're in a rush. You shouldn't go to Town if you have a huge party of about 20 people. So why do we go to Town? It's a highly appealing place for me. Their menu changes every day. All of, if not most of their ingredients are local. It's creative and inventive. Yes, the prices are a bit steep. Yes, the kitchen does take a while to get the food out to you. But hey, in my opinion that's okay. Everything comes out fresh and hot. Not to mention delicious! The ahi tartare here is incredible. I had the opakapaka here as well and that was amazing. They have some of the best french fries around. And what's that? You want somewhere to eat but poor Fido doesn't want to wait in the car? Town will let you sit outside with your canine companion and they'll even bring him a water bowl. We've taken our dogs here on several occasions and they love all the attention they get from the passers-by.

    (4)

  • Brandon B.

    Went here for breakfast on 07/21/12 around 10:30am. It wasn't busy and seemed fairly slow for a breakfast operation. Ordering was quick and we got our beverages right away, than our wait began. Almost 30 minutes, no food and the cashier got our order wrong. Usually I don't mind and put up with this kind of error, just because I've been working in the food and beverage industry for almost 10 years. I know how it can get when your busy... But when your slow, food quality should be near perfect. Upon receiving our food, EVERYTHING was room temperature. Waitress insisted that it came straight from the kitchen. By then I didn't want to make a scene or make things complicated so I asked for a refund. Luckily everything went smooth. 2 stars just because I still like their food for dinner.

    (2)

  • Jennifer N.

    Started off with the tuna tartare. The dish was okay. It threw me off a little since the tartare was served over a warm, soft rice cake. The two different temperatures was not very pleasant to me. I had the moon fish with fresh, seasonal veggies. They tasted like they just picked them from the garden which is good and which is bad....a little seasoning would have been better. The dessert was a dark chocolate pretzel tart. It was good, but anything chocolate usually is, right. Oh, and parking sucks.

    (3)

  • David C.

    Really liked this place. Great creativity in their food. Seemed like a Cali Restaurant in Hawaii using local ingredients. The Grilled Kulolo was pretty awesome, highly recommended. I think their menu changes so they might not have it, but it was great when we had it.

    (4)

  • Kelly M.

    Had an arugula salad with a piece of fish on top. Fish was plain, a little salt and pepper. Arugula had more stems than leaves. Many pieces were entirely thick stem. What's up with that? Can't say it knocked my socks off.

    (3)

  • Ka'imi L.

    Okay, I don't know what happened since I last came here but clearly the service wasn't what it used to be. -Yes, our party (3) arrived at the end of peak lunch hours (1:45pm). -Yes, the waitress seemed to be the only server on the floor. -Yes, the economy is in a recession and times are hard... BUT!!!! I was extremely disappointed. I felt embarrassed because I recommended our party eat at this place (my two friends were first-time customers) and we were treated VERY poorly. Our drinks came after waiting 20 minutes, and our food arrived only after waiting an additional 30 minutes! I've worked in a restaurant before (several in fact) and this is unacceptable. My friend was nice enough to tip the server 20% anyway, which is what I might have done too. And WHY would I still tip the server? I need to stress the fact that sometimes, the lack of service isn't a reflection on the waitstaff, it's a reflection on MANAGEMENT. Hire more staff!!! I felt bad for that girl! One waitress isn't enough to cover an entire restaurant of 20 tables at peak lunch hour! The saving grace was the taste of the food, which is why I haven't sunk to rate this place one star. I had the Panino which was really delicious, and really reasonable ($9). Or maybe it was because we were soooo hungry waiting for our food for so long??? Arghhh

    (2)

  • Jules F.

    This restaurant defines 5 stars, for me. They set the bar that I compare other nice restaurants to. For starters, the food, atmosphere and service are consistently the best I have had in Hawai'i, and my top 5 of anywhere I have been in the world. It's a little pricey, and if you want a cheap meal or quick fix this is not your place. This is for someone seeking a celebration meal, a romantic meal, or just a great dinner that's healthy and delicious. Kudos to Town for what they do ecologically, too.

    (5)

  • Dio P.

    Just had lunch there to celebrate the bosses birthday. This is probably my 3rd time at this restaurant. The first time was dinner and the food was great. The 2nd time was more of a breakfast but with a Bloody Mary :) Both times were a great treat. This time for some reason, the service wasn't as great and the food was hither nor there. After receiving our drinks, we had to wait for 30 minutes for our first course of salad and soup. Shouldn't the soup already have been cooked and just served? For starters I had the salad with beets. It was pretty tasty and for some reason, I'm always trying the beets whenever it's available. Maybe that's how I rate my restaurants. I think that Tango has one of the best beet salads, but I digress... So on to the entree , I had the Monchong with mixed veges. The veges was a mix of baby radish, long beans, pak choy and winter melon. All of them except for the winter melon was cooked properly. Maybe i'm used to the Filipino and Japanese style of cooking this vegetable where it practically melts in your mouth that the texture of it being more like raw broccoli, it just wasn't working for me. The fish was overdone and I was left with a pretty dry dish. I wanted to have some sauce where I can swirl my food around and and be able to sop it up with bread. Speaking of which, they don't seem to bother serving any ;( Anyway, on to dessert. I had the bread pudding because that's also my favorite. Sadly, no anglais, just a side of vanilla ice cream. The bread pudding was hard like it's been awhile since someone ordered. In summary, I'm wanting to give this place more stars but sadly they haven't done it for me this time. I expect more from a place that chargers over $15 a plate. I'll probably come back again and see if they can renew my interest but we'll have to see.

    (3)

  • Brad T.

    Nothing short of amazing. From the food to the service to the drinks, everything was executed with knowledge and precision. The wine selection was amazing, the food selection even better and the servers recommendations did not disappoint. Of all the dishes we had, the chicken dish totally blew me away. Yes, the chicken dish. Not because of Town and this amazing piece of culinary art work, I can no longer eat chicken again without thinking about the pinacle of taste I had earlier during my trip to Hawaii. Before I go on a long rave about this dish, I must add the rest of the dishes we had ranged from very good to superb. The steak with the truffle fries and sea salt were excellent as well as the tambo (sp.?) Granted, I understand the menu changes daily, so I would check out the website first with regards to what is on the menu that day. Oh, and reservations are a must during the dinner hour, especially on the weekends.

    (5)

  • Ryan T.

    Ate at Town for dinner. Really enjoyed their wide array of local ingredients and good number of vegetarian choices. The salad with avocado and papaya had a wonderful home-made dressing. The risotto with okra and baby corn had amazing flavor of the roasted vegetables and a pleasant creaminess. The gnocchi with sausage and mushrooms was perfectly sized, though the sausage was a little too rich. The wait staff was attentive. My only real hit on the place was that it was a little loud, with some of the tables a little too close together. Not sure where the price complaints made by other reviewers are coming from. This is Honolulu, things aren't cheap here! $30-ish a person for a salad, two entrees, and two desserts is relatively average -- usually for food of lesser quality.

    (4)

  • Dyan H.

    Love the fresh farm to table flavors! Complimentary bread is yummy with olive oil, butter and olives! Went with a friend and the place has a good hangout vibe. You have to be lucky to find parking since it's on the corner of a one way street with other restaurants in area. Gnocchi, yummy!

    (4)

  • Nathan C.

    Kaimuki is a neighborhood on Oahu that's making a comeback and the driving force behind it are the farm to plate restaurants. Town is one of a trio of this style of restaurants that truly are among the best on Oahu. Town boasts a simple yet diverse menu that is sure to please nearly everyone. Town also uses environmentally friendly practices such as the reuse of old menus as coasters. The ambience is young, fun, clean and allows for people to comfortably socialize with friends or family. The drink menu is just as diverse as the food menu and definitely will appeal to most everyone. Get up, get out and eat something! Town will not disappoint!!

    (5)

  • Steve V.

    Wow, this place was delicious. Highly recommend the Opha.

    (5)

  • Stewart S.

    Town has some of the best food on the island. We had he hand cut pasta and chicken dish, both were great, also had the 2010 Casarena Cabernet Sauvignon which was a good glass of wine. Although the restaurant is still loud once it fills up, it is worth the trip.

    (5)

  • A C.

    Sigh. Why, Town?! Why?! I wanted to give you five stars, I really did. But the last two times I've been there this month have been a huge disappointment. Two weeks ago, I went to brunch with my bestie and ordered my usual -- the polenta, pancetta, bitter greens & sunny egg with a cappuccino (yay for Stumptown coffee in Hawaii!). Normally the polenta is divine. However, as pervious customers have mentioned, the food was doused in salt! At first I thought it was me being picky and overly sensitive. Then I saw the look on my friend's face. Her polenta was also unbearably salty! She couldn't even finish her meal, which is a first. On top of that, I had to remind the servers of my coffee order. At first I thought that maybe it was just a fluke. Every restaurant has their off day. So my best friend and I decided to give Town a second chance. :( x 2 = Yelping my frustrations. This time, the food was good (burger + fries + ice tea) but the service was terrible! I understand that there were two large parties, but our waitress never checked on us once. Additionally, we had to ask another waiter for our check after waiting for our server for 30 minutes post-meal. That waiter never brought us our check. After another 15 minutes of waiting, I got fed up and found our waitress, who judging by the surprised / guilty look on her face realized that she had forgotten us, and asked for the check. Again, we had to wait another 15 minutes before she picked up our check (we paid by credit card). Total time wasted = 60 minutes!!! If you include the fact that we were neglected during our entire meal, that is outrageously poor customer service. My advice to foodies: Avoid Saturdays. Weekday dinners have yet to disappoint...for now. My plea to Town: I love the concept of using locally grown, organic food but your quality control has been declining. Please, please, please watch the salt and improve your customer service!

    (3)

  • Robert M.

    Sensational. Attention to detail. Focused on what matters most. Great wine list, especially if you are partial to Italian Reds. The risotto was majestic as was the ahi tartare. All good.

    (5)

  • T R.

    Their breakfast is better then dinner! Their service is Hopelessly inept and completely uninspiring! However, since I did not have to pay it was Meh! Free food but if I had paid I would never go back! But the whole reason for the upgrade was they actually served food with little or no salt!

    (2)

  • eshwar k.

    i'm not sure what's bringing town's ratings down. i have been eating here for about 6 years. the food has been very consistent. organic. healthy. dynamic. the fish entrees are so great-- very fresh, and prepared with care and panache. makes for a great date or business evening.

    (5)

  • Tess E.

    i would give this place 3.5 stars. we were placed at a table facing the entrance so each time the door opened, the cold air from outside would smack us in the face. cold air from outside + the air-con = frozen faced customers! not their faults really since we made our reservations late and the place was pretty much filled with the dinner crowd. our food didn't take as long as we thought which was a pleasant surprise. my meal of mushroom risotto with asparagus was heavenly! the waiter AND waitress were helpful with questions about the menu and refilled our glasses and our bread while we were waiting for our meals and after. just remember to request to not be seated by the entrance when it's cold outside.

    (3)

  • Bernard N.

    Had a great experience at Town last night! It is great how they keep the menu Hawaii featuring local meats, fish, and produce. Outside of the parking, which sucks, our food and service was fantastic. *suggestion to Town - hire a valet company to take care of parking 7 of us were there celebrating a friend's belated birthday. We ordered cocktails, appetizers, main and side dishes and dessert. Appetizers: Grilled Shrimp - 4 Mussels - 5 Kabocha Gnocchi - 2 Fresh Beet Salad - 5 Hamakua Mushrooms - 5 Dinner: Opah - 5 Mahimahi - 4 Risotto -4 Braised Cheeks - 3 Loved the mussels (i could have drank up the broth!), sauteed/baked Hamakua mushrooms, and Beet salad. That was the first time I have had a beet salad and wow! This was also the first time that we tried Gnocchi with Kabocha (listed on the menu as only 12 servings available so we had to order!). Didn't know quite what to expect. The Kabocha was great and the Gnocchi (potato dumpling) was soft but the overall flavor of the dish with the honey and cinnamon flavor made gave it more of a dessert feel. If you added a bit of maple syrup, you could definitely add it to the breakfast menu! Glad I tried it, but it would not make the re-order list. For dinner, the Opah was seasoned perfectly with a nice breadfruit/bitter green bed. The only "just ok" dish was the braised cheeks which was overpowered with spice (star of anise). The bitter greens and polenta were great and the braised cheeks were very tender, but the overseasoning was a bit much. Since it was a Friday, the place was bumpin'. With our reservations we had a nice table up front. Our waiter gave great service and was very knowledgeable about the dishes. Good time had by all!

    (4)

  • Type A.

    Town is a great place, good location, and with wonderful service. The food is amazing. I loved being able to make a reservation via Yelp. The only change I would like to see is how they print their menu. It needs headers or titles for the food. I've heard from other too that it's hard to read! Once you start drinking and talking, it's even harder to read. :|

    (4)

  • Keith N.

    Great food! The food is filled with flavor...cooked just right! Service can be slow...but if you are having a conversation with someone and don't want to be rushed, this is a great place to have a meal.

    (4)

  • Stacy S.

    I Love going to Town for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. The food is always excellent and super super tasty. I love their breakfast selection especially their polenta..yummy! And, dinner...when you want a good tasty yummy meal, this is the place to go. Love that they use local produce in their menu...lots of delicious greens and even the meat. I believe that every night they have a different dinner menu...but it's the same menu for each day...every monday is the same, every tues is the same...etc. Also, I love the warm feeling inside their place due to the wood and decor. And, there's a lot of parking in their lot up above the restaurant...we've always found a spot there. I always take my friends and relatives here and they've all enjoyed their food and experience.

    (4)

  • J L.

    Hmmmmm I've come here twice before but that was a long time ago so I don't really remember what it was a like. I came back here today for lunch and was seated quickly by the hostess. I really enjoy the atmosphere of the restaurant...we were sat right by the open doorway where the waiters go in and out to bring food and drinks to the outside seating customers. Very nice breeze was coming in and I enjoyed looking out the window. Our waiter came pretty quickly and I ordered their town lemonade to start...it was pretty good, I'm not sure what else they put in it but it tasted pretty interesting. They put too much ice in it though :/ I ordered their hamburger on cibatta bread with cheese which is a $1 extra. It comes with a choice of Ma'o greens or fries. I chose the greens. It came in about 15 minutes. Not bad at all. This restaurant isn't quick service...it's more of a place to relax and talk with some friends. So I wouldn't be so picky about the wait time. I guess some people on here waited over an hour? Not sure if that was an exaggeration but I guess during dinner times and especially on busy friday and saturday nights food takes slower. So I would take that into account. The buger was INTERESTING. JEEZ. I have never tasted a burger like this. I wasn't sure if I liked it or not??? It tasted kinda plasticy but kinda good. So it tasted bad and good. o_______o I have never been so confused and conflicted about a burger before. When the waitress came by and asked about it, I said it was interesting....she then said oh in a good way or a bad way? I said I'm not sure.... and she said well the burgers are made from grass-fed cows and that was probably it. The burgers most people are used to and that most establishments give out are from cows who are fed processed corn and are kept in unfavorable conditions. These cows were from a local free-range farm. The Honolulu burger Co. has the same standard...but I felt their burgers tasted better. Maybe it was that pinkish sauce they had on the bottom. I'm not sure what that was.... The greens were fine. I felt there wasn't enough dressing on it though. I had the salted chocolate tart for dessert. Wow. It was SO tiny. It tasted pretty good though. But I wish I tasted more of the "salt"....I felt there wasn't enough. I don't feel like it's near $7 worth though :/ Service was fine. Our waiter was friendly and attentive for the most part. Overall I paid $24 not including tip. The stuff here is pretty pricey but it kinda makes sense since the food here is I believe is organic. It had that hipster urban resturant feel and usually these types of places have higher prices. I'd rate it a 3.5 rather than a 3 though.

    (3)

  • altaf g.

    I really wanted to like this place, a local dude recommended it. The concept is nice (organic, local grown, seasonal, etc.) the waitstaff was nice the space/decor is interesting. Now the food, it was good but not great. The pasta dish I has was very good but the french fries were bad and they came in a very large quantity. On principle alone, would you trust a chef that can't get french fries right? Their website is pretty much useless. I get the whole 'we change our menu all the time' thing but you should have something useful on it about the kind of food you serve or the concept of the restaurant.

    (3)

  • Kendall H.

    slow service, very trendy sort of place with good clean food. Fills a niche in the kaimuki community of good western cuisine. Parking can be difficult during busy hours.

    (4)

  • Yoko O.

    I was introduced to Town by my mom who came here a couple of times for dinner. We decided to go for a breakfast run (they stop serving at 11AM) here rather than our usual Zippy's. There was only one person working the floor, one behind the counter, and gosh knows how many were in the kitchen. When we entered, the girl ran past us explaining "how to order" and to seat ourselves. We sat for about 10minutes, and I felt like an idiot because we didn't know we had to order at the counter and they would come and deliver our food. After ordering, we waited about a half an hour for our food to come. (QUESTION: does it really take a 1/2 an hour to make a breakfast panini and a salad?!) We got in at about 10:20, and they were already setting up for lunch when we finally got our food. My parents only came for lunch/dinner, and the service was "restaurant style", so i think this is where we got thrown off. I didn't mind waiting though, the ambiance, furnishings, and self serve coffee (i had to walk from one end of the restaurant to the other, and SLOWLY so i didn't burn myself. good thing the restaurant is only so big). All-n-All, the food was alright, the environment was nice, and i would bring my laptop and do work here before the lunch/dinner sessions start. Maybe the second time around will be better, now that i know what to do.. (:

    (4)

  • Daniel C.

    I thought the place would be better and I left a little disappointed. Food portions are decent but there wasn't' much flavor all the times I've dined there. Service is a little slow but when they are helping you, the staff is very friendly. Parking sucks there so car pool if going in a group.

    (3)

  • Nathan K.

    I really can't say enough good things about chef/owner Ed Kenney and his partner Dave Caldiero, the heart and soul behind the delicious food at Town (and Downtown at the Hawaii State Art Museum). Their simple, clean, and flavorful style of cooking has been a favorite of mine since they opened. They've recently celebrated 5 years of being in business and and I hope they stick around for at least 50 more. You aren't going to find Hawaii Regional Cuisine here, with food stacked high in artful ways, but what you will find is a menu committed to working with local farmers and producers and a real local taste of what Hawaii has to offer. The menu reads like a directory of local purveyors...Mao Organic Farms green salad, Ho Farms tomotos, Kuahiwi Beef, and the list goes on. Among my favorites are the risotto with Hamakua mushrooms, the Kuahiwi (grass fed beef from South Point on the Big Island) steak, any of the fresh fish, and all of the side dishes...particularly the bitter greens with pine nuts...NOM! And you have to love the neighborhood feel of the restaurant in Waialae. While seating inside is nice, we love to sit outside on the patio to relax and enjoy a good meal. Town is one of those places I wish I could eat at 3 times a week. The menu is always changing with what's in season and what arrives at their back door...so it's always exciting to see what makes its way to the menu. Hope you have a chance to experience Town and Downtown yourself.

    (5)

  • Troy H.

    Food is really good. Fresh and local with terrific taste. However, the price seems too high and the service is VERY slow. I have recommended this place to a few peeps. But if they don't speed up the service, I cannot recommend it any more. Slow service and long waits are not appealing to any consumer. Dined here twice this month. Lunch took 40-45 minutes to bring our food after ordered. Finished eating in about 12-15 minutes. This will not work for people who are on the clock. Breakfast took about 15-20 once ordered. In the meantime, they ran out of water & coffee, which are both self-service. I finally got my cup of coffee mid-way thru my meal. Like I mentioned... Food is excellent! Service... needs lots of work.

    (3)

  • Alex T.

    i can always count on Town to give me a good meal. then again, i tend to order the same several dishes over and over and over...so i know they're tastey. Lemonade. Bitter greens. Hamakua mushrooms. Roasted chicken. Apple-banana panini. Sounds good, right? It is! Now go to Town, and "go to town" on the delicious food!

    (5)

  • Michael B.

    My fiancee and I dined here for the first time this past week for Valentine's Day. Everything was fantastic, from our cheerful and attentive server who was well-versed in each menu item to the food itself, which was outright delicious. We had a walu appetizer (yum) and the mahi and chicken entrees, both of which were fantastic (especially the chicken). The apple banana cream pie and fig torte desserts continued the trend. We could tell that all the ingredients are preparation were top-notch and meticulously planned. With tip, the meal was $100 right on the nose and worth every penny.

    (5)

  • Shayna K.

    Love love LOVE the look and feel of this place. It has GOT to be the coolest eatery on Waialae Ave. Overpriced? For dinner, yes. For lunch, no. Small portions? Yes. But I just love the typewritten menus on the clipboards, the stainless steel table tops, the recycled paper coasters, the artwork on the walls and the overall vibe. Very cool. What's not cool is the Arugala Beet salad if you actually like arugala, because you'll get a total of 4 leaves. :( Actually, I think we ordered badly because the meal ended up being soo starchy--from the complimentary bread, bruschetta, black bean soup, gnocchi, hand cut pasta, to the bittersweet chocolate apple banana panini at the end. I wish the server would have cautioned us against our selection. Though everything tasted sooo good, it was major carbo-overload. Now I'll caution you: if you are like me and usually go for the cheapest glass of wine on the menu (because, hey, alcohol is alcohol so why not get a cheap one and have the option of getting two, right?) don't be a sucker and ask for their house white/red. Their house wines are not the cheapest on the menu. Just FYI. Not that you actually care.... Yea, um, me neither. Another word of caution: if you want quiet dinner conversation, you have to sit outside. Inside ends up being really loud as the tables fill up and you end up yelling at the people sitting right next to you. But nothing beats the fresh, tasty, innovative, edgy menu. For us it's a special place to go on special occasions. And the lunch experience is very different--bright, more reasonable menu options, bigger portions.

    (4)

  • Carla B.

    This place gets better and better. Outstanding food and service continues to get better. Needs better wine list. Try the cocktails!

    (4)

  • Jannet L.

    Yo this place is as good as new american food gets. Had the chicken this time which was crispy and moist. It has some yummy croutons and is on a bed of greens with some kind of vinaigrette sauce. In laws had monchong which was really yummy. Had ahi tartare app on risotto cakes - wow! I only got to eat one, but could've eat 7. The waiter told us some guy comes in and orders 10 of them as his meal. The bruschetta with sardines and mao lettuce was good too. Oh and the hub ordered bitter greens as a side - at first I was like, that sounds nast. But it was delish!!! Really nice contrast as the chicken was quite rich, had some kind of sweet berry and nuts in it. Pannacotta with honey was solid and the strawberry napoleon was light and crispy and refreshing! You know, I never get excited about american food but really this place does organic and local and fresh really well. Oh and if you order apps and share the main, it's more than enough and the price isn't bad. The 4 of us got 2 mains, 2 apps, 1 side, 2 desserts, 2 glasses of wine, 1 beer for $120 including tip!!!!

    (5)

  • Love C.

    Where do I begin... Parking does not exist, but love crunch and I managed to find some on 9th. We got there early, so it wasn't crowded. The waitress was nice and attentive, and we started our meal with an awesome avo mango salad, and some complimentary bread. My serradura ordered the gnocchi and I got the steak. Gnocchi was light and phenomenal going down, but sat in my stomach like a ton of bricks. The steak was very disappointing. I believe I've had a better cut at the Cattle Company - yikes! The dessert was a mixed bag. A mixed bag of witches, eeeek! The gelato had a great flavor as well as texture. The apple banana creme pie was well conceived, but lack luster. For all you locals that have been on the mainland too long, remember - apple banana means "apple banana," not apple mixed with banana. Oops! And there wasn't really any creme either. Guess we'll have to make some tonight! And finally, the grapefruit sorbet was great, but grapefruit doesn't really compliment any other flavor that you would have ate for dinner. Ed and company are great people and the use of local ingredients is a model that all restaurants should strive to have. Town is a lot like Crunch's driving - hit and miss hahaha! Definitely go try it, you'll like something.

    (4)

  • Sara W.

    Super stoked to find this gem! Great vibe and atmosphere. The service was great from Randi! Tons of local and organic food on the menu, not ridiculously expensive. The Monchong entree was amazing! And the Ahi TarTar was a winner, turning raw fish into comfort food is not easy to do...good job! Good wine by the glass selection. We had a great date night and will definitely be coming back to sit at the bar and check out the patio dining! Thanks Town!

    (5)

  • Cheryl K.

    I absolutely love the ambiance in Town. I love how the menus look typewritten and given with a clipboard and I love their cocktails. The first time I went there, I ate a steamed or baked Opah with veggies on the side. It was AWESOME! Its a very contempo place and lots of local ingredients which I love. Overall good place if you wanna try somewhere different.

    (4)

  • Michelle L.

    Town...what to say about this quaint little restaurant. It's different that's for sure! The waiters dress in jeans and t-shirts, the decor is very chic, locally grown and organic produce, unique type-written menu...yup, that pretty much sums it all up. Town was our second and final destination for Restaurant Week. Their menu was a great deal, $20 for a choice of salad, pasta and dessert. Portion sizes were small but flavors were big. The beet salad was interesting (in a good way), risotto was very rich, panna cotta was divine. My only gripe was that the service was really slow. We were playing "I Spy with our Little Asian Eyes" to pass the time lol. I cannot really blame the wait staff considering there were no bussers nor food runners. Regardless, everyone was very friendly and helpful.

    (4)

  • Traci H.

    I really wanted to give this place an awesome review because I've heard great things about this place. Also I love how they use local produce. However, when I called to make a reservation I was left on hold for over 5 mins, which at that point I just hung up. I later saw they do open table reservations. So I decided to make my reservation that way, and mention in the reservation it would be someone's birthday. I would recommend that anyone does it that way as well. When I get to Town, I was happy to see that my table was ready even 10 minutes prior to my reservation. We had another person from our party there already so we sat down, waiting on 2 more. Menus were already on our table. I don't know if restaurant week is to blame for the slow service, but it too over 10 minutes for water. Then we placed our drink orders which weren't filled for another 10. Everything just took so long. I was a little irritated, and hoping the food would just blow me away to make up for it. It was good, not great. I had the restaurant week special and it was a choice of salad, pasta, and dessert. I had the Ma'o salad, which was very light. Almost tasted like I was just eating it without dressing and a little cheese. For the pastaI had the beef ragu with penne, and that was okay. The beef was soft, and pasta aldente. Then I had the pannacotta for dessert, and it was just okay. I tried my friend's bread pudding which was a much better choice. Overall, service for me can make a world of difference. Our lunch took longer than we would have like, and the food was pretty good. The staff was nice, whenever they were around to help us. It was almost like they avoid eye contact with me, so that they could keep us waiting. Not to mention we were celebrating a birthday, and acknowledgement didn't come to the end of the meal, a little too late if you ask me. Will I be back? Maybe, but I'm in no rush.

    (3)

  • Rita L.

    I love the organic food here...is very tasty. the restaurant is very chill and a great place for dinner. lunch is alright here but the mussels are what keeps me coming here! The desserts are hits or misses...the panna cotta si great here! ahhh!!! i'm luving it!

    (4)

  • Bryan N.

    We had a great time! Double anniversary dinner with my wife's sister and husband. The food was fresh, creative and delicious. The service was attentive. And the atmosphere was organic. All around great experience.

    (4)

  • Ricardo C.

    I came with a group of out of town guests. It Was my first visit to the restaurant, but my husband had rave reviews about this place so I was thrilled bringing Friends who enjoy good restaurants and good food. We arrived and the restaurant was happening!. Lot of people, and great atmosphere. We had a reservation and we waited no longer than 10 minutes to be seated. The table we were assigned was quite bright, dimming the light a little bit would help to make the ambience a bit more cozy. Anyhow, it took us over 15 minutes to flag a waiter. Seems nobody was aware we were there. And no one seem to care. Our waiter arrives and brings the menu. We ask him about the wine selection, he had no clue at all. We ask questions about the house wines, their whites their reds... He got so upset (at us) he asked if we wanted to talk to a sommelier so we can order the wine and shut up with all the questions. We trusted our instincts an we order some pinot to pair with the selection of meats and cheese we ordered. The meat platter and salads were delicious, the wine took longer that expected and arrived way after we finished our appetizers. Waiter came back with the wine. And no bottle opener. We ordered our meals, and enjoyed our wine and salads, and one more bottle of wine. 45 minutes later our food hadn't arrived. We ordered one more bottle, and decided to switch to white. The third bottle of wine arrives, and our glasses weren't replaced. The waiter poured white in our old glasses of red. He didn't seem to give a fuck (excuse my language, but that's how I felt after the service we were getting by this guy), suddenly our white turned into a rosé. How chic! FYI: when you are at town you don't really know who is an employee and who is a patron, since they don't wear uniforms... Well , YOU could easily tell who OUR waiter was because he was way underdress (wearing his papa jeans and a "vintage" (shaggy old) second hand Supermarket t-shirt (I think was Capers or Whole Foods) . Anyhow. Our waiter was nowhere to be found. Waiting for 1 hour until our entree arrived ... Not acceptable. About that time, we are (bit tipsy) and super hungry! After that wait you would think our food will taste "fuckingamazing"! (because usually when you are that hungry even MCDonalds tastes like heaven) well: wrong! Review 1: steak and fries, my friend was so drunk after all the wine he said his fries were the best. Steak? What steak? Review 2. My husband: he loved the fish , well done. He was very hungry Review 3: same fish dish, overcooked and dry. Review 4: (my plate) Disgusting! , my plate was a greasy dry chicken dipped in Pancetta oil, and some melange du je ne sais quo is! I had one bite and it was enough. Waiter came back, saw the look on my face and didnt ask one question. He came back and I told him I refuse to eat that plate. He took it away, and ask what was wrong with it... Hummmmm : everything. He apologized and left. Didnt come back... ever... again. We had to flag the hostess to get our bill. 30 minutes wait, and we left. I heard so many good things about this place. And I dunno if perhaps it was bad luck... Or just not a good place at all. Would I give it a second chance? Well after looking at the way their bathrooms are taken care of, I doubt it. But knowing the limited options in the island, I might ( IF with friends, just for drinks and appies) .

    (2)

  • Scott M.

    Food was good though portions were on the small side. Presentation was excellent. I liked the menu choices. Our waiter was very personable and took the time to answer all our questions. He knew exactly how each dish was prepared. Salads were very tasty and good sized. My mahimahi was perfectly cooked. My wife's ahi was also excellent. I enjoyed the use of local and more exotic ingredients. Service was very slow even though we were one of the first patrons of the night. We waited over an hour & a half for our food. Bread refills cost an extra $2 which I though was petty considering how long we waited for our food. Drink refills cost extra - the cost of another drink. I would recommend going once but not sure I'd go back.

    (3)

  • Jocelyn L.

    "One of my fave restaurants in HI...good ambience, good food but hard to find a parking"

    (4)

  • Drew W.

    NIce for lunch. We had the burger and the mahi. Fresh ingredients prepared well. We got there just before the lunch rush. Service was helpful and friendly. Lack of parking is only downfall. Will try dinner next time.

    (4)

  • Allen N.

    Heard a lot about this restaurant. Service was great, but the steak was just ok.

    (3)

  • Jeff M.

    So this is new. apparently if you give Town a not so good rating on Yelp, someone at Town creates a Yelp account and comments on your post fairly often "good, then don't come back". Well mystery asshole, don't worry. I won't come back because your restaurant sucks. Stay away from this place.

    (1)

  • Serena K.

    I have been to Town a few times in the past and absolutely loved it. As a passionate supporter of food sovereignty in Hawaii, Town is one of those restaurants that are vital in our community to not only raise awareness of how important (and delicious) locally produced food is, but as an inspiration to other chefs and businesses to get on the local bandwagon. This is why I am so heartbreakingly disappointed about my last- and possibly final- experience there. To begin, I called the restaurant about 4 hours before my boyfriend and I decided to go there to check out the reservation situation. I wanted to get there around 8:30pm but the hostess said that the earliest res would be at 9:15pm. She then recommended coming around 8:30pm anyway, saying that theres a good chance we can get seated at the bar. I asked her if we needed a reservation for the bar and she said no. At 8:30 we arrived and were faced with a crowded bar. Since the place was packed, the host offered to sit us outside for the time being, then snatch up a couple chairs at the bar as soon as the couple we spied finishing their dessert were through. That was fine, except that it was absolutely freezing outside. The wind was blasting and it was so cold that my boyfriend had to get sweaters for us. It was miserable, but we were consoled by the fact that we would be seated at the cozy (and warm) looking bar soon. About 20mins later, the couple got up to leave. The host then came out and said, "Sorry, something came up but the bar is reserved. Do you still want to stay?" WTF? I thought there were no reservations at the bar? And if you knew this, why did you tell us we had a chance to sit there? The waiter then mumbled something about the owners friends dropping in as he finally brought us our wine. Livid, freezing, and too late to find a new place to go, we ended up sitting outside for another 20 minutes until getting a table in the restaurant. When we sat down, we cheersed and resolved to make the best of it, that we were finally inside, starving and ready to eat. Now for our waitress... and maybe some bread? When the waitress finally decided to pay attention to us, she was very cold and aloof with a hint of rudeness. Not really what we expected after 40 minutes being ignored outside in the freezing windstorm. We ordered our apps, meal and wine right away. I also asked to please bring us some bread, as we were famished. 15mins. later and still no bread. When she walked by our table I asked her again for bread, and the wine list since at the point we resolved that getting drunk was the best way to deal with the whole situation. I get that the place was packed and she was busy, but she managed to check on the couple next to us multiple times; chatting them up about their life and "how did the wine taste?", before quickly walking away with her back to us. We finally got our bread, but no wine list. After receiving our appetizers, I had to practically shout across the room to get her attention and ask for the wine list. again. she brought it after we finished our apps. When dinner finally came, it was less than spectacular. A huge disappointment since I was banking on my past experiences of delicious locavore delightfulness and something redeeming from our less that satisfying night. We ate in silence, stressed and distraught from what we thought would be a lovely and romantic date night after a hard work week. The check came soon after (the one thing that brought quickly all night) & I practically ran out. Never in my life had I wanted to flee from a restaurant. I wish that this was the end of the story, but sadly its not. After and angry facebook post, I was encouraged to call the manager to complain about my experience. When I was walking him through the evening, he apologized for our experience outside with a curt, "Sorry you were cold, but we cant control the weather, you know." When I told him that we were being ignored and felt borderlined discriminated against, I was shot down and felt almost scolded. He ended the call with a sarcastic, "IF you decide to come to Town again, ask for me and Ill see that youre taken care of. Ill DEFINITELY remember you. But please be sure make a reservation first." I hung up feeling more pissed off than when I began. Obviously this floor manager has never taken a course in customer service, as he would know that "the customer is always right", especially if they are upset and on the verge of crying from frustration. I was encouraged by some friends to call the owner directly. At this point, I felt that the manager was the one who was representing this business as well as the owner himself, and thought it wasnt worth it. I felt that he made it very clear that I wasnt important, that my patronage wasnt needed.Not a great feeling after dropping a $100+ on a mediocre meal and shitty service. Town, Im dissapointed in you, and how your restaurant represents the local food movement. And sadly Im not the only one. Auwe.

    (1)

  • Moore I.

    Busy and Noisy. Service is not that good, water never refilled had to flag down waiter to get more wine. Fish was great, however dinner took over 60min to be served from time of ordering. Vegetables with main course was raw not even blanched, knife could not even cut the radish. I think they are overrated and over priced for sure.

    (1)

  • Eva R.

    I have eaten at town many, many times- too many to count! I have always enjoyed the food and atmosphere. The ingredients are high quality which rasies the price a little but i am willing to pay for local, organic food. If you want imported, cheap food, go somewhere else. Has a nice neighborhood feel.

    (4)

  • Ikaika T.

    The descriptions of the food were too long so I asked the waiter for a salad with a piece of chicken on it and they whipped it right up. The only thing I didn't like about this place was the portion size, when I read "American" as the type of food being served I'd expect to spend about $15 and get stuffed, but the food here is surprisingly light. My salad wasn't drowned in dressing and the drip coffee didn't taste like burnt beans. For dessert: a nutella + banana + lots of butter and white bread concoction grilled to perfection. A light dab of whipped cream and candied orange peel topped it off. There was really nothing over-the-top about this place, just good food at the right price - I'll definitely return to experience the other items on the menu.

    (4)

  • Shayna B.

    I was REALLY looking forward to this restaurant! Like for a few years now my hubby and I have wanted to eat here after reading reviews, hearing buzz and even finding out a good friend from high school was the manager helped! I can't tell you how much i really wanted to like this place! But in the end, honestly it sucked! I ended up taking a few girl friends and our kids to lunch on a weekday. We arrived at 10:45am, lunch starts at 11am. The 4-6 patrons there were finishing up breakfast, the place was empty. SERVICE:Our server was "busy" from the time we sat down till we left. With what as we were the only customers I don't know. He really was not rude personally by saying or doing anything rude but basically ignored us the whole time. We felt we were inconveniencing him. He really needs to get another job if he doesn't like serving people! THE FOOD: I ordered an appetizer to share upon the recommendation of the server which turned out to be the portion size for ONE! Delicious but just ONE piece of bread with tomatoes, cheese and garnishes. It was not a good sign of things to come. I got a chicken salad that was very tasty, the chicken was on the dry side. Unfortunately it was also tiny, I was still starving afterwards. One of my girlfriends got a breakfast burrito, which also was tasty but she picked the good parts and left a little less than half behind. My other girlfriend ordered a burger and fries. This was very good, and I am glad cause it is a classic that you shouldn't mess up! In the end, without drinks, the bill was $40+ bucks for under par food and 2/12 hours later. We sat around waiting FOREVER for our waiter who was nowhere to be found and taking his sweet time. Would I go back? NEVER!

    (1)

  • Susan N.

    The meal was delicious. Had the Gnocchi, steak. The whole experience was excellent. Parking was confusing. Was not sure of where parking was. Waitress and service excellent. Highly recommend.

    (5)

  • Mila S.

    Yes, slow service, but... DELICIOUS! I had the hand-cut pasta and it was so yummy. I ate it all! The kale soup was also good.

    (4)

  • Marck N.

    For a neighborhood that is surrounded by "local kind" of restaurants, the food definitely stands out. When you walk into the restaurant, it really does stand out from whats in the neighborhood. From the usual casual sit down places with a mom & pop, it was like walking into a restaurant in San Francisco. Very mod and stylish. The food is very homey, rich with butter and cream. My friend and I started off with the flat bread with anchovies and the mussels appetizer. The mussels were fresh and tasty. Eating the anchovies of the flat bread also complemented the taste of the mussels. En tree's were the risotto for my friend and the pork checks with polenta for myself. The waiter informed my friend that the risotto was a large portion and that both of us could share it. But when it arrived, it really was a serving for one. I am not sure what he was thinking, as my friend and are both guys with big appetites. The pork cheeks were tender and fell apart at the touch of my fork. It also came with some butter greens, which I didn't care for as it was too rich. For dessert we had the buttermilk panacotta with honey. That was really tasty and was a good finish to dinner. Overall it was a enjoyable night for one of my nights back home.

    (4)

  • Justin S.

    Great appetizers, entrées, and deserts. Local ingredients. Have had great service every time. Would be 5 stars if it wasn't so loud.

    (4)

  • Melissa S.

    I used to love going to Town in Kaimuki. They have great illy coffee, they have a killer biscuit breakfast sandwich, and awesome fries with herbs. But the last two times I have gone for lunch, I have experienced the slowest and worst service. The first time was when I brought out of town guests there--someone had pasta, I had a panini, and another friend had an ahi salad. It took over 30 minutes for the food to get to our table, and when we asked, we were told that everything is made to order there, so it takes some time. Fine. The food was good. We let it go. I went again last week, party of one. I just needed a quick lunch before I went to an appointment in that area. I ordered a salad, nothing extra added. Again, a good 25 minutes passed and no one even came to say anything. I looked around trying to get my waitress' attention, she avoided eye contact as she passed right in front of me--something their staff is very good at doing. I walked out, leaving a $2 tip. Yes, it was me. I shouldn't even have left a tip. If I had time, I would have written a note with it since I didn't get a chance to say anything to you. Awful. It wasn't a busy lunch hour. No salad takes over 25 minutes to assemble, no matter what your excuse is. Never coming back again.

    (2)

  • BIANCHA Y.

    Local, organic food? I'm there. Their food is delicious. And if you plan on eating there, make reservations...it'll save you a headache.

    (4)

  • Robert L.

    The food is okay, but just too much oil, fat, and salt used for every dish. Its a little more pricey than other restaurants. If you drink a wine then it might be good since the food matches. The menu is super hard to read too.

    (2)

  • Anita L.

    Totally loved this place. It was like a sanctuary in the middle of a chaotic neighborhood. You don't even feel like you're in Hawaii being in here. Simple chic decor with a small, minimalist menu. At lunch time salads, panini and brunch items dominate. Reasonably priced organic food but service was incredibly slow. Reminded me of Delancey Street Cafe in SF's kind of menu, but definitely need to work on the service side of it. Dinner menu is similar but with a small selection of entrees such as steak, chicken etc. Forgot my camera so have no photos to show but will definitely take some on the next visit --- and I definitely WILL be visiting again!

    (4)

  • Lina P.

    Finally went for my first time tonight. The food was a lot tastier then I thought although I only had the ahi tartar and the honey something pennacotta. Had a glass of italian wine too which I liked... These things sure did add up quick...

    (4)

  • Mary C.

    We ate at Town last night for the first time. The entrees were very good and proportion size more than adequate, and pretty average price. We also enjoyed the nice complimentary tray of antipasto and breads. What we were NOT happy with was the price of the wines by the glass!!! $10 for a small glass of wine that was barely half full. Really??? And the price of bottled wine was ridiculous. Its clear this restaurant is trying to make all their profit off their liquor. Another down-side: the size of the tables for 4. Unless you're having an intimate dinner with your sweety, its just too tight for comfort and casual conversation with friends. Tables are too small,guys. However, the chicken and Monchong (white fish) entrees were delicious, but served without starch, all sides are ala carte.

    (3)

  • Boki C.

    i didn't know i was going to another "alan wong-esque" type of establishment. the prices were kinda higher than i expected walking in there. but i knew it was a farm-to-table establishment, so i was up for it. their menu changes everyday. the wait staff was good, but food took FOREVER to come out... luckily living here for almost a year, i've been groomed to become a tad more patient, unlike my nyc self. the portions are TINY for what you pay. entrees are about $20+ the food IS VERY GOOD. i had the gnocchi & my friend had seared ahi, i think. both were delectable. fresh ingredients... mmm ono. they give a portion of complimentary bread + olives + butter, which is yummy too ($2 for more i think!) i'm not giving 5 stars, cuz it's $$$$$$$$$$$. i'd rather go to alan wong's & pay a lil more for a LARGER portion of food. prob wont go again cuz $$$$$$$$$$ but it's tasty, worth trying!! =)

    (4)

  • Mr Blix E.

    Town is in...you guessed it, Town. That aside, this place is definitely more hype than substance. I've been there once with my wife and have no intention of going back. The restaurant itself is quite nice, it's got a sparse, clean, modern look. In fact, if I designed a place to relax in, it would most likely resemble Town, for sure. Although, this leads to your narrators first problem. As nice as it is, I don't like the isolative feel of the restaurant. I don't go to a place on 9th avenue near Palolo to disassociate myself from the community it's located in. I'd rather feel a connection to the place that I'm eating in, in the neighborhood that I'm eating in, rather than have a purposeful detachment meant to segregate you from your communal environment. After all, let's not fool ourselves, this ain't no 5 star restaurant. Anywho, back to the program... We were warmly greeted by the host and were seated almost instantly. There were enough people to keep it busy, but not enough people to make it busy. Our waithelp...well...to be blunt, he sucked. He was enamored by the table behind us and I just wrote that off as him being a jack-ass. That aside, I honestly don't remember the food being all that great. What I ate there doesn't stick in my mind as much as how horrible the service was. All in all, the food was obviously not memorable, I think I've had more memorable meals at Jack In the Box than what I ate at Town. In fact, after we've gotten it out of our system I think my wife and I are more interested and intrigued by the 9th Avenue Rock House, which we still need to visit, rather than go back to Town.

    (2)

  • Michael P.

    My wife and I went to Town with great expectations - and, indeed, have had a couple of reasonably good meals there. But we'll never, ever go back - even if we're invited by friends to go there. The two occasions when we did have meals, the service was extremely slow at best - and everyone in the restaurant had the same complaint. I don't know what's wrong, but something isn't working. And while some of the waitstaff are very polite and attentive, others were just the opposite - bordering on rude. We eat out virtually every night, so we're used to all kinds of service, and even sympathetic to small restaurants that seem to try hard and have creative menus. But, in the case of Town, the slow, uneven, and often poor service is just one of the challenges. What really turned us off is the treatment we received on our last few visits. On our last two visits we arrived early, were seated by polite, cheerful staff, and were reviewing our menus when the hostess (?) arrived at our table and announced that we couldn't sit there and would have to move to the bar. The restaurant was about 90% empty at the time, but when we questioned her, the hostess responded that all of the tables were reserved. The first time this happened, we thought it was a fluke. But when it happened on our next visit as well, and when we encountered the same rude and overbearing hostess, we walked out determined to never return. We enjoy small restaurants, and are willing to be flexible. But in this case it seems clear that the hostess was determined not to seat two people at a four-top table, even when the restaurant was nearly empty and there weren't any other suitable options. And, while I don't like to make uninformed judgments, it seemed to me that the hostess was incredibly and needlessly rude, and that management doesn't seem to care at all about service.

    (1)

  • Yu T.

    This place, I would go for food and service. One of the best vegetable soup, it was delicious. The best gnocchi in Honolulu so far. Unfortunately, the atmosphere is very industrial cold.

    (4)

  • Donna Z.

    Dined at Town while visiting from California. Don't miss this wonderful experience. The food is superb and the drinks delicious and we couldn't ask for better service. You won't be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Martin J.

    Went on a Thursday night with the family. I was running a little bit late and had to park several blocks away. So I sent a text to my wife as I walked up. She was already seated and we ordered right away. It was 65 minutes later that our entrees arrived! I know because I had sent a text. Yes, the place was busy, but over an hour to get your food? The food is tasty, but parking sucks and service is worse. We asked them politely to wrap it up and we'd take it to go. They looked like we had insulted them! The waitress did say "Sorry for the wait", but they didn't offer to take anything off the bill, or free dessert or anything. When we got home I was looking forward to eating. After all their food is tasty. When I opened the styrofoam I found some else's half eaten meal. Yuck! My advice, go two blocks up the hill and find dozens of nice restaurants that know how to serve you dinner!

    (1)

  • Jake S.

    I generally always end up getting disappointed with food in Hawaii, Town is an exception, the food was great. The lunch menu for the day I was there was great and I really enjoyed the pasta dish I had. The wine menu was expansive without being overly intimidating, I was glad to have a torrontes by glass available, as it is one of my favorite varietals. Minus one star for service and noise. I don't know why our waitress came to work that day, she obviously was having a bad day and unfortunately it showed. A small intimate setting that was ruined by everyone having to yell to have a conservation. Its too bad a great meal had to be ruined by service and noise, but would love to try this place again.

    (4)

  • ellie q.

    I had a pasta dish with wide flat noodles, a reddish cream sauce and wild boar in it. The portions are small and the prices are well, a little pricey but the dish I had was delicious! My boyfriend also had a fish dish and said it was the best restaurant fish he has ever had. They use fresh locally grown produce and I hear all the meats are local as well (including the deer). They also use recycled products which is good for eviromentally conscience people. Famous people frequent this place so you will never know who you will run in to. The best part I think is for people who have dogs (big or small) will also love this place because you can sit with them in the outdoor eating area, and your server will bring your puppy a bowl of water for them to drink! How cool is that!? Parking is limited, but you can usually find one on the street if their parkinglot is full.

    (4)

  • Ryoko Y.

    I love Town... I've been here twice & enjoyed it each time! Everything I've had was quite good, not to mention their breads... YUM! Yeah... I give them 5 stars all the way!

    (5)

  • Glaciala A.

    Liked the hamburger...menu concept is interesting...quiet and good place if you want to go and hear the conversation. I'd go back and try the pasta...since a lot of people in my group really enjoyed it.

    (4)

  • C J.

    Town is the restaurant to go to when you want to have great food and feel great about supporting our local economy and agriculture. Ed Kenney has the vision and the palate to showcase local/sustainable cuisine. The darker side of Town is the front of the house, where inconsistency abounds and indifference sours a memorable dish. Having a hipster waitstaff is great for for the image but when they can't describe a simple sauce or seemingly ignore repeated requests for a glass of water, it really takes away from the hard work and prep that goes into bringing that dish to the table. Go to Town, eat the food, support local agriculture, leave 10% when your service sucks.

    (4)

  • Scott R. D.

    The food here is very good. The emphasis here is on local ingredients. So, you get Kahuku corn and tomatoes and Nalo greens. And what Town does with these is lovely. I had a Frito Misto of Moi that was to die for. The batter was light and crispy perfection with the moist moi in the middle. For lunch the panini sandwiches are good choices. I always enjoy Town.

    (4)

  • Cynthia A.

    The parsley juice-topped lemonade is my favorite thing here. When you first get it it's layered almost as much as a "black and tan" or a "half-n-half", then the parsley juice starts to diffuse. Of course the ratios are different. I normally hate american and italian parsley, but I like this! The food is good, but I wish they had a larger menu. I like how the menu is presented on a clip-board. One out of 4 of the times I've been there I couldn't get a seat inside. Sitting outside sucks with tradewinds and traffic so close. Inside the decor is really neat-o. If I can't sit inside I'll just eat somewhere else. Parking in the back lot is limited. There's not very much close street parking. It's a pain that there are several one-way streets nearby when trying to find parking.

    (4)

  • Kris L.

    We love town not because of its phenomenal, melt-in-your mouth handmade pastas - not because of the funky artwork that changes every few months - not because of the awesome, inventive drinks - not because of the buttery, yummy, homemade bread - not because of the fresh, amazing food...nope. We love town because bar manager Dave is hella cool. Everything else are just added, supremely fantastic, bonuses.

    (5)

  • theresa s.

    my first time at town. went a few weeks ago for the wine down with a girlfriend. my initial impression was not a good one, and it got better as the night progressed. BF and i went came early to sit at the bar for drinks and wait for my friend, but the place wasnt open yet (slated to open in 10 minutes). we were asked to have a seat at the outdoor chairs and they would come out to get us. we waited 20-25 minutes with no word. i peeked inside. there were people at the bar and already seated at tables, apparently they were regulars and came in from the other side of the building, not the front door. i was rather annoyed since no one told us they were open. we proceeded to the bar, and the bartender took a while to help us, he was being chatty with the 2 guys that were next to us-- turned out they were 2 of the "hosts" of the wine down that evening. he was not the typical "make me feel welcomed" bartender. when he finally asked us what we would like, i asked him for a recommendation, and he gave us some small tastings. the night was positive from there on out. he was friendly and even kept pouring more of the wine what we liked. he recommended an appetizer which i really enjoyed. if you are participating in the wine down, they give you a free inspired cocktail, and it was very good. friend came and we headed to the wine down table outdoors. it was situated like a long table where you sit with the other wine down participants. the wine down event is $25 and there are food tastings that accompany each wine. every dish and accompanying wine was explained. the progression of the food and wine was yummy and appeared to be matched appropriately. (note that these are only food tastings, so it would be good if you came a tad bit early like we did and have some pupus first. there is a bread basket that you can get for $2) we had an overall good experience and i would go back!

    (4)

  • Joy S.

    We went to this place after hanging out at our friend's bar next door. I was lazy and was hungry. I was dressed in boto boto clothes (t-shirt, slippahs, etc) and was hesitant to go in, but my friend and husband convinced me. The food was darn good, I had an organic salad and tomato bisque soup and I have to say it was so tasty. My friend liked his meal too. To top the evening off we bumped into a "Lost" actor eating his meal there for the night too :)

    (4)

  • I. K.

    I had good appetizers and a nice pasta dish here. The downside was a ridiculously long wait even with a timely reservation we arranged.

    (3)

  • Erin L.

    Plate was licked clean...Went to "town" last night!! Since their menu is selected daily, it is kind of limited. Even so, there was only about 2 things on the menu that I would not eat, only because I do not care for fishy seafood (i.e. Shrimp risotto & Tuna). I was torn between the fresh pappardelle. pasta, gnocchi, half chicken, pork shoulder with polenta and kale, sirloin steak and opah. At the last minute, I decided to go with the fresh opah, which was ONO!! ;o) It was topped with a limu sauce and an interesting variety of sauteed farm fresh veggies (turnip, radish, meyer lemon, tomatoes). I'm not an adventurous eater, but these creative dishes won over my tastebuds! For someone who doesn't care for seafood, the opah was soOo fresh, I ate every morsel! For dessert, the waiter chose the mountain apple tart for me (as I requested to be surprised). EXCELLENT choice! Mountain apple is my favorite fruit, but I was reluctant since I've only eaten it as is. The crust was also very crispy, not soggy and I am almost certain they whip their own cream. Their service is okay, but not great. They're popular and they know it. Every single time I have gone in there, whether it be for breakfast or lunch, they all have an attitude like, "you're lucky you got a table", instead of being gracious to have the business. Knowing I was going to meet some friends that night, I called them after they opened in the morning to request that a menu be faxed to me. No one answered. I just got a voice recording. I called at least 5 other times throughout the day. Once, I got a busy signal. I *66ed them, so my phone would automatically call them as soon as they hung up. Both baffled and frustrated, I STILL got their answering machine! I called again and left a message this time. Then I called right after that. Someone finally picked up. When I asked for the dinner menu to be faxed, they said they don't type up the dinner menu until 5:20PM. When I asked if he could call me when the menu is ready and then I would turn the fax machine on so he could fax it, he questioned me and asked why I couldn't just turn the machine on then (3 hours before). Apparently, prospective customers with a $200+ check are too inconvenient with them to deal with since they know they are going to get the business from some other people. I did not receive a call nor fax...BUT THE FOOD WAS AWESOME...So, whatevers.

    (4)

  • Sheryl S.

    When you're here, the lemonade is a must-have. The lemonade is topped with parsley juice, which gives it a cool cocktail effect. It's very good & good for you. Warm French bread & panini bread is served with butter, olive oil, & actual olives. Presentation was cute. I read somewhere that the soups here were a must-have. Boy, were they correct. The cream of mushroom & cauliflower soup were absolutely amazing. I could taste the freshness of the ingredients; it was nothing like Campbell's canned soups at all. Also, they will split an order of soup for 2 people to share. I also tried the ahi tartarte. I can't really complain. Portions are small (3 pieces,) but very filling because they are just bursting with flavor. It seemed like it was ahi poke on top of small circle-shaped hash browns. They were delicious, but I have had better ahi tartarte at other places. I ordered the half-chicken with torn bread & torn grapes. This plate was absolutely delicious. The chicken was very soft & tender with a slight crispy & moisty outer-skin. After first bite, I was this close as to walking straight to the kitchen & proposing to the chef. I also tried the sword fish with small white beans. I have never ate fish cooked with so much red sauce (forgot the name of the sauce.) It kind of resembled a soup. It was so-so, I definitely liked my chicken better. The atmosphere is nice with its light blue walls, contemporary lighting & furniture. The menu is kind of cute, too. It's on a clipboard, because the menu changes daily due to what ingredients are available. This is a great first-date place. You can totally dress up or dress down here, I've seen a woman with a Birkin bag & another man in a tshirt and rubber slippers. However, the tables are very close together. That entire evening, I heard the next tables' entire wedding plans. Town gets very crowded & reservations are definitely a must, especially for dinner. I came at a time when Town was not too busy, 6:00pm. Service was pretty good, but once 6:30pm hit, service turned very very slow. I asked for an extra plate & my waitress completely forgot. I didn't get my check until 10 minutes after asking for it. Free ample parking is located right in back of the restaurant. However, the spaces are extremely tight.

    (4)

  • Kath H.

    I really enjoyed the food at Town but unfortunately the service was terrible. A couple of friends were visiting from out of the US and wanted to return to Town because of their great memories from a couple years ago. I had been for lunch a few times a few years ago and enjoyed it. Calling that afternoon, we could only get an 8:45 reservation and despite the 2 empty 2-tops side by side, the hostess asked us to wait until finally after 9 she shoved those tables together. Our waitress Elisa was one of the unhappiest servers I've ever had, I've worked in restaurants and bars many years and know that some days are tougher than others and you can't always be on, but she was not only rude but dismissive and then has to come back to ask our orders since she didn't write them down and couldn't remember. Fortunately the food was delicious - the chicken cooked perfectly and the dalo and greens were great, but overall the night was ruined by the awful service, and (somewhat sadly) since there are so many other great restaurants around that we won't be bothered to return to Town.

    (2)

  • Melissa K.

    We ate here for lunch. I've been wanting to try town for years, but I always forget this place exists. Like other people, we did have a bit of a wait for service, but it was well worth it. The combination of flavors are simple so they could easily be blah, but whoever is cooking has a good palate. Simply delicious. Anyway, I had a tasty lamb, feta and mint sandwich and my husband had a burger. You can get nalo greens or fries with your burger or sandwich. All of the ingredients are really fresh and these were by far some of the best fries I've ever had. They were fried with herbs and perfectly seasoned. I'll probably come back just for the lamb and fries. The cocktails were okay-- a bit bitter for my taste. I found the prices to be reasonable, but the atmosphere was a bit on the cold side. All in all, I can't wait to try it again.

    (4)

  • Valerie P.

    oh so disappointed this time around. i used to lunch here about every other month but haven't been in almost a year. i took my mom here for a little birthday treat and after our experience i'll never go back. while we were waiting outside for our table another party of 2 walked in and was seated right away. i confronted our host/server about it and there were no apologies but she sat us at another table that had opened while we were waiting. service was super slow even to get water. i never got a water refill he dropped our check (which i had to ask for). the food was pretty tasty but i am so disappointed with the lack of service that i'll never go back. there were plenty of staff around and it didn't seem terribly busy, it just looked like no one was helping each other and there was zero sense of urgency. boo!

    (1)

  • David O.

    I went there the other night with a bunch of friends and I must say the food and drinks there was pretty good. The atmosphere was relaxing and the local fed ribeye steak I ordered was fantastic. The parking situation isn't the best but the food is well worth it.

    (4)

  • David C.

    We love this place. Thank goodness for a restaurant in Hawaii that doesn't use soy sauce in every dish! Contemporary American fare with fresh, clean and precise flavors not muddled with every trendy spice/herb in every dish, Town pleases our palates so much we would go at least once a week! The risottos are always delicious (we add a side of hamakua mushrooms), the hand cut pasta is always wonderful, and if gnocchi are on the menu, try them. We think they are special. The drink list is extensive and always changing. No fruity syrup reinvented Mai tais here. Drinks are handcrafted from classic recipes that balance all taste sensations including sweet, sour, and bitter. There's a nice wine list within most budgets. The bartender can definitely make good suggestions. The slow service mentioned by so many is never our experience. Maybe because we are slow diners and enjoy our food and the evening out. Two hours seems like a nice leisurely dinner to us. Maybe others are in more of a rush? In any case, nice changing desserts, and after dinner drinks are available. Four stars for food, service and general atmosphere. If there was a way to bring the noise level down just a little bit we'd give Town five stars.

    (4)

  • Jo H.

    A lot of my friends hate this place, but I've got to say, i've been here once for lunch and a few times for dinner and i've loved it! i like the lemonade they have, and their corkage fee isn't ridiculous. i always get the ahi tartare, and that's always great. it's little risotto cakes and ahi and balsamic. i've had the mahi with the berry butter which was incredibly moist, and i think my boyfriend had the lamb and he enjoyed it as well. and the menu always changes, but that's a good thing because it never gets boring. and i LOVE the crepe cake. it's light and delicious. the portions at Town aren't the biggest and i guess it's a little pricey, but i think they make up for it with flavor and good ingredients. and i've always had good service there--really knowledgeable servers who know a lot about their food which is a plus. i can't speak for everyone else, but i always look forward to going to Town

    (4)

  • Meep M.

    I'm not a fan of their lunches, but I lovvveee their dinner selections. Their dishes are fresh, light, and prepared perfectly.

    (4)

  • Mimi M.

    I'm reviewing after a couple marvelous dinner experiences. The monchong I had was so fresh and perfectly cooked. It was still moist deep inside even though it was a thick filet. It was served with some veggies and a meyer lemon and caper berry sauce. The lemony sauce even had lemon pieces in it. It was delightful. The service was perfect. The waiter made perfect recommendations and even warned me that the chicken would take about 30 minutes which made me opt for the monchong. And for dessert, he made the best recommendation to try Zaya's 12 year rum. Awesome place. My new favorite. I finally tried the chicken with bread salad. It was tasty but if you have a tender mouth, soak the bread in the sauce a bit. The bread was toasted until it could cut the mouth and the size of the bread pieces forced you to bite down on it in order to swallow. They had another white fish with the meyer lemon sauce that I was tempted to try, but I decided to try a new dish. We started off with an ahi tartare appetizer that was killer. It was like a slightly mayonnaise-y poke on a toasted couscous bed. It was to die for. Again, for dessert, I had the rum!!! It never fails to satisfy. I think I'd go back for the lemon-caper berry fish... I've also had a lovely pasta dish with ahi and capers. I think the noodles were homemade. The dish was lovely, but the lunch prices were a little high. I think with a mid-day drink (sangria), ahi pasta, and a latte... It came out to about $35 after tax and tip... Perhaps it's my fault for ordering so much. All in all, the food is still awesome and attainable... I still love this restaurant.

    (5)

  • Lisa M.

    Food is great. Organic, local, fresh, etc. Service is not very consistant. Sometimes they take a while to get to you. It's a great atmosphere. Parking can be tough when it's busy. Overall, I love going there.

    (4)

  • Richard K.

    Great food! Nice setting, friendly and neighborhoodly with an inspired menu. Definitely worth a return trip.

    (4)

  • Bill S.

    The best meal that we found in all of Hawaii! The food and service was so good that we came back a 2nd time during our vacation. Don't miss it!!!!

    (5)

  • Tina Y.

    Yummy, yummy and they're dog friendly!!! Many thanks for that

    (5)

  • Lionel B.

    Great food, dynamic menu, great service and last but not least pet friendly (outside seating). Makes me so happy to be a Kaimuki resident.

    (4)

  • Joe K.

    To be perfectly honest, the main reason I went is because I heard the cast of LOST hangs out there. I heard the food was great as well so it looked like a win/win situation. I went there twice for lunch. It was okay, but I think the hype really set me up for a let down, which it ultimately was. I know I had a burger and the 2nd time a sandwich and I can't even tell you what kind of burger and sandwich they were after the fact, so it must have been average.

    (2)

  • Ane P.

    I was pleased to stop by town the last time I was in the neighborhood to grab breakfast. From the reviews I had read, I was under the belief that at any other time of the day (assuming it were busy), it would be crazy and loud. Fortunately there was only one other couple in the restaurant, and I was able to eat my portuguese sausage in peace. What I did appreciate (and what in fact had pushed me in the direction of this place to begin with), was the organic food selection and the natural foods appeal. I'm sure there was nothing organic about my sausage, but I did have it with some steel-cut oats, which in my head evened out the good with the bad. I would maybe stop by here again in the future for another quiet morning breakfast.

    (4)

  • lauryn g.

    By far my most favorite spot to eat in "town". I love the place, the food is the best of quality and ethics and the people who work there are awesome! I like when they play quality music as well. The prices are a bit steep, but worth it. I sometimes get upset when they are closed for siesta, but I like the mentality and understand the importance! I wish there were more eateries like Town in Honolulu! Excited to try "Downtown"!

    (5)

  • Kevin B.

    It's not the Kaimuki I knew growing up, that's for sure, but it just goes to show that, contrary to the widely held belief, Hawaii does change. The waiters, and all the staff for that matter, were very friendly. The table was cleared, cleaned, and kept stocked with appropriate silverware as it should have been. The big problem was the speed. Dishes came out of the kitchen so slowly that quite a number of customers were irritated. I saw someone get their food (that course, anyway) comp'd because it took so long. We, on the other hand, must of been just short of that threshold. The food, when it eventually came out, was delicious. I had a nice salad then a perfectly cooked a'u -- super tender and moist inside, with just the very beginnings of a searing on the outside. My friend's mussels in broth/ bouillabaisse was well executed and very flavorful, and he seemed to enjoy his pork cheeks a lot. Desserts didn't entice, so we skipped them. The restaurant's got a good buzz, and is noisy enough so that it's reasonably difficult to hear your neighbor's conversations without it being overbearing. Shiny silver (brushed?) tables with no tablecloths was a style element that caught my eye, which is probably saying something since I've got a reputation of having no style sense or even consciousness.

    (4)

  • Kimo U.

    Three, two of whom had been here before, of us needed a Memorial Day dinner out. This establishment came up during our discussion of choices. The complimentary bread with olives in olive oil were brought out. A couple of splashes of balsamic vinegar would have been so welcome. Beet salad, bruschetta with duck confit, ahi tartare started us off. The last seemed a mite pricey, but all in all, what a solid beginning. No complaints at all. The duck confit was exceptional. Monchong, pork shoulder & gnocchi were prepared beautifully. The gnocchi with sausage bits had a sauce that was so light / different from those I'd had before; the gnocchi seemed less dense - all good. Dinner culminated with mango sorbet and panini; passable. Their wine choices need to be expanded to include more California wines . . . so provincial, I am. Their prices? Not much out of line. An A/C unit dripping water on my shoulder resulted in us being moved quickly. Service issues mentioned in other reviews were nonexistent - the place was less than half full - service was not slow. Upon seeing us sharing, small plates were suggested and provided by the wait person. NOTE: We avoided the steak after reading other yelps & a previous "tough" experience by one of us. Mayhaps that item needs to be rethunk.

    (4)

  • George D.

    GREEAAAT BARTENDER!!!!!!!!!! Not every bar has a great bartender , in fact most (s-ck) are incapable and a bad rap on their profession. I dont recall his name but the bartender here is truly a professional of grand proportion, and I am truly a drinking mans expert. Not only is each drink quality controlled with his "sniffer" and straw, but he follows up to make certain that you enjoy his concoctions. Add to the fact that he is an expert on the menu and you have a winning combination. I would have thought he was the owner, but was advised otherwise. If the owner is reading this GIVE HIM A RAISE!!!! he is why people come. Food is fair , and I say that only because you are trying to be high end and I have to compare you in that vein. Accordingly, you must use better meats and our sauces must be more consistent. All in all , I will be back especially for the wine Wednesday events. Yes its loud and the bathrooms are on the other side of the universe. but this is a gem in Hawai'i.

    (4)

  • Candice S.

    I moved from Maui to Oahu just a week ago and my first few days on the island were a real challenge-car broke down, bed bugs in my first place (eek) so I decided to treat myself to lunch at this fabulous restaurant so many people had raved about. Not only was my fish pasta absolutely divine, my server, Maria, totally helped turn my rough day around and show me what the aloha spirit is all about. Their "dark and stormy" cocktail with homemade ginger juice is a great starter and the coffee ice cream was a fabulous finish. Only downside was that the handle on the sink in the bathroom broke when I went to wash my hands. Those little details matter, eh? All around I am excited to go back!

    (4)

  • Mary G.

    There were 9 of us in our party and we really enjoyed the food and beverages. The restaurant is a bit loud, but that means people were having fun! A couple of people who ordered steak had to send it back because it was too rare. But, I ordered the fish and it was delicious! This is a gem hidden among random businesses. The parking was difficult, but the food made up for that inconvenience. The food is fresh, local and organic and I would definitely recommend this restaurant.

    (4)

  • Christina M.

    My date had swordfish and I had never had swordfish before. It was amazing. I can't remember what I had but it was good at the least. The decor is really nice and the waitstaff was really patient with me. I'd never been to a restaurant that had a daily changing menu, so I was a little confused, also some of the items I hadn't heard of and the waitstaff was very enthusiastic when explaining them.

    (5)

  • Raphael K.

    By R: I agree with others. This place is severely overrated. It's also neither charming nor unique. The dining room is too dark to appreciate the food, not that the food was any good. Waaaaay overpriced for the quantity & also the quality. The service from everyone from the greeter, the host, the waitress, & server ranged from inattentive, slow, to just plain snooty. Why such snooty high makamaka service in a chill place such as Kaimuki I don't get it. The name "Town" suggests high-class dining, but really it's just a name & an attitude.

    (2)

  • Snooker H.

    Wish I could give this gem five stars, but the service is slow and uninspired. The burger I had for lunch was so perfect and the shoestring french fries amazing. My soy latte was to die for. My boyfriends bottled beer was flat and tasteless; we would have sent it back but our server never came back to check on how our meal was. Tried to go again last Sunday but sadly they were closed for family day.

    (4)

  • Mike C.

    Great dinner at Town last night. The Mahi Mahi with Meyer Lemon & Caperberry Sauce was perfect. The pan searing crisped the outside but inside the fish was tender and moist. Local ingredients, wonderfully and creatively prepared. A great meal overall.

    (5)

  • Joy W.

    i had family in town visiting so took them to town, raving about the fresh flavors and local ingredients the place offered. it had been a while since i visited and everything looked as i remembered, which was good and bad because the menu hadn't changed much when it used to change a lot. but the worst part was the service. we were immediately seated and the server came to take first our drink orders (they were out of apple juice, boo!) and then our food orders. and then after that ... nothing. we waited nearly an hour for our food; one party even came in after us, was seated, ate and left before we got our food. the server didn't even come by to check on us or apologize for the wait until we flagged him down and only then he said, "it'll be out soon." we contemplated leaving but kept thinking our dishes would arrive. and when they finally did, again no apologies for the wait, just our food placed in front of us (although one came a few minutes later) and that was that. thought really yummy food would help salvage our horrible experience but nope. like i said, one dish came late, which was the ahi burger and consisted of ground ahi, not a filet. even worse, the order was wrong, we had wanted salad, not fries but at that point we were too hungry to send it back. the veggie panino was cold and my hand-cut pasta was salty. overall, a really disappointing experience after many previous enjoyable ones. when the server came back to clear our plates, he offered us a free dessert for the wait (finally, an acknowledgment!) but we didn't want to wait for what could be another hour, so we declined and left. that was probably the best part of our meal.

    (1)

  • Steven O.

    Simlply the best food in honolulu bar none. Great. love it eat there three days a week. Yummie

    (5)

  • Arsena K.

    I celebrated my friend's birthday with a bunch of my girlfriends. We all loved the food and the service was great. They used all local ingredients which we all loved. The only thing was that it was pretty warm. The track light above us was making us sweat so we requested to turn up the AC. Which they did and we enjoyed our meal!

    (4)

  • Ashley K.

    My boss took me here for lunch and I have to say, when I walked in I immediately got high expectations on how the food should taste. The atmosphere is way cool- very contemporary but still classy. The servers were all very friendly and helpful with the menu. I got the lemonade- and it was GREEN, and REALLY good! I think they use a lot of organic items, which was neat, and the prices were not significantly higher or anything. The food was decent. Not the best I've ever had, but definitely still very good food.

    (3)

  • S. M. H.

    I guess we judge the places we go based on how well they can mix a cocktail and how good is the service. We live on an island, so I expect to sit a little longer for the easy going slow pace. But there is a basic timing to a meal and this place misses it completely. The foo

    (3)

  • J G.

    The concept of town is my kind of place, menu is awesome and always changing. I like the use of local produce and sustainable foods. I also would add that now that I've been coming here often I still enjoy the good and have learn to love the staff. My wife and I have all of our dates here!

    (5)

  • kirstin p.

    The concept of Town is great. Kaimuki is an up-and-coming area for restaurants and is a really neat older part of Oahu that has retained some of it's charm. They use fresh island-grown produce and change their menu frequently. I have only dined there once, and the food was good. the Polenta was very yummy. I also had a Moi (fish) on top of a nice light sauce with white beans. The flavors were very understated and everything seemed fresh. The service was not terrible, but it also wasn't the most attentive. The atmosphere was a bit loud at times. Because the floors are concrete and the furnishings pretty sparse, we could clearly hear conversations that were going on around us. All-in-all, i would come back again, perhaps for lunch or if I just wanted good fresh food in a casual dining atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Anjelika J.

    Aight, where do I start? ***DON'T PARK IN NEIGHBORS DRIVEWAYS*** LAW IS: CAR SHOULD BE 4 FEET AWAY FROM THE CURB *** Parking is GREAT for me because I live down the street. Parking is NOT great for me when it's someone, who is going to dine there, parking in my driveway. Anyway, H and I ended up there one night on a whim. We walked in and they sat us right smack in the window. I ordered some alcoholic drink which was missing the alcohol. We ate the olives and the bread. Our waiter was LAME. He never came around to check on us. The table behind us was a bunch o' loud-and-i-think-i'm-21 old folks who seemed to be well tended to by OUR waiter. With all that aside, I ordered a steak. The steak was gooood. It came with a wee salad which was good. H ordered some sort of roast chicken thing which he didn't care for. I think I loved my steak because I was tired and hungry like I was stoned but I wasn't. Then we ordered a dessert that was suppose to have vanilla bean sauce or a custard or something like that. Anyway, the next day we realized that the dessert was totally missing that custard. Overall, this place is somewhere to try once and then you'd be over it. It's totally overrated. It's an aight place to go but sure as hell not worth parking in my driveway and getting a $50 ticket over.

    (2)

  • Nelle H.

    I Love Town!!!!!!!!!!!!! I might be a bit biased because my bf has worked here since it opened, but I have been eating the food for over four years and I still love it! Breakfast, effing awesome, love it. My favorites fried rice, banana pancakes, and sweet bread french toast. Lunch love it, I don't get to enjoy lunch here very often because I work during the day, but the cheeseburger is so awesome. Dinner, my fave! Hands down the best thing on the menu is the ahi tare tare, but I enjoy EVERY entree on the menu. Oh and don't forget the dessert, they have a dessert called crepe cake and every bite is like heaven!

    (5)

  • Kevin S.

    A nice little place nestled in Kaimuki. They are totally organic and nearly all of their food comes from Hawaii. So its a total Hawaii No Ka Oi (Hawaii's #1) type place. That said, the decor is quite modern and really doesn't feel like your typical Hawaii eatery and the food shows a lot of pacific rim flair. I'd comment about the menu, but I've been told it changes pretty frequently so I'll wait till my next visit to really comment. In any case, for the local person looking for something new to try or the aventurous tourist who happens to be in the area (you'll need to rent a car to get here) its definitely worth checking out.

    (4)

  • L W.

    I've been driving by this place for a while and have finally tried it for both lunch and dinner. parking was a large problem, especially at night when the entire district is hopping with the dining crowd. Be sure to park in the little lot right behind town, it only looks like the apartment parking. The wait staff is wonderful in helping you understand every aspect of the menu! DINNER: Complimentary bread, butter, and olives: Cold and hard, I like 12th Avenue Grill's better. Kabocha Gnocci: Soft, light, fluffy dumplings stuffed with an extremely tangy pumpkin puree in a buerre blanc sauce. I eschewed it, but my Uncle seemed to really enjoy it. Perhaps an acquired taste. Duck Confit: BRILLIANT! Tender, juicy duck swimming in a savry brown (orange juice, cinnamon, duck drippings, salt, pepper) confit. Side of tender roasted sweet potatoes and roasted bok choy. Falls right off the bone. Hand Cut Pasta: The best pasta I have ever eaten. In a light butter-ish sauce with asparagus, tomatoes, onions and a little bit of crunchy bread crumbs to top it off. This is a must have for lunch or dinner. Steak: Fatty, juicy, red, oozing steak perfectly prepared medium rare and seasoned with a mixture of herbs. Side of parsley herbed crispy fries...winner. After such a wonderful dinner, dessert was extremely disappointing... Banana Panini: Sweet bread slathered with milk chocolate and sandwiched inbetween them were bananas. Grilled. It was good alright, but I could've made this at home...perhaps even better. Butter Almond Financier: Waiter described this as a crips cookie with a soft center...WRONG. More like a really buttery coffee cake. Major let down. Honey PannaCotta: Sour jell-o-y mound drizzled with extra sweet honey. LUNCH: Frittata: Wonderful! Lightest, fluffiest eggs baked with onions, peppers, goat cheese, and herbs. Only seven inches in diameter, this is the perfect light lunch and comes with a side of salad. Burger: Hot, juicy, moist, and wonderfully seasoned meat with a slice of melting cheese, tomato, lettuce all in between two grilled buns. Comes with a side of herbed crisp fries...the best! If you're a big red-meat-eater this is your ticket! Their lemonade was okay, with some fresh parsley juice on top, extremely subtle and not very va-va-voom lemony flavor. Slightly disappointing considering the hype. Overall the actual entrees are awesome and highly gourmet, but lacks in dessert and beverages. I would go again, but pick up some dessert from cafe laufer or jj's afterward.

    (4)

  • Satoru Y.

    Town's too inconsistent, but utilizes a wonderful concept. The concept is local ingredients to create delicious meals, to be served in a contemporary setting. It is refreshing for the area, and has been one of the forerunners to refocusing cuisine attention to the Kaimuki area. The decor is very modern, and is a fresh change of scenery for the neighborhood. The music at night can be a bit too loud, and can overpower your table's conversations. The service can be very good, but I have seen it be a bit inattentive. If the staff is on, it can provide a personable presentation of the food. The food is just too inconsistent. Take the Ahi Tartar; I've had it many times and it can be either really delicious or surprisingly terrible. Correspondingly, there have been dinners that I have had here that have been great and some that were terrible. I have found the lunches here to be the best. The simpler dishes seem to shine here more consistently than when they attempt something requiring more careful execution. Town is worth a try, but it is not all that it could be.

    (3)

  • Levy O.

    I've been to Town 2x so far since I moved here last month. And the experiences were less than fabulous. The restaurant seems like a cool place from outside and the fact that they also use local produce makes it seem cooler. The only time I've been there were for brunch. They have a small menu for brunch, which is fine by me. The foods are pretty good, I like their Egg and fontina panini sandwich. However, the service needs a lot of work. The 2 times that I was there, I got impressions that the waiter/waitress don't really care or they're confused. First time I was having brunch there, no one told us that the coffee is self-service. So we waited for 30 min at our table for our regular black coffee. The second time I was there, the guy who took our order behind the bar seemed like he cared more about fixing the sign that taking our order. Also, they ran out of coffee and rice around 10 AM...what happened? I've never been to a brunch where they run out of coffee. Anyway, I am still curious about dinner time there. Heard some good reviews and bad review....but I'm willing to give it a try. Wait 'till next time...

    (2)

  • Mark V.

    My partner and I came across Town quite randomly by reading a review here. It was our first night in Honolulu and we wanted high quality food and service but wanted to get out of the resort where we were staying. We were drawn to Town for its philosophy of local ingredients first and organic when possible. Town did not let us down. We tried a variety of appetizers, salads, entres (not to mention cocktails) and each one delighted us. The service was outstanding: our server patiently explained his recommendations, answered questions and made us feel right at home. We're from San Francisco and are fortunate enough to live in a city with great cuisine. Town is outstanding and not to be missed.

    (5)

  • Jeffrey B.

    I can't really emphasize any more than 56 reviews, so I'll just say I've been eating at town for almost two years now and I've never been disappointed. I have had the same waitress almost every time. Which is, needless to say, something you really can't get that often - especially in tourist-trap Waikiki.

    (5)

  • Patricia D.

    What a gem! Tucked away from the bustle of Waikiki and downtown Honolulu, this was a great balance of inventive food, organic ingredients and the influence of Hawaiian cuisine. The menu changes, but if you're there while the chef is preparing gnocchi, don't pass it up - it practically disintegrates in your mouth, and the touch of nutmeg adds a neat flavor texture. The one downside is that the restaurant is a little butter-happy. As a Southerner, I love butter, but many of the dishes we got were slathered in it, when the natural flavors of the ingredients could've used less. Also - if the brown-butter financier is on the dessert menu, don't pass it up! It's a simple cake, but you'll savor every bite.

    (4)

  • Jenna R.

    I have been to Town several times for dinner and I have been impressed everytime. The menu constantly changes depending what local produce is available that day. They also have a great drink menu and also allow BYOB. I also went there for coffee and desert one night with an out of town friend. She was also very impressed. Additionally, I went to dinner there also with our friends who have a 2 year old girl. The waiter was great with her and was able to whip up a small kid size spaghetti plate for her. It was perfect. I highly recommend Town to anyone.

    (5)

  • D K.

    Town was once considered one of my favorite restaurants on this island aside from La Mer, Le Bistro, and 3660 On The Rise. Sadly our last three experiences have been drastically sub-par. The food has repeatedly disappointed as of late. The most recent visit resulted in the deletion of contact information on my cell phone. The chicken just hasn't been the same since their original source retired and the fries during our last dining sufferance was like a knotted ball of burnt oil, literally unpalatable. The mussels tasted old, and the server had a few too many hits from the bong.

    (1)

  • R.G. W.

    We went here for lunch. Service was horrible. We waited almost an hour for our food, and in the meantime were not treated to water service. I ordered a bacon/gorgonzola burger. The burger was charred to a crisp (I had requested medium-rare) and the fries were incredibly greasy and not well cooked. My wife ordered the vegetable long rice. It should've been called the 'shoyu long rice' because it was basically long rice noodles swimming in shoyu. Even the vegetables used were brown, I guess from wallowing in shoyu.

    (1)

  • Joshua S.

    My girlfriend and I have been coming to Town for a couple of years. All of the staff is super cool. The bar manager, Dave, always has a new drink up his sleeve and quick to share interesting recipes to share with others. Yes, at times it takes a little while to get your food. For us that's fine because we're usually enjoying our wine, cocktail or whatever and each others' company. Breakfast, lunch or dinner - it's all good! We especially like the scones in the morning, fish dishes for lunch and either the hand cut pasta or kulana striploin with roquefort butter for dinner. Awesome!!!

    (5)

  • altaf g.

    I really wanted to like this place, a local dude recommended it. The concept is nice (organic, local grown, seasonal, etc.) the waitstaff was nice the space/decor is interesting. Now the food, it was good but not great. The pasta dish I has was very good but the french fries were bad and they came in a very large quantity. On principle alone, would you trust a chef that can't get french fries right? Their website is pretty much useless. I get the whole 'we change our menu all the time' thing but you should have something useful on it about the kind of food you serve or the concept of the restaurant.

    (3)

  • Angel L.

    Our first time here eating dinner for my bf birthday dinner with his dad, I should say they have a nice ambiance reminds me of San Francisco kind of look and the food is not that bad but I had my expectation really low! Of course, we brought several bottle of champagne & wines to drink with our food too bad they charge for corkage pretty expensive but it'll be nice with free corkage! We would definitely come back again!

    (3)

  • Andrew G.

    Delicious focus on local constantly rotating menu of unique creations

    (5)

  • Esther F.

    Me: Would you like to go to town or downtown to eat for our meeting? Person (M): Sure, Let's go to TOWN. (.... what?) I learned of this place just a few days ago and was told to reserve a table, and so I did, through Yelp/OpenTable! I came on Friday, 3/2/2012 at noon. My friend and I had a meeting here with M, and it wasn't something I expected. Since it was a business meeting, we dressed in our business attire, and my friend was getting whistled at by cars on the side. As we walked in, most people were dressed casual, but well, we got to look good for a meeting, so, we thought we were fancy. Outside of Town, it didn't look much, but when you walk in, it looks much nicer and it feels like home in a way. The music they play isn't too distracting either. Bad thing is, when this place gets full, it'll be a little bit too loud, so it's kind of hard to hear when speaking with others. Anyway, we were greeted by a waitress and we told her we had a reservation for 3, and to my surprise, M was there and we quickly sat because not many people were in Town at the time. The waitress was nice, but we kept telling her to wait because we haven't looked at the menu yet since we went straight to business.. Whoops. But.. we finally ordered at around 1 PM. The menu's interesting and simple. Though, I got confused about what things were on the menu because sometimes it doesn't say pasta, salad, etc. unless you assume it is, or just ask. I didn't know what to order because I was confused with the menu, and so I asked the waitress what would she recommend. She says the hand-cut pasta, with broccoli, mushrooms, chili, and bread crumbs ($14) was a favorite. She told us that they're running out of hand-cut pasta, so they'll give me a different pasta. While waiting, which is probably about 10-15 minutes (time went by because we were too busy dealing with business), I noticed some food were still left on the table in the restaurant. It's been sitting there for a good... hour. I assume the waitress didn't realize someone was gone? Oh, there were only 2-3 waitresses. So service can be pretty bad. -1 So, when our food came, it looked delicious, and I was pretty hungry too. Upsetting thing... They ran out of hand-cut pasta, and instead, gave me linguini pasta. I took a bite out of it, and I don't know if it was just me (with my unprofessional taste buds for pasta), but it didn't taste very much. What I really tasted was the mushroom and broccoli. Otherwise, it was very light tasting, and I felt like I had more oil in me than I would like. Or it would probably be the linguini pasta. Overall, it was decent, and for the price... (since it's also organic) I would say it's okay, but it's not something I would come to pay for. Next time, I would want to try the salad if I were to come back, that looked delicious. For now, it'll be three stars.

    (3)

  • Rod U.

    Excellent attempt at a true farm to table restaurant. Consistency is a problem. The menu at Town reads well; loaded with farm fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Flavor combinations are inventive and taste good when the dish is properly seasoned and prepared. As mentioned consistency is a major problem. On one visit, the gnocchi with sage brown butter was perfect. Soft pillows dressed simply. On another visit, the gnocchi was so overcooked, pasty and rubbery. There are also problems with the consistency of cooking proteins. Dry chicken, blue steak (it was still moo-ing), overdone steak (not quite beef jerky but close). Stick to the vegetarian options where the least amount of cooking is required and you won't go wrong. Service is good especially in their handling of problems caused by the kitchen. The wine list is exceptional and very well chosen for a small restaurant. Prices are fair. Not perfect but overall, not bad. Recommended.

    (3)

  • Meep M.

    I'm not a fan of their lunches, but I lovvveee their dinner selections. Their dishes are fresh, light, and prepared perfectly.

    (4)

  • Mimi M.

    I'm reviewing after a couple marvelous dinner experiences. The monchong I had was so fresh and perfectly cooked. It was still moist deep inside even though it was a thick filet. It was served with some veggies and a meyer lemon and caper berry sauce. The lemony sauce even had lemon pieces in it. It was delightful. The service was perfect. The waiter made perfect recommendations and even warned me that the chicken would take about 30 minutes which made me opt for the monchong. And for dessert, he made the best recommendation to try Zaya's 12 year rum. Awesome place. My new favorite. I finally tried the chicken with bread salad. It was tasty but if you have a tender mouth, soak the bread in the sauce a bit. The bread was toasted until it could cut the mouth and the size of the bread pieces forced you to bite down on it in order to swallow. They had another white fish with the meyer lemon sauce that I was tempted to try, but I decided to try a new dish. We started off with an ahi tartare appetizer that was killer. It was like a slightly mayonnaise-y poke on a toasted couscous bed. It was to die for. Again, for dessert, I had the rum!!! It never fails to satisfy. I think I'd go back for the lemon-caper berry fish... I've also had a lovely pasta dish with ahi and capers. I think the noodles were homemade. The dish was lovely, but the lunch prices were a little high. I think with a mid-day drink (sangria), ahi pasta, and a latte... It came out to about $35 after tax and tip... Perhaps it's my fault for ordering so much. All in all, the food is still awesome and attainable... I still love this restaurant.

    (5)

  • Lisa M.

    Food is great. Organic, local, fresh, etc. Service is not very consistant. Sometimes they take a while to get to you. It's a great atmosphere. Parking can be tough when it's busy. Overall, I love going there.

    (4)

  • Richard K.

    Great food! Nice setting, friendly and neighborhoodly with an inspired menu. Definitely worth a return trip.

    (4)

  • Courtney B.

    In my fantasy life, Town chef/owner Ed Kenney is my live-in cook and wakes me up every morning with a tray of breakfast in bed, complete with morning paper and freshly-cut flowers. Unfortunately, I haven't quite worked out that scenario with Ed yet, so instead I hoof it over to Town's Waialae Ave. location at 7am to wake up with Stumptown coffee ($2) and their perfect egg, fontina and proscuitto panino ($5.75). They also offer home-baked scones ($2) and daily specials like a frittata with asparagus, broccoli and carrot and a side of mixed greens ($8.95). Everything is delicious. And Ed, if you're reading this, call me!

    (5)

  • Jason G.

    Love the ever changing dinner menu, the atmosphere, and the staff. Only negative is this place can get crowded...can be a looooong wait for a table.

    (4)

  • Charles B.

    Hmmmm. I took my wife here on our anniversary via a recommendation from an acquaintance on the North Shore. The ambience reminded me of eating at Beretta in the Mission in San Francisco -- unassuming decor, hipster-like cocktails and a relaxed but intellectual vibe. The food was spectacular. We are pescetarian (veggies and seafood only) and we ordered an arugula salad, black mussels appetizer, ahi tombo with white beans and hand-cut pasta. We could truly taste the love and mindfulness of the chef in each dish; the fresh, clean, subtle flavors of the farm-to-table ethos. Sadly, the quality of service did not match the food. Upon walking in, I saw what looked to be a picso sour sitting half-gulped at the hostess stand - was it hers? Doubtful, but we'll never know. Then came our server -- she was nice but I expected more depth and personality and connectivity to the integrity of the menu. Instead, she seemed more like an order-taking robot who would answer our menu inquiries with "Yes, that's good" or "I really like that salad. It has [list all the ingredients of the salad...]." She was also indifferent to the fact that it was our anniversary and we were celebrating a special evening. We'll go again with some caution. If the service is the same, then we'll just wait to go back to Beretta in the Mission.

    (3)

  • Michelle D.

    We made a reservation,arrived in time,and even though the place was busy,were seated immediately. The food and the service was excellent. Some portions could be bigger but the attentive service and delicious food made up for it. The risotto w mushroom,corn,and roasted shallot was perfect,the buttermilk honey panna cotta was tdf although a little on the loose side. The steak was tender and the pork belly meaty....,presentation is very nice. Will repeat

    (4)

  • Amanda A.

    I love the atmosphere here. Very relaxed and open. The food is excellent! Their pork shoulder with polenta and bitter greens was so good. The meat was tender and the sides complimented the dish perfectly. The gnocchi was also incredible, but they only have twelve orders per night, so if that's what you want, come early! The only issue I have is the service. It's hit or miss. But I don't want to harp on it too much because the food is so good.

    (4)

  • T. J.

    Delicious dinner including ahi poke on risotto cakes (apparently we weren't as sick of this dish as we thought we were), grilled opah with baby veggies that was fresh and simple, bitter greens as a perfect side. Butter, olives and olive juice combined - great idea. Service was efficient and friendly. All in a hip energetic neighborhood restaurant - we felt like we were dining back in S.F. but with the benefit of the tropics. Not sure why the low ratings but then again we only ate here once. Street parking was not a problem.

    (4)

  • Tasha T.

    Everything in this place rocks. From the amazing food, to the exquisitely crafted drinks... I love town! I have been fortunate enough to venture here on very diverse occasions: breakfast & dinner. Both times, the staff was friendly, attentive, and helpful. Make sure you check out Kyle at the bar. Very talented mixologist who whips up classy cocktails that always hit the spot! Be sustainable Hawaii, eat local! All good everything, at Town.

    (5)

  • Wes L.

    Food was so so... Service was really really slow. Everyone was very nice when we saw them. If there's anything great about this place it's the ambiance and decor. We had waited almost 45 minutes from when the appetizers were served to when the entrees came. No sorry. No explanation. We got bread but it wasn't tied into the slow service. We had gnocchi, risotto, chicken... Then they took forever to bring our bill. I also had bugs in my water but I don't really hold that against them. Won't be going back again.

    (2)

  • katherine s.

    We love dining at Town. It is a great, easy dinner. The food is consistency good and service is friendly. Last weekend their bar was super busy so they brought a free glass of prosecco to tide us over until our drinks arrived!

    (4)

  • Katie S.

    Seems to be a popular place in Honolulu. It had a nice local feel in regards to its decor and menu. The food was good - not necessarily amazing. It also was a bit pricey - but that may be because it's all local and in Hawaii.

    (3)

  • Alanna M.

    What can I say.... Yum! Spot in with flavors and fresh ingredients. From why I hear the menu changes daily. So good!

    (5)

  • Stephen B.

    So after hearing so many things about this place and really digging their menu on a day to day basis, I decided to finally check the place out. I work as a concierge and I am always telling my guests in Waikiki with a rental car about this place and how great it is so I figured I should see if I'm telling the truth...the food is definitely great but the service is absolutely terrible. They are ill equipped in the front of the house to deal with the wonders created by the back of the house. Deciding to take my GF someplace special, I made the reservation via Open Table about 6 days in advance and when we got there, the table was "...just finishing up." Absolutely not a problem, we both spent years in restaurants so we get it. Ten minutes later, the lady (manager) sticks us at a table by the bar literally RIGHT next to the entrance. So close that guests entering would bump into my girlfriend. It was blatant that this was the most undesirable table in the restaurant. There were other open tables, however we chose not to make a stink figuring people that push for special tables drive us nuts at our jobs. But still, we weren't a walk-in... Whatever, we're hungry, we get it, we aren't fussy. We sit down excited to get started on our evening. LITERALLY 16 minutes later someone dropped off two glasses of water without ice and filled halfway and told us he'd be back. Not even a "jeez I'm sorry its so busy ill be right back with you thank you for bearing with me!" About 5 minutes later he came up to greet us. In my opinion, a little acknowledgement goes a long way! Finally we ordered and we went big: A salad, two apps, two entrees, and two desserts. The food is absolutely incredible on many levels. Flavorful, unique, etc. Once again, however, the service put a damper on things. The time it took to get our appetizers was absolutely obscene. Between salad and appetizer courses we waited close to an hour. Honestly, for mussels and tuna tartare. Then, we were brought out one of the two, but not the second. Serving 101: if all food isn't ready, don't bring it out! 20 minutes after my GF got her app, I got mine. Then of course, the entrees came before I was finished. At this point the manager came up and introduced herself and I thought she was going to apologize or thank us for our patience, something like that. NOPE, she just wanted the extra chairs at our table to use elsewhere. Hilarious. Let me say though that I totally understand how busy they were. Two large parties were seated and I'm sure their kitchen went into the weeds. The time it took is not a problem to me. It's the total disregard we were shown as we just sat there. Who knows, maybe the guy had a lot of tables or something. He did make up for it by buying one of our two desserts at the end which was nice. The guy was busy no doubt and I get that. It just kind of felt like we were an afterthought the entire night - The two people jammed into the corner that aren't ordering alcohol. Food was fabulous with one exception: my med-rare steak came out still mooing thus it was incredibly chewy. Flavors were incredible. -Monchong fish my GF said was unreal. -Mussels app incredible -Toasted chickpeas on the salad? Genius -That honey pannacotta should be illegal -Apple banana cream pie? Enough said A night of extreme highs and extreme lows!

    (3)

  • Carol M.

    I met my girlfriend for dinner here even though her cousin who lives and works in Kaimuki said it wasn't very good. We had a fabulous dinner and I came home raving about the hand cut pasta. I then took my husband and son to the restaurant and was seriously embarrassed because of the slow service (1-1/2 hours ) to get 2 pasta entrees and roasted chicken. The pasta was very ho hum and the roast chicken was pretty ordinary but still tasty. The waiter was so unapologetic and kept saying that the restaurant was so busy (like he was bragging). There was no acknowledgment for the 1 - 1/2 hour wait just to get the (uncomplicated roast chicken and pasta) food. My husband and son said they would never come back, while I still have memories of the hand cut pasta from my other Town experience. My son even requested a substitution (for chicken) in his pasta but it was never done or acknowledged that they didn't make the substitution. After waiting 1 - 1/2 hours we asked where the chicken was and the waiter said we could order some roast chicken (entree portion) if we wanted (and wait another 1-1/2 hours)? No way. It's a problem with consistency, I believe. I did have one great meal here. The pasta portions are small though. Don't order this if you're hungry. Better yet, don't come here if you're hungry because you'll be waiting till kingdom come for your food. We thought about going over to Crab King and just ordering dinner. My husband and son thought it was the worst restaurant service they've ever experienced. I'm sad because this restaurant is pet friendly and I wanted to bring our dog when she's old enough and well-behaved enough to go to a restaurant. In fact, I've been telling people that one of the goals for our puppy is to have it so well behaved, she can go to Town Restaurant with us! That's not going to happen anymore. :-(

    (1)

  • John B.

    We have dined at Town several times and while they are always crowded, they nearly always try to accommodate us. I am so sorry about the family that was dressed down in public during a dignitary visit. if I could, I would give you a hug. Sounds like a poor choice of words incident. ..it happens to us all. Every patron deserves genuine respect and kindness....our warmest regards and Aloha from a fellow diner who cares.

    (3)

  • Andrea R.

    For folks who want to leave Waikiki for exotic drinks, Town is a classy favorite of the locals. Located on Waialae Avenue, the warm and intimate atmosphere will have patrons ordering several cocktails, like this grape caipirinha to cool off after a long day. The dinner menu offers a selection of locally sourced food and is a great choice for sustainably conscious eaters. Town's motto is "Local first, organic whenever possible, with Aloha always."

    (5)

  • Rachel G.

    My new favorite place to eat. Very tasty and unique. Love the gnocchi and anything with bruschetta. The food takes a while but i think its due to the amount of time they need to make it. If you go during a busy day I suggest you have some extra time on your hands. But the wait is truly worth it. Try the town lemonade, very good.

    (4)

  • Sharon H.

    This was my third visit of the year, and this time I'm happy to say parking was a breeze. Note: park in the lot on 9th Avenue behind the restaurant; there's a row of open stalls if you go early enough. Now for the food! Lovely bread and olives with butter to start (complimentary). My dinner mates and I are watching our girlish figures so we just ordered salad ... and fries. The fries came out piping hot, crispy and flavored with snipped herbs and an aioli dipping sauce. Be sure to order extra sauce because it goes fast. The arugula salad was lightly dressed and tossed with melt-in-your-mouth chunks of kabocha, slivers of pickled onions and shaved parmesan. Delicious! But, portion could have been larger. One dinner mate polished off the Ma'o salad greens quickly and was hungry enough to order an eggplant caponata with mozzarella. Nice, but not impressive. Suggest you go online the day of your visit to check out the menu in advance since it can change. From my previous visit, I was hoping to order the gnocchi with kabocha and brown butter sage sauce, but it was wasn't offered. Instead, the gnocchi came with cauliflower, not quite what I had hoped. In the end, we were too full to order an entree, but we definitely want to return!

    (4)

  • Chelsea M.

    Always great food and awesome service. I love the ever-changing menu and selection of local organic ingredients. Definitely a favorite of mine.

    (5)

  • Tred E.

    I'll never return. After being told in advance that customers could bring their own beer, my two friends were enjoying a Bud as we settled in to order. The waiter said you could not bring in beer. My friends explained when calling, they were told otherwise. Waiter goes to ask a manager. The kitchen manager appears, in his grubby t-shirt and baseball cap. No beer he says. The situation is explained again. Kitchen manager asks who did you talk to? He/ she will be disciplined. So what should we do with the beers? Me- why don't you bring them a beer on the house to make it right? Kitchen Manager- why should I give them a free beer? I'll bring them glasses and they can finish their beers. But I'm not doing it willingly. We're out of there and never going back. Who needs attitude like the kitchen manager when we're trying to order and enjoy lunch. One star because I have to in order to get out of this post. But that's too generous.

    (1)

  • Yosapon T.

    AWESOME SERVICEEEEE & FOOD ! My highlight about this place is the service i always determine the service by how fast they refill my water and how many time they refilled it. Sorry i am a heavy water drinker.... but i was super amazed because when we first sat and talked they kept-ed refilling my water constantly as if they had no one else to serve but our server where managing a lot of tables ~ After dinner 1 hour later as a consequence of drinking almost 10 glass of water i went to the bathroom almost 5 times !! HAHAHAAHHAA Anyway the food was super good everything is fresh and all the food are local grown produce which is great for the economy of Hawaii. : ) My highlight were actually the complimentary starter hHAHAHAHHA i like their bread it was so fresh with olives and dipped with butter and olive oil omg i want one now... Most of the food are coated with olive oil so it got a bit oily at the end but all their food were packed with flavor which is so AMAAAAZZING ! So if you want to eat this place just ask the waiter for waitress what is good because there menu is confusing and changes everyday Oh and reserve if possible !!!

    (5)

  • Fran C.

    We're not from Honolulu but a friend recommended to go to Town for dinner. I went there with my significant other because it was his birthday and our anniversary. For drinks we had Pimm's cup and an IPA. For food, they started us off with some fresh homemade bread with olive oil, olives and butter for dipping. We had the red oak salad with mango and avocados, for appetizer--the makaba lamb mortadella with homemade ricotta, pickled green mango with some flatbread for appetizer and the main course was monchong (local white fish), local veggies, limu (seaweed) and meyer lemon. Our dessert was "milk and honey" pannacotta from Manoa. Town is a farm to table restaurant and it is amazing. I will definitely go back because I heard they menu changes daily. Special features: fit for foodies,neighborhood gem,notable wine list,hot spot,special occasion

    (5)

  • Cindy L.

    Just went to Town last night for Restaurant Week with my girlfriends. Their special was an excellent deal, $20.10 for a 3-course meal (choice of salad, pasta and dessert from their regular menu). You would think that they will give you smaller portions, right? Guess again. They gave the full portion. Here's what we tried: Town Lemonade - Lemonade with a splash of parsley juice. Very refreshing. House Fries - Freshly cut potato fries mixed with deep fried mints, parsley and etc. We tried all three of the house salads of the night. Although I was a bit disappointed with the flat iron steak on the salad. It was too dry and the meat was bland. Risotto with smoked ham - The taste was good, however, the texture was too much like congee. I like to see individual grains in my risotto. Fresh Cut Pasta with Beef - The pasta was very good, however, the beef sauce was a bit over powering. Penne pasta with pesto sauce, potato and beans - Taste just like how it sounds. For desserts, we had the banana bread, chocolate pretzel and yogurt. The banana bread was excellent, it was caramelized and grilled on both side. Service was excellent, our waitress was very friendly and checks on us once in a while even though the restaurant was packed last night. All in all, it was a good deal since it would have cost over $40 per person if we were to pay regular price.

    (3)

  • Britney L.

    Amazing local food, great atmosphere and service. Even had a cool art show going on. I hear the menu rotates which means you can keep going back if you love it, and not have the same thing twice! I would recommend a reservation if possible, seemed like the place to be!

    (5)

  • David M.

    I had a reservation for 7:15 pm and came perfectly on time. Unfortunately, the group that occupied our table lounged around after their meal. I asked the hostess how long a wait and couldn't get a firm answer. So while waiting outside for our table in the windy evening, I spied Cafe Miro right across the street. I walked over and they took us in at that instant. Best dinner I have ever had in Honolulu........at Cafe Miro!! Sorry Town, your loss is Miro's gain! I am definately coming back to Cafe MIro!

    (1)

  • Dom R.

    I recently had dinner here with a friend on a Wednesday night... I had to use the wash closet when we first got there, and I was pointed in the direction of a suspect looking door in the back corner. I then traversed a most convoluted path back to the bathroom. The hall was kind of dingy, but the bathroom was clean. The only issue I had was getting back. While there are many signs pointing you towards the restrooms, there are none pointing back to the restaurant. I also had trouble recognizing the door I had exited the restaurant from, until I noticed scrawled on a metal mail slot in sharpie, "THIS IS TOWN." Classy. Enough about the toilets, the atmosphere of the restaurant was quite excellent, a fresh hip feel not too unfamiliar from what you might find in San Francisco or Manhattan. It was not too loud, but not too quiet. I felt at ease. The menu, which I was told, is constantly changing... From the website, "Dinner menu changes daily based availability of local ingredients. Menu below is for example only." I really like that. There were many options and several odd pairings that perked my interest. We started with the Ahi Tartare and a bowl of soup du jour, a blend of squash and curry. I was not too impressed with the soup until they brought out the foccacia bread, it was then made amazing. They must make their bread on site. The Ahi Tartare was incredible. The entrees were excellent. I ordered a striploin with fries and some very fresh greens. The greens were absolutely delicious, and the steak was cooked to perfection. I am not really sure why they dropped the ball on the fries. Some were burnt, some were uncooked, and some were just right... I enjoyed about a third of them with my steak. My friend had the hand-cut pasta. It looked pretty amazing. I cannot speak as to how it tasted, but its smell and appearance appealed to the italian inside of me. I wish I would have gotten the pasta. I wholly recommend Town for your next culinary expedition.

    (4)

  • Kari N.

    I eat here often. Great spot for a breakfast meeting when you want a place away from downtown or Waikiki. The food is always great and offers items you recognize and a few you don't to expand your dining selection acumen. Service is excellent. Give it a try!

    (5)

  • Teri K.

    Whether you're just going for a quick drink or a celebratory dinner party, you won't be disappointed. Ed Kenney and his crew create amazing food & serve it in a lovely, casual, friendly setting.

    (5)

  • Donna Z.

    Dined at Town while visiting from California. Don't miss this wonderful experience. The food is superb and the drinks delicious and we couldn't ask for better service. You won't be disappointed.

    (5)

  • C J.

    Town is the restaurant to go to when you want to have great food and feel great about supporting our local economy and agriculture. Ed Kenney has the vision and the palate to showcase local/sustainable cuisine. The darker side of Town is the front of the house, where inconsistency abounds and indifference sours a memorable dish. Having a hipster waitstaff is great for for the image but when they can't describe a simple sauce or seemingly ignore repeated requests for a glass of water, it really takes away from the hard work and prep that goes into bringing that dish to the table. Go to Town, eat the food, support local agriculture, leave 10% when your service sucks.

    (4)

  • Yuko A.

    I came to have lunch with a friend for Restaurant Week because of their killer deal. $20 for salad, pasta, and dessert? Can't beat that! It was pretty busy for a weekday lunch so I guess everyone was thinking the same thing. I ordered the salad with manchego, pancetta, and walnuts. Nothing special, a little bit oily on the dressing. I got the pesto linguine for my pasta and it was SO OILY! I grew up eating my parents homemade pesto they made from the garden so maybe I'm spoiled but this was too oily. The pasta was cooked right but the sauce was a little too much, I don't think I would get it again. My friend's tomato pasta was better and not even half as oily as mine. The best part about the meal was my mango sorbet. It hit the spot. It was incredibly refreshing and smooth, no chunky hardened bits. Not only was the food only okay but the service was very disappointing. Our waitress didn't smile throughout the meal and didn't seem interested in serving us at all. Yes she did what she was supposed to but she had no emotions doing it. At one point, even though we were clearly done with our dishes she walked around, setting up tables. It was a little irritating because she knew the people at the table next to us and was so friendly and happy, She plopped our check down while we were eating dessert, even though it wasn't even busy by that time. YELP 365: 023/365

    (3)

  • Kana T.

    I LOVE this restaurant. Been here several times now, and it never disappoints. I had their sirloin steak last night, and it was cooked perfectly. Came with french fries and arugula, which was great also. Free parking in the back of the restaurant, and I believe they are pet friendly if you sit outside because I saw Scott Caan eating here one time with his dog. Their butter that they serve with their complimentary bread and olives is probably the best butter I've ever had. I wish they always had their burger on the menu. I could eat that every day...

    (5)

  • Gspot H.

    great lunches. The Food is great. Always has soup. Apparently the Drinks are great, however I don't drink at meals. new Outdoor seating area. Parking in Back. I used to love their appetizer of grilled baby corn, but they don't seem to have it anymore.

    (4)

  • Sarah G.

    My husband and I went to town our first night on Oahu. I had read good things about it and my friend recommended it as well. What a great place! The dining area is the perfect size- it's intimate but casual with great music in the background. Food: We started with the farro and mozzarella appetizer- my husband wasn't wowed by flavors but I liked the subtlety of it and how "clean" it was. We also shared the black mussels-- hmmm, the broth was delicious! More bread for mopping up the broth please! For entrees, he had the grilled monchong and I had the glorious gnocchi. I have never had such light and fluffy gnocchi before. They are pillows of happiness in a bowl! My husband also LOVED his dish. We are both singing praises 3 days later. The service was also top notch! I would highly recommend this place.

    (5)

  • Kat L.

    I work nights so unfortunately I don't get to partake in their amazing dinner menu often. But I come to town for the BREAKFAST!! I love two things about breakfast at TOWN: Firstly, the food is amazing, of course, after all this is TOWN we're talking about. They never cease to impress. My personal addictions, the BREAKFAST BURRITO, chorizo, eggs, and roasted potatoes with an amazing salsa fresca. And I dream about their FRIED RICE. A big delicious bowl topped with eggs how you like em. So comforting and satisfying, but somehow manages to not make you feel horrible after! Local style comfort food at its without the side effects! Secondly, I love the atmosphere and setup. You go up to the counter and order, get a number and sit anywhere. It's SELF SERVE coffee and water. (Unless you're doing something fancy like a cappuccino or cocktail. Yes they have booze.) There's no table service. You're just left alone to enjoy your breakfast. It's the perfect place if you have some work to get done. I've taken a laptop here and studied for hours. FREE WIFI. Or if you're having breakfast with that friend you haven't seen in months and know you're gonna need at least two hours to catch up, it's great to know you're not taking up a table in someones section. Or ruining it for the people lined up out the door ala Cafe Kaila (I love you too! Absolutely worth the wait) No one bothers you. Even when lunch starts up at 11. There's usually a few empty table anyway. And I have to say even though it's self service, the staff is friendly and awesome. Ally can put on smile on my face on even the worst of mornings! Love you TOWN. Keep it up.

    (5)

  • Shay F.

    I had dinner here the other day, and it was GOOD! I had the ahi tartare, bruchetta, and gnocchi, and they were all soooo delicious. I even had the crepe cake. But that was only ok. I think I've been spoiled eating those crepe cakes in Japan.

    (4)

  • Janet K.

    I think I found another favorite spot, but the menu changes daily so what you may have liked this time may not be around the next time. Appetizer - Ahi tartare on risotto cake. Doesn't look like much but the flavors and textures go well together. Salad - Ka'a'awa avocado salad w/ pecans, radish and onions in a buttermilk dressing. Creamy, but not too heavy left me excited and wanting more. Entree - Opah in a Meyer lemon-caper berry butter w/ local veggies. I was imagining that this may be kind of heavy because of the lemon butter, but it was surprisingly light. There was a medley of local and organic vegetables (no carbs) accompanying the perfectly cooked fish. You can totally tell the vegetables are locally grown. It has this sweetness and fresh crisp taste that can't be duplicated by store bought produce. Boyfriend's entree - Kulana Striploin w/ Roquefort butter crust, french fries and arugula salad. He describes it as, "Succulent and moist. It was very good for a non-steakhouse." I tried the fries and it was nice and crisp without the oiliness. Dessert - Crepe Cake. I was so full at the end of dinner but we couldn't leave without trying the crepe cake. I mean C'MON! We polished it off with no problem. It was layers of crepe with a light whip in the layers. It wasn't too sweet and it was the perfect ending to a great meal. The service was impeccable and the ambiance is perrrfect! Why did I dock a star? Parking situation sucks, menu wasn't too large and since I only eat seafood, I was verrrry limited. Like I said earlier, menu changes daily. That can be a good thing and a bad thing. It can be like a surprise every time you go, but you can't have a favorite item to look forward to either. So as the Terminator would say... I'll be back!

    (4)

  • Kimee B.

    I know I'm late to the party, but BETTER LATE THAN NEVER! Since temporarily moving to Kaimuki last month I have bee here several times and absolutely DIG it. The first for an early business meeting where I was treated to a yummy selection of scones, bottomless coffee, french toast bread pudding and creamy polenta with mac nuts and a perfectly cooked runny egg on top. YUM! I mean...YUM! I then decided to bring my Yelp addicted father (Roy) because he loves to try out new places and....well, yelp about them. I ordered the polenta again (because I couldn't stop dreaming about it) that I shared with my Mom and my Pops ordered a sandwich and a bloody mary with extra olives. The Bloody Mary came with a nice, crisp piece of bacon on top of it. I know bacon is totally overplayed right now, but I wasn't mad at this addition. It was pretty awesome. My third trip there was for my boyfriend's birthday. I ordered the risotto which was good...but the server suggested the special fish of the day and it was OFF THE CHAIN! You gotta love a good suggestion. The BF loved it and so did I! For the price it was beautifully presented and prepared. It came with lovely pickled veggies and a pickled watermelon. WATERMELON! The decor is simple and clean and the service is on point. I always take a snapshot of my dishes and make sure to mention @edstown (the owner) on twitter and instagram. He is always happy to hear from his customers. I plan to try everything on this menu because it all sounds DELICIOUS and I have had nothing but amazing experiences so far. I am proud to admit that I AM A TOWNIE!!!

    (5)

  • Jean P.

    I eat breakfast here every month with my friends. I love the granola bowl (it's a must for me) although the frittata is pretty legit. Loss of 1 star for lack of options in the breakfast menu but I understand why. Every time I go here it's packed (for good reason). The coffee and cappuccino is delicious as well. I have yet to eat anything here that I wasn't completely happy with afterward. Just sayin'

    (4)

  • Quyen N.

    Motto is "Local first, organic whenever possible, with Aloha always" That I like. The menu changes based on what fresh local ingredients are available. This restaurant is very vegan-friendly. The night I went, the server pointed out a bunch of salads and an entree that can be made vegan. He also mentioned the chef typically cooks up a vegan-friendly platter of available vegetables. Instead of the veg platter, I opted for the baby arugula, beets, fennel, orangel chickpeas; eggplant caponata. Super delicious! The sorbet was tempting, but I abstained.

    (4)

  • Carolyn S.

    Parking-- difficult, but I suppose almost everywhere in that area is. Food-- I went during lunch, and it was good, but in my opinion way overpriced. I had a beer, and although they have good selection, still way overpriced. I went with coworkers for lunch and I ordered whatever the vegetarian sandwich/burger option was. Everything tasted fine, but I don't know that I would go back very often at that price; probably I would only go back at the suggestion of my coworkers. I know it is organic or farm to table or whatever, which is fine and explains the high prices, but not really a huge priority for me. Service was a little slow but that could also be because we were one of two large parties eating there.

    (3)

  • Doris D.

    I still say it's a decent option for new American but I wouldn't go out of my way for another reservation. I went again and got the slow roasted pork shoulder, polenta, bitter greens ($24.50). The pork was a little chewy and the "roasted" flavor didn't really kick in; at different points I got a toothful of cracked pepper which was definitely not pleasant. It had the right amount of salt, though. The bitter greens were good, sauteed with pine nuts and some sort of raisin. The polenta was good. My husband got the kulana striploin, roquefort butter, french fries, arugula ($26). The striploin was just alright, nothing to write home about. The service remains a problem. We got tables outside for 8 people (tip: do not sit outside on a windy night, it was so cold and another table's wine glass flew at us and shattered, luckily, when it hit our table's leg). We must have waited like 40-45 minutes for our entrees. We got 1 bread refill after someone asked and we had to fetch our waiter from inside every time we needed service, i.e., take our orders or the check or water refills. Also, my food got cold like 1 minute after service so next time I'd opt to sit inside!

    (3)

  • John W.

    Located on waialae its convenient and thankfully outside of waikiki. Parking can be tricky usually you'll need to find something on the street. The restaurant has a modern cozy feel. The down side to that is tables are very close and pray you're not seated at the table at the back next to the door that leads to the hall that leads to the restrooms. The food is good and fresh. We enjoyed the gnocchi and the mahimahi. The taste was clean. The mahimahi was very simply prepared with vegetables, nothing groundbreaking but good. The gnocchi was very well done. Price is reasonable to a tad high. Nice options for wine and drinks. Service was slow to adequete. Definately not the friendliest of staff but not terrible. We walked in on a friday and waited forty minutes for a table. Unfortunately we had to wait outside would be nice to have more bar space to wait at. Overall worth a try

    (3)

  • Kat R.

    Great ambience and overall vibe. Menu looked fresh and seasonal and felt like it was reasonably priced. Brought out great bread and butter with some olives and took our order quickly. Took over an hour for our food to come out which was unfortunate but handled well. They brought out some soup shooters and more bread and were apologetic. Then the manager came over and took half off our bill which was very apologetic. We got there and 7 and didn't leave until 9 so the discount and way it was handled was appreciated. Food was a bit disappointing - everything was very oily and gnocchi was a tad undercooked.

    (3)

  • K-bis M.

    This place is one of my favorites. Great place for a date, or a nice meal in a comfortable ambience. If you want to sit inside, you should MAKE A RESERVATION. It gets busy particularly in the weekends. The fresh food is so much better than reheated crap you find at most places. fyi, for dessert the pennacota is amazing!! and The drinks and strong and tasty. Boom!

    (4)

  • Alan M.

    So I'll start my review with my final verdict: I LOVE Town!!! It's a quintessential local restaurant; the ambience, location and food creates an inviting experience highlighting Hawaiian hospitality with locally grown organic ingredients and innovative combinations that can only be conceived here on this heavenly island of dreams. Located on the corner of of a mixed-use, res/comm neighborhood, Town is housed in charm and quaintness of a modern island cottage; adorned in holiday festivity, the truth warmth of this dining venue shone brightly through its large windows with the liveliness of happy diners being entertained and I was psyched! Inside was definitely indicative of the exterior and more; a modern take on interiors that managed to retain a warm cosy feeling (albeit a little loud- hard finishes has its drawback, designers...). Having done some reconnaissance about Town, I quickly learned of Chef/Owner Ed Kenney, who's mantra: 'local first, whenever possible with aloha always' clearly indicated by the care and deliciousness of the dishes coming out of his kitchen, enlightened me to the endless possibility of high quality Hawaiian cuisine. And judging by the holiday party that we were privy to that night, he clearly had a close relationship with the local growers and farms; he's in fact, on the board of directors for MA'O Organic Farms, which the entire company seemed to congregate en masse in full holiday cheer. As you peruse through the menu, the explanations are deceptively simple; the description looks like any other menu in any restaurant in any city. And although it's seem to be a problem of luxury, it does set my mind spinning. But the knowledge of their care in local organics, this island can boast some of the best fruits and vegetables I've ever had-so that narrowed down the choices. We started with The Grilled Flatbread + Yakon, (root vegetable resembling Yams) + Radishes + Gorgonzola Dolce Latte + Parsley. Not knowing exactly what to expect, I was ostensibly surprised when the dish arrived to the table; large, thinly sliced Yakon with colorful discs of radishes covered the glistening, crusty flatbread. But what a great dish - the crispy vegetables contrasted the sharp Gorgonzola bite and the creamy Olive oil with soft yet crunchy, chewy carbs. I LOVE THIS TO DEATH! Definitely would come back to Town just to eat this again.. Accompanied with the Flatbread, we ordered a Salad chock full of local organics: Arugula + Beets + Fennel, Orange + Toasted Chickpeas + Mint + Riccotta Salata. If only I grew up with this leafy abundance, I would have been an herbivore...not really but you get the sentiment. Apart from my obsession with Arugula and Beets, What really impressed me was the Fennel and Oranges which set this Salad apart from the rest. Another great touch, the Chickpeas were toasted to a nutty crunch which balanced the Ricotta. I rarely rave, even mention Salads, but this one is for the books. Now for the absolute highlight of the evening, maybe even the entire trip - we ordered the Gnocchi + Imu Pork + Napa Cabbage + Scallions. Given that there's only a number of dishes served each night, it made it all the more exclusive to order (sucker). But what I didn't expect was it to be so friggin good! Soft and pillowy like mochi, it was the best gnocchi I've had in a very very long time (the last was at Bouchon). The difference with Town's version was the Imu Pork and Napa Cabbage had a distinct Asian flair in it's ingredients, while preserving it European origins of simplicity. Another reason to-come-back kinda dish!! As for the Main Dish, we ordered the Shinsato Pork Belly + Polenta + Bitter Greens + Salsa Verde. I really enjoyed the uniqueness of how the Pork Belly was prepared, pan fried like a really decadent, thick cuts of Bacon, I relished this oldie but goodie cut of Pig Poultry in an entirely new way! And the Salsa Verde really made it stand out, I even ate the fatty parts (normally I have precision of Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon with OCD as I release the little bit of meat that's left after I've banished the cholesterol laden, but sweet heavenly god oh-so-good blubber). Seriously, as nights go, Town could do no wrong! I think I'm in love..with their food...marry me... As the evening drew slowly to a close, I couldn't have asked for the dessert to be as lovely as the rest of the meal, so with relative ease we chose: "Milk + Honey" Buttermilk Panna Cotta + Nalo Meli Honey + Starfruit. Nom Nom! Best Panna Cotta ever, with awesome local sourced Honey that put it over the top! If you haven't figured it out by now, I am so impressed with Town, it's a definite must go to place in Honolulu, and the next time, I promise to get there for Brunch so I can stay and eat ther the enitre day until dinner! Ratings (Out of Five Stars) Food: 5 Ambience: 5 Service: 5 Perfect Score!!!

    (5)

  • Larry G.

    Wife and I have driven by Town a few times and with my mom in town visiting, it provided us a great excuse to finally eat there. Made reservations (I would say a must on Friday/Saturday nights) and didn't have to wait to be seated. Only about 10-12 tables with a small bar and can be somewhat loud but not unbearable and enough room between tables so that you could have a conversation without your neighbors overhearing everything! Started with cocktails, two of the specialty cocktails off the list (although they can basically get you anything). Drinks were tasty but as they were served in champagne glasses, was a little put off by the $10 price tag.... They have an extensive wine menu, something you don't always find in a restaurant of this size. Menu is constantly rotating so can only speak of what we had this night but there were several entrees that we wanted to try so making a decision was difficult!! We started with the gnocchi which was mixed with grilled turnips which were really incredible tasting. The gnocchi is normally an entree but we split it and was more than enough for two... For the entrees, my wife and the double porkchop (pork was from a local farm and humongous!) which was perfectly cooked and sooo tender. The accompanying polenta and sauteed vegetables were great as well and just enough so that the huge porkchop didn't overpower the plate. I had the opah with root vegetables and all were cooked to perfection; fish was firm yet juicy and flavorful and the vegetables still had a bit of crunch which is exactly how I like them. The vegetables were accompanied with a light citrus sauce that was excellent as well. Having stuffed ourselves, we begged off on dessert but will be back to try at another time. As for service; couldn't have had had a better server than Antonio; well versed in the menu and cocktails, around when we needed him and then gone. Ask for him when you go... All in all a great meal in a great atmosphere; the wind was blowing too hard to sit outside but would make a great place for cocktails and appetizers once the trade winds calm down!!

    (4)

  • Jessica S.

    I was really looking forward to this place but ended up really disappointed. The fries and burger looked really good in the yelp pics but the fries were so overdone and so crispy you couldn't even taste potato. The burger also had a weird fishy taste to it. We also had the chicken and polenta and the penne with pancetta which was average at best. Overall it was super overpriced for not good food. I wouldn't recommend it because there are much better places in the area.

    (2)

  • M H.

    The menu reminds me of one of our favorites A16 in the Bay Area. In how they describe their food present options and craft the menu. Unfortunately we did not feel that the service, preparation, or ingredients were on par with our favorite and hopes for Town. We waited a long time to be served and then our food was not as warm or inspired as I would have liked. Then we waited for a while for the plates to be cleared and were presented with our check...we would have had dessert and after dinner drinks, but we're not afforded the opportunity or thanked or acknowledged as we departed. The restaurant does seem popular. It was full and people were waiting.

    (2)

  • Sheila K.

    I came here to try their handcut pastas for lunch, but unfortunately it was not on the menu that day, so instead I ordered one of their penne pastas with tomato sauce... The sauce had a nice flavor, but I must say that after living on the stuff in college, I know when penne tastes like SAFEWAY BRAND pasta, and I'm not generalizing at all here, I really do mean THE Safeway brand. And of course Safeway brand pasta is decent, but that's not what I'm paying a premium price for. Dessert fared better: I ordered their delicious buttermilk pannacotta, lightly drizzled in honey. Exquisite, velvety, and oh so fresh-tasting! I would give more stars on this dish alone, but alas I feel I must rate my entire experience. The service leaves much to be desired. The servers are friendly and warm, but couldn't cover the fact that we spent a lot of time waiting. Waiting for our drinks. Then waiting for the missing drink to arrive. Waiting for the entrees. Waiting for the dessert menu. Waiting for the bill. Waiting, waiting, waiting. All in all, I think this place has potential, I like the fact that they go organic. Maybe I'll be back when, and if, it improves.

    (2)

  • Edward L.

    So let's start by Saying that I love the food at Town!!!! I have been here over 20 times in the last few years and the food is always on point. The service is really hit or miss. I have gone and had excellent service and also had some of the worst service of my life; like not being able to get a server for 20 minutes and needing something. I still continue to go back for the excellent food and just endure the service roulette. I am not going to say anything about the food , because every time I go they impress me with some new innovative farm fresh meal. Town is a restaurant where you can try something new and have a new favorite. The last time I went Nanako made me try a vegetable sandwich at lunch( I hate vegetables 100% Beef guy) trying to be a good partner ; I said sure honey get the vegetable sandwich..UGGG. We got the sandwich and it was the Best sandwich I have ever had. Now I crave that sandwich instead of burgers? Unbelievable!!!! The food at Town is off the Hook... 5 Stars The service at town unpredictable... 2 stars at Lunch and 3 stars at Dinner. The service can be 5 stars if you hit the Jackpot...LOL Overall its worth going to one of the only restaurants in Hawaii that great innovative and Farm to table menu with homemade pasta (it's the Bomb).

    (4)

  • Travis T.

    Sad to say, no more Wine Down @ Town in 2012 :( RIP best deal in town I just wanna chime in here to say this is one of my top ranking restaurants. I love the apps here, especially the ahi tartare on risotto cakes, mussels, and the ever-changing flavors and ingredients in the gnocchi and risotto. The entrees aren't super strong compared to the apps but since they are always changing you know the tastes are fresh and local. I love that they take pride in their ingredients and do their best to use local products as much as possible. They do their best to be green and support sustainability. This place definitely has it's own style and soul and that shows through in their food, drink, and service.

    (5)

  • Pootunui W.

    Love the diversity of Town's every changing menu. Also love that they feature local farms and foods that you don't necessarily see on most menus in Hawaii such as Hawaiian pa'i'ai etc. Am looking forward to trying their breakfast soon.

    (4)

  • Ang F.

    You'll have to make a trek out of the touristy parts to enjoy this restaurant, but it was certainly worth it. If you're looking for a change from all the usual food court/ truck stuff, then this is the spot for you. Don't get me wrong, I can get down with a plate lunch. But after eating that for nearly a week straight, let's just say you start looking for something a little bit different ... and with less mayonaise! Town is one of those seasonal/ farm to table restaurants, so the menu changes daily. But here's what we ate: Ahi tartare on risotto cakes, mixed green salad with mango, avocado and green goddess dressing, lamb patty with vegetables (appetizer), handmade gnocchi with sugo, hand-cut pasta with vegetables and ricotta, panna cotta, and vanilla + espresso ice cream. This place has great ambiance too - very relaxed but still attentive to service and the food.

    (4)

  • Jenn T.

    I love this little, cozy restaurant. It sorta reminds me of a nice vineyard type of eating...except its right on waialae in a busy city lol! I haven't been here in awhile, and I came recently for my birthday. It was nice to see a change in the menu, though I'm pretty sure they change up their dishes very frequently! We ordered the mussels, which were SUPER delicious. I love that it comes with a creamy, buttery sauce that you can dip the toasted bread in and eat the mussels with! We also ordered the ahi tartare, which is fresh and tasty as well. The bruschetta is also another great appetizer to get!! As for entrees, I tried the homemade pasta with fennel, tomatoes and herbs. It was very very good, the pasta was fresh and I had a light flavor to it! I also tried some of the risotto and uku (fish). The fish was cooked perfectly, moist and delicious. I would definitely get that next time! As for dessert, we got a couple scoops of the gelato--chocolate hazelnut and vanilla. The chocolate flavor tasted exactly like nutella! but I loved the light and creamy vanilla much better. We brought our own wine because I definitely remembered that this place used to be BYOB...but now they have a whole extensive wine list!! That's a super awesome upgrade for me!

    (4)

  • Yoko O.

    I was introduced to Town by my mom who came here a couple of times for dinner. We decided to go for a breakfast run (they stop serving at 11AM) here rather than our usual Zippy's. There was only one person working the floor, one behind the counter, and gosh knows how many were in the kitchen. When we entered, the girl ran past us explaining "how to order" and to seat ourselves. We sat for about 10minutes, and I felt like an idiot because we didn't know we had to order at the counter and they would come and deliver our food. After ordering, we waited about a half an hour for our food to come. (QUESTION: does it really take a 1/2 an hour to make a breakfast panini and a salad?!) We got in at about 10:20, and they were already setting up for lunch when we finally got our food. My parents only came for lunch/dinner, and the service was "restaurant style", so i think this is where we got thrown off. I didn't mind waiting though, the ambiance, furnishings, and self serve coffee (i had to walk from one end of the restaurant to the other, and SLOWLY so i didn't burn myself. good thing the restaurant is only so big). All-n-All, the food was alright, the environment was nice, and i would bring my laptop and do work here before the lunch/dinner sessions start. Maybe the second time around will be better, now that i know what to do.. (:

    (4)

  • Daniel C.

    I thought the place would be better and I left a little disappointed. Food portions are decent but there wasn't' much flavor all the times I've dined there. Service is a little slow but when they are helping you, the staff is very friendly. Parking sucks there so car pool if going in a group.

    (3)

  • Nathan K.

    I really can't say enough good things about chef/owner Ed Kenney and his partner Dave Caldiero, the heart and soul behind the delicious food at Town (and Downtown at the Hawaii State Art Museum). Their simple, clean, and flavorful style of cooking has been a favorite of mine since they opened. They've recently celebrated 5 years of being in business and and I hope they stick around for at least 50 more. You aren't going to find Hawaii Regional Cuisine here, with food stacked high in artful ways, but what you will find is a menu committed to working with local farmers and producers and a real local taste of what Hawaii has to offer. The menu reads like a directory of local purveyors...Mao Organic Farms green salad, Ho Farms tomotos, Kuahiwi Beef, and the list goes on. Among my favorites are the risotto with Hamakua mushrooms, the Kuahiwi (grass fed beef from South Point on the Big Island) steak, any of the fresh fish, and all of the side dishes...particularly the bitter greens with pine nuts...NOM! And you have to love the neighborhood feel of the restaurant in Waialae. While seating inside is nice, we love to sit outside on the patio to relax and enjoy a good meal. Town is one of those places I wish I could eat at 3 times a week. The menu is always changing with what's in season and what arrives at their back door...so it's always exciting to see what makes its way to the menu. Hope you have a chance to experience Town and Downtown yourself.

    (5)

  • Troy H.

    Food is really good. Fresh and local with terrific taste. However, the price seems too high and the service is VERY slow. I have recommended this place to a few peeps. But if they don't speed up the service, I cannot recommend it any more. Slow service and long waits are not appealing to any consumer. Dined here twice this month. Lunch took 40-45 minutes to bring our food after ordered. Finished eating in about 12-15 minutes. This will not work for people who are on the clock. Breakfast took about 15-20 once ordered. In the meantime, they ran out of water & coffee, which are both self-service. I finally got my cup of coffee mid-way thru my meal. Like I mentioned... Food is excellent! Service... needs lots of work.

    (3)

  • Alex T.

    i can always count on Town to give me a good meal. then again, i tend to order the same several dishes over and over and over...so i know they're tastey. Lemonade. Bitter greens. Hamakua mushrooms. Roasted chicken. Apple-banana panini. Sounds good, right? It is! Now go to Town, and "go to town" on the delicious food!

    (5)

  • Michael B.

    My fiancee and I dined here for the first time this past week for Valentine's Day. Everything was fantastic, from our cheerful and attentive server who was well-versed in each menu item to the food itself, which was outright delicious. We had a walu appetizer (yum) and the mahi and chicken entrees, both of which were fantastic (especially the chicken). The apple banana cream pie and fig torte desserts continued the trend. We could tell that all the ingredients are preparation were top-notch and meticulously planned. With tip, the meal was $100 right on the nose and worth every penny.

    (5)

  • Shayna K.

    Love love LOVE the look and feel of this place. It has GOT to be the coolest eatery on Waialae Ave. Overpriced? For dinner, yes. For lunch, no. Small portions? Yes. But I just love the typewritten menus on the clipboards, the stainless steel table tops, the recycled paper coasters, the artwork on the walls and the overall vibe. Very cool. What's not cool is the Arugala Beet salad if you actually like arugala, because you'll get a total of 4 leaves. :( Actually, I think we ordered badly because the meal ended up being soo starchy--from the complimentary bread, bruschetta, black bean soup, gnocchi, hand cut pasta, to the bittersweet chocolate apple banana panini at the end. I wish the server would have cautioned us against our selection. Though everything tasted sooo good, it was major carbo-overload. Now I'll caution you: if you are like me and usually go for the cheapest glass of wine on the menu (because, hey, alcohol is alcohol so why not get a cheap one and have the option of getting two, right?) don't be a sucker and ask for their house white/red. Their house wines are not the cheapest on the menu. Just FYI. Not that you actually care.... Yea, um, me neither. Another word of caution: if you want quiet dinner conversation, you have to sit outside. Inside ends up being really loud as the tables fill up and you end up yelling at the people sitting right next to you. But nothing beats the fresh, tasty, innovative, edgy menu. For us it's a special place to go on special occasions. And the lunch experience is very different--bright, more reasonable menu options, bigger portions.

    (4)

  • Carla B.

    This place gets better and better. Outstanding food and service continues to get better. Needs better wine list. Try the cocktails!

    (4)

  • Jannet L.

    Yo this place is as good as new american food gets. Had the chicken this time which was crispy and moist. It has some yummy croutons and is on a bed of greens with some kind of vinaigrette sauce. In laws had monchong which was really yummy. Had ahi tartare app on risotto cakes - wow! I only got to eat one, but could've eat 7. The waiter told us some guy comes in and orders 10 of them as his meal. The bruschetta with sardines and mao lettuce was good too. Oh and the hub ordered bitter greens as a side - at first I was like, that sounds nast. But it was delish!!! Really nice contrast as the chicken was quite rich, had some kind of sweet berry and nuts in it. Pannacotta with honey was solid and the strawberry napoleon was light and crispy and refreshing! You know, I never get excited about american food but really this place does organic and local and fresh really well. Oh and if you order apps and share the main, it's more than enough and the price isn't bad. The 4 of us got 2 mains, 2 apps, 1 side, 2 desserts, 2 glasses of wine, 1 beer for $120 including tip!!!!

    (5)

  • Love C.

    Where do I begin... Parking does not exist, but love crunch and I managed to find some on 9th. We got there early, so it wasn't crowded. The waitress was nice and attentive, and we started our meal with an awesome avo mango salad, and some complimentary bread. My serradura ordered the gnocchi and I got the steak. Gnocchi was light and phenomenal going down, but sat in my stomach like a ton of bricks. The steak was very disappointing. I believe I've had a better cut at the Cattle Company - yikes! The dessert was a mixed bag. A mixed bag of witches, eeeek! The gelato had a great flavor as well as texture. The apple banana creme pie was well conceived, but lack luster. For all you locals that have been on the mainland too long, remember - apple banana means "apple banana," not apple mixed with banana. Oops! And there wasn't really any creme either. Guess we'll have to make some tonight! And finally, the grapefruit sorbet was great, but grapefruit doesn't really compliment any other flavor that you would have ate for dinner. Ed and company are great people and the use of local ingredients is a model that all restaurants should strive to have. Town is a lot like Crunch's driving - hit and miss hahaha! Definitely go try it, you'll like something.

    (4)

  • Sara W.

    Super stoked to find this gem! Great vibe and atmosphere. The service was great from Randi! Tons of local and organic food on the menu, not ridiculously expensive. The Monchong entree was amazing! And the Ahi TarTar was a winner, turning raw fish into comfort food is not easy to do...good job! Good wine by the glass selection. We had a great date night and will definitely be coming back to sit at the bar and check out the patio dining! Thanks Town!

    (5)

  • Michelle L.

    Town...what to say about this quaint little restaurant. It's different that's for sure! The waiters dress in jeans and t-shirts, the decor is very chic, locally grown and organic produce, unique type-written menu...yup, that pretty much sums it all up. Town was our second and final destination for Restaurant Week. Their menu was a great deal, $20 for a choice of salad, pasta and dessert. Portion sizes were small but flavors were big. The beet salad was interesting (in a good way), risotto was very rich, panna cotta was divine. My only gripe was that the service was really slow. We were playing "I Spy with our Little Asian Eyes" to pass the time lol. I cannot really blame the wait staff considering there were no bussers nor food runners. Regardless, everyone was very friendly and helpful.

    (4)

  • Traci H.

    I really wanted to give this place an awesome review because I've heard great things about this place. Also I love how they use local produce. However, when I called to make a reservation I was left on hold for over 5 mins, which at that point I just hung up. I later saw they do open table reservations. So I decided to make my reservation that way, and mention in the reservation it would be someone's birthday. I would recommend that anyone does it that way as well. When I get to Town, I was happy to see that my table was ready even 10 minutes prior to my reservation. We had another person from our party there already so we sat down, waiting on 2 more. Menus were already on our table. I don't know if restaurant week is to blame for the slow service, but it too over 10 minutes for water. Then we placed our drink orders which weren't filled for another 10. Everything just took so long. I was a little irritated, and hoping the food would just blow me away to make up for it. It was good, not great. I had the restaurant week special and it was a choice of salad, pasta, and dessert. I had the Ma'o salad, which was very light. Almost tasted like I was just eating it without dressing and a little cheese. For the pastaI had the beef ragu with penne, and that was okay. The beef was soft, and pasta aldente. Then I had the pannacotta for dessert, and it was just okay. I tried my friend's bread pudding which was a much better choice. Overall, service for me can make a world of difference. Our lunch took longer than we would have like, and the food was pretty good. The staff was nice, whenever they were around to help us. It was almost like they avoid eye contact with me, so that they could keep us waiting. Not to mention we were celebrating a birthday, and acknowledgement didn't come to the end of the meal, a little too late if you ask me. Will I be back? Maybe, but I'm in no rush.

    (3)

  • Ricardo C.

    I came with a group of out of town guests. It Was my first visit to the restaurant, but my husband had rave reviews about this place so I was thrilled bringing Friends who enjoy good restaurants and good food. We arrived and the restaurant was happening!. Lot of people, and great atmosphere. We had a reservation and we waited no longer than 10 minutes to be seated. The table we were assigned was quite bright, dimming the light a little bit would help to make the ambience a bit more cozy. Anyhow, it took us over 15 minutes to flag a waiter. Seems nobody was aware we were there. And no one seem to care. Our waiter arrives and brings the menu. We ask him about the wine selection, he had no clue at all. We ask questions about the house wines, their whites their reds... He got so upset (at us) he asked if we wanted to talk to a sommelier so we can order the wine and shut up with all the questions. We trusted our instincts an we order some pinot to pair with the selection of meats and cheese we ordered. The meat platter and salads were delicious, the wine took longer that expected and arrived way after we finished our appetizers. Waiter came back with the wine. And no bottle opener. We ordered our meals, and enjoyed our wine and salads, and one more bottle of wine. 45 minutes later our food hadn't arrived. We ordered one more bottle, and decided to switch to white. The third bottle of wine arrives, and our glasses weren't replaced. The waiter poured white in our old glasses of red. He didn't seem to give a fuck (excuse my language, but that's how I felt after the service we were getting by this guy), suddenly our white turned into a rosé. How chic! FYI: when you are at town you don't really know who is an employee and who is a patron, since they don't wear uniforms... Well , YOU could easily tell who OUR waiter was because he was way underdress (wearing his papa jeans and a "vintage" (shaggy old) second hand Supermarket t-shirt (I think was Capers or Whole Foods) . Anyhow. Our waiter was nowhere to be found. Waiting for 1 hour until our entree arrived ... Not acceptable. About that time, we are (bit tipsy) and super hungry! After that wait you would think our food will taste "fuckingamazing"! (because usually when you are that hungry even MCDonalds tastes like heaven) well: wrong! Review 1: steak and fries, my friend was so drunk after all the wine he said his fries were the best. Steak? What steak? Review 2. My husband: he loved the fish , well done. He was very hungry Review 3: same fish dish, overcooked and dry. Review 4: (my plate) Disgusting! , my plate was a greasy dry chicken dipped in Pancetta oil, and some melange du je ne sais quo is! I had one bite and it was enough. Waiter came back, saw the look on my face and didnt ask one question. He came back and I told him I refuse to eat that plate. He took it away, and ask what was wrong with it... Hummmmm : everything. He apologized and left. Didnt come back... ever... again. We had to flag the hostess to get our bill. 30 minutes wait, and we left. I heard so many good things about this place. And I dunno if perhaps it was bad luck... Or just not a good place at all. Would I give it a second chance? Well after looking at the way their bathrooms are taken care of, I doubt it. But knowing the limited options in the island, I might ( IF with friends, just for drinks and appies) .

    (2)

  • Scott M.

    Food was good though portions were on the small side. Presentation was excellent. I liked the menu choices. Our waiter was very personable and took the time to answer all our questions. He knew exactly how each dish was prepared. Salads were very tasty and good sized. My mahimahi was perfectly cooked. My wife's ahi was also excellent. I enjoyed the use of local and more exotic ingredients. Service was very slow even though we were one of the first patrons of the night. We waited over an hour & a half for our food. Bread refills cost an extra $2 which I though was petty considering how long we waited for our food. Drink refills cost extra - the cost of another drink. I would recommend going once but not sure I'd go back.

    (3)

  • Jocelyn L.

    "One of my fave restaurants in HI...good ambience, good food but hard to find a parking"

    (4)

  • Drew W.

    NIce for lunch. We had the burger and the mahi. Fresh ingredients prepared well. We got there just before the lunch rush. Service was helpful and friendly. Lack of parking is only downfall. Will try dinner next time.

    (4)

  • Allen N.

    Heard a lot about this restaurant. Service was great, but the steak was just ok.

    (3)

  • Jeff M.

    So this is new. apparently if you give Town a not so good rating on Yelp, someone at Town creates a Yelp account and comments on your post fairly often "good, then don't come back". Well mystery asshole, don't worry. I won't come back because your restaurant sucks. Stay away from this place.

    (1)

  • Serena K.

    I have been to Town a few times in the past and absolutely loved it. As a passionate supporter of food sovereignty in Hawaii, Town is one of those restaurants that are vital in our community to not only raise awareness of how important (and delicious) locally produced food is, but as an inspiration to other chefs and businesses to get on the local bandwagon. This is why I am so heartbreakingly disappointed about my last- and possibly final- experience there. To begin, I called the restaurant about 4 hours before my boyfriend and I decided to go there to check out the reservation situation. I wanted to get there around 8:30pm but the hostess said that the earliest res would be at 9:15pm. She then recommended coming around 8:30pm anyway, saying that theres a good chance we can get seated at the bar. I asked her if we needed a reservation for the bar and she said no. At 8:30 we arrived and were faced with a crowded bar. Since the place was packed, the host offered to sit us outside for the time being, then snatch up a couple chairs at the bar as soon as the couple we spied finishing their dessert were through. That was fine, except that it was absolutely freezing outside. The wind was blasting and it was so cold that my boyfriend had to get sweaters for us. It was miserable, but we were consoled by the fact that we would be seated at the cozy (and warm) looking bar soon. About 20mins later, the couple got up to leave. The host then came out and said, "Sorry, something came up but the bar is reserved. Do you still want to stay?" WTF? I thought there were no reservations at the bar? And if you knew this, why did you tell us we had a chance to sit there? The waiter then mumbled something about the owners friends dropping in as he finally brought us our wine. Livid, freezing, and too late to find a new place to go, we ended up sitting outside for another 20 minutes until getting a table in the restaurant. When we sat down, we cheersed and resolved to make the best of it, that we were finally inside, starving and ready to eat. Now for our waitress... and maybe some bread? When the waitress finally decided to pay attention to us, she was very cold and aloof with a hint of rudeness. Not really what we expected after 40 minutes being ignored outside in the freezing windstorm. We ordered our apps, meal and wine right away. I also asked to please bring us some bread, as we were famished. 15mins. later and still no bread. When she walked by our table I asked her again for bread, and the wine list since at the point we resolved that getting drunk was the best way to deal with the whole situation. I get that the place was packed and she was busy, but she managed to check on the couple next to us multiple times; chatting them up about their life and "how did the wine taste?", before quickly walking away with her back to us. We finally got our bread, but no wine list. After receiving our appetizers, I had to practically shout across the room to get her attention and ask for the wine list. again. she brought it after we finished our apps. When dinner finally came, it was less than spectacular. A huge disappointment since I was banking on my past experiences of delicious locavore delightfulness and something redeeming from our less that satisfying night. We ate in silence, stressed and distraught from what we thought would be a lovely and romantic date night after a hard work week. The check came soon after (the one thing that brought quickly all night) & I practically ran out. Never in my life had I wanted to flee from a restaurant. I wish that this was the end of the story, but sadly its not. After and angry facebook post, I was encouraged to call the manager to complain about my experience. When I was walking him through the evening, he apologized for our experience outside with a curt, "Sorry you were cold, but we cant control the weather, you know." When I told him that we were being ignored and felt borderlined discriminated against, I was shot down and felt almost scolded. He ended the call with a sarcastic, "IF you decide to come to Town again, ask for me and Ill see that youre taken care of. Ill DEFINITELY remember you. But please be sure make a reservation first." I hung up feeling more pissed off than when I began. Obviously this floor manager has never taken a course in customer service, as he would know that "the customer is always right", especially if they are upset and on the verge of crying from frustration. I was encouraged by some friends to call the owner directly. At this point, I felt that the manager was the one who was representing this business as well as the owner himself, and thought it wasnt worth it. I felt that he made it very clear that I wasnt important, that my patronage wasnt needed.Not a great feeling after dropping a $100+ on a mediocre meal and shitty service. Town, Im dissapointed in you, and how your restaurant represents the local food movement. And sadly Im not the only one. Auwe.

    (1)

  • Moore I.

    Busy and Noisy. Service is not that good, water never refilled had to flag down waiter to get more wine. Fish was great, however dinner took over 60min to be served from time of ordering. Vegetables with main course was raw not even blanched, knife could not even cut the radish. I think they are overrated and over priced for sure.

    (1)

  • Eva R.

    I have eaten at town many, many times- too many to count! I have always enjoyed the food and atmosphere. The ingredients are high quality which rasies the price a little but i am willing to pay for local, organic food. If you want imported, cheap food, go somewhere else. Has a nice neighborhood feel.

    (4)

  • Ikaika T.

    The descriptions of the food were too long so I asked the waiter for a salad with a piece of chicken on it and they whipped it right up. The only thing I didn't like about this place was the portion size, when I read "American" as the type of food being served I'd expect to spend about $15 and get stuffed, but the food here is surprisingly light. My salad wasn't drowned in dressing and the drip coffee didn't taste like burnt beans. For dessert: a nutella + banana + lots of butter and white bread concoction grilled to perfection. A light dab of whipped cream and candied orange peel topped it off. There was really nothing over-the-top about this place, just good food at the right price - I'll definitely return to experience the other items on the menu.

    (4)

  • Shayna B.

    I was REALLY looking forward to this restaurant! Like for a few years now my hubby and I have wanted to eat here after reading reviews, hearing buzz and even finding out a good friend from high school was the manager helped! I can't tell you how much i really wanted to like this place! But in the end, honestly it sucked! I ended up taking a few girl friends and our kids to lunch on a weekday. We arrived at 10:45am, lunch starts at 11am. The 4-6 patrons there were finishing up breakfast, the place was empty. SERVICE:Our server was "busy" from the time we sat down till we left. With what as we were the only customers I don't know. He really was not rude personally by saying or doing anything rude but basically ignored us the whole time. We felt we were inconveniencing him. He really needs to get another job if he doesn't like serving people! THE FOOD: I ordered an appetizer to share upon the recommendation of the server which turned out to be the portion size for ONE! Delicious but just ONE piece of bread with tomatoes, cheese and garnishes. It was not a good sign of things to come. I got a chicken salad that was very tasty, the chicken was on the dry side. Unfortunately it was also tiny, I was still starving afterwards. One of my girlfriends got a breakfast burrito, which also was tasty but she picked the good parts and left a little less than half behind. My other girlfriend ordered a burger and fries. This was very good, and I am glad cause it is a classic that you shouldn't mess up! In the end, without drinks, the bill was $40+ bucks for under par food and 2/12 hours later. We sat around waiting FOREVER for our waiter who was nowhere to be found and taking his sweet time. Would I go back? NEVER!

    (1)

  • Susan N.

    The meal was delicious. Had the Gnocchi, steak. The whole experience was excellent. Parking was confusing. Was not sure of where parking was. Waitress and service excellent. Highly recommend.

    (5)

  • Mila S.

    Yes, slow service, but... DELICIOUS! I had the hand-cut pasta and it was so yummy. I ate it all! The kale soup was also good.

    (4)

  • Marck N.

    For a neighborhood that is surrounded by "local kind" of restaurants, the food definitely stands out. When you walk into the restaurant, it really does stand out from whats in the neighborhood. From the usual casual sit down places with a mom & pop, it was like walking into a restaurant in San Francisco. Very mod and stylish. The food is very homey, rich with butter and cream. My friend and I started off with the flat bread with anchovies and the mussels appetizer. The mussels were fresh and tasty. Eating the anchovies of the flat bread also complemented the taste of the mussels. En tree's were the risotto for my friend and the pork checks with polenta for myself. The waiter informed my friend that the risotto was a large portion and that both of us could share it. But when it arrived, it really was a serving for one. I am not sure what he was thinking, as my friend and are both guys with big appetites. The pork cheeks were tender and fell apart at the touch of my fork. It also came with some butter greens, which I didn't care for as it was too rich. For dessert we had the buttermilk panacotta with honey. That was really tasty and was a good finish to dinner. Overall it was a enjoyable night for one of my nights back home.

    (4)

  • Justin S.

    Great appetizers, entrées, and deserts. Local ingredients. Have had great service every time. Would be 5 stars if it wasn't so loud.

    (4)

  • Melissa S.

    I used to love going to Town in Kaimuki. They have great illy coffee, they have a killer biscuit breakfast sandwich, and awesome fries with herbs. But the last two times I have gone for lunch, I have experienced the slowest and worst service. The first time was when I brought out of town guests there--someone had pasta, I had a panini, and another friend had an ahi salad. It took over 30 minutes for the food to get to our table, and when we asked, we were told that everything is made to order there, so it takes some time. Fine. The food was good. We let it go. I went again last week, party of one. I just needed a quick lunch before I went to an appointment in that area. I ordered a salad, nothing extra added. Again, a good 25 minutes passed and no one even came to say anything. I looked around trying to get my waitress' attention, she avoided eye contact as she passed right in front of me--something their staff is very good at doing. I walked out, leaving a $2 tip. Yes, it was me. I shouldn't even have left a tip. If I had time, I would have written a note with it since I didn't get a chance to say anything to you. Awful. It wasn't a busy lunch hour. No salad takes over 25 minutes to assemble, no matter what your excuse is. Never coming back again.

    (2)

  • BIANCHA Y.

    Local, organic food? I'm there. Their food is delicious. And if you plan on eating there, make reservations...it'll save you a headache.

    (4)

  • Robert L.

    The food is okay, but just too much oil, fat, and salt used for every dish. Its a little more pricey than other restaurants. If you drink a wine then it might be good since the food matches. The menu is super hard to read too.

    (2)

  • Anita L.

    Totally loved this place. It was like a sanctuary in the middle of a chaotic neighborhood. You don't even feel like you're in Hawaii being in here. Simple chic decor with a small, minimalist menu. At lunch time salads, panini and brunch items dominate. Reasonably priced organic food but service was incredibly slow. Reminded me of Delancey Street Cafe in SF's kind of menu, but definitely need to work on the service side of it. Dinner menu is similar but with a small selection of entrees such as steak, chicken etc. Forgot my camera so have no photos to show but will definitely take some on the next visit --- and I definitely WILL be visiting again!

    (4)

  • Lina P.

    Finally went for my first time tonight. The food was a lot tastier then I thought although I only had the ahi tartar and the honey something pennacotta. Had a glass of italian wine too which I liked... These things sure did add up quick...

    (4)

  • Mary C.

    We ate at Town last night for the first time. The entrees were very good and proportion size more than adequate, and pretty average price. We also enjoyed the nice complimentary tray of antipasto and breads. What we were NOT happy with was the price of the wines by the glass!!! $10 for a small glass of wine that was barely half full. Really??? And the price of bottled wine was ridiculous. Its clear this restaurant is trying to make all their profit off their liquor. Another down-side: the size of the tables for 4. Unless you're having an intimate dinner with your sweety, its just too tight for comfort and casual conversation with friends. Tables are too small,guys. However, the chicken and Monchong (white fish) entrees were delicious, but served without starch, all sides are ala carte.

    (3)

  • Boki C.

    i didn't know i was going to another "alan wong-esque" type of establishment. the prices were kinda higher than i expected walking in there. but i knew it was a farm-to-table establishment, so i was up for it. their menu changes everyday. the wait staff was good, but food took FOREVER to come out... luckily living here for almost a year, i've been groomed to become a tad more patient, unlike my nyc self. the portions are TINY for what you pay. entrees are about $20+ the food IS VERY GOOD. i had the gnocchi & my friend had seared ahi, i think. both were delectable. fresh ingredients... mmm ono. they give a portion of complimentary bread + olives + butter, which is yummy too ($2 for more i think!) i'm not giving 5 stars, cuz it's $$$$$$$$$$$. i'd rather go to alan wong's & pay a lil more for a LARGER portion of food. prob wont go again cuz $$$$$$$$$$ but it's tasty, worth trying!! =)

    (4)

  • Bill S.

    The best meal that we found in all of Hawaii! The food and service was so good that we came back a 2nd time during our vacation. Don't miss it!!!!

    (5)

  • Tina Y.

    Yummy, yummy and they're dog friendly!!! Many thanks for that

    (5)

  • Lionel B.

    Great food, dynamic menu, great service and last but not least pet friendly (outside seating). Makes me so happy to be a Kaimuki resident.

    (4)

  • Joe K.

    To be perfectly honest, the main reason I went is because I heard the cast of LOST hangs out there. I heard the food was great as well so it looked like a win/win situation. I went there twice for lunch. It was okay, but I think the hype really set me up for a let down, which it ultimately was. I know I had a burger and the 2nd time a sandwich and I can't even tell you what kind of burger and sandwich they were after the fact, so it must have been average.

    (2)

  • Ane P.

    I was pleased to stop by town the last time I was in the neighborhood to grab breakfast. From the reviews I had read, I was under the belief that at any other time of the day (assuming it were busy), it would be crazy and loud. Fortunately there was only one other couple in the restaurant, and I was able to eat my portuguese sausage in peace. What I did appreciate (and what in fact had pushed me in the direction of this place to begin with), was the organic food selection and the natural foods appeal. I'm sure there was nothing organic about my sausage, but I did have it with some steel-cut oats, which in my head evened out the good with the bad. I would maybe stop by here again in the future for another quiet morning breakfast.

    (4)

  • lauryn g.

    By far my most favorite spot to eat in "town". I love the place, the food is the best of quality and ethics and the people who work there are awesome! I like when they play quality music as well. The prices are a bit steep, but worth it. I sometimes get upset when they are closed for siesta, but I like the mentality and understand the importance! I wish there were more eateries like Town in Honolulu! Excited to try "Downtown"!

    (5)

  • Kevin B.

    It's not the Kaimuki I knew growing up, that's for sure, but it just goes to show that, contrary to the widely held belief, Hawaii does change. The waiters, and all the staff for that matter, were very friendly. The table was cleared, cleaned, and kept stocked with appropriate silverware as it should have been. The big problem was the speed. Dishes came out of the kitchen so slowly that quite a number of customers were irritated. I saw someone get their food (that course, anyway) comp'd because it took so long. We, on the other hand, must of been just short of that threshold. The food, when it eventually came out, was delicious. I had a nice salad then a perfectly cooked a'u -- super tender and moist inside, with just the very beginnings of a searing on the outside. My friend's mussels in broth/ bouillabaisse was well executed and very flavorful, and he seemed to enjoy his pork cheeks a lot. Desserts didn't entice, so we skipped them. The restaurant's got a good buzz, and is noisy enough so that it's reasonably difficult to hear your neighbor's conversations without it being overbearing. Shiny silver (brushed?) tables with no tablecloths was a style element that caught my eye, which is probably saying something since I've got a reputation of having no style sense or even consciousness.

    (4)

  • Kimo U.

    Three, two of whom had been here before, of us needed a Memorial Day dinner out. This establishment came up during our discussion of choices. The complimentary bread with olives in olive oil were brought out. A couple of splashes of balsamic vinegar would have been so welcome. Beet salad, bruschetta with duck confit, ahi tartare started us off. The last seemed a mite pricey, but all in all, what a solid beginning. No complaints at all. The duck confit was exceptional. Monchong, pork shoulder & gnocchi were prepared beautifully. The gnocchi with sausage bits had a sauce that was so light / different from those I'd had before; the gnocchi seemed less dense - all good. Dinner culminated with mango sorbet and panini; passable. Their wine choices need to be expanded to include more California wines . . . so provincial, I am. Their prices? Not much out of line. An A/C unit dripping water on my shoulder resulted in us being moved quickly. Service issues mentioned in other reviews were nonexistent - the place was less than half full - service was not slow. Upon seeing us sharing, small plates were suggested and provided by the wait person. NOTE: We avoided the steak after reading other yelps & a previous "tough" experience by one of us. Mayhaps that item needs to be rethunk.

    (4)

  • George D.

    GREEAAAT BARTENDER!!!!!!!!!! Not every bar has a great bartender , in fact most (s-ck) are incapable and a bad rap on their profession. I dont recall his name but the bartender here is truly a professional of grand proportion, and I am truly a drinking mans expert. Not only is each drink quality controlled with his "sniffer" and straw, but he follows up to make certain that you enjoy his concoctions. Add to the fact that he is an expert on the menu and you have a winning combination. I would have thought he was the owner, but was advised otherwise. If the owner is reading this GIVE HIM A RAISE!!!! he is why people come. Food is fair , and I say that only because you are trying to be high end and I have to compare you in that vein. Accordingly, you must use better meats and our sauces must be more consistent. All in all , I will be back especially for the wine Wednesday events. Yes its loud and the bathrooms are on the other side of the universe. but this is a gem in Hawai'i.

    (4)

  • Candice S.

    I moved from Maui to Oahu just a week ago and my first few days on the island were a real challenge-car broke down, bed bugs in my first place (eek) so I decided to treat myself to lunch at this fabulous restaurant so many people had raved about. Not only was my fish pasta absolutely divine, my server, Maria, totally helped turn my rough day around and show me what the aloha spirit is all about. Their "dark and stormy" cocktail with homemade ginger juice is a great starter and the coffee ice cream was a fabulous finish. Only downside was that the handle on the sink in the bathroom broke when I went to wash my hands. Those little details matter, eh? All around I am excited to go back!

    (4)

  • Mary G.

    There were 9 of us in our party and we really enjoyed the food and beverages. The restaurant is a bit loud, but that means people were having fun! A couple of people who ordered steak had to send it back because it was too rare. But, I ordered the fish and it was delicious! This is a gem hidden among random businesses. The parking was difficult, but the food made up for that inconvenience. The food is fresh, local and organic and I would definitely recommend this restaurant.

    (4)

  • Christina M.

    My date had swordfish and I had never had swordfish before. It was amazing. I can't remember what I had but it was good at the least. The decor is really nice and the waitstaff was really patient with me. I'd never been to a restaurant that had a daily changing menu, so I was a little confused, also some of the items I hadn't heard of and the waitstaff was very enthusiastic when explaining them.

    (5)

  • Raphael K.

    By R: I agree with others. This place is severely overrated. It's also neither charming nor unique. The dining room is too dark to appreciate the food, not that the food was any good. Waaaaay overpriced for the quantity & also the quality. The service from everyone from the greeter, the host, the waitress, & server ranged from inattentive, slow, to just plain snooty. Why such snooty high makamaka service in a chill place such as Kaimuki I don't get it. The name "Town" suggests high-class dining, but really it's just a name & an attitude.

    (2)

  • Snooker H.

    Wish I could give this gem five stars, but the service is slow and uninspired. The burger I had for lunch was so perfect and the shoestring french fries amazing. My soy latte was to die for. My boyfriends bottled beer was flat and tasteless; we would have sent it back but our server never came back to check on how our meal was. Tried to go again last Sunday but sadly they were closed for family day.

    (4)

  • Mike C.

    Great dinner at Town last night. The Mahi Mahi with Meyer Lemon & Caperberry Sauce was perfect. The pan searing crisped the outside but inside the fish was tender and moist. Local ingredients, wonderfully and creatively prepared. A great meal overall.

    (5)

  • Joy W.

    i had family in town visiting so took them to town, raving about the fresh flavors and local ingredients the place offered. it had been a while since i visited and everything looked as i remembered, which was good and bad because the menu hadn't changed much when it used to change a lot. but the worst part was the service. we were immediately seated and the server came to take first our drink orders (they were out of apple juice, boo!) and then our food orders. and then after that ... nothing. we waited nearly an hour for our food; one party even came in after us, was seated, ate and left before we got our food. the server didn't even come by to check on us or apologize for the wait until we flagged him down and only then he said, "it'll be out soon." we contemplated leaving but kept thinking our dishes would arrive. and when they finally did, again no apologies for the wait, just our food placed in front of us (although one came a few minutes later) and that was that. thought really yummy food would help salvage our horrible experience but nope. like i said, one dish came late, which was the ahi burger and consisted of ground ahi, not a filet. even worse, the order was wrong, we had wanted salad, not fries but at that point we were too hungry to send it back. the veggie panino was cold and my hand-cut pasta was salty. overall, a really disappointing experience after many previous enjoyable ones. when the server came back to clear our plates, he offered us a free dessert for the wait (finally, an acknowledgment!) but we didn't want to wait for what could be another hour, so we declined and left. that was probably the best part of our meal.

    (1)

  • Steven O.

    Simlply the best food in honolulu bar none. Great. love it eat there three days a week. Yummie

    (5)

  • Arsena K.

    I celebrated my friend's birthday with a bunch of my girlfriends. We all loved the food and the service was great. They used all local ingredients which we all loved. The only thing was that it was pretty warm. The track light above us was making us sweat so we requested to turn up the AC. Which they did and we enjoyed our meal!

    (4)

  • Ashley K.

    My boss took me here for lunch and I have to say, when I walked in I immediately got high expectations on how the food should taste. The atmosphere is way cool- very contemporary but still classy. The servers were all very friendly and helpful with the menu. I got the lemonade- and it was GREEN, and REALLY good! I think they use a lot of organic items, which was neat, and the prices were not significantly higher or anything. The food was decent. Not the best I've ever had, but definitely still very good food.

    (3)

  • S. M. H.

    I guess we judge the places we go based on how well they can mix a cocktail and how good is the service. We live on an island, so I expect to sit a little longer for the easy going slow pace. But there is a basic timing to a meal and this place misses it completely. The foo

    (3)

  • J G.

    The concept of town is my kind of place, menu is awesome and always changing. I like the use of local produce and sustainable foods. I also would add that now that I've been coming here often I still enjoy the good and have learn to love the staff. My wife and I have all of our dates here!

    (5)

  • kirstin p.

    The concept of Town is great. Kaimuki is an up-and-coming area for restaurants and is a really neat older part of Oahu that has retained some of it's charm. They use fresh island-grown produce and change their menu frequently. I have only dined there once, and the food was good. the Polenta was very yummy. I also had a Moi (fish) on top of a nice light sauce with white beans. The flavors were very understated and everything seemed fresh. The service was not terrible, but it also wasn't the most attentive. The atmosphere was a bit loud at times. Because the floors are concrete and the furnishings pretty sparse, we could clearly hear conversations that were going on around us. All-in-all, i would come back again, perhaps for lunch or if I just wanted good fresh food in a casual dining atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Anjelika J.

    Aight, where do I start? ***DON'T PARK IN NEIGHBORS DRIVEWAYS*** LAW IS: CAR SHOULD BE 4 FEET AWAY FROM THE CURB *** Parking is GREAT for me because I live down the street. Parking is NOT great for me when it's someone, who is going to dine there, parking in my driveway. Anyway, H and I ended up there one night on a whim. We walked in and they sat us right smack in the window. I ordered some alcoholic drink which was missing the alcohol. We ate the olives and the bread. Our waiter was LAME. He never came around to check on us. The table behind us was a bunch o' loud-and-i-think-i'm-21 old folks who seemed to be well tended to by OUR waiter. With all that aside, I ordered a steak. The steak was gooood. It came with a wee salad which was good. H ordered some sort of roast chicken thing which he didn't care for. I think I loved my steak because I was tired and hungry like I was stoned but I wasn't. Then we ordered a dessert that was suppose to have vanilla bean sauce or a custard or something like that. Anyway, the next day we realized that the dessert was totally missing that custard. Overall, this place is somewhere to try once and then you'd be over it. It's totally overrated. It's an aight place to go but sure as hell not worth parking in my driveway and getting a $50 ticket over.

    (2)

  • Nelle H.

    I Love Town!!!!!!!!!!!!! I might be a bit biased because my bf has worked here since it opened, but I have been eating the food for over four years and I still love it! Breakfast, effing awesome, love it. My favorites fried rice, banana pancakes, and sweet bread french toast. Lunch love it, I don't get to enjoy lunch here very often because I work during the day, but the cheeseburger is so awesome. Dinner, my fave! Hands down the best thing on the menu is the ahi tare tare, but I enjoy EVERY entree on the menu. Oh and don't forget the dessert, they have a dessert called crepe cake and every bite is like heaven!

    (5)

  • Kevin S.

    A nice little place nestled in Kaimuki. They are totally organic and nearly all of their food comes from Hawaii. So its a total Hawaii No Ka Oi (Hawaii's #1) type place. That said, the decor is quite modern and really doesn't feel like your typical Hawaii eatery and the food shows a lot of pacific rim flair. I'd comment about the menu, but I've been told it changes pretty frequently so I'll wait till my next visit to really comment. In any case, for the local person looking for something new to try or the aventurous tourist who happens to be in the area (you'll need to rent a car to get here) its definitely worth checking out.

    (4)

  • L W.

    I've been driving by this place for a while and have finally tried it for both lunch and dinner. parking was a large problem, especially at night when the entire district is hopping with the dining crowd. Be sure to park in the little lot right behind town, it only looks like the apartment parking. The wait staff is wonderful in helping you understand every aspect of the menu! DINNER: Complimentary bread, butter, and olives: Cold and hard, I like 12th Avenue Grill's better. Kabocha Gnocci: Soft, light, fluffy dumplings stuffed with an extremely tangy pumpkin puree in a buerre blanc sauce. I eschewed it, but my Uncle seemed to really enjoy it. Perhaps an acquired taste. Duck Confit: BRILLIANT! Tender, juicy duck swimming in a savry brown (orange juice, cinnamon, duck drippings, salt, pepper) confit. Side of tender roasted sweet potatoes and roasted bok choy. Falls right off the bone. Hand Cut Pasta: The best pasta I have ever eaten. In a light butter-ish sauce with asparagus, tomatoes, onions and a little bit of crunchy bread crumbs to top it off. This is a must have for lunch or dinner. Steak: Fatty, juicy, red, oozing steak perfectly prepared medium rare and seasoned with a mixture of herbs. Side of parsley herbed crispy fries...winner. After such a wonderful dinner, dessert was extremely disappointing... Banana Panini: Sweet bread slathered with milk chocolate and sandwiched inbetween them were bananas. Grilled. It was good alright, but I could've made this at home...perhaps even better. Butter Almond Financier: Waiter described this as a crips cookie with a soft center...WRONG. More like a really buttery coffee cake. Major let down. Honey PannaCotta: Sour jell-o-y mound drizzled with extra sweet honey. LUNCH: Frittata: Wonderful! Lightest, fluffiest eggs baked with onions, peppers, goat cheese, and herbs. Only seven inches in diameter, this is the perfect light lunch and comes with a side of salad. Burger: Hot, juicy, moist, and wonderfully seasoned meat with a slice of melting cheese, tomato, lettuce all in between two grilled buns. Comes with a side of herbed crisp fries...the best! If you're a big red-meat-eater this is your ticket! Their lemonade was okay, with some fresh parsley juice on top, extremely subtle and not very va-va-voom lemony flavor. Slightly disappointing considering the hype. Overall the actual entrees are awesome and highly gourmet, but lacks in dessert and beverages. I would go again, but pick up some dessert from cafe laufer or jj's afterward.

    (4)

  • Satoru Y.

    Town's too inconsistent, but utilizes a wonderful concept. The concept is local ingredients to create delicious meals, to be served in a contemporary setting. It is refreshing for the area, and has been one of the forerunners to refocusing cuisine attention to the Kaimuki area. The decor is very modern, and is a fresh change of scenery for the neighborhood. The music at night can be a bit too loud, and can overpower your table's conversations. The service can be very good, but I have seen it be a bit inattentive. If the staff is on, it can provide a personable presentation of the food. The food is just too inconsistent. Take the Ahi Tartar; I've had it many times and it can be either really delicious or surprisingly terrible. Correspondingly, there have been dinners that I have had here that have been great and some that were terrible. I have found the lunches here to be the best. The simpler dishes seem to shine here more consistently than when they attempt something requiring more careful execution. Town is worth a try, but it is not all that it could be.

    (3)

  • Kendall H.

    slow service, very trendy sort of place with good clean food. Fills a niche in the kaimuki community of good western cuisine. Parking can be difficult during busy hours.

    (4)

  • Cheryl K.

    I absolutely love the ambiance in Town. I love how the menus look typewritten and given with a clipboard and I love their cocktails. The first time I went there, I ate a steamed or baked Opah with veggies on the side. It was AWESOME! Its a very contempo place and lots of local ingredients which I love. Overall good place if you wanna try somewhere different.

    (4)

  • Levy O.

    I've been to Town 2x so far since I moved here last month. And the experiences were less than fabulous. The restaurant seems like a cool place from outside and the fact that they also use local produce makes it seem cooler. The only time I've been there were for brunch. They have a small menu for brunch, which is fine by me. The foods are pretty good, I like their Egg and fontina panini sandwich. However, the service needs a lot of work. The 2 times that I was there, I got impressions that the waiter/waitress don't really care or they're confused. First time I was having brunch there, no one told us that the coffee is self-service. So we waited for 30 min at our table for our regular black coffee. The second time I was there, the guy who took our order behind the bar seemed like he cared more about fixing the sign that taking our order. Also, they ran out of coffee and rice around 10 AM...what happened? I've never been to a brunch where they run out of coffee. Anyway, I am still curious about dinner time there. Heard some good reviews and bad review....but I'm willing to give it a try. Wait 'till next time...

    (2)

  • Mark V.

    My partner and I came across Town quite randomly by reading a review here. It was our first night in Honolulu and we wanted high quality food and service but wanted to get out of the resort where we were staying. We were drawn to Town for its philosophy of local ingredients first and organic when possible. Town did not let us down. We tried a variety of appetizers, salads, entres (not to mention cocktails) and each one delighted us. The service was outstanding: our server patiently explained his recommendations, answered questions and made us feel right at home. We're from San Francisco and are fortunate enough to live in a city with great cuisine. Town is outstanding and not to be missed.

    (5)

  • Jeffrey B.

    I can't really emphasize any more than 56 reviews, so I'll just say I've been eating at town for almost two years now and I've never been disappointed. I have had the same waitress almost every time. Which is, needless to say, something you really can't get that often - especially in tourist-trap Waikiki.

    (5)

  • Patricia D.

    What a gem! Tucked away from the bustle of Waikiki and downtown Honolulu, this was a great balance of inventive food, organic ingredients and the influence of Hawaiian cuisine. The menu changes, but if you're there while the chef is preparing gnocchi, don't pass it up - it practically disintegrates in your mouth, and the touch of nutmeg adds a neat flavor texture. The one downside is that the restaurant is a little butter-happy. As a Southerner, I love butter, but many of the dishes we got were slathered in it, when the natural flavors of the ingredients could've used less. Also - if the brown-butter financier is on the dessert menu, don't pass it up! It's a simple cake, but you'll savor every bite.

    (4)

  • Jenna R.

    I have been to Town several times for dinner and I have been impressed everytime. The menu constantly changes depending what local produce is available that day. They also have a great drink menu and also allow BYOB. I also went there for coffee and desert one night with an out of town friend. She was also very impressed. Additionally, I went to dinner there also with our friends who have a 2 year old girl. The waiter was great with her and was able to whip up a small kid size spaghetti plate for her. It was perfect. I highly recommend Town to anyone.

    (5)

  • Mr Blix E.

    Town is in...you guessed it, Town. That aside, this place is definitely more hype than substance. I've been there once with my wife and have no intention of going back. The restaurant itself is quite nice, it's got a sparse, clean, modern look. In fact, if I designed a place to relax in, it would most likely resemble Town, for sure. Although, this leads to your narrators first problem. As nice as it is, I don't like the isolative feel of the restaurant. I don't go to a place on 9th avenue near Palolo to disassociate myself from the community it's located in. I'd rather feel a connection to the place that I'm eating in, in the neighborhood that I'm eating in, rather than have a purposeful detachment meant to segregate you from your communal environment. After all, let's not fool ourselves, this ain't no 5 star restaurant. Anywho, back to the program... We were warmly greeted by the host and were seated almost instantly. There were enough people to keep it busy, but not enough people to make it busy. Our waithelp...well...to be blunt, he sucked. He was enamored by the table behind us and I just wrote that off as him being a jack-ass. That aside, I honestly don't remember the food being all that great. What I ate there doesn't stick in my mind as much as how horrible the service was. All in all, the food was obviously not memorable, I think I've had more memorable meals at Jack In the Box than what I ate at Town. In fact, after we've gotten it out of our system I think my wife and I are more interested and intrigued by the 9th Avenue Rock House, which we still need to visit, rather than go back to Town.

    (2)

  • Michael P.

    My wife and I went to Town with great expectations - and, indeed, have had a couple of reasonably good meals there. But we'll never, ever go back - even if we're invited by friends to go there. The two occasions when we did have meals, the service was extremely slow at best - and everyone in the restaurant had the same complaint. I don't know what's wrong, but something isn't working. And while some of the waitstaff are very polite and attentive, others were just the opposite - bordering on rude. We eat out virtually every night, so we're used to all kinds of service, and even sympathetic to small restaurants that seem to try hard and have creative menus. But, in the case of Town, the slow, uneven, and often poor service is just one of the challenges. What really turned us off is the treatment we received on our last few visits. On our last two visits we arrived early, were seated by polite, cheerful staff, and were reviewing our menus when the hostess (?) arrived at our table and announced that we couldn't sit there and would have to move to the bar. The restaurant was about 90% empty at the time, but when we questioned her, the hostess responded that all of the tables were reserved. The first time this happened, we thought it was a fluke. But when it happened on our next visit as well, and when we encountered the same rude and overbearing hostess, we walked out determined to never return. We enjoy small restaurants, and are willing to be flexible. But in this case it seems clear that the hostess was determined not to seat two people at a four-top table, even when the restaurant was nearly empty and there weren't any other suitable options. And, while I don't like to make uninformed judgments, it seemed to me that the hostess was incredibly and needlessly rude, and that management doesn't seem to care at all about service.

    (1)

  • Yu T.

    This place, I would go for food and service. One of the best vegetable soup, it was delicious. The best gnocchi in Honolulu so far. Unfortunately, the atmosphere is very industrial cold.

    (4)

  • Martin J.

    Went on a Thursday night with the family. I was running a little bit late and had to park several blocks away. So I sent a text to my wife as I walked up. She was already seated and we ordered right away. It was 65 minutes later that our entrees arrived! I know because I had sent a text. Yes, the place was busy, but over an hour to get your food? The food is tasty, but parking sucks and service is worse. We asked them politely to wrap it up and we'd take it to go. They looked like we had insulted them! The waitress did say "Sorry for the wait", but they didn't offer to take anything off the bill, or free dessert or anything. When we got home I was looking forward to eating. After all their food is tasty. When I opened the styrofoam I found some else's half eaten meal. Yuck! My advice, go two blocks up the hill and find dozens of nice restaurants that know how to serve you dinner!

    (1)

  • Jake S.

    I generally always end up getting disappointed with food in Hawaii, Town is an exception, the food was great. The lunch menu for the day I was there was great and I really enjoyed the pasta dish I had. The wine menu was expansive without being overly intimidating, I was glad to have a torrontes by glass available, as it is one of my favorite varietals. Minus one star for service and noise. I don't know why our waitress came to work that day, she obviously was having a bad day and unfortunately it showed. A small intimate setting that was ruined by everyone having to yell to have a conservation. Its too bad a great meal had to be ruined by service and noise, but would love to try this place again.

    (4)

  • ellie q.

    I had a pasta dish with wide flat noodles, a reddish cream sauce and wild boar in it. The portions are small and the prices are well, a little pricey but the dish I had was delicious! My boyfriend also had a fish dish and said it was the best restaurant fish he has ever had. They use fresh locally grown produce and I hear all the meats are local as well (including the deer). They also use recycled products which is good for eviromentally conscience people. Famous people frequent this place so you will never know who you will run in to. The best part I think is for people who have dogs (big or small) will also love this place because you can sit with them in the outdoor eating area, and your server will bring your puppy a bowl of water for them to drink! How cool is that!? Parking is limited, but you can usually find one on the street if their parkinglot is full.

    (4)

  • Ryoko Y.

    I love Town... I've been here twice & enjoyed it each time! Everything I've had was quite good, not to mention their breads... YUM! Yeah... I give them 5 stars all the way!

    (5)

  • Glaciala A.

    Liked the hamburger...menu concept is interesting...quiet and good place if you want to go and hear the conversation. I'd go back and try the pasta...since a lot of people in my group really enjoyed it.

    (4)

  • Cynthia A.

    The parsley juice-topped lemonade is my favorite thing here. When you first get it it's layered almost as much as a "black and tan" or a "half-n-half", then the parsley juice starts to diffuse. Of course the ratios are different. I normally hate american and italian parsley, but I like this! The food is good, but I wish they had a larger menu. I like how the menu is presented on a clip-board. One out of 4 of the times I've been there I couldn't get a seat inside. Sitting outside sucks with tradewinds and traffic so close. Inside the decor is really neat-o. If I can't sit inside I'll just eat somewhere else. Parking in the back lot is limited. There's not very much close street parking. It's a pain that there are several one-way streets nearby when trying to find parking.

    (4)

  • Kris L.

    We love town not because of its phenomenal, melt-in-your mouth handmade pastas - not because of the funky artwork that changes every few months - not because of the awesome, inventive drinks - not because of the buttery, yummy, homemade bread - not because of the fresh, amazing food...nope. We love town because bar manager Dave is hella cool. Everything else are just added, supremely fantastic, bonuses.

    (5)

  • theresa s.

    my first time at town. went a few weeks ago for the wine down with a girlfriend. my initial impression was not a good one, and it got better as the night progressed. BF and i went came early to sit at the bar for drinks and wait for my friend, but the place wasnt open yet (slated to open in 10 minutes). we were asked to have a seat at the outdoor chairs and they would come out to get us. we waited 20-25 minutes with no word. i peeked inside. there were people at the bar and already seated at tables, apparently they were regulars and came in from the other side of the building, not the front door. i was rather annoyed since no one told us they were open. we proceeded to the bar, and the bartender took a while to help us, he was being chatty with the 2 guys that were next to us-- turned out they were 2 of the "hosts" of the wine down that evening. he was not the typical "make me feel welcomed" bartender. when he finally asked us what we would like, i asked him for a recommendation, and he gave us some small tastings. the night was positive from there on out. he was friendly and even kept pouring more of the wine what we liked. he recommended an appetizer which i really enjoyed. if you are participating in the wine down, they give you a free inspired cocktail, and it was very good. friend came and we headed to the wine down table outdoors. it was situated like a long table where you sit with the other wine down participants. the wine down event is $25 and there are food tastings that accompany each wine. every dish and accompanying wine was explained. the progression of the food and wine was yummy and appeared to be matched appropriately. (note that these are only food tastings, so it would be good if you came a tad bit early like we did and have some pupus first. there is a bread basket that you can get for $2) we had an overall good experience and i would go back!

    (4)

  • Joy S.

    We went to this place after hanging out at our friend's bar next door. I was lazy and was hungry. I was dressed in boto boto clothes (t-shirt, slippahs, etc) and was hesitant to go in, but my friend and husband convinced me. The food was darn good, I had an organic salad and tomato bisque soup and I have to say it was so tasty. My friend liked his meal too. To top the evening off we bumped into a "Lost" actor eating his meal there for the night too :)

    (4)

  • Erin L.

    Plate was licked clean...Went to "town" last night!! Since their menu is selected daily, it is kind of limited. Even so, there was only about 2 things on the menu that I would not eat, only because I do not care for fishy seafood (i.e. Shrimp risotto & Tuna). I was torn between the fresh pappardelle. pasta, gnocchi, half chicken, pork shoulder with polenta and kale, sirloin steak and opah. At the last minute, I decided to go with the fresh opah, which was ONO!! ;o) It was topped with a limu sauce and an interesting variety of sauteed farm fresh veggies (turnip, radish, meyer lemon, tomatoes). I'm not an adventurous eater, but these creative dishes won over my tastebuds! For someone who doesn't care for seafood, the opah was soOo fresh, I ate every morsel! For dessert, the waiter chose the mountain apple tart for me (as I requested to be surprised). EXCELLENT choice! Mountain apple is my favorite fruit, but I was reluctant since I've only eaten it as is. The crust was also very crispy, not soggy and I am almost certain they whip their own cream. Their service is okay, but not great. They're popular and they know it. Every single time I have gone in there, whether it be for breakfast or lunch, they all have an attitude like, "you're lucky you got a table", instead of being gracious to have the business. Knowing I was going to meet some friends that night, I called them after they opened in the morning to request that a menu be faxed to me. No one answered. I just got a voice recording. I called at least 5 other times throughout the day. Once, I got a busy signal. I *66ed them, so my phone would automatically call them as soon as they hung up. Both baffled and frustrated, I STILL got their answering machine! I called again and left a message this time. Then I called right after that. Someone finally picked up. When I asked for the dinner menu to be faxed, they said they don't type up the dinner menu until 5:20PM. When I asked if he could call me when the menu is ready and then I would turn the fax machine on so he could fax it, he questioned me and asked why I couldn't just turn the machine on then (3 hours before). Apparently, prospective customers with a $200+ check are too inconvenient with them to deal with since they know they are going to get the business from some other people. I did not receive a call nor fax...BUT THE FOOD WAS AWESOME...So, whatevers.

    (4)

  • Sheryl S.

    When you're here, the lemonade is a must-have. The lemonade is topped with parsley juice, which gives it a cool cocktail effect. It's very good & good for you. Warm French bread & panini bread is served with butter, olive oil, & actual olives. Presentation was cute. I read somewhere that the soups here were a must-have. Boy, were they correct. The cream of mushroom & cauliflower soup were absolutely amazing. I could taste the freshness of the ingredients; it was nothing like Campbell's canned soups at all. Also, they will split an order of soup for 2 people to share. I also tried the ahi tartarte. I can't really complain. Portions are small (3 pieces,) but very filling because they are just bursting with flavor. It seemed like it was ahi poke on top of small circle-shaped hash browns. They were delicious, but I have had better ahi tartarte at other places. I ordered the half-chicken with torn bread & torn grapes. This plate was absolutely delicious. The chicken was very soft & tender with a slight crispy & moisty outer-skin. After first bite, I was this close as to walking straight to the kitchen & proposing to the chef. I also tried the sword fish with small white beans. I have never ate fish cooked with so much red sauce (forgot the name of the sauce.) It kind of resembled a soup. It was so-so, I definitely liked my chicken better. The atmosphere is nice with its light blue walls, contemporary lighting & furniture. The menu is kind of cute, too. It's on a clipboard, because the menu changes daily due to what ingredients are available. This is a great first-date place. You can totally dress up or dress down here, I've seen a woman with a Birkin bag & another man in a tshirt and rubber slippers. However, the tables are very close together. That entire evening, I heard the next tables' entire wedding plans. Town gets very crowded & reservations are definitely a must, especially for dinner. I came at a time when Town was not too busy, 6:00pm. Service was pretty good, but once 6:30pm hit, service turned very very slow. I asked for an extra plate & my waitress completely forgot. I didn't get my check until 10 minutes after asking for it. Free ample parking is located right in back of the restaurant. However, the spaces are extremely tight.

    (4)

  • Kath H.

    I really enjoyed the food at Town but unfortunately the service was terrible. A couple of friends were visiting from out of the US and wanted to return to Town because of their great memories from a couple years ago. I had been for lunch a few times a few years ago and enjoyed it. Calling that afternoon, we could only get an 8:45 reservation and despite the 2 empty 2-tops side by side, the hostess asked us to wait until finally after 9 she shoved those tables together. Our waitress Elisa was one of the unhappiest servers I've ever had, I've worked in restaurants and bars many years and know that some days are tougher than others and you can't always be on, but she was not only rude but dismissive and then has to come back to ask our orders since she didn't write them down and couldn't remember. Fortunately the food was delicious - the chicken cooked perfectly and the dalo and greens were great, but overall the night was ruined by the awful service, and (somewhat sadly) since there are so many other great restaurants around that we won't be bothered to return to Town.

    (2)

  • Melissa K.

    We ate here for lunch. I've been wanting to try town for years, but I always forget this place exists. Like other people, we did have a bit of a wait for service, but it was well worth it. The combination of flavors are simple so they could easily be blah, but whoever is cooking has a good palate. Simply delicious. Anyway, I had a tasty lamb, feta and mint sandwich and my husband had a burger. You can get nalo greens or fries with your burger or sandwich. All of the ingredients are really fresh and these were by far some of the best fries I've ever had. They were fried with herbs and perfectly seasoned. I'll probably come back just for the lamb and fries. The cocktails were okay-- a bit bitter for my taste. I found the prices to be reasonable, but the atmosphere was a bit on the cold side. All in all, I can't wait to try it again.

    (4)

  • Valerie P.

    oh so disappointed this time around. i used to lunch here about every other month but haven't been in almost a year. i took my mom here for a little birthday treat and after our experience i'll never go back. while we were waiting outside for our table another party of 2 walked in and was seated right away. i confronted our host/server about it and there were no apologies but she sat us at another table that had opened while we were waiting. service was super slow even to get water. i never got a water refill he dropped our check (which i had to ask for). the food was pretty tasty but i am so disappointed with the lack of service that i'll never go back. there were plenty of staff around and it didn't seem terribly busy, it just looked like no one was helping each other and there was zero sense of urgency. boo!

    (1)

  • David O.

    I went there the other night with a bunch of friends and I must say the food and drinks there was pretty good. The atmosphere was relaxing and the local fed ribeye steak I ordered was fantastic. The parking situation isn't the best but the food is well worth it.

    (4)

  • David C.

    We love this place. Thank goodness for a restaurant in Hawaii that doesn't use soy sauce in every dish! Contemporary American fare with fresh, clean and precise flavors not muddled with every trendy spice/herb in every dish, Town pleases our palates so much we would go at least once a week! The risottos are always delicious (we add a side of hamakua mushrooms), the hand cut pasta is always wonderful, and if gnocchi are on the menu, try them. We think they are special. The drink list is extensive and always changing. No fruity syrup reinvented Mai tais here. Drinks are handcrafted from classic recipes that balance all taste sensations including sweet, sour, and bitter. There's a nice wine list within most budgets. The bartender can definitely make good suggestions. The slow service mentioned by so many is never our experience. Maybe because we are slow diners and enjoy our food and the evening out. Two hours seems like a nice leisurely dinner to us. Maybe others are in more of a rush? In any case, nice changing desserts, and after dinner drinks are available. Four stars for food, service and general atmosphere. If there was a way to bring the noise level down just a little bit we'd give Town five stars.

    (4)

  • Jo H.

    A lot of my friends hate this place, but I've got to say, i've been here once for lunch and a few times for dinner and i've loved it! i like the lemonade they have, and their corkage fee isn't ridiculous. i always get the ahi tartare, and that's always great. it's little risotto cakes and ahi and balsamic. i've had the mahi with the berry butter which was incredibly moist, and i think my boyfriend had the lamb and he enjoyed it as well. and the menu always changes, but that's a good thing because it never gets boring. and i LOVE the crepe cake. it's light and delicious. the portions at Town aren't the biggest and i guess it's a little pricey, but i think they make up for it with flavor and good ingredients. and i've always had good service there--really knowledgeable servers who know a lot about their food which is a plus. i can't speak for everyone else, but i always look forward to going to Town

    (4)

  • Maximilian H.

    My cousin, god bless his soul, suggested that our whole family should go to Towne. Our reservation was for 7pm on a Friday night. We arrived on time and discovered the place was crowded and that there was no one at front to seat us or even confirm we had a reservation. I walked through the restaurant and after a few minutes I found a waitress who was willing to help. She told us our table just needed to be set and that it would be just a few minutes. Twenty minutes passed before we were finally sat down. I couldn't tell what the hell was on the menue. None of us could. There'd be a word we understand like egg plant but it would be surrounded by words in some devilish language I have never heard before. We ordered our food and sat back awaiting what we assumed would be a delicious meal. It took nearly two hours to get our food. I understand the place is busy but our food arrived after 9pm. As always I got antsy after sitting still for over an hour and had to walk outside for a few minutes to regain my composure. Our waitress was okay but certainly did not think anything was unusual with our wait time. From talking with a few other people it appears Towne is the kind of place where you expect to wait. The food was okay. I got the entre steak and it was edible but nothing special. Not any better than Red Robins or any other place significantly cheaper. After dinner we got our bill and found that we were overcharged for several drinks. Our waitress saw the error when we pointed it out and there we waited again as she figured it out. We left at 9:40pm. This place may be for some, but not for me. Bring a board game if you plan on eating here to help pass the time because your dinner's two hours away.

    (2)

  • Coreen L.

    Worms, pebbles & dirt...oh my! So sad to post only 2 stars to one of my favorite places! But today's experience was unfortunate. The ONLY saving grace, was that we had a very sweet waitress today - she is the reason I'm willing to give Town another chance down the road. Yes, unfortunately there was a LIVE worm in my burger today...still wiggling! At first, I thought I was hallucinating and just couldn't believe it! Our waitress, who had been attentive and otherwise awesome, was extremely apologetic, almost embarrassed on behalf of the restaurant. She was quick to redo my order, make sure I was okay (which I was) and very attentive throughout the rest of our meal. However, there was another server (maybe even a manager not sure); who was so obnoxious and rude when we first sat down; and he was initially the person I flagged when I noticed the worm. He responded by taking it away without a word. A few minutes later, he had the nerve to come back to our table to "explain" that since the restaurant uses organic - especially mainland produce - that's why we had a worm. REALLY!? NO! Its because your kitchen staff didn't properly rinse the produce...THAT'S why there was a worm in my food!!!!!!! Another table, next to us also complained that there was pebbles & dirt in their food - again probably because the kitchen didn't do a good job of washing produce before serving!! Aw, come on that's just lame! Poor waitress was again embarrassed but very gracious and apologetic. Again, this is a great place with delicious food. Obviously there are some kinks to work through, especially in the kitchen.

    (2)

  • Joseph R.

    FOOD & DRINK: 5/5. Imaginative, what they did with (to?) that potato still amazes me, utterly yummy use of local ingredients. This is fusion dining with a local flair. Cocktails skew to a witty concoction short list, but there is a proper bar. The veg, the meat dishes, and the desserts here are clearly carefully crafted. SERVICE: 4/5. Sometimes (rarely) it's hard to flag down a waiter for your 2nd drink, which is probably costing them in restaurant (and tip) revenue. Food wait time is normal. Open Table reservations, or phone (meh) are definitely wise. Not being open late on weeknights, and being closed Sundays are major points docked for this type of establishment :( SETTING: 3/5. Dimly lit in the cozy way, usually thronged with people, and it has outdoor seating! Still, it's always very loud. And the little 2-person tables are a mite big, so that you're surprisingly distant (especially considering the noise). Get cozier seating arrangements, folks! Plating is well done, and portion size is moderately generous without being American Glutton. Restaurant itself is easy to spot, but a pain to park. Drop your passengers off and circle the block(s) in widening loops and hope you find a lucky street spot. Or park under the 10th St underpass and walk dinner off. Conclusions: VALUE: 5/5. Bill was about $50 for bottle of wine, two entrees. Seems appropriately priced for the great food you get. You'll have to stomach the bad parking and the noise level. FUTURE USE: So far this is my favorite place in my immediate neighborhood. Will continue to recommend to friends and bring all sorts of guests here. Starting to have mixed thoughts on using it for a cozy date night, though--unless you can get one of the fantastic outdoor spots.

    (5)

  • Chris Z.

    I have been to Town twice for lunch and once for dinner. I was leaning on three stars, but the manager and servers handling of certain issue gave them a boost. $15 corking! Service can be slow, but at dinner recently we had a great waitress who was attentive and friendly. I think town does burgers and pasta really well. Every pasta I have had has been cooked almost perfectly and has a perfect amount of sauce for each serving. The veggie panini was a disappointment. Bread with a thin slice of veggies (I think you could find a thicker smear of mustard on most burgers). The entrees I have had are good but not great. We had a mix up with the kitchen last time they were there. Entrees overcooked etc. I have to say management handled the situation quite well. Always happy to go back to Town.

    (4)

  • Tyler K.

    Town is a great restaurant. Not only is the food delicious, but their support of local agriculture makes it that much more satisfying. The menu changes depending on what they have so come back often; but the one thing you can be sure of is the ingredients will be fresh. Try the crepe cake if it's available.

    (5)

  • I. K.

    I had good appetizers and a nice pasta dish here. The downside was a ridiculously long wait even with a timely reservation we arranged.

    (3)

  • Sheryl G.

    what: a cute restaurant that uses local first and organic when possible : ) something good: the restaurant is really cute and the atmosphere is perfect for a night out with friends~! they just have really cool small touches throughout the restaurant, i love the logo and the fact that the coasters are menus that were cut up : ) we sat at the bar since it was so busy! the workers were really accommodating by bringing by an extra chair~ we had our entire meal and it was actually ok and not too uncomfy~! i had the handcut pasta which was good and i thought the portions were pretty good : ) !! i would like to try some of the other items on the menu~ something not so good: i'll let you know next time : ) something to try: hand cut pasta (18)

    (4)

  • Hathaway J.

    My husband and I have been going to Town for a couple of years now and have had some really great meals, but also, unfortunately, some really bad ones. About six months ago we had one of the bad meal/experiences and I wrote a negative Yelp review because I was so frustrated. I really want to love Town and dine there as much as possible and I thought they should know about my lunch experience. Town read my review and they responded. Brynn who is a manger at Town reached out to me and invited my husband and I to be her guest for our next visit to Town. She explained that they have gone through some internal changes and they wanted to make it up to us. We had the BEST meal and the BEST service and they really made an effort to show us how professional and amazing this place is. We are life long supporters of Town and anything Ed does. Thank you guys!! I would highly recommend this place to anyone interested and will take all of my out of town guests here. It is a truly special place and is run with lots of aloha. Not to mention the food is AMAZING! Go here and enjoy!

    (5)

  • Pati O.

    Good, interesting food. Service at lunch wasn't the best, but the food made up for it. I am looking forward to visiting again.

    (4)

  • Jay B.

    BEST PORK CHOP: Why is this pork chop so incredibly bomb?!! I am in love. & awesome how they serve with fresh local green beans, tomatoes, & herbs. Droooooool. When I'm away from the islands, I dream of Town's pork chop. SALMON RISOTTO: This was good, but just ok. (See pork chop above). VEGETABLES: This place knows how to cook vegetables! I love how everything's locally sourced, & none of the entrees come with starches--it's all protein & veggies, which shows this chef knows about trophology/digestion/food combining rules. Starches are available on the side order menu. SERVICE: Jordan is the bomb!

    (5)

  • Bill T.

    This is my favorite lunch restaurant. Outside of Waikiki and downtown, so you don't have to deal with the crowds. But it does get crowded here so make a reservation. Food is excellent. Order the risotto or the fresh fish. You won't be disappointed. Service is casual and friendly. Smiles are natural and they genuinely care about your experience. We bring the littles here for early dinner sometimes. Stainless steel tables and concrete floors reduce the stress of the inevitable spills. No kids menu, but they're pretty quick to suggest some kid friendly items. Parking can be tricky in Kaimuki. There's a small lot behind the restaurant, but if you see a metered stall on the street - grab it!

    (5)

  • Chrizzle D.

    Maybe it's just me, but I really don't care for this place. The whole reason why I went there was because I've heard a few good things about them. Just like a movie trailer that shows all the good parts, I should've guessed the same few good reviews I've heard was all that I should expect. There's nothing extremely wrong with the food, but it's completely over priced for what you're getting. Dare I say it, but I think I might've been able to make something a little better that would've cost a FRACTION of what I spent. All in all, lovely atmosphere, I do like that they "buy local" produce...but the price makes it not worth it. Side note: parking can be an issue. I think they have a small lot with 4 stalls (or something like that). However, do look around the neighborhood as there are options there.

    (2)

  • Mindy D.

    FOODIE HEAVEN. I love restaurants that make an effort to use fresh, local, organic ingredients when possible. This reminds me so much of home, San Francisco :) Because of the use of local ingredients, the menu changes constantly. I'm not sure if it changes on a daily/weekly basis, but it has not been the same the times I've been there. There are a few items that remain on the menu at all times, pan roasted chicken, risotto, pasta, etc (though their preparation may differ). One dish I definitely recommend is the mussels. HOLY MOTHER... the broth is to die for. It should be called mussel soup. It's loaded with juicy, succulent mussels and a fair amount of fennel and other herbs. Take advantage of the delicious, addictive broth and get more bread to dip with. I promise you won't regret it. Carbs what? I also enjoy the risotto with salmon, so perfectly cooked and seasoned. You do get served bread, butter, and precisely four olives to start off. As good as the bread may be, don't fill up on them because the entrees are worth waiting for... well, unless you dip the bread in the mussel broth, then that's an exception ;) There is an extensive wine list, though I can barely make out a few of them. So if you're a wine connoisseur, then you'll definitely be impressed. They are pretty booked on most nights but the outside tables are always up for grabs if you don't mind waiting. Soooo... if you're impatient like me, be sure to make reservations... and be on time.

    (5)

  • Scott M.

    best farm to table restaurant. creative dishes and great use of local grown products. plenty parking and ono grinds, we like this place alot

    (4)

  • Russel M.

    There is a freshness that makes most of Town's menu a cut above the typical Honolulu Restaurant. We really like the menu and overall vibe. With so many natural choices on the menu it's hard to decide. The hand cut fresh Pasta is a must! Fresh Veggies are prepared to enhance the overall entree they accompany.

    (4)

  • Bj S.

    Overall the atmosphere and food was great - the menu had a lot of words the common eater would not know but the great staff was very helpful in explaining what was what. I ate the mussels - they were great! i just wanted to stick a straw in the sauce and drink it down. It was amazing with the bread.....and after all the hype I've heard about this place, I'd go back again, because the menu always changes and so does the artwork. AND you can eat in slippers and tshirt! AAAAAAloha!

    (3)

  • Haein P.

    Town is definitely one of my favorite restaurants in Hawaii. I've been here on several different occasions for both lunch and dinner and have had consistently positive experiences. I especially love the fact that they're advocates of going local and keeping Hawaii sustainable through our own resources. They also go organic whenever possible. FOOD: + hand-cut pasta : this is one of my favorite items on their menu. The sauce and ingredients changed based upon availability and what's in season, but the two or three times I've tried or ordered it, I've always been satisfied. Most recently, the hand-cut pasta was served with fragrant red onions, rosemary, chili, and tomatoes in a luscious sauce. ($14) + kuahuwi grass-fed burger on potato roll : I have slightly mixed feelings about their burger because while it is tasty and juicy, I believe the wonderfully grass-fed beef isn't done justice due to a lack of proper/basic seasoning, which renders it somewhat bland. On the other hand, their fries are AMAZING and ridiculously addictive. I'm not sure as to what type of oil they use to fry their fries, but I want to know asap so I can re-create them at home! ($10?) - ma'o organic lettuce salad : while ostensibly fresh and delicious, I think this salad is rather meager especially in comparison to the price ($8). There isn't too much pancetta, but the fresh slivers of manchego are DELICIOUS, definitely my favorite part of the salad. SERVICE: - this restaurant loses a star from me because of their service. It isn't horrible, but I definitely haven't had stellar service on any given visit there. Most recently, we waited at the host stand for a good 5-10 minutes without so much as acknowledgement or greeting despite being seen and having had eye contact with several of the workers. AMBIANCE: + I love how this restaurant is so homey and quaint. It has a timelessness to it with a wonderful balance between trendy and rustic. Definitely a good place to go on a date, business meeting, get-together with friends, etc.

    (4)

  • Tim J.

    Very pleased with each meal we have had here... Nice to find this farm2table option! Will be back.

    (4)

  • Ashley N.

    I love this place! Open and homey atmosphere, friendly staff, healthy but YUMMY food. The menu changes often but if you just show them a picture of what you've had in the past or remember the name of it they can make something similar. Also the townie margarita is very refreshing. Just the right amount of sweet from the agave.

    (5)

  • David C.

    Really liked this place. Great creativity in their food. Seemed like a Cali Restaurant in Hawaii using local ingredients. The Grilled Kulolo was pretty awesome, highly recommended. I think their menu changes so they might not have it, but it was great when we had it.

    (4)

  • Kelly M.

    Had an arugula salad with a piece of fish on top. Fish was plain, a little salt and pepper. Arugula had more stems than leaves. Many pieces were entirely thick stem. What's up with that? Can't say it knocked my socks off.

    (3)

  • Dan R.

    I love TOWN. Or loved TOWN. So this isn't a review that makes me happy to write. It has been one of our favorite restaurants, but it seems to be slipping. I've seen this in other recent reviews and am sad to say it's true. Tonight we had a reservation for 4 at 7:30. Showed up on time and got a table crammed against another table so closely I couldn't hear our table's conversation over theirs! I don't mind a noisy spot, but that's too close. I don't want to know those things about other people, but I can't tell them to stop talking...awkward. But the real problem was the service. It was just about as bad as it gets. We had to wait forever to order and then, our Main courses-which were mostly appetizers-took over an HOUR to come! Seriously. Our reservation was at 7:30, we did not get our Main courses until 8:55. We did have appetizers. But they were salads... The waitress made it worse because she clearly didn't care. It was hard to find her and when we mentioned how long it had been she said "oh, yeah". And then 20 more minutes goes by. Finally we got our Tuna Ahi tartar and rabbit risotto (which shouldn't take that long) and the risotto had two small pieces of rabbit, like tiny, almost fragments. And only 6 shavings of okra in it. the rest was rice. For $18, there should be Something in there. It was, frankly, pretty boring. And having waited as long as we did, a real let down. The waitress never said sorry for the long wait, never offered us more bread even. Did nothing. And then when we let her know we had to go, she still took forever to get the bill to us. We've had great interactions with their staff in the past, but those great workers seem to be mostly gone. It's time to find another favorite place.

    (2)

  • Stephanie Q.

    5 stars for the food and our server Tiffany! She's the adorable Japanese gal with short curly hair and also teaches Zumba. Tell her Stephanie from San Fran says what's up! I'm sorry but I have to take away 2 stars for the crappy attitude of the host. Don't know what his name was. We sat down for dinner at like 9pm last TUESDAY. Everyone was pretty much winding down and the restaurant was only half full. The AC was blasting (I mean literally blasting) right onto our table and I was wearing a cute dress and didn't want to cover it with a parka! I mean, it's Hawaii! Didn't think I needed to pack a scarf and wool jacket to eat dinner! I asked our sweet waitress if we could move and she went to the host and I saw his face (wasn't more than 4 ft. away) and he said no. Ummmm....why not? The restaurant is half empty! He said he turned down the AC but whatever. It's a Tuesday with no one here! I used my cloth napkin to cover up as much as possible during the dinner. haha! Get it together HOST!

    (3)

  • Mark J.

    Tried to give them my money at 3 pm and they wouldn't take it. Goofball hours. This is America, work a full day.

    (1)

  • Scott R. D.

    The food here is very good. The emphasis here is on local ingredients. So, you get Kahuku corn and tomatoes and Nalo greens. And what Town does with these is lovely. I had a Frito Misto of Moi that was to die for. The batter was light and crispy perfection with the moist moi in the middle. For lunch the panini sandwiches are good choices. I always enjoy Town.

    (4)

  • Sarah S.

    I feel mixed about Town. Food is delicious, the decor is trendy hip and the waitstaff are hipster chic. However, our main complaint was and is the service. We went on a typically slow weeknight and the restaurant was PACKED. We were surprised how many tables (both inside and out) there were considering the size of the actual restaurant and kitchen. The floor was significantly and noticeably understaffed and our waitress was inattentive, haste and visibly annoyed with the customers which always shocks me. We made reservations and were immediately seated and quickly put our orders in. It took 15 mins (after ordering) to receive our drinks. Then- our food took an hour and 10 mins to receive which is abnormally long. We started to notice every other table receive their meals and when we politely questioned the time, we were met with a slightly aggressive response with no apology or explanation. Our food luckily quickly came out after and once we received our meal, it was the last time we had any communication with our waitress. She avoided our table and any eye contact or attempts at flagging her down to receive our check. Once she printed the check, she gave it without a pen and again, we had to wait and flag her down to receive a pen. We thought we had done something wrong because this waitress was really going out of her way to really prove she was 'over our table'. We left very dissatisfied considering the food was pretty darn good. My personal opinion is that the management needs to eliminate the outside seating options. Why? It adds several more tables to a restaurant that can't handle capacity. The wait staff seem over worked and super underwhelmed with their jobs. We left paying over $100 and couldn't believe the terrible service we experienced. Such a bummer!

    (3)

  • Chad Y.

    Town epitomizes the farm to table concept in my humble opinion and is a model example of how you can find a chef who uses their products to showcase their menu. With great food, good service, and a comfortable atmosphere, what is there not to like? I've gone on several occasions for lunch and dinner and their handmade pastas are to die for and the local ingredients they add make it even better! If you want to try a good pasta noodle, go to Town. The other menu items are good with their soups being warm and savory on a cold day, their salads being a refreshing luncheon. While their burgers and other sandwiches are a nice casual meal. The service is good with the wait staff being very attentive. They could know their menu a bit better, but considering it changes daily they do one hell of a job. The location is a casual industrial vibe and pleasant for a group outing, casual lunch, or even an intimate meal. Parking is in the rear but can fill up quick so be sure to add a few extra minutes to be sure you are on time for your reservation!

    (4)

  • Tery L.

    Farm to table food. Their fresh squeezed apple juice is very refreshing. And their fries are a must try.

    (5)

  • Alex M.

    The cocktails were really good, particularly the town cup. The carrot and kabucha soup they had that day was fantastic, rich and creamy but still remained refreshing, a great balance. The polenta is a must if on the menu. Some of the best I've ever had. Not sure if it was just the night we went (it was during cocktail week) but reservations seemed to be a must.

    (4)

  • Randi J.

    My work family had lunch at Town today. I love the ambiance here. Chic and trendy with a natural, slightly "outdoorsy" feel. And the artwork is always fun and quirky. Eating here makes me feel healthy and earth friendly because they use fresh, organic, and as much as possible, local products AND they recycle (bonus points!) BUT the prices break the bank. Well, my bank, anyway. I work at a non-profit org, people. Linguini pancetta, daikon, green onion $15.50: 2/5 stars. Pasta was a bit too oily for me and like the rating says, "Meh, I've experienced better." Kuahiwi grass-fed hamburger on potato roll w/cheese and bacon $14.50: 4/5 starts. Delicious! Maybe the "grass-fed" title is tricking my brain but this burger definitely tasted juicier and "fuller" (Don't know how to further explain. You just gotta taste it.). This order comes with a side of also very delicious fries. But you see what I mean about price?? Apple-banana creme pie $7: 3/5 stars. Good but I probably won't order it again. Order if you're in the mood for banana flavor. :) Salted chocolate-pretzel tart $7: 2/5 stars. Order this only if you're a fan of chocolate and pretzels...which I am not. Not sure what kind of chocolate they use. Tasted like an in-between milk and dark. Not too sweet, not too cacao-ish (bitter). Buttermilk pannacotta $7: 5/5 stars. Perfect balance of tart and sweet IMHO.

    (3)

  • Spidey S.

    Chef Ed Kenney has a great concept here - each day offers different items depending on availability and seasonality of ingredients. Too bad the food is so inconsistent. The ingredients they use are of excellent quality; however, consistency in good tasting products served should be a given, especially given his concept. I know it is difficult to find quality cooks/chefs in Hawai'i, but I also know it's possible. I've been told on multiple occasions that Chef Kenney does not keep his employees very happy, which is directly reflected upon the food being served. His "downTOWN" establishment in the HISAM building seems to have more consistent tasting products...although, the service at that particular establishment is severely lacking. especially the female cashier in front. however, you get slightly better service and a better menu when you "dine-in" ... which is ridiculous, b/c how many people get longer than an hour for lunch in that area? not many! advice to Chef Kenney - cater to your "take-out" crowd more so than the "dine-in" crowd. that's your real money maker. if the servers can't pitch in on the other side, they shouldn't be getting tips at all anyway. good restaurants are based on crews tht work well together. if anything, aim for a faster paced cashier in the front with someone else scooping the sides. be sure to re-train that girl in front so that she can do a better job. in any spot - it's, technically, the manager's fault for crappy service.

    (1)

  • Tellia W.

    I really like this place. Kind of a funky little cool vibe and the food is really good. I had a very good experience here and would most likely return.

    (4)

  • Josh M.

    Super awesome. Cool, casual and ever so delicious. The perfect retreat for foodie-snobs on the prowl in Oahu. How else to get away from the tired tourist traps and the overblown Waikiki cost structure? This was our final & favorite meal of the week, and I'd put it up there with some of So Cal's best -- but with warm Hawaiian breeze blowing in the door. Host and service were both lovely, and were clearly fans of the menu and locale. The kitchen made split plates (including soup) with no hassle, and everyone was professionally attentive but always relaxed. It's hard work to make it look this easy. We had the tuna tartare (tiny but AMAZING), gnocci, hand-cut pasta, pork shoulder and mushrooms, along with a curry kombucha soup. Pretty much delish, up & down. After the tartare (did I mention AMAZING), I thought the pasta was tops but others had their favorites. The location is a good cab ride up the street from Waikiki if that's your strip, but I know, I know, you're a local. So fine, enjoy it while you can. When I come back I'm eating up all the tartare on the block.

    (5)

  • Nikki W.

    We really enjoyed the menu and atmosphere this place had to offer. Parking is tight but well worth it!

    (5)

  • Jesse F.

    3 stars at best for the overall experience. Parking does not exist, you would be better off to immediately accept that fact and go a block or so away for parking. Our reservation was honored 10 minutes early even with a decent crowd, which was nice. The food....we started with the tuna tartare, different, but tasty. Small dish. The cold tartare was on a warm rice cake. For dinner, the opah and the chicken breast. We also shared some baby corn. The opah was aight, a little soggy though. The chicken breast tasted good, but the portion was massive. I stuffed myself and shared a few bites with Jennifer, and half it of was still on the plate. Wish there would have been more veggies on plate. Dessert, the pretzel crust chocolate tart. Dark chocolate is delicious, enough said.

    (3)

  • Stephen M.

    My wife and I LOVE this place! We came for dinner and started with the Ahi Tartare, followed with the chicken and pancetta, and closed off with the chocolate tart. Everything was fresh and prepared perfectly. We especially enjoy sitting at the counter. The new bartender is great, but we also miss the old bartender (David?), who apparently opened his own place in Kauai last month. "Town" is located on the corner of 9th and Waialae Avenue in Kaimuki and has become our favorite date spot away from the hustle and bustle of town.

    (5)

  • Arlene A.

    4.5 stars Love the low-key but upscale/modern/green vibe of Town. Food is always made with the "farm to table" concept in mind. And you know exactly what's included in a dish by looking at the list of ingredients on their daily menu. I had the hand cut pasta with pancetta, hamakua mushrooms,carmelized onions and white wine sauce today. So savory! I'd eat this everyday if I could afford $14 lunches, but alas, that is not so. I also ordered their fresh lemonade which was a lot more potent that I'm used to. Asked the waiter what else they mixed in and she said they added parsley leaves which helps balance the sweet and sour. Hmm...guess it was okay, but be forewarned...don't order it if you can't handle tart! It's always a pleasant surprise coming back here cause you never know what's on the menu. Knowing that alone will keep you coming back for more!

    (4)

  • Ryan R.

    I've heard nothing but good things about this place and had to try it! Confused at first when just walking in, but found out that you have to order at the counter and seat yourself lol. Went here on a Monday morning with my friend Sonia S. We both had the Bruschetta, made with basil pesto egg, prosciutto, tomato slices and parmesan cheese on top! It looked so good I almost didn't want to eat it ... but of course I had to! From the minute it entered my mouth to the last bite, it was exactly what I was hoping it would be ... an array of flavors, crispy and sweet with a splash of fresh basil and olive oil. Words cannot describe the greatness of this dish! Sonia S couldn't resist the temptation to order a breakfast burrito since it was recommended by one of the workers ... and of course I was not going to let her enjoy it by herself so I agreed to assist in devouring it! Homemade salsa, sour cream, tomatoes, onions and cilantro made this dish! It was great, but the bruschetta was definitely better! And because no breakfast can go without bacon and coffee ... we had to have a dabble of that as well. The bacon came out extra crispy ... just the way the man intended. It was cooked to perfection and even had beads of oil shimmering off of it's tough exterior to the point I needed to take a shower because it was making me sweat just looking at it. A wonderful explosion of flavor from the first bite! The coffee is self-serve, which is a plus because there is nothing I hate more than a server coming over and filling my cup to the top while messing up my cream to sugar and coffee ratio! I got to enjoy it to the last drop then went back for me ... ok, 4 more times, but hell who's counting. Going back again this week ... this is a MUST if you love a quaint breakfast joint.

    (4)

  • Fernando G.

    for not being a "linguist -- much less a food critic," i seriously have amazing things to say about this place. IT IS GREAT and their food is fantastic ! i was not there to see who was seating next to me ... nor was i interested on what others were conversing. i paid no mind to noise levels or what passing by dishes looked like. i was there to enjoy the company of my visiting friends and to enjoy the food i had ordered ... nothing else. i enjoyed both. it never fails. ahi tartare and gnochi with avocado salad as appetizer had my friends wishing there was never and end to the epicurian experience ... the ahi tartare was excellent ! the gnocci won their hearts. and as for the salad, well, we had to ask "sonda" for a second round of their delicious focaccia. it was incredible ! wow we had pork served with bitter greens and polenta. yummm the chicken on a bed of tatsoi and pancetta was to die for. the steak was perfectly done ... the mushrooms severd with it were a major hit. the tombo had an amazing finish and naturally, my opah. the veggies served with my opah were beyond delicious. i love mayer lemon. enough said ! and to top it all off, the black mussels we shared had my eyes rolling. pastina, garlic and fennel ? please... i love fennel. any how, when at TOWN, plan on having a good meal and in enjoying the company of those you are with. the rest, can be a challenge. better yet, a big componnent of your experience and what you make of it. yummm cheese cake with "kula" strawberry culie. fantastic ! :)

    (5)

  • Mark M.

    Town isn't somewhere to go for cheap eats. It also isn't somewhere to go if you're in a rush. You shouldn't go to Town if you have a huge party of about 20 people. So why do we go to Town? It's a highly appealing place for me. Their menu changes every day. All of, if not most of their ingredients are local. It's creative and inventive. Yes, the prices are a bit steep. Yes, the kitchen does take a while to get the food out to you. But hey, in my opinion that's okay. Everything comes out fresh and hot. Not to mention delicious! The ahi tartare here is incredible. I had the opakapaka here as well and that was amazing. They have some of the best french fries around. And what's that? You want somewhere to eat but poor Fido doesn't want to wait in the car? Town will let you sit outside with your canine companion and they'll even bring him a water bowl. We've taken our dogs here on several occasions and they love all the attention they get from the passers-by.

    (4)

  • Brandon B.

    Went here for breakfast on 07/21/12 around 10:30am. It wasn't busy and seemed fairly slow for a breakfast operation. Ordering was quick and we got our beverages right away, than our wait began. Almost 30 minutes, no food and the cashier got our order wrong. Usually I don't mind and put up with this kind of error, just because I've been working in the food and beverage industry for almost 10 years. I know how it can get when your busy... But when your slow, food quality should be near perfect. Upon receiving our food, EVERYTHING was room temperature. Waitress insisted that it came straight from the kitchen. By then I didn't want to make a scene or make things complicated so I asked for a refund. Luckily everything went smooth. 2 stars just because I still like their food for dinner.

    (2)

  • Jennifer N.

    Started off with the tuna tartare. The dish was okay. It threw me off a little since the tartare was served over a warm, soft rice cake. The two different temperatures was not very pleasant to me. I had the moon fish with fresh, seasonal veggies. They tasted like they just picked them from the garden which is good and which is bad....a little seasoning would have been better. The dessert was a dark chocolate pretzel tart. It was good, but anything chocolate usually is, right. Oh, and parking sucks.

    (3)

  • eshwar k.

    i'm not sure what's bringing town's ratings down. i have been eating here for about 6 years. the food has been very consistent. organic. healthy. dynamic. the fish entrees are so great-- very fresh, and prepared with care and panache. makes for a great date or business evening.

    (5)

  • Tess E.

    i would give this place 3.5 stars. we were placed at a table facing the entrance so each time the door opened, the cold air from outside would smack us in the face. cold air from outside + the air-con = frozen faced customers! not their faults really since we made our reservations late and the place was pretty much filled with the dinner crowd. our food didn't take as long as we thought which was a pleasant surprise. my meal of mushroom risotto with asparagus was heavenly! the waiter AND waitress were helpful with questions about the menu and refilled our glasses and our bread while we were waiting for our meals and after. just remember to request to not be seated by the entrance when it's cold outside.

    (3)

  • Ka'imi L.

    Okay, I don't know what happened since I last came here but clearly the service wasn't what it used to be. -Yes, our party (3) arrived at the end of peak lunch hours (1:45pm). -Yes, the waitress seemed to be the only server on the floor. -Yes, the economy is in a recession and times are hard... BUT!!!! I was extremely disappointed. I felt embarrassed because I recommended our party eat at this place (my two friends were first-time customers) and we were treated VERY poorly. Our drinks came after waiting 20 minutes, and our food arrived only after waiting an additional 30 minutes! I've worked in a restaurant before (several in fact) and this is unacceptable. My friend was nice enough to tip the server 20% anyway, which is what I might have done too. And WHY would I still tip the server? I need to stress the fact that sometimes, the lack of service isn't a reflection on the waitstaff, it's a reflection on MANAGEMENT. Hire more staff!!! I felt bad for that girl! One waitress isn't enough to cover an entire restaurant of 20 tables at peak lunch hour! The saving grace was the taste of the food, which is why I haven't sunk to rate this place one star. I had the Panino which was really delicious, and really reasonable ($9). Or maybe it was because we were soooo hungry waiting for our food for so long??? Arghhh

    (2)

  • Jules F.

    This restaurant defines 5 stars, for me. They set the bar that I compare other nice restaurants to. For starters, the food, atmosphere and service are consistently the best I have had in Hawai'i, and my top 5 of anywhere I have been in the world. It's a little pricey, and if you want a cheap meal or quick fix this is not your place. This is for someone seeking a celebration meal, a romantic meal, or just a great dinner that's healthy and delicious. Kudos to Town for what they do ecologically, too.

    (5)

  • Dio P.

    Just had lunch there to celebrate the bosses birthday. This is probably my 3rd time at this restaurant. The first time was dinner and the food was great. The 2nd time was more of a breakfast but with a Bloody Mary :) Both times were a great treat. This time for some reason, the service wasn't as great and the food was hither nor there. After receiving our drinks, we had to wait for 30 minutes for our first course of salad and soup. Shouldn't the soup already have been cooked and just served? For starters I had the salad with beets. It was pretty tasty and for some reason, I'm always trying the beets whenever it's available. Maybe that's how I rate my restaurants. I think that Tango has one of the best beet salads, but I digress... So on to the entree , I had the Monchong with mixed veges. The veges was a mix of baby radish, long beans, pak choy and winter melon. All of them except for the winter melon was cooked properly. Maybe i'm used to the Filipino and Japanese style of cooking this vegetable where it practically melts in your mouth that the texture of it being more like raw broccoli, it just wasn't working for me. The fish was overdone and I was left with a pretty dry dish. I wanted to have some sauce where I can swirl my food around and and be able to sop it up with bread. Speaking of which, they don't seem to bother serving any ;( Anyway, on to dessert. I had the bread pudding because that's also my favorite. Sadly, no anglais, just a side of vanilla ice cream. The bread pudding was hard like it's been awhile since someone ordered. In summary, I'm wanting to give this place more stars but sadly they haven't done it for me this time. I expect more from a place that chargers over $15 a plate. I'll probably come back again and see if they can renew my interest but we'll have to see.

    (3)

  • Brad T.

    Nothing short of amazing. From the food to the service to the drinks, everything was executed with knowledge and precision. The wine selection was amazing, the food selection even better and the servers recommendations did not disappoint. Of all the dishes we had, the chicken dish totally blew me away. Yes, the chicken dish. Not because of Town and this amazing piece of culinary art work, I can no longer eat chicken again without thinking about the pinacle of taste I had earlier during my trip to Hawaii. Before I go on a long rave about this dish, I must add the rest of the dishes we had ranged from very good to superb. The steak with the truffle fries and sea salt were excellent as well as the tambo (sp.?) Granted, I understand the menu changes daily, so I would check out the website first with regards to what is on the menu that day. Oh, and reservations are a must during the dinner hour, especially on the weekends.

    (5)

  • Ryan T.

    Ate at Town for dinner. Really enjoyed their wide array of local ingredients and good number of vegetarian choices. The salad with avocado and papaya had a wonderful home-made dressing. The risotto with okra and baby corn had amazing flavor of the roasted vegetables and a pleasant creaminess. The gnocchi with sausage and mushrooms was perfectly sized, though the sausage was a little too rich. The wait staff was attentive. My only real hit on the place was that it was a little loud, with some of the tables a little too close together. Not sure where the price complaints made by other reviewers are coming from. This is Honolulu, things aren't cheap here! $30-ish a person for a salad, two entrees, and two desserts is relatively average -- usually for food of lesser quality.

    (4)

  • Dyan H.

    Love the fresh farm to table flavors! Complimentary bread is yummy with olive oil, butter and olives! Went with a friend and the place has a good hangout vibe. You have to be lucky to find parking since it's on the corner of a one way street with other restaurants in area. Gnocchi, yummy!

    (4)

  • Nathan C.

    Kaimuki is a neighborhood on Oahu that's making a comeback and the driving force behind it are the farm to plate restaurants. Town is one of a trio of this style of restaurants that truly are among the best on Oahu. Town boasts a simple yet diverse menu that is sure to please nearly everyone. Town also uses environmentally friendly practices such as the reuse of old menus as coasters. The ambience is young, fun, clean and allows for people to comfortably socialize with friends or family. The drink menu is just as diverse as the food menu and definitely will appeal to most everyone. Get up, get out and eat something! Town will not disappoint!!

    (5)

  • Steve V.

    Wow, this place was delicious. Highly recommend the Opha.

    (5)

  • Stewart S.

    Town has some of the best food on the island. We had he hand cut pasta and chicken dish, both were great, also had the 2010 Casarena Cabernet Sauvignon which was a good glass of wine. Although the restaurant is still loud once it fills up, it is worth the trip.

    (5)

  • A C.

    Sigh. Why, Town?! Why?! I wanted to give you five stars, I really did. But the last two times I've been there this month have been a huge disappointment. Two weeks ago, I went to brunch with my bestie and ordered my usual -- the polenta, pancetta, bitter greens & sunny egg with a cappuccino (yay for Stumptown coffee in Hawaii!). Normally the polenta is divine. However, as pervious customers have mentioned, the food was doused in salt! At first I thought it was me being picky and overly sensitive. Then I saw the look on my friend's face. Her polenta was also unbearably salty! She couldn't even finish her meal, which is a first. On top of that, I had to remind the servers of my coffee order. At first I thought that maybe it was just a fluke. Every restaurant has their off day. So my best friend and I decided to give Town a second chance. :( x 2 = Yelping my frustrations. This time, the food was good (burger + fries + ice tea) but the service was terrible! I understand that there were two large parties, but our waitress never checked on us once. Additionally, we had to ask another waiter for our check after waiting for our server for 30 minutes post-meal. That waiter never brought us our check. After another 15 minutes of waiting, I got fed up and found our waitress, who judging by the surprised / guilty look on her face realized that she had forgotten us, and asked for the check. Again, we had to wait another 15 minutes before she picked up our check (we paid by credit card). Total time wasted = 60 minutes!!! If you include the fact that we were neglected during our entire meal, that is outrageously poor customer service. My advice to foodies: Avoid Saturdays. Weekday dinners have yet to disappoint...for now. My plea to Town: I love the concept of using locally grown, organic food but your quality control has been declining. Please, please, please watch the salt and improve your customer service!

    (3)

  • Robert M.

    Sensational. Attention to detail. Focused on what matters most. Great wine list, especially if you are partial to Italian Reds. The risotto was majestic as was the ahi tartare. All good.

    (5)

  • T R.

    Their breakfast is better then dinner! Their service is Hopelessly inept and completely uninspiring! However, since I did not have to pay it was Meh! Free food but if I had paid I would never go back! But the whole reason for the upgrade was they actually served food with little or no salt!

    (2)

  • Rita L.

    I love the organic food here...is very tasty. the restaurant is very chill and a great place for dinner. lunch is alright here but the mussels are what keeps me coming here! The desserts are hits or misses...the panna cotta si great here! ahhh!!! i'm luving it!

    (4)

  • Bryan N.

    We had a great time! Double anniversary dinner with my wife's sister and husband. The food was fresh, creative and delicious. The service was attentive. And the atmosphere was organic. All around great experience.

    (4)

  • Bernard N.

    Had a great experience at Town last night! It is great how they keep the menu Hawaii featuring local meats, fish, and produce. Outside of the parking, which sucks, our food and service was fantastic. *suggestion to Town - hire a valet company to take care of parking 7 of us were there celebrating a friend's belated birthday. We ordered cocktails, appetizers, main and side dishes and dessert. Appetizers: Grilled Shrimp - 4 Mussels - 5 Kabocha Gnocchi - 2 Fresh Beet Salad - 5 Hamakua Mushrooms - 5 Dinner: Opah - 5 Mahimahi - 4 Risotto -4 Braised Cheeks - 3 Loved the mussels (i could have drank up the broth!), sauteed/baked Hamakua mushrooms, and Beet salad. That was the first time I have had a beet salad and wow! This was also the first time that we tried Gnocchi with Kabocha (listed on the menu as only 12 servings available so we had to order!). Didn't know quite what to expect. The Kabocha was great and the Gnocchi (potato dumpling) was soft but the overall flavor of the dish with the honey and cinnamon flavor made gave it more of a dessert feel. If you added a bit of maple syrup, you could definitely add it to the breakfast menu! Glad I tried it, but it would not make the re-order list. For dinner, the Opah was seasoned perfectly with a nice breadfruit/bitter green bed. The only "just ok" dish was the braised cheeks which was overpowered with spice (star of anise). The bitter greens and polenta were great and the braised cheeks were very tender, but the overseasoning was a bit much. Since it was a Friday, the place was bumpin'. With our reservations we had a nice table up front. Our waiter gave great service and was very knowledgeable about the dishes. Good time had by all!

    (4)

  • Type A.

    Town is a great place, good location, and with wonderful service. The food is amazing. I loved being able to make a reservation via Yelp. The only change I would like to see is how they print their menu. It needs headers or titles for the food. I've heard from other too that it's hard to read! Once you start drinking and talking, it's even harder to read. :|

    (4)

  • Keith N.

    Great food! The food is filled with flavor...cooked just right! Service can be slow...but if you are having a conversation with someone and don't want to be rushed, this is a great place to have a meal.

    (4)

  • Stacy S.

    I Love going to Town for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. The food is always excellent and super super tasty. I love their breakfast selection especially their polenta..yummy! And, dinner...when you want a good tasty yummy meal, this is the place to go. Love that they use local produce in their menu...lots of delicious greens and even the meat. I believe that every night they have a different dinner menu...but it's the same menu for each day...every monday is the same, every tues is the same...etc. Also, I love the warm feeling inside their place due to the wood and decor. And, there's a lot of parking in their lot up above the restaurant...we've always found a spot there. I always take my friends and relatives here and they've all enjoyed their food and experience.

    (4)

  • J L.

    Hmmmmm I've come here twice before but that was a long time ago so I don't really remember what it was a like. I came back here today for lunch and was seated quickly by the hostess. I really enjoy the atmosphere of the restaurant...we were sat right by the open doorway where the waiters go in and out to bring food and drinks to the outside seating customers. Very nice breeze was coming in and I enjoyed looking out the window. Our waiter came pretty quickly and I ordered their town lemonade to start...it was pretty good, I'm not sure what else they put in it but it tasted pretty interesting. They put too much ice in it though :/ I ordered their hamburger on cibatta bread with cheese which is a $1 extra. It comes with a choice of Ma'o greens or fries. I chose the greens. It came in about 15 minutes. Not bad at all. This restaurant isn't quick service...it's more of a place to relax and talk with some friends. So I wouldn't be so picky about the wait time. I guess some people on here waited over an hour? Not sure if that was an exaggeration but I guess during dinner times and especially on busy friday and saturday nights food takes slower. So I would take that into account. The buger was INTERESTING. JEEZ. I have never tasted a burger like this. I wasn't sure if I liked it or not??? It tasted kinda plasticy but kinda good. So it tasted bad and good. o_______o I have never been so confused and conflicted about a burger before. When the waitress came by and asked about it, I said it was interesting....she then said oh in a good way or a bad way? I said I'm not sure.... and she said well the burgers are made from grass-fed cows and that was probably it. The burgers most people are used to and that most establishments give out are from cows who are fed processed corn and are kept in unfavorable conditions. These cows were from a local free-range farm. The Honolulu burger Co. has the same standard...but I felt their burgers tasted better. Maybe it was that pinkish sauce they had on the bottom. I'm not sure what that was.... The greens were fine. I felt there wasn't enough dressing on it though. I had the salted chocolate tart for dessert. Wow. It was SO tiny. It tasted pretty good though. But I wish I tasted more of the "salt"....I felt there wasn't enough. I don't feel like it's near $7 worth though :/ Service was fine. Our waiter was friendly and attentive for the most part. Overall I paid $24 not including tip. The stuff here is pretty pricey but it kinda makes sense since the food here is I believe is organic. It had that hipster urban resturant feel and usually these types of places have higher prices. I'd rate it a 3.5 rather than a 3 though.

    (3)

  • Jay C.

    Great place to meet friends or take a date to brunch on the weekend. Outdoor and indoor tables. Busy but wasn't too loud. I got the burrito which was a little on the greasy side. Service also was a little sparse but not bad by any means. This place also has pour over coffee...Didn't get it so not sure how it is... Patking is behind the restaurant.

    (4)

  • Natty D.

    Town is damn good. Their food and cocktails are damn good. Must gets: side of mushrooms (EVERY TIME), french fries (herbs fried alongside the potatoes), black mussels, steak, this list could go on Drinks: Bee's Knees, Southside. Two drinks and I felt nice and toasty. It is more on the pricey side, but totally worth it. Save it for a semi-causal, but nice occasion. They also do lunch which is just as good.

    (4)

  • Kim C.

    Loved finding the farm-to-table approach in the land of big steak and overfished seafood. The menu was inspired, unusual and totally delicious. I had lots of great options as a vegetarian, but no shortage of meat and fish on the menu for the rest of our party. Our local friend brought us here - I also appreciated the comfortable atmosphere and being off the beaten path. Don't miss the flatbread with pureed eggplant if it's on the menu!

    (5)

  • S M.

    Great little spot that my local friends took me to. I got an iced tea that was tasty. Definitely not Lipton. The tuna tartare was delish! I could have eaten that for dinner. A friend of mine got the vege pasta and that had a great sauce. My chicken dish was okay. The veges were great but I expected more seasoning on the meat. The place was packed with a hipster crowd and the service was great. Very attentive until we had to get our bill. The only other thing of note was the bathroom. It was down this weird dank hallway. I appreciate their commitment to local farms and ingredients. I'll definitely go again.

    (4)

  • Birgit S.

    We have only been to Town twice, but both times the food was amazing! And the service is so great, too. Everybody is so sweet and nice and makes you feel welcome and at home. A great place away from all those awful touristy and overpriced restaurants.

    (5)

  • Katrina F.

    Im really curious, there are SO many reviews talking about how bad the service is at Town. Ive heard it from friends too. So WHY doesn't the owner do something about it? Does it just not matter to them? Even more of a reason why I will never return. I understand you can't please everyone. I am realistic when it comes to customer service, Im not snobby and don't expect everyone to bend over backwards to get what I want. But this place is no good. If I wanted to eat at a hipster restaurant with stuck up employees and slow service I would go to LA.

    (1)

  • S D.

    One of my favorite restaurants in Honolulu. Food is always amazing. We love to sit at the bar while we dine there. Great experience. I love the salads and wine selection. Main courses are always very creative and very flavorful. Always my top pick!

    (5)

  • Mandie C.

    I know this place doesn't really need another review, but it's just that good! Every single part of the meal was amazing! From the drinks, to the bread, to the appetizers, and definitely the main course. I had been here for breakfast and lunch thought it was okay. The other day I came for dinner and was blown away! Skip the breakfast and lunch (although the coffee is pretty good) and save your money to blow at dinner. Order every thing, drinks, aps, dinner and dessert. And finish with coffee. The only thing I would change would be the food could come out a little faster, and it can be hard to get a table! Just make a reservation and enjoy a night in "Town."

    (5)

  • Amy N.

    My friend and I made reservations and arrived on time. We were the 2nd group that was seated as soon as they opened for dinner, however, we were the last ones to get water and order after about 5-7 tables sat down after us. I'd say we waited almost about 15-20 minutes just to get water and by then we haven't even ordered yet. As a server previously, I understand that servers are sectioned off and are in charge of managing their section, but I would have expected another server or even the hostess to offer us water after several of them passed by and even made eye contact with us seeing that we didn't have water. I had even asked a server to give us some water, which took them quite some time to get. This was our first introduction to the restaurant, which wasn't very good at all. I didn't even know who are server was. She hadn't introduced herself or even stop by to tell us that she'll be right with us as soon as she could. Finally, we got to order our food. Food was ok. I was a little irritated by then and to make it better, our server didn't return back to our table until we wanted our check. I don't think I will return for a second time. Just the service alone was a huge turnoff.

    (2)

  • Kim M.

    I'd really like to give Town at least 4 stars, but I can't. Sorry. I had heard so many awesome things about this place, but sadly my first experience was not so awesome. The food was great, but the service was nonexistent. I went for breakfast with my mom one morning. Okay, I know it's kind of like "self-serve yourself" in the morning, but come on... The bartender could have been waaaaay more friendly and a little more helpful, especially because I clearly was a Town newbie. The workers really seemed more concerned with their own conversations, stories, and gossip rather than customer service. Once we had gotten our food, I was ecstatic. I was soooo hungry, so I took my pictures and ate. 6-7 bites and my food was gone. Sad panda. I really wish the portions were a little bigger, especially because it was so good! But I guess that's good portion control. Hah. yelp.com/biz_photos/jkW1… yelp.com/biz_photos/jkW1… I would definitely give this place another try, but I hope the service improves. Yelp 365 - #115/365

    (3)

  • Norborne C.

    Very nice experience. Food was good. Server was attentive and helpful. Professionally run. Nice atmosphere. You'll enjoy yourself.

    (4)

  • Michael B.

    Fanastic! Went here for dinner (even with teenager in tow). Food was fantastic, Service was equally great. Don't expect fast food (I think it took us nearly 90min+ for our meal) but I believe it was because of what we ordered as well as how it was prepared. If you want touristy... go to Waikiki. If you are a foodie... come here. (oh... parking is a pain in the arse.... plan for 10-15 to find a space or take da cab).

    (5)

  • Melissa O.

    My friends love the mussels. I like the food options, but I haven't found one thing that I can say I crave. The drinks are nice. The art is fun and every changing. The parking is not bad, there is a dedicated lot in the back of the building.

    (3)

  • Christy T.

    I had the chicken with polenta and greens. Juiciest chicken I've ever had. It was amazing!

    (5)

  • Victoria C.

    So I actually went to Town a long time ago with my fiancé but for some reason I wasn't thoroughly impressed and never went back. I know lots of people rave about this restaurant but I never gave it a second chance to try it again until recently when I had to meet my girl friend to talk about bridesmaid stuff. To be honest, I wasn't to thrilled when I heard we were meeting at Town just cause my first experience wasn't that great. But I thought hey who knows, maybe this time will be different. Well it was! We ordered a bunch of small dishes and each an entree. I was in love with the avocado & papaya salad. Who knew that those would be such a good combo! The ahi tartare is also a must order! For my entree I ordered the hand cut pasta which had those big ugly looking mushrooms.. sorry I have no idea what they are called but they taste good!! The pasta was simple and delish. So far I was pretty impressed with the food. We still had room for dessert so we each ordered one and just shared. The chocolate pretzel was very rich and perfect for chocolate lovers. Don't be mistaken for an actual chocolate pretzel.. it's actually like a chocolate pie with a pretzel crust. The milk & honey panacotta was light & milky with a tart taste. That was prob one of my fav desserts. The lilikoi tart was a bit on the tangy side but still good. I'm glad I gave this place a 2nd try. Food was delish & service was good. It's a bit on a pricy side so I wouldn't say this a place I'd come to all the time. But definitely good for like date nights or meeting up for a nice dinner with the girls :)

    (4)

  • Kaimi Y.

    Town is a perfect organic, modern, and fun restaurant. The food is exceptional especially the ahi tartar. The homemade ginger ale is my favorite here followed black mussels and steak. The downside here is that the dishes are on the smaller side for the price you pay. The service is off and on. Sometimes the service is very attentive and helpful especially with recommending dishes. However, I have experienced some rude and forgetful waiters.

    (4)

  • Gabby F.

    Went here this morning and got a coffee and a chocolate pecan scone. My total was 5 something. My scone was large bit dry. Environment is cute and really nice. I'll try something different next time.

    (2)

  • Eddie P.

    This is my second time at Town. First visit comprised hanging with friends drinking and appetizers, so a review wasn't called for. Stopped by on a recent weekday evening at 9:30 and surprisingly it was moderately busy. Were seated quickly and staff tended to us in a decent amount of time. I've read some reviews on Town and would have to agree that with the decor and unique menu items it is attempting to cater to a hipster type crowd (not that there is anything wrong with that). Ordered drinks and the Ahi Tartare, which was very good, the one drawback was the serving was very small, three pieces to be exact, and I was expecting a bit more from it (from how it was described by the waitress) and it left me somewhat unsated. We did order the Gnocchi (which they checked to ensure the chef could produce of as they only had enough for 12 servings). If I were to compare the two dishes the Gnocchi was just about as good as the Ahi. They were also out of a couple of things on the menu, but no big deal. All things being said, Town is probably not for the average touristy gormandizers we often encounter along Kalakaua, but more for those with refined tastes who appreciate culinary aesthetics....and have slightly deeper pockets.

    (3)

  • Nicole K.

    It's been about a year since I've dined at Town and enjoyed the first 2 experiences, so I decided to get some friends together there that I haven't seen for a while. My boyfriend warned me eat a couple people told him that the food was over priced and that they tried too hard to make the menu seem as you are going to enjoy fine dining with no flavor. I brushed him off saying that they had decent reviews on yelp and I remembered how good the fries and gnocchi were. We had a nice table reserved for 6 and ordered drinks while we waited for our other couple to arrive. I didn't enjoy my cocktail but my bf enjoyed the whiskey he ordered. Fries were overdone but I don't mind them that way. The other couple arrived and we ordered shortly after. My chickpea and pork soup came quickly and had a few cubes of pork, 8 chickpeas and tons of greens. Not what I expected but edible. We waited over 30 minutes for our food and my boyfriend was 4 whiskeys in before I asked if our food was going to be ready soon (I usually don't ask but I hate being wrong when I recommend a place). They tempted us by putting out the bowl for our mussels and a steak knife for my friend stating, "we make everything fresh but your order will be out next". Another 10 minutes roll by before our dishes were served. I was terribly disappointed and I am usually not picky. Mussels had a strong wine and citrus taste and toast was burnt. We couldn't finish it not because the serving size but it just wasn't worth it. Gnocchi mushy with no flavor and served with some sliced grape tomatoes... No meat which was pretty tasteless. One out of 6 people really enjoyed there food. 2 of them had previous good experiences at Town but also agreed that it was not what they remembered. I will not be returning.

    (1)

  • Jim M.

    I dined here recently with a group of friends because it was one of my friend's birthday. I'll have to admit that the hype for Town is a bit more than the reality. First, I'm a picky eater so places that have things like pig heart on the menu is probably not for me, but I can usually find something to eat most anywhere. I had the chicken and must admit that it was really quite good. It was cooked well and seasoned nicely. The presentation was simple, but nice. Two of my friends had a fish dish. The presentation was reasonably nice but the fish was not fresh. One friend had the steak and it was a bit undercooked for her tastes. The good: the menu changes frequently so if there is not something you like, come back. My chicken dish was quite good. Their wine list was reasonably good. They do have some small tables outside which is nice but I think they are mostly for two-tops. The vegetables were fresh and local which is a big point in their favor and even justifies a bit higher prices. The bad: It was slow. Maybe I'm just too high strung, but 2.5 hours for simple appetizers and dinner was a bit long. The waiter was nice and professional but seemed busy and distracted. Maybe we reeked of "poor tippers" (which is certainly not the case considering I waited tables for 3 years during college.) Parking is hard to find. Literally, they have a small lot that is part of an apartment building off Waialae but I gave up and parked on the street. The portions were a bit small, but, it was, after all, "fancy food."

    (3)

  • Ann B.

    Guiltless pleasure.... I'm a huge fan of Town for lunch and dinner. I think it's one of the best values on the island. The chef uses fresh, local produce and proteins to create ever changing menu items. The dishes are creative, yet simple, and bring out the natural flavors of each ingredient. The dish that prompted this 5 star review, however, was a breakfast item. Fried polenta topped with sauteed bitter greens and sunny egg with pancetta. It's very difficult to find a healthy breakfast that tastes good. This was as tasty, if not better than any high carb, fatty gut bomb I would usually treat myself to for breakfast. This was not one of their regular menu items, but I hope it's a keeper. Paired with wifi and an expertly prepared latte (looking at the frothy milk poured in the shape of a leaf is half experience), and I might just turn into a morning person.

    (5)

  • Pat S.

    The owners' commitment to Hawaiian agriculture, slow-food, and sustainability is unmatched. This love for the 'aina shines through in so many dishes here and because of this it is my FAVORITE choice for dinner on Oahu. Love all the local foods and the hand pounded pa'i'ai dishes that change nightly. Also not to be missed are the vintage style cocktails (also change constantly) and the way they highlight so many amazing flavors. Lunch here hasn't been memorable, but the dinners are top notch.

    (5)

  • Ken A.

    You feel you must go to Town, because it embodies the edgy nouveau-Hawaii cuisine that everyone should know about. And it's not in Waikiki! But you will pay for it. We had only minor complaints with our food -- a steak requested medium-well came positively charred at the edges -- but otherwise quality, selection and presentation were unimpeachable. Service was flawless. The question is, how much will you pay for that? We paid about $200 for four, but there are places around Honolulu that can match or better our experience for a lot less.

    (3)

  • gerard f.

    Worth the trip.

    (5)

  • Alexis A.

    Fresh delicious food!! Only been here once but I loved the food... The menu was unique and the cocktails are a must try!

    (5)

  • Mari K.

    I REALLY wish I could give this place four stars. Went last week thinking it'd be a great place for a date night. I'd been once before, and needless to say, I was definitely impressed before. We went at 5:30 (when they open) thinking that because it was early we could easily find a table--when we were on our way it was too early to call for a reservation so we figured we'd take a chance. When we walked in the hostess who seated us took us to our table (there was only one other table of people) and as she put our menus down, instead of welcoming us, told us that she had another reservation at 7:30 (in 2 HOURS!) so to make sure we watched our time. TOTAL DOWNER for the rest of the night. Given that the hostess is the first person you interact with at a restaurant you'd hope she'd leave a good impression. Despite her comment we really had a wonderful dinner-the food was delicious, the ambiance comfortable and the company even better. But, I can't give four stars because I'm not convinced that if I recommend this place to you that you won't have the same lack luster service. Ed Kenney's back of house definitely delivers on quality food experience. Too bad the front of house service doesn't match his food product!

    (3)

  • Kalani C.

    This must be serendipity! Just checked my yelp app and noticed the messages wishing me congrats for receiving ROTD while I was actually having dinner at town! This place was packed on a Wednesday night and the food and service, as always, was great! I had the fresh opah done up in a lemon herb sauce that was just so easy on the palate; substantial without being overwhelming and adorned with locally grown veggies that made this dish a pleasure to devour. My friends had the hand-cut pasta and the monchong that was equally delightful. Dessert was a shared 'ohia 'ai or mountain apple crisp with caramel gelato...killer! Mahalo town, you always deliver the goods and I'm glad you remain local and true to your roots!

    (5)

  • C H.

    Friendly servers. Long wait for food. Out of the gnocchi. The hand cut pasta was good. I didn't die over it. The mussels were a good app. Over all it was good but nothing put it over the top for me. I could come back but there is so much in this area to check out right now.

    (4)

  • David I.

    With the vast divide which exists between foods' origins and its consumers, it is heartening to see one restaurant going the distance to bring the farm to the table. If only the quality of the food could reassure as to why this is such a worthy venture. Town is a quaint location off of Waialae Avenue which does its due diligence in conveying the intent behind its name while also possessing a modern flair . A plentifully-green garden out front, wooden doors and open veranda grants its outside a rustic country home feel. Indoors, contemporary designs and artwork lace its interior, while dim evening lighting casts a subdued ambiance. The menu comes with a caveat-it will change according to the availability of fresh ingredients (the drinks will sometimes change with it, interestingly enough). This makes it exciting and emphasizes the restaurant's priorities, encouraging the consumer to be more exploratory, a notion I agree with-it rarely does a restaurant justice to be judged by a single good entree. Unfortunately, while many of the ingredients are indeed fresh, where Town falls a little short is in its final product. My most recent visit started with a curry kabocha soup: creamy but not overmuch, with a spicy presence which lingers and defines its aftertaste. Included (but not necessarily listed... I had to ask the uncertain waiter to confirm with the chef) were cucumbers and almonds, which added an...interesting...3rd dimension, in addition to the peppermint leaves. A large portion, satisfying and definitely different, but still left me looking forward to my entree. The gnocchi was extremely soft, which I personally enjoyed, but with the abundance of fresh ingredients Town claims to bring to the table I was hoping for more in regards to flavor. The guanciale (pork cheeks, shredded in this case) was hardly detectable, and not nearly abundant enough. The sunchokes simply weren't there, physically or gustatorily. A disappointment, to be sure; the entree I had the last time was a little better than this. I tasted my mother's risotto and got mostly mush. Like oatmeal. With a little cheese. I could see why she left it largely untouched by the end of the meal. I admire Town's mission and message, but I hope they can improve on the mainstay of their business: the food. I will be back, but with much smaller expectations than my initial visits.

    (3)

  • Maria V.

    their vegetarian dish was SUPERB!!! their homemade pasta.....the bomb. rabbit with white beans and frise...delicious. service was very good. wine was a little expensive ($12/glass) overall, for the quality of food- i can't wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Alyssa K.

    I started coming here more regularly recently and I absolutely love the food here. I am upping my review to FIVE STARS (bling bling bling bling bling!!). Everything tastes so fresh and clean! Love how the lemonade has some parsley in it.. it gives it a nice tinge of green and slight bitterness.. My most recent favorite dish was the ahi linguine with lemon caper sauce. OH MY GOD It was so delicious!!!!! We've also tried the burger, big salad, mushroom soup, apple banana cream pie, and buttermilk panacotta. Apple banana cream pie was so good that I ended up trying to make it again at home. Of course, Town's was better. We're definitely going to be regulars here.

    (5)

  • Bertie W.

    Best meal in recent memory. The house-made gnocchi with a lamb ragu and mint were amazing. We were like, someone kidnapped an Italian grandmother and is hiding her on the backside of Diamond Head. The poke on risotto cakes starter was pretty good too, but overshadowed by the gnocchi. We weren't that hungry so we split an ulua main, which was great. It's been a few weeks but I seem to remember ulua with kalo, kale, and aioli. For dessert, the grapefruit-campari sorbet. The wine list is really nice, with lots of old world wines from Italy and Spain. My date was mad at me at the start of the meal but loved me again by the end.

    (5)

  • Jake M.

    This place is so frigging cool. I walked in with a book for a lazy, solo lunch before work and found three other people doing the same thing at the bar. The bartender was nice and knew a lot about the farm to table food on the menu; she recommended the burger, and so do I, it was juicy, tender and came on a tasty potato bun. My burger came with a choice of greens or fries and I ordered the former: super fresh and the rocket was peppery and delicious. Their beer selection is small, but formidable with good selections for different kinds of brews. It was too early for liquor, but the bar was stocked with dozens of bottles I've never heard of, and I'm eager to go back and explore. I'm not into wine, but my friends are impressed with their wine menu. Honestly, what I really loved was the overall feel of this place. Everything was clean and the use of colors, space and decor was really stimulating. Older adults sat at some tables while the college crowd sat at others. Very modern paintings on a bit of wall are juxtaposed by skateboards with cartoonish graphics on the opposite wall. A tall, older male in black leather came from the kitchen to tinker with the espresso machine and talk story with a young, clean-cut waitress. Basically, this place represents Kaimuki well in that it's wholesome, but trendy and eclectic. Can't wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Thomas L.

    Not sure why there is hype about this establishment. I typically read reviews, yet rarely write a review. I do believe in 2nd chances. This was my 2nd visit to this establishment. My 1st visit 6 months ago was not a good experience, slow service and mediocre food including having bitten on a small bone in my entree that shouldn't have been in my dish. Today's visit the service was even slower than last time. I wanted to try their homemade ginger ale drink but was told they're out of ginger ale. I had to go to bar to get sweetener for my iced tea after waiting 10 minutes. I ordered the lentil / mushroom patty sandwich. The server said it's tastey when I asked how it was. To say the least it was so bland upon taking my the first bite. My server brought me an aioli to try to help but that wasn't enough. Still hopeful I waited a while for my server to come past again, no luck so in desperate need to still eat I made another trip to the bar again to get salt & pepper. Wasn't worth the effort still bland. I will say the French fries were good but could barely eat 1/4 of the sandwich after all the effort. I was a bit surprised to see they charged me for the full plate considering I left so much sandwich on the plate but ate the fries. I wasn't looking for a free meal but 1/2 off considering how much went back. The salad with papaya was ok but small for an & $8.00 salad. The patrons who do 1/2 salad 1/2 fries with entree had almost as much salad. THEY HAD A 2nd CHANCE AND BLEW IT.

    (1)

  • Sara S.

    As much as it pains me to do this, I must update my review and dock a star. 4 stars is still not bad though eh? Not at all. At first when I read ppl's reviews complaining about the service, deep down inside I agreed but chose to ignore. However, the last time I went to Town, it took 2 hours to complete dinner. My family eats freaking fast, so if everything came out at a normal pace, we would've taken 70-80 min tops. Instead, we were constantly waiting in between dishes and it took like 15 min before we even ordered our food.... Sigh.. My kabocha risotto was freaking delicious though. And my sister's hand cut pasta was superb. Food still NOM NOM NOM, service= slowwwwwwwwwww

    (4)

  • B Y.

    The food here is delicious! Just slightly pricy but justified since it's local grown and fresh ingredients, I try to support local as much as possible so not bad at all! Service was good but a little slow, hence the 4 instead of 5 stars. Parking isn't to bad, it's behind the building. I would come here again.

    (4)

  • Chris D.

    This restaurant reminded me a lot of a restaurant called "Animal" in Los Angeles. Some of the entrees and appetizers are aimed to please a customer with a refined palate. Town's menu changes weekly. Semi-casual to formal is appropriate attire when dining here. The mahi mahi was the best mahi mahi that I have had to date. This restaurant is a great place to go on a date at. Overall, my experience was very welcoming and genuine all the way through. I would definitely dine here again.

    (4)

  • Kelley N.

    Apparently worms are now a dish served at Town. I had always wanted to try the place I had heard so much about and so took my granddaughter and her friend there for lunch today. We all ordered burgers with fries, my granddaughters burger was without a bun as she has celiac disease so she always eats her greens and tomato etc., when she was halfway through with her burger which wasn't great but okay she found a green caterpillar type worm in her greens and moved it onto the table,. The worm was about 1 inch long and very active which amused the girls who are teenagers. I went to the counter to ask to have our waitress come over when she was free. The waitress was a bit rude and not apologetic at all, she actually said that since they are organic and don't use pesticides this is to be expected, like worms in your food is an everyday thing there. I didn't ask for anything and was just letting her know about the worm when she said "there's nothing I can do but give you a small discount" which was 20 percent off of the one burger. Her overall attitude and tone was not what I expected from a restaurant I had heard so much about and even if they don't use pesticides the greens should be washed and no worms served. Fortunately my granddaughter is not easily rattled and she made a joke about the worm dancing and urinating on the table and named it Jeremy. I'm just hoping she didn't ingest any worm urine or other bad things in the greens she ate prior to finding Jeremy. Shame on Town for not being more customer oriented, the fries were wonderful though and worm free.

    (2)

  • Juliet M.

    What I want to know is what is not worth mentioning? I LOVe town with all my heart. If I had to marry a restaurant it would be a tough choice bt Town and Chez Panisse.

    (5)

  • Lizette A.

    Recommended by people who live on kauaii- Not impressed by this place. ordered two different salads which were fresh but with no taste. fries were greasy. gnocchi was good and what a small portion it was. the vegetable dish was fresh but salty - too many capers. this visit was the day before valentines. Service was eh- ok - nothing distinctive, wine was good - guess i needed one after all. TO HAVE PAID $100 I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED ALOT MORE IN FOOD TASTE AND SERVICE. resident from san francisco.

    (2)

  • J W.

    Been here for breakfast and been here for lunch plenty of times. There both great I like that the menu is never the same. So wat they have is wat u eat. And it's never a disappointment. The services is great great vibe inside and out I recommend everyone try this place

    (5)

  • Diane K.

    Food is good and "clean". The menu is neat and changes daily which is exciting. The service needs some help. The server we ended up with seemed annoyed with our requests. Will probably go again and hope for a different server.

    (3)

  • Sonia S.

    Yummy in my tummy! I'm always looking for new places to eat breakfast and was so happy to find out that Town was serving it up! I've dined at Town many times before for lunch and dinner, but today was a first for breakfast. You order at the counter and then seat yourself. My friend, Ryan R. and I both tried the Bruschetta, which was topped off with basil pesto egg, prosciutto, tomato slice and parmesan cheese shavings on top....broke the mouth! The flavors of the pesto egg, prosciutto and tomato were a match made in heaven! The scent, the taste were so dog gone delicious! It's so funny because since Ryan and I are both Yelpers and Foodies...we immediately take out our phones and start snapping away at our food. The tables around us must've been thinking...hmmm...are they food writers lol! We commented that by the time we get to eating, our food won't be hot anymore. Sure enough...but, it was still so delicioso! We also ordered the Breakfast Burrito to share. It was accompanied by sour cream and homemade salsa with tomatoes, cilantro and onions. It was tasty, but I'd definitely opt for the Bruschetta if you go for breakfast! On to the BACON...oh the BACON....if you like your bacon extra crispy, you MUST order the bacon here. A side order came with 4 stiff, crispy strips of bacon that snap, crackled and popped in your mouth! Tasty! As much as I'm not a coffee drinker anymore, when I saw the "Illy" sticker, I decided that I would drink a cup of joe this morning. The one cup morphed into 3 cups of coffee. It was exceptionally good with just the right amount of half and half and raw sugar.. All I can say is...get down and go to TOWN!

    (4)

  • Will B.

    Consider this a 4.5 star review. The food is incredibly yummy, which nudges my review into the top category. Town is what thoughtfully-prepared farm-to-table dining should be. The menu isn't large, but it's creative -- very likely you'll see something new and maybe surprising every time you come. It changes constantly, but there are some recurring themes -- gnocchi, pork, salads with Ma'o Farms greens. All of these are worth getting over and over again. Last time I had a Kulana (Big Island) striploin steak that was fantastic. They get creative with the desserts, too. I always leave happy and overstuffed. You can also drop a lot of money here, but there are a few ways to keep things cheaper. For example, get a bowl of polenta and the sautéed mushrooms, and mix them. Delicious! As others have said, the service can be slow. I haven't experienced the crazy slow that others talk about, but be advised -- don't plan to come here for dinner with plans an hour later. Town is a place you spend 2-3 hours. Enjoy it. The food is worth it. There is a parking lot behind the restaurant, but it's small and fills quickly, so you may need to park on the street nearby.

    (5)

  • Aileen D.

    Highly recommended from a foodie friend when I came home to visit the family. I highly advise recommendations. Service was gracious but not cloying. Can't believe I ordered the chicken but it was amazing. I definitely would order it again. The accompanying salad drassing and salad greens were perfect. I almost picked up my plate and licked the dressing off the plate. Yum. Will definitely visit again when I'm back in Hawaii.

    (5)

  • Danielle Y.

    So over this place. I believe that the kitchen is capable of making really great food and I have had some delicious, NYC-quality meals here, but the results are so hit-and-miss, I never know what to expect. Sometimes it's really good, but more and more often I find myself getting angry at myself for giving this place another chance, so I don't think I'll be visiting any longer. Most recently I ordered a salad with a side of chicken. The salad was literally four bits of greens with a few slices of some other vegetables; the chicken took up the majority of the room on the small dish. It was as if the kitchen decided to put the chicken on the plate and fill up the remaining room with the little greens they could. I've ordered this dish before and the salad comes on a big plate (it's CALLED "The Big Salad" on their menu, for heaven's sake) and the chicken either comes on a separate small plate or is pushed to the side of the big plate. Now that I think of it, I really should have sent it back because what I got is not what the big salad is supposed to be. I wasted $14 on a few sprigs of greens and three small pieces of chicken. The servers at the Downtown location were always great, professional and quick. The MAJORITY of the servers at the now remaining Kaimuki location are horrible. Snotty unprofessional hipsters who don't care to provide welcoming customer service or understand that some people are in a hurry and don't want to spend time lingering over a meal. Sorry, I'm just tired of this wannabe-Brooklyn trend that's currently encompassing Honolulu. Do it right.

    (1)

  • Johnathan S.

    I was invited back to Town recently am glad to say that I had a great experience there. Thanks to Brynn and staff for a lovely evening.

    (5)

  • Adrinna B.

    My friend and I met up here for lunch. We are both vegetarian, so honestly not a lot of options which surprised me because they're so into organic. Trust me, veggies don't always just want a pasta(which is what the waitress offered at first) so we both went with the lentil patty sandwich. It was very yummy! It came with a mixed greens salad, which was ok, but could use more dressing (the vinaigrette was almost imperceptible). Our waitress was ok, but she came and checked on us literally 30 seconds after she handed us the food and asked how it was tasting. We were like, "um, we don't know yet, give us one sec" which totally sent us into a giggle fit :). Overall a good place. I'd like to try it for dinner to see what the menu is like. This is the type of place that my hubby and I like (fresh, local, organic) having just moved from the Central Coast of CA where there is a huge focus on local organic foods in the restaurants. We shall see.

    (3)

  • Midday W.

    town restaurant is famous in honolulu but i was disapointed with the staff. I went once and it was 2 pm there were going to closed soon so the woman taking care of us was just cold and in hurry. Not nice feeling and serving, Otherwise the meal was good.

    (3)

  • Yumeko T.

    We love the food there! The bread is awesome and we needed refills. The food just didn't come fast enough for us because we were hungry and it was pretty busy that Sat night. The last time we came it was perfect so I guess they were just really busy.

    (4)

  • Sarah K.

    Who would have thought of naming their restaurant "Town"...and have it located right in Kaimuki town?! Great naming convention. They even sell shirts that say Town or Kaimuki. As if living in town wasn't bragging rights enough, we need to advertise it, too. LOL. Sorry West-side. This restaurant is known for its farm-to-table offerings, made to order with local ingredients. Their motto: "Local first, organic whenever possible, with Aloha always". And because things are fresh and made-to-order, it'll take time, things usually given that much care does, so plan ahead and be prepared to have a leisurely lunch or dinner. Settle in, take in the café ambiance, or sit outside for an al fresco experience and order a yummy cup of illy brand coffee (oh yum), café latte, or freshly squeezed fruit juice, and peruse through their daily menus that are "typed" handed to you on a clip board (classic). I won't bore you with words but will entice you by having you check out their website, townkaimuki.com . You can view their breakfast, lunch and dinner, beverage/cocktail/wine menus. What I will tell you is that I am a creature of comfort and I get my breakfast fix from Town every so often and I am not disappointed. The Breakfast Panino with bacon (crispy, please) is so yummy, that a large cup of coffee and you are set for the whole morning. The panino is what some might call a panini, toasted/grilled bread that's oozing with perfectly melted Fontina cheese, scrambled egg and the option of adding in bacon or proscuitto (for an extra $1). They usually take 15-20 minutes (and at times a little longer if they're slammed by a crazy breakfast crowd) so please call ahead and save yourself the wait time. They also have homemade scones in all different flavors and combination of flavors (orange-beet, chocolate chips-walnuts, banana, plain, etc.) You'll just have to check it out for yourself, it's right on the counter but gotta get there early enough, sometimes they'll run out before 10am. Fortunately I can walk here from my workplace so parking not a problem, tee-hee. Hope you'll make it Town one of these days the next time you're in town! Bon appetito!

    (4)

  • Jonn D.

    Rating: 4/5 Date visited: 12/13/2011 Food: 4/5 Service: 4/5 Atmosphere: 4/5 Price: 3/5 Parking: 3/5 I've past this restaurant hundreds of times and finally dined here. I will definitely be back. Food: An ever changing menu that is not always the same, depending on available fresh local items. You have to like that. Lunch was just right...I had the burger which was just outstanding. The quality of the meat just stood out. I would like to see what the dinner menu is like. Service: Since I dined for lunch, it was surprisingly busy. Not sure if this is the norm, but was impressed with the indoor and outdoor seating mostly all occupied. Service could have been a little faster, but seemed like server was a one woman show. Atmosphere: Simple, clean and just enough. I liked it. Price: It was about $10.50, for my burger, and was worth every penny. Reasonable for the quality and local freshness they provide. Parking: Street and private lot available, but limited.

    (4)

  • Jenifer G.

    town's food can be inconsistent. I've had outstanding meals here, as well as ehh-so-so ones. The restaurant prides itself in changing menus, as they feature different dishes on fresh produce/organics available, which is a magnificent idea. (You may guess this is why it is inconsistent, but no.. the ahi tartare has its good and bad days!) The environment is quite modern, with a welcoming feel and friendly staff, with both indoor and outdoor seating. It can get pretty loud inside, so I wouldn't recommend it to those who prefer a quietly private atmosphere. BYOB, corkage fee $10. Small public parking lot in the back fills up fast. Limited street parking (Waialae/9th). I've gone at least 7 times in the last 3 years, so based on what I remember... 1st try: Dinner for 8, fell in love w/ the place. Ordered the rib eye steak and it was SO tender & tasty that I wanted to marry the damn thing! Huge portion and flavorful as heck. Ahi tartare appetizers (3 on a plate for $11) were delicious to die for. 2nd try: Lunch for 2, ordered an egg sandwich. I was expecting something different and new, like some spin on an egg sandwich, but alas, it was a plain 'ole egg sandwich that tastes better at home when I make it myself. Maybe town's mayo was too healthy for my own good? ha! I would recommend them toasting that bread for a quick minute too. Floppy bread w/ heavy egg mix on it? umm.. no thanks, right? Oh, at least the ahi tartare was not bad. 3rd try: Dinner for 2. Can't remember what dishes exactly but we enjoyed it (appetizer + entree + dessert). The flavors were spot on. 4th try: Lunch for 2. I swear to moses, the Cibatta sandwiches tore up the roofs of our mouths! OUCH. You know those kinds of sandwich attacks, right? I was pissed for the next 24 hours because my mouth was seriously raw, but ahh whatever. The human body heals. Guess what pissed me off more -- the UNFRESH ahi tartare. I was chewing through the fish! Hope that gives you an idea of what I had to endure! I couldn't even think of eating a second piece. 5th try: Breakfast for 2. I had some rustic egg dish (gee, I can't recall what it was!). I just remember the menu was small, and that I was happily satisfied with my meal. 6th try: Dinner for 6. Had 4 out-of-town guests that were excited to come to Honolulu and try this new spot. Unfortunately, town did not deliever as expected! 3 of them ordered a fish dish (opakapaka or opah?) and all of the fish was overcooked. There's nothing I hate more than an overcooked fish! I honestly can't remember what I even ordered myself, see, I was probably trying to block out the bad memory! I do remember just being disappointed. I felt really bad for the hype I gave my friends. Strike one for Jen! 7th try: Lunch for 2. Eggplant spread bruchetta appetizer was delicious, but pricey.. 2 pieces for $8. Ahi sandwich was delicioius, with an interesting tartar sauce. Fries were as if scraped from the bottom of the bowl or fryer.. short and kinda burnt, but still tasty. They fry that stuff w/ rosemary and basil -- yum! Overall, I know I will go to town again sometime, either for lunch or dinner. I think it can be a hit, or a miss, just depending on how fresh and available the ingredients are. It's definitely not cheap, but it's a chic place to try if you haven't gone yet.

    (4)

  • Anthony P.

    Better than average for a restaurant in Hawaii, but were this restaurant in any metropolitan area, it would be closed within a few months with the food selection and preparation.

    (3)

  • Angry B.

    WOW! This is one good restaurant!

    (5)

  • Natasha H.

    I feel like I am the five star queen - but this restaurant is worth it. We ordered half the menu including half the drink menu - just wanted to taste everything and they were all delicious. I must mention that I absolutely appreciate when an employee acknowledges you even when there are no tables available and really they can't do much for you. The hostess was so friendly and took the time to get us menus for drinks and to get us set up even though a table wasnt available yet - so many times someone will just let you float around waiting. She was all over it! I LOVE WHEN PEOPLE DO THEIR JOB, its really quite easy in the service industry, yet seems to be a rare find. So BIG THUMBS UP THERE! My favorite item on the menu that we ordered was the fresh pasta it was just so delicious. Worth checking out, hard to get reservations there unless you really plan - thats the only downside.

    (5)

  • C L.

    Ordered polenta, bitter greens, and ahi tartar. While the polenta was creamy and tasty, it was a bit buttery and I couldn't finish it. The bitter greens filled with chard, kale, pine nuts, cranberry, sautéed in olive oil was perfect. Ahi tartar was ok. Tator tots with chopped onion and ahi on top. The place is nice and great for a date night.

    (4)

  • Xrnr M.

    YOU PAY FOR WHAT YOU GET Disclaimer....Town is a bit pricey....however.... The food is awesome and fresh and the service is great! This was the first place that I ate at which was very locavore driven. I met both of the chefs/owners in different locations, one of them at a loi in Kaneohe, where they get some of their products. I decided to go eat there after that, since I very much appreciated that they were truly involved in supporting local agriculture and economy and making delicious food! I've had the gnocci, hand made pasta, buttermilk panna cotta, kulana striploin, the fried pa'i'ai and the house made lemonade. If you like poi then try the fried pa'i'ai it's to die for, the consistency is perfect. gnocci and pasta are made delicately and are quite dense to you may have to take some home. totally loved the flavor of the striploin, cooked to perfection! panna cotta was soooo good and it comes with a bit of honey mmmm....yum! We come here as a splurge special dinner since we are college students, but it is totally worth it. The staff is great and the food is made with TLC :) We should always try to support our local farmers and this restaurant does a great job!

    (5)

  • Sherry G.

    Great service! Start off with the French fries and garlic aoli, could have made a meal of those on their own. Happily did order an entre! The pork belly with polenta and bitter greens. The pork was cooked to perfection. While not a big fan of polenta the Town won me over. The menu changes depending on what is available from the local growers. Portions were just right, a hard thing to find but that I appreciate and applaud!

    (4)

  • Maria B.

    I'm giving 5 stars because the meal itself was flawless. Despite waiting 30 minutes to be seated after already making a reservation (the only negative). Food was amazing, service outstanding and the drinks were great! Was hesitant to go to Town as there are many bad reviews, but glad I went and will definitely be going again!

    (5)

  • Michael P.

    My partner and I were recommended this restaurant by a friend who is quite the foodie and had been here when her sister lived on Oahu. I would say that Town was the culinary highlight to our trip and that was with quite a few really nice restaurants in the mix. To start, we tend to visit restaurants in the Denver area that tend to focus on fresh and local ingredients and I felt that Town gave the same attention to this endeavor as we are use to from some of our favorite Denver restaurants. The two fish dishes (ono and monchong) we had were prepared just right and the server was quite attentive. While trying to decide on what to order for drinks, the server asked what types of things I liked and asked if I wanted the bartender to make something based on some of my likes - which typically are whiskey based. I tend to like doing this as it really gives a good idea of the bartender's skill and ability. Let me just say, if you like cocktails you will not be disappointed. After dinner, we decided to find some place close by to have drinks but decided to just move over to the bar at Town. The bar is quite small, but is quaint like the rest of the restaurant. I ended up ordering three drinks all on the bartender's whim and each one was just as complex and delicious as the last. While at the bar we were given recommendations by the bartender (if I remember correctly, I think his name was Dave) and the hostess for our stay on Oahu and also for one or two for Kauai. I would definitely not recommend this place if you do not plan to spend $100-$150 dollars for dinner and drinks, OTHERWISE I would strongly suggest giving it a try. If you like trying out of the ordinary cocktails, then go with the bartender's whim (yes, they are a bit pricey) but in my opinion worth it.

    (5)

  • Emily L.

    Town is an early riser. It's open when I am at 6:30 AM (M-Sat). I've had lunch here maybe twice but it's their illy coffee and flakiest scones ever that make them an ideal place to wake up to. There's nothing better than a cup of dark rich brew that even a half-n-half addict like myself can drink it straight without any bitter remorse. I've even had a few decafs while pregnant and both baby and I would do the illy dance, a bopping start to our day. Planning that drive to the North Shore or to Waikele or to Lanikai? Stop and grab some illies on your way out of Town along with a scone or two. You'll be geared up for an action packed day. Snoozers need not apply.

    (4)

  • Phill M.

    Town to me is the best of Honolulu's Neighborhood restaurants! Always Fresh, Always Local - and always a smile... open all day, Breakfast, lunch and Diner the food rarely disappoints! The Polenta is Grandma Style, the meat's always... and I mean ALWAYS cooked the way you order - but what really set me to write this review today was Breakfast! OMFFFFFFG - I'm British, Northern British - Manchester, Lancashire style British and when it comes to someone saying they have Black Pudding - I am there!! This morning I was presented with the best Black pudding I have eaten in the USA... Large Portion, 2 perfectly poached eggs, Grilled tomato (thanks for the add to the Dish Ed!) and a solid whole grain bread toast... butter and home made marmalade on the side!! It was perfect. Michelin Perfect. Wonderful food - unlimited coffee... friendly service and Black Pudding!! Love it!

    (5)

  • Alan M.

    Our party of three really enjoyed dinner at Town. I called to make reservations in the late afternoon on a Tuesday. The earliest available table inside was at 8:30 but they said if we come at 6:00 we should be able to get a table outside. That worked out because it was a warm Hawaii night and it was easier to talk outside. We asked the waitress for a cocktail recommendation and she suggested an off menu St-Germain Hummingbird made with sparkling wine, club soda and St-Germain (elderflower blossoms). It worked as a starter and went with our dinners. Each of us got a different salad all made with locally sourced organic vegetables. The quality really came through in the taste and appearance. I had the lettuces, pancetta, manchego, cherry tomatoes and walnuts. The others were avocado, mango, red oak, pecans, cucumber, green goddess; and arugala, strawberries, fennel, almond lavosh, tarragon, goat's cheese. All were tasty and refreshing. A new menu is printed every day. I'm not sure how much it varies but we were told that many of the items are only available infrequently. Two of us (I was one) got the monchong a local deep water fish with firm white flesh. It was served on a bed of farro with long beans, beets, swiss chard and salsa verde. The combination of flavors went well with the moderately flavored fish. There was maybe a little too much olive oil by the time I got to the bottom of the farro. I would get this again except that there are so many other great sounding items on the menu. The other meal was Opah, sometimes called moonfish. It is firmer and richer than monchong and is sometimes used for sushi. It was served with local veggies (cherry tomatoes, green beans, bok choy, carrots, daikon), limu (red seaweed) and Meyer lemon. It was also very tasty. I had the "salted pretzel tart for dessert, a slice of a rich chocolate tart with sea salt and a small amount of pretzel pieces. I liked it a lot but the winning dessert was the apple banana cream pie. Note, a sweet, small banana variety called an "apple banana" is grown in Hawaii. There were no apples in this desert. It would be worth a trip to Town just to have this with a cup of coffee. The service was great. Our waitress obviously was very familiar with the always changing menu and made great recommendations. She has mastered the tricky balanced between interrupting too often and not being around when you need something. I'm already looking forward to going back on my next trip to Oahu.

    (5)

  • Alex D.

    Town was a let-down. They were all out of most items. Unfortunately, we were not able to get a reservation earlier in the evening. When describing the menu, our waitress didn't even seem excited about the items left on the menu. I wish I had read her enthusiasm better and just left before she came back to the table to take our orders. And what we did order... well everything was over-salted. I really wanted to like this place, and I was embarrassed that I took family here during my last night in hnl.

    (1)

  • Sarah B.

    I was excited to try Town but left pretty disappointed. The ahi tartare was pretty good, but no better than I've had at cheaper restaurants elsewhere. The fried okra were variable -- a few were great, but most were not very crispy and some were unpleasantly soggy. My handcut pasta was surprisingly bad -- it supposedly involved anchovies but was so flavourless I wondered whether the kitchen had just forgotten to add them. My boyfriend enjoyed his meat dish but not enough to come back.

    (2)

  • Bryan A.

    Heck yeah! But why didn't anyone tell me about this place a long time ago? It was date night this past week. I highly recommend Town. The service was great. The drinks were very refreshing, in fact, they created a drink for me that was not on the menu. Wine selection was good too. The food was original and flavorful. I had reservations and they sat us right away. I think the place must get busy from the reviews. But it was a Saturday and I wasn't in a hurry. The staff new the menu and informed us if the dish would take a little longer to prepare. We had a nice bottle of wine and some wonderful conversation in the meantime. I would recommend this restaurant to couples or folks there for a relaxing evening. Not a place to bring children that need to eat and get out before the "melt down". I do highly recommend.

    (5)

  • Karen D.

    We made the mistake of eating here on a Saturday night. Our party really enjoyed the food and liked the restaurant's modern look, however, points were deducted under ambiance because the service, noise level, and temperature made the evening a lot less enjoyable than it could have been. Five points for food, one to two points for everything else. The air conditioning was running full blast on a cool evening (it was only 70 degrees outside, but inside it was MUCH cooler). When we asked that the a/c be turned down or off, we were told "no". We noticed other diners' teeth chattering, too. Because it was so loud inside the dining room, our throats were scratchy and hoarse by the end of dinner from shouting. Town is too pricey to be this uncomfortable, even if the food is great. Will likely only consider returning when the weather is pleasant enough to make dining on the lanai a good option, and will not return on a weekend night. Instead, I have been visiting their (more reasonably priced) sister restaurant at HiSAM. Yep, I vote with my wallet! :-p

    (3)

  • Inthira M.

    I've always wanted to eat at this place, but the fear of the unknown has stopped me from trying this place. I've always heard good things such as, their menu is all organic and they use only local produce so their menu constantly changes depending on the produce they get, and they're pet friendly (you can eat with your pet on the lanai). I was going to get my nails done with my girl friend so we decided to try this place. The menu is simple and to the point, only being 1 page (2 if you count the drink page.. they also have a seperate drink menu), the only thing is, we were totally confused by it. There are no headings, the food is just written in small bunches. So I wasn't sure if what I was reading was a salad, or a sandwich, or a pasta. What was in the dish didn't help either because they used words I've never seen before. For example, instead of spinach they said "tatsoi" (or something like that)... maybe being a fellow culinarian I should've known some of these words... but I didn't. Needless to say when the server came around we had a couple questions. We both decided on pasta, she had a simple penne, pesto, basil, and tomato pasta, I had a spaghetti with tomatoes, capers, ahi, and kalamata olives. Both arrived quickly and although it seemed like a small portion, it did fill me up. I didn't taste hers, but I'm sure it was good. Mine was awesome. It had just the right amount of capers and olives. The tuna wasn't big and chunky, but cubed small and delicate. The atmosphere is very soothing with nice decorative pieces and big light orange lights. When I try to think of something bad to say about this restaurant I can't really think of one. For some reason, it all just works. I do want to come back and try more dishes... maybe try their dinner menu.

    (3)

  • Breeze G.

    Loved the ambiance, service, and food. They do their veggie mushroom/lentil patty really nicely. I'd get it again. For dessert, banana creme pie. Came with homemade whipped cream, and an awesome chocolate topped crust. Next time I'd like to try their fries, overheard the waiter saying it's a three day process. Love how they switch out their menu per each service.

    (5)

  • Maria C.

    Amazing local ingredients. Cocktails!!!

    (5)

  • M C.

    All around it's OK. They will provide simple meal. but they are not too special but enjoyable. Unfortunately Customer Service is are questionable. (Especially over the phone. they hung op on me.)

    (3)

  • Cat K.

    This place is OK. I feel like every time I visit, the service is a gamble. Sometimes they are OK and everything is fine. Other times, their service is questionable - meaning they are not friendly. I feel as if the people who work here think they are a bit high browish? I asked them awhile back what type of green food program they were affiliated with (since they have a big sticker on their door) and no one could give me an answer? Please don't get on the organic/ green food bandwagon if your employees don't know anything about what your cafe supposedly is attempting to portray to the public. Please educate your employees and teach them some etiquette lessons. Food was OK. I think this place is really a 2.5 star place.

    (2)

  • Jennifer C.

    Such a cute place! Very SF/LA. Ambiance: Hip, trendy, comfortable. Spot you would take your friends to for some good eat and AMAZING drinks. Food: Yea, the fries- you must order. All my meat eating buds say this is the place to go. I love their veggie accommodations. Drinks: If you're picky with your drinks and you find yourself near Town, pop in and sit at the bar. Order that fancy concoction or that oldie but goody. I promise you won't be disappointed. Desserts: YES! Nuff said.

    (4)

  • Lisa S.

    I always enjoy coming to this restaurant. They offer a lot of unique items and there is a focus on the menu and cocktails featuring really fresh ingredients and produce. I am a fan of their martini list and the bread. The option of outdoor seating is very nice and I like the concept of eating local, supporting local businesses and farms. I didnt love my salad (which was arugula,) but I can take the blame for that - the components on the salad werent for me, but I gave it a shot anyway. Had a fantastic pork dish for dinner though and tried a few amazing drinks. I have pleasant service each time

    (4)

  • Valerie M.

    I've always enjoyed this restaurant for it's trendy decor and Chef Ed Kenney's creativity using fresh, local ingredients. The Restaurant week menu was $20 for choice of any salad on the menu, any pasta and any dessert. For the price, this was a bargain. The baby arugula salad greens were tough. My risotto con funghi was delish and the hand cut pasta was also very good. The sorbets were good too. Dinner also came with a plate of rustic French bread and kalamata olives. Next time, though I'm going to skip the special menu and just have my regular order: The black mussels, fennel, pastina, tomato, cinzano broth. It's the best!

    (3)

  • Melissa S.

    Tonight was my first time eating at Town. My husband took me on a dinner date and I was really excited because I heard their food was great. My friends were right, the food was great. If I were rating this place on food alone, I would give it between 4 and 5 stars. Unfortunately, the rest of our experience was pretty bad. Service- We were seated right by the front door, which I wasn't excited about at all, but it turned out to be fine. Our waiter was friendly and helpful at first. He was probably in his late twenties, with dark hair and glasses. He made recommendations when I asked him and picked out two great glasses of wine to go with our dinners (red for my husband and white for me). Our wine and salads came out at a good pace, not rushed but not too long. We ordered the mao greens salad to share and it was perfect for two. It came out split on two plates and the portion was large enough that I thought he might have misheard us and ordered us each our own. Great job Town! Unfortunately, after our salad course, things went from great to really bad. Our entrees took over 45 minutes to come out of the kitchen. I know because we got them an hour after we arrived. After about 30 minutes or so, our waiter came over really quick and apologized for the wait. He said that our order got stuck behind a large party's order and that our food should be out in a few minutes. Side note, the WORST thing that a waiter can do when there's an issue with food taking too long is to lie. The only large party in the restaurant was a party of six. If our food got delayed that long because of one party of six people, then the kitchen has issues. I don't think that's the case since we saw food cranking out all night. More likely, the ticket got lost in the shuffle or the waiter forgot to ring it in or fire it at the right time. That happens, hell I've done that myself, but you should always own your mistake. Sorry to rant some more, but for me, the worst part about the whole experience was the manager. She was blond, probably mid thirties. Maybe 5 minutes after our waiter swung by to apologize for the wait, she also swung by. She did not apologize except to say "Sorry to interrupt you. I just wanted to let you know that your food should be out in a couple minutes." First of all, she wasn't interrupting anything since she came by right after my husband left the table (a move which he described as chicken s&%t). Second of all, she didn't seem to show any concern. It was as if she was merely informing me and didn't really care if I was okay. REALLY BAD! ANOTHER 5 minutes later, the manager came by again. Again, no apology at all. This time she just dropped off two tiny cups of soup on a plate. She said, "Here's a little something for you while you're waiting." Almost no eye contact, no apology, no concern whatsoever. Thank GOD that our meal arrived about 2 minutes later since the soup (which we hadn't asked for in the first place) wasn't very flavorful at all. I took one bite and decided to wait for my food. Entrees- My husband had the striploin with roquefort butter and fries. I had the Opah with myer lemon and veggies. Both were DELICIOUS! The fries were particularly amazing (fried with herbs). My fish was cooked perfectly! We also had a side of polenta which was really yummy at first, but a bit too rich for me after more than a few bites (we left most of it uneaten). Our waiter came by once to check on our food, but the manager never came by the table again. I could see her the whole time though, because she was sitting about ten feet away, directly across from me at the bar. She was drinking wine and playing with her phone. Really professional right? It was obvious she was done for the night and didn't care about anything but finishing her shift out. After dinner, we were offered dessert, but not coffee or anything else. We ordered the chocolate, salted tart and it was delicious. Our server came by one more time and dropped off our check. Again, no offer of coffee, no eye contact, nothing. Glad I wasn't choking because probably neither the server or manager would have noticed. Soooo, to sum it up, FOOD IS GREAT! SERVICE and MANAGER, ESPECIALLY MANAGER, were AWFUL!!! I might try one more time because of the food alone, but that's a BIG maybe.

    (1)

  • Brooke M.

    A tad too pricey to eat here all the time, but the food was great. Everything was very fresh. We ordered a whole bunch of stuff for the table to share-- Curry Lentil Soup was the perfect thing to warm us up (it's a little chilly in there); House-made Linguine with Cauliflower (delish!); Gnocchi with Cabbage and Bacon (kind of boring without the bacon, which is how we ordered it for the veggies at the table); Arugula and Beet salad with orange, fennel, ricotta salata and roasted chickpeas; Flatbread "pizza" with eggplant spread and veggies. Kind of like a salad pizza with baba ghanoush, quite good. The desserts were also delicious. The salted pretzel chocolate tart was awesome. I need to try to recreate it at home. Buttermilk panna cotta with honey was a bit too tart for me, but the honey was nice. No problems with service and it wasn't too noisy on a Monday night. Came once on a Saturday night and I could barely hear the person sitting next to me.

    (4)

  • Alana R.

    I've only eaten breakfast here. Always tasty, and always a little on the oily side. All the food looks really good. Every time I order Polenta, it tastes different. Not bad, but the taste and texture is always different. I've never had polenta anywhere else so I don't know what it's supposed to be like. Ignorance is bliss.

    (4)

  • Bradley H.

    It's not as good as "A-OK" (three stars) but not as bad as "Meh, I've experienced better" (two stars), and probably closer to the latter... I just ate there today, and my friend was right...quite pretentious and definitely doesn't fit in next to the auto shops and "mom and pop" produce store nearby. Granted that i had the seared tombo and it was fresh, but i just couldn't figure out what the heck was underneath those pieces of fish...some of it looked like a pickle but tasted like a potato. Other parts looked like a potato but turned out to be some type of veggie. The broccoli looking thing was overcooked and looked like a burnt mini broccoli...like if you had taken a shirt and steam cleaned it 1,000 times so it was the size more proportioned to a stuffed animal. Coat the veggies with oil and you have something that left me shaking my head. My friend had the "panino." I thought it was a male panini or something, but it was just singular for panini (which apparently is plural). Either way, i have never asked for a panini and ended up with two sandwiches, but i suppose i'm splitting hairs on this matter. The panino was a veggie thing with fresh cut fries. I would have to say that the fries were probably the highlight of the dish, which should not be the case. The pricing was what you would expect for a place like this ($10-$20 for lunch per person), so don't go if you're prone to sticker shock (especially if you are used to $5 plate lunches). Overall, i've eaten food like this quite a bit (i live in california with all kinds of pretentious restaurants lining the streets), but it just didn't seem to flow (yes, i can be pretentious too). The tombo meal was componentially disjointed, and the panino dish was held afloat by the fries. Happy Eating!

    (2)

  • Michelle C.

    Food was good, but service was awful. We waited almost two hours for our food!

    (1)

  • Bonnie O.

    Tell me...whyyyyy did I wait soo long? Back during my brief stint as a program manager at Mary Charles in 2005, my coworker Heather told me her brother-in-law opened a really good restaurant in Kaimuki called Town. Heather has excellent taste. Heck she was Mary's prodigy and all the chefs in the state bowed to Heather. So why did I wait until 2011 to make my pilgrimage??? Ah well, it doesn't mater. The pertinent issue is I did. Town's food is all about freshness and flavorful. Chef Ed Kenney creates his daily menu around what is available from local farmers. The restaurant's tag line "Local first, organic whenever possible, with Aloha always" is spot on. It was recommended because I needed a lunch venue with yum vegetarian food. Very glad i listened. I tried their greens...succulent, refreshing leaves lightly tossed with a buttermilk dressing. Their pasta had that elusive give and chewiness and the sun-dried tomato sauce....pardon me as I wipe the drool that is trickling down the corns of my mouth as I relive this meal. Go. Go now if you've never experienced Town. Your taste buds and tummy will be glad you did.

    (5)

  • Joe C.

    I tried Town tonight after the WSJ featured it in the Off Duty Section. It was a great recommendation. Tried the Ahi Risotto Cakes, Mushroom Flat Bread, Mussels and the hand cut pasta with Ahi. Everything was delicious, i intend to make myself a regular at Town whenever I am in Honolulu.

    (4)

  • Ashley O.

    Been here a few times. After I get over the pretentiousness of most of the people in the place, I start to enjoy myself. Love the fries. The fries keep me coming back. And the drinks are good, too. I consider myself somewhat experienced but always end up having to ask questions about the menu. "What's a (fill in the blank)?" And everyone I end up eating with feels the same. What's up with that? Next time we're just gonna Google the stuff we don't know instead of getting a dubious and incredulous look from the server. The parking... SUCKS. You really have to wanna come here to eat and enjoy the drinks -- because the parking is a hassle and a half -- mainly because it's nonexistant.

    (3)

  • Kanani C.

    Best french fries I've ever had on this island. Super good grass-fed burger too, gf had a mushroom pasta. Prices aren't that bad for the quality of food you are getting. Good service too

    (5)

  • LesliAnn K.

    The food quality was a strength. The atmosphere...a little too loud and service was not the greatest. I do appreciate that they support local, organic and the menu often changes to reflect that. WIth this visit, I was very pleased with my choices. appetizer - eggplant, almonds, proscuitto, and freshly made mozzarella cheese. YUMM!! Dinner - Risotto with mushroom and kabocha (i think) It was a lot of creamy goodness. YUMM!!! This is more for the people who are looking to enjoy and try interesting combinations, with lighter appetites, as portions are not big.

    (3)

  • Akiko T.

    I came here for dinner with friends visiting from Japan. I liked the store atmosphere because it was not like a LOCAL eatery per se since the restaurant had a fancy vibe to it. It was more like those restaurants you would see in Japan. As we waited for all of us to arrive, four of us that were there early ordered the French Fries. It was a bit oily for me but I liked the sourcream-ish dip that they had on the side. When everyone had arrived, we ordered two salads for the eight of us to share...we thought it would be enough but the portions were small compared to the price...something to keep in mind for next time :) I ordered the rissotto and it came with grilled broccoli and had lemon juice sprayed on it. LOVED that lemon flavor!! The portion for the main dish was perfect for me since I am not that much of a big eater. It might be a bit small for some people. I didn't order dessert as I was really full (rice fills my stomach fast), and I will try them next time. I also liked the fact that they allow free refills on hot tea (as long as that tea bag keeps steeping!). I ordered coffee, but my friends were able to get their second and third cups of tea which helped A LOT since we were seated at the outside tables and it just happened to be a chilly evening. I think I will come back for lunch next time. I heard you get a good amount of same quality food at a more reasonable price!

    (3)

  • Ingrid M.

    Didn't expect to like this restaurant but I must admit they had very tasty steak. The menu is very limited and the seating was not so great in my experience. Would definitely return but it wouldn't be my first choice.

    (3)

  • Macy R.

    This was my first time to the establishment. Before that, I've always tried their food at Art After Dark at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. Their big draw is being green, sustainable, and using fresh, local ingredients - all of which I like! Town's food is great and you can really taste the quality in all of their ingredients. Food presentation is also good too. I give Town, the restaurant, 3 stars because we weren't greeted by anyone for about 5 minutes at the host desk and service was really slow that evening. As nice as our waitress was, our food took an hour (maybe longer?). She apologized for the wait repeatedly and even gave us two free desserts. I am the most understanding person when it comes to delays in food and beverage as I have worked in F&B for years, but it always sucks to wait for your food when you're so hungry AND extremely tired. My advice from this experience is to get to Town early so you can avoid the late-night rush. And also make reservations as this place is always busy.

    (3)

  • Nicole V.

    If you don't mind waiting... and waiting... and then waiting some more for you food, then town is pretty good. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner I have have always enjoyed what I order, but I can't do the wait anymore. Even when the place is empty its slow. I have waited well over an hour for a main course at dinner. The last time I went with some friends on a Tuesday right when they opened and from appetizer to desert the courses gradually came slower and slower. I don't know if its the kitchen or the wait staff or both that is the problem. And no one apologizes or sends out an amuse bouche or anything. I guess its just normal there.

    (3)

  • Kim S.

    My husband let me pick where I wanted to have my birthday dinner, so Town it was. I'd eaten here once about a year ago & wanted to give it another try. Be warned, the parking (as many other reviewers have mentioned) stinks. You will most likely end up driving around the block repeatedly only to be disappointed. We ended up finding street parking across the street, a block away. I ordered the black mussels for a starter, which was tasty but could've used a little more salt. My husband ordered the ahi tartare, which he said was just alright. For my entree I chose the pan roasted chicken, which was delish! Moist, tender & well-seasoned; even my husband liked it & he NEVER eats chicken. In fact, he enjoyed it so much that he's bringing my leftovers for his lunch tomorrow. Unfortunately, my husband got the Kulana striploin which was tough & chewy. The only highlight on his plate were the crispy fries. We skipped dessert because I had Baskin-Robbins ice cream cake at home but believe me, I was eyeing the panna cotta I saw on the menu. To sum it up, the food at Town wasn't horrible enough to make us cross it off on our list of viable dinner options but at the same time it wasn't great enough to render itself a star player. But I may have to come back just to try the panna cotta...

    (3)

  • Caroline C.

    I went with my daughter and two friends on mine from Ft. Lauderdale for lunch. The service was really good and the food was spectacular. I had fish over fresh veggies as did my friends. My daughter had the risotto , which was amazing.... Decent wine list, lively and hip atmosphere. The four of us ate lunch, had a bottle of wine and a few additional glasses of wine + espresso. Got out of there for $200.00 and this included 20% gratuity.... You will not be disappointed!!!

    (4)

  • Anton Z.

    Such a letdown. We came in expecting amazing, local fare, and got badly executed attempts at meals with local ingredients. The dark and stormy's had ginger syrup, which messed with the flavors. The flatbread with pancetta, cabbage, and gorgonzola dolce was dry and flavorless. Sadly our meals faired worse - the chicken was well cooked but flavorless, and my risotto with salmon was under-seasoned, while the salmon itself was between sashimi and undercooked. Sadly, service was also really slow...kinda surprising when the place was pretty empty. I expected that this place might just be new and learning, but apparently not. Too bad, because that would have made it ok.

    (1)

  • Megan G.

    We had a great meal here a few months ago and I am finally writing the review. We shared a nice bottle of Pinot Noir, a beet salad (my latest obsession) and the house made charcuterie platter. I had the tuna, he had the pork and both were memorable and divine! I will be back, thanks for a memorable meal Town!

    (5)

  • Susan A.

    Love, love, love...am in love with Town (and secretly crushin on owner/chef, Ed Kenney, whom I got to meet at a cookbook signing this past July). Consistent, warm & enthusiastic service. Delicious, comforting and creative presentation of local-sometime-organic foods. Their roasted chicken over drippings-drenched-croutons (a menu staple) was off the grid scrumptious. Been there 5x's and we try to hit the place at least once per visit. Definitely recommend reservations for 1st seating, dinner, but, you're pretty safe for the lunch hour without.

    (4)

  • Elizabeth L.

    I have to say that my dining experience a Town was amazing. My pasta was delicious it was hand cut pasta... a little overdone perhaps but the flavor of the sauce and the different vegetables in it were really fresh and flavorful and it also had smokey pancetta... big chunks of it and grated Parmesan cheese. To start we had the french fries which are a must...they are super crispy shoestring potato fries with garlic and herbs and you get a big portion for only seven dollars. One of my friends had the mushroom Risotto and it was creamy and al dente it was perfect. My other friend had the mahi-mahi. It was grilled to perfection and served over a beautiful, colorful medley of vegetables. One of my friends got the specialty cocktail and although it was delicious I thought it was a bit pricey for $10...it was pretty small. I will definitely go back here. I am going to add this restaurant to one of my top 10 favorite restaurants on Oahu!

    (4)

  • L T.

    The formula to running a great restaurant seems simple: taste, consistency, and prompt and friendly service. At first glance, this restaurant appeared to be a great addition to the Honolulu food scene. The location has a fun local vibe, the design of the restaurant is pleasant and modern, the menu looks inventive and fresh, and the staff are nice. But to wait over an hour for food that is overcooked, salty, and one-dimensional is a serious disappointment, especially at the price point they charge. Another egregious error is to serve an appetizer with your main course. Timing is crucial in a restaurant environment. If the owner isn't able to make some simple changes to improve his restaurant, I would recommend that you spend your dining time elsewhere.

    (2)

  • jennifer c.

    We've eaten breakfast here twice, and it's crazy good. The polenta and eggs, fried rice, eggs and toast, and panino have all been fresh and delicious. Coffee is great and espresso is Stumptown (my Portland go-to). Service is with a smile and lots if aloha.

    (5)

  • Maka I.

    I love the food at Town! :) ... it is super delicious but the portions are on the small side and it is a little pricey for the size. The food is local and some organic. I wish they would serve larger portions and all organic. I love the Ulu soup but again it was about the size of a cup in my bowl. I am grateful they are serving local and some organic but maybe could drop the price or serve bigger portions. The service is great and I didn't have to wait for anything so that was really nice too. Thanks Town for providing another place for me to eat local and organic! :)

    (4)

  • Traci W.

    Pros: Food is consistently delicious and is generally local and organic. The menu is always a nice surprise because it changes daily. The ambience is casual yet sophisticated. Great date spot. Special props for always having at least 1-2 vegetarian/vegan options daily. Minor cons: Parking can be a pain as their lot fills up quickly and finding street parking in the area is like spotting a unicorn. It's definitely pricey and portions are usually pretty small. But I'm pretty small, so the dishes are always enough for me, but my husband is usually ready for a "second dinner" after we go.

    (4)

  • Jon W.

    Went for dinner and this not being the first visit I knew the food is good and the menu is ever changing. Its been awhile and I think its because of something I must have forgot. Service was eh and I only say that because it took long to get food and drinks. 2 hours from start to finish and only seemed average on the busy side. The size of portions to the cost is my big concern. $26 for a slightly small steak with french fries...Not really happy about that. I think the only thing worth the price was the mussels everything else was on the tiny side and less than spectacular. The overall taste was ok but after spending that much time waiting and eating and at that cost it wasn't worth it. Get the feeling that the owner of TOWN is more concerned with the trendy image. I ha vent been to a place that had so many customer's wearing fedora hats. I guess that should have been the trendy clue.

    (3)

  • Katie K.

    Oh Town, how I wish I could give you a better review... The food at town is always yummy. I used to live up 9th Ave and walked here for lunch fairly often. I also remember having a yummy dinner once as well, but as of late, my Town experiences have just not been pleasant, service wise. To be fair, I am talking about lunch, and understand dinner is a totally different animal. With that said, I LOVE their burger, which is why I continue to give them a chance. After today's experience though I think I'm going to wait a while before I return. My friend and I both ordered burgers, my Med Rare, and his Medium. First off, the burgers took a long time to come out. It was of course lunch hour, and they were fairly busy, so whatever. However, when they did come out the runner just dropped them off and walked away. The cheese was not melted on to the burger. They switched our temperatures. I need mustard. My friend needs mayo. And we both want salt and pepper. Our server did not make it to our table... He kept walking up to a table near us, grabbing one item at a time off the table, and completely ignoring us. My lunch date couldn't take it anymore, as much as I hate to admit this, he got up and found someone and had to ask for these items. Mean while my food has gotten cold. Being that I was extremely hungover today after Sunday funday, that didn't bother me that much and I inhaled most of my plate. So sorry Town, I know you make good food but I just can't handle the inattentive and slow service anymore :(

    (3)

  • Julie U.

    I could eat here every single day and be happy. The breakfast menu features some of the best deals on the island. The polenta, in particular, is to die for. I've never been to a restaurant that knew how to cook polenta, but this place definitely does. The lunches are also a great deal for those on a budget. I'm a big fan of their salads, especially those that feature veggies from MA'O Organic Farms. I also love how the restaurant supports local farmers and artists. For more reasons on why I love Town, please see my list of the best restaurants in Kaimuki: best5everything.com/best…

    (5)

  • Ash R.

    PROS: The food is here is indeed tasty, especially the desserts. CONS: 1.Slow service, couldn't even find one waiter/watiress throughout our experience here. 2. Portions are teeny tiny! They are 'french size' meaning you need at least 3 courses to be satisfied and 5 courses to really be full. 3. Overly expensive. This isn't LA, esp. considering the majority of foods are grown and purchased in Hawaii. 4. Seriously slow service. EX: after finishiing our mini-salad we waited about 30 minutes for more water and about 45 for the bill.

    (2)

  • Giovanni H.

    I have mixed feelings about Town, and waited several days to write this review so I could be as helpful to another person reserving a table as possible. Town is located on a corner and parking is not easily visible when you arrive, so prepare by locating street parking if you are running late. Upon entering the restaurant you will be greeted by a hostess wearing cut off shorts and a T-Shirt so do not be alarmed. Service is a bit slow and not very personalized (waitresses failed to ask the name of any member of my party, and only introduced herself after I asked "What's your name"). After the lack luster food and poor customer service I found it hard to pay $100 for a meal. I would not recommend this restaurant to my friends or family.

    (2)

  • Tammy T.

    3.5 stars...we actually went for breakfast which slowly rolled into lunch. Would have given it higher if it wasn't for the service. The service wasn't pleasant. The girl who ran the order area (behind the counter) was just not having a good day or something, ever time any one of us interacted with her, it just seem like we were bothering her. She gave us one word answers. Very standoffish. It came to the point we were bothering another lady, just because we didn't want to deal with her. Other then that the food was good. The atmosphere was nice. Portions are decent and not crazy insane large. 20 bucks can get you anything on the breakfast menu plus a coffee, and most of the lunch menu. We got: Breakfast Burrito 9.00 = A bit dry Biscuit & Gravy = My friend said was delicious. Some sort of Polenta thing = She enjoyed hers Gelato (lunch) = Her only complaint was that it said "vanilla bean, espresso, chocolate" the gelato came with 2 scoops, a brown and a white. Where is the 3rd one? Was the 3rd thing the cookie? Pasta thing (lunch) = Which she enjoyed

    (3)

  • T Y.

    This place has more problems than meets the eye.... From the seating to the food.... And my drink Who ever is the manager of the front of the house needs either train their staff or get shot in the face But let's talk about the food It took 1hr and 15min since we got seated to get our main dishes We only ordered 1 app , so from the time the app was finished to get our entree took about 45 minutes. When we ordered the restaurant was about 30% full.... So I have no idea why our food took so long. Now usually when the food takes long.. I'm okay with it IF the food is worth waiting for But in this particular scenario... The food was not. We had 2 entrees and ordered a gnocchi to share, this was the worst gnocchi I ever had. I even bought packaged gnocchi from Safeway and those were ALOT better. These from town tasted like eating some kind of starchy dry glop and as much as unappealing it tasted it also looked terrible, I understand the gnocchi is probably home made but that just looked like it was made in a 7th grade home economics class from a barely passing student. My entree was pretty much unmemorable except for the fact that the ahi was dry and bland... They offered us a free dessert on the house but we were already too disgusted from the length of time x taste of the food = we just wanted to gtfo Atleast I know I will never be back and will never want too

    (1)

  • A G.

    One of the best burgers I ever had is here. Juicy local beef burger with half fries and Nalo greens. Delicious. The dinner menu is also fabulous.

    (5)

  • Alethea P.

    Town is one of those restaurants that make you feel like you've been sucked through a rabbit hole. What? Okay let me explain. 1. The atmosphere is trendy, modern and rustic all at the same time, without really trying to be cool. It's super cool. 2. The menu is updated daily and printed onto like old grocery bags or something. It's totally awesome and great that the menu is always changing, because it keeps you from getting bored. 3. Town is eco-conscious. They recycle and have a composting area that creates new soil. They mostly use organic or local produce and use free-range chicken, etc. 4. The food is fantastico! I ordered a chicken dish that consisted of Baked chicken, which by the way, was the most juicy, tender chicken I've ever tasted! It also had large crunchy croutons, grapes, greens and a balsamic vinegar sauce..it was the strangest thing ever, but each ingredient complimented the other perfectly! The sourness of the sauce went great with the juicy chicken and sweet grapes and greens and the crunchy crouton. It was perfect! 5. The food is not super expensive but it's not cheap either. You get what you pay for, and mainly what you are paying for at Town is an experience! You are trying items you would not usually try, in an atmosphere that is not at all typical in Hawaii, and are supporting an environmentally conscious establishment. I am just waiting for the opportunity to go back to Town again! Love that place!

    (4)

  • Topher B.

    We went to Town one afternoon for lunch absolutely famished. I say that, because we really wanted something good to eat, and we wanted it relatively quickly. Town has a lot of things going for it: great menu, free WiFi, good location, but there were a few things that took away from the experience for us. Getting seated didn't take too long, but seeing our server did. I didn't catch his name, but he did not seem like he wanted to be working there that day, and did not pay us much attention. Visits, including ordering and getting our drinks, and ordering our food, took a very long time. The menu format also needs some work. I think it's really neat that they use recycled paper for their menus, but the way they type things out is difficult to read, and we were left guessing if a menu item was one item, or if it was separate items. The food was well prepared and relatively delicious. The only bad part was the portion. We both got the steak, hoping for a large portion to satisfy our voracious appetites, but when a tiny little medallion came out [tiny, even by fillet standards], we were both displeased. Perhaps an ounce indicator on the menu would have been helpful [although maybe not since it was difficult to read anyways]. However, I have had much better steak at better prices, and much more of it. We'll give Town another chance, and we'll definitely be ordering something else. Hopefully next time we'll get our money's worth. Perhaps it was just an off day when we went.

    (2)

  • William C.

    Great fish dishes with good wine and the service was attentive. Very nice for your typical Hawaii fine resteraunt. Crowded tables and the place could be cleaner but food is good.

    (3)

  • Yummy P.

    A friend of mine took me here after hearing his co-workers rave about it. It's been a while since my last visit - but after reading everyone's reviews on Town, I have to agree... The service was bad, parking is limited and the food over priced. I love the tapa style, organic and constant change of menu, but my experience there changed everything. We were one of two couples there, I had to ask for water and refills and it was about an hour wait for our food. I ordered the Ahi Tartare and Risotto Cake. It was alright. The Ahi wasn't as fresh and the Risotto Cake was a little dry. My friend had the Braised Cheeks which had a little too much sauce in my opinion. The Braised Cheeks are paired with greens and mashed potatoes which were swimming in the cheek sauce. Tasting it, not impressed. We planned on ordering more but after waiting an hour for the food, bad service and mediocre food, we left hungry. I wouldn't recommend it here just because of the service. I would give the food another shot but not until the service improves.

    (2)

  • Caroline F.

    I have been wanting to eat at Town for a while now, and finally decided to give it a try! Me and a friend went on a Tuesday night.. we had reservations for 730, but got there around 7... There were plenty of empty tables, but the hostess made it seem like it was an inconvenience that we were early. but we were seated immediately after the hostess made sure we knew how early we were.. Thanks.. We get it! (Parking here is Non-existent.. We had to park kinda far away..) It took a while for our server to greet us, and take or drink orders. I really think he was on drugs or something. Because he seemed REALLY spaced out, and forgetful. When we finally got a chance to order, I wasnt sure what to get, so I asked our server what his favorite thing on the menu was...( I usually do this when I go out to eat, because Im horrible at making decisions, and the servers usually always know best, and suggest the dishes THEY would want to eat.) Server: Everything is my favorite Me:Okay, well if you HAD to just pick one dish Server: I couldn't just pick one. They are all good. Me: Well.. which one would you consider to be the Best? Sever: Its an all around tie. They are all the best! Me: well since YOU love all of them, which one is the most popular? Server: Well all of our dishes are really popular. OH MY GOSH!! haha Obviously I wasn't getting anywhere with this guy! I don't care if they are ALL your favorite.. just name ONE! you don't even have to like it.. you can say ANY DISH!!.. As you can see our waiter was NOT helpful at all when it came to recommending a dish! The restaurants decor was really neat, and it was a nice ambiance. but it was SOO LOUD I felt like I had to scream at my friend for her to hear me! The food was just OKAY..I was expecting it to be AMAZING after reading some of the reviews, but I was disappointed.. very small portions, and rather pricey.. I was still hungry afterward Im glad I tried Town, but I dont think I will be back

    (2)

  • Sandy N.

    I understand the concept they are trying to attain but I think they're missing it. They have menus printed out daily so the food is prepared based on ingredients on hand. But the flavors were lacking the wow factor. We ordered the gnocchi with lamb sausage (too minty) and the white fish with fava beans. We were not too crazy about both meals and there was nothing special to them. The fish was fresh and moist, but too salty and the sauce was nothing but olive oil. The dandelion leaves were sooo bitter, ick. The bread was freshly baked and was pretty good. I wouldn't come here again.

    (2)

  • Kimi N.

    Loved Town! Went for dinner this past Saturday. I called ahead to ask what was on the menu, and the only time available for a party of two was 8:30pm, so I grabbed that slot. We got there at 8pm and wereseated immediately. Ambiance is super nice inside the restaurant with the dim lighting and clever lanterns. Also loved how they recycled old menus into coasters for drinks. Everything was super fresh tasting. We got the ahi tartare to start. I'm not a fan of raw fish but this was really tasty. The risottos cake the ahi rested on was very crispy. For entrees we got the handmade gnochi and the opah. The gnochi was flavorful and very rich ($17). The opah was grilled in olive oil on a bed of greens with ulu and peppers all thrown in. It was so moist and tasty! ($22) I think for locally grown food Town is reasonably priced. I also thought the portions for the entrees was very generous although the ahi tartar was kind of expensive for only 3 pieces ($11) but it was clear a lot of work was put into it. One thing that's pretty hilarious is that the bathroom is outside and through a hallway and it reminds me a lot of bathrooms at Chinese restaurants. While the interior of Town is very chic, bathroom definitely isn't. But meh, I'm not picky about that.

    (5)

  • Micah S.

    I went to Town's wine down Wednesday wine tasting. It was a very nice attmosphere and the food was delicious. The tables were outside and we were accompanied by a wine rep that walked us through our wine tasting. The food was great and the wine was good but the service of the server that came and served us after the tasting was the best part. He was attentive and very knowligable. This server made us feel apart of the culture at this restaurant and that is really the key to getting consistent business in my opinoin. So to sum it up good value I will definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Shawn C.

    This was my first visit to TOWN, but I was very pleased. Everything we ordered was good. Their basic philosophy is to use locally produced ingredients and organic produce whenever possible. The menu is very creative, with a variety of dishes to please vegetarians and omnivores alike. The service was very friendly, and the wait staff were enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the menu. The atmosphere is informal but has a rustic charm about it. It is a good place to bring a date. The outside seating fronts a busy intersection in Kaimuki, so it can be a bit noisy at times. Parking is free in the lot behind the restaurant.

    (4)

  • George B.

    If you want huge portions for little money, try Buca di Beppo. If you want delicious food, an excellent wine list, and don't mind spending a little money, then Town is an excellent choice. Our food was excellent and the service was very good as well.The lights went out across the island the night we ate there, so they brought around candles which made for a very romantic setting.

    (4)

  • Jerry W.

    Wonderful fresh food, thoughtfully prepared.

    (5)

  • John R.

    I really enjoyed dinner at Town. Their main emphasis is on local ingredients including steaks from the Big Island. The menu was the right size and had plenty of dishes to choose from. Small, but perfect wine list. Great little place just out of Waikiki. Worth the drive!! (or take a cab if you are visiting)

    (4)

  • Paul W.

    Scrumptious fusion menu and super friendly staff. The effort put into unique dishes with local ingredients and the casual atmosphere reminds me of Delfina in San Francisco. Our party shared some of the best pasta I've ever had, including giant, marshmallow-sized gnocchi that were perfectly firm on the outside and creamy-soft on the inside. Also had slightly tart and spicy braised oxtail with two-inch-wide noodles cut from homemade pasta sheets (sort of like giant pappardelle). They also have scrumptious sauteed items-- we ordered a total of three of the toasted-crispy local cauliflower, which had the size, color, and texture of mini broccoli crowns. Dense, icy locally-made gelato to finish. Plenty of street parking nearby. Lovely warped-wood light fixtures and a series of jeweled, ceramic elephants decorate the dining room. Very humble place with excellent food, by far my favorite dinner during our stay at Waikiki. Though we had to wait about 15 minutes once we got there since we were a relatively large part (5 adults), we soon forgot as we split three bottles of Amarone (and made the kids drive back to the hotel).

    (5)

  • Robert M.

    I eat at Town frequently as my son lives nearby,and recently have been disappointed by both the food and service. Their meat options are very limited and the service is often slow, especially when sitting at an outside table where if you can't be seen, you are easily forgotten.

    (3)

  • wineporn S.

    I want to move to an apartment on Kapahulu and Waialae so that I'll be walking distance from both Town and Side Street Inn and spend the rest of my life dining at these two restaurants. I grew up on O'ahu but live on the mainland now. When I come home, I go to the restaurants of my childhood. But on this trip I branched out and found a wonderful surprise in Town. I love the focus on American classics using local, organic ingredients with a touch of Hawaiian flare. We started with the Ahi Tartare. People rave about this and I thought it was good, but honestly, I'd rather have a bowl of good poke from the poke bar at Foodland. Then we had the Opah. OPAH! Hands down, the best piece of cooked fish I've had in the last 5 years, and possibly in my life. It was moist, tender, flavorful. It was perfectly fresh and reminiscent of the sea. The crust was perfectly done. We paired this with gnocci that somehow dissolves on the tongue. SO MUCH BETTER THAN TRADER JOES! exclaimed my boyfriend. The gnocci was served with pesto - so fresh and flavorful - made with arugula from Ma'o farms. I love Ma'o. No panic - go organic! Excellent cocktails. Reasonable prices. Lots of heaven.

    (5)

  • Jennifer D.

    I'm highly supportive of their "locally grown food" menu. However, we were underwhelmed with each entrée. At least we gained some amusement from our accident-prone waiter.

    (3)

  • Tina Y.

    My only complaint is that the burger costs more than the hand cut pasta! It was quite a small, ordinary burger and not worth the $15.50 at lunchtime. Wish they had more lunch type dishes at lunch and not so many heavy dinner type dishes.

    (3)

  • Koyu W.

    Great food, awesome staff, wonderful atmosphere! Asking the waitress for recommendations is the way to go! If the risotto is on the menu, a definite recommendation! I also had the pan roasted chicken and it was to die for! Going home full and happy!! :)

    (5)

  • Nicole L.

    The service was great atmosphere was nice. The appetizers were good & unusual, we had the pig heart pa'i'ai on a bed of greens...I would never have thought I would like pig heart but my rule is to try everything twice, and I would definitely try that again. The mozzarella ap was also very good, both were inventive and seasoned very well. How ever the rest of the was dinner was lacking depth. I had the pasta with razor clams, it was very lemony and that's it, just sour, no other flavors came through, I was very disappointed. What my Husband had was good, the Italian sausage, but again lacking depth, it was served with extremely salty lentil's and mushy kale. Would I eat there again? Maybe for appetizers.

    (2)

  • Kim Y.

    My boyfriend chose Town to celebrate our 4month dinner date. We arrived on a Monday night, and the place was packed. I was excited to dine at a place that specialized in local organic food. Our server was very informative and attentive when he first came to the table, but it took quite a bit for our drinks to arrive. My boyfriend tried the dark and story (his first ever), and a 2003 bottle of red. The server explained the delay by saying that the "governor" had arrived, and that he couldn't find the bottle of wine. We ordered salads, the tasty fries for an appetizer, and entrees. The beef strip loin was cooked perfectly medium rare and the blue cheese butter added a nice bite, it was also a good cut size. The tuna was served a bit over cooked, and the portion size was small. Believe it or not the bread and olives didn't arrive till after our entrees. I must say the pretzel crusted chocolate tart with lavender salt was A-1. The pretzel crust was perfectly crisp and the chocolate was so smooth. The pineapple sorbet was good, but not the best ever. We will still go back, because the hostess was so nice, and shared her experience about her vibram five fingers shoes. The food is yumbos, but the service is so slow.

    (3)

  • Kristen K.

    The food was exceptional. We really enjoyed the creative dishes and simple ingredients.

    (5)

  • Shannon R.

    We called around 7:45 PM on a weeknight and was told they could fit us in (party of 2) at 8:15 PM. Perfect! The place was almost full, and a little loud, but otherwise the ambiance was fine, and there was some nice ocean-related art on the walls. Our server was very knowledgeable about the menu, and service was prompt. The cocktails here were outstanding (interesting combinations, and very strong!), as was all of the food. We ordered an appetizer, salad, entrees, and dessert. They were all interesting combinations of ingredients that you don't necessarily see at other restaurants. Most of the dishes also contained fresh produce and local meat or fish (all of Town's dishes are from locally-sourced ingredients). The homemade bread and olives, which they serve to every table, were phenomenal. I'd highly recommend the pretzel chocolate tart for dessert, and though we had the house-made pasta and roasted chicken (which were excellent), I'd bet any dish off the menu would be just as great! The bill for 2 of us wasn't that bad (I can't remember exactly what, somewhere around 80 to 100) especially considering all that we ordered.

    (5)

  • Nancy W.

    I was so relieved to find out there was a high-caliber restaurant in this area. I am so done with the places to eat in the Waikiki area--nothing super special. This restaurant is special--amazing dishes, drinks and desserts. I had the gnocchi, and it was to die for--a garlicky olive oil base with an indescribable flavor. The salad was also very creative and wonderful. The only real thing that needs improvement is the service--we were one of the first to be seated, and it took over 30 minutes after our salads were served to get our meal. The staff was good, but seemed rather indifferent and slightly unfriendly. Overall, however, a fantastic spot for a different, higher-end, dining experience.

    (4)

  • Lea K.

    Hand cut pasta with squash...Ah-mazing!

    (4)

  • Jirarat S.

    Once every few months my dad comes to visit and I get to escape my Waikiki bubble, if only for one meal, to eat at a resaturant otherwise deemed inaccessible. I live with my sister and we both don't drive so to have someone provide transportation and pay for our meal is just wonderful,,,and that's what parents are for, right? So we went to Town on a Tuesday night, around 6:30. It was pretty empty and we were seated right away. We were underwhelmed by the menu choices, There were a handful of appetizers, a few salads, and 7-8 entrees (including 3 pastas). I said I wasn't really interested in any particular dish and my dad asked us if we wanted to go somewhere else. I kind of wanted to get up and leave but that's always an awkward moment. We stayed and decided to order family-style. My sister was interested in how big the portions were and when she asked the waitress, she pretty much avoided saying flat out that the portions were on the smaller side. She said, "They're not overwhelming." You're damn right they're not overwhelming. She explained to us what some of the dishes were and my sister felt that it was in a snooty way. I didn't notice so much since I let dad and sis do the ordering. The 3 dishes we shared were the gnocchi with snap peas, mushroom risotto, and ono on a bed of veggies. The gnocchi was tasty but I didn't think the snap peas went well with it. The risotto wasn't bad, but not anything special either. The ono was fine, but I wished it had come with a starch also. Everything tatsed fresh since they try to use fresh, local, and organic ingredients. We realized towards the end of the meal that the menu was small probably because it changed a little everyday. It wasn't absurdly expensive but I would have felt better about eating there if I had walked out full. It was an okay experience but I probably would not come here again, even if someone pays for me.

    (3)

  • Chloe T.

    One of my favorite breakfast spots! They serve great Illy coffee and the ambiance is lovely. Their breakfasts are reasonably priced and great quality. Dinner is pretty spendy... the quality is great. You're definitely paying for a good product, but the portion sizes are a little small.

    (4)

  • Leah Y.

    My boyfriend and I came here for their Restaurant Week 2010 special: 3 courses for $20.10. SUCH a good deal and a great way to sample the fresh, local ingredients that Town advertises. We had a reservation and arrived early but got seated right away anyway--score! The hostess was so nice and explained what items we could choose from for the restaurant week special. Our waitress was also super friendly and took our orders promptly, mentioning that if we ordered all 3 courses at the get go, we'd have less of a wait between courses. I've read that service here can be slow so we of course opted for a shorter wait and ordered all 3 courses at once. For our first course, soup or salad, we both ordered salad. I got a roasted beet and arugula salad with ricotta salata and my bf got a Ma'o farms greens salad with manchego cheese and pancetta. For our entrees we ordered gnocchi with kabocha in a sage brown butter sauce and linguini with black mussels, fennel and tomato. Dessert picks were the "milk and honey" panna cotta and grilled banana bread with peanut brittle and creme fraiche. The salads were both good and refreshing and got us ready for our entrees. I especially liked the orange supremes and ricotta in my salad. Both entrees arrived a short while after we'd finished our salads, nice and hot, so we immediately dug in. My bf's gnocchi with kabocha was very rich with it's silky potato pillows and buttery pumpkin bites. Surprisingly, I could still taste a hint of the sage emerging from the decadent butter sauce, so that was definitely a plus. My linguini dish was good, but not my fave. The highlights of my dish were the mussels, which were cooked to tender mussel-y perfection and the pasta, which was nice and al dente. Dessert time--the buttermilk panna cotta had a silky smooth, melt in your mouth texture and tart yogurt like finish, which my bf and I both loved. It was rightfully garnished with some honey and papaya, both of which played well with the buttermilk tang, and made me wish I could have this dessert every morning for breakfast :) The grilled banana bread dessert was also good, especially after being grilled in butter on the flat top and garnished with some peanut brittle and bright creme fraiche. To wrap things up, my bf and I enjoyed our visit to Town--friendly service and tasty local ingredient centered dishes. We're always happy to support restaurants that recognize the significance of cooking with local ingredients, as we ourselves love using locally grown ingredients in our own kitchen. If you can get in on the restaurant week deal before it ends, I'd highly recommend it :)

    (3)

  • Aline T.

    Came back with my little sister. We came around 6:15pm and half the place was empty but we were told we'd have to sit outside because it was all reserved. If you don't make reservations, bring a warm jacket. It gets chilly outside. Ahi tartar was yummy. My sister got a house cured ham with polenta, greens and gravy. I thought the ham would have more flavor since it was cured but it was bland. My sister liked the pine nuts in the salad more than anything on the plate. I got the chicken. They can cook chicken very well. Since there weren't that many people, I got my chicken right after it was cooked, still hot! The skin was nicely crisped and the chicken wasn't overcooked. Town doesn't seem to like to flavor enhance their food. I know I say it's bland because I prefer some sort of flavor or seasoning but other people may like it. So, the chicken was cooked excellently, but I would have liked it more if it didn't taste only like chicken. Town is infamous for making you wait forever but the help wasn't so bad. Not the best, but not bad enough to make me angry. Bad enough to make me give 12% tip instead of 15%.

    (3)

  • Henry L.

    I only had breakfast but it was DISAPPOINTING. Coffee was serve yourself out of a thermos, and bland and weak. Not good for someone with a hangover wanting a really hard cup of joe. Bacon was nice texture, but everything else was really mediocre. Pancakes were just okay, fried rice with egg was too greasy, and bland. I had eggs and fish, the tuna was overcooked and dry. Maybe lunch and dinner are better, but breakfast was really weak, not on my list for another breakfast run.

    (2)

  • Steven E.

    We always enjoy dinner at Town. The menu is always changing and we like the creativity and local fresh ingredients. But we had some major issues this time. Our reservation was for 7:00 and we were seated right away and we sat. The service was poor and that is being generous. We had to ask for the bread, olive and butter after we didn't receive any by the time our appetizers were served. They brought our bowl of usually delicious fries and they were cold! We had to send them back to get a properly prepared order. The entrees were excellent so we thought we would order an after dinner drink and dessert. The grappa came right away but after 25 minutes we decided to cancel the dessert and call it a night. It must have been an off night at the Town.

    (2)

  • Cathy S.

    Good reviews is what brought me to Town Kaimuki on my visit to Honolulu. First, it's off the beaten path so unless you have a car, it's kind of hard to get to. Second, it's not all that. Breakfast is my favorite meal and I found the food and service to be lackluster. It's very self-service - you have to line up and order your food, get your own coffee, etc. That wasn't really the issue but the food wasn't all that great. Won't be coming back.

    (2)

  • Aubrey A.

    I had breakfast here yesterday and it was delicious! I got the breakfast burrito, pretty decent price and great portion size. I ate it all! Can't really comment on the service - we'd ordered and paid from inside and just had a short wait for the food to come out.

    (4)

  • Jenn H.

    This place is to die for. Soo many delicious yummy items to try. You kind of can't go wrong with anything you order. Everything is quite literally farm fresh, from LOCAL farms on Island. And the owners are respectable, very sweet and uber friendly. A little pricey, but you have to expect that when you are receiving top quality grass fed non-hormone raised meats, organic veggies and fruits and top quality service. I absolutely love this place. It's awesome. The menu can be a tad daunting for the uninitiated, but once you got it, you're good to go. And if you're ever at the Hawaii State Art Museum at 250 South Hotel, the cafe is like a mini Town, owned by the same people located on the first floor. Also, to die for!

    (5)

  • Sage S.

    Been there about a year ago, and went again last night with my gf, sister and her boyfriend. Bad service, really good food. It probably took about 20 minutes, likely more, to order our food. Waitress came with my beer first, and poured me a big cup of foam. So heres a tip if you eat here - POUR YOUR OWN BEER. At least that way if you pour it bad its your own fault. The beer had a little to do with it as mine was a microbrewed pale ale, and she poured the other lighter lager well...but still. No apology offered, she was probably ignorant that she even poured it crappy. BOO! She was nice and friendly tho. Just really slow on the service and a ruiner of beers. On to the food. So we got an order of fries which were yummy. A bit soggy and greasy, but nice herbs fried up in there made it nice. They couldve made it crispier and less oily tho. I had the handcut pasta - really good. Not sure about the green beans in there, but i guess some people like it. Noodles were excellent - it is handcut, sauce was good. My girlfriend got the risotto - excellent! Pancetta breadcrumbs and grilled green onion gave it amazing flavor. Really really good. I think its one of those riskier dishes to order tho, as the cooking consistency can change. This one was absolutely cooked to perfection! My sister got one of the fish entrees - eh, ah, um, it was fresh, cooked ok, not a lot of flavor im guessing so you can taste the fish. It was good, not great, the side veggies were crappy...our concensus least favorite dish of the night...i wouldnt waste my time ordering it because.... You have the opportunity to order the roasted chicken. My fatal flaw was not ordering the pan roasted chicken. It is good. No, it is GREAT! La-la-la-la! Juicy, tender, flavorful, excellent! The skin is crispy and tasty like it should be. I swear on my dead grandma it is the only thing i will ever order when i go there from now on. Love you grandma! I tend to disagree with some of the other reviews that say the portions arent big enough - they were not huge, but not tiny like 12th ave grill. I thought they were enough and i was really full after. I do agree that it is a little overpriced. Roast chicken was around $24 I think. Pasta was around $18. So definitely not cheap. Would i come back? Sure! maybe just once a year because of the price tho - i aint ballin yet playa!

    (4)

  • Domenica S.

    I went for lunch with my two fiend for lunch. The waitress told us to let the waiter know that we celebrate one of our friends birthday. We had a yummy salad with fresh herbs and fish. My friend eat a healthy burger which was good too. I am on a gluten free diet and it was a little hard to find something with no gluten, other then salad. I was asked if they have rice to substitute the pasta. It was not possible, so I had a salad. At the end we asked for little "something" to celebrate my friends birthday. So they came with a scoop of ice creme and a candle on it. Which was very lovely. But they came also with a bill of $ 2.06 for that. This was the first time in my life ever that I had to pay for something which is complementary in most of the restaurants. I think the food was fresh and good. I was only wondering if somebody who is very hungry has enough and yes I think the owner should be a bid more generous. Even tough the lunch was delicious, I left the restaurant with a bitter taste, so did my two friends.

    (3)

  • Yon S.

    Generally, girls like this place, guys don't. I was not impressed. The don't have things on the menu, and they are slow in service. Pricey for what it is and the quantity of food. Taste is not that unique either. But the owner is very sensitive about comments regarding value and price, it seems.

    (2)

  • Phillip C.

    Dined at Town 2 nights ago with my wife after reading reviews that were all over the place. The fresh local sourcing and food prep that we had read about enticed us to try the restaurant. It was fabulous. Service was prompt, friendly and professional....something we had read negative reviews of. We ordered pasta and a bevy of sides so we could try lots of things. I had read about the pasta, made fresh and with an incredibly flavorful sause, pancetta, and butternut squash. Truly excellent. The soup my wife ordered was leek soup...very flavorful; she had polenta, okra...unique treatment, like okra poppers with out the cheese, if that makes any sense, and bitter greens (bitter in the good sense). Why 4 stars and not 5? How about 4 1/2 stars. We may not have been transported to Nirvana, but we had a great dining experience and will return to try more of these fabulous dishes.

    (4)

  • Jennifer H.

    One of the most consistent lunch places around the island. Still, the pace of the service still not quite right. Feels a bit pricey for lunch too. Did like it better, but two pitches later, still throwing too much on the outside...

    (4)

  • Laurens L.

    Ed Kenney u have done it! Town is hands down the best and coolest coffee/breakfast/lunch/dinner place in Kaimuki if not all of Honolulu...good job man.

    (5)

  • Austen I.

    Chad Y.'s description of town says it all. Town is a shiek restaurant with great service in a casual atmosphere. I re-visted town during Restaurant Week and got the salad, pasta, dessert combo for $20.10. Like the web site menu said, it was the "Best deal in Town!" Everything tasted fine and the our server was excellent. She helped us make our wine selections and answer all of our questions about the menu. Making reservations is so simple with OpenTable. I love the fact that Town strives to use locally grown products. I'm giving Town three stars because I'm not sure if i would pay regular price. It sounds harsh, but I think this place is forgettable. When I think about it, I've been to Town three times and nothing about my menu selections has never stuck in my brain. The food is definitely not bad, but it's not something I'll ever crave. Dinner party at town? I'm not complaining. Ask me where to go for dinner and I'll probably never suggest Town. A friend recommended breakfast at Town. I will need to confirm/deny it's greatness.

    (3)

  • christopher c.

    Went back recently just for cocktails at the bar. Only maybe 7 seats, so it can get a bit crowded as the night wears on (after 8 PM? even on a weeknight!) I had a dark and stormy, amazingly great martini (which, historically, is a GIN cocktail, not vodka), and a floral Aviation. Very few bartenders in Hawaii even know of these old school cocktails let alone make them PERFECTLY. The goatee'd bartender (David?) is a master of his craft not only mixing great drinks, but great conversation (like a true old school bar man) and even knows the history behind his cocktails and the origins of his ingredients. Locally grown organic pomegranate, Maui rums, Kentucky bourbons, Oaxacan mezcals, weird European bitters and digestifs. Town might be known for its food, but I'll go back just for its cocktails (and maybe a small snack with my liquid dinner)!

    (5)

  • Cecily K.

    Good food but slightly overpriced. The parking is difficult, so figure out street parking or get there early enough to navigate the small lot behind it. Service was decent, nothing spectacular, but our waiter was polite and attentive, if not totally thrilled with his job. I ordered the chicken with pancetta--highly hiiiiiighly recommended! The best part of the dish was the bread: torn of chunks sauteed in the same pan juices as the bird with grapes, wilted greens and some ridiculous jus. My friend ordered the opah with lemon caper berries...the combo of roasted tomatoes with fish was excellent, but unfortunately, he was unaware of what a caper berry was until he bit into one and freaked out at the texture and flavor. Poor kid. He was all kinds of habuts after trying a piece of my dish. We also split the mussels as an appetizer and the broth was lightly flavored, not too heavy or too full of butter. Overall great food, satisfying and helpful service, but I'd rather reserve the four or five star rating for a place with better atmosphere. It was difficult to hear my friend talk and he was two feet away from me. Come here with a party if you don't care to hear what story so and so is repeating for the millionth time, but a first date might be a little awkward if you're trying to shout above the din all the time.

    (3)

  • Linda C.

    Town is a cute little place that is in the middle of a residential looking 'hood. Friendly service, nice atmosphere. We ordered multiple things off the menu (fish, chicken, pasta, gnocchi) - everything was tasty! Tips: 1) Get the pannacotta. Great flavor mix and texture! 2) There's actually a parking lot for the place, but it's hidden behind the restaurant so look for it. Street parking can be a bit tight otherwise.

    (4)

  • Nicole M.

    I love Town, especially any of the pasta dishes, salads, and fresh fish items. I find the food comforting and love the Milk and Honey panna cotta (but I just love panna cotta so color me completely biased). Plus, I enjoy the atmosphere - especially nice for some time with a friend or significant other. I don't find it terribly expensive except maybe for the drinks. And Yes, the parking is difficult. OH - and I like that the servers are always helpful with recommendations!! I love a good recommendation.

    (4)

  • Tupu S.

    I agree with a few of my fellow yelp friends when they say Town is overrated. I came here for dinner with a few friends a couple weeks ago and although the food and service wasn't bad, it wasn't the greatest either. In short, it wasn't memorable. Now I'm not sure if not being "memorable" is bad thing but the fact that my fingers aren't typing my usual witty one-liners, made-up words and basic creative thoughts boggles me.. But I guess, less "IS" more when something isn't very memorable? I'm sure I'll come back again when I'm in the Kaimuki area visiting friends and meeting with colleagues.

    (3)

  • R N.

    We had a great early dinner there. Enjoyed an Arugula Salad split, Pork Belly and Swordfish entree with a bottle of very good French Chardonnay! Chocolate Tart was good as well.

    (4)

  • La E.

    loved the flatbread. pasta was very salty to my taste. service was sub-par, dont have Kate as your server. maybe it was cuz we are a young local couple, but she was pretty inattentive particularly to our table; only filled our empty waters after our table was cleared and when she presented the check. I appreciate the use of local ingredients.

    (3)

  • Stefanie M.

    It was my first time dining at the Town and I had an amazing experience. I didn't know what to expect as I heard very different opinions about this place. Thankfully, I was thoroughly pleased as their food and service was excellent! The Town is as close as we can get in Hawaii for a farm to table restaurant. I definitely admire any restaurant for using as much locally grown ingredients as possible. This is no easy feat for any restaurant as they need to create a new menu on a daily basis using the ingredients on hand. A lot of the negatives things I read prior were about consistency which I totally understand, but that comes with the territory for any restaurants that whips up a new menu on a daily basis. Fortunately for our party we must have gone on a good night as the food and service was spot on! The menu at first can be a little confusing. To be honest, at first it looked as if I was reading a recipe card as the menu didn't have any headers and just listed the ingredients for each dish. Our server immediately noticed that we were newbies to the Town and came to rescue! He explained how the menu was laid out and recommended some popular dishes. Since it was all of our first times there we settled on a few small plates, pastas, and entrees to share. Our first dish that came out was the French fries. These are phenomenal as they are obviously cut fresh and are deep fried to perfection. Other dishes we sampled were the ahi tartare, ulu Pa'i'ai and tenderloin, black mussels, and the salami platter. All of the appetizers were very tasty and I would have recommended all of them. The pastas we had were the pork gnocchi and the kabocha risotto. The gnocchi had the perfect texture was smothered in a tasty pork topping. As for entrees we ordered the roasted chicken which was very moist and a steak that was cooked a perfect medium rare. Our server also informed us that they also offer a four course wine tasting every Wednesday night at 6:30 for $25PP. Our server said that reservations are necessary and it is limited to 20 people a week. Service that night was also excellent! Our server Antone was very personable and helpful. He made us feel at home by explaining the menu, recommended dishes and bottles of wine, and constantly checked up on us. The hostess was also very accommodating too. Since we came with a party of six during peak dinner hours without a reservation we were very lucky to be seated instantly. Overall, I really enjoyed the food that night and would definitely go back for more unique and fresh eats.

    (4)

  • Pila S.

    Be careful how you use the word expensive. Expensive has the connotation of a lack in value. A Pontiac is more 'expensive' than a BMW even though it is costs less. Labor is expensive, and making things from scratch costs money. If you want to eat low-cost sysco slop out of a bucket, this is not the place for you. If I paid myself minimum wage, it would take me all day and a lot of expensive ingredients to make something even approaching the tastiness of town.

    (5)

  • Janette F.

    I not a big fan of this place because of the parking, the concrete floors which make the place so loud with bouncing noise, and the lack of choices for a non-seaftood eater. The three times I have been there, I have been disappointed. I cannot understand why people rave about the place but i think if you are a decent chef at home, you can appreciate what goes into the meal.As I don't cook, I expect to be served what I want the way I want it and Town doesn't do a good job on either. The presentation is good, I have to give them that. Parking absolutely sucks and they should start a valet service or something because it is a nightmare on busy days because their little lot fills up in no time. And, I won't hike a mile to eat dinner just like I won't wait in line to get seated. Try it, you may like it but be ready to look for parking and tolerate the noise.

    (2)

  • Maxine M.

    This is a nice place to go as your regular spot or on a date... The food can be pricey, but it's a good trade off for the fact that the ingredients are fresh, local and menu constantly updated. The wine list is extensive with an array of options to choose from. I usually sit outside and it's never been an issue concerning service. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Semi - cons: Parking - there is supposedly a lot with 30 or so spots, I must be missing something because I have never been able to find it. I assume it could be the one behind the restaurant but it usually has a sign up for tenants of the apartment bldg and mentions towing... I have been annoyed, driving around the block on more than one occasion and ended up lucky to find street parking on Waialae. The location of the restroom - I never like it when I have to leave the venue and go outside to find the restrooms. Reminds me of an out house over yonder somewhere, especially passing by the back of the kitchen.

    (4)

  • MIke S.

    I came here for lunch on my last day of a 2 week Hawaii trip before heading to HNL for my flight back to the mainland. I wish I had more time to enjoy my meal and try more dishes. I ordered the fried tilapia sandwich that came with a nice green salad and string fries. The sandwich was delicious. Our server was very pleasant and friendly but don't expect fast service here. They take their time but IMO it's worth it. I wish I could've tried the affogato or the chocolate salt tart, both of which sounded delicious at the time. Parking was a bit of a challenge and I ended up finding street metered parking. Also, it's a bit loud (which I'm ok with) and kid friendly (which I'm ok with). I left wishing we'd found this place sooner. They had some of the more enticing dishes that I've found in Hawaii.

    (5)

  • Jesse W.

    8/7/10: Dinner here with wife, baby and friend. First time for wife, but it was probably my third visit. Excellent service and food overall. Last minute changes on a Saturday night and mixup at another restaurant left us headed in this direction. Luckily there were tables still available outside (inside was all booked). I ordered their daily special soup, mushrooom, well made with what looked like enoki mushrooms - taste was fine but after a whole bowl, it became a bit too much. I had their Ma'o greens salad, great taste with the variety of veggies along with slivers of cheese atop. I ordered their hand cut pasta, excellent and very fresh, cooked to perfection. Wife ordered the gnocchi, also well made and tasted great. We tried all three desserts, all were well made and weren't too sweet. Only draw back sitting outside was that it gets a bit windy. Overall we loved it!

    (4)

  • Tram L.

    Hubby and I wanted to eat something different, off the beaten path. I'm a member of Slow Food International and learned a while back that this restaurant (located in Kaimuki, past Waikiki a little ways) supports local farmers and everything on its menu is grown on the islands. Way to satisfy the hippie in us! It's a cute restaurant, contemporary and fills up fast. We were lucky without a reservation because we got hungry after some Christmas shopping and got there right when it opened for dinner, 5:30pm. Kind of reminiscent of a small hip restaurant in NY or SF. We started off with some bread and olives (free), and shared a fantastic salad of ruby red caramelized beets, tangerines, fresh goat cheese made on island, cucumber, and nice sharp arugula. So light and yummy. Perfect portion and not one of those big humongous salads that overwhelm you. For our main meal, hubby got the slow-roasted pork shoulder stuffed with fennel, collard greens and kale, and a side of buttery, creamy polenta. He put his fork in the meat and it literally was so tender it fell apart without a knife! Goodness gracious, it was delish. I got the homemade, hand-cut pasta with fresh mussels, squid, shrimp, and tomatoes in saffron broth. Pasta was so light and tender - inspires me to make my own pasta now! For dessert, we decided to get the "miel and honey" pannacotta. Loved it, and the fact that it was topped with starfruit and honey from Waimanalo Farms nearby made it taste all the better! Service was wonderful, the staff was so nice in explaining where our food was grown and what fresh ingredients they'd use to prepare their food. Their menu changes daily according to what's available. The menu outside the restaurant was from the day before's so I asked about the bottarga. They even make their own bottarga! Too bad they didn't offer it today, I would've tried it. We've had a string of bad service lately from other restaurants, messing up orders or taking too long, etc, so this was a breath of fresh air. For a full review with pics, please visit my blog, nutritiontokitchen.com/2…

    (4)

  • Rudolf H.

    This is an okay place to take a date, but the food is not always consistent in quality. Still, I think that it's better than most and ill definitely go back from time to time. Just wish I could rate it higher.

    (3)

  • Susan B.

    I went here at the end of the vacation/wedding of a lifetime. It was the perfect place to spend the last night where everyone who was in town for my friend's wedding were still together. We ordered family-style and everything was amazing! Though, the pork cheeks were the best. I'm not normally a cheek-eater either. We were a big party and the service was super on-top of our drink orders and refills and didn't get annoyed by the many questions we had. I've been a server and big groups (esp. big out of town groups with drinkers and young people) are not the favorite of the most servers, but they handled us with grace and speed. I plan to go there again...the next time I'm in Hawaii!

    (5)

  • Chi-Hye M.

    I really really wanted to like this place....but i can't. The food was just Bleh -.-" I love the interior of the place and the service was great too...parking was hard to find. I guess the only good thing about this place was the french fries. I had the risotto and it left a bad taste in my mouth...i'm sorry to say this but it was so bad the taste reminded me a throw up. I'm going to try this place again...and i hope i get a better experience this time......i hope.

    (2)

  • Maisha K.

    First of all, this restaurant has some yummy food and good service. Dinner was well worth it and I can't wait to come back and try more of their menu. Service: I was a bit way to try Town after reading all the negative reviews about their service here on Yelp, but I found it completely the opposite. They were all very friendly and helpful in explaining what the items on the menu were. I wouldn't say service was fast, but it also wasn't slow. It did slow a little as more people started to arrive, but nothing major. Town definitely made up for any delays with their friendly staff and prompt water refills (I drink a lot of water and my glass was probably refilled about 2-3 times). Food: Food was good and I'd definitely come back to try other items on their menu that looked tasty. For an appetizer we had grilled, slightly crispy flat bread with tomatoes, in-house made mozzarella, and some greens. It was delicious! (Complimentary crusty bread, butter and olives are also given :]) Our entrees were gnocchi with mushrooms and seared rare tuna with sweet potato. My dish was the gnocchi and though a bit on the rich side, was still delicious and very flavorful. I thought they had a nice texture, too--nice and soft/slightly chewy and definitely seemed fresh. I had a taste of my mom's tuna and it was also very good. I liked the way it was cooked (seared and rare on the inside) and thought it paired well with the sweet potato it came with. The portions were also a good size, perhaps even large. My mom and I are both pretty light eaters, and thus had enough leftover to take home for another meal :] I'd say that if you're usually satisfied after eating at a restaurant, you'll be satisfied here. We saved room for dessert and got the chocolate tart with pretzel crust which turned out to be my favorite of the night. VERY tasty. The saltiness of the pretzel was definitely a good complement to the chocolate. I love dessert, what can I say ;) DELICIOUS

    (4)

  • Tara C.

    Do I dare tell anyone this? Here's my latest update on Town..which I have been to now about 5X in the last month..but DURING THE DAY. The morning hours at Town are absolutely wonderful. Its quiet, the staff isn't rushed, the coffee and breakfast are amazing..and they have wi-fi. I may just make it my new office. My favorite time there is about 7:30AM, the morning light is beautiful, its cool in the restaurant..and did I mention they have great coffee?! You can even get a real coffee mug, which I highly recommend if you aren't taking it to "go". If you are - no worries - its biocompostable. My other new favorite beverage here is their sparkling water served in reusable glass bottles. Smart. Environmentally sustainable (in keeping with their mission) and perfectly wonderful. Yep, its Town for breakfast +meeting+coffee for me. See you there.

    (4)

  • Kevin K.

    One year later. Back again. Twice. Food is still excellent. I prefer weeknights, as it's a little less crowded. Our favorite spot in Honolulu...

    (5)

  • Ava C.

    We came here for Mother's Day dinner on Saturday night and we were all very happy with our experience. The food was very good. I had the strip loin, which is grass-fed and organic which is always a plus in my book. The fries were addicting, but the quantity is a bit overwhelming. I'd suggest more greens and fewer fries but that's just me. My husband had one of the fish entrees, which was also very good. Mussels for appetizers -- one of the better ones I've had. Mussels were fresh and the sauce very tasty. Only downsides are that the restaurant is not very big and we were seated by the open door. It was uncharacteristically cooler that evening so we would have preferred to switch to a more enclosed table -- but the entire restaurant was booked. Regardless, would return.

    (4)

  • Laci T.

    One of town's underground hot spots is a petite restaurant in Kaimuki simply called Town. Located on Waialae Avenue, you miss it if you blink your eyes. I decided to do my first review on Town because I was in the mood for something a little different... quality food with a quirky twist. Town seemed like the perfect place. Parking is limited, but then again, so is the seating in the restaurant. You can usually find parking behind the restaurant (and it's free - a rarity anywhere in town these days!). Reservations are highly recommended and can be done so online. When we got to the restaurant a little before 7:00, it was already crowded and bustling with noise. Since we had reservations, we were seated immediately. Town is known for their earth-friendly menu... literally. Their menus are printed daily on recycled paper and attached to cardboard clipboards. Town's motto is, "Local first, organic whenever possible, with Aloha always". Their food is always fresh and the menu changes daily. The furniture consists of a lot of wood, and their walls showcase local art. Even their to-go boxes are recycled cardboard (no Styrofoam here!). The creative minds behind Town are Chef/Owner Ed Kenney and Chef de Cuisine Dave Caldrero. Town has many specialty drinks to choose from, but I decided to try their lemonade, which they are famous for. And I have to say, it was really delicious and had a unique taste. Yellowish-green in color, this is not your typical lemonade. The restaurant flavors the drink with mint and parsley juice. While we were there, we had to try an alcoholic drink so we decided to order the "Ginger & Mary Anne" (Gilligan's Island fan, anyone?). This drink is described as being made of "muddled ginger, maker's mark, and fresh squeezed lemon". The drink was interesting to say the least, and had that long-lasting "kick". To start off with, we tried the Kulana grass fed roulade (a slice of stuffed meat that is rolled), which was served with sweet corn relish and wild arugula. If you can handle your beef prepared medium well or below, then you'll love this tasty dish. The meat was very tender and was well complimented by the corn and arugula. While dining at Town, you also get a complimentary round of bread with butter and an assortment of olives. I decided to try their pan roasted chicken with torn bread, tatsoi (also known as rosette bok choy), grapes, and pancata. The chicken was very flavorful, but the best part about this dish was the torn bread. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but to my surprise, it turned out to be similar to large croutons. The "croutons" were crispy and chewy all at the same time. The grapes also added an interesting touch to the dish. Each bite that had a grape in it was a surprising, but sweet explosion that balanced the entree. If you're a steak eater, then a must-try is the Kulana rib eye, prepared with Roquefort butter and served with Town's homemade French fries. The French fries alone make ordering this dish worth it. The fries are deep-fried until dark golden brown. I consider myself a "French fry connoisseur" and these fries are GOOD. Lightly tossed with fresh herbs and salt, these fries need nothing else. I must warn you though that the rib eye may not be what you're used to. Because Town serves locally raised, grass-fed beef, their meat does have a slightly gamey taste to it. Hardcore meat lovers and organic foodies alike would love this. If you still have room, you have to try a dessert at Town. Their desserts change all the time and all sound so delicious, including their fabulous handmade sorbets and gelatos. I decided to try the almond financier (French tea cake). This dessert was a perfect, sweet ending to a rather heavy meal. The dessert was small in stature, but had a consistency similar to mochi. It had a great almond flavor and was accompanied by fresh whipped cream and marinated fruit. Final thoughts: Town provided exactly what I was in the mood for, which was a unique and fulfilling dining experience. I would recommend going at a non-peak time if possible, as the restaurant does get crowded and noisy. For 2 drinks, 1 appetizer, 2 entrees, and 1 dessert, the bill totaled to under $80 (not including tip). If you're looking to try something different, the writing in the sidewalk in front of the restaurant says it best: Go to Town.

    (4)

  • Jenny M.

    I agree with the reviews about how Town is pricey for what you get. The decor and ambience of the restaurant is nice but the food however, is not worth the amount of money that they are charging for it. In all, I completely forgot about this place until I read the previous reviews which reminded me of how disappointed I was dining there.

    (2)

  • Laurie M.

    We ate dinner here on Saturday, May 25. Since moving to the island in August, we have heard nothing but glowing reviews about Town from fellow foodies, so we had high expectations for this meal. It was also my wife's birthday so it was a special dinner for us. I am not saying this to be arrogant in any way, but I am from New York and I worked in the restaurant industry there for over 10 years. I have dined at topnotch restaurants in the Hudson Valley, Manhattan, Chicago, New Orleans, San Francisco, Napa & Sonoma Valleys, and attended the James Beard awards. I know a little something about food. I did not expect the highest caliber of dining at Town, but after reading and hearing the great reviews, I did expect to be impressed. We were so disappointed. First off, our appetizer took well over 20 minutes to arrive at our table and when it did (we got the grilled fish collar) it was just OK, not a lot of flavor and a bit dry. I ordered the gnocchi which was the recommendation of our server and one of the most interesting sounding dishes on the menu that night and my wife ordered the pork entrée. Neither entrée arrived hot (they were room temp - cool) and the gnocchi was completely flavorless. I like to enjoy the meal as the chef intended it and I NEVER add any extra seasoning when I eat out at a nice restaurant (I usually never need to), but I had to ask for salt and pepper just to make it semi worth eating and that did not even help out that much. On a side note - the server did not check back with us for about 10 minutes, so I had to sit with my tasteless gnocchi in front of me while I waited to ask for salt and pepper. My wife's pork was served shaved, like deli meat. Unless we missed something, there was no indication that the meat was going to be served like that, otherwise she would not have ordered it. Again, the meat was not hot, nor was the polenta and neither were very good - they just tasted bland. The braised greens, however, were very nicely done. Oh, and the bread - the bread was good, but I don't like to fill up on bread. Our server was very nice and he could tell we were disappointed, but I guess he was too busy to be that concerned about it. The restaurant was filling up and the larger parties were definitely getting more attention than the deuces. We were too disappointed to try dessert.

    (2)

  • Leimalani F.

    Three words: GO FOR LUNCH I love Town for lunch, but despise their prices and small portions at dinner. Tastewise this restaurant has the fresh flavors of local produce nailed. Pastas were al dente and well flavored. The steak appetizer with white beans and wilted greens was delish. The prices and portions at dinner are problematic. We shop at Whole Paycheck, Kokua Market and various farmer's markets around honolulu. At Town, the profit margins favor the house. A $9 salad comes with a scant 3/4 cup of greens sparsely topped with mango and avocado. Dessert was divine, but cost us about $1.50 a bite (OUCH!) The ahi appetizer would have run $4 a bite (OUCH OUCH!) My martini was $10 (OUCH OUCH OUCH!) Go for lunch and make these simple flavors in your own kitchen with a pile of greens, a whole avocado, and an entire mango for 1/2 the price (all local and organic thank you very much).

    (2)

  • Caleb R.

    I just moved back to Hawaii after being in SF for three years for school. This place was really nice - it reminds me of a lot of really nice sidewalk cafes in SF. Unfortunately, thats automatically the connection my mind made and compared to ones I have been to there, it was slightly above average. To be fair, had I waited a couple months before going here or gone here before I lived in SF for a long time I probably would have given it four or more stars, but thems the breaks. I will go back again and hopefully find cause to give them a better review.

    (3)

  • Olivia D.

    I appreciate a restaurant like Town because the food here tastes very fresh and unfussy. I found the straightfoward flavors refreshing, as so many other restaurants in Hawaii fixate on Fusion everything. I absolutely loved the fresh mussels appetizer, the mushroom risotto, and the roast chicken with grapes and torn bread. My friends all ate fish for their entrees and each of them remarked on how delicious and fresh it tasted. The other reviewers seem to like the parsley lemonade, but I was not impressed by it at all. Minus one star for having the worst website I've ever seen. Why even bother to have such a crappy site?

    (4)

  • Margaret W.

    Not that awesome. Not sure why everyone says that it is. The location is terrible in my opinion, with very limited parking. I expected a lot after seeing it on a cooking channel so I guess my standards were ultra high. I stopped in for breakfast and ordered a breakfast burrito, that while good, could have come from anywhere at half the price. Additionally, I found the staff a little rude and the wait for food was long.

    (2)

  • Olivia M.

    Amazing!!!! But if you are into plain, basic meals this isn't the place for you. The menu changes daily according to the season and most of the ingredients you will have to google in order to understand what you are ordering. Their gnocchi is always good! Appetizers are all good and I swear they have the best bread ever. Drinks are kind of funky and fancy. The dessert is amazing no matter what you get. Everyone must try Town at least once!

    (5)

  • Gail F.

    After hearing mixed reviews about this place, I was ready to judge this place on my own. Their dated typewritten menu and their usage of recycled coasters of menus past was a nice touch that will separate that restaurant with others. The ambiance is very nice. My friend and I were immediately greeted by a hostess as we walked in. We were ushered towards a two seat table with one bench seating and one chair. The decor is very cute; reminds me of cafés I've visited in LA. I like the whole relaxed vibe with the waiters wearing such casual attire. Sometimes, seeing a busser wearing a bow tie intimidates me. The waitress we had was very helpful in explaining our menu. She offered us suggestions, so we went with them. I had the pan-roasted chicken while my friend had the hand-cut pasta. Both were excellent. I'd come back again and again to eat this food. (-:

    (4)

  • Melissa K.

    One of my favorite brunch spots! Love it, love it. The coffee is good and the food even better. Delicious! I like the presentation, portion sizes, and quality of the ingredients. I appreciate that Town uses locally grown produce .,. and a lot of it! It's notable that they use vegetables as a feature of the entree rather than as a perfunctory piece of greenery (e.g. parsley). Even when a vegetable is used as a garnish, it accents the meal. Great ambiance, very classy, yet relaxed and chill. A perfect place to spend a lazy Sunday.

    (4)

  • S O.

    Came to Honolulu thinking that I'd be getting fresh, innovative, regional food Love the concept here: refined local mine grindz. Nice, comfy place. Me and my sister ordered drinks. Mine, while yummy was ordinary My sisters, woulda been good to clear chest congestion. It reminded me of being in A redwood dry sauna, which is pleasant. Just not as a drink. Our waiter seemed very uninterested in us. He was proficient, at first. Not warm, that's ok. We started with ahi tartare- Sorry, it was pretty boring. Maybe a new twist to old school classic? Salads: MO'A greens: why is it so hard to properly dress a green salad? Plus, it was wilted, seemed it was not dressed to order. Mozzarella salad with persimmons: sounds really good but nothing brought this salad together. Grilled eggplant: that was pretty tasty, but too salty. Keep feta as sole salt source. Entree: Ono with local veggies and limu. Local from where? Kapahulu Safeway freezer? I didn't know limu could be cooked to tasteless sogginess. The fish was tough! I know it's a meaty fish, but so should the chef. The meal was uninspired, apathetic with poor technique. Maybe other dishes are better? I know we all have varying tastes and expectations. I'm sorry to all Town fans But what realty blew the night was our waiter. At one point, while trying to get his attention in vain, another wait staff took my additional drink order. She was super nice, we discussed the beer selection. The original waiter brought the drink to the table. He did not mention anything to this discontinuity. He went on to be pure passive aggressive. I am very patient with waiters, but dude, this is your job. Work it out before your shift I left he place feeling disparaged and kinda bewildered.

    (1)

  • C L.

    This was a hard one to rate. I want to give it 3.5 stars. 4 stars for breakfast and for drinks, 3 stars for dinner. Breakfast is wonderful. Excellent coffee, the polenta/eggs/greens dish seems almost healthy, and it's just a really chill place to relax and talk story leisurely. But dinner. The food was SUPER. The drinks (Bathtub Gin Gimlet and a Gin Martini) were top notch (though you paid for them!). But the service was slow and uneven. It's almost like they need one more server for the size of the restaurant. It also didn't help because we were really, really hungry after waiting 30 minutes for a table after we had made reservations. So, it's not a quiet relaxing spot for dinner. But it's a great spot for drinks at the bar OR for a wonderful, yummy, and relaxed breakfast.

    (4)

  • Kasi B.

    As a farm to table supporter I was very excited to learn about Town when I was on vacation - and the restaurant met every expectation. The service was great, the aesthetic pleasing and the food delicious! The chef blends flavors and textures creatively, leaving you wanting more of everything... The ideas and movement behind this restaurant is important for a healthy food system and I thank the staff of Town for doing a great job. Our server was educated on every ingredient and did a great job. I'd go back and I would recommend this restaurant again and again... I know my brother and his wife have since been, and loved it! Oh, and you'll rarely find such an awesome T-shirt. Love it.

    (5)

  • Demur E.

    Three and a half stars. Town is open for breakfast and it is yummy. I've eaten here for dinner and enjoyed the chicken with grapes on rustic croutons (aka torn toasted bread) the best. The ribeye steak is huge (lopping off my plate a little), but while good, not great like the one at Le Bistro. The mussels are also good, but Du Vin's comes with pommes frittes although Town's broth is a little more savory and spicy. Their risottos are also pretty darn creamy and delicious. But let's talk about breakfast. I had the "egg in a hole" which was an egg fried in the hole of olive brioche. It came with a side of ratatouille (which was delicious and tasted of white wine) and 3 or 4 strips of maple bacon (crisp and yummy as only bacon can be). My friend had the savory organic polenta (so smooth, buttery and creamy I could feel my arteries clogging, but what a way to go!) It came with sauteed bitter greens and pine nuts and a fried egg. They also have omelettes and banana pancakes and the like. Service: When I've been here for dinner, service has always been fairly good to very good. Wait staff made us feel comfortable and were attentive. For breakfast, you go to the bar and place your order. While not rude, the staff was not particularly friendly or helpful, either. It kind of reminded me of the service I get at Bogart's. Not impolite, but not really polite, either. Atmosphere: Much more casual for breakfast. The side doors are open that lead to the outdoor seating. Water and condiments are self-serve. For breakfast and for dinner I like the relaxed atmosphere. I prefer indoor seating, because the lanai seems so close to the traffic. Overall: I will definitely go back for breakfast. Dinner has been a bit more hit-and-miss with me.

    (3)

  • Jamie H.

    As an organic foodie from DC, I was pleasantly surprised to discover Town. Recommended by a family member, when I first looked at their website, it left much to be desired, but after hiking to the peak of Diamond Head, we were ready for second breakfast. It was amazing! I ordered the bruschetta topped with luau (taro greens in coconut milk), peppered pork and overeasy eggs. It was delicious beyond my expectations. The crispy bread coupled with the creamy luau was enough to have a taste bud orgasm, but then adding in the peppered pork and a slutty egg (as I like to call them) and I was in heaven. I also ordered the peanut butter, banana scone and snagged up the last one. Quick tip: if you want your choice of scones, make sure to get there before 9:30 am. We loved Town so much that my husband and I returned for lunch the day we flew out. We had a three course lunch that was a great aloha before leaving. Appetizer: Tuna on toast. A lightly dressed fresh cooked tuna with pickled celery sat on top of their delicious bread. Entree: Mahi mahi with roasted local vegetables topped with a tomato vinaigrette. This was absolutely divine. The mahi mahi was so fresh and light that the vinaigrette was the perfect accompaniment to flaky fish. And the veggies were so gorgeous that we actually tucked into them first before the fish. Big Island Burger with a side of greens and fries. The kitchen was kind enough to split our entree and the sides. They gave us each a half a burger with a side of fries and salad. I was really looking forward to the Big Island grass fed burger, since we had an amazing version of Loco Moco from Downbeat Diner that featured the same beef, but actually, this was a bit of a let down. The burger and fries weren't hot, but we were starving having expelled an insane amount of calories after climbing the Koko Head Crater early that morning, so I just ate it. It wasn't until after I had left that I suspected that the burger that was sent back from the table across from us was probably the same burger that was sold to us. If so, shame on them. If not...then the burger leaves a lot to be desired. Dessert: OMG. The salted chocolate tart with crumbled pretzels was so good that a fork fight ensued after the first bite. Get one per person unless you want to end up divorced it's that good! I'm envious of Hawaiians that can eat there any day because it really was delicious and I can't wait to go again when I return!

    (5)

  • Monir H.

    We went there on Saturday and had the best pork dish I have had for a long time. I love their french fries. The customer service is excellent and we had the best seat. What I love about Town is that their food is great no matter what you order and the atmosphere is very inviting. No matter if you sit inside or outside, you will get the best they have to offer. I highly recommend this restaurant. Don't forget to make a reservation.

    (5)

  • Marzan W.

    We were recommended to come to this area to check out some nice boutiques and shops. We saw neither of this within this 10 block vicinity. We were pretty hungry and it was late in afternoon so considered it to be lunchtime. They have a special Town Lemonade that's green 'cause it's made with basil. Tasted alright. I think I prefer the regular style lemonade. I had the gnocchi which I thought needed a bit more flavor. It was a bit bland.

    (3)

  • Chris D.

    If you like Nopa in the City like I do Town is a must. Great cocktails, Nice wine list and my steak was delish. If I lived on this isle I would be there all the time.

    (4)

  • Teresa W.

    This and Le Bistro are my favorite restaurants for a romantic evening with the boyfriend. The food is delicious and locally sourced. It can get loud so sit outside when you can. Also when it's busy the waits can be a little long, but shouldn't you be having an engrossing conversation anyway?

    (4)

  • asia h.

    Food was delicious, yet super, super salty. I mean heart-attack salty. Drinks though... not impressed. Nice music and ambiance, totally full and hence a bit noisy, but as it was Friday evening crowds are expected. Liked it, will come back, just 1 note for the future... making the menu look like absolute gibberish doesn't make you fancy dear Town, you food, ambiance and service are good enough to do that. That's from me, not a trendy, by tasty food eater. Ciao!

    (4)

  • Suzanne R.

    OVERRATED! i thought the food was ok, my steak was overcooked despite me stressing to the waiter that i love my steaks medium-rare closer to rare. but they are not a steak house so that's what i get. the risotto was very very good though. and the service mediocre.

    (2)

  • Jon Z.

    We both had a Burger with Cheese today. Burger, Bun, Cheese, Veggies PERFECT! French Fries are oily and soft...not that good. Nice place a mix of regular working people out to lunch and a few douchebaggy organic pretender rich people. The AC is a bit too high with the concrete floors and stainless tables...it is cold in there.

    (3)

  • Googleone G.

    Good food, appropriate portitions for the price. The bad part is the parking is hard to find during peak hours.

    (4)

  • Kevin M.

    Good vegetarian options and trendy atmosphere. Friendly staff, service a little slow but that's pretty standard for Hawaii.

    (4)

  • Joshua C.

    stark modern concrete space quiet @ weekday lunch loud @ daily dinner minimalist uncomplicated locally sourced organic fresh high quality ever evolving menu sometimes so-so sometimes slightly short of sublime in my five experiences generally quite good but not magically memorable pictures: yelp.com/biz_photos/jkW1…

    (3)

  • C S.

    WOAH. People are tearing this place up with their reviews. What's with the hate? Personally I like it here at Town. It's a nice place to have a cup of coffee or a meal. Local veggies (which in my book is always a bonus). Don't come here and expect to have an gigantic platter of food...the plates look classy...aka smaller servings. If you need to pig out, get a plate lunch instead. breakfast -- check -- great dinner -- check -- great -- tasty steak coffee -- check -- fabulous

    (4)

  • Alexis R.

    We've eaten at Town two times now, while visiting Waikiki for a conference, and have really enjoyed our meals. The menu has so many yummy-sounding choices that it is hard to decide what to order. The waitstaff is friendly and helpful. This is a great choice if you are visiting and want to get away from the strip and back into the neighborhoods.

    (4)

  • Rose N.

    The first time I came here about a year ago, I would have rated this restaurant 5 stars. The service was excellent and the grilled steak and pork was cooked perfectly and soooo delicious! We came to Town for dinner last month and we were very disappointed with the food and service. Maybe I just imagined how good the place really was.... We made reservations for 2, so we were seated right away. I ordered sangria and my boyfriend ordered a beer. It was kind of busy, so I didn't really mind that our drinks took a little while to arrive. We ordered the ahi tartar (my absolute favorite!), the steak, and fish. The menu is always different depending on the night, so I like how there's always something new to try. The food took at least 20 minutes to arrive and it would have been nice if the server let us know that the kitchen was backed up or whatever, but instead we were left wondering if she forgot our food. Plus she was MIA, so it wasn't like we could've waved her down to ask. Finally when our food arrived, half of our steak was medium and the other half of our steak was medium-well to well done even though we ordered it medium. Didn't feel like waiting another 20 minutes if we sent back the food, so we ended up with a steak that was half good and half hard and chewy and flavorless. The fish was meh. I liked all the different sautéed vegetables that came with it though. Very juicy and flavorful :). I really wish the food and service was just as awesome as the first time I came here, but everything was just bleh for what we had to pay for. Although I love how their ingredients are all fresh and local, We definitely could have made better steak and fish at home.

    (3)

  • Maria Q.

    Fffiiiinnnaaaallllyyy ate here after many trips to Downtown. We got a gift card for our wedding and splurged. I love that you can come as you are whether it's dressed up or super casual. Food was excellent and very fresh. The gnocchi (that we almost didn't get) was melt in your mouth ono. The pork chop was a nice hearty chop, flavorful and perfectly cooked. And we had a salted chococolate tart that I did't want to share with the boy. Best part? I'm stuffed but don't feel bloated.

    (5)

  • Gavin T.

    Went on a Thursday night at 845pm, so it wasn't too busy. We ordered the Ahi tartar with the crispy risotto, which was good. Then we had the gnocchi, which was soft and full of flavor, and the Monchong, which was perfectly crusted and cooked perfectly. The fish was moist and the crusting on the fish was full of flavor. For dessert we ordered the panna cotta which was very good as well. Each dish well seasoned and flavored, I would definitely go back for the gnocchi and the panna cotta, maybe even for the Monchong, which exceeded my expectations.

    (4)

  • L L.

    One of my very favorite restaurants of all time. I loved the old wine down Wednesday's but really enjoy the fish or pasta whenever I'm in Honolulu. Special note for anyone with a bell pepper allergy (like me), this place doesn't have any because the chef doesn't like bell peppers! So nice to order and not have to ask whether there are hidden peppers.

    (5)

  • Brandy S.

    I've had both great and "meh" experiences here. The food is consistently stellar, but the service can sometimes be lacking. I've had breakfast, lunch and dinner here on numerous occasions. For breakfast, I made an impulse buy of the strawberry cream scone and fell into epicureal bliss at first bite. Incredibly moist, spiked with fresh strawberries - in a word: sublime. I'm tempted to say "scone" is a misnomer here since it's just too moist to be considered your average scone. For lunch, I've tried many of their dishes, from their house salad, their pesto panini to their wonderful carbonara with bucatini. Of the dinner entrees, the chicken with torn bread and grapes is my favorite. Keep in mind that their menu changes frequently so what you order one day may not be there the next time (except the chicken entree, which is always on the menu). I've had a taste of just about every dessert on their menu as well, but my personal favorite is the pannacotta drizzled with local honey. What is evident with every meal - breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert - is that the ingredients are fresh. The flavors just pop. There is usually a dinner crowd here, several of whom are regulars. Make reservations if you plan on coming at this time, because the two times I came here without them, I was treated with less than spectacular hospitality (I keep going back because the food really is worth it). However, my favorite time to dine here is for lunch. The menu is more limited, but the prices are lower and the crowd is less daunting. When Town first opened, I would have given them 5 stars, easily. But then the hype began. One of the two times I came here without a reservation, I was told by one of the servers, "Well, we'll try to squeeze you in. The cast of 'Lost' eats here regularly so it's been getting crowded. Do you think you can eat quickly? The party that we have this table reserved for will be here in an hour." The cast of "Lost." Really? Well, isn't that spiffy. Or not. Usually that would be enough for me to write off a restaurant for good - but again, the food is good. Good enough to overlook one or two really bad experiences out of about ten fantastic ones. Oh, and for the record, I could have eaten quickly enough to be out of there for the party that wanted that table. Except my chicken with torn bread took 30 minutes to come out. That was after waiting ten minutes for water and another ten minutes for our complimentary bread and olives. Again, dinner is not the best time to eat here if you want a relaxed atmosphere and the luxury of savoring your meal.

    (4)

  • Morgan R.

    I am always surprised when people rave about this place. Every meal I've had there has been pretty bad. The gnocchi was drenched in oil, the ham was under cooked. I've given it a couple tries, but have to say there's tons of places that are better in Kaimuki.

    (2)

  • Ryan F.

    This was probably my fifth time at Town, and I love this place more each time. They have a sophisticated wine and liquor selection, and the bartenders and wait staff are always willing to make a solid recommendation. I had the local caught opah with ma'o vegetables, and my date had the gnocchi, both were fantastic. We went all out on the meal, eggplant fritters for an appetizer, and gelato for dessert, a few glasses of great Italian wine and an after dinner cocktail, and the meal was very reasonably priced in my opinion. Love the atmosphere, both inside and out, just wish they had a little more spacious bar. Perhaps the only local dinner spot serving exclusively local and organic food, Town is tops in my book. Can't wait to go back.

    (4)

  • Amanda Z.

    Overall I like the concept of Town - fresh, local food - but the service we recently experienced was a huge turnoff. I understand that it was the holiday season, so they were really busy...but that doesn't excuse the rude service. Our experience started off with us flagging down the server to place our order. She comes to our table, and then says "hold on"...walks away towards the kitchen...walks past our table with drinks for another table...walks past our table again...and then finally comes back about 5 minutes later. Uhhh, okay. So the food. I shared the beet salad, mussels appetizer, steak salad and bowl of polenta w/the husband. The salads were good (although the steak one was over-dressed). The mussels were really tasty, but the thing I liked the best was the polenta. Holy, creamy, awesome goodness, I didn't want to share! Everyone enjoyed their food (esp. our one friend who has dietary restrictions and had to ask for substitutions) and we were having a good time (although it was quite noisy), but then when we asked to split the checks and the server was extremely rude - "that will take 30 minutes". Okay, yes, it may be a hassle, but you really don't have to speak in that way. Another astonishing thing we also witnessed, was the server asking another party to move to another table, even though they were not done with their meal yet...that ticked me off even though I wasn't the one moving! In the end, I left the restaurant feeling irritated and pretty much not wanting to return even though the food was delicious. You can have my table at Town, because I won't be back.

    (2)

  • holland h.

    Town is exactly what I rated it: "A-OK"..as in, I wouldnt avoid it, but I am not rushing back. We had drinks and pupus there and it was fine. The only complaint is that the food was the wrong temp (got cold before served)...but the local farmed food is worth going back to...jut wouldnt go out of my way to return. Like a lot of places in Hawaii, Town definitiely tries hard.

    (3)

  • Melanie B.

    This is one of my favorite go-to spots for dinner. I love that they use local, organic products, and my favorite items on the menu are the gnocchi, the hand-made pasta, and the french fries. I have always had respectable service - definitely keep this on the short list of restaurants I frequent.

    (4)

  • Katherine H.

    I appreciate what Town tries to do with local ingredients, but the service has been awful every single time I've been in here. It takes between 10 and 20 minutes for anyone to even greet you, and you can go almost an hour without your server even stopping by the table to check on you. The food is all right, but not worth the customer service. This place is one of the most overrated restaurants I've ever been to.

    (2)

  • Sean S.

    Had breakfast at Town in Kaimuki. Good breakfast...fried rice was delicious. Nice ambiance; local style w/ an urban touch. The volume of rock music was also perfect for the breakfast setting. I can definitely see this place perfect for those small group morning meetings, followed by college student study/coffee sessions in the afternoon, and then causal dinner experience in the evening. Definitely a place to check out if you are a resident or visiting Oahu. Parking is limited to the shared parking lot in the back (in front of the apartment complex in the back) and street parking.

    (4)

  • Dawn A.

    After reading the reviews here and from word of mouth, my friends and I decided to check it out. Our party of four went for lunch. Parking was confusing at first (we had to circle the block) but when we found it (located right after the Hot Mama Maternity clothing store) we nabbed a space. Even though the place was pretty packed we didn't have to wait long at all for a table. Upon sitting we got our drink orders (My friend got a "Corpse Reviver" which reminded us of a less sweet gin gimlet) then perused the menu which changes daily. This restaurant is all about using local produce and ingredients which is a plus in my book. Our orders arrived maybe 15 mins or so after we ordered. Our order consisted of the following: -Kuahiwi Ranch Grass-Fed Burger w/ French Fries (Sage, Rosemary, maybe truffle oil or salt were tossed with the fries for a twist on a staple) which got 4 stars -Parmesan Pesto Linguine w/ Green Beans and Potatoes which also got 4 stars...it had us wondering if the pesto was made from scratch. -Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder w/ Polenta which got 3 stars b/c my friend thought the Pork Shoulder was overcooked and stringy, but the Polenta was amazing it tasted buttery and cheesy at the same time! -I was supposed to have the Seared Ahi with Tomato Vinaigrette and local Veggies but they ran out of Ahi so I had a substitute fish. I'm not really a fan of vinaigrettes but this one was really tasty (sweet and tangy to give the fish a nice flavor and worked wonders for the veggies). The Veggies included steamed green beans, radishes, leeks, and baby corn. i would give my dish a 3 1/2 stars only b/c I felt the fish could have been cooked a little longer. So for our damage to our pockets totaled: $70.99 for 4 Overall I'd say we enjoyed our experience and will most likely return to see what else they have up their sleeves as far as food goes.

    (4)

  • Daisy S.

    Somehow.. I like this place. So chick looking... nice to hang out in. The place was empty for dinner... maybe we were too early? 6 pm? Anyway, the food is good, but not that would wow us. They change the menu frequently. The service is friendly.. when I went there the first time, the chef/ owner came out to our table and chat with us a little. That was good. I love the area as well.

    (3)

  • Sean W.

    This restaurant was very enjoyable. I had an arugula salad which was very fresh and tasty and had the pan roasted chicken. The chicken was very moist and juicy. The atmosphere of the restaurant was intersting; metal tables were a nice touch. There were a few good wines on the menu. Parking was a little difficult to find, but there is a lot of street parking if you go when it's not to packed. Overall, it was a very good experience.

    (4)

  • K. I.

    We had one our best dining experiences at Town. The service was first rate and the food simply excellent. I nad the gnocchi which was served wiht brown butter, sage and kabocha. It was simply perfect, the gnocchi was light the sauce did no overpower it. The salads were great as well and the bread they served is excellent. I had the great drink called a Town Cup which is a bourbon-based drink. i was great. I am liiking foward to return to Town, sooner rather tha later.

    (5)

  • Olivia F.

    Service was very friendly and the food was also awesome. I went with three of my girlfriends. We orded all the four appetizers on the menu and shared. I'll definitely go back to this restaurant and will recommend friends to check it out.

    (4)

  • Michelle R.

    Couldn't wait to eat here today based on the reviews. However, the food was completely underwhelming and the service was painfully bad even though it wasn't crowded. Our party of nine waited nearly an hour before getting our food. When I called the manager later to give some constructive feedback, he sounded disinterested and gave excuses for the poor service ("We have a hard time serving large parties" and "we were transitioning from breakfast to lunch so there were less servers"). This seems like a great place for a business meeting (like a Starbucks with food), but not a place for a bigger group celebration. Too bad I spent my birthday lunch here. Everyone in my party expressed disappointment. :-(

    (1)

  • Danielle Y.

    Went here to celebrate getting two journal articles published!!!! Thought it was pretty tasty, and while not a cheap meal I felt the price/food quality was accurate. Service was nice. When I couldn't decide between fries and salad our server just let me have halfsies of both. In the future though: FRIES. I mean, there were fried sage leaves in my fries. Fried sage leaves. They were crispy and sagey. As they should be. Would certainly go again for similar mini-celebrations.

    (3)

  • Tadd T.

    I don't let the hype get to me 'cause I've been a regular customer almost since its opening. Ed Kenney's cuisine proudly showcases locally grown ingredients like MA'O lettuces and Hamakua mushrooms. You might say he's the trendier, hipper version of Alan Wong. Kenney certainly knows how to treat chicken. Brined and pan-roasted, it seems like a dream, perfectly crisped skin giving way to juicy, flavorful meat, resting over warm tatsoi (think arugula meets spinach) and his version of migas, crunchy bread cubes taken from the Spanish country. A beautifully grilled breast shares space with gorgonzola, spicy mustard, and a drizzle of truffle honey between ciabatta, and the accompanying shoestring fries with garden herbs are irresistible. But the austerity of his salads can translate into blandness, and I really don't like chasing pine nuts around the plate with my fork--how can I not look foolish? And it seems a shame to shadow pristine 'ahi with balsamic vinegar, no matter how preciously aged. People praise the gnocchi for its softness, but these are just...mushy. Well-prepared gnocchi are luscious and texturally satisfying; they are not supposed to dissolve into applesauce-like granules. Admittedly, though, I love the buttery mushroom sauce that coated them. Desserts, like buttermilk panna cotta or Kula strawberry cream tart, can be equally eye-rollingly good, even if the grapefruit sorbetto makes my mouth pucker a little too much. Be aware that the menu changes each day, and parking is limited and somewhat of an annoyance, although given the clamor that fills Town's airy space, not many mind. Servers continue to vex me with their lack of ability to multitask (if they have something else on their mind NONE of them will acknowledge your presence at the door), but in the end they are most always smiley and cordial. The secret to enjoying a meal at Town...or anywhere else, for that matter: don't go with sky-high expectations. Relax and remain positive. Ready to try it now? Go!!

    (3)

  • Michelle L.

    While visiting Oahu, we wanted a more local restaurant outside of the tourist zone. Town was recommended and did not disappoint. Loved the fresh pasta. Wines were good but a larger (outside Italy) selection would be nice. Flatbread app was tasty.

    (4)

  • Sita L.

    my favorite place to go, HOWEVER, today was a bad experience. Went for breakfast on a Saturday. Made it till lunch waiting for eggs and bacon!! I had the polenta with pork and greens, and egg. Yup, one hour wait. Not sure what the deal was. No explanation. Even worse, bathroom was a mess, not been cleaned, the kitchen......well, if I had seen it, would have not eaten there. The other issue was, we had to wait so long that all the condiments where removed and we never got any after asking for them. Not sure what is going on, but I wont be hitting it at breakfast again. Even worse, I forgot I ate there, had to find another place to get more food. Guess it just was that small. Tasty, but small. Child portion. OH, then lets talk about table etiquette, the lady sitting next to me decided to watch a youtube video with the music on LOUD. Its loud in there already and then to hear the music blarring in my ear. Not restaurants fault, I think signs should be put up, like at doctors, when entering restaurant, turn down the volume on your damned cell phone.!!!

    (3)

  • Phillip A.

    Just had lunch here. Sonda was an amazing server - truly made lunch a joy. The food was amazing - and you must try the lemonade!!! Add this to your "do not miss" list in Honolulu.

    (5)

  • Cj L.

    I am always a fan of green concepts and people putting efforts in following so. Staff was friendly, had a great tomato soup (wasnt too heavy) , mao greens as always, a white bean pureed sandwich (which was suprisingly flavorful and moist, it had pickled cucumbers and sundried? tomatoes) with french fries (a bit too oily) but my friend had the bruschetta with shinsato pork and mustard greens (which he said was delicious, the pork looked moist /I wouldnt know much about meat since I am a pescitarian) in the end we had the apple banana cream pie since the chocolate pretzels were out. the pie was so light, heavenly sweetened with a big dollop of whip cream and the crust surely homemade...THE BOMB! I love town and its ambience...a place for people to get together for meetings, or just to grab a meal during the daytime...

    (5)

  • eric e.

    Tried this place cuz my wife's friend said it was good. Parking is here kinda confusing. its doesn't seem right to park near apartments. Had lunch here w/ the fam. The menu is not very big & seems like its supposed to be different everyday??? Well, i had the luau soup and mahi mahi. my wife had the burger w/ swiss, bacon, & fries. Everything here was seasoned very well. I really enjoyed the food. The prices were kinda high but everything seems to be fresh & local grown. I'd like to rate this place a 3.5 but i don't really dig the inconsistent menu.

    (3)

  • Cindy B.

    My all time favorite local restaurant. Be sure to try the mussells!

    (5)

  • Jerrene T.

    Went here for dinner one night because my friend recommended it. Service was slow and we couldn't even hear each other talk. Our dinner took around two hours and we didn't even bother with dessert. Food was decent and I swore I'd never go back. My dad rolls into my neighborhood for lunch and chooses town. Good thing I decided to take a hour and a half lunch because it took FOREVER for the food to come. Most people had food so we didn't know why it took so long. So now I swear again that I'd never go back. Service sucked even more the second time because it took forever to get our drinks... jeez.

    (2)

  • Gidget T.

    Some friends and I wanted to check out Town, so we went for lunch. When we got there, it was pretty empty, but the waiter let us know they were about to close the kitchen for the afternoon in 30 minutes so we would have to hurry to get our orders in. The menu was printed on paper, attached to a clipboard. They alternate the menu everyday, so I would image it would be a great place to eat if you want to try new things often. I tried the Fresh Mozzarella Pasta. Our food took some time to come out, especially considering there was hardly anyone in the restaurant. When the food came out, it all looked wonderful. They have good presentation and (according to the waiter) they use all locally grown or organic ingredients. I can imagine since everything was a bit pricey, considering the size of the portions. The mozzarella in my dish was fresh and the best I've ever tasted. Still, there was hardly enough there to be filling or even satisfying. After eating, we decided to get gelato and coffee, since they still served those when the kitchen was closed. They were delicious. The coffee was served in an oversized cup, but still probably more than you would spend at a coffee shop. Overall, I would say the food was good, but not good enough to justify their prices (even if they do support local farmers). The atmosphere is great. We had comfortable seating and despite having a large space, all the tables feel cozy and relaxing. The service was average. There was no host, and the waiter was mostly absent, but still knowledgeable about the menu and able to answer all of our questions. It's not somewhere I would visit again, but was by no means an unpleasant experience.

    (3)

  • Suzanne R.

    Was at Town during restaurant week and was very impressed! One of the best pastas I've ever had. EVER! It was so fresh and the sauce was light and tasty. And the burger was superb too! Then the meal was topped off with this awesome panacotta dessert which had the perfect balance of flavors and was not overly sweet. Absolutely delish! And seemed to be enjoyed by Mr. Neil Abercrombie as well, who was sitting a few tables away.

    (4)

  • James M.

    Kinda torn about this place. Service was very good for the most part. Our server actually steered us towards a special instead of the mainstream Mahi Mahi, and it was not an up sell. (He also secured a taxi to get us back to Waikiki at the end of the meal)The special was a fish only found in the area, and tasted amazing. We also had the gnocchi, which was also very good. The meal itself was without fault, actually. Wasn't really feeling the atmosphere, though. It seemed to be one of those restaurants that was trying to be very NYC, very sleek and expensive looking. It seemed to take itself a little too seriously. Perhaps that's what they were going for, and it seemed to attract that type of crowd. Not a Hawaiian shirt in the joint, save for the one I was wearing (and any local knows that it's not only tourists who wear them here). Enough griping. 5 star food, 3 star everything else, imo. Locally sourced and organic food is a major plus, and if you're after a classy, tasty, UWS type of joint, in Hawaii, you've found it.

    (4)

  • Jaja H.

    A large group of us went to Town during Restaurant Week and we all walked out stuffed with smiles across our faces. Their prix fixed menu came with a multitude of options and was well worth the price! Great farm to table eatery in a cute neighborhood. I went for the Ma'o salad and kabocha gnocchi in brown butter sage sauce. Now, I have had plenty of chewy and gooey gnocchi that has turned me away. Yet kabocha squash is one of my faves. Town has managed to completely shift my aversion from gnocchi. Every bite simply melted in the mouth... I was in heaven and pleasantly surprised to say the least. The salad was flavorful and well-balanced. I also chose what was possibly the most unusual slice of dessert - peanut butter and chocolate cake with a local fruit jam inside the frosting, layered with bits of nutty mac crunch. It was MASSIVE and could've easily fed 5 people. A very interesting sweet and salty pairing with different layers of flavor. Hip and chic decor. A gem in Kaimuki. Service was attentive, especially for a large group. A nice date place if your partner can appreciate organic/farm to table, presentation over portion sizes and classy food with a twist!

    (5)

  • Nani Y.

    It was okay. Food was salty, atmosphere was nice, waitress was helpful and nice. Waitress explained how it worked. Can't believe the menu was on a clip board and typed then reused as coasters

    (2)

  • Mark C.

    First of all, the parking is bad but being from the Chicago area, it really isn't so bad as long as you are patient driving around the block a few times. Plus, I saw some interesting places people parked so I am assuming the local PD force is out solving crimes and not writing parking tickets. But I digress... Though we had a reservation, we decided to eat at the bar because the bartender was really knowledgeable about the wines and he gave us several to taste. We started off sharing a local organic green salad with pancetta- very good! My girlfriend (who looked especially hot in her black dress) got the mussels and I had the ahi tartar. The ahi was great but I thought the mussels had a too heavy onion flavor in the broth. We decided to split the local fresh fish entrée and we were very happy with that choice. Our bartender friend kept pouring great wines and we left content. This is a great local place away from the typical tourist places and worth a few drives around the block looking to park your car.

    (4)

  • Y C.

    I've been to town many many times for lunch and dinner and always recommend it to anyone in the vicinity. I like their food (fresh), philosophy (green), and location (away from all the other restaurants). Having gotten used to all these things, I expected lunch w/ a few friends to be no different from my prior experience - in other words, good. But of course, when you expect things in life, life likes to say, hey, yes, you, I'm going to slap you around a bit to lower your sense of entitlement. That is the only way to explain why my order was messed up and never corrected, the food was less than so-so, and the service was nonexistent. I mean, one mistake can be chalked up to the chef having a bad day, or shortage or servers, or just the restaurant having bad karma. But a one-two punch of bad food and bad service in a restaurant? Some one in the karmic universe does not like Town, methinks. I may give this place one more shot at my wallet eventually, but I'll stay away for now and stop recommending the place to my fellow foodies.

    (2)

  • Kaili N.

    this place pissed me off. i dined here a few years ago after hearing the hype. we walked in without a res while they were still serving lunch...but about 5 minutes before dinner started. the place was totally, completely empty and they said that we would have to dine outside because they were completely booked. uh...ok. they gave us a lunch menu and said that we would need to order right away because dinner was going to start in a few minutes. i was like, "ok, well, can we order off of the dinner menu then?" duh. the rissotto was terrible...i couldn't take more than 2 bites. i don't remember what else we ordered, but i do recall a feeling of overall disappointment and irritation. when we left the restaurant there were only a few tables occupied. never ever ever again!

    (1)

  • Nori L.

    Pork shoulder was awesome. Gnocchi was very creamy. I would come here again

    (4)

  • Poe K.

    We checked this place out one of the nights we were in Honolulu. We knew going there it was a bit pricey. I remember walking in and being overwhelmed by the crowdedness and the noise!!! Ugh the ruckus! The service was mediocre. The server was not very attentive or efficient. I ordered their version of a garden salad; all fancied up with shavings of some cheese I had never heard of. To my surprise, it was delicious. For my entree I ordered potato gnocchi with sage butter and kabocha squash. It was the best gnocchi I'd ever had. I finished my food and I wanted to lick my bowl clean. I can't remember what my bf had, but he liked his food too. Overall, the food was excellent. The atmosphere was boisterous. The price was, well, high. Since ordinary people don't eat like this everyday, I say give it a try.

    (4)

  • Michael L.

    Dinner at town last night was superb! From first bite to last, it was interesting , local, beautifully plated, and exquisitely paired !

    (5)

  • Jon L.

    If there is one common truth to all the reviews here about "Town" is that their portions are small. I'm hungry... NOM NOM NOM. MOAR FOOD. The price point is all wrong here, considering their quality, quantity, and caliber. I definitely spent 75$ for two: two salads, two entrees, and no drinks. RIP OFF: UR DOIN IT RITE.

    (3)

  • C L.

    Went here for lunch with the hopes of fresh local food and all we got was a 40 minute wait for our food, seeing other people who arrived after us get their food first, burnt fries, and an unapologetic waiter. We thought maybe their strategy was to make us wait so long that when the food came out, it would be the best thing we'd ever eaten and all would be forgiven. That ended up not being the case either as the food was only mediocre. The waiter didn't apologize but did offer us free dessert. However, by that time, we weren't sure how much longer we'd have to wait for a mediocre dessert and decided against it. It seemed like another Honolulu restaurant trying to be cool and it was neither cool nor tasty.

    (1)

  • spot d.

    Urban hip meets Kaimuki. Town serves contemporary cuisine in a cool, modern, stripped down setting. The menu is eclectic with California/Med/Italian influences, a touch of Asian here and there, and an emphasis on organic and/or local ingredients. The staff is efficient, friendly and casual--your server is likely to be wearing a tank top and a tattoo. The type of place you might spot an off-duty cast member from Lost. (We did!) Standards include pacific fish, mussels, pastsa and pork cheeks. Standouts include a half-roasted chicken with roasted grapes, pancetta and torn bread and gnocchi with butternut squash, and poke on fresh rice cakes--and the pork cheeks. Town serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The lunch menu features a variety sandwiches and burgers and several items from the dinner menu. It's BYOB all day, but Town has delicious homemade lemonade. Mains at dinner are around $14 -- $20; around $8.00 for salads. Zuni Cafe x Aloha x 0.5 = Town Or so I've been told. Despite recent liberalizations in Hawaii's quarantine laws, I'm still not allowed in the restaurant.

    (4)

  • D S.

    Great food! Fresh and tasty. The "Town" lemonade sounded "interesting," in its description, but YUM! I'll be back.

    (4)

  • rupa k.

    The pan roasted chicken is the best thing on the menu. But, beware, it takes 30 minutes to make, so order it right when you sit down. The ahi appetizer is also really good, though a bit pricey. I love taking guests here, the staff is very friendly and the organic produce is really worth it. The only reason I took a star off is because of the wait time. I've been there at 6 pm on a Friday night when there weren't too many other patrons there and it still took almost 2 hours to complete our meal (we didn't get dessert). This was kind of an issue since I have a 15 month old and my friends have a 7 month old and if you have kids, you know that an hour and half is the max you can keep them entertained. If they worked on their service a bit, I would give them a 5.

    (4)

  • Kelly C.

    You don't get too many restaurants like this here on Oahu. I have been to town many times for dinner and I appreciate the ambience as well as the seasonal menu with locally grown choices. Sure, the parking situation is awful and I would beef up the wine menu, but I have to say it's a valiant effort to bring a refreshing restaurant to Oahu.

    (4)

  • N L.

    Service was slow (were they short on staff that night?); apps were good but failed to mention the nuts in the lamb dish (allergy issue). Side dish of corn was teeny tiny and really dry (almost hard), but for $7 we felt compelled to eat it. We had the pasta and the steak, both decent. Espresso gelato was yummy and very reasonably priced at $4. Enjoyed the ambiance, food was just okay. Not sure we'd go back.

    (2)

  • Sasha-sparkle y.

    soooo overrated and disappointing!!!! i ordered the lemonade. it didn't even taste fresh squeezed. it tasted like powdered lemonade. we started off with the ahi tartare. nothing exciting. it was bland and it was served on rice cakes. the rice cakes were soggy and the tartare had no taste. then we had the clam appetizer. so boring. nothing exciting. just clams in some garlic/wine broth. it was okay. the salad was really good. it was the best thing on the menu. all it was was greens with shaved cheese (i can't remember what kind of cheese maybe a parm?), pine nuts and pancetta. the pancetta was delish! salty and tasty. this was the ONLY dish that was actually good. for main entrees, i ordered the duck confit. the only good thing about this dish was that the duck was really tender. it was served with a farrow salad. this was basically a brown rice cold salad. with my dinner i would prefer my starch hot. maybe the farrow salad would have been better at lunch. it had a grilled baby bok choy also. it wasn't even a whole bok choy. it was like 1/4 of a bok choy and they are so small to begin with! the bok choy was grilled. well at least it had the grill marks but it was still totally crunchy like it was still raw. the duck was served with a date chutney type of sauce. boring. all it was was sweet and nothing else. it hardly had any taste and did nothing for the dish. for dessert i ordered the buttermilk panacotta. it had honey drizzled on the top. it was okay. nothing great. the panacotta was like buttermilk custard. it was missing something. the service was awesome. our waitress was really nice and attentive. just the food wasn't that great. oh yah, they give you bread with olives. i have to say the bread was really yummy. i don't know if they make it there or not. the only thing is that if you want more bread and olives they charge you for it. hey, if i'm paying around $25 for an entree and one duck leg at that, i would expect to get all the friggin' bread that i want for free! i wouldn't go back and i wouldn't recommend this place to friends. such a disappointment since i had high hopes for this cute neighborhood restaurant.

    (1)

  • Noe A.

    Town used to be my go-to breakfast!!! Now I can only dream of breakfast bitter greens with polenta. No weekday bteakfast? No Town for me. Minamina ho'i!

    (4)

  • Angela D.

    Although this place does not cater well to vegetarians, we still like it. It has a great vibe, the wine list is good, and the veggie side dishes can be combined for a meal if you don't eat meat or fish. We've been here several times and have enjoyed each meal.

    (4)

  • Ryan S.

    Went here for lunch. I'm not a gourmet chef. The food tasted great. I got the hand cut pasta ($15~). Was definitely disappointed in the portion size. My sons burger came out raw in the middle and had to be sent back ( I never send food back). The burger was ordered medium. I ended up eating about half his plate. Burger and fries were good and probably a better deal. Server never checked on us during meal so our drinks were left empty. Hard to understand the menu but that could just be my fault. Don't come here starving or be prepared to pony up some big money. At least there are cool light fixtures to look at while your waiting I suppose.

    (3)

  • itsme i.

    Town? More like the Republic of Salt. I've been here twice for dinner. The menu is simple and the items look fabulous. Before the meal, we enjoyed the complimentary bread, butter, olive oil, and olives. This was one of the highlights. The other bright spot was salad. Both times I really enjoyed the salads. However, they were a bit small. That's where the compliments end. The food is horrifically over-salted. I had a prosciutto pizza with grated Parmesan cheese. Perhaps the chef doesn't understand that cured meat and real Parmesan cheese are salty? It certainly seemed that he decided to add salt on top of these already salty ingredients. In either case, it was pretty horrific. For dinner I've had the ox-tail risotto and NY strip. The risotto was not bad. The ox-tail part of it, not so much. It was so salty that I was concerned about the long-term effects of the contorted faces I was making. The NY strip was tasty, but VERY tough and chewy. Definitely not a high-quality piece of meat. For the price charged, I expected much better. Finally, the service was bad. It took forever to get someone to take our order and just as long for the food to get to the table. Also, I didn't know that you could reserve a specific table. We were given a pretty junk table near the door and, when we asked whether or not we could have one of the three available tables farther into the restaurant (they were identical in size), we were told that those specific tables had been reserved and that we had to stay where we were. Given the conversations between the host and the people who eventually sat in those seats, I was skeptical. In any event, the worst part of the service relates to our wine. I don't have a problem paying a corkage fee, but if we're paying a fee they should at least provide a corkscrew or offer to open the bottle. Luckily, we had our own glasses and corkscrew. For having such a pretentious atmosphere and host, I have to say that their inability to properly earn their corkage fee was disappointing. Also, they didn't know how to properly serve or clear a table. I'm not usually nitpicky about that kind of stuff, but if they want to play haute wine-country cuisine, then they should do it right. Overall, this place has the kind of San Franciscan, yuppie snobbery that I abhor and specifically tried to avoid in moving to Honolulu. This would be tolerable if their food and service could keep pace with the atmosphere that they're so desperately trying to create. Thumbs down and I won't be coming back here again.

    (1)

  • C O.

    This is by far the most pretentious place I've seen in Hawaii. The service exudes the "I'm hollier than though" attitude and the prices fully support their arrogance. Their lunch menu is suprisingly good and only moderately overpriced. Their dinner menu, however, is an insult. We found the food to be moderately tasteless, the service to be rude and un-attentive, the prices to be absolutely obscene, and the experience dissapointing. The portions were so small and of such meager enjoyment the last time we dined here that we went home and made dinner on our own. Paying nearly $100 dollars for two people to leave hungry is a joke.

    (2)

  • Rob F.

    Anyplace you can grab a fancy range fed chicken served on torn bread with spinach and wash it down with a Pabst Blue Ribbon rules...good looking crowd most of the time...Chef's Ed and Dave are studs...

    (4)

  • Maxine A.

    Love this place. Super fresh, good service and yummy. The price is right too. You are getting local food, sometimes organic for a fair price. I go there once a week and have never been disappointed.

    (4)

  • Eric S.

    went for my girlfriends sister's bday. the girls started off with a glass of wine and a mojito while i had a eku beer which is extremely difficult to find i love the fact they carry beers that most places dont have so you have the chance to have something new. our appetizers were the ahi tartare which i just wanted more of and the mussels which had a thai like broth. i loved the fact that they sorta spaced out the meal without making you wait too long for your food and not feeling like they wanna make a quick buck out of you plus the ambiance is kinda modern which is a nice touch. the entrees where a good size not to the point where your gonna feel like your starving i had the chicken that was pan roasted with greens and panchetta the jus was addicting my gfs fish was cooked perfectly. finally there was dessert the milk honey panna cotta was like cheesecake and the honey added a touch of sweetness while the apple banana chocolate panini has become my new crack. awesome experience

    (5)

  • Charlie D.

    This is such a sweet find. You will kick yourself if you don't try this. Yummy ass food. I mean their motto is local first and organic when possible, and the food is really fab-u-lo-so. really ono. I wish I could have found room to eat more!

    (4)

  • Gina P.

    i loved my dinner here coupled with the organic OKO cab/merlot! i loved the organic concept and the service was great. my friends and i ordered the opah, pork shoulder with yummy polenta, and mahi. we had some guava cake and cantaloupe sorbet for dessert which just topped it off. the prices were reasonable and the portions were just the right size.

    (5)

  • Aloha M.

    I don't know how this restaurant gets good reviews. IT'S TERRIBLE! In 2006 I had a pleasurable experience with town but its day is over. Took a friend for dinner 7/16/2011 and wish I hadn't. The decor, what there is of it, is old and tired. We had an 8 pm reservation and stood at the hostess stand until 8:15 starring at our empty table. After being seated ordered drinks, Waiter was pleasant. About 10 minutes later waiter came back and took our food order. Both of us ordered MA'O organic salad and Ono with fresh vegetables. Salad came before drinks. Drinks came finally and were Martini served in a Daiquiri glass? And wine that wasn't even 1/4 of the small wine glass @ $12 a shot and a shot was about all it was. The Ono had no taste and looked like the frozen pieces you buy from Costco. The vegetables were also of frozen variety and looked and tasted like it. They were not "Local Fresh" as they contained varieties that don't grow here in Hawaii. Overall for $120.00 spent on dinner I could have done better in a microwave, which I don't use. Go somewhere else; Town has seen its day! The whole experience isn't even worth one star.

    (1)

  • Jeff A.

    San Francisco tones with "local" Hawaii appeal. Once you walk in, you feel like you are transported into a SOMA loft...(South of Market). The service was fantastic and we received a number of great menu recommendations. The prices are very reasonable and the food was a delight! I'm headed to Town for more menu attempts the next time I visit.

    (4)

  • K.J. N.

    Town was very accommodating to give our party of 7 the best corner table. The ambiance is casual modern, and our lighting fixture was very cool. They are eco-friendly and re-use old menus as coasters. The menus are cleverly displayed on clipboards. We started off with the suggested salad, a mixture of greens with mango, avocado, and walnuts--very light and nice. We ordered the gnocchi, risotto, ono, and rib-eye. Everything was tasty, and the rib-eye was excellent. Couldn't help wishing for bowls of rice for the steak and ono. Servings for the gnocchi, risotto, and ono were on the small side. The wait between the salad and main course was way too looooong, and we began to look around for our waitress. Some time after the food was served, loud, boom-box beat music began and was not conducive to conversation. I was surprised to hear this selection of music, as the ambiance called for the classier jazz which abounds the eateries in San Francisco. Luckily, the company and the bits of conversation that could be heard were great. Don't think I'd return.

    (3)

  • Tammy T.

    My boss treated me a lunch today. Town restaurant is opposite to my office so we didn't hv to go far in heavy rain and flooding today. I ordered their hand-cut pasta. The portion was really really small. It's like a snack size. I couldn't get full from that...... Other than that, the pasta tasted really good. Rich in flavor and and perfect match with the roasted egg plant. The restaurant was really busy and the service there was slow, we waited for 15 minutes to get water from them and another 20 minutes for food. I think I would come back here to try their burger and fries, I heard they are very good!

    (4)

  • Tom M.

    I liked the hip design of the place, the patio and especially the service. However, there do come up short on overall delivery. First, my beer came out warm (their cooler was acting up, but I shouldn't have to ask to put it on ice). We had a martini, and while good, it tasted watered down--the result of warm vodka in a warm shaker, I'd guess). They were out of several of the items or ingredients we tried to order, and we felt bad for the waitress who kept having to bring us bad news. I will say we loved the side salads. The beet and burrata salad was excellent and well-priced, and so was the avocado with pineapple salad (supposed to be avo/mango, but they ran out of mango--because so few of those in HI). The bruschetta was good and risotto decent, but not memorable. If they can work out a few kinks at Town, I'd probably really like it. But other local places are doing similar things better.

    (3)

  • Amber W.

    Oh my YUM. This place is SUPER good. Food, service, atmosphere... all pretty perfect. I recommend ordering a few things and sharing with your table. You'll get a nice taste of what they have to offer. Only reason I gave 4 stars is the price/portion of their non-entrées. I was a bit shocked to pay $12 for a "beet salad" that had a tiny tiny slice of beet laid over a few pieces of arugula. It doesn't have to be giant, but a but more would have felt right. And the homemade pasta was absolutely lovely but again, one of the smallest portions I've seen for the price ($18). The striploin was the most delicious I've ever tasted. Perfectly seasoned and well-portioned. The truffle fries and accompanying salad were also yummy. We didn't indulge this time, but their drink menu was enticing with some great variety. Can't wait to visit again for dinner and definitely want to try their breakfast.

    (4)

  • Jon W.

    Nominated for a prestigious James Beard Award, 2014 Best Chef: West, I placed Town on my "must try" list. The food was "meh. I've experience better,' definitely not worthy of a James Beard Award nomination. Service was decent, our waitress, while attentive, was tending to too many tables at once. To no fault of her own, I felt lost in her circus juggling act. The amount of time that lapsed from placing to receiving our initial drink order (beer and wine) kept us from ordering a second round. While the fresh pasta was rolled and cooked perfectly, the quantity did not match the price ($19), as the 'Bolognese' was sparse, very...very...sparse. The Aku tartare ($15) was served on crispy polenta. While crispy (polenta) and flavorful (tartare), the polenta was slightly larger than a half dollar and the tartare must have been measured using a melon baller. The polenta bowl, or was it Bowl 'o Polenta, was hardly memorable. Bland and uninteresting are better adjectives to describe this lackluster dish. The addition of mushrooms, hamakua are local, would have elevated this dish. Black Mussels. Absolutely delicious. Fresh, juicy, succulent, with an absolutely delicious broth made the mussels the dish of the night. If the order came with twice as many mussels as it did they would have been even better. I gave serious consideration placing another order. The kitchen seem disorganized. Our initial order of mussels and polenta were delivered together and we decided to order two more appetizers and an entrée, to share. This is where kitchen dysfunction reigned supreme. The remainder of the order - tartare, pasta, and charcuterie board - came out in that order, each ten minutes after the previous. Who eats a charcuterie board after their entrée? Bueller? Bueller? As a James Beard Award nominee my expectations for Town were lofty, and the restaurant missed the mark. At least it's pet friendly, as long as you don't mind being crammed between other tables.

    (2)

  • Jonathan C.

    I really love the concept of using local ingredients for their dishes. I've only been there once, but I really want to go again to try some of their other dishes as I only got a burger the last time I visited. So I ordered the Kuahiwi grass-fed hamburger which came on a potato roll, with MA'O greens. The burger was fine, but it wasn't anything spectacular. Nonetheless... I will definitely go back as I loved the atmosphere and the ambiance. Totally chill spot and the customer service was great!

    (4)

  • Moxy W.

    Good ole town! Dare I say you are my most favorite restaurant on the island, in spite of all those who take issue with you, much like that friend your other friends can't quite understand why you insist on hanging out with. Why do I like you so much? a) I can bring my dogs! b) I can have a decent cocktail with my wholesome breakfast that doesn't consist of just greasy stuff, like an awesome salad with pa'i'ai and fresh fish! c) You know how to showcase vegetables in an artistic, tasty way. And I can actually eat vegetables here!! d) You don't over-salt or over-season your dishes. You let the quality and integrity of your ingredients shine. e) I haven't ever had a bad meal in all the many times I've visited. f) I haven't visited in ages, but the dishes still surprise me delightfully as the very first time I ate here way back when. g) Your panna cotta has always had me wanting to lick the bowl. h) The casualness of the place might not merit a James Beard Award, but it's exactly why I keep coming back. i) It's a great laid back environment for being able to have a lingering meal where you can actually hear your dinner companion(s) without feeling rushed or pressured by waitstaff.

    (4)

  • Jill K.

    This is in regards to a take out order I was planning for a small business luncheon. I've eaten at Town before and their food is great, but their customer service is lacking in a real way. I phoned a few days in advance to inquire if Town could provide lunch for about 10 people . I was told by an employee that it should be no problem, but to call back tomorrow, as their ingredients are fresh and the menus change daily. I had him take down my name, number and my amount of people/which day which he said he'd pass along to a manager. I phoned back the next day to follow up about my inquiry when Ronda answered the phone. She was incredibly rude and unaccommodating. When I recited my request to her, she told me "We're in the middle of breakfast right now." When I asked her if she had heard anything about my order from the employee I spoke to the day before she told me that "yesterday was her day off, so she doesn't know." Also, I inquired about lunch for 10 at around 11 a.m., and told me that they "probably can't because they would have JUST opened for lunch." Then she said that someone would get back to me later and was about to hang up. I asked her if she'd like to take my number to get back to me and she scoffed and took it down with a sarcastic "Yes." I've been in the restaurant industry for 12 years and have never projected my or my organization's problems on my guests. I was taken aback at how every request I made or inquired about was met with a personal problem, like it was her day off and my favorite- they were in the middle of breakfast right now. I certainly appreciate the stressful nature of the restaurant business, but to make your prospective guest inquiring about a local business luncheon feel as if they are stupid to have bothered you in unacceptable. I took my business elsewhere. It's a shame that Ronda, who is associated with what's perceived to be one of Honolulu's premier dining destinations, doesn't embody the aloha spirit, much less the professionalism a place like Town no doubt wants and needs on the front line. Order from and dine at Town at your own risk. If you're paying a lot of money for good food, try somewhere else in town.

    (2)

  • Kiana M.

    First visit 2006...awesome!. second visit 2007.,.tables too close for privacy...third visit 2013 checking it out... Ok...LAST VISIT 2015...Town fell into comfort groove, I won't be back.

    (1)

  • Jennifer K.

    I had a out of town guest who wanted to try local food so we tried their dinner tonight. Everything was fresh and delicious. We loved their fresh fish entree so much. Our waitress was very sweet and helpful. They even accommodated my request for nice table sitting when I made last minute reservation. My guest enjoyed very much and she said she will come back here again. Overall, we really like their menu & food and friendly service.

    (4)

  • Joanna S.

    Four of us were very pleased with our meal. Everything is so fresh, different, and wonderfully prepared Our appetizers were outstanding: ahi on risotto cakes, mussels in dry vermouth and carrots prepared 3 ways Three people had the kapa and raved about it My seared rare ahi was the only weak spot. The ahi was cooked medium, not rare, although the flavor was good. A side dish of 3 kinds of mushrooms was excellent as was the pear tart.

    (5)

  • Pam M.

    Local first, organic when possible, Aloha always, is their motto. I try to support local businesses when possible, especially restaurants with yummy food. I've dined here many times over the years & enjoy their breakfast on weekends (sunny egg with polenta and greens finished with pancetta & mac nuts is my favorite breakfast item). Dinner menu changes nightly depending on the ingredients available (ex. no ahi during their breeding season) but they do have some regular items. Dinner menu favorites are the ahi tartare on risotto cakes (delicate & delicious), mussels in white wine & fennel broth, pork belly entree (if it's available) and chicken leg which is tender and moist with crispy skin. My bf likes their steak or fish special. Favorite dessert is their chocolate hazelnut gelato and since the serving is 2 scoops, you're allowed to choose a second gelato flavor so I usually get 2 different flavors (vanilla, caramel or espresso are usually the other options). It's served with a chocolate chip cookie on top. I love their ample outdoor seating. I've only dined inside the restaurant a few times a long while back but I usually sit outside so my dog, a little Yorkshire Terrier, can join us. The current outdoor tables are large, wooden frames on casters that lock so they roll as needed for adjustment. These large tables replaced their circular metal tables which were a challenge for group seating with lots of dishes being passed around. Service is generally friendly and prompt. They're so nice and will bring a water bowl for your four legged friends.

    (4)

  • Helen M.

    In economics class, I remember our professor telling us about the supply and consequent demand of large bluefin tuna. The more endangered they became, the more people want to get their hands on it and eat that last piece of sashimi. So nothing teaches you about love and desire quite like scarcity, now does it? Enter the gnocchi and mussels dilemma at Town, a trendy restaurant in Kaimuki that seemingly runs out of these two popular dishes every so often because of a low supply. I don't blame them for selling out of their items because hey, it happens. My first visit resulted in sold out gnocchi and mussels, so we ordered their French fries as a starter, and their hand cut pasta and risotto instead. I would totally order the fries again, very good to snack on! The hand cut pasta was delicious, with chunks of broccoli and seasoned perfectly. The risotto was great as well but I would choose the pasta over it. Still, in the risotto, you can really taste the sweetness from the corn and the okra brings a different taste and nice texture to the dish. After another random gamble to try their damn bluefin tuna of a dish, I was determined, and managed to order both gnocchi and mussels. (Side note: add bluefin tuna to your menu, that would drive me wild). Both lived up to the hype, thank goodness! The gnocchi was flavorful, and the texture was so soft without being mushy. The mussels were seasoned perfectly, and fresh from what I can tell. Both were melt in your mouth good. Would totally recommend, with or without the gnocchi or mussels on the menu. American gourmet comfort food at its tastiest!

    (5)

  • Angela A.

    Just got back from a nice Saturday breakfast at Town. You order at the bar and serve yourself coffee which, combined with the open-air ambiance, creates such a relaxed and easy going vibe perfect for breakfast. My friend and I spent just about $10 each and enjoyed a breakfast burrito (eggs, queso fresco, chorizo) and a egg, fontina, and prosciutto panino. Both were delicious and just the right size. Good food, no fuss breakfast!

    (5)

  • Maggie B.

    You'll never get a breakfast like this! We both had a bowl of breakfast goodness - tomato chili, eggs cooked to perfection that melted over the entire bowl when your fork touched them, lovely naan type bread to mop up the goodness....This was a very special spot with very special food. It's not for someone who wants bacon and eggs with no flair. I would highly recommend it for a foodie.

    (4)

  • Jen G.

    Excellent dinner!!! The food was fantastic. The ahi on risotto was great. The fish was awesome. The service was great. They have a parking lot. You pass the restaurant and right before the apt complex is a lot.

    (5)

  • Fran C.

    Mele kalikimaka, and hau'oli makahiki hou! (Merry Christmas & a Happy New Years!) As the year 2014 is coming to an end, what better way to spend your holiday, then to spend it with family, & friends! December is by far one of my favorite months.........why? Well, I love this time of year because I get to reconnect with family & friends......... Yes, we are all busy........and sometimes we lose track on what is really is important in life. What really is important to me is - 1. Ohana (Family) 2. Hoaloha (Friends) 3. Makana (my loyal furry 4 legged son, see #1) 4. Ke Akua (God, cuz someones gotta look out for ya!) Friday night was a time for me to reconnect with my good friends Sharon & Cathy.......they are by far the funniest foodie friends I have! Sometimes it's really hard to enjoy a meal when I'm with them, as they totally "CRACK ME UP!" They are some funny chicks I tell you! Where did we go for da "GRINDZ"? We went to a restaurant called "Town" in Kaimuki. Sharon & Cathy have been to this restaurant before..........but for me, it was an all time 1st. (Mahalo fo' accommodating a bruddah!) I've seen this place many times, as I drive past this restaurant all the time. Little did I know how busy this restaurant was, as they seem to have a very strong following. (I gotta tell you, last night the restaurant was packed!) I'm was also surprised at how big the restaurant was.........because when I look from the outside, the restaurant appeared to look like a small neighborhood bar. Now for da grindz...........as I got seated, the friendly waitress - Aviva served up some water & complimentary bread. The bread came with butter & olives in a dipping sauce. From there we ordered our drinks, then dinner......... For my meal, I started with a Mao Salad, then for my entree I had the Blackened Opakapaka with breadfruit. I must say I really enjoyed my Mao salad.........the Mao salad had organic lettuces, pancetta, manchego, cherry tomatoes, & walnuts. For my entree, I got the blackened opakapaka , and it came with some greens & breadfruit. For you folks that never had breadfruit before.........all I can say is Town really knows how to prepare breadfruit! The breadfruit texture reminded me of eating cut potatoes, but when you look at the cut pieces, you know it's not potatoes. My foodie friends at had ordered the following - Beet Salad, Squash Salad, Hand Cut Pasta, & Chicken........ Food was excellent (4 stars)............but company was even better! (10 stars). If you folks don't know this......TOWN is known for serving - "Local first, organic whenever possible, and with Aloha always" ............a pretty good motto, I must say........ Great service, and the our waitress Aviva was very helpful in explaining the menu to me. She also checked on us regularly to make sure we had what we needed. There is parking for the business complex (off of 9th Ave)..........there is a fairly large parking lot right behind this complex. When you pull into the parking lot, it may look like it belongs to an apartment complex, but it's for the business like Town, & some other businesses in the complex. Check 'em out gang! Eat local, and support Chef Ed Kenny & his gang at Town!

    (4)

  • Nikki H.

    This place is a solid 4 stars. I really enjoyed it, but I've had better and it didn't blow my socks off. I started with the liver bruchetta, which my waitress recommended but I didn't finish it because it tasted like a half shaker of salt had been poured on top. I can't trust my taste buds these days so maybe I'm wrong and it's actually a culinary art form of flavors. I was able to score a bowl of the gnocchi (they only serve 12 bowls a day) and omg, heaven. It was a party in my mouth. I loved every single bite. The menu can be a bit tricky so unless you are holding a PhD in every edible thing on the planet, get ready to ask wtf limu or pai'i'aia is. Don't worry, the menu changes daily so that might not be an issue for you. The music was good, the atmosphere is chill, the space is roomy.

    (4)

  • Jeff R.

    Love just sitting at the bar, getting drink ideas from the bartender and eating the ahi tartare and the pa'i'ai.

    (4)

  • Brian M.

    Decided to check out town since we woke up late from the previous night. Easy to find parking at the adjacent lot and no line, unlike the other popular brekkie eateries. We were greeted right away as we walked in, but after being seated we were just left with a menu and didn't see anyone for at least 10minutes. So you know what happens when I'm left waiting with my phone in hand.... Review time!, darn that disease Yelptitist! Finally got some water and was told that the waiters are overwhelmed? I had that Whuuut?? look on my face, just say that they'll soon be with you instead please. It's not like this small restaurant is packed and there's a long line of people waiting. The waitress did come after few minutes later, but I'm already unhappy from the wait.. Breathe... Breathe.. Service did get better after we got our coffee's, maybe that was what I needed to calm me down, yup that was it! On to the food.... I had to order the fried rice remembering Pua P.'s review of this eatery for breakfast. Our orders came out in a timely fashion and I thought the portion of the fried rice was a little small for $9. My thoughts on the dish... It was pretty darn good with the spicy portuguese sausage chopped up inside along with some carrots and onions. Was it the best I ever tasted.. Nope, but it's definitely up there in my list of Ono fried rices. I don't know if Town will be in my rotation of brekkie places, but I would love to come back for lunch or dinner. *PS...Hey can we stop saying overwhelmed please, that just that makes me think of that saying "If you no can handle.. Quit!" *Overall for brekkie 3.5 stars , 3 for service and 4 for the fried rice.

    (4)

  • Chantel C.

    I am happy to add Town to my list of fave's! I highly recommend this restaurant to both locals AND guests from out of town. I loved the local flavor, and super fresh ingredients. They change their menu daily, but if they have the seared ahi, get it! The seared ahi was perfect. It came with cubes of taro, and vegetables prepared like I have NEVER tasted before! Simply amazing. I also was able to steal a bite of the pork loin, which was also excellent. Super tasty and tender, but a bit too fatty for my liking. The service and food were really excellent. The waitress that we had was very friendly and attentive, but not too intrusive. I cannot wait to go back to try other menu items! Two thumbs up Town! You definitely live up to the rave. My experience there was really great, and I can't really see how some people rated them lower that five stars. Go local!

    (5)

  • Kyle S.

    This place is so good. My boyfriend and I shared the burger and hand made pasta for lunch. The fries are amazing. The service is very friendly. They have a thing on the menu where you can scan it and see where and when the fish was caught. I've never seen that before. That's pretty cool. I definitely recommend them.

    (5)

  • Steve S.

    Not really sure how this is 3.5 stars as it is a solid 4. I'd go 4.5 if possible but can't go 5 yet. Simply a great place. Open air to the street in an off Waikiki location that is truly the local experience. Food was wonderful (try the Gnocchi), staff was great, and experience more than I expected. Will certainly be one of my "go to" places in Honolulu from here on.

    (4)

  • Stephanie P.

    That chicken. Most juicy flavorful yet crispy skin chicken. Chef creations are original satisfying the tongues senses. Ambiance is lovely made me feel like I'm back on mainland in LA

    (4)

  • Julia B.

    I go to town pretty frequently and I love it for certain things and hate it for others. I just found out that they are no longer doing their breakfasts there which is really sad because I think that was one of the things they did the best. They had amazing coffee as well as some amazing breakfast dishes such as their polenta and greens with egg dish. That is the BOMB. Luckily I noticed that they at least saved that breakfast item and put it on their lunch menu. Phewf. I love coming here for lunch. Its usually pretty mellow, its a great upscale atmosphere without being too expensive or pretentious. Their pastas are probably my favorite things to order. I haven't met one that I didn't like. There was one with pork belly and dandelion greens, and that was my favorite thing ever. I came back three times that week just to order that. Their burger is also pretty solid too, although they seem to skimp on the cheese, which costs extra. I had never had dinner at town and so my husband and I went for a special occasion. I ordered the gnocchi, which was probably the worst item I have ever ordered from a restaurant. My husband ordered the pre-fix menu with I think around 5 courses. It was fairly expensive and the portions were just really miniscule and the flavors were just OK. It also took about one hour between his 3rd and 4th course, which at that point I had eaten what I could of my gnocchi and was tired and grumpy and just wanted to go home. Overall our first dinner experience was one of my worst restaurant experiences yet. I still give 4 stars because its great service and ambiance and most the food i have had is really good and I will always be back here. Maybe it was just an off night for dinner.

    (4)

  • Mario Q.

    Breakfast is just lovely at Town. Menu is full of locally grown, in house made, and simply delicious items. Every egg dish is made to perfection. The fish is actually fresh. And, they have pa'i'ai!! Sit down, settle in and have a cup of their tasty coffee blend or a Stumptown espresso. My must haves are the "perfect" eggs with house made chorizo and the frittata of the day, whatever day it is. Honestly one of the only places on O'ahu that makes a frittata correctly, and it's right every time.

    (5)

  • Lindy E.

    Wonderful food and wonderful service! Their fish is amazing. The menu changes daily due to their commitment to using local and organic ingredients. Seriously one of the best meals in my life. I had the monchong with dandelion greens, roasted breadfruit (my favorite part!) and okra. My partner had their big salad with monchong added onto it, and his was delicious too! We also had their pa'i'ai appetizer (amazing!) and their apple banana cream pie (also really good even though I don't like bananas). It was all on point!

    (5)

  • Kawika B.

    Been here for Dinner and it was kinda Pretentious for Hawaii. Breakfast, however, is the best and brightest for this Kaimuki location. Come for the specials and stay for the Local Food. Ed puts almost too much thought into every ingredient. If you are looking to WOW! an out of TOWNer, bring em for a quick breakfast at this quaint and classy spot. Thanks Ed!

    (5)

  • Elizabeth N.

    Oh wow, I haven't wrote a review for this yet! Duh, been here about 3 times first time was in 2013, I would like to come more but to me, this isn't really a place to bring kids...although they offer a great grilled cheese sandwich for $5 for your keiki (not on the menu but they offer when they see who you rolling with). Plus, it's not a huge restaurant so not good too have a bunch a kids in there, or a big group for that matter (unless you get outside seating, then you don't feel bad having your kids there). It's more of a good grown up place to hang out and enjoy a good meal and conversation. My favorite here is actually a bunch of the sides, I love the butter sautéed mushrooms and throwing them into the polenta. To me, the polenta is a meal in itself and I actually will just order that and be done! Their polenta is creamy goodness. All the food here is thoughtfully made and you can really taste the quality and art in it. However, the last time we came, my husband ordered the Opah and it a bit overcooked and smelled fishy. Otherwise, that's the only time we were a disappointed with what we ordered. Because you pay for people who forage the islands for the most local and fresh ingredients, Town is not a cheap meal per se, but it is worth it when you can do it.

    (4)

  • Susan R.

    While I LOVE their concept-fresh, local, daily & seasonal, the flavors always disappoint me. I've been there at least 5-6 times & only enjoyed my meal once. My husband had the charcuterie board this evening, which was really good! I do understand their 3.5 star rating here. Very nice staff.

    (3)

  • Stephen L.

    I'm amazed at how Town has gotten so many good reviews. I feel like I must've been dining at a totally different restaurant. The service was great. The hostess set me up with a couple of chairs on the porch and took a drink order while we were waiting for our table to be ready. The waitresses were friendly and knowledgeable with any questions regarding the menu. I had the beet salad with arugula and a yogurt dressing. The beets were well undercooked and super crunchy, not enjoyable at all. For my entree, I went with the Monchong with an array of garden vegetables. The fish was lovely, well cooked and very tender, but the vegetables were cut large and uncooked. It was like eating a crudite of veggies. Totally a turn off with the lovely fish. Desert was unmemorable, in fact, I forgot what I had. Next time, I'll venture elsewhere.

    (2)

  • Calvin L.

    Delicious! Our 6 top for lunch had two orders of Orrichiette, two orders of fresh cut linguini, a hamburger plate with exceptional fries and a large salad. Everything was exceptional. Oh. And forgot they really nailed the chicken gumbo! The restaurant was full yet their service fast and efficient.

    (4)

  • Jeff S.

    Seen Ed Kenney on TV and he seems like a nice guy trying to do good things in the kitchen. So I really wanted to like Town. Service was incredible. Food was just ok for me though. Tried their tasting menu ($65) and an order of gnocchi for the table which saved us from a stop at McDonalds on the way home. No home runs in the bunch. Stand outs would be the House cured ham dish although it only had a squirt of polenta which I was really looking forward to. The hand cut pasta dish had a good sauce but the green beans seemed out of place. Also kind of odd was the strips of baby corn in the gnocchi. The gnocchi itself was pretty good ($17.50).

    (3)

  • Angel L.

    Where do I start? I want to start with this; the manager was very nice and understanding when we talked to her and I in no way blame the waitress who was very nice the whole time, now that that was said, this was a terrible experience. I've done a lot of tasting menus in my time and all of them take a bit of a wait- that's fine it leaves time in between to really enjoy the dishes. However with that said, no one should wait two hours for their food while the person with the tasting menu finally gets to the pasta dish. My friend waited two hours before she was served her pasta, it came when my fourth dish came-- you heard me-- two hours later. Sure we had a small appetizer about forty five minutes in to the waiting, but for her to wait that long while I slowly got served? Unheard of. She was too nice to complain, so when the pasta finally got there she ate quietly. But that isn't where it ends. The pasta was really bad in my opinion, it tasted like lasagna noodles covered in brown gravy. When I gave the dish to my friend I was asked how it was by the waitress and politely I answered that I didn't really care for it. The dish was defended and I understand pride for your restaurant, so I won't complain about that comment she made. The waitress then brought me the ham dish and the polenta was very good but god, the ham tasted like it was purchased from Safeway. The dessert wasn't very good either and I'm afraid at this point the entire dinner was unsalvageable. I will give them this, the Ahi tartar on risotto cakes was the best thing I had out of the entire meal-- which wasn't even on the tasting menu. I paid $65 dollars with the idea that the food would meet a certain standard which excuses such a high price for such small quality of food. I was greatly disappointed. When we couldn't hold back the disappointment for the evening any longer we spoke to the manager. We explained the long wait and I spared her my opinions on the food since I in no way wanted to be rude-- she gave my friend a free dessert and that was that. She thanked us for our feedback and she was very nice, but the $119 bill for food we waited three hours to not even like still stayed unwavering. Perhaps I'm just use to a different type of dining experience, if someone had said that to me I would have offered comp drinks or something more than a dessert. But no, I wasn't there for free food or drinks. I was there to enjoy food that I had heard good things about and I came out with a sense that I will not be recommending Town to any of my number of friends in the future. I would give this restaurant one star had the manager had not been very nice to try and save the bad taste this place left in our mouths.

    (2)

  • Kylene U.

    Their motto: "Local first, organic whenever possible, with Aloha always" I've dined at Town restaurant twice and I absolutely love it! Their menu is designed to please your taste buds using local organic produce and the presentation is visually stunning. I came unexpectedly for breakfast this time and ordered the "Polenta, Pancetta, Bitter Greens & Sunny Egg." It was delicious. I have to say their polenta is on point; it has a nice creamy texture. My other half ordered the "Breakfast bowl" aka the "Chili bowl." I had a taste of it and I liked how the flavors combined together. The only negative thing is the service. Granted they are nice when you ask them questions. They are not attentive; I wanted to order a Bloody Mary bc I heard good things about it. So I locked eyes and gave a long stare at my waitress signaling for her to come over but she thought nothing of it. So I ended up not ordering a drink. If you are looking to try a breakfast spot with NO WAIT, try Town! There is ample parking in the back. =)

    (5)

  • Nadia K.

    Not in the mood for bacon cheesecake or beer tiramisu after dinner at Brew'd, my friends and I went across the street to Town for coffee and desserts. We shared the salted chocolate pretzel tart and the milk honey panna cotta and I had my first affogato, a shot of espresso over vanilla gelato. I LOVED my affogato and it was a race to finish the creamy gelato before it melted away. It was delicious and it made me want more. Much more. The tart was really rich and I especially liked the pretzel crust. It's really good if you like a blend of sweet/salty. The panna cotta was firmer than what I'm used to but I really liked the flavor of the honey. I'm a fan of any restaurant with a good dessert menu.

    (4)

  • Julie H.

    My past two visits to Town have been really disappointing. I came with my boyfriend for dinner and again for lunch with a small group and both times the food took over an hour. The time I came with my boyfriend wasn't so bad since our waitress frequently updated us and apologized for the wait. Today, however, we weren't checked on at all so a member of our party physically got up and had to find someone to talk to. I wouldn't recommend this place to someone who's hungry but would recommend it for a lunch meeting since there's ample time for talking and taking notes before food actually arrives. I like that the menu changes daily but there are a lot of other dining options in Kaimuki. If I return for the food, it will only be for takeout.

    (2)

  • Al D.

    Has been hit or miss for me. I'd give it another chance though.

    (3)

  • Noriaki S.

    In really I acknowledged this place as only a cafe.That's my big mistake. This was a excellent restaurant and Here's a restaurant should be recognized in the world.Food category was Italian.It was great surprise that pasta was handmade fresh one.This restaurant was famous that supplied the organic food.So, mussels I ordered was not farmed. Roasted fish was perfectly warmed.Quite amazing! I recommend this restaurant to everyone.

    (5)

  • Sophia N.

    I went to town tonight and it was amazing. Its a small restaurant very popular among locals. I started off with the ahi tuna with risotto cakes which was not the best thing but it was pretty good. I also shared the muscles with my family which were absolutely scrumptious. For my main course i had the pork chop and it was possibly the most delicious pork chop ive ever had in my life. It was seasoned well and cooked to perfection. Overall i thought this was a great restaurant.

    (5)

  • Diane L.

    It was okay. Lots of waiting. Smallish portions for the amount you pay. Food was pretty good. Hard to understand the menu

    (3)

  • Jay H.

    Would have given five stars purely for having that amazing breakfast burrito they used to have. BUTTTT, they get minus stars because they have taken it off their menu. Isn't that the worse? when you go somewhere ONLY for one thing and then they take that away?? this is my current relationship with Town.

    (3)

  • Shannon S.

    Very good food local produce and some of the best service reasonable prices great flavors

    (5)

  • Madeleine F.

    Uggghhhhh. Town is SO pretentious it's actually painful. :( I've only ever left a review like this once, usually I give places I enjoy a solid 4-5 stars no matter what. I was REALLY excited to go here after hearing good things, and getting excited to go there for a friend's birthday event last year. Weeeell, I am still getting over the experience I had there - not great. :/ First off: The server (a woman) seemed VERY annoyed that we asked about things on the menu. (Also don't get me started on the MENU, it's printed in "type writer font" and on a clipboard and everything kind of blends into each other so it's hard to read even for me - a 26 year old with perfect eyesight) Secondly: Not only that but she just ASSUMED we knew all the overly-"fancy" food terms and ridiculous ingredients they used and seemed again put out by having to explain it. I felt like our party wasn't "young and hip" enough for her or something. It was... Uncomfortable. ~Disclaimer, my brother works at NOMA, yes THE Noma. They had been the number 1 restaurant in the world for a few years in a row prior to this year and are now ranked #3 so I've TRIED fancy, crazy and creative food. However, Noma managed to keep it classy without making you feel like you were an idiot for not knowing what things were - Town? Nope.~ Anyways, rant aside I'm not giving it one star because the FOOD was pretty tasty. We got some slab of beef with a side of some sort of shredded potato business and I am nearly always down for well-prepared meat. So one star for that, absolutely! :) I'm sure this place is great for some people - (*cough mostly hipsters from what I examined during my stay cough cough*) I however, and my family and friends did not love it. The food again was delicious but it was really expensive and not something you couldn't get somewhere that DIDN'T make you feel like a country bumpkin with no food-knowledge. :( Sorry Town, but you're not my cup o' tea.

    (2)

  • Chris Y.

    Fresh! Fab! Amazing food by amazing chefs! Come open minded and empty stomached!!! :)

    (5)

  • GLENN F.

    Our reservations last night were at 7:30pm on Apr 21, 2015. Gusty Tradewinds were blowing 15-20mph. Upon our arrival we were given a table outside for the 6 of us. The ladies were cold all night. The wind was blowing, we even had to cut the evening short because it started to rain We were the only ones outside and there were no other tables set up. Very disappointing dinner for my friends from the mainland. However they did enjoy the meal even though it got cold really fast. What was to be a nice evening with friends, I found myself at home by 9pm!!

    (4)

  • Tiffinie K.

    A friend from work recommended Town to me, citing the very delicious food. When I visited, I noticed that there's not a lot of parking around the area. I made reservations so we were seated right away. My friend was right. The food was very delicious. I got the gnocchi. The service was very slow. We had to wait to get asked for drinks, in between drinks, while we were eating, and waiting for the check. Price wise, it was about $100 for two people including four drinks, but not counting tip. Might go there again because the food was really good. But the parking in service left something to be desired.

    (3)

  • Shiloh C.

    I am very disappointed! I come into this restaurant time and time again! And my birthday is tomorrow and I chose to have my friends and my birthday celebration at this particular restaurant and when I called in today to add more people onto the reservation this young lady named Patricia, was rude, sarcastic and very impatient with me on the phone!!! throughout the entire conversation she very unhelpful and through the phone her sarcasm was very clear! I asked politely if I could add 5 more people to my party and she was very rude about that, but still accommodated my request! When I asked for her name she instantly when into self defense and said "well if u call my manager, she'll tell you the exact same thing" I didn't say anything about calling the manager! Then I asked her why she was rude and her sarcasm escalated!!! I truly believe people deserve a second chance when they behave very rudely to guests, but management needs to go over how she can improve her attitude!

    (2)

  • Jeremy B.

    Went on a Saturday evening. The waitress was incredibly kind and helpful. The drinks were less then impressive. The mojito had shredded mint and an over abundance of club soda. The dinner was above average. The monchung was well prepared but a bit soggy The vanilla bean ice cream was plentiful. Overall a slightly better than average experience.

    (3)

  • Marc K.

    Food 4 stars Service 4 star Ambiance 1 star The noise is deafening! You must scream for your table mates to hear you!!

    (3)

  • Sammy S.

    This place seems to be getting better with age! A few years back I might selected 3 stars, as the menu was a bit too eclectic for my taste and dishes could be hit or miss. But more recently, the menu choices and preparation have been so spot on. We've had great luck with some of the recent rotating or special dishes, like mushroom soup or fish sausage (delicious I promise) as well as our favorites like hand cut pasta, mussels, and ahi tartare. Town also has an interesting and well-priced wine list and very good cocktails. Even with a bunch of new choices, Town keeps moving up our list of favorite dinner places.

    (5)

  • Jody S.

    I have passed this place over and over again, and have never stopped in. However, when my mentor suggested lunch there, I was totally down and game for it. He said it was a total 'Jody' spot so of course I was intrigued. The place had ample parking which I love as if you know that area, there is NOT a lot of parking especially on the streets. The décor was simple with a lot of open space, which I like. (don't want to feel claustrophobic when I am eating OR feel like someone is listening in on our conversation). The menu reminded me of the menu at HiSam with locally grown food and paper menus on a clipboard. The waitress was super knowledgeable and answered all of my questions excellently. My mentor ordered a ham dish and I ordered the homemade pasta, vegetarian style. We both enjoyed our meals, wiping each of our plates pretty much clean! I ordered an espresso gelato for dessert and it came in this really cool mini mason jar with a cookie on top. Sooo cute, truly! Overall, loved this place.

    (4)

  • Lucia M.

    Service was excellent, not intrusive and very good timing. Food was outstanding, specially the gnocci and the ahi tartare. Really enjoyed the atmosphere, and the sustainable, recycled menus as coasters was definitely an awesome touch! Parking in the area is an issue.

    (4)

  • Cindy B.

    I really wanted to like this place because of the chef and all the good things I heard about it. I'm going to start with a positive: the buttermilk panna cotta was excellent. I would come back just to have this again. The hand-cut pasta with kale, dried (cod?) roe and capers was a disapointment. The pasta was al dente perfect. I expected a briny salty flavor from the roe and capers. I don't like to salt or pepper my dishes, allowing to enjoy the meal the way the chef intended. I asked the waitress where the dried roe or capers were, as I didn't see it in the plate. She came back to tell me the dried roe is shaved (I guess I missed it) and the capers were fried. I wish it had more flavor. The service was a bit slow even though it was past 1pm and the restaurant was half full. While we were waiting for a 4th person, we told the waitress we were going to eat ahead of our late friend. Still...service could have improved. According to the Web site, the menu changes depending on what's fresh for that day. I am intrigued enough to come back to try others on the menu, or even go across the street to the Superette for a something different.

    (3)

  • Will C.

    1st time here. Heard good things about this place, however it was disappointing... Others recommended ahi tartar, risotto, black mussels, but they weren't available. Too pricey for the amount of food. The bread on the bruchette and burger bun was burnt. The cloth napkins left alot of lint on my clothing. Will not be coming back...

    (2)

  • Darin O.

    Taking Trendy to the trendiest level possible with new and tasty food all around. Talk to your waitress- ask what is good and going on. Do not come preset on ordering a hamburger no matter what. It is not what you do here. Here you have a small conversation, ask what is fresh and what she would recommend and how the chef feels abut a dish before even looking at the menu. The chef is wonderful- he was in the old YWCA (women's ymca) downtown. Then he started his own brick mortar that is separate- Town. He wants to do everything right- from finding a good taste to trying a new blend to sourcing as much possible locally so that it pops and is fresh. Did I mention that he likes it fresh? Ask what wine would go well. Ask what the waitress would think would go great with this or that. Ask away. The staff is super happy to be there and it shows. Don't be afraid of trying something new or radical- papaya with cucumber and something else that I don't recognize all in the same dish- I didn't order it but someone else is willing to let me try it- why not? it tastes strangely good even though it sounds funny. Food is meant to be enjoyed and it is quite enjoyable at Town. Wonderful to share with friends and have a great night out on the Town. Here are the problems- the quality of the food is great; service is friendly even shows aloha, full bar serves some items you would not normally try and the place is small so it is an intimate evening out. The problem- you will now want to go back there sooner than you had planned and you need to invite more people to share the experience with you so that you don't feel glutinous for going back so soon.

    (5)

  • Jennifer S.

    My husband and I enjoyed the tasting menu (again) tonight. The wine pairings were perfect and the service (food and bar) was excellent. I always point people here (and 12 Ave) when they are looking for great food.

    (5)

  • Harry K.

    This has been a favorite for years. Ed's crew continue to serve up fine local sourced island fresh fish and vegeys. Bourdain just ate there on his weird CNN Hawaii episode. He had many choices. Small but always consistent! Save room for dessert!

    (5)

  • Jody K.

    Ok... we are from LA and love restaurants such as Mozza, Sun cafe, Cube, Macceroni Republic, ink and wholefoods lol... I will definitely compare and recommend this tasting/wine pairing with the best of them!!!! Wow! Service, food and wine were among the best of the best! Hand cut pasta - beef sugo was Uh-amazing. Thank you for a wonderful experience with fresh organic food! What a treasure!

    (5)

  • Louisa N.

    My husband and I ate there for our anniversary which happened to be in the middle of the week. Boy was it crowded when we arrived at 8:30pm for our reservation! This place is popular! So the food being local and organic is a plus. They have an interesting menu. Stuff like pa'i'ai, he'e, cured opelu. I settled on Monchong with vegetables, hubby got strip steak (grass fed beef) which came with shoestring fries. My fish was good, very healthy preparation. My husband liked his steak, and while the fries were good, he thought it should come with a different potato dish like mashed or sautéed. The salad was super tiny and so was the ahi tartar. Both were good but we shared it so it was just a couple bites of each. Overall, our service was good for how busy it was. Our entrees came at the right time. The prices are high for the atmosphere, which the decor was basic but people seem to dress up here. I gave it 4 stars because of the price versus portion size versus atmosphere. Our bill was $110 for two. Only for special occasions.

    (4)

  • Vanessa F.

    Very very nice restaurant! And very refined cuisine! Delicious!... Service is great! I am French and am used to the best European food ever if i can say... From Michelin star chefs to little gastronomic bistro places...And to me, it's just a very nice trendy place and a beautiful "cuisine"! A little expensive but worth the price! It's European but also American and of course Hawaiian... A real fusion! I loved it and their wine pairings as well! Go for it!!!! :)

    (5)

  • Buju D.

    I am Jamaican! That being said...if I say the food is great! It is Great! The place is a bit cozy, but, when the steel drums start to sound and the crowd starts chatting, you are immediately transported to an island, resort style vibe...in my personal opinion, this place needs to be on the beach front!!! Being tucked away in a plaza does not do it any justice! Im going to stop now because I am about to get emotional... -the end-

    (5)

  • Kyle O.

    Food was ok, nothing to write home about. Service and food to come out was really slow. When I asked the server about the long delay she said it was because I ordered my burger medium-well and not medium. I've cooked a few burgers in my day and I know it doesn't take very long to move up the done ladder. If your cooks are slow and/or busy just admit it and apologize, don't blame your customers. I won't be going back or recommending.

    (2)

  • Jason Q.

    I am not quite sure why this restaurant does not really appeal to me. I've been twice. Once in 2009 and again this month. Guess it's safe to say that waiting 4 years to dine here says something. The environment is nice, and the service is fine. Our waitress had a nice, genuine smile and was attentive. The food to me is just okay. Although the dishes are well presented, the flavors have never wowed me. Last night, I ate the pork shoulder with polenta and greens. The pork shoulder was equivalent to eating a nice slap of thick bacon. It came crispy which I like. It also came with a lot of fat and grease which I also like however suffer from later. The polenta to me had no taste. Very bland. Same with the greens. Maybe my expectations for this place are too high, and never get met. Regardless, I am okay with dining here once every 4 years.

    (3)

  • Derek F.

    While the food wasn't bad, the service was supremely disappointing. The beet salad was so-so, the dish needed more acid and salt. We ordered the kabocha fritters, but they never came. The kids ordered burgers, which came out lukewarm and the fries were cold. The hand-cut pasta was passable. I had the big salad with fresh fish. Surprisingly the "easiest" dish took 30 mins more than any other dish to come out. When it did, the fish was cold, overcooked, and dry. The most disappointing thing was the poor service. Our meals took forever. The wrong dishes were brought to us. We didn't get out meals at the same time. No condiments or pepper was offered. Our water wasn't filled once. What should have been a 45min meal took nearly 2 hours. Avoid this restaurant if you value your time.

    (1)

  • Reid S.

    I've only been to Town twice in my life, the first was when they just opened, and the second last week. I can say there was such a big difference between then and now, a good difference. My first time at Town was rather unmemorable, the only highlights I remember were their lemonade and fries. I always thought of it as just a trendy place to eat, where the atmosphere can hide decent food. But since my first visit, I've never seen Town empty, so I always knew that there was something special there. I'm never able to get a reservation of hungry Friday and Saturday nights, a definite good sign that this establishment is not only delicious and appealing, but more importantly, promising. You can see this phenomenon from the street. Apparently there is a parking lot in the back, I just don't park there because I have a phobia of not finding parking, so I venture across Waialae Ave. and park on the street, no big deal. They have outdoor seating that is open to non-reservation diners, which I think is a good idea because it gives us indecisive eaters a chance! It's hard to realize that you're in Kaimuki because Town feels like an out-of-island experience, somewhere in SoCal, it's a nice feeling. I ordered their White Sangria, which was sweet and delicious, very refreshing for a hot summer's day. For my entreé, I ordered their handcut pasta with panchetta, which was amazing! The noodles were cooked perfectly, and the flavors were savory, sharp, and full-bodied. I really enjoyed my meal. Their bread selection was also very tasty, two types of bread with a dish for olive oil and pitted olives, very very very nice! My friend ordered their sirloin steak and she seemed to really enjoy it! All good signs, all good signs. I'll definitely come back soon, if I can get a table! They have a promising menu, very eclectic and innovative and all with local ingredients and flavors. It is truly a high-end local restaurant. All I can say is thank you thank you Ed Kenney! Buff n Blue pride all the way!

    (4)

  • Katie D.

    Best local spot I've been to. Monchong with local veggies was beyond words. Hubby's Uku was equally pleasurable. Start with mussels. You can't go wrong!!!! Seriously. Go here.

    (5)

  • Jennifer G.

    Town really disappointed. Service was slow, parking non-existent, and they don't have jelly or ketchup at breakfast?? The menu and food choices sound delicious, but when you get them they are lacking flavor. Organic is good, seasoned is better. They were also very expensive, $60 for two entrees and two drinks?? It definitely was not worth the parking ticket I received.

    (2)

  • Alyssa M.

    i've been here twice, with some friends...they love it here! the location is decent, but the parking lot seems a little ghetto. the service the first time around was excellent. we were immediately seated since we had a reservation for dinner. our waitress was very nice and always check up on us. the second time we went, we went for lunch. we were seated quickly, but it took forever to even get water. the waitress was nice, but not as efficient. as for the food, my friend and i got the hand crafted pasta which was yummy (both times). supposedly, the menu changes everyday, but i felt that the pasta was the same the both times i went. if not the same, very similar. however, it was tasty and fulfilling. my friend's bf got the pork belly plate and it was very good. he let me have a taste, and the pork belly literally melted in your mouth. i only gave town 4 stars because the service was ok, and the food takes a while to come out. also, the prices are a tad steep if you ask me.

    (4)

  • Malia S.

    What Ed Kenney started with Town years ago has shaped and improved the local food scene more than I can say. His dedication to locally-sourced, organic, and delicious ingredients is commendable, and it shines through the daily-changing menu and the delicious food that comes out of the kitchen. Town recently closed breakfast service, after 10 full years of fried rice and bloody mary's, but I'll continue to be a frequent lunch and dinner customer for as often as the restaurant continues to open its doors. Love the handcut pasta, love all of the waiters and the friendly service. I recommend trying the pa'i'ai!

    (5)

  • W Q.

    Great farm to table restaurant. The ingredients are fresh and high quality. Lunch is an amazing value, $15 entrees. Portions are small, but it is just right for lunch, and it is very well made. Had the pan-roasted chicken, absolutely delicious. Had a really enjoyable meal here. Parking is directly behind the restaurant, looks like apartment parking, but 10 stalls are actually for the restaurant. Great spot for lunch, highly recommended!

    (5)

  • Ronald G.

    I used to like this place. But on my most recent breakfast visit my wifes order was incorrectly made and my frittata was served cold. They corrected the order and warmed my frittata but the food wasn't that good. Perhaps the chef changed or something.

    (2)

  • Shuji K.

    Town just cancelled my Thanksgiving reservations. Apparently they don't open on Thanksgiving. They waited one week before Thanksgiving to tell me, when I made that reservation months ahead. I am now inconvenienced with having to come up with a reservation for four for dinner, and need to find a place that my grandmother would be caught dead using her walker/cane. If they don't even know what's going on with their scheduling, it makes me doubt their ability to prepare decent food.

    (1)

  • Addie L.

    A bit on the pricey side on what you get in terms of portions but we think it's worth it. We ordered the baked chicken leg and balked at the $22 price but ordered it because we heard that this an excellent dish. It lived up to the hype, the skin is extremely crispy, the meat is soft and well seasoned to the bone. Is this really chicken? The mac nuts and pancetta are nice subtle touches that round out this excellent dish. The risotto with roasted cabbage was not bad either. A bit creamy for my tastes and the risotto was slightly undercooked. But the flavors were there and everything blended in together. For dessert, we ordered the banana cream pie and panna cotta, Both were excellent and you can tell they used really high quality ingredients. Not too sweet or overpowering as the other standard desserts you get from other restaurants. Service is a bit slow but very friendly. It gets a bit loud in prime dinner time, so if you are looking for a quiet romantic dinner, Café Miro across the street is probably a better choice. Recommended!

    (4)

  • Jon H.

    Town is 5 stars no question! Let's begin with my favorite: gnocchi. For something so relatively simple in concept, finding great gnocchi is really damn hard. Sometimes the texture is just right, but the flavor lacks. And other times vice versa. Thankfully, there's Town. And if gnocchi's your thing, you owe to yourself to eat here asap. First things first, let's talk about the texture, which is out of this world! So smooth and they almost melt in your mouth. But at the same time the scratch made hand-cut gnocchi holds up enough that the sauce doesn't make it soggy. And then we have the flavor, which pops with the acidity of the lemon and caper sauce. The sunchokes, which are the roots of a type of sunflower, adds a another starch to the dish, but with a unique nutty flavor as well. All together, the dish absolutely works. 10/10 would order every time! However, the chefs at Town only prepare a certain number of orders per day, so make sure to either get there early or check with your server first thing when you get there. And there's so much more to Town than just the amazing gnocchi. Every meal should start with a bowl of black mussels. They're served in a broth of the mussel liquor and vermouth, and honestly you're gonna end up ordering another bowl because the first one goes by too quickly. And the toasty bread that accompanies the mussels is the perfect way to soak up all that delicious broth. Another winner are the fries. You might be thinking to yourself why fries when there's so many other choices, but I swear to you that these are the tastiest, crispiest fries you'll ever have tasted. And if you pair an order of fries with the mussels--DO IT!--they're just another perfect vessel for that broth. Just thinking about it now is making my mouth water. Town is open Monday to Saturday for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and if you're looking to treat yourself to some wonderful food, you found the right place.

    (5)

  • Hathaway J.

    We have been back several times. Brie, the awesome manager, invited us back on the house. We are life long customers now. So impressed with the food and service. Real aloha. Thank you!

    (5)

  • Ainslie P.

    I have been going to Town for some years now and always liked it....HOWEVER that all changed today. I tried to book a table for 15 people for my husbands birthday. Brin who told me she was the general manager was so rude and couldnt care less about me. It felt like they were doing me a huge favour by having us there... She gave us absolutely ridiculous times for the booking so it made it almost impossible to book the table. a table with 15 people isnt a big table.... we were also made to split this table because they can not handle a small table of 15. Now i have worked as a chef for a good part pf my life and know when the table is going to be too big... also this booking was being made on a Thursday night....not Friday, saturday or sunday i cancelled my booking and as i mentioned to the GM, she was not helpful and made me feel very uncomfortable and like my time was not worth anything... she made me feel like i was just taking up her time... we have booked at Buho Mexican in waikiki who gladly took our booking and gave us the time we wanted... no more Town for us......

    (1)

  • RB19971 R.

    The food was pretty good, but the service mediocre. The boar sausage was very good. At breakfast, or any meal in a restaurant to be frank - I don't expect to hear boom boom boom from the speakers. The restaurant has issues with noise to begin with, they have installed noise canceling foam on the ceilings, so to play boom boom music seems like an oxymoron. The prices were very reasonable, and i will go back again, but i can only hope they get their act together, otherwise they will end up just like SALT - closed.

    (4)

  • Elaine F.

    Heard a lot about Town but as I sit here waiting for an hour for our food, no refill on drinks and still waiting I hate to say I'm disappointed with the service,

    (2)

  • Mark L.

    Town, you are my JAM!!! You were fantastic the 3 times we saw you on our last visit, and the 2 times we visiting you on this trip were even better. Staff is super friendly and makes every effort to take care of you. the ONLY hiccup on this visit was, it looked like they were a little short staffed and so our first round of drinks came out a tiny bit slow. The staff immediately took care of it and comped the drinks. The food is better than ever and the old standby Ahi on Risotto is still perfection! Thank you for making every trip here such a great time! This place is NIRVANA in what can be a very "challenged" food scene on the island. Keep up the great work!

    (5)

  • Mary G.

    The worst service I have ever experienced. 30 min wait with lots of empty tables and a super rude waitress!

    (1)

  • Manny B.

    Great and creative food. Service was great and attentive. They have creative bottled drinks and great pasta/fish dishes that are very tastefully prepared. I would come back here one day just to taste it all over again. Good Job!

    (4)

  • K B.

    Food is good, but not great. Service staff ranges from sassy to efficient. Was here for breakfast. The vege frittata was nothing special, and the only "vege" thing about it was it had some skinny green beans? and onion in it. The side salad was something out of a bag from Costco. Coffee was good though. Was greeted by a hostess that had a bit of attitude (we asked if she could temporarily unlock the front door, to allow our handicap friend a short walk to the table, and she said "no"). The waitress was much better and knew the menu quite well. Her "helper" seemed indifferent, and requests for more water/coffee took way too long. By the way, the place wasn't busy. Finally, it would be great if they turned the music down a notch. It impedes normal conversation. I'll give them another chance, perhaps when they're having a good day.

    (3)

  • Paul Kaulana L.

    So I had made a reservation for this restaurant I heard so much of. For what I've heard of Town, I was not impressed with some dishes. The potatoe soup that we ordered was not potatoes but more so garbanzo beans soup. Unfortunately we had it sent back because it was not what we expected. Appetizer we ordered to Ahi Tartar balls. The presentation was displeasing, 3 ahi balls laid out on a plate. Thought there would've taken the time for better presentation but not so much. Ahi was room temperature and tasted ok. Not much to talk about. We ordered the beef loin medium well with the fries and salad. The salad was good but meat was kinda dry. I will come back to try other dishes but not the ones already tried. Maybe next time will be better.

    (2)

  • Cyndi K.

    I had heard so much about this place, both good and not so good. We finally tried it for my husband's birthday. The wait staff was very pleasant and answered questions. The food, however, was just mediocre. The Opah (fish) was not fresh, and had a strong fishy flavor for that usually mild fish. The french fries, which seemed to be so popular, were over salted and not that tasty. My son's salad was very fresh and tasty, I have to say (Ma'o greens). The roasted beet salad was mushy. I don't think we would chose to go back there anytime soon. There are alot better restaurants for special occasions.

    (3)

  • Seagem F.

    Love the farm to table method. One of the first of its kind to take on this local farm to table method. This restaurant has been here about 15 years. No mussels and or ahi tare tare which are our favorite apps. The chicken is pan roasted and get the fries which are so good. This is a swanky hipster place and has a bar with some great drinks! There is outside seating. The parking is on 9th ave. After you pass restaurant on right and the lot is right after that. The menu changes every day. So, if you had something wonderful, it might not be there the next time. The breakfast is fabulous. I like the ahi one if they still have. Today I ordered the breakfast burrito with chorizo! Have an awesome day!!!

    (5)

  • love k.

    The worst service ever. My gut told me to leave the minute and the way the server greeted us. I will never return. It doesn't even deserve a star.

    (1)

  • Benhur B.

    I don't know what took me so long to try this place. I'm glad I did though. Now I'm a fan and will definitely come back. After a hike, a friend of mine, her dog and I were hungry. We decided on here because it has pet friendly outdoor seating. They have an ample amount of parking stalls at the back of the conveniently located restaurant. So no problem. Service was genuine and pleasant. They even brought out a water bowl for our furry friend. Water glasses were always filled too. That's a great thing after a 2 hour hike. I ordered the Orecchiette Pasta in Pork Sugo Sauce. Wait for food wasn't too long. Their portions are just right. For a $13 entree, it seems a little steep, but the quality and taste of dish + great service made it all worth it. Oh, and interior is pretty cool too!

    (4)

  • Sheena C.

    BREAKFAST REVIEW I would say that I am a breakfast "regular" here--no, scratch that, lets say "returnee." I've been here for breakfast over 10 times (most times alone) because of the free wifi, bottomless coffee, and the fact that it is mellow and never super crowded or loud. The first few times I ate here, I loved it. I usually get the polenta with egg on bitter greens. I still get it, but it is quite oily. Other bfast menu items include (but not limited to) a bfast burrito (a-ok), fried rice and eggs (yummy, but it isn't hard to mess this up--plus a LARGE portion), and yogurt with granola. Most times I am in the mood for something light, which limits me to the yogurt or one of their baked goods. However, I can't justify spending about the same price as a "hearty" bfast item on yogurt and granola, so I stick with the polenta and then feel greasy and fat the rest of the day. :( I love the atmosphere so much, but really wish they offered lighter items--maybe a smoothie? Or an acai bowl? Or how about an egg with a piece of toast and fruits? Don't get me wrong--I love Town's ambiance and service, but the breakfast menu is just too... heavy for me. I have been in search of a restaurant with a similar atmosphere, with no success. Thus, I will return for the time being.

    (3)

  • Educated Consumer M.

    I take all my out-of-town guests here for quality food, wine and people watching. I've had all their vegetarian dishes, but my favorites are actually sides: polenta (savory, buttery, heavenly, goodness), and the bitter greens. Thank god I don't live in that neighborhood, otherwise, I'd be there every night.

    (5)

  • Yun Y.

    Ooooh Town, why have I taken so long to come and see you even after I moved into the neighborhood? I feel like I have been missing out on life for too long. This is a restaurant where you start salivating when each dish is taken past your table and you have the urge to order just one more dish...to complement the last dish. I mean, you can always take a doggie bag home right? Well last nite we had a group dinner and had a great time. The ambience there is dark and modern and conducive to a jolly time. I ordered the perfectly cooked Opah under a delectible wallup of papaya salsa, surrounded by a variety of veggies to include bok choy, daikong, and fried breadfruit (ulu), which was AMAZING! I ordered the same dish to take home to my mom. I could not enjoy this meal without sharing it with someone else. My neighbors were unlucky enough to have me play trading games, "I'll trade you a piece of my fish for a piece of your meal." Mine looked delicious enough, that everyone partook in some so that I could try the beef ragu, arugula salad, and pork chops. Everything was perfect! This is why I live to eat and eat to live! For places like this! I'll be back soon Town!

    (5)

  • Greg W.

    Polenta with bitter greens Sautéd with macadamia nuts and pancetta with a fried egg on top and shaved Parmesan cheese. All ingredients local to Oahu! Awesome meal and great restaurant. I bet parking is a problem during dinner but not breakfast.

    (5)

  • Patrick K.

    Perhaps not in the glitziest part of honolulu, Town may be aimed more at locals than tourist-types. A long walk but an easy drive inland from the shore, Town should be a go-to in Honolulu (if it isn't already). The daily menu starts you off with an inspirational missive from a renowned chef or critic. Tonight (5/6/14) was Anthony Bourdain, which was a promising start. The evening only got better. Our waitress was knowledgeable about the drinks and even assured me the bartender was able to make my (foppish but delicious) French 75. The corn chowder was a fun departure from the expected, and the mustard frill salad was a light salad with tasty fresh local fruit. The limited-run gnocchi was a knock-out, but was very rich and only finished after all 4 diners pitched in. Same with the risotto: rich and delicious. The strip steak was extraordinarily flavorful, and whatever the chef did with the chicken leg, he needs to keep doing it. Forever. We didn't make it to dessert but I'm confident that it, too, would have blown our minds. Get yourself to Town. ASAP.

    (5)

  • Patrick's Taxi Honolulu Hawaii W.

    yes yes yes..... love their food, service and price.... make sure to visit!! I always take my guests here for lunch.... they love it too !!

    (5)

  • Aaron H.

    Great value for breakfast and lunch, and they remember their regulars and their orders. Probably my favorite Bloody Mary in Honolulu; their risottos are great when they have them. I love what they do with polenta (formed and then griddled). However: they can't fire a burger to temp; I always forget, order a burger medium, and then get shoe leather because they use a really lean mix and default to quite well. They really want to take care of you, so much so that when you send food back they'll rush and miss details trying to make it right - so I got a rare burger with different toppings than the medium burger I ordered. Despite this, they're still one of my favorite breakfast and lunch spots, my default if I'm not doing ramen. Oh and their cocktail menu is fantastic but everyone knows about them now and it's hard to get a table for dinner :s

    (4)

  • Justin M.

    Understaffed. Waits will be incurred because of this. We're here for breakfast and have waited 20 to be seated, 15 to order, 10 for a Bloody Mary, 8 + reflag of waitress for a single coffee refill. Busy, we get it. Just be mindful of this and the consequences when you eat here. Food was ok, nothing to write home about with exception to the polenta w/ pancetta, kale and eggs. That was fabulous, easily 4.5 stars on it's own.

    (3)

  • Jenny F.

    I've come back to Town a three times within the past couple months, and it has not failed to impress! I've stuck with seafood twice, both times were perfectly cooked and beautifully seasoned. My favorite was swordfish with chunks of roasted taro and kale. yum! I've also had their shinsato pork, which was slightly overcooked, but still good. Most recently I went with a vegetarian friend, and we decided just to get a number of their sides: bowl of polenta, Hamakua mushrooms, bitter greens, and flatbread. Everything was delicious, especially the Hamakua mushrooms! I highly recommend them. I hear this is essentially the vegetarian plate, which isn't on the menu. To finish, my friend turned me on to their hazelnut chocolate gelato. Oh dear. It's a small mason jar full (about 2 large scoops) with a chocolate chip cookie for $4. SO CHEAP, and so rich and delicious. According to my friend, "It's one of those things that you would sneak down to the kitchen in the middle of the night to eat and then lick the bowl when no one's watching." Definitely give it a try. I'm surprised that Town only has 3.5 stars as its rating. It's up there as one of my favorite places on the island, and definitely a place to take visitors or come for a special occasion!

    (5)

  • Michael L.

    Overall, I would say that we enjoyed our dinner. The downside we had at this restaurant, which I will list below, put a damper on our evening. Host Very nice. Not necessarily very warm with her welcome, but still nice. What was interesting is that there were a number of tables open but still had to wait. Service Our food server was also friendly. She was very attentive and provided some insight on our food options and questions. The drawback on her service is the food took over 50 minutes to be served, and she never apologized. She did offer additional bread, but a simple acknowledgement that our food was on it's way would have been a simple and nice gesture. Food I had the strip loin with french fries and both were very tasty. My wife had the chicken with a side of polenta. The polenta was fantastic! Overall, great place.

    (4)

  • Mark H.

    My favorite restaurant in Honolulu. Great combination of a local atmosphere with a really good restaurant. We go at least once every time with friends or family when we visit Honolulu.

    (5)

  • Anna G.

    I recommend the strip loin with French fries! Lives up to the name of "gourmet comfort food"!

    (4)

  • Anne H.

    Had a great meal at Town, everything about it was enjoyable. Excellent service and outstanding food. Far and away the best we have had in Honululu and it was quiet enough to have a conversation. I thought the price was great for the quality.

    (5)

  • Kepa D.

    I absolutely love Town for any meal including breakfast. I've loved their lunches and dinners for years, but in the past few months I've discovered the joy of their breakfasts as well. Farm fresh organic eggs prepared exactly as I like, fried Pa'i'ai and a simple green salad never tasted so good together for breakfast until I tried them here. Service is still on the casual side, so if you are in a rush, manage those expectations. BTW, the fresh orange juice is the real deal.

    (5)

  • Pualena P.

    To call myself an "early riser" is an understatement. I am often up long before the sun rises, and I have usually worked up an appetite for a good, hearty breakfast by 7am. So I am ALWAYS on the lookout for amazing breakfast spots! Town has officially made my breakfast list, and its shining star (or, five stars, as it may be) is their fried rice! Admittedly, I have only had the fried rice there for breakfast, but it was good enough to deserve a review of its own! Deliciously seasoned rice fried with locally grown onions, carrots, and portuguese sausage under two over easy eggs. I like to top it off with their Hawaiian hot hot chili sauce from the caddy. Yuuuum yum yum! Pair it with one of their coffees or fresh juice, and you have a filling breakfast to jump start the rest of your day!

    (5)

  • Bob B.

    Great tasting food! Every dish was full of flavor from first to last bite. Taste of town with wine sampling comes at a perfect pace to allow you time to enjoy each course. Chicken cooked exactly and complimented well with salad. Service very friendly and helpful, if this was your first visit. A little pricey, but great for a special treat or night out.

    (5)

  • Julia P.

    I'll give this place 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Got the recommendation to dine here from an article I had read a few years back. The place is like a "farm to table", "local", "organic", "sustainable" type place and it has all the casual decor to go along with it including a menu that looks like it just came out of a typewriter without lining up the margins and using old papers as coasters. The food itself was decent. I will say their tomato soup was a new taste I had never had (they added parmesan cheese into it) and the TOWN lemonade was a mix of citrus fruit and cucumbers - very fruity/vegetably taste and unique. The main course consisted of ahi which was okay and chicken which was very tender and well cooked. Prior to main courses were the gnocchi and hand cut noodles - both above average. The side of mushrooms was decent as well. All in all, I think this place had unique flavors in a nice casual setting. I didn't think it was overwhelmingly awesome but it's definitely worth a stop while in Oahu at least once in your life.

    (4)

  • Paola R.

    Town has a constantly changing menu of deliciousness, with entrees ranging between $11-$15. It's a little pricey, but worth it. Right now, they have a risotto with broccoli, anchovies, and capers. I don't know what possessed me to get this because I don't like two of those three items (can you guess which one?), but I gave it a shot and loved it. I guess they all taste great combined! They serve breakfast until 10:45a, and it's on my to do list to come back for restaurant. The restaurant has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. I came here during lunch on a Monday and it was only fairly packed.

    (4)

  • Elizabeth A.

    We're from the Bay Area and thought this was our best meal on the island. We had three salads (lettuce/pancetta, avocado/fruit/mustard, arugula/beets) and each one was one of the best we'd ever had. My children ordered the gnocchi, which wasn't my favorite as it was a little under seasoned. Overall, a fabulous meal.

    (5)

  • Paul C.

    Through a friend who posted his breakfast pic from here on Facebook the other day, I bookmarked this place and made the effort to make it down this morning. Arrived here at about 830am and I was surprised on how much traffic on Waialae Ave west bound but luckily I was going east. Pulled up to the parking lot and there were just a few open spots. To the left was Crab City and their parking lot had a big sign to warn you Town patrons will get their cars towed away if they park there. BEWARE!!! Came here with a friend who previously dined here several years ago. As you walk to the entrance which is on Waialae Ave side, there were many tables for outdoor seating. At the entrance to the left were the 2 menus posted: the regular daily menu and today's specials. The menu items seem on the healthier side with a nice variety. I loved the restaurant's quote "Local first, organic whenever possible, with Aloha always." You order your food and pay at the same time. Then you get a number and the seating is open. There were quite a few tables and booths inside. We found the interior quite dark so we chose to sit near the windows. After sitting down, you place your number on the table and wait. Oh, and the water was self-service, which is to your left when you order your food. They weren't really that busy at all so the food came out quite quickly. We ordered the specials of the day. I had the banana pancakes w/ bacon and my friend had the frittata with veggies and goat cheese. I must admit the food is pretty good here. I tried the frittata and it was delicious. My bacon was INCREDIBLE!!! Nice and smokey. They give you SIX slices!!! But the banana pancakes were a little disappointing as I've had better. After I took a bite of the bacon, it was so yummy and packed with flavor that it overpowered the pancakes. I then felt like my pancakes became bland and eventually didn't finish them. I also took a sip of the orange juice that my friend ordered. As a fellow foodie, he WOW'ed the fresh orange taste. Indeed it was outstanding but at about nearly $5 a small glass, I think I'll pass... Overall, it was a great dining experience and next time I come here it'll be for either lunch or dinner. NOTE: Each plate came with a wedge of local orange (not sure?) and my friend commented how SOUR it was. I ENJOY extreme flavors and yes, it was sour but I was able to finish my wedge. Perhaps the kitchen should check the fruit before serving them?

    (4)

  • Tiana G.

    3 stars for the food, would definitely return to try another dish or strictly take out. Service needs some improvement. Wish I had the other waiter.

    (3)

  • Anne L.

    Town was an O.K. restaurant. The service was good, but I wish there were a little more dishes and entrées to choose from. The food was mediocre. The meat was very salty on the strip loin because of the Roquefort butter, and it was WAAAAY too overpriced! It was $30. The only thing that was good there were the fries. The salad was decent as well, but overall, a HUGE dissapointment.

    (3)

  • Cara H.

    The kabocha risotto is so creamy and wonderful! The eggplant parm sandwich was pretty bomb and the linguini with hamakua mushrooms and pancetta also very good! We tried the mango sorbet, very fresh and perfect with the cookie. I love that they use local products! The only problem I had with this place is they took super, duper long for us to get our food. The food was worth it though, I'd go back.

    (4)

  • Stefanie D.

    Ehhhh I think Town is pretty overrated. I know it has a ton of great reviews...it's sooo trendy...progressive...Michelle Obama ate here...etc but I wasn't too impressed. First off, the food descriptions are so overly and unnecessarily complicated. By no means do I consider myself a true foodie but I do think I know something...when I went to Town I had to bust out my phone and Google some of the ingredients as well as ask our server. Please don't tell me everyone eating at this restaurant knows every variety of lettuce and it's just me sitting there wondering what the hell I'm about to order. Also speaking of the service, it was incredibly and painstakingly slow. Usually a lunch takes less than an hour and my girl friend and I were there over that even though we were done in less than that time. The wait between asking for the bill and then the bill actually coming was ridiculously long. Aside from the slow service and complicated menu, I enjoyed the food I ate, though sadly it wasn't good enough to warrant a second visit yet.

    (3)

  • Ray F.

    After paying $8.50 for the perfect egg breakfast recently and waiting for what seemed like 45 minutes(even though there were only 2 other tables occupied) I was extremely disappointed when the server brought it to my table. It was served in the smaller of their two sized bowls and it was literally only halfway full. I requested the egg scrambled instead of over easy and that must have pissed off the cook. Not only that, but half an hour after leaving, I had to run into another restaurant to use their restroom! I really feel the cook or whoever spiked it with some sort of laxative, either that or something was spoiled, although I couldn't taste it. Small servings and food tampering/food poisoning, whatever it was, is enough to make me never eat there again!

    (1)

  • Kurtis W.

    This review is about the food only. Town can be as sophisticated as you want it to be or as laid back island life as you want. The thing that sets it apart from most other organic or cheesy places is that the food tastes so good. The fact that almost everything is locally sourced is a plus, not a gimmick. The food is pretty reasonably priced for the quality. I've tried just about everything on the menu, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I like the slightly rotating menu to keep things fresh. I really like and recommend the pork shoulder, though I wish they'd bring back the breakfast burrito. My personal lunch favorite is their burger and dinner is the Ono, though you can't go wrong with the strip loin. If I can, I always try to bring visitors or new people here so that they can see something the island has to offer away from Waikiki. So far no one has walked away disappointed.

    (5)

  • Michiko H.

    Great place for date night. Cute. Trendy. Intimate. Classy. . Service was good and quick, nothing really stands out. Food was delicious, all pasta is handmade that day so everything is fresh. Yum Street parking is a bitch. ugh. Food was pricey, was not expecting to dish out $15-$25 at first for a medium sized serving dish but overall the experience and taste of the food left me a happy customer. Domo Arigatou Mr.Roboto

    (4)

  • Claire P.

    There menu is hard to read had very slow service, food took forever and when you got it there wasnt much food at all for what you pay. loud atmosphere and an overl not so good experience i went there for lunch but heard about their breakfast. doubt i will ever go back.

    (1)

  • Jessica P.

    Never thought that my first Yelp review would be a negative one, but here it goes. Went to Town for lunch. I had been looking forward to eating here for a while, but every time we've tried, they're just too crowded. Late afternoon lunch seemed like perfect timing. Unlike most of the reviews here on Yelp, our service was very good! Unfortunately it was the food that was really pretty bad. I ordered the penne with pan-seared pancetta and mushrooms. The sauce on the pasta was basically oil with little flavor. There was absolutely no searing on my pancetta. It was simply warmed and softened and fatty tasting. Big disappointment. My son ordered the burger. He couldn't even finish it, and he always finishes his burgers ;) He said it had a weird fishy aftertaste. The fries were way overcooked, so they tasted more like those shoestring things you get in a can. They did remove the burger from our bill, even though I did not request that. We just asked if it was cooked on the same grill as the fish, trying to find an explanation for the weird flavor. So sorry to be a downer on Town, but for all the hype and praise this spot receives, I was pretty shocked at how bad the food was. At least our waitress was great, though.

    (2)

  • K S.

    When I asked our waiter why the olives that came with the starter tasted fresher than any I'd ever eaten, he said they cure them themselves! Good answer! Seriously. The best ever. A lot of locavore places get hype and love because of the concept or votes from friends of the proprietor but the dishes can be imbalanced and ill conceived. Town actually matches the hype, however. Overall smart and well-executed dishes. The atmosphere is fine; it's really about the food. The prices seem reasonable for the concept and deliciousness. I felt like I was keeping our busy waiter just to understand menu options. A menu glossary would be super helpful and put less pressure on the servers to educate diners.

    (4)

  • Rafael G.

    What a great restaurant. Open for about 10 years, this place is a hidden gem that captures the food to farm concept beautifully. The vegetables, fresh fish and meats were so Ono (delicious). The meat (braised short ribs) melts in your mouth. The apple banana cream pie and salted chocolate pretzel tart are must haves.

    (5)

  • Sean H.

    So my cuz recommended this place and boy did it disappoint!!we all had cheeseburgers and let me say just down right horrible! I asked for my burger to be cooked medium not well and everyone else asked for the same and was it ever overcooked avoid this place at all cost overpriced food and quality SUCKS!!

    (1)

  • Shaun G.

    So I went back to town and I've changed my opinion. We got wine, a few appetizers, steak, and gnocchi. Food came fast, and I gotta say, it was perfect. Service was friendly and not in your face. Will be coming back more often.

    (5)

  • Diane K.

    We went to Town to celebrate our friend's birthday last night. For the first time in a while, I had NO expectations prior to visiting a restaurant. On the way there, my friends were looking forward to reuniting with Ernesto. They told me Ernesto is a shirtless man who dances at tables. I must've lived in LA too long because I believed them and was admittedly quite stoked. Ernesto turned out to be a cocktail. I was disappointed there was no table-side entertainment and they were sad to find out Ernesto had left Town with its creator. It didn't take long for me to get over unfulfilled promises as the food here is incredible. The gnocchi is soooooooooooooooooooooooo good. I'm not one to elongate vowels, but trust me, it was THAT good. The menu changes on a daily basis, but everything I ate here was impressive. The decor is very cute. It reminds me of a cafe that one would find in East Village in New York. GREAT place to celebrate a special occasion with excellent cuisine and snazzy drinks (definitely try the Jeju).

    (5)

  • Robbie M.

    I had been waiting to go to Town for months. My fellow foodie friend came for a visit. For the most part it was everything we expected. Exceptionally creative dishes and well presented. Our waitress was knowledgable about each dish and the wines. We loved the pacing of the courses. There was ample time between our first course and second . The way elegant food should be prepared. If you are looking for a fast in and out this isn't the place. It is great for conversations. The reason I did not rate it a five star is that my rabbit leg came swimming in oil. I had to take it out of the dish and eat it on my bread plate. I love rabbit and was glad to see it on the menu.

    (4)

  • Cara T.

    The food and overall ambiance was good. The menu was written with language which isn't common to most people, so my husband and I spent a majority of the time googling items. Cocktail menu lacked the general staple liquor, and the drink I ordered was overpowered by the smoke and tied to fruits which didn't compliment the tequila. Our waitress was rude, and rarely checked on us. It was obvious that we had clearly annoyed her with some of our questions concerning the menu. The check was issued midway through our dessert as a message to finish up and get out. For a place that has such a welcoming vibe, our waitress did nothing but push us out.

    (3)

  • Joli W.

    This was probably our fifth visit to Town, and it was eagerly anticipated. There were 4 of us and we started with cocktails (yumm) and shared the following: red oak salad, ahi tartare, black mussels, risotto,and the opah. Everything - and I mean everything - was outstanding, absolutely no complaints. There were some slow spots in terms of the food service, but our server, Tiffany, kept us updated. And, you know, that goes a long way to make me happy. Have to comment on a reviewer below, who complained that he wasn't allowed to bring their own beer. Buddy, perhaps there was miscommunication, but I'd love to know what beer was so special that you wanted to bring to a restaurant. I've never heard of this practice before; wine yes, beer no. Can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • didi w.

    Most delicious meal I had on all the islands! Dreaming of their food! We had a dinner for 4 people. One of us did the tasting menu with wine pairing. We also tried an order of gnocchi to share which was delicious! I had the beet salad which was a dream come true, the beets were like no other beets I ever tried. Then I had the steak with polenta and some green stuff, it exactly hit the spot. The polenta is just like I would describe the perfect polenta: buttery, cheesy and creamy. Yum! Also had the chocolate salted caramel desert and banana apple cream pie. Both were fantastic. Oh and last but not least the service was amazing!! I am going back there to try their brunch menu. They got me hooked with their fresh and local food!

    (5)

  • Rachael C.

    Had breakfast here yesterday and was going to book a party but left changing my mind. The service was shocking, our waitress was just rude. One of our coffees was cold so the server heated it up to the point you couldn't touch the cup. Not sure if that was deliberate, but we were almost to scared to tell her. One of our guests came after we ordered and trying to get her breakfast order put in was apparently a massive inconvenience to the server. The food took an hour, we didn't see our server at all during that time, so no second coffees or drinks. When the food came it was fantastic but the plates were never collected and we left 90 mins later feeling like we were a nuisance to them in what was a very empty restaurant. We paid the bill because I took it up to get paid and needless to say the tip reflected the service ( although 10% was way more generous than she deserved) sad as I really love this place

    (2)

  • Timmy W.

    The pork was absolutely delicious, definitely a good choice if you can't decide what to get. the mahi mahi was good but not fantastic. Vegetables were garden fresh and tasted great. The wait staff was extremely nice and pleasant. Only downside was the inside of the restaurant was extremely loud, other than that, it's a nice place to eat.

    (4)

  • Nikki M.

    I heard great things about this restaurant and was eager to try it out. I went on a Saturday night and since I had reservations, I was seated immediately. The service continued to be outstanding throughout the evening. Their beet salad was fantastic! I ordered a pork chop, which was a little dry (hence, I took away a star on the rating). But my boyfriend's rib eye was so juicy and delicious! It had blue cheese melted on top. I have already recommended this place to numerous people and will be back again!

    (4)

  • Todd G.

    Service is nonexistent. We were seated by the hostess quickly, then we waited....and waited....and waited. Then we received water and asked about the specials. She said she didn't know, we had to ask our server. She said she was the "janitor" I could tell later that she was the busser. Eventually the janitor took our order. By the way, we still haven't met our server. Then our order was delivered by the hostess. After realizing that we were going to continually get ignored by our server we decided not to order anything else. We were planning on having some drinks. After sitting for a while with empty plates I flagged down the hostess to get the check. Finally guess who delivers our check, our server! And to no surprise it took forever for her to take my money. So basically we we're not checked on one time. The food was alright, but I won't be returning. Too bad because I liked this place.

    (1)

  • Team P.

    Town.... Oh, Town.... If you weren't so convinced of your own coolness, you might actually be kind of cool... We have eaten at Town on several occasions, so obviously the place has some positive characteristics that have brought as back more than once. The ambiance is hip, the clientele are beautiful, and the menu has some tasty food items. But the overall experience has consistently left us disappointed. The Hostesses Girls in their early 20s who perceive themselves as the gatekeepers to some precious inner sanctum, they could use some serious training in customer service and a little reality check about their significance in the larger world. A recent attempt to make lunch reservations by telephone illustrates what you might expect from them: Team P: "Hello, could we make reservations for a table of 4 at 11:00 today?" Hostess: "No. We're all booked up." Team P: "Well, do you have any tables available at 11:15 or 11:30?" Hostess: "I don't know. I'd have to check." Team P: "Ok." Hostess: "Would you like me to check?" Team P: "Yes, please." Hostess (after several minutes on hold): "We can squeeze you in at 11:15." Team P: "Thank you." Arriving at 11:00 to intercept our lunch guests and inform them we couldn't get a reservation until 11:15, we found the restaurant completely empty, except for our lunch guests who were already seated without reservations. Our lunch lasted from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm, and at no point during those two hours was the restaurant more than half full. Breakfast We've only been here once for breakfast. The food was tasty, but the service was predictably lackluster. We ordered banana pancakes and quiche. When the banana pancakes were brought to the table, the server informed us that there was no more quiche (presumably she just discovered this fact when she went to grab the hot pancakes). A new order was placed for polenta, and then the decision had to be made whether to let the pancakes grow cold while waiting for the polenta, or to eat in tandem. Both the banana pancakes and the polenta were delicious, as was the bacon. The coffee was fantastic, the orange juice was bursting with flavor, and we strongly recommend the bloody marys. Just don't expect any of it to arrive at your table in a timely manner. Lunch Again, good food, bad service. The salads are fantastic (both the Ma'o organic lettuces and the arugula) and the hamburger is honestly one of the tastiest in Honolulu. However, the hostesses are an unnecessary obstacle and the waitstaff are less than efficient. Dinner The place fills up at night, so reservations are a must. It's easier to make those reservations online than trying to deal with one of the customer-blocking hostesses on the phone. The waitstaff are knowledgeable about the food and they are able to make some good recommendations, but they're not terribly knowledgeable about waiting tables, so be prepared to wait and then swap plates when the food arrives (they can't be bothered to remember who ordered what). The appetizers are probably the best part of the dinner menu. The ahi tartare is not to be missed, and the pa'i 'ai and he'e (hand-pounded, fried poi with grilled octopus) are absolutely delicious. The entrees are hit or miss, with fish being a better option than steak. Would we recommend this place? No, not really. Will we ever eat there again? Probably. Will the waitstaff really earn their tip? Probably not.

    (3)

  • Jennifer S.

    This place is excellent! I had the mahi mahi and it melted in my mouth. It was crisp on top and very soft and tender underneath. The vegetables were just right and the sauce was light and tangy. Mia was my server and was terrific! I highly recommend checking this place out.

    (5)

  • Randy K.

    I had the pleasure of eating at Town with a group of ocean scientists visiting Honolulu for the Ocean Sciences Meeting. We were there at the invitation of the executive chef, Ed Kenney, who wanted to share with us his efforts to use sustainably caught seafood and local produce. It was, quite simply, one of the finest meals I've ever eaten. The cuisine was at once both innovative and "homey," which I attribute to Ed's focus on honoring the ingredients and food traditions of the local region. I especially enjoyed the aku (skipjack) tartare and fried he'e (octopus) with pipinola greens. And the desserts were to die for! If you are looking to try something a little bit new and different, that you can feel really good about enjoying, I urge you to "go to Town!"

    (5)

  • Susan J.

    The trouble with Town is that it is so uneven. In my last three visits, two were completely satisfactory for both me and my guests, and yet the last one made me want to cross it off my list. Four of us came for lunch, and I ordered their burger, but without any mayo or sauce. I emphasized this two or three times. The food arrived, and I peeked into my bun - and there was some kind of pinkish gunky sauce on it. I told the waitress, who said, "Oh, that's my bad," and whisked the whole plate away, including the usually delicious Town fries. Even though I urged them to start, by friends were reluctant to eat while I was still waiting, so their food started to cool down. A few minutes later the waitress came back. I could see by the limpness of the fries that she hadn't gotten me new ones, so instead of crisply delicious, they were soggy. I then peeked inside my bun again - and saw that all she had done was to wipe the bottom of the burger and replace the bottom bun. Pink gunky stuff was still adhering to the bottom of the burger! I didn't want to keep my polite friends from their meal by sending it back again, so I just pulled out my napkin and wiped the rest of the gunk off myself (so Town, if you want to know why one of your lunch napkins seems permanently stained from hamburger grease, well, now you know). However, I could still taste some residue from the sauce and as a result I just ate around the edges of the burger and left most of the fries. The experience was quite unsatisfactory. I have been to Town on a number of other occasions with friends, and this is my general experience - about two thirds of the time the food is great, and the other third, someone has an issue with the food that frankly, in a good restaurant, would either not come up, or would be fixed properly. I'm tired of never knowing which Town I'm going to get. It's bad enough when the dish that they mess up is mine, but it's even worse when it's your guest's, so I won't be inviting anyone to join me at Town any time soon.

    (2)

  • Jaimy B.

    I like Town a lot, but it's not a favorite. I live very close by, but I didn't try it until two years ago. The food is very delicious and the service is great! What throws me off is that they change their menu. The second time I went, I was looking forward to the gnocchi; unfortunately it was not available. Since it's busy all the time, reservations are always necessary, as well. Although they are very flexible about changing the number of people last minute. I admit I was shocked how expensive it was as well. As delicious as the food is, I'd much rather go to Kit N' Kitchen. They do have wine tasting with a set menu every Wednesday. I am planning on trying it, but the reservations fill up FAST. This is a good restaurant for dates/families/big groups. They have indoor and outdoor seating, which I like. Overall, I enjoy this place.

    (4)

  • Sam K.

    Food is fantastic but the staff is incompetent. Accuracy of reservations is hit or miss and every take-out order we have made this year has been: 1. Forgetting a take-out order causing a 40 minute wait while the manger assures you that "it will be just a few minutes." the manager then disappears and never returns to apologize. 2. Got the wrong order and leaving us with 1 order for 2 people 3. Forgot dessert that was ordered 4. Got the order completely wrong 5. Completely lost the order Calling them to make any reservations is difficult with the loud background noise. When you bring it to the attention of the manager, you get an apology, but there is never an improvement. The hostess(es) are clearly not capable of completing a take-out order or making accurate reservations. We love the food - it is fantastic but until the management can fix what is wrong with the staff, then we will stay away.

    (1)

  • Alecia B.

    We had great food and cocktails for our dinner at Town. The food was slow to come out because they got slammed after we sat down but they apologized and made it up to us with a dessert. If it weren't for the service hiccups I would have given it four stars. I would still highly recommend this restaurant! It's one of the best meals I had during my first trip to Honolulu and I would still return.

    (3)

  • Sukalia O.

    Think that glistening pork chop of succulent and perfectly grill marked wonderfulness is exactly what your mouth is anticipating? Well... Maybe... But the poor pig was already dead. Why'd they have to kill it with horrifying, sawdust causing well-doneness? It makes my souls weep at the waste of a good piece of meat. On the plus side, they know how to make a bitch'n pan sauce. They can deglazed the that sauté like a champ! The bread is very chewy and awesome, there's something gorgeous about the marriage of olive oil AND butter that leaves the palette super happy. The kobucha salad was nicely balanced, albeit basic, but there's nothing wrong with that. Although I feel like they went out and found the most bland goat cheese available on the market and added a bit of cinnamon... Then smeared it on the plate for a little nuevo flair. The cocktails are most excellent, interesting and fun. The basil gimlet was a delightful ray of love to my windy night. And I'm a girl who really likes her gimlets. The beef dish my friend ordered didn't do anything special for either of us. It tasted of neither the herbs it was rolled and braised with, or really, anything special and beefy. All and all, for the huge expectations I had walking into this place, maybe they were just too high.

    (2)

  • Geo J.

    We had a great time at Town. There was plenty of parking in their lot behind their building, which is at a premium in this neighborhood. We were greeted by a friendly hostess who took us straight away to our table. Our server explained the menu to us and gave us a few moments to contemplate drinks and dinner choices. Bread, olives and water were brought to our table promptly. I enjoyed the artisan cocktail "Smokey Dove" while my wife had a basil gimlet. Both were mixed to perfection, with a nice balance of ingredients. Our server was attentive, but not intrusive as we went through our salads to the main course. My hand-cut pasta with wild boar ragu was savory and delicious; served piping hot. My wife's Opa dish was also quite tasty and served equally hot. All in all it was a very enjoyable evening. The space is small, but with a chic urban vibe. There is also a large outdoor patio where pets are welcomed.

    (5)

  • Lisa P.

    This review is for breakfast and lunch. I've been to Town close to ten times now and have had a couple positive experiences. The food is good the servers are friendly but most of the meals I've had at Town have left me frustrated and disappointed. My main issue is the slow and inattentive service. I most times, get the feeling that the servers have simply forgotten that I'm there. Also the drinks take forever. There have been several times that my meal has lasted more than two hours...not by my choice. I keep returning because it's a convenient location and the food is good. I just wish they could improve their appalling service. If you don't have extra time to wait to be greeted, wait to order, wait to get drinks, wait for food and wait for a check, I wouldn't go to Town.

    (2)

  • Celeste B.

    Town had the honor of hosting First Lady Michelle Obama today. This review is related to both the food and regular experience, and also the experience directly related to how the restaurant team (really two people in particular) treated the average customer while serving the First Lady. Part I is the First Lady related experience. Part II is the regular review, if you are most interested in that. Part I - First Lady Michelle Obama entered the restaurant without incident, to enjoy a private lunch with her loved ones. Of course, for the rest of the patrons, this was a very exciting experience, and we all struggled to contain our excitement and respect the space of the First Lady and her guests. I made one attempt at a photo, and stopped after that, since I thought it rude to continue to attempt such a thing while she was trying to eat lunch. Later, after the exceptionally slow service dragged our lunch out to nearly two hours, and after having my two and a half year old son asking to say hi to the First Lady, we decided to ask the staffers with the First Lady if she would be willing to take a picture with the toddler. They politely declined on her behalf, though the First Lady did say that she would say goodbye on her way out. We of course thanked the staffers, and were understanding, though slightly disappointing. Of course, she is on her holiday vacation, and she is not required to take pictures with us. We continued to give her her space as we and the other patrons had done the entire time we shared the space. A few minutes later, after we paid our $200 bill for 6 people, a blond woman who appeared to be a manager (and who, to this point, had been polite with us), came over to my father, a part time Honolulu resident who frequents Town as a regular customer, and said the following: "In our restaurant, we respect other people's privacy." She went on to say that we shouldn't have made an attempt to speak to the First Lady. My father informed her that she would no longer have his business, and was offended by the manner in which she came up to him, in front of his family, to give him what might have otherwise been acceptable feedback. My problems with this behavior we as follows: 1. Michelle Obama is my First Lady as much as she is anyone else's. She took the job with her husband willingly, and we are thankful for it. We made no effort to invade anyone's privacy, and spoke with staffers whose job it is to field questions like ours. We did nothing wrong. 2. If the restaurant has a policy for when public figures or celebrities are in attendance, they should communicate this to patrons in advance. It is offensive to slap my hand before you have set an expectation. This is behavior management 101 in ANY setting. 3. If the management had feedback for us, they should have had the professional courtesy to ask my father to speak privately, instead of publicly chastising our innocent request to the staffers. Michelle Obama, along with every other celebrity and public figure, makes a choice to give up some of their "privacy." I indeed respect the First Lady, and do not feel that we were in violation of her privacy or anyone else's when we asked the staffers if she would be willing to take a picture with us. We were not offended or upset in any way when she declined, as is her right. She was as beautiful in person as in any photo, and I appreciated the kindness with which the staffers and secret service cared for her and declined our request. I do not share this sentiment toward Town. Part II Aside from exceptionally slow service, the overall experience at Town in Honolulu was mediocre at best. While our waitress was lovely, time between placing our order and each course of the meal was exceptionally long, causing a 60 minute stay to become more like 120 minutes. They were out of two different kinds of popular sodas on the menu, and their most popular dessert. They failed to bring kids' pasta at all to the table, though it was ordered right in the beginning of the meal. The beef in their beef soup was fatty and gray, though the broth, beans and vegetables in the soup were good. The food was decent, fresh, though oily. We smelled like grill and oil upon leaving. I did not enjoy my mushroom and lentil patty - it was really rather strong and I did not care for the texture. Their big salad, with added fish, was $17.00, though I could purchase the pack of organic greens they used at Safeway. Big disappointment. There is nothing Town could do to make me come back after the public chastisement. I will never recommend it to anyone, and will actively discourage anyone who will listen from going to this restaurant. We all work very hard for our money, just like the owners and staff at Town, and I would prefer to spend my blood, sweat and tears on a place that values its regular customers as much as the public figures who all of us share.

    (1)

  • Sachi B.

    Everything So Good!!!! Took a little while to get use to the menu...... Definitely I will go again!!!

    (4)

  • Dan S.

    Food generally pretty good. Today at lunch didn't need the loud heavy metal music pumping while trying to converse with friends. Opah fish was good though wasn't fresh. The side vegetables were creative. Will go back again.

    (3)

  • Raul D.

    All around, very solid. Went in at the beginning of our last trip to Oahu and the food was over-salted. Went back in at the end of our trip and gently told our waitress, food was dead on. Very decent drinks, exceptionally friendly staff. Perfect place to go if your looking for something outside of down town Honolulu.

    (4)

  • Laura L.

    Really good food but took a long time (like an hour). No explanation from server but like I said food was good. My husband and kids said I should rate 3 stars but I think food quality is the most important part of the dining experience.

    (4)

  • Josef H.

    Ambience was good but the restaurant was very noisy. A bit on the pricey side and portions are mediocre. Menu choices are very limited.

    (3)

  • Amanda N.

    Had a lovely dinner here with some friends. We each had something different and they all were excellent. The service was friendly though a little slow. The only true negative was that the bartender wouldn't make an espresso martini. They have espresso and a cocktail menu. A bit disappointing.

    (4)

  • Warren F.

    My first time there and I am impressed by the food and service. We had the pa'i'ai, gnocchi, and the pork chop and the sauces were amazing. The service was friendly and attentive. As a New Orleans native I give this 5 stars and that doesn't come easy by me. Thank you Town for the best dinning experience on the island, we will be back!!

    (5)

  • Jessica H.

    Excellent food, fresh ingredients! Cool, relaxed environment. However, service by Tiffany was extremely slow. Killed the atmosphere and mood.

    (4)

  • Lisa M.

    I've eaten at Town a couple of times before and was not impressed by their service. I have to say, I have always enjoyed their ambiance though! Tonight, our family ate there and enjoyed an opa, stripsirloin (a bit tough, but tasty), and risotto. The kids had the mac and cheese. As simplistic as mac and cheese sounds, it was quite tasty! The opa was was delicious and it was served on a bed of local veggies- bok choy, carrots, onion, and cherry tomatoes. The reason why I'm rating it 3 stars is because while the food was delish, the portions were small. Tonight, the service was below average. Our reservations were at 5:30pm. The waitress came to take our drink order around 5:45pm. Keep in mind, there were only 4 other parties in the restaurant. When she returned with our drinks around 5:55pm, I asked her to take our dinner order (since we didn't want to wait for her again). We ordered our meal and did not receive it until 6:40pm. I thought that was a bit long. We even had to ask her if our meal was coming. With no apology, it started to create a not so pleasant experience. The dessert was lovely! It also took a while to get to us. We had the salted chocolate pretzel, bread pudding, gelato and banana pie. All in all, the food was good, but the service was less than average. We sat down at 5:30 and left at 7:50pm- for ordering dinner and dessert, I thought that was a bit long.

    (3)

  • Reid I.

    I went to this restaurant this past week for the 1st time with my girlfriend. We had a 6:45 pm reservation. I was running late or should I say my girlfriend was, we left at 6:30 pm. I called the restaurant and explained we will be late and will come around 7:00 PM. The lady said not a problem just that we might have a shorter time to dine. We got there just before 7:00, luckily there was no traffic. For starters we ate the ahi tartare, a mango pecan salad , and the bean soup. All the appetizers were delicious. I'm surprised my girlfriend liked the ahi tartare as she doesn't eat raw fish. As for the entrees, I ordered the hand cut pasta shinsato pork. This dish was awesome, the first taste exploded in my mouth. I'm not sure if it was the homemade pasta's texture or the pork that made it so delicious. But a great combination. My girlfriend ordered the leg of lamb. She said it was also delicious but she was envious of my dish and wanted to trade me.

    (4)

  • Brandy W.

    I had incredibly high hopes for this restaurant and kaimuki area. At this time a friend of mine and I were cruising around Kaimuki, commenting on how much it reminded us of Melrose back in LA. Seeing Town by the road, the open air space of the restaurant reminded us of a time long past of morning brunch in LA (I'd say Sunday brunch, but in the city of Angels, it's brunch everyday) The day we came, we ordered breakfast burritos and gnocchi. The burrito was nothing to write home about. It was standard potato, meat and cheese burrito. Unfortunately, that was the better of the two dishes. My friend ordered the homemade pasta. First of all, they almost forgot to bring it! We waited a very very long time (especially for a near empty restaurant) for the food, and my friend hated it. I found it quite tasteless, but she ended up splitting my burrito with me. Our consensus: this restaurant is trying too hard to be hip. Maybe we just ordered the wrong food. I'd be willing to try this place again for dinner where they might specialize in the food better and might have more help to speed up the waiting issue. However for now, I would rather they focus on perfecting old favorites like breakfast burritos before they venture out into unique creations like the homemade pasta.

    (2)

  • Nicole R.

    The menu is small but creative and top quality. Eating at Town makes you forget you're in Honolulu - it looks and feels more like an eatery you'd expect in hipster hoods of Seattle or San Francisco. If you're going for dinner, make sure to try the house made gnocchi, but be sure to arrive early because there's a limited number of orders available on any given night and they go fast. For breakfast, make sure you try one of their yummy scones! Great spot for a business meal or a date night. Parking in the back is very limited - you may have better luck on the streets nearby.

    (4)

  • Ilene B.

    Always fresh and accommodating when I ask for a different item that's not on the menu. All local and fresh ingredients!

    (5)

  • Lizzy S.

    Came here on a recommendation from the concierge at our hotel. Everything we ordered was delicious! You can't go wrong with any of the menu selections. If they have gnocchi - GET IT! They only make a limited amount. It's very rich but seriously the best I've ever tasted!

    (5)

  • Bonny S.

    Farm to table concept. Menu changes daily Hand cut pasta - delish Chocolate pretzel, not what you would expect; delish Ahi tuna tartare on risotto - eh Mussels - eh

    (3)

  • Mikella W.

    Your experience here will literally always depend on who your server is. I've dined here about 6 times and love their fresh, local food. Even with good food, bad service can destroy that to the point where I had to speak to the manager and I've never had to do that before. Other times the server has been wonderful with our food arriving in a timely manner, like Tiffany. My favorite dishes are the fresh gnocchi that they only make around 12 orders of each day and also the veggie platter with polenta.

    (4)

  • Craig T.

    Awesome dinner.....they do the whole hog butchering, and the results are great. Pasta was excellent too, and the service was really genuine. Their sommelier has created a great wine list at amazing prices. We were very interested in a sparkling rose, and we were offered a glass at the end of dinner. Wish I were in Honolulu more....

    (5)

  • Nancy C.

    Delicious dinner- great service! We had the Monchong preceded by a delicious salad with accents of Pancetta, Manchengo, cherry tomatoes, and walnuts.

    (5)

  • chris v.

    Still the best restaurant in the state of Hawai'i. Great to see it get better and better each year (generally a rarity in restaurants that get so good so fast, especially here in Hawai'i) but Ed and the crew put in their all every service , every day. You should not only go once, make sure you go many times and experience breakfast, lunch and dinner.

    (5)

  • Trevor G.

    We had an amazing dining experience. Thank you to our server Mia who guided us though the menu and made excellent suggestions. We thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of our meal. Five stars.

    (5)

  • Nat N.

    This is not the place to go if 1) you're hungry and/or 2) you're looking for a quiet, romantic ambiance. I ordered the cavatelli, prosciutto ragu ($18). Cavatelli pasta by its very nature is not visually appealing - they looked like worms. It was served in a big pasta bowl, but the portion was small. My friend ordered the same thing, and it almost looked like they split our entrees in half and gave us each 1/2 of a full order. Luckily my friend ordered a side of hamakua mushrooms which was a nice compliment to the pasta. The dishes were bursting with flavor and they were served hot. Town definitely does not short change you on the flavor. The atmosphere is loud, so if you're looking for a place where you can have a conversation with your fellow diners without shouting, you may want to consider another venue. They have free parking in the back (entrance is on 9th avenue - a one way street going makai), which is a definite plus since street parking in Kaimuki is hard to find.

    (3)

  • Blair R.

    Organic and fresh restaurant. They use the best of local ingredients and the menu changes daily based on the availability of items. Had the sirloin and it was seasoned and cooked to a perfect medium rare. The fries and arugala salad were perfectly paired. My wife had the lamb ragu. Lamb was perfectly marinated and the sauce and mint were not too overpowering. I recommend making this a date night spot with your spouse. Expect to pay about $100 with tip and drinks for two, But we'll worth it.

    (5)

  • Suzy R.

    The food was delicious. We had the ahi tartar, opah, chicken and gnocchi. For dessert the salted chocolate pretzel tart. Some bites were too salty, but it was still good. The service was friendly and knowledgeable but slow. They definitely need to hire more servers so we don't have to wait soon long for service.

    (4)

  • Sabrina K.

    Town is one of my favorites! Service is extremely friendly, ambiance is intimate and trendy, the food is quality, and the drink selection is creative. I've been to Town for date nights, birthday dinners, and as a great spot to take friends who are visiting. From the moment I dipped into the bread with butter, olives, and olive oil in my first visit, I knew I was in for a heavenly meal. My favorite dishes to order: ahi tartare over risotto cakes, gnocchi, risotto, and sirloin.

    (5)

  • Melanie C.

    Of course wonderful fresh and local ingredients. And really inventive combinations, perfectly executed. The boudin blanc was amazing textures and flavors with the sausage finely ground and delicate, and then a bit crunchy local "fern" with broccolini texture, heirloom cherry tomatoes, and a chewy savory taro 'cake'. Amazing. The sugo gnocchi was melt in your mouth. The local fish (which was like halibut) with fresh okra and this starchy vegetable like a Japanese sweet potato. Delicious! Really interesting, cool cocktails from Jordan - from the SF Bay Area. :) I think my only 'complaint' would be that the pastry cheffing is a bit less well-done. The chocolate banana cream pie was delicious but the crust was tough. But, tasted great. Love this place!

    (5)

  • Paul S.

    Here's the deal. 4.5-5 stars for food. Great local ingredients and creative combinations you might not think of yourself. Fresh home made pastas that are great. 3.5-4 stars for service. A little hit or miss but pretty good overall if you have reasonable expectations. 4 stars for ambiance. Nice & cozy dim lighting with a bit of modern appeal. Tables a little close to each other. 4-4.5 stars for bar. Creative craft cocktails with a nice wine menu. Overall one of our favorite places to eat for the price and quality when we can get a table. :)

    (4)

  • Lori I.

    Breakfast is served! Place your order at the bar and have a seat. They'll bring your food to your table.... Fried rice with "pocho" and 2 sunny side eggs. How do you make fried rice even better? They use the freshest ingredients: celery, radishes, and carrots which must have come out of the ground this morning. How do I know? Because I just can't imagine how it could possibly take that long to serve the dish unless they were harvesting the vegetables just for my fried rice. The food is good. I probably will come back, but only if someone else wants to come here. I thought I was still hungry after I finished the fried rice but it was just because I scarfed it down too fast. I almost ordered a second order of fried rice but I didn't have enough time to wait for another bowl...and after a while I felt full.

    (3)

  • Troy Y.

    Had the strip loin and mahi. Was very good and really enjoyed the service and atmosphere. Parking is hard to come by, but walking a little is not a big deal. You probably need it. They made me a margarita from scratch and was very good.

    (5)

  • Rebecca M.

    Decided to come here for lunch after a long grueling day at school. Walked in the door at about 1pm. It was about half Packed and still had ample seating. Got greeted and seated right away by a very friendly brunette. My waitress came up right after and I explained I was waiting for a friend. Who ends up walking in the door right after. She waited for him to take a seat and patiently asked what we wanted to drink. Throughout the meal the service was exceptional. Very patient kind staff who seem caring at the same time. The food: I got the Ma'o salad with the fresh fish of the day which was some kind of swordfish. So I expected it to be a little more on the firm texture side which it was. Cooked to perfection and definitely fresh. The salad itself had DELICIOUS veggies in it. And super yummy... Parmesan? Cheese. My friend got the linguini with mussels. The sauce was a little runny but had a nice buttery taste without being too heavy. The noodles were also cooked to perfection. Not mushy but done. My only complaint is the portions!?!? I'm a very hungry girl. And I get the food is local, hopefully organic for that price, and in Hawaii not an easy place to come by. But my salad, the size of an app salad. I've worked for local organic farms as a CSA employee and I Know the produce does not cost enough to charge me 13.50 for an app size salad and about a 4oz fillet of SWORDFISH. But hey. The employees here made it an awesome visit and the food WAS really good. But I am going to whole foods right now to get a second meal.

    (4)

  • Debbie R.

    Ate here for the first time last weekend. The food: very tasty, but they just don't give you that much. We ordered the Gnocci (it had shredded pork with some sort of tangy tomatillo sauce - to DIE FOR) which was so dang good, I literally could have licked the bowl. We also ordered the hand cut pasta with peppers and tomato base sauce. That was good, but not as good as that Gnocci! Next item we ordered was the slow roasted pork shoulder with polenta and steamed greens - rather tasty, but again . . that Gnocci. If I'm not making myself clear here . . . GET THE GNOCCI! They only make a few servings a day, and when its gone, its gone (I think its like 16 servings are made), so get there early! as for the price, I'd say its moderately priced. The 3 of us got out of there for $100 plus tip. We had wine and dessert . . oh, the dessert! Yes, you WILL have room for that . . . we got their version of banana cream pie (eh, it was OK) and this chocolate pie with a pretzel crust which was a delight for the tastebuds - salty, sweet, yummy! You will have to find parking on street or a couple blocks over at the municipal lot, as they really have NO parking for such a popular establishment (there's a small lot in back that has 2-3 spots). Would I return here? Yes . . . for that Gnocci! =)

    (3)

  • Rosie K.

    I really like Town! One of the few places I can go and simply ask the waiter for a vegan dish. I never know exactly what's coming, but it's always delicious! I love knowing that the ingredients are (in large part) local. I'm also a big fan of outdoor seating and love seeing the dogs that come to dinner with their owners. : )

    (5)

  • Misty P.

    I ate here with a bunch of friends for dinner. I like that this restaurant tries to use as much local ingredients in its food. We got the Big Island beef steak and it came with potato fries. We also had a salad which was tasty. As far as the steak, it was ok. As a side, the fries were kinda meh. I wished it was something else that didn't make your mouth so dry such as a loaded baked potato, rice or mashed potato. It seemed popular and crowded. I guess for me, it wasn't all that great for me to rave about it and come back again. It just seems really trendy and that's all. It's a little bit too expensive for my taste for what I was served. Parking sucks...

    (3)

  • Duncan H.

    This is my go to spot on Waialae. Town simply never disappoints. From the craft cocktails to the fresh food I have always enjoyed my experience. Let's not forget about the fantastic breakfast options. With Waialae avenue having a bit of a renaissance, Town has been a leader in the movement. Thanks Ed for creating the best restaurant in the area!

    (5)

  • Lynne B.

    Food is great. Should try the Ma'o (unique salad that is to die for), their mussels (the broth is awesome), pannacotta for dessert is a must, hand cut pasta, orchiette pasta, & risotto are my favorites. I only come back for the food but service sucks! They always take way too long for the food to come out after we order. Even when its slow. 3 out of the 4 times we ate here there is always something that goes wrong. Its usually the long wait. They did compensate us but we rather have a great experience more than anything. One of my biggest pet peeves is water not being filled & this is one restaurant that needs to improve on this. Theres no parking but plenty street parking.

    (3)

  • Craig M.

    Town has developed a nice reputation for its creative food and on one particular morning, I dropped by to try their breakfast. The first thing you see when you walk in is the bar, with tables to the right, then a left turn with the seating area extending toward the back of the restaurant. To order breakfast, you need to place your order and pay at the corner of the bar, grab your juice and/or coffee, and find a table. When your order is ready, someone brings it to your table. Their regular waitress service begins during lunchtime. No problem, I've done this before. Their regular breakfast menu offers (1) granola, fruit, yogurt and honey, (2) two eggs, rice or toast with bacon ponch or fresh fish, (3) a breakfast burrito with eggs and tontine panino, or with bacon or prosciutto. On the day I was there, the breakfast specials included (1) banana pancakes with eggs or bacon, (2) bruschetta, arugula pesto eggs, prosciutto, Waimea tomato and parmesan cheese, (2) grilled polenta, luganega sausage, lacinato kale and a sunny-side up egg, and (3) a frittata of red onion, Hamakua mushroom, green beans, and goat cheese, with a simple salad. I ordered the polenta breakfast, picked out a nice filtered sunlight table and settled back with my coffee to read the newspaper, taking in the homey ambiance and listening to the light rain outside. Not too long afterwards, my meal arrived. It was delicious. The strong flavor of the kale with its carmelized onions, little raisins, garlic and chili flakes was tempered by the creamy soft polenta (crispy-fried on the outside, mouth-melty on the inside). When I broke open the egg yolk, it flowed like a golden volcano onto the kale and polenta. The sausage hit the spot, providing me with a bit of morning meat protein to sustain me until my next meal. Muy delicioso! The next time I went there, it was for lunch with family. The wife ordered the uhu (parrotfish), which was quite delicious, beautifully moist and tender. Mother-in-law ordered the chicken-green papaya soup. She hated it, so my brother-in-law ate it for her. He had gone conservative and ordered a "Big Salad," which looked great (he liked it). I ordered the roast pork with grilled polenta and lacinato kale, fondly remembering how wonderful the sides tasted the last time I was there. I wasn't disappointed, except that I thought the pork was a bit too firm. When I think of roast pork, I think fatty juicy, which definitely it was not. The soy-based flavor was exceptional, however. And what can I say about the polenta except that it was creamy and yummy; the kale was great as well, just as I remembered it. Oh, and both times, I thought the coffee was very, very good - bold, rich and deep in flavor. There's adequate parking at the lot next door, and if that's full, street parking is available as well.

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:00 am - 2:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Trendy
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

Town

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