Best Date Night Restaurants in Kaka'ako

As you eat a meal at Merriman's, you can tell that each ingredient is selected with care. Sure enough, when I asked I found out the food is locally sourced from farms that the owners and Chef know and trust. Many items are hand selected by the box, not the truck load. Since the Chef from Maui transferred over to Merriman's Oʻahu, our entrees have been especially ono. At lunch today I planned to take home one of my two fish (ahi) tacos. No way! I couldn't stop finishing both. Last night my husband and I walked into Merriman's without reservations and sat at the bar. Who cares if we didn't get a table? The gregarious host, Cody Merriman, stopped by to share a laugh or two and answer our questions about the menu. My husband ordered their chicken entree for dinner and said it was the best chicken he'd ever had. And my taro falafel was also delicious. We can't resist their Waialua Chocolate Purse for dessert. I felt a little decadent afterward, but what the heck? There are lots of restaurants in our neighborhood, but for five years now we keep coming back to Merriman's which seems to be even better the last six months. Could it be the addition of the Maui Chef? We like the vibe. Energetic without being so loud you cannot carry on a conversation. We both think their Hawaiian music playlist is the best in the City. Wish I could think of something negative to say to make this review real. But having just come back from a great lunch with memories of a wonderful dinner there last night, I am only happy and satisfied.

We had dined at Istanbul Hawaii for dinner on prior occasions but this was our first time eating there for brunch. The menu included some of our favorites like the Meze platter and lamb but also had slew of additional items on a separate menu. As always, the flavors did not disappoint. The drinks were delicious as well. Our server was well versed in the extensive weekend menu and offered suggestions to guide us along our culinary experience.

Great experience! Venue is small with seating for maybe 12 people. Played good Hawaiian music and the "bar"tender and hostess were both great! Very quick service and the small venue meant it was easier to manage when getting our food. I'm pretty cheap but the quality of the food was outstanding and I was happy to spend a bit more given how great everything tasted and how quick it came out.

My father recently passed at the age of 100 plus 5 months. I always new it was because he knew food and nutrition. He was an Executive Chef who trained at Le Cordon Bleu in New York City in the late 1940's. Chai is run by a Cordon Bleu Chef. That's why the food there is excellent. It reminded me of my Father's cooking at home growing up. Cooking was my father's passion. I'm glad I went to Chef Chai's Restaurant.

Wonderful food; outstanding service and atmosphere