Restaurant XO Revisited

Nearly seven months after its grand opening, Restaurant XO has a sleek new look, as well as some new menu items (don't worry, faves like the Adobo Fried Chicken, Buttermilk Fried Oysters, Loaded Potato Au Gratin, Ginger Fried Rice, and Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie a la Mode are still on the menu!).

I was fortunate to attend a media tasting where we tried every single item on the current menu!

Chicken Skin, Smoked Trout Caviar, Creme Fraiche

Banh Mi Salad, Pickles, Mint, Croutons

Breadshop Foccacia, Furikake SPAM Butter

Buttermilk Fried Oysters, Curry Aioli

Lemongrass Sausages, Pickles

"Stacked Umami" - Brown Butter Confit Cauliflower, Asiago, Bonito, Seasonal Truffle, Shiitake Kombu Sauce, Sour Coconut

Tomato Risotto, Szechuan Rayu, Capers

Crispy Rice, Lap Cheong, Tare

Ginger Fried Rice, 63-degree Egg

Wok Seared Ribeye, Thai Chili Roasted Garlic Butter, Crispy Onions

Fried Stripe Bass, Finadene, Herbs

Sous Vide Duck Breast, Plum Almondine, Sesame Snow

Loaded Potato Au Gratin

Adobo Fried Chicken, Braised Peppercorns

Buttermilk Fried Chicken with Shisho Ranch

Pork Belly, Soy Ginger Scallion, Red Vinegar

XO Scallops, Spinach Puree, Bean Sprout, Lemon Gel

Kim Chi Fried Rice, Cured Egg Yolk

Buratta, Proscuitto, Tomato Jam, Breadshop Rye

Crispy Rice, Unagi, Tare

Pumpkin Crunch, Cream Cheese Spread

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie a la Mode

In addition to the favorites mentioned earlier, I really enjoyed the Buttermilk Fried Chicken (it was a special of the night; Restaurant XO makes some of the best fried chicken ever!) with Shisho Ranch, both Crispy Rice versions, the Chicken Skin, and the Stacked Umami (I love cauliflower!).

Guests at the tasting also raved about the Risotto, Sausages, and Chicken Skin.

I love how Chefs Kenneth and Aleina put their own spins on familiar dishes.  Their influences are evident in their versions of the comfort food offered at Restaurant XO, and I've already made plans with friends to return so they can experience the inspired cuisine.


Restaurant XO
3434 Waialae Ave.
Honolulu, HI