New in Kaimuki is the all vegan restaurant, AV Restaurant, operated by the team behind Restaurant XO - Chef Kenneth Lee and Chef Harrison Ines.
I've said many times that if I could afford to hire someone to cook delicious vegan food for me, I would, since I rarely eat meat. Therefore I was extremely excited to have been invited to a media event at AV Restaurant.
AV Restaurant is like no other vegan restaurant I've tried before. They combine an elevated dining experience and modernist cuisine in a Chef's Tasting format of 14-16 courses that's a treat for vegans and non-vegans alike.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmuivxbRSliC5ldHD_X4Z_hCWIniYnnHr2rkGpKRsDSF3KPfFh27R9OMFYLxsL_bhrR6Zjr4XonWDnq1WFyJBX87rQfMJYUSUFVrnllF-iOwD-tEhJ93GiIoOxcGXbrZEMaLeqTAy21Ro/w400-h400/av-restaurant4.jpg) |
Crystal Crostini, Sesame Oil Hummus, Garlic, Pomegranate & Sumac |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRf1sOchLzr3eDBlFUteYxFR4D6-Csro_hqUtWc6Cag9N_o2QPBl_Z9hlnjQMfTVeQ1qkkEaHRQ5G7mq__aWJ3APM3OF8BorYE7BELhQRYwMIujccebqJ9ZS3cXsuL_YdeuRVcDhqYITfc/w400-h400/av-restaurant5.jpg) |
Beet Tartare Tartlet, Marmite Mayo, Tomato Yolk |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzitrcvETZotO8DhAUpZWxV7mqnUzwPMEnD5TEijfv4u8DBYBt8Y8OK10399giwfJSBVMFw0b9lKa8DRywsi23PUaGJY3gJlEA2xx8ViWgbDm8BSbgLNdj69k45IFHghUaA6aKFk1tvssq/w400-h400/av-restaurant14.jpg) |
Grilled Cauliflower, Soffrito, Miso Bagna Cauda, Black Lime |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRsu4vDDC5I5g6TqfDrxvq86ODcjLN06_2QlusOQbqH-9eyWSFxibVDsXvERZjCw1bbuS570kR9LsNMeys1kO3GG96CpOu9ssjZOt9hqbn99PLn3hWSXQHhtpiCuISgDOQM5gEqF-uzfoZ/w400-h400/av-restaurant13.jpg) |
Vegan Shrimp & Potato Cannoli, Sweet Cumin, Saffron Aioli |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoM0aoGVJI3mBKMGcFcr9uc2vWO5lCx_3vwfciq7EDnltvDoXSFABdXHd7cmder2oxImYnqNMibrmNK_btSns12uLW0QW9cDogRigVwZm2AJHrMUdtwCU1crvjJt568qrO8cCM2UhgmKpQ/w400-h400/av-restaurant11.jpg) |
Celery Gazpacho Sorbet, Compressed Cucumber, Harissa, Mint |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZvkgXQPxALc-GmAtqCQpEw_9ukBtJCyClzSr1Z6Fj9YfcZCXXiPuctsNmftbxphR8OZo7bg_rEtiXApq9G3gBh0iXYCOjhpdamAiZK2c7XdHKC7Y53K1g6LgRPRe8Ir8LWlOMHd_7zFh/w400-h400/av-restaurant12.jpg) |
Dan Dan Tortellini, Dan Dan Sauce, Chili Oil Snow |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPDorjFlyHEVvLadxzH5mrkIrGXskWf5CS_3bCTjz7EMwu3MY0-9bCq92FSdwlE_1L56lyiB4LrN6YcB3hGM7YtQovm45hhCQX1mjAQmWhcbfD5d8vaDGqtYXtdWNXZyqmsD0lrB55Sgfi/w400-h400/av-restaurant10.jpg) |
Tacoyaki, Tortilla Puree, Taco Sauce |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoBDBNpQAu4tVbjbQh6-W_b13fSIoumA4znfwofP8iu5HliOGdHV5LfhCh5qLBpkk7cgDZA9RaE2mc6DeuQvlESYYG57eeP4tv0_087pJgrvsACOAiBX96mqVkmmm7ogJdJxM6vRKcCLfd/w400-h400/av-restaurant9.jpg) |
Truffle Xiao Long Bao |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXY18OpVe6WM_6T4ZRl6YbU4Rwq9LB1plGBjF-SNntVDYnJ-mhnWCT0msUj31JEUgcykQYcthYKNgvzUtw0pi0b-Iz9e1eiqdnQ7QNq9iFgxUoiclax67nN_s-qJ0_1m0m3lpBuz5YQnAs/w400-h400/av-restaurant8.jpg) |
Grilled Thai Eggplant Nigiri, Nori Paste, Tare |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4pn0DAhevXseQ4z4o8x8zfBJ4EKbSIDuiI4-8q7aDe1PvaCeHmoRur-unnPf9KUMexgU4VZ4uOVgT31-eMy0XfAB-pWibo6TZZ_GHJjOKzbIVfIEmXtnkbVlOJAojEXHd_mD3x8L2dGr/w400-h400/av-restaurant7.jpg) |
Japanese Curry Croquette, 11 Herbs & Spices, Cashew Ranch |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37M0gu2J49rw-aNcsvvjGslbtw2st77YIUgLXmEstJwPdn4uMWAmCwnIlzovhBkSK8C-P-erunHA0HPlo7p2aoxb2LSyJa0RC2zwe3Ed9zhzTV6L-Ffs0ZOkjT_y1YnTwHniexpZR9BIi/w400-h400/av-restaurant6.jpg) |
Portobello Sando Pain Perdue, Steak Sauce, Dill Pickles |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4bsLx7iTDPUpovWz5-svjy1dImw0RTW8YJxK61ymIbKf0OwDjOaH3inhIUO7iJjprrr5TrMuoeUREUuKZg_qLFqJzn065v2w1k1MRB4Uqy67IaWz6Z4x7mIZ4OxvCD1P96UVKIy0iHdd0/w400-h400/av-restaurant.jpg) |
Optional: Cauliflower & Cheese Waffledog |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnaJGljSOW2s0mzXJV1fHu1ouH33PrGgFKRrQCOkdvo5kKQGuhs84Y4cWKdPdkkGvx7MeMgrXl6S-eAeIGkpODPybMcWWhTqpYBINfdz0ZdF1ErFWwUWnSQwdd_bWdJ23MOJJUwdeG49E/w400-h400/av-restaurant1.jpg) |
Melon Sphere, Melon Soda, White Chocolate, Pop Rocks |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV114_UhormlWdUyoMK5Qm93u14RB__L8OyRUI9SEfTu5t7k8JAvtcCtzhvI7lEmW0WptIMFuhj-atNBU4miCAk5NHt-cqUgkhQhSmByObSDyk6y3EBR5epdvYdP7OOmMJ49JUoAEtsZz2/w400-h400/av-restaurant2.jpg) |
Blackberry & Thyme Sorbet |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLp6zC5-UUFC-4-p8UeXqOHO7zmxL2LC48QgfrjH0YYY76UFDvH9ZtAifNd3JIwdaiP4VNk4YxpSx7MYRaWxTMUChD55SadKUIaOpUSwNQiwGuopkJiMiLi8RuxwV0AdvG3hCyTLlAVSAA/w400-h400/av-restaurant3.jpg) |
Mac Nut & Chocolate Chip Cookie, Coconut Dulche De Leche, Anglaise |
AV Restaurant offers familiar flavors in innovative presentations, and I left the dinner completely satisfied.
My favorites were many, including the Portobello Sandwich (I wanted an entire, regular-sized sandwich - it was that good!), the Japanese Curry Croquette (presented in a format that will play mind tricks on you, with tastes and flavors were completely reminiscent of eating comforting curry), the Vegan Shrimp & Potato Cannoli (enjoyed the complementing textures), and the Grilled Thai Eggplant Nigiri (I could've eaten a half a dozen of them). The portions of each course were just the right size.
You have the option to order the supplemental Cauliflower & Cheese Waffledog after the savories, and even if you already feel full like I did, I would suggest giving it a try. It was sure delish, and you won't miss the meat at all!
The Melon Sphere was fun to eat (follow directions closely, and don't mess up like I did by squeezing the sphere too hard before putting it into your mouth), and the Cookie was a simple, yet scrumptious way to end the meal.
The food is amazing. So much goes into each and every dish - thoughtful ingredients with distinct flavor profiles, innovative techniques, and meticulous execution.
Congratulations Chef Kenneth and Chef Harrison!
AV Restaurant1135 11th Ave
Honolulu, HI 96816
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