Early Bird Menu at Chef Chai

We recently planned a family dinner for 24 people and chose to reserve the private dining room at Chef Chai. We arrived early enough to take advantage of their early bird menu, which turned out to be an incredible value—especially for a large group.

For $68 per person, the meal began with an impressive spread of family-style appetizers:

• Chicken tenderloin saté

• Jumbo kataifi black tiger prawns

• Smoked duck taco with fresh mango salsa

• Gravlax salmon roulade with cream cheese and crab meat

• Roasted butternut squash and lobster bisque shooter

And that was just the appetizer course. Everything was beautifully presented and generously portioned.

For the main course, each guest could choose from six entrées. Many of us opted for the grilled filet mignon with mushroom foie gras puff or the grilled kabayaki salmon with Granny Smith apple–pineapple relish, both of which were well executed. That said, I personally found myself enjoying the appetizers—and later, dessert—the most.

Dessert options included tiramisu, shredded coconut cake, or halo halo shaved ice, and they were a nice, sweet way to end the meal. The pacing of the courses was comfortable, especially considering the size of our group, and the service throughout the evening was attentive and professional. They also allowed us to bring in our own birthday cake, which we really appreciated.

 There is a minimum spend required to reserve the private room (I’m not sure of the exact amount, as the dinner was hosted by a family member), so we were encouraged to order drinks to make the minimum. 

Parking is available in the building, though self-parking can be tricky, so valet is likely the easiest option. Free street parking on Kapiʻolani Boulevard typically starts after 6 p.m.

I hadn’t been to Chef Chai in quite some time, but I was genuinely and pleasantly surprised by the experience. It turned out to be a great choice for a large family celebration, and I’d definitely consider it again for future gatherings.

CHEF CHAI

1009 KAPIOLANI BLVD

808-585-0011