Birthday Dinner at Leila

August is a special month for my friend and me — we both celebrate our birthdays! Last year, we marked the occasion with dinner at Miro Kaimuki, and we loved it so much that we decided to keep the tradition alive with another Chris Kajioka restaurant. This year, we chose Leila in Kaimuki, and once again, it did not disappoint.

While Leila has a different concept from Miro, the excellence in food and service carried through — same chef, same level of greatness!

The menu at Leila is prix fixe, with a few optional add-ons. We started with a non-alcoholic drink intriguingly named Mango Ricotta. We had to ask our server about it — ricotta in a drink? Turns out, the ricotta adds texture but doesn’t affect the flavor (thankfully!). Strange name, surprisingly good drink.

The prix fixe lineup featured:

• Endive

  

• Carbonara

  

• Beef Cheek

  

• Crème Brûlée

We couldn’t resist adding on the Wagyu Brioche ...

and the focaccia -- and we're so glad we did!

Every dish was incredible. The food was rich — definitely not everyday fare, but perfect for a special celebration. The Wagyu was melt-in-your-mouth tender, the Carbonara (served not on pasta, surprisingly) was unique and delightful, and the Beef Cheek stole the show with its depth of flavor. We ended on a sweet note with a well-executed Crème Brûlée.

And of course, the service was five-star — attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable, just as we’ve come to expect from a Kajioka restaurant.

All in all, Leila was the perfect place to celebrate another trip around the sun. Different vibe than Miro, but every bit as memorable. If you're looking for a refined dining experience in Kaimuki with thoughtful dishes and top-notch service, Leila should be on your list.

Leila

1108 12th Avenue

808-888-0884

Read More

Leila Kaimuki Brings Moroccan Cuisine to the Neighborhood

The late September opening of Leila Kaimuki by Chefs Chris Kajioka and Mourad Lahlou was truly the buzz among foodies. My instagram feed was flooded with inviting images of the Kaimuki restaurant's first course, The Seven Salads. For good reason too, as it was my favorite.

Leila Kaimuki has transformed the old Angelo Pietro space into an intimate, but lively beautiful space for guests to enjoy Moroccan inspired cuisine through a three course prix fixe menu and specials. I had never had Moroccan food before so it was an exciting experience for me.

I started with a cocktail named Rose Garden made with gin, elderflower, and rose honey. Shortly after, two sets of The Seven Salads were presented for our party of six. The dishes are beautifully prepared and served with za’atar flatbread (amazing!) and farm vegetables. The Seven Salads are: Olives (pickled almonds, citrus, marash pepper), Zaalouk (eggplant, black olive, pine nuts, herbs), Muhammara (piquillo pepper, almond), Lebni (trout roe, dill), Bissara (white bean hummus, sesame, olio nuovo), Tomato Jam (ginger, citrus), and Bravo Radish (smoked lebni, harissa, sesame). Much of it was new to me, but I loved all the dishes. If I had to choose, the Lebni and Tomato Jam were my favorites. 

Rose Garden cocktail

First course: The Seven Salads

For the second course, you have a choice of the following that is portioned for two: Lamb Meshoui, Mediterranean Branzino, Short Rib wagyu beef, or Roasted Cauliflower. We chose two orders of the lamb and one order of the Branzino on the recommendation from Melissa Chang (everyone's favorite Hawaii foodie!). The lamb is braised for 12 hours resulting in crisp, tender meat and it was nice to have a heavier dish paired with the light and flavorful fish. 

Lamb Meshoui (neck, cumin, yama, kale, sunchoke)

Mediterranean Branzino (red & green charmoula, cippolini onion, fennel)

Rounding the meal is dessert. The price of the set menu is $85 per person with an optional $40 wine pairing. If you have a special occasion coming up or in need of a unique dining experience, Leila Kaimuki would be perfect. 

Leila Kaimuki 

1108 12th Ave Ste C 

Honolulu, HI 96816

Read More

Miro Kaimuki January 2024

When people ask me for recommendations on where to go for a good adult dinner, where price is not a factor, the first place I will mention is Miro Kaimuki.  Miro is known to have one of the best tasting menus on Oahu. The five-course prix fixe menu changes monthly, so it never gets old. 

One of my longtime friends turned 50, and I wanted to take her out to a nice dinner. She had never been here before, so I was excited to introduce her to one of Oahu's best restaurants.

We started with the ahi brioche toast, which an add-on the set menu. 

Now on to the 5-course prix fixe menu for January 2024:

nairagi. ceviche. aji amarillo.

agnolotti. mushroom. cherry.

scallop. yuzu bearnaise. sunchoke.

beef cheek. smoked soy. sudachi.

orange. jasmine. honey.

complimentary cream puff for the birthday girl

Both the food and service were outstanding, as always. Every dish was prepared and presented with attention and care. It was the perfect place to celebrate this special occasion, and I hope when I turn 50, someone will take me here for my birthday!  

Reservations are required and can be made on their website. Note - a credit card is required to book a reservation (you won't be charged unless you cancel after the deadline for free cancellation has passed).

___________________________

MIRO KAIMUKI

3446 WAIALAE AVENUE

808-379-0124

 

Read More

Agaru Revisited

When I first dined at Agaru in the beginning of 2023, I had a feeling it would be the best meal of 2023. We are now almost at the halfway point of 2023, and after my second dining experience at Agaru, I still consider it to be the best meal of 2023!

I treated my BFF to dinner here for her birthday on a Saturday night, and we both in heaven the entire time. And it's not just because we were getting a break from the mom life!

Here's all that we enjoyed:

Suntory Haku

Hamachi

Grilled Maitake Mushroom

Ho Farms Goma-ae

Pork Jowl

Potato Salad

Maguro

California

Ahi Toast

Kulolo Katsu

Shio Koji Sundae

 The mushrooms, potato salad, Maguro, Ho Farms Goma-ae, Hamachi, and Pork Jowl are part of the Izakaya set menu. There are two more dishes from the Izakaya menu (Sunomono and Baby Tako) which are not pictured here because I forgot to take a picture of them! Every bite was followed by a "OMG, this is soooo good!"

On Fridays and Saturdays, they offer an Omakase Experience at the sushi bar (6:30 pm seating - 2 hour experience).

To view the menu or make a reservation online, click here.

__________________________

AGARU IZAKAYA
355 ROYAL HAWAIIAN AVENUE

Read More

More from Agaru!

After reading Nadia's review of Agaru (click here to read it!), I knew I had to try it for myself! And then a good friend messaged me, asking if J and I wanted to join them on a double date at. Agaru. Yes please!!

She reserved four seats for us at the bar, where we got to watch Chefs Chris Kajioka and Daysen Masuda work their magic all night long.

Here's what we ordered, in no particular order. Some items are part of the Izakaya menu, some are from the Signatures and Sushi menu. 

Bruleed Tamago

Potato Salad

Seasonal Vegetable

Sunomono

Oyster

California Handroll

Ahi Toast

Chicken Karaage

Foie Gras Chawanmushi

Sake

Beef Tongue

Nairagi

Hamachi Kama

Chef Daysen's Aburi Chutoro

Shio Koji Sundae

Ok, honestly I was not a fan of the beef tongue (I never am!), but everything else was a burst of heavenly flavors and textures. The ahi toast and California Handroll, both add-ons, were my most favorite dishes, along with the Shia Koi Sundae. 

I can't wait to return to try more dishes on the menu! Who's coming with me?!

To book a reservation, click here. 

____________________

AGARU 
355 Royal Hawaiian Avenue, Suite 200

Read More