An Evening of Flavor and Dance at Four Seasons Resort O‘ahu

I was thrilled to have been invited to An Evening of Flavor and Dance at the Four Seasons Resort O‘ahu. This collaboration with Ballet Hawaii showcased the artistry of both the culinary team at Noe and the dancers of Ballet Hawai‘i, as performances enchanted guests between thoughtfully-crafted courses.

I have been a fan of Noe since the resort opened (it is my favorite restaurant on the island), and the food was amazing, as expected.

And to be so close to the talented and elegant ballet dancers while they performed really gave us a greater appreciation of their finesse and strength, as they did pirouettes and hops en pointe while dancing amongst trees and guests.

The food and dance transitioned seamlessly throughout the night.

Hokkaido Uni Toast | Milk Bread, Umami Brown Butter, Cremosa Ricotta, Finger Limes, and Chive Oil

‘Ahi Carpaccio | Smoked ‘Ahi Tonnato, Charred Hearts of Palm, Sea Asparagus Salsa Verde, Taggiasca Olives, Caper Berries, and Ho Farms Radishes

Maldera Buffalo Mozzarella with Mezzaluna Ravioli | Artichokes, Lion's Mane Mushroom, 36-Month White Cow Modenese, and Black Winter Truffle

Porcini-Crusted Snake River Farms Filet Mignon | Delicata Squash, Kupu Farms Micro Cress, Kabocha Squash Purée, Porcini, Foie Gras Emulsion, and Marsala Veal Jus

Pavlova | Whipped Laie Vanilla Panna Cotta, Roasted Strawberries, Lilikoi Curd, and White Chocolate Dust

It was such a special, unique event!

Follow @fsoahu on Instagram to find out about upcoming events!

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A Night with Michael Mina

One of my favorite restaurants on the island is Mina's Fish House at the Four Seasons Oahu, where Chef Michael Mina initiated the concept of the Fish Sommelier.

On Friday, the media was invited to A Night with Michael Mina, where guests indulged in a thoughtfully-crafted tasting menu highlighting local seafood and dishes with internationally-inspired elements.

Sesame Sweet Soy Poke

Burrata & Stone Fruit

Bacon-Wrapped Scallops

Kataifi-Wrapped Kauai Prawns

Several dishes were served family-style - the poke, burrata, scallops, and prawns.  I thought the poke was seasoned perfectly, with a harmonious blend of sweet, savory, salty, and spicy components.  

Everyone commented on just how enormous the burrata was.  It was creamy, and indulgent, and I couldn't stop eating it with the pita croutons.

I love scallops and I love bacon, and together they are great match!

The kataifi offered a delicate, yet crunchy contrast to the tender prawns.  

Caviar Parfait

Kona Lobster Agnolotti

Everyone could choose their own entree, and I chose the agnolotti.  I loved the stuffed pasta, and I would've been happy with just the pasta, but the addition of the lobster, Parmesan, and truffle really elevated the dish, adding levels of umami.

Lobster Pot Pie

Lobster Pot Pie assembled

Kona Kanpachi

Hawayej-Spiced NY Striploin

The tasting menu ended with two delightful desserts.  The shave ice was so refreshing, and the Chocolate Caramel Crunch was reminiscent of a nostalgic candy bar - so delicious! 

Pina Colada Shave Ice

Chocolate Caramel Crunch

At the end of the night, we were gifted with a copy of his most recent cookbook, My Egypt, which dives into Chef Michael's roots.

Although this special event was one-night only, the daily dinner menu still offers guests amazing line-to-table delicacies and signature seafood dishes.

Mina's Fish House
Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina
92-1001 Olani St, Kapolei, HI 96707
(808) 679-0079

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Visit Big Island: Residents' Beach House

Even though I've stayed at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai a few times before, it wasn't until my recent stay did I try the Residents' Beach House.

Thai Chicken Salad

The Thai Chicken Salad included Hirabara greens, cabbage, carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, green papaya, mint, and a citrus peanut dressing.  The chicken was a little on the dry side, but the flavor was good. 

Garlic Parmesan Fries

It's hard to go wrong with Garlic Parmesan Fries!  They were delish!

Longboard Lager Battered Ono & Chips

We actually got served our food before we had any silverware, and had a very long wait for silverware, unfortunately.  We had to flag down our server as she nor the food runner didn't even notice our silverware was missing.  Other than that, service was overall fine.

The menu is pretty standard for a local resort, but the options were satisfying.

Residents' Beach House
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
72-100 Ka'upulehu Drive

Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

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Visit Big Island: ‘Ulu

While at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, we had breakfast at ‘Ulu.  They offer both a breakfast buffet as well as a la carte menu items.  I usually prefer to get a la carte menu items since I never get my money's worth at buffets (as of this post it was $59 per adult).

Hualalai Sunrise Smoothie

The Hualalai Sunrise Smoothie had non-dairy yogurt, orange juice, banana, strawberry, flax, and honey.  It was sweet and refreshing.  I didn't taste much of the honey, but the strawberry and banana flavors were more forward. 

Huevos Rancheros

My friend enjoyed the Huevos Rancheros. 

Loco Moco

I had the Loco Moco, which consisted of braised short rib (you could also opt for grilled fish), topped with an adobo gravy and served with Ali‘i mushroom fried rice.   I thought the greens were out of place, and the short rib was unfortunately too tough, but the gravy was tasty and I really liked the fried rice. 

I'll definitely have to try the Huevos Rancheros next time!

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
72-100 Ka`upulehu Drive
Kailua-Kona, HI 96725
(808) 325-8000

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Noe

Noe is without a doubt one of my favorite restaurants on the island. 

We try to go at least once a year, and it's quite the splurge for us since we take the entire family, but it's so worth it.  The food is so amazing and the service is stellar. 

Burrata and House Bread

The Burrata is always a must-order for us, and pairs nicely with the House Bread.

My go-to order is the Noe Signature Tagliatelle.

Noe Signature Tagliatelle

It's indulgent and umami-packed, and not surprisingly a signature dish.  You must try it for yourself!

Jidori Chicken Marsala

Lobster Spaghetti

Ahi Tonnato Carpaccio

Truffle Mashed Potato

Celebration S'mores Cake

We had tried some new-to-us desserts, and they were so elegantly presented!

Gianduja Rocher

Noe Limone

Our server, Kyle, was excellent.  Four Seasons is synonymous with amazing service, and at any venue on property you'd expect such service.  The service we received on this recent visit was the best we ever had of all of our visits, and really the best service I've had all year at any restaurant.

If you live on the Windward or East side, it's worth venturing to Ko Olina to experience Noe!

Noe
Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina
92-1001 Olani St
Kapolei, HI 96707
(808) 679-0079

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La Hiki

I had heard great things about La Hiki at the Four Seasons Resort in Ko'olina, and I finally got to try it thanks to Hawaii Mom Blog's founder Gem, who treated me and Nadia to lunch for our birthdays! 

 

We ordered the three sandwiches that are on La Hiki's lunch menu:

Lobster Roll 

Chef M's Crispy Chicken Sandwich 

LHK Burger 

Each sandwich includes choice of side. We decided to each order a different side so that we could enjoy three different sides - onion rings, sweet potato fries, and Truffle fries. 

Nadia and I each shared half of the LHK Burger and Lobster Roll - both were amazing! The Lobster Roll came with a very generous portion of lobster, and I liked how they used sweet bread for the bun. As for the burger, it's hard to go wrong when it's served with white cheddar cheese and caramelized onions - delicious!!

The restaurant gave us special cupcakes for dessert since we were celebrating our birthdays - the cupcake was moist and not too sweet (these cupcakes are also not on the menu!). It was the perfect ending to relaxing morning at the Four Seasons Ko'olina. Thank you, Gem, for spoiling us!

I hope to try their Sunday Brunch one day soon! 

_____________________________

La Hiki at the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko'olina

92-1001 Olani Street

808-679-3347

 

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Sensei By Nobu - Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Sensei by Nobu

During our two night stay on Sensei Lanai, we had all but one meal on property.  Sensei by Nobu is the resort's anchor restaurant offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Their food philosophy centers on how the person feels after the meal with emphasis on incorporating organic, local and seasonal foods.  The menus were designed by a collaboration between Chef Nobu Matsuhisa and Sensei's nutritionist's science-driven approach to diet.  

The restaurant itself is breathtaking.  It's spacious and encased in glass paneling with a vaulted ceiling.  There's both indoor and outdoor seating that overlooks a reflecting pond. 

Our first meal was lunch.  We were all pleasantly surprised that the portions were generous and the dishes were all very tasty.  We had a great lunch experience.  

Ham Koele Sandwich ($24)

Green salad with shrimp

Roasted White Fish ($38)

Whole Wheat Vegetable Pasta with Seafood ($28) 

White wine and Soju Spritzers (Nobu Soju, Pineapple, Shiso, Lime, Prosecco Float)

Later that night, we returned for dinner after some pool time.  The restaurant offers a tasting menu as well as a la carte.  Since the temperature on the Koele side of the island is cooler, I was in the mood for something hot so I opted for the Tofu Hot Pot with salmon.  We appreciated that the menu offerings were very different from lunch.

Yellowtail Jalepeno ($26)

Tofu Hot Pot with Salmon ($46)

Prime Ribeye ($65)

Nobu Bento Box (Valrhona Guanaja Fondant Cake, Imperial Matcha Ice Cream) $16

The next morning after the Koloiki Ridge hike, we stopped in for breakfast.  The menu has a great selection of traditional American breakfast foods like your omelets and benedicts as well as lighter fare like acai and yogurt.  My friend ordered the Traditional Japanese Breakfast that comes with baked fish, onsen tamago, miso soup, pickeled vegetables, simmered vegetables, and your choice of white or brown rice. Note you can't order the Japanese breakfast for in-room dining.  I opted for the avocado toast and a green smoothie.  The sandwich was too big for me to finish in one sitting so I took it back to the room.  Another delicious meal!

Signature Dish - Traditional Japanese Breakfast ($32)

Sourdough Avocado Toast ($26)

On the morning of our departure we chose to sleep in and order breakfast in bed.  They were able to set it up outside so we could enjoy breakfast on the lanai.  This time I ordered the eggs benedict and the poi donut while my friend had the smoked salmon with eggs and a berry smoothie.  It was the perfect ending to a wonderful stay at Sensei Lanai!    

Eggs Benedict ($29), Smoked Salmon ($30), Poi Donut ($7)

 

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