Kalo Hawaiian Food By Chef Chai

When we arrived, we informed the hostess it was a party of two. She asked us to wait five minutes while she checked on something and then left her stand. When she returned, she directed us to a table, only to find it still occupied with dirty dishes. She asked us to hold on for a moment while she grabbed a rag to clean it. We understood that things happen, so we waited patiently for her to sort it out. However, she seated us in a rather awkward location, sandwiched between the outdoor dining area and the indoor section—what I would describe as the "worst spot" in the restaurant. After reviewing the menu, we finally decided what we wanted to order and then the waiting began. We waited and waited some more, and about 15 minutes later, I had enough. I approached the host stand to see who our server was. On my way, I noticed two tables that had been empty before, now filled with other parties who were already enjoying their drinks and appetizers. Frustrated, I called out, "Excuse me, we need some help here!" The server seemed surprised, as if he hadn't even realized we were there. He took our orders, but that was about all the engagement we received from him. As for the food, coming from a Hawaiian background and having grown up with Hawaiian cuisine, I found it to be pretty mediocre—nothing special at all. I should have trusted my instincts and chosen the Thai restaurant just down the street instead. Chef Chai, if you happen to read this, I urge you to check this place out. It seems like the management here is quite disorganized. I was really let down by the experience, and I hope my review doesn’t get taken down like my partner's did! When friends ask for restaurant recommendations, I certainly won't suggest this place based on my experience. Changes need to be made!

I think there are more affordable options available that are both tastier and more satisfying than this restaurant. While the service is excellent, I find the food to be overpriced.

We arrived for our 5:30 PM reservation and had the option to sit inside or on the outdoor deck. Given the lovely weather and a brief lull in the rain, we chose the deck. Our hostess also served us and recommended the Passion Press cocktail ($14), while I opted for a glass of Conundrum Red Blend ($14). To start, we ordered the Kalua Pork with hoisin in Chinese buns for $16. They arrived within a few minutes and were what you'd expect from the dish: the pork was tender and sweet, and the steamed buns were decent—not the best we’ve had, but certainly not bad. For our entrees, Rose ordered the Hawaiian Platter for $54, which was a generous portion easily shared by two people. It included Ahi poke, salmon sashimi, kalua pork, beef kalbi short ribs, soup, and white rice. This platter offered a wonderful variety of local flavors, with the poke being particularly fresh and flavorful. The only downside was that the short ribs were a bit dry and could have benefited from additional sauce. I chose the Miso Seabass with lobster sauce for $50. The presentation of the dish was impressive, and it was bursting with flavor. The fish was cooked perfectly, showcasing just the right amount of caramelization from the miso. The lobster sauce had a good lobster flavor, but it seemed to come from a base rather than a stock reduction. Sauces made from stock usually have a richer, more complex flavor, while a base gives a simpler, flatter profile. Though they offered a Haupia Pie on the menu that we were tempted to try, we decided to skip dessert as we had an early flight the next morning. Overall, it was a delightful dining experience!

It seemed like the website and photos really exaggerated the appeal of Kalo; it's just a typical hotel restaurant. The ambiance was average at best. There were many families with young children, which is fine, but it's not an ideal spot for a date or a special night out with friends, contrary to what the photos and marketing imply. The prices were also high for the quality of the food.

Delicious Hawaiian foods for breakfast and dinner. Excellent service. Associated with adjacent Courtyard hotel.Parking: In Waikiki, difficult and costly to find parking. You should walk from nearby hotels or take the bus which stops nearby.