Taormina Sicilian Cuisine - Honolulu

First and foremost, I want to emphasize that the service was outstanding. Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed with the food. I opted for the prix fixe menu, which included an appetizer, pasta, entrée, and dessert. The appetizer was a seafood carpaccio, but I found it to be a combination of too salty and too bitter, with the fishy flavor overpowering. The pasta, however, was the crab Granchio, and it was quite delicious, generously filled with crab. The filet was cooked perfectly and was quite enjoyable. Lastly, I had the homemade tiramisu for dessert, which I found delightful.

I wanted to give this restaurant 5 stars, but the risotto was so poorly prepared that it was truly disappointing. I usually don't send food back unless it's an easy fix or completely inedible, but this was just that—inedible. The risotto was severely undercooked, making it really unpleasant to eat! When they brought me a second plate, there was hardly any improvement; whoever was in the kitchen clearly mismanaged the cooking time. It was far from al dente, just chewy, grainy bits of rice. If it had been cooked the right way, it would have been a fantastic meal. I also tried the tasting menu.

The food was excellent, especially the fixed menu, which stood out. The ambiance was pleasant, making for an enjoyable dining experience overall. However, I encountered two issues. Firstly, making a reservation can be challenging, which is typical for popular restaurants, so I don’t consider this a major complaint. Secondly, while the staff was polite, their service felt more business-like than friendly. On the plus side, the prices are reflective of the quality. I would definitely dine here again.

Incredible duck! The Tiramisu is one of the best I've ever tasted. We keep coming back for more! The staff is incredibly friendly and even reminded us of our first visit, which brought back memories of the warm atmosphere I experienced at a restaurant in Florence many years ago. If you love Italian cuisine and are in Waikiki, I highly recommend dining here!

This place has the best food in Hawaii, in my opinion. My husband and I dine here every time we visit Hawaii. My favorite dish is the squid ink pasta. The staff is always friendly and welcoming. If you're in Hawaii and enjoy Italian cuisine, you absolutely have to give this restaurant a try!