Arden Waikiki

The 20 Best Restaurants in Waikiki, Hawaiʻi | Eater

"The married chefs Amanda Cheng and Makoto Ono, who made their names in Canada and Hong Kong, have taken over the kitchen at the Lotus Honolulu hotel, on a quiet stretch between Waikīkī and Lē‘ahi (Diamond Head). They serve elegant, understated dishes; some of the best sound the plainest, like roasted cabbage or mushroom rice. Local meats and seafood shine, as in a Maui venison tartare, scattered with mizuna and bubu arare (rice crackers), or the grilled Kaua‘i prawns, simply dressed with shio koji butter, chile garlic crunch, and calamansi. Order the foie gras terrine, which may be the most playful rendition you’ve ever seen. Vibe check: Arden is fancy enough for a date night, but the weekend Ohana menu, with fried chicken and cornbread served family style, keeps the mood light." - Martha Cheng