Leila

Absolutely unforgettable experience! Everything single dishes was amazing, we ordered everything and love their oysters 🦪. The soup was definitely unique and unexpectedly delicious, I also done the wine pairing as well. Totally worth it! We were so lucky to have Brenda, the general manager to serve our table, he is absolutely fantastic and we had so much fun and highly recommended this restaurant. FYI, their entrance is slightly low-keyed.

When out-of-town visitors asked for upscale food recommendations in San Francisco, Mourad was at the top of my short list, thanks to a rare mix of excellent food and cocktails, plus the luxury of scoring a last-minute reservation. So when the city’s standout Moroccan restaurant closed late last year, it was a genuine loss. Fortunately around the same time, chef Mourad Lahlou quietly opened Leila across the Pacific in Honolulu, teaming up with chef Chris Kajioka. The chef duo behind the hit Japanese-French spot Miro Kaimuki is already making waves with their second act. Familiar favorites from Mourad SF make a welcome return at Leila as supplements, like the flaky duck basteeya, build-your-own buttery uni brioche, and those heavenly, creamy oysters. The restaurant currently offers a $75 four-course prix fixe menu, and I was impressed that I enjoyed this meal even more than its predecessor. Naragi crudo slices arrived beautifully plated, with a harissa crunch reminiscent of chili crisp. A crispy skin salmon delivered, the crackling exterior giving way to delicate large flakes, all set in a refreshing warm broth of pea and asparagus. But the unexpected standout? A modest-looking endive salad. Whipped goat cheese mousse, oregano vinaigrette, dukkah, and sweet date slivers came together harmoniously. Even my partner (a salad skeptic) named it his favorite dish of the night. Dinner concluded with Strauss soft serve, layered with banana, caramel, and the same spiced candied nuts found in the basteeya. A nice echo to end the meal. The ambiance is sleek, dimly lit, and much smaller and intimate than Mourad SF - great for date night. Note that there’s no bar, so cocktails are pre-batched. I enjoyed a za’atar martini and a spin on an old fashioned with dates.

LEILA IS SUCH A GEM! stumbled upon a reservation and made our first dinner in Honolulu unforgettable! The restaurant is small but mighty - I love how quaint it was and how everyone seemed to know each other - it was like a big dinner party! The star of the show were the 7 salads, wow I loved every single unique salad/dip/spread. The savory flavors and even the sweetness from the tomato jam - glorious! I would buy each of those and have them in my refrigerator on deck if I could. Also the fresh baked bread *chefs kiss* For the main entree we were able to get a meet and veggie - we chose the lamb and cauliflower. The presentation of the lamb was incredible and flavors were irresistible. The cauliflower was a great compliment and loved the pairing. We also had tea and the caramelized date cake with their house gelato. There was a party of flavors in mouth and wow were they having a blast! One of the best meals I’ve had on 3 of the islands I’ve visited I highly recommend this restaurant and tasting experience! Cannot wait to go back!

We had dinner at Leila on Saturday night and it was such a blast! The dishes are served family style which makes it super interactive and fun. I was impressed by the zero proof cocktails, seven course salad, wagyu, lamb, dessert and the service was so friendly from the hostess to servers and runners. We opted for add ons like the couscous and the meat pie which were totally worth it! Can’t wait to go back when the next menu rolls out!

Just opened today, first seating at 5:00pm. This Moroccan restaurant was absolutely delicious. My coworkers and I had to try it...not knowing they just opened. Atmosphere had a cool relaxing earthy vibe. Music played in the background. The noise wasn't bad, enough to mask the neighboring tables but soft enough to hear your own conversations. Service was especially on point. You were not rushed. They allow time between course to enjoy the food at a leisurely pace. Since the dishes didn't come out at once. You could enjoy each dish and focus on it's taste. Staff watched your water levels, offer flat or sparkling water, and fold your napkins when you leave the table. Very cool attention to detail. The food was amazing. The menu seems complicated but it's actually simple. 3 course, the first and second are set. The third course is a shareable protein. We selected short ribs and lamb. Both dishes were soft, tender and moist. A balance of favor, no single element overpowered the other. Lastly, they had four specials of the night, we selected a puff pastry duck confit (like a pie). It was delicious. Next time I go back, I want to try the other items. I highly recommend the zero proof drinks. Only two available, I got the spicy trade, then I moved to an alcoholic beverage. Amazing over all, especially a must try for couples. I recommend to at least go once. Prices are slightly higher, but I think its worth it.

For a while, I’ve been unable to feel “wowed” by food when eating out… finally with the first bites here I was wowed. Everything was spectacular from beginning to end, the food was delightfully complex. We are Lebanese and enjoyed the creative approaches to typical dishes like the Labne for example. Knowledgeable staff and attentive service, every bite was delicious with complex flavors— you can tell the chef is very passionate about his food. Highly recommend if you’re in Waikiki and looking for a break from all the Asian/Japanese fusion. Amazing!!!

A true gem that exceeded every expectation. The omakase menu was a journey through Morocco’s varied flavors, with each dish beautifully plated and perfectly balanced in spices and textures. We opted for the wine pairing, and it was a brilliant choice – each glass complemented the food beautifully, enhancing flavors without overwhelming them. After the first bite of the seven salads, I understood the rest of the meal was going to be phenomenal and it did not disappoint. Highly recommend and will come back again soon.

First visit and we thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience! Our lovely server, Mona, was just wonderful! She was very knowledgeable, articulate and made us feel like we were VIPs! The food was absolutely delicious! The Seven Salads course with bread and veggies is sooooo fun and flavorful! Don't forget to add on the duck bastiya!!! It's a MUST! Just a heads up, entree portions are for 2. I was a tad disappointed that my Eating Buddy and I couldn't try the lamb AND the branzino but that just means we need to return with more friends! 😊 The wine pairings were fantastic and the cocktails were very creative and tasty 👍🏻

There are many things in this life and the world in general that are unpleasant and disappointing. Especially these days. A dining experience at Leila is not one of them. My Beloved treated me to a birthday dinner there last night--just the two of us. I hadn't been feeling well this past week and I almost canceled our reservation to Leila for that reason. But my better angel prevailed and I'm glad I didn't. Plus I didn't want to be charged a $50 cancellation fee. *Ahem* Somewhere on Leila's website there is a quote from Hippocrates: "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food." Last night's visit to Leila was like a visit to the food physician I didn't know I needed, even though I left feeling a little overstuffed but very much 'healed' from whatever malaise I had been feeling. Leila serves Moroccan meets Pacific Rim Asian fusion cuisine. Service was graceful and attentive but not overly so. Everyone we encountered there was pleasant and personable, without being OVERLY performative. You know what I'm talking about. An immediate upsell offering of sparkling water was pretty slick but after finishing the Pellegrino we opted for tap poured from a lovely cobalt blue bottle by a lovely young hostess who reminded me of an updated and sweeter version of Eva Gabor. Or maybe I'm thinking of Brigitte Bardot. Our lovely server was warm (enough) and quite practiced at informing us of the content/ingredients of the forthcoming prix fixe courses. Instead of the optional wine pairing we both had a non-alcoholic cocktail called a Country Breeze, which was indeed a breezy and refreshing mix of jasmine, yuzu and club soda. The current appetizer portion of the menu is The Seven Salads; fresh, crisp farm veggies & warmed za'atar flatbread served with 7 selections of spreads that include such ingredients as pickled almonds, white bean hummus, mint, shimeji mushrooms, piquillo pepper. trout roe, marash pepper and other semi-exotic tidbits. Delicious, zesty, sublime and oh-so-filling! We couldn't finish it and had to have the leftovers bagged. Because we were feeling glutton-curious we deviated from the prix-fixe menu by adding on the Chef's Signature Bateeya Duck Confit, which was beyond scrumptious. FYI, this delicacy is NOT listed on the menu. But it is absolutely irresistable. Consider yourself encouraged to order it, regardless of the additional charge. We believe it's worth every additional, mouth-watering bite. For our entree we chose the Lamb Meshoui--a generously portioned and perfectly spiced 'fall off the bone' lamb shank served (and presumably cooked?) in a tajine. Served among brussel sprouts in a kombocha puree. Flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth goodness. We couldn't finish it and had to have the leftovers bagged. And topping off our glorious meal was a dessert to die for that included a silky dollop of mascarpone, olive oil, flourless chocolate, dried Italian cherries, some flower petals (the type of which I can't remember), and some tiny bits of something that added a bit of crunch. The form wasn't quite cake but not quite pudding--something in between and was so sensual and exquisitely good that I daresay it was one of the best desserts I've sampled. Ever. Leila is 'night' in Arabic. My Beloved ordered a pot of hot mint tea which we shared while consuming the heavenly dessert, thus bringing our night to a wonderful close. We had parked just down the block from Leila, curbside parallel on 12th St. As I was helping my Beloved into our vehicle I kept hearing what sounded like chanting coming from behind me. The chanting kept repeating the words "Leftovers? Do you have any leftovers? Leftovers? Do you have any....? I turned to see the source of the chanting: a homeless haole women sitting against a wall. I approached her with our doggy bag and she looked up at me. In the early evening her pale blue eyes looked as if they glowed in the dark. I handed her the leftovers she was pleading for. In exchange she offered me a paperback Bible. And then began babbling instead of chanting. My impulse was to decline but I took it anyway. We thanked each other. I made my way to our vehicle. She was still babbling as I got in. Though she probably couldn't see it because our windows are tinted, we gave her a little wave as we pulled away from the curb and sped off into the night.

Overpriced for what it is. At $85 per person, you get bread (1 bread per person and $5 for any additional bread), a bunch of dips/spreads to enjoy with the bread (hummus, red pepper, goat cheese, etc.), your choice of entree and dessert. Felt like a lot of upselling as well: - When we first walked in, they first offered sparkling water without offering regular water as the free alternative. You have to ask for it. - As mentioned above, any additional bread is $5 per person. They give one bread per person. You will likely be left with so much dip and spread if you have a small party, leaving you with the decision to buy either more bread or eat the rest like baby food. - After our entrees were cleaned up, our server told us that dessert would take a little time to prepare and asked if we wanted any coffee or tea while we waited. We said no and the dessert came out within a few minutes. Not quite sure if they made it sound like it would take long so we would be enticed to buy something while we wait, but that's what it felt like. As for the food itself, my partner and I had mixed feelings about it. The dips and spreads tasted great as well as the bread. Our favorite was the baba ghanoush and red pepper. However, the experience of eating the bread and dips could be improved. For example, they're served in individual tiny dishes with no weight and move around really easily when trying to dip the bread or use the spoon to scoop. Makes it a little difficult to enjoy. They can try using a large platter to put the individual dips in that doesn't move so easily when trying to eat. The lamb didn't 'wow' us as it relied heavily on the sauce for flavor. The brussels sprouts that came with the lamb tasted amazing. The broccolini was pretty salty and fried, we were hoping for a more fresh and light preparation of the broccolini to cut the richness of the rest of the food. The chocolate ganache cake we got was a nice touch for valentines day! The coriander cream on top of the cake added the perfect balance to the cake to help cut the sweetness and richness of it. The service was great though and the servers took their time to explain the menu, the dishes, and were attentive throughout our dinner. TLDR: Overpriced for okay food but good service. Glad we tried it, but wouldn't pay $250 again for the meal (that's without the $40 wine pairing or any drinks). I really wish Hawaii had more casual and affordable options for this kind of cuisine.

Wonderful meal and evening! Delicious food, good portions, friendly service, cozy atmosphere, it's a great spot for gatherings with family and friends, but also for dates. Although on their website it's a prie fixe menu, they actually have some side dishes, available to order that your server will explain. Fortunately, we have four people so we could order a bunch of dishes to try. Each of us got the tasting menu, 2 of us got the wine pairing as well, and on top of that we got some side dishes. The "seven salads" was basically seven different types of dip that you could eat with the flatbread and it's shared among the table. There was a dip that tasted similar to baba ghanoush, there's a hummus, there's a tomato jam thing, marinated olives with some nuts, goat cheese, some creamy dip with salmon roe that I liked a lot. Actually that's a lot of food already and you can definitely get food from it if you don't pace yourself. Everything tasted delicious, but there is one thing that seemed a little too greasy for me and it didn't sit in my stomach well. For the entrées, we got the lamb shank served in a tagine and it's for two people, and also the branzino for two as well. The portions were pretty big! Both were delicious, but I would say I liked the branzino a little better just because it was cooked really well with all the garnishes that complimented the fish. Yum! Don't forget the side dishes too! We tried their duck confit in a filo pastry, very good! Even though it's not really Mediterranean, we got their Uni toast and it was delectable. The toast was basically deep fried butter, and the Uni itself taste like Ocean butter, so it's double butter. We also got the oysters with yuzu foam and it tasted so fresh and yummy with the hint of citrus. Finally, for the dessert we had a date cake. This wouldn't be something I normally would order if I saw it on the menu, but since it came with this tasting menu, I got to try it. And omg, I'm so glad because it's so good. It's served warm and it's a little crusty on the outside and soft inside. The burnt caramel gave it a distinct complex flavor. Parking is in the Paid parking lot, plenty of parking. It's a good idea to make reservations at least two weeks in advance. Great meal, it's a great addition to Kaimuki!

As others have stated but need to restate again.... Leila's is a gem! Two parking options-parking paid lot next to restaurant and a municipal lot across the street. Great ambiance, service and food. A small dining space is tasteful understated with a lively dining crowd (aka loud) but such a friendly vibe. The food was delicious and presented well. Started with their Bastio (puff pastry stuffed with duck confit and spices) add on. A flaky confection with a delicious blend of duck. Then came their seven salads with warm zatar flatbread. All uniquely flavored. We chose the branzino, wagu beef and lamb...so so good! Then finished with a date cake topped with vanilla ice cream. It was fun to enjoy the wine pairing as well. Such a special evening!

Moroccan cuisine in Honolulu? Who d'a thunk? From the chef owner of the former Aziza and then Mourad restaurants in San Francisco, Leila is a Michelin star worthy place. The service is professional, friendly and helpful in the extreme. The small dining room is simple yet elegant. Tableware is artsy and unique, visually interesting. The food is sublime. Very focused menu that is served family style. Almost all dishes are made for two persons. Portions are just the right size. As the menu is a set 3 courses with many small plates there is plenty to eat. I recommend that you elect for the wine pairings. The offerings are small batch, rather unique labels that you will not find at a liquor store / wine shop. Given this is Honolulu the prices are not a bargain. Yet the tariff for the high quality ingredients, the sumptuous flavors, the elegant presentation and the spot on service is truly a bargain. A fancy pants resort hotel restaurant can not approach the level of the Leila experience and that hotel will charge a whole lot more. Highly recommended.

LEILA IS SUCH A GEM! stumbled upon a reservation and made our first dinner in Honolulu unforgettable! The restaurant is small but mighty - I love how quaint it was and how everyone seemed to know each other - it was like a big dinner party! The star of the show were the 7 salads, wow I loved every single unique salad/dip/spread. The savory flavors and even the sweetness from the tomato jam - glorious! I would buy each of those and have them in my refrigerator on deck if I could. Also the fresh baked bread *chefs kiss* For the main entree we were able to get a meet and veggie - we chose the lamb and cauliflower. The presentation of the lamb was incredible and flavors were irresistible. The cauliflower was a great compliment and loved the pairing. We also had tea and the caramelized date cake with their house gelato. There was a party of flavors in mouth and wow were they having a blast! One of the best meals I've had on 3 of the islands I've visited I highly recommend this restaurant and tasting experience! Wonderful service from our waitress, host! Cannot wait to go back!

Leila's was my first dinner back in Hawaii. My daughter told me she made a reservation for a Moroccan restaurant and I was EXCITED! I'd never had Moroccan and was ready to try. We arrived a little early and they were very accommodating. Great service from the start. The space is quaint and not overly decorated. The meal was coursed with a wine pairing option to add. We started with the Seven Salads. Seven flavorful tastings paired with lightly cooked farm veggies; multi colored carrots and endive sprinkled with sumac. It also included FRESH za'tar bread. Talk about DELICIOUS! Each salad offering had its own unique spices. None of which were overpowering. Great balance that allowed you to enjoy and savor each bite! OMG My daughter added the wine pairing. I ordered their version of a margarita. Refreshing to the palate. Next up was the main course. We selected the lamb neck. Our AMAZING server explained that it had been roasted for 14 hrs. It had a few accompaniments of carrots, crispy fried Tuscan kale, shakshuka, and sunchokes. TALK ABOUT A MEMORABLE MEAL. I'd never tasted lamb neck. The flavor was similar to a lamb shank. ANOTHER WINNER for the night. Dessert was the final course. Buffalo ice cream atop a super moist and perfectly balanced date cake. Served with a burnt caramel drizzle. What a way to end an AMAZING coursed experience. Everything from start to finish was top tier. Service, food, ambiance, and even the playlist in the background. I WHOLEHEARTEDLY recommend you try Leila.

We came to Leila on a Friday night for dinner. Parking is easy, there's a lot of it in the area, street parking and a lot for a fee. The food was delicious! It's a préfixe menu and the entree is set for two but one could eat it all if they were Very hungry. We enjoyed the seven salads (dips/spreads) very much. They were rich and had great variety. We split the short rib (which had an additional charge) between the two of us. We also had their kushi oysters as an appetizer which came in cute ceramic oyster shells. We were so full we could barely make it through the desert but it was also rich and delicious! We hope to be back very soon! The cocktails focus on flavor rather than presentation so don't be surprised if your vodka cocktail comes out looking like a glass of water - it's vodka! I had the gin drink and I absolutely loved it. Some things to keep in mind - the restaurant space is small so you'll be seated close to others. The acoustics in the restaurant cause for it to be quite noisy. If you don't specify where you want to be seated, there's a chance you'll be seated in the center of the restaurant with staff passing you frequently to serve other customers. Don't let this take away from the delicious food and drinks they offer at this restaurant! Wish they were open for lunch too!

Reservation: You can make a reservation on Open Table or by calling the restaurant during their hours of operation. Important to know that they require you to enter in your credit card information because if you cancel within 24 hours of your res, you will be charged $50 for each person who does not show up. I totally get why they are doing that to avoid frivolous no shows but what happens if you get stuck in horrendous traffic cos of an accident or someone gets covid? $50 a person seems quite steep a penalty. Parking: Ample parking at the pay lot restaurant is attached to. There is also a metered parking lot across the street. Ambiance: Beautiful decor but cramped. Dim lighting. When all the tables are filled and waiters trying to pass each other in the narrow walk spaces, you do feel like a sardine in a tin. Other reviews talked about the music being too loud but I thought it was fine - noise levels never got so high I couldn't hear the person I was dining with. Service: Excellent! They really made it a nice experience to be dining at their restaurant. Appreciated that they took the time to explain all the different dishes and ingredients. haha. They even tell you very nicely that you need to vacate your table because the next seating was waiting. We were celebrating my birthday and they gave us complimentary champagne. Drinks: Tried their version of an Old Fashioned but with dates in it. It was a lovely old fashioned - didn't get a lot of date flavor. $16 Food: The Seven Salads was fun! We could not remember what everything was but had a lot of fun tasting and finding out favorites. Wonderful range of flavors to explore. The flatbread came out hot. We opted to order an extra flatbread to finish up for $5. We added on the Basteeya for $25, which I liked more than the entree. Savory and sweet and crunchy! Good sized portion as well. The only negative was that we ended up overly full with this addition. For the Second course, we had the option of ordering 1 portion of the Lamb and 1 portion of the Wagyu. I believe that normally, they will portion it for 2 so you will need to share with your dining partner. We enjoyed the wagyu but was disappointed with the lamb. Our server said "It should fall off the bone" - nope. Ours definitely did not fall off the bone, I had to wrassle it off. Flavors were nice tho. Third course, the date cake with burnt caramel was lovely! Even though I was full, I had to activate betsu bara (separate stomach for dessert) because it was so good. The only thing I didn't like was the fried shiso leaf. Beautiful presentation but wasn't fried to crispiness. If you are dining at Leila for the first time, it's a little frustrating trying to preview the menu options, which I like to do. You need to call them on the phone or wait til you are there dining to find out what the add on items are. And you need to ask what the prices are. The pre fixe meal for $85 would have been a perfect amount for us but the add on items (basteeya and extra bread) really filled us up and we ended up taking some of the entrees to go. I was intrigued by the couscous and green farro but didn't think I could eat that much. Too much food I want to eat and not enough stomach space. What a dilemma! Anyway, we enjoyed Leila. Definitely a place to go for a celebration or nice evening out!

Location: 12th Avenue, former Pietros Restaurant across Kokohead cafe. Ambiance: upscale modern vibe. Fine dining prices. Service: Excellent. Food: seven salads-Various Morrocan dips, fresh endives, yellow/orange carrots, and zucchini, each with a unique taste, goes well with baked bread. Main dishes were extremely tasty! Zabuton-American Wagyu, Lamb Shank- falls off the bone, branzinno fish (white fish). Dessert: Date cake that had a fried shiso. Photo looks like a mini loco moco.

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. 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. 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.

What a gorgeous transformation of the old Angelo Pietro! I didn't even know that the space had a window! That being said the space is limited in size and number of bathrooms (one). So it's a tight fit with servers having to gingerly squeeze between tables and turn very carefully. The servers are excellent, attentive, solicitous and explain menu items carefully and in detail. We thoroughly enjoyed the starting course. My faves were the pepper one (muhammara) bc subtly sweet flavor very balanced and the labneh that had a lovely green oil (was it chive oil?) and trout roe(?). The zatar flat bread was good but messy - I'm sure that there was dust all over my face and clothes. Using the veggies as a vehicle especially the endive is the way to go. Some of the dishes were a bit too seasoned for my taste - still good but definitely on the saltier side. Cocktails were a miss. Others had the lemon one (friend mentioned tastes exactly like a Japanese sports drink called OS-1), the martini one (think they use zatar), and the old fashioned one. All are not spirit forward. Since there's no bar these are likely premixed. No full wine list but you can order any of the wines on the pairing by the glass. The Syrah was just ok. We got 2 add ons - the uni with egg yolk jam with brioche and the duck in filo. Skip the first and definitely get the second. Again I found the egg yolk jam to be too seasoned - salty for my taste. The duck filo pie dish was lovely - lightly sweet and spice and salty with lots of duck and crunchy light pastry. They're both around $30. For the mains - very large portions even considering that it's for 2. You can also get halves (so a single portion) if you ask. Lamb delish - we used the tomato jam from the seven salads to balance flavors and it was perfect especially with the pickled onions. The tomato jam is sweet. We got a whole bronzino - it was nicely cooked. Supposed to be deboned but still with some bones. We had leftovers of both that the server boxes up for us. Dessert was very nice. The salted caramel is very salt forward but really well balanced by the sweetness of the date cake and the creaminess of the gelato. Could've used a bit more gelato or maybe a smaller cake. I was stuffed by the end of this meal. Overall it's a nice addition to the Mediterranean renaissance we're having in Honolulu. It's a splurge though - not sure that I'll be a regular. And prolly would prefer to go to Miro for a special occasion if I had to choose only bc the space is bigger, the seasoning is less salty and the bar is more extensive. I think when you have a fancy menu having a full bar is important.

Congratulations on your opening and welcome to Kaimuki! Exquisite! Where to begin? For starters, they brought a basket of freshly baked warm za'atar Flatbread and seven tasty toppings. Challenging to pick one favorite so it was a tie between the zaalouk (eggplant with pine nuts) and lebni (trout roe with dill). The other reviews raved about the charred cabbage and I fully agree. This was so tender and delicious. Really nice touch with the date charmoula. Layers of flavor and quite filling actually. We shared the lamb meshoui which was such a generous portion that we couldn't finish it. Beautifully plated and rich in seasoning. I enjoyed the depth in flavors and texture, excellent dish :) While the music is loud, it was music that I enjoyed so I'm not complaining. Seating area is clean and attractive. Service is friendly and attentive. I will certainly return to try other dishes and save space for dessert!

In a little Kaimukī neighborhood restaurant, Red Hot Chili Peppers is blaring through the speakers and servers are arranging small pots of salads around baskets of khobz--a stodgy flatbread sprinkled with zaatar. A typically Moroccan meal starts with salads of cooked, seasoned vegetables, served at room temperature. For the first course, Leila offers seven salads, think "dip", to be shared, including a sweet and smoky piquillo pepper; lightly brined olives with pickled almonds; sweet tomato jam; and thick yogurt lebni topped with trout roe and dill oil. The cocktail list is small, but offers fun twists on the classics. A preserved lemon vodka soda, an old fashion with date, a margarita with pomegranate, a French gimlet with rose, and a mint Manhattan. There is also a nonalcoholic twist on a lemonade and an ice tea. I loved the smell of the Rose Garden and the smoky, brightness of the nonalcoholic Spice Trade. For me, the second course was the best dish of the night. Charred savoy cabbage was buttery soft, served with vadouvan curry cauliflower puree and date charmoula--think herbs and garlic like chimichurri. This dish was unexpected magic with bits of sweetness from the dates, a textural crunch, and the scent of dill. Add-ons are available. On our evening there was Hokkaido uni on brioche toast, Kauai prawns, and Chef Lahlou's specialty, a basteeya of duck confit, raisins, caramelized onions, walnuts, and berbere wrapped in filo. I was expecting duck cooked in its own fat to be succulent and tender, but this pie was firm with flaky filo, the scent of warm spices, and mealy walnuts. For the last course, our choices were between cauliflower, whole branzino, lamb neck, and short ribs for an up charge. Make sure you go with someone who wants to share with you. The branzino and lamb neck are portioned for two diners so there is an up charge if you order it as an individual meal. You can also add-on couscous or green farro served risotto style. The lamb is braised for 12 hours to breakdown this tough cut resulting in meat that is crispy on the outside and pulls off the bones in long, steamy strands. The meat was mild in flavor with a sweet date glaze and a sprinkle of citrus peel and fried garlic on top. I enjoyed the accompaniments, a silky white sweet potato puree, sautéed spinach, and sun chokes. Like the other courses there was a dynamic play with sweetness, crunch, spices, citrus, and herbs. If you have room for dessert, there is a light yuzu custard served with fresh fruit and a date cake served with vanilla buffalo milk ice cream. It's early on, so they are still working on the timing of the courses and the space, but it's worth grabbing a partner to check them out.

The world food tour duo stopped in at Leila, in the old Angelo Pietro location in Kaimuki. A partnership between chefs Chris Kajioka and Mourad Lahlou, it offers dishes from Morocco. At the current time, they offer a three-course price fixe dinner for $85. The optional wine pairing was $40 or $48, depending on whether you wanted three or four glasses. You start with The Seven Salads, seven small dishes filed with olives and pickled almonds, Zaalouk (eggplant, black olive, pine nuts and herbs), Muhammara (piquillo pepper and almonds), Lebni (trout roe and dill), Bissara (white bean hummus with smoked paprika), Tomato Jam (with ginger and citrus), and Bravo Radish (smoked Lebni, harissa and sesame). It's served with two pieces of Za'atar flatbread and a dish of vegetables. A glass of 2022 Mourvèdre Rosé from Bandol (FR) from Bieler Père & Fils. There were three specials ... We opted for the Basteeya, phyllo dough wrapped around confit duck. It looked like dessert and was slightly sweet. The optional wine was a Norma Etna Rosso pinot noir; a very light-bodied wine. You have your choice of main to share: Short Rib, Lamb Meshoul, Mediterranean Branzino and Roasted Cauliflower. We chose the lamb. It's a large piece on the bone with fried kale, sunchokes, and deep fried Yama potatoes. It was served with a Syrah from Morocco; very dark in color, full of dark fruit. I liked this much more than the Norma pinot noir. The lamb was tender and flavorful but the highlight for me were the deep fried pieces of Yama potato. Dessert was a date cake with vanilla ice cream. I passed on the dessert but I had the glass of New York Malmsey Madeira. Mmmm, I haven't had Madeira in ages ... It did pair well with the cake. I had a cup of coffee ... Alas, this was the sole disappointment of the evening ... it was tepid and not up to the level of the meal that came beforehand. What did we think? To us, the food is similar to the restaurant in Kaka'ako but we liked the flavors of the Seven Salads and our lamb more than food we've had at the other place. We enjoyed our time here ... the place was packed with diners, and it was pretty noisy. Rating: 4.5 stars from us ... the disappointing coffee caused me to knock off a few points.

I was home for a visit and dined here during their first week of operation. Everything went so smoothly and service was on point. Reservations easy to make on Open Table. I'll be interested to see how the menu evolves over time as it's currently a more of less set menu of seven mezze, a charred cabbage as a second course, and a protein/main. Food was tasty but sometimes aggressively salted (or maybe I'm just a bland eater lol.) The seven salads with the zaatar flatbread were quite good. There were four options for the main and it needed to be shared. We settled on the grilled branzino as it was the only item that both of us eat. Required sharing isn't a problem but there was a table of three seated near us and I was wondering how the sharing would work for an odd number. Farro or couscous (excellent!) are available for a bit extra as are a few other add-ons. The evening we were there, they had an uni toast as well as a prawn dish available. Didn't try either -- it's already a lot of food! Leila is a good addition to the neighborhood. I hope they do well!

Cyndy's Bottom Line: Amazing food, service and cozy ambiance. *Kaimuki Municipal Parking lot available or street parking *Reservations on OpenTable *Hours: Tues-Sat, 5pm -- 9pm *Credit cards accepted *Pre fixe menu offered. Individual portions available on select entrees. Entrees are portion for two. $85 per person $40 wine pairing *Corkage fee $35.00 This is what we ate/drank: *Champagne, De Reyve, Brut Premier Cru, Cote Des Blancs, Franc +Lively, light and elegant *Ichiban Oysters from Washington State +Bright, cucumber brine. *The Seven Salads -served with za'atar flatbread and farm vegetables 1. Olives . pickled almonds . citrus . marash pepper +Tasty olives. The slivers of lemon is phenomenal 2. Zaalouk . eggplant . black olive . pine nuts . herbs +Great texture and flavor profiles 3. Muhammara . piquillo pepper . almond +So many flavors nutty, zingy, spicy, and sweet. 4. Lebni . trout roe . dill +A rich, creaminess, with a slight tang and saltiness of the trout roe and bright freshness of the dill. Very yummy! 5. Bissara . white bean hummus . sesame . olio nuovo +Smooth and creamy texture. A tasty dip. 6. Tomato Jam . ginger . citrus +So many delicious flavors sweet yet savory, bordering on sour, and a hint of spicy = yum 7. Hearts of Palm . smoked lebni . harissa . sesame . mint +Excellent combination of flavors. Entree of Hawaiian Onaga . red & green charmoula . cippolini onion . lettuce . Garnished with local sea asparagus, radish and olives. +Visually beautiful and colorful plating of a perfectly cooked onaga with good texture to envelop the flavorful herbaceous charmoula. The garnishes infuse delicious combination of flavors to the dish. Very yummy. *Couscous +DIVINE! Hand made in house a labor of love. You can taste the goodness! A must order. Dessert *Date . burnt caramel . fior de latte +The cake is so soft, moist with a nice sweetness of the dates. The burnt caramel adds bittersweet and smoky richness. While the fior de latte is so delicate, and creamy with a milky taste. Topped off with the fried shiso leaf makes for a scrumptious combination of bites. Yummy! The fior de latte is a delightful surprise to this dessert. *Excellent service - Especially on the description of the food and wine pairings. *Highly recommend. A great addition to Hawaii's restaurant scene.

The Seven Salads consisted of 7 different classic mezze to eat with a piece of zaatar flatbread. My favorite was the muhammara (sweet piquillo pepper and almond). Each bowl was scrapped clean, yum! I was careful to ration the amount of bread to spread. Or you can just order an extra flatbread! Eat this course as fast or slow as you like, we savored it and ate it in tandem with the second course. Not on the menu, but available for add-on were the Kumamoto oysters (2 for $12). It was a refreshing oyster shot and came in a cute ceramic oyster shell. The second course starred a charred cabbage. It was filling for a veggie dish. It was laden with a creamy and slightly sweet sauce with crunchy bits on top. Opted for the lamb meshoul for the third course. The presentation was exquisite and each item was deliberately and artistically placed. The portion was appropriately sized for 2 people, we were getting full just looking at it! Many cumin/cinnamon-y spices were at the forefront of this dish. The lamb was tender -fall off the bone, meaty with just enough fat, and had a nice char on the outside. They have options to add on wine paring ($36) or just order by the glass. The Spice Trade cocktail was their take on a margarita and it was so balanced! Like many other diners we were too full for dessert. Amazing experience for a newly opened tasting menu only restaurant. Only cons were the compactly spaced tables/dining area and elevated ambient noise and chatter with a full house.

The food was yummy. Lots of different flavors. The service was wonderful... the waitress was knowledgeable and knew the food well and able to describe everything. They would come back and ask if we needed more bread, more vegetables which we did but they failed to mention that there was cost for the extra. $8 for the 1 piece of bread and $8 for the vegetables. The seven salad dips were fun. The main dish (lamb) was moist and fun to eat. The dessert!!!! Amazing, date cake with Buffalo ice cream ... rich but light. The decor was beautiful and the seats were comfortable. The only part was it was expensive. Nice to go once but wouldn't go again.

Aloha, Chris Kajioka has done it again with a fabulous new restaurant, Leila! A collaboration with his good friend and M*'d chef Mourad from San Francisco. Wow, you start off with 7 salads with bread, we all had a different 2nd and 3rd favorite, yet all agreed we loved the Lebni with trout roe, the second service is an amazing cabbage with fun crunchies in your mouth, my mouth is watering just thinking about it, yummy. Your entree is a choice of lamb, beef or fish. We had the lamb (which was hubbies favorite) and beef which I thought was the bomb! We also added the duck confit, which is Mourad specialty. Wonderful Moroccan flavors with an Asian flaire. Thank chef Chris for bringing another fine restaurant to the neighborhood.

Leila is the definition of chef's kiss...Chef Kris Kajioka and Chef Mourad Lahlou have done it again! This beautifully designed Moroccan restaurant is the perfect new addition to the thriving Kaimuki food scene. The pre fixe menu is such a wonderful way to explore all of the flavors and fresh ingredients that are woven into Moroccan cuisine. The service is exceptional and the GM Brandon and his team are so personable and hospitable. The interior is so chic and they had such great music playing throughout the night. The vibes were immaculate! This is a must try for any Honolulu foodies. We can't wait to visit again!

The place is clean and staff is friendly. It's a prefix menu that is meant to be shared. I'm not sure I'll be back. Not because of the employees and environment. It's just the menu is not for me. Which is fine. I do wish this restaurant success.

It's always exciting to see new restaurants with refreshing concepts opening in Hawaii. While some reviews mention that Leila is expensive, let's be realistic: everything in Hawaii comes at a cost. Considering what $85 can get you elsewhere on the island, the prix fixe menu at Leila offers expansive and generous offerings. I even wish they could make each dish smaller so we can try everything else on the menu. We left feeling very full and happy.

Spectacular. Wonderful. Out of this world. Marvelous. Left so full and happy. Please visit and eat at this place! The first dish was a group of dips that were so tasty, fresh, flavorful, and delicious. We asked for more bread because there is a lot of dip to go around for a second serving. The charred cabbage was honestly amazing. SO SO SO GOOD. We ordered the special duck pie which was amazing. Ended with the short ribs and cauliflower which paired well. The green side (I forget what it's called) was also so tasty lol. I would go ahead. Highly recommend. Delicious. Wonderful. I cannot express how much my partner and I loved it. Also, the tequila cocktail was FIRE

Food: unique, artistically plated, a touch of Moroccan flavour Service: pleasant, friendly Ambiance: beautiful decor, good date night ambiance

The 7 salads are excellent and very satisfying with the fresh endives and bread. We ordered the lamb, brazino and wagu beef, and the six of us voted for our favorite dish in the above order. Our overall experience was great with the exception of the wagu beef which was too lean to be considered marbled wagu. We do not think it is worth the $50 upcharge! The date cake with buffalo ice-cream was soooo delicious! My second time visiting the restaurant in 2 weeks!

My husband, daughter and I ate here last night. The restaurant has only been open about a month. On the plus side, the restaurant is clean, the wait staff very nice. Quite a change from the last restaurant in the space. The menu is a limited price fix and very expensive for the options listed, at almost $90 per person. They offer a wine pairing at $40 per person and the wines are at the waiter's discretion. Our waitress was very patient while explaining how the menu works. As for the food, it was interesting. We ordered the salad, cauliflower dish and the fish with 2 different kinds of sauces. Nothing over the top. We're glad we tried it though and wish them much success. However, we will not be returning to this place.

Easily my favorite restaurant experience in Hawaii and probably in my top five of all time. Everything from the amazing food to the intimate ambiance and incredibly friendly service was absolute perfection. First and foremost, yes it's a spendy night out. But if you have visitors, or a special occasion, or simply enjoy thoughtful food, this is an absolute must and worth every dime. From the seven salads to the dessert, everything is masterfully prepared using fresh ingredients. While I'm known to shovel my food, whether plate lunch or an entire street taco in one bite, I took my time to enjoy the layers of flavor, whether a touch of smoke or a bright pop of citrus, sometimes in the same dish. There's so much nuance for you to experience if you slow down and take it all in. I will admit that I was a bit hesitant to go. I have a few food aversions and several were on the menu, including butternut squash and the date cake for the dessert. Turns out, I just haven't had those items done right. I ate everything, even taking bites of meat and swirling it around in the luscious, butternut squash puree. Even the mushrooms that came with it were just incredible and I'm not really a mushroom fan either. The date cake was equally magical and though we didn't do the full pairing (purchased a bottle of wine separately), they brought us the wine on the house. My wife took a sip and wasn't enthused. But then she took a bite of the date cake and followed it with another sip--you could see the light go on as the combination brought out sweeter, even butterscotch notes that took this final course to the next level. Bottom line, we will be back. Especially when their menu changes based on the seasonality of ingredients. I encourage everyone to give this restaurant an opportunity to wow you. Go with an open mind even if menu items aren't typically things you'd enjoy or flavors you're familiar with. I guarantee they will surprise you in the best way possible.

Located in Kaimuki. Street parking and a big parking lot (you have to pay), so parking is not an issue. This cute little blue building housed this moroccan food restaurant. Inside, the tables are close together. At time, I can be pretty loud. I must say the service is really really good. The people works there are polite and friendly. Besides the set 3 courses menu, they do have many side order choices. The flatbread with the difference dips are one of our favorite, we love it so much that we have to order one extra bread. The second dish "Cabbage" was surprisingly good and tasty, the textures surprise me and we both like it, we feel the lamb is a bit small, all the sides next to the lamb taste great and complimented to Lamb pretty well, however, I can eat the whole piece of lamb by myself . After dinner, we don't have room for dessert. It is not a cheap dinner for sure. Two people, with two set menus with no drinks came out to about $185 including tips. We will go back to try other dishes. If you are looking for a unique dining experience, give it a try.

Great food and atmosphere! We went last week and we're definitely planning on coming back!

I read the reviews before I went and the recent reviews are much more accurate than the 3-4 month old reviews. Vibe/ music/ friendliness of all staff were great. Branzino was perfect. 7 salads are great too. The wine pairings are fine too. The date cake is nice. $270 for 2 people before tip is kinda pricey but I will go back and expect it will continue to improve

The food was delicious. Really enjoyed the unique flavors ans spices. Definitely get the Bateeya duck confit if it's available - it's what Chef Mourad is known for and of course the uni brioche and oysters. The seven salads all are different with great tasting on its own and remain on table for spreading on bread. The wine pairing was excellent. Service was great and attentive but not intrusive. It's a small space so it can get noisy with large parties. Will definitely go back when the menu changes in couple of months.

The food was amazing...the flavors were so unique...the service was excellent...and the ambiance was dim but beautiful.

I went to Leila on a Saturday night. It appears that they've been open about 3.5 weeks so I was hoping most of the bugs had been worked out and since I like their sister restaurant down the street, I was really looking forward to dining here. Unfortunately, it wasn't the evening that I was hoping for. It is a pre-fixe menu but the server rattled off the items and description so fast, it was very difficult to understand what the offerings were. If course the items that they upsell were described wonderfully. Service....just ok. The food was interesting but after the starter course it took forever to get the main course. Turns out they hadn't worked the bugs out yet. What I didn't like was the 2 different stories of what happened to the food (short ribs). The manager came out first and said they had run out and needed to go to the sister restaurant to get more ribs. A different server came out and said it was all her fault because she served the short ribs to the incorrect table. I understand that things happen, but an hour wait for an entree. Not really unless the food is amazing. It wasn't. It appears that instead of offering a wine list, they only offer pairings which is $40 additional/person. What about just offering some good wines by the bottle or glass. In all fairness the manager brought out wine along with the bad news of the short ribs but it wasn't a wine that I really drink and the taste just wasn't for me. Beverages...just ok. Ambiance....it certainly is a huge improvement over what it was. The question is would I go back...maybe because of ties to Miro Kaimuki.

The dynamic duo of Mourad Lahlou and Chris Kajioka bring their deep restauranteur experience and exquisite flavors of Morocco to Honolulu. Mourad's restaurant Aziza in San Francisco is one of my favorites and Leila did not disappoint! The quality and layers of flavors are superb. Delectable, unpretentious, and satisfying!

Such a perfect date night ! Staff, ambiance , and food was on point . And LOVE that it's in Kaimuki . When we arrived we didn't have reservations but the manager was awesome enough to tell us he would text us if something opens and it did ! WI'll deff be back! With Aloha , ~ Tamara

This is the kind of food I am always craving and have been waiting for in Hawaii. The restaurant feels cozy and intimate, and goes perfectly with the soulful and comforting food. My favorites were the lamb and the duck basteeya. Soo good, I will be back again and again.

Amazing food and service! The lamb was so soft and delicious. Branzino amazing crispy skin and wagu beef very tasty. The only complaint I have is that we where not informed that each entree is for 2 people so if you have an odd number of people in your party, they will charge you an extra $25 to make it for one person which is ridiculous given the amount is portioned for one.

After a bit of a rough start finding it, then waiting a while to get seated and served, LEILA Kaimuki did not disappoint. The food was definitely worth the wait. Brandon seated us at a small two top, but was so kind to move us to a bigger table in a cozy corner where we could sit next to each other and cuddle, chat and share bites while people-watching. Devon, our server and his support staff were on point and made us feel like VIPs. We added on the brioche with Hokkaido Uni to start. Wow! The crispy, pillowy, sweet brioche was an unexpected counter to the buttery brine of the uni. This uni-lover was in Heaven! Next came the seven salad starter, with sundried tomatoes, olives with nuts and lemon zest, and five other delicious, flavor-filled spreads. We sopped these all up with freshly baked zataar bread, and had to pace ourselves so we'd have enough room to get to dessert! Next, the textures and sweet, charred flavors of the cabbage course, followed by the sweet, smokey, nutty, crispy basteeya were well-balanced and rich. For the shared third course, we chose the lamb meshoui with the Japanese potato puree, charred kale, and crispy sun choke. Pro tip -- shred all that tender lamb up and mix all of it up with the accompaniments so you get a bit of everything in one bite. OMG, game changer! Can't wait to try the other entrees when we come back. To end the meal, we shared the date cake, swimming in a pool of burnt sugar caramel, and topped with a vanilla ice cream quenelle lightly drizzled with fleur de sel. Perfection Couple of things I'd wish I'd been prepared for: 1. the venue is LOUD when full. It's hard to have a conversation, esp if you're looking forward to being able to chat with your dinner partners. Once the crowd thinned out a bit, later in the service, it was so much easier to relax, and not have to fight with the noise of both the crowd and the music. Pick a weekend reservation after 830 if noise is an issue for you. 2. The music selection does not pair well with the food and ambiance you think of when coming to a Moroccan restaurant. When we walked in, the 80's Klymaxx song "Meeting in the Ladies room" was bumping through the sound system, adding to the conversational clamour that distracted from the curated design and delicate flavors This was followed by some smooth jazz, which again fought with your palate when enjoying the food. Later in the playlist, some thug rap with the "N" word sprinkled in here and there played overhead. I love music, and on its own, I would have enjoyed the playlist, but it made for a battle of the senses that I probably wouldn't have minded so much if I had been prepared for it beforehand. All in all though, these two things would not deter me from coming back again and again to experience the culinary art produced by the extremely talented chefs. Thank you Chris Kajioka and Mourad Lahlou for bringing the flavors of Morocco to our little island in the Pacific, and thanks Melissa Chang and Daryl Muromoto for the recommendation!

Went here for my wife's birthday, at her request. First time for both of us eating Moroccan food and they did not disappoint! Service, excellent. Food, excellent. Location, great. In my old stomping grounds of Kaimuki, only reason location is not excellent is I know that parking lot can get pretty busy and may be difficult to find parking during peak times. Being off first time there, the staff took the time to explain everything and letting us know which entrees they could do single portions of really helped. That way, we got to try 2 entrees instead of just one dish portioned for 2. Not to mention, they were very accommodating. I asked to have our leftover 7 salads and one of our desserts packed to go (I was already full by the time we had dessert). Would definitely go again, not sure how soon though cause it was pretty pricey. $300 for 2 people not including tip, but worth it.

The service was good nothing special about the ambience other words there's nothing there that really made me feel like I was in Morocco. If you know what I mean, unfortunately the same can be said for the food. There was nothing special, which is what we experience with every dish at Miro Chris Kajioka's awesome Kaimuki restaurant. Every dish from the seven salads to the lamb and surprisingly even the dessert was way too salty for our taste for me. Nothing ruins a dish like too much salt. Maybe if they kick back on the salt and let the flavors come out they could turn this thing around.

Appetizers just bunch dips made with vegetables , and bread. FYI they charge if you ask for more bread. Entree - lamb was really good but very small Dessert- nothing special Wine pairing - $40 for junk wine; save your money Over priced and won't be going back

AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING!!!! Food was unlike anything I have ever eaten! Was able to be there on the second day they were opened and WOW!! One of the best meals I've had on O'ahu! So good I went back a week later!! Even better the second time! Service was FANTASTIC, such a very easy going environment, relaxed and elegant but not stuffy!! Took some very "particular" foodie friends who have dined all over the world, and they enjoyed it VERY MUCH and said they would most certainly return to LEILA!!

Leila is another wonderful addition to the growing food mecca of Kaimuki, a neighborhood with character and authenticity. Casual, comfortable, lovely, good music and interesting and truly delicious food served on gorgeous artsy dishes. The only thing we didn't like was the feeling of bait and switch when we ordered the short ribs and were told it was an additional $25 each - a little late to be adding that detail. We didn't do the wine pairing but the wine served with the ribs was nothing special. Recommend to try! Welcome to our neighborhood!

I had high hopes and was honestly excited for Leila, but unfortunately, my experience was underwhelming from start to finish. Upon arrival, we noticed an open two-top, and requested it. However, we were seated by the door where the music was loud. When we inquired, the hostess claimed that the seating was assigned by OpenTable. To make matters worse, a couple who arrived after us was given the exact table we requested. We were told that they had actually arrived before us and had been waiting for that table. A better approach would have been to ask us to wait outside while they "prepared" a table for us. Then seat the other couple, so when we were seated, we wouldn't have seen other table options available. The whole situation was poorly handled. The meal started off decently, and the second course, a charred cabbage dish, was by far the highlight of the night. It was creative and flavorful, standing out among everything we ordered. But sadly, it all went downhill from there. The main courses were disappointing. The chef's signature off-the-menu basteeya, a duck confit wrapped in phyllo dough dish was surprisingly dry, which is unacceptable for a confit dish. The presentation was also lackluster, as it was the duck confit in phyllo dough simply placed onto a plain white plate without any thought or effort on plate presentation. I also question if this is the chef's signature dish, why is it not offered on-the-menu? The lamb meshoui, a lamb tajine dish didn't fare much better. While it tasted fine, I was unclear if it was actually cooked in the tajine; the dish seemed to be used mainly as a serving vessel. Before the arrival of the lamb meshoui, we were set up with dessert forks. Just prior to the dish's arrival, our waitress replaced the dessert forks with actual dinner forks. Service could have been better as we had to ask multiple times for water refills. I have pictures to share but I think I'll refrain from sharing those pictures due to my disappointing experience. I will say that the manager (maybe?) did sincerely apologize and tried to make things right. He promised a better experience next time and did partially comp us on the bill. That gesture was greatly appreciated. While I wish Chef Chris Kajioka well in this venture--I've enjoyed his other restaurant, Miro Kaimuki--this experience left me disappointed. I don't think I'll be returning to Leila. First impressions are everything, and unfortunately, I was not impressed. Of course, this is just one person's opinion and feedback, so please try them out and see for yourself.

From the moment we walked it the staff was attentive, classy and professional. Our server was excellent! The food was outstanding and the dessert was the perfect ending. Overall, we had a wonderful experience! Well done Leila!

The food and service were spectacular. Cocktails were also good. Pricey. Over $300 for two people - we did have two cocktails each.

Wow is all I can say. The decor, drinks, and food are outstanding. The seven salad and lamb were my favorite! The atmosphere and service here is unmatched. We will definitely be returning!

We dined there on opening night and were impressed with the flavors of Morocco. We've dined at Mourad's restaurants in San Francisco --Aziza and Mourad --- so it was exciting to know that we will be able to experience it in Hawaii. The partnership of Chris Kajioka and Mourad Lahlou is a winning combination. We will go back again!