PAI Honolulu's Chef Tasting

In 2017 I tried PAI Honolulu for the first time and have been a fan ever since.  I've returned numerous times for lunch and happy hour, and most recently I tried the Chef's Tasting Menu.

SNACK - 18 Month Dry-Aged Carpaccio, Ankimo & Mentaiko Toast, Fried Oyster

AVOCADO SALAD

BABY BEETS - oscietra caviar, watercress, red wine vinaigrette

AGEDASHI XO TURNIP CAKE miso-cured Ali`i mushroom, smoked akule, daikon oroshi, ti leaf consomme

DIM SUM Abalone Mushroom & Sunchoke Miso Taro Puff Halibut, Beet & Kombu Siu Mai Head Cheese Har Gau

NDUJA & CRAB AGNOLOTTI house-made pasta, pickled red onion, truffle

KONA PRAWN smoked hazelnut romesco, olive, arugula

NABETA english pea ragu, spiced carrot, quinoa, mint, wasabi pea

CARNATION CHIBOUST black lime meringue, bergamot foam, fernancier

Cherry Miso Mousse

I requested a Vegetarian Tasting Menu, which included modified versions of several of the dishes, including snacks with carrots and mushrooms, tempura asparagus, and an amazing main entree of mushrooms.

If I could make vegetables taste as good as Chef Kevin makes them taste, I'd eat only veggies!

I liked the desserts, and thought the Cherry Miso Mousse was a surprising combo, but it worked!

A few of the vegetarian options:

 

A friend of mine who joined me for the tasting, loved the ankimo & mentaiko toast, and thought the avocado course was delicious and really liked the small hint of spice in the vinaigrette.

The Agedashi XO Turnip cake was his favorite course, noting that there were layers of umami.

He also enjoyed the agnolotti, the Kona prawn, and thought the dessert was light and refreshing.

Service was great, and I really enjoyed Chef Kevin Lee's tasting menu!

PAI Honolulu
55 Merchant St Suite 110

Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 744-2531