Bar Maze
For our anniversary we made our second visit to Bar Maze, a much anticipated restaurant that opened in the middle of 2021. Combining a delicious omakase tasting menu with cocktail pairings, Bar Maze brings a modern twist to the fine dining scene here in Honolulu. Both visits so far have given us delicious food with smartly paired cocktails (even the non-alcoholic options work very nicely with the food).
There is not much else I can say about Bar Maze that hasn’t been said by many others. If you want a bit more background and detail about the space, check out my friend Kyle’s post about his recent visit. What I will say is that the service and food easily place Bar Maze in my Top 3 for local fine dining options.
Here is the menu we had on April 20, 2022. I apologize, I did not snap photos of the beverages but will provide the pairing details below with the relevant courses.
The meal starts with a series of delicious one-bite snacks. As with many of our tasting experiences, the snacks were some of our favorite bites. Each one is densely packed with flavor that awaken the palate and prime your hunger for the courses to come.
1st Course - Hokkaido scallop, granny smith apple, calamansi, wasabi
Beverage pairing: Shochu, vodka, mango, tomato, elderflower, citrus bubbles
2nd Course - Kinmedai, morel mushroom, asparagus, shirodashi butter, swarnadwipa, Breadshop brioche
Beverage pairing: Vodka, grapefruit, cucumber, green tea yogurt, egg white
2nd course supplement ($80) - Imperial golden osetra caviar
3rd course supplement part 1 ($100 for entire supplement) - Wagyu beef tartare, crispy potato, onion
3rd course supplement part 2 - Wagyu fat rice
3rd Course - Miyazaki A5 wagyu beef, black garlic
Beverage pairing: Hibiki Harmony, maple, vanilla, angostura, chocolate bitters
3rd Course - Assortment of local banchan and lettuce wraps
4th Course - Seasonal Shave Ice with banana bourbon pudding, puffed wild rice, cinnamon powder, chestnuts
Bonus item - Honey donut filled with banana pudding and topped with caviar
While one of the priciest options in town for dinner, Bar Maze is also one of the most refined and delicious. It also offers a unique experience with the food and cocktails being thoughtfully integrated into a cohesive pairing. I would highly recommend anyone to check it out when they have the chance.
Bar Maze
604 Ala Moana Blvd
Honolulu, HI 96813
https://www.barmaze.com
