natuRe waikiki
It’s been a year since this restaurant opened and while it has many of the attributes I enjoy - tasting menu, chef’s counter, locally sourced ingredients - I’ve avoided going based on my experience at its predecessor in this location. It was only last night, after two friends recently told me they had gone (on seperate evenings) and enjoyed their experience, that I decided to give natuRe waikiki a shot.
In terms of ambiance and setting the restaurant is pretty much the same as its previous iteration, PARIS.HAWAII. Go check out that post if you want a few more details about the atmosphere. But, in short, it’s comfortable and inviting.
natuRe waikiki has an ala carte menu that is served in the bar and regular dining tables. The chef’s counter overlooking the kitchen is tasting menu only between a “regular” option and a plant-based vegan one. The tasting menu also has options for a few supplemental add-ons and beverage pairing (wine, cocktail, and mocktail options). As was the case with PARIS.HAWAII, the tasting menu does not include a dessert but they are offered ala carte.
We both opted for the regular menu with a couple of the add-ons and beverage pairing options. Here is what we had for our dinner on December 17, 2022":
Oyster with sea asparagus ($6 supplement)
Taro Poi / Sunchoke Chip with mushroom puree and powdered luau leaves
Maui Venison Carpaccio / Beets / Chevre Cheese
Royal Osetra Caviar ($20 supplement for 3.5g) paired with the venison course
Molokaʻi Shrimp / Pono Pork served with a savory sabayon sauce
Kona Abalone / Jicama / Rose Veal Bone Broth
Tako / Eggplant / Black Garlic Risotto
House sourdough with ogo butter served with beef course
Big Island Beef / Mushroom
Local Sweet Potato Mont Blanc with vegan cashew ice cream
Manoa chocolate terrine, Laie vanilla bean ice cream
It was obvious from the first few courses that natuRe waikiki is a drastic improvement over its predecessor. Overall the menu was solid and we both enjoyed the food, although with a few minor hiccups here-and-there. My abalone dish was largely under-seasoned and my least favorite course of the night. The beef course would have benefited from just a touch more salt. I also think that the bread with ogo butter (oceanic flavor) would' have been better paired with the tako or abalone courses versus the beef.
That being said, there were many elements of our food that were well executed. I think the Molokai shrimp was texturally very well done with a crisp fried exterior but tender shrimp within. The tako, described as sous vide, was smartly flash fried for texture which gave it some crunch but preserved the tenderness (the polar opposite treatment the “sous vide” octopus served by PARIS.HAWAII had which turned out rubbery).
The beverage pairings made sense and I enjoyed the mocktail pairing variety which included a tea, spritzer, kombucha, and amazake.
Service was excellent and very well paced. Execution of the course timing coming from the kitchen was excellent.
The main consideration here for most I think will be the price point. With a few supplements, two tasting menus, and beverage pairings our tab came out to about $360 before gratuity. The comparison that stands out to me as most comparable would be Miro Kaimuki, which offers a slightly smaller fixed menu but for $88 vs $105 per person (leaving dollars to add supplements there to bulk up the food for hungrier diners). However, natuRe waikiki, at least for me, has a bit more of that “date night” ambiance and feel to it.
And so, final verdict? I enjoyed natuRe waikiki and would return in the future. I think the food and beverage are overall solid with the service/ambiance to match.
natuRe waikiki
413 Seaside Avenue #2F
Honolulu, HI 96815
808.212.9282
