MW Restaurant

MW Restaurant absolutely deserves these five stars. Michelle and Wade have certainly hit the top of the mark! Every dish was a masterclass in flavor and presentation. For Starters: The Ho Farms Tomato Salad was a refreshing burst of color and taste, with crisp cucumbers, shiso, and strawberries balanced by a delicate Japan ume vinaigrette. The Unagi Butterfish Arancini was a great starter bite. They were crispy, rich, and deeply savory. The unagi and butterfish filling was perfectly balanced, with the nori tsukudani, kabayaki, and hon‑katsuo adding a clean, elegant umami finish. The Wagyu Beef Sliders were rich and tender, perfectly paired with shiitake mushrooms and soft housemade mochi buns. For Entrees: The Miso Honey Glazed Butterfish was the highlight for me personally. It was silky, buttery, and beautifully caramelized, complemented by kimchee potato salad, taegu, and Kahuku sea asparagus. The Duck Confit was exceptional, with perfectly crisp skin and succulent meat that melted in the mouth. For Dessert: Dessert was nearly fantasy. The MW Candy Bar offered a playful yet sophisticated twist on a classic, while the Banana Crème Pie was smooth, fragrant, and the ideal sweet finish. Service was exceptionally attentive and more than friendly. The modern, inviting atmosphere made the entire experience feel even more special. MW Restaurant is a true gem in Honolulu where very bite reflects artistry and passion. You just have to see for yourself. Make the time, you’re going to love it! Aloha 🤙

While my family had visited MW at their previous location, this was our first time dining at their current space in the Symphony Honolulu building. The restaurant has a unique, modern layout; visible from the ground floor of the car dealership, you are greeted by the bar and a sleek reception area before entering the spacious, white-toned dining room. The seating, a mix of individual chairs and benches, was very comfortable. ​ Our server was pleasantly patient as we paced our meal, ordering drinks first, followed by appetizers, entrées, and finally dessert. The staff was friendly throughout the evening. However, there was one minor disappointment: my family had mentioned it was my birthday dinner when making the reservation. We noticed several other tables receiving birthday desserts, but ours seemed to be overlooked. It was a small detail, but it did dampen the celebratory mood slightly for my family. ​ We started with the Yuzu Paper Plane (dangerously good and sweet) and the Double Take, which had a smooth whiskey finish with a hint of orange. For appetizers, the Crab Cakes were the standout—savory and packed with a hearty amounts of crab meat. The Short Rib & Foie Gras Wontons were a close second, with a perfectly crispy exterior and a subtle, well-balanced filling. The only miss was the Kanpachi Ceviche; the lime juice was so heavy it overpowered the delicate fish, making it difficult to finish. ​ The main courses were the highlight of the night. The Hokkaido Scallops were seared to perfection—I truly wished I had ordered more. The Truffle Braised Short Ribs were incredibly tender with a rich, savory sauce, and the Mountain View Farms Pork Chop in tomato sauce tasted like a high-end, comforting stew when mixed together. Forgot to mention it came was pasta separately. Heads up the pasta is intended to be plain so you can mix with the tomato sauce. ​ The MW Candy Bar was excellent—not too sweet and a perfect match for the Guatemalan Decaf Coffee. We also tried the Strawberry Shave Ice, which was a refreshing combination of yuzu sherbet, haupia tapioca, and panna cotta. To finish, the server brought out a bunch of complimentary chocolate peanut cookies, which were crunchy and delicious. We took some home. ​ The evening we visited, we were unfortunate to be seated next to a group of loud people that it drown out our conversations at times. Regardless, MW remains a popular choice to celebrate a special occasion. The food is memorable and the atmosphere is upscale, white sleek and clean. Just keep in mind that it is a "splurge" type of restaurant, but for a celebration, the quality of the cuisine makes it well worth it.

One of the hidden gems of Oahu, tucked into an exotic car dealership. The menu is amazing, where everything on it is honestly fantastic, and currently they are also offing a French inspired alternative menu in celebration of one of the Chef's mentors (I highly recommend the Duck L'Orange). Service is quick usually, and the staff are very knowledgeable. My only negatives are that it can be rather loud when it's busy, and some tables are a bit chilly sometimes. Valet parking is available, and be sure to check out the dealership's display of Michael Schumacher's Ferrari F1 car in the lobby!

Food is very good, and seafood fried rice, surprisingly, is my favorite out of all. 😂 This restaurant is right next to Volvo showroom inside of the car dealership. Make sure you go into the dealership and go up to 2nd floor.