Orchids

It seems that Honolulu’s Halekulani Hotel has hit the jackpot where fine-dining is concerned. Not only is it home to the exclusive French Neoclassical restaurant La Mer, but it also boasts a second, somewhat less lauded, somewhat more understated eatery that can itself lay claim to be one of the city’s best dining establishments.

Orchids - named for the flower which has become a symbol of the hotel (and decked-out with numerous examples) - is a beautiful open-air restaurant, characterized by delicious coastal cuisine, attentive service and a charming, low-key elegance that together makes for an unforgettable dining experience.

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with both à la carte and tasting options for the latter, Orchids - under the direction of executive chef Christian Testa - has established a series of menus that marry sophisticated European flavors with a distinct Hawaiian flair. Lovingly prepared using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, the resulting dishes live long in the memory, not only for their taste, but also their exquisite presentation.

Standout plates include Kona Lobster Salad (celery, English peas, asparagus, little gem, carrots), Lasagnette (handmade fazzoletti pasta, prawns, scallops, avocado), Grilled Octopus Gallega Style (red bull pepper, onion, roast potatoes, cauliflower purée, smoked paprika), and the curiously named Beef Cheek Where Are You? (sous vide 72 hours, braised, artichoke, leek foam, Brussel sprouts), but there’s honestly nothing we’ve tried here that we wouldn’t recommend. A carefully curated wine list with designer selections bottled exclusively for the Halekulani, handcrafted cocktails and a range of local beers, complements the restaurant’s first-class cuisine.

Orchids also serves a lavish Sunday brunch that’s widely regarded as the best of its kind on the island. It’s impossible to list everything on offer at this award-winning weekly feast, but guests can expect fresh seafood and carved meats alongside traditional breakfast dishes, selections from the Halekulani Bakery (including the signature Coconut Cake) and a fabulous ice cream sundae station that’s frankly the stuff of dreams! Complimentary beverages include a wide range of fresh island fruit juices, along with sommelier-selected Prosecco and sparkling cider, and the soothing sound of the ocean, not to mention the awe-inspiring views, are the perfect accompaniment to this most decadent of weekend treats.

So whether you’re looking for a lazy lunch by the water, an intimate Friday night dinner date or a weekend catch-up with friends, this unassuming, casually elegant eatery, in one of the city’s premier luxury hotels, will more than meet your expectations…