Vegan
American
Beer/Wine
Asian
Upscale vegan eatery serving American and Asian fusion cuisine. Offers a rotating 14-16 course tasting menu. Open Tue-Sat 5:30pm-10:30pm. Closed Sun-Mon.
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- Reservations required
- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
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Last update on 25 Mar 2024 by PDXFox
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Added by myra975 on 24 Aug 2021
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15 Reviews
First Review by jeremyveld
Misanthropia
Points +2827
My internationally best vegan fine dining experience - Edit
I have been to many fine dining restaurants in Europe and the US and the New Years dinner I had with my husband at AV was absolutely our favorite! I understand the critical points in the other reviews, the seating options could definitely be optimized a bit to allow more privacy, yet, there is really nothing critical i could say about the staff. They were very attentive and made our dinner possible even though there was a mistake with our reservation. The food was an absolute highlight, every dish was full of flavor and delicious. Also the surprise dish is a very creative and much appreciated idea. From all the dining out experiences I had in Hawaii, this is the one that left a lasting impression.
Read moreGuest
TwoRabbits
Points +319
Fancy in Oahu - Edit
We enjoyed the location and service at AV - which are two sticking points in other reviews. The chefs were friendly and talkative about the food if you engaged with them. It wasn’t too difficult to get to this small cozy location from Waikiki.
Read moreThe food was quite good with a range of different cuisines and flavors. Not all of it was my cup of tea but there were a few standouts including: Turkish eggplant and truffle mushroom bao. This is upscale expensive dining and it felt like that. It’s hard to determine whether the high price is worth the experience / food, but we didn’t feel ripped off by any means. We were the only people in the restaurant that night which can feel a little isolating - opposed to feeling special.
Pros: Nice staff, Outstanding desserts, Owner takes care of employees
Cons: Gonna be a pricey night, Possible credit card fee (use cash instead)
Guest
julesaregems
Points +431
The best fine dining experience - Edit
We came here on our honey moon. It’s expensive but we loved every bite. It was magical. Each chef tells you about the different courses, there’s little things to prepare for each course. We were enchanted .
Read morePros: Creative dishes, Flavorful and unique , Fun
Cons: Expensive
Guest
RoseDelaney
Points +145
Interesting tasting menu but overpriced - Edit
Satisfying, interesting tasting menu, however, I would say it is overpriced as the location and service is not on par with the price of the tasting menu. Especially loved the mushroom dumpling!
Read moreGuest
BartMinne
Points +71
amazing food, art coming alive, melting in your mouth - Edit
great experience, only bummer is the mediocre decoration of the place which does not do justice to the food. The lighting is pretty terrible. I can only image the next level of experience if ever a great interior designer creates a space aligned with the quality of the food. Too bad the owner does not invest in a holistic experience. If this was a dinner in the dark it would be in my top 5...
Read morePros: food is amazing, friendly staff
Cons: interiors are mediocre at best
Guest
cmek313
Points +32
Wonderful vegan experience - Edit
This was an absolutely wonderful vegan tasting experience. So many different flavors. A don't miss for anyone. Even my meat eating hubby loved it and walked away full.
Read morePros: All vegan, Amazing food, Wonderful service
Guest
Carrie-AnnBurns
Points +549
A unique vegan experience for your taste buds and senses - Edit
Such a fun and unique experience. It is hard to find a fancy vegan course meal and this one did not disappoint! 15 courses and dessert! Very pricy but worth it for a once in a lifetime experience for your taste buds! #Veganuary
Read moreWe were the only ones there but it made it like we were guests of honour. Was not super romantic due to the fact that we had lots of communication with the chef but that is also what made it fun and unique. Different from anywhere else you go.
When you book (since the same number is used to call XO restaurant) be sure to specify it’s for the vegan course meal.
Updated from previous review on 2023-01-29
Pros: Full vegan 15 course meal!, Tasty, Very unique and picturesque
Cons: Extremely pricy, Pre-book reservations only, Small portions
Guest
HannahP96
Points +497
Exquisite presentation and flavor - Edit
We really enjoyed this tasting menu, especially as we got the "Instagram Special" rate that made it more affordable. We had 14 courses plus an optional waffle dog, and loved every bite. The courses were innovative, diverse, and delightful. We had a 5pm seating and were the only people there, so we felt like a private dining experience. The staff explained each course, and each was plated interestingly. It was more of a show than a dinner, and fun to watch them use liquid nitrogen for the palate-cleansing frozen tea course. We also had a tasty ginger beer. It was not walkable from Waikiki, we had to get there by car, but it was worth it.
Read morePros: Innovative, International flavors, Upscale ambience
Guest
bobbyrass
Points +86
Maybe the best meal I’ve ever had! - Edit
I travel alot, eating vegan food all over the world. The level of skill at AV is maybe the best i have seen. Absolutely a must when in Oahu!
Read moreGuest
Jadediana
Points +2696
Overpriced - Edit
Exquisite food- it is obvious a lot of time and effort goes into the different courses. I really appreciated the variety of options and flavors we experienced. We did try the waffle dog- those were incredible! I’d recommend sharing one because they are very filling.
Read moreNow for the downsides…..
The restaurant was not at all what I expected for fine dining- the space was quite small. I came here expecting a nice cosy experience where I could bond with my husband on his birthday and feel like we are in an intimate setting. Instead we were alone, under bright lights, facing the waitstaff kinda sharing conversation with her the entire night. She wasn’t vegan which was fine, but just kept talking about her opinion on vegan foods and made a lot of small talk which wasn’t what I expected. We also opted for the sake pairing not realizing it cost $65. So that would have been nice to have a warning on. With the price of the meal and it being a pairing I had assumed it would be included or added on for a small charge. It would have been nice to just have one or two glasses of wine or a cocktail as an option instead of water or $65 sake pairing…
Overall, I definitely regret the amount of money spent on the experience. I love the concept and the food was amazing, but I would rather spent half the cost on less courses. To charge $150 and to have to make constant conversation with staff was very off putting/ unprofessional/ unromantic/ awkward. I’m sure a lot of the cost of making the food would be hard for us to conceptualize without being chefs, so I can appreciate that. However, for someone looking to experience fine dining for a romantic night out I left feeling kinda cheated and disappointed with many expectations dashed.
Guest
po0hburrr
Points +13
Disappointed - Edit
Beautifully plated food but ultimately, this restaurant is trying hard to be something they’re not. While talking to the server, we found out that none of the servers, chefs or owner is vegan or vegetarian. The owner started the restaurant because he felt that the vegan fine dining market is untapped. A corporate chef threw together the menu so that the restaurant could be rushed to open.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2021-12-31
Pros: Vegan tasting menu
Cons: Overpriced, Accepts credit cards but will charge a 3% fee
Guest
Maejunejuly
Points +679
So So Ono and a Lil’ Oh No - Edit
I have been a plant-based eater for 25 years and as of the last few years a vegan. I can attest to the sad truth that vegetarian and vegan restaurants a vibe. By vibe I mean it’s always about the food and hardly about the service. Vegan restaurants are so exciting because the entire menu is an option, but the service typically leaves something to be desired. Although one will not have to worry about meat and dairy products in their salad by accident because the waiter forgot to put in the order properly, one might have to wonder if their waiter remembered their order at all. Like I said, it’s a vibe—you dig?! Anyway not at AV the attentive staff greets guests immediately and has the guest choose the plate they will eat off of and an adorable animal chopstick holder. After being seated, 15 delectable and artistically plated courses are are served with care and detailed explanation. This place is classy and the food is incredible. It all went down with pleasure—well until the hard-to-swallow bill came! Let’s just say, I have never had a more enjoyable experience, but I literally paid the price for it. Choke kine grindz and choked on the bill! 🤣
Read morePros: Fine dining experience , Beautifully plated everything , Let’s not forget—exquisite flavor
Cons: Extremely Expensive
Guest
Curtis808
Points +26
Much Needed! - Edit
I haven’t been able to enjoy a tasting menu for years now and AV nails it! This place is much needed in Honolulu and fills an empty upscale restaurant niche for vegans. The staff is super friendly and describe each course in great detail, and the food itself (all 14 courses) is fun and delicious. We added the sake pairing for 1 and shared 6 glasses of various sake which was more than enough because we’re lightweights anyway. The staff said the menu changes every few weeks so this place is now definitely in the special occasion rotation.
Read moreThe $140 per person cost basically breaks down to $10 per course. Sake pairing was another $60. If you’re on a date, just play it cool when your bill comes, ok? Lol!
Pros: Fun, creative and delicious vegan dishes, Super friendly staff, Great sake pairing menu
Cons: Gets a bit noisy if large parties are there, A little hard to find, No minimum dress code apparently
Guest
MelinaSantos
Points +236
Mixed feelings - Edit
I’ve never tried fine dining prior to going vegan so this was definitely out of my comfort zone! I’m more of a junk food vegan and never enjoyed seafood prior to being vegan. That being said this overall experience was pleasant. You can tell the chef really cared about the process and how he was able to create these dishes. I loved that he explained how he did everything because a lot of non vegans (which from my understanding they do receive a lot) they’re favorite question is “what’s this made from”. The total for 2 people (with no drinks besides water), 14 courses, the $8 waffle dog x1 was $310 without tip. I think this is more of an experience rather than paying for a meal - again imo as I was never into fine dining.
Read morePros: Informative chef , No dress code
Cons: Expensive/hard to find, Requires 24 hour reservation , Full charge if cx within 72 hr of reservation
Guest
jeremyveld
Points +51
Upscale Vegan Asian Fusion - Edit
An absolutely amazing experience. Delicious vegan food crafted with care and forethought. Each dish has a story and will never taste like you expect. Pricey, but absolutely worth it.
Read moreThe best word I would use to describe the food is fun! They play with flavours and it is all superb. Excellent service as well. You can tell that the staff all enjoy working there and creating this food.
I will say that the restaurant is a little difficult to find. If Google maps is taking you into a parking lot with a gate, go around instead.
Pros: All vegan, Handcrafted , Very fancy
Cons: Expensive , Difficult to find
Guest
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