THE BRIEF
I had heard from locals that BERNINI is one of the finest restaurants in Honolulu, so I went ahead and asked my assistant to make reservations. It’s difficult to get one due to high demand and we managed to snag a last-minute cancellation. I recommend that you make reservations well in advance if you are planning to dine here.
Chef Toshihiro was learning the art of French cuisine for over 10 years before moving to Hawaii. In 2018, Toshihiro became the head chef of Bernini Honolulu. In February 2020, Toshihiro became the new owner/chef. He takes advantage of the unique Hawaiian climate and local ingredients to create signature dishes that reach the high standards of French and Italian cuisine. Interestingly, I found there were hints of Japan not only in the main dining room but in the food as well.
The Straight Shooter Pinot Noir was chosen to accompany the meal. It’s a medium-bodied red with juicy blackberry and black cherry fruit. There is a hint of oak and the smooth tannins provide for a nice long and pleasant finish. There is a large selection to choose from the wine list for your pleasure.
From the appetizer menu, we chose the Buffalo Mozzarella and Local Fresh Tomato Caprese. Beautiful presentation and the local tomatoes were delicious and more like garden tomatoes.
Our server was excellent and took plenty of time explaining the menu for the evening. They like to change the MENU to reflect the seasons so there is a variety of locally sourced food throughout the year. We chose the Catch of the Day, Carpaccio with tomato and lemon sauce and the Homemade Pancetta Carbonara. Both were deliciously flavoured with just the right spice.
We also ordered the Rossini filet mignon. A delightful cut of washu beef (Japanese beef raised in Oregon) served medium rare and cooked to perfection. Comes with foie gras, potato puree, Perigueux sauce, truffles.
Feeling a bit peckish so we opted for the Pizza Bianca Norcia. It’s a Roman-style, thin crispy crust kind of pie. Light and delicious yet surprisingly filling.
THE DEBRIEF
I loved this restaurant. The food was a delicious blend of different cultures served in a wonderful cozy setting. The service was excellent and informative. If you are in Waikiki, definitely put it on your
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