For our first wedding anniversary, my wife and I wanted to have dinner somewhere nice. We initially wanted to go to La Mer, but the restaurant was booked, so we chose the well-reviewed Orchids restaurant inside Halekulani Hotel.
We dined on a Monday, so it was easy to get a reservation. I made sure to specify that I wanted an outdoor table and that we were celebrating an anniversary on the OpenTable app.
My wife and I live just outside Honolulu, so we took a Lyft to the restaurant so we didn’t have to stress about parking in Waikiki.
Diamond Head and Sunset Views
The best part of Orchids was the ocean view of Diamond Head on one side, the sunset on the other. There were many restaurant guests taking pictures during dinner. Diamond Head looks closer here compared to the view from 53 By The Sea.
Live Music
When we were there, Orchids was not as busy as the restaurant next door, House Without A Key, which had a vibrant atmosphere. The live band there playing local songs was within hearing distance from Orchids. The band played while we were there, from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm.
Dress code
For dinner, I wore a black romper with dressy kitten heels. My wife wore an aloha shirt, black jeans, and black Vans. We didn’t feel over- or underdressed.
Service
Service was attentive and professional, though I wished for a bit of warmth. However, our water and wine glasses were always filled, and they checked in on us frequently. I felt the vibe was a bit more formal than House Without A Key next door.
Tasting Menu
I ordered the tasting menu, which came with 6 courses for $190. A prix fixe menu was also available with one less course for $110. My wife chose à la carte since she wanted to pick her own appetizer and entree.
My tasting menu consisted of Hawaii Yellowfin Ahi Tartare, Lasagnette, Mediterranean Branzino, Tenderloin Fillet, and a pineapple sponge cake.
I felt that the dishes needed more flavor; the branzino was cooked dry. Fortunately, all was forgiven when my steak entree with foie gras and mushrooms arrived. It was amazing!!! One of the best dishes I’ve ever had. The steak was perfectly medium; the foie gras and mushrooms melted in my mouth, and all were perfectly seasoned. Definitely memorable, and I would recommend the restaurant for this dish alone.
Our desserts came on plates lettered with Happy Anniversary. Selfishly, I wished we also had an extra free dessert, but I understand that it’s not mandatory for a restaurant.
Final Thoughts
Orchids stood out for the gorgeous views of the ocean, Diamond Head, and the sunset. The steak/foie gras/mushroom entree in the tasting menu was amazing, and I would definitely come back if I can order it by itself.
If you want live music with your meal, confirm with the restaurant if House Without A Key next door will have a band performing. If you want a quieter meal, request the host for a table farther away.
I wished my dishes were more flavorful, but my steak more than made up for it. Service was professional and attentive. The atmosphere was elegant and upscale, perfect for celebrations or impressing your date.
