Sustainable Island French by Chef @naeogawa
Farm to Table | Waikīkī, Hawai’i
Open Daily 5:30-9:45PM

naturewaikiki Official: Instagram | Linktree

Website / Menu

Reservation

Location

I recently was able to enjoy dinner here and was so impressed! From the food and beverages to the ambiance and service, everything was perfect. It was one of my all time dining experiences. We did the dinner tasting menu with a few of the add-ons (which I would highly recommend!) and it was the perfect amount of food. The flavors of each course were fantastic and well balanced, and I loved the incorporation of local ingredients. Hats off to the entire natuRe team (from front to back of house), the experience you provide is one to remember!

This was one of the best culinary experiences I have had in a very long time. We did the vegan prix fixe menu, and it was definitely worth it!!! Usually, vegan food is a struggle to find at higher end restaurants which are actually good. My favorite dish was the charcoal battered heart of palm. It was inspired by the basaltic rocks of Hawaii, and they actually used the base as basaltic rocks. Each dish had an inspiration and you can see it. I have added the photos and videos of each item from the menu, and I hope people get to appreciate the athletics they have done with genuinely amazing tasting food! It was definitely worth the price.

Ok. We had reservations here for Valentines Day and it took my husband an hour and a half to find a parking spot. They validate parking if you park in Hyatt Centric Garage but it was completely full. The service was absolutely amazing. I was greeted upon arrival, immediately led to my seat, given a hot towel infused with lemongrass to clean my hands. I got a drink called "just peachy" which was ok. It was with peach, hibiscus, and I forgot the liquor type but it was ok. The first course was a liver pate' in a Pâte à choux top with coco nibs. The second course was a cauliflower blancomange which is a silky cauliflower custard topped with umami-rich garnish and a crisp texture contrast. It was nice and smooth but not the most pleasant thing to eat. It was ok. The next course was my favorite one which was presented in a clear bowl of smoke but once released the smoke left. It looks beautiful. It sounds luxurious. But flavor-wise? It can land in that “I respect it more than I enjoyed it” category. It was my the best one out of the bunch. The next course was a crab croquette. I hated this one. It was overpowering truffle, it tasted earthy, musty, almost gas-like because of overuse. There was too much umami stacking – Crab + tomato + cheese + truffle just muddied the flavor. Then it was paired with a sweet sauce with the seafood and that made it taste thrown off. The next course was the gift bag. This dish was a warm marinated shellfish in an herb butter broth, steamed inside a bag and opened tableside. The bag traps aroma. When opened, you get a burst of steam and fragrance. It’s more about the sensory experience than complexity. The next course which is not pictured. The Kiawe Filet Mignon arrived with a light exterior sear, but the interior was almost entirely red and undercooked. While filet mignon is often served rare to medium-rare, this preparation leaned heavily toward very rare, bordering on raw. The minimal sear on the outside did little to create contrast in texture, leaving the dish without the caramelized depth one typically expects from a wood-fired preparation. It was paired with some kind of extremely bitter purple lettuce, topped with dressing and nuts and also a nickle-size carrot puree. The last course was a Valentines sundae. The dessert, a combination of chocolate ice cream folded with heavy cream and accented with orange peeled slices, arrived with a frothy chocolate topping but lacked visual polish. Rather than appearing refined or composed, the presentation felt muddled and somewhat messy. Flavor-wise, the overall taste was surprisingly dull. Despite the richness of chocolate and cream, the dessert lacked depth and definition, resulting in a flat, finish. The waitress mentioned crisp elements for texture, but no crunch came through, leaving the dish without contrast. The orange pieces were the only unexpected highlight, small bursts of citrus that briefly lifted the palate and added a welcome note of brightness. However, they weren’t enough to elevate the dessert into something memorable. As the final course of the evening, it felt more muted than indulgent. My husband said his drink was pleasant, Im not sure which one he got, but it was a non-alcoholic beverage. The waitstaff was extremely knowledgeable, friendly and helpful, the ambiance was perfect, not to loud, perfect weather (we sat outside), and a beautiful Hawaiian landscape. It was an experience but definitely not one worth $434.00. When we left, we went to McDonald's because that crab croquette left such a bad taste in my mouth. Probably won't be coming here again, but others may enjoy it.

Reviews

instagram

e-Gift Cards

@naturewaikiki

Incredible restaurant tucked away in the heart of Waikiki. The food is absolutely amazing. We had the vegan tasting menu and the carbonera. The service is attentive and kind. Must visit.

This was one of the best culinary experiences I've ever had, complemented by exceptional service and a delightful ambience. We made reservations for the Chef's Counter to celebrate our anniversary, and the ability to watch the kitchen in action definitely added to the experience. We both ordered the tasting menu—one Hale and one `Āina—and I also had the wine pairing. All 12 courses were wonderful, though some stood out more than others. We're still thinking about the Veggie Tartare, Abalone Risotto, and Kona Kampachi Poele with the finger lime! The only course that felt out of place was the Mozzarella Frit; a bit too heavy for both of us at that point in the meal, even though we didn't feel that way about the filet. The wine pairing was a good value (based on the quality and quantity of each glass) and added depth and enjoyment to each course. Sitting at the Chef's Counter, it was a pleasure to watch Executive Chef Nae Ogawa lead such a calm and organized kitchen. Each dish is prepared with such care and attention to detail and the BOH vibes seemed extremely chill and full of aloha. We were likely in the busiest part of the restaurant, and were still able to carry on an easy conversation without much interruption. The aesthetic of the restaurant deserves its own mention, as so much thoughtful design clearly went into it. From the polished wooden bar and heavy leather seating to the exquisite chargers, plates, glass and dinnerware, each aspect of our surroundings made us feel cozy, cared-for, and considered. It's fancy without feeling exclusionary; modern but approachable with a heavy lean into the 'āina of Hawai'i. The evening would not have been the same without the stellar service and hospitality that we received from Travis. The entire staff was wonderful, but Travis was outstanding, and every single interaction that we had with him throughout the night elevated our understanding and enjoyment of the experience. This was definitely a splurge for us and it was well worth it! Mahalo to the entire team at natuRe for making our visit so special.

Amazing experience, up there with michelin star restaurants. Staff was amazing, and answered any questions we had. Get the wine pairing!

Enjoy 30 days of Hulu for FREE

Claim 10 free meals* from HelloFresh

Get 60% off Sitewide

Sip your way to stronger health with 30% off at ARMRA

Save 10% at Omnilux LED

Save 10% on Ritual Multivitamins Subscriptions

You've scored 50% OFF Factor 🤤

Join now and get 50% off a Club membership

Get your first box FREE with Curology!

Claim your $20 bonus with Acorns

Sign up for Headspace Today and get a 14 day free trial!

Get AAA membership for half the price!

Get 30¢/gal cash back on gas at major stations

Get 15% off at Equip Foods

20% Off the at FabFitFun with code INSIDER20

Get 80% off your first order when signing up to be a VIP!

Get 15% off for cleaner skin at CLEARSTEM

Get your first box FREE with Agency!

50% off + Free Shipping at Purple Carrot!

Power Up with Daily Harvest's High-Protein Smoothies

Save $100 with Gobble

Save 10% on your First Maev Order!

15% off your favorite non-alcoholic spirits at The Zero Proof

10% off JLab’s award‑winning audio gear

Get help with or without insurance. Use code SPACE80 for $80 off.

Start speaking a new language in just 3 weeks

@naturewaikiki

Sustainable Island French by Chef @naeogawa Farm to Table | Waikīkī, Hawai’i Open Daily 5:30-9:45PM

About this account

More from Linktree