Chef Chai

"​Having heard a wide range of both good and bad reviews over the years and through COVID, I had never visited Chef Chai on Kapiʻolani. My family decided to give it a try this past Sunday, and I was pleasantly surprised by the overall quality of the food, the service, and the experience. ​ Our server explained that the restaurant is now under new management run by team members who worked alongside Chef Chai for years, keeping the signature Western-Thai fusion menu completely intact. ​We arrived at 4:30 PM specifically for the Early Bird Special, which offers an incredible value before prices revert to regular dinner rates at 5:00 PM. It’s a fantastic deal that more people should take advantage of! ​ Our table ordered one Prime Rib Special (which was ending its seasonal run that Sunday) alongside two Early Bird Prix Fixe meals. ​Started with a fresh Caesar salad featuring crisp lettuce, a perfect dressing-to-greens ratio, and a balanced coating of parmesan cheese without being soggy. The prime rib itself was decent and well-cooked, though fairly straightforward. ​Signature Appetizer Sampler: This comes with the Early Bird meal and was a major highlight. The Smoked Duck Taco and Salmon Cream Cheese with Crab Meat were both incredible—I easily could have eaten a whole plate of them. The Jumbo Tiger Prawn featured a wonderfully crispy crust balanced by fresh pineapple, though the center was slightly undercooked for my preference. ​Lobster Bisque & Butternut Squash Soup: A smooth, velvety combination. You get rich lobster flavor upfront followed by a comforting, savory squash finish throughout. ​Tenderloin with Mushroom & Foie Gras Puff: Effectively a deconstructed Beef Wellington. The beef was cooked to a flawless medium-rare, and the puff pastry was flaky, savory, and rich with mushroom flavor. The mashed potato base and side vegetables were fairly standard, but the steak and puff pastry shone. ​Kabayaki Salmon: Served with fresh vegetables and steamed Thai jasmine rice (which we initially thought it was coconut rice). Salmon was cooked well, but nothing exceptional to indicate. ​Dessert (Espresso Tiramisu): Included with the meals. It was sweet, creamy, and delicious, though soaking the ladyfinger center more in espresso would have taken it from good to exceptional. ​ Arriving early meant the dining room was quiet, relaxed, and mostly filled with small groups, though it began lively up right as we were leaving. Our table was positioned comfortably near the grand piano. I also noticed a large private dining room in the back that looks perfect for events or groups of 10 or more. ​Our server was exceptionally friendly and patient, answering all of our questions and offering great beer and cocktail recommendations. I tried a mixed drink he suggested that was fantastic (even if I forgot the name). ​ I walked in with low expectations and walked out full and happy. Between the quality of the Early Bird multi-course menu, the polished service, and the comfortable atmosphere, Chef Chai is definitely a spot I would return to for special occasions. Highly recommended to try at least once—go early for the early bird prices, its worth it!"

"It sounds almost strange for me to say this, because I’m a global traveler. I’ve been traveling since I was a child and have been fortunate enough to experience much of the contiguous United States, as well as Europe, Mexico, Canada, Japan, and several other places I can’t even remember! All of that is to say, I absolutely love good food—and I especially appreciate beautiful presentation. I’ve eaten at restaurants in many different places, and some of my favorite dining experiences have been in Japan and New York. But I had never experienced presentation quite like this until I discovered Chef Chai. I was surprised with a visit there for my birthday, and I was completely blown away. I had never seen shrimp—or prawns—so large! They were battered in a way that made them look like little culinary tornadoes, and they were absolutely delicious. But it wasn’t just the food. Everything was beautifully presented. The restaurant itself was gorgeous, the atmosphere was romantic and inviting, and the service was truly above and beyond. Now, every time I visit the island, Chef Chai is one of the places I look forward to returning to. It’s beautiful, romantic, the food is absolutely delicious, and the service is exceptional. I honestly cannot say enough wonderful things about this restaurant. Chef Chai is an experience—not simply a meal—and it is one I look forward to having every time I’m on the island."

"This is your one stop review. And when I do reviews, that means the place was bomb. If not, I don’t leave a review. Me and the wifey went on a Friday night for our anniversary. It was a slow night so it wasn’t packed at all, no issues with parking. The staff were so kind and welcoming. They didn’t bring out the typical complimentary bread. It was a peanut sauce with grilled chicken skewer and pita bread. Amazing. We ordered the crab cakes, the seafood tortellini, and fillet mignon, and the oxtail soup. Y’all…they put their foot in that food (that means it was amazing lol). We will definitely be going back. 10/10 🙌🏾🤩"