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Saturday, May 10, 2014

BALI STEAK AND SEAFOOD

BALI STEAK AND SEAFOOD
HILTON HAWAIIAN VILLAGE

BALI STEAK AND SEAFOOD
HILTON HAWAIIAN VILLAGE
2005 KALIA ROAD
HONOLULU, HI  96815
808-949-4321
HOURS:  Daily 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Was excited to return to Bali Steak and Seafood after learning that their new chef, JJ Reinhart had been the Executive Chef at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles.  He had also opened Morimoto in Waikiki and also spent a few years Sansei Seafood which is a Taste of Hawaii all-time favorite.  Walked up to the second floor to find a large lounge that appeared to be decorated in a modern Island motif.  While comfortable the furnishings to me were a bit tacky and not really appealing.  We arrived early but with no reservation on a weekday.  The hostess asked us to wait for a few minutes and then we were escorted past a small bar to a nice table in the middle of the restaurant.  The oceanview tables at Bali are now faced with fencing as our the tables at the Tropics lounge here.  Turns out they have had a severe bird problem and had to net the dining spaces adjacent to the ocean.  This really takes away from the view in my opinion and gives you the feeling of being caged.  Our table was open and comfortable.  No complaints.  Service was good with seasoned Union veterans taking care of us.  The waiter brought over a large basket of assorted breads.  Wow...best bread basket in Waikiki.  We started with Abalone Rockefeller ($19).  Last time I dined here the Abalone was fantastic and memorable. Local Abalone from a farm on the Big Island.  This time the Abalone was completely covered in Panko Bread Crumbs and that was all you could taste.  You could not see or taste the Abalone.  Our entire table of four were all disappointed that you could not taste the Abalone. 
This dish needs a makeover.  On the bright side, the bread crumbs and sauce were delicious.  Just need some Abalone to go with it.  Next up was the Kiawe Smoked Beef Carpaccio ($15).  Thin slices of raw beef smoked in Kiawe Wood served with Mustard Seeds and Salt.  This was a WINNER and all four of us loved it and wanted more.  The Kiawe smoke flavor was perfect.  Not too overpowering and just enough to allow the flavor of the beef also to come through.  I went with The Wedge Salad ($14).  Again a WOW with the house Smoked Bacon.  The Bacon was crunchy and delicious.  Think I ended up picking up every last piece off the plate with my fingers.  It was like candy.  Salad was really good.  We ordered two side dishes for the table.  First one was the Lobster Potato Gratin ($12). Another WOW for me.  The potatoes had nice pieces of lobster that I was getting in almost every bite.  Loved the flavor of this dish but again just a little too much Panko Bread Crumbs on top.  Would recommend this dish and will order it next time I come back.  The Grilled Asparagus ($10) was fresh and delicious.  Now onto my steak.  I went with the 8oz Filet Mignon ($45).  This was a really nice cut of beef that was cooked to a perfect medium rare.  I ordered the steak with the Froi Gras Butter Sauce.  The sauce was good and not overpowering.  You got that flavor of the Froi Gras but also could taste the steak.  Steak was delicious.  I did think it needed a little more salt and pepper.  
This was a really good meal.  Food and service were both good.  

BALI STEAK AND SEAFOOD

BALI STEAK AND SEAFOOD IN THE HILTON HAWAIIAN VILLAGE
LARGE LOUNGE SEATING AREA FRONTS BALI STEAK AND SEAFOOD
OCEAN VIEWS NOW CLOUDED BY NETTING TO KEEP THE BIRDS OUT
VIEW FROM OUR TABLE
APPETIZERS, SALADS AND CHILLED SEAFOOD
STEAK AND LOCAL FISH SELECTIONS
CHILLED SEAFOOD.  DON'T FORGE THE SIDES TOO
GREAT BAKET OF BREAD
ABALONE ROCKEFELLER
KIAWE SMOKED BEEF CARPACCIO
THE WEDGE
LOBSTER POTATO GRATIN - HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS DISH!
GRILLED ASPARAGUS
8oz FILET MIGNON WITH FOIE GRAS BUTTER SAUCE
COOKED TO A PERFECT MEDIUM RARE

1 comment:

  1. Thank you for the honest review of my restaurant. I am glad that you enjoyed visiting us. Thank you also for pointing out a few concerns. I always want to inprove on my guests dining experience. Please let me know if you plan to return to Bali and if there is anything special I can do for you. Mahalo!

    Chef JJ
    joseph.reinhart@hilton.com

    ReplyDelete

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