GREAT EATS HAWAII: UMI BY VIKRAM GARG

UMI BY VIKRAM GARG

HALEPUNA BY HALEKULANI

2233 HELUMOA ROAD

HONOLULU, HI

808-744-4244

https://www.yelp.com/biz/umi-by-vikram-garg-honolulu

https://www.instagram.com/umi_vikramgarg/

The first feeling I got when entering Umi by Vikram Garg was that of an upscale cafeteria. Beautiful wood finishes and not so intimate seating. Our 6:00 reservation found the restaurant mostly empty with a friendly and welcoming staff. Since the restaurant does not currently have a liquor license we brought our own bottle of wine and were hit with a $50 corkage fee.

After reviewing the menu we decided on the Umi Tasting Menu at $160 per person. The food came fast with the Scallop Carpaccio coming first. Couldn't figure out if this was supposed to be a soup or what. My Wife said it was tasteless but I thought it was pretty good. I liked the contrast of the Cucumber and the Scallop. The Abalone had some good flavor from the Mushroom crust. The tiny Lobster was sweet but was overloaded with sauce. The Rib Eye was cooked perfectly and delicious. By this point we were both full and couldn't finish the steak. Next up the dessert came and my Wife asked our waiter about the Rice Pot which is part of the tasting menu but not served. The waiter went to the kitchen and returned to tell us that the Rice Pot was a typo on the menu and not available. Not cool we thought since we were paying $160 for the Tasting Menu. On to the dessert which was sitting in front of us. Green Sponge Cake with rock looking things. This was terrible. Uneatable for both of us and not what you would want expect on an expensive Tasting Menu. We didn't eat it and left the dessert with the stupid gold leaf on the table. I am not a fan of gold leaf on food. Total waste as it does not add any flavor. As we paid the bill the waiter brought out a container which he said was the Umi Curry Rice as a replacement for the missing Rice Pot. We opened the container and it was a large clump of plain white rice. Yes, plain white rice. No Curry.

Would I ever pay $160 for this meal again? No. Pretty disappointed as I really was hoping this place would be exceptional.