Most Amazing Restaurant Experience Ever! - (And I've Been To Some Good Ones)
Written: Jun 25 '05 (Updated Jun 27 '05)
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Pros: Incredible Food, Magnificent Chocolate, Friendly Service, Great Atmosphere, Good Pricing for Perfection, Absolutely Lovely!
Cons: Dress Code (also a plus), Only Located in Hawaii
The Bottom Line: Don't miss any opportunity to enjoy Padovani's!
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| juanski's Full Review: Padovani's Restaurant & Wine Bar |
My wife and I were vacationing in Hawaii and went to Padovani's because of the recommendation of a friend. It was also in walking distance of our Waikiki hotel. We were pleasantly surprised to find a truly magnificent menu complete with a wide variety of exotic seafood, poultry, lamb, pork, and beef entrees.
We started off with freshly baked European rolls that were crusty and flaky on the outside but soft and light on the inside. The appetizers and salads were impressive as well. The appetizers we ordered included fine ingredients such as hearts of palm grown in Hawaii, local varieties of mushrooms, fruit, sweet crab, perfectly seasoned and grilled prawns, etc. We ordered four appetizers and two salads, and each was a delicacy! The flavors were pleasantly tropical and European, and the presentation was a work of art.
For our entrees, we ordered stuffed quail and Maine Lobster and local mushrooms with a Tahitian vanilla bean sauce that knocked my socks off! Both dishes were a stroke of genius. I've never had a lobster that was prepared so perfectly! The sauce itself was incredible as well. The rich Tahitian vanilla bean flavor was perfectly balanced in with a hint of sweet cream. The quail were absolutely amazing as well. The meat was tender and juicy, and the flavors of the stuffing and sauces were exquisite.
Dessert was the crowning moment of our dining experience. It just so happens that one of the Padovani's (Philippe) is a master chocolate maker in addition to being a truly great chef. So, the Padovani's dessert menu offers some of the best chocolate desserts available anywhere. We tried two of them, and both were breathtaking! Also, we each received complimentary truffles - the best I've ever had. The chocolate was never too sweet or too bitter. It was smooth and perfectly balanced in every way. Simply amazing!
In addition to a perfect meal, we enjoyed the high-class atmosphere that Padovani's offers. Designer lighting, ornate woodwork and fine art surround the restaurant and make this restaurant a comfortable place to dine.
However, the service was every bit as classy, warm, and friendly as the environment. Our server and host were very helpful, professional, and friendly. Additionally, Chef Philippe Padovani himself came to visit us at our table and check on us to ensure that we were having a great experience. We had a wonderful conversation about food, and Chef Padovani even graciously offered us a tour of the kitchen! We were as amazed at the quality of the equipment in the kitchen as we were at the delectibles that came out of it. Also, we were enchanted by the generosity and friendliness of such an accomplished Chef. We've dined around the world, and we've never been treated so well by a Chef with so much talent!
Padovani's is definitely a first class operation in every way. If you're ever in Hawaii, I suggest you try it for yourself. The prices are really not as high as you would expect for the quality of food and the great atmosphere that you receive at Padovani's. Everything seems amazingly affordable. Padovani's also provides amazing handmade chocolate gifts and favors, breakfast and lunch menus, and other unique delights. Please take my recommendation and enjoy the good things in life at Padovani's.
Here's a link to the web site:
http://padovanirestaurants.com
For current pricing and menu information, you might want to contact Padovani's directly:
http://padovanirestaurants.com/contact.php
Recommended:
Yes
Kid Friendliness: Yes
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations Try everything. There are some great combination appetizers and entrees. And, don''t miss out on the chocolate.
Best Suited For: Romantic Evening
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Epinions.com ID:
juanski
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Reviews written: 1
Trusted by: 0 members
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