Rinka

Rinka offers authentic Japanese cuisine. They are open for lunch and dinner. I recommend the sushi rolls and sashimi. The Uni Ikura Wagyu Roll was a special item, and it was the best roll I ever ate. The presentation for that roll was beautiful. It was topped off with gold flakes and truffle salt on the side. Other items I enjoyed were the sashimi, tempura, and the beef tongue. Their items are pricey, but they use quality ingredients, and the portions are reasonable. The service was excellent, and they did a great job timing the dishes, so my table didn't get overloaded.

The entrance to the restaurant is on the back side of Whole Foods by the parking for the movie theater. The interior of the restaurant is modern and spacious. This restaurant would be great for group because they have private dining rooms. If you plan to come for dinner, reservations are recommended. If you plan to do lunch, walk ins are okay but come when they first open because it can get crowded. For parking, you can park inside the Whole Food parking garage on level 4 or higher.

For more information about Rinka, visit rinkahawaii.com.

1001 Queen St #105
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 773-8235

Uni Ikura Wagyu Roll

Sardine w/ Tofu Salad

Crab Cream Croquette

Tempura

Sashimi Combination

Beef Tongue

Fried Tofu w/ Miso

Kinako Chiffon Cake

Houjicha Jelly

La Vie Waikiki

La Vie is a French inspired restaurant that uses seasonal ingredients. For dinner, they offer three courses ($99) or four courses ($115). You can pick one item from each section of the menu to create your own combination. There are supplemental items like caviar and wagyu to make your meal more memorable. The fourth course is dessert but if you're not a fan is sweets, the selection of cheeses is good. I came with a friend, and we decided to share/split some of the items. Everything tasted amazing but the items that really stood out were the Frog Legs Provencal and the A5 Miyazaki Wagyu. I highly recommend coming here to celebrate special occasions or just to treat yourself and splurge.

They are located on the lobby level of The Ritz-Carlton Residences in Waikiki. The restaurant is outdoors but it is covered, and every table has a view of the ocean and the sunset. The staff were excellent, and they took great care of us the whole evening. There was also a pianist playing live music. The dress code for the restaurant is casual. For parking, it's valet only and you can get validation from the restaurant. 

For more information about La Vie, visit laviewaikiki.com.

The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach
383 Kalaimoku St.
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 729-9729

Gruyere Cheese Puff w/
Sweet Land Farm Goat Cheese, Garlic Pistou

Baby Beets + Foie Gras

Oysters on the Half Shell

Frog Legs Provencal

Dry Aged Kona Amberjack

Sonoma Duck à l'Orange

A5 Miyazaki Wagyu

Tropical Vacherin

Selection of Cheeses