The Cutlery Steakhouse — Attraction in Honolulu

The spouse wanted a steak dinner. I was not about to spend ridiculous amounts at Hy’s, Ruth’s or Signature. The Cutlery was close to Waikiki and the prices were reasonable.

ATMOSPHERE: It’s a casual vibe with dark decor and mood lighting. A nice mix of music played overhead. The bar area is open-air but air conditioned, with a few bar seats and high tops. A traditional dining room is off to the side. Outdoor seating wrapped around a forth of the eatery, with shrubbery for privacy from the road. There is an actual barbershop on the backside of the restaurant which is run by the spouse of the owner, according to our server.

RESERVATIONS: We reserved via OpenTable about two days prior. Only counter and outdoor types were available. Definitely recommended if you prefer to sit indoors.

PARKING: A small, free lot shared with other businesses is right behind the restaurant on 9th Ave. It looks like it belongs to the neighboring apartments but it’s not. Simply check in with the friendly attendant.

MENU: Backlit menus made for easy viewing. Nice cocktail list. Seafood & meat apps, salads, grilled meats, pasta, kids menu & desserts.

BEVERAGE: Mojito Excellent version with an intense mint flavor.

FOOD: Charred Romaine Caesar Salad Served warm, the salad had nice char to the leaves with a unique smokiness from the grill. The sweet bread croutons were a positive first for me. The dressing was more tangy than creamy. Recommended.

Mushroom Medley Literally swimming in garlicky butter, it needed more seasoning or salt. Enough for two to share.

New York Striploin My absolute fave cut of meat was naturally flavorful and perfectly medium rare. Though I’m unsure why it sat in a puddle of oil since it was grilled.

Ribeye The spouse loved and devoured it. It had a similar oil puddle as well.

Fire Roasted Corn Damn, these were really good and big enough for four to share. Nicely grilled & sliced cobs sprinkled with parmesan and bathed in garlic butter. Highly recommended.

DESSERT: Mud Pie I’ve never had a mud pie in my favorite trifecta of chocolate, vanilla & coffee flavors. Traditional Oreo crust, whipped cream and dripping with chocolate & caramel syrups. Highly recommended.

SERVICE: We were 15 minutes late so we had an understandable maybe 5 minute wait to be seated.

Female server was friendly, professional and checked on us throughout our meal.

OVERALL: Good food at affordable prices. Wish they had a baked...

The Cutlery Restaurant, a popular spot known for its pet-friendly atmosphere, and depending on the day could be good or bad experience.

Our recent Tuesday evening visit, was quieter. Historically, the quality of food at The Cutlery has been a point of contention for our group, with consistency issues arising during peak hours. However, this visit proved that when the restaurant isn't bustling, the quality and taste is delicious.

Appetizers: The duck fat fries in the shishito peppers sauce was outstanding. The crispy brussels sprouts was good with a more charred texture than a crispy one.

Main Courses: The main dishes generally impressed. The New Zealand rack of lamb with chimichurri sauce was a highlight, with the sauce perfectly complementing the tender lamb. The oxtail ragu was also good, boasting a flavorful tomato sauce and well-cooked pasta, though the oxtail itself could have been a touch less chewy, in my opinion. The New York striploin was "alright," not memorable as the other entrees.

Desserts: all three items – the creme brulee, blueberry cheesecake, and the famous Cutlery mudpie – earning high praise in our group.

What truly sets The Cutlery apart is its remarkably dog-friendly policy. Not only are pets welcome, but the restaurant also prepares and serves food specifically for canine companions, making it a unique draw for pet owners.

Having visited The Cutlery four times now, the overarching impression is one of inconsistent food quality, yet remarkably consistent service and atmosphere. The staff is consistently friendly and helpful, contributing to a pleasant dining experience regardless of the kitchen's performance. Seating options include both indoor and outdoor areas. The outdoor seating is notably spacious and offers a sense of privacy, though it can still be quite loud, especially when the restaurant is busy.

In conclusion, The Cutlery Restaurant offers a charming and welcoming environment, particularly for those with pets. While the food quality can be inconsistent, a visit during a slower period might provide better quality food. With consistently good service and a unique pet-friendly appeal, it remains an interesting option for a...

Finally got my cut with the owner, Elvinse. I’ve seen now 3 out of the 4 amazing barbers there and I could literally feel comfortable jumping in any open seat. I’m missing 1 barber on the list to give me a haircut but I’ve seen her many cuts in friends and online that makes me feel comfortable booking with her also.

This review is honestly based on all aspects.

1. Booking: easy to book online and get a text back to confirm the appointment.

2. Location & parking: if you know the area, the shop is the old Town restaurant with a lot of parking in the back lot.

3. The Shop: Not only does it have the cool barber vibes, but all the barbers great you as you enter. Don’t forget to wait for you temperature scan! And they def keep up with the Covid restriction and cleanliness! Plus being offer a beer or cocktail is always a plus in my book!

4. The barbers: I haven’t had any bad experience there and I’ve been going to the guys since before “The Cutlery” opened! (Blend House being the first location)

5. Accommodations: I hit up both the owner and manger in regards to hosting a little “Bachelor” or “Grooms/Grooming” day for my best friend and the guys preparing for a wedding. We all wanted to look fresh, gather and drink and just have a way to celebrate the groom before he tied the knot and said I Do!

With Hawaii’s new Covid restrictions that took place, many things were almost off the table but they pulled through with helping us celebrate the best we could during this tough times.

Shoot out to the whole team for keeping safe and giving us the best experience possible during these...