Canoe House — Restaurant in Hawaii

Sometimes it just turns out to be perfect. . . My wife and I are Vegans, almost 7 years now. I made reservations for her birthday (this week) at CanoeHouse - one of the best restaurants on the Kona / Kohala coast on our Big Island of Hawaii not far from our home. Located on a beautiful bay with a sunset view "to die for" at the Mauna Lani Resort. We had dined there a couple of times before with generally good results. Finding Vegan fare at fine dining eateries can certainly be challenging - beyond the typical unimaginative offers to “leave out the cheese” or “we have a couple of nice salads - but the only vegan dressing is vinegar and oil”. We vegans are thrilled when the Chef de Cuisine at a fine dining establishment actually creates plant based options with flair and flavor. Well, Chef Tony at the CanoeHouse is such a gastronomical “Super Star”. The meal he put together for us was not good ...it was OUTSTANDING ! All thoughtfully prepared, flavorful plant based delight. We began with an exquisite fresh local greens & vegetable Lumpia (spring roll) with a ginger chili garlic sauce followed by an appetizer flatbread with various perfectly roasted veggies, olives and a delicious pesto. Both dishes were very substantial - we finished the Lumpia, but took half of the flatbread home. (It was delightful the next day). We always share each others’ dishes...so we both enjoyed everything. For her dinner entree my wife ordered the “Forbidden Risotto” with Hamakua mushrooms - absolutely delicious . . .& I had the Chef’s “special vegan creation” which featured a large portion of seared encrusted tofu wedge in an astoundingly delicious curry - basil creamy sauce accompanied by a bountiful array of perfectly roasted asparagus and other vegetables. Shockingly, we both ate everything in entirety. Our knowledgeable and extremely proficient server Diane then appeared with a complimentary “birthday dessert” for my beautiful wife consisting of three creamy delicious sorbets (banana, mango & coconut) and an assortment of fresh berries. The signature cocktails were also notable. Every now and then a place can surprise you by exhibiting perfection….Chef Tony, server Diane and CanoeHouse were just that - perfect. Recommended by and...

You see by my reviews I'm into all levels of hospitality, service, fine dining, and food. This spot nails all of it, and is legitimately one of the best dining experiences we've had not since the pandemic, but since my wife and I started tearing it up and eating out 13 years ago! We ate there twice, once on the beautiful patio, but second night at the bar and we gluttonously sampled just about everything. From cocktails and superb, deep wine list, to an innovative fine-dining concept that doesn't compromise originality, thoughtfulness, and delivering on a fusion of traditional island concepts with a few Japanese ideas thrown in for good measure. I would say that stayign on the left side of the menu is one of the happiest places I've ever been.

I would highly recommend the oyster, where their mignonette is a brilliant concept that aids the saltwater brine of the oysters without diluting the oyster taste. It's a really nice and fresh take on a modern style of delivery, without trying too hard (modern mignonette usually delete the flavor of the sea completely... not here). The sashimi is wonderful. The Warayaki Wagyu is a MUST TRY MUST TRY... it's small tableside cooked pieces of Wagyu, and a lovely presentation and delivery. The crab leg is phenomenal, and no fake truffle oil here... that was real truffle butter! But I need to leave you with this: You'll need two orders of the local beef and foie gras gyoza. Even if you're one person. PHENOMENAL staff... I'm looking at you Fijian gent, and the blond woman and man behind the bar!! Phenomenal, and amazing how professional and kind they are in light of some of the entitled guests I saw. Just perfect execution from the kitchen, to the front of house, to the management. We are extremely impressed. Not easy to operate nowadays, and these people are a can't miss on the island. Plan ahead, or BEST ADVICE: Eat at the bar. It's inside from the wind and light drops of rain, and you can still see the sunset....

A really poor performance last night by the entire staff. Arrived and sat at the bar with 4 people. Drinks were poured for all...Vodka rocks were $23 each, and the "Lemon Drop" was $22.00.

An order of bread was $16 ! Just trying to give you the picture, this place is pricey, and I knew that having been there previously.

I do not like to write a bad review, but (as they say), it is what it is, and as it turned out, the service, and the food, both, were terrible.

I had Alaska King Crab leg (note - one) as an appetizer ($76.00). It was overdone with salty butter, and covered with chopped green onions, and some other unidentifiable green stuff. And to make matters worse, VERY SMALL, and thin crab leg. Terrible.

After that I moved on to Fried Rice ($25.00), and it probably qualified as the worst fried rice I have ever had, with a runny egg schlapped onto the center of the rice mess.

My friend had a steak, and asked the server for a "steak knife" because it was never placed or offered. Ignored when asked for.

Additionally, none of the food came out anywhere near the "same time". When oysters were ordered as an appetizer, it was requested that "a dozen" oysters come out 6 and 6 so everyone could share (4 across at the bar) instead of all 12 on one plate. Of course, that request was also ignored, so it all had to go back and get plated again.

I could bore you all with more of the gritty details, but I think you get the picture:

Food = bad to terrible Service = poor to non-existent

The place has gone straight downhill, and we were not the only people that experienced this spectacle of truly bad tasting, over salted food, but our bar mates found the same. People were not happy !

Too bad, it used to be an "expensive" but great place to eat, now it's just an expensive place to eat bad food. And I live here so it's tough for me to make negative remarks about this restaurant, but the truth must be told, and I cannot advise anyone to go here...