855-ALOHA — Restaurant in Honolulu

Thursday evening, visited this new izakaya place located in Romer House Waikiki. It's located on the ground floor, entrance right before the hotel reception area. This restaurant doesn't follow the standard japanese style interior that you see in other izakayas around hawaii. It's more upscale and caters to tourist. The restaurant interior appears to be more elegant, appears to have an outdoor garden (almost secret garden vibe), earthy concept with dimmly lit lighting, and has a romantic like atmosphere. Great for couples and groups to converse. Although no privacy, once side is the hotel hallway, the side fronts the street. The music was all over the place...it didn't match the environment. Later in the night, they had a live DJ playing. Service was okay. They were on point in the beginning when we were the only group. However, the restaurant filled to half and they didn't seem to keep up. We tried to wave them down a few times, felt like they ignored us. They also forgot our drinks (several times) throughout the night. But they apologizes and gave us free drinks for forgetting. Also note, if you write a Google review and show it to them, the table gets 10% off the check...no matter good or bad the review. Food is expensive and shareable. Most of the dishes were favorable, savory, and delicious...an upscale version of what you would see in an izakaya. I really liked the senpai curry yakisoba, oko oko pancake, sho's karaage, maki katsu, umami mushrooms, grilled eggplant, and beef tongue. Down side, the sizzling plate didn't really sizzle, and some of the shareables like the scallop taki were only two pieces. Most of the shareables are sized for two maybe three people tops. Another thing, they do this table side wagyu cooking thing. It's ridiculous considering how smokey it gets in the restaurant with no table ventilation in place. For cocktails, the "ring ring ring" coffee whiskey was delicious. The "who you gonna call" yuzu honey toki whiskey one was not too bad. Parking is valet only, first 3 hours are free...

It's insane to me how anyone could have a bad experience here. So, to the handful of negative reviews, you're entitled to your wrong opinions. I don't have too many photos of the dishes here. Sorry, but when a place is good I just grind. I love this place for so many reasons and have been here at least a dozen times.

The first time I ever stepped foot in here I noticed the wallpaper and I loved that little homage to the classic diners of yesteryear seemlessly blended into the interior decor. Even the canvas like material of the menus provides a sensory experience that sends you back to your childhood, using a pay phone and thumbing through the pages of the attached phone books. The fonts were a nice little detail as well. Reminded me of places like Wisteria and just of all the places that ceased to exist in Hawai’i once I hit adulthood.

But you don't want to read yapping about that. As I mentioned, I don't have a lot of pictures of the food here, but trust that it's bomb. I always get the Prime Beef Skirt Steak and will usually load up on sashimi. 10/10 opt for the aloha spoon as well because uni is the custard of the sea. My go-to drink is the Kiss Me Thru the Phone. It's a perfectly balanced cocktail with awayuki white strawberry gin, mint, lemon, egg white and a sprinkle of matcha. The umami from the matcha really does wonders to bring everything together and is an overall very refreshing drink.

All the dishes are pretty good, the karaage is probably another go to. The rolls are decent as well as the okonomiyaki, scallop yaki, and kalbi. I think the only thing I didn't care for too much was the Hanabi Sashimi I had one of the last times I came, a bit salty for my palette. Also wish they still had...

One of the Best New Izakaya Restaurant and Bar in Waikiki… Perfect Date Night or a Night Out with Friends… 🚗 Free 3 hour Valet Parking. So just pull up in front of the newly renovated Romer House Waikiki.

Chef Daniel No and his team is coming in Hot, with their Japanese Fusion Menu items, that are sure to impress. Menu designed for sharing; Hawaiian flavors woven into classic Japanese dishes. Extensive drinks list featuring fun crafted cocktails, saké, and wines

My Wife and I shared:

ALOHA SPOON Ikura, Quail Egg, Uni, Ponzu, Shiso (Perfect starter)

POKE SAMPLER* Ahi Tuna, Kampachi Ceviche, Spicy Octopus (best deal on the menu)

MISO CAESAR Little Gem Lettuce, Miso Caesar Dressins Crispy Garlic

KARA EBI Tempura Shrimp, Chili Mayo (Similar to BangBang Shrimp)

855 KARA-AGE Japanese Fried Chicken, Karashi Mustard, House-Made Teriyaki (Super Fresh and Crispy) 😋

OKO-OKO PANCAKE Japanese-Style “Pancake”, Cabbage, Baby Scallop, Shrimp, Bonito, Okonomiyaki Sauce

BUILD YOUR OWN HAND ROLL PARTY LINE Maguro, Hamachi, Hotate, Sake, Tobiko, Cucumber, Kaiware, Pickled Daikon, Tamago, Inari, Shiso, Sushi Rice, Nori* (This was so fun and interactive… to me this a must get)

A-5 RIB EYE “SHO ME THE WAGYU” Tableside Teppanyaki, Yakiniku Tare MIYAZAKI* Miyazaki Prefecture (Little expensive but worth every penny 🙌🏻, trust me , just treat yourself… it melts in your mouth)

Kakigori (fluffy shaved ice)

Favorite drinks were the: “Who you gonna call” “Kiss me thru the phone” And of course...