Blind Ox — Restaurant in Honolulu

It has been at least six months since the Blind Ox speakeasy has come to my notice. Thanks to fellow friends who posted engaging and positive reviews of Blind Ox, my husband made reservations to start my birthday celebration crawl.

We took a dry-run drive by to scope out its location at the corner of Kapahulu Avenue and Paliuli Street in the Kapahulu neighborhood and located it quickly since my husband's former childhood home was a couple of blocks away. There is a valet parking attendant to take care of your vehicle, or you could take the chance to find metered street parking along Kapahulu Avenue. Many of Kapahulu's neighborhood streets are narrow, and while you might be tempted to park in front of someone's house, I wouldn't recommend it out of respect for the resident(s).

Our server, Craig-Anthony (Kepa), delivered impeccable, efficient, yet friendly service. He was articulate, which helped us decide on our cocktails, Boca Del Toro, based on our preference for the classic Old Fashioned. Also, he suggested the nori shrimp appetizer, a small plate of five gigantic freshwater blue prawns wrapped in a belt of nori, lightly tempura battered and fried. The prawns were placed atop a pool of ginger-daikon dashi that was subtle and enhanced the tender, meaty, and naturally sweet prawns. The flavors and textures of this dish opened our palates and appetites for more. This tapa cost $18.

While we were sipping our cocktails, my husband asked if I wanted another appetizer which surprised me because we had dinner reservations after our pre-dinner cocktails at Blind Ox, and I didn't want to fill up. However, the Boca Del Toros were potent and well-crafted, so I agreed to order the escargots. The escargots were topped with melted nutty and salty Parmesan cheese and served with a loaf of sourdough baguette. The Parmesan cheese paired well with the whisky' s smokiness and we tried not to wolf down this deliciousness. Kepa offered to bring us another baguette to sop up the garlic butter. $18

We were about to leave but Kepa had taken note of our earlier mention of my birthday celebration and brought out a platter of complimentary key lime tarts with a squiggly candle. He genuinely wished me a Happy Birthday from Blind Ox and himself. We were impressed that he had taken notice because while we were enjoying our cocktails and appetizers for over an hour and didn't bring it up again.

During our quiet pre-dinner cocktail hour, the outdoor patio filled with more customers and we did see others enter the elegant enclosed speakeasy. I didn't take photos of the speakeasy when I poked my head in as there were customers that I didn't want to disturb. The elegant speakeasy's decor was like looking at a movie-set from one of Martin Scorsese's gangster movies. My husband said that we'll have to return to the Blind Ox and choose to dine-in the speakeasy.

Our first time will not be our last as we felt that the Blind Ox was a fabulous experience that included fabulous cocktails, ambiance, food and service. It was somewhat pricey but all things considered, we felt the experience was...

My wife and I dined at the Blind Ox during our second evening in Waikiki. We sought out making reservations each night, due to how busy it is on the island. We were looking for an upscale and amazing dining experience. The reviews for the Blind Ox looked very good. Although I should have taken the fact that this restaurant’s availability was wide open to be a red flag. The menu is impressive, although the items on it are priced in a way that leaves no room for their food to be subpar. The caviar flight was served with no serving utensils. We had to use our chopsticks. It wasn’t worth the nearly $80. Not by a long shot. The A5 wagyu Katsu was cooked well done. It should have never left the kitchen that way. Had we not been so hungry, I would have sent it back. The Nori shrimp were unimpressive. The oyster shooter was enjoyed by my wife, who loves oysters. However, she remarked that one was enough. The king crab tempura was good, both of us enjoyed it. Between two people, our bill with 20% tip was $272 and change. My wife and I enjoy fine dining and generally just good food at any price. We are happy to spend this amount or more. However, our expectations at this price point is to be blown away. If you’re going to price your menu to a level such as this, the food must deliver. I can’t tell you how genuinely disappointed we are. To add insult to injury, my wife didn’t feel well for quite some time after the meal, and this of course has me further upset at our experience. I would also like to note that I really don’t like writing a bad review. I want to see businesses succeed. I’d like to see this place succeed. As long as their food rises to the level of their prices. Customers shouldn’t leave feeling this way. We’ve never spent this amount of money on food that simply...

Our recent visit to the Blind Ox in Hawaii turned out to be an unforgettable experience, reinforcing our tradition of seeking out speakeasies in our travels. This particular spot has earned a high place in our memories, thanks to its exceptional attributes.

What really set the Blind Ox apart were its impressive food offerings and the distinctive layout of the bar. The culinary selections struck a perfect balance between classic and innovative, with dishes like scallops, creme brûlée, and Affogato standing out for their exquisite flavors and presentation. Each dish was a delightful surprise, offering a unique twist on traditional favorites.

The drink selection was equally remarkable. We ventured both on and off the menu, guided by the expertise of our bartenders. Their skills were truly amazing, as they crafted each drink with precision and flair. Among our favorites were the Tokyo Night, which offered a refreshing and smooth balanced not to sweet and not to sour; the classic Daiquiri, executed to perfection; and The Madrid, a drink that was both bold with pops of flavor from the chili and tamarind rim to bring an amazing flavorful aftertaste. Each cocktail was a testament to the creativity and mastery of the mixologists at the Blind Ox.

Overall, the Blind Ox provided a multisensory experience - from the ambient setting to the delectable food and outstanding drinks. It's a speakeasy that doesn't just serve drinks but creates memories, making it a must-visit destination in Hawaii for those seeking a truly exceptional...