Merriman's Honolulu — Restaurant in Honolulu

I would highly recommend passing on this place if you’re looking for a nice dining experience with quality service and food. We went there for a friends birthday and within the first few minutes of being seated we were bombarded by multiple servers trying to take everyones drink orders. They first real sign this wasn’t going to be a good experience was the server literally forgetting the order for just three of us and then getting who was drinking what and where mixed up on the initial order. As more people arrived, a different server would come over almost every time trying to get the entire tables drink order again. Combine this with the dropping of a menu every time a new server came over and it was getting annoying fast. Once we all had our drinks, the process of getting appetizers ordered was just as chaotic because of the multiple servers asking the same people the same questions over and over again, repeat the same for our entree orders. Second round of drinks was even worse than the first as some people had placed an order with one server well ahead of another person only to have to get their drink well after the others. Having to ask the servers what the status of our drink was a couple times and getting the wrong drink order was fun too. Once the entrees did come, they almost got that right but still failed there. They brought out the entire tables order at once except for mine. After placing everyones dish in front of them, I was left with no entree and it took a few minutes before a person who looked like a manager asked me if I ordered any food. I told her I ordered a MR steak just like a few others had but was still waiting on it. Several minutes later, a plate appeared with a visibly charred piece of meat on it and much smaller portions than everyone else with the same order. As I cut into my steak (which the servers never stuck around to make sure was cooked to temp) it was at least a decent MR. Not everyone else had their steak cooked to temp correctly as it all seemed over cooked across the board. As we finished our entrees we got bombarded again by each server bringing over dessert menus. At this point everyone was ready to go and we eagerly passed on dessert. Of course the checks were messed up too, with items being placed on other peoples checks but at this point we just wanted to leave so we sucked up the mandatory 20% tip for subpar food and service and got the hell out of there. Avoid at all costs, this place probably only gets by because of location but the food, service and general experience was about as good as...

Nestled in the vibrant landscape of Honolulu, Merriman's offers an authentic, island-inspired culinary experience that is hard to match. Championing the farm-to-table movement long before it became a global trend, Chef Peter Merriman showcases the rich bounty of Hawaii's farms and oceans in his restaurant, blending traditional Hawaiian elements with modern culinary techniques.

From the moment you step into Merriman's Honolulu, you're enveloped by its cozy, yet elegant atmosphere. The décor tastefully incorporates local art and materials, making it feel both upscale and rooted in Hawaiian culture. Floor-to-ceiling windows allow the natural light to flood in during daytime, while the evening brings a romantic ambiance, punctuated by subtle lighting and perhaps the soft strumming of a ukulele.

The menu is a culinary journey through Hawaii's diverse ecosystem. The starters often feature island staples such as poke, elevated by unique twists like avocado or truffle oil. The entrées are where Merriman's really shines: the locally sourced fish, grilled to perfection, or the Kurobuta pork prepared with a pineapple glaze, are just a few examples that highlight the restaurant's commitment to using high-quality, local ingredients.

No meal at Merriman's is complete without exploring their cocktail list, which is as inventive as it is delicious. Try one of their signature drinks featuring local ingredients like lilikoi (passion fruit) or guava, perfectly mixed with high-quality spirits. The wine list is thoughtfully curated to complement the island flavors on the menu.

The staff adds another layer to the delightful experience. Knowledgeable and attentive, they can guide you through the menu, explain the origin of each dish, and suggest the perfect drink pairing. Service is efficient, but never rushed, allowing you to savor each course.

However, it's worth noting that Merriman's, like many farm-to-table establishments, comes with a higher price point, reflecting the quality and sourcing of the ingredients. It can also get quite busy, especially on weekends or during tourist season, so reservations are highly recommended.

In summary, Merriman's Honolulu offers an exquisite dining experience that pays homage to Hawaii's rich culinary landscape. Though it may be a bit on the expensive side, the superb food, atmosphere, and service make it well worth the visit for those looking to indulge in authentic...

Merriman’s 4/3/23 Reservations 6:30pm dinner complete 9:10pm. Server: Matthew N (introduced himself as Nelson) We had a great experience with Francis (March 31st) the first time we ate at Merriman’s. Our second visit was a whole different story! Started off ok, Nelson explained/described the specials It went bad after that. My wife asked for regular iced tea but instead was given a flavored iced tea. My guest Jim asked for a wine menu but then had to settle for a beer because Nelson didn’t understand what was being asked of him. It seemed that Nelson was not tracking our orders. I had to ask another server what was taking so long for our food - we didn’t get our dinner until about 8:00pm (a whole hour and a half) before we finally started eating our main courses. The soup ordered came late, but the biscuits were prompt and great. It seemed like other workers were doing Nelson’s job; ie I asked for a box to wrap up my left overs, it never came. Another server offered to box it up for me and then took it back and by the time Nelson brought my coffee, the other server was already bringing the leftovers wrapped up for me. I normally tip at least 20% for service but, I only gave 15% this time because I was really disappointed this time around. Because I had enjoyed dinner the last time I invited my cousin and her husband, Jim, with me (they had to fly back tomorrow to WA) and they had to experience this sloppy, long wait service. The final straw was when Nelson brought me the bill (I had given my credit card early to reception before we were seated) and the bill was missing the credit card that I had presented well before our almost three hour dinner. I had to have my wife go ask where my credit card was. Then Nelson had another bill with my credit card so I needed to double check to make sure that it was correct. Fortunately, the bill was correct, and food quality was superb. By the time we left, it seemed like we were almost the last patrons there - that should not have happened as we were there early. If I ever come back to Merriman’s and Matthew N (aka Nelson) is my server I will either politely ask a different server or...