The Pearl — Restaurant in Oʻahu

2/26/2025. We are regulars to The Pearl and always find the student menu a gem to try since it is their dish. This time there were 5 dishes and all of them blended well with the theme, "A Tour of Asia". Our server was Sarah, who did an excellent job of answering our questions, describing each dish, and keeping the flow of the dishes without long waits. Kudos on the service. Both my wife and I like the scallops with Thai curry. Scallops prepared just right and not overcooked. Pork belly bun was moist and soft while the pork belly was tender. More important is the bun. You can't get the bun wrong, or the dish is wrong. The desserts were great with a slight sweetness. Tambo Tambo had a good coconut flavor and the Castella cake nice and soft. Thank you to the first group of spring culinary students. For discussion, if there could be a paid student lead cooking class of their dishes.

9/12/2024. Yes we continue to come back to The Pearl restaurant and we introduced our daughters to this restaurant. They said to count them in for the student menus. It is always a treat to see the students imagination on plate.

Anyway, to review this fall 2024 semester's menu. For the Portuguese bean soup, I wish it hade a little more smokey flavor. My wife liked and enjoyed her salad. Several of us thought the filet minion was over cooked, but the gravy they liked. I had the Ahi belly with Thai curry. Excellent! The Ahi was not overcooked and was moist and flaky. The Thai curry was slightly spicy and not overpowering. One of our family members tried the cheese cake with blue berries and liked it. The others had the chocolate patte and liked it's flavor and it not being too sweet. Overall we were pleased with the service, but noticed a small delay in delivery of the next dish. Best priced 3 course menu in Pearl City. I would recommend The Pearl to anyone.

Back in May 2024 we had dinner at SAIT in Calgary. I had the steak. I ordered medium rare. but it came out well done and hard. We found out that student front of the house switched with the student back of the house the previous day. Understandable that the steak came out well done. Please consider more student lessons in cooking the steak to the requested doneness. Thanks

1/31/2024. The meal and service was great! Kudos to the students preparing the meal and the students providing the service. Can't wait for the student created menu. Thank you for being here in Pearl City.

4/22/24. We came back for the student created menu (attached). the dishes coordinated well with each other. the tenderloin was so tender with the chimichurri complementing the tenderloin. best 4 course meal and price...

2/19/2020 Enjoyed the buffet today w/friends! Great selections of salads, entrees, desserts and extras. Service great, atmosphere relaxing, about the last table to leave,LOL! BEST KEPT SECRET IN WAIPAHU! MY FAVS.. prime rib, scalloped potatoes, strawberry cake, chocolate brulee, smoked salmon, tossed greens w/ special dressing (sorry forgot name) also forgot if was ube or taro salad...delish! I should've taken pictures 😎Suggestions: perhaps rolls could be smaller. Ham was a little dry BUT the PLUS was the raisin lilikoi sauce! Ono ono in fact some got on my roll it makes for a delicious spread...maybe it could be made up for sale 😄 w/proceeds going towards the culinary program. Keep up the GREAT Culinary work students and instructors!!! ...

In Pearl City... where else can you find five -star dining? Where else can you find a menu that is unpredictable, but in a delightful way? Where else can you find such youthful intensity and exuberance among the "staff"? ...