12th Avenue Grill
- Price Range: $$$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street, Private Lot
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: No
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
14 Reviews for 12th Avenue Grill
I'm not afraid to use the word overrated in my reviews because I find a lot of places are just that...overrated! This place is no exception. I read the reviews etc. so I "had" to try it out. I heard countless raves about the Kim Chee marinated skirt steak so I convinced my gf to order it. She is Korean after all. It certainly did not live up to the hype. The steak was rough and way too salty. 2/10 in my books. I ordered the pork chop that was recommended to me by the server. I don't know about you but I was always taught as a kid to never eat raw pork. My pork chop was raw in the middle. Had it been cooked properly, it'd be a pretty good dish. Being a dessert freak I hoped for something great to sweep away my negative first impressions of the place. I was let down again. I ordered three different desserts that the server recommended. Nothing was great, out of three desserts!!! First time there, last time there.
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The food is good, comforting and homey with a bit of gourmet thrown in. It's very loud though. Lunch time it's a bit more subdued, but at dinner you may have to shout if your friends are even a little hard of hearing.
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On the strength of Joshua C, Brooke M. and Blake Y's review, I decided to try 12th Ave. Grill. I'm happy to report that I wasn't disappointed.
I'd like to describe this restaurant as small, neighborhood chic. It's casual and hip without the pretentiousness of a big city eatery.
From the sparse menu (5 appetizers, 4 salads & 7 entrees) we decided on the following four dishes. (Curiously missing from tonight's menu was the highly touted Kim Chee Steak):
1)King Crab Cake on Local Pea Shoot-Watermelon & Red Onion salad w/Mint Oil & Lilikoi Beurre Blanc
- Crabcake was just a TAD on the oily side, but otherwise excellent. Watermelon provided interesting contrast to the Mint Oil & Lilikoi Blanc.
2) Homemade Gnocchi w/ Big Island Abalone, Hamakua Pepeiao Mushrooms & Snow Peas w/Brown Butter sauce
- Simply superb. Every ingredient seemed to be in harmony with each other. I savored every bite of my Abalone.
3) Natural, Free Range Chicken Breast w/Lemon-Mascarpone Risotto w/warm Grape Salad & Summer Green Beans
- Another winner. Chicken was moist and tender, the sauce divine. I never thought in a million years that grape would taste great with chicken. Ha!
4) Big Island Ribeye, BBQ spice rubbed, Hamakua Woodear Mushroom Demi, Warm Potato Salad, creamed Spinach & crispy Onion Rings
- The only misstep of the evening in my opinion, thus preventing a five star rating from me. The ribeye, cooked to medium doneness, was unusually tough for a meat that's supposed to be naturally well marbled. Also the accompanying mushroom demi was bland.
Sorry, guys, we had no room for dessert so no reviews on that portion of our dinner. Next time I return, I will save some room. Heh.
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One day I walked past here and read the menu. I decided I needed to eat here someday, if only for dessert!
So last night our plans for Momomo got spoiled (oh, they're closed on Tuesdays? Oops.) Not to fear, there are about 50 other good restaurants in the area. We decided to try 12th Avenue Grill.
We were not disappointed! We had no reservations, and had to wait a tiny bit for a table, and it was really loud in there, but other than that we had a very enjoyable belated Father's Day dinner!
The gnocchi with abalone was delicious without the abalone. The mac and cheese was awesome, very creamy, although I could do without the crunchy bits on top (why does everyone like crunchy stuff on mac and cheese? To me it just detracts from the creamy yummy stuff underneath.) The tomato salad was good, but they should just stop calling it "heirloom" tomato salad. Excuse me, but "heirloom tomatoes" are an actual thing- you can't just use any ole crappy tomatoes and call it an "heirloom tomato salad". Anyway, it also had fried onions, fried capers (cool!), baby arugula, and lots of s & p, and it was good. Parents loved the grilled opah special, served with broccoli and deliciously awesome mashed potatoes. Wanted to try the chipotle mashed potatoes that were served as a side with one of the other specials, but we had enough food already. I ordered the house salad, but it never materialized, waitress probably couldn't hear me over the roaring laughter at the next table. I mean, it's great you're having a good time, but jeez, I can't hear myself think!
And then...dessert! I swear, I'm just gonna come here one night and order 5 desserts and nothing else! We tried the strawberry panna cotta. Oh my God. It wasn't just drizzled with strawberry sauce, it was actually strawberry flavored panna cotta. And it was so good. They also had a nectarine tart that sounded good, and I wanted to try the lemon tart with hazelnut crust, but that was sold out. We only had room for one anyway.
Wine selection was decent. By the glass selection was a bit small, but decent. Service was good, missing salad aside. Not somewhere we'd go any ole time, but we'll be back!
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Yet another example of what the central/leeward half of the island is missing...
A classy modern, intimate, American bistro that serves up great gourmet comfort foods. I think every neighborhood (at least everyone I live in) needs one of these. If the Matrix is my type of movie, then this is definitely my type of restaurant.
Love the ambiance and the vibe of this place. The Gotham-like, pendant light accentuated dining area is laid out nicely giving the restaurant a cozy feel no matter what section your in. The lively kinetic atmosphere, when it's a full house, brings a perfect balance to the wonderfully dark room. The size of the space is just right, big enough to accommodate a party of 11 (two sets of rents, two sister-in-laws, one brother-in-law, one boyfriend-in-law, one nephew, one wife, and one YELP addict) but not so big that the food tastes mass produced.
I'm BIG on comfort foods (and unfortunately also just BIG), so certainly Gourmet comfort food is just that much better. I liked the Mac n Cheese (though it's a little over hyped), the Kobe Beef Burger (I think it was a special), the Catch of the Day, and the Pork Chops. The Kim Chee Steak wasn't frenzy inducing (see Tae's Teppanyaki for that http://www.yelp.com/bi...), but the "Pan Seared, Grass fed Big Island Ribeye" and "Grilled Hanger Steak w/ Pomme Frites" sound like must tries when I next return.
Not a place that's gonna wow you with innovation (eg Molecular Gastronomy), just good, rich, unhealthful, flavor packed, savory upgrades to a few American classics. A bit pricey, but it's not an every night eatery (unless you're a doctor or someone looking to visit one on a regular basis).
Like I said, at least in my little world, this is exactly what every 'hood needs (oh, and also affordable housing, gas way less than $4, exceptional public schools, underground wiring, friendly intelligent board game playing neighbors, smart traffic lights, and a TRADER JOE'S!!!!).
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You know, the food was good. It was undeniably one of the best pork chops I've had. And the mac and cheese was wonderful too. But it's a PORK CHOP. Perhaps in my old age I'm just less attracted to large slabs of meat. And the price was high for such homely (in the British sense) preparations.
Verdict: while it was cute to go out for "gourmet" comfort food, I was too reminded of my parents crappy casseroles to call it great. I would, however, go back for their desserts. The molten chocolate cake and seasonal fruit crisp were spectacular.
Daddy, E, and I- still on a mission to eat some tasty tasty food. We weren't exactly prepared for the ambiance of the place, as it was spectacular and I think we were envisioning a more...bar and grill like atmosphere? But it was pleasant, and full without being crowded (it was Monday)
This place certainly fit the bill, mostly.
Wine list was a-okay (small, a bit pricey, but pretty decent selections). A would not approve.
Started with sharing an heirloom tomato salad (approx $9)- and as a lover of the heirloom tomato I must say it was the most disappointing heirloom tomato salad of all time. It was a couple of slices of tasty, wonderful tomatoes, covered in baby greens (spinach?) and some white anchovies. Erm, in my world heirloom tomato salads are made of...heirloom tomatoes. None of this LEAFY STUFF. That said, it wasn't as though the salad was BAD...I was just...sad...heartbroken really. Onward!
So E and I weren't too hungry (I strongarmed her into coming, actually), and we decided to split two small plates- the mac'n'cheese with house-smoked parmesan and ali'i mushrooms (approx $8) and the butternut squash ravioli with chevre and mushrooms (approx $8). I was impressed. The mac'n'cheese was delectable, and the ravioli were...oh...lovely. Melty but with distinct flavors and a bit of chew. YUM! We also split the fries, which were fine. I wouldn't say you shouldn't order them, but they weren't anything special.
Daddy got the hanger steak (approx $20), and the bite I had was excellent.
Also, as the dessert menu involved the words "molten" "chocolate" and "cake" (approx $6) I had to indulge, even though I was STUFFED, and I must say that I thought it was exactly what a "molten" "chocolate" "cake" should taste like.
Coffee (1.95) was soooo tasty I had to ask what it was- and I'm excited to buy it some time.
Service was friendly and attentive, so much so that I didn't notice and my water glass was always full. In other words, heavenly.
Final synopsis: enjoyed it fully, not convinced that the full plates were TOTALLY worth the price, and was devastated by the salad, could certainly see myself, with my own non-existent money, plunking down some monies for a small plate or two to split with my peoples.
Edit: Went with A for special we-are-employed dinner, and had smoked ahi bruschetta which was ah-maz-ing (9.75), a lovely glass of wine (pinot noir, lorane valley? 9.50), the special kobe sliders (11.50), and a reprise of the mac'n'cheese (5.95). A had the hangar steak ($20) and the bite I had of it was still good. Fries were better, and bread was fresh tasting. Yummy.
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My boyfriend celebrated 8 years together at our favorite restaurant: 12th Avenue Grill.
We started off sharing macaroni and cheese (i absolutely love that it's offered as an appetizer). I had sea bass and the BF had pork chops. Everything was delicious. Although we usually save room for dessert, we were too stuffed to do so that night.
Also, if you like Belgium beer definitely try the Hoegaarden White. So refreshing and light!
I like that the restaurant is intimate. Some may not appreciate the volume, but I think it adds to the atmosphere. i don't usually like noisy restaurants because it makes me feel like I'm eating at McDonalds but for some reason, it matches 12th Ave Grill.
I can't say anything more to make you wanna go here so make a reservation already!
Ho, brah, this place "broke da mouth". Had a hanger steak and my wife had cinnamon-braised shortribs. Everything is intense on flavor. I didn't like the ahi spread on the rolls (tasted too much like canned tuna), but my entrees were a definite 5 stars!!!
Food here is absolutely AMAZING~~~~. I had a spinach salad with crab. The salad was perfect with just the right amount of dressing & chunks of watermelon. What made this special salad stand out was the juicy soft pieces of crab. What's funny is that I'm not much of a crab person at all. I also tried the smoke ahi brushetta. When the plate arrived at our table, I was a little disappointed. It looked like little pieces of bread with canned tuna spread & tomatos. And, I hate canned tuna. Boy, was I wrong. It looked like canned tuna, but no way tasted like it. This tuna spread was soft, creamy & literally melted in your mouth. The crunchiness of the brushetta, the semi-softness of the tomato & the creaminess of the tuna spread was amazing. Definitely recommend this!
For the entree, I ordered the roasted Kauai free range chicken. You can't go wrong with chicken. I also tried the grilled hangar steak. It was nice & moist. However, next time, I'm going to order the restaurant's signature dish, kimchee steak. I heard it's much more flavorful.
The food was amazing. The atmosphere is clean. I saw June Jones there hanging out with his buddies & of course, talking about football. I took off a star because the waitress gave me a little attitude when I requested that I wanted to take home the left overs.
I have always seen this place, but have never ventured in. I was so ecstatic that I did.
I have built up a 'hit-list' of the top restaurants in Hawaii, and most of those that I have been to since I have moved back have really suffered from poor execution.
However, the experience at 12th Avenue Grill was much different. Each of the dishes were fantastically executed. They were so memorable, in the lieu of such poor performances ellsewhere, that I still remember many of the dishes we had months ago still.
We had a Gnochhi dish, which I believe was a special that day, and the richness and flavors were just soothingly delightful. My Hanger Steak was perfectly grilled, but the Frittes could have used just a little bit more spices. The dinner was so good, that I decided to order dessert (and for me that takes a lot - cuz I hate dessert and sweets). We shared a Peach Melba. It was just divine. A nice refreshing and rich end to a perfectly indulgent meal.
Every dish was great, and the service was fantastic. 12th Avenue Grill perfectly captured that Contemporay American Bistro feel and flavor.
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Service was great. I was inclined to order a "Small Plate" because I figured portions were large as usual, but the waiter wisely advised me to order a large plate if I wanted a meal. We ordered ribeye steak and something else and it was all good. We came in starving and left stuffed and satisfied.
The place doesn't look like much from the outside but the decor was exquisite inside. A bit noisy - should have considered this in the building design I think... but really a beautiful space.
Located in a non-descript "alleyway" 12th Avenue Grill is a 2004 Ilima Award winning restaurant....the food and service continue to be good. We wandered in there on a Saturday nite without reservations because we had heard it was good..they were able to accommodate us at the bar, which was fine. We started out with the deep fried softshell crab on a dragon fruit then continued to the scallop on nalo greens...for entree, we had the pork chop which was very juicy and tasty and the rib eye steak..again, delicious. Service was excellent! The dessert of the day was sold out so we passed (besides we were so full!)..Dinner came to about $60....
Can't wait to go back to try some of the other tasty items on the menu!
http://www.12thavegril...
Their web site is great cuz it allow you to type in your address and it gives you directions...be sure to include city & state....bon apetite!
When 12th Avenue first opened, they did not take reservations and the line outside the restaurant was always incredibly long. However, it was worth the wait because the food was so fantastic. Later, they wisely began taking reservations. Now, I have eaten here a few times recently and the food is...*sigh*...not as good. That is why they get 3 stars from me (because of the decline). I actually am truly saddened by this (which may be an unflattering indicator of how much I love food).
Food: Well...*sigh*...not as good. Salads have always been pretty solid, but expensive. Small plates are good, but not distinctive. The baked mac and cheese is made with smoked parmesan and sauteed ali'i mushrooms. Sounds like it would be a warm, creamy taste explosion in your mouth, right? Unfortunately, no. The fried calamari is also okay, but not great. (If you want great calamari, go to E&O Trading Co.)
There was this awesome beer-braised shortrib dish that practically melted in your mouth, yet was so hearty and tasty. I am not sure why, but they replaced that dish with the current Cinnamon braised shortribs. Definitely not as good. The Kim Chee Steak is good, but I feel like I can make that at home. A friend tried the grilled pork chop dish and felt it was a bit dry. I have also tried their smoked duck with wilted greens and it was okay.
A friend told me that 12th Ave. lost their pastry chef. I am not sure if that is true, but it would explain why even the desserts do not taste the same. The portions are still huge and the seasonal fruit crisp with ice cream is good. The cheesecake is also okay. I believe they have a sticky toffee pudding on the menu now. That sounds good. Maybe I'll go for dessert one night.
Service: Very good. The wait staff is very friendly and efficient. I have eaten at the bar (as well as at the regular tables) and the quality of service has always been excellent. They are attentive, but not overly so.
Ambiance: Very cool. It is a bit noisy, but it's that cheerful noise of a busy neighborhood restaurant. It is a bit more upscale than a typical family restaurant, with dark paneling and cozy lighting. It is great place to hang out with friends as well as have a romantic evening (geez, I wonder what those are like?)
Overall: This is still a good restaurant. I guess I am so hard on it because it was so great before! I will go back again, hoping that perhaps my more recent experiences were more an anomaly than the norm. I truly want to love this place again. Hope reigns eternal!
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