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Donatoni's
Rating Details »
Hilton Waikoloa Villlage
69-425 Waikoloa Beach Dr
Waikoloa, HI 96738
(808) 886-1234
69-425 Waikoloa Beach Dr
Waikoloa, HI 96738
(808) 886-1234
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
8 reviews for Donatoni's
Fantastic Italian food and wonderful wine list.
I was always looking forward to finding an Italian place that I could confidentally say is the best in Hawaii. I think I have found it on the Big Island, The name of the place is Donatoni's, and it is found in the Hilton Waikaloa Village. The place has been a host to many celebrities over the years, and has also taken awards from Wine Spectator magazine. There is a definite reason for all of the patronage and accolades over the years.
We started off with a Antipasto Sampler with a medley of Fried Seafood (including Calmari, Shrimp, Scallops, and Peppers); Pastry Sticks with Proscuitto in Goat Cheese; and Insalata Caprese. The Fried Seafood is simply addictive. They have the regular Cocktail Sauce and Aioli, but the Seafood itself was deliciously prepared perfect. The Pastry Stick with Procuitto with Goat Cheese is wonderfully self-explanatory. The Caprese was the weakest link. It had subdued flavors, even with a pesto, and I think that a Balsamic could boost it.
I had the Rigatoni Alla Zozzona, and a side order of Gnochhi. Before I get into the Rigatoni dish, let me just say that I'm incredibly impressed with the option of getting Gnocchi as a side order: I jumped at the chance. This side order of Gnocchi was not just some poor quality Gnocchi, it had that potato-ish richness and delicate softness. You can add it in to whatever dish or sauce you wish.
Sorry to digress, now back to the Pasta dishes of the night. About the Rigatoni dish, it was fantastic. It had this spicy cream tomato sauce; which is a wonderful blend of rich and spicy. The carmelized onions add to the spicy Italian Sausages. I readily finished the entire dish, and added the left-over Gnocchi into the left-over sauce. My girlfriend got the Spagetti Amatricana, and it was equally delicious. Unfortunately, we ordered dishes with similar sauces; I wish we ordered something else. However, that did not change the fact that her dish was delicious as well.
Ooh the wine. The wine here is fantastic. I had a great Shiraz from Australia, and it was a deliciously smooth red. However, the Sangiovese that I had after was definitely fantastic. It had so many blended subtle flavors; all with a smooth finish. They were two of the better wines I had in Hawaii for quite some time.
Above all of that; the ambiance is great. Indoors is a wonderfully comfortable decor that engages conversation: A classic Northern or Roman Style dining area. At night, the outdoor area has wondrefully lighting on the faux river, with boats of tourists passing by: the illusion is almost surreal.
One of the most delicious and memorable Italian dining experiences in Hawaii.
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Excellent food with wonderful ambiance and food... but all I can say is...
It might not do it for you on the "fulfillment" side, considering the Filet Mignon is as big as a blackberry phone and the pesto mashed potatoes are like a small scoop of gelato.
Donatoni's, located between the Palace Tower and the Ocean Tower, is an Italian restaurant that featured Tapas on the evening that we strolled in. I'd give it 3.5 stars if I could. The food was decent, the outdoor seating right on a nice waterway, and the prices were reasonable for a restaurant in the resort. We had olives (about a dozen), a very thinly sliced piece of Ahi (about 8" square) in a soy and wasabi sauce and a salmon roll plate (three pieces of salmon wrapped with sprouts and dill weed in thinly sliced cucumber) all for $20 w/tip. It was a perfect amount of food after our earlier trip to the Kona Brewing Company. Note we had no drinks.
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It's a pricey meal at this Italian restaurant, but it's worth it. the food, the wine, the view. Need I say more?
We had the wedding practice dinner here. Great Italian food with great service from the wait staff. The staff at the front desk were surely and rude. That is why I am giving them four stars rather then five. If it wasn't for the great service and food in the back of the house I would be giving them maybe two stars.
We had a number of problems booking the dinner, with the front desk staff marking us down for an hour earlier then we said we would be coming. They then got rude about use showing up late (even though they booked the wrong time and e-mailed us saying it was the time we wanted).
It's also important to note that it can be a bit of a pain getting to this restaurant. You have to either walk a good way or take a boat or tram. That's right... a boat or tram in the resort. It's fun the first time, but wears thin the second or third time, especially after a big meal with lots of drinks...
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A perfect meal. Ocean view. Truly a great experience.
we were seated outside on the patio that was adjacent to the river...this is the river that people take the boats in to get to their hotel rooms. It was a nice warm evening and sitting outside was awesome, watching the boats go by slowly, and having a distant view of the ocean. Our waiter was very attentive as well. We shared the garlic mash potatoes and she had a chicken dish, I had the rigatoni...it was spendy, but hey, you are at the Hilton Waikoloa and its nice atmosphere. Our waiter and other staff went out of their way to make sure you we were doing ok. Minus a star because we did wait a while after ordering before our food arrived at the table, and my meal was luke warm...However, the beautiful setting here makes you forget about the little things...
Service is quick and attentive but lacked warmth. We had a lanai front table that was beautiful as the sun was setting. We had this flat bread appetizer layered with goat cheese, arugula, smoked salmon, capers and drizzled with olive oil -- it was AWESOME. For dinner I had a special - grilled kona kampachi (a firm, white local fish). Jorge had the spaghettini allo scoglio (spaghetti with a variety of seafood tossed in a garlic cream sauce). We were very happy with our meal. Portions are bigger than you expect too.
