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Michel's
Category: Restaurants French French [Edit]
The Colony Surf2895 Kalakaua Ave
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 923-6552
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Fri-Sat 5:30 pm - 10 pm
Sun 10 am - 1:30 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Valet
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
129 reviews for Michel's
Review Highlights
"Steak Diane and chocolate sufle for dessert."
(in 10 reviews)
"Our starters, escargot and foie gras, were terrific."
(in 14 reviews)
"The "Sweet Maui Onion Soup" ($12) was fantastic."
(in 6 reviews)
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129 reviews in English
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Review from beth i.
Michel's has got an old school kind of charm with quaint decor and formally dressed servers, but sometimes you need a little of that in Hawaii. The service is also top notch. It's not stuffy or staunchy, but friendly and so efficient.
We just had a company Christmas party in the private room and everyone enjoyed the view of the setting winter sun over the ocean. This view reminds you why we are SO lucky to live in Hawaii.
I haven't had a bad dish here ever and I haven't talked to anyone that has. Everyone I know raves about their experiences here. I had a fillet and abalone this past visit and it was fabulously plated. The kind of presentation that makes you want to take pictures of it from all angles. unts unts unts.... It was preceeded by a lobster bisque (OMG good) and followed by a light and delicious pineapple lilikoi cheesecake. The food was AMAZING and surprisingly generous.
Our party had 2 or 3 dedicated servers that made sure we had everything our heart desired and our wine glasses were never empty. I'm not sure how much I drank, but it also made for a very good time.
They had a screen for a slideshow we wanted to project and were so accomodating to get us the setup and room layout we wanted. It was fantastic for a small 30 person party. Absolutely top notch in my book.
It was a good time. Period. -
Review from Jennifer C.
Aiea, HI
Amazing view makes this place worth it to visit. There really isn't much more to say about the ambiance of the restaurant. Just read through the multiple reviews of how serene the setting of the restaurant is.
Dragonberry Mojito - perfect blend of flavors and the mint was not overpowering
Escargot - the husband enjoyed it. Said it was the best escargot he has ever eaten.
Island Salad - typical salad
NY Cafe de Paris - perfectly cooked medium. I can't stand when I order my cuts to be cooked medium and they come out bloody. The meat was so tender and naturally flavored. Plated with a side of vegetables and slivers of fried onion rings
Lobster Thermidor - two lobsters, garlic mashed potatoes.
Creme Brûlée - classic creme brûlée. just the way I like it.
Would definitely come here again. -
Review from Cassie T.
Honolulu, HI
1/15/2012
We went to Michel's to celebrate my birthday. This place came highly reccomended by my co-workers. We were very impressed with the view. We had just moved to Oahu and enjoyed being able to eat dinner with an amazing sunset view. It was perfect!
We ordered the Smoked Salmon appetizer, the Prime New York Steak Au Poivre for dinner and the Chocolate Souffle for dinner. All was very good!
To top it off their cocktails were delicious! If you are looking for a nice dinner try Michel's! -
Review from Noelani C.
Honolulu, HI
11/1/2011
If you are in need of a place to celebrate and have an inkling for seafood or even a porterhouse steak, then Michel's should be on top of your list. Hands down, this is one of the best meals I have ever had in Honolulu. Chef knows how to cook and display fish to perfection, obviously he has trained his team well. The service was good and they went out of their way to accommodate my dietary needs.
The portions were small, which was fine because on top of the 3 courses they gave an amuse bouche, petit fours, and parting snack. The bread pudding at the end was an extra nice touch
The restaurant was great, only downside is affording the price tag. Yelp has to put a " $$$$$ " for the Price Range, I must say. -
Review from Craig G.
San Francisco, CA
11/14/2011
I know this restaurant has had a good history and this is why I chose to dine there Friday night.
I would not dine here EVER! The owner here is a Lunatic. I urge you to boycott this place like the Plague. Dine at Cafe MIRO. It is surpurb! Amazing dishes, executed perfectly.
Unfortunatly at Michel's our evening turned out to be a disaster with Police being called in as the owner was so annoyed that we did not like the steak that was served to us. The steak was thin and flavorless. Needless to say we were horrorfied by the owners loud verbal abuse.
I realised that this owner is not relying on repeat business to support this business as new plane loads of tourist from all around the world are looking for a differant restaurant to dine each evening, leaving him with zero respect for his guests.
If you do dine there you just maybe in for more than a overpriced dissapointing average dinner! -
Review from Nicole O.
Staten Island, NY
1/30/2012
I came here with my boyfriend this past Saturday night with no reservation! We were sat down immediately and did not have to wait long for a waiter to come over. We ordered our appetizer of two Cesar salads ( which is made fresh in front of you). while our waiter was making our salad a window seat opened. He suggested that we move to see a beautiful night view of the city, hear the ocean and enjoy the breeze! Of course we moved! The salad was great our main course was amazing. The desert was good not great, but the owner came over and actually spoke with us for good amount of time. We felt like we were appreciated customers and had a great experience! I def suggest this place!
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Review from Miguel G.
Pasadena, MD
1/27/2012
An incredible experience during my trip to Hawaii. It has been a while since our visit but I still remember the lobster bisque that I had. It was the best I ever ate. The view of the ocean was amazing and it was exactly what I pictured my fiance and I would be doing in Hawaii. This is the place for special romantic evening with your SO.
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Review from Aaron T. S.
Ewa Beach, HI
10/24/2011
For me, its about the service, the food always seems to taste better when the service is Great. Phil Shaw (Gen. Mgr.) is always present & watching to make sure the service is above par. The staff is always friendly, attentive and smiling, they really enjoy what they do...
I took my mom there last night for her Bday, she loved it and already has put in her request to return for next year. The prices are on the high side, but when you can make someone special happy, is price that important, not for me.
Our meals were outstanding, everything was prepared perfectly. We had the warm spinanch salad, lobster bisque prepared table side, always a WOW factor. Mom & sis had the Lobster & Shrimp Thermidor and I had the Veal & Abalone Special. We had the black & white Soufflé w/ mac nuts, so delicious...
The Food, The Atmosphere, The Mood, The Music, The View & The Staff made this a perfect night out for us... -
Review from Ramfis B.
Updated - 7/19/2011 31 photos
*BEAUTIFUL SUNSET
*IMPECCABLE SERVICE
*GREAT FOOD
*INCREDIBLE DINING EXPERIENCE
This my fellow yelpers is the reason why Michel's at the Colony Surf has been open for over 40 years now. There is another reason why i always come to this place to entertain guests or celebrate my anniversary or someone's birthday here...
*PHIL SHAW ( General Manager )
*FRANK STRAKA ( Waiter Extraordinnaire )
*GERALD CHUN ( Relief Manager )
*CHEF HARDY ( Chef de Cuisine )
These professional's are the driving force which makes Michel's a once in a lifetime dning experience. They make me and my wife and whoever we entertain feel like a King and Queen for an evening. Phil and Gerald are always coming by to see how we are doing and Chef Hardy, even when busy, will always come out to say hello to me and my guests. It really makes me feel special inside when he does that. And what can i say about my waiter Frank? He has been my go to guy everytime i dine here. He is always one step ahead of the game and a true pro at what he does. These qualities are priceless and will always leave an everlasting impression on me.
I do have to tell you though, Michel's is definitely not cheap. There is a price to pay for a place of this caliber. But if there is a place you want to impress someone on a first date or pop the big question or if someone that has a lot of money to blow which my wife's friends from Japan usually do and i'm not footing the bill, then this is the place to dine for me. Now my advice to you, You definitely have to have a beachside table to thouroughly enjoy your dining experience or else it's all for not. And also make a 5:30 or 6:00 reservation so you can see the sunset. And friday' evening is also a good time to dine here as you can see the fireworks display the Hilton Hawaiian Village which starts at 7:45 pm sharp. I have dined here well over 10 times at this restaurant so let me show you what this place is all about..
*The Sunset here is PRICELESS
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Here are some of my recommendations when dining here..
* ICE HARVEST OF THE SEA http://www.yelp.com/bi...
*SAUTEED FOIE GRAS http://www.yelp.com/bi...
*RAGOUT OF KONA PRAWNS AND BABY ABALONE $34
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
*WARM BABY SPINACH SALAD $16 (MINIMUM 2 PEOPLE )
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
*MICHEL'S LOBSTER BISQUE $12
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
*MICHEL'S OCEAN BOUNTY $48
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
*PRIME FILET, LOBSTER, and CRAB $54
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
*22 OUNCE PORTERHOUSE STEAK $65
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
*HAWAIIAN APPLE BANANA FLAMBE $16 per person
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
*CHOCOLATE SOUFFLEhttp://www.yelp.com/bi...Listed in: If you had one day in Hawaii…, At Your Service....., I Love Fine Dining...If You…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/29/2010
This is my review of of the most ROMANTIC Restaurants on the island Michel's at the Colony Surf..
… Read more »
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Review from Amanda B.
9/2/2011
************************** 621 **************************
1 of the nicest sunset view in the Waikiki Beach! Michel is French good for the island standard! But no La Mer standard, although it's 1 of my FAV now!
Decent wine list, good food, good service! Definitely romantic spot, well, I came with my bestfriends, arr there's always next time!Listed in: Hawaii Love
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Review from Wayde F.
Honolulu, HI
11/5/2011
I don't go all out and lavish myself and my partner too often, but when I do...One of the places on my list to choose from is Michel's at the Colony Surf. What can I say and where do I start...This place has been going strong since the 60's and very little has changed over the past 50 years. Amazing food, amazing service and an open air sunset atmosphere that is impressive. Being a Poor Man this isn't exactly on the list of places you would expect me to be visiting, but I do at least once a year. Why shouldn't a Poor Man be able to experience such fine-dining French cuisine? This place is seriously one of the top romantic places to take your loved one...If you are visiting Oahu and want to have that "DINNER SPLURGE" this would be one of the top locations I would do it at! I have even gone so far as to recommend this location on my personal itineraries I design for vacationers here in Hawaii. It's understandable that people follow me because I show them how to budget their vacation to Hawaii, but everyone needs to just go a little crazy sometime and with all the money travelers save with me there is NO EXCUSE not to splurge on themselves at least once or twice while in PARADISE!
EVERYTHING on this menu is top notch! It's NOT a huge menu and being a chef that's always a good sign of EXCELLENT! The menu focuses all around Seafood and Prime cuts of Beef. The Wine list however is daunting so be prepared. When I go here I'm always battling between 2-3 items I want. It always happens so my partner and I get a bottle of wine, we choose two appetizers, maybe one starter to split, two entrees and two desserts we both would be interested in eating. That way we both actually end up having many small meals over a 3 hour period. When I go out like this my intention is to eat, drink and talk, and when I usually do that with someone I find simulating it turns into a long evening. Everything on the menu is designed by the chefs with perfection, allow ones taste buds to truly enjoy each watering mouth full. From the moment you walk in till the moment you get up from the table. This business is one hell of a perfectly oiled machine...
Now, people can like or dislike when I breakdown other peoples reviews. I really don't give a damn. When people Bitc# about a place and it's uncalled for I always seem to bring them back to reality and you to the facts. We seem to have 2 central situations that people Bitc# about when at Michel's...mind you there are very few negative reviews. Seating and Service seem to be tops. I have been here six times over the last 5 years that I can recall and I will be going back next month. I have never had a issue with a single service, seating or food so it shocks me at some of the idiotic one and two star reviews I have come across. Lets go over a few lines from a few reviews:
One person says..."I know it's being picky, but for the level of service Michel's provides I'm a bit shocked they didn't catch this: they gave me a white napkin when I was wearing black pants. " Listen braddah, I get the white lint on the Black pants, but come on...who stuck that pole up your puka?
Another person says: "The lettuce leaves were disproportionate to the rest of the salad" again later in her review she brings up the fact that the Chef uses the "ENTIRE lettuce leaf. It's pretty clear she doesn't understand fine dining. This women's review overall is contradictory and it is clear that no matter how hard she tries to be a snob or know what she's talking about, her review has no merit. Put it this way anyone that actually lives and breaths Hawaii and gives the local hangout spot of Zippy's two stars because the franchise is "over-hyped and priced way too high" is a little lolo.
One more person says: "They gave us a table at which we could not face each other but instead sat side by side on a bench. Very romantic (not)!" Ok, listen...Each his own...for me personally this is the most romantic setting you could have with your loved one...sitting across from someone gets old and this allows a new kind of intimacy with your loved one if you look at it in a positive way...This reviewer however choose not to and the entire review was down hill from there giving the place 2 stars because he had to sit not across but next to his loved on. Truly and honestly...pathetic.
* Make reservations days in advance if you want a Beachside table....For holidays or Valentines Day I would do a month in advance to get a Beachside Table to watch the glorious Sunset on Waikiki Beach. All tables have a view of the beach and sunset, but there are only so many tables that are actually BEACHSIDE. Word of Mouth keeps this place relatively busy, by higher end Kama'aina and visitors alike. I am giving this location four stars for two personal reasons,...I believe the overall menu should be a tad lower in price and the décor should be updated for the new century, but If you are ready to spend a pay check with your loved one...spend it here. -
Review from Jeff S.
Honolulu, HI
8/25/2011
I hadn't been to Michel's in years but kept missing their "Beef w/ Foie gras mousse in pastry". So I chose Michel's as my birthday dinner destination. An excellent choice and the whole family agreed. Decor was pretty much the same yet very well kept up. Nice bathroom too.
Service was impeccable. Staff was friendly and welcoming with a genuine feel to their hospitality. They were very attentive without being annoying. My water glass was never empty. Big points with me.
Then there was the food:
Passed on the Lobster bisque to continue my pursuit of a good Onion soup. I have been searching for a good onion soup and coming up way short. Too salty (Ryan's); Cold soup with cold hard cheese on top (Tango); Inedibly salty (CIA, Napa Valley); the list goes on.
The "Sweet Maui Onion Soup" ($12) was fantastic. Perfect amount of gooey cheese, salt, onions, broth and puff pastry on top. Yum. Finally!
My wife had the "Sauteed Foie Gras" ($36). Huge serving compared to the little teaser portions you get at most places. Toe curling little slabs of pan seared heaven.
We also ordered the "Escargot". Herb/garlic butter, sliced bread to dip,...the angels were singing.
The "Warm Baby Spinach Salad" was prepared tableside. A little overdressed but the dressing wasn't really sour as it can be if the preparer is heavy-handed with the lemon or vinegar so it was still delicious.
I discovered that my foie mousse dish had been replace with "Beef Tenderloin Rossini" ($56) a prime filet topped with a decent sized piece of sauteed foie gras. No complaints here. This was even better! The filet was a perfect medium rare and there was enough foie that I got some with every bite. Once again the angels were singing.
I'm not much of a dessert guy but decided to get a flambe since it was my bday. Wow! The Pineapple and Framboise (raspberry) flambe is poured over cubed red velvet cake and vanilla ice cream. Sooo good. The angels were hoarse already and I was ready to lie down.
A very positive dining experience with satisfaction on multiple levels.
Oh and we went a 6p, caught the sunset and saw our first green flash. -
Review from Tom S.
Waialua, HI
8/26/2011
Michel's is one of the top restaurants in Hawaii. Order classic meals and enjoy the table-side preparations of Caesar Salad and Banana's Foster. The crab bisque is absolutely WORLD CLASS. All of the entrees are as good as they get.
If you can, go later to avoid the sunset rush. The service will be excellent and the restaurant doesn't feel so crowded. Best of all, go with a bunch of friends for a special occasion! Sit back, drink wine, and enjoy your hard earned dollars!
Michel's is classic dining. -
Review from Courtnee N.
Honolulu, HI
Updated - 8/8/2011 9 photos
This review for Michel's is for the Sunday Brunch. It was such a delightful experience. Michel's is such a beautiful restaurant, open air to the beautiful beach and views. The scenery during the day is different, but equally as amazing.
Anyways, onto the food. The Sunday brunch is a 3 course meal with a preset menu of appetizers, main course, and a dessert. Each course has 4 or 5 options. For my appetizer I had the oysters - Five raw, clean, fresh, and delicious oysters. It came with 2 sauces, either cocktail or chili pepper water - they were both delicious. For my second choice I chose the crab, lobster, shrimp, and scallop omelette - it. was. Amazing. - chunks of fresh delicious seafood, buttery and cheesey it was delicious. It came with potatoes, asparagus, and a roasted tomato with parmesean topping. For my dessert I have the chocolate decadence with cherry flavoring and a scoop of vanilla gelato. It was rich and delicious, but I was so full by that point that I only had a few bites.
The atmosphere and service was excellent as always. The price of the brunch is $48 without tax or tip. And you also get a choice of juice, coffee or blood orange mimosa - of course I got the mimosa and it was delicious! I would recommend this brunch to anyone.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/12/2010
Michel's...mmm:)
It's a tradition for my parents to take my sister and I to nice dinner at least… Read more »
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Review from Brent S.
8/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
Took my wife here for her birthday and we were not disappointed. First of all, it's located right on the beach with beautiful views of the sunset. Perfect place for a romantic dinner. Being that it's been around for so long, we didn't think it was going to be that busy, but it was packed even on a Wednesday night.
The offer several tableside prepared dishes, like Caesar Salad, Lobster Bisque, Steak Tartare, as well as some of their main entrees.
The Lobster Bisque is definitely worth getting. The Tonato doesn't look very attractive, but is really good. We got the Ocean Bounty and the Seafood Consomme. Both had a ton of fresh seafood, for the price. They were really good dishes. But we do wish we ordered more of the appetizers instead.
Definitely, next time... -
Review from Edwin S.
Honolulu, HI
8/22/2011 Seated via OpenTable
Great establishment but they are not 5 star worthy!!!!
Food - 4
Price - 3
Service 3
Cleanliness - 2 - See highlighted paragraph below
Ambience - 2- See highlighted paragraph below
Yes, those ratings are surprising but it's the truth. I made reservations online, confirmed on the phone and email. I arrived and did not have the oceanfront table that was agreed upon - NOT GOOD but I didn't make a fuss and wanted to enjoy the evening.
There seems to be plenty of wait help, definitely more than this number of seats should warrant which was a good sign but as dinner progressed, it seemed that I could never get assistance when I needed it.
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Do I blame the fruit flies on the restaurant or is that just part of dining in Hawaii? I'm pretty sure I've had plenty of meals at Zippy's without having to worry about flies.... We constantly had little fruit flies diving in our food and Mai Tai's. Really irritating and it went on all night. Who's to blame... not sure... but that's a huge differentiator of a 1-3 star and a 5 star establishment. It should not have been an issue as it took away from our dining experience.
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We had a full dinner as you should when paying top dollar. Caesar Salad, Steak Diane, Filet/Lobster/Crab combo, Creme Brulee, and Sorbet. The food was all very good. We also had a few Hawaiian cocktails which were also good but not better than the cocktails at Dukes (just sayin).
Service was almost really good but in the end it was slightly more personable than say a Roy's but they failed to make it a great experience as the level of service deteriorated through the night. I found myself looking around several times for assistance which should not happen with their level of staffing. It was a pricey dinner... very pricey, one that I will gladly pay for a 5 start experience. Will I try it again... maybe Brunch. -
Review from Justin S.
7/26/2011 Seated via OpenTable 1 Check-in Here
Always an incredible experience, even if you only experience it a few times in your lifetime.
High-tier restaurants like Michel's can probably be counted on your fingers and toes on Oahu, and I will say that I'm glad for its rarity in that it lends great value to a meal you will not forget.
The beach and sunset lie just a few yards away, the sound of the ocean is audible and paired with a pair of smooth-voiced musicians lobbing Hawaiian falsetto across the room, and the lighting and setting are perfect. Visualizing this place is enough to make one suddenly go poetic.
Service here is unbelievable, especially for a locally raised kid like me. Attendants provide you with service and attentive care for things you hadn't even yet realized you needed yourself. Are you a lefty? The guy noticed, and while he's talking he's also rearranging your flatware to fit your handedness. What kind of water do you want? Plain old water, sparkling, or mineral? Try stepping away from your seat for 60 seconds, and you'll return to a napkin that's been immaculately refolded and placed at your setting. I guess that's what top-tier restaurants do, but it still blows my mind.
Servers are incredibly theatrical about the menu, and describe every component of every dish to the most minute detail. As a result, everything seems amazing, and (surprise) everything IS amazing. Table-side service comes in the form of appetizers and desserts, and there's no shame in gawking at the cherries jubilee being lit up a few tables away.
We started with the Lobster Bisque and a Hickory Smoked Salmon appetizer, both of which were finished and served at the table. The server skillfully flambeed lobster meat with butter and brandy before laying it on the super-rich bisque. The server then sliced salmon (smoked in-house) and served it on a plate filled with breads, creme fraische, red onions, capers, and caviar. Simply put, both were presented in an incredible way, and devastatingly delicious.
For entrees, we had the Roast Duck and Steamed Onaga. The steamed onaga was great, served with a shoyu/ginger sauce and somen noodles, but didn't amaze me as much as the duck. The roast duck wasn't gamey, but rather filled with herb flavors and rich caramelized sparks and accompanied by a number of interesting vegetables and brown rice.
We skipped dessert (tsk, tsk), but I know it's a treat we'll enjoy in the future. This is not a place to frequent unless you're notably affluent, but the experience is enlightening. -
Review from Elyssa K.
Kaneohe, HI
6/14/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Loved it all, got to try the..
-Iced Harvest of the Sea
-Helix Escargots Bourgogne
-Lobster and Shrimp Thermidor
excellent customer service!! -
Review from Melissa K.
Honolulu, HI
4/21/2011
I haven't been to Michels in a few years but my experience then was amazing. I loved the food, service, cloth hand towels, and even the after dinner mints. I would have given it a 5 star rating.
Fast forward to last night. Everything seemed good until we got to our table, which was directly against a big cement wall. We asked to be moved but was told that was the only available table so we sucked it up and decided to sit there anyway.
---Service ... it was like Waiting for Godot except without the entertaining Gogo and Lucky.
The waiter was absolutely awful. He was more interested in adjusting his tux than concentrating on his patrons. Instead of checking on us, he stood around, smugly readjusted his tux, or folded napkins. In the rare moment that he did check on us, he was very flippant and/ or fake. During the entire 2 hours we were there, he half-heartedly inquired ONCE about how how were.
We waited over half an hour for him to take our order. The tropical salad arrived and it was just so-so and difficult to eat because the lettuce leaves were in their entirety. Plus the lettuce leaves were disproportionate to the rest of salad ... chunks of mango, radish, cucumber, etc. that were cut into tiny, same-size sticks ... so small that you had to taste the piece to determine what it was. Dressing was good. After finishing the salad, we waited at least 45 minutes for the rest of the food to arrive. The waiter did not stop by. We wondered if he had forgotten to place our order. We were envious of the other patrons who had quality waiters and I was tempted to ask for a different waiter.
Eventually the food arrived. My roll-up was delicious. The tender, flaky fish was topped with an amazingly fabulous hollandaise sauce and truffles. It came with a salad (again, the whole lettuce leaf). Hardy's Hawaiian Bouillabaisse was so-so. The chunks of fish were tender and abundant but the mussels and clams were small and not robust. The broth reminded me of the tomato juice from a can of tomatoes. Contrary to the menu description, the broth was not "savory" and after a few tastes, we left it alone and picked out the seafood. Could not taste the island spices or the saffron. The garlic bread was
room temperature and blah.
I had hoped that dessert would save the meal but alas, it was not to be. Pineapple-lilikoi cheesecake was decent but salty. The crust was wet and the texture clashed with the cheese part. The glazed pineapple was tasty but only because the rest of the dessert was so uninspiring. Even though the portion was small and split between several people, we didn't finish it.
The women's restroom is decadent, the restaurant interior is beautiful, and I love hearing the waves crash on the beach. Kudos to the guy who filled the water glasses and the other guy who folded my napkin every time I got up. They were great and deserving of a yelp star.
Last night was probably one of the worst dining experiences I have ever had. We should have had dinner at the Halekulani, Chef Mavros, or Roys. -
Review from Kimo S.
Honolulu, HI
4/17/2011
We went for our anniversary and my wife was so happy that she said it was the best place we have been to, ever. While we usually do not go into Waikiki this is Diamond Head/Gold Coast and it earns it name and ranking.
Several tables around us had locals also that means it has to be great for them too. The Doctors convention in town also provided many customers, but the reasons are many: First the view of sunset and Waikiki at night. Next the ambiance of the staff always buzzing, I mean they hustle to serve the tables not just water but polite and very happy even though it was a Kona wind day (warm) with high humidity and them wearing tuxes, except the boss. He is almost invisible.
What a team and the head coach is Manager Philip Shaw a man who not only knows his customers but has many years of being the best at a variety of the best including running Roy's in the day and a server way back. He personally goes to all the tables several times to back up his staff. His knowledge of wine is great and conversation is easy with his really down to earth manner and aloha. With out him it would be a good restaurant with him, the best. Michel's has always had a great reputation. It works to keep it.
Then the food as the chef stopped by once early and while his food is so ono ( great) his timing for delivery works well from the kitchen. What else could you want? Well there is the X factor, desert and bar. if you want a special night tell them as a special plate was delivered without asking besides a desert and then we shared a soufflé ordered much earlier. We had leftovers of lamb and bouillabaisse! Portions are not medium but Good sized and the Caesar salad was made table side as was the Lobster Bisque and by now you have read other reviews about just going there for that incredible soup. Wine list works well with top labels.
Several other tables were also having different dishes made in front of them and that show makes a good time better. Again the Manager stops by and works the room to look and instantly assist not just point the team. He is a wonder of this time as few could have that leadership to make Andy Anderson proud of his place. Pros!
The room was filled and needs reservations for the sunset view and beach side. Right outside the open windows are people having the relaxing area to themselves under palm trees. waiting for the day to end. It feels French on the beach with seating like it was outdoors. Very open.
Just perfect is the description . No more could be done to make the experience better. Try it again. We will. -
Review from Abby J.
Carmel, IN
8/8/2011
My boyfriend and I ate here while on vacation. It is one of our top 3 favorite dinners ever.
The french onion soup is a must! :) Ambience and service was amazing and the bathrooms are adorable. -
Review from Glenn S.
Morrisville, NC
5/25/2011
My experience at Michel's was phenomenal. It was the most fantastic dining experience of my life, and I highly recommend it.
I was there on my honeymoon and they sat us at the window looking out on the ocean while the sun set. The food was excellent as expected. This is a pricey restaurant, so reserve a visit here for only the most special of occasions. -
Review from Paul M.
Honolulu, HI
7/4/2011
I'm not going to bother anyone with a lot of words like I usually do.
This place was amazing. Definitely 5 star cuisine with a 5 star atmosphere and 5 star service. Price is high, so I can't come here often, but I'll remember this place forever.
Had the lobster bisque (wow), the ceasar salad (better than normal, but just a salad to me), the steak diane (holy crap, so good), and the bananas foster (better than a firedancer show).
Definitely go here for a special occasion. But only if you have $75-150 per person on hand. -
Review from LesliAnn K.
Honolulu, HI
1/29/2011
Let me say, the service here was EXCELLENT. So that is a 5/5. For people who like good quality, rich, French cuisine..this is it. For me, I could not eat like this every night, but I will still give it a 4.
Michel's is located in a condominium right on the beach towards Diamond Head, a little away from the bustle of Waikiki. Most of the clientele are tourists. If you are on vacation, I would recommend this place, much more than Duke's. What I was surprised with was that it was PACKED, on a Wednesday night, with a steady stream of people coming in..even at 9 pm. It is a little cramped and loud in the restaurant, so maybe its a better atmosphere for 4 people or more vs. a romantic dinner for two.
We did family style so I just about tried a little bit of everything. Our meal took three hours, so be prepared for a leisurely meal. I could not stop eating the lavosh! I guess I am just impressed by the simple things.
Lobster bisque - one of their famous dishes. creamy, delectable.
Helix Escargots Bourgogne with Butter butter butter!
Michel's ocean bounty dish is a perfect smorgasbord of seafood and if you feast with your eyes, this is a nice one! Hawaii is known for their fresh fish, so I would recommend the Onaga dish. A nice twist was that it was served with somen noodles, an interesting combination. Leave room for the Magnificent Chocolate or Grand Marnier Soufflé!!!!!! You gotta put in your order in advance since it takes extra time to prepare. Since it was my dad's birthday, we also had some chocolate mousse dish...light and not too sweet.
The manager came and introduced himself and personally changed our tablecloths in the middle of our meal so we could have clean linens for dessert. It's small things like that that don't go unnoticed. He didn't HAVE to do it. He even escorted us out and took our picture. Overall quite a special experience! -
Review from Vanessa C.
San Francisco, CA
1/11/2011
A friend had recommended this place as a must go to when we were in Oahu on vacation. I have to say this is the most romantic restaurant I have EVER been to!! We arrived here 30-45 minutes before sunset. The weather was warm, I was seated next to someone I love and the sun was an orangey pink haze. Straight out of a romance novel.
The food was succulent and savory. We had the Steak Diane, which they made table side. Even better! It's probably one of the best steaks I have ever had. I still crave that. We had the ahi tuna tartare, steak tartare, salad, fish, and dessert. The food and the service was excellent as well. I want to go back again -
Review from Vin L.
Honolulu, HI
9/7/2011 2 Check-ins Here
When I've gone with my parents, Phil Shaw greets us with a smile, we have a waiter that welcomes us and introduces himself, and we have awesome service. When I go with my girlfriend, Phil Shaw just gives us a passing glance, our waiter doesn't introduce himself, and service is lacking. Maybe it was a busy night and things were hectic, but then again I work in the hospitality industry as a server and I know you have to be giving your best regardless of circumstance, so that is why the low review.
I've been going to Michel's for over 10 years now, and I was hyping the restaurant up for my girlfriend since it would be her first time. I made a reservation online and requested a window seat if possible, else a booth, and I was nicely surprised to get a corner window seat where we could sit next to each other on an open booth seat.
I know it's being picky, but for the level of service Michel's provides I'm a bit shocked they didn't catch this: they gave me a white napkin when I was wearing black pants. In the past, they are usually so observant to use a black napkin -- and I saw another patron get a black napkin -- so they failed on me this night.
Our waiter came by, but didn't introduce himself, rather he asked if we'd like to start with cocktails. I had a vodka martini extra dry (which was incredible), and my girlfriend had a cosmo looking martini (I didn't try it).
We ordered the tasting menu. $85 for 6 dishes.
Starter - Ahi poke on a won ton chip: three pieces of poke, some slaw, and the chip. So-so.
1 - Gazpacho of Kamuela Tomato: my gf said it was like salsa. Yeah, it was. So-so.
2 - Diver scallop: Tasty. Excellent.
3 - Lobster and bay shrimp salad. Could have used more dressing. So-so.
4 - Veal Sausage with Orecchiette Pasta: Nice flavor. Very good.
Intermezzo - Dragonfruit sorbet: Refreshing.
5 - Lamb with Blueberry Walnut Chutney: Perfectly done and so full of flavor. Excellent.
6 - Tiramisu: When I checked out the menu when I made the reservation, it had Pumpkin Souffle on the menu. When we got there, it had Tiramisu, so I checked with the waiter and they said the pumpkin was for the previous month and they must not have updated the online menu. I asked if he could check with the chef if they could make the pumpkin souffle, but they couldn't. They lose points here too because my gf loves pumpkin and when she saw that on the menu when I preview it to her, she was really excited. Well, the Tiramisu was only so-so too. It was too dense, and not enough Kahlua flavor.
During the dinner service, what bothered me too was that our server was lazy on several accounts: he didn't take the time to reset the forks and knives on the proper sides in between each dish (he set them on the outer edge for my gf: her right, and the outer edge for me: my left). This bothered me a lot, because being a server, I've been trained on table setting. Our reservation was a 8 pm on a Friday night, and it wasn't busy at that time, so the server has no excuse for doing this.
My gf told me at the end that Michel's wasn't worth it. Sorry, Michel's, your performance tonight was way below your standard, and it visibly showed. -
Review from Nikki A.
3/6/2011
Perfect atmosphere for a romantic date or with friends and family. The service from our waiter John was over the top. Everyone needs to try this place at least once. The view is beautiful and the food is quality.
As soon as we were seated they delivered a sweet potato butter and basket of lavosh to our table.
I had the escargot and pan seared ahi as an appetizer.
I had the mahi mahi and onaga special with a lemon butter sauce. My bf had lobster and shrimp thermidor.
We had nothing left on our plates because it was so delicious. The dessert was the pineapple lillikoi cheesecake, that we couldn't finish because we were so full.
John explained everything well and it was hard to choose an entree because every thing souded mouth watering. He helped us choose our appetizers and was very genuine.
It was nothing but a great expirience. The price is not for an every week dinner, however I will return for birthdays and special celebrations. -
Review from Grimeater A.
Honolulu, HI
1/22/2011
I finally got to try to place thanks to my friend. I usually try to stay away from these fancy shmancy places because you're usually paying more for good ambiance and service than excellent food. I was a little hesitant going since we just got back from a week of pigging out in Vegas but my friend convinced me to try it out.
We ended up getting great seats right by the window with a view of the ocean and city lights. Our server was very friendly. For starters we ordered Escargot and Lobster Bisque. The Escargot was very good. We ordered extra bread to soak up all the buttery goodness left at the bottom of the dish :) The lobster bisque was a disappointment :( It was served table side with the whole dog and pony show. The flavors just weren't there. There was a slight refrigerated taste to it. I guess coming from Vegas a few days ago spoiled my palate. The Stone Crab Bisque at Joe's in Caesar Palace is to die for!
For entrees I ordered the Ocean Bounty and my friend ordered the Surf and Turf. The Ocean bounty came with abalone, risotto, one stuffed clam, seared ahi, butter poached lobster and potato crusted mahimahi. The food was good but not 5star good as I would expect for the price. Again, I'm probably biased since I was in the food mecca Las Vegas. I had a little of my friend's plate and it was good too. The steak was really tender.
I'm glad I finally got to check this place out. Maybe next time I'll go for a special occasion instead of a random dinner. Oh and I'll try not to go right after a week in Vegas. I think the combination of the two took away some of the "wow" factor for me. Still good food and good service though. -
Review from Kelly M.
Honolulu, HI
10/16/2010
I go here more than I care to admit. With that said, I will tell you why. The service is impeccable, the food is excellent and the view is the best . Oceanfront, open and on the beach. It's got a perfect view of Waikiki and the sunset. Their wine list is extensive, whether your budget is $60 or $2500, you will find something satisfying.
I have been coming to Michel's since the 80's and have seen some interesting transitions. The vibe it has now is most enjoyable. World acclaimed guitarist, Jeff Peterson plays most nights. Phillip Shaw is the extremely attentive GM.
My favorite dishes are:
Lobster Bisque (prepared tableside)
Caesar Salad (prepared tableside)
Foie Gras (Hot with currant sauce- my description-ask for it)
Seafood Appetizer for Two (with crab lobster shrimp oysters etc)
Steak Tartare (prepared tableside)
It's memorable, one of a kind and perfect for every occassion.Listed in: My Fave Restaurants
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Review from Vi Y.
12/6/2010
Wow, this place is amazing. I'm so glad I was able to purchase a $100 gift card for $50. The view and open air seating, along with the fine dining establishment inside makes for the perfect romantic date.
We ordered the seafood appetizer for $50, which came with all kinds of seafood goodies. We also shared the lamb. Everything was cooked, or uncooked to perfection. Along with corkage for 2 bottles of wine at $25 each, total for the bill came out to an additional $60 out of pocket, along with the original $50 spent on the voucher. This is just for 1 appetizer and 1 entree, so make sure you bring your wallets! -
Review from Walt H.
Coronado, CA
8/14/2011
My wife and I were visiting from the Mainland and we were recommended Michel's as the place to celebrate our 45th wedding anniversary. We were not disappointed. We enjoyed the wonderful caesar salad prepared at our table and the sea food plate of mixed treats which was superb. The service was exquisite, and Phil the owner was a wonderful host. We also had the added entertainment treat of Hawaiian slack guitarist, Jeff Peterson, a USC graduate and local Maui boy. This was a magic evening for us. The reality exceeded our expectations.
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Review from Traci H.
6/10/2011 6 photos
I wish I could give it more stars because everyone seems to love it but I just can't. It's not bad, by any means, but it's nowhere near a 5-star experience in my mind. And on the pure food side, I still can't believe no one here can seem to stand up to Alan Wong's...mad props to him to still have some of the best food here and at good value. But I digress.
First, if you take anything from this review: REQUEST A WINDOW TABLE. it's easy, no extra cost, and is way prettier than sitting by a wall (thanks to Melissa K.'s review, I called to request it so we weren't smack up against a cement wall--we didn't get it at first, but at least they knew and moved us later!).
The good (since I really wanted to love it):
Service: super friendly and nice; attentive. We had requested a "window" table but they said it was all reserved, but partway through dinner they said they had a cancellation and we could move. So they moved us just in time for the sunset!
View: gorgeous sunset view overlooking the "outrigger beach" (it's a public beach but people think it's the Outrigger's).
Complimentary valet parking
Complimentary birthday dessert
The stuff that led to minus stars:
The FOOD: i wanted to like it. and tableside preparation is kind of a neat thing too
--the lobster bisque: prepared table side. They cook up a tiny bit of lobster meat in butter and brandy and put it into the bisque--creamy, fishy, but not too tart. Just not that great
--the maui onion soup: i did like this one. Little bit on the cheese, but good flavor, not too salty, not too dark
--steak diane: prepared tableside so you get a little flame show and who doesn't love smelling cooking butter and truffle oil. I was worried the medium rare steak was getting way overcooked since he was cooking it over and over but it was actually ok. The sauce was ok. The meat was ok--it tasted actually like cheap chewy steak. The veggies tasted pretty yucky too. No flavor
--the lilikoi cheesecake: the crust was good, the cheesecake was pretty good but the rest--that candied pineapple or whatever gnarly topping was like plastic yuck. Not for me.
--oh the nasty hard as rock sickly blueberry looking "butter": I think it was sweet potato something but it tasted like fake lard or something. And it looked like it had the measles.
And these were just meh: the sunset daquiri (ok it was virgin but it was still awful) was terrible; the ambiance feels like it's supposed to be romantic, but it's loud and kind of old feeling, even a little dirty feeling;
No alcohol on the tab -- $160 for two people, including tip. Seems a little pricey to me, given the quality of food. I think I'd prefer to go to Alan Wong's, even if it means my view is of the mountain, instead of the beautiful beach sunset. When I eat dinner, I want good food. If I want a good view, I'll just make some spam musubi and galavant out to the beach...
Ok, if you're stuck in Waikiki and looking to impress, I think I'd rather go to the Beachhouse or Azure (and I didn't even love Azure--but at least the quality of food seems better).
You won't find me here unless someone else is paying. Glad I went once to try it out, but I don't need to go back. -
Review from Kalei F.
Aaahh Michel's :) Beautiful view, excellent service, and pretty good food!
This was my first time here to this place and we got seated right by the ocean, for a fabulous view of the sunset!!
Reading the Yelp reviews, I got the Francis Coppola Director's Cut 2006 Cab at $20 a glass!! CRAZY good!! I'm now in love with this wine!!
To start off, we got this amazing caprese salad with mango on the house. Just one bite and I was in HEAVEN!!!
I got the Maui onion soup to start. It was SO good!! So rich and creamy and came with this amazing puff pastry dome on the top of it. It was heavenly!! I could eat like 3 of those!!
Then we had the lobster bisque. It was made table side. I think that they either put too much cognac or didn't cook it long enough to really cook off the alcohol. That was probably one of the worst lobster bisque's I've ever had. They pre-make the soup base, and just sautee the lobster in the cognac and throw it in the soup. I would definitely not order that again!! I don't get what the whole hype was about!
Then we had a dragonberry sorbet on the house which was very refreshing!! I wish I could've had more of that for dessert!! The color was beautiful and the taste was phenomenal!
We had the special which was osso bucco? with a shrimp risotto. The flavor of the meat was very good and the shrimp risotto was very addicting as well. Not as creamy as a traditional risotto, but the flavor was definitely there!
The rack of lamb was so delicious and cooked to perfection!! Would definitely get again!
The chocolate souffle was just ok. They tried to do what Roy's does, but hello!! Roy's definitely has the BEST chocolate souffle/ lava cake!! This one doesn't hold a candle to it! At least it was free!
For dessert, we ordered the mocha ice cream, mango sorbet, and strawberry daiquiri sorbet. All were amazing, with the mocha ice cream being my favorite!!
The bread pudding was just ok. Not as moist as I would've liked, but still flavorful.
It was a friday, so we got to watch the fireworks and it was beautiful!! I wasn't blown away by this place, but it was a nice dinner. If I would come back again, I would get the french onion soup, try the caesar salad, and maybe the foie gras.
I think doing something table side is still an art, but I didn't get the quality and wow factor here that I got at Hy's steakhouse. The food and preparation there is top notch and I think Michel's needs to update their quality and presentation. -
Review from Russel M.
11/8/2010 2 Check-ins Here
With one of the most wicked views of Waikiki how can you go wrong.
Five Stars for View alone.
The Menu is hit and miss besides $$$$ but worth it. We focus on the Mixed Seafood Platter and share a Main Course along with a Power Drink or Two. Always try to go early for best window seating. -
Review from Zar A.
11/16/2010
Lover of French cuisine! ^^
Michel's is DEFINITELY THE, "THE", place to take the girl of your dreams to impress, wine and dine, if you want her to fall in love and stay in love with you forever..........!!!!! ^^
Located right next to the water, Michel's got a super romantic ambiance, top notch waiter service, spectacular food menu, awesome wine menu.... There's really nothing more that a girl can want. Maybe except some diamonds!
I don't really feel like I should write anything about the food here, as you can order anything on the menu and you won't be disappointed!!Listed in: Zar's fine-dining spots [HI]
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Review from Wendy M.
2/2/2011
I was excited when my date told me that he made reservations for us at Michel's.
Walking in I was already impressed. The atmosphere is warm and beautiful but as we neared our seats, I went from amazed to disappointed. Our table was a little too close to the kitchen doors and so far from the view outside I couldn't see anything :(.
We ordered the cesar salad which is prepared table side. He failed to talk to us as he prepared the salad, not to mention the sweat dripping down his head. I was more concerned about the sweat dripping in the salad than watching him prepare it. I had a hard time enjoying my salad after that.
Our first dish was the Steak Diane. Presentation was amazing but dry and over cooked. The rice that came with it was also under cooked. Second entree was the Hardy's Hawaiian Bouillabaisse. This wasn't all that bad. Very rich but still good. Still having room for dessert we decided on the Warm Cinnamon Apple Tart. I wasn't impressed.
I would give Michel's another try but next time, I'll veto the Cesar Salad, Steaks and Apple Tart while ensuring to make reservations requesting outdoor or window seating. -
Review from Michelle W.
Las Vegas, NV
10/26/2010
I admit that I was probably in a wonderful cloud from just being proposed to on their beach, but I was impressed with my overall experience at Michel's. The staff was wonderfully laid back and attentive. I just love the wonderful Hawaiian hospitality. The food was also very enjoyable. Finally, you can't beat having dinner facing the beach with the cool breeze and beautiful Hawaiian sunset, and you have the perfect view of Waikiki from Diamond head.
We enjoyed fresh oysters, the ahi duo, which was a perfect combination of ahi carpaccio with light truffle vinaigrette and ahi tartar with red tobikko, diced onions, & walnut oil, seared sweet and fatty foie gras, had a bonus of passion fruit sorbet that I thought was too sweet, and prime black angus filet mignon, kona crab stuffed in a succulent 1/2 maine lobster, alongside hamakua mushrooms, asparagus, with a wild mushroom sauce & vin blanc.
Conclusion: Perfect not overbearing not snooty service. Not the best food that I've had but very good food. Perfect ambiance. -
Review from Inga S.
Honolulu, HI
3/2/2011
The staff was EXCELLENT, the location was BEAUTIFUL, the escargot was AMAZING (better than what I had in Paris, although my boyfriend begged to differ).
So what were my problems with it? I had one of those tableside cooked, meat dishes and was disappointed because I think that the server was so friendly that he didn't realize he was overcooking my dish. My medium rare was definitely well done. For the price, that kind of mistake is pretty bad.
I also had a problem with the fact that the meat was cooked tableside but the sides of that dish weren't. So there was definitely a visible, palatable difference in temperature. Meat=hot, sides=cold.
Would I go back? I probably would take myself to another restaurant, but lemme tell you, that view is quite breathtaking. -
Review from Joanne P.
Honolulu, HI
10/20/2010
My husband and I went to Michel's to celebrate our anniversary. This was our first time at this restaurant. It is located at the Colony Surf which is a condo building right next to Outrigger Canoe Club. When we walked in, we were blown away by the ambiance. It was like a fancy French restaurant had been plopped right onto the beach. The beach-side of the restaurant is completely open and it could have been uncomfortably warm, but they keep the a/c on which nice.
The clientele looked to be at least 50% visitors. Everyone was well-dressed in elegant aloha attire. We enjoyed a beautiful sunset as we ordered. Our starters, escargot and foie gras, were terrific. The service was also top-notch, although I felt for our waiter who was sweating in his tuxedo. But that is where the positives end.
We ordered 2 entrees, the filet mignon/stuffed lobster and the catch of the day en papillotte (2 types of fish plus scallops), were not that great. I wanted to keep eating my filet mignon but it was overcooked and dry and I kept thinking that this was not worth the calories (I had ordered medium rare and there was barely a tinge of pink inside). The fish was prepared well, but the flavors were too bland for me. The worst item on our plate was the jasmine rice which was dry and hard. Shocking for a restaurant in Hawaii!
For dessert, we ordered a chocolate souffle and a grand marnier souffle. The grand marnier souffle had nice flavor but had fallen before it reached our table. The chocolate souffle kept its shape better but would have been better with more chocolate flavor. I would say these were ok and I might be persuaded to return again just for dessert.
We didn't have any alcohol and the bill came out to $198. At that price, this was a disappointing first visit, but I guess that is the price of a gorgeous location. Food-wise, I prefer Le Guignol. -
Review from Scott K.
10/3/2010 2 Check-ins Here
I love Michel's. Not the cheapest place but the food is great.
Get there for the afternoon sunset while you enjoy your dinner. Make sure you get he Coppola Cab, which is my favorite. Its on the pricier side but well worth it if you are having dinner there already.
