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Genuinely exquisite locally sourced, highly conscious, organic, curated, and truly heartfelt dining experience. It is very rare that a restaurant experience is so delightful I’m left with the feeling that it might inspire me to visit the area where I just dined again with a strong part of that draw being the restaurant. This is how original, surprising, delicious, and engaging the food I had at Mugen was.
The wine paired tasting menu sparkled with all sorts of local selections clearly chosen with deep care and reverence for the Hawaiian islands. The first course of poke and caviar on cassava was the most enjoyable seafood dish I’ve had in my trip to Hawaii. For the second course, I let my waiter talk me into trying the local beats paired with local cheeses, and I don’t particularly like beats. It was amazing. Do not miss this dish and if you think you don’t like beats, try this! The wine pairings with both also shined. A Wagyu carpaccio with potatoes was surprisingly subtle as a third course for something with flavors so strong. I added on an A5 Wagyu sushi, which honestly did not connect for me, but the rest of this meal was so incredible I didn’t mind at all. The lobster dish with risotto was extraordinary as a 5th course, and the French chardonnay that paired with it was fantastic. I chose the Molokai local venison for the meat portion of the menu, knowing I don’t particularly like venison, but up for an adventure, and found that the way it paired with fois gras and a bold red wine was also highly enjoyable. Finally, the chocolate dessert was visually engaging, and also beautifully paired.
The service was warm, the food, delightful, and the total experience genuinely exquisite.
Truly, a five star experience. This is a Michelin quality restaurant in a place that Michelin does not do ratings and from what I experienced, it is not a one star Michelin restaurant. Truly an awesome dining experience. Could not recommend more highly. Hope you enjoy!