It’s great to see new places opening up in Honolulu! Ward Village is the newest contemporary hotspot and it’s still constantly growing. This area is mixed with great food establishments and shops –  with more than 130 stores & 40 eateries. Also, Ward Village provides ample free parking!

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Merriman’s restaurant is highly rated on the Big Island, Maui, and Kauai. Unfortunately, we haven’t dined at any outer island restaurants but we’re ecstatic to finally have one on Oahu! Peter Merriman, the pioneer of the culinary movement aims to bring his handcrafted Hawaii Regional Cuisine and signature sustainable dishes to Honolulu. With its doors officially opening to the public today (June 23rd), everyone can experience the feel of a neighborhood bistro with hints of old Hawaii. They’ll be open from 11am-11pm with daily live music! Check out their menu, here.

We were invited to a media event which features some of their dishes from appetizers, entrees, and desserts.
Take a look at what we were able to try out! 

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Once you enter the restaurant, you’ll see the “Throw a Party Every Night” on the floor. For dinner, they serve each guest a glass of prosecco (every day). Making it a fun and memorable dining experience. This is my kind of place already!

Sprouted Rye & Organic Cream Cheese with roasted aloun farm broccoli, Maui tomato, and olive oil. $11

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Kualoa Ranch “Smokin Oysters” on the 1/2 Shell topped with shallot-black pepper mignonette. It was served at our table in a dome and our waiter lifted it up so beautifully. Great presentation!

Kalua Pig Quesadilla with house-made kimchee mango chili sauce. You can never go wrong with a quesadilla! Such a great finger food. $14

Taco & Country Bread which is prepared with octopus “ala escargot” cognac garlic butter. This was my favorite appetizer that was served at the event. The pesto bread with taco together tasted like heaven! $18

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Tableside Poke made with fresh ahi, maui onion, inamona, and ogo. It was made “tableside” and the ingredients mixed right in front of us. Such a unique way to serve poke! $16

Garlic Butter Keahole Clams with maui onion garnish served with dipping bread. Another appetizer that we enjoyed was this one! $17

House Made Tortilla and Fish Taco made with their house-made tortilla, fresh avocado, roasted habanero and pineapple salsa.  The pineapple salsa takes the win for this dish! This dish is served on their lunch menu. $16

Keahole Lobster Pot Pie with scallops, small kine farms mushroom, vermouth, and corn crust.  This is one of their entrees from their dinner menu. It’s very creamy and filled with lots of flavor. We really enjoyed this incredible dish! $39

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You can never be too full for desserts! On the left is their Molten Chocolate Purse ($11) with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream. Definitely going back for more of that dessert. The “purse” is made with filo dough with chocolate inside. It was so delicious and the crispy filo dough quickly won me over! On the right is their Housemade Ice Cream ($7) with vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. One of the most delicious flavored cones we’ve ever tasted.