Best Restaurants for Special Occasions in Ko Olina

We decided to celebrate Thanksgiving at Longhi’s and got a perfect table right by the koi pond where the fish were swimming by regularly. It was a beautiful sunny day in Ko Olina and we were fortunate to get a wonderful server named Jamaal. He was very attentive and took our orders for a delicious tasting like homemade turkey dinner with all the fixings. We had an appetizer of bread crusted crab cakes that were yummy. The dinner included pumpkin pie with a mouth watering soft crust just like I make myself. The great waiter and delicious food made us make another reservation in the next few weeks to return to Table 6 and hopefully get the same great food and service.

Really nice meal. Tried the Lamb Ragu Pappardelle and was very happy with it. My father-in-law had the miso glazed pork chop and he was really, really happy with it. He liked it so much he gnawed off the bone to finish it off. A choice we made to avoid the cold temperature for inside dining, we did ask to sit outside and had to listen to the buses and Harleys. BUt was better than the cold insdie.

Last minute birthday dinner. They sat us in prime position looking over the cove. Black cod and the Salmon were amazing. Had the ice cold crab to start as well. Topped off with the baked Hawaiian dessert. Service was exceptional throughout. Will definitely be a common stop when we come over.

As you eat a meal at Merriman's, you can tell that each ingredient is selected with care. Sure enough, when I asked I found out the food is locally sourced from farms that the owners and Chef know and trust. Many items are hand selected by the box, not the truck load. Since the Chef from Maui transferred over to Merriman's Oʻahu, our entrees have been especially ono. At lunch today I planned to take home one of my two fish (ahi) tacos. No way! I couldn't stop finishing both. Last night my husband and I walked into Merriman's without reservations and sat at the bar. Who cares if we didn't get a table? The gregarious host, Cody Merriman, stopped by to share a laugh or two and answer our questions about the menu. My husband ordered their chicken entree for dinner and said it was the best chicken he'd ever had. And my taro falafel was also delicious. We can't resist their Waialua Chocolate Purse for dessert. I felt a little decadent afterward, but what the heck? There are lots of restaurants in our neighborhood, but for five years now we keep coming back to Merriman's which seems to be even better the last six months. Could it be the addition of the Maui Chef? We like the vibe. Energetic without being so loud you cannot carry on a conversation. We both think their Hawaiian music playlist is the best in the City. Wish I could think of something negative to say to make this review real. But having just come back from a great lunch with memories of a wonderful dinner there last night, I am only happy and satisfied.

The service was outstanding Kyle and his crew. Almost all of the food orders was on point. The filet mignon was needing some seasoning though. We all ordered ala carte. Do order the king crab pasta it was delicious- we’re going to order it again.