Ninniku-Ya Garlic Restaurant, Honolulu

We were so excited to go to the Garlic Restaurant we saved it for a special occasion- my boyfriend's birthday. We made reservations well ahead of time and got the best table in the place, out on the patio and semi-private with plants and tea lights hung all around. That's where the happiness ended. It took the staff 45 minutes to take our food order, and the place was practically empty! It then took a further 45 minutes for the food to come, and mine was completely inedible. Everyone else's was decent (although not justifiable for the price and the hype), but my risotto (the server's recommendation) was half cooked and tasted like it had been doused in ketchup. I wanted to send it back but it took 25 minutes just for the waitress to check on us! I told her my problem, and she went to talk to the manager (a further 20 minutes!). She then came back and said I could order something else but I'd still have to pay for the risotto. I refused and told her I'd like to speak to her manager. She then went away again and said I could have another dish to go, since everyone else in my party was finished and ready to leave, and I could pay for that instead of the terrible risotto. The mushroom pasta, when I ate it, was passable but not great- anything is passable when you put that much butter on it. Everyone in my party was incredibly disappointed with the raw treatment I'd been given and vowed never to go there again. For such an expensive place- pricey even for Honolulu- with pretensions towards fine dining, you'd think they'd have better food and halfway decent service. They do not. You're far better off going up the street a couple blocks to Town. We've been there many times and are never disappointed. Plus it's cheaper.

Beef Steaks come out sizzling on a plater with garlic left for you to sear to your perfection The restaurant will seat you on the lanai or you can eat inside the older home thats tucked away on Waialae Ave. The crab cakes are good. May I suggest the Lychee Martini......you cant have just one. It's a quaint little restaurant that has littlle white tea lights.Great Service. It wasn't inexpensive and the meal had flavor.

great place! just be sure to make ur reservations because its a small place!

Love the steak and crab cakes!!

After hearing nothing but good things about this small restaurant based out of the shell of a house, we decided to try it and were not disappointed. A cozy and unique atmosphere was my first impression and we were seated outside and immediately greeted by our waitress who promptly brought out our drinks and menus. The menu was composed of an american/japanese cuisine, almost all of which influenced by garlic in some way. Escargots and Garlic Bread were our choice of appetizers and proved to be quite tasteful. For the main meal, the sizzling New York Strip has the caliber capable of rivaling the famous Ruth Chris's steak. Mouth-watering and loaded with flavor. The whole time the service was professional and friendly. If youre looking for a unique dining experience, I highly recommend this place......just make sure you grab a mint on the way out.

Great Hole in the Wall Place: Steak was great as it came out on a sizzling platter. Crab Cakes were good too as they were served with different sauces. Great little resturant that is in some way hides itsself from the hustle and bustle of waialae ave. Only downside was a few mosquitos (no bites though) as we sat outside, think they cleaned up that problem.