The best fine dining Honolulu has to offer for Valentine's Day
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Valentine's Day is here; and if you haven't already made a reservation at your favorite restaurant, then you might want to get cracking on that.
KHON2.com did a bit of digging and fo0und the best, most expensive fine dining experiences in Honolulu so you don't have to.Located in Ala Moana, Margotto is an upscale spot offering French, Italian and Japanese dishes. With elegant décor and amazing service, it's perfect for a special night. However, be ready for a higher price tag.
In Waikīkī, La Mer is the most expensive and one of the best fine dining experiences in Honolulu. Enjoy French cuisine surrounded by beautiful palm trees and an ocean view. It's a romantic spot for a memorable Valentine's meal.
This modern, Asian fusion restaurant in Waikīkī is known for its trendy ambiance and quiet setting, and this has made it a great choice for a romantic dinner. Perfect for cocktail lovers, too.
At Espacio Waikīkī, Mugen offers a mix of New American, French and Japanese dishes in a romantic, intimate setting. It's perfect for couples looking for upscale dining.
A trendy spot in Waikīkī, The Terrace serves French cuisine and upscale breakfast and brunch options. The food is top-notch, and the prices are not as high as other fine dining spots.
With a luxury ocean view, 53 By The Sea offers seafood and New American dishes. It's a romantic spot with excellent service that makes it perfect for a fancy, romantic dinner.
Located in Waikīkī, Azure offers seafood and steakhouse dishes. Its classy atmosphere and romantic setting make it a great spot for a special date night.
For sushi lovers, Hihimanu Sushi is an upscale Japanese restaurant serving fresh, high-quality sushi. It's a trendy spot that's perfect for a casual yet special dinner.
This romantic, French and seafood restaurant in Waikīkī offers beautiful ocean views and excellent service. It's perfect for couples who want a classy, intimate dining experience.
For vegan lovers, Tane Vegan Izakaya offers a unique twist on traditional Japanese izakaya dishes, all made plant-based. The intimate setting and flavorful, one of kind dishes make it an excellent choice for a romantic and eco-friendly dinner.
Known for its delicious steaks and classic, old-school atmosphere, Little Joe's offers a timeless fine dining experience. It's perfect for those craving a hearty, romantic steak dinner.
Located in Waikīkī, Ruth's Chris is a popular upscale steakhouse offering perfectly cooked steaks in a romantic, elegant setting. A great choice for a luxurious dinner date.
For the ultimate steak and seafood experience, Signature Prime Steak & Seafood is known for its quality dishes and sophisticated ambiance that makes it a perfect place for a romantic dinner.
If you're a fan of Brazilian cuisine, Texas de Brazil offers an upscale experience with endless skewers of grilled meat, a large salad bar and an intimate atmosphere. It's a fun and unique dining experience.
Wolfgang's offers an upscale steakhouse experience with top-tier steaks and seafood. It's a great choice for those looking for fine dining with a classic steakhouse touch.
Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHON's morning podcast, every morning at 8
Regardless of your plans, take the time to love the people in your life. Love comes in many different forms; so, appreciate what you have. Happy Valentine's Day!
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Like many wine families, the Pestonis picked up other agricultural pursuits during Prohibition. Over the years, the family raised chickens, hogs and dairy cows, but it also grew grapes and made bootleg brandy. Henry Pestoni allegedly sold his brandy to staff at the Napa County courthouse and, in return, they'd tip him off about upcoming federal raids. Greg Pestoni's uncles also owned a Napa Valley winery and bootlegged alcohol; the original stone building is now the home of Ehlers Estate. In the early 1960s, Greg Pestoni's father, composting pioneer Bob Pestoni, founded the Upper Valley Disposal Service, revolutionizing winery waste recycling. He went on to own a second operation, the Clover Flat Landfill just south of Calistoga. (The family sold both companies in 2023; last month, federal prosecutors closed an investigation into environmental crimes and obstruction of justice related to both properties, now owned by a company called Waste Connections.) The family went decades without commercially producing wine, but they continued to grow and sell grapes. Then, in 1994, the winery next door came up for sale. Bob Pestoni bought it, and Greg Pestoni's brother, Andy Pestoni, became the winemaker. They named the winery Rutherford Grove after a eucalyptus grove on the property, but it created confusion with two other local businesses, the Rutherford Grill restaurant and Rutherford Hill Winery. 'Someone would ask if we served the duck burger,' joked Greg Pestoni, adding that he felt the name 'sounded like a big operation,' when the winery only makes a few thousand cases of wine a year. Shortly after Greg Pestoni returned home in 2014, he convinced his father to change the name to Pestoni Family Estate Winery. He called relatives to compile old family photos and wrote up the family's history for the website. 'It helped make it a much more personal experience,' Greg Pestoni said. 'I think what's really missing in Napa these days is the people behind something and the story behind something.' The winery has been one of the last remaining embodiments of a down-home era in Napa Valley, before luxury resorts, Michelin-starred restaurants and multi-million-dollar tasting rooms, like its flashy new neighbor, Bella Union. 'You get the feeling of going to somebody's house or being in somebody's yard,' said Greg Pestoni. 'People would say, 'You're like a Sonoma winery in Napa.' They don't want the secret to get out of this place, they don't want to tell anybody.' But remaining a secret isn't good for business, especially during a global downturn in wine sales. Despite Pestoni's prime positioning off Napa Valley's busy Highway 29, the winery has remained under the radar, and like many of the region's older wineries, the family decided to renovate. 'We're in Napa,' Greg Pestoni said. 'We needed to step up.' They started with the large, grassy picnic area surrounded by eucalyptus and redwood trees, which became a COVID-19 pandemic hot spot. 'Saturdays and Sundays were bananas. We were serving on picnic tables and our staff were crossing the lawn in 100-degree heat,' recalled Aimee Pestoni, Greg Pestoni's wife. 'People wanted to be outside, and they still do.' Pestoni kept its picnic lawn — one of the few kid-friendly spots in Napa Valley — but built a new pavilion for more formal tastings. The striking cedar pavilion, featuring a bar, tables and heaters, was designed by the same architect behind San Francisco's Rolex boutiques. Yet a much more significant transformation took place inside the 1995 tasting room. 'There were no seats, you'd slam (the wine) down and go on your way,' said Aimee Pestoni. While the lawn maintains Pestoni's classic, old Napa feel, the new tasting room interior catapults visitors to the present: It's moody, sophisticated and edgy, designed like a cozy study found within a luxurious mountain escape. The space features dark wood, a stone fireplace, velvet bar stools and leather armchairs with fur throws. Geometric fur rugs look like tile from a distance, while custom wallpaper features layers of burlap, hand-painted and then fringed, by an Alaskan artist. The change is a jarring departure from the family's humble roots, but upon closer observation, visitors will find ties to the Pestoni story in every nook and cranny. There's a wall of black and white family photos, including a 1919 capture of Henry Pestoni at his coming home party from World War I, taken at the William Tell Hotel in St. Helena. Historic documents sit underneath the glass top of a coffee table, including the assessment taxes for the original 1892 winery ($2 for four gallons of wine) and a corn sales ledger. A bookshelf displays an antique winemaking tool and remnants of a wooden backpack, which Albino Pestoni made and used while herding in the Swiss Alps in the 1870s. Noted Napa Valley designer Erin Martin also incorporated eclectic homages to the family's history, like an ornate, hand-carved cuckoo clock that nods to their Swiss-Italian heritage. The centerpiece is a massive chandelier constructed from a round, wooden form, which was used to make wine casks in the 19th century. A black crow sculpture sits on the chandelier, a quirky tribute to Joe, Greg Pestoni's pet crow that the family rescued and fed when he was growing up. Andy Pestoni recently retired, so his brother hired renowned consulting winemaker Aaron Pott to help craft the wines, which include classic Napa grapes like Petite Sirah, Sangiovese and Barbera. Fancier tasting experiences ($50-$125) launched with the renovation, but the winery can still accommodate walk-ins and kids. Those looking for something casual can opt for a self-guided tasting at a picnic table ($45) and bring their own provisions, which most Napa Valley wineries don't allow. 'We want to keep that vibe,' said Aimee Pestoni.