Rising To The Top

New York Cut Australian Wagyu ($65)

For more than two decades, Sarento’s at the Top of the Ilikai has been a favorite for its fine array of Italian and Mediterranean cuisine with breathtaking panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and Honolulu’s skyline.

The award-winning restaurant also has become a tradition for special occasions — from marriage proposals to anniversaries and birthday celebrations — or simply a nice evening out with friends, family or significant other.

“After 23 years, we’re fortunate to still be serving guests by maintaining the same core values we opened with in 1994 — welcoming guests like family, serving innovative takes on classic Mediterranean fare and sourcing the best possible ingredients,” says general manager Joe DePolis. “We believe that’s part of the formula that motivated Honolulu diners to vote Sarento’s People’s Choice for Best Fine Dining at the last two consecutive Ilima Awards.”

EVOLVING WITH NEW DISHES

Just before the holidays, Sarento’s introduced a handful of new items that have been very well received, including Fresh Catch Acqua Pazza ($36), which is now on the menu. Translated to “crazy water” in Italian, this crazy-good dish features a tasty saffron-clam broth with Manila clams, cherry tomatoes, saffron, French-style green beans, fish (fresh catch of the day), fresh goat cheese ricotta gnocchi, along with crispy capers and sun-dried tomato anchovy tapenade.

Also new, but not on the menu, is New York Cut Australian Wagyu ($65). Available nightly, enjoy an 8-ounce Kobe grade (A5-grade) Australian Wagyu over loaded mash (made with pancetta, mascarpone, crispy Parmesan, Truffle butter and Italian parsley), and served with Hamakua mushroom demi-glace, caramelized onion and Kamuela cherry tomatoes.

Sarento’s At The Top Of The Ilikai

Ilikai Hotel,
1777 Ala Moana Blvd.
955-5559
Dinner: Sunday-Thursday, 5:30-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 5:30-9:30 p.m.; bar: Sunday-Thursday, 5-9:30 p.m.,
Friday-Saturday, 5-10 p.m.; happy hour: 5-6:30 p.m. daily and all night Wednesdays and Saturdays
Sarentoswaikiki.com