PRICE:
Frommer's Exceptional

This is the splurge restaurant of Hawaii, the oceanfront bastion of haute cuisine, where two of the state's finest chefs (George Mavrothalassitis and Philippe Padovani, each with his own eponymous restaurant now) quietly redefined fine dining in Hawaii. La Mer is romantic, elegant, and expensive. It's the only AAA Five-Diamond restaurant in the state, with a second-floor, open-sided room with views of Diamond Head and the sound of trade winds rustling nearby coconut fronds. Michelin award-winning chef Yves Garnier melds classic French influences with fresh island ingredients: elegant soups with saffron, chanterelles, and savory fresh fish fillets -- especially the signature crispy fillet of onaga (ruby snapper) with truffle jus, tomato confit, and fried basil; or the delightful hamachi (yellowtail tuna) with pistachio and shrimp on black risotto. Special nine-course tasting menus are occasionally offered, like a designer dinner featuring Remy Martin VVSOP. The wine list, desserts, and service -- formal without being stiff -- complete the dining experience.

Copyright: Excerpted from Frommer's Hawaii 2009, (c) 2008, Wiley Publishing, Inc.

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