12th Ave. GrillWeeknight MealEven though the server seemed a bit new to the menu, she could answer all our questions and was excellent at following up on questions regarding gluten content. She was thee when needed, but did not hover, so we did not feel at all rushed. The food was very good, falling just short of excellent (we thought, but others might disagree). For example, the Uhu itself was good and the eggplant puree on which it rested was wonderful, but it overpowered the fish. Deserts (flour-less chocolate cake and ice cream) , which we almost never have, were delicious.5/13/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent evening all aroundExcellent evening all around - welcoming/competent greeters and waitstaff. Menu was interesting and prepared very well. Lots of local ingredients, high level of skill in the kitchen! Only downside is that like so many other Hawaii restos, there is so much fat content - the risotto was unnecessarily swimming in oil/butter under the scallops/shrimp - really detracts from the excellence overall. We've been here several times on trips from the West Coast mainland and will keep coming back - one of the best places in town, with few tourists.5/13/2013 12:00:00 AMMeager portionsGreat taste, wonderful service! However, very meager portions. My entree contained only two moderate sized scallops and three medium shrimps with about 1/2 c. Of strawberry risotto for 39.00. It was too highly priced. The rest of my guests felt the same. I don't think that I would return because I could easily find another restaurant with great tasting food, greater portions for less.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMunpretentious fine foodExcellent food without the pretention of trying to be too fancy. Excellent Osso Bucco, set off with slight acidity of tomato bread pudding. Squid ink pasta also very good, and good smoked ahi and tempura avocado appetizers. Waiter service attentive but not overbearing. Interior is nice but not trying too hard. Definitely a hidden gem.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMConsistent ExcellenceWe live nearby so we have had many opportunities to dine at 12th Ave. Not once have we been let down. The food is always delicious and thoughtfully prepared. You can't go wrong here!5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMPleasantly Surprised!Always drove past the 12th Avenue Grill thinking it was a neighborhood bar. Heard it was nice dining, but took a while to check it out. Discovered it's a fine dining experience. The food was gourmet and delicious. The wine list is extensive. The service is attentive without being intrusive. Unlike some other dining venues in Kaimuki, I was not embarrassed to bring a friend. Will have to return often. Too bad they don't offer lunch or weekend brunch.5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had one of the best mealsWe had one of the best meals in recent memory in Honolulu. The food is very creative and flavorful.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMThis place was great! CouldThis place was great! Could definitely cut back a bit on the salt. Some dishes were just too salty. But overall I would go back for sure!!4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMSimply the Best - 12th Ave GrillAs always, the food, service, and atmosphere at 12th Ave Grill was absolutely OUTSTANDING!4/22/2013 12:00:00 AMSpecial menu featuring lamb,Special menu featuring lamb, very delicious, well presented. Kitchen to table, a really great staff. Looking forward to dining in new location. Chef should be deservedly proud of team.4/22/2013 12:00:00 AMRecommended by a friend, weRecommended by a friend, we reserved a table during a business weekend in Oahu. We could not have been more delighted -- just our sort of place. Maybe 20 tables, and an excellent chef. The menu is eclectic and subtle. The staff are able curators of the menu and the wine list is varied enough to be interesting. We loved our dinner -- so much so that my companion suggested we return the next night which, sadly, was Sunday when they were enjoying a well-deserved rest.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMAnother great meal at 12thAnother great meal at 12th Ave Grill. We tried the seared Kampachi appetizer, it was yummy. Squid ink pasta with smoked octopus is my favorite. Popular place with locals, make sure you book reservations!4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMThe Perfect EveningBooking a table with Open Table made getting our reservation easy & listing time options open was great.
We got there a bit early & did have a wait for a table but they had seating at the bar.
Our waiter started our service at the bar by explaining the delicious drink concoctions, told us about the specials & menu, plus we got to see the dishes coming up & could ask what each good looking dish was that came by.
Our food came up promptly despite a full restaurant, our drinks & water were always filled, & the food was excellent. The complexity of flavors, textures, and combinations was a symphony for tastebuds.
Our waiters service was above and beyond to make our special night perfect.4/17/2013 12:00:00 AMConsistently special!I think of us as semi-regulars now at this hidden gem; hidden in that it has no street frontage and it's in the driveway to a municipal parking lot. It's come to be one of our favorite dining venues ... great food & drink, reasonably priced; about 20-25% less than venues in Waikiki.
There are usually 2-3 appetizer and entree specials on the chalkboard; a mix of hits with a miss now and then ... the manila clams dish I tried this time was tasty but the clams were too small but the monchong entree was fabulous. Regular items like the pork Osso Buco and the bone in short rib have been consistently special and their mac-and-cheese is another must have.
A little more variety would make it perfect!4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfect place to celebrateGreat options for foodies! Good service and good value! A must for food fans!4/12/2013 12:00:00 AMWhat a gem in Ka-imu-kiThis was our first visit to the 12th Ave. Grill and we were very pleased. My Great Grandmother lived in one of the first houses in Ka-imu-ki (she always told us how to pronounce it), and I was glad to find such a wonderful place in that neighborhood. As an older person, the noise level was a little high, but not distracting. The server was professional and all the wait staff were in "uniforms" and readily identified. The presentation of the food was spectacular and it was also tasted very good. We will definitely go back and look forward to the coming new location. No vegetarian entree was the only problem and we worked around it very well.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMDeeeeliciosoAwesome! I love this place. The specials are always making come back for more!4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMSuperb Dining and ServiceWhen you are searching for interesting, local and well crafted dishes this is an excellent choice. However the compromise for the outstanding food is the noise - one quality that is a true asset at this restaurant is the art of lip reading since hearing your dinner companion's words is a very challenging task.
However in my opinion the noise level can be overlooked because of the exquisite cuisine and the unsurpassed service.
One suggestion is to consider asking for a booth table since in our experience these seats tend to provide enough distance from other diners to partially ameliorate the noise factor.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AM12th Ave Grill has been a12th Ave Grill has been a favorite of mine for quite some time. Our most recent visit was exceptional. Service was on point and genuine. We got some great suggestions out of our server! We only ordered specials and their to-die-for side of hamakua mushrooms. (If you haven't tried the mushrooms, you'd better get on that! We order it every time.)4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMLamb entree would have beenLamb entree would have been rated outstanding had it been served hot rather than just warm. Strawberry and rhubarb crisp was excellent.4/1/2013 12:00:00 AMSmall neighborhood restaurantSmall neighborhood restaurant serving up gourmet food. Had the chicken which was grilled/roasted to perdection. My wife had the porkchop and loved it. Also ordered a side of Mac'n Cheese which was delish! Long Island Ice Teas were up there with the best we've ever had. Will definitly repeat.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMOne of Kaimuki's best hip placesFabulously quaint and up-beat. Our waiter was very friendly and attentive, as well as the rest of the staff. Our favorite, the chicken breast entree, was consistently delicious! The lemon drop martini is off the planet! I notched one down on the ambiance only because of the Studebaker (50's) background music. Jeff Peterson slack-key or even classical music would complement 12th Ave Grill's soft energy. Just sayin' .... but hope they consider it. Always packed, so make reservations.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat place for a date night.Great place for a date night. Excellent food and service.3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was delicious andThe food was delicious and the service was very nice and helpful.3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat meal. Thoroughly enjoyedGreat meal. Thoroughly enjoyed the entire evening. If only it would open for brunch...bloodies and Benedicts anyone?3/25/2013 12:00:00 AMWhat is delicious? Everything.Unique preparations, local ingredients, and service full of Aloha! I had the potato and beer soup, and I would have licked my bowl clean, if appropriate. Their roasted beet salad is filling yet refreshingly light. You will not go wrong with anything on the menu. Jen was our server and she was friendly and personable. The final touch to a wonderful meal.3/19/2013 12:00:00 AMWhat a gem in an unassumingWhat a gem in an unassuming neighborhood. The staff has great energy and the space is welcoming and warm. The food is innovative and unique. Top shelf experience through and through.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AM12th Ave. is always great12th Ave. is always great and the service is always fantastic, too!3/14/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfection!Tony Ho one of the best waiters you could ask for. There at your beck and call unobtrusive and there when you need anything. The pork chop, Oso bucco and tenderloin were perfect as described on the menu. A superb cote du rhone made this meal perfect. Jay nd his motley Crüe did an excellent job as usual.3/4/2013 12:00:00 AMWhen you go you have to haveTonyWhen you go you have to haveTony as your server...what a gem. He made not just a good experience, but a great one.2/23/2013 12:00:00 AMThis places rocksBesides incredibly delicious food, what makes this hidden gem so wonderful is the fantastic staff like Toby the hostess and Elizabeth, the gracious server. Everyone at this place makes you feel welcome - as if you have come to visit with old friends. If I lived on Oahu I would be a regular, for sure.2/6/2013 12:00:00 AMSometimes we are just specialSometimes we are just special enough to be reminded that we are.... and that what we eat should be representative of our speciality. Dining at 12th Street Grill reaffirms your unique speciality. Treat yourself to a memmorable taste.1/24/2013 12:00:00 AMWe always like to try someWe always like to try some of Open Table highly rated restaurants while travelling and this one did not disappoint! Great to get away from the Waikiki hubub too.11/28/2012 12:00:00 AMA Gem in the Alleythe flavors of the food were savory as the chef seemed to use herbs to flavor foods rather than salt. There were different types of items offered. The pork ossobucco was outstanding and perfecly cooked. The appetizers were a perfect way to begin the evening with the smoked ahi buschetta, pork/mushroom roll and the crab/avocado roll topped with bacon bits were all over the top. The flourless chocolate cake topped everything off with perfection. I shared our experience with our children and they definitely want to try it when they visit from SF.1/1/0001 4:00:00 PM