PrimaDelicious pizza...Second go at Prima. Pizza specials are creative with perfectly baked crusts and additional good creative dishes; but, caliber of food seems a bit pricey in lieu of minimalist setting and decor. Perhaps, reality of HNL vs. Kailua location for restaurants. But, it's one of the better restaurants I've eaten at in Kailua. Great concise list of beers, spirits, and wine. Will have to give it a 3rd try to make an ultimate decision; but, residing in Nu'uanu I may just keep going to downtown and other nearby spots...6/13/2013 12:00:00 AMKailua gemExcellent food even for Honolulu which has an abundance of great restaurants. Great for sharing plates. Casual place next to Food land but anything but casually made food. Very reasonable prices and very attentive service. The curry pappardelle and roasted Brussels sprouts are definitely to come back for.6/13/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was great. ServiceThe food was great. Service was good, but could be better. Seemed understaffed.6/10/2013 12:00:00 AMPizzeria Authentico and MoreAn oasis of contemporary pizza napoletana in the lively beach town of Kailua. The decor is euro-minimalist with an open kitchen that showcases an enviable forno a legna. The masterfully made pizzas cooked in this wood fired oven produces a bubbly, puffy edged crust with judicious amounts of char and an interior that retains retains a popover-like suppleness. The rest of the menu is an eclectic mix of modern cuisine made with locally sourced produce that shows a range of technical and artistic ability that can appear deceptively simple but often is gorgeously presented. The main courses are a little more down to earth but expect some flavor twists. The selection of wines by the glass is also a surprising find, food friendly and succinct.6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMIf not for the wood fired oven...The restaurant is a bit small and they have arranged the seating to get as many people in as possible. It's tight, but not uncomfortable. Our reservation was honored on time, the hostess was very courteous. Service was a little slow...it took a while before the waiter first appeared and then again took a while before our drink order arrived. There were three of us...we decided to share a couple of apps...the salad was a bit small for three, frankly a bit small for two. The clams were magnificent. Above all, the highlight of this meal...and for sure for this restaurant is the wood fired pizza. Though one of our two was a bit under-done...overall, I have to say the pies were VERY authentic compared to the pies we had in Rome in March.6/7/2013 12:00:00 AMYUM!We'll definitely be back, as Prima provided delicious food choices that left us wanting more. Service was wonderful, however we were a little disappointed that our server recommended a dish that she personally told us tasted great, yet when we asked what type of meat was in our pasta, she didn't know and told us that she would have to check. Really? Other than that small hiccup, our experience was exceptional! Thanks to the Prima staff for making our tummies very happy!6/7/2013 12:00:00 AMrich!We enjoyed the tandoori pear, risotto, pappardelle, a pizza and finished with the sorbet sampler. We enjoyed and savored each creative and incredibly flavorful dish. The waitstaff was friendly & expedient. This is the kind of restaurant that I will return to try every item on the menu! Thanks for a wonderful meal.6/4/2013 12:00:00 AMThird time is a...Third visit to the restaurant, and will definitely come back. Great thin crust, freshly baked (ovened/) pizzas. Place was very busy (weekend) and server forgot my initial beer order, actually started drinking the vino before I got my beer order. Other than that, the food kept coming - group of four; ordered the clams, fingerling potatoes and three pies. Had the foie french toast (appetizer!) for dessert; now that was really worth it. Been here three times... will be back again.6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food and service wereThe food and service were very good. It was a small place and it was busy and loud. Our waiter was great and seemed enthusiastic about the menu. Seating was a little tight. Overall, we were happy with our experience and we will definitely go back.5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMInventive....Really terrific food with great presentation .... Always a fresh take on familiar ingredients. The small plates allow you to sample a variety of items and share easily. I always leave feeling satisfied. My all time favorite - fennel panna cotta...yummy! If you are in to wine suggest you bring your own their list is not on the same level as the food unfortunately.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMPasta, pizza(s), salads, drinks...ePasta, pizza(s), salads, drinks...everything we had was really tasty. Service was good. Only thing, ran out of vodka. Oh well, missing a drink without vodka didn't harm me. I definitely will be returning!!!!!5/21/2013 12:00:00 AMPrimaThe menu is limited, but has items not normally found. The food is good. The staff are friendly. The food arrived quickly.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMfood is excellent, very inventive,food is excellent, very inventive, very good, soups are outstanding, wine very good at moderate prices. noise level gets a bit high. don't know why americans especially feel they need to scream when in public places.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMAbsolutely deliciousCompliments to the chef. Very inventive and delightful food, also the wine. However, the noise level is such that one can only have a shouted conversation, which is unpleasant. Outside is a bit better, but still not at all romantic, on account of the cars and passers-by.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMBest on OahuWe were here for 8 days and had dinner at Prima twice.
Amazing food combinations wonderfully presented. Staff were friendly, knowledgable and professional.
It was the FOODIE highlight of our trip. It is a place I would expect to find back home!
Many Thanks to the Crew,
L & L
NYC, NY5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent food!We had a delicious vegetable risotto and as always the pizza here is terrific. Prima has the best bread in Hawaii and we ordered as our starter the bread basket, which frankly we could eat as an entree. We hadn't been to Prima in over a year and have vowed to come back much more frequently. Prima has a small menu, but the choices are very imaginative.5/15/2013 12:00:00 AMInsanely good.We ate like Romans before an Epic Battle. Five of us- it was so good we just kept on ordering. everything on the menu and one pizza. then another pizza. and then another. then dessert. this place is so good. I wish they had a better wine selection... oh well. eat, drink, and then we die. happy. incredibly happy.5/15/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat neighborhood eatery.Great neighborhood eatery. Plate sharing is the recommended dining. Love the grilled squid, although prefer the previous preparation. Pizzas and pastas are great. Service and wine recommendations are always on point.5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food if you don't have kidsThe food was really outstanding. However, there were zero options for kids. I understand that this is the risk we take when bringing our son with us, but he is an adventurous eater (his favorite thing there were the clams), but he didn't even like the "plain" pizza we ordered for him. This place also seems to think it makes a good pizza as they break things down between "pizza" and "not pizza" but that was definitley the least good thing we ate. The papardelle was ridiculously good, the clams were perhaps the best I have had anywhere in Hawaii...but maybe include a few pieces of bread with this dish? Although we did order the side of bread and it was delicious as well.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMLocalvore food artWell worth the drive from town. Do not let the strip mall like location discourage you. This is real, innovative localvore food art.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Dining Option!Great dinner. The is unique and ever changing. Fun place to go!!4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMAs always I/we enjoyed theAs always I/we enjoyed the experience & food=Grand!!4/22/2013 12:00:00 AMThe Sides are Amazing!The mushrooms and brussel sprouts were amazing! The pizza was good, but not as good as JJ's or my homemade.
It's a good thing we made reservations because they were really busy! This slowed down service a little too much, but the dining area had a nice feel so it wasn't a chore to wait.
I would definitely come back, but probably early in the week to avoid the crowd.4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food is always excellent.The food is always excellent. I love the new menu, especially the lamb -- I think it's my new fave. Service is always pleasant and friendly, but absent at times. Not a huge deal. I'm such a fan of this place that I don't think service makes too much of a big deal. I will be back for sure.4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMNeighborhoodThe best pizza in Hawaii. Love the crust. Incredible food combinations not found anywhere else.
Only complaint is that we had to wait 15 past our reservation time and it took long to get our pizza4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMOur first time visit was worthOur first time visit was worth the 20 minute drive from town to Kailua. The tasteful oyster mushroom is the highlight on the pea-risotto. One of the specials was grass-fed kaiwi steak sirloin strip - one the best steaks we've had in Honolulu, perfectly done, and although not necessary, the home-made steak sauce was delicious. We were not planning on order dessert as the portions for the two of us was substantial, but we overhead that the banana hazelnut log with sorbet was amazing. Our only regret was we only ordered one, we're going to order two the next time. As busy as this tiny restaurant was that night, our waiter Keenan was very attentive and kept us updated on our orders and to make sure everything was good. 5 star service4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMOut of this worldAll the dishes our group tried we're beyond great! Their unique drinks were fabulous! We all will come back again and again!3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMOne of a kind foodYou know you're going to find a menu with things you don't find elsewhere -- like octopus. It's fun looking at all the possibilities. Prima encourages sharing and that's one of the things that adds to the fun. The mushroom appetizer is a beautiful sculptural art piece and tastes wonderful, too.3/13/2013 12:00:00 AMPeace and JoyOutstanding ambiance, great food, excellent service. This was the fourth time my wife and I have dined here with friends. The ambiance is a wonderful mix of settled peace and joyous life-giving. Their offerings are so flavorful and diverse that we always eat "family style" with extra plates for sharing. All the servers have been upbeat, interesting, friendly, and helpful.3/11/2013 12:00:00 AMtandori pear appetizer wastandori pear appetizer was one of the most creative and delicious taste treats I've had in a while and I'm in the food business. Check out our organic O Meyer Lemon olive oil in Kailua Whole Foods - you guys could make magic with it! Seriously, I eat out a lot in NYC, Portland, DC & live in the Bay Area. Prima was suprem -a ! Still talking about the grilled romaine salad's smoky wonderfulness ! Curry bolognesa - yes please ! We came in with my daughter, Kai, who works in Waimanalo at Green Rows Farm - organic kale growers & seriously amazing compost fed/organic farm eggs. Keep up the creative great work / can't wait to come back to Kailua and visit you guys, again. Greg Hinson / founder of O Olive Oil, Petaluma, CA3/7/2013 12:00:00 AMFood was great, like always.Food was great, like always. Service was genuine, but a bit slow.2/25/2013 12:00:00 AMEven though service is slowEven though service is slow or frantic at times, I keep going back for more. I really can't get enough of Prima's brilliant menu (and specials). And the soups are amazingly clever and tasty. How do they do it?! I'm hoping to discover/unveil their secret one day... Lol. On a more serious note, I wish this place was closer to town. Hoping for a Prima 2 some time in the near future. Haha. No, seriously. I am.2/18/2013 12:00:00 AMPizza and moreTry this place.... it will have you coming back again.1/22/2013 12:00:00 AMReally enjoyed the food andReally enjoyed the food and service. What a great location. Sure beats driving into Honolulu.1/1/0001 4:00:00 PM