Imari Teppanyaki - Hilton Waikoloa Village

Sort by

Filters

1. MO

   MONMON

   Seattle

   44 reviews

   3.0

   44 reviews

   Dined on February 25, 2017

   overall3food4service3ambience5

   Food was good, service lackluster, understandable when I found out they had announced restaurant was closing permanently and everyone would be out of work. :(

   Report
2. MV

   MarkV

   St. Louis

   12 reviews

   3.0

   12 reviews

   Dined on January 31, 2017

   overall3food3service4ambience3

   A little disappointing for an upscale resort restaurant. I think I see why they will be permanently closing the end of Feb. The service was friendly and competent but the food was only average. The fried rice was particularly weak compared to other teppanyaki restaurants we've visited. BTW, the tram makes more stops than the boat so pay attention to where you get off.

   Report
3. t

   tetsuo

   Hawaii

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined on January 26, 2017

   overall1food1service3ambience4

   Used to be very good but not anymore. The Teppan Chef should learn how to cook better at somewhere good reputation or recruit one who has a good reputation. It is still excellent amenity. Unless you serve quality food, I am very afraid of losing popularity. I am Japanese but my American friends feel same concern.

   Report
4. J

   Jane

   Los Angeles

   20 reviews

   vip
   3.0

   20 reviews

   Dined on January 19, 2017

   overall3food4service4ambience4

   Like other on-property restaurants, Imari was good but overpriced. the Teppanyaki service was fine and the filet was especially good. We did have trouble with the bill as one of combination dinners was charged incorrectly and we had to have a manager intervene to fix it. She was, however, very courteous, saw the problem and resolved it very graciously. The wine and drinks were also over-priced as compared to other local establishments.

   Report
5. SZ

   ShelanZ

   Vancouver

   7 reviews

   vip
   3.0

   7 reviews

   Dined on January 19, 2017

   overall3food3service4ambience4

   Overall was a good experience, the price was very high for what it is. We have eaten at numerous teppanyaki and this was the most expensive and least tasty.

   Report
6. RA

   RATJ

   Hawaii

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on January 7, 2017

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   I think this is the only Teppanyaki on the big island. It was awesome and enjoyable.

   Report
7. BC

   BluesetteC

   Seattle

   4 reviews

   3.0

   4 reviews

   Dined on January 2, 2017

   overall3food3service5ambience5

   The food was good along with the show, but it seemed super expensive for what it was.

   Report
8. HZ

   HeatherZ

   New York Area

   8 reviews

   vip
   1.0

   8 reviews

   Dined on December 29, 2016

   overall1food1service1ambience1

   This restaurant was a huge disappointment. Not only was it extremely overpriced (avg $65 per person for hibachi )with a poor decor but we were eight minutes late and were told our hibachi seats were given away. They told us to wait for the next available table. One hour later they tried to squeeze us into the corners of another table. It was very uncomfortable and our children were very upset and embarrassed by the whole experience. By then we were starving and just left. A restaurant that expensive should have a nicer ambiance and be more accommodating.

   Report
9. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Orange County

   25 reviews

   vip
   2.0

   25 reviews

   Dined on December 28, 2016

   overall2food3service3ambience3

   Very expensive restaurant with average quality teppanyaki. For the price you would expect much more.

   Report
10. CM

    CaliforniaMom

    San Francisco

    84 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    84 reviews

    Dined on December 27, 2016

    overall3food3service3ambience3

    We ate at the teppan grill while we stayed at the Hilton Waikoloa. We were seated 25 minutes after our reservation time, and we had to wait standing in the bar. I think this delay probably explains why our group was then rushed through dinner, with the busboys attempting multiple times to clear dishes from which we were still eating. That should not happen for a dinner at this price point (49$ for the chicken option). On the plus side, the chef did an excellent job and our meal tasted delicious.

    Report
11. TT

    TomT

    New York Area

    7 reviews

    4.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on December 25, 2016

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    Wonderful experience - great food, a lot of fun and an inviting atmosphere.

    Report
12. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Des Moines

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 20, 2016

    overall4food5service4ambience3

    Food was great and so was the service. Not much of a "show". Price was very high for what you got. Sake 👍🏻

    Report
13. E

    Elaine

    San Francisco

    23 reviews

    3.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on November 24, 2016

    overall3food3service3ambience2

    Made a reservation only to wait for 45 mins before we were seated. not great when you have to young kids. The chef was great, super entertaining and had very much the Aloha spirit. I wouldn't recommend this place for families as they cater more to adults, and being at a resort the feel should be different. They do provide a kids menu, but it felt as if kids weren't welcomed. Overall, the wait for a table was ridiculous and they had no customer service to make it good for us.

    Report
14. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Hawaii

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 24, 2016

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Delicious Food, Great Chef skills, Great dining experience!

    Report
15. TC

    TimC

    Dallas

    14 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on November 17, 2016

    overall3food2service3ambience4

    Average food, unresponsive servers, pricey.

    Report
16. D

    Doodle

    Detroit

    40 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    40 reviews

    Dined on October 29, 2016

    overall1food2service1ambience1

    Don't do it. We had a reservation for 7pm, showed up at 6.55. Shunted off to the bar - "short wait'. Half an hour later we were the first at a table for 10. "Don't worry, you can order drinks immediately". Fifteen minutes later we were the last at the table to order drinks. Crowning glory, I ordered the rib eye steak Teppanyaki. One of the most expensive items on the menu. When the chef put it on the grill I could see from a distance a big slab of cartilage on the side of my steak (the only one). Would the chef discard it - no he just cut it up and I had to spit out three pieces. We have been visiting Imari about the same time for eight years. This was the last. Prices way up, food quality and service way down. Go elsewhere!.

    Report
17. HI

    onofoodforagerHI

    Orange County

    5 reviews

    3.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on October 11, 2016

    overall3food4service2ambience5

    Was expecting Benihana, but it is not as entertaining. The food was great and well prepared, but there wasn't much of a show. Flaming volcano of onions was it. No flips, knife or spatula work. Wouldn't recommend to anyone expecting Benihana style show, but if just going to eat, the food was great and the location is fantastic.

    Report
18. TC

    TinaC

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 7, 2016

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    It was my daughters birthday. We had a great time! The service was outstanding. The price is worth it for a great experience!

    Report
19. JR

    JasonR

    Los Angeles

    7 reviews

    2.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on September 23, 2016

    overall2food2service4ambience2

    Restaurant needs air conditioning especially with grills being used and nice chef sweating while cooking your meal. Food needed more flavor.

    Report
20. R

    Reba

    Las Vegas

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on September 9, 2016

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The chef was great. The waitress was great. The restaurant was nice . The food was great The saki was great

    Report
21. PS

    PeterS

    Houston

    9 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on September 8, 2016

    overall3food3service3ambience3

    The experience for a meal at that price should take more than an hour.

    Report
22. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Hawaii

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on September 4, 2016

    overall5food4service4ambience4

    I have eaten at these type of restaurants several times, we were shocked the prices had doubled in 3 years. 85$ for just steak hibachi..and we have had better. The chef was quiet and really did nothing entertaining and the bill was almost 400.00 for 4 of us. Very over priced for OK food.

    Report
23. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Hawaii

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 4, 2016

    overall4food3service4ambience5

    Very high priced. Very good service all around. Staff went out of their way.

    Report
24. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 30, 2016

    overall1food2service3ambience3

    Although the staff was nice and accommodating this was an extremely over priced teppanyaki restaurant. $50 for chicken, $60 fish, $70+ for combination dinners. Can't help but feel ripped off. It was also extremely hot and humid in the restaurant which made for an unpleasant experience.

    Report
25. MB

    MaryB

    Orange County

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 17, 2016

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Fun time!!! Recommend you request diners put away phones so all at the table are participants in the fun meal prep.

    Report
26. C

    Csquared

    San Diego

    66 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    66 reviews

    Dined on August 12, 2016

    overall2food2service3ambience2

    We are huge teppanyaki fans, and were disappointed by this entire experience. While our chef was good, he seemed bored putting on the show. The prices were way too high for the meal provided. I'm allergic to shellfish so my good had to be cooked in back to avoid contamination--I had ordered the filet mignon ($82) to be medium, pink-red and when it came out cooked, not only was it cold, it was very well done. Grey through and through. Bruce waitress never came back until she brought the checks. Literally terrible service. It's possible a foursome at our table left without paying, which wouldn't surprise me. I would have sent my food back if anyone had come back to the table. My daughter, who's 10th birthday we were celebrating asked to leave before she was finished because they never replenished her sauces, we asked twice, and never got a water refill. Seriously the worst dining experience we've had from an open table restaurant.

    Report
27. t

    tronic

    Orange County

    8 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on August 11, 2016

    overall3food1service4ambience4

    Way over priced. But the worst part of this was that the quality of food was just bad. I ordered a ribeye steak, for $79, and it was just a regular slap of 10 oz steak. The chef was cool, but he over-performed and grilled my steak well done instead of medium rare, so the meat was very chewy. I was going to tell the chef, but did not want to make a scene. The bean sprouts looked like they were a week old, wilted. There was no dessert menu, they just gave a a slice of cheesecake. This place used to be great, and reservation used to be fully booked two weeks in advance. Now you can reserve a table for the same night. I seriously will not be back, and would not recommend this place to anyone.

    Report
28. JA

    JayA

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 7, 2016

    overall3food5service5ambience2

    The restaurant was very uncomfortable because there was no air conditioning

    Report
29. MO

    MichaelO

    Philadelphia

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 6, 2016

    overall2food3service4ambience2

    The prices were very high for only average food. Our bill did not include any alcohol, appetizers or desserts. Just 2 adult entrees and 2 kid entrees. There are many other restaurants with better food and more reasonable prices nearby. The teppanaki experience was ruined by the extreme heat in the restaurant.

    Report
30. H

    Hiro

    Hawaii

    11 reviews

    4.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on August 2, 2016

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    Sheff was so friendly and politely, Foods are pretty good. I wanna visit again. We appreciate they celebrated my sister's Birthday with cake.

    Report
31. ST

    ShirleyT

    Hawaii

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 2, 2016

    overall3food2service5ambience4

    This dining experience was our first at Imari and not up to our expectations - we have dined at other tepanyaki restaurants on Oahu and mainland. The food was over the top expensive and unfortunately just average. My husband paid 49.00 for a plate of vegetables as he is vegan (he does not even eat tofu). I would think that since he was not eating meat or fish that he would have gotten a larger portion of vegetables. He did not. I paid the same for my chicken dish and got a lot more food. The salad was basic and the dessert was a very tiny portion. This is not aligned with your prices. Our chef was friendly and funny but we paid 200.00 for dinner and my husband went away hungry. My 13 year old son commented that the food was "just plain" and he was hoping for delicious. We were too. The service was excellent. The atmosphere great. But the food was lacking and prices were very expensive. We are Kamaina and came for my husbands birthday so this was a special occasion. Thank you for giving us a chance to share our feedback. We appreciate it.

    Report
32. MK

    MaryK

    San Francisco

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 28, 2016

    overall4food3service5ambience4

    Fun, great staff, lots of food choices. Beautiful setting but very warm - could use air conditioning

    Report
33. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Hawaii

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 23, 2016

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We live in Waimea and have been visiting Imari for many years and have yet to be disappointed. The staff are always impeccable, the food excellent. A great place to bring our guests when they visit. We hope to see you again soon.

    Report
34. CB

    CatherineB

    Orange County

    9 reviews

    3.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on July 22, 2016

    overall3food3service3ambience4

    We ate at every restaurant at the Hilton Waikoala Village and we felt that this place was over priced. We have been to many Japanese restaurants, mainly in CA. The atmosphere was nice and we liked the patio. The food was good but not the best Japanese we have had. I think that if the prices were lower we could have rated this place a little higher. If you haven't had a lot of experience with Japanese food, especially with Teppan cooking, then this would be a very fun experience and might balance the cost a little better.

    Report
35. d

    dottiem

    Central Coast

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 19, 2016

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    Very attractive surroundings, excellent friendly service, very good food, priced reasonably considering resort property. Child-friendly without being overly child-centered.

    Report
36. MM

    MatthewM

    San Antonio

    4 reviews

    1.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on July 14, 2016

    overall1food2service1ambience1

    First of all, this place is out doors with no AC!... When it's 90+ out side and setting next to a 500 degree cook top does not go well together... The price was crazy high.... 4 people total at table, everyone ordered steak, they brought out 2 and a half steaks for everyone....

    Report
37. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Tokyo

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 9, 2016

    overall1food1service1ambience1

    Reservation was meaningless. We had to wait close to an hour!

    Report
38. MB

    MicheleB

    Chicago

    14 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on July 9, 2016

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great meal and amazing service. We had a few with severe food allergies and they were extremely accommodating. In fact, the chef (we had a teppanyaki table) stopped my niece from eating something that was brought to her from the sushi bar so he could check to make sure it was ok for her to eat. He engaged everyone at the table and made it a wonderful experience.

    Report
39. C

    Cbullockunc

    New England

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on June 30, 2016

    overall4food3service3ambience4

    Dessert options weren't presented (cheese cake vs ice cream). Also had to ask for drink refills twice near the end of the meal. Staff seemed to abandon is near the end of the meal. And the last soft drink refills were a bit watered down or diluted.

    Report
40. MP

    MichaelP

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 21, 2016

    overall1food2service1ambience4

    On a family vacation and love teppanyaki style restaurants so looked forward to taking my family to your restaurant. Unfortunately the experience severely underwhelmed. Understand the islands can be very warm and humid, but no A/C? Considering the prices charged for all meals you would think you could afford to turn on the A/C (if there is one?)? Secondly, the food was severely overpriced for what you got - no shrimp as part of appetizer for all (every other place I have been to provides shrimp), fried rice simply fried rice and nothing else?, servings somewhat small, etc. The "chef" was a very nice man, but lacked the skill you would expect once again considering the prices charged! Simply lacked any flair you normally see and appeared to be very inexperienced as he read off his cue card for what to do next. Usually the chefs involve the guests and get the table excited - not on this night. Basically cooked our food and said, "Aloo HAAA!" a lot. Not looking for an academy award performance, but considering I paid double at your restaurant what I typically pay for this style of dinner, was not expecting to get less than half the show! I understand this is part of a large resort and that figures into the costs, however, considering what we got in return for our large resort fees did not even equal a standard meal at any other restaurant. Maybe I am missing something? Are you going for less style and theatrics with the cooking program or did we just show up on the wrong night? Either way not the experience any of my family was expecting especially since we dropped $500 for a family of four. BTW - at the end of the "experience" one group of three off to our right left right after the "show" was over and the other group of three off to our left asked us if they were missing something as they were completely surprised by the cost to experience ratio. Finally, the food was simply ok and expected a ton more for the price and quality of the resort.

    Report