Lady Elaine in Hawaii

"Truly a gem. Thoughtfully crafted cocktails like the Mischief Maker, local vegetables perfectly seasoned (don’t sleep on the cacio potatoes), an insane eggplant risotto with Calabrian chili I’m still dreaming about, and delightful staff that really take care of you. Love Lady Elaine and can’t wait to return."

"Lady Elaine is a hidden gem! The service was exceptional, from the warm greetings to a never empty glass, to just how quickly the food came out, and above all the food was delicious! The oil and salt ratio for the bread is perfect pairing, the short rib is so tender, and the chicken skewers are perfectly cooked and seasoned. Lovely atmosphere as well, great for a date night or a catch up with friends. So glad we found this place, we will definitely be back!"

"We came here for my wife's birthday and had a wonderful dinner here. Service was outstanding, almost too good in the sense that we never had a chance to need anything because our server was always there in an instant before we could ask haha. We ordered meatballs, a mushroom pasta, a duck dish, some house pickles, and some wonderful breadshop bread. The dishes were all excellent, I would have been totally happy with this meal in New York or San Francisco, it was really well thought out and balanced. If I really had to nitpick and find one tiny issue, I'd say maybe the portugeuse sausage cassoulet was a bit rich to be paired with the duck?? But oh my gosh they prepared the duck perfectly, I'd order it again haha. I like that they served breadshop bread, which I consider the best bread bakery that I know of in Oahu. We actually ended up ordering two loaves as my somewhat picky daughter pretty much ate a whole loaf by herself. The inside was very comfortable and welcoming. It was near christmas so all the christmas decorations were up. Parking was easy to find, food came out pretty fast, and we thoroughly enjoyed everything."

"I recently visited Lady Elaine in Honolulu, located along Woodlawn Drive near the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. The restaurant sits slightly away from the city’s larger dining districts, which gives it a quieter, neighborhood feel compared with many of the more heavily trafficked restaurants around Honolulu. The atmosphere is intimate and relaxed. The dining room feels thoughtfully designed without being overly formal, creating a comfortable environment that works well for both casual dinners and small gatherings. Its location near the university also gives the restaurant a mix of local residents, students, and visitors looking for something a little different from the more tourist-driven areas of town. The menu reflects a modern American approach to dining, with dishes that emphasize seasonal ingredients and balanced presentation. Plates tend to combine familiar comfort elements with subtle creative touches, offering a menu that feels approachable while still showing attention to detail in preparation and flavor. Service during the visit felt attentive and welcoming. Staff interactions were friendly and professional, and the pacing of the meal allowed time to enjoy each course without feeling rushed. From a global travel perspective, Lady Elaine reminded me of the small independent neighborhood restaurants found in cities like Melbourne, Vancouver, and Copenhagen where chefs focus on thoughtful cooking and a more intimate dining experience rather than large-scale restaurant operations."

"The world food tour duo resumed their visits to interesting restaurants on Oahu … This time it was Lady Elaine in Manoa Marketplace. The space used to be a Japanese restaurant for many years … the décor is minimalistic … We asked to be seated by the glass wall as the place filled quickly and the noise level could be considered energetic. We started with a bottle of 2017 Scherrer Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($126) and Bread & Butter ($6). The wine was deep purple, with notes of black currant, chocolate and earthiness. The bread came with a herb butter but each slice was already buttered … I loved the bread! We wanted the Hen of the Woods appetizer, but it was out, as was the Brussels Sprouts … We ended up with the Heirloom Carrots ($12) and the Sumac Cauliflower ($12). The very dark carrots came with a honey, paprika and parsley scented yogurt … They were delicious! The cauliflower was less successful, IMO. The menu listed hummus, garlic, and pickled onion … I liked the latter, but the sumac dusting was subtle, and the hummus and garlic were too subtle for my palate. Our entrees were Herb Lamb ($38) and Duck ($28). The lamb was topped with a tomato chutney and served with Broccolini. The lamb was flavorful but somewhat tough. Slices of duck breast was served with a side of bean and Portuguese sausage cassoulet and sauteed kale … I wanted more cassoulet. We ended our meal with the Ricotta Fritters ($12) and a French Press coffee ($8). The ricotta was very subdued … The dish reminded me of round beignets. Our meal was reasonably priced and service by Sierra was fine. A little fine tuning of the entrees would have increased our satisfaction … As it stands, a rating of 4 (recommended)."

"Service is unimpeachable. Attention to details and welcoming. I enjoyed the time in the little restaurant. Shrimp is almost perfect (too salty in my taste). Lamp chops are just meh."

"This was one of the best culinary experiences I've had on Oahu. Not only was the staff phenomenal and very attentive, the food was amazing. The drinks were next level and did not disappoint. I really do look forward to coming here again! We got the mushroom sandwich and the risotto and I like the risotto better and my wife like the mushroom sandwich better. The cocktail that I ordered was made custom in-house and helped give donations to wildfire victims. What else can I say about this place that positive? I think you're getting the point! I must also say that the wait staff gave one of the best customer experience while at a restaurant that I can think of, and this is also in comparison to five Star dining that I've been to, bravo!!"

"We came here on a Saturday night. There were a number of tables celebrating the holidays and/or reunion gatherings with couples/friends/family. Atzin was our server and he was great - friendly, factual, attentive. The cocktails were innovative and interesting and most importantly tasty. (5 stars) We had the artichoke dip with pita (4 stars), short rib stew with puff pastry (5 stars), maitake roasted with polenta and sous vide egg (3 stars), ricotta fritters with lemon curd (3 stars). The restaurant is much larger than you think looking from the outside in. So glad we braved the sudden showers that can happen in Manoa to try this gem."