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La MervsMichel's At the Colony Surf
Both restaurants are praised by professionals. On balance, La Mer - L'Aperitif ranks slightly better than Michel's At the Colony Surf. La Mer - L'Aperitif comes in at #6 in Hawaii with recommendations from 9 reviews including Zagat, BlackBook and Where.
La Mer
Fodor's
Lonely Planet
Zagat
BlackBook
Gayot
DK Eyewitness
Forbes Travel Guide
Where
Frommer's
2199 Kalia Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815
From $40/night
Fodor's "Looking out on its namesake, La Mer is the prettiest dining room on Oahu, with carved wooden screens setting an elegant art deco-ish tone." Full review
Lonely Planet "At the luxury Halekulani resort, La Mer is rated by traditionalists as Waikiki’s ultimate gourmet dining destination, though it’s old-fashioned." Full review
Zagat4.9
""By far the finest dining experience you will have on Oahu", this "elegant, intimate" French "keeper" in the "stunning" Halekulani Hotel "aspires to Parisian culinary decadence." Full review
BlackBook "By far the island's most formal restaurant, specializing in fine French cuisine, armed with a grand wine list and a jacket or long-sleeve collared shirt requirement."
Gayot "Fresh local ingredients like moi and opakapaka often form the foundation of its dishes, but they are prepared with traditional French techniques." Full review
DK Eyewitness "The best and most authentically French restaurant in Hawai’i makes lavish use of both local seafood and imported delicacies to create “cuisine de soleil"."
Forbes Travel Guide 5 Stars
"Tucked along the coast on Waikiki’s west side, La Mer makes good use of its enviable location inside the Halekulani hotel — doors open up to welcome in the tradewind breezes and the sound of the ocean." Full review
Where "One of two Five Diamond Restaurants in Hawaii with internationally acclaimed Neoclassic French cuisine and an award-winning wine list." Full review
Frommer's "La Belle Époque meets Pacific teak and rattan against heart-achingly romantic views of the ocean and Diamond Head" Full review
Michel's At the Colony Surf Fodor's Frommer's BlackBook Gayot DK Eyewitness Where Zagat Lonely Planet
2895 Kalakaua Ave, Ste A, Honolulu, Oahu, HI 96815-4008
From $50/night
Fodor's "Consistently voted "most romantic restaurant" in local publications' reader polls, Michel's is an old-school French favorite on Waikiki's tranquil Gold Coast." Full review
Frommer's "This dining room, on the sand at Sans Souci Beach, has windows that open to the ocean air." Full review
BlackBook "It’s all about the cultured Gold Coast atmosphere where the Euro-glamorous gather to be seen enjoying sunset dining, subdued lighting and soft music."
Gayot13.0
"Michel's elegant room opens on one side directly on the beach, with the surf pounding the shore only 40 feet away." Full review
DK Eyewitness "Old World elegance, sunset views of Waikīkī, and outstanding professional service make Michel’s a favorite of romantics (many a proposal has taken place here)."
Where "This is one of Hawaii’s longest-standing and finest restaurants, with a view that beats most." Full review
Zagat4.6
""Romantic, expensive, posh", yes, this "big date" Classic French "throwback" is "worth every penny" sigh sybarites who snag oceanfront seats at this "bastion of fine traditional cooking"." Full review
Lonely Planet "Beautiful water view out over a small pocket beach, with the heart of Waikiki glowing in the distance, is the same, as is the menu. Old classics like steak Diane are prepared tableside and flambéed." Full review
