4/5 Lyla D. 3 years ago on Google
We're
still
in
a
pandemic,
but
our
State
allows
for
restaurant
dine-in,
and
if
possible,
we're
opting
for
outdoor
patio
dining.
In
the
case
of
12th
Ave
Grill's
outdoor
dining,
we
were
seated
under
a
tent
in
the
parking
lot.
Ok,
so
it
wasn't
as
scenic
as
our
recent
dine
at
Hau
Tree,
nor
were
we
breathing
in
fresh-smelling
ocean
breezes
as
every
so
often,
we'd
get
a
whiff
of
car
exhaust
but,
it
was
still
pleasant.
We
felt
safe
with
the
social
distancing
and
the
restaurant's
compliance
with
COVID-19
health
safety
protocols.
Speaking
of
parking,
we
lucked
out
with
nearby
metered
street
parking
free
after
6
PM,
but
there
is
a
lot
of
parking
in
the
Kaimukī
Municipal
Parking
lot
behind
this
restaurant.
Before
our
reservation,
the
restaurant
contacted
us
to
confirm
our
reservation
and
contact
tracing
information.
Upon
arrival,
a
friendly
host
greeted
and
checked
us
in
and
escorted
us
to
our
table
under
the
tent.
Our
server,
Tiva,
cheerfully
brought
us
beverage
and
dinner
menus
to
look
over
as
she
went
back
to
get
us
glasses
of
iced
water
and
eating
utensils.
We
started
our
dine
with
their
signature
Old
Fashioned
and
Manhattan
and
broke
into
our
appetizers
of
Smoked
Ahi
Dip
with
crudités
and
crostini
and
Fried
Tako
(octopus)
Tentacle
with
papas
bravas
and
salsa
verde.
The
smoked
ahi
dip
was
in
a
generously-filled
bowl.
Tiva
recommended
ordering
their
fresh
baked
bread
and
focaccia
with
Mānoa
honey
butter
because
the
crostini
and
crudités
might
not
be
enough.
The
dip
was
tasty
but
not
outstanding.
However,
the
Fried
Tako
(octopus)
Tentacle
was
superior
to
us.
The
tentacle
was
tender
with
a
crisp
fried
exterior.
It
was
flavorful
and
paired
well
with
the
salsa
verde.
FOOD:
-Zozzona:
House-made
pappardelle,
homemade
sausage,
cremini
mushroom,
porcini
mushroom,
tomato
cream
sauce.
Generously
portioned,
perfect
al
dente
cooked
fresh
pasta
in
this
luscious
and
"meaty"
sauce.
The
sauce
was
slightly
sweet
but
not
annoyingly.
Also,
the
sweet
creaminess
allowed
the
tomato
fruitiness
to
come
through
without
an
acidic
bite.
$24
-Seared
Fresh
Diver
Scallops:
3-beautifully
seared
U-10
diver
scallops
were
served
atop
a
leek
and
celery
root
purée
and
garnished
with
wilted
kale.
The
golden
seared
crust
was
impressive
and
cutting
into
the
melt-in-your-mouth,
naturally
sweet,
buttery-tasting
opaque
ball
of
shellfish
was
delightful.
Another
delightful
touch
was
their
plating
of
these
perfectly
seared
scallops
ATOP
the
purée
rather
than
putting
a
sauce
over
the
golden-brown
crust
and
losing
its
crust
to
steaming.
I
could
only
finish
one
and
a
half
scallops
because
they
were
so
rich
and
I
was
enjoying
the
leek
and
celeriac
purée.
For
me,
I
think
they
were
a
tad
bit
overly
salted
for
my
taste
buds.
$32
-Roasted
Beets
Carpaccio:
This
salad
was
composed
of
tender
roasted
slices
of
red
and
golden
beets.
It
was
topped
with
shaved
fennel,
Feta
cheese,
and
bacon
bread
croutons
and
dressed
with
a
light
citronette.
The
combination
of
flavors
and
textures
in
this
salad
made
for
very
favorable
tastes
and
mouthfeel.
We
liked
the
roasted
beets'
consistency
as
the
slices
were
tender-cooked
and
not
mushy.
$12
-Chocolate-Haupia
Pie:
We
pushed
our
limit
by
ordering
dessert
and
coffee.
Although
we
like
the
flavors
of
chocolate
and
haupia
(Hawaiian
coconut
pudding),
we
were
a
bit
disappointed
in
12th
Ave
Grill's
house-made
version.
Whipped
cream
topped
the
soft
chocolate
layer,
which
didn't
seem
to
match
the
firmer
coconut
pudding.
But,
we
respect
that
was
their
version.
$8
Our
leisurely
dine
lasted
about
2
hours,
we
appreciated
the
pace
between
the
kitchen
and
service
of
course.
Tiva
checked
with
us
frequently.
The
bussers
were
unobtrusive
in
clearing
our
table
and
refilling
our
water
glasses
and
coffee
mugs.
When
we
got
our
bill,
we
were
a
bit
surprised
to
find
a
charge
for
the
bread
but,
maybe
we
should've
expected
it
as
an
extra
because
looking
around,
there
weren't
many
others
who
got
bread
with
dinner.
Still,
it
would've
been
more
forthcoming
to
just
say
so
when
suggesting
bread
service.
Tsk,
we
we're
looking
forward
t
1 person found this review helpful 👍