Chef Mavro, Honolulu, HI

When I was in Hawaii this past summer, I was taken on a culinary journey. One particular restaurant left a lasting impression in my mind (and my stomach) for its innovative dishes and some of the best Hawaii Regional Cuisine on the island. Chef and owner George Mavrothalassitis works tirelessly with a talented team, including his wife and PR person Donna – who personally greets you at the door when you arrive. It’s one of those restaurants that set the bar way high… and if you are lucky to get the opportunity to experience his food, it will change your whole perspective on what dining out should be. I had the pleasure of sampling his dishes during the 2013 Hawaii Food and Wine Festival, and also got to pay a visit to his Honolulu Restaurant, Chef Mavro.

In the 25 years of serving guests, Chef Mavro has received many awards, including being one of three Hawaiian restaurants to recieve the prestigious James Beard Award (it’s like the Oscar’s of the food world), a AAA Five Diamond Restaurant award, and has also been named on Gayot’s Top 40 Restaurants List numerous times. He was one of the 12 award-winning chefs that founded Hawaii Regional Cuisine, a culinary movement started in the early nineties, blending Hawaii’s unique ethnic flavors with the cuisine of the world.

Chef Mavrothalassitis was born in Marseilles in Southern France and has a contemporary French culinary background. He cooks from the philosophy: “Always buy the best and freshest, buy local, treat all products with great respect, and start afresh every season with new ideas and creative recipes.” It’s no wonder Chef takes his diners on a culinary journey, with a menu changing seasonally, each dish feeling like it came from a different part of the world, exciting your senses, visually, aromatically and texturally. It’s a great place to come to celebrate a special occasion or simply spoil someone you love.

Give yourself time to enjoy his multi-course menu, perfect wine pairings and art from local residents adorning the walls. I was kindly invited to sample their dinner last summer. Here are some pictures from my amazing meal.

[I was a guest of Chef Mavro, the Hawai’i Visitors and Convention Bureau and their partners. Mahalo for having me as your guest. All opinions expressed are my own.]