 Chef Mavro Restaurant Review: Chef Mavro not only features the finest ingredients Hawaii has to offer, but also supplements them with luxurious imported items like caviar and fresh truffles from France. Thanks to the formidable skills of chef-owner George Mavrothalassitis, the results of this sublime culinary marriage are always elegant and intriguing. Guests can choose from four- and six-course menus, or opt for the complete experience with the Grand Degustation, which offers tasting portions of every dish. Chef Mavrothalassitis draws inspiration from the bounty of Hawaii's ocean and land. Selections may include confit of Big Island abalone and Honomu hearts of palm salad with Granny Smith apple, Kahuku corn, grapes, yuzu and ume coulis; Indochine-style poached Keahole lobster, Kurobuta pork kau yuk, kaffir lime, lemon grass and crustacean essence; and Colorado lamb loin and “pissaladière” with confit cherry tomatoes and Maui onion. The menus evolve according to the time of year, but the malasadas are a mainstay. These Portuguese donuts arrive with Hawaiian vanilla ice cream. A “chocolate Burgundy truffle” presents Madre chocolate with black walnut, truffle white chocolate, tarragon ganache and pear coulis. We can assure you everything will be thoughtfully created and well executed. Note that wine plays a major role at Chef Mavro, and an ideal pairing is suggested for every dish. A 25-member wine committee votes to determine the pairings after tasting each recipe with five wines pre-selected by the sommelier. Service is professional but never stuffy and is warmly hospitable as befits a restaurant which attracts serious gourmands of all ages and from all walks of life. You are as likely to see a young couple in casual attire who saved their pennies to dine here as a well-coiffed doyenne of Honolulu society. They all come for one reason: to celebrate culinary excellence from the hands of a master chef and his dedicated team.
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