THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Dining Wataru

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Dining Wataru Restaurant Review:

Japanese dining in Honolulu presents many options; okazu for fast, cheap take-out; noodle shops satisfy hunger, especially late at night; and traditional places offer authentic fare ranging from home-style to the invariably expensive kaiseki and sushi in all price ranges. For a new take from a Japanese chef, visit Dining Wataru on the edge of Waikiki. The food here takes on a decidedly whimsical yet comforting approach, while borrowing techniques and flavors from France and Southeast Asia. A good starter would be the tofu salad---it sounds deceptively bland---but the bite-size chunks of tofu marinated in a sweet soy dressing come out surprisingly refreshing and whet the appetite for the more intensely flavored entrées. Look for stripped down preparations such as scallops seared to golden and paired with a briny olive sauce or a braised beef tongue with a classic demi-glace. For dessert try the Jog Parfait---a tall sundae glass filled to the brim with ice cream, bananas, corn flakes, chocolate-dipped cracker sticks and a generous dousing of chocolate syrup---the funky presentation makes it a fun treat to share. You'll need to keep an eye open to find the place as the subdued facade of the restaurant hides the fact that inside is a chef with a colorful and open-minded approach to Japanese food.