The Truffle Restaurant

Everyone deserves to experience something lavish once in a while, whether it be celebrating an anniversary, birthday, new job or just realizing you need to treat yourself! As a foodie, dining in excellence is my favorite way to pamper myself. Now what things come to your mind when you imagine high dining? Truffles? Caviar? Champagne? Well, what if I told you there is a restaurant with all of those things and more right in Ala Moana, within walking distance from Waikiki?

The Margotto is not only an incredible restaurant in my eyes but it has the awards to prove it. This restaurant won #1 in USA Today’s Readers Choice Best Restaurant in Hawaii 2023! It is a Krug ambassador and has The Wine Spectator Award of Excellence in 2023. Need I go on?

Let me tell you, this establishment deserves every award it has won. It is unique as well being the only restaurant in Hawaii where you can get fresh seasonal truffles all year long. Patrons can shave the truffles directly onto their meal which is a special touch we had never seen anywhere else. As you look through the menu you will see lips next to the meals where truffle is recommended.

We started with the ‘Chilled Cauliflower Potage with Hokkaido Sea Urchin’. This dish was amazing. The texture was silkier than buttermilk, the flavor was so creamy and delicious. The sea urchin was a beautiful addition with its unique flavor and bright color. Even the toasted bread in the soup tasted of the highest quality.

Next we tried the ‘Foie Gras Cheese Risotto’ with shaved truffle on top. Now keep in mind that I lived in France so I am picky on foie gras. I was thrilled to take the first bite and have it melt in my mouth just as it should. For a moment I could have closed my eyes and imagined I was back in France. This was the best risotto we have ever experienced. Typically the biggest problem with risotto is the rice being under or overcooked, there was no such issue here! It was cooked to perfection. The flavors melded perfectly and the addition of truffle was a perfect compliment to add that extra oomph.

Next on the list was the ‘Pomodoro Lemon’. The freshness of this dish is indescribable. I don’t think I’ve had another tomato sauce that tasted as fresh as this and the addition of the lemon zest… I felt like I was taken back to Sorrento Italy with one bite. It was as if the lemon was playing hide and seek with your taste buds it was both exciting and delicious. Also impressive was how well the sauce coated the noodles.

Our second pasta was the ever-classic ‘Cacio e Pepe’ also topped with truffle. It was immediately apparent the use of high-quality ingredients that went into this dish. There is a delicate touch used to make sure that the pepper isn’t overpowering. It was explained to us that they use seaweed alongside the pepper to truly allow the truffle to sing, which I found brilliant. You can taste the decadent quality with each bite.

Our first main dish was the ‘Australian Duck Roasted with Balsamic Sauce, Topped with Foie Gras’. The server told us to make one solid slice down while cutting a piece. Duck can be tough and chewy if improperly cooked, we were eager to cut into it. It was tender, juicy and the balsamic sauce was a bright and a well welcomed addition. The foie gras was delicious and I was excited to get more of it! It was agreed that this was the best duck we had ever eaten.

The second main dish was the ‘Joue de Boeuf’ beef cheek stewed in red wine. I was told I would have no need for my knife as it would just fall off onto my fork. This was true, the beef cheek melted in my mouth and made my taste buds sing. Honestly I’m having a hard time even writing about it because I’m starting to salivate just remembering the flavor. I’ll be forever trying to learn to cook as tender and flavorful beef as The Margotto has mastered. However, I believe they have set a bar that is unmatchable.

Not only was the food spectacular but the wines paired with our meal were incredible as well. The service was amazing, the staff is attentive, informative and perfectly professional. I couldn’t have asked for a better dinning experience.

After our meal, we had to opportunity to down with the owner. What an incredible man, our minds were blown hearing his story and the things he’s accomplished in his life. He is fascinating and it was amazing considering all the success he has, just how humble and down to earth he truly is. I feel honored to have just been in his presence. He more than deserves every ounce of success that he has accrued.