53 by the Sea

Review summary

1. 達也

   Tokyo

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined today

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   The New Year’s Eve set menu was an underwhelming experience, especially considering the premium price tag. While the service, atmosphere, and ambiance were undeniably excellent, the food fell flat. The chef appeared overly ambitious, crafting dishes that were unnecessarily complex and muddled. In trying to do too much, the menu lost its connection to the authentic flavors it should have celebrated. Sometimes, simplicity is the highest form of sophistication—something this kitchen seems to have overlooked.
   

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2. A

   Annie

   VIP

   Hawaii

   37 reviews

   5.0

   37 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Never disappoints! One of my favorites all around. From the valet, to the host, to the servers, and the chefs and bartender. Professional, welcoming and friendly. It was a mother-daughter brunch and the food was delicious as usual. Started with cocktails. I had the shrimp scampi and my daughter had the (huge) ahi poke bowl. Finished with the Ube macadamia nut cake. Couldn’t ask for a better Sunday brunch!!
   

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3. S

   Scott

   VIP

   Hawaii

   34 reviews

   5.0

   34 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   53 by the Sea always provides an elegant dinner at a reasonable price. The service is impeccable. The food is reasonably priced and the view is spectacular.
   

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4. J

   John

   Hawaii

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Great service, great vibes, great food and wonderful drinks. Will definitely go again
   

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5. R

   Rhonda

   VIP

   Los Angeles

   3 reviews

   1.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 4

   The food is absolutely AWFUL. The waiters are incredibly nice, but that in no way makes up for how awful and overpriced this restaurant is. Bottom line: i wouldn’t eat here again if it was absolutely free. It took 2 hours to be served this inedible food. After we left, I was looking for a McDonald’s or anything that was still open after 10 pm so that i wouldn’t go to bed starving.
   

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6. M

   Michael

   Hawaii

   3 reviews

   4.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   Great ambiance and good food. Wine and drinks were in the expensive side comparatively to other fine dinning. Service was good could have been better with more engagement further into the service
   

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7. W

   Wade

   Hawaii

   44 reviews

   4.0

   44 reviews

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Christmas Set Menu: Service and food were both outstanding. Wine pairings were spot on. Seafood salad was delicious. I almost never order chicken out, but had the Chicken Roulade (with Foie Gras). The chicken was moist and delicious! Others at the table had Roast Opakapaka, and raved about it. Only negatives were inconsiderate diners who brought in their screaming infants (how about making this venue adults only?) and diners wearing t-shirts.
   

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8. m

   mark

   San Francisco

   5 reviews

   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Delicious Christmas Dinner menu. Exceeded our expectations! Would revisit and recommend to others.
   

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9. A

   Antoine

   VIP

   Philadelphia

   9 reviews

   2.0

   9 reviews

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 5

   Aloha 53 By the Sea Management Staff. I hope you all are having a wonderful Mele Kalikimaka. I wanted to share the experience my husband and I had dining at your restaurant last night for Christmas Eve. It was unfortunately a very very bad one, especially when spending nearly $500 for Christmas Eve dinner. What made it even worse was we were celebrating our 10 year wedding anniversary. We were married at 53 By the sea and had been visiting the restaurant long before when it was John Dominis. The service has always been impeccable. So, we didn’t give it a second thought to spend what we did because we’ve always seen the value. Not this time. We waited almost for our courses 3 hours. They were all cold. The staff kept apologizing for the service. They said the kitchen was backed up. I know it’s Christmas and you have a lot of people to serve, but I would have thought that, for the price, we would have received better. Just wanted you to know. I didn’t even receive what I had ordered but didn’t dare say anything because we were already too tired of waiting and my husband’s food (a very bad and cold vegetarian arrangement ) had already arrived. I tried to share this privately with you but was unable to reach any management staff. What makes this even more disappointing is that this is the 2nd really bad experience we have had with a high end restaurant this week. I get that this is a busy time of year, however if you can’t accommodate a large crowd at scale while offering the same impeccable service, then don’t do it. It only tarnishes your brand. We actually had to find something else to eat after our dinner. You all can do better.
   

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10. H

    Hannes

    Hamburg

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 5

    The location is stunning. The service was incredibly poor. We preordered a Christmas menu. After 1h being there we just got water. No bread, no drinks, nothing. Did not get better. Many waiter and waitresses running around. Mostly empty handed. Neither them nor management had anything under control there. Every course took ages. In between no waiter that came to the table to ask for drinks, pooring wine or water. Finally we asked another waiter to help out, which he did also helped in a forthcoming way. Would be good if in future management trains there people better. How on earths can you mess up a Christmas Eve dinner, pre-ordered and set menu so much???
    

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