Artizen by MW introduced its three-course tasting menu concept in 2024, but it became more consistent last year. Each tasting menu is featured for about a month.
The eatery just launched its January prix fixe menu ($48 per person), which is available from 5 to 7 p.m. until Jan. 31.
It includes the diner’s choice of an appetizer, main course and dessert from a pre-set selection.
“We’ve been having some of the staff come up with the menu items,” says chef Wade Ueoka.
The appetizer selection includes curry kabocha soup with fried basil, roasted vegetable salad and shrimp croquettes.
The salad comprises broccoli, onions, zucchini and carrots, and is topped with bacon, toasted macadamia nuts, dried cranberries and creamy apple cider vinaigrette. It’s a tasty way to eat your veggies (if you’re still trying to keep those New Year’s resolutions). The curry soup is thick and comforting; the kabocha flavor is mild and the soup has a slight spice.
The croquettes are filled with shrimp, carrots, onions, corn and edamame, and are served with a delectable yuzu garlic butter cream sauce.
Choose from entrees like tempura butterfish, Coq au Vin or “Korean mixed plate.” The tempura butterfish is a unique option, featuring a delicate, crispy batter and topped with a kabayaki sauce. It’s served with furikake edamame potato salad, white rice, and cucumber namasu.
Meanwhile, the “Korean mixed plate” includes spicy pork belly, fish jun, fried chicken, taegu salad, housemade kimchi and white rice. Coq au Vin is the eatery’s take on a classic French dish; this version features red wine-braised Jidori chicken with roasted potatoes and stewed vegetables.
Feeling fancy? You can upgrade your entrée to steak frites (supplemental $15), which come with polenta fries and sautéed spinach and mushrooms.
The steak frites and "Korean mixed plate" have been the most popular entrees, according to Ueoka.
“This is steak frites, but instead of regular potato fries, we did polenta fries,” he says.
Dessert choices include “Dubai chocolate” cream puff, pie selection of the day, tiramisu and lemon drop shave ice.
The “Dubai chocolate” cream puff is a nod to the trendy pistachio-filled chocolate bar. This version features a chocolate puff filled with pistachio pastry cream and topped with kataifi. The pie selection of the day will rotate; during our preview, a Waialua chocolate cream pie was served.
The classic tiramisu features light layers of Ladyfingers, mascarpone, coffee mascarpone and whipped cream.
If you enjoy tart, refreshing flavors, go for the lemon drop shave ice. Inspired by the cocktail, this dessert features a petite scoop of Thai basil yuzu sorbet covered with lemon vodka shave ice and lemon zest.
CONTACT
Artizen by MW
888 Kapi‘olani Blvd., Honolulu
Artizenbymw.com
808-524-0499
Instagram: @artizenbymw
Tasting menu available from 5 to 7 p.m. until Jan. 31
For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up here for our free Daily Edition newsletter.
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
