HASR Bistro

Happy (Belated) New Year from Umami and Elle!  

Out and about in Chinatown last week and headed for dinner at HASR Bistro.  It's on Pauahi Street in the space formerly occupied by Grand Cafe, right next to HASR Wine Company.  Umami's heard good things about it and had to check it out.

The restaurant entrance is in a small courtyard that it shares with the wine company.  There are some tables in the courtyard for al fresco dining which would be nice option on a summer twilight.  This being winter, Umami and Elle dined indoors in the comfortable dining room.

Tequila Cured Salmon Tartare

The Tequila Cured Salmon Tartare ($10) has Cucumber Relish, Tarragon Aioli and Toast.  And Salmon.  It's pleasant enough but careful with the relish, since it tends to overpower the rather mild salmon.

French Onion Soup (Cup)

The French Onion Soup ($7 cup, $9 Bowl) was a light, flavorful soup, covered with some serious cheeses (look at that thing!).   Not as rich some others, but that's okay, considering what was to come.

Durock Pork Osso Bucco

What's "Durock" pork?  Umami didn't know, but a quick internet search dislosed that Durocs are types of pigs that produce a very high quality pork.  Durock Pork Osso Bucco ($23) is amazingly tender and subtle meat.  Comes with an excellent Hamakua Mushroom Risotto and Pineapple Chutney.  Umami's not a big pineapple fan, but the chutney added some welcome sweetness and acid to the dish.

Roasted Stuffed Organic Chicken

The Roasted Stuffed Organic Chicken ($23) came with a very, very good herb pilaf and madeira demi. What's it stuffed with, you ask?

Sausage en place

Kurobuta Sausage!  Kurobuta ("Black Pig") are, basically, Berkshire pigs, higher in fat (and, therefore, taste) and more tender than other cuts.  The sausage gave the the white meat chicken a richness that it would not have otherwise had.  A very clever dish.

Apple Tart

Alway room for dessert, so Umami and Elle split the Apple Tart.  Very thin slices of apple on a lot of so-so pastry, it was fine, but had Umami and Elle thinking back to Le Bistro's Apple Tarte, a lighter, buttery-er piece of dessert sin.

A very nice meal in a cozy little restaurant in Honolulu Chinatown.  With other intriguing menu options (Pekin Duck Confit Pot Pie!  HASR Cassoulet with Braised Veal, Duck Confit, Andouille, Bockwurst!) Umami will be back.

HASR Bistro
31 N Pauahi St
Honolulu, HI 96817