People come from near and far to sample the Charcoal Buttermilk Pancakes at Basalt. But once they soak in the casual atmosphere, experience their friendly service, and see the rest of the menu, this Waikiki restaurant quickly becomes the place to go whenever hunger strikes. Except for Wednesday, every day at this restaurant starts with brunch and continues through dinner service.
Chef de Cuisine Gary Matsumoto makes magic happen in the Basalt kitchen day in and day out while working closely alongside his Sous-Chef, Maelani Lokepa. Together, these talented chefs expertly prepare fine-dining cuisine using fresh, local ingredients and classic recipes of all kinds. Their plating artistry leaves little to be desired, too, ensuring your food always looks as good as it tastes.
You’re always welcome to get a taste of their amazing menu items by ordering takeout. But it’s really best to experience the full dining experience at least once. Although they focus on serving fine dining fare, Basalt has a casual look and feel, starting with their industrial aesthetic. The laidback atmosphere encourages you to kick back and relax between your adventures. And their friendly service promises to have you feeling right at home in an instant.
If you plan your visit for the morning to early afternoon, you can enjoy brunch favorites like eggs benedict, omelets, and pork belly fried rice. Just don’t miss the chance to nosh on their signature pancakes for an out-of-this-world flavor experience. During dinnertime, go with the Prix Fixe menu for three courses of pure fine dining goodness, like Lobster Bisque, Ribeye Steak, and Basque Cheesecake.
Their most popular menu items at Basalt are:
Charcoal Buttermilk Pancakes
When you order the Charcoal Buttermilk Pancakes, you’re in for a breakfast experience unlike any other. These pancakes come out of the kitchen piping hot, fluffy as all get out, and have a unique jet black color throughout. On top of that, they’re covered in guava-strawberry sauce, fresh berries, and whipped cream galore.
Loco Moco
You haven’t truly had Loco Moco until you try the Basalt signature version of this tasty classic. To create this dish, the chef uses the finest Wagyu beef to make a patty. After that’s grilled up right, they put it over bacon fried rice and then slide a sunny-side-up egg on top. Mushroom gravy goes over it all at the end. As if that’s not enough, you also get a fruit garnish, your choice of toast, and their housemade jam.
Mixed Seafood Paella
Whenever you’re craving seafood delights, turn your attention to the Mixed Seafood Paella, for sure. This fantastic meal comes chockfull of lobster, scallops, shrimp, andouille sausage, and the catch of the day. The saffron rouille brings it all together beautifully, too, ensuring every last bite tantalizes your tastebuds.
With their full bar on tap, you can always get handcrafted alcoholic beverages with your meal or just on its own. During brunch, their featured cocktails are Mimosas and Basalt Bloody Marys, of course. Throughout the rest of the day, they have all the best beer, spirits, and wine available. Their most popular handcrafted cocktails include Lilikoi Punch and the Basalt Mai Tai.
Insider Tips:
-You can always call to make your reservation, but it’s much faster and easier to use the online booking system on their website.
-The restaurant offers complimentary parking validation for any customers who park their own vehicles at the Hyatt Centric Waikiki Hotel.
-Their happy hour is on hold due to staffing issues. When it resumes, you can find great deals on drinks and apps between 2:30 pm and 4:30 pm daily.
-Due to the lack of a happy hour, the restaurant closes mid-afternoon to prepare for the dinner service.
-Last call is at 9:15 pm each night, so get your orders in well before that to avoid missing out.
-If you want to keep your meal gluten-free, check their menu for the ‘GF’ mark to spot the items that are safe to order.