Utage Restaurant & Lounge

The food was pretty good, but the servers were NOT that friendly . They were not as attentive as they should be to customers, and when to take home my leftover oxtail soup, the server just handed the SMALL container that hardly fit my soup and oxtail, then went away not helping to put the soup in, and continued to talk stories with the other workers. We had "to ask" for a plastic bag to put my soup in, so that the soup wouldn't spill in my car. I tipped the server, but I don't think she deserved 18% tip. They need to learn about hospitality restaurant manners, and be more attentive to the customers . It's gonna be a LONG while before we go back to that restaurant again.
Apr 9th, 2024

The service was nice and had a nice vibe to the place but the food we had was not something I expected nor was the norm of what I am used to. The special, Steamed Cod smelled like a dried cod with an odd flavor. Donkatsu had minimum to no ponko(breading) and was a rough chunk of meat. The debichi soup was ok but with the other meals being mediocre it brought down the overall taste of the meal. Uncertain if I would return if the food tastes like this.
Mar 26th, 2024

Good okinawan comfort food. Always consistent in good food, service and atmosphere.
Jan 21st, 2024

I always like to come here for special occasions or just because Im too lazy to cook but their Utage Special 3 choice is what I always get. Ahi sashimi is additional $4 (subject to change depending on ahi prices) and I always make it a combo comes with a drink and dessert, for the drink I get my classic Green River and for dessert there is ice cream or jello. Enjoy folks hope you try here someday, ohhhh almost forgot they get really busy best to have reservations, call in advance!
Jan 7th, 2024

A co-worker and I tried to go to a highly rated restaurant at Pier 38 for lunch, but it was closed. Hmmm, we tried another place nearby but there was no parking, so we went to a place we hadnt been to in a number of years ... Utage, in City Center in Kalihi. We were seated right away even though we didnt have a reservation There were the daily specials on two white boards and I opted for one of them .. Nori-wrapped Ahi Tempura for $25.95. My tablemate chose the Goya Chanpuru as he loves bitter melon ($21.95). We each added $6 for the complete meal, which gave us a choice of soup or salad, a drink and dessert. You were given a choice of two salad dressings; we opted for Oriental. I went with an iced tea while my tablemate chose a Green River. How nostalgic! You can choose from Green River, Fruit Punch, Iced Tea, Hot Tea or Coffee. Whoa, my plate contained six ahi tempura and a slice of tomato and a leaf of lettuce and a bowl of (very good) rice. The tempura was drizzled with mayonnaise and teriyaki sauce and topped with chopped green onion. The Goya contained large pieces of pork and tofu along with slices of bitter melon with egg mixed in the stir fry. Its a quintessential Okinawan dish. My ahi was delicious, and I had difficulty in trying to finish my plate. Dessert options on our visit included Strawberry Jello, Coffee Gelatin, Coffee and Green Tea ice cream. I chose the coffee gelatin sans the whipped cream and my tablemate chose the green tea ice cream. The tab came to $75, including a 20% tip. Though no longer cheap (what place these days is), we enjoyed our meal.
Jan 12th, 2024