The 2018 AAA restaurant ratings are out! And one Hawaii restaurant is making its first appearance on the prestigious lists.
The American Automotive Association’s lists of restaurants (along with that of Zagat) are the U.S. equivalent of the Michelin Guides. They aren’t regarded as the esteemed French list, but they’re well known and trusted guides nonetheless. And making the guides aren’t exactly easy feats.
Hawaii’s AAA Restaurants
Here in Hawaii, 11 restaurants earned four AAA stars, while our two five-star restaurants were able to maintain their status. Joining the four-star list for the first time this year is The Banyan Tree, which is a farm-to-table restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua on Maui. In addition to The Banyan Tree, returning incumbent restaurants include:
- Bali Steak & Seafood – Hilton Hawaiian Village, Honolulu, Oahu
- Hoku’s – The Kahala Resort, Honolulu, Oahu
- Orchid’s – The Halekulani, Honolulu, Oahu
- Brown’s Beach House – Fairmont Orchid, Kamuela, Big Island
- Manta & Pavilion Wine Bar – Mauna Kea Beach Hotel (Marriott Autograph Collection), Kamuela, Big Island
- One Forty – Four Seasons Lanai, Lanai City, Lanai
- Red Salt – Ko’a Kea Hotel & Resort, Poipu, Kauai
- Spago – Four Seasons Maui, Wailea, Maui
- The Restaurant at Hotel Wailea – Hotel Wailea, Wailea, Maui
- The Mill House – Wailuku, Maui
On the five-star list, La Mer at the Halekulani and Chef Mavro retain their ratings this year. This is the 10th straight year Chef Mavro has appeared on the list, while La Mer has maintained its presence on the list for 28 years. It should be noted, though, that when George Mavrothalassitis first moved to Hawaii in 1988, he became executive chef of La Mer. He remained there till 1995 when took the helm at the Four Seasons Maui. He then opened his namesake restaurant in 1998. And if we count backward, La Mer earned its first five-diamond rating in 1990, two years after Mavro arrived.
Looking at the list, I find it interesting that most restaurants are hotel restaurants. And, up until this year, Chef Mavro was the only independent restaurant on either list. The Mill House now joins Mavro in that regard, though they’re a four-diamond rank, not five like Mavro. Further, the Halekulani is the only hotel to have two restaurants on AAA’s lists.
2018 AAA Restaurant Ratings, Final Thoughts
Of the above restaurants, Mrs. Island Miler and I have dined at Hoku’s, Orchids, Spago, and Chef Mavro. In fact, Chef Mavro has been our favorite restaurant in Hawaii. And I say has been because it’s been five years since we last had the privilege of dining there and cannot draw an accurate comparison with other restaurants we’ve visited more recently like Senia and PAI Honolulu.
That being said, I’m a bit surprised that Senia and PAI both didn’t make either list too, nor has Vintage Cave or a number of other high-end restaurants. But those that do make it, like Mavro, are in good company. Other restaurants appearing on the coveted five-diamond list around the country include the likes of:
- The French Laundry – Yountville, California
- Alinea, Chicago – Illinois
- Le Bernardin – New York, New York
- Marea – New York New York
- Eleven Madison Park – New York, New York
- Joel Robuchon – Las Vegas, Nevada
And off the top of my head, The French Laundry and Le Bernardin are both three Michelin Star restaurants. For the complete lists, you may find the AAA Four Diamond List here, and the Five Diamond List here.