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Formaggio Grill Kailua Reviews List
Formaggio Grill Kailua
Savor over 50 wines by the glass at Kailua's toast of the town. Indulge yourself with an array of succulent steaks, chops, prime rib and fresh Hawaiian fish. Enjoy savory hot pot classics, thin crust pizzas, pasta and Panini. In the mood for a burger? Try our world famous 'Kobe' Panini. Other crowd pleasers include the 'watermelon & rocket salad' and the 'lobster bisque to live for' gets rave reviews nightly. Taste unique wines from around the world to perfectly pair with the casual Mediterranean gourmet fare.
See more Formaggio Grill Kailua details
The interior is a warm and comfortable environment with welcoming tones of Tuscan reds and golds, decorated with the art of Ron Genta. Soft lowered lights cast aglow about the restaurant, reflecting off of the plush red stools and wooden friendship bar-style tables.
Achieving that perfect blend of "upscale" yet casual, Formaggio Grill is the "gathering place" for the Windward side. Come enjoy the good food, fine wine, and great friends at Formaggio Grill in Kailua.
65 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Rating Breakdown 65 reviews
5 stars
(15)
4 stars
(31)
3 stars
(11)
2 stars
(6)
1 star
(2)
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
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Diners classify this restaurant as:
- notable wine list(32)
- neighborhood gem(27)
- fit for foodies(24)
- good for groups(23)
- vibrant bar scene(20)
- special occasion(19)
Formaggio Grill Kailua Reviews List
Review 1 for Formaggio Grill Kailua
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
music choices were good, but
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"music choices were good, but a little to loud. had to shout across tables at times. not child friendly....some booster seats would make it a little friendlier to those who have small kids."
Dined on 04/26/2013
2012
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, hot spot
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Review 2 for Formaggio Grill Kailua
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Our server was Natalee. She
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Our server was Natalee. She was slow."
Dined on 04/23/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, late-night find, notable wine list
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Review 3 for Formaggio Grill Kailua
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
dont do it
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I had been wanting to check out this place for awhile as the menu always looked good. We had previously attempted a walk in with our daughter and were looked at sideways when we asked for a high chair. So we went back sans child to check it out. It proved to be a HUGE dissapointment and we will not be going back. The service was absent. The food was average at best and really bad at times. My husband sent back his entrée. The bisque was so thick that it was almost off putting. Don't waste your $."
Dined on 04/22/2013
2002
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Review 4 for Formaggio Grill Kailua
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great neighborhood dining
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Great neighborhood dining experience. The wine list is not long, but contains some nice selections and the food is as creative as it is delicious. We sampled appetizers and salads as well as the special of the evening and some regular main course selections. Everything sounded great on the menu and tasted every bit as good when it arrived. The service was friendly and casual and we left stuffed and satisfied. Mahalo for another great evening!"
Dined on 04/14/2013
2010
Special Features: neighborhood gem, notable wine list
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Review 5 for Formaggio Grill Kailua
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
The service was great... service
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The service was great... service was quick and the wait-staff was friendly. The food was pretty good... the pasta was cooked perfectly, house salads were very nice. The fillet was cooked perfectly, but it was way over seasoned with pepper (which ruined an otherwise great steak). Prices were a bit on the high-side for the quality. No kids menu (kids must order expensive adult portions)"
Dined on 04/09/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, notable wine list
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Review 6 for Formaggio Grill Kailua
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Bustling wine bar with great
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Bustling wine bar with great food and a wonderful wine list to boot."
Dined on 04/05/2013
2012
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list
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Review 7 for Formaggio Grill Kailua
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Though the reviews were highly
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Though the reviews were highly positive for Formaggio's, we, unfortunately, did not have a positive experience at this restaurant. From seating till departure, the entire visit was not very pleasant. Especially since we were there to celebrate a friends birthday, which was already acknowledged to them, and they didn't even make note of it."
Dined on 04/03/2013
2010
Special Features: good for groups
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Review 8 for Formaggio Grill Kailua
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Good for lunch - but limited menu
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Lunch is only on the weekends. Overall everything was very good, but we wished the menu was a little larger, with more choices."
Dined on 03/31/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, great for lunch
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Review 9 for Formaggio Grill Kailua
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
Special Features: good for groups
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Review 10 for Formaggio Grill Kailua
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Boot camp
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"It was a nice atmosphere to have and enjoy a meal with someone. The only down fall is it felt like the staff were trying to push me and my date out as fast as they could so they could seat more customers. The waitress gave our appetizers then our main course to us almost at the same time. An older man kept staring at our table and started removing things from our table the second we took our last bite. It literally felt like I was back in bootcamp."
Dined on 03/27/2013
2013
Special Features: notable wine list, special occasion
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Review 11 for Formaggio Grill Kailua
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Terrific service & incredible
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Terrific service & incredible food satisfying the toughest foodies :). Mahalos for a wonderful experience"
Dined on 03/27/2013
2012
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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Review 12 for Formaggio Grill Kailua
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Late night = about 10p in
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Late night = about 10p in Kailua, one of the few places available. food is always good and service is attentive. I always leave though feeling like a I spent a little too much. They have a great 2-oz pour of list wines, which is nice if you just want a bit of wine with dinner and not a whole glass. Good selections. Check out "What Wes is Drinking" -- this week a Justin Cab which was excellent."
Dined on 03/25/2013
2004
Special Features: late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list
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Review 13 for Formaggio Grill Kailua
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
I have always loved the food here!!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"It was a windy night and the wait staff thought it would be a good idea to open all the windows (floor to ceiling wall-windows) and that made for a cold, but neat experience - bringing the outdoors in. The servers were polite and prompt although i feel their training new staff while servering got the best of a few of them as they forgot multiple items. As always, this place is LOUD! It has to be something about the architecture of the building because even at a slower happy hour service it is loud. But those are all little this compared to their food and wine!! I will yell over other people, shiver through my meal and keep my patience with inexperienced wait staff just to eat and drink at Formaggio's!"
Special Features: fit for foodies, vibrant bar scene, romantic, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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Review 14 for Formaggio Grill Kailua
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Our experience at formagios
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Our experience at formagios was not what we were expecting. The service was poor and the was very average."
Dined on 03/20/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, notable wine list
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Review 15 for Formaggio Grill Kailua
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Let's go again
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"It was our first time at Formaggio & I'd return to try other things on the menu. My cousins loved the ribs. I liked the onion soup. I'd like to try the escargot & lamb chops next time."
Dined on 03/15/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 16 for Formaggio Grill Kailua
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
The Kale salad was outstanding--a
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The Kale salad was outstanding--a truly unexpected combination of flavors that was truly delicious. The Margharita Pizza was very good, as well. The ambiance was very nice (inside), but our table was near a large, open window facing the parking lot, which happened to be fairly busy and loud. Our service was excellent. Overall we enjoyed our meal an will certainly be back."
Dined on 03/11/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list
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Review 17 for Formaggio Grill Kailua
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Dinner was wonderful! My girlfriend
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Dinner was wonderful! My girlfriend and I were looking last minute and there are only about 6 restaurants in Kailua on OpenTable, so our options were limited. I'm so glad we chose Formaggio Grill. Host, server and manager were all very nice and attentive. My GF had the lobster tail and I had the special, a crab crusted salmon. Both were very fresh and delicious. We'd definitely go back."
Dined on 03/07/2013
2009
Special Features: notable wine list
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Review 18 for Formaggio Grill Kailua
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
So loud I couldn't hear myself eat!
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"For the price I was disappointed in the amount of food on my plate, I had the mahi special which just comes ala carte and is served as a small pile of food in the middle of a large plate. The taste was okay. The noise rating above should have a negative factor, energetic doesn't describe it. I would suggest putting the don't recall at the beginning and changing energetic to deafening."
Dined on 02/22/2013
2013
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Review 19 for Formaggio Grill Kailua
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
The food and service were
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The food and service were good but I had forgotten how absolutely noisy the restaurant can be on a Friday night - we may return again but on a weeknight instead."
Dined on 02/22/2013
2005
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, hot spot
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Review 20 for Formaggio Grill Kailua
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
you will enjoy this restaurant
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"A great dinner. Our waitperson was a sweetie. Charming and attentive"
Dined on 02/23/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list
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Review 21 for Formaggio Grill Kailua
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Kobe Burger is broke da mouth!!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Kobe Burger is broke da mouth!!"
Dined on 02/22/2013
2011
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Review 22 for Formaggio Grill Kailua
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
The lobster mac and cheese
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The lobster mac and cheese was terrible. What little lobster was in the mac and cheese was extremely rubbery but our server was great for a busy night."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2010
Special Features: notable wine list
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Review 23 for Formaggio Grill Kailua
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
I am not big on the bar screen
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I am not big on the bar screen & drinking. I was not offered a table outside of the bar area and have preferred a table in a dining area away from the bar. Food was great but what I ordered was in very small portions."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 24 for Formaggio Grill Kailua
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Was really busy, and they
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Was really busy, and they had ran out of their AMAZING kiawe smoked prime rib before I could order it, but it was late on Valentine's Day, so I understand why. The food is incredible, the wine list is extensive, and it is really a great place. The only bad thing I could say is that the service could have been a little more personable. But all in all, it was excellent."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 25 for Formaggio Grill Kailua
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Food was better than it has
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Food was better than it has been the last few months. Table service was just ok, but bar service before dinner was horrible. Literally sat at the bar for 12-15 minutes before the bartender even walked over to take our order. Not typical, but left a bad taste."
Dined on 02/08/2013
2010
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Review 26 for Formaggio Grill Kailua
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
The beer wasn't cold. Almost
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
"The beer wasn't cold. Almost warm."
Dined on 02/05/2013
2013
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Review 27 for Formaggio Grill Kailua
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Disappointing
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Five of us seated in round table strained to hear one another talk. Acoustics terrible. Waiter was good. Food was mediocre at best. We won't be returning."
Dined on 02/05/2013
2012
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Review 28 for Formaggio Grill Kailua
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great food. We had the prime
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Great food. We had the prime rib, ahi tuna and the lobster Mac and cheese. Also a couple of appies. Service was great as well. We will be back before we leave for the mainland."
Dined on 02/02/2013
2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem, notable wine list
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Review 29 for Formaggio Grill Kailua
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Enjoyed the experience and
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Enjoyed the experience and ambience. Food and wine were good. Very nice waiter. Beautiful bar,"
Dined on 01/29/2013
2011
Special Features: romantic
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Review 30 for Formaggio Grill Kailua
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Love Them!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"One of our favorites! Always meets or exceeds our expectations. Love Formaggio's!"
Dined on 01/27/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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Review 31 for Formaggio Grill Kailua
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
we came on Sunday evening.
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"we came on Sunday evening. By then two of our selections, the salmon and the gelato were out- apparently there were very popular on Saturday and weren't replenished.
The nise level is quite high, possibly due in large part to the accoustical design.
The food was good and the service quite friendly and prompt. well come back"
Dined on 01/20/2013
2012
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Formaggio Grill Kailua
Based on the average of (34) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic