Dining

Senia 👨‍🍳

Posted by markhadland on
Two individuals smiling in colorful Hawaiian shirts, standing in front of a sign that reads 'senia'.

Senia is one of Honolulu’s finest restaurants. Famous for their artful beef wellingtons, I have wanted to go here for a long time, and guess what? They were no longer making these excellent dishes. I was crestfallen.

A beautifully decorated piece of cake resembling a colorful floral pattern, featuring pink and yellow designs over a dark background.
A colorful and intricately designed pastry shaped like a log, displayed on a wooden board.
A colorful, artfully designed pastry-like dish with intricate patterns, resting on a wooden cutting board.
Oh well, next time!

If you know me well, I love art, design, architecture, objects d’art, food, furniture, nature, and a great meal. Senia’s beef Wellingtons are by far the most artful I have ever seen prepared. We went to Honolulu for Unkle Sean’s 15th wedding anniversary. Carter was delayed, so Rhone and I enjoyed a rare father-son dinner together. I was excited to share these culinary treasures with him.

Interior view of Senia restaurant in Honolulu, featuring a bar with hanging lights and tropical floral arrangements, with staff preparing food in the open kitchen.
The kitchen and counter.
A set of dining utensils including a fork, knife, and spoon arranged in a wooden holder on a wooden table.
Interior of a restaurant kitchen with staff preparing food and a dining area featuring wooden utensils and plants.
I particularly loved these wood holders for the silverware.
A young boy with a big smile wearing a blue Hawaiian shirt and a lei, seated at a restaurant with a bustling kitchen visible in the background.
Rhone is enjoying the experience.
A decorative display of leaf-shaped cookies hanging from branches on a wooden stand, set at a dining table.

A crispy, leaf-shaped cracker with a sprinkle of salt, placed on a light-colored plate with a few small pieces of garnish nearby.
Maple leaf-shaped crackers.
A beautifully arranged dish featuring bright red dots and green garnishes on a dark, textured plate.

A plate of colorful gourmet pasta featuring intricate decorations, including small vegetables and garnishes, arranged artfully.
A close-up of a dish featuring farfalle pasta topped with a dollop of ricotta cheese, blackberries, and a drizzle of green sauce.
A beautifully presented gourmet dish featuring a crispy fried ball atop shredded cabbage, surrounded by a rich sauce and garnished with fresh herbs.
A beautifully presented dish featuring golden-browned scallops alongside purple potatoes and fresh greens, drizzled with a savory sauce.
Seared scallops.
Interior view of Senia restaurant in Honolulu, featuring staff in the kitchen wearing masks, a wooden counter, and various kitchen equipment.

Unfortunately, I did not take a photo of the menu to identify all the dishes, but they were terrific, artful, beautiful, and delicious. I’m eager to return, especially to try their Saturday-only tasting menu.

Senia Part 2

In March of 2023, they were repointing the mortar in our century-old building, with incessant grinding of every brick joint. It was an especially miserable Seattle winter, and as the crews continued with the endless noise, Carter and I decided it was time for a break, back to Hawaii.

We dined at Senia again with our friends Federico and who were celebrating their wedding anniversary. For Senia, it was just the men.

Close-up of the intricately carved wooden logo of Senia restaurant, showcasing the name 'senia' surrounded by decorative floral designs.
Group of three men posing for a selfie in a restaurant, with a modern and elegant ambiance.
TheHad, Carter, and Federico.
Close-up of a ceramic dish with the imprint 'JONO PANDOLFI USA' on the bottom.
Interior view of Senia restaurant in Honolulu, featuring a stylish design with an archway, modern lighting, and an array of glassware on display.
A beautifully plated dish featuring a creamy green sauce surrounded by a sprinkle of green powder, with three crispy rolls in the background.
Three small tartlets topped with caviar and colorful roe garnished with chives, served on a wooden platter.
A close-up of three crispy, golden-brown fritters served in a small bowl with parchment paper. In the background, there are small tartlets topped with seafood and garnishes on a wooden serving board.
A beautifully presented dish featuring tartare arranged in a circular shape, garnished with delicate edible flowers and microgreens on a white plate.
A close-up of a bottle of 2015 Opus One Napa Valley red wine, showcasing its distinctive label design featuring a silhouette and text.
Three people smiling and raising glasses filled with red wine in a restaurant setting.
A plate of tender beef garnished with cherry tomatoes, pea shoots, and light dumplings in a rich sauce.
A beautifully presented dish featuring succulent slices of beef, a crispy croquette, and garnishes of microgreens and fruit sauce on a decorative plate.
A table set in a restaurant displaying various colorful cocktails and glasses of wine, with a well-dressed man in a white shirt sitting in the background.

Once again, the meal was amazing. Can’t wait to revisit soon.

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