AAA Hawaii: AAA Five, Four Diamond Restaurants Announced

Chef Mavro and La Mer in the Halekulani have repeated as long-time Diamond-rated restaurants on the latest AAA Five Diamond list.

These local restaurants are among only 67 restaurants in North America that currently have what it takes to hold the distinctive AAA Five Diamond Rating® for this year’s AAA Five Diamond Restaurants list. The coveted 2019 Five Diamond Award restaurants make up just 0.2 percent of the nearly 32,000 AAA Inspected & Approved restaurants across the United States, Canada, Mexico and Caribbean. To qualify for the rating, a restaurant will consistently provide leading-edge cuisine of the finest ingredients, uniquely prepared by an acclaimed chef and served by expert service staff in extraordinary surroundings.

“Attaining the AAA Five Diamond rating is an impressive accomplishment,” said Liane Sumida, general manager of AAA Hawaii. “Guests want to be wowed on multiple levels, so exceptional service is also important, but they’re not necessarily looking for all the formalities that were once synonymous with fine dining.”

While some AAA Five Diamond restaurants have lavish surroundings, others feature counter seating or chef’s tables overlooking or surrounding the cooking area. And many AAA Five Diamond restaurants use innovative concepts and menus featuring the finest ingredients.

Restaurants receiving a AAA Five Diamond Rating undergo multiple unannounced evaluations and a final review by a panel of experts.  AAA Four Diamond restaurants are also an exclusive group, offering distinctive, creatively prepared cuisine, skillfully served in a notable environment. A total of 665 restaurants, or 2.1 percent, of AAA Inspected & Approved restaurants made the AAA Four Diamond list, including The Banyan Tree in Kapalua (Maui).

Local AAA Five Diamond restaurants and the year first rated:

Restaurants                                                                                             Year Rated

Honolulu (Oah’u)

Chef Mavro                                                                                                     2008

La Mer (in the Halekulani)                                                                            1990

AAA Hawaii also announced the local AAA Four Diamond restaurants: