Wow. We'd heard great things about Roy's, so this last trip, we finally took the plunge and made reservations for dinner. We didn't order off the menu, but elected to have a "Sake Tasting Dinner," with multiple courses accompanied by different types of sake. We knew nothing about sake, but figured a place like Roy's was just the place to learn something new.

By the end of the evening, we were still not sure about sake, but completely convinced that we'd be back for the food. The service was excellent, probably the best we've had yet on the island, and as crowded as the restaurant was, we never felt rushed. I can't really describe everything we ate that night, since each course came with a wineglass FULL of sake and my memory is a bit blurry, but my overall impression of the food was fabulous. I ate everything on my plate. Then I contemplated licking the plate-it was THAT good.

We were so stuffed after that dinner that we had to take a few laps around the Po'ipu Shopping Village to settle the meal before we could bend in the middle to fit back into the car. After meeting up with the security guard for the third time on our (and his) rounds, he grinned at us and said, "Tasting dinner at Roy's, eh?" Yup.

The experience of dining at Roy's was fantastic. The atmosphere is terrific, with great views of the beautiful Hawaiian landscape. I started my meal with shrimp on a stick with wasabi cocktail sauce; the shrimp was incredibly flavorful and cooked perfectly. My entrée, slow braised and charbroiled short ribs of beef, was also cooked to perfection -- extremely lean and so tender that it melted in my mouth. The flavors of the foods at Roy's are so unique and interesting, yet true to themselves and true culinary genius. My meal was topped off with Roy's famous melting hot chocolate soufflé. There are two things one must do in a lifetime: own a convertible and eat Roy’s chocolate soufflé.

One of Kauai's best. The cuisine is Pan-Pacific (Oriental and island-influenced). I love their appetizers. Eaten here many times and never had a bad meal. Their fish dishes are exquisite. Their sake-tasting prix-fixe dinner was outstanding (five courses and four sakes).

The best Pan-Pacific food I have ever eaten! The tuna is fantastic, as is the open-air feel to the restaurant. The atmosphere lends itself to adults. The desserts...ummm!

Roy Yamaguchi is not only one of the most celebrated chefs in Hawaii; he is one of the most popular chefs in the world. Mr. Yamaguchi’s opened his first Roy’s restaurant in 1988. Soon after opening his original Roy’s in Honolulu Conde Nast Traveler named it one of its "Top 50" restaurants, and Food and Wine Magazine dubbed Roy’s the "crown jewel of Honolulu’s East-West eateries". Now he has expanded his empire to over 30 restaurants in three countries; 25 in the continental United States, six in Hawaii, two in Japan, and one in Guam. Chef Yamaguchi is also the recipient of a prestigious James Beard award, has written three cookbooks, and has appeared on numerous television shows and programs. With all of these accomplishments, awards and recommendations from our friends, my wife and I were expecting a top notch dining experience in Poipu, but we were utterly disappointed.

When we first checked in at Roy’s the restaurant was already packed. The hostess told us they were running late and we had to wait about 20 minutes after our original reservation time. Granted, we didn’t get seated that late but that was just the start. Our waiter came over and greeted us and said he would be right back to get our drink orders; he did, 20 minutes later. We ordered our drinks, appetizers and entrée’s when our waiter came back and before you knew it we were finished. Our drinks arrived with our appetizers and our dinner came 10 minutes later. Not only did the dining experience feel rushed (maybe because they fell way with their reservations) and unprofessional, we left Roy’s hungry and $125 lighter in the wallet.

Don’t get me wrong the flavors melded great together and the artistic presentations of the cuisine were elegant, but there was nothing on the plate. Example: My wife ordered a calamari steak appetizer. You have all seen the size of a squid (small), or have ordered fried calamari in an Italian restaurant; usually you can eat this for an entrée. This appetizer was exactly one squid cut into three pieces for over $10! It was literally three forkfuls of food (my appetizer wasn’t much better).

Believe me I go to a lot of gourmet restaurants, and I feel well fed, not rushed, and also respected when I leave. Not here. There is a light at the end of my tunnel. Since going to Roy’s in Poipu, I have been to a Roy’s in downtown Manhattan (NYC). My dining experience there was 100% better. Good luck and I hope your evening is not as disappointing as mine.