Le Petit Chef, an early experience in Hawaii, turns your table into a canvas where an animated little chef cooks a five-course dinner right on your plate. Its debut at Rosemary House Waikīkī in March is Petit Chef’s nineteenth U.S. location; more than 100 others stretch from Bangkok to Dubai and London. The brainchild of Belgian artist collective Skullmapping and Germany’s 2Spicy Entertainment, it uses cutting-edge mapping technology and vivid, vibrant artwork that screams to be posted on Instagram.
Photo: Laura Dornbush
The prix fixe menu is crafted with Hawaiian ingredients by Romer House Executive Chef Brad Dodson. Think bouillabaisse with mahi mahi and Kaua’i shrimp, lobster with a miso-ginger and scallion sauce, Prime New York strip steak with mushroom and ‘ulu purée, and crème brûlée with coconut and macadamia nuts. The regular offering is $169, there are vegetarian ($139) and children’s ($89) menus, and wine pairings are $45. A cocktail pairing is also being prepared.
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Photo: Laura Dornbush
The dining room is passed through an unmarked curtain into the interior of 855-Aloha, making it feel like an underground bar. Dark as a theater, the intimate space seats 28. There’s something different about the otherwise ordinary table setup: Our plates are illuminated with the restaurant’s logo from a projector mounted above the table.
The show begins. Each dish is preceded by an animated story that brings the dish to life. As the first act begins, a recorded narration by Lanai Tabura de Hawaiian style cuisine note the local ingredients used. His “broke da mouth” comment adds a local touch.
Photo: Laura Dornbush
Our white tablecloths and plates are lit up with a garden scene. We watch as Le Petit Chef (2.4 inches tall) picks vegetables and places them on our plates, all while battling a pesky mole. The comic ending gets a collective laugh from the diners, especially my 9-year-old son, Duke, who thinks it’s funny. The servers immediately bring out a tomato salad with whipped ricotta, mimicking the garden story we just saw.
My favorite story and duet of dishes is the third dish. Here, the lobster is fat and juicy, luxurious for our special night. The rich and complex flavor of the bouillabaisse, enhanced with fennel and saffron, is a highlight for my husband.
Photo: Laura Dornbush
The kids’ menu caters to Duke’s discerning palate with grown-up selections like ube gnocchi, but hits home with comfort foods like tomato soup with a grilled cheese sandwich and steak and fries.
The night has an almost Disney-like magical quality to it. Throughout the two-hour show, every time the table is transformed, we are transported to a fairy tale where the little chef can do great things. Yes, it’s an expensive meal, but when you factor in the entertainment, it’s perfect for a special occasion.
Photo: Laura Dornbush
Here are some things to know before you go:
- Reserve online in advance with a deposit of $30 per person.
- There are two evening seatings at 5.30pm and 8.30pm
- Arrive 30 minutes early so you can be seated and order a drink before the show starts.
- Romer House offers three hours of free validated valet parking, but it can fill up. The backup is free validated parking at the Hyatt Centric a couple of blocks away.
- You will need a minimum of two people to reserve a reservation. Please note: You may be seated at a table with another group due to technology.
Le Petit Chef, Rosemary House Waikīkī, 415 Nahua St., Waikīkī, lepetitchef.com, @le.petitchef
Laura Dornbush is a regular contributor to HONOLULU Magazine and the HONOLULU Family. @ldornbush
