Something new: BLT Market

Note: This restaurant has since closed.

For someone who works in downtown, driving into Waikiki is a pain. Whether it’s the traffic, lack of parking or one-way streets, sometimes it’s just not worth the effort. However, when an invite to BLT Market in the new Ritz-Carlton residences pops up, I gladly accept the free valet parking and lunch with a view.

Why can't all lunches start with a Royal Punch ($8)?

If I could, I’d start all of my lunches with a Royal Punch ($8) made with local pineapple and lilikoi juices.

If you’ve dined at BLT Steak at the Trump International Hotel you’ll be happy to hear that executive chef Johan Svensson has made the move to BLT Market. The focus here is on farm-to-table ingredients, which can change daily based on what’s available.

Reminiscent of BLT Steak's popovers, BLT Market serves a gluten-free version made with tapioca flour. The texture is mochi-like on the inside but still has a nice crackly crust. Best of all, they're free!

Reminiscent of BLT Steak’s popovers, BLT Market serves a gluten-free version made with tapioca flour. The texture is mochi-like on the inside but the crust is nice and crackly. Best of all, they’re free!

In addition to the 76-seat restaurant and 12-seat bar-lounge, the kitchen handles poolside and in-room dining. BLT Market is actually on the eighth-floor lobby with an unfamiliar view overlooking the open green space of Fort DeRussy. It’s the perfect spot for the Friday night fireworks show.

The infinity pool is located just below the restaurant's tall open windows.

The infinity pool is just below the restaurant’s open windows.

Prices are what you might expect at a resort restaurant, with lunch appetizers ranging from $8 for edamame to $28 for six Kualoa oysters. Sandwiches are about $22 and entrees range from $24 for the Small Kine Farm mushroom risotto to $52 for a roasted Molokai tenderloin of beef. This is the Ritz-Carlton after all. The restaurant serves breakfast, Sunday brunch, lunch and dinner.

As a starter, the steamed chicken dumplings ($9) in ponzu were a hit. The wrapper is thick, but gives a way to a flavorful interior.

The ahi poke ($16) is flavored well with chili pepper flakes, sesame, red onion, crispy rice and strings of ogo. The seaweed chips are cool too look at, but I had difficult time using them as vessels to shovel poke into my mouth.

The grilled Kauai shrimp salad ($28) was a winner with black truffle dressing. Kauai shrimp are small, but I counted seven shrimp and a whole lot of fresh Nalo lettuce in the bowl.

The grilled Kauai shrimp salad ($28) was a winner with its black truffle dressing. Kauai shrimp are small, but I counted seven tender pieces and a whole lot of fresh Nalo lettuce in the bowl.

I was really pleased with the dessert and pastry offerings and would probably go back just for them.

The mango malasadas ($12) came recommended by our server and were perhaps my favorite item. They’re served with a mango-blueberry semifreddo, blueberry coulis and tart balls of chilled mango.

The POG parfait ($12) is both show and go. Hidden under the chocolate sphere sits a delicate passion orange guava parfait that is revealed with more POG sauce. If you’re a sweet tooth, this will be your kryptonite.

The restaurant is open air and has beautiful natural lighting.

On Friday nights, you’ll have a grand view of the Hilton Hawaiian Village’s fireworks show.

BLT Market
The Ritz-Carlton Residences
383 Kalaimoku St
Free valet parking
Breakfast 6:30 – 10:45 a.m.
Lunch 10:45 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Dinner 5 – 10 p.m.