SERA is Honolulu’s newest Mediterranean restaurant

Regular customers at the former MARA Restaurant & Bar, located in Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa on Kapi‘olani Boulevard, were probably confused when the eatery’s rebranding and change in management was official at the end of May.

The restaurant — now called SERA — still features the same interior décor and concept, in terms of offering Mediterranean cuisine. The eatery is still open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and is operated by DB Restaurant Group (the same group behind DB Grill, Café Duck Butt and CINO).

SERA Chef Arnold Corpuz was most recently at CINO.

The restaurant’s name has several meanings, including “fiery and bright” and it’s also part of the phrase “que sera, sera,” meaning “whatever will be, will be” in Spanish.

The menu is influenced by diverse Mediterranean flavors while incorporating locally sourced ingredients. It’s designed to transport guests to the Mediterranean coast — dishes highlight fresh seafood, seasonal ingredients and housemade pastas.

We got a first taste of SERA during a media preview in April and returned once the restaurant officially launched at the end of May.

For diners who loved MARA’s menu — here’s some good news. Some of the most popular dishes from MARA Restaurant & Bar are still on the menu, including the popular tasting trio ($35), which is one of my favorite dishes. It’s a combo of hummus, tzatziki and burrata, served with hearth-baked pita. The creamy burrata is my go-to, but the flavorful hummus with crispy chickpeas on top is a must-try.

The Kefalograviera cheese saganaki ($24) — known for its impressive presentation on a sizzling skillet — is another dish that remains on the menu. It’s served with seasonal vegetables, but the hot cheese skillet — boasting a golden-brown exterior and molten, melting interior — is the star of the show.

The grilled Spanish octopus ($33) with ‘nduja, gigande beans and gremolata continues to be a customer favorite. The octopus is flavorful, not too rubbery, and there's an ample amount of it to share.

Choose from salads like Caesar ($22), Greek salad ($20) and beet and citrus ($28). I love a traditional Caesar salad, and this new menu option — complete with Parmigiano-Reggiano, garlic breadcrumbs and boquerones (white anchovies) — doesn’t disappoint. We especially enjoyed the crunch from the breadcrumbs and the garlicky anchovy dressing. If you want something familiar from MARA’s previous menu, opt for the beet and citrus salad, a refreshing combo with chunky beets, creamy Di Stefano burrata and an aged balsamic drizzle.

Onto the entrée portion of the menu — seafood, pastas and meats. The biggest menu change would be in the seafood section; before, you could choose your preferred seafood and preparation. Now, the choices are more streamlined and feature dishes like whole Mediterranean branzino (market price), scallops ($44), seafood paella ($76) and whole Kona kampachi (market price).

We recommend the Kona kampachi (market price) if you’re sharing dinner family-style. The fish is served on a skillet with salsa verde and a charred lemon. We’re told Kona kampachi was on the eatery’s previous menu, but now, it’s a whole size with garlic butter poured on. During the time of our visit, the market price is $90.

These scallops come with sweet potato hummus and bok choy ($44). They’re plump, juicy and a nice option if you’re looking for something lighter as your entrée.

The seafood paella ($76) is one of the newer dishes with Mediterranean flair. It includes monchong, shrimp, mussels, clam and saffron. The saffron flavor is prevalent — as it should be in a paella — and this dish is sure to please seafood fanatics.

Spaghetti and meatballs might seem basic, but this combo is anything but. The meatball is love at first bite. It’s a savory mix of veal, pork and beef that’s full of moisture, so you won’t have to worry about it being dry.

The porcini rubbed prime rib is one of SERA's new entrees and comes highly recommended by our server. It’s served with natural jus and horseradish crème. It’s a huge portion, ideal for sharing among a group. The meat itself is tender, but the umami dry rub will keep you coming back for more.

New side dishes include creamy potato puree with a poached egg on top ($22) and asparagus with olive tapenade and lemon ($15). The potato puree is video-worthy because of the poached egg on top.

The dessert menu is also revamped, but it still includes one of my favorite dishes — housemade Greek yogurt ($6). You can get it plain, or choose between two topping combos — baklava and honey, or sour cherry, olive oil and sea salt. While the latter is a more unique combo, you can’t go wrong with flaky pieces of baklava. This Greek yogurt isn’t super tart, and the honey drizzle gives it a sweeter aftertaste.

Other dessert options include a rotating lineup of sorbets, pavlova with yuzu strawberry meringue, cheese kunefe with kataifi and orange blossom syrup, and budino. The latter is a new dessert, featuring a rich, chocolate pudding with whipped cream and cacao nibs on top.

Bonus: SERA is currently offering free valet for restaurant customers, so parking just got that much easier.

CONTACT
SERA
Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa
1390 Kapi‘olani Blvd., Honolulu
serahonolulu.com
Instagram: @serahnl
Open daily, 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.