Best meal of the trip. That seared ahi with jasmine garlic rice is something I'll go back home dreaming about. It was a perfect sear (didn't taste wasabi but the shoyu flavor sear is to die for), complementary flavors of the rice and perfectly seasoned wok bok slaw. The wagyu tenderloin and Mac nut crusted fish were also so, so delicious. Honestly, I'd be happy to eat any of these three entrees. The tako escargot was beyond over cooked, however the flavors were exceptional. I'd order it again and give it another try. Tastes just like authentic French escargot, and make sure to dip the provided bread into all that delicious butter. We ended the night with the chocolate purse and it was so light, but still so fulfilling. This location kicks mauis locations butt in food! Server was great and knew lots of fun facts about the Merriman restaurants. They were very accommodating with my baby. Thanks for the best meal of our trip, Merrimans! read more

Such a wonderful experience! Before being seated at the bar, there was a flex area at the top of the stairs. We grabbed drinks and then transitioned inside where there was live music and epic views from every angle. The ambiance rivals the food only in the sense of all stars. It was Mother's Day and there were specials we ordered for entrees. My husband had the Venison and I had the catch of the day. Definitely check this place out. I would make it a point to go every time I visit Kauai read more

Note: this is just a review of their happy hour menu! We loved this place for happy hour. We came around 4pm (happy hour is 4-5pm), and it wasn't crowded at all and the view was beautiful. We both got mai tai's (tasty! but not as good as the Scotty Brown ones) and my husband got the pork quesadilla, which he liked. We shared the coco loco cocktail, which was also tasty. For happy hour, the prices are great and the view is spectacular! I don't know about their dinner, but definitely recommend the HH for a quite beautiful view and good drinks. read more

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The huge annoyance was the fact that nowhere in the restaurant description did it say that there was an elevator behind the long staircase up to the restaurant. I saw many people struggling to get up the staircase, including my husband. What is even worse is that their isn't a stripe on the of the treads so that the handicapped who can go down the stairs can see the end of the tread. This is shameful. This restaurant is mediocre at best. It was so disappointing. We walked in And a woman was singing and playing the guitar. Every song sounded the same and she was very loud. It was hard to have a conversation between 2 people. And now for the food. They were flexible with our dietary concerns. That is not always the case, so I applaud that. I ordered the pork shank. It was unevenly cooked and in some spots cold. The vegetables were almost raw and difficult to chew. My husband ordered the ahi tuna. He did like that. The Merriam name is big on Maui and in its prime was good. This was not. I expected more. read more

Merrimans - Kauai - The pork shank - Hawaiian Near Me - Koloa, Hawaii

Great spot to end the evening! Came here for dinner with my boyfriend and loved it. It's a very popular spot, very bustling and busy, with nice modern decor. Food was great, everything was fresh and all of the waitress' recommendations were spot on. Wine options were great and decently priced, and our pick went great with our meal. read more

Merrimans - Kauai - Hawaiian Near Me - Koloa, Hawaii

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Everything. Views. Service. Food. Drinks. Everything was fantastic. Flavorful. Solid portions. The ambience was fantastic. There was live music, which was just perfect. I love this place. I will definitely return. read more

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We recently celebrated my husband's 40th birthday at Merriman's in Kauai, and it was an absolutely delightful experience. From the moment we arrived, the service was exceptional. They greeted us with two glasses of champagne after learning it was his birthday, which set a wonderful tone for the evening. The atmosphere was perfect, with a stunning view of the sunset over the trees, adding a magical touch to our celebration. Our server, who I believe was in training, was fantastic, as was his mentor. Both made sure we were well taken care of throughout the night. My husband started with the signature Mai Tai with Lilikoi foam, which was refreshing and unique. For our appetizer, we had the buttermilk biscuits, and I have to say, they were absolutely delicious. For dinner, I chose the Wok Charred Ahi which was line-caught by Captain Kevin Yamase. The fish was cooked to perfection, and the Won Bok Slaw with Wasabi Soy Sauce was simply amazing. My husband had the 9oz grilled steak served with taro whipped potatoes, chili garlic green beans, Hamakua Aliʻi mushrooms, herb compound butter, and marinated tomatoes. Every element was flavorful and expertly prepared. To top it all off, they surprised my husband with Lilikoi mousse and house-made macadamia nut shortbread cookies for dessert. It was the perfect ending to a perfect meal. Overall, the service was great, the ambiance was beautiful, and the food was fantastic. I highly recommend Merriman's for any special occasion! read more

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We had reservations and was seated quickly by a crabby person that couldn't smile or say Aloha. Server was knowledgeable. Food was very meh for being merrimans and the price point Mac n cheese - good Fries- excellent Tako escargot- ok Taro hummus- bit too sour Pork shank - huge portion Steak- asked for med rare got medium I love a flavorful local food approach- but this was a lots of butter, fat and salt people call "umami" read more

Merriman's Kauai was our Aloha dinner to Kauai. Kauai had big shoes to fill since I've dined at Monkeypod and Merriman's on Maui. Service was just as excellent as Maui's. Kauai's Ambiance was a little better than Merriman's Kapalua because they managed the sunshades better. It was lowered, cooler when the afternoon sun was at its highest and raised for sunset. From a food perspective, everything was fresh, well-prepared, and didn't disappoint. I appreciated that our server let our French Press "steep." It was the perfect accompaniment to the Macadamia Nut Bread Pudding. read more

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Alex took great care of us but the food is hit or miss. It was also freezing when we dined and since it's an open air restaurant, the wind made it colder than normal. Crab cakes and Caesar salad as starters were delish, Caesar could be a little bigger given the price. Husband got the seafood risotto special which was only ok. Seafood was cooked well but risotto was too soupy. Kids mac and cheese was super disappointing - elbow pasta was good but the cheese sauce they used was congealed and not very good. Really sub par for a nice restaurant in Kauai. Crispy pork shank and fettuccine bolognese special were good. Given the two dishes that didn't work, not sure the $200 tab + tip were worth the price. Thank goodness for the amazing service though. read more

We went to Merriman's for my wife's birthday and had a pretty poor experience overall. We had a reservation and were seated when we arrived. The dining room has a stunning view of the mountains on the South shore. The support staff was very fast getting us waters, but that was the end of the good service. Our waitress introduced herself, acknowledged my wife's birthday, found out we weren't ordering alcohol, and quickly became disinterested in our table. We ordered our appetizers and mains at the same time and asked that they all come together: appetizers were biscuits, a salad and the tomato coconut soup, and our mains were the macadamia nut crusted fresh catch x4, 2 of the same for our older kids off their kid menu, and one butter pasta. The biscuits, salad, and soup came out quickly and were all excellent. Then we waited, and waited, and waited. Our waitress finally came over and made a surprisingly snarky comment like "Do you want anything to drink while you wait for your food? Sorry it's taking so long." And walked away. We waited 40 minutes between ordering and getting our main course. Normally in restaurants there is a note on the menu if a dish is going to take that long so you don't order it. Combined with the total lack of concern from the staff it was very frustrating. The fish finally came and was outstanding: perfectly cooked: moist with a great Mac nut crust. The jasmine rice was essentially inedible because it was about half rice and half green onions (we're not onion people). I wish they would have noted that on the menu because that is not what I think of as jasmine rice. None of us ate our rice. We chose Merriman's for their Lilikoi mousse dessert, so even though we had already been at the restaurant for over an hour we really wanted it. We also assumed dessert would not take long...terrible assumption. We ordered two Hawaiian chocolate purses, and ice cream and the mousse (which ended up being included due to it being my wife's birthday. And we waited And waited And waited This time we didn't even get a snarky remark from our waitress, she just ignored us and focused on the table near us. After another 30 minutes which I timed because I was in that mental state (again, nothing on the menu says it will take this long) dessert finally came. Fortunately we had Corey Mira as the entertainment, and he is like a Hawaiian Ed Sheeran, so it helped pass the time. Honestly, it was outstanding. The lilikoi mousse was perfection, and the chocolate purses were like phyllo dough lava cakes with ice cream and caramel on the side. We finished our dessert, and when our waitress brought the bill she didn't say thank you, she informed me that the tip is already included for a party of our size and walked away. It all made sense at that point. If you've made it this far, I'll restate: Pros: beautiful view, and overall excellent food (skip the rice if you don't like green onions). Extra pro if they have Mr. Mira as the entertainment. Cons: unbelievable wait times, and terrible service. I gave two stars for the combination of great food and entertainment, but the overall lack of service made this a place we will not come back to and don't recommend. read more

Atmosphere is nice and cozy- a bit crowded though. Our food choices were mediocre though- was expecting better. But overall, okay for the prices of entrees and cocktails. Had better. read more

We adore Merriman's Kauai and make a point of visiting on every vacation to Poipu beach. The restaurant is lovely and the tables along the window have a gorgeous sunset view. We had terrific and warm service, just like always. We left our kids with the grandparents, but we have brought them in the past and they have been welcome. The Mai tai, both with alcohol and zero proof, are highly recommended. We like to split one entree to be able to have room for several appetizers and desserts. This time, the seafood Mac and cheese and malasadas were standouts. read more

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Merriman's is a classic Kaua'i dining experience - definitely a little bougie, a lot delicious, and great vibes. The upstairs location in Kukui'ula Shopping Village overlooks the ocean (pro tip, com here during sunset because it's pure magic ). I got their famous mai tai with lilikoi foam If you haven't tried it, it's a non-negotiable! My friend had the Hanalei Taro Falafel, and I went with the garlic roasted wild shrimp + bok choy. Both tasty, portions on the smaller side, and definitely a splurge! Do you have food allergies? We'll know that Merrimans's is great about double checking ingredients! Last note, we grabbed bar seats with no wait, but I'd recommend reservations if you want a table! read more

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Amazing happy hour. The tako appetizer was delicious! The cocktails were fresh and paired well with the food. Amazing dinner service. Our server was great as was the rest of the staff. The ambiance was relaxed and comfortable with great views all around. The food was amazing. Great wine selection to pair with our choice of fish for the evening. Definitely a must go to if you're on Kaua'i. read more

Merrimans - Kauai - Beet salad - Hawaiian Near Me - Koloa, Hawaii

We tried Merrimans because it was close to the house. Parking was easy, seating was fast, with reso. The steak was cooked perfectly, tasty sauce and vegetables. The special of fish, and shrimp was good, the fish was raw in the middle, almost cold, a little to chewy for my liking, but the server Alex explained that when I ordered, just to raw for me. One side was grilled and perfect. Great experience. read more

Merrimans - Kauai - Fish, and shrimp - Hawaiian Near Me - Koloa, Hawaii

We celebrated my mom's birthday at Merriman's, and it was truly a special night from start to finish. We had absolutely incredible seats with a stunning view of the sunset, while still being able to hear the live music in the background--it created such a magical atmosphere. The pacing of the meal was spot on, allowing us to fully enjoy each course without ever feeling rushed. The birthday dessert was incredibly thoughtful and made the celebration feel extra special. Our waiter, Bobby, was wonderful--attentive, warm, and professional, and he helped make the entire evening seamless. Overall, it was a truly memorable experience and a perfect way to celebrate such a meaningful occasion. We will cherish this night and recommend Merriman's. read more

Merrimans - Kauai - View from out table - Hawaiian Near Me - Koloa, Hawaii

What a great experience in dining. Started off with their Mai Thai's. Delicious!!! We shared the KALUA PORK & MAUI ONION QUESADILLA House-Made Kim Chee, Sweet Chilli Mango sauce followed by the CAESAR, PETER'S ORIGINAL Hirabara Farms Romaine, Green Fried Tomato Croutons, Shaved Parmesan. Main course: MERRIMAN'S DUO PLATE Macadamia Nut Crusted Fresh Fish, Hamakua Ali'i Mushroom Sake Reduction & Petite USDA Prime Filet Mignon, Herb Butter. Couldn't decide on dessert so we ordered two. PINEAPPLE MACADAMIA NUT BREAD PUDDING House Made Tahitian Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, Rum Butter Sauce HAWAIIAN CHOCOLATE PURSE Coffee Caramel, Candied Mac Nuts, House Made Tahitian Vanilla Ice Cream. Then KOLOA RUM CACAO to end the meal watching the sunset. Excellent service with a beautiful view. read more

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This was our second visit; the first was a couple of years ago and the experience was so memorable that this was our first reservation booked this trip, with additional special guests who we wanted to have a finer meal with. And unfortunately this is where it all kind of breaks down. Maybe I had too high of an expectation. Maybe I expected finer cuts of meat that were less fatty and inedible. Maybe I expected the quality of food to be too high. Maybe my own tastes have since elevated. Regardless, the experience was very middling. Reasonably decent service. A little flat; not the end of the world - attentive and helpful. However, the meal itself just left a lot to be desired for the price. Hawaii comes with a bit of a premium (though I never really feel it's much different than a major city on the mainland), and the food just should have been better. Filets fell flat; with the quote of the night being "it's good and I don't really like it at the same time" and that stuck with me because I felt the same way a wagyu steak that I didn't care to finish - imagine that! The rest of the entrees were all good and everyone felt they were definitely good. Good, and we don't need to go back. That kind of good. And that is truly disappointing. The previous experience was memorable. This one was the opposite and has me second guessing a booking in the same restaurant family, which is really a shame since reservations at the last minute on island aren't easy to come by as a replacement. Lovely place. Nice spot with nice views. Okay food this time around. read more

We've dined at multiple Merriman's restaurants over the years, but tonight was our first time in Kauai. Alex Ray was our server and she's a rockstar you should ask for. Has worked there four years and knows how to deliver outstanding service. Our best meals always start with an incredible server like Alex. They make the restaurant come alive for first-timer diners. And they are there to resolve the occasional hiccups that might occur. We started with the Dungeness Crab Cakes and Pu'Uwai Gardens Avocado Papaya Tomato & Fennel Salad. The crab cakes were large and super moist. Yum. The salad was a perfect collection of veggies and fruits synonymous with Kauai. For my entrée, the Merriman's Original Wok Charred Ahi was simply perfection. My wife went with the Chateaubriand of USDA Prime Beef and it was heavenly. Amazing tenderness and oh so flavorful. For dessert the incredible Bread Pudding with Brown Butter poured over. It was decadent. This meal surpassed our expectations. It was worthy of more than five stars. read more

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Hands down one of my go to restaurant on Kauai. We always head here on our 1st and last day on the island. If I can come more I would. Service is always friendly. The atmosphere is relaxed. I love when there is live music which most often there is. Restaurant is highly recommended but we usually just wing it at the bar. read more

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Where do I begin? I'm from Las Vegas with endless gorgeous restraints, and I'm not easily impressed anymore. Merrimans at the specific location was top top top tier. The ambience is unbelievable. The live music, the views, wow. It's beautiful an airy, but intimate. The food was FABULOUS. The salad, the pork quesadilla, the option to do 2 entrees in halves. It was fresh and innovative, and so delicious. The service was the extra mile! Our server was Ashlyn, and I don't generally write reviews, but I have to mention her name-as a single mom, I went in alone with three kids. It's always an adventure for us and we don't eat out often, AND I know that's not the group a server is pumped to see seated. Ashlyn was SO kind, remembered our names, and made us feel so comfortable. I can't recommend Merrimans enough! Highlight of our trip! read more

Merrimans - Kauai - 2 half-entrees! I love this option! - Hawaiian Near Me - Koloa, Hawaii

I celebrated my 65th birthday at Merriman's Kauai. I loved the ambiance and the live music. Our food was excellent! Our waiter was great! What stood out to me was that the dinner tables were spread out. We were not bunched closely to other people, which is common with many restaurant's. I will be coming back read more

Merrimans - Kauai - Birthday dessert courtesy Merriman's. - Hawaiian Near Me - Koloa, Hawaii

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Fine casual dining with beautiful sunset views. Had a reservation but arrived an hour early and were immediately seated. It's a smaller menu and nothing like the Maui restaurant. We started with a poke appetizer, ono special, steak, and lilikoi mousse for dessert. Everything was delicious and nicely prepared. Service was spot on! One of our best meals on the trip! read more

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Merriman's Kauia is another reminder of why Maui is the "best" island... Maui has the best Merriman's, hands down. This one, like so many copies of originals lacks sharpness and clarity. The service is definitely 5 stars all the way. Our waiter was friendly and attentive all the way. He made my daughter's bday very memorable and special. The views of the sun setting were breathtaking and beautiful. True Kauia vibes. That's where the vibes stop... The menu and food left much to be desired. The options are limited and the dishes lack flavor, identity and substance. My sirloin steak and fries for example looked like an order at sizzler, served on the same boring white Restaurant Depot plate. The steak was cooked as requested, and the fries were delicious, but for almost $60 I except something special. Better presentation, maybe... Too much to ask? There is also something different about the mai tais. They are just not the same. My daughter said hers tasted like dish soap. I didn't try it, but I know what dish soap tastes like unfortunately. read more

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This place is a good as everyone says it is! We know about Merrimans on the Big Island and MonkeyPod Cafe, so we had high expectations for this restaurant. The food and service were excellent! They had great cocktails and mocktails and live music. Definitely a "go to" place on Kauai !!! read more

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A very upscale dining experience. Dress is a step above beach attire to a more refined "resort casual.." The food is good...with their macadamia-crusted mahi-mahi being something of a signature dish, and worth the experience. Service was attentive, but not particularly warm during our recent visit. A wonderful location to enjoy a sunset dinner. Reservations strongly encouraged. read more

This is a wonderful restaurant with live Hawaiian music and wonderful sunset views. Their menu has options to satisfy all palates and the food is sooo delicious. In addition, our server was fabulous. She was very friendly and amazed us by not writing down any of the orders for our party of seven! The food arrived at the table just as we ordered it. My favorite dish of the night was the Chateaubriand. The beef was unbelievably tender and the accompanying sauce was seasoned perfectly. 10/10 I would order it again! read more

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Worst service ever! The host was very unwelcoming. He sat us at a shared table with another couple and told us to make room incase he had to sit more people there. He didnt give us menus for atleast ten minutes even though we were right next to the host stand. We made eye contact with him a couple times and he would just walk away. We had to stop a server and ask for menus and water. The server brought us menus but not waters and said our server will bring us some. The steak was just okay and fish was dry. We've always had good experiences on Maui but this was so bad. I hope Peter reads this. read more

Merriman's was such a treat--the food was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared, with incredible views to match. What really stood out was the service from Kai. He was attentive, friendly, and made the whole dining experience smooth and enjoyable. The mai tais and the Mac crusted fish were the best!!! If you can't decide on an entree, try the duo entree so you can have half portion of two entrees Merriman's absolutely lives up to its reputation. Highly recommend, and ask for Kai if you can! read more

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Spent Thanksgiving in Hawaii, and it was also my boyfriend's birthday! My friend recommended this restaurant . Let's just say - that's why we're friends! The food, vibez, atmosphere, service and DRANKS were top notch!!! We will definitely be visiting again when we return! It was six of us. Some of them were picky eaters, but they were all expressed with everything! We ordered the steak, fish, crab cake and desserts. We all shared the meals. Small portions, but worth every bite! This place is perfect for large parties, date night or work besties. It's conveniently located upstairs a shopping plaza on the island. PS If you're unable to walk up the stairs, there's a elevator too! As always, I'll be back in my Arnold Schwarzenegger voice! read more

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It's been a while and I was fortunate to come back here for thanksgiving dinner. They have a pre set 3 course menu on the holiday and I was blown away. They brought a nice bubbly to start (alcoholic or non). Then focaccia with a lovely tomato tapenade like sauce. Next was an amuse squash soup! So good. I wish I got a full bowl of it. Each course had three options to pick. I enjoyed my garlic roasted shrimp appetizer very much. For my entree I opted for a non traditional thanksgiving option with Ma Kai seafood option. It came with purple sweet potato ravioli which was a nice nod to the holiday. Finally for dessert I had the pineapple macadamia nut bread pudding. Huge portion so I couldn't finish but delicious! Each course was great and I was pleasantly surprised that the portions were large for every dish. My family order other options around the table but everyone enjoyed! Was it expensive? Yes. But it was worth it read more

Merrimans - Kauai - Sesame Crusted Opah - Hawaiian Near Me - Koloa, Hawaii

This is the only restaurant on all the major islands and is known for its farm to table dining cuisine. The fish and vegetables are incredible and the service equally so. read more

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A fantastic dining experience with a beautiful view of the ocean. Service was excellent. We had a hosted function and the staff did a great job. All the appetizers were really good especially the ahi poke chips. The papaya salad was delicious as well as the fish and steaks. The Hawaiian pudding was fantastic. Highly recommend. read more

Loved our experience here. The vibe is dressed up casual. Lovely classic/beachy ambiance. Service was excellent. The mai tai is a MUST!!! Do not sleep on this drink. Best mai tai ever. 100/10 it is strong, how it should be. And the lilikoi foam chefs kiss I got the special pasta with shrimp and some sort of fish 10/10 it was perfect. Pasta cooked perfectly, balanced flavors, the fish cooked perfectly. Yum! Steak and fries 9/10 steak was juicy and medium rare like we ordered Unfortunately we were too stuffed for dessert. Sadly. Go here. read more

Merrimans - Kauai - Hawaiian Near Me - Koloa, Hawaii

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Whenever i see Merrimans maitai i must have one. As soon as i spotted Merrimans in Koloa, i was there. We sat at the bar, and enjoyed the music. The Taro hummus is a must try-sooo ono. read more

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it's worth revisiting this place. Even if it meant pricier menu. The service is top notch. If you are visiting during vacation / holiday season don't forget to reserve a table. The baby was already down so we could enjoy our three course meal! Holiday spirit is everywhere. The outdoors were noisy but as it was past 8 pm the noises died down and we could savor our entrees. Definitely should be on your list if you are a couple( honeymooning/ revisiting/ babymooning) read more

Merrimans - Kauai - Wok charred ahi - Hawaiian Near Me - Koloa, Hawaii

Service was good, ambiance fantastic. Food, on the other hand, not so good. The appetizers were delicious, and food for the kiddos was delicious. However, the Mahi Mahi was bitter and chewy, meaning, either it was overcooked or not properly frozen/stored. Unfortunately, this happened to be the case for both of our Mahi Mahi orders :/ Wish I could say something better as this place was highly recommended. read more

Aim for service and success will follow.. ..but great food is always a plus. Luckily Merrimans has both of that. My wife and I went here for our 1 year wedding anniversary and it was one of the better dinning experiences I've had. The views are absolutely stunning and the food is truly excellent (made with true passion), but for me, the staff made it. Our servers, Ashlyn and Kai were absolutely excellent and very personable which made it an experience and a half! read more

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Returned for the famous lilikoi foam mai tais that we enjoyed on our last trip to Kauai. This time we balanced sweet with savory by sampling their amazing tako a la escargot, or octopus prepared in an escargot pan with parsley butter. The tako definitely retains its tako-ness in texture and flavor, though we enjoyed this inventive preparation. The tako is a great example of the way to do happy hour as a means of whetting appetites for a full dinner, meaning I don't like when restaurants offer an alternate/simplified HH menu. Allow guests to try some signature items and hook us in for more, which is exactly what we did two nights later. We both went for the makai special, ono fish and shrimp in a totally decadent macadamia nut butter risotto. Probably too decadent - it felt like the butter overwhelmed, though the shrimp were perfectly fine swimming in it. The fish was also a bit dry and small, maybe 3 ounces. The concept of this dish was great and I ate as much as I could, but the execution could use some tweaking. The feel of the restaurant is great, upstairs with open shutters and an afternoon view of the green valley, ocean, and setting sun, or a more intimate feel in the evening with nature quietly observing in the dark. Service top notch. read more

Merrimans - Kauai - Lilikoi Foam Mai Tai - Hawaiian Near Me - Koloa, Hawaii

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