After experiencing a blackout during our visit last year, Ray and I tempted fate by returning the McMenamins Anderson School / North Short Lagoon complex in Bothell and having dinner and drinks upstairs in Nui Nui. The restaurant sits above the indoor swimming pool and there are Polynesian touches throughout the grounds. The plethora of Polynesian artwork here is staggering, there’s so much to look at.
Seating was basically open and we were treated to some friendly waitress sass from Natasha who remembered Ray from a visit years ago. Ray went with the “kiddie colada” sans booze, but I went in a different direction with the rum-forward Fashionably Tiki that’s a really nice Rum Old Fashioned style cocktail. Our meal with the Loco Moco and the Mai Thai Steak Salad featured large portions and was well-prepared.
I haven’t loved the Mai Tai at the McMenamins tiki bars, and haven’t really explored the cocktail menu in a lot of depth, so this is my caveat for people who prioritize cocktails with their decisions about whether or not to visit a tiki bar – the drinks may not be 1000% amazing. But given the unique qualities of the placemaking, decor, food, and service, I’d encourage tiki tourists to head north of Seattle to check out Nui Nui on their next trip to the area.
