Tag: Hawaii

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Oasis on the Beach’s Classic Mai Tai

This beachfront restaurant was recommended so we snagged a reservation at the tail end of happy hour and carried it over into dinner service. Connected to the Waipouli Beach Resort in Kapa’a, Oasis by the Beach has a farm-to-table edict and a focus on local ingredients.

The Classic Mai Tai features three rums, lime, lilikoi, and house made almond and macadamia nut orgeat. Served with the dark rum as a float (pretty…) our waiter smartly suggested giving it a quick stir. This was an okay Mai Tai, just felt a little thin to me. It played well with my pork wontons with ginger-soy dipping sauce.

Much better were our fresh fish dinner options. I had a seared Ahi on top of Okinawan sweet potato puree that was simply amazing and totally worth the $42. Our service here was excellent, with our waiter suggesting that the fish is recommended to be served with a light sear (“medium rare”) but could be served as we wished. I went with medium well (if you judge me, I don’t care). The waiter also recommended some beer options and overall was extremely welcoming.

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Kalapaki Mai Tai at Duke’s Kauai

We had four meals at Duke’s or their sister property Hula Grill on our trip, so it seemed like I should have a Mai Tai at one of them. The Kalapaki Mai Tai features Spiced, Coconut, and Dark rums from local favorites Koloa, along with passion and pineapple juices. This is actually a pretty refreshing riff, with the coconut bringing a hint of flavor rather than dominating. And the passionfruit played well with the coconut and spice elements.

We enjoy our meals at Duke’s, with famed waterfront views and friendly service. We also love Duke’s famous Hula Pie. Duke’s Kauai location at Nawiliwili Bay at the Royal Sonesta/Marriott Resort is quite lovely, and their two-story layout is enhanced by an amazing water feature that runs through the middle of the restaurant. We had two early lunches here on our way to various travels and it was such a great spot for a meal.

Duke’s Hula Pie
Mariott Resort Beachfront
Crab and Macadamia Nut Wontons
World’s Best Water feature
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Tiki Iniki – Best Tiki Bar on Kauai

Located in upscale Princeville, Tiki Iniki presents the most cohesive tiki bar experience on Kauai. While purists will bemoan the windows and the patio, there are large portions of the restaurant that are quite dark and in the bar where we sat the windows were small and underneath the roofline.

The poke and chicken plates we ordered for lunch were quite good, and the service from host and waiter Todd was exemplary. Tiki Iniki is owned by rock musician Todd Rundgren and his wife Michele, and there’s a great painting of the rocker that puts all other tiki bar owners to shame.

Cocktails were … okay. Based on recommendations I ordered the Vic’s Top Shelf Mai Tai with Martinique and Jamaican Rum. I found it to be quite tart, though it did improve a little after some dilution. I ordered a second just with the Denizen rum and “heavy orgeat” and it was better but still leaning on the tart side (they use Fee Brother’s Orgeat). Mrs. Mai Tai’s Iniki cocktail with citrus, rums, syrups, and Prosecco was better.

There’s a fairly large rum selection here, and decor from Bamboo Ben that impresses. There are some new Tiki Farm mugs that include Tiki Iniki branding and we took one to go, along with a little shot glass and a t-shirt. The restaurant has a bunch of little spaces for tables that include peacock chairs, and well-appointed artwork.

Top Shelf Mai Tai
Iniki Cocktail in Tiki Farm Mug
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Tahiti Nui

Mrs Mai Tai and I drove up to the north shore of Kauai (see posts under @kevincrossman), and we stopped on the way back in Hanalei for some shopping and a visit to Tahiti Nui. They open at 3:00 for Happy Hour and we arrived about 15 mins early, and there was a growing crowd waiting. Luckily, when they open you can sit immediately if you’re at the bar.

Happy Hour Mai Tais are only $10 and this Island style Mai Tai was pretty good.

Tahiti Nui seems like a fun locals bar that became famous and is overrun by tourists (like us…) yet still conveys many of its original charms. Service was prompt and friendly even amidst the chaos of opening.

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Trader Vic’s Mai Tai at Mamahune’s

Mamahune’s is located out back behind the Hilton Garden Inn we’re staying at on Kaui’i. It is an outdoor tiki bar with a good number of covered seats and some tables beyond on the lawn.



The Trader Vic’s Mai Tai is an excellent 1944 made with Appleton 8 and Smith and Cross Jamaican rum. It’s really great (apart from the cubed rather than crushed ice). Served in a cup that can be taken over to the pool or to your room.

There are some nice decorative elements here including a nod to Bob and Leroy from Oceanic Arts. Looks like Tiki Tony’s handiwork and I know Bamboo Ben did most of the heavy lifting putting it in place. Very nice.

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Bamboocha Mai Tai at Lava Lava Beach Club

This was a recommendation from @clairekoenig who had it a Lava Lava’s Big Island location. Definitely a much better Mai Tai than their standard Huggo’s Mai Tai and also served in this cool bamboo cup that you can take home. Includes Koloa Light and Dark rums, plus 151 rum and fruit juices. Pretty damn good.

Lava Lava is right on the shore, connected to the Kauai Shores hotel which seems nice.

We had a great time.