Keoki’s Pardise reminds me of Duke’s in Waikiki. It’s got a very tropical vibe with breezy outdoor seating and a menu of popular local dishes and specialty drinks. While Keoki’s doesn’t overlook a beach, like Duke’s does, this restaurant has a very secluded feel surrounded by live plants and a waterfall-pond.
We usually come here at night for frozen mai tais. Soo good! It’s a mixture of their signature mai tai blend with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. How genius is that?! It is like a dessert and drink in one. The mai tai comes in a glass cup shaped as a tiki man, which is a bit too touristy for me, but hey, I’ve learned to deal with that. With how big the drink is, I would say the $9 price is well worth it.
If you are planning to come closer to sunset, Aloha Hour happens from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Bamboo Bar. Keoki’s calls it “the happiest two hours on Kauai,” which I completely agree. The restaurant has a pretty expansive menu of half-price drinks, pupu and entrees. The pupu ($5) include kalua pork spring rolls with lilikoi chili pepper water, fried calamari strips, the hummus trio and several other dishes. For entree plates ($9), they have cheddar burgers, kalua pork and cole slaw sandwiches and island fish and chips.
While Kauai does not have much of a night life, the Bamboo Bar at Keoki’s is definitely one with a happening scene. Happy Hour seems to invite customers of all (legal) ages, while the night scene seems to attract a younger crowd (age 21 to 40). Either way, Keoki’s offers something for everyone.
KEOKI’S PARADISE
• Poipu Shopping Village, 2360 Kiahuna Plantation Dr., Koloa, HI 96756 • 808-742-7534 • www.keokisparadise.com
