On our first night of a week-long family reunion, we chose this restaurant because of the wonderful meals we have had there in the past. We were a party of 10, so getting a table anywhere was difficult, but they worked with us to get...as a table, and set us up outside, on the sofas and chairs in front of the two fire pits! The weather was perfect to eat outside, and our waiter, Victor M, was incredible! He was fun, friendly, and made great recommendations for drinks, appetizers, main course and dessert. In fact, when we didn't order it, he recommended the Coconut Cake for dessert: if you ever go there, you MUST get this dessert.More

Went for the 5:00pm hBar dinner, at 4:50pm to start with a bit of happy hour and transition to food, since reading that this place can get backed up with seating. Turns out we didn't really need to, but we may have just hit a...slow day. To be clear: there were people waiting for seating for practically our whole visit but looked to be mostly parties of 6 or more, the restaurant has a good number of two-tops. Ambiance is excellent, faces the sunset and TV screens show music videos for an eclectic mix of anicent to simply old music. We had Victor as our server who was able to handle our "this is our last day here" questions and was also generally attentive. On drinks I had the Huggos Famous Mai Tai and the Gilligan's Girl (the Big Bamboocha Mai Tai was sold out). The Mai Tai tasted classic, and the Gilligan's Girl was a great coconut flavor that played nice with the alcohol. My wife ended up with the Malahini Lemonade and put together a Lilikoi margarita - she says she liked both of the drinks and was going to get a third but I had to cut her off, the barback was pouring strong that day. Foodwise, we started with the poke tower which is more of a poke mound than a tower. I'd say about 3 inches tall (and some of that is avocado). Quality-wise about what I'd expect from a restaurant. Then I got the daily catch (Hook, Line & Sinker which comes on its own special plate), and the wife got the Kalbi Style Short Rib & Lemongrass Ginger Shrimp Brochette. The daily catch was Ono, lightly crusted, over an avocado cream, served with purple sweet potato... mash, carrots, and a mango salsa. The flavor was light and I believe meant to be brightened by the salsa which definitely happened, I could've used a little more salsa though. The shortrib and shrimp were great the bamboo rice balances the thick sauce around the short ribs and the shrimp exhibit a strong ginger flavor without being overpowering when you eat it. For dessert we *were* going to get some of the Ice Cream Pies (Hualalai and Mauna Kea) but then we saw the table next to us get one - they were celebrating 43 years married - and it's absolutely massive. About 9 inches tall, and looks amazing for instagram I'd imagine. I'd honestly require someone to share it with. *Instead* I got the Haupia Cake which is actually still large enough for two people (or one hungry person) a cylinder at ~5 inches tall and ~5 inch diameter absolutely covered in coconut. My wife wanted the Kona coffee ice cream and they gave her three huge scoops (probably to justify the price?). Tasty ice cream for sure. Overall happy with the visit and will probably join the ranks of Papa Kona in "restaurants we must visit when we visit the Big Island"More

So I liked this place! 3 stars doesn't mean it was bad. The food was good. It was just simply OK for the EXPENSE. This place is pricey and I felt like you were paying more for the view (it's an AMAZING view) than the...food. I enjoyed a casual sandwich at Huggo's on the Rocks just as much for a lot less money! If you're only going to splurge once on the Big Island, go to Merriman's,More