Have you ever heard of a Hawaiian chef named Peter Merriman? He is known as the pioneer of “Hawaii Regional Cuisine,” a food revolution focusing on local Hawaii, including farmers, farms, and breweries. I was shocked at how delicious Hawaii’s bounty could be.
Chef Merriman is a master of creative ideas while respecting the flavors of the ingredients. He is a master of his craft, and has opened restaurants on Maui, Kauai, and now Oahu. Moku Kitchen” in Kakaako, “Monkeypod” in Ko Olina, and “Merriman’s” in Ward, and finally “Monkeypod” is coming to Waikiki in the summer of 2023.
Located on the ground floor of the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort Hotel on the western edge of Waikiki, the location is too bold. The location is not so much oceanfront as it is on the beach, and you can enjoy your meal “on the water” with the sound of the waves and even the spray of the waves coming into the restaurant.
People think, “Merriman’s restaurant is good but upscale ……,” but here’s the common man’s best friend: happy hour. Appetizers are half price, pizza is $14, draft beer is $2 off, and all handcrafted cocktails such as Mai Tai are $4 off. Hours are from 3:30 to 5:00 pm. While most restaurants limit happy hour to weekdays, this place also offers it on weekends, which I think is another reason for its popularity (it is only suspended on certain holidays).
This is why many busy weekday locals come here on weekends to enjoy happy hour. The restaurant is lively and casual. It is nice to be able to enjoy Merriman’s concept of cuisine in an unpretentious atmosphere. The Monkey Pod Mai Tai is made with Maui Kula lamb, homemade macadamia nut syrup, and topped with fluffy sweet and sour honey lilikoi foam.
Every time I visit, I order the Garlic Truffle Oil Fries ($13 -> $6.50). You’ll be stuck forever picking them up freshly fried and dipping them in homemade ketchup and whole grain mustard aioli sauce.
The Roasted Chicken Wings by Jidori Chicken had Chef Merriman’s signature use of herbs, and were fragrant with local rosemary and garlic ($22 -> $11). Served with yogurt feta and celery, it was quite hearty. Be careful not to eat too much, or you won’t be able to get to the next dish.
Pizza baked in the restaurant’s oven for $14 (regular price is $21-23) is a steal at this location, so pizza is on the must-order list. This time, I ordered the Kalua Pork & Pineapple, just like in Hawaii. The Kalua pork, macadamia nut pesto, and fresh pineapple were grilled to a golden brown and very satisfying. If you want to enjoy the unique taste of Hawaii, I recommend this restaurant.
Around here, I also gulped down a local beer. 20+ beers are available, and this time I chose a red ale called Mililani Red from “Beer Lab” ($10 -> $8). It had a slight caramel taste with little bitterness.
At this point, we were maxed out on satiety and decided to take both the chicken and the pizza home. In Hawaii, it is customary to take home leftovers, resulting in two meals (both were delicious when reheated).
For reference, the photo above is the Hamakua Mushroom Truffle Oil Pizza ($23 -> $14) that I ordered on my last visit. It is a garlic pizza with white sauce, scented with Hawaiian mushrooms and truffle oil, and the flavor goes without saying. Another item on the menu is the Fresh Island Fish Sandwich ($25, not included in happy hour).
Another one that I managed to order with great effort is the Strawberry Cream Pie ($13). The staff complimented me on my choice, saying, “Good choice! The homemade pie crust is surprisingly light, and you can easily finish it. There is a secret technique: if you reserve a table through the restaurant’s website, you will receive a questionnaire by e-mail after your visit. If you respond to the questionnaire, you will receive a message saying, “Next time, you can have a cream pie of your choice! and you will be contacted. So, this time the pie was free of charge. Yay (it didn’t have an expiration date at this point).
The store is designed with a large monkeypod, which is said to express the concept of “wishing Hawaiian people lively days, just as the grass is green under the monkeypod tree.
If you are so inclined, you may want to sit on the ocean side, but take into account the season to choose a more comfortable seat. In summer, the best time to be there is after 5:00 pm. In winter, the sun sets over the ocean, which is a spectacular sight, but in the evening, the sun shines through to your seat, making it hot and glaring. In such cases, it is better to sit a little further inside. You can see the ocean and feel the breeze, which is pleasant enough.
After enjoying a meal at the restaurant where the wind dances with the sound of the waves, you can enjoy this view from the window. Live music is also playing inside the restaurant. Happy hour is truly a “happy hour” where you can experience the charm of Hawaii through all five senses.
© Source travel watch
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