After our pilgrimage to Maui’s petroglyphs at Olowalu, I used to be wrought and marveled by the spirit of studying. I wanted a drink. We headed to the Sly Mongoose on the outskirts of Lahaina. It’s been advisable by each bar trade individual I do know on Oahu. A proud dive. Google it. No web site.
It’s simply “out of the best way”, the form of place that your navigation app can lead you to however can’t discover you parking. We had been fortunate, or early, and located the Sly Mongoose empty however for Invoice behind the bar and one common on the opposite facet of it. Seems we’ve mutual buddies and haunts within the Honolulu bar biz. In fact.
It was surprising to be taught that Invoice the Bartender is from South Philly. I used to be born in Philadelphia, simply months earlier than Mother and Dad moved the household to Honolulu. I had a Phillies cap on (strolling in, not being born) and Invoice poured a shot on the home saying, “I like your hat.”
The Sly Mongoose is tiny and shut. There’s a TV and a jukebox. There is perhaps dartboards, however I can’t be sure as a result of I used to be busy minding the match on the tele. We didn’t keep lengthy, although we left with the sensation of getting been welcomed. Mahalo, Invoice! See you at Kelley O’Neil’s.
After a drive to the Nakalele Blowhole, and a soak within the solar and the saltwater again on the oceanfront apartment, we cleaned up and made for Merriman’s Kapalua. My sister-in-law, “Monster”, occurred upon a uncommon last-minute cancellation on-line and signed us up for the prix-fixe menu, desk of 4.
The open-air structure seems out over a vista that features Napili Bay, Moloka’i Island, and the loudly setting solar. Tables are spaced, the whole lot is recent, and the service is impeccable. No kidding, it’s Hawaii trip paradise.
I didn’t trouble taking snaps of the dishes. That will solely debase the purity of the eating expertise. I had the “Tako A L’Escargot”, just like the French snail idiom however octopus as an alternative. Absurdly scrumptious. Monster conquered a lifetime of squeamish aversion to uncooked fish and shocked herself by loving the ahi and ono poke. I don’t recall what Honorable Spouse Particular person and my brother-in-law had for starters, however they cleaned their plates.
I went with the scallops and shrimp entrée, and I cleaned my plate. BIL opted for the lobster add-on along with his filet mignon and seared ahi choice. He devoured all of it, mumbling grateful admiration over his dessert. Gluten-free requests had been fairly politely honored all through the meal.
I’m not a sweets individual. The coconut and Tahitian vanilla ice cream and mochi cake I used to be introduced could have modified that, probably for good. Signing on for prix-fixe is an act of religion. I’m saved.
The day introduced us from silent and centuries-old messages in stone to savage seaside circumstances, from dimmed and air-cooled dive bar traditional rock to al fresca resort-style decorum and delicacies with tasteful ukulele music lilting on the breeze. The steaming espresso on the finish was a stimulating and unusual Continental bow on a singular Hawaii trip expertise, not less than for this middle-aged Hawaii child.
Get vaccinated. Put on a masks indoors. Stay Aloha.
Posted by: Jamie Winpenny
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