1. Beach House Restaurant

My husband and I took our two kids to this restaurant last summer. We must've been very lucky that night because we arrived before the dining room was open (not intentionally) so we were seated at the best seat in the bar, right next to the window to watch the perfect sunset. We relaxed and enjoyed cocktails, and the kids were just thrilled to be in Kauai. To my surprise, we did not have to move to the dining room to get dinner service. They did get extremely busy, so we did have to wait for our meal, but didn't mind since the atmosphere and view were relaxing and amazing. When the kids got a little restless waiting for their food, we were able to walk them outside by the beach. Just being in Kauai makes us feel relaxed and in no hurry to rush in or out...but I can understand if we had gotten their at the height of the dinner rush and had a lousy seat in the corner somewhere, in addition to being treated as if no one really cared if we were there or not, it would be a bad place to visit. So, my advice is to get there early, when the bar is open and about a half hour before the dining room opens, get a table in the bar by the window, relax, and be prepared to have to wait a while for your meal.

Beach House
From the time we arrived on Kauai, we heard that the most romantic restaurant on the island was the beach house. Everyone stated how impeccable the food was, etc. Imagine my intense disappointment when we made reservations days in advance, arrived at the restaurant early and still had to wait for a table! After we were seated it was 15 minutes before the wait staff came by and took our order for drinks. Another 15 went by before we received the wine. Another 30 went by before he showed up again to take our order. Very little interaction with us. We saw his other tables arrive after us and receive superb service with their items arriving in a timely manner. Finally after being in the restaurant for over 1 and 1/2 hours and still not receiving our entree, we asked to see the manager and left just as our entrees were arriving. We declined to take them with us. I would not recommend this restaurant and feel they are certainly relying on their location to carry them because their service certainly isn't doing it.

My wife and I have dined at the Beach House at least once each year for the past 25 years (except when it was closed after Iniki). Last night was a disappointment. Even though we had reservations and arrived a few minutes early, we had to wait for a table. The staff members at the reception desk were very unfriendly. Our table was crowded into a corner, far from the windows and with little view. Our waiter was very slow, perhaps too busy with too many other tables. After he brought a bottle of white wine, he asked if we wanted an ice bucket. Of course we wanted an ice bucket. What did he think we would say? Perhaps, “No, I’m sure that is too much trouble for you.” Maybe, ”No, we want it to get warm.”, or possibly, “No, we will swill it so fast it won’t have time to get warm.” There were long waits between courses. We had to ask for enough butter. The main course was served at room temperature. When we cancelled our upcoming reservation for the next week, no one asked why. They are obviously so busy that they no longer need to care.

I'm usually a "there's always room for improvement" kinda guy but not in this case. Our service and food were impeccable. Best service I've ever had in a restaurant, even. The setting is amazing as well, watch the surfers or the sunset while you dine. Reserve well in advance or show up at 5 for bar service.