Bar Acuda — Restaurant in Kauai

Excellent Food, I'll never eat there again.

I stayed up until midnight 30 days ago, because I wanted to eat there at 7 pm on Wednesday. I confirmed my reservation on Yelp (twice) because I wanted to eat there at 7pm on Wednesday. When I checked in at 6:50, the hostess told me I was early, and it would be 10 or 15 minutes, and that I was welcome to wait in the stand-up bar. It was crowded and too loud to carry on a conversation, so I waited on a bench outside. At 725, I went back to the hostess stand. I was offered one of those High tables next to the bar, but I said I'd rather have a standard dining table, so I waited 5 more minutes, then we were seated at 730.

Dinner was lovely, the food combinations were some that I would have never thought of trying, and everything was delicious.

When it was time to pay, the waitress told us that they were having trouble with the credit card machine, but should get it resolved in just a few minutes. We looked around and saw 4 or 5 other groups that seemed to be done, but weren't leaving. One woman got up and went to the hostess stand 2 times, but came back to the table with an unsatisfied look on her face both times. We never saw our waitress during this period. 30 minutes later, I got up and went to the hostess stand and asked to see the manager. The person that I had thought was the hostess informed me that she was the manager (so maybe that was the root cause of this whole issue - when the manager is performing all the duties of a specific individual, then nobody is paying attention to the things that the manager should be paying attention to). I told her that I didn't appreciate being held up 30 minutes to get my table, then another 30 minutes trying to pay. The Manager/Hostess informed me that they were trying to set up an alternative way to process credit cards, and that my patience would be appreciated. I told her that I felt like they should have had an alternative method in place from the beginning, but she said this had never happened before. She didn't apologize, and she didn't even acknowledge that I had been put out. In all my life, whenever something out of the control of the employees has happened, managers have handled it by being very sympathetic, by acknowledging the problems that they were causing the customers, and almost always followed it up by saying "let me buy you a drink" (or a dessert, or something). But not at Bar Acuda. She made me feel like I was being a jerk because I wasn't happy to just sit at her table and soak up the ambiance. I think Bar Acuda gets a lot of good press, and that has allowed them to charge $9 for the bread that most fine dining places give away for free, or $30 for two scallops (which were very good, but, come on - really?) but when a restaurant can't even keep a reservation, doesn't have a backup plan when the credit card machine goes down, and hires a manager who allows herself to get overwhelmed by doing the work of a single person, then it doesn't take very long for customers to realize the place has just become a...

Very disappointed in Bar Acuda. We love Tapas... and were excited to get a reservation last minute, but there was little to be excited about once we sat down.

The host that greeted us when we arrived was wonderful, all smiles and we had a nice chat with her. We were feeling good as we sat down outside, as the place has a nice ambiance. Unfortunately, the happy ended there. Our server was not all smiles. In fact, we mused that she really didn't want to be there that night. I greeted her with a "how are you tonight"? and received a nod, with "fine". Ok! And that carried on throughout our dining experience. We also overheard 2 other tables complaining about their orders before we even ordered drinks. But still, we were optimistic... until the drinks came. My wife and I tried the Hanalei Spritz, which was made with Uncle Val's botanical gin, lilikoi puree, Aperol and cava rose for $19. We dig Spritzes, being hooked on them since our last trip to Italy. This drink however, just tasted like watered down pale orange Aperol. If there was lilikoi, or even gin for that matter, neither of us could taste it. My wife ordered an Aperol Spritz after she finished and it was equally watered down. C'mon, for $19?

The food, well... the food was just ok. The Papas Ajo was good, but the paprika aioli separated and was gelatinous and just ran off the potatoes. The Mediterranean olives were tasty, as was the North Shore Honeycomb. However, the Moorish spiced Lentils were really undercooked, but had good flavor, which left my wife disappointed, as she had just returned from Morocco and was excited for lentils. The special that night was seared tuna, which had a nice presentation, but was way overcooked, leaving just a tiny bit of pink and the rest of it a bit tough, as tuna gets when overcooked. The seared Kauai Shrimp was very good, with a gold mash potato, garlic and shallot, with a chili lemon crisp. The Hawaiin Fish, was also well prepared. We decided against desert as Jo Jo's shave ice was across the street.

Our thoughts as we walked away were mixed. Enjoyed some of the food, however we both felt that what Bar Acuda charges for their what came out of the kitchen that night, was lacking. The potential is there, and obviously given the lack of fine dining on the Princeville/Hanalei side of the island, Bar Acuda is going to continuously be busy every night from Tuesday through Saturday. Just not sure we would go back.

I would recommend you go and try them out. Hopefully our experience was...

Bar Acuda in Kauai is a delightful culinary gem that truly captures the essence of farm-to-table dining in a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere. Nestled in the charming town of Hanalei, this restaurant offers a unique blend of local flavors, fresh ingredients, and a laid-back vibe that makes it a must-visit destination for food lovers.

From the moment we stepped inside Bar Acuda, we were struck by its inviting ambiance. The decor is a perfect mix of rustic charm and modern elegance, with warm lighting and wooden accents that create a cozy yet stylish setting. The staff greeted us with genuine warmth and enthusiasm, setting the tone for a wonderful dining experience.

The menu at Bar Acuda is thoughtfully curated, showcasing a variety of dishes that highlight the best of Kauai’s local produce and seafood. We started with a selection of small plates, and each dish was a delightful revelation. The flavors were vibrant, and the presentation was beautiful, showcasing the chef's creativity and attention to detail. The emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients was evident in every bite, making the meal feel both nourishing and indulgent.

One of our standout favorites was the roasted beet salad, which was a perfect blend of earthy flavors and refreshing textures. The seafood dishes were equally impressive, with the catch of the day being a highlight—perfectly cooked and bursting with flavor. The options for sharing were fantastic, allowing us to sample a variety of dishes and truly savor the culinary offerings.

The drink menu was equally enticing, featuring a great selection of local wines and craft cocktails that complemented our meal perfectly. The bartenders were knowledgeable and eager to recommend pairings, enhancing our overall experience.

While Bar Acuda can get busy, especially during peak dining hours, the atmosphere remains relaxed and enjoyable. The combination of delicious food, friendly service, and a lively ambiance creates a memorable dining experience that we thoroughly enjoyed.

In summary, Bar Acuda is a fantastic restaurant in Kauai that offers a delicious farm-to-table dining experience in a warm and welcoming setting. From the creative dishes to the attentive service, every aspect of our visit was delightful. If you’re in the area, be sure to make a reservation and treat yourself to a culinary adventure at this...