Namaka Restaurant N Bar — Restaurant in Kauai

My husband and I visit the island every year. After searching for new businesses that we had yet to visit since our last trip, I stumbled upon this restaurant. After reading the good reviews (likely written by family and friends), we went here yesterday. We decided on the fish and chips since the rest of the menu seemed unappealing. Not only was the fish like rubber, the 4 Extremely THIN strips served with the dish were fried in old oil just like the fries it came with. The fries were so burnt and orange in color, they were inedible. The fish? Disgusting. My husband and I decided to leave our losses at the table and decided to get the check so we could go to Dukes for dinner since we couldn't even eat our meals. The server was the only nice thing about this restaurant and since the food wasn't his fault, we still payed for the meals and left him a $20 tip because we are fair, generous people. However, because the food was Disgusting and the place felt like a school cafeteria with tables and the only thing appearing decent are the chairs that you sit in, I decided to leave this review. As a business owner myself and looking at the negative reviews prior to writing this one, it's apparent the owner won't take responsibility and will likely not agree with my review either once they respond. So, My advice to the owner: Revise your menu because there's too many odd items that don't flow into the next serving. This makes the menu unappealing. The restaurant doesn't provide the value you'd expect with these prices. Get a decent chef so people can actually eat the food. (Change the oil) Your "all you can eat salad bar" cheapens the experience and makes the restaurant feel tacky with how it's set up. The food is disgusting and would make Gordon Ramsey say you're ripping people off for food that could potentially make them sick. (Please, ask me how I know)

I hope this place does better and can take constructive feedback to improve but if they don't, they won't be in...

Sorry to have leave a negative review but I just felt something needed to be said. We made reservations for 2 for 6pm. We arrived 15 minutes early and were seated right away. (only one other couple there). Friendly staff. No problem there. However, from there on things deteriorated. The service was extremely slow. Our server went through a long description of many meals and drinks, highly recommending the Surf & Turf and the Ribeye steak so my wife and I ordered those. We also ordered 2 drinks. It took a long time for the drinks but a very long time for the food. The 16oz Ribeye ($75.00) was tough and smothered in a cream sauce that virtually overpowered the steak. The garlic mashed potatoes were only warm and bland. The Surf &Turf ($86.00) was lobster and filet mignon also with garlic potatoes. Also with the cream sauce. Neither meal was worth Anywhere near the price paid. The total was almost $240.00 for food that wasn't worth half that. This is a restaurant that seems to want you to spend a long time, order drinks etc. I believe they cater to residents as several other couples got quicker service. I hope they improve on things but I'm not sure what they are trying to be. Again, no problem with the staff but more with the restaurant's direction...

Proud to write the 19th review of this AMAZING place. It may well have the best food on the island. It was Extraordinary. The menu is so creative; we wanted to order all the Starters!! We finally narrowed down the main courses to Roast Pork, Osso Buco & Mushroom/Corn Risotto. The Kiawe Roast Pork melted in your mouth! The Osso Buco (pork shank served over risotto) was unbelievable and the Risotto was cooked perfectly with amazing flavor throughout. We kept saying “Can’t wait to come back!!!” Would be remiss if we didn’t talk about the drinks that Jen, the mixologist bartender prepared…. The Smokey Old-Fashion (real name was Paniolo something!) was presented beautifully and declared by two in our party to be the best Old-Fashion they have had in their entire lives!! The service and care of the staff was impeccable. The chef should be so proud of the delectable creations she is presenting. We cannot even do justice to the superb tastes we savored. Only little questionable thing was the salad bar - it was nowhere near the level of EVERYTHING else and frankly was a huge disappointment - at least get some decent dressings and...