BAR Acuda Tapas and Wine

Kauai's favorite North Shore restaurant is known for flavorful tapas and cocktails, located in the shops in Hanalei BAR Acuda has quality dishes and twists of ingredients that make you taste buds celebrate. The atmosphere is less country and more hip making this the nighttime favorite of many a visitor and local alike. It is Hanalei, so make sure you get seated by 9 pm because a late night in these parts wraps up by 10 pm. Reservations are recommended

At a Glance:
Cuisine: Tapas/Pacific Rim
Price: $$$/$$$$
Location: Hanalei, Kauai
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday for dinner at 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 pm, bar until 10 pm.
Environment/Dcor: stylish dcor with indoor circular booths and bar seating, and outside covered seating on the lanai. Very date centric, chic island dcor
*Reservations required, no open seating until after 8:30 pm.

BAR Acuda's owner and head chef Jim Moffat grew up around European cuisine, and traveled the world with particular culinary interest in southern European and Mediterranean foods and flavors. These interests were first expressed in successful restaurants that operated for many years in San Francisco area. BAR Acuda, brings an island spin to Moffat's menu in the sleepy little town of Hanalei. Moffat and his crew have built relationships between local farmers, ranchers, and fisherman to get the freshest local ingredients possible. This is evident in the foods and drinks created at BAR Acuda.  Don't be shocked as the portions are small as is often the case with tapas, but the taste sensations left us feeling surprisingly filled. The drinks menu has some inspired tastes in mixology, as well as great wine selection to accompany your tapas quite nicely.  Be prepared to share dishes, because that is what the tapas are all about. Ordering 4 to 6 dishes to feed a party of two is common.

Our Staff's Pics:
Olbendingas- Spanish pork and beef meatballs in a smokey tomato sauce, Banderillas grilled flank steak skewers with honey and chipotle chili oil were both delicious, as were the lamb riblettes in roasted cherry tomato and curry oil. For greens try the Spinach Salad w/soft egg on parmesan flat cake, a surprising delicious salad.  The mocha fudge cake was decadence best shared with a loved one, or close friend.

Bonus:
During mornings to midday, the Hanalei Bread Company operates out of the front porch of BAR ACuda, stop by to pic up some of the great homemade breads they serve in the restaurant.

Contacts:
Phone: 808.826-7081
Website: http://www.restaurantbaracuda.com/
Menu sample link: http://www.restaurantbaracuda.com/menu.html

Address:
5-5161 Kuhio Highway
Hanalei, Hawaii 96714

Parking Tips:
There is a parking lot just past the building housing the restaurant. If full, drive to rear of lot and look for spaces on the right in extended parking. Or park across the street in the Big Save Market parking lot.