Hanalei Dolphin Gone Bad
 

One of my favorite restaurants on the Island totally disappointed us this year with bad food, but mainly with bad manners from the entire staff.

We were treated rudely from the gent who took our name at the podium to get a table. He literlly threw a buzzer at me without saying a word.

The waiter was in a terrible mood, forgot several items, such as bread and our favorite Thousand Island dressing.

Our food was overcooked and tastless and the "catch of the day" was dollars more than any other restaurant we ate at during our two weeks there, including Gaylord's which is not a shy place with pricing.

I have eaten there since 1985, at least 3 times a vacation and they now have lost me. Unless I hear some very very positive reviews, I will not return to my once favorite spot.

If anyone hears anything good about this place , please pass it on to me as I am hoping it was just a bad night, but I did talk with other traveler during my two week stay and they had similar experiences.

Say it aint so RichinPA! Is the fishmonger still in tact, cuz truth be told I have only bought fish to take home and adore the staff at the market.

Iamq is flying there as we speak. Hope the market hasn't fallen, as it is the best market I have ever encountered for the freshest of fish.

Do we have a trip report, or was the hellhole a continual dissappointment, that you wouldn't want to ruin anothers travel plans!

Hi RichinPA,

Gosh, sorry to hear this. Now that Zelo's is closed and the place that replaced it generally gets negative reviews (have not seen many), we need a new place to eat lunch when we visit the North Shore (we stay at Marriott in Lihue).

I was going to try either Hanalei Dolphin or Hanalei Gourmet (menu looked interesting when we stopped for a drink last year). Any suggestions, I believe you usually stay North? PS - Must serve beer, cannot make my honey drive me all that way and not be able to slake his thirst. Thanks much.

We ate at Dolphins in May. Actually, sat outside for appys & a drink initially, as we were a little too early to be allowed indoor seating. I did think the service was a bit gruff & lacking & the stuffed mushroom appys were over cooked to the point of being burned.

However, the ceviche was great & a most generous portion and the Mai Tai was the best in our experience on both the BI & Kauai. (I had to get up and ask for a napkin for the sweating glass and was ignored for a few minutes).

We returned later for the main course and were seated inside this time. We also found the service somewhat better this time.

The Haole chicken was good and DS enjoyed his catch of the day, Ahi, which was $28.50. (Wow!)
In retrospect, we should have doubled the Haole order ( an option ) as we would have saved about $12 or so.

Kealalani,
Have not heard anything bad about the Dolphin Fish Market, but we do not do much cooking when we are there.

I am trying to catch up on all the work I missed while gone, so will try to do a trip report sometime next week.

One thing I will say, is that the Hellhole is really getting busy........lots and lots of new construction all over the island, but particularly in Poipu area.

Also heard an interesting rumor that they may start charging a fee to drive up to the Wiamea Canyon starting next year.

Jamie99, based on my experience this year, I would stick with Hanalei Gourmet. Or buy a six pack at market and go to Polynesia Cafe, they have great Burgers and sandwiches.

BTW "Catch of the Day" at Doplhin was now at $31.00.