Our Most Romantic Dining Experience

(This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please read our Privacy Policy.)

Just when we thought the mere fact of eating at Tidepools at the Grand Hyatt in Kauai would give us a nice, romantic dining experience, beautiful moments happened throughout the evening that made this our most romantic dining experience to date. 

Tidepools Grand Hyatt Kauai Hawaii
We picked 6:15 pm for our reservation time so it would be around sunset, which was taking place right at 7:00 pm. We arrived a few minutes before our reservation and walked around the stunning grounds of the Hyatt.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Hawaii

The Romantic Dining Begins

We noticed a table at the restaurant that was in a private little hut that jutted out over the koi pond. We certainly wanted a table on the water and thought it would be awesome to snag that table set apart from all the others. Sam went in and asked the hostess if we could sit there, and she said yes!

Romantic dining Tidepools Kauai

Kauai cocktails
We started off with a round of cocktails and the pacific prawn summer rolls as an appetizer.

Prawn summer rolls
For dinner, I (Toccara) ordered the macadamia nut crusted Mahi Mahi with a coconut-kaffir lime beurre blanc sauce and papaya-avocado relish, served with a side of with molokai sweet potato.

Macedamia Nut Mahi Mahi
Sam ordered the soy-ginger glazed and macadamia nut crusted Hawaiian catch with pacific prawns and “kona cold” lobster served with coconut-jasmine rice and a lemongrass beurre blanc.

Pacific prawns with kona cold lobster
Both plates were divine! I had wanted to order a glass of wine with dinner, but unfortunately our waiter got caught up at his other tables. We had to track down a wine menu ourselves and just wait for him to come over. I was already about 2/3 done with my meal when he finally came over check on us. Not too long after our drinks arrived, the manager stopped by to say that our waiter had shared with him that he felt like he had neglected us a little when he got caught up with his other tables and that he wanted to buy that round of drinks for us! Our waiter also thought that because we were sitting at the ‘fancy’ table, that it was a special occasion, and he brought us a free molten lava cake for dessert!

Molten lava cake with ice cream
That got us thinking… was this table reserved for ‘special occasion’ dinners? I asked Sam if he thought there was an additional charge for sitting at this particular table and although he didn’t think there was, he couldn’t relax until he had confirmed this with the hostess. He came back and told me that the hostess had told him, without blinking, that it was $300! He said she let it linger for a minute before telling him that we didn’t have to pay the $300, because no one had reserved the table that night. Phew!

Romantic dining at Tidepools Grand Hyatt Kauai
Had we actually paid the $300, the $25 in drinks that the manager covered and $15 for the on-the-house molten lava cake, our bill would have been over $460 (USD) + tip! Needless to say, it was one of the most romantic and memorable dinners we’ve ever had!

Tell us about your most memorable meal in the comments below!

Interested in learning more about other great places to eat in Kauai?! Click here!

Need help planning your own trip to the Garden Isle? For less than a buck ($1 USD), you can download our printable 4-page Kauai Destination Guide that includes information on: Transportation | Best Time to Visit | Weather | Recommended Lodgings and Restaurants | Suggested Activities Based on Interest | Money Saving Tips | Kauai Facts | Sample 7-Day Itinerary


One Comment

  1. Our most memorable dinner was at Mama’s Fish House on Maui. We went there to celebrate our 40th anniversary. The only reservation they had that evening was at 4:00 pm. I was a little disappointed that it was that early, but when we got there I was glad it was still sunny, because the view had from our table overlooking the ocean was just beautiful. There was a card on the table wishing us a Happy 40th Anniversary. During our meal, which was amazing, the manager brought over a lei for me. When talking to the waiter we mentioned that we collected menus from restaurants we have been to for special occasions. The waiter gave us a menu and also one of their drink menus. We have ate at a lot of great restaurants, but this one is one we will always remember and reminisce about, the food, service and atmosphere were over the top.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *