Mon Avis-A Food and Travel Blog: Happy Hour

As I get older and gain more responsibilities in life aka parenthood, I find that Happy Hour (HH) is called Happy Hour for a reason. Not only are the drinks and bites cheaper ...winning... but it's a calming time of day that we all need to take once in awhile. Plus with an infant, 3-6pm is some of the best behavior of the day! So Happy Hour is not only for the after workers, but parents getting to feel like adults even with their keiki (Hawaiian word for child) present. So my new favorite adventure these days is finding a good Happy Hour or some call it Aloha Hour here on the island. Two stand out thus far.

Harbor Restaurant at Pier 38 is new in town as of this summer. Still working out the kinks and identity, but location and view is fantastic! Focusing on Spanish Brasa oven centered menu as a niche, you will find some interesting flavors. Happy Hour is currently 3-6pm daily. Beautiful cocktails or as they call them The Sip's come fairly strong and artfully prepared. You can tell the bar keep makes to give you a visual presentation along with flavor. Try the Sunset at sunset. Legit! Drinks are currently really the only thing discounted for their HH. No designated HH food menu at the present, was informed it's in the works. So instead you have the appetizer menu to order from. It's limiting in taste profile, but what is on it is good. Such as their Brasa Mushrooms with Egg. First you must like mushrooms, next you must love eggs, and third you must be obsessed with cheese. If you can say yes to that, order it! I found it unique and that makes me "happy". However regardless of the actual food and drinks, the view is worth it. They open their big bay windows at sunset...hello Hawaiian breeze!

The second and current reigning champ is Monkeypod Kitchen out in the resort area of Ko Olina. Prefect day to catch rays at one of the beautiful lagoons then wonder over to Monkepod situated in the very nicely developing shopping and food center. You'll feel like you are just one of the vacationers on island. As their website states "it all started with a passion", you can tell they care about craft, fresh, and local foods. Happy Hour is from 3:30-5:30pm daily with live music and full on HH menu. Pizzas are 9 bucks and appetizers half off, oh except all the stuff with fancy seafood in it...those are still full price! Beer, wine and specialty cocktails are acceptable HH prices. Highly recommend the Pumpkin Patch Ravioli with their Maui Mule. Yep I have gone hipster and will drink a mule from time to time. Beyond good HH prices and good eats, the live music is OUTSTANDING! The hubby was so impressed he said we need to tip. I do nothing think I have heard him ever say "let's tip the musicians". The duo that was performing brought live music to the level we all wish. Not too loud that you cannot talk, not so quiet you could careless, enjoyable song selection with their personal touch to make it interesting and waiting to see what was up next.

So if you haven't been feeling so happy, you just need to find the right hour!! Get out there! Kids, no kids, working, vacationing...go find a your happy place!! Bon Appetite!