HASR Bistro - Traci's Birthday Nachos

Nacho Libra was off-island for her actual birthday so we celebrated a week late at HASR Bistro (Highly Allocated Spoiled Rotten). They set up a long table for us outside in their lovely courtyard. All the trees were decorated with lights and it was quite beautiful. Our waiter, Bruno, was amazing. As is Hawaii style, everyone showed up in waves but eventually we had all the seats filled. The nachos were enough for one as a meal, or two to share. The French onion soup was to die for. After nachos, the gang headed around the corner to Cake Envy to see Amy and eat some cheesecake. Her bacon maple cheesecake is one of the best things I've ever put in my mouth. Nom nom nom nom nom. A most fabulous evening with nacho friends. Happy birthday Traci! So lucky to have you as a bestie in this life. And thank you for all the work you do with the nacho blog.

Spiced Ahi Nachos ($14) - won ton chips, avocado, onions, nori flakes, chili aioli

Nacho Libra (4) – Pretty and colorful. RAD: Crunchy chips, great ahi, spicy chili aioli, good size.  LAME:  I had to share them.  TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 3.5, the flavors are great and there are plenty of toppings.  Love the indoor/outdoor seating.  Bruno was very attentive.  Thank you!  The french onion soup and garlic cheese bread…so ono.

Rebekah (4) – Love the color, green on top, crispy brown below, like beautiful delicious grass breaking out of fresh sand. RAD: Taste.  LAME:  Raw onions.  TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 2.5, want more toppings.  Ambiance is lovely.  Company spectacular.

La Sexxxxy (3) – Nice presentation. RAD: Good ahi.  LAME:  Not crazy about raw onion.  TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 3.  Nice outside seating.

Kokopelli (5) – Beautifully presented. RAD: Pretty and delicious.  LAME:  Nothing.  TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 5, very nice ratio  Atmosphere is really nice.  These are not your typical nachos.  They are the gourmet, tapas version.  I would call them "nacho-inspired."  There are no tortilla chips or cheese.  The serving size is not humongous; I could easily eat 1-2 on my own.  They are more delicious than normal nachos but leave me hungry.  Just know what you are coming here for.  The nachos are $14 and will be a lovely appetizer but will leave you with plenty of room for some fancy wine and $25-$35 entrée.  Anyway, my point is comparing these "nachos" is like comparing a cheeseburger to a fillet mignon.  I love them both, but they serve totally different purposes.

Bill C. (5) – Gorgeous, handsome, colorful, bubbly. RAD: Great interpretation of nachos with 0% actual nachos.  LAME:  That this dish makes most other nachos lame.  TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 5.  Beautiful dining area, nice and prompt service.  Can watch bums fight across the street.

Logan (4) – Pretty!  I want to eat. RAD: The ingredients!  So ono.  LAME:  Quantity over quality sometimes.  TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 3, high quality, medium amount.  Great mix.  Solid outdoor setting is the way to go.

Shananigans (4) – They look gorgeous. RAD: Fresh ingredients.  LAME:  No cheese.  TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 3, toppings fall off because nothing is gluing them together so you have to scoop them back on the wonton chip.  Bruno is awesome.  The restaurant is gorgeous.  They serve moscow mules in a proper copper cup.

Cameroondo (2.5) – Great overall presentation. RAD: Great spicy flavor.  LAME:  I was late and I am watching others eat.  TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 2, Ahi was good but not plentiful, needs more cheese.  Taste was really good.  Pretty atmosphere.

LT (4) – Wow!  Interesting looking chips!! Oh won tons. RAD: Sesame oil and seeds!  They know my secret…it makes everything (yup, that too) taste better.  LAME:  Nothing.  TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 4.25, pretty good.  Atmosphere great!  Too bad it is so humid these days.  Our server, Bruno, was awesome (and kinda cute…shhh…don't tell my hubby).

Suz (3) – Beautiful presentation, looks very tasty and fancy, lots of good toppings. RAD: A good amount of ahi and avocado.  LAME:  Chips are a little to thick/heavy considering the lightness of the toppings, chips should be more delicate.  TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 4.  Great service, cool atmosphere, would definitely come back.

Steve (4) – Great presentation. RAD: Like the texture of the fish and chips.  LAME:  No cheese w/ahi.  TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 4, toppings were fresh.

B (3) – Decent amount of toppings, great presentation. RAD: Spicy spicy goodness.  LAME:  Toppings keep falling off.  TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 3, not enough spicy goodness.  Atmosphere is excellent.

Danielle (2) – Looks tasty!  A little small for the price. RAD: Avocado.  LAME:  The ahi is terrible…ahi is my favorite food & I couldn't eat it.  TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 3.  Beautiful environment.  Gorgeous lanai area.  Good service.

Guacamole Haole (5) – The environment is a dream come true.  There is a European Villa theme with a zen garden and live music inside. RAD: Ahi! Ahi! Ahi!  I would say seared poke style.  Poke me.  LAME:  Finding the place was hard.  TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: Avocado like bits was perfect to offset the ahi.  All my favorite things rolled into one.  God bless fusion.

J9 (4) – Colorful & Tasty. RAD: Freshness of ahi and spiciness of aioli.  LAME:  Not enough toppings.  TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 3, could have more going on topping wise, but nice flavor overall.  I love ahi, so happy to try it on a nacho…but needs more substance.  Great ambiance of restaurant, love the crunchy won ton chips.