Ritz Carlton Happy Hour before the Michael Franti Show

The Ritz Carlton used to have the best happy hour from 3pm to 6pm where you could get cocktails, beer, and wine for around $7 and affordable pupus too! We loved going there to watch the sunset and pretend to be fancy pants but still able to pay the bill, LOL. Also, my fabulous friend, Mindy, works there and is always amazing to see. Sadly, the restaurant changed again so they no longer have the happy hour.

We stopped in one Friday night for a quick couple of drinks and a snack before the Michael Franti show at the Republik. I had a big lunch so I wasn't very hungry but then Mindy let us know the menu would be changing soon. There were kalua pork nachos on the menu that we had not tried before. With the date of the pending change unknown, this might be our last chance to ever try these nachos. Of course we ordered them!

The nachos came out in a big bowl and were covered in yummy kalua pork and housemade queso. We were impressed at how delicious they were and sad this would be the only time we got to eat them. The queso had this really yummy cheddar flavor that a good homemade mac n cheese would have. It was unlike most queso I have had.

Dusty (4.95) - PRESENTATION: Small-medium portion, good amount of toppings. RAD: Really good flavor and texture of the wonton chips. Queso and pork has great flavor. LAME: Small portion. TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 4.8, good toppings and good proportion of chips to toppings. They had great flavor and texture, chips were fresh, pork and queso was great. Overall very solid nachos. Beautiful venue for nachos, come at happy hour!                       

Shananigans (4.8) - PRESENTATION: Love the reveal of lifting the lid and magic appears. Lots of fresh jalapeños!  RAD: Wonton chips are yummy, homemade cheese sauce has nice cheddar flavor like a good homemade Mac n cheese would have, fresh jalapeños. Pork isn’t too salty. Mindy.    LAME: Won’t be in the new menu, jalapeños aren’t that spicy, but peppers can always be hit or miss. TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 4.7, every chip has toppings, love the extra cheese sauce on the bottom. The flavor combinations are perfect, love the simplicity of a few toppings when it’s done right. Happy hour 3-6 with the best view in town. Live local music.                        

The Franti show was epic!. This was my 3rd time getting to see him in Hawaii and he never disappoints. The positivity he exudes in his music just makes you want to smile and give each other hugs. He came off the stage and into the audience multiple times, pulling people from the crowd onto the mini stage to dance with him. At the end of the show, the entire band came down and everyone danced around with them while they played their last song of the show. Then Imagine by John Lennon came on frp, the DJ. The whole crowd was singing together and swaying along with the band. Hugs for everyone all around! I was lucky to get a hug from Franti himself and have him sign a record for me. I left feeling so energized and inspired. I also realized that I am indeed almost 40. He was constantly having the crowd jump to his songs throughout the show. The day after, my knees were totally sore. Aging sucks.