On a Thursday in Hawaii, we decided to start our night a little later and began our walk down the beach path around 7. We had seen a restaurant named Longboards that looked quite appealing the previous day, as it had outdoor seating with beach chairs in the sand and small tables on a terrace.

When we arrived, we were told that it was a 30 minute wait. In no hurry, we agreed and found comfortable chairs in the lounge area. Asking a couple who sat near us if there were waitstaff in this area, they said no. My husband headed to the bar, where no one asked what he needed. In fact, I watched a bartender purposely avoid eye contact while my husband asked about placing a drink order. As my husband was not going to return without beverages, he talked to this bartender until finally he took our drink order.

Perhaps it would have been better had we not ordered drinks. My blended mango drink was fair, but my husband’s frozen drink was not as described in the menu. His drink was to have been a blend of coffee and macadamia flavors. However, the overbearing taste was chocolate.

Our wait was less than the 30 minutes we were told, which was nice. Unfortunately, this is not the point where the story makes a turn for the better. Our waitress was slow to greet us and seemed confused by the question, “Are there specials today?” We ordered the Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps as an appetizer and viewed the menu for a second round of drinks. The cocktail menu listed only frozen drinks, beer, and wine. My husband wisely chose a Mai Tai (anyone can pour Mai Tai mix and top it with dark rum). Foolishly, I ordered a mango martini. It was the thickest martini I have been served.  Ever.

By the time the lettuce wraps arrived, we knew that our time at Longboard’s would be ending soon. We did enjoy the wraps, which were served as a make your own assembly line. However, nothing on the dinner menu was very appealing, and the service was getting worse. While in the ladies’ room, a waiter came and took 2 of the 4 chairs at our table without asking. Granted there were 2 left, but he took the one in which I had been sitting.

We requested our bill, paid quickly, and said a grateful farewell to Longboards.