(lilikoigrill.com) – Seaside, Oregon

How I heard of this place: Yelp. On our way into town, crossing the first of two bridges, stuck in traffic, we were eager to find a place with yummy-sounding food for our long-awaited lunch. We turned to Yelp.

Type of cuisine: “Introducing fresh, flavorful ingredients along with cocktails made with the finest ingredients, we are bringing some Aloha to Seaside! With Pupu’s (appetizers) soups, salads, sandwiches and creative entrees we have something for everyone to enjoy at Lilikoi.”

Ambiance: Cute, bright and vibrant with tropical colors, guests are welcomed through large windowed doors, limited seating available street-front.

Inside, the tropical flavor reigns with growing palms,

bamboo covered seating at cozy booths,

and shack-like spaces for intimacy in larger parties.

Windows with shutters make for creative decoration above the bar, with a balcony/loft above, offering seating for one small pair.

Wooden seats padded and covered with black leather are available for seating throughout the dining area, as well as at the bar, coordinating with the bar-top counter.

The coziness of the space is inviting and welcoming, just like a tropical, Hawai’ian beach town.

The loft may only be decorative, but certainly adds an air of quaintness to the space.

What I ordered: To start, my husband enjoyed the Paradise Punch ($3.75), made with orange, pineapple, lime juice and grenadine, served in a glass tiki mug (see picture below).

We also sampled off of the happy hour menu, including everything that made up my meal, starting with Crispy Fried Artichoke Hearts ($4): artichoke heart tempura battered and crispy fried with garlic ranch,

Baby Gem Caesar Salad ($4): baby gem romaine with housemate Caesar dressing and croutons.

And the Coconut Shrimp with Papaya Mango Chutney ($19.50 for the full meal which includes five pieces instead of four): large gulf shrimp dipped in Longboard tempura and shredded coconut, crispy fried and served with papaya mango chutney.

For my husband, the Longboard Fish and Chips (3 piece $17): fresh Pacific Snapper dipped in Kona Longboard Beer tempura, crispy fried and served with apple jicama slaw, tarter sauce and fresh cut fries.

What I loved: While the shrimp was so sweet, I was forced to un-batter each butterflied slew of seafood, and the abundance of our meal was fried, the most enjoyable part of the meal – for me – was the fries, the Caesar salad, and the Paradise Punch.

Why I loved it: The atmosphere, the artwork, the space itself, meticulously and successfully gave us an escape to the tropics.

Cost: Average to high ($14 – $29 per entrée)

Tags: Featured