Asuka N.
Yelp
We were lazy today and decided to stay at the Andaz (which is where we are staying) for lunch. Given it was a pool/beach day, we ended up at Lehua Lounge, which is next to the top of the pools that are layered on top of each other in front of the lobby (but a floor down from it). At midday, there were a few other tables occupied, but we were still able to select from one of the few that afforded shade at that time of day (one could also sit at the bar, which was empty but fully in the shade as well). There were a few servers on hand, so getting our orders in and keeping our water glasses filled was no problem at all; the food took a little longer than I might have expected to come out (the kitchen, based on the delivery method of being brought in covered plates, doesn't seem to be right next door), but there was no problem with that. The drink menu is alright - lots of cocktails to choose from, as well as some beer choices. The cocktails are okay if a bit unremarkable - they are very much poolside cocktails but at the premium you pay at a nice hotel in Hawaii. The Mai Tai yesterday (that I ordered poolside) was alright but a bit lacking in depth, while the Missionary Downfall today was basically a mint-forward slushy that had some rum mixed in somewhere (it didn't really come through).
For the food, the prices are a little bit more reasonable on a relative basis, but compared to other options at the Andaz, it was a tad underwhelming and very average. The wagyu burger was definitely overcooked - it felt more like medium-well versus medium - and the meat lacked any of the juiciness that one would expect from wagyu (perhaps because it was cooked out?). The additional avocado on the burger was nice, and the waffle fries were solid as well. It's decent, but not quite up to the expectations I had. My wife, however, did enjoy her salad, which was served up with kale, topped with a hearty amount of shrimp and topped with nice passion fruit dressing and other dressings (e.g. avocado, red quinoa, horseradish) that made it a hearty yet healthy meal.
While I wouldn't mind stopping by Lehua Lounge again for a drink or a snack, I'm not sure I'd go for another full meal here. The food strikes me as being a little above average, but not so as so much as to justify the kind of prices that you'll end up paying here.