Introducing Earl's - House Without A Key's New Pool Bar at the Halekulani

Kawehewehe

Blue Kuleana Nanea Rum, Kiawe-Smoked Pineapple Cordial, and Tiki Bitters.

This week the media was introduced to Earl's, the new pool bar located within Halekulani's House Without A Key and named in honor of author Earl Derr Biggers of the Charlie Chan mystery series.  Earl's cocktail line up features "extraordinary cocktails by the sea" as well as spirit free drinks and special drinks for keiki.  Ingredients used at Earl’s Bar are sourced from across the Hawaiian Islands.

We were welcomed by General Manager Ulrich Krauer and introduced to cultural advisor Hiinani Blakesley, new lead Mixologist Tuda Grehan, House Without A Key Chef Jarrin Otake, and Executive Chef Christian Testa (pictured below).  

Some of the new cocktail creations were derived from special inspiration. For example the Coconut Cake Martini, an ode to Halekulani’s world-famous coconut cake and Table 97, referencing Ernest Hemingway's favorite table near the ocean with a direct view of Diamond Head. This table is available only by advance reservation. 

Table 97, The 1940 (a champagne cocktail), and Coconut Cake Martini

Food menus have been redesigned to incorporate new dishes as the new kitchen includes a brand new brick oven.  Here's some of the dishes we tasted at the media event.  My favorites included the fish tacos, sushi, and fries!

Flat Bread "Skizza" Country Comfort classic margherita island style, house made crust, tomato sauce, extra virgin olive oil, dried oregano leaves, fresh mozzarella cheese, fresh basil 

Kabayaki Fries
topped with kabayaki sauce, furikake, crispy garlic, kewpie mayonnaise, green onion, and tobiko

Grilled Fresh Fish Tacos
3 small flour tortillas filled with citrus scallion aioli, shredded lettuce, lomi tomato, smashed avocado, cilantro, lime wedge

Seafood Roll

crab meat salad, ahi, salmon, shiso leaf, nori, tempura batter, togarashi aioli, tobiko, ikura, kabayaki sauce

Open Faced Asian Sliders

 bao buns topped with island style marinated pork, assorted pickled vegetables, micro cilantro

Crab-Shrimp Cake Lollipops

mini crab-shrimp cakes with citrus remoulade sauce

Pipikaula Salad Bundles

 marinated flank steak broiled and crusted with cracked black pepper, thinly sliced and wrapped around baby greens, papaya seed vinaigrette

Char Siu Coconut Baby Back Ribs

soy garlic marinated ribs, hoisin Chinese five spice honey glaze, coconut syrup, toasted coconut, green onion

House Without A Key’s features live Hawaiian music paired with hula dancing from former Miss Hawaii and Miss Hawaii USA winners each night starting at 5:30 p.m.  Reservations are available for daily breakfast (7-10:30 a.m.), lunch (11:30 a.m.-5 p.m.), sunset cocktails and dinner (5-8:30 p.m.).