I mentioned in a previous post that my friends and I enjoyed a weekend staycation at the Mauna Kea Beach hotel recently. We all got together for dinner one night at Manta, a restaurant described as serving a blend of contemporary and traditional dishes with Pacific Rim influences. Our group was assigned to what I will call a private, open-air lanai to the side of the restaurant. In fact, all the dining experiences at the hotel all had a lot of open-air options and made things feel very safe and spacious. We headed to the restaurant area slightly before our reservation time so we could enjoy the beautiful sunset over the ocean and take some photos to help us remember this wonderful weekend.

We indulged with oysters, seafood platters, lobster tempura, and of course with delicious wine throughout the evening. We ended with a beautiful cake for a perfect ending. Cheers to good food, good wine, and best friends. Living Hilo Style.