Bahama Breeze

Yaka Hula Hickey Dula

Aloha!

Have you ever had a little Hawaiian girl dancing on your dashboard? Chances are that if you went to Bahama Breeze last month and tried their new Yaka Hula Hickey Dula cocktail, you have. Inspired by the many love affairs born out of the Hawaiian love song sang by Bing Crosby, this concoction of Pineapple Juice, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Riesling Wine, and Myers' Dark Rum is a great way to welcome the weekend or any day of the week for that matter. For years I've been going to the Bahama Breeze located at 12395 S.W. 88 Street for either Happy Hour with my friends or some late night bites. We always have a good time enjoying their fun cocktails and our favorite dishes.

Conch Fritters

Onion Rings

World Famous Coconut Shrimp

On my last visit, I noticed they added some relatively new items to their menu. To their Snacks & Small Plates section, they now offer some Conch Fritters that are a fried food fan's ode to life. Following a traditional, Key West-inspired recipe, they are flavorful with a slight kick and pleasing texture. The dipping sauce is amazing and I could literally dip bread in it and be happy. We made those suckers disappear so quickly, that we had to have a second order just to make sure they weren't a figment of our imagination. Their Onion Rings are also a tasty treat to enjoy with a refreshing cocktail.  Hand made with panko breading and shredded coconut flakes,  it was a fun way to start the meal. If you've been to Bahama Breeze, then you know about their signature favorite: The Coconut Shrimp: large, crispy shrimp served with finger-licking good citrus-mustard sauce. You just can't come here and not have an order, so we did. There is one small plate I didn't have on this visit that I highly recommend; the Ahi Tuna Stack. I don't have to tell you about my addiction to tuna and this starter is a winner. Fresh Hawaiian ahi tuna is marinated in Ponzu sauce, with pickled cucumber and stacked with crispy wonton. It is served with a pineapple salsa that gives the whole thing that coveted sweet and salty combination that makes my head spin every time.

Chipotle Beef

Carnitas

Now here are the new kids on the block I was so excited to try. They just added a variety of  "bowls" featuring the most interesting combination of ingredients. Since there were so many, it was hard to pick which ones to try, but we decided on the Chipotle Beef and the Carnitas. The Chipotle Beef bowl consisted of sauteed beef sirloin, fresh corn and black beans in a mildly spicy chipotle sauce, served over basmati rice and cheese. The scrumptious treat was topped with sour cream, fresh salsa and chunks of ripe avocado. Nice and satisfying! The Carnitas bowl was a blend of slow roasted pork sauteed with chorizo sausage, fresh corn, sweet plantains and garbanzo beans in a cumin-citrus sauce and served over yellow rice. There was a delicious burst of sweet and savory in every bite.

Key Lime Pie

Although we were all sitting back aware that we had not at all behaved in a manner befitting of an approaching summer (i.e. bathing suit) season, we figured we couldn't finish without sharing a slice of Rebecca's Key Lime Pie (named after the staff person who gave them the recipe.) Taking deep breaths, we dipped our spoons into the homemade, addicting pie, and enjoyed the brown sugar crust and golden meringue. It was worth every last minute on the treadmill the following day.

For more information on Bahama Breeze, you can call them at 305 598-4040 or visit them online at Bahama Breeze Kendall Location.