Tucked away on the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort's property, Meridia, the resort’s signature dining experience, transports you to the Mediterranean. Its innovative menu draws inspiration from an array of classic Mediterranean dishes whose roots can be traced to locations such as Portugal, Spain, France and Italy. Combined with the fresh bounty of locally sourced ingredients, the menu at Meridia delights all the senses with its bold, bright flavors.

Start off your dining experience at Meridia by visiting the artisanal bread nook, where they create their house-made breads. After that, relax in their chic lounge with a pre-dinner drink while listening to live music. One popular drink is the Meridia Spritz, made with Aperol Aperitivo, a liqueur infusion of herbs, citrus and botanicals that will prepare your palate for your upcoming meal. The drink is complemented by dry sparkling wine and a splash of lemon juice and balanced by the sweetness from honey sourced directly from the resort property. Their menu also includes non-alcoholic cocktails, draft and bottled beer and wines by the glass while you wait for your table to be ready.

When you are ready to transition to dinner, the sweet smell of salt and the crisp night air will envelop you in their outdoor dining area. Set above a tranquil bluff, the sapphire blue sea and twinkling stars will set the backdrop for your dining experience. To match this iconic setting, start your meal with a plate of fresh Frito Misto, which features a selection of gently fried calamari, Kona shrimp, chiles, garden vegetables and Ali‘i mushrooms served with ‘ōlena aioli. Another starter tapa perfect for sharing is the Shish Kebabs, which consists of chunks of fresh island fish and premium beef loaded onto skewers before being cooked on the grill. Served on a bed of lemon couscous, the dish is served with salsa verde and a spicy-sweet peri-peri sauce for you to dress your kebabs.

One must-try specialty of Meridia’s menu is their fresh crudo. The Bacon Wrapped Dates, served with passion mustard, Manchego cheese and spicy arugula, is one dish that surprises and delights guests. The combination of sweet dates, smokey bacon and piquant mustard and cheese results in a balanced and savory beginning to your meal. Another highly lauded dish is their Oyster Crudo, which features oysters topped with liliko‘i vinegar and spicy sofrito. The delicate salinity of the sea is emphasized by the vinegar's bright acidity and the sofrito sauce's depth.

Another highlight of Meridia’s menu is the range of entrées which can fit many dietary requirements and lifestyles. Two dinner items from the garden include Herb-Roasted Cauliflower Steak served with wilted garden kale and crispy polenta topped with an herb vinaigrette and Island Mushroom Risotto finished with porcini powder, truffle oil and shavings of parmesan cheese. Both meatless options lack nothing in terms of taste due to the way the chefs of Meridia expertly layer unique flavors and textures, resulting in entrées that are as satisfying as they are stunning.

If you prefer a dinner entrée from the sea, the Seared Scallops are a consistent crowd favorite. Four plump, pan-seared scallops on a medley of garden ‘ulu (breadfruit) gnocchi, chickpeas, sweetie peppers and asparagus tossed in a puttanesca sauce is finished with fried capers. Another popular dish that blends the land and sea is their Paella Mixta, which features Bomba rice, wild pork sausage, chicken, peas, saffron, Kona shrimp and clams. Slowly cooked for over 20 minutes, the flavors of the individual ingredients come together beautifully in this elegantly composed dish.

From the range, the Big Island Wild Boar Ragu bursts with flavor and is an excellent meat dish to try. House-made pappardelle pasta is tossed in the ragu before being finished with shaved Big Island goat parmesan cheese and a garden gremolata. Another delight from their range menu is the Grilled Australian Lamb served with garden mint herb chimichurri, asparagus, fingerling potatoes, Castelvetrano olives, cannellini beans and piquillo peppers. To complement this dish, one wine pairing made in the stars is the 2020 Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, sold both by the glass and by the bottle. This luscious, ripe and intense wine will stand its ground against the flavorful lamb, while its round fruitiness will complement the bold flavors of mint and olives in this dish.

As your night continues, save room for dessert and check out Meridia’s La Dolce Vita menu. Their Warm Honoka‘a Chocolate Torta is one dessert to take note of because of its delightful blend of textures, flavors and temperatures. A scoop of velvet smooth olive oil gelato topped with crisped bread and a sprinkling of smoked sea salt is served alongside the rich chocolate torta. Another excellent dessert that is easily shared is the Churros. Comprised of four tender pieces of churros dusted in Kona cinnamon, the dessert is served with dipping sauces of milk chocolate, warmed dulce de leche and refreshing coconut.

Be enveloped in the effortlessly chic and intimate ambiance at Meridia, where you can dine al fresco on their innovative yet thoughtful menu, which brings the flavors of the Mediterranean to the shores of Hawai‘i.

Meridia at the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort; 62-100 Kauna‘oa Drive, Kohala Coast; (808) 880-1111; open daily from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.; meridiarestaurant.net.