Honolulu’s Newest Afternoon Tea Is All About Mu‘u & Mimosas

Photo: Sarah Burchard

You’re greeted with a yellow plumeria lei and a single plumeria to tuck behind your ear. Tropical flowers and the sound of 1970s R&B fill the dining room. A gentle breeze comes through the open doors from the lanai, where twenty-somethings wearing mu‘umu‘u in a rainbow of colors are taking photos.

Photo: Sarah Burchard

Mu‘u & Mimosas is a new monthly afternoon tea at Kaimana Beach Hotel—a chic tea party overlooking Waikīkī’s Gold Coast. Locally sourced teas, POG mimosas, craft cocktails and sweet and savory bites from pastry chef Joli Asano come with a DJ set by Honolulu record label Aloha Got Soul.

Photo: Sarah Burchard

You pre-order one of two menus: A $55 one with three pastries, four savory dishes and locally grown tea from Hobbs Tea Hawai‘i; or a $78 menu with all of the above plus two more pastries, two more savory dishes and Pono Potions-flavored iced tea or Laurent-Perrier champagne mimosa. You can add craft cocktails and small plates from the Hau Tree menu. I didn’t since the food and drinks on each menu at my hosted tasting were substantial (I took home leftovers).

Photo: Sarah Burchard

The local touches are what make this afternoon tea different. You’re encouraged to wear mu‘umu‘u or aloha shirts. Flowers by Haus of Puas are grown locally, and the music selection evokes memories of growing up in Hawai‘i. It’s sweet to see the mix—from the twenty-somethings to all the aunties and uncles—and it’s clear locals love afternoon tea.

SEE ALSO: It’s Par-Tea Time With New Afternoon Teas in Waikīkī

Asano describes her style as “local comfort” and “not too sweet.” Her guava cake, a guava chiffon layered with whipped cream, is a riff on the rainbow cake she grew up eating at restaurants like Zippy’s. “We want to keep it where it’s different but local,” she says.

Photo: Sarah Burchard

Standouts on her menu include the Lē‘ahi Coconut Macaroons, coated in a green shell of matcha-flavored white chocolate designed to resemble Diamond Head; and the Strawberry Peach Parfait of creamy coconut pudding and tart strawberry-peach gelée.

Photo: Sarah Burchard

On the savory side, house-made scones with tomato, feta and basil are soft and satisfying. The puff pastry square topped with house-cured salmon, whipped chive cream cheese and capers, and the salty-umami ham and cheddar cheese palmier are also notable.

A graduate of Kapi‘olani Community College’s pastry arts program, Asano honed her chops at Honolulu Coffee Co., Roy’s, Cakeworks, The Four Seasons and Dean & DeLuca Waikīkī. Her towers of goodies for Mu‘u & Mimosas are just the beginning. She also stocks the hotel’s coffee shop Sunset Provisions, makes the desserts and baked goods for Hau Tree restaurant and, hotel manager Ha‘aheo Zablan says, will start making high-end gift boxes filled with her treats for purchase.

The next Mu‘u & Mimosas afternoon tea is July 13. Reservations are required; you can make them here. If you’re looking for something fun for brunch, have friends in town or want to host a bridal or baby shower, I definitely recommend it.

2863 Kalākaua Ave, (808) 921-7066, kaimana.com, @kaimanabeach

Sarah Burchard is a longtime contributor to Frolic Hawai‘i.