Tucked away in a corner of sleepy Hawaii Kai Shopping Center is Island Brew Coffeehouse, the first of the locally owned coffeehouse’s three locations on the island. Seek the cafe out for a taste of its new after-dark menu, from 5 to 8 p.m. any Friday or Saturday, and you’ll be rewarded with a memorable evening.

Husband-wife owners Rafael “Rafa” Baez and Pei-Yu Wen decided the spot’s choice location on the marina makes too charming of a dining experience for folks beyond the neighborhood regulars to miss out on. The place is easy to miss, nestled among other nondescript storefronts, but it’s worth the effort to find.

This is the only Island Brew shop offering a pau-hana experience. It’s also the only spot that boasts outdoor waterside seating at sunset, followed by dessert with a side of stargazing.

THE EXPERIENCE

There’s a touch of hip-traveler mood to the place, mixed with a feel of hominess. Half of the room is lined with a string of ceiling-length open doors, allowing you to settle in after a long day and take a deep breath of the generous breeze floating through. All the while, you can take in the work of several local artists adorning every inch of wall space.

The decor all has an attractive island vibe. Sea shells hang unobtrusively in one spot, while surfboards are suspended above doorways.

The room is fairly small, but nothing about the place feels small. It’s impressive how roomy each area is. And there are distinct areas, kind of like comfy seating spaces you might have at home.

The glass tabletops are wide, the wood and wicker chairs spacious. There are also two levels of outdoor dining.

A number of tables just outside the open shop doors offer a view of the live music, provided by a lineup of local bands playing mellow tunes that complement the whole experience. Go outdoors for a louder sound, stay inside for more of a background accompaniment to the evening.

For the second outdoor dining platform, walk a few steps down to the water-level veranda and you’ll find a prime spot for a scenic date night, when it’s not too windy or rainy.

Coffee shops tend to be places for adults, but parents need not fret about bringing junior along to this establishment, thanks to a small play area in the outdoor mini garden. Approaching the front door of Island Brew, the path is flanked by a picturesque display of plants. A spread of woodchips in the garden is home to toy trucks and a tubful of toys. On the Friday I visited, kids were content and busy.

THE FOOD

The small happy-hour menu offers several pupu items and dinner dishes, a couple of desserts and a special. These are subject to change, depending on whatever dishes Wen dreams up that prove to be most popular.

Among the pupu offerings, Wen recommended the Tres Amigos ($10.99): crackers smeared with cream cheese, drizzled in honey and finished with three distinct toppings — salmon, strawberries and oranges — delivered on a surfboard-shaped platter. The dish stood out by being simple yet tasty. A cheese plate, French onion soup and spinach salad all looked tempting, too.

From the dinner offerings came the Classic Burger ($13.99) and the special, a veggie lasagna ($15.99) with garlic toast. The tender Angus-beef burger arrived stacked with tomato and spinach on thick slices of home-baked Hawaiian sweet bread, enriched by a sauce created by a mingling of garlic from the bread, a smear of mayo and melted provolone cheese. With the lasagna, each bite was creamy and cheesy, with an added bread-crumb crunch. It wasn’t traditional — no tomato sauce — but this dish disappeared quickly.

Tried and true offerings on the regular menu are equally attractive. Island Brew is known for its acai bowl ($9.95), with an attractive array of banana, strawberry, blueberries and granola over acai, and served in a flower-shaped wooden bowl. Not too sweet, like bowls I’ve had at other places, it makes for a light dessert.

For something more indulgent – and for anyone looking for a wake-up buzz – there’s the affogato ($5.75). The small scoop of vanilla ice cream drenched in espresso is just oh-my-god. Again, there’s that simple-yet-tasty factor. The warmth and intensity of the one paired with the cold creaminess of the other is marvelous.

THE DRINK

Happy hour is BYOB, and Baez and Wen have ensured a menu that pairs well with spirits. The Tres Amigos goes perfectly with a glass of wine.

For those planning a coffee-fueled pau hana, Island Brew blends up a perfectly roasted, smooth caffe latte ($4.45) carrying Baez’s signature milk-foam art. The couple prides themselves on the fact that every bean in their shop is locally grown.

Everything here from the name of the shop to the beans, art, music and view of palm trees lining the tranquil water is infused with that island vibe.

THE VERDICT

Island Brew Coffeehouse Hawaii Kai is a local joint with a small-town feel. It’s hidden from the street, so this is not a location that tourists or residents from outside the immediate area are going to bump into. However, Baez, Wen and their staff are so welcoming, the place so cozy, the food so satisfying and the ambience such a standout that it’s worth the drive to treat yourself or your date to a night out on the marina.