Kauai is the island that you visit if you’re searching for old Hawaii charm and rugged outdoor beauty. There are places on Kauai where you can truly get away. One of those places is Polihale State Park, a remote beach on the western end of Kauai. About an hour-and-a-half drive from Kapaa, Polihale beach is the westernmost publicly accessible beach in the state…and the drive to get there is something else…
Food
Brunch at Flour & Barley Waikiki, Brick Oven Pizza
Got brunch plans? You do now…at Flour & Barley. The popular brick oven pizzeria at the International Market Place recently launched a new brunch menu and of course they’ve got sweet and savory breakfast pizzas to satisfy every pizza loving soul. Let’s taste our way through a few of them!
Morning Glass Coffee + Cafe: Osaka Location
If you plan to enjoy breakfast at Morning Glass Coffee + Cafe in Manoa on a sleepy Saturday morning, then be sure to get there early. Even then, lines begin to form shortly after their first drop of coffee is served. It’s a popular spot amongst locals and Japanese tourists. Thing is, the Japanese no longer have to fly very far to get their Morning Glass Coffee fix since there is now a location in Osaka. Of course, I had to fly from Hawaii to check it out.
Farewell To Alan Wong’s Pineapple Room
Local celebrity chef, Alan Wong, recently announced that he would be closing his famed lunch spot, The Pineapple Room. Opened in 1999 inside of the then Liberty House (now Macy’s), the popular eatery was a casual taste of Wong’s fine dining sensibility. As for a reason for the closing, Wong went on to say that “The dining landscape has changed, and we’ve amicably decided with Macy’s to move on from this concept.” With this closure, Wong’s fans now have just two options: the original namesake Honolulu location and the newish Shanghai, China location.
Mighty Fine Poke at Tamura’s Fine Wine & Liquors
The mainland United States might only now be figuring out what the heck poke is. Hawaii, though, has had a love affair with this simple dish for some time now.
Five To Try: Oahu Coffee Shops
When it comes to Java in the US, coffee connoisseurs tend to rave about Seattle, San Francisco, and New York City as being home to elite coffee shops. I think Hawaii needs to be added to the list. With more people gravitating to the cultural jaugenaut that is Starbucks, I’ve tried to, in the last few years, sample coffees from a variety of locally owned shops. There are many more to add to this list, but, let’s start with the first five. Like with my other Five To Try posts: this is by no means a Top 5 list of any kind, just a selection of five interesting spots that I think are worth checking out.
A Walk Through Pacific Supermarket
If you’re visiting Hawaii and want to do something a little unusual, random, and a bit off-the-wall, then maybe consider checking out one of Oahu’s Asian supermarkets. We’ve got a few, but the two largest ones are located in the old plantation town of Waipahu. Let’s take a walk through Pacific Supermarket to see what interesting food items we can find! You might even find something to take back home with you.
Maui Moka Goat by Maui Coffee Roasters
My favorite friends from Maui sent me some Maui Moka Goat Coffee from Maui Coffee Roasters. Let’s go and brew some 100% Maui grown coffee beans!
The Royal Breakfast Buffet at the Royal Hawaiian
Opened in 1927, the Royal Hawaiian Resort is one of Hawaii’s oldest and most luxurious hotels. Experience a taste of that luxury and enjoy the Royal Breakfast Buffet at the Surf Lanai, featuring edible creations by Executive Chef Colin Hazama.
Wailua Shave Ice: Kapaa’s Sweet Delight
When it comes to Hawaiian shave ice, move over Oahu, because Kauai is king. The Fresh Shave and Wailua Shave Ice are the top Kauai shave ice spots that you want to visit if flavor profiles beyond the generic “rainbow” shave ice is what you’re after. At Wailua Shave Ice, only fresh local fruits are used and forget about artificial flavors, dyes, or high fructose corn syrup…they don’t roll like that…they only use fresh ingredients that are locally sourced.