Frommer's Kauai - Jeanette Foster [105]
2991 Umi St., Lihue. 80 8/245-2650. Main courses $8–$19. No credit cards. Mon–Fri 11am–1:30pm; Mon–Sat 5:30–9pm.
Tip Top Café/Bakery LOCAL This small cafe/bakery (also the lobby for the Tip Top Motel) has been serving local customers since 1916. The best deal is their breakfast: Most items are $7 or under, and their macadamia pancakes are known throughout Kauai. Lunch ranges from pork chops to teriyaki chicken, but their specialty is oxtail soup. For a real treat, stop by the bakery (where you pay your bill) and take something home (we recommend the freshly baked malasadas).
3173 Akahi St., Lihue. 80 8/245-2333. Breakfast items under $7; lunch entrees $3.50–$11. MC, V. Bakery daily 6:30am–3pm, Café Tues–Sun 6:30am–1:45pm.
2 The Poipu Resort Area
Where to Dine in the Poipu Resort Area
EXPENSIVE
The Beach House HAWAII REGIONAL This is the place to go for a “splurge” meal: Celebrate a birthday, anniversary, or any excuse for a romantic dinner on the beach with delicious food. The Beach House remains the south shore’s premier spot for sunset drinks, appetizers, and dinner—a treat for all the senses. The oceanfront room is large, accented with oversize sliding-glass doors, with old Hawaii Regional favorites on the menu. Come for cocktails or early dinner, when you can still see the sunset and perhaps a turtle or two bobbing in the waves. Menus change daily and include Kauai asparagus salad, seared macadamia-nut-crusted mahimahi with miso sauce, sea scallops with lemon grass and kaffir lime, and the Beach House crab cake with mint sambal butter sauce and grilled tomato compote. Desserts shine, too, like the molten chocolate desire—a hot chocolate tart—and the mango crème brûlée.
5022 Lawai Rd., Poipu. 80 8/742-1424.www.the-beach-house.com. Reservations recommended. Main courses $20–$40. AE, DC, MC, V. Daily 5:30–10pm (winter), 6:30–10pm (summer).
Casa di Amici ITALIAN/INTERNATIONAL New Chef Ray Dikilato (a former sous chef here for years) has taken over this wonderful Italian bistro and kept the atmosphere and yummy cuisine the same in this free-standing wood-and-stone building in Poipu. At night the fairy lights, high ceilings, beveled glass, and a generous open deck make dining among palms and heliotropes very romantic. (There’s live classical music Sat evenings 6:30–9:30pm on the baby grand piano.) It’s worth seeking out: It’s the third left turn past Brennecke’s Beach, not more than 2 minutes from Poipu Beach Park, in an enclave of condos and vacation rentals.
The memorable Italian food has strong Mediterranean and cross-cultural influences. You’ll find organic greens from Kilauea, several risotto choices (quattro formaggio and Thai beef are outstanding), black tiger prawns in orange saffron lobster sauce, and surprises, such as Thai lobster bisque and pork loin saltimbocca. Among the nearly two dozen pasta selections is a classic fettuccine Alfredo for which Casa di Amici is deservedly famous. The set menu is Italian, but the specials showcase international influences, such as soy-sauce reductions, furikake (seaweed sprinkle), and assertive touches of jalapeño tequila aioli on salmon and grilled tiger prawns. This is flamboyant, joyful Italian fare. Plus you can order either light- or regular-size entrees, a policy I love.
2301 Nalo Rd., Poipu. 80 8/742-1555.www.casadiamici.com. Reservations recommended. Main courses $22–$23 light size, $26–$35 regular size. DC, MC, V. Daily 6pm–closing.
A Taste of the Islands
Hawaii’s Meadow Gold Dairies has a line of rich premium ice cream for true aficionados looking for a melt-in-your-mouth taste of Hawaii. We recommend the Kona coffee, macadamia nut, or honeydew melon. Traditionalists will go for the vanilla, chocolate, Neapolitan, rocky road, or cookies and cream. People who can’t make up their minds will love the blended flavors like mint chocolate chip or the espresso fudge pie. Sherbet fans have two flavors to choose from: rainbow rapture or orange. You can find these ice creams in the frozen section of most supermarkets across