Frommer's Kauai - Jeanette Foster [110]
Where’s All the Bottom Fish on the Menu?
What happened to the signature Hawaii bottom fish on the menus in Kauai’s restaurants? The state and federal governments have instituted closures for fishing of Hawaii’s popular bottom fish (opakapaka, hapuupuu, onaga, lehi, ehu, kalekale, and gindai) during several months (May–Sept, as we went to press, but the ban may be extended) to revive the depleting stocks of these very yummy fish, which are the star “signature” items of numerous restaurants around the state. If you see one of these fish on the menu during the months of May to September, it may not be fresh, or it may have been caught in waters elsewhere in the Pacific but not Hawaii.
Joe’s on the Green AMERICAN Psst! We’ll let you in on a secret. This “hidden” eatery is mainly known to local residents, who flock here for breakfast or for lunch after a round of golf. They don’t want the secret to get out because then their local hangout will be flooded with tourists. This is the place to go for breakfast; not only do you have a great setting—outdoors overlooking the golf course—but the menu has everything from fluffy pancakes (banana-macadamia nut are the best) to biscuits ’n’ gravy to healthy tofu scramble. And if you go before 8:30am, you can get the early bird special for $7. Lunch is popular because of a range of sandwiches (from fresh fish to Joe’s Mama Burger to “a dog named Joe,” which is a quarter-pounder with sauerkraut and Cleveland stadium mustard), salads (build your own), and desserts. (Do not pass up the large, warm, chocolate-chip cookie.)
2545 Kiahuna Plantation Dr., at the Kiahuna Golf Club Clubhouse, Poipu. 80 8/742-9696.www.ygli.bluedomino.com. Breakfast $6.75–$13; lunch $7.75–$13. MC, V. Daily 7am–2:30pm and happy hour 3–5:30pm.
Kalaheo Café & Coffee Co. COFFEEHOUSE/CAFE John Ferguson has long been one of my favorite Kauai chefs, and his cafe is a coffee lover’s fantasy: Kauai Estate Peaberry, Kona dark roast, Guatemalan French roast, Colombian, Costa Rican, Sumatran, and African coffees—you can visit the world on a coffee bean! The coffeehouse also serves masterful breakfasts: Bonzo Breakfast Burritos (sautéed ham, peppers, mushrooms, onions, and olives scrambled with cheese and served with salsa and sour cream); veggie omelets with sun-dried tomatoes and mushrooms; and bagels. At lunch the fabulous grilled turkey burgers (heaped with grilled onions and mushrooms on a sourdough bun) are the headliner on a list of winners that also includes fresh-from-the-garden salads and a tasty, inexpensive soup that changes daily. The cinnamon “knuckles” (baked fresh daily), fresh apple pie, and carrot cake are more reasons to stop by. And, finally, by popular demand, they are serving dinner (Wed–Sat only): from pasta primavera (vegetarian $16, fresh fish $22, chicken $21) and homemade turkey meatloaf ($18) to a bourbon-orange-glazed half chicken ($16), a fresh fish seafood wrap ($23), and a grilled NY sirloin steak ($27).
2–2560 Kaumualii Hwy. (Hwy. 50), Kalaheo (across the street from Brick Oven Pizza). 80 8/332-5858. Breakfast $5–$13; lunch $6.50–$14; dinner entrees $16–$28. MC, V. Mon–Sat 6:30am–2:30pm; Sun 6:30am–2pm; Wed–Sat 5:30–10pm.
3 Western Kauai
MODERATE
Hanapepe Café GOURMET VEGETARIAN/ITALIAN The food here is so delicious that you cannot believe it’s vegetarian. They have introduced fish to the menu, added dinners on Friday nights with live entertainment, and added a bakery (open Mon–Fri) with wonderful baked goods and quiche. It’s packed at lunchtime, when people come for the several varieties of their veggie burger. They have elevated this modest staple to gourmet status: You can top yours with sautéed mushrooms, grilled onions, pesto, fresh-grated Parmesan, and other choices. Other lunch notables: fresh red-skinned home fries, a heroic grilled vegetable sandwich, and whole roasted garlic heads. Friday night’s dinner menu changes every week, but Italian and fresh seafood specialties shine: fresh spinach salad; lasagna quattro formaggio