Frommer's Kauai - Jeanette Foster [115]
In Waipouli Plaza, 4-901 Kuhio Hwy., Kapaa. 80 8/822-1642. Reservations recommended. Main courses $10–$14. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Daily 4:30–9pm.
Kountry Kitchen AMERICAN Forget counting calories when you sit down to the brawny omelets here. Choose your own fillings from several possibilities, among them kimchi with cream cheese and several vegetable, meat, and cheese combinations. Sandwiches and American dinners (steak, fish, and chicken) are standard coffeehouse fare, but sometimes fresh-fish specials stand out. Warning: Sit as far away from the grill as possible; the smell of grease travels—and clings to your clothes.
1485 Kuhio Hwy., Kapaa. 80 8/822-3511. Main courses $7.50–$15. MC, V. Daily 6am–1:30pm.
Mermaids Cafe HEALTHFUL/ISLAND STYLE Don’t you love these places that use fresh local ingredients, make everything to order, and barely charge anything for all that trouble? A tiny sidewalk cafe with brisk takeout and a handful of tables on Kapaa’s main drag, Mermaids takes kaffir lime, lemon grass, local lemons (Meyers when available), and organic herbs, when possible, to make the sauces and beverages to go with its toothsome dishes. Sauces are lively and healthful, such as the peanut satay made with lemon juice instead of fish sauce. It’s served in the tofu or chicken satay, chicken coconut curry plate, and chicken satay wrap. The seared ahi wrap is made with the chef’s special blend of garlic, jalapeño, lemon grass, kaffir lime, basil, and cilantro, then wrapped in a spinach tortilla—fabulous. The fresh-squeezed lemonade is made daily, and you can choose white or organic brown rice. These special touches elevate the simple classics to dreamy taste sensations. Recently they’ve added breakfast.
1384 Kuhio Hwy., Kapaa. 80 8/821-2026. Main courses $9–$12. DC, MC, V. Daily 7:30am–8:45pm.
Norberto’s El Cafe MEXICAN The lard-free, home-style Mexican fare here includes top-notch chiles rellenos with homemade everything, vegetarian selections by request, and, if you’re lucky, fresh-fish enchiladas. All of the sauces are made from scratch, and the salsa comes red-hot with homegrown chile peppers fresh from the chef’s garden. Norberto’s signature is the spinachy Hawaiian taro-leaf enchiladas, a Mexican version of laulau, served with cheese and taro or with chicken.
4-1373 Kuhio Hwy., Kapaa. 80 8/822-3362. Reservations recommended for parties of 6 or more. Main courses $5.50–$9.45; complete dinners $11–$20. AE, MC, V. Mon–Sat 5–9pm.
Olympic Café AMERICAN It’s worth hunting around for this casual second-floor restaurant, which has views of the ocean and historic downtown Kapaa. The breakfasts are huge, lunches filling, and dinners reasonably priced—the Olympic is known for big portions and small prices. Breakfast features a range of espresso drinks, pancakes, omelets, and egg dishes. Lunch includes sandwiches, burgers, salads, and a range of wraps. Dinner includes something for everyone, from burgers to fresh fish and steaks. Stop by for a drink; they have smoothies, juice, Italian sodas, specialty teas, and a menu of specialty coffee drinks.
1354 Kuhio Hwy., Kapaa. 80 8/822-5825. Breakfast under $12; lunch $8–$13; dinner entrees $12–$26. MC, V. Mon–Thurs and Sun 6am–9pm; Fri–Sat 6am–10pm.
Ono Family Restaurant AMERICAN Breakfast is a big deal here, with such dishes as eggs Florentine (two poached eggs, blanched spinach, and hollandaise sauce); eggs Canterbury (much like eggs Benedict, but with more ingredients); and the Garden Patch (a dollop of fried rice topped with fresh steamed vegetables, scrambled