food

Dining Outside the Home: Island Taco in Poipu, Kauai

Dining Outside the Home: Island Taco in Poipu, Kauai. The handwritten sign on the counter said, “Aloha! Please try our homemade cinnamon crisp. Yum!” An inviting basket nearby was overflowing with crunchy sugar-coated flour tortilla strips. OMG! Within seconds Elise, a quirky illusion of a mermaid with ocean blue hair, appeared to take our order for lunch. Since all the tortillas are handmade, Island Taco didn’t stop there. Tacos that turn on, Burritos that beat all, Quesadillas that are quazy-good, plus much more. The chef at Island Taco goes on to create tropical choices like Kalua Smoked Pork, Seared Cajun Ahi, Blackened Mahi Mahi, Papaya Shrimp. Are you getting my drift? Refried beans and dirty rice are always a good idea. Generous servings are spot on! It’s a quick bite because, after all, you’re in paradise and the island lifestyle keeps you moving on. Hang loose. Shaka Mahalo.

Warehouse 3540 is Hidden Jewel

Down a winding stretch around Kalaheo, you’ll stumble upon a few cars parked along the side of the road against a wall of giant tangled grasses. Park there and look both ways before crossing. The metal sheet work walls of an old warehouse enclose what is known to locals as Warehouse 3540. Step inside to a world of locally handmade crafts, creative art, products made on the island, jewelry designed for casual fashion statements, and uncommon home accents. And if you’re lucky, you’ll catch a day when the Farmers Market overflows with island fruit, leafy vegetables, and exotic choices gleaned from the land. Cultural food trucks park outside, with inspiring dishes to tempt the palate. No worries. Picnic areas are conveniently placed inviting rest, conversation, and taste sensations unique to each chef’s specialty. The second Saturday night of each month, check out the live music as an added attraction. This is one creative community marketplace you won’t want to miss.

Dining Outside the Home: Chip-Wrecked Da Kine Nachos in Poipu, Kauai

Dining Outside the Home: Chip-Wrecked Da Kine Nachos in Poipu, Kauai! Ever wonder why we love nachos so much? Might it be the crunch of crispy tortilla chips smothered in a lava flow of melted cheese? Or possibly the mountain of tender spicy meat engulfed in shredded veggies and fresh fruit? Chip Wrecked takes you on a voyage for your bellies. Their secret? I’m told it’s the homemade flour tortilla chips individually dipped into a vat of five gooey cheeses to give your tastebuds explosive flavor in every bite. After all, naked chips are pretty dull. Check out the Black Pearl, Castaway, S.S. Minnow, Hurricane, or Mermaid with Avocado. Aargh! Be brave, mate! Add on the Lilikoi Passion Fruit Habanero sauce for good measure. It’ll make a landlubber out of you!

Dining Outside the Home: Kickshaws Food Truck in Lawai, Kauai

Dining Outside the Home: Kickshaws Food Truck in Lawai, Kauai. Here’s something you don’t see everyday. It’s a gastronomic kitchen on wheels steered by owner, Seth Peterson. Like a mad scientist at home in a laboratory, Seth produces extraordinary food combinations paired with unusual techniques. The results are strangely delicious. The top-seller, hands down, speaks for itself. 100% Awesome Burger is made with 80% fresh ground chuck steak and 20% ground bacon. Then it’s topped with crispy bacon, a pineapple-black pepper-onion marmalade, cheddar cheese, fresh arugula, and garden tomato. Are you getting the picture? The finishing touch is a torta roll slathered with mayonnaise. Definitely a two-handed burger! One night recently, I ordered it while enjoying a high-quality craft brew at the Kauai Beer Company. Try not to stare.

Dining Outside the Home: Pomodoro Italiano Food Truck in Lihue, Kauai

Dining Outside the Home: Pomodoro Italiano Food Truck in Lihue, Kauai! What does a retired couple do after a long and successful career as owners of an authentic Italian restaurant? They take a deep breath, get a second wind, and open a food truck under the same name. Simply because Tony and Geri are Italian to the core. They love to cook, which means sharing their heritage with others. Try the House Special featuring an unbelievable Lasagna. The layers of gooey cheese and fresh herbs are enough to make your eyes roll back. The savory marinara sauce slathered over Italian sausage on a bed of spaghetti is simply delish. Twirl your fork around that. Are you getting hungry? No worries. The menu will have you already planning a return visit to try something else. Grazie, grazie molto!

Home is Where the Cook Lives

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet-Home Cooking! The response continues to amaze me on this journey of the palate. Thanks very much to all of my followers on snapshotsincursive.com for your support and encouragement. What’s cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Stay tuned and you’ll see more. It’s as simple as A-B-C. One of my passions is being at home in my own country kitchen. I love to cook, and my husband loves that I do it often. Now more than ever, since I am retired, I relish the thought of creating something delicious from scratch. I adore time-honored traditions using tried-and-true recipes. Yet, I often never think twice about tweaking old favorites or modifying others to suit the inner craving of the moment. Most of the recipes serve 2-4 people, but can be altered in any direction. The leftovers are golden morsels to be eaten again later or shared with others. And I love to share. To me, seeing a smile in gratitude is thanks enough. The recipes you will find here in the next several weeks can be prepared very easily. Feel free to contact me with questions. Now take a deep breath, inhale the aromas, and join me on a tasteful journey entitled, “EATING MY WAY THROUGH THE ALPHABET-HOME COOKING!

Dining Outside the Home: Chayo Mexican Kitchen in Las Vegas, Nevada

Dining Outside the Home: Chayo Mexican Kitchen in Las Vegas, Nevada! Just because they have a mechanical bull doesn’t mean you have to ride it. Unless you want to. For those who dare for more excitement than a tequila bar, innovative Mexican fare, and diverse dance music…check it out. Chayo Mexican Kitchen, located on The LINQ Promenade, is like an oasis in the desert. Surrounded by lush palm trees, the outdoor patio offers downtime shade from the Nevada sun. Kick back for a breather. Hear the sizzle of grilled shrimp fajitas. Appreciate the freshness of authentic street corn. Sling back a Don Julio tequila flight. It’s all about the journey.

Dining Outside the Home: Nine Fine Fishermen in Las Vegas, Nevada

Dining Outside the Home: Nine Fine Fishermen in Las Vegas, Nevada! Experience an original Irish pub that was built in Ireland and shipped to its new home in the New York New York casino in Las Vegas. Not only is the rich woodwork impressive, but the food and spirits are unsurpassed. Don’t believe me? Check out the mile-high corned beef sandwich on toasted marble rye. The Irish chips (French fries) are amazingly scrumptious! But this is merely the tip of the iceberg. Authentic traditions include hearty choices such as Shepherd’s Pie, Irish Banger, Drunken Onion Rings, Fish & Chips, and more. One mustn’t ignore the Happy Hour stouts, ales, lagers, and spirits. It wouldn’t be neighborly to do so. Hang around awhile for friendly conversation and live music. No one is a stranger here.