food

Who Will Stop the Rain?

Sometimes it’s nice to sit on the edge of a party. Minutes after we settled in, a couple of mobile restaurants pulled up to the curb. Food Truck Stop Thursday at Kauai Beer Company typically offers two choices of food venues in lieu of their regular menu. George of da Jungle versus Scorpacciata are the featured chefs of the night. Street musician, guitarist Lara Brady of Epiphany, sat poised a few feet away from the wrought iron patio crooning tunes from 40 years ago when she was still a teenager. “Do you mind if I take your photo?”, I inquired. “Sure”, she replied. “It’s like a Stradivarious”, she went on, “the style of wood in this guitar. You can’t find it anymore.” I dropped a buck into her guitar case. Her toothless grin smiled in appreciation. About that time, the sky opened up and spilled forth a deluge of rain. Everyone scrambled for cover under the sidewalk awnings and sipped on a flight of eight specialty brews until it blew through. As suddenly as it began, the downpour ceased like the man upstairs turned the water spigot off. Larry, the event coordinator, looked up to the heavens, spread his arms wide, and grinned from ear to ear. “Life is good,” he exclaimed. “Let’s get this party started!” Grills fired up, high intensity pizza ovens were set to 800°, and the lines began to form placing food orders for the duration. The place was abuzz with noise and clatter. As fast as the servers could deliver, piping hot menu items were exchanged for table numbers while conversations lingered and new friendships were being made. 

Dining Outside the Home: Hā Coffee Bar in Lihue, Kauai

Dining Outside the Home: Hā Coffee Bar in Lihue, Kauai!  Now here is a coffee shoppe with a mission statement. Hā means “breath”, a description of island culture. It’s about the ohana community, or family, of people who choose to work together in unity. At Hā Coffee Bar you’ll find coffee, tea, and local-sourced goods. Coffee-lovers may choose between whole bean, espresso, cold brewed, pour over, and french press coffee. The atmosphere is conducive for interaction. Make yourself at home in a comfy chair, or choose a rustic table with a window view, or slide up to the communal wooden table below the vaulted ceiling fan. Sit and sip. Support the environment, support the culture, support the community. We’re all in this together. Everyone is welcome. 

Dining Outside the Home: Pietro’s Pizza in Lihue, Kauai

Dining Outside the Home: Pietro’s Pizza in Lihue, Kauai!  What does a pastor do when he needs a hobby? He opens a Neapolitan-style pizza parlor with an Italian flare, in honor of his ancestors. The traditional imported flour from Italy adds passion to the freshly handmade dough. One bite reveals a world of difference. The authentic brick oven, from Naples, requires turning the pizza pie the entire time it’s baked in temperatures around 900°. The results? Unbelievable! One could almost describe its success as “heaven sent”, which wouldn’t surprise anyone who knows the time, effort, faith, and perseverance that has been poured into making Pietro’s Pizza the best Kauai has to offer. The legacy continues. Carry on!

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet: Letter U

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Upside-Down Pineapple Bundt Cake! This light and easy alternative for dessert will satisfy your sweet tooth without packing on the pounds. The secret is the tropical taste of pineapple. 
UPSIDE-DOWN PINEAPPLE BUNDT CAKE
Ingredients:

1 box Angel Food Cake Mix

1 20-ounce can of Crushed Pineapple with Juice

1/2 cup brown sugar
Instructions:

Set oven rack to lowest setting. Preheat oven to 350°. Spray Bundt pan with non-stick cooking oil. Sprinkle brown sugar on the bottom of the pan. Mix the Angel Food Cake Mix with the Crushed Pineapple, including juice, by hand for one minute or until well blended. Pour into Bundt pan and place in oven on a foil-lined cookie sheet. Bake for 35-45 minutes until toothpick comes out clean and the cake is set. Allow to cool for 15-20 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate.
Option: Garnish with a sprig of tarragon and top with maraschino cherries, stems removed. 
Serving Suggestion

Mixed Berry Sauce:
1 pound of fresh blueberries 

1 pound of fresh mulberries 

1 tablespoon water

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/2 cup granulated sugar
In a medium sauce pan add berries, water, lemon juice, and sugar. Cook on medium heat, while stirring until the berries reduce down. Change the heat to low setting and press the berries against the side of the pan to make them burst. Continue cooking for 30 minutes until mixture thickens. Remove from heat and cool for 10 minutes. Add 2 drops of lemon extract while stirring with a spoon. Pour into jar and store in refrigerator. 

Hint: This is delicious on toast or pancakes or ice cream. 

Dining Outside the Home: Kalapaki Joe’s Sports Bar in Lihue, Kauai

Dining Outside the Home: Kalapaki Joe’s Sports Bar in Lihue, Kauai!  Known as the “Westernmost Sports Bar in the U.S.”, it is a favorite gathering place for fun and entertainment. And the extensive menu is pretty tasty, too. I chose Ahi tuna seasoned with a toasted sesame furikake, then grilled to perfection and laid on a bed of shredded cabbage and white rice. Feel the kick? That’s wasabi cream, you’re newest addiction. Don’t hate me. These volcanic spices are what makes this plate an island favorite. Come early, relax, chat a bit, and take advantage of Happy Hour specials before the crowd sets in and the games begin. Well done, Kalapaki Joe’s. 

Dining Outside the Home: Merriman’s Gourmet Pizza and Burgers in Poipu, Kauai

Dining Outside the Home: Merriman’s Gourmet Pizza & Burgers in Poipu, Kauai!  When you know the fish is caught fresh that day, it’s easy to choose the chef’s choice, especially when it comes highly recommended. There was a time I could not imagine ordering a fish taco, let alone eating one, but those days are gone. I now seem addicted to them. Perhaps it was the flaky striped marlin, or the fire roasted tomato salsa, the incredibly fresh avocado, and sliced jalapeño peppers. No matter how you serve it up, which happened to be in a crispy corn tortilla shell, the results were astounding! That’s perfection, in my opinion. I appreciate the farm-to-table concept Merriman’s Gourmet Pizza and Burgers holds true. It rules. 

Dining Outside the Home: Mariachi’s Restaurant-Authentic Mexican Cuisine in Lihue, Kauai 

Dining Outside the Home: Mariachi’s Restaurant-Authentic Mexican Cuisine in Lihue, Kauai!  Step inside this shaded cantina setting to discover a place that has been serving south-of-the-border favorites in the Hawaiian Islands for just barely over ten years. But don’t let that stop you. The tried and true family recipes make up signature dishes that survived the test of time in Guerrero Mexico. Experience the bold flavors, the icy cold lime margaritas, the tender meats, spicy rice, and an entire menu of outstanding choices. Go crazy. Don a sombrero, celebrate the day, and check out the Happy Hour specials. Olé!

Dining Outside the Home: La Spezia Restaurant and Wine Bar in Old Kōloa Town, Kauai

Dining Outside the Home: La Spezia Restaurant and Wine Bar in Old Kōloa Town, Kauai!  Authentic cuisine is served Italian-style all week long, but it’s Sunday Brunch that grabs the attention. Choose your poison: the Bloody Mary Bar, Sparkling Champagne Mimosa, or an extended wine list that is nonstop. If the tables are full, no worries. Grab a seat at the bar. There’s never a dull moment in the midst of conversation. Breakfast entrees include Brie French Toast, Prosciutto Panini, or Three Egg Omelette along with a plethora of limitless menu selections. The hollandaise sauce on the Eggs Benedict is numero uno, in my opinion. I practically licked the plate clean! Relax in the cozy atmosphere and embrace the island atmosphere. Then next time, go back for dinner. 

Dining Outside the Home: Tortilla Republic in Poipu, Kauai

Dining Outside the Home: Tortilla Republic in Poipu, Kauai!  There’s something about a cantina-like patio setting where sea breezes and warm sunshine are as therapeutic as the bartender’s handcrafted jalapeño margarita on the rocks. The salty corn tortilla chips compliment the salsa de mesa, for starters. The menu is spot on with organic produce and fresh ingredients. It’s easy to choose the bold favorites of pork carnitas in a bowl of kale, black beans, and rice. The tropical atmosphere partners well with Mexican classics. Hola Aloha!