food

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

Dining Outside the Home: Mariachi’s Authentic Mexican Cuisine in Lihue, Kauai. As the sun dips slowly behind the shadowy mountain range, the view of Kalipaki Bay from this open-air restaurant is picture perfect. Window boxes and hanging baskets border the ledge with a color wheel of annuals. The sound of sizzling fajitas and acoustic guitar envelope the night as conversation becomes relaxed and margaritas flow. Age old recipes from all over Mexico plus family tradition combine to offer a diverse menu with authentic specialties. Olé!

Dining Outside the Home: La Spezia in Kōloa, Kauai 

Dining Outside the Home: La Spezia in Kōloa, Kauai. As you walk up the wooden steps of the quaint corner café, the faint aroma of savory herbs, sweet pastries, and cured gourmet meats entice you at the door. Before you ever turn the knob to go inside, a handwritten sign is stationed there with words printed in colorful chalk: “CIAO! Please wait to be seated.” Wooden benches line both sides of the porch. A Sunday Brunch of scramblers, Benedicts, and pancakes is popular so the café is bustling with excitement. Conversations linger over the Bloody Mary Bar where morning cocktails get personalized to taste. A carafe of tomato juice is surrounded by glass jars of celery sticks, kalamata olives, dill pickles, jalapeño peppers, and even caper berries. Fresh horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, red hot tabasco, and other condiments follow up nicely. No complaints here. The challenge arises when choosing between the Traditional Eggs Benedict and the Italian Benito Benedict. Grazie, grazie molto!

Dining Outside the Home: Deli and Bread Connection in Lihue, Kauai 

Dining Outside the Home: Deli and Bread Connection in Lihue, Kauai. Like a shark attack on the ocean, the Lobster Roll is a mouthful. Chunks of sweet lobster tail, sautéed mushrooms, red onions, and bubbly Swiss cheese are melted together inside the freshly baked specialty bread. The onsite bakery not only features chunky soups and mile-high sandwiches, it is a favorite for oriental sweet breads and poi rolls. Follow your nose and get there early. Seating is limited and the daily batch of bakery breads quickly disappear. 

Dining Outside the Home: Oasis on the Beach in Kapaa, Kauai 

Dining Outside the Home: Oasis on the Beach in Kapaa, Kauai. Imagine a place where waterfront seating showcases every evening sunset. Now imagine tantalizing delights of Hawaiian cuisine arranged picture perfect at the table. The struggle is real whether to first take a snapshot or succumb to a tiny taste. Every visit becomes a treasured memory. Signature Cocktails are served with natural ingredients artistically blended. One tequila favorite in particular, Agony and Ecstasy, is made with an exclusive smoky sea salt rim. Henry, an energetic employee, has perfected a technique of firing certain wood chips and Kauaiian sea salt for the homemade smoked salt. The results leave you walking away already planning a return visit. 

The Mystery of Spam

Since I’m visiting the island of Kauai, this post applies to a popular canned food product, not digital technology. My husband and I became friends with a couple who reflect the island spirit. We chatted for hours one evening, while whale-watching at the lighthouse. 
Interview with Lexi, a Kauaiian island native:

Me: I went to the grocery store the other day and saw an abundance of Spam on the shelves. The signage boasted Spam as a local favorite. Can you explain its popularity?

Lexi: (giggles) Well, it’s a very versatile staple to have in the pantry. One can of Spam goes a long way in preparing a meal. And it’s affordable. 

Me: How do you choose which flavor to buy? I’ve seen Jalapeño, Hickory Smoke, Hot and Spicy, Cheese, Bacon, and more. 

Lexi: There’s about a dozen choices, but I only get the Classic or Low Sodium. 

Me: Why is that?

Lexi: Tradition. I grew up on Spam Musubi. My husband did, too. He could eat that three times a day. 

Me: What is it?

Lexi: Spam Musubi is a quick and easy breakfast, lunch, or snack food. It’s made by slicing the Spam and frying it. You never want to eat it straight from the can without frying it first. It tastes better cooked. Just put it in the skillet and fry it so there’s a crispy edge to it. No oil, maybe a touch of butter, just a little bit. Then take some cooked sweet rice and press it into a block the same size as the meat. Put the Spam over the rice and wrap it together with nori dried seaweed. That’s all. You should try it, it’s good. 

Me: Where can I get it?

Lexi: Anywhere. It’s in the deli part at the grocery store or by the checkout in a convenience store. The mom and pop restaurants all sell it, too. 

Me: Are there other ways to eat Spam?

Lexi: Of course, Honey. We chop it up and put it in soups, in sushi, or use it in stir-fry, too. 

Me: I guess I’m going to have to try that, Lexi. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with me. 

Lexi: Anytime, Sweetie. 
So there you have it. Spam is a favorite by tradition as well as its versatility. It all began during World War II when Spam was shipped to the GIs stationed in the South Pacific. It was flavorsome, filling, and didn’t spoil in the tropical climate simply because it required no refrigeration. The islanders found it appealing and its popularity soared. Today Hawaii consumes more Spam than any other state. It is definitely here to stay. 

Dining Outside the Home: Joe’s on the Green in Kōloa, Kauai 

Dining Outside the Home: Joe’s on the Green in Kōloa, Kauai. Located at the Kiahuna Golf Club, this casual open-air restaurant offers upscale taste with a picturesque view overlooking the challenging 18-hole golf course and an extensive gourmet menu that can almost leave you undecided. Almost. The Crab Cake Eggs Benedict is a decadent choice since the crunchy bite of seafood compliments the buttery lemon hollandaise sauce. A splash of hot pepper sauce gives two soft-boiled eggs a jumpstart that feels like a celebration in your mouth. Slowly savor each luscious bite. Then smile and nod in approval as Joe passes your table to greet all the guests. 

Dining Outside the Home: Skinny Mike’s Hawaiian Ice Cream in Lihue, Kauai 

Dining Outside the Home: Skinny Mike’s Hawaiian Ice Cream in Lihue, Kauai. “I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!” This bright and airy internet café makes you feel at home on the beach. Pull up a chair and stay awhile. Vegan ice cream; they’ve got it. Tropical banana splits; no problem. Wake-up shakes; yes, indeed! Fruit sorbets, frothy floats, shave ice, and fudge sundaes, too. The ice cream is locally made in Hawaii using top-notch fresh ingredients, supporting the island small businesses. That’s a big deal! How does it taste, you ask? I’ll get back to you later after I finish my dish of old-fashioned root beer ice cream. Mahalo. 

Dining Outside the Home: Street Burger in Wailua, Kauai 

Dining Outside the Home: Street Burger in Wailua, Kauai! An urban upscale burger joint? When you add a gourmet chef who gives you a front row seat to his Argentinian-style grill and a pastry chef with a view of the kitchen, it adds up to years of experience serving the public with flare. The menu boasts 20 different kinds of burgers, made from good, natural ingredients. Even the condiments are made from scratch. The high-ceiling décor is industrial chic. In a sweeping glance, you’ll find everything from ship lap and tile to stainless and hardwoods reflected in the surroundings. Through glass-paneled sliding barn doors, a view of the Sleeping Giant mountain range forms a backdrop for inside seating. The enticing aromas encourage you to relax and stay awhile. Put down the cell phones and soak up the rustic ambience. When the feta-spinach-cucumber stuffed Greek burger arrived, with a flip of the oversized striped napkin across my lap, I was ready to dig in. 

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

Dining Outside the Home: Pietro’s Pizza in Lihue, Kauai! Just a stone’s throw within walking distance from Kalipaki Beach is a New York-style pizzeria where the crust is thin, hand-tossed to perfection, and every order is cut into eight wide slices. “Makes it easy to fold in half to eat”, we’re told. Crisp and smoky flavored meat toppings complement the bubbly cheese and chewy crust baked in a brick oven. Whether you eat it there or buy it by the slice, check them out when your taste buds crave something Italian.