island

Dining Outside the Home: Hilton Garden Inn Pavilion Lounge on Wailua Bay, Kauai

Dining Outside the Home: Hilton Garden Inn Pavilion Lounge on Wailua Bay, Kauai. You’re always on holiday here glamorously soaking up the rays and sipping on tropical Mai Tais, garnished with mellow paper umbrellas, at the edge of turquoise seas. Is this real, you wonder? Pinch me if I’m dreaming. But don’t wake me. Please. Instead “Hang Loose” with aloha spirit. Absorb the open-air lounge that is true Hawaii. Order a side of Crispy Popcorn Shrimp garnished with seaweed furikake, for starters. The Paniola Burger topped with chipotle pineapple and applewood bacon drizzled with barbecue sauce can come later. After all, you have all the time in the world. Let the seasoned bartenders introduce you to their crafted cocktails. They have a story to tell.

Dining Outside the Home: Olympic Café in Kapaa, Kauai

Dining Outside the Home: Olympic Café in Kapaa, Kauai. Even on rainy days you have to venture out for a bite to eat. For starters, a slightly salty/savory-rimmed Bloody Mary with a spicy kick is in order. Perched on the second level of the Olympic Café overlooking street activity has proven to be quite entertaining as more clouds rolled in and the sky opened up. A guy on a bicycle got drenched from the pounding rain. He nestled a paper bag under his armpit while his legs pedaled full speed through potholes filling with street water. Meanwhile, a steaming hot humongous burrito lunch arrived, so the open air seating was perfect for watching passing showers at a warm and dry distance. After all, you can’t rush perfection.

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.

Dining Outside the Home: Aunt Chilada’s Easy Street Café on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 

Dining Outside the Home: Aunt Chilada’s Easy Street Café on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina!  Now we’re talking, a place for every food craving. Here is a restaurant that serves up the traditional Tex-Mex fare as well as Lowcountry favorites and All-you-can-eat Crab Legs. In addition, Aunt Chilada’s eatery hosts a daily Happy Hour and food specials to tide you over for a night out on the town. A covered patio makes outdoor seating a popular choice when live music “gets the party started”. Ask the wait staff about the Kennedy Half Dollar. It’s just another way they have of rewarding your visit for choosing to stop at Aunt Chilada’s Easy Street Café. 

Experience the Charm of Island-Style Living

For island-style charm, on the historic Royal Coconut Coast, the oceanfront sunrise is unbelievable. As the dawn turns from azure-blue-grey to the golden cerulean seagreen of clear Pacific waters, the pull of the ocean practically lures you over the balcony to become one with the sea. Across the only road that runs north and south, like a horseshoe, on the island just beyond the lush valley is a view of the Sleeping Giant Mountain Range. The view can literally take your breath away. Old Kapaa Town is just a stone’s throw away. Walk the uncrowded shoreline, paying attention to the kite-surfing enthusiasts, or choose the paved Kauai Path for biking and daily exercise. Whatever the whim, the East Shore fits the bill. 

Dining Outside the Home: Monico’s Taqueria in Wailua, Kauai

Dining Outside the Home: Monico’s Taqueria in Wailua, Kauai!  Word is out. The pork Carnitas Plate is unbelievable. It is so incredibly good, even the staff has no idea how Chef Monico works his magic. He begins with cubes of fresh, tender pork meat, seasoned just right, and then cooks them in a way that presents a crisp crunchy outside with a burst of moist spicy pork on the inside. It will practically have you rolling your eyes in delirium. Where’s the photo, you wonder? I forgot to take one. I got so excited when Megan brought the Carnitas Plate that I dove right in. But my husband ordered the Chicken Taquitos and said they were “Muy Bien!”

Invasion of the Boat People

A couple times a week the beach is inundated with tourists when a luxury cruise ship pulls into Nawiliwili Harbor and docks for a short period of time. Hoards of beach lovers pour down the gang plank to enjoy the pebbly soft beach of Kalapaki Bay. With colorful towels, bamboo mats, swim fins, and boogie boards in tow, families stake a claim along the shoreline to gather and sunbathe. Within minutes children squeal with laughter, splashing each other and running away. A slender middle-aged European man stands with feet firmly planted squinting out to sea. As if deep in thought, he raises a cigarette to his lips and takes a long drag before flicking the ash into the wind. Loose strands of black hair fall across his wrinkled brow causing him to pivot a half turn and then back again. Over his shoulder, an energetic group of millennials mark off the sand and choose sides for a pickup game of soccer. Shouting in an unfamiliar language, they slap each other on the back before aggressively kicking, chasing, and passing the ball back and forth toward the goal. So much activity. So much joy. This is how to spend a day in paradise. After awhile, short toots from the bridge of the huge vessel signal it’s time to head back. Beach towels are rolled up, soccer games disperse, umbrellas are left vacant, and the sand is brushed away as flip flops are slid into place. The boarding process begins for passengers to depart “Fantasy Island” and return to sea until we meet again. 

Dining Outside the Home: JJ’s Broiler in Lihue, Kauai

Dining Outside the Home: JJ’s Broiler in Lihue, Kauai!  When visiting a tropical island, it’s not unusual to expect fresh fish daily as well as locally-grown ingredients. Open the menu at JJ’s Broiler and see. “Voted Island’s Best” Fish and Chips is a natural choice, in my opinion. A generous platter of Pacific Mahi Mahi engulfed in a crispy beer batter coating is paired with seasoned french fries for a salty crunch that does not disappoint. The house tartar sauce is a nice complement. Take advantage of the spectacular ocean view. Dine on the outdoor terrace for an open-air experience. Ignore the feathered friends wandering around. They simply cannot resist a crumb or two that has fallen to the ground. 

Dining Outside the Home: Gaylord’s at Kilohana in Lihue, Kauai

Dining Outside the Home: Gaylord’s at Kilohana in Lihue, Kauai!  Nothing compares to an enchanting plantation sprawling with cool island breezes, fragrant foliage, flirting dragonflies, and a tropical Hawaiian buffet that’s easy like Sunday morning. Gaze upon the lush landscape where children frolic, beyond the terrace, on the estate lawn. Romantic music fills the air with cello music soothing the soul that can make a wise man weep; especially Pachelbel’s Canon in D which brings back memories of wedding day bliss. Who hasn’t felt that before? Kudos to Diane Rubio for being spot on. Gaylord’s Sunday Brunch offers healthy farm fresh selections as well as Polynesian favorites. Choose wisely. Whatever the craving, pace yourself. The bounty continues long after you’ve had your fill.