travel

Kountry Kitchen in Kapaa, Kauai

Dining Outside the Home: Kountry Kitchen in Kapaa, Kauai. Tradition is served with local ingredients. It’s that simple. Here’s a place where breakfast is known as the most important meal of the day. Spam fried rice is a hit among locals. Carrot slivers and green onion snips work well with crispy fried Spam, cut-up into bite size pieces. Not your style? No worries. Omelettes, Loco Moco, Benedicts, or Pancakes and Waffles make a delicious substitute. There’s something for everyone. Aloha!

Dining Outside the Home: Ainsley’s Café and Harbor Bar in Brookville, Indiana

Dining Outside the Home: Ainsley’s Café and Harbor Bar in Brookville, Indiana! When the weather is hot and sunny, get away where old friends meet to reminisce about the glory days, mixed in with current events and fabulous food. Ainsley’s Café makes you feel as though the vacation never ends. Everyone who comes here is happy and full of life, including the staff. It’s like family reunions without all the drama. Sit outside where the breeze is fresh and the outstanding view is nonstop. Take your time, life is easy. This is is way things were meant to be.

Dining Outside the Home: Poseidon Coastal Cuisine & Rooftop Bar on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Dining Outside the Home: Poseidon Coastal Cuisine & Rooftop Bar on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Bask in the vibrant hues of a glorious sunset over dinner and drinks at this local hotspot on the waterfront. Whether you choose musical entertainment at the Rooftop Bar, casual cocktails during NautiBar’s Happy Hour, or a flavorful dinner of surf ‘n turf, you’ll be happy as a clam. Peruse the extensive menu offering raw, steamed, broiled, baked, grilled, and fried selections. They’ve got it all. Do you know where you’re eating tonight? I do. Poseidon Coastal Cuisine.

In Search of The White Rabbit

It may not be Treasure Island, but the magic still engulfs all who venture here. An unforeseen scavenger hunt for The White Rabbit of Jefferson Airplane fame continues to “pop up” in bewilderment. Is this Wonderland? Follow me down the rabbit hole through the tree tunnel and see where immortality and mystification thrive. “When the men on the chessboard get up and tell you where to go…” dare you stick your neck out in a psychedelic haze? The fantasy mushrooms, for those who choose to see it. Do you accept the challenge?

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

Dining Outside the Home: Mariachi’s Mexican Restaurant in Lihue, Kauai. Across a footbridge over a cool mountain stream, the dusty road becomes a well trodden path where the festive flavors of Mexico blend into a warm, inviting atmosphere. Hola, amigos. Please have a seat for open-air dining. The family-owned and family-run restaurant originated years ago in San Diego. Now on the island of Kauai since 1992, Mariachi’s not only offers a free ocean view, but the menu options come highly recommended as well. Think about what to order while sipping on a classic lime margarita, salted rim optional. Take things slow and easy. In time, you may come to see why the family chose a new life in paradise serving authentic Mexican food.

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: 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!