Food Blog
With Mother’s Day almost here, I though it would be a good idea to give a shout out to my own mother. Mom – You taught me so much about how to be a woman and how to live my dreams and love my life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love you!
And now, for the rest of you reading this, let’s talk brunch.
If you don’t know, brunch is the magical meal between breakfast and lunch, the perfect time to take your mom out for a bite to eat. And this year, I recommend Tortilla Republic for your meal needs. Here’s why.
1. Tortilla Republic is yummy. Seriously, their food is really good. I don’t think I’ve ever eaten something there that I didn’t like. They are a “modern Mexican grill,” which means that their Mexican food is grilled to perfection and has a signature flavor that I simply love. In fact, I’m craving it right now just typing about it.
2. They have drinks! Their margaritas are just about famous in both Hawaii and Hollywood. Plus, they have a plethora of other options for you, including their Mother’s Day “Mom-osas”. These are sure to be a big hit.
3. For Mother’s Day, they are featuring a “Mom-osa and Bellini cart.” And they are serving brunch from 9am-3pm. So you can bring your mom down for food and drinks, enjoying your time together with the assistance of a little alcohol. (Which is sadly a necessity for some of you and your moms.)
Now, here is my question: will you be on Kauai for Mother’s Day? Cause if you are, this is a great choice for a brunch, lunch, or dinner date with Mom. And if you are on Kauai but your mom isn’t here, why not go anyway? You can take pictures of your great time and send them to your mom as a Mother’s Day present. ☺ Or you can take me and I can watch you eat all of the amazing food while I try to stick to my diet. *sigh*
So, every few posts or so on this blog, I throw in some information about local vacation homes for rent. This way, if you are reading along and my words are convincing you to come visit, you will know about all of the good places to stay! It’s my service to you. ☺ And that’s why I’m going to tell you about Hale Ylang Ylang in Hanalei.
Now, this month is all about food for me. (Yes, mostly food I can’t have now that I’m on a diet, but still…) And so I wanted to showcase a gorgeous house that also had a fully set-up kitchen and was a short walk away from some nice restaurants. Hale Ylang Ylang is that vacation home.
Actually, it’s a town house, located right near Hanalei Bay. The view is beautiful, which is probably why the house has so many large windows. In fact, the dining room has a long table situated between two extremely large, wide windows. The result is the feeling that you are eating outside in a tropical garden.
And the house itself is exquisite. I know that’s an odd word to use for a house, but this house has such appeal for me. It has hardwood floors, wood paneling that offsets the lighter shades of furniture, a quaint little stairway, a cozy window seat (really more of a window bed) with a bookshelf, and intricate little details that make it all at once cute, spacious, light, respectable, and perfect for any family.
There are two master bedrooms downstairs with King-sized beds, private bathrooms, and all of the privacy you could want. So you could bring your best friends and easily have enough space. Plus, there is an outdoor shower for after swimming in the ocean, cable tv, a DVD player, high speed internet, a washer/dryer unit, and, most importantly, a kitchen to drool over.
The kitchen has granite counter-tops, stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors, a small island for prepping dinner, and all of the equipment you’ll need to make a great meal. All it’s missing is some food, which local markets can easily provide. And speaking of local markets, now we’re getting into the heart of this post: walking distance.
This town house is walking distance from town. That means you’ll be walking distance from a great beach, yes. But it also means that you will be walking distance from several stores, a farmer’s market, and a bunch of wonderful restaurants that serve great food all year round! In other words, you will not only have a great kitchen for cooking your own gourmet meals, but you can also go out to eat at a number of gourmet restaurants without having to rent a car!
So, if you like food the way that I do (or if you just like being incredibly close to a beach and a great shopping center), then choose Hale Ylang Ylang for your next vacation rental here on Kauai. You will absolutely love it!
This morning was hard. I am dieting, as you know, and one of my friends suggested that I give up my morning coffee to avoid caffeine, sugar, and dehydration. So I agree, figuring that coffee was the least of my worries.
I was SO wrong.
Last night, I went out with my fiancée and had a wonderful time. We danced, played, walked on the beach, ate a fairly healthy meal together (refer to my last post), and stayed out WAY too late. That’s right – I’m tired.
It was past 2am when I finally came home and snuggled up with my pillow. So when the alarm went off at 7am to inform me that my day was starting, I wanted to cry. It couldn’t possibly be time to get up yet. Life was too short not to sleep as comfortably as possible for as long as possible, right? But alas, I got up and got ready for work anyway.
And then it happened. My sleepy steps wandered into the kitchen and stopped beside my dear friend, Mr. Coffee. I reached for my favorite Kauai Coffee blend and was half-way through scooping it into a filter when I remembered… I was off coffee.
Of course, that woke me up instantly. No coffee? But I needed it! It couldn’t be true! There had to be a loop-hole. And so I did something that I would later regret: I called my friend, woke her up, and begged her to let me have coffee.
Now, I realize that I am a grown woman who doesn’t need permission. But a challenge is like a sworn promise to me. I take them seriously. So when she challenged me to staying away from coffee for a week and I agreed, in my head that agreement was set in stone. And, to her credit, she didn’t yell at me as much as she could have. She simply told me that I could be a wuss if I wanted to and hung up.
Yeah. That was harsh.
Do you know much about Kauai Coffee? They are a local coffee company that makes the most wonderful blends. My favorite has jumped around a bit, but this year it has mostly been their Chocolate Macadamia Nut. It is a perfect combination of chocolate (which I love) and the sweet nuttiness of the Hawaiian Macadamia Nut. Honestly, it’s like drinking Hawaii in a cup… and then covering it with chocolate. ☺
But you know what other flavors are good? They have this amazing Coconut Caramel Crunch that simply blew my socks off the first time I tried it. To this day, I tend to go back and forth about my favorite of their blends and, if it isn’t Chocolate Macadamia Nut, then it’s Coconut Caramel Crunch. And then there is their Hawaiian Hazelnut, which is like their regular roast (already good) with a delicate touch of nutty goodness. In essence, their coffee is wonderful.
And it’s right around the corner! Okay, I admit it’s a bit of a drive when you don’t buy it from the store. But if I really wanted to commute (which I admit I’ve done on occasion), I could just head to the South-West side of the island and visit their company in person. It’s off Halewili Road right before Wahiawa Beach and the town of Hanapepe. And there is nothing better than getting your favorite coffee, freshly made on-site.
So, you can imagine my dismay over the fact that I wasn’t allowed to have it! It was like a physical blow, and it didn’t stop there.
The coffee called to me for the rest of the day, luring me back into the kitchen time and time again. I was tired the entire day, barely able to function as I went about my daily routine. And now it’s only 8pm, and all I can think about is sleep. Maybe I’ll go to bed right now and dream about waking up rested and able to resist my coffee’s allure.
Now, I don’t tell you this just to get your compassion and pity. Okay, that is part of it. I really do want pity here. But I also tell you this to let you know that Kauai has more than great food. We have great coffee. And if you come to visit us, please don’t leave without trying a cup, or two, or three… or 10.
Okay, now I’m going to bed.
Yes, I’m still on my diet. But tonight my fiancée took me to an amazing restaurant and I couldn’t help but eat a full plate of food. Now, I know what you’re thinking. No restaurant is worth breaking your diet and getting fat, right? Well, I’m not so sure about that. This place was really good.
Now, I might have written about this place before. I can’t remember at the moment. (It’s almost 2:30am.) But even if I have, I’m going to write about it again. It’s worth it.
We went to Mediterranean Gourmet, one of the nicest restaurants on the island, especially if you enjoy gourmet cooking. And considering they have won a Hale Aina Award every year since they opened, I have no doubt that a lot of people like to eat gourmet food. ☺ Now, if it helps, they have some wonderfully healthy choices on their menu. Not everything is smothered in cream sauce and butter. In fact, many menu items are just the right ingredients, placed together to create new flavors that will surprise your palette.
My finance had reservations for 7:30, but we missed them. (Reservations are pretty important at this place, as they have a large following of food lovers.) But when we got there at 9pm, there were openings, so we got right in.
And then I saw the menu.
You know, this menu is a delight even on a day I’m not dieting. But when you walk into a restaurant after eating only a morning smoothie, a handful of nuts, a salad, and a few carrots, this place is like dining in heaven. I mean, right off the bat, you see the appetizers menu with their hand rolled Spinach Fatayers and Spanikopita. Oh and their Babaganush is SO good, and I say this after hating eggplant as a child. But then you see the rest of the menu and you fall into a happy state of food envy.
Don’t worry everyone – I was pretty good. I stuck with half a salad and some fish. Of course, it was a Fattoush Salad with little pita bread bits crumbled on top. (Amazing!) And I guess the fish was pan in sesame oil and tasted even better with the goat cheese, grape tomatoes, and dates it came with. So I technically *could* have eaten better if I’d wanted to. But I think I should get some credit. After all, I could have eaten at a fast food place, right? At least this way, I ate extremely well and filled myself with real food.
My fiancée didn’t help. He got the rack of lamb with garlic mashed potatoes and ate it right in front of me. It was like torture… or it would have been if my food hadn’t been so very good.
So, as you can see, there are some wonderful places to eat here on our island, especially if you aren’t on a diet. This Mediterranean gourmet fare is a real treat, a perfect place to take the one you love while on Kauai. And it’s right here in Hanalei! So eat the food, enjoy the ambiance, and savor ever bite. It’s worth it.
I have been told for years that juicing is a great way to lose weight and feel fabulous at the same time. So I decided to try it. However, I came to realize that juice doesn’t really fill me up. Now, it might just be me and the way that I love food, but juice is just liquid. I needed something substantial.
Now, what is juicing really? It’s taking the essentials out of vegetables and fruit and drinking it, right? Well, I can do that AND have substance. How? With smoothies! (Good plan, huh?)
So, every morning at breakfast, I get out my blender (a Magic Bullet that a friend let me borrow for the month) and I go to town, throwing in whatever veggies and fruits I have in my refrigerator, along with a little protein powder and ice. The result is a heavenly combination of wonderful flavors, thick enough to feel like a real meal. I’m dieting and enjoying it! It’s great!
Of course, you may be asking yourself what this has to do with you? Well, that’s a good question, and I’ll tell you. Every morning I mix fresh fruits and vegetables into my smoothie. And every day I can buy fresh fruits and vegetables at the local market stands and farmers markets on the island! Goodbye frozen fruits and canned veggies. Hello fresh, organic produce from right here on Kauai.
Now, I’m from the North Side of the island, so I stick with these markets. But there are farmers markets all over Kauai if you just ask around about them. So if I don’t mention a FM that you know about and love, feel free to leave a comment about it here on my blog.
Okay, here is my schedule:
Monday – I go to Westin in Princeville with a friend who lives there and buy organic produce between 5 and 6pm. If I can’t go there, I hit Namahana Farmers Market by Banana Joe’s at 4pm.
Tuesday – Waipa Farmer’s Market meets at 2pm at Waipa Ahupuaa Field. They have great organic choices and chocolate covered bananas!! (Those are healthy because they are bananas, right?)
Wednesday – I don’t know of a FM on the North Shore. So if I don’t stock up on Tuesday, I buy stuff at the Kapaa Sunshine Market in the New Town Ball Park Parking Lot between 3 and 4pm. They have organic stuff too, but it is a bit of a drive for me.
Thursday – The Kilauea Neighborhood Center Ball Park Parking Lot has a FM at 4:30pm. It’s smaller than the others, but it gets the job done.
Friday – I have the same problem as with Wednesday. But I typically head to Vidinha Stadium at 3pm if there is an event at the stadium that night I want to see. Otherwise, I head into Anahola, where there is an all day market. (The problem with this is that they also serve lunches like a huli-huli chicken plate with roasted potatoes that is to die for! So I have to be careful.)
Saturday – The Hanalei Farmers Market is probably the closest to my house, which is great because then I have more of the day to play. ☺ This market is open from 9:30 in the morning until noon and also features craft booths, which are fun to look through.
Sunday – On Sundays, I eat a real breakfast as a treat after a week of dieting. (Though I usually use the fruit from the day before.) But if you really want to go to a FM, my favorite is in Kealia (East side of the island) by the post office. It runs from noon until 4pm and has much more than produce. There is live music, free entertainment, arts and crafts, flowers, hula, and more. It’s pretty fun and a great way to spend the afternoon if you’re bored.
So there you go. Kauai grows a ton of organic and local produce, from fruits to vegetables. And the number of farmer’s markets can clearly show you that. So if you want to eat healthy, or have fresh fruits and vegetables to work with everyday that you are here, visit some of our markets today.
Okay, I just read a new article on cheeseburger.com and it’s awesome. And while I typically don’t read articles on this website (or do anything an article tells me to do), I just really want to try this. So… who wants to have a potato party??
Let me explain: Potato parties involves all of your friends and family, coming together for one unique purpose… to eat your bodyweight in french fries. Oh yes! Seriously, doesn’t that sound like fun? Sure, slightly nauseating fun, but still! I, personally, want to have one of these parties and invite all of you. Of course, it might take me a while to get one of these together. Why? Well, let me explain.
1. No one I’ve talked to so far actually wants to eat that many French fries, so getting people to show up might be a little bit difficult.
2. When I mentioned it to my local McDonalds (which is in Lihue, so I was willing to drive for this), they said that they wouldn’t allow such a thing.
3. It costs a couple hundred dollars to get enough French fries for this to work, and I like spending my money on other things.
But if I ever do manage to get one together, you guys will be the first to know about it. After all, who wouldn’t want a bunch of tables completely covered in freshly made French fries!?! It sound something like heaven to me, but that might just be that I NEVER eat at McDonalds and therefore think of these things as a treat. ☺
Of course, I’m not the only one who can do this. You can have your own potato parties at home! (And if you do, please invite me!)
It’s New Years Eve! I can’t believe how quickly this year has passed by. It seems like just yesterday I was sitting down to write a similar post to this one… exactly one year ago. Weird.
Well, today I am sitting here to write about the fun things that are planned on Kauai for New Years. And, if you are a visitor to or a resident of our fair island, you should know by now that Kauai knows how to plan a party. So regardless of your reasons for ringing in the New Year, come and enjoy a few popular parties.
First of all, if you have a family, you should head to Poipu at 5pm! Why? Well, Poipu Beach Park is going to be hopping with a New Years Eve celebration for children and adults of all ages. There will be live music, food booths, children’s activities, craft booths, cultural displays, and games. PLUS, this entire event is free and ends with a spectacular fireworks display! What a way to ring in the new year, am I right? The fireworks will take place at 9:20, leaving plenty of time for you to get those kids home and in bed on time.
Of course, not everyone wants to go to bed early. So if you don’t have to stay at home with the kiddos, stay in Poipu after the fireworks are over. Tortilla Republic (in the Kukuiula Shopping Village) will be hosting a New Years Eve party as well. The party starts at 10pm and the cover charge is $10/person. And once you’re inside, take advantage of the great food, special New Years Eve menu, drinks, live music, dancing, and New Years entertainment. But if you want a table, you’ll have to call Tortilla Republic (808-742-8884) in advance for reservations. After all, this place is going to fill up fast.
OR, if you don’t want to do either of these things, you can make a party all your own. There are typically quite a few parties going on around the North part of the island, especially around Princeville. So head to the beach, find a nice restaurant, go clubbing, or simply stay at home and enjoy each other as the midnight countdown commences. Because, whatever you do, it’s important to be with the ones you love if you can.
Happy New Year everyone! See you in 2013!
It’s the end of the world!!! … or at least that’s what some people think. 
Regardless of what you believe, this is the perfect time to party. After all, if the world is going to end, you might as well die happy, right? (Yes, I am making light of this. But if you truly believe that the Mayan calendar foretells our doom, all the more reason to drink, right?.)
So, come and party with us! Tortilla Republic in Poipu (in the Kukuiula Shopping Center) is having an end of the world Mayan Fiesta on Thursday and Friday (December 20th and 21st). They have created a new cocktail for the occasion and are offering specialty priced small plates from 3-5pm each afternoon.
Why tell you this? Well, I often write about festivals, pastimes, cultural references, and other community events here on Kauai. But I’m also known for writing about good food when I find it. And I like the food at Tortilla Republic. They are a wonderful Mexican restaurant with high end food and upscale location design. In other words, this is a great place to eat regardless of whether the world is ending. And, if the world does end, you’ll want to have a really great last meal, right?
So, if you’re in the neighborhood on Thursday or Friday from 3-10pm, stop by Tortilla Republic in Poipu. Enjoy a drink, eat some great food, spend time with some of the world’s best people, and help us send this world off with a bang.
Move over Breakfast at Tiffany’s. There’s a new favorite this holiday season. It’s breakfast with Santa and it’s happening this Saturday at Sweet Maries in Lihue.
Do your kids love Santa? Would they like to meet him? Well, for only $13/child (children under 3 get in free), your children can not only meet Santa, but they can also eat a big breakfast with him, do some crafts, make some dessert, participate in Santa Story Time, and get their pictures taken with Santa! It is going to be epic!
Of course, parents are welcome too. And the cost for adults is only $18, which includes a breakfast of Reindeer Hotcakes, Santa Hat Fresh Strawberry Waffles, fresh fruit, and a cool beverage to wash it all down. Kids and adults alike will get to make a yummy treat and enjoy some quality time with Santa. And all parents are encouraged to bring their cameras in order to capture the adorable moments that are sure to follow… though you don’t have to sit on Santa’s lap if you don’t want to.
So, here are the pertinent details. Breakfast with Santa is this Saturday (December 8th) from 7:30am to 11:30am. This breakfast will take place at Sweet Maries’ Hawaii Inc (located at 3-3204 Kuhio Highway in Lihue) and is free for all children under 3 years old. There are three seating times available and you should make a reservation to be guaranteed a spot. So call 823-0227 to reserve your seats today.
Enjoy!
Okay, as thanksgiving comes closer and closer, I think it’s time to consider what we’re truly thankful for. After all, that’s the point of this little holiday, right? The pilgrims, when “celebrating” their first thanksgiving, were thankful for a few handfuls of corn and other small items that the native Americans shared with them. Without those sparse supplies shared from tribe to village, the pilgrims would not have survived in the new world. Now THAT is something to be thankful for!
And as I consider what I have and what I’ve been given, I realize just how much I have to be thankful for. After all, each and every morning I drink my favorite coffee, eat a nice breakfast, write a blog or two, and head off to start my day. I’m not lacking a thing. Sure, sometimes I spend outside my budget and “belt tightening” is required. But I’ve never had nothing. I’ve always been well taken care of and well-supplied.
Of course, I also live on the most glorious island in the world, a place with beautiful mountains, warm sandy beaches, crystal clear ocean waves, and some of the kindest and most generous people in the world. I have close neighbors who always bake me cookies around the holidays, and I have fabulous friends who always keep me on my toes.
And this year, I can be especially thankful. I have a wonderful fiancée with whom I will be sharing a Thanksgiving meal. Actually, it will be me and his entire family! This will be a first for me, and I hope it goes smoothly. But even if it doesn’t, I still have much to be thankful for this thanksgiving.
What about you? What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving season? Food on the table? A new house? Finding a place after losing your former house? Good friends? Understanding family? A new love interest? An old love interest whom you’ve been with for many years? Finally fitting into those skinny jeans? Loving yourself for who you are? A great vacation to Kauai last summer? An upcoming visit with me??
Whatever is in your life that makes it a little bit better, be thankful this week and always. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
It’s that time of year again! Time for the coconut festival at Kapaa Beach Park. So if you like coconut and want to do something fun with your day, how about joining us for a day at the park?
As always, this will be a two-day festival, running on October 6th from 9-5 and October 7th from 10-4. Since it’s a weekend festival, there should be quite a few people attending, which means it’s sure to be fun. And since it’s an outdoor festival on the beach, there will be plenty of space for food booths, crafting, entertainment, demonstrations, games, contests and more!
Everything in the Coconut Festival has a coconut theme, including much of the food. Maybe that’s why it’s one of my favorite festivals here on Kauai. And, of course, all of our festivals include Polynesian history and cultural activities. This means hands-on fun, so it should be really great, especially if you have kids.
And just for fun, here is a link to a yummy recipe for some coconut cookies. I made these for my fiancée the other night, so I know they taste good. ☺ I hope you come and enjoy the festival.
Need some “adult time” with the one you love? Want to go to a nice dinner in a place that offers good food, special reservations, and live music while you eat? Want to sneak away to somewhere romantic? Well, have you been to Keoki’s Paradise yet?
If you are visiting Kauai, I would recommend eating at least one meal at Keoki’s. It’s a great restaurant near Poipu Beach that you will just love. I’ve eaten there a few times myself, and I can tell you that it’s great. I truly enjoyed the times I have gone, and I typically take visitors there during their stay.
And, if you are a resident here on Kauai, did you know that Keoki’s does event planning? It’s true! They have a great set-up for renting their space, serving food in either plated or a buffet style, and making everyone feel at home. They are great for rehearsal dinners, birthday parties, etc.
Now, if you are going there for dinner, I would recommend making reservations. They are a nice place, so they fill up quickly and it’s never fun to wait. But if you are heading there for lunch, I vote that you just show up and chance it. Enjoy the ambiance, eat the yummy food, and take some time to just be with the person that you love.
Looking for a place to get ice-cream with your family? Need a special treat after a long day of water sports, hiking, biking, surfing, and fun? Want to try something unique that you might not be able to find at home. Well, do I have the place for you!
I went to Lapperts Ice Cream yesterday and have been craving their Coconut Sorbet with Passion Fruit ever since. It was amazing! Seriously, this is the place to go if you want a frozen treat. They are close by if you are staying on the North Shore. In fact, they are right in the Princeville Shopping Center. And their prices are good. They don’t overcharge and they don’t skimp. (Maybe that’s why I liked them so much.)
And, of course, who would get ice-cream and not have some coffee with it? Lapperts is also a coffee shop and their coffee is good. They use Kona coffee blends and have some unique cups for you to try. I admit that I have to work to keep myself away from here during the day. Otherwise, I’d spend for too much money and get fat really fast! But, for this reason, I truly feel I can recommend them without any reservations.
So if you are in the mood for some ice-cream (or even some yummy coffee), head to the Princeville Shopping Center and look for Lapperts. Considering how much I’m still craving that sorbet, I’ll probably see you there.
If you are at all familiar with the history of Kauai, then you know that a lot of our revenue both past and present has come from farming. We have large plantations and small farms all over our Garden Isle, growing and selling fruit and vegetables that are some of the best in the world (in my humble opinion). ☺
So is there any wonder that we have a Farm Fair coming up? In fact, it is this very weekend from Thursday (the 23rd) to Sunday (the 26th). And, as always, this fair will be at Vidinha Stadium in Lihue, which is on the South-Eastern side of Kauai. Each day, there will be fun, farming, food, friendly people, family-oriented entertainment, and much more. So if you want to come and check out the fair, here is some more info.
On Thursday and Friday, the fair will be open from 6pm-midnight. On Saturday, it will be open from 12pm-midnight, and on Sunday it will be open from 12pm-11pm. This event, formally known as the Kauai County Farm Bureau Fair, is mostly an outdoor event, with some tents and indoor booths. It is handicapped accessible and child-friendly, so you don’t have to worry about boring your children. There will be games and rides and live music and crafts. All in all, it will be rather fun.
Of course, as with any fair, there will be shopping booths, craft booths, live animals on exhibition, food and livestock for purchase, live entertainment, and much more. If you want more information about what will be going on at the fair, you can visit the Kauai Farm Fair website. But if you just want a day or two with good food for sale, rides for the kids, games, and some hand-raised livestock, then come to Lihue and check it out.
If you have kids, then you understand that they rarely eat new foods well. Sometimes, if it is covered in chocolate or if all of their friends are eating it, they will at least try it. However, if you go out to eat at a nicer restaurant, it’s hard to find something they will like or be willing to try.
But there is a place here on Kauai that serves wonderful pizza and burgers that kids will love. Unless you request something odd, there will be no seafood, no kale, no wine sauces, no green vegetables, and no other odd foods your kids hate. There will simply be some of the best pizza and burgers you’ve ever eaten.
Sound good? Well, then I’ll tell you more!
The North Shore General Store has the best Pizza in Princeville (there was an official vote) and is world-class all the way. The pizza is hand made right there in large pizza ovens, coming out hot, bubbling, and cheesy. And the burgers they make are big (called Hefty Burgers actually), allowing you to get a good-sized meal for not a lot of money. The beef comes from our own Princeville free-range ranches and, unless you request otherwise, will be served with lettuce, tomatoes, and onion.
Of course, pizza isn’t the only thing the North Shore General Store does right. There is also a wonderful breakfast menu, espresso bar, salads, and some local favorites. And, to top it all off, there are freshly baked cookies everyday. So if you want to vacation on Kauai, don’t worry about your kids avoiding the strange, tropical food. We have the perfect place for them to eat. Plus, you can shop for t-shirt, souvenirs, drinks, snacks, and other general goods while you’re there!
Do you love good food? No, I’m not talking about the new Doritos Taco from Taco Bell. I mean truly good food, made from fresh ingredients by talented gourmet chefs? If you answered yes, then read on.
Will you be on Kauai this Friday, June 15, from 8am to 4pm? And if so, would you like to spend your day touring parts of the island while eating gourmet foods, drinking cocktails, and learning some new recipes? If you answered yes to the above two questions, then read on.
Do you have $100? (Okay, there is where I stopped many of you in your tracks. But read on anyway. I know you’ll find this event worth it.)
This Friday at the Kauai Marriott Resort (in Lihue), there will be a workshop for all of you “foodies” out there. The title? Tasting Kauai: A Culinary Romp Through Paradise. And you know what, that is exactly what it is.
During this Taste of Kauai, you will visit on exotic fruit farm where you can taste the wonders of nature. You will go on a garden tour, learning about growing what you will need for an excellent meal. You will watch master chefs at work as they prepare you a four-course lunch. And you will see some great cooking demonstrations that will give you a taste of what Kauai has to offer. Sounds good, right?
But, you might be thinking, no culinary romp can truly be complete without beverages to accompany the perfect meal. Well, not to worry. You will receive demonstrations on Koloa Rum, attend a cocktail making class, and will be able to drink two cocktails of your choice to accompany your food.
So, if you love food, will be on Kauai, want something to do, and have $100, this event is for you. Enjoy!
Those of you who know me, either from this blog or in person, realize that I am all about the food. Seriously, it is a priority in my life. (And I have a pretty good metabolism too, so feel free to drool over my food posts and hate me for not gaining weight. I completely understand.)
That said, I am going to recommend an event for you that is expensive but worth it. This event is also all about the food. It’s called “Taste of Hawaii” and will be happening this Sunday (Yes, that’s tomorrow) from 11:30am until 3:30pm.
Taste of Hawaii is an event at Smith’s Tropical Paradise in Wailua. The price is $115, so I’m going to tell you up-front that this isn’t an event for children (unless your child has a very mature palette) or for those who are trying to plan a trip to Kauai on a budget. This is for those who have $115 a person to use on food.
But the food is going to be AMAZING!
There will be 50 chefs from all over the Hawaiian Islands attending this event, and they will be in charge of making their signature dishes for you! There will also be over 15 beverage vendors there, and they will be in charge of keeping you hydrated and complementing your meal with the best drinks possible. Each dish will be perfectly prepared for your palette, so come hungry and stay a while.
Need more incentive? Well, there will also be a Silent Auction taking place, and you can participate if you wish. Plus, there will be a constant stream of live music playing, with over 10 different entertainment groups scheduled. So you can literally eat fantastic food to your heart’s content while sipping a cool beverage and enjoying live entertainment as you sit comfortably on a beautiful, tropical island. I can’t think of anything better than that.
I’ve talked on this blog before about treating yourself to a spa day every once in a while. Spa days can help you keep yourself stress-free, relatively. They can also be a luxury that you might not always get the chance to enjoy. So why not?
Well, this blog is for those of you who aren’t sure you can afford a spa experience. Did you know that the Zonta Club of Hanalei is having an annual Luxury Ladies Spa Day on May 19th? The cost is only $125 a person and includes so much your head will spin. (Not literally – but if it does literally spin, then you definitely need a spa day!)
For one day, you can be completely pampered by experts in the field. The Kauai Nani Estate is located in Kalihiwai Ridge Estates, an exclusive North Shore location and the host of the Zonta Club’s Luxury Ladies Spa Day. During their annual event, they will offer massages, facials, yoga, flower arranging, art classes, water exercise, Pilates, Zumba, a silent auction, and much more. (And yes, I did get this directly from their ad.) Plus, they are serving a catered gourmet lunch.
So, for only $125, you can have a day of complete relaxation and a delicious gourmet meal. Doesn’t that sound amazing? Husbands, don’t you want to treat your wives to a full spa day while you go out and enjoy the world-class golf courses that Kauai has to offer? Women, don’t you want to truly enjoy your stay on Kauai? Then sign up for a spa day through the Zonta Club of Hanalei.
If you still don’t know what to do for your mom on Mothers Day, then I have one more idea. (There are several more things going on this weekend, but I’ve run out of time to write about them. ☺) How about you treat your mom to a nice brunch?
Moms love brunches. Something about the combination of lunch and breakfast speaks to a mom’s soul. (Okay, maybe that is a bit over-kill, but brunch is still a great idea.) And Kauai Beach Resort is having a $40 a person brunch this Mothers Day from 9am to 1pm.
Kauai Beach Resort may be overpriced when you’re looking for a place to stay, but Chef Mark Sassone is an amazing chef. That’s why I know that his menu for the Mothers Day Brunch is sure to be wonderful. So why not enjoy it?
You can call the restaurant today and make your reservations. Have a great Mothers Day and enjoy your brunch!
If you are going to be on Kauai for Easter, then you will probably want a few activities to go and do with your family. Well, never fear – that’s why I’m here.
For the religious amongst you, there are several churches on Kauai for you to choose from who will be offering Easter services on Sunday morning. While a complete list of churches and attendance times is a bit much to put in this blog, you can easily look up local service times in a phone book or ask around when you get here for a good church in your neighborhood. The residents here will be more than happy to invite you along with them this Easter.
Now, let’s discuss Easter breakfast/lunch. This year, you can head to The Garden Café in Kilauea and enjoy as much food as you want for only $35. (I know I sound like a restaurant ad, but let me explain.) The Garden Café is located at Common Ground, which used to be the Guava Kai Plantation. This Sunday, brunch will be served there from 9am-2pm and you can eat your fill of smoked salmon benedict, prime rib, omelets, desserts, and more.
Then, starting at 10am, there will be an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids (only $20 admission) and live Easter baskets made with living organic wheatgrass can also be purchased to house decorated eggs. For the adults, a live band (Soul Good Music Family) will be playing, so you will be sure to enjoy your time there. After all, what is better than great food, good music, live entertainment, and a kid-friendly atmosphere? Of course, this will probably be a popular Easter locale, so reservations are a must.
Then, for the rest of the day, you can enjoy the sights and sounds of Kauai at just about any location you choose. The beaches are beautiful this time of year and are teeming with new life as Spring commences. The hiking trails are just waiting to be explored and several of the tour lines will still be running during the holiday weekend as well. And, if you want to stay a few days, we have several holiday vacation rental homes on the island that you can rent while you’re here.
So Happy Easter everyone! I hope you enjoy your holiday on Kauai.
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