Culinary Cuisine in Kaua'i

Aloha again! Last recap was describing our first two nights in Maui. Our third day; Saturday was spent poolside enjoying mai tais and frosty vodka lemonades. After a full day of sun we decided to make our way into town to catch game one of the SPURS playoff and enjoy a local pizza joint. Our server at the pool recommended Vinny's Pizza; great NY pizza! There isn't a website for it but if you are ever in Lahaina you can stop by there. They are located on 840 Wainee Street. Phone: (808) 661-6773. They deliver to all the hotels as well but we wanted to eat there and watch the game. After pizza and the game; we returned to our hotel to walk the beach and watch the sunset. We were slotted to fly out on Sunday for Kaua'i.

We left Maui for Kaua'i on Sunday, May 4. We flew Hawaiian Airlines and arrived on Sunday morning in time for us to get in a round of golf at Puakea Golf Course. We stopped at the club house for lunch prior to golf and while we enjoyed our afternoon overlooking the mountains and ocean views; golf was very slow. There were many folks out playing and pace of play was horribly slow.

After golf we checked into our hotel; the Grand Hyatt Kaua'i Resort & Spa. We showered off and prepared for an evening of culinary delight at a great restaurant called Casa Di Amici. Tucked away in a quiet neighborhood above Po'ipu Beach, this "House of Friends" has live classical piano music on weekends and an outside deck open to sweeping ocean views. Entrées from the internationally eclectic menu include a saffron-vanilla paella risotto made with black tiger prawns, fresh fish, chicken breast, and homemade Italian sausage. Dave had the paella; YUM and I had the chicken gorgonzola. We split this phenomenal salad with candied macadamia nuts. While I greatly enjoyed my entree I was pretty confident at the end of the meal that it was veal rather than chicken but nonetheless it was great. Again; no website but if you're in Kaua'i they're located on 2301 Nalo Rd. in Po'ipu. Phone: (808) 742-1555.

Monday was our full day in Kau'i! We started our day with another culinary delight in Koloa; just down the road from Po'ipu at the infamous Puka Dog! Puka Dog has been seen on the Travel Channel and a few weeks ago after watching a special on hot dogs; I told Dave we needed to try this place while we were in Kaua'i. Puka means "hole" in Hawaiian and they serve these terrific hot dogs (polish sausage and veggie are the choices) in this mini loaf of bread. You first choose your dog; then your garlic sauce (original, spicy and volcanic hot) then your choice of Hawaiian relishes to include mango, pineapple, star fruit, papaya, banana and coconut (or ketchup, mustard or dijon for the less adventurous). YUM MEE!!!! They were awesome. You have to try the fresh squeezed lemonade as well. Locations are in Kaua'i and Honolulu.

Here's a shot of serving up the Puka dog

After our lunch we went out to Spouting Horn; a natural wonder where ocean water rushes under a lava shelf and spurts water roughly 50 feet in the air. After Spouting Horn we went to Waimea Bay and the Waimea Canyon otherwise known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. We made the drive up the Canyon to view the sites. Here's a photo of the Canyon.



After Waimea we drove to Hanapepe; home of Lilo and Stitch to see the Hanapepe Swinging Bridge. Hanapepe means "bay crushed by landslides" and was actually used in the filming of the movie, "The Thorn Birds." It's this teeny, tiny quaint town filled with artisans and shops.

We then had schedule a sunset dinner cruise and made our way to check in. Our cruise took us along the south shore of Kaua'i and Po'ipu Beach. The dinner was served on board and the cruise was about 2 hours. Our sunset was slightly clouded but it was beautiful nonetheless.

We're off for some snorkeling. Not sure what other culinary delights we'll take in today but we'll report back.

Mahalo! Pin It Now!