The windward shore is given a gentle sea breeze that slips through the homes that sit only feet from the waves, over pastures and farms, around buildings where we work, and streets and that one highway; up hills that look out over it from lighted windows where we live. Loyal and knowing, the shore and her people grace one another.
Cover Story -
Zagat Winner
Lemongrass Grill
Seafood & Bar
By Ka’ilimaku’e Chester
 The two story, pagoda-inspired design of Lemongrass Grill Seafood & Bar, located in the heart of Old Kapaa Town, is a landmark beacon for those seeking the highest quality, hand-slected for those seeking the highest quality, hand-selected seafood prepared just the way you like it. The restaurant has been honored with a 2009 Zagat Award and the citation reads in part…”Expect the “right amount’ of spicy in the mid-priced specialties at this Kapaa Asian seafooder…in a pleasant interior.” The interior is Pacific Rim and everywhere you cast your eyes – at the walls and in the corners of the rooms, you’ll see displays of fresh orchids, art, vases, paintings, carvings and sculpture that will fascinate you.
The menu puts the emphasis on fresh seafood, fresh local produce, preparation and quality. For starters there’s a Lobster Ravioli, four large three-cheese ravioli tossed in a delicious light cream reduction, Baked Oysters on the half shell with bell pepper relish and wasabi sprouts, and a terrific Island Crab Cake, a fresh and sweet snow crab mixture topped with a seared scallop in a thin pool of wasabi aioli and pineapple salsa sauce. Salads range from Kilauea Greens, organic greens from Kauai’s North shore with fresh pineapple chunks and guava dressing to a Macadamia Salad of tomato, cucumbers and onions, island greens and a sweet chili peanut dressing.  Entrees from the land, feature Drunken Duck, cooked boneless duck breast marinated in chef’s special spices and honey with red wine sauce, served with baby bok choy and jasmine rice, Grilled Port with Vietnamese Vinaigrette sauce, and a terrific Prime Rib roasted to perfection and served with roasted potatoes, vegetables of the day and au jus. Fresh items form the sea, include Shrimp Scampi, large shrimp served on a bed of linguine in a garlic chardonnay cream sauce, and Catch of the Day, your preparation choice of char-broiled with passion fruit aioli sauce or sauteed in a lemon butter white wine caper sauce. Vegetarians can enjoy Full Steam Ahead of steamed broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, carrots and red bell pepper with a soy ginger garlic sauce or opt for a mouth-watering Yellow Curry of mixed vegetables with a coconut curry sauce.
Lemongrass Grill Seafood & Bar offers one of the finest dining experiences on Kauai and has become a family and visitor dining tradition of sampling flavors from the land and the deep and it’s a good reason why the restaurant has been honored in the 2009 Zagat Hawaiian Restaurants category.
Island Palms Island Style Grill & Bar -  Island Palms is the newest addition to the Kapa’a dining scene. The island style grill and bar anchors the north end of Choy Village (Lemongrass Grill Seafood and Bar is the southern boundary), a unique and distinct East-Meets-West restaurant and retail complex, scheduled for completion in the very near future.
The interior design features an airy high ceiling, gently rotating fans, tile floors, hand-carved tables, and walls decorated by colorful island blooms. The outdoor patio, perfect for people watching the Kuhio Highway traffic scene, is dominated by tall grass thatched umbrellas and romantically lit by tiki torches. The menu focuses on a variety of fresh island style dishes popular with visitors and regulars, reasonably priced, and served with friendly aloha charm. “The three points we’ve always stressed are quality, service and value,” Choy says. “These have been our ingredients for success.”
The menu focuses on island style cuisine with pupus of Baked Oysters on the Half Shell with julienned won Bok, onions, shiitake mushrooms topped with a delicious scallion custard, a Seafood Won Ton Poppers of lobster, crab, and curry powder with a garlic mash filling, wrapped in won ton pi and served with a sweet chili sauce, or Island Style Hot ‘n Spicy Chicken Wings. They may not be the original “wings” served by Frank and Teressa Bellissimo at Buffalo’s Anchor Bar but they are spicy and addictive. Another starter favorite is Deep Fried Artichoke Hearts, stuffed with cream cheese, capers and basil, dipped in tempura batter, rolled in panko flakes, and served with buerre blanc sauce.
The Chef’s Special Catch of the Day is served with a kama’aina choice of steamed pork wrapped in taro leaves, or island style “imu” pork dished up with rice, Anahola sweet potatoes and tomato relish. Another delicious fresh fish alternative is Kauai Island Catch with roasted garlic mash potatoes, grilled eggplant, fresh asparagus, and a light white wine cream sauce.
Delectable entrees feature Pacific Coast Coconut Shrimp dipped in tempura batter, rolled in coconut flakes and panko, and served with sweet chili sauce and rice; Fresh Island Pineapple Boat Canoe of fresh herbed shrimp skewers with pineapple fried rice; or Huli Huli Chicken, with stir fry seasonal veggies and Asian angel hair. Vegans can opt for Marinated Grilled Portabella with eggplant, zucchini, red bell pepper, yellow squash and baby bok Choy or a Tofu Lasagna of Marinated sauce, tomatoes, zucchini, onions, shiitake mushrooms, eggplant and ricotta cheese layered and baked in the oven.
Cafe Portofino Italian Restaurant
Savor the Flavor at Kauai’s Premier Award Winning Italian Restaurant - It’s been a banner year for Giuseppe Avocadi and his Cafe Portofino Italian restaurant, located in its new setting on the beach at the Kauai Marriott Resort overlooking Kalapaki Bay. Celebrating his 13th anniversary, Giuseppe is the proud recipient of the 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 DiRona Award, the restaurant industry’s most prestigious honor, a 2001 International Award of Excellence Five Stars, a 1999 Zagat Award, listed as “One Of The Top Ten” by Gourmet Magazine, rated by Martha Stewart in her book, “Honeymoon Destinations,” praised by gourmand, Bradley S. O’Leary, in his book, “Dining By Candlelight: America’s 200 Most Romantic Restaurants, “ and “recommended” by Frommer’s  Travel Guide. Cafe Portofino is distinguished by its dedication to notable cuisine, created daily using local produce and herbs. “Our menu is probably the most glorious expression of the Mediterranean diet!” exclaims Avocadi of his Italiana-inspired cuisine and Avocadi knows what he’s talking about; born and raised on the Italian Riviera he is a restaurateur with a natural passion for great food. “It’s what I do best,” he says with great pride. And visitors from the mainland, Europe and Asia heartily concur, rating menu selections as “outstanding.” Globe Trotter Travel magazine, Japan’s most influential travel publication, writes, “You’ll be charmed by Guiseppe and his wonderful accent and Old World graciousness. The staff, the food, and the atmosphere make for an enchanting evening. Come for the true amore.” The al fresco ambience, coupled with the warm and hearty “buono serra” greeting from Giuseppe, creates a perfect setting for Cucina-Italiana from a kitchen that turns out an ambitious and excellent repertoire of pasta, fresh seafood, and veal enhanced by sauces with an Italian soul. The atmosphere, inside and outside is lively and convivial and the staff most knowledgeable about the creative assortment of antipasti, pasta, veal, poultry, and fresh fish. Homemade gelati, that wonderful Italian ice cream and fruit sorbets are prepared daily. Antipasti Portofino offer five choices from Chef’s Daily Selections, a aromatic brew of fresh Steamed clams, and crispy Calamari Fritti. Winning entrees include fresh Island Fish, superb Fettuccine Alfredo, a traditional Roman dish of Linguine a la Carbonara, made with bacon and parmesan cream sauce, and Penne con Salsiccia, served with Italian sausage, tomato, garlic, basil and hot pepper. Two outstanding specialties are Osso Buco, veal shank served on a bed of pasta, and Scampi alla Provinciale, shrimp sauteed in butter, white wine, garlic, lime, and red tomato sauce. And, to add to your dining pleasure there’s the romantic harp stylings of Jovanni nightly.
“We are pleased to serve you, “says Giuseppe, “and are committed to making your evening at Cafe Portofino an extraordinary and delightful dining experience.”
Wahooo Seafood Grill & Bar -  Specializing in a variety of fresh island fish served with a unique Euro-Pacific island flair, Wahooo Seafood Grill & Bar is recognized as Kauai’s premier seafood restaurant. Set in a comfortable, casual, open-air island atmosphere overlooking the historic landmark coconut groves in Waipouli it is truly a place to savor exceptional dining. Signature dishes include the “Hapapuu’pu, “delectable sea bass seasoned and grill-seared, set upon a mound of whipped Wasabi Mashed Potato, sauteed fresh mushrooms and spinach complemented with Garlic Pesto Cream Sauce, Seared Scallops with Lotus Root Passion Fruit Sesame Glaze, Wok Fried Sashimi, Snow Crab Cakes in a Pineapple-Papaya corn relish, or Steamed Clams in a Herbed Garlic Butter Champagne Broth. Entrees feature slow roasted, succulent Prime Rib fit for a king, tender Baby Back Ribs, Porterhouse Steak, and Stuffed Pork chops simmered in Napa Valley chardonnay. There’s also Combos of choice Porterhouse, Prime rib or Filet Mignon paired with Scampi, Snow Crab Cakes, Hawaiian Island Fresh Catch, or Hawaiian Spiny Lobster Tail, and hearty soups and crisp salads and freshly made pasta, too! An excellent wine list will round out the evening. Live music every Friday night in the Hanapa’a Lounge and a bountiful Seafood Prime Rib Buffet on Sunday. Reservations suggested.
Hukilau Lanai - “Pull up a net and stay for awhile,” is the warm Aloha welcome from owners Paige and Russ  Talvi, and Roberta Wallace, along with manager Krissi Miller, and executive chef Ron Miller and the entire staff at Hukilau Lanai, located behind the Coconut Marketplace in Kapaa. It’s a spot so comfortable it’s hard to leave. Special treats like “20 great wines for $20” and nightly Pupu Specials of Spinach and Lomi Lomi Dip, Ginger Miso Littleneck Clams, Beer Battered Chicken with Plum Sauce, Sashimi Stack, and Mongolian Baby Back Ribs, will give you plenty of reasons to “get hooked” on Hukilau Lanai! Traditional entrée favorites like Mango Chicken, Sweet Potato Ravioli, Shiitake Meat Loaf, Orzo Risotto with Vegetables, choice American Beef Filet Mignon, and fresh seafood selections of Potato Crusted Opah, Ahi, and Hukilau Mixed Grill of Island Seafood and Sugar Cane Skewered Shrimp are infused with local ingredients and served with island flair. And it gets even better under a canopy of stars on the torchlit lanai with a scrumptious North Shore Goat Cheese and Fresh Mango Tart topped with Caramelized Sugar. Try it with a glass of ’97 Jekel Late Harvest Riesling. It’s superb! Conveniently located at the beautiful Kauai Coast Resort, the lush atmosphere, savory Kauai cuisine, and cocktails guarantee that once you try Hukilau Lanai you’re bound to come back for more. Don’t say we didn’t warn you! Open Tuesday through Sunday at 5pm. Poolside Bar open at 11am.
Wailua Marina -  For over 30 years, the Wailua Marina Restaurant has been a favorite dining spot for both visitors and residents where they can choose either indoor or open-air seating with a view of the Wailua River and watch the daytime activities of kayakers, water skiers, and riverboats head upstream for the famous Fern Grotto, or capture the serenity of the river in the evening while enjoying one of the Chef’s Specialties such as Catch of the Day Ahi, Ono or Mahimahi served char-broiled with fried rice and Marina Special butter Sauce; a Seafood Special of delicious sauteed mahimahi, oyster, scallop and deep fried shrimp; or everybody’s local favorite: (ya better be hungry, bruddah) the mar-ina’s Famous Baked Stuffed Pork Chop, a super thick chop served with special stuffing and brown gravy. Other local favorites include Broiled Spiny Lobster Tail, King Crab Legs, Steamed Mullet, juicy and tender Choice prime Rib served with au jus and baked potato, and boneless plum sauce flavored Baked Stuffed Island Chicken, when combined with a Mini Hot Lobster Salad, truly makes it a dish to remember. The Wailua Marina is noted for its generous portions, reasonable prices, and fresh salad bar accompanying all dinners. Dress is comfortable casual at Kauai’s only river front restaurant on the beautiful Wailua River.
Hilton Kauai Beach Resort -
The Hilton Kauai Beach Resort offers a great ocean view, aloha atmosphere,  and fabulous Pacific Rim cuisine in it’s Naupaka Terrace Restaurant rated throughout Hawaii as a culinary delight and dining at its finest. “The quality of our food is unsurpassed,” says Tom Lund, the resort’s food and beverage director. “We are proud of our “aloha spirit” and honored that we are truly the kama’aina’s place.” The kitchen turns out gratifying dishes of appetizers, soup and salads, entrees from the sea and land, pasta specialties and Chef’s suggestions. The emphasis is on locally-grown greens, fresh seafood from Kauai waters, premium beef, chicken, and pork, to create a dining experience you won’t forget. Start off with Tiger Prawns sauteed with fresh garlic butter and Chardonnay, or tender Crab Cakes pan fried with Thai Chili Sauce. There’s a heart-warming Classic Onion Soup of melting glazed cheese with garlic French bread or a crisp Chopped Salad of Mixed Field Greens. Barbecued Sea Scallops with sun-dried tomato butter and mango come with Papaya Seed Cabbage Salad, and there’s a selection of fresh island fish. Macadamia Crusted lamb Rack is served with juniper berry gravy, and steak is done up as Cajun Medallions, smothered with garlic shrimp or a New York Sirloin dressed with demi glace or teriyaki sauce. Pasta lovers can opt for Shellfish Linguini, Cheese Ravioli with Grilled Salmon, or Pasta Exotica, mushrooms sauteed with leeks, tossed with sherry and Linguini. Chef’s Suggestions are Prime Rib, slowly roasted, or Lobster Tail, brushed with butter and broiled until perfect. reservations suggested.
Mema Thai Chinese Cuisine - Fronting Kuhio Highway in Wailua, this Zagat “Excellence” Award and Garden  Island Reader’s Poll “Best of Kauai” winner continues to provide traditional Thai-Chinese cuisine prepared to the highest standard. Mema Thai Chinese Cuisine is intimate and elegant, its tables set with crisp linens, spotless glassware, and orchid sprays. Fresh Island Shrimp, Beef Salad, or Ginger Coconut Soup whet the appetite and make one hungry for more. Aromatic seasonings are used to enhance and blend the unique diversity of Thai, Chinese, and Pacific Rim ethnic styles into tantalizing dishes to satisfy every palate. Chef William Choy and his wife, Rojana, supervise a richly varied repertoire of delicious fare that includes a fabulous Pad Thai of stir fried rice noodles with eggs, chives, and bean sprouts topped with chopped peanuts and choices of tofu, chicken or pork, shrimp or seafood. House Specialties range from Fresh Basil with Mixed Vegetables of garlic, broccoli, carrots, cabbage and spices, Spicy Sweet & Sour, and the signature dish House Curry, the famous Siam-style panans curry of vegetable, fish, chicken, pork or beef choices in mild, medium, or hot versions. Mema Thai Chinese Cuisine exhibits pride of ownership, high quality, and a courteous and friendly staff exhibiting the warmth of Kauai’s Aloha Spirit.
Kauai Hula Girl Restaurant
Visitors and kama’aina happily agree that the Kauai Hula Girl Restaurant is a welcome new addition to the Coconut Coast dining-out scene. Here, the past and the present meet, in what has been described by one seasoned traveler as “a very classic rendition of one of the most modern Hawaiian restaurants I’ve ever seen.” Great food and drink – there’s something for everyone on the Hawaiian-style lunch and dinner menu. Surfer-size portions at affordable prices are served up with gracious and friendly Aloha service with the assistance of a mea ho’okani pila (musician) playing his ukulele while wahines tease you to join them in doing the hukilau. From the moment you enter the restaurant you’ll experience the history of the first Tahitians from ancient days past, to the romantic era of old Hawai’i, and modern Hawai’i today. “A taste of Hawaii” is offered in a wide range from the ‘aina (land), and from the kai (sea). There’s also pasta specialties, sandwich selections, salads, tropical drinks, and Hawaiian brews. Dinner reservations suggested.
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