
Dining in Hawaii can be a bit tricky. Like Brazil, so many of the “traditional” foodstuffs are heavy - and perhaps even more disconcerting, similar. Aside from a wide variety of fresh seafood available, you may find yourself hunting for cuisine in Kauai that is a bit more unique - and delicate.
Priding themselves on their use of organic ingredients and locally grown produce, Postcards Cafe has been serving up gourmet seafood and vegetarian dishes for almost 20 years! Yep, you read that right - seafood and vegetarian only. You’ll find no poultry or meat on this menu - not that you’d miss it. The international-inspired menu segues effortlessly from one world cuisine to the next without missing a beat.
Set of Drifters tip: Are you vegan? Postcards aims to please. Ask your friendly server about the possible customization of your meal.

Postcards Cafe - 5 Kuhio Highway, Hanalei, HI 96714, (808) 826-1191
http://www.postcardscafe.com/
Our final meal from our Fall 2012 trip to Kauai was enjoyed at Gaylord’s, the inviting indoor/ outdoor restaurant located at the main house of the extensive Kilohana Plantation. An ode to bygone “Old Hawaii,” the 1930s-era estate beams throughout with Art Deco pride, as seen in its polished woodworking, floor-to-ceiling beveled mirrors and period furniture purchased originally from Gump’s! And that’s just the interiors. Dine for lunch or Sunday brunch at Gaylord’s, and you’ll be rewarded with unfurled views out to Mt. Wai’ale’ale!

Cane Field Clothing & Gallery (located within the Kilohana Plantation main house) - 3-2087 Kaumualii Highway, # E, Lihue, HI 96766, (808) 245-5608, http://www.kauai.com/canefieldclothing
http://www.kilohanakauai.com/
If you haven’t figured it out by now, we love vintage restaurants, especially when the food being served is purported as exotic. So you can imagine our thrill at spotting from the side of the road, Hanamalu’s 1950s-era tea house and sushi bar on our way back from Waimea Canyon (see "sights"). Oddly, sushi seems to be in short supply in Kauai, and by our 6th day on the island we had been jonesing for it!
We happened to arrive at Hanamalu in the middle of some private party where dozens of parents were doing their best to corral school-aged children from the restaurant’s inviting backyard garden. We must admit the setting was rather nice, complete with a number of koi ponds, Japanese-style pagodas and footbridges. Because it was somewhat late in the evening, our hostess eschewed us through the restaurant’s more mundane “sushi bar” section and placed us in one of the more traditional rooms where you take your off shoes. Hand-carved wooden friezes and rice-paper wall dividers helped to finish off the fantastic Japanese-retro decor.

Hanamalu Restaurant Tea House & Sushi Bar - 3-4291 Kuhio Highway, Lihue, HI 96766, (808) 245-2511

On the last night of our 2012 trip to Kauai, we were certainly ready for a little change. (How much pineapple can one eat in a week? Too much, apparently.) Our party decided on Hanalei as our final destination, partly because the town was only a hop, skip and a jump away from where we were staying in Princeville, but mostly because it has proven to be the most special village on the island.
Checking out the wait for a nearby tapas joint, we happened upon Neide’s Salsa & Samba by accident, a happy one at that. We were first drawn in by the incredible greenery that abutted the restaurant’s small patio. From here, spreading views out to the Hanalei Wildlife Reserve were triumphed only by the double rainbow that sprang out from its lushness. (They say travelers should not depart Hawaii until they have seen at least one double rainbow. I guess it truly was our time to leave the following day.)
What we liked best about Neide’s, aside from the grand view, were the prices! With most dishes under $15, you can afford an extra cocktail, or three! Neide’s Salsa & Samba is open daily from 11:30 AM until closing (dependant on season). Happy hour occurs from 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM with special deals on drinks and pupu appetizers.

http://neidesalsaandsamba.com/
When we first arrived on Kauai’s South Shore, it’s no overstatement to say that we had entered into a paradise. Golden sun. Swaying palm trees. The perfect temperature. But it simply could not be! Was that perfectly-manicured lawn at Lawa’i really real? Perhaps the gorgeous blue waves and white sandy beach had created some sort of mirage for us all.
We’re happy to report the answer is a big, fat “nope.” This paradise is all real. And perhaps the best spot to soak it all in from is Poipu’s Beach House Restaurant, the ultimate oceanside bar and grill. A favorite for years of Brady’s family, and countless Kauai food critics, the indoor/ outdoor Beach House Restaurant certainly lives up to its award-winning reputation - partly for the food and drink of course, but most notably for that view! We dare you: just try NOT to snap a photo - or 30!
And don’t forget the drinks! The Beach House bar is famous for their classic Mai Tais and other more inventive treats like the Coconut Mojito or the Banana Mac Nut Delight. The latter is concocted out of Irish cream and banana liqueur, then blended with fresh bananas!


http://www.the-beach-house.com/
Don’t let this restaurant’s name (three “o’s,” really?), or its inclusion near a strip mall fool you. Wahooo Seafood Grill & Bar serves some of the tastiest meals on Kauai. And if you have read any of our other restaurant recommendations above, that’s saying a lot. Located on the southern tip of Kapa’a, this colorful little spot abuts a picturesque palm grove that’ll quickly tempt shutterbugs into submission. (The illustrious, and ruinous, Coco Palms is attached to the palm acreage on the southern end - see “sights” for more information.)
We started off with a few large ‘n frothy cocktails whose names we can’t quite remember. (Set of Drifters tip: Just ask for the “Bartender's choice.”) Next up was a delicious poke salad (local fresh fish served over mixed greens and crispy won-tons with sweet rice vinaigrette and wasabi aioli). The perfect accompaniment to our liquid and seafood appetizers, a duo of hearty sandwiches followed. Doug tried the fresh ahi with herbs and guava basil spread (served alongside a ramekin of pineapple papaya relish), while I opted for the BLT & C (bacon, lettuce, tomato and snow crab salad pressed between two slices of homemade sourdough bread). We recommend saving room for dessert. Lead chef John Borales, Jr.’s “Caramel Custard” (vanilla bean custard enhanced with cinnamon and orange rind then iced with raspberry caramel glaze) is a hit!
Set of Drifters tip: While checking out Wahooo and its adjacent palm grove, don’t forget to look for “Tony’s Goats.” What are Tony’s Goats, you ask? Oh please, can’t we just leave you with a little mystery!

http://wahooogrill.com/

Your Set of Drifters pretty much love anything Japanese. And right up top of that list is sushi... sashimi... uh, Japanese beers... yakitori... and kobe beef! All of these delectables, and oh so much more, can be had at Kobe Japanese Steakhouse and Oku’s Sushi Bar on Maui. Serving Lahaina for over 26 years, Kobe is the more sophisticated cousin of the ever-popular teppan-style chain Benihana’s. Though that being said, if you’re the kind of “event diner” who still longs to watch your table-side chef pop shrimps into his hat, we promise you won’t be disappointed. Like Benihana’s, this is a “special event” kind of restaurant, and you’re sure to see any number of nearby groups celebrating a reunion, anniversary or some such nonsense.

Kobe chefs chop up your veggies, chicken and shrimp nightly from 5:30 PM until 10:00 PM, with “Super Sunset Specials” until 6:00 PM. Set of Drifters tip: Toddy Lilikoi hosts dancing and karaoke every Friday and Saturday night at 9:30 PM. Heading to Oahu? Kobe’s first outpost resides here in Honolulu!

Kobe Japanese Steakhouse and Oku’s Sushi Bar - 136 Dickenson Street, Lahaina, HI 96761, (808) 667-5555, http://www.kobemaui.com/
Kobe Japanese Steakhouse - 1841 Ala Moana Boulevard, Honolulu, HI 96815, (808) 941-4444, http://www.honolulukobe.com/
Normally, your Set of Drifters do not stop for chain restaurants. So how did we end up at Keoki’s Paradise in Kauai? The answer is simple. T’s Restaurants, the geniuses behind a 13-strong family of similarly-themed grub spots, have used different names for many of their outfits found in California and Hawaii. You may even know some of them. (“Duke’s” operates out of Malibu, Huntington Beach, Ka’anapali, Waikiki, and Kalapaki Beach respectively.)
We popped in to sample some of Keoki’s basic, yet tasty, bar foods - and naturally, a few scrumptious tropical drinks. Try the Holua Sliders, a trio of sandwiches that include crab cake, BBQ Kalua pork and a mini-cheeseburger. They’ll go nice with the Ahi Poke Tostadas - served with crisp wontons, edamame puree, and a wasabi drizzle. And don’t forget the “Blue Thyme” from the bar. This blueberry vodka and red wine concoction is blended with local thyme and a hint of lemon juice!


Keoki’s Paradise (located within the Poipu Shopping Village) - 2360 Kiahuna Plantation Drive, Koloa, Kauai, HI 96756, (808) 742-7534, http://www.keokisparadise.com/
Kimo’s - 845 Front Street, Lahaina, Maui, HI 96761, (808) 661-4811, http://www.kimosmaui.com/
Leilani’s On The Beach (inside Whaler’s Village Shopping Center) - 2435 Kaʻanapali Beachwalk, Ka’anapali, Maui, HI 96761, (808) 661-4495, http://www.leilanis.com/

Don The Beachcomber at the Royal Kona Resort (Big Island) - 75-5852 Alii Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, (808) 329-3111, http://www.royalkona.com/Dining.cfm
Island Lava Java (Big Island) - 75-5799 Alii Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, (808) 327-2161,http://www.islandlavajava.com/
The Fish Hopper (Big Island) - 75-5683 Alii Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, (808) 326-2002, http://www.fishhopper.com/kona/
Cafe Pesto (Big Island) - 308 Kamehameha Avenue, #101, Hilo, HI 96720, (808) 969-6640, http://cafepesto.com/
Daylight Mind Restaurant and Coffee Company (Big Island) - 75-5770 Alii Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, (808) 339-7824, http://daylightmind.com/
Da Poke Shack (Big Island) - 76-6246 Alii Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, (808) 329-7653, http://dapokeshack.com/
Bamboo Restaurant & Gallery (Big Island) - 55-3415 Akoni Pule Hwy, Hawi, HI 96719, (808) 889-5555, http://www.bamboorestaurant.info/