Feral Thee Well
Owners, Scott Kessinger (left) and Dave Power (right) at The Feral Pig. Daniel Lane photo
We are very sorry to announce that The Feral Pig is closing for good on July 30. The closure is due to disputes with the Harbor Mall landlord, which is the same reason Kalapaki Joe’s closed their flagship restaurant earlier this year.
Owners, Scott Kessinger and Dave Power are not planning to open another pub. Instead, they are taking time off to relax, recuperate and reevaluate. Scott tells me he’s planning on attending to some long neglected yard work and Dave is looking forward to spending the rest of the summer surfing and vacationing in California. Who knows what these two will dream up next, but I’m sure it will involve good times, tasty cocktails and delicious food. I’ll let you know what they’re up to once they figure out what the next steps are.
(From Left) Dave Power, Marta Lane, Collin Darrel and former The Feral Pig chef Barb Ka’auwai in a promotional picture for our first book release party. Image copyright 2015 Daniel Lane.
I found out when I receive this text on July 14:
“Aloha guys. I want to start by thanking you for all of the things you have done and continue to do for The Feral Pig. Your friendship, support, honesty and encouragement have meant so much to The Pig and its staff and much more personally for me. Which makes this, that much more difficult. The Feral Pig will be celebrating its four year anniversary, and its final two weeks this July. Our relationship with our landlord has deteriorated to an untenable place, and we are unable and unwilling to proceed with Harbor Mall. Please come down to the Pig, let me make you a cocktail, Dan get another burger (or 10) listen to some Irish Music on the 26th and celebrate with us these last few weeks. Love you guys.
The Feral Burger with local, grass-fed beef and house-cured pork belly. Copyright 2015 Daniel Lane photo.
¡Viva la cochon!”
That was from Dave. I share it with you because it shows the kind of man Dave is. Thoughtful. Kind. Someone who will help in a pinch. We first met Dave and Scott when we did a story for MidWeek Kauai shortly after they opened The Feral Pig in 2011. We quickly became colleagues and I included them on our early Kauai food tours. We also held two book release parties at The Feral Pig. Through it all, we have become friends and Dan and I will miss the comfort and community everyone readily finds at The Feral Pig.
In the mean time, please stop by and say goodbye. They’re open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This Sunday, listen to Whisky-O and celebrate TFP’s four year anniversary during St. Patrick’s Day in July. Their final day is Thursday, July 30 and the kitchen will close at 2 p.m. Cocktails and beer will be served until closing. We hope to see you there.
And as Dave says, “¡Viva la cochon!”
“Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
to rock my soul.”
~ The Grateful Dead, Brokedown Palace