Pau Hana Friday for March 21

Juicy juice at Kauai Juice Company. Daniel Lane photo.

Tasting Kauai

Happy Aloha Friday! We had an exceptional week and hope you did too. Last Sunday, our article “Meat of the operation” ran in The Garden Island newspaper. While touring the facility, we were happy to learn that the cows are 100 percent grass-fed, with no antibiotics or hormones. Thanks to it being available at Times/Big Save, beef is now back on our family menu. I just can’t buy the corn-fed, factory-farmed stuff. I made a wonderful beef stew this week and will share the recipe soon. I want to make it one more time to get it absolutely perfect.
Last Wednesday, our article “Spring cleaning with juice” ran in The Garden Island newspaper. This is the third cleanse I have done, and I have to say it’s the easiest. Plus, the juice at Kauai Juice Company is extremely delicious. I buy single bottles to drink with dinner. Last night, as I took a sip of  Mintacolada I tried to find one word to describe the flavor. I could taste mint and pineapple but the word that came to me was juicy. Sounds silly, but the flavors are so mouth-watering, balanced and vibrant that juicy is the best description. Anyway …

Charcuterie plate at Hukilau Lanai. Daniel Lane photos

Hukilau Lanai

Hukilau Lanai will be featuring Homemade Charcuterie this weekend. There will be an assortment of mortadella, head cheese, summer sausage, and paté served with house-made bread, kumquat Dijon, and salsa verde. Also on the menu is cotechino with lentils; and smoked sausage with an herb and caper potato salad. All made with Kaneshiro Farms pigs and available while it lasts. To make reservations, visit the Hukilau Lanai website.

Westin Princeville

Beginning Thursday, March 21 and running through Monday, March 24, the Westin Princeville will host an open house inviting guests, associates and the public to learn more and be inspired by their Six Pillars of Wellness.Unlike previous well-being initiatives, the latest campaign, called the Westin Well-Being Movement, is being offered not only to hotel guests but also to employees worldwide. All of the related programs and partnerships through it will be based on what the brand is calling its “six pillars”: “feel well,” “work well,” “move well,” “eat well,” “sleep well” and “play well.”

Kauai Beer Company

The Kauai Beer Company has listened to the pleas of its customers for more beer time. They will now be open Wednesday through Saturday from 3 to 8 p.m. Keep Food Truck Thursday parked on your calendar because it hasn’t changed. On other nights, people are encouraged to bring their own food.

Lawai Valley Mushrooms

Lawai Valley Mushrooms now has pearl oyster mushrooms available. Try to get them directly from Keith at the farmers market, they’re $6 a pound and double that at the store.

Verde Chilaquiles. Maris Manzano photo.

Verde Healthy Thursday

Join Verde every week for Healthy Thursday. Verde Chilaquiles ($12.99 and less than 380 calories) are made with local ingredients including NewMona Hui Farm eggs, Kauai Kunana Dairy feta cheese, Lawai Valley Mushrooms and Govinda Farm‘s kale and tomatillos. Owner Maris Manzano went through considerable effort to create a new, low-calorie, locally sourced menu item, so she’s keeping it on the menu for the entire month of March. I can tell you it’s a delicious, slightly spicy, large, guilt-free portion. The mushrooms and feta cheese add great umami flavor, the kale is fresh and earthy and the tomatillo wedges are tart. When cut into, the fried egg creates a kind of sauce. If your watching calories, you’ll wish you could get a meal like this more often!

Makana Terrace at St. Regis Princeville

For the Month of March, St. Regis Princeville will support the American Red Cross, Hawaii State Chapter (Kauai) with a designated table in Makana Terrace restaurant. Similar to Sheraton Kauai, 25-percent of the dinner revenues from Table 53 will benefit the American Red Cross, Hawaii State Chapter (Kauai). For dining reservations, contact the St. Regis Princeville at 826-9644. Make sure to make dinner reservations for Table 53 at Makana Terrace, which serves dinner nightly from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. They are closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

Royal Coconut Coast

Prince Kuhio Celebration

Join the annual celebration as Kauai celebrates Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole’s birthday, a statewide holiday. Prince Kuhio, born on Kauai, was one of Hawaii’s most beloved monarchs. Many events are free. For more information, visit PrinceKuhio.net
Foodie highlights include:
Friday, March 28 ~ Special Prince Kuhio Birthday Celebration Luau at Smith’s Tropical Paradise, Wailua, 5 p.m. The Smith Family has been sharing the history and culture of the Wailua River Valley with visitors and kamaaina for more than 60 years. Kumu Kehai Topolinski will showcase photos and stories of Prince Kuhio and his family on the island of Kauai from 5 until 6 p.m. Several of Kauai’s eastside kupuna will also be on hand to “talk story” about local history and legends. At 6 p.m., learn of the cooking style known as kalua, at the imu ceremony before enjoying a bounty of island food and drinks and experiencing the songs and dances from Hawaii and the Pacific Rim.
This year’s event will be extra special due to the loss of the founder, Stella Burgess. Known to many as Aunty Stella, the longtime South Shore resident, community leader and director of Hawaiian culture for the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa, died late on the evening of Feb. 18 night at her Koloa home with family and friends surrounding her. Here mana will infuse us all during Prince Kuhio Week.
Friday, March 21

Michael Ruff at Flavors of Kukuiula

The Shops at Kukuiula, 5 to 8 p.m.
The Shops at Kukuiula is featuring Grammy nominated musician, songwriter and producer Michael Ruff at the popular Flavors of Kukuiula event.
Michael Ruff, a multiple Na Hoku Hanohano award winner has had over a million selling songs recorded by Bonnie Raitt, Huey Lewis, Natalie Cole, India Arie and many more. Some of his most notable written songs are Cry on My Shoulder made famous by Bonnie Raitt, More than You’ll Ever Know by Natalie Cole and the big hit Moved by You by India Arie.
Flavors of Kukuiula, known as Kauai’s best Pau Hana party, will serve Kauai “street style” treats prepared by The Shops at Kukuiula award-winning restaurants Merriman’s Fish House, Josselin’s Tapas Bar & Grill, Tortilla Republic, Dolphin Restaurant Fish Market & Sushi Lounge and more. The Shops retailers will also be showcasing the latest in spring fashion and unique Kauai art and gifts.
Enjoy the music and:

• An outdoor Sangria Bar with freshly prepared tapas fronting Josselin’s Tapas Bar & Grill
• Merriman’s Fish House will host a beer and wine garden in the Palm Court and serve pupus with farm fresh ingredients
• Tortilla Republic will prepare rambutan mojitos and jicama shrimp tacos
• Living Foods will be hosting a wine tasting and grilling seasonal fare
• Lappert’s Hawaii will be hosting the All-Kauai Highschool Robotics club with their Thunder Chicken Coffee
• Dolphin Restaurant Lounge & Fish Market will offer samples of new items from the Fish Market as well as sushi and salads and more.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For reservations, call (808) 385-4344.

Jean Marie and I during the cooking demo at the Kauai Culinary Market. Daniel Lane photo

Cooking Demonstration and Book Signing

Kauai Culinary Market’s cooking demonstration at The Shops at Kukuiula, 5 p.m., free
Meet local legend Jean Marie Josselin, chef of Josselin’s Tapas Bar & Grill and me (Marta Lane)  at a cooking demonstration during the Kauai Culinary Market. I will be signing copies of our book, Tasting Kauai: Restaurants – From Food Trucks to Fine Dining, A Guide to Eating Well on the Garden Island. Jean Marie is featured in our restaurant guidebook and he will make tapas, which everyone can sample afterward.
Twenty-two years ago, Josselin, along with 11 other chefs, brought worldwide recognition to Hawaii by creating Hawaii Regional Cuisine (HRC). Josselin won the National Seafood Challenge in 1989 and opened A Pacific Café, which was one of Hawaii’s earliest chef-driven restaurants. The late John Heckathorn  wrote in Honolulu magazine that Josselin was one of the movement’s most creative chefs. Josselin’s cookbook, A Taste of Hawaii, was the first from the Hawaii Regional chefs. At one time, Josselin had seven restaurants across the state as well as restaurant 808 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Today, he is the only HRC chef on Kauai to cook at his own restaurant. This afternoon will be a special treat!
Come early because the gourmet farmers market offers farm-fresh produce as well as pies, jams, honey and baked goods from local food artisans. This is a great way to buy aloha presents that were made on Kauai. Each week during the cooking demonstration a local chef highlights Kauai grown meat, fish and produce.
Friday, March 28

Rainbeau Jo’s

Celebrate one year with Rainbeau Jo’s! Since Beau and Jo are two of the funnest people you’ll ever meet, it should be a great time. There will be a photo booth set up along with assorted Kawaii Cupcakes, and six packs of Rainbeau colored Momona Macarons. They will bring back their cookie butter espresso shake, which has been their most sought after drink special. “Right now I am in the process of perfecting our ‘Homeskillet Latte’ which we will be introducing on our birthday,” says Jo. “It’s a bacon infused latte with real maple syrup and is ridiculously delicious. It tastes like all the best parts of breakfast in a cup!”
Yes please!

Wine Dinner at Nanea

Join Nanea Restaurant and Bar for an all inclusive four-course dinner with wine pairing featuring Testarossa Winery. Created by executive sous chef Eric Purugganan. $90 (includes tax and gratuity)
First Course:

• Beet and Endive Salad with Goat cheese. Radish. Apple cider vinaigrette. Paired with Nanea by Testarossa Chardonnay, Santa Barbara 2010

Second Course:

• Lobster Bisque. Pan-seared scallop. Micro celery. Lemon Oil. Paired with Testarossa Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands 2011

Third Course:

• Crispy Pork Belly. White bean puree. Leeks. Paired with Testarossa Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands 2012

Fourth Course:

• Braised Short Rib. Yukon celery root mash. Pearl onions. Chestnut mushroom. Paired with Testarossa Syrah, Gary’s Vineyard 2011

Sweet Treat:

• Peit fours. Tea and Coffee.

Seating is limited. Contact the concierge for reservations at 808-827-8808

Jake and Erron DePew of The Green Pig. Daniel Lane photo.

Cowboy up! Paniolo Dinner

The Green Pig, 6 to 10 p.m., $75 per person
Wear your best Western attire or denim and join the Green Pig for a four-course cowboy meal with unlimited drinks, live music and line dancing.

• First course: Sweet Maui Onion “Petals” with Sassy horseradish sauce
• Second course: “Cowboy Picnic” Sweet carrot salad, deviled egg and jalapeño pimento cheese
• Third course: Local Kauai Beef Brisket-Jake smoked with cauliflower and potato gratin
• Fourth course: Zucchini Cake “Whoopie Pie” with homemade vanilla bean icecream

RSVP by March 24. For reservations, call 808-212-5769 Limited Seating.
UPCOMING:
Saturday, April 12

Tasting honey tangerines while Kai explains the unique tropical fruit. Marta Lane photo

A Taste of Kilohana

Kilohana Plantation, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., $115
A Taste of Kilohana is an exclusive, guided food tour that offers a seasonal slice of Kilohana Plantation. Our tour includes an off-the-menu, three-course, locally sourced meal that’s served in the Private Dining Room of Wilcox Mansion. Tasting Kauai donates a portion of the proceeds to the Kauai Branch of the Hawaii Food Bank.
Our unique tour begins with a ride in a open-air train through the 105-acre orchard which has more than 50 varieties of exotic fruit trees. Guests disembark and feed wild boar, goats and chickens and stroll through the orchard with Kai, Kilohana’s expert in local agriculture. After picking and eating exotic fruit, sit and relax as Kai demonstrates how to select and prepare tropical fruit, then taste the best of Kilohana in a super-fresh fruit salad.
After a short tour of the historic Manor House, guests learn how to make Gaylord’s signature Mai Tai with fresh-pressed sugarcane and lime juice inside Mahiko Lounge. Meet Gaylord’s executive chef Todd Barrett while he explains the day’s preparations and enjoy a three-course, locally sourced lunch in the Private Dining Room. Proceeds from this tour benefit the Hawaii Food Bank – Kauai Branch, help to restore native plants and preserve and perpetuate Hawaiian culture through education. To make reservations, visit A Taste of  Kilohana. To see previous tours, check out our Facebook photo album. For a complete list of tour dates, check out our Kauai Culinary Tours Calendar.

Lunch on our tour includes dishes such as Kauai Fresh Farms salad with local pork belly and chef’s garden vinaigrette. Daniel Lane photo

A Culinary Romp Through Paradise

Various locations in Kapaa, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., $140
Tasting Kauai’s Culinary Tour offers an intimate glimpse into the Garden Island’s culinary scene. We start with a farm tour and sample exotic fruit grown on Kauai. At the Kauai Marriott Resort, we join executive chef Guy Higa for an outdoor cooking demonstration and gourmet, four-course lunch made with Kauai grown ingredients. We conclude this food tour with cocktails at Oasis on the Beach. After a short presentation by Jeanne Toulon about award-winning, small-batch Koloa Rum, mixologist Joel Downs will handcraft two cocktails.
To make reservations, visit A Culinary Romp Through Paradise. To check out previous tours, visit our Facebook photo album. Chef Higa donates proceeds from his portion of the tour to the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen and Tasting Kauai donates proceeds to the Kauai Branch of the Hawaii Food Bank. For a complete list of tour dates, check out our Kauai Culinary Tours Calendar.
Sunday, April 20 ~ Easter

Keoki’s Paradise

Easter Breakfast Buffet, 7:30 to 11 a.m., $19 adults, $10 children 12 and under

• Cold Selections: Assorted cereals, fresh fruit salad, baked pastries
• Hot Items: Scrambled eggs, bacon, link sausage, sweet bread French toast, biscuits and gravy, Portuguese sausage, country style potatoes
• Omelet Station: Omelets cooked to order with your choice of bacon, ham, tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, spinach and cheese
• Juice and coffee bar

Reservations recommended, call 808-742-7534
ONGOING:

Sarah Wooton of Kauai Kunana Dairy. Marta Lane photo

Farmers Market Tour

Wednesdays, 3 to 4 p.m., $30
Meet local farmers, learn how to select perfect produce as well as when it’s in season and how to cook with it during Tasting Kauai’s one-hour farmers market class. Farmers markets are an affordable way to immerse yourself in local culture and the best place to buy produce that’s so fresh, it was harvested that morning. But buying at the farmers market doesn’t always insure that it was grown on Kauai. It happens all over the world. In Hawaii, customers want mangos year-round. In Colorado, they want tomatoes in May. To make that sale, vendors buy imported mangoes or tomatoes and sell them as their own. Becoming familiar with growing  seasons insures your dollars are spent on local produce.
There’s a whole world of delicious produce that many people never try. Let’s face it, some of it looks like it came from another planet. Once unfamiliar produce is demystified and cooking tips are shared, it may become a regular at dinner table. Many factors can make exotic produce expensive and the last thing you want to do is buy a pineapple that isn’t at peak perfection. This class will also teach you how to tell when produce is ripe as well as how to store it for best results. To make reservations, visit our Farmers Market Tour page.

Hanapepe Friday Night Festival and Art Walk

Hanapepe Town, 6 to 9 p.m.
Every Friday evening, Old Town Hanapepe bustles with people. A dozen art galleries stay open late and local crafters sell their wares. There’s also stilt walkers, classics cars, live music and entertainment. The Right Slice sells fresh-baked pie by the slice or whole.  Midnight Bear Breads makes pizza fresh from a wood-burning oven. Aloha Spice Company serves samples of their Hawaiian sea salt and spice blends on grilled chicken. These spices quickly add fantastic flavor without a lot of calories and make wonderful gifts of aloha.
Haole Girl Island Sweets sells a variety of hand-made butter croissants, including grilled chicken and portobello mushroom seasoned with Aloha Spice Company blends. Other croissants are filled with local fruit, nuts, honey or vegetables. Samples are given just outside the parking lot, in front of the darling Aloha Spice Company building. Call 808-335-6469 for more information.

Kapaa Art Walk in Old Town Kapaa. Daniel Lane photo

Kapaa Art Walk

Old Town Kapaa, 5 to 9 p.m.
On the first Saturday of the month hundreds of people party in Old Town Kapaa. The street is filled with the sounds of laughter and music, smells of delicious local food, and the work of Kauai artists. In front of the Dragon Building, Anni Caporuscio (owner of Small Town Coffee and Blue House Booksellers) sings to a three-piece band which includes a guitar player, drummer and washboard player. Art Cafe Hemingway and Java Kai open a new exhibit and serve food late. The Buttery hosts jewelers and other Kauai Made jewelry is available throughout.

Art Walk at Kukuiula

The Shops at Kukuiula, 6 to 9 p.m., free
Enjoy an enchanting evening of fine art, fine dining and live music under the stars at The Shops at Kukuiula the second Saturday of each month. Highlights include:

• Join Scott Hanft Photography for a relaunch and book signing of Kauai Edge: A Photographic Portfolio. Award winning photographer Scott Hanft captures rare moments on the Garden Island over 24 years, often from unique angles, and using the best modern print mediums.
• RED KOI invites you to join Kauai plein air artist Jim Ingham for live painting. Jim brings his distinct touch to Kauai’s most loved places and its remote settings capturing the essence of the Garden Island. His New Works feature Hanalei Bay by Moonlight, this Winter’s exciting Surf and a Lazy River through the Taro Fields. Linger over his newest collection and meet the artist at this vibrant gallery.
• Take part in the artists’ reception at galerie 103 for PRINT Paper + Sandbox – a new exhibit to examine traditional and contemporary printmaking. Works challenge conventional limits and technique from H.C. Westermann, Jean Cocteau, William T. Wiley, Ivan Lackovic, Tom Lieber, Kathleen Afair Brown, Roberta Griffith, Sally French, Bruna Stude and Wayne Zebzda. Open until May 3rd.
•  Experience the beauty of Kauai brought to life by award-winning plein air artist Jenifer Prince, painting live on site at Halelea Gallery. Spotlighting the Art of Hawaiian Living, Halelea features a unique collection of one-of-a-kind original fine art by Hawaii artists, Hawaii fashion design and locally handcrafted jewelry.
• Discover the award-winning work of Aaron Feinberg at aFeinberg Gallery. From the heights of Kokee and the cliffs of Napali, to secret waterfalls and beaches in between, Aaron can typically be found seeking out spectacular scenes and serene moments hiking and exploring Kauai’s pristine natural environment.
• March is waves, whales, sun, and surf month at Palms Gallery. The exquisite Paradise Collection created by more than 20 local artists will inspire discerning collectors and casual buyers to acquire original artwork and remember beautiful Kauai.
• Extend your evening for a sophisticated night out in Poipu. Dining options include Merriman’s Fish House, Josselin’s Tapas Bar & Grill, Tortilla Republic, Dolphin Sushi, Living Foods and Lappert’s Hawaii. Plus, enjoy jazz outdoors by Hank Curtis and Steve Dubey and Latin rhythms by Manuel Mendes and Cary Valentine.

Kilauea Art Walk

Stone Building, 5 to 8 p.m.
Join more than 20 artisans on the last Saturday of the month at the Stone Building in Kilauea Town. There’s live music, original art, hand-made apparel, jewelry, photography, custom slippers, painted glass bottles, ice cream and unique creations. Face painting henna tattoos. Stop by Kilauea Fish Market for dinner.

Photos for this blog post were contributed by Daniel Lane of Pono Photo.