Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The house specialty, the Buffala, is redolent with garlic and buffalo-milk moz-
zarella. Make reservations or be prepared to wait; this is a local favorite.
Hwy. 11, at the corner of Kuakini and Palani.
&
808/329-7062.
Kids' menu, highchairs, boosters, crayons.
Reservations recommended for dinner. Pizzas $9-$23; main courses $8-$23; kids' menu $5.95. DC, DISC, MC,
V. Mon-Fri 11am-10pm; Sat-Sun 5-10pm.
Izakaya Kai
JAPANESE/SUSHI BAR If you're hungry for Japan-
ese food but you don't want to spend a bundle, this is Kona's best value. Tucked
away on a side street, off the hustle and bustle of Alii Drive, is a “hidden” restau-
rant with a relaxing atmosphere. Izakaya Kai serves “authentic” Japanese cuisine
at surprisingly low prices. Izakaya, which means “pub” in Japanese, and “Kai,”
which translates as “oar,” is Kona's newest restaurant, already well-known to
local residents, but off-the-beaten-path for visitors. The “pub” is stocked with a
wide selection of more than 20 different kinds of sake, and the dishes feature
top-grade fish. Don't leave without trying their specialty, the Volcano
don
(fresh
tuna artistically arranged over sushi rice). There are plenty of kids' items on the
menu; the deep-fried chicken dumplings and the tempura are hits with the 12-
and-under crowd.
75-5719 Alii Dr. (restaurant actually is around the corner on Sarona St.), Kailua-Kona.
&
808/329-2002.
Boosters, small puzzles. Sushi under $5, most items $7 and under. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Daily 5-11pm.
Kenichi Pacific
PACIFIC RIM FUSION/SUSHI BAR This gem
of a restaurant is hidden in the Keauhou Shopping Center. Decorated in muted
tones and understated furnishings, the food is fantastic, the service is efficient,
and the experience leaves you smiling. Although they have no kids' menu, they
will be happy to whip up whatever your youngsters want. (The chicken teriyaki
appetizer is a very popular choice.) The menu is so tempting that you might
want to graze from one dish to the next of ginger marinated squid, blackened
tuna, Dungeness crab cakes, and fresh lobster summer rolls. The entrees range
from pan-seared mahimahi with eggplant mouse to macadamia-crusted lamb
accompanied by taro risotto. Whatever you order, leave room for the molten
cake, a warm, flourless cake covered with espresso crème anglaise and served
with Kona coffee-chip ice cream.
Keauhou Shopping Center, Keauhou.
&
808/322-6400.
Highchairs, boosters. Reservations recommended
for dinner. Entrees $17-$32. AE, MC, V. Mon-Fri 11:30am-1:30pm; daily 5-9:30pm.
Quinn's Almost by the Sea
STEAK/SEAFOOD If you are hungry late
at night, this is one of the few places you can grab a bite to eat in Kona after
9pm. The newly renovated Quinn's, located at the northern gateway to town,
has changed its theme so it now has a nautical/sports bar atmosphere. Quinn's
offers casual alfresco dining on a garden lanai. The menu is basic surf-and-turf:
burgers, sandwiches, and a limited dinner menu of dependably good fresh fish,
filet mignon, and a few shrimp dishes. There are six burger selections and, when
available, fresh ahi or ono sandwiches. Kids get their own menu, but fish and
chips seems to be the most popular item coming out of the kitchen.
75-5655A Palani Rd.
&
808/329-3822.
Kids' menu, highchairs, boosters, crayons. Main courses $7-$19;
kids' menu $6. MC, V. Daily 11am-midnight.
Inexpensive
Basil's Pizzeria
PIZZA/ITALIAN This pizzeria is very popular with the 20-
something crowd and with families. And no wonder, the garlic-infused atmos-
phere features pizza as king, sauces that sizzle, and cheap pasta. The oceanview
restaurant, in a prime location in Kailua-Kona, is redolent with cheeses, garlic,
Value
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