Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
dishes, small pizzas, and entrees from grilled fish to large salads. The kids'
menu completes the picture (spaghetti with meatballs is a fave) of this family-
friendly cafe.
Kings' Shops at Waikoloa Beach Resort, 250 Waikoloa Beach Dr., Waikoloa.
&
808/886-1700.
www.
merrimanshawaii.com. Kids' menu, highchairs, boosters, MagnaDoodle. Main courses $6.95-$16 lunch,
$14-$29 dinner; kids' menu $7.95. Daily 11am-9pm.
NORTH KOHALA
Note:
You'll find the following restaurants on the “North Kohala & Waimea”
map on p. 201.
Bamboo
PACIFIC RIM Serving fresh fish and Asian specialties in
a turn-of-the-20th-century building, Hawi's self-professed “tropical saloon” is a
major attraction on the island's northern coastline. The exotic interior is a nod
to nostalgia, with high wicker chairs from Waikiki's historic Moana Hotel, works
by local artists, and old Matson liner menus accenting the bamboo-lined walls.
The fare, island favorites in sophisticated presentations, is a match for all this
style: imu-smoked pork quesadillas, fish prepared several ways, sesame nori-
crusted or tequila-lime shrimp, and selections of pork, beef, and chicken. The
great kids' menu features everything from buttered noodles to cheeseburgers.
Produce from nearby gardens and fish fresh off the chef 's own hook are among
the highlights. Don't miss the Sunday brunch, when diners gather for eggs
Bamboo (eggs Benedict with a lilikoi-hollandaise sauce) and the famous passion-
fruit margaritas. Hawaiian music wafts through the Bamboo from 7pm to clos-
ing time on weekends.
Hwy. 270, Hawi.
&
808/889-5555.
Kids' menu, highchairs, boosters, crayons. Reservations recommended.
Main courses $10-$24 (full- and half-size portions available); kids' menu $4.95-$8.95. DC, MC, V. Tues-Sat
11:30am-2:30pm and 6-9pm; Sun brunch 11am-2pm.
Kohala RainbowCafe
GOURMET DELI This place, known for its
healthful fare and made-with-care wraps, is a great place to stop for a picnic
lunch or a quick mid-morning or late-afternoon pick-me-up. Choose from fresh
soups and salads, homemade sandwiches and burgers, and giant salads, but most
in demand are the wraps, herb-garlic flatbread filled with local organic baby
greens and vine-ripened organic tomatoes, cheese, and various fillings. If none
of these items inspires your kids, there's a keiki menu (for the grilled-cheese
fans). There are about 30 seats indoors and a few outdoors next to an art gallery
with a striking mural.
Hwy. 270, Kapaau, in front of the King Kamehameha Statue.
&
808/889-0099.
Kids' menu, boosters,
crayons. Main courses under $9; kids' menu $3. MC, V. Wed-Fri and Mon 10am-6pm; Sat-Sun 11am-5pm.
WAIMEA
Note:
You'll find the following restaurants on the “North Kohala & Waimea”
map on p. 201.
EXPENSIVE
Daniel Thiebaut Restaurant
FRENCH/ASIAN This wonderful (but
expensive) restaurant is a great family trip. The building, the 100-year-old
Chock Inn Store, is fun to wander through seeing all the items from the old gen-
eral store. Chef Daniel Thiebaut's menu highlights Big Island products (Kamuela
Pride beef, Kahua Ranch lettuces, Hirabara Farms field greens, herbs and greens
from Adaptations in South Kona) interpreted by the French-trained chef, for-
merly executive chef at Mauna Kea Beach Resort. Highlights include a grease-
Finds
Value
