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less, perfect kalua-duck lumpia; vegetarian spring rolls; wok-fried scallops; and
fresh mahimahi in kaffir lime reduction. If your kids aren't impressed with the
adult menu, they can order from the kids' menu (chicken nuggets with curly
fries or fish and chips). The restaurant, with a gaily lit plantation-style veranda,
is full of intimate enclaves allowing all kinds of demographics, from the intimate
tête-à-tête to groups of 40 or more. In the past couple of years, I have become
increasingly disappointed at the alarming rise in prices and the corresponding
decrease in the amount of food on my plate. Reluctantly, I have lowered the star
rating of this once-sterling eatery in hopes that the management will bring prices
to a more reasonable level.
65-1259 Kawaihae Rd. (the Historic Yellow Building).
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808/887-2200.
www.danielthiebaut.com. Kids'
menu, highchairs, boosters. Reservations recommended. Main courses $21-$25; desserts $4.50-$8; kids'
menu $6.50-$16. AE, DISC, MC, V. Mon-Fri 11:30am-1:30pm; daily 5:30-9:30pm.
Merriman's
HAWAIIAN REGIONAL Merriman's is peerless.
Although founder/owner/chef Peter Merriman now commutes between the Big
Island and Maui, where he runs the Hula Grill, he manages to maintain the siz-
zle that has made Merriman's a premier Hawaii attraction. Order anything from
saimin to poisson cru for lunch; at dinner, choose from the signature wok-
charred ahi, kung pao shrimp, lamb from nearby Kahua Ranch, and a notewor-
thy vegetarian selection. Peter's Caesar with sashimi; Pahoa corn and shrimp
fritters; and sautéed, sesame-crusted fresh catch with spicy lilikoi sauce are
among our many favorites. In addition to his kids' menu, he will whip up but-
ter pasta at no charge for your toddlers. Kids are given an Etch-A-Sketch to
occupy their attention until dinner arrives.
In Opelu Plaza, Hwy. 19.
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808/885-6822.
Kids' menu, highchairs, boosters, Etch-A-Sketch. Reservations
recommended. Main courses $7-$13 lunch, $17-$35 dinner (market price for ranch lamb or ahi); kids' menu
$3.95-$19. AE, MC, V. Mon-Fri 11:30am-1:30pm; daily 5:30-9pm.
Inexpensive
Aioli's
AMERICAN ECLECTIC If you are looking for a place to pick up
inexpensive but healthy takeout meals, here's the spot. Most of the breads for the
sandwiches are homemade, the turkey is roasted in Aioli's own kitchen, the
prices are reasonable, and on Saturday mornings, the scent of fresh-baked cin-
namon rolls wafts through the neighborhood. Specialty salads, homemade cook-
ies and desserts, and daily hot sandwich specials (fresh catch on fresh bread can
hardly be beat!) keep the diners coming. Lunch is informal: Order, pay at the
counter, and find a table or make it takeout. The evening bistro menu changes
every 3 weeks; recent offerings include herb-crusted Black Angus prime rib with
baked potato and vegetables, seared sea scallops with a coconut curry sauce, rack
of lamb with cranberry orange sauce, and vegetarian items.
Opelo Plaza, Hwy. 19.
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808/885-6325.
Highchairs, boosters with straps, crayons. Main courses $3.95-
$8.95 lunch, $12-$23 dinner. DISC, MC, V. Tues 11am-4pm; Wed-Thurs 11am-8pm; Fri-Sat 11am-9pm; Sun
8am-2pm.
The Little Juice Shack
JUICE BAR/DELI If you need a sudden jolt of
energy that isn't caffeine, Juice Shack comes to the rescue. There's nothing like
fresh-squeezed carrot-apple juice to put a spring in your step, and this is the
place to get it. The smoothies and sandwiches here are wholesome and the
produce fresh, green, and varied. All juices are made fresh to order: orange, pear,
apple, pineapple, carrot, tomato, and many combinations, including vegetable
drinks and spirulina powder. Bagels with luscious toppings (like pesto, smoked
salmon, or tapenade); vegetarian chili; and hearty soups, salads, and sandwiches
