Molokai - Hawaii with Kids - page 319

Outpost Natural Foods VEGETARIAN The healthiest and freshest food
on the island is served at the lunch counter of this health food store, around the
corner from the main drag on the ocean side of Kaunakakai town. The tiny store
abounds in Molokai papayas, bananas, herbs, potatoes, watermelon, and other
local produce, complementing its selection of vitamins, cosmetics, and health
aids, as well as bulk and shelf items. But the real star is the closet-size lunch
counter. The salads, burritos, tempeh sandwiches, vegetarian potpie, tofu-
spinach lasagna, and mock chicken, turkey, and meatloaf (made from oats,
sprouts, seeds, and seasonings) are testament to the fact that vegetarian food
need not be boring. A must for health-conscious diners and shoppers. No
tables—take it out to the beach instead.
70 Makaena Place. & 808/553-3377. Most items less than $5. AE, DISC, MC, V. Sun-Fri 10am-3pm.
Sundown Deli DELI This popular deli's offerings are home-cooked and
healthful, with daily specials that include vegetarian quiche, vegetarian lasagna,
and club sandwiches. The sandwiches (like smoked turkey and chicken salad)
and several salads (Caesar, Oriental, stuffed tomato) are served daily, with a soup
that changes by the day (clam chowder, Portuguese bean, cream of broccoli).
Vitamins, T-shirts, and snacks are sold in this tiny cafe, but most of the business
is takeout.
145 Puali St. (across the street from Veteran's Memorial Park). & 808/553-3713. Sandwiches, soups, and
salads $3.95-$7.50. AE, MC, V. Mon-Fri 7am-4pm; Sat 10:30am-2pm.
EN ROUTE TO THE NORTH COAST
Kualapuu Cook House AMERICAN Local residents flock here, not only
for the family atmosphere, but also for the oversize servings. There's no kids'
menu, but the excellent hamburgers and cheeseburgers with fries and the
chicken items will tempt your most picky eater. Breakfasts feature giant omelets,
homemade corned beef hash, and, for those who dare, The Works—buttermilk
pancakes, eggs, and home fries. (You'll either be fueled for the day or ready to
take a nap.) Lunch can be either a burger or sandwich or one of their humon-
gous plate lunches of pork katsu or chicken, served up with rice, of course.
Farrington Hwy., 1 block west of Hwy. 470, Kalapuu. & 808/567-9655. Highchairs, boosters. Most items
under $15. No credit cards. Mon-Sat 7am-3pm.
THE WEST END
Maunaloa Dining Room MOLOKAI REGIONAL Molokai has never
had anything resembling fine dining, but this restaurant changes the picture. It's
in the island's first upscale hotel, the Lodge at Molokai Ranch (p. 315). Kids 12
and under eat free with a paying adult, plus there's a kids' menu with hot dogs,
turkey sandwiches, and pasta. Breakfast features banana-stuffed Molokai sweet-
bread French toast, or eggs with taro hash. The dinner menu includes entrees
like fresh fish with roasted corn; Molokai prawns and Pacific snapper; and
lemon-grass mango chicken with avocado relish and spiced tortillas.
The Lodge at Molokai Ranch, Maunaloa. & 888/627-8082 or 808/660-2824. Kids' menu, highchairs, boost-
ers, crayons. Reservations recommended for dinner. Breakfast entrees $6-$12; dinner main courses $20-$28;
kids' menu $5.50-$7.50. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Mon-Sat 7-10am and 6-9pm; Sun brunch ($23)
11am-1:30pm. Lunch served 10am-4pm in the bar; most sandwiches under $10.
THE EAST END
Neighborhood Store 'N Counter AMERICAN The Neighborhood
Store is nothing fancy, and that's what I love about it. This store/lunch counter