Kauai - Hawaii with Kids - page 361

In east Kauai's Kapaa town, the indispensable Pono Market, 4-1300
Kuhio Hwy. ( & 808/822-4581 ), has similarly enticing counters of
sashimi, poke, Hawaiian food, sushi, and a diverse assortment of take-
out fare. It's known for its flaky manju (sweet potato and other fillings
in baked crust), apple turnovers, sandwiches, excellent boiled peanuts,
pork and chicken laulau, and plate lunches—shoyu chicken, sweet-and-
sour spareribs, pineapple-glazed chicken, teriyaki fish, and so on.
At Mark's Place, 1610 Haleukana St. in Puhi Industrial Park ( & 808/
245-2722 ), just southwest of Lihue, island standards (Korean-style
chicken, teriyaki beef, beef stew, chicken katsu) come with brown rice
(or white) and salad for $5 or $5.50.
Lihue, the island's county and business seat, is full of ethnic eateries
serving inexpensive plate lunches, everything from bentos to Hawaiian,
Korean, and Chinese food. Local Boy's Restaurant & Deli, 3204 Kuhio
Hwy. (just past the old Lihue Theater; & 808/246-8898 ), is a budget
bonanza and a popular stop for jumbo-size appetites (kid-size plates
$3-$4.75). They also are open for breakfast, where you are hard pressed
to find anything over $5. For a box lunch for kids (just $3.75), go to Po's
Kitchen, 4100 Rice St. ( & 808/246-8617 ), which offers Japanese specials:
cone sushi, chicken katsu, teriyaki beef plates, and bentos. One block
away, Garden Island BBQ, 4252-A Rice St. ( & 808/245-8868 ), is the place
for Chinese plate lunches and local staples such as barbecued or lemon
chicken and teriyaki steak, as well as a kids' menu (lemon chicken
$4.75).
In the Kukui Grove Center, at Kaumualii Highway (Hwy. 50) and Old
Nawiliwili Road, Joni-Hana ( & 808/245-5213 ) is famous for its specials—
nearly 20 a day! The tiny counter serves fried noodles, lemon-shoyu ono
(wahoo), teriyaki everything, and many other local dishes.
scampi or ribs off their own menu. Hawaiian musicians serenade diners nightly,
while downstairs in the Barefoot Bar, traditional and contemporary Hawaiian
music adds to the cheerful atmosphere.
In the Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club, 3610 Rice St., Nawiliwili. & 808/246-9599. Kids' menu (dinner
only), highchairs, boosters. Reservations recommended for dinner. Lunch $4-$11; dinner $8-$24; kids' menu
$7.95 on average. Taco Tuesday 4-6pm, with $2 fish tacos and $2 draft beer. AE, DISC, MC, V. Barefoot Bar
daily 11am-11:30pm; main dining room daily 5-10pm.
Whalers Brewpub SEAFOOD The brewpub, located where the road into
the Marriott ends at Ninini Point, opens to a view of Kalapaki Bay and the
Kauai Lagoons golf course. The yellow-and-white wooden building is perched
over the harbor, with gazebo-like decks that are a good place to be at sunset.
(Check out the whales during the winter season.) The environment and the fare
are both surf-and-turf, and the kids will be happy with their burger-oriented
kids' menu. With live Hawaiian music on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sun-
day nights, it's a lively place all day.