Kauai - Hawaii with Kids - page 362

In the Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club, 3132 Ninini Point. & 808/245-2000. Kids' menu, highchairs,
boosters, crayons. Reservations recommended. Main courses $15-$25 lunch, $17-$25 dinner; kids' menu
$4.50-$5.50. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Mon-Sat 11am-11pm; Sun 10am-9:30pm.
INEXPENSIVE
Hanamaulu Restaurant CHINESE/JAPANESE/SUSHI For a cultural
experience, take your family to this serene Japanese garden restaurant, with a
tatami-floored teahouse. You can dine at the sushi bar, American style, or in the
teahouses for lunch or dinner (but you must call ahead for teahouse dining). At
lunch, enter a world of chop suey, wontons, teriyaki chicken, and sukiyaki (less
verve than value), with many other choices in budget-friendly Japanese and Chi-
nese plate lunches. No kids' menu, but dishes are served family style and every-
one can partake.
3-4291 Kuhio Hwy., Hanamaulu. & 808/245-2511. Boosters, sassy seats. Reservations recommended. Main
courses $6-$15. MC, V. Tues-Fri 10am-1pm; daily 4:30-8:30pm.
Kalapaki Beach Hut AMERICAN Tricky to find, but what a savings for
your wallet! ( Hint: Look for the anchor chain in front of the blue building.)
This “hut” has window service and a few tables downstairs and more upstairs
(with an ocean view out the screen windows). Basic fare is served on paper plates
with plastic cutlery at cheap, cheap prices. Breakfasts are hearty omelets, pan-
cakes, and numerous egg dishes. Lunches are heavy on the hamburgers (pre-
pared 10 different ways), lots of sandwiches, a few healthy salads, and fish and
chips. The kids get their own menu (smaller sized). This casual restaurant wel-
comes people in their bathing suits and slippers.
3474 Rice St., Nawiliwili. & 808/246-6330. Kids' menu, boosters. Breakfast $3.75-$6.50, lunch
$3.95-$6.25; kids' menu $3.95-$4.25. No credit cards. Daily 7am-7pm.
THE POIPU RESORT AREA
You'll find the restaurants in this section on the “Poipu Resort Area” map on
p. 351.
EXPENSIVE
The Beach House HAWAIIAN REGIONAL The Beach House
remains the south shore's premier spot for sunset drinks, appetizers, and din-
ner—a treat for all the senses. The oceanfront room is large, accented with over-
size sliding-glass doors, with Old Hawaiian Regional favorites on the menu.
Families are welcome; kids get their own menus and crayons to play with until
dinner arrives. (If you come at sunset, you might be able to see a turtle or two
bobbing in the waves.) Menus change daily and include Kauai asparagus salad,
seared crusted macadamia-nut mahimahi, sea scallops with lemon grass and kaf-
fir lime, and the Beach House crab cake with mint sambal butter sauce and
grilled tomato compote. Desserts shine too, like the molten chocolate desire—
a hot chocolate tart that arrives warm and wonderful—and the Kahlúa taro
cheesecake, tangy with lilikoi crème fraîche.
5022 Lawai Rd., Poipu. & 808/742-1424. Kids' menu, highchairs, crayons. Reservations recommended.
Main courses $22-$27; kids' menu $10-$14. AE, MC, V. Daily 5:30-9:30pm.
Casa di Amici ITALIAN/INTERNATIONAL This storybook restau-
rant has fairy lights, high ceilings, beveled glass, and a generous open deck where
you can dine among palms and heliotropes. (There's live classical music Fri-Sat
6:30-9:30pm on the baby grand piano.) Worth seeking out, it's the third left
turn past Brennecke's Beach, not more than 2 minutes from Poipu Beach Park,
in an enclave of condos and vacation rentals. The memorable Italian food has