Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the seafood dishes - especially that thick wedge of fresh ahi seared perfectly and served
in a wasabi cream - are simple and life affirming.
Hanalei Dolphin Restaurant & Sushi Lounge
SEAFOOD, SUSHI $$$
(
826-6113;
www.hanaleidolphin.com
; 5-5016 Kuhio Hwy; lunch/dinner mains $14/21, sushi
$11-20; 11:30am-3pm, 5:30-9:30pm)
One of the oldest establishments in Hanalei (over 30
years), the slow-roasted menu is tasty, but it really is all about the sushi. The Next Best
Thing wraps shrimp tempura, avocado, white onion and asparagus in seaweed and hama-
chi, and is drizzled with miso-chile-sake sauce. The Best Thing does the same with lob-
ster tempura, but only on Fridays.
BarAcuda Tapas & Wine
TAPAS $$$
(
826-7081;
www.restaurantbaracuda.com
;
5-5161 Kuhio Hwy, Hanalei Center; tapas $7-16;
5:30am-9pm)
Hanalei's hotspot, this deluxe tapas bar crafts gourmet flavors from sus-
tainable produce like North Shore honeycomb, Kunana Farms goat cheese and Mizuna
greens and apples. Think seared mahi with maca-damia nut pesto, slow braised pork
shoulder with apple cider reduction and house-made chorizo. The decor (and crowd) are
rather alluring too.
Hanalei Pizza
PIZZA $$$
(
826-1300;
www.hanaleipizza.com
;
5190 Kuhio Hwy, Chin Young Village; slices $5, pies $15-35;
11:30am-8:30pm)
The sauce has a kiss of Shiraz and the dough is made with hemp oil,
coconut water and hemp, flax and chia seed. Pizzas come loaded with cheese, the pesto
sauce is remarkable and the Wild Pig Pie with Kalua pork and Maui onion is a local fa-
vorite. BYOB and dine in the courtyard. This pizza is love.
Postcards Café
HAWAII REGIONAL $$$
fined cottage restaurant with hit or miss culinary chops. Creations range into the veg-
head fanciful (seared polenta cakes with a hemp seed crust) and back into the tasty range
of island classics (wasabi-crusted ahi). And though some dishes come up short, know
that the grilled ono with macadamia and honey butter is a revelation, and that they don't
take reservations.
