Visit Hilo: Na'au

My trip to Hilo to experience Na'au's 7-course locally sourced tasting menu was planned months in advance, and it was SO WORTH THE WAIT!

You may think I'm biased, since the founder of this blog, Gem, is also co-founder of Na'au. She also hosted my meal.  But, in all seriousness and honesty, I hope you will believe me when I say that I was truly amazed by this dining experience, and I am still thinking about how good the food was. I'm trying to find an excuse to fly back to Hilo to experience this all over again!

First of all, Na'au is a farm to table concept, currently providing dinner service in Pepeekeo, Hawaii at a property known as Whitehaven Farm. It's about a 30 minute drive from Hilo town. The drive as you get close to the property is scenic and beautiful. It's even more breathtaking once you get to Whitehaven Farm.

The seating is outdoors on the patio of the house, which I absolutely loved, because it is so quiet and peaceful. 

The place setting is minimal, yet classy.

Love the wooden coasters with their logo on it (unfortunately guests are not allowed to take these home, but maybe they'll make them available for purchase one day!). 

Here's what was included in our 7-course tasting menu:

DRIED SEAFOOD SALAD

baby romaine

smoked dried opelu

KAUA'I SHRIMP DUMPLIINGS

red thai curry

HAWAIIAN KANPACHI

charred bone ponzu

braised hakurei

KONA ABALONE

Akulebushi

chawanmushi

LOCAL FREE-RANGE CHICKEN

charred scallion soubise

chicken breast

chicken thigh

SOURDOUGH BREAD

LAMB PHO

lamb dumpling

BIG ISLAND BITES

Honokaa chocolate

valencay

freeze dried wild apples

'ulu labosh

poha jam

LI HING TOMATO SORBET

balsamic reduction, WH mango

'OHELO CHEESECAKE

'OHELO & WHITE CHOCOLATE COOKIE

Every single dish was presented artfully and with care. It's hard to narrow down my favorites of the evening, because I enjoyed each and every one of them.  But if I HAD to choose two, I would pick the local free-range chicken and the lamb pho. I have never had chicken that moist and tender before, and the charred scallion soubise made it even more enjoyable (I mopped up the leftover sauce with the sourdough bread). The lamb dumplings, while I do not eat lamb on a regular basis, was phenomenal. The 'Ohelo Cheesecake and 'Ohelo & White Chocolate Cookie were also my favorites, and Gem was generous enough to give us seconds (THANK YOU GEM!!).

Being that this is a farm to table concept and most if not all main ingredients are sourced from the Big Island (and other neighbor islands) by the Chef/Owner Brian Hirata himself, Na'au' does an excellent job of showing us how amazing and unique Hawaii's ingredients are.

Pop-ups at Whitehaven are currently taking place every Friday and Saturday. Five and Seven course menus are available (I highly recommend the SEVEN course menu!). Beverages (other than water) are not included, but you can bring your own alcohol ($10 per bottle corkage fee applies). The website has recommended wine pairings, which are available at Kadota Liquor in Hilo. That's where we picked up our bottles of wine before dinner and we were amazed at their inventory of wines (and other alcohol) and the owner is very knowledgeable!!

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit their website: naauhilo.com.