Visit Kauaʻi - Kauaʻi Diner

Boba Drinks

I was really bummed to hear that Dani's Restaurant on Kauaʻi would be closing last year, but another local-style restaurant opened up in its place - Kauaʻi Diner.

The menu is pretty extensive, with local faves, as well as a variety of snacks / sides, ramen, and boba drinks.

Won Ton Ramen

I had the Won Ton Ramen.  I liked the broth and the noodles were cooked perfectly.  Although I thought the won ton filling was a little too grainy in texture, I appreciated that they gave a lot of won tons.  

Loco Moco

Vegetable Rolls

Crispy Garlic Pork Chops

The Crispy Garlic Pork Chops is one of the popular menu items.

House Special Fried Rice

Cheeseburger

French Fries

Portion sizes were very generous and service was great.  Next time I go I'll probably try the Chicken Katsu with Curry, which we were told was another popular menu item. 

Kauaʻi Diner

4201 Rice St

Lihue, HI 96766
(808) 245-4991

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Visit Kauai: Pu`uwai Kitchen & Bakeshop

Last year I visited Pu`uwai Kitchen & Bakeshop, where I indulged in some really delish comfort food and yummy pies.

I couldn't wait to return on my most recent visit to Kauai.

Smoke Meat & Onions

I devoured the Smoke Meat & Onions!  Local pork was sauteed with onions and a house sauce.  It was so good!

Burger

Saimin

I was the only one in our party of four that didn't order Saimin & a Burger!

Pu`uwai Volcano fries

If you love spicy, be sure to try the Volcano Fries!

And you must try a pie (or four!). 

Kapahi Lime Pie

Lilikoi Meringue

Banana Cream

Chocolate Lilikoi

My fave is still the Banana Cream Pie, but I'm sure there's a pie for every taste!

Pu`uwai Kitchen & Bakeshop is taking a break for the month of October, as they re-strategize and take some much needed rest.

Pu`uwai Kitchen & Bakeshop
4523 Ioane Rd.
Anahola, Hawaii

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Flavors of Kauai Dressings, Sauces, and Marinades

Miso salmon made simple with Flavors of Kauai Miso Marinade and Dressing!

If you ask my kids what they want to eat for dinner, they’ll most likely answer Spicy Ahi!  They are referring to a restaurant we frequent in Aiea that serves my favorite spicy ahi.  But, what we all order is our own miso salmon.  We just love it!  Many times at home when we have salmon for dinner, the kids request miso salmon.  I’ve tried about three times to replicate miso salmon and through a combination of lack of time and know how, was ultimately unsuccessful. 

Fast forward to the Kauai day trip we went on last month where we visited many family owned and operated small businesses.  One of those businesses was Dani’s Restaurant in Lihue where we first stopped for breakfast.  I noticed right away on the menu a misoyaki salmon entrée and was so tempted to order it, but went with something I never had before - the delicious bacon cheeseburger loco moco.  Lucky for me, Danny Morioka – owner of Dani’s – gave us some Flavors of Kauai sauces and marinades to take home including the Miso Marinade and Dressing.  What’s really cool is you can sample their products at the restaurant before you make a purchase.  They use the Miso Marinade & Dressing in the Miso Salmon entrée and salads; the Garlic Marinade and Sauce in their Garlic Chicken and Furikake Ahi; their Flavor-Burst Dressing & Sauce is available with any of their green salads or with the fish and soba bowl specials; and their Ponzu Citrus-Soy Sauce is used in their pork chops entree.

 So now when I am short on time, which is quite often, I can quickly broil some salmon and serve it with Flavors of Kauai Miso Marinade and Dressing and everyone is happy!  It’s even become my daughter’s favorite lunch to bring to school.  Thank you Flavors of Kauai for making life easier for this mom!

 For more information on Flavors of Kauai, visit their website at www.flavorsofkauai.com   

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Visit Kauai: Pu`uwai Kitchen & Bakeshop

Blink, and you may miss the driveway just off of Kuhio Highway leading to Pu`uwai Kitchen & Bakeshop in Anahola.

Our friend, Mark Oyama, took us to Pu`uwai Kitchen & Bakeshop, as he personally knows owner Chef Curtis Horka, having taught him at Kauai Community College Culinary Arts.

Chef Curtis has quite the culinary pedigree, having come from a family with a strong culinary influence and background (including owning restaurants on Kauai).

Chef Curtis' own background includes The Greenbrier in West Virginia, the Peninsula & the Park Hyatt Hotel in Chicago, and locally at Honolulu Coffee Company, Old Lahaina Luau, and Leoda's Kitchen & Pie Shop.

Opened just a few months ago, Pu`uwai Kitchen & Bakeshop offers local-style comfort food and an amazing array of baked goods.

Teriyaki Burger

Roast Pork Saimin

Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich

The Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich was amazing.  A juicy piece of panko-crusted fried chicken was topped with gochujang and tonkatsu sauces.  

I loved the Roast Pork that topped the saimin.  I probably could've just eaten that huge slice of pork and I would've been happy and full!  The saimin was also topped with mung bean shoots, green onions, won bok, and a 6-minute egg, all in a pork broth.  Comforting and delish!

The burger was delicious as well, but the Korean Fried Chicken was the clear favorite.  

The burgers, buns, pickles, gravies, cutlets, and stocks are all housemade!

Be sure you do not leave Pu`uwai Kitchen & Bakeshop without getting a pie (or three).

Banana Cream

Peach Cobbler

Lilikoi Meringue

The pies are fantastic.  My fave was the Banana Cream, but they were all really, really good.

Prices are more than reasonable on the entire menu (a kids menu is available with nothing over $4!).

For satisfying, tasty food and some of the best pies you'll taste anywhere, be sure to stop at Pu`uwai Kitchen & Bakeshop!

Pu`uwai Kitchen & Bakeshop
4523 Ioane Rd.
Anahola, Hawaii

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Visit Kauai: Dani's Restaurant

Chef Danny Morioka, Chef Mark Oyama

Nadia and I recently took a day trip to Kauai.  Unlike other day trips, instead of cramming in a dozen-plus different places, we left our day to Chef Mark Oyama, founder of Contemporary Flavors Catering, owner of Mark's Place, and Chef Instructor at Kauai Community College Culinary Arts.

The first place he took us to was Dani's Restaurant, a mainstay in Kauai known for their comfort food and hearty breakfasts.

This family business, named after son Danny Morioka (the restaurant is spelled "Dani" so people would not confuse the restaurant with a similar-sounding worldwide breakfast chain), has been feeding locals and tourists alike for over three decades.

You'll still find Dani's Special Omelet (kamaboko, green onion, tomato), Hamburger Steak, and other familiar faves on the menu, but Danny (a former student of Mark's!) has been slowly reinventing dishes since taking over the helm five years ago.

Half & Half

B.C.L.M.

Nadia and I split the popular B.C.L.M. - Bacon Cheeseburger Loco Moco.  A typical loco moco (which you can still find on the menu) is already satisfying, but imagine it topped with crispy bacon, melted cheese, and green onions.  Chef Danny's take on this local classic has been well-received (look at all that bacon!).  The next time I'm not sharing.  It was so good!

The Half & Half is a fave of Mark's.  A bowl of beef and tripe stew is served up with a side of rice.  I gave this a try (and actually tried tripe for the first time!) and had a hard time getting over the texture of the tripe, but overall I thought the stew was really flavorful.  

Dani's did not disappoint.  

And by the looks of the steady stream of satisfied customers that dined while we were there, Dani's will continue to feed the community for decades more to come.

Whether you're coming or going, start your day at Dani's Restaurant!

Dani's Restaurant
4201 Rice St

Lihue, HI 96766
(808) 245-4991

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