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Destination: Hawaii (Big) Island Article Source: Copyright © 2012 by Fodor’s Travel, a division of Random House Inc. All rights reserved.
It's out of the way, but the food at this spot in the heart of Hawi is good and the service and ambience have a Hawaiian-country flair. Creative entrées feature fresh island fish prepared several ways. The Thai-style fish, for example, combines lemongrass, Kaffir lime leaves, and coconut milk; it's best washed down with a passion-fruit margarita or passion-fruit iced tea. Bamboo accents, bold local artwork, and an old unfinished wooden floor make the restaurant cozy. Local musicians entertain on Friday or Saturday evenings. www.bamboorestaurant.info. Credit cards accepted. Closed Mon. No dinner Sun.
A favorite Hilo breakfast spot, much loved for their fresh-fruit waffles and tasty morning coffee. Service can be a little slow, but where are you running off to anyway? For lunch they serve up huge deli sandwiches and decent entrée-size salads. In keeping with its name, the little diner is full of stuffed bears, ceramic bears, even bear wallpaper. No credit cards.
Hidden away in a strip mall on Palani Road near KTA, Ba-Le serves a decent plate lunch. It also offers Vietnamese-influenced food such as pho, though there are more authentic options elsewhere. Ba-Le's sandwiches are served on croissants or French baguettes, stuffed with pickled daikon and carrots, cucumber, cilantro, homemade mayo, and your choice of a variety of Asian-style meats. www.ba-le.com. Credit cards accepted.
Formerly executive chef at the acclaimed Merriman's restaurant in Waimea, Chef Allen Hess recently opened his own namesake restaurant at the former Huli Sue's down the highway. Foodies will appreciate his "slow food" take on regional cuisine inspired by Hawaii's plantation era. Don't miss the braised short ribs, the fried pork chop, the goat tacos, and the Kona lobster bouillabaisse. Chef Allen makes everything in-house, including sausages, patés, and dry-aged meats sourced from Big Island beef producers. As for seafood, his broiled local kampachi is the highlight of the fresh-catch offerings. www.allenstable.com. Closed Sun.
In the sleepy harbor town of Kawaihae, the original Café Pesto ranks as a hidden find for visitors. Gourmet pizzas are topped with eclectic goodies like pork and pineapple, chili-grilled shrimp, shiitake mushrooms, and cilantro crème fraîche. The menu is a bit pricey, and includes Asian-inspired pastas and risottos, plus fresh-fish entrées. Local brews and a full-service bar make this a good place to end the evening, and the lounge-y bar area with sofas and comfy chairs provides a nice place to grab a drink while you're waiting for a table. www.cafepesto.com. Credit cards accepted.
One of the better restaurants in Hilo, Café Pesto offers exotic pizzas (with fresh Hamakua mushrooms, artichokes, and rosemary Gorgonzola sauce, for example), Asian-inspired pastas and risottos, fresh seafood, delicious salads, and appetizers that you could make a meal of. Products from local farmers feature heavily on the menu here—everything from the Kulana free-range beef to the Kawamata Farms tomatoes to the Kapoho Farms lehua-blossom honey made on the island. Live local musicians provide entertainment at dinner Thursday through Sunday. www.cafepesto.com. Credit cards accepted.
Destination: Hawaiian Islands Article Source: Copyright © 2012 by Fodor’s Travel, a division of Random House Inc. All rights reserved.
Food in Hawaii is a reflection of the state’s diverse cultural makeup and tropical location. Fresh seafood, organic fruits and vegetables, free-range poultry and meat, and locally grown products are the hallmarks of Hawaii regional cuisine.
To experience island history first-hand, take a seat at one of Hawaii's ubiquitous "plate lunch" eateries, and order a segmented Styrofoam plate piled with rice, macaroni salad, and maybe some fiery pickled vegetable condiment.
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