Hawaii Big Island | East Coast

sdscf3088

We finally came down to our final episode of our vacation on the west coast. Kona district, the dry, sunny side of the island. It’s amazing the big island has all the climates. From this sunny dry heat of the West, wet jungle of the East, cool grassy area of the North, and freezing high land of the Middle.

 

 

Seafood Bar and Grill, Kawaihae

 

780hawaii081

This is a restaurant that the ranch owner recommended us.

He described it as “not a fancy restaurant, but good food that locals love.”  That sounds like what we were wanting to hear.  But we were not really hungry, so we just dropped in for a light tasting.

 

780hawaii082

 

780hawaii083

House Salad.

Shrimps were not the option, but the waitress was very nice to follow our request.

 

780hawaii084

Oyster Rochefeller

This, too, was a dinner menu, not available during the day, but she took our order anyway.

 

780hawaii085

Perfect doneness.  Rare.  Soft.  Juicy.  They didn’t kill the oyster.

 

780hawaii086

Yummy!

 


 

780hawaii111

We stopped by a local grocery store.  So many kinds of Poke.

 

780hawaii110

We picked some for the breakfast tomorrow.

 

780hawaii114

Our Kona house.

 

780hawaii113

The owner was very friendly.  He gave us lots of local information.

 

780hawaii115

Beautiful sunset.

 

 

Sam Choy’s Kai Lanai, Kailua-Kona

 

780hawaii116

From his recommends, we picked the famous Sam Choy’s.  We’ve never been in one.  Wanted to try his hybrid Pacific Rim Cuisine.  An open air fantastic location, overlooking Kona coast.

 

780hawaii119

Passionfruit Mojito.  YuYu loved it.  Said she would try at home.

 

780hawaii120

Calamari.

Deep crust with a little heavy bread.  Inside, the squid was plump and meaty.  We liked it.

 

780hawaii125

Grilled fish salad.  Beat noodles and somen noodles were such nice touch.

 

780hawaii124

The fish was seared perfectly rare.  Delish!

If I remember correctly it was Opah, moonfish.  This fish seems to be pretty popular in Hawaii.  I never thought it was so delicious.

 

780hawaii127

Seafood LauLau

Steamed fish, shrimps and softshell crab in banana leaves.  Perfectly done!

The fish was swordfish.  They called it Shutome.  Just awesome texture and flavor.

Just great food overall.

 


 

 

780hawaii128

The next morning.

We came down to a bay to try our luck to swim with Hawaiian spinner dolphins.

As soon as we entered the water, we heard them.

And magic moment began.

 

 

It was such a privilege to be with them.

It was the greatest first encounter with dolphins for YuYu.  And for me, the deepest pleasure to be united again after all these years.

 


 

780hawaii130

Back home for breakfast.

 

780hawaii131

Poke!!

 

780hawaii132

We became so fond of Poke.

 

 

Holuakoa Gardens and Cafe, Kailua-Kona

 

780hawaii135

This cafe has become our favorite of all restaurants we visited on the big island.  A beautiful garden on the hill along the coffee farm street.

 

780hawaii152

780hawaii137

YuYu got grass-fed beef burger with Brie.

 

780hawaii139

Perfect medium rare.  Juicy and packed with fine beefy flavor, wrapped up nicely with the gorgeous flavor of aged cheese.

 

780hawaii140

Speechless.

 

780hawaii136

I got grilled fish sandwich.

 

780hawaii138

Wahoo was seared so nicely, combined with crispy bacons and organic leafs.

 

All the ingredients are carefully selected and prepared.  Mostly organic and homemade.  Coffee was brilliant too.  It really gave us the last push to conclude that Hawaii Big Island is a YUMMY place!!!

 

780hawaii151

So we came back the next morning.  We selected this place to have our last meal on the big island.

 

780hawaii154

The french toast.  YuYu spotted this in the menu yesterday.  She was locked on it.

 

780hawaii155

Vanilla whipped cream and maple syrup on the thick cut toast.

 

780hawaii156

What else can you ask for a nice branch?

 

780hawaii157

She was explaining so eagerly how delicious it was.  Her eyes were set.

 

780hawaii153

I got this tuna sandwich that knocked me off the chair.

 

780hawaii158

It was really mind-blowing.  Grilled yellowfin tuna with parmesan melt and herbs on crusty Focaccia.  All the different flavors and different textures combined to bomb your month.  It was so balanced in a light note that it becomes so rich.

 

780hawaii159

We just didn’t want it to end.

 

Thank you, the big island.  You are truly an amazing place.

We’ll be back.

We’ll be back.

You may also like

Leave a comment

CAPTCHA