North Shore Kauai Eats

Here's some insight into our dining experiences on North Shore of Kauai. For starters, a Mai Thai at The Nui is a must!

We had a great dinner at BarAcuda in Hanalei Town offering small plates sourced from Island Fisherman + local organic farmers. 

We ate Papas Ajo - fried marble potatoes tossed in fresh garlic with paprika aioli. These were basically the local version of my favorite tapas - Patatas Bravas! There were tender Banderillas - grilled flank steak skewers rubbed with ancho chili coffee spice and a chipotle honey sauce, and a beautiful piece of Hawaiian Ono with roasted corn puree, grilled summer squash, green coriander + True Leaf Farms sunflower sprouts. 

And a Lilikoi Cheesecake with graham macadamia nut crust and lilikoi curd for dessert!

It was so nice to have the gorgeous St.Regis luxury resort a ten minute walk from our Airbnb condo complex Hale Mole. We fell in love with their Macadamian Old Fashioned. It was one of the best cocktails on this trip! 

On our first night we were met with a super lively bar crowd. The whole place was dancing to a husband wife duo who played local instruments and fun cover songs. We grabbed a front row table and ordered dinner. The bar menu features Japanese plates; really good ceviche, maki rolls, miso soup, edamame and more. We were delighted with our first experience here and knew we'd be back. 

A couple days later we dined at the glamorous Makana Terrace. The views over Hanalei Bay are incredible, but that was about all. The menu was lacking - they were out of a lot of items we wanted to order and we were not overly impressed with the food or service. We got the sense our waitress didn't like us - never a good feeling on your honeymoon or at an exceptionally luxe venue. 

The bad experience at Makana didn't outweigh our love for the good vibes at the bar. We came back on our last night for a final round of Macadamian Old Fashioneds at sunset. 

Tahiti Nui or the Nui is the local Hanalei dive. Live music plays late into the evening and the Mai Thais are flowing. The food was decent. We had coconut shrimp (can't go wrong), beef poke (not my favorite) and a local fish and rice dish (average).

Piazza was a real treat and somewhat of a surprise! Serving local Italian cuisine in the Princeville Plaza (next to Foodland) this polished establishment served us well on our last night in Kauai. We sat at the bar where the staff was fun and attentive. The masterful Ahi Tuna Carpaccio with a deconstructed tapenade, lemon confit and black lava salt was one of my favorite plates in all of Hawaii. The wine list and cocktails were on point - my Vespa with Aperol, lychee puree and prosecco was the perfect blend of Italia meets Hawaii! The Kauai Shrimp Scampi with handmade squid ink linguine, garlic butter, tomato, lemon preserves and chili flakes was a terrific entrée. As was the gorgeous Tagliatelle Bolognese!

Overall, we had some pretty great food on Kauai's North Shore, but not without a couple misses in the mix. If you've visited this part of Hawaii, where are your must eats?!

Fuji | Assembly Row

 January 25th, 2018 was the last day working in Downtown Boston at Lafayette City Center. We are at a shiny new building in Assembly Row, Somerville. It's no DTX / Chinatown / Theater District corner, but it will have to do. 

Fuji at Assembly is here! I will miss my beloved Avana but Fuji is contemporary and fun. I stopped in for a carafe of hot sake at the bar with impressive makimono and nigiri to follow. Spicy Tempura Katsu ($13.50) w. Katsu style shrimp tempura, cucumber, avocado, spicy mayo and sesame seeds and some Toro Nigiri ($8) and I'm settling right into the new neighborhood.

Fuji at Assembly

320 Canal St

Somerville, MA 02145

what's good | Amaro Montenegro, Posto Mobile + more

I am big on roundups and it has been awhile since I posted one! 

I like to highlight favorite spots I'm visiting again and again, or restaurants, dishes, drinks and brands that made a lasting impression. Enjoy!

 Acai Bowl @ Energize

True to its name this blog focuses on boozy drinks and indulgent food. But I am a big smoothie bowl and fresh squeezed juice fan, too! Energize in Oak Square, Brighton is my favorite neighborhood juice bar for a delicious, healthy and beautifully presented smoothie bowl. 

Juices + Smoothies @ Thirst Juice Co.

When I'm working downtown my go to juice bar is Thirst. Pictured is the Buddhabeet Juice made with beet, carrot, pear, pineapple + ginger. This is a perfect afternoon thirst quenching pick me up!

Fried Burrata @ Brighton Bodega

On our first visit to the new bodega the Fried Burrata took center stage - comforting, luscious, crispy and bathing in a savory tomato sauce. The other dishes were just so-so compared. On our second visit I was much more impressed with our dishes. With an on trend neighborhood vibe and a solid house cocktail list + 20 thoughtfully selected beers on draft, I am so thrilled Brighton Bodega has made a home in Brighton Center! Look for a full post on this place soon.

Negroni @ Townsman

...from healthy red juice to my favorite red cocktail! Townsman's Negroni or some variation of the classic usually graces their menu and always hits the spot. 

Thai Tuna Maki @ Hillstone 

Hillstone is an upscale chain restaurant in Faneuil Hall. I enjoyed hanging out at their polished subterranean bar and was surprised to see maki rolls on the menu. The Thai Tuna ($16) is eight squares with cubes of fresh tuna, avocado, a spicy thai sauce and macadamia nuts.

Amaro Montenegro @ Alibi

Amaro is an Italian herbal liquor that has for awhile been my go to digestif. I have been using it frequently to craft a delicious variation on the Manhattan. You probably drink amaro in cocktails all the time and don't even realize it! 

A collision of sharp sweetness blunted by potent alcohol, an understated bitterness, scents of flowers and spices, I love it so! There are lots of brands out there but Lucano, Averna and Montenegro are my three favorites. Alibi at The Liberty Hotel hosted an amazing evening last month called "Montenegro Nights" where they transformed the heat lamp lit patio into a Montenegro shrine and even had a tattoo artist giving (fake) Montenegro bottle tattoos, reaffirming my adoration for the brand!

Authentic Neopolitan Pizza @ Posto Mobile

I haven't featured a food truck in awhile but I eat lunch at them all the time. Posto Mobile wood fired pizza is ridiculously good. Pictured is the Soppressata - namesake spicy pork salumi, mozzarella, Tuscan peppers, oregano, parmesan + arugula.

House Featured Manhattan @ Troquet on South

This my friends is what a $17 Manhattan looks like. It is made with mad river burnt rock bourbon, sweet vermouth, barrel aged bitters + cherries. I love cozying up to the intimate + sophisticated French Bistro that is Troquet on South.

Where have you been eating + drinking lately? What are some dishes I must try around town?!

Almost Summer + Cape Roundup

Pictured: Lobster Risotto @ Mad Minnow, Harwichport | Toro Maki + Sashimi @ Mac's Shack, Wellfleet | Sunset @ Lewis Bay, West Yarmouth | Swordfish Cheeks + Soft Shell Crab @ Naked Oyster, Hyannis

Finally, some SUNSHINE! The beginning of May was entirely rain / cold / dark / drizzly and heat still blasting inside. That winter chill lingered just a little to long and it was rough on my spirit. In anticipation of consistently warm weather and trips to Cape Cod, here's a round up of some summer archive photos and fantastic Cape restaurants not-previously-blogged-about.

Mac's Shack | 91 Commercial St | Wellfleet

Mac is a local fisherman so a meal at his Outer Cape institution offers hands down the freshest seafood you'll ever eat; perfectly shucked Wellfleet Oysters and Littlenecks, dream worthy sushi + sashimi creations, inventive takes on classic entrees, plus terrific cocktails with a charming coastal atmosphere to match. My favorite way to end a day in Wellfleet - post hiking Great Island + playing in the dunes is hanging at their outdoor bar and patio area.

Mad Minnow | 554 Main St | Harwich Port

A summer gastropub that brings a fresh vibe to the neighborhood with a clean bright interior, an outdoor vegetable meets beer garden, locally sourced seafood, and stellar cocktails - you'll definitely want to #gethooked!

The Port | 541 Main St | Harwich Port

Across the street from Mad Minnow, a much older establishment with a classic and refined old Cape Cod vibe is The Port. You can't go wrong with $1 oysters nightly from 5 - 6:30!

Naked Oyster Bistro + Raw Bar | 410 Main Street | Hyannis

When I tell you that the above Soft Shell Crab + sweet corn entrée and the below Swordfish Cheeks are literally some of the best seafood dishes I've had on Cape Cod, ever, you won't hesitate to hit up the Naked Oyster next time you cross the Sagamore Bridge. My favorite way to dine is impromptu at the raw bar, a spot here feels like winning the lottery.

Eclectic Cafe | 606 Main Street | Hyannis
Venture to the other end of Main Street to dine under the stars on Eclectic Cafe's lush, warm and secluded patio. Pictured above is the Lobster Mac N Cheese appetizer with tarragon boursin, roasted parsnip, sweet peas and butter poached lobster. Pictured below is a Shrimp + Lobster Special wrapped and baked in phyllo dough. There is also a relaxed bar if you're in the mood to just grab a cocktail.

Seafood Sam's | 1006 Route 28 | South Yarmouth 

Seafood Sam's is clutch for a low key but satisfying meal. This local counter for take out or dine in (additional locations in Sandwich and Falmouth) offers moderately priced seafood - excellent lobster rolls, clam chowder, fried seafood and more. They also serve beer + wine!

FIN | 800 Main Street | Dennis 

Fin serves contemporary + sustainable seafood dishes matched by an eclectic wine list in a tastefully decorated two story antique home. Many incredible meals have been devoured here!

How many plates of oysters are appropriate to have/mention in one post?! These are Fin's signature Chilled Nobscusset Oysters with Pickled Ginger Granita and Wasabi Tobiko.

Also looking forward to....lazy summer days on Lieutenant Island and Great Island, both in Wellfleet, boat trips to Baxter's on Hyannis Harbor for fried seafood and frozen mudslides to-go, sunsets that set the marsh on fire, coffee ice cream cones with rainbow sprinkles, swimming in the salty ocean, being tan, nights at the Beachcomber! What are you guys looking forward to this summer?