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?!

Waypoint

Chef Michael Scelfo has done it again. Get yourself to his new restaurant Waypoint and without a doubt order the Uni Bucatini and the King Crab. There are some dishes that manage to get an entire city buzzing, and these are two of them. 

In an unassuming, sort of hidden subterranean industrial space on Mass Ave between Harvard and Central squares, Waypoint lures fans of Alden + Harlow with contemporary seafood focused plates and an absinthe centric bar menu. There's so much more than two of us could try in one visit - like crudo and caviar and clam pizza. It is an experience much like the Choose Your Own Adventure Books that the checks come delivered in; no matter which way the menu inspires you to tailor your order, you won't be disappointed! 

The interior is warmly lit by a distinctive neon green fish sign and a parade of hand blown glass lamps. Large and small booths tuck perfectly into cozy spaces, while communal high tops front the area between the bar and the open kitchen. Creamy marble table tops and gorgeous herringbone inlaid walls catch my eye. It is a space that is both buzzing and soothing all at once.

As far as the aforementioned dishes go - the intensely comforting Uni Bucatini ($18) offers thrilling heaps of sweet uni, a runny smoked egg yolk, pecorino crumbles and bottarga shavings among hollow strands of the al dente pasta. Plump and fresh King Crab ($22) is piled atop a heavenly chili garlic oil, a creamy brown butter aoili and toasty black rice; lending playful, contrasting textures and harmonizing flavors. 

Meanwhile, our other two dishes are not to be overlooked: Grilled Monkfish Cheeks with squid inked eggplant and kohlrabi salsa verde, along with a Squid Ink Gemelli ($17) featuring benton's ham, swordfish lardo, smoked pignola + pecorino crumble prove all of Waypoint's alluring coastal cuisine dishes shine. 

Being on a mezcal kick I passed up the tales of absinthe section and went with a house original called Portside ($12) with mezcal, manzanilla sherry, pickled cherry pepper, honey + lime. It was smokey yet balanced with a little fiery kick. Later on, a really funky, seafood-friendly wine appropriate for fans of sour beer, the Denavolo "Dinavolino" ($15) from Emilia-Romagna, Italy is a delicious, unexpected discovery. 

Waypoint
1030 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138

Parla | North End

Parla is a hip new addition to the North End. Located among the mainstays on Hanover Street it is tiny and tucked away with a cozy bar in the back, pressed tin ceilings overhead and vintage artwork lending a 1920's vibe. The signage is displayed on the interior, illuminating the space with retro neon bulbs adding to the speakeasy-eqsue ambiance. (Pretty sure it has been flying under the radar since it opened in April.) My visit was way back in May with some of the first friends I met through blogging. This was one of those lovely catch up and share everything dinners - with the always present bottle of bubbly rose, crowd pleasing appetizers, refined cocktails and dressed up versions of classic pasta dishes. It was nice to reconnect while discovering splendid new offerings in a neighborhood we all love. 

Cocktail | Sacco & Vanzetti - rye, blackberries, peychaud bitters
Small Plates | Wild Boar Meatballs and Braised Oxtail Arancini
Antipasti |  Buratta Fritta - eggplant caponata, balsamic reduction, red pepper puree
 Pasti | Lobster & Uni Ravioli - homemade ricotta, lemon cream, diced tomatoes, fava beans, garden peas
Squid Ink Gnocchi - wild boar ragu, basil, parmesan, garlic bread puree.    
Quail Egg Carbonara - panchetta and spinach

Rolf and Daughters | Nashville

Our meal at Rolf and Daughters was outstanding. The seasonally driven food was dynamic and thoughtfully prepared. The pasta is homemade. The cocktails are expertly crafted. The industrial chic warehouse space (a 100 year old factory building) in Germantown was laid-back and inviting. The memorable conversations flowed as the ladies and I savored our last dinner of the trip.

Drink | R.A.D. Negroni

Market/Garden | Asparagus - roe, lemon zest | Spring Onion - egg yolk, bottarga

Pasta & Grains | Squid Ink Canestri - shrimp, squid, r.a.d. pancetta, chili 

Dessert | Bombolini - sweet cream filled sugar-coated doughnuts

Rolf and Daughters

700 Taylor Street

Nashville, TN 

The Daily Catch | North End

The original Daily Catch in the North End is a no frills, cash only, hole-in-the wall establishment. The casual dive-y approach is all part of its charm - from the weathered tables and chairs, to the single chalkboard menu, the use of paper placemats, and especially the wine served in plastic cups. The tight dining quarters equals a usually lengthy wait evidenced by patrons forming a line that runs a block down Hanover Street. 

Fried Calamari ($9.75/small, $18.50/large) to start are an absolute must! Arguably some of the best in town achieving the ideal balance of crispy batter to toothsome tentacles, full of sweet ocean flavors with just a hint of olive oil. A dusting of fresh parsley, two juicy wedges of lemon and zesty marinara sauce for dipping finish off a perfect execution.

The Sicilian style seafood dishes are fresh, authentic and served piping hot in the pan in which they were prepared; the pasta bathing in every last drop of red sauce, garlic, olive oil and fresh herbs. 

I highly recommend the Tinta de Calamari which is Homemade Black Pasta ($10.50/appetizer, $21/ entree). 

The thick ribbons of squid ink pasta laced with sinfully good olive anchovy butter coil around sautéed mushrooms, onions and red and green peppers in the Putanesca, while the Aglio Olio incorporates plentiful amounts of briny ground squid and sautés it simply with lots of garlic and olive oil. 

A Hanover Street mainstay and often overlooked staple in the Boston seafood scene, the original Daily Catch with an unassuming presence, warm cheerful service, and authentic Italian seafood dishes will hopefully leave you nothing short of impressed.

The Daily Catch

323 Hanover St

Boston, MA 02113

Oxo Tower Restaurant

Situated on London's South Bank rising over the River Thames - Oxo Tower Restaurant, Bar & Brasserie is a luxe dining destination where modern British and Mediterranean cuisine are met with sparkling vistas of the city.

The dramatic 8th floor bar and dining room is an unusual space beginning with the shuttered ceilings and extreme blue hued lighting. With glass spanning the walls and ceilings entirely it is as if you are dining in an opulent greenhouse. But actually a blue house. The gaping, angular windows provide a beautiful view out to St. Paul's Cathedral. 

The ultra modern, almost futuristic looking space is heralded by a long all-white bar with a curved edge. Towering white vases contain Poinsettia plants. Tables are set in white linens with handsome leather u-shaped chairs. 

Tricia had dined here back in 2008 and had a feeling another fantastic experience was store if we returned. She did not steer us wrong! We were greeted warmly by maitre'd as we stepped in off the elevators, she took our coats and umbrellas and showed us a seat at the bar area where we ordered cocktails.

We were seated before they arrived and so they swiftly followed in our footsteps. True to form, the Aperol based sparkling libation caught my eye. Combining my favorite orange liquor with Mandarine Napoleon, crushed peach, passion fruit and a charge of Prosecco the Riveria (£13.50) appeased but at a lofty price point.

Tricia chose the Black Libertine (£9.95) made with crushed fresh blackberry, Drambuie Liquor and lime juice. It came overflowing with ice and seemed slightly challenging to drink. Forgoing an appetizer since our late lunch (almost an early dinner) of fish and chips kept our appetites at bay, we jumped right into the mains. Apparently, where fish is concerned, I could not get enough this trip. My Cornish Stone Sea Bass with black risotto, baby squid, sea purslane and lemon oil (£27.50) presented with every element perfectly in its place. The dusting of salts and sea purslane across the white canvas were eye catching. 

This blue lighting - not so much! I thought the black and white photos were easier on the eyes in some instances.

This was an expertly seared piece of Cornish sea bass. The generally mild fish benefited from a simple preparation, where delicately crisp and toasty skin gives way to buttery, lemony, flaky flesh.

Squeaky clean squid tentacles mingled with strips of nicely sautéed haricot verts over a compact and generous portion of jet-black risotto. I typically come across squid ink in pasta form, but I relished its heightened flavors as it absorbed the tender rice. Building from the briny seafood essence, there's an understated richness, a subtle murky deep sea flavor with a complex mouthfeel that fulfills a high honor of complimenting that beautiful fish.

Tricia ordered the Roast and braised wild duck with goats curd, cinnamon dumpling and coriander caramel (£25.50). Benefiting from a flawless preparation and a unique flavor profile, Tricia loved it all except the caramel topping. It felt like the chef was taking a risk with this element of the dish!

Our interactions with the waitstaff at Oxo Tower were interestingly enough, all over the map. Our first server at the bar was highly engaging and genuine, his bright personable nature was followed up by one-note table service; which was mostly courteous and timely. Towards the end, one server became all too fussy and his presence felt slightly imposing. (Hovering, awkward conversations, unsolicited advice.) And was that just a poor attempt at an upsell or is he genuinely concerned that we only ordered one small dessert to share? (Giving him the benefit of the doubt.) Once we were presented a tiny dessert of Hazelnut parfait with poached pears and lemon verbena (£8) his gesture made a little more sense. Despite the fact that I thought it could have been double the size, it was absolutely lovely.The parfait was ultra creamy, complimented by a crumbly lemon verbena cookie, soft delicately poached pears, a crunchy caramel nougat and plated alongside cute little meringue teardrops. Above all, the menu showcases a wide variety of beautifully prepared dishes, executed precisely and in harmony with exciting ingredients. Detractors claim you pay for the view, can you blame them? Even if you likely are (hello $20 cocktail) the food rises to the occasion. If you are looking to splurge or celebrate a special evening in London, allow contemporary British cuisine at Oxo Tower Restaurant to entice you.

Oxo Tower Restaurant

Barge House St, 

London SE1 9PH, 

United Kingdom