Not by choice but by FF availability we find ourselves winging our way to Kauai on Valentine's Day, arriving early afternoon, picking up our car and heading to our condo at SeaLodge Princeville. While we are casual about dinners on island vacations, I am thinking we might need a reservation somewhere that evening. Any suggestions for either having an advance plan or winging it? Guess a view would be nice.

http://www.kauaimedgourmet.com/contact.html

Gets good reviews and appears to have a view. Not many places on the North Shore have views. Makana Terrace at St. Regis for drinks (skip dinner, very pricey, $12 for a glass of wine).

I would probably go get sushi from the Dolphin's fish market and whatever libation you want and head out to Lumahai and have a sunset picnic.

We had dinner at the Tavern at the Princeville Golf Club. The food was a solid B+/A- and the sunset from here is every bit as good or better than that from the Princeville Hotel.

Thank you.

Aloha from Kauai...Valentines night at ANY restaurant is gonna be packed!!!(i used to manage/bartend/wait at various "Roy's" through the years...) IF you really want a crowd set menu sit down dinner, book it now...I agree with the Tavern, Baracuda in Hanalei is a bit more stylish(tapas and great wine list=my wife and i go there often as the chef is my surf partner) St Regis is extremely expensive yet decent food and drinks. The view is stellar up there! I wouldn't suggest the Beachhouse or Josselins as its a long drive back from south shore to sea lodge...
Can always have someone make a special meal for you on the shoreline, or go buy sushi rolls from the Dolphin, a bottle of Veuve, chocolates and go savor the sunset from the beach on your own...IF IF its gonna rain, jump into the Taverns bar early as you won't need reservations and the whole menu is served there, or a few other local eateries with bars that are alot less crazed during that night. Its just like mothers day; really busy and everyone wants to go out...
just suggesting...

Not much different than home t ses, so perhaps we will take the option of upscale picnic in our condo with the great views. Not going on vacation truly to spend our first night in paradise with crowds and overpriced 'special' menus. I do thank you for all the suggestions.

I can't think of anything more romantic than eating on your lanai at Sealodge with the sound of the ocean. I've had some of the most wonderful, romantic dinners ever there.

In terms of views ... unless you eat very early, your views will only be of the moon reflecting on the ocean, and the stars above. To me, that's romance--not crowded, overpriced restaurants.

Have a wonderful time.

I just checked. Sunset won't be until 6:35PM, so hopefully, you'll see a beautiful sunset.

Thank you Songdoc for checking the sunset time, I had that thought yesterday and did not follow through. Actually your trip reports led me to Sealodge, really looking forward to our time there.

I hope you love Sealodge as much as I do. I'll be back in 6 days -- but who's counting? hehe.

I vote for the condo option. We've spent a number of Valentine's Days on Maui and have done the nice restaurant thing several times. But honestly, our best Valentine's "dinners" have been picking up a pizza from a great local place and eating poolside or on our lanai. Aloha!