Dear Fodorites,

For the past few months, I have been busy reviewing all of the comments on Kauai, and thank you all for your insight. My wife and I are leaving on 3/14 for 8 days, and this is a combination of business recognition and alone time. We tried to get into the Secret Beach Cottages, but they were booked, so they suggested another property they own called Hawaiian Romantic Cottage (http://www.hawaiianromanticcottage.com/). Has anyone had any experience with this property? It sounds awesome and we are there for 3 nights. We will then head down to Poipu for the rest of our stay at the Hyatt, which based on everyone's comments, sounds like one of the bests.
I am looking for some restaurant recommendations on both the North Shore and when we are down in Poipu. It looks like Olympic Cafe, Scotty's BBQ, Tropical Taco, Pacific Rim,Tip Top Cafe,Hamura's Saimin Stand are places to try. Comments or other suggestions? We are pretty casual and during our 3 nights on the North Shore, we will be eating out most nights. Good pizza place up there? While we are at the Hyatt, we have several planned meals, but on one night, we are on our own to try several pre-determined restaurants. Our options include The Beach House, Roy's, Tidepools, Keoki's Paradise, Poipu Beach Broiler, Plantation Gardens and Amore at The Sheraton. Is there one of the these that you would recommend most? See too many mixed reviews on Beach House, so anxious for some recent input.
Sorry for the short notice and thanks in advance for any advice you can provide. Also, is it still going to be rough for swimming on the North Shore?

If you're leaving for Kauai in 48 hours WE'RE the ones that need help not you! One of our favorite place to eat on the North Shore is the Bali Hai Restaurant at Hanalei Bay Resort. Also enjoyed the Lighthouse Bistro in Kilauea. (although you can't see the lighthouse from the restaurant)

Check out http://www.kauaimenu.com

Have a great time and enjoy Kauai!

Aloha jamsd1,

Check out this recent thread... http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...1&tid=34578334

Have a great time... aloha!

The cottage's location is wonderful -- very private, beautiful views. It's in an area just off the main road down to Kilauea Lighthouse.

Curious as to why you've got Tip Top Cafe on your list...not a place this local would recommend to a visitor.

Add to your dining possibilities: Coconuts (Kapa`a), Cafe Portofino (Marriott Resort), and if you like Japanese food, definitely Kintaro's in Wailua (get there when they open, or you'll have a long wait).

We've got 2 pizza places on the north shore -- in Ching Young Village (Hanalei) and Kong Lung Center (Kilauea). Love 'em both. For sushi and fresh fish -- Sushi & Blues (upstairs, Ching Young Village, dinner only). For gorgeous views, great service, and wonderful food -- La Cascata at Princeville Hotel. For gorgeous views, casual "bar food" dining, and live music -- the bar at Hanalei Bay Resort (Princeville).

Little or no swimming happening now -- big surf. And bring jackets...our daytime high temp yesterday was in the low 70s; overnight dipping to low 60s. Here's the week's weather forecast:
http://www.wunderground.com/US/HI/Princeville.html

We loved Brick Oven Pizza in Kalaheo (south side).

Need Help - not headed to Kauai for 141 days! Have a wonderful time jamsd1!

AuntieMaria,
Thanks so much for your input. You seem to be the expert on any questions on Kauai. I got Tip Top Cafe from The Ultimate Kauai Handbook. Your comments about the big surf, are there any beaches on the North Shore that you would recommend over others for being slightly calmer this time of year? Also, given the dinner options I outlined for our free night out on the South Shore, is there one that you would recommend the most? Also, what about Beach House? We have not been to Kauai since late 80's, so are anxious to get back. Thanks!

I'll start from the top...that would be Tip Top Cafe. Not on my recommended dining list; many other places offer better food, better service and usually better ambiance.

Normally I would recommend Ke`e as our calmest beach this time of year. But earlier this week two visitors were swept off their beach towels by a rogue wave. They scrambled and got upright and ran to safety, but...yikes! Two weeks ago, a visitor who was snorkeling at Ke`e on a calm day, got sucked out the channel. A lifeguard called for the rescue craft, jumped in the water and -- as they were both being bashed against the cliff face -- saved the man's life. Even one of our most experienced adult surfers got sucked under (and bashed by the pilings of) Hanalei Pier last week. The winter surf is unforgiving. Our local TV is running a beach/surf safety PSA which states that over 90% of the drowning victims on Kaua`i are male visitors. The winter mantra here is "when in doubt, don't go out" -- and that applies to Kaua`i residents also.

Anini Beach is rarely rough -- and never has the treacherous rip currents and undertows Ke`e, Makua, Hanalei, Kalihiwai, etc., experience every winter. So if you must go in north shore waters, head to Anini. On the east side, Lydgate Park is a manmade lagoon -- very safe.

Beach House has lovely sunset views -- but we've been disappointed too often by
food and/or service in the restaurant. Good option is the bar menu (same view, same drinks, good eats -- at much less $$). Keoki's Paradise can be great, or awful (sigh...). Love Roy's menu, but service can be great or awful (sigh...again). Go early, ask to sit outside by the garden. Tidepools at the Hyatt...followed by after-dinner drinks at Stevenson Library...island perfection!

I just returned from Kauai last week. We had a wonderful meal at Beach House - great food, wonderful service and those views!! Reserve for sometime before sunset and try for the front row tables. We definitely thought it was our best meal on Kauai. We love Roy's and have been to many of them. In poipu, the service was slow, but they gave us a free chocolate souffle - heaven. Also, loved the Brick Oven pizzas. I wish I were there now! Yes, bring a jacket and some long pants - it got cold at night.

In the Poipu shopping village, they have this place that sells Hawaiian hot dogs. The place is called Puka Dog. If you're looking for a casual lunch you may want to check it out. I stumbled across it on our way to the airport, and it was the coolest place. I got coconut relish on my dog and loved it. They had fresh squeezed lemonade that was great. Kauai is a beautiful place, and the Hyatt was spectacular. Have a great time.

In the Poipu area, give Casa de Amici a try. The food is very good. We've had 3 meals at the Beach House in the last 2 years and have been very happy with the food and service. We had mixed experiences at Roy's, though. The food is good, but the restaurant itself lacks any real character and the service was just okay. Brick Oven pizza is great.

Have a great time! We'll be back in July.

auntie and jamsd1....I loved Tip Top Cafe for their pancakes...and it was recommended to us several times by locals.

I'm glad to see the positive comments about the Beach House. We are going to have a sunset Easter dinner there. We were thinking about the Hyatt but $50 a person is a bit steep and I'd still want to try the Beach House since we are staying across the street from it.