Espresso at Art Cafe Hemingway. Daniel Lane photo

Art Cafe Hemingway

One of our favorite places to eat delicious food and drink high-octaine coffee is Art Cafe Hemingway in Kapaa. We’ll have to wait because they are on a much deserved vacation. Since this is a small family business, that means they had to close until March 2. They are in Europe to collect new ideas for culture and food! I guess we can’t feel too bad for them. Keep up with their yummy exploits on the Art Cafe Hemingway Facebook page. They’ve already posted a picture of an amazing market they went to.

Lokilani Galvez serving Chicken Chasseur. Daniel Lane photo

Kauai Community College

Students of the Kauai Community College Culinary Arts program are prepping to open the KCC Fine Dining restaurant. The students will showcase their culinary skills while learning how to work in a real restaurant atmosphere. This is a good opportunity to support Kauai’s future chefs while enjoying an affordable and delicious meal.
“I need to emphasize the understanding that the culinary program is a student learning environment and that situations arise where mistakes take place,” says culinary instructor, Duane Miyasato. “The students understand that this is part of the process of them acquiring the skills needed to prepare them for their career in the culinary industry.”
The 2013 spring semester lasts six weeks, and will begin on March 12. The final day of service is April 25. Fine Dining is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday with two seatings at 11:30 a.m. and 12 p.m.

• Week 1: March 12, 13, 14 ~ Pacific Rim Cuisine
• Week 2: March 19, 20, 21 ~ Pacific Rim Cuisine
• Spring Recess March 24-29 ~ Fine Dining Closed
• Week 3: April 2, 3, 4 ~ Student Group Project 1 Menu
• Week 4: April 9, 10 ~ Student Group Project 2 Menu. Closed April 11 to prep for Spring Gourmet Gala
• Week 5: April 16, 17, 18 ~ Student Group Project 3 Menu
• Final week: April 23, 24, 25 ~ Student Group Project 4 Menu

“We look forward in having you enjoy our Fine Dining lunches and truly appreciate your continued support of the culinary program here at Kauai Community College,” says Miyasato. Schedule subject to change. For reservations call 808-245-8365.
EVENTS:
Friday, February 8

Eat Dessert First

Kauai Beach Resort, Jasmine Ballroom, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., advance tickets $20 ($25 at the door)
The Zonta Club of Kauai Foundation’s 20th annual signature Valentine’s fundraiser, Eat Dessert First, is tonight. Besides the signature chocolate fountain, there will be sugar-free sweets, fresh fruit, vegetable and cheese platters, fresh Kauai Coffee and a no-host bar. Hukilau Lanai will be serving gluten-free chocolate decadence and white chocolate cheesecake. A silent auction will feature a variety of local items and Hawaiian contemporary music will be performed by Cruz Control. Pick up tickets at: Déjà vu Surf Outlet Kapaa, Hairmates in Lihue, Island Hardware in Princeville, Kalaheo Café & Coffee Co., Kauai Chocolate at Port Allen Marina, Pictures Plus Kukui Grove, Savage Pearls Hanalei, The Wine Shop Koloa and Vicky’s Fabric in Kapaa. Proceeds from the fundraiser go toward scholarships for high school senior girls, and to women re-entering the workforce through continued education at Kauai Community College
Saturday, February 9

Kawaikini Kalabash

Wailua River, 8 a.m., $5 lunch for non racers
Put your best crew together and compete in SUP, OC1 and OC6 races. Or just watch Kawaikini Canoe Club compete. Lunch includes pork or veggie laulau, rice, mac salad and lomi lomi salmon. Kalabash races include Double Hull Kamehameha, One Man Pull and Tennis Ball Race. For more information call Abi at 808-635-4725.

CKMS Street Fair

Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School Campus, 5 to 8 p.m.
Once a month, Chiefess students organize the CKMS Street fair, a fundraiser for student field trips. Choir students are responsible for the February event and proceeds will be used for a music competition in California. Food trucks include JC’s Puerto Rican Kitchen, Paco’s Tacos, Hanalei Taro & Juice Co., Kauai Marriott Resort, Yamato’s Ice Cream, Hawaiian Island Juice and Granny Feelgood’s Kettle Corn. Craft vendors will set up stalls and kids can play in the bounce house, get their face painted or play games. A bingo game starts at 6:30 p.m. The event will take place on campus at 4431 Nohou St., Lihue.

There will be dancing in the courtyard at Gaylord’s! Daniel Lane photo

Great Gatsby-Speakeasy Costume Party

Grand Opening of Mahiko Lounge, Gaylord’s at Kilohana, 6:30 p.m., $55
Gaylord’s at Kilohana is hosting a costume party and over $600 in prizes will be awarded. But, you don’t need to come in costume. There’ll be accoutrements like feather boas and period hats available. Dinner includes Bootleg Beef Crostini, Hemingway Poached Prawns, Oysters Rockefeller, Speakeasy Smoked Salmon, Great Gatsby Antipasti, and a fabulous dessert selection. A Champaign toast is included in the price, plus The Koloa Rum Runner, traditional cocktails, beer and wine will be available, all at old time prices.
Dance to live speakeasy music in the lounge that spills into the courtyard. There’s complimentary salon services (so you can really look the part), complimentary photo booth, classic cars and even a cigar lounge,
All net proceeds go to support the vital work of Kauai United Way’s 29 Participating Agencies. For reservations, call 245-9593.

Mardi Gras

Rob’s Good Times Grill
Hosted by J-Smooth, DJ Jason and DJ Jus Jay. Live music by Ooklah Da Moc.
Wednesday, February 13

Kauai Stories

Kauai Museum, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., $10
Join “Pineapple Sam” Tabalno and Wilfred Ibara as they talk story about growing up on Kauai during a presentation at the Kauai Museum.
Tabalno and Ibara, raised in Koloa and West Kauai, respectively, will share stories about the sweetness and innocence of growing up during the days of pineapple and sugar plantations, of living in sugar plantation “camps” (housing provided by sugar plantation companies), when life on Kauai was slower-paced and a sense of community flourished. With each of their mischievous streaks, you never know what other stories Tabalno and Ibara might share.
Museum admission is $10; free for members. For more information, call Kauai Museum, (808) 245-6931.
 
Thursday, February 14 ~ Valentine’s Day

Crab and Scallop appetizer at Nanea. Daniel Lane photo

The Westin-Princeville

The Westin in Princeville has created a special day for your lovely lady. Stop by the Princeville Market for single roses ($5), six roses ($20) and a dozen roses ($40) before surprising her with a Valentine’s Day Spa Package in the privacy of the Westin’s papai, (outdoor cabana).
The Sweetheart Package ($299) includes a 50-minute couples massage enhanced with coco butter and rose petal oil. You’ll also receive a dozen red roses and four chocolate covered strawberries. The Romance Package ($169) includes one massage enhanced with coconut and rose body butter and two chocolate covered strawberries.
Follow your bliss to a special five-course dinner ($60/$80 with wine pairing) at Nanea that includes Basil Salt Seared Scallop with Sautéed Baby Spinach, Pancetta Balsamic Relish and Compressed Cherry Tomato. A trio of spicy seared, crispy tempura and carpaccio hamachi. Porcini Dusted Petite Filet with Truffle Mash, Baby Vegetables, Dark Chocolate Demi-glace and Tomato Confit. And finally, Triple Chocolate Cake with Cherries Jubilee, Cherry ice cream, and Whipped cream. Yum.
 
 
 

Makana Terrace

Valentine’s Day Dinner, $95
Makana Terrace is running a specialty three-course menu including red wine poached Asian pear salad, ginger crusted opah and warm dark chocolate raspberry lava cake. I’ll post the complete menu this Monday. For reservations call 808-826-9644.  
Sunday, February 17th

American Culinary Federation 27th Annual Breakfast Fundraiser

Kauai Community College,  7 to 11 a.m., $15
This event has been touted as “Kauai’s Biggest and Best Brunch.”  The annual KCC brunch is prepared by the culinary students at Kauai Community College with island chefs and includes eggs Benedict, omelets cooked to order, carved grilled beef teriyaki, pancakes, fresh fruits and pastries. There will also be freshly brewed Kauai Coffee, Meadow Gold juice, and Kauai Spring Water.
Tickets are available at the KCC cafeteria, Mark’s Place Puhi, Kalaheo Coffee Co. & Café, Kauai Coffee visitor center, Fish Express, Koloa Fish Market, Pono Market and Sole-Mates. All proceeds go towards scholarships and equipment for the Culinary Students at KCC.
ONGOING:

RumFire’s Hawaiian Paella is loaded with chunks of fresh fish, shrimp, and spiked with Portuguese sausage, corn and chayote squash. Daniel Lane photo

RumFire

Following its successful “You Dine, We Donate” charity program in 2012, RumFire Poipu Beach announces it will continue raising funds in February to benefit the 35th Annual Visitor Industry Kaua‘i Charity Walk. All food and beverage proceeds at RumFire Poipu Beach’s Table #53 will be donated to the non-profit event during the month-long fundraiser at the south shore’s newest hot spot.
Hosted by the Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association Kaua‘i Chapter, the Annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk is one of the largest fundraisers in the state, providing an opportunity for Hawai‘i’s visitor industry to collectively give back to its local communities. Since its inception in
1978, the Charity Walk has raised over $24 million for Hawai‘i charities, and all of Hawai‘i’s non-profit charities are eligible to benefit.
Patrons who are interested in participating in RumFire’s month-long “You Dine, We Donate” program are encouraged to make reservations in advance by calling 808-742-4786 and requesting Table #53. The table will be available on a first come, first serve basis. All food and beverage proceeds at Table #53 during dinner service will be donated to the HLTA Annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk, gratuity will be paid to the server and taxes will be remitted to the State of Hawaii.