Author: Tour Guide Sabrina Petrov
Tropical Dreams on Kauai
Welcome to Tropical Dreams, an establishment with a name that lives up to the experience! As soon as you enter you’re greeted by friendly faces and an expansive, colorful array of ice cream flavors. Good vibes only in here, and of course everyone gets extra feels when ice cream is involved. Located in the heart of Kapaa, next to Safeway, Tropical Dreams is known for its high quality and expansive array of unique ice cream flavors. This hidden gem of a shop has been in operation close to 8 years. Currently run by Erik, it is a family owned and operated local style spot with its own flavor and style.Locally Sourced
Every week Erik picks up the freshly made to order ice cream from The Big Island for Tropical Dreams. The ice creams and sorbets are made with Hawaiian fruit and cane sugar, keeping the ingredients as island focused as possible! This super premium ice cream shop is the only one in state that boasts the Hawaii Agriculture Seal of Quality. In addition to decadent ice cream, Erik also prides himself in offering sorbets and other dairy-free, vegan options. You can also find locally made Ono pops here, our favorite farm to stick pops, so good!The goods
Customers are allowed to taste test before they choose, so I of course took full advantage. I sampled the oreo cheesecake + graham crackers, the lilikoi cheesecake, and the chocolate peanut butter brownie. Lilikoi, often considered the sweetheart of fruits in Hawaii, won out. Lilikoi or passion fruit has a delicious tart and slightly acidic finish that makes it the perfect complement to any sweets, baked goods or cocktails. This is a perfect stop for those of you with a discerning sweet tooth. Finish off your next nice, sunny beach day on the East Side here, you won’t regret it!Let us know if you enjoy this spot as much as us! You can check out more about Tropical Dreams on their website: https://tropicaldreamsicecream.com/about-us/our-company
- Tucked away in Kapaa
- Lilikoi + Oreo – Yum!
- Homey touches
Archive | Culture
Bone To Be Wild – Kauai’s new Bone Broth Company
Last month I was able to visit Bone To Be Wild’s new location in Kapa’a right on the main road. When you are in traffic it’s the yellow building with this awesome sign. Kristal (the owner) took me on a quick tour and we talked about her new endeavor into the Bone broth world.
Have you heard of the benefits of bone broth? You can read all of this on their website www.bonetobewildkauai.com but let me quote it for you here:
“Bone broth is an ancient, healing tradition that has been used across nearly all cultures for thousands of years. Animal or fish bones are simmered slowly with vegetables, herbs, and spices for several days, until the bones become soft. As these bones break-down,important nutrients and minerals are released. Bones are rich in calcium, magnesium, and potassium. They also contain high levels of the amino acids glutamine, glycine, and proline, which are the building blocks of protein–what our cells, muscles, and tissues are made of. Drinking these compounds stimulates healing of the body from the insidious. Bone broth also contains highly bioavailable collagen, which can help your body repair and strengthen its own tissues, tendons, and ligaments.”
Wow. I figured that would be the case but Bone to be Wild did a great job researching it and putting together.
So when you first get to the counter you are greeted with the most well-informed person about Bone broth. When I was there a visitor from Canada stopped in and asked a million questions. All easily handled with intuitive knowledge.
The bone broth is put together by Chef Adam Watten and they source 100% of the grass-fed beef bones from Wailua Meat Co. Just aside, I love Wailua Meat Co. They use local, organically grown vegetables, herbs, and spices that have been specially procured from farmers all around of Kauai. Then they use a housemade, small-batch kombucha vinegar that helps assimilate nutrients and provide healthy bacteria. They simmer the broth for a minimum of 48 hours.
So I ordered a broth and was mind-blown. They explained that this is perfect for people on a Keto-Diet, or doing a weight loss program that allows you to have meat. They also explain that its a great breakfast replacer sinc
e you get all the nutrients you need to start the day and is also great for after an injury.
You get to choose all these add-ons which just makes the flavor pop out even more. The broth was quite tasty. Definitely a full-body taste, as if you just taken a big bite out of a steak but minus all the chewing. With the combination of all the vegetables and herbs after finishing my 8oz glass I definitely felt full.
The best part of it after a couple of hours I still felt satisfied but light as a feather. It was as if I had a full meal minus to food coma effect. Anyways, it was so yummy and tasty that I highly recommend you checking them out. You can order online at their website and they send you a frozen version that lasts about 5-7 days. I just did their Gut Cleanse utilizing Bone to be Wild and Kauai Juice Co.
Hale Puna Farm fresh Market
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- The home & Farm
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- Passionflower
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- Kalo (Taro) education
The Market
Our foodie staff at Tasting Kauai loves to check out new restaurants and stay up to date on new chef innovations & creations here on island, and while there are few things that excite us more than the search for a heavenly meal, they do exist! I recently had the pleasure of visiting Hale Puna in the town of Waimea. Hale Puna, or the historic Gulick Rowell Mission House, is a burgeoning small scale food forest. This community focused farm is a project we can really get behind. Every Thursday afternoon from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at Hale Puna, 9567 Huakai Road you can stop by and visit their farm market and purchase your produce for a good cause. (If this time doesn’t work for you, you can also reach out to set up pickup time for a CSA basket)
Community Involvement
Working closely with farm school interns from Ke Kula Niʻihau o Kekaha, they not only have a beautiful flourishing garden, but also strive to provide hands on training to get kids on the west side involved in organic permaculture style farming. They want to show them this is a viable outlet for future employment that can benefit them, their health and their community.
Hale Puna is a 501(c)3. All proceeds from the Farmers Market go towards restoring the historic Gulick Rowell Mission House and to paying these farm school interns (middle and high school students from the west side!).
Getting the next generation to care & get involved is going to shape what the future of food security will look like on our lovely island. Creating more food growth, protecting and honoring the culture, and helping to create economically resilient jobs are all imperative goals for Kauai. They are striving for all of the above with this foundation. Jim Ballantine, a 4th generation West side resident, owns and operates the Kōkeʻe lodge along with Hale Puna. His daughter Fanny runs the market and farm project and is the driving force behind getting this project flourishing.
The Food
Here at the farm the students have already planted over 75 fruit trees and many other crops including papaya, ulu(breadfuit), avocado, banana, liliko’i, ‘olena(turmeric), sweet potato, sugar cane and kabocha. The traditional forest garden will focus on presenting classes and workshops around food, sustainability, permaculture and the history of West Kauai agriculture. Any food that isn’t sold at the market on Tuesdays or in CSA baskets, is taken up to be utilized at Kōkeʻe Lodge, so no food goes to waste!
History
Whether you are a foodie, a history buff, a cultural guru or just a curious visitor – there is something for everyone at Hale Puna. Inquire about a donation based guided tour of the oldest house in Hawaii and their surrounding food forest. This home was built in 1829 and has been majorly renovated only once in 1927. The original wood floors are still inside! They hope to use the house once it is restored as a community center for events and performances that contribute to the cultural richness of West Kauai life. It is so cool to see the home being brought into the modern world with this food focused non profit!
You can find out more about this incredible project and all of the dedicated local people behind it on their website at http://www.halepuna.org/ and be sure not to miss their farmer’s market on your way down from the canyon!
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- Historic Home
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- Rainbow Peppers!
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- Market goods
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- Papayas all day
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- Dragonfruit & Papaya
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- Afternoon sunligh
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- Hibiscus
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- Market Shopping
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Hualani’s at Timbers Kauai – A Multi Sensory Experience
The Spot
We here at Tasting Kauai are always delighted when a new spot opens up for us to explore and taste test. This is especially true when it is a breathtaking oceanfront dining location with fabulous food. I have been hearing from friends all over the island for weeks, that we must go and try out Kauai’s newest spot. Eventually, we made it and we were not disappointed!
The Cuisine
My husband and I recently had the chance to visit Hualani’s on a Sunday evening. We arrived in time to catch sunset and enjoy the beautiful view. Ha’upu Mountain Range & Kauai’s southeast coast with historic Ninini Lighthouse (built 1906!) bookend your splendid view. Even as island locals, we were feeling 100% on vacation here.
Executive Chef Jafet Tellez has a different take on how to use local ingredients. Before coming to the island of Kauai to head up the team at Hualani’s, he was working in Dubai and calls Mexico City home. You see these touches pop up in their hyper local, farm driven menu. This makes for some exciting and exotic flavor profiles you won’t find at just any Kauai joint. Menu items are still focused on embodying Hawaii regional cuisine, just with a little added flair!
Sunday nights they are offering a fun special for visitors and locals alike – Pineapple Marinated Fried Chicken with Chili-koi (yes that’s spicy AND lilikoi) sauce and jalapeno, bacon and cheddar waffles for just $7. For a price that wouldn’t even buy you a beer in a lot of Hawaii locales you get a full plate of food to grind on. Go with a friend or spouse and you can have one chicken plate and one beautiful seafood or local meat entrée to share and have the perfect, affordable oceanfront meal! We had the delicate Hamachi sashimi and a local shrimp salad with watermelon, napa cabbage and house ‘fire and ice’ dressing to start. For entrees we tried the Sunday Special (of course!) as well as the Catch of the Day with avocado poblano puree and yucca frites. Yum!
Farm Fresh
Hokuala has a farm on site that is still a young project, but will most certainly continue to crank out more food in the coming months and years. Farmer Cody who runs the food growth magic going on over there is working alongside the protected bird species there, working with the land and the animals who call the natural habitat home. Permaculture style growing is utilized and every week brings new crops and exciting projects. As we focus on island food production and sustainability through Tasting Kauai we are very stoked this is all going on here. Be sure not to miss out on their Thursday Farm Dinner menu – $40 for multiple courses of fresh, local garden to table food either from their farm, or nearby farms on the island!
All of the staff here takes such great care of you, with the true spirit of effortless Aloha. Delicious farm fresh food, beautiful Pacific Ocean and historic lighthouse views and wildlife conservation area are just a few of the reasons you should not miss out on Kauai’s newest, relaxed fine dining locale. Next time you are passing through Lihue, make a pit stop to see the crew at Hualani’s, you will not regret it!
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- Champagne for my real friends
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- With a bar like this, we may never leave
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- Pacific Ocean Views
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- Dinner with a View
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- Hawaii Style Fried Chicken n Waffles
Check out their website for monthly specials and book your reservation here
Thank you to the Timbers team for a couple of high res photos above, as mine did not do your space full justice!
Hanapepe Walking Tour Launching In October!
The Tour
We here at Tasting Kauai are excited to share with you that our newest tour of Hanapepe town will be launching officially Friday, October 19th. Come join us for an afternoon strolling the quiet streets of historic Hanapepe to learn about the town’s past, present and future through its food. We have curated tastings with the town’s best chefs who will help us paint the picture of Hanapepe’s plantation era roots, including traditional Hawaiian foods, Japanese cuisine, locally sourced organic baked goods, Portuguese style street food and culturally steeped Hawaiian sea salt focused demos.
The History
Hanapepe has a rich cultural past when it comes to food. Long before Captain Cook made landfall in Waimea, Hawaiians were farming this fertile valley. Kalo (taro), sweet potato, sugar cane, and bananas were all staples in this area. This was also one of the main areas for sea salt production, which later became Hawaiian’s first source of trade with seafaring voyagers. During the tour, you will learn about not only the traditional roots of the area but also the history of the Plantation Era beginning in the 1830s that brought contract laborers from Japan, Portugal, China, and the Philippines. The 20th century brought a U.S. Naval port up the road, changing the fervor and volume of business in the self-made town.
The Food
With all of these cultures (Hawaiian, Filipino, Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese) the flavors and landscape of food changed. We will get to try many of these styles of food, and learn about their roots. The tour will include generous tastings, as well as chef demos and recipes and treats to take home with you.
Hanapepe Town
Once the tour is over – don’t despair! Hanapepe Town has a weekly Friday Art Night starting at 5 p.m. so once all the delectable tastings have wrapped up you can walk the streets and experience more of the culture of Kauai’s Biggest Little Town. With over 16 art galleries open to the public, you will get the chance to meet Kauai artists and enjoy local music on the street. So come join us on the West Side for a full afternoon of all the cultural richness that Kauai has to offer.
We look forward to seeing you here in Hanapepe!
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- Tropical Treats
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- Behind the Scenes
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- Outdoor Seating
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- Kauai Made
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- Rainbows
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- Japanese Cuisine
