Kauai, HI

I'm back in Ohio now and I'm sad about it. Last week I was in Kauai, Hawaii and living the dream and now I'm on my sofa and just recalling all the best bits. It had been been six years since I was last there - and last time, we got married! I absolutely love this island and it was just as magical the second time around. Only now, I made sure to take note of everything I ate, so if you feel like you want to visit Jurassic Park, you can with a bunch of useful information.

The Grand Hyatt Kauai 

For our first few days we stayed at The Grand Hyatt Kauai and it was a truly wonderful hotel with the most beautiful grounds I've ever seen. If I was here to suggest/promote hotels, I would tell you to absolutely stay at this one. The only downside being that it doesn't do "all inclusive" at this location (nor should it) so it ends up being quite expensive - especially if you're buying cocktails at the pool; which we might have done...a lot. BUT we're here to discuss food! The food at this resort was brilliant. We didn't feel like leaving the hotel because it was only a couple of days and there were plenty of options to pick from, and each place was really accommodating to celiacs!

First night here we wanted to treat ourselves, so we headed for the "nicest" restaurant in the complex...

Tidepools

I was really craving a steak and it delivered. Greatly. The menu was clearly labelled for me and when I asked to switch a couple of bits, they made sure it was safe for me (which is always appreciated.) It was the perfect first dinner and we even got desert on the house (it was because they overcooked the GF lava cake, but still!)

The next day we started the day with a stop at the breakfast cafe, where I got the biggest GF chocolate chip & macadamia nut muffin I've ever seen. It was kept in a separate draw so I knew it was safe and it took me a couple of days to finish! For dinner we went to...

The Seaview Terrace

to try out their more casual food. I ordered a Beyond Burger (sometimes I like to eat vegan) and they had GF buns! The burger also came with roasted poblano peppers and avocados, which happen to be two of my fave extras on a burg. Once again the waiter asked if it was an allergy so he could make sure to tell the chef. They also had a dessert I could eat - it was three different types of chocolate (flourless cake, mouse and choc shards) and blimey it was good. I could have eaten three more plates of them because they were so small and light and right now, I'm wishing I had. Ps. They also had a freaking awesome tequila cocktail that I (again) could have had plenty of, so make sure to enjoy those too!

The next day we went to our rented apartment to meet our friends Miami & Rowdy. Our apartment was closer to Poipu and walking distance to a couple of areas that had some top spots, as well as the beach! One of the first places I noticed was a juice bar...

Kauai Juice Co

I'd been wanting green juice for a few days, so I knew this was gonna be a place I would frequent, and I wasn't wrong. I ended up going a few times and I highly recommend everything they do. We not only grabbed juices, but also Chia pudding and Keifer to try and help my stomach (which was hurting, surprise surprise) and it was all top notch. I even kept some of the glass bottles to bring home because some of them had the company name imprinted on the glass! This is a must visit if you're as into juice as I am.

Other notable places to eat...

(1) breakfast at Little Fish Coffee where we had açaí bowls which were piled HIGH with fruit, it was truly unbelievable the amount of fruit given (especially when I compare it to Zest in Columbus haha). (2) The Kauai Chocolate Company where I ate something called a Happy Honu, that was layers of chocolate, caramel and nuts and not a biscuit in sight (praise the lord!) (3) Bubba's Burgers - which now do a GF bun (just make sure to ask for it to not be toasted on the stove top with the others.) These burgers are legendary and they forever suggest to have it "Bubba's way" (mustard, ketchup relish and diced onions). You can add tomato and lettuce, but they "don't suggest it", so we didn't. (4) Pizzetta, which I really really enjoyed. They offered GF base and I chose to have the It's Amore (bacon, sweet tomato jam, red onion & roasted garlic) and it was the bomb. This is a must eat if you fancy pizza on the island!

The Beach House

The last place I want to talk about is The Beach House. We had our wedding dinner here all those years ago, so it's always had a special place in my heart, but it is a truly great restaurant to eat at. Firstly, you have to go here for drinks (have an No Ka Oi) at sunset, because it's magical. A bunch of people come to sit on the grass & beach because it's so beautiful, it's the best to just sit there and watch it unfold. The menu itself doesn't have a ton of GF options but they are all clearly marked and the waiters are great at asking chefs any questions you have. I opted for the Fliet Mignon (with blue cheese & bacon butter, yukon mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus and a port wine demi-glace.) I've got to admit I wasn't hungry at this point because I felt like I'd eaten so much on the trip haha, but it was really yummy. The steak was cooked to perfection and all the sides were everything I love on a plate, so I was a happy camper; even if I didn't eat a whole bunch of it. When it comes to desert they only do different types of pie (they love pie in Kauai) but on the night we ate there, they had a special of creme brûlée - my favourite. So, of course Rowdy & I shared this (she ate the non GF biscuits) and the boys shared some pie. (side note: it's spoken about as a "special" but I'm pretty sure they also had it years ago when we got married.)

If you get to go to Hawaii, I would always recommend this island specifically & I would also recommend staying near or in Poipu Beach. Kauai is such a green island (it's nickname) and with hiking and the beaches and little local spots to eat, it's the perfect destination. It's such a pleasure to stay somewhere that conglomerates aren't allowed and although I love a McDonalds every so often, it's so much nicer to eat local and fresh. Can I move here already?