By Diane Sukiennik, Assoc. Editor, Food and Wine Access

And Michael Reiss, Editor, Food and Wine Access

No doubt that mention of the Big Island of Hawaii conjures up images of swaying palms, black sand beaches, eerie volcanic landscapes and lush rainforests. Indeed, Hawaii’s Big Island has something for everyone! Yet, how many have thought about the culinary cornucopia that awaits the discriminating gourmet who is considering a Big Island vacation?

To start, there is a major culinary event that occurs each year, which alone makes a visit to the island de rigueur for our food loving destination travelers. "Cuisine of the Sun," a four-day food extravaganza takes place each July at the refined Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows. There is no more satisfying combination than enjoying the quietly elegant property with its newly opened spa by day and enjoying the festivities that cuisines offers by night.

What makes Cuisines of the Sun so special is that guests enjoy a wonderful mix of fine dining experiences with celebrity chefs and their cutting-edge cuisine, hands-on cooking classes, and evening entertainment–all the while relaxing in the gracious atmosphere of the Mauna Lani resort.

Cuisines of the Sun has magical evenings under the stars.

The Mauna Lani Bay
Hotel and Bungalows
68-1400 Mauna Lani Dr.
Kohala Cost,
Island of Hawaii 96743-9796

For Information call the Mauna Lani Bay Cuisines Hotline at 1-888-424-1977 or 808-327-8585.

Once the four-day food fest is over, no doubt, you will want to explore more of the island and it’s culinary delights. While on the Kohala coast, consider some of the other extraordinary resorts to round out your experience.

The Hilton Waikoloa Village offers something for everyone. Besides the beach and lagoon filled with colorful fish, the dolphins offer an endless array of options including a newly instituted workshop designed for adults who want to learn more about animal behavior and training. Although it is advisable to book ahead for this unique experience, it is also available on the spot. When it comes to food, there are an endless variety of options on the property.

A favorite is the Kamuela Provision Company which offers pacific-rim cuisine with a newly opened wine bar. This new addition allows you to design your own tasting menu with wines by the glass to accompany every course. The wine servers are knowledgeable, friendly and willingly offer tastes to make your decision process easier and more enjoyable. Although there is a full range of choice available in menu selection, the seafood preparations were particularly creative and satisfying.

Some of the excellent fish and seafood choices include "Tahitian Curried Crab Soup" ($8). This satisfying and subtle soup is garnished with crab crostini, leeks and carrots. For an appetizer, try the "Chilled Island Sampler" ($15). This item includes a lobster cocktail, marinated seared ahi, Tahitian Poisson cru, and a hamachi shooter. An exceptional French/Asian dinner item is the "Pacific Style Bouillabaisse" ($37), which included lobster, shrimp, scallops, clams, mussels, and fresh fish simmered in a saffron broth with nori crostini and red curry aioli.

There is also an excellent selection of beef items including the "Peppercorn Crusted Filet Mignon"($34). Fresh spinach, taro-potato hash, wild mushroom sauce and leek straws accompany this.

In close proximity to the Hilton is the newly renovated Outrigger Waikoloa Beach Resort and Spa. Simply entering this property, you begin to feel the sense of place surround you. The opened air lobby and registration area share space with a mural and canoe, harkening back to the days of the ancient Hawaiians. This sense of place is reinforced by the traditional sunset hula show that is offered to guests free of charge on Friday evenings.

To further immerse yourself in the legends of the land, try the "Outrigger Waikoloa Beach Luau," offered twice a week. Besides the typical fare, including an outstanding rendition of Kalua pork, there were several items that were a surprise to the luau aficionado. An open bar and superb entertainment made this evening memorable and a great value! (Adults $64, Children under 12, $32.)

The Luau at the Outrigger Waikoloa is one of the Big Island’s Best.

Do not leave this property without experiencing their restaurant, Hawaii Calls, preferably for dinner, at sunset. The Chef de Cuisine, Patrick Saito, has masterfully conceived and executed dishes, which combine the best of the island and the many Asian and Mediterranean influences that naturally enhance the island dining experience.

Some exceptional items include the "Lobster Ahi Napoleon" ($17). This was a delicious combination of sweet Keahole lobster tail, fresh Ahi tartar with tobiko aioli. Hawaii Call’s "Waimea Vine Ripened Tomato Salad" ($13), included fresh mozzarella cheese and a chaffonade of Maui onions and basil balsamic dressing. The Hawaiian/Mediterranean influences made this a unique salad. A carefully executed fish entrée, "Mahihahi Misoyaki" ($32) with sweet miso marinated mahi-mahi, stir-fried chukka soba noodles, tobiko namasu and ginger scallion aioli demonstrates a measured Asian influence.

Particularly strong in fish and seafood preparations, Hawaii Calls, also serves excellent "Roasted Duck Breast" ($29), a Chinese Char siu style duck with steamed white rice, ratatouille, and mandarin orange sauce; "Kamula Lamb Chops"($33), grilled double chops rubbed with Dijon mustard, macadamia nut mashed potatoes, plum cabernet sauce; and "New York Steak" ($33), black peppercorn crusted with Maui onion mashed potatoes, and shallot brandy sauce.

One should not leave Hawaii Calls Restaurant without trying their famous "Crystal and Orchids" drink served tableside and in The Clipper Lounge and Nalu’s Bar and Grill. This drink, says George Ruiz, Restaurant Manager, features fresh Kona coffee and was created to describe the Big Island of Hawaii. Served with great panache, the drink is delicious and visually exciting!

Hawaii Calls Restaurant has a newly renovated interior.

Hawaii Calls Restaurant
Outrigger Waikola Beach

69-275 Waikoloa Beach Drive,
Waikoloa, Hawaii 96738
(808) 886-6789
(800) 922-5533

For the Luau at the Outrigger Waikoloa Beach, mention Guy Kao’o, Banquet Manager extraordinaire, for priority service.

Before leaving the Kohala Coast, treat yourself to the ultimate luxury of the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. Every detail spells elegance, refinement and quality in the island tradition, including a welcome lei of orchids that was so fresh it lasted an entire week! Every room, in every bungalow, a virtual suite, with rooms on the bottom floor graced with an outdoor shower while rooms above had commanding views of the ocean and expansive property below. Service was prompt, unobtrusive and professional.

The elegant understated tone that all Four Seasons properties exude was particularly apparent in their dining venues and spa. All graciously appointed and ready to deliver the quality experience expected of this hotel group. Of particular note was the lagoon stocked with colorful fish and stingrays. A feeding program is organized so that children of all ages are able, with trained assistants, to feed the rays in the water. This is quite a memorable experience!

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai--every inch spells elegance, refinement, and quality.

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
100 Ka’upulehu,
Kona, Hawaii 96740
(808) 325-8000

Of course, no trip to The Big Island is complete without a stop at Volcano Village. Yes, it is worth the drive, even if the lava is not flowing. The ranger station is a wealth of information and the vast expanse of hardened lava with steam vents scattered throughout makes for a stunning visual experience. One of the best places to dine in the village is the Kilauea Lodge Restaurant. The chef, Albert Jeyte, is German, and it is indeed a pleasant surprise to have traditional German dishes, impeccably prepared along side more standard island fare. The restaurant was crowded, with at least half locals, even on a Sunday evening, which speaks to its popularity and well-deserved acclaim.

At the Kilauea Lodge Restaurant delicious and reasonably-priced appetizers include the hand battered "Zucchini Spears," ($5), "Baked Mushroom Caps" ($6) stuffed with herbs, crabmeat, Swiss and cheddar cheeses, and "Brie Wedge" ($6) coated in herb batter and coconut flakes and lightly fried, served with papaya salsa, brandied apples and three grain mini-loaf.

For the main course, choices include, "Seafood Mauna Kea" ($22), seafood, shallots, mushrooms, bell peppers served over pasta, "Duck al’Orange" ($23), roasted duck served with an apricot mustard glaze with a mélange of oranges, pepper and garlic, or "Lamb Provencal" ($27), rack of lamb served with papaya apple mint sauce.

Kilauea Lodge Restaurant’s Traditional Gracious Interior

Kilauea Lodge Restaurant
Lorna and Albert Jeyte,
Volcano, Hawaii
(808) 967-7366
 

On the way back from Volcano Village, plan a stop at one of the newest and most creative restaurants on the island, Daniel Thiebaut in Waimea. Opened just one year, Chef Daniel Theibaut, who has extensive island, mainland and French experience, is a master at combining elements from various influences without overpowering the essence of the ingredients in a dish. We experienced this time and again as we tasted several appetizers, main courses and desserts. It takes understanding, control and a clear vision to combine ingredients with such panache! Chef Daniel Theibaut is a rising star in The Big Island food scene.

Memorable appetizer items at Daniel Thiebaut include "Lobster Bisque Flavored with Brandy, Cilantro Coconut Cream" ($7.50), "Spicy Chicken Wonton with Big Island Slaw and Ginger Soy Mayonnaise Dip" ($8.00).

For entrées try the "Wok-Fried Sea Scallops with Asian Style Risotto and Warm Coconut Crab Dressing" ($23), and "Mixed Seafood in an Orange Chili Garlic Sauce Served Over Chow Fun Noodles" ($21.50).

These are just a few items in a vast and varied menu, which, besides fish and seafood, include meat dishes, vegetarian items and a superb desert menu. In addition, Daniel Thiebaut offers a 3-course prix fixe tasting menu for $35.00, an excellent value.

Daniel Thiebaut’s wine list had reasonably-priced wines for around $20 to high-end wine from France and California. There were also excellent local beers and ales available.

It is a trip back in time to eat in his meticulously restored 100 year old "Chuck In Store" with different spaces each reflecting their own character.

Creative Chef Daniel Thiebaut in his meticulously restored restaurant.

Daniel Thiebaut
65-1259 Kawaihae Road,
Kamuela, HI 96743
(808) 887-2200
 

Do you have just one more night to spend in Hawaii? Consider the Holualoa Inn, an elegant Bed and breakfast in upcountry Holualoa just ten minutes from Kailua-Kona, but a world apart. This is coffee and chocolate growing country--lush, verdant, and a dramatic contrast to the stark volcanic landscapes of the coast.

Choose from a number of rooms, each uniquely decorated and reminiscent of an exotic locale. For example, the exotic "Balinese Suite" includes a king bed, private bath, separate sitting room and balcony and a breath-taking ocean view ($195). Prices range from the "Polynesian Suite" ($150) to the Balinese Suite. Included is a gourmet "Island Breakfast" and "Pupus at Sunset."

Enjoy the peace and solitude or chat with the guests who have also discovered this "find" and linger over a second cup of real Kona coffee, as you begin to make your way back home. The vast, open air manor, overlooking the verdant hills down to the ocean, is a perfect place to relax, repose and recollect the memories of a food extravaganza that makes the Big Island a gourmet destination bar none!

The Holualoa Inn’s gourmet "Island Breakfast" included 100% Pure Kona Coffee.

Holualoa Inn
A Kona Coffee Estate
Bed and Breakfast Inn
P.O. Box 222,

Now, do you doubt for a moment that there is big eating on The Big Island of Hawaii? Go and experience the wonderful places of The Big Island with fine dining and memorable resorts!