The Ho’okipa Cafe at Puakea Golf Course isn’t just for golfers. Ho’okipa (which translates to hospitality) is as its name suggests — a hospitable cafe that serves and welcomes all guests with open arms.
Derrick Nakamura, Food and Beverage manager at Ho’okipa Cafe, presented nine items to Kaua’i Times. Nakamura gave the spiel on three breakfast platters, three lunch platters and three pupu platters. Nakamura described the food at the cafe as local and will remind you of mom’s ono cooking.
“The foods that are offered at Puakea are really local foods,” Nakamura said. “A lot of the food we use are local, such as local beef and local produce. As far as recipes, we use recipes that are homemade … they offer a very homey, comforting feel.”
First up on the menu were the breakfast dishes. Puakea’s signature French toast is priced $9, and consists of two slices of sweet bread soaked in a cinnamon and vanilla batter and topped off with slices of strawberry, pineapple, oranges and sprinkled with powdered sugar. Next up was the Veggie Frittata. The Veggie Frittata, priced at $7.50, is similar to a quiche and is made from a seasoned potato crust, filled with fresh vegetables and eggs. Last on the breakfast list was the Potato Burrito. The Potato Burrito, priced at $7.50, is a Sante Fe-style breakfast burrito that has sautéed potatoes, bell peppers, onions and is seasoned with paprika and garlic. It is then smothered in shredded cheese and served with salsa.
Next up, lunch was served. First was the Chinese Chicken Salad that’s priced at $15.75.
The Chinese Chicken Salad is a hearty portion of fresh greens mixed with shredded cabbage, grilled with chicken breast strips, sliced tomatoes, sesame seeds and wonton. It is served with Oriental dressing on the side. The second lunch dish was the Grilled Portabella Mushroom Burger that’s priced at $13.50. This burger is an onolicious alternative if you are a vegetarian or if you prefer something healthier. The burger consists of a portabella mushroom seasoned and grilled on toasted ciabatta bread, and is served with a basil pesto mayo.
Last — but not least — is Puakea’s signature Club Sandwich that’s priced at $13. This popular club sandwich is stacked with sliced turkey, ham, bacon, tomatoes, green-leaf lettuce, Swiss and cheddar cheese and toasted sourdough bread.
Now we get to the pupu dishes. Don’t be fooled by the term “pupu.” These dishes can really fill you up! A favorite everyone is familiar with is fried noodles, and Chef Naka’s Fried Noodles — at $13.50 — are some of the best fried noodles on the island.
The next pupu dish was the Pupu Steak with Butter Garlic that’s priced at $16. The Pupu Steak is a succulent cut of steak served with butter garlic sauce and garnished with grilled onions and sautéed mushrooms. The last dish on the menu was the Original Puaka Chips. The small goes for $5 and the large for $7. These chips are thick pieces of potato slices seasoned with kosher salt and cracked black pepper and are served with creamy homemade ranch dressing.
After the nine dishes were served they were laid out on a table. Every eye in the room stared with amazement at the spectacular presentation of foods that Ho‘okipa Cafe laid out for Kaua’i Times. I knew going into the cafe that Derrick planned to present these nine dishes, but I was still overwhelmed at the sight of them. I can truly say that the Ho’okipa Cafe at Puakea Golf Course is hospitality at its finest.
Ho’okipa Cafe at Puakea Golf Course is open Sunday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Breakfast is daily and starts at 7 a.m. and ends at 11 a.m. Lunch is also daily and begins at 11 a.m. until closing.
For more information call 246-4555 or visit www.puakeagolf.com.
