Grove Cafe on the grounds of Waimea Plantation Cottages has revised its menu toward simple, ono plantation-style cuisine. The new menu offers fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. The dishes, combined with the picturesque views of the ocean and property, take patrons back
Grove Cafe on the grounds of Waimea Plantation Cottages has revised its menu toward simple, ono plantation-style cuisine. The new menu offers fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. The dishes, combined with the picturesque views of the ocean and property, take patrons back to a simpler time in history.
“The goal of the menu was to make it plantation themed,” Head Chef George Liechty said. “It’s a real basic, basic menu. We’re trying to use as much local food as we can — but really we want to keep it basic and serve good portions.”
He prepares fresh fish — a mainstay in Hawai‘i — with an array of sauces.
“We’re doing a lot of fresh fish with different kinds of butter,” Liechty said. “I do a ginger butter, cilantro butter … You can get a fish, sauté it, grill it, poach it and get it with a variety of different kinds of butters on it.”
When it comes to beef, Grove Cafe is using grass-fed beef from Kaua‘i.
“For steaks, we’re buying choice meats and offering 12-ounce New York and 8-ounce filet,” Liechty said. “The New York steak has butter on it and the filet has a real, natural reduction cabernet demi-glace. The beef is served with rice or potatoes and vegetables.”
For the dessert lovers, Grove Cafe added some onolicious desserts that are out of this world.
“The desserts are selling like crazy,” Liechty said. “We’re doing the Plantation Lime Pie, the Banana Cream Galette Waimea, Campfire Coconut Bread Pudding and Lappert’s Ice Cream.”
Liechty, along with morning supervisor David Pacanas and evening supervisor Cory Fujimura, presented some of the finest plantation-style dishes on Kaua‘i.
The Plantation Sugar Cane Skewered Shrimp, $14.25, is marinated in a sesame-ginger vinaigrette, skewered on fresh cut sugar cane and broiled over an open flame. A portion of 10 shrimp is served with lemon creme fraiche.
Next was the Chinatown Dim Sum Plate, $10.95, packed with two Kahlua pork spring rolls, two chicken and vegetable gyoza potstickers and two steamed char siu manapuas.
After the appetizers, Liechty brought the Center Cut Filet Mignon, $24.50, an 8-ounce, grass-fed choice filet seasoned with garlic, kosher salt and coarse ground pepper. It’s char-broiled to your order and served with cabernet demi-glace.
The fish of the day was monchong. Prices for fresh fish varies weekly, so ask the server for the market price. You can have your fish charbroiled, sautéed or poached. It comes with a choice of cilantro beurre blanc, tropical salsa, tequila lime sauce, ginger or caper butter and ginger, scallions, hot oil and soy sauce.
Make sure to leave room for dessert — it is well worth it. Liechty and Fujimura brought out the Plantation Lime and the Banana Cream Galette Waimea.
The Plantation Lime Pie, $7.95, is a slice of plantation lime custard on a graham cracker crust and is topped with whipped cream. The Banana Cream Galette Waimea, $8.95, is a puff pastry filled with banana cream and topped with local apple bananas and whipped cream.
Grove Cafe is that special kind of restaurant one can always visit over and over again. Its new menu, filled with basic, yet ono foods, compliments the gorgeous views of the ocean, property and sunset.
Grove Cafe, at 9400 Kaumuali’i Highway in Waimea, is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Visit www.grovecafekauai.com or call 808-338-1625 for more information.
