PO‘IPU — It’s not in Kalapaki, but that’s OK. Kalapaki Joe’s: Po‘ipu is building on its Lihu‘e brand and taking names. And the South Shore location has a bit more than its Eastside counterpart — a Mexican menu replete with
PO‘IPU — It’s not in Kalapaki, but that’s OK. Kalapaki Joe’s: Po‘ipu is building on its Lihu‘e brand and taking names. And the South Shore location has a bit more than its Eastside counterpart — a Mexican menu replete with sea-inspired classics like the lobster taco, ‘elua fresh fish enchilada and kahuna shrimp burrito.
Owners Erika and Jody Valente opened the second Kalapaki Joe’s two months ago, and have since been enjoying the ability to creatively expand upon their brand. Because the Kalapaki Joe’s Lihu‘e location is next door to a well-known Mexican restaurant, Mariachi’s, the couple has had to shy away from serving Mexican food. Their Po‘ipu location doesn’t present that obstacle, however, and has given them the opportunity to feature new signature dishes like the kalua-pig nachos — an instant favorite among the already-regulars.
Co-owner Erika Valente said part of what makes the kalua pig among the most popular is how it’s prepared: slow-roasted in the oven for four to five hours with Hawaiian alae (salt).
Other menu highlights include tutu’s quesadilla, a gooey, cheesy concoction that can come sans meat for vegetarians, (boasting a portabella mushroom instead), the Thai-inspired chicken lettuce wraps, or the Kalapaki burger, stacked high with grilled onions, bacon, mozzarella and a house BBQ sauce.
According to co-owner Jody Valente, the inspiration for the menu comes through music, as it was after listening to favorite bands Tool and Rage Against the Machine that he was put in the “right frame of mind” to be creative.
In addition to music, his staff helped him create the menu designs as well, he said. “Their suggestions and ideas are an integral part of (our) success.”
Having been in the food industry for more than 20 years, Jody Valente seems to have found a niche in the sports-bar industry. Just like its Lihu‘e location, the Po‘ipu Kalapaki Joe’s banks on its exclusive offerings of TV sports packages combined with a menu that features nothing more than $20. It’s that combination that makes for a casual ambiance ideal for catching up on some sports après surfing, or post-day-at-the-beach, Erika Valente said.
“We’re trying really hard to keep it consistent with the Lihu‘e location and letting people know it’s a fun, casual atmosphere with televised sports and affordable dining,” she said. “So nobody feels uncomfortable coming right off the beach, sandy, to come and watch the game.”
Catering to the idea that sports enthusiasts usually like to order an onslaught of pupu, the menu has an abundance of appetizers from which to choose. Favorites for Erika Valente include the roasted garlic and brie appetizer, which comes with a berry marmalade.
“The roasted garlic sliced in half and baked and can be spread like butter,” she said. Other pupu highlights include the Kalapaki pupu platter (pork wontons, veggie eggrolls, zucchini sticks and onion rings), the local-style poke (blocked ‘ahi tossed with cucumbers, onions and shoyu) and, of course, Buffalo wings.
For Erika Valente, lighter-fare highlights include the ‘ahi tacos, which come with a chipotle sauce, and the spinach chicken and feta salad, she said, items that demonstrate her husband’s knack for prepping hit-the-spot dishes.
“Jody is the family cook,” Erika Valente said, explaining that, like many young adults, her husband got his professional start waiting tables.
“He has the creative mind and can throw things together.”
Jody Valente started his own catering business in Lake Tahoe, then partnered in a few different restaurants until the couple opened their own little coffee shop, she added.
As for the Kalapaki Joe’s Po‘ipu restaurant, the name of the game is capitalizing on the island’s love for MMA, as well as all pay-per-view sports packages. One such event that MMA (mixed martial arts) enthusiasts would likely appreciate was last week’s Ultimate Fighting Championship event in which Maxim and UFC Octagon girls Ali Sonoma and Anne Rivera attended. Jody Valente said he hopes special events such as that will help draw in return customers.
“We have the most flat-screen TVs on the South Shore,” he said.
University of Hawai‘i fans will likely appreciate the game lineup as well, he added. “We will be hosting a UH alumni party, and every UH football game being televised this season.”
Kalapaki Po’ipu sports packages include: UH Football Package,NFLSunday Ticket, NBA League Pass, NHL Center Ice, ESPN Full Court,ESPN Game Plan, MLB Extra Innings, UFC Ultimate FightingChampionship, WEC World Extreme Cage Fighting, HBO WorldChampionship Boxing.
• Kalapaki Joe’s Po‘ipu Beach is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10p.m.
• Live music every Monday at 5 p.m.
• For more info, go to: www.kalapakijoes.com or call (808)245-6266
