For a restaurant that’s built its name and menu on relationships with local farmers, it may seem counterintuitive to start over in a new place.
But that’s exactly what Peter Merriman, chef and owner of Merriman’s on the Big Island, plans to do. As one of the first tenants to sign on at Kukui‘ula Village in Po‘ipu, Merriman will bring his highly acclaimed business to the Garden Isle with two concepts under the same roof: a fine dining experience upstairs and a market cafe downstairs.
At the heart of the company is a commitment to Hawai‘i regional cuisine through its support of local farmers and ranchers, whose photos hang on the walls of the Waimea restaurant. While Merriman will, for the most part, have to leave behind his network of Big Island suppliers, he plans to stay true to the formula that has worked well for him.
“We hope to make relationships with all the farmers and ranchers on Kaua‘i,” Merriman said. “That’s what we do: locally raised, sustainably raised and organic (food) when possible.”
He said it’s hard to know what the menu will entail in terms of Kaua‘i produce and meat until he gets over here and sees what can be sourced locally, but an emphasis on taro is likely, as there hasn’t been a consistent enough supply to incorporate it at his Big Island restaurant.
Merriman said it seemed the right time to grow his business, with increasing national awareness of regional and sustainable cuisine — and Kaua‘i seemed the right place.
“I really like the island. More and more farmers are coming into the fold and people are interested in getting into farming,” he said.
Merriman’s looking forward to meeting Kaua‘i’s farmers and ranchers, and will conduct a scouting trip in a few months. But in the meantime, they’re welcome to contact him on the Big Island, he said.
Just one piece of a 91,600-square-foot puzzle, Merriman’s will join about 40 other tenants at Kukui‘ula Village. And just like Merriman’s commitment to local food, it appears the shopping center will also feature a strong showing of Kaua‘i- and Hawai‘i-owned businesses.
The handful of companies that are committed include a Quicksilver store under the same local ownership as Deja Vu, a yet-to-be-named eatery from the owners of Pizzetta, and a Java Kai. There have also been talks with Kauai Pasta about opening its third restaurant at Kukui‘ula Village.
“It’s a very intentional strategy, starting with food,” Tom Gilmore, vice president of investment at Madison Marquette, said of recruiting local businesses. Madison Marquette, the project’s fee developer, is charged with designing and filling out the center. In addition to direction from Kukui‘ula Development Co. LLC, Madison has taken into consideration what is lacking in the area as well as surrounding competition, including the long-standing Poipu Shopping Village and the future Koloa Marketplace in Koloa Town.
According to Gilmore, the target demographic is the South Shore community — “locals who, after soccer game, want to hang out and have a nice meal.
“It’s intended to be a fun place to go for food and entertainment and shopping,” Gilmore said.
Of course, the village will also serve the residents of the Kukui‘ula development as well as visitors. But Gilmore stresses that the project’s success depends on Kauaians saying, “That’s a cool place.”
Other plans for the center include a fitness center and day spa, an eclectic mix of mostly women’s fashion, home furnishings and accessories, and an adventure retail store.
Merriman’s restaurant, along with the rest of Kukui‘ula Village, opens in February 2009.
• Blake Jones, business writer/assistant editor, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 251) or bjones@kauaipubco.com.
