On the first Saturday of the month, from 5 to 9 p.m., Kountry Kitchen transforms from a breakfast and lunch destination to a Cuban fiesta, serving authentic Cuban cuisine that is exclusive to Kauai. Susana Espinosa has owned and operated
On the first Saturday of the month, from 5 to 9 p.m., Kountry Kitchen transforms from a breakfast and lunch destination to a Cuban fiesta, serving authentic Cuban cuisine that is exclusive to Kauai.
Susana Espinosa has owned and operated Kountry Kitchen for the past 18 years. She always wanted to share her family’s Cuban-style recipes with the public. Her time to share her love of Cuban food arrived when Kapaa began its monthly first Saturday street festival, which features artists, live music, food, fashion and more.
“I figured with the connection of the art walk in Kapaa, I would share my Cuban food with Kauai,” Espinosa said. “I’m very surprised at the support that I have received from locals and tourists. This is our fifth month.”
Depending on the availability of ingredients, Espinosa said the menu changes monthly.
“I try to pass on the price of everything to my customers,” Espinosa said. “I try to find (ingredients) that are affordable for everyone, so it can be a family outing that won’t cost an arm and a leg.”
Even with monthly changes to the menu, pork, beef, chicken and seafood dishes are always available. Espinosa said Cuban food is a combination of African, Caribbean and Spanish influence.
“Cuban food is very different from, let’s say, Mexican food,” Espinosa said. “It doesn’t have many hot peppers.”
Two main staples in Cuban food include congris and yuca. Congris is made of black beans and rice, seasoned with cumin, garlic, onions and black peppers. Yuca, or cassava, is a root that is a good source of carbohydrates.
Espinosa said the main ingredients used to make Cuban food are lime, sour oranges and cumin.
Fiesta Cubana at Kountry Kitchen offers appetizers, complete dinners and desserts. First on menu was the Appetizer Platter For Two, $12. The appetizer platter came with two corn tamales, fried yuca with cilantro mojo (garlic sauce), chicken-pineapple salad and crackers.
For dinner, Espinosa prepared three onolicious dishes — Bistec Al Ajillo, steak in garlic and lime, $20; Boniato En Salsa, sweet potato in creole sauce, $17; and Arroz Paella, paella-seafood rice, $25. The meals are served with your choice of white rice or congris and green salad with balsamic dressing.
The Bistec Al Ajillo consists of pounded top sirloin marinated in lime garlic and orange juice and topped with cilantro garlic sauce. Accompanying it is a healthy portion of congris.
For vegetarian lovers, the Bonita En Salsa is yellow sweet potatoes topped with diced tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic and green olives.
And if you’re in the mood for some prime-time seafood, the Arroz Paella is the dish for you. Its ingredients are shrimp, scallops, mussels, squid and ono cooked in a seafood and saffron broth.
Make sure to leave some room in your belly for postres, or desserts. Desserts are $4 or $5, and include Helado De Mango (mango ice cream), Flan de Caramelo (caramel flan) and Arroz con Leche de Coco (coconut rice pudding topped with caramelized pineapple).
Fiesta Cubana also has a BYOB policy, so take advantage and bring the beverage you desire.
After sampling the delicious Cuban cuisine, I couldn’t wait for next month. Seating at during Fiesta Cubana is limited, so make sure to for reservations.
Where: Kountry Kitchen is located on 1485 on Kuhio Highway in Kapaa
When: First Saturday of the month
Reservations: Call (808) 822-3511 between 6 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
