On the recommendation of my daughter and son-in-law, who had been to Kauai last spring, my husband and I made reservations for dinner at The Beach House restaurant on the south shore of the island as we were planning our trip there last month. Located in the town of Koloa, it is well-known both for its fine dining and as a perfect vantage point for observing colorful sunsets. Before booking, I looked up the time of sunset on the evening we planned to be there — wouldn’t want to get there too late!

We took advantage of the valet parking and spent a few minutes in the art gallery which shares a lobby with the restaurant as we waited for our table to be ready. Entrance to the dining room is on the upper of two levels which step down to a wall of windows (all folded open to allow the cooling breeze in) fronting a wide, grassy expanse dotted with towering palms just feet above the ocean. We passed through the bar — crowded with folks enjoying cocktails and the view. Stepping down to our table, we could see that there really wasn’t a bad seat in the place, with open sight lines to the lowering sun on the horizon. Out in the bay, just beyond the rocky shoreline, we observed a number of surfers catching the waves before darkness fell.     Farther out, a catamaran under sail perfected a postcard moment.

We just had time to peruse the menu and place our order before nearly everyone abandoned their tables to gather at the edge of the lawn to witness a stunning sunset, augmented by a drapery of clouds reflecting pink, gold and orange. We couldn’t have asked for a more lovely close to the day.

The nature show wasn’t quite over, though. As the light and color continued to drain from the sky, we noticed swarms of birds flying in over the water — thousands of them. We quickly realized they were coming to roost in the palms just outside the restaurant . . . and making quite a racket, to boot. Our server told us they were parakeets, not native to the islands but which had descended from escaped domesticated birds which have become quite invasive pests.

Turning our attention to our meal, we started off with an appetizer (pupu) of pork potstickers, served with a pineapple and habanero marmalade.   The menu features an eclectic range of dishes, reflecting the blend of cultures found in Hawaii and highlighting the bounty of the ocean and locally sourced fruits and produce. I found my arugula and goat cheese macadamia salad a wonderful blend of textures and flavors as well as a feast for the eyes, with chunks of sugarloaf pineapple and vine-ripened tomatoes brightening the greens.    Harry ordered a bowl of coconut corn chowder, another beautiful presentation and sooooo creamy and delicious — thankfully, he was willing to share a few spoonfuls.  

We both opted for seafood entrées and were very pleased with our choices. My macadamia nut-crusted fresh-caught mahi-mahi filet was moist and tender, served with cilantro sesame rice, bok choy and oyster mushrooms and a citrus miso buerre blanc sauce.    Harry said he would order his fish and coconut stew again and again, and after tasting it, I could see why. Hearty chunks of Big Island lobster swam in a spicy Thai curry broth with peanuts and fresh herbs and came with a serving of organic white rice.     What a wonderful blend of flavors! We wrapped up our meal with a light and sublime trio of tropical fruit sorbets.

I would certainly recommend visitors to Kauai plan at least one meal at The Beach House (which serves lunch, too, and is a popular spot for weddings and other special events). Be sure to check when the sun sets on the day of your visit!

— Patty Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editor