One of the things Kyle and I were most looking forward to on our honeymoon was getting pampered. Couples massages? Holler.
So we decided to treat ourselves to an hour long rub down at the Anara Spa. It was heavenly. Not that I had much stress to relieve, but it was gone at the end regardless.
Then we got coffee and broke the fast.
What’s Malasada you ask? Basically Hawaiian donut holes.
The pampering continued when we set up shop in our private beach front cabana. Just for us…all day long…
With this view.
The staff kept checking in on us to see if we needed anything at all. And eventually we took them up on it and ordered lunch.
Fish tacos for Kyle, warm flatbread, veggies, & hummus for me.
The hummus requires explaining. According to the menu, it was made with dairy. I clearly couldn’t have that. It would’ve had me admitting myself to Kauai’s local hospital – hardly the relaxing honeymoon activity. So after much debating, I decided to ask if it was possible to make without dairy. I didn’t want it to turn into a big to-do, but they were so accommodating. Even though it was obviously not convenient, they never made me feel like I was annoying or being difficult.
When the hummus finally did arrive (it took a really long time), I was 2 apples deep and ready for some chickpea lovin’.
It was good, but super oily. So so so oily. But given the great lengths the staff went to to make it for me, I wasn’t about to turn my nose up at it. I ended up eating the whole thing – and there was a LOT of hummus. Well after the flatbread and veggies were gone, I still had over half the tub. I felt like I was swimming in oil. It tasted good, but I felt sick at the end of it.
I hammock-ed the stomachache away.
For dinner we headed to the fanciest spot on the island.
The Beach House is known for their impressive wine list, and even more impressive views. Their awards speak for themselves:
Zagat Restaurant Survey: Top Kauai Restaurant – 1998, 1999, 2000, 2009
Fodor’s Choice – 2010
Wine Spectator Magazine – Award of Excellence – 2009, 2010
Honolulu Magazine’s Hale Aina Gold Award: Best Kauai Restaurant – 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
The list goes on and on…
We arrived early to take in the sunset. Whuddah couple, eh?
How cool is the open air feel of the restaurant? Every table has a spectacular view, and because there’s no walls or windows, you feel like you are literally dining on the water front.
As always we started with bread.
Fluff-ay.
To start, Kyle got the Seafood Corn Chowder with Crab, Fresh Fish, Chives and Sherry.
For his entree he got the Macadamia Buttered Local Fresh Fish with Citrus Aka Miso Beurre Blanc.
For my main course, I ordered the Grilled Kaua’i Fresh Fish served over Ginger and Kaffir Lime scented Long Grain Rice with sautéed Maui Up Country Baby Bok Choy and Curry Carrot Coulis.
My meal was good but the lemongrass was very overpowering and the portion was tiny. Other than that, I was quite satisfied.
It was a bittersweet meal, since it was our last night on the island 🙁
Hi! I just had to comment, when me and my husband went on our honeymoon to Kauai, we went to the Beach House as well and seeing your pictures just brought back a lot of really great memories. Thanks for the nostalgia!
you can quickly overdo it with lemongrass – a little goes a long way – I have a thai dish I make which requires food processing the lemongrass, and I’m crying unless I open all the windows. 🙂
I grew up spending summers in Hawaii (my dad is from there…) and these posts make me want to visit – it’s been a few years…
everything looks perfect… and those Malasada… YUM !!
would it be weird to say that i wish i had been at that restaurant with you guys on your honeymoon?
whatevs.
i love your dress.