Kaua'i Chinese Food and Duke's

I like to explore both local low key places and scenic touristy places, so that I get a taste of different flavors while traveling.

Garden Island Barbeque in Lihue was one of the few places where I saw no other tourists in the entire restaurant. Located in an old section of Lihue, with fans blowing, and very modest decor, they serve great Chinese food in gigantic portions for very reasonable prices.

It was too humid to order soup, but some of the tables had customers happily slurping up wonton and I was tempted to get some to go :) Instead I ordered the duck with mixed vegetables for $12.95 that could have easily fed 3 people! Luckily I was staying at a condo with a full kitchen so I took most of it back to eat later. Chock full of fresh vegetables and very good duck, it would have been enough to just order this one dish, but since I had no idea the portions were so big, I ordered more dishes that ended up with having leftovers that lasted for 2 days afterwards.

I ordered the beef Singapore noodles for $15.95, which had nice flavors and tender beef slices.

I got some snow pea pods with shrimp that were succulent, savory, and absolutely fabulous because they painstakingly prepared the snow pea pods properly, removing all the fibrous parts before cooking. For $16.95 this is was one of the most expensive items on their extensive menu and worth every cent. 

I got a side of kimchee just because it looked so good at a nearby table and it was homemade!

For a completely different experience, I reserved at Duke's weeks before my trip because it was on so many lists of a place with good food and a view. They have free valet parking (please tip) down the steep driveway next to the Royal Sonesta hotel. Follow the walkway to the host stand.

The view from the entrance was very impressive with a bar, live music, and walk in tables below. If you make advance reservations you will get one of the ocean view tables on the upper floor.

The seared sashimi grade Furikake Ahi Steak served with shitakke, rice, and black bean bok choy, topped with pickled cucumber salad was a delicious twist on the usual tuna tataki for $43

The main course of chicken, ribs and added coconut shrimp (+$16) served with rice, cucumber salad and macaroni salad for $29 included high quality Compart family farms pork and all natural huli huli chicken. I wanted to try their famous salad bar, but this plate was so big that there was no room for salad or dessert!

There was room for my eyes to feast on the view though...