Today we are at The Coffee Shack in Honaunau, on the island of Hawai’i. This place is a little restaurant on the side of the road at the top of a steep hill with an amazing view from 1500′ looking down to the ocean about a mile away.  Being situated on the side of a hill there is only about 8 parking spaces with another few about 35 yards further along the cliff side road, Mamalahoa Hwy.  The hype has been pretty big from friends for this restaurant. We will see….

We walk in and the place is small, not much more than an expanded shack. The view is phenomenal. The elevation assures you that the temperature will be comfortable year round. The light trade winds sleepily caress your skin. It’s almost imperceptible… soothing… relaxing.

Leise orders the eggs benedict and large chai.  I order the 3 egg omelet with mixed veggies and cheese and a side of rice and coffee. Leise really enjoyed the eggs benedict. She said that the hollandaise sauce had very good flavor. The potatoes had the perfect crunch and soft texture. Everything needed a small amount of salt, but other than that she enjoyed it immensely. Leise, who loves chai, said that this was one of the best cups of chai she has ever had.

The 3 egg omelet was tasty, but needed a little salt as well. As is the norm on this island rice is served with shoyu (soy sauce). This offered the perfect balance of salt flavor.

The Coffee Shack can be a bit noisy. The road noise is not far away. Being a small establishment the kitchen noise can compete with the road noise. When you add the incessant rooster crowing and the occasional loud tourist it can be a bit overwhelming at times. Luckily the setting with the geckos running around and the soothing light breeze, good coffee and food makes for a very nice experience. The energy here is peaceful and makes you want to linger. No wonder there is usually a wait for parking.

With the light breeze gently caressing your skin and the great food and drink we are truly enjoying this experience and will come back again. For ambience I give The Coffee Shack 3.5 out of 5 surfboards. For food quality I give 3.5 out of 5 surfboards. For service I give 4 out of 5 surfboards. Overall I give it a 3.5 surfboards.

Mahalo,

ThruJimsEyes.com

My wife has brought me to a unique and interesting place for breakfast, Rumley Edible Art Cafe inside the Marriott Courtyard King Kamehameha Hotel. I say unique and interesting because the cafe part is almost hidden within an art, framing, and geclée printing shop.

I ordered the San Francisco crepe which is sliced banana and strawberries atop of a crepe with peanut butter, strawberry jelly, and ice cream all topped with whip cream and caramel drizzled on top. Yum!!!  I don’t see the ice cream and the jelly and peanut butter are light and subtle in flavor. None of this do I see as a problem. The meal is so enjoyable that I don’t see the need to be knocked over the head with the other flavors. It all washes down with a good cup of local coffee. I call it a nice balance.

Leise ordered the design your own Açai bowl. She ordered it with granola with honey, sliced banana and strawberries, blueberries and shaved coconut. It is very refreshing and I know we will be here this next summer for sure.

This little one woman operation is great. I feel the entrepreneurial spirit thriving here and I love it. The great food and good coffee we are enjoying this experience and will come back again. Don’t let the rating fool you. We will be back. For ambience I give Rumley Edible Art Cafe 4 out of 5 surfboards. It quite charming for a crepe shop. It’s small with very few seats but there are beautiful pieces of art work to look at and cool things to tantalize the visual senses. For food quality I give 4 out of 5 surfboards. For the warm friendly service I give 4 out of 5 surfboards. Overall I give it a 4 surfboards.

Aloha,

James Christopher

ThruJimsEyes.com