• 4
• very fresh food, consciously prepared

My husband and I tried to eat here throughout our stay in Kona, but the cafe was keeping shortened hours in the summer (M-F, breakfast and lunch only) so we didn't try it until our last day. It was worth the wait, though I wish we had eaten here more! The food was so divine I don't know where to start. The cafe itself is bright and cheery, with the dining area painted in bright oranges and corals (like the nasturtium flower). We got the entree special -- a spinach salad with crispy tempeh bacon bits and a Korean-style dressing -- and I got the portobello mushroom sandwich that came a colorful side salad with a tangy vinaigrette. Everything was full of flavor. The sandwich was very juicy from the grilled portobello mushroom, almost like a French dip sandwich. By the end of the meal I was so stuffed I didn't have room for the vegan chocolate cake. The place is very small and staffed by two people -- one server and a chef in the kitchen who came out to the dining room to check on everyone. Our water glasses were kept full and the server took time to chat with us about life on the Big Island. They told us they served their last meal at 2:30 p.m. and we stayed past that time, but we never felt rushed. The restaurant does serve meat, but the menu is very veg-friendly and the eggs they use are from hens at a local animal sanctuary. This place is a great representation of the aloha spirit. Definitely check it out if you're in Kona, but I suggest calling ahead for hours if you're there during the slow (summer) season.