Big Island Grinds

I don’t think I ever mentioned this before, but on the weekends (and some weekdays) I am a wedding photographer.  One of the best perks is all the great food I get to experience… plus no weird looks when taking photos of the food since that’s part of the “job”.  The last wedding had some of the best food ever, at the Brown’s Beach House at the Fairmont Orchid in Kohala.

Paauilo vanilla Keahole lobster bisque (island raised)

Words cannot describe the awesomeness of this bisque.  The first taste is an intense sweet and rich hit of lobster with a nice touch of sherry and hints of vanilla.  The beauty of this is that the lobster and even the vanilla is locally grown! In the middle is an extra soft medallion of something (sorta like an extra soft tofu texture or custard), matching the smoothness of the bisque… not really sure what it was.  When you break the it, it instantly soaks up all of the flavors of the bisque, just melting in your mouth. Very possibly the best liquid form of food EVER.

A fresh salad with heirloom tomatoes and two kinds of beets.  I don’t normally eat beets, and I think it has been mostly because of bad experiences from canned beets.  This salad totally changed my impression though.  I love beets now.  Croutons were so good and it was dressed perfectly.

Kiawe Grilled New York Strip

with mashed potatoes mixed with sweet corn, asparagus, and some of the most delicious mushrooms (I think these were local hamakua mushrooms)… the steak was wonderful, served with a rich demi-glaze.

Here are the huge mushrooms.

Also served, but not mine was fresh mahi-mahi.  I had a bite and it was very fresh and perfectly cooked.

I was stuffed already, but I could not turn down a chocolate mousse cake.  So rich .

I’m coming back here some time later for sure on a special occasion with just my wife and I so we can thoroughly enjoy a meal.  The service was very nice and our table was right on the beach, like literally on the sand.  It is a very romantic restaurant.

Brown’s Beach House
Fairmont Orchid
1 North Kaniku Drive 
Kohala Coast, Big Island, Hawaii  96743
808/885-2000

100% Ka’u Coffee and a warm gooey mac-nut brownie. Doesn’t get any better than this, seriously.

They don’t serve Ka’u coffee here everyday (they rotate their special coffees), but when they do it sure is worth a try. It’s one of my favorites… dare I say I favor it over Kona?

Posted on location. Free internet with $5 purchase.

Kope Kope Espresso Cafe
1261 Kilauea Avenue
Suite 220
Hilo Hawaii 96720
www.kopekopeespresso.com
(808) 933-1221