Lemon Grass - Kapaa

We dined at the Lemon Grass Grill on Kauai, and we were warmly greeted and made to feel right at home. The staff handled our requests quickly and with a friendly demeanor. The food was exceptional, and our waitress took the time to check in with us, ensuring we were comfortable throughout our meal.

The food was mediocre overall. The clam chowder was tasty, but nothing really stood out to impress us.

In a last-minute decision, we opted for a nearby dining experience at The Lemongrass Seafood and Grill in Kapaa, Kauai, and it turned out to be an excellent, simple meal. My wife and I started with a light house salad dressed with a mild vinaigrette, which was very enjoyable. Following the waitress’s recommendation, I decided to try the barbecued pork with guava. As someone who used to live in Louisiana near the Texas border, ordering barbecue in Hawaii felt like an unexpected choice! To my delight, the flavors were wonderful. The spicing was mild compared to Texas barbecue, which allowed the fruit to shine through beautifully. The pork was clearly slow-cooked for at least ten hours, resulting in a fantastic blend of flavors. To top it off, we shared a simple dessert, and our total bill came to around $95 before tip, which included three glasses of good wine between the two of us!

The food was fantastic, and the service was exceptional! I would definitely dine here again.

Our experience was quite disappointing. Being from San Diego, we have come to expect exceptional seafood. Unfortunately, the ahi here was poorly prepared, served with nothing but a thick, cold bearnaise sauce. The service was also frustrating; when the server delivered the incorrect orders, she seemed shocked that we wouldn’t accept them as they were. We ended up waiting a long time for our correct orders. It's unfortunate that the only places to find good food in Kauai are the resort restaurants.