Top Picks for South Kona Restaurants - Senior Billys Cantina
Ole! Ole! Another big blessing to our South Kona neighborhood is Senior Billy’s Cantina.
Located in Captain Cook, Hawaii, you can’t miss this colorful little Mexican restaurant that offers indoor and outdoor seating as well as a drive-thru take out window. Their service is fast and friendly and their staff really go out of their way to ensure that your experience is a good one. After trying many things on their menu, it has become increasingly difficult to decide what to have because all of our favorites are not only healthful they are delicious too! So if you need some expert advice, we recommend ordering a Silver Coin Margarita and a basket of chips and salsa to start off with. Do try the Emma’s Wrap with chicken, Fish Tacos or the Two (or Three) Favorites Combo Plate. You simply can’t go wrong with whatever you decide.
Mahalo to Senior Billy’s for offering our neighborhood a reasonably priced Mexican restaurant that is consistently offering quality food along with genuine, caring service.
This is the kind of place that you could eat at once a week. Easy on the pocketbook and the wide variety of tasty options never leave you bored with the food.
Adios from the Smartinnkeeper
www.konabednbreakfast.com
A Powerful Resource for Budget Travel - A Smart Innkeeper
A budget conscious Hawaiian holiday IS possible while you enjoy the endless possibilities that paradise has to offer. Here are a few simple tips from the Smart Innkeeper on how to maximize your dollar while vacationing in Hawaii:
1. LOCATION – choose one location and stick to it! Pick a place central enough to as many attractions that attract you! You may find yourself relaxing more, driving less, filling the gas tank less all the while discovering the true essence of your chosen location.
2. STAY IN A BED AND BREAKFAST. Hey, breakfast is included! That’s one of your daily meals paid for! Staying at a B&B allows you the insight to live like a local. A great innkeeper can lead you to restaurants and activities that they would personally do. B&B owners/operators are not raking in the money and are usually on a tight budget themselves so finding a smart innkeeper who is rich in knowledge and willing to share leads you to be guided in a thrifty manner.
In choosing your perfect B&B, keep your antennae up when researching and speaking with a potential innkeeper. Are they helpful and friendly? Do they go the extra mile to give you information? Can you tell they are smiling?! Also find out if the B&B offers a refrigerator in your room, breakfast and filtered water. All of which will save you money. A refrigerator allows you to keep some supplies on hand for light lunches or evening snacks and could save you from eating every meal out.
3. PLAN AHEAD – in order to get the best deal your b&b is offering, they may require you stay longer. Many places offer 7 nights for the price of 6. So you may have to plan ahead to get your consecutive nights. Keep in mind that a good innkeeper will keep their website updated with any specials and current events, so read websites carefully.
4. EAT HEALTHY. No I don’t think that holidays are for indulging in big expensive restaurant meals. Eating healthy can save you big bucks AND make you feel good during your vacation!!! Hawaii island boasts many farmers markets where you can buy fresh, local, organically grown fruits and vegetables for cheap. Take a farm tour and purchase food/coffee or macadamia nuts direct from the farmer at huge savings. Crack into a coconut to receive enough nourishment for hours. Eat a late hearty lunch out somewhere and snack on fruits for dinner. Or eat your fruits for lunch and go out to enjoy dinner in a local favorate restaurant.
5. CHOOSE ACTIVITIES WISELY. Sure, there are many things that you want to see and do but how about some quality time doing your top 3! Slowing down and enjoying a few activities can enrich your experience of it and of Hawaii. Rushing from one thing to the next can be costly, time-consuming and let’s not forget….stressful.
6. PLAN YOUR OWN BUDGET HEALTH RETREAT. Hawaii is the ultimate health retreat destination and it is possible to plan one without the price tag. Yoga, pilates and hula, just to name a few, are offered in every communty for a drop-in rate. Enjoy an abundance of free healthful activities like hiking, walking, swimming and snorkeling. Find your perfect bed and breakfast that offers the luxury of a swimming pool or hottub. Ask your smart innkeeper where to get a reasonably priced massage.
We hope that these tips can help you to expand your vision and belief that a vacation in Hawaii can be affordable. A Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper can be a powerful resource when planning your vacation. So what’s stopping you from picking up the phone to see who’s smiling on the other end?
Much Aloha from the SmartInnkeeper
1-808-328-8053
Aloha Big Island B&B
Top Picks for South Kona Restaurants - Teshima's Fine Foods
Teshima’s has been around since 1929, long before most people were born! In fact, Mary (Grandma) Teshima, who started this family business, turned 101 years old this past year. It is a blessing to get a glimpse of her as she gracefully and purposefully walks from the kitchen to serve a small plate of maki sushi to a table. We caught sight of her counting the cash behind their small pay station one night…..she is spry!
This is a landmark and a relic of days gone by. Operated by family – sisters, brothers, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sons and daughters, Teshima’s is the friendliest and most down to earth restaurant in South Kona.
Teshima’s serves an interesting and tasty menu of Japanese, Hawaiian and American in a diner-style environment. We love to order jasmin tea or sake and vegetable tempura to begin our meal. Our entrees are delivered on a tray with miso soup, rice, sunomono, cabbage salad along with our menu choice.
We love to send our guests to Teshima’s to experience a taste of days gone by in their warm and family friendly atmosphere.
There is an ATM machine located by the front door of the restaurant in case you forget to bring cash!
If you want to hang out with the local crowd and eat good food at very reasonable cost, go to Teshima’s and feel the local heartbeat.
Aloha from the SmartInnkeeper
www.konabednbreakfast.com
South Kona Hawaii - IS a Hidden Gem
Are you planning a vacation to Hawaii? Perhaps you are looking for a taste of the old days on the Big Island of Hawaii in a quiet, country setting while enjoying the warmth of aloha in a Captain Cook bed and breakfast.
Just 40 minutes south of the Keahole (Kona) International Airport and hustle and bustle of Kailua-Kona town is the peaceful paradise of South Kona. The small towns, Kainaliu, Kealakekua and Captain Cook offer a nice local flavor. Reasonably priced restaurants to fine dining, local art galleries, coffee houses, boutique clothing, surf shop, ukulele shops, hawaiian fabric store and so much more.
Bask in the lush and green Kona coffee country. The air is filled with the sweet fragrance of plumeria, gardenia and jasmin. Wild flocks of turkeys roam freely and the sounds of bird song sweetly awakens you in the morning.
There are no big resorts, malls and traffic noise here. You will find quiet meandering roads, coffee farms and boutiques, lei and fruit stands and macadamia nut farms. The neighboring bays, Kealakekua and Honaunau offer the most beautiful clean ocean water with plenty of corals and fish to enjoy.
Experience your escape from a touristy, expensive and same-old, same-old vacation in Hawaii. Stay in the comfort of a Captain Cook bed and breakfast.
From the Smart Innkeeper
www.konabednbreakfast.com
The Humpbacks are Here!
The first whale sighting of the year came from my dear husband Darrin! He’s got the eagle eye! Two days ago, on Nov 20, while looking out at Kealakekua Bay, Darrin witnessed two adult Humpback whales travelling south about 1/4 mile offshore. The first whale made a big blow from its blowhole and the second whale wasn’t far behind.
Each year the Humpback whales make their migration from Alaska all the way to Hawaii! It is a spectacular feat! From Alaska, they travel to the California coast where they will bulk up on food before crossing the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii. While in Hawaii they don’t eat a thing for months! They are here to mate, give birth and train their young for the long trip home. We will be blessed to see them dancing, blowing and flapping fins and tails for the next four months before they end their Hawaiian vacation and begin the long journey home to Alaska.
So if you are visiting the Big Island during the months of November, December, January or February, remember to keep your eye on the ocean. You may just look up at the perfect moment to catch a glimpse of one of these magnificient creatures. If you are underwater at least 5 feet or more, listen carefully for the whales’ song.
We’ll report any other Humpback Whale sightings right here on this blog just as soon as we can.
Much Aloha from the SmartInnkeeper
www.konabednbreakfast.com
Top Picks for South Kona Restaurants - Mi's Italian Bistro
In 2008, our neighborhood was blessed with the opening of a new restaurant gem called Mi’s Italian Bistro. It is not your typical Italian so don’t judge it by the name. Chef Morgan Starr puts his unique signature on every dish and quite frankly, we have been blown away by his many creative specials and menu options.
Owned and operated by the talented Morgan and Ingrid Starr (and new addition to the family – Yi – their beautiful daughter), this little sweetheart of a restaurant makes one feel like they’ve walked into something very special. Cozy and intimate, friendly and warm, Mi’s has a very big heart and even bigger flavor.
Morgan mills his own flour to make his fresh homemade pasta which, aside from the menu and restaurant, is offered for sale at the local Green Market on Sundays from 9am-1pm. He strives to keep his ingredients locally grown and receives his fresh produce and fish from the local farmers and fishermen. Now that is fresh!
Some of our favorite menu items include their crispy, fresh local romaine ceasar salad and their fresh homemade foccacia bread served with a delicious herb infused olive oil for dipping. The ever changing daily lasagna is fast becoming my all-time personal favorite. And I would never pass up on one of Morgan’s fresh catch preparations. His Ahi Tuna Boullinaise is out of this world! He really knows how to treat a fish!
Morgan’s younger brother Colin (careful you don’t get them mixed up – they really look alike) prepares the most luscious signature desserts. Try the gorgeous Tiramasu along with the best cup of freshly pressed 100% Kona coffee you’ve ever had!
I would call ahead for reservations as the restaurant is small with about 10 tables.
Mi’s Italian Bistro
Serving Lunch and Dinner
Open Tuesday thru Sunday
11:30am – 8:30pm
808-323-3880
81-6372 Mamalahoa Hwy
Kealakekua, HI
written by the Smart Innkeeper
www.konabednbreakfast.com
Top Picks for South Kona Restaurants - Ke'ei Cafe
We will talk about the Ke’ei Cafe first because its been a true success in our neighborhood for soooo long now. The Ke’ei (pronounced kay-eh) Cafe is a family run operation which began in a very humble setting with plastic chairs and table cloths in a building so close to the highway you could feel the rattle of traffic passing by. No worries – the ambiance was cozy and warm and it was THE place where the local crowd hung out for years. As word got around of its laid back atmosphere, homey food, good wines and reasonable prices it became so difficult to get a seat that you had to call several days to a week ahead of time to get a table.
Times have changed for the Ke’ei Cafe and fortunately for us locals. Three years ago the owners built a larger space for themselves, moved the restaurant and left the plastic chairs behind replacing them with a fine Koa interior. They created a beautiful warm and hospitable atmosphere with the same great menu. The Ke’ei Cafe continues to charm our neighborhood with elegance, great prices, good food and friendly service.
Our favorite menu items are the Fresh Catch of the day, the Roasted Chicken with mash potatoes and peppercorn gravy, the Eggplant Rolls and never leave without trying one of their delectable desserts like Coconut Flan with a cup of delicious Kona Coffee.
While visiting beautiful South Kona, don’t forget to make a reservation to dine at the Ke’ei Cafe. Bring cash and be hungry. Now open for lunch and dinner, closed on Sunday and Monday.
808-322-9992
written by the Smart Innkeeper
www.konabednbreakfast.com
Smart Innkeepers Note on Good Food
Darrin and I love to eat good food and we just bet that you do too!
We enjoy preparing our meals at home using the abundance of locally grown fruits and vegetables grown here on the Big Island. But we also love eating out and do so at least once per week. We like to keep our knowledge about dining on the Big Island up to date so that we can offer our guests some expert advice on where to eat. And quite frankly, we need a break from our busy lives. There is nothing we love more than having someone else do the cooking!
We love good food of all cultures and styles and are very open to trying just about anything (emphasis on “just about”). Not every restaurant makes our hit list but we pride ourselves on our attempt to eat our way around the Big Island and taste the diversity and flavor of this place.
In the end, our favorite restaurants are those that use locally grown ingredients, fresh from the farm or the ocean. We like to feel good about what we eat and so on our journey to find the very best, we look to enjoy the places which support our island’s farmers and fishermen. Truly, the difference between a restaurant serving a quality menu is, in our opinion, one that seeks to find the freshest, local ingredients in which to stock their kitchens.
Stay posted for future blogs on the various restaurants in our neighborhood. Come and taste the island for yourself! Don’t forget to ask Angela and Darrin where to eat!
Blessings from the Smart Innkeepers,
Angela and Darrin Dellamano
www.konabednbreakfast.com