THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED A Pacific Cafe

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED A Pacific Cafe Restaurant Review:

Although A Pacific Café has a lot more competition now from other high-end restaurants that have opened on Kauai, it hasn’t lost its edge. Owner-chef Jean-Marie Josselin, despite spreading his talents to the other restaurants he has opened around the state, has ensured that the food remains creative and top quality during his lengthy absences. The menu, which relies heavily on local products, features a long list of appetizers, soups and salads, and adventuresome eaters may wish to mix and match a variety of these for an eclectic meal. The crispy firecracker salmon roll is a winner, as is the tiger-eye ahi sushi tempura and Kalua pork pot stickers. The entrées are also wonderful here; try the Mongolian-style rack of lamb with its Asian side dishes or the Kauai coffee-smoked double pork chop. You won’t go wrong with the fresh island fish, all prepared in unusual and delightfully satisfying ways, like Josselin’s signature wok-charred mahi mahi, garlic- and sesame-crusted with ginger-lime butter sauce. Portions are large, and as sumptuously tasting as they are beautifully prepared. It’s hard, but be sure to save room for dessert. The fresh fruit crème brûlée and toasted Hawaiian white chocolate and coconut cake are not to be missed. There’s a small, unusual wine list, but well-chosen in the sense that it complements the food. This distinctive restaurant still shines on Kauai and is one of the best in Hawaii, although its shopping center location in Kapaa has always left a bit to be desired.