After a few days of exercise-free vacationing, Kyle and I were both ready to get our fitness-faces on. So our third day in Hawaii started with an hour long total body conditioning class offered by the Anara Gym & Spa. It was hard and left us both sore and sweaty – in a good way. :)
After that we had brunch by the pool. I got the same tofu salad from the first day (no photo), and Kyle got a cheesy grilled chicken burger.
I don’t have many blog-able pics from the rest of the afternoon…I feel weird about posting photos of me in a bikini. There are creepers out there – you understand right?
For dinner, we had a reservation at Plantation Gardens.
The Plantation Gardens Restaurant & Bar is surrounded by the beautiful Moir Gardens at Kiahuna Plantation resort. The restaurant is part of a historic plantation manor located at Poipu Beach.
Gorgeous. Gorgeous. Gorgeous. The restaurant features outdoor lanai seating and offers Asian cuisine with a regional Hawaiian influence.
Oh, and did I mention the handcrafted tropical drinks.
One of my favorite things is drinking out of mason jars.
I chose the Cucumber Mojito with Cucumber Cruzan Estate Rum, Ginger Infused Simple Syrup, Fresh Mint Leaves and Hand Squeezed Lime Juice. It was amazing…I slurped it down way too fast. 😉
We got fresh bread as well as an appetizer to share.
At the waitress’ recommendation we ordered the Big Island Kamuela Tomato salad with Kailani Farms Baby Mizuna, Fennel, Red Onion and a Macadamia Nut Crusted Goat Cheese Medallion and Basil Vinaigrette.
Kyle had the macadamia crusted goat cheese ball, while I dug into the tomatoes. What an extraordinary dressing! One thing I’ve learned is to always take the recommendations of servers. They know what’s up.
Look at our little friend who joined us! Can you see him hidden behind the rope?
For our entrees, Kyle got the Daily Special…talk about fresh fish!
I got the Pan Seared Fresh Local Fish with Arugula, Local Mango, Papaya, Grilled Bread, Cherry Tomatoes, Avocado-Cilantro Mousse and Lilikoi Cider Vinaigrette.
It would be hard to pick my favorite part of the dish. The grilled bread was fantastic, and the the tropical fruit were the perfect sweet punches in the salad. But the avocado mousse was definitely the wow factor (oh, and in case you were wondering what Lilikoi is, it’s passion fruit).
Wow.
Kyle had his own wow factor for dessert.
If I zoom out you just might have a stroke…
He almost did.
Sorry about the flash, but it was pretty dark at this point.
The Ice Cream Sandwich seemed to be the pride and joy of the Plantation Garden. With two thick Chocolate Chip Cookies on the outside and Caramel Coconut Macadamia Ice Cream sandwiched between them and Lappert’s Espresso Hot Fudge for dipping on the side, it was decadent and then some. Kyle could barely get through half of it, but he enjoyed each and every morsel.
Can’t wait to see you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ohmygodd that cucumber mohjito looks SOOO refreshing. and that scenery is just gorgeous.
i envy your dates 😉
Wow that is one large cookie sandwich 😉 Looks delicious!
Now THAT is a dessert!!
Mason Jars, agreed. Let’s get me some.
I honeymooned in Kauai in September and we went to Plantation Garden, too! And I had a cucumber mojito…it was so crisp and refreshing! Loved it!! We actually stayed at a resort right next to that restaurant 🙂
Oh this brings back great memories for me too! We lived in Kona for a couple years and actually honeymooned in Kauai as well. It was only an island hop away, haha. I miss all my fresh vegetables and fruits YEAR AROUND!
LC
I have not been to the Plantation Garden in so very long! I use to go to Kauai (Princeville) almost every summer when I lived in CA. I am glad it is just as beautiful as I remember it!!!!
BTW, since this is my first comment, I want to say, love your blog!
The gardens look just amazing…. I am loving the fish meal 🙂