Ambiance:
Outside -
The Kahumana Cafe and Farm is situated in a quiet, beautiful area up Lualualei Homestead Road. The parking lot is informal, which I love. The homes around the cafe are quaint, and beautifully made and the landscaping surrounding is casual, yet picturesque. The cafe itself sports cedar shingles and a happy blue paint, with photovoltaic panels.
Inside -
One enters through a library foyer, setting the stage for sophistication in a relaxed setting. The dining areas itself is light green with light wood tones, complementary to the sense of "al naturale" that embodies the dining experience. It is clean, tidy, and quaint.
Farm Views -
There is seating outside and in a screen-in patio area as well. My 3 -year-old wanted to walk among the plants more than she wanted to stay inside to eat. Mid-meal, we walked through the pathways up to a red gazebo across a little pond, which was our favorite view of the day.
Food:
I ordered the Caprese Plate ($10) under the starters menu and a latte ($3.50). For dessert, I tasted the Lilikoi Sorbet and Mexican Chocolate Gelato.
Caprese Plate ($10) -
The basil was freshly minced, and sprinkled over the slices of soft mozzarella and bright red tomatoes, which distributed the flavor of the basil without overpowering the mildness of the cheese or tomato. The olive oil used was light, but flavorful. The food tasted salt-free, which was a welcome change for me, although I missed not having a drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette to balance the tastes further. The grilled baguettes were toasted well and added a delightful crunch to the plate, though too crisp to sop up olive oil with them. Overall, a light, and refreshing take on the classic red, white, and green Caprese.
Latte ($3.50) -
The strength of the latte was just right for me, and the amount as well, although it was not sweetened. After a few sips, I became used to the traditional coffee house taste of the fresh, naturally clean tasting latte I was presented.
Lilikoi Sorbet ($3-5) -
The sorbet was smoother than others I've tried and had a bright passion fruit flavor. After such a natural tasting, mild lunch, the sweetness of the sorbet surprised me. Still, it was delightful.
Mexican Choclate Gelato ($3-5) -
The gelato was smooth and full of flavor, with notes of cinnamon and possibly star anise, which gives the gelato a distinctly Mexican hot chocolate taste. The gelato was perhaps one of the best I have tried and well worth the visit.
Service:
Service was friendly and courteous, with a slightly casual air, which I love. Drinks, soups, and starters came out quickly, as would be expected, although the wait between the first offerings and the entree order was slightly uncomfortable for my family. After the entree, dessert came quickly, to our delight. It was a busy Saturday for the Farm Cafe, with almost every seat taken. The relaxed, calming environment made the wait seem less long as time progressed, especially with conversation, and in my case, a 3-year-old who wanted to either go to the garden again, or go home. =D
Overall:
Kahumana Cafe, as a non-profit Farm to Table venue, is a place I hope to enjoy for years to come. If it is your first visit, expect natural, clean tastes. You may request table salt and pepper for your table, if desired. Also, the library and garden are spots not to miss! They add to the beautiful ambiance of a remarkable idea turned quaint, and pleasant cafe. =D read more