With Executive Chef Noelani Planas at the wheel, you just know every meal at Red Salt will soar beyond your wildest dreams. Their oceanfront setting right in the middle of the Koa Kea Resort sets the stage for an amazing meal, while the friendly servers go above and beyond to perfect your dining experience.
A true favorite in South Shore Kauai, this eatery boasts an upscale aesthetic that’ll make you feel like royalty. From its beach-chic décor to ocean views from every angle, the dining room serves as the perfect backdrop for a memorable meal. As you settle in at your table of choice, you’ll get equally impressive service from the very start.
Your server will happily bring out all the apps and drinks you need to kick off your meal in style, and then get your orders into the kitchen once you manage to decide what you want. That’s no easy feat, however, as all the dishes are as good as the next.
In the morning hours, you can get all the best breakfast favorites, including pancakes and eggs benedict, taken up a notch with fresh island flavors. The evening hours bring even more imaginative plates to your world, including delights like Furikake & Wasabi-Crusted Seared Ahi. Across all dining hours, their tropical drinks are well worth savoring as well, especially their Mai Tais with a cherry and slice of pineapple on top.
While their flavors are always on point, it’s their presentation that’ll leave you singing their praises far and wide. Every dish gets a truly artistic touch as they’re arranged and garnished with flourish. You’ll definitely want to take a moment to soak in the sights before digging in, and perhaps even capture a photo for the ‘gram.
Their most decadent dishes include:
Lemon-Pineapple Souffle Pancakes
When you want all the finest island flavors in every bite, treat yourself to their Lemon-Pineapple Souffle Pancakes. Although they take 30 minutes to make, they’re well worth the wait. Expect your souffle pancakes to arrive at the table complete with a caramelized pineapple compote, caramel drizzle, and a candied lemon wheel on top.
Charred Octopus
The Charred Octopus appetizer serves as a delightful way to kickstart your dinner and whet your appetite. The dish starts with grilling the octopus to perfect and then putting it on a bed of wild arugula, grilled asparagus and mushrooms, artichoke hearts, and cherry tomatoes. The whole lot gets roasted sesame dressing over top to bring all the flavors together beautifully.
Madagascar Vanilla Bean-Seared Mahi
The Madagascar Vanilla Bean-Seared Mahi features an impressive array of island flavors that’ll leave you delighted from beginning to end. This gluten-free dish begins with the seared ahi, which is perfectly flavored with a Madagascar vanilla bean rub. Alongside, the ahi gets forbidden black rice, avocado-ginger salsa, and a bright mango vinaigrette.
As you dine on your selections, be sure to save room for dessert. Their Chocolate Lava Cake is exceptionally good with its rich, molten center that flows out beautifully at first bite. Although their desserts are definitely big enough to share, you’re going to want to get each person their own, so you can keep every last bite to yourself. If you don’t end up having enough room for it all, no worries. Just ask for a to-go box for the remainder.
Insider Tips:
-If you’re coming here to celebrate a special occasion, make sure to tell them while making reservations, so they can plan a special surprise.
-The valet parking is free, but it’s always nice to throw your driver a tip if their service leaves you feeling impressed.
-All their gluten-free fare is marked on the menu, but since they don’t run a separate kitchen, cross-contamination is possible.