When was the last time you visited Kawaihae? I have not visited in years and years. Before a recent Waikoloa weekend, my friends and I decided to check out Cipriano’s Kitchen for Italian and Peruvian food in Kawaihae. I don’t think they have been open for very long and I only heard about them from my Big Island Foodies Facebook group. The chef/owners are from Taorimina, Italy and Lima, Peru. Claudia who is from Lima graduated from Cordon Bleu greeted us when we got there and her passion for cooking and love for sharing food were evident from the moment we arrived. My friends agreed to share everything family style so I could taste everything. We started with delicious cocktails (Pisco Chilcano, Pisco Paloma, Lilikoi Martini, and White Negroni).

Claudia guided us in our food order. Kauai Shrimp Bucatini (housemade) with lobster and truffle add-on. Four cheese ravioli with truffle add-on. Fugazza Gorgonzola–Homemade focaccia baked with gorgonzola cheese, dried figs, and mozzarella cheese. Peruvian Pork Belly Sandwich with marinated red onions, chili pepper water, and secret sauce. Ahi crudo special with quinoa, capers, olives, tomatoes, caramelized onions, and Ali’i Hamakua mushrooms. Can’t forget that we got a chocolate/lilikoi mousse to enjoy before we left as well as a chocolate cake to take with us to the hotel to eat later. My favorite dish was the bucatini. I’m still dreaming about it. What a gem of a restaurant on our island. Living Hilo Style in Kawaihae.