A few weeks ago I hung one of my orchid paintings titled “Bridge over Troubled Water” in the Hanapepe Café at the invitation of owner and book group friend Helen Lacono. With that title, a nostalgic memory to us baby boomers, the painting makes an appropriate (and elegant, I might add) backdrop on the performance stage of the Café. On Friday nights, and sometimes during the luncheon hour, Kauai artist Cindy Combs performs her beautiful slack key guitar music there.
I love the Hanapepe Café and Bakery. Especially the Bakery!! Helen and her daughter Andrea have made the Café an anchor of historic Hanapepe Town with its collection of galleries and businesses and famous swinging bridge.
Our book group is reading Sara Miles' spiritual memoir "take this bread". An amazing book about a left-wing, lesbian journalist's conversion to Christianity. Food for thought while we are being fed in the flesh by Helen's lovingly prepared breakfast spread one morning a week. Kauai is an amazing place. I could have never imagined in my wildest dreams about 'retiring on this island' to find such community, such sharing and beauty on all levels...
Every Friday night Hanapepe town comes alive with musical performances in the street and people browsing the galleries during the weekly Art Walk. And that night Helen Lacono puts on a feast at the Hanapepe Café. The place feels like having dinner at grandma’s house… Comfort food, healthy food, deserts to die for…
Recently, we took my ‘baby’sister and husband there. They had come to visit me all the way from the Netherlands. It was their first time in Hawaii and their last meal on island before their return the next morning. We feasted on wild mushroom soup, paella and the best pineapple parfait ever.
Thank you Helen, Andrea, Mary and all the wonderful staff!
Reservations are a must for two seatings at 5pm and 8:30 pm.
