Big Island Candies - Candies, Hilo, Hawaii

Best: Shortbread cookies

585 Hinano St, Hilo, Hawaii 96720
(808) 935-8890
Parking: in parking lot
http://bigislandcandies.com/BIC

Last Visited: October 2012

Food: 5 stars
Atmosphere: N/A
Service: 3 to 4 stars
Price: $$

While this isn't a restaurant or cafe, Big Island Candies is definitely worth writing about!

Teiko gave me a piece of Big Island Candies shortbread when she came back from a trip to Hawaii.  Apparently, their products were originally only sold in stores on the Big Island, but it's now available in stores on the other islands as well.  Of course, they're also available online. 

I tried shortbread at a number of specialty shops during this trip to Hawaii.  Nothing comes close to the delicious Big Island Candies shortbread.  The address above is for the factory where you can watch the shortbread cookie manufacturing area.  The chocolate dipping stations are closest to the window and there are samples throughout the retail store for you to try their delectable treats.  They have everything from plain shortbread to chocolate dipped shortbread to  brownies to coffee.  There is even ice cream available for sale.  Unfortunately, the smallest serving is three scoops, so I had to pass - there was no way I would be able to eat it all.

While they have beautifully packaged individually wrapped cookies, at the store, you can get bulk packaged short bread which is a great deal.  Big Island Candies is known for their higher prices, but the cookies are so buttery and super crispy/flaky that they're completely worth it.  The photos just don't do them justice.  I would rank these first out of all the shortbread I tried for sure!  You can't miss this when you are on the Big Island. 

Kailua Candy Company - Candy, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Corner of Kamanu Street & Kauholo Street, Kailua Kona, HI 96745
(800) 622-2461
http://kailua-candy.com

Last Visited: October 2012

Food: 3 to 4 stars
Atmosphere: N/A
Service: 3 to 4 stars
Price: $ to $$$

While this isn't a cafe or restaurant, Jay recommended the Kailua Candy Company for handmade chocolates and cheesecake so it was easy to make it my first stop upon arriving to Kona. 

When we entered the store, we were a bit surprised to see that the setup was like a general store - there was a mail center (which explains why they can so easily ship their goods), tall shelves with somewhat random Asian items, a freezer full of cheesecake and some ice cream, and the back window that gives you a view of their kitchen.

Kathy came up to us and immediately began to offer us samples of the honus and swirls and of course, it worked - we were munching away as she sweetly described her products and how they are homemade. 

- Macadamia Nut Honus (Turtles) - All of the chocolates and candies are available for purchase by the pound or boxed.  The turtles are available in both dark or milk chocolate. While the macadamia nuts aren't super fancy, they still make the turtle taste really good - the caramel, chocolate, and macadamia nuts are a great combination - how could you go wrong?  Good. 

- Kona Coffee Swirls - Kathy describes these swirls as melting away in your mouth with a rich flavor and aftertaste of Kona coffee and great for after dinner, or breakfast.  I could definitely taste the coffee at the end even after it had melted away.  For me, these are better at the store than once at home.  I would choose the turtles over these because the milk solids appear very quickly, a testimony to their freshness, and since they're like half-domes, they easily fused together because they are packed stacked.  Okay.

- Shortbread - A bag of a dozen shortbread squares, some plain, some dipped in white chocolate, some in milk chocolate, and some in dark chocolate are good and super buttery, but not as crispy as some of their competition.  I would skip the shortbread unless it's your only option.  $4.50

- Cheesecake - Oh My Goodness - There are a number of options for cheesecake flavors available for purchase by the slice or whole.  These slices are marketed as good for two people.  I personally think they're closer to one and a half servings, but very good nonetheless.  Kathy says that they're not super sweet.  I found the chocolate covering to still be fairly sweet, but the tropical flavors added to the cheesecake are a nice balance.  The chocolate cookie crust is pretty thick, but holds up well.  If you want to enjoy your cheesecake right in the store, there are a couple of tables and chairs, and Kathy will put it in the microwave to soften it up for you. ~$4/slice

My favorite item was the honus, but be aware that prices are premium to match the handmade product.  Cheesecake was a close second in my book. 

Kathy is great at selling her product, but you may also notice that she has a sales voice and a regular voice. Either way, you'll find her very hospitable.  Look at the bottom of one of the shelves to find reduced prices for imperfect candies and chocolates.  These are typically at least 20% off and a great deal for candies and chocolates you plan to purchase for yourself.

Sunflower Caffe - California cuisine, Sonoma

421 First St West, Sonoma CA 95476
(707) 996-6645
Parking: street parking
http://www.sonomasunflower.com/

Last Visited: July 28, 2012

Food: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 3 to 4 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $$

I recently saw an episode of Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, and with this place being in my backyard, I knew I had to check it out.  The sound of housemade harissa and fresh chimichurri sounded interesting and I really enjoy lamb when it is made right.

Sunflower Caffe is located in Sonoma Plaza and is tucked away - one might easily walk by thinking it's just a coffee shop and never notice the quaint back patio which is a bit reminiscent of a tiki bar.  Straw decorates the area, and shady trees offer an escape.  Formerly the Coffee Garden, Sunflower Caffe has maintained the coffee bar offerings, but has added a variety of sandwiches with ethnic flare.  Order at the front counter off the paper menus and then head to the tables with your number. 

- Persian chicken and herbed salad flatbread - Saffron marinated grilled chicken thigh and grilled tomato with a Persian herbed salad is served over a grilled turmeric and coriander flatbread.  The chicken was tender and flavorful, but the flatbread was too thick and was less enjoyable as the meal continued.  I'm not sure what made the salad Persian, but it had some mint in it which had a distinct flavor that paired well with the other seasoning.  I would have preferred this dish with naan or thinner flatbread.  A tortilla might have been a good substitution as well.  $13.95

- Lamb burger - Ground lamb is mixed with feta and rubbed with housemade harissa and black pepper.  A fresh chimichurri tops the burger which is served on a ciabatta roll. Harissa is typically made with piri piri chili peppers.  On Guy's show, the chef was featured making the dish with other peppers and adapting the typical recipe.  I liked the chimichurri, but would have wanted to have double the amount.  The lamb was gamey and the feta only seemed to accentuate the gamey flavor.  More chimichurri would have helped to offset that gaminess.  The shape of the meat patty was also too small for the bread and round shaped while the roll was square, leaving extra bread at the end of the meal.  Nothing comes with the burger except the lettuce, tomato, pickles, and a couple of rings of onion on the side.  For this price, I would have liked a small side or charge slightly more and offer a side.  $13.95

Smoked duckbreast sandwich and goat cheese filled piquillo peppers were also featured on the show, but I didn't get a chance to try them.

Sunflower Caffe offers a bit of spice to the Sonoma scene, and the flavors are interesting, but there is opportunity to improve each of the dishes I tried.  Prices are a bit high for lunch options and there is limited service - mostly young people bringing food to the tables, but nobody checking on you after you have received your food.  The prices seem high for the self-service environment.  Make your way through the hall to the back patio for a great place to enjoy drinks with friends or the nice weather - that's the real treasure here.