To follow up last week’s post on ways to enjoy Thanksgiving, Hawaiian style, I’ve put together a few recommendations for planning the main event of the day – the feast.
1) Find a Thanksgiving feast nearby.
There are countless resorts and restaurants on every island that offer Thanksgiving Day gourmet buffets.Check out the Moana Surfrider Hotel in Waikiki, Oahu. They offer a gourmet spread of traditional Thanksgiving dishes…without having to DO the dishes! Their menu will make anyone drool…even a seal. Looking for something a little less formal for the kids? Stop by Tiki’s Grill and Bar in Honolulu for their fun take on a Thanksgiving spread. Of course, I’m bias and prefer Kauai to all other islands, so if you have the privilege of visiting the Garden Island this time of year, be sure to stop by Plantation Garden to enjoy their special Thanksgiving menu and serene atmosphere that will make you grateful to be miles away from the nearest hectic kitchen.
These are just a few local restaurants, check out the following sites to see more options for your Thanksgiving Feast:
Restaurants seriving Thanksgiving Dinner on the Big Island/Kona
Restaurants serving Thanksgiving Dinner in Honolulu
Restaurants serving Thanksgiving Dinner on Kauai
Restaurants serving Thanksgiving Dinner on Oahu
Restaurants serving Thanksgiving Dinner on Maui
2) If you do eat-in, add some Hawaiian flair.
For those that do want to cook their own feast, you’ll want to make sure your accommodations provide access to a large kitchen. At the Villas at Poipu Kai, for example, each villa stand equipped with a spacious, well-stocked kitchen ready to accommodate your Thanksgiving Day party. While the traditional dishes you’ve whipped up for years are great, be sure to add some Hawaii-style love to your menu…you are on a tropical island after all.
Try making a Hawaiian-Portuguese Smoked Turkey or Okinawa Sweet Potatoes in lieu of your traditional go-to’s. Flavors such as pineapple, lime, guava, or macadamia nut are all traditional to the island and can add a great deal of flavor to your menu. Check out more recipes here and here. Even adding one Hawaiian dish will make the meal more exciting and remind your party that you are in paradise!
