Red Salt Restaurant

Poipu, Kauai

A great discovery for a higher end dining experience, with less commotion then most other Poipu restaurant locations is the Red Salt Restaurant at the Ko'a Kea Resort. The restaurant dcor is inspired, modern, chic, airy and open, yet a great intimate setting for a date or just a quiet cocktail. Large picture windows over look the landscaped gardens of the central courtyard, pool and ocean views. The food and drinks at Red Salt are inspired by Pacific Rim cuisine, but take experimental turns that truly surprise the palette and make for great taste discoveries. At a Glance: Cuisine: Pacific Rim/experimental fusion Price: $$/$$$$ Location: Poipu, Kauai Hours: daily Breakfast 6:30 AM - 11:00 AM Lunch Pool 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM Dinner 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM Lounge 5:30 PM - 12:00 Midnight Pool Bar 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM Environment/Dcor:  Set in luxury dcor off the lobby of its host hotel. Large glass picture windows face the pool and ocean view. Great date location. Reservations highly recommended. Red Salt in the lobby of the Ko'a Kea Resort was immediately a step above the other dining experiences we investigated in the Poipu area. Many of the tried and true recommendations offered up by visitors and locals in the area were very overdone, with long wait lines, very poor parking options, and dcor that screamed clich Hawaiian. Red Salt is quite the opposite of that, having been in operation for over 6 years now the quality of food and services is superb, without the lazier attitudes exhibited by more famous eateries in the area. Be prepared for free valet parking as you drive to the end of the long driveway into the resort. An immediate air of being regarded as a "v.i.p." is instilled from start to finish of your dining experiences here. Once seated the courteous staff has your back, feel free to ask questions regarding the unfamiliar on the menu. Beware of the delicious cocktails menu! They take mixology seriously making it a destination for just the drinks alone. The martinis for instance are offered in flavor combinations you have never thought of before. If you can't decide, try the "Martini Flight" which gives you 3 mini-martinis from any flavors seen on the Martinis menu. We chose to sample dinner service, but lunch by the pool, and brunch in the restaurant are also available. Inquire by phone for details. Our Staff's Pics: Great Martini flights, especially liked the Blueberry Martini flavor. The Bronzed Scallops in papaya vinaigrette and cauliflower puree was amazing. We also enjoyed the delicious Madagascar Vanilla Bean Seared Mahi on a bed of forbidden black rice and avocado ginger salsa, and mango vinaigrette. Contacts: Phone: 808.828.8888 Website: <a href="http://www.koakea.com/dining-at-red-salt/">http://www.koakea.com/dining-at-red-salt/</a> Address: 2251 Poipu Road Koloa, Hawa…