Casa di Amici

Description:

• Chef Randall Yates and his wife, Joanna, took over a free-standing wood-and-stone building in Poipu and turned it into a storybook restaurant with fairy lights, high ceilings, beveled glass, and a generous open deck where you can dine among palms and heliotropes. (There's live classical music Sat evenings 6:30-9:30pm on the baby grand piano.) It's worth seeking out: It's the third left turn past Brennecke's Beach, not more than 2 minutes from Poipu Beach Park, in an enclave of condos and vacation rentals.

  The memorable Italian food has strong Mediterranean and cross-cultural influences. You'll find organic greens from Kilauea, several risotto choices (quattro formaggio and smoked salmon are outstanding), black tiger prawns in orange saffron lobster sauce, and surprises, such as Thai lobster bisque and duck in a sun-dried cherry Chambord sauce. Among the nearly two dozen pasta selections is a classic fettuccine Alfredo for which Yates is deservedly famous. The set menu is Italian, but the specials showcase international influences, such as soy-sauce reductions, furikake (seaweed sprinkle), and assertive touches of jalapeño tequila aioli on salmon and grilled tiger prawns. This is flamboyant, joyful Italian fare. Plus you can order either light- or regular-size entrees, a policy I love.

• © Frommer's 2012

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Highly Recommended 2010