When residents and guests step into The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa in Koloa, they are transcended into a world of elegant service. And as they explore the hotel’s settings, they will find another treasure for their eyes, ears
When residents and guests step into The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa in Koloa, they are transcended into a world of elegant service. And as they explore the hotel’s settings, they will find another treasure for their eyes, ears and taste buds at the hotel’s restaurant, Stevenson’s Library.
“It’s just a great gathering place,” said Diann Hartman, director of public relations. “It’s different from most other bars you’ll find on the island.”
Originally established as a gentlemen’s bar, Stevenson’s Library features a sophisticated atmosphere with historic art and books as its theme follows in the footsteps of Robert Louis Stevenson’s travels.
Guests relax in comfortable cushions and chairs along book-lined walls or enjoy a Hawaiian sunset as they sit along the restaurant’s cool terrace.
For visitors looking to satisfy their taste buds, cool sushi cuisine awaits from the restaurant’s sushi bar, including rolls such as spicy tuna, rainbow and crunchy roll in addition shrimp tempura and sushi pizza.
Some of the restaurant’s other sushi dishes include sashimi such as ahi, hamachi and salmon in addition to the lobster dynamite, a Kona cold-water lobster snow crab with dynamite sauce, white onion and mushroom Hokkaido scallop.
Visitors are welcome to watch their dishes prepared right before their eyes through the hands of chef Jay Ledee, who loves being a part of Stevenson’s Library.
“I’m ecstatic. It’s a great opportunity,” Ledee said. “I have a million dollar view, great people to work with, the best staff on the island, the best bartenders on the island and the best sushi chefs on the island.”
The restaurant’s prices are reasonable as well with appetizers starting at $8 and main courses of sushi ranging from $9 to $26.
The restaurant has a 27-foot koa wood bar where customers wet their whistles with drinks from the refreshing sake, kubota hekijyu featuring the taste of nutmeg, pear and grape to local favorites like the Kona Longboard lager and the Fire Rock pale ale. A small television is located above the bar.
“I think we’re a space on island that offers the most variety of premium spirits of Cognac, Scotch, Bourbon, all the different spirits and we’re also adding on some sake and soju,” said beverage manager Michael Hutton. “The chefs put together a great saki menu and we’re also having some fun making some Asian inspired and local cocktails.”
For those seeking fun and entertainment, Stevenson’s Library features a dozen different games including pool, chess and backgammon in addition to live music featuring the sounds of Indie pop, Jazz and Hawaiian.
“Everybody that comes is just looking to have a good time,” Hartman said. “Live music, great food, great drinks, great staff, great bartenders.”
Stevenson’s Library is at 1571 Poipu Road, Koloa and is open from 5:30 until noon daily with the sushi bar opened nightly from 5:30 until 9:30 p.m. Live entertainment plays from 8 until 11 p.m. and minors are permitted from 6 until 9 p.m.
“It’s truly authentic hospitality that we serve here at the Hyatt,” Ledee said. “Everybody’s real.”
