Surf & Turf Cafe opens at Kinipopo Shopping Village

John Mercagliano is sitting under an umbrella, looking over the menu of his latest creation, The Surf & Turf Cafe at Kinipopo Shopping Village on Kuhio Highway in Wailua.

The cafe’s name refers not only to the combination of seafood and meat dishes, but also because the new eatery is near the ocean and has a garden setting at the center as well, he said.

“Kinipopo” means “ball,” or “to play ball,” and Mercagliano pointed out that the mixed local vernacular sometimes goes “on the kinipopo,” or “on the ball.”

Mercagliano seems sharp as well, showing an ability to adapt to his surroundings, too, and has made some interior improvements to the facilities.

“We even hired a local artist to redesign the interior with murals depicting the Wailua coastline, as well as blending the cafe to the garden setting outside,” he said.

Originally from the Chesapeake Bay area in Maryland, Mercagliano has put together a menu combining tastes from around the country as well as local favorites.

A variety of sandwiches and platters are available, from the east and west. On the menu, a Philly cheese steak sandwiches easily shares billing with kalua-style pork, Rueben sandwich, Maryland-style crab cakes, and southwestern-style meatloaf.

Shrimp, oysters, grilled fish and fish and chips are among the surf offerings, while 1/3-pound burgers, roast beef, turkey, corned beef and ham are some of the turf sandwiches.

All sandwiches are served with pickles and pickled pepper. Sides include rice, fries, macaroni salad and coleslaw. Fresh green salads and vegetarian sandwiches are also offered.

The new restaurant is open seven days a week, from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Inside and outside dining are offered, as well as take-out abilities. Please call 822-0560 for more information.