PRINCEVILLE — Red hibiscus glass doors hint of the “quiet elegance” that greets patrons as they enter the new Kaua‘i Grill restaurant at the St. Regis Princeville Resort, said WATG Vice President and Director of Interiors Rhonda Rasmussen. Rich, warm
PRINCEVILLE — Red hibiscus glass doors hint of the “quiet elegance” that greets patrons as they enter the new Kaua‘i Grill restaurant at the St. Regis Princeville Resort, said WATG Vice President and Director of Interiors Rhonda Rasmussen.
Rich, warm colors have transformed the former La Cascata Mediterranean-style restaurant to something which “feels more like Hawai‘i … relaxed, but still luxurious,” said Rasmussen, who used the same approach to design the entire resort.
“The room is much nicer,” said Mike Dennis, one of the 23 staff members who recently returned to work at the restaurant more than a year after the Princeville Resort closed for renovations. “We are very happy to be back.”
Serving the international cuisine of world-renowned Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, the dining establishment, which opened Nov. 13, has already received rave reviews, said St. Regis Princeville Resort General Manager Milton Sgarbi.
“He is a chef that cooks what people want to eat,” he said of Vongerichten at a private reception for the restaurant Thursday evening.
Hanalei Dolphin Restaurant owners Beatrice and Douglas Allen agreed.
“We just couldn’t wait to try it out,” Douglas Allen said. “We love his food.”
It is a great place to “go for a treat,” Beatrice Allen said. “It’s like an urban fix.”
The couple also touted St. Regis’ efforts to support locally owned businesses.
Not only have resort guests been encouraged to shop and dine at North Shore establishments, St. Regis has also been incorporating food from local businesses at their restaurants, including her own Tahitian Goddess fruit preserves, Beatrice Allen said.
“I’m thrilled about the opening of Kaua‘i Grill and its menu, brimming with ingredients of the tropical region and flavors of the local cuisine,” Vongerichten said in a press release. “Working with local fisherman and organic farmers, Kaua‘i Grill plans to offer a world-class dining experience highlighting the best of what Hawai‘i has to offer.”
Vongerichten has been personally training Chef Colin Hazama from Honolulu for the past eight weeks in his restaurants across New York City, said St. Regis Princeville Resort Director of Public Relations Stephanie Kaluahine Reid.
When asked if the restaurant would appeal to kama‘aina, Reid said Kaua‘i Grill is accommodating for special occasions or a “lovely dinner out.” Entrees range from $24 to $45.
Since the resort re-opened in October, she said the occupancy rate has been “much higher than expected.”
While exact figures were unavailable, Reid said they are “just happy that we are seeing guests returning” as they head into the holiday season.
