A brand spanking new eatery has surfaced in Kalaheo. Birdie’s, located at Kukuiolono Golf Course, serves up top-notch grinds that is accompanied with fine service and spectacular views of the ocean and mountains. Owner Ron Horoshko and Manager Chara Gross
A brand spanking new eatery has surfaced in Kalaheo. Birdie’s, located at Kukuiolono Golf Course, serves up top-notch grinds that is accompanied with fine service and spectacular views of the ocean and mountains.
Owner Ron Horoshko and Manager Chara Gross opened shop on Feb. 20, 2013. After extensive renovations, Birdie’s dramatically restored the former dilapidated clubhouse into a work of art.
“We reworked the entire place,” Gross said. “Ron painted the tables himself, we ripped out the carpet and we also display the art of Derek Glaskin all over the restaurant.”
All their hard work created an environment that is very eye-pleasing and eye-opening to anyone who frequented the former clubhouse at Kukuiolono.
The name “Birdie’s” is dedicated to the memory of Ron Horoshko’s friend and neighbor Ethan Shell, who lost his life at the age of 21. Shell portrayed the character of Conrad Birdie in the musical “Bye, Bye, Birdie.”
“The name Birdie matched well with the name of our restaurant as well as representing Ethan Shell,” Gross said. “Ethan and Ron were involved with Hawai‘i Children’s Theatre, so $10 goes off of all of our tips each day to support the Ethan Shell Memorial Scholarship that we award at the end of the year.”
The prices at Birdie’s matches the low price of the green fees at the golf course.
“For $25 golfers get to play a round of golf, get a beer and have breakfast or lunch,” Gross said. “That’s a great price to spend up here. It’s beautiful here and you can also watch the whales.”
After Gross gave me the skinny on Birdie’s, Chef David Cassidy topped off the interview and served up three delicious dishes. Cassidy, who learned to cook at 11 years old, attended culinary school in Mesa College in San Diego. He has been a sous chef and a head chef at various establishments before securing a spot at Birdie’s.
“The food here is awesome,” Cassidy said. “We try to do everything as fresh as possible. For one, we don’t have the space to freeze — we don’t have a microwave. We assemble everything to order. You’ll find a higher quality of food than what you’d expect with this little place.”
First on the menu was the Masters, $7.
“The Masters is a classic eggs Benedict: English muffin, grilled ham, two poached eggs on a hollandaise sauce and rosemary potatoes,” Cassidy said. “You also have the option of substituting the grilled ham for tomato and avocado.”
After the Masters, Cassidy focused his attention on a lunch item — The Mulligan Sistahs, $8:
“The Mulligan Sistahs is tossed salad with fresh shrimp, homemade soup and fresh sourdough bread.”
If soup isn’t to your liking, you can substitute it for an onolicious batch of chili.
The final dish was The Chip Shot (fish and chips), also priced at $8.
“We use local ono and house beer batter,” Cassidy said. “The beer batter is battered to order — not premade.”
Birdie’s serves breakfast and lunch daily. Breakfast is served from 7 a.m. to noon, and lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There are seven breakfast items priced at $7, and eight lunch items priced for $8. You got to love the symmetry and fair prices of its menu.
Available from 11 a.m to 5 p.m. is Birdie’s “Miniature Golfers” menu, a light fare of items such as grilled cheese, hot dogs, chicken nuggets and fruit and deli plates that are priced at $5 each.
Also available from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. is the pupu menu: wings, gourmet fries (a collection of four different types — garlic, chilli-cheese, putin and red-hot), teriyaki wraps and patty melt sliders all are marked at $7.
Give Birdie’s a try next time you’re in Kalaheo. You can’t beat the great views and onolicious grinds.
If you’re a dog owner, Birdie’s will have dog kennels to store your dogs starting in April. Bring man’s best friend along for a visit to Kukuiolono Park, too.
Birdie’s, located on 854 Puu Road at Kukuiolono Golf Course in Kalaheo, is open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call 634-4868.
