Kitchen Door Napa in Wai Kai Opens on West Oahu

Kitchen Door Napa is thoughtfully produced and presented by the trio of restaurant partners known for their hospitality and culinary expertise – Michelin-awarded Chef Todd Humphries, Maui-born restaurateur Richard Miyashiro, and partner Tim Seberson. The synergistic restaurant concept is housed in a two-story, 7,200-square-foot establishment at the heart of Wai Kai. The Plaza Grill, located on the upper Plaza Level, is a premier family-friendly destination that features both a contemporary restaurant and bar. Guests are welcomed into a modern, comfortable full-service dining room with remarkable lagoon views from the lanai, an inviting wrap-around bar with front-row seats to the open kitchen – and for special occasions, a private dining room ‘parlour’ for intimate gatherings and celebrations.

A spiral staircase leads to the lower level, past the Wine Room and into the Boardwalk Cafe – the second concept is complete with stunning views of gleaming waters and spacious boardwalk seating shaded by umbrellas. Dynamic with a choice of take-out or quick dine-in experience, it’s complemented by an all-day menu of eclectic yet traditional dishes prepared a la minute by classically trained chefs.

A beautiful setting with nods to Hawaii culture and an inviting atmosphere on both levels, Studio GOGA designed the interior and exterior of Kitchen Door Napa with a “destination-forward” aesthetic in mind, and the goal to balance form and function, integrating local landscape. The space features open floor plans with generous natural light and complementary tones and textures. As guests enter the dual-dining venue, they will be mesmerized by a feast for all the senses, fascinated by the warmth and energy of the experience, and enticed by the aroma directed straight from the kitchen.

Kitchen Door Napa presents a menu that’s sophisticated yet approachable. Catering to a broad-ranging set of appetites, the menu showcases the culinary techniques of the kitchen’s local and rising talents, who are under the mentorship of both Michelin-awarded chefs Todd Humphries and Joseph Rose. Whether guests are engaging in water activities or entertainment events – provided by our neighbours at The LineUp – or simply gathering with family and friends, the restaurant’s diverse cuisine is influenced by the active visitor in mind, reflecting on an assortment of local and seasonal ingredients and global flavours. Salads, wood-fired pizzas, Asian-inspired noodles, local seafood, steak, house-made desserts and a craft beverage program of spirits, beer, wine and sake are amongst the menu items guests can satisfy their cravings. Coming soon as a part of the dining adventure are crafted tastemaker events with celebrity guest chefs, wine tastings, and other exclusive culinary experiences.

Guests at Plaza Grill can choose from starters and shareable including Curried Deviled Eggs, Teriyaki Chicken Wings, Campechana Mexican Shrimp Cocktail and Tuna Tartare. Soup and salads include Cream of Mushroom Soup, Mixed Local Green Salad and Caesar Salad. Specially made for the pizza lover are Margherita, mushroom and pepperoni; or indulge in a freshly baked flatbread with duck liver mousse and house-made burrata. The restaurant boasts a variety of menu items from the red rotisserie and grill highlighting the “catch of the day,” including Ahi Steak Frites, Korean Style Short Ribs, Rotisserie Chicken, Grilled Kurobuta Pork Chop, New York steak and Grilled Cheeseburger. Guests can also enjoy global flavours in dishes such as Vietnamese ‘Bun Chay’ Lettuce Cups, Pappardelle Pasta and Shoyu Duck Ramen. Plaza Grill also offers menu items that are gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan. For those seeking a sweet finish to their meal, desserts such as Baked Hawaii, Matcha Green Tea Tiramisu, Affogato and Gelato grace the menu. Additional unique and savoury menu items include French Fries with Furikake Yuzu Kosho Aioli, Kimchi and Mushroom Fried Rice. The restaurant boasts a variety of beverage options, including a single-origin coffee program in collaboration with Kona Coffee Purveyors, Hawaii-grown loose-leaf teas from Tea Chest Hawaii, and a wide range of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic refreshments, not to mention a divine selection of wines by the bottle!

The Boardwalk Cafe menu explores classic breakfast dishes with a local touch. Dishes include Loco Moco, Acai Sunrise Bowl (gluten-free and vegan), Mochi Pancakes, Avocado Toast and Breakfast Banh Mi. Guests can choose from a diverse list of beverages such as sodas and juices, including Keiki Fresh Juice, Iced Ginger White Tea, and options from popular coffee brands Illy– Brewed Coffee, Nitro Cold Brew and Dammann Hot Tea. Guests 21 and up can enjoy Paradise Cider Guava Lava, Pauwela Pineapple Creamsicle Hard Kombucha, Pauwela Dragonfruit Kefir, Stiegl Grapefruit Radler, Bushido Junmai Daiginjo Sake and many more.

Opening week hours may vary. Plaza Grill is open Monday through Sunday, with the bar open from 2 pm–until closing; the Plaza Bar menu from 2:30-5pm; and dinner from 5pm until closing. Boardwalk Cafe is open Monday through Friday from 8am-2pm; and weekend breakfast is from 8-11am. For more information, visit www.kitchendoorwaikai.com or call (808) 404-9121.

Kitchen Door, originally located at the Oxbow Public Market, was co-founded in 2011 by Michelin-awarded Chef Todd Humphries, restaurateur Richard Miyashiro and managing partner Tim Seberson to deliver a menu that is always ingredient-driven, prepared by classically trained chefs celebrating eclectic flavours from around the globe. Since then, it has grown to become a beloved brand for its warm hospitality coupled with sophisticated cuisine bursting with flavours that showcase local and seasonal ingredients. In the summer of 2022, it relocated to First Street Napa. The same hospitality and level of cuisine that epicureans have come to expect of Kitchen Door Napa is carried over to the dual-concept restaurant at the heart of Wai Kai, the nine-acre development poised to become Oahu’s first-of-its-kind waterfront recreation and entertainment destination. Opened on March 25, 2023, the dual-concept features the signature restaurant, the Plaza Grill, on the upper level, while the casual counter-service concept, Boardwalk Cafe, is located on the ground level. For more information, visit www.kitchendoorwaikai.com.

This exciting waterfront recreation and entertainment destination opened on March 25, 2023, at Hoakalei Resort in Ewa Beach. The LineUp at Wai Kai serves as a dynamic social and activity hub featuring the Wai Kai Wave powered by citywave® along with stand-up paddling, kayaking and other water activities on the adjacent Wai Kai Lagoon. The dual-concept signature restaurant presented by Michelin-awarded Chef Todd Humphries of Kitchen Door Napa sits at the heart of the property with Plaza Grill and Boardwalk Cafe. Other dining venues at The LineUp include The LookOut Food & Drink offers a front-row view of the surf action and Foam Coffee & Bar. The upscale Nalo Kai Club Lounge is also available along with Sessions Lifestyle & Apparel. Events International has curated a robust schedule of engaging events and experiences for all ages across multiple onsite venues. For more information, visit: Wai Kai Experience and The LineUp.