The spirit of Aloha is alive and well in Silverdale.
Local residents now have a place to treat their palates to Hawaiian-style cooking with the recent opening of Aloha Kitchen in the Chuck E. Cheese plaza on Silverdale Way.
“We’re the only authentic Hawaiian-style restaurant in Kitsap County,” said co-owner Lori Ann LaFontaine. “We enjoy cooking, but we enjoy sharing it more.”
LaFontaine, along with her husband Kim and sons Clayton and Nick, opened the restaurant earlier this month. The family prides itself on the unique flavor of the islands.
“There’s no food like this; the closest is Tacoma,” Nick said. “The environment is different. We offer the spirit of Aloha and make everyone feel welcome. It’s more than lunch, it’s fun.”
The restaurant serves up ‘Aloha Plates’ in true island style ranging from kalua pork and grilled mahi mahi to huli huli-style chicken and teriyaki beef. The menu also includes ‘Island Classics’ like Loco Moco, shoyu chicken and Portuguese sausage, eggs and rice.
“The food is slow-roasted, slow-cooked, charbroiled, etc.,” Lori Ann said. “It takes a long time to prepare, but that’s how we get that flavor.”
The family is no stranger to entrepreneurship. They also own Tri-Star Installations on Anderson Hill Road. And it was Lori Ann’s event planning business, A Touch of Perfection, that paved the way for Aloha Kitchen.
“We’ve been in business for 30 years, we have the culinary background. I believe that’s ingredients for success.”
Clayton, who serves as the general manager of Aloha Kitchen, attended Washington State University and worked in the CUB kitchen on campus before working for Krispy Creme. He too is proud to offer Kitsap County authentic Hawaiian dishes.
“Everything we make is slow-cooked and homemade,” Clayton said. “Even our hot dogs are flown in from Hawaii.”
Lori Ann makes several “buying trips” to the islands throughout the year to ensure the restaurant uses only the most authentic ingredients. While true Hawaiian food is important, the family also wants to provide patrons with true island ambiance. A large mural depicting the palm trees and beaches Hawaii is revered for covers one of the walls as island music plays throughout the restaurant. Hawaiian gifts and goodies also are available for purchase and include Kona coffee, mugs, calendars and lunch bags.
“We really try to follow our motto: We enjoy sharing our home-cooked meals, but more important, ‘the spirit of Aloha,’” Lori Ann said.
