Kailua Gets a Casual Outdoor Hangout in the Garden at Boardroom

Turkey and breakfast panini. Photo: Robbie Dingeman

The Garden at Boardroom opened in Kailua just as the weather is heating up. It feels like you’ve popped over to your chill neighbors’ backyard for coffee, light breakfast bites or a glass of wine—with or without keiki in tow.

We dropped in for the grand opening on Saturday and sampled most of the morning menu of toast and panini. Our favorites were straightforward and tasty: the O.G. avocado toast on sourdough topped with sprouts ($11) and the farmers market version which adds smoked salmon, cream cheese and capers ($14); the breakfast sandwich of egg, ham and melty cheese ($13); and the truffled egg toast ($12), whose comforting egg salad comes with added flair from aioli accented with truffle oil.

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For drinks, there’s organic coffee ($3.50 for 12 ounces, $4 for 16 ounces), espresso drinks and specialties including matcha latte ($6), bullet coffee ($6.50) and some hot adaptogen drinks ($8-$9) with add-ins of collagen and herbal supplements such as maca, reishi and ashwaganda.

You can also get a little bottle of prosecco ($12), wine by the glass ($11-$12) or bottle ($36-$39), draft beer ($8) or High Noon ($6).

Sourdough toast selections. Photo: Robbie Dingeman

The casual décor mixes with potted plants and some artificial turf-covered open space so little ones can roam about in a fenced area while the adults hang out. Grownups without kids can enjoy a casual bite and a beverage in the shade.

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The picnic-style concept comes from the husband-and-wife entrepreneurs behind The Boardroom and Treehouse Coworking spaces in Kailua and Kāhala: Keno Knierem and Dawn Hunt, parents of twin daughters. As the girls became more mobile, Knierem says they realized that other families might enjoy a casual spot next to the more upscale Boardroom next door, which serves dinner, cocktails and weekend brunch.

The Garden at Boardroom. Photo: Robbie Dingeman

The morning menu is available until 2 p.m., then an appetizer lineup begins that includes chicken wings, sliders, ceviche and wedge fries (prices are TBD). We tried some wings, bao buns, beets with goat cheese and smoked salmon bites.

While the Garden’s coffee and tea will be familiar for customers of The Solar Shack, the menu is new. Parking is available at nearby meters, but remember to bring quarters during the day except on Sundays.

Open Monday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., happy hour from 3 to 5 p.m. daily, 44 Kainehe St., @solarshackhi, sister bar/eatery @theboardroomkailua, theboardroomkailua.com