Like a zen master tutoring a new pupil, the Blossoming Lotus (motto: "Bringing Peace to Life") gently but firmly sets aside every stereotype of a vegan restaurant. It's an airy, light-filled space in a two-story storefront in Kapa'a. The food is as brightly flavored as the decor, almost shocking in its ability to please a clientele that's 90 percent NOT vegan and delicious despite the lack of animal foods of any kind (or refined sweeteners or wheat flour). There's even a wine list. Chef-partner Mark Reinfeld, winner of the 2006 Platinum Carrot live food chef of the year award from the Aspen Center for Integral Health, can make a meat lover purr with seared tofu steeped in Morrocan spices and a chocoholic swoon with his ultra-rich Lotus Live Fudge, made with uprocessed cacao, agave nectar and coconut oil. The sole drawback here may be a penchant for kooky alliterative menu names like Super Shakti Spanakopita and Mahatma's Mung Dahl.

4504 Kukui St., Kapa'a. Restaurant: (808) 822-7678; Juice Bar and Bakery: (808) 823-6658. Lunch and Sunday brunch: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Happy Hour: 4-5:50 p.m. Dinner: 5:30-9 p.m. daily. Reservations recommended. VS, MC, AX, DS, JCB. No checks. $$.

Checks: Local checks and travelers’ checks only