Il Lupino Trattoria & Wine Bar

A CLOSER LOOK AT THIS WEEK’S HOUSE SPECIAL: ACAI BOWL AND BELGIAN WAFFLE ($14 EACH)

When Wolfgang Zwiener set out to open up the Italian restaurant of his dreams — Il Lupino Trattoria & Wine Bar — the name for the eatery was an obvious choice. Il Lupino, which translates to Little Wolf in Italian, was the nickname that Zwiener received when traveling throughout Italy to pursue his passion for Italian cuisine.

The authentic Italian eatery showcases some of the founder’s favorite dishes with a hint of island inspiration, as well as an open kitchen, salumeria (Italian deli), a hefty wine list, and indoor and outdoor seating.

Caprese ($16) salad found on the lunch and dinner menu

With a goal to create the most satisfying dining experience for all guests, Il Lupino pulls all the stops for every meal of the day, including energizing lunch entrees, like Caprese salad ($16) with imported Italian burrata cheese, local tomatoes, basil and drizzles of balsamic glaze and extra virgin basil oil, and endless pasta options for dinner, such as Uni Pasta and Rigatoni alla Vodka.

But let’s not forget the most important meal of the day: breakfast. Whether you are on your vacation or locally here, you can always stop by Il Lupino to have a great start to your day, mentions general manager Heela Mottus.

From 8 to 11:30 a.m. (Monday to Friday), diners can enjoy a delightful spread of sweet and savory options, along with healthy starters and traditional breakfast fare. According to Mottus, a must-try item includes the Smoked Salmon Benedict with house-made hollandaise.

Belgian Beauty

Il Lupino’s handcrafted batter creates a savory Belgian Waffle that’s easy to share with others at the table, or, you can enjoy it all to yourself while sitting outside on the patio.

‘Berry’ Delightful

General manager Heela Mottus suggests starting your day with an Acai Bowl, a healthy dish that packs a high-energy punch, featuring an array of tropical flavors from the Amazon, where the acai berries are found to create the premium blend, and from our own islands with Anahola granola and drizzles of local honey.

Freckles of Fruit

Fresh bananas, strawberries and blueberries add pops of color to both dishes found on the eatery’s breakfast and brunch menu.

All ‘Whipped’ Up

A fluffy cloud of house-made whipped cream sits atop the waffle, along with a dusting of powdered sugar. Feel free to eat as is, or, for extra sweetness, pour on the maple syrup!