Announcer: Can't afford a trip to Hawaii this year? Don't fret, you can still enjoy the tastes and sounds of island life by taking a short hop to the Lanai Café in downtown Olympia. You can get your Kalua on any Monday through Saturday, but you can also swing to the grooves Friday and Saturdays as you dine to Hawaiian sounds.

Jason: This is a big space for a café nestled along Capital Way just down the breezeway from the Starbucks. Inside the kitchen is open concept with lots of tables on two levels, a stage for the weekend performers, and plenty of kitschy Hawaiian photos and a TV screen with video of a crystal blue water and white sand beach. Paradise!

Jake: They serve Hawaiian Sun! Anyone that has spent time on the islands have enjoyed popping open a can of these Hawaiian juices, including guava and passion fruit.  

Jason: On the appetizer menu, they feature the Hawaiian's answer to the quesadilla - they wrap cheese, mango salsa and Kalua pork inside a tortilla and heat - it's a perfect combination.

Jake: While deciding on my meal choice, I thoroughly enjoyed a plate of lumpia which was packed to the seams with seasoned ground beef and vegetables, then fried until golden and crispy. The side of sweet chili dipping sauce adds just the right balance to the dish.

Jason: Lanai is quickly gaining a reputation for their huge platter for two. While I was there, half the tables ordered this combo which includes fried rice, short ribs, Kalua pork, lumpia, macaroni salad, pineapple meatballs and more, for $29.99.

Jake: Many of the choices available are exactly what you would expect to feast on at nearly any beachside café in Hawaii. The Loco Moco is a staple on the islands with two hearty scoops of sticky rice, topped with two juicy burger patties, then topped with an abundance of brown gravy and finished off with two fried eggs. Lanai nailed the dish - I had to look outside to see where I was.

Jason: I give strong thumbs up to the chicken katsu - panko fried and served with an acidic barbecue sauce, the meat was tender, and the breading was light yet flavorful.

Jake: Clearly the hidden secret on the menu is the pineapple fried rice available with Spam, Kalua pork or Portuguese sausage. I couldn't pass up the Kalua pork which was piled high atop the sweet rice, and the combination of rich, sweet, and smokey is a perfect combination. As if that isn't enough, the generous helping of rice is loaded with vegetables as well.

Jason: My favorite was the Broke Da Mouth Chicken - a breast grilled and seared in juice with a sweet teriyaki glaze that didn't sting my teeth - well balanced with a charbroiled taste that worked nice with the white rice. Also a shout out to the Hawaiian meatballs with sweet and sour sauce!

Jake: If you somehow haven't managed to stuff yourself by the end of your meal, then I have two words for you: Shaved and Ice. Lanai serves it up just as you would receive it on the islands, with smooth fine crystals of ice drenched in your choice of fruity syrups. I went with Hawaiian Punch and POG.

Jason: I guess we liked this place. I look forward to returning on a Friday or Saturday night, 6:30 to 9 p.m. to hear island music.

LANAI CAFÉ, 514 Capitol Way S., Olympia, 360.584.9885, www.thelanaicafe.com