It’s summer and the living is easy on Bowen, and there’s no better time to experience local delights. While it’s sad to see Nancy’s tacos leave, Mitsumi Kawai’s rice bowls are a wonderful replacement.
Mitsumi and her partner Rob Leadley, the owners and operators of Shika, have been on Bowen for a year and a half and say they are happy to bring something a little different to the food offerings on the island, and so far are pleased to have had such a positive response by local diners.
As a vegetarian I waited until I had friends coming to Bowen, so I could order the three main dishes. On a lovely warm Friday at lunchtime Mitzumi arranged our orders artistically in little brown boxesl. My friend who had the tuna bowl raved about it, saying she found it to be reminiscent of Hawaiian Poke and noting the fresh-diced cucumber with its lovely vinaigrette. My other friend ordered the taco bowl with pulled pork, and described it as sweetly tender with no fat. My veggie rice bowl was also really good with a delicious cilantro pesto.
We topped this meal off with little gluten free mochi balls and left with ice cream cones. I chose the oh-so Japanese ice cream flavour: green tea.
Shika was the perfect place to bring friends from the mainland and they enjoyed just sitting on the pier looking out over the water and watching the boats. We came away very satisfied and coordinated hopping on the bus (it was the anniversary free day) and rode to Cates Bay Beach to loll in the sun. For all of us it was the perfect day out on Bowen.
Shika is open Thurs through Saturday from ll am to 8pm. Sunday and Monday ll am to 6 pm and is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.
