I like pendants, but I do sometimes recommend that my clients not use them if the island is in very close proximity to another hanging fixture (e.g. a dining room chandelier) with which pendants might clash, or would make the overall lighting effect too 'busy.' Another consideration is whether hanging pendants might have an impact upon sightlines - e.g., toward a picture window or large-screen TV.

Otherwise, yes to pendants!

Dining rooms on is nowhere near the kitchen and TV is in family room. So I take your comment as a 'yes' to pendants :-).