What's Cooking Maui?

October, 2008: What’s Cooking Maui launches by reporting Roy’s four course prix fixe menu for $40. Umalu had just opened to great fan fare and fire dancing, and Lahaina Grill was heralding unprecedented early bird specials.

Our very first newsletter in October, 2008, What’s Cooking Maui also trumpeted deals at Ruth’s Chris, Mala Wailea and Banyan Tree Ritz (the latter of which has since under gone a remodel but still offers 50% off Wine on Wednesdays and an unbelievable three-course gourmet meal for $55 between 5:30-6:30 pm).

We also reminded you to book a lunch time table at Class Act, Maui Culinary Academy’s training ground for the next great chef? WCM continues to remind readers of this gem in Wailuku since it’s a little off the radar and doesn’t advertise.

I`O, at 505 Front Street, was busy from the start creating dining specials for kama`aina and developing their now popular Wine Club.

Lulu's Has Made a Splash in Maui

Lulu’s Lahaina has been kicking up dust ever since WCM reported they had opened their doors in November, 2008. Like their signature drink, the Hawaiian Superman, Lulu’s has been doing a super job of hosting events popular with youthful kama`aina, such as hot bikini contests and CD Release parties.
Around that same time, Compadres dropped the ball only to be resurrected as Los Pelones only to be shuttered again a few months ago. WCM wishes all former owners and servers the best and hope someone comes along to brighten that dark corner in the Cannery real soon.

Just down the street at the Lahaina Center, Santa Fe Cantina has also closed recently. In one of our earliest editions we mentioned that: ( Santa Fe Cantina’s) location in the deep pocket of Lahaina Center where even the venerable Sam Choy’s went bust and the ill-fated (but ever promising) Zuihou bowed out before its prime… One can only hope the dead zone across from the movie theaters will produce a different ending for Santa Fe Cantina… We hoped, but we were right to be concerned unfortunately. In light of that, we’d like to see the entire Lahaina Center revitalized as a place where people actually came just to stroll and shop beyond Front Street.

At Lahaina Center, life seems to be better for those establishments located directly on Front Street – Ruth’s Chris, Hard Rock Cafe, Warren and Annabelle’s (which is always sold out no matter what’s going on beyond their magical doors) and David Paul’s Island Grill which is hanging in there, the result of the tireless marketing and great food.

One year ago I was religiously walking along Kaanapali’s beach walk every morning or evening (and I resolve to start that up again this year) and reported on many establishments lining that corridor. Longboard’s at the Marriott, Leilani’s, Hula Grill, Umalu, Tropica and Ono’s at the Westin included. Now we can now add Pailolo Sports Bar at the Kaanapali Ocean Resort, and Duke’s at Honua Kai to the list of oceanfront choices in Kaanapali.

Pulehu, An Italian Grill

Speaking of the KOR, Pulehu opened last year, making a huge splash with their Grand Opening Event which featured the 10 year anniversary of the Heavenly Bed. Guests witnessed said bed floating majestically in the koi ponds and an overwhelming response to the event, which featured drinks and pupus for only $20, $15 if you also brought a can for the Maui Food Bank. The unexpected turn-out (over 400 people) left the organizers scrambling for more food, servers, chefs and space! But what a lovely night it was, and what a delightful restaurant is Pulehu. WCM resolves to stop in more often in 2010 because it really is va bene.

Last February we reported on a Grand Opening Wine Tasting at Café Kapalua. Everyone loved that place but sadly, not enough people happened through the doors apparently, so it, too, has been shuttered for now. There are rumors of someone taking over soon. We shall see.

Although the beleaguered ML&P has just about everyone wringing their hands over the future, Kapalua’s restaurant scene (with the exception of the Kapalua Cafe)  is strong and healthy. Having awarded the old Bay Club restaurant to Peter Merriman was one of ML&P’s more excellent moves. Merriman’s Kapalua has developed into the jewel in the crown of Kapalua’s restaurant scene with its gorgeous location, stunning views, excellent cuisine, Werewolf Wine Tastings (also known as full moon fever!), and uber cool bar scene. If WCM would only grant me an expense account I’d be there every night. That is, when I wasn’t at Pineapple Grill, the Alaloa Lobby Bar at the Ritz, Sansei, Banyan Tree or Plantation House.

To help take the bite of the flagging economy, WCM has been posting Dining Deals of the Week. In February we also compiled a list of Happy Hour suggestions whereby we single-handedly banished all stigma or shame attached to nabbing a food deal on Maui. Or did the economy do that all on its own? In any case, we hope WCM has helped both patron and restaurateur weather the storm and never go hungry.

A big part of our reporting last year was centered around Maui Food Events. The number of Wine Tasting events alone seemed to have increased ten-fold last year, with everyone from Lahaina Coolers to Longboard’s getting in the Wine Dinner act by featuring vintages and food pairings from various vineyards. Our favorite latest entry is Tropica’s Chef Tables, hosted every other Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Westin Kaanapali. It’s the best wine dinner deal on the island at $59 for chef select food and wine.

One of the best of last year’s wine events had to be the Mollydooker presentation at Plantation House restaurant. Second place goes to Pineapple Grill’s fabulous Aipono Award dinner sponsored by Maui No Ka Oi and Better Brands (we can’t wait to participate in this year’s series as well!) with a close second the same event hosted a few months later at Lahaina Grill.

Chef Bev Gannon

Special Events were the most often reported features on What’s Cooking Maui this past year, with note given to Bev Gannon’s involvement with the Holiday Home Tour, and special food related events held at Five Palms, Café Marc Aurel, Merriman’s, as well as community wide events such as the Maui Film Festival, Wailea Restaurant Week, Kapalua Wine and Food Festival graced our pages. We look forward to the Second Annual Brewers Festival in 2010, following the overwhelming success of the First Annual, collaboration between various Hawaii Brewers and the Maui Arts and Cultural Center. We are also hoping to see the Second Annual Historical Progressive Dinner this year to support the Lahaina Restoration Foundation scholarship programs.

On the south side of Maui we reported on Stella Blue, Big Wave Café, 808 Deli, Café ala Plage, Café O Lei, and Matteo’s, who are all doing well with good food and a hearty local and visitor following. In Wailea, Five Palms, Sea Watch (now Gannon’s) and Duo and Ferraro’s at the Four Seasons all caught our attention throughout the year with $49 special dinner deals and other special events.

On the other coast in Pa`ia, we noted Mama’s Fish House, Jacques, Charlie’s, Café des Amis, and Flatbread Pizza all doing their usual best to satisfy devoted fans and patrons. In Wailuku, we reviewed Main Street Bisto and Café Marc Aurel’s, both of whom are regular supporters of First Fridays in Wailuku. The biggest news on the central Maui dining scene was the opening of Bistro Casanova in the old Manana Garage space.

Best of the New, 2009

Duke’s
Tia Juana’s
Bistro Casanova
David Paul’s Island Grill
Ono Gelato Lahaina
Paradise Found Lahaina
Gannon’s (Sea Watch)

We sadly bid adieu to the following in 2009…
Santa Fe Cantina
Los Pelones (formerly Compadres)
Chez Paul
Rusty Harpoon
Giovanni’s
Fish and Poi

Top Ten Restaurants in 2009:
To be announced in next edition! Stay tuned…meanwhile, feel free to weigh in on your favorites. We welcome comments!

Dine well, be hearty!!

WCM Staff