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Best place for Christmas brunch in south Maui?

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:47:05 GMT

Hi all - My husband and I are taking our parents to Maui for Christmas. We're staying in south Maui. I am wondering where the best bet would be for brunch on Christmas day? I was initially thinking one of the big Wailea hotels, but am certainly open to other suggestions. I've been to regular brunch at the Kai Lani and wasn't blown away. I was assuming that the Four Seasons might be the best, but given that I realize that it will be a big bill no matter where we go i thought that I'd check in here to see if anyone had any recommendations. Thank you!

Best of Anchorage, Alaska

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 03:53:04 GMT

I found this restaurant on board on Chowhound and I have to say THANK YOU! I would have never found it on my own as it is not in the touristy area. The fish was very fresh and well prepared. One of the best sushi meals I have ever had. Low-key place, nice staff. We ordered many items and all were good. Of course, local salmon was the best even though I had been eating salmon and halibut for the last few days at every lunch and dinner. I highly recommend this place.

Best Spam Musubi on Oahu

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:34:18 GMT

only one scoop?????? heresy. burn them at the stake

rainbow drive-in... on vacation?

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:25:54 GMT

mahalo'z bradda geo (its not like I NEED rainbow's two days before thanksgiving....lol)

Chocolate in Hawaii

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:47:29 GMT

Malie Kai is the brand sold at the Oahu/KCC farmers market.

In Waikiki now need recs for great spots Kauia as well

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:14:20 GMT

Search this board.... Waikiki http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/638094 Kauai http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/533702

Haili's in Kapahulu

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:30:41 GMT

Haili's, a long time favorite for Hawaiian Food down at the old Ward Farmer's Market has opened in Kapahulu. I don't know if that means they are closing or have closed at Ward. It is about a block or two mauka of Ono's, on Kapahulu at Winam. Haven't been, don't know anything else, just saw it while driving down Kapahulu today.

Oahu Rest. Week is happening! Which will you take advantage of, if any?

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:59:20 GMT

I thought two scoops of rice made anything "island"! Thanks for the report. I love Hank's and would have loved to have tried this. Ooh, you guys are so lucky you live Hawaii!

Anniversary dinner on the Big Island

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:34:57 GMT

I think Meriman's is a beautiful room and the best Big Island food, although you won't see any romantic sunsets from there. Have eaten brunch at the Mauba Kea, but not dinner at Monette's. Have had great meals at the Canoe House at the Mauna Lani,and the atmosphere there is beautiful....I think better than the Mauna Kea.

"Town" 3435 Waialae Ave., Honolulu, HI 96816

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:55:04 GMT

Responsibility begins with the place of business. Seems a complaint was made at the time of service and the waiter/waitress did not follow through.

where to eat in oahu?

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:39:57 GMT

I would assume that all branches of Poke Stop have them, but we get them in Waipahu. Slivers of Japanese eggplant lightly breaded and deep fried. When freshly prepared, they are delish, and healthier than french fries. Not worth eating when cold though.

Heading to Kauai in a couple weeks... any recommendations???

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:13:30 GMT

Postcards was very good when i was there (sigh!) two years ago. I enjoyed the Dolphin as well...both are in Hanalei.

Waikiki - "Easy Going" New Year's Eve

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 04:13:08 GMT

Going back some decades, my tennis doubles partner was 2nd generation Chinese. His famil owned several restauratnts in New Orleans, so we were gusts at every celebration. The cordite was always heavy in the air, and we even got to do the dragon-dance at many, though we were out of "the family." In my advanced age, I want a great meal, and then a warm, quite bed. Last trip to Maui, we scheduled things so as to NOT coincide with Halloween in Lahaina. We've done Mardi Gras many times, and do not need to try and recreate that. Those are the reasons that I ceased onto your comments. Now, if the OP is younger than I am, and most are, celebrations will be different. Been there - done that is my reply. Good tips! Mahalo and much aloha, Hunt

Maui Restaurant Help for November '09 Visit

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 03:44:24 GMT

No. Thank you for the time to post these reviews. They will help others in the future. We're with you on Wailia. We have never stayed, though we have traveled there. Like Mama's and Bev Gannon's, lunch is good, but dinner is great. Also, places like Joe's and Spago are not open for lucnch, so one must stay to do dinner. We'll be there on the next trip too. Aloha, Hunt

Dining On Maui [Very Long]

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 03:23:53 GMT

Based on recs. from my earlier comments to the staff at Mama's, we stayed there, at the Inn at Mama's, even though we had free nights at the Residences at the Ritz-Carlton. I am not sorry. The two spots are worlds apart, but each was great. We wanted to stay on the Paia side, and made our decision. Mama's was 20 steps away, and Bev's was but a few miles down the road. We could not have been more pleased, especially as we'd never been able to do dinner at either, considering the drive back. I do not recall the full details of the various cottages at Mama's, but we had the beachfront cottage, Ono (closest to the restaurant), and loved it. In consideration, it was worth the $, and given the same circumstances, we'd do it again, even with more free nights at the Ritz. Reviews to follow tomorrow, if I can get it all together. Hunt

Heading to Maui - Reports to Follow

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 03:17:52 GMT

"Maybe a ahi benedict with a bloody mary is what you needed to outscore the lovely wife!" At this point, we'll never know! Still, with my other rounds, these two got my attention. I cannot blame it on wine the nights before, and must bear the full responsibilities myself. OK, early tee-times and a ton of travel just to start this trip, but no excuse - my wife was on each of those other flights with me. It was just a lack of concentration, when things counted. If one drives two par 4 greens and walks off with par, something is wrong. Still, the food was really good, but surprisingly nothing was great. Tomorrow, I should start getting the review up on CH. Maybe we could do a CH tournament at Kapalua, but I would need 4 shots per side... Hunt

So much food and so little stomach! Loong report on Honolulu/Oahu

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 04:45:58 GMT

Mahalo for the comprehensive reports. Some were new to me, but not lost on me. We are avowed AW fans, and we always appreciate any review of his fare. In all of the years, since he opened, we have only missed him on one trip, and it took major illness to do that. We've done the cab from HNL to King St, when not really on O`ahu, except to connect from inter-island to the mainland. That's how much we love it. Hunt

Dining in Maui Week of Nov. 8th 2009

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 04:27:09 GMT

"We did, however, like the tiny buttery rolls. I wasn't a fan of the avocado butter, but hubby thought it was okay" Upon deep reflection, we thought that these, plus the avacado butter, were the highlights of the meal. Hunt

best steaks in Oahu

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 04:18:23 GMT

You are probably correct. I have just not experienced any beef on O`ahu, that I would tout. It's probably there, but has escaped me in favor of some wonderful "island" fish prep. In AZ, some of the mesquite (think kiawe) grilled steaks have been great. I cannot imagine that a grass-fed Big Island filet over kiawe would not be wonderful, if done properly. Hunt

MAUI--ARE THERE ANY GOOD CHINESE RESTAURANTS?

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 02:18:14 GMT

Really, it is a shame to miss out on Maui's spectacular restaurants, looking for Chinese food! The best chefs in the world go to Maui to perfect their craft, and the freshest, most unique seafood varieties are there -- don't miss it!

Cane and Taro on Maui

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:58:53 GMT

You're very welcome, Cookiefiend. Also, just noticed a couple of typos in my original post. Meant to say "kompachi," not "komachi" and "Sensei," not "Sansei."

Non-restaurant foodie fun in Honolulu and Kauai?

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:21:50 GMT

Try the sunshine markets in Kauai for fresh local vegetables, fruit, and herbs. It's food shopping as contact sport! Here is the url for the schedule (I haven't figured out how to add links) http://www.kauai.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=214

Billings - New place in old Mamacita's location?

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:40:01 GMT

Found it - www.cafedecamp. Yummy. Perfect small space and well thought-out menu.

Daytrip to Kauai-Need your best recs

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:50:22 GMT

Actually stopped at Hamura's last visit-I always refer to it as amura's cause the "H" fell off the sign. Keep your recs coming!! Mahalo

Best Chinese Restaurant in Honolulu Chinatown?

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:49:42 GMT

<> Funny you should mention that.....

oysters in oahu

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 18:30:25 GMT

I would go to Don Quixote (market) and buy them from the fresh fish case. They are on the half shell from New Zealand and already "popped" so you don't need to shuck them, just lift off the top shell. They will be the best oysters you can have on Oahu. Approx $12- doz instead of 30- a doz in a good restaurant. aloha

Grocery Stores in Kihei/Wailea area - any recommendations?

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 02:22:32 GMT

Can anyone recommend the best grocery store in this area?

Dining Recommendations in Kaimuki (Honolulu)

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:29:05 GMT

Decided to follow up and call and spoke with the Gen. Mgr. who encouraged me to email my less than stellar dining experience details - I am glad to say that there was a response inviting us back to dine again on the house. This says a lot about the establishment.

Nice Menu, Dirty Walls

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:14:48 GMT

Food was good, all kinds to choose, my 2nd visit there in a couple of years, thought I'd check it out again, I wasn't impressed the first time, this place does offers extensive items, most good, BUT the place is tired, dirty walls, can't be helped by new photos of celebrities, mixed crowd, locals, mainlanders. can get loud, not a large place, parking is either valet or street

Maui/Kauai cheap-but-good eats & can't-misses for 2-week honeymoon!

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:00:01 GMT

aloha.. I'm sure they were delicous but for $18 bucks, for 6 pieces, just wasn't going to do it.. the wait staff from Stevenson's Library sent to my room this huge basket of Hawaiian goodies along with champagne that was big $$ and in retrospect, I should of broke down and spent that $18 on sushi...great people that work there!

Oahu - Hale'iwa shrimp truck

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:51:48 GMT

Hey, I know your post is from quite some time ago, but i'd love the recipe if you get this! cchrone2@gmail.com Thanks!

pickled green mango--Honolulu or Oahu??

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:50:51 GMT

thanks to both of you! I think I'll give both places a try, even thought it's out of season.

Where can I buy Azeka's ribs on Maui?

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 03:18:41 GMT

Try this, I guarantee you won't be disappointed. http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/522330

Anchorage - can I find fish packed to take home?

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:52:29 GMT

New Sagaya is a great place. We'd ordered & paid for a few pounds of frozen crablegs a week before we'd be leaving Alaska, as we were going to Nome & Seward & weren't going to be back in Anchorage with much time to stand in line (please don't mis-read that. The lines are short but we didn't know that in advance). When we picked up our order the guy looked at what we'd paid a week earlier, said it was on sale today, & promptly wrapped up more for us so we essentially paid the lower sales price. Amazing. & the crablegs were too. Cheers!

Honolulu/Oahu--udon and/or soba joint?

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 23:19:24 GMT

yeah, definitely the "goma dare" @ Matsugen in Waikiki. They validate parking for dinner, but not lunch. Don't go if you have a buckwheat allergy...they grind the flour in the dining room. http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Oct/12/en/hawaii710120303.html

Japanese Favorites on Oahu

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 07:22:41 GMT

TOKKURI-TEI .....in Kapahulu! Yes to this place, one of my favorites, variety and freshness!

The Pineapple Room

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:40:31 GMT

I was out of town but they just had a benefit that was also to show off the newly redone decor service was never a problem in my case. I do like the food. I am thankful they've redone the menu covers it was so icky touching them and holding them to read ;-(

Hilo Vacation help

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 04:22:13 GMT

Mahalo for the Hilo report! All too often, folk miss Hilo completely, and I am glad to see people seeking it out, and also someone to write about it. Pahoa Town is not to be missed, but I doubt that the places that I dined at are still there - same for much of the dining scene in Hilo. Again, a mahalo nui, Hunt

Waialee, HI

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 01:18:05 GMT

Hi,We're going to a wedding in Haleiwa...staying a few miles away in Waialua...seeking restaurants and groceries as we will have a full kitchen and like to cook. Any suggestions appreciated! Is the Turtle Bay Resort a good breakfast option?

Poke Stop-Hamachi

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:09:01 GMT

Poke Stop is excellent. I had them cater my birthday party and they did the most amazing job. The food was great and chef Elmer and his crew couldn't have been more flexible in what they did, we even had "action stations." Their eggplant fries are really good as well. Oh, you'll be seeing much more of them as Guy Fieri filmed for "Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives" there this past Monday.

my Hilo list, please critique

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:28:36 GMT

I live in Hilo and I am a food writer who has lived in Chicago and San Francisco. Our food scene is not quite up to the standards of either of those cities, but there are some good places. In general I advise people to get a vacation rental and go to the farmer's markets, making at least some of your meals with our fantastic local produce, fresh caught Ahi and grass fed beef. Kuhio Grille or their sister restaurant, Encore are the place to go for Lau Lau. I agree with the Punalu'u Bake Shop, even their hot dog buns are the bomb! Great Malasadas are available at the Hilo Farmer's Market on Wed. and Saturday. You are right on about the shave ice @ Itsu's and Kawate Seed Shop. There is also a good one next to the Hilo Farmer's Market. I would nix a few places on your list though and remember that Pahoa actually has some good restaurants too. In Pahoa: One of my favorite restaurants on the whole island is Kaleo's ! Paolos Bistro is good Fresh pasta, Ning's Thai and Sukithai are both decent Thai restaurants. STAY away from Luquins even if you are craving a margarita. Black Rock has good burgers and even better Bloody Mary's. We like to eat lunch in the bar and chat with the owner who also moved here from Chicago. Forget Maui Tacos, it is in the mall... not worth doing Ocean Sushi has good sushi, but the atmosphere lacks and it is dirty, not what I want for a sushi restaurant. Foodland makes excellent Poke and there is a stand on the highway near the Hilo Airport called Poke your way, that makes custom Poke for you while you wait. Nings? Never been there, and I thought I had been to every Thai restaurant in Hilo! Sombats is not my favorite either. My personal favorite is across from the East Hawaiian Cultural Center, New Chang Mai is the best. Also hard to find, but ever so delicious is the Garden Snack Club. All fresh, local produce used to make Thai Inspired dishes. Huge portions, BYOB and slow service. Hilo Bay Cafe is awesome. REALLY Great food, good service and a very yucky location. It is in the Walmart Shopping center. Expect to pay $$$, but worth every bite. Ken'sPancake House is an icon. It is decent food available 24/7. BIG portions. The same owners have a great steak house called Ponds Hilo on the ice pond. Nice views of the water and really excellent service. Kind of pricey, but very good. Cafe Pesto downtown is great food, mostly local and fresh and a bit pricey. Good lunch spot by the farmer's market. Craving good Cali Mexican food or a margarita? I really like Ruben's next to the Hilo Farmer's Market. Miwa is not one of my favorites. Instead I suggest Miyo's and reserve a window table. You will be over looking the Hilo Lagoon... lovely. Prices are quite fair and this is a place that mostly only people who live here know about. Great Japanese food, but this is not a sushi restaurant. Tsunami is no longer in business. What's Shakin' is a great place for a fresh local smoothie (not cheap, but wonderful) and it is on the scenic drive double score! Merriman's is awesome. Another one of my favorite island restaurants. Not open for lunch on weekends though. Same goes for another Waimea favorite, Daniel Thiebaut. Both are a little on the high end price and foodwise. Both are dedicated to serving local produce, fish and meats. Have a great trip and you can contact me through my blog, myhawaiianhome.blogspot.com if you have any questions.

Evaluate my Boise itinerary

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:02:01 GMT

They are considering Sugarhouse, downtown, or near the University of Utah. All I know for sure is that it's going to be in salt lake proper, not sandy or draper or taylorsville or what have you. They still have a long way to go. Ownership drive just kicked off: http://www.wasatchcoop.com/.

Vegetarian in Hawaii (Oahu, Big Island, Maui)

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:52:41 GMT

wow, sorry to hear that. town usually gets very good reviews in here, and I have always had good experiences there. i do have to admit that the service is a bit more relaxed than it might be, but usually more on the slow than inattentive side.

Early Breakfast in Honolulu?

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 03:34:18 GMT

hmm, coconut-pineapple pancakes sound REALLY good! Do they have mango or guava pancakes?

Shave Ice on Maui

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:26:19 GMT

best shave ice in maui is surfing bean shave ice in south kihei road (kihei market place) next to the 76 gas

Hawaii Great find on Oahu (Pearl City) -- IchiBen

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 23:18:11 GMT

IchiBen, tucked in a little strip mall in Pearl City, was fantastic in every way. We saw the sign and peaked in -- we thought it was counter service because of the location and it looked small but No. They have full sit-down service. Our waitress was great -- patient and attentive, answering questions and making superb recommendations. She suggested the Kalbi main dish, and it was a generous serving of incredibly flavorful beef. It was open flamed grilled, a great cut -- very tender. Chicken was very good as well. If you can't make up your mind, they have a combo plate. Side dishes made the delicious meal complete --especially the wonderful slightly sweet tasting "pickled" veggies. We also ordered IchiRice to share -- huge portion and flavorful and "fresh." Tons of food -- fantastic quality and inexpensive. To top off the fabulous food experience - we had the delightful pleasure of meeting one of the owners, Francis. Nice guy. Check it out ..... off of Kam Highway (99) on Ka'ahumanu St

Butcher in Honolulu

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 22:17:33 GMT

Have seen North Shore cattle company at local farmers' markets, including Kailua, but they aren't the only local source. A rancher on Molokai offers package deals, but only contact I knowf is through Slow Food Oahu.

Maui restaurant suggestions for a local

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 03:35:51 GMT

Where, on Maui, are you staying? Though smaller than the Island of Hawai`i (Big Island), there can be some major drives, all things considered. Last Dec., I did a trip review, basically of the West Maui area, but there were exceptions. Reviews: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/598400 Hope something helps you. Aloha, Hunt

legends on a saturday night

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 01:03:25 GMT

no, i didn't want to chance it. ended up going to little village.

Christmas In Kauai

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:17:17 GMT

Yes all Merriman's are owned by Peter Merriman Almost all major restaurants are open both Christmas Eve and Christmas day (Keoki's, PGs, Beach House...etc etc). This is the high season for hotels, so tourist focused restaurants would be foolish to close.