The Maui News had an item that the popular Sensei restaurant, with locations in Kapalua and Honolulu's restaurant Row, will open another location in Kihei,Maui in the former Chuck's Steakhouse location.

My spies tell me that the newest addition to the Shops at Wailea, "Cheesburgers, Mai Tais and Rock and Roll", is doing great business in the casual restaurant/live music genre...I'm sure it's a great addition to the Wailea scene. I will check it out over Labor Day. It is owned by the same people that have "Cheeseburgers in Paradise" in Lahaina and Waikiki but they have now been restrained by Jimmy Buffet and the courts from using that name on any additional venues as it was determined that Buffet owns the rights to that name.

I will stick with Joe's, the 2 fine restaurants at the Maui Prince, the Botero Lounge at the Grand Wailea for the cocktails and its great fruit-n-cheese-n-crackers nibblees (they still have not re-added the advertised lavish), the Maui Onion for luncheon etc. Hopefully I dont have to do hamburgers (either in Paradise or not in Paradise). Longhis Wailea is still not up to the Lahaina quality level yet (except for price) but I am certain it soon will be.

If you give a nice glowing report I promise to "do" a hamburger there though.

BTW, A Pacific Cafe, Kihei is in Chapt 11 presumably to protect its liquor license. Is it still open? If not, whatta sad loss.

MisterNice

MisterNice-

I agree with you about the Wailea Longhi's although I continue to have high hopes that it will improve...it does have an excellent(athough expensive)wine list.

Joe's is probably one of the most underated restaurants on the South side. I tend to go there when it's late and I'm hungry and then just eat at the bar.

The last time I was in a Pacific Cafe was in late July, the fish was still as good as ever and my favorite waitress said then that Chef Joslin's lawyer had taken over the place.

I did notice alot of former Pacific Cafe employees working at the Kihei Roy's, which btw, seems to have improved greatly from when it first opened in March.

Just an update on the upcoming Sensei restaurant in Kihei, it is now scheduled to open in "Spring 2002". Tom Selman (formerly with David Pauls) has signed on as chef.

Merriman's Bamboo Bistro (Maalea)is now a thing of the past, It is now called "Maalea Grill" and has been taken over by the owners of the Cafe O'Lei restaurant(Wailuku).

The Avalon location in Lahaina will finally be taken over by a new restaurant called "Cafe Savauge" by Chef Dean Louie (who recently moved to Maui from Guam). No word yet as to the type of cuisine to be served-French/Guam fusion cuisine?

[This message has been edited by Leisuremiles (edited 11-13-2001).]

Merrimans BB closed Oct 28. I think A Pacific Cafe in Kihei is closed but not positive (I liked it). So many restaurants closing and opening in Maui, especially in the Wailea and Kihei area.

Two nice places I have been to in the past 10 days. Dinner at the Wailea Golf Club between the Kea Lani and Prince Hotels but on the Haleakala side of the road. Lovely sunset views and food for 1/2 of the cost and bother of the nearby row of hotel restaurants. Better lovely views too as it is higher in elevation and sited in darker surroundings. I had no problem obtaining cutting-edge tables w/o reservations but call if you desire.

The nicest deal on the whole island is luncheon at Longhi's in the Shops at Wailea. I had at least full 2 lb of 5* Fettuccine Linguini (ie with lovely peas and prochutti) for 11 dolla. You can get the far lesser-healthy Fettuccine Alfredo for only 10 dolla. My nice delightful friend had a chicken Caesar salad and an appy for 12 dolla. What a nice deal and a nice oceanside table too. IMHO forget the hyped hamburger joints.

The nearby also upstairs ultra-priced shops of Fendi, Mizu, Cartier, Tiffany etc have mucho dark-dressed help and absolutely zero customers. You better buy something before they go belly-up. You have been warned!

MisterNice

FYI-Joe's is currently giving a 2 for 1 entree deal at least through the remainder of November. This is for anyone-no Hawaii identification required.

For those not familiar, the Wailea Golf clubhouse restaurant mentioned above is Seawatch and I concur with MisterNice it is a great place for sunset dining although this time of year that is really quite early in the evening(about 6pm).

Pacific Cafe Kihei is definitely closed, but I've been unable to get any additional information, the phone has been disconnected, I'm not sure of the status of the Pacific Cafes on the other islands.

[This message has been edited by Leisuremiles (edited 11-13-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Leisuremiles (edited 11-15-2001).]

Leisuremiles...... I just remembered. I called Joes to get the 2/1 deal and 600 PM reservations on a Wednesday (I believe it was a Wed) but the recording said they were closed that night so we went on to PLAN 2.

Also Manana Garage in Wailuku has a nice 50% off entrees on many weekday nights. It is definately inland, busy, loud and not-too-romantic but they have some great dishes (on big plates and also sitting on the bar stools).

MisterNice

Just read that Willie Nelson has broken ground for his new restaurant in Paia(he spends a good portion of the year at his home in nearby Sprecklesville). I seem to remember hearing it was to be a BBQ/Southern style restaurant and bar.

I just read in the Maui News that Chef David Paul Johnson, who sold the restaurant still bearing his name in Lahaina last year, will be the "guest" chef at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua's Anuenue Room through January 5 which coincides with the Mercedes Golf Championship that ends January 6.

The Ritz also has a new chef at their Banyan Tree restaurant, Robert Ciborowski, who comes to the Ritz from the famed French Laundry restaurant in Napa Valley and was a protege of UberChef Thomas Keller.

More Ritz-Carlton News...according to the Honolulu Magazine, The Ritz Carlton's fine dining restaurant,the Anuenue Room is temporarily closed and noone will say whether ot will reopen as the Anuenue (Rainbow in Hawaiian)or some other name, rumor also has it that the Ritz may bring in a "celebrity chef" a la the Four Season's with it's recent addition of Spago.

Update on Kihei Sensei, with major renovations now nearly completed, it is now scheduled to open April 1,2002. The restaurant is located in the Foodland Center mall in Kihei.

Roy's in Kihei (Piilani Plaza) is open for DINNER 7 days a week. Unfortunately it is CLOSED for LUNCH etc.

MisterNice

[This message has been edited by MisterNice (edited 05-11-2002).]

Any reviews of the new Spago? We've found not all Wolfgang Puck restaurants have the same high quality as others - e.g., Postrio in SF was a disappointment as was Chinois in Las Vegas. On the other hand Spago in the Forum SHops in Caesars and the Wolfgang Puck Cafe in the MGM Grand were outstanding.

Joe's Bar and Grill in Wailea has 1/2 priced entrees if ORDERED between 530-630 PM. The Hailmalle General Store restaurant (I love their nice food) has 1/2 priced entrees on MONDAYS ONLY if you bring a non-perishable food item donation for the Maui Food BankA.

MisterNice

....dup..... (too many Mai Tai's)



[This message has been edited by MisterNice (edited 05-11-2002).]

......dup......

JerryFF- Spago at the Four Seasons has excellent food/Service but is easily the most expensive restaurant on Maui. This Spago has a seafood emphasis and inexplicably does not carry their signature pizzas. It is also probably the most spectacular looking restaurant in Maui and has great ocean views (till the nightime darkness overtakes) What really anoyed me was after dinner I ordered a (very small) Double Espresso and when the bill came it was $7.50! (even at Starbucks,$7.50 will buy me espressos for most of the week).

[This message has been edited by Leisuremiles (edited 05-28-2002).]

I just saw an item in the Maui News that Joe's Bar and Grill is considering a name a name change to "Gannon's"...apparently too many visitors get the impression that it's only a burger joint from the name and refuse to book reservations.

New restaurant gossip!

Word is that Chai Chaowasaree, Chef/Owner of 2 Oahu restaurants...Singha Thai Cuisine and Chai's Island Bistro, is looking to expand to Maui and planning to open here before the end of the year...no word on exact the exact location but the "coconut wireless" is buzzing that it may be one of the former Pacific Cafe locations(Kihei or Napili). The food/concept is described as "Pacific Rim".

[This message has been edited by Leisuremiles (edited 07-18-2002).]

The Maui News reports that Jameson's Restaurant in Kihei on the Maui Coast hotel property has changed hands and will be renamed "Spices" sometime in October, the new cuisine is described as "eclectic American with French influences".

[This message has been edited by Leisuremiles (edited 08-09-2002).]

Just back from 6 nights on Maui with a few comments about our restaurant experiences. We stayed at the Westin and as a result ate in West Maui all 6 nights.

Top of the group was Roy's Nicolina. So good we went back for a 2nd time our last night. I know Roy's is very famous but had heard a rumor it had gone downhill. If this is downhill, I can't imagine what it was.

Roy's has 2 restaurants next to each other and I highly recommend Nicolina as it is a little quieter. The service was really outstanding and the food incredible. If it's a special occasion when you are going there, be sure to let them know when you make your reservation.

The Westin has a relatively new restaurant called Topica. We weren't expeecting too much but it wasn't bad at all. Outdoors overlooking the beach with some fairly creative "fusion" dishes. A little expensive, but not out of line.

Sensei in the Kapalua shops is the most creative and original Japanese restaurant I've been to anywhere. Service excellent and prices very reasonable.

I'O in Lahaina is a sister restaurant of Pacifico right next door. We'd been to Pacifico on our last trip and enjoyed it - so we thought we'd try I'O. A bit disappointing. Service very slow and waiter's information not helpful. Food OK but nothing special. Too many other good restaurants of this type to go back here.

Bay Club at kapalua Bay Hotel. Biggest disappointment of the trip. Gorgeous view, good service, very expensive, food about as ordinary as you'd get at a neighborhood pub. This is a definite one to avoid.

[This message has been edited by JerryFF (edited 08-31-2002).]

JerryFF,

Next time back try Cafe Savage. It's in the same downtown spot Avalon used to be. Not well advertised, not a good view, but the food, service, and value a definatley there. I can hardly wait to get back there OCt. 30

My top restaurants from my recent trip in August:

1. Mama's Fishouse - best island atmosphere by far.

2. Roy's is always great.

3. Warren & Annabelles - good food and great fun. A great show to go see and have some good appetizers. It is a magic show in Lahaina.

4. Bubba Gump's - a lot of fun and very affordable.