Sorentos on the north end of Wailea is outstanding. Managed by the same group the runs the Nick Fish Markets in Maui and Chicago. Everything is wonderful, and although pricey, much more reasonable than other top restaurants in Maui.

I agree. David Paul's Island Grill is one of our favorite's on the island.

Just got back from Maui. One of the couples we got to know at the Fairmont Kea Lani spoke highly of Sorrentos as well.

We did finally try Mama's Fish House.. and my wife really liked how everything was ocean front. I liked the Hawaiian decor, attention to detail i.e. landscaping, double local linen table cloths, fish plates, fish caught fresh night before for lunch, and day of for dinner. Pricey but worth it. The no charge valet was an excellent touch.

Careful with Sarento's. You may want to read some of the recent reviews.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...ui_Hawaii.html

I for one am one of the naysayers on this place & will never go back there. Spotty performance & not good value for the $$ IMHO. :td:

Although I've never tried Sarento's.. I find Nick's Fishmarket a pleasent surprise. Last time there, I had rack of lamb.. and the entree was multiple layered with mashed potatoes, a sauce, asparagus, and a very nice portion of lamb. I would recommend Nick's Fishmarket as an excellent spot.. of course, I'm fairly devout to Fairmont Kea Lani.

Ditto on David Paul's. One place that I haven't seen others recommend for the special occasion is the Hali'imaile General Store....if you are on the West Side of the Island and want a nice view try Gannons--on the patio of the country club with a very nice ocean view....hard to beat a nice view and with the same quality as the Hali'imaile :)

http://www.gannonsrestaurant.com/

That's always a lunch stop for us once or twice each trip.

Again, like Mama's, it's a good 1½ hour RT from Lahaina and a bit farther than we want to drive for dinner. But it's scenic drive to and from in the daylight hours and the food and ambiance are hard to beat IMO.

I'm lining up the fish market at Paia the next time out.. I hear that they serve one of the best fish on the island in a casual fast food type setting.. yum yum.

But, sorry.. nothing beats my sweet and sour pickeral fish (whole deep fried) and dressed in local veggies.. (salivating) can't wait to hit up our local chinese restaurant fare back home.. and served with 3 course peking duck.. killer!

Four Seasons Duo/Lobby Bar Promos
 

I've read somewhere either here on FT or another forum of two promotions at the FS Maui:

-1/2 price bottles of wine in the lobby after 8 p.m
-a $49 3-course prix fixe menu in Duo restaurant

Anyone know if these are still being offered?

Muskoka.. I see you're from Calgary as well..

I can confirm the Duo Pre-Fixe menu at $49.. I believe its' an early bird, so must arrive the first hour, but do double check.

We did Spago's Pre-Fixe menu at $49 must arrive prior to 6 pm and after 8:30 pm.

There's also a card we received from Fairmont Kea Lani concierge that can be presented, and gets you free valet, and free appetizer when dining at Ferraro's or Duo's. Does not apply to Spago's which wasnt that big of a deal, as we prefer to walk Ocean front path to the Four Seasons' for supper.

It's been mentioned a few times. :) We loved the lunch we had there in January. Just be prepared to pay $50, or so, for two people (including one drink each). Yummy.

I live in Lahaiana part-time and wanted to introduce some local eats into the mix:

Lahaina Coolers on Dickenson St.- a great spot for breakfast, nice outdoor patio. They also serve lunch and dinner.

Penne Pasta is next-door (a Mark Elman establishment- Maui Tacos, Mala) which is still a good cheap eat, but not as good as it used to be. Open for lunch and dinner. Mark's Caesar, any of the flatbread pizza and baked penne are all ptty good.

Ba-Le Vietnamese in the Lahaina Cannery food court. The raw beef pho is amazing (and don't worry, the incredibly hot soup cooks the meat). Try to catch a free hula show here on Tuesday and Thursday nights and on the weekends during lunch.

Saeng's Thai Cuisine in Wailuku- this is usually our first stop off the airplane and our last stop before we head to the airport and gets frequented in between anytime we have business on "the other side". My favorite restaurant on the island by far! It is on Vineyard St. and doesn't look like much from the outside but there is a nice little garden and pool on the inside and AMAZING food. The yum salad is very good. So is green curry. Fresh spring rolls. Everything on the menu that I've tried is good. The owner, Kaio ( not sure on spelling) is one of the nicest ladies you will ever meet.

Kimo's in Lahaina has always been good, but our entire family was super impressed after an excellent meal when we were all over there in Feb. We usually eat at the yacht club where we are members (also good if you can get in) but due to some special function we couldn't get a table and headed next door. Mahi mahi Kimo's style (with basil) is the absolute best thing on the menu IMO and one of the best preparations of the fish I think I've had anywhere on the island. Kimo's is also a great place to stop for a drink and be by the water if you are cruising around Lahaina at night. If you don't drink, stop in for some macadamia nut ice cream (about the same price as a cone from one of the local shops, but you get to enjoy the atmosphere) or the legendary hula pie. If you opt for the latter, bring a friend.

Another pick is Ruth's Chris in Lahaina. We usually eat in the bar and order the special- petit filet, salad, cream spinach and usually includes a nice dessert. Usually our favorite bartender is cool (actually they're all pretty cool once you get to know them) and will let you sub the dessert for a beer- worth asking. It's usually about $40 which is a pretty good value for such a good meal at a normally very expensive restaurant.

Not on my list- Longhi's used to be our favorite for breakfast, but we've gad a few too many trip there with incredibly bad service and cold food. Last time I went for dinner (2008 maybe) it was still good though, but expensive. Mama's- good food, but pricey and out of the way. Noisy at dinner. If you still decide to go here, go for lunch. The views are worth it.

Other things you need to try-
Yogurtland. Best frozen yogurt place i've even seen. There is one at the mall in Kahului and one at Whaler's village in Kaanapali. I sadly find myself going out of the way if i have an appointment in Wailuku to go to the mall just to get a cup. I'm addicted to the taro flavor. Yum! Red velvet cupcake batter mixed with coconut is also incredible.

POKE!!! My favorites come from Foodland. Kimchee Tako (octopus which is cooked) is good and the new California roll poke is AMAZING! it has tuna, avocado, cucumber, imitation crab, masago, seaweed and yummy spicy sauce! I know raw fish may not be everyone's thing, but if you're adventurous give it a try. I'm truly obsessed with all the different kinds of poke we get in the islands and I'll even eat if for breakfast. Usually a small container is about $4, makes a nice snack and a wonderful picnic item/ cheaper alternative than trying to make a sandwich. If you've been to a grocery store in Hawaii, you know what I'm talking about!

Thanks for the local spots.. will definitely keep some of these in mind when we travel again to Maui next year.. flights are booked on points redemptions today this morning for next year, so for sure a go to Maui for us again.

There used to be a Longhi's at Wailea Shops if memory serves me correct. Have you tried Roy's in Kahana? Is it good? We finally tried Roy's at Waikoloa Kings' Shops on Big Island this year, and thought the Pre-fixe menu was excellent (not sure why we didn't eat at Roy's for the past 8 years).

How's Betty's? The restaurant looked full, but my wife didn't want to overlook the Feast at LeLe this time out.

Thanks for the suggestions! Will have to try some new ones you suggest. :)

You left out the super-secret, VERY hard-to-find locals-only place: Sam Sato's in Wailuku!

We're there for lunch at least twice every visit (they close daily at 2 PM) for the best noodle dishes in the islands. And their homemade manju is worth the trip itself.

Expect a waiting line to enter the restaurant but the wait is worth it.

We've brought dozens of our friends there over the years and when they return to Maui they always want to go back to "Sam's" asap.

Longhi's at Wailea Shops has a great breakfast that my wife and I enjoy every time we are in that area of the island.