With soaring visitor statistics and a glamorous image, the Valley Isle is fertile ground for Hawaii's famous enterprising chefs (like Roy Yamaguchi from Roy's, Gerard Reversade of Gerard's, James McDonald of I'O and Pacific'O, Peter Merriman of Hula Grill, Mark Ellman of Maui Taco and Mala, D. K. Kodama of Sansei Seafood and Vino, and Beverly Gannon of Haliimaile General Store and Joe's Bar and Grill), as well as an international name or two (Wolfgang Puck of Spago). Plus a few newcomers are cooking up a storm and getting a well-deserved following (Ryan Lucky of Pineapple Grill, Jennifer Nguyen of A Saigon Cafe, Dana Pastula of Café O'Lei restaurants, and Don Ritchey of Moana Bakery and Café). Dining on Maui has become a culinary treat able to hold its own against most major metropolitan areas.
In this dizzying scenario, some things haven't changed: You can still dine well at Lahaina's open-air waterfront watering holes, where the view counts for 50% of the experience. There are still budget eateries, but not many; Maui's old-fashioned, multigenerational mom-and-pop diners are disappearing, eclipsed by the flashy newcomers, or clinging to the edge of existence in the older neighborhoods of central Maui, such as lovable Wailuku. Although you'll have to work harder to find them in the resort areas, you won't have to go far to find creative cuisine, pleasing style, and stellar dining experiences.
In the listings, reservations are not necessary unless otherwise noted.
Roselani: Maui's Best Ice Cream
For the culinary experience of your trip to Maui, try Roselani Ice Cream, Maui's only made-from-scratch, old-fashioned ice cream. In fact, be sure to try it early in your trip so you can eat your way through this little bit of heaven at restaurants and scooping parlors, or get your own stash at grocery stores. There are more than 40 different flavors, divided into two different brands under the Roselani label: the Premium Parlour Flavors (ranging from the traditional vanilla to the unique black cherry, cappuccino chip, fresh-brewed coffee, and choco-cookie crunch) and Tropics (with delicious varieties like the best-selling haupia, made from coconut and macadamia nut, or the popular chocolate macadamia nut, Kona mud pie, mango and cream, coconut pineapple, and luau fudge pie). Each rich, creamy flavor contains 12% to 16% butterfat.
For a list of hotels, restaurants, parlors, and grocery stores that carry Roselani, either call tel. 808/244-7951 or check online at www.roselani.com.
