Big Island-born and Maui Culinary Academy-educated Chef Sheldon Simeon appears on tomorrow night’s premier episode of Top Chef Season Ten: Seattle. His profile on the Bravo website reveals “Sheldon talks the Hawaiian talk and loves to cook with local island ingredients, but is confident when...

If you’re headed to Wailuku for First Friday tonight and dreaming of a four-course meal on a budget, consider  a stop at Vineyard Food Company on (imagine that) Vineyard Street. This little restaurant is open for lunch Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. They also offer a four-course...

Mala Wailea in the Marriot Resort offers a gorgeous view and a surprising range of excellent vegetarian options…alongside some duds. Perhaps knowing what to order before venturing in is the key, so allow us to help with the navigation process. The Quartet of Hummus, Raita, Olives,...

Senior Executive Chef Geno Sarmiento of Sarento’s on the Beach, Nick’s Fishmarket, and Son’z didn’t start out knowing he’d be a chef. Sarmiento was born in the Philippines and moved to Honolulu in 1988. “I was 16 and the culinary industry was just starting to get recognized. I figured I knew...

There are a vast number of culinary influences here on Maui. Those familiar with Hawaii Regional Cuisine know it honors the blend of cultures that originally settled this land: Polynesian, Chinese, Japanese, American, Portuguese, Korean, and Filipino predominantly. Puerto Rican food isn’t...

If you’ve ever watched – or joined a 12-step program to address your addiction to – Top Chef, Iron Chef, or Chopped, chances are you’ve wished you could be one of the judges. You are not alone. Happily, my dream finally came true. Don’t be hating, but it turns out the role is as awesome –...

Lilikoi Grill in Haiku has been open less than a year. Many things are good, but one is left with the impression that they have truly mastered one quality: inconsistency. This was gleaned sight unseen from the mixed word of mouth endorsements and caveats. A perusal of some online review sites...

If the sight of the Joe’s waiter dropping off a steak knife for the chicken and waffles didn’t serve as a warning, the accompanying “you’re going to need this” probably should have. KFC doesn’t give out heavy-duty cutlery. In fact, one can usually can get by with just a plastic spork. So why...

Tucked off Lipoa Street, smack dab between South Kihei Road and the Piilani Highway, Fabiani’s Bakery and Pizzeria is a little tricky to find. The restaurant is in part a family affair. Owners Lorenzo and Michelle Fabiani met on Maui. Italian-born Lorenzo was the maitre’d at Matteos, and...

This spring, Maui No Ka Oi magazine granted Kahili Restaurant the silver ‘aipono award for “best kept secret.” You can find out why tonight. On Fridays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Kahili offers their ‘all you can eat’ prime rib and seafood buffet. Is it worth it? Mostly. Strategic eaters know...

If you have written Beach Bums in Ma’alaea off as just another tourist trap: reconsider. Sure, it’s full of sunburned people fresh off snorkeling boats and whale watching tours. Yes, 80s tunes blare day and night, and they sell $20 t-shirts with “Beach” printed on the front and “Bums” on the,...

Per our offer to track down a beloved recipe for you,  B.K. In Lahaina wrote in, “I have been savoring and dreaming of Pineapple Grill’s Steamed Manila Clams ever since I first tried them.  I admit, I was apprehensive at first, I normally DO NOT like clams, but just one bite and you’ll see...

As of last week, the Waterfront Seafood Restaurant in Ma’alaea now offers lunch service from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. The location is beautiful, with spectacular views of the harbor. It offers a great place to take in a quick meal or longer dinner (served from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. nightly) The...

Sure Thing Burger in Lahaina is tucked back about halfway in the Lahaina Marketplace on Front Street. Is it a sure thing? Well, most of the time the Sure Thing Burger ($8) is darn good – if a little bit tiny for the price tag. Fresh and moist, the Grass Fed Maui Beef is perfectly seasoned and...

Five words come to your mind: I WISH I WAS DRUNK. Not because the food is bad, but because it’s that good and – possibly, probably – even better with beer; lots of beer. Happily, Tiffany’s Bar and Grill in Wailuku can set you up there as well. In addition to the delicious and vast local style...

If you’ve ever had tempura udon soup, you probably want more. Nestled in a little strip mall on Makawao Avenue in Pukalani, the recently opened Kojima’s Sushi Bar regularly offers the savory soup on the specials board. A former employee at Isana, Cafe O’ Lei, and Sansei, chef and owner Sadao...

Variations on ‘macadamia nut-encrusted catch of the day’ can be found on many a Maui menu. What makes Beverly Gannon’s Hali`imaile General Store version a standout is the rich, tangy mango buerre blanc sauce the fish is served upon. The recipe can be found in The Hali`imaile General Store...

Indian food lovers rejoice! Maui finally has an all-you-can-eat Indian buffet. Granted, it’s only on Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and yes, you’ll pay about twice what you might on the mainland…but hey, it’s Maui, and that’s how we roll ($17.95 per person, although adventurous eaters...

Tired of deer? Beef-based burgers not gamey enough for you? Well, prepare to get some satisfaction, because there is a source of fresh elk burgers on this island. One of the best things about Maui is how a person can drive an hour in any direction and find yourself in a locale that feels like...

If there is a heaven, the food may very well be prepared by Duo in the Four Seasons Wailea. The all-you-can-eat raw bar ($69) features three to five types of raw oysters, ceviche, poke, shrimp, snow crab claws, Alaskan King crab, and even Kona lobster. Typically only offered Thursday through...

There’s a new pizza joint on the scene. Successful restaurateur Aaron Placourakis (President and CEO of Tri-Star restaurants, owners of Sarento’s On the Beach, Son’z, Nick’s Fishmarket, and Sarento’s in Waikiki) has taken over the space vacated by Matteo’s Pizzeria in April. In its place, he...

Bob Longhi, the self-proclaimed “most opinionated restaurateur on Maui” passed away last Monday. Opened in 1976, the family-run restaurant has been a fixture of the Lahaina food scene (and later Wailea and Honolulu in 2000 and 2003, respectively) for decades. Longhi’s menu is unique in that...

Standing 6’6” and having founded and remained an active member of one of the biggest bands of all time, it’s safe to say Mick Fleetwood is not subtle. The same can be said for his brand new restaurant in Lahaina, Fleetwoods on Front Street. The space is at once lavish and welcoming, featuring...

“I’ve only worked here a couple weeks,” the man hand-shaping the individual crusts announced. “I was so impressed – I mean, this is the best pizza I’ve ever had – I asked if I could work here. We bonded over pizza dough and that was that.” With such a promising sales pitch (who can resist the...

Peter Merriman’s Monkeypod Kitchen in Wailea offers a broad menu “dedicated to handcrafted food, drink, and merrymaking.” Eager to partake in the culinary party, the first item on board was the Crispy Rock Shrimp and Calamari ($13.95). This is an enjoyable appetizer that, until recently, was...

It would have been so nice if the hype were true. There is a certain distinctive pleasure to introducing the world to a hidden gem. Mostly – let’s get real – the thought of biting into a pork and pineapple corn dog was equally, if not more, irresistible. Driven by visions of tropical corn...