Waianapanapa State Park, Maui black sand beach
It took me a couple of decades to get to Hawaii. However, when I did land there, I was super excited for the island’s Asian culinary flavors and my visit did not disappoint. Japanese flavors were somewhat absent, and the large, local Fillipino population’s gastronomic influence is not yet getting the play it should.
Homemade Boozy Mai Tai Cocktail with PIneapple and Orgeat
Regardless there is much great food, wine and drinks: yes, the Mai Tais are delicious and are sometimes served in vintage glasses. My first one consumed on Hawaiian soil was at the Honolulu airport and was served in a perfect Tiki glass: and it was a good omen.
Playing in Kapalua
The view of the beach from the hotel.
First stop was the Ritz-Carlton, which is in a secluded area of the island.
The burger with a view.
One of my first meals at the hotel’s Burger Shack, right on the beach, featured a rich and creamy ube-flavored milk shake! Yes, that is the purple, sweet potato that is featured in so many traditional Filipino desserts.
Ube-flavored ice cream.
Ube ice cream served in a white bowl with a mint garnish. An old-fashioned ice cream scoop sits in … [+]
Between meals I hung out at the hotel’s fabulous lounge, where they mix up custom cocktails and offer constantly changing local snacks. The hotel’s garden provides much of the local greens. Another one my favorite meals was the traditional Hawaiian breakfast of Loco Moco, served as part of the breakfast buffet. It is substantial dish of eggs, rice and meat often consumed by folks with a big workday ahead. Loco is the Hawaiian term for “crazy” and Moco references a hamburger. The breakfast ramen was also pretty delicious.
Homemade Hawaiian Loco Moco with Hamburger and Rice
Our swanky dinner at the resort’s Banyan Tree featured delicious poke with a ginger marinade and a Kobe fillet. Every morning we took a hike around the hotel’s beaches and labyrinth on a cliff to work off some of the food. The hotel also offers yoga and stretching classes.
The labarinth at the Ritz Carlton.
Heading to Town
The Ritz is a short cab ride from the town of Lahaina, where local restaurant options and lots of music abounds. Star Noodle is a classic, with beautiful water views. It is so hard to get a reservation that the restaurant apparently offered one “walk-in” night a week which they call “Aloha Fridays.”
Dim Sum at Star Noodle.
We started with crispy dim sum that were delicious and finished with the soup noodles with braised pork. We followed it up with another round of poke and some adult shaved ice at Down the Hatch and the Breakwall Shaved Ice. This charming hamlet by the sea is home to lots of great beaches, some questionable art galleries and great restaurants.
Shaved ice at Breakwall.
Other Great Meals
My trip was originally focused on covering the Ocean Organic Vodka. It is fairly close to the airport and is a fun local’s destination that offers up the distillery’s local vodka, gin and rum in creative drinks. They also have lovely flat breads and good salads. It is a fun and relaxing day trip in Maui.
Also, the elegant meals at the Fairmont’s Ko restaurant were lovely. The open-faced steak sandwich was kicked up an Argentine notch with Chimichurri sauce and the Udon noodles were savory. The hotel is also home to fish restaurant Nick’s Fish Market, which serves up some great scallops and other fish dishes.