I’ve learned three things about dining out in Hawaii.
- People are really friendly and it is not uncommon to see one table of people talking to another.
- Water glasses are about two thirds ice and a third water.
- Never underestimate a Hawaiian American Sunday Champagne buffet.
Mr NQN and I staying at Ka’anapali resort Hotel, billed as Maui’s most Hawaiian hotel through its extensive program of cultural activities. Alas, we’ve missed the hula competition as it was on the day before we arrived but we partake in the food aspect of Hawaiian culture with Ka’anpali’s Sunday Champagne brunch.
At first, when we walked in and were seated, I saw a couple of tables worth of food and didn’t quite see what the fuss was all about. They poured us champagne (or actually a sparkling wine called Barefoot Bubbly) and the proceeded to keep filling it throughout the time we were there.
Seafood including ahi poke, crab and prawns
We got up to have a look and that’s when I spot another room. The room for the serious buffeters. It’s a large room that reminds me of a conference centre room but with an enormous amount of choice. The seafood features oysters, peeled prawns, two types of crab and sushi. For meat eaters, there’s lamb, standing rib roast and a leg of pork. Past this is a range of about 10 desserts in duplicate, a selection of salads which end up being my pick and then about 15 hot dishes, including some Hawaiian specialities.
There are a few similarities between Hawaiian cuisine and Maori given their shared Polynesian origins and the luau leaf wrapped dish was very similar to one I had in New Zealand. It’s really an exercise in quantity but I do like the tuna poke-poke being that very Hawaiian dish where sashimi grade fish is cut into cubes and seasoned with flavours like soy garlic and sesame.
A live Hawaiian band comes over and interacts with the crowd and hula dancers gracefully move – it’s actually very relaxing watching their dance as they move easily and gracefully, their fingers and wrists moving in unison.
Afterwards, we go for a stroll along the beach which stretches the length of all of the hotels that sit side by side. We watch as cliff jumpers jump into the bluest of the blue water. The water is full of people towards one end while boats gather people around them at other points along the beach.
Our rooms at the Kaanapali are acceptable but are in need of an update and the grounds are more the attraction than the rooms. The grounds are immaculately groomed, with plenty of chairs and opportunities to laze around. Service from the staff is very good and comes with a smile.
We take the short drive to Front Street in Lahaina, about five minute’s drive away. This is the area where you head if you want restaurants, henna tattoos, bikinis and souvenirs It’s a pretty area with the waterfront street lined with American flags. The prices for clothing are surprisingly around the same as you would get in Australia. It is more expensive to buy items in Hawaii than the mainland as things obviously need to be shipped here. Although intriguing items like red salt and the ubiquitous macadamia nut are in plenty of supply.
The sunny weather makes us yearn for a shave ice and we stop one of the many shave ice stores for a bowl of shave ice. You can up to three flavours and for an extra 50c, they will add some sweetened condensed milk. I know that they’re artificial flavours that come out of a bottle but there’s little more refreshing than the combination that we have: root beer, mango and guava, the mango being the favourite and it’s the perfect late afternoon sustenance in the sun.
Our dinner that evening is at Gerard’s, a French restaurant in Maui that is housed in a lovely plantation style building in front of the Plantation Inn. Inside is more of a floral wallpaper theme and lace curtains while sitting outside is the pick as fans turn and the Maui breeze soothes. There’s a relaxed plantation style vibe and the building has stained glass accents, French accordion music playing. The Hawaiian French combination is echoed in certain dishes on the menu whilst the rest are classical French.
Apologies for the blurry image, it was one of those unexpected moments when we didn’t expect a fisherman to come through the restaurant with a fish!
French born Chef Gerard Reversdale has a television profile having been featured on The Great Chefs of America on Discovery and Country Cooking on P.B.S. He supports local business by only using produce grown on Haleakala by local farmers and fish from local fisherman. As if to demonstrate the point, there’s a squeal of bike bakes and our waiter whispers to us that there is about to be a fish delivery. Sure enough, the fisherman unwraps an enormous whole Mahi Mahi fish from a towel and carries it through up the stairs and through the restaurant.
Amuse bouche-pork rillettes
We start with a tasty little morsel, the amuse bouche of pork rillettes which also features on the menu. It is served on a crouton with split cornichons.
Ahi Tartare with Taro Chips $16USD
For appetisers, we try two of the restaurant’s most popular dishes. The first is a tuna tartare which is given the same treatment as a steak tartare with a balance of seasoning and flavours from capers to Tabasco and this is served with Aina Lani Farm micro greens and salted homemade taro chips that are like giant round potato chips. Both two steak tartare lovers, the tuna tartare is no second choice or runner up and I make plans to make something similar at home.
Seared Foie Gras Medallions $24USD
The foie gras is succulent and seared on the outside. It is rich and heady with five spice and comes with a sweet French toast, macadamia nuts and Pohà Berry compote.
French Onion Soup au Gratin $14USD
I wanted something quite light for dinner as I was still full from today’s brunch so I decided to go for the French onion soup. This is cooked to order and takes 30 minutes from placing your order to arrive at the table. It is a light beef broth with a tangle of soft onions underneath a slice of bread and bubbled, melted gruyere and parmesan cheese. I usually make mine quite rich and dark with red wine but this lighter version fits the warmer weather.
Locally caught Hawaiian Snapper $39USD
The locally caught Hawaiian snapper was roasted in savory olive oil, and accompanied with a fennel fondue, potato and carrot puree and emulsion of orange and ginger. Mr NQN loved the sweet orange and ginger but I really preferred just the diced fennel fondue and potato and carrot puree with the moist cooked fish as I’m not much of a sweet with savoury person as he is.
Pineapple tarte tatin $12USD
By the age of twelve, Chef Gerard was baking croissants from scratch so when they tell us that the tarte tatin is made with pineapple from his garden and house made puff pastry, it’s a no brainer. I know it’s good from when it is set in front of me. The caramelised puff is high and the aroma of butter is absolutely intoxicating. This is when Mr NQN and I swap desserts back and I eat every last crumb from the plate.
Gerard’s homemade Sorbets Rhubarb compote, strawberry jus, macadamia coconut cookie $12USD
Mr NQN was doing that thing-you know when he tries to psych me out by telling me something is terrible because he wants it all to himself. He tried it with the home made sorbets. I try the three flavours: coconut, guava and passionfruit and they taste just the way you want a sorbet to: of pure, sweet fruit. They’re served with a rhubarb compote, strawberry jus and a coconut and macadamia macaroon biscuit. A perfectly sweet end to a relaxing day.
So tell me Dear Reader, do you enjoy buffets or a la carte? And what is the most extensive buffet you’ve been to?
NQN travelled to Hawaii and a guest of Hawaii Tourism
Kaanapali Beach Hotel
2525 Kaanapali Parkway Lahaina, HI 96761
(808) 661-0011
Gerard’s
174 Lahainaluna Road Lahaina, HI 96761
(808) 661-8939
If you enjoyed this post, why not share it with your friends?
What is NQN up to now?
NQN on Facebook
RSS
46 Comments | Add your own
I do like good and versatile buffets.I think the best one I have ever been to was the Sunday Brunch buffet at the Gran Melia hotel in Caracas.
Ah, I wish I was on the beach in Maui and had need for a shaved ice!
I’d have a blast, discovering everything about the Hawaiian culture. Your restaurant experience looks amazing, too. The pineapple tart is just making me die of dehydration, since my mouth is watering so much…
Wow! I loved the guy with the huge fish! – Freshness, sustainability and I can only imagine the dishes Chef Gerard could produce! Hawaii’s a fab place, you must go back soon (and arrive in time for the hula class!)
Oh, I honestly would give three drops of blood just to be there!;) Enjoy your trip!
I honestly would give three drops of blood just to be there!
Enjoy your trip! 
I love Hawaii and Lahaina and all the art there. Thanks for sharing this post. I can’t wait to visit again
Loraine, you stole my heart with that photo of poke: I love it! I could have poke every day and not get tiered of it (at some point I did have poke every single day for about six months when we lived in Seattle. Whole Foods and Uwajimaya sell freshly made poke from fresh caught fish, and it’s quite popular among hawaiians that stay in Seattle or flying through). Lovely post, thanks!
Now I miss Seattle again (and poke)…
I loved visiting Hawaii. It had such a wonderful relaxed feel and the food was great!
Now I want to go to Hawaii – but maybe I’ll wait until the rooms have been refurbished. I do wish you’d been in time to compete in the hula competition – I would have liked to have seen those photos! xx
I’m not surprised that you weren’t expecting a fisherman with a large fish to come by. At least you can be assured the fish is fresh there!
It sounds like you had a wonderful time! I adore buffets, but always eat too much!
Great post…..lta
I about food-heaven. The buffet sounds superb and the food looked amazing.
You were definitely in the land of seafood there.
What a gorgeous sight to wake up to on a Sunday morning. “beam me up Scotty!” Oh how I would love to go back to Maui, one of my most favourite places on Earth.We were lucky enough to stay at the Grand Wailea Resort with it’s private beach and huge pool that winds it’s way around the gardens, complete with a mini waterfall. Coincidently, New Year’s Eve night hubby and I dined at Sokyo at The Star, the couple next to us were really friendly and the lovely Erin hails from Maui, she was delightful.
The meal at Gerards looks delicious , I would definitely choose the Hawaiian Snapper and Pineapple tarte tatin.
Rarely have buffets as my husband doesn’t like them but the best spread that I have ever seen was at the Hilton in Sorrento, it just stretched right around the huge dining hall!
A la carte,any of the buffets I have been to are always a let down, maybe I am not going to the right places!!!
I love the look of that French Onion Soup but maybe not in Hawaii,better to have in an Aussie winter.
Hawaii!!
I tend to prefer a la carte because I don’t like that feeling of extreme fullness that is bound to happen with buffets! Though I find the boys absolutely do love buffets…
—Lorraine, Hawaii is one of the BEST places I’ve ever visited. I shall never forget the smell of flowers immediately as I stepped off of the plane.
You Rock Hard. xx kiss
the onion soup looks SO gooood
Of course you have made me smile again on this Sunday morning! Island buffets are always humongous, tho’ finesse at times may be lacking
! The Kaanapali setup has been around for ages – can’t say it or Lahaina really provide the ‘wow’ factor for me, but I was thoroughly thrilled to see the trades [winds] blowing thru’ the palm trees. Felt I was there! Love a la carte somewhat more than a buffet, but it depends on mood and what is available. For very certain the most wonderful buffet of which I have ever partaken is the Royal Opera House [Operakallaren] Restaurant in the basement of the Opera House in Stockholm [don't know whether still there, but it was an institution!]. One has to go back to the mile long table at least four times to sample even a fraction of what is offered. Herrings first: I counted 26 different recipes, then other cold fish, at least, very least the same choice, then hot fish, meats, salads – well, I certainly never got around to a dessert, even after eating and drinking some 2-3 hours 
!
I LOVE Hawaii, TRUE!
Can not wait to return visiting Maui and Kauai too!
What a beautiful variety of local produce dishes; the pineapple tarte tatin did delight!
Could see me sneaking a piece out of the fridge sometime during the night!
Hoooooooly the cheese on that soup! Burnished near-burnt melting cheese is heavenly.
Similarly, I like buffets with lots of blue cheese, oysters, and fresh fruit.
Oh, I was in Maui just last month, I want to go back! As to buffets, its kinda cliche but the buffet at the Bellagio in Las Vegas is well worth the effort – just save room for dessert as its all in little portions, the kids went back numerous times (and I may have as well!)
First thing first- I love this post. I haven’t been to Maui, bu hope to rectify this soon. Hence I am bookmarking this.
I LOVE Buffets. I have been to several, and I think Las Vegas buffets beats all the others that I have been to hands down.Paris, LV was possibly the most expensive…but Rio, LV has the best buffet as far as variety and price worthiness go. We tried Wynn last year, it wasn’t that good.
I’m not a fan of buffets. The food always seems a bit tired; I get overwhelmed by choice and choose badly, then eat too much.
The exception is breakfast buffets. One of the best I’ve had was at The Venetian Hotel in Macau…300 different items from many different cuisines, many of them cooked to order, excellent quality and freshness.
(Your Hawaiian buffet choices look very appealing, though!)
Hawaiian and French is not a mix that automatically springs to mind but it does look like it’s a winner
Love the fish delivery, when they’re biting they’re biting I guess!
I think buffets are always fun, and I love breakfast buffets especially, but for a fancy dinner I’d always go a la carte for a bit more of a personal touch.
No, never underestimate an American buffet. I prefer a la carte as temptation is reduced. Looks like you had a good time.
When I saw the picture of the guy carrying the fish into the restaurant, I was thinking, “Goodness, you can’t get any fresher than that!” Glad to see you had fun in Hawai’i.
I’m not a buffet person at all. It feels too much like pigs at a trough to me.
I love Hawaii though – warm breezes and happy people.
I prefer a la carte. But there are times, when I feel like over eating, then I will go for a buffet
Everything looks fantastic, especially the French onion soup, love the generous cheesy topping; and the pineapple tarte tatin. Utterly scrumptious.
Usually prefer a la carte as you enjoy the meal more as you take the time to eat it and generally the food is better. Having said that once in a while the glutton in me loves a good seafood buffet in a nice location. The most extensive buffet we’ve been to was at a restaurant (can’t remember the name) at the Marina Bay Sands complex in Singapore. An enormous selection of food including lots of seafood beautifully cooked and fresh and the only time I have seen abalone which I love at a buffet. Good quality dishes which is not always the case at a buffet, we were so full at the end of the meal!
Love the first shot. Just been to a buffet today and am in a food coma now!
I love a la carte – like other readers, tend to eat too much at a buffet meal! Loved this post – our family has a 50th, 60th birthday and 30th wedding anniversary and a few generations plan to meet together in Hawaii next December to celebrate. This gives me some ideas! Thank you!
Wow. Hawaiian food has come a long way since I was last there. No surprise. It has everywhere, so it seems. Lovely food. Probably the most extensive buffets (which I like, being a great sampler of every taste sensation I can get my hands on) I’ve ever experienced were at big hotels in the Middle East and in SE Asia.
I am devasated that I didn’t get a chance to make my way to Maui. It looks absolutely gorgeous. I definitely need to plan a trip there, stat.
Hi Lorraine, reading this post takes me back a couple of years when we went to Maui, Hawaii. We stayed at the exact same hotel and must agree with you about the grounds, they were immaculate and I loved all the frangipani trees. Front St was great and I wished I had known about Gerard’s – the food looks awesome! Did you see the giant banyan tree? Did you try Bubba Gumps? We did it just purely out of homage to Forest Gump the movie. Wish I was back there in Maui right now….
Hi Nhat! Oh that’s wonderful! Oh we didn’t try Bubba Gumps but we wanted to because Mr NQN loves Forrest Gump. Was it good? We got some photos in front of it on the bench
My husband and I are Hawaii obsessed and are constantly amazed by how fresh and cheap the food is, especially if you venture outside the tourist areas.
Politely have to correct you though, the Hawaiians call it Shave Ice not Shaved Ice (it’s a pet peeve for locals according to the food tour we went on when on Oahu!). Highly recommend Aoki’s in Haleiwa and Waiola Shave Ice in Waikiki, condensed milk is a must
Oh you know, you’re right Melanie about the shave ice. I just called it shaved ice because it seems more grammatically correct. I shall change it now! Thank you
Hi Lorraine, Bubba Gump’s was great! We especially enjoyed the’Shrimpers Heaven’ dish and their great cocktails,all accompanied by a spectacular view of the ocean as the sun was setting.Shame the prawns were not locally sourced (we asked).Came home with a load of Bubba Gump souvenirs and Hawaiian chocolates LOL.
Aw! Why do you make me so jealous
Haha, looks like a great time 
Oh Lorraine! I just saw your related post titled ‘Spam Sushi Roll’ and it reminded me of my ‘Spam encounter’ in Maui. I had heard of the Hawaiian people’s love of Spam and was told to go to the local McDonald’s to see an example. Sure enough, there was a ‘Hawaiian Big Breakfast’ which consisted of Spam, rice, Portuguese sausage & hash browns. Hubby wasn’t fussed, but I quite enjoyed it!
Hi Nhat! I must admit, I really didn’t mind the Spam sushi at all either!
And like yours, mine was less enthused but I thought while in Rome… 
I once got so excited at a buffet in malaysia that i left looking 5 months pregnant :O I would LOVE to visit Hawaii!
Heidi xo
What a wonderful holiday! You’re so lucky!
I love, love, love buffets – the biggest ones I’ve ever been to were in Vegas. Crazy amounts of food, as far as the eye could see!!
xox Sarah
I started reading this yesterday and them got distracted with chores. I love that green dress on the dancer, really pretty and feminine.
What lovely restaurants you experienced. Buffets are not usually my thing as I tend to over eat or not get my monies worth, neither good.
Lorraine, I’m very excited you went to Hawaii as I’m heading there in September and hoping you will post some reviews on Waikiki and Kauai.
The most extensive buffet I’ve ever been to was the breakfast buffet at a place called the Blue Palace on Crete. It filled 2 walls plus several separate stands in a large room, and the variety was mind blowing. Best honey and yoghurt ever.
Lorraine, how good is poke?!??!?!?! So addictive, yet so unbelievably simple to make.
I made a batch of ahi tuna poke recently using sashimi grade tuna bought here at the Sydney fish markets and this recipe http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/furikake-salmon-recipe/index.html.
My family gobbled up a whole kilo of it at Christmas…
Just be careful with the spring onions, too many makes it a bit bitter. Enjoy
Post a Comment