mztery

A good friend's daughter is getting married and honeymooning in Lahaina in September. Fiance is in culinary school and daughter loves good food so I thought we'd get them a GC for a nice meal. However looking at the upscale restos in Lahaina, we'd have to spend over $200 to cover meal and wine.

Any suggestions where $100 would cover most of the meal plus a bottle of wine? They are very young (early 20's) and don't eat in fancy places much but I would like to try to find something they'd enjoy and be a bit special. If they had to kick in $20-30 that'd be OK - they know the $100 gift is a stretch for us

Otherwise it's Macy's registry for me

Thanks all

Rastaguytoday

I'm not sure that is going to cover dinner for 2 with a bottle of wine, and TTC.

There's always the verable Roy's, who usually has very good cuisine.

Check Yelp. http://www.yelp.com/c/lahaina-hi/restaurants

The Lahaina Grill has been around for quite a while and still gets good reviews.

Hula Grill, David Paul's Island Grill and Pacifi O are more good local restaurants.

DebitNM

Are you set on dinner? Maybe they would like to do a sunset cruise? $50 a person - http://www.sailmaui.com/rates.htm

Or how about this: http://www.warrenandannabelles.com/
We loved the show. It would be something quite different that dinner, something they will remember for some time to come. You could do the admission for $118 and then they can chose if they want drinks, appetizers or dessert. I am guessing they are over 21, or else they can't get in.

tileaftilly

Does it have to be in Lahaina? If not, then I would suggest the Hali'imaile General Store. It is a great, fun place with amazing food. We go there every time we're on Maui. They offer a $30 fixed price deal from 5:00 to 6:30 most nights. It would also be a great place for lunch while they are exploring upcountry.

http://bevgannonrestaurants.com/haliimaile/

sunbum1944

This also is not in Lahaina -its in Kapalua- but it is a beautiful setting- we just had happy hour here and loved it-

http://merrimanshawaii.com/maui.htm

In Lahaina we enjoyed dinner at Kimo's - waterfront- not terribly expensive

tileaftilly

Something different in Lahaina would be Star Noodle. Not your run-of-the-mill place, but lots fun with a young vibe that a couple of food loving twenty-somethings might like.
http://www.starnoodle.com/

mztery

this is the best and worst of fodors..
one person says check yelp - is it not obvious from my post I've done some checking?
Roy's is expensive and very noisy.
AND OF COURSE A BUNCH OF GOOD IDEAS AS WELL!

I don't know how much they will want to leave Lahaina so I'm loath to book something not right there but I will check. Great idea for the cruise!

THANKS AND MORE IDEAS ALWAYS WELCOME

Iregeo

http://www.gerardsmaui.com/cms/index.php

mztery

OK you all did see my note that we KNOW there are lots of high end places....but dinner/drinks would be $200 plus.

We are thinking of Kimo's which was suggested on another board.

Iregeo

Sorry. I didn't read closely enough.

lifeinparadise

Of course my personal favorites are i'o and pacific'o restaurant on the beach at 505 Shops. Star Noodle is amazing too, but not what I would call romantic. My friend Jon posts about moderate priced restaurants here that you should check out:
http://www.mauihawaii.org/restaurant...estaurants.htm
there is also great general info for maui. hope it helps!

FrankS

lets see
Merrimans & Lahaina Grill would be $200 w/wine, Roys, $150(while the food is good, its about as romantic as Star Noodle) Kimos, Sansei & Hula Grill have early bird deals that would work....There is a half off coupon for I'O at the Visitors Center in Lahaina that would work if they dont mind coupon shame

If the fiance is in culinary school, offer $100 towards Lahaina Grill or lunch at Mamas...they are the 2 best

tileaftilly

For the record, the OP didn't mention "romantic" as a requirement for the restaurant. Agree that Star Noodle is not "romantic", but I suggested it as I think it fits the financial, geographical and the "bit special" requirements mentioned.

I don't understand the need to denigrate previous suggestions instead of just making your own and let the OP decide. Who really knows what this couple will really enjoy?

Marginal

Some posters just say "Thanks, I was really looking for something under $200" rather than bark at people giving free advice.

And avoid using capital letters to shout at respondents.

They often get more responses than those that are less appreciative.

Lookin_Glass

I think a culinary student would appreciate a lunch at Hailiimaile General Store. Bev Gannon's first career was in the music industry. She left it to start a small catering business on Maui and turned it into a culinary empire with her husband. They now own the catering business, 3 restaurants, and consulting with airlines as well as consulting at a restaurant on Lanai. She was one of a handful of innovative chefs that revolutionized the food scene in Hawaii.

We ALWAYS visit HGS and always order the Sashimi Napolean. It is a masterful creation of taste and texture and detail.

http://bevgannonrestaurants.com/hali...i-Napoleon.jpg

We are part of Wendy the barmaids Ohana and when there for lunch she always insists we try the soup and it is always wonderful. She makes a mean jalapeno margarita too!

Considering their age and culinary dreams, you could make a creative gift by printing out her menus and history and the surrounding area for exploration including Paia, Makawao and Hookipa Park. I would think it would make a wonderful few hours away from their home base.

22tango

Most of the "foodie" types I know might just as much enjoy a meal at a place like Aloha Mixed Plate as they would Mama's. I suggest that if you can't afford a high end dining experience, try the other end of the spectrum. Chefs appreciate a well-made burger as much as a perfectly grilled Ono fillet, and by sending them to something like Aloha Mixed Plate, you'd at least be giving them a dining experience that they haven't yet had.

ChiSue

Surely they will leave Lahaina to see some of the island.

Most visitors tour Haleakala -- and could detour to Hali'imaile General Store. They'd probably also go north to piney Kapalua and south to the end of the road past Makena -- could try more a moderately-priced Gannon's venture above Wailea (B,L,D). I'O has a farm tour/lunch in Kula.

I'd scratch Kimo's regardless of cost. There are three or four *popular* places in Kaanapali that are all one chain -- none especially wonderful.

The sunset cocktails-and-pupu's cruise is a good idea; dinner cruises are not.

mztery

the caps were not complaining, they were complimentary.

and I get frustrated when I see there's a bunch of responses and some of them haven't even read the post.

As i mentioned on another board, some have suggested that if they are young and staying in Lahaina they may not want to travel to the other side of the island to have dinner. I don't want to get them something they can't use. I also don't know if they will have a car- I am assuming so but they may not. He's kind of a lug to be honest.

mztery

I guess my thought process is, I know the bride pretty well, him not at all but I know he's not adventurous, and not too outdoorsy. I am guessing they picked Maui because it 's romantic to them and not so much for the outdoor activities.
The moderate resto list was very helpful - looking at Castaway Cafe and I still favor Kimo's which is one of the places I have actually been. I actually don't like Lahaina and would never stay or eat there (except once at Kimo's which we loved) so this is why I'm looking for suggestions.
I like the cruise idea and am pondering the sunset cruise. I am going to ask MOB what she knows about their taste and their plans.

I'm also loath to get a lunch thing or an all day thing as i don't want to impinge on their plans, and I figure they'll want to go out to eat dinner at least once.

DebitNM

We really enjoyed the sunset cruise with drinks and pupu's. I did a trip report on it. A bit long in the tooth, but may help you decide:



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