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Home » A Maui Mother’s Day

A Maui Mother’s Day

May 9, 2013 13 Comments


 

 

We celebrated Mother’s Day on the island of Maui with a day of simple resting while the ‘pineapple juice’ (drizzling rain) misted the sky throughout the day.  We took a nice walk along the beach boardwalk and stopped in at the new Duke’s Beach Club at the Westin Resort in Kaanapali.  My husband and I have a tradition of enjoying smooth and creamy Lava Flow tropical cocktails upon arrival to Hawaii to make a cheers/salute to a wonderful vacation

Rather than do a breakfast in bed, or go to a brunch, we opted to do dinner at a highly rated and most amazing restaurant:  Pineapple Grill.  Whenever we travel, we always dine at eateries that we’ve not tried yet . . . and make our selections based on conducting a LOT of research from trusted travel guidebooks, as well as from the unsolicited tourist comments on the web’s travel sites such as Trip Advisor.  Frommer’s 2011 exclaims that “If you had only a single night to eat out on the island of Maui, this (The Pineapple Grill) would be the place to go.”  Now that is a compelling recommendation for this ‘Pacific Island’ focused cuisine and venue.

The considerable talent and impeccable service of all those associated with Pineapple Grill began at the threshold of the front door!  We were warmly welcomed with a gracious hostess overflowing with an aloha-filled spirit, were kindly wished a Happy Anniversary, and seated immediately with our reservation to what was to be a simple, yet elegant and lively island dining experience in a beautiful tropical setting with matching ambience.  Our table was one with a view of both the ocean and the mountains of Maui.  Despite the gray skies, the views were lovely and a reminder of our good fortune of being in Maui!  A very extensive, noteworthy and smart wine list worthy of Wine Spectator’s Top 100 began our evening, with offerings by the glass, a truly rare opportunity.

The diverse and tasteful array of menu selections that tempt you are highly focused on using the freshest, locally-grown ingredients, and as Fodor’s states, “attracts foodies who appreciate exceptional Pacific Island cuisine”.  The seafood, such as the ahi tuna entree (below) that I enjoyed, is harvested sustainably.  The service was perfect and flawless with Erin as our main server.

I just had to have some fresh ahi tuna and went with Erin’s and Frommer’s recommendations for the incredibly creative “Pistachio and Wasabi Pea-Crusted Rare Ahi Tuna Steak” (shown above) with coconut scented ‘forbidden’ rice, roasted ‘Hamakua’ mushrooms, in a wasabi-soy butter sauce.  I WAS IN FOOD HEAVEN with this culinary masterpiece!  Savoring each bite with my eyes shut, I was in flavor paradise!  I didn’t want it to end and wanted more!  Just incredible!

 

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The salad above is the “Maui Farmer’s Chop Salad” that I was delighted with prior to the entree.  The sheer portion size and amount of veggies in our salads was astoundingly huge compared to other fine restaurants who serve about 5 leaves of lettuce and overcharge you for it.  As I said, everything was perfect in exceeding our elevated expectations.  This salad combines ‘Waipoli Farms’ butter lettuce, ‘WeFarms’ local grape tomatoes, roasted beets and green beans, loads of crumbled, soft bleu cheese, ‘Hana Herb Farms’ pohole fern shoots, and a generous amount of applewood smoked bacon bits.  All of these were tossed in a perfect amount of a local papaya seed vinaigrette.  Simply delectable!

 
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We shared the restaurant’s signature dessert that sent us over the tropical moon on the horizon of the Pacific:  “Maui Gold Pineapple Upside-Down Cake”.  There is not one recipe for pineapple upside down cake that can ever rival this!  This sweet indulgence is prepared with fresh, sweet Maui gold pineapples, swimming in a pool (not a silly drizzle) of ‘Hana Bay’ dark rum-caramel sauce, Maui ‘Roselani’ macadamia nut ice cream, and toasted coconut.  What a sublime perfect ending to a perfect Mother’s Day dinner!
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On the way in, guests walk through a two-level bar with a tasteful, beautifully painted ceiling that causes you to feel as if you are underwater with the fish looking up towards the sun.  So creative and fun!  Nothing stuffy here at all, but totally A+++ in every way!  Every necessary element, from the smallest details and simple courtesies, was evident and manifested into a dining experience not to be forgotten.

 

 
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One of our views of the mountains on Maui.  My photo of the ocean was too blurry to share due to the misty rain.
 
What an unforgettable Mother’s Day on Maui!
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Happy Mother’s Day!

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Previous Post: « Strawberry Layer Cake and Sweet Mascarpone Cheese Frosting
Next Post: Macadamia Nut Ice Cream Pie & Cold Hawaiian Treats »

Reader Interactions

 

I read each and every comment and respond to questions asap, so ask away!  As I always say, “If you’ve made a recipe, please take a photo and I’ll be happy to share your experience and photo of the recipe with all of us in this blog community!”

The kindness of giving a thumbs up 5-star rating is greatly appreciated!

~ Roz

Comments

  1. Rosa's Yummy Yums says

    May 9, 2011 at 1:53 PM

    What glorious food! a great way of spending Mother’s Day.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    Reply
  2. Roz from 'la bella vita' says

    May 9, 2011 at 2:13 PM

    Thanks Rosa! I hope that the two of you can come over and enjoy some great food and romance too!

    Reply
  3. Claudia says

    May 9, 2011 at 2:37 PM

    You had the perfect dinner in Paradise. Researching does pay off – all is so tropical – the pineaple cake made me smile and make a wish.

    Reply
  4. birdie to be says

    May 9, 2011 at 2:51 PM

    Lucky girl in Maui! Have fun and enjoy the tropics!

    http://www.birdietobe.blogspot.com

    Reply
  5. Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen says

    May 9, 2011 at 3:48 PM

    What an elegant meal Roz. The tuna is gorgeous. Hope you had a wonderful mothers day, but I’m sure you did in such a lovely location.
    Sam

    Reply
  6. Karen says

    May 9, 2011 at 4:06 PM

    What an amazing meal you had and in Maui, to boot. I’ve never been to Hawaii, and can only imagine how far removed it is from Wisconsin, lol. It would be the trip of lifetime for me. I’m glad I get to enjoy it by following along on your blog!

    Reply
  7. Magic of Spice says

    May 9, 2011 at 5:43 PM

    Hey Roz, how incredible to be spending Mother’s Day in Maui…looks like a wonderful restaurant and wow on the food 🙂
    Hope you had a beautiful Mother’s Day!

    Reply
  8. Merveilleux says

    May 9, 2011 at 5:51 PM

    Maui is one of my favorite Hawaiian islands! I think it’s the greenest.. Looks like you had a great time and a wonderful meal. Happy Mother’s Day!

    Reply
  9. Comfy Cook says

    May 9, 2011 at 6:04 PM

    That is some meal. Wow!

    I have always wanted to go to Hawaii. Maybe, someday……

    Reply
  10. Pegasuslegend says

    May 9, 2011 at 9:48 PM

    Happy Mothers Day you have me wishing for Pineapple Wine now! Thats the only Island that had it at the pineapple plantation … you cant buy it here in the states or have it sent to Florida only certain states… dont miss it… that pineapple wine the dry one is just fabulous! Enjoy I so envy you!

    Reply
  11. peachkins says

    May 10, 2011 at 6:49 AM

    Hi Erin!

    The salad looks amazing!

    Reply
  12. ARLENE says

    May 10, 2011 at 6:59 PM

    Maui no ka ‘oi. It is, by far, my favorite place on earth and it sounds as if you found Paradise on Paradise. What an incredible Mother’s Day treat!

    Reply
  13. Erin A Jones says

    May 11, 2011 at 2:26 PM

    Thanks you so much for your kind words and flattering post about Pineapple Grill. So glad you enjoyed my recommendatino and your experience. Love the pictures! Hope to see you again and I will continue to read your blog! I love it!

    Erin Jones
    Pineapple Grill Server, Future Nurse

    Reply

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Welcome!

Welcome!

Ciao, I'm Roz!
From my family's kitchens and restaurants in the U.S. and Italy, I share classic, delicious recipes . . . and always served with 'amore'! I'll help you master the art of cooking with easy to follow instructions and cooking tips. Get ready for the compliments! Buon Appetito!

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