God Is in the Details…read more And last night, at Spago Maui, I experienced what happens when love is in every detail. Over the last four decades, I've had the pleasure of dining at many of the finest restaurants in the world. But I have never experienced an evening quite like this one. This was so much more than an extraordinary dinner. It was a celebration of what becomes possible when an entire team of human beings unites around a shared vision of excellence, beauty, generosity, and love. Three days of preparation culminated in an evening in which every presentation, every aroma, every exquisite taste, and every interaction seemed to create yet another moment of wonder and awe. An extraordinary army of chefs, servers, and hospitality professionals moved together with such grace, precision, and devotion that the entire evening felt like a beautifully choreographed work of art. Course after course, moment after moment, the experience transcended the ordinary. But what moved me most wasn't simply the extraordinary cuisine. It was witnessing the love behind it. Wolfgang Puck wasn't standing apart from his team, overseeing the evening from a distance. He was right there among them. Cooking alongside his chefs. Serving alongside his staff. Personally greeting guests with genuine warmth, enthusiasm, and affection. Watching him, I had the distinct impression that his love of people is not separate from his culinary artistry. It is part of what gives that artistry its soul. And that same spirit seemed to flow through the entire team. I want to especially acknowledge Nate, Jeb, Luna, and Peter, whose extraordinary attention to detail, warmth, and genuine care made me feel that every moment of my experience mattered to them personally. Their hospitality went far beyond impeccable service. There was a generosity of spirit in the way they cared for me that made the evening feel deeply personal. And then there was Wolfgang's beautiful wife, Gelila. Watching the love, pride, tenderness, and devotion with which she looked at her husband was one of the most beautiful experiences of the evening. That same love seemed to extend effortlessly to the entire Spago team, to the guests, and even to my dog, Kaimana, who received what may well have been the largest portion of duck of his entire life! That simple act of kindness captured something essential about the evening for me. The love wasn't reserved for the people sitting at the tables. It seemed to extend to everyone who was part of the experience. I believe the most extraordinary art does more than impress us. It touches something deep inside us. It reminds us of the beauty, generosity, and aliveness that make life worth living. That is what this evening did for me. To Wolfgang, Gelila, Nate, Jeb, Luna, Peter, and every extraordinary member of the Spago team: thank you for the countless hours of preparation, the devotion to your craft, and the love you poured into making this evening so unforgettable. You didn't simply serve an extraordinary meal. You created an experience of beauty, connection, and transcendence that I will cherish for the rest of my life. With profound gratitude, Spar Street

Totally surprised by the OUTSTANDING service and FABULOUS dinner at Wolfgang Pucks spago restaurant…read morein Wailea Hawaii. Ambience was noisy because of many parties going on but still wonderful

This was my second time visiting Cafe O'Lei, and it definitely won't be my last! The atmosphere is…read moreabsolutely lovely, and I highly recommend coming for dinner, but also making time to come back and explore the beauty of the property. It's such a gorgeous, photo-friendly spot! The staff is always so welcoming and accommodating, and the drinks are delicious! I usually order the special of the night, which has been a great way to explore the menu and try something new. My friend absolutely loves their Caesar salad, so that's another favorite! Between the beautiful atmosphere, delicious food, and wonderful service, Cafe O'Lei is definitely a place worth visiting more than once!

Cafe O'Lei at the Plantation was one of the highlights of our Maui trip. The setting is absolutely…read morebeautiful, with lush tropical surroundings, mountain views, and a relaxed island atmosphere that makes you want to linger. It's the perfect blend of casual and upscale. The food was outstanding. We ordered the mahi mahi and the swordfish, and both were cooked perfectly--fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The cocktails were equally impressive and some of the best we've had on the island. Be sure to save room for dessert because the malasadas were incredible, especially with the three different dipping sauces. What really sets this place apart for families is everything beyond the food. There were ducks, geese, koi, and other animals roaming the plantation grounds, which kept the kids entertained before and after dinner. Combined with the friendly, attentive service, Cafe O'Lei delivered a memorable dining experience that we'd recommend to anyone visiting Maui. We can't wait to come back!

My girlfriend and I have been here a handful of times and it never disappoints…read more It is pretty pricey, but welcome to Maui. They are of the same company as Gather down in Wailea, and the menu reflects that. It is a high-end ingredient and creation experience. So far, we have had the curry, Mac nut mahi, fried chicken sandwich, fried noodle dish, and wonton appetizer...everything has been top-notch. We did try the crab pizza which seemed like an aberration to everything else. Definitely do not order that. Cocktails were pretty great too. Service is solid. If I had to nitpick, you are paying high dollars but the ambience is not quite the same as a four-star hotel or Gather. I mean, it is a general store...so there is a slight value to price mismatch. The setting and ambience is very inexpensive, but everything else is expensive, but the dishes deliver. All in all, this is a place that deserves repeat visits. Each time we try something different, it is fantastic. Next time, I can't wait to try the lobster cream pasta. Just like Gather, the menu is not huge. Once you go a few times, you have the gist of what it's about. If you're a foodie, you're looking to move onto other experiences versus to keep going to the same place.

Food, vibe, art, love the old building, service is Aloha!!…read moreWorth the trip Upcountry. ***************************************(******

Liliha Bakery is expanding, however, the one on Kuakini Street is one of my favorites…read more There's a big parking lot there. Bar table design. Everything is made in order. Their menu includes all day breakfast, local food, burger & sandwiches etc. Loco Moco - 5/5 Buttermilk pancakes- 5/5 Poi Donut. - 5/5 I love their pastries, don't forget to get some delicious cream puffs if you go there.

Honestly very disappointed in the food here. It has been so hyped up and we had to try it…read more I had the waffles and they were awful. Like thin Eggo waffles with a small side of fruit and whipped cream and sliced almonds. My husband had the omelet and he said it was okay. With coffee and an iced tea it was $70 which is ridiculous Our server was very sweet and attentive and it's in a beautiful plaza so plenty to see after your meal

To be honest, I used to think Merriman's was a little overrated but we decided to give the happy…read morehour a try and left very impressed. We came on a Sunday around 3:00pm and were seated right away without reservations. From the happy hour menu, we ordered the Schezuan Green Beans, Hapa Poke, and Fish Tacos. We also ordered the Tako with Bread, French Onion Soup, and the Chicken Laulau pot pie from the regular dinner menu. Our favorites were the Tako with Bread (like an Octopus Escargot), Green Beans (we always get this at Moku's too) and the Chicken Laulau pot pie (they only had a few available, definitely get this if you love Laulau/squid luau). Definitely recommend coming for a solid happy hour menu meal!

I'd Love to Gatekeep This Prime Rib Deal…read more I'd love to gatekeep this, but I will do my Yelp Elite duties and share the deets. Merriman's offers a $30 prime rib deal Sunday through Thursday from 8 PM to 9 PM, or until they sell out. It comes with au jus, horseradish, mashed potatoes, and green beans. The prime rib came out a perfect medium rare, and both the mashed potatoes and green beans were well seasoned. And definitely get their famous Mai Tai with lilikoi foam. You might as well make a night of it. There. I've shared the secret. My Yelp Elite duties are complete.

It is nice food and I enjoy the food last time I visited the restaurant and I will soon come again…read morewith my friends

Moku is one of my favorite happy hour spots! Great drinks, delicious mai tais, quick service, and…read morean always-lively atmosphere. I usually head straight to the bar, and it never disappoints! The live music is awesome and really adds to the vibe, but it can make conversation a little challenging, especially with a larger group at night. Personally, I'd rather come solo, grab a seat at the bar, and enjoy the atmosphere than bring a whole team and try to talk over the music. Great drinks, great energy, and an all-around fun spot!

Review 45 (2026)…read more Breakfast We chose Ala carte at this time. I had Classic Egg Benedicts, loved and enjoyed Poached egg hollandaise sauce over, underneath crispy toasted English muffins. My husband ordered Kahala thin pancakes with maple syrup. We shared. Coffee big pot was on the table, served enough for 2 of us. We were enjoying having breakfast outside the terrace looking at the ocean. So relaxing and feel peaceful. Server was very nice and helpful. Thank you so much. We will be back during staying until 8/23.

A friend was staying at the Kahala and asked to meet for brunch. When you live in this island, I…read morerarely eat at a hotel but to accommodate I decided why not and see what they have to offer. I self parked which was quite easy. When you're driving in to the location it is the driveway to the right before entering g the grand entrance. The restaurant is below ground level and you can enter it from the steps to the right of the main entrance to the hotel. The view is stunning as always. Everyone from the hostess to the waiters and waitresses were all kind and helpful. We went directly to the food that was offered. They had prime roast and omelette station. There was one person working it on a Sunday so the line was quite long. Possibly two people for a weekend brunch might help more. The food wasn't anything extra nor were the selections. We were quite discouraged for what they charge and what you get. Hotel food is a lot like airline food, however it would be great to have better choices. As I said, the view is what you're paying for and the service. Kahala hotel isn't what is used to and had lost a lot of that splendor and top of the line classy feel. I didn't take any food pictures but I'm sure you can find a lot with other yelp reviews.

We visited StripSteak during our honeymoon in Hawaii and I was especially excited to experience it…read moreafter having such a great impression of another Michael Mina restaurant in San Francisco. The ambiance was beautiful, the food was excellent, and the service truly stood out. Unfortunately, our dinner was cut short when my husband became sick from something we had eaten earlier that day. It was obvious he wasn't feeling well and our server noticed immediately. He checked on him, made sure he was okay and even had the bar/kitchen prepare him something similar to an Alka-Seltzer. That small gesture meant so much. When it became clear we weren't going to be able to finish dinner, they graciously packaged our food and even sent dessert to go. Everything we were able to enjoy at the restaurant was delicious and the food was just as wonderful when we finished it later. It's the little details and genuine hospitality that make an experience memorable and StripSteak absolutely delivered. Even though our dinner didn't go quite as planned, I still think about this experience and how exceptionally well we were treated. That level of service is something you don't find everywhere. I would love to return someday and experience the full dinner we didn't get to finish. Until then, StripSteak will always hold a special place in our honeymoon memories.

We came to Stripsteak for happy hour and it was AMAZING! We sat at the bar and had great service…read moreand even better food. The happy hour is limited to the bar, but there are so many good options, including some seafood favorites like Kona lobster toast, oysters, spicy ahi tacos, and even a NY strip! I had the oysters and spicy ahi tuna tacos, and both were so good. My mom got the bone marrow prime beef burger and fries, which was put together table side. Such a fun presentation and the burger was delicious! I also had the Stripsteak martini, which came with black truffle and blue cheese-stuffed olives. Definitely a fun drink if you like a dirty martini! Overall, this was such a great spot to stop for happy hour. The food felt really high quality, the service was great, and there were so many things I wanted to try. If you're looking for an upscale happy hour with amazing food, definitely check out Stripsteak. 10/10 recommend!

Back here for a wonderful meal in Waikiki. Great service and delicious food. We ordered a few…read morepastas and a pizza to share. My favorite was the carbonara, but it is very rich and heavy, right up my alley! Lobster bisque soup was nice. The seafood pasta was nice too. The pizza was very light and a nice change of pace from the pasta. We got our usual calamari, sardine/olive oil veggie dip appetizers to get us going. A great spot for a date night or just dinner with friends. Check them out and walk Waikiki after!

I had a craving for their lasagna tonight so we went and took out. It's 40.00 for their lasagna…read more They give a little piece of bread. I didn't give it five stars as I didn't think it tasted as good maybe because they didn't give me any Parmesan cheese to top it. Did it satisfy my craving kind off but I shared it with my husband and then he ate some left over ramen go figure the pairing.

Little Joe's happy hour is one of my favorite happy hours on the island. There's a wide variety of…read moreitems at a reasonable price. For three of us, we got the ribeye and New York pupu steaks, poke, potato gratin, fried mushrooms, and fish tacos. This was more than enough food for us, and I really think I got my ordering down at this place. If you're coming for happy hour, definitely get one of the pupu steaks. You cannot skip the potato gratin and fried mushrooms. The poke was pretty good, but you have to remember they are a steakhouse, not a poke shop. I would probably skip the fish tacos next time. Service is always super quick during happy hour. Parking can get full, but we're always able to find a spot. Definitely come early to take advantage of the happy hour deals!

We recently went to Little Joe's Steakhouse on Nimitz for a going-away dinner for a friend. Our…read morereservation was for 5:00 p.m., during the restaurant's advertised happy hour, which runs until 7:00 p.m. Before arriving, we had looked at the happy hour menu online and assumed those selections would be available during that time. We were seated in the dining room and ordered drinks, but no one mentioned that happy hour was restricted to a different seating area. It was only after we received the dinner menus, noticed the happy hour selections were missing, and specifically asked our waiter about them that we were told the happy hour menu could not be ordered in the dining area. By then, we had already ordered our drinks at full price. I think this is something the restaurant should make much clearer on its website and during the reservation and seating process. If a 5:00 p.m. reservation places guests in an area where the advertised happy hour does not apply, that should be disclosed before they are seated, or at minimum before they begin ordering. The difference affects not only price, but also the food selections available and the overall dining experience. Our group was actually a little stumped by the regular dinner menu because the options were much more limited than what we had been looking at online. I asked specifically about the Scallops Dynamite because I do not tolerate spicy food well. I told our waiter that I did not like spicy food, and he explained that the dynamite sauce could be served on the side and that the scallops themselves were basically seasoned with seeds. Unfortunately, even without the sauce, the scallops were extremely spicy. I could barely eat them. The heat was intense enough that I drank my entire glass of water and then much of my daughter's trying to cool my mouth. When the waiter came back and asked how everything was, I told him directly that I could not eat the scallops because they were far too spicy. He smiled and walked away. There was no offer to replace them, remake them without the spicy seasoning, suggest another entrée, or even acknowledge that the dish was not what I had been led to expect. That was probably the most disappointing part of the experience. At a restaurant at this price point, where many items are à la carte, I would expect the staff to be more attentive to whether a guest can actually enjoy the meal, especially after the guest specifically asked about the spice level before ordering. There was also a smaller moment that reflected the overall lack of attention to detail. Our guest of honor arrived wearing two leis, and the waiter immediately said, "Happy Birthday." He had to correct him and explain that he was actually leaving the islands. A more polished approach would have been something simple like, "Are we celebrating anything special tonight?" It could just as easily have been a birthday, promotion, retirement, anniversary, or farewell. I dine out and travel frequently, so I understand that not every meal or service interaction will be perfect. But several things missed the mark here, and together they changed what should have been a special farewell dinner. We will not be returning, but I do hope management takes the feedback constructively, particularly regarding clearer disclosure of the happy hour seating restrictions and how staff respond when a guest clearly cannot eat the dish they ordered. My advice for first time diners is ask where you will be seated if you're hoping for a full menu option during happy hour. The website is misleading.