Photography by Nina Lee
‘Aina Gourmet Market
Story by Rod Antone
It’s all about details at ‘Aina Gourmet Market, the colorful deli owned by the dynamic team behind I’O and Pacific’O restaurants. Chef/owner James McDonald oversees the menu right down to the ingredients—grown Upcountry at his own O’o Farm. Sun-ripened tomatoes and Maui onions brighten the Local Beast sandwich, piled with hormone-free Maui Cattle Company roast beef. Soft, whole-grain bread is made locally at Home Maid Bakery, sans eggs, milk and shortening. The subtle bite of horseradish and parsley dill cream ties the flavors together.
At Honua Kai Resort, 130 Kai Malina Pkwy., Ka‘anapali, (808) 662-2800. Deli. B, L. $
Cafe Prana Nui
Story by Shannon Wianecki
The little hamlet of Ha‘iku has become a hotbed of good cooking. Leading the charge is a rainbow-splashed school bus decked out with twinkle lights, parked at Ha‘iku Marketplace. By “good” we mean both delicious and wholesome. Is it a stretch to say enlightened? Order a “dosha” bowl according to your temperament: airy, fiery, or grounded. Balance yourself with quinoa or brown rice, bright veggies and spices, recipes loosely drawn from the 7,000-year-old science of Ayurveda.
810 Ha‘iku Rd., Ha‘iku, (808) 463-8307. Vegetarian. L, D. $
Raku
Story by Shannon Wianecki
Beyond the snowflake-patterned wood screen, Makena Beach Resort’s renovated and reimagined Japanese restaurant promises perfectly on-point sashimi, sushi, and the requisite hand rolls. Among the menu’s most memorable items? An unexpected dessert. The green-tea cheesecake mingles savory flavors with sweet. It’s light yet satisfyingly rich, imparting an elegant aftertaste. Drag your forkful through the mysterious dark sauce surrounding the cake and discover black sesame—an earthy, exotic indulgence.
At the Makena Beach & Golf Resort
5400 Makena Alanui, Makena, (808) 874-1111. Japanese. D. $$
