Usually I will visit a place at least twice before forming an opinion worth blogging about and this establishment is no different. I have actually been to this location 4 times since they opened and have had the same opinion each of these visits with the exception of this last visit that truly amplified my opinions from the previous.
Almost more important than food quality to me is the service. I expect good service every time I go out to eat. Maybe my expectations are too high of this place but I think most readers would agree with me after one visit to the Original Pancake House that their service SUCKS!!!!! On past visits I have thought the same but never stressed too hard about it while expecting the delay to get food that is actually of very good quality. If you have nothing to do for the morning and can wait for an exorbitant amount of time to get your meal, this is your place. My advice is to bring something to do, read the newspaper, finish some knitting, write a novel, etc.
On this past Saturday our family met up with some others for a “kid’s breakfast” prior to starting school this week. All in all there are 4 adults and 5 kids. Yes this is a larger party of people and the standard delay is expected for such thing. My wife showed up at the place at 9 am with the rest of us not due until 9:30 am. She ordered for everyone at that time expecting the food to be on the table shortly after the rest of the party arrived. Not so, in fact it took almost an hour to get the order to the table. Not even the whole order either. Apparently when you order corned beef hash you should call in the night before. Everyone was done eating before I got my order. Quality is tops for their eggs, bacon, hash, omelets and of course the pancakes but the service needs some serious help if they plan to stay in business. Also, if plan to drink coffee it may be a good idea to take a larger cup with you or drink slowly from theirs. You see staff wondering around but they are mostly empty handed.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Friday, July 11, 2008
Food Nights - To do and not to do in Maui
After being here in Maui for just over a week now we have had our food experience ups and downs. Ups would include last night’s dinner at Mama’s fish house (see previous blog) and the meals we have cooked here at the condo. Including the Bonsai burgers (teriyaki burgers topped with fresh grilled Pineapple), the Coconut and Panko Crusted Mahi-mahi topped with fresh Mango Salsa paired with coconut white rice and tonight’s dinner consisting of Beef Filets topped with caramelized Maui sweet onions, blue cheese and red wine reduction, served with fresh garlic green beans, chopped romaine salad and steamed Alaskan King Crab legs. Yes we have eaten very well and I have enjoyed cooking for everyone. It’s nice to stay at a location that will allow us to do this but part of vacation is enjoying the local fare.
Up – Old Lahaina Luau - http://www.oldlahainaluau.com/index_main.html
Hands down this is one of the best experiences I can recall on vacation. This luau is full of Hawaiian history and traditional dance. Oh, and the food isn’t bad either. Kailua pork tops the menu coked in the traditional style ”Imu” (pit oven in the sand covered with banana leaves). Also on the buffet is steak, chicken, fish, salads, fruit, etc. Most things on the buffet line where quite enjoyable including the macadamia tarts served on the desert tray at each table. This place is sold out every night so make sure to get your reservations well in advance and I would suggest asking for the traditional seating up front. $95 per person and worth every penny. All food, drinks (including alcoholic) and entertainment is included but make sure to tip your waiter. Best Mai Tai in the world.
Down – Quicksilver Sunset Dinner Cruise
Wow. Not a good wow either. We decided prior to our visit we would not seek out a dinner cruise while we are here. I envisioned a short boat ride eating mediocre food with watered down drinks and poor entertainment. What we got was much worse.
The couple we are vacationing with had been on a dinner cruise while on their Honeymoon 7 years ago and enjoyed every minute of it. We agreed that if we could find the same one they had gone on then that we would book the trip. While in Lahaina picking up the tickets at Boss Frog’s that I purchased for the Luau we asked the gentlemen about this dinner cruise. Apparently our friends were drunk the whole time when here before or in the twilight zone. At Boss Frog’s they have never heard of this dinner cruise our friends spoke of. Never the less, they of course recommended one that we are sure to enjoy. Great deal too. Book now and get your tickets two for one or $38 per person. Also promised to be a five star romantic experience. Yeh right.
From the time we board the boat to now and beyond I regret making the decision to book this trip. As we find our seat on the boat I have the immediate thought that most of the other patrons booked there tickets through Wal-Mart. Our group is dressed up and ready for a fabulously romantic experience and some of the others are in flip flops, swim suits, spandex, moo moos and tank tops. As we leave the dock and head out to sea about 1 mile off the coast, yep one whole mile before we stop and spin in circles waiting for dinner and the sun to set. Did I mention the entertainment? A one man band singing requests and an occasional Hawaiian style song? He sounds very similar to the worst Karaoke singer you have ever seen or heard but plays his own guitar so most of the songs are barley even recognizable.
Dinner time and we can’t wait for the Prim Rib, Chicken, coconut rice, etc. Oh, woops, I guess we waited to long to get in line. Out of 61 paying customers on boards I would guess there was only enough food for 50. They ran out of food on a dinner cruise buffet???? What little food we did get was over cooked, under cooked or just flat tasteless. Good thing they gave us free alcoholic beverages. Oh, but only two drinks per person until you have to pay for the rest. They did give out complimentary drinks to those of us who didn’t get much to eat. A poor offering to top of one of the worst vacation experiences of my life. Five star service my butt. At least we are open minded enough to make the most out of it and laugh the evening away not letting it ruin our vacation.
Next time we will spend an additional night at Mama’s fish house or cooking at the condo.
Up – Old Lahaina Luau - http://www.oldlahainaluau.com/index_main.html
Hands down this is one of the best experiences I can recall on vacation. This luau is full of Hawaiian history and traditional dance. Oh, and the food isn’t bad either. Kailua pork tops the menu coked in the traditional style ”Imu” (pit oven in the sand covered with banana leaves). Also on the buffet is steak, chicken, fish, salads, fruit, etc. Most things on the buffet line where quite enjoyable including the macadamia tarts served on the desert tray at each table. This place is sold out every night so make sure to get your reservations well in advance and I would suggest asking for the traditional seating up front. $95 per person and worth every penny. All food, drinks (including alcoholic) and entertainment is included but make sure to tip your waiter. Best Mai Tai in the world.
Down – Quicksilver Sunset Dinner Cruise
Wow. Not a good wow either. We decided prior to our visit we would not seek out a dinner cruise while we are here. I envisioned a short boat ride eating mediocre food with watered down drinks and poor entertainment. What we got was much worse.
The couple we are vacationing with had been on a dinner cruise while on their Honeymoon 7 years ago and enjoyed every minute of it. We agreed that if we could find the same one they had gone on then that we would book the trip. While in Lahaina picking up the tickets at Boss Frog’s that I purchased for the Luau we asked the gentlemen about this dinner cruise. Apparently our friends were drunk the whole time when here before or in the twilight zone. At Boss Frog’s they have never heard of this dinner cruise our friends spoke of. Never the less, they of course recommended one that we are sure to enjoy. Great deal too. Book now and get your tickets two for one or $38 per person. Also promised to be a five star romantic experience. Yeh right.
From the time we board the boat to now and beyond I regret making the decision to book this trip. As we find our seat on the boat I have the immediate thought that most of the other patrons booked there tickets through Wal-Mart. Our group is dressed up and ready for a fabulously romantic experience and some of the others are in flip flops, swim suits, spandex, moo moos and tank tops. As we leave the dock and head out to sea about 1 mile off the coast, yep one whole mile before we stop and spin in circles waiting for dinner and the sun to set. Did I mention the entertainment? A one man band singing requests and an occasional Hawaiian style song? He sounds very similar to the worst Karaoke singer you have ever seen or heard but plays his own guitar so most of the songs are barley even recognizable.
Dinner time and we can’t wait for the Prim Rib, Chicken, coconut rice, etc. Oh, woops, I guess we waited to long to get in line. Out of 61 paying customers on boards I would guess there was only enough food for 50. They ran out of food on a dinner cruise buffet???? What little food we did get was over cooked, under cooked or just flat tasteless. Good thing they gave us free alcoholic beverages. Oh, but only two drinks per person until you have to pay for the rest. They did give out complimentary drinks to those of us who didn’t get much to eat. A poor offering to top of one of the worst vacation experiences of my life. Five star service my butt. At least we are open minded enough to make the most out of it and laugh the evening away not letting it ruin our vacation.
Next time we will spend an additional night at Mama’s fish house or cooking at the condo.
Mama’s Fish House - Paia, HI
Located on the island of Maui, Mama’s is a must stop for any couple or group visiting the island. The setting and view from the restaurant is like that of a scene from a movie. Sandy beach, ocean waves, sunset and palm trees complete this surreal visual experience.
Open up your wallet. When preparing to dine at Mama’s make sure to make a reservation and be prepared to spend some dough. This place is packed on a regular basis especially around sunset time so call well in advance. You may also want to think of getting a second or third job to fund this experience. Expect to spend at least $100+ per person if you planning on drinking on your visit. If it’s any indication of what your getting into, the house wine is Pride Vineyards http://www.pridewine.com/ . We selected the Pride 2006 Cabernet Franc at $120 a bottle. Of course the restaurant marks it up 100% but still worth every penny.
First class treatment from start to finish can be expected. Valet the car when you get there and work your way to the bar. They serve a variety of tropical drinks as well as any others you can think of. Be sure to check out the wine list as well.
The appetizer menu is not completely overwhelming but the 4 of us attending this night found a couple that tempted our taste buds. Macadamia nut crusted crab cakes and lobster guacamole find their way to the table and in to our mouths in a matter of minutes. Not overly impressed with the crab cakes (mine are hard to beat) but thrilled with the explosion of flavor in the guacamole. A little disappointed in the portion size of our fist delivery but overall a pretty good pick.
Salads and soups are next on the menu but having a hard time justifying a $20+ salad I opt for the Crab and Corn chowder and the wife spies the Chilled Cucumber soup. After tasting both of them I decide I have made the better decision but both are a wonderful second course.
Don’t feel ashamed to split dishes here. The chef will send each dish out as he normally would but the waiter will gladly bring you a second plate to split the meal. This is a good way to cut down on the cost a little while still enjoying yourselves and not overeating. Especially when you entrée is a Mahi-mahi stuffed with Lobster and Crab crusted with macadamia nuts and tipping the economic scale to the tune of $46. This dish was rich enough and well portioned for two and sparked the taste buds with every bite.
Dessert is not an option tonight and not because of the price or selection. Surprisingly enough all of us are full after splitting appetizers, soup and entrees. As a last effort to secure our nights enjoyment our waiter surprises us with a complementary port wine and slice of Mama’s Chocolate Kuau Pie. This pie is similar to a chocolate moose pie on a Carmel cookie crust. Not my favorite but the rest of the table made sure there was not a crumb left on the plate.
Total cost for 4 adults indulging in pre dinner cocktails, two appetizers, 3 bowls of soup, two entrees and a very nice bottle of wine, plus tip………..$420. Was it worth it you ask? I would go back again tonight if I could.
http://www.mamasfishhouse.com/
Open up your wallet. When preparing to dine at Mama’s make sure to make a reservation and be prepared to spend some dough. This place is packed on a regular basis especially around sunset time so call well in advance. You may also want to think of getting a second or third job to fund this experience. Expect to spend at least $100+ per person if you planning on drinking on your visit. If it’s any indication of what your getting into, the house wine is Pride Vineyards http://www.pridewine.com/ . We selected the Pride 2006 Cabernet Franc at $120 a bottle. Of course the restaurant marks it up 100% but still worth every penny.
First class treatment from start to finish can be expected. Valet the car when you get there and work your way to the bar. They serve a variety of tropical drinks as well as any others you can think of. Be sure to check out the wine list as well.
The appetizer menu is not completely overwhelming but the 4 of us attending this night found a couple that tempted our taste buds. Macadamia nut crusted crab cakes and lobster guacamole find their way to the table and in to our mouths in a matter of minutes. Not overly impressed with the crab cakes (mine are hard to beat) but thrilled with the explosion of flavor in the guacamole. A little disappointed in the portion size of our fist delivery but overall a pretty good pick.
Salads and soups are next on the menu but having a hard time justifying a $20+ salad I opt for the Crab and Corn chowder and the wife spies the Chilled Cucumber soup. After tasting both of them I decide I have made the better decision but both are a wonderful second course.
Don’t feel ashamed to split dishes here. The chef will send each dish out as he normally would but the waiter will gladly bring you a second plate to split the meal. This is a good way to cut down on the cost a little while still enjoying yourselves and not overeating. Especially when you entrée is a Mahi-mahi stuffed with Lobster and Crab crusted with macadamia nuts and tipping the economic scale to the tune of $46. This dish was rich enough and well portioned for two and sparked the taste buds with every bite.
Dessert is not an option tonight and not because of the price or selection. Surprisingly enough all of us are full after splitting appetizers, soup and entrees. As a last effort to secure our nights enjoyment our waiter surprises us with a complementary port wine and slice of Mama’s Chocolate Kuau Pie. This pie is similar to a chocolate moose pie on a Carmel cookie crust. Not my favorite but the rest of the table made sure there was not a crumb left on the plate.
Total cost for 4 adults indulging in pre dinner cocktails, two appetizers, 3 bowls of soup, two entrees and a very nice bottle of wine, plus tip………..$420. Was it worth it you ask? I would go back again tonight if I could.
http://www.mamasfishhouse.com/
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