After finding the sushi restaurant – 1111 Nikkei – to be unceremoniously closed even though they had taken our reservation just hours earlier, we started checking out the menus at Tikehau (love the drinks, still haven’t tried the food) and considering the Kohola brewpub (great beer, mediocre food), we noticed some activity up the stairs and decided to go see what was up. And we found Koast – at that point on day number 4 in business. And they had two seats at the bar. Sold.

Let me first lay out my initial impression, but then tell you that it really wasn’t very accurate: I saw a pretty sophisticated build-out with lots of spaces and finishes and a bar that was very clearly designed to be the centerpiece of the dining room. There are cabana-style tables on the outside edge which feel very Ultra-loungey to me. The music was decently loud; the hosts were very sleek and unknowledgeable, etc. Did not feel food-focused at all. Seemed vibey. But OK – this is Wailea, so fine, we’ll still eat your food. We took our seats.

On this night, Koast still didn’t have their liquor license. They did say we could BYOB and they offered that we could go to Spoon and Key (closed that night, or we wouldn’t be at Koast in the first place) or the Island Gourmet Market down in the Shops. No bother – we’ll go with sparkling, thanks. But I did appreciate that they were OK with outside drinks at that point – seemed like a nice mood to set.

Bartender (Jose?) was fantastic. And, it turns out, he’s more than a bartender. He’s a partner in the restaurant to some extent. Knew everything about every item on the menu. Told us what he liked most, and why. Honestly – great service from beginning to end. I was starting to realize I might like this place more than I was expecting.

I know I know! Too wordy right? I’ll cut to the food.

Uh oh! Too many good options here! Hard to choose! Problem!

So whatever I tell you we got, you’re gonna wonder why I didn’t get X instead. Let me say, we did well, and I suspect you will too.

First salad was the heart of palm and celery Caesar. Huge, crunchy, FRESH slices of hearts of palm. And they said even local? A+. Jose really recommend this, and we were probably headed for one anyway. The only thing I’ll ask is, why Caesar? Does that now mean: Tangy dressing with cheese and tinned fish? OK. Call it what you want. I’ll eat it.

Next up: Kale salad with roasted avocado dressing, toasted bird seed (?) and Surfing Goat cheese. Also great. Not too rich, but the cheese added just enough moisture. Worked really well. This is healthy too? Another win.

Jose pointed us to the nairagi – a type of Hawaiian marlin I hadn’t seen before. My wife liked this more than me – it was a pretty meaty piece of fish, getting close to swordfish. I usually like the lighter stuff. But it was really well prepared, and she was content.

I got the special – deer and lamb sausage. They didn’t use the word “merguez” but that’s exactly where the spices landed it, to me. Very happily. This is not a really descriptive pic, but you can see a curl of the link just above that lowest clam shell. And the portion of sausage was really generous – so that shows you how generous the whole dish was. Dare I say it? Best sausage on the island. Sorry Upcountry Sausage Company.

Didn’t do dessert.

Will definitely be back for more! I think I’d try to get one of those outdoor cabana tables next time. Unfortunately, I think the next building down the hill is just blocking the view which would really be fantastic if you could see it, especially at sunset. From the bar, I did just get a glimpse of Molokini in front of Kahoolawe . . .

Koast

Address:

116 Wailea Ike Drive Suite 2204
Kihei, Hawai‘i 96753

Website: Koast Maui

Let me start by saying that I am really not the target audience for a restaurant like Monkeypod. I’m not a big drinker, I don’t like super-loud places, and I don’t like to wait. No hate for anyone who disagrees with me, but just so you know where I’m coming from when I throw some shade on Monkeypod in Wailea.

This is a busy, bustling, loud affair of a restaurant, just up the hill from most of the Wailea hotels and resorts. It’s actually a nice walk if you’re staying down there.

Monkeypod has a big bar area with live music most nights, both indoor and outdoor seating and also bar seating, naturally. And if you want to eat there at any reasonable time, there’s also a wait. No reservations. If you like to hang out and wait with a drink, this is the right place. And the drinks might be the best part.

Monkeypod is justifiably famous for their Mai Tai. Besides the six or seven liquids in the drink (very strong) they top it with a lilikoi-honey foam. So, sure, a sweet drink with that pretty delectable passionfruit foam on top – what’s not to like? It really is tasty. And alcoholic. And probably caloric, but who knows. It’s a thing, and I agree it deserves recognition as a thing, so if you’re up there, just get one. Consider it a down-payment on dessert maybe.

OK – so here’s the bad news. It’s kinda downhill from the Mai Tai. So one option is, just get the Mai Tai! Short or no wait for the bar, great drink, and then bolt. I think that’s the right move. Just don’t drive after that! Walk. Or nap.

I don’t mean to say that the food here is bad, it’s just that it’s mediocre, and it’s expensive. I know, Wailea is expensive. But usually you get better food for you money. The pizzas are not well crafted. The salads aren’t really like a good healthy salad full of local veggies. The fish – and on Maui, how can the fish not be excellent? – is not excellent. Best bet is really the hamburger in my estimation.

I think you get the picture. Loud, raucous, food like from TGI Friday’s. And you get to wait and the overpay for the privilege. That is all.

Website: https://www.monkeypodkitchen.com/

Address:

10 Wailea Gateway Pl
Suite B-201
Kihei, HI 96753

+1 808 891-2322

Let me start by saying that I’m not really into hotel dining. Yes, I’ve had great meals at Morimoto (although that seems to be slipping) and yes, I enjoy a long meal with great wine and then a short slow walk back to a nice hotel room. But really, for the food itself, hotels just never really rank up there.

Lineage is right smack in the hotel zone of Wailea, just not in a hotel. It’s in the uber-fancy Shops at Wailea mall. But it’s not quite in the main mall – it’s just off to the north side abutting the Island Gourmet Markets, and upscale ABC store with the same ownership as Lineage – ABC Stores.

I think I’m making Lineage sound bad. It’s in Wailea. It’s in a mall. But not quite. And it’s owned by the parent company of ABC Stores. So even with all of that going against it, I’m going to tell you that Lineage is most definitely in my CGW (Can’t Go Wrong) club, which means that you can really truly order anything on the menu and you’ll be in at least very good shape, if not truly excellent shape.

The menu does change over time, but it was originally designed with Sheldon Simeon, a local Maui celebrity chef. And his touch is still evident in the food coming out of the kitchen.

I’d say highlights are the egg and croquette appetizers, and the fish of the day (generally offered steamed or fried – fried wins hands down, but steamed is still great), the mountain veggies over whatever crisp starched they’re serving, the fried chicken, and the noodles (usually two options – one with lobster and the other without). I will say that I kinda hate getting Maine lobster on Maui because Maine is more than 5,000 miles away and we’ve got everything you could want living in the water right here, but I get it. And it’s good.

Bottom line on the food though: get what looks good to you on the menu, and talk to your server about what they like. You will -not- be disappointed.

Further, their drink list is excellent, they usually have a fine and local beer selection, and their desserts are another surprise altogether.

Make reservations for this place pretty far ahead of time – it gets booked up weeks if not months in advance. And get a table outside. I don’t see any reason to sit inside here ever, frankly.

Lineage is heavenly.