MEAL DEALS ABOUND. . . Even the resorts are dishing up meal deals these days. Westin Maui Resort & Spa appeals to kamaaina with its 20 percent off food at restaurants.
"This includes our oceanfront Tropica for dinner and all-day dining at 'Ono Bar & Grill, both with validated parking at nearby Whalers Village," says Director of Public Relations Sumithra Balraj. "We're extending the discount for the Wailele Polynesian Luau, which is held Tuesday evenings from 5:45 to 8:30."
In addition, Westin Maui now features a "kids-eat-free" promotion, open to visitors and kamaaina alike. "It applies to each child, five and below, accompanied by an adult, who orders an entree," says Balraj.
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Westin Maui Resort & Spa photo
The poolside ‘Ono Bar & Grill at the Westin Maui Resort & Spa in Kaanapali is dishing up 20 percent discounts to kamaaina. Both visiting and local families should also check out the “kids-eat-free” promotion.
The fairly new Green Leaf Sports Bar & Grill in the old Tin Ying location on Lower Main Street in Wailuku is the place to go for ono hamburger steak and regular burgers. You won't believe the size of the patties that are made in house.
There are a number of big booths, so you may hang-out comfortably with your friends and a new bar and big tables are spread about along with some TVs.
House food specialties include pork and peas, fried chicken, chop steak, teriyaki meat and stew.
The average check for lunch and dinner at Cilantro Mexican Grill in Lahaina is not much over $10.
Signature entrees are spinach, mushroom and poblano enchiladas (a first-place winner at A Taste of Lahaina); crab and shrimp enchilada topped with chipotle con queso and crema fresca; and scallop and prawns chile relleno, topped with ancho-tomato sauce, crema fresca and roasted corn.
"These three popular dishes are served with rice and beans and jicama slaw," says owner Paris Nabavi, who traveled through Mexico to research the food.
Do you love an all-you-can-eat Japanese lunch buffet? Unisan Sushi Bar & Grill on Vineyard Street in Wailuku is promoting its affair Monday to Friday for $9.95 adults and $5.95 children 6 to 12 with each paid adult. It's got shrimp and vegetable tempura, six types of sushi (which rotate daily), noodles, salads and much more.
"It's a really good deal," say owners Sam and Sheila Sohn.
ON THE HORIZON . . . A number of new restaurants are looming on the horizon and one will be Tia Juana's Beach Cantina at the entrance to Kaanapali Resort in the old Giovanni's location.
The original Tia Juana's Long Bar & Grill has been jumping in Irvine, Calif., for over 20 years. The new one will be 7,000-square -feet of food, drink and fun.
"We will offer traditional Central Mexican-style food," says partner Brad Prescott. "We will make everything fresh, including salsas and tortillas. The only thing in our freezer will be ice cream."
Tia Juana's will be upstairs and the lower part of the building, where Jonny's Burger Joint was, will be Donavon Frankenreiter's Margarita House.
"Donavon's popularity as a professional surfer and musician will definitely provide us with some 'street cred,' " says Prescott. "We'll offer some great local specials down there. It will be kamaaina driven. We really look forward to getting it open and up and running."
The target dates for both establishments is right before Cinco de Mayo.
Parent company Kaiwa, with two Oahu restaurants, is still proceeding with the Kai Wailea Japanese restaurant in The Shops at Wailea.
And, last but not least, Bin 69 in Wailea is inching ahead and we may be able to start sipping wine from its massive cruvinet as early as February.
* Reach Dining Editor Carla Tracy at carlatracy@mauinews.com.
