Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Fun in the Sun: 808 Edition

Aloha my fellow bloggers!

Yet again, it has been a while since my last blog and I apologize for the noncommittal behavior. I wish eating, traveling, and blogging could be my full time job! But I digress…on today's episode of Breakfast with Beans--we will be reminiscing the warm Hawaiian sun and it's ono grindz.

Awesome view from our condo - whale watching included!

It's the end of December..the weather is getting a little bit dreary in San Francisco, but nothing compared to our friend the Polar Vortex on the East coast. Climate change is turning fellow Americans to trusty travel engines for tropical getaways. In other words, 55 degrees F was too much for me to handle, dampening my poor soul. The mister and I immediately booked our flights to Maui for Valentine's day week! Muchos romanticos. We couldn't refuse the sweet deals! And what a great decision that was.

Now, the 411 on the yummys! With so few blogs, it may seem like I am frequenting the same restaurants or food categories, but I promise it's for good reason. I am on a very special quest to try every Morimoto flagship in the US and share it with you all. Already crossed off the list: NYC, Napa, and now Maui…which leaves Honolulu, Boca Raton, Philly and soon to be Vegas.

Grapefruit Nigiri Cocktail

Tuna Pizza

Spicy King Crab Legs

Oyster foie gras with uni

Assorted sashimi and nigiri

Morimoto Maui had a very similar menu to Napa (with an island twist). Located inside the Andaz resort, this Morimoto was a lot smaller in comparison to NYC and Napa. I kind of liked the intimate dining area and the outdoor bar. I wonder if Chef Morimoto hand picks his sushi chefs? Everything we ordered we had already tried at different locations, with the exception of the foie gras oysters. The oysters were baked with a unagi or teriyaki glaze topped with a piece of foie gras and uni. Too be honest, it was too much of a good thing in one bite. I could hardly tell what was going on because there was too much going on. Disappointing to say, but I think Maui is my least favorite of the three locations. Our assorted sashimi was lackluster. The star of the night was the local steamed abalone, absolutely divine! We did have a lovely evening here though and the service was spectacular!

I don't think Maui is very well known for the food, but we did enjoy the island flavors. I think my favorite meals on the island came from trucks! Leoda's Kitchen and Pie shop was another favorite.
Mini banana cream pie!


Here I am on our first night (that "skinny chi" cocktail was to die for)! 


Breathtaking views of the sunset at Honu Seafood and Pizza (don't knock it til you try it!)

We got so lucky with the weather here! It was a little overcast a few days and low humidity--just the way I like it. On Valentine's day we hiked the Halealaka crater. Lovely views all over the island, whether it be waterfalls, beaches, oceans…etc. Is it bad that after an entire week on the island, we didn't want to leave/weren't homesick? 



Until next time my friends! XOXO