According to statistics, over 75-million Americans dine out on Mother's Day. Maui chefs are busy creating specials buffets, brunches and dinners and seats are filling up fast. So, it's best to pick your favorite and get on the phone and make reservations today.
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SOUTH MAUI
Article Photos
The Seascape Ma‘alaea at Maui Ocean Center will present a brunch buffet Sunday. Mason Gomes (left) with his two children, dines with Krystle Alcain, who is administrative assistant. The restaurant has a side entrance and you do not need to pay an admission to the center in order to dine there.
It's hard to get more up close and personal to the ocean than at Sarento's on the Beach in Kihei. Mother's Day breakfast will be served from 7 a.m. to noon. The chef has concocted a prix-fixe menu for $25 for adults; and $4.95 for keiki, plus tax and tip.
To start off, enjoy the first course of warm malassadas made in house and tossed with cinnamon sugar. Then choose an entree such as eggs Benedict, Yazmin's huevos Rancheros, or Caprese omelet. You may also get Starbucks coffee or hot tea. Call 879-4171.
Seascape Ma'alaea Restaurant will offer a brunch buffet for Mother's Day from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for $24.99 for adults and $14.99 for children 3-12. This is in addition to its full regular menu.
On the brunch buffet, you'll find a variety of fresh greens with 12 toppings such as quinoa, soy beans, grape tomatoes, sprouts and carrots. Hot entrees cover breakfast and lunch appetites such as scrambled eggs, Portuguese sausage, mini muffins, snapper in chardonnay beurre blanc, grilled beef medallions and vegetable Napolean.
For dessert, top it off by dipping cake, mochi balls, fruit and marshmallows into chocolate at the fondue station. For reservations, call 270-7068.
Four Seasons Resort Maui in Wailea will present a lavish Mother's Day Brunch in DUO from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at a cost of $95 for adults; and $39 for keiki 6 to 12 years old. For $20 extra, adults may indulge in the farm-to-bar Bloody Mary and Mimosa station with fresh-squeezed juices and mixes of the highest caliber.
Food highlights include a seafood bar with chilled Kona lobster tails and crab claws, freshly shucked oysters, sushi, breakfast items, appetizers, soups, salads, small plates, local harvest farmers market, and a carving station with whole roasted salmon, Berkshire pork and herb-crusted prime rib with all of the condiments.
Specialty entrees include braised duck, pan-seared island catch, braised short ribs with truffled polenta. Desserts range from mini fruit tarts to chocolate milkshakes to coconut cake pops. Call 874-8000.
Buzz's Wharf in Maalaea will feature two very distinct options Mother's Day. You may choose the Makuahine brunch buffet from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for $50 per person with waffles, omelets, prime rib, breads salad bar, desserts and many other hot and cold items.
Or enjoy a leisurely surf and turf dinner buffet from 5 to 9 p.m. for $75 per person. Dive into the seafood bar, carving station, soup station with bisques and chowders, salad bar, sushi and poisson cru. Desserts range from chocolate cake to lilikoi cheesecake. Call 244-5426.
Gannon's: A Pacific View Restaurant in Wailea will dish up expansive views and plenty of room and parking for the whole family. Its Mother's Day brunch buffet runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring a breakfast station, carving board, salads, pastas and desserts. Cost is $42 for adults, and $18 for children. Call 875-8080.
The recently renovated Ko at the Fairmont Kea Lani Maui Resort in Wailea will be open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; and dinner from 6 to 9 p.m., the latter with live music.
Signature dinner options include lobster tempura, zarzuela seafood immersed in saffron broth, and Chinese cake noodles - all representing various ethnic cultures of Maui's plantation era. Call 875-2210.
Stella Blues Cafe is conveniently located in central Kihei and it offers both indoor and outdoor seating for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Mother's Day specials include crab cake Benedict, tropical French toast, and country-fried steak with sausage gravy.
In addition, Stella Blues supper-club series will present a Mother's Day benefit concert of female performers starting at 6:30 p.m. Show only is 5 p.m.; and dinner and show of four courses is $60.
The menu is grilled zucchini and fresh cheese canapes, blue-crab salad; entree choice of fresh-herb encrusted fish or stuffed chicken breast (both with accompaniments) and a strawberry cheesecake. Call 874-3779.
Beach Bums in the Maalaea Harbor Shops will offer you a fun and casual option for Mother's Day a la carte dining from 11 a.m. until closing.
You may order everything from a hamburger to ribs to a crab-cake salad on Romaine or mixed greens. The chef will also do a number of combo specials such as Brazilian lobster and slow-cooked prime rib, and ono with tiger prawns. The meals will include fresh Kula vegetables and roasted red potatoes. And you may order sides of baked beans, corn on the cob and more. Call 243-2286.
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CENTRAL / UPCOUNTRY MAUI
In Kahului, Ichiban, The Restaurant & Sushi Bar will be open serving a slew of local and Japanese favorites and every Mother will receive a rose, compliments of owner Henry Chan. Lunch will be served from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. The dining room is cool and air-conditioned. Call 871-6977.
Cafe O'Lei at the Dunes will host a Mother's Day buffet from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with live music by Reiko Fukino. As you enjoy views of the West Maui mountains, dive into carved roast prime rib; alaea salt roast pork, shrimp linguine, seafood chowder, specialty salads, omelets made to order and international cheeses. Save room for desserts of bananas Foster, chocolate fondue and apple-mango cobbler. Cost is $36 adults, and $18 for children 4 to 12. For reservations, call 877-0073.
Cary & Eddie's Hideaway will dish up affordable brunch offerings from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for $14.99 with omelets, sausages, prepared salads, baked ham, fruit, pancakes, fried rice, potatoes, drinks and desserts.
In addition, it will offer its American and Hawaiian dinner buffet with soup and salad island and other enhancements for $24.99 from 5 p.m. to closing. Or opt for special dinner combos such as Alaskan king crab and New York steak. Prices vary.
Maui Tropical Plantation in Waikapu will dish up its own version of an all-you-can-eat brunch from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The chefs of Maui Flavors Catering will tempt you with hot breakfast items, where you can make your own Belgian waffles with assorted toppings.
The hot lunch array features kalbi-marinated hibachi pork loin, Waikapu-style miso soup, slow-baked mac 'n' cheese, sauteed ono in lemon-butter-and-caper sauce, and Bruddah Willy's sticky ribs. Seafood will be chilled on ice, and you'll find tropical fruit, Kula greens and an assortment of desserts, coffee, tea and water. Cost is $35.95 adults, $24.95 seniors, and $16.95 children 4 to 12 years of age. For reservations, call 243-7788.
Nearby in Waikapu, drive all the way to the top of the hill to dine at the King Kamehameha Golf Club from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. An elaborate brunch buffet will include omelet and carving stations, platters of smoked salmon and bagels, seafood on ice, salads such as Caesar and artichoke with feta cheese. Hot entrees include fresh island fish, grilled chicken, roasted pork loin, chow mein and sauteed seafood medley. Desserts range from chocolate-cherry cake to lemon mousse tarts. Cost is $37.95 adults, half price for children 6 to 12. Call 243-1024.
Situated in the same Waikapu golf course area, the sister Kahili Restaurant will also put on a Mother's Day spread from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Savor poached tiger shrimp and mussel kim chee from the seafood bar, sink your teeth into garlic-herb prime rib and enjoy stuffed cheese tortellini, mini bagels with smoked salmon, Italian sausage and desserts with coffee, tea and juices. Cost is $34.95 adults, and half off for children 6 to 12. Call 242-6000.
In Kahului, the Maui Beach Hotel will offer brunch and dinner buffets in its cool and expansive Elleair Ballroom. Brunch seatings are at 10 a.m. and noon, and cost is $35.99 for adults, and $17.99 for children 6 to 11.
Maui Beach's dinner buffet seatings are at 5 and 7 p.m. and the all-you-can-eat extravaganza is $39.99 for adults, and $19.99 for keiki 6 to 11.
Both the brunch and the dinner buffets include roast prime rib, peel-and-eat shrimp, hot entrees such as steamed salmon, roast pork with brown sauce, shrimp and vegetable tempura, California roll and futomaki sushi, salad bar and desserts. Call 872-9315.
Also in Kahului, Coconut Grill at Maui Seaside Hotel is offering a brunch buffet with seatings at 8, 8:30, 10:30 and 11 a.m. seatings for $29.95 adults, $27.95 seniors, and $14.95 children 5 to 12..
A continuously flowing lunch and dinner buffet will roll out with seatings at 1, 1:30, 4, 4:30, 7 and 7:30 p.m. Cost is $31.95 adults, $29.95 seniors, and $15.95 for children 5 to 12 years of age.
Both will include carved roasted prime rib, mahimahi in black-bean sauce, lop cheung and baby clams, local-style roast pork, grilled Thai chicken, salad bar, chilled seafood, and assorted desserts. Call 871-8881.
Four Sisters Kitchen in Wailuku will present a brunch buffet from 9 a.m., to 1 p.m.; and dinner buffet from 5 to 8 p.m. at a cost of $33.95 adults, and $19.99. Kick back and enjoy music by Olahou with Da Brown Ohana and Richard Hoopi'i.
Get your picture taken for free as you indulge in omelets, waffles, prime rib, whole pig, rack of lamb, ahi poke, sushi, barbecue ribs, crab legs, baked fish, Filipino specialties, soups, salads, noodles, desserts and non-alcoholic drinks. Call 242-1135.
Hali'imaile General Store will be the upcountry hot spot for a Mother's Day buffet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost is $38 for adults, and $18 for children 6 to 9 years of age for the all you can eat affair.
Specialties include herb-scrambled eggs, Italian sausage, kitchen-sink fried rice, caramel-swirl French toast, grilled flank steak, warm-stuffed baked potatoes, wild mushroom pasta, chicken pot pies, crab cakes, salad Nicoise, breads, muffins and desserts. Call 572-2666.
See the beauty of upcountry Maui with jacarandas in full bloom on route to Makawao Steak House, a landmark in the heart of paniolo country. Open for dinner from 5:30 p.m., it will serve its full menu. Order steaks cooked to order, baked potatoes, salad bar, calamari steak, king crab legs, prime rib and more. Call 572-8711.
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WEST MAUI
Come to Lahaina Gateway and you'll find just about everything you need for Mom. For starters, The Melting Pot and 100 Wines will both be open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.
The Melting Pot will feature a three-course meal for $24 per person that will include cheese fondue, fresh salad and chocolate fondue; and a four-course fondue meal with entree for $35 per person.
In addition, its sister restaurant, 100 Wines, which recently opened, will tempt you with a number of fun signature menu items that are perfect for sharing. Dine at either restaurant and Mom receives souvenir chocolate-covered strawberries and handmade truffles in a box, while supplies last. Call 661-6181.
Both Ruth's Chris Steak House locations on Maui will open early at 4 p.m. for dinner. Make a reservation at either the restaurant upstairs in the Shops at Wailea or the one on the ground level of Lahaina Center and Mom will receive a rose and a special gift.
In addition, all Moms are eligible to win dinner for four as well as a $100 gift card. Sink your teeth into prime steaks, sip a chilled martini, savor creamed spinach and top it off with New Orleans bread pudding. Call Ruth's Chris Wailea at 874-8880; or Lahaina at 661-8815.
Ka'anapali Beach Hotel presents a stylish Mother's Day celebration from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday. Sip champagne and feast on a lavish all-you-can-eat buffet while enjoying Hawaiian music, hula and the latest offerings from Hawaii fashion designers. Brunch prices for adults are $48.95, and children 6 to 12, $25.
KPOA's Morning Goddess, Alaka'i Paleka, will be the Mistress of Ceremonies for the day's festivities. Every Mother will receive a rose and have a chance to win the grand prize, valued at $500.
The all-you-can-eat buffet features waffles and omelets; seafood such as shrimp cocktail, crab legs, and oysters and mussels on-the-half shell. Chefs will hand carve kiawe smoked prime rib, rack of lamb, herb-roasted pork loin and baked ham with lilikoi glaze.
Other temptations are spicy fried shrimp, and seafood cioppino, keiki buffet and house desserts. For reservations, call 667-0124.
Oceanfront at Lahaina Center, David Paul's Island Grill will open at 5 p.m. and kamaaina get 50 percent off all entrees. In addition, every Mother will get a $25 gift card good for her next visit; and she'll also receive a complimentary rose. "We'll also do a special prix-fixe menu of three courses for $45 that includes a choice of appetizer, entree and dessert," says Chef-owner David Paul Johnson. "Call us at 662-3000.
Gerard's Restaurant at the Plantation Inn in Lahaina will offer kamaaina 20 percent off its entire a la carte menu at dinner, starting at 6 p.m. As appetizers, indulge in fresh Hamakua mushrooms in puff pastry, ahi tartare on taro chips, and chilled cucumber soup with Surfing Goat Dairy cheese.
Chef owner Gerard Reversade is also featuring fresh local Berkshire pork from Malama Farm in Haiku and you may order charcuterie specialties such as pate de foie, rilletes de pork and boudin noir.
Or, opt for fresh salads, duck confit with garlic petals, fresh catch, grilled rack of lamb and housemade desserts such as the Dusty Road with chocolate and coffee ice cream. Call 661-8939.
At Plantation House in Kapalua, let mom drink in the views from its perch in the West Maui mountains all day long for breakfast and lunch from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bloody Marys and Mimosas rule, and so does the stellar variety of eggs Benedicts. Starting at 6 p.m. for dinner, enjoy Angus tenderloin and cold-water New Zealand lobster as specials. Call 669-6299.
Mother's Day is always better when shared with family and friends and Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa in Kaanapali is the perfect gathering place.
Come to the Sheraton's champagne brunch at the Black Rock Terrace from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the little ones will delight in the knee-high buffet to appease their appetites. Adults will savor kiawe-wood roasted prime rib of beef, crab legs, banana cream-cheese French toast and desserts such as green-tea creme brulee. Each adult also gets a sparkling wine to sip.
Cost is $45, and $20 for children ages 4 to 12. For more details, call Sheraton at (808) 921-4600.
Merriman's Kapalua will supply sweeping views of the ocean and neighbor islands as well as a menu full of fresh Hawaii Regional Cuisine items.
Mother's Day seating begins at 3 p.m. and each Mom will be entered to win a $300 gift certificate to Kapalua Spa to help make her day. Call 669-6400.
Sweeten Mom's day at the Westin Maui Resort & Spa's poolside Ono Bar & Grill, where each mother will receive a flower if she dines there from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m. for breakfast. The specialties are sticky bun French toast with creme fraiche and pineapple-vanilla compote, crab cakes with poached eggs and Hollandaise, and steak and eggs with Hamakua mushroom gravy, and more.
For an evening get together, dine at the Westin's Tropica Restaurant & Bar starting at 5 p.m. with Kula vanilla bean poached half lobster tail and petite filet of beef with truffle mashed potatoes, Meyer lemon-grilled asparagus and hoisin demi glace. Call 667-2525.
