Dinner at David Paul’s new digs: David Paul’s Island Grill in Lahaina
David Paul is back on Maui after several years on the Big Island, and we are sooooo glad to see him.
His new David Paul’s Island Grill, not to be confused with his used-to-be-eponymous restaurant David Paul’s Lahaina Grill (now just the Lahaina Grill) … features some of the same items, but many more comfort food choices, all made with big, exciting flavors. Good ingredients showed up in every dish, and the restaurant has a gorgeous view of the harbor and sunset.
When we first drove by during renovations we were skeptical. Can he really draw people all the way down Front Street past the Hard Rock Cafe? The location is pretty lonely.
It won’t be for long. For one, we’ll be back many more times. (Two more research trips and we can write our review for the next guide.)
Paul’s stated ambition is to use the best ingredients (local and organic and sustainable trumps imported and commercial), make simple dishes, and keep it casual enough to keep prices lower than other places on Maui.
As many of you know, on Maui you can either do cheap casual (which usually isn’t cheap compared to other vacation spots) or fine dining (which isn’t always as fine as it should be for the price).
There are few moderately priced restaurants, and very few have a killer view or as nice decor as this new restaurant.
They have a wide-ranging but cohesive menu, and many items change based on what’s currently available. The Chef’s Tasting Menu is a steal at $45. Nine courses of the evenings best dishes (chosen by David Paul, who is in the kitchen each night) get served in four rounds. The portions are generous enough that we ended up taking the lamb chop home with us (it kept the best). The only trick is that everyone at the table must get the Tasting Menu. Add a bottle from their wine cellar, and you are set for a lovely evening.
Service was very good, friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, and quick. We’re looking forward to our return trips in preparation for our review in the next edition of our book, due out this fall.
You can see the restaurant’s website here.