Gannon’s Wailea Restaurant
Bev Gannon, Chef Owner of Hali’imaile General Store and Joe’s, opened her latest venture in the old Seawatch location. We had always relied on Seawatch less for dinner (it was overpriced and average) and more for reasonably priced, good breakfasts and lunches. It’s a million-dollar view from the 200 foot elevation, and we loooooooove watching whales breach in season from way up high while indulging in a great eggs Benedict: Kihei Caffe prices with Wailea views. [Editorial note — this review was published in the 2012 edition of Top Maui Restaurants. We have updated it in brackets.]
Seawatch was additionally known for being a great spot for a catered party — to the chagrin of those dining at tables near the event lawn.
Surprisingly, all of this remains true under the new management, save for the killing blow: no breakfast on weekdays. Sure, breakfast is served after 10am, but if you’re not at work or frolicking in the water by then, we suggest shifting your priorities. [A “limited” breakfast is served earlier in the morning. Golfers gotta eat.] Happily, the restaurant opens earlier on weekends (and even on weekdays during high tourist season), so our Benedict routine isn’t completely dashed.
The Red Bar, with its sparkly bowling-ball-like countertop is sassy and fun — but marooned up on the golf course as it is it only attracts so much of a crowd. The bar has done its best to draw patrons by offering half off a decent selection of appetizers from 3pm-6pm — a good deal if you happen to be wrapping up your golf game or snorkeling trip. [The half-off deal is no longer offered — instead there is a menu of higher-priced appetizers that often disappoint. Looking for that $6 burger you once ordered? Mulligan’s has it!]
Bev generally does comfort food well: smoky BBQ pork, salt-crusted rib eye, juicy, messy ribs with coleslaw, spicy blackened shrimp tacos and crab cake that doesn’t scrimp on the crab. Go for lunch or Happy Hour and think of it as fancy picnic food, and you’ll be satisfied. Sadly, dinners have disappointed, over and over. We’ve had terribly undercooked fish (which was not fixed by the waiter, but ignored) …
[When we say “ignored,” we mean that the server came to the table, placed his hand on Molly’s elbow, and said to her “everything is DELICIOUS” as she said “my mahi mahi is completely frozen inside, look.” He swept away, leaving the table aghast. Molly did not eat the frozen fish, and he cleared it without comment half an hour later.]
… and watched as an entire table of companions pushed away their various dishes, barely touched. The steaks are a safe choice, but we’re not sure how or why the magic gets lost at the dinner service.
Also, don’t be surprised if you arrive to find a “closed for private function” sign taped to the door. (You can check the website to avoid this; the calendar is regularly updated.)
All of this said, we can recommend Gannon’s for weddings and parties. Bev and her team are terrific caterers, and few locations on the island rival this one for sheer beauty and convenience. The process is made simple with online menus from which to choose.
Address: 100 Wailea Golf Club Dr., Wailea, South Maui
Location: On the Gold and Emerald Golf Course
Parking: Valet, Lot
Phone: 808-875-8080
Website: www.gannonsrestaurant.com
Editorial Note:
This review is from the 2012 edition of Top Maui Restaurants: From Thrifty to Four Star.
June 29, 2011 @ 11:26 pm
Skipper is still seeking employment… not cashiering or running computers. She would just love to hostess, as she had been doing for all those years. Yes, an ‘institution’, she is!!! Has literally hundreds of followers who miss her dearly, would indeed follow her to any restaurant that would hire her for her wit and personality.
She is 82, and ready for action! (-teaches dance on Saturdays.)
July 9, 2010 @ 3:06 am
We came for breakfast and we were not disappointed. The rainbow french toast was a home run with the kids, and our eggs were cooked perfectly. Prices, while higher than a diner, are certainly cheaper than one of the nearby hotels and less than at Longhi’s for pretty much the same food. And for that, you also get some killer views of Molokini, and friendly, solicitous service to boot.
May 21, 2010 @ 5:19 am
My husband and I had breakfast there a couple of days following closure for a 10-day movie shoot. Perhaps they were not yet back in gear, but the eggs were overcooked and the service was just okay. We expected better.
March 10, 2010 @ 4:50 pm
My husband and I dined here recently for breakfast. The food was tasty but I was very disappointed in their tea selection. They did not have any traditional breakfast teas and the quality of the tea they had was not in keeping with the rest of the restaurant.
November 13, 2009 @ 1:47 pm
Couldnt have been better-unless it were February and there were whales to watch! Missed Skipper, the cute hostess. Hope she made the transition-she is an intitution!
July 26, 2009 @ 3:08 pm
If you can get a table on the terrace everything tastes good here!