Special Events On Maui for Valentine’s Day

James and I are hopeless romantics when it comes to love and Maui (and food) … so I have a lot of ideas for you if you’re on Maui this weekend. Some are pricey, some are just for locals – but all are worth considering.

(Not a romantic? You can always celebrate Chinese New Year instead – see tomorrow’s post for my recommendation.)

Presented in Alphabetical Order … here are our picks:

Capische? (Wailea, Maui)

(Attn: Vegetarians – There’s Love for You at Capische?!!)

There’s a lovely Chef’s Menu planned for lovers celebrating up at Capische? at the Hotel Wailea. You’ll start with a small course of oysters and a glass of Prosecco, followed by butternut squash tortellini, ahi crudo nicoise salad with truffle and quail egg (do you see a lover’s theme here?) and several other delicacies. Surrender to the Snake River Farms Kobe Beef tenderloin with potato gnocchi … or snuggle up to our favorite pesto crusted onaga. Dessert course is the classic strawberries and chocolate … or a strawberry milkshake … or a chocolate brule spoon … or a warm chocolate cake.

Vegetarians get plenty of love, too, with a special menu.

Call 808-879-2224 for reservations and details on pricing… if you’re kama’aina, you can stay at the hotel for rates starting at $149 … not bad. Check their site for details.

Valentine’s Industry Night @ David Paul’s Island Grill (Lahaina, Maui)

It makes me nostalgic for my college waitressing days … David Paul’s sharing his love for food with local restaurant industry employees. Thank you for feeding and serving the rest of us: half off entrees for both you and your valentine, on Monday (so you can work on the big day).

February 15th Special at David Paul’s Island Grill,  call 808-662-3000 to reserve your table. Bring your ID or paycheck stub to qualify for the special deal.

Hula Grill Valentine’s Day Dinner (Ka’anapali, Maui)

Hula Grill’s charming on a regular day, but on Sunday they’re handing out roses to the ladies with the menus. The regular menu is in play, but also a kabocha pumpkin ravioli (appetizer), a surf and turf entree, and an intriguing fruit carpaccio napoleon dessert. Call 808-667-6636 for more details and to make reservations.

Lahaina Grill Valentine’s Day Menu

Do it up at Lahaina Grill – with their regular menu and two specials for this most loving day:

… an asiago crust smothers opakapaka in love while a grilled tiger prawn draws close. Served with herbed truffle risotto and lobster champagne sauce…

… and your muscular lover will have the 18 oz. bone-in beef rib chop with blue cheese mashed potatoes, mirin-flavored baby carrot puree and a port wine demi glace.

Sigh.

Lahaina Grill fills quickly: call 808-667-5117 for reservations.

Mala Wailea Dinner

Mala’s Wailea outpost has a good deal – four courses for $59: chicken quesadilla with ali’i mushrooms; your choice of potato jalapeno soup or their classic farmer’s salad; your choice of crab crusted mahi, grilled veal chop, braised short ribs, or vegan lasagna; dessert from their special menu.

The regular menu is also available. Call 808-879-1922 to make reservations.

“Sea of Love” Valentine’s Dinner (8th Annual) at Maui Ocean Center

If you’re a sea-lover, there could not be a better place to have a romantic dinner than in this aquarium. Really, I mean … come on! Seating is semi-private, the four-course meal $99++.  The meal begins with a combination platter of sashimi, shrimp, and crab spring rolls … then moves to a “cupid salad” of baby spinach, feta cheese, prosciutto, and honey-balsamic viniagrette … you can choose from five entrees, including opakapaka, prawns, filet mignon, chicken breast, beef wellington, or baked stuffed vegetables … followed by a flourless chocolate cake garnished with heart shaped strawberries. Complimentary glass of sparkling wine to set the mood, coffee and tea with dessert keeps you stimulated for the night’s activities (you eat between 6-8, so there’s plenty of time left for whatever you have in mind).

Call 808-270-7000 for reservations.

Surfing Goat Dairy Presents A Walk Around The Black Forest

Surfing Goat Dairy owner Thomas Kafsack hails from the Baden/Alsace region of Germany … and he wants to share his love for his homeland’s foods with you.

There are soooooooo many foods on the menu – including quail eggs, crackling goose fat, tarte flambee, and duck pate – that I get overwhelmed just reading about them on their website.

Two days: February 13 and 14th at 6:30 p.m. at the dairy, $79 per person. Call 808-878-2870 to make your reservations.

‘Umalu Valentine’s Menu

‘Umalu is a sweet little pool-side restaurant at the Hyatt, and one of our favorites for a casual Ka’anapali meal. Their Valentine’s menu features a three course fixed price special. You get to choose from among several dishes, including tequila lime shrimp, kurobuta pork chop (with Maui onion-applewood smoked bacon marmalade – cool), prime rib, grilled tiger prawns … and the “Little Bomb” for dessert: pineapple-coconut ice cream deep fried and garnished with fresh berries, whipped cream, and a honey drizzle.

Call 808-661-1234 for more information and reservations.