Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Italian
For pasta dishes in a low-key atmosphere, hit
Penne Pasta
(180 Dickenson St., 808/
661-6633,
www.pennapastacafe.com
,
11am-9:30pm daily, $8) in downtown Lahaina just
steps from Maria Lanakila Church. Penne Pasta serves quality food quickly and at reason-
able rates. The food is cooked southern Italian style, and half of the tomatoes are sourced
from outside of Naples. Pastas include linguine pesto, baked penne, and chicken piccata,
and pizzas and flatbreads are also available. If you're looking for something lighter for
lunch, you can get a Nicoise salad with garlic ahi or an open-face roasted eggplant parmes-
an.
Opened in 1976,
Longhi's
(888 Front St., 808/667-2288,
www.longhis.com
,
7:30am-10pm daily, $12-40), has Lahaina's finest Italian. With its black and white tiles
and antique chairs, Longhi's is as iconic to Lahaina as a beer at the Pioneer Inn or escaping
the heat beneath the shade of the banyan tree. This multilevel establishment has an airy,
sophisticated yet casual setting. While pasta dishes form the backbone of the dinner menu,
seafood options such as Ahi Torino encrusted in macadamia dance their way across the
pages. More affordable breakfast ioptions include eggs Florentine and lobster Benedict.
This is the only restaurant in Lahaina that offers a valet service.
Italian Delight
(305 Keawe St., 808/662-0077,
www.italiandelightmaui.com
,
11am-9pm Mon.-Sat., noon-9pm Sun.) in the Lahaina Gateway shops has large New York-
style slices ($3-4); two constitute a meal.
French
If you take your fine dining seriously, then you're going to love
Gerard's
(174 Lahain-
aluna Rd., 808/661-8939,
www.gerardsmaui.com
,
6pm-8:30pm daily, $50) in the Planta-
tion Inn. Chef Gerard Reversade has been serving French food with an island twist for
over 30 years and was one of the pioneers of Hawaiian Regional cuisine. Classics such
as foie gras and escargot punctuate the appetizer menu, and favorites include the roasted
lamb in lemon/peppermint jelly accompanied by potato au gratin, as well as the fresh fish
that changes with the day's selection. Gerard's has received the
Wine Spectator
's Award of
Excellence 19 times for its extensive collection of French and American labels. Ignore the
cost and let your taste buds take over. Reservations are imperative.
American
M
Lahaina Grill
(127 Lahainaluna Rd., 808/667-5177,
www.lahainagrill.com
,
6pm-10pm
daily, $25-49) is the best restaurant in Lahaina, which is quite an accolade considering
the competition. Opened on Valentine's Day of 1990, this restaurant continues to be one
