Maui - Hawaii with Kids - page 262

'n' Roll Aloha Friday set gets those decibels climbing. Free concerts are usually
offered on a stage outside the restaurant on the last Sunday of the month.
In Whalers Village, 2435 Kaanapali Pkwy. & 808/661-4495. www.leilanis.com. Kids' menu, highchairs,
boosters, crayons. Reservations suggested for dinner. Lunch and dinner (Beachside Grill) $7.50-$13; dinner
(Leilani's) $16-$26; kids' menu $4.95-$6.95. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Beachside Grill daily 11am-11pm (bar daily
until 12:30am); Leilani's daily 5-10pm.
CJ's Deli and Diner AMERICAN/DELI Eat here! If you are stay-
ing in Kaanapali, it is walking distance from your resort (up to the highway),
and if you're not staying in Kaanapali, it's worth the drive to sample the “com-
fort food” (as they call it) at this hip eatery with prices so low you can't believe
you are on Maui. (There's nothing over $13 on the entire menu.) You can eat in
or take out (hey, they even have “chefs-to-go” to come to your accommodations
and cook for you), the atmosphere is friendly, and there's high-speed Internet
access to keep the computer people humming. Huge, delicious breakfasts start
at 6:30am (for those up that early, check out the $4.95 early-bird special of two
eggs, bacon or sausage, rice, and coffee); for those who sleep in late, no wor-
ries—breakfast is served until 11am. Lunch ranges from deli sandwiches, burg-
ers, and hot sandwiches to pot roast, ribs, and fish dishes. If you are on your way
to Hana or to the top of Haleakala, stop by and get a box lunch.
Kaanapali Fairway Shops, 2580 Keka'a Dr. (just off Honoapiilani Hwy.), Kaanapali Resort. & 808/667-0968.
Kids' menu, highchairs, boosters, crayons. Breakfast items $1.75-$8.95; lunch $5.95-$12; kids' menu under
$5.95. MC, V. Daily 6:30am-7:30pm.
Hula Grill HAWAIIAN REGIONAL/SEAFOOD Here's your chance to
stick your toes in the sand, admire the beach, and eat wonderful food at the same
time. Chef Peter Merriman, one of the originators of Hawaiian regional Cuisine,
segued seamlessly from his smallish, Big Island upcountry enclave to this large,
high-volume, open-air dining room on the beach. Hula Grill offers a wide range
of prices and choices; it can be expensive but doesn't have to be. The menu
includes Merriman's signature firecracker mahimahi, seafood pot stickers, and
several different fresh-fish preparations, including his famous ahi poke rolls—
lightly sautéed rare ahi wrapped in rice paper with Maui onions. At lunch the
menu is more limited, with a choice of sandwiches, entrees, pizza, appetizers, and
salads. There's happy-hour entertainment and Hawaiian music daily. For those
wanting a more casual atmosphere, the Barefoot Bar, located on the beach, offers
burgers, fish, pizza, and salads. Kids have their own menu ranging from grilled
cheese and fries to fish and chips. Kids under 4 can order the free keiki pasta.
In Whalers Village, 2435 Kaanapali Pkwy. & 808/667-6636. www.hulagrill.com. Kids' menu, highchairs,
boosters, crayons. Reservations recommended for dinner. Lunch and Barefoot Bar menus $8-$16; dinner main
courses $20-$29; kids' menu $3.95-$8.95. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Daily 11am-11pm.
Nicky's Pizza PIZZA They've changed the name from Pizza Paradiso but
kept the menu of pastas, pizzas, and desserts, including smoothies, coffee, and
ice cream. This is a welcome addition to the Kaanapali scene, where casual is
king and good food doesn't have to be fancy. The pizza reflects a simple and
effective formula that has won acclaim through the years: good crust, true-blue
sauces, and toppings loyal to tradition but with just enough edge for those who
want it. You and the kids can create your own pizza with roasted eggplant,
mushrooms, anchovies, artichoke hearts, spicy sausages, cheeses, and a slew of
other toppings.
In Whalers Village, 2435 Kaanapali Pkwy. & 808/667-0333. Gourmet whole pizzas $12-$27; pasta $7-$9.
MC, V. Daily 11am-9pm.

Value