Son'z at Swan Court

Rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars
^{*how we rate restaurants}

Rated #1 High-End Contemporary W.

In a nutshell: A romantic setting with fantastic Mediterranean influenced island cuisine.
Minuses: Pricey.
Sound-bite: “so romantic, we were seated at a table for two right next to the lake.”

Location:   Hyatt Regency Resort, 200 Nohea Kai Dr., Ka'anapali, HI 96761 Phone:   808-667-4506 Website:   www.tristarrestaurants.com/son... Menus:   Dinner Menu Wine List

Hours:   Daily 6:30 - 11am; 5-10pm (10:30 Fri & Sat) Bar stays open to midnight. Price:   Expensive Credit Cards:   Yes Views:   Yes Outdoor Seating:   Open Air Entertainment:   No Booze:   Yes Reservations:   Yes

Description:
Located at the Hyatt Regency Resort in Ka'anapali, this romantic open-air restaurant sits at the edge of a swan pond complete with flowing waterfalls, lush gardens, and a dramatic staircase entry that looks like it's been transported out of an elegant 50's movie set.

Normally I shy away from resort restaurants, because, in Maui more than most places, an on-the-ground understanding of what makes our island unique is key. Otherwise, you're sitting at a formula restaurant that really could be dropped on any resort beach in the world with the same result - and I don't believe that is what draws people to Maui.

The key to success here is that Son'z doesn't belong to Hyatt. Son'z is part of a Hawaii based group of high-end restaurants, the ownership and on-site management team are fine-tuned from decades of presence in Hawaii, and quite literally, have also been an active part of defining contemporary fine dining in the islands.

Like virtually all high-end restaurants in Maui, the dress is "resort casual", and in line with the tropical ambiance and relaxed atmosphere. The waitstaff is equally relaxed, though professional, well informed and attentive - just as you would expect when dining in a restaurant of this caliber.

The cuisine consists of delicious interpretations of "Mediterranean meets Hawaii" - plus a few exquisite renditions of classic comfort foods (Kobe beef meatloaf is a favorite.)

Much of the produce at Son'z comes from local farms, fish come from the surrounding waters - and even the goat cheese is local. In fact, a favorite appetizer is the Surfing Goat Dairy cheese ravioli - which incorporates local award-winning cheese, Maui's Kula corn and Big Island Hamakua mushrooms.

Both meat and fish lovers will come away equally satisfied by the "Mediterranean Rim" interpretations (a name given by the owners to describe the mix of Pacific Rim and Mediterranean influences.) Ahi prime rib, grilled Maui Cattle Company beef tenderloin, and Hawaiian opakapaka picatta, are among the stars of the show.

To top it all off, Swan Court also boasts the largest wine cellar in Hawaii.

(PS, the breakfast buffet here is also ranked among the best in Maui!)

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• Lahaina Grill
• Hula Grill
• Umalu

Location:   1307 Front St., Lahaina, HI 96761 Phone:   808-667-9394 Website:   www.malaoceantavern.com Menus:   Regular Menu Lunch Menu Happy Hour Brunch Drink Menu Dessert Wine List

Hours:   Daily 11am - 9:30pm ; (Sat & Sun 9am) Price:   Moderate+ Credit Cards:   Yes Views:   Ocean & Sunset Outdoor Seating:   Yes Entertainment:   No Booze:   Yes Reservations:   Suggested

Description:
This small unpretentious tavern right on the ocean has great service with award-winning food to match. The pricetag is pushing the envelope a bit, so penny pinchers may have difficulty enjoying their meal.

Many of the dishes are tapas. The chef also uses organic, healthy and natural ingredients.

Great views and sea breezes; if you want a table outside call well ahead for a reservation.

Kid friendly, too.

Oh, and don't be scared away when you see it from the outside ;-)

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• David Paul’s Island Grill
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Location:   900 Front St. Suite A101, Lahaina, HI 96761 Phone:   808-662-3000 Website:   www.davidpaulsislandgrill.com Menus:   Menu Wine

Hours:   Daily 6pm-10pm (Fri & Sat to Midnight) Price:   Moderate+ Credit Cards:   Yes Views:   Ocean & Sunset Outdoor Seating:   Yes Entertainment:   No Booze:   Yes Reservations:   Recommended

Description:
Artistic beautifully prepared island-fresh foods.

David Paul sold his Lahaina Grill a few years back and moved on to a private gig on the Big Island. Realizing he was meant to be in the kitchen, he has opened a new waterfront restaurant. (Regular Lahaina Grill patrons will recognize many items on the menu - only less expensive!)

The menu is dynamic, changing with what best ingredients are available on the market.

They also have a notable wine cellar, in which patrons are invited to pick wine themselves.

Great service, and David Paul is also known to make the rounds and talk with the guests.

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• Cool Cat Cafe
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Location:   845 Front St., Lahaina, HI 96761 Phone:   808-661-4811 Website:   www.kimosmaui.com Menus:   Lunch Dinner Wine List Kids

Hours:   Daily 11am - 10:30pm Price:   Moderate Credit Cards:   Yes Views:   Ocean & Sunset Outdoor Seating:   Yes Entertainment:   Yes Booze:   Yes Reservations:   Suggested

Description:
Same owner as Dukes and Hula Grill, Kimo's is where it all started. This is casual island food right on the water.

Not fine dining; consistent good food and service that rarely disappoints.

Gorgeous views. Great service. Good food.

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• Humuhumunukunukuapua’a
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Location:   2435 Ka'anapali Parkway, Kaanapali, HI 96761 Phone:   808-667-6636 Website:   www.hulagrillkaanapali.com Menus:   Menu

Hours:   Daily 11am - 11pm Price:   Moderate+ Credit Cards:   Yes Views:   Sunset, Ocean, Beach Outdoor Seating:   Yes Entertainment:   Yes Booze:   Yes Reservations:   Recommended

Description:
This place is definitely the epitome of "touristy" but they do pull it off well.

On Ka'anapali Beach, tiki torches blazing, sitting under a palapa while the sun sets over the Pacific and Hula dancers sway with the palms. Yup, this was the place on the travel brochure alright!

They have an outside grille and an inside dining room.

This place gets very busy and there can be a both long waits for tables and slow service. Fortunately most people aren't in a mad rush when on vacation sitting at the beach with drinks in hand!

The food is pretty good - nothing spectacular, though - and portions are on the smaller side and a bit overpriced. Service can also be strained. They've got a popular novelty "barefoot bar" in the sand, and the views can't be beat.

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Location:   2435 Kaanapali Pkwy., Lahaina, HI 96761 Phone:   808-661-4495 Website:   www.leilanis.com Menus:   Beachside Grill Dinner Wine List Kids Menu Happy Hour Early Evening Entrees Japanese Dinner Menu Japanese Beachside Grill Japanese Wine List

Hours:   Daily 11am - 9:30pm. Price:   Moderate+ Credit Cards:   Yes Views:   Beach, Ocean & Sunset Outdoor Seating:   Yes Entertainment:   Yes Booze:   Yes Reservations:   Suggested

Description:
Same owner as Kimo's, Dukes and Hula Grill. This is casual island food right on Ka'anapali Beach.

Upstairs the menu is a bit more serious, while downstairs is less formal pub fare. Frantically busy at dinner time & reservations are not accepted for downstairs.

Not fine dining; decent food and fairly good service (this TS location has been slipping a bit in the past year, but it is still typically an overall pleasant place to dine.)

Gorgeous views. The restaurant is fairly good, but the convenience to Ka'anapali Beach and the ambiance are why you should come here.

PS Fish tacos (downstairs) are da bomb!

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• Hula Grill
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Location:   2780 Kekaa Dr., Lahaina, HI 96761 Phone:   808-661-3611 Website:   www.hawaiihotels.com/Main/Sub.... Menus:   Not Available

Hours:   Daily 6:30 - 10am; 6 - 9pm Price:   Moderate Credit Cards:   Yes Views:   Ocean, Sunset & Beach Outdoor Seating:   Yes Entertainment:   Yes Booze:   Yes Reservations:   Suggested

Description:
Another open-air resort restaurant - this one is located by the Royal Lahaina Resort pool fronting Ka'anapali Beach.

Entertainment in afternoons through evening hours every night.

Breakfast buffet (6:30 - 10A). Dinner entrees focus on Pacific Rim cuisine.

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• Ono Bar & Grill
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• RB Black Angus Steakhouse

Location:   900 Front St., Lahaina, HI 96761 Phone:   808-661-8815 Website:   www.ruthschris.com Menus:   Menu

Hours:   Nightly 5-10pm Price:   Expensive Credit Cards:   Yes Views:   Ocean & Sunset Outdoor Seating:   Yes Entertainment:   No Booze:   Yes Reservations:   Suggested

Description:
If you only have a limited number of expensive meals in your vacation budget, as perfect as they cook a steak, I just think I'd be pointing you in the wrong direction sending you somewhere you could probably eat back home.

That said, I understand the desire to get a great steak just how you're used to getting it back home. This location seems to trade a view and some outside seating for quality, because this location is not exceptional.

The Ruth's Chris Steak House (Wailea) location is much truer to the mainland model, with spectacularly great service and absolutely delicious food.

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• Hula Grill
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Location:   2605 Kaanapali Pkwy., Sheraton, Lahaina, HI 96761 Phone:   808-662-8053 Website:   www.sheraton-maui.com/dining/b... Menus:   Menu Desserts

Hours:   Daily: 5:30pm - 9pm Price:   Expensive Credit Cards:   Yes Views:   Ocean & Sunset Outdoor Seating:   Yes Entertainment:   Yes Booze:   Yes Reservations:   Suggested

Description:
Tired and overpriced resort food in the Sheraton Maui Resort.

The people that work at the resort are great, but it just can't make up for the food.

The ambiance, views and convenience factor for those staying the the Sheraton are also reasons people show up here. Unfortunately the food that will end up on your plate likely won't come close to matching expectations.

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