Maui Guidebook » Sushi | West Maui

Sansei Restaurant & Sushi Bar (Kapalua)

Mark — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 02:56:55 +0000

Sansei Restaurant & Sushi Bar (Kapalua)

Rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars
^{*how we rate restaurants}

In a nutshell: Award-winning contemporary sushi in a casual and lively setting.
Minuses: Show up without a reservation and you’re in for a long wait.
Sound-bite: “…karaoke! my friends sang their hearts out!”

Location:		Kapalua Resort, 600 Office Rd., Kapalua, HI 96761
Phone:		808-669-6286
Website:		www.sanseihawaii.com
Menus:		New Looks Award Winners Starters Soup & Salad Entrees Desserts Sushi Wine Sake Drinks

Hours:		Nightly 5:30 - 10:30pm (Thu & Fri till 1am)
Price:		Moderate
Credit Cards:		Yes
Views:		No
Outdoor Seating:		No
Entertainment:		Yes
Booze:		Yes
Reservations:		Strongly Suggested

Description:
Sansei has received dozens of awards and accolades from nationally recognized critics & magazines, from Bon Appetit, Food & Wine Travel + Leisure and Wine Spectator, to loads of local awards from Honolulu Magazine and the Maui News (among many others.)

This is a fun, casual and highly rated dining experience, and not just for Sushi. Sansai has a diverse menu with Pacific Rim and other non-sushi dishes, making it a great option to preserve the honeymoon when the honey (or moon) is squeamish at the thought of tentacles as culinary delight.

Awards and accolades spill over into the wine cellar too; wine enthusiasts will be delighted with their selection and knowledge.

Picture Perfect

Let's not forget the star of the show -
the sushi! Words like "innovative" and "contemporary" fall short in describing the fresh and inventive creations of Chef/Owner Dave (D.K.) Kodama. All the dishes are artistically plated - and some, you'll almost want to frame and hang on your wall (but, trust me, you won't think twice about dismantling the artistic masterpiece once you've put the first bite in your mouth!)

Sansei is not a formal or quiet atmosphere - this is definitely fun and festive. In fact, Thursday & Friday nights they really get their party on with karaoke nights and have half-off sushi. Karaoke + late night + booze = a fun party! (21+)

Notes on ratings from other sites

If you've been paying attention, you know that a big part of our rating system relies on gathering together all the user reviews on the Internet and giving these considerable weight in our final rating. This allows us to harness what is so powerful about online review sites, while moderating the garbage that litters the landscape.

Sansei suffers from this litter more than most - so much that Tripadvisor and Google in particular don't rate it accurately.

Why? Upon analyzing the negative reviews, I discovered that three basic complaints make up the majority. Here they are, and why I don't think they deserve to skew the ranking:

#1 - "This place is expensive."

This is just wrong. I understand that some folks come to Maui and are shocked that the pricing of everything is significantly more than it is back home. That is a fact that isolated island life goes hand-in-hand with. Sansei is very fairly priced in our restaurant market. In fact, you can easily pay the same amount for uninspired food at the average Lahaina tourist trap - and that is a fact anyone can verify with a walk down Front Street.

The average dinner bill will come to about ~$35 per person.

#2 - "Doesn't live up to the hype."

Well, does anything? This may be paradise, but just like back home, there are plenty of sources of information that rely on hype to sell magazines, products, vacation packages, activities and even guidebooks. This is very good sushi but the atmosphere may not be formal enough for some. Also, if you're on a budget and this is your one and only one splurge meal, be sure to write down the top three things you want in a restaurant, and check if anyone in this price range gives you all three - if not, recalibrate your expectations (or budget!)

Best tip for any restaurant: keep in mind your source of information when setting your expectations, and don't believe the hype!

#3 - "I had to wait for a table."

We're definitely very spoiled on Maui in this regard. We have great restaurants, virtually all of which accept walk-ins - and usually have a table readily available. But the most popular will be busy, and you should definitely make a reservation here if you don't want to wait to be seated.

Other Reviews: ^{*ordered by accuracy}

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Cascades Grille & Sushi Bar

Mark — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 02:02:32 +0000

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars ^{*how we rate restaurants}

Location:		Hyatt Ka'anapali, 200 Nohea Kai Dr., Lahaina, HI 96761
Phone:		808-667-4727
Website:
Menus:		Menu

Hours:		Nightly 5:45 - 10pm
Price:		Expensive
Credit Cards:		Yes
Views:		Ocean & Sunset
Outdoor Seating:		Yes
Entertainment:		No
Booze:		Yes
Reservations:		Suggested

Description:
Tiki torches, palms swaying, overlooking the Pacific well executed tropical ambiance galore. A beautiful location with great food and service to match.

Cascades specializes in Sushi and Pacific Rim cuisine.

Remember that resort pricing comes along with the package. They have also been struggling a bit during the past year to deliver consistency, some folks have come away disappointed.

Other Reviews: ^{*ordered by accuracy}

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Bamboo Bar & Grill

Mark — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 04:09:58 +0000

Rating: 3.95 out of 5 stars ^{*how we rate restaurants}

Location:		505 Front St., Lahaina, HI 96761
Phone:		808-667-4051
Website:		bamboogrillinc.com
Menus:		Not Available

Hours:		Daily 8am - 11pm
Price:		Affordable
Credit Cards:		Yes
Views:		No
Outdoor Seating:		No
Entertainment:		No
Booze:		Yes
Reservations:		No

Description:
This place caters more to the locals than tourists. Down the road and outside of the Front St action zone (at 505) it is reasonably priced.

It is an odd mix of a bar with pool table, Thai & Vietnamese restaurant, and a sushi bar.

A lot of folks swear by the Bamboo, and with fair pricing, it is definitely worth checking out if you're spending time in Lahaina and care about how much bank you drop.

Other Reviews: ^{*ordered by accuracy}

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Zushi Inc

Mark — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 00:07:34 +0000

Rating: 3.85 out of 5 stars ^{*how we rate restaurants}

Location:		840 Wainee St., Lahaina, HI 96761
Phone:		808-667-5142
Website:
Menus:		Not Available

Hours:		11am - 2pm ; 5 - 8:30pm (Closed Sun)
Price:		Affordable
Credit Cards:		Yes
Views:		No
Outdoor Seating:		No
Entertainment:		No
Booze:		No
Reservations:		No

Description:
Mom & pop inexpensive Sushi & plate lunch joint.

Rating info very limited. Let me know if you eat here, and what you think!

Other Reviews: ^{*ordered by accuracy}

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Kai Sushi Restaurant

Mark — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 08:09:40 +0000

Rating: 3.6 out of 5 stars ^{*how we rate restaurants}

Location:		One Ritz-Carlton Drive, Kapalua, HI 96761
Phone:		808-669-6200
Website:		www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Propert...
Menus:		Menu

Hours:		Thurs-Mon 5:30pm - 9pm
Price:		Expensive
Credit Cards:		Yes
Views:		Ocean & Sunset
Outdoor Seating:		Yes
Entertainment:		No
Booze:		Yes
Reservations:		Suggested

Description:
A real mixed bag. Pretty much an option for those staying at the Ritz, not a go-to place.

On the one hand you get fresh fish of the highest sushi-grade quality, alongside spectacular service.

But on the other hand the price tag is steep, the quality can be inconsistent and the menu is pretty limited.

We have plenty of sushi on Maui; I'm leaving this one for the Ritz guests.

Other Reviews: ^{*ordered by accuracy}

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Kobe Japanese Steakhouse & Oku’s Sushi Bar

Mark — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 21:44:15 +0000

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Teppanyaki tables, steak, seafood & sushi. Karaoke & dancing Fri & Sat nights.

More reasonably priced than the resort option in West Maui.

Key Info:
Price: Moderate | Hours: Daily 5P – 11P
Booze: Yes | Credit Cards: Yes | Res: Recommended | Views: No
Entertainment: Teppanyaki, Dancing & Karaoke (Fri-Sat)

Menu: Teppanyaki | Sushi | Groups | Drinks

Location: 136 Dickenson St., Lahaina, HI 96761
Phone: 808-667-5555
Rating source: Google

Web: http://www.kobemaui.com/

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Genki Sushi

Mark — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 03:27:49 +0000

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars ^{*how we rate restaurants}

Location:		Lahaina Gateway Shopping Center, 305 Keawe St., Lahaina, HI 96761
Phone:		808-661-0333
Website:		www.genkisushiusa.com
Menus:		Menu

Hours:		Su-Th 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; F-Sa 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Price:		Affordable
Credit Cards:		Yes
Views:		No
Outdoor Seating:		No
Entertainment:		No
Booze:		No
Reservations:		No

Description:
Genki Sushi is a Hawaii chain kaiten sushi joint. Kaiten means tehre is a conveyor belt running through the booths, where hungry diners snatch tasty sushi dishes on impulse.

The sushi is fairly good for a chain, likely because the sushi chefs are all trained in Japan - and we also have a very significant Japanese population in Hawaii, so lame sushi doesn't go very far. You'll be very satisfied if you're just expecting fast-food.

Rating this one for price was difficult. While it is inexpensive as far as sushi goes, expect to drop about per hungry adult.

Other Reviews: ^{*ordered by accuracy}

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Mai Tai Lounge

Mark — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 06:31:18 +0000

Rating: 3.3 out of 5 stars ^{*how we rate restaurants}

Location:		839 Front St., Lahaina, HI 96761
Phone:		808-661-5288
Website:		lahainamaitai.com
Menus:		Menu Signature Drinks Specialty Drinks Martinis Wine List Beer Smoothies Coffee

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

Description:
Go here for the drinks and the view.

The Good: The location is spectacular. Awesome views and comfy seats. Tasty drinks.

The Bad: Prices are way out of sync with the food quality. Drinks are also high-priced. If you don't have money to burn you'll probably split after a drink or two.

Other Reviews: ^{*ordered by accuracy}

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Five Palms (was Canoes)

Mark — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 04:48:25 +0000

Rating: 2.85 out of 5 stars ^{*how we rate restaurants}

Location:		1450 Front St., Lahaina, HI 96761
Phone:		808-661-0937
Website:		www.canoesrestaurant.com
Menus:		Menu

Hours:		11am - 2:30pm; 5 - 9pm
Price:		Moderate
Credit Cards:		Yes
Views:		Sunset & Ocean
Outdoor Seating:		Yes
Entertainment:		Yes
Booze:		Yes
Reservations:		Suggested

Description:
CLOSED - Five Palms opened up in its place.

A shame. Boy do I want to write a great review for this place. It is a really cool place, loaded with koa wood and memorabilia, great entertainment, fairly nice views and convenient location.

The problem is that they are so inconsistent that while some have a great meal, many folks quite literally leave feeling like they were ripped off.

Sunday brunch buffet from 10A - 2P

I hope I can revise this some day soon.

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Maui Guidebook » Sushi | West Maui

Sansei Restaurant & Sushi Bar (Kapalua)

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Kobe Japanese Steakhouse & Oku’s Sushi Bar

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Genki Sushi

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Mai Tai Lounge

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