Fine dining experiences are some of the most enjoyable parts of traveling for some people.
Whether you like the high-quality food, the standard of service, or simply the stunning views from these restaurants, there is something so appealing about fine dining.
One of the most important aspects of fine dining is the variety and quality of the food that you experience. It is what makes or breaks a meal out, no matter how nice the view may be.
In Hawaii, the view will always be a winner, therefore, the food has a lot to live up to. That is true of Lahaina Grill restaurant too. In this article, we will look at three of Lahaina Grill’s menus and what they have to offer.
Lahaina Grill is a restaurant based in Maui, Hawaii. It is described as a contemporary bistro restaurant.
Open in 1990, Lahaina Grill has a long history of beautiful dishes created with the freshest ingredients, including fish caught fresh from the ocean that day.
The restaurant seats up to 130 patrons, including a chef’s table that seats 6-10 people for a semi-private dining experience.
Since its opening, Lahaina Grill has won multiple awards for its desserts, wine, service, and even the coveted restaurant of the year award.
All in all, it is a restaurant that sets high standards for itself and those standards are reflected in the menus and the accompanying price tag.
One of the menus available from Lahaina Grill is called “From The Sea” which, as the title suggests, features seafood.
Considering that Lahaina Grill is located on the oceanfront, it is reasonable to have high expectations for the From The Sea menu and those expectations are easily met.
The From The Sea menu features five dishes that feature different fish or other seafood. One of the most popular dishes from this menu, according to customer reviews, is the Tequila Shrimp and Firecracker Rice.
The shrimp are marinated in southwestern herbs and spices with tequila butter and served with spicy firecracker rice.
The delicate and intricate flavors of the shrimp pair well with the heat of the rice which helps to give the dish the overall kick that it deserves.
Another popular dish from this menu is the Maui onion and sesame seed crusted seared ahi. Not only is this an incredible piece of fish at any restaurant, but at Lahaina Grill, it is local and freshly caught.
You won’t find better sashimi-grade ahi anywhere else. Served with vanilla bean jasmine rice and apple cider butter vinaigrette, the flavors of this dish are light and refreshing.
Nothing will make you feel more like you are eating fresh from the ocean that you’re looking at.
The best thing about Lahaina Grill’s From The Sea menu is that all of the dishes are naturally gluten-free. This makes them, and the restaurant, a perfect option for anyone who has an intolerance for gluten.
The vegetarian menu at Lahaina Grill is far more limited than the From The Sea menu, featuring only one dish.
The porcini-portobello mushroom ravioli is the only main vegetarian dish on the menu at Lahaina Grill, but the chefs take pride in it. The choice of mushrooms in this dish gives the ravioli substance which will leave you feeling satisfied.
The ravioli is served with a fresh tomato and basil sauce and drizzled with olive oil. The dish is then topped with fried capers, fresh basil, and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
Although the options for vegetarian main dishes are severely limited, there are plenty of vegetarian-friendly side dishes that can make up a full main if you are not a big fan of mushrooms.
The side menu at Lahaina Grill is also known as the From The Farm menu. Although this may make you think of farm animals, the dishes are actually almost completely vegetarian.
The only exception to the vegetarian dishes is the Chef’s daily risotto which changes daily and will be made using the ingredients that are left over from the day before.
This is a great way to ensure that minimal food is wasted which is great for the environment. More often than not, the Chef’s risotto will be vegetarian, however, there may be times when it contains fish or meat.
The other sides on the menu are fairly typical of vegetarian-friendly side dishes. The creamed spinach option contains standard seasonings such as nutmeg and features mascarpone.
The roasted sweet corn dish is created with corn that has been removed from the cob on site and provides a gentle crunch. It is accompanied by herb butter to give it additional flavor.
The broiled Roma tomatoes come glazed with herbs and topped with capers and a drizzle of olive oil. This side dish gives your meal a Mediterranean feel and paired with a seafood dish can be incredibly tasty and healthy.
The final option on the side menu is the potato-celery root mash. This dish takes very little explaining, it is a combination of potatoes, celery, and root vegetables that have been mashed to provide a delicious, slightly sweet accompaniment for your meal.
This can be a great option to order alongside tequila shrimp and firecracker rice to provide a bit of sweetness to counter the heat.
It is important to note that many of the dishes available on the From The Sea menu already come with some of the side dishes as standard.
These are clearly stated on the menu, but it is important to double-check to ensure that you aren’t double ordering by mistake.
According to customer reviews, Lahaina Grill is very willing to modify dishes to suit your preferences or dietary requirements. This can be something as simple as swapping your rice or mash accompaniment for grilled corn or Roma tomatoes.
They are also willing to alter dishes such as the tequila shrimp and firecracker rice to make them vegetarian. This could involve simply replacing the shrimp with a portion of creamed spinach, or you could opt to have one of Lahaina Grill’s salads with the rice instead.
Lahaina Grill has been known to work with guests to create a dish from the available ingredients that suit their preferences and restrictions when nothing on the menu appeals.
They are willing to go above and beyond to try and ensure their customers are satisfied.
Lahaina Grill is on the more expensive side when it comes to restaurants. Part of this is due to the territory of being classed as a fine dining establishment.
Part of it is due to the fact that you really do get what you pay for. Although the prices at Lahaina Grill may be on the more expensive side, the quality and the freshness of the seafood and fish dishes, in particular, make it worth it.
There is nothing like sitting and looking out over the ocean where your meal was caught earlier in the day.
Lahaina Grill offers a wide selection of meals from their From The Sea, Vegetarian, and Side menus. It is unlikely that you will be unable to find something that appeals to you, however, if you do, the staff is willing to work with you to create a dish just for you.
