Long post: starts with below expectations, and it finishes with highlights…read more We had a highly anticipated dinner last night at Morimoto Maui, and I think that Iron Chef Morimoto would be as disappointed as we were -- if not more so. We opted for the Omakake (Tasting) Menu along with the Wine Pairing for each course. We knew it would be expensive (prices intentionally deleted), but we felt it would be a wonderful experience. We have eaten at Morimoto at Sea on several Holland America Line ships, including our recent cruise on HAL's Nieuw Amsterdam that has a dedicated Morimoto Restaurant mid-ship on deck 11 -- those meals have always been fantastic. Back to last night. Disappointment #1 -- The wine for the first course arrived 5 minutes before Course 1, the Toro Tartare. The wine had lost most of its coolness, and intended flavor and aroma, by time the dish arrived. Disappointment #2 -- The Intermezzo dish, the Sudachi cucumber sorbet was a bit sour. Other intermezzi that I have had were a slightly sweet, perhaps lime or lemon sorbet. AND they typically were paired with a splash of champagne or a sparkling brut (why not include the Morimoto Dream Rosè?) Disappointment #3 -- Course 5, the Surf & Turf, was bad! The very small portion of the Wagyu beef was Medium Well to Well Done and appeared to have been burnt over a flame. When we told our server, his comment was, "That's why I recommended the Japanese A5 Wagyu [at an additional $80 per person!]." Sorry burnt beef if burnt beef, no matter what the price. Training/Expectations seem low: Where do they get their water glasses? On the discount table at Walmart? These two are different styles on the same table; at least our two were the same style, although different from those two. And the dessert spoons -- two different styles given to us. I expect (and I am sure others also do) a much higher standard at this famous Iron Chef restaurant. DELIGHTS: Course 1 - The Toro Tartare was so tasty. We are used to a tartare to be chopped, perhaps even finely chopped, but this one was made into a puree. The toppings (caviar and rice crackers were tasty, and the rice crackers looked like little sweet ice cream toppings. Course 2 - Red Snapper Carpaccio was liked by someone who does not normally like raw fish. The light sauce added a subtle dash of flavor, and we were able to roll the pieces with chop sticks and heat an entire price at once. Course 3 - Lobster Takoyaki. The three "lobster balls" were served warm, and they were very tasty. A large piece of lobster in each roll was a true delight. Course 4 - Sushi. The 5 pieces of nigiri were Chu Toro, Hamachi, Salmon, Campachi, and Big Eye Tuna. There was a light smear of wasabi between the fish and the rice; I had already asked for more (and hotter) wasabi that I mixed with the soy sauce. We brought a few pieces of the sushi back to the condo for a later snack. Course 6 -- the dessert was so-so in my opinion. Sharon liked it, so it was probably just my tastebuds and not the actual dessert. We had planned to go back to Morimoto Maui next week for a special Wagyu and Wine pairing, but based on last night's Wagyu failure, we have cancelled the reservation. I hope that our next dinner at a stateside Morimoto restaurant (probably Morimoto Napa in 4 weeks) is a much better experience for us.

The food and drinks are amazing, the service was phenomenal, and the ambiance is great!…read more For starters definitely recommend the Wagyu Beef Carpaccio, Morimoto Sashimi, and the Octopus Sashimi for starters. The pork Gyoza, sticky ribs were a hit with everyone (even the kids). You always have to order the shisoto Peppers! For mains, the braised black cod, the ribeye steak, the duck fried rice, and the A5 Ishiyaki Bur Bap is a must! I mean he did win with this dish! Important to note, this restaurant is Located on the lower pool level of the Andaz Maui. If you are dining with someone with mobility issues, there are a few stairs.

An Absolute Masterpiece of a Dining Experience!!!! If you…read moreare looking for the pinnacle of culinary excellence, Oao is unmatched. From the moment you walk through the doors, every detail is crafted to perfection. The food is nothing short of exceptional. Each piece of sushi is a work of art, featuring fish of the highest grade that literally melts in your mouth. We also had several of signature entree's that were prepared with meticulous care and authenticity in every single bite. While the food alone is enough to earn five stars, what truly sets Oao apart is the high level of service. The team is attentive, incredibly knowledgeable, and anticipates your every need with a warm, "aloha" professionalism that elevates the entire evening. An extraordinary meal from start to finish. If you appreciate world-class cuisine and impeccable hospitality, Oao is a must-visit. We cannot wait to return!

My all-time favorite restaurant!! I've lived in LA and have been to Japan a few times, so I've…read moredefinitely been spoiled when it comes to sushi, but nothing compares to Oao. Every time I'm in Maui, this is a MUST. We did the omakase experience for my birthday dinner and it was incredible. 100% worth the price. Every piece of fish was so fresh and literally melted in your mouth. Even the cooked dishes like the miso black cod and A5 Wagyu were amazing. We sat at the sushi bar this time and loved it! The sushi chef was so sweet, the waiters hv the best personalities, and the food comes out surprisingly fast. If it's your first time, get a Mai Tai! All of the nigiri is incredible, but my favorites are the otoro, hamachi with chili oil, and salmon. SAVE ROOM FOR DESSERT. The matcha panna cotta is sooo good and 'not too sweet' lol, which is probably the best compliment an Asian person can give a dessert The ube dessert is amazing too. I recommend Oao to everyone who visits Maui and it never disappoints!

If you're looking for delicious sushi in Kihei, Miso Phat is the place to go!…read more We tried the Alaskan Roll and the butterfish, and both were absolutely delicious. I have to say, the butterfish was the best I've had since trying it for the first time at another restaurant. The fish was incredibly soft, fresh, and melted in my mouth, with amazing flavor. We also loved the atmosphere. It's quaint, welcoming, and has a great local feel. Dining out with a toddler isn't always easy, but the entire staff made us feel so comfortable. They were genuinely kind and even took the time to interact with our son, which made the experience even more enjoyable. We'll definitely be back--and I'll absolutely be ordering the butterfish again it was well worth the wait!

Incredible sushi…read more Me and my wife had the pleasure of dining here on a trip to Maui one night. Definitely pleasantly surprised. Flavors were intense, fish was fresh. Every roll hit the mark. Service was top-notch and the cozy vibe was perfect. We'll be back!

Really enjoyed Nobu at the Grand Wailea. Food and service were up to Matsuhisa standards. The…read morevenue adds a special character that few of Nobu's other locations can replicate. We had the standards including the hamachi jalapeño , black cod miso, crispy rice with spicy tuna tartare, lamb chops and a variety of their nigiri sushi. The one thing that stands out is the quality of their food. The freshness and perfection of the fish served was incredible. The hard part is my kids (15 and 17) now want to eat at Nobus back here in Southern California all the time. Great dinner, great ambience and service was exceptional. Arigato.

Service was subpar, extremely high prices and mediocre food/drinks…read more Nobu has high standards yet everything was so low quality especially being in Maui... House made sake was trash. Views were the only thing great about this place.

Amazing mom and pop sushi spot in Maui!…read more I first came to this place years ago when my sister brought me here. Had to come back and I was not disappointed. I kept forgetting to make reservations a month in advance and called them on a Wednesday to see if there was any openings for two. Luckily, there was a 7:30pm spot for Friday . Pro tip: the nigiri comes in two. We completely forgot about that and double ordered everything. Luckily, we finished everything. Sushi was fresh and on point. The chef and staff were very friendly. We loved the entire experience. The nigiri were huge in fish cuts, and small in rice so it was perfect since we over ordered. Highly recommend this spot if you are in Maui. Please call ahead to make reservations as they do not allow walk ins. The place only hold 16 seats.

Worst dinner of my life. Do not go here ever. The services was the worst I've ever experienced…read more Waited over one hour for the first sushi to be delivered. Honestly this place is the worst. Never go here. I've never left a bad review ever. This is the worst restaurant in the United States.

We live on the other side of the island and while we have an excellent Japanese restaurant (Takumi…read more- try the omakase) we decided to drive over to experience Nuka as it has so many fantastic reviews, and we really appreciate and enjoy Japanese cuisine. Nuka was exceptional. Authentically Japanese, the restaurant is beautifully yet serenely decorated, the staff are welcoming and well versed in the menu and flavors, and pricing is competitive for island restaurants. In fact when you know the healthy ingredients are the best available, locally grown/caught/raised and cooked to perfection it takes it up a notch. We arrived just as they opened for lunch at 11.30am and luckily managed to be seated straight away. I've read that dinner is much harder to get a table and there is a long wait so arrive accordingly ;) Parking is available in the car park next door beside the gym, free and self parking. So, what did we order?......... Grapefruit lychee spritzer - we chose the mocktail version but you can make it a cocktail too. Sooo citrusy and thirst quenching. Not sweet, zingy. Very refreshing on a hot Maui day Miso - earthy, salty, brothy, umami, steaming hot in a bowl to start off your extravaganza of a meal Shio koji cabbage - finely shredded with sesame and house milled bran and seasoning, like an elegant Japanese coleslaw, I loved it! Nasu Miso eggplant - slightly sweet because of the miso, I liked the taste but it wasn't a texture I'm used to eating, which I found a lot in Japan, eg mochi. But I can't fault the dish because of that, the miso umami was richly broiled and it was a popular dish House Nuka pickles - crunchy, fresh and sprinkled with sesame (daikon radish, carrot and cucumber), a good palate cleanser and a nice texture to complement the eggplant above. Not vinegary, just fresh Saba Nigiri - two pieces of moreish mackerel sushi, melt in the mouth with so much flavor, decent sized nigiri too Shiso Country sushi roll - on the specials list, and it was amazingly special! Ahi, habanero masago, orange masago, shaved shiso leaf, ponzu, so many flavours and textures combined into a party in the mouth, with a slight heat build as you ate it. A favourite Miso Butterfish - OMG it looked so amazing and was another popular dish, for a good reason, it is delicious. Melt in the mouth, flaky, savory cod, a nice sized serving, and the miso sauce is sooo good with the buttery fish Lilikoi ice cream - hubby only had room for one generous creamy scoop served with chocolate wafers and decorated with fresh mint. Perfect end to a delightful meal We both felt that this is definitely one of the best restaurants on island, culturally and gastronomically, pricewise and food presentation, authenticity and awareness of local produce....it all adds up to an outstanding dining experience. We will most definitely be returning even though we have to drive an hour and half to get there! "Gochisousama deshita"

Performance: 3 45 minute wait for a table, got order wrong…read moreonce but fixed surprisingly fast, staff generally pleasant humans. Environment: 5 Amazing location, lovely to walk around in while waiting for table, little store down the way, great weather. Meals: 3 Very filling, only had two rolls and didn't need anything else, pretty average sushi though, nothing to write home about. Drinks: 4 Large selection, overall pretty creative, however quantities of ingredients could have been much better thought out, very nice. Ambiance: 3 Average sushi vibes, bar puts you elbow to elbow with the person next to you, very loud inside, better layout needed, good decor. Space: 2 Restaurant is way too small, tables too close and bar too small, bathrooms smell of chemical leaks and are full of trash, cool sink.

Every part of the dining experience from reserving via text directly to the owner, to being…read morewelcomed into this small cozy place, feels like you had a sushi chef friend who invited you to their home. I had to modify a reservation due to jet lag, and the woman who handled the entire 15 person dining room, knew exactly who I was when i walked in, even though I had never been there! It's literally only the husband behind the counter and the woman taking care of taking orders, serving, and checking in on every diner. The small decorations are fun and whimsical, especially if you sit at the sushi bar. Prices are very fair for the quality of the fish and although they do have set combinations, I preferred to create my own. I got the miso soup, albacore, yellowtail, Maguro, shrimp tempura roll, vegetable roll, and negihama. I ended up ordering enough for 3 people, but since I was staying in a condo, they graciously packed leftovers to go with condiments! Count on about $100 per person if you have a drink and a hearty appetite. A beautiful gesture upon leaving was being gifted a fresh flower!

I still love Satoe and the idea of this place. I loved it so much the first time, I made a point to…read morereturn 3 years later. Sadly, the sushi did not meet my expectations this time. Traditionally, sushi chef put soy sauce and wasabi in the between the fish and rice, and it's part of the flavor. I don't remember how it was done last time, but that was not the case this time. I had to awkwardly flip the nigiri pieces and dip the fish side in soy sauce, and then they fall apart. Ugh. Also, I didn't appreciate the size of the rice. It was impossible for me to eat the whole piece in one bite, but it's kind of rude not to under the traditional Japanese etiquette. The fish quality was.....okay. TBH, I had better in Sacramento/Roseville for way cheaper. I had more elegant, delicious, and satisfying omakase in San Diego, New York, Shanghai....you name it. For the price (even adjusted for the Maui premium) and the capability of the owners, I truly believe they could do better. Sending love!

Amazing food and great service. My family had hot soba noodles, duck and beef. All were happy…read moreleaving the restaurant with 4 empty bowls!

Ambiance - it's outdoor, under a large tree. It was warm and muggy when we arrived as it has just…read morerained. Fortunately, a nice breeze picked up to make it tolerable. Service - the server was training a new worker, which was fine, but the trainer kept asking us if we were ready for our check, which we weren't, as we were still ordering food. At the time, we were the only people there. They were also very casually dressed. Too casually in our opinion. Food - Amazing! The best sushi we've had in quite a while. The size of the fish in the maki rolls were maybe the largest I've ever seen. The salmon is from New Zealand and Unagi and Scallops from Japan. Top quality! The Jyuwari Soba noodles were excellent and made only of buckwheat, no wheat. They make their soba fresh every day. It really makes a difference. One of the best sobas I've ever had. Although the dish could have used more mentaiko, I could barely taste it once the sauce was added. The prices were very reasonable compared to other restaurants. We met one of the owners and sushi chef Marlene McLellan, who runs the restaurant with her father Shane. Her mother is Japanese. The family hails from New Jersey.