GREAT EATS HAWAII: FIVE PALMS BEACH GRILL

Sunday, March 3, 2013

FIVE PALMS BEACH GRILL - WAILEA, MAUI

FIVE PALMS BEACH GRILL

WAILEA, MAUI

FIVE PALMS BEACH GRILL
MANA KAI RESORT
2960 S. KIHEI ROAD
KIHEI, HAWAII 96753
808-879-2607
HOURS: 8:00 AM - 2:30 PM
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

"THE SECRET SPOT" - This is what I have called the Five Palms for probably over 15 years. Back in the day this was the location of many business lunches and maybe a few cold ones after a long day of work on Maui. My favorite customers on Maui would simply say "lets meet at the Secret Spot" and we would hook up at the designated hour. Back then the restaurant was mostly empty except for the few that knew of its secluded location. We would sit here for hours and just look out over the ocean and beach and say "it does not get better than this". Now the Five Palms and the Mana Kai Resort where it lays nestled off the lobby of a condo/hotel is known by all and busy at all hours. The beautiful beach cove that overlooks Molokini and Kahoolawe that once was populated by only a few is now packed with pale skin travelers who have discovered my once Secret Spot. Yes, the Secret Spot has been discovered by the masses. The crowd here is Orange County California types which I hate. While you are on the Island of Maui in one of the most beautiful places on earth, the crowd makes you feel like this could be Newport Beach in California. The location of the Five Palms is second to none on Maui. The restaurant sits on a small cove along a white sand beach that overlooks the Island of Kahoolawe and the crescent shaped partially submerged volcanic crater called Molokini. During the months of December through April, you can sit at the Five Palms and watch Humpback Whales breach in the blue Pacific. Paradise! We rolled into the Five Palms for a business breakfast. The place was filled but our waitress was at our table quickly with a big smile. Her name was Mariah. The breakfast menu has all of the items you would expect including the eggs, bacon, pancakes and waffles. They are known for their many variations of Eggs Benedict and Island Style Loco Moco. I was looking at the Eggs Benedict offerings and saw Avacodo and Crab. Thought this was a Eggs Benedict but I did not read the menu properly and ordered an omelet. I never eat omelets so I was quite surprised when it arrived at the table. I asked the server if this was supposed to be an Eggs Benedict and he said no it is served as an omelet. While the potatoes served with my omelet were a bit soft and lukewarm, the omelet was actually pretty good with nice pieces of lump crab mixed in with the egg. My friend went for the Loco Moco which is rice, hamburger and eggs covered in gravy. He said it was ok. Food here is not cheap due to the quality ingredients and location. I recommend the Five Palms for breakfast, lunch and dinner.