By Vanessa Wolf

The Plantation House at night. Courtesy photo

The award-winning Plantation House Restaurant in Kapalua has reopened its doors after an extensive renovation and makeover.

A fire at the restaurant on Wednesday, March 27, caused an estimated $600,000 in damage. When fire crews arrived on scene, they found a 5-foot by 5-foot section of the roof on fire at the clubhouse, as well as one in the attic area.

Clearly making lemonade out of lemons, the Plantation House has completed both facility and menu enhancements and is now back in business, presumably better than ever.

Highlights of the improvements include interior design changes to the dining area including original pieces by local artist Lori Higgins and expansion of the bar, which has now gained its own name: “Nineteen at The Plantation House.”

There are also new nightly menu specials and extended hours, which are currently 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. daily. There is also a café menu in the lounge from 3 to 5:30 p.m. as well.

In addition, Executive Chef Jojo Vasquez, voted one of Hawaii’s “Rising Star Chefs,” has overhauled the menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Chef Vasquez’s cuisine uses diverse cooking techniques and contemporary presentations prepared with locally sourced products.

Among the new offerings are the Surfing Goat Dairy Farms goat cheese with local heirloom tomatoes and savory granola, seared ahi, with Alii mushrooms, Ho’ opono Farms tatsoi and kaffir lime vin blanc and roasted pineapple and caramel cake with pineapple-coconut ice cream and compressed pineapple for dessert.

The Plantation House will also be introducing weekend entertainment featuring Wilmont Kahaialii every Friday evening from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Wine dinners and pairing menus are also on the horizon in the upcoming months.

If you want everyone you know – and then some – to be able to observe your rehearsal dinner or retirement party, you’re soon to be in luck. The Plantation House’s relationship with its long time partner, Troon Golf, is being expanded to include such unique features as the ‘Web Cam.’ This means – you guessed it – mainland friends can watch the action first-hand during a special event or function. Make sure you’re chewing with your mouth closed!

Reservations can be made via Open Table. For additional information or to make reservations with a living, breathing human being, please call 808-669-6299.

We welcome your feedback. Please let us know if you hear of any new restaurants opening or reopening, total menu overhauls, or simply know of a hidden treasure you want to share. Have a restaurant you want reviewed (or re-reviewed)? Drop us a line – Vanessa(@mauinow.com)