Eat Your Way Into 2013

By Vanessa Wolf

Looking for an opportunity to carbo-load before hitting the New Year’s Eve parties? Several buffets and themed dinners are being offered across the island.

Dinner Cruise

Pacific Whale Foundation’s New Years Eve Dinner cruise features locally grown Maui produce, locally caught seafood and grass fed beef. The menu provides baked spinach dip with focaccia bread; a choice of grilled steak, chicken breast, local fish or vegan sesame cilantro tofu; and a side of rice pilaf and sautéed carrots.

There is also live island-style entertainment throughout the cruise, a champagne toast at midnight, and guaranteed outdoor seating.

The $109.95 ticket price price includes up to three complimentary cocktails and unlimited soda, juices and filtered ice water are also available. Reservations are required.

Four-Course Dinner

The Banyan Tree Restaurant in the Ritz Carlton Kapalua is hosting a four-course dinner on New Year’s Eve. The first course features Hawaiian sashimi, followed by cured Kampachi. The main course includes a prime rib eye and half a kona lobster and the meal will be finished off with a Plated Valrhona Chocolate Clock .

Ring in a gourmet new year for $125 per person.

NYE Dinner Buffet

The Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa in Ka’anapali is hosting a dinner buffet.

The spread features Maui greens with assorted vinaigrettes and dressings; caesar salad, spicy Thai chicken salad, and a penne pasta salad with rock shrimp, asparagus, and red peppers.

There is also a shrimp and cheese board, seafood raw bar, and dim sum “outpost.” The main attractions include a steamship round of beef with 
mini Yorkshire pudding, oven roasted loin of pork with dried sour cherry compote, hibachi style grilled peppered pacific salmon, and grilled free range chicken.

Seating next Monday night runs from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at a cost of $85 per adult and $43 per child aged six to 12. Reservations are recommended.

Five or Eight-Course Dinner

Pulehu, an Italian Grill at the Westin Ocean Resort Villas in Kaanapali will be doing two seatings for their five and eight-course meals. The first seating is between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. and features five courses for $75.

The second seating begins at 8 p.m. with live jazz and offers eight courses for $110.

Tapas Buffet

The Molokini Bar & Grille in the Makena Beach & Golf Resort is hosting a dinner filled with small plates or tapas.

The menu includes favorites from Italy like caprese with fresh pulled mozzarella and heirloom tomatoes or crispy calamari with a smoked tomato aioli. Chefs will also be preparing fresh sushi and sashimi and running a lamb, shrimp, mahi, beef and vegetable hibachi grill. The tapas buffet will also feature a truffle shallot and pancetta-stuffed filet Mignon with butter potato puree with a port wine reduction. The buffet is available from 5:30 – 10 p.m. Tickets are $80 per adult, $45 for children aged nine to 12, and $30 for children 5 to 8-years-old. Reservations are recommended.