Where to Dine on Valentine’s

By Vanessa Wolf

Romantic dining at Kauiki Restaurant. Photo courtesy Travaasa Hana.

Well, hello there procrastinators.

It may come as a fair shock to learn that Valentine’s Day is this Friday night.

If you can already hear the sound of your significant other reading you the riot act in your head, keep calm and follow the trail of words…

Have no fear: there are plenty of options all over the island – from fun burgers to prix fixe decadence – with which to dodge the disappointment bullet and/or woo the object of your affections.

Westside Prix Fixe

The Sheraton Resort and Spa in Ka’anapali is offering a four-course prix fixe menu at their Black Rock Steak and Seafood Restaurant.

The meal opens with an oyster duet, followed by a duck and fennel salad. Diners then have their choice of grilled veal chop or saffron vanilla poached lobster. All of this is topped off with strawberry red velvet cake and can be had for $69 per person, excluding tax and gratuity.

Those staying at the hotel may also choose to surprise their loved one by having the dinner served on their guest room lanai instead, complete with a bottle of Moet & Chandon Imperial, scattered rose petals and a long stem red rose.

The “Dinner on Your Lanai” option is offered at $250 per couple.

Call 808-921-4600 to make reservations.

South Side Prix Fixe

Makena’s Molokini Bar & Grille is also offering a four-course menu.

Theirs opens with an amuse bouche of a prosciutto-wrapped sea scallop with crispy basil polenta. This is followed by “new style” ahi sashimi with local avocado and shaved jalapeno.

The meal really gets rolling with a warm goat cheese salad featuring Kumu farms mixed greens and Kula strawberries. Clear your palate with a raspberry sorbet before the main event duo of filet and lobster arrives. Dessert features a rose water crème brulee.

This enchanting dinner is offered for $85 per person (excluding tax and gratuity) and reservations can be made by calling 808-875-5888.

“Far East” Prix Fixe

The Ka’uiki Restauarnt in Travaasa Hana is keeping up with the trend with their own dinner offering.

It begins with the shared seafood on ice, which includes shucked oysters, ahi sashimi, white shrimp, crab claws, and mussels.

For the entrée, choose between grilled rosemary beef tenderloin, carved roast rack of lamb or fresh catch of the day with Thai sticky rice

Dessert features a shareable “Hana’s apple banana split sundae with hot chocolate melt,” strawberry and vanilla ice cream, macadamia nuts, and chocolate-dipped strawberries.

These delights can be yours for $100 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Call 808-248-8211 for reservations.

Heart-Shaped Fun

Couples seeking casual and flirty fun might enjoy the Valentine specials created by restaurant chef Jennifer Evetushick at Relish Burger Bistro in the Westin Maui in Ka’anapali.

The Signature Sandwich Duo consists of a hoisin-braised short rib cosmo and a lobster tail sandwich ($38) and is designed for sharing.

Indulge your sweet tooth with the chocolate valentine torte ($18) with red velvet cake, strawberry filling and Hawaiian vintage chocolate icing.

Lastly, for all of February – not just Friday – Chef Evetushick has created a heart-shaped burger ($16) from ground chicken flavored with garlic, ginger, cilantro and green onions. This is topped with smoked red onion, ricotta salata and pomegranate aioli and served on a pink, heart-shaped bun.

Hum Along to Love Songs While You Chew

Mulligans on the Blue in Wailea is offering a Valentine’s Day dinner and show from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Featuring the live music of Soul Kitchen in the background, the menu begins with your choice of butternut squash soup or Kula mixed greens salad.

For a main course enjoy the pan-seared island catch of the day or a New York steak followed by lilikoi cheesecake.

This dinner and a show option will run you $45.

Call 808-874-1131 for reservations.

Get Warmed Up for One of the Above While Supporting Whale Tales

Whale Tales 2014 – billed as “one of the most recognized international whale research and education events” – opens on Friday, Feb. 14 with a reception at Sugar Cane Maui Restaurant in Lahaina.

From 4 to 5:30 p.m., your $20 ticket will support the Whale Tales beneficiaries and includes light pupus. Wash them down with your beverage of choice from the cash bar.

To buy tickets, call 808-572-5700.