Aurum Maui set to debut at The Shops at Wailea in early 2025

The Shops at Wailea is months away from a new culinary addition. The debut of Aurum Maui, the latest venture from Destination Hospitality Group, offers a fusion of New American cuisine and local ingredients.

Aurum Maui will feature seasonal island dining in an elegant yet casual setting. Helmed by Chef Partner Taylor Ponte and General Manager Partner Natasha Ponte, both Maui residents, Aurum Maui will blend global techniques with Hawaiʻi’s produce, crafting dishes that balance tradition, innovation and sustainability.

This debut marks the first and only Aurum restaurant outside of Colorado. “For our inaugural location in Hawaiʻi, we were drawn to Maui and The Shops at Wailea because of its reputation as a world-class destination resort community, attracting visitors and locals alike,” said Phillips Armstrong, CEO and founder of Destination Hospitality Group. “Maui’s cultural richness, natural beauty and vibrant culinary scene perfectly align with our vision to deliver unforgettable experiences that will leave a lasting impression on our guests.”

Aurum Maui’s menu, inspired by the Aurum Food & Wine concept, presents a range of flavors that define the island and will feature Aurum’s “gold standard” dishes. Starters include house-made rolls with Hawaiian sea salt and honey-allspice butter, fresh ahi tuna with tonnato sauce and pickled shallots, and crispy croquettes filled with manchego and roasted garlic. Additional small plates include smoked fish with lavash and dill, fried chicken with buttermilk dressing, oven-roasted bone marrow with black garlic salsa verde, citrus-cured Kona kanpachi with jalapeño-lime vinaigrette, crispy curried cauliflower with hazelnut dukkah, and a selection of house-cured meats and cheeses.

Guests will find a selection of ingredient-rich soups and salads such as roasted tomatoes with cheese foam, bibb lettuce with pickled shallots and roasted garlic crumble, and seasonal produce with marinated beets, macadamia nuts, and whipped goat cheese. Entrees feature locally raised beef in dishes such as burgers with caramelized Maui onions, 48-hour braised short ribs with creamy polenta, and ribeye with tallow-roasted potatoes. Other menu highlights include oven-roasted chicken with harissa sauce, pan-seared Kona kanpachi with charred leeks, and handmade ricotta gnocchi with spicy sausage. 

Aurum Maui partners with local vendors, Hua Momona Farms, Lopes Farm, ‘Oko’a Farms, and Kona Kanpachi to prioritize fresh produce, sustainable seafood and whole-animal utilization. Through partnerships with local farms and fisheries, the restaurant seeks to support the preservation and prosperity of the island’s agricultural heritage.

“Opening Aurum Maui at The Shops at Wailea is a significant milestone for me as a chef,” said Taylor Ponte, chef partner at Aurum Maui. “Our menus celebrate local farms and sustainable products, reflecting the community that makes hospitality in Hawaiʻi unique. We pursue excellence in every aspect, from food and service to creating a warm, welcoming experience that embodies the essence of aloha.”

Aurum Maui is slated to open at 3750 Wailea Alanui Dr, unit B-27 (lower level behind the performance area, adjacent to Honolulu Cookie Company) in early 2025. Its event space can accommodate up to 80 seated guests. For more information, visit AurumMaui.com.