By Wendy Osher

The Proletariat and garlic truffle fries at Monkeypod Kitchen, photo by Kristin Hashimoto

The new Monkeypod Kitchen restaurant in Wailea will be joined by a sister eatery on Oahu next year.  Handcrafted Restaurants LLC, the parent company for Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman, plans to open its second location at the Ko‘Olina Resort in the Summer of 2012.

Since opening the flagship restaurant on Maui in February of 2011, company officials report favorable feedback from patrons.

The Monkeypod Kitchen utilizes a locally sourced menu featuring socially conscious ingredients.  The new dining concept, restaurant representatives say, celebrates the “Art of Craft” in everything from cuisine to beer, décor and living.

Embracing Chef Peter Merriman’s passion for regional and sustainable cuisine, the new Monkeypod Kitchen is designed to offer a family-friendly alternative to resort eateries. “We are so excited to finally open a restaurant on O‘ahu and think the Ko‘Olina community will be the perfect fit for Monkeypod Kitchen,” says Peter Merriman.

To highlight the restaurant fare, there will be an exhibition kitchen and a signature bar with 36 craft beers on tap.  The 10,000 square foot, two story O‘ahu location will offer multi-level dining and a stage for live music.

The same architectural firm that designed the Wailea location, Shook Kelly, will also design the new Ko‘Olina space.