Three New Maui Restaurants Opening Soon

By Susan Halas

Mick Fleetwood. Maui Now file photo.

Fleetwood’s on Front Street

Celebrity eatery takes huge space, long lease & plans to hire hundreds

Fleetwood’s Restaurant and Pub on Front Street has leased over 10,000 sq ft of second floor and rooftop dining at the old Planet Hollywood Building, and also plans to offer retail liquor sales on the ground floor. According to Project Manager Jonathan Todd, the new ocean view eatery located across the street from the sea wall in Lahaina has received two liquor licenses: one for upstairs service and a separate permit for ground floor retail sales. He said the dining areas are expected to seat hundreds will eventually be open for lunch and dinner. He also anticipates that hundreds will be hired to staff the new establishment.

Fronting the new venture is long time celebrity musician Mick Fleetwood who has Maui homes upcountry and in Napili.

Fleetwood’s On Front St. Lahaina The 10,000 sq ft Fleetwood’s on Front St in Lahaina hopes to open in the second quarter of 2012. The eatery headed by well known musician and long time Maui resident Mick Fleetwood will occupy the 2nd floor, roof and portions of the ground floor of the former Planet Hollywood building across from the sea wall. The management says facilities will include a restaurant, pub and liquor store. Photo courtesy Fleetwood’s on Front St.

“Mick’s been here for a while and he gets the needs of Maui,” said Todd. He said the menu is still taking shape but in its final incarnation “will be approachable yet sophisticated. We want it to have family appeal.”

The project manager said that HJL Restaurant Consultants of Santa Barbara has been retained to coordinate the opening.

“They’ll be on site 24/7 until then and as long after we open as necessary.” Todd said that Fleetwood’s is currently seeking resumes from those qualified for general manager, chef and other senior level positions. “When top staff is in place they will be responsible for filling the other positions.”

Those interested in submitting resumes of any kind should follow the links posted on line at www.FleetwoodsOnFrontSt.com and www.Facebook.com/Fleetwoods. He indicated that “hiring preference will be given to Maui residents.”

Todd confirmed that the restaurant had signed a long term lease. “We have options for decades. This is not an in and out thing,” he said.

Waterfront will come to the Maalea Harbor Shops in the space formerly occupied by the Maalaea Grill. Waterfront is expected to open by Easter of next year. Left to right: Gary Smith, Chef Bob Cambra, Donna "Mom" Smith and Rick Smith. Photo courtesy Gary Smith.

“Waterfront” Finds New Home at Maalaea Harbor Shops

Gary Smith, one of the owners of the Waterfront Restaurant located for more than 20 years at the Milowai Condominium in Maalaea announced that his family has found a home for “the new and improved” Waterfront at the Maalaea Harbor Shops next door to the Maui Ocean Center.

Smith said that the Waterfront will occupy the 5,000 sq ft harbor view space which formerly held the Maalaea Grill. He expects key personnel like Chef Bob Cambra and Bartender Don Goodwin will soon return, joined by veteran wait and kitchen staff. Given the larger size of the new quarter he said staffing may eventually expand.

The new location has several features he thinks patrons will find attractive such as more parking, a private dining room and larger, more modern quarters. The Waterfront, he said, is anxiously awaiting its liquor license and hopes to open by Easter of next year.

“We’ll start with dinner, Smith said, “and as soon as nearby roadway improvements in the harbor area are finished, we’ll open for lunch. Our family, my mother Donna, my brother Rick and I are very excited to get a quality restaurant in a key location.”

Fabiani’s Bakery & Pizzeria Coming to South Maui Center by Christmas

Fabiani’s Italian Bakery and Pizzeria expects to open by Christmas of this year serving family style Italian specialies including pizza, baked goods and pasta. The 3,000 sq ft eatery has indoor and outdoor seating and an 18 seat bar. From left: Chef Joe Caccamo and owners Michelle and Lorenzo Fabiani and with son Gino. Susan Halas photo.

Fabiani’s Bakery & Pizzeria is coming to the South Maui Center. The new Italian restaurant is located in Unit 101 at 95 Lipoa Street in Kihei.

Owners are Lorenzo Fabiani, former maitre’d at Matteo’s and his wife Michelle, former pastry chef at Longhi’s, while Joe Caccamo, formerly of Matteo’s and Capische heads the kitchen. Improvements are underway to 3,000 sq ft space that includes indoor and outdoor seating for about 120 patrons and an 18 stool bar.

The eatery will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner featuring homemade Italian-style baked items and other specialties such as pizza, panini and pasta. Until a liquor license is in place BYOB is the policy of the house. A soft opening is slated for December 16.

“We hope to be up and going by Christmas,” said Lorenzo. “We are very excited to offer Italian fare in the heart of Kihei.”