This is the first restaurant review I did while currently freelancing for MauiTime. ENJOY!!
Gannons
Acclaimed Chef Bev Gannon opens another Maui restaurant
by Sabrina Dreyer
Gannon's
100 Golf Club Dr., Wailea
875-8080
Acclaimed Chef Bev Gannon is noted for being one of the founders of the Hawaii Regional Cuisine movement. On Maui, she's the force behind the famous Haliimaile General Store and Joe's Bar & Grill in Wailea. Given her reputation, her new South Maui venture—in the former Sea Watch location—has a lot to live up to. The good news: it meets, and perhaps even exceeds, expectations.
Upon entering, you're greeted by ultra-modern décor and a warm, inviting atmosphere. The light fixtures alone are something to marvel at. Bev credits this feature to her husband, a lighting technician who spent his career lighting rock shows.
Seating is either inside or out on the lanai. If you come before 6:30pm, choose the lanai for a blazing Wailea sunset and spectacular view of Molokini.
If you've dined at one of Gannon's restaurants before, you won't be let down; if this is your first experience, you'll be wowed. A must-try is the crab, lobster and tomato tower. Cucumber avocado rolls are topped with a wasabi-vinegarette glaze and succulent crab salad, fresh heirloom tomatoes and, finally, lobster. Cutting into the tower gradually is "the only way to fully enjoy the richness of each layer," Gannon says.
The wine list is extensive enough to satisfy even the staunchest connoisseur. If you like reds, the Sinskey Merlot is a full-bodied selection that will compliment any of the meats on the menu. If you lean more to the white side and/or are ordering fish, I'd recommend the crisp, sweet Laird Family Estate Pinot Grigio.
On the night my date and I dined, the special was walu (Hawaiian Butterfish), seared and served with mushrooms, bacon and onions, plus mashed potatoes drizzled in a lemon butter sauce. Never having tried walu before we didn't know what to expect. It was succulent, flaky and cooked to perfection, while the mushroom, bacon and onion gave it that little extra kick. For the second entrée, we went with the venison loin with Parmesan risotto and smoked corn nage. The venison was cooked medium rare—a little too rare for my taste—but was tender and juicy, letting the full flavor of the meat come through. The creaminess and richness of the risotto provided the perfect complement.
Last stop, dessert. I have a huge sweet tooth anyway, and it doesn't help when the menu has treats like chocolate cake, Kailua black coffee mousse and vanilla bean ice cream cake. For research purposes (of course) we decided to cave in to the chef-recommended ice cream cake with cherry compote. It tasted great, and revealed an unexpected fact about Gannon.
"I remember growing up with vanilla bean ice cream cake and it was my absolute favorite," the famed chef told us. "Plus, I've never really been a big fan of chocolate." Who knew?
Got a hot food scoop? Call 808-280-3386 or fax to 808-244-0446
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
808 All Day
Here is my second restaurant review!
Food & Drink
808 Bistro
808 All Day - Popular sandwich guys try out a bigger location and a whole new menu
by Sabrina Dreyer
808 Bistro
2511 S. Kihei Rd., Kihei
Open 5-9pm daily
879-8008
You probably know Josh Richardson and Mitch Edwards as the guys behind 808 Deli, the popular little sandwich joint next to Fred's/Moose's on South Kihei Road. Now they're branching out, moving into the spacious confines formerly occupied by the now-defunct Greek Bistro. The new venture—dubbed 808 Bistro—is good enough to lure patrons away from the long wait for Taco Tuesday at Fred's.
808 Bistro has open-verandah seating with modern, sleek wooden tables and nice sunset views. Once seated, you're served toasted bread and exemplary creamy pesto butter. Appetizers run the gamut: baked crab dip, buffalo shrimp with gorgonzola cream dipping sauce, Johnny Wellington, smoked salmon and steak kabobs.
There were three in our party, so we opted for the crab dip, served with a toasted baguette, and the Johnny Wellington. The dip was rich, with the shrimp flavor standing out the most. Though it paired well with the crunchiness of the baguette, I preferred the dip by itself to let all the flavors come through. Meanwhile, the Johnny Wellington—lamb in a puff pastry served with tzaziki (yogurt and cucumber) and mint sauce—was delicious. The lamb was cooked to perfection and paired perfectly with the tzaziki sauce.
Richardson suggested the Maui Cordon Bleu—herbed panko-crusted chicken breast stuffed with ham, Swiss, spinach and a fresh pineapple glaze. The ham, Swiss and spinach complemented the juiciness of the chicken, but it could've used more of the pineapple glaze. We also tried the mahi mahi, served with jasmine rice and vegetable du jour with a choice of three sauces; we selected the restic tomato buerre blanc. Fish: flaky and cooked perfectly. Vegetable du jour: delicious, sautéed veggie sticks. Sauce: creamy and ties it all together.
Finally, we sampled the New York Steak, served with bleu cheese apple gratin and vegetable du jour. The steak came medium rare and was accompanied by a balsamic vinaigrette mushroom reduction. It was one of the best sauces I've tried on Maui—and I'm not usually a fan of mushrooms.
For heart-healthy foodies there are a variety of soups (the carrot, coconut curry sounds the best) and salads. Have a sweet tooth? How does lilikoi cheesecake or sorbet sound? Macadamia nut gelato? Sweet Hawaiian bread pudding?
During dinner, I spoke to a couple that has been to the restaurant three times since it opened (808 Bistro is only three weeks old). I asked them what brought them back. "It's like eating at a gourmet restaurant at half the cost," they said. They also praised the staff, and even said they liked the current BYOB policy.
Richardson and Edwards personally visit each table with a smile; you truly get a sense of the owners and the restaurant. "It's about the atmosphere," Richardson said. "We greet everyone, serve excellent ingredients and bus tables ourselves. Everyone leaves happy." Sabrina Dreyer, MauiTime
Food & Drink
808 Bistro
808 All Day - Popular sandwich guys try out a bigger location and a whole new menu
by Sabrina Dreyer
808 Bistro
2511 S. Kihei Rd., Kihei
Open 5-9pm daily
879-8008
You probably know Josh Richardson and Mitch Edwards as the guys behind 808 Deli, the popular little sandwich joint next to Fred's/Moose's on South Kihei Road. Now they're branching out, moving into the spacious confines formerly occupied by the now-defunct Greek Bistro. The new venture—dubbed 808 Bistro—is good enough to lure patrons away from the long wait for Taco Tuesday at Fred's.
808 Bistro has open-verandah seating with modern, sleek wooden tables and nice sunset views. Once seated, you're served toasted bread and exemplary creamy pesto butter. Appetizers run the gamut: baked crab dip, buffalo shrimp with gorgonzola cream dipping sauce, Johnny Wellington, smoked salmon and steak kabobs.
There were three in our party, so we opted for the crab dip, served with a toasted baguette, and the Johnny Wellington. The dip was rich, with the shrimp flavor standing out the most. Though it paired well with the crunchiness of the baguette, I preferred the dip by itself to let all the flavors come through. Meanwhile, the Johnny Wellington—lamb in a puff pastry served with tzaziki (yogurt and cucumber) and mint sauce—was delicious. The lamb was cooked to perfection and paired perfectly with the tzaziki sauce.
Richardson suggested the Maui Cordon Bleu—herbed panko-crusted chicken breast stuffed with ham, Swiss, spinach and a fresh pineapple glaze. The ham, Swiss and spinach complemented the juiciness of the chicken, but it could've used more of the pineapple glaze. We also tried the mahi mahi, served with jasmine rice and vegetable du jour with a choice of three sauces; we selected the restic tomato buerre blanc. Fish: flaky and cooked perfectly. Vegetable du jour: delicious, sautéed veggie sticks. Sauce: creamy and ties it all together.
Finally, we sampled the New York Steak, served with bleu cheese apple gratin and vegetable du jour. The steak came medium rare and was accompanied by a balsamic vinaigrette mushroom reduction. It was one of the best sauces I've tried on Maui—and I'm not usually a fan of mushrooms.
For heart-healthy foodies there are a variety of soups (the carrot, coconut curry sounds the best) and salads. Have a sweet tooth? How does lilikoi cheesecake or sorbet sound? Macadamia nut gelato? Sweet Hawaiian bread pudding?
During dinner, I spoke to a couple that has been to the restaurant three times since it opened (808 Bistro is only three weeks old). I asked them what brought them back. "It's like eating at a gourmet restaurant at half the cost," they said. They also praised the staff, and even said they liked the current BYOB policy.
Richardson and Edwards personally visit each table with a smile; you truly get a sense of the owners and the restaurant. "It's about the atmosphere," Richardson said. "We greet everyone, serve excellent ingredients and bus tables ourselves. Everyone leaves happy." Sabrina Dreyer, MauiTime
Friday, May 21, 2010
Find Someone To Love the You You Love
For all those SATC or Sex and the City (for you non- fans), you know this quote. With just five days to go before the sequel comes out, I think it's only appropriate to talk about all the great things we have learned from SATC.
Fashion: It is only appropriate to start out with this one! Coming from a big fashinoista- what I like to call myself- I love watching all the fashion trends on this show. Everything from Manolos, Gucci, Chanel, Louboutin, Hermes and so much more. Young women around the world drew inspiration from Charlottes classic look, Miranda's power-house suits, Samantha's sexy vixen dresses and Carrie's "fashion forward ensembles." This is especially important now because they are showing you can still be sexy and look great in their 40's and 50's. Even though I'm not quite there yet, I think that is much needed. Women need to know that turning older isn't just "turning older" you're much more wiser, beautiful and have lived life. Celebrate the age you are, don't hide it. You are only what you perceive yourself to be.
Friendship: A single lady looking for her Mr. Big, a high-powered lawyer and full time mom, a sexaholic who can't say no and a polished, conservative, happily married of one all manage to stay friends through life's ups and downs. Every lady can draw on their relationships with each other as they each represent a different woman in America. It is so important to have that close group of friends you can always call whenever anything is wrong, as we saw and will continue to see in the sequel. No matter what life, friends, family, jobs throws at you, your friends will be there- waiting with a cocktail in hand- to be your listening ear.
Jobs: They each have their own professional career and manage it with grace and elegance. Especially in a busy city like New York, you are able to see them excel at what they do best, even asking advice from their friends along the way. They also continue to manage every other aspect of their life as well. Why can't everyday women do it? We just have to tell ourselves that nothing is impossible and everything is attainable.
Love: Besides fashion, this one is my favorite. We all feel a void if we haven't truly loved before. You know the saying, if you haven't loved and lost before, you haven't truly loved. I honestly believe in that. I don't think Carrie would have been able to find out she truly loved Mr. Big if she didn't lose him once. Like I always say I don't regret anything in life, especially my past relationships because they have made me the person I am today. I am able to truly love Chris and be in love because I know what it's like to truly love someone. I have never loved anyone the way I have loved him. But that wouldn't have happen if I didn't love myself first. "If you can find someone to love the you you love, well, that's just fabulous." Thank you Ms. Carrie Bradshaw.
Everyone needs to learn to love themselves first and I believe everything else in your life will fall into place.
Thank you SATC for all the things you have taught me. I can't wait to find out what adventures in life, fashion, friends and love this next part of your life brings you. Come on MAY 27!!
Fashion: It is only appropriate to start out with this one! Coming from a big fashinoista- what I like to call myself- I love watching all the fashion trends on this show. Everything from Manolos, Gucci, Chanel, Louboutin, Hermes and so much more. Young women around the world drew inspiration from Charlottes classic look, Miranda's power-house suits, Samantha's sexy vixen dresses and Carrie's "fashion forward ensembles." This is especially important now because they are showing you can still be sexy and look great in their 40's and 50's. Even though I'm not quite there yet, I think that is much needed. Women need to know that turning older isn't just "turning older" you're much more wiser, beautiful and have lived life. Celebrate the age you are, don't hide it. You are only what you perceive yourself to be.
Friendship: A single lady looking for her Mr. Big, a high-powered lawyer and full time mom, a sexaholic who can't say no and a polished, conservative, happily married of one all manage to stay friends through life's ups and downs. Every lady can draw on their relationships with each other as they each represent a different woman in America. It is so important to have that close group of friends you can always call whenever anything is wrong, as we saw and will continue to see in the sequel. No matter what life, friends, family, jobs throws at you, your friends will be there- waiting with a cocktail in hand- to be your listening ear.
Jobs: They each have their own professional career and manage it with grace and elegance. Especially in a busy city like New York, you are able to see them excel at what they do best, even asking advice from their friends along the way. They also continue to manage every other aspect of their life as well. Why can't everyday women do it? We just have to tell ourselves that nothing is impossible and everything is attainable.
Love: Besides fashion, this one is my favorite. We all feel a void if we haven't truly loved before. You know the saying, if you haven't loved and lost before, you haven't truly loved. I honestly believe in that. I don't think Carrie would have been able to find out she truly loved Mr. Big if she didn't lose him once. Like I always say I don't regret anything in life, especially my past relationships because they have made me the person I am today. I am able to truly love Chris and be in love because I know what it's like to truly love someone. I have never loved anyone the way I have loved him. But that wouldn't have happen if I didn't love myself first. "If you can find someone to love the you you love, well, that's just fabulous." Thank you Ms. Carrie Bradshaw.
Everyone needs to learn to love themselves first and I believe everything else in your life will fall into place.
Thank you SATC for all the things you have taught me. I can't wait to find out what adventures in life, fashion, friends and love this next part of your life brings you. Come on MAY 27!!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Snacks You Wont Regret: courtesy of Cosmo
Yes, I am a monthly subscriber to Cosmo. Say what you want about it, that's it's just for girls in high school etc, but it has great articles every month pertaining to all aspects of life for women of all ages: money saving tips, exercises of the month, relationship advice and so much more.
The article that stuck out to me this month was about snacks. If you know me, I'm an avid snacker, to a point where Chris calls me a piggy because I'm usually eating every 3-4 hours which is what your body needs.
"Certain super foods will keep you feeling fuller and also rev up your metabolism," who doesn't want that? "so you'll eat fewer calories without even having to thinking about it.
1) Spicy peanuts: snack on an ounce of dry-roasted peanuts around, 28 pieces, for about 160 calories.
2) Sugar-free pudding: This stuff is one of the best ways to get your chocolate (or vanilla) fix. Thicker liquids, like pudding, satiate the brain's appetite center more than, say, hot chocolate, helping you consume few calories. And no it doesn't taste that much different than its sugar-laden counterparts. What I always say is if you're in a healthy mind frame then your taste buds are not going to mind eating what's better for you. Honestly, after about a week of eating the good stuff, you wont even be craving the bad stuff!
3) DIY Ranch dip with carrot and celery sticks: Mix 1/4 cup low-fat plain yogurt and 1/2 teaspoon ranch seasoning for a yummy veggie dip. Low-fat yogurt contains conjugated lineolic acid which blocks fat uptake and also helps your body burn flab more efficiently. This one was a big one for me, because I am a huge fan of ranch dressing. After reading, how bad and caloric ranch is for you I changed to low-fat dressing even some vinaigrette and it's way better! It's a challenge to find low-fat plan yogurt here (on Maui) so I'm still on the search!
4) Watermelon: all melons, but particularly watermelons, have a high-water content which means they take up more space in your stomach, making you feel fuller. You can eat one up of diced melon for less than 50 calories. And they are so much fun to eat!
5) Frozen banana slices: freeze bananas and the test changes- they're like little slices of ice cream, minus the calories and fat. Make your own "flavors" by sprinkling on cocoa or cinnamon. "A sweet bonus: Cinnamon helps regulate sugar levels, so your body may store less fat." I LOVED this one when I read it. I'm a big sweet person, so I am definitely trying this one tonight.
6) Tuna salad: a fish like tuna is a smart snack, since it takes more energy to digest protein than it does to break down fats and carbs. IMPORTANT: skip the mayo and mix in 3 tablespoons of light Italian salad dressing instead- you'll get lots of flavor for fewer calories and less fat.
There it is friends, my bible of snacks I will be living by.
ENJOY AND HEALTHY EATING
The article that stuck out to me this month was about snacks. If you know me, I'm an avid snacker, to a point where Chris calls me a piggy because I'm usually eating every 3-4 hours which is what your body needs.
"Certain super foods will keep you feeling fuller and also rev up your metabolism," who doesn't want that? "so you'll eat fewer calories without even having to thinking about it.
1) Spicy peanuts: snack on an ounce of dry-roasted peanuts around, 28 pieces, for about 160 calories.
2) Sugar-free pudding: This stuff is one of the best ways to get your chocolate (or vanilla) fix. Thicker liquids, like pudding, satiate the brain's appetite center more than, say, hot chocolate, helping you consume few calories. And no it doesn't taste that much different than its sugar-laden counterparts. What I always say is if you're in a healthy mind frame then your taste buds are not going to mind eating what's better for you. Honestly, after about a week of eating the good stuff, you wont even be craving the bad stuff!
3) DIY Ranch dip with carrot and celery sticks: Mix 1/4 cup low-fat plain yogurt and 1/2 teaspoon ranch seasoning for a yummy veggie dip. Low-fat yogurt contains conjugated lineolic acid which blocks fat uptake and also helps your body burn flab more efficiently. This one was a big one for me, because I am a huge fan of ranch dressing. After reading, how bad and caloric ranch is for you I changed to low-fat dressing even some vinaigrette and it's way better! It's a challenge to find low-fat plan yogurt here (on Maui) so I'm still on the search!
4) Watermelon: all melons, but particularly watermelons, have a high-water content which means they take up more space in your stomach, making you feel fuller. You can eat one up of diced melon for less than 50 calories. And they are so much fun to eat!
5) Frozen banana slices: freeze bananas and the test changes- they're like little slices of ice cream, minus the calories and fat. Make your own "flavors" by sprinkling on cocoa or cinnamon. "A sweet bonus: Cinnamon helps regulate sugar levels, so your body may store less fat." I LOVED this one when I read it. I'm a big sweet person, so I am definitely trying this one tonight.
6) Tuna salad: a fish like tuna is a smart snack, since it takes more energy to digest protein than it does to break down fats and carbs. IMPORTANT: skip the mayo and mix in 3 tablespoons of light Italian salad dressing instead- you'll get lots of flavor for fewer calories and less fat.
There it is friends, my bible of snacks I will be living by.
ENJOY AND HEALTHY EATING
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