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Dining leaves lasting impression at the Andaz Maui

I’m not a culinary expert. I don’t deconstruct a dish or taste each element on the plate individually, Masterchef style. I follow somewhat of a see-food diet – I see food and I eat it.

I’m not a culinary expert. I don’t deconstruct a dish or taste each element on the plate individually, Masterchef style. I follow somewhat of a see-food diet – I see food and I eat it.

From there I determine whether I give it my heart, my friendship or just a polite but firm “see you never again”. Each eatery that I tried at the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort whispered softly to my heart and stole it away.

The first indication to my husband and I that this place would be special was upon our check-in when casual yet chic staff offered us a chilled glass of lavender iced tea with cold towels.

A common practice in Asia, but in Hawaii? Not as common. In our room, we received a call to say that we would be offered complimentary Mai Tais, a honeymoon bonus.

Our doorbell rang and a lady with a bar cart came in to make our Mai Tais fresh in front of us, whilst telling us the history of the Mai Tai.

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This is a resort that made it into Condé Nast Traveller’s hot list of best new hotels in the world, and Travel + Leisure’s ‘It List’ in 2014. The dining options available contribute to its success. With their own style and flavour, they each hold their tantalising own.

Let’s start with the most important meal of the day – breakfast. We had breakfast at Ka’ana Kitchen, which was set up like an open kitchen, free for you to wander around and choose what you’d like for breakfast. It’s a way to make you feel as though you’re at home (I wish).

I suggest choosing the Breakfast Experience, which will allow you to have what you like from the kitchen, including freshly squeezed juice, eggs, bacon, waffles, yoghurt, meats, cheeses and so much more. I suggest sitting out on the balcony overlooking the property and the beach.

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We visited the Ka’ana Kitchen for dinner as well, but unlike breakfast, dinner was à la carte only. The food is organic, locally farmed with the menu changing to suit the seasonal produce available.

A day by the pool meant that lunch would be brought to our deck chairs from the Bumbye Beach Bar. On the menu for us was Lobster Grilled Cheese and Waffle Fries accompanied by refreshing raspberry lemonade with vodka and a Bikini Blonde beer from the Maui Brewing Co. Another tick.

The next day, we visited Morimoto Maui for dinner. Celebrity chef, Masaharu Morimoto of Iron Chef and Iron Chef America fame, creates a fusion of Western and Japanese traditions using the freshest of local ingredients. The servers will help you with the menu if you’re unsure of what to order as there’s such a variety to choose from.

I encourage you to try something you would not normally have – you will be pleasantly surprised. Everything from the toro tartare to the braised black cod to the sashimi was simply a treat.

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For a nightcap, we found ourselves at Lehua Lounge overlooking the pools and Mokapu Beach. Our beverages of choice for the evening – a Beijing Peach cocktail and a Mana Wheat beer – went down an absolute treat after a day driving to Hana and back.

Lastly, we visited the Mokapu Market, which is open 24/7. There are pizzas available, not to mention everything else you would expect from a mini-market with a high end twist. So, if a midnight snack is what you’re after, you won’t have to venture far away. It’s also perfect if you want to get away early to see Haleakala at sunrise and bring a picnic breakfast.

I recommend trying their milkshakes (I’m a milkshake connoisseur).

There really is no need to leave the resort as everything you could need is here. The Andaz has the ability to draw you in and hold on tight, leaving you with a lasting impression and a strong desire to return.

Suffice to say, Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort was a five-time winner to me when it came to their dining options – a definite place to splurge.

Venture Holidays offers the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort in their 2015/16 America, Hawaii & Canada brochure.

What’s your favourite food experience from Hawaii?