So for those of you who read my review of Maui Thai Bistro, this was the restaurant that ignored us and provided no service to my family and I. Upon walking up the stairs, we walked into the restaurant, and there was a waiting area, but no signs as to whether or not we needed to wait to be seated or whether or not we were to seat ourselves. Five minutes have passed and my family and I still standing in the waiting room waiting for someone to acknowledge us. They were not completely busy, there were tables open and ready, and waitresses and waiters were just walking around helping patrons in the restaurant but not even acknowledging us at all, it’s like we were invisible?! My parents kept wondering if we should keep waiting or not, I said no, it’s been too long and we eventually left and had a great meal elsewhere nearby. I have no idea how this place has such a high rating, it’s truly astonishing.
Patrick W.
Évaluation du lieu : 3 Wappingers Falls, NY
This café has good food at reasonable prices. It is a good spot for lunch with their lunch special. I ordered a chicken lettuce wrap and the fish of the day lunch special. The fish special is $ 12-$ 13 which is a little more than the regular lunch special. On the day I went, the fish was mahi mahi. It was fresh and the sauce was really good. In general, both the dishes were good. If you are planning a trip to Maui and looking for recommendations, please see
Brenda L.
Évaluation du lieu : 3 Austin, TX
Let’s just say that I expected a little more from Café O’Lei given all the highly positive reviews from our resort and from Unilocal.We came here on a weeknight during a stay in Maui. The place was packed, but luckily it wasn’t a long wait. We were seated at a table beside the bar where there was a group of rather LOUD(and rowdy) patrons which made the whole dinner less enjoyable. As our dinner progressed, the group got louder and our server finally said something at the end. though they were already leaving at that time. Wished something was said earlier as it was clearly bothering all the other tables around us. Food wise was OK, nothing spectacular, just very homey local food. The cocktails were average, my mango mojito tasted quite odd. We had the kaula pork & pineapple flat bread which was rather plain. It was a baked flat bread with pork slapped on it with pineapples. Pretty easy make in my opinion, however the portion was a good size. The crab cakes was the best dish of the night. Loved the touch of the mango coulis. However, presentation of the dish was a little messy. Lastly, we had the asian style short ribs that came with a side salad. The meat was a little dry, however flavoring was spot on. Portion was generous as well. Overall the restaurant was just OK, but I dont think I’ll come back again given the other restaurants available in the area.
Kristyne M.
Évaluation du lieu : 2 Olympia, WA
Sadly, I must report agreement with the chorus of folks who say that this place isn’t what it used to be. Inattentive service on a not so busy weeknight, a prime rib that reached my table with 40% blubber on it, and some slavish insistence on covering everything with«wasabi aoili» that is nothing of the sort. There is a difference between Japanese and white horseradish. It matters. And when everything else is slipping, it matters more.(I am not referring to my Prime rib. I am referring to Ahi stuff calamari, to seared Ahi and a few other dishes that we had in our group that weren’t expecting nasty white horseradish sauce on every damn thing) The Maui Wowie is still good, but I won’t be coming back, even though you’re across the street from me. I’d rather drive. Sad.
BnT B.
Évaluation du lieu : 4 Ventura, CA
Ok, so we’ve revisited Café thrice just to give them another chance. Ambiance is the same Good food Service so much better! We will be back and I’m glad they’ve trained their employees …
Rob W.
Évaluation du lieu : 5 Orange County, CA
Good spot for a splurge evening. Without having to get all dressy and pay resort pricing. To start, specialty cocktails $ 6.95 Service was good and the hostess was warm and welcoming. Even as we were leaving. Other reviewers raved about the Manoa Lettuce Wraps, they were very good! Other reviewers(according to the review highlights) also mention a certain fish entrée. I found a couple other standouts and asked our server for a recommendation. He said«they are know for their Asian Style Braised Shortrib». Definitely a good choice. So tender and flavorful. My partner had the Macadamia Nut Crusted Breast of Chicken. Also a good choice. The included house salads are simple and small. Fine since the entrees are fairly hearty. Nice evening out, still in boardshorts, tshirt, flip flops. This IS #hawaiilife
Sabrina A.
Évaluation du lieu : 4 Mountain View, CA
The inside of this restaurant is beautiful. I love the wrap around bar, draped mosquito netting, and overall feel. It felt upscale, yet inviting. For lunch we were seated by the window with an amazing view of the mountains(it got a little hot and bright, but the sight was worth it). He ordered the crab sandwich and LOVED it. All the ingredients were fresh, balanced, and when I tried it, I thought it was tasty(I’m not usually into crab sandwiches). I opted for the curry salad. When it arrived, I was shocked. It was huge for one and had so much going on with it. From the tender chicken, to the flavorful fruits and finally, to the yummy — light — curry sauce, I was extremely happy with my selection. In the end I couldn’t finish it all. It was a lovely experience from start to finish. Our server was so friendly, attentive, and nice too. Overall, we had a lovely lunch and would highly recommend this place.
Dan H.
Évaluation du lieu : 3 Manhattan, NY
The staff was nice and friendly, but the food was just mediocre. I went in for lunch and found the lunch menu somewhat limited. A lot of what I wanted to try was in the dinner menu and wish I had gone for dinner instead. I ordered French onion soup, mac nut crusted chicken breast sandwich, plate lunch special(with some white fish) and smokey barbecue pork sandwich(other«Hawaiian» dishes didn’t sound appetizing). I really liked the onion soup and other dishes were OK.
Vic M.
Évaluation du lieu : 4 Chico, CA
Had to sit at the bar as the place was insanely busy(6:30pm Thursday January 2016). Long waiting to get seated. Bartenders were crazy swamped yet provided me with acceptable service. Jidori chicken was delicious — ½ of a free range with seasoned rice and perfectly cooked broccolu($ 21.95) Decent choice of draft beers $ 4.50 The packed place was very loud.
Kate C.
Évaluation du lieu : 5 Albuquerque, NM
Ok, this place is awesome. Seriously I have no complaints. The staff was great, the drinks were really interesting and tasty, the food was all really good! Give them a try.
Death G.
Évaluation du lieu : 3 Spring, TX
Reasonable prices and fresh seafood, though some menu items are terrible, and the food preparation leaves much to be desired. The Hawaiian flatbread and baked oysters were particularly terrible; the flatbread was merely bbq sauce, pineapple and disgustingly dry pulled pork on a toasted tortilla(not even flatbread), and the baked oysters weren’t remotely edible, with greater semblance to poison than food. The jidori chicken was dry and drowned in an overbearinh, oily sauce. Not all of the food was terrible; the calamari is good, and the sushi is fresh, though the preparation is sloppy in appearance.
Joe M.
Évaluation du lieu : 5 Elizabeth, NJ
Outstanding fresh seafood. For appetizers we ordered standard calamari and also stuffed calamari… stuffed with sushi-grade ahi and a type of fish roe. Sauces of wasabi-aioli and mango butter were very tasty with the calamari. Mains were blackened mahi and the togarashi and sesame seared ahi, both with ginger butter sauce. Both fish courses were done to perfection.
Caroline K.
Évaluation du lieu : 3 Fountain Valley, CA
Make a reservation! This place is always popping. Ahi stuffed calamari: enjoyed this more than the entrees. The calamari tasted very fresh and were perfectly fried. You get 3 – 5 pieces of the ahi stuffed calamari and it is BOMB. Who would have thought the two would be perfect together. Seared ahi: all I Tasted was wasabi :/ Cajun shrimp cheese pasta sort: there was nothing Cajun about the dish. Was kind of confused when the plate arrived. It’s shrimp on top of some fettucini like pasta. The entrees did not blow us away, especially for the price or wait. However our server was very nice and the appetizer was bomb!
Beth K.
Évaluation du lieu : 3 Kahului, HI
Good: Convenient location, friendly service Bad: Utensils were dirty(dried food stuck in them), diet cola tasted like flat soda water, all of our food was just OK Overall: We probably will not dine at this location again based on this experience. The quality of service made up for the overall experience.
Tammy Y.
Évaluation du lieu : 4 Seattle, WA
Consistently good food at lunch and dinner. You know it’s gotta be good when the locals recommend it and go there at least once a week! The fish is always fresh, and greens are local and so tasty! I came here on a visit a few years ago and fell in love with the place. Returning this year I was apprehensive, unsure if it would live up to my memories of it — sure enough it did! I’d eat here every week like a local if I could. From fresh local salads to several kinds of fresh caught local fish, I really couldn’t ask for anything better. Especially in the Kihei area, this is my number one spot. It’s close to everything and parking is a breeze. If you want shaved ice after lunch there’s a cart right down below, too. That is if you saved any room!
Renee M.
Évaluation du lieu : 1 New York, NY
I used to love this place but after tonight I will NOT be coming back or recommending it to clients and friends any more. Why you ask?! Well, imagine having a perfectly fine dinner that wasn’t as good as it used to be but still pleasant enough and then before you even have a chance to wipe your mouth a check is thrown on your table without even a glance. Yet, every table around you is being asked courteously, «would you like to see the desert menu? Oh no, well then here is your check when your ready?!» Why the difference you ask?! All the other tables were non– Asian patrons. So because I’m yellow I don’t deserve good service?! P. s. We didn’t skip on the tip cuz we weren’t sure if tips were pooled here and just cuz someone treats you like poop doesn’t mean you should stop to their level
Chibi C.
Évaluation du lieu : 5 Redmond, WA
Awesome sandwiches great place to start your day and plan your day’s activity as there are places near by to get food for any of your friends and sit out have a pleasant start. Their coffee is also great
Mo E.
Évaluation du lieu : 4 Brentwood, Los Angeles, CA
Second time eating here. Friendly service, great food with decent prices for the portions. Wish the ambiance was a little more modern, it’s kind of 1980s Japanese… We had the eggplant quinoa as well as the seafood broth bowl – both delicious. We would come back and recommend this restaurant to others for a mellow lunch/dinner night!
Bridgett P.
Évaluation du lieu : 5 Kahului, HI
Let me just start off by saying: Manoa lettuce wraps. I’ll leave that there and start with my review. Three of us went here to have some pupu’s on a busy Tuesday night. When we finally got our seats, we were starving. We ordered some drinks and sifted through the menu. My drink was delivered and let me just say that a drink called«Pele’s Revenge» has some tasty stank behind it. Cruzan coconut rum, strawberry purée, soda and a dash of chili pepper. Ah-maz-ingly awesome. So we narrow down our choices of grub to: Café O’Lei Tower which consists of: coconut shrimp, tempura ahi roll, spicy calamari rings, Baked Maui Onion Soup, Artichokes & Brussel Sprouts and the Manoa Lettuce Wraps. We sipped drinks, laughed and waited for the food. Café O’Lei is a really nice place – good vibes, nice décor and friendly staff. Our food was delivered and we decided to share everything, just so we could sample it all. Except, I loved the lettuce rolls SO much that I was hogging them. I was literally stuffing myself on these bad boys so I didn’t have to share. I’m being honest here – I know it’s hard to read about gluttony, but sometimes you go onto food overdrive and you just can’t stop. This is what’s in these little gems: chicken, waterchestnuts, ginger, hoisin, cilantro and lettuce wraps. I vowed to myself to take my husband here so I could order another plate and eat every last bite. I don’t know at this point if I’ll be sharing with him or not? Somethings are just too good. The other food was great – the soup: awesome. I’m not a huge seafood fan, but the coconut shrimp was delish. There’s a reason why this place is always busy. It’s the bomb. Especially those lettuce wraps. Alright, I’ll stop.
Lauren Y.
Évaluation du lieu : 4 San Francisco, CA
Love this place! The jumbo shrimp papaya salad is bomb. Perfect for pre beach clean eating :) Some other good items are the lettuce wraps and crab cakes. Awesome service, perfect pace and casual.
Salette M.
Évaluation du lieu : 3 Fremont, Estados Unidos
la comida es rica, no lo mejor que probé en mis vacaciones en maui, hay muchos otros lugares para comer mejor y a un precio más justo en Kihei, pero tiene buen ambiente de relajación, me gustó la decoración del lugar y la presentación de los platos.