C & C on the Move: Maui Part 2

One of the best parts about travel is food! I love taking to Facebook for recommendations - and I must say, my friends have never steered me wrong. Our trip to Maui was no exception. Because we had a kitchen in our room (check out Maui Part 1 if you missed it), we saved our eating out for select, choice meals and restaurants, and I've got to say, I wasn't disappointed by one!

For organization sake, I'll do this by areas of the island.

Lahaina
It's only fitting to start with my most favorite place (we went twice - and I easily could have eaten there EVERY day), Choice Health Bar, which was recommended by friend and blog reader Mariko (THANK YOU!). Right off Honoapiilani Highway in Lahaina, this little gem offers organic fresh food, vegan soups, smoothies, and the MOST INCREDIBLE acai bowls you'll ever have.

And while I didn't get any pictures (#fail), we also had a delicious meal at Star Noodle. I'm not sure if we didn't order the right things or if it was an "off" night for us, but I was expecting more based on friends' experiences (one of our readers ate there 3 times in one week). That being said, I would definitely try it for yourself. You can tell it's a local favorite. Although these are my only two spots in this part of town, Lahaina Grill, Mala Ocean Tavern, and Honu Seafood also came highly recommended by trusted sources. 

Napili/Kapalua 

Coming in close behind Choice was The Gazebo. Right down the beach from us on the other end of Napili Bay, this Hawaiian equivalent of a diner (but my kind of diner) has an eclectic atmosphere (you're literally eating in an open-air gazebo), efficient service, incredible views, and mind-blowing pancakes. I mean life-altering Pineapple, macadamia nuts, bananas, you name it. And did I mention the coconut whipped cream they put on top! I had an omelet and half a papaya both days (stealing bites of Dr. B's of course) which were the perfect way to start the day. They're also known for their fried rice, which we did not try. Beware, there's usually a line (they only have 30 seats), but they offer free coffee while you wait...and truth be told, there's not a better view for waiting in line. 

Our nicest and most delicious dinner was a short walk down the street at The Montage. You may remember from this post that our cousin is the executive chef at The Montage in Laguna. They just took over the property about a year ago and not only are the grounds impeccable, but the food and service at Cane & Canoe were superb - as you'd expect. 

I started out with goat cheese tempura with roasted beets, lilikoi (passion fruit), arugla, and orange. I'm not a fan of queso, but if liquid cheese was like this all of the time, sign me up. It was truly sensational. Dr. B started the meal with a kula strawberry panzanella (bread salad) with burrata, crispy basil, braised walnuts, and pickled fennel. While his was delicious, mine definitely was the big cheese (hah hah, get it ). 

We both went vegetarian for our entrees. I had the buckwheat soba noodles with kumu kale, hamakua mushrooms, grilled pumpkin, tamari, and a fried egg. They had me at fried egg. While this dish was incredibly simple, the earthy flavors from the vegetables paired with the soba noodles were perfection. Brian had braised turnip "scallops" with oatmeal verde, kabochoa squash, and porcini tea. Even up close these "scallops" looked like the real deal. Add in brussels sprouts with macadamia nuts and horseradish and kula corn with chili pepper and cotiija cheese, and you had to roll us out of there. Thankfully, I've always got room for dessert - and in this case, I'm glad I did. This goes down in the dessert hall of fame. Without the recommendation of the waitress, who said it was the best she's ever had, I wouldn't have gone this route (give me chocolate, or give me death). But not much compares to this vanilla panna cotta and lilikoi gelee with basil "caviar", macadamia nut shortbread, and coconut espuma. If I could have, I would have licked the glass. And you think I'm kidding...

Also within walking distance to Napili Kai (as in right next door) is Merriman's (you can also find them on the Big Island and Kuai). Overlooking Kapalua Bay, there's no better place to watch a sunset. 

We had drinks and appetizers one night and went back for our "last supper" before getting on the red eye home. The food was very good, but for me it was all about the cocktails. The No Ka Oi is hands down the best cocktail I've ever had. Ocean vodka, thai basil, lime, and honey lilikoi foam (are you sensing my obsession with passion fruit) come together to make a spirit sensation. They went down way too easy! Also worth the mention (thank you if you're still reading, I know this is long) was the molten waialua chocolate purse....molten and chocolate...need i say more?

Before I wrap up (if I'm tired of writing, you're most certainly tired of reading), a few others of note. 

Morimoto - We had a great dinner with friends here in Wailea. We're not huge seafood/raw sushi eaters, so are probably not the target audience, but our friends who are LOVE it. 

Da Kitchen - If you find yourself in need of a good casual meal in Kahalui (where the airport is), this is a great spot. Definitely a local favorite, this is the spot for traditional Hawaiian cuisine (with huge portions). I had a very gluttonous basket of mahi mahi fish and chips. 

Mama's Fish House - There isn't one person that didn't tell me to eat here...and we didn't. We weren't in the area at the right time (the location is unbeatable). Now we've got something to save for our next trip along with Hali' imaile General Store in the same area. 

Hungry yet? Stay tuned next week for more on Maui! 

What I Wore: ASOS Goes to Hawaii

Before we went to Hawaii, I was jonesing for some new warm weather attire. NO ONE had anything in store yet for resort or spring, so I turned to old reliable ASOS for  two-day shipping, free returns, and plenty of warm weather options. I'll give you the disclaimer here...everything I bought was black. I've been in a major neutral palette phase, leaving patterns and color feeling sad and unwanted in the closet. I was hesitant to keep all three items, but at such incredible prices and knowing that you can never go wrong with a little back dress (or several), those thoughts dashed quickly from my mind. 

We'll start with the dresses. This black maxi was on sale for $20.85! This was the night we left (at 10:30 p.m.) so I took the dress right from dinner to the airplane. It was super comfortable for the long flight home. This might just be the best $20 I've ever spent. Click the link to see how cute the back is, giving that little extra something. 

Black dress number two broke the bank at a whopping $34.11 and was great for a night out with friends. Coincidentally two of my best friends from college were on Maui at the same time as we were. Sometimes life throws you little perks like that. It doesn't matter how much time passes, we're always able to pick up right where we left off. And their husbands are equally fun. It makes me wish we all got together more often! 

Finally, I was pretty pumped when this jumpsuit fit perfectly. I've been on the lookout for a jumpsuit, but haven't found just the right one that fits well in all the right places. I love how this can be dressed up or down. I may try my hand with this little number for a different look with jacket and heels....stay tuned. 

And if you're wondering about my accessories. You can't go some place tropical without Angela Caputi bracelets. My shoes are the Stuart Weitzman "Alex" sandals and I found them last winter at Nordstrom Rack, but you can get them here. And the Danielle Nicole clutch (which I can't live without) will be available in March - don't worry, we'll post as soon as you can get it! 

C & C on the Move: Maui Part 1

Aloha!

If you follow us on instagram you probably know that Dr. B and I just got back from an amazing week in Hawaii (sorry for the insta-spamming - it's just too pretty not to take a million pictures).

I've got so much to tell you about the week - where we stayed, what we did, and, of course, what we ate! I've even got an outfit post that doesn't involve a bathing suit and a cover up! So instead of writing the Moby Dick of blog posts, I'll break things up. Starting today with a few general tips and the 411 on our base camp for the week. First, a few things to know before you go. Make sure to download the GyPSy Guide app. For $9.99 you've got a built-in tour guide that automatically plays information when you drive by interesting stops or historical sites - and you don't need a cellular or data network (which is especially nice for the road to Hana - more on that later). I would recommend bringing a phone charger to plug into the lighter to make sure you've got unlimited listening pleasure! My favorite tidbit that I learned...they used to put whale vomit in perfume (verified here)!

And, if you're going to get one guidebook Maui Revealed is the way to go. If you don't get around to picking it up before your trip, they sell it at Costco right by the airport. Which leads me to my #1 tip. Make sure to hit Costco when you arrive. Maui isn't cheap, and it's a great place to pick up snacks, beer, wine, liquor, and everything else you need for the week. It's also the best (and least expensive) place to pick up treats for friends and family (macadamia nuts (dark chocolate covered is my fav), coffee, etc) and fill up your rental car with gas before you leave. 

Now to our home for the week. And when I say "home," going back to Maui felt in some ways like going home. Our family has some long history with the island, specifically Napili Kai where Dr. B and I stayed. My grandparents' ashes are off the coast there, Regan and I were baptized in Lahaina when we were three months old, and before my parents started going to Baja, we spent many a holiday at Napili. I hadn't been back in over 25 years, and while much had changed, it was also the same and just as special as I remember. 

Situated on Napili Bay on the Western side of the island, Napili Kai Beach Resort was founded in the 1960s and still has that "old Hawaii" feel that so many of the island's other resorts can't claim. From "putting parties" and 50 cent drinks to a weekly hula show from local children, Napili gives you enough "on-campus" events that if you don't want to leave the resort the entire time you don't have to. Dr. B and I had nightly "Maui Invitationals" on the 18-hole putting green in front of our room (our view below) - including two holes-in-one by me! 

And because most of the rooms are appointed with a fully-stocked kitchen, you can cook as many or as few meals as you want at the resort (our room was in the newly renovated Keaka II in a "family studio"). This is a great way to stay on track with healthy eating and to keep vacation costs down. And nothing beats a sunrise or sunset meal on the lanai. 

Did I mention the beach? I'm not sure you can find a prettier spot to snorkel, sunbath, paddle board, boogie board, you name it. 

And the location can't be beat - there are some of the island's best restaurants within walking distance (more on that later), Lahaina is a 15 minute drive away, and the west side doesn't have that same touristy feel as other parts of Maui. It's definitely a more low-key environment. That being said, if you're looking for night-life and a modern, swanky vibe, this isn't your place. But, if you, like Dr. B and I, love a more unique experience, want to savor the hospitality of local staff, and appreciate that people return every year for decades, Napili Kai is your place. One day when we have a family, we'll come back to Napili so our kids can experience what Regan and I so fondly remember. 

Check back later this week for Part 2 of C & C on the move in Maui!