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The Banyan Tree
Rating Details »
Category: Asian Fusion [Edit]
1 Ritz-Carlton DrThe Ritz-Carlton Hotel
Kapalua, HI 96767
(808) 669-6200
- Hours:
Tue-Sat. 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good for:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
12 reviews for The Banyan Tree
The Banyan Tree at the Ritz Kapalua was the best meal we had in Maui the last time around and it was spectacular once again. Few things in life seem to bring it again and it delivered like Godfather 2.
We arrived for our reservations just before the sunset and the place was crowded. Our waiter seemed to be scrambling a bit at first but was on mark with great suggestions and friendly banter. Location is perfect with great views of the ocean and sunset once they raised the blinds.
They brought over some fresh bread and yummy evoo and pepper nut mix for dipping. We started with the app trio of sashimi ahi, local beet salad and seared sea scallops. Always love to get a sampling of what is good and this was a very solid start. The seafood and local produce were very fresh and ridiculously tasty. Wednesday night is half price bottle wine night, so I think in that case we'll have the Grgich thank you.
For our mains my wife had the Wapu (thank you come again) and I had the Opah. Both were very good. The Wapu was flakier, while the Opah was a bit firmer. Mediterranean Hapu was served with couscous, baby fennel, and bell pepper chimichurri. Chorizo Crusted Opah paired with cauliflower florets, oyster mushrooms, and yellow curry. These were some of the best fish dishes we had on our trip, which was about what we had every night. You are in Hawaii right?
Don't quite remember what we had for dessert. Frankly after Pineapple Grill's signature treat, everything else never stacked up. I'll revise if I recollect, but it was good.
A fantastic meal yet again, right up there with Merriman's as the best we had on this trip.
The food was great but the view is wasted if you go at night. You cannot see anything out the glass windows in the dark and as we were sat facing the window the entire meal, I felt as if we were being punished in the corner. Nobody puts baby in the corner.
Also, you cannot bring your own bottle of wine to any restaurant in Maui.
This is a high-quality expensive restaurant. I definitely agree that the portions are way too small for the price. The food however is quite good and I would probably go back if we stayed at the Ritz again (which is not likely --- I'll get to that posting eventually). The service was great and we loved the bread w/ oil and spices to dip into. The lobster was tasty, but way overpriced ($75), steak was good but not great --- and we expected greatness from this place. Dessert was a little messed up as the gelato was partially melted from a freezer mishap --- but they did not charge us without us even complaining about it. Overall I good place to eat if price is no problem.
Great ambiance and view! Food was okay. While we were staying at The Ritz, we had a late lunch/early dinner here before hitting Front Street Lahaina for the evening. There's a great view of the Kapalua coast, but the sunset is on the opposite end and blocked by buildings. So probably not a good place for the famous Maui sunsets. Service was average at best and alittle disappointing for a joint like this. It just seemed like the service staff were busy with other, more important things. The staff just has a different air here than from the rest of the island. Mostly everyone that we talked to were pretty new to the island. Our waitress was from Atlanta and had only been on the island for 2 months. Point being, most of the staff in the restaurant (and probably the entire resort) don't really have the Aloha Spirit that most of the other locals do have since they're so new to the island... idk, maybe I'm just giving them the benefit of the doubt. Food portions were no the largest, and we ended up having to eat again later in the evening. If you don't feel like leaving the resort, this is probably a good place for convenience. . . but we didn't have a chance to try the other restaurants in the resort.
The waiter was nice, but he got defensive when I questioned his description of the horrible appetizer. We ordered the "eggplant caviar." Ok ok ok, I get it -- we shouldn't have ordered the eggplant caviar because who would order such a thing? But it was on the menu, so we tried it -- the waiter said it was like cavier -- but when it came, it was more like tasteless babyfood. I told him it wasn't much like cavier, huh? He said it was merely a play on words, and tried to make me feel as if I didn't "get it." I got it, but it wasn't good and it certainly wasn't what was advertized: it wasn't "cavier-like": it was baby-food puree and tasteless.
I then had the salad with polenta-style croutons -- (since I'm a vegetarian and they don't offer any vegetarian entrees) -- which was good -- the croutons elevated the salad. My partner had fish which he liked, but, boy oh boy, this place is expensive, and you don't get what you pay for. The best part of the meal was the Maui Blond pints, but I could've had those anywhere on the island.
What a 5 star place! I loved the atmosphere. It is named after the trees there. The banyan trees grow all over Maui. I had a feeling of such relaxation as the breeze came through the panels from the ocean outside. The live music played all night. I was staying at the hotel so I went a second time. Mama's and The Bayan Tree are the best of the best!!!!!
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Great food. Very nice & engaging waiter. They were having a 3-course prix fixe option for $50... which is a steal for a place of this caliber.
My favorite restaurant of all time. I love it when high expectations are exceeded. Food is delicious. Setting is stunning. Service is outstanding. Definitely on the pricier side, but when you get this quality, it's worth it. Call ahead and ask for a table near the ocean edge of the restaurant just at the tail end of sunset. My wife and i went back a second, third and fourth time, and we found that splitting an appetizer and an entree was satisfying and didn't break the budget.
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This place was totally on fire with Chef Jojo Fernandez turning out some of Hawaii's best high-end fusion cooking with a bit of El Bulli wrapped in. We ate there and it was truly awesome, fun and funny, everything that Stage on Oahu aspired for but didn't quite hit. Alas, Jojo flew the coop and the party's over. I have no idea how the restaurant is now or whether it will maintain its talent level.
I have to admit, the food was great, the service impeccable, and the atmosphere amazing. It would be 5 star except for the fact it has to be one of the most overpriced restaurants in Hawaii... yeah.. Anyway, if you get in there around a sunset seating, you will be more than pleased with the views.
After eating at Mamas, david pauls and the plantation house i expected every meal to be great. However my meal here sucked. every was very bland yet it tried to be sophisticated. theres a fine line between subtle and bland and they definitely crossed it. not only was the food bad but it was more expensive than any other restaurant. avoid at all costs, even if your staying at the ritz!
With the "Ritz Carlton" Signature service in place there isnt much that could go wrong! The chef is new and has added a great touch to "island cuisine." I especially loved the oil and herbs to dip bread in. A little pricy but again, it's the Ritz, what is not pricy?
