The puréed berries are delicate enough to give Merriman’s Strawberry Mimosa some sweetness without weakening the bubbly sparkling wine. It wouldn’t be brunch if I skipped the traditional mimosa, and this tasty twist on a classic brunch item is just a precursor for the restaurant’s special holiday menu.
I chose Chef Peter Merriman’s restaurant in Kapalua for Easter brunch but was excited to learn it will offer the same appetizing menu on May 10 for Mother’s Day. The partially open-air Merriman’s is an upscale eatery at the site of the former Bay Club offering stunning views of the ocean from its main dining room, and a bar on the lower level extending out onto the rocks.
The menu features about 12 dishes that appear traditional at first glance—Brioche French Toast, Eggs Benedict, Loco Moco. However, a creative twist is added to each item. The Eggs Benedict, for example, come with Kalua-style lamb instead of ham, while the Loco Moco passes on the beef patty in favor of a Southern-style chicken-fried steak. Still reeling from my sweet berry high, I ordered the Brioche, which is French toast stuffed with ricotta and goat cheese and strawberry puree topped with a mango, papaya and strawberry compote. Eating the three hefty pieces of toast reminded me of a good ol’ fashioned grilled cheese sandwich—piping hot cheese oozing out of two pieces of fluffy, buttery bread—except the brunch version is much sweeter.
Expect to spend about $30 to $40 per person depending on alcohol consumption, which is a pretty good deal compared to the pricier dinner menu. For reservations, call Merriman’s in Kapalua at 808-669-6400.
Of course, Merriman’s isn’t your only Mom’s Day option; several restaurants across the island will be serving special Mother’s Day menus this weekend. There’s no better way to say, “Thanks for deciding to have kids,” than treating her to a meal complete with cocktails before noon.
The King Kamehameha Golf Club at 2500 Honoapiilani Highway in Wailuku promises a “mouth-watering feast” from 9am to 1:30pm in the Waikapu Ballroom complete with cold seafood, sushi, prime rib, pork loin and an omelet station. Cost is $34.95 per person. For reservations, call 808-249-2544.
The beautiful Grand Wailea Resort is serving Mother’s Day brunch in the grand dining room from 9am to 2:30pm. For $79 per person, you and Mom can gorge on donuts, bear claws and muffins before diving into the various entrees that include veal, chicken, salmon, shrimp and crab, as well as a dessert buffet in case your sweet tooth hasn’t been satiated. For reservations, call 808-875-1234.
The Maui Beach Hotel at 170 Kaahumanu Ave. in Kahului is serving brunch and dinner for Maui matriarchs. Brunch is from 10am to noon for $33 per person, while dinner is served from 5:30 to 8:30pm for $36 per person. Each setting boasts a salad bar, seafood display and entrée course of either seafood or chicken. For reservations, call 808-877-0051.
Finally, for a stylish Mother’s Day, consider the Ka’anapali Beach Hotel’s champagne brunch and fashion show. From 8am to 1pm, the West side hotel offers Hawaiian music, hula dancers, designer fashions and an all-you-can-eat buffet with more than 70 food items and free-flowing champagne. At $46.95 per person, Mom can stuff herself and buy clothes. For reservations, call 808-661-0011. MTW
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