Hawaii just gets better and better for foodies. For example, the Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar on Maui is debuting a Farm-to-Table menu that uses locally sourced ingredients prepared in-house daily. Chef Rey Baysa selects prime produce, seafood, meat and cheese for the menu, and 90 percent of the produce and 100 percent of the beef used in the Farm-to-Table menu is grown and raised in Hawaii. The menu will change according to produce availability. In addition to what’s served up on the table, the tables themselves are made in Maui by local craftsman, making the Farm-to-Table menu literally, as well as figuratively, accurate.
The Farm-to-Table menu kicks off with island-inspired appetizers that celebrate summer. The Pulled Pork Crostini is topped with Kunia tomato marmalade, jalapeño, gruyere cheese and mango salsa. Kunia tomatoes also take center stage in a Roasted Tomato Soup simply dressed with fresh basil and crème fraiche. The Coconut Ono Ceviche features Kalamansi lime and is served with a side of Molokai sweet potato chips. Julienned daikon, wakame and ponzu dress the Ahi Tataki, while that classic summer salad, the Caprese, goes native, with Surfing Goat Dairy cheese topped with Li Hing Mui dressing, reduced balsamic vinegar and locally grown scallions.
And, of course, there's the locally raised beef. The Ulupalakua Ranch Burger (available for lunch only) tops an island-grazed beef patty with grilled Maui pineapple, apple-smoked bacon, guacamole, roasted honey onions, jack cheese and a sweet soy glaze. Slow braised, the Maui Cattle Company Short Rib is served with Kula-grown vegetables and a port wine balsamic reduction. Tommy Bahama’s version of surf and turf pairs a Kaupo Ranch Petite Filet & Kauai Prawns, with Hana Pohole fern shoots and grilled Maui onion cream. Locally caught Mahi-Mahi is served with upcountry baby bok choy, Hamakua Alii mushrooms and Hana ginger soy sauce. For dessert, the Farm-to-Table menu offers a Maui Pineapple Crème Brulee, topped with a freshly picked, chocolate dipped Kula strawberry.
Tommy Bahama Restaurant and Bar is located at the Shops at Wailea, and agents can call 808-875-9983 for reservations.
