Maui’s Hidden Restaurant That’s A Destination Sushi Bar

Botero Lounge, in the Grand Wailea’s lavish foyer, has normally experienced off-the-hook cocktails, and the meals in the area has ranged extensively, from bar bites to burgers. But the beverages — and the art, of study course — were being constantly the attract. Surrounded by some of the world’s most renowned pieces by Colombian sculptor Fernando Botero, guests to the resort could libate in museum-like splendor. Now, severe sushi lovers can rejoice — Botero Lounge is now a veritable sushi spot. Chef YongHo Mun, AKA Chef Moony, a South Korea-born, Matsuhisa-educated chef who worked at the flagship Matsuhisa Aspen, a pinnacle of Japanese eating in the U.S., has introduced his beautiful expertise — and humorous charm — to what will shortly be Maui’s hottest desk. It just opened quietly final month and does not consider reservations. At the time term receives out, there will be a line out the door. It’s that superior.

The Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Vacation resort, has very long been a desired destination for luxurious and spouse and children travel. The most significant resort on the island is going through a comprehensive renovation, and the rollout of the new Botero Lounge is an auspicious harbinger of what is to occur.

Chef Moony exemplifies the adage that you have to know the principles ahead of you can crack them. His command of traditional sushi preparing would have been plenty of to shake up South Maui, but he has taken it considerably additional with his very own resourceful twists on the freshest raw fish you are going to come across on the island: feel octopus carpaccio with yuzu chimichurri and albacore sashimi with truffle.

When it is achievable to pop in for a swift cocktail and a several items of nigiri, this is the kind of place the place you are going to want to settle in and have a full meal. Start off with a craft cocktail from the new listing, then allow Chef Moony to propose dishes. You cannot go erroneous, unless of course you depend more than-purchasing, which is a predictable hazard and a person for which you can’t be faulted.

We begun with a nigiri sampler, each individual chunk the perfect representation of its traditional notion, then transitioned to some of the new-fashion raw dishes, as properly as a few cooked dishes. There is not a single merchandise that is not on point, so you can basically abide by your want through the vast menu — which, by the way, retains a bar burger, of kinds: Wagyu with crispy prosciutto, pepperoncini aioli, and pickled Maui onions. My only regret is not owning the alimentary bandwidth to consider this. Next time!

As immersed as you will be in the meals, never ignore to glance up and keep in mind that you’re surrounded by nine Botero sculptures commissioned by the property, all lovingly managed (and some now in the approach of restoration, which is interesting to see).

The new cocktail record is built to enhance both of those the sushi menu and the lounge vibe. Sakura in Bloom combines Suntory Roku gin with Geikkaikan Umeshu Sakura — basically plum wine and gin — and presents it a lemon carry. It is a crisp, refreshing drink with all the things on the menu.

Chef Moony is not back in the kitchen area, he’s front and middle powering the sushi bar, and he’s happy to arrive out to your table, as nicely, to discuss about each and every dish with care and delight.

The opening of Botero Lounge is an interesting occurring for common readers to South Maui, and a authentic location for world-class sushi that’s value a drive from everywhere on the island.