Haliimaile General Store

10/15/09

Disappointing

by pdxbug

This is a fairly pricey restaurant for not having much of an atmosphere and it's one we'll skip next time we're on the Island. Our service was fine, but not great. One member of our group ordered a Mai Tai which was terrible which was clear b/c she hardly touched it, but the waitress didn't bother taking it off the tab. The Sashimi Napoleon appetizer was fantastic, as was the Apple Tart we had for dessert. However, the Boneless Short Ribs were nothing special (looked and tasted a lot like a pot roast) and the Coconut Seafood Curry was very heavy (creamy) and lacked much flavor. Overall it was very disappointing - there are much better, more romantic restaurants with better food and atmospheres likely much closer to where you're staying.

• Pros: Decent Food
• Cons: Minimal Atmosphere, Not Worth Price

01/30/08

Bev Gannon unfriendly to kids and parents

by watchdogdiva

Bev Gannon, herself, actually admonished us because our 10-month-old was banging a spoon on the table. Our waitress had given us the spoon and told us it was for the baby (we hadn't asked for one)...and of course, the baby got busy banging the spoon on the table. Gannon was having dinner at a table next to us, and got up to tell us that our baby was ruining her table.

The hostess had seated us at a table without a tablecloth, although there were several tables in the restaurant with tablecloths. Why didn't they seat us at a table with a tablecloth if they were so worried about their tables being so pristine? (I'd mentioned the baby upon making the reservations.) Also, why in the world did the waitress give us a spoon specifically for the baby, which was definitely too big for the baby to eat with (we had brought our own small plastic spoon for the baby food) if it wasn't for the baby to play with?

I've never been more mortified at a restaurant owner's treatment of customers before.

Ironically I was a Haliimaile fan before, from about 18 years back (although I'm from Honolulu). Not any more! And telling friends about the awful and stomach-turning experience.

The food this trip was disappointing as well...not what I remembered or expected.

• Cons: restaurant owner ruined our meal and experience

03/02/05

Great UpCountry Restaurant

by drlehman

This is a real find. Chef Bev Gannon has really hit a homerun with this restaurant. Unfortunately it is out of the way and on the way up to the Haleakala Crater. The two entrees which we had were the seafood curry and duck two ways. Both were outstanding! Plan to use the bread to dip into the seafood curry....really good. For dessert, don't miss the pineapple upside down cake...wow! you will lick the plate.