A new culinary chapter is beginning at two resorts on Maui and Lanai, which are debuting reimagined restaurants following complete redesigns.
Ko restaurant at the Fairmont Kea Lani, one of Maui's most well-known restaurants, reopened following a full renovation. Ko will be led by executive chef Matt Dela Cruz.
"With a refreshed space, reimagined menu, innovative cocktails and a renewed sense of purpose, Ko continues its tradition of connecting people through food, culture and shared stories," the Fairmont said in a news release.
The restaurant was originally envisioned in 2012 by the late chef Tylun Pang to honor Hawaii's melting pot of immigrants who shared recipes and created unique fusion dishes. The legacy continues as the new menu "embraces Ohana Style dining, inspired by that 'kaukau time' tradition," when sugarcane plantation workers shared food with each other out of their kaukau tins, similar to a lunch pail.
Some dishes include Grandma Kasumi's Fried Chicken, Pop's Hawaiian Style Beef Cheek and Poi, Maui Nui venison Longanisa Lumpia, and Ko Luau, with fish and poi laulau, squid luau, kalua pork and ahi poke.
"Every flavor on the menu means something to me," Dela Cruz said in a news release. "It's about elevated comfort -- the dishes we grew up with, seen through a new lens."
Osteria Mozza Lanai offers a variety of wood-fired oven pizzas. Photo Credit: The Four Seasons Resort Lanai
Osteria Mozza Lanai
On the island of Lanai, the Four Seasons Resort Lanai debuted the redesigned Osteria Mozza Lanai, an Italian restaurant by acclaimed chef Nancy Silverton.
"Guests now can enjoy the full Mozza experience, including a selection of pizzas from a wood-fired oven and antipasti at the Mozzarella Bar, a legendary spot at Osteria Mozza where diners can cozy up and watch the culinary team prepare their food at the Terra Bianca quartzite high-top bar," the Four Seasons said in a news release.
The kitchen also has a dedicated room where fresh pastas are made. Also new is an extensive breakfast menu, a private dining room and a wine room.
The menu includes a variety of wood-fired pizzas such as Funghi Misti, Fennel Sausage, Bianca and Alla Benno; salads; pastas; and decadent desserts, like Butterscotch Budino and Pineapple Upside Down Cake.