Pacific'O restaurant in Lahaina review

We have had several excellent meals at I%26#39;O, the sister restaurant of Pacific O. We had a so-so meal a year ago at Pacific O, but decided to give it another chance. We found the same dithering at the hostess check-in that we had the last time, and were shuttled upstairs even after we said we really wanted to sit downstairs. The downstairs had lots of empty tables, but I guess they were expecting a crowd so we went upstairs to a barn like structure where the view was good, but it was obviously the Siberia of the restaurant. The wait staff was unprofessionally attired and behaved, spending much of their time chatting and hugging. We ordered two glasses of wine and my wine, a Malbec was served cold at the same temperature as my husband%26#39;s chardonnay. When I asked about it, the waiter told me that wine was supposed to be cool, but this was refrigerated and not what a Malbec needed. He acted as if I needed to be taught wine etiquiette. We ordered their ';award winning'; appetizers and were treated to a goat cheese salad with local greens. It turned out to be a big salad surrounded by sprinkles of paprika all around the edge of the plate with the goat cheese mix squirted out of a pastry bag. The cheese didn%26#39;t taste much like goat cheese, perhaps because it was ';cut'; with something else . The chef must enjoy ';the bag'; because the butter (with Gran Marinier?) also came out the same way. The salad was very ordinary and the pink fried won tons skins added to the unattractive presentation. The scallops, another award winning dish, was at least not rubbery but was not very warm and it certainly did not have the makings of a great dish. We were very disappointed and glad to pay our check and check out. Pacific O does not deserve the hype it gets, and diners ought try the more professionally appointed I%26#39;O across the walkway.

Pacific'O restaurant in Lahaina review

Unbelieveable!! That%26#39;s a shame! I have friends that ate at Pacific O a couple of months ago. They ate downstairs outside near the railing (I saw their pictures). They said the food was outstanding! Sorry you had a bad experience......again!

Pacific'O restaurant in Lahaina review

Thanks for the thought. I know Pacific%26#39;O gets great reviews all over the place and is much recommended on the island. We%26#39;ve eaten upstairs now and downstairs as well. It would take a lot to get us back. It might be possible that the place has been sold or something and the chef%26#39;s name is still all over it as thought he were still there. Here in foody-land (Sonoma County, CA) where we live, one of our top restaurants did that and it was quite a while before anyone caught on.

I think our experience was even worse because I let the hostess bully us into sitting upstairs. Cheap Costco folding tables and uncomfortable chairs. I noticed that the folks that complained seemed to get seated downstairs. We should have complained, but I always think that takes the edge off the meal. Live and learn.

I%26#39;d still say that anyone going there now should remember caveat emptor..

Bruce, Thanks for the heads up. I was considering hosting a dinner party here next Fall but will go with one of my other options.... just for kicks since I%26#39;m in the area too what%26#39;s your fav. Sonoma County restaurant??

Mine changes but right now I have to go with Willie%26#39;s Seafood in Healdsburg ;~)

Hi Dreday

Good choice. Willi%26#39;s is fantastic. No surprise it%26#39;s your fave.

Currently, our two favorites are:

K %26amp; L Bistro - Sebastopol -- Everything is great and great service, fair prices, etc, etc..

The Fig - Glen Ellen -- REALLY good food, very good service, and the make up for a short wine list by having *no* corkage on whatever you want to bring in. Hard to spend $60 on dinner. Also, a nice short drive in the country from our home.

Have a great Maui trip. We go every year..

Bruce

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