Monkeypod Kitchen

The name Peter Merriman is synonymous with Hawaiian cuisine; the chef and restaurateur has championed the island cooking style for more than two decades and his empire includes numerous restaurants on Maui, Big Island and Oahu. This venture, opened in the hillsides of Wailea, is large, loud and congenial. There are surf boards suspended from the ceiling, sleek wood paneling and the tables are close together, making diners instantly feel like they are part of the scene (request to be seated upstairs on the terrace). The menu is pure Merriman: full of options that celebrate the local bounty, from Upcountry vegetables and fresh herbs to Keahole lobster and mahi-mahi. The menu is long (burgers, noodle dishes, wood-oven pizzas are all represented), and there are some 35-plus draft ales on tap.