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Mauna Kea Beach Hotel fans don't generally roll too well with changes. So when we heard the "Pavilion" (original hotel restaurant named by Mr. Rockefeller in 1965) was going to be jazzed up with a show kitchen and fancy wine machine, we were nervous. Be that as it may, Chef George Gomes' return makes it easy to digest :) along with some stellar menu items, served up with a stunning ocean view that puts the "oh my" back in rOMance. We began with an experiment at the "Enomatic" wine machine, which turned out to be wonderful fun. You buy a credit card to use for tasting portions (or more) of 48 perfectly-preserved wines on display, kept at optimum temperatures by the Enomatic and poured at the touch of a button. Seated at oceanview out door table, we were pampered with leisurely but flawless service from soup to nuts. And what a soup: a composition of kalua pork cabbage roll and ohelo berries in a steamy kabocha pumpking squash stock, topped with (believe it or not) truffled marshmallow. This was followed by serious scallops with house-smoked bacon (mmmine) and a gi-normous steak (hers). For dessert, the souffle was a senusous experience. All in all an awesome evening, definitely priced in the "special occasion" range, but a lovely way to celebrate. |