As far as sun soaked paradises go, all of Maui is beautiful. But if you want to pinpoint the upper echelon of resort row, that would be the cluster in Wailea which includes the Four Seasons, Grand Wailea, and, our focal point, the Andaz. Moonlight as part of the jet set crowd when you book dinner at their crème de la crème, Morimoto Maui.

Upon arrival, descend several staircases down the terraced property to find this poolside dining destination. Just beyond the hedges, an ocean vista is there to remind you this is peak al fresco dining.

Bonus points if you can time your dinner with sunset which shouldn’t be too difficult because this should be a long, unhurried dining affair.

To start, enjoy a handful of appetizers for the table. The Rock Shrimp Tempura arrives with two preparations, tossed in a spicy gochujang and coated in a wasabi aioli.

The Toro Tartare is presented so beautifully it looks almost (almost) too good to eat.

Served with a medley of pairings, mix and match each bite for a different experience.

Other starters we’ve enjoyed include their classic Edamame with flaky sea salt, the Hamachi Tacos served in crunchy wanton shells (a delicious riff on Morimoto’s former employer, Nobu), and a seasonally available Pork Belly Bao. All were excellent.

As the evening unfolds, settle in with a beverage; my personal favorite is splurging on the Morimoto Premium Sake Flight, perfect for two. Follow up with a full size pour of your favorite sake or move on to an icy cocktail infused with island flair.

When you’re ready for the next round, order the Fish Carpaccio, a lovely sharing portion on a date night. If you’re dining with a party larger than two, I recommend swapping this for the Chef’s Combination Sashimi. Feeling brave? Order both!

The sashimi round is also a great time to order individual pieces of sushi. The quality really showcases each fish in its best light so I recommend simply ordering your go-to favorites. If you need some direction, my picks are the Oh-Toro and Hamachi.

Post sashimi is my ideal time to start ordering maki. Comprised of straightforward and minimal ingredient lists, the menu offering doesn’t include anything in the way of “specialty” rolls. Instead, opt for the Spicy Tuna Roll and Shrimp Tempura Roll. The Shiitake Shiso Roll was a rare miss in an otherwise exemplary lineup.

At this point the sun has usually set and, if you have room, it’s time for a round of entrées. We’re usually deep in conversation thus I’ve neglected to ever photograph an entrée but I can still make some recommendations! The Pork Chop with Applesauce always elicits rave reviews from my tablemates and the Wagyu Filet is another crowd pleaser. If you’re saving room for dessert, order an entrée to share.

I know it’s hard to imagine having room, but trust me and order the Malasadas paired with a duo of sauces. Served warm, this classic Hawaiian donut is not to be missed.

Every time I leave, I think about the next time I’ll be back. This easily ranks in my top five (probably even top three) restaurants in the world. It combines everything I love about Hawaii – outdoor dining, ocean views, laidback ambience – with everything I love about food – quality, comfort, and excitement. It’s the kind of culinary memories I hope to make over and over again.

P.S. If you’re looking for more Maui restaurants, be sure to check out my Maui Dining Guide!