Dining at the Original Kohala Coast Resort

We recently returned to the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel for dinner at the Manta & Pavilion Wine Bar. This hotel was the original Gold Coast hotel in Kohala and actually was the impetus for building the main highway along the coast and the Kona International Airport. We used to frequently dine there when Monette's Restaurant was at the hotel. However, Monette's closed and we really hadn't been back to the hotel in a couple of years. A couple of weeks ago we learned that two  of the people from Monette's, manager Barry Chu and waiter Charles, were working at the Manta and we were determined to dine there to renew old acquaintances. As it turned out the reunion and the dining experience were well worth it.

We dined with another couple and we all began with our usual dram of Macallan 12 year old whisky. For an expensive hotel restaurant the dram was reasonably priced at $14.00 unlike some lesser places who tend to gouge on the liquor price. We were first served an Amuse Bouche which was excellent. All of us chose the Bacon and Scallop Crostini for appetizer which was absolutely delicious. We all could not resist a salad. Our friends had the Signature Manta Salad with papaya, sweet onion, avocado and toasted macadamia nuts while we had the Caesar Salad with pan fried focaccia croutons, shaved asiago and white anchovy. We all left not a drop of salad behind.

For entree, the table split evenly. Two of us had the Fisherman' Catch special (which consisted of opakapaka, prawns and scallops) and two of us had a New York strip special (accompanied by fig jam and garlic mashed potatoes with lobster pieces). Both dishes were prepared excellently. The steak was as tender as any I have ever had. We all  finished off the meal with a chocolate soufflé which was very well done.

We were delighted to renew old friendships and have an exquisite meal. We will definitely return to work our way through the menu. We would be remiss if we didn't mention the excellent location and the viewing area for mantas which is just down slope of the restaurant.