Eat You Heart Out, Lovers!
Three romantic picnics: what to bring, where to go. (With whom? Up to you.)
Shannon Wianecki
Photography by Jason Moore
Love is in the air . . . so why not woo your valentine with an outdoor feast? Sure, Maui may have some of the world’s most romantic restaurants . . . but this year rather than scrambling for reservations, why not try packing a basket? We’re not talking macaroni salad and cold chicken, folks. Thanks to the gourmet grocers scattered around the island, we can easily fix picnics that are the toast of the upper crust. Below you’ll find recipes for Maui’s most luxurious moveable feasts.
Before you get rolling on the menu, make sure your actual basket meets muster. Nothing is worse than being stranded in paradise with the perfect wine and no corkscrew! Here’s a checklist: basket with insulated pockets or separate cooler, thermos, silverware, stemware, plates, knife, cheese board, wine opener, cloth napkins, blanket, pillows, mini table, and large umbrella.
Upcountry Escape
Locale: Sun Yat Sen Park, Keokea
Picnic by John Paul Fine Foods and Kula Marketplace
Kula’s brisk air and 360-degree views set the stage for romance. Make the most of the your sigh-inducing surroundings with a proper country feast. Begin building your basket-o-plenty at John Paul Fine Foods in Pukalani Square. Everything here reflects artful care, from the bright walls to the garnished salads. Start with Chef John Paul’s lightly dressed spinach salad with caramelized walnuts—a simple but delicious first course.
For the main course, choose between succulent slivers of prime rib and Copper River salmon on a fresh baguette. Hit the deli case for expertly prepared side dishes: crisp asparagus with pecorino shavings, fresh crab cakes, and house-made soups. (Pour your soup directly into the thermos to keep it piping hot.) The final touch? A basket of fresh Kula strawberries harvested from the roadside stand two-and-a-half miles down winding Oma‘opio Road, off Kula Highway. The only thing sweeter than these ripe, dark red beauties are the smiles of the ten-year-old entrepreneurs selling them alongside the family farm. They’re not out every day, but the $3 baskets are worth the short reconnaissance mission. Plus, if you so desire, you can continue down the road to
Surfing Goat Dairy, the home of highly romantic heart-shaped goat cheese.
If all that sounds like a little too much work for you, phone John Paul’s in advance to order a special Valentine’s Day picnic complete with beef tenderloin, lobster, and a sexy dessert meant to be shared.
Further up the mountain, the friendly staff at Kula Marketplace will also attend to the dinner alfresco details for you. They specialize in champagne baskets, and will pack yours with sandwiches made to order. The Marketplace is a quaint art boutique and gourmet deli featuring high quality, locally made products. When you arrive for pickup, be sure to toss a jar of Tahitian Goddess mango chutney into your basket. Enjoy this divine spread with a smear of goat cheese on crackers. (Baskets can also be purchased separately; they come with settings for two and insulated pockets for bottled water and wine.)
Once you’ve gathered what you need for a splendid repast, drive leisurely south along Kula Highway. Unpack your goodies at Sun Yat Sen park in Keokea. Named for China’s first president, who resided briefly in Kula, this fragrant garden is ripe for romance: mockingbirds flirt in the peach trees and a rare Chinese gardenia exudes sweet perfume. Air temperature can be cool up here, especially as the sun sets. Bring extra blankets for extra coziness.
