Fond A Neighborhood Eatery - Lahaina

My wife and I visited the chef's counter on Sunday evening, and it was an incredible experience. Every dish was thoughtfully crafted, and the food was outstanding—definitely one of the best chef's tables we've tried (and we've been to several, as we live in DC). What impressed me the most was Chef JoJo. His passion for food is truly remarkable, and his vision for the dining experience is flawlessly executed. Being seated at his table made us feel like part of his family, as if we were in his home. He took the time to explain his culinary decisions, the origins of the ingredients, and the thought process behind his creations. It felt like a combination of a chef's table and a cooking class, and it far exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend it, and we will definitely return!

This restaurant was featured on Eater's list of the best places to eat in Maui, and I completely understand why! It offers a lovely combination of local flavors with sophisticated twists, all in a charming yet unpretentious strip mall setting in Nāpili. The menu includes delicious bento, poke, fish, and more. The only person who wasn't thrilled with their meal was my son; the chicken tenders were a bit too spicy for his taste. I personally found them delicious, but I can see how they might be a bit much for a child who prefers milder flavors.

My husband and I had the pleasure of dining at the chef's table at Fond, and we were absolutely blown away. The experience features a four-course tasting menu, allowing you to watch each dish being prepared right before your eyes. Chef Jojo Vazquez's passion for his culinary creations truly stands out, as does his deep connection to his heritage and the Hawaiian community. His explanations of each dish are captivating and enhance the enjoyment of the meal. Additionally, his wife Eliza brings a lovely touch with her warm hospitality, from the reservation process to the dining experience itself. It was a phenomenal experience that I can't recommend highly enough!

We ordered gravy fries, two chicken bites, a cheesecake, and ice cream. The receipt indicated a 40-minute wait, and we arrived 20 minutes early. The fries and chicken bites were already sitting in the window, but we still had to wait the entire 40 minutes for the cheesecake and ice cream. The fries tasted good, but they were just regular fries because they forgot the gravy. The chicken bites were okay, but they didn't impress. However, the wait for the cheesecake and ice cream was definitely worth it. We did call the restaurant to inform them about the missing gravy, and they asked if we could return to pick it up, which we couldn’t. They mentioned that a chef would call us back, but we never received a call. Overall, the dine-in experience was great, but the takeout left a lot to be desired.

The flavors are expertly crafted here. The Sirloin was our favorite dish, but the gravy fries and potato wedges were also excellently prepared. I would definitely recommend it, particularly if you're staying near Napili.