Malibu Farm Restaurant & Bar — Restaurant in Lānaʻi

I recently had a baffling experience at a restaurant that I cannot, in good conscience, recommend to anyone. The establishment I am referring to is so exclusive that it is seemingly invisible to the general public. With no signs or indications of its existence, it's safe to say that this restaurant likes to play hard to get. Unfortunately, my recent visit left me feeling frustrated and confused.

Having dined at this restaurant in the past, I expected a similar experience this time around. However, the "manager" made it clear that access to the restaurant is granted on a whim. He stated that sometimes it's allowed, and other times it's not. Seriously, who runs a restaurant like that? It was like trying to unravel a riddle without a hint of logic.

In an attempt to make sense of the situation, my companions and I inquired whether we could call ahead to secure a reservation or to check if the restaurant was open. To our dismay, the manager flatly denied our request. How can a supposedly reputable establishment have such a bizarre policy? It seemed that common courtesy and basic customer service were completely alien concepts to them.

Adding to our frustration, the staff members were just as clueless as we were regarding the sudden changes in expectations. They couldn't provide any coherent explanation or shed light on why the restaurant operated in such a peculiar manner. It felt like we were trapped in an enigma, desperately seeking answers that were never to be found.

Perhaps the most disheartening part of the experience was the nagging feeling of being profiled. The lack of transparency, combined with the inconsistent policies, left us wondering if our presence was unwanted or if we simply didn't fit the elusive criteria to be deemed "worthy" of dining there. It's an unpleasant thought, and one that shouldn't be associated with any establishment claiming to serve the public.

All in all, my visit to this undisclosed restaurant was a complete disappointment. The lack of signage, the selective policies, and the complete absence of clear communication left me feeling frustrated and...

Since the Resort is really the only possible Good food in close proximity, we were hoping to get a nice meal. After being dropped off by the local tour guide, who thought the full service restaurant at the resort supported everyone, we found that the Malibu Farm only Caters to hotel guests. When we went there to grab a nice meal, the hostess asked if we were hotel guest, and being honest we said no, they then rejected our request to eat. The restaurant had only 2 tables occupied at that time, so it seems this Resort only Caters to the Guests and Not the Public! This is a shame because being a person on vacation in Hawaii, a $200 lunch is expected. Their Loss, my savings. So if your on Lanai for the day, stay far away from the 4 Seasons Resort for Food if you are Not a Guest there. I've always loved the quality of food and Chef outputs, but it seems the Four Seasons on Lanai, that is Not the case.

This occurred Sept 24th, 2024. Around...

This October, 2019, my wife and set out to find the best Mai Tai on Maui/Lanai. We day tripped over to Lana'i and tasted Mai Tais at Malibu Farm Restaurant & Bar. This Mai Tai is the real deal, and our #1 Mai Tai in Maui/Lana. The two Mai Tais we had tasted were true to Trader Vic’s classic recipe as it is to be enjoyed. Pineapple wedge, umbrella, but no cherry. The view of Hulopoe Bay is terrific. $17

Our overall Maui Mai Tai Ranking, October, 2019 was: 1 Malibu Farm Restaurant & Bar, Four Seasons Lanai, Manele Bay 2 Kimo’s, Lahaina 3 Royal Lahaina Luau 4 Tiki Lounge, Kihei 5 Mama’s Fish House, Paia 6 Nalu’s, Kihei 7 Monkeypod Kitchen, Wailea and Kaanapali. 8 Threes Bar and Grill, Kihei 9 Ohana...