monkeypod kitchen … there’s no monkey business at this hot new wailea eatery

With a name like “Monkeypod Kitchen” it has to be fun, and with Chef Peter Merriman at the helm, you know it’s gonna be good. This stylish new Wailea restaurant is both, and more.

Perched high above the ocean on the top floor at the Wailea Gateway Center, Monkeypod has two outdoor dining terraces with views of neighboring Kaho‘olawe, Molokini, and Lana‘i. My foodie friend Randall and I opt for indoor seating so we can keep an eye on the action in the kitchen as well as the dining room and bar area.

Monkeypod has a distinct “uptown” feel, as opposed to the more laid back tropical atmosphere found at most Wailea resort restaurants. Servers looking snappy in black uniforms embroidered with the restaurant’s logo, as well as the vibrant fabrics utilized in the family-friendly booths and on the chair cushions, contribute to the welcoming ambiance.