Manta At Mauna Kea - KAMUELA

The food was fantastic The view spectacular Waiter was triple a very knowledgeable Expensive but well worth it

This was an awful experience. We have dined here before with a much better result. Our server was lousy at.best! He could not care less, seemed completely bored and disinterested. When asked about some of the dishes, he just recited what was listed in the menu, He never checked back with us or asked us how our meal was? The server actually tossed the check on our table and walked away! He did take a photo of us when we asked, it never even mentioned our anniversary celebration. The Oyster appetizer special were 6 tiny oysters ridiculously overpriced at $48. My fish was asking overpriced, overcooked and bland! My wife’s dish was also without flavor. What a disappointment. The only saving grace was the spectacular location and overall ambiance of the restaurant. Don’t waste your time or money here, there are far too many better choices nearby!

Our server was 5 star. The hostess was in over her head with a bad attitude, zero star. Almost ruined the evening. Food was good with some being excellent. I’d advise the company to rethink who they want as the face of their business.

The Manta is the posh restaurant among four eating places at Maua Kea Beach Resort. We made dining reservations before we left home on the mainland. The casual smart or resort casual attire recommendation seemed correct. There are lots of outdoor tables available. Lots of retired couples enjoying Hawaii in style and good health while they can. We were one of them. Service was excellent, as posh places should have. When we dined there, a jazz saxophone player and a pianist made dulcet cool music we could faintly hear from outside. The dishes are well plated, delicious, and a bit over-priced for what they are. But then again, when we're paying $1k per night, who cares? Well, this time we didn't care. The resort is fabulous, but too rich for our middle-class blood to come very often. Our preferred eating spot was the Copper Room followed by the very relaxed Hau Tree beach side restaurant. We paid $200 out the door for Portuguese soft warm bread, two mains, one dessert, and a cocktail (I drank water). One and done for us here at the Manta. It was a good experience, and now we don't need to return.

Food was well-prepared and well timed. Wait staff were friendly, knew their menu, and did not appear over-tasked. The real selling point, however, is ambiance--stunning views, and a sense of being pampered in an outstanding venue. We wandered down to the Manta ray overlook after dinner and were graced with a large ray feeding in the light. Perfect end to a very pleasant evening.