Leis Family Class Act Restaurant

What was so nice was the "no pressure" feeling. I realize that the setting is an ideal situation. People are there to enjoy, not be demanding, and support the program. Plus, we don't want to be mean to the students who are trying so hard. I know that the kids who were the wait help would prefer to be in the back, cooking, which is what they train for! It is great that they are learning how to serve the food and know what wait staff must go through to please the diners (who may be demanding and self-centered) while at the same time, not irritate the chefs.

I think chefs have a right to demand that the wait help know what they are doing to present in the best way possible the art of the chefs and all of the line help. I will share what brings down the food for me:
A person who serves me a pie with the wedge pointed away from me and I have to turn the pie around.
The main course served with entree at the top of the plate so I have to turn the plate around. The handle of the coffee cup turned in so I have to turn the coffee cup around. Perky and insincere service. Big plus: notice if a person is left handed - serve the coffee on the person's left with the handle on the outside.

I am not talking extra fine dining with a multitude of silverware and nuance. Just simple good service. There is such an art to good service that is not not forced or stressed.

I am not saying the wait staff did this. Onthe contrary - it was all excellent.

The food was outstanding. Perfect, actually. I think this is obvious by how difficult it is to get a reservation - it was my first experience and I wanted another date, to be honest. Duck. But rerservations were filled. I was still very happy for the food and service on the second selected date.

You have a wonderful program. Keep doing what you are doing because it works.

The food was delicious and well presented. The culinary students who served us, were cordial and tried their best to make sure our dining experience was pleasant.

I have been a number of times and the meals have been great. I am looking forward to next year.

The last few times I have eaten here it seems like things are going downhill. The food used to melt in my mouth but not anymore. Actually this last meal was seafood and the sauce it was made in wasn’t real great tasting. My friend had the pumpkin bastilla and that was pretty good but the salad on the side had a horrible dressing on it. As for service - I definitely see a huge difference. The staff used to be quick and on the ball. Not so anymore both times this year the waitress/waiter couldn’t remember the menu and clearly stumbled over it all. Then I asked for a drink two times and the third time they finally brought it out and it was wrong. Also once we were seated I have a feeling that they forgot our table because every other table around us had been helped and we waited another good 10 minutes for someone to finally come around. They did apologize for it though. Finally one of the staff came over to our table to drop something off and sweat was just pouring off their forehead. I kinda found it pretty unappetizing. Hopefully this place improves by next year to what it once was...one of the best places to eat on this island.

I realize we were in a learning environment. The server was slow. The food not good at all too many sauces. They ran out of fish. The shrimp appetizer had one single shrimp. The soup had one little wonton. Everything was sooo salty. ! The beef was over cooked. The dessert was gross. Sugar coffee over shaved ice. We went home a little hungry and ate an hour later.

Leis Family Restaurant is very popular. They are booked u as soon as they go online. They have a 24 hour cancellation policy. Therefore, many people make numerous reservations then cancel as there is no charge if this is done before the 24 hour restriction. If there was a 72 hour cancellation policy there would be a better chance of being called on a waiting list and being able to go. There was at least 2 tables empty when I was there. I know several people that would have been there if those tables had not been prebooked. Last year I could not get a reservation at all.
It is a great experience and I am happy I was able to make reservations this year. I look forward to my next reservation.

We had a reservation for 4 on March 27 which we booked on Open Table in January. We then got a call in Maui cancelling our reservation.
TOTALLY UNPROFESIONAL.

Excellent food
Wonderful service
Can't wait to go again!

Other than food table service being slow. food fine.

Overall, we had a great time. The ahi carpaccio was delicate with a yummy olive relish and the scallops were perfect! The tiramisu was unlike any I’ve had before. Our order-taker was nervous and had a bit of trouble knowing what to do, when, but his table mates helped him out. Looking forward to our next meal - French cuisine. And Mark, it is always good to see you. Thank you for your attention to us, your guests, and to details.

Our server, Markus, was very professional and attentive. Food presentation is always outstanding. This visit featured an Italian menu. The choices were beef shank, pork belly or scallops. These may be authentic Italian, we don't know; but, no pasta? A veal parm choice would have been more inviting. The "Class Act" never really disappoints because its charm is in watching students learn the restaurant trade and they put on a great performance.

Great service , good food, friendly and fun for rveryone

Excellent all the way around

One needs to remember it is a live classroom. Students are learning how to take orders, serve & clear. The food is outstanding and you need to be patient and savor the experience, not be in a time crunch.

Kumbachi, a fish from Big Island Hawaii, was prepared cooked in paper with Molokai sweet potatos and veggies...definitely unique and delicious. This was on the Asian menu, unique this season. It's always a treat to dine at Class Act.

Great food excellent, fun service, and ambiance can't be beat. Spent 3 hours with friends and leisurely courses.

Food is fantastic! Our wait person, tho very sweet and friendly was very nervous, which we totally understood. However she forgot to bring us any bread and then had to go back to fix the payment arrangement several times. We still loved the whole experience. I am certain that later on in the semester, these glitches will be corrected after a bit more experience.

Excellent food stunning presentation. Our server was very friendly and attentive. The dining room is nicely appointed. Have been there several times and are never disappointed.

It is good to support culinary students while dining on excellent, well presented food.

There are so many things to enjoy: the food is outstanding. We like sitting at the bar and watching the kitchen prepare the food. We enjoy asking the student chefs about it. When we have a table, the atmosphere is very pleasant. Service could not be more accommodating and pleasant, and it's fun to learn about the student servers and the program. This is a great place for foodies and a terrific value!

In my opinion... hands down, the best restaurant on Maui.
Leis Family Class Act Restaurant rivals any of the big hitters like Mama’s, Merriman’s, and Millhouse.

Knowing I have a reservation is like having a golden ticket to an amazing sensory experience laden with eye candy and refined flavor compliments. The service staff are very well trained and motivated to ensure that your dining experience is nothing short of extraordinary.

A must do!

A wonderful afternoon. The culinary and hospitality crew always do a great job.

This is consistently an outstanding restaurant. We try to get reservations whenever we go to Maui. The food, service, and ambiance are all a Class Act!

Although the selection of items is limited, all four of us gobbled down each course. All items were delectable & beautifully presented -especially the chocolate dessert. Madeline, our waitress was very personable and very on top of things. Fun & efficient. A gem.

Leis Family Class Act Restaurant never fails to be one of the best in Maui! The food is excellent, the staff is friendly and efficient, and the atmosphere provided by the students who are learning their trade is refreshing and sincere. Here's to the aspiring chefs and restaurant workers who are the talent of the future; to Mark Malone, Dining Room Instructor and to The University of Hawaii Maui College for this successfully implementing this program!

Just had their French cuisine and it was wonderful...

Always a fun adventure! The time lag did not occur this week as it did last between 2nd & 3rd course. Have to keep in mind a working classroom and that 3 serving days were missed due to Hurricane closures. Well done! Looking forward to next semester.

Menu is always a fun experience. However one must remember it is a "classroom". That being said there was a long delay between courses and many a water glass was empty prompting refill requests as well as opening wine.

I had made the reservations and couldn’t attend but my party of three did. They had to wait on the stairs to get into the restaurant. There were no tables near the stations and it was hard to carry three or four small plates without trays or help The service was nonexistent. They all felt the food was mediocre at best with the exceptions of the bread and the desert. All four of us had a bad experience at the French menu a few months ago. This will definitely cement the deal. We will not return.

The Leis Family Class Act is a must for us during our annual visit in November. We love supporting the college’s culinary program. We have never been disappointed with the food or the service. Excellent dining experience.

Mark Malone is great with respect to teaching his students professional/vocational skills and dealing with picky people (like us).

The students are so professional and the food was spot on!

Great food and outstanding service. They give a lot of food for fine dining. We were so full, we couldn't even finish our desserts and I LOVE sweets! I will definitely be back.

We went with the mindset that this is a teaching experience and with that in mind, the greenness of some of the students is part of the charm. What you get is definitely a 5-star tasting menu for a fraction of the cost at other dining institutions on Maui. We have eaten at some of the best restaurants on Maui during our time here including Lahaina grill and mamas fish house to name a few and this was the most innovative, fun and delicious meal we’ve had. The beet salad was so tasty and interesting, the pork chop was delightful and perfectly cooked. We skipped dessert for the cheese plate and coffee and we were stuffed. Great experience; great, professional staff. We would love to come with every new menu and would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a great meal!

Wonderful, delicious dining. Great way to support our culinary students!

OUR SERVER, DARROLL, was professional and attentive. The salad is always a specialty and the two "popsicles" were an "over the top" dessert. It is a special treat to go to the culinary academy where students learn to cook and serve in readiness for employment in upscale restaurants like we havs on Maui.

Always a pleasure to enjoy creative menu experiences in their lovely dining room. The students do a wonderful job with meal preparation and service.

Class Act is a tough ticket for a reason. It's some of the best food you'll find on Maui and they have very limited seatings. It's worth the effort, though. Besides great food in a very pleasant setting, you have the joy of knowing you are helping the students complete their training. The service is very earnest but you can tell they are not experienced -- a little guidance from us patrons is welcome to help them along. Especially fun is to sit at the counter and watch the students prepare the meals. Go hungry ... and for me at least don't plan on much dinner! On this occasion we had a French influenced menu with 3 of us selecting filet mignon and one of us the duck confit (some of the best duck ever). Together with an amuse bouche, appetizer, and dessert there's a lot of food. As tempting as the cheese tray is it probably is too much unless there are a lot of you sharing.

We visit frequently. The service on this occasion was truly outstanding beginning with a most professional opening and pouring of our wine. If we used a utensil another appeared instantly. The waiter seemed focussed constantly on our table while treating his others likewise. The sorbet dessert served in a small sugar cone was a unique treat to finish the meal. We asked for our filet mignon to be cooked "rare plus" and that is exactly what we got. If this was a for profit restaurant rather than a teaching operation, it would compete with #1 Mama's Fish House for top honors

Excellent menu choices for the Moroccan theme all well done.