But it will hurt if I breathe...

Remember that cough syrup commercial in the late 80s, early 90s "Mommy, it will hurt if I swallow?" The theme of this Sunday was "It will hurt if I breathe." Why? Because I had eaten so much, that it literally hurt to breathe.

Why would I eat so much? Why would I throw away every ounce of exercise that week and consume massive amounts of calories? Because our favorite brunch was closing and I wanted to make sure I tasted every little morsel. How else do you really say goodbye to a wonderful meal, knowing you will never taste it again?

The brunch was located at the Maui Prince hotel. We'd celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, and "just for the heck of it" Sunday mornings there. The staff was amazing, the food divine, and the champagne kept flowing. The staff was so attentive that the minute you took more than two sips of champagne, a server was there to top off your glass.
We hadn't been to the brunch since celebrating a friend's wedding in April, but this week an article in the local newspaper stated that the hotel was in trouble. I mentioned it to my husband and said that we should probably go to the brunch soon in case the hotel ended up closing.

Previously you had to call a few weeks in advance for a reservation, but this time just calling two days before, every seating time was open. Recession...

When we arrived, we were informed that it was indeed the last brunch and the hotel would most likely be closing their doors within the next month - Foreclosure sucks :(
Our view of the Makena coast from our table. And then the eating began.

The Prince had six stations in their buffet. Six delightful stations tempting me to try every little bite. Please note - I did not eat all of the items listed below, but I thought it would be fun to tell you everything they offered at the brunch.

Danishes, muffins, sweet breads, croissants served with tropical Maui jams and jellies. Freshly sliced pineapple, papaya and berries. Freshly squeezed orange juice and guava nectar.

Eggs benedict served on cornbread with Canadian bacon and a tomato chive hollandise. Eggs benedict with cornbread? Amazing!
French toast with sliced strawberries and powdered sugar served with maple, coconut and Maui strawberry syrup.
Apple crepes with Tahitian vanilla bean custard sauce.
Bacon and Portuguese sausage.

A chef stood ready to make you any kind of omelet including bay shrimp and caviar as ingredient choices.

Next an assortment of cheeses from around the world with lavosh, breads and rolls.

Carving station with boneless leg of lamb, marinated in garlic and herbs, served with Mango chutney and an oven-roasted herb-crusted prime rib of beef with au jus and creamy horseradish sauce.Assorted dim sum which included pot stickers, shrimp dumplings and char siu bao.

Fresh Hawaiian sashimi served with soy sauce, mustard soy sauce, wasabi and pickled ginger.
Poke (a raw ahi dish) - which was the best we've had on the island.
Peel-n-eat shrimp, smoked salmon, snap-n-eat snow crab legs, and assorted sushi which included California roll, tuna roll and cucumber roll.

Selection of chef's composed salads with island grown and domestic mainland produce, prince Caesar salad bar with cherry tomatoes and roasted garlic croutons, kula greens with Hawaiian vinaigrette.

I can't recall all of the delicious salads they had at the brunch, as the menu didn't list them by name, but there was an amazing ahi nicoise salad, a snowcrab salad served with water chestnuts, a bean sprout and tofu salad, and a Kula tomato salad with shredded basil just to name a few. There was also a delightful one that had peas and peanuts that my husband really liked. Due to allergies, I didn't taste that one, but I'll take his word for it.
Wait, I'm not done yet. :)

Japanese Miso soup garnished with wakame, komaki fu and green onions.
Manhattan style seafood chowder with yukon gold potatoes and fresh herbs.
Pacific seafood medley in brandy cream sauce with oyster mushrooms.
Oyster beef with oriental vegetables, garnished with rock shrimp stir fry and kamboko.
Whole roasted herb crusted chicken with corn bread and sun dried cranberry.
Chef's pasta: Angel hair pasta topped with grilled shrimp and served in a tomato cream sauce. (this was fantastic and I'm still thinking about it).
Fresh seasonal vegetables and steamed Jasmine rice.
Makena Mashed potatoes with caramelized maui onions.

And of course, dessert. Cakes, pies, creme brulee, mousse,and my personal favorite - Bread pudding served with vanilla cream. OMG, it's the best bread pudding I have ever had. That's what definitely put me over the edge. Well, that and the coffee they served at the end of the meal.
Now, my husband likes food but he does not have the love for it that I do. So although he was full after the meal, he could breathe.
One of my plates. There's the Kula tomatos, the peel-n-eat shrimp, the ahi nicoise, the crab legs, sashimi, poke, sushi, ginger, the beansprout and tofu salad, and the snowcrab salad. Phew! I feel full just looking at that!

I know I shouldn't have eaten that much for many reasons, but after reading that menu, can you blame me? I wanted to send the Maui Prince Sunday Brunch out in style, a little token to show that I really appreciated it and a little note to my stomach to enjoy every bit.

But what about the cost? All that food plus unlimited champagne, an amazing view and live Hawaiian music? The mere price of $50 per person. In my opinion, a steal.

When we first discovered the brunch three years ago, we remarked that it was too good to be true. Funny how thoughts like that become reality.

ETA: I am thrilled to announce that as of October, the brunch has been brought back by the management of the newly named Makena Beach Resort and Spa. Yay!