When we travel with extended family we usually spend the days apart as each family has separate things they’d like to experience. We always make a point to come together in the evenings for dinner and choose one “special” dining experience during the week. This week on The Big Island we rotated condos - eating meals around the BBQ and sharing about what we had done during the day. Our special meal of the week was a Sunday Brunch at Manta Restaurant (Mauna Kea Resort)……. We’ve all enjoyed wonderful brunches at various resorts both at home and on vacation but, we all agreed that the brunch at Mauna Kea ranks right at the top. The staff exudes the aloha spirit and the food is amazing!

There is spacious seating indoors and outdoors — we were fortunate to get two tables to accommodate our large party of 15 outside with postcard views of the resort and the sandy beach below.

There is a large selection of items to choose from…. made to order omelettes, waffles, Eggs Benedict, sushi (too many things to mention)! And, I personally appreciated all of the vegetarian options — vegetarian dim sum, tempura vegetables (I couldn’t get enough asparagus)….. it was all delicious!

We all said we were stuffed and then someone discovered there was a selection of desserts in another room….. somehow, we managed to find space for a sampling of those as well. We couldn’t believe it when we looked at our watches and found that it was 2pm —- we had been there talking and eating for three hours!

As a matter of fact, we spent so much time talking, it didn’t occur to me until we were done that I had neglected to take pictures of the various dishes! Sunday Brunch at Manta is every Sunday 11:30am - 2pm. Adult dining - $69 / Children - $30. They accept reservations but, walk-ins are available as well.

Happy Travels!