Via! by Sale Pepe specializes in New-York style pizza by the slice. Photo by Spencer Starnes.
Does a New Yorker ever stop craving New York-style pizza? For Brooklyn-born Qiana di Bari — co-owner of Lāhainā’s Sale Pepe Pizzeria e Cucina — the answer is no.
On July 29, husband-and-wife team Michele and Qiana di Bari opened Via! by Sale Pepe, a fast-casual spin-off of their higher-end restaurant, Sale Pepe. Located in Whalers Village’s food court in Kā‘anapali, Via! takes the express train to the pleasure and decadence of Italian cuisine without crushing your pocketbook.
“This concept has been in the works for a long time,” Qiana di Bari said. “It’s inspired by Michele’s Italian roots and my New York upbringing. Simple food with great flavor, served with aloha and a little New York swagger.”
The menu features classic New York-style slices, Romana-style pizza, and nine different pasta combinations — all under $20. Dishes are crafted with a mix of imported Italian goods and locally sourced ingredients, including Maui Cattle Co. beef and Lopes Farms produce. With each folded slice and curled up pepperoni cup, Qiana di Bari can transport back to Brooklyn, as if the JMZ train were still rattling above her — and her guests get to share in that journey.
Via! by Sale Pepe is located inside the food court at Whalers Village – an outdoor shopping mall in Lāhainā, Maui. Photo by Spencer Starnes.
Did Sale Pepe Reopen?
The original Sale Pepe Pizzeria e Cucina, which first opened in May of 2014, burned down in the 2023 Lāhainā wildfires. The di Baris now carry the bittersweet distinction of being the first restaurant lost in the fire to reopen. Sale Pepe returned in March, now located in Lāhainā’s Emerald Plaza.
This new location offers three different experiences within the two-story space: an al fresco lānai, first-floor dining room flanked with bar seating and their second-floor dining room. They’ve brought the same charm as their first location just off Front Street, with chalkboards highlighting daily specials and wood-backed chairs with red cushions, but this new iteration has a modern svelteness that amplifies the quality of the cuisine.
Despite being in an industrial outpost behind grocery stores and strip malls, Sale Pepe 2.0 has found its footing with locals and visitors alike flocking to the new spot. Ever mindful, the di Baris posted a plaque on the new location that honors the resiliency of Lāhainā and its residents that reads “Today, we are proud to reopen our doors, embarking on a new chapter rooted in the values of aloha, hope, and renewal.”
What Should I Order at Via! by Sale Pepe?
Via! offers a more casual dining experience, one that’s approachable for anyone.
“I wanted to talk to a different customer, and not everyone wants to go out and have a glass of Barolo with truffles,” Qiana di Bari said.
At her suggestion, I tried the New York-style pepperoni slice. It arrived piping hot, with a perfectly pliable crust — thanks to finely tuned kneading, Italian flour and just the right amount of intentional grease that no napkin should ever blot. The cheese-to-sauce ratio was nearly perfect and the pepperoni was charred to crispy-edged perfection.
But it’s not only about the pies. Feeling like a lighter lunch after a morning spent splashing in the waves? Via! has a delightfully classic Caprese Salad, with thick cuts of mozzarella, local cherry tomatoes, and, of course, the yin-yang of balsamic oil and vinegar. Though hailing from the streets of Tijuana and not Roma, they also boast a Caesar salad that chef Michele eats every day (how’s that for a vote of confidence?), with romaine and house-baked croutons.
It’s choose-your-own-adventure with the pasta. Made in-house, they offer fusilli (corkscrew-shaped), rigatoni (medium-sized tubes) and spaghetti (the epitome of a noodle). The sauces offered are basil pesto, marinara and parmesan cream. The di Baris keep it uncomplicated and classic. No matter what permutation you choose, every bite is like a Sunday supper with Nonna.
There are nine different house-made pasta combinations to choose from, including rigatoni with marinara. Photo by Spencer Starnes
How are the di Baris holding up after the Lāhainā fire?
The di Baris have become a beacon of hope for Maui’s hospitality industry. They see their community and employees still navigating deep pain, while also finding joy and meaning in small moments.
Holding two things at once seems to be a specialty of the di Baris — Italy and New York, grief and progress, reverence and reinvention.
Whether serving locals or travelers who stumble upon their epicurean gems, the di Baris are simply doing what they love.
“Whether we’re at home or whether we have a restaurant, this is how we live,” Qiana di Bari said.
Via! By Sale Pepe is at 2435 Ka’anapali Pkwy Suite H-9, Lahaina, HI 96761, located in the food court. Open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
