Everyone’s hometown has a neighborhood gathering place — the restaurant you go to knowing you’ll see a familiar face while sipping on a tried-and-true cocktail with excellent food on its way. The aura is relaxed and casual but the experience is still curated. This is Taverna, located in the heart of Kapalua Resort. It is this mecca of togetherness that spurred Taverna to open its doors in 2016 but the fresh-made pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and hearty Italian classics that truly fostered this reputation. Chef Roger Stettler is the one to praise for filling this open-air, ocean-view eatery with Italy’s most crave-able entrees and bites, this time with help of Hawai'i's local olive oils (but keeping with San Marzanos, of course). Recline with friends of old and new in Adirondack chairs on the patio, snack on fresh bread and marinated olives, and sip on local, organic vodka mixed with a tea blend and whatever housemade juices happen to be in season and on lineup — if that isn’t a call to gather, we’re not sure what is.