Every summer as a child, my family would escape the blistering heat of Arizona to vacation in the Hawaiian Islands. A little R&R and the yearly Western Trial Lawyers Convention brought us to the laid-back tropical paradise of pineapple plantations and sugarcane fields. The summers defined my youth and fostered an island spirit within. Years later, it would do the same to my parents. They picked up and moved to Maui. As a tribute to the islands that I know and love, Jaunt Magazine will be running a special series on where to eat, stay, and shop in Maui and beyond.First up: Your Restaurant Cheat Sheet, Maui Style.
NICK'S FISHMARKETFairmont Kea Lani Resort
4100 Wailea Alanui Dr
Kihei, HI 96753
(808) 879-7224
www.tristarrestaurants.com
First and foremost, we love the Fairmont Kea Lani. It just might be our favorite hotel on the island. An all-white Moroccan inspired design, enormous suites, and home to a restaurant with some of the freshest and widest selection of fish on the island, what's not to love? The food at Nick's continues to live up to it's excellent reputation. A perfect spot to dine with couples or your significant other/spouse, you may walk away spending $200 or more for a couple dining with wine, but it's well worth it.
SANSEI
Kihei Town Center
1881 South Kihei Road #KT-116
Kihei, Hawaii 96753
www.sanseihawaii.com
(808) 879-0004
Believe it or not, much to our chagrin, there isn't much sushi on the island. Sansei is the best, hand's down. Using unique twists like Ginger Lime Butter and Cilantro Pesto, they're even on par with some of LA's top sushi spots. If you don't mind waiting in a long ass line for about 45 minutes before they open at 5pm on Mondays, you can even get half-off.
KIMO'S845 Front Street
Lahaina, Maui
(808) 661-4811
www.kimosmaui.com
Fish and chips, their famous burger, a seared ahi appetizer... it's another classic Maui staple right on Lahaina's waterfront. PS. They've also got adorable soft cotton tee-shirts on sale right now. Worth feeling like a lame tourist when you slip it on and look like a sexy surfer girl.
BUBBA GUMP'S889 Front Street
Lahaina, HI 96761
(808) 661-3111
Yes, it's a chain. We know. The things we love most about Bubba Gump's in Maui are the following: The buckets of Cajun Shrimp and it's sweet location on Lahaina's waterfront. End of story.
CAFE MAMBO
30 Baldwin Avenue
Paia, Maui 96779
(808) 579-8021
www.cafemambomaui.com
Three words. Hot Chicken Salad. Two more. Duck Salad. Four more. Maui Burger & Beer Combo. This is my family's favorite healthy lunch spot after a nice workout, day of shopping, or windsurfing in Kanaha. You can get two of the best salads on the island (if not two of your favorite salads in the US), and you'll be waited on by smiling girls from the mainland or Waylon, our favorite cook in the kitchen.MAMA'S FISH HOUSE
799 Poho Pl
Paia, HI 96779
(808) 579-9764
www.mamasfishhouse.com
No, it's not a steal, but it, too, is a classic. My husband and I even shared an appetizer and an entree - it was plenty of food for the likes of our little Euro bellies. So, if you're not a typical American who eats their entire enormous plate of food, Mama's might not break the bank. The place for another romantic dining experience.
SAIGON CAFE1792 Main St
Wailuku, HI 96793
(808) 243-9560
The best - and most authentic - Vietnamese food on the island is tucked in a small corner of Wailuku. You just might miss it if you're not a local. This is a great place to stop before you fly home for a quick bite if you're staying in Wailea or Lahaina. Ask for Wing Wing (or Nguyan Nguyan). Friends (like the Revis') call him Chicken Wing. He'll make you laugh, he'll make you cry. Every dish on the menu is fresh and excellent.
DA KITCHEN425 Koloa Street
Kahului, Maui
(808) 871-7782
Only five minutes from Kahului Airport, Da Kitchen is in a mini-mall near most of the windsurfing and kiteboarding shops of Kanaha Beach. Serving up traditional Hawaiian food like lomi (salted salmon chopped with tomatoes and onion), lau lau, Kalua pork, chicken long rice, poi and plate lunches with teriyaki chicken, Korean Kobe ribs, hamburger steak cutlets or fish tempura (served with rice and macaroni salad), prices are as low as $6.00-$8.00 and 2-3 people could easily eat one meal.
Next up: The best digs on the island to rest your weary head.
