Live anywhere long enough and you’ll likely collect an eclectic mix of
favorite dishes at a variety of local restaurants. The awesome menu
items call to you, frequently insisting you return again for that
special taste at that certain place. Allow me to share my personal
favorite dishes presented by restaurants grand and humble around the
island of Maui.
Poisson Cru – Mama’s Fish House and Hula Grill
Two restaurants continue to compete for my affection in this category.
Poisson cru (the name is French because it originated in French
Polynesia) is lime marinated fresh fish, similar to ceviche, except
doused with coconut milk and scented lemongrass. The results are so
ONO, healthy and satisfying I crave it weekly. Fortunately, the
exemplary purveyors of said delicacy are on opposite ends of the island
meaning you, too, can nab it no matter where you when urgency strikes.
1) Mama’s Fish House does everything right and their Poisson Cru is no exception. Situated
in a captivating cove on that stupendous stretch of beach, it’s little
wonder I wake up some mornings wishing I was already sitting there with
chopsticks in hand preparing to dive into the signature coconut shell
chocked full of mouthwatering morsels. Please don’t pinch me; I’m
having a great dream.
2) Hula Grill does two versions of what they call Hawaiian Ceviche (but what is actually
Poisson Cru so I wish they’d just call it that.) On the dinner menu you
get the swank martini glass presentation with avocado and taro chips.
At lunch it’s a scoop of “ceviche” on a plate with tortilla chips.
Those in the know can order the dinner version anytime of day – which I
highly recommend. It’s only $1 more.
P.S. I was excited to find this recipe for poisson cru compliments of Merriman’s on the Big Island. Hopefully Merriman’s Kapalua will soon add it to the menu!
Grilled Pita Bread, Greek Salad and Gyros
I so crave the cuisine from the olive rich islands, a friend once
surmised I might have been Greek in a former life. All I know is my
cousin, Athena, was just as crazy about anything served with authentic,
grilled pita bread as I.
Pizza Paradaiso does well by gyros; Pita Paradise has the best lamb kabobs and pita; the little stand at the food court in Lahaina Cannery Mall, Athens Greek Restaurant, tosses a great salad. Mala makes a Greek’s life on Maui whole again with their Mezza platter
featuring hummus, raita, babaganousch, feta, olives, and, most importantly, grilled pita.
Ahi Tartare
A perfectly gorgeous dish almost anyway you chop it, I’ve ordered ahi
tartare wherever it’s served on Maui. In the end, I humbly conclude the
very best is Gerard’s in Lahaina; it’s less shoyu and more Dijon, if you know what I mean,
which appeals to my taste buds immensely. I’ve already admitted I’m
also a fool for homemade taro chips, which Gerard serves with this dish
as well.
**Merriman’s in Kapalua competes for the honors by serving ahi tartare alongside their baby beet appetizer.
Love it, love it, love it – and who doesn’t? You can’t find comfort food
better than the short ribs and no one does ‘em up better than Pineapple Grill in Kapalua.
Pho
Bale (various locations) has a good version but I’ve developed a
special dedication to the noodly, brothy, hearty soup made “your way”
by adding an assortment of toss-ins like fresh basil, bean sprouts,
lime wedge, and hot peppers, as it’s prepared at Saigon Seafood in
Lahaina. Truly a meal in a bowl, this is Hawaiian penicillin. Whenever
the Kona winds are causing my head to smart, I ingest the magic elixir
and sure enough – here comes the sun.
Quinoa Salad – Café O`Lei
Mix the mother of all grains with some locally grown organic baby greens,
toss with crumbled goat cheese and basil vinaigrette, serve along side
sweet, smoky roasted vegetables and voila! – a culinary creation that
perfectly captures the fresh, healthy, environmentally savvy nature of
island life while leaving your swimsuit curves intact. How can you go
wrong? Find the mother of all salad lunches at any of Café O`Lei’s locations (Kihei, Maalaea Wharf, Napili and Wailuku.)
Quinoa Salad, up close and personal.
