CATEGORY: RANDOM RAMBLINGS

Maui No Ka Oi! (Part II)

Saturday, April 12, 2008 by Dave

Hey all!
Days 3 and 4 here on Maui provided much better weather leading to much redder skin, but the food so far hasn't lived up to those first couple days. Other than one gem over in Paia, we've nearly struck out. The spot we liked over there is called Paia Fish Market, and it's nothing more than an order at the counter and bus your own table little thing. But, the fish was as fresh as could be and didn't come accompanied by flower pedals. We got the Ono burger and the Mahi fish and chips, both killer. We each got a beer from Maui Brewing Co., which is really putting out some great brews. Anyone know where I can track some down in Portland? The brewery actually has a pub over in Kahana, which I recommend for the bar and certain happy hour items if any of you make it over. Awesome service too.
Tonight, the folks are taking my girlfriend and I over to Mama's fish house for dinner, also near Paia. I've been there on both past trips here and had the meal of the trip each time so we're looking forward to it.
The Kapalua Plantation golf course kicked my ass the other day but it was by far the most beautiful place I've ever played. Well worth every penny spent; and it was a lot of them. The fairways, when I hit them, were like hitting off a brand new driving range mat, and the greens.....God damn...
Anyway, off to dinner. For those of you who are dining at Simpatica tonight, you're probably getting your entree about now so I hope you're enjoying it. The menu sounded delicious! Well done Owens!
Goodbye for now and we'll see you all soon.

-Dave

Maui No Ka Oi!

Thursday, April 10, 2008 by Dave

Day 2 on Maui and I think I've eaten my weight in plate lunch.  Earlier today I re-discovered an old favorite spot of mine in Kahana on the west side of the island, although I think it may be under a different name.  It's called Honokowai Okazuya Deli and is smack dab in the middle of a typical looking mini mall.  By the way, I must say I have a new found appreciation for mini malls.  There's some really great food going on deep within these parking lots.  Anyway, my girlfriend and I both got the barbeque chicken thigh mixed plate with white rice and macaroni salad.  (I ordered first!)  There was a great Kal-bi style marinade on the chicken and all the skin came out deep golden brown and to my surprise, with a just off the q crispness.  I found it purely off memory from a trip my brother and I made almost 10 years ago.  The restaurant doesn't have a whole ton of character but the staff sure does; if you can warm em up a bit.  What I couldn't warm up to was the family next to me dipping the very same succulent chicken pieces I was enjoying into a communal pool of ketchup.  Perhaps I have much more to learn of Hawaiian cuisine!?
Earlier, we started our calorie fest in Kihei, at a spot called Stella Blues, on a recomendation from the folks, who joined us.  I was told they had a pretty incredible Loco Moco, and when my step dad who is on strict orders from the doctor not to eat beef because of iron issues ordered it, I knew what I would be having.  For those who don't know; this is a dish of a seared ground beef patty on white rice with brown gravy and fried eggs.  We've run it for brunch once and we will most certainly do it again after this experience.  It's so great to me when something so simple can be so satisfying.  They treated the beef with care; keeping a good medium temperature to it and the eggs came out just as ordered on all our plates. 
We rounded the day off eating at home.  We broiled some Walu, or butterfish, and served it with some grilled Maui onions from the farmers market in Lahaina that were insane sweet.  Oh, and a sixer of Milwaukee's Best Light. 
Now if it would just quit #$%@ing raining we could get our tan on!!!
More to come in a few days.  Tomorrow I'll be golfing the Kapalua Plantation Course, site of the PGA's Mercedes Championship.  Woo hoo!  

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