mama's fish house

Don't be fooled by the name: Mama's Fish House has class. This is the class that the big resorts shoot for and miss. Our first tip-off was the free valet parking. Then it was the complimentary umbrellas in case of rain on the short walk from the valet stand to the maitre d's hut. The gorgeous sunset beach view through a coconut grove. And the food -- oh, the food! Each day's menu describes which fisherman caught each of the fish selections, where, and on what boat. Good tuna is everywhere in Hawaii, but really fresh Mahi-Mahi is hard to find, and Mama's has it. The sauces are interesting without being distracting. The local produce is varied and delicious, and the ti-wrapped island pig that came with my Pua Me Hua Hana was wonderfully succulent. miss_chance's Ahi was perfect, seared an eighth of an inch deep on the outside, and deep red and buttery smooth on the inside, with a delicious but not overwhelming pepper crust. Dessert was likewise excellent. If you've gone to all the trouble of going to Maui, do not miss this restaurant.

Mama's Fish House
799 Poho Place (about a mile east of town on the Hana Highway)
Paia, HI 96779
(808) 579-8488
www.mamasfishhouse.com

more hawaii suggestions

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• Don't miss the farmers markets and thrift stores. The latter are particularly good places to find an aloha shirt. Don't buy too much local fruit, though: you won't be able to bring it back to the mainland.
  
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