The Puamana Newsletter has a restaurant review by Dick Wojcik, one of the homeowners in most issues. Most of the reviews are of restaurants on the west side of Maui. However, some of the reviews are off the beaten path. I will try to share as many of them with you as I can, so you can enjoy the great food of Maui. DINING WITH DICK & FRIENDS: ************************************************************ Summer/Fall 2006 Zuihao (ZOEY-WHO) opened in late June at 900 Front Street at the Lahaina Center. Zuihao means "The Best" and our experience supports their claim. (The webmaster of this site visited this restaurant at the end of August. The food was great, expecially the Mu Shu Pork. The food is very similiar to P.F. Changs in the Bay Area.) Our dining group started with Crispy Calamari, Cantonese Potstickers and Chicken Spring Rolls. For entrees we tried Hunan Beef, Mu Shu Pork (wrapped for us at our table) and Kung Pao Scallops stir fried with scallions, chili pods and peanuts. Portions were more than adequate and most of us took "foo doggy bags" home for the next day's lunch. For dessert we shared Lychee Creme Brulee and the Homemande Macadamia Torte. Prices are higher than what you might expect at your typical Chinese restaurant but this truly is gourment Chinese dining. Cocktails, Chinese and domestic beers are available. The wine list is extensive but as in all of Maui, expensive. You have the choice of dining inside, outdoors fronting Front Street or at the large bar inside. Takeout is also available. Kama'aina (25% off all entrees) is available for onsite dining from 5-6 PM on Sundays and Mondays. Zuihao is opened at 5PM daily for dinner. Reservations are recommended. Late night music and adult beverages are available on Fridays and Saturdays after 10PM. Parking is complementary in the Lahaina Center lot. Telephone number is 667-9020. ************************************************************ MAY/JUNE 2004 Giovanni's It is located in Kaanapali at the corner of Kaanapali Parkway and Honopulani Highway. It claims to be West Maui's oldest restaurant. It has a festive feel to it with lights that are shaped like grape clusters and illuminated in bright Italian colors. You will notice that arooma of garlic as soon as you walk up the stairs. The menu features Antipasto, Salads, Stuffed Pasts, Pizza, a large variety of Parmigiana dishes and six choices of Pasta that can be combined with any of eight different sauces. Entrees cost from $13.99 to $19.99. There is also a children's menu. Our group of four started with Calamari Fritti and Fried Ravioli. The ravioli was stuffed with spinach. It was deep fried and served with a fresh Pomadora Sauce. Portions were more than enough for the four of us. For an entrees I tried the Veal Picatta served with herbal Flour, sauteed with butter, lemon and capers in a white wine sauce. One of us had the Fettuccini pasta with Vodka Sauce. The others had Scallop Parmigiana and Meat Lasagna layered with Italian sausage, bacon and ground beef. We topped these dishes off with a glass of Pinot Grigio and Chaianti. Both wines were priced below $6. Desserts included Tiramisu, Cheescake and a vaiety of Ice Creams and Sorbets. Giovanni's is a good restaurant to visit when good friends or family get together. It is unpretentious. It can be noisy at times but as the crowd dwindles you can hear "La Traviata" playng in the backgroud. Service was cordial and attentive. Dinner is served 5:30 - 9:30. There is ample free parking. Reservations are suggested. Telephone 661-3160 ************************************************************ November/December 2004 The newest addition to the Lahaina dining scene is Mala Ocean Tavern, located at 1307 Front Street. If you visit this newly remodeled spot, be prepared to taste food that assaults the senses. The ingredients in most of the dishes are Organic and without preservatives. The breads are whole grain. Don't go expecting large entree dishes. Mala features small plates that are meant to be shared family style. Our group visited Mala twice during the first two weeks of opening. The menu had some changes after our first visit. We were informed it is constantly changing. During our visits we tried the Steamed Clams Avalon, (Clams served with a ginger garlic black bean sauce), Flatbread, a thin crust with shrimp, cilantro, pesto and grape tomatoes. We also sampled the Seared Sashimi with shiitake ginger sauce and Crunchy Calamari with aioli. Our second visit we tried some of our favorites and added the Kobe Beef Hamburger and the Spicy Lamb Pita. We left both times completely satisfied. We did not sample the desserts during our visits because we were just too full. The dessert menu included Key Lime Martini And Caramel Miranda both of which we hope to try during future visits. The bottom line is that Mark Ellman has another winner that should be around for quite awhile. The variety of excellent food allows everyone to sample the unique tastes and flavors. The wait staff was extremely friendly and helpful. In the first two weeks of a new restaurant, you expect new help to make some errors, I am sure that by the time you read this all will be running smoothly. Wine and liquor is available. Wine can be ordered by the bottle or glass. The wine list was impressive and included some wines that would be difficult to find even on the mainland. There is inside and ocean side seating. The outside area has limited seating but is quieter than the inside. On our initial visit the noise inside made it difficult to have a quiet conversation. I'm sure this is a problem that will be resolved in the future. Mala Ocean Tavern is opened for lunch, Monday thru Friday and dinner seven days a week. Reservations are suggested. Telephone: 667 9394. Limited parking is available adjacent to the restaurant or at Lahaina Cannery Mall.