You Make the Roll - Japanese, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

75-5725 Alii Dr, Ste D101, Kailua Kona, HI 96740

(808) 326-1322

Parking: parking lot

I read about this place online and thought it would be a good spot to have a snack.  If you head to the back of the boutiques and shopping centers and then take a left and another left, you'll find Hayashi's You Make the Roll.  It helps to look at the map before you wander through the shopping area. 

If you're from the San Francisco Bay Area, I would say this place is on par with Tani's Kitchen in Daly City. 

You enter the little shop and it feels a bit cluttered.  There is a refrigerator with drinks and lots of stuff going on behind the counter.  Once you order, you then step outside to wait for the food.  Plastic lawn chairs and tables are set outdoors for you to enjoy your food. 

Known for its very reasonable prices, many locals frequent this place.  As the name suggests, you have the option to choose the combinations that they have already put together or you can make rolls just the way you like it with a variety of components.  Note that they accept cash only. 

- Ahi roll - As you can see, the tuna is fresh and plentiful.  The ends are a bit sloppy, but it's a great value.  $3.50

- Ninja star roll - Spicy ahi, tempura shrimp, and avocado are centered in the roll.  The sesame on top is plentiful on the top piece, but the picture shows that there is less on the other pieces.  Good flavor and again, very fresh.  The ends were a little sloppy and could have been neater.  $5.45

While I only had two items, I found the food to be filling and ideal for a snack.  They closer fairly early, so you probably wouldn't be able to go for dinner, but it's a great place for a bite to eat.  The outdoor seating faces the parking area, so it's definitely nothing fancy - very hole-in-the-wall in nature.



Cafe Pesto - Italian/Pizza, Hawaii

Best: Pizza

61-3665 Hwy 270
Kawaihae, Big Island, HI 96743
(808) 882-1071
Parking: in parking lot
Hours: Sun-Thurs 11am - 9pm, Fri-Sat 11am - 10pm
http://cafepesto.com/

Last Visited: October 2012

Food: 4 to 5 stars
Atmosphere: 4 stars
Service: 4 to 5 stars
Price: $$

Located in the Kawaihae Shopping center by the harbor on the South Kohala Coast (as well as at a locaiton in Hilo Bay), Cafe Pesto is an amazing find for great Italian food.  If you talk to the locals, a good Italian restaurant is hard to find and buying premade pizza dough is also a struggle.  At this location, it's a little easy to miss if you drive by the area too fast, but if you make an effort to find it, Cafe Pesto is a delight for its great food and outstanding service. 

There are a variety of items on the menu including calzones, pizzas, pastas, soups, salads, and more.  You'll find classic Italian dishes,  Asian fusion dishes such as Thai Curry Shrimp, Seared Poke with Spinach, and what I would typically describe as Californian such as crab quesadillas. 

We arrived just when Cafe Pesto opened for lunch and were promptly seated in their dining area.  Black and white checkered floors, wood tables, and light yellow walls covered with local artists' works filled the restaurant.  Each table also had a fresh rose on the table - what a nice touch.

A lot of locals frequent the restaurant and I watched how the servers were super friendly with the elderly regulars whom were dining near us. The server of that table even gave the elderly women at the table a fresh flower for their hair - so sweet.

Nohea was our server and she was excellent. She memorized our order and since the pizza took more than 15 minutes to arrive, she brought us a few pieces of warm bread, probably the pizza crust, with herb butter which was a delicious combination. 

Wood fired, hand tossed pizzas are available in 9 inch and 12 inch diameters.  These are definitely some of the best pizzas that I've had in a while.  The dough is lightly brown and crisp on the outside and soft on the inside.  While the dough is a little soft in the center, it still holds up fine to the toppings.

- Pepperoni Classico - Italian sausage, dry salami, pepperoni and red onion - The toppings were super fresh with the red onion shaved super thin and sweet.  The sweetness paired well with the salty meat.  Everything tasted super fresh and the fresh grated parmesan accented the pizza.  $12.95 -  9 inches

- Pizza Luau - Kalua-style pork, local sweet onions and fresh Hawaiian pineapple - This is like pulled pork, super succulent in flavor and textures.  The onions were also shaved thin and were sweet and this is probably the first time that I've had fresh pineapple on a pizza and it was wonderful.  It would be hard to go back to canned pineapple which seems to be the only thing you can find on the mainland. If you like pineapple on pizza, you have to try this.  $11.95 - 9 inches

The pizzas were delicious and so delicately balanced in flavor.  The sauce paired well withthe toppings and each bite bursts with flavor.  Wonderful.  The service was also exceptional - I don't think I've had a server this good in a restaurant with this pricing level for some time.  She had great timing for coming to check on us and provided amazing service.  I also appreciated the paper comment card that accompanied the check.  Cafe Pesto strives to give you the best food and service and they do a terrific job.  Their Hilo location also has a great reputation.  Must try.

Big Island Candies - Candies, Hilo, Hawaii

Best: Shortbread cookies

585 Hinano St, Hilo, Hawaii 96720
(808) 935-8890
Parking: in parking lot
http://bigislandcandies.com/BIC

Last Visited: October 2012

Food: 5 stars
Atmosphere: N/A
Service: 3 to 4 stars
Price: $$

While this isn't a restaurant or cafe, Big Island Candies is definitely worth writing about!

Teiko gave me a piece of Big Island Candies shortbread when she came back from a trip to Hawaii.  Apparently, their products were originally only sold in stores on the Big Island, but it's now available in stores on the other islands as well.  Of course, they're also available online. 

I tried shortbread at a number of specialty shops during this trip to Hawaii.  Nothing comes close to the delicious Big Island Candies shortbread.  The address above is for the factory where you can watch the shortbread cookie manufacturing area.  The chocolate dipping stations are closest to the window and there are samples throughout the retail store for you to try their delectable treats.  They have everything from plain shortbread to chocolate dipped shortbread to  brownies to coffee.  There is even ice cream available for sale.  Unfortunately, the smallest serving is three scoops, so I had to pass - there was no way I would be able to eat it all.

While they have beautifully packaged individually wrapped cookies, at the store, you can get bulk packaged short bread which is a great deal.  Big Island Candies is known for their higher prices, but the cookies are so buttery and super crispy/flaky that they're completely worth it.  The photos just don't do them justice.  I would rank these first out of all the shortbread I tried for sure!  You can't miss this when you are on the Big Island. 

Two Ladies Kitchen - Mochi, Hilo, Big Island, Hawaii

Best: Strawberry Mochi
274 Kilauea Ave, Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 961-4766
Parking: street parking
Hours: Wed to Sat 11am -5pm

Last Visited: October 2012

Food: 4 stars
Atmosphere: N/A
Service: 3 stars
Price: $

Two Ladies Kitchen was highly recommended by Jay and Brent, and as someone whom has always loved Chinese style mochi, I was excited about trying something I enjoy so much in a new way. 

It's rather unassuming from the outside, and when I went into the small shop, there was nobody out front.  This family who owns this business can be seen hard at work in the kitchen.  The women who came to the register took our orders and let us know there would be a short wait - it was definitely made fresh for our order. 

I had recently tried a kaiseki style meal which is a multi-course traditional Japanese meal.  For dessert, they had a grape wrapped with mochi.  That was my first introduction to fresh fruit and mochi. 

- Strawberry Mochi - Jay had mentioned that I needed to go early to make sure that they didn't run out of their strawberry mochi, so I got there right before they opened.  A whole sweet fresh strawberry is covered with tsubashi-an (sweetened red bean paste) and wrapped in mochi.  If you have never eaten mochi before, it's made with sweet rice flour (aka sticky rice flour).  The glutinous texture is a little chewy and very soft - it makes for a delightful experience whether flavored or filled.  The addition of fresh fruit gives an amazing freshness and juiciness to each bite.  It's no wonder Two Ladies is known for this in particular.  Note that these don't last long because of the fruit, but once you've had a bite, it's hard not to be addicted.  $2.75 each

- Lilikoi Mochi - The same sweet rice flour as described above is flavored with lilikoi and cut into squares.  Lilikoi is similar to passion fruit in its flavor - they're from the same family.  The pulp of lilikoi is more tart than passion fruit.   Each square was super soft and delicate. 

Two Ladies has a very large variety of flavored mochi including sweet potato, peach, brownie, and much more.  If I were a local, I would definitely be back to try the other flavors.  If you're in the area, the strawberry mochi is a must try.

Merriman's Market Cafe - Mediterranean, Waikoloa, Hawaii

250 Waikoloa Beach Drive, Suite J106, Waikoloa, HI 96738
(808)886-1700
Parking: shopping center parking lot
Hours: Open daily; Lunch 11:30 am - 3:30 pm, Happy Hour 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm, Dinner 5:30 pm - 9pm, Light Fare & Bar 9pm - 9:30 pm
http://merrimanshawaii.com/market_cafe.htm

Last Visited: October 2012

Food: 3 to 4 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 1 to 2 stars
Price: $ to $$$

I had heard that Merriman's is rather expensive, but offers a fine dining experience.  Peter Merriman has a strong culinary background and this cafe was described as follows on the restaurant website: "His culinary innovation remains the predominant creative force here as well, but the menu is rooted in Mediterranean flavors in a Tapas style."

It seemed like the market cafe would give me a taste of what the restaurant was all about and it was conveniently located near the hotel I was staying at.  The casual bar, tables, and outdoor dining facing the mall offer a relaxed atmosphere.

When we arrived at the restaurant, there were two hostesses just outside, but both seemed occupied as they were having a conversation with one another.  When we were close enough that there was no denying the fact that we wanted to dine there, one greeted us and walked us to our table.  After looking at the menus, a staff member came to pour water into our glasses, but was unable to answer questions about the menu.  She told us that she would have the server come to our table.  About ten minutes later, our server, Barry, arrived and apologized for not coming over sooner and asked if we had any questions.  This was the beginning of the mish mash of varied service that we experienced throughout our time dining there. 

At first glance, I thought the menu offerings was more Italian than Mediterranean.  However, there is often a crossover between both styles of dishes, so I ordered some light fare.  I arrived during happy hour and tried a few items.

- Crispy Calamari - Buttermilk fried calamari with house tomato herb marinara and cilantro aioli - This is one of the items listed on the regular menu.  Large calamari, much larger than usual, is lightly breaded and served with a wedge of lemon and the other sauces.  The meat was tender and the breading was crispy. $12.95

- Garlic Truffle Fries - This is a very full plate of fries.  When you pay regular price, you can expect that you'll be full.  The fries come with a mustard based aioli that I didn't particularly care for - I preferred to accompany the fries with the aioli from the calamari.  At happy hour prices, this is a generous portion.  If you have tried Gordon Biersch fries in San Francisco, you'll find that these are a lot crispier, but the truffle garlic butter isn't mild in comparison.  I thought it tasted good, but could have a stronger garlic flavor.  $4.95 Happy Hour, $6.95 Dinner

- Romaine Caesar Salad - White anchovy and handcrafted crostini are served atop dressed romaine leaves.  Compared to romaine in California, I thought these greens had a texture more like a combination of butter lettuce/red leaf lettuce.  I would have preferred to swap the size of the fries with that of the fries - this is an extremely small plate (though hard to tell from the photo) - probably just enough to fit on the saucer of your tea cup.  The dressing also tasted more like ranch than caesar. If I had paid regular price, I would have expected a lot more, but it turns out that the portions are the same no matter when you order. $4.95 Happy Hour, $6.95 Dinner

While waiting for food, we heard another server share the specials with her table - this was the first we had heard of any specials being available.

The server had asked if everything could be served at once, and we answered yes.  However, the food came in spurts - the calamari and fries first and the server (perhaps a junion one) that served them told us to enjoy the food.  Then five minutes later, he came back with the salads and told us to enjoy them again. 

The same server that took our order came back to check on us one time and his kindest words came wiht the check.  As we left, the hostesses again ignored us and the only person that said thank you as we departed was another server (she was the one we had seen earlier that had shared the specials) despite us passing a number of staff members who looked at us and would look rapidly away.  

Merrimen's offers good food and happy hour dishes are very reasonable.  Service is lacking from Barry and from the hostesses whom are so pre-occupied with their own conversation that patrons get neglected.  The one server who is on top of things kept the range up to 2 stars for service.  If you are staying in Waikoloa, considering ordering to go to avoid the service issues, but still enjoy good food.

Tropical Dreams - ice cream, Hawi, Hawaii

174 Kamehameha Ave
Hilo, HI 96720

(808) 935-9109

Parking: street parking

 

Last Visited: October 2012

 

Food: 3 stars

Atmosphere: 3 stars

Service: 3 stars

Price: $ to $$

 

All of my tour books for the Big Island kept talking about Tropical Dreams.  The sense that it was available on a limited basis (only at their stores and certain stores or restaurants throughout the Big Island) somehow added to the exclusivity of the product.  How could you go wrong with locally made ice cream?  I was determined to get it at their shop rather than at another carrier. 

 

I thought it sounded familiar, and when I saw the flavors being offered, I realized that I get this stuff at home in the SF Bay Area fairly easily - just go to an Asian market.  Unfortunately, when I saw what was in the case, I didn't find the super exotic flavors that I was hoping for - there was green tea, strawberry, and tahitian vanilla, but I didn't see any macadamia nut or ginger flavors. 

Tropical Dreams is known for super premium ice cream.  I ended up trying the coconut cream and it was ok, but not as creamy or rich as I was hoping for.  If you happen to be driving through Hawi, it's worth a stop, but if you make it your destination, and you have access to tropical flavors elsewhere, you might not be as enamored by it.  Sizes available include Keiki, Single, and Double.

Service was ok - nothing too special and salads are other options are available in case you are hungry.  For me, it was just alright.  Having a scoop of Mitchell's or Magnolia at home or even a quart of Tropical Dreams from my local Asian market is sometimes more satisfying. 

Tex Drive In - Hawaiian/American, Honokaa

Best: Malisadas

45-690 Pakalana St, Honokaa HI 96727
(808) 775-0598
Parking: in parking lot
http://www.texdriveinhawaii.com

Last Visited: October 2012

Food: 4 to 5 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 4 stars
Price: $ to $$

Brent recommended checking out Tex Drive In.  Their world famous malisadas are definitely worth trying.  Although they offer a menu of burgers, sandwiches, salads, and plate lunches, no matter the time of day, you'll find them offering malisadas, both plain and filled with fruit and cream fillings.

The sign on the Hawaii Belt Road is easy to see, and at first, you might wonder why the sign on the building is so shabby, but drive to the front entrance and you'll see that it's a bustling roadside diner.  Even the local police were hanging out there (kind of stereotypical to find them near the donuts or in this case, the malisadas, but I figure they know where to get the best food locally). 

- Malisadas - I couldn't find the malisadas on the menu, but I knew I was in the right place because you can see them making malisadas behind the glass.  Available with a variety of fillings including raspberry, guava, apricot, and more, I ordered a bavarian creme and a plain malisada.  Oh that sweet goodness. These are pillows of warm, soft, fried dough filled with delightful lusciousness.  Even when you enjoy one the next day, it's still good - more like eating bread, but still delicious. $1.06 plain, $1.56 filled

And the service was good - the person who took my order was very friendly and my malisadas were promptly given to me.

If you like a plain krispy kreme or fried dough in general, you'll enjoy these for sure.  You've gotta try these if you're on the Big Island!

David Paul's Lahaina Grill - Hawaiian Fusion, Maui, Hawaii

127 Lahainaluna Road
Lahaina, Maui, HI, 94761-1502
(808) 667-5117, (800) 360-2606
Parking: street parking, nearby pay parking lots
http://www.lahainagrill.com/

Last Visited: July 4, 2003

Food: 5 stars
Atmosphere: 3 to 4 stars
Service: 4 stars
Price: $$$$$

David Paul’s is the place to go if you plan to splurge on any dining event. Whether it be a nice dinner or lunch, you will get exquisite food for an equivalently exquisite price. If you want to splurge just that much more, go for the Chef’s Tasting Menu ($74). You are guaranteed a treat, but you also need to have a hearty appetite. The tasting menu also comes with the choice of seafood or meat courses and both are delightful.

Service at David Paul’s is attentive. They are accustomed to a wide clientele and the casual atmosphere is welcoming. The colors are fresh and clean – teals, ivories, and whites. The bar is in the front of the restaurant. The art is present, but I found the dishes being served to be more eye-catching than anything else.

- The Cake Walk – Three petite towers – Kona lobster crab cake, Lousiana rock shrimp cake, and seared ahi cake - are presented on a white rectangular plate. Each tower is dressed with its own sauces and decorations and each contains a tower of flavor. I particularly enjoyed the crab cake with its avocado relish and mustard cream as well as the ahi on a small bed of rice. This is a must try dish. $19

- Eggplant Napoleon – This is another one of those towers. Another mountain of flavor made of thinly sliced morsels of smoked mozzarella, mushrooms, olives, roasted peppers, and to tie it all together, a tomato-balsamic vinaigrette. It was hard to taste each ingredient individually, but you’re definitely going for a full flavored extravaganza in all these dishes. $14

- Baby Romaine Caesar Salad – Pretty standard overall. Served in the classic way with whole romaine hearts that are dressed with standard dressing and asiago cheese. If you love Caesar, go for it, but it’s definitely worth opting out for another more exotic item. $12

- Tequila Shrimp and Firecracker rice – The presentation of this dish is great. The rice molded with the fiery rice – southwestern flavor - on one side and white rice on the other to create an attractive display. The tequila shrimp is butterflied and it tastes great. $31

- Maui Onion Crusted Seared Ahi – I really enjoyed the texture created by the onion crust on this ahi. The sweetness of the onion goes well with the delicate flavor of the fish. Excellent. This dish is served with rice and seasonal vegetables. A dish that must be tried. $39

- Sauteed Mahi Mahi – The fish is served with spinach, pancetta, gorgonzola, and mashed potatoes. The fish was cooked very nicely and the flavors of the other items complement the fish well. $37

- Center Cut Veal Chop – The veal is served with wild mushrooms and a truffle risotto. This dish was also done nicely. I preferred the seafood dishes over the meat dishes – possibly because I was thinking I’m on an island surrounded by water – seafood is the focus here. Certainly, there was nothing to complain about. $39

- Steak Christian – See above. The steak was served with a prawn and garlic mashed potatoes. The sauce was béarnaise with a demi-glace of port wine. The steak was also done nicely, but again, I really enjoyed the seafood. $39

- Kalua Duck – Of the three meat dishes, the kalua duck is the one to get. The crisp skin is what got me. The confit of duck leg is served in a plum wine reduction. Both succulent and tender, the duck is done extremely well. It comes with wild rice and seasonal vegetables also. This is a must try dish. $29

- Triple Berry Pie – I’m not a big berry fan, but if you are, you’ll like this one a lot. Raspberries, blackberries, and black currants are combined and baked in a pie. It’s berry berry all around. $12

- Road to Hana, Maui – Layers of light and fluffy chocolate cake are topped with an even fluffier chocolate sour cream mousse and all is covered in a chocolate shell. It’s a mound of heaven for any chocolate lover, and if you aren’t a chocolate fanatic, you might become one. This is still a must try dessert. $12

- Vanilla Bean Crème Brulee – For me, this wasn’t an outstanding crème brulee, but it was a very good crème brulee. If you’re deciding what to get, opt for the Road to Hana. Custard is infused with Tahitian vanilla beans and the top of the custard is sprinkled with sugar which is cooked to a golden brown. This was a little on the darker side, but the custard was still good. $10

The only bad thing about David Paul’s is that it can be a bit crowded. Tables are put in fairly close quarters, and it’s time to get somewhat cozy with your neighbors. They are literally inches away. If I could do one thing to improve the experience, I would provide a sorbet to my patrons to clear their palates between courses. Then the full flavor experienced can be discovered with each dish. All in all, David Paul’s is a must try for me, especially the Cake Walk appetizer, the Maui Onion Crusted Seared Ahi, Kalua duck, and the Road to Hana dessert.

Ba Le - Asian fast food, sandwiches, Maui

270 Dairy Road
Kahului, Maui, HI (Located in the Kau Kau Food Court in Maui Marketplace on Dairy Road)
(808) 877-2400
Parking: in shopping center

Last Visited: July 2003

Food: 3 stars
Atmosphere: not rated
Service: not rated
Price: $ to $$

Ba-Le is a fast food chain, but I’m writing for those visiting Maui. If you need a quick fix, the Kau Kau Food Court in Maui Marketplace in Kahului is a great place. The food at Ba-Le is typical Asian but is Hawaiian due to the mixed plate combos. The other food court stands have a wide offering from typical fries and burgers to pho.

- Short ribs – This is a good example of Ba Le fast food. Short Ribs cooked Korean style is served with steamed rice and macaroni salad. It’s not the best quality, but better than most of the fast food chains you find in California. If only fast food could be found like this all over the place, especially at the cafeteria at work - I would be ecstatic.

I hear that Ba-Le also offers sandwiches, but I didn’t get the chance to try them. It’s a great stop if you want something fast and delicious. Not top quality overall, but at the top of my list for any fast food.

Lemongrass Chen's - Asian, Maui, Hawaii

1378 Kahoma St
Lahaina, Maui, HI
(808) 667-6888
Parking: limited spaces in parking lot

Last Visited: July 6, 2003

Food: 4 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 4 stars
Price: $$ to $$$

Lemongrass is located behind the large shopping center parking lot in Lahaina. Look for Hilo Hattie’s, and the parking lot exit is across the street from Lemongrass. Formerly Lemongrass on Main Street, the restaurant size has scaled down, but the food is still high quality. There is a large window which during summer, is left open which gives a feeling of eating outside as the gentle breeze comes into the restaurant.

- Spring rolls – At this point in our visit, we were yearning some vegetables, and these spring rolls hit the spot. The spring rolls are crispy and just the perfect texture. They are served with a fish sauce based dipping sauce and fresh green leaf lettuce and carrots. The presentation is clean, and you roll the spring rolls into the lettuce leaves yourself. Excellent all around.

- Curry chicken – Chicken is cooked in a flavorful and aromatic curry and coconut blend with vegetables including carrots and potatoes. The sauce is great over steamed rice and the chicken is not overcooked, but tender and juicy. Another winner.

- Pad Thai – The pad thai was okay. It wasn’t the best or worst, but sits average amongst the bunch. Good flavor, but not as spectacular as the other dishes tried.
Our overall impression was that the place was small, but the food has a big flavor, and it’s definitely worth a visit. It’s also a good change of pace from the typical mixed plate lunches. Definitely try the spring rolls. You won’t be disappointed.

A Saigon Cafe - Vietnamese, Maui, Hawaii

1792 Main St
Wailuku, Maui, HI 96793
(808) 243-9560
Parking: in parking lot and street parking

Last Visited: July 8, 2003

Food: 2 to 3 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $$ to $$$

A Saigon Café is known for being difficult to find. Everyone seems to know it by the large satellite dish that is next door. At the time of my visit, they had the neon ‘open’ sign on, but still no main sign. I asked the waitstaff about it and they said the sign was in back, but they hadn’t put it up yet. I think they like being a little mysterious and being known as the place without a sign.
I had a great lunch experience. So good that I went back for dinner, and that’s where I was disappointed. The food for lunch was excellent. The food for dinner was not so. It’s a popular place for locals and tourists alike.

- Sugar cane shrimp pops – Ground shrimp paste is put on sugar cane and steamed, then grilled. The flavor from the sugar cane accents the shrimp. Very nicely presented and great taste make this one definitely worth a try.

- Curry and lemongrass beef – This dish is available with pretty much any type of meat. It’s intense flavor is best with a side of white rice to absorb all the sauce. Very good.

I remember also having a noodle dish that I thought was quite good. So what went wrong? Dinner. The waitstaff was very pushy about having us try some of their crab. It no longer became a recommendation, but more of a selling experience, and that’s not my thing during dinner. Perhaps it was the selection of dishes, or the expectation, but the dinner dishes were not up to par. None of them hit the mark. All had some subtle problem, and since this review is being written at a much later date than the visit, I’ll leave it at this – try their popular dishes like the shrimp pops and curry dishes, but be wary of visiting multiple times and trying out other foods as the level of disappointment may ruin the initial sparkling impression.

Sansei - Sushi, Kihei, Maui

Best: Sushi

Kihei Town Center, near Foodland, South Kihei Road, Maui, HI, 96753
(808) 879-0004
Parking: in shopping center parking lot
http://www.sanseihawaii.com/

Last Visited: July 3, 2003

Food: 4 to 5 stars
Atmosphere: 4 stars
Service: 4 stars
Price: $$$ to $$$$

Sansei, recommended by Auntie Eileen, is excellent. The food is unique and delicious. Atmosphere is pretty simple, but you’ll find the selection to be special, even for Hawaii. During the time of my visit, if you ordered before 6pm and you received a discount on your meal.

- Maui Onion Tempura Rings – Yummy. Need I say more? Okay, I’ll say a little more. The maui onion is sweet and the rings are large. They’re served with a typical dipping sauce. The only bad thing was that one of the rings didn’t complete the cooking process and there was still a little flour inside the tempura ring. Aside from that, perfect.

- Salmon skin roll – excellent texture. The salmon is still tender and the skin is warm and crispy.

- Unagi – soft, tender, and warm. It was the essence of how unagi should be.

We had a variety of sushi – more than I can remember, but the level of expertise of the sushi chef is such that it can convert a non-sushi lover to one that appreciates sushi. How do I know? It happened before my own eyes. I dined with one that had a strong dislike for sushi, and since this experience, has been converted for life.

- Grilled Fresh Hawaiian Ahi and Asian Rock Shrimp Cake – This is served over furikake rice cake with ginger lime chili butter and cilantro pesto. At this point, I think I overate. I was pretty full with sushi and appetizers, so having this was a bit overwhelming. The rice wasn’t spectacular. The rock shrimp cake has a crispy noodle crust. This helps the cake to maintain a moist consistency, preventing the often dried out texture that some shrimp cakes experience. The ahi is gently seared on the outside and made beautifully so the inside of the ahi is still tender and raw.

The experience at Sansei is different because of the creative style of the chef. The combination of flavors and the terrific presentation make Sansei a must try experience when in Maui. Excellent.

W&F Washerette - Shave ice, Maui, Hawaii

125 S. Wakea Ave (between Ka’ahumanu and Kamehameha)
Kahului, Maui, HI 96732
(808) 877-0353
Parking: limited parking in front of laundromat

Last Visited: July 2003

Food: 5 star shave ice
Atmosphere: n/a
Service: n/a
Price: $

Yes, it’s true. This is a laundromat. How does this fit into the whole scheme of restaurant reviews? This is added here for the convenience for those visiting Maui.

W&F Washerette makes the best and what seemed like the most inexpensive shave ice. According to shave ice connoisseurs, the fineness of ice shavings is dependent on where the blade is in the sharpening cycle. W&F offers shave ice for under $2 (which seems to beat out all competition). It’s a bit out of the way, but if you’re already in Central Maui or needing to do your laundry anyway, it’s the place to go. It’s very close to Queen Ka’ahumanu Shopping Center.

W&F offers a wide variety of flavors and gives a generous portion of shave ice. The basic one flavor shave ice without ice cream starts at $1.25. Larger sizes are also available. At the time of my visit, add ice cream for $0.50 and additional flavors for maybe another quarter or 50 cents more. Excellent value and taste!