You can’t be a bartender in Hawaii with out knowing the Mai Tai. While some may despise the drink, others are willing to turn it into a creative outlet which I bore witness to at last week’s Mai Tai Mix Off preliminary competition at the Royal Lahaina. Ten bartenders went head to head in five seven minute rounds with their own personal recipes. The top three competitors will get a place at the Second Annual Don the Beachcomber Mai Tai Festival held on August 14 at the Royal Kona Resort.

Our small local food markets make it easy to throw your favorite local meats on, and the butchers make their own marinades. When you pick up your pau hana six pack you can grab a container of already marinated to perfection Kalbi ribs, korean chicken, teriyaki beef or chicken. Takamiya Market in Wailuku makes an awesome sweet Kalbi, you can pick from the quantities on hand or call their butcher in the morning to special order your quantity. They also have pre-made mac salad and local food favorites. You will find the same at Pukalani Superette, but I honed in on their made on Maui hot dogs

Wow what a gorgeous morning! Its going to be smoking hot for the Whale Day Parade today. Sunscreen required. My daughter is already excited for when people the parade throw candy. That apparantly was the highlight from last year’s parade.

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The whole romantic valentine’s day dinner scene changes when you have kids. Fine dining is not an option with my rambunctious four year old. So this year’s valentine’s day I took the path of least resistance and found a restaurant the kids will love and invited some friend to with children to have a fun adult evening with.

The term Supper Club has a colorful history. Its a social destination, its classy cocktails, upscale dining, and on-stage entertainment. In the 1930′s & 40′s some went underground to become prohibition clubs. At least on Maui cocktails are legal thanks to the LC and Stella Blues’ Supper Club is rockin’.

Spago’s Outdoor Lanai – wolfgangandpuck.com

Spago’s is offering a new take on their fine dining experience, providing a few less expensive offers for local patrons. A child’s entree is $9, or $15 for a three course meal. As far as adults go, bring a date, and the second entree is free. Just make sure your sweetheart brings her valid Hawaii ID or she might be a more expensive date than you had planned. The final option is a set menu for $49. Spago’s is a great …

Despite all of the dreary economic indicators for Maui county plenty of restaurateurs decided to give it a go. After all, everyone must eat! I say bravo to the brave food and beverage entrepreneurs whose spirits weren’t dampened by locations that have yet to hold a successful eatery despite other attempts, or the daunting liquor commission and planning commission hoops to jump through.
1. Best Ethnic Cuisine on the Scene
As of 2009 we have two indian cuisine places in Maui, not just one! Maui’s history with Indian food has been a …

I love the spaciousness of this joint–the wonderful open-air feeling, even when all the doors and shut up for a night’s concert (like the Voodoo Glow Skulls on Saturday, September 19th). The screens that line the top of the bar loop a mix of surf videos and underwater scenes, branded with the Oceans logo. Though here in Hawaii you might feel inundated with said videos, you cannot help but be lured into the blue (the booze helps too).