Restaurants, TravelginkaMarch 05, 2014cattle, cows, interior photography, Mama's Fish House Maui, maui, North Maui, Paia, photography, restaurant reviews, surfing, surfing photography, Tamara Catz3 Comments

Paia, Maui

On the north side of Maui is a cute little hippie town called Paia. It may be small but it has my favorite place to watch surfers; my favorite place to have a beer and pizza; my favorite clothing shop on the island; and my favorite restaurant in the world! Just past Paia is Ho'okipa Beach Park and Lookout where, especially in the winter months, you can get in some surf watching.

There were some new surf-watchers at the lookout this year.

This view would make one happy cow.

That's a big cliff and it made me nervous that they only had one poor fence post to stop them from going over. I guess a fifty foot drop makes a pretty good cattle guard.

In town on the main drag is Flatbread which is the beer and pizza place I love but, unfortunately, we didn't get there this trip.

Also in town is the shop of Maui designer, Tamara Catz.

Tamara designs everything in the shop including the fabrics and shoes.

I always pick up a couple of things every year. These bikinis were calling my name!

Her clothes are beachy but sophisticated. If you are planning an island wedding, her bridal collection is stunning.

This makes me want to get married again!

I like supporting a local, woman-run business. Especially if it makes me look good!

If you go to Maui and you can only eat one expensive meal, make it at Mama's Fish House.

We've been coming here for years and it's still the best and has a really great view.

I love it because it reminds me of the Hawaii I knew growing up watching Don Ho, all tikis and umbrellas in drinks and big leis. It was established in 1973 and I'll venture a guess that the uniforms haven't changed since, which makes it even cooler.

They only serve the fish that was caught that day. The menu even has who caught it and where.

You can't start a Tiki Party without tropical drinks. A Mai Tai and a Scorpion are required.

A little coconut soup shot on the house.

This octopus was outstanding. My compliments to Clifford Chow who caught it free-diving near Kuau Cove.

I love anything with a bit of cheek! These opakapaka cheeks were no exception.

Mr. Ville had the Traditional Hawaiian. We even had a bite of poi which pretty much tastes like wallpaper paste but, when in Rome....

I could eat this ahi caught over forty miles out from Kahului Harbor by Leonard Huddy with Kalua Pig fried rice several times a week if it didn't cost $50.

We could never leave without dessert and the Hana Banana Macadamia Nut Crisp with homemade Tahitian vanilla bean ice cream was a great way to top off a perfect meal. Although they didn't tell us who picked the bananas and the nuts so I didn't feel as close to the dish as I did the other ones.