David Paul's or Mama's Fish House?
Jun 10th, 2005, 09:51 AM
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David Paul's or Mama's Fish House?
Heading to Maui in a few weeks. Our dinner interinary is pretty booked up for the entire week but we have one slot left. I have narrowed the choices down between David Paul's Lahaina Grill and Mama's Fish House.
Mama's seems to be the standard for everyone and based upon reviews, I would likely go there in a heartbeat. But I am concerned about the drive (we are staying at the Hyatt Regency) since I will be enjoying wine with dinner after a few cocktails poolside I am sure.
What attracted me to David Paul's was the solid reviews and the fact that we can get there and back in a taxi. Plus, since my 7 yr old daughter will be with us, I am led to believe they have a really good kid's menu (not the typical chicken fingers type junk). But truthfully, David Paul's seems to be missing any type of view that really enhances the dining experience.
HELP! Any feedback on David Paul's and/or the drive to Mama's and their ability to accomodate the palate of a little one will be really appreciated. Any other dining suggestions would also be helpful.
Thanks in advance!
Mama's seems to be the standard for everyone and based upon reviews, I would likely go there in a heartbeat. But I am concerned about the drive (we are staying at the Hyatt Regency) since I will be enjoying wine with dinner after a few cocktails poolside I am sure.
What attracted me to David Paul's was the solid reviews and the fact that we can get there and back in a taxi. Plus, since my 7 yr old daughter will be with us, I am led to believe they have a really good kid's menu (not the typical chicken fingers type junk). But truthfully, David Paul's seems to be missing any type of view that really enhances the dining experience.
HELP! Any feedback on David Paul's and/or the drive to Mama's and their ability to accomodate the palate of a little one will be really appreciated. Any other dining suggestions would also be helpful.
Thanks in advance!
Jun 10th, 2005, 10:30 AM
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Several others on this forum mentioned this site:
http://www.mauihawaii.org/
I looked at it last night. It is the best Maui site I've seen. It includes a great dining section.
http://www.mauihawaii.org/
I looked at it last night. It is the best Maui site I've seen. It includes a great dining section.
Jun 10th, 2005, 10:57 AM
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I'm not sure I can help you a lot but our dining experience at Mama's was second to none. The food was to die for and the actual location added a lot to the whole experience. I didn't go to David Pauls' - have heard wonderful comments but walked by it- it is on a side street in Lahaina that couldn't possibly have the atmosphere that Mama's has. Don't miss going to Mama's - even if it is just for lunch.
Jun 10th, 2005, 11:00 AM
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We dined at both this past March, and we liked both a lot. Here's how I think they are different. The food was definitely better at David Paul's; more creative, much more of a fine-dining (although comfortable) experience.
Mama's has a great atmosphere, like the biggest screened porch you can imagine. The food is very good. Although I would not classify the view as spectacular.
Another possibility for you would be Pacific-O, also in Lahaina (ocean-front, casual, great food). It's sister restaurant is IO--even better food, but I can't recall if as many tables have an ocean view as Pacific-O.
Mama's has a great atmosphere, like the biggest screened porch you can imagine. The food is very good. Although I would not classify the view as spectacular.
Another possibility for you would be Pacific-O, also in Lahaina (ocean-front, casual, great food). It's sister restaurant is IO--even better food, but I can't recall if as many tables have an ocean view as Pacific-O.
Jun 10th, 2005, 11:00 AM
#5
I just love Mama's but if you want to drink, the drive may be an issue. Mama's makes great kids food. We've gone several times when our kids were young and picky. They made whatever the girls wanted- "plain red spaghetti", grilled cheese sandwich, french bread "pizza", and served them garnished nicely. One daughter discovered french onion soup there, and still raves about it.
Jun 10th, 2005, 11:07 AM
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Mama's is a drive from Hyatt maybe 30 -45 min on 2 lane roads. I felt it was very expensive when we had a couple of Mai Tai's and an two appetizers I think the bill was close to $85.00 There were lots of families eating there so it must be kid friendly. David Paul's is in downtown Lahaina which is closer to the Hyatt can't remember the food as being remarkable.
From the Hyatt walk down the beach to the Hula Grill - you can eat at the Barefoot Bar (kids ok) and they have nice live music in the evenings.
From the Hyatt walk down the beach to the Hula Grill - you can eat at the Barefoot Bar (kids ok) and they have nice live music in the evenings.
Jun 10th, 2005, 02:37 PM
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Thanks all for the quick replies. Great feedback! I will take a harder look at Pacific-O. Unfortunately, the more I think about the drive, the less likely I think we will end up at Mama's.
Our plans did already include a casual dinner at Hula Grill while on that side of the island as well as the Old Lahaina Luau.
Our plans did already include a casual dinner at Hula Grill while on that side of the island as well as the Old Lahaina Luau.
Jun 10th, 2005, 05:56 PM
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If you are thinking Pacific-O, but you are more seafood people, than go to I'o next door--specialties mostly seafood, covered or open dining in garden with ocean view. Food to die for; ate there 3 times our last trip; never had better food.
Jun 10th, 2005, 08:23 PM
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My daughter was 7 when we went to Mama's Fish House last year and she absolutely loved it. I don't remember what she ate...she's not terribly adventurous where food is concerned. But she loved the decor, the ladies' restroom, the view, the birds, the server's dress...it was all good in her opinion.
Jun 12th, 2005, 04:48 PM
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I've given Mama's the thumbs up before but I'll repeat it again!
My view is that if you requested a typical hawaiian restaurant from 'central casting' you'd get Mama's.
Sure it may be touristy but, ah, you are a tourist when you go to Maui! We go on vacation (as tourists!) to get away from the everyday. I can go to hundreds of great restaurants in a big city near me - when I'm in Hawaii I want more than good food (I can cook that at home if need be), I want a Hawaiian experience - that's food, ambience, location, people etc.
Sure it's expensive but so is a snack at the Hula Grill - it's Maui after all.
Sure it may be out of your way but you've come a long way to get to Maui - what's an easy half hour drive after that?
I love a drink on Holidays but when I went to Mama's I had one drink and would have been happy to have none if that was the cost.
You're a long time at home! Choose something unique you won't find in your own town and enjoy the EXPERIENCE!
Just MHO...
My view is that if you requested a typical hawaiian restaurant from 'central casting' you'd get Mama's.
Sure it may be touristy but, ah, you are a tourist when you go to Maui! We go on vacation (as tourists!) to get away from the everyday. I can go to hundreds of great restaurants in a big city near me - when I'm in Hawaii I want more than good food (I can cook that at home if need be), I want a Hawaiian experience - that's food, ambience, location, people etc.
Sure it's expensive but so is a snack at the Hula Grill - it's Maui after all.
Sure it may be out of your way but you've come a long way to get to Maui - what's an easy half hour drive after that?
I love a drink on Holidays but when I went to Mama's I had one drink and would have been happy to have none if that was the cost.
You're a long time at home! Choose something unique you won't find in your own town and enjoy the EXPERIENCE!
Just MHO...
Belle.
Jun 13th, 2005, 10:42 AM
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Hey Big Jim,
I saw on another post where you also knocked Mama's again as being "too expensive and not very authentic". But on that post, as well as the one on this thread, you offer no suggestions of your own.
You holding out on us? Please tell us about some reasonably priced, authentic places to dine.
I saw on another post where you also knocked Mama's again as being "too expensive and not very authentic". But on that post, as well as the one on this thread, you offer no suggestions of your own.
You holding out on us? Please tell us about some reasonably priced, authentic places to dine.
Jun 15th, 2005, 12:53 AM
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I suppose it all depends on how one defines authentic. I eat at Da Kitchen quite often--cause it's cheap, portions are large (two of us can eat from one meal), and they'll substitute a green salad for their wonderful, yet high-cal potato-mac. Yes, it is about as authentic as you can get for a modern, fast food, take-away, lot's of carbs plate lunch. An authentic plantation-style plate lunch?--not so much. But, they do have moi on the menu from time to time...
I'm not even sure what we mean by "authentic" ay this point. Authentic "local" food to me includes fresh fish, poi, rice, butterfish laulau. Mama's serves the closest to that. They have meals of fresh fish, poi, Moloka`i sweet potatoes, roasted kukui nut, coconut, starfruit, etc. But most people don't order those.
Yes, Mama's is way overpriced, especially by NY or LA standards. But you are on vacation. If you won't spend the $12 for a mai tai on vacation, when will you? Mama's has the ambiance and the Polynesian-inspired dishes that people expect when on vacation in Hawai`i. I used to eat there when I visited--even though I knew it was overpriced. But everyone who can afford Mama's while on vacation really should do it once. If you were vacationing in New York you'd go to Tavern on the Green or 21, yeah? If you are vacationing in L.A., you'd maybe do Spago or the Ivy. So do Mama's! Concerned about the drive? Then either don't go then, or don't have the cocktailes first. You can always have lunch/early dinner and then retire back for cocktails later.
David Paul's is very good. Not four str good, but still good. But it is not Mama's. David Paul's does more of the nouveau fancy sauce and garnish thing-- what my husband, who now works in the restaurant industry, likes to call "pretty food." We have a lot of "pretty food" on Maui, but David Paul's makes "pretty food" that actually tastes pretty darned good too. It does, however, lack the view and ambiance that comes with Mama's.
I'll have to second the suggestion that you look again at Pacific`O and I`o, if you are looking for just really good food. Both are waterfront, and have their own unique atmosphere. I like I`o just a tad more because of it's funky intimacy. Both have excellent dishes.
Both Mama's and DPLG have keiki menus--all of our restaurants do keiki menus (we must cultivate future honeymooners and tourists when the are young and impressionable!), and they will bend over backwards to accomodate the young palate in your group. I've seen PBJ and grilled cheese come out of many of the better kitchens here on Maui.
I'm not even sure what we mean by "authentic" ay this point. Authentic "local" food to me includes fresh fish, poi, rice, butterfish laulau. Mama's serves the closest to that. They have meals of fresh fish, poi, Moloka`i sweet potatoes, roasted kukui nut, coconut, starfruit, etc. But most people don't order those.
Yes, Mama's is way overpriced, especially by NY or LA standards. But you are on vacation. If you won't spend the $12 for a mai tai on vacation, when will you? Mama's has the ambiance and the Polynesian-inspired dishes that people expect when on vacation in Hawai`i. I used to eat there when I visited--even though I knew it was overpriced. But everyone who can afford Mama's while on vacation really should do it once. If you were vacationing in New York you'd go to Tavern on the Green or 21, yeah? If you are vacationing in L.A., you'd maybe do Spago or the Ivy. So do Mama's! Concerned about the drive? Then either don't go then, or don't have the cocktailes first. You can always have lunch/early dinner and then retire back for cocktails later.
David Paul's is very good. Not four str good, but still good. But it is not Mama's. David Paul's does more of the nouveau fancy sauce and garnish thing-- what my husband, who now works in the restaurant industry, likes to call "pretty food." We have a lot of "pretty food" on Maui, but David Paul's makes "pretty food" that actually tastes pretty darned good too. It does, however, lack the view and ambiance that comes with Mama's.
I'll have to second the suggestion that you look again at Pacific`O and I`o, if you are looking for just really good food. Both are waterfront, and have their own unique atmosphere. I like I`o just a tad more because of it's funky intimacy. Both have excellent dishes.
Both Mama's and DPLG have keiki menus--all of our restaurants do keiki menus (we must cultivate future honeymooners and tourists when the are young and impressionable!), and they will bend over backwards to accomodate the young palate in your group. I've seen PBJ and grilled cheese come out of many of the better kitchens here on Maui.
