Chef

Beverly Gannon

"These fish tacos are a great example of 'Keep it simple, stupid!' The freshest of fresh fish, homemade corn tortillas, lettuce, and salsa make up this dish, but it's really all about the fish. I do like their coleslaw, too! I have been coming to the fish market for years. I have friends who make Paia Fish Market their first stop right when they get off the plane."

"I crave very few foods, but this one does it to me. Before they opened their Wailea branch, I used to frequent their funky hidden Kihei store, but now they're a stone's throw from my restaurants in Wailea and my car sometimes drives there on its own! Cheese is broiled on a perfectly cooked, oiled pita. Sautéed mushrooms and onions are next, followed by the succulent broiled chicken pieces. All of that is then topped with lettuce and chopped tomatoes. A side of tzatziki sauce and I’m in heaven!"

"I love this dish because there are so many flavors that I am a fan of. The filling is comprised of wok-seared ground pork, shrimp, mung bean sprouts, cilantro, mint, and basil, while the crepe—made of coconut milk, egg, and flour—is served with lettuce cups so that you can roll it all up and devour it without it falling all over the plate. I get it with a side of steamed pork buns and I am a happy camper!"

"This is literally a stick with donut holes skewered on it. This is quite possibly the best 'donut' I have ever eaten. Heaven forbid we get there early in the morning when they just come out of the fryer. It's the perfect one bite of perfection times five! You almost don't have to chew because it melts in your mouth; it is so warm and the glaze is so amazing. People line up outside the door. If you don't get there early, you don't get one!"

"Grilled octopus is one of my favorite Mediterranean dishes. I order it whenever I find it on a menu. I love Mark Ellman's food, and the octopus is to die for. He chars it on the grill and serves it with extra-virgin olive oil, garlic, edamame hummus (a Maui twist), a ladle of mojo verde (a wonderful sauce made of tomatillos and poblano peppers), and then gives you the most delicious flaxseed bread for the crunch. I could eat it all day long!"

"For someone like me who avoids pizza because of all its 'bad' calories, this is the perfect alternative. It tastes like a great warm salad on a pizza: a whole-wheat crust topped with roast chicken, spinach, cherry tomatoes, artichoke hearts, kale, pomodoro sauce, and goat cheese. There's no guilt when you enjoy this, because it's actually good for you! Manoli's has found the secret to fresh and creative pizzas."