I think that The Mai Tai Lounge offers quite possibly the most beautiful views of any of the restaurants on Lahaina’s main drag, and the food’s not too shabby either. When we visited last summer, the restaurant had been open for a few months and didn’t seem to be nearly as crowded as its more well-established neighbors like Kimo’s.

This worked in our favor as I was able to call ahead on our way there and reserve one of the tables right on the edge of the balcony. So gorgeous!

A peek at the drinks menu, with versions of the Fogcutter, Blue Hawaiian and, of course, their namesake drink. Not the most extensive selection, but it does have the classics. Plus, for another $7 you could keep the Mai Tai mug, which I did. You can probably trace the beginning of my tiki collecting back to this lovely July evening.

Our waiter said there were some recent additions to the menu, including the Hawaiian style Caesar Salad which he highly recommended. And I’m glad he did because it turned to be one of my favorite things that I ate in Hawaii—and I hate salad! That is, unless you make it with grilled Romaine lettuce and sweet, delicious Maui onions…What looks like seagull poop on the plate is actually awesome goat cheese from Maui’s Surfing Goat Dairy.

The fried calamari with rice ($12) was doused with a Thai chili sauce that was tasty but unfortunately made the dish soggy. We also ordered the macadamia nut encrusted mahi mahi with vanilla bean sauce and wasabi mashed potatoes ($29)—the fish was fine, if a little dry—plus a side of Maui onion rings with chipotle ranch sauce ($8). However, you couldn’t really taste the same distinct flavor of the onion as in the salad. (Supposedly the best Maui onion rings are to be found at the Grand Wailea Resort…may have to make that drive next time.)

A view of some of the tikis and modern Oceanic Arts-esque design on the upstairs terrace. As the night wore on, this space filled up with folks ordering drinks at the bar, including a couple of friendly Hawaiian dudes who entertained us for the rest of the evening. But that’s a story for another post…

The Mai Tai Lounge
839 Front. St.
Lahaina, Maui, 96761
808-661-5288
www.lahainamaitai.com

Editor’s note: The Mai Tai Lounge closed in March 2013 and is now Koa’s Seaside Grill