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The Waterfront at Ma'alaea

Photo: The Waterfront at Ma'alaea
50 Hauoli Street, Ma'alaea (next to Maui Ocean Center)
808-244-9028
$$ - $$$
www.waterfrontrestaurant.net

Photo: The Waterfront at Ma'alaea

Located along Ma'alaea Harbor with stunning views of the bay and harbor, especially at sunset, The Waterfront is family-owned and operated with one common goal. Take the freshest food, prepare it like nothing you've ever had before and serve it in a style that is elegant and traditional - and they've obviously reached their goal. The multi-award winning restaurant is not only a favorite of residents, but visitors who are lucky enough to hear about it. Every day, the local fisherman call the Chef to let him know what they've caught so he and his kitchen staff can go pick the freshest fish possible. Perhaps that is the reason they've been honored with the "Best Seafood" category for three years in an annual survey done by The Maui News. And this is in Maui, where there are many, many Seafood restaurants. Everyone enjoys the Kula Onion Soup, but it is the Our Famous Waterfront Lobster Chowder that gets rave reviews. Made with a tomato based lobster stock enhanced with fresh tarragon, lemon juice and cream, it is then garnished with diced potatoes, rock shrimp and lobster - rich, satisfying and absolutely wonderful. Hot appetizers include Steamed Pacific Cold Water Clams (l lb.) simmered in garlic butter and white wine, served with toasted garlic bread or you could choose among the selections, Shrimp Tempura Nobashi served with a macadamia nut blossom honey mustard dip.

Photo: The Waterfront at Ma'alaea

There are various salads and cold appetizers, including Northern Pacific Oysters on the Half Shell with cocktail sauce and lemons. All dinner entrees are served with onion bread and homemade beer cheese, seasonally fresh vegetables, saffron herbed rice with most of the seafood entrees or selected potatoes with game, fowl or meat dishes. Naturally fish is the featured, with a choice of not only the type of fish (usually about a dozen varieties, but over 8 types of preparation, from Baked en Papillote, enclosed in parchment paper with fresh julienne vegetables and topped with a lime and dill aioli to Sicilian Style Provencale, sautéed with red and green peppers, kalamata olives, mushrooms, crushed garlic, quartered artichoke hearts, tomato, olive oil, rosemary and nutmeg. The menu also features a great selection of meat entrees, from Pork Osso Buco, Roasted Rack of Lamb with 6 or 8 bones and beautifully prepared Filet Diane. One Vegetarian Entrée is featured that gets raves and try to finish your meal with any of their award-winning desserts. There is a full bar and wine cellar. The prices are reasonable and the food is excellent. Open daily from 5 pm, last seating at 8:30 pm, reservations recommended