Hawai'i's Best Restaurants

	2006 'ILIMA AWARD WINNER - BEST MAUI RESTAURANT: CRITICS' CHOICE
	Every year, Advertiser readers are asked to vote for their favorite restaurants in the 'Ilima Awards poll. Meanwhile, our in-house food experts debate to select the critics' choice 'Ilimas, primarily focused on restaurants recently reviewed or revisited. With a few exceptions, categories change each year to keep readers interested and keep the winner list fresh.

BEST MAUI RESTAURANT: CRITICS' CHOICE
Mala, an Ocean Tavern

Mala, an Ocean Tavern — a waterfront restaurant in Lahaina, Maui — focuses on smaller plates and tapas-style eating, although heartier entrees are available.

Mala restaurant

Mark and Judy Ellman's latest project is a bright, airy sliver of a waterfront restaurant at the Mala Wharf end of Lahaina. They call it "An Ocean Tavern" and, like so many other places, the focus is on smaller plates and tapas-style eating, although there are some heartier entrees (a whole moi, hoisin-glazed baby back ribs, an amazing "adult mac and cheese" made with rigatoni and mozzarella, pecorino and Maytag blue cheeses). The starter of hummus, raita, olives, babaganoush, fried chickpeas and feta with pita bread and lavosh and the wonderful, crisp Naia Verdejo wine from Spain are favorites. Friendly, casual food prepared with care.

1307 Front St., Lahaina. (808) 667-9394. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily; brunch: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Reservations recommended. VS, MC, AX, DC, DS, JCB. No checks. Lunch: $$. Brunch and Dinner: $$$.

Web site: www.malaoceantavern.com

Legend:

VS: Visa
MC: Mastercard
AX: American Express
DC: Diners Club
DS: Discover Card
JCB: JCB Card
Olioli: Olioli Card

$$$: Pricey; entrées mostly more than $17
$$: Moderate; entrées $10-$16
$: Budget-friendly; entrées mostly less than $10

Checks: Local checks and travelers’ checks only

Past 'Ilima Award winner

"Cheap eats" restaurant

"Local classic" eatery