On My Plate

Mala Ocean Tavern

Craving this: Quartet of Hummus, Raita, Babaganoush, and Feta with olives, fried chickpeas, pita and lavosh

Been stopping by Mala Ocean Tavern in Lahaina lately, enjoying drinks at the bar, a simple lunch or weekend brunch. Located along Front Street near Mala Wharf, this cozy establishment offers outdoor waterfront dining along with indoor tables. While I have yet to indulge in their delicious sounding dinner offerings, I've been pleased with the selections I've had so far.

One night out, finding that the wait for a table was about an hour, my companion and I sat at the bar and ordered several appetizers. While we were waiting, the bar served chips and what-looked-like-guacamole-but-was-really-wasn't in a heavy stone bowl. After confusing our tastebuds trying to figure out what the dip was made from--it was mild, almost flavorless like tofu--we finally asked. Edamame, the bartender said. Ohhh.... Really? Very subtle.

The Quartet ($16.50), pictured above, was a standout. Garlicky hummus, a rich Greek feta spread, and smoky babaganoush were the perfect starters for an evening out. We really liked the warm pita bread, soft and pillowy, while the crisp flatbread was nutty with flaxseed. The fried chickpeas were also a delight. We also got their Big Fat Grey Goose Dirty Martini ($11) -- hey, we just like olives.

MauiGrown Coffee

I like my coffee strong, done French-press style or individually dripped a la Blue Bottle. Like many addicted to the bean, I can't get my day started without a cuppa Joe. And in trying to avoid big chains like Starbucks on this small island, there's not much left that will satisfy my craving. That is why I've been upping the ante, getting Americano wherever I am, but still... it's not the same.

Then my brother introduced me to MauiGrown Coffee. With a storefront located in Lahaina, Maui, and 500-acres of Arabica coffee beans grown in nearby Ka'anapali, the purveyor isn't exactly convenient for a central Maui gal like me. But after I tried their Maui Mokka, a variety of mokka beans that they lovingly refer to as their "Champagne of coffee," the 45-minute drive around the pali is surely worth the trek.

What fine beans. You can get them whole and grind them at home as needed (recommended), or do like me, who has yet to get a coffee grinder, and have them do it there. I get them ground for French press. So heavenly. And the aroma when the hot water hits the grounds reminds me exactly why making coffee at home is so much better than trekking to the nearby cafe for a grande.

No more Americanos for me. And if you happen to not be conveniently on island, you can get the good stuff online. That is what my brother does. In fact, when my visiting dad recently stopped by there to stock up on some beans for holiday gifts, they asked him if this dude-who-happens-to-order-beans-online-from-them-all-the-time-with- the-same-last-name-as-my-dad is his son. Small world. Well soon, they'll also be getting to know me.

MauiGrown Coffee, 277 Lahainaluna Rd., Lahaina, Maui. T: 808-661-2728.