Moana Bakery & Cafe

Description:

• Moana gets high marks for its stylish concrete floors, high ceilings, booths and cafe tables, and fabulous food. Don Ritchey, formerly a chef at Haliimaile General Store, has created the perfect Paia eatery, a casual bakery/cafe that highlights his stellar skills. All the bases are covered: saimin, omelets, wraps, pancakes, and fresh-baked goods in the morning; soups, sandwiches, pasta, and satisfying salads for lunch; and, at dinner, varied selections with Asian and European influences and fresh Island ingredients. The lemon-grass grilled prawns with green-papaya salad are an explosion of flavors and textures; the roasted vegetable napoleon is gourmet fare; and the Thai red curry with coconut milk, served over vegetables, seafood, or tofu, comes atop jasmine rice with crisp rice noodles and fresh sprouts to cool the fire. Ritchey's Thai-style curries are richly spiced and intense. I also vouch for his special gift with fish: The nori-sesame-crusted mahimahi with miso-garlic tapioca pearls is cooked, like the curry, to perfection. There's live jazz most Friday nights.

• © Frommer's 2013

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Highly Recommended 2010