Hali’imaile General Store

This wonderful neighborhood joint was founded in 1988 by Bev Gannon, former road manager for Liza Minnelli. After moving to Maui in 1980, she worked as a caterer until starting the Hali’imaile General Store in the middle of a pineapple field in the Upcountry. A half hour’s drive from Wailea, the little clapboard restaurant/general store is well worth the effort it takes to get there. Perhaps the fact that the Maui News voted Gannon the best chef on Maui some years ago says it all. Her menu is eclectic: crab pizza, a raw bar, macadamia-nut-crusted fresh catch, and Paniolo Ribs with mashed potatoes. In short, it puts a creative spin on Hawaiian regional cuisine, and everyone raves about it; our concierge at the Four Seasons called it a must. On any given night, at least a third of the customers are locals. Many sit at the bar, the neighborhood’s social center. After dinner, check out the regional art and pottery that comprise the general-store part of the restaurant. This not only is a good time but also gives you a glimpse of the scene in this part of the island.