MALA RESTAURANTS

We have always hired good people, and those who work for us at Maui Tacos, Penne Pasta Café and Mala Ocean Tavern are no different. Mala Ocean Tavern is successful because of the team of Pepe and Sergio, partners who also run Maui Tacos and Penne Pasta Café. There are two other “rock stars” who are paramount to the success of Mala Ocean Tavern: General Manager Lisa Chappel and Executive Chef Gregory Denton. Lisa is not only savvy but also nice—the queen of the castle, who runs a tight ship—and there is not anyone who is not charmed by Miss Lisa. Then, there is Chef Gregory. A serious guy with a heart of gold—he is a master at the stove. He is a crown genius when it comes to soups, sauces and new ideas. He is young and has the eye of the tiger. We will have to build him his own place one day where he can soar. We are all very happy making great, organic, healthy, fresh and delicious food. We sit in a spot called Mala Wharf, once a great pier where sailors during World War II used to come ashore and enjoy the whaling town of Lahaina. Mala means “garden” in Hawaiian and it truly is a beautiful spot where you sit at the water’s edge and gaze upon the islands of Lanai and Molokai and watch the turtles surf while they graze on ogo. This is the spot of all spots on the west side of Maui and we could not think of a better name for our little restaurant, than to honor where we are, in Mala—our little bit of heaven on earth. Please enjoy our stories and recipes for life, drink and foods on our island of Maui. Lahaina (lunch and dinner served): 1307 Front Street, phone: (808) 667-9394. Wailea (breakfast and dinner served): Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, (808) 875-9394.