The only thing we like more than a good poke is a great poke. And that’s true whether we’re talking sex or tuna.
But because this is a food story, we’ll focus on the Ahi at the recently opened Coconut’s Fish Cafe out of Maui.
They’ve brought their famous fish taco recipe with them from the islands, along with a menu filled with boatloads of raw, grilled and fried seafood options served with a laid-back vibe that makes us long for a return trip to Hawaii.
Circling back to where this story started, you simply must begin your meal with the Ahi Poke (prounced po-keh). This traditional Hawaiian dish consists of raw cubes of Ahi tuna mixed with soy, green onions and garlic. On a recent trip to Maui, we had poke at least once a day and this is as good, if not better, than many of the versions we had 3,700 miles away.
Then there’s the calamari. Ohhhhh, the calamari. Rather than the chewy rings and creepy tentacles of most fast-casual offerings, Coconut’s makes theirs with long slices of squid steak that resemble mozzarella sticks.
For shrimp lovers, opt for the coconut version with thai chili pineapple sauce instead of the plain breaded shrimp, which are much smaller and mostly breading.
If you’re still hungry after the pu-pu course, opt for the Ono, a sustainable Hawaiian fish known for its mild flavor and light, flaky texture. Grilled and topped with the ginger-wasabi Asian Flair sauce, it’s crazy good. Grilled Ono can also be served on a bun, like all the fish here, if you’re looking for a handheld option.
Accompany it all with a Hawaiian beer on tap and prepare for a flavor vacation. It’s no afternoon on the beach, but at least you can get to Lover’s Lane without any baggage fees.
Or jet lag.
