Scoop Airport/Hotel/Travel Thread

[WhiteTrash]

Have any Scoopers been to Mama's Fish House in Maui?  If so, what are your thoughts?  Ty. 

Not what it used to be. Over priced. Still, I'd put it on a to do list.

Nick's at the Kea Lani has been excellent every time I go.

[pbiflyer]

I found out that now it's easy to circumnavigate the island from the road to Hana.
I agree with the others. Not the greatest, but kind of a bucket list. You have to do kind of thing.
By the way, if you see either huli huli chicken stand, especially a fundraiser or a plate lunch place especially from a food truck you have to get them.
The two things I really miss living in Hawaii.

[MuggsyB]

Not what it used to be. Over priced. Still, I'd put it on a to do list.

Nick's at the Kea Lani has been excellent every time I go.

I was there right before Covid but just at the bar.  It was good but yes, pricey.  I was  wondering if they're still up to par and how far in advance you would need a res for 6, high season.  Ty for the Nick's suggestion. 

[MuggsyB]

I found out that now it's easy to circumnavigate the island from the road to Hana.
I agree with the others. Not the greatest, but kind of a bucket list. You have to do kind of thing.
By the way, if you see either huli huli chicken stand, especially a fundraiser or a plate lunch place especially from a food truck you have to get them.
The two things I really miss living in Hawaii.

Oh...I love the Huli-Huli.  I have a close friend on the Big Island, so I try to hop over every other year.  But this winter I have a group of friends that will be in Wailea so I may take the puddle jumper and spend a night or two in Maui.   I much prefer Paia and the other towns near there to the resort areas. 

[MuggsyB]

It's an institution, a place you gotta do. We drove the Road to Hana, and instead of turning around and going back the way we came, we took the rental around the other side of the island for the full loop (against the rules at that time at least) and stopped at Mama's on our way back to Lahaina.

Haven't been to Maui in a long time, but there used to be this place called Star Noodle tucked in an industrial park that was really good.

Jump,

I made a wicked Bouillibaise last weekend.  I have to say it was a very good 1st effort.  The Halibut was tremendous and I didn't overcook the shrimp.  When I do it next time thoough I may opt for the classic Provence Rose wine. 

[21Jumpstreet]

Jump,

I made a wicked Bouillibaise last weekend.  I have to say it was a very good 1st effort.  The Halibut was tremendous and I didn't overcook the shrimp.  When I do it next time thoough I may opt for the classic Provence Rose wine. 

That sounds tremendous, Muggs!

[WarriorFan]

Just got back from a week in Dubai.  Not a peep about the war.  Airport crowded, restaurants crowded, traffic normal, hotel full.  Beaches empty because it's hot season but that's normal this time of year.  Also, one of my favorite restaurants there got a Michelin star since I last visited.  Mott 32 is worth a visit.  It's not cheap, (in fact very expensive, even for Dubai) but absolutely awesome. 

[MuggsyB]

That sounds tremendous, Muggs!

Super easy Jump!  The combination of fennel, leek, wine, tomatoes, fish broth, saffron and thyme is extremely difficult to beat. And my fishmongers make their own elite fish broth, which makes an enormous difference!  Next time I may throw in some scallops or clams, but with a fresh classic baguette there's nothing better than sopping up that broth.  It occurred to me that Bouillbaise is vastly superior to Cioppino.   No comparison imo.

[21Jumpstreet]

Super easy Jump!  The combination of fennel, leek, wine, tomatoes, fish broth, saffron and thyme is extremely difficult to beat. And my fishmongers make their own elite fish broth, which makes an enormous difference!  Next time I may throw in some scallops or clams, but with a fresh classic baguette there's nothing better than sopping up that broth.  It occurred to me that Bouillbaise is vastly superior to Cioppino.   No comparison imo.

Them's fightin' words, Muggs! I love me a good Cioppino and Bouillabaise is spectacular considering I love herbes de Provence. I am also a fan of Portuguese Pan Roast, it's really a fish stew in the same vein, but this is what a chef I know calls it.

Currently outside Marrakesh and have found a fondness for a good tajine. I will say, I'd much prefer to eat the aforementioned fish/seafood soups/stews on a daily basis over meat based tajine, but I respect the love that goes into them.

[SoCalEagle]

Thanks for the great post. A ton of great information. Love the tip about Zumaia. Perfect for me.
I have frequently visited southern Spain. In Madrid, the Prado and nearby Retiro Park are always on my to-do list.

I will probably have more questions as I start to work through an itinerary and timeframe.
Was there a drop charge for the car since it sounds like you did not drop it in the same city you picked it up in? And if so, was it outrageous or fairly reasonable?

No drop charge for the rental, if I remember correctly.  Pricing was very reasonable and, because of our itinerary, it really was the only way to go.  So much to see in northern Spain, you almost can't go wrong.  And the Basque influence is real.  We were in a small town (I think near Loiola) at a farmers market.  There was a guy passing out flyers for an event later in the evening where there would be food and dancing.  My wife casually mentioned that she loved flamenco dancing.  Uh, oh, wrong thing to say in northern Spain.  The guy passing out the flyers snapped back "we have our own dance!!!"  We still laugh about that one. 

[JWags85]

Just got back from a week in Dubai.  Not a peep about the war.  Airport crowded, restaurants crowded, traffic normal, hotel full.  Beaches empty because it's hot season but that's normal this time of year.  Also, one of my favorite restaurants there got a Michelin star since I last visited.  Mott 32 is worth a visit.  It's not cheap, (in fact very expensive, even for Dubai) but absolutely awesome. 

What a coincidence you mention that.  At a trade show in Hong Kong, I was meeting with one of my good friends in the business who has been Dubai based for 7-8 years.  Chatting about Chinese/Cantoneses food and he mentioned it cause obviously the flagship location is here in HK and how its a standout for him back home.  He's Jain, thus essentially Vegan, and they do a great job accommodating him/his family with that.

And speaking of the war effects in Dubai, I was supposed to spend some time with him here back in March, literally the week that everything popped off.  He was telling me how he and his family drove to Oman, grabbed the first flight they could (I think it was IndiGo) to Mumbai, dropped his kids off at his in-laws, and then went back to Dubai.  But his experience pretty much match yours.  Said things are largely as normal, retail is robust.

[21Jumpstreet]

I have no idea how to add a photo, but I am sitting in the Agafay Desert and a man walks up with a Lakers 95 jersey. He turns around, and it reads Toscano. He is from Portugal and has no idea why I am so excited. He says he has no idea who Juan is or who the Lakers are, but he loves this type of shirt. Marquette knows no bounds!

[MuggsyB]

I have no idea how to add a photo, but I am sitting in the Agafay Desert and a man walks up with a Lakers 95 jersey. He turns around, and it reads Toscano. He is from Portugal and has no idea why I am so excited. He says he has no idea who Juan is or who the Lakers are, but he loves this type of shirt. Marquette knows no bounds!

Awesome!