OK, I just have to rave about Ono Gelato in Pa'ia.
(I don't rave about many places on Maui, but this place is irresistible.)
The owners are third generation gelato makers, and very very good at making this dense, deeply flavored Italian ice cream.
If you've never had gelato, you must try some while you're on Maui.
If you have had gelato, you must indulge while you're on Maui. And if you've had it in Italy, so have I, and so has Jim, and so have our friends ... and this is just as good as any we've had.
For those of you resisting because of lactose intolerance, they've got you covered. They have a wide selection of flavors that contain no dairy at all - just fruit and ice - and your tummy will not only tolerate them, but thank you for the treat.
My favorite flavor is non-dairy: Organic Tangerine. This is creamy, intensely tangeriny, and excellent paired with their vanilla to make creamsicle.
The vanilla is dark with spice and absolutely mellow. I also like Sour Cream, which tastes like New York Cheesecake.
I could go on and on, but I'm saving it for the review in the February update, which I was writing before I had the urge to log on to amazon and post about this place. There must be some serious ice cream fanatics out there!
Seriously, if you don't hit this place, you will be missing a big treat. Go to Flatbread down the street first, for dinner, and then do Ono Gelato for dessert. It's the perfect meal.
PS: "Ono" means delicious in Hawaiian.
PPS: I've seen visitors, locals, surf bums, and little kids clutching their allowance here. Any time a kid is shelling out their allowance on premium ice cream, you know it's for real!
Top Maui Restaurants 2008 From Thrifty to Four Star: Indispensable Advice from Experts Who Live, Play & Eat on Maui
