Dazoo

A hip new addition to Paia's dining scene is the eclectic-Korean-fusion restaurant Dazoo. Presenting some amazing flavorful takes on traditional Asian faire infusing fresh Hawaiian ingredients in a tasty menu of tapas. An equally dazzling array of mixed drinks is also available from the bar with award winning cocktails menu.

At a Glance:
Cuisine: Korean-Hawaiian fusion/ mixology bar
Prices: $$/$$$
Daily Hours of operation: Open 7 days a week
Lunch: 11 am to 3 pm
Happy hour: 3 to 6 pm
Dinner: 5 pm to 9 pm
Location: Paia, Maui
Environment: chic city style dcor with booth and table seating plus cocktails bar.

The name "Dazoo" is a bit cryptic, but perhaps embodies the kinetic energy that fills this restaurant when the place gets full, literally becoming a menagerie of sights, and sounds like when the animals wake up at the zoo. A fun zoo, where the food makes your mouth want to roar like a lion, followed by a cocktail that makes that lion purr. Better make reservations as this place is catching on fast, or just come early and catch some late "happy hour" drinks and easy seating.

The duel specialties of mixologist inspired cocktail creations, and the tasty experimental cuisine makes for a great new additive to Paia's nightlife. The food comes "naked" which basically means what you get exactly what you order, and can therefore try individually ordered dishes together for your preferred taste sensations. This makes for a very fun sharing environment where you inevitably find forks reaching back and forth across the table to secure tasty bites from each other's plates.

The drinks menu strikes out into fun territory with 4 distinct themes "evolve, collaborate, explore, and authentic" each an creative expression of alcohol and twists of local ingredients and flavors. Making this place a great spot for just a drink and a moment to contemplate your next Maui moves.

Our staff's pics: The best dish on the menu, especially for sharing, is by far the "Bibimbap", not an easy word to remember but just look under "rice and noodles" for the stone bowl full of kimchi, sunnyside egg, veggies, and rice. This filling meal enables you to create unique spoonfulls of flavor combos that melt in your mouth. For cocktails the Mai Tai is smooth and well-mixed and only $6 during happy hour. Additional hit cocktails are the "A drink for Yulie", and the "Maui Mule"

Contacts:
Phone: 808-579-9999- phone reservations preferred.
Web: http://www.dazoomaui.com

Address:
71 Baldwin Avenue
Paia, HI 96779

Parking tip:
To avoid the prowl of street parking in Paia, try the 2 parking lots that straddle the "Dazoo" building. Or park up the street away from the congestion with streetside parking.