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03/28/08
Rude people- worse food.
by renebene at Citysearch
I too made the mistake of going to this place. Ask anyone in town (I have now that I have been there) these people are awful and their food is worse. My friends played a show there- even they don't want to go back. Check out Flatbread or the fish house on the corner for much better food and infinitely better service (all I can think is that the people who work there eat the food too much- how about a smile someone? or at least just don't be rude- everyone serving here acts like their daddy owns the place).
Good heads up on the peanut oil (see review below) by the way- its amazing they do that- its like they are trying to make people sick- or they just don't care.
- Pros: Plenty of room to move around- no one eats here
- Cons: the food, service and ambience are all terrible
02/19/08
I agree- this place is terrible!!!
by PaiaFoodie at Citysearch
I went to Moana a few days ago for "happy" hour and had the worst restaurant experience- ever!!
The staff was rude and knew almost nothing about their menu (which is interesting since the chef/owner said my waitress was "one of his best").
The food is dangerous- I mean who cooks in peanut oil especially without telling anyone? We are in Hawaii- use coconut oil (best and healthiest) or canola oil for cooking. Peanut oil is so toxic manufacturers of packaged goods are actually required to state if their products are processed in facilities that process peanuts. This "international" chef (who makes a very "fishy" tasting piece of fish by the way) really should be aware of this and change his practices immediately.
The baked goods are more expensive and made with inferior ingredients compared to Manna foods right down the street. The decor is ok but you are better off eating outside at Milagros or at the Flatbread restaurant. The fish house on the corner tastes so much better, uses far superior ingredients and gives much MUCH better portions. Why would anyone ever go to Moana?
I agree with the last review. The only resason to Patronize this horrendous establishment is if your friend is playing there.
- Pros: You don't have to eat there
- Cons: You may accidentally end up here
02/19/08
Amazingly bad food and the service is worse.
by healthiswealth at Citysearch
I am amazed anyone could write a good review of this place. I live in Paia and I have never seen a crowd there and now I know why. The food quality is inferior at best and the staff is extremely lethargic (probably from eating the baked goods).
Anyone visiting Paia looking for baked goods is much better off going down the street to Mana foods where everything is made with superior, natural or organic ingrediants and is cheaper than the chemical and conventional dairy garbage they peddle at Moana.
People should also be very careful eating at Moana as they use toxic (and cheap) peanut oil in all of their dishes (yes even the "steamed fish"). It is really unbelievable that they do not even state this on the menu as such a large portion of the population is allergic to peanut (all packaged goods sold in this country must reveal if they are even processed in the same facility as peanuts).
The staff is uninformed and uncaring about their products. My wife asked the woman behind the counter if the coffe is organic to which she replied "it probably is" (it isn't by the way) and our waitress was not informed and completely unhelpful on the lunch menu as "she normally works nights". Either person could be forgiven if they had at least had a positive or friendly attitude but they most certainly did not.
We had walked by the cafe so many times and never felt attracted to go inside. When we finally did, we realized- our instincts were right. There is a reason this nice room is so underutilized and almost never crowded. If your friend is performing there stop by and have a listen but drink and eat at your own risk.
Have a happy and healthy day (somewhere besides Moana cafe : ).
