2008-01-24 Food
Take Five Places that have a lot of Unusual Stuff on the Walls
by Anthony Pignataro	write the author
January 24, 2008 BADABING There's a tad too much Sinatra/Rat Pack memorabilia on the walls to suit me–I mean the stuff is everywhere–but hey, it's a free country. It's probably better to spend your time focusing on your meal. Like the Eggplant Parmesan—tender strips of breaded eggplant, drowning in marinara and mozzarella. 1945 S. Kihei Rd., 875-0188. Open daily, 1 a.m.-10 p.m. $ COOL CAT CAFE Great burgers, steaks, sandwiches, salads and chicken fingers make Cool Cat a great place. And it's got a fantastic view of the Banyan Tree and Lahaina Harbor. Even a few TV sets to watch the game. Really, there's no need to stare at the '50s movie posters and music memorabilia lining the booths, though it can be fun. Wharf Cinema Center, Lahaina, 667-0908. Open daily, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. $ CAFE MARC AUREL Local artwork. That's what Marc Aurel hangs on the walls of this charming little sidewalk café in Wailuku Town. Some of it surreal, others downright abstract. But they're usually interesting and colorful, and make for a far more thought-provoking atmosphere for your latte-sipping than your typical island coffee house. 28 N. Market St., Wailuku, 244-0852. Open Mon-Sat, 7 a.m.-11 p.m. $ SOUTH SHORE TIKI LOUNGE Actually, the Tiki Lounge really only has one thing on the wall—a massive tiki head with eyes that light up bright red and a small generator that breathes smoke from the gaping mouth. Scary? Not really. Kitschy? Absolutely. But it's also kind of cool. 1913 S. Kihei Rd., 874-6444. Kitchen open daily, 11 a.m.-12 a.m. $ RUBY'S DINER Ruby's is a national franchise with strict controls over the menu, uniforms and look of the joint, but this particular establishment has lined its walls with prints, posters, photos and actual airplane models celebrating aviation in Hawai'i in the 1940's. It helps that they make good food. Queen Ka'ahumanu Center, Kahului, 248-7829. Open Mon-Thur, 7 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri-Sun, 7 a.m.-10 p.m. $