Ahi Tempura sushi from Nick's Fishmarket, photo by Kristin Hashimoto

By Kristin Hashimoto

Drive the slightly winding road to the white curved spires of the Fairmont Kealani Resort in Wailea. Utilize complimentary valet services, walk through the lobby filled with bamboo and fountains, and go down the stairs past the infinity pools to find Nick’s Fishmarket.

During restaurant week, Nick’s has a pre-fixe three-course menu for just $49. Time dinner to watch the sun set behind the palms and torches. Then sit back with a cocktail and enjoy the view. The Mangotini and Appletini were good offerings. The drinks were refreshing, but not jaw-dropping-good. The Mangotini for $12, was made with mango puree and is mixed with Skyy Vodka. Definitely opt to pay an extra $3 for an upgrade to Chopin or other higher-shelf vodka.  Or, check out the wine list.

On the pre-fixe menu, choose between calamari fritte, ahi tempura style sushi, kalua pot stickers, Caesar salad, or Greek Maui Wowie Maui onions salad. The calamari was perfectly fried; the batter used was crisp and the calamari was tender.

After inhaling the appetizer, enjoy your choice of entrée. There’s a pick of fish: try the Opakapaka from Fiji or “Scaled” Mahi Mahi with potato puree, Cabernet beurre rouge, white truffle oil and asparagus.

Roasted chicken breast with fontina-proscuitto stuffing from Nick's Fishmarket, photo by Kristin Hashimoto

Or, be more of a carnivore and choose the roasted chicken breast, fontina-proscuitto stuffing, with creamed Kula corn, and topped with a large Maui onion ring, or the petite filet mignon.

While flaky white fish like the Opakapaka is an easy favorite for locals and non-locals alike, the trip from Fiji, (imported due to Hawaii’s seasonal fishing restrictions), may have been a bit too long. However, the roasted chicken breast was a delicious dish, as the flavor combinations from the sweet creamed Kula corn, potatoes and fontina-proscuitto married and enhanced the pan seared and roasted chicken breast.

For dessert, satisfy a sweet craving with the homemade apple streusel, served with drizzly caramel sauce and a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Portion sizes are good. You won’t leave this restaurant hungry.

Nick’s Fishmarket Maui was a pleasant stop for dinner. Dinner hours are from 5:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. The lounge is open a half hour earlier from 5:00 p.m. Outdoor seating fills quickly, so make those reservations. Nick’s utilizes OpenTable (an online and mobile application that allows users to make dinner reservations), or call 879-7224.