Conversation builders that payoff with fantastic foodie finds
Ask and you shall receive… great dining advice
On our recent trip to Hawaii I used a conversation tip that we share in our Complete Engineer and Savvy Networking seminars. It involves letting other people be the expert and give you some advice on where to eat, what to do and what to see. For some reason guys are reluctant to use this tip.
Finally… a guy who asks for directions
Why is this conversation gambit tougher for guys? Could it have something to do with the fact that guys don’t like to ask for directions? For whatever the reason guys, get over it. The benefits are amazing. I’ve learned to ask for travel tips and I even, gulp, ask for directions. (Yes what a modern new age guy I’m turning out to be.) Not only will you build connection with others and find some great travel secrets, as a bonus you won’t get lost as much.
Let others be the expert
Now if you know me, you know I studied the guide books in advance. But rather than trying to be my own expert, I let others shine. So in conversations before the trip, on the plane, and after arriving I would ask people if they had any tips to share about Hawaii. And people love to share if you just give them the chance.
Maui foodie secrets worth sharing
Maui isn’t cheap. Oprah and the rest of the stars who live there may be to blame. Many of the restaurants in Maui were fairly pricey but we want to share a few of the better inexpensive restaurants that Joanne and I visited. (Hey, I’m not ashamed to admit that I love a good deal.)
Heavenly seafood and fine fish tacos
For a view and great fish try Dukes Beach House in Lahaina. Joanne had the Macadamia Nut & Herb Crusted Island Fish Sandwich and I had their grilled fish tacos – two thumbs up delicious (of course we shared).
Obama burger?
For an even more casual seafood experience without the view and where you get to sit at long tables and compare notes and experiences with locals and tourists go to Paia Fish Market. Joanne had the Obama fish burger – ono fish with wasabi sauce. Mmmmh good! And guess what I had? If you guessed the fish tacos, you were right. Just call me Fish Taco Terry.
Click the video below to see Australian celebrity chef, Curtis Stone, expound their tacos. (Joanne says he’s dishy – that’s Curtis, not the tacos.)
Macadamia crusted cinnamon buns anyone?
In case you are wondering, yes, I did eat more than fish tacos. Someone recommended Cinnamon Roll Fair in Kihei – magnificent macadamia nut encrusted cinnamon buns. (Do you see a bit of a macadamia theme here?) If you are an early riser and I am, (I would get my snorkeling done hours before Joanne was up) this place, with its amazingly friendly staff, opened up at 5:30 AM every day for bakery treats and coffee.
I scream, you scream, we all scream… for iced yogurt
Have you tried frozen yogurt? This is such a neat idea. The unique yogurt flavors come out of self-serve machines. You mix and match the yogurt flavours and then add toppings and pay about 50 cents an ounce. Frozen yogurt extravaganza for two for under 5 dollars.
We found two frozen yogurt chains on Maui –Tuttti Frutti and Yogurtland. Both were great. There were numerous Tutti-frutti’s around Maui and you’ll even find them in Canada. Our favorite was Yogurtland because they had more flavors and they had, wait for it…macadamia nut toppings. (There were only two Yogurtlands on Maui and alas… none in Canada yet.)
Have you got any foodie tips to share?
Thanks to everyone who shared their tips and secrets with us. But you don’t have to be going to Hawaii to use this conversation gambit. When networking in your own community ask others for their homegrown tips and don’t be afraid to share your own experiences. We’d love to hear them too.