Mama’s Fish House vs Spagos Wailea Review

Question

Had the unique opportunity to have a special occasion dinner at both Mama’s and Spagos within a day apart. There is one clear winner. Mama’s. In fact after this experience I wouldn’t even include Spago’s on a list of places for a special occasion. Not sure what is happening with that restaurant but it’s not a good direction.

It’s a shame because they have a great view and you couldn’t ask for a more upscale setting than the Four Seasons. The appetizers were good, salmon roll and Poke Cones, but from there it went downhill. All around us were couples enjoying romantic dinners and special occasions. Then they seated a couple with a very unruly child right next to us. Utensils were flying, a dinner plate was shattered and screeches and screams ensued.

Our entrees of mahi and scallops and pork shank were delivered and they ranged from bad to average. We skipped the birthday dessert and just asked for the check. Couldn’t get out of there fast enough.

Another rude phenomenon was witnessing people from back tables coming up and crowding the diners that reserved ocean view tables. Encroaching on their space to get their sunset pictures in. I have never seen that before. The Four Seasons does not lack for spaces to take pictures without having to do this!

I am mentioning all this because both Mama’s and Spago’s are high end upscale places and with Mama’s you get that experience. I used to put Spagos in the same category as Mama’s but there is no comparison in the quality and the taste of the food. Mama’s is hard to beat.

Answer

Based on your experience, Mama’s Fish House on Maui clearly outshines Spago’s Wailea for a special occasion dining experience. While both restaurants are considered high-end and upscale, several factors make Mama’s the preferred choice.

At Mama’s Fish House, guests can expect:

Exceptional food quality with fresh seafood and Hawaiian-inspired dishes.
A consistent and attentive service experience that enhances the overall dining ambiance.
A romantic and elegant atmosphere suitable for special occasions, without disruptions from other diners.
Beautiful ocean views and a layout that respects diners’ space, allowing for a comfortable and memorable meal.

In contrast, your experience at Spago’s highlighted some significant drawbacks:

Although the setting and view are impressive at the Four Seasons, the quality of entrees, including mahi, scallops, and pork shank, was rated from bad to average.
Seating arrangements and restaurant management allowed for disturbances, such as an unruly child at a nearby table and other diners encroaching on ocean view tables to take photos.
While appetizers like salmon roll and poke cones were good, the main courses did not meet expectations for a high-end dining experience.
The atmosphere suffered due to lack of control over the dining environment, which impacted the enjoyment of the meal and special occasion celebration.

Key takeaways from this comparison:

For a truly memorable, high-quality dining experience on Maui, especially for special occasions, Mama’s Fish House is the stronger choice.
While Spago’s offers a beautiful setting and good appetizers, issues with main course quality, dining environment, and disruptions detract from the overall experience.
Booking ocean view or special occasion tables at Spago’s may not guarantee a disturbance-free experience, so for peace of mind, Mama’s is recommended.

Overall, if the priority is food quality, attentive service, and an upscale, enjoyable environment, Mama’s Fish House is the preferred option for celebrating special moments on Maui.

Mama’s Fish House vs Spagos Wailea Review

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