Alaska and Hawaii Seafood Dives

ALASKA

The Bamboo Room Restaurant, 14-15 Second Ave., Haines, AK; 907/766-2800 or kcd.com/bamboo/index2.html . Justly famous for halibut fish-and-chips. (2001)

The Hangar on the Wharf, 2 Marine Way, Juneau, AK; 907/586-5018 or hangaronthewharf.com . The menu features "Hangar Wraps" encasing king crab and other fixin's; "Pre-flight Snacks" of steamers, crab dip, and the like; and "Water Landings" for halibut, salmon, and crab. (2005)

Hot Bite, Auke Bay Harbor, Auke Bay, AK; 907/790-2483. Since 1983, Southeast Alaskans have headed here for juicy buffalo burgers and halibut cheek sandwiches with cusabi (cucumber-and-wasabi dressing). A few miles north of downtown Juneau, the café's small pink building lies beyond the cruise-ship crowds. (2006)

HAWAII

Huggo's on the Rocks, 75-5828 Kahakai Rd., Kailua-Kona, HI; 808/329-7204 or huggos.com . On the Big Island (Hawaii), this open-air restaurant features a thatched-roof bar and front-row seats for showy sunsets. Ahi sashimi and seafood pizza provide ocean-inspired fare. (2004)

La Mariana Sailing Club, 50 Sand Island Rd., Honolulu, HI; 808/848-2800. A kitschy Oahu hideaway with tiki bar ambience and a mean mahi mahi burger. (2001)

Paia Fish Market and Restaurant, 100 Hana Highway. Paia, HI; 808/579-8030. Maui windsurfers dock here for the fresh fish (several varieties, several preparation choices), then grab a place at one of seven picnic tables. (2005)

The Shrimp Shack, 53-352 Kamehameha Highway. Punaluu, HI; 808/256-5589 or alternative-hawaii.com/shrimp . The bright-yellow lunch truck parked at Naturally Hawaiian Gallery in Punaluu draws hungry motorists to Oahu's north shore for pan-fried garlic shrimp. Served with two scoops of rice, locally grown corn on the cob, and an ocean view, it's well worth the drive from Honolulu. (2007)