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Side Orders • Apr. 4, 2013

BREWING INTEREST . . . Supplying fresh micro-roasted coffee to its wholesale and retail customers since 1982, Maui Coffee Roasters has now unveiled a new eco-friendly coffee roasting machine at its Kahului location.

Just so you know, this isn’t your run-of-the-mill roaster. It’s a clean, green machine that reduces greenhouse gas emissions with 80-percent less energy than conventional commercial roasters.

“We strive to be sustainable in all of our operations,” says MCR’s owner Nicky “Beans” Matichyn, “exerting as little environmental impact as possible.”

“At the end of the day, it’s the quality of our coffee that matters,” he continues. “With our new roaster, we have the tools necessary to better highlight the characteristics of each coffee origin.”

Known for its careful attention to quality bean selection, freshness and small batches, Maui Coffee Roasters offers many varieties of 100-percent Kona, Ka’u and Maui coffees, and Hawaiian blend and flavored coffees. For more details, call 877-7780.

Of course, it’s the 200th anniversary of coffee cultivation in Hawaii in 2013, and Maui County Agricultural Festival Saturday in Waikapu will put the bean in the spotlight with 10, count ’em, coffee booths. Sip, taste, sample and buy. Make sure to bring your reusable sack for coffee and other farm-fresh foods.

Bill Burton of Sir Wilfred’s coffee store in Lahaina is also the president of Maui Jazz Society and he’s putting on the Front Street Jazz & Blues Walk Friday and Saturday. (See events calendar for the full lineup). Sip a cuppa and listen to jazz at Sir Wilfred’s. Pioneer Inn will feature Melveen Leed boths nights along with a prime rib dinner in the courtyard.

Capt. Jack’s Island Grill across the street will be jazzing it up with music and foods such as beer-battered fish and chips, Kula green salads and its famous Kracken calamari served with spicy tartar sauce. Another participant, Hard Rock Cafe, will be sizzling with its legendary burgers, fresh island fish and signature cocktails.

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT . . . Or shall I say, “Wine for thought?” Because for the first time in 19 years, U.S. wine consumption per capita is outpacing both France and Italy, as reported by Vinexpo.

Currently, we account for a whopping 13 percent of total global wine consumption. The largest growing demographic of wine drinkers are Millennials (people born after 1980), and they love to buy wines by the glass and order varietals that pair well with foods.

Ko restaurant at The Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui in Wailea will please millennials with its new three-course menu of Chef Tylun Pang’s favorite dishes, paired with three stand-out wines from a new featured winemaker each month. In April, it’s Storybook Mountain Vineyards. The month of May is to be determined.

The owners of Saintsbury Winery in Napa, who come to Maui Calls event very year, just released their new Vin Gris of Pinot Noir dry rose.

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BITS AND PIECES . . . Construction has started in South Maui near Monkeypod Kitchen on Fabiani’s Wailea, scheduled to open June 1.

“It will feature many favorites from our Lipoa Fabiani’s location including the Genovese pizza with shrimp, tomato and pesto; and Papa Pierno Fabiani’s five-cheese ravioli straight from his Hotel in La Spezia,” says partner Mike O’Dwyer. Papa Pierno is the father of Mike’s partner, native Italian Lorenzo Fabiani.

“In Kihei, we’re open every day with housemade baked goods from Michelle Fabiani such as her Red Velvet cake, salted-caramel macaroons, and famous tiramisu cheesecake. When we open in Wailea,, we will deliver to the area and do BYOB until we get our liquor license.”

Makena Golf Course just closed at the end of March, but its popular Cafe on the Green remains open daily for lunch, afternoon snacks and early dinner throughout the golf course transformation until early next year.

Plantation House in Kapalua is still recuperating after an unfortunate fire last week. But its Grill Room downstairs remains open for private functions.

“The fire was contained to the upstairs,” says Elaine Kerr, director of sales and special events. “Our tentative opening date is a week from Friday (April 12). We’re putting in new carpeting, wallpaper, furniture. We’re turning what happened into a positive.”

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