BITS AND PIECES. . . Writer, actor, director, producer and sailor Peter Fonda enjoyed a nice dinner at Ruth's Chris Steak House in Lahaina earlier this week. Jane's brother is in his old stomping grounds. Some of us remember fondly when Peter's sailing yacht, the Tatoosh, was quite a fixture around Lahaina ocean waters.
Speaking of celebrities, Laird Hamilton wowed the crowd recently at the premiere party for the truTV show called "Maui Chopper." (New episodes air Wednesdays each week.)
Held at the Kahului Ale House, the party made a big splash with guests as it featured a helicopter landing in the parking lot. "A&B gave us a permit to land the chopper," says owner Chad Metcalfe. "So for those of you who saw it, this was no emergency evac, just a huge premiere party!"
Article Photos
Kahului Ale House photo
Laird Hamilton (from left), Autumn Quintero, Chad Metcalfe, Karin Pladson and Don Shearer hang loose at the Kahului Ale House recently at the premiere party for the new TV show “Maui Chopper.”
Metcalfe goes on to say the Ale House can do parties from "three people to 300." It's also a great place "to dump the hubby while Christmas shopping" as it's located in the heart of Kahului's shopping area and it offers a buy one, get one free pupu from 3 to 6 p.m. daily.
"We are ready and able to handle holiday party business for those on a budget with small office parties. And of course, we are gearing up for the Super Bowl."
Recording artists Barry Flanagan of Hapa and Eric Gilliom of Barefoot Natives will take their show back to Wailea, this time playing outdoors at Capische? in the lovely Diamond Resort.
"We think Chef Brian's food is amazing," Gilliom gushes. "Our first dinner show will be Saturday and we think Capische? will be a perfect fit for us."
The Wailea Nights duo will perform in the Japanese garden dining area below and those seated in the open-air dining room above will be able to hear and see them. Dinner will be a four-course feast.
Chef-owner Brian Etheredge will start you off with soup and Caesar salad and then you choose from his braised Colorado lamb shank with lemon risotto, veal scaloppini with parmesan tomato sauce on spaghettini or herb-crusted Hawaiian catch with whipped potatoes. Dessert will be a boozy five-liqueur tiramisu. Show time is at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $100, plus tax and tip.
Speaking of things boozy, Maui's Ocean Vodka makes the perfect gift for the drinker in your life. It's available at Foodland, Longs, Safeway, Hawaii Super Liquor Store and many others in between.
"Our Ocean Vodka brings a local organic touch to any holiday gathering," says owner Shay Smith. "On Friday, we had a martini bar at the Pacific Cancer Foundation's fund- raiser and it was very well received by all who attended!"
Santa Claus is coming to town! News just came in from the North Pole. But he'll arrive island style, via outrigger canoe Sunday at 4:30 p.m. in front of Hula Grill restaurant in Kaanapali. Santa will pass out candy canes to the keiki and listen to special Christmas requests.
FirstLight at the MACC?in Kahului is in the spotlight now through Jan. 3 with a few breaks for the holidays. It features the best films of the year, including Oscar contenders and Golden Globe nominees. Of course, when you go to the show, you want to eat, and the MACC will be decorated with lights, ribbons, film strips, and live and DJ music throughout. The MACC's bar opens at 4 p.m. daily with brandy and eggnog, spiced rum, champagne royales, microbrews and other holiday froufrou drinks.
Food service starts at 6 p.m. and every evening there will be several entree options, one always vegetarian. Caterers are Vasi's, Consuelo's, Cafe O'Lei and Serpico's and Ono Gelato will serve coffee and gourmet desserts nightly.
* Contact Dining Editor Carla Tracy at carlatracy@mauinews.com.
