GROWN ON MAUI . . . A new restaurant on Baldwin Avenue in Makawao town is all about its fresh ingredients. Market Fresh Cafe has been up and running with breakfast and lunch since Dec. 15. Today it will debut dinner from 5:30 to 9 p.m., and it will run every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
"We grow avos, starfruit, pineapples, lilikoi, lettuce greens, eggplant, heirloom tomatoes, kafir limes and bumpy lemons!" says owner Olivia Coletti, whom I met when she modeled a chocolate bikini for the Four Seasons' Taste of Chocolate event a couple of years ago.
"We also work with local farmers getting greens, sprouts and pink lemons for our lemonade, and oranges, tangelos, onions, Swiss chard, corn and organic strawberries."
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The Maui News / CARLA TRACY photo
Olivia Coletti is partner in the new Market Fresh Cafe in Makawao. She and her family grow produce on their Haiku farm. Their lunch and dinner spot will debut dinner tonight.
The "we" are her partners, Olivia's brother, Justin Pardo, and her boyfriend, David Magenheim, who work side by side with her.
Their philosophy is "global influence, local ingredients" and you will find everything from Maui Cattle Co. braised short ribs to Kula basil-pesto-crusted Hawaiian catch on their Sunday brunch menu. A ukulele player performs. They also pour Maui coffees and use organic free-range chicken and Maui lamb.
Regarding Maui Cattle Co., its paniolo will hulihuli beef and lamb and give away free samples at the new Longs Drug Store in Pukalani Saturday.
Speaking of beef, Merriman's Restaurants, including its Merriman's Kapalua, just won the National Beef Backer Award as "Innovator of the Year."
We're thrilled to accept the Beef Backer 'Innovator of the Year' award on behalf of our entire staff at Merriman's," says owner-chef Peter Merriman.
"Beef is a central part of the Upcountry Hawaii lifestyle, and our regional menu. Our partnership with local ranchers guarantees us high-quality, great tasting beef products and an authentic dining experience."
In 2008, more than 8.18-billion pounds of beef were served in restaurants in America.
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GO WITH THE FLOW . . . A beer dinner will be held tonight with island-made beverages by Maui Brewing Co., in Kahana. Sip, say, Bikini Blonde and munch ginger beer duck breast. There will be six courses with six beers - all brews made on Maui.
Friday, the I'o Wine Club on Front Street in Lahaina will uncork some of Wine Spectators Top 100 wines at its monthly tasting. . . .Wednesday, Cafe Marc Aurel in Wailuku will hold the Intro to Red & White tasting at 7 p.m. It will be hosted by Alan Jahns.
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BITS AND PIECES . . . Spotted around Lahaina town recently was former Maui Chef David Paul Johnson. It looks like he will open a new restaurant in the old Zuihao location in March.
The restaurant he used to own, now called Lahaina Grill, is pleased to announce kamaaina Mondays in February. Those with a Hawaii ID get 50 percent off all entrees on those nights.
Joy's Place in Kihei will host another Smart Eating Class at 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Learn how to make vegetarian almond dill cheese, vibrant soups and more.
We hear the kidding season is over at Surfing Goat Dairy in Kula. There were 86 kid goats born and 12 sold as pets. The owners have also just created three new cheeses and it's fun to go up and check out the farm and purchase some. Owner Thomas Kafsack reports two of his cheeses were served at two different inauguration dinners in Washington, D.C., last month.
Jon Bon Jovi's limited design T-shirts are now being sold at Hard Rock Cafe Lahaina as a benefit for a charitable foundation on the Mainland.
* Contact Carla Tracy at carlatracy@mauinews.com.
