FUN SPILLING OVER . . . A five-course dinner that features the wines of Chalk Hill Winery in Sonoma County will flow Wednesday at SeaWatch in Wailea. Unusual in the world of wines, Chalk Hill has 100 percent control over its estate varietals - exclusively grown in Russian River and Alexander Valley.
"I wish I could attend, but alas, my schedule precludes it," says winemaker Jordan Fioretini. Well, that's too bad, but at least you may savor the cuisine of Maui's "Best Chef," Todd Carlos. He'll entice you with a rock shrimp tini with garlic and lemon on a bed of shaved fennel, blood orange, pomegranate and Absinthe mist.
Other courses are Kona lobster and miso-glazed scallop salad, lemon sorbet, herb-crusted medallion of veal loin, and dark-chocolate Dacquoise on Godiva sauce.
Article Photos
Photo courtesy Chalk Hill Winery
The wines by Jordan Fioretini (above) of Chalk Hill will be uncorked Wednesday at SeaWatch at Wailea during a special prix-fixe dinner.
Que, Syrah, Syrah is the theme for the next wine tasting on the Rhone varietal.?It will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Cafe Marc Aurel in Wailuku.
"The history of the syrah grape dates back to Roman times," says expert Alan Jahns of JMD Beverages. "Some say the Crusaders returning from?Persia imported the grape. Others say it originated in the Rhone Valley."
The I'o Wine Club will present Wines from Down Under as the next theme in its series from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in Lahaina. Aussie and New Zealand wines will be paired with regional pupu. "Come at your leisure," says owner Stephan Bel-Robert. Cost is $30.
By the way, the new Betty's Beach Cafe has opened near I'o in the old Hecock's at 505 Front Street. We'll have more on this soon.
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BITS AND PIECES . . . DUO Steak and Seafood at Four Seasons Resort Maui in Wailea now grills bone-in venison chops and elk steaks. Cranberry-cognac and Marsala porcini sauces are perfect accompaniments.
Konishiki Yasokichi, the pampered and beloved sumo also known as Saleva'a Atisano'e, hunkered down to a man- size meal at Ruth's Chris Steak House in Lahaina recently before catching the nearby 'Ulalena show in Maui Theatre. The restaurant offers a dinner-show package and you may dine before or after. . . Jimmy Buffett and concert promotor Tom Moffatt sure loved the whole fish served at Mala Wailea the other night.
Speaking of Mala, I often talk to its famous chef-partner Mark Ellman. OK, he was spotted "cutting the rug" on stage recently at the Angelique Kidjo concert at the MACC. But his sister, Gerry Ellman, who is a chef at Longboards in Kaanapali, has entered a contest on the Food Network in the "Ultimate Recipe Showdown." It's pasta Santa Cruz (Amalfi) and it looks divine.
"Not only is cooking part of my life by it being my love, passion and hobby, it is how I identify myself," Chef Gerry says. "This recipe was developed for Longboards at the Kaanapali Marriott."
Seafood lovers should definitely check it out. We also hear Longboards hosts the "Saturday Beach Party." The first five partiers who show up in beach attire will receive a complimentary pupu. Thursday is "Industry Night" with a $2 nacho bar and inexpensive drinks. Kamaaina all get 15 percent off anytime when dining there.
Well, it looks like I have egg on my face from a recent column mention of Dairy Queen specials on the island. The Dairy Queens here are Treat stores and not Brazier of Grill and Chills. So the only special they have going on now is an all-beef hot dog with an Orange Julius for $4.99. A Mainland publicist sent me wrong information and I ran with it. Sorry about that to the Maui owners and customers.
Krispy Kreme also has 5-cent small coffees and 10-cent medium cups of its signature blend. Of course, it's hard to pass up those doughnuts . . . The Gina Martinelli Band is playing at Stella Blues Friday and dinner reservations start at 8 p.m. and the show starts at 9 p.m.
* Carla Tracy is the dining editor of the Maui Scene.
