NEW ON HORIZON . . . It's nice to report there are plenty of new establishments opening on the Maui horizon. New Zealand-style comfort food will be part of the mix with pool tables and a dance floor at Kiwi Roadhouse, targeted to open in December or January in the brand-new South Maui Center in Kihei.
"We'll have a big outdoor beer garden and signature food dishes like roast lamb, and roast pork with sweet potatoes," says owner Waren Stone.
Valley Isle Liquors also just opened in the South Maui Center off of Lipoa Street, with an emphasis on imported and craft beers, fine wines and liquors - and cigars are on the wish list for the future.
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The Maui News / CARLA TRACY photo
Sir Wilfred’s Bill Burton (left) chats up saxophone legend David Choy at a benefit for Maui Jazz Society in Launiupoko recently.
"We are trying our best to be very affordable and as much in line with pricing as the big guys," says owner Timothy Heithoff, who's been in restaurant and liquor industry in the islands for decades.
A kid-friendly restaurant with a couple of play areas, an ice cream parlor, arcades and videos and lots of pizza will open early next year. Sharky's Family Fun Center will be in the old Henry's in Kihei.
"My business partner and I each have a couple of little kids and it's hard to find someplace good to take them," says owner Craig Snyder. "So we thought we'd open a place that's totally family friendly.
Bill Burton of Sir Wilfred's gourmet coffee and tobacco shop in Kaanapali will take his show on the road to Front Street in January.
"We'll be located right on the ocean between the banyan tree and the seawall," says Burton. "We'll have the largest selection of coffee in the state. Maui Coffee Roasters roasts all of our beans. When it comes down to aficionado stuff, we'll have it there."
A tribute to legendary waterman Duke Kahanamoku, Duke's Beach House will be the newest addition to the TS Restaurant group, when it opens in December at Honua Kai Resort. Fashioned after a kamaaina beach house, it captures Duke's passion for the ocean with an authentic koa canoe, an open-air dining room with oceanfront lanai, historic photos and glass-ball light fixtures, according to senior designer Marion Philpotts-Miller.
On a sad note, Rusty Harpoon in Kaanapali has closed it doors and Kapalua Cafe in Kapalua will do so at the end of this month.
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BITS AND PIECES . . . It's time once again for a music-and-dinner show in Kihei. Barry Flanagan and Eric Gilliom will perform Sunday evening as part of the ongoing Stella's Supper Club at Stella Blues Cafe in Kihei. Seating is at 6 p.m. for the four-course meal and the show follows at 7:30 p.m.
Starters include Japanese steak rolls or shrimp ceviche. Entree choices of seared scallops in blue-crab cream sauce with chive-mashed potatoes and asparagus, and grilled Maui Cattle Co. New York steak with chipotle demi glaze will be served with small spinach salads. Raspberry shortcake is the dessert. Cost is $60. Call 874-3779.
Former Massachusetts governor and presidential hopeful Mitt Romney was spotted dining at the Plantation House in Kapalua this week.
The owners of the South Shore Tiki Lounge in Kihei are tired of the rash of Taco Tuesdays held around the island. "We host Tequila Tuesdays," says owner Alma Tassi. " We have $3 Sauza shots, $4 Sauza margaritas and $5 Patron shots. DJ LX takes over the turntable for the best Tuesday night dance party on the island."
Besides serving prize-winning pastas such as the penne Massimo with creamy pesto, artichoke hearts, capers and sun-dried tomatoes, Pizza Paradiso in Honokowai offers Mediterranean fare of gyros, falafels, rotisserie chicken and grilled fish. Pizza, too, of course.
* You may reach Dining Editor Carla Tracy at 242-6342.
