ON THE WAY TO JAWS . . . Earlier this week, when monstrous waves were pounding the north shore, multitudes of people made the trek to Jaws in Peahi. Paia proved a good pit stop for a bite.
At Charley's Woofer Saloon, jaws were dropping at the sight of Bigger Trigger, the monstrous 12-foot-tall replica of Willie Nelson's guitar that has finally been restored after an unfortunate fire in 2007.
Cameras were clicking, the whiskey river was flowing at the bar and Charley's famous baby-back pork ribs, barbecue brisket and ahi sashimi were flying out the door. Bartender Paula Murray kept up with it all.
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DAVID WARD photo
Green Banana Cafe baristas Eva Coleman and Shawn Beockman serve organic coffees, espressos and specialty drinks. People also flock there for the food, art and entertainment.
The owners of the eco-friendly Green Banana Cafe are happy to report they'll be celebrating the restaurant's first anniversary Tuesday.
"We are thrilled to have reached this first milestone of success during such difficult times," says partner Dean Wong, who many know as the operations manager of the MACC in Kahului. "It proves Green Banana Cafe has filled a niche within the north shore community in its healthy and unusual offerings."
The folks at Mama's Fish House were up close to all of the Ho'okipa surf action and they want everyone to know they'll be open for Christmas this year. "Really! Lunch and dinner," says Vice President Karen Christenson Marshall. "You won't be missing your Mainland white Christmas if you dine at Mama's!"
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BITS AND PIECES . . .Ladies who love door prizes, fashion shows and a four-course dinner all wrapped up in a $35 package will want to stir things up at The Melting Pot in Lahaina Tuesday.
This month's Girls Night Out features an all-fondue feast along with drink specials. Dinner reservations are highly recommended. There is plenty of space to book last-minute holiday parties with free parking out front.
When legendary Kris Kristofferson performs at Castle Theater in Kahului Friday, Consuelo's Catering will be there serving comfort foods such as holiday turkey loaf with Yukon mashed potatoes, roasted vegetable lasagne and the owner's famous mahimahi with Brazilian Moqueca sauce from her homeland.
Fran and Anthony Cosmo will perform Saturday at the Castle Theater and the food and beverage team has "more than a feeling there will be a lot of Boston hits and classics." Three's Catering will do barbecue pork quesadillas, whole- wheat flatbreads with Grecian salad and char-grilled chicken topped with chipotle chile con queso and mango pico de gallo sauce.
Dine at the Black Rock Steak & Seafood at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa in Kaanapali through Dec. 31 and your check total just might be donated to the Maui Food Bank. That's right. The resort designates one table each evening and surprises guests after they have been seated. So far, the Sheraton has raised $1,110.02.
In addition, the resort's Executive Chef Bryan Ashlock will host 50 students from Maui Preparatory Academy on Friday to create an oversized gingerbread village that will be displayed over the holidays. They'll use over 2,000 pounds of powdered sugar and more.
Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto of the Food Network was on Maui Sunday for the grand opening of Paradise Found Creperie in Lahaina.
Speaking of celebrities, we hear Magic Johnson dined at Longhi's in Lahaina for breakfast all 10 days that he spent on Maui recently. Breakfast is served until 1 p.m. on the weekends. Wake up to fresh-squeezed orange juice, frittatas and Grand Marnier French toast.
Duke's Beach House will roll in for a soft opening next Wednesday. Move over, Jaws! Cameras will be clicking for lunch only (and dinner soon) at the new restaurant, named after surf icon Duke Kahanamoku.
* You may reach Dining Editor Carla Tracy at 242-6342.
