LET IT FLOW . . . Wine events keep coming at us with the force of a cork about to explode, and the next one will be at Roy's Kahana Bar & Grill at 7 p.m. Saturday. Pegged "An Evening at the Trattoria," it will feature a five-course Italian-style feast paired with five unique boutique Italian wines at a cost of $50 per person.
Begin with house-smoked sardines, then move to the antipasti plate with grilled baby octopus, fennel and orange. Next is tartufo pizza with liver and onions, and then lamb braciole with mint pesto and lamb-tongue ravioli. The dessert is "dolci" or "sweets" of struffoli and biscotti.
Something new is being uncorked at the Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa in Kaanapali for the holidays and it's called Halona Kai Wine & Cheese Bar.
Article Photos
Wharf Cinema Center photo
Amigo’s Authentic Mexican Food owner Jose Martinez (left) and music legend Carlos Santana give the shaka outside the Lahaina restaurant.
Sit under the stars and select from over 20 wines by the glass along with plated trios of artisan cheeses. Cigars, espresso drinks and an assortment of cordials are also available for purchase.
The Hyatt has also debuted the Hawaiian salad bar at 'Umalu with farm-to-table foods such as poke, corn chowder, soba noodles and Ali'i Kula Lavender scones just in time for this merry season.
I'o Wine Club will feature an Around the World Adventure theme at its next tasting from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday. Wines and pupu are $30 per person and you may come at your leisure. The party is located at 505 Front St. in Lahaina.
In addition, I'o Restaurant will continue with its kamaaina special of 50 percent off food through Tuesday. Longhi's Wailea will flow with Festive Bubble Wines at 5:45 p.m. Friday. Cost of $30 includes tapas and wine.
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BITS AND PIECES . . . After lunch with friends last week, legendary musician and part-time Maui resident Carlos Santana took some time out to chat with the owner of Amigo's Authentic Mexican Food eatery upstairs on the lanai at the Wharf Cinema Center in Lahaina.
Owner Jose Martinez says that besides serving Mexican lunch and dinner, Amigo's now serves breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m. with an expanded menu of eggs Benedict, French toast, create-your-own omelet, steak and eggs and much more.
Island favorite, Willie K will share his love of opera with the Maui Pops Orchestra Saturday at the MACC in Kahului. Food and beverage service starts at 5:30 p.m. and it will be ono.
"Ka'anapali Beach Hotel will return with an amazing menu," says Food and Beverage Co-Director Luana Argel. "Your choices include their award-winning seafood Lawalu, which is a pouch of shrimp, lobster, scallops, and fish on a pork-hash patty; lu'au-style pork ribs; hulihuli chicken; and for all of you vegetarians, lasagne. Cake Bakery will also entice you with delectable treats such as lilikoi cheesecake, coconut macaroons and the sure-to-put-you-in-the-spirit gingerbread cookies!"
The holiday drink specials are pomegranate Kir Royale and eggnog. In addition, FirstLight film festival is happening through Jan. 3 at the MACC and Consuelo's Catering is cooking the food nightly except for Sunday, when Mama Earth rotates in.
Those who love holiday baking will want to attend one of the free gingerbread cookie workshops from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Who Cut The Cheese store in Kihei.
Teaming with Maui Wedding Cakes, the store will also sell fresh-baked Christmas cookie gift boxes, gingerbread houses and other packaged goods along with its usual cheeses and wines.
Pastry Chef Casey Logsdon and his wife are getting out their elf hats and piping bags to create their famous Hawaiian gingerbread cookies such as bikini girls, surfer dudes, Santa geckos, turtles and dolphins. Stop by to enter a drawing to win one of the lighted gingerbread houses.
David Paul's Island Grill in Lahaina will launch the new Diva Club Discount program at 5 p.m. Saturday with local boutiques, nightclubs, retailers and salons. Women Helping Women nonprofit organization against domestic violence will join the restaurant for the first in a series of charity events. Attendees make a donation of $15 and it gets you specially priced cocktails and a $25 gift certificate.
* You may reach Scene Dining Editor Carla Tracy at 242-6342.
