HUNGRY FOR MAUI . . . No longer West Maui's best-kept secret, Pulehu, an Italian Grill is now enticing diners with a buffet of endless pasta Monday evenings for $29.95.
In addition, kamaaina get 50 percent off of food and non- alcoholic beverages after 8 p.m. on Thursdays. Log on to www.pulehurestaurant.com to check out the menu and to make reservations.
Each month now, The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua's Banyan Tree restaurant presents a tasting menu paired with wines from a featured vineyard. In April it was Clos du Val. In May, it's Caymus.
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The Maui News / CARLA TRACY photo
Chef de Cuisine Ryan Urig continues his monthly winemaker dinner series at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua’s Banyan Tree in throughout May.
"We do a four-course menu with a duo of appetizers," says Chef de Cuisine Ryan Urig. "This month's duo is smoked salmon with heirloom tomato salad and seared scallops with avocado puree - both paired with Conundrum White Blend 2008.
From "makai" (the sea), enjoy Hawaiian ahi with Serrano ham en brioche; and from the "aina" (land) savor braised beef check on puree of white asparagus and aromatic summer truffles. Dessert is cheesecake with chip shot pancakes and raspberry bubbles. Fine Caymus wines will flow. Mom will love it for Mother's Day.
Speaking of Mom, Madonna's longtime macrobiotic chef puts a cosmopolitan spin on healthy eating in her newest cookbook and it will make a nice Mother's Day gift. The book is called "Mayumi's Kitchen: Macrobiotic Cooking for Body & Soul."
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BITS AND PIECES . . . I couldn't divulge the exact location last week, but Wailea Resort's "destination diva," Kathleen Costello, now confirms that Gannon's, A Pacific View Restaurant in Wailea served as one of the primary locations for "Just Go With It," being filmed at various sites around Wailea.
"Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, Nicole Kidman and Dave Matthews along with local Hapa musicians Barry Flanagan and Nathan Aweau and Ledward Ka'apana just wrapped several dinner scenes at Gannon's, which will be featured when the movie releases sometime next February," Costello tells us.
As it turns out, not all of the stars are in Wailea. We hear Apollo Ono, a multiple Olympic-medal winner in speed skating, relaxed over breakfast at the Plantation House in Kapalua Tuesday. The restaurant will also feature a wine dinner June 26 as part of the upcoming Kapalua Wine & Food Festival.
Adding to the stellar line-up of restaurants this Saturday at Chefs on the Beach in Makena will be Brigit & Bernards Gardencafe. They'll make shish kebabs with yogurt-garlic and cucumber dip. Tickets are still available for this private estate bash by calling 878-6356.
Hosting a Rogue Brewery tasting and dinner Monday will be Kahului Ale House. It will be a five-course prix-fixe menu paired with limited edition Rogue ales and beers for $60 per person.
Hale Makua Health Services will benefit from Pineapple Grill's fifth anniversary bash Saturday at the popular Kapalua restaurant. Brian Cuomo and friends will perform and the cuisine will by Executive Chef Ryan Luckey and his culinary staff. Cost is $150 per person and $100 is tax deductible. A private bus is scheduled to and from Central Maui. For tickets, call 669-0070.
Sad to report, Bobby Santos is retiring after 31 years at Maui Culinary Academy. But at least his peers recognized him with a "Lifetime Achievement" Award at Maui No Ka 'Oi's recent 'Ai Pono dinner.
Guy Moore, another longtime veteran of Maui's food and beverage industry, died Sunday. He was renowned for his expert wine palate and served as a clerk at Hawaii Liquor Superstore in recent years.
* You may reach Dining Editor Carla Tracy at 242-6342.
