HEAT IS ON . . . A cool and casual place to hang out as summer heats up is Tradewinds Poolside Cafe at Maui Coast Hotel in Kihei.
Those who want to enjoy live music early will find it there from 6 to 9 nightly. The soulful Bobby Ingram gets the crowd going Saturdays and Mondays and the food is tasty and reasonably priced.
Dive into the nachos, fresh garlic steamers, fried calamari and fresh shoyu poke. Bartender Le'ialani Robis muddles blueberry-mint mojitos.
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The Maui News / CARLA TRACY photo
808 Bistro’s server Amanda Schmillen showcases buffalo shrimp, braised boneless short ribs and Maui Cordon Bleu in the open-air dining room.
Green Banana Cafe will also cool you off with its Green Banana Frozen Yogurt Bar, which will open Tuesday next door in the Shops at Paia Bay.
"The Green Banana Cafe has found favor in the surfing community with its enthusiastic and live entertainment, hula shows, specialty drinks and fundraisers," says owner Dean Wong, who with partner, David Ward, wanted to "add some new pizzazz to our booming business."
Starting Tuesday, you'll find fresh, nonfat, low-calorie soft-serve yogurt with toppings such as, well, bananas and fresh bee pollen from Maui.
Also happening Tuesday in Paia, Flatbread Company will host another fundraiser, this time for Maui Ki-Aikido's youth programs. Just come in to dine anytime from 5 to 10 that evening, and a portion of the proceeds from every pizza sold will go to the nonprofit martial arts group that takes students to Japan.
Father's Day is coming up and we all know dads love to grill. The original Akahi red hot dogs are now back in vogue at Cash 'n Carry Warehouse in Kahului. Come pick up a two-pound bag at their Grand Reopening party starting at 9 a.m. Friday with giveaways all day long as well as demos by local vendors.
Speaking of hot dogs, the Paniolo Hot Dog Eating Contest for adults and the Pie Eating Contest for kids will be part of the fun at the 30th annual Upcountry Ag & Farm Fair this Saturday and Sunday at the Oskie Rice Field and Arena in Makawao.
Fair-goers will also want to bring their eco-friendly bags to shop at the Maui County Farm Bureau's Grown on Maui farmers market. You'll find goods from Kula Country Farm, Waipoli Hydroponic, Bryan Otani Farm, Jamie Shishido's Farm, Ono Organic Farm Kipahulu, Hali'imaile-Maui Gold Pineapples, and Yamamura Farm.
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BITS AND PIECES . . . This evening, Gerard's will celebrate its 28th anniversary in Lahaina with a special offer of 50 percent off the entrees.
Both Ruth's Chris Steak House locations in Lahaina and Wailea will host Chateau Ste. Michelle wine dinners Monday with special menus. Dine anytime after 5 p.m. Cost is $75 per person.
Last but not least, one of the best new restaurants on Maui has got to be 808 Bistro, tucked behind Fred's Mexican Cantina in Kihei. We dined there last week and found the baked crab dip with toasted baguette, and the buffalo shrimp with gorgonzola-cream sauce to be out of this world. The owners all worked at Ferraro's at the Four Seasons and one also managed Ruth's Chris. They are Mitch Edwards and Josh Richardson, who, with Josh's brother Jim Richardson, run the popular 808 Deli nearby.
The food is fine-dining caliber because of their previous experience. But they offer it at very moderate prices. For now, it's BYOB and you may dine in the courtyard or open- air dining room. Do try it.
808 Bistro will also entice music lovers today, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Rickie Lee Jones concert at the MACC in Kahului. Dig into their eggplant parmesan, braised short ribs, and 808 Salad with or without chicken. At the bar, try a "Chuck E!" rum cocktail.
* Call Dining Editor Carla Tracy at 242-6342 or e-mail her at carlatracy@mauinews.com.
