GIVE ME, BACON! . . . If you love your bacon like Homer Simpson loves his, then you'll salivate all the way to an upcoming dinner.
Author Ari Weinzweig, who wrote "Zingerman's Guide to Better Bacon," will sizzle at the Star Noodle restaurant in Lahaina on Friday, Sept. 10.
He's also founding partner of Zingerman's Community of Businesses in Ann Arbor, Mich., which includes the Road House world-famous deli, bake shop, creamery, coffee shop, cheese store and catering operation.
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The Maui News / CARLA TRACY photo
Star Noodle servers Talia Anama and Zane Monteleone will bring the sizzle to the table Sept. 10 at an upcoming six-course bacon dinner.
Coming here to collaborate with Star Noodle's Executive Chef Sheldon Simeon, Weinzweig will cook a six-course feast, dripping with bacon.
The preliminary menu is bacon-roasted Kula sweet corn, kampachi with pancetta, ahi "bacon," steamed bacon buns, jook with bacon, and last but certainly not least, miso-bacon ice cream.
"We will be using premium bacon products from around the country," says Star Noodle's Julie Yoneyama. "The menu may change somewhat according to product availability and compatibility. The author will be on hand, signing copies of his book."
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WINE NOT?! . . . A few beverage celebrations will be pouring out of Maui restaurants, starting this week. First out of the bottle will be a wine tasting at Bistro Casanova in Kahului at 4 p.m. Friday. The bistro's chefs will prepare five tapas to enhance five wines from the Italian islands of Sicily and Sardinia. Cost is $25, plus tax and tip. Seating is limited. Call 873-3650.
"This will be fun, and at the end of the tasting we will take a vote to see which two wines were the biggest hit, and the bistro will then pour them by the glass," says Jim Powlan of Chambers & Chambers. "You get great food and also get to help make the wine list."
Don't forget about Taste of Burgundy on Friday at Gerard's in Lahaina. The four-course feast includes stellar wines from the famous French region. Cost is $75 per person, plus tax and tip. Call 661-8939.
Next Friday, Sept. 10, Three's Bar & Grill in Kihei will feature the wines of Charles Smith, dubbed the "domestic winemaker of the year" in 2009 by Food & Wine magazine.
"This is the first time anyone from the Northwest has won this prestigious award," says Powlan. "The wines will be great expressions of the Columbia Valley and the chefs are putting together something really cool with five tapas to pair with the five wines."
Courses include Kumamoto oysters, and sous vide crispy pork belly with ancho-chile blackberry compote, paired with wines such as Boom Boom and Kung Fu Girl. "Talk about yummy," says Powlan. "This one is 35, plus plus." You may call 879-3133.
The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua's Banyan Tree restaurant will pour the wines of Louis Jadot throughout September, paired with a special menu.
Maui Brewing Co. in Kahana will flow starting at 6 p.m. Sept. 10 with Pint Night, a benefit for the Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project.
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BITS AND PIECES . . . Those going to First Friday in Wailuku this week will delight in the booth by Uppity Cup, featuring chocolate-truffle cupcakes all swirled with butter-cream frosting.
It will be right around the corner from Market Street on Main Street. Owner and baker Mary Ann Lyons will sell her gourmet cupcakes with a carton of milk for $5. Frostings range from coconut to rose chocolate.
Hawaii Jack in the Box stores are saluting the Warriors gridiron glory with "Throwback Jack." Free with any large combo, it's an antenna ball featuring a '70s-era University of Hawaii football helmet.
* You may reach Dining Editor Carla Tracy at 242-6342.
