COOL CONFECTIONS . . . How about some healthful frozen yogurt or dairy-free sorbet delivered to your doorstep? Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt near Safeway in Kahului is running with a new catering service to suit your individual needs. Simply e-mail them at kcchan808@gmail.
com to get more details.
Dessert lovers should note South Shore Tiki Lounge in Kihei recently debuted desserts from the new Banyan Tree Deli & Bakery in Lahaina. "We now have coconut rocky road and their number-one seller, red-velvet cupcakes," says owner Alma Tassi.
Article Photos
Kailee (left) and Kelsen Snyder tell Santa what they want for Christmas at the festive Sharky’s Family Fun Restaurant in Kihei.
The Maui News / CARLA TRACY photo
Bringing its popular goat-cheese truffles back in time for holiday gift giving is Surfing Goat Dairy in Kula. Varieties include Tahitian lime, coffee, tangerine, Mandalay, lilikoi and cinnamon/chipotle.
The owners of Ono Gelato in Paia have recently expanded their dessert empire, buying Cake Bakery. "I will continue as operating manager," says founder and pastry chef Heidi Cramer. "With this new support, Cake Bakery will have more ability to grow and offer new and tasty treats. For the holidays, we'll have a fantastic menu of special desserts, gingerbread wahine and packaged cookies and bars, which are great for gift giving!"
The owners, Bill and Rachelle Kirton, will also feature peppermint, eggnog and gingerbread flavors of the Italian treat at Ono Gelato. . . Holiday ice cream flavors of eggnog and Christmas mint are also available in three-pound tubs at Roselani Ice Cream's factory on Lower Main in Wailuku and at select island stores.
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BITS AND PIECES . . . "Mr. Big" from "Sex and the City" and a cast member on "A Good Wife," Christopher Noth and his family savored breakfast and views of Kapalua Sunday at the Plantation House. "They just loved it," says a staffer at the restaurant.
By the way, Plantation House will be the place to see all of the action at the PGA's first event of 2011, the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, Jan. 2 to 9, at the Kapalua Resort's famous Plantation Course.
"The restaurant will be open to the public for the first time in the golf tournament's history," says Plantation House's General Manager Norm Schuhardt. "Every day except for the Pro-Am January 5. We have a bird's-eye perspective of the golfers teeing off on the 18th green and we're open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Downstairs in our Grill Room is where Tiger met Elin."
But the biggest celebrity of all (at least during this time of year) is Santa Claus! For those in South Maui, he'll appear daily from 5 to 7 p.m. through Dec. 20 at Sharky's Family Fun Restaurant on Lipoa Street. "If you dine with us, we will offer nice discounts on pictures with Santa," says owner Craig Snyder, who features kid-friendly foods and fun games. "Bring a canned donation for charity and you'll also get 10 percent off of your meal."
Those who want to be in the thick of the hottest New Year's Eve party around should book tickets now for Mala Wailea. But the cost is dear at $500, plus tax and tip, with entertainment by Mick Fleetwood, Alice Cooper and other stellar guests. It also includes a five-course feast and drinks by chef-partner Mark Ellman. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Maui Arts & Cultural Center. . . We hear actor Mike Myers just dined there.
Speaking of the MACC, Maui Tacos will cater the Los Lobos concert Friday with food service starting at 5:30 p.m. Choices range from pork tamales to a chicken bowl. Both come with Spanish rice and beans.
Last month, she gave away turkey meals to the homeless on Maui. Now, Jennifer Nguyen of A Saigon Cafe in Wailuku is training to run the Honolulu Marathon Sunday as a benefit for Maui Food Bank and A Keiki's Dream. Fans who wish to support her may drop off checks at her restaurant, made payable to either of these nonprofits.
Looking for holiday gifts for the foodie in your life? Chef Tylun Pang of Fairmont Kea Lani Maui resort will sign copies of his new "What Maui Likes to Eat" cookbook at noon Saturday at Costco in Kahului; and at 2 p.m. Dec. 19 at Barnes & Noble in Lahaina.
Wine guy Travis Takahashi reports he's now living in Denver, and working as general manager for Troy Guard at TAG.
"Troy used to work for Roy Yamaguchi in the '90s at Kahana and in Hong Kong," says Takahashi, who was general manager at the former Roy's Kihei in its heyday. By the way, Ruby Tuesday's is targeted to go in the Roy's Kihei location in February.
* You may reach Dining Editor Carla Tracy at 242-6342.
