FROM THE HEART . . . Inside these Scene pages, you'll find the Valentine's Day dining roundup. In addition, here are some more last-minute ideas that came my way.
If you're single and looking for a soul mate, or simply a tryst, then dash to Maui Brewing Co. in Kahana for its first ever speed-dating social.
"We're not talking about a basement-buzzer operation here. No," says MBC's owner Garrett Morrero. "We're talking about making friends and having fun with help from our specially qualified social directors. Maybe you'll laugh up some embarrassing questions while tossing down some of our signature tasty beers and drink specials."
Article Photos
Vegetarian Andrea Bertoli is teaching free weekly cooking classes at Down to Earth on Dairy Road in Kahului. Designed to help people “love life and be healthy,” the classes run from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Students will learn to cook vegetarian dishes using as many local, organic and natural ingredients as possible, without compromising on taste. “My recipes are designed for the home cook,” says Bertoli. “We use easily attainable and healthy ingredients.'
NORM BEZANE photo
You may buy long-stemmed fresh Kula strawberries dipped in chocolate at Broke Da Mouth Cookie Co. in Kahului in individual pieces or by the dozen. Pastry chef and owner Lloyd Yokoyama is also baking up a storm of heart-shaped red-velvet cakes along with white or chocolate strawberry shortcakes.
With Valentine's Day right around the corner, you may want to check out the Heart Healthy Eating Class on Sunday at Joy's Place in Kihei. Cost of $45 includes recipes, samples and tips.
*****
BITS AND PIECES . . . The Aloha Breakfast Buffet will debut at Duke's Beach House in Kaanapali from 9 to 11 a.m. Sunday, following the Aluminum Man Biathlon nearby on the beach.
Athletes as well as spectators are welcome to dive in to the all-you-can-eat buffet featuring link sausage, French toast, pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, Portuguese sausage and fresh fruit for $10 per person.
"Anyone who spends their morning competing in a half-mile swim and four-mile run deserves a nice, hearty breakfast at the finish line," said Duke's General Manager Shaughn Helliar.
Ichiban Okazuya in Wailuku is now offering hapa rice, a mixture of brown and white grains, with its plate lunches, dinners and catering service. Popular items on the hot buffet include chicken katsu, nishimi, shrimp tempura and teriyaki ahi.
Gannon's: A Pacific View Restaurant in Wailea will celebrate the release of the "Just Go With It" film (that opens in Maui theaters Friday) by offering moviegoers who bring their ticket stubs a free lunch or dinner entree with they purchase another one. FYI, Gannon's was transformed into Oceano, setting the stage for many of the movie scenes with stars Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler.
Speaking of the movies, A Night at the Oscars will be held at King Kamehameha Golf Club from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Friday as a benefit for the Maui Office of the National Kidney Foundation. It includes pictures with "Marilyn Monroe" (plans for the building originally were designed to be her house with Arthur Miller), heavy pupu and a no-host bar. Dance to live music and bid at silent auction, too.
The Friends of Dorothy dining club will host its next monthly dinner at Buzz's Wharf at Maalaea Harbor. "We enjoy having both locals and visitors attend our dinners," says spokesperson Steve Kruy. "Attendance ranges from 15 to 35 people."
Wine connoisseurs should be stoked about the next tasting at Longhi's Wailea at 5:45 p.m. Friday. That's because it will flow with four high-end wines and a tapas plate for $30 per person.
Diana Lucz from Molnar and Obsidian wineries will be there to lead the group through four of her fabulous varietals.
* You may reach Dining Editor Carla Tracy at 242-6342 or e-mail her at carlatracy@mauinews.com.
