BUSINESS AS USUAL . . . "We're high and dry," reports Pamela Hargreaves of the Waterfront in Maalaea. "The tsunami came up a little bit on our lawn and into a ravine. That was it. No disruptions and lots of reservations!"
"No activity on Napili Bay at all," the publicist behind the Sea House tells us.
"The water in the Hawaiian pond in front of us filled and drained all day, but there was no impact on us at all," says Hari Reddi, whose restaurant, Monsoon India, is located in north Kihei.
Article Photos
Sir Wilfred’s coffee and tobacco shop owner, Bill Burton (left) and his manager, Ron Metoyer, stand behind their Lahaina shop Friday.
The Maui News / CARLA TRACY photo
"We did absolutely fine, except we couldn't get here to open at our regular breakfast time," says Five Palms Beach Grill's Operations Manager Kathryn Freeman. "So we had a late start at 9 a.m."
"We didn't get a drop of water," says Chef Mark Ellman owner of the Mala Ocean Tavern in Lahaina. "We're very lucky. We were supposed to open at 11 a.m. and we ended opening a little later. Of course, everyone is concerned about the devastation in Japan."
For now, it's "business as usual" at Maui restaurants. I'o at 505 Front St. in Lahaina, one of many oceanfront establishments with luck on its side, will present the I'o Wine Club from 8 to 10 p.m. Friday, March 25. It costs $30 per person, and it includes food as well as beverages.
"I can tell you this," says Chef-partner James McDonald. "There will be live flamenco guitarists, a martini action station incorporating fresh seasonal fruits such as mango and Kula strawberries and our O'o Farm herbs along with farm-fresh pupu. We'll have Theo's Neighborhood Farm truffled egg bruschetta, Lahaina Hayden mango and troll-caught ahi ceviche, to name a few." Call 661-8422.
Launching its celebrity chef series Friday, Pacific Whale Foundation will do a gourmet sea cruise from 5 to 7 p.m. out of Lahaina Harbor. The series will showcase top Maui chefs throughout the year.
Craig Masuda, the executive chef of Hoaloha Na Eha Catering, the parent company of Old Lahaina Luau, Aloha Mixed Plate and the wildly popular Star Noodle, will be the featured culinarian Friday.
The three-course dinner offers a choice of Maui Cattle Co. top sirloin with Hamakua mushroom jus, or sustainable mahi-mahi in hot peanut oil with cilantro, ginger, garlic and Hamakua mushrooms.
The sit-down dinner will also include island greens, ono ceviche, Upcountry garden vegetable pilaf and medley, pineapple taro bread pudding with caramel sauce and three alcoholic beverages. Call 249-8811, or book cheaper tickets online at www.pacificwhale.org.
Bill Burton of Sir Wilfred's coffee and tobacco shop on Front Street in Lahaina met with me Friday hours after the tsunami hit. We could see where the ocean came up behind his building.
He's hatched an event for April 15, 16, and 17 that will surely jazz up Lahaina.
"It will be called the Front Street Jazz and Blues Walk and it will be kind of like a pub crawl. We'll bring in top name jazz artists, there will be no cover charge, and the idea will be for people to buy some drinks and food at each of the six participating restaurants."
Burton still needs some sponsorship help to bring in the heavy-hitting jazz artists. You may read more about how to help in my new blog, "As Maui Dines."
Funnyman George Lopez will bring his live comedy act to the MACC?in Kahului on Friday.
"Preshow food by Al Sabor Catering includes salmon tamales with avocado-cilantro sauce, chile relleno pablanos and barbecue pork nachoes, all served with black beans and Spanish rice Cabo Wabo margaritas will be flowing at the bars to quench your thirst!" says Lisa Haole, the MACC's food and beverage co-manager.
"Saturday night, we'll welcome ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro back to Castle Theater!" continues Haole. "Maui Flavors Catering will be on hand serving up Chef Will's kalua pig and cabbage plates, grilled teri chicken plates, veggie black-bean stir fries and crisp Caesar salads, to name a few. Wash it all down with an 'Ukulele Lady,'a sassy rum punch!"
Teddy's Bigger Burgers of Oahu will be opening at the Lahaina Gateway in the next few months. They'll be part of the classic car show event Saturday.
* Reach Dining Editor Carla Tracy at 242-6342.
