BREWING INTEREST . . . The Sullivan Family of Companies that runs Foodland Super Market and other groceries recently opened Maui's first Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in Wailea.
Situated ground floor in the Shops at Wailea, it's near the Sunglass Hut and the T-Shirt Factory. Indoor and outdoor seating, free Wi-Fi and long hours from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. are enticing coffee lovers.
So are the aromas of 32 varieties of the finest grades of Arabica coffee from specially selected estates around the world. In addition, you'll find tea lattes, keiki beverages, baked goods, light entrees for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and fun merchandise.
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Dine on grilled ono with tatsoi salad and pineapple salsa as part of a nightly tasting menu at Hula Grill in Kaanapali and a portion of the proceeds will go to Maui Cultural Lands trust.
Hula Grill photo
Readers are continuing to rave about Lahaina Fudge Co., which opened at 819 Front St. in December. It's got more than 20 fudge flavors such as chocolate pecan, maple walnut and chewy praline. Hawaiian flavors are Lava Flow, Maui lime, pineapple strawberry, banana chocolate and coconut crme. A quarter-pound of fudge sells for $3.95, and it's made fresh on site.
"We want to offer an inexpensive yet flavorful fudge to both tourists and locals that gives them a fun product to eat while walking along our famous Front Street," says Skip Scott, co-owner.
In addition, Scott says, "We want to work with corporate accounts, resorts, event planners and gift basket vendors to develop our wholesale business."
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BITS AND PIECES . . . Are you a craft beer lover? If so, please note the fourth annual Maui Brewers Festival will flow on Saturday, May 19, outdoors on the grounds of Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului.
I listed the wrong date in a story I wrote for the Sunday Currents section, and the MACC wants to make sure you see the correct info here. Sorry about that!
Acclaimed Chef Beverly Gannon may not be able to act, but she's similar to Meryl Streep in the sense that she's been nominated multiple times for an award. A James Beard Award, the "Oscars of the food industry," that is. This time around, she's been named a semifinalist for "Best Chef in the Pacific." Finalists will be announced soon.
It's musical chairs time. Cafe 808 that used to be in Kula will open soon in Waikapu. In its former spot across from Morihara Store is now Kula Bistro.
"We opened last Wednesday and have been pretty much slammed ever since," says partner Hugh Boggs. "The public is happy we're here - seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Kula really needed another place to dine besides Kula Lodge and Grandma's."
Some of you may remember Boggs' partner Luciano Zanon, who was chef at the old Luigi's at Maui Mall back in the day. He's doing pizzas, breads and pasta as well as local food and a slew of mixed plates.
The oceanfront Hula Grill in Kaanapali will donate part of the proceeds from its nightly Chef's Tasting Menu to Maui Cultural Lands Inc., a Maui-based trust organization whose mission is to stabilize, protect and restore Hawaiian cultural resources. Dine on the three-course meal at any time from 4:45 to 5:45 p.m. daily at a cost of $25.95 and the trust benefits.
"Preservation is one of those things that people often overlook until something is depleted or in limited existence - protecting things today ensures that future generations can experience them later," says Hula Grill's General Manager Orrin Cross.
Entree choices include mac nut-crusted mahimahi in a lemon beurre blanc; Thai curried vegetables and tofu with jasmine rice; kiawe grilled petite filet of beef with shiitake mushroom risotto; and more.
Ulupalakua Ranch will come alive this Sunday with a daylong tribute to late sculptor Reems Mitchell, who carved the cowboy statues on the deck of the Ulupalakua Ranch Store (You may also have seen his Sea Captain in front of the Pioneer Inn in Lahaina). Called "Ulupalakua Remembers," the event will display a number of Mitchell's whimsical statues.
Enjoy music all day by top Maui artists and food specials by new ranch store's new chef, Will Munder, who was most recently the chef at Kula Lodge. Dig into elk burgers, Maui Cattle Co, brisket, chili and rice and more. Sip wine at the King's Cottage Tasting Room.
"Come on up and celebrate one of Ulupalakua's most famous residents," says Sumner Erdman, Ulupalakua Ranch president. "With so much history here, one of our goals is to share the legacy with you!"
