STARRY NIGHTS . . . In his big screen persona in "Sex and the City," actor Chris Noth as "Mr. Big" was a bad boy, bailing from his wedding to character Carrie Bradshaw.
But in real life, actor Noth, 57, was there all the way last week when he tied the knot on Maui to longtime girlfriend Tara Wilson, 30. The couple's intimate beach wedding was in Wailea, and the reception was at Gannon's: Pacific View Restaurant.
Word has it guests dined on baby Romaine, crab cakes with a sweet chilli sauce, macadamia-crusted island fish with mango-ginger beurre blanc and braised short ribs with whipped potatoes.
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Executive Chef Eric Faivre of Grand Wailea will take two of his restaurant chefs to New York City to cook at the James Beard House in early May. The team will cook two gourmet meals with Hawaiian ingredients.
Grand Wailea photo
The much anticipated Alan Wong's Amasia will roll out with a soft opening Tuesday in the former Kincha in the Grand Wailea, mainly for hotel guests. The celebrated chef and owner, Alan Wong, won't be around until closer to the grand opening date, May 25.
Speaking of the Grand Wailea, three of its top chefs will cook at the prestigious James Beard House in New York City's Greenwich Village in early May.
The hotel's Executive Chef Eric Faivre, Bistro Molokini Chef Mike Lofaro, and Humuhumunukunukuapua'a Chef Isaac Bancaco will wow the jaded palates in the Big Apple with ahi tartare, pine nuts and breadfruit crisps; Maui Cattle Co. short ribs with edamame and spring pea puree; and Molokai shrimp and tako salad with chorizo, parsley, green olive puttanesca and more.
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BITS AND PIECES . . . As usual, there will be lots of food booths as well as restaurant specials Friday in the heart of paniolo country.
From 6 to 9 p.m. the Makawao Third Friday Town Party will come alive with a spring fashion show, pony rides, art show, poetry slam and live music.
Throughout town, you'll find food vendors such as Star Anise with Indian cuisine, Outrigger Pizza with hot slices, Island Tacos with Mexican fare and a Puerto Rican Food Truck with pasteles and more.
You may also savor ribs by Famous Dave's Barbecue, jams and jellies by SoMoor, franks with the works by Relish the Dog and frozen dessert treats by Shaka Pops and Da Local Banana.
Of course, restaurants such as Makawao Steak House and Stopwatch Sports Bar & Grill will be jumping with happy hours and specials, too.
The results of the 2012 Opinionated About Dining poll just came in and only one Maui restaurant made the grade to be in the top 10 in Hawaii. More than 3,000 people, with many being top food bloggers, voted Mama's Fish House in Kuau with the second highest rating in the state behind Le Mer in Honolulu.
According to Mama's General Manager Tami Joslin, a Hawaiian monk seal recently parked itself on the beach in front of the Kuau restaurant, "kissing" Leila, the outrigger canoe, for all to see.
"We contacted the DLNR and they came out and roped off the area around her to keep her safe," says Joslin. "She is quite fertile, apparently producing a lot of pups, and she's a a grandmother, too!"
At the entrance to Kaanapali, Paradise Grill just had its soft opening this week upstairs in the former Tia Juana's. Its sister restaurant, Mello's, is downstairs in the old Donavon Frankenreiter's Margarita House. Both are owned by Dave Mello of Roundtable Pizza.
Entry fees are less if you enter by this Saturday in Lahaina Canoe Club's upcoming Restaurant Races, set for May 12 at Hanako'o Beach Park in Kaanapali.
"Restaurants, resorts and Maui businesses will compete in quarter-mile sprints in six-man outrigger canoes, in hopes of wining the coveted Koa Paddle Trophy to display in their place of business for one year," says canoe club member Laura Greene.
Congratulations go to the 2011 winners Old Lahaina Lu'au, Feast at Lele, Mama's Fish House, Hula Grill and Lahaina Fish Co. This year's divisions include: Novice, Novice Co-Ed, Masters, Masters Co-Ed and Manager's Open Four. Call 385-1801 for details.
Want to get in the laughing state of mind for the George Lopez comedy show Friday at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului? "Sip the 'Hot Tamale,' a Cabo Wabo margarita with house-made sweet 'n' sour, Citronge and agave, shaken to perfection and served in a spicy salted-rim cup," say Food and Beverage Managers Lisa Haole and Luana Argel. Catering the pre-show food starting at 6 p.m. will be Maui Tacos with grilled chicken and cilantro mojo; poblano chile relleno and pork carnitas.
