AROUND THE TOWN . . . I'm just back on island after attending a few events of Vegas Uncork'd by Bon Appetit in Sin City. One lunch celebrated the 20th anniversary of Spago at Caesar's Palace. We hear Wolfgang Puck was the first name chef to rock that city, now inundated with everyone from Gordon Ramsey of "Hell's Kitchen" to Alain Ducasse.
Wolfgang's Spago Maui at Four Seasons Resort Maui will participate in the upcoming Four Pinots at Four Seasons in June (see story, page 18).
Also on Maui, a wild rumor is starting to circulate. One, from a very reputable source, says Sir Elton John is fishing around to open a restaurant here. He also says Ramsey's right-hand man is a consultant.
Article Photos
Wolfgang Puck (standing) hugs Robin Leach at the recent Vegas Uncork’d By Bon Appetit. Puck celebrated 20 years in Sin City with a luncheon party.
The Maui News / CARLA TRACY photo
Specializing in fresh fish entrees, A.K.'s Cafe on Lower Main Street in Wailuku has just reopened for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with delivery service, to boot. At night, do try the roasted prime rib dinner on the first and third Friday of each month.
At the Morrissey concert Friday at Maui Arts & Cultural Center, the food to be served will be all vegetarian as the artist is, too. Stella Blues Cafe will cater the menu, starting at 5:30 p.m. in Yokouchi Pavilion Courtyard. Dine on an array of vegetables in yellow coconut-curry sauce over brown rice; arugula, spinach and beets salad; or hummus plate with pita bread and veggies.
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Fact Box
Got restaurant / dining event scoop? Call Dining Editor Carla Tracy at 242-6342; or email carlatracy@mauinews.com.
BITS AND PIECES . . . . Makawao Third Friday Town Party is coming up this week and of course, there will be lots of vendors selling food here and there.
In addition, Pizza Fresh on Makawao Avenue has a $4.99 special of Greek, Caesar or garden salad with a slice of fresh pizza. All of the sauces are housemade and the salad produce is mainly local.
"I also make hummus from scratch and you may order in a sandwich or wrap just like portabella fillings, pulled pork, and turkey burgers," says Pizza Fresh manager Zipporah Chanan, who has won culinary awards.
Mark your calendars for June 3, the next Ulupalakua Sunday Drive event spread on the grounds of Ulupalakua Ranch and Tedeschi Vineyards. That's when new winemaker Mauricio Soler and the Ranch Store's Chef Will Munder will wow you with new tastes.
"We will be releasing a special package of our 2009 and 2010 Plantation Red Maui Syrah vintages," says Maui's Winery President Paula Hegele. "And Chef Munder will introduce new lunch creations using Ulupalakua beef, lamb and elk and wine, of course."
Lumeria is the new educational retreat in a former historic Baldwin estate above Paia that everyone is talking about. Beside offering Buzzy Kerbox surf lessons and Hawaiian cultural classes, it provides complimentary breakfast and morning yoga daily during your stay. The chef is interesting as well.
"My most recent work has been as chef on board a luxury yacht based in Antibes, France," says Chef Bob Diamond. "For two seasons, my cuisine was primarily regional French, Mediterranean, Japanese and Thai."
Diamond also was chef at Omega Institute in New York making organic food for yogic lifestyles and is a graduate of New England Culinary Institute. You may visit the retreat's website at www.lumeriamaui.com.
Chef Mark Ellman of Mala Ocean Tavern in Lahaina just sent me an email with a picture of he and his wife, Judy, in a cooking class in Umbria. Can't wait to taste the pasta when they get back.
Ellman, who published the book, "Practice Aloha," uses that phrase regularly and his employees wear T-shirts with it silk-screened on the back. In the email image he sent, he's saying "Practice Antipasto."
The former Broke Da Mouth Cookie Co. in Kahului has a new name and it's a mouthful. It's now called Papa Toad's Broke Da Mouth Bakery.
"It started off as a cookie and cake shop and now we're turning it into a full-fledged bakery," says new owner Dala Mahoney. My husband is a master pie baker who worked for Marie Callender's for 25 years before he started his own company. His name is Mike Mahoney, and he really is the big pie guy. Former owner, Pastry Chef Lloyd Yokoyama, will stay on to bake his famous concoctions, which will now be called Uncle Lloyd's Signature Cookies."
Executive Chef Marc McDowell of Makena Beach & Golf will do a cooking demo at 5:30 p.m. Monday at Whole Food Market Kahului.
