FILM FESTIVAL FUN . . . Gearing up for the Maui Film Festival at Wailea June 13 to 17? The Celestial Cinema is situated behind Gannon's: A Pacific View Restaurant. So you may indulge in Dinner & A Movie and get complimentary self parking and a beach chair in a special section. You must spend a minimum of $29 per person on dining. Film tickets are extra. Reservations are limited.
Other fun film festival food events, such as the Taste of Chocolate Friday, June 15 at the Four Seasons Resort Maui, include films at Celestial Cinema.
"This year, the dessert stations will be a lot of fun," says FSRM's Executive Pastry Chef Rhonda Ashton-Chavez. "Waffles will be made to order, ice cream will be made on cold stones with a variety of fillings, and mini donuts will be coming out of our station."
Article Photos
Phina Gogue of Buzz’s Wharf in Maalaea showcases the Markea prawn wrap that is part of the new Healthy and Gluten free menu at the landmark on the harbor.
BUZZ’S WHARF / photo
In addition, "There will be tubes of different flavored ganaches; cake lollipops and salted caramel cones. If you love chocolate, this is your event!"
For more details, visit www.mauifilmfestival.com.
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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 . . . Don't forget, Ulupalakua Sunday Drive is coming up this weekend, spread on the grounds of Ulupalakua Ranch and Tedeschi Vineyards. Take a drive upcountry, view jacaranda blossoms, and sip 2009 and 2010 vintages by new winemaker Mauricio Soler and savor elk and beef burgers by the Ranch Store's Chef Will Munder.
Buzz's Wharf in Maalaea just launched a healthy and gluten-free menu, in addition to its regular items, to better accommodate and meet the dietary needs and wishes of all of its guests. Gluten-free appetizers include wraps filled with veggies, Markea prawns or lemongrass chicken; while the entrees are pulehu chicken, fresh catch, grilled petit filet mignon and stir-fry veggies.
The new healthy and gluten-free menu offers appetizer, entree, and dessert options which allows customers to create a full meal, or to mix and match its regular menu. From the Markea prawns wrap appetizer, to the simply strawberry dessert, this menu is delicious from start to finish," says GM Marla Braun-Miller.
In addition, Buzz's rocks with Kanikapila Thursdays with live music and drink and pupu specials. New June hours are 4 to 7:30 p.m. You get $5 margaritas and wines, $4 well drinks, $3 domestic beers and 30 percent off select pupu such as poisson cru, ahi poke, crab-stuffed mushrooms and jumbo onions rings.
On June 21, Buzz's will move it Kanakapila Thursday to the front lawn, with extended hours and more performers, including hula dancers.
Nearby at the Maalaea Harbor Shops, the Waterfront is gearing up to open in its new spot by mid June. "We have 50 people a day calling, asking when we'll be up and running," says partner Gary Smith.
"In our old location, we had 12 parking stalls. Now we will have 400 at the mall," says Smith, who owns the place with his brother Rick Smith and their mother, Donna Smith. "We have all new China, silverware, glassware and table tops. We'll open with dinner service and start lunch two months later."
Four Seasons Resorts Lanai has just debuted the Social Butterfly, which allows guests to "check in" via smart phone and order cocktails sans a bartender.
What to do on the last day of May? Dip, sip and share at the fourth anniversary party of The Melting Pot and partake in the opening party of its sister restaurant, 100 Wines, both upstairs in Lahaina Center.
The party runs from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday and there will be live music by Indio and Avi as well as pupu, wine and fondue for $50 per person.
Makena Beach & Golf Resort's got a newly renovated Pool Bar & Grill that is jumping with fun food and drink options. Check out the new brick pizza oven and outdoor grill there.
Makena also has new happy-hour specials at two different locations, from 4:30 to 6:30 daily at Cafe on the Green on Makena Golf Course and one from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Molokini Bar & Grill. In the latter, dive into fried calamari, kalua pork fries with a gruyere bechamel, poke of the day, and shrimp kebob. Drinks range from housemade sangria to island mojitos.
Are you a student chef who needs a scholarship? There's a fancy little culinary organization, the Les Amis d'Escoffier Society of Hawaii, which wants to give $1,000 to a Hawaii student. You must already be enrolled in a culinary, wine or hospitality program. The deadline is Friday. You may call Alfred Vollenweider at 572-5200.
