STORM OF ACTIVITY . . . When the Maui Film Festival's 'FirstLight' returns to the Maui Arts & Cultural Center on Sunday, one opening film will be "Crossfire Hurricane," a documentary on the legendary Rolling Stones.
"What better catering vendor to go with this title than Monsoon India?" says the MACC's Lisa Haole, codirector of food and beverage.
"Chef-owner Hari Reddy will be serving up his signature Indian dishes of chicken tikka Masala and coconut veggie curry for the festival's first three nights. All entrees come with steamed rice and naan and are reasonably priced at $10 each," Haole continues.
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Molly Wilson will officially open her Old Wailuku Grill today starting with lunch in the former Cafe O’Lei location next to Iao Theater in our historic county seat.
CARLA TRACY photo
"Check out the MACC bars for nightly drink specials geared towards the film titles and luscious desserts are served with Maui Oma Coffee nightly." (See more FirstLight details.)
Wailuku keeps kicking up its culinary offerings a notch or two. Now, Wailuku Coffee Co. will debut its new pupu platter night starting at 4 p.m. Friday and diners may BYOB. Pau-hana musicians will perform, followed by the Hand Jive Trio later with Gene Argel and Michael Buono. Savor platters of antipasto or trio of cheeses and enjoy desserts from the case.
The Old Wailuku Grill officially opens for lunch today in the former Cafe O'Lei spot on Market Street. "We'll serve lunch only from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday for now," says owner-chef Molly Wilson. "But we'll be open every night for holiday parties, so book your functions now while there is still space."
Fact Box
Got restaurant / dining-event scoop? Call Dining Editor Carla Tracy at 242-6342; or email carlatracy@mauinews.com.
Menu items are sauteed calamari, artichoke dip, roasted tomato-basil soup, fresh-roasted turkey sandwiches and loco moco all day long. It's BYOB until we get our license," says Molly.
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OFF THE CHARTS . . . When a music lover hears "Stradivarious," they know that it's a world-class violin. When a wine lover hears "Opus One," they know Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe Rothschild created one heck of a red wine. On Dec. 7, the Four Seasons Resort Maui in Wailea will pair the two at the Red Violin Opus One Event and we'll have more info next week.
Speaking of wine, the inaugural Wailea Wine & Food Festival will be uncorked resort wide Dec. 6 to 9 and we hear kamaaina discounts are being offered for all festival tickets and passes. The Grillin' and Chillin' oceanfront party Dec. 9 with winemakers, picnic tables and live music sounds like a ton of casual fun. Go online to book at www.waileawineandfoodfestival.com.
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BITS AND PIECES . . . Planning to bake pies for the holidays? Practice makes perfect, so enter the Pumpkin Pie Bake-off Friday at the Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa and vie for prizes such as a $200 gift card to Costco; Te Au Moana Luau for two; or third prize of lunch for two at the resort's Kumu restaurant.
You need not be present to win. Just drop off pies from 8 to 9 a.m. Friday. All entries will receive a small gift and the winner's recipe will be used and baked into special treats for hotel guests.
Speaking of pies, Honu Seafood & Pizza in Lahaina is taking orders through Friday for pick up starting at 9 a.m. the day before Thanksgiving. Selections range from mixed nut pecan to papaya-cherry poha berry to vegan and gluten-free squash and sweet potato pie.
The second annual Paia Pie Contest will attract dessert lovers from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at La'a Kea Farm at 639 Baldwin Ave. with crafts, tractor rides, music, plants, organic veggies and more. Entry fee of $10 allow you to sample and judge pies.
Those who want to grab a bite to eat for lunch at Whole Foods Market in Kahului will find live music every Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Robbie Ray and Dave Graber recently played outdoors there, and diners tapped their feet and grooved to the sounds of live jazz.
Marco's Grill & Deli is the perfect place to enjoy a nice breakfast, when out shopping near all of the big box stores for the holidays. Do check out the daily breakfast special of two eggs, toast and potatoes for $5.95.
Starting today through Dec. 15, Pineapple Grill Kapalua is running the "five courses for $50" menu, designed by new Executive Chef Isaac Bancaco. Courses include misoyaki New Zealand king salmon, Asian-braised Kobe-style short ribs, Maui Gold pineapple upside-down cake with caramel Foster's sauce and more.
"Wine Director Tony Guerrero and Chef Isaac have hand selected outstanding wine pairings to be offered at half price when ordering this special menu," says Managing Partner Chris Kaiwi. Call 669-9600.
