Trending
NEW IN WAILEA . . . In last week’s Side Orders, I waxed poetic in regards to 4th of July hot dogs and the history of the frankfurter.
This week, it’s all about upcoming events, new places and fun menus. Fustini’s Oils & Vinegars opened just last week, taking over part of Celebrities Gallery upstairs in the Shops at Wailea. With five locations in Michigan, Fustini’s Maui is the first in the state. Owner Jim Milligan says he procures only just-crushed and harvested oils.
“Right now, we are importing from countries such as Peru, New Zealand and Australia in the Southern Hemisphere; and from Spain and California.,” says Milligan.
The giant, oil-and-vinegar tasting room features flavors like cherry Balsamic and chipotle oil. Mix them together and you’ve got the perfect pork marinade. Or pick blood orange or gremolata flavors.
Also at the Shops at Wailea, construction is underway for the new Island Country Market, a 16,000-square-foot, free standing, farm-to-table grocery.
“It will be on the Kihei side of the parking lot up by BCBG, and Louis Vuitton,” says Bob Dye, general manager of the tony shopping mall. “It will tie in seamlessly and should be quite nice. We’re really excited.”
The Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui renovated its former Polo Beach Grille & Bar, changed its name and held a traditional Hawaiian blessing last week for the new Ama Bar & Grill. “Fairmont was one of the first hotels to offer a canoe program, and we noticed diners here liked to watch the canoes come in and out of the water,” says Executive Chef Tylun Pang. “So we named it ‘Ama,’ after the canoe’s float. Basically, we serve fun, light beach fare, like the kind you’d find at a canoe club potluck.”
I checked it out last week, and let me tell you, it was better than anything I ever ate in my canoe paddling years. Move over, hulihuli chicken! Plus, Ama has a swim-up bar, and the resort’s paddlers, who take guests out four times a day on the ocean, will teach poke making.
Menu highlights include the Beach Boy bento; Maui kine sliders, pupu platter and daily plate lunches, such as today’s grilled seafood skewers.
“Friday, it’s kalua pig and ahi poke combo plate,” Pang continues. “I make salsa for the fresh fish tacos from local tomatoes and use Yee’s mangos, too. I’m a big supporter of farmers and fishers.”
*****
MUSIC TO MY EARS . . . A couple of epic concerts are coming to Maui this week, and the food will be perfect pairings. For instance, at the Mick Fleetwood show tonight at Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului, Fleetwood’s on Front St. will cater the preshow food, such as mahimahi tacos, MF burgers with caramelized onions, and grilled chicken Caesars for $12 to $14.
(I segue here -At Fleetwood’s Lahaina restaurant, a Harley Davidson Hog Burger just sold for $33,791.81. Yes, you heard it right. A one-pound beef burger with all of the fixings and the rock star’s custom, soft-tail Harley Davidson motorcycle was delivered to the door of Rebecca L. North and Kenyon Snider. A check for $500 will go to a charity of the couple’s choosing.)
At the 2014 Summer Reggae Festival with headliner Maxi Priest on Friday at Maui Tropical Plantation, the $5 food items will take your palate on a joy ride to Jamaica. “I’ll make Rasta Pasta, Lemme Spring Roll Up a Spliff; Jawaiian jerk pork sliders on coconut sweet rolls, Jah’s ‘magic’ mushroom cakes, and Ketchafire wings,” says MTP’s Executive Chef Marc McDowell.
We hear the chef had fun crafting the menu names with the help of MTP’s Director of Entertainment Rick Barnes, who was in talent management with clients Ron Wood, Britney Spears and Ozzie Osbourne. Beer and wine will be available. If you’d like more info on these concerts, see Events on Page 10. . . Actor and comedian Bill Bellamy and his family were just spotted at 5 Palms in Kihei. He was an opening act for Janet Jackson back in the day.