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IN A NANO SECOND . . . Putting a smile on my face for decades was Robin Williams. Then in a nano second, he was gone. Hurricanes Iselle and Julio were coming, and then they shifted, damaging and flooding only parts of the state, like Ulupalakua and Puna.
Some restaurants battened down the hatches and closed for the storm, like Mama’s Fish House. Now that the coast is clear, literally, I say head straight to its oceanfront spot in Kuau now for the new seared-ono entree with dipping sauce and housemade poi. It’s well, ono!
Others, like A Saigon Cafe in Wailuku, decided to stay open with a little party. Owner Jennifer Nguyen says that she also presents these intimate wine-and-cheese parties on the last Thursday of each month.
“The parties are small and limited,” she says. “So it’s best to make reservations in advance. The next one is Aug. 28, and we’ll serve a cheese, baguette and fruit platter; two entrees and one noodle dish; and pour five wines by Paradise Beverages.” Cost is $30. Call 243-9560.
Nguyen will also cater preshow Vietnamese fare for the run of “Miss Saigon” at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center Friday, Saturday and Sunday and beyond. “We will make chow fun, crispy chicken, local spicy eggplant, salmon special and green papaya salad,” she says.
When I stopped by Mana Foods in Paia the day Iselle was coming, partner Theresa Thielk was amazed that shoppers were making a run on the strawberries.
“We have all of this water, and everyone is consumed with buying Kula strawberries,” she said.
The illustrious store is also rockin’ and rollin’ with all kinds of new enticements, such as the deli case, which allows you to access hot foods. And, Mana plans to open a restaurant on Baldwin Avenue! “It’s called Maka Mana, and it’s going to be a raw-food establishment with sit-down service for lunch and dinner with beverages,” says Thielk.
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BITS AND PIECES . . . Casual Umalu poolside at Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa just divided its all-day menu into lunch and dinner options.
“The dinner menu is smaller, but the flavors are bigger,” says Executive Chef Greg Grohowski. “We still have Uncle Kimo’s ahi poke nachos, salads, pizzas and entrees like bacon, pea and pesto tortellini, but now you have the option to create your own meal.”
Basically, you select one protein with a choice of three preparations, a sauce and two sides. And it’s got an extensive drink menu and live music.
The Hyatt will also set the stage for the beachfront Kitchen Stadium Under The Maui Moon with celebrated chefs such as Ming Tsai joining host Grohowski, Roy Yamaguchi, Alan Wong and more Aug. 31 as part of the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival.
Preceding it the evening before on Aug. 30 will be the Ka’anapali Fresh Food & Wine Festival from Range to Sea outdoors and under the stars at Royal Ka’anapali Golf Course’s scenic Hole 3.
Kamakakehau Fernandez and Hapa will perform for the diners’ pleasure, according to Shelly Kekuna, Ka’anapali Beach Resort Association’s executive director. “Tickets are now available. For more details, you may visit our website at www.kaanapalifresh.com.”
This Saturday, Ocean Vodka Organic Farm in Kula will present a farm-to-table benefit dinner and food-focused film festival for the Maui Huliau Foundation. Chefs include Isaac Bancaco of Andaz Maui, Lyndon Honda of Laulima Events and John Cadman of Pono Pies, among others featured in this week’s Maui Scene. Call 757-2100.
Plantation House’s Winemaker Series continues this month with special bottle pricing on Cakebread Cellars wines that pair with Executive Chef Jojo Vasquez’s farm-to-table tasting menu. Call 669-6299. . . Maui Calls, the annual gala fundraiser for the MACC, has now been rescheduled for Sept. 27. Things change, in a nano second.