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HONEY, I’M HOME! . . . To borrow a line from Jack Nicholson in “The Shining,” well, “I’m back!” I don’t mean to scare you, but Halloween is coming right up and then the holidays, and Maui is jumping.
So I’ll skip talking about my recent vacation and focus on Maui happenings.
The Rotary Club of Kihei Sunrise will host a Halloween Costume Dinner Cruise from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, aboard The Four Winds II sailing vessel.
Full barbecue dinner, beer, wine and soft drinks costs $65. For tickets, call 264-3468 or buy at www.kiheirotary.org. Space is limited to 120 passengers.
October is National Seafood Month and the Seascape Maalaea Restaurant at Maui Ocean Center is highlighting its fish tacos prepared by James Beard nominee Chef Henry Tariga. Featured for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily, the tacos are packed with sustainably caught, wild mahimahi on the American “Best Choices” list.
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BITS AND PIECES . . . Love Filipino fare? Then come be dazzled by the Master P-Noy Chef event Saturday, Oct. 18 at the annual Fil-Am Heritage Festival at the Maui Mall in Kahului.
The contestants include two-time defending champion Joey Macadangdang of Roy’s Ka’anapali, Isaac Bancaco of Ka’ana Kitchen at Andaz Maui and Riko Bartolome from Montage Kapalua Bay.
Grant Chun from A&B Properties, a local foodie and yours truly are the judges. Chef Sheldon Simeon of MiGRANT is hosting the event.
As it turns out, Simeon’s a busy boy. MiGRANT owner Shep Gordon organized a fishing trip for George Clinton, of Parliament Funkadelic, aka “godfather of funk,” who caught a 15-pound uku that Simeon prepared into uku sashimi, crab crusted uku and pesto-steamed uku.
Now, Simeon is planning the buffet for Willie K’s birthday bash at Mala Wailea Oct. 17. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Emcee is comedian Rodney Villanueva. Entertainment is a jazz trio with Brian Cuomo; and then Willie K’s band and special guests will perform. (By the way, it’s Shep’s birthday on Oct. 18). Cost of $75 includes buffet and show. VIP tickets for $150 include preferred seating and complimentary wine. Tickets are limited. Call 214-2842.
Master Sommelier Michael Jordan will host a Spire wines dinner at Molokini Bar & Grill in Makena on Saturday. Call 875-5888. Jordan will return to lead the Kapalua Wine & Food Festival June 11 to 14, 2015, and it’ll be smokin’ hot.
Pi Artisan Pizzeria in the former David Paul’s in Lahaina just rolled out its happy hour and late-night specials this week. Hopping from 3 to 5 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, happy hour features Kona Brew beers for $3.50, well cocktails for $4 and house wines for $5. Pizza rolls, Pi sausages and garlic bread are all priced under $5. Late night is 9 p.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays with drink discounts and 50 percent off all Pi classics.
Pi will also set the stage for the Maui Comedy Festival Oct. 30 through Nov. 2 in Lahaina, along with Longhi’s and Koa’s Seaside Grill, and others.
While on one hand, there are upcoming events galore, it’s sad to hear that so many restaurants are closing. Alan Wong’s Amasia, for instance, will close Nov. 8
Current dinner hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Local fans still have a month to enjoy their favorite menu items and the tatami rooms. The restaurant will most likely remain dark through the end of the year while a new concept is developed.
Kai Wailea closed. Maui Tacos in the Kihei Triangle has closed. And Fat Burgers in Pukalani closed.
But Fatt Chicks Burgers, Brews and Grill at the Waiehu Golf Course is rocking. In fact, word is spreading that it will present an ’80s dance band and drag show, starting at 8:30 p.m. on Halloween night. Dance between sets, and savor heavy pupu befitting a place called Fatt Chicks, for $15 cover. Call 242-6666.
Through October and November, Imua Family Services will get a portion of the proceeds from those eating the Chef’s Tasting Menu at Hula Grill Kaanapali. Now that’s not scary at all.