Trending
STAR TALK . . . How many people have flown out of Kahului Airport and dined and sipped at Sammy’s Beach Bar & Grill?
Owned by Maui resident and rock star Sammy Hagar, the HMSHost restaurant’s been in the TV reality show spotlight. Hagar was a judge on Friday along with Emeril Lagasse and global HMSHost restaurateur Jeff Steelman.
The show’s premise lets passionate, everyday cooks go head to head to get their winning creation featured in a restaurant. Frequent flyers will find the current winner at Sammy’s as well as at three other airport restaurants through 2014. Just ask for the “On The Menu” special.
Speaking of airports, Stinger Ray’s that is now under renovation at Kahului Airport, is expected to open before the holidays with an upgraded menu and beverages.
Known to millions as the star of “Iron Chef” and “Iron Chef America,” Masaharu Morimoto will be in town Sunday to celebrate the first anniversary of Morimoto’s Maui, situated oceanfront at Andaz Maui in Wailea.
Those who make a reservation at the anniversary bash are invited to join Morimoto in creating a 90-foot maki sushi roll in the lobby, followed by a seven-course omikase feast in the restaurant for $185 a pop, which includes sake and wine reception and additional pairings. For reservations or more details, call 243-4766.
Of course, celebrity winemakers will be a dime a dozen at Sip & Savor on Friday at Grand Wailea’s Reflections Pool and lawn. We’re talking “superstars” of wine, from Michael Dashe, owner-winemaker of Dashe Cellars to Dan Lee Morgan of Morgan Winery to Sean Minor, owner of Sean Minor Winery. This walkabout is a steal at $85 per person with gourmet fare. Call 875-1234.
As if these above-mentioned events weren’t enough for the star-struck crowd, the Four Seasons Resort Maui in Wailea will team up with premium California vintners for a reprise of the hugely popular Vintage Wine Weekend from Dec. 5 to 7.
The three-day wine extravaganza is part of the resort’s Unforgettable Events series, featuring master sommelier Roberto Viernes and elite vintners Dan Kosta of Kosta Browne; Donald Patz of Patz & Hall; Gary Burke of Costa de Oro; Steve Clifton of Brewer-Clifton; Paul Lato of Paul Lato Wines; Justin Willett of Tyler Winery; and Chris Carpenter of Cardinale Estate, under the Jackson Family Wine Collection.
Called “the best little wine event in the Pacific,” Vintage Wine Weekend will kick off with the Oceanfront Gala with 40 wines and action stations of gourmet cuisine. Makana will perform; and on another evening, violin virtuoso Elizabeth Pitcairn will impress with her Stradivarious that was crafted in 1720.
*****
BITS AND PIECES . . . Tucked away upstairs at 736 Front St., Lahaina, Sugar Cane Maui continues to entice crustacean lovers with 50 percent off of its lobster specials for dinner from 4 p.m. to closing on Sundays. Choose from lobster fondue, seafood risotto and lobster tail with petit filet. Call 214-6662.
Turkey Day is coming up fast and if you have a big family gathering, how about pumpkin/haupia ice cream for dessert this year? Maui’s Own Roselani Ice Cream has three-gallon tubs for family get-togethers or to share with friends. Pick up only at the Wailuku manufacturing facility after calling 244-7951, ext. 204. . . Tonight, Chef Lee Anderson will present an Interactive Chef’s Dinner Series in her Sugar Beach Events facility in Kihei with an eight-course tasting menu, paired with fine wines by Johnson Brothers. Cost is $150 per person. Call 856-6151.