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NEW IN WAILEA . . . As music by Carlos Santana rocked the dining room, I looked up to see Zorro making a “Z” mark with his sword on a man saying, “This is so the devil knows who sent you” on the large, black-and-white projection near the ceiling. Skull art ruled, like Day of the Dead in Mexico. Enticing aromas of pescada Veracruzana and Peruvian ceviche wafted from the new exhibition kitchen as dishes were cooked inside.
The new Joe’s Nuevo Latino restaurant in Wailea was a sea of Maui industry insiders, such as Bud Pikrone of Wailea Community Assoc., Mark Nigbur of Hali’imaile Distillery, Yvonne Biegel of Grand Wailea and Annie Polk of Southern Wine & Spirits.
They were sipping fun tequila cocktails and savoring fare from Latino countries, like the chochinta crispy-braised pork shank with black beans and jicama slaw, and the pollo asado of grilled chicken with recado negro, saffron rice and roasted mini veggies.
Original owners Joe and Beverly Gannon were there making the rounds and taste testing, and so were their new managing partners, Greg Shepherd and Roger Stettler, who are still pumped up about their wins for their Cow Pig Bun at the recent ‘Aipono Awards. Maui’s newest hot spot opened Wednesday.
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FORK TO FARM . . . Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, Fresh Island Herbs and Maui Wines are partnering for the second Black Rock Dinner and Farm Series on May 22 and 23 at the Kaanapali resort.
The best part is, you can attend one of the events or both, starting with a five-course dinner at the oceanfront resort’s Black Rock Kitchen.
Led by Sheraton’s Executive Chef Greg Gaspar, the dinner offers local food and wine pairings as you engage him, along with the winemaker and the herb farmer in a fun, talk-story session. The next morning, you may also join them Upcountry to see their operations and savor a cooking demo and gourmet lunch in the field.
“The ability to meet the chef and the farmer at the same time with some incredible dishes and ‘talk story’ while breaking bread is as authentic as it gets when it comes to being ‘local’ and having a ‘local’ experience,” says Brian Hunnings, executive assistant manager of the Sheraton Maui. Tickets are on sale now at www.sheraton-mauicom or by calling (808) 921-4600.
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BITS AND PIECES . . . Biegel was a veritable wealth of information about the Maui Film Festival at Wailea to screen June 3 to 7.
She said that the Taste of Summer Opening Party will be presented at Grand Wailea as an oceanfront gala from 5 to 7 p.m. June 3. Highlights include a make-your-own poke station, a towering raw bar of crab, oysters and sea veggies along with tray-passed pupu. Read all about the festival’s culinary lineup in Island Events section.
The excitement is mounting for the 34th Kapalua Wine & Food Festival from June 11 to 14. The slate of activities will celebrate top culinary trends and vintages of premium, hard-to-find wines. There are a limited number of early-bird discounted tickets available until May 15. For details, visit www.kapaluawineandfoodfestival.com.
Pineapple Grill is bringing back industry night. Join the team at the “Cheers” bar of Kapalua every Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. for discounted drinks, pupus with live music. The restaurant also offers happy hour starting at 3:30 p.m. for early birds.
Today and Friday, teachers will get “extra credit” when dining at IHOP in the Maui Mall with a free entree and a free coffee. In addition, students may pick up a nomination form and vote for their favorite teacher, who can then come in and get their gift until May 31. Forms will be displayed in the restaurant for recognition.