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AS MAUI TURNS. . . A private opening party was held last week in Paia for the new Hana Provision Co. and all in attendance were dazzled by the farm-fresh food and the ag look of the old Dazoo location.
Made-from-scratch burgers were made with ranch beef, caramelized onions and horseradish aioli; and butternut squash risotto was crunchy-creamy, popping with flavors of arugula and parmesan.
Beverly Gannon was there, right before she hopped a plane to Ketchikan, Alaska, to be featured in an episode of “Let’s Go Fishing.” She’s still lamenting the closure of Joe’s Nuevo Latino in Wailea, but she’s working on a way to get it up and running again.
Gannon told me about the August Restaurant Business News magazine, with a story about Kahului, Wailuku and Lahaina being voted the “No. 1 best market for restaurant growth in the country.”
“Holding on to the top spot from 2014, this Maui locale has sales of almost $5,000 per capita,” the article reads. Giovanni Cappelli, owner of Bistro Casanova in Kahului, was featured, saying that his area differs from Lahaina “in quantity as well as price range.”
The second top place to open a restaurant in the U.S. is Kapaa, Kauai, followed by Las Vegas, Sevierville, Tenn., and Starkville, Miss. The good news is, Kahului will soon be home to another winner.
“I took over the Koko Ichiban-ya in Kahului,” says “Top Chef” finalist Sheldon Simeon, still at Mala Wailea and Migrant in South Maui.
“It’s going to be called the Tin Roof, a local plate-lunch spot, but it’s not going to be your normal food because of my chef background. We’ll open hopefully by October. We’re finally starting construction. In the meantime, look for pop ups around town.” Simeon hopes to partner with Mark Ellman and Shep Gordon in another Central Maui spot. Ellman just turned 60 this week. Congrats!
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BITS AND PIECES Burger lovers will want to sink teeth into the half-pound patty of hand-ground Angus chuck, brisket and butcher’s tender served at the Barefoot Bar at Hula Grill Ka’anapali. It’s where you can dig your toes in the sand, listen to live music, sip libations and enjoy ocean views.
“In the Dining Room, guests are all about our multiple preparations of fresh fish and the 28-day, dry-aged Hawaiian ribeye with salt, pepper and housemade Worchestershire,” says Hula Grill’s Katie Say.
As part of the First Sunday music series from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. this weekend, Hawaiian Legend Hall of Famer and multi Na Hoku rntertainer of the year winner Palani Vaughan will perform at Hula Grill with Executive Chef Charlie Owens and veteran chefs such as Bobby Masters creating their magic.
Anthony Bourdain first exposed the underbelly of the chef world with “Kitchen Confidential.” Now, everyone’s talking about “Burnt,” which will be in theaters Oct. 23. Bradley Cooper plays a chef struggling with drug abuse who strives to open the most successful restaurant in the world. Uma Thurman also stars.
Island Gourmet Markets will open Sept. 15 at The Shops at Wailea and Pint & Cork will begin construction hopefully this week with plans of a November opening, says Brian Yano, new mall general manager.
The 27th annual Garden Party will benefit the Maui Academy of Performing Arts from 1 to 5 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Yokouchi Family Estate in Wailuku. There will be 17 participating restaurants, from Cafe O’Lei to Monkeypod Kitchen to Aria’s Restaurant & Catering. Cost is $75 in advance and $85 at the event. Beverages included. Call 244-8760 or visit www.mauiacademy.org.