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YEAR OF MONKEYING . . What is that saying, “The older the fiddle, the sweeter the tune?” That’s my new line in 2016. Although I feel less like a Stradivarius than a gutbucket instrument after a tough 2015 of losing my mom and other family issues.
Yes, like Cheetah fleeing lions in “Tarzan,”? I’m swinging into the Year of the Monkey fast, wondering “where did the time go?” This year, I will mark 35 years at The Maui News – proving that this is the oldest newspaper on island. And I’ll open a new chapter to become a sexagenarian. But is “sex” part of it?
It’s nice to know that there are those in the industry older than me. Take, for instance, musicians Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, Kiss frontmen and co-founding partners in Paia restaurant, Rock & Brews.
They are launching the Pizza Palooza Rock Star Pizza Contest, in which you may design an inspiring pizza to win a swag bag and a $100 gift card. One lucky winner will go to a Pizza Palooza event in February and get an autographed gift. For more details or to enter, you may visit www.rockandbrews.com.
Baby boomers know all about “Rastafarians.” Now, the word is spreading that IHOP at the Maui Mall in Kahului is helping “breakfastarians” eat as many pancakes as they like through Feb. 14.
Order and finish either five famous buttermilk cakes or a short stack of two with eggs, hash browns and breakfast meats and you can keep ordering a short stack time and again until you’re pau.
Sink your teeth into prime rib dinners from 5 p.m. until supplies last on Sundays at Sugar Cane Maui in Lahaina for 50 percent off. You may also get 50 percent off tapas from 8:30 p.m. to close. Hmm. . . isn’t owner Philippe Chin older than me? He hangs out with Sam Choy who has a new poke cookbook out, and he’s older. I know that famous chef Mark Ellman is about 60. His Honu Seafood & Pizza oceanfront in Lahaina will untap the Maui & Colorado Tap Takeover at 5 p.m. today.
“We are tapping an awesome lineup of year-round and limited-release craft beers from our own Maui Brewing Co. and four of the best in Colorado,” says MBC owner Garrett Marrero (younger), who was recently elected to the board of directors of the Brewers Association.
Also on a youthful note, award-winning bartender James Shoemaker is shaking things up poolside at The Cabanas at Hotel Wailea. Its fabulous spa there allows you to “retox” with clean cocktails after, say, a yoga session or a whale of a workout in the gym. . . Speaking of cocktails, whiskey lovers young and old will want to attend Whiskey Business at the Montage Kapalua Bay’s Cane & Canoe Bar at 5:30 p.m. Friday. Three mixologists will mix it up and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Maui Visitors Industry Charity Walk. Cost is $40 for three cocktails and light pupu and free valet parking. Call 662-6681.
Willie K (who goes by “Uncle Willie K” but who I hear is younger than me), will host legendary bluesman Taj Mahal along with Michael McDonald and Steven Tyler (all older) at his annual Willie K BBQ Blues Fest Friday and Saturday at King Kamehameha Golf Club in Waikapu (see Maui Beat on Page 3 for lineup and ticket prices).
Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. with a la carte marinated boneless chicken breast, barbecued baby-back pork ribs, grilled fresh island fish and salads. Sip Maui’s own PAU Vodka, Boneshaker zinfandel and local beers.
VIP admission includes a meet ‘n’ greet with distiller Mark Nigbur (who looks 38 but acts 12 and feels like he’s 98) of Hali’imaile Distillery and winemaker Paul Clifton of Hahn Winery (also younger and cute according to the jpg image I received).
The Celebrity Chef Tour will return to Grand Wailea benefiting the James Beard Foundation with veteran (ahem, older) celeb chefs Jonathan Waxman and Hubert Keller and others Feb. 5 and 6.
Next week, I’ll write about new restaurants I’ve checked out such as Pangea in Haiku, Any Kine Diner in Kahului and Oceanside Restaurant in Maalaea with young owners – all with fresh approaches.
I wish everyone, from geezers to college grads, a happy safe and sexy new year.