Side Orders • December 22, 2016

TRANSFORMED . . .  On Saturday, I saw the results of a $100 million renovation  at the former Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa by owner Sunstone Hotel Investors Inc. Now called Wailea Beach Resort -- Marriott Maui, the stunning hotel property boasts 547 redesigned rooms and suites, three distinct pool environments and six hot dining options including Humble Market Kitchin.

But I must say, there's nothing humble about the look of the restaurant that opened Monday to the public in the old Mala and MiGrant spot. Wow!

It's the latest of Chef Roy Yamaguchi's many concepts and those who have dined in that spot before won't recognize the place. Kapa Bar & Grill also rolled out earlier this year and you may check out Whale's Tale for a cuppa and smoothies on Wailea Beach and Mo Bettah Food Truck and Nalu Pool Bar on property.

Wailea Beach Resort will also set the stage for Shep Gordon's New Year's Eve benefit for Maui Food Bank and Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler has just been confirmed to the stellar lineup that includes from Pat Simmons to Alice Cooper.

Humble Market Kitchin and the hotel will team to create dishes such as Thai beef salad,  kalbi pork and vegetarian curry pasta. For tickets, email nyemala2013@gmail.com.

BITS AND PIECES . . .  The new Shearwater Tavern is now up and running in a portion of the former Stella Blues spot in Kihei. It's D.K. Kodama's latest.

FirstLight cutting-edge screenings will continue from today through Wednesday at  Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului. Bring your appetites, too.

"CandleLight Cafe is the much enjoyed beehive of social swirling and networking that will also be in full swing prior to all FirstLight screenings at the MACC with its traditional offerings of mouth-watering meals, munchies and desserts of all kinds complemented by creative libations and music filling the air," says Maui Film Festival  founder/director Barry Rivers.

Star Anise Indian Cuisine will be caterer starting at 4 p.m. on Thursday and Friday at CandleLight Cafe with lamb and chicken curry plates and vegetable lentil masalas -- all with jasmine rice and salad.

The CandleLight Cafe caterer starting at 4 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday is Kalei's Lunch Box serving chow fun, hurricane Brussels sprouts, Asian mahi, cheesesteak hoagies and more. For FirstLight schedule, see Page 7.

Want to dine with Santa Claus Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua will bring in the white bearded one  for breakfast at The Terrace both days from 6:30 to 11 a.m. A whimsical keiki buffet will add to the fun. Cost is $41 per person, plus tax and tip. Call 669-6200.

Plus, you must come and check out the Ritz's massive holiday Pineapple House, handcrafted with 900 gingerbread bricks and 750 pounds of sugar on display now through Jan. 1.

Lahaina Coolers is closed on Christmas Day, but its Christmas Eve menu looks very tempting. Choose from oysters Rockefeller; lobster bisque; spinach and strawberry salad with goat cheese and pecans; lobster tail; steak and lobster; and pistachio-crusted opakapaka with vanilla bean beurre blanc with mashed potatoes and veggies. Dessert is creme brulee with strawberries. Everything is a la carte. Call 661-7082.

Celestial Navigation of the Night Sky will light up the oceanfront Pacific Lawn of the Montage Kapalua Bay at 6:30 p.m. on Friday. The one-hour interactive stargaze is taught by specialist Kala Tanaka and is free and open to the public. At Montage's Sunset Grill nearby, you may purchase Aloha Friday pupu such as grilled shrimp torta, steak salad and kalbi ribs and drinks like the lime in da coconut and Maui root beer float. Call  662-6600.

* Got restaurant / dining-event scoop?

Call Dining Editor Carla Tracy at 242-6342; or email carlatracy@mauinews.com.