Side Orders • December 8, 2016

NEW IN SOUTH MAUI . . . Not one, but two, new restaurants are opening in South Maui. This is much better news than how I started off my column last week with two closing in Lahaina.

This month, Shearwater Tavern will open in part of the old Stella Blues location at Azeka Mauka in Kihei (nearby the new Fork & Salad).

"It's a neighborhood gathering place serving a variety of creative comfort food and excellent craft beers," says owner DK Kodama about the eighth establishment in his restaurant group.

Named after the 'Ua'u Kani, or Hawaiian wedge-tailed shearwater bird that frequents the wetlands behind the mall, it will serve housemade pastas, Southern-fried chicken and more. Enjoy free Wi-Fi and places to plug in while you sip from an ever-changing  lineup of craft beers.

Wailea Kitchen & Tap is targeted to open in the old Joe's spot Dec. 17 and pegs itself as having "a view to dine for."

"Wailea LLC owns it along with three golf courses and four tennis courts," says William Arnold. "This is our first venture into restaurants. We're starting off slow to get our feet under us with late lunch/dinner from 3 to 9 to catch the golf and happy hour crowds. We're bringing in nice frosted mugs because it's in our logo and we'll even have root beer for kids."

Chef Judah Secunda has cooked from the Four Seasons Resort Maui to Fabiani's. He will do seven burgers and sandwiches, seven salads and seven appetizers, including Asian-sesame wings and wedge salad with pancetta. The phone number is 878-FOOD, or 3663."

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BITS AND PIECES . . . Lanai native and now Oahu chef Adam Tabura first took the country by storm in winning the "Great Food Truck Race" Season 4. Now, he's got a cookbook, "A Filipino Kitchen,"  out just in time for holiday gift giving or for trying your own recipes.

"I'll be doing a guest speaking at King Kekaulike High School (today) and Friday. "Hopefully I can inspire some of these kids. I grew up on Lanai and didn't have any guidance."

On Saturday, he'll do a cookbook signing at Maui Ocean Center in Maalaea from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and then at Barnes & Noble in Lahaina from 2 to 4 p.m.

"Saturday at 6 p.m., I'll do a cookbook release party just like I did on Oahu, only this time at Lulu's Lahaina Surf Club & Grill. Cost of $26 includes a personalized signed book and live music by Kapali Keahi and Friends. There will be food and drink specials as well. For more details, visit www. adamtabura.com."

Alchemy Maui is serving kombucha across Kupuohi Street from Maui Prime Fine Foods in Lahaina (see related story on Page 15). Sip apple beet or lychee flavors. I hear the chicken sandwich is amazing and that owners are super nice.

The Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa in Kaanapali is rolling out the Mauka to Makai special Friday nights in December at Black Rock Kitchen. Cost is $58 for the three-course feast prepared by Executive Sous Chef Chris Lederer.

Want to celebrate the 12 days of . . . poke at Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas new Auntie's Kitchen?

A new poke dish will launch each day starting Wednesday through Dec. 25 and a portion of the proceeds will benefit Imua Family Services.

The famous Sale Pepe Italian restaurant in Lahaina has just expanded and now it's open for lunch.

"We took over the space between us and Maui Sugar Shop and we're branding it as Sale Pepe's A Fianco," says owner Qiana Di Bari. "It's lighter, brighter, really casual and the price point is much lower by day and it's a waiting room with wines and pupu by night. The menu rotates every week with two pizzas, two pastas, two paninis and two salads."

* Got restaurant / dining-event scoop?

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