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Side Orders • May 22, 2014

ITALIAN FOOD INVASION. . . West Mauians may soon enjoy authentic Italian cuisine of the pizza and pasta kind at Sale Pepe, targeted to open next Thursday in the old Kentucky Fried Chicken location in Lahaina (by Thai Chef).Mike and Qiana Di Bari have done an amazing job on the redo of their lunch and dinner pizzeria cucina (pizza kitchen), with marble, woods and imported fabrics. You won't recognize it as the old KFC."Mike was born in Milano, but his family is from the south, close to Naples," says Quiana, from the Big Apple. "He is a certified pizzaiolo, classically trained in the art ...

Side Orders • May 15, 2014

KAPALUA UNCORKED . . . A lot of exciting news is bubbling forth from Kapalua.The 33rd annual Kapalua Wine & Food Festival will present its signature Grand Tasting on June 13 at Montage Kapalua Bay. What is so cool is that the original festival, for years called a "symposium," was staged at the Montage site at the former Kapalua Bay Hotel. So it's all coming full circle - at least for us oldies who remember a tall ship from Dry Creek Vineyards in Sonoma inching into the bay and shooting off a cannon there."This is a very exciting time for us," says Montage resort manager David ...

Side Orders • May 1, 2014

SOUTH MAUI NEWS. . .The late, great Jerry Garcia might have said, "What a long, strange trip it's been," about the closing of Stella Blues Cafe earlier this week, which has saddened so many.Not only was the casual restaurant named after a Grateful Dead song, it was a fabulous hangout for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It also was a supper club hot spot featuring top bands, it delivered lunches to South Maui, and it served as a caterer at numerous island events.On the other end of the spectrum, Ko at The Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui is celebrating its recent win in the Ai Pono Awards for Best ...

Side Orders • Apr. 24, 2014

IT'S PAR-TAY TIME . . . Loosen your belts, as the season of food festivals is here. The first weekend of May, we'll not only have the East Maui Taro Festival in Hana (see story in Dining), but the Maui Onion Festival in Kaanapali.A signature event at Whalers Village since 1990, the 25th annual Maui Onion Festival offers free admission and free parking from 9:45 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 3, with celebrity chefs, live entertainment, beer garden, games and prizes, special retail offers and, of course, world-famous Maui onion rings. Hot, crunchy, sweet and satisfying, the rings are a top ...

Side Orders • Apr. 17, 2014

WEST SIDE STORIES. . . The management of the Wharf Cinema Center in Lahaina is pleased to announce that two new restaurants have joined the stellar lineup at the popular shopping plaza.Downstairs in the cool courtyard with waterfalls and ponds is the new Makani Kai Island Grill & Bar. The owner, Stewart Bahl, grew up on Kauai. His wife, Jaime Bahl, fell in love with Maui on vacation here. Fans of Jimmy Buffet, the couple serves lunch and dinner with kalua pork, loco moco, fish and chips and mahimahi tacos, using catch right out of Lahaina Harbor.Shaka Vibe Bubble Tea & Treats ...

Side Orders • Apr. 10, 2014

HAM IT UP. . .Want to feast at home on Easter? Baking pineapple-glazed Farmer John hams and roasting turkeys will be Dani's Catering in Wailuku.Voted "Best Caterer on Maui" multiple times in The Maui News, Dani's also dishes up crowd-pleasing party trays with chow mein, vegetable crudite, maki and cone sushi, won tons and more."We ask that you place your orders by April 17 for pick up on the Saturday before Easter," says Catering Manager Anthony Perry. "We're open at 4 a.m. until 3 p.m., but we will extend to 5 or 6 p.m. that day."In Lahaina, Maui Prime Fine Foods at Emerald Plaza is ...