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Side Orders

Side Orders • June 6, 2013

A DAY IN THE LIFE . . . On Monday morning, I got a phone call from a reader telling me our online Best of Maui ballot site had been hacked! Sure enough, an ominous warlock appeared on the screen, instead of the ballots, thwarting our efforts in the short term. FYI: we fixed it.Moving along, Juanita's Mexican Drive-Thru has just opened in the old KFC spot in Kihei, across the parking lot from Rodeo General Store. Kahului will also soon have its own new Mexican eatery.Lovers of Korean kalbi, bulgogi teri burgers and chicken cutlets are raving about the new Maui BBQ that just opened in the ...

Side Orders • May 30, 2013

OUT AND ABOUT . . . You never know who you will bump elbows with at island events, particularly at those thrown by Four Seasons Resort Maui in Wailea.At its Vintage Wine Weekend oceanfront gala on Sunday, I spotted actor Chris Noth of "Law & Order," "Sex and the City" and now "The Good Wife," the latter of which he was nominated for a Golden Globe.Also enjoying the gourmet cuisine and wine were actress Olivia Wilde ("Tron Legacy") and fiance Jason Sudeikis of "Saturday Night Live."Maui's own Sheldon Simeon of "Top Chef" fame was getting just as much or more attention-as attendees ...

Side Orders • May 23, 2013

STAR STRUCK . . . Movie stars aren't the only celebrities descending on Maui in the next few weeks. We've also got world-famous winemakers and chefs circling into orbit.For starters, at the Oceanfront Gala Sunday evening at Four Seasons Resort Maui in Wailea, Makana will perform as stellar winemakers like Laurent Martelet of Domaine de Cherisey wing in from France to pair wines with rock-star farmers such as William Jacinto of the certified-organic Beef 'n Blooms."I just love performing at Four Seasons Wailea and doing a wine event is just the best," says Makana. "What can I say, I'll ...

Side Orders • May 16, 2013

FLUID FUN . . . Beer and wine will gush like geysers at festivals this month (see Dining). Plus, there will be gallons of periphery events as brewmasters and winemakers descend on island to promote their products.Maui Brewing Co. (MBC) will do what is called a "tap takeover" at Flatbread Pizza in Paia Sunday for craft beer fans on the north shore. Basically, MBC pub's GM Tony Ren will hook up select craft beers served only in Kahana for fans on the other side of the island."We're bringing our friends in Paia some small-batched new and specialty styles that are previously limited to our ...

Side Orders • May 9, 2013

HOW SWEET IT WAS . . . Saturday was my 22nd year as one of the judges at the Maui Onion Festival, and the contests were just as exciting and tasty as ever.Held at Whalers Village Fine Shops & Restaurants in Kaanapali, it was a day of fun for the whole family, and the crowds were totally pumped up.First place in the Maui Onion Challenge went to Marc Urquidi, sous chef at Roy's Kaanapali restaurant, who won with his sous-vide lamb.In the Mixed Drink Contest, Dennis Day, bartender at Leilani's on the Beach, shook it up the best to get first place for his drink, the Rufus.Pounding the ...

Side Orders • May 2, 2013

WHISKEY RIVER . . . The rich and dark spirit is at the top of my mind this week for several reasons.First off, Tuesday was beloved part-time Maui resident Willie Nelson's 80th birthday - and he's the man who immortalized the song, "Whiskey River."Secondly, a master distiller here is almost done brewing copious amounts of whiskey, soon to be released.In Kaanapali, Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa will flow with a whiskey, cigar and beer event next week (see Page 19) that will be smokin' hot."Brown is the new white," says Maui Brewing Co. pub's general manager Tony Ren, who will be at the ...