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News for Restaurants in Hawaii
June 2008 Archive

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HAWAII RESTAURANT NEWS



Openings

A new Mexican restaurant has opened along Wailuku's busy Market Street. Rosa's Cantina offers fresh selections for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Rosa Garcia ran the former El Corita, which closed several months ago. Rosa's Cantina, 197 N. Market St., Wailuku, HI 96793, 808-244-8304.
 
The Mai Tai Lounge There's another ocean-side hangout on Lahaina's Front Street. The Mai Tai Lounge features casual lunch and dinner fare, including pupus, salads, sushi and seafood, as well as a great selection of tropical drinks. Dine on the open-air patio with striking views of Lana'i. The Mai Tai Lounge, 839 Front St., Lahaina, HI 96761, 808-661-5288.
 
Pan: A Mediterranean Bistro opened up in the Haiku Town Center. The owner is Vasi Zaferis, who also runs Gourmet Catering & Tropical Desserts nearby. Executive chef Brian Carter offers an elegant dinner menu featuring Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. Pan: A Mediterranean Bistro, 810 Kokomo Rd., Haiku, HI 96708, 808-575-9101.
 
has opened in the former Caffè Ciao space at The Fairmont Kea Lani Maui. Chef de cuisine Jake Belmonte offers a menu of elegant island fare. Kō, The Fairmont Kea Lani Maui, 4100 Wailea Alanui, Wailea, HI 96753, 808-875-4100.
 
Merriman's Kapalua opened at the oceanfront site of the former Bay Club at the Kapalua Resort. Led by chef Peter Merriman, one of the pioneers of Hawaii Regional Cuisine, Merriman's Kapalua is a "Farm to Table" restaurant featuring locally-grown, -raised and -caught foods, with a majority of the organic produce coming from nearby Kapalua Farms. The wine list features more than 250 selections, including organic and biodynamic wines. Merriman's Kapalua, Kapalua Resort, Kapalua, HI 96761, 808-669-6400.
 
The Melting Pot, a dinner-only fondue restaurant, has opened in the Lahaina Gateway Shopping Center. The menu includes four different fondue cooking styles, a variety of entrées and also desserts. The restaurant features more than 6,500-square-feet with seating for more than 225 guests, including a secluded "Lover's Lane" area for special dates. The Melting Pot, Lahaina Gateway Center, 325 Keawe St., Lahaina, HI 96761, 808-661-6181.
 

 

News Bytes

More Fine Wines for Maui
Ali Biglar, owner of Hawaii Liquor Superstore in Kahului, has teamed up with California sommelier Peter Birmingham to increase the quality of its wine offerings. Birmingham plans to increase its wine selection from 1,500 labels to a minimum of 2,500. The team will also educate consumers on wine selection by providing hands-on customer service. Hawaii Liquor Superstore, 270 Dairy Rd., Kahului, HI 96732, 808-877-8778.
 
Swim & Dine
‘Umalu, a new poolside restaurant, is currently being built at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa in Ka'anapali. The restaurant---whose name translates to "shade under a cliff"---will feature an open kitchen as well as a self-serve deli for folks on the go. The $8 million project is scheduled to be completed by mid-July. Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa, 200 Nohea Kai Dr., Lahaina, HI 96761, 808-661-1234, 800-233-1234.
 
Sushi Spot Expands
Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar in Kihei is undergoing renovation. The redo will add over 20 dining seats to the establishment. Business will remain as usual during the construction. Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar, Kihei Town Ctr., 1881 S. Kihei Rd., Kihei, HI 96753, 808-879-0004.
 


Chef Shuffles

Anthony Edington was promoted from food and beverage manager to executive chef at the Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas. Edington will be leading the resort's culinary operations, including overseeing the resort's restaurants such as Ocean Pool Bar & Grill, Pulehu Restaurant, and Paiolo Bar & Grill. Edington was formerly at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa and the Kapalua Bay Hotel. Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas, 6 Kai Ala Dr., Lahaina, HI 96761, 808-667-3200.
 


Closings

CLOSED FOR GOOD
Take your taste buds on a walk down memory lane! Check out our exclusive closed restaurant database for Hawaii to virtually visit your favorite dining spots from the past. Kincha, R.I.P.

Tony Roma's, a restaurant famous for its ribs, has closed its only Maui location in the historic Kishi Building in Lahaina. The restaurant chain still has three locations on O'ahu.
 

CULINARY EVENTS
Want to learn to cook? Try new dishes? Meet a foodie friend for fun? Check out our compilation of culinary events in your area.


View our calendar of Wine Dinners & Tastings in Hawaii

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