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RESTAURANT EVENTS

Merriman will open Kapalua restaurant

Chef Peter Merriman's original restaurant, Merriman's Waimea on the Big Island, turns 20 this year and the chef is celebrating by adding another restaurant to the family.

Merriman's Kapalua opens on Maui June 12, with the chef's continued commitment to local farmers - he says that his menu will consist of 90 percent local products.

Merriman, one of the founders of the Hawaii Regional Cuisine movement, plans to bring such Waimea favorites as Wok-Seared Ahi and Haleakala Ranch Lamb to Kapalua.

George Gomes Jr. will serve as executive chef.

Merriman's Kapalua will seat 200 in the site of the former Maui Bay Club, with a view of Kapalua Bay. Call (808) 669-6400 or visit www.merrimanshawaii.com.

Yard House books free 'Meet the Brewers' event

Yard House hosts a free "Meet the Brewers" event from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, featuring Maui Brewing Co.

Garrett and Melanie Marrero, owners and master brewers with Maui Brewing, will talk about the brewing process and food-and-beer pairings at the island bar.

Their beers - including Bikini Blonde Lager, Munich Helles Lager, Big Swell IPA, and CoCoNut PorTeR - are among the 130 served on tap at the Yard House.

The Yard House is on Waikiki Beach Walk. Call 923-9273.

Dixie Grill's Crabfest kicks off Tuesday

Dixie Grill Bar-b-que & Crab Shack's annual Crabfest begins Tuesday and runs through June 30.

On the menu: Na'wlins Crab Cakes, Soft Shell Jambalaya, Blue Crab and Roasted Vegetables Enchiladas and Creole Crab n' Shrimp Roll.

Daily specials include Monday's Soft Shell Crab Po' Boy, Tuesday's Crabby Club, Wednesday's Soft Shell Crab & Deep Fried Shrimp, Thursday's Na'wlins BBQ Crab & Shrimp, Friday's Chesapeake Bay-Style Crab and on weekends, King Crab Broilers, a pound of crab, boiled red potatoes and grilled corn.

Call 485-CRAB.

‘Beer Hunter's Ball II’ scheduled at Willows

The Willows' June "Hops & Grinds" beer tasting is dubbed "Beer Hunter's Ball II," 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 13.

Offered will be seasonal beers from Deschutes Brewery such Twilight Summer Ale and Hop Henge, and Sierra Nevada' 2008 Summerfest - plus brews from Boston Beer Co., Guinness, Unibroue, Omegang Brewery, Rogue Ales and Smithwick's.

Tickets are $25 in advance; available at the Willows, Liquor Collection, Wine Stop or Tamura's Kaimuki. Tickets will be $30 at the door. The price includes a pupu buffet, live entertainment and prize drawings. Must be 21 or older.

The Willows is at 902 Hausten St. Call 952-9200.