Stuffs
Chef and sommelier open a wine bar on Maui
D.K. Kodama, chef-owner of three Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar locations, has taken a step away from Japanese cuisine to open Vino, an Italian wine bar, in Kapalua, Maui, this weekend.Master sommelier Chuck Furuya has joined Kodama's staff, compiling a wine list of more than 150 selections that focus on boutique, Italian estate wines. Furuya plans to offer a changing selection of at least 24 wines by the glass.
The menu, supervised by executive chef John Kiewel, will include homemade pastas and 10 antipasto specials nightly.
Vino, in the Village Course clubhouse, is open 5:30 to 10 p.m. nightly. Lunch and breakfast service will be added later in the year. Call 808-665-1201.
A new look
Furusato, a traditional restaurant in the Hyatt Regency Waikiki, has undergone a transformation, becoming a "pop-Japanese" restaurant. The full name is Shoku Raku You Min by Furusato, which means "to eat and enjoy at a joyous place with fun people." For American consumption, though, the name has been shortened to Youme.n (pronounced "yu-min").The menu of tapas-style Japanese foods is under development, pending a September grand opening. But the interior has been remade by sushi chef and artist Kiyoshi, whose painted upside-down umbrellas are the hallmark of Furusato's sister restaurant, L'Uraku.
Youme.n is open for lunch, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and dinner, 5:30 to 10:30 p.m., daily. Call 922-4991.
New and improved
Also recently remade are the restaurants at Turtle Bay Resort.21 Degrees North: The fine-dining restaurant has been redesigned with a waterfall in the entry and floor-to-ceiling windows offering a sunset view. Chef Andrew Manion-Copley's new menu includes Pineapple-Guava-Glazed Baby Back Ribs with Sweet and Sour Cabbage, Thai Chili-Braised Opakapaka in Cucumber Gazpacho and Crab-Crusted Hawaiian Sea Bass in an Asian Carrot Minestrone.
Sand Bar: The outdoor restaurant offers casual meals for the day crowd. At night a selection of kebabs from lamb to lobster is offered at tables set up beachside in the sand.
Palm Terrace: The family restaurant has been renovated to include a firewood pizza oven. Buffet and a la carte dining is offered for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Special events
Padovani's wine dinners: Padovani's Restaurant & Wine Bar will host two California winemakers at dinners next week. Chef Philippe Padovani will offer a la carte items paired to five wines from the David Bruce Winery Aug. 11. On Aug. 12, Bob Travers, of Mayacamas Winery, will host a three-course dinner paired to his wines. Cost is $85 for full glasses ($65 for half-glasses; $45 without wine). The restaurant is also offering a tasting of syrahs from California, France's Rhone Valley and Australia on Friday. Cost is $20 for a flight of three half-glasses and an appetizer, $32 for full glasses. Call 946-3456.Lanai Visiting Artist Program: Chef James Botsacos, of Molyvos in New York City, will be joined by Randall Grahm, of Bonny Doon Vineyard, in two dinners of contemporary Greek cuisine, Saturday and next Sunday at the Manele Bay Hotel on Lanai. Cost is $75, $120 with wines. Grahm will also host a free wine tasting at 4 p.m. Saturday, and Botsacos will host a free cooking demonstration at 3:30 p.m. next Sunday. Call 808 565-7700.
Wine tasting: The cabernet sauvignons of Amberhill and Raymond Estates in California will be featured in a tasting, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Aug. 12 at Morton's Steak House, Ala Moana. Cost is $15, including appetizers. Call 949-1300.
Summer Seafest: Through August, Compadres at Ward Centre is featuring seafood specialties from regions of Mexico. Entree choices include the Southern Mexican Fresh Salmon Tamal, Pescado ala Vera Cruz and fish tacos as served in the village of Zihuatanego. Seafood items off the regular menu include a complimentary dessert of fried ice cream or caramel flan. Call 591-8307.
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