Kahala says 'ciao bella'

You could spend thousands upon thousands of dollars to head for Italy, or you could spend $80 plus gas money and drive to the Kahala Hotel & Resort next weekend for “;Ciao Bella Kahala.”;

Chef Wayne Hirabayashi is hosting an Italian dinner at Hoku's on Friday and Saturday, with dishes paired to wines selected by Silvio di Silvio of the Italian Sommelier Association.

Their menu: Frutti di Mare Brodo (salad with mussels, shrimp and scallops), with Salviano Orvieto Classico Superiore 2007; Bresaola con Rucola (Italian salami and arugula), with Nozzole Chianti Classico Riserva 2005; Risotto al Gorgonzola con Ossobuco, with Michele Chiarlo Barolo “;Tortoniano”; 2004; and Deconstructed Tiramisu, with Michele Chiarlo Moscato “;Nivole.”; Cost is $80.

To round out the Italian immersion experience, di Silvio will host a wine tasting, 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, featuring wines from Fruili, Piedmont, Tuscany and Sicily. Cost is $50.

Call 739-8760 or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Winemaker hits beach

The Beachhouse at the Moana hosts Robert Cook, a Punahou School graduate who is now senior winemaker of Chalone Vineyards in Monterey, Calif.

Cook and Beachhouse chef Rodney Uyehara will present a wine dinner at 6:30 p.m. March 16, preceded with a wine reception at 6 p.m.

The menu: Seared Diver Scallop, with 2006 Pinot Blanc; Hamakua Mushrooms & Escargot, with 2006 “;Estate”; Chardonnay; Pas de Deux of steak and lamb chop, with 2005 “;Estate”; Pinot Noir; and Chocolate & Kona Coffee Spring Rolls, with 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon.

Cost is $95. Call 921-4600 or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Monettes signs on chef

Monettes, a new restaurant at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, has named Matt Zubrod as executive chef.

Zubrod has nearly 20 years of experience in Mobile four- and five-star restaurants in the United States and Paris, most recently at DishAspen in Aspen, Colo.

He has been recognized twice by the James Beard Foundation as a top hotel chef and was a competitor on the Food Network's “;Iron Chef America”; in 2007.

His menu plans include incorporating Rocky Mountain cuisine with local foods.

Monettes was founded by the owners of the award-winning Flagstaff House Restaurant in Boulder, Colo. Visit www.monetteshawaii.com.

Special events

Deschutes Brewery Artisan Beer Dinner: 6 p.m. Tuesday at Indigo Restaurant, 1121 Nuuanu Ave. The six-course dinner includes Blue Crab Beignet, Smoked Bacon-Wrapped Shutome, Chowder of New Zealand Cockles & Cured Salmon, Orange-Lemongrass Scented Duck Confit, Porter Braised Pork Belly and Bittersweet Chocolate Espresso Pound Cake. Cost is $65. Call 521-2900.

Next Generation Dinner: 5 p.m. Wednesday at Alan Wong's Restaurant. Chef Marc Urquidi's Mexican-themed dinner includes Lemongrass Shrimp “;En Salada Fresco,”; Butter Poached Lobster “;Tortilla Soup,”; Maui Cattle Co. Filet of Beef and Kona Coffee Flan. Cost is $75, $105 with wines. Call 949-2526.