Ruth's Chris Celebrates 20 Years in Hawaii

Ruth’s Chris Steak House is celebrating 20 years in Hawaii with a wine dinner presented by Langtry Estate & Vineyards, Tuesday, October 13 at 7 p.m. Events will be held in both the Wailea (874-8880) and Lahaina (661-8815) locations. For $79.95 plus tax and service you’ll indulge in what promises to be a memorable gustatory experience.

I`O Wine Club presents their next wine event Friday October 16, 2009. Drop by anytime between 7-9 p.m. Unlike a seated formal wine dinner, the Wine Club is more casual, inviting you to sample as much as you like from the featured wines and pupus presented at food stations in the restaurant’s main seating area. This month’s theme is Organic Wine/Organic Food and the cost is $30 per person. Phone 661-8422 for more info and reservations.

Exciting News on an Environmentally Friendly Wine Trio

Mollydooker obviously impressed us (see review) with their great wines and social consciousness. If you enjoy  indulging absolutely guilt-free consider The Eco Wine Trio which includes three premium red wines from the Boisset Family Estates – the first available in PET bottles in the U.S.

PET bottles are BPA-free plastic bottles that weigh 90% less and have a 50% lower carbon footprint than glass bottles and feature a unique oxygen-barrier that ensures wine quality and taste. They are sold in a gift box produced of 100% recycled packaging retailing for $29.99. With each Eco Wine Trio sale, Wine.com will direct 10% of the retail price to the EarthEra Renewable Energy Trust, which funds construction of new, renewable energy projects in the U.S. In addition, EarthEra carbon balances the shipments of the Eco Wine Trio from the winery to you. Learn more. As you can see, it’s a very green offering we wanted to pass along to our readers.

Pulehu Italian Grill Adding Mollydooker “Wine Making” to Their Line-up

Mollydooker Has Us All Hooked

Pulehu and Koi Ponds

WCM just heard that Manager Javier Barberi enjoyed the Mollydooker Wine Blending event so much that he’s incorporating the activity into Pulehu’s line-up of fun features for all their guests to enjoy. The idea is to present servings of three different Mollydooker wines and encourage diners to mix ‘em up however they like. Fun, interactive and great wines! Should roll out in a few weeks…

I`o's Lahaina

Here’s a dining deal that’s so first-rate it deserves a separate announcement. Through the month of September, I`o Restaurant in Lahaina treats Kama`aina to half-priced entrees all night, every night. That’s any entrée on the menu, folks, including the swoon-worthy Crabby Catch; crab salad atop oven-roasted fresh fish over wilted arugula dished with corn/coconut sauce. Makes my mouth water just talking about it!

Or perhaps you prefer I`o’s luscious Lamb `Pa,` chops grilled with curry and porcini mushroom spice, those awesome beets nurtured at O`o Farms and lavender yogurt sauce. Heavenly — and half price! Another specialty you shouldn’t miss (oh, go on – stop in every night if you have to!) are the Diver Scallops in sage and jalapeno bacon with roasted Japanese eggplant served with rice and ginger ponzu sauce. Have you called to make a reservation yet? (808-661-8422)

Since you’re getting such a great deal on the entrée, WCM suggests starting off with the Totally Buff Salad, a twist on the traditional Caprese salad made from buffalo mozzarella, arugula, Olowalu tomato, balsamic basil foam and black Hawaiian sea salt. Have you ever tried black sea salt? It really does make a difference which is why Chef James has won so many awards and accolades. Now his September Kama`aina Special wins our vote as the best deal on the island.

I`o Restaurant
505 Front Street
Lahaina, Hawaii 96761
808-661-8422

Rainbows over Lahaina

Not many restaurants can compete with I’o and its sister/neighbor, Pacific’O, when it comes to ambiance and setting. On an island brimming with dining spots touting picture postcard views this one on the Lahaina shores grabs all five tikis.

The dreamy vision of the sun setting beyond distant Lanai escorted by sailboats and canoe paddlers would be enough eye candy but I’o also serves up an award winning, dazzling interior. Etched glass aquariums, hip lighting, a bar just begging for an enchantress to take a seat and challenge its sensuous curves, and a “must peak” exhibition kitchen compete with the views. With so much to see, my preference is actually a window table rather than the more popular al fresco seats on the front lanai. That way, you don’t miss a thing including what’s going on at the bar and in the kitchen.

Wherever you settle in while awaiting the glorious sunset, you’ll notice Martinis rather than Mai Tais predominate the drink menu. Although I don’t drink the potent devils, the Dreamsicle and Lemon Drop versions sound mighty tasty served with ocean breezes wrapped around them.

Various wines offered by the glass are also enticing. The menu recommends vintages to specifically match various dishes; for instance, the fois gras topped ono served on “wilted Hana vegetable salad, tropical fruit coulis and balsamic reduction” served with a nice Vouvray. Yea! That I can handle.

I`o’s also prepares some of the best appetizers on the island; Cowboy Ribs, Smoked Sashimi, or Crab Cakes can all stand alone as dinner. But you won’t want to stop there. The Waipoli Road Salad is tossed with assorted organic O’o Farm greens, seasonal produce, herbs and heirloom tomatoes with Maui onions and feta cheese tossed in citrus mustard vinaigrette, everything grown or produced not more than 20 miles away at the O`O farms in Kula and Surfing Goat Dairy.  The Crispy Ahi, fresh sashimi tuna rolled in nori and panko crust and green papaya salad, ($27.00) purportedly has inspired a cult following but don’t feel you have to dress up in funky garb or join a chat room to admit you love it.

A table with a view is obviously a major asset for restaurants on Maui but I`o doesn’t take its location for granted or slip guests mediocre food hoping they won’t notice. (It happens!) On the contrary I`o goes the vistas one better by presenting outstanding sustainable, healthy, original dishes using local ingredients spiced with considerable originality.