INVITES YOU TO TOAST TUSCANY WITH “UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN” AUTHOR, FRANCES MAYES
Kā‘anapali, Hawai‘i – The Westin Kā‘anapali Ocean Resort Villas. The AAA four diamond resort announced that its award-winning Italian restaurant, Pūlehu, an Italian Grill, will host “A Toast to Tuscany” on Sept. 23 at 6:00 p.m. with Frances Mayes, author of the New York Times bestseller, “Under the Tuscan Sun.” This culinary and wine experience will feature Mayes’ wine label, Tuscan Sun Wines. In celebration of “A Toast to Tuscany,” the resort has also announced two room packages, one which provides 15 percent off of villas booked at westinkaanapali.com.
“We are thrilled to partner with Frances to bring a fun and unique dining experience to our patrons and guests,” said Brandon Maeda, the resort’s food and beverage director. “Her brand, which centers on friendship, restoration and renewal through daily pleasures, really echoes that of our restaurants, especially Pūlehu with its relaxed upscale vibe.”
“A Toast to Tuscany” will feature a four-course dinner designed by both the restaurant’s recently appointed chef de cuisine, Alvin Savella, and the resort’s executive sous chef, Matt Skaletsky.
Resort’s chefs design event menu to complement Tuscan Sun Wines
Event attendees will enjoy a four-course dinner prepared by Pulehu, an Italian Grill’s recently appointed chef de cuisine, Alvin Savella, and the resort’s executive sous chef, Matt Skaletsky. Jim Hansen, restaurant and wine list manager, will thoughtfully pair this menu with Mayes’ wine label, Tuscan Sun Wines, which will be added to Pulehu’s wine list post event.
“Frances’s wines are about appreciating a simple and good life well lived,” said Chef Savella. “We kept this theme in mind and used it as inspiration for the menu.”
The event menu opens with a fresh catch with fregola, fennel and poricini cream. This is paired with Pensiero, a pinot grigio. Next, attendees will enjoy venison Bolognese, fusilli pasta, fresh ricotta and micro basil. This is paired with Auguri, a Sangiovese blend. The third course is pork belly with kabocha squash risotto, sage and pomegranate. It is paired with Tondo Tondo, 100 percent Sangiovese. Lastly, the dinner will conclude with hazelnut chocolate torte with orange zabaione and mint gelee, which is paired with Toccare le Stelle, a prosecco.
In addition to this Tuscan Sun Wines-paired dinner, “A Toast to Tuscany” features a meet and greet with Mayes and a screening of the movie, “Under the Tuscan Sun”. Tickets are available for $125 per person. For more information, visit westinkaanapali.com, or to purchase tickets, visit honoluluboxoffice.com.
The Westin Kā‘anapali Ocean Resort Villas also offers TOAST TUSCANY DELUXE. This package includes a thoughtful selection of wine and a gourmet charcuterie board and cheese display in your ocean-view villa upon arrival. It also features two tickets to “A Toast to Tuscany.” In addition, TOAST TUSCANY DELUXE offers a private, ocean-front dinner for two, complete with a live musician and personal chef who will prepare a culinary experience to remember. Top off your stay with The Wine Down Body Wrap and Mini-Facial for two at Spa Helani, a Heavenly Spa by Westin. This treatment uses products from Farmhouse Fresh featuring resveratrol from winery grapes designed to help renew your skin. The TOAST TUSCANY DELUXE package has a minimum three night length of stay. Stay dates are flexible but must include the event date of Sept. 23, 2015. This exclusive package starts at $4,700 and is limited. Please call 808-662-2614 for more information.
Winner of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for 2015, 2014 and 2013, and Gold ‘Aipono Award for Best Italian from Maui No Ka Oi Magazine for three consecutive years (2015, 2014 and 2013), Pūlehu, an Italian Grill, presents classic Italian cuisine perfected and served with a local, sustainable twist. It is open Thursdays – Mondays from 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. For more information or to make a reservation, please visit pulehurestaurantmaui.com or call 808-667-3254.
About Pulehu, an Italian Grill
Winner of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine’s ‘Aipono Award for Best Italian (Gold) in 2015, 2014 and 2013, Pūlehu presents classic Italian cuisine perfected and served with a local sustainable twist. Overlooking the koi pond gardens of The Westin Kā’anapali Ocean Resort Villas, the restaurant is famed for its delicious pastas and pizzas prepared in a woodstone oven. The resort’s talented chefs have also partnered with local farmers to present signature touches to the menu that boasts fresh catch and homegrown ingredients. Menu specials include award-winning Molokai Sweet Potato Gnocchi, Duetto of Bruschetta, Poached Kaua’i Prawns, Risotto Crusted Pesce (island catch), Eggplant Caponata and Lasagna. Pūlehu, which means to cook over an open flame in Hawaiian, is highly-popular for its affordable 3-course Menu, extensive wine list and wine pairing dinner events. A private room is available for special occasions. Free self-parking. Visit pulehurestaurantmaui.com.
