Kitchen 5315 Executive Chef Ruben Macias (from left) with owners Darren Byler, Claire Pastula Byler and Napa Recopuerto in their new Napili restaurant that had its soft opening last Friday. Kitchen 5315 photo

UP-AND-COMERS . . . With the recent Best of Maui tabloid hot off the press, we don’t have to look very far to get a great meal on island.

But more places continue to open as in the case at Napili Shores in the former Iron Imu and Maui Grille locations.

“We’re so excited to be on our own on this!” says partner Claire Pastula Byler of Kitchen 5315. “We’re still with Cafe O’Lei and so it has been a wild ride doing both simultaneously.”

The daughter of famous isle restaurateurs Dana and Michael Pastula, Claire struck out on her own in this new venture with her husband Darren Byler and longtime Cafe O’Lei manager Napa Recopuerto to open this comfort-food spot.

“Kitchen 5315 has got the Cafe O’Lei DNA, for sure,” says Recopuerto about the appealing menu. “Right now, we’re open from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday and you may BYOB.”

Menu items include Asian-braised short ribs, coconut-crusted chicken and mac-nut crusted mahi laced with lilikoi butter and pineapple relish.

For more details, call Kitchen 5315 (the street address on the Lower Honoapiilani Highway at 442-7300.

Jersey Mike’s Subs was slammed in its first week of operation. Wedged between Ululani’s Shave Ice and Domino’s Pizza at Maui Lani near Safeway in Wailuku, the new sub shop appeals to high schoolers and adults alike with famous Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, meatball-and-cheese subs and the Big Kahuna with the works from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

Rita’s is coming soon to Kihei in its spot between the Best New Restaurant on Maui, Shearwater Tavern, and the popular Fork & Salad on the other side. Rita’s specializes in Italian ices, cream ices, frozen custard, sundaes, gelati milk shakes and even frozen custard cakes.

While Celebrations by Bev Gannon has been around forever, the company is just now launching the Celebrations Catering Bake Shop, a full-service bakery available for a la carte booking.

Born and raised in Haiku, Pastry Chef Jocelyn Kanaele prepares small bite-sized chocolate candies and local favorites such as cream puffs, butter mochi and malasadas and can customize cakes, too.

The Lilikoi Bakery recently launched and its gluten-free, organic artisan breads are now available at Rodeo General Store in Makawao, Mana Foods in Paia, Alive & Well in Kahului and Hawaiian Moons in Kihei — all baked by Luciane D’Souza. To special order her freshly baked breads and desserts, call 573-5530.

*****

BITS AND PIECES . . . In Sunday’s Pau Hana section, I wrote a travel story about the recent Arctic Circle vacation enjoyed by the owners of Maui Prime Fine Foods in Lahaina.

If you are a cheese lover, do take note that this Lahaina gourmet shop has a new cheese program.

“We’re offering small portions for $1 in order to encourage you to try some cheeses that you haven’t before,’ says owner Cary Button. “Just come to Maui Prime anytime and ask Diane Stanislaw to assist.”

Maui Prime also features some really nice Australian wagyu right now along with tomahawk ribeyes and T-bones.

“It’s called ‘tomahawk’ because of the length of the rib bone left on the steak and it looks like an actual axe,” says employee Jason Mahon. It’s a beautiful presentation. It weighs like a pound and a half to a pound and three quarters.”

Maui Prime also caters and it recently did the retirement party for Dr. Galen Wiger at the Lahaina Prison. Apparently, the three different styles of clams Button did were a big hit and the clams are available at the store as well.

* Got restaurant / dining-event scoop?

Call Dining Editor Carla Tracy at 242-6342; or email carlatracy@mauinews.com.

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7rq3UoqWer6NjsLC5jqWgn51fqLalsYyoqZ2doqh8c3yQcGZpcV%2BotqWxjKipnZ2iqHpmkZFeb2ldcWd6tLHPrZymmpWnenh5kWlocGc%3D