Quick Bites
Local chefs take talents on the road
By Joan Namkoong
Advertiser Food Editor
Isle chefs have been on the road:
• L'Uraku chef Hiroshi Fukui was guest chef recently at Justin Winery in Paso Robles, Calif. Fukui prepared a six-course dinner featuring Island onaga, Hau'ula tomatoes and haupia creme brulee; sommeliers Randy Ching of the Halekulani hotel and Chuck Furuya of Fine Wine Imports were on hand to pour.
• Roy Yamaguchi traveled to his newest restaurant opening in Buckhead, a toney suburb of Atlanta.
• Goran Streng of the Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki just returned from a week in Seattle, cooking and promoting the foods of Hawai'i.
• D. K. Kodama, chef/owner of Sansei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar in Honolulu and Kapalua, Maui, is off to Aspen, Colo., this weekend for the Food and Wine Aspen Classic. Aspen is where Kodama honed his culinary skills before returning to Hawai'i and opening his restaurants.
Restaurants plan special promotions
Lots of local restaurants have special promotions coming up:
• Taste of Italy, a special Italian buffet presentation at the Plumeria Beach Cafe at the Kahala Mandarin Oriental, through June 16. Chef Wayne Hirabayashi presents antipasti, homemade sausages, pastas, osso bucco, veal marsala, chicken Parmesan, soups, tiramisu and more along with entertainment and fresh vegetable market. Menu selections vary daily. $38.75 adults, $19.50 children 5-12. 739-8760.
• Crabfest 2001 at Dixie Grill featuring special "crabatizers" and all crab entrees by chef David Saccomanno, through June 30. Open from 11 a.m. daily. 404 Ward Ave. 596-8359.
• Tempura Festival at Ala Moana Hotel's Plantation Cafe, through June 24. Tempura specialists chef Morio Sakamoto and Makiharu Kasai of Japan prepare scallops cuttlefish, crab, fish, shrimp and vegetables in classic style using fresh products and sesame oil. Tempura lunch, served 11 a.m.-2 p.m., is $13.25; dinner, served 6-9 p.m., is $14.25 plus tax and tip. Tempura will also be included in the Friday and Saturday seafood and prime-rib dinner buffets and Sunday brunch buffet; $23.50 per person plus tax and tip. 944-4811.
Jameson's expands; Beau Soleil moves
• Jameson's Seafood Grill opened at Restaurant Row, serving lunch and dinner, as well as pupu at the adjacent Row Bar. Restaurateur Ed Greene has partnered with Alan C. Beall and The Row Bar; Peter Dietrich is general manager and Ron Ko is chef. Jameson's is known for its grilled crab and shrimp sandwich, crab Louis, clam chowder and burgers at its Hale'iwa and Kona, Hawai'i locations. 521-6488.
• Mediterranean cafe Beau Soleil has moved to 2970 East Manoa Road, combining its restaurant and catering operations there. Owners Moumen and Holly El-Hajji offer foods to go Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m., dinners Tuesday through Saturday, 6-9:30 p.m. and Sunday brunch 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Menu specialties are Mediterranean inspired using many locally-grown products; the restaurant is BYOB. 988-0967.
New connoisseur of wine crowned
Imagine trying to identify 12 wines by their vintage, variety, region and country with a blindfold on. Then pair a six-course French menu with wines and answer 60 questions on wine, wine service and crafted beverages on paper.
That's what Robert Viernes did recently to win the first Young Sommelier competition at Kapi'olani Community College's Culinary Institute of the Pacific.
The event was sponsored by the Chaine des Rotisseurs.
Quick Bites appears every Wednesday in the Advertiser Taste section. Food editor Joan Namkoong welcomes tidbits of food news. Write her c/o The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802. Call: 525-8069. Fax: 525-8055. E-mail: jnamkoong@honoluluadvertiser.com.
