Quick Bites
Local chefs in N.Y. preparing spread
Hawai'i chefs Mark Ellman and Beverly Gannon are in New York City tonight, preparing the third in a series of Hawai'i Regional Cuisine dinners at the James Beard House in Greenwich Village.
Ellman, whose Avalon was the first free-standing Hawai'i Regional Cuisine restaurant, now owns Maui Tacos and Penne, a moderately priced, self-serve Italian restaurant in Lahaina. Gannon is chef-owner with her husband Joe of Hali'imaile General Store and Joe's Bar & Grill, both on Maui.
They're preparing a spread that includes kalua pig and taro spring rolls, duck mochi, crab potstickers, chawan mushi with moi and truffle, 'ahi carpaccio, glazed lobster with musubi, shiitake-crusted Parker Ranch tenderloin with Moloka'i sweet potato and coconut flan with caramelized pineapple.
Special menu at L'Uraku
Chef Hiroshi Fukui will serve a Contemporary Kaiseki Dinner Friday at L'Uraku, an extraordinary 10-course tasting menu that includes fresh Hawai'i fish, local specialties and Japanese imports. Cost is $78 with wine pairings; 1341 Kapi'olani Blvd.; 955-0552.
Guest chefs at Parc Cafe
Adversity often presents opportunity. So it is that the chefs of Kacho restaurant at the Waikiki Park Hotel, which is closed for remodeling, have joined Parc Cafe executive chef Don Maruyama to present a special Euro-Japanese Dinner Buffet nightly through Oct. 25. The menu ranges from prime rib to tempura (prepared fresh on order), fish in ponzu butter sauce to soba salad. Served from 5:30-9:30 p.m.; $22.95 per person. Kacho reopens Oct. 29. Information: 921-7272.
French treats at tea room
Salon du Tea, a tea room tucked into a cozy brick courtyard at 12 S. King St., will feature French menu selections during the French Festival Oct. 17-Nov. 3, including croissant sandwiches, scones with creme fraiche and confiture (preserves), gateaux (cakes), tarts and petit fours. Look for the iron gate between Grilla's and Do's Fashions. The shop also sells antiques and jewelry. A full tea is $13.95; hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations are required: 599-5253.
Charity chili cook-off
The Shack restaurant in Kailua plans a Charity Chili Cook-Off in a carnival atmosphere 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 27 in the restaurant parking lot, 1051 Keolu Drive. The event benefits HUGS (Help, Understand and Group Support), which aids families of Hawai'i's seriously ill children. Cooking begins at noon and there'll be tastings from 4 p.m.; attendees can vote on a people's choice prize by buying samples of the six competitors' chili dishes for $3. Raffle activities for children are planned and all proceeds benefit HUGS. Call 521-4847 or Scott Patterson at The Shack, 261-1191.
