QUICK BITES
Celebrate sandwich
By Wanda A. Adams
Advertiser Food Editor
Though invented in England, sandwiches are a most American food, from the classic PB&J for kids to Texas barbecue on a bun, from the New Orleans muffalettas to the East Coast hoagie. A PBS presentation will explore America's love of Dagwood's favorite dish with "Sandwiches That You Will Like," at 9:30 p.m. Jan. 8 and 1 p.m. Jan. 12 on KHET. Host Rick Sebak (of "A Hot Dog Program" and "An Ice Cream Show") visit sandwich meccas around the country from Philly (for a cheese steak, naturally) to San Jose for banh mi (the ones we know as Ba Le sandwiches) and talk to folks about why they love their unique, locally famous takes on this standard.
Chefs and menus
George Mavrothalassitis has launched a new seasonal menu at Chef Mavro featuring new prawn, foie gras and lamb recipes and the return of his potato-crusted opakapaka, as well as new desserts such as hazelnut cheesecake.
Andrew Manion-Copley is the new executive chef at Turtle Bay Resort, responsible for overseeing all the resort's dining operations. Originally from England, Manion-Copley has worked within the Ritz Carlton chain — including at Ritz Carlton Kapalua here — and most recently was executive chef at The Lodge at Koele on Lana'i. The resort is undergoing a $50 million renovation; a new spa and luxury beach cottages have opened and a conference center is under construction.
Tea with Chai
Chai Chaowasaree of Chai's Island Bistro has been exploring the world of tea for health and enjoyment and the restaurant at Aloha Tower Marketplace is now selling a line of tea blends he has personally selected. If Chai isn't busy when you drop by, he'll even give you a guided tour of his collection. "I study a lot about tea and if someone comes in and has questions, I am happy to explain the difference between herbal teas and real tea, how they make oolong, green, white teas, how to drink all these teas and I'll show them tea sets we have from Thailand," he said. Chai's line of teas includes a Taiwanese green tea that is picked by monkeys trained to gather the leaves from tea bushes at elevations humans can't readily reach, called Monkey-Picked Chinese Snow Oolong. Varieties of tea include a jasmine pearl tea (buds and leaves rolled into tiny pellets that unfurl in the hot water), white and green teas and a variety of herbal infusions including Chai's favorite chamomile blend with orange peel and rose hip. Prices begin at $5 for herbal teas, $15 for true teas. The restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Items of culinary interest may be directed to Wanda Adams, The Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu , HI 96802. Taste: 525-8055. E-mail: taste@honoluluadvertiser.com.
