QUICK BITES
Attractive dining for those in love

By Wanda A. Adams
Food Editor

Valentine's Day is celebrated by restaurateurs almost as much as lovers. Special menus abound for Feb. 14, and if you don't have reservations yet, you'd better make your plans. Among those we've heard about:

• 3660 on the Rise, special limited ala carte menu, 5:30-9:30 p.m.; 737-1177. (Also, pastry chef Lisa Siu is preparing a special line of chocolate truffles for Valentine's Day for sale at sister restaurant Kaka'ako Kitchen; $1.50 apiece or $16 a dozen, 596-7488.
• L'Uraku is doing a special menu with more accent on the West in this usually very Japan-leaning establishment, including bacon-wrapped sea scallop won tons, miso-butter poached Kona cold lobster tail, pan-roasted duck breasts, marinated grilled fillet mignon or steamed moi fillet, and a trio of desserts for $41-$45, plus $19 with matched wines; 955-0552.
• Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar plans special menus at its locations at Restaurant Row and Kapalua, Maui; at Sansei Honolulu, a five-course menu with multiple choices per course is $38 per person (unless you choose my favorite, the foie gras nigiri sushi, which is $6 more), additional items from any course are $9.50 more; at Kapalua, there are two menus, one built around a snapper entree at $40 per person and another featuring mahimahi and filet mignon at $55 per person; 536-6286, Honolulu, (808) 669-6286, Kapalua.
• Sheraton Moana Surfrider's Banyan Veranda is offering a special menu centered on a choice of beef tenderloin with shrimp and scallops or the Veranda fish trio, a popular special; $42 per person includes music by pianist Ginny Tiu with singer Johnny Valentine; 922-3111. Sister Hotel Sheraton Princess Ka'iulani plans a seafood buffet in the Pikake Terrace with the music of Sam Kapu III and the Ka'iulani Sweetheart Dancers, 5:30-10 p.m., $29.95; 931-4667.
• Chef Mavro is offering four and six-course menus. Among the dishes is an extraordinary first course of Pacific Oysters Cressoniere (I experienced this one at a recent tasting — like eating clouds and sea foam), a killer cheese course of Bleu de Bresses baked in phyllo and a special "Chocolate Whispers of Love with Gold Leaves" dessert; $65 ($95 with wine pairings) for four courses or $89 ($121 with paired wines) for six courses; 944-4714.

Celebrate America at Waikiki Parc

The Waikiki Parc Hotel, known for its local-friendly, generous and value-priced buffets, has launched a new All-American Lunch Buffet on Thursdays and Saturdays. The menu celebrates New York and the East Coast with dishes such as a New York Reuben sandwich, Manhattan clam chowder, Buffalo wings, Philly cheesesteak and other specialties. Cost is $15.95. In March, the All-American Buffet will feature New Orleans cuisine in honor of Mardi Gras. In April, Southern cooking will be featured, followed by Southwestern cuisine in May.

A free recipe, changed monthly, is available to diners at the All-American Lunch Buffet, courtesy of executive chef Don Maruyama. Reservations: 931-6642.

A special dinner with special wines

Glen Chu is creating a special menu for a dinner featuring the wines of Foxen Vineyards in Santa Barbara, Calif., presented in person by owner Robert Dore, 6:30 p.m. Feb. 20 at Indigo Eurasian Cuisine. Cost for the dinner, presented by Chambers & Chambers wine purveyors, is $65 and reservations are required as seating is limited. Call 521-2900.

Chinese New Year, Mandarin-style

The Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hawaii is celebrating Chinese New Year with special menu items at Hoku's and the Plumeria Beach Cafe on Feb. 12. In addition, tea expert Lynette Jee will give a rare Chinese tea tasting and afternoon tea service in The Veranda, where afternoon tea generally is served. Hours for the tea presentation are 2-3 p.m. Feb. 12 and cost is $24. Reservations: 739-8895.

Food editor Wanda Adams welcomes tidbits of food news for Quick Bites, published Wednesdays in the Taste section. Reach her c/o The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802 or at 535-2412 or taste@honoluluadvertiser.com.