honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, July 31, 2002

QUICK BITES
Get a taste of Made in Hawaii

By Wanda A. Adams
Advertiser Food Editor

Lavender from Maui, herbal teas from the Big Island, sweet-potato chips from O'ahu, fudge from Kaua'i and many other food items will be featured at one of the Islands' most popular open-to-the-public trade shows, the seventh annual Made in Hawaii Festival, Aug. 16-18 at the Neal Blaisdell Center. Top Hawai'i chefs will do cooking demonstrations and offer free samples, including Steven Ariel of the Pineapple Room, Bill Bruhl of Ryan's Grill, Glenn Chu of Indigo, Mark Ellman of Maui Tacos, Elmer Guzman of Sam Choy's Diamond Head Restaurant, Ivan Pahk of Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar, and Troy Teruya of Catch of the Day Sushi. Hours: noon-9 p.m. Aug. 16, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Aug. 17, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 18. Admission: $2, children under 6 free. Sponsor First Hawaiian Bank is offering half-off coupons on O'ahu beginning tomorrow. Information: 533-1292, www.madeinhawaiifestival.com.

Visual aids

TV's Food Network was in town last week, as was NBC's "Travel Cafe with Chuck Henry." George Mavrothalassitis of Chef Mavro restaurant was featured doing a demo of his signature Onaga Baked in Hawaiian Salt Crust with Herb-Ogo Sauce and ended up literally in the water at Kaimana Beach, along with host Chuck Henry. And Mavro filmed two segments for "Follow that Food" at Sand Island with host Gordon Elliot, focusing on Hawaiian vanilla and saffron — ingredients chosen from a list given him by the show's producers. Elliot also visited with Don Ho at Don Ho's Island Grill.

Chef Mavro, who launched his summer menu last week, added a new feature to his restaurant Web site last Friday: video of the Kaimana Beach cooking demonstration using state-of-the-art streaming technology. See it at www.chefmavro.com.

Restaurant news

  • Wolfgang Puck is opening a second Wolfgang Puck Express restaurant in Hawai'i, this one at the Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel, which is in the midst of a $30 million remodeling. The restaurant will open in early winter; renovations are to be complete this fall. It will be located in a new open-air arcade on the property's ground level.
  • Kaka'ako Kitchen has introduced six new menu items including a vegetarian omelet, a grilled eggplant and smoked gouda sandwich on focaccia, penne pasta with grilled chicken, Hau'ula tomato stuffed with tuna salad and a blackened 'ahi wrap. Daily menu specials are being featured as well. Also happening at Kaka'ako Kitchen through the month of August: Every child who orders from "Uncle Russ's Keiki Menu" receives a free Blue Bunny Ice Cream cup. Dishes designed for those 12 and under include versions of shoyu chicken, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, spaghetti and chicken nuggets. The restaurant is at Ward Centre.
  • Sergio's, the new northern Italian restaurant at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, won the Building Industry Association's top award for commercial remodeling in the 5,000-7,000-square-foot category. The space was given the look of a Tuscan farmhouse by contractors Landmark Building, architect Alan Murakami and interior designer Kathy Merrill.

On the Big Island

  • The island's United Way will be the beneficiary of a fund-raiser, "A Night in Paradise," featuring some of Hawai'i's best-known chefs, at 6 p.m. Aug. 17 at the Orchid at Mauna Lani. Among those preparing the sampling menu: Daniel Thiebaut of Daniel Thiebaut's Restaurant, James Cassity of the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Corey Waite of Hapuna Beach Print Hotel, Wilhelm Pirngruber of the Hilton Waikoloa Village, Edwin Goto of Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows, Peter Merriman of Merriman's and Hula Grill, Amy Ferguson Ota of Oodles of Noodles, Etzuji Umezu and Daniel Sampson of the Orchid, Tom Selman of Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar and Jacqueline Lau of Roy's Waikoloa Bar and Grill. Tickets: $65. Information and reservations: (808) 935-6393. The Orchid is offering special rates to those who attend.
  • Also on the Big Island, the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel will celebrate the life of Elvis Presley 25 years after his death with a special "Blue Hawai'i" Clambake 6-9 p.m. Aug. 17 and a "Love Me Tender" brunch 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 18. The clambake includes dancing to the Ho'oku "Lonely Street" Band and the brunch will include Southern favorites to commemorate Elvis' love of good grits. Reservations: (808) 882-5810.

Send items of culinary interest to Quick Bites, Taste section, the Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802. Fax: 525-8055. E-mail: taste@honoluluadvertiser.com.