QUICK BITES
Restaurant news
By Wanda A. Adams
Advertiser Food Editor
Meritage, the new Restaurant Row spot that brings together partners Laurent Chouari and William Cheng and chef Mariano Lalica (formerly of Don Ho's Island Grill) opens Oct. 7. It's in that revolving-door space on the diamondhead side of the Row that last was home to Baci.
Pronounced like "heritage," the restaurant whose name is borrowed from the wine industry term for a blend of Bordeaux varietals, will have a somewhat blended menu, as well, combining island ingredients with European technique.
A longtime Lahaina institution, Gerard's Restaurant at the Plantation Inn on Lahainaluna Road, has been featured in the premiere issue of a new magazine, Great Chefs.
Kona food fest
Among the events associated with the upcoming Big Island Festival is the Bounty of Keauhou, involving a Hook 'n' Cook fishing tournament Nov. 2 and 3, a fund-raiser for the Read to Me International Foundation, and the Pacific Cup of Freediving, a free-diving competition set for Oct. 31-Nov. 4.
The Hook 'n' Cook event begins with the fishing tournament Nov. 2, during which fishing boats will be paired with celebrity chefs who will prepare the catch at a Beach Bash Barbecue at the Ohana Keauhou Beach Resort Nov. 3. The idea is to get individuals to sponsor a boat ($350-$5,000), with proceeds going to the charity, chosen by chef Amy Ferguson-Ota.
Chefs involved include Alan Wong, Edward Frady of Edward's in Kanaloa at Kona, Abduli Chadli of the Ohana Keauhou Beach Resort and others to be announced.
The Pacific Cup of Freediving will be a worldwide competition debuting in the United States.
Other events include the chance to talk story with Kona kupuna, fishnet-making lessons, 'ukulele lessons, tea tasting, wine tasting, a Kona Coffee recipe cookoff, a poke-eating contest and more.
Discounted room rates are being offered to kama'aina at Keauhou Beach Resort and Kanaloa at Kona; call Ohana Keauhou Beach Resort, (877) 532-8468 and ask about the Bounty rate, or call (808) 322-9625 for 30-percent-off condo rates at Kanaloa at Kona.
Information on Bounty events: (808) 324-2504, or go to the Web site, www.keauhou-resort.com.
More foodie events
More than 400 booths will be set up at the Neal Blaisdell Center Arena and Exhibition Hall for the 38th annual Food & New Products Show, showcasing products from Hawai'i and beyond with the usual ton of free food samples.
This year, there will be a Lava Rock Chef Challenge, with celebrity judges and guest chefs competing in a format similar to TV's "Iron Chef."
Hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Oct. 17-18, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 19 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 20. Admission is $4; $3 for seniors, military and children 7-12. Children under 6 free with paying adult. Information: 945-3594
The second annual Taste of Waipahu is set for 10 a.m to 10 p.m. Nov. 9 at Hawaii Plantation Village and other Waipahu locations. The Waipahu Community Association is organizing the event, 677-6939.
The Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hawaii's second annual Food & Wine Festival is Oct. 10-19, featuring local chefs as well as guests from the East Coast, including Kenneth Oringer of Clio in Boston, Douglas Rodrigues of Chicama in New York, David Burke of Park Avenue Café in New York and Michael Ginor of Hudson Valley Foie Gras.
Events include a lavish opening reception Oct. 10 ($55); a five-course tasting menu Oct. 11 at Hoku's ($110); a wine dinner featuring chef Philippe Padovani and his former student, Kahala Mandarin executive chef Wayne Hirabayashi Oct. 12 (formal, limited seating, $220); and many more classes, activities dining experiences Oct. 13-15.
Schedule and reservations: 739-8890.
Quick Bites is published Wednesdays in The Advertiser's food section. Food editor Wanda A. Adams welcomes tidbits of food news. Write to her c/o The Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802. Phone: 525-8069. E-mail: taste@honoluluadvertisercom.
