QUICK BITES
Padovani's opens in San Francisco

By Wanda A. Adams
Advertiser Food Editor

Philippe Padovani has opened Padovani's in the Hotel Milano in San Francisco; brother Pierre remains in Honolulu to oversee the Padovani's at the DoubleTree Alana Waikiki Hotel.

The San Francisco restaurant includes a main dining room, bar with bistro menu and wine bar with tasting menu (the last to open in June). The San Francisco restaurant was opened with financial backing from new investors, but the brothers remain majority owners of both restaurants. It's at 55 Fifth St., (415) 543-7600.

Here in Honolulu, Padovani's is hosting a wine dinner May 15 to be designed and prepared by Farrington High School culinary students who have been interning at the restaurant all year; the three-course menu ($40 without wine, $50 with) will benefit Farrington's culinary program. Featured wines will be from Domaine Napa.

Other wine events at Padovani's: tasting of Australian wines in the wine bar May 2, $18 for three half-glasses and one appetizer; $32 for three full glasses and two appetizers; California zinfandel tasting May 30 in the wine bar (same prices); wine dinner June 4 featuring the wines of Clos Pegase ($48 without wine, $68 with); June 23 tasting of Oregon pinot noirs ($20 for three half-glasses and one appetizer; $34 for three full glasses and two appetizers). Reservations: 947-3456.

Mother's Day specials on menu

Mother's Day (May 11) is one of the biggest days of the year for restaurants, as families show their appreciation by treating mom and grandma to a special meal.

Among the specials we've heard about (all events are May 11 unless otherwise noted):

• Frank DeLima at 10:30 a.m. lunch show, 4:30 p.m. dinner show, Palace Showroom, Ohana Reef Towers Hotel, Waikiki; $40; 923-7469.
• Sheraton Moana Surfrider's Mother-Daughter Tea, 1 to 4:30 p.m. May 10, Banyan Veranda, $28.50; Mother's Day Eve dinner on Banyan Veranda, May 10, $41; Mother's Day brunch, Banyan Veranda, seatings at 9 a.m. and noon, $41; Mother's Day dinner, Banyan Veranda, 5:30 to 9 p.m., $41; lunch buffet 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Beachside Cafe, $21.95; dinner buffet, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Beachside Cafe, $29.95. Reservations: 922-3111.
• Sheraton Princess Ka'iulani's Mother's Day brunch, 10:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pikake Terrace, $29.50; Mother's Day buffet dinner, Pikake Terrace, $32.50. Reservations: 922-5811.
• Sergio's, Hilton Hawaiian Village, Mother's Day menu, $16.95 (for a vegetarian pasta entree) to $34.50 (for filet mignon with grilled asparagus); other options available, plus $6.95 "young person's menu." Reservations: 951-6900.
• Star of Honolulu champagne and prime-rib brunch cruise, departs 10 a.m. for 2 1/2-hour coastal excursion, $41.95 adults, $20.95 children ages 3 to 11. Kama'aina and military $31.50 and $19.50. Reservations 983-7827 or www.starofhonolulu.com.
• Sea Life Park brunch, free park admission for mothers with purchase of brunch ticket, $21.95 adults, $10.95 children plus park admission of $24.96 adult, $12.48 child or kama'aina rate of $12.48 adult, $6.24 child, brunch and entertainment, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Reservations: 259-9911.
• Hilton Hawaiian Village, Mother's Day brunch, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Rainbow Lanai, $34.50 adult, $18.25 child ages 4 to 11; Mother's Day dinner buffet, 5 to 10 p.m., Rainbow Lanai, $39 adult, $19.50 ages 4 to 11; Chinese dinner special menu, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., Golden Dragon, $45 adult, $22 ages 4 to 11; Mother's Day dinner, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. special menu, Village Steak & Seafood Restaurant, $45 adult, $22 ages 4 to 11.
• Michel's, first Mother's Day brunch in more than a decade, served (not buffet), 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Michel's at the Colony Surf, Waikiki, $24-$38. Reservations: 923-6552.
• Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar, Restaurant Row, weekend buffets, 5 to 9 p.m. May 10, Mother's day brunch, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Mother's Day dinner 4:30 to 8 p.m., $38 adults, $19.50 children 5 to12 years. Reservations: 536-6286.
• Auntie Pasto's, special menu at both locations May 9-11 with various entrees, free dessert for mothers on Mother's Day. Reservations: 523-8855, Beretania location; 739-2426, Kapahulu.

Correction: The adult price for a special Mother's Day menu at Sansei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar in restaurant row is $38. An incorrect price was given in a previous version of this story.