QUICK BITES
Farmers' markets setting up shop

By Wanda A. Adams
Advertiser Food Editor

Good news for people interested in buying local, farm-fresh produce, flowers and other good things: Two new farmers' markets are starting up.

• The first, which is being launched this week, is a project of Fort Street Mall's Business Improvement District and takes place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Tuesday and Friday on Fort Street in downtown Honolulu. The first Fort Street Promenade Open Market, near Wilcox Park at Fort and King streets, launches tomorrow in honor of National Farmer's Market Week. Live music will be part of the activity from noon to 1 p.m. each Tuesday.
• A new weekly Saturday farmers' market will open Sept. 13 at Kapi'olani Community College, a project of the Hawai'i Farm Bureau, grower Dean Okimoto and food writer/consultant Joan Namkoong. It will run from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday, offering fruits and vegetables, aquaculture items, organic beef, preserves, snacks, honey, flowers, breads and pasta. There'll be breakfast plates for sale, coffee and pastries. More on this one later.

Of course, the city-managed People's Open Markets continue around O'ahu on various days. Call 522-7088 for a schedule.

Artisan cheeses focus of class

Chef Doug Lum of Mariposa Restaurant at Neiman Marcus, whose Cheese Culture events are a popular feature, is doing a special class on artisan cheese at 9:30 a.m. on Aug. 27 at the Lyon Arboretum. He'll talk about the properties of each of the cheeses and share ways to use them in recipes. Cost is $28; $25 for Lyon Arboretum Association members. Registration is required as class size is limited; 988-0456.

Indigo chef Glenn Chu is combining forces with Peter Mondavi Jr. of Charles Krug Winery to prepare a special wine-matched menu to be served at Indigo at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 20. Among wines to be tasted: 2002 Napa Valley sauvignon blanc, Family Reserve chardonnay Carneros Valley 2001, Family Reserve merlot 1999, Family Reserve Generations 2000 and Vintage Selection cabernet sauvignon 1998 and zinfandel port. Reservations are required; 521-2900.

Quick Bites is published on Wednesdays. Send tidbits of food news to food editor Wanda A. Adams, The Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; 525-8069 or wadams@honoluluadvertiser.com.