QUICK BITES
Hawai'i Uncorked will be on March 9
By Wanda A. Adams
Advertiser Food Editor
Hawai'i Uncorked, a Celebration of Wines: "The Best of Both Worlds," the annual wine tasting and auction benefiting Hawaii Public Radio, will showcase the differences between Old World and New World wines. The event is set for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 9 at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel and there will be comparison tastings, gourmet tasting plates prepared by guest chefs to pair with specific wines, seminars, and silent and live auctions. Tickets are $75 general admission; $65 for HPR members or those charging their tickets on American Express. To find out more, see hawaiipublicradio.org/events.htm or call 955-8821.
Sweetheart menus mark Valentine's
Special menus abound this month at local restaurants. Among those announcing sweetheart deals for Valentine's Day (Feb. 14), which falls very conveniently on a Friday this year:
- Sergio's, Hilton Hawaiian Village — dinner for two with a rose on the table and a brandied cherry chocolate torte dessert, $110 without paired wines, $150 with. 951-6900.
- Bali by the Sea, Hilton Hawaiian Village — choice of surf-and-turf combo, 'ahi or duck entree with special appetizer, soup and dessert, $68 adults, $33 children. 949-4321, ext. 29.
- Golden Dragon, Hilton Hawaiian Village — appetizer selection, fish entrees, Dragon Sweetheart Strawberry Mousse dessert with jasmine tea; $49 adults, $25 children. 949-4321, ext. 29.
- Alan Wong's Restaurant — wide-ranging special menu begins with oysters and caviar, includes choice of first course, entree and dessert; $65 without paired wines, $85 with. 949-2526.
- Indigo — exotic meal begins with an appetite-stimulating herb beverage, General Yang's Secret Chamber Potion, followed by choice of first courses, soup or salad, entrees and desserts, $50 without selected champagne or wine; $65 with. 521-2900.
The above prices don't include taxes or tips. Check with your favorite restaurant to see about special menu items or fixed-price menus; most places will book up fast for the holiday.
Buca di Beppo expands to lunch
Buca di Beppo, the "immigrant Italian" restaurant at the Ward Entertainment Centre on 'Auahi Street, is now open for lunch. On weekdays, Buca offers a single-serving menu focused on ciabatta sandwiches, salads, pasta and a few entrees; weekend lunches offer the same gargantuan family-size portions (meant for sharing) as at dinner. Weekday lunch prices are in the $5.45 to $9.95 range. Lunch hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Dixie Grill lines up Mardi Gras treats
The Dixie Grill restaurants are celebrating Mardi Gras Feb. 17-March 4 with a special menu heavy on Cajun and Creole specialties and an expanded entertainment line-up. Among the specials from chef David Saccomanno: crayfish and shrimp etouffee (seafood in a rich, dark sauce) plus smoked chicken, sausage and prawn jambalaya (Cajun fried rice, sort of), N'Awlins Barbecue Shrimp and a lineup of Big-Easy-influenced desserts. There are also special jazz brunches planned for Feb. 22 at the 'Aiea restaurant and March 2 on Ward Avenue. Information: 596-8359, Ward; 485-2722, 'Aiea.
Ruth's Chris will host fund-raiser
Ruth's Chris Steak House is the site of a lunch-time fund-raiser It's Not Your Fault, a benefit for the Sex Abuse Treatment Center, 11:30 a.m. Feb. 27. Ruth's Chris general manager Al Hosoi is a member of the volunteer committee spearheading the project, which helps fund the center's work in medical care, legal advocacy and counseling as well as educational outreach. The cost of the buffet luncheon is $40 with tables of 10, eight, six or four available. Information, credit card reservations: Angela Smith, SATC, 535-7613.
Quick Bites is publishedWednesdays. Food editor Wanda A. Adams welcomes tidbits of food news. Write to her at The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802.
Call: 525-8069. E-mail: taste@honoluluadvertiser.com.
