QUICK BITES
Hanohano Room wants to see you
By Wanda A. Adams
Advertiser Food Editor
The Sheraton Waikiki Hotel's Hanohano Room is best known to locals as the site of Perry & Price's popular Saturday-morning brunch radio show, and perhaps as a place to go for a very special dinner occasion — prom night or a wedding anniversary. Now the hotel is trying to lure kama'aina to enjoy this beautiful room with its sunset views by making valet parking free at dinnertime with Hanohano Room validation (starting Tuesday) and by offering a special menu one week each month featuring island favorites and a $95 kama'aina room rate.
July 8 through 13, it's " 'Ahi Fever," with a variety of fresh tuna specials, ranging from Herb Seared Wasabi appetizer ($15) to Grilled 'Ahi and Foie Gras with truffle sauce, wasabi mashed potatoes and island-style ratatouille ($34). Each month's specialty is kicked off with an evening during which a special guest will discuss the featured food. On July 13, fisherman Eddie Espree will discuss the different species of 'ahi, flavors and how best to prepare various dishes. Future promotions include "Waimanalo Blues" in August, with a focus on Nalo Farms greens and other local products; September is "Surf's Up" with a focus on North Shore products from Kahuku corn to North Shore tomatoes. Reservations: 922-4422.
Tupperware revives sales via parties
Just in case you're confused about what's going on with Tupperware: Last week, there were news reports about the famed make of storage containers pulling out of retail operations (primarily with Target stores, which we don't have here) and returning to its primary selling tool, the hosted party. That doesn't mean that Tupperware will be closing mall showcases, such as the one at Ala Moana Center, or discontinuing sales via television shopping networks. In a statement, Tupperware spokeswoman April Sachs said the company's main concern is that people should be able to interact with Tupperware representatives and are given an opportunity to understand the uses of the various pieces before buying. Placing the products on store shelves wasn't working in that way.
Vegetarians will explore alternatives
If you've been toying with the idea of going vegetarian, the next Vegetarian Society of Hawai'i meeting, 7 p.m. July 9 at the Ala Wai Golf Course club house, 404 Kapahulu, might be worth a visit: Two local men, one a lifelong vegetarian and one who made a drastic change in lifestyle for health reasons, will offer practical information about vegetarian alternatives.
Paul Onishi, a teacher in Castle High School's food-service program, has been teaching people about food presentation and preparation for more than 17 years, then was told a few years ago that he was at serious risk of cancer. That led him on a quest to learn a new way of cooking and eating, and he will discuss low-fat soy foods you can add to your diet. Vishnu Om, a lifelong vegetarian, was a student of Onishi's and now works in the show kitchen at Sam Choy's Diamond Head restaurant; he'll talk about "Sam Choy's Vegetarian Secret."
Information: 944-8344.
Taste of Honolulu nets $200,000
Taste of Honolulu, Easter Seals' annual fund-raiser, brought in $200,000 net proceeds and drew 44,160 people last weekend.
People's Choice winners included: Canoes at the Ilikai for best seafood, best salad and best dessert, Tony Roma's for best poultry and best pork, Colony at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki for best beef, Ciamon Mein at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki for best pasta, Down to Earth for best vegetarian, Tiki's Grill & Bar for most-spirited crew and Auntie Pasto's for best decorated booth.
