QUICK BITES
Fund-raising flings, food and festivities
By Wanda A. Adams
Advertiser Food Editor
Catered dinners are common bid items in local fund-raising auctions, but the Hawaiian Humane Society has scored an extraordinary pairing for its Tuxes & Tails event April 5 at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel: Roy Yamaguchi will host a dinner for 20 in his home, to be prepared by Yamaguchi with chef friends Douglas Lum of Mariposa and Hiroshi Fukui of L'Uraku, and with wines selected by master sommelier Chuck Furuya and table decor by Neiman Marcus. Last year, a similar event went for more than $5,000.
Tickets for Tuxes & Tails at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel are $200. Call 946-2187.
Speaking of fund-raising, AD2Honolulu is hosting its second annual Spring Palette wine tasting at 6:30 p.m. Friday in the Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa Regency Ballroom. The event includes a silent auction, buffet-style supper, art exhibit, entertainment by jazz funk fusion band the Turnstyles and a fashion show by Shanghai Tang and ADASA Hawaii. Jake Shimabukuro will entertain, as well, and a Bordeaux wine-tasting has been organized by Fujioka's Wine Merchants, along with samplings of wine, Scotch, sake and vodka martinis.
Ad2Honolulu is a nonprofit organization of advertising people who each year create a fully integrated marketing campaign for one nonprofit organization; proceeds help pay for these efforts along with educational programs and scholarships. Tickets: $45 in advance, $55 at the door; Sean Morris, 781-8888, or visit www.ad2honolulu.org.
'Local Grinds' gets a repeat airing
At 9 tomorrow night, KGMB is re-airing the most-requested edition of Emme Tomimbang's "Island Moments" series — "Local Grinds on the Town," featuring Alan Wong, Roy Yamaguchi, Russell Siu and Jean-Marie Josselin dining at their favorite down-scale "ono grinds" spots. This 1998 show got buzz going on places such as the Side Street Inn, Kapi'olani Coffee Shop at Kam Bowl, Leong's and Helen's Chinese Food.
Learn appetizers at 3660 On the Rise
The chefs at 3660 On the Rise will host a cooking class at 6 p.m. May 29, with recipes for popular pupu from the restaurant's menu. The demonstration class includes a tasting of the dishes with wines. Among the items: Frizzled Shrimp, Prosciutto-Wrapped Scallops, Grilled Salmon and Asparagus Skewers, Grilled Pesto Chicken Wrap, bruschetta, 'ahi carpaccio and a Grand Marnier-infused Tuxedo Strawberries dessert — with their attendant sauces, glazes and dips. Cost: $48 (includes tax and tip). Call the restaurant at 737-1177.
Formaggio opens; Meritage parties
The word is that Formaggio, the new wine bar at Fujioka's Wine Merchants at the Market City Shopping Center, is up and running. It's serving panini (Italian grilled sandwiches) and flights of wines for tasting. ... Meritage at Restaurant Row is introducing its spring menu and wine list at 5:30 p.m. Monday, with the entire restaurant converted to an informal tasting venue with live jazz and wines to taste. Pre-sale tickets are $35. Reservations: 529-8686. www.meritagehawaii.com.
Mavrothalassitis a Beard nominee
George Mavrothalassitis is the only Hawai'i chef to be nominated for a regional James Beard Award this year. This is the third nomination for the owner/chef of Chef Mavro restaurant.
Though a number of Hawai'i chefs have been nominated, the only previous Hawai'i recipients are Roy Yamaguchi and Alan Wong.
Quick Bites is published Wednesdays. Food editor Wanda A. Adams welcomes food news. Write to her at The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802.
Call 525-8036. Or e-mail taste@honoluluadvertiser.com.
