QUICK BITES
Compadres parties with tequila fest
By Wanda A. Adams
Advertiser Food Editor
Compadres Bar & Grill in Ward Centre continues its annual Tequila Festival through Monday, Mexican Independence Day. Among the highlights:
- Mazatlan Night tomorrow, with free salsa lessons 9 p.m. and salsa dancing with Latin DJs, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
- Live music by Kalea Loa, 9 p.m. to midnight Friday.
- Finale Fiesta, with mariachi music and the Bartender Olympics finals, 9 p.m. to midnight Monday.
Throughout the festival, Compadres will offer a tequila sampler with portions of Anejo, Reposado and Blanco for tasting, with patrons selecting the brand to sample. For details: 591-8307.
Event showcases
Japan's best saké
Japan's finest brews will abound at the Joy of Saké, from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Japanese Cultural Center's Manoa Grand Ballroom.
The third annual celebration — dubbed the largest saké tasting event held outside of Japan — will also include seasonal appetizers prepared by Hawai'i's top chefs.
Price: $60. Purchase tickets at Fujioka's Wine & Spirits or call 739-1000.
See North Shore agriculture at Daiei
Daiei stores showcases the diversified agriculture of O'ahu's North Shore farms at the Re-Discover North Shore Product Fair, Sunday through Sept. 21 at Daiei stores at Kaheka, Waipahu, Kailua and Pearl City.
The products, which will be available for purchase, include Kahuku Farms' watermelon and rainbow papaya; May's Wonder Garden's hydroponic lettuce; and A&V Farm's Kahuku corn.
There will also be cooking demonstrations and samplings featuring heart of palm, a gourmet product from Wailea on the Big Island used in fine dining restaurants and available for retail sale only at Daiei stores. For details: 973-6617.
French cuisine event sold out
Some fans of fine dining won't have to travel all the way to Yountville, Calif., to get a taste of one of the nation's premier restaurants.
The French Laundry's chef de cuisine, Eric Ziebold, has designed a prix fixe menu for a special dinner Monday at Sunset Grill in Restaurant Row. But, not surprisingly, the $100-per-person dinner is sold out.
The French Laundry — voted Best Restaurant in the World by Restaurant Magazine in 2003 — is a member of two French-based associations and is dedicated to maintaining the highest international standards for hospitality and culinary excellence, according to publicity materials.
Ziebold, second in command to chef and owner Thomas Keller, joined the restaurant as a chef de partie in 1996. Ziebold was promoted to sous chef a year later, then chef de cuisine in 1999.
Neighbor Islands
Maui celebrates good food, music
A Taste of Lahaina & the Best of Island Music — Maui's largest culinary festival — celebrates its 12th anniversary 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Lahaina Recreation Park II.
The event will feature award-winning chefs, food from more than 25 restaurants, entertainment by Keali'i Reichel and others, and a Keiki Fun Zone.
Admission is $3 per person; free for ages 6 and under. For details: (808) 667-9175.
Big Island festival centers on poke
Consider yourself a poke lover? If so, take note of the 12th annual Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel Sam Choy Poke Festival, Friday through Sunday on the Kohala Coast of the Big Island.
The Aloha Festivals signature event includes a golf tournament to benefit Kawaihae Transitional Housing, a cooking demo with Sam Choy and a craft fair.
The festivities culminate with Sunday's poke contest, where entries will be available for public tasting beginning 11 a.m. For details, visit www.pokecontest.com or call (808) 880-3424.
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; wadams@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2412.
