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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Wednesday, December 29, 2004

QUICK BITES
Restaurant offers late-night menu on New Year's

Advertiser Staff

Chef Mark Kowalkowski at Hula Grill Waikiki.

Advertiser library photo

Hula Grill Waikiki in the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach plans a special late seating for New Year's Eve — not only an opportunity to enjoy a late supper menu designed by chef Mark Kowalkowski, but also a way to secure front-row seats for Waikiki's fireworks display.

Menu selections for the $65-per-person dinner include crab cocktail, Waimanalo vegetable strudel, kalua pork "cigars," baked scallops, lobster bisque, Big Island hearts of palm salad, sashimi salad, seared opakapaka, Asian bouillabaisse, grilled fillet of beef or macnut-crusted rack of lamb. Pastry chef Saori Kemmotsu has designed a special dessert sampler, too. Seating is from 9 to 9:30 p.m. Reservations: 923-4852.



Vino in Kapalua, Maui, transforms itself into a tapas and wine bar

• Vino restaurant in Kapalua, Maui, has remade itself after not quite a year and a half in business: It's now VINO Italian Tapas & Wine Bar, with a new menu of more than two dozen small plates as well as the contemporary Italian/Pacific Rim large plates that have made the restaurant's reputation. Small plates range from Asparagus Milanese ($5.95) to Slow Butter-Poached Kona Maine Lobster with chanterelles and risotto ($17.95). As well, the restaurant has been repainted with "frescoes" by O'ahu artists Clark Takashima and Gary Godina (who did Little Vino in Honolulu). Open for lunch and dinner. (808) 661-8466.

• Blossoming Lotus on Kaua'i is the No. 1 vegetarian restaurant in Hawai'i, according to Zento magazine. Not surprising, since there are a mere handful of well-executed, full-service dairy-free, veggie-focused restaurants in all the state — and this one is exceptional. The restaurant is in the historic Dragon Building in Kapa'a. The cookbook, "Vegan World Fusion Cuisine," was produced from this restaurant. Information: (888) 445-6887, blossominglotus.com.