THE NIGHT STUFF
Take time out to 'ReVive' midweek

By Derek Paiva
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Kathryn Wheeler of Makiki and Pam Davis of Kaimuki sample martinis at the W Hotel Diamond Head Grill's ReVive Wednesday. Photos by Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser

Cocktail waitress Jenna Lipp, of Lanikai, serves calamari and lobster tempura appetizers to Linda and Frank Highsmith of Hawai'i Kai.

From left: Hideki Maruyama of Waikiki, Sean Klein of Kailua, Durti Sanchez of Hawai'i Kai and Victor Rhee of Makiki catch up at Diamond Head Grill's new weekly ReVive Wednesday.

Wonderlounge, that near-original model of upscale Honolulu restaurant-turned-afterhours-lounge parties, still attracts a crowd of well-dressed patrons on Friday nights, racking up in enviable longevity (it opened August 2001) what it has lost in once equally enviable buzz. Stealing a bit of that buzz, W Honolulu's Saturday night party (now dubbed The Goodness) sputtered through two years of unsuccessful promotional schemes before finding a personality and a following of its own last summer.

Enter ReVive Wednesdays.

Designed to downplay any comparison with its dressier weekend peers, ReVive launched earlier this month as a casually laid-back midweek martini-and-wine getaway for the after-work crowd. Instead of DJs, live musicians provide the soundtrack. A drinks-and-appetizers menu was created specifically for the evening. There's no cover.

A small gathering of casually dressed patrons were in house when our trio arrived 'round 7:30 p.m. on a recent Wednesday. ReVive's home is the grill's Diamond Head Lounge — a second DJ room at weekend parties. A well-stocked satellite bar had been set up. Small cocktail tables were draped in black cloth and topped with votives. The room was moodily illuminated in shades of blue and green lighting and still more votives.

We immediately hunkered in a corner setting of plush couches and throw pillows to seek out further comforts in ReVive's menu.

Our trio collectively sampled several selections from ReVive's 19-strong menu of $5 specialty martinis. With her expensive sweet tooth, my partner in Night Stuff was particularly fond of the T-Back, a blend of Godiva white chocolate liqueur and Absolut vanilla vodka. Our guest found her Hard Ten — Tanqueray Ten gin, with dashes of lemon, sugar and fizz — a playful see-saw of tart and sweet flavors.

Almost all of ReVive's appetizer selections were reasonably priced at $8. We chose the Moloka'i sweet-potato gnocchi and seared 'ahi chops. Matched with fresh Hamakua mushrooms and tossed in a flavorful basil macadamia pesto, the gnocchi were a garlic lover's treat. Our seared 'ahi arrived so perfectly seasoned with hints of rock salt, fresh ground pepper, garlic and other flavorings that a side dish of tasty shoyu mayo for dipping went untouched.

On the down side, we found our appetizer portions a bit smallish for an event hoping to draw a famished pau-hana crowd. Here, it helped that we were able to order larger-portioned (though more expensive) selections from the restaurant's bar and dining-room menus.

Another ReVive highlight was the soothing live grooves offered by Jook Joint. A cover band with a set list heavy on current and past adult contemporary favorites, Jook Joint was anchored by the versatile vox and engaging stage presence of lead vocalist Darren Porlas (formerly of Chant). The band's mellow vibe was about as ideal a choice for ReVive's sonics as one could hope for.

Service at ReVive was attentive. Jook Joint kept us hanging around an hour longer than we'd planned.

With a few environmental tweaks — less of those cocktail tables, and more mod furniture for lounging — and some patience on the W's part as a following develops, ReVive has the potential for casually downscale greatness.

Reach Derek Paiva at dpaiva@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8005.

Bartender Kasi Nunes of Wai'anae mixes up a martini.

WHERE: W Honolulu Diamond Head Grill, 2885 Kalakaua Ave., 922-3734.

WHEN: 6 p.m.-11 p.m., Wednesdays.

OUR ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE: 7:15 p.m./10:15 p.m.

COVER: Free.

YOUNGER THAN 21 OK?: Yes.

AGE OF CROWD: 20s-40s.

WHAT TO WEAR: Begin your selections at dressy casual and feel free to move up from there. Office attire also is appropriate.

PEAK CROWD WHILE THERE: About 30.

QUEUE?: No.

THE SOUNDTRACK: Live entertainment. On the night we stopped by, Jook Joint was working past and current adult contemporary covers. The soundtrack included James Taylor ("Shower the People"), Bryan Ferry ("Crazy Love"), John Mayer ("Your Body is a Wonderland"), Steve Miller Band ("Fly Like an Eagle"), Bob Marley ("Turn Your Lights Down Low"), Johnny Gill ("My My My").

BATHROOM ATTENDANT HOLDING PAPER TOWELS HOSTAGE?: No.

OTHER W HONOLULU WEEKLIES: Wonderlounge, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Fridays; The Goodness, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturdays.

Night notes ...

In the "Bound-To-Be-An-Interesting-Crowd-Mix" department, Feng Shui and Glitter N Glamour combine forces Saturday for The Heavy Petting Zoo at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki's Ciao Mein restaurant.

Progressive turntablist Josh David and house spinner DJ Reza, both Los Angeles-based, headline an evening heavy on patented G&G touches — free massages and makeovers, the G&G dancers, tribal drumming. Hardly surprising: an animal- and leopard-print fashion requirement. Scary! From 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Entry is $10 before 11 p.m., 21 and older.

Sick Dog Productions recently kicked off a couple of new weeklies. Good Times offers DJs and live bands at Eastside Grill on Thursdays; Ladies Night brings DJed hip-hop and dancehall to Boardriders Bar & Grill (formerly Jaron's) in Kailua on Fridays. Both nights from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., 21 and older.

Unity Crayons brings another all-ages live band showcase to Coffee Talk today from 8 p.m. Playing over the din of the bean grinder: All the Extras, Dork, Enemy Within, The Hit. Five bucks gets you in.

And returning to Studio 1 this week: return editions of Trip The Lights today, from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.; and First Thursdays poetry slam, Thursday at 8 p.m.