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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Sunday, June 12, 2005

COVER STORY
Dads to feast on tasty array of dishes

Staff members will be rarin' to go during next Sunday's Father's Day brunch, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Photos by Randy T. Fujimori

Don Ho's Island Grill

Where: Aloha Tower Marketplace

Call: 528-0807

Hours: Daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and until 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays

Parking: Validated

Note: "Al Waterson and You" karaoke contest is held every Sunday evening.

To enter the contest, contact Nancy Bernal at 947-5736 or by e-mail: nancybernal@aol.com

The mahi mahi has been ordered. So, too, has the prime rib. And an amped up staff is ready to greet, seat and serve guests during what's expected to be a busy Father's Day brunch buffet next Sunday at Don Ho's Island Grill.

"We'll be ready," ensured pantry cook Mamerta Felizar, who'll come in a little earlier than usual next Sunday to help prepare the day's buffet lineup. "I think it will be non-stop until I finish work at 4 p.m."

If numbers approach anywhere near last year's level, manager Mike Maielua expects a long, busy day for the entire staff.

"We did 300 covers last year during Father's Day," he said. "And that was just during the brunch buffet."

Available from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., the brunch buffet is priced at $24.95 for adults and $15.95 for keiki under 11 years of age.

In addition to the carved prime rib and steamed mahi mahi, chafing dishes will also be teeming with such Island favorites as tako and ahi poke, kalua pork and cabbage, and Portuguese sausage fried rice.

Other hot entrees will showcase seafood cioppino, assorted breakfast meats, chicken Marsala and grilled vegetable fusilli pasta.

Made-to-order omelet and waffle stations will also be set up during the buffet. And a sweet variety of desserts and fresh slices of fruit will be on display, as well.

"We've got it all covered," said Maielua, who plans to spend next Sunday with his 2-year-old daughter Tehani and 6-month-old baby girl Mika. "The buffet offers a good mix of breakfast and lunch items."

While they're not sure yet of what they're doing for Father's Day, Douglas and Marlo Nettel voiced that they're hoping to come in for dinner to have a surfboard pizza.

"I like to eat the cheese," smiled 6-year-old Marlo, as she played with a "Coconut Monkey," which is a hollowed-out coconut that can be purchased as a souvenir.

("Coconut Monkey" drinks are $15 with a tropical blended drink or $10 if patrons just want the monkey-designed coconut , which can also double as a piggybank.)

Methodically picking off the greens from his pizza, Douglas said he likes the pepperoni. The Honolulu Boy Choir member also said he likes the thin crust.

Chef Jimmy dela Cruz will offer slices of prime rib during brunch.
A surfboard pizza is just fine for Douglas and Marlo, but mom Kari and dad Charlie may want to try the Father's Day special 12-ounce prime rib entree ($16.95), which will be plated with either rice or mashed potatoes and vegetable of the day. (This hearty entree will be available from 4 to 9 p.m.)

"We'll start the prime rib the night before and slowly roast it for six to eight hours," Maielua said. "Dads will love it."

They'll also enjoy other a la carte options, such as chef Jimmy dela Cruz's signature sizzling Hawaiian chopped steak ($16.95), macadamia-nut-encrusted pork chops ($16.95), lobster fettuccine ($18.95), seafood linguine ($18.95) and steak linguine ($16.95).