FIRST IMPRESSION: BUFFALO WILD WINGS

Wings and things: Hawai'i's first Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar opened Monday in a sprawling 6,500-square-foot space in Discovery Bay. There wasn't a lot of fanfare its first day: "We just opened our doors, and here we are," said general manager Steve Lewis. Nevertheless, the crowd did build throughout the day, and by dinner it was reported that there was a 2 1/2-hour wait for a table. Buffalo Wild Wings is known for — what else? — its Buffalo wings, even though the company is headquartered in Minneapolis. You can order them as traditional bone-in servings, or the cleaner boneless wings. There are also more than a dozen other pupu items on the menu, such as mozzarella sticks, fries, popcorn shrimp and nachos, but it was all pretty marginal.

Saucy: Buffalo Wild Wings is known for its 14 varieties of wing sauce. They range from mild (smilin') to super spicy (screamin'). We tried the honey barbecue (smilin'), spicy garlic (medium) and mango habanero (screamin'). The mango habanero was our favorite.

Pass the beer: There are 20 beers on tap, and another 20 in bottles. Miller and Budweiser are available, but why drink that when you can get a Shock Top, Sam Adams Seasonal, Newcastle, Stella, Peroni or Blue Moon?

You call this service? This is where things turned bad. We ended up with missing or mixed-up orders (we waited an hour and a half for an order of the restaurant's signature flatbread; by the time it got to us, it was soggy and inedible), causing dinner to take two hours longer than it should have. When our order went wrong, we didn't get an apology or even the sense that the staff cared that things had gone way off track. Like buffalo, you felt like they were just there to herd you in and herd you out. Granted, the place has been open barely a week — here's hoping that with time it'll work out the kinks and start offering service that will make customers want to come back. Right now, we're not so sure.

— Melissa Chang, Metromix

Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar, Discovery Bay, 1778 Ala Moana Blvd., 983-3933. Hours: 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Mondays-Saturdays; 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Sundays

FOOD NEWS

In honor of the 50th anniversary of Hawai'i statehood, Primo Brewing & Malting Co. has created a draft-only Statehood Ale that will only be available at select bars and restaurants for the month of July. The ale, which is described as a smooth "pale ale with a floral hop aroma," will be brewed at Hawaii Nui Brewing in Hilo and available on O'ahu and Maui.

KSSK's Michael W. Perry and Larry Price have moved their Perry & Price Saturday Morning Show from John Dominis to Jimmy Buffett's at the Beachcomber. It's the first time the radio team has broadcast its regular show live from Waikiki since fall 2003. Tickets for the live show, which include a breakfast buffet, are available for $19.95 per person and $12.50 for children ages 6 to 12. Kids younger than 6 eat free. Ticket prices include taxes and gratuities. Jimmy Buffett's at the Beachcomber offers free valet parking with purchase and validation. For reservations, call 791-1200. For additional details, visit www.ksskradio.com or www.JBABC.com.

Town restaurant on Wai'alae Avenue is hosting a weekly wine and dinner pairing event from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays. "Go2town" features four wines and four food pairings for $25 per person. Get there early and get a free cocktail courtesy of bar manager Dave Powers. Call 398-7517 to make reservations.

BREAKFAST IS BACK

Eggs 'n Things is back, and it's as good as ever. Eggs 'n Things is the stuff of breakfast legend: one of the most popular breakfast places in Waikiki that even locals will endure tourist crowds to eat at. On weekends, there's parking at reasonable rates across the street at the post office; on weekdays it costs more. The food isn't fancy — just good, solid breakfasts that satiate for the morning (or night). The service mirrors the food — friendly, brisk and efficient. We were lost without the macadamia nut and blueberry pancakes (the best on the island), but now that the place is back in business, we'll forgive it for taking a break.

— Martha Chang, Metromix

EGGS 'N THINGS

343 Saratoga Road

923-3447, www.eggsnthings.com

Hours: 6 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5-10 p.m. daily

SMALL BITES

GET SLAYED BY THIS DRAGON ROLL

The White Dragon Roll at #1 I Love Sushi in Samsung Plaza on Ke'eaumoku Street is the little sushi restaurant's most unique item — a California roll topped with unagi, hamachi, avocado and yamaimo (a variety of yam). Don't let the slimy look of the yamaimo put you off. Just one taste and you'll be hooked. We were.

— Melissa Chang, Metromix