Better than Mom's? The teri beef plate at Hapa grill is that culinary rarity — restaurant-prepared local-style food that's like the best home-cooking. Advertiser libray photo

Hapa Grill   Former journalist Shannon Tangonan Putnam produces restaurant-quality lunchwagon fare and friendly service. Besides classic plate lunches such as an exceptional teri beef (thin, tender slices glistening with mahogany glaze), Hapa Grill serves contemporary Island food like grilled mahi with mac-nut fruit salsa, I Love You Like a Mango salad (greens, diced mangoes, calamari or chicken with a mango vinaigrette), and rosemary-accented roast pork with pork demi-glaze. You get easy, friendly service and clean, quiet atmosphere. Tops are pan-fried strips of pork with grilled onions and a delicious brown gravy. Chicken-fried steak is a bow to Putnam's husband's Southern roots (he's The Advertiser's deputy news editor) but no grits yet.  590 Farrington Highway No. 539, Marketplace at Kapolei. 674-8400. 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays-Mondays. MC, VS. $.  Web site: www.hapagrill.net