Makino Chaya, the Asian buffet in Pearlridge, has begun making daily bento lunches for takeout. More than a dozen different items are offered in segmented plastic tray — teriyaki 'ahi to pork shumai — with vegetable nishime, pasta salad and Tamanishiki premium rice. The menu changes weekly.

The bento sell for $5.50 and orders are taken in advance at 486-5100. Bento sales are from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays. Hurry, though — they can make only 100 a day.

— Advertiser staff

DOWN AND DIRTY

AN ISLE FARMHAND'S FOOD-GROWING ACCOUNT

When he's crouched over a shovel with rain leaking down the back of his neck, journalism graduate Aaron Munzer, 22, has moments when this romantic idea of becoming a farmhand in Hawai'i palls a little. But Munzer, who a couple of weeks ago began seeding an Advertiser blog called "On the Farm," is passionate about farming and sustainability. And he's something of an old hand, having worked on a farm during high school. Read about his good and bad days at www.onthefarm.honadvblogs.com

— Wanda A. Adams

FINAL WORD

"Of all the liquors in the world, gin is probably the most misunderstood, the most maligned, the most abused — despite being used in dozens of common bar drinks."

David Embury , Author, "The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks"