Hawaii Dining Out July 29, 2012

AN EDITION OF

Executive chef Aurelio Garcia and general manager Jeffrey Gaspar present best-selling signature dishes, including Garlic Shrimp Pizza, Crispy Jumbo Shrimp with Sweet Chili Glaze on a bed of Fried Rice, Onolicious Rack of Ribs and Whole Dungeness Crab.

ALSO: Why Ice Forest is so cool | 6

J U LY 2 9 - A U G . 4 , 2 0 1 2

Whether it’s food from land or sea, Sam Choy’s BLC on Nimitz Highway never disappoints with a bounty of savory treasures for patrons.

See Page 4 | Leah Friel photo

Luring pupu lovers to Atlantis | 12 Nuuanu Okazuya has plenty of star power | 14

ono,youknow

Yogurstory

Nice Day Chinese Seafood Restaurant

Anytime Cafe

Getting to the Root of

Taro

By Alana Folen | Photos by Leah Friel

than just onolicious poi. So, this week, I took my trusty taste buds and ventured off into the vast world of taro. You’ll be surprised at the many ono options, some of which I bet you never knew existed. Ready?

Let’s satisfy our appetites at the followappy Sunday, Ono readers! I ing Ono, You Know hot spots and take on hope last week’s column on a taste for taro! bizarre foods took you out of your comfort zone to explore an array of Yogurstory unique cuisines, but this week, I promise The story began in November 2010, to keep things safe and simple, yet utter- when Yogurstory opened its doors on ly delicious.

Keeaumoku Street. What started as a While recently devouring a bowl of poi brunch cafe that focused on yogurt quick— that starchy, pasty staple served at ly evolved into a full-service restaurant every Hawaiian luau — it got me think- serving up brunch, dinner, pupus and ing: “What is it about taro, the corms and cocktails. tubers of several plants, that makes it so Recently, I kicked off my workday with tasty?” For many Hawaiians, taro repre- a visit to his highly acclaimed, award-winsents the staff of life as taro is deeply ning establishment. It was a refreshing rooted in Hawaii’s diverse culture. In fact, experience no doubt, and head barista Josh for early Hawaiians, taro — as in poi — Anguay was more than happy to fill my was an essential part of their daily diet. cup of happiness with a Taro Latte.

Yet, I know there’s much more to taro A specialty drink off of the eatery’s espresso bar menu, Taro Latte ($4.50) can be served hot or iced, depending on your preference.

“A lot of people like the hot version Above: The editor starts her day with refreshing more, but iced is also very good — they’re sips of Yogurstory’s delectable iced Taro Latte. both pretty popular,” Anguay shares.

Right: Yogurstory’s iced and hot Taro Latte ($4.50) Being that it’s summer, I went straight

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for the iced Taro Latte, comprised of taro powder, steamed milk and white chocolate. It may sound unusual, but I fell in love with the very first sip!

“Taro Latte is something unique to us,” Anguay says. “A lot of people don’t realize that we have it until they see it on the menu, and then when they try it, a lot of people actually end up coming back just for the Taro Latte.”

Perfect for me as I hardly ever drink

coffee, Taro Latte is caffeine-free, however you can request to add shots of chai to your drink for 60 cents per shot.

Also, a visit to Yogurstory isn’t complete without feasting on its Red Velvet Waffle ($9.95), which is in fact topped with taro cream cheese, in addition to chocolate drizzle and red velvet croutons.

– See page 18

Dining Out Dining Out is a weekly advertising supplement published by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

EDITOR Alana Folen Phone: 529.4854 diningout@staradvertiser.com

SALES MANAGER Sandi Sakaguchi Phone: 342.8802 SSakaguchi@staradvertiser.com

SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR Bill Mossman Phone: 529.4863 diningout@staradvertiser.com

Visit us at dining.staradvertiser.com

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D I N N E R

Duckhorn Vineyards of Napa Valley Monday, 27 August 2012

Amuse Kona Kampachi Tartare Caviar, Bouche Crispy Pappadam Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, 2010

Act One Butter Poached Kona Lobster, Grilled Kahuku Corn Polenta and Crème Fraiche Migration Chardonnay, Napa Valley, 2009

Act Two Black Summer Truffle Risotto with Soft Poached Egg Goldeneye Pinot Noir, Mendocino County, 2009

Act Three Pan Roasted Beef Tenderloin Potato and Leek “Hash Brown”, Cabernet Reduction, Foie Gras Maitre D’ Butter, Asparagus, Pearl Onion Duckhorn 3 Palms Vineyard Merlot, Napa Valley, 2007 or Duckhorn Cabernet, Napa Valley, 2009

Finalé Organic Lemon-Olive Oil Custard Tart Caramel Citrus Poached Pear, Truffle infused Ice Cream, Cherry Gastrique

Stage Ovation Wine Dinner Duckhorn Vineyards of Napa Valley Monday, 27 August 2012 Featuring Executive Chef Ron de Guzman and Cheryl-Lynn Mattos of JDM Beverages presenting the Duckhorn Wine Pairings

5:30 - 8p “Wine Lover’s” seating with wines presented at table side.

$ 125 4 Course Dinner and Wine pairing tax and gratuity not included

Call 808.237.5429. Reservations highly recommended Convenient location with free covered parking.

Contemporary Asian American Cuisine Sta ge Res t a ur a nt H a w a i i .com Honolulu Design Center Honolulu Design Center • 2nd Floor Lunch Mon-Fri 11:30a - 1:30p On Kapiolani between Pensacola & Piikoi St. Free covered parking Dinner Mon-Sat 5:30- 8:30p 1250 Kapiolani Blvd. • t: 956-1250

Scan for Wine Dinner menu and to make reservations instantly.

D I N I N G O U T | J U LY 2 9 - A U G . 4 , 2 0 1 2 | 3

Dining Out // Cover Story // Sam Choy’s BLC

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A Seafood Sanctuary and So Much More

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Story by Alana Folen // Photos by Leah Friel

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am Choy’s Breakfast, Lunch & Crab always draws in crowds from across the island with its contemporary all-American and local favorites. This awardwinning establishment opened its doors 15 years ago when celebrity chef Sam Choy wanted to share his island cuisine with locals and tourists alike. While Chef Sam is still very much dedicated to the establishment, executive chef Aurelio Garcia and general manager Jeffrey Gaspar take the reins here, making sure the restaurant is always at its best.

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Dining Out recently paid a visit to Sam Choy’s Breakfast, Lunch & Crab, and witnessed the many meltin-your-mouth entrees that satisfy any craving. It’s clear that the restaurant offers much more than merely breakfast, lunch and crab, and it only takes one visit to make you a devoted fan.

DO: Sam Choy’s Breakfast, Lunch & Crab is best known for serving quality cuisine with aloha and has been doing so for the past 15 years. What is the restaurant’s philosophy?

Gaspar: When the restaurant first opened its doors, we strictly focused on a seafood type of menu that also incorporated some local flavors.

Since then, the menu has undergone some changes here and there, but the

basis of the menu has always been seafood and, of course, crab. We are firm advocates in supporting local produce and flavors.

DO: Crab lovers can’t seem to get enough of the many crab creations here. What are some entrees that are continuously flying off the menu?

Gaspar: Well, I highly recommend patrons who love crab to come and dine here on Tuesday nights when we serve two pounds of snow crab legs for only $29.95. It’s a great deal, and it’s served with a vegetable medley and your choice of starch.

We also serve a delicious Whole Dungeness Crab (24 ounces, $38.95). You can request to have it steamed with fresh drawn butter or have it prepared with black bean sauce. The dish also comes complete

with your choice of starch and vegetables. We have live Dungeness crab brought in almost daily from our local purveyors, so our seafood is always fresh.

DO: The restaurant is celebrating a shrimp festival now through Aug. 5. What can diners expect?

Gaspar: Yes, the shrimp festival showcases a variety of dishes featuring none other than shrimp during lunch and dinner times. A couple of our featured entrees are Garlic Shrimp Pizza ($14.95) and Crispy Jumbo Shrimp with Sweet Chili Glaze on a Bed of Fried Rice ($17.95 lunch, $24.95 dinner). We don’t normally have pizza on our menu, so Garlic Shrimp Pizza is a big hit. This pizza pie consists of shrimp, basil, tomatoes, red onions,

1 Server Assistant Alex Ly 2 Whole Dungeness Crab ($38.95) 3 Kalua Pork Quesadilla ($10.95) 4 Garlic Shrimp Pizza ($14.95) 5 Onolicious Rack of Ribs ($29.95) 6 Crispy Jumbo Shrimp with Sweet Chili Glaze on a bed of Fried Rice ($17.95 lunch, $24.95 dinner)

cheese and garlic. We promote festivals almost every month, and it’s nice to highlight different things off of our menu.

DO: Everything sounds decadently delicious. What are some other signature dishes that Sam Choy’s BLC is known for?

Gaspar: Our Kalua Pork Quesadilla ($10.95) is a favorite appetizer featuring a grilled flour tortilla filled with shredded kalua pork, sauteed onions and cheese, topped with fresh salsa, sour cream and barbecue sauce. Then we have our Kahuku Luau Crab Dip ($12.95) with oven-baked crab and spinach dip highlighted with artichoke and capers, topped with Parmesan cheese and accompanied by grilled garlic bread. Of course, we must include Onolicious Rack of Ribs to the list. Priced at $29.95, guests can enjoy two pounds of Sam’s famous char siu-glazed baby back ribs garnished with green onions and coconut sprinkles. It really epitomizes local fare. Patrons love it and order it all the time.

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DO: With a vast and ever-expanding menu, where does the inspiration for these alluring dishes come from?

Gaspar: Sam Choy has created a lot of the dishes here, but he also allows executive chef Aurelio Garcia to come up with many dishes himself. Chef Aurelio has been here for nine years and has really brought entree purchased. Magic by Alan a lot to the menu.

Arita, balloon sculpting and caricature drawing). Keiki (ages 5-12) also DO: Sam Choy’s is a family- eat free daily for the month of July friendly restaurant with fun happen- and August with the purchase of an ings all week long. What can diners adult meal. On Sundays we offer our look forward to? brunch buffet from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Gaspar: There’s a long list of dif- ($22.95 for adults, $12.95 for keiki) ferent happenings, including Snow as well.

Crab Tuesday Nights (2-pound snow crab legs for $29.95), Prime DO: The establishment also Rib Wednesday Nights (16-ounce entices diners 21 and over with a f Prime Rib of Beef for $20.95), full-open bar. Is this correct?

Beverage Thursdays (Bottle of Gaspar: Yes, our brewery conHybrid Pinot Noir for $12 and pitch- cept started the same time the ers of Aloha Beer for $10), Aloha restaurant did, and it was quickly Fridays (Hawaiian Plate all day and incorporated into the breakfast, night), Kapuna Saturdays (kapuna lunch and crab house. We currently r 62 and older receive a 20 percent have five handcrafted beers — discount all day), Keiki Sunday Blonde Ale, Ehu Ale, Aloha Lager, f Nights (6 to 8 p.m., keiki eat free Kiawe Honey Porter and James from keiki menu with each adult Cook I.P.A. — and we’ll brew some

J U LY 2 9 - A U G . 4 , 2 0 1 2

AN EDITION OF

Whether it’s food from land or sea, Sam Choy’s BLC on Nimitz Highway never disappoints with a bounty of savory treasures for patrons.

Executive chef Aurelio Garcia and general manager Jeffrey Gaspar present best-selling signature dishes, including Garlic Shrimp Pizza, Crispy Jumbo Shrimp with Sweet Chili Glaze on a bed of Fried Rice, Onolicious Rack of Ribs and Whole Dungeness Crab.

seasonal or specialty beers every now and then. The beers complement the food nicely here and customers come to enjoy both.

DO: What are some new and exciting things happening here?

Gaspar: Right next to the brewery is Aloha Beer Company, which is an expansion of Sam Choy’s BLC. Aloha Beer Company opened about a month ago, and brings about a lounge type of atmosphere and offers a vast array of pupus and beers. We’re hoping that Aloha Beer Company and Sam Choy’s will complement each other.

A lot of people will have an early dinner here at Sam Choy’s and then go next door to Aloha Beer Company and finish the evening off with some drinks.

See Page 4 | Leah Friel photo

ALSO: Why Ice Forest is so cool | 6

Luring pupu lovers to Atlantis | 12 Nuuanu Okazuya has plenty of star power | 14

Dining Out Cover Story

Sam Choy’s Breakfast, Lunch & Crab 580 N. Nimitz Hwy., Honolulu 545.7979 Tuesday-Friday, 7-10:30 a.m., Saturday-Sunday 8-11 a.m. (breakfast); Sunday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. (brunch); Tuesday-Friday, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday-Sunday, 11a.m.-2 p.m. (lunch); Tuesday-Thursday, 5-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 5-10 p.m., Sundays 5-9 p.m. Closed Mondays.

SamChoyHawaii.com D I N I N G O U T | J U LY 2 9 - A U G . 4 , 2 0 1 2 | 5

A Shave Ice Wonderland

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ICE FOREST WHERE 202 Merchant St., Honolulu CALL 383.1824

Coffee, Granita, Fruit Smoothies and Italian Soda.

The most popular menu items are Rainbow Shave Ice with Mochi Balls, Ice Cream and Condensed Milk ($5), Azuki with Mochi Balls and Condensed Milk Shave Ice ($5.75) and Original Custard with Mochi Balls Shave Ice ($5). You also can design your own shave ice by chosing one or more main toppings (azuki, mochi balls, realcoffee custard, taro or original custard), up to three shave ice flavors, and then additional toppings (such as condensed milk, green tea ice cream, vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, grass jelly, honeydew jam, lychee jelly, lychee pop, mango jam, mixfruit jelly, nata de coco, passion

Grand Opening Specials! $ 99

202 Merchant Street

(corner of Merchant & Alakea)

Valid w/coupon thru 8/2/12. Cannot be combined w/other offers. Dine in only.

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TUES - SUN 11am – 2pm

Ice Forest

reg $15.99

SUN-THURS 11AM-10PM • FRI-SAT 11AM-MIDNIGHT

Lawrence Tabudlo photos

Fresh & Tasty Azuki Beans, Taro, Custards, Mochiballs & more!

Red House Top Noodle

835 Keeaumoku St. #I-101B • 944-0088

1 Azuki, Mochi Balls and Condensed Milk ($5.75) 2 Custard and Mochi Balls ($5) 3 Mochi Balls, Ice Cream and Condensed Milk ($5) 4 Naomi Huang can’t get enough of Ice Forest’s shave ice.

Offer for regular size w/up to 3 flavors. Toppings extra.

Cannot be combined with other discounts/specials. Must present coupon. Expires 8/5/12

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fruit pop, strawberry jam and strawberry pop).

Huang worked as a computer product manager in Shanghai before moving back to Hawaii to raise his two young children with wife Tomoko. Ice Forest is located inside Alakea Market, Huang’s parents’ business, which has been in Downtown for almost 30 years. Street parking is available on Merchant Street and at the open lot near the U.S. Post Office just a block away.

“I wanted to raise my family in Hawaii,” says Huang. “And I like shave ice.”

with purchase of our Signature Shave Ice

Korean Beef Salad

$ 99

HOURS Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 12:30-4:30 p.m.

FREE Rainbow Shave Ice

Try our favorite Korean Fusion Dishes! reg $12.99

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Azuki Lover’s

✁

have ice is not new in Hawaii. In fact it could be considered the state dessert. But in recent years, Taiwanesestyle shave ice, which has been around for a long time in Asia, has been making its way across the Pacific Ocean and gaining popularity all across the country, including here in the Islands.

If you’ve never tried this mountainous mouthwatering treat, you’re definitely missing out.

It’s similar to regular shave ice, but the ice is usually fluffier, almost snow-like, and the best part are the endless toppings you can add to it, including my personal favorites mochi balls and condensed milk.

At Ice Forest in Downtown Honolulu, which opened earlier this year, you can find a great selection of Taiwanese-style shave ice with a local touch.

Owner Andrew Huang, a 1989 graduate of Moanalua High School, offers classic Rainbow Shave Ice ($2.50 bowl, $3.50 cone, and up to three flavors — banana, coffee, lihing mui, lilikoi, mai tai, melona, pina colada, root beer, vanilla, coconut, guava, lemon lime, lychee, mango, papaya, pineapple, strawberry and watermelon), Signature Shave Ice, Snow Ice, as well as Cold-Pressed Iced

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383-1824 M-F 10am-4:30pm / Sat-Sun 12:30pm-4:30pm

featuring…

Nicoise Salad and Moules Marinieres Frites

1006 KAPAHULU AVE.

739-5000

DINNER SERVED TUES-SUN FROM 5PM

KITCHEN INSIDER ver wonder what goes on behind the scenes at your favorite restaurant? Well, much credit goes to the many chefs, owners and managers who work diligently day in and day out to make sure Hawaii’s diners have a top-notch dining experience.

This week, Dining Out got the inside scoops from Hanaki Restaurant’s general manager Mark Mitsuyoshi, who gave us a little taste of Hanaki and shared just what fuels his culinary drive.

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Hanaki Restaurant 2756 Woodlawn Drive #6-102, Honolulu | 988.1551 Wednesday-Monday, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (lunch), 5-9 p.m. (dinner), Closed on Tuesdays

Who or what inspires you as a chef/manager/owner? Serving

guests food that is healthy, but also tastes good. We serve food that I would actually eat myself, on a daily basis, and not get tired of it. We want guests to enjoy the food, enjoy the experi- tofu, Chinese cabbage and a big ence and their time here creating bowl of rice on the side. For my shabu shabu. dipping sauce, I usually choose house sauce mixed with chili What is your favorite dish on peppers and daikon oroshi. It’s the menu? Why? The shabu enough to fill me up, and I don’t shabu is my favorite “dish,” but have to worry because it’s healthy. it’s hard to call it a single dish Plus, it doesn’t take a lot of time due to the endless variations you to prepare it, so I can get back to can do with it. I never get tired of my work or whatever else I’m it. I usually start with the konbu doing that day. base, add pork, choi sum, mushrooms, stuffed aburage “pockets,” What is your favorite ingredient arabiki sausages, frozen “sponge” to work with? Why? Favorite

File photo

ingredient? Probably pork — pork loin, pork butt, pork collar (very nice and tender) — we can slice it thin for shabu shabu. We also can grind pork to mix into meatballs or stuff into aburage pockets, even wrap it around vegetables.

Is there a dish that you create that’s not on your menu, but available upon request? Different

types of vegetable tempura are sometimes available.

LIVE JAZZ Featuring Jazz pianist, vocalist and composer Maggie Herron. Her previous experience includes songwriting and performing for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, extensive performances throughout the West Coast, Pacific Northwest and Hawaii.

20% OFF

with coupon

Regular Menu Dine-in or Take-out

Not valid with other specials/discounts.

Expires 11/30/12

Live LOBSTER $12.95

*with purchase of any regular entree. Dine-In Only Not valid with other specials/discounts.

377-5555 or 377-5566 Mon-Sat 9am to 7:30pm; Sun 9:30am to 6pm • 1111 McCully Street • 947-5411

Lungfunghawaii.com • Open Daily 11am-9pm 5724 Kalanianaole Hwy • Niu Valley Shopping Ctr. LOTS OF FREE PARKING

MAGGIE HERRON & ROCKY HOLMES Tuesday-Saturday NOLY PAA Sunday-Monday ENTERTAINMENT TIMES: Sun-Thu 8:30pm – 12 midnight Fri & Sat 8:30pm – 12:30am

www.halekulani.com

LOUNGE OPENS AT 7:30PM NIGHTLY D I N I N G O U T | J U LY 2 9 - A U G . 4 , 2 0 1 2 | 7

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Tempura VO Time at veg’nout Hifumi with

Terri Hefner

“Vegetarians like it,” says longtime eauty is in the eye of the beholder — and that’s true when it comes to server Elsie.

What’s not to like? Hifumi, a mainstay food as well. It’s said that two people can look at the same thing and each at the Chinese Cultural Plaza for will see something different. It’s all a decades, has its tempura down pat. It’s light and crisp with just the right amount matter of perception.

Hifumi Japanese Restaurant boasts that of bite to the vegetables, and the accomit has the biggest shrimp around for its panying side of tsukemono (Japanese tempura — and that’s quite true, lucky for pickles) adds a nice kick, while the rice and miso soup round out shrimp lovers — but it’s the complete meal. It’s a the rest of the taste-temptfeast for the eyes and the ing tempura choices that appetite. will catch the eye of those You’ll see. who don’t eat meat or fish.

Hifumi’s Vegetable Contact Terri Hefner at Tempura ($11.95 for a WHERE diningout@staradvertiser.com complete meal with miso Chinese Cultural Plaza soup, tsukemono and rice; 100 N. Beretania St. $6 as an appetizer) offers a healthy variety of veg- CALL 536.3035 etables including pump1 Chiri Nabe ($11.45) kin, string beans, egg- HOURS Open Tuesday2 Vegetable Tempura ($11.95) plant, carrots and sweet Sunday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. for Nathalie Walker photos lunch, 5-8:15 p.m. for dinner potatoes.

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Hifumi Japanese Restaurant

dean’s special mini baked shoyu chicken

SUMMER SPECIALS!

LAU LAU PLATE SPECIAL July 15 -31, 2012

Happy Family Party Only $99 (for 6-8 people)

Includes: Lau Lau, Long Rice, Kalua Pig, Steamed Sweet Potato, (2) Scoops Rice

Seafood Tofu Soup • Crispy Garlic Chicken (Half) Live Lobster with Ginger & Onion (two) Deep Fried Flounder with Seasoning Herbs (whole) • Fukin Tofu • Capital Pork Ribs • Choi Sum with Garlic Sauce Fried Rice “Young Chow Style” • Dessert of the Day We also have menus for 10-12 people $188, $238 & $288 available

with Mac Salad & Rice

this coupon $6.25 with (reg. $8.25)

OPEN DAILY: 10am — midnight 923 KEEAUMOKU ST.

Limit 1 coupon per person / 2 plates per coupon.

Not combinable with other discounts/specials. Exp. 8/7/12. MW

Dine In – Take Out – Catering • 45-773 Kam. Hwy., Kaneohe • 247-1300 Sun-Thurs 11am-6pm • Fri 11am-4pm • Closed Saturday

Best Cantonese Cuisine

955-3388

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only $ 00 with this ad No substitution.

1351 Nuuanu Ave • m-f 5a-1p / sat 5:30a-2p / sun 7a-1p

| ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT Crab Legs! |

Every Friday & Saturday 5pm –9pm $26.31 with coupon. 15% off all other menu items. Not valid on alcohol purchases or with other discounts/promotions.

Valid for up to 15 people. Exp: 8/31/12

The PlazaHotel 3253 N. Nimitz Hwy | 836-8626 Breakfast Daily 6:30 –10 am | Dinner Fri-Mon 5 –9pm

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Okinawan • Japanese Steak • Seafood Local Favorites

Buy One Entrée Get the Second

Shabu Shabu or any Sukiyaki Set featuring our special sukiyaki sauce. Exp. 8/2/12

Mon-Sat 11am-2pm (last call 1:30pm) Dinner Nightly 5pm-10pm (last call 9:30pm) Validated Parking • 1221 Kapiolani Blvd. • 597-1655

533-6169

Limit 1 coupon per person/ 2 plates per coupon. Exp. 7/31/12 • nuuanuokazuya.com

ThePlazaCafé Best “Japanese Style” Shabu Shabu in Hawaii

…just like home!

50% OFF*

*Some exclusions may apply. Exp. 7/31/12

Under New Management

Macaroni Grill’s sea of flavors

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ot for a minute should you overlook Romano’s Macaroni Grill when the idea for Italian comes to mind. New executive chef Nawai Kekoolani helped open Macaroni Grill before stepping aside as corporate chef of Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse.

Well, Kekoolani is back to give the kitchen and dishes at Macaroni Grill the detailed attention each guest deserves. A local boy at heart, Kekoolani wants to be able to cater to kamaaina as well as visitors. He is looking to keep the staple meals consistent, while offering fresh island flair to both the corporate recipes as well as the creative specials he has planned for the future.

Harboring the best of pasta and seafood, Kekoolani enjoys preparing Macaroni Grill’s Pasta Di Mare ($22), a collection of scallops, mussels and shrimp over a hearty portion

ROMANO'S MACARONI GRILL ALA MOANA CENTER Hookipa Terrace 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 42420, Honolulu 356.8305 QUEEN’S MARKETPLACE Waikoloa Beach Resort 201 Waikoloa Beach Drive, Suite 1010, Waikoloa 808.443.5515 HOURS Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Pasta Di Mare ($22) Chris Fleck photo

of fresh handmade spaghetti.

“This is the best of two worlds, everything from the sea is all right here,” says Kekoolani. The white wine, butter and lemon sauce helps blend each seafood selection

Brasserie

Dinner Menu

2 Choice Teishoku Combo

Elegant, Informal Dining

17.75 - $22.75

$

Served with rice, miso soup, two side dishes, and pickles.

Choose from • Fried Oyster • Ebi Fry • Ahi Sashimi • Broiled Salmon Chicken Katsu • Miso Butterfish • Karaage • Pork Ginger Sizzling Hamburger Steak • Tempura • Tonkatsu and many more!

Bentos and assorted musubi available daily as well as ala carte specials OPEN DAILY 11am-9pm Lunch 11 am - 4 pm Dinner 5 pm - 9 pm

Japanese Home Style Restaurant “Hinone Mizunone” Please enjoy the KAMADAKIGOHAN cooked completely by “Ogama”.

perfectly.

If fish and pasta is more to your liking, Kekoolani highly recommends the restaurant’s Grilled King Salmon served with sun-dried tomato orzo.

1345 S. King Street Corner of S. King St. & Sheridan St. Close to Ala Moana Shpg Cntr & Wal Mart

DAILY HAPPY HOUR

Monday– Saturday, 4 – 6 pm

Hawaii’s only Gourmet Buffet

15% OFF Dinner

Now Serving Snow Crab!

TEL.

Royal Hawaiian Center, Bldg. C, Level 3 | 380-9300 Lunch 11:00a-2:00p, Happy Hour 2:00p-5:00p, Dinner 5:00p-10:00p Open Daily | Full Bar | Validated Parking

www.fujio-food.com

*Discount valid with local or Military ID, & Seniors (ages 60+). Cannot be combined with any other offers.

942-4848

Favorites Like...

Baked Brie, Escargot, Caprese Salad, Wine, Beer and Cocktails

545-1115 1115 Bethel Street www.brasserieduvin.com D I N I N G O U T | J U LY 2 9 - A U G . 4 , 2 0 1 2 | 9

... dining out ...

inside

F E AT U R E ........ ............

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Story by Nicole Kato Photos by Nathalie Walker

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nnyeonghaseyo (hello), all you hungry foodies! Head on down to Yakiniku Million on Sheridan Street for its extensive array of food from yakaniku (grill-it-yourself meat) items to soups and hot dishes. For more than 25 years, the establishment has served its customers the best Korean food at reasonable prices, and it’s no wonder on any given day the restaurant will be filled with patrons eating to their heart’s content.

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Yakiniku Million is a family-owned establishment, and all the dishes on the menu are family recipes. While the yakiniku items are popular, take the time to glance further through the menu for some amazing already-prepared Korean dishes.

Sul Lung Tang ($10.95) is a beef tendon soup that will warm you up in a heartbeat. Sul Lung Tang is often served as a breakfast food and is the perfect food to eat when you’re sick. But you don’t have to be sick (and it doesn’t have to be morning) for you to enjoy this soup. The milky white broth is

made by boiling beef bones for hours, which adds tons of flavor to each slurp.

This is a season-as-you-go kind of soup, which means that you season it when you’re ready to eat it, not while cooking it. And according to manager Angela Park, this dish is becoming increasingly popular with Yakiniku Million’s customer base.

For those of you who like a fishier taste, Million serves up a great Dried Pollock Soup ($7.95 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; $10.95 from 2 p.m. to midnight), also known as Bugeo Gook. Dried pollack soup is a soothing dish that warms

... dining out ...

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inside

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F E AT U R E ....................

O Jing Eo Bok Um ($14.95)

626 Sheridan St., Honolulu

5

Server Caroline Kim

596.0799

Sul Lung Tang ($10.95)

Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-Midnight Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m.

Dried Pollock Soup ($7.95 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; $10.95 from 2 p.m. to midnight) Hamachi Kama ($17.95)

you down to your core, but at the same time is very refreshing and invigorating.

It’s served with pollock fish, green onions, eggs and daikon radish all in a tasty special soup base that’s made by boiling the seasoned fish.

Million’s Hamachi Kama ($17.95) is a favorite among locals, according to Park. Hamachi kama is the collar part of the yellowtail fish right behind the head, which means it has a smooth, buttery taste that’s downright delicious.

At Million, the hamachi kama is grilled to perfection and each bite will have you closing your eyes with a smile on your face.

Chili pepper was introduced to Korea in the 17th century and since then has become one of the most widely used spices in Korean cuisine. Korean food tends to be associated with spiciness,

and O Jing Eo Bok Um ($14.95), made with stir-fried squid and vegetables mixed with a spicy sauce, exemplifies that taste and flavor. This dish also comes with topokki (rice cake), which makes for a great added texture.

According to Park, the Korean customers who go to Yakiniku Million really like this dish.

Korean cuisine is affected by its geography, hence the abundance of seafood, and climate, which calls for many foods to be fermented (like kimchi). And no matter what you order, you’re sure to get an assortment of banchan (side dishes) to start your meal, as well.

For traditional, homestyle Korean food and exemplary cutsomer service that makes you feel right at home, look no further than Yakiniku Million. And as they say in Korea, mokja (let’s eat)!

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A premier voyage to Atlantis

R

oss and Forever 21 opened, in part, to bring more locals into Waikiki.

Here’s another reason, Atlantis Steak and Seafood for pupus.

Well, anything, but this is an appetizer column, so I’ll leave the rest of the menu to my surprisingly never overfed colleagues.

If you believe spice is nice, try Garlic Clams ($13.95). The fresh Manila clams are sautéed and served in a garlic butter broth that is clean and spicy. Naturally sweet, the clams are complemented with the spicy broth while the toasted bread provides the crunch to the multi-textured mini meal.

Shrimp, clams, bacon — interested? OK, that may be a silly question, but don’t let the obvious scare you away. Deep Fried Ocean Wrap ($12.95) is made with jumbo scallops and shrimp that are wrapped in bacon (IN BACON!), coated in corn meal and panko, and deep-fried. Yep, it’s that good. Alone, the tender shrimp, sweet scallops and smoky bacon offers a big enough flavor profile to satisfy the most discriminating “pupuophile,” but add the sweet mango and papaya salsa, and the two aioli (one sweet, the other made with wasabi), and you’ve got a dish that is crazy good.

Yes, Golden Fried Calamari ($9.95) is tender and the sweet chili aioli makes a terrific dipping sauce, but what stands out with this appetizer favorite is the size of the cuts. Forget the dainty, micro squid that fits three to a chopstick, these big loops of sweet sea life are satisfying

Early Bird $ Special Only

12.95

Sauteed Mahi with Lobster Sauce Steak & Shrimp Chicken Alfredo Pasta

1

mouthfuls of flavor that somehow seem to get bigger as you dig deeper into its tea leaf wrap.

Not yet finished with the big time? Try the aptly-named Seafood Boat ($39.95). The large ocean-ready vessel is packed with crab claws, shrimp cocktail, mussels, clams and oysters. It’s an offthe-menu treat, but there are no secret codes or friends of Steve requirements to qualify. That’s director of operations Steve Matsuno, not me. How vain do you think I am?

ATLANTIS STEAK AND SEAFOOD WHERE 2284 Kalakaua Ave. at the former Waikiki 3 Theater CALL 922.6868

922-6868

Call for Reservations & Information 2284 Kalakaua Ave.

Open 7 Days from 11am-10pm

Lunch 11am - 4pm Dinner 5pm - 10pm

HOURS Open daily, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

NOTES $2 validated parking

at the old Waikiki III Theatres Parking available at the Pro-Park location Seaside Ave. Pay $2 at the Restaurant. www.atlantisseafoodsteak.com

Seafood Boat ($39.95) Golden Fried Calamari ($9.95) Deep Fried Ocean Wrap ($12.95) Manager Yolanda Millare

2

4

Nathalie Walker photos

Celebrate Your Birthday With us and Receive a complimentary Hy’s Cheesecake & Keepsake Photo For Honoree

3

Mon-Fri: 6:00 - 10:00 pm Sat, Sun: 5:30 - 10:00 pm Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa • Street Level • 2420 Kalakaua Ave., Ewa Tower • 971-1818

www.seafoodvillagehawaii.com • Ask About Our Kama‘Aina Special Discount * $3 Self Park Validation

• Chicken Salad w/Ori$ ental Dressing per person • 4 TYPES OF DIM SUM (BBQ Pork, Chive Dumpling, Pork Hash, Seafood Dumpling) • Beef & Broccoli • Kalua Short Ribs • Stir-Fried Assorted Vegetables • Minute Chicken Fried Noodle • DESSERT: Almond Float

$ • Seafood Salad • 6 TYPES OF DIM SUM per person (Seafood Dumpling, Seafood Siu Mai, Lotus Wrap Mochi Rice w/Chicken, Crispy Shrimp Dumpling, Spinach Dumpling, BBQ Pork Manapua) • Roasted Peking Duck • Salt & Pepper Calamari • Seafood Fried Noodle • DESSERT: Mango Pudding

15.95

10.95

MINIMUM OF

10 PERSONS (1 DAY ADVANCE RESERVATION NEEDED).

PRIVATE ROOM DEPENDS ON AVAILABILITY. MENU PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE TAX

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& GRATUITY.

• Wine Spectator Award-Winning Wine List • Live Entertainment • Valet Parking

$

August Special 4.99 House Special Vietnamese Chicken Salad Offer valid on dine-in orders only. Must present coupon.

Cannot be combined with other offers or coupons. Exp 8/31/12

Military w/ID receive 10% OFF facebook.com/phomylienhawaii

2012 FIRST PLACE

WESTRIDGE SHOPPING CENTER • 488-4900 (Next to Makino Chaya) 98-150 Kaonohi St., Aiea Mon-Sat 10am-10pm • Sun 10am-8pm

Proper Attire Required Reservations Recommended

2440 Kuhio Ave.

922 5555 www.hyshawaii.com

eatthis

Satisfying Chinese food cravings at Lung Fung

By Ali Resich

T

he next time it’s got to be Chinese food and nothing else, you’ll be more than satisfied with the selection at Lung Fung Chinese Restaurant.

Tucked away in Niu Valley Center, the ornately decorated eatery — complete with dragon and phoenix murals as well as wood carvings — has been a part of the East Oahu dining scene for more than 30 years. Manager Eddie Ma, who has overseen restaurant operations for the past decade, ensures that Lung Fung’s menu of Chinese classics remains fresh, flavorful and healthy.

For any first-timer, Ma recommends a best-seller: Kung Pao Chicken with Rice Noodles ($8.95). “This Kung Pao is a little sweet and spicy,” he says. “It’s a very popular sauce.” Chicken, peanuts, chili, green onion, garlic and wonderfully thick rice noodles absorb the bold sauce beautifully.

The menu also contains many fresh and healthy options such as Fish Filet with Choy Sum

($13.95). To make this delightful dish, flounder is sauteed with choy sum in a white sauce.

A large red-and-golden dining area gives the establishment a banquet-hall feel, and it comfortably seats around 150 people.

Patrons may reserve the eatery’s private dining room as well. Lung Fung’s lavish setting is the perfect place to settle into for the luscious Chinese feast you’ve been craving.

BOUNTY Y theof SEVEN SEAS AS AS

WHERE Niu Valley Center 5724 Kalanianaole Hwy., Honolulu

LUNG FUNG CHINESE RESTAURANT

CALL 377.5555 HOURS Daily, 11 a.m-9 p.m.

111N. King St. near Maunakea

Committed devotion to serving authentic Japanese taste & hospitality

Take-out Orders Welcomed

For Reservations

Pearl City

by Wal-Mart 455-6805

739-8760

Kahala Mall 738-5696 (KOZO)

52 pcs.

HOTEL & RESORT www.kahalaresort.com

Celebrating 40 years

Dim Sum Served 7am Daily $ 98

1

Friday & Saturday 5:30 – 9:30 pm

THE KAHALA

Nathalie Walker photos

Chinese Chicken Salad Ham & Scallop Soup • Peking Duck Walnut Shrimp • Crispy Skin Chicken Ginger & Onion Steamed Sea Bass Boneless Chicken Cake Noodle • Rice Shredded Duck In Taro Basket Chef’s Dessert of Day

SEAFOOD BUFFET

AT

Kung Pao Chicken with Rice Noodles ($8.95) Fish Filet with Choy Sum ($13.95)

(Makisushi 24pcs/ Hosomaki 24 pcs/ Inari 4pcs) One coupon per order. Cannot be combined with other offers. Expires 8/15/12

Moiliili 951-5696 (KOZO)

Keeaumoku

by Wal-Mart 946-5696 (KOZO)

Pearlridge 483-6805

Fresh Seafood, Sushi, Hot Pot, Full Izakaya Menu

808-923-7368 King’s Village Shopping Center 2400 Koa Ave.

vist us at odorikohawaii.com

Breakfast.......................6am–11am Lunch ...............................11am–5pm Dinner ........5pm–12am (Midnight)

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Story by: Alana Folen | Photos by: Leah Friel

N

othing says comfort food more than the scrumptious local grinds found at Nuuanu Okazuya.

Open from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Monday through Friday, 5:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays, many are waking up early to feast on the eatery’s renowned local and Japanese fare.

No newbie to early mornings is Steve Uyehara, co-anchor on Hawaii News Now’s Sunrise morning show. His day starts as early as 2 a.m. when the alarm goes off, then he’s live on-air from 4:30 to 9 a.m. Recently, Uyehara took time from his busy schedule to catch a quick lunch with us at Nuuanu Okazuya for this week’s Dining with the Stars.

“This is my first time to Nuuanu Okazuya. It’s very small

and cozy,” Uyehara says. “I didn’t know what to order because there are so many different things to choose from, but luckily a lot of loyal customers helped me decide on the best selections.”

Verdict? “The food is fantastic! I’ll definitely be here again for lunch,” he says with a smile.

Owner Mark Kitagawa wasted no time filling a plate with the restaurant’s signature favorites including Furikake Chicken Katsu, Teri Beef Hamburger, Fried Saimin, Nishime and Stuffed Bittermelon.

“It’s so hard to pick a favorite, but I think the Furikake Chicken Katsu stands out. It has a very bold taste and it’s sweet, but not too sweet where it’s overwhelming. The katsu is very crunchy, just how I

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like it. The fried saimin also is very comforting and goes well with everything.

“Nuuanu Okazuya brings me back to my childhood — okazuya was big for me growing up,” says Uyehara, a local boy who grew up in Aiea.

“Whenever we’d have field trips, my mom would let us pick up food at the okazuya. I used to love picking out certain musubis, fried chicken and shrimp tempura.”

A devout lover of food, Uyehara admits he doesn’t have the most sensitive palate, but says cooking for his family has definitely helped turn him into a tried-and-true “foodie.”

Uyehara has been with KGMB9 since 2000, and throughout his career he has had the opportunity to meet many

renowned individuals and be a part of legendary events, including local golfer Tadd Fujikawa’s run at the Sony Open and Michelle Wie turning pro.

However, the most pinnacle moment of Uyehara and wife Liz Chun’s life so far would have to be the birth of their 7month-old son, Jace.

“Jace and I share the same bedtime. I try to get to bed by 8:30 p.m.,” Uyehara says with a laugh. “Waking up in the morning is the toughest thing. Then you get into work and you start feeding off of everyone’s energy — from the producers to the production staff. Everyone has a common goal: We’re going to have fun, work hard and put together a great show. I’ve been on the morning show for five years and I love it!”

NUUANU OKAZUYA

1351 Nuuanu Ave., Honolulu 533.6169

Monday-Friday, 5 a.m.-1 p.m.

Saturday, 5:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

Sunday, 7 a.m.-1 p.m. nuuanuokazuya.com Street parking available

tableside

Left: Salmon Carpaccio with Arugula and Shaved Fennel

1 | Jan Tabuso, Amy Hubbard and Melissa Chaltron 2 | Mercedes Boyce, Muriel den Haan and Nancy Festerling 3 | Monica Price and Brett Deci 4 | Karen Kekumano, Nancy Lee and Jewel Lee 5 | Nicole la Prade and Ryan Suzuki 6 | Casey and Ella Nichols

tableside @ 3660 on the Rise K

nown for its Pacific Rim cuisine, 3660 on the Rise presents its patrons with exemplary fare. Most recently, celebrity chef Russell Siu held a cooking class with food enthusiasts on the premises. Together they created Salmon Carpaccio with Arugula and Shaved Fennel; Fire Roasted Breast of Chicken with Monterey Jack Cheese and House Made Salsa; Wedge Salad with Feta, Eggs, Bacon and Olives in a creamy herb dressing; and Apple Pie with Cheddar cheese. For more information, call 737.1177.

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Leah Friel photos

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Jade Dynasty Seafood Restaurant Ala Moana Center, Hookipa Terrace 1450 Ala Moana Blvd. #4220, Honolulu 947.8818 Open daily, 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; dim sum served from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

with Christina O’Connor

THESIDE

ON

“

When the restaurant started, we wanted to see how we could bring the Hong Kongstyle dim sum to the Islands,” says general manager Gary Chan. Jade Dynasty has achieved those authentic flavors through working with partner restaurants in Hong Kong.

Periodically, the restaurant will send its chefs to Hong Kong — and the exchange program has yielded creative and authentic treats.

Jade Dynasty sends its chefs to Hong Kong about once a year.

“They enjoy it because they get to meet chefs from other parts of the world,” Chan says. “And then the chefs from Hong Kong learn from our chefs, too.

“It gives our chefs a lot of fresh ideas about different dishes and presentation,” he says. “And ever since our chef came back from his most recent trip, he has just kept on creating. He has all of his creative juices flowing right now.”

Jade Dynasty also adds a local flair to its food, as many of the ingredients are procured locally. “We try to use as much local food as we can,” Chan says, adding that much of its seafood is local, including Kahuku prawns and Big Island abalone. “A lot of people appreciate when we mention these local foods, especially those from out of town. It’s about providing our customers with an experience — they want to taste food that you can’t get anywhere else.”

Jade Dynasty Introduces

New Dishes

L

ocated on the top floor of Ala Moana Center (just up the ramp from Mai Tai Bar), Jade Dynasty Seafood restaurant serves up authentic Hong Kong-style cuisine in a welcoming, elegant atmosphere. The restaurant has an extensive menu, which includes a wide selection of dim sum and entrees that reflects its ongoing efforts to reinvent its cuisine in creative ways.

“We have a lot of traditional Chinese food, and then we create on top of that,” explains general manager Gary Chan. “You have to have a good base, and then you can create more contemporary things.”

Customer favorites include Dynasty Tea-Smoked Jumbo Shrimps ($23.95), Pan Seared Seafood Stuffed Tofu ($3.50) and Baked Snow Mountain Char Siu Buns ($3.50).

In addition to those tasty classic dishes, Jade Dynasty is constantly creating new dishes. Recently, one of the chefs went on a trip to Hong Kong — and has

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Exterior of Jade Dynasty Seafood Restaurant.

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returned to the Islands with a slew of new items.

“A lot of our customers like the restaurant because we keep on creating new dishes,” Chan says.

One of the new items is Crispy Roast Pork in Chinese Crepe ($17.95 for eight pieces), which consists of pork wrapped in a light, delicate crepe. Another new dish is Lobster with Mochi Rice (Market

Price). Customers also can choose to have this dish made with crab instead.

“We make the mochi rice first, and then we cook the crab or the lobster inside, so all of the good juices are there to flavor the rice,” Chan says. Both of these dishes require about a day of prep time, so each needs to be ordered at least one day in advance.

Other new dishes include Crispy Chicken with Roasted Garlic ($17.95) and Golden Signature Beef ($17.95), which is bathed in an aromatic white wine sauce. “The outside is crispy, and the inside is cooked very tenderly,” Chan explains.

In addition to these new creations, Chan says that Jade Dynasty also can create dishes based on specific requests.

“If people call in and they say they want a new fish dish, for example, we can

Breakfast classics take flight at Plaza Cafe

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make something new.

“We want our customers to taste something different, something memorable,” Chan says.

Jade Dynasty also has a full bar, including quality red and white wine selections, to provide its customers with the perfect beverage to complement their food.

With its ever-changing menu and elegant décor, Jade Dynasty is the perfect place to celebrate any special occasion. Chan says that the restaurant often plays host to wedding, birthday or graduation parties. And one popular option for celebrations is to visit Jade Dynasty on Saturday mornings, when Perry and Price host their show at the restaurant from 8 to 11 a.m. The event takes place about twice a month and includes an “east meets west” themed breakfast buffet — all for just $25 for adults and $16.95 for children ages 3 to 10. “It is very funny, and very interactive for the audience,” Chan says.

t’s 7 a.m., you’ve made it to the airport in time to check in for your flight, but now you’ve got an hour and a half before your departure and those hunger pangs are starting to kick in. Sound familiar? Crowds of hungry travelers experience this scenario every morning at Honolulu International Airport. Thankfully, they can head to nearby Plaza Cafe, located at the Best Western Hotel, where its Seven Days of Breakfast menu has really taken off.

Every day from 6:30 to 10 a.m., diners are fueling up with a meal that will get them through their flight. “It’s an all-American breakfast,” says assistant general manager Rudy Fao. “And it’s the perfect spot for you to catch a full breakfast before a flight so you don’t have to eat at the airport.”

Chef Dean Nishino brings 16 years of experience at Plaza Cafe to the breakfast table, presenting an array of

morning classics. You can’t go wrong with Eggs Benedict ($12.95) made with poached eggs, Canadian bacon and Hollandaise sauce on an English muffin. Customers with a hefty appetite also appreciate the Big Man Breakfast ($14.95), consisting of two eggs any style, two pieces of Portuguese sausage, an additional portion of sausage links, bacon and a choice of rice or two pancakes to top it all off.

If you’re flight arrives in the evening, you can stop by the eatery for an a la carte dinner as well. A selection of appetizers include such indulgent bites as the Sampler Trio ($12.95) with Buffalo wings, onion rings and mozzarella sticks. For the main course, Chicken Carbonara ($17.95) and Baby Back Ribs ($23.95) are among the most popular menu items.

And you don’t have to be en route to anywhere to enjoy this hidden spot along Nimitz Highway. Locals have frequented the restaurant 1 since the mid 1970s, and they especially love its Seafood buffet, available during dinner on Fridays and Saturdays.

Whether in need of a solid meal before a flight or just a good ol’ American feast, your taste buds will make a smooth landing at Plaza Cafe.

PLAZA CAFE WHERE Best Western Hotel 3253 N. Nimitz Hwy., Honolulu CALL 836.8626 HOURS Daily, 6:30-10 a.m., breakfast Friday-Monday, 5-9 p.m., dinner Friday-Saturday, 5-9 p.m., Seafood buffet WEBSITE facebook.com/pages/Plaza -Cafe/159734470754955 NOTES Free parking available

1 Chef Dean Nishino with the Big Man Breakfast ($14.95) and Eggs Benedict ($12.95) 2 Chicken Carbonara ($17.95), Baby Back Ribs ($23.95) and Sampler Trio ($12.95) Lawrence Tabudlo photos

2

Contact Christina O’Connor at diningout@staradvertiser.com

1 Lobster with Mochi Rice (Market Price) 2 Crispy Roast Pork in Chinese Crepe ($17.95 for eight pieces)

3 Crispy Chicken with Roasted Garlic ($17.95) 4 Golden Signature Beef ($17.95)

Nathalie Walker photos

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ono,youknow 1

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2 1 Anytime Cafe’s Taro Snow Ice ($6.50) 2 Ryan Wong enjoys Anytime Cafe’s Taro Snow Ice. 3 Anytime Cafe’s Taro Cakes ($3.75) 4 Nice Day’s Pan-Fried Taro Dim Sum ($2.50) and Taro Gok ($2.50)

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– From page 2

Yogurstory is the place to start a story together over tantalizing Taro Lattes and Red Velvet Waffles. Yum! Yogurstory 815 Keeaumoku St. #105 942.0505

Nice Day Chinese Seafood Restaurant It’s been nothing but a nice day ever since Nice Day Chinese Seafood Restaurant opened shop in Liliha Square Shopping Center in 2008. And as early as 8 a.m., you’ll find folks lining up at the takeout window to get their hands on morsels of Chinese dumplings, including baked manapua stuffed with char siu, pork hash and winter melon dim sum, to name a few. Ono for taro? Well, you’re in luck, Nice Day Chinese Seafood Restaurant has a handful of dishes which finely showcase a Chinese take on taro.

“We have Taro Gok and Pan-Fried Taro — both popular dim sum dishes,” says manager Shirley Cheng. Dim sum is available from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily, and Taro Gok (my personal favorite) is one that sells out quickly. Priced at $2.50, diners receive three pieces of this delicious dim sum, which consists of pork, mushrooms and taro, deep-fried with a flaky exterior.

According to Cheng, Pan-Fried Taro dim sum ($2.50 for three pieces) is a close second on the list of dim sum diners’ top picks as it features dense taro combined with pieces of minced lup cheong (Chinese sausage) and dried shrimp.

Taro Kao Yuk ($9.95) is a heartier option on the menu. This entree wins over patrons with its savory pieces of pork belly and taro doused in a brown gravy.

“You might be surprised, but we use a lot of taro in our dishes here,” Cheng explains with a smile.

So whether you choose to dine-in or takeout, Nice Day Chinese Seafood Restaurant is at your service when it comes to fulfilling all of your dim sum

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and taro cravings.

Nice Day Restaurant 1425 Liliha St. 524.1628

Anytime Café All this talk about taro finally led me to Anytime Cafe in Market City Shopping Center, where I know I’ll be treated to some of the best cuisine anytime of the day and night. While I have tried an abundance of items on the menu, setting my taste buds on the restaurant’s Taro Cakes and Taro Snow Ice was a first, but definitely not a last. Taro Cakes ($3.75 for three pieces) are commonly ordered as an appetizer or with soup. Owner Cindy Wong says it’s made with rice flour, Chinese sausage, black mushrooms and diced taro. Pan-fried to perfection, this one takes the cake! Then, of course, who could forget about dessert? Everyone knows sweets are my weakness, so when Wong presented me with Taro Snow Ice

($6.50), I was in complete bliss.

“The concept for snow ice originated in Taiwan and then became really popular in Hong Kong,” she explains. Taro Snow Ice features a mound of the softest, smoothest snow ice ever — you won’t find chunks of ice here. Instead, the texture is similar to ice cream and flavored with condensed milk. It’s then garnished with coconut, passion fruit and green apple jelly toppings. Mango diced jelly and yogurt flavored popping boba balls also accompany this sinful masterpiece.

Of course, diced sweet taro tops off this decadent dessert making it the treat of all treats. Believe me, I had my mind set on only sampling a bite or two, but finished it off in no time and found myself mourning the fact that it was gone. Yes, Taro Snow Ice is that good!

Anytime Cafe Market City Shopping Center 2919 Kapiolani Blvd. #218 735.3888

chewonthis

Calling all appetites to Camellia

By Caitlin Basilio

S

erving Hawaii for almost 30 years is Camellia Buffet on McCully Street. From the minute you walk in the delicious yakiniku aroma fills the room as guests cook their food at their table.

Most popular at Camellia Buffet are its kalbi and orange chicken, and its sirloin steak and shrimp from the dinner buffet.

"The kalbi and steak are high-quality meats, and are very tasty and tender," says manager Kelly Park. Both the kalbi and sirloin steak, along with all its other meat dishes are flavored with a secret sauce.

"The orange chicken is

really popular among the kids," she adds.

In addition to kalbi and chicken, the buffet line offers barbecue beef, pork and vegetables. Camellia Buffet also serves some local favorites such as kim chee fried rice, macaroni salad, fried mandoo, kim chee, taegu and kim chee cucumber; and traditional

CAMELLIA BUFFET WHERE 930 McCully St., Honolulu CALL 951.0511 HOURS Open daily, 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

Korean dishes including Korean pancake and Korean sweet tea. Sides such as seaweed soup and miso soup, fruits and JellO, rice and sweet rice with red bean are available to complete the meal; and shrimp, sirloin steak and frozen yogurt are added to the dinner menu.

Open seven days a week, lunch is priced at $17.95 and $13 for children ages 4 to 8. Dinner costs $25.95 and $15 for children. A private room for up to 30 people also is available inside the restaurant.

Stop by Camellia Buffet on an empty stomach for an all-you-can-eat buffet experience for lunch or dinner!

whatwe’reeatingat...

Patisserie La Palme D’Or

By Nicole Kato

C

onveniently located in Ala Moana Center, Patisserie La Palme D’Or blends French flavors with Japanese craftsmanship to create tasty (and beautiful) pastries that tourists and locals adore.

Executive chef Akiko Kimura and chef Hikaru Hatano concoct treats that will satisfy your sweet tooth, but taste just right. Since its opening in 2004, La Palme D’Or has been offering patrons a bite of delight!

Catherine Isono and Michelle Simpson | Nicole Kato photo Michelle Simpson: “I like the Chocolat ($4.30). It’s really light and refreshing. We came to get a birthday Complete Dinner cake, and they’re very PATISSERIE LA New Hours 5:30 - 6:45pm quick. They wrote our PALME D’OR birthday card message Complete Lunch (that is placed on top of WHERE & after 10:30 p.m. the cake) in less than a Ala Moana Center 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., minute.”

Sapporo & Kirin (large) $5.75

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL $15.95 $11.45

Honolulu

Catherine Isono: “I reallly like the Coffee Roll Cake ($3.60).

There’s a good balance of flavor and it’s pretty.

All the pastries are really pretty. It’s good for a snack after lunch, which is perfect because we work in the mall.”

after 10:30pm

CALL 941.6161 HOURS Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

WEBSITE lapalmedor-usa.com

947-2836

Open 7 Days • 2700 So. King St.

All-Occasion Catering Manager Kelly Park Orange Chicken and Jab Chae Leah Friel photos

Perfect for Birthday Parties, Family get togethers and more!

For questions related to your Honolulu Star-Advertiser subscription

CALL

538-NEWS(6397) Request a vacation stop • Make a payment Billing or delivery questions • Start a new subscription

The pulse of paradise. | www.staradvertiser.com

946-2073 Deli Hours: Wed-Sun 6am-2pm After hours catering available

2710 South King St. www.fukuyadeli.com

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WHERE TO DINE

Symbol Key Breakfast Lunch

4369 Lawehana St. (across Target in Salt Lake) 422-0059

Atlantis Seafood & Steak 2284 Kalakaua Avenue 922-6868

Tropics Bar & Grill

Eggs n’ Things 343 Saratoga Road 923-EGGS (3447)

After Midnight

Waikiki Beach Eggspress

Alcohol Served

2464 Kalakaua Ave (Aston Waikiki Circle) 926-EGGS (3447)

Online

IHOP

Napoleon’s Bakery

2005 Kalia Road Hilton Hawaiian Village (Ali‘i Tower) 949-4321

Dinner

Catering

Larry’s Bakery

Pearl City - Times Sq. SC 486-4467 Kaneohe - Windward Mall 235-4467 Hilo - Prince Kuhio Plaza 959-2600

AMERICAN

Located inside of Zippy’s

Panya 711 Queen St. 597-8880 1111 Bishop St. #4 536-8363 Ala Moana Center 946-6388 Royal Hawaiian Center 791-2969

BAKERY Fendu Boulangerie 2752 Woodlawn Dr. Manoa Marketplace 988-4310

BUFFET

La Palme D’or

Waikiki - 1850 Ala Moana Blvd 949-4467 Waikiki - Kuhio & Lewers 921-2400

Camellia Buffet

Ala Moana Center - Mall Level Mountain Side, next to Shirokiya 941-6161

930 McCully St. 951-0511/0611

ROYAL PALACE R E S TA U R A N T

bliss.

tender moments of

• Fresh Melon Chinese Prawn Salad • Seafood Tofu Soup • Crackling Chicken • Roasted Garlic Dungeness Crab • Mongolian Pork Chops • Hunan Tofu with a Bok Choy • Beef with Fresh Asparagus • Steamed Rice

PRESENTS

WAIKIKI’S HOTTEST

LATE NIGHT HAPPY HOUR

LA DOLCE VITA

Special Party Menu - $185.00 per table of 10 Bring this Ad

LET US COOK FOR YOU

Reservations 487-6662 or 486-7410 • Open Daily 10am-9pm

HONG KONG DIM SUM

LAUNCH PARTY FRIDAY, JULY 27 TH 10PM-2AM

INCREDIBLE SPECIALTY COCKTAILS & FOOD

HANDCRAFTED COCKTAILS $7 VINO $5 WELL DRINKS $6 ITALIAN BEER BUCKET $14

WITH PURCHASE OF 4*

*this coupon required; expires 7/31/2012

735-5544

449 KAPAHULU AVE., STE 101 www.HeeHingHawaii.com

Special Summer 5-Course Meal!

EVERY THURS – SUN 10PM – 2AM

ONE FREE SELECTION

A fi ne steak. A fi ne experience.

Lunch Buffet or Dinner Buffet (11:00AM-2:00PM) (5:30pM-8:30PM)

$229 for ten (Reg. $249)

$49 for four* (reg. $59)

Now Open until 10:00pm

$10.95/person

•Scallop Soup •Whole Peking Duck to receive w/Steamed Buns •Honey Walnut Shrimp 10% Off •Seafood Combination w/ Mixed Vegetables (Excluding Buffet) Exp. 8/31/12 •Sweet & Sour or Steamed Fish Filet •Cold Ginger Chicken •Live Lobster with Ginger Onion or Black Bean Sauce (2pc.) •House Special Cake Noodle •Steamed Rice

*this coupon required; expires 7/31/2012

A prime cut from the tenderloin of beef, exceptionally textured and uniquely tender.

Stadium Mall, next to Ice Palace LOTS OF PARKING

Offering Buffet (choose from 25 Items) & Sit Down Menus

SPECIAL SUMMER MENU

• Mandarin Potstickers • Egg Flower Soup • Pepper Salt Shrimp • Steamed Stripe Bass • Chicken Oyster Sauce • Beef Choy Sum • Steamed Rice

filet mignon,10 ounces

4510 Salt Lake Boulevard 96818

Bistro & French Pastry

1st Course: Soup or Mixed Greens 2nd Course: Appetizer Trio 3rd & 4th Course: Pick any two of 8 Entrees…

• Baked Salmon Wellington • Opaka Fettucini • Pan Seared Pork Tenderloin • Grilled New York Steak Brioche 5th Course: Dessert of Choice

28

$

ROYAL HAWAIIAN CENTER • VALIDATED PARKING WWW.ILLUPINO.COM • 808.922.3400

Picnic on the Lanai

plus tax per person

An “air”larious dining experience with ono food and FUN balloon art!

Southern Comfort th

August 26 , 2012 • 6:30pm Served Family Style • $35++ BYOB • No Corkage Fee Reservations: “Best Dressed Southern marcy395@gmail.com Belle and Gentleman receive their Picnic 381-4114 on the House!”

Chef/Owner Kaka‘ako Kitchen Russell Siu Ward Centre

~

~

beachhousewaikiki.com • 921-4600 • Complimentary valet parking.

Check www.facebook.com/KakaakoKitchen for complete menu 2 0 | D I N I N G O U T | J U LY 2 9 - A U G . 4 , 2 0 1 2

NOW SERVING EVERY FRIDAY

OXTAIL SOUP!

$6.95

CHICKEN KATSU LOCO MOCO

946 Coolidge St. (across Moiliili Long’s) Mon-Fri: 10am-8pm • Sat: 10am-3pm • Sun closed

reg. $8.25

943-8885

WHERE TO DINE Five Star International Buffet Royal Hawaiian Center, Bldg C, Level 3.

380-9300

Kissaten

Canton Seafood Restaurant

Hee Hing Restaurant

88 Piikoi St. 593-1200

923 Keeaumoku St. 955-3388

449 Kapahulu Ave. 735-5544

Golden Duck

Ho Ho Chinese Cuisine

CATERERS Makittii

A Catered Experience

2380 Kuhio Ave. 923-2260

94-1068 Ka Uka Blvd.

677-7744

Market City Shopping Center 2919 Kapiolani Blvd 735-3888

Make Someone’s Day Special Order one to two weeks in advance.

Ala Moana Center • Mall Level

(Mountain side, next to Shirokiya) www.lapalmedor-usa.com 941-6161

Aina Haina Shopping Center 820 W. Hind Dr. 373-1303 or 373-4632

Happy Day Chinese Restaurant

Little Village Noodle House

3553 Waialae Ave. 738-8666

1113 Smith St. 545-3008

Final Week...

Shrimp Festival

Until Sunday, August 5, 2012

“Shrimpy” Apps • Peel and Eat Cajun Shrimp with Garlic Bread • Shrimp and Vegetable Spring Roll Served with Sweet and Sour Sauce

• Garlic Shrimp Pizza

Shrimp ‘n Greens • Light Cajun Shrimp Cake Caesar Salad

Shrimp ‘n Pasta Entrée • Shrimp and Hamakua Mushroom Ravioli Served with a Lemon Cream Sauce

• Broiled Jumbo Shrimp with Spicy Mango Salsa • Crispy Jumbo Shrimp with Sweet Chili Glaze on a bed of Fried Rice • Jumbo Shrimp with Black Bean Sauce

Looking for a place to have a PRIVATE BANQUET or TAKE-OUT PLATTERS? Call our Banquet Coordinator to assist with your planning.

TOMATO BISQUE OR CLAM CHOWDER

1

with purchase purchase $ 00 with of of any any entreé entreé

Exp. 8/31/12.

111 N. King St. 521-8268

Ala Moana Center 1450 Ala Moana Blvd.

4th Floor - Ho’okipa Terrace 947-8818

Aina Haina Chop Suey

Anytime Cafe

Original Coupon required. Not valid on retail items or bottled beverages. One discounted item per coupon.

Not combinable with any other offer. No cash value.

Jade Dynasty Seafood Restaurant

Golden Palace Seafood Restaurant

CHINESE

CAFE

590 Farrington Hwy. 692-9880

4230 Waialae Ave., Kahala 737-7188 1221 S. King St. 597-8088

Teriyaki Chicken w/ Fried 10 Rice $

10

Kal-Bi Short Ribs w/ Fried $ 95 Rice

14

Includes

“All You Can Eat” Salad Bar!

Sam Choy's is Closed on Mondays

580 Nimitz Hwy. 545-7979

88 Piikoi St., Honolulu 593-1200 • kissatencafe.com

Like us on Facebook for Special Deals & Offers www.samchoyhawaii.com

1860 Ala Moana Blvd.

Validated Parking Open 24 Hours 955-1764

Quick Picnic Pack

Max’s Whole Chicken, 16pc Lumpiang Shanghai and Choice of Pancit

801 Dillingham Blvd. (next to Costco Iwilei) Honolulu Hawaii 96817

Perfect for Beach/ Picnics

Hawaii’s Best Tasting Gluten-Free Pizza

Waipahu Shopping Plaza 94-300 Farrington Hwy., Suite F-1 Waipahu, Hawaii 96797

Cuisine of the Philippines www.maxschicken.com

(available in 10" or 14") NFCA certified

and a FREE Max’s Eco Bag! $26.99

951-MAXS (6297)

WARD CENTRE (Auahi Streetfront) 1200 Ala Moana 596-0066 KAILUA (Next to Boots & Kimo’s) 151 Hekili St. 230-8400 D I N I N G O U T | J U LY 2 9 - A U G . 4 , 2 0 1 2 | 2 1

WHERE TO DINE Lung Fung Chinese Restaurant 5724 Kalanianaole Hwy. 377-5566

Asian Mix

Royal Palace Restaurant

R E S TA U R A N T

Mandalay (The)

Ward Centre 1200 Ala Moana Blvd.

596-7488

Dean’s Drive Inn

Seafood Village

1055 Alakea St. 525-8585

Kaka‘ako Kitchen

1234 South Beretania St. 521-1688

ROYAL PALACE Stadium Mall, 4510 Salt Lake Blvd. #C1 487-6662 or 486-7410

45-773 Kam Hwy., Kaneohe 247-1300

Street Level, 2424 Kalakaua Ave., #102 971-1818

Kenny’s Restaurant 1620 N. School St. 841-0931

Henry Loui’s

Nice Day Chinese Seafood Restaurant

2850 Paa St. 833-3728

FAMILY DINING

Liliha Square, 524-1628

Asahi Grill Ward

Panda Cuisine

JJ Bistro & French Pastry

515 Ward Ave., #204 593-2800

641 Keeaumoku St. 947-1688

3447 Waialae Ave.

739-0993

Kenny’s Express Hawaiian BBQ Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, 2nd floor 922-9333

BLUE HAWAII SUSHI BAR & RESTAURANT NIGHTLY 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

. . . . . . . . . . . . .$

Teriyaki Chicken 15.95 Daily Fish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$23.95 Sukiyaki Steak . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$20.95 Teriyaki Steak & Chicken Combo . .$21.95 Kama‘aina & Military Discount Available (with proper ID)

NOW OPEN for LUNCH!

6 oz.

Yakiniku

only

999!

$

1841 Ala Moana Blvd.

Open 7 days a week 11 am - 10 pm 915 Keeaumoku St. • Honolulu, HI 96814

Between Ilikai & Hilton Hawaiian Village

Tel

941-9112

941-4444

225-0603

SHOCHAN

HAPPY HOUR Daily 3-6pm

5% OFF

Must present coupon.

1 coupon per party

FREE

Credit Card Sale Only (With Coupon)

Excludes Set Menus; Roast Pork, Roast Duck, Char Siu & other specials. 5%, 10% and lobster special not to be combined with any other offer/discounts/ specials. Expires 8/31/12. Must present coupon.

SENIORS DISCOUNT w/ID Cannot combine w/ other offers/discounts. Expires 8/2/12

ANY MENU ENTREE

www.adegahi.com call 566-5909 Open Daily 11:30am - 10pm Lunch Buffet 11:30am - 2:30pm 1138 Smith St. (corner of Smith/Pauahi)

Hong Kong Dim Sum & Regular Menu Items

Chicken Skewers with purchase of entree

Lobster

12

$

99

with purchase of Full Price Entree Valid 5-10:30pm

Nice Day Chinese Seafood Restaurant Liliha Square by Times Supermarket

524-1628

Celebrating 11 Years!

Dim Sum Take Out Special! 8am-11:30am

with purchase of Full Price Entree Valid 5-10:30pm

10% OFF(Charge) • 15% OFF(Cash)

738-8666

DINE IN ONLY. Limit one order per coupon, one coupon per table. May not combine with any other promo/offer.

Expires 8/2/12

Dim Sum & Reg. Menu Dine In Special!

5% OFF

(Charge) • Happy Day Chinese Restaurant 3553 Waialae Avenue

Gift Cards Available

1140 Kuala St. (Next to Babies R Us) Pearl City | 456-2128 Sun-Thurs 10:30am-9:00pm | Fri-Sat 11:00am-10:00pm

15% OFF

Specializing in: okonomiyaki, teppanyaki, kushiage

Lobster $1299

Includes Miso Soup, Salad, Rice and Japanese hot tea Not valid with other offers or promotions.

on

LUNCH 11:30a-5:00p DINNER 5:00p-10:00p Closed Tuesdays

Cash Sale Only (With Coupon)

NEW MENU & SUSHI BAR! Teriyaki Chicken $7.95 Teriyaki Combo (Steak & Chicken) $10.95 Fish of the Day $7.95 North Shore Garlic Shrimp $9.95

FR MALA EE S w/ couADAS p

449 Kapahulu Ave, 2nd Floor

10% OFF

Dinner served from 5:30 nightly. Valet parking available. Not valid with any other offer.

Early Bird Special 4-6pm

Ala Moana Center Tel: 947-8818

Summer Special - $238.00 for 10 • Roasted Meat Appetizer Platter • Mixed Seafood Soup • Dynasty Style Golden Fried Chicken • Chef’s Special Style Black Peppered Beef Tenderloin • Steamed Fish Filets with Ham & Vegetable on a Lotus Leaf • Simmered Baby Pak Choy & Virginia Ham in Supreme Broth • Shrimps with Garlic, Chili & Pepper • Young Chow Style Fried Rice • Dessert of the Day

10% OFF(Cash)

Excludes Set Menu; Roast Pork, Roast Duck, Char Siu & other specials.

5%, 10% and lobster special are not to be combined with any other offer/discounts/specials. Expires 8/31/12. Must present coupon.

2 2 | D I N I N G O U T | J U LY 2 9 - A U G . 4 , 2 0 1 2

(808) 942.0505 815 KEEAUMOKU ST.

LIKE US ON:

Open Daily: 10:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Dim Sum: 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. www.jadedynastyhawaii.com

WHERE TO DINE Plaza Cafe

Kit N Kitchen 1010 University Avenue 942-7622

(inside Best Western - The Plaza) 3253 N. Nimitz Hwy 836-3636

Opulicious

1131 Nuuanu Ave. 587-7877

Shore Bird Restaurant

Willoughby’s

Outrigger Reef on the Beach 922-2887

(inside Ohana Honolulu Hotel) 3401 N. Nimitz Hwy 837-5932

Restaurant Epic 946 Coolidge St. 943-8885

WAIKIKI 1972 Kalakaua Ave. • 942-2121 AIEA 98-150 Kaonohi St. • 487-9911

Sam Choy’s BLC 580 N. Nimitz Hwy. 545-7979

Pagoda 1525 Rycroft St. 948-8356

August Specials ONLY

5

Your choice: • Chinese Chicken Salad

5 FOR 10

(Both available at Kahala location only)

• Crispy Gau Gee

Bring 5 food drive items and receive

ONLY

850

1221 S. King St. • 597-8088 Open Daily 10:30am-11pm

Kids Eat Free!*

Every Day, 4 to Closing

2-Choice Teishoku

9

99

The Food Bank is requesting the following items: • Canned Soups & Meats • Canned Fruits & Vegetables • Rice & Dried Pasta • Packaged Noodles

Kalbi Seaweed Soup

Kalbi Kim Chee Chi-ke

Beef Stone Bi Bim Bap

596-0799

626 SHERIDAN ST. (behind Walmart)

SUN-THUR 11AM-MIDNIGHT/ FRI-SAT 11AM-2AM

*Limited to a table of 8 EXPIRES 8/2/12

YAKINIKU

MILLION

LIMITED TIME ONLY

your food purchase* in our main dining room

• Shrimp Canton

801 Dillingham Blvd.

951-6297

*Receive one free Kid’s Meal with each adult entrée purchase.

10% OFF

$

94-300 Farrington Hwy

1860 Ala Moana Blvd.

955-1764

August 1-31, 2012

w/Cake Noodle

Max’s Of Manila

Wailana Coffee House

FOOD BANK DRIVE

99 • Oyster Sauce Chicken each

4230 Waialae Ave. 737-7188 • 737-7288 Open daily 10am-9pm

FILIPINO

WAIMALU 98-020 Kam Hwy. • 488-8824 WAIPAHU 94-256 Waipahu Depot St. • 676-2088 EWA BEACH SHOPPING CENTER 91-919 Fort Weaver Rd. • 689-0999

Ala Moana Center, Mauka - Mall Level 946-6388

$

Zippy’s Call the one nearest you

Shiro’s Saimin Haven

Panya Bistro • Bakery • Bar

Free meal valid for kids 12 and under on “Just for Kids” menu items at participating locations. Drinks not included unless otherwise specified on “Just for Kids” menu. Not valid with any other discount or coupons. Dine-in only.

Since 1989

SICILIAN CHICKEN mushrooms, peppers & potato, sauteed with wine ◆◆◆

ALSO VISIT OUR OTHER LOCATION:

WAIMALU 485-8883 98-1277 KAAHUMANU ST.

Available 5:30–6:30pm

ON THE RISE

Must present coupon • Offer not valid with other specials/discounts

• Modern Izakaya • Sushi Bar MON-SAT 5:30PM-12AM | SUN 5:30-11PM | TUE CLOSED | 1427 MAKALOA ST.

941-6891

3660 Waialae Ave. • 737-1177 www.3660.com

©2012 IHOP IP, LLC

$

Tony Roma’s

Valid at Participating Locations Windward Mall 235-4467 Pearl City 486-4467 Hilo 959-2600 Waikiki (Ala Moana Blvd) 949-4467 Waikiki on Kuhio 921-2400 www.ihophawaii.com

(ACROSS FROM SAFEWAY)

Celebrating Our 10th Anniversary Fresh ingredients! All dishes are made-to-order!

Join the

98-150 Kaonohi St. •• Tel: 486-5100

*Valid on actual birthday w/valid ID

Receive a FREE JJ’s Bistro Chocolate Pyramid dessert on your birthday!

*Menu and prices subject to change.

KAMA‘AINA SPECIAL! LUNCH & DINNER

20% OFF

1 Coupon per group. Must have valid ID. Not combinable with other discounts.

Discounts off regular adult price. No online or photo-copied coupons. Must purchase beverage. Not valid on Holidays. Expires 8/10/12.

BIRTHDAY SPECIAL! FREE BIRTHDAY MEAL FOR ANY AGE With Family & Group

LUNCH & DINNER

20% OFF

Must have minimum party of 4. Coupon valid on actual birthday, ID required. Not combinable with other discounts. Discounts off regular adult price. No online or photo-copied coupons. Must purchase beverage. Expires 8/10/12.

Ocean House in

— We are celebrating — Our 10th Anniversary

the whole month of August

Enjoy a COMPLIMENTARY MOKI’S LAVA FLOW DESSERT with the purchase of 2 entrees A $10 value Present this coupon or visit our website

www.oceanhousewaikiki.com Expires 8/31/12

OCEAN FRONT DINING

OUTRIGGER REEF ON THE BEACH | 2169 KALIA RD. | 923–2277 | VALET PARKING D I N I N G O U T | J U LY 2 9 - A U G . 4 , 2 0 1 2 | 2 3

WHERE TO DINE FINE DINING

Hy’s Steak House

Top of Waikiki

2440 Kuhio Ave. 922-5555

Waikiki Business Plaza 2270 Kalakaua Ave. 923-3877

Bali Steak & Seafood Hilton Hawaiian Village (Rainbow Tower) 2005 Kalia Road 949-4321

Il Lupino

Plumeria Beach House The Kahala Hotel & Resort, Beach Level 5000 Kahala Ave. 739-8760

Brasserie Du Vin

Aloha Tower Market Pl. 585-0011

1115 Bethel St. 545-1115

Ruth’s Chris Steak House Restaurant Row 599-3860 Waikiki Beach Walk 440-7910

Hoku’s The Kahala Hotel & Resort, Lobby Level 5000 Kahala Ave. 739-8760

THAI CUISINE SERVING HAWAII SINCE 1977...

Walking distance from all Waikiki Hotels

tel. 951-9355 www.keosthaicuisine.com

Waimalu Shopping Plaza 98-1277 Kaahumanu St. (across from Safeway) 485-8883 Manoa Marketplace 2752 Woodlawn Drive 988-5923

1006 Kapahulu Ave. 739-5000

1250 Kapiolani Blvd.

237-5429

Coupon required. Not combinable with other offers. Expires 8/3/12

Paesano Ristorante Italiano

Fine Dining Burgundy

Stage Restaurant

Voted Best Thai in Hawaii 15% OFF Take Out

Dinner 5:00pm - Closing

Royal Hawaiian Center 922-3400

FRENCH

Chai’s Island Bistro

2028 Kuhio Avenue

ITALIAN

Full Service Catering & Event Planning Our Most Popular!

Sakura Chirashi Sushi Don

8FEEJOH 3FDFQUJPOT t TU #JSUIEBZ -VBVT t (SBEVBUJPOT 8PSLTIPQT 4FNJOBST t BOE NVDI NPSF &YDMVTJWF DBUFSFS GPS FWFOUT IFME BU UIF )BXBJJ 0LJOBXB $FOUFS $BMM GPS EFUBJMT

Fresh. Delicious. Delightful.

SAKURA TERRACE JAPANESE CAFE

1240 South King Street | 591-1181 | www.sakuraterrace.com

Ph:

677-7744

www.acateredexperience.com

BENTO $11.95

10% OFF

SUNTORY

REGULAR • APPLE • BLUEBERRY

Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, 3rd Floor

CINNAMON BREAD Coupon Required • Expires 8/2/12

restaurantsuntory.com

4369 Lawehana St. (across Target in Salt Lake) www.larrysbakery.com or find us on

Prices starting at‌

692-9880

922-5511

OPEN: MON - FRI 6AM - 1PM SAT 6AM - 12PM

Retirement, Promotions and more!

BOOK YOUR PARTY NOW! KAPOLEI MARKETPLACE 590 Farrington Hwy

Reg. $15.95

RESTAURANT

Only $11.95 per person small or large party welcome!

2 4 | D I N I N G O U T | J U LY 2 9 - A U G . 4 , 2 0 1 2

OPEN TUE-SUN LUNCH

COLD SOBA $9.25

Reg. $13.00

• (2) Big Shrimp

• (2) Veg. Tempura

• Tsukemono • Tea

11AM-2PM, DINNER 5-8:30PM • Closed Monday Lunch & Dinner

100 N. Beretania Street #113

536-3035

Serving Hawaii for 14+ yrs.

KOREAN CUISINE

• LUNCH $17.95 10:30AM - 2:30PM • DINNER $25.95 2:30PM-10PM KAL BI, SIRLOIN, CHICKEN, SPICY PORK, FRESH SHRIMP

11:30 am-2:30 pm 5 pm-9:30 pm (Closed Tuesdays)

WITH THIS AD. EXPIRES 8/31/12. *DISCOUNT EXCLUDES ALL BEVERAGES.

Crab Legs & Mayonnaise Shrimp Dinner Buffet Friday, Saturday & Sunday

• (2) Big Shrimp & (2) Veg. Tempura • Chicken Katsu • Chicken, Beef or Pork Teriyaki • Miso Butterfish • Chicken Kagaage INCLUDES: MISO SOUP, TUFO, GYOZA, SALAD & TEA

(Parking inside Chinese Cultural Plaza)

(200-300 Capacity)

ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT

CHOICE of TWO:

MANOA MARKETPLACE

988-1551 1-FREE PIECE SHRIMP TEMPURA TONS OF FREE PARKING! SUMMER SPECIAL• EXPIRES 8/2/12

930 McCully St. • 951-0511/951-0611

• PRIVATE PARTY ROOM • CONVENIENT PARKING

1-PER PERSON, 1-PER COUPON WITH ORDER. MUST PRESENT COUPON AT TIME OF ORDER

WHERE TO DINE Hifumi Japanese Restaurant

JAPANESE

Romanos Macaroni Grill

Ala Moana Center Hookipa Terrace 356-8300

Chinese Cultural Plaza 536-3035

Blue Hawaii Sushi

1140 Kuala St., Pearl City Across Wal-Mart 456-2128

Taormina-Sicilian Cuisine

Aina Haina 373-4033 Ala Moana 942-9102 Ewa Town Center 683-1003 Kaneohe 247-9595 Kapahulu 735-7700 Kapolei Commons 674-4227 Stadium Market Place 488-9202 Waiau 485-0227 Waikele Center 678-3180 Ward Center 591-5600

Z Pizza

Ward Centre Auahi St. Shops 596-0066 Kailua 151 Hekili St. 230-8400

Kozo Sushi

Hinone Mizunone

Kahala Mall • 738-KOZO Keeaumoku • 946-KOZO Moiliili • 951-KOZO Pearlridge • 483-6805 Pearl City • 455-6805

1345 South King St. 942-4848

Genki Sushi

227 Lewers St. 926-5050

Kobe Japanese Steak House

1841 Ala Moana Blvd.

941-4444

Ichiriki Aiea 98-150 Kaonohi St. 484-2222

Odoriko Japanese Restaurant 2400 Koa Ave. 923-7368

Honolulu 510 Piikoi St. 589-2299

indulgence is closer than you

think www.genkisushiusa.com Os hin ko Ma k

Ala Moana Center • Mall Level / Mauka

Mon - Sat 7:30am - 10pm • Sun 8am - 8pm

www.panyagroup.com BISTRO • BAKERY • BAR

Breakfast • Lunch • Happy Hour • Dinner

946-6388

Ka lbi G

i

We Love Kids...

...and Kids

m

ago

Tam

Ho

tD og Rol l

13 Locations: d

OAHU:

ALA MOANA 942-9102 AINA HAINA 373-4033 EWA TOWN CENTER 683-1003 KANEOHE 247-9595 KAPAHULU 735-7700 KAPOLEI 674-4227 WAIAU 485-0227 WAIKELE 678-3180 WARD CENTER 591-5600

OTHER ISLANDS:

Sincerely, Bryce “Saimin Jr.”

KONA KUKUI GROVE LAHAINA MAUI MALL

Gyo

za

WAIMALU

WAIPAHU

EWA BEACH SHOP. CTR.

98-020 Kam Hwy.

94-256 Waipahu Depot St.

91-919 Fort Weaver Rd.

w w w. s h i ro s s a i m i n . c o m

Restaurant Row 500 Ala Moana Blvd.

808.599.3860 Waikiki Beach Walk 226 Lewers St. 808.440.7910

me

SERVING LUNCH & DINNER • TAKE-OUT AVAILABLE

Visit any of our Shops between July 1st – 31st ENTER-TO-WIN

A NAPA VALLEY GETAWAY for Two

3 DAY / 2 NIGHT

See official rules at www.mccullysc.com

Wine Wednesdays 25% off bottles of wines

ma

D ISCOVER A WORLD OF CUISINES • at the Napa River Inn (21 and over eligibility required)

(808) 327-6776 (808) 632-2450 (808) 661-0333 (808) 873-7776

Happy Hour Daily in our lounge 5pm – 7pm

Proud recipient of:

Eda

689-0999

Sizzlin’ Prime Time 3 Course Menu for $42.95 Daily 5pm – 6pm

ala

aS Tun

Spa

To strive for perfection is good.

It shows you have pride.

To expect perfection can make you controlling.

And causes others to want to kick your backside.

676-2088

n

Love Us!

Dear Hearts,

488-8824

un ka

EARN 3

www.ruthschrishawaii.com

FOR EVERY DOLLAR SPENT IN JULY Enter-to-win a Napa Valley Getaway!

Visit www.mccullysc.com for details.

Name_______________________________________________________________ Email_______________________________________________________________ Phone______________________________________________________________ Drop entry off at any McCully Shopping Center Merchant.

✁

D I N I N G O U T | J U LY 2 9 - A U G . 4 , 2 0 1 2 | 2 5

WHERE TO DINE Makino Chaya

Shochan

98-150 Kaonohi St. 486-5100

449 Kapahulu Ave., 2nd Floor 225-0603

Sumo Ramen

Restaurant Suntory

Kaneohe 234-6868 Kapolei 693-8808 Market City 737-1868 Kamehameha Shp Cntr 848-8186 Pearl Highlands Cntr 456-8082 99 Ranch Mapunapuna 833-3139

Royal Hawaiian Shpg Cntr, 3rd Flr. 922-5511

Sakura Terrace Japanese Cafe

Yakiniku LuLuRaRa

EAST, in King’s Village 922-4233 CENTRAL, in Waikiki Shopping Plaza 922-4702 WEST, in Ala Moana Cntr-Hookipa Terrace 945-3443

915 Keeaumoku Street 941-9112

Sushi Company 1111 McCully Street 947-5411

Sekiya’s Restaurant & Delicatessen

Yoshi

MEXICAN

KOREAN

Wahoo’s Fish Taco

Red House In Honolulu

Sushi King

2746 Kaimuki Avenue 732-1656

835 Keeaumoku St. #I-101 B 944-0088

2700 S. King St. 947-2836

Try Our Famous OXTAIL SOUP!

TRY OUR POPULAR CATERING DISHES!

Kahala • 4614 Kilauea Ave. 732-9229 Ward • 940 Auahi St. 591-1646

SIDE ORDER

FRIED RICE

“Tender and Tasty.

Everyone Loves Our Oxtail Soup.”

Chinese Chicken Salad Korean Chicken Egg-Battered Mahi Chow Mein Noodles

Yakiniku Million 626 Sheridan St. 596-0799

1427 Makaloa St. 941-6891

1240 South King Street 591-1181

W/ PURCHASE OF ANY ENTREE DINE-IN ONLY.

S O Customers’ O N O ! Favorite…

Oxtail Soup!

Sun-Thu 8am-10pm • Fri-Sat til 11pm Okazuya open daily from 8am

2012

SEKIYA’S RESTAURANT & DELICATESSEN

Many other options available. Call for pricing and full menu.

841-0931

Serving Hawaii for 77 Years!

VALID AT ASAHI GRILL WARD ONLY. CANNOT COMBINE W/ OTHER SPECIALS OR DISCOUNTS. MUST PRESENT COUPON. LIMIT 1 PER COUPON. EXP. 8/2/12

732-1656

www.SekiyasRestaurant.com

$1 OFF Any Bread

ACROSS KAIMUKI H.S.

New Management!

New Menu!

Panda Cuisine Specializing in Fresh Seafood

purchases over $4 Must present coupon • exp. 8/2/12

DAILY BREAD SPECIALS

SUN-THURS 6:30AM-10PM FRI-SAT 6:30AM-11PM

@ WARD •••

2746 Kaimuki Ave

Kam Shopping Center Open 6am Daily

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

Tanaka of Tokyo

593-2800

515 WARD AVE.

Asian Mix

Bento • Take-Out Mix Plate • Catering

Japanese, Chinese and Local Flavor

10%OFF

Special Live Daily 5pm-9pm Abalone Dinner Dine-In Only. Cannot be combined with any special King Clam discount. Exp. 7/31/12

Ciabatta NOW O Rustic Kalamata Olive Bread EN MONDAP Sundried Tomato Cheesebread YS! Foccacia Derecco Walnut Raisin Hamakua Farms Mushroom Bread Buckwheat Fig

“All Natural no added chemicals”

Limit 2 orders per

988-4310 2752 Woodlawn Dr. • Manoa Marketplace

641 KEEAUMOKU ST. OPEN DAILY 11AM - 1AM

Mon-Sat 7:30am-7pm; Sunday 7:30am-3pm

947-1688

purchase/person hiasianmix.com Offer expires 8/4/12 1234 South Beretania St

Shop A-1 (below Safeway Beretania)

Mahalo, Hawaii!

Open Daily 10:30am-8:30pm

521-1688

For voting us your best!

"EST ,ATE .IGHT %ATERY s "EST "ENTO s "EST "AKERY

ENTER TO WIN BUY 3 GET 1 FREE 1 of 4 TRIPS FOR TWO TO LAS VEGAS! NAPPLES OR CONSOLATION PRIZES BROWNIES One Month’s Supply of Zip Pacs

$7.99 Hawaii’s Best fast food

ZIP PAC

$5.99 SPAGHETTI & fast food

CHICKEN MIXED PLATE

2 6 | D I N I N G O U T | J U LY 2 9 - A U G . 4 , 2 0 1 2

All items must be the same, limit 3 free

One Month’s Supply of Napples

Zip Pac $8.99 and Spaghetti & Chicken Mixed Plate $6.99 Restaurant. Prices slightly higher in Kahului. Offer valid from 7/1/2012 - 7/31/2012. While supplies last. Must be a Hawaii resident and 21 years of age or older to be eligible for Vegas giveaway, a Hawaii resident and 18 years of age or older for consolation prizes. No purchase necessary, other restrictions may apply. No substitutions allowed. Cannot be combined with any other promotional offers, coupons or discount cards. For complete rules and information see stores or visit www.zippys.com.

WHERE TO DINE OKAZUYA

PACIFIC RIM

SEAFOOD

Fukuya Delicatessen & Catering

3660 on the Rise

2710 S. King St. 946-2073

3660 Waialae Ave. 737-1177

Nuuanu Okazuya 1351 Nuuanu Ave. 533-6169

OKINAWAN

Shabu Shabu House 1221 Kapiolani Blvd 597-1655

Crab City

SWEETS

3441 Waialae Ave. 780-3115 626-5368

Ice Forest

The Ocean House Restaurant

SHOR American Seafood Grill

2169 Kalia Rd., Outrigger Reef Hotel 923-2277

Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach 2424 Kalakaua Ave. 923-1234 ext. 59

New Violet’s Grill

THAI Keo’s Thai Cuisine

SHABU SHABU

PORTUGUESE Adega Portuguese

Kapalama Shopping Center 1210 Dillingham Blvd # 8 841-8535

202 Merchant Street 383-1824

1138 Smith Street 566-5909

2028 Kuhio Ave. 951-9355

VIETNAMESE

Hanaki Restaurant Manoa Marketplace 2756 Woodlawn Drive 988-1551

Pho My Lien 98-150 Kaonohi St. 488-4900

FREE PIZZA! BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE (Reg. $9.95each) Build your own 10" pizza with unlimited toppings. *Take out only, w/coupon; not to be combined with any other offer. Expires 8/15/12.

Also available Pasta • Burgers • Salads • Sandwiches

OPEN TIL MIDNIGHT! 2919 Kapiolani Blvd., #218

• Accommodate from 10-320 people • (4) Private Party Rooms • Weddings, Birthdays, Retirements, Showers, Anniversaries, Business Meetings, Family Reunions and more

MARKET CITY SHPG CNTR 735-3888 Mon - Sun 10:30am to 9:00pm

Free Parking Mon-Fri after 5pm & All Day Sat & Sun

1055 Alakea St. Shrimp Scampi

10%OFF

BYOB

Aina Haina Chop Suey

ENTIRE MENU

East Honolulu Aina Haina Shopping Center • 373-1303 or 373-4632

10%OFF

LOYALTY CARD 15% OFF

RECEIVE OUR FREE AS OUR GIFT TO YOU! GOOD FOR Now Open ALL FUTURE VISITS! VALUE AT $35 for LUNCH!

COUPON

Dine-In & Take-Out

Not valid with other specials/discounts.

Dine-In Only. Offer expires 7/31/12

EXCLUDES SPECIAL MENUS

and

LIVE Seafood fresh Oyster Bar 3441 WAIALAE AVE OPEN DAILY 11 AM - 12 AM

Won Ton Noodle

780-3115 • 626-5368

EXP 8/15/12

SUMMER SPECIAL! Dinner for 10 ~ $189 reg. $225

• Chinese Chicken Salad • Salt & Pepper Shrimp • Peking Duck w/Bun • Peking Style Pork Chop • Scallop Egg Soup • Minute Chicken Cake Noodle • Steamed Seabass w/Ginger Onion

GO TO WWW.ONONHAWAII.COM TO VIEW MENUS AND FIND $5 COUPON

Special Summer $40 5-Course Dinner$ Per Person available Sun, Mon, & Tues Only

www.themandalayhawaii.com

525-8585

BREAKFAST & LUNCH NOW OPEN DAILY! FREE PARKING DAILY FOR BREAKFAST & LUNCH AT RYCROFT STREET PARKING STRUCTURE

Breakfast items featured Daily

Kalua Hash Benedict & Corned Beef Hash, Belgium Waffles, Loco Moco, & much more.

Now featuring our popular Lunch items featured Brunch on SATURDAY and MONDAY - FRIDAY House Specialty Oxtail Soup & Ramen, SUNDAY and DINNER BUFFETS Roasted Garlic & herb Crusted Prime Rib, Fresh Ahi Katsu Salad, Snow Crab Legs, Shrimp & Vegetable Big Island Beef Burger, & much more.

Tempura & much more.

Featuring a new kids menu & fish feeding for all the keiki

*For information/reservations call Pagoda Restaurant at 948-8356or go to our website at: Pagodahawaii.com

July Specials

for 15 add’l wine parings

Strawberry Cloud Cake & Strawberry Filled Yeast Donut

Buy one dinner entrée, receive 2nd entrée

50% OFF

valid Sun, Mon & Tue with ad Expires 8/7/12.

SENIOR DISCOUNT

SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCE

25% OFF NABE Monday - Friday 4pm-6pm.

Danny Couch

FREE VALET PARKING • www.chefchai.com • Call 585-0011

SAT

Brothers Cazimero

FRI

Jerry Santos & Hula

THUR

Robert Cazimero

WED

Cannot be combined with other offers.

TWO GREAT LOCATIONS! AIEA • 484-2222 HONOLULU • 589-2299 98-150 Kaonohi St. 510 Piikoi St.

Strawberry Fill

ed Yeast Donut

D I N I N G O U T | J U LY 2 9 - A U G . 4 , 2 0 1 2 | 2 7

orderoftheday

ASAHI

A Hot Spot of G R I L L Local Flavors STORY BY KELLI SHIROMA | PHOTOS BY LEAH FRIEL

A

sahi Grill, a homey local eatery located on Ward Avenue, is constantly bustling with activity. Friendly conversations can be heard among diners, while new customers are greeted warmly upon entry. According to manager Victoria Sayno, Asahi Grill is popular and well known among locals and tourists alike because of both its food and friendly customer service. The eatery opened Feb. 16, 2007 and continues to be a hot spot for local-style breakfast, lunch and dinner.

“We have a lot of tourists from Japan, Taiwan and from the Mainland, but we have a lot of locals, too,” Sayno says. “They know about the food because the food is really good.”

Asahi Grill is renowned for its famous Oxtail Soup ($12.95), which is its signature dish, according to Sayno.

“The Oxtail Soup is a hybrid of old and new,” she explains. “The Oxtail Soup is a recipe from Kapiolani Coffee Shop (where a lot of us at Asahi Grill worked previously) and has been re-created for the diners at Asahi Grill. It’s one of our top-selling dishes.”

Besides its famous Oxtail Soup, Asahi Grill also is known for other local favorites, including Chopped Steak ($8.25) — tender beef stir-fried with vegetables in a savory sauce — Loco Moco with Brown Gravy ($8.95), a homemade hamburger patty with two eggs and smothered with gravy; and

2

Chopped Steak ($8.25) Salome Anderson, Victoria Sayno and Angelita Morita with Banana Hotcakes ($6.25, $4.75 half-order) Oxtail Soup ($12.95) Steamed Fish ($9.50) Shrimp Tempura ($13.95)

3

Leah Friel photos

1

three different types of fried rice.

“We have the Portuguese Fried Rice with Two Eggs ($6.75, $5.25 small order with one egg), Lup Cheong Fried Rice ($7.25, $5.75 small order) and the Kim Chee Fried Rice ($7.25, $5.75 small order),” Sayno says.

Two salads also are increasingly popular at Asahi Grill: Asahi Salad ($9.95), a medley of fresh romaine lettuce, shrimp, cucumber, tofu and avocado with soy dressing, and Soft Shell Crab Salad ($11.25), a mixture of fresh romaine lettuce topped with soft shell crab, cucumber, avocado and tobiko. Asahi Grill also

2 8 | D I N I N G O U T | J U LY 2 9 - A U G . 4 , 2 0 1 2

features a number of daily specials, including Pot Roast Beef ($9.95) and Sweet Sour Spare Ribs ($8.75) on Sundays, and Roast Turkey ($8.75) and Tripe Stew ($8.50) on Wednesdays.

Besides its popular local favorites that are served all day, customers are sure to find delicious dishes on Asahi Grill’s breakfast menu.

“Our No. 1 best-seller for breakfast is the Asahi Breakfast ($9.50), which comes with tossed salad, miso soup, rice (we have brown rice available) and a choice of mahi mahi, salmon/saba or opakapaka,” says Sayno. “Our Banana Hotcakes ($6.25,

5

$4.75 half-order) also are popular.”

Sayno explains that Asahi Grill is currently promoting its Early Bird Special from 6:30 to 10 a.m., featuring Mini Island Breakfast ($5) — morning meat with one scoop of rice and one egg — as well as Hotcake (one piece) and Egg ($4) breakfast.

Besides its dine-in menu, Asahi Grill also offers takeout and catering services to its customers.

Items on Asahi Grill’s Catering menu include local favorites such as

ASAHI GR WARD ILL 515 Wa rd

Ave., Ho nolulu 593.28 00

Sunday -T 6:30 a.m hursday, .Friday- S 10 p.m.

6:30 a.m aturday, .-11 p.m .

Garlic Chicken ($35 small, $65 large), Shrimp Tempura ($70 small, $110 large), Hamburger Patti ($55 small, $85 large) and Fried Rice ($40 small, $65 large).

While regular items on the eatery’s menu — such as Oxtail Soup — are often

4

customer favorites, Sayno says that Asahi Grill is planning to expand its menu in the future to include more dishes.

New menu items currently include Teriyaki Pork Chops ($9.50) and Special Steamed Fish ($9.50).

“Teriyaki Pork Chops is a really good menu item right now,” says Sayno. “I think we’re planning to add more dishes later on … like Filipino dishes; we’ve already added the Steamed Fish, which is a Chinese dish.”