Hale Aina Happenings

ROY'S HAWAII KAI. Roy's re-opened its doors to the newly renovated restaurant on June 21^st. Guests will enjoythe lovely murals of various fish on the walls, dark wood accents throughout, granite and marble, brighter lighting in the main dining room and large, bright purple umbrellas on the lanai.

Preparations continue for Roy's 20th anniversary celebration, which will take place over two days and allow guests a real culinary treat. On October 4, there will be a $10,000 per table dinner for 250 people presented by eight visiting chefs. The event will take place in the interior and exterior of the Honolulu fish auction at the pier.  Then on Sunday, October 5, a grazing dinner for 1,500 at Kapiolani Community College.

The impressive list of visiting chefs and corresponding restaurants include: John Besh – Restaurant August, Floyd Cardoz – Tabla, Michael Ginor – Hudson Valley Foie Gras, Lee Hefter – Spago Beverly Hills, Sam Leong – Tung Lok Group, Tony Liu – August, Michael Lomonaco – Porterhouse New York, Raphael Lunetta – Jiraffe, Nobu Matsuhisa – Nobu’s/Matsuhisa, Tamara Murphy – Brasa Restaurant, Tsutomu Ochiai – La Bettola, Charlie Palmer – Charlie Palmer “Restaurants”, François Payard – Payard Patisserie & Bistro, Don Pintabona, Hiroyuki Sakai – La Rochelle, Hiro Sone/Lissa Doumani – Terra/Ame, Ron Siegel – The Dining Room at Ritz-Carlton San Francisco, Alessandro Stratta – Alex (Wynn Las Vegas), Charlie Trotter – Charlie Trotter’s, Ming Tsai – Blue Ginger, Yuji Wakiya – Turandot/Wakiya at The Gramercy Park Hotel, Tetsuya Wakuda – Tetsuya’s and Hawaii chef Alan Wong—Alan Wong Restaurants. For reservations or more information, call 396-7697.

ROY'S KO OLINA. As part of the Hawaii Food & Wine Paradise, chef Roy Yamaguchi will be part of the Kapolei Chef Showcase which is a sit-down winemaker’s dinner on Thursday,September 11, 2008. This year’s Hawaii Food & Wine Paradise takes place September 11-13, 2008 at the Ko‘Olina Resort. Proceeds generated will fund college scholarships and educational programs for Leeward Oahu youth through the festival’s charitable beneficiary—the Kapolei Rotary Foundation. For more information or to purchase tickets for Hawaii Food & Wine Paradise, visit
www.Hawaiifoodandwineparadise.com.

LAHAINA GRILL. After three years of dramatic renovations to its historic building, Lahaina Grill has recently announced the restaurant has successfully "greened" itself, greatly improving the energy efficiency of the Lahaina landmark. The restaurant now boasts high energy efficient appliances, environmentally sensitive lighting and an overhauled recycling program designed to minimize its impact on the environment.

In a continuing effort to support local farmers in the Maui community, Lahaina Grill has entered into a partnership with MauiGrown Coffee of Lahaina. The 500-acre estate grows several varieties of Arabica coffees to suit a multitude of palettes, and its coffee is now featured and can be purchased at the restaurant. For dining reservations at Lahaina Grill or more information, call 808-667-5117.

SERGIO'S ITALIAN RESTAURANT. Chef Alfredo has recently introduced a $19.50 "sunset dinner" for early diners who want to watch the sunset overlooking the newly restored beach and cove at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. The dinner includes a choice of a mixed green or caesar salad, choice of pasta, and a tiramisu. Specialty side dishes including homemade veal and pork meatballs, rock shrimp and grilled chicken breast can bed added to the pasta for a small additional fee. Call 951-6900 for reservations.

SHOKUDO JAPANESE RESTAURANT. A new summer menu features sakika tempura, agedashi eggplant, steamed seasonal vegetables, Ishiyaki Szechuan-style spicy tofu, albacore tuna delight roll, ginger kurobuta pork and a strawberry napoleon for dessert.  Shokudo will also be serving a special fruit infused sake. For reservations, or more information, call 808-941-3701.
 

RYAN'S GRILL. Travel the world over at Ryan's Grill during Beer Fest 2008, July 16 through August 20. The return of Beer Fest will feature beers from around the world. Sample your way through over 100 beers handpicked for the festival. Ryan's executive chef Kenneth McKenzie has also created some award-winning specialty selections to mark the celebration including a Hefeweizen seafood bake with Prince Edward Canadian Black Lip mussels, scallops, shrimp and calamari or a Black Butte BBQ burger with sliced smoked Virginia ham and Black Butte BBQ sauce. Plus, you can enter to win weekly roundtrip airfare for two to the neighboring islands courtesy of go! Airlines and some lucky guest will be the winner of a grand prize "Backyard BBQ" for 10 at their home courtesy of Ryan's and Steinlager!

Ryan's also offers a special "Sunset Seating" for diners to dine early for only $20. The 3-course dinner offers a choice of salad (House salad with mandarin oranges or crunch pea salad) or daily soup, a dinner entree (kalbi beef rice bowl, hibachi chicken, kung pao duck pizza, Kobe hamburger steak or orchiette with Greek prawns), a dessert (sorbet of the day, sundae or mocha espresso pots de creme) and coffee, tea or soda. For more information, call 591-9132.
 

CHAI'S ISLAND BISTRO. The 12th annual Russell Tanoue Birthday Project Fundraiser takes place at Chai's on Friday, July 25, 2008 with proceeds to benefit the Aloha United Way & Project Shine. The event, Shine: The White Party, offers a night of great entertainment, awesome prizes including a trip to Las Vegas, a round trip for 2 to any west coast destination courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines and much more! This annual event has contributed to making a difference with the American Cancer Society, American War Heroes, the Aloha Medical Mission  and individuals dealing with life’s  challenging issues financially and or medically. VIP tickets for the pre-party from 9:30 - 11:30 p.m. are $40 and include champagne, Chef Chai's signature hor d'oeuvres, raffle ticket for a chance to win great prizes. General admission tickets from 11:30  p.m. to 2 a.m. are $20 . VIP Tables are also available. For complete details click here.

Chai's Island Bistro also plays host to RUSH, every Friday night from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. RUSH is the new Friday late-night club event that people are talking about. Cover is $15, VIP reservations available. Attire is fashionably cool. For information or reservations at Chai's call 585-0011.
 

ALAN WONG'S RESTAURANT. Chef Alan Wong will present his next Farmer Series Dinner on July 23^rd at his flagship King Street restaurant.  This month Chef Alan’s one-night only 5-course menu will feature products from Jim Parsons and Jackie Zimmerman from TroutLodge Marine, Kona Kampachi, Kona Blue Water Farms, Big Island Abalone, and Poamoho Organic Produce.  Guests can enjoy this dinner for $75 per person or $105 per person with wine pairings by Mark Shishido.  Jim Parsons and Jackie Zimmerman of TroutLodge Marine will also be joining guests in the restaurant to personally introduce their Big Island Butterfish. Visit their Web site for more information on this dinner. Reservations for this dinner can be made by calling (808) 949-2526.

BRASSERIE DU VIN. On Monday, July 21, Du Vin will host an intimate dinner with a specially designed three-course menu by chef Scott Nelson with wine pairings by sommelier Collin Darrell. The dinner is available for $59 (plus tax and gratuity) and begins at 6:15, seating is limited and reservations are required.

Every Tuesday, Brasserie Du Vin and local wine distributors present a different selection of wine for your tasting pleasure. Includes an artisan cheese and cured meat platter. $20 (plus tax and gratuity). Starts at 6:00 p.m. and reservations are required. For more information, call 808-545-1115.

E&O TRADING CO. On Monday, July 28, E&O presents its third, non-traditional cocktail and dinner pairing -- created By Chef de Cuisine Nicholas Salvi  &  E&O Trading Company’s “Keeper of the Spirits” Master Alchemist:  Joey Gottesman.  E&O Trading Company invites you to experience a delight for the senses.  The Independence Day inspired menu includes a six course meal paired with unique cocktails that will educate the pallet in the most sophisticated way. Available for $60 per person, starting at 6:00 p.m. Call 808-591-9555 for reservations.

 

HOKU'S. August brings sweet and succulent lobster to Hoku's with chef Wayne Hirabayashi's "Lobster Affair"  starting on August 26 - September 1. For $90, diners can enjoy a 5-course set menu featuring Kona Maine lobster sashimi; Tristan Da Cunha lobster & mango salad; lobster coral fettucine; Caribbean lobster thermador; and Buddha's Hand Trio dessert of cheesecake, cannoli, and ice cream. Available from 5:30 to 10 p.m. For dining reservations, call 739-8760.

PLUMERIA BEACH HOUSE. Lobster and live entertainment are on the menu at Plumeria Beach House with a multiple special themed buffets in August. Sunday, August 3, 10 and 24 guests can enjoy chef's special seafood sunday dinner buffet from 5:30 - 9:30 p.m., $45 for adults and $23 for children. On Sunday, August 17, the Seafood buffet features lobsters, available from 5:30 - 9:30 p.m., $55 for adults and $28 for children ages 5-12. From Monday August 18 - Thursday, August 21, Plumeria Beach House hosts its own Lobster Affair with a 3-course set menu featuring lobster carpaccio; half baked Kona Maine lobster; and dragon fruit parfait and kalamansi sorbet from 5:30 - 10 p.m. for $40 per person.

On Sunday, August 24, Plumeria Beach House celebrates National Waffle Day with a special brunch buffet from 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., $45 for adults, $23 for Children ages 5-12.

And nightly entertainment returns to Plumeria Beach House in August with live Hawaiian entertainment featuring musicians and hula from 6 to 8 p.m. (times may vary). For reservations or more information, call 739-8760.