WHILE the GOP convention winds its scripted course to a conclusion in San Diego, erstwhile Republican politico D.G. "Andy" Anderson is less into rhetoric and more into food these days. Longtime owner of John Dominis at the mouth of Kewalo Basin harbor, Anderson has now opened Michel's in the Colony Surf, effectively creating bookends to Waikiki. The former GOP leader in Hawaii is in love with both places and now has spectacular views from either end of Waikiki. He recommends, not unsurprisingly, alternating the two for sunset-watching daily. And after taking in the view from Michel's at the foot of Diamond Head, Andy has already advised the John Dominis crew to turn down their chandeliers - it was too bright for his taste ... THAT feature in yesterday's Star-Bulletin called "Where Chunky's used to be..." brought back memories for me. Trouble is, I've been around so long I remember what was there before some of the landmarks themselves were in place. For example, the Hard Rock Cafe's predecessor was Coco's, but before that it was Kau Kau Korner. But that one's easy. Before Canterbury Place was built, Tops held forth for many years. But how many remember Shari's Drive-Inn before that? Then there's the landmark that gets forgotten. Yesterday's article reports that Mac's Market previously stood where the Gloria Garden Chapel was recently built. But I spent many happy moments there when it was the Bistro at Diamond Head before the Chapel was built. It's kind of fun to jiggle the old memory bank ...
I was sorry to learn of the death this week in San Francisco of old friend Glen Dorenbusch, a frequent contributor to Herb Caen's column and the saloon publicist who introduced me to many of my favorite San Francisco haunts to this day. As everyone knew it would, cirrhosis finally caught up with him at 66 ...
Matthew Kenney
SPEAKING of chefs, Matthew Kenney, young Wunderkind owner/chef of Matthew's and Bar Anise in New York City, is coming to Hawaii. Alas, not to stay, but only to create some of his Mediterranean and Moroccan specialties at Bali Restaurant from Aug. 29-Sept. 3 and on Sept. 7 at Donatoni's at the Hilton Waikoloa. Food & Wine Magazine has named him one of the "Ten Best Chefs in America" ...
IN preparation for the upcoming Greek Festival next week, Sarento's owner Aaron Placourakis is putting on his Greek chef's hat and cooking up Mediterranean specialties of his own on Sunday for supporters of his charity work, particularly for the River of Life Mission. The cuisine should be authentic Greek, too - the person taking RSVP's is named Athena ...
