Bistro restaurant to
open at Aloha Tower
Marketplace

By Jerry Tune
Star-Bulletin

The Aloha Tower Marketplace is getting a new restaurant, Chai's Island Bistro.

Chai's Island Bistro is scheduled to open late next month in the space vacated by the Trilussa Italian restaurant. The bistro is the second restaurant by Chai Chaowasaree, owner of the Singha Thai Restaurant in Waikiki.

Chaowasaree describes the bistro food as "contemporary cuisine with a Thai twist." Restaurant features will include an outdoor waterfall, Thai artifacts and artwork by local artists.

Scott Creel, the marketplace's marketing director, said negotiations are nearly complete for another new restaurant in the space vacated by Scotts Seafood and he expects that restaurant to open this year.

Creel said the marketplace has 10 restaurants, with two more coming this year, and the possibility of a third new eatery.

Other changes ahead for the marketplace include establishment of an "alcohol free" area for families with children who want to enjoy the entertainment and fireworks. "We'll have that ready for New Year's," he said.

Creel also hopes that Aloha Tower will re-open in about a month after renovations that expanded space on the 10th floor for visitors to get a view of the harbor. Aloha Tower has been closed to the public since Feb. 23.

The marketplace will highlight its changes on its Web site -- http://www.alohatower.com/atm.