NADINE KAM / NKAM@STARBULLETIN.COM
The opening of George Mavrothalassitis' Cassis -- in Harbor Court where Palomino used to be -- was attended by a diverse 500-strong crowd that included a who's who of area restaurateurs, entrepreneurs, artists, politicians and, of course, foodies in search of the first bites of Cassis-Honolulu-Paris-Alsace cuisine. Greeting guests were chef de cuisine Kevin Chong, left, Mavro and Mavro's wife, Donna Jung. CLICK FOR LARGE

NADINE KAM / NKAM@STARBULLETIN.COM
Enjoying the wine were Sandi Yara, left, Susan Sunderland and Carrie Wedemeyer. CLICK FOR LARGE

NADINE KAM / NKAM@STARBULLETIN.COM
Designer Mary Philpotts McGrath, left, who created the restaurant's interior in collaboration with daughter Marion Philpotts Miller, chatted with artist Pegge Hopper. CLICK FOR LARGE

BETTY SHIMABUKURO / BSHIMABUKURO@STARBULLETIN.COM
Chef Roy Yamaguchi sat with the keiki dancers from Tihati Productions, who entertained on the steps of his 34th restaurant, in the Embassy Suites at Waikiki Beachwalk. Friday's opening party, a benefit for the Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii, drew 300 guests. Yamaguchi's crew prepared 13 dishes and nine desserts. CLICK FOR LARGE

BETTY SHIMABUKURO / BSHIMABUKURO@STARBULLETIN.COM
Justin Haifley, above left, executive chef at Roy's New York, flew in to help Justin Peel, head chef at Roy's Waikiki. Peel says he and his sous-chefs will wear black because "Roy wanted sexy." CLICK FOR LARGE

BETTY SHIMABUKURO / BSHIMABUKURO@STARBULLETIN.COM
Andy Simon served up baked fingerling potatoes stuffed with goat cheese and caviar. Simon gave up a 20-year career in accounting to take up cooking. Roy's is his first kitchen job. CLICK FOR LARGE