Da Kine Star-Bulletin staff and wire services

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Take an art tour of Italy

The Academy Art Center is presenting a two-week workshop in Tuscany and Rome with art center painting instructor Andrew Rose.

Students will spend a week visiting the Uffizi and Vatican museums, St. Peter's Basilica and historic Italian churches, and paint daily.

During week two, students will sketch in Rome.

Land cost is $5,695 and includes 14 nights, double occupancy accommodations in Tuscany and Rome, all transfers and instruction, most meals and entry fees to museums. Group airfare is $2,995.

Space is limited. For more information, visit www.honoluluacademy.org or artisticexpeditions.com. To make reservations, call the art center at 532-8741.

RESTAURANT REPORT

Hoku's highlights sake selections

Chef Wayne Hirabayashi and sake expert Chris Pearce combine forces to present a "Sake Focus Menu" tomorrow through next Sunday at Hoku's in the Kahala Hotel & Resort.

Premium sake selections have been chosen to complement Hirabayashi's menu of Tea-Seared Yellow Fin Ahi, Grilled Hamachi "Kama," and Roast Miso-Glazed Maugrette Duck Breast. Dessert is Pink Plum Sake Granita with Lime Cookies. The set menu is $72, including sake pairings.

The resort's Plumeria Beach House will also have a sake menu (call for details).

And for those who don't want to drive home afterward, kamaaina accommodations will be $285, which includes a breakfast buffet for two the next day.

Call 739-8780.

Special events

The Willows: Honor thy boss at Monday through Friday with a buffet lunch that includes sushi and crab legs. Cost is $21.95, $10.95 children. Every boss receives a gift and is eligible for a prize of two field passes to the University of Hawaii's Nov. 10 football game against Fresno State. Call 952-9200.

Vino: A "Chef's Table" dinner, 5:30 p.m. Saturday, features four courses by chef Keith Endo paired with three wines. Cost is $45. Call 533-4476.

Cassis Wine Bar: "Find the Wine!" at 6 p.m. Saturday features a four-course pupu-style menu, eight wines presented as a blind tasting with the dishes, advice from two wine experts and time for Q&A. Cost is $65. Call 735-7788.

E&O Trading Co.: Quarterly Marketplace Brunch, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. next Sunday features specialties from Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. Tickets are $25, to benefit Pacific Gateway Center. Call 591-9555.

Tiki's Grill & Bar: The restaurant in the ResortQuest Waikiki Beach Hotel celebrates its fifth birthday with a party, 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 23, to feature drink and pupu specials and entertainment. Tiki's partners Bill Tobin, Kelly McGill and Greg Montgomery will be guest bartenders, donating all their tips to the Aloha United Way. Call 923-8454.

Alan Wong's Restaurant: Chef Wade Ueka hosts a "Next Generation Dinner," Oct. 24. The menu: Truffled Makapu'u Shrimp Casserole (with Muller-Thurgau, Paul Furst, 2004), Kona Kampachi Cooked on a Plate ("Wineck Schlossberg" Grand Cru Riesling, 2005) Garlic Kurobuta Pork Chop ("Eaglepoint Ranch" Copain Syrah, 2000) and dessert of Pineapple, Pineapple, Pineapple (Chateau Roumier-Lacoste, "Selection Andre," Sauternes, 2001). Call 949-2526. Cost is $75, $105 with wine pairings.