You have 5 minutes
to grab a table
UH-OH, you forgot to make dining reservations Sunday, as in, Mother's Day.
Tough one. Most tables are booked this time of year. Few are willing, it seems, to brave the task of whipping up a feast for mom, for it's a lose-lose proposition. If you botch the meal, mom will take over the kitchen or worse, fret, and that's no way to spend her day. If you upstage her, well, get used to eating alone. You may not get as many family dinner invitations afterward.
The wise, at this point, could simply gather a picnic basket full of mom's favorite edibles and wake up early to reserve a desirable spot at a beach park.
But for those with their hearts set on more formal surroundings, for the next 5 minutes a handful of tables are available at the following restaurants. Integral to the mass feeding phenomenon that is Mother's Day are requirements of Prime Rib Au Jus, Eggs Benedict and Strawberries. The initials P, E and/or S will identify which of the key ingredients are on the menu. You add the love:
Alfred's: There are a few openings for dinner after 8 p.m. Complete meals range from $35 for a Grilled Breast of Chicken with Portobello Mushrooms to $46 for a Medallion of Wisconsin Veal Loin with Port Sauce. In between are Maine Lobster, Chateaubriand of Black Angus Beef, and Roast Rack of Lamb. Accompanying the meal will be Escargots, greens and a Double Beef Consomme. S
At Century Center, 1750 Kalakaua Ave., 3rd floor. Call 955-5353.
Chai's Island Bistro: Brunch, at $37.95 per person, will feature Salmon Tartar, Alaskan King Crab Cake, Curry Puffs, a Roasted Garlic and Pepper Crusted Beef Tenderloin with Merlot Demiglace, Thai Red Curry, Roast Turkey, Asian-style Osso Bucco, Salmon with Truffle Madeira Sauce, Baby Back Ribs and Strawberry Fondue. Melveen Leed will entertain. E, S
Dinner is $38.95 per person with the same menu, but without the Benedict. Children under 12 can eat for half price. Olomana will entertain.
At Aloha Tower Market Place. Call 585-0011. Seats are also available at Chai Chaowasaree's other restaurant, Singha Thai, 1910 Ala Moana. Call 941-2898.
Chez Michel: Brunch runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a few early and noon seatings open. Meals are complete, at $14.95 to $25.95 per person depending on entree choice. Examples: Rock-Salt Roasted Prime Rib is $24.95 and Scallop Crepes with Lobster Basil Sherry Sauce is $21.95. Keiki 12 and under have options running $6.95 to $9.95. P, E
At Eaton Square, 444 Hobron Lane. Call 955-7866.
Ihilani Resort & Spa Ocean Ballroom: On the west side, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., mom will be treated to a brunch that includes Kiawe-smoked Pork Loin with Crispy Taro Hash and Ohelo Berry Jus, Poke, Sushi, Chilled Seafood with Wasabi Cocktail Sauce, Thai Green Curry Fish and an Herb-marinated Leg of Lamb with Poha Berry Mustard. The price is $44.50 with champagne, $39.50 without, for adults; $19.50 for children 5 to 10; and free for keiki under 5. P, E, S
At Ko Olina, 92-1001 Olani St. Call 679-0079 ext. 2166.
Sarento's: Brunch from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. has it all, with a carving station featuring Prime Rib Au Jus and Roast Leg of Lamb, an omelet station, hot and cold buffets and desserts. Hot entrees include Chicken Marsala, Steamed Clams with Black Bean Sauce, and Roast Pork Loin with Porcini Sauce. On the cold buffet are Smoked Salmon, Caesar Salad, Sushi, and more. Prices are $29.95 for adults, $12.95 for children under 12. The regular menu will be in effect for the evening. P, E, S
At the Ilikai Hotel, 1777 Ala Moana Blvd. Call 955-5559.
See a listing of past restaurants reviewed in the
section online. Click the logo to go!
Nadine Kam's restaurant reviews run on Thursdays. Reviews are conducted anonymously and paid for by the Star-Bulletin. Star ratings are based on comparisons of similar restaurants:
-- excellent;
-- very good, exceeds expectations;
-- average;
-- below average.
To recommend a restaurant, write: The Weekly Eater, P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu, Hawaii 96802. Or send e-mail to features@starbulletin.com
