[ STUFFS ]
ISLE PAGES
New releases from Hawaii authors,
By Burl Burlingame
bburlingame@starbulletin.com
"The Tonga Book" by Paul W. Dale(Minerva Press (UK), available from Pacific Island Books for $18.50)
This is a handsomely remounted edition of the journal of an English teen stranded in Tonga in the early 1800s. Dale, a psychiatrist at the University of Hawaii, has updated the tale to modern -- and highly readable -- English. This is one of the best early accounts of life in the South Seas, and it's too bad there's no Hawaii equivalent.
"The First 16 Secrets of Chi" by Luk Chun Bond (Frog Ltd., $16.95)Bond is a "master" of chi kung, a kind of ancient Chinese self-healing disciplines that involve stylized body movements. He's a regular at free classes at Kapiolani Park, and this book is a kind of sequel to his earlier "16 Secrets of Chi." His introduction brings us into the world of this discipline, but the bulk of the book is an illustrated how-to for the exercises. Thanks to editing by Windward authors Steven and U'i Goldsberry, the language is elegant and highly descriptive. The production is OK, but this is one of those books - like cookbooks - that should be sewn or spiral-bound so it will open flat. Can a "Cooking With Chi" TV show be far behind?
[CHEW ON THIS]
|
Indigo Eurasian Cuisine has increased its wine profile with a weekly series of wine tastings. Indigo offers wine lovers
several tasting possibilitiesStar-Bulletin Staff
On Feb. 20, chef Glenn Chu takes the concept further with a five-course wine dinner featuring Foxen Vineyards of Santa Barbara. Dinner is at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $68.
The menu includes hors d'oeuvres of Ginger Mint Cured Salmon, Daikon Wrapped Hawaiian Plantations Shrimp and Tea Smoked Chicken Mu Shu Rolls (with 2000 Viognier); Seared Scallops Nestled on Ogo (1999 Chardonnay); Uncle Gene's Fiery Peppered Rubbed and Roasted Shutome (2000 Pinot Noir); Double Cut Rosemary and Sage Lamb Chops (1998 Merlot); Parfait of Coconut Panna Cotta (1998 Cabernet Sauvignon).
Indigo also offers wine tastings, "The Grapes of Wrath," 6 p.m. Tuesdays. Cost is $15, which includes fruit and cheese. Call 521-2900.
New menus
Parc Café: The new All-American Lunch Buffet pays tribute to regional foods from across the country, beginning with New York. Specialties include the Reuben sandwich, Manhattan Clam Chowder, Waldorf Salad and a deli sandwich station. The buffet is served Thursdays and Saturdays. Cost is $15.95. Call 931-6642.
The Pearl: Leeward Community College's fine-dining room has reopened for the spring semester, staffed by student chefs and servers. Appetizers, at $3.95 each, include Salmon Tartare and Crispy Calamari; entrees range from Checca ala Cappelini ($6.95) to Lemon Grass Pan Seared Scallops ($9.95). The dining room is open for lunch only, Wednesdays through Fridays. The menu changes every two weeks. Call 455-0475.
Just opened
Kuhio Beach Grill: The Waikiki Beach Marriott has added a casual restaurant offering indoor and outdoor dining. The Grill offers a $16.95 breakfast buffet and dinners featuring the continental cuisine of chef Armin Alfaro. Signature dishes include a 10-ounce filet mignon with red wine sauce and grilled opakapaka with sweet and sour sauce. Call 922-6611.
Shore Bird Restaurant and Beach Bar: The Outrigger Reef has reopened its oceanside restaurant after a $3.1 million renovation. The Shore Bird has been redesigned to reflect a plantation house but still features an open-air grill where dinner guests can grill their own fish, chicken, steaks and ribs. The restaurant also offers a breakfast buffet and casual lunches. Call 922-2887.
Valentine's specials
Valentine's Day is Thursday. If you haven't booked your romantic dinner for two yet, consider these late entries. A more comprehensive list of choices was published last week; see our Web site, www.starbulletin.com (use the search function and type in "valentine reservations").
Brew Moon Restaurant & Microbrewery: Three-course dinner features entree choice of Pineapple-Glazed Mahi Mahi, Veal Farci Marsala. Entertainment by Manoa Strings and Mike Times Trio. Cost is $65 per couple. Call 593-0088.
Plaza Club: The private club will be open to the public for a five-course dinner built around entree choices of Filet of Beef Tenderloin, Grilled Twin Medallions of Salmon, Pulehu Lamb Chops or Pan Seared Fillet of Ahi. Entertainment by the Ernie Shea trio, with dancing to follow dinner. Cost is $59.50. Call 521-8905, Ext. 30.
Parc Café: Dinner buffet will be offered Thursday through Sunday, featuring oysters, escargot, wide selection of salads, carving station with leg of lamb and pork loin, entrees of fish en papillote, bouillabaisse, roast duck, Asian ratatouille, seafood curry and frog legs. Cost is $34.95 (children pay $1 per year of age). Call 931-6642.
Special events
Venetian Carnival: Donatoni's Italian restaurant at the Hilton Waikola Village is offering four-course Venetian-style menus Fridays and Saturdays in February. The menu includes a salad of spinach and red radicchio with goat cheese, penne pasta with pesto, entree choice of grilled snapper over spiced couscous or veal scaloppini. Dessert is the chocolate Carnival Mask of Venice. Cost is $59. Call (808) 886-1234.
President's Day brunch: An international selection of choices is offered for the holiday weekend, Feb. 17 and 18, at Orchids in the Halekulani hotel. Selections include sashimi, poke, sushi, crepes, suckling pig and pastas. Desserts honoring George Washington include cherry cobbler, cherry flan and cherries jubilee. Cost is $38 ($24 children). Call 923-2311.
Master Chefs Dinner: Mark Lo Russo, executive chef at Aqua in Las Vegas' Bellagio Hotel, will cook alongside Philippe Padovani, Saturday and Feb. 17 at Padovani's Restaurant. Each chef will prepare five courses, in a seafood-inspired menu. Cost is $110. Call 946-3456.
The Cheese Culture: Cheeses from Ireland and England, accompanied by a flight of three wines, will be served 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Mariposa in Neiman Marcus Ala Moana. Cost is $20. Call 951-3420.
Click for online
calendars and events.
Send WatDat? questions, stories
or any other story ideas or comments to:
Features, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, P.O. Box 3080,
Honolulu, HI 96802 or send a fax to 523-8509
or E-mail to features@starbulletin.com.
Please include your phone number.
