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TheBuzz Erika Engle |
Changes afoot
in lunchtime lineupSansei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar will cease its popular, moderately priced lunch service after tomorrow, according to a sign posted in the restaurant. The service began in July 2001. Questions were referred to management, which was not available.
It's likely to create a lunch hour windfall for eateries at Restaurant Row and in the surrounding area.
The upscale image of Meritage, across the corridor from Sansei, has intimidated some mid-day diners, said President William Cheng.
"I pull 'em in, I say, 'Come inside!" he said. Casual wear, such as shorts, is OK.
Soups and appetizers start at $4.50 with sandwiches and other choices starting at $6.50. Meritage is open for lunch Tuesday through Friday and on weekends for private parties; it is closed Mondays.
Phillip Paolo, of two eateries bearing his name, had not heard about Sansei's plan and wondered aloud if he should add staff. Mini-plates at his Outback operation start at under $4.
Yesterday, Paolo launched breakfast service at Outback, thusly named as it is atop the double-wide courtyard stairs at Waterfront Plaza, but has a kitchen adjoining his main restaurant.
"We're specializing mainly in omelets, Italian-style omelets," Paolo said, with Italian sausage and onions, bell peppers, potatoes and cheeses, as well as side dishes such as bagels and "what we call a fire loaf of bread." It has different types of cheeses and spices in it and is baked in the pizza oven.
Prices start at $3.50 and go up depending on the number of ingredients chosen. Outback will be open from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., serving breakfast until 10 a.m.
"I saw a market for it, and there are lower food costs," he said. It's a trial run which will continue if successful.
"I also think there's a market for curbside service," which he has considered since before he opened in October, Paolo said. Customers will be able to fax in orders for pick up between 4:30 and 6 p.m. The service could start in mid-June, "but you know how that goes," he said.
On the dine-in side during lunch, most people choose the buffet. "They're looking to get in and out with good quality food and service," he said.
Naysayers were not confident Paolo could thrive in the location, which has not housed a long-term operator since Pizza Bob's.
"I try not to listen to the stories," he said.
Anchor update
Stephanie Lum will fill the anchor chair being vacated tomorrow by News 8 Today's Barbara Wallace, according to a station announcement yesterday. Wallace is leaving to devote time to her family and her family consulting business. Lum starts her 5:30 to 7 a.m. co-anchor gig with Paul Drewes on Monday and will continue her reporting duties.Also yesterday, weekend sports anchor Jared Grugett submitted his resignation. His full-time Monday through Friday job and weekend duties at KHNL left him insufficient time off, according to station sources. Neither Grugett nor station officials could be reached for comment.
See the Columnists section for some past articles.
Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin.
Call 529-4302, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached
at: eengle@starbulletin.com