Stuffs
[ RESTAURANT REPORT ]
Dining around the islands
3 events feature famed Italian chef-owner
Celestino Drago, owner of what one reviewer called "a glittering bracelet of restaurants in the Los Angeles area," brings his distinctive interpretation of modern Italian cuisine to Hawaii next week for three events.Born and raised in Sicily, Drago moved to Los Angeles in 1979. He built a reputation while in his 20s for such revolutionary dishes (at the time) as squid-ink risotto and pumpkin tortelloni. His first partnership was in the nine-table Scalora Side Street Pasta Cafe in an alley in Beverly Hills.
He later opened Il Panino in L.A.'s Museum of Contemporary Arts, followed by those "glittering" restaurants: Celestino, Drago, Il Pastaio, Celestino Ristorante and Celestino's Steak, all in Beverly Hills and other communities around the City of Angels.
Drago has been a consultant for several Hawaii resorts, including the Lodge at Koele, Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows and the Kea Lani on Maui.
Meet him and his food at these events:-- A five-course prix-fixe dinner at Bali by the Sea in the Hilton Hawaiian Village, 6 to 9 p.m. Friday. Cost is $55. Call 941-2254.
-- The Hawaii Lupus Foundation fund-raising gala, 5 to 9:30 next Sunday at the Hilton's Coral Ballroom. Cost is $200 for a five-course dinner with wines. Corporate tables of 10 are $2,500 and $3,500. Call 538-1522.
-- A cooking demonstration at Kapiolani Community College, 2 to 4 p.m. Sept. 29, where he will prepare Artichoke Timbale, Risotto with Red Beet, and Sweet Shrimp and Lemon Souffle with Limoncello Sauce. Cost is $45, $25 for members of the Hale Aina Ohana. Call 734-9211 (ask for course No. 033C1P201).
Leeward schools benefit
A lineup of 24 chefs will serve up their signature dishes at the Taste at Kapolei, 5:30 to 9 p.m. Oct. 4 at the Ko Olina Resort.The benefit for Leeward-area schools sponsored by the Kapolei Rotary Club will be held at the lagoon lawn and marina. Proceeds go toward educational and scholarship programs at the schools, including Leeward Community College's Culinary Arts program.
Last year's sell-out drew 2,500 attendees and raised $70,000.
Participating restaurants: Assaggio Kapolei, Bistro at Century Center, Canoes at the Ilikai, Chili's Grill & Bar, Compadres Bar & Grill, Dave & Buster's, Don Ho's Island Grill, Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant, Hana Sushi, Hong Kong Harborview Restaurant, Kaiona Restaurant at Makaha Resort & Golf Club, Naupaka at the Ihilani Resort & Spa, Nick's Fishmarket, Prince Court, Roy's at Ko Olina, Restaurant Fuji, Ryan's Grill at Victoria Ward Center, Sunset Grill and Zaffron's.
Entertainment includes Rolando Sanchez and Salsa Hawaii, the University of Hawaii Jazz Ensemble, eightOeight, Halau Hula Olana and a fireworks display.
Admission is $60 in advance and $70 at the door. Children are $25, with children 2 and under free. Receive $10 off by using an American Express card. Corporate packages of $1,000, $3,000 and $5,00 cover tables for 10 and lots of extras. Call 674-3127. Tickets are available at Chevron stations in Kapolei and at Beretania and Keeaumoku streets, or charge by phone at 672-7747.
Special events
Unique Wines of the World: An international selection of wines is featured at a buffet dinner, 6 p.m. Sept. 29. Cost is $35. Call 529-8686.Free cones: Dairy Queen celebrates the last day of summer and the 100th anniversary of the ice cream cone by giving away 5-ounce cones tomorrow at participating stores. Customers get a free freeze but will be asked to make a donation to the Children's Miracle Network.
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