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[ RESTAURANT REPORT ]
Dining around the islands
Ming Tsai taking cuisine to Big Island
Ming Tsai is serving up dinner Feb. 21 at the CanoeHouse at the Mauna Lani Hotel & Bungalows on the Big Island.The host of the PBS cooking show, "Simply Ming," Tsai owns the Blue Ginger restaurant in Wellesley, Mass., and is a James Beard Foundation Award winner for Best Chef of the Northeast.
Dinner will begin with Tsai's signature Ahi Tuna Parfait, followed by a choice of items for three courses: Appetizer choice is Hudson Valley Foie Gras and Shiitake Shumai, Tea-Smoked Niman Ranch Beef Carpaccio or Sweet Contessa Shrimp; entrées are Butter-Poached Lobster, Grilled Miso-Sake Marinated Butterfish or Braised Aromatic Oxtail. Dessert is Warm Chocolate Souffle Cake with Jasmin Tea Parfait, Asian Banana Split or Pineapple Tart Tatin.
Cost is $65. Call 808-885-1473.
FOOD NETWORK
Celebrity chef Ming Tsai offers a dinner of his signature dishes at the Mauna Lani Hotel Bay and Bungalows Feb. 21.
Brunch bargain
Leeward Community College's annual Spring Scholarship Brunch will be held from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. next Sunday in the LCC cafeteria and courtyard.A buffet menu of breakfast specialties and salads will feature produce from island farms -- for example Ma'o Farms Apple Banana Taro Hot Cakes and Makaha Mangoes' Garlic-and-Herb-Roasted Cassava.
Cost is $10 in advance; $12 at the door ($5 children at the door only).
Also at LCC, the Pearl dining room has opened for the spring semester, offering lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays.
Chef/instructor Ian Riseley and his students are offering an Italian menu through Feb. 20 with entrée choices such as Scaloppino of Pork Loin, Spicy Sausage Calzone, Pan-fried Island Snapper and Lemon and Rosemary-Flavored Breast of Chicken.
A Pacific Rim menu follows Feb. 25 to March 19. A $15.95 Easter Brunch Buffet is offered March 31 to April 8.
Call 455-0475.
New places to eat
Ginza Kimuraya Tokyo Bakery and Cafe: The Japanese bakery opens its first Hawaii outlet today in Kahala Mall (next to Yen King Restaurant). Ginza Kimuraya, founded in 1869, is known for its variety of especially soft loaves made with sea salt. The bakery offers three versions of its signature bread, stuffed with sweet bean paste.Ruby Tuesday: The national chain opens Feb. 17 in the Town Center of Mililani. The 275-seat restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner, offering the Ruby's menu of burgers, ribs, grilled chicken, steak, pasta, fajitas and signature salad bar. The night before the grand opening will be a $25 invitation-only fund-raiser for Mililani, Leilehua and Waialua high schools and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. For information on the fund-raiser call 988-1000.
Special events
A Taste of Napa Valley: Dennis Cakebread of Cakebread Cellars hosts a vintner's dinner, 7 p.m. Wednesday at Azul Restaurant at the Ihilani Hotel & Spa. The menu, paired to Cakebread wines: Kiawe-Roasted King Salmon (with 2002 chardonnay), Sumida Watercress Salad with Fennel & Big Island Oranges (2002 sauvignon blanc), Braised Veal Short Ribs (2000 merlot), Grilled Lamb Chops with Fava Bean Pesto (2000 cabernet sauvignon and 1998 Benchland Select), Warm Chocolate Brownie (1997 Taylor-Fladgate LBV Port). Cost is $98. Call 679-0079.All in the Family: Kapiolani Community College's Spring Wine Series continues with a session on wines named after the offspring of winemakers and winery owners, 6 p.m. Feb. 18 at Diamond Head Grill in the W Hotel. Lisa Gmur, instructor of Better Brands Grand Crew division leads the class, which includes dishes prepared by executive chef Todd Wells. Cost is $28. Call 734-9211.
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