---

Japanese, with flair

Miso mixes with foie gras, black mochi with caviar, and sesame seeds with custard in dishes designed for Kacho's Kontemporary Kaiseki menu.

The seven-course meal, available through July 31, is a departure for the restaurant in the Waikiki Parc Hotel. Past Kacho specials have focused on traditional Japanese dishes, but chef Yuji Urawa designed this meal to reflect a fusion of Japanese flavors with contemporary ingredients and presentations.

The menu includes an appetizer selection followed by Marinated Shrimp and Asparagus Salad, Seafood Napoleon with Cod Roe Wine Sauce, Sea Eel with Saffron Nage, Duet of Foie Gras and Fuji Apple and Kacho's Secret Sushi.

A selection of white wines and sakes has been paired to the dishes, beginning with Zipang, a sparkling sake from Gekkeikan.

Cost is $95, $110 with five sakes or wines. Call 931-6645.

---

STAR-BULLETIN Kacho's Secret Sushi selection is served on Okinawan glass plates purchased for the kaiseki menu.

---

Portuguese flavors

The Plantation Cafe at the Ala Moana Hotel celebrates its second Flavors of Portugal Food Festival, Tuesday through July 24, featuring favorites from executive chef Mark Braz's grandmother's cookbook.

The menu of dishes from Portugal, the Azores and Madeira islands will change weekly.

This week's entree choices are Carne de Porco Alentejana (braised marinated pork with clams), Camarao Mozambique (sautéed prawns in saffron sauce) and Caldeirada a Moda de Guincho (seafood simmered in tomatoes).

The dishes will be served with Caldo Verde soup and Pudin Flan de Pinhao for dessert. Lunch starts at $13.50, dinner at $14.50.

Future weeks will feature such traditional favorites as Bacalhau (salt cod casserole) and Caldeirada de Lulas (squid stew).

Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., dinner from 6 to 9 p.m. The special menu will not be available during the restaurant's Prime Rib and Seafood Dinner buffets on Fridays and Saturdays, or during Sunday brunch, but select Portuguese items will be available on the buffet.

Call 955-4811.

Beery celebration

Kona Brewing Co. in Koko Marina celebrates American Beer Month with beer-infused specials such as IPA-Marinated Beef Satay, Golden Ale-Steamed Black Lip Mussels, Firerock-Braised Sausage and Rib-Eye Steak with Black Sand Porter Mushroom Sauce. For dessert, try Beerimisu (tiramisu made with Kona stout).

Featured beer of the celebration is Paddlers Pilsner, a spicy herbal brew of pilsner malts from the United States and Germany. Brewed in May, it is Kona Brewing's 2,000th batch of beer.

The celebration will close with an American Beer Month Brewer's Dinner on July 25. The four-course dinner will feature local meats, fish and produce paired with the brewery's ales and lagers. Cost is $40. Call 394-5662.

Wine dinner

The wines of Joseph Phelps will be featured in a dinner July 12 at 3660 on the Rise.

Chef Russell Siu's menu: Pan-Seared Opakapaka with Grilled Scallop (with 2002 Ovation Chardonnay), Fire-Roasted Duck Breast (2002 Le Mistral), Oven-Roasted Saddle of Venison (2001 Insignia) and Blue Cheese with Frisee Pear Tart (1997 Semillon Napa Valley Delice).

Cost is $90. Call 737-1177.

Meet the winemaker

Vino Italian Tapas & Wine Bar in Restaurant Row hosts visits by two winemakers in July. They will talk about their winemaking philosophies and offer tastings of their wines.

Wednesday: Australian winemaker Serge Carlei of Carlei Vineyards. Vino's Chuck Furuya describes Carlei's reds as "dark, deep, mega-concentrated gentle giants."

July 21: Gary Burk of Costa de Oro in California. Burk makes Furuya's CF Pinot.

Cost for either event is $25 for 2-ounce tastings of five wines. Tastings run 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The events routinely sell out, so call early: 524-8466.

---