DINING
CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM
After an afternoon spent making her Southern cooking look pretty for a fine-dining audience, Debra Hopkins relaxed Wednesday with a glass of wine at Roy's in Hawaii Kai. She'll be the guest chef in Roy's private dining room in Hawaii Kai Sept. 25.
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Soul-searching at Roy’s
Soul food is by nature homespun and down to earth, but Deb's Soul Food is getting an upscale makeover for the Roy's dining room.
Debra Hopkins will be the featured chef at Roy's Hawaii Kai on Sept. 25, preparing her Southern specialties.
Hopkins said Roy Yamaguchi, owner of the Roy's empire, was a frequent guest at her former restaurant, Deb's Southern Comfort in Kailua.
The restaurant closed more than a year ago, but Hopkins' ribs have been selling through a distributor at Sam's Club and Foodland stores. She had hoped to reopen in town, but those plans never materialized. "I'm still waiting for the fat lady to sing, but I don't even hear her warming up," she said.
CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM
Hopkins works with Roy's executive chef Ronnie Nasuti on the presentation of her dishes.
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Meanwhile, for those who miss her food, she's planned this menu for Roy's: Fire-Flamed BBQ Chicken Wings, Lima Bean Soup with Hush Puppies, Fried Green Tomato with Remoulade, Deb's BBQ Ribs, Mississippi Cornmeal Fried Catfish. And don't forget sides such as cheese grits, collard greens and Deep-Dish Macaroni & Cheese.
Entertainment will be by blues guitarist Boogie. Dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $45, $65 with wines. Call 396-9875.
CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM
Roy's general manager Zameer Mallal tasted wines to be paired with Hopkins' dishes.
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Debra Hopkins also cooks weekly at Boardriders Grill and Bar in Kailua. Contact her at
www.debsribs.com for a schedule.
