Wong to appear on 'Food Porn'

“;Food Porn”; is a title that's definitely a grabber, and well suited to renegade chef Anthony Bourdain, host of the Travel Channel's “;No Reservations.”;

The hourlong special airs at 8 p.m. tomorrow. Promotional ads feature Bourdain promising “;the vicarious enjoyment of people doing things on screen that you yourself are not likely to be doing any time soon.”;

To be featured on the show is Hawaii chef Alan Wong, normally quite reserved. It'll be interesting to see where that goes.

The Travel Channel is on Oceanic 58, digital 325. The show repeats at 9 p.m.

Merriman wins Beef Backer award

Hawaii chef Peter Merriman is among winners of the National Beef Backer Award, recognizing restaurateurs for excellence in putting beef on the menu.

Merriman, owner of Merriman's in Waimea on the Big Island, was named Innovator of the Year for his use of beef from local ranches.

The awards were given out last week at the Annual Cattle Industry Conference in Phoenix. Other top winners were Cattlemens Restaurants in Santa Rosa, Calif., as an independent restaurant and Charlie Brown's Steakhouse, based in Mountainside, N.J., for chains.

Melville wines featured at Vino

Vino in Restaurant Row hosts Chad Melville, winemaker for Melville Vineyard and Winery in Lompoc, Calif., on Feb. 23.

First will be a 5:30 p.m. tasting of six Melville wines—2 ounces each of the 2007 and 2002 Chardonnay “;Estate”; 2007 and 2002 Pinot Noir “;Estate,”; and the 2006 and 2005 Samsara Pinot Noir “;Melville Vineyard.”;

The tasting allows for comparing two sets of older Melville wines with the current release. Cost is $45.

A wine dinner at 7:30 p.m. will feature Melville's wines paired with dishes by Vino chef Keith Endo. The wines: 2007 Viognier “;Verna's Vineyard,”; 2006 Samsara Pinot Noir “;Turner Vineyard,”; 2003 Melville Pinot Noir “;Carries”; and 2004 Melville Pinot Noir “;Terraces.”;

Dinner will be served in a “;Communal Table”; format—two tables of 10 people each. Cost is $85.

Call 533-4476.