ON THE PLATE

Dad's day

Last week, we ran a few listings of Father's Day restaurant specials, and the list goes on this week to celebrate Dad:

» Poke Stop is featuring a $5 garlic steak special that runs tomorrow through Sunday at both Waipahu and Mililani locations.

“;I'm a father of two, and I know, sometimes Dad just wants to sit down and have a nice steak,”; says Poke Stop chef and owner Elmer Guzman. “;In this economy, $5 is a lucky number. Our garlic steak is a great treat with a side of poke and a beer.”;

» Alan Wong's restaurants are presenting special brunch and dinner menus on Sunday:

At the Pineapple Room, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., there will be a “;manwich”; bar, prime rib, Chinese roast pork, steak and eggs, pulehu short ribs, shutome, traditional breakfast food, a salad bar, poke and dessert bar. Cost is $45, $22.50 children. Call 945-6573.

Alan Wong's offers a dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. On the menu: sashimi and poke; choice of lobster “;saimin”; or seared ahi; choice of Ginger-Crusted Onaga, Maui Cattle Company Prime Rib, Seafood “;Paella”; or Roast Rack of Lamb “;Adobo.”; Apple pie rounds out the meal. Cost is $75. Call 949-2526.

» “;Farm to Table for Dad”; dinner on Sunday at Twist at Hanohano is a four-course meal with optional wine pairing that features: Kahuku corn and Kula sweet onion consomme, paired with Sauvignon Blanc Babich New Zealand; warm meyer lemon-scented Tristan lobster with Rombauer Chardonnay Napa Valley; Intermezzo, a tropical fruit and champagne “;ravioli”;; twisted veal “;oscar,”; with Zinfandel 7 Deadly Zins, Lodi; and a black forest dessert, with Six Grape Port.

Cost is $85, $115 with wine pairing. Call 921-4600. Twist is located in the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel.

Happy birthday ...

Panya's 12th anniversary means deals all month. All birthday cakes are 12 percent off, and their red velvet cupcake is 99 cents. Plus, buy a $100 gift card and get 12 pastries free.

MORSELS

Here's a place for food finds

The Pacific Place Tea Garden, on the third floor of Ala Moana Center, will hold a market day featuring Hawaii-produced food items, 3 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

Highlighted items include Hawaiian honey, Kona coffee, specialty iced teas, cookies, scones, tropical fruit curds and smoked ahi dip. Tastings will be held through the afternoon, and some items, such as the coffee and teas, will be specially priced and sold in bulk.

With every purchase, visitors will receive a $1 coupon off any tea or coffee drink at the venue. Call 944-2004.

New blog thinks green

Those interested in green living should check out a new blog from Down to Earth CEO Mark Fergusson.

Fergusson posts insights on healthy lifestyle, environment and diet, “;... and (concerns) about the welfare of all living beings, including ... animals.”; Down to Earth is a vegan store.

Visit www.downtoearth.org and click on the blog graphic on the home page.

Spice it up!

Kai from Kailani Spices will share tips in a “;Cooking with Local Flavor”; demonstration at Whole Foods Market, 6:30 p.m. June 25.

The event is free, but class size is limited. Call 738-0820 or visit the market's customer service desk.

New snack promises a 'heart'y crunch

Been to Wholesale Unlimited recently? The store specializing in local munchies, perfect for gift baskets or as omiyage, has a new arare on its shelves.

Gifts of heart-shaped mochi crunch will remind lucky recipients how much they're loved. The new design arrived just a couple of weeks before Valentine's Day and is available in half-pound bags ($3.25) and one-pound bags ($6.25).

Wholesale Unlimited has stores in Waipahu, Pearl City, Mapunapuna, Kaneohe, downtown, Moiliili, Manoa and Kahala. Visit www.cybersnacks.net.

Learn about Hawaii-grown produce by taking a tour of Aloun Farms with instructor/chef Grant Sato of Kapiolani Community College. The culinary tour, “;Living Off the Land,”; will share the challenges and distinctions of farming in Hawaii.

Participants will pick and taste produce, then Sato will do a cooking demonstration with the seasonal products to make dishes with Asian/Pacific flair, using classic techniques. Students will have a chance to do some hands-on cooking as well.

Tours are scheduled from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 11 and Aug. 8. Fee is $90. Space is limited and tours fill up fast. Call KCC at 734-9211.

Need a Father's Day gift? How about a beer dinner?

Two beer-tasting events will be held on June 26:

» The Willows: A five-course beer dinner will feature Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The menu: Smoked salmon with Summerfest Pilsner; Grilled Duck Breast and Honey-Glazed Walnuts, with Kellerweiss Hefewiezen; Pepper-Crusted Shutome and Roasted Tomato Puree, with Southern Hemisphere Harvest Ale; Rosemary and Garlic Pork tenderloin, with Torpedo IPA; and Spiced Poached Pear and Mascarpone Ice Cream, with Sierra Nevada Porter.

Cost is $60. Reservations: 952-9200.

» Pasta Basta: ”;Last Friday Beer Tasting”; features eight new beers from around the world, 6 to 9:30 p.m. The event at the Restaurant Row venue also includes pasta and pizza. Cost is $35. Reservations: 523-9999.

Eat well and help out Ronald McDonald House

Sam Choy's Breakfast, Lunch & Crab is celebrating its 12th birthday with a benefit for Ronald McDonald House Charities on June 24.

Chef Aurelio Garcia will feature a menu of special dishes. A Mojita bar, wine and Choy's microbrew beer will round out the offerings.

Entertainment will include Willie K., Laga Savea, Sean Tiwanak and Augie T, who will emcee.

Tickets are $100 ($60 is tax deductible). Call 973-5683, ext. 240.

Donations can also be sent to RMHC-HI, P.O. Box 61777, Honolulu 96839-1777.

STUFFS

LOOK » The season finale of “;The Unusuals”; airs tonight at 9 on KITV/ABC.

LISTEN » The Free Music Archive, under the direction of the preeminent free-form radio station in the country, WFMU, can be browsed by either curator or genre (freemusicarchive.org).

DO » Night Market returns to Aloha Tower Waterfront at 5 p.m. today. Check out the fashionable monthly event showcasing local jewelry, clothing and swimwear designers, while learning about sustainable efforts statewide. Admission is free.