| 07/05/2008 What's New In July - If you're enjoying a stay-cation, as many of us are this year, there's never been a better time to visit some of our best hotels and resorts. We've enjoyed stays recently at The Four Season's Resort Hualalai, at Hilton Waikoloa on the Big Island and right here on Oahu at Outrigger's newly refurbished Outrigger Reef on the beach in Waikiki. Spectacular all for different reasons. YOu can listen to Four Seasons GM Robert Whitfield speak about a kama'aina offer that's running this month, listen to chef Sascia Marchesi chat about his fabulous new menu at Donatoni's Italian Restaurant ( porco bucco is THE greatest new dish!), and link here to the Outrigger website to see photos of the newly refurbished Waikiki property. Next up for us, a visit to Ihilani Resort where signature restaurant, Azul has just received AAA's finest dining award, 5 diamonds. If you're planning a trip to the Big Island later this year, grab tickets if you can for the best food event ever - A Taste of The Hawaiian Range will be held October 3rd at Hilton Waikoloa Village and as a celebration of Hawaii's agriculture, there's none better - or more fun. Pre-sale tickets are just $35 making it truly the best value in the islands. Tune in to Table Talk Saturday mornings on KHVH 830 AM for the best in eating, drinking and living in Hawaii and for an exciting line up of guests each week. |
| 06/03/2008 What's New In June - With prices sky rocketing and 1 in 4 consumers saying they've stopped going out, it's little wonder that the restaurant industry is worried about the coming summer months. Tourism will undoubtledly be lighter, and there's no doubt that local restaurants will start to feel the pain. So during the next few months, we'll be bringing you the best deals, hottest spots and dining bargains of the summer to help both you and our industry help each other. If you're making plans to stay home and enjoy a Hawaii vaccation this year, then there's no better time to take advantage of some great kama'aina rates and packages. Outrigger Reef on The Beach has been (almost) completely refurbished and is now offering gorgeous rooms, great deals and oceanfront dining at Shore Bird and Ocean House. Look for our reviews this month and check out some of the best kept secrets in Waikiki. WE're chatting with co-founder of Hawaii Regional Cuisine, Peter Merriman this month on TableTalk about sustainability and supporting local farmers. Check out his beautiful website for more information on the newest Merriman's to open. Kahala Hotel celebrates the inaugural 2008 Kahala Food Wine Classic this month. For two days, the inspired talents of award-winning chef Cindy Hutson of Ortanique on the Mile in Coral Gables, Florida, winemaker Jim Clendenen of Au Bon Climat on California's Central Coast and cigar aficionado Michael Herklots from Davidoff of Geneva in New York share center stage with some of Hawaii's finest chefs including Kahala's own Wayne Hirabayashi. Check out rates and the program at KahalaResort.comAnd there's more culinary splendor at this year's Chefs Du Jour event, the annual benefit for Easter Seals. The scaled-down upscale event is led by chef Alan Wong, who is committed to bringing in exciting guest chefs and using local produce whenever possible. This year’s stellar lineup includes chefs from Roy’s, Nobu, Hiroshi, Elua, Le Bistro and Hank’s Haute Dogs. Local aquaculture will be a focus, so expect to see a good amount of Kona kampachi, Makapu’u Gold shrimp and Big Island abalone. Guest chefs include wunderchef Josiah Citrin, owner of Melisse in LA (one of the first two-star Michelin-rated restaurants in the city) and Chef En-Ming Hsu, president and manager of the World Pastry Cup Team, USA.Hiroyuki Sakai, former Iron Chef French, also will attend.Tickets are still available for the fundraiser, which takes place at Tamarind Park at 6:30 p.m on June 21. More at Hawaii.Easterseals. |
| 05/01/2008 What's New In May - New late night tapas at Elua, and spring menus around town, mean that there are some gorgeous new dishes to be tasted. We've been touring neighbor islands, too, looking for the best places to spend time away, without having to bother with mainland flights. Let's face it, who wouldn't want to spend the summer in Hawaii. This month join us at the Four Seasons Resort, Hualalai for a kamaa'iana special rate, a look at the new menu at Pahui'a and some podcast interviews with executive chef James Babian and GM Robert Whitfield. Alan Wong's Hualalai Grill offers an outstanding dining experience, and we chat with chef James Ebreo about using local produce, working with chef Wong, and how the menu at Hualalai reflects some of his personal favorite dishes. Further down to coast, Hilton Waikoloa Village is gearing up for its 17th Annual Dolphin Days event, certainly one of the most fun weekends of the year. We've an interview here with Donatoni's chef Sascia Marchesi and a link to ge you hooked up for tickets for the fabulous food wine and music festival. Still hungry for more? We've our usual wine chats with Chuck Furuya and Roberto Viernes, and news of upcoming food festivals, including the don't-miss Chef Du Jour Event in June. And don't forget to tune in on Saturday mornings on KHVH 830 AM to hear TableTalk - the best of eating, drinking and living in Hawaii. |
| 03/19/2008 Great Chefs For Food Bank - Great Chefs Fight Hunger is set for this weekend at the Hawaii Foodbank warehouse. It's a fun event and one that we've supported from day one. The most memorable event being the year storms hit Oahu and diners at Restaurant Row were soaked. Never has a more muddly clientele run for shelter to the bar at Ruth's Chris Steak House. It made for a fun evening though, as chefs and guests mingled while staying out of the storm. This year all promises to be sunny - and there's a stellar line up of chefs, including D.K. KOdama, Alan Wong, Russell Siu, Kevin Hanney, Colin Nishida as well as chefs from Roy's, Ruth's Chris, Vino and Chai's Island Bistro. More info and ticket links here. To hear Dick Grimm, President of Hawaii Foodbank talk about the event listen here. |
| 02/16/2008 What's New - What’s new. Lots of openings and closings, as usual in Honolulu. Goran Streng’s new restaurant, Tango, opened last week. Goran’s been on the celebrity chef scene for the past decade or more, having done a stint at the Hawaii Prince in the years when they had a series of outstanding chefs in their kitchens. His restaurant faced the usual delays and opened Tuesday. It’s next to PF Chang’s and he’ll serve a mix of Hawaii regional cuisine with a Scandinavian touch. Fred DeAngelo treated his sous chefs to an Iron Chef with a difference last month, when he asked them to throw together and impromptu late night dinner . The judges? Alan Wong, D.K. Kodama et al. “The kitchen team were pretty nervous cooking in front of one of the actual TOP Chef judges,” says Fred. A Taste of New York Deli and Market closed its doors this month. That parking situation over in Kaimuki is just hideous. And Cassis closed too….sad but not surprising. Coming up – MidWeek broke the news of the most exciting food event to hit Hawaii – expect to see lots of articles about the world class chefs poised to hit the shores of Waikiki… We spent a lot of time with TV people in the past few months. I have to admit I have no time to watch TV. I never saw an episode of Top Chef, rarely glance at TV Food Network and although I TIVO Gordon Ramsey, it’s rare that I get the chance to watch him, but I’ve done TV Food Network appearances this month, and interviewed Robert Irvine (who’s having an interesting time with his biography at the moment, I believe). I’ve an interview scheduled (hopefully) with Anthony Bourdain and also with Andrew Zimmern (he who eats disgusting food) coming up. Check out our interviews this month – we’ve a fascinating chat with Francesco Lafranconi, mixoligist extraordinaire, as well as a lovely interview with The Macallan ambassador Eden Algie. I also interviewed Nancy Oakes when she was in town last week, so that’s in our podcast section too, along with the Robert Irvine interview and more…. You can catch Roberto Viernes and Chuck Furuya talking about wine on our weekly radio show TableTAlk every Saturday morning at 10 AM on KHVH , along with a host of interesting food and wine guys. This Saturday, Antonio’s Pizza owner Joe Tramontano and Down To Earth Founder and CEO Mark Fergusson. Happy Eating |
| 01/08/2008 What's New - We’re starting the New Year with a positive approach to health and wellness – listen to Michelle Yamaguchi’s comments in our story on Umeke Market for some great advice.The Food Network, CA is in town this week filming a biography of Roy Yamaguchi. The hour-long ‘part reality part documentary’ show At The Table, will air later this year – we’re honored to be a part of it and will keep you posted as to show times.New restaurant openings include the Beachhouse– read the review here and then listen to executive chef Rodney Uyehara talk about life in the kitchen with one of the world’s greatest views. Staying beachside, Michel’s at The Colony Surf continues to earn its place as one of our great restaurants, with much of the success due to the talents of chef Eberhard Kintscher. We caught up with Hardy for a chat about his food, his style and his incredible sauces! And at Sheraton, Waikiki, Rum Fire looks set to become one of the coolest hot places to hang out. With more than 100 specialty rums, there’s nowhere like it in Honolulu. Not for long, though. Dave Stewart of Du Vin and Bar 35 has plans afoot….Sad news about the closure of Shanghai Bistro in December, but fans of chef Chih Chieh Chang can still find his creative dishes at Hong Kong Harbor View at Aloha Tower Marketplace. And in drinking news, check out this interview with Eden Algie of The Macallan. He’s talking about one of the best loved whiskies in the world. In Waikiki this month, make sure to check out beautiful Kaiwa, run by the charming and talented Mr Kubota who formerly owned Kai restaurant and Taormina is doing an incredibly good job creating interesting Italian dishes previously unseen here. Table Talk continues weekly on KHVH and this year we’ll continue to bring you the best of eating, drinking and living in Hawaii. On radio, in print and on the web. Happy eating. |
| 10/02/2007 What's New in October - We’ve got some great interview for you this month. Hank Adinaya, whose hot dog story is now becoming something of an urban legend, talks to us about his passion for the humble dog and about life in the restaurant fast lane…Sparky Marquis spent a night in Honolulu and talked with us about his incredible wines – including the completely sold-out Velvet Glove ( and yes, we did get to drink it), and Jo spent a long time interviewing Ed Kenney and Dave Caldeiro about their restaurants Town and Downtown, and talking about their passion for good food and family life. You can read more of the interview in HI LUXURY Magazine later in the year. In bookstores now, HI LUXURY on Le Bistro owner Alan Takasaki. His gorgeous restaurant is the pride of Aina Haina and a place that foodies hope will remain something of a secret for years to come. And heading into Fall and our favorite time of year, we’ve got recipes for pumpkin and squash soups along with some hearty recipes using local ingredients in our recipe section – and Jo visits the pumpkin patch at Aloun Farms to find out if white pumpkins really do glow in the dark. And, as always, you’ll find more about good food and the Hawaii restaurant scene each Wednesday and Friday in MidWeek and every Saturday morning on KHVH 830 AM on Table Talk. Happy eating. |
| 09/12/2007 What's New In September - September is turning out to be one of the busiest months of the year in the food and wine world. If you’re in Honolulu for a vacation, you’ve picked a great month to stop by and try some of our award-winning restaurants and some great food and wine events. Alan Wong’s Pineapple Room celebrates its 8th Anniversary on Sept 23rd with Neo Tropica and A Feast for The Senses. It’s billed as being a totally sensory experience – of that we’ve no doubt. Tickets are $125 for the event. Catch Jo’s interview with Alan on Saturday Sept 22nd on Table Talk, KHVH 830AM. Domain Chandon’s Executive Chef Christopher Manning and Chandon’s Senior educator will be in town for the 18th Annual Honolulu Food and Wine Festival ( a benefit for LUPUS) on September 26th. The September 29th event features wines, champagnes and inspired cuisine from some of Hawaii’s top chefs. You can hear interviews with both chefs and winemakers on Table Talk. Restaurants in the news: Elua has received glowing reviews from almost everyone whose been and chefs Philippe Padovani and Donato Loperfido continue to successfully battle it out on the menu each night, keeping peace, we hear, in the kitchen. Someone wrote asking about Kobe beef tastings, and we immediately sent them over to Hanks Haute Dogs, where a new Wagyu beef dog has been created – and new Sunday opening hours added. More on this new Honolulu hot spot in an interview with Jo…Ruth’s Chris Steak House are making some changes . Paul Ah Cook has left to pursue other career options and Chef Nawai Kekoolani is also reported to be leaving for a new position at a restaurant opening here next year. Change is everywhere. If you haven’t made it downtown for a First Friday event yet, then there are more options coming all the time. A downtown restaurant tasting begins this month, where street strollers can stop by restaurants like Cassis and Murphy’s to taste specially created, sampler-sized dishes. This month Murphy’s offers sliders – and the best Guinness on tap in Hawaii. We traveled over to The Lodge at Kooele this month where Jo gave one of her sold out Scotch and Music seminars. More than 45 people paid $100 for the 2-hour evening of Celtic music ( Lisa Gomes; fiddle, Jo McGarry guitar and vocals) and a tasting of some of the world’s greatest scotch. Rave reviews followed – and lots of whisky converts were made! For more restaurant news and reviews, check out MidWeek , The Honolulu Star Bulletin and Table Talk, Saturday mornings on KHVH 830 Am from 10am. Happy Eating. |
| 03/20/2006 Meet a Master of Scotch - Steve Beale, Master of Scotch was in town last week to talk about single malts, blended whisky and the incomparable Johnnie Walker range, including the fabulously rare Johnnie Walker Blue. Listen to Jo's fascinating interview with him... |
| 03/01/2006 Check Out Our Podcasts! - Look whose talking to Jo...We've got Chuck Furuya on wine, Gary Burke from Costa De Oro Winery, Sergio Mitrotti the talented chef/owner of Cafe Sistina on S.King Street; Maurice Grasso,Italian ice cream maker extrordinaire-and owner of La Gelateria; Dean Okimoto with a round up of what'shappening in the local farming industry, Danny Morioka executive Chef at d.k. Steakhouse on the process of dry aging steak, Craig Miller President and CEO of Ruth's Chris Steakhouse and Chairman of The NRA, Mike Longworth from Romano's Macaroni Grill and Jackie Lau of Roy's on what it's like to be a highly successful woman in a, dare we say it, man's world! Just point, click and listen. We'll be adding more interviews every week - and more often when time allows -so come back soon.You never know who might be stopping by to chat. |