Bakery, Pandemic survival, Save Restaurants

How the pandemic helped Breadshop improve its operation

In the March 2021 issue of Honolulu Magazine, I wrote about what is happening at restaurants as we ease out of a pandemic-ruled world. Chefs and restaurateurs such as Ed Kenney, Robynne Mai‘i and D.K. Kodama shared stories of survival and how the experience is reshaping their businesses as they move forward. Due to space restrictions, not everyone I interviewed made it into the story. … Continue reading How the pandemic helped Breadshop improve its operation

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Celeb chef, My favorite restaurants

A Town Called Delicious: Farewell to a trailblazer

The mid-2000s were a milestone time in Honolulu’s restaurant history. In June 2004, Kevin Hanney opened 12th Ave Grill in Kaimuki. The banquettes upholstered in black-and-gold bamboo fabric, kim chee-marinated steak and addictive smoked ahi spread, and long oak bar with a classic cake stand on one end were like nothing the city had seen before. I had moved back to Honolulu from Manhattan a … Continue reading A Town Called Delicious: Farewell to a trailblazer

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Education

Maui’s culinary program moves forward—spring semester coming up

As Hawai‘i reopens to Life 2.0, we hear how the restaurant industry is one of the hardest hit, from Maui to Manhattan. But restaurateurs and chefs are doing everything they can to keep their dining rooms going. Locally the State’s $500 restaurant card—funded with $75 million from CARES Act money—is arriving in mailboxes of people who are receiving unemployment benefits. The goal is to feed … Continue reading Maui’s culinary program moves forward—spring semester coming up

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Hawai‘i food, Save Restaurants

The new dining room: The great outdoors

12th Ave. Grill’s Kevin Hanney proposes turning a lane of 12th Ave. into a Kaimuki Cafe & Promenade Restaurants in Hawai‘i were permitted to reopen for dine-in service, following best social-distancing practices, on June 5. I went out to eat (at a restaurant that has outdoor tables) for the first time in three months a week later. Since then, I have been invited to eat … Continue reading The new dining room: The great outdoors

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Behind the bar, Cocktails

How gold is Tucci’s touch?: Three HNL bartenders respond to his viral Negroni video

On April 20, actor Stanley Tucci posted on Instagram a video of him mixing that classic aperitif cocktail the Negroni. It went viral, with comments pouring in (people are especially fervent about shaking vs. stirring!) and publications from Hollywood Reporter to the UK’s The Guardian covered it. Cited for being soothing in the midst of a global pandemic, the video, shot by Tucci’s wife (Emily … Continue reading How gold is Tucci’s touch?: Three HNL bartenders respond to his viral Negroni video

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Hawai‘i food, Save Restaurants

Indie restaurants still need big help: Thanks to Oregon, we’re one step closer to it happening

Hallelujah for Oregon Rep. Earl Blumenauer. Today he unveiled a plan to establish the Independent Restaurant Stabilization Fund that the Independent Restaurant Coalition  has been fighting for, to help restaurants across the country—including in Hawai‘i, home to more than 3,500 food service locations that employ more than 90,000 people. Hopefully Hawai‘i’s representatives in Washington and the Hawai‘i Restaurant Association, whose mission includes legislation advocacy, will … Continue reading Indie restaurants still need big help: Thanks to Oregon, we’re one step closer to it happening

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Celeb chef, Hawai‘i food, My favorite restaurants

Senia team makes it to James Beard Awards final ballot

Every year a healthy handful of Hawai‘i chefs, restaurateurs and wine professionals make it as James Beard Award semifinalists. And every year the final ballot is announced, and we (or those who follow this kind of thing anyway) let out a collective sigh when we see none of our hometown heroes have made it. Not this year—the James Beard Foundation announced the 2020 nominees yesterday … Continue reading Senia team makes it to James Beard Awards final ballot

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Stand up for your food rights

Save local restaurants: Help lobby Congress for stabilization fund

This morning, the Independent Restaurant Coalition sent a letter to Congress urging it to create a $120 billion restaurant stabilization fund, to save our struggling indie restaurant industry. Then at 11am (5am Hawai‘i time!) IRC leaders Naomi Pomeroy (Beast, Portland, pictured above), José Andrés (World Central Kitchen, Washington, DC), Andrew Zimmern (What’s Eating America) and Sam Kass (political advisor and former White House chef), along … Continue reading Save local restaurants: Help lobby Congress for stabilization fund

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Event

100 Sails offers a contemporary taste of Guam Nov 14

Lots of people on O‘ahu get cravings for the Chamorro dish kelaguen, the Mariana Islands’ equivalent of ceviche, but there aren’t many places to sate them. The Firehouse Food Truck closed, leaving the Chamorro Grindz Food Truck at the Waikele Outlet. The Prince Waikiki’s 100 Sails Restaurant & Bar steps into the breach for one night with Pacific Fiesta: Celebrating Chamorro Cuisine, part of its … Continue reading 100 Sails offers a contemporary taste of Guam Nov 14

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Chris Kajioka, Shigeru Kobayashi and Mourad Lahlou at Café Miro, which will retain its name under its new owners.
Celeb chef, New spot

Chris Kajioka teams with Mourad Lahlou to open Honolulu’s only French bistro

While interviewing Senia co-chef Chris Kajioka about his new project Bar Māze last month, I learned even bigger news: “I’m opening a French bistro with Mourad in the Café Miró space.” Mourad is Mourad Lahlou, chef-owner of his eponymous restaurant in San Francisco, and half of the city’s It Couple, with San Francisco Ballet principal dancer Mathilde Froustey. I think I just looked at Kajioka, … Continue reading Chris Kajioka teams with Mourad Lahlou to open Honolulu’s only French bistro

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