Hawai‘i gets three candidates in James Beard Awards semifinals

The Restaurant and Chef Award Semifinalists for the 2013 James Beard Foundation Awards are out—and Hawai‘i has three guys on the list! *Drumroll please* The semifinalists are: Rising Star Chef: Quinten Frye, Salt Bar & Kitchen (pictured above) Best Chef: West: Ed Kenney, Town Outstanding Wine, Spirits, or Beer Professional: Chuck Furuya, DK Restaurants Congratulations to all three men—they have worked hard for the honor. … Continue reading Hawai‘i gets three candidates in James Beard Awards semifinals

Aroma therapy (drinkable kind)


Loving the farm-to-glass cocktails, made with herbs grown in the bar’s back garden and peppers grown by Unko Ernie? On Wednesday you have a chance to partake of bartenders, er mixologists, other obsession: Vintage cocktails. Michelin-starred barman Brian Van Flandern (Bemelmans Bar, Per Se) released his book Vintage Cocktails last year and for decades King of Cocktails Dale DeGroff has been keeping old-school recipes alive (he added the Prohibition-era citrusy classic Bees Knees to the Lewers Lounge menu—try it, you’ll like it). And just like they’re hunting down fresh, local ingredients, bartenders are now on the prowl for old-world liqueurs and potions once used in the early days of cocktails. Continue reading “Aroma therapy (drinkable kind)”

Have you been to 12th Avenue Grill lately?

Big Island boar in broth with Hamakua mushrooms

Honolulu’s original contemporary American bistro turned five this year. And 12th Avenue Grill is only getting better. A dinner two weeks ago, with three discerning eatizen joes and a jane from San Francisco in tow, elicited surprised cries of delight. As usual, the specials were all instant winnahs. Like this starter of Big Island boar in a broth with gnocchi, hamakua mushrooms and other stuff (I just wanted to enjoy dinner and didn’t take any notes, gah). It is a quintessential “chasseur” dish that signals autumn is finally here.

Continue reading “Have you been to 12th Avenue Grill lately?”