Celebrating sake and Japanese cuisine

Jo McGarry
By .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Friday - August 22, 2008
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Chef Seiya Masahara
Chef Seiya Masahara, from the popular restaurant Hakkei in Japan, is featured at The Joy of Sake Aug. 28

A Bite-sized Look at Food Events in Honolulu.

Joy Of Sake 2008.

Pucker up your palate and get ready for one of the largest gatherings of sake sippers in the world as the annual event comes to the Hawaii Convention Center Aug. 28.

Along with more than 300 different sakes offered for tasting and the creation of a sake tavern, where a menu of traditional sake and pupu will be served, there also will be guest chefs, food stations and art collections. Celebrated culinary artist Seiya Masahara of Hakkei at Yubara in Okayama Prefecture will head the list of chefs preparing sake-friendly food. Hakkei is one of the most-famous regional restaurants in Japan.


“We’re very pleased that Chef Masahara accepted our offer to present his interpretations of contemporary Japanese cuisine in Honolulu,” says Chris Pearce, coordinator of the annual Joy of Sake events in Honolulu, San Francisco and New York.

“A lot of people in Hawaii travel to Japan, and we thought it would be exciting to bring one of the country’s top chefs here.”

Joining Chef Masahara for an evening of food and sake will be chefs from Chai’s Island Bistro, Doraku, Gyotaku, Halekulani, Hoku’s and Nobu. Desserts are by talented baker Abi Langlas of Cakeworks.

Tickets for the Honolulu tasting are $70 in advance and $80 at the door, and may be ordered online at www.joyofsake.com

Lucy Tujios
Lucy Tujios (left) and Keiko Nicholas (right) prepare the ever-popular Greek salad for the Greek Festival Aug. 23 and 24

Ruth’s Chris Offers Armed Forces Discount.

In an effort to show appreciation for our armed forces, Ruth’s Chris Steak House owner Randy Schoch will offer a 25 percent discount on all food checks at the Restaurant Row location through the month of September.

“Along with everyone in our country, I am so grateful to those who serve in the military, whether here at home or on deployment,” says Schoch.

“I hope by offering this special program we can make our friends in uniform know how much they are appreciated and give them a more affordable night on the town.”

All military (active, reserves and retired) with ID will receive the discount on all food Sept. 1-30.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House is known for its sizzling steaks and Cajun inspired appetizers, but if you haven’t been to the restaurant in a while, you might be surprised to find that local ingredients are used wherever possible, and fresh island fish is a popular entrée.

Executive chef Kyle Yonashiro brings a local flair to the menu, offering nightly and seasonal specials that make a trip to the Restaurant Row Ruth’s Chris more of an experience than ever.

Desserts include signature bread pudding with whiskey sauce, cheesecake, crème brulee, warm apple crumb tart and chocolate sin cake.

Ruth’s Chris in Restaurant Row is open daily from 5 to 10 p.m. Reservations are recommended and may be made by calling the restaurant at (808) 599-3860. Private dining reservations may be made by calling 234-6552 or e-mailing .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). The September military special is not valid with any other promotional program and excludes the Prime Time Dinner Menu.

The Willows Executive Chef Jay Matsukawa and GM Kyle Nakayama
The Willows Executive Chef Jay Matsukawa and GM Kyle Nakayama

My Big Fat Greek Festival.

The first 70 people each day attending this year’s Greek Festival will receive a free bottle of Windex thanks to Webco Distributing.

As you may recall, in the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Gus Portokalos (Michael Constantine) made the claim that Greeks believe that Windex is a sure cure for all skin ailments from psoriasis to poison ivy to acne. In reality, Windex is the last thing that one would put on inflamed skin. But nothing beats it for cleaning windows!

The 28th annual Greek Festival happens Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 23 and 24, from noon to 9 p.m. at McCoy Pavilion in Ala Moana Park.

This cultural event celebrates “all things Greek” and features live and lively Greek entertainment and some of the best authentic Greek food available in Hawaii. Delicious Mediterranean Greek foods will be available including spanakopita (spinach pie), Gyro sandwiches, moussaka, pasticio, Greek chicken, souvlaki (skewered beef and pork), Greek and pasta salads, loukoumathes (Greek malasadas), baklava and a wide assortment of Greek pastries.

The Greek Taverna will feature imported Greek beer, ouzo, red, white and retsina Greek wines.

Admission is $3 for adults, free for children age 11 and younger and active military and their families.


Luana Hills Lunches.

Looking for somewhere with spectacular scenery for lunch? The catering department at Luana Hills Country Club has been taken over by the Willows and is now firmly in the capable hands of Willows chef Jay Matsukawa.

Reasonable prices and a huge menu make the country club, nestled deep within the hills, an ideal meeting spot or getaway for family gatherings. From an extensive and varied lunch or dinner menu, guests can choose from more than 30 offerings that include some of The Willow’s signature dishes. Shrimp or chicken curry, kalua pig and cabbage, teriyaki beef and sautéed mahimahi are just a few of the items that are available for private catering.

Entrees come with salads, rice, noodles or garlic mashed potatoes and dessert, and prices are $18 per person for lunch and $24 for dinner. There’s a 40-guest minimum, and this special will run through September and October,

“We want people to know that The Willows food and the catering side of our business are now available at Luana Hills,” says Willows GM Kyle Nakayama.

“We offer a wide selection of dishes, and chef Jay is happy to customize menus.”

For more information or reservations, call Chantel Ho at 952-9200 x39.

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