Getting to know the chef at the new Sergio’s
Friday - November 14, 2008
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Sunset Dinner at Sergio’s
New customers at Sergio’s Italian Restaurant aren’t waiting long to return to try more of the food. Some are even making good friends with the chef.
“We’ve had some customers come back two and three times in the same week,” says Chef Alfredo Lee, who is enjoying his open kitchen at the new Sergio’s location on Kapahulu Avenue.“I like to talk to the guests, let them know what we’re doing, and it’s good to let them see that every single thing in our kitchen is made from scratch ... I love it here, it reminds me of my home.” There are nine ‘kitchen seats’ in the restaurant where guests can sit close to the action and watch dinner being made. “I think that’s what people like,” says Alfredo,“to be able to talk to the chef, see what we’re cooking.”
There’s almost nothing not to like at this new Sergio’s, and there’s a value-priced menu aimed at those who want to eat early in the evening, or simply try several of chef’s signature dishes for under $20. Dine between 5 and 6 p.m. and a three-course dinner (including salad, entrée and dessert) costs just $19.95.
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Among the divinely different menu items at the former site of Sam Choy’s Diamond Head restaurant are freshly made Tuscan-style pizzas with a variety of toppings that range from simple margherita (tomatoes) to the Pizza Mediterranea ($15) topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, butterflied tiger shrimp, grilled zucchini, feta cheese and kalamata olives. One of my favorites is Piza Con Salametti Picanti ($13), tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, sliced hot salametti and oregano.
There are more than a dozen pasta dishes and a wide range of entrees that include Maiale Ripieno ($29) Chef Alfredo’s signature pork chop stuffed with smoked ricotta cheese and fresh herbs and finished with a Marsala cipollini reduction, served with Kabocha squash and sautéed spinach.
Sunset Dinner price of $19.50 applies nightly from 5 to 6 p.m.
For more information go to: http://www.sergioshonolulu.com
Sergio’s Italian Restaurant
449 Kapahulu Avenue
Honolulu Hawaii 96815
737-4462
Gingerbread Festival: Building For Easter Seals
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It’s one of the most fun, and certainly the most festive, fundraiser of the year when the annual Gingerbread Festival takes place at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. Last year more than 3,000 people gathered to compete in the gingerbread house-building contest where the emphasis is on raising money for Easter Seals - and building the most creative Christmas house. The popular festival, founded by Chef Alan Wong and Easter Seals Hawaii, allows friends and families to participate in one of two gingerbread house-making sessions taking place at 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7.
Gingerbread Family Festival Packages cost $39 ($20 tax-deductible) and include a workspace for up to four people, precut gingerbread sheets baked by Napoleon Bakery, icing, a variety of candy decorations and a clear gift bag to wrap up the completed gingerbread house. Holiday music and a free photo with Santa Claus round out the festivities.
Gingerbread cottages-to-go are also available for pick up at the Easter Seals Hawaii office at 710 Green St. in lower Makiki on Dec. 7, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., for $39 ($20 tax deductible).
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The kits include all of the supplies needed to create a gingerbread house at home packaged in a decorative bag and ribbon. Space and to-go packages for the Oahu Gingerbread Family Festival are limited, so early registration is encouraged. Registration forms and information are online at http://www.EasterSealsHawaii.org or call 948-4000.
Chef’s Table With Russell Siu and Lydell Leong
One of the things that makes a chef’s table so special is that the intimate dinner has the appeal of a large dinner party rather than a restaurant gathering. Guests at the 3660 On the Rise series are seated in a private dining room and are encouraged to bring their own wines.“There’s no cork-age fee when we have Chef ‘s Table,“says chef/owner Russell Siu, “We like to let people know what the menu is in advance so they can pair their own wines and enjoy them with friends.” If you do choose wines from the restaurant’s extensive list, there’s 40 percent off on the night of the dinner. Friday Nov. 21 is the next one, and the menu includes Dashi Cured Wild Salmon, Baked Blue Crab Stuffed Vine Ripened Tomatoes, Fire Roasted Duck Breast with Duck Confit and Mushroom Risotto and Oven Roasted Noisettes of Lamb Loin with Scallop Potatoes and Mushrooms.
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The complete dinner costs $75, and reservations are recommended.
3660 On the Rise
Chef’s Table
Nov. 21
737-1177
http://www.3660.com
Wailana Thanksgiving
If your Thanksgiving Day plans include a trip to Waikiki with friends and family, you might want to consider a stop at Wailana Coffee House. Hawaii’s oldest coffee house/diner is known for its value-priced meals, and this year is no exception. Complete dinners will be served until midnight on Nov. 27, and include Thanksgiving turkey with smoked ham, macadamia nut stuffing, giblet gravy and cranberry sauce for just $12.95. Also on the menu, a New York Steak dinner with sautéed mushrooms and beer battered onion rings for $16.25. Each complete meal comes with a salad bar, soup, baked or mashed potatoes, French fries or stea med rice, corn on the cob, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, and tea, coffee or a soft drink.
For $12.95 we don’t know how they do it either!
Wailana Coffee House
1860 Ala Moana Blvd.
955-1764
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