The flavors of Morocco and all things Irish
Friday - March 09, 2007
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Guinness and oysters — a match made in heaven
Honolulu diners who mourned the closing in the late 1990s of Hajji Baba will be delighted to hear that former owner Chris Hajii will be in town this weekend to create a dinner full of the exceptional flavors of Morocco.
Currently chef/owner of an event planning and catering company in Las Vegas, Hajji will be joined Saturday night at Hilton Hawaiian Village by his nephew, Moumen Hajji, and M’hammed and Fettah Benali, the owners of Casablanca in Kailua.
Although Moumen still lives and works in Honolulu, he no longer graces the culinary scene with his refreshing presence and wonderful food.
Those who still miss his fabulous Waialae Avenue restaurant should take the opportunity to see him cook once again. Moumen now runs a successful business catering to the film world, and those of us who remember his gracious hospitality and incredible comfort food are envious of the actors and actresses who are treated to his dishes.
If you’ve never tried Moroccan food, then rush to the Hilton this weekend. It promises to be a wonderful evening of food with a truly different flavor. A sneak peek at the menu reveals Tomato Roasted Pepper Salad, Carrot and Orange Blossom, Garlic Eggplant Zaalouk, Bulgur Wheat Mint Salad, Chicken Almond Pastilla, Preserved Lemon and Olive Chicken, Lamb Tajine Saffron Sauce with Almonds, Tajine of Fish in Chermoula Sauce and one of Morocco’s most famous dishes, Couscous with Vegetables.
The evening is in celebration of Honolulu’s new relationship with new sister city, Rabat, the Moroccan capital. The mayor of Rabat will join Mayor Mufi Hannemann at the event. Live Moroccan entertainment and a selection of Moroccan art will be part of the “Aloha Morocco Week” festivities.
“Aloha Morocco Week” - Moroccan Nights Hawaiian Skies
Hilton Hawaiian Village Saturday March 10 5:30 p.m. (Silent Auction) 6:30 Dinner is served. Tickets are $60.
Call 561-6010 for reservations.
Getting Your Irish Up
Celebrations in honor of St. Patrick’s Day will take place at a number of different restaurants and bars during next week and the following weekend. With the celebratory day falling on a Saturday, there are a number of family-themed activities taking place.
Marion Murphy and her godson, Max, get in touch with their Irish roots
At Murphy’s Bar and Grill on the corner of Merchant and Nuuanu, a keiki Irish festival will take place from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 17. Activities will take place in the Bank of Hawaii parking lot under covered tents, and will include Irish storytelling, green cotton candy, bouncy castles, balloon artists and face painting.
The first 100 children to arrive will receive an original Irish coloring book created by Marion Murphy. Proceeds from lunch plates will go to The Children’s Cancer Foundation of Hawaii.
Two restaurants within walking distance of each other are preparing to celebrate in distinctly different styles. At Hilton Hawaiian Village, Irish soda bread will be served as the hotel creates an Irish-themed pub for the day. The bread, made from a family recipe of GM Noel Traynor, is a specialty of the hotel and is served nightly at Bali By The Sea.
Across the street, the well-priced Wailana Coffee House celebrates with a great value for money menu that includes Corned Beef and Cabbage Killarney ($11.25), Roast Chicken O’Shannon ($11.50) and Filet of Salmon Florentine ($12.95). Prices are for complete meals and include an all-youcan-eat salad bar, starch (potatoes, fries or rice), warm dinner rolls, corn on the cob, dessert and coffee, tea or a soft drink.
Saturday morning the restaurant will serve a special St. Patty’s Day breakfast with corned beef hash, eggs, hash browns, toast and coffee for just $8.95.
Wailana Coffee House 1860 Ala Moana Blvd. (opposite Hilton Hawaiian Village).
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