Twelve years of Choy at Diamond Head
Friday - September 14, 2007
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When I spoke to Sam Choy last Monday he was tailgating at the 49ers game and happy to take a moment away from the crowd to reflect on the 12th anniversary of his Diamond Head restaurant.
“It’s come around real fast,” he says laughing.
Nowadays you’re as likely to bump into Sam on the Mainland hosting charity events, doing cooking demos or “guest cheffing” with friends like Emeril Lagasse or the guys from Google.
“I’m busier than ever,” he says, “and a lot of the stuff is on the Mainland - which is always good exposure for the restaurants at home.”
Looking back on the past 12 years, the thing that makes him happiest, he says, is being able to watch families grow at Sam Choy’s.
“Watching the family grow and watching our employees develop has been the biggest thing I’ve taken from the past years,” he says reflectively. “One of our dreams for the restaurant was to be a place where people would become part of our family and grow with us - and it’s been great to see that happen.”
The Diamond Head restaurant began as a place to showcase Sam’s version of Hawaii Regional Cuisine and has become a favorite stop for kamaaina looking for great value meals as well as tourists hopeful of getting a glimpse of the famous chef.
There are a number of celebrations at the restaurant this month: a fundraising dinner, with carving stations, poke bar and passed pupu, wine and beer all for $100, along with live entertainment.
Throughout the month there are celebratory brunches, and kamaaina menus, including a Bellini Brunch Sept. 16 and 23 only. At $24.95, the brunch offers great value and some truly Choy-like brunch dishes (guava-barbecue pork ribs, miso-sake broiled chicken, oven-roasted pork with bacon gravy and lup cheong cilantro-steamed butterfish).
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And keeping up the family theme, Sam’s celebrating with kids in mind this year - son Christopher was just 10 years old when the restaurant opened, and Shrimp Christopher made its debut on the menu - and granddaughter Samantha is the inspiration for a keiki cooking class to be held at the restaurant Sept. 22 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The annual fundraiser is for Ronald McDonald House, a charity that Sam and his team have supported since opening the Diamond Head restaurant.
“We all know someone, either a family friend or an employee, who at some time has had cause to use Ronald McDonald House,” says Sam. “It’s a great organization, and what most people don’t realize is that they’re responsible for their own fundraising in Hawaii, so we’re always happy to help.”
Sam Choy will be back in town for the Sept. 26 dinner, and says he wouldn’t miss it and the opportunity to celebrate with his employees for the world.
“It’s been like planting a tree, building this restaurant,” says Sam. “You plant, you water, you nourish and then you hope to see the fruits for years to come.”
Sam Choy’s Diamond Head Restaurant
449 Kapahulu Ave. 732-8645
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