Hawaii Culinary EventsHungry? Need to fill your culinary calendar? Here is where you will find all the restaurant and culinary happenings in Hawaii. We feature a calendar of special dinners, tasting menus, prix-fixe meals, food festivals and other culinary events, including regularly occurring food events as well as special one-time-only events featuring top chefs. Keep checking back so you can know all that's going on in the world of restaurant and food events in Hawaii. We've also got the latest Hawaii Restaurant News and Wine Events.
January 12, February 9, March 8
On the second Thursday of each month, Dragonfly Ranch on the Big Island hosts free concerts followed by a $40 Dragonfly Healthy Food Club gourmet theme dinner. Club members assist the chef and learn to prepare a gluten-free meal. There is also a tour of the organic Dragonfly garden prior to the meal preparation. For more information, visit www.dragonflyranch.com or call 808-328-2159. Dragonfly Ranch, P.O. Box 675, Honaunau Kona, HI 96726, 808-328-2159.
Ongoing
The Polynesian Cultural Center offers cooking demonstrations two times a day. Guests will learn tips and techniques for preparing Polynesian fare like laulau, taro and sweet potato chips. For more information or to make reservations, visit www.Polynesia.com or call 800-367-7060. Polynesian Cultural Center, 55-370 Kamehameha Hwy., Laie, HI 96762, 800-367-7060.
Ongoing
Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea provides an "Ultimate Dinner" upon request. This private dinner for two, which must be requested 24 hours in advance, is personally tailored in consultation with the chef and staged outside overlooking Wailea Beach. Guests can discuss their wine selections or receive special recommendations. Sample wine dinners include "Best of Sonoma," "Espagne," "Grand Cru Vineyards" and "Enogastrinomico." The "Enogastrinomico" dinner, for example, features insalata misto with Ferrari Brut, insalata pomodoro with Jermann "Dreams," Kobe tenderloin with Tenuta dell' Ornellaia "Ornellia," wild boar and mushroom with Gaja "Costa Russi," and a cheese plate with Argiolas "Angialis." These five-course dinners for two cost $850, including tax and gratuity. For more information, call the hotel or visit www.fourseasons.com/maui. Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, 3900 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, HI 96753, 808-874-8000, 800-334-6284.
Ongoing
Nobu Waikiki has introduced a very appealing happy hour cocktail and tapas menu (strictly available at the bar and in the lounge) showcasing signature Nobu dishes for $10 or less. The cocktail menu is available Sunday through Thursday 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. and features such inspired concoctions as a Japanese cucumber and white peach sangria and the delicious lychee martini which uses fresh lychee juice. You'll find black cod butter lettuce cups, Wagyu foie gras gyoza and Kampachi sashimi with aqua de chile amongst others on the tapas menu which is available anytime during regular restaurant hours. We can't think of better way to relax and start your evening! Call 808-237-6999 for reservations and information. Nobu Waikiki, Wakiki Parc Hotel, 2233 Helumoa Rd., Honolulu, HI 96815, 808-237-6999. 
OngoingHonolulu's Halekulani Hotel offers TABLE ONE, a personalized dining experience for 4-6 guests in the atrium of Orchids restaurant. Inspired by the diners' tastes and culinary preferences, executive chef Vikram Garg designs a special tasting menu of global cuisine featuring local and seasonal ingredients. The five-course and seven-course menus are priced at $125 and $175 per person, respectively. Reservations are required. For more information and to make reservations, please call 808-923-2311. Orchids, Halekulani Hotel, 2199 Kalia Rd., Honolulu, HI 96815, 808-923-2311.
Ongoing
Ruth’s Chris Steak House at The Shops at Wailea and at Lahaina Center are offering two special promotions. For early birds, don’t miss the Sizzlin’ Happy Hour at the bar from 5 p.m.-7 p.m., which features 50 percent off all appetizers. For heartier fare, check out the Sizzlin’ Prime Time Dinner Special, which features a three-course menu for $40-$50 (depending on main dish selected). The Dinner Special is offered in the main dining room only from 5 p.m.-6 p.m. Reservations are recommended. For more information, call 808-874-8880 (Wailea) or 808-661-8815 (Lahaina). Ruth's Chris Steak House, Shops at Wailea, 3750 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, HI 96753, 808-874-8880. 
OngoingThe Banyan Tree restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua is offering a three-course sunset menu between 5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. for $55 per person from Tuesday through Sunday. Choose from Waipoli greens salad or Maui onion soup as a starter; braised Pacific flounder, beef tenderloin, or herb organic chicken for an entrée; and pineapple caramel cake or house-made sorbet for dessert. Also, don’t miss Wine Wednesdays---all bottles of wine on the entire wine list are 50 percent off, every Wednesday. The Banyan Tree, The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, 1 Ritz-Carlton Dr., Kapalua, HI 96761, 808-665-7250.
Ongoing
Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar continues to offer its dining specials at both the Kapalua and Kihei locations. On Tuesdays through Saturdays, dine between 5:30 p.m.-6 p.m. and get 25 percent off the menu (excluding steak and crab cakes). For late-night revelers, enjoy 50 percent off most appetizer and sushi menu items (only applies to appetizers at Kihei location) on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays between 10 p.m.-1 a.m.---and don't miss the free karaoke. Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar, 600 Office Rd., Kapalua, HI 96761, 808-669-6286.
Tuesdays
The party really gets going at Tiki's Grill & Bar on Tuesdays from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. when this open-air spot throws its "Tiki Taco Tuesdays" weekly event. Not only are tacos just $2, host Tom Stokes buys the first 100 guests a Longboard Island Lager. Drink specials are in order as well with the aforementioned lager plus rum, vodka and tequila cocktails going for $3. Tiki's Grill & Bar, ResortQuest Waikiki Beach, 2570 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu, HI 96815, 808-923-8454.
Third Tuesdays
On the third Tuesday of the month, Tango Contemporary Café's "Third Tuesday at Tango" features a four course dinner of chef/owner Goran Streng's Asian-Scandinavian influenced cuisine paired with wines. You may find a duck confit tart with red onion and mango relish paired with a Washington state Bordeaux blend, or a seared catch of the day served with a Napa Valley Chardonnay. Regardless, you will dine well, and at a price typically less than $60 per person, it's one of Honolulu's best dining values. Reservations are essential and can be made by calling 808-593-7288. Tango Contemporary Café, Hokua, 1288 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu, HI 96814, 808-593-7288.
Thursdays
Every Thursday evening at Vino (when there aren't private events going on), an eight-ounce aged NY steak goes for only $12. At that price, you can splurge on the wine. In true Vino fashion, the steak was selected via "blind tasting" and won out over other cuts and agings. Reservations are available for parties of five or more. This special is not available for take-out. Vino, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu, HI 96813, 808-524-8466. |
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