Biting Commentary April 2011 - Honolulu Magazine

Sweet Onion Time: Maui Onion Festival, May 7, Kaanapali, Maui

John Heckathorn,

It's all things onion at the 22nd annual Maui Onion Festival, Whalers Village, Kaanapali, Maui, May 7. Don't miss the onion rings.

New Italian Restaurant: Bernini Honolulu

John Heckathorn,

On a side street near Ala Moana Center is a new Italian restaurant, from a focused Japanese chef. Wait till you taste the pizza.

New Downtown Bento: Umami Cafe

John Heckathorn,

It bills itself as a Japanese coffee bar. Really, the new Umami Cafe is downtown Honolulu's fanciest bento parlor. Great prices, good bentos.

Napa Comes to Hawaii: Mustards Grill Dinner, Kahala Food & Wine Classic

John Heckathorn,

Napa's hometown hero, chef Cindy Pawlcyn, came to the Kahala Food & Wine Classic last weekend, and the results were uneven, but well worth eating.

Calling all Golfing Foodies: Hale Aina Golf Tournament, Apr. 25

John Heckathorn,

Chefs love golf. Many of our town's award-winning chefs will be competing in the 13th Hale Aina Ohana Charity Golf Tournament is Monday, Apr. 25, at the Kapolei Golf Course. A few slots are left if you wish to join them.

Hawaii's Other Coffee: Ka'u Coffee Festival, May 14-15

John Heckathorn,

Ka'u on the Big Island has begun to grow world-class coffee, and it celebrates with a two-day Coffee Festival next month. You can win a trip.

Opus One Dinner, Four Seasons Maui, May 6

John Heckathorn,

This counts as a special occasion. Five vintages of Opus One, at a four course dinner under the stars on an oceanfront lawn. Four Seasons Maui, May 6

Dumpling Heaven: Jin Din Rou, Honolulu

John Heckathorn,

It's new, it's stylish and it's Honolulu's home for Xiao Long Bao, Shanghai Soup Dumplings. At Jin Din Rou, they even come with instructions.

Who Knew? Zippy's, Home of Local Beef

John Heckathorn,

Zippy's has become a major supporter of the local beef industry, using more than 24,000 pounds of grass-fed Hawaii beef a month in burgers alone.

Coming Attractions: Hawaii Wine & Food Festival, May 20-21

John Heckathorn,

We're big fans of the Hawaii Wine & Food Festival, which has three major events coming to Ko Olina in May. Plus Anne Burrell, plus music, plus swimwear fashions.

Scottish Tax Day Beer Dinner?! Du Vin, downtown Honolulu, Apr. 15

John Heckathorn,

We still don't understand Scottish beer taxes, but this month's Hops & Grinds beer dinner looks intriguing: Scottish beer and contemporary takes on Scottish classics.

Lei Day for Japan: Chef Chai Chaowasaree's major fundraiser, May 1, Aloha Tower

John Heckathorn,

Chef Chai Chaowasaree has pulled together a gala fundraiser for Japan, with 20 of the Islands' best chefs, wine and entertainment headlined by Kealii Reichel.

Old Favorite: Cafe Sistina, Honolulu

John Heckathorn,

We dropped by Cafe Sistina, where we hadn't eaten in some time. Still good after all these years. Italian food, Honolulu.

With Aloha: Plenty food and $150,000 for Japanese hospital

John Heckathorn,

With Aloha Japan fundraiser was a smash success, food from 24 restaurants, bars, bands, and best: $150,000 for Japan.

Tomorrow Night: With Aloha Japan Benefit. Food! Drinks! Entertainment!

John Heckathorn,

Great restaurants, great drinks, three stages of entertainment, all for $50, every penny of which goes to Japan. Saturday, Apr. 9, 5-9 pm, Pagoda Hotel.

Hole in Wall, Mexican: Tacos Ricos Taqueria, Kapahulu

John Heckathorn,

It's hardly an imposing place, but what until you taste the carnitas and barbacoa at Tacos Ricos, a little slice of Cali-Mex on Kapahulu Avenue.

Food Network's Anne Burrell to headline Hawaii Wine & Food Festival, May 20-21, Ko Olina

John Heckathorn,

Anne Burrell, star of Secrets of a Restaurant Chef and co-host of Worst Cooks in America, is headed to Hawaii in May to cook at the Hawaii Wine & Food Festival.