Auntie Pasto's Garlic Fest

Both Auntie Pasto’s Restaurants in Beretania and Kunia will celebrate the return of the popular Garlic Fest menu from October 4-31.

Escargot in Roasted Garlic Butter

Fried mac n Cheese

Mussels over Angel Hair Pasta. Photos: courtesy of Auntie Pasto’s.

Throughout the month-long special, Auntie Pasto’s will feature garlic in a variety of dishes from pupus to even dessert. This year, Auntie Pasto’s will also incorporate locally grown produce and ingredients as well as pair the dishes with unique wine to enhance the garlic.

“Since introducing Garlic Fest in 2001, we’ve had many diners ask when we would be bringing the menu back,” said Ed Wary, owner of Auntie Pasto’s. “Garlic, or ‘Italian Caviar’, has a pungent smell but mellows and sweetens during cooking, which gives great flavor to many Italian dishes. At Auntie Pasto’s, we’re not only using garlic in our main entrees, but also in appetizers, salads, dessert, and even as a garnish. Every table will also receive roasted whole garlic bulbs included in the bread basket.”

The Garlic Fest menu includes starters such as Escargot in Roasted Garlic Butter, Stuffed Garlic Bread and Fried Mac n Cheese in a Spicy Garlic Tomato Sauce (available only at Auntie Pasto’s Kunia). Or choose a salad of Nalo Farms Tango lettuce Salad with Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette or Garlic Soup with Polenta Croutons & Garlic Chives.

Everyday menu items also include Spaghetti ‘Aglio & Olio’ with Chili Pepper Kahuku Shrimp, Square-Pants Pizza with Homemade Mozzarella & Roasted Garlic, and Fresh Mussels with Garlic & Vermouth over Angel Hair Pasta. The lunch special is a Garlic Piadine with Caesar, Anchovy and Parmesan.

Each night of the week, the restaurant will feature a dinner entrée special beginning at 5 p.m. These include:

• Monday – Homemade Garlic Ricotta Gnocchi with Balsamic Pearl Onions
• Tuesday – Green Garlic Ravioli
• Wednesday – Bone-In Breast of Chicken Cacciatore with Super Smashed Garlic Potatoes
• Thursday – Big Island Pork Loin ‘Spiedini’ with Sautéed Cherry Tomatoes and Polenta
• Friday – Stuffed Whole Dungeness Crab with Garlic Butter
• Saturday – Garlic Roasted Prime Rib
• Sunday – Veal Osso Buco with Garlic Gremolata and Risotto Milanese

For dessert, Auntie Pasto’s will be serving up Homemade Garlic Ice Cream or cool off your palette with a Fresh Mint Gelatto.

For more information, visit www.auntiepastos.com. For reservations for groups of eight or more, call Auntie Pasto’s at 523-8855 (Beretania) or 680-0005 (Kunia).