Hale Aina Happenings: Happy hour at Cactus and more
Tonight's the last night of Cactus' celebration of Argentina, featuring grass-fed steaks on the grill, housemade chorizo and Argentinian empanadas. If you can't make it tonight, stop by Cactus for happy hour, seven days a week, from 3 to 6 p.m., when all pinchos (small plates) are half off. Choose from Peruvian papas huancaina (potatoes in a spicy, creamy cheese sauce, $3), Spanish-style mussels with chorizo ($6), Argentine fry bread ($1.50), tortilla espana ($3.50) and more (prices listed are happy hour prices). Cactus has recently expanded their wine and beer list, too, the latter including a gluten-free beer from Barcelona.
Cactus, 767 Kailua Road, Kailua, 261-1000, cactusbistro.com
Alan Wong's upcoming Next Generation Farmer Series Dinner features KCC's Team Hawaii, the Western regional champ of the American Culinary Federation National Competition. Their five-course prix fixe menu includes Big Island abalone sashimi over a daikon and beet salad, Kona lobster chawan mushi, grilled local beef tenderloin with foie gras butter and a trio of Waialua chocolate mousse.
$85/$125 with wine pairings, Wednesday August 21, 949-2526 for reservations
Arancino at The Kahala is getting all the buzz, but if you're looking for a more relaxed bite, head to Kahala Hotel's recently-renovated Veranda, which has a new, globally-inspired menu of small plates such as roasted brussels sprouts with shredded duck ($8), grilled kefta (Moroccan-spiced pork and beef meatballs, $8) and flatbread ($10) topped with burrata, roasted tomatoes and celery pesto. For heartier appetites, there's also a burger ($16) with serrano ham and manchego and a side of truffled tater tots.
Veranda at the Kahala Hotel and Resort, 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., kahalaresort.com/honolulu_restaurants/veranda/
Hale Aina Happenings is the latest news and updates from Hale Aina award-winning restaurants.
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