Here’s What’s New with Hawai‘i Restaurants in February 2019

A killer weekday brunch lineup, new items at a 24-hour spot and a craft beer festival featuring locally made brews.

February 13, 2019

Katrina Valcourt,

Extended Brunch at Smith & Kings

photos: Katrina Valcourt

Smith & Kings proves why it was a finalist in the Gourmet Comfort Food category of the 35th annual Hale ‘Aina Awards with its brunch menu: breakfast mac and cheese with bacon and an over-easy egg ($16); deep-fried apple fritters with caramelized apples and raspberry coulis ($8); an addictive bacon jam Benedict ($17); mimosa pitchers that come with two choices of fresh juice; and so much more (did someone say maple whiskey shots?). Portions are perfect for sharing, so grab your co-workers and head over during its new brunch hours Friday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

69 N. Hotel St., smithandkings.website

New Items at M.A.C. 24/7

M.A.C. 24/7 Restaurant and Bar kicked off 2019 with new dishes, including the vegan Beyond Burger (topped with roasted red bell pepper, lettuce, tomato, onions and a tasty roasted garlic pesto aioli, $18) and a vegetable Napoleon with layers of vegetables including grilled portobello, zucchini and yellow squash ($17). Other favorites include the lobster mac-and-cheese Benedict ($19); Hawaiian stuffed French toast with lemon cream cheese and banana brûlée ($16); and the Coco Moco, a Waialua chocolate-chip cookie with Lappert’s ice cream ($8). As the name implies, dishes are available 24 hours a day (though last call for drinks is 3:30 a.m.).

Hilton Waikīkī Beach Hotel, 2500 Kalākaua Ave., (808) 921-5564, mac247waikiki.com

Craft, A Hawai‘i Craft Beer Festival

Sip made-in-Hawai‘i brews from members of the Hawaiian Craft Brewers Guild, such as Maui Brewing Co., at Bishop Museum on Saturday, Feb. 23. More than 25 beers made with locally grown ingredients, such as cacao, vanilla and local fruit, will be available along with food for purchase from food trucks. Attendees get 10 drink tickets and a glass to bring from station to station, with additional drink tickets for sale.

$55, Feb. 23, 5:30 to 9 p.m., Bishop Museum, 1525 Bernice St., eventbrite.com

Locally Grown to the Max at d.k Steak House

Photo: courtesy of d.k Steak House

Kunoa Cattle Co. products take the spotlight at this special dinner, which features a Kunoa beef tartare, local beer-braised Kunoa short rib and a 20-day dry-aged Kunoa rib-eye steak, along with Bristol Bay day boat scallops, truffled ‘ahi with jalapeño and micro cilantro, and an orange Creamsicle semifreddo. Dinner comes with four 3-ounce wine pairings by certified sommeliers Micah Suderman and Chris Ramelb. Make a reservation by calling the restaurant.

$89 not including tax and gratuity, Feb. 27, 6 p.m., Waikīkī Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, 2552 Kalākaua Ave., (808) 931-6280, dkrestaurants.com

Tuesday Steals at 12th Ave Grill

The name is a little misleading since these deals will be available for a few days (or until bottles run out), but starting every Tuesday, 12th Ave Grill will sell some of its rare and allocated wine bottles at discounted prices—we’re talking hundreds of dollars off. It’s first come, first served, with new bottles released each week. This week, see if you can get your hands on a 2002 Salon Cuvee “S” Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs for $399 or a 2004 Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Brut for $240, both from the Champagne region of France. See the rest of February’s wines here.

1120 12th Ave., (808) 732-9469, 12thavegrill.com