The Good Table returns

Back for its third year, "The Good Table" is a unique synchronized dining event taking place at 6 p.m. Oct. 6, 2011, at more than 50 of Oahu’s most popular dining establishments.

Select restaurants, ranging from casual eateries to the island’s most recognizable fine dining establishments, will serve a special feast for pre-purchased tables at their respective restaurants. Proceeds from the purchased tables directly support Lanakila Meals on Wheels to provide meals and support for Hawaii’s elderly in need.

Participating locations include Alan Wong’s, 12th Avenue Grill, 3660 on the Rise, Beachhouse at the Moana, Big City Diner (islandwide), Blu Water Grill, Bubba Gump Restaurant & Mai Tai Bar, Café Laufer, California Pizza Kitchen, Dixie Grill, Doraku, Henry Loui’s, Haili’s, Hukilau, Kai Market, Kaiwa, Le Bistro, Michel’s, Murphy’s, Nobu Waikiki, Ola at Turtle Bay, On On at McCully, Orchids at Halekulani, The Pacific Club, Pagoda, Roy’s Waikiki, Sam Choy’s BLC, Side Street Inn, Tango’s, Vino, and Zippy’s (islandwide), among others.

Diners purchase tables in pre-designated categories and are notified in late September of their restaurant selection through a drawing, once table sales are closed. For an additional donation, diners also have the option to select a specific restaurant and not be placed in the drawing. Tables are grouped into categories and range in price from $200 to $500 for tables of four, and from $900 to $2,500 for tables of six.

Also, Lanakila Kitchen will be offering Garden Gourmet Picnic Table Packages for four that includes everything from the tablecloth and napkins to a keepsake picnic basket. For a donation of $300, the packages will be available for curbside pick-up on Oct. 6, for those who prefer take-out.

Presented by Hawaii Government Employees Association & Island Insurance Companies, the event offers tables for sale through Sept. 23, 2011 at www.thegoodtable.org or by calling 531-0555.

A program of Lanakila Pacific, Lanakila Meals on Wheels started in 1971, and is today Hawaii’s largest and only islandwide meal provider for seniors. Lanakila Kitchen is a social enterprise of Lanakila Pacific that provides meal services for schools, and sandwiches and baked goods for meetings and gifts. Founded in 1939, Lanakila Pacific is a unique Hawaii-based, non-profit organization that serves thousands of Oahu residents annually with programs that build life skills.

Meal Deals return to Ward Centers

Ward Centers photo

A $5 cheeseburger deal awaits at Everybody Loves Cheeseburgers, which opened earlier this month at Ward Warehouse.

If your aim is to save more money in 2011, Ward Centers aims to help, with the introduction of $5 Meal Deals at 13 eateries at Ward Centre, Ward Warehouse and Ward Entertainment Center, from Jan. 1 through Feb. 28, 2011.

Some restrictions may apply. Check with the restaurants for specific details.

Here are the offers, available all day, every day except where noted:

Ba-Le Sandwich & Bakery: Mixed Salad Plate (regularly $5.95). Select one of 15 choices for $5.
Big City Diner: $5 Early Bird Breakfast Special of two eggs, cooked any style with choice of bacon OR link sausage, white OR brown Rice, and coffee, offered from 7 to 9 a.m. Mondays to Fridays. One order os soy beans is also $5 between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mondays to Fridays. Both offers valid on dine-in orders only. Not valid on holidays (MLK Day Jan. 17, President’s Day Feb. 21) or during special events.
Brian’s Hawaiian Kitchen: $5 for a mini Loco Moco with small drink.
Dairy Queen / Orange Julius: $5 for any hot dog and mini Blizzard.
Diem Cafe: $5 for choice of fried rice or stir-fry beef rice plate.
Everybody Loves Cheeseburgers: $5 for a single patty burger, fries and 20-ounce drink
Kakaako Kitchen: $5 “Choice of Chicken” plate. Choose from shoyu, mochiko or sweet chili chicken, with options of white OR brown rice, and ’Nalo Greens OR macaroni salad
Korean BBQ Express: $5 bi bim bap
Mr. Egg Roll: $5 mini one-choice plate includes fried rice or noodles, and a fried gau gee.
Pablo’s Cantina: $5 for two tacos, dine-in only.
Panda Express: $5 for Kid’s Meal that comprises one entree, one side, a 12-ounce drink and choice of chocolate chip or fortune cookie.
Sushi at Ward: $5 California Maki (eight pieces) plus small drink.
Taco Del Mar: $5 single taco, with chips and salsa and small drink.

Diem Cafe's stir-fry beef plate.

Japengo opens at Hyatt Regency Maui

Japengo, a Pacific Rim Restaurant and Sushi Lounge is now open at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa.

The $5 million restaurant offers panoramic views of the ocean, a Sushi Lounge that seats 49, an open-air Moon Bar serving such specialty cocktails as the Rappongi Fling and Asian Pear-suasion, and in the man dining room, contemporary Asian-inspired flavors with Hawaiian flair, created by the resort’s executive chef Matt Smith.

Dishes include starters of seared Snake River Farms Kobe carpaccio with wasabi-infused organic lemon olive oil ($21), grilled mahimahi with lemongrass buerre blanc and Forbidden Rice, and an entree of Singaporean Chili Crab with Alaskan king crab and spicy chili sauce ($46).

Inside the Sushi Lounge, guests can enjoy izakaya fare, such as poached Hawaiian Hawaiian young abalone with soy broth, spicy chili and micro greens ($12) or spicy salmon buns with Maui onion, shiso, hoisin and ume ($18). And, named after Japengo’s mascot, a signature Japengo Tengu roll featuring whitefish, crab, tuna, avocado, tatsoi, tobiko, and spicy eel aioli, deep-fried in tempura panko batter ($20).

Japengo is open for dinner from 5:30 to 10  p.m. daily; lounge hours are from 4:30 to 11 p.m. Call (808) 661-1234.