A deal at Waikiki’s landmark Thai restaurant
Friday - October 31, 2008
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A Bite-sized Look at Food Events in Honolulu.
Keo’s Offers an Early Dining Discount.
Keo’s Thai Restaurant has been open for more than three decades in Honolulu, and the staff is like family, which makes these difficult times particularly distressing.
“Our cook, Urai Gamiao, has been with us for more than 30 years,” says owner Keo Sananikone, “and many more of our employees have spent their entire careers with us.” Determined to keep his employee family together despite a drop in tourism and visitors to his landmark Waikiki restaurant, Keo has come up with some discounted offers for guests to make sure the kitchen stays busy.
“We’re offering an early dining discount of 15 percent off our regular menu and a 25 percent off take-out orders between 4 and 6:30 p.m.,” he explains.
It’s a great offer, and one that means more when you consider that this is one restaurant owner’s generous way of keeping his staff on the payroll.
Keo’s menu has a number of Thai staples, but he also offers a more adventurous taste of Thai dining. “We grow as much of our own fruits and vegetables as we can,” says Keo, who owns a farm on the North Shore. “It’s one way we ensure that no pesticides are used on our herbs or fruits.” Twice a week he heads into Honolulu with a truckload of fresh flowers, and produce that may include mint, basil, kaffir lime leaves, limes and lemons, jack fruit, mango and sweet basil.
Appetizers include gorgeous fresh summer rolls, and plump spring rolls that come with fresh herbs, lettuce leaves and a sweetly sour dipping sauce. They’re some of the best examples of their kind. Evil Jungle Prince is Keo’s signature dish and it comes with seafood, shrimp or chicken tossed in a slightly sweet sauce made with coconut milk and chili peppers. The Penang Curry has been a best-selling dish for more than 30 years. In Keo’s version, the flavors of lemon grass and kaffir lime leaves add a piquant note while coconut milk and chili add sweetness and heat.
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When you’re thinking take out this weekend, think Thai and head to Keo’s. You can be sure the staff will be happy to see you.
Keo’s Waikiki
2028 Kuhio Ave.
951-9355
Palace Buffet Celebrates First Year in Mililani.
Palace Buffet, the only allyou-can-eat Korean buffet in Hawaii, is celebrating its first anniversary by offering price cuts and specialty dishes at its Mililani location.
Previously Sizzler Restaurant and most recently Makino Chaya, the large space on Meheula Parkway seats 160 people and has lanai seating for another 60 or so. “There’s room here to accommodate parties and large groups,” says owner Peter Baik, “and a lot of our customers seem happy we’ve moved to the area.”
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Loyal fans of Baik know him as the former owner of Migawon Korean Restaurant on Kapiolani Boulevard. “What we’re trying to do is to bring the same quality of Korean food that we were known for in Honolulu to this location - and offer it at a great price,” says Baik. “We have the same quality of food, we’re still not using any MSG on the meats, and we’re able to keep the same high standards.”
If you were a fan of Paik’s boneless short ribs, chicken bulgogi, kalbi or spicy pork from before, you’ll be pleased to see them all here - in larger amounts, along with side dishes that include sushi rolls, poke, sashimi, fried anchovies, bean sprouts, fern, daikon, seaweed, dried squid, and spicy squid, and a selection of hot foods that include fried rice, white rice, kimchi rice, red potatoes, long rice, fried eggplant, chicken wings, radish soup, and seaweed soup. “We rotate and change items as they are available,” says Baik.
Special anniversary pricing for a limited time offers lunch for $12.95 and dinner for $19.95.
For more information or to make reservations:
Palace Buffet
Korean BBQ Buffet
94-780 Meheula Pkwy.
Mililani, Hi 96789
623-3000
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Cash Prizes for Spooky Costumes at Lily Koi.
If you’re dressed up for Halloween but still want to make sure you’re eating well, head over to Lily Koi Restaurant and Lounge in Pearlridge this Friday night where there’s a $100 cash prize for the best costume of the evening. Live music, drink and pupu specials from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. should make the restaurant/bar/lounge a lively place to spend the scariest night of the year. But don’t be fooled by the late-night lounge atmosphere - this is a fine place to go for lunch or dinner. And there are some surprises on the menu - none of them scary. “People seem to love our dishes,” says executive chef Keith Ogata (a culinary graduate of Kapiolani Community College) of his menu that includes fall-offthe-bone short ribs, salt and pepper pork, tonkatsu, braised pork belly, and kalua pig and cabbage, alongside elegant entrees like oven-roasted herb chicken, pan-seared scallops and grilled rack of lamb. At lunch (Friday, Saturday and Sunday only) there’s an excellent eggplant Parmesan sub and a traditionally classic French dip of sumptuous shaved prime rib with a hot au jus, alongside a barbecue pulled pork sandwich and duck breast salad.
For information on the menu, lunch and dinner hours and Halloween specials:
Lily Koi Restaurant and Lounge
98-150 Kaonohi St.
Aiea
486-8488
Family Fun at Luana Hills
There’s free admission and parking and lots of opportunity for fun and great food at the Luana Hills family fun day this Sunday.
The day is a benefit for Kailua AYSO (region 100), and activities include lots to entertain mom, dad and keiki.
There’s a beer and wine garden sponsored by Tamura’s Fine Wines and Spirits that should prove popular, as well as food by various vendors including Luana Hills’ catering division - The Willows.
“We took over the catering division of Luana Hills earlier this year,” says The Willows’ Kyle Nakayama, “and our family fun day will be a great day of food, bouncy castles, rides - a lot of fun stuff.” And all in the shadow of the gorgeous Ko’olau mountains.
Schedule of events includes toddler fun by My GYM, keiki games, jumpers and rides by Xtreme Fun Rentals - and lots of good food and wine. Family Fun Day
Sunday, Nov. 2
Luana Hills
770 Aulua Road
noon to 5 p.m.
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