A gift of holiday recommendations
Friday - December 12, 2008
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While these might not be the cheeriest of times, before you know it January will be here and advice about dieting and how to lose those holiday pounds will be added to reports on the recession. So you might as well eat, drink and be merry while you can.
If you’re still not sure where to buy a Christmas cake or don’t know what’s on the menu at your favorite restaurant, here are some holiday recommendations.
Panya Bakery
The incredibly industrious Yeung sisters sold out of their Thanksgiving turkey meals long before the November deadline. The home-cooked meals are prepared in limited numbers, and the moist turkeys, honey-glazed hams and freshly baked pies are in high demand. Similar packages are available for Christmas and New Year’s, with yule logs replacing pumpkin pies.
“It’s been fun hearing all the comments and positive feedback from customers about our Thanksgiving meals,“says Annie Yeung,“and now we’re already taking calls from more customers about our Christmas Eve meals.”
Christmas Eve dinner includes turkey or ham, and sides of cranberry dressing, mochi rice stuffing and veggies. Instead of pumpkin pie, expect to find a chocolate yule log buttercream roll in your to-go box. Christmas Eve pickup time begins at 3:30 p.m.And while you’re waiting for your hot turkey dinner, pick up some holiday goodies from the bakery. Well-known for their expertly baked yule logs, Christmas cakes and gourmet profiterole towers, this year the Yeungs are adding tradition to their baking mix.“This year we have gingerbread cookies and a do-it-yourself gingerbread house,” says Annie. The house of freshly baked sheets of gingerbread comes boxed with frosting/glue and candies to decorate.
There’s also a ready-made gingerbread house for those who feel that construction, albeit on a miniscule level, is a little too much this time of year.
Cookies, cakes and gift baskets are all for sale at Panya Bakery at both Ala Moana and Queen Street, with prices starting at $40.
For more information:
Panya Bakery and Express
711 Queen St.
597-8880
http://www.panyagroup.com
Christmas Sushi from Sansei
Nothing says Christmas in Hawaii like sunshine, a view of Waikiki Beach and some new-wave sushi.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day specials at Sansei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar include king clam “mirugai,” either in nigiri sushi or as sashimi; fresh blue fin ootoro,the gloriously fatty,highly prized tuna; and “lomi lomi"rolls of fresh salmon rolled with ocean salad and topped with salmon, tomatoes,Maui onions,cilantro and crispy salmon skin. Special holiday dishes in addition to the regular menu include steamed fresh Island snapper with garlic mushrooms, sautéed vegetables and fresh crab salad, and braised veal cheeks.
The regular Sansei menu will be offered both days. Desserts are inspired by the holidays and include red velvet cake, and spumoni cannoli with egg nog Anglaise cream.
Reservations:
Sansei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar
Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort and Spa
931-6286
http://www.sanseihawaii.com
Holiday Dining Family Style at Longhi’s
If your family is fond of all-youcan-eat buffets during the holidays but the lack of variety leaves you cold, try making a reservation at Longhi’s, where family-style dining is encouraged.
It’s not all-you-can-eat, but you’d be surprised how far a bunch of shared appetizers and entrees will go. “We can do family-style dining at lunch for from $22 per person and around $42 to $45 per person for dinner,” says Mary Ann Bowman, general manager of Longhi’s at Ala Moana Center.Leave it to Longhi’s to work out the menu based on your favorite entrees.“We have lots of share-friendly dishes already on the menu,“says Bowman of dishes such as signature Filet Mignon Longhi and Pasta Venice.
“It’s a great way to eat,” says Longhi’s owner Charlie Longhi, “and we especially encourage people to join us for family-style meals during the holidays.”
For more information on holiday dining at Longhi’s and details on creating group dinners:
Longhi’s
Ala Moana Blvd.
947-9899
Ocean House
When it comes to an ocean view, a stunning sunset and twinkling stars lighting a holiday sky as you dine, Ocean House wins hands down as far as value and location. On the beach within the Outrigger Reef Waikiki, the restaurant has a casually elegant ambience and a menu that’s aimed at the budget-conscious diner.
Entrees begin at $19 and,as you’d expect from a spot right on the water,there’s a fine selection of fresh fish including mahi mahi, hapu’upu’u (Hawaiian sea bass) and opah. Pupu start at $9 and nobody minds if you share - in fact, the menu helpfully states that portions (including spare ribs, ahi tartar and a tasty escargot and brie bake) are large enough for two or more.
“The view is incredible,” says manager Lilia Wilson, “and when local people come here they are really happy with the prices and the food.”
Regulars go for the prime rib, which general manager David Nagaishi says is the best in town. For $28 you get a hearty portion of truly tender beef that’s been slow roasted in the restaurant’s electric imu. “Chef roasts the meat for between 10 and 12 hours, depending on the size,“says Nagaishi.“He’s an expert at getting the meat exactly right, and that’s something that can’t be done in a regular oven.” The ultra-slow roasting process results in remarkably tender beef served in several ways. The Ocean House Cut ($27) is a large portion of tender beef; there’s a Lite Cut ($23) for those with a smaller appetite; the Alii Cut ($33) is a huge portion cut to satisfy larger appetites; the Pulehu Prime Rib ($28) that’s seasoned with salt, garlic and fresh herbs; and the Prime Rib New Orleans ($28), where the meat is flash-grilled with a dry Cajun spice mix.
“There’s a prime rib for everyone,” says Nagaishi.
Ocean House Outrigger Reef Waikiki 923-2277
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