12-9-2009
After 12 years as a Kailua mainstay, Lanikai Juice just opened a second location at the Assaggio retail plaza across the street from Kahala Mall (4346 Waialae Ave, 732-7200). Owner Pablo Gonzales has managed to not only survive but thrive in the age of Jamba Juice. You’ll find the same lineup of smoothies (like the Mango Sunrise and peanut butter-n-banana Kailua Monkey) and açai bowls made from locally grown organic fruits.
Most wine shops have free tastings, but the Wine Stop (1809 S. King St, the orange house, 946-3707) goes one step farther and adds food to the mix. Pau Hana Tastings are held the second and third Friday of every month. On Dec. 11, you can try sake and sushi pairings and on Dec. 18, find out why Scotch is so popular with the Chinese. Dewars and dim sum?
Due to popular demand, Chef Mavro (1969 S. King St at McCully St, 944-4714) has extended its special Beaujolais Nouveau dinner through Dec. 19. Three courses–including roasted suckling pig–created specially to go with the 2009 Beaujolais Nouveau is just $59. In case you haven’t heard, the critics are hailing it as the best harvest in 60 years. And since it’s Chef Mavro, you get all kinds of extras, like an amuse bouche and “pre-dessert.” Available Tuesdays to Saturdays, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Reservations a must.
The ultimate “shop local” gift: Mana Ai offers a pre-orders-only special: Two pounds of pai ‘ai for $20; one pound pai ‘ai and half-pound dried aku for $20; one pound of dry aku for $20. If you’ve got friends and relatives on the mainland, nothing says “Hawaii” like these delicacies. Pai ‘ai is pre-poi taro–pure freshly-pounded taro. It ferments much more slowly than poi, so pai ‘ai will arrive in two days fresher than day-old poi. Request vacuum-sealed packaging for easy mailing or Mana Ai will mail it for you. Contact: [email: eat], 808 542-1326, [www.manaai.com]
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