In season: Rare exotic fruits–black persimmons, jackfruit and more produce you’ve never seen before–available at the Ala Moana Farmers’ Market Ala Moana Shopping Center, near upper level Sears parking lot deck, 7–10am in December Opened: Rakuen Sushi Lounge, new cocktail bar with a sushi menu, across from Hawaii Theatre. 1153 Bethel St., [rakuenlounge.com] Limited edition truffles: Hawaiian Host presents a new line of macadamia nut chocolates on sale now and available for a limited time only.

In season: Citrus like pomelos and oranges Opened: Corner Kitchen, a take-out restaurant of local comfort food with an Asian influence, in Kapahulu. 477 Kapahulu Ave., Open Sun.

The Weekly AppetiteSat., 11/26, (6pm) $46 Per Person. Reservations Only At [email: ataketa], 533-4476 The Weekly Appetite 22nd Annual Vegan Thanksgiving Eve Dinner Govinda’s Vegetarian Buffet will host this event with an expected attendance of 250 people.

Wholesome offer: Embassy Suites Waikiki provides a unique vacation package for travelers seeking an organic adventure. Includes a $100 gift card to Whole Foods, an unlimited two-day pass on open-air Waikiki Trolley mass transit routes and more, starting at $299 a night.

Opened: The old location of now-defunct club Queen Bee has been transformed into the sleek and intimate Red Café, a new Chinese haute sushi bar with delicious, authentic eats. Red Café, 747 Queen St., Mon–Sun 6am–4am, Google search: “Red Café Honolulu” Extended hours: Now in effect, R&D coffee shop expands its regular hours: Tuesdays–Fridays 7am–7pm; Saturdays 12–5pm.

Restaurant Week: Grind and dine on discounted meals and selections from specialty menus designed just for Hawaii’s 4th Annual Restaurant Week: Monday, Nov. 14–Sunday, Nov.

Freshly juiced: Lanikai Juice recently added a third and much-anticipated location to Haleiwa last week Sunday. Lanikai Juice, 66-215 Kamehameha Hwy., 8am–6pm daily, [lanikaijuice.com], 637-7774 New pumpkin pie ice cream: Peace Café scoops up homemade pumpkin pie ice cream for the Thanksgiving season–100% vegan, made in an organic soy base.

New “Hawaiian Bowl” with music: Imua Garza and friends perform every Wed. from 8–9pm.

Premiere roast: Small, local family farm, Kau Coffee is now available at select Starbucks coffeehouses. Through mid-November New beer cooling system: Bar 35 uses a Manila-made system that chills bottled beers to below zero temperatures resulting in crisp cold brews.

Opened: Prima, New York-style Italian cafe in Kailua. Caprese, veal picatta, spicy meatball, squid cannelloni, shrimp raviolo, spaghetti, pizza, torrone alla banana, gelato.

Coming to town: the Hawaii Food and Wine Festival features big ticket food (and wine) events featuring bigwig chefs, but on Friday, panels will focus on the business of food outside of restaurants: “Fast Pitch, Food Entrepreneurs Wanted,” will offer food startups the opportunity to pitch VC Dave McClure and an “Ideas, Innovations and Inspirations” session will highlight innovative businesses like rooftop farms. All-day pass is $99.

Food & Drink / Makaweli poi: taro chunks, fresh-steamed and ready to eat, from Makaweli Poi Mill on Kauai, now available at Kokua Market, Down to Earth and select Foodland stores. Opened: Kiss My Grits, southern-style food with biscuits and gravy, Carolina-style BBQ, shrimp & grits.

Foodland participates in the Eat Local Challenge: corporate chef Keoni Chang shares recipes focusing on local ingredients on the Foodland blog ([foodland.com]). Also on the Foodland website: a local farmer video series ([foodland.com]).

Windward Mall partners with Nalo Farms for a weekly farmers’ market. The market is held every Wednesday on the upper and lower levels of the Macy’s wing, 2:30-7:30pm.

A new pop-up restaurant: Chef Bob McGee, formerly of 12th Ave Grill and SALT, launches Plancha next week. Dinner will be served Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday starting September 5 at Morning Glass Coffee and Cafe.

Want to be a Food Network star? Then attend the open casting call for passionate culinary enthusiasts (chefs, line cooks, home cooks, caterers). Tuesday, Aug.

FOOD & DRINK / Opened: Jawaiian Irie Jerk restaurant. Chef Cassie of the Jawaiian food truck has found a permanent home in the 11th Avenue Atrium in Kaimuki.

The people who brought you Haleiwa Farmers’ Market are starting their third farmers’ market at Ala Moana Shopping Center. Starting September 3, open Saturdays 9am to 1pm.

Food truck stop: In the parking lot on Kapiolani and Ward, there’s a small fleet of food trucks, like the Thai Achilles Grill; Chicago Eatz with deep dish pizza, Chicago-style hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches; Hawaii’s Fried Musubi, with, yup, fried musubi as well as anything else you can throw in a fryer (i.e. Oreos and Twinkies).

Opened: Kakaako Makai Community Cultural Marketplace, a market to focus on local, non-GMO produce and proteins (i.e. fresh fish), as well as local food artisans like Leialoha’s Coconut Creamery, with coconut cream-based sorbet, and Madre Chocolate.

Mana Ai’s fresh hand pounded pai‘ai is back, state-legalized and Department of Health approved. [manaai.com], 542-1326 Opened: Sports FanAddicts, in the former Aku Bone.

Opened: Kaew’s Thai Villa serving authentic Thai eats. 1502 Liliha St., [www.KaewsThaiVilla.com], 535-9928 Opened: Blue Hawaii Sushi.

The Hawaii State Farm Fair is this weekend, July 9 and 10 at Kualoa Ranch. In addition to the carnival activities and food, there will be a 4-H livestock competition and live auction of pig, lamb, steer and goats.

BBQ Nights at Tangö Market: Every Friday night from 5-9pm Chef Goran Streng fires up the grill in front of the new Tango Market on Auahi St. All-inclusive meals range from $10-$13 and include a choice of a main course (NY steak, hoisin babyback ribs or lemongrass shrimp), baked beans and cornbread.

Opened: Aloha Crepes. Featuring crepes like Broccoli Obama Alfredo, with broccoli, asparagus and mushrooms; Monroe’s Mello Portobello with portobello, blue cheese, onion, spinach and hoisin sauce.