Dining out helps provide for Meals on Wheels

For 45 years, Lanakila Meals on Wheels has been delivering food to seniors across the island; the group now serves more than 250,000 meals a year.

A program called The Good Table helps you help Meals on Wheels simply by dining out. On Thursday, several Oahu restaurants are offering dinners for tables of guests to benefit the charity. Those tables are sold out, but you can still contribute through these special deals:

>> Hula Grill Waikiki: On Thursday, a portion of the purchase of any menu item goes to the cause.

>> Vino Italian Tapas & Wine Bar: Thursday to Sunday a percentage of purchases of a special menu goes to the program. The $55 menu: appetizer trio of crispy Brussels sprouts and cauliflower, and slow-roasted pork with charred asparagus; pan-seared scallops with bacon and Kahuku corn ragu; braised short ribs with parsnip puree; and a warm apple tart.

>> Angelo Pietro Honolulu: Through October, a portion of the purchase of any menu item will be donated.

>> M.A.C. 24/7 Restaurant + Bar: Through October, a portion of the purchase of the Hawaiian Boneless Short Ribs will be donated.

>> JJ Bistro & French Pastry: Through October, a portion of the purchase of any menu item will be donated.

>> Cafe Kaila: Through October, a portion of the purchase of a special waffle item will be donated.

Promotion with ‘lazy egg’ to benefit victims of quake

An amusing fundraising effort that also will fill your belly is underway at all three Hawaii Eggs ’n Things.

The restaurant has partnered with Sanrio to raise funds for victims of April’s 7.0-magnitude earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan.

The promotion features the Sanrio character Gudetama, which means “lazy egg” in Japanese.

Sanrio’s ovoid character is unmotivated, asking for “just five more minutes’ sleep” under a blanket of bacon, and shrugs off the world with a “meh.” Understand it or not, it is increasingly beloved by millennials.

The Gudetama “Sleepy” menu, $15, served from noon to closing: hot chocolate decorated with a cocoa powder Gudetama, a loco moco with Gudetama-branded egg, and a pancake stenciled with Gudetama in lemon frosting, with whipped cream, strawberries and chocolate sauce.

The Gudetama “Lazy” menu, $16, served from 4 p.m. to closing: iced coffee or iced cappuccino with a cocoa powder Gudetama on top, a burger topped with a Gudetama- branded egg and french fries, and the same Gudetama pancake.

The set menus will be available through Oct. 28, with $3 out of each purchase donated to the Japan Society’s Kumamoto Relief Fund.

Smoked plates star at Japanese eatery

Hawaii has its first iburi (smoked-dish) restaurant in the newly opened Japanese Restaurant Yacchaba, which serves up tasty meat and seafood plates on a stone grill plate, kept hot over a mini flame.

Each iburi plate’s delicious factor is amped by four flavored salts — yuzu, curry, yukari plum and sans­yo pepper. Other menu items such as saba and pork benefit from shio koji, made from rice-malt salt.

The smoky flavors add dimension to everything, even potato salad (topped with a smoked boiled egg). The menu is extensive, with noodle and special bread dishes, plus Japanese beers, craft beers, wine, sake and shochu selections.

Yacchaba, at 1718 Kapiolani Blvd., is open 5 to 11 p.m. Tuesdays to Sundays, with lunch service coming soon. Call 945-0108.