Sansei dinner to showcase sake

Sake takes center stage, served in cocktails paired to a four-course menu, during “Sake- licious” at 6 p.m. March 30 at Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar in Waikiki.

Chandra Lucariello, director of mixology and spirits for Southern Wine & Spirits, and the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s cocktail columnist, has crafted five sake-based cocktails featuring a sparkling sake and coconut-lemongrass sake, among several types of the brew.

Chef Axelrod Colobong’s menu centers on an entree of soy-sake braised pork belly.

The price is $89. Sansei is in the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort and Spa. Call 931-6286.

Shokudo’s sweet treat shines

Shokudo Japanese Restaurant & Bar is featuring one of its top dishes, Honey Toast, in March.

For every dish sold, Shokudo will donate $1 to a scholarship fund for high school students pursuing culinary training.

Some new flavors have been added to the Honey Toast repertoire, among them hot fudge, salt caramel, sweet red bean, green tea and Kona coffee.

Those who buy the dessert this month are also eligible for prize awards — including a Las Vegas vacation — through the restaurant’s 12th-anniversary “Golden Ticket Giveaway.”

Shokudo is at 1585 Kapiolani Blvd. Call 941-3701.

Waikiki brews featured in Kailua

The Latin restaurant Cactus in Kailua hosts a beer-pairing dinner Thursday, welcoming brewmaster Joe Lorenzen of Waikiki Brewing Co.

The cost of the six-course dinner is $120, plus $20 for beer pairings. All the dishes and beers will also be available a la carte.

Seatings will be at 5 and 7:30 p.m. Cactus is at 767 Kailua Road. Call 261-1000.

Husic wines take a seat by the sea

Vintner Frank Husic of Husic Vineyards in Napa Valley, Calif., hosts a dinner at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at 53 by the Sea.

The four-course menu of onaga, duck, pork belly and A5 sirloin will be paired with Husic’s chardonnay, pinot noir and cabernet sauvignons.

The price is $125. The restaurant is at 53 Ahui St. Call 536-5353.

Creole dishes on Castle class menu

Castle Medical Center’s monthly vegan cooking demonstration, 6 p.m. March 23, takes as its theme “Explore America: Creole Cuisine.”

Gumbo and other traditional Louisiana dishes will be prepared and samples served in the demonstration kitchen at the Castle Wellness & Lifestyle Medicine Center.

The price is $12, with reservations required two days in advance. Call 263-5050 to register.

A good deed buys you breakfast

Guests staying at the Ala Moana Hotel can earn a free buffet-style breakfast for donating six cans or 5 pounds of food for the Hawaii Foodbank.

The promotion runs through April 7, offering a morning meal at the hotel’s Plantation Cafe.

The food bank is seeking cans or unopened bags of nonperishable items, such as rice.

Quickbites is a weekly listing of dining events. Email items to crave@staradvertiser.com.