Waterfront Plaza tenants (including those of us here in the newsroom) have been abuzz for many long months, ever since a banner declaring “Tamura’s Tavern, coming soon” went up at a vacant food spot in the open-air mall. A week ago, the site’s chilled display case was turned on and filled with 36 trays, mostly of poke, drawing a steady stream of customers.
Tamura’s Tavern started with rice bowls topped with poke and Hawaiian food items such as kalua pig, laulau, pipikaula or various combinations.
Poke choices range from classics of limu and inamona to chili pepper and Japanese poke, exclusive to Waterfront Plaza and a creation of Nalo Farms owner Dean Okimoto. It combines the ahi cubes with nori and round and green onions, all in a savory shoyu sauce.
Okimoto is a consultant to Tamura’s in opening its Waterfront Plaza venues, which include the Row Bar and, soon to come, a Tamura’s Fine Wine & Liquor store.
The tavern’s menu expands to include plate lunches this week — classics such as beef stew, beef curry, adobo, garlic chicken and roast pork with gravy. The refrigerated case also offers several preparations of king crab, smoked fish, pulehu tako (octopus), boiled peanuts, edamame, fried tofu, pickled garlic, pickled ogo and kim chee.
Okimoto also hopes to introduce salads of Nalo greens topped with various preparations of chicken and local fish.
Tamura Enterprises, led by Glenn Tamura, also includes three Tamura’s Market locations, a Tamura’s Express on Maui (with a Maui market planned), and six Tamura’s Fine Wine & Liquors locations on Oahu and Maui.
Tamura’s Tavern is open 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Call 369-3701.
— Joleen Oshiro, Star-Advertiser
NEW ARRIVALS
Two new dining choices:
>> Teppanyaki Farmer: Ala Moana Center’s new food court, the Lanai, has a new restaurant, featuring an open kitchen serving grilled items.
Teppanyaki Farmer’s specialty is Da Original Steak Roll, strips of rib-eye rolled around shredded potato. Pork and kim chee-pork versions are also available, all priced at $12.95.
Also on the menu: rice bowls with kalbi, garlic chicken or garlic shrimp, and wraps with all those same protein choices.
Hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays.
The Lanai is on the mall level, near Macy’s.
>> Five Guys Burgers and Fries: The third Hawaii location for the burger chain opened Saturday at Pearlridge Center Uptown.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Call 488-4442.
