Ciao Mein to give out recipes as aloha gift

The 20-year-old, award-winning Ciao Mein restaurant will divulge some of its most popular recipes as it prepares to close April 30.

While the closing will leave many repeat visitors bereft, the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa plans to ease the sting by presenting customers with a printed recipe card for its Tirami Su with strawberries dessert, beginning Wednesday, and by releasing other favored recipes via its Facebook page, beginning the same day. On the final night, April 30, guests will receive a complimentary glass of champagne.

As a fusion cuisine restaurant in a hotel, Ciao Mein was novel when it opened two decades ago and impressed from the outset, winning awards for recipes, including many at Taste of Hono­lulu, as well as for service from 1991 through last year.

Executive Chef Jeff Wind will release closely guarded recipes, including those for Honey Walnut Shrimp, Szechuan Eggplant, Hot Bean Salmon Alla Siciliana, Petti di Pollo, Penne Campagnolo and Raviolo Aperto.

"Closing Ciao Mein is bittersweet for our fans and our staff," said Vincent Brunetti, the hotel's director of food and beverage, in a statement. Restaurant employees work for the hotel and will not lose their jobs, according to a spokes­woman.

Ciao Mein will be succeeded by Japengo, another Asian fusion restaurant, which will feature Pacific Rim cuisine, rolled-to-order sushi and a sake bar.

Japengo is to open in October.

The departure of Ciao Mein had been planned as part of the resort's $13 million renovation announced in January.