‘Lei Day for Japan’ is tasty event

Tickets are still available for “Lei Day for Japan,” the mega-benefit on Sunday at Aloha Tower Marketplace that features more than 25 food stations from top isle chefs and wines selected by master sommelier Chuck Furuya.

Among the venues participating are Roy’s, Alan Wong’s, Chef Mavro, Michel’s at the Colony Surf, DK’s Steak and Sansei Seafood, the Beachhouse at the Moana Surfrider, Tango Contemporary Café, Side Street Inn, Poke Stop, Mori­moto Waikiki, 12th Avenue Grill and Chai’s Island Bistro.

Entertainment includes Jake Shi­ma­bu­kuro. 

Tickets are $100, and all proceeds are going toward Japan relief. Call 585-0011 or visit Lei­Day­For­Japan.org.

Niu Valley kids dish up event

The inaugural "Plate Up Niu Valley" benefit for Niu Valley Middle School will showcase its students working with chefs to prepare and serve dishes on Saturday.

Participants include folks from 3660 on the Rise, Roy’s Hawaii Kai, Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar, Hiro­shi Eurasion Tapas, Side Street Inn, the Pineapple Room, the Cheesecake Factory, Le Bistro and Fukuya Delicatessen & Catering.

The event runs 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $55. Visit www.friends­of­niu­valley.com.

Imu will benefit school club

The Kailua High School Canoe Club plans to spend a weekend tending an imu and is offering space inside for trays of food.

Food goes into the underground oven on May 13 and comes out May 14.

Cost is $20 per large aluminum tray ($5 will go to imu maintenance). Food — such as whole turkeys, roasts or pork butt (meat chunks should have three deep cuts in them), sweet potatoes, taro or luau leaves — must be thawed, seasoned and well wrapped in foil. Drop in pan and wrap again in foil. Weight limit per tray is 25 pounds.

Reservations due by May 6. Make checks payable to Kailua High School and send to the school, 451 Ulu­manu Drive, Kailua 96734. Write "Attention IMU" in lower left corner of the envelope. Include your name, telephone number and a self-addressed, stamped envelope so a confirmation ticket can be sent to you. To be informed about future imu, provide e-mail address. Call 234-3700 or 728-7389.

Expand repertoire of Asian dishes

Cook spicy, Korean and Cantonese food with Walter Rhee at Palama Market, 1210 Dillingham Blvd. Classes are $80. To make reservations, call 391-1550 or e-mail walter@waltereatshawaii.com.

» Hot and Spicy Asian Dishes (5 to 7:30 p.m. May 5): Make hot chili, mapo tofu, spicy Korean buckwheat noodles and more.

» Korean Side Dishes (5 to 7:30 p.m. May 6): They’re called banchan and are simple to make. Learn a few.

» Southern Chinese Cooking (2:30 to 4:30 p.m. May 7): Discover the secrets of wok stir-frying.

Vino features 2009 white wines

Vino Italian Tapas & Wine Bar will present five whites at a tasting on May 5.

The lineup: Feipu Dei Massaretti Pigato from Italy’s Ligurian Coast, Olivier Savary Chablis from France, Leccia Blanc from the Corsican countryside, Regis Minet Puilly Fume "Vieilles Vignes" from France and Kunst­ler Ries­ling Dry "Hoch­hei­mer Dom­de­cha­ney" from Germany.

Cost is $39. To reserve a spot, call 533-4476.

Tasting to benefit Boy Choir

Former member of the Hono­lulu Boy Choir, master sommelier Roberto Vier­nes presents a tasting to benefit the group.

"A Medley of Sparkling Wines," to be held 6:30 p.m. May 11 at Hono­lulu Country Club, features Segura Viudas Aria Brut, Mionetto Gold Label Brut, Roederer Estate Brut and Dom Peri­gnon, alongside heavy pupu.

The club is at 1660 S. Beretania St. Individual seats are $135, with tables of 10 at $1,300. Call 596-7464.

Ciao Mien offers recipes online

After 20 years in Waikiki, Ciao Mein at Hyatt Regency Waikiki is closing its doors.

Yet for patrons of the eatery, the blow is softened: Go to Ciao Mien’s Facebook page to find recipes of its most popular dishes, including Szechuan Eggplant, Hot Bean Salmon Alla Siciliana, Petti di Pollo, Cam­pa­gnolo, Raviolo Aperto and Tirami Su with Strawberries.

The Italian Chinese fusion restaurant is making way for a new fusion venue, Japengo.

Those who dine at Ciao Mein on April 30, its last night, will enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne. Call 923-1234, ext. 59.

Daughters can join mom for tea

Spend Mother’s Day at the Moana Surfrider for its annual “Sugar and Spice Mother Daughter Tea.” It includes Classic Tea service of Sunset (ohelo berry and mango) tea, soup, finger sandwiches, scones, desserts and sorbet. Plus, there’s a Cinnamon Girl fashion show. Cost is $32.50, though moms can upgrade to the First Lady Tea with sparkling wine ($48) and girls can partake of the Classic Child’s Tea ($22) that features chocolate milk or a smoothie and a selection of sandwiches. The event runs noon to 3 p.m. May 7. Call 921-4600 or visit www.moanasurfrider.com.