Jin Din Rou has closed after just under one year of lunch and dinner service at the corner of South King and Kaheka streets.
The Japanese-owned restaurant specializing in Taiwan-style Xiao Long Bao, or soup-filled dumplings, opened last February as many new Hawaii eateries do — with long lines of people waiting to get in for the dumplings and other dishes.
The restaurant had tantalized diners for months with a large, mouth-watering food picture mounted on the second floor of the former Honolulu Futon Co. location.
A sign on the door now tells would-be patrons that the restaurant closed at 10 p.m. Sunday, following dinner service. "Thank you for cooperation," it says.
An advertisement in the Dining Out section in Sunday’s Star-Advertiser thanked the restaurant’s "dear customers" for their patronage and told of the then-impending closure.
The Japan-based owner believes it will be easier to "do something different … something new," said General Manager Bob Suzukawa.
The company is exploring possibilities, which include selling the location and opening a different type of restaurant in a different location, perhaps in Waikiki, and perhaps with a partner, Suzukawa said.
Meanwhile, happy anniversary
Podium Raceway Hawaii, the indoor electric kart racing venue on Lexington Street in Kalaeloa, is marking its first year in business with three days of giveaways.
Prizes include a pair of tickets to the 2012 Pro Bowl, a pair of VIP TrackPasses, a pair of Xtreme Racer Packs and a helicopter tour. The Pro Bowl tickets and VIP passes are up for grabs today, while other prizes are slotted for Saturday and Sunday giveaways.
While racers will be automatically entered, no purchase is necessary, said co-owner Mark Jeffries. But he added, "When they get there, they’re going to want to race."
All former general contractors, Jeffries and partners Warren Cole and Neil Tsutsui knew that starting the indoor race track, arcade and party venue was a good idea. "We thought it was going to be popular, but we didn’t realize how popular it was going to be."
Upon opening on Jan. 1, 2011, the crowds were so big, there would be a five-hour wait to get into an Italian-made electric kart, capable of taking to the track at up to 45 mph, he said.
Akamai customers now call ahead, or arrange their visits during off-peak times, such as midweek or early on the weekends, Jeffries said.
"We already knew birthday parties were huge," so the team built two birthday rooms as well as a 2,000-square-foot "corporate room" that has been at least as busy as the birthday rooms, he said.
The track configuration is changed periodically to give repeat customers new experiences. "We’re on our fifth track change," said Jeffries.
The future is likely to include expanding to a neighbor island. "We have the exclusive (rights) to use the Italian race cars for all the Hawaiian Islands," he said, adding, "We’re doing the evaluation to see if it’s feasible, and we’re watching the economy."
While there’s no firm decision on where to open next, "the demographics are pretty good" on Maui, he said, but the challenge will be to find a facility big enough to accommodate the operation.
On the Net:
» PodiumRaceway.com
Neighborhood noshing
A new kind of dine-around will serve as a benefit for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Hawaii Chapter, now called JDRF Hawaii.
"Neighborhood Noshing," from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Feb. 7, will be a progressive dinner at three Ala Moana Center restaurants.
The $150-per-person event will unfold at Romano’s Macaroni Grill, The Pineapple Room by Alan Wong and Mariposa at Neiman Marcus, and those attending get to take part in a Valentine-themed raffle with prizes from Alan Wong, Madre Chocolate, Floral Network and Martin & MacArthur.
It is the first of what may become a signature event for JDRF Hawaii, said Gail Ann Chew, executive director. Future possible ‘hoods for "Neighborhood Noshing" include Chinatown, Waikiki and Kaimuki, she said.
Tickets are available from the organization by calling 988-1000.
On the Net:
» wp.jdrfhawaii.org
