Quick Bites: Mavro, National Seafood Month

New cake at Mavro: Pastry chef Jose Calpito has created a new "Celebration" cake for diners. The white chocolate mocha decadence cake is a gift for people honoring any event at the restaurant. When making a reservation, let the hostess know the occasion — graduation, promotion, birthday or any other personal victory — and Calpito will write the appropriate message on the plate. For reservations, call 944-4714.

Going pink: October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and to support prevention efforts, The Veranda at the Kahala Hotel & Resort is featuring Pink Afternoon Tea. The menu includes two types of sandwiches — smoked salmon and serrano ham with truffled manchego cheese — and desserts of raspberry macaroons, pink hand-dipped truffles, guava cupcake bites and a cranberry scone. Libations include a glass of Lucien Albrecht Brut Rose NV, France plus a choice of teas. Cost is $35 plus tax and gratuity. After your meal, stop by the Plumeria Beach House to pick up a half-pound box of specially made pink chocolate-covered macadamia nuts for $26. Part of the proceeds will go to the Hawaii affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Tea service is available from 2 to 5:30 p.m. daily. Reserve at 739-8760. The Veranda is at 5000 Kahala Ave.

For veggie lovers: 53 by the Sea is honoring Vegetarian Awareness Month (also October) with a six-course meatless menu. The $90 meal includes Hearts of Palm Cucumber Salad, Tomato Ceviche, Roasted Cauliflower Soup, Sweet Ewa Onion Tart, Carrot Risotto, Mushroom Wellington and a tropical fruit sorbet. Reserve at 536-5353. The restaurant is at 53 Ahui St.

Calling all seafood lovers: October is also National Seafood Month, and chefs Michelle Karr-Ueoka, Wade Ueoka, Mark Noguchi and Lee Anne Wong are putting together a grazing menu. Special guests are Brooks Takenaka of United Fishing Agency, John Kaneko of Hawaii Seafood Council and Guy Tamashiro of Tamashiro’s Market. Seating is limited for the 5:30 to 8 p.m. event being held Wednesday at MW Restaurant. Cost is $85. Reserve at 955-6505, ext. 2.

Christmas already? Yep, at least at A Cup of Tea. The beautifully decorated eatery is launching its Christmas season on Oct. 9 with its Annual Scones and Tea Night and Toys for Tots at 6 p.m. Can’t make it? No worries, you can still donate toys and feast on scones and tea at 6 p.m. Oct. 16. Cost is $10.95 plus one toy. Reserve at 230-8832. A Cup of Tea is located at 407 Uluniu St., Suite 101, in Kailua. Additional parking will be available in the physician parking lot next door.

OPENINGS

>> Odori-ko, located in the Kapiolani Business Center at 1680 Kapiolani Blvd., and Vino, located in Restaurant Row, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., were scheduled to open Oct. 1. More on Odori-ko next week.

>> Mai Grille opens Monday at Kings’ Golf Course at the Waikoloa Beach Resort on the Big Island. Highlights of chef Allen Hess’s menu include a 20/80 burger (20 percent ground bacon and 80 percent local grass-fed beef), bacon-wrapped mushrooms, smoked brisket tacos and more. The eatery will also serve a brunch menu of steamed crab legs and prime rib, and have craft beers, cocktails and wines available. Breakfast is 7:30 to 11 a.m. and lunch is 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Sunday brunch will be available from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. For reservations, call (808) 886-7600. The resort is at 69-622 Waikoloa Beach Drive.

>> The Dumb Coq, at 12 S. King St., is still in its soft opening phase with a very limited menu. We’re awaiting news of the grand opening.

>> Another Starbucks opened Monday in the lobby of the Ala Moana Hotel. Hours are 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily. The Ala Moana Hotel is located at 410 Atkinson Drive.

SHOUTOUTS

>> Sharon Jahns joins the team at Travaasa Hana on Maui as director of food and beverage. Jahns comes from Joe’s Bar and Grill in Wailea, where she was general manager.

>> Travaasa Hana also welcomes Jason "Jay" Johnson as executive chef. Johnson held the same position at the Volcano House Hotel before moving to Travaasa Hana.

Send restaurant news — openings and closings, new chefs, mixologists and menu changes — at least two weeks in advance to mramos@staradvertiser.com.