>> Sweet revenge: If satisfaction comes from doing well by doing good, then the Takei family’s new venture, Odori-ko at 1680 Kapiolani Blvd., has the right idea. The restaurant, featuring contemporary Japanese fare in a pleasant atmosphere, opened its doors last week in a location next to 24 Hour Fitness in the busy Kapiolani corridor. The owners have a business model that includes giving back to the community, and they have partnered with three nonprofit agencies so when diners order certain dishes, 10 percent goes to the agency. Order the Dragon Tempura Roll to benefit Junior Achievement of Hawaii, the Macadamia Nut Tofu to help the YWCA or the Wafu Steak to give to the Touch a Heart Foundation.
Odori-ko has also partnered with local sweets purveyor Sweet Revenge to offer four exclusive desserts: Chocolate and Peanut Butter Napoleon, Butter Mochi Sundae, coffee panna cotta and lilikoi panna cotta. The owner of Sweet Revenge, Kathy Masunaga, has built up a following for her sweet and savory pies, found at Eat the Street events, farmers markets and the John A. Burns School of Medicine Cafe. While you won’t find pies at Odori-ko, Masunaga says she might whip up a few specials for the restaurant once in a while. For reservations or more details on the new venue, call 955-6555 or go to odori-ko.com.
>> Eye-opener: The newly opened Honolulu Coffee Experience Center is a haven for coffee drinkers, with six coffee staples — Peaberry, Extra Fancy, 100% Maui, Lava Roast, Kona Blend and Honolulu Blend — available daily for guests to sample. The walls, cupping room and other areas detail the various stages a coffee bean goes through before it hits people’s lips. There is also a cafe that features a variety of goodies to pair with its beverages. One highlight is "tiramisu in a cup" — tiramisu dipped in chocolate to look like a coffee cup, but completely edible. They also make wedding cakes.
>> Top of Waikiki: Since we’re talking sweets, the Top of Waikiki’s pastry chef, Heather Bryan, has added Molten Chocolate Butter Cake, Haupia Cream Puff and Baked Alaska, pictured at right, to the dessert lineup as part of a revamped look and menu for the high-flying, rotating restaurant. The flavors of the Baked Alaska rotate, as well, but weekly. Executive chef Lance Kosaka has added new appetizers, salads and entrees, including Over the Top Surf and Turf for Two with a 22-ounce bone-in prime porterhouse steak, two Tristan de Cunha lobster tails, two Maris cut crab legs, triple garlic butter, roasted red bliss potatoes and Parmesan, asparagus and carrots. Lighter fare includes the Panko and Bacon Crusted Ahi or Jidori Chicken Two Ways. Mixology director Jennifer Ackrill created two libations: the New Congress Club, a mixture of light and dark rums, passion fruit, orgeat and pineapple and lime juices; and the Waikiki Tiki, with Hawaiian chili and cacao nib, cachaca, banana liqueur, allspice dram and lemon juice. Find the Top of Waikiki at 2270 Kalakaua Ave. Reserve at 923-3877.
>> More Kosaka: The Rooftop Bistro, a floor below the Top of Waikiki, also features dishes by Kosaka. The new eatery, which touts a ocean view, opens at 5 p.m., then turns into a nightclub aka SKY Waikiki at 9 p.m. Reserve at 979-7590.
>> Oktoberfest continues: "Beer, Brats & Beer" will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at Gordon Biersch, on the water at Aloha Tower Marketplace. The event features a special pau hana menu and $3 beers. No reservations needed.
Gordon Biersch’s Oktoberfest Brewer’s Dinner was so popular last month that it’s doing a hana hou. From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20, chef David Saccomanno presents a German egg roll of smoked chicken, sauerkraut and spaetzle; braised pork shank or chicken schnitzel; and cherry strudel paired with drinks chosen by brewmaster Jeff Liles. Cost is $40 general; $29.95 military and passport members. Reservations required; those wanting the braised pork shank must reserve by Tuesday. Reserve at 387-5674.
Finally, for those who want to learn more about beer, Liles will be available to talk about the drink from 5 to 6 p.m. Oct. 27. No reservations needed. For information on any of the events, call 537-3291.
>> October eats: Enjoy dishes by EAT, La Tour Cafe, Morimoto, MW Restaurant, Nook Neighborhood Bistro, Street Grindz, Nalo Juice and Kope Coffee at Sunday’s Courtyard Brunch at Ward Village Courtyard. Admission is free; food and drink scrip will be available for purchase.
>> Foodfest: The Rotary Club of Waikiki’s annual Waikiki International Food Festival will be held from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 16, presented by the Culinary Institute of the Pacific at Kapiolani Community College’s Ohia Cafeteria. Now in its 10th year, the event boasts a variety of dishes from around the world, with entertainment by Michael Tanenbaum, a silent auction and live raffle. The all-you-can-eat buffet costs $100, with proceeds going to charitable organizations in Hawaii and abroad. For tickets call 927-9021 or email RotaryWaikiki@outlook.com.
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