>> Donato’s back: Chef Donato Loperfido (formerly of Donato’s in Manoa Marketplace, Elua Restaurant & Wine Bar on Kapiolani Boulevard and Pasta Basta in Restaurant Row) is now corporate executive chef at Il Lupino Trattoria & Wine Bar in Waikiki. Donato is still reworking the menus, but diners can sample some of his creations on the new tapas menu, available from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. daily. The 10-item menu includes such Italian classics as caprese and bruschetta, but also lists an eggplant roulade with house-made ricotta cheese (Rollatino de Melanzana), asparagus with Parmigiano and prosciutto (Asparagi Milanese) and grilled lamb chop (Costoletta di Agnello). Several pizzas are also available. Il Lupino is in the Royal Hawaiian Center, 2233 Kalakaua Ave. Call 922-3400. Menu at illupino.com.
>> Sunday Supper: 12th Ave Grill, 1120 12th Ave. in Kaimuki, features seafood paella at its next Sunday Supper. The $36 meal includes mussels, clams, Baja white shrimp, jidori chicken, chorizo, and fried eggplant with molasses and tomato, topped off with Big Island churros with Manoa chocolate sauce. Call 732-9469 or go to 12thavegrill.com.
>> Beer or wine as you dine?: d.k Steakhouse is holding a "Battle of the Booze," 6 p.m. Thursday, a four-course meal complemented with craft beer pairings by certified cicerone (beer expert) Bill Carl and wine pairings by certified sommelier Adam Le Cagnina, both from Southern Wines & Spirits. Open to 50 guests. The menu includes seared bacon-wrapped scallop, apple cider-braised pork, wagyu New York strip loin and a warm apple tart. Cost is $88. Reserve at 931-6280. The steakhouse is in the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort and Spa, 2552 Kalakaua Ave.
>> Wong’s chefs "Reunited": Former Alan Wong chefs and kitchen staff are putting together a grazing event, 5 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 14 at MW Restaurant. Enjoy an evening with Sonny Acosta, Steven Ariel, Nelson Daquip, Brandon Hamada, Michelle Karr-Ueoka, Lance Kosaka, Jon Matsubara, Gary Matsumoto, Jonathan Mizukami, Jared Murakawa, Neil Nakasone, Mark Okumura, Wade Ueoka, Marc Urquidi, Sean Walsh and Charly Yoshida. Cost is $150. Tickets available at MW Restaurant, 1538 Kapiolani Blvd., No. 107. Information, 955-6505.
>> New dishes at Hale Ohuna: Chef Lee Anne Wong has added to the menu at her Kaimuki eatery since her Sept. 4 opening: Niihau lamb neck curry, bacon-leek ramen, fried chicken long rice and a chop salad. And don’t forget about her dumplings that change daily. Hale Ohuna is at 3605 Waialae Ave. Call 744-7567.
POST-THANKSGIVING CHEER
>> "Holiday for Heroes": The Hawaii Restaurant Association is honoring stars of the food service industry during its "Holiday for Heroes" event, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Dec. 11 at Bread + Butter Restaurant, 1585 Kapiolani Blvd. The grazing dinner features food stations, wine, cocktails and entertainment by the Son Caribe Band. Bring canned food for Aloha Harvest. Tickets are $50, which includes two drinks. HRA members pay $40. Or, become a member of the association and get one free ticket. Call 944-9105 or go to hawaiirestaurant.org.
>> Prime rib in the country: Waimanalo Country Farms presents a Live Nativity Christmas Story with a Country Christmas Prime Rib Dinner, Dec. 11, 12, 18 and 19. The night begins with caroling on Farmer Dom’s Christmas Lit Hayride, followed by dinner at 5:30 p.m. then the show. Package A ($25) features an 8-ounce prime rib, starch, tossed salad, baked beans, dessert and sweet tea. Package B for children ages 10 and below ($10) features a hamburger or hot dog, baked beans, chips, dessert and apple juice. Check-in is at 5 p.m. and reservations are required. Call 306-4381 or 306-4379.
>> Dinner and a show: Ballet Hawaii and Chef Chai have teamed up to offer an opening-night VIP dinner package preceding the "Nutcracker" performance Dec. 18. The four-course dinner with wine begins at 5 p.m., then reserved seats and parking await at Blaisdell Concert Hall. Cost: $165. For information and reservations, call Gerry at 521-8600.
>> Hawaii-only gift cards: Local artist Jana Lam has designed a Jamba Juice gift card with a touch of the islands. Her Hawaii-exclusive mug and limited-edition tote bag also are available at Jamba Juice locations. And, if you spend $25 or more on the gift cards, you get a 16-oz. smoothie for yourself. It’s an opportune time to sample the store’s holiday cherry lineup, which includes Orange Cherry Cheer and Cherry Berry. This offer is not valid at the University of Hawaii campus location.
>> A blizzard of a treat: Dairy Queen is offering a new Candy Cane OREO Blizzard Treat. The flavor also can be made into a holiday cake. Check out a Dairy Queen near you.
Send restaurant news, including holiday-related items, openings and closings, new chefs, mixologists and menu changes, at least two weeks in advance to mramos@staradvertiser.com.
