Hard Rock Cafe in Waikiki is marking Vegetarian Awareness Month by adding several meat-free items to the menu, chief among them a cauliflower burger.
How does one turn a chunky white vegetable into a burger? Poach it, make it into a patty with garlic, egg, goat cheese and spices, then dip the patty in breadcrumbs and fry it to get a nice crispy bite. The cauliflower burger ($15.95) is served with zucchini, squash, Monterey Jack cheese, arugula, tomato and garlic aioli.
The cauliflower power doesn’t end there. Crisp Buffalo-style cauliflower “wings” made with florets as faux chicken are served with blue cheese ($11.95).
Other vegetarian choices feature eggplant — ratatouille flatbread ($12.50) and a grilled ratatouille wrap ($12.50).
The meatless items are available through Nov. 13. Hard Rock Cafe is at 280 Beach Walk. Call 955-7383.
Country band sets sights on Kapolei
The country music band Rascal Flatts (right) will open a namesake restaurant at the new Ka Makana Alii mall in Kapolei.
Plans were announced in 2012 to open a number of the band-themed restaurants across the mainland, but none has yet launched. A new company is now moving forward, according to an official involved.
The mall last week announced other restaurants coming soon: Limon Rotisserie, a Peruvian restaurant named among San Francisco’s top 100; HI Cravings, known for its acai bowls; and Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.
Chinatown pizzeria makes top 100 list
J.J. Dolan’s is among the top 100 independent pizza restaurants in the nation, according to industry publication Pizza Today.
The pizzeria is ranked at No. 92 this year, based on sales, up from 96 in 2015. In a survey the publication mailed to independent pizzerias across the country, owners J.J. Niebuhr and Danny Dolan reported revenue of $2.3 million from their single restaurant.
Jeremy White, Pizza Today editor-in-chief said those on the list are making their mark in competition with the huge national chains. “The only answer the independent has, is to preach quality and uphold that quality at any cost,” he said. “The pizzerias on our Hot 100 list have managed to do that in their respective markets.”
