A president of the United States tends to leave an indelible impression on a restaurant, and so it was with Mahina & Sun’s, where President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama dined Dec. 29.
The president ordered a Grey Goose martini with extra olives, so now the Waikiki restaurant is offering the Presidential Martini.
Want to make it yourself? Shake 3 ounces Grey Goose vodka with Noilly Prat Extra Dry Vermouth and serve in a martini glass with three olives.
On Thursday, the day before the presidential inauguration, the martini will be featured at a talk-story session, “Medium White Tee: The T-shirt Shack Obama Dreamed of Opening in Hawaii,” at the Surfjack Hotel, home of Mahina & Sun’s.
Artist Emily Spivack and architect Stephanie Hsu created “Medium White Tee” as an art installation and pop-up shop in Ward Centre. They were inspired by Obama’s statement in an interview that he dreamed of opening a shop that sold only white T-shirts in size medium.
The talk-story session runs from 6 to 8 p.m. and is free. Martinis are $14. Call 923-8882.
Aloha Beer Company opens its doors
With a spanking new brewery and tap room, and 10 draught offerings made on-site, Aloha Beer Company is welcoming beer aficionados Thursday to its new space at 700 Queen St.
Noted brewer Dave Campbell serves as director of brewing operations and local chef Robert McGee has designed a menu meant to be paired with Aloha’s beers. The tap room will also present crafted cocktails and a wine menu designed by beverage director Brad Miller.
Tap room hours: 4 to 10 p.m. Mondays to Wednesdays and 4 to 11 p.m. Thursdays to Saturdays. Visit alohabeer.com or call 544-1605.
Ramen restaurant sets grand opening
A serial restaurateur has struck again on Oahu, this time in Kapalama.
Chef’s Ramen is the newest venture by Ken Wong, founder of the Sumo Ramen chain and owner of Anytime Cafe at Market City Shopping Center.
Wong, who hails from Hong Kong, loves Japanese food and is a frequent visitor to Japan. The broth for his tonkotsu ramen is simmered for more than 14 hours, he said.
Customers can choose from six varieties of tonkotsu ramen ($9.50 to $10.95), six varieties of mildly spicy tan tan ramen ($10.25 to $11.50) and other styles of ramen including mabo tofu ramen ($9.50), black garlic oil and Parmesan ramen ($12.50) and pork belly tonkotsu ramen, which includes a huge chunk of fall-apart-tender pork belly ($12.50).
The menu also includes yakisoba, fried rice, Japanese curry dishes, soups and salads, and appetizers including deep-fried oysters, mochiko chicken, traditional gyoza and cheese gyoza, deep-fried wonders filled with fresh mozzarella cheese.
For its Feb. 1 grand opening, guests will receive a free four-piece traditional gyoza order with any purchase.
Chef’s Ramen is at 1286 Kalani St. in City Square Shopping Center just off Dillingham Boulevard.
It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Call 842-6660.
