Lourdes Ricardez and her husband, Fermin Guzman, opened their Aloha Tortilla Cafe Friday at Aloha Tower Marketplace.
The grab-and-go, walk-up restaurant is just 490-square feet, but offers made-daily, lard-free tortillas and authentic Mexican food, including vegan options.
The couple had anticipated opening much earlier this year, but as anyone in the restaurant industry can tell you, delays happen.
Aloha Tortilla Cafe is among the mauka-side retail spaces facing Aloha Tower, and is open from 8 a.m to 4 p.m. weekdays.
Creperie comes to Kahala
Chris and Rosario “Kakay” Tarvyd have expanded their Kailua-based Crepes No Ka Oi to Kahala Mall, with a grand opening set for Friday.
Coupons for free Hawaiian Sugar crepes will go to the first 50 customers at the store. The crepe, normally $6.29, includes melted butter, raw cane sugar and fresh lemon juice, and is topped with powdered sugar.
Other sweet crepes feature fruit such as strawberries, bananas and apples, as well as chocolate, Nutella and other toppings.
Crepes No Ka Oi also is known for savory offerings incorporating cheeses, meats, sauces and other accompaniments made in-house. One example is the Get Mushy, with melted Colby jack cheese, fresh mushrooms, roasted turkey or Black Forest ham, and topped with roasted garlic butter ($9.49).
The new store is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays.
The original Crepes No Ka Oi is at 143 Hekili St.
Art of sake explored at Hoku’s
Sake from Hasamaya Brewery in Japan will be showcased alongside premium French wines at a five-course dinner with live music and a discussion on the art of sake brewing, Aug. 2 at Hoku’s in the Kahala Resort & Hotel.
Caoli Cano, brewmaster at Hasamaya as well as a musician and composer, will be the guest for the evening. Wines have been selected by master sommelier Roberto Viernes.
The menu by chefs Wayne Hirabayashi and Eric Oto centers on an entree of Hawaiian Salt & Herb Crusted Colorado Rack of Lamb.
Hasamaya Brewery was founded in 1757 in Miyagi prefecture. Cano is the 12th generation of her family to serve as brewmaster. She also has recorded 18 solo albums for Sony Music and collaborated with artists including Stevie Wonder.
The dinner begins at 6 p.m. Cost is $135. Call 739-8760.
Agu recognizes kids’ appetites
Agu A Ramen Bistro has introduced a children’s menu, available at its five locations on Oahu.
Kids can choose among half-portions of chicken karaage donburi or four ramen selections served with char siu and half a soft-boiled egg. All are accompanied by gyoza, french fries, corn and an Oreo cookie. Cost is $8.95.
Visit aguramen.com or call 797-2933.
Vino hosts Neyers’ winemaker
Winemaker Bruce Neyers is breaking away from a vacation in Hawaii to host a dinner Aug. 2 at Vino Italian Tapas & Wine Bar.
A four-course dinner will be accompanied by four wines of Neyers Vineyards in Napa Valley, Calif., building to an entree of braised short rib wrapped in Swiss chard, served with Neyers’ 2014 Sang des Cailloux Vacqueyras.
Master sommelier Chuck Furyua of Vino calls Neyers “my wine Yoda … the consummate bridge of knowledge and application between the Old and New World.”
Cost is $85. Call 524-8466 or email ataketa@dkrestaurants.com.
Pork and produce at Red Barn
Pono Pork and Ho Farms produce will be featured this week at Red Barn Farmstand’s Farmers & Friends Friday event.
Talk story with Robert McGee of Pono Pork and Shin Ho of Ho Farms from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
A $25 meal includes Pono Pork in meatballs, kebabs, even desserts, plus salads and Ho Farms vegetable side dishes. A smaller plate-lunch option is $14.50. To order in advance, visit redbarnfarmstand.com.
Red Barn Farmstand, 66-320 Kamehameha Highway in Haleiwa, hosts Farmers and Friends events monthly.
Call 753-4350.
Runnin’ on Dunkin’
Dunkin’ Donuts’ last Hawaii restaurant closed a decade ago, but that Dunkin’-less period ends with Wednesday’s grand opening of the chain’s new location, 3270 Ualena St. near Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.
In celebration, the company is giving away a $50 gift card daily through Sunday in an Instagram sweepstakes. To enter, follow @DunkinDonuts, then share a photo or video with the hashtag #HawaiiRunsOnDunkin.
The location will be open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily at the corner of Ualena and Paiea streets. Call 839-7507.
Quickbites is a weekly listing of dining events. Email items to crave@staradvertiser.com.
