>> Jason Peel has taken the helm at Eating House 1849, Roy Yamaguchi’s restaurant in the International Market Place. Peel is the former chef at Roy’s Waikiki and is an instructor at Kapiolani Community College. He replaces Mark Leslie, who opened Eating House last year.
>> Johnattan Hernandez is the new chef-de-cuisine at BLT Market, succeeding Johan Svensson, who has moved to a restaurant in Florida. Hernandez has 20 years of experience in restaurants from Pennsylvania to his native Puerto Rico. He was most recently executive sous-chef with the American Ale House chain.
THAI BISTRO OPENS AT WARD
Maile Sengoura has opened her second Maile’s Thai Bistro location, this time at Ward Centre.
Maile’s Thai at Ward has taken over the former Bellini Bistro & Bar space, serving up curries, noodles and other Thai specialties. Special menus are available for vegetarian and gluten-free diets.
Exclusive to the Ward location is a weekday lunch bento — choose red curry beef, yellow chicken curry, panang pork, masaman beef or green chicken curry. All come with soup and side dishes for $12.90.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays to Thursdays, and until 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The bento box is served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 591-2488.
DINNER DEVOTED TO TAPAS
Small bites in six courses — that’s the plan at a tapas dinner Oct. 19 at Cactus in Kailua.
The menu includes tomato gazpacho and littleneck clam ceviche, building to a dish of Niihau eland (antelope) on salbutes (deep-fried tortillas).
Seatings begin at 5:30 p.m. Cost is $50 for the full menu; $70 for beer or wine pairings. All the items also will be available a la carte.
For reservations go to cactusbistro.com/reservations or call 261-1000. Cactus is at 767 Kailua Road.
HALLOWEEN GIVEAWAY AT TAORMINA
Taormina Sicilian Cuisine is offering an October treat without tricks. Enter to win an exclusive dinner for two — all you have to do is drop off a business card while dining at Taormina before Oct. 30.
A winner will be chosen via a roulette wheel on Halloween. The prize: A five-course dinner comprising chef Hiroyuki Mimura’s top dishes from the past decade. Wine pairings will be handled by master sommelier Roberto Viernes, including Viernes’ signature pinot noir, “Fil,” produced by Chapter 24 Vineyards in Oregon.
Taormina is at 227 Lewers St. in Waikiki. Call 926-5050.
FARM FRESH FEST IN WAIANAE
Kahumana Organic Farm & Cafe is hosting a free Farm Festival Saturday, featuring food, music, crafts, family activities, and a seed and plant exchange.
The event, themed “Cultivating Change,” runs from 11 a.m. to sunset at Kahumana, 86-660 Lualualei Homestead Road in Waianae.
Food vendors include Juicy Brew, Plantation Tavern, Ai Pohaku — The Stone Eaters, and host Kahumana Cafe.
Bring seeds and plants to trade at an exchange that begins at 4 p.m.
Information: kahumana.org/farm-festival or call 696-2655.
Quickbites is a weekly listing of dining events. Email items to crave@staradvertiser.com.
