The Counter has added a vegetarian burger to its line of beefy sandwiches.
The Impossible Burger is billed as “a plant-based meat patty that sizzles, drizzles and tastes just like ground beef,” made without hormones, antibiotics, cholesterol or artificial flavors.
Key ingredients are protein from wheat and potatoes, fat from coconuts and a flavor component called heme. Impossible Foods, which makes the burgers, says iron-rich heme, found in all plants and animals, provides a meaty flavor without adding cholesterol.
The burger has been tested at restaurants in California and expanded nationwide last week. It joined the menu at the Kahala Mall outlet Oct. 25.
The meatless patty may be ordered with the build-your-own components offered for The Counter’s regular burgers or as a salad. Call 739-5100. For more on the burger, go to impossiblefoods.com.
Hula Hulas opens at Grand Naniloa
Hilo has a new restaurant, Hula Hulas, the first of five such restaurants planned for the state.
The open-air restaurant at the Grand Naniloa Hotel debuted last week, offering a sweeping view of Hilo Bay.
It is owned by San Diego-based Grand Restaurant Group. Regional chef Amy DiBiase’s menu features her signature Cast Iron Chicken, a half-chicken marinated in lemongrass and rosemary, with roasted potatoes, tomatoes and long beans ($31).
Menus will change often to incorporate seasonal local ingredients. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options will be available.
The bar menu includes craft beers and seasonal cocktails, many using syrups made in-house. The house cocktail is the Hilo Mai Tai ($10).
Hula Hulas is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with live music nightly in the lounge. Call (808) 932-4545 or visit hulahulashilo.com.
Taste Korea at benefit
The fourth annual Taste of Korea returns to the Japanese Cultural Center on Thursday.
The fundraiser, hosted by the Hawaii Korean Cultural Center, features food from Sorabol, MW, The Pig & the Lady, O’Kim’s Contemporary Korean Kitchen, Ohana Bento and Sushi, Haili’s Hawaiian Foods, Auntie Pasto’s, Q’s Produce, Kohyang Dduk Jip and Koha Foods.
Magician Kim Chung, who hails from Korea, will perform in “The Best of Magic Show!” and attendees will have a chance to win a trip to South Korea.
Admission is $50, with proceeds going toward the building of an Oahu Korean Cultural Center. Additional contributions will be accepted. Tickets are available at Orient Travel, 745 Keeaumoku St.; Ohana Bento and Sushi, 1154 Fort Street Mall; and Beauty Touch in Don Quijote, 801 Kaheka St. Or, call 349-2642 or 535-8460.
Last-minute planners will be able to purchase tickets at the door. Drinks from the bar will be an additional cost.
The eating runs from 6 to 9 p.m. The cultural center is at 2454 S. Beretania St., fifth floor.
