Today is the last day of operation for Cafe Laufer, a favorite European bakery and cafe in Kaimuki for 22 years.

Lease issues were cited as the reason for the closure, which was announced just last week.

Lines had formed at the front and back doors before 10 a.m. Tuesday as customers tried to get their last taste of a gourmet pastrami sandwich, fruit-filled torte or bratwurst special.

Mary Marko said she’d been coming to the cafe twice a week for 10 years.

“It’s like a second home,” she said.

Several others in line said they don’t know any other place that offers the same friendly ambience.

“I’m lost,” Marko said.

Owner and pastry chef Cyrus Goo could not be reached for comment about the closing of the shop at 3565 Waialae Ave. He and Marlie von Laufer, a German native, opened the cafe in December 1995.

Goo had intended to turn over the business, which employs eight, to Melvin Avecilla, a chef there for 17 years. But a letter posted at the counter simply reads, “Agreement between all parties did not work out.”

DO GOOD WHILE DINING OUT AT RUMFIRE

If you’d like to contribute to good causes on Kauai, reserve Table 53 for dinner at the RumFire Poipu Beach.

Table 53 is a private booth with a panoramic view of the ocean and the posh gardens of the Sheraton Kauai Resort. Dine there and the restaurant will donate the net proceeds of what you spend to a charity of the month.

Hence the motto, “The more you dine, the more we donate.”

January’s recipient was the Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital Charitable Foundation. February’s will be Friends of the Chidlren’s Justice Center of Kauai.

The Kauai restaurant, sister to RumFire Waikiki, has raised more than $200,000 through its Table 53 program since it was launched in 2012. In 2017 the table generated a little over $3,100 monthly for nonprofits that feed the hungry, support keiki and maintain cultural programs.

Inspired by the success of the Table 53 program, the resort donated all proceeds from a designated poolside bungalow and beach cabana, raising $20,000 in 2017 for the Children’s Miracle Network. This year the annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk will benefit.

Call 742-4786 for reservations.

DINNER TO FEATURE MELVILLE WINES

Winemaker Chad Melville of Melville Winery in Santa Barbara will host a dinner at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Sansei Waikiki.

Chef Adrian Solorzano’s five-course menu is paired with Melville’s chardonnays, syrahs and pinot noirs. The entree is a hickory- smoked duck breast with foie gras, served with the 2014 Melville Pinot Noir “M Block.”

Cost is $89. Call 931-6286 or visit waikikisansei.eventbrite.com.

Quickbites is a weekly listing of dining events. Email items to crave@staradvertiser.com.