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It’s the Moana Surfrider’s 117th birthday, and to commemorate it, the hotel is hosting two dining events Saturday:
>> Timeless Afternoon Tea Party: An oceanfront experience on the Veranda includes a pot of tea with sandwiches, pastries and, for those 21 and older, a glass of sparkling rose. Vegan and gluten-free options are available.
Pianist Ginny Tiu will provide music, and each guest will leave with a sandalwood fan.
Seatings are at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Cost: $75, $40 children ages 3 to 12. Book reservations at honoluluboxoffice.com.
>> Birthday Celebration Concert with Raiatea Helm and Friends: Helm performs from 7 to 9 p.m. in the hotel’s Banyan Courtyard; for those who choose to dine while listening, a concert dinner will be served at the Veranda, with a four-course menu by Beachhouse Restaurant chef David Lukela.
Cost is $155. Concert-only tickets are $35 and $50. For tickets go to Honolulu Box Office, or call 923-2811.
CAFE LAUFER’S DELICACIES ARE BACK
The sudden closure of Cafe Laufer, a favorite European bakery and restaurant in Kaimuki, turned out to be short-lived.
The cafe closed Jan. 31 after 22 years at 3565 Waialae Ave., but reopened Tuesday with a new lease and a new name.
Chef Melvin Avecilla is calling it Kaimuki Cafe, with the same menu, but lower prices.
“I want to make it an affordable place so everyone can come,” Avecilla said.
The neighborhood spot drew faithful customers who loved the German specialties, gourmet sandwiches, fancy layer cakes and fruit tarts, and felt at home there. When news of the closing spread in mid-January, loyal customers whom Avecilla described as “more than friends” were at a loss.
He had been negotiating a lease for a year so that he could take over from chef Cyrus Goo, who co-founded the cafe with Marlie von Laufer in December 1995. Avecilla had been an integral part of the cafe for 17 years, but was unable to agree to terms with his landlord, Waialae Plaza, because “they said I didn’t have enough assets. I don’t (know) what made them change their minds.”
The two parties have since come to an agreement that satisfies Avecilla and covers some needed repairs, he said. He had other job offers, but “ultimately my decision to stay was for the customers and workers.”
Waialae Plaza is headed by Darryl P. Wong, whose late father James W.Y. Wong established Paradise Park, among other developments. He could not be reached for comment.
— Pat Gee, Star-Advertiser
ORCHIDS HOSTS WINE DINNER
The wines of Kistler Vineyards and Occidental Wines will be featured at a dinner March 15 at Orchids at the Halekulani. Geoff Labitzke, representing Kistler and a master of wine, will present two chardonnays and three pinot noirs from the Sonoma County, Calif., winemakers.
Chef Christian Testa’s Mediterranean- inspired four-course menu for the 6 p.m. dinner centers on an entree of Vitello all Uccelletto — strips of veal, kalamata olives, pine nuts and zucchini — paired with two 2015 pinot noirs, “Cuvee Catherine” and “Cuvee Elizabeth.”
Cost is $143. Call 923-2311, ext. 35.
GREAT FOOD FOR A GOOD CAUSE
The annual Calabash & Cooks fundraiser supports two worthwhile causes in one fell swoop, in a most delicious way. It directly benefits Malama Learning Center, a West Oahu organization that promotes sustainable living through art, science, conservation and culture. It also helps high-school culinary students cultivate their skills — they’re the ones cooking for the event, set for 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday at Kapolei High School.
A few restaurants are offering up dishes as well, including Peter Merriman’s Monkeypod Cafe and Moku Kitchen, Aloha Poke Shop and Ka‘aha‘aina Cafe. They join students from Campbell, Kapolei, Mililani, Moanalua, Radford, Waianae and Waipahu high schools.
Tickets: $40 advance, $75 VIP, $25 students and $20 children. Call 305-8287 or email info@malamalearningcenter.org. Tickets will be $50 at the door. Kapolei High is at 91-5007 Kapolei Parkway. For information about the event, visit malamalearningcenter.org.
PICK UP IDEAS FOR HEALTHY MEALS
Also at Kapolei High School, a workshop March 17 focuses on healthy meals and snacks.
The Ono Loa Cooking 101 Workshop, 9 a.m. to noon, will be led by Cynthia Pratt, a retired culinary instructor and editor of “Ono Loa Cookbook: Favorite Recipes of Hawaii’s High School Culinary Arts Programs.”
Learn to perpare peppery cheese and herb popcorn, sweet potato hummus, roasted brussel sprouts with grapes, spaghetti squash with peanut sauce, Greek lemon soup, spinach- ricotta dumplings, broccoli and avocado soup, caprese salad, eggplant gnocchi with tofu- Alfredo sauce and chicken tikka masala.
Cost is $20 per person or $50 for families of up to three, plus a $15 ingredient fee. Cost includes a packet of recipes.
Class size is limited to 18. Call 483-0678 or email sayo@malamalearningcenter.org. Directions to the teaching classroom will be provided upon registration.
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