BURGER BARGAIN AT MERRIMAN’S
Blame it on Restaurant Week: When Merriman’s Honolulu offered a $5 hamburger during lunch as part of the November promotion, the Ward Villages site sold 1,450 burgers in 10 days. Recognizing the burger’s desirability, the restaurant has added the $5 Merriman’s burger (regularly $14) to its happy-hour menu.
Reflecting Merriman’s pioneering local-first, farm-to-table approach, the burger is remarkable. Made with Big Island grass-fed beef, it’s topped with caramelized onions, vine-ripe tomato and cheddar cheese, inside a house-baked bun, and served with a side of kim chee. Get it any day of the week, from 2 to 5 p.m.
Along with the burger, Merriman’s is offering a kalua pork quesadilla, Maui onion soup and fresh Hawaiian fish ceviche for $5, along with 25 percent off all cocktails, beer and wines under $200.
The restaurant is in the Anaha complex, 1108 Auahi St.; 215-0022, merrimanshawaii.com.
— Elizabeth Kieszkowski, Star-Advertiser
DISHES LOCAL AND DELICIOUS
Friday marks the start of Localicious month, when restaurants and food venues that buy items from local producers raise funds for agricultural education programs.
Through the month of March, more than 200 venues across the state will serve a special dish made with locally sourced ingredients and serve it in honor of the Localicious program, plus pledge a donation to the program. The range of eateries is wide, from 7-Eleven and its chicken pastele stew with gandule rice, to Arancino at the Kahala, which will serve Carpaccio di Orchiette di Mare, a dish of Kona abalone, ‘Ululoa Nursery microgreens, Kahuku Farms sea asparagus and herb sauce.
Localicious is organized by the Hawai‘i Agricultural Foundation, which promotes ag education with such programs as In the Fields, an introduction for high-school students to the agriculture industry and its career options; and Veggie U, a hands-on program for fourth-graders that introduces them to sustainable agricultural practices.
Since the program launched in 2014, Localicious has raised more than $70,000 and provided more than 80 public schools and 188 classrooms with garden kits and ag-related curriculums.
For a list of participating restaurants and their Localicious dishes go to localicioushawaii.com.
— Joleen Oshiro, Star-Advertiser
