Robert Bach loves to entertain, so when he invites friends out to dinner he doesn’t skimp, ordering the finest steaks and seafood, only to find people gravitating to humble french fries.

Well, if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. Bach’s observations often lead to popular new dishes at his Giovanni Pastrami restaurant, where diners’ love of fries and the restaurant’s pastrami patty melt sandwich have led to the creation of Giovanni’s pastrami french fries ($12) topped with chopped pastrami, garlic and an oozy cheddar cheese sauce.

If you’re on a budget, the best time to stop by is during happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, and 10 p.m. to midnight Sundays to Thursdays, when the entire food and bar menu is 20 percent off.

Nibblers, take note: If you can’t polish off an entire Reuben yourself, Bach offers an elegant solution in the form of four Giovanni’s sliders ($16) featuring pastrami, sauerkraut, Russian dressing and Swiss cheese on rye. It’s shareable with no dissecting, ergo no mess.

Giovanni Pastrami is on Waikiki Beach Walk, at 227 Lewers St. Open 7 a.m. to midnight daily. Call 923-2100.