Category: Updates

Today’s food observation will make locals giggle.

It still baffles me that even the Food Network’s Iron Chefs continue to mispronounce the favored Japanese bread crumbs.

It’s Panko, pronounced “pahn-ko,” not “PAN-koe,” as many cooks still are not onto it.

With Japanese cuisine no longer a regional thing, it’s surprising that many who use Panko still mispronounce it.

Panko is part of the universal dialogue these days, alongside bento, dashi, musubi, uni and furikake. Sushi became part of the vocab years ago, like its favored hot sister, wasabi.

So why is Panko still not rightfully recognized?

Two other maligned non-food Japanese terms will not likely gain proper respect anytime soon: karaoke and hara-kiri.

For the record, it’s ka-ra-o-ke and ha-ra-ki-ri, not karryokey and harrykerry.

Got that, for those still not in the know?

Scratch Kitchen in Hawaii Kai, occupying the prime location vacated by Outback Steakhouse earlier this year, finally has its liquor license so is fully open for brunch and dinner.

Had a brunch visit earlier, when the menu was scanty. Now, the restaurant is fully open, awaiting patrons.

If you’re seeking breakfast fare, this isn’t your best destination. The brunch offering includes:

THE CLASSIC: three island eggs cooked any style, bacon, salad or crispy smashed potatoes. $16

MILK N’ CEREAL PANCAKES: Topped with fresh fruit and a side of our house milk syrup. $15

BRULEE’D FRENCH TOAST: Punaluu sweet bread, fruits, shredded coconut, maple syrup ala mode $15

Two of the brunch/breakfast items become part of the dinner dessert choices:

BRULEE’D FRENCH TOAST: Punaluu sweet bread, fruits, shredded coconut, maple syrup. $10.

MILK N’ CEREAL PANCAKES: banana, berries, milk syrup. $12

Call it repurposing or down pricing the morning fare; rather peculiar.

So we finally tried dinner. I order what sounded appealing; my wife ordered the fried chicken biscuit:

GRANDMAS FRIED PORK CHOP PASTA: 10 oz bone-in fried pork chop, pappardelle, garlic lemon sauce, capers, parmesan cheese, sautéed broccoli, cherry tomatoes. $26.

COUNTRY GRAVY FRIED CHICKEN BISCUIT: Famous fried chicken, country gravy, house made scallion biscuit, fried kale. $22

The fried chop, top photo above, with the pork sliced but bone retained, came with a pasta with sauteed broccoli and cherry tomatoes. Plating was attractive, with the floured chop crispy brown providing visual variety atop the pasta, and the veggies. The chop was seasoned properly; the pasta lacked seasoning and could have used a bit more salt and pepper.

The chicken on the open-faced biscuit,. second photo above, was overwhelming, bathed in gravy and served with eye-catching fried kale which was crispy; I’m not a kale fan, but my wife is, and fried to me tastes better than raw. The presentation of the chicken atop the biscuit, with lots of gravy, seemed more plentiful than attractive, and wifey ate half and took home only the chicken.

The overall menu is ample and merits a revisit, with ribs and burgers among the choices.

Scratch Kitchen here takes reservations, but on a Saturday night, half the booths and tables had ample space for walk-ins.

My wife had a glass of red wine, with her meal, which was fine; I tried the plantation iced tea, which lacked fruitiness, like tea with a small dollop of lilikoi, back lacking sweetness; a bit of sugar and a sliver of lime or lemon might have provided the plantation jolt.

Prices are competitive with other eateries in East Oahu, like Beastside Bistro at Niu Valley Shopping Center, or Liko’s at the Hawaii Kai Shopping Center. These relatively recent spots, however, boast more island-centric menus that are drawing brisk business on weeknights and weekends.

There’s lots to explore; the restaurant still features a bar with TV monitors, but there’s new booth seating at the bar; a lot more airiness, too, in the interior main dining area. Outside seating has been removed, for now; clearly, Scratch does not need more tables; it needs more diners.

Reservations: https://www.scratch-hawaii.com/ or (808)589-1669.

If you’re wondering why Hawaii superstar Bruno Mars, pictured below, performed one of his chart-toppers, “Treasure,” at the Fairmont Orchid’s launch of the new SelvaRey Rum Bar, the answer is simple: He was toasting a rum he owns.

‘Twas was a private, invitational event, and Mars likely waived his singing fees since he is  co-owner of SelvaRey Rum, a prestige brand whose aged, single estate White, Chocolate, Coconut and Owner’s Reserve Rums are distilled in Panama.

Waimea folks must’ve heard about a luminary local lad was in their vicinity, and for the occasion, rum’s the word. I mean, how many singers own a rum distillery, and can sing about his boozy treasure? …

Michael Paulo still serving jazz

The sax man cometh again.

Michael Paulo, pictured right, a “name” in the jazz circle here and abroad, will stage yet another “Smooth Jazz  Paradise” Concert, at 7:30 p.m. Sunday (May 28) at the Hibiscus Ballroom of the Ala Moana Hotel by Mantra.

Paulo has assembled an all-star band featuring Marion Meadows, a prestigious contemporary jazz saxophonist, who will be joined by Randy Aloya on bass, Michael Grande on keyboards, Garin Poliahu on drums, and Zanuck Lindsey on guitar. Al Waterson will emcee.

A VIP Experience, at 6:30 p.m., includes a meet-and-greet with the artists at a cocktail reception, with coveted premium front-row seating at $250 per person.

Other tickets: $65 presale, for reserved table seating ($70 at the door) and $60 pre-sale for general admission ($65 at the door), available at TIX.com or (951) 696-0184. …

Remembering Tina Turner

Tina Turner, the hypnotic, gyrating, authentic Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll, peacefully died today (May 24) at age 83 at her home in Küsnacht near Zurich, Switzerland. She had a long illness, and Switzerland was her kingdom of peace.

From her early farmland roots, Turner, pictured left, rose to dizzying heights of splendor, as a genuine star of her rock and blues roots, surviving an abusive relationship with her husband  guitar-strumming Ike Turner, whom she divorced.

She was the unchallenged deity of rock, with numerous hit songs recently. explored in a Broadway musical about her conflicted life, and surely a model of a survivor.

Turner was known for her brassy, often gravelly voice in delivery, and her varying style of dress ranging from blue jean jackets to glitzy, shimmering gowns with fringes that danced while body language punctuated her frenetic dances.

Her hit songs were very much a reflection of the soundtrack of life for several decades, from the 1980s to the 2020s, via such classics as “River Deep, Mountain High,” “Simply the Best,” “Private Dancer,”  “Proud Mary,” and “What’s Love Got to Do With It.”

Rock legends reflected on her passing.

Brian Wilson, of the Beach Boys, said on Twitter: “I’m so sorry to hear about Tina Turner. I loved Tina and her voice and energy – she was one of the greats. ‘River Deep, Mountain High’ will always be one of my favorite songs. And nothing beats her version of ‘Proud Mary.’”

Bryan Adams, a Canadian artist  who joined Turner on the 1985 single “It’s Only Love,” said “the world just lost one hell of a powerhouse of a woman.”

Mick Jagger, leader of the Rolling Stones, grieved her  passing and called Turner “enormously talented.” “She was inspiring, warm, funny and generous,” Jagger said in a Twitter post. “She helped me so much when I was young, and I will never forget her.”

Diana Ross’ tweet: “Shocked. Saddened. Sending condolences to Tina Turner’s family and loved ones.”

Singer Ciara said on Twitter: “Heaven has gained an angel. Rest in Paradise Tina Turner. Thank you for the inspiration you gave us all.”

In Hawaii, there was a mammoth concert, staged inside Diamond Head Crater, supposedly for a hush-hush Pepsi-Cola convention audience, starring Tina Turner.  Busloads headed to the crater, in the dark of night, then returned for the après-show journey. Believe this was one of the last-ever performance event inside our iconic Hawaii landmark, and the fact that the queen of rock ruled in such a prestigious moment – if you’re Tina, you get state approval to do the gig, where others fail – should be added to her lists of triumphs. …

And that’s Show Biz. …