>> Freebie: Il Lupino Trattoria & Wine Bar is offering a free ricotta shortstack with marscapone whipped cream with any breakfast entree purchase, 8 to 11 a.m. daily. Kamaaina also can receive a free cup of regular Illy coffee with the purchase of any entree. The special is good through Dec. 15. The restaurant is located at 2233 Kalakaua Ave. in Waikiki. Call 922-3400.
>> Sunday Supper at 12th Ave Grill: Sunday’s $29 special meal consists of Shinsato Farm’s fennel sausage manicotti, antipasto salad, sauteed broccoli rabe and tiramisu with espresso anglaise. Regular menu is also available. To reserve, call 732-9469 or go to 12thavegrill.com.
>> Dinner with master sommelier DLynn Proctor: Enjoy an evening of good food and wine, 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, at Azure. Proctor, one of the four sommeliers featured in the 2012 movie “Somm” and winemaking ambassador for Penfolds, will pair dishes by chefs Shaymus Alwin and Colin Hazama with vino from his company. On the menu will be apple pear gazpacho with dungeness crab, heart of palm panna cotta and escargot caviar relish (Penfolds Bin 51 riesling); Hokkaido scallops and duck prosciutto with kale, roasted baby beets and basil caviar dressing (Penfolds Bin 311 chardonnay); kiawe-smoked Hawaiian sea bass with maitaki mushroom, sea asparagus, puffed rice, truffle dashi and braised daikon (Penfolds Bin 128 shiraz); slowcooked striploin of wagyu beef, marrow dauphine, sunchoke fondue and persimmon mostarda (Penfolds Bin 407); and warm persimmon pudding, eggnog cream, rum butter candied pecans with créme fraiche gelato (Penfolds tawny port). Cost is $150 plus tax and gratuity. Azure is located in the Royal Hawaiian hotel, 2259 Kalakaua Ave. Reserve at 921- 4600.
>> If you love truffles … or maybe soup: Chef Mavro procured a limited amount of white truffles from Alba, Italy, and last month began serving hand-rolled Russet potato gnocchi with truffle sauce, which also comes with tableside service of white truffles shaved over the dish. It’s something decadent to enjoy this holiday season. Alba is known for its white truffles, peaches and wine, and the truffle season ends next month. Or, maybe a “Taste of Provence” is more your style. The chef returned from France earlier this month and brought home a few dishes inspired by his time in Marseilles. One is the Fisherman’s Soupe de Roches, which features onaga, and is paired with Domaines Ott Chateau Romassan Bandol Rose. Lastly, Mavro’s prodigy Jonathan Mizukami has created a Keahole lobster dish that comes with pumpkin agnolotti, white bean and tomato relish in a crustacean bisque. Chef Mavro is located at 1969 S. King St. Reserve at 944-4714.
>> New tea at Veranda: Halekulani’s Veranda Afternoon Tea has added several matcha (green tea) drinks to its menu. Guests can choose the Matcha Straight, Matcha Einspanner (matcha with whipped cream), Matcha Cappucino or Vanilla Ice Cream Float (iced matcha cappucino with vanilla ice cream). Tea service is $36 per person with matcha specialties an additional $8- $12. Halekulani is located at 2199 Kalia Road. Reserve at 923-2311.
>> Holiday dishes at IHOP: The chain is offering the following dishes through Jan. 3: Banana Bread French Toast, Pumpkin Spice Waffle, Chicken and Pumpkin Spice Waffle, Pumpkin Waffle Sundae, Roasted Turkey and Fixings, Caramel Bon Bon Pancakes, Pumpkin Coffee and Toasted Marshmallow Hot Chocolate.
>> Celebrate New Orleans at Hard Rock: Hard Rock Cafe is featuring a burger-and-beer pairing to honor New Orleans and “its vibrant food and drink scene and historic atmosphere.” The Modelo Especial Bacon Cheeseburger features Certified Angus beef drizzled with Modelo Especial-infused beer cheese and topped with applewood-smoked bacon, grilled poblanos, garlic aioli, lettuce and tomato on a brioche bun. The limited-time burger will be paired with the number two imported beer in the United States produced by Constellation Brands — Modelo Especial. The pairing will be offered through Jan. 3. Hard Rock Cafe is located at 280 Beach Walk in Waikiki. Call 955-7383 or go to hardrock.com/cafes/honolulu/.
Limited libations
>> Kona Brewing Co. is offering the Makani limited-edition wheat ale, which incorporates the first harvest of honey from the koa tree blossoms at the Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative on Hawaii island. The beer is only offered on tap. A portion of the proceeds will benefit local nonprofit organizations. Kona Brewing Co. is located in the Koko Marina Center, 7192 Kalanianaole Highway. Call 396-5662.
>> Gordon Biersch Brewing Co.’s WinterBock is now available in stores. The German beer, popular in San Francisco since the opening of its first restaurant in 1988, will be available in stores through January.
>> Also from Gordon Biersch, Wildcide Hard Cider, which is made from four types of apples: Fuji, Granny Smith, Red Delicious and Golden Delicious. The company said it pairs well with a variety of food from “hearty grilled cheese sandwiches to pork belly, brisket, burgers and more.” Find it at stores such as Don Quijote, Tamura’s and others.
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Send restaurant news, including holiday-related items, openings and closings, new chefs, mixologists and menu changes at least two-weeks in advance to mramos@staradvertiser.com.
