When good little restaurants turn up, you wish them the best, in patronage and eventually growth. I reviewed Da Spot shortly after Ahmad and Ako Ramadan opened in tiny quarters on Pumehana Street five years ago and assumed growth on the basis of their popularity but said, "I would hate it if they lost that laid-back vibe."

Many more people learned of them once they expanded to the Kapiolani Community College farmers market, where foodies familiarized themselves with Da Spot’s Egyptian chicken and curries. They can now satisfy their cravings with a stop into Da Spot’s newer, more spacious garage quarters across from the new Longs Drugs in Moiliili.

Depending on how busy you are — which is probably very much so, thanks to the holidays — you can opt for quick in-and-out service by choosing one of the plates, with all the day’s entrees set before you on steam tables.

You’ll find at least a couple of curries, and a whole lot of trays of roasted chicken thighs, differentiated by the spices that go on top of them, whether a Cajun pepper blend, Italian-style basil-and-Parmesan combo or a mix of cinnamon, walnuts, nutmeg and other spices that top Moroccan chicken.

A mini plate would be considered a regular size elsewhere. For a $6 chicken plate, you’ll get two pieces of chicken, two scoops of your choice of white, brown or saffron rice and a tossed green salad plus chopped red and yellow bell peppers.

I’ve seen restaurants small to large raise prices heavily in the last three to four years to cope with rising prices in everything from utilities to pantry items. But here, prices have been kept low. In fact, a plate in 2006 was $6.50, with four small scoops of rice.

If you have time to wait, servers will build pita sandwiches ranging from falafel, $7; beef, chicken or fish gyros, $8 (a lamb gyro is $10); or a Philly cheesesteak ($7) with some seriously thick slices of steak, not the usual stringy slivers. The sandwiches start with pita that appears to be twice the size of those from anywhere else.

For dessert there are lassis and smoothies, and baklava at $1.50 a slice. When I saw chocolate-covered haupia baklava ($4), I had to have it and said I’d take it to go, but our server said, "It’ll melt."

That was weird but I didn’t question it. I just said, "OK, I’ll eat it here."

It turns out the "haupia" is three scoops of light coconut sorbet. Next time I’ll just stick to the plain baklava.

Shop and eat

Malls have food courts and restaurants to ensure hunger doesn’t lead to an exit. If malls can satisfy that hunger with what you’re craving, whether a plate lunch, burger or pizza, you’ll probably be able to spend more money there.

But what if you’re the kind of Christmas shopper who wants to hold on to sanity throughout the season? I have no problem with the stores and what they have to offer, but dealing with crazy drivers is another story. Even in nonholiday traffic, I’m seeing more and more people running red lights to get where they need to go.

Conveniently, Da Spot puts you in walking distance of Siam Imports as well as the Japanese Cultural Center gift shop.

Here are a couple other places to pick up a healthful quick bite and a gift or two:

» The Hawaii State Museum gift shop specializes in local gifts that support local artists. The shop is in the first-floor lobby next to Downtown @ the HiSAM, where you can pick up a sandwich, soup or quiche plate from $9.50 to $10.20 with organic MA‘O Farms greens and your choice of two antipasti.

A little farther down the street, at 100 Bishop, is ‘Umeke Market, where you can dine on pineapple-miso salmon ($9.95) or portobello stuffed with turkey meatloaf ($8.95), as well as take home such ready-made items as a turkey hummus wrap ($6.50) or curry chicken salad ($5).

Downtown hours: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays and 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. First Fridays. Call 536-5900.

‘Umeke Market hours: Breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m., lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays to Fridays; to-go items available to 4 p.m. Check out the menu in advance at "deli" at umekemarket.com.

» The Contemporary Cafe at Spalding House (formerly the Contemporary Museum): The name has changed with the merger of the museum and the Honolulu Academy of Arts, and tomorrow marks the start of a four-day clearance sale at the Spalding House Museum Shop, which will be closed to create a new studio classroom.

Shop and then stay for lunch at the cafe, where the menu includes salads, sandwiches, panini and, best of all, flourless gateau and Otto Cake cheesecake for dessert. Call 523-3362.

———

Nadine Kam’s restaurant reviews are conducted anonymously and paid for by the Star-Advertiser. Reach her at nkam@staradvertiser.com.