Alan and Debbie Takasaki have sold their award-winning French-inspired restaurant Le Bistro to Daisuke Matsuura, a Japanese restaurateur-entrepreneur.
The deal was finalized in May; the couple declined to reveal the sale price.
The Takasakis have owned and operated the five-star restaurant in Niu Valley for 15 years and will maintain a presence for three more years. Chef Alan Takasaki is contracted to provide guidance and oversee menu choices; his wife continues on as an employee.
Le Bistro will be Matsuura’s first wholly owned Hawaii restaurant, according to Takasaki.
“He owns restaurants in Japan, plus energy companies and huge nightclubs where Lady Gaga performs,” said Takasaki. “He visits Le Bistro several times a year.”
Takasaki indicated Matsuura has expansion plans but declined to divulge details. “Essentially, he wants to retain the essence of Le Bistro, buying the name and the menu. We’re happy the name remains.”
Since 2001, Le Bistro has been a popular destination for entertainers, politicos, business types and neighborhood kamaaina. The hospitality is much like a mom-and-pop operation, with the “bistro” tag providing an upscale vibe. House faves include Australian lamb, pan-roasted sea bass and caramelized Kurobuta pork chops.
“We had no aspirations to ride the train to the end of the track,” Takasaki said. “This will give us time to say goodbye and thanks to our supporters and friends.”
So forget the au revoir and think bon appetit. …
OH, LEI: Veteran entertainer Jerry Santos recently turned 65, and to mark his birthday plus his 24th year as a Hilton Hawaiian Village staple, area vice president of Hilton resorts Jerry Gibson presented him with a framed feather lei from Martin & MacArthur and a birthday cake.
Santos is a surviving component of the renaissance of Hawaiian music, as a member of Olomana (with the late Robert Beaumont), who created enduring tunes like “Kuulei Home o Kahalu‘u,” “Like a Seabird in the Wind” and “E Kuu Sweet Lei o Poina ‘Ole.” …
AROUND TOWN: Pianist Betty Loo Taylor, who suffered a stroke recently, is making progress with high spirits despite the seriousness of her condition — paralysis on her right side and impaired speech. The recovery has been slow, so she remains in a rehab facility, according to her daughter, Karen Lindsay. Fans and friends of Lady Fingers may send get-well and other messages to Taylor c/o Lindsay at 1580 Makaloa St., Suite 111, Honolulu 96814 or email at klindsay@hawaii.rr.com. …
A celebration of life for the late Steve Jones, the beloved jazz bassist who died June 19, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Sea Life Park. Check-in will be from 1:30 p.m. Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP at 523-7677, ext. 3. …
FORMIDABLE FRIDAY: CBS’ “Hawaii Five-0” will launch its fall season at 8 p.m. Sept. 23. The procedural will pick up loose threads with series star Alex O’Loughlin (as Steve McGarrett) recuperating from a partial liver transplant donated by Scott Caan (as Danno Williams), which gives them a new kind of bond. Meanwhile, team members Grace Park (as Kono Kalakaua) and Daniel Dae Kim (as Chin Ho Kelly) face new challenges in their personal lives. Season 7 filming starts this week. …
“Five-0” will have a highly anticipated lead-in show, the reboot of “MacGyver,” debuting 7 p.m. Sept. 23. Peter Lenkov (he’s also the honcho of “Five-0”) is a producer and Lucas Till takes on the role originated by Richard Dean Anderson, with George Eads as CIA agent Jack Dalton and Justine Hires as McG’s roomie, Wilt Bozer. …
Tom Selleck’s “Blue Bloods” at 9 p.m. follows “Five-0,” making it a formidable Friday night lineup. …
And that’s “Show Biz.” …
Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist. Reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com. Read his Show and Tell Hawaii blog at staradvertiser.com
