Folks like MW Restaurant chef-owners Michelle Karr-Ueoka and Wade Ueoka aren’t unfamiliar with the spotlight of food shows. But it was likely a new experience when they encountered “Worth It,” a web series by online media company BuzzFeed that has generated more than 687 million views. Now in its fourth season, the show has been known to create so much buzz that lines run outside restaurant doors.
Hosted by Steven Lim, Andrew Ilnyckyj and Adam Bianchi, the show travels the world and tries food at three price points — inexpensive, moderate and high-end — to determine which dish is most “worth it.”
MW, deemed moderately priced, and its mochi- crusted onaga are featured in a new episode centered on fish. Poke shop Ahi Assassins represented a budget-friendly meal and chef George Mavrothalassitis of Chef Mavro provides a gourmet experience with his signature onaga baked in salt crust.
The 15-minute episode chronicles the team’s explorations, which proved enlightening. “My mind is being rewired,” Lim said after a mouthful of poke.
If you’re curious how it all fell out, you’re not alone. The installment, published Sunday, had amassed 3.7 million YouTube views as of Tuesday.
— Joleen Oshiro, Star-Advertiser
GOT FOOTWEAR TO SPARE?
P.F. Chang’s Waikiki is celebrating its 10th anniversary Saturday with a “Shoes for Brews” benefit for Aloha United Way.
Bring in a new pair of shoes or slippers from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and collect a free glass of Kona Brewing Co. beer or a cup of coffee.
The donations will go to groups that support homeless children.
The event will include happy-hour specials, games and prize giveaways.
Don’t have footwear to spare? Scott Hawaii will be offering deals on slippers. Donate one and keep one for yourself.
P.F. Chang’s Waikiki is in the Royal Hawaiian Center.
ROWS AND ROWS OF WINE
Imagine a walk-in closet with booze instead of shoes and you’ll have a idea of what it’s like to roam the aisles at the new Tamura’s Fine Wine & Liquors at Waterfront Plaza in Kakaako.
The shop completes a trifecta of businesses opened by Tamura’s Enterprises in the former Restaurant Row. Tamura’s now operates the Row Bar by Tamura’s, a takeout eatery called Tamura’s Tavern and the new store, packed tight with a wide selection of wines, single-malt scotch and other liquors and mixers.
The stock is similar to Tamura’s stores in Aikahi and Aiea, company President Glenn Tamura says.
The shop opened last week, also offering poke from a counter in the back.
Tamura said he expects to draw on a downtown customer base as well as the growing Kakaako scene. He noted that despite all the new residents living in Kakaako and all the activity generated by the nearby dining and retail complex Salt at Kakaako, Waterfront Plaza shuts down during the day on weekends. Not so for his three businesses.
“If my stores are open they will bring some life to the area,” he said.
The shop is open 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays and until 8 p.m. Sundays.
— Betty Shimabukuro, Star-Advertiser
