Table Talk

Celebrating 20 Years With Roy’s

Jo McGarry — 2008-10-01T10:00:00-10:00

I bumped into Roy Yamaguchi the other morning. I was running up the stairs of the newly renovated Hawaii Kai restaurant and he was headed across the hallway into his office. Besides serving as a reminder that it’s probably time I stopped running everywhere, I thought it would be a great opportunity to ask how plans are coming along for the biggest culinary event to hit the Islands.

Gathering Food Memories

Jo McGarry — 2008-09-24T10:00:00-10:00

I bought some fresh raspberries the other day, and after the first bite of a plump, surprisingly sweet berry, I was immediately transported back to Scotland and the raspberries I picked with my friends when we were children.

A downtown MA’O Fundraiser

Jo McGarry — 2008-09-17T10:00:01-10:00

I was chatting with Ed Kenney the other Saturday morning by phone as he shopped at the Farmers’ Market at KCC. Ed and his restaurant partner Dave Caldiero spend most Saturdays at the market buying local produce for their restaurants town and downtown @ the HiSAM (at the Hawaii State Art Museum).

Cutting Portions And Prices

Jo McGarry — 2008-09-10T10:00:00-10:00

Is it just me, or are portion sizes getting into the realms of fantasy? At the state’s most-popular convenience store, the smallest fountain soda is now 20 ounces, while at the other end of the plastic cup scale, consumers are urged to purchase drinks in 64-ounce containers (BEST BUY!!).

Moo-ve Over, Mainland Milk

Midweek Staff — 2008-09-03T10:00:01-10:00

I’ve written about the closure of so many restaurants in recent years, and about the tribulations of our local farmers and their attempts to battle Mainland pricing, increasing costs and a general apathy by supermarkets to stock their produce, that it is with a sense of near joy that I sit down this week to introduce Monique Vander Stroom.

Buying Fresh From The Farmers

Jo McGarry — 2008-08-27T10:00:01-10:00

It was my birthday last Saturday, so I prerecorded my radio show and took the morning off to visit the farmers’ market at KCC.

Cooking Up A 4H Project

Jo McGarry — 2008-08-20T10:00:00-10:00

At the annual State Farm Fair, one of the main attractions is the 4H livestock exhibit. Each year children from the program, which fosters an understanding of the disciplines involved in farming and animal husbandry, lead their animals to the fair and to the end of their

Michel’s: Where Food Becomes Art

Don Chapman — 2008-08-13T10:00:03-10:00

There comes a point where food is more than just nutrition. Thankfully, for most of us in Hawaii and in America we’re fortunate that food is abundant, so that point comes fairly early and we have the luxury of thinking as much about taste and texture, color and presentation, as we do about food as essential human fuel.

Raising The Bar On Service

Jo McGarry — 2008-08-06T10:00:00-10:00

I wrote last week about terrible service and the effect it can have an on evening out, and was swamped with e-mails from readers. I’ve never been in any doubt that what we all want from restaurants is an element of respect

An Excruciating Restaurant

Jo McGarry — 2008-07-30T10:00:00-10:00

Excruciating is not a word I normally use when referring to an evening spent dining out. I’m more prone to the use of words like “fabulous,” “memorable” or “unforgettable.” I even use the odd directive or two, such as “you must go” or “don’t miss it.” But try as I might, I can’t find a better word to describe last night’s dinner than “excruciating.”