Table Talk

Fine But Casual Dining At The Chart House

Jo McGarry — 2009-07-15T10:00:01-10:00

Not to get all pop-psychologist on you, but the best restaurants are really an expression of the way their owners see the world.

Cooking A Luau For The President

Jo McGarry — 2009-07-08T10:00:01-10:00

There’s a memo taped to the in-box on Alan Wong’s desk that reads “Please call the deputy social secretary at the White House. He needs to speak with you directly about a private matter regarding the First Family.”

The Four Seasons’ Rich Taste Of Chocolate

Jo McGarry — 2009-07-01T10:00:00-10:00

I was at Taste of Chocolate on Maui last weekend (yes, I know, horrible-job-but-someone-hasto-do-it), and I had the opportunity to taste outrageous chocolate creations, and to check out some of Maui’s best restaurants.

Chronic Grumblers And A Side Street Wedding

Jo McGarry — 2009-06-24T10:00:00-10:00

I am convinced that some people enjoy complaining more than they enjoy being happy.

A Fabulous Table Of Tastes At Halekulani

Jo McGarry — 2009-06-17T10:00:00-10:00

There’s a new dining concept over at Halekulani that should have foodies in town drooling into their glasses of Veuve Clicquot as Chef Vikram Garg unveils Table One By Vikram Garg sometime later this month.

Growing Award-winning Coffee In Cloud Rest

Jo McGarry — 2009-06-03T10:00:01-10:00

When Alan Wong first tasted Bull and Jaime Kailiawa’s coffee, he knew it was something special. The problem was, it wasn’t for sale.

Fabulous Smoked Pork And Wings

Jo McGarry — 2009-05-27T10:00:00-10:00

I stopped by Kanpai last week on the way to see Mamma Mia!, and then had to force myself to leave the fabulous pupu to go to the show. Here’s one restaurant that isn’t suffering recession woes.

Discovering Nordstrom’s ‘Food-first’ Concept

Jo McGarry — 2009-05-20T10:00:00-10:00

Readers of this column are full of suggestions for me. Happily, they usually involve nothing more drastic than checking out restaurants. “Why haven’t you ever written about Nordstrom Marketplace Café?” Barbara MacDonald e-mailed a couple of weeks ago.

Improved Ambience Makes Sergio’s A Must

Jo McGarry — 2009-05-13T10:00:00-10:00

This job is part eating, part writing, part photography and part diplomacy. I’ve always felt that a combination of all four is a fairly balanced way to convey a message about food. Sometimes the diplomacy part outweighs the eating, especially when I see in a restaurant potential that isn’t quite being realized.

Rock ‘n’ Barolo At Longhi’s

Jo McGarry — 2009-05-06T10:00:00-10:00

I don’t stay out late much these days. With a 4-year-old, a 6-year-old and deadlines that never end, sleep is a more precious commodity to me than I would ever have imagined.