town - Restaurant Review

town, with a lower case “t,” was one of the first restaurants I loved when I first moved to to the island. After having the luxury of choosing between numerous organic eateries in California, I found it hard to find a place on Oahu that served local, fresh, and organic dishes prepared with simplicity. Moreover, town lives out what it states it values--the coaster for my glass of water is a cut of from one of their old menus.

In a minimalist urban space, town features silver tables, subtle gray walls, espresso stained wooden chairs, modern wood lamp fixtures, orange chair cushions and dark browh draperies.

The menu is always a little tough to navigate: the font is in an old typewriter style, and the listing on the menu is well…“organic” to put it nicely… or “un-orderly” if you’re in a rush. It’s hard to distinguish what is designated as appetizer, entrée and dessert--but that’s the philosophical point, right?

On the menu: Panino of local mushrooms, tatsoi, caramelized onion, radish, boursin ($8.50). I usually get this, not sure why. It’s a sandwich put in a panini press served with organic greens. Not a stand-out, but healthy and decent.

Today I ordered the Penne—grilled chicken, arugula pesto, tomato, ricotta salata ($12.50). The pasta is cooked al dente, just right, the pesto not too strong, with diced tomato and cheese giving it a subtle spark. The chicken is lightly floured and spiced with coriander. Again, not too over powering and complimentary to the pasta. This is one of the more interesting dishes I’ve had here.

The “hand-cut pasta” with prosciutto ragu sounds interesting ($14.50). The last entrée on the menu (yes, they keep it simple) is the Kulana Short Ribs with argugula, fontina cheese on a baguette ($10.50)

I appreciate that town supports local artists who share values. Three weeks ago the art work on the walls changed. Dave Homey’s black and white underwater photography is framed in his sister’s “Found Wood” custom frames. Recycled Glass Art is represented by Crystal Thornburg.

I love town’s motto: “Local first, organic whenever possible, with Aloha always.”

(also, there are three power outlets and free WiFi. I’m happy to be able to blog as I enjoy my lunch.)

town
3435 Waialae Avenue #103
Honolulu, HI 96816
808.735.5900

Yalumba Muscat – Dessert Wine

I’m sitting here having an eighth of a glass of South Eastern Australian dessert wine. It’s a Museum Reserve Yalumba Muscat from Angaton in the south continent. It earned a high rating of a 96 which caught my eye and convinced me to try this bottle. It is in many ways a deserving rate, however, as a dessert wine it’s too strong, heavy and reminiscent of a port for my personal taste. I enjoy the light, fruity and crisp dessert wines of the Muscato di Asti’s and various ice wines I’ve tried at the Amuse Wine Bar and Formaggio Wine Bar.

The Yalumba Muscat is full bodied, deep and rich. It’s a long wine with a nice blend of apricot and currants, resembling in my imagination as a fruity port. It’s too strong for my taste but because of it’s full bodied flavor I can imagine someone sipping this on an old leather wing back chair near a burning fireplace on an autumn day.

While I will not purchase this bottle again it was well worth the experience of sipping an grade A dessert wine. Two sips of this, however, and I’m done. Would anyone like the rest of the bottle? Just let me know.

Couture Cusine - Free Dessert Sampler at "Stage"

Calling their culinary creations "Couture Cuisine," Stage just celebrated it’s one year anniversary in May. I enjoyed my meal at Stage, and was entertained by the implementation of the new language used throughout the dining experience. Waiter/esses refer to each course as a “performance”--referencing the appetizer course as the “overture,” entrees as the "denouement" and dessert as it's "finale."

Foodie Tip:
Stage is offering a free dessert sampler plate effective immediately.

(The online coupon was not posted on the website when I checked yesterday, so I called the Stage manager. The online coupon will be available to the public starting today from the restaurant’s website.) The coupon initially had no expiration date but now will read "ends August 2008."

What's Cool About Stage
The eclectic mix of furniture pieces in the restaurant can be bought from the showrooms in the same building. I asked to sit at a particular table whose furniture pieces, overhead lamp, and table settings I liked.

The Information:
Lunch: 11:30-2:30pm; Dinner 5-8:30pm
Reservations: 808.237.5429
Second floor of the Honolulu Design Center
http://www.stagerestauranthawaii.com/