Quick Bites: Chocolate, movies and crepes

Shop for all things chocolate at the second annual Hawaii Chocolate Festival on Feb. 25. —Courtesy photo

CHOCOLATE TASTING: Sample chocolate baked goods and healthy foods from the deli at Kale’s Natural Foods’ “Celebration of Chocolate,” 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 11.

Kale’s vegan baker Jennifer Hee will offer original baked creations, including a chocolate zucchini flax bread, chocolate mochi, beet cake and “Death by Mocha” cookies.

Chocolate food vendors will also be on hand with confections.

Call 396-6993 for more.

“INGREDIENTS HAWAII”: The world premiere of “Ingredients Hawaii — Part One” takes place Saturday at the Mamiya Theater, Saint Louis School.

There will be two screenings. At the first, the half-hour film will be preceded by a reception at 5:30 p.m. featuring locally sourced dishes prepared by Ed Kenney of Town restaurant and Mark Noguchi of Heeia Pier and Sweet Home Waimanalo. Locally inspired cocktails will also be served. Farmers and organizations featured in the film about Hawaii’s local-food movement will be there, and after the showing, a discussion will be facilitated by interns at MA’O Farms. Tickets for this special premiere and reception are $45.

Tickets for a second screening at 9 p.m. Saturday are $10, $5 for students with ID.

To purchase tickets, go to ingredientshawaii.com.

NEIGHBORHOOD NOSHING: The Hawaii chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation hosts its first Progressive Dinner from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, featuring a champagne reception and gourmet selections at Alan Wong’s Pineapple Room, Mariposa at Neiman Marcus and Romano’s Macaroni Grill, all at Ala Moana Center.

Another gourmet option: Pre-order a Madre Chocolate five-bar sampler for your Valentine ($31) and pick it up beautifully wrapped to take home that evening.

Tickets are $150 ($90 is tax-deductible) and seating is limited. Contact HawaiiEvents@jdrf.org or call 988-1000 for more information.

ALOHA CREPES IN KAIMUKI: Aloha Crepes is holding a grand opening from noon to 3 p.m. Feb. 18 in Kaimuki.

Its namesake Aloha Crepe is a simple crepe with a special aloha sauce made of strawberries drizzled with chocolate syrup. The “Aloha Nut” crepe includes Nutella, macadamia nuts and whipped cream, while the “Baracccoli Obama Alfredo” crepe is made with broccoli, asparagus, mushrooms and alfredo sauce.

Aloha Crepes already has one restaurant at Waimalu Shopping Center in Aiea. The new restaurant in Kaimuki (3620 Waialae Ave.) is across the street from Coffee Talk and serves breakfast, dessert and savory crepes.

On the Web: www.alohacrepes.com

HAWAII CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL: The second annual Hawaii Chocolate Festival is set for noon to 5 p.m. at Dole Cannery Shops on Feb. 25.

Browse, learn about and shop for all things chocolate. The admission ticket ($20 in advance online, $25 at the door) gives you a passport to 10 chocolate samplings from some of the state’s top chocolatiers.

Expect to see Melanie Boudar of Sweet Paradise Chocolates, Philippe Padovani of Padovani Chocolates, Waialua Estate, Hawaiian Fudge Sauce, Malie Kai, Licious Dishes, Not Just Desserts and others.

Try chocolate popsicles from Ono Pops, 360 Chocolate Vodka and Kona Brewing Co.’s new chocolate beer.

Chef Ronnie Nasuti will feature tempting delights that blend both local and imported chocolates into an elaborate, layered parfait.

Visit www.HawaiiChocolateFestival.com to get tickets online.

—Star-Advertiser staff