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Quick Bites: Li’l Soul opens, Rice Fest and more
Li’l Soul downtown: Chef Sean Priester opened the doors to Li’l Soul in the Remington College building downtown in the first week of September.
The sit-down eatery offers a lunch menu including some recognized favorites such as Garlic Shrimp & Cheesy Grits ($15), Chef Sean’s Buttermilk Fried Chicken & Chili ($8-$10), and Chicken, Sweet Potato and Portuguese Sausage Gumbo ($10-$12).
Chicken & Waffles pairs buttermilk fried chicken with a malted waffle for $8 ($10 with two pieces of chicken). A Fresh Blue Crab Cake, Papaya & Avocado Salad is $15.
Other items include the Jambalaya, Catfish Po’Boy (lightly battered catfish on a hoagie with chunky tartar sauce) and Mac N Feta (Soul’s version with a blend of cheddar, feta and touch of cornbread).
Priester ran the Pacific Soul restaurant in Kaimuki for about two years before closing it during the summer to open in this new location.
Soul food-truck fans need not worry — Soul Patrol is still in full operation at several farmers markets and at Eat the Street. Look for varying specials every day.
Li’l Soul is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at 1111 Bishop St. Call 735-7685 to place orders.
Rice Fest: It’s National Rice Month, and that means it’s also time for the third annual Rice Fest, to be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at Ward Centers.
Besides numerous dishes celebrating the world’s most popular staple, you can catch chef demonstrations, food booths serving rice dishes, and an attempt to surpass last year’s Guinness record for the world’s largest Spam musubi. Last year’s version used 320 cups of rice, 26 cans of Spam and more than 120 sheets of nori, weighing 286 pounds.
Or you might join one of two contests — Da Spam Musubi Eating Contest and “Riceipe” Cooking Contest.
Rice donations for Lanakila Pacific’s Meals on Wheels program will be accepted at the fest. Admission is free; ricefest.com.
BYOB Dinner: Braised “Hawaii Low Line Ranch” Beef is a highlight on the menu of Vino’s next Ultimate BYOB Dinner, Oct. 6.
Vino Chef Keith Endo created a menu designed for a variety of wines this time.
The first course is rock shrimp and lump crab cake with lobster-uni sauce, ideal for a Chardonnay.
Next is homemade Cavatelli with shredded Mary’s chicken and Hamakua alii mushrooms, ideally paired with a lighter red wine like an Italian Sangiovese or a medium-bodied Zinfandel.
Last, the braised beef with roasted red vegetables, cauliflower puree and roasted potatoes is ideal for big reds, maybe an Argentinean Malbec or rustic red wine from the south of France.
Dinner is served at 6 p.m. Cost is $46 per person. Call 533-4476 or email Sara at svilliers@dkrestaurants.com to reserve.
NFL Happy Hour: Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks at Ala Moana Center will offer extended happy hour specials during NFL season.
Besides handcrafted beers and tropical drinks, Islands is offering appetizers like Beachside Sliders and Islands Fries for under $5.
On Sundays, catch the game in high definition while sipping all-day specials in the bar, including Bloody Marys ($3.95), Islands beers ($3.95) and Coors Light ($2.95), and snacking on Wings ($7.05). Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks is at Ala Moana Center’s Ho’okipa Terrace; 943-6670.
–Compiled by Nina Wu. Email “quickbites” news to nwu@staradvertiser.com.
