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February 4, 2009
Wednesday
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•Prix Fixe:
$75 per person
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•with Wine Pairings:
$105 per person
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For reservations, call
(808) 949-2526
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This is a dinner held every two months at the King Street Restaurant. The main goal is to bring the farmers into the restaurant to be available to meet our guests and talk about their products. A by-product is that our staff learn from them through questions and sessions whereby they become more aware of who grows it, how it grows, why it is a certain way, and the philosophy behind the farmer. What I do know is that besides the product they grow, there is a spirit, an attitude, and a way of thinking behind all of it. You will hear about passion, about loving what you do, from them; all of the good ones have that. What makes them unique is this personal story of theirs. Our staff can now better tell you, the customer, their story.
When I visit the farms in person, I get to walk among the goats. I get to roam between tomato vines and pick and eat at will. I get to talk with the growers and discuss the product. I get to see the “terroir”---which to me means “taste the land”---and feel the soil, the moisture, the climate, the environment, in which it grows. That is the best. The second best, is to have the actual farmer come to your table and 'talk story' a little with you about what you are about to eat. On an everyday basis, our staff needs to get trained and educated by these farmers and us, so that we can do justice to the fruits of their labor, the hard work, the passion that goes into doing what they do on an everyday basis.
One of our goals is to give our guests a slice of Hawaii. While that has many meanings, one slice is to serve locally grown produce and products. Another goal is that you take a short tour of Hawaii when you read the menu. I don’t like overly written menus, however, our guests want to know where their food comes from, who grows it, how it's grown. Our servers are trained to tell the story if asked, and be able to identify and explain every ingredient on your plate.
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 Supporting local agriculture and farmers can be as simple as becoming more aware of what products are available and what they taste like. When you taste side-by-side, a local product vs. a mainland product, you determine which one you like better.
When you go to the supermarket (and it may be the case that the local product is more expensive than the mainland product), you say to yourself, "This local one is more expensive, but I'm gonna buy this one because I know it tastes better than the other one." It's fresher and didn't travel miles to get here weeks before it is served. I become more aware and educated to make my own personal choice.
We can also help our own economy by purchasing and spending within our own community. When products are more superior or are not available in Hawaii, I will buy outside of Hawaii. But, when I compare local and mainland side by side, and the taste and quality are similar, my first consideration is to the local farmer.
Imagine what it would entail to attempt this menu at home - four different types of snapper, three different types of tomato, three different types of greens, three different types of goat cheese, and two different kinds of lobster. You'd have to invite your friends over for a potluck! Why not let us do all the work? All you have to do is come and "Taste Hawaii". —Alan Wong
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