B on Hawaii

Restaurateur Wes Zane is at it again. The Hawaii-based restaurateur is expanding his culinary empire, this time with an "Asian-style Formaggio" on Kapahulu Avenue, set to open later this month.

Nobu enthusiasts rejoice: The man himself will be on O`ahu from February 9 – 12, 2010, to eat, drink and prepare his signature fare just for you. The global restaurateur will also work closely with MA`O Organic Farms to design an omakase menu inspired by the harvest of produce from the Waianae-based outfit.

A last-minute "Island to Island for Haiti" benefit concert and food event has been organized for his Friday, February 12, to raise money for the victims of the earthquake there. Cecilio & Kapono will headline the concert, to be held on the lagoon-fronting Great Lawn at O`ahu's Hilton Hawaiian Village.

The start of a New Year never fails to excite chefs and restaurateurs to get things off to a booming start. We've come across three such events in the coming few weeks that, if your palate is one that needs to be stimulated, you might want to consider attending.

Aside from being Honolulu's chicest address, the Halekulani quietly initiated something called "Halekulani Living" series a few years back, in which they offer wellness-related activities and events to their guests and surrounding community.

It isn't hard to see why Chef Mavro is the place for special occasions—and tomorrow night—New Year's Eve, is no exception. (Editor's Note: We are huge proponents of visiting this locale on any occasion.

You'll hear it here first: There will be a new enoteca-style wine bar and birreria opening in Kaka`ako, O`ahu, in time for the holidays.

We recently sat down with Maui Chef de Cuisine Rich Hinojosa, the most recent culinary import to the Valley Isle. Posting up at Ka`anapali’s most expansive al fresco restaurant, Tropica, Hinojosa is pushing the envelope with creative platings that he honed at award-earning restaurants in Arizona.

What? Yet another way for you to put many a "Benjamin" in your billfold, you ask? Yep, never forget who's looking out for ya, kid. Aside from us, Wes Zane is: He's the savvy restaurateur who has launched a world-wide contest in search of the person who can—in under 30 seconds—best explain what it is about fermented grapes that drives them to the drink. In a good way.

The Sheraton Waikiki has launched two new food and beverage initiatives, even as the whir of construction crews continue to wrap up the remodel of the hotel's expansive lobby.