Forked Up

BELLINI BISTRO AND BAR

Ward Village plans to open two new eateries in 2015, and this forever-hungry writer could not be more thrilled. Expected to open its doors in early March, Bellini Bistro and Bar promises to satisfy any craving for Italian cuisine. The restaurant is the newest venture for Maile Symmonds, who also owns Maile’s Thai Bistro.

Located next to Ninja Sushi, its menu is expected to feature classics from chef Dave Nguyen like osso bucco and tiramisu, and will include a full service bar and happy hour specials on Wednesdays. We’ll bring you more coverage about this one as its grand opening date approaches.

Negitoro Roll

MITCH’S FISH MARKET AND SUSHI BAR
524 Ohohia St. Honolulu
Website mitchssushi.com
Mitch’s is located in one of those I-hope-I-don’t-get-mugged, let-me-double-check-if-I-locked-my-car kind of places. But there’s no doubt that this hole-in-the-wall is worth it. Negitoro rolls are perfect for sharing as an appetizer, or for hoarding all to yourself. Tuna belly never tasted so good. Mitch’s gets all its fish fresh daily, and each bite has a one-of-a-kind flavor that isn’t often accomplished in many sushi houses. Minced into an almost paste-like state, Mitch’s negitoro roll features a creamy texture that’s amplified by the sharpness of wasabi for a medley of flavors all up in your mouth. FYI, Mitch’s is BYOB — oh, and reservations are recommended.

Taiwanese Shave Ice

CITY CAFE
1518-F Makaloa St. Honolulu
Phone number (808) 398-7598
This hidden dessert gem is tucked away a few streets from Ala Moana Center, serving up Taiwanese-style shave ice, with brown sugar syrup, and flavored with up to six toppings you choose yourself. Ice cream, pudding, boba, tapioca, haupia, fruit jelly, coffee jelly, mochi balls, azuki beans — the list goes on, but be sure you always get all six ingredients, and make sure one of those six is condensed milk drizzled over everything. Trust us. City Café also has sandwiches and bubble tea, if you’re not in the mood for dessert.

GOKOKU

When I think of Gokoku, I will forever remember the chawanmushi garnished with gold leaf flecks, served in an eggshell — an eggshell. Really, that single memory accurately depicts the first experience I had there — that initial excited feeling of newness. That night in particular, the mood was especially celebratory, as the restaurant had not yet opened to the public.

That’s why, a couple weeks later, I still don’t know how I feel about Gokoku. Yes, certain things like the chawanmushi stood out to me. That dish was an exploration of something that felt familiar yet brand new at the same time. For me, it was an added layer of rice to the savory custard that really elevated the dish and enhanced its texture and flavor.

Then there was — and I’m not even certain of its name — a small cube of tofu placed atop a flavorful sauce, topped with a dollop of whipped avocado. It certainly was Japanese in nature, but I had never considered com bining it with avocado.

Finding that balance between old and new, familiar and otherwise, does happen to be the essence of what Gokoku seeks to accomplish.

“Our guests can expect their favorite traditional Japanese foods like sushi, sashimi and tempura, as well as Japanese food with a contemporary twist,” says chef Katsuhisa Inoue.

And yet, other items almost felt too familiar, like that abundance of sashimi, sushi and tempura. At the rate Japanese restaurants continue to pop up in Honolulu, I feel like I eat those items nearly every week.

Gokoku is the first of 20 restaurants Japanese group Pierthirty plans to open in Hawaii over the next several years.

It’s hard for me to give a final judgment on it. I’d like to go back and order from the regular menu and experience a normal dinner service, though I think I’ll give it some time to allow this still-new restaurant to iron out some expected kinks.

Plus, Inoue says that in January or February, Gokoku will add items to its menu that will draw from European influences. And that is something I would be willing to try.

Gokoku is located in Koko Marina Shopping Center. The restaurant continues to celebrate its grand opening through Jan. 14.

BEN & JERRY’S

When I was in college, I swear I lived off of Cherry Garcia. Then, Ben & Jerry’s released Stephen Colbert’s Amercione Dream, and it was downhill from there (as in, I spent way too much money and time eating ice cream).

No word yet on an exact opening date, but I’m told it will be sometime in the earlier part of the year. It will be located next to L&L Drive Inn, and for all you health-conscious eaters, the popular brand also will feature frozen yogurt alternatives.