Ring In The New Year All Month Long

JJ Bistro & French Pastry invites customers to celebrate 2016 with delicious dishes and significant savings.

The restaurant — known for its French, Laotian and fusion cuisine — is offering a New Year’s Special for the entire month of January, according to owner and chef Praseuth “JJ” Luangkhot.

“I want to make a good deal for the customer on our Lobster Pad Thai ($21.95),” Luangkhot says. “One tail is $21.95, but for $10 more — $31.95 — the customer can get two Maine lobster tails. That’s our New Year’s gift to you.

“Other restaurants offer lobster tail (entrees), but so far, we’re the only one doing a Lobster Pad Thai,” Luangkhot adds. “Our dish features an elegant and classy approach.”

The highly recommended entrée includes stir-fried rice noodles with eggs and spicy citrus XO sauce, which are topped with the lobster tail.

Luangkhot also recommends Quail Bello ($16.95), which features a deep-fried quail, Portobello mushrooms, sweet peas, carrots and red bell peppers in a shallot red wine sauce. This dish was part of the restaurant’s four-course Thanksgiving menu last year, and it has been extremely popular.

If you want a lighter meal or are looking for shareable appetizers, Luangkhot suggests Soft Shell Crab ($10.95), Baked Lobster Avocado ($10.95) or Crab Cakes ($12.95 for two; $8.95 single).

The Baked Lobster Avocado includes lobster meat topped with a sweet chili aioli and mozzarella cheese that’s baked on French bread and served with an avocado dipping sauce. Meanwhile, Soft Shell Crab features panko-crusted, deep-fried soft shell crab served on chili aioli sauce with house salad. The Crab Cakes are not on the official menu, but have been featured on special menus like the four-course Thanksgiving menu.

“These appetizers have been our top three for 2015,” the experienced chef summarizes.

As another great way to ring in the new year, JJ Bistro & French Pastry is offering a 2016 Special on gift cards. If customers buy a gift card of $50 or more, they will receive their dessert of choice for free. Gift card purchases of $100 or more include two free desserts of any choice — and the celebration doesn’t stop there.

And as Luangkhot explains, the French gear up for the celebration of Epiphany in early January, during which time they eat Galette des rois, or King Cake. “We’ll have the famous King Cake available for orders. The 10-inch cake costs $35; it’s a puff pastry with an almond paste inside. For the past 20 years, we’ve been the only ones in Hawaii to sell this cake.”

JJ Bistro & French Pastry

3447 Waialae Ave., Kaimuki
739-0993
Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sundays, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
jjfrenchbistro.com