Celebrate Good Times This New Year

Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort is wrapping up its 50th anniversary year in style and ringing in the new year with a bang of flawlessly edible works of art amid enchanting New Year’s Eve celebrations, including a show-stopping performance by the Local Divas, comprised of singers Carole Kai, Nohelani Cypriano and Melveen Leed.

Dining Out recently caught up with Hilton’s executive chef Jeffrey Vigilla and Bali Steak & Seafood’s chef de cuisine Matt Alleshouse to get a glimpse into Hilton’s New Year’s feasts and festivities. And as 2011 officially comes to a close, once again, this powerhouse team saves the best for last!

DO: What can people expect from New Year’s Eve with the Local Divas? It’s bound to be a great show!

Vigilla: Hilton Hawaiian Village has long had premier headliners on New Year’s Eve, and this year is no different. We are excited to see Carole, Nohe and Melveen reunite in what will no doubt be an unforgettable two-hour New Year’s Eve show. Among them, they have more than 10 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, including Melveen, a five-time winner of the prestigious Female Vocalist of the Year Award.

The doors to the Coral Ballroom will open at 7:30 p.m. for those who purchase the dinner and show package ($225 per person for adults, $175 per child between the ages of 4 and 11). The package includes dinner, one beverage, a half bottle of champagne and party flavors. We also have a show-only price of $100 that includes a half bottle of champagne and party favors (to make reservations, call the New Year’s Eve reservation line at the hotel at 947-7955. Touch of Gold will open the New Year’s Eve Celebration at 9 p.m., and at 9:45, the Local Divas will take the stage and perform right into the new year. It’s going to be a festive atmosphere where everyone is jubilant and energized about welcoming in 2012.

DO: Most importantly, what can diners expect in terms of their meal?

Vigilla: For the Local Divas’ show, we’re offering an exquisite four-course menu that starts out with a Tuna and Avocado Tartare, and American Sturgeon Caviar, followed by a foie gras mousse terrine with pineapple and Maui onion chutney. The main course is a Filet Mignon and Kona Maine Lobster Oscar with bearnaise sauce accompanied by herb and garlic roasted potatoes. And the dessert is a Waialua Estate Chocolate Cake. We are offering a vegetarian option for this meal as well.

DO: What makes this show unique from other New Year’s Eve shows around town?

Vigilla: In addition to offering the dinner menu with the show, guests at the resort also have the choice of eating at least three other establishments right here on property, and that doesn’t even include our Waikiki Starlight Luau, which will be held at a special location of the Great Lawn on New Year’s Eve. That means we have four other venues right along Waikiki Beach that will offer special menus and dinner specialties that evening. We have our partner restaurants in the Rainbow Bazaar area as well. Combined with the holiday lights and the festive atmosphere, it’s a great way to say farewell to 2011 and welcome 2012.

DO: Chef Matt, what can diners look forward to this New Year’s Eve at Bali Steak & Seafood?

Alleshouse: Diners will be greeted with a high-end seasonal, locally inspired menu. There will be two seating times on New Year’s Eve (6 p.m., $160 for adults and 8:15 p.m., $190 per person), and at Bali Steak & Seafood, we’re offering a wonderful four-course menu that gives diners the option to choose their entree and appetizers. The menu includes an amuse bouche, plus a Kona abalone and Kahuku corn chowder (chowder during second seating only). For the appetizer and entree, diners can choose among four choices for each. Appetizer choices include fois gras terrine with pineapple and Maui onion chutney, ginger and lemongrass cured king salmon, tuna and avocado tartare and American sturgeon caviar, or prime beef carpaccio with confit of Hamakua Alii mushrooms. For their entree, diners can choose between Kona Lobster Thermidor, Filet Mignon and King Crab Oscar, Pan-Seared Day Boat Scallops and Shrimp; and Bone-In Filet

Mignon with Bearnaise sauce, truffle sauce and herb and garlic roasted potatoes. The dessert is a Waialua Estate Chocolate Trio.

The second seating at 8:15 p.m. will feature an additional menu item from the 6 p.m. seating, and that is Kona Abalone and Kahuku Corn Chowder. And only at Bali Steak & Seafood on New Year’s Eve are we offering a children’s menu as well. The menu is priced at $80 per child, but it’s a great four-course meal that starts with Baby Hirabara Farms’ Romaine and Homemade Bacon Salad; Kona abalone and Kahuku Corn Chowder; for the entree, children can choose from Petit Filet Mignon with Bearnaise and truffle sauce; Grilled Chicken Breast or Campanelle Pasta. The dessert is a trio of Waialua Estate Chocolate.

DO: Are you folks expecting a large New Year’s Eve crowd at Bali?

Alleshouse: Yes, we are expecting a full house for both of our seating times. Bali’s New Year’s Eve festivities are due in part to the restaurant’s great ambience — right on Waikiki Beach. What could be better?

DO: Wow, it sounds like there’s much to look forward to. Who will be preparing these fabulous New Year’s Eve meals?

Alleshouse: Me and the Bali Steak & Seafood culinary team will prepare the delectable delights at Bali. And executive chef Jeffrey Vigilla and his team will prepare the four-course dinner that precedes the Local Divas’ show.

DO: What is Hilton Hawaiian Village hoping the new year will bring for its many culinary establishments?

Vigilla: New, more-refreshed menus featuring sustainable products, wine dinners, tasting menus and seasonal specialties. Look out for us at the Kapiolani Community College Farmers Market on a Saturday in 2012 for food demos, farm-to-table cooking.

Alleshouse: I’ll be kicking off the new year at Bali with my culinary twist of island farm-to-table ingredients.

Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort

See more articles from: Hilton Hawaiian Village