Like the 100-plus selections of wine available in its vast collection, Fresco Italian Restaurant has consistently strived to improve with age.
The restaurant celebrates its third anniversary in style as diners are invited to enjoy a special summer-themed menu that showcases Fresco’s diverse menu and incorporates fresh, local flavors with traditional Italian cuisine.
Perched atop Hilton Hawaiian Village’s Rainbow Bazaar, Fresco features an airy, open dining space complete with views of the resort’s lagoon and vibrant outdoor landscaping. Diners will appreciate the contemporary decor, as large windows allow cool breezes to pass through the restaurant, which also includes a full bar and relaxing lounge area.
Fresco’s menu features traditional Italian recipes infused with fresh, local ingredients that spring forth with every bite. Executive chef Rodhel Ibay adds a fresh local touch to the menu by including Hawaii-grown and produced ingredients whenever possible — a practice that enhances taste and adds vibrant colors to each plated masterpiece.
“Our goal is to give each dish a local component,” Ibay explains. “We work closely with local farmers and vendors to create a memorable dining experience for our guests. The anniversary menu offers fresh, bold summer flavors, and I tried to incorporate different textures and tastes with each bite.”
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- Bistecca Alla Griglia
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- Pesce Alla Griglia
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- Chilled Seafood Capellini
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- End Fresco’s anniversary meal on a sweet note with red velvet macaroons and more.
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- Fresco’s executive chef Rodhel Ibay and general manager Dan Spangle
The Third Anniversary Menu ($60 per person, exclusive of tax and gratuity) currently is available and will be served for at least two months to encompass the essence of summer. The three-course menu kicks off with Chilled Seafood Capellini, a flavorful and bold combination of chilled capellini pasta with lobster morels, scallops, baby shrimp, calamari, Maui onions, Kahuku grape tomatoes and baby greens in a Hawaiian chili pepper and lime pomodoro sauce.
Diners are then treated to one of two entrée selections, including Bistecca Alla Griglia, a perfectly grilled 10-ounce New York steak topped with salsa verde, grilled asparagus and kukui potato puree. Pesce Alla Griglia also is available on the anniversary menu, as the grilled opakapaka is accented with char-grilled leeks and beets, polenta cake and an alluring hibiscus raspberry sauce.
To complete the special meal, guests will enjoy hand-crafted red velvet macaroons served alongside tantalizing Tahitian vanilla gelato, topped with chocolate syrup and toasted macadamia nuts.
Fresco also offers a popular happy hour, available daily from 5 to 7 p.m. For wine connoisseurs, Fresco has a robust wine collection stocked with intriguing varieties of vino from around the world.
In addition to the comfortable seating in Fresco’s spacious dining room, there are three semi-private dining areas that are perfect for business outings, weddings or family get-togethers, such as graduation parties. Diners also are treated to complimentary validated parking (four hours), and on Friday nights, Fresco offers views of the resort’s weekly fireworks display.
Local diners also are encouraged to take advantage of a 15 percent kamaaina discount that applies to the a la carte menu (not applicable with the aforementioned anniversary menu or other specials or discounts).
“The dishes we have and the freshness of the ingredients offered really set us apart from other restaurants,” says owner Brian Hee. “We incorporate locally-grown products and combine them with Island Pacific and Asian flavors, while still basing everything on authentic Italian recipes.”
Fresco Italian Restaurant
Hilton Hawaiian Village, Rainbow Bazaar
2005 Kalia Road, Honolulu
941-8868
Open daily, Lunch: 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Dinner: 5-9:30 p.m. Happy Hour specials available daily, 5-7 p.m.
frescohawaii.com
Honolulu, HI 96815
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