Floor manager Bri-Anne Carvalho and kitchen manager and chef Eric Galdones
When the time comes to honor mothers everywhere and thank them for all they do, Makino Chaya knows just the right way to pamper them with a special treat — one that involves sitting back, relaxing and feasting away on prime rib, seafood and much more.
The popular all-you-can-eat buffet spot continues to be a favorite holiday destination for droves of local families year-round, particularly during Mother’s Day, the restaurant’s busiest holiday. According to general manager Chris Mitchell, Makino Chaya drew in more than 1,000 patrons last year alone for the annual celebration.
“We cater to large parties, and we want to make sure they have the best, so it’s a great place to get together with your whole family,” says Mitchell.
The restaurant anticipates another successful Mother’s Day weekend coming up and is prepared to serve up its buffet classics — from sushi and tempura to teppanyaki steak and miso butterfish — as well specialty items brought in just for the holiday, all weekend long.
-
- Salmon, hamachi and ahi sashimi (L. Tabudlo photo)
-
- Plenty of lobster is ready to be devoured.
-
- The eatery’s ahi comes in fresh
-
- Oysters always are a hit on the buffet.
-
- Alaskan Snow Crab
Come Saturday, May 7, the Aiea mainstay will kick off the festivities with lunch ($26.98; 11 a.m.-2 p.m.) and dinner ($34.98; 5:30-9 p.m.) buffets. The lunch spread will light up with snow crab — a Makino must-have — and a special roast beef carving station not normally offered during lunch. There also will be other specialty items such as savory green mussels. If your family would rather take Mom out for dinner, you can look forward to juicy prime rib and succulent sausage at the carving station, in addition to the full sprawl of the buffet.
On the May 8 holiday, Makino Chaya will have even more items for its lunch ($29.98; 10 a.m.-3 p.m.) and dinner ($37.98; 4:30-9:30 p.m.) buffet bonanzas. The lunch offerings will mirror those of the previous day, with added delectable bites such as blue crab. And when the evening feasting begins, guests can dine on a mother lode of goodies, such as lobster cooked up on the teppan grill, shrimp cocktail, and barbecue ribs on the carving station, in addition to prime rib, sausage, raw oysters and other bites.
When it comes to the barbecue ribs, these large, meaty slabs are one of kitchen manager and chef Eric Galdones’ specialties. He uses his own homemade sauce that customers can’t get enough of. “He’s a very good cook,” says floor manager Bri-Anne Carvalho, when commenting on Chef Eric’s trademark style of cooking. “He’s very good with presentation, making sure all five senses are engaged as you walk in. He knows the importance of how the food needs to not only taste good, but look good as well as smell good.”
Mitchell adds that “we’ll also have sashimi out there (on the dinner buffet) — ahi, salmon and hamachi. All our fish is fresh, we don’t receive frozen fish.”
While the whole family surely will be tempted to fill up on the vast array of seafood and meat, tell your mother to save room for dessert, as she’ll want to pile her plate high with Makino’s famous Hot Bread Pudding and toppings. “I always suggest maple syrup with whipped cream, that’s all you need!” says Mitchell.
Coupons won’t be accepted during the holiday weekend, but senior, military and keiki discounts will apply. Seniors age 65 and up, as well as military with valid ID, receive 5 percent off during lunch, and 10 percent off at dinner. As for the little ones age 12 and younger, children 4 to 5 feet tall receive 50 percent off, 3 to 4 feet receive 75 percent off and under 3 feet eat for free (keiki taller than 5 feet pay full price).
Mitchell confirms reservations already are filling up, so call to secure your spot for a momentous Mother’s Day.
Makino Chaya
Westridge Shopping Center, 98-150 Kaonohi St., Aiea
486-5100
Lunch: Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Dinner: Sunday-Thursday, 5:30-8:30 p.m.; Friday-Saturday-5:30-9 p.m.
Mother’s Day weekend: Saturday, lunch: 11 a.m.-2 p.m., dinner: 5:30-9 p.m., Sunday, lunch: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., dinner: 4:30-9:30 p.m.
Note: Visit makinochayahawaii.com for select coupons and more information; call the restaurant with Mother’s Day inquiries.
Aiea, HI 96701
See more articles from: Makino Chaya
