Nothing Short Of Wonderful Short Ribs

MAC 24/7 sous chef Edmond Kwok, who now is at the helm of the kitchen, spoils the editor with Short Rib Loco Moco ($22).

Happy Sunday, my fellow foodies!

I hope you all had a marvelous Thanksgiving filled with family, love, gratitude and last, but certainly not least, a delicious gobble-fest of epic proportions.

Now that I know all of us have found some extra space in our tummies to accommodate holiday feasting — and I salute you for chowing down those second, third and fourth servings — I feel it’s my duty as Dining Out editor to find even more deliciously satisfying meals to fill them up all over again.

There’s something about short ribs that really fits the bill, considering these rustic slabs of meat lend themselves to the heartier meals that help make this time of year so cozy, whether they’re grilled, slow roasted or cooked in stews.

Here at home, short ribs are synonymous with the sweet-and-savory bliss of char-grilled kalbi, but as you’ll soon discover, that’s not the only way to hunker down with this type of meat:

NEW TWIST ON AN OLD FAVE

You may know MAC 24/7 Restaurant & Bar for its famous M.A.C. Daddy Pancake Challenge — in which patrons attempt to finish three 14-inch pancakes in 90 minutes or less — but many customers head to the 24-hour hot spot to simply savor a range of gourmet comfort foods, including Hawaiian Boneless Short Ribs ($23).

MAC 24/7’s Short Rib Loco Moco ($22)

A few months back, MAC 24/7 added to its menu a new spin on its signature short-rib dish: Short Rib Loco Moco ($22). I recently caught up with sous chef Edmond Kwok, an experienced local chef who took over the restaurant’s kitchen not long ago, to discuss this new bite. He revealed that the beauty of this twist on a local breakfast favorite is the fork-tender, slowly braised beef, which is accented with rice, eggs and brown gravy made from the braising liquids.

“Braising is one of my favorite ways to eat any type of meat because you can get in there with a spoon and just shovel it down,” he shares, with a laugh. And really, I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Kwok’s talent is evident in the sublime execution of this simple yet bold dish — plus, tender meat with all that rich gravy? No wonder it’s been a hit so far.

Moving forward, Kwok plans to stay true to MAC 24/7’s goal of highlighting local ingredients throughout modern takes on classic home-style recipes. The eatery is in good hands as it gets ready for its upcoming 10th anniversary celebration Dec. 3 at 1 p.m., complete with entertainment, trivia and pancake samples. The highlight of the event, which is open to the public, will be a Military Appreciation Pancake Challenge to benefit Wounded Warrior Ohana (visit mac247waikiki.com/military-challenge/ for more on how to enter).

MAC 24/7 Restaurant & Bar

Hilton Waikiki Beach
2500 Kuhio Ave., Waikiki
921-5564
mac247waikiki.com

BE MERRY AT MORTON’S

With a newly renovated dining space, now is a fantastic time to check out — or return to — Morton’s The Steakhouse at Ala Moana Center.

Morton’s Beef Short Rib Bolognese ($38) PHOTO COURTESY OF MORTON’S THE STEAKHOUSE

The restaurant still specializes in the classic steak-house flavors you’ve come to know and love, but now diners can revel in a first-rate dining experience while enjoying a refreshed setting. In addition to carving into la creme de la creme of wet-aged USDA Prime steaks, feast your eyes — and appetite — on Beef Short Rib Bolognese ($38). The stunning selection features thick strands of pappardelle pasta swimming in a sea of meaty, slow-cooked short-rib Bolognese.

“Our rich, flavorful beef short ribs simmer all day long in a traditional Bolognese-style sauce to make perfect, tender strands of succulent beef short rib. When combined with silky egg pappardelle and our rich tomato based sauce flavored with red wine and fresh herbs, it becomes the ultimate comfort food,” explains general manager Zyron Schoniwitz.

As the finishing touch, this dish is topped with the king of cheeses, as Schoniwitz calls it, Parmigiano-Reggiano.

With the holidays upon us, there’s something about a steak-house dinner that radiates tradition, so why not consider making Morton’s part of the most wonderful time of the year? The restaurant will be open Christmas Eve and Day as well as New Year’s Eve and Day. You can also call to inquire about private dining options for your next special event.

Morton’s The Steakhouse

Ala Moana Center
1450 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu
949-1300
Mortons.com