Tasty new arrivals become menu hits

French Toast ($14) PHOTOS COURTESY OF BILLS HAWAII

No matter what time of the year it is, you can always count on Bills Hawaii to keep things bright. The popular international restaurant founded by Australian chef, food writer and TV personality Bill Granger is known for its refreshing farm-to-table concept, offering fresh, simple, colorful and delicious food with a laid-back Aussie approach — resulting in one of the best casual, all-day dining experiences you’ll ever have.

“Bill Granger insists on using locally sourced ingredients as much as possible, so we enjoy working with local farms and suppliers from throughout the state to make our dishes the freshest and most delicious possible,” says general manager Eki Locke. “You can definitely taste the difference when it’s farm-to-table.”

Granger opened his first restaurant in 1993 in Sydney’s Darlinghurst neighborhood, and it quickly became famous for its scrambled eggs and hot cakes. In 2008, he took his business international, expanding to Japan and London. The Waikiki location (at 280 Beachwalk) opened in March 2014 and is the first Bills in the U.S. Granger also has since opened a restaurant in Seoul, Korea. All share the same “Australian spirit: sunny, easy-going and generous.”

Twice-cooked Beef Short Rib with Asian Slaw ($24)

Among the new dishes introduced this past summer at Bills Hawaii — which are now popular menu items — are French Toast ($14) and Twice-cooked Beef Short Rib with Asian Slaw ($24). Executive chef Lucas Woodden created them after returning from London, where he trained with Granger earlier this year.

Locke notes, “Our new Bills French Toast (made with seasonal fruit, caramel, pistachios and yogurt) has definitely been one of the most popular items on our breakfast menu, next to our world-famous Ricotta Banana Hotcakes, of course.”

“The Twice-cooked Beef Short Rib with Asian Slaw (a dinner entree) is a personal favorite of chef Woodden, as well as a new favorite at Bills,” he adds. “The beef is first cooked on our charcoal grill, then slowly roasted for five hours until it’s fall-off-the-bone tender. When the ribs are ordered by a customer, they are cooked once again in a savory broth made with the short-rib drippings to get them really juicy and more flavorful. The Asian Slaw that accompanies it is a perfect complement with its vinegar and cilantro accents.”

Bills also can accommodate large groups and buyouts for private events, such as weddings and holiday parties.

Bills Hawaii

280 Beachwalk Ave., Waikiki (next to Hard Rock Cafe)
922-1500
Breakfast: 7-11 a.m.; lunch: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; happy hour: 3-6 p.m.; dinner: 5-10 p.m.
billshawaii.com
Validated parking is available at the Bank of Hawaii building across the street.