Ringing In Fresh Flavors

Mac Nut Goat Cheese ($13)

MAC 24/7 in Waikiki recently welcomed executive chef Rey Baysa to its kitchen, and introduced an updated menu featuring brand-new dishes, slight changes to some old favorites (such as using Hawaiian sweet bread for its French Toast) and a convenient Build Your Own Pasta option. Don’t worry, you’ll still find signature items like its famous buttermilk pancakes, Mac & Cheese and Fried Chicken & Waffles, along with the short ribs, which have been renamed: Pacific Rim Style Braised Beef.

Chef Baysa, a certified chef de cuisine, joined the team about two months ago, and brings with him more than 30 years of diverse culinary experience, having worked at Tommy Bahama, Hard Rock Cafe and top hotel corporations Intercontinental, Westin, Embassy Suites, Ritz Carlton and Hilton.

Known for its American-style gourmet comfort food with an island twist, use of local ingredients and generous serving sizes, MAC 24/7 stands for Modern American Cuisine and is conveniently open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The restaurant also offers happy hour from 2 to 5 p.m. daily.

Fully Loaded Local Bacon Cheeseburger ($19)

NEW ARRIVALS DAZZLE ON MENU

Among the new menu items at MAC 24/7 is Mac Nut Goat Cheese ($13), a unique appetizer featuring Maui goat cheese covered with macadamia nuts, a sweet shoyu glazed drizzle, island-inspired salsa and crostinis.

Executive chef Rey Baysa also has “amped up” the eatery’s cheeseburger to a Fully Loaded Local Bacon Cheeseburger ($19), consisting of an 8-ounce black Angus beef patty, Swiss or cheddar cheese, bacon, grilled pineapple, Portuguese sausage, guacamole, lettuce, tomato and a crispy onion ring, and served with french fries.

And, of course, MAC 24/7’s famous buttermilk pancakes are always a good idea. The Seasonal Short Stack ($15), specifically, is a hit, and is topped with Bourbon white-chocolate mouse and mixed-berry compote (available through the end of January).

Mac 24/7 Restaurant & Bar

Hilton Waikiki Beach,
2500 Kuhio Ave., Waikiki
921-5564
Open 24 hours daily
mac247waikiki.com