Chai’s Choice

Salmon Gravlax Roulade appetizer from Chef Chai’s Early Bird Special Menu ($40) File photo

When you’re planning a night on the town, the last thing you want to do is stress over the details, such as where to eat before the nighttime festivities begin.

Thankfully, Asian-fusion eatery Chef Chai is conveniently located right in the heart of Honolulu’s scene of events — whether you’re taking in a show at Neal S. Blaisdell Center or waiting for your movie to start at Ward Theaters nearby.

Respected owner and longtime chef Chai Chaowasaree created Early Bird’s Special Menu ($40 per person; must order before 5 p.m.) in the hopes of helping you gear up for a fun night out with delicious starters and a family-style appetizer sampler, which includes Salmon Gravlax Roulade with Cream Cheese and Crab Meat on Cucumber Chips. Also choose from entrees like New Zealand King Salmon, and end things on an extra sweet note with Heart Shaped White Chocolate Amore Truffle with Raspberry Guava Puree.

Here, Chaowasaree gives Dining Out the scoop on this special menu:

DO: What dish do you recommend from the selection of entrees?

CHAOWASAREE: The New Zealand King Salmon is so good! Its color is a deeper orange and it has a lot of good fats, which adds to the flavor of the dish. Japanese chili pepper-seasoned pineapple slices are grilled, which cuts down the richness of the fish and helps to balance out the flavors.

DO: Could you highlight one of the starters on the menu?

CHAOWASAREE: The salmon roulade is a good choice because we house-cure the salmon overnight with salt, sugar, fresh dill and lemon zest. The next day, we fold it in the cream cheese and crab meat.

Chef Chai

Pacifica Honolulu,
1009 Kapiolani Blvd., Honolulu
585-0011
Nightly, 4-11 p.m.
chefchai.com