Holiday menu rings in Italian dining flavor

Arancino’s exterior

Just in time for Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, Arancino at The Kahala is preparing its robust Holiday Menu — a truly unique Italian dining experience incorporating classic dishes crafted in a modern style with fresh, local products.

Executive chef Daisuke Hamamoto and his talented team will prepare the special Holiday Menu for Christmas Eve and Christmas (Dec. 24 and 25) as well as New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day (Dec. 31 and Jan. 1) during dinner service from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Reservations are available by calling 380-4400. The seven-course dinner menu is $170 per guest, and a $30 wine pairing is also available.

The Holiday Menu begins with Fresh Hokkaido Uni (sea urchin) with cauliflower cream. Guests then welcome multiple antipasto: Calamari Rice featuring both raw and fried calamari with squid ink croccante as well as Wagyu Tartare with lemon-pickled radish.

The restaurant’s elegant dining area

The flavors keep on coming with main courses of Spaghetti with Tairagai Scallop, caviar and garlic olive oil in addition to Wagyu Filet with foie gras, roasted onion and truffle sauce. The next course offers up a Bamboo Charcoal Pizzetta with roasted lotus root and mozzarella. And, for dessert, the incredible meal wraps up with Strawberry Mousse with white chocolate and kiwi sauce.

Arancino at The Kahala was selected as “Best Italian Restaurant” in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s Hawaii’s Best People’s Choice Awards. In addition to the delicious cuisine, the restaurant features an extensive wine list designed by Shinya Tasaki, winner of the World’s Best Sommelier Award in 1995, with premium wines from Italy and the Pacific Rim.