Mouthwatering menu for moms

Eat to your heart’s content with entrées like the Mongolian Style Lamb Chop with Merlot Demi and Mashed
Potato.

Chai Chaowasaree knows a thing or two about whipping up creative fare with local ingredients — he’s one of the state’s top Hawaii Regional Cuisine chefs and Zagat Award winner — and he’s sharing his culinary talents with families during Mother’s Day weekend May 9-10.

Chef Chai’s takeout-only special Mother’s Day Family Style Lunch and Dinner ($65 per person; $95 when adding jumbo king crab legs to the entrée) promises something for everyone, whether they be craving beef, seafood or veggie-heavy dishes, and those familiar with Chef Chai’s specialty menus can look forward to another magnificent meal to celebrate moms this year.

“We normally sell out of our Mother’s Day special every year for the past 30 years,” Chaowasaree explains. “Guests know they can expect top quality of what we do.”

Desserts are in abundance as part of Chef Chai’s Special Mother’s Day Family Style Lunch and Dinner.

All preorders must be placed by May 7 to 585-0011.

Highlighting the Mother’s Day appetizers is a Gravlax Salmon Sashimi with Caper Berries and Lemon Dill Cream, that features New Zealand king salmon that’s cured overnight gravlax-style. For a pupu that packs a punch, try the Fresh Ahi Poke with Spicy Gochujang and Toasted Sesame, or go for something sweet in the Alaskan King Crab Cake with Fresh Tomato Mango Salsa.

In true Chef Chai fashion, the special meal’s entrées (yes, plural) feature an assortment of options like Braised Boneless Beef Short Ribs with Five Spice Demi and Kabocha Pumpkin; Mongolian Style Lamb Chop with Merlot Demi and Mashed Potato; or Kabayaki New Zealand King Salmon with Pineapple and Granny Smith Apple Relish.

“It’s a perfect harmony between the saltiness of the fish, marinated in a soy ginger base, and sweet/ spicy acidity of the relish that makes this one of my favorite dishes,” shares Chaowasaree of the salmon preparation.

The Vegetable Terrine with Green Curry Sauce is perfect for vegetarian diners, who will appreciate the dish’s overall aesthetic and bold flavors. Layers of mashed Okinawan sweet potatoes, Waialua asparagus, grilled Portobello mushrooms and various roasted veggies sit within a thin wrapping of fresh zucchini for varying textures and flavors in each bite.

“When cut and served, it looks like stained glass,” adds Chaowasaree.

If that’s not enough food, you can add on the Steamed Alaskan King Crab Legs with Drawn Butter and Lemon-grass Garlic Dipping for $30 extra per person.

Finally, no Chef Chai meal would be complete without a decadent dessert — a medley of sweet treats for Hawaii’s sweetest moms.

Aside from fresh fruit and French macaroons, expect one-of-a-kind treasures like Chocolate Marble Cups with Cheese Cake (New York-style, to boot) with Fresh Raspberry and Thai Tapioca Pudding with Haupia Cream.

This exceptional meal stems from the chef’s love for his mom, and his desire to extend that care to moms across the state in the form of crafting homemade meals everyone will enjoy.

“I want to celebrate this special day with you and make your mom smile,” says Chaowasaree. “Don’t make her cook; let us do it for you. No clean up, no dirty pots and pans. Let us take care of you. I want to wish all the mothers and mothers-to-bea very happy day — and thank you for the unconditional love.”

Mother’s Day Menu

APPETIZERS
Alaskan King Crab Cake with Fresh Tomato Mango Salsa
Jumbo Shrimp Cocktails
Fresh Ahi Poke with Spicy Gochujang and Toasted Sesame
Gravlax Salmon Sashimi with Caper Berries and Lemon Dill Cream
Organically Grown Baby Greens with Tangerine Vinaigrette
Lobster Bisque

ENTRÉES
Braised Boneless Beef Short Ribs with Five Spice Demi and Kabocha Pumpkin
Mongolian Style Lamb Chop with Merlot Demi and Mashed Potato
Kabayaki New Zealand King Salmon with Pineapple and Granny Smith Apple Relish
Vegetable Terrine with Green Curry Sauce
Steamed Turmeric and Roasted Garlic Jasmine Rice
Steamed Alaskan King Crab Legs with Drawn Butter and Lemongrass Garlic Dipping
(optional, for $30 extra)

DESSERT
Espresso Tiramisu
Chocolate Marble Cups with Cheese Cake with Fresh Raspberry
Thai Tapioca Pudding with Haupia Cream
French Macaroon
Fresh Fruit