Wine, dine with a memorable menu

Braised Duck Leg with steamed taro rice (part of the monthly Wine Dinner, $105 per person). Photo courtesy Chef Chai

Chef Chai at Pacifica Honolulu is renowned for elegant, fine dining that fuses fresh local ingredients with the flavors of Asia. Chef Chai Chaowasaree’s monthly Wine Dinner pairs those culinary creations with an outstanding winemaker.

Starting at 6 p.m. on June 12, diners can delight in a monthly Wine Dinner ($105 per person). It will feature award-winning Hart-ford Family Winery, which is located in the Russian River area of California’s Sonoma County. The winery specializes in single-vineyard pinot noir, chardonnay and old vine zinfandel.

The menu begins with Roasted Butternut Squash, Lobster Bisque, Fresh Baked Lobster and Crab Dip with crostini paired with Hartford Court Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2022.

“(The chardonnay has) big notes of fruit upfront with pineapple, melon, apple and pear (and a) balanced-oak, smooth-buttery finish,” says Hartford Family Winery winemaker Jeff Stewart, who will be present at the dinner.

The next course is Braised Duck Leg with steamed taro rice paired with Hartford Court Pinot Noir Lands Edge 2021, which “leads with aromas of red and black cherry, pomegranate and dried rose petal,” describes Stewart.

Grilled Petite Filet with Hennessy green peppercorn sauce, mashed Yukon Gold potatoes, Waialua asparagus and baby carrots follow. A 2022 Hartford Court Zinfandel with hints of white pepper and allspice pairs perfectly with the steak’s sauce.

Bananas Foster with vanilla ice cream and butter cake, and a traditional Thai coffee conclude the memorable meal.

To reserve a seat for this almost-always-sold-out dinner, call 808-585-0011 or visit chefchai.com.