Page 4 - Dining Out - June 6, 2021

Cover Story
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Dining Out
/ June 6-12, 2021
Chai Chaowasaree, owner of Chef Chai at Pacifica, shows off prime rib and duck, which will be included in his special Father’s Day Wiki Wiki Box.
With Father’s Day just weeks away, Chef Chai at Pa- cifica gears up for the occa- sion by providing special Wiki Wiki Boxes ($135 for two) to honor dads and all that they do.
Available for order now, the bundle can be picked up between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. June 19-20, or customers can opt to have it delivered right to their doorstep for $12-$15, depending on the area.
“The food comes chilled like our novel Wiki Wiki Boxes, and there will be instructions for you,” explains owner Chai Chaowasaree. “No cooking, no cleaning, no lines.”
On the menu, guests can expect two appetizers — Na- ked Shrimp Salad with Lem- ongrass Garlic Vinaigrette and Heart of Baby Romaine with Caesar Dressing and Garlic Croutons — as well as two hearty entrées that Pop is sure to love.
In fact, the Cantonese Style Roasted Duck with Five Spices Duck Jus is a recipe that Ch- aowasaree picked up from his own patriarch. It’s a way for the Thailand native to pay homage his father, who’s one of his chief inspirations and the reason he was introduced to the food industry in the first place.
Story by
GINGER KELLER
Photos by
LAWRENCE TABUDLO
“Youalwaysmissyourdad,” he says. “My father is the one who started the restaurant in Thailand when we were growing up. It makes me tear up just thinking about it. We just wanted to do something special for the dads. Most of the time, it’s always about Mother’s Day, but fathers are just as important.”
Preparing the duck is a la- bor of love, according to Ch- aowasaree, and takes several hours to concoct. Anticipate flavors of several Chinese spices, soy sauce and lots more.
“One of the ingredients is a Chinese flower. I don’t even know the name,” Chaowasa- ree says with a laugh. “But I know how to make it because my dad taught me.
“We’veneverfeaturedduck before,” he adds. “We wanted to do something different.”
The second entrée, mean- while, is the Roasted Prime Ribs of Beef with Natural Beef Jus and Creamy Horseradish. It takes about four to five hours to craft, which is exactly why Chaowasaree recommends guests order soon, as the Ka- kaako eatery is only making about 300 boxes.
On the side, find Roasted Hamakua Mushrooms with Garlic Pepper and Fresh Herbs, Aloun Farms Long