WE'RE CRAVING: BISTRO FARE

BACI BISTRO

Because we live on an island, we're used to bumping into friends and neighbors. But at Baci Bistro in Kailua, this happens often. The owner personally greets each customer at the door. And not only will you be treated like royalty upon entering, but also upon eating. Try the moi. And to complete your meal, order from a long list of Italian wines, aged to perfection.

Baci Bistro, 30 Aulike St., 262-7555

BRASSERIE DU VIN

Brasserie Du Vin is the perfect go-anytime place to sip and snack with friends. It's a woody space with many, many bottles of wine. You'll feel like you're at a French country home if you can get a spot on the patio. Order dishes like moules frites (mussels and fries) and the flatiron steak frites. The cheese plate is also a winner. The short menu goes well with more than 100 wines from all over the globe.

Brasserie Du Vin, 1115 Bethel St., 545-1115

DUC'S BISTRO

Duc Nguyen's menu is a good mix of Vietnamese and European. Right underneath the "breast of duck Saigon" is the "breast of duck Grand Marnier" — and all at reasonable prices.

Duc's Bistro, 1188 Maunakea St., 531-6325

LE BISTRO

Once through the door of this Niu Valley Shopping Center bistro, you enter a very different environment — a very French-feeling space. Try foie gras with red currants and quince, a salad of Kahuku corn and greens, Slow & Low Short Ribs and a bottle of Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

Le Bistro, Niu Valley Shopping Center, 5730 Kalaniana'ole Highway, 373-7990

PANYA BISTRO

Panya Bistro is a hot spot for exhausted office workers and shoppers who want to hang out somewhere as stylish as its menu and have a couple of pau-hana martinis. Try the garlic toast crostini topped with either crab salad or smoked salmon.

Panya Bistro, Ala Moana Center., 946-6388

'EAT' HERE

Though it isn't exactly in downtown Honolulu, Eat Catering & Cafe, formerly known as Matters of Taste, draws sizeable lunch crowds that gather for chef David Passanisi's fresh, made-to-order food. Located in the Gentry Pacific Design Center on Nimitz Highway, Eat serves up regular lunch fare like grilled panini, wraps, salads and sandwiches, but you'll also find warm, comforting entrees like the creamy, delicious chicken farfalle or too-sophisticated-to-be-lunch entrees like the grilled fish, topped with tapenade vinaigrette on wilted greens. The location's not ideal for a cafe as capable as this one, but if you're willing to drive for lunch, it's worth a try.

FOOD NEWS

The Makaha Resort & Golf Club and the Wai'anae Coast Coalition will host the second annual Makaha Mango Festival from noon to 7 p.m. Sunday at the Makaha Resort & Golf Club. Admission is free. The festival will include a mango contest, recipe contest, children's activities, a trade show and mango workshops. There will also be a mango tasting and happy hour, featuring mango-flavored drinks and pupu. The event will culminate with a special mango dinner at the resort, with entertainment by Marlene Sai and Hapa. For more information, or to enter the mango and recipe contests, visit www.makahamangofestival.com.

The Halekulani hotel's Orchids restaurant is launching Table One, an ongoing five- or seven-course tasting dinner courtesy of chef Vikram Garg at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, starting in August. Table One seats four to six people and is available by reservation only. The five-course meal is $95 per person; the seven-course dinner is $125 per person. Call 923-2311 for more information or reservations.

Hard Rock Cafe Honolulu is holding its annual school supply drive through Aug. 16. Drop off new school supplies at its Kapi'olani Boulevard location (955-7383) and get 20 percent off food and drinks, plus a coupon for $10 off the price of admission at Wet 'n' Wild Hawaii.

SMALL BITES

WE HEART HEART OF PALM TEMPURA

Waikiki Beach Walk's Kaiwa (226 Lewers St., 924-1555) is good for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is the wonderful food. On a menu that's list after list of must-try dishes, the heart of palm tempura with snow salt ($13) is the one we truly can't get enough of. It's hot, crisp, salty and flaky. It's our new favorite way to eat our vegetables.