The Gayot guide has named Chef Mavro one of the top 40 restaurants in the country for 2010, the only restaurant in Hawai'i to receive that honor.

"What I appreciate in Gayot is that they send expert restaurant critics to determine their ratings," said George Mavrothalassitis, chef and owner.

"These critics dine at the best restaurants all over the world and use those experiences as a foundation for their decisions," he said.

Gayot describes its guide as "a serious, honest and professional resource on dining and travel for an international readership in search of the best."

Mavrothalassitis, a founding member of Hawai'i Regional Cuisine, is a recipient of the James Beard Award, a lifetime achievement award that is considered the top U.S. culinary honor.

ISLE BUSINESSES FALLING BEHIND ON BILLS

Hawai'i businesses were among the nation's worst delinquent bill payers in December, according to a new report on past-due accounts.

Cortera, a business credit bureau, reported 18.05 percent of Hawai'i business accounts are past due. That's ninth-worst nationwide.

Oregon was the worst with a ratio of 20.85 percent. Alaska was the best at 6.32 percent.

Cortera measured payment activities among 20 million businesses comprising approximately $150 billion in commercial accounts receivable data.

STATE'S DRIVERS IN NO RUSH, REPORT SHOWS

Hawai'i drivers are the slowest of any state when it comes to driving on interstate highways, according to a report on highway speeds in the U.S.

The report for TomTom, a maker of navigational products, found that Washington, D.C., had the slowest highway drivers with an average of 46 mph. Among states, Hawai'i had the most unhurried pace at 53 mph.

Mississippi was the fastest, with drivers speeding along at just more than 70 mph.

The report said data from GPS users show drivers tend to stay within speed limit ranges on most highways.