WE'RE CRAVING: FROZEN TREATS

LA GELATERIA ITALIAN FROZEN DESSERTS

When simple ice cream won't do, there's La Gelateria. It's in a nondescript building near Walmart on Ke'eaumoku Street. With just a handful of parking stalls, the spartan shop houses chill boxes with single serves and pints of its yummy creations. Or you can get it at Nordstrom's Gelato Bar.

La Gelateria, 819 Cedar St., 591-1133

RYAN'S GRILL'S LI HING MUI MARGARITA

For a cool treat with an adult twist, we're always in the mood for Ryan's blended li hing mui margarita. And during happy hour (4-7 p.m. and 10 p.m.-midnight daily) it's only $4.

Ryan's Grill, Ward Centre, 1200 Ala Moana Blvd., 591-9132

SHIMAZU STORE'S SHAVE ICE

Shimazu Store (formerly known as B&S Store) has always been known for its ginormous mounds of shave ice (with exclusive flavors such as mojito, durian and creme brulee) that tower so high they crumble to the sidewalk if you don't have the eating technique just right.

Shimazu Store, 330 N. School St., 371-8899

TEDDY'S BIGGER BURGERS' MILKSHAKES

At Teddy's, everything is big and packed with flavor, but when it's cold and sweet you want, skip the bigger burgers and go right to the extra-thick milkshakes. Our favorites: the peanut butter and the pineapple shakes. You can also add a scoop of malted milk to the shakes for a nostalgic twist.

Teddy's Bigger Burgers, various locations

YOGURT MAMA

Every yogurt place has its niche, and Yogurt Mama in Kailua has captured the mochi-loving crowd by offering eight different flavors of the popular mochi ball topping. And the popping balls topping — in lychee and mango — burst with flavor when you catch them between your teeth.

Yogurt Mama, 43 Oneawa St., 263-3368

SOUL MAN

With a super-loyal following keeping his Soul Patrol lunch truck in full swing anytime it was stationary, it only made sense for Sean Priester to open a restaurant. And he did. A week ago today, Priester threw open the doors to Soul, his own eatery on Wai'alae Avenue (next door to The Fat Greek) that makes — what else? — "cuisine with aloha and spice." The menu includes his popular vegetarian chili and cornbread, his signature buttermilk fried chicken and barbecued spare ribs.

SOUL

3040 Wai'alae Ave.

735-7685

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner

MUST TRY

GIVE TEQUILA ANOTHER SHOT

Kincaid's Fish, Chop and Steakhouse (591-2005) makes a pomegranate margarita that will make the tequila-shy forget every bad college memory associated with the stuff. Sweet enough to be fun and sophisticated enough to be taken seriously at a table of real adult drinkers, the cocktail is a perfect pau hana choice. And during happy hour (3-7 p.m. daily), it's only $5.

FOOD NEWS

Burgers on the Edge is holding its annual Burger Genius contest that lets customers come up with unique burgers. Contestants must name their creation and provide a recipe for their masterpiece in one of three categories: beef (ground chuck or Wagyu), turkey and veggie. They can choose from nine cheeses, 16 sauces and 20 toppings currently offered on the menu, or build their burger creations with other ingredients. The contest runs through May 31, with six finalists going head-to-head in a burger sell-off during the month of June. The best-selling burger in each category will be announced July 7. To enter, visit www.burgersontheedge.com or stop by the restaurant at 890 Kapahulu Ave. (in the Safeway Center).

The Simply Ono lunch truck will serve its last plate lunch tomorrow on the grounds of Honolulu Hale. The city is raising the truck's rent and imposing new rules that the owner says make it impractical for him to stay in business there.

Student finalists in the Tom & Warren Matsuda Scholarship Culinary Competition will put on a cooking demonstration tomorrow at the Sub-Zero and Wolf Showroom (938 Pi'ikoi St., 597-1647). Chef Roy Yamaguchi will make a special appearance. Admission is $30, with three seating times: 9 and 11 a.m., and 1 p.m. Reservations required: call 597-1647 or e-mail info@riggsdistributing.com.