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8 ONO-LICIOUS | DECEMBER 30, 2016 CHEF DARCY: ‘I have a passion for what I do, and I truly love my customers’ Check out our $8.95 Lunch Specials Mon-Friday 11am-2:30pm Located at the Keauhou Shopping Center Mon-Fri 11am-9pm Sat-Sun 12pm-9pm 322.8424 www.RoyalThaiCafe.com Habaneros Grill O ering Both O ering Both Mexican Dishes Mexican Dishes TRADITIONAL & CONTEMPORARY Daily Lunch Specials and Best Happy Hour in Town. Voted Best Mexican Food in West Hawaii 2016 Closed on New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day Hpp Ne Yer rom our m o Your Hours: Tues - Friday 11am - 9pm Saturdays 3pm - 9pm 808.329.2184 HabanerosGriIIHawaii.com Conveniently located at the intersection of Alii Drive & Walua Road in Kailua Kona Town. highlight his appreciation for Filipino flavors in such dishes as his Adobo Baby Back Pork Ribs, braised in ginger, garlic, bay leaf, shoyu and vinegar, and served with tomato and onion salad. “The concept for the menu is tapas with an island twist,” said Chef Darcy. “I loved my dad’s cooking growing up. I was his ‘taster’ in the kitchen, and I also helped cooked for the family. I got my Filipino flavor from my dad.” Chef Darcy began his culinary journey at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, where he undertook a three-year apprenticeship at a culinary school that was also held in part at the Westin Maui in Ka‘anapali. Studying under European chefs, Darcy was the first person from the state of Hawaii to graduate from the program. He then worked under famed Hawaii chef, Alan Wong, at Hualalai Grill, and most recently worked for three years as executive chef at Ruth’s Chris Steak House at The Shops at Mauna Lani. Through the years, Darcy would cross paths with Kohala Coast restaurant veteran, Brian Flynn, who had talked about opening his own restaurant in the area one day. “I told Brian, if ever you end up opening a restaurant, I want to be your chef,” said Darcy. Brian notes that Darcy was his first and only choice for the position of executive chef at the new restaurant at Kings’ Shop: “It’s fun to see other chefs in the area, along with local and repeat visitors, come here and enjoy his food,” said Brian, who co-owns the restaurant with his business partner, Ray McLaughlin. “The community is happy to see us fill a niche for casual and affordable, fine dining.” Opened in August, A-Bay’s Island Grill occupies the former Merriman’s location at the Kings’ Shops. The interior of the restaurant features a beautiful cocktail bar that includes a frost rail for keeping your drinks colds. Live sporting events are featured on ten different TV screens around the room. Outside, the open-air patio offers a relaxing place to enjoy a meal or share appetizers like the delicious seafood crab-and-shrimp cakes or the sautéed ono “à la meuniere” served with truffle mashed potatoes and sautéed Kekela Farms spinach with a brown butter caper sauce. For Darcy, the best reward for hard work is to hear the positive responses from satisfied customers. “I have a passion for what I do, and I truly love my customers,” said Darcy. “It’s great to be able to do my own thing and receive such positive feedback.” On New Year’s Eve, A-Bay’s Island Grill will be one of the few restaurants in the area to stay open until midnight. The special evening will include a dinner menu, tapas, and a champagne toast at midnight. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 Chef Darcy’s Adobo Baby Back Pork Ribs are braised in ginger, garlic, bay leaf, shoyu and vinegar, and served with tomato and onion salad. Karen Anderson/ Special to West Hawaii Today


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