May 14, 2003

LONGHI’S OPENS FIRST OAHU RESTAURANT AT ALA MOANA CENTER

World-renowned Maui restaurateur Bob Longhi offers a taste of the Valley Isle

HONOLULU — Longhi’s, the Maui-based restaurant which opened its doors nearly 30 years ago in Lahaina, is set to welcome its first Oahu guests on Friday, May 16.   The restaurant is located on Ala Moana Center’s third level, directly above Morton’s Steakhouse, offering the same experiences –– great food, great service and wonderful atmosphere –– that have earned numerous awards for the Longhi’s restaurants in Lahaina and Wailea.

Longhi’s has a reputation of taking the best products available –– USDA prime steaks and Nova Scotia lobster, for example –– and turning them into memorable, mouth-watering dishes such as Shrimp Longhi, plump Gulf shrimp in a white wine, lemon and butter sauce with bits of tomato and Maui basil served over garlic toast; and Steak Longhi, a grilled, prime, 14-ounce New York strip, sliced and served with a pool of basil butter.

Under the guidance of Executive Chef Carol Longhi O’Leary, Longhi’s at Ala Moana will deliver a number of delectable dinner dishes, as well as pupu specialties such as Potato-Crusted Crab Cakes, a tasty combination of very thin crusty potatoes covering fresh lump crabmeat enhanced by red pepper coulis and spicy mustard sauce; and Ahi Carpaccio, a mouth-watering dish inspired by Bob Longhi’s travels in Italy.

Initially, Longhi’s will focus on serving dinner –– from 5 to 10 p.m. –– and eventually offer breakfast and lunch service as well.   Restaurant management also has plans to treat its guests to traditional rock ’n’ roll performances on Saturday nights, from 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.