Hawaiian Luau at the Jelinski's

Hawaiian Luau at the Jelinski's

Aloha, Y'all. It's a Luau! Guests, all wearing flamboyant aloha attire, were greeted with a hug, a lei, and an umbrella drink served in a fresh coconut. The luau was filled with joy, laughter and warm camaraderie. However, it wasn't your ordinary luau. Instead, the underlying theme illustrated how traditional Hawaiian luau food has served as some of the underpinnings of modern-day Asian fusion cuisine. As author Arnold Hiura's cookbook states, we explored From Kau Kau to Cuisine. For example, the traditional Ka'lua Pua' a (roast pig in banana leaves) was next door in the buffet line to the Bo Ssäm Pork, served lettuce wrap-style and prepared according to the Momofuku cookbook. The mandatory luau staple Lomi Lomi Salmon was juxtaposed with Grilled Shrimp with Cocktail Sauce and Papaya-mint Salsa, adapted from the cookbook Roy's Feasts from Hawaii. But one dish remained unchanged - Spam Musubi, which celebrates the Hawaiian appreciation of Spam. This love of Spam was honored by a poignant and beautiful gesture when Austin-based Hormel Foods Corporation sent over 264,000 cans of Spam to aid people displaced by the tragic wildfire in Lahaina, Maui.

Menu:

Welcome

A Hug, a Lei, and an Umbrella Drink in a
Coconut Garnished with Cherries, Pineapple

Pupus

Assortment of Sushi, including Spam Musubi
Coconut Ceviche with Corn Chips
Lomi Lomi Salmon
Skewered Shrimp with Papaya Mint Sauce
Macadamia Nuts
Shrimp with Papaya Mint Sauce
Buffet

Ka’lua Pua’a (Roast Pig) Served on Banana
Leaves with Mango Salsa
Bo Ssäm Pork with Sauces
Grilled Halibut Masquerading as Mahi Mahi
with Lemon, Garlic, Tamari Glaze
Huli Huli Chicken
One-finger Poi, Made from Fresh Taro Root
Nalo Greens Salad with Yuzu Vinaigrette

Rice
Grilled Fresh Pineapple
Plate Lunch-style Macaroni Salad
Kings’s Hawaiian Bakery Sweet Rolls
Against the Grain Gourmet Gluten Free Garlic

Bread
Desserts
Haupia

Pannelet Cookies with Sweet Potato and

Coconut
Tropical Fruits
Lilikoi (Passion Fruit) Mousse
Wines (all self-pour)
2020 Saint-Bris Sauvignon Blanc, Domaine

Verret

2021 Bertrand Cote des Roses Rosé
2021 Argyle Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley
2021 Daou Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles