BY LINDSEY MURAOKA / Special to the Star-Advertiser
Happy hours are awesome because they feature appetizers and drinks at discounted prices, but the downside is that most of them end right when people get off from work!
That’s why I like the happy hour at M Nightclub in Waterfront Plaza, because it goes from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays with specials like $3 well cocktails and $5 pupu. I stopped by recently to check out their new sushi menu, created by Reyn Nishizuka and Jonathan Tamashiro, formerly of Japanese restaurant Odoriko. They specialize in making fusion sushi rolls using fresh and local ingredients.
Here is the Tuna & Avocado Tower ($10; $8 during happy hour). It’s a kind of like a fancy seafood salad with nalo greens, cubed ahi, and avocado covered in a creamy miso and kabayaki sauce. The bubu arare sprinkles gives it a crunchy texture.
This is the Kazan Lava Roll ($11; $8 during happy hour) which is a torched California roll topped with lobster dynamite, thai chili and a kabayaki sauce. It is semi sweet with a tinge of spiciness.
If you want something more traditional, order the “Hawaiian Waters Sashimi San” ($14.50) which is big pieces of maguro, shutome, and kanpachi that were locally caught. The shiso, daikon and seaweed in this dish are also local from Nalo Farms. By the way, the seafood in this dish and all the dishes I tried tasted fresh! I’m picky when it comes to seafood – I only eat it if it tastes fresh.
My favorite roll that I tried was the Kari Kari Crab Roll ($12; $8 during happy hour). I love the crispy and crunchy texture of the soft shell crab and the onions on top.
I enjoyed the ribeye nigiri ($12) as well. The ribeye is thinly sliced and topped with the same crispy onions as the Kari Kari Crab Roll. It’s like eating a mini steak plate all in one bite.
I also tried the new sizzling ribeye steak ($14). At first bite, I thought the steak was too subtle for my taste but as I kept eating it the flavors started coming out more. Plus it goes great with the tasty wasabi cream sauce. I would so dip french fries into that sauce. I’ll be sure to order some next time since they are only $5 during happy hour!
If you like desserts, you must try this handmade cheesecake trio ($9) that comes with green tea, strawberry azuki, and oreo flavor. They are all creamy and not overly sweet. My favorite is the green tea, it has just the right amount of matcha flavor. Next time, I am not sharing this dessert with anyone!
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Lindsey Muraoka blogs about food and drink for the Pulse. Contact her on Twitter or via email at foodlalablog@gmail.com.