BY MICHELLE RAMOS / mramos@staradvertiser.com
Cactus welcomes summer with new menu: The Kailua eatery recently released its summer lunch, dinner and bar menus and, in celebration of the Fourth of July, will release a new weekend daytime menu. New items include a chapa bread ensalada, more taco selections, a featured seafood entree on the lunch menu and a lomo saltado (12-ounce seared, grass-fed Big Island beef loin steak) on the dinner menu. Cactus is at 767 Kailua Road, Suite 106. Go to cactusbistro.com or call 261-1000.
BRUG Bakery at Shirokiya offers a variety of giveaways this month involving its delicious breads and pastries. Above is the bakery’s best-selling sausage roll. (Courtesy BRUG)
Soccer all the time: For folks following the World Cup, MAC 24/7 has 24-hour coverage until July 13. MAC 24/7 is in the Hilton Waikiki Beach Hotel, 2500 Kuhio Ave. Call 921-5564.
Happy anniversary: BRUG Bakery is celebrating its first year at Shirokiya this month with new breads and pastries, including a fruit and cream sandwich and a tomato bread; the latter will only be available for a limited time. The famous Sapporo bakery is also holding giveaways during the month: a free BRUG cooler to the first 1,000 customers who purchase four breads or pastries; a free sun shade for the first 100 people who spend an accumulated $100 on breads and pastries; a chance to win free pastries for a year by liking the company on Facebook and posting a “Happy first birthday” message; and a free cup of soup for anyone who buys two breads or pastries from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For complete details, go to facebook.com/brugbakeryhi or call 973-9111.
Gordon Biersch celebrates 26 years: In honor of its anniversary, Gordon Biersch is holding a monthlong Year of the Beer series this month. Events include:
» “Beer and such” talk on what goes into a traditional German lager, 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday. Limited seating.
» Brewery tour and beer tasting with brewmaster Jeff Liles, 5 to 6 p.m. July 15. Limited seating.
» Pau Hana Special consisting of a German brat and a choice of a 21-ounce lager for $10, 5 to 6 p.m. July 22.
» Members-only Heller Bock tapping party, 4:30 to 6 p.m. July 29. To become a passport member, sign up at the restaurant at 1 Aloha Tower Drive, Suite 1123.
To reserve or for information on any of the events, call 599-4877.
A taste of New York comes to Ewa Beach: Russo’s Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen is holding its grand opening from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday in Ewa Beach. The eatery features New York-style pizza, authentic cannoli, flatbread sandwiches and more. For a look at the menu, go to nypizzeria.com. The restaurant is at 91-1121 Kehunui Drive, Suite 114 in Laulani Village. Call 840-0412.
The Big 4-0: Hula’s Bar and Lei Stand is celebrating its 40th anniversary Wednesday. The lineup includes a blessing and live entertainment by the Brothers Cazimero, Hina Wong-Kalu, Kawika Trask and Friends, Starr Kalahiki, and GJ and Jason Laeha. Maleko McDonnell and Flash Hansen will emcee; later in the evening VJ KSM and Racer-X will DJ. Aloha attire welcomed.
Pupu will be provided by Hula’s Cafe by Ginniberries with chef Michelle Nakaya.
The fun begins at 5 p.m. and continues until 2 a.m. Purchase tickets early at hulas.com or at the bar, on the second floor of the Waikiki Grand Hotel. Cost: $5 with Hawaii, college, any industry or active military IDs; $10 general. Ten percent of the proceeds will go to the Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival.
For more information go to hsalinks.com/hulas40.
Season’s eatings at 12th Ave Grill: Start summer with a dinosaur bone and craft beer this weekend at the Kaimuki eatery. The Maui Cattle Co. Dinosaur Bone Beef Ribs with a lilikoi beer mustard will be available for $26 Saturday and can be paired with a 22-ounce Big Island Brewhaus Overboard IPA for an additional $16. More specials will be offered during the weekend plus some new items, including duck corn dogs. On Monday the grill will begin “Meaty Monday” featuring a locally made charcuterie ($18) and wine flight ($7). 12th Ave Grill is closed on the Fourth of July but will reopen Saturday. Call 732-9469.
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Please send announcements for Quick Bites to Michelle Ramos at mramos@staradvertiser.com.