ON THE MENU: Restaurateur Randy Schoch and his family — wife Cheri and kids Randall and Victoria — have been escaping the heat of their Scottsdale, Ariz., home to summer in Hawai'i, where they used to live. Randy's been making beaucoup trips to the Big Island, prepping a Ruth's Chris Steak House set to launch this fall at the Mauna Lani Resort. The family pays regular visits to its other Honolulu eateries, including Romano's Macaroni Grill at Ala Moana Center. Randy hopes for another Macaroni Grill down the line and thinks Waikiki is the logical locale. ...

Jackie's Kitchen, which has had its struggles at Ala Moana Center, is undergoing decor and menu changes. There's buzz that a new chef will take command, with a soft lift-off Aug. 3; a bigger launch takes place later when actor-owner Jackie Chan can make an appearance. ...

Ed and Tina Wary's Auntie Pasto will stage a Garlic Fest July 13-31 at the Beretania Street and Kunia Shopping Center locations, with garlic-infused daily specials (including garlic ice cream). ...

about people: Traci Toguchi, the former Miss Hawai'i who's also an actress and singer, will soon release her "Feel the Breeze" album (see www.TraciToguchi.com). She recently completed work on an indie film, "Primevil," on Kaua'i, a project that stars Brad Johnson and Kelly McGillis, due for 2007 release. Local singer-actor Ikaika Kahoano ("Making of a Band" on TV, the LMNT group) was also in the cast. ...

Azure McCall has left Deep Blue at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki to become the resident jazz diva at the Malolo Lounge of the Hilton Waikoloa Village resort, performing 9 p.m. to midnight Tuesdays through Saturdays. During Dolphin Days, she hung out with performers Brenda Russell, Jeffrey Osbourne, Michael Paulo, Pauline Wilson and Clifford Coultier. Deep Blue now has a permanent liquor license, so manager Nick Arroyo hopes to formulate a nightlife sked. ...

Cindy Balfour and John Coughlin celebrated their marriage at the Halekulani recently; they both work on "Law and Order" in New York. Balfour, a former Honolulu City Ballet dancer, reconnected with fellow dancers Gioia Fasi, Marion Philpotts Miller and Laurie Westfall; sister Penny Balfour, now a Los Angeles-based actress, was maid of honor (her "Arthur and the Minimoys" film will be out at Christmas, and she also just finished a movie with Danny DeVito). Yvonna Balfour, mother of the bride, took a brief leave from her wardrobe job with "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" on Broadway, and her pal Ellie Nagler, a camera operator for Martha Stewart's TV show, also was here. We usually see Yvonna in New York, but had lunch together at Compadres Bar & Grill at Ward Centre instead. ...

here 'n' there: When media mogul Oprah Winfrey was on Maui for a Grand Wailea Resort vacation recently (with about 250 Harpo employees and their families also in attendance), Hapa (Barry Flanagan and Nathan Aweau) and Henry Kapono performed for the visitors, along with DJ Terry Hunter, who provided Top 40 dance tunes. Hapa gave Winfrey and each Harpo guest autographed copies of their Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning "Maui" album. The rationale: If you give away one, you'll eventually sell three, a formula that's worked for Flanagan in the past. ...

Makana is back from Japan, where he unveiled his "Different Game" CD — before Hawai'i. Why? "Twofold," says Makana. "I have a label (Victor Entertainment) in Japan that wanted to release it for the summer push. However, in Hawai'i, I am independent and handle everything on my own, so it takes a little longer to prepare the release." In the meantime, you can catch him live at The Green Room at Indigo Eurasian Cuisine and Chai's Island Bistro while he plans a fall tour. ...

And that's Show Biz. ...

Show Biz is published Tuesdays and Thursdays. Reach Wayne Harada at 525-8067, wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com or fax 525-8055.