POST-THANKSGIVING EATS

No need to feel guilty for gorging on all that turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and pie. Just compensate for the overload by filling up on greens and other healthy goodies this weekend.

UMEKE MARKET AND DELI

Lots of fresh, healthy takeout fare is available, including salads, sandwiches, fresh-fruit smoothies, soups and stews. Our personal favorites: the tofu poke and Kamuela Burger ($8.75), made with free-range, antibiotic- and hormone-free beef from the Big Island.

Umeke Market and Deli, 4400 Kalanianaole Highway, 739-2990; and 1001 Bishop St., 522-7377.

DOWN TO EARTH

Down to Earth's extensive salad bar, with both hot and cold all-vegetarian choices, is the perfect way to get in your greens the day after Thanksgiving. We're fans of the curry quinoa salad and the yams.

Down to Earth, 2525 S. King St., 947-7678; 201 Hämäkua Drive, 262-3838; 98-129 Kaonohi St., 488-1375.

KOKUA MARKET

Calling itself the only natural foods co-op in Hawaii, Kokua Market offers tasty and, of course, healthy, homemade soups, including "Moosewood" corn chowder, French onion soup and vegetarian chili with black, kidney and pinto beans.

Kokua Market, 2643 S. King St., 941-1922.

WHOLE FOODS

Whole Foods is far more than a health food store, with everything from pizza and sushi to baked goods and the famous hot-and-cold salad bar. It's not strictly vegetarian.

Whole Foods, Kahala Mall, 4211 Waialae Ave., 738-0820.

KALE'S NATURAL FOODS

This Hawaii Kai store sells Licious Dishes gourmet vegan foods made from organic, local ingredients.

Kale's Natural Foods, 377 Keahole St., 396-6993.

SOUL ON WHEELS

Chef Sean Priester, formerly of Top of Waikiki, recently began serving Southern-style specialties from a lunch truck parked in Chinatown. Specializing in “Original Pacific Soul Cuisine,” the Soul Patrol truck sells reasonably priced plate lunches, such as the Southern Sampler ($7), with “sassy Southern” vegetarian chili, buttermilk cilantro cole slaw, “sweet corn” cornbread, and Maço Organic Farms’ collard greens. For a buck more, there’s also the Nathan’s Hot Dog Chili and Frank Plate, loaded with the same black-eyed pea chili on a mound of homemade cornbread. For those craving Southernlicious greasy grinds, a warning: Chef Sean’s offerings skew on the healthy side. So you won’t necessarily bust your diet here.

BRING ON THE KIM CHEE

Caliente del Sol in the Kapahulu Safeway complex (870 Kapahulu Ave., 739-2777) has created its own version of the L.A.-style Korean taco. For $7.50, you get two soft tacos filled with bite-sized pieces of barbecue chicken, Asian slaw, sriracha sauce, kim chee and sesame seeds. It’s fusion at its best.

— Melissa Chang

FOOD NEWS

Kona Brewing Co. at Koko Marina Center in Hawaiçi Kai (394-5662) recently celebrated the opening of its Liquid Aloha Lounge. The bar area of the pub has been transformed into a trendy yet comfortable gathering area with entertainment and innovative drinks, including “beer-tinis” that fuse various liqueurs with the pub’s signature beers. Happy hour in the Liquid Aloha Lounge is 3 to 6 p.m. Mondays-Fridays.
12th Ave Grill (1145 12th Ave. in Kaimukï, 732-9469) will pledge 15 percent of its gross sales to a designated nonprofit organization during its Monday night Community Plate, through Dec. 21.
Zippy’s is offering special deals for Black Friday weekend at all its restaurants. Visit www.zippys.com and print out this week’s coupon for 20 percent off orders both at the takeout counter and dining room today, and 10 percent off on Saturday and Sunday.
Jimmy Buffett’s Restaurant & Bar at the Beachcomber has two special events coming up. On Tuesday, Dec. 1, John Cruz will perform at 8 p.m. There’s a $20 cover and dinner packages available. On Dec 14, çukulele master Jake Shimabukuro will play, also at 8 p.m. (Note: Shimabukuro will perform with Bette Midler at a Dec. 7 event in Blackpool, England, that will be attended by Queen Elizabeth.)