D.K STEAK HOUSE

Chef D.K. Kodama's d.k Steak House is offering a four-course Mother's Day brunch (10 a.m.-2 p.m.; $39, $12.95 kids ages 4-12), with a menu of various appetizers, a choice of soup or salad, a choice of one of eight entrees (everything from eggs Benedict to french toast to prime rib to steamed onaga) and a dessert.

d.k Steak House, Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, 2552 Kalakaua Ave., 1327 S. Beretania St., 596-2779

LA MER

Treat mom to a five-diamond lunch ($75 per person) at the Halekulani's French restaurant, La Mer. The menu includes a choice of appetizer, soup, a choice of entree (pan-seared halibut with sauteed mushrooms, white asparagus and crayfish sauce; roasted duck breast , braised red cabbage with juniper berries, gratin potatos and caramelized honey; natural beef filet with ravioli Nicoise, fava beans, chanterelles, parsley potatoes and natural jus) and dessert.

La Mer, Halekulani Hotel, 2199 Kalia Road, 923-2311

THE MANDALAY

The Mandalay is offering its signature Mother's Day dinner buffet (5-7:30 p.m.; $29.95, $17.95 kids ages 3-12), including roasted pig, snow crab legs, Peking duck with bun, prime rib and shrimp cocktail, plus desserts and additional entrees.

The Mandalay, 1055 Alakea St., 525-8585

THE VERANDA AT THE MOANA SURFRIDER

Cinnamon Girl and the Moana Surfrider will celebrate Mother's Day from noon to 3:30 p.m. May 8 with a mother-daughter tea service and fashion show ($20-$48) that will feature hotel employees and their daughters. The "Sugar and Spice" moms' day event will include a special tea service for keiki and The Veranda's Classic and First Lady service for moms.

The Veranda, Westin Moana Surfrider, 2365 Kalakaua Ave., 922-3111

LUNCH CLUB

When Pipeline Café started serving lunch last year, we couldn't help wondering how a nightclub would fare as a daytime lunch spot. We needn't have worried. After a few months of serving lunch, Pipeline has redone its menu, and this one's even better than the first. The cafe offers a solid menu of sandwiches (such as a prime rib sandwich and our fave, the incredibly indulgent pulled pork sandwich), salads, pasta and plate lunches. It may not be your typical lunch cafe, but it's more comfortable than a lunch truck and cheaper than a restaurant — and the food's good too. Win, win ... win!

Pipeline Café

805 Pohukaina St. 589-1999

Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays-Fridays

MUST TRY

HOT-SAMMY HEAVEN

Magoo's Pizza Wagon's (372-9765) hot ham and cheese and mushroom sandwich ($6.99 six inches; $9.95 12 inches) is filled with ham, cheddar, mozzarella, Parmesan and, of course, mushrooms. It's warm and gooey, the cheeses melting into the salty ham, the mushrooms dripping rich, meaty jus. Be warned: This is huge and filling — and dangerously satisfying.

— Melissa Chang

FOOD NEWS

Leeward Community College culinary students and chef instructors will stage their annual L'ulu fundraiser from 6 to 8 p.m. May 8, in and around the college's signature restaurant, The Pearl. Tickets are $100 before May 1 and $125 thereafter. Each year, the event recognizes one of the founding members of the Hawaii Regional Cuisine movement. This year's honoree will be chef Philippe Padovani. For more information, call Fabi Castellano at 455-0300 or e-mail: fabiola@hawaii.edu.

Le Guignol (1010 S. King St., 591-1809) is now open for lunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays.

Outback Steakhouse Hawai'i will send one winner to see country music star Tim McGraw live in concert on June 3 at Cricket Pavilion in Phoenix, Ariz. Through April 30, individuals may enter the prize drawing at any Outback Steakhouse on O'ahu, Maui or the Big Island (no purchase necessary). Outback Steakhouse locations include Hawai'i Kai, Kapolei, Waikíkí, Waipi'o, Kíhei, Lahaina and Kona.

Chef Hiroshi Fukui will host a cooking demo at Hiroshi Eurasion Tapas (500 Ala Moana Blvd., Restaurant Row, 533-4476) at 6 p.m. on April 27. The "Working with Meats" demo will cover everything from braising and barbecuing to grilling and smoking.