This popular Italian restaurant now serves housemade gelato.
Arancino di Mare in the Waikīkī Beach Marriott Resort & Spa recently launched its new gelato dessert cart. Right now, the housemade gelato is only available at this location, but will eventually expand to the other Arancino restaurants.
Serving housemade gelato has always been a goal for the eatery, according to Arancino di Mare general manager Jay-R Bautista. He explains that restaurant executive chef Daisuke Hamamoto saw a gelato cart recently during a restaurant and hospitality expo in San Diego.
“I didn’t see anyone using it here in Hawaiʻi,” Hamamoto says.
Four flavors are available on a rotating basis; right now, customers can choose from options like vanilla, pistachio and chocolate.
“The machine acts like a freezer, but it spins at the same time,” Bautista explains. “It circulates air like a real gelato machine.”
It takes about 15 minutes for the first batch of gelato to be made, according to Bautista, who says that batches are made throughout the day. The gelato boasts a creamy consistency, and the pistachio has been a customer favorite.
The eatery will eventually include locally inspired, seasonal flavors like passionfruit and lilikoʻi, according to Bautista.
The eatery also recently launched its spring specials. Seasonal dishes include gamberi all’aglio, or shrimp in Arancino’s original garlic sauce ($26); guancia di manzo, or braised beef cheeks ($58); agnello alla scottadito, or grilled Australian lamb chops ($58); and mousse al cioccolato, or housemade chocolate mousse ($15).
The garlic shrimp is delivered on a sizzling skillet. It’s served in a generous amount of Arancino’s original garlic sauce, and is served with garlic focaccia crostini.
Of the seasonal dishes, the braised beef cheeks with mashed potatoes and haricots vert were our favorite. The beef cheeks were so flavorful, and the creamy, buttery mashed potatoes were the perfect accompaniment.
The grilled Australian lamb chops are tender and juicy, not dry nor gamey. The side of potato wedges are crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside.
Bestselling dishes on the eatery’s regular dinner menu include spaghetti ai ricci di mare, or uni pasta ($42); pizza carbonara ($33); tagliatelle alla bolognese ($34); and rigatoni cacio e pepe ($32). The latter is a classic Roman dish — comprising pecorino romano, parmigiano Reggiano and toasted black peppercorns — prepared tableside in an imported Pecorino Romano cheese wheel.
Validated self-parking is available for customers at Waikīkī Beach Marriott Resort & Spa.
CONTACT
Arancino di Mare
Waikīkī Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
2552 Kalākaua Ave., Honolulu
808-931-6273
arancino-dimare.arancino.com
Instagram: @arancinodimare
Open daily, 4:45 to 9:15 p.m.
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Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
