DA SPOT

In recognition of Earth Day (Wednesday, April 22), we're saying "yay, Earth!" with sustainable food that's home-grown right here in the Islands. Husband-and-wife team Ahmed Ramadan and Ako Kifuji offer a quasi-Middle Eastern-Mediterranean menu at Da Spot, their hole-in-the-wall takeout place. The trademark Egyptian chicken is a spice fest of cardamom, cumin and other alluring flavors. Food doesn't get any better for under $10 — and the couple buy and cook local every chance they get. Fans can also find Da Spot food at the KCC, Kailua and Mililani farmers markets.

Da Spot, 908 Pumehana St., 941-1313

DOWNTOWN @ THE HISAM

Chefs Ed Kenney and David Caldiero's lunch-only restaurant Downtown (they also own flagship restaurant town), which is on the first floor of the Hawai'i State Art Museum, offers a menu whose dishes are fashioned almost entirely from local ingredients. Get sandwiches, salads and entrees ($9-$15) that highlight the freshness of local ingredients at prices that won't break the bank.

Downtown @ the HiSAM, 250 S. Hotel St., 536-5900

NICO'S AT PIER 38

Nico's definitely has a good thing going — 'ono locally caught seafood and Hawaiian dishes, plate lunch prices (nothing's more than $10), a covered lanai and a serene water view. The ultra-fresh fish comes straight from the United Fishing Agency auction. The furikake pan-seared 'ahi ($9.60) is the best-seller.

Nico's at Pier 38, 1133 N. Nimitz Highway, 540-1377

'UMEKE MARKET

This isn't your hippie auntie's health food store. With a wide selection of local produce, as well as other healthy goodies, 'Umeke Market also makes food to go using the same local ingredients it sells. Try the Kamuela beef burger ($8.75) — you won't even know you're eating healthy.

'Umeke Market, two locations: 1003 Bishop St., 522-7377

4400 Kalaniana'ole Highway, 739-2990

FOOD NEWS

Mapunapuna burger joint Bob's Big Boy is temporarily closed due to fire damage. A kitchen fire early Monday morning caused more than $1 million in damage. The restaurant owner said the restaurant will be rebuilt, but it will take time.

Ruth's Chris Steak House in Restaurant Row launches its 2009 series of winemaker dinners Monday with wines from California's Signorello Vineyards. Owner and winemaker Ray Signorello Jr. will be the guest speaker and will pair his wines with Chef Kyle Yonashiro's four-course meal. The cost is $95 per person. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 599-8360.

'Iolani School's annual fair this year features celebrity chef demonstrations by notable local chefs. Chefs Goran Streng from Tango and Lance Kosaka from Alan Wong's are scheduled to appear today at 5 and 7 p.m., respectively. Henry Adaniya of Hank's Haute Dogs, D.K. Kodama of The Counter and Ronnie Nasuti of Roy's are scheduled to appear Saturday at 2, 5 and 7 p.m., respectively. For more information on the fair, visit www.iolanifair.org.

Celebrate Administrative Professionals Day April 22 with lunch (on the boss's tab, of course) and a comedy show at the Ala Moana Hotel. The luncheon includes a buffet and a show by Da Braddahs, Kaleo Pilanca and Andy Bumatai. Tickets are $35 at 944-4330, ext. 4333.

TOP OF WAIKIKI DOES PLATE LUNCH

Top of Waikiki is now serving gourmet takeout lunches at lunch truck prices. Everything on the menu — from salads to artisan pizzas to sandwiches like 'ahi avocado bacon burger and the Carolina-style BBQ pork sandwich (pictured) — is under $9. Call in your order (237-3443 or 923-3877) between 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and pick it up between 11:15 a.m. and 2 p.m. weekdays.

TRY THIS

HOT WINGS

Owners and Buffalo, N.Y., natives Tomas Arana and Eric Richter are bringing a slice of their hometown to Honolulu. The 2-week-old Buffalo Boys offers New York-style steak hoagies ($6.99-$10.19) and Buffalo chicken wings ($7.99 for 10, $29.69 for 50). Arana and Richter said they saw a need for a real hoagie and wings shop, so they filled it.

By "real," the guys mean traditional hot chopped steak sandwiches on a crusty white roll and chicken wings that are not dredged in a bready batter. These wings are deep-fried sans bready crust, then tossed in Frank's Red Hot sauce. Bonus: Buffalo Boys is open until 3 a.m. for the late-night crowd.

BUFFALO BOYS HOAGIES

2671 S. King St. (near Kokua Market)

983-3870

Hours: 10:30 a.m.-3 a.m. daily