Page 8 - MidWeek - Dec 7, 2022

8 MIDWEEK DECEMBER 7, 2022
We have heard much about pairing food and wine, but restaurant owner Ka- zutomo Robert Hori, a former Japa- nese entrepreneur and champion car racer, has now paired fine art and food (mainly the best truffles money can buy) at Margotto Hawai‘i at 514 Pi‘ikoi St.
Margotto Serves Up A Full Sensory Experience
By MaryAnne Long
Nine years ago, Hori served truffle dishes to his friends at his residence in Japan. Seeing the pop- ularity of those dinners, he made a handshake deal with world-re- nowned chef Hiroyuki Kanda to open truffle-centric restaurants.
Fine art by Saumolia Puapuaga grace the walls in the main dining room at Margotto Hawai‘i. PHOTO COURTESY SAUMOLIA PUAPUAGA
The presentation of the truffle dishes at Margotto Hawai‘i reflect the feel of the fine art on the walls. MARYANNE LONG PHOTO
MaryAnne Long is an artist, art instructor, art collector and cura- tor. Contact her at malong@hawaii. rr.com or longlostart.weebly.com.
But Hori wanted to serve more than just food. He wanted a full sen- sory experience for his fine-dining establishment. Fine art was to be in- cluded as a focal point. He found the perfect artistic pairing for his food when he was introduced to the work of first-generation Samoan-Ameri- can artist Saumolia Puapuaga.
while dining and complement the food well.”
truffles were once hunted by pigs, until hunters realized that pigs loved them too.”
Kazutomo Robert Hori, owner of Margotto Hawai‘i, with champagne selections.
PHOTO COURTESY KAZUTOMO ROBERT HORI
In one private dining room, the decor and table settings reflect Saumolia’s Piniki, a 60-by-40-inch mixed-media canvas painting that honors his grandmother’s master mat-weaving skills.
In addition to Margotto Hawai‘i, Saumolia’s 100-piece 8-by-10-inch Hau‘ula Horizons series, along with some of his larger pieces, will be on display/sale at Pictures Plus in Ka- ka‘ako through December (opening reception is 4-7 p.m. Dec. 9).
“Saumolia’s Horizon series caught my eye,” says Hori. “The meeting of sky and the water im- pressed me. I wanted our new restaurant to reflect island culture. His art would bring people to the ocean indoors.”
Even the dishes themselves have an artistic presentation. But, truffles and art are not the only things be- ing focused on during these unique meals. Wine or champagne and classical music are also carefully matched to individual courses.
“My Hau‘ula Horizon series at- tests to the influence of nature, its patterns and colors, on my work,” says Saumolia. “The horizon has been a recurring and inspirational theme: It is a peaceful, inspiring, unattainable place where the sun and eyes meet and my inner spirit feels most complete.”
The main dining room features several large paintings.
Hori enjoys telling the story of the hunt for this gastronomic spe- cialty.
“I chose to do large Hawai‘i-in- spired paintings in the main room for their visual impact,” explains Saumolia. “But the soft sea-sky colors do not make them intrusive
“Each truffle is individually located through its unique scent, sniffed by a trained dog in the care of a professional truffle hunter,” he says. “An interesting point is that
Follow Saumolia online at artybysaumolia.com, or on Face- book and Instagram (@artbysau- molia).
Saumolia Puapuaga with At Twilight, a 40-by- 30-inch oil painting on display at Margotto Hawai‘i. MARYANNE LONG PHOTO
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