Lotus Honolulu Announces New Pèppoli Restaurant to Open This Summer

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. February 15, 2013

February 15, 2013 - Lotus Honolulu, part of Aqua Hospitality's Monogram Hotel Collection , announces the return of culinary excellence to this the stylish boutique hotel located at the base of Diamond Head just outside of Waikiki. This summer, Pèppoli, the much-anticipated flagship restaurant of the renowned Antinori family of Italy, opens in Hawaii in a contemporary new space at Lotus Honolulu. Over the decades this iconic location has been home to such notable restaurants as David Paul's Diamond Head Grill and Bobby Magees.

Lotus Honolulu lobby.

The new restaurant will feature authentic Tuscan cuisine with a selection of Antinori's fine Italian wines. Pèppoli takes its name from one of the wine estates of Marchese Piero Antinori, who has been called "the most important winemaker in Italy" - the family having produced fine wines since their beginning six centuries ago, in 1385.

In an innovative launch campaign for Pèppoli, Lotus Honolulu is hosting a series of "pop-up" restaurants from two of today's most renowned chefs during limited engagements in February and March. The series features the cuisines of Chef Greg Profeta, former chef at Restaurant Marc Forgione, and Chef Koji Tanaka, Executive Chef of Hiroyuki Sakai's highly-anticipated Sakai of Hawaii.

Pop-up restaurants, or temporary eateries, have been happening abroad for more than a dozen years but are a relatively new phenomenon in Hawaii. The location and ambiance of pop-ups vary greatly, but food is the sensory experience and food always takes center stage.

Lotus Honolulu provides the perfect setting for the exclusive celebrity pop-ups, having recently completed a multi-million dollar renovation and upgrade to its guest rooms.

"We're firing up the kitchen and opening up the old restaurant area one last time before we have some fun gutting it to create an awesome new dining space," remarked Ben Rafter, president and CEO of Aqua Hospitality. "Chef Profeta and Chef Tanaka prepare some magical dinners in the room before its top-to-bottom transformation to become the new home for Pèppoli."

About Pèppoli
Opening in 2013, Pèppoli will be the first location in Hawaii for Italy's first family of wine, Antinori. Pèppoli cuisine and service are classic Tuscan Italian, with menus drawn from the Antinori family's signature Florence restaurants, Cantinetta Antinori and Buca Lapi, with distinguished attention to culinary artistry, detail and quality.

Pèppoli takes its name from one of the wine estates of Marchese Piero Antinori, who has been called "the most important winemaker in Italy." At Pèppoli, authentic Tuscan dishes will be prepared with the widest selection of Antinori wines outside of Tuscany. And the Pèppoli Bar will be Honolulu's most elegant and stylish gathering place for classic and contemporary cocktails. Pèppoli will have everyone returning to the Diamond Head end of Waikiki for culinary excellence, once again!

About Lotus Honolulu
Lotus Honolulu is a luxurious haven along Waikiki's "Gold Coast" offering spectacular views of Diamond Head and the Pacific Ocean. The hotel enjoys a tranquil and quiet setting and is walking distance to the Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki Aquarium and across from Kapiolani Park and Waikiki Shell. For more information about Lotus Honolulu, visit www.aqualotus.com or call (808)922-1700.

MONOGRAM HOTEL COLLECTION is a brand of Aqua Hospitality (www.AquaHospitality.com) and represents an elite group of stand-alone and independent hotels and resorts providing a highly personalized luxury experience. Each hotel has a distinct name and identity and is unique in personality, environment and design.