Dining pick of the week: Aloha Kitchen

4466 E. Charleston Blvd.
at Lamb Boulevard, 437-4426

Aloha, the traditional Hawaiian greeting, means more than just hello and goodbye. According to etymologists, the word breaks down into "alo," meaning presence or front, and "ha," meaning breath. The literal meaning is often given as "the breath of life," as the word represents a spirit of harmony, affection and mutual respect. This spirit can be found in Aloha Kitchen, with such favorites as teriyaki bowls, pork fried rice omelet, garlic chicken with gravy, Loco Moco (hamburger patty topped with eggs and brown gravy over rice), tempura combo, beef stew, kalua pig and cabbage with macaroni salad and rice, chicken curry, kalbi ribs and pork adobo stewed in soy sauce, vinegar, basil and garlic. There are combination plates, bento boxes, soups, sandwiches, a delicious sesame soy chicken salad and specials such as the Hula Plate with mahi mahi, shrimp and scallops. Among the appetizers are seaweed salad, chicken wings and Lumpia Shanghai, mini eggrolls with ground pork, onions and carrots with sweet chili sauce. Breakfast includes Portuguese sausage with eggs or Spam with eggs and gravy. Daily favorites begin at $3.49 and breakfast at $4.50. Aloha Kitchen is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

-- Jack Bulavsky