R&R Pacific - January 2016

calendar of events • travel • restaurants & food • tech • recreation • sports • culture & arts • special features • nightlife • coupons & much more

JANUARY 2016

sapporo snow

One stop to winter

The colors of culture

Guam’s 24-hour restaurants

First Chamorro animated film produced

Performers of taiko, a traditional form of Japanese ensemble drumming, entertain hotel guests at the base of Niseko Mountain Resort in Hokkaido, Japan. Photo by Jackie Hanson

contents TRAVEL

Week of winter: Sapporo

ART

Guam’s first animated film

CALENDAR

Guide to January

ESSENCE OF GUAM

Talofofo and Inarajan

restaurants & food

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Midnight meals

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Jamaican Grill

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Elegant dining at Table 35

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Events around the island

SPECIAL FEATURE SPECIAL FEATURE Out & About

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PROCREATE PRESENTS

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The Orbit 02 — an all-in-one stroller 13 for babies and parents on the go

SPECIAL FEATURE

Beadhive: Beads of inspiration

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R&R Pacific is a lifestyle magazine that features the people, culture and activities that collectively make up Guam. We provide our readers a window into the different facets of Guam’s diverse community through vibrant photography and engaging articles.

www.facebook.com/rrpacificguam About the cover: The 63rd Sapporo Snow Festival at Odori Park held from Feb. 6 to 12, 2012. People come to see the hundreds of beautiful snow statues and ice sculptures. (littlewormy/Shutterstock)

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2016

R&R Pacific/January

PUBLISHER

SENIOR DESIGNER

Maureen N. Maratita

Vikki Fong

MANAGING EDITOR

SALES MANAGER

Jackie Hanson

Annie San Nicolas

ASSISTANT EDITOR

ACCOUNT MANAGERS

Joedda Sanchez

REPORTERS

Evelyn Sanchez

ADMINISTRATION

Joy White Julius Cantara

PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR

Janice Castro, Jessica Quintanilla

Carmelita McClellan and Vincent Leon Guerrero

Rosanna Dacanay

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Marcos Fong

Glimpses of Guam Inc. Mission Statement: To be a renowned communications company that connects people with information through creative, engaging and effective products.

Glimpses Publications include: Marianas Business Journal • Guam Business Magazine • R&R Pacific • Beach Road Magazine

R&R Pacific • January 2016 • Entire contents copyrighted 2016 by Glimpses of Guam, Inc. R&R Pacific is published monthly by Glimpses of Guam, Inc., 161 US Army Juan C. Fejeran St., Barrigada Heights, GU 96913.

Telephone: (671) 649-0883, Fax: (671) 649-8883, Email: assist_editor@glimpsesofguam.com • All rights reserved.

No material may be printed in part or in whole without written permission from the publisher.

Travel///Sapporo

Take a direct flight to slopes, sake and snow festivals STORY BY JOY WHITE PHOTOS BY JACKIE HANSON

A street in Niseko, Japan, leading up to the Niseko Mountain Resort Grand Hirafu.

While cities such as Tokyo and Kyoto are popular destinations, Sapporo offers a unique way to experience Japan.

The fourth-largest city in Japan by population, Sapporo is located on Japan’s Northern island of Hokkaido. United Airlines offers a direct flight of almost five hours. Other airlines, including Korean Air, offer flights with at least one layover.

Sapporo has many attractions. Odori Park sits in the heart of the city. Within the park’s boundaries are local landmarks, including the Sapporo TV Tower and the Sapporo City Archive Museum. Another park, the Moerenuma Park, features a unique layout. The Hokkaido Shrine, open to visitors, is a great place to meditate and pray. For three days during the New Year, hundreds of thousands of people visit this shrine to pray for health and peace and receive omikuji, strips of paper bearing fortunes.

Other attractions include Sapporo’s Historic Village, Botanic Garden and Shiroi Koibito Park — a chocolate factory, shop and museum.

The city is easy to navigate, with an efficient transportation network that includes three subway lines, a tram line and many bus companies.

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It has a rectangular street layout and simple addressing system in which city blocks are named and numbered according to the point of compass, with the Eastern end of Odori Park at the apex.

Aligning a visit to the city during a festival will add to the experience. One notable festival is the Sapporo Snow Festival, held annually in February at Odori Park. Snow statues and ice sculptures are erected during the seven days of the festival. The International Snow Sculpture Contest is held, and musicians perform on stages made of snow.

The festivities extend to Sapporo Satoland, an amusement park about 30 minutes from the park, where slides and a maze are constructed out of snow and ice. Food, such as fresh seafood, potatoes, corn and dairy products, are available widely during the festival at the Odori Park and Sapporo Satoland.

In May, the Lilac Festival is held to celebrate the end of winter. Lilac seedlings are given away, and events include a music festival, an outdoor tea ceremony and a stamp rally. Odori Park has hundreds of lilac trees that will be in bloom in the spring.

The Sapporo Festival (Sapporo Matsuri) is held from June 14 to 16

(Clockwise from top left) A skier starts his descent from the peak of Niseko Mountain Resort’s Annupuri ski area, at an elevation of about 4,000 feet; A bartender at an ice bar in Niseko Village serves up champagne for New Year’s Eve; A giant cauldron stands in the dining hall of the Sapporo Bier Garten, where visitors enjoy beer over barbecued mutton after a tour of the Sapporo Beer Museum; Crowds work their way through vendors on the way to Hokkaido Shrine, where approximately 800,000 people visit every New Year’s to pray for health and peace in the coming year.

every year. During this festival, celebrants line up bearing mikoshi — palanquins carried by Shinto followers that serve as vehicles to transport a deity between shrines.

Sapporo is known as the birth place of miso ramen, Sapporo ramen and soup curry. These dishes and more can be found at Ganso Sapporo Ramen Yokocho, a street lined with ramen and noodle houses in Susukino. Susukino is the city’s district for nightlife, restaurants and entertainment.

Adults will enjoy a visit to the Sapporo Beer Museum, the only beer museum in Japan. The museum has three floors offering exhibits depicting the history of the beer industry through beer bottles, signs, posters, instruments for brewing beer and panels on historical breweries of Sapporo.

A museum bar marks the endpoint, where guests can sample beer products in the Sapporo Beer Garden in its south wing. There is also a restaurant and museum shop on

the lower floors and a shopping mall connected to the museum.

The Chitosetsuru Sake Museum offers sake tasting, a brewery tour, a gift shop and a café. For more great food, visit the Kirin Beer Garden, a restaurant known for its quality beef and Japenese dishes. Patrons grill their own selections during a 90-minute all-inclusive meal.

Sapporo is also a great place for snowboarding, skiing and other winter sports during the winter months. The city is home to the Okurayama Ski Jump, an Olympic ski jump stadium, and just outside the city center is the Tiene Ski Resort. Just two and a half hours from Sapporo by bus is Niseko, the most famous ski resort in Japan. Niseko is known for having tons of light powder snow and spectacular backcountry.

Though the slopes are open past dark, the evening hours are also an opportunity to indulge at the roadside food trucks, serving

lamb gyros, monster burritos and Indian curries, or to warm up in one of a nearby onsens.

Do not forget to bring home omiyage, gifts for friends and family. White chocolate biscuits called shiroi koibito are popular in Sapporo and make delicious gifts.

Sapporo, Japan Flight time: 4 hours and 55 minutes (direct) Exchange rate: ¥0.81 = $1 Must see: Hokkaido Shrine Must do: Sapporo Snow Festival in February Must eat: Sapporro ramen Visa: Not required for U.S. passport holders

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Art///Maisa

BY JOY WHITE PHOTOS PHOTOS BY JOE CRUZ AND JOY WHITE

Immersed in the vibrant images and powerful voices of Chamorro ancestors, one is transported to a pre-contact Guam in a historical first: Guam’s first animated film, “Maisa, the Chamorru Girl Who Saves Guåhan.”

The film uses a combination of live-action, computer generated images and animation to depict the classic Chamorro tale of the a young girl named Maisa and the maidens that saved Guam from destruction.

The movie premiered on Dec. 7 at the Agana Shopping Center in a screening held for the film’s cast and crew. Screenings for the Department of Education schools and the public were held from Dec. 9 to 13. Copies of the film were distributed during the showings.

The film has exciting action sequences, as well as a moral center that will help young Chamorros learn to be powerful and lead in protecting their language, culture and home.

The Guam Department of Education Chamorro Studies and Special Project Division worked with Twiddle Productions, based in Honolulu, and Guam’s Kahmeleon Productions to create the film. Members of DOE assisted in translating the script entirely in Chamorro. Students with DOE’s Haligi Cultural Animation Art Program provided artwork for the characters and design. Kahmeleon provided location scouting and filming. Twiddle Productions provided the film’s animation and script.

The project was created as part of the division’s HITA program, which brings together Chamorro culture, language, art, animation and student participation. HITA stands for Hinanao-ñiha I Taotåota Åntes, which translates to “our way of life long ago.”

The goal of the film was to depict Guam as it would have looked and sounded before contact with the Western world. The cultural group Pa’a Taotao Tano performed traditional chants for the film’s soundtrack. Historically prominent locations were used, such as Pago Bay. Twiddle Productions worked with Guam seafaring organizations TASI and TASA to design the canoes, or sakman, in the film. In addition, Twiddle Productions worked with the U.S. National Wildlife Refuge at Ritidan Point, which provided tracks of indigenous birds recorded on Guam in the 1970s.

Scriptwriters made a point of not using any Spanish words,

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(Clockwise from top left) Representatives of the Guam Department of Education Chamorro Studies and Special Projects Division, Twiddle Productions and Kahmeleon Productions at a meet-and-greet on Dec. 4 at Java Junction; The liveaction and animated cast of “Maisa: The Chamorru Girl that Saved Guåhan,” at the exclusive premier showing for the film’s cast and crew on Dec. 7 at the Tango Theaters in Agana Shopping Center; A question and answer panel was held after the public showings of “Maisa: The Chamorru Girl that Saved Guåhan” on Dec. 12 at the University of Guam Lecture Hall; and Maria Taitano Calvo starred as modern-day Maisa and Zachariah Taitano Calvo starred as Napu in “Maisa: The Chamorru Girl that Saved Guåhan.” Both are students at Agana Heights Elementary School.

names or phrases.

The name of the main character is Maisa, who conveys individuality or being by oneself and reflects no gender, Ronald T. Laguana, the executive producer, says. The chiefs in the film were named after traditional locations in Pago Bay. Students from Guam’s public elementary, middle and high schools auditioned for parts in the live-action and animated portions of the film. Students that did not get leading roles voiced background dialogue for crowd scenes.

The live-action and animated cast includes Kihya Martinez, Vance G.C. Camacho, Maria Taitano Calvo, Zachariah Taitano Calvo, Zina San Nicolas Ruiz, Therese “Ewy” Taitano, Vincent San Nicolas and Richard Pablo.

Laguana recalls his own experience in learning the Chamorro language. During his youth, the language was not spoken widely on Guam and it took several years for him to master it.

Today, the language and culture are being revitalized, and the film is just one way to ensure future generations can learn. “Maisa” can now be used by educators as a colorful and fun way to teach the language, culture and history. “[The movie] brings the Chamorro language to a high level of technology,” he says.

Rufina Mendiola, acting administrator of DOE’s Chamorro Studies and Special Projects Division and “Maisa” producer, has been an educator for more than 30 years, and during those years, educational tools and resources for teaching Chamorro have been scarce, he says.

In addition to being a resource for spreading awareness of the Chamorro culture and educating Guam’s students, the film provided the opportunity for Guam talent to build their portfolios.

All participants received a film credit, which is important for up-and-coming artists, actors and actresses and filmmakers.

Showcasing students’ talents was an important aspect of the film. “Even one word means a lot to them,” Mendiola says.

For many, “Maisa” is their first film credit, says Michael Q. Ceballos, director for “Maisa” and CEO, executive producer and co-founder of Twiddle Productions.

Val Gonzales, of Kahmeleon Productions and director of photography for “Maisa,” helped provide local filmmaking support. All the live-action scenes were shot outdoors in one day. No studio lighting was used.

A 100-page graphic novel in Chamorro and English is planned. The novel will include the production process of the film, as well as the story of Maisa.

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JANUARY events

Through Jan. 29

University of Guam arts faculty biennial exhibit

featured event

Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday Location: ISLA Center of the Arts, Mangilao Free admission Jan. 3

Guam Bowling Congress Guam Youth Bowler of the Month Time: 11 a.m.

Location: Central Lanes Bowling Center Event open to bowlers 21 years of age and younger as of Jan. 1.

For more information email guambowlingcongress@gmail.com or visit www.century-plaza.net.

Jan. 9

Offset Kings showcase Time: 3 p.m.

Location: Guam International Raceway Jan. 15

I Love Man’amko and Family Fun Day Location: John F. Kennedy High School track, Tamuning Jan. 17

Budweiser King and Prince of the Lanes Time: 11 a.m.

Location: Central Lanes Bowling Center Open to all bowlers For more information email guambowlingcongress@gmail.com or visit www.century-plaza.net.

Jan. 23 and 24

Fourth Annual Latte Peace Festival Location: Tamuning park Free admission Jan. 24

Guam Senior Bowler of the Month Time: 11 a.m.

Location: Central Lanes Bowling Center Open to all bowlers 50 years of age For more information email guambowlingcongress@gmail.com or visit www.century-plaza.net.

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Jan. 16

XTERRA Progressive Tri-Bike The Progressive Triathlon gives athletes the chance to train for all legs of the annual XTERRA Guam Championship triathlon. The TriBike event allows athletes to go through the actual XTERRA Guam bike course and provides an opportunity to train without committing to a full triathlon. The XTERRA Guam Championships are a stepping stone to the XTERRA World Championship, held every October in Maui. The Progressive Tri-Bike is open to novice triathletes, cyclists who wish to improve their time and performance or for athletes or individuals who simply want to stay fit.

Location: Nimitz Hill TIME: 7 a.m.

For more information visit www.xterraisland.com

Jan. 26, 27 and 28

Guam Symphony Society’s Young Artist Competition Time: 7 p.m.

Location: University of Guam Fine Arts Theater

EVENTSCALENDAR

January sun

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fri 1

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New Year’s Day

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• Guam Bowling Congress Guam Youth Bowler of the Month

9 • Offset Kings showcase

The Forest The Revenant

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MOVIES

Ride Along 2 The 5th Wave 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi • I Love Man’amko and Family Fun Day

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• Fourth Annual Latte Peace Festival • Guam Senior Bowler of the Month

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• Fourth Annual Latte Peace Festival

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• Guam Symphony Society’s Young Artist Competition

MOVIES

Risen Dirty Grandpa The Boy

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26 • Guam Symphony Society’s Young Artist Competition (through Jan. 28)

27 • Guam Symphony Society’s Young Artist Competition

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MOVIES

• Budweiser King and Prince of the Lanes

The Finest Hour Kung Fu Panda 3

FEATURED MOVIE Jan. 15

The 5th Wave Directed by J Blakeson Starring Chloë Grace Moretz, Nick Robinson, Ron Livingston, Maggie Siff, Alex Roe, Maria Bello, Maika Monroe and Liev Schreiber

After surviving four waves of deadly attacks on Earth from extraterrestrials, teenaged Cassie Sullivan must rescue her younger brother before the fifth wave is launched. Cassie teams up with a stranger named Evan, who may be her and her brother’s only hope or who could betray them.

*Event times and dates may change without notice.

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1.

Essence of Guam///Talofofo and Inarajan

POINTS OF INTERESTS

Gef Pa’go Cultural Village and historic homes Living museum Phone number: 828-1671 Hours of operation: 9 a.m. to noon daily Inarajan Garden House Accommodations and events Phone number: 486-2758

and swimming: 2. Hiking Tinago and Inarajan Falls Gadao Caves Salaglula Pools Landmarks:

3. Chief Gadao Statue 4. Baptist church ruins 5. St. Joseph Church Bear Rock San Isidoro Church Cynthia Ann Flores Resident for 41 years with her husband and two daughters “Our village seems small, but that’s only in the main village of Inarajan, or the historic district. The rest is spread far and wide after Malesso and into the hills of Malojloj. It’s a quiet, peaceful place that still tries to stay true to our old Chamorro ways of living.”

4 Inalahån

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Mayor: Doris Flores Lujan Population: 2,273 Fiestas: St. Joseph of Mary – March; St. Joseph the Workers – May Village flower: Plumeria Village slogan: Tano Gada

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Photo courtesy of Guam Boonie Stompers Inc.

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Essence of Guam///Talofofo and Inarajan

1.

POINTS OF INTERESTS

Jeff ’s Pirates Cove Cuisine: American, Greek and Mediterranean fusion Hours of operation: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday Phone number: 789-2683

Falls Resort Park 2. Talofofo Admission: $20 for adults, $8

for children from ages 4 to 11 Hours of operation: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily Phone number: 828-1150/1

River Cruise 3. Adventure Admission: $70 for adults 12

years old and older, $40 for children 5 to 11 years old, free for children 3 years old and younger Cruise times: 9 a.m. and 1:40 p.m.

Reservation office hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily Phone number: 646-1710

Photo courtesy of Adventure River Cruise

Talo’fo’fo Nickname: “God’s country” Mayor: Vincente S. Taitague Population: 3,050 Fiestas: San Miguel – September; Banana Festival – April

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and swimming : 4. Hiking Talofofo Caves Ipan Beach Park Talofofo Beach Park Yokoi’s Cave

Jonathan T. Rivera Resident for 10 years “It’s beautiful. Granted it’s not the most convenient to live in because of how far it is from the business district, but being surrounded by trees, with a beach bay down one way and hiking trails down another ­­— it’s full of interesting sights that I don’t get tired of seeing every day.”

Photo courtesy of Adventure River Cruise

Photo courtesy of Guam

Photo courtesy of Jeff ’s Pirates Cove

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Photo courtesy of Adventure River Cruise

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Special Feature///Beadhive

BY JOY WHITE PHOTOS COURTESY OF IGMEDIA

Jewelry making and painting are creative outlets, a confidence builder and a way to de-stress. The Bead Hive offers a space for people of all ages and skills to learn to create pieces to be proud of.

The Bead Hive offers jewelry-making classes, as well as classes and events for all things craft-related, including bead parties and paint parties.

Products and services include custom jewelry, art services and studio rental.

Participants of all ages and skill levels are welcome. “The willingness to learn and create is all you need. We supply all the tools and instruction. You don’t need any experience to take a class,” says Jacqueline Sablan, owner of the Bead Hive. Materials from all over the world are used.

Sablan began making jewelry as a hobby while she was living on the East Coast and took classes from well-known artists in the area.

“Before I knew it, I had people buying jewelry off of my neck,” she says. After a suggestion from a friend to build a business, Sablan was making and sending jewelry to Guam, where her family helped by holding jewelry parties. From there, she began teaching classes in her neighborhood and in her workplace.

One of the Bead Hive’s signature classes is called Bead Therapy. “When you are working on your project, you are concentrating and don’t really think of anything else. When you complete your project, it gives you a sense of self-confidence and, above all, it’s fun,” Sablan says.

Jewelry making is used in rehabilitation centers and nursing homes by art therapists and others, as studies have shown it can be used as a form

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of therapy and it improves motor skills, social skills and offers other benefits, Sablan says.

In addition to jewelry making, Sablan paints, makes backdrops and costumes and does a variety of things to feed her creative spirit.

“There is inspiration in everything — music, nature, and life. Inspiration doesn’t lie in just one thing for me,” she says.

However, Sablan gets a great deal of inspiration and pride from seeing her students’ confidence grow as they complete projects and artwork.

“I hope that everyone who attends one of my classes or workshops, leaves with a greater sense of confidence in their ability to creatively express themselves and to try new things,” she says.

The Bead Hive hosts Girl Scout jewelry workshops and the Bead Hive will be hosting Mommy & Me workshops in May. Upcoming workshops can be found at www.TheBeadHiveGuam. com. The Bead Hive is located in the RBC Building at intersection of Airport Road and Marine Corps. Drive in Tamuning, near Mobil.

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Restaurant & Food///Midnight Meals

24 HOURS

King’s Restaurant

Denny’s

Locations: Compadres Mall, Dededo and Guam Premier Outlets, Tamuning Phone number: 637-1700, Dededo; 647-5464, Tamuning Late night craving: Fried Rice Ala

Locations: Micronesia Mall, Dededo; and M Phone numbers: 637-1802, Dededo; and 64 Late-night craving: Moons over My Hamm

Winchell’s

24-hour locations: Dededo, NC Fridays, Saturdays and holida Late-night craving: Donuts an

24 HOURS

Little Caesar’s Pizza Station Location: Kmart, Tamuning Phone number: 646-8900 Late-night craving: Pizza, pasta and Crazy Bread

BY JOY WHITE

24 HOURS

Fuji Ichiban

Guam’s 24-hour restaurants offer a wa night owls or early risers. Call ahead to h the stars, or dine in with friends and fam

Locations: San Vitores Road, Tumon (across from Acanta Mall) Phone number: 647-4555 Late-night craving: Tonkatsu Ramen

Late night fast McDonald’s

24 HOURS

Dine-in and drive through open 24 hours Locations: Hagåtña, Harmon, Maite Mobil, NCTAMS, Tamuning, Tumon Japan Plaza and Yigo Mobil Late-night craving: 20-piece chicken McNuggets

Jack in the Box

24 HOURS

Dine-in and drive through open 24 hours Locations: Shell station, upper Tumon Late-night craving: Sourdough Jack burger

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Restaurant & Food///Midnight Meals

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HOURS

HOURS

Linda’s Coffee Shop Location: Marine Corps. Drive, East Hagåtña Phone number: 472-6117 Late-night craving: Corned beef fried rice and other local dishes

Marine Corp. Drive, Tamuning 46 – 1475 my

24 HOURS

CS Mangilao ays in Tamuning and Hagåtña nd sausage platter

Honorable mentions for when you’re out late but not too late or up early.

Shirley’s Coffee Shop

arm meal any time of day for hungry have food ready for a picnic under mily over late-night conversation.

Hours: 6 a.m. to midnight Location: Tamuning Phone number: 649-6622 Late-night craving: Fried rice

Kracked Egg

food cravings

Hours: Midnight to 2 a.m.

Location: Pale San Vitores Road, Tumon Phone number: 648-0881 Late-night craving: Pancakes and other breakfast favorites

Wendy’s Hours: Drive through open until 2 a.m.

Locations: Dededo, Tamuning, Hagåtña and Barrigada Late-night craving: Spicy chicken sandwich

Taco Bell Hours: Drive through open until 2 a.m.

Locations: Hagåtña, Dededo, Tamuning, Mangilao Late-night craving: Burrito supreme

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Special Feature///Jamaican Grill

STORY AND PHOTOS By Julius Cantara

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The staff of Jamaican Grill — a locally grown restaurant best known for its barbeque platters, jerk chicken and locally caught fish dishes — knows that when serving “Serious Food,” certain standards are needed to impress and satisfy customers.

The management and service crew ensure customer satisfaction through fresh, colorful, hot and tasty food. From the moment the order is placed, the greatest effort and care for the preparation of the food sets in.

Every employee working in the kitchen is trained to follow the restaurant’s recipe for “Serious Food,” and is expected to meet the standards of the establishment. Dishes are prepared with precision. Customer satisfaction is the number one priority of Jamaican Grill. Only the best are entrusted to prepare Jamaican Grill’s signature dishes.

Each restaurant has a kitchen manager: Clayton Wai is chef and kitchen manager for the Tumon restaurant; Tim C. Cruz is chef and kitchen manager of the Dededo restaurant; and Disah Isimang is chef and kitchen manager of the Hagåtña branch.

“We love what we do. It’s a passion that you have to have when you enter the kitchen.” ~ Tim C. Cruz Kitchen manager, Jamaican Grill, Dededo

“The taste profile of everything that comes out meets the requirements to the owners and concept of Jamaican Grill,” Chef Wai says. Wai received his culinary associates degree from Honlolulu Community College and has been with the company since 2011.

Chef Cruz joined the restaurant in 2000. He says he focuses on each plate that goes up to the counter. Each one must have the chef ’s personal touch.

“If that plate is not steaming, it’s not going out,” Cruz says. “It is also the server’s job to make sure that every plate that comes off the counter is hot, steaming, colorful, fresh and unique. That is the standard of Jamaican Grill.”

Chef Isimang has been part of the Jamaican Grill since 2009. Knowing that patrons enjoy their meals is a great reward, Isimang says. He often hears patrons as they walk by the window or the front desk and how much they enjoyed the food. Even outside of the workplace, a customer’s praise when they see the Jamaican Grill uniform or recognize him as a chef for Jamaican Grill is very much appreciated, Isimang says.

The chefs see their profession as more than just a job because they are able to pursue their passion and do what they love for a living. Being a chef is more than just making a dish, it is making a work of art, and that requires passion and preparing. “Serious Food” is no exception.

Among the many rewards of the job is seeing the look on the customer’s face when they dine on a platter piled with racks of ribs, grilled chicken, an assortment of Jamaican rice and red rice and a mix of fruits and vegetables.

“It is not just a job, it’s our livelihood,” Cruz says. “We love what we do.

It’s a passion that you have to have when you enter the kitchen. You have to love to cook and please people. It’s a work of art and not really a job.”

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Special Feature///Table35

Elegant dining at

BY JOY WHITE PHOTOS BY VIKKI FONG

From signature appetizers, such as coconut-crusted, beer-battered Portabella mushrooms with habaneracarrot aioli, to classic local favorites, such as barbecued short ribs and red rice, Table 35 offers elegant dining at an affordable price.

TABLE 35 Marine Corps Drive in Tamuning Phone number: 989-0350 Hours of operation: 11:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday; 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday

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Special Feature///Table35

Clockwise from left: Bleu Burger; Salmon Spring Rolls; and Miso-rubbed New York Sirloin.

Table 35’s lunch menu features the restaurant’s popular burgers and sandwiches, while a wide selection of steak, fish and pasta dishes are available during dinner. Throughout the day, salads and appetizers are offered. The coconut Portobello and Salmon Spring Rolls are crowd favorites among the appetizers offered.

Popular entrees include the Bleu Burger for $11.95, the Pulled Pork Sandwich for $10.95 and grilled salmon for $14.95 on the lunch menu and the Pan Roasted Salmon and Miso-rubbed New York Sirloin, served fresh vegetables and a side on the dinner menu.

A variety of alcoholic beverages and cocktails are offered at the bar.

The restaurant recently introduced its signature burger, the Table 35 Burger. Its two six-ounce patties, cheddar cheese and onion bun are exceptional, but the tequila Thousand Island dressing made inhouse sets it apart. Cajun fries are served alongside the burger, adding a spicy kick to the meal not easily forgotten. The Table 35 Burger and Cajun fires are available for $15.95.

Table 35’s barbecue special is Chamorro cuisine at its finest, with a splash of Asian influence. Barbecued short ribs, spare ribs and chicken are offered as a duo for $15.95 or as a trio for $17.95. The meat is definitely the star of the meal and is accompanied by delicious sides, including homemade denanche. Red rice, made with bacon and garlic, is prepared with an extra special ingredient. “I try to make it the

way my grandma makes it,” says Table 35 Chef Tom Diaz. A kimchi vinaigrette salad is also served, adding a Korean aspect to the ensemble. At dinner, potato salad is served with the dish.

Both the Table 35 Burger and barbecue specials are available at lunch and dinner.

The chefs at Table 35 use local produce as often as possible, including micro greens. Locally made products, such as tatityas, and local fish, such as marlin, reef fish and mahi mahi, are also part of the restaurant’s offerings.

Musicians perform live Thursday to Saturday. Patrick Palomo performs on Thursday and Friday and G-Strings Aloud performs on Saturday.

Table 35 accommodates small private parties and events. A private seating area on the second floor seats 20, while the restaurant can seat 110, including outdoor patio seating and 70 to 80 seats indoor. Special event menus are available, which can be arranged with restaurant management. In the past, event menus ranging from buffets to a la carte have been prepared at customers’ request.

The restaurant has been in operation for more than four years, and is always looking for ways to shake it up. Table 35 will be offering new menu items in March and will be reintroducing its Happy Hour specials with a new drink menu in February.

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OUT&ABOUT

out & about

Photo by Joy White

Photo by Jennifer M. Stocker

The Sheraton Laguna Guam Resort held its tree-lighting ceremony in honor of Make-A-Wish child Kailey Quinata on Dec. 1.

The Hilton Guam Resort & Spa launched its annual holiday train on Nov. 25.

Photos by Julius Cantara

The Hyatt Regency Guam held its holiday gingerbread housewarming on Dec. 3 in the hotel’s lobby.

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Photos by Joy White

Xterra Island held the first annual KONQER race and Adventure Expo on Nov. 29 at the Guam International Raceway.

Photos by Jackie Hanson

The Guam Department of Education, Southern High School and Inetnon Gefpå’go hosted an evening of entertainment including Southern’s Got Talent and cultural performances

by Inetnon Gefpå’go and Bayanihan, the national folkdance company from the Philippines, on Dec. 2 to 4 at the Southern High School Auditorium.

Photos by Joy White

The Pink Ink 2016 Calendar benefitting the Guam Cancer Care was launched on Nov. 28 with an autograph-signing from the calendar’s models at the Sheraton Laguna Guam Resort. The calendar features members of Guam’s tattooed community.

Photos by Julius Cantara

The Japan Club of Guam held its annual Japanese Autumn Festival on Nov. 28 at the Gov. Joseph Flores Park.

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