Cinco De Mayo In Full Swing This Weekend For Kailua Fans

With its birthday falling on May 1, Cactus bistro is throwing a Cinco de Mayo party this weekend to celebrate two years of serving up the flavors of Mexico in Kailua.

Chef-owner John Memering, who traveled extensively throughout Mexico to learn the secrets to its unique regional cuisines, has planned a fiesta, offering authentic Mexican street food and specialties, – and he always strives to incorporate locally grown ingredients.

Here’s just a taste: Pollo al carbón y Papas con Chorizo, anyone? From the dinner menu, it’s a beer-brined Jidori half fryer chicken, kiawe grilled with crispy Ewa fingerling potatoes tossed with housemade turkey chorizo, roasted chilies and onions, Cactus guacamole and early harvest island mango pico de gallo.

Kicking off at 4 p.m. Friday, the celebration continues all weekend, and includes cocktails, unique tequila flights developed by Manny Hinojosa, mixologist for Tequilas Corzo and Cazadores, Jalisco, Mexico; as well as sangrias, margaritas and a selection of cervezas and soft drinks. Artists, poets and musicians of Mexican descent also will be in the house to join in the cultural fun.

Cactus, at 767 Kailua Road, is open for late breakfast 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, for lunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily with pau hana 3:30-5 p.m. Dinner service is from 5 to 7 p.m. daily. Call 230-7663 or go to cactusbistro.com.