It’s Not a Party Without Prime Rib

Happy Sunday, Ono readers! Truth be told, I’m still bouncing off the walls with birthday bliss. I turned 21 all over again this past Tuesday, and celebrated big time with glorious food, food and more food! It was a day full of non-stop eating with no restraint. There were Cinnabon’s world-famous cinnamon rolls that were devoured, along with acai bowls and peanut butter smoothies, puttanesca linguine with gigantic meatballs, bruschetta, eggplant Parmesan and loads of cookie dough ice cream cake! Can I get an “amen”?! Now, I’ve experienced many food frenzies in my lifetime, but this one was ridiculous! My fellow food enthusiasts, don’t think it stops there — In fact, the celebratory eating continues all month long, and in recent days, I pledged my love for prime rib!

Special occasions call for a slab of prime rib, for sure — one that is bold with flavor, absolutely tender and tickles your taste buds.

So, without further ado, it’s time to carve into prime rib masterpieces at the following Ono, You Know locations. Bring on the prime rib, because it’s time to treat ourselves to a little bit of decadence.

Hukilau

Wednesdays are special at Hukilau in Executive Centre, especially for prime rib fanatics, since it’s the only day when patrons can get their hands on Roasted Garlic and Herb Crusted Prime Rib ($24). This 12-ounce cut of choice-grade beef is first coated in a Hawaiian salt rub, then a dry rub of garlic, onion and paprika is added to the mix.

“I sear the exterior of the roast and then slow cook it for a good three hours,” says executive chef Jason Takemura, noting that this technique locks in the juices and flavors of the meat.

During the last 15 minutes of preparation, a puree of roasted garlic, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and fresh rosemary and thyme are rubbed on the prime rib and caramelized. This final touch is just beautiful!

“We sell out of this dinner special every Wednesday. People actually call the restaurant to pre-order their prime rib,” Takemura adds.

The prime rib is also complemented by au jus and creamy horseradish, in addition to a side of mashed potatoes, sauteed mushrooms and asparagus.

For those who wish to go all out, Hukilau offers exquisite wine pairings, and on Wine Down Wednesdays, diners receive half off wines by the glass and bottle. An appetizer special is also available.

Midweek is the perfect time for a hukilau!

Hukilau Executive Centre
1088 Bishop St.
523-3460

Ocean House

Surf and turf is up at Ocean House, where casual elegance and oceanfront dining meet premier tastes and exceptional customer service. Located within Outrigger Reef Hotel in Waikiki, this plantation-style restaurant offers picturesque views of Diamond Head and was originally known for its predominant seafood selection. But since then, a plethora of meaty favorites have been added to the dinner menu. For any tried-and-true carnivore, what’s not to love about that? Kamaaina and visitors alike would agree.

According to general manager David Nagaishi, the restaurant’s best-seller is in fact melt-in-your-mouth worthy. Drum roll, please … Enter Hawaiian Sea Salt Slow Roasted Premium Angus Prime Rib. Its name alone is just as jaw dropping as the product. Diners may choose from The House Cut ($34.50), a hearty 14-ounce portion of juicy, tender beef; Lite Cut ($31.50), a smaller cut for the lighter appetite; Pulehu Prime Rib ($36.50) grilled with garlic and fresh herbs; and lastly, my favorite, Blackened Prime Rib ($36.50), which is pan-seared on an iron skillet with Cajun spices served with a sweet Creole sauce. And here at Ocean House, patrons who dine between 5 and 6 p.m. can take advantage of The Sunset Special, which features 10 ounces of prime rib for a discounted price of $21.95. I’m no psychic, but I have a feeling mouths are watering at this very moment!

All prime rib entrees are accompanied with Maui onion mashed potatoes, and traditional creamy horseradish and au jus — just divine, as these are standards for any prime rib aficionado.

No matter what your preference, you’ll find a style of prime rib that will suit your palate at Ocean House. All it takes is one bite, and your Ocean House experience will be complete.

Ocean House Outrigger Reef Hotel
2169 Kalia Road
923-2277

Todai Restaurant

Todai Restaurant will give you something to talk about with its all-you-caneat-buffet — a feast for the masses, if you will. Owner Toru Makino opened the famed restaurant, known for its upscale international sushi and seafood buffet, in December 1999. He later sold the establishment, but most recently, Makino is back in the game full-force, with the help of his business partner Han Kim.

Todai’s buffet is priced at: (Lunch) Monday-Friday, ($10.98); Saturday-Sunday, ($18.98); (Dinner) Monday–Thursday, ($26.98) and Friday-Sunday, ($28.98).

And with more than 100 items on the buffet line, that’s a lot of bang for your buck. First and foremost, the No. 1 rule when dining buffet style is to come hungry, and while everything is tasty, you must pick and choose the best. Therefore, Todai’s prime rib platter will be the popular choice.

“We’re very well-known for our prime rib,” Makino confirms. “Everyone loves it.”

Available during dinner only, the prime rib features a tender slab of meat, cooked to perfection and seasoned with just the right amount of garlic powder, cracked black pepper, beef-flavored soup stock, salt, Montreal steak seasoning and slivers of fresh garlic. Of course, horseradish and au jus sauce liven up the entree even more.

As soon as you’re served your first sliver of succulent meat, it’s no surprise when you find yourself going back for fourth and fifth helpings.

Oh yeah, bring on the beef! I hope you have a bottomless pit for a stomach!

Todai Restaurant
1910 Ala Moana Blvd.
947-1000