Steak & Sizzle Steal the Show

Simply follow the “sizzle,” and one is bound to find the home of superb steaks: Ruth’s Chris Steak House.

Diners at Ruth’s Chris are treated to exceptional steaks selected from the top two percent of the country’s beef, which are broiled in 1,800-degree ovens and served sizzling on 500-degree plates — this ensures every bite is hot and delicious. The New Orleans-inspired cuisine at Ruth’s Chris features the finest USDA Prime steaks, fresh seafood, an award-winning wine list and a wide variety of appetizers, side dishes and desserts all served in an inviting atmosphere accompanied by impeccable service and hospitality.

Ruth’s Chris offers multiple cuts of wet-aged beef, including the popular Cowboy Ribeye ($57), a massive 21-ounce bone-in cut that resembles a Fred Flintstone favorite. Each succulent steak is broiled to perfection and crafted to order.

“The local clientele loves this particular steak. It comes out sizzling and remains hot from the time it leaves the kitchen throughout the duration of the meal,” says executive chef Eser Domingo. “We want you to sit back, relax and enjoy your company. It’s all about great food, great wine and great service. If we get those elements correct then you have a successful restaurant.”

Diners often choose to supplement their hearty steak with a savory side, including Roasted Brussels Sprouts ($13), which are roasted, then sauteed in sweet honey butter along with crispy bacon — one can’t go wrong with bacon. Domingo explains that the sprouts incorporate the “sweet” of the butter and “salty” from the bacon, and offer a crisp, crunchy texture.

Louisiana Seafood Gumbo ($13) represents one of Ruth’s Chris’ “New Orleans Classics” and features vegetables including okra, celery and carrots in a thick, hearty tomato base, along with shrimp, crab and assorted seafood. Ruth’s Chop Salad ($15) represents another favorite of local diners, and consists of julienne-cut iceberg lettuce, baby spinach, radicchio, red onions, mushrooms, green olives, bacon, eggs, hearts of palm, croutons, bleu cheese crumbles and a lemon basil dressing — all topped with crispy onions in a beautiful tower-like presentation.

To wrap up one’s meal, Domingo recommends Fresh Seasonal Berries with Sweet Cream Sauce ($12). This “celebration of natural flavors” features strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries and is “simple, yet simply sensational.”

“It’s a nice, refreshing dessert after enjoying a heavy steak with mashed potatoes; after enjoying that, you want something light,” Domingo explains. “It’s big enough to share, but I’ve seen people enjoy it by themselves.”

Ruth’s Chris also is home to a can’t-miss happy hour menu available daily from 5 to 7 p.m. Appetizers come at unbelievable prices. The pau hana destination also offers up drink specials on everything from ice-cold draft beer to wine, well drinks and martinis.

Oysters Rockefeller ($10, happy hour) steals the show, and is an event in itself. The five half-shells are baked and served flaming. A touch of Malibu 151 rum is ignited on a bed of Hawaiian salt as the dish is brought to the table — a cool touch to this hot seller.

“It’s all about the flame,” says general manager Don Asam. “At night, the flame shows blue.”

As Ruth’s Chris celebrates 25 years at Waterfront Plaza, the restaurant is embarking on an extensive renovation — the dining haven prepares for another 25 years of serving its loyal diners. The restaurant will close temporarily Monday, Sept. 29, and will reopen Monday, Oct. 13, with a fresh, modern look accented with bright hues and sophisticated lighting designed to add a warm elegance to the dining experience. Diners will enjoy contemporary interior designs featuring vibrant fabrics, stylish carpets, warm lighting and creative artwork, as well as an enhanced state-of-the-art sound system.

A brand-new kitchen will include top-of-the-line equipment, allowing the talented chefs to prepare the stellar cuisine that guests have come to enjoy. Ruth’s Chris also is “going green” by saving power, as well as the environment, via energy-efficient refrigeration and air conditioning units, an advanced electrical transformer and new LED lighting.

“This is the first Ruth’s Chris in Hawaii, and our owner just signed another 25-year lease,” Domingo says. “We’re proud to be one of the original tenants still here (at Waterfront Plaza) — that’s very important to us.”

Ruth’s Chris Steak House

500 Ala Moana Blvd. #6C
599-3860
Open for dinner nightly from 5 to 10 p.m.
Note: Happy hour food and beverage specials served daily from 5 to 7 p.m. in the bar and lounge area. Stay tuned for new seasonal offerings available following the restaurant’s renovation.