Ruth's Chris Steak House — Restaurant in Honolulu

Our Highly Anticipated Anniversary Dinner at Ruth Chris Steak House: A Disappointing Experience My spouse and I had been eagerly looking forward to celebrating our anniversary with a special dinner at the renowned Ruth Chris Steak House. Having dined there numerous times in the past, we had always been impressed with the exceptional food, attentive service, and overall ambiance that made every visit a memorable occasion. However, our most recent experience left us feeling utterly disappointed and underwhelmed. Upon arriving at the restaurant, we were promptly seated at a comfortable booth, as per our reservation. The warm greeting from the hostess and the initial interaction with our assigned server team started the evening on a positive note. We quickly placed our drink orders, an espresso martini for me and a vodka martini for my spouse, along with a request for warm bread, which was promptly delivered to our table. Unfortunately, this is where the positive aspects of our experience began to dwindle. As we waited and chatted, our water glasses remained empty despite the server team frequently passing by our table without making eye contact. Eventually, our server returned to take our appetizer and dinner orders. We opted for a Caesar salad and crab cakes to start, followed by a ribeye steak, lobster tail, lobster mac and cheese, and a baked potato for our main course. The Caesar salad arrived first, but our drinks were still nowhere to be found. We continued to wait patiently, as it was a Friday night and we understood that the restaurant might be busy. However, as the minutes ticked by and our thirst grew, we began to feel increasingly neglected. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, our crab cakes were served, just as our drinks arrived. While the crab cakes and Caesar salad were decent, they were nothing extraordinary and certainly didn't live up to the high standards we had come to expect from Ruth Chris. The service, or lack thereof, continued to be a major disappointment. Our drinks remained empty, and we had to flag down a passing server to request another round - another espresso martini for me and a glass of wine for my spouse. Shortly after, our main courses arrived, and we eagerly awaited our second round of drinks to accompany the meal. However, 15 minutes passed, and our drinks were still missing. Concerned that our food would get cold, we decided to start eating. The ribeye was average, the lobster mac and cheese was quite enjoyable, and the baked potato was satisfactory. However, the lobster tail was a major letdown. It was mushy, with a distinct freezer-burned taste. I had to flag down yet another server to request horseradish for the steak and more sour cream for the baked potato. Upon their arrival, I informed them about the unsatisfactory lobster tail, and they apologized, assuring us that a replacement would be ordered. We continued with our meal, disappointed but determined to make the best of the situation. Throughout the evening, we noticed the floor manager walking around the restaurant, seemingly aloof and not engaging with any customers. This was a stark contrast to our previous experiences at Ruth Chris, where the manager would always make an effort to greet guests and ensure their satisfaction. As we were finishing our meal, the replacement lobster tail arrived. It was perfectly cooked and visually appealing, but by that time, we were already full and had lost our appetite. Our server inquired about dessert and after-dinner drinks, but after a two-hour ordeal, we were ready to leave. In a gesture of goodwill, the restaurant offered us a complimentary flambéed strawberry dessert to celebrate our anniversary. While the presentation was visually impressive, the dessert itself was underwhelming - simply cut strawberries on a plate with chocolate drizzle and a flaming liquor. It lacked substance and failed to compensate for the overall disappointing experience. In conclusion, our anniversary dinner at Ruth Chris Steak House was a far cry from the exceptional experiences we...

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse Waikiki: A Classic Steakhouse Experience in the Heart of Honolulu

As part of my Christmas 2024 vacation, I had the pleasure of dining at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in Waikiki. Located right in the heart of Honolulu’s vibrant action, this well-known steakhouse offers a familiar and classic experience for those seeking a traditional steak dinner amidst the tropical charm of Hawaii. While my visit had its highs and lows, Ruth’s Chris still delivered an enjoyable dining experience.

The Location and Ambiance

Ruth’s Chris in Waikiki benefits from a prime location, making it an easy choice for anyone staying in the area. The atmosphere is upscale yet approachable, perfect for both special occasions and casual indulgence. However, my seating arrangement was a bit disappointing. Despite booking a reservation for two, I was placed in a booth near the bar, which detracted from the overall ambiance. While the energy of the bar is lively, I would have preferred a quieter spot to fully enjoy the experience.

The Food: Classic, with a Few Hiccups

The highlight of any visit to Ruth’s Chris is, of course, the food. I opted for the Chef’s Selection, a superb offering that provided variety and indulgence for me and my family. The five-course meal showcased the signature quality and presentation that Ruth’s Chris is known for, including perfectly creamy mashed potatoes and rich, decadent creamed spinach.

However, my main course—a medium-rare steak—arrived a bit too rare, requiring it to be sent back. Once corrected, the steak was delicious, with that signature sizzle on the plate, but the initial misstep was noticeable.

A Thoughtful Birthday Touch

As my birthday falls on Christmas Eve, I shared this detail with the staff when making the reservation. To their credit, they brought out a special dessert to celebrate the occasion, which was a lovely and thoughtful gesture. While I personally would have preferred a glass of wine over dessert, the gesture felt apropos and added a festive touch to the evening.

Overall Impression

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in Waikiki is a reliable choice for anyone seeking a familiar, classic steakhouse experience while visiting Honolulu. The food is solid, the location is unbeatable, and the service is attentive and thoughtful. However, small missteps like seating placement and the initial preparation of my steak kept this visit from being truly exceptional.

Would I visit Ruth’s Chris again? Absolutely. For a traditional steakhouse experience, it delivers on its promise. However, for a future visit, I’ll ensure to request a table in a quieter area and double-check the steak’s doneness upfront.

Rating: 3.5 Stars Ruth’s Chris in Waikiki is worth a visit for its dependable menu and prime location. While it doesn’t necessarily wow, it offers a comforting and satisfying dining experience, especially for those who appreciate a...

Ladies night out; friends since grade school getting together for the 1st time since pandemic began.

Initially, one of my girlfriends tried to get a reservation booked at their Restaurant Row location, but they were booked a month or so out. FORTUNATELY, Waikiki had available seating.

Hotel parking was easy to find; we (5) carpooled and opted for valet parking. We took a brief stroll up to the restaurant and was seated in a booth within 15 minutes upon check-in.

Upon being seated, our server introduced herself (Grace). Though she was wearing a mask, we could tell she was smiling under it and we could understand her clearly. We were instantly asked if we wanted any drinks/beverages. Before we knew it, her assistant (busser) was pouring each of us a glass of water. We later followed w/an order of a bottle of wine, and handcrafted cocktails.

We were then handed each a menu and Grace got to know us a little bit by kindly asking 1) if it was our first time @ Ruth's 2) familiar w/our menu 3) visiting or local residents. Once she covered those 3 questions, she pleasantly and cheerfully covered the with us without hesitation and gave us all or her recommendations.

Our orders consisted of the following: calamari & crab stuffed mushrooms (appetizers); Entrees - 1 Ribeye Blue Cheese Crust, 1x Ribeye, 2x Petite Filet Minon with Shrimp, and 1x Crab Cakes w/Shrimp (custom); Sides - Grilled Asparagus, Lobster Mac & Cheese, Creamed Spinach, and of course their house salad.

Everything we ordered was absolutely delicious. Our taste buds were "dancing" with every bite. As we ate, we kept commenting on the tastes and textures of our foods. Our tummies were full and surely beyond satisfied.

Aside from the foods, we could not compliment enough how AMAZING our server was, along with her busser(s). They were very attentive, but NOT to where it was intrusive. As a matter of fact, Grace exhuded such lively energy that we welcomed her presence. Thru the beginning till the end of our dinner, Grace engaged with us as if she's known us for years.

FINE DINING + SUPREME SERVICE is hard to come by, but Ruth's Chris killed...