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Pau Hana At Ruths Chris Steak House
Swimming through Maui's watering holes

by Jen Russo

May 19, 2011

Ruth’s Chris Steak House

900 Front Street, Lahaina, 661-8815;

3750 Wailea Alanui, Wailea, 874-8880

Location: Front Street Lahaina or the Shops at Wailea

Decor: Classic steakhouse all the way: dark carpets, red leathers, polished wood and air conditioning all insulate you from the island vibe, and ready your appetite for traditional meat and seafood dining. If it weren’t for those damn ocean views you might not know you were on Maui.

Where’s the Beef?: Marie-Antoine Carême, recognized as one of the first celebrity chefs, said that “beef is the soul of cooking.” Born in France to penniless parents in 1784, as a boy he toiled in a chophouse and worked his way up to Chef de Cuisine to the Prince Regent after the fall of Napoleon. The founder of haute cuisine cooking is also credited with inventing the chef’s hat or toque, which chefs wear at Ruth’s Chris.

Events: On June 25 the chefs at the Lahaina location will showcase their creativity with a five-course Nickel and Nickel wine-paired dinner that features diver scallops and kurobuta pork.

Grinds: Getting the best USDA prime is a no-brainer, and during happy hour all the appetizers are discounted. The slider of the day is $8.95 with house-cut fries, while the sashimi and oysters Rockefeller are fresh and consistently amazing at $9.75. Soups are $6.50. The French onion is a traditional dark, rich beefy broth with a bready cheesy crust so hot it could melt your spoon. Salads are also $6.50. The chop salad with palm hearts and crunchy onion topping is savory and crisp, wrapped up in a tower of power.

Happy Hour: Daily 5-7pm.

Drink Specials: $5 glasses of wine, $9 martinis, $7 Smirnoff cocktails