Hearts in Hawai'i
Our Trip to Maui (2012)--Day 12
5/3/2012
Awoke to the smell of bacon cooking! How cool is that? Patty was up at 5:15 and raring to do some cooking. I think she’s missing our home routine—why, I have no idea! So I got up and helped her with the preparation. We had bacon, over-easy eggs, fried potatoes, Portuguese sausage and toast. Nice breakfast!
After a short walk on the beach, we drove up to Kapalua to see if the Coastal Hike would work for us. We encountered a few showers on the way, interspersed with brief periods of sun. We had difficulty gauging if we could do the trail without getting wet. I don’t have a plastic bag for my D90 so we decided not to take the chance, so instead we headed down to Wailea where “it’s always sunny down there”.
Yeah, right.  We found clouds in Wailea (although sunny in Kihei) and felt a few rain drops just as we started walking the trail in the direction of the Grand Wailea, so we gave up and drove back to Lahaina, taking the South Kihei Road and checking out where various beaches and restaurants are. Getting back to the hotel, our room had just been made so we took a quick nap. After getting up, I took a shower and we headed out on foot to Ruths Chris Steak House at 4:30 with a 5:00 reservation secured.
Wharf Center
Ruths Chris Steak House
Upon arrival, we were promptly seated. Our server, Chad, arrived after we were served water and bread. I asked him about the specials and he launched into a description of everything they currently have on special. Oddly, he left out the Early Bird special, which we had learned about outside the restaurant. When I asked him about this $42.95 special, he then gave us the details. Patty and I both ordered this.
First was the Caesar Salad (Patty opted for the House Salad instead). We found it to be pretty good although not any better than Bubba Gumps or Kimos.
We both ordered the Petite Filet, which comes with mashed potatoes. They do their steaks at 1800 degrees, which sears all those flavors in the steak. Then they serve you this steak on a 500 degree plate, which keeps the steak hot. There is melted butter on the steak, and the whole thing basically sizzles as it arrives at your table.
I took a bite. The taste was an absolute symphony to my taste buds. Fantastic! Good enough that I didn't rush through it (Patty finishes first, of course), savoring each wonderful bite. By the time I was finished, I could state unequivocally that it was the best steak I’ve ever had. At seven ounces, the size was sufficient. Along with the bread we had received before our salad (only one basket and they didn’t ask if we wanted more), the salad and the potato, it was more than enough food.
We both opted for the vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce for dessert. It was the perfect ending to a nearly perfect meal. Total cost (with a $20 tip) was $116. It was the most expensive meal we’ve ever had (keep in mind that we aren’t alcohol drinkers). Was it worth this much? No, but that didn’t erase the fact that it was the best steak I’ve ever had. We discussed this as opposed to the Longhi’s Early Bird Special in terms of what was the better deal, and we both agree; Longhi’s is the better buy. Still, this was a great meal.
Petite Filet at Ruths Chris
Back to the hotel after a walk on Front Street where I managed to catch the best sunset we’ve seen her so far on this trip, we did laundry again while relaxing in the room watching Big Bang Theory before calling it a night.
Solo stroller on the beach next to the Front St. seawall
Another perfect night falls on Maui
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