Dining
At the time of my visit there were two restaurants open at the Outrigger Reef.
The Ocean House Restaurant is the resort's fine dining restaurant but it's best described as "casually elegant." The restaurant has an open-air atmosphere in a refined but still relaxed setting. They feature excellent Pacific Rim cuisine offering the freshest island seafood. The night that I ate there the Chef's special was a shutome (swordfish) with scallops and shrimp in a cream sauce. It was delicious and very affordable.
Appetizers or Pupus range in price from $9 to $13 for the fresh Island Style Sahimi. Salads are very reasonably priced from $7 to $11. I highly recommend the $7 Ocean House Salad made with local organic greens and minted guava vinaigrette. Entrees range in price $19 for the Grilled Chicken Breast to $34 for The Alii Cut of Prime Rib. Most seafood entrees are around $25. These prices are all very reasonable especially in Waikiki.
"You're the Chef" - Shore Bird Restaurant and Beach Bar
Photo by John Fischer, licensed to About.comThe Restaurant that really caught my attention was the Shore Bird Restaurant and Beach Bar. I actually ate two breakfasts and three dinners there on my nine day trip.
Breakfast at the Shore Bird is a real bargain at $13 for a superb buffet. Dinner involves a really unique concept that I liked quite a bit. You see, the Shore Bird is "where you're the chef!" For very affordable prices, you select your entree and then grill it yourself on one of their huge (and very hot) indoor grilles. They help you with cooking times and they have a chef there to help you if you run into some trouble. There's a large buffet that features salad makings, side dishes, pastas and lots more that's included with your dinner.
The pricing ranges from $13.95 for the salad bar only to $24.95 for the Paniolo Rib Eye Steak and 8 oz. Filet Mignon. There are nightly specials which tend to include a larger entree for around that $24.95 price. One night I had a two kabob special that included one kabob featuring an entire 8 oz. filet and another with six jumbo shrimp together with green peppers and onions.
Not only does this unique "cook your own" system keep your costs down, it provides a great opportunity to meet and chat with other guests as you grill your dinner.
Still Under Construction
At the time of my visit, the pool and pool deck, spa and the new poolside restaurant were still under construction. They all are scheduled to open between now and the first quarter of 2009.
Cultural Emphasis
Outrigger Hotels and Resorts has always maintained a close identity and involvement with Hawaiian culture and history. Aside from hundreds of pieces of museum quality artifacts and original works of art by island masters, the resort has ongoing cultural programs that include such things as vow renewal ceremonies; hula demonstrations; lei making, hula and ukulele lessons and demonstrations; and an ongoing series of guest musicians from the top echelon of Hawaiian music artists.Taken as a Whole
Sunset at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach
Photo by John Fischer, licensed to About.comI really enjoyed my stay at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach. Quite frankly, the resort had looked pretty tired prior to the renovation. It now is well on its way to becoming one of the top resorts in Waikiki with quality rooms, excellent service, great guest amenities and excellent dining options.
I've given the resort three-and-a-half stars at present, primarily because renovations are not yet complete. I have no doubt that once all the work is done, the Outrigger Reef will be a solid four star resort and one of the best hotel or resort options in Waikiki.
As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with a complimentary lodging for the purpose of reviewing the Outrigger Reef on the Beach. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.
