To experience oceanfront dining at its best, you need to take a trip to the Ulu Ocean Grill. Set in the Four Seasons Resort in Kailua-Kona, this popular Big Island restaurant uses Hawaiian and Pan-Asian culinary techniques to create a fusion to remember. Beyond that, they serve up all their dishes in style in their open-air dining room located right along the beach. Their quality service is second-to-none as well, promising to leave you more than impressed at each visit.
You can either come in for an a la carte breakfast or swing by later in the evening for dinner. Want to just stop by for small bite plates? Consider visiting their sushi lounge. Although it’s inside, you can take a long walk on the beach afterward to get your fill of the ocean views.
When it comes to dinner service, many visitors plan their visit for the sunset hour, so they can enjoy a truly amazing scene while savoring their selections. In order to get a table during that time, you’ll definitely need to book your spot well ahead of your visit. They take reservations by phone and through their website, Yelp, and TripAdvisor. If you’d like to book a particular table, it’s always best to call in your reservation.
Once you arrive to Ulu Ocean Grill, you’ll get a table either in their covered dining area or closer to the water. Either way, your server will provide a rundown of their specials plus a menu for you to pour-over. You can start by looking over the extensive wine and cocktail menus, and then select an appetizer to help whet your appetite.
After that, you can focus on settling on an entrée. Since every item looks just as good as the last, it’s definitely difficult to choose between all the options. There’s no wrong answer, however, as they’re all made with fresh island ingredients and the top culinary techniques. They source the vast majority of their ingredients from over 160 local farms, filling in the gaps with high-quality items from across the globe.
All throughout your meal, you can count on your servers to bring out your food and drinks at just the right moments. They also know right when to stop by and see how things are going without breaking the flow of conversation. If you need anything, just let them know and they’ll do what they can to fulfill your request.
Swing by to try these items at Ulu Ocean Grill:
Omelet
If you’d like to build your perfect breakfast experience, go with the Omelet. This dish starts with either egg whites or regular eggs and then gets all your ingredient selections inside. You can add red bell peppers, onions, spinach, mushrooms, jalapeno, green onion, ham, and bacon. Then, select whether you’d like cheddar or Monterey jack cheese to bring it all together.
Hualalai Sushi Trio
The Hualalai Sushi Trio lets you sample all the best selections available in their sushi lounge. With this order, you’ll get their Seared Wagyu Nigiri, Seared Otoro Nigiri, and Uni and Ikura Nigiri. If you’d like to make it a full meal, add their Toro Rice Bowl to walk away feeling stuffed.
Waygu Tomahawk
For a truly decadent flavor journey at Ulu Ocean Grill, treat yourself to their Waygu Tomahawk. To make this dish, they sear the high-quality tomahawk steak just how you like it, and then top it with Whistle Pig 10 Year butter. Charred onions and watercress go over the top before it lands on your table with steak sauce on the side. To complete your meal, you’ll need to select your sides, like the Mushroom Fried Rice or the Thai Style Coconut Creamed Corn.
While you dine on your selections, aim to save room for dessert. With that move, you can end your meal on a sweet kick by ordering their Shave Ice, Pineapple Upside Down Cake, or other delicious creations. If you really want to go all out, get the Souffle of the Evening at Ulu Ocean Grill.
Insider Tips:
-To get to Ulu Ocean Grill, park at the Four Seasons reception area. Then, follow the path to the shore to land at the front door.
-Want to try the sake? Definitely start with a flight to see what suits your fancy.
-When celebrating a special occasion, let your server know and they might bring you out a tasty treat on the house.