It’s Hello To Ruby Tuesday At The Mall
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The owners of the new Ruby Tuesday in
Windward Mall (from left) Rick Nakashima,
Ted Davenport and Will Keliinoi, take a
break from pre-opening preparations.
Photo by Nathalie Walker
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The ribs are coming.
When Ruby Tuesday opens next week at Windward Mall, its signature dish - baby back ribs - will be warm and fall-off-the-bone ready for old fans and new friends of the national family restaurant chain.
“Nobody on the island makes better ribs than we do,” said co-owner Will Keliinoi modestly.“So say thousands of Hawaii diners who’ve told me they changed their loyalties after tasting ours.”
People have been slurping up Ruby Tuesday’s ribs, salad bar, burgers, pasta and more for a year or two already in Mililani and at Ala Moana Center. Kaneohe gets its turn come 3 p.m. May 2, the projected grand opening date at the mall.
Located on the ground floor next to Macy’s, the restaurant can seat 240 people. It will serve only dinner for the first two weeks and then add lunch on May 16 after giving the new 120-person crew a chance to “get comfortable with the operation,” Keliinoi explained. Hours will be 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, and until 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Special hours for Mother’s Day are pending.
Mall manager Jonathan Kim is also thrilled with the quicker pace of shopper traffic he expects for the other merchants from having a full-service, full-bar restaurant on the premises.
“It’s an opportunity for residents to come and shop and dine,” he said. “Plus it gives me another alternative for lunch. We’re very excited.” Kim added that the Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlor site is “in demolition,” and the International House of Pancakes is currently at a standstill.
Last week, the owners were still seeking more cooks and wait-help in an upstairs space near Macy’s. Finding experienced cooks has been a challenge, Keliinoi admitted. “I may have to break out my spatula and tongs.” Interested job seekers are welcome to come by and apply.
RT Restaurants Hawaii Inc. is owned by Ted Davenport, Rick Nakashima and Keliinoi, who is president and operational partner. Davenport is the golfer and money man; Nakashima is the construction guy who makes it all look great. All three men live on Oahu and are busy planning their next eatery for Moanalua Shopping Center.
Access is from both inside and outside the mall, with the interior tables “interactive” and 95 percent open. Memorabilia is bursting off the walls - souvenirs from all four Windward high schools, as well as photos of Sid Fernandez, Bryan Clay and other local sports standouts, famous or not. “We’re very proud of this memorabilia package,” said Keliinoi. “It represents the community very well.”
RT will also offer “To Go Curbside,” a call-ahead and pickup service that’s worked well at the Mililani venue. Reservations will not be taken, at least for the first month.
The new restaurant will also host a VIP fundraising party from 6 to 9 p.m. May 1 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Tickets are $25 at the door. For more information, call Krysti Peacock at 737-4676, ext. 26.
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