The Tiki Terrace - General Tiki

T tikibars Tiki Socialite Aku Hall, Chicago Joined: Apr 11, 2002 Posts: 2034	T tikibars Posted posted on Tue, Oct 18, 2005 10:49 AM I was at Tiki Terrace last night. The place is 90% done, and it looks terrific. It isn't a huge place - think bigger than Tiki Ti (of course), but not even as big as Omni Hut - but there are tons of Tikis in there, great big ones in sculpted rock alcoves, overlooking the booths. Most of them were made by the Zuziaks, but there is some Oceanic Arts stuff in there as well. Scott was telling me that me is interested in having some of the TC ohana provide some additional Tikis as well - the names Basement Kahuna, Benzart, and Lake Surfer came up in particular - but I know Scott would love to hear from the rest of you carvers as well. There is a cool private hut in the back with two booths in it, and about ten other booths scattered around the two-room restaurant. A stage for entertainment is near the bar, which seats about 10. There are tons of fishing floats hanging from the grass-roofed bar, and I noted a case full of Tiki mugs (Dynasty) to be used as standard serving vessels for the drinks. No custom Tiki Terrace mug is planned for the moment, but Scott says that is a possiblity in the future. He is interested in selling other Tiki merchandise, however. More good news: I spotted NO neon signs or TVs in the place, save for a flat-screen monitor in the private booth (to be activated when the booth is used for things like wedding parties, corporate functions, etc). The bar staff have selected an array of tropical drinks direct from the Grog Log, and we mixed up a bunch of them last night. In addition to the classics (Mai Tai, Zombie, Blue Hawaiian, etc), they selected a few more obscure ones, and even paid homage to Kahiki by ressurrecting the Polynesian Spell - Scott's bro Phil has this one down pat. Yum! Tiki Terrace is going to open with between 10 and 20 tropical drinks on the menu, most of them straight from the GL, and some slightly modified from the GL versions. We also spent some time last night concoting a house drink. I can't give away the secret ingredients of course, but I will say that if it remains unmodified from it's present form, it is a delicious brew, and contains seven ingredients including Rhum Barbancourt. Scott and Phil are stil working on the name, but I think we nailed the recipe after only about five tries and some group brainstorming. The food menu looks awesome, and the samples of the teriyaki steak and a vegeterian mushroom dish that we tried were deee-lish. There is a lot of regular entertainent planned, with Barefoot Hawaiian performances on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and special kids shows on Sunday afternoons. Ukulele legend Jake Shimabukuro is already slated for a Saturday, November 15 musical set, as well. Local acts like Cocktail Preachers and Windy City Islanders are on the radar too. Talent from other cities will be considered as soon as it becomes affordable for this start-up business. The waitresses who have been hired are being trained in the hula arts so that they can do impromptu performances at your table! I saw a pic of four of them in their uniforms - sarong skirts, coconut bras, and leis - and I can say this: fellas, you'll be pleased. The grand opening is slated for Tuesday, November 8. For that week, from the 8th through Saturday the 12th, there will be two 'seatings' per night, at 6PM and 9PM (subject to change, of course - watch this space). During these seatings, there will be free food, entertainment from Barefoot Hawaiian (on all days), and more surprises. The Official Tiki Central gathering is on Thursday, November 10, at 9 PM. Scott wants to get an idea of how many people to expect, so if you think you're going to show up, post here! All in all, it is hard to truly review a place until it is open for business, but given the sneak preview I got last night, I think the brothers Zuziak have their heads and hearts in the right place, and I think they can make this place a real destination point for both locals and Chicago visitors as well - they're definitely on the right track so far. [ Edited by: tikibars 2005-10-18 17:02 ]

I was at Tiki Terrace last night. The place is 90% done, and it looks terrific. It isn't a huge place - think bigger than Tiki Ti (of course), but not even as big as Omni Hut - but there are tons of Tikis in there, great big ones in sculpted rock alcoves, overlooking the booths. Most of them were made by the Zuziaks, but there is some Oceanic Arts stuff in there as well.

Scott was telling me that me is interested in having some of the TC ohana provide some additional Tikis as well - the names Basement Kahuna, Benzart, and Lake Surfer came up in particular - but I know Scott would love to hear from the rest of you carvers as well.

There is a cool private hut in the back with two booths in it, and about ten other booths scattered around the two-room restaurant. A stage for entertainment is near the bar, which seats about 10. There are tons of fishing floats hanging from the grass-roofed bar, and I noted a case full of Tiki mugs (Dynasty) to be used as standard serving vessels for the drinks. No custom Tiki Terrace mug is planned for the moment, but Scott says that is a possiblity in the future. He is interested in selling other Tiki merchandise, however.

More good news: I spotted NO neon signs or TVs in the place, save for a flat-screen monitor in the private booth (to be activated when the booth is used for things like wedding parties, corporate functions, etc).

The bar staff have selected an array of tropical drinks direct from the Grog Log, and we mixed up a bunch of them last night. In addition to the classics (Mai Tai, Zombie, Blue Hawaiian, etc), they selected a few more obscure ones, and even paid homage to Kahiki by ressurrecting the Polynesian Spell - Scott's bro Phil has this one down pat. Yum! Tiki Terrace is going to open with between 10 and 20 tropical drinks on the menu, most of them straight from the GL, and some slightly modified from the GL versions.

We also spent some time last night concoting a house drink. I can't give away the secret ingredients of course, but I will say that if it remains unmodified from it's present form, it is a delicious brew, and contains seven ingredients including Rhum Barbancourt. Scott and Phil are stil working on the name, but I think we nailed the recipe after only about five tries and some group brainstorming.

The food menu looks awesome, and the samples of the teriyaki steak and a vegeterian mushroom dish that we tried were deee-lish.

There is a lot of regular entertainent planned, with Barefoot Hawaiian performances on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and special kids shows on Sunday afternoons.

Ukulele legend Jake Shimabukuro is already slated for a Saturday, November 15 musical set, as well. Local acts like Cocktail Preachers and Windy City Islanders are on the radar too. Talent from other cities will be considered as soon as it becomes affordable for this start-up business.

The waitresses who have been hired are being trained in the hula arts so that they can do impromptu performances at your table! I saw a pic of four of them in their uniforms - sarong skirts, coconut bras, and leis - and I can say this: fellas, you'll be pleased.

The grand opening is slated for Tuesday, November 8.

For that week, from the 8th through Saturday the 12th, there will be two 'seatings' per night, at 6PM and 9PM (subject to change, of course - watch this space).

During these seatings, there will be free food, entertainment from Barefoot Hawaiian (on all days), and more surprises.

The Official Tiki Central gathering is on Thursday, November 10, at 9 PM.

Scott wants to get an idea of how many people to expect, so if you think you're going to show up, post here!

All in all, it is hard to truly review a place until it is open for business, but given the sneak preview I got last night, I think the brothers Zuziak have their heads and hearts in the right place, and I think they can make this place a real destination point for both locals and Chicago visitors as well - they're definitely on the right track so far.

[ Edited by: tikibars 2005-10-18 17:02 ]

Post #193354 by tikibars on Tue, Oct 18, 2005 10:49 AM