Bali Hai, San Diego, CA (Restaurant) - Locating Tiki

H hodadhank Member Mission Beach, CA Joined: Dec 28, 2005 Posts: 1689	H hodadhank Posted posted on Wed, Jan 4, 2006 8:38 AM Living barely ten minutes from the place, I go to Shelter Island's Bali Hai as often as possible, and would favorably compare their signature drinks to any I've sucked up in NorCal. We actually had visitors from the SF Bay Area the week after Christmas an since they always take us to Vic's in Emeryville or the Tonga Room at the Fairmont, I enjoyed the opportunity to show them around our own SoCal tiki paradise. At night the two lane Shelter Island Drive itself feels mysterious and exotic beginning with the torches and palms at Trader Mort's. Lined with dark towering A-frames, palm trees and boat masts, it feels less like a millionaire's yacht basin than a deserted Polynesian village. They gasped as we neared the roundabout that separates The Bali Hai from Humphrey's Half Moon Inn.(The Half Moon is spectacular at night.) Although rarely packed, Its good to reserve a window table just in case, even if you're just having pupus and cocktails. From the dining room, the panoramic view of San Diego's city lights reflected in the dark bay is always breathtaking. At our candle lit table nestled under one of the rooms huge diagonal pillars, we ordered a non-flaming pupu platter (I'll have to ask next time if I can BMOS (bring my own Sterno!)) served in a towering superstructure with coconut shrimp, crab cakes, wonton nachos, egg rolls, BBQ spare ribs and two extra plates of shrimp and ribs. My favorite BH drink is their tasty Navy Grog. My girl had a Missionary's Downfall and our guests ordered a Planter's Punch and their unconventional "World Famous Bali Hai Mai Tai" boasting NO FRUIT JUICE ADDED which arrived sporting a frozen pineapple slice and orchid! The last place I had an orchid flower floating in my Mai Tai was on Waikiki Beach! The BH's mostly Chicano wait staff is friendly, attentive and apparently embraces the notion of "tapas" so they were happy to have us order several rounds, suck em up and snack. Thoroughly buzzed and on our way out, we sneaked into the quiet banquet room downstairs where i understand a full scale Polynesian floor show was preformed to bid aloha to the lingering essence of Arthur Lyman...Our friends loved it. Next time maybe the Hanalei or Mr Tiki's. (BTW which Lyman album was recorded at the Bali Hai?) [ Edited by: hodadhank 2006-01-04 08:41 ]

Living barely ten minutes from the place, I go to Shelter Island's Bali Hai as often as possible, and would favorably compare their signature drinks to any I've sucked up in NorCal. We actually had visitors from the SF Bay Area the week after Christmas an since they always take us to Vic's in Emeryville or the Tonga Room at the Fairmont, I enjoyed the opportunity to show them around our own SoCal tiki paradise.

At night the two lane Shelter Island Drive itself feels mysterious and exotic beginning with the torches and palms at Trader Mort's. Lined with dark towering A-frames, palm trees and boat masts, it feels less like a millionaire's yacht basin than a deserted Polynesian village. They gasped as we neared the roundabout that separates The Bali Hai from Humphrey's Half Moon Inn.(The Half Moon is spectacular at night.)

Although rarely packed, Its good to reserve a window table just in case, even if you're just having pupus and cocktails. From the dining room, the panoramic view of San Diego's city lights reflected in the dark bay is always breathtaking. At our candle lit table nestled under one of the rooms huge diagonal pillars, we ordered a non-flaming pupu platter (I'll have to ask next time if I can BMOS (bring my own Sterno!)) served in a towering superstructure with coconut shrimp, crab cakes, wonton nachos, egg rolls, BBQ spare ribs and two extra plates of shrimp and ribs. My favorite BH drink is their tasty Navy Grog. My girl had a Missionary's Downfall and our guests ordered a Planter's Punch and their unconventional "World Famous Bali Hai Mai Tai" boasting NO FRUIT JUICE ADDED which arrived sporting a frozen pineapple slice and orchid! The last place I had an orchid flower floating in my Mai Tai was on Waikiki Beach!

The BH's mostly Chicano wait staff is friendly, attentive and apparently embraces the notion of "tapas" so they were happy to have us order several rounds, suck em up and snack. Thoroughly buzzed and on our way out, we sneaked into the quiet banquet room downstairs where i understand a full scale Polynesian floor show was preformed to bid aloha to the lingering essence of Arthur Lyman...Our friends loved it.

Next time maybe the Hanalei or Mr Tiki's.

(BTW which Lyman album was recorded at the Bali Hai?)

[ Edited by: hodadhank 2006-01-04 08:41 ]

Post #205626 by hodadhank on Wed, Jan 4, 2006 8:38 AM