Post #221090 by Sabina on Wed, Mar 15, 2006 7:36 PM

We have a slight update on the Tiki Tiki having just passed through Richmond last month. Oaktiki and I had been trying to get down to check this out for about forever, and I'm awfully glad we finally did!

The food was truly a feast, fresh and yummy and the drinks were well crafted. I tried both a Mai Tai, and the house specialty- the Tiki Tiki, which came in a small bowl Otagiri Harvey's style bowl. The bowl was clearly 'well loved' chipped etc, but I this was the point where the bartender had me smiling, because they weren't willing to take the bowls out of commission, a proper drink comes in the proper vessel. And the Tiki Tiki (the drink that is) was GOOD!

I should note, we were there in the afternoon on a weekday and while the restaurant part was just barely beginning to see patrons, the small bar near the back was bustling! I had read in one of the VERY FEW reviews online that the Dr. Funk of Tahiti was well known locally as being well done and strong- their mixology seems to have a bit of a reputation. Had it not been so busy, I would have wandered back and tried to get a little bit of the history, but that's for another trip or another explorer at this point.

Two things really struck me; first one being I had only ever seen pictures head on directly aimed at the front of the Tiki Tiki, which made it appearer tiny. So I made a point of taking some side view pix- the building goes back and back, and is actually quite sizeable.

And secondly, although the TIPSY factor was very low- (Weird, considering the place IS named Tiki Tiki!) The one Tiki I did see (and yes there may have been others hiding or far more subtle, we didn't get to explore much) was very well cared for. The entire place was incredibly evocative of all the things I like best about some of the best Tiki Temples- it was dim and 'exotic' everything was delicious, the service was wonderful, care and craft were clearly shown in all the details, and if I closed my eyes and squinted just a little out of the corners of my eyes I kept feeling like I was surrounded by classic Tiki elements- like floats, there were none, but they were suggested by the rice paper lanterns with colored bulbs. It FELT classic Tiki without having the usual external cues (like Tikis!) I can't explain it, but I definitely felt it.

By the end of the meal, although we were not regulars, we felt very welcomed. I highly recommend it- just don't go expecting Mai Kai like decor to be hidden inside- it has a Tiki vibe all its own- and it sneaks up on you, in the little things.

So, on to the pix-

and finally a stitched together composite made from a series of photographs we took-

I've put a full gallery up here- http://www.sevenpleasures.org/gallery/view_album.php?page=1

Enjoy! And if someone else goes, please, let me know what you think. Also, if anyone can identify the origins of the Tiki on the outside of the building- carver or manufactuer, and rough time period, i'd be very interested. I believe our waiter said the Tiki Tiki was somewhere between 20 and 30 years old, although I may be very wrong, I meant to write it down and my recollection between the trip and now is a bit fuzzy, perhaps I should just blame the Mai Tai and leave it at that.