Post #264195 by hodadhank on Fri, Nov 3, 2006 9:55 AM

Sadly the New Chinatown (Tiki Kai) in Albuquerque has completely closed.

I posted the following in this year's Chinese New Year thread...

Living in Albuquerque fourteen years ago we and all our friends enjoyed annual reservations at the New Chinatown's Polynesian Lounge with Freddy Kekaulike Baker playing and crooning poly-lounge's greatest hits right next to our table. The serenity would be interupted suddenly while an energetic Chinese Lion danced through the bar but the mellow Hawaiian mood would return as Freddie's sister enlisted tipsy regulars to join her in a hula exhibition (Sure I've hula'd with Freddie's sister, but who hasn't?!) Sweet Jeezus I loved that place! RIP New Chinatown, I'll never forget you.

As I remember...the lounge had curvy a sunken bar low enough for comfy swivel chairs on the east wall covered by a thatch roof. This way Freddy's wife and bartender was at eye level with you even though you were seated. A dark vaulted ceiling contained a nice old outrigger and glass floats. Freddies stage was on the south wall and cozy booths lined the west wall where window's looked out on the resturant's asian style entryway. I wonder what became of the Tikis that sat in the asian garden outside the entrance...