Post #314859 by tikiyaki on Mon, Jun 25, 2007 4:09 PM

On 2007-06-25 12:29, TikiJosh wrote:
The Missus and I stopped in for a few drinks yesterday. Bar looks real nice. The restaurant is nice and dark, like a proper tiki temple should be. Some of the newer tikis are definitely Balinese or Indonesian, but they look real good. The big garden/waterfall with the tiki in the main dining area is intact (Thank God!).
The booths have all been refurbished, cushions are brand new. The bar has a much more open feel to it now but the fish tank is gone.
All in all, we're pretty happy. You can't please everyone, but I think they did a pretty good job in there. At the very least, I'm sure everyone will be pleased that Sam's got saved from the wrecking ball.
The Mai Tai I had reminded me of the Surf Room Mai Tai recipe from Intoxica-- Orange and Pineapple juice, but I think I got some Malibu rum in mine, or something. It was a good drink, and I'd have one again. It did not have grenadine in it, which I was really happy about! I'd love if you could get the original Trader Vic's recipe Mai Tai. That would have totally made my day. I didn't see a drink menu when we were there, so I missed out on the Lapu Lapu. Dang it!
The food menu looks pretty good. We only ordered some french fries to munch on while working over the drinks. They were the real skinny kind, and had something like chives on 'em. Tasty! All the other stuff on the menu sounded pretty good, too. I ditto the call for ribs!
The music was sort of electronica/lounge type stuff. I'm not really into it, but it was alright. Sort of took away from the tropical feel of the restaurant and bar. I wouldn't demand a strict exotica soundtrack, but a little Martin Denny here and there would be cool. On the plus side, the music was not so loud that we couldn't talk to each other, and it was not hip-hop. Those are both major issues I've had with some of the newer tiki bars-- Taboo Cove and Mr. Tiki's in San Diego. What's the fun in having to scream at someone standing right next to you?
Can't wait for the new mugs to show up! I'll be looking for the drink menu next time I'm there!
Thanks to Samsback for keeping Sam's up and running.
PS-- Buy more rum! I only saw Cruzan, Bacardi, Mount Gay and Captain Morgan up there. You need some Lemon Hart, Appleton and St. James. Mmmmm, Rum.......

I agree about music volume...nothing more annoying than trying to eat your dinner with LOUD music...talk about OGEDA.... And, yes, having to shout is REALLY annoying.

Samsback....How about some Martin Denny for a guy ?

Yea, they should be playing the appropos music in there...I mean, if you're gonna do a Tiki restaurant....do a TIKI RESTAURANT...the music is a big part of the atmosphere.

[ Edited by: tikiyaki 2007-06-25 16:14 ]