Sams Seafood Expierence.. - General Tiki

B bigbrotiki Tiki Socialite Tiki Island, above the Silverlake Joined: Mar 25, 2002 Posts: 11621	B bigbrotiki Posted posted on Wed, Aug 1, 2007 11:50 PM After spending a day at the beach with my son today, I found myself in Seal Beach and decided to see what all the hooplah was about. First, I really appreciate all the concerns about yet another classic Tiki place being altered, they are basically well founded. BUT, in my personal opinion, Sam's was never THE prime example of Tiki style in the first place. It was, rightfully so, a nice hangout for the OC Tikiphiles, and now after the Royal Hawaiian's demise, it is the last one. But the main dining room was, EXCEPT for the nice waterfall, always kind of underwhelming. Well, I was happy to find the waterfall still there and flowing, thank you. They hung some blankets off the ceiling to make it more shi shi, and what else I don't know, but the main thing is, the BAR virtually stayed the same. That's where I always went anyway because it was THE most tikified space there, and it still is, thank you again. And you can have your dinner there. Now some of us liked the almost dive bar quality Sam's and its food had before, some didn't. Well the dive bar food is gone, but so are its prices. And since for a thirsty German after a day at the beach beer is the only solution, to pay 10.- bucks for two draft beers was a little painful. But they did hit the spot, and so did the food. One can only hope that the price/quality ratio matches in the cocktail department, too. I do not know what the plans are for the Hidden Village event room, but it seems unlikely that there will be any more Polynesian floorshows. I am just glad that the exterior also stayed the same, it sports the last Polynesian A-frame in Southern California. Here are some pics: The great sign and the A-frame are still there They even added a vintage Tiki to the outside: The bar's Tiki columns, fixtures and wall treatment are all still there: What ever Ben did must have been cosmetic, everything still looks original: (unfortunately also the horrible paint job on the Tikis' faces) ..even the Tapa and the fishnet floats look well aged: I am quite relieved, and feel confident that I can still recommend this fine establishment to any future Tiki seekers.

After spending a day at the beach with my son today, I found myself in Seal Beach and decided to see what all the hooplah was about.

First, I really appreciate all the concerns about yet another classic Tiki place being altered, they are basically well founded.

BUT, in my personal opinion, Sam's was never THE prime example of Tiki style in the first place. It was, rightfully so, a nice hangout for the OC Tikiphiles, and now after the Royal Hawaiian's demise, it is the last one. But the main dining room was, EXCEPT for the nice waterfall, always kind of underwhelming. Well, I was happy to find the waterfall still there and flowing, thank you. They hung some blankets off the ceiling to make it more shi shi, and what else I don't know, but the main thing is, the BAR virtually stayed the same. That's where I always went anyway because it was THE most tikified space there, and it still is, thank you again. And you can have your dinner there.

Now some of us liked the almost dive bar quality Sam's and its food had before, some didn't. Well the dive bar food is gone, but so are its prices. And since for a thirsty German after a day at the beach beer is the only solution, to pay 10.- bucks for two draft beers was a little painful. But they did hit the spot, and so did the food. One can only hope that the price/quality ratio matches in the cocktail department, too.

I do not know what the plans are for the Hidden Village event room, but it seems unlikely that there will be any more Polynesian floorshows. I am just glad that the exterior also stayed the same, it sports the last Polynesian A-frame in Southern California.
Here are some pics:

The great sign and the A-frame are still there

They even added a vintage Tiki to the outside:

The bar's Tiki columns, fixtures and wall treatment are all still there:

What ever Ben did must have been cosmetic, everything still looks original:

(unfortunately also the horrible paint job on the Tikis' faces)

..even the Tapa and the fishnet floats look well aged:

I am quite relieved, and feel confident that I can still recommend this fine establishment to any future Tiki seekers.

Post #322691 by bigbrotiki on Wed, Aug 1, 2007 11:50 PM