Post #36164 by So_Cal_Native_in_Texas on Tue, May 27, 2003 9:40 PM

I visited that Hawaiian Breeze shortly after it opened -- other than a mild Polynesian decor and waitresses in bikinis (which wasn't so bad, hehe), the place wasn't quite as tiki as I'd hoped. It was sort of a bungalow with an island theme. It was okay, though. Service wasn't so great (and I was one of maybe 2 customers at the time). Food was decent but not particularly memorable. I dunno, maybe I just got the wrong thing. Didn't have any drinks, as it was kinda early and I had to drive alone. Wish I'd gone with some friends!

Last time I passed it by, I noticed it appeared to have closed, as well. I don't think they advertised too much, or in the right places. That section of Richmond especially needs lots and lots of ATTENTION GETTERS to reel in the crowds. Being located next to a porno shop didn't exactly help, either, I think.

Then again, the techno music they played really put a damper on the atmosphere. Maybe that's what killed it for me.

On the other hand, one place I really did like (not sure if they're still there) was in the Marq*E Entertainment Plaza right off I-10 (where the Edwards theater is) -- Big Island Tropical Grill and Bar, formerly known as Surfer's Paradise! They have GREAT mai-tais, great Hawaiian and Jamaican food, lots of plants, surfing videos on monitors in the bar area, a waterfall, bamboo furniture -- it's sort of "Neo-Tiki" or "Modern Polynesian", about as close to real tiki as I've found in Houston so far. This place I can definitely recommend! Nice spot for a date, although it's not exactly cheap -- about $45 for dinner for two.

I'm curious about the place down in Galveston that was mentioned elsewhere....