Tiki Tom's Hukilounge, Walnut Creek, CA (bar) - Locating Tiki

C chiwito Grand Member (8 years) the Pacific island of Alameda Joined: Oct 26, 2008 Posts: 86	C chiwito Posted posted on Tue, Oct 28, 2008 6:29 PM On 2008-10-18 17:01, tikibars wrote: The guy who opened this place sold it about two years ago (according to a staff member I spoke with), and has just (last weekend) opened a new Tiki Tom's on the river between Alameda and Oakland, California. My mileage varied considerably from tikibars's experience. I love the place. The food menu would perhaps be a bit limited for a pure restaurant, but is far more than bar food. Good selection of fish and seafood. I don't have the most sophisticated palate, and by myself I wouldn't always be the best judge, but I've been there with several foodies who love the pupu platter, the calimari, and many of the fish of the day selections. The teriaki beef strips are also excellent. Tikibars's experience may have been more typical the first few days [although my own orders were excellent from day one] as they did a very soft opening, with many items only gradually being made available. My fiancee, who is very much a foodie, likes their menu so much that we will be having our wedding there next April. The bar selection is definitely limited at the moment. I'm especially surprised at the relatively small number of rums, always my key indicator of serious tropical attitude. However, my understanding is that they are expanding the bar selection over time. The drinks can sometimes be a tad overly sweet and not very strong. My fiancee, who likes exactly the opposite, was not initially impressed. However, the bartenders are anxious to please and always glad to adjust the recipes. They are all quite experienced and seem to be well-qualified mixologists. Prices are reasonable, so doubles are always an option. I like the decor a lot, but perhaps I should confess to a slightly different bias than many true tiki afficianados. My love of tikiness is a subset of my love for any tropical beach or island culture. Hanging out in beach bars is of a piece with the fact that the first record I ever owned was a Beach Boys album and the last few have been Jimmy Buffett CDs. Thus, the 40 or so surfboards on the ceiling of "Tiki Tom's on the Oakland Riviera" is a great touch for me, while for others they may epitomise the lack of TiPSY authenticity. If you do try it, especially in the afternoon, see if there's a guy in a white longshoreman's cap in the corner seat at the window end of the bar. Say hi. chiwito [ Edited by: chiwito 2008-11-16 20:33 ]

On 2008-10-18 17:01, tikibars wrote:
The guy who opened this place sold it about two years ago (according to a staff member I spoke with), and has just (last weekend) opened a new Tiki Tom's on the river between Alameda and Oakland, California.

My mileage varied considerably from tikibars's experience. I love the place.

The food menu would perhaps be a bit limited for a pure restaurant, but is far more than bar food. Good selection of fish and seafood. I don't have the most sophisticated palate, and by myself I wouldn't always be the best judge, but I've been there with several foodies who love the pupu platter, the calimari, and many of the fish of the day selections. The teriaki beef strips are also excellent. Tikibars's experience may have been more typical the first few days [although my own orders were excellent from day one] as they did a very soft opening, with many items only gradually being made available.

My fiancee, who is very much a foodie, likes their menu so much that we will be having our wedding there next April.

The bar selection is definitely limited at the moment. I'm especially surprised at the relatively small number of rums, always my key indicator of serious tropical attitude. However, my understanding is that they are expanding the bar selection over time. The drinks can sometimes be a tad overly sweet and not very strong. My fiancee, who likes exactly the opposite, was not initially impressed. However, the bartenders are anxious to please and always glad to adjust the recipes. They are all quite experienced and seem to be well-qualified mixologists. Prices are reasonable, so doubles are always an option.

I like the decor a lot, but perhaps I should confess to a slightly different bias than many true tiki afficianados. My love of tikiness is a subset of my love for any tropical beach or island culture. Hanging out in beach bars is of a piece with the fact that the first record I ever owned was a Beach Boys album and the last few have been Jimmy Buffett CDs. Thus, the 40 or so surfboards on the ceiling of "Tiki Tom's on the Oakland Riviera" is a great touch for me, while for others they may epitomise the lack of TiPSY authenticity.

If you do try it, especially in the afternoon, see if there's a guy in a white longshoreman's cap in the corner seat at the window end of the bar. Say hi.

chiwito

[ Edited by: chiwito 2008-11-16 20:33 ]

Post #415996 by chiwito on Tue, Oct 28, 2008 6:29 PM