Post #449526 by Mo-Eye on Fri, Apr 24, 2009 10:22 PM

This is another hidden gem I just found. I don't think anyone knew about this one.

The Black Pearl opened May 30, 1959 on Treasure Island, at the site of the Reef Restaurant.

Here is an amazing article about it in the June 21, 1959 issue of the St. Petersburg Times.

Exotic Aura of the South Seas Brought to Suncoast's Shore

Indicative of the St. Petersburg Area's Increasingly Cosmopolitan taste is the advent of a restaurant that has gone all out to acheive an exotic decor as well as specializing in exotic foods.

With exterior walls of bamboo introducing the tropical effect, Vincent Auletta's The Black Pearl at Treasure Island has followed through on the interior with a Polynesian theme of aesthetic interest for its artistry, authenticity and imagination.

Decorations are by Kali and Taneo Kumalae, who did the Luau at Miami and a number of other Polynesian restaurants throughout the country. The Kumalaes are also known for their daily TV show in Miami on American and International homemaking arts, run a private catering service, direct a troupe of eight dancers, and supervise costuming, for, decor and entertainment for restaurants and night clubs.

The Black Pearl is divided into four units, the bar, a bamboo enclosed space for private parties, the main dining room and the Witch Doctor's Den.

In the dining room the tropical decor is carried out with palm frond ceiling fans, sea shell light fixtures and tapi - cloth prints of Polynesian design on the walls, while all the Gulf side wall is of glass, giving a splendid view of the open water. A rock fountain, flower draped bamboo poles and varied philodendrons add to the atmosphere.

Most novel is the Witch Doctor's Den, which is entered through a thatched canopy supported by skull topped poles. Inside all is dark except for the strobe lighting reflected off the decorations and the white clothing of the patrons. There are no chairs, just cushions set beside very low tables. Weird faces of various Polynesian gods share the eerie atmosphere of the den, each hand painted on the wall by Kali Kumalae.

Waitresses are attired in sarongs and leis, while music is provided by the Tropicaires, Hawaiian Duo who came here from the Eden Roc in Miami Beach. Late entertainment features Luana, Tahitian dancer, here after six months in the Hawaiian Room of the Lexington Hotel, New York City.

Here's an ad I found for the place:

More to come in a little bit...