Post #45631 by AquaZombie on Fri, Aug 1, 2003 4:37 PM

I wholeheartedly concur with Mig - the drinks get stronger, the decor cooler, and the whole vibe cozier every time I walk in there (which is often, as it is now my neighborhood tiki bar). I love the video comp of film clips running constantly (and silently) behind the bar with scenes from flicks like "Gidget Goes Hawaiian" "Paradise Hawaiian Style" TV shows like "I Dream of Jeannie" and even quasi-exotic cinema like "King Kong" and "Jason and the Argonauts" - lotsa lounge, Elvis, cartoons, segments from various cable shows on people like Shag, etc. These guys really know their stuff, and they're pitching their new place directly to hardcore tiki festishists as well as the casual drinker. This is why we need to patronize this place and claim it as our own so it doesn't turn into another tiki sports bar (like Tiki Tom's in Walnut Creek - a nice place, with good food and drinks, but the non-stop sports on the TV ruin the atmosphere, even when they have Hawaiian music playing live, which isn't often enough).

I have no problem with the oft-mentioned sombrero since they are going for a general "exotica" atmosphere - and everyone here knows that to the postwar white guy (that includes us) "tiki" often denotes everything from hula girls to voodoo dolls to the Mambo. Les Baxter and others combined music from Africa, Asia, Cuba and South American in their exotic excursions, along with Tahiti and Hawaii. I think the owners, Michael and Mano - who are Greek via South Africa - are right-on in their assessment of Exotica, American Style. Still, the decor is mainly Polynesian in keeping with tradition, which is their whole objective: tradition.

I might also mention all the food items are outstanding, especially the tuna poke and salmon cerviche, and they play nothing but classic lounge/surf/pop music, and the diverse drink menu features many regularly rotating specials. I love their house drink, "The Gilligan's Island" (heavy on the banana flavor, served in an Easter Island mug). They just introduced a Scorpion bowl which is also outstanding.

Otto plans a regular monthly DJ gig there soon, and I also plan semi-regular Thrillville movie nights. Things will only improve there, and they're off to an unusually strong start. They want your input, too, open to any and all suggestions, so don't be shy. Do the Conga, baby!