Post #508575 by Sabu The Coconut Boy on Tue, Feb 2, 2010 3:55 PM

When we refer to the "Buffett-ization of Tiki" we mean the watering-down of tiki. If Buffett's "Cheeseburger In Paradise" joints were dense in classic decor and details I don't think we'd be complaining so much. It's when a palapa hut with sand on the floor and a surfboard on the wall gets grouped under the same "tiki" umbrella as a Trader Vic's that we feel the term "tiki" has gotten watered down.

Smuggler's Cove is saturated in the details that make a good Tiki Bar, so I don't think the term "Buffett-ization" applies in this case. But is it Tiki? Looking through my vintage paper, I can find plenty of examples of old tiki joints that had pirate and nautical elements. I would still call them Tiki.

There were also restaurants that were completely Pirate or Nautical themed. These places I wouldn't consider Tiki.

Same with Chinese Restaurants that added a Polynesian theme and tiki decor - I'd call them tiki as well, even though their food was majority Chinese.

[ Edited by: Sabu The Coconut Boy 2010-02-02 15:56 ]