Tiki No, North Hollywood, CA (bar) - Locating Tiki

T telescopes Tiki Socialite Palm Springs Joined: May 06, 2007 Posts: 619	T telescopes Posted posted on Mon, Jan 24, 2011 9:37 PM So, after another quick jump I arrived at Tonga Hut (that was suppose to be my last stop) and had a Mai Tai and a Kelly Custom drink from Hiphipahula. They were both good - but no cigar - this was to be saved for Tiki No in the smoking area. I will say this. Both Tonga Hut and the No both made great attempts to get it right. But you can't make your Mai Tai using Cruzan rums and then call them Trader Vic Mai Tais. The taste is simply way off. Martin Cate gets it right because he understands that what goes into the drink is just as if not more important than the thatch or trappings of the decor. Kelly, I truly enjoyed spending time talking with you and drinking your wonderful drinks. The purpose of my review was not to upset you - I certainly intend to visit the Tonga Hut again - but rather to give an honest review of Tiki No. The Tonga Hut's drink quality has improved greatly since I first visited in the beginning of 2007. But, to keep things in context, my visit that night ended up including three bars, Tiki Ti, Tonga Hut, and Tiki No. I did bring smokes for Tiki No, you can't do that at the Hut - so the metaphor of smoke was appropriate. You have brought much to the quality of the Tonga Hut. No one disputes that. In fact, I timed my visit to make sure you would be working that night so as to have one of your drinks. And that isn't blowing smoke up your ass - metaphorically speaking, it's true. But ultimately, my quest is to find drinks that consistently reach the quality of Tiki Ti, Forbidden Island, and Smuggler's Cove. I've been doing this Tiki thing since 1983 and I am still on my quest. My opinion, for what it is worth, is just that. The fact that I thought the Ray's Mistake was a bit sweeter than normal should have heated up the boards with loads of criticisms. Your Mai Tai was decent. However, something was off. Maybe it was the orange liquor or maybe the orgeat, but it was still good. I've had Mai Tai's at Trader Vics that were far less and had to be remade. Now I've said more about the Tonga Hut than I wanted to. It's a great place and it's trying hard to be at the top. I salute you and the Tonga Hut.

So, after another quick jump I arrived at Tonga Hut (that was suppose to be my last stop) and had a Mai Tai and a Kelly Custom drink from Hiphipahula. They were both good - but no cigar - this was to be saved for Tiki No in the smoking area.

I will say this. Both Tonga Hut and the No both made great attempts to get it right. But you can't make your Mai Tai using Cruzan rums and then call them Trader Vic Mai Tais. The taste is simply way off.

Martin Cate gets it right because he understands that what goes into the drink is just as if not more important than the thatch or trappings of the decor.

Kelly, I truly enjoyed spending time talking with you and drinking your wonderful drinks.

The purpose of my review was not to upset you - I certainly intend to visit the Tonga Hut again - but rather to give an honest review of Tiki No.

The Tonga Hut's drink quality has improved greatly since I first visited in the beginning of 2007. But, to keep things in context, my visit that night ended up including three bars, Tiki Ti, Tonga Hut, and Tiki No. I did bring smokes for Tiki No, you can't do that at the Hut - so the metaphor of smoke was appropriate.

You have brought much to the quality of the Tonga Hut. No one disputes that. In fact, I timed my visit to make sure you would be working that night so as to have one of your drinks. And that isn't blowing smoke up your ass - metaphorically speaking, it's true.

But ultimately, my quest is to find drinks that consistently reach the quality of Tiki Ti, Forbidden Island, and Smuggler's Cove. I've been doing this Tiki thing since 1983 and I am still on my quest. My opinion, for what it is worth, is just that. The fact that I thought the Ray's Mistake was a bit sweeter than normal should have heated up the boards with loads of criticisms. Your Mai Tai was decent. However, something was off. Maybe it was the orange liquor or maybe the orgeat, but it was still good. I've had Mai Tai's at Trader Vics that were far less and had to be remade.

Now I've said more about the Tonga Hut than I wanted to. It's a great place and it's trying hard to be at the top. I salute you and the Tonga Hut.

Post #573217 by telescopes on Mon, Jan 24, 2011 9:37 PM