Post #644216 by Q-tiki on Mon, Jul 16, 2012 8:04 AM

Again, congratulations on the article! You really do represent Tiki in Knoxville and elsewhere quite well. I have not had the opportunnity to visit Trader Scott's, but he was also well represented in the paper.

As I've already discussed with Swanky, The Ooga Mooga Tiki Tavern has a LOT of work to do with their drinks. I visited last Friday night and was sadly dissapointed. I went with a Mai-Tai first (gold standard, right?) and was dismayed when I received a red drink that looked and tasted like a Hurricane. and only a very average, run of the mill Hurricane at that. The bartender says "No, that's not a Hurricane. That's our version of a Mai-Tai." As you can imagine, my heart sunk. I gave it one more shot with a Scorpian (notice the spelling... from their menu) and got another red drink in another Hurricane glass that only tasted like a subtle variation from the first. BOO!! Even my girlfriend, who thinks I've lost my mind over my new found addiction, was appalled at the drinks they were preparing! I tried to have a very polite discussion with the Manager who seemed somewhat interested until I got into ingredients and appropriate recipes then his eyes kind of glazed over. I suspect that this is essentially what has historically caused the demise of many Polynesian and/or Tiki establishments over the years! OK... I'm done venting. Sorry to do it on this thread. I guess I'll just have to secure another invite to the Hapa Haole Hideaway to cure my Tiki blues.

In the meantime... Where did I put my Orgeat??

Congrats again Tim and ALOHA!