What is the oldest tiki restaurant still in existence? - General Tiki

B bigbrotiki Tiki Socialite Tiki Island, above the Silverlake Joined: Mar 25, 2002 Posts: 11621	B bigbrotiki Posted posted on Sun, Apr 28, 2013 12:12 PM The Bali Hai web site says: "The landmark restaurant, located on the northern tip of Shelter Island, is a chic, sleek Polynesian paradise opened in 1955 by San Diego restaurateur Tom Ham. Bali Hai was the island’s first “tiki temple,” named after the song popularized by the musical “South Pacific,” and remains one of the largest remaining original tiki temples." I remember hearing that Tom Ham was working for the Hut, and took it over when the business faltered for unknown reasons - I just don't remember when. I guess that back history is not glamorous enough, or why would the Bali Hai keep the origin of the "Goof" and the Mr. Bali Hai (?) a mystery...in a kind of incomplete grammar, as the complete paragraph goes: "The creation of two famous tiki icons: Mr. Bali Hai, a large wood sculpture at the front entrance greeting guests, and “The Goof,” a playful and mysterious remnant that has stood guard on the roof of the restaurant for over five decades."

The Bali Hai web site says:

"The landmark restaurant, located on the northern tip of Shelter Island, is a chic, sleek Polynesian paradise opened in 1955 by San Diego restaurateur Tom Ham. Bali Hai was the island’s first “tiki temple,” named after the song popularized by the musical “South Pacific,” and remains one of the largest remaining original tiki temples."

I remember hearing that Tom Ham was working for the Hut, and took it over when the business faltered for unknown reasons - I just don't remember when. I guess that back history is not glamorous enough, or why would the Bali Hai keep the origin of the "Goof" and the Mr. Bali Hai (?) a mystery...in a kind of incomplete grammar, as the complete paragraph goes:

"The creation of two famous tiki icons: Mr. Bali Hai, a large wood sculpture at the front entrance greeting guests, and “The Goof,” a playful and mysterious remnant that has stood guard on the roof of the restaurant for over five decades."

Post #675849 by bigbrotiki on Sun, Apr 28, 2013 12:12 PM