Post #81730 by freddiefreelance on Fri, Mar 19, 2004 1:02 PM

Here's a notice about Mr. Tiki from the San Diego Metropolitan:

Tiki Come, Cajun Go
Mr. Tiki’s Mai Tai Lounge aims for a March opening
at old Fio’s while Bayou Bar and Grill is history

The quiet following the Cohn Group’s takeover of the old Fio’s space has been broken. The San Diego restaurant empire says in March it will open Mr. Tiki’s Mai Tai Lounge at the famed culinary corner of Fifth Avenue and G Street in the Gaslamp Quarter. Little known is that San Diego is a hotbed of tiki culture and tiki artisans. Mr. Tiki will feature more than a dozen custom tiki gods and masks carved by San Diego County artist Bosko Hrnjak.

Jonathan Hale, Blue Point’s executive chef, will serve as executive chef of Mr. Tiki’s. He’s a particularly good fit since he lived in Hawaii for eight years and was executive chef at A Pacific Café in Maui. Hawaii native Jesse Cruz, who will serve as chef de cuisine, has cooked at 808 in Las Vegas, Roy’s of Hawaii and, most recently, as opening chef at 808 at the Aventine. Christopher Cooke, whose experience comes from his work with Wolfgang Puck Restaurants and Scott’s Seafood Group, will serve as g.m. The restaurant will feature a lounge sushi bar headed by Shinji Okano, a master sushi chef.

The lounge will offer a variety of tropical drinks (umbrellas included) and the menu will include items like “Ka-lua Pork Pot Stickers,” “Bao-Bao Buns,” “Hot Sweet ‘n Sour Soup” and “Poke Platters.”

Pretty much taken straight out of the Press
Release on the Mr. Tiki website. Nothing new.

Maybe I'll email the Cohens & ask some pointed questions. Any sugestions for questions? I'd email'em by Monday morning.