Post #99729 by Tiki Bree on Sun, Jul 4, 2004 8:08 AM

Orlando will have it's very own tiki bar slated to open next month!!!!
It's called the Waitiki, a full service bar and café on the ground floor of a 2 story building with the Monkey Bar a full service martini & classic cocktail bar located on the 2nd floor. Nestled in Wall Street Plaza, this has got to be the best location in the downtown area. Both bars have a large outside balcony that overlooks the plaza and Heritage Square (a small urban park), and the Orlando History Center.  The Monkey Bar will also sport a large circular bar serving people on the outside patio and inside the bar.

I had the privilege of touring the construction site and at a price tag of over a million, it promises to be sensational!

Here's the lowdown:
Opening is scheduled for the first week of August...TBA.

Joel, the gracious owner, traveled to Mozambique and shipped back 3 containers full of wood carvings, teak flooring, grass thatch, and antique iron wood (a very strong and beautiful wood that was taken from the Freetown to Capetown, cross-continental railroad track).  At the time I visited Waitiki, the iron wood had been installed around the bar (which sits in the center of the room) and the teak flooring was beginning to be installed. The main craftsman doing the installations is from New Zealand and has a special affinity for this style.

Waitiki will be loaded with art and it's a mix of traditional Polynesian carvings and modern renderings from artists like Shag (reproductions), Joe & Donella Vitale, Flounder, & ‘Swamp Fire Lounge’ artist Doug Horne. I saw some of Wayne Coombs best tikis leaning against a wall in a room of tikis along with large canvases, and adorable monkeys-with-fezes wood sculptures, all awaiting installation.

One of my first questions was about the style of music that will be played and they assured me that the Waitiki soundtrack will be a mix of traditional exotica, surf music and rock & roll.  You will not hear any Top 40, dance music or hip-hop played in Waitiki! Live entertainment is being scheduled as we speak and will feature a “Lounge Lizard Night”.  Every Thursday night, different lounge acts (Asian Elvis, etc.) from across the states will be playing alongside the house band.

Of course my next question was about the drinks........they informed me that Waitiki’s specialty drink menu will feature twelve tiki cocktails, all made with fresh squeezed juices and beautiful garnishes.

When I saw the kitchen, I was curious about the types of dishes offered on the menu. Julia Bessire, the adorable PR goddess for Waitiki provided me with some menu details.

The Waitiki café menu includes some modern twists on some old tiki classics
(Hawaiian Pork Sandwich) alongside new dishes integrating fresh Florida
seafood, Asian ingredients and Caribbean flavors.   
Tuna Ceviche "cooked" in cool citrus juices with cucumbers, mango and kiwi. 
Served with fried wontons.
Seared Scallops with sweet chili cream sauce
Macadamia Nut & Coconut Crusted Chicken Sandwich
Hawaiian Pulled Pork Sandwich – marinated in a Hawaiian sweet & sour sauce,
topped with Asian coleslaw.
Fresh Catch with tiki rum demi-glace.

Sample Monkey Bar cocktail: 
The Linda Lovelace Martini – Our Peaches & Cream Martini made with Vanilla
Vodka, Grand Marnier, Fresh Peach Nectar and a kiss of cream, all resting
under an Apple Blossom Flower. 

Needles to say, it's very exciting to watch the birth of a new tiki bar and have it in my own backyard!!! I will post news about the opening date as soon as I hear...............

P.S. Thank you Joe and Donella!!!!!!!!!