Tiki returning to Baltimore --- Mexonesia?

I recently discovered a press release for a new tiki bar that is suppose to open in Baltimore, on April 2. It appears that it will a mash-up of both Mexican and Polynesian design.

The new place will called the Big Kahuna Cantina, and will be located in Baltimore's Harborplace Light Street Pavilion - in the heart of touristy Baltimore. The website features for now only a cool logo - a tiki head/floral/surfboard theme.
http://www.bigkahunacantina.com/

So far, so good, but it might be wise to be cautious, as it looks as they might be focusing on tequila based drinks.

From the press release ... "Described as a mixture of mythology and surf culture, Big Kahuna Cantina morphs the cultural phenomenon of Mexonesia -- a combination of Mexican and Polynesian backgrounds.

"From ten foot tiki's ruling the roost with their ominous gaze, to a seven foot shark staking his claim over the bar, to classic long boards retired from their last wave, Big Kahuna Cantina is a completely new concept for Baltimore, if not the East Coast.

We are a mixture of surf and spice," explains Kevin Callaway, Chief Operating Officer for Capital Restaurant Concepts.

The restaurant will host a dramatic tequila and nacho bar with house made salsas, table side guacamole and pollo, pork, beef and seafood tacos and Surfajitas. Patrons are encouraged to "relax the Mexonesian way" continues Callaway, the brainpower behind the novel restaurant.

"We wanted to create something completely new that encourages locals and tourists alike to come down and surf the Inner Harbor. We are a fun, family and couples destination to eat, drink and recline."

The full press release can be found here.
http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2007/3/emw510087.htm

Vern

For a minute I was excited...

heh, will have to check it out, but signs point to cheezy.

maybe they'll play mariachexotica.

On 2007-03-12 18:03, Johnny Dollar wrote:
maybe they'll play mariachexotica.

La Hukiracha?

Big Kahuna Cantina morphs the cultural phenomenon of Mexonesia -- a combination of Mexican and Polynesian backgrounds.

Yup, it's such a huge cultural phenomenon, that no one's ever heard of it.

The marketing B.S. is deep here. I'm gonna need my hip waders.

While this may seem to be some sort of blasphemy for you tiki purists, for the more surf-oriented crowd this is actually rather natural. Both Mexico and the South Pacific are popular surf destinations and both offer interesting primitive art, not to mention tasty drinks.

My local "haunt" is similar. It's actually two bars in one; the Baja Cantina and Mai Bar. I would not be so bold as to call it an official tiki bar so much as a tiki-themed bar. No exotica and sorry no umbrella drinks. Think beer and (damned good)margaritas, but they do have a good collections of tiki art.

My own home bar will more than likely be similarly themed. After all when I kicking back enjoying a cold drink and a good surf movie it doesn't matter whether I'm imagining that I am in Mexico, Costa Rica or Indo, as long as it is somewhere warm with waves.

table side guacamole...tacos...nacho bar...mmmm nachos. A bit out of my way but really nachos and table side quacamole, one word, yummy.

All I can say, is that the Big Kahuna Cantina better have a couple of prints/drawings by Miguel Covarrubias - perhaps the perfect example of someone who has represented both the Mexican/ Polynesian cultures in the last 100 years.

Vern

Their news release headline is amusing: "Capital Restaurant Concepts Creates Another Success in Baltimore." The restaurant doesn't open until April 2. I guess they're just psychic.

Sounds like the place might be fine as long as it sticks to tiki/surf/Mexico and doesn't go too Jimmy Buffett (or Jimmy Buffet, as I've taken up calling him). I'll be eagerly awaiting a report April 2 from the Baltimore-area locals.

Here's another Mexonesian place in Austin, Texas my bro-in-law told me to check out..

http://www.hulahut.com/

I'm just wondering how they got that picture of me from Hukilau 2006!

It's me... I guess I'm Fangatua

On 2007-07-11 08:41, Capt'n Skully wrote:
Here's another Mexonesian place in Austin, Texas my bro-in-law told me to check out..

http://www.hulahut.com/

http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?topic=19375&forum=2&hilite=hula%20hut

there's pics & review of the place here

On 2007-07-11 08:41, Capt'n Skully wrote:
Here's another Mexonesian place in Austin, Texas my bro-in-law told me to check out..

http://www.hulahut.com/

I've actually been to this one a few times. It's not THAT bad. Polynesian-ish decorations with "Mexican" food (I have strong opinions on Mexican food...the quotes are there because the Hula Hut doesn't meet my criteria). I'd say it's definitely more of a surf feel than a Tiki feel, but they don't claim to be Trader Vic's or the Forbidden Island. I really don't see much of a problem with serving Mexican cuisine in a tropical setting...a lot of "tiki" places serve Chinese food, and last I checked China was the South Pacific either. It's all about setting a proper expectation. "Mexonesian"...Not"Tiki." Not bad either.

And for anyone who wants a comparison, the atmosphere at the Hula Hut in Austin is comparable to Hula Hula in Seattle, IMHO.

TT

[ Edited by: tekoteko 2007-07-11 13:48 ]

As others have noted, the Hula Hut in Austin, Texas is a Polynesian Tex-Mex place. The decorations are surf-style Hawaiiana and the food is basically Tex-Mex infused with seafood and pineapple. I actually really enjoy the Hula Hut's food. It may have the best chips and salsa in Texas, and that's saying a lot. And the atmosphere is great, if you're in the mood for a laid-back day at the lake (the Hut is located on the shore of Lake Austin). But, despite the dozen or so tiki idols that adorn the walls and outer grounds, the Hula Hut is not a Tiki bar.

http://www.hulahut.com/

Been here before considering my sister lives in Baltimore, went with some friends, food is good, not so tiki, they serve their frozen drinks in Tiki mugs i took 2 home for the collection so not half bad....worth checking out...cool design