Kon Tiki Tucson Update and M & M

Over the Fourth Holiday week-end, I had a few days in a row off from the restaurant so Kim and I headed down to see the new and improved Kon Tiki in Tucson.
I first started going there when I moved to Arizona from San Francisco in 1998, and it was an absolute dump. The place at that time was a frat boy dive bar, with crap drinks augmented with Everclear and cheap booze to send the the U of A co-eds spiraling headfirst towards their first DUI or amatuer porn video. Just plain paradise lost, and commercial deterioration of an original Tiki Bar in a remote frontier oasis.

Happy to report the new Kon Tiki after renovation is much improved and a nice change since Louie took over management. New mugs and bowls, T-shirts and caps, new bamboo, and a somewhat revived atmosphere. Friendly waitresses and an eager staff of barmen and doorman. An actual family restaurant vibe that stymied my sense of mis en place.

We met with old friends Paul and Vince who are non-tiki folk, and our new tiki friends, the lovely Cheeky-Half Maggie and her Brit-wit husband, Mark. These delightful and creative artists are NYC trandsplants to Tucson, who live a prudent bicycle peddling distance away from the bar in a charming vintage ranch. Maggie and Mark are really fantastic artists who do amazing mosaics that adorn their great home fully-decorated in vintage chic tiki accoutrement. Many of you saw their pad when you visted for the rededication gig and saw their great flair.

Perhaps Maggie should consider a few shifts at Kon Tiki, as her home preped libations shamed the Scorpion Bowls we imbibbed at Kon Tiki. We enjoyed a great night of what I am sure will be many in the future with M & M, and have invited them to stay over as guests at our home in Tempe during the Trader Vics Scottsdale party in August.

I have included a few photos, but unfortunately, I did not take any with Maggie and Mark with my camera..too many drinks I suppose.

New Tiki Paint job

Kim at the big chair

First stage of losing my wallet and car keys

Kim fear and loathing at Kon Tiki

Non-Tiki Vince and Paul slowly being assimulated in to cyborg collective

RND and facelifted Tiki

Just finished a bottle of Havana Club Anejo 3 Anos, which was excellantly suited for many rum cocktails!

[ Edited by: Rum Numb Davey 2006-07-12 12:31 ]

[ Edited by: Rum Numb Davey 2006-07-12 23:23 ]

Hey RNDavey,

Thank you for the kind words. We enjoyed a lovely evening with you, Kim, Paul and Vince. It was a wonderful night filled with good conversation about food, drink, tiki, kids and art. Good times are ahead and we look forward to meeting up with you in Scottsdale.

Our future diabolical plans include subtly indoctrinating Paul and Vince with a love of tiki culture so that they can appreciate the Kon Tiki gem in their own backyard. We'll need you to return to Tucson on a semi-regular basis to aid us in our scheme.

See you soon!

Mr and Mrs cheeky half