It was
one of those summer Mondays. I was tired and it was a long day at the office.
So I grabbed my husband and whisked him away to the Aloha Grill located in
Huntington Beach. Kind of a mistake on our part, because it was hot and muggy AND
the parking was a pain. I imagine if we didn’t go in the middle of the summer
it would have been much better. We sat inside which had some really cool tike
carvings. I grabbed their menu and THE RAINBOW. Their world famous slushy
drink. Well when in Rome right? Plus it was so hot I needed a cool drink. After
that I of course ordered a mai tai. It wasn’t bad. I would order it again. I
can’t wait to go back and try some other drinks! Also, the rainbow drink tasted
like a watermelon gobstopper. In case anyone was wondering.
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Luau Larry's
I have
been making a habit out of going to Catalina Island for my birthday. Last year
we went we had breakfast, walked around Avalon, did a submarine tour around the
area and an island tour. It was pretty awesome. So this year I just wanted to
take it easy and relax. Luckily for
me there is a tiki bar on the island!
Luau Larry
is located right in front of the water. We got there early so there was no
lunch time rush. It looks small but there is a room in the back to host more
patrons if they need it. Staff is nice, food was good, Mai tai was mediocre and
not anything to write home about. I did have a second drink but I can’t
remember what it was but it was pretty good. I would go back! Maybe next year
;)
Don the Beachcomber presents - The International Tiki Marketplace
Thanks to all of the tiki folk on instagram they let me know of a awesome happening at Don the Beachcomber. About once a month they have something called the International Tiki Marketplace. The best way to describe it is like a tiki flea marketplace. There was one actually one today! I missed it today but hoping I might catch the next one. I really enjoyed the one I went to last month! Also I forgot to mention you get a free drink with admission!
Frankie's Tiki Room
I
mentioned before, that I would occasionally derail my southern California hunt
and visit some places not listed. This bar was one of those I meant. Back when
I was Las Vegas resident this place opened right before I moved to California.
So I got to see it once and when I did it was 9 am on a Wednesday morning so
obviously wasn’t exciting and I still had to work so I couldn’t even buy a
drink. On June 1st we went to go visit some family in Las Vegas and to make up
for the heat my husband promised a trip to Frankie's and I was NOT disappointed!
Originally
Frankie’s Bar and Cocktail lounge, when it was for sale the owner of the Double
Down Saloon saw its potential as a place where the tiki culture could be saved.
Even though Las Vegas is a mecca for bars tiki bars just don’t seem to stick
well but they have really done a great job in the decor and drinks to make it
the tiki go to in the city!
We were
pretty bored on a Saturday and it was early in the afternoon, hot, dry and we
were thirsty. We headed to Frankie's Tiki Room located on Charleston right next
to the UMC hospital. I know it’s a weird place for a bar. As soon as we walked
in it was so dim it really took a while to get used to the dim lighting inside.
We stepped up to the bar and decided to sit at a table. It was hard to see but
there was plenty of seating. At first, we had to read the menus with our phones
but shortly after my eyes adjusted I was able to really enjoy the whole
experience.
The menu
is long and has a guide on its potency, which I really enjoyed. Everyone in my
party got something different and of course I had a sip of everyone’s drink I
was so excited that everything was absolutely amazing! I don’t remember what
the bartenders name was but she deserves an award for making some great drinks.
The mai tai was delicious and I wouldn’t mind going back and getting
another..and another...
Now, on
to mugs and books. Of course most tiki places have their own tiki mugs that are
different with each place. What I LOVE about this place is that all of their
mugs are absolutely unique and really have personalities of their own? The
owner was also approached about doing a book with recipes. He had written
several fiction books but nothing tiki related. His book Liquid Vacation goes
over tiki history off Las Vegas and 77 different tiki recipes. Including
recipes for some of their famous drinks in the bar. My husband being the
awesome man that he is bought me a book on our way out and my mother went to
the launch party of the book and had it signed for me by the author! I am so
excited to receive the book back! I read it and can’t wait to put it to good
use!
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