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JOHN-O's Zombie Road Trip... "Tiki is so Gay !!" |
Chuck Tatum is Tiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: May 12, 2011
Posts: 1674
From: Southern Cailifornia
|  Posted: 2011-06-14 5:09 pm Permalink
Big Thanks Brent! I am living vicariously through you and John-O for this Mai Kai adventure.
give me more.....more.....
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christiki295
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 09, 2003
Posts: 3616
From: LA-2547 mls east Hawaii &5500 Easter Is
| Posted: 2011-06-15 07:42 am Permalink
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On 2010-11-25 01:27, JOHN-O wrote:
 
"I'd like a Zombie, a Mai Tai, and 1 of your Painkillers"
"I'm JOHN-O from Tiki Central by the way, this is my first time here."
(Handing my credit card over)
Bartender: "Don't worry about it, the drinks are on me."
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Nice presentation by Tiki No.
Even better price.
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JOHN-O
Grand Member (first year) 
Joined: May 16, 2008
Posts: 2465
From: Dogtown, USA
| Posted: 2011-06-15 10:09 pm Permalink
 
Well I wrote a Part 2 but after reading it, I decided my words couldn't appropriately channel the Tiki emotion of a drunken Swanky.
Let's just put it this way...
The Mai Kai is indeed Tiki Mecca.
Is it Mecca in that it's the greatest Tiki temple still in existence, with the largest scale, grandest history, most Tikis, and best drinks? You could probably say yes to all those things.
I however like to think of it as Mecca, in that it inspired me to truly appreciate Tiki the way it was in its Mid-century heyday. It was like stepping into a living breathing "Book of Tiki". It took me several contemplative visits, the collective Hukilau Mana (and many many cocktails  ) to finally realize this.
You might assume my "pilgrimage" would make my subsequent visits to my local So Ca Tiki bars feel like second-best. On the contrary, it had just the opposite effect. Now I think I'm going to cherish more than ever the unique details which make every Tiki Bar special, and to take my heightened Tiki consciousness with me wherever I'm drinking...
From Don's… to the Tonga Hut… and yes even to Bellflower's Hawaiian Room.
Thank you Mai Kai (and Hukilau) !!
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Dustycajun
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Nov 16, 2007
Posts: 3936
From: Santa Barbara, CA
| Posted: 2011-06-15 10:30 pm Permalink
John-O,
Well said, Bravo!
DC
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Chuck Tatum is Tiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: May 12, 2011
Posts: 1674
From: Southern Cailifornia
| Posted: 2011-06-15 10:37 pm Permalink
OK then!
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Swanky
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 03, 2002
Posts: 4807
From: Hapa Haole Hideaway, TN
| Posted: 2011-06-16 09:44 am Permalink
John-O,
I hope to bring my Mai-Kai tour (minus the drunken aspect) to everyone for next year's Hukilau. Lots of details, but maybe a walking history tour along with a presentation. I am doing a Mai-Kai presentation at Oasis this year and will likely bring it to Hukilau as well next year.
Great to meet you and many other TCers this year! The true Ohana keeps growing!
_________________
Mai-Kai Memories Series Custom ceramic mugs!
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jokeiii
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Sep 18, 2010
Posts: 306
From: Miami
| Posted: 2011-06-16 2:00 pm Permalink
Quote:
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On 2011-06-16 09:44, Swanky wrote:
I hope to bring my Mai-Kai tour (minus the drunken aspect) to everyone for next year's Hukilau. Lots of details, but maybe a walking history tour along with a presentation. I am doing a Mai-Kai presentation at Oasis this year and will likely bring it to Hukilau as well next year.
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Sign me up! But you'd better carry a little pennant when you lead the tour, like they do at the Disney theme parks. 
_________________
-J.
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JOHN-O
Grand Member (first year)
Joined: May 16, 2008
Posts: 2465
From: Dogtown, USA
| Posted: 2011-06-19 3:46 pm Permalink
Bali Hai...
 
This was my first visit since the remodel of last year. They did a great job, it's all very tasteful, befitting the space-age design. I often wonder how "Tikied-out", the interior actually was back in the 1960's.
You know I had the Zombie, took a picture of the Zombie but I can't for the life of me remember what it was like. Not after the Bali Hai's famous Mai Tai(s) as a follow-up. Only at the Bali Hai, is the Mai Tai stronger than the Zombie !! So let's discuss that…
Not a Don's Mai Tai, not a Vic's Mai Tai, it was "Mai Tai" in name only. With 2 different types of rum and NO juice, it was rude, it was crude, it was shocking. It was also a very Tiki efficient way to get from Point A to Point B. A manly man's Tropical cocktail to be sure. Does this recipe actually date back to the mid-1950's for them?
Yes I know Grog Log purists might be horrified, but this drink got me to thinking. If the heart of Tiki Revival culture is truly (in Bigbro's words), "Ancestor Worship" then shouldn't we always put historical accuracy before mixology quality? Let's say for the sake of argument the Mai Tai at the Bali Hai is the exact same recipe they were using 50 years ago. As Tikiphiles, shouldn't we opt for that "keepin' it real" experience rather than enjoying a artfully crafted cocktail using fresh juices and premium rums?
If you've read my previous posts on this thread, then you know the cocktails at historical landmarks like the Tonga Room and the Hale Kahiki are also considered below par based on today's New Cocktailian standards. If they are indeed serving up the same drinks, wouldn't our Tiki preference be to experience them in the EXACT fashion as our Tiki forefathers? We'd like to think that every cocktail back in the day was like drinking at Smuggler's Cove but isn't that just wishful thinking on our part?
Just take one for the team.
Do it for Tiki !!
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bigbrotiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 25, 2002
Posts: 10566
From: Tiki Island, above the Silverlake
| Posted: 2011-06-19 10:45 pm Permalink
We have discussed this before here. In my mind, "ancestor worship" means keeping the SPIRIT of previous generations alive by reenacting their traditions - but that not to the degree of slavishly copying their ways. As in any religion, if a tradition does not adapt to the changes of the outside world, it will not evolve and eventually petrify and die out. On the other hand, if a mystical path is adapted and modernized TOO much so it looses sight of its origins, it is equally doomed.
The challenge to walk this fine line between keeping a thing alive or compromising its essence has fractured many religions into splinter groups that claim authenticity and denounce the others. My work is trying to maintain that balance for the contemporary cult of Tiki.
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blacklagoon
Grand Member (first year)
Joined: Aug 03, 2010
Posts: 154 | Posted: 2011-06-20 08:51 am Permalink
I have really enjoyed reading this thread and will be in LA soon, I look forward to trying some of your recommendations.
Paul
_________________
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JOHN-O
Grand Member (first year)
Joined: May 16, 2008
Posts: 2465
From: Dogtown, USA
| Posted: 2011-06-23 8:48 pm Permalink
 
OK, Disney (or rather the post-1960's cultural impact of the Disney corporation) has never been my cup of tea.
To this historic dive bar loving Tikiphile, the concept of "Disneyfication" is horrifying...
Dis-ney-fi-ca-tion (noun)
: the transformation (as of something real or unsettling) into carefully controlled and safe entertainment or an environment with similar qualities.
Yes, I enjoyed Disneyland as a pre-teen but as I've grown older, the nostalgia of those childhood memories has grown less and less. In retrospect, I think Bukowski pegged Uncle Walt's legacy correctly.
And isn't this place in San Francisco the real "Trader Sam's" anyway?
So all that said, what was this Disney grinch's take on this "new" Trader Sam's?...
I must admit, it was a REAL Tiki bar, very true to the spirit of mid-century Tiki-style. I'd put it one notch below the Tiki Revival perfection of places like Forbidden Island and Frankie's Tiki Room but higher than Trader Vic's recent efforts like Downtown LA.
They nailed the background music, as I heard the sounds of Tikiyaki Orchestra upon entering. After that, it was all classic Exotica.
Their version of the Zombie, the "Shrunken Head Zombie", was by no means a classic 1934 Zombie but it was apparent they are taking their mixology seriously. The bourbon drink "Shipwreck on the Rocks" was excellent !!
If you really want a sublime Tropical cocktail, order the off-menu "Pluto's Punch". You have to ask the lovely Rhonda to mix it for you (but only if she deems you Tiki-worthy).
I also ran into Dinah DeRosa who was there on a photo shoot for the OC Weekly.
All in all an excellent visit !! (But I still hate Mickey Mouse).
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telescopes
Tiki Socialite
Joined: May 06, 2007
Posts: 554
From: Palm Springs
| Posted: 2011-06-24 05:36 am Permalink
Quote:
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On 2011-06-23 20:48, JOHN-O wrote:
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All in all an excellent visit !! (But I still hate Mickey Mouse).
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John-O:
Isn't there a special place in Hell for those who hate Mickey?
Are am I taking my Dante just a bit too seriously?
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Chuck Tatum is Tiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: May 12, 2011
Posts: 1674
From: Southern Cailifornia
| Posted: 2011-06-24 06:00 am Permalink
It seems that Disneyland was the introduction to Tiki for many here
my observation is this applies to TCers who were to young to be exposed to actual Tiki bars or supper clubs
maybe some of the older TCers can chime in on this?
But I am with John-O on this one, I share no sentimentality with the enchanted Tiki room as it has no
relation to an actual Tiki Bar, cocktails and all.
After all one was aimed squarely at kids and the other strictly for adults and at this stage in my life
I prefer the later.
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Chuck Tatum is Tiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: May 12, 2011
Posts: 1674
From: Southern Cailifornia
| Posted: 2011-06-26 12:16 pm Permalink
So after an all to short visit to Trader Sam's, To short to really take in the place
at least I was able to enjoy the bar for a few minutes so I ordered a Pluto's Punch
as per John-Os recommendation and I gotta say this is one of the best cocktails
that I have had in a while, top notch! sublime! tasty as hell! four stars!
I had to get to back to the home territory and could not stay longer, a Zombie will have to wait until next time.
CTiT out.....
[ This Message was edited by: Chuck Tatum is Tiki 2011-06-26 12:17 ]
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JOHN-O
Grand Member (first year)
Joined: May 16, 2008
Posts: 2465
From: Dogtown, USA
| Posted: 2011-07-14 02:03 am Permalink
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