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Don The Beachcomber, Sunset Beach, CA (restaurant) |
tikiyaki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: May 18, 2004
Posts: 2710
From: The Exotic Port of REDONDO BEACH, CA
|  Posted: 2009-03-05 5:00 pm Permalink
Name:Don The Beachcomber
Type:restaurant
Street:16278 S. Pacific Coast Highway
City:Sunset Beach
State:CA
Zip:92649
country:USA
Phone:562-592-1321
Status:operational
Description:
The original Home of Sam's Seafood from the late 1930's until 2007.
http://www.tikiroom.com/tikicentral/bb/viewtopic.php?topic=4914&forum=2&hilite=Sam's%20Seafood
http://www.critiki.com/cgi-bin/location.cgi?loc_id=76
http://www.critiki.com/cgi-bin/location.cgi?loc_id=663
Under new ownership the name changed to KONA in 2008, but now a new partner has entered into the picture to help rescue the restaurant from closing due to financial troubles.
This new owner happens to own the "Don The Beachcomber" business name, so now Kona will be the new home for the first Don the Beachcomber on the mainland in over 25 years.
http://www.critiki.com/cgi-bin/location.cgi?loc_id=663
So with the arrival of Spring comes the return of the first name in the Tiki/Polynesian restaurant and bar world, Don the Beachcomber.
[ This Message was edited by: tikiyaki 2009-03-05 17:01 ]
[ This Message was edited by: tikiyaki 2009-03-05 17:02 ]
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bigtikidude
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 10, 2004
Posts: 9042
From: Anaheim,Ca.
| Posted: 2009-03-06 12:30 am Permalink
bring on the good drinks.
I'm ready and waiting.
Jeff(bigtikidude)
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Digitiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 22, 2004
Posts: 754
From: L.A. baby!
| Posted: 2009-03-14 9:53 pm Permalink
I just returned from Kona/Don the Beachcomber's where TIkiyaki and I talked with the drink consultant and Chuck, the owner. We were privileged enough to be treated to two of the new Don drinks that will grace the new drink menu. I know there is a real thing about letting the cat out of the bag here on TC, but I have to write in and tell you that the drinks we experienced were impeccable. We sampled the Mai Tai (Don's version) and the Cherry Blossom Punch. First I want to say that any tiki drink enthusiast will know there has always been an ongoing issue between Don the Beachcomber's and Trader Vic's mai tais. So this mai tai at Don's was very different from a TV mai tai. However, it was an amazing taste sensation and stands on its own as an exotic cocktail. If you ware familar with Kona & Sam's old drinks, you will be blown away by these. Ryan, the bartender/consultant served us cocktails that are truly gourmet concoctions that are extremely complex in character. I can say that the two drinks we experienced were on par with the Mai Kai! The restaurant now makes their own falernum; and it is delicate and very deep in flavor. The mai tai uses this falernum along with other citrus juices (I tasted a hint of grapefruit) and I can say that it was an amazing, complex cocktail that true exotic drink aficionados will appreciate--with hints of spices too. The Cherry Blossom Punch was a delicious pink cocktail that was made with real cherry (no cheap syrup) and had an equal complexity that is missing from almost every single tiki drink establishment LA. It as a sweet, but refreshing (not syrupy sweet) cocktail that is delicate and deep!
They are going to roll out 10 of these new cocktails for now, with plans to eventually have up to 60 Don's exotics in total.
Drink up me hearty's, yo ho!!!!
_________________
____________________________
"You're not drunk if you can lie on the floor without holding on." -- Dean Martin
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tikiyaki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: May 18, 2004
Posts: 2710
From: The Exotic Port of REDONDO BEACH, CA
| Posted: 2009-03-14 10:30 pm Permalink
Quote:
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On 2009-03-14 21:53, Digitiki wrote:
I just returned from Kona/Don the Beachcomber's where TIkiyaki and I talked with the drink consultant and Chuck, the owner. We were privileged enough to be treated to two of the new Don drinks that will grace the new drink menu. I know there is a real thing about letting the cat out of the bag here on TC, but I have to write in and tell you that the drinks we experienced were impeccable. We sampled the Mai Tai (Don's version) and the Cherry Blossom Punch. First I want to say that any tiki drink enthusiast will know there has always been an ongoing issue between Don the Beachcomber's and Trader Vic's mai tais. So this mai tai at Don's was very different from a TV mai tai. However, it was an amazing taste sensation and stands on its own as an exotic cocktail. If you ware familar with Kona & Sam's old drinks, you will be blown away by these. Ryan, the bartender/consultant served us cocktails that are truly gourmet concoctions that are extremely complex in character. I can say that the two drinks we experienced were on par with the Mai Kai! The restaurant now makes their own falernum; and it is delicate and very deep in flavor. The mai tai uses this falernum along with other citrus juices (I tasted a hint of grapefruit) and I can say that it was an amazing, complex cocktail that true exotic drink aficionados will appreciate--with hints of spices too. The Cherry Blossom Punch was a delicious pink cocktail that was made with real cherry (no cheap syrup) and had an equal complexity that is missing from almost every single tiki drink establishment LA. It as a sweet, but refreshing (not syrupy sweet) cocktail that is delicate and deep!
They are going to roll out 10 of these new cocktails for now, with plans to eventually have up to 60 Don's exotics in total.
Drink up me hearty's, yo ho!!!!
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Yes on all counts. The Mai Tai was WAY different than a Vics...WAY different. Complex indeed. The home made falernum, which we also sampled was very good.
This Ryan guy knows his cocktails.
The Cherry Blossom Punch was great too. The drink tastes like it's name. Good stuff.
_________________
http://www.tikiyakiorchestra.com
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Bora Boris
Mr. Unreasonable
Joined: Mar 25, 2005
Posts: 2604
From: Boogie Wonderland
| Posted: 2009-03-14 10:59 pm Permalink
Quote:
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On 2009-03-14 21:53, Digitiki wrote:
If you ware familar with Kona & Sam's old drinks, you will be blown away by these.
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I hope you're right Digitiki and I look forward to trying them but sadly as someone who's had the old Kona and Sam's drinks I'd be excited about a glass of water. 
_________________
 
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squid
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Sep 30, 2002
Posts: 1462 | Posted: 2009-03-14 11:05 pm Permalink
Tikiyaki and Digitiki: Luckiest guinea pigs in the world. I hate you so...
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bigtikidude
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 10, 2004
Posts: 9042
From: Anaheim,Ca.
| Posted: 2009-03-15 02:27 am Permalink
Damn,
sounds like very good news.
I am excited.
you guys are indeed very lucky.
let the Booze flow...
Jeff(bigtikidude)
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Digitiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 22, 2004
Posts: 754
From: L.A. baby!
| Posted: 2009-03-15 09:11 am Permalink
Boris,
That's great. Keep the memory of the old Sam's & Kona drinks in your mind. That way you will be all the more impressed. As I stated, these cocktails were on par with the Mai-Kai. But as I stated in the other DTB thread, don't expect to walk into Kona and be amazed at the transformation. They are transforming the restaurant's interior, menu & cocktails over the next few months. They simply couldn't afford to shut down and do everything at once. Ben will be starting on tiki-ing up the interior soon and the food menu will be gradually changing as they introduce new items. And most important, the cocktail menu will be 10 Don's cocktails just to start. They are planning on adding a total of 60 of Don The Beachcomber's original drinks--along with custom mugs, volcano & scorpion bowls...the works!!
_________________
____________________________
"You're not drunk if you can lie on the floor without holding on." -- Dean Martin
[ This Message was edited by: Digitiki 2009-03-15 09:20 ]
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arriano
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jun 13, 2006
Posts: 1314
From: Dog Patch - San Diego
| Posted: 2009-03-15 5:30 pm Permalink
Sixty Don drinks!? Now that IS impressive.
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Coco Joe
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Sep 27, 2008
Posts: 721
From: Los Angeles
| Posted: 2009-03-15 10:58 pm Permalink
Just got back from visiting the new Don the Beachcomber. We had a Don's Mai Tai (different, tasty, complex), a Cherry Blossom (yummy and sweet), and a Navy Grog (can't go wrong when it's an old recipe). Ryan is the mixologist hired by Art to handle the drink menu. Super nice fellow who works a few days a week yet commutes all the way from vegas.
I was told they'll only have a few new drinks available tomorrow. They haven't stock the bar yet with all the needed stuff. Also, the bar hands aren't trained yet. It's going to take awhile before it's all up and running but I strongly suggest going. They have a few mugs already with the new name silked screened on them and will have the official mug in a few weeks as well as some swizzle sticks. Things are looking very promising!
[ This Message was edited by: Coco Joe 2009-03-15 23:35 ]
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tikiyaki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: May 18, 2004
Posts: 2710
From: The Exotic Port of REDONDO BEACH, CA
| Posted: 2009-03-15 11:16 pm Permalink
Quote:
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On 2009-03-15 22:58, Coco Joe wrote:
Just got back from visiting the new Don the Beachcomber. We had a Don's Mai Tai (different, tasty, complex), a Cherry Blossom (yummy and sweet), and a Navy Grog (can't go wrong when it's an old recipe). Mark is the mixologist hired by Art to handle the drink menu. Super nice fellow who works a few days a week yet commutes all the way from vegas.
I was told they'll only have a few new drinks available tomorrow. They haven't stock the bar yet with all the needed stuff. Also, the bar hands aren't trained yet. It's going to take awhile before it's all up and running but I strongly suggest going. They have a few mugs already with the new name silked screened on them and will have the official mug in a few weeks as well as some swizzle sticks. Things are looking very promising!
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Joe, how many drinks did you have? The mixologist guy's name is Ryan 
Nice shot of the sign.
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Sincityryan
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Mar 15, 2009
Posts: 28 | Posted: 2009-03-15 11:28 pm Permalink
Quote:
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On 2009-03-14 21:53, Digitiki wrote:
I just returned from Kona/Don the Beachcomber's where TIkiyaki and I talked with the drink consultant and Chuck, the owner. We were privileged enough to be treated to two of the new Don drinks that will grace the new drink menu. I know there is a real thing about letting the cat out of the bag here on TC, but I have to write in and tell you that the drinks we experienced were impeccable. We sampled the Mai Tai (Don's version) and the Cherry Blossom Punch. First I want to say that any tiki drink enthusiast will know there has always been an ongoing issue between Don the Beachcomber's and Trader Vic's mai tais. So this mai tai at Don's was very different from a TV mai tai. However, it was an amazing taste sensation and stands on its own as an exotic cocktail. If you ware familar with Kona & Sam's old drinks, you will be blown away by these. Ryan, the bartender/consultant served us cocktails that are truly gourmet concoctions that are extremely complex in character. I can say that the two drinks we experienced were on par with the Mai Kai! The restaurant now makes their own falernum; and it is delicate and very deep in flavor. The mai tai uses this falernum along with other citrus juices (I tasted a hint of grapefruit) and I can say that it was an amazing, complex cocktail that true exotic drink aficionados will appreciate--with hints of spices too. The Cherry Blossom Punch was a delicious pink cocktail that was made with real cherry (no cheap syrup) and had an equal complexity that is missing from almost every single tiki drink establishment LA. It as a sweet, but refreshing (not syrupy sweet) cocktail that is delicate and deep!
They are going to roll out 10 of these new cocktails for now, with plans to eventually have up to 60 Don's exotics in total.
Drink up me hearty's, yo ho!!!!
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Thank you for your kind words, I'm super excited to roll out the new drink menu although this will be a slow process. (Training and ingredient issues such as importing different items from other countries)
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Coco Joe
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Sep 27, 2008
Posts: 721
From: Los Angeles
| Posted: 2009-03-15 11:43 pm Permalink
[/quote]
Joe, how many drinks did you have? The mixologist guy's name is Ryan
Nice shot of the sign.
[/quote]
thanks for making me feel like an arsehole Jim. Sorry Ryan....it was my little lady who said Mark although I thought it was Ryan. We stop by after a party in Long Beach where I won a few beer shot gun rounds. Prolly shouldn't be posting now but had to tell everyone about Don's.
i wonder if Ryan does weddings???
_________________
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Sincityryan
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Mar 15, 2009
Posts: 28 | Posted: 2009-03-16 12:17 am Permalink
Quote:
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On 2009-03-15 23:43, Coco Joe wrote:
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Joe, how many drinks did you have? The mixologist guy's name is Ryan
Nice shot of the sign.
[/quote]
thanks for making me feel like an arsehole Jim. Sorry Ryan....it was my little lady who said Mark although I thought it was Ryan. We stop by after a party in Long Beach where I won a few beer shot gun rounds. Prolly shouldn't be posting now but had to tell everyone about Don's.
i wonder if Ryan does weddings???
[/quote] LOL like a DJ??
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tikiyaki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: May 18, 2004
Posts: 2710
From: The Exotic Port of REDONDO BEACH, CA
| Posted: 2009-03-16 09:13 am Permalink
Oh, say it ain't so Joe, I'm just bustin yer balls !
Welcome to TC Ryan !
_________________
Do you have your TIKIYAKI ORCHESTRA CD YET ?
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http://www.tikiyakiorchestra.com
[ This Message was edited by: tikiyaki 2009-03-16 09:17 ]
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