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Tiki No, North Hollywood, CA (bar) |
Joe Banks Grand Member (4 years)
Joined: Aug 02, 2007 Posts: 519 From: Hollywoodland
| Posted: 2011-01-23 10:28 am  Permalink
 
 
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bigtikidude Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 10, 2004 Posts: 8262 From: Anaheim,Ca.
| Posted: 2011-01-24 10:52 am  Permalink
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On 2011-01-23 10:02, telescopes wrote:
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On 2011-01-12 22:25, bigtikidude wrote:
I will check it out,
but I'm in no hurry,
and it's definitely not in my normal area of travel.
Jeff(btd)
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Nor mine - however, last night I made the journey from Palm Desert/Palm Springs to finally check this place out. Considering I would be gone most of the day, needed to insure I would have a quality drink. That meant Tiki-Ti as a first stop. After a Ray's Mistake (it was a bit sweet this time) and a 151 Rum Swizzle - I punched up my GPS and headed off for what was a fairly quick jump to Tiki No. But who knew - they don't open until 6 PM on a Saturday. So, after another quick jump I arrived at Tonga Hut (that was suppose to be my last stop) and had a Mai Tai and a Kelly Custom drink from Hiphipahula. They were both good - but no cigar - this was to be saved for Tiki No in the smoking area.
Finally, I made the jump to Tiki No.
The pictures on this thread are accurate. The comments placed by others are accurate. I loved the place. And, I am glad I first went to Tiki Ti..
I spoke with a tall pretty bartender with brunette hair and asked her what she thought about measured pours. She told me at first she hated it but is adjusting. She found the process to be to time consuming. I asked her if she had been to Tiki Ti yet and she said she had not. She did indicate that she wanted to go.
Personally, I think there should be a rule that any bartender working a tiki bar in LA should go to the Ti at least several times to learn why you need to use the correct rums and get the pours correct.
I will say this. Both Tonga Hut and the No both made great attempts to get it right. But you can't make your Mai Tai using Cruzan rums and then call them Trader Vic Mai Tais. The taste is simply way off.
Martin Cate gets it right because he understands that what goes into the drink is just as if not more important than the thatch or trappings of the decor.
Regardless, I will go back to Tiki No. I appreciate their efforts and I am sure that in time they will get it better. They are going to have to if they want to stay open.
In closing, I think this is why Don the Beachcombers is so wonderful. The atmosphere and the quality of the drinks go hand in hand.
Southern California - who knew we would see such a revival.
Now, can you do something for Palm Springs -
Lets not allow the reefer bar to go up in smoke - Rx it quickly.
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thank you for your Honest Opinions Telescopes.
appreciate that in these times, of blowing smoke up peoples ass.
Jeff(btd)
 
 
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Hiphipahula Grand Member (6 years)
Joined: May 27, 2006 Posts: 2376 From: The Valley! Female, leo,fav color pink.
| Posted: 2011-01-24 3:07 pm  Permalink
Quote:
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On 2011-01-24 10:52, bigtikidude wrote:
Quote:
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On 2011-01-23 10:02, telescopes wrote:
Quote:
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On 2011-01-12 22:25, bigtikidude wrote:
I will check it out,
but I'm in no hurry,
and it's definitely not in my normal area of travel.
Jeff(btd)
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Nor mine - however, last night I made the journey from Palm Desert/Palm Springs to finally check this place out. Considering I would be gone most of the day, needed to insure I would have a quality drink. That meant Tiki-Ti as a first stop. After a Ray's Mistake (it was a bit sweet this time) and a 151 Rum Swizzle - I punched up my GPS and headed off for what was a fairly quick jump to Tiki No. But who knew - they don't open until 6 PM on a Saturday. So, after another quick jump I arrived at Tonga Hut (that was suppose to be my last stop) and had a Mai Tai and a Kelly Custom drink from Hiphipahula. They were both good - but no cigar - this was to be saved for Tiki No in the smoking area.
Finally, I made the jump to Tiki No.
The pictures on this thread are accurate. The comments placed by others are accurate. I loved the place. And, I am glad I first went to Tiki Ti..
I spoke with a tall pretty bartender with brunette hair and asked her what she thought about measured pours. She told me at first she hated it but is adjusting. She found the process to be to time consuming. I asked her if she had been to Tiki Ti yet and she said she had not. She did indicate that she wanted to go.
Personally, I think there should be a rule that any bartender working a tiki bar in LA should go to the Ti at least several times to learn why you need to use the correct rums and get the pours correct.
I will say this. Both Tonga Hut and the No both made great attempts to get it right. But you can't make your Mai Tai using Cruzan rums and then call them Trader Vic Mai Tais. The taste is simply way off.
Martin Cate gets it right because he understands that what goes into the drink is just as if not more important than the thatch or trappings of the decor.
Regardless, I will go back to Tiki No. I appreciate their efforts and I am sure that in time they will get it better. They are going to have to if they want to stay open.
In closing, I think this is why Don the Beachcombers is so wonderful. The atmosphere and the quality of the drinks go hand in hand.
Southern California - who knew we would see such a revival.
Now, can you do something for Palm Springs -
Lets not allow the reefer bar to go up in smoke - Rx it quickly.
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thank you for your Honest Opinions Telescopes.
appreciate that in these times, of blowing smoke up peoples ass.
Jeff(btd)
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Telescopes, you need to need to clean your lenses (and your taste buds) because your way off in your last post about Tonga Hut. You lump Tonga Hut together with Tiki No and say they “both made great attempts to get it right.” You complain about their use of Cruzan rums. This, after having a Kelly Hiphipahula Reilly premium Mai Tai made Beachbum Berry’s way with Appleton 12-Year Extra Dark and Rhum Clement VSOP! When a bartender talks to you for an hour and gives you a premium Mai Tai for $5 (not the usual $9-$12) at least you can say thank you. Indeed, Tonga Hut was holding a special on $5 Mai Tais the Trader Vic's old way, made with Cruzan Light and Coruba Dark. However, this was NOT what you had Saturday. You were given a special drink after having revealed you drove all the way out from Palm Springs. The fact you can’t tell the difference should be enough to invalidate any more critiques you might be tempted to make. Just to be thorough, the other custom drink you had at Tonga Hut was my, Shaka Hula Bossa Nova, it DID have Cruzan 151 blend with Lemon Hart 151… but it also had and Appleton 12-Year Extra Dark and two more rums that equal or excel the quality of the rums mentioned. Hardly bottom shelf rums. You seemed to enjoy both drinks and finished them completely. To be a thorough critic, Telescopes, you need to be accurate. If you think I’m being sensitive, just remember that not all of us are tourists from Palm Springs. Some of us make a living at this. If anyone wants to know about the quality of Tonga Hut's drinks, the best way to make a judgement is to come in and try them. Living vicariously through other people's reviews is a sad way to go through life and that's not blowing smoke.
- Kelly Hiphipahula Reilly
_________________
Tonga Hut Since 1958
12808 Victory Blvd. North Hollywood
[ This Message was edited by: Hiphipahula 2011-01-24 17:18 ]
 
 
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bigtikidude Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 10, 2004 Posts: 8262 From: Anaheim,Ca.
| Posted: 2011-01-24 3:55 pm  Permalink
Kelly I was referring to his review of Tiki No.
And not your mixilogy skills.
Everyone knows you do all the drinks perfectly.
Chill out.
Jeff btd
 
 
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Hiphipahula Grand Member (6 years)
Joined: May 27, 2006 Posts: 2376 From: The Valley! Female, leo,fav color pink.
| Posted: 2011-01-24 4:04 pm  Permalink
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On 2011-01-24 15:55, bigtikidude wrote:
Kelly I was referring to his review of Tiki No.
And not your mixilogy skills.
Everyone knows you do all the drinks perfectly.
Chill out.
Jeff btd
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Your apology is excepted Jeff.
_________________ hiphipahula.com/

 
 
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telescopes Tiki Socialite
Joined: May 06, 2007 Posts: 554 From: Palm Springs
| Posted: 2011-01-24 9:37 pm  Permalink
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So, after another quick jump I arrived at Tonga Hut (that was suppose to be my last stop) and had a Mai Tai and a Kelly Custom drink from Hiphipahula. They were both good - but no cigar - this was to be saved for Tiki No in the smoking area.
I will say this. Both Tonga Hut and the No both made great attempts to get it right. But you can't make your Mai Tai using Cruzan rums and then call them Trader Vic Mai Tais. The taste is simply way off.
Martin Cate gets it right because he understands that what goes into the drink is just as if not more important than the thatch or trappings of the decor.
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Kelly, I truly enjoyed spending time talking with you and drinking your wonderful drinks.
The purpose of my review was not to upset you - I certainly intend to visit the Tonga Hut again - but rather to give an honest review of Tiki No.
The Tonga Hut's drink quality has improved greatly since I first visited in the beginning of 2007. But, to keep things in context, my visit that night ended up including three bars, Tiki Ti, Tonga Hut, and Tiki No. I did bring smokes for Tiki No, you can't do that at the Hut - so the metaphor of smoke was appropriate.
You have brought much to the quality of the Tonga Hut. No one disputes that. In fact, I timed my visit to make sure you would be working that night so as to have one of your drinks. And that isn't blowing smoke up your ass - metaphorically speaking, it's true.
But ultimately, my quest is to find drinks that consistently reach the quality of Tiki Ti, Forbidden Island, and Smuggler's Cove. I've been doing this Tiki thing since 1983 and I am still on my quest. My opinion, for what it is worth, is just that. The fact that I thought the Ray's Mistake was a bit sweeter than normal should have heated up the boards with loads of criticisms. Your Mai Tai was decent. However, something was off. Maybe it was the orange liquor or maybe the orgeat, but it was still good. I've had Mai Tai's at Trader Vics that were far less and had to be remade.
Now I've said more about the Tonga Hut than I wanted to. It's a great place and it's trying hard to be at the top. I salute you and the Tonga Hut.
_________________ Hola versus the Aloha Monster
 
 
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leleliz Grand Member (first year)
Joined: Sep 02, 2008 Posts: 1981 From: NorCal
| Posted: 2011-01-29 5:14 pm  Permalink
I am checking this place out tonight...if you live near come by and say hello!
 
 
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Joe Banks Grand Member (4 years)
Joined: Aug 02, 2007 Posts: 519 From: Hollywoodland
| Posted: 2011-01-30 4:09 pm  Permalink
_________________

 
 
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leleliz Grand Member (first year)
Joined: Sep 02, 2008 Posts: 1981 From: NorCal
| Posted: 2011-02-02 11:54 am  Permalink
If I lived in SoCal this would be the one bar that I would hit nightly...ok well maybe every other night...because I loved it so much.
Not only is the decor beautiful, the bar stools comfortable, the flaming torches outside completely cool, the patrons a friendly bunch of tiki and non-tiki lovers alike but the drinks (all 4 different ones I tried) were awesome and Josh the bar manager was the male version of Suzanne from my beloved Forbidden Island.
Joe Banks' photos can't even do this place justice as awesome as THOSE are. I was immediately impressed and got the same vibe of escapism I do everytime I head to Alameda.
I had the Catnip, Blue Hawaiian, Sup and tasted the All Black. Then for good measure I did another Sup and Blue Hawaiian (that may have been the reason I was feeling so rough the next day come to think of it...) and each cocktail was tasty and well balanced.
The All Black was taken off the menu but Josh whipped one together anyways with hardly any hesitation. Our drinks were quick to reach us and both Josh and the female bartender whose name I do not recall were not only attentive to our rather large party but to everyone else who was waiting to be served.
Their drink menu is not super extensive but I am sure as the bar matures that will increase as well. All I know is that Blue Hawaiian was hands down the best I have ever had. God bless them.
Looking around I would say 99% of the patrons were drinking tiki drinks and there was only a beer bottle or two to be seen in hand. I like that. I like that you can get all different types of people in a tiki bar drinking tiki drinks that are well made and everyone is enjoying themselves and their beverage(s).
My only complaints were :
1. They have no signature mug yet to buy and take home. I NEED a mug so hopefully this happens by my next visit
2. Their menus are being redone and I guess some had been stolen so the menu they had was a hard to see (esp after a cocktail) chalkboard hanging above the bar. I am sure they will find a way to fix this but until then I heard both bartenders repeatedly and happily explain the drinks over and over again to each guest who inquired what was in what and how they tasted.
As for the concerns over the music...umm they were playing Frank Sinatra. and Exotica.
Tiki No is a must stop for anyone heading to SoCal and if you live down there and have not been what are you waiting for. Maybe they will open Tiki No II up here and then between that and FI I will have Tiki Heaven!
 
 
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michelerundgren Grand Member (first year)
Joined: Feb 19, 2011 Posts: 2 From: Kauai
| Posted: 2011-02-23 5:11 pm  Permalink
I'm going to check out Tiki No tonight....for the very first time
(I feel a song coming on). So, suggestions on what to order?
Tiki Ti is later on tonight. More suggestions?
Mahalo!
Ihilani
 
 
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congawa Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 11, 2008 Posts: 340 From: Long Beach, CA
| Posted: 2011-03-06 12:15 pm  Permalink
Friday night (after seeing Bakersfield legend Red Simpson at Viva Cantina in Burbank) I dropped by Tiki No for the first time. I was blown away by the decor--I had a Mai Tai, which was definitely no competition for the drinks Kelly makes at the Tonga Hut nearby. When I walked inside (about 11pm), the bar was packed, and a DJ was playing modern rock/electronica. I believe I was the only person in the bar not in their twenties (or maybe early thirties), which bodes well for the survival of the bar in the near term at least. It appears to be a gathering place for the young hip NoHo folks, which seems to be where they were going with this.
Of course, the music prevented any chance of a Tiki vibe, outside of the decor (I see somebody was complaining about them playing Sinatra on an earlier visit--that would have been fine with me, as my recollections of original tiki restaurants in the late 60s/early 70s were that adult popular music was frequently played on the sound system, as was hapa haole, whereas exotica less frequently was). As I seem to get up to the Valley too infrequently as it is, this probably will be my only visit to Tiki No (this was intended as a quick post-Red Simpson gig nightcap, before heading home). Being in Long Beach and working in OC, my plans to get to the Tonga Hut Sunday gatherings usually fizzle, but having now seen and experienced Tiki No, Tonga Hut will remain my tiki bar destination when I'm in the area.
Caltiki Brent
 
 
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leleliz Grand Member (first year)
Joined: Sep 02, 2008 Posts: 1981 From: NorCal
| Posted: 2011-03-06 1:11 pm  Permalink
Brent I was the one who mentioned Frank Sinatra and by no means was that a complaint against the music!
I hope all the 20 somethings keep their dollars flowing into Tiki No so when I come back down (and get there when it opens during happy hour) my Blue Hawaiians will be waiting for me.
 
 
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JOHN-O Grand Member (first year)
Joined: May 16, 2008 Posts: 2463 From: Dogtown, USA
| Posted: 2011-03-14 4:38 pm  Permalink
FYI, here's a great Mid-century Italian restaurant that Mr. J and I scouted out just down the street...
http://www.yelp.com/biz/little-tonis-north-hollywood
It's a good combo to go with a Tiki No visit.
And as usual, Tiki No continues to be consistently generous if you identify yourself as Tiki Central.

 
 
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Jungle Ginger Tiki Socialite
Joined: Nov 12, 2010 Posts: 197 | Posted: 2011-03-14 9:40 pm  Permalink
ATP and I stopped into the Tiki No with Doug Horne to meet up with John-O and Mr. J before the Mayflower show and check it out. The interior is gorgeous (nice work Ben!)with dark romantic booths and great ambiance. We have to thank our bartender Josh for giving us a big Tiki Central welcome. The Blue Hawaiian, Scorpions and Mai Tai's were deelish! Thanks again for making us feel so welcome. We will be back. 
[ This Message was edited by: Jungle Ginger 2011-03-14 22:09 ]
 
 
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arriano Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jun 13, 2006 Posts: 1124 From: Birdland - San Diego
| Posted: 2011-03-15 08:49 am  Permalink
Tiki No isn't the easiest place to get into. Two weekends ago I was in LA and stopped by around 2 pm on a Sunday. Closed, but no regular hours posted, just the happy hours Mon-Fri, 4-7. So we went to Trader Vic's instead.
Later I look Tiki No up online and find a listing that shows it's open daily from 5 pm til 2 am. So last Sunday I was again in LA and we stopped by at 5:10 pm. Closed. So we went to Tonga Hut instead.
While I'm getting a nice tour of LA tiki bars, I'd like to some day go to Tiki No if I ever find it open.
_________________ "I am Lono!" -- Hale Ka'a Tiki Lounge
 
 
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