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The Grass Skirt, Columbus, OH (restaurant) |
Hakalugi
Site Administrator
Joined: Aug 10, 2004
Posts: 2805
From: Redondo Beach, CA
|  Posted: 2011-10-31 3:30 pm Permalink
Name:The Grass Skirt
Type:restaurant
Street:105 N. Grant Street
City:Columbus
State:OH
Zip:
country:USA
Phone:
Status:operational
Description:
Opening Mid September 2012
From article here:
http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/blog/2011/10/volcanos-waterfalls-tiki-torches.html
The Grass Skirt seeks to revive the fire-and-tiki kitsch of tiki bars of yore with Polynesian fare and flair at 105 N. Grant Street in spring 2012. “We’re working on a volcano,” Lessner said. “We can’t promise it yet because it may not work.”
Also part of the South Pacific plans — steaming drinks, a waterfall, Spam, pineapples and maraschino cherries. “We all grew up loving the Kahiki,” she said of the once-popular Columbus restaurant that lives on as a frozen food brand. “We try to find niches. Our restaurant group goes for a fun vibe.” The venture includes the rest of the Columbus Food League team — Carmen Owens, Amy Brennick, Tim Lessner and Harold LaRue. One appeal of the old MadLab Theater and Gallery space was that it was a high-ceiling and open space — giving the business brain trust the freedom to be more creative, including not just the Polynesian decor but the ability to build the kitchen from scratch.
Edited to revise projected opening date.
[ This Message was edited by: Hakalugi 2012-08-08 21:06 ]
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Anestiki
Grand Member (5 years) 
Joined: Aug 02, 2008
Posts: 39 | Posted: 2011-11-03 08:13 am Permalink
Finally, some good tiki news for Columbus Ohio!!
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Swanky
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 03, 2002
Posts: 4807
From: Hapa Haole Hideaway, TN
| Posted: 2011-11-03 09:16 am Permalink
You think they know that the predecessor to the Kahiki was called the "Grass Shack"?
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Mai-Kai Memories Series Custom ceramic mugs!
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tikiskip
Grand Member (6 years) 
Joined: Nov 26, 2005
Posts: 2092 | Posted: 2011-11-03 2:33 pm Permalink
Good news!!!
Hey Lessner I got lights if ya need some.
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Kahtiki
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Aug 12, 2008
Posts: 12
From: Columbus, OH
| Posted: 2011-12-25 10:16 am Permalink
Thank you Liz for bringing back Tiki to Columbus! I loved the Kahiki and the short lived Tropical Bistro. If anyone can bring Tiki back, you can!
I must disagree that Kahiki lives on in the processed frozen food that the company now sells. It is Kahiki in name only and I wish they would take the name off of their product as it has nothing to do with the food in the restaurant. Kahiki is DEAD, and on its gravesite sits a Wallgreens. However, tiki isn't dead....its just slumbering until the Grass Skirt opens.
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PeguDoug
Member
Joined: Feb 27, 2008
Posts: 9
From: Powell, OH
| Posted: 2012-06-01 3:47 pm Permalink
Well, the previously announced opening of Spring 2012 seems to have slipped by.
Has anyone heard of an updated projection?
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Pittsburgh pauly
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jan 31, 2010
Posts: 328
From: Pittsburgh
| Posted: 2012-07-24 2:18 pm Permalink
Their Facebook page mentions a possible opening date of August 27th.
Not official, just a response to someone's question.
They also have some bar construction, tiki carving, and food pics.
Oh, and they seem to know what the Grass Skirt. I saw them mention it somewhere, but now I can't find the article.
Here's the FB page for info:
https://www.facebook.com/GrassSkirtTikiRoom
Articles:
http://columbuscrave.com/crave/guide_detail/58442562-Tiki-Drinks-Summer-cocktail-recipes
http://www.thekitchn.com/the-magical-world-of-tiki-an-interview-with-matt-kuku-ahu-thatcher-of-the-fraternal-order-of-moai-171038
http://www.columbusunderground.com/the-grass-skirt-tiki-bar-restaurant-opening-downtown-in-2012
http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/any-updates-on-lessners-grass-skirt-project-in-downtown
edited to add article links
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[ This Message was edited by: Pittsburgh pauly 2012-07-24 14:25 ]
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abrennick
Member
Joined: Aug 08, 2012
Posts: 1 | Posted: 2012-08-08 5:53 pm Permalink
Hi gang,
I'm Amy Brennick, co-owner of Grass Skirt Tiki Room. I'm working closely with Carmen Owens who is Grass Skirt's managing partner. First off, thank you so much for your enthusiasm. We appreciate all of the good will.
Yes, we learned about the Grass Shack during this year's Kahiki Tribute Party. Carmen and I attended as guests of the Fraternal Order of the Moai. Jeff Moai (we refer to their members like they're the Ramones; Jeff Moai, Matt Maoi, Yalena Maoi...), Jeff gave a presentation on the history of Kahiki and its founders. We also met Bill Sapp who did seem tickled at the similarity of the names. At least he didn't *seem* pissed, hmm. He and his daughter were actually very encouraging and promised to check us out for lunch sometime.
Indeed we have missed our spring opening goal. Since nothing is set in stone when starting up a new business, take this info as my best guesses: We should be ready for our series of facilities inspections next week. Then it's onto the interior design work. We've spent the last two weeks running tests on recipes for our opening menu - which will be small since we're keeping our focus on fabulous cocktailing. Oh, the opening cocktail list is ~90% done. We will have our front of house staff hired by the end of next week and trained during the last week of August.
So, that means that we've set our sights on a mid-September opening. The blow by blow will continue to be posted on our facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/GrassSkirtTikiRoom
And this is us on Monday whipping up some grub. L to R: me, chef Lara Ranallo from Surly Girl Saloon, Carmen, and co-owner Tim Lessner. I think we were trying out Spam Menehunes, some pineapple deep fried in coconut batter, and some grilled bananas.
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tikiskip
Grand Member (6 years)
Joined: Nov 26, 2005
Posts: 2092 | Posted: 2012-08-09 09:27 am Permalink
Congrats Lena AKA Spiked on doing the lights for The Skirt!!
I don't think Bills daughter was there, Wife?
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Pittsburgh pauly
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jan 31, 2010
Posts: 328
From: Pittsburgh
| Posted: 2012-09-13 07:44 am Permalink
Any Columbus ohana have any inside scoop on a possible opening?
Facebook says it's getting close and promises mai tais in September.
But nothing announced yet.
C'mon, FOM must know something right?
I won't tell anyone...
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croe67
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jan 05, 2003
Posts: 1011
From: Land of Cheese & Beer
| Posted: 2012-09-13 9:31 pm Permalink
Yup.
The FOM knows "something".
Pre-opening party was tonight, in fact, with plenty of FOM in attendance. 
Watch Facebook for pictures.
More soon here, too, I'm sure......
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croe67
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jan 05, 2003
Posts: 1011
From: Land of Cheese & Beer
| Posted: 2012-09-13 9:35 pm Permalink
Oh, and.....
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spiked
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Dec 10, 2008
Posts: 83 | Posted: 2012-09-15 12:05 pm Permalink
From Grass Skirts Facebook page:
'Ok, we've been mysterious for long enough: our official public opening is Tuesday, Sept 25 at 6pm. Waterfalls, lava walls & mai tais await you...aloha nui loa!'
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spiked
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Dec 10, 2008
Posts: 83 | Posted: 2012-09-18 08:14 am Permalink
Local paper:
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/business/2012/09/18/tiki-tweak.html
Just to clarify: They aren't open until September 25th.
[ This Message was edited by: spiked 2012-09-18 09:56 ]
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Hale Tiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Oct 19, 2004
Posts: 1414
From: Pittsburgh
| Posted: 2012-09-18 7:36 pm Permalink
I think the Pittsburgh Ohana is going to try to make it out soon!
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