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As we posted earlier this summer there's quite a hidden history of tiki in the Chicagoland area that's been all but forgotten, which is why local author James Teitelbaum's research is so valuable. His book Tiki Road Trip chronicled his coast-to-coast quest for the best in tiki, both modern and vintage. It was so successful that earlier this year he published a new edition. This Thursday he'll be in town for a reading and signing.
Well, sort of in town. He'll actually be at the Tiki Terrace in Prospect Heights, a bang-up establishment that alas is a bit hard to reach without a car. But we suggest you find a way to get out there. In addition to the book signing, there'll be live entertainment and tiki vendors, and Thursdays' killer drink special means two-for-one Zombies all night long. Nab a designated driver and make the trek! The fun starts at 7 p.m.
As awesome as Tiki Terrace is, it's a crying shame that truly tropical lounges within the Chicago city limits are as rare as a snowcone in Honolulu. But that may finally change soon. Teitelbaum dropped a hint to us in an email that the long-promised Trader Vic's reopening is indeed still on the horizon. "The date is now early 2008," he wrote. "Apparently, the investors have chosen a location and are in negotiations to secure it."
In the meantime, you can't go wrong with House of Wah Sun on Lincoln Avenue. It's really more of an old-school Chinese-American restaurant, but in the drinks department they really deliver: great libations, well-made, dirt cheap.
Tiki Terrace is at 1 S. Wolf Rd. in Prospect Heights. For more info, see the Tiki Terrace web site.
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Trader Vic's how I loved thee, let me count the ways! And any Martin Denny record + Hala Kahiki = Tiki bliss!
Seriously - why is he is not visiting the epic and awesome Hala Kahiki???
http://www.hala-kahiki.com/
Where is the new location of Trader Vic's going to be and why in the hell hasn't it opened. I'm about to give up.
I second ya #2. Why no Hala Kahiki? Was it in book one?
Based on the photos of Tiki Terrace, Hala Kahiki is way kitschier...
The late House of Tiki was a fun place too.
guest #2 - maybe it's because Tiki Terrace has food and a stage for live entertainment.
Hi everyone.
James T, here!
Yes, Hala Kahiki is amazing.
But simply put, Tiki Terrace (as one poster pointed out) has food and a stage. Also, frankly, it was the Tiki Terrace management (the super nice Zuziak brothers) who invited me to do an event there.
Hala Kahiki - as much as I adore the place - has always been a bit reluctant to shake up their nightly status quo with events.
The new Trader Vic's, based on what I have heard (this is not official) is on track for early 2008.
Hope to see you all out at Tiki terrace on Thursday.
If you miss the event, the best place to get a book is here:
http://www.tydirium.net/tiki/tikiroadtrip.html
aloha
JT
You can get a Metra Train to Prospect Heights that lets you off of the train practically across the street from Tiki Terrace.
Take the North Central Service train to the Prospect Heights (Wolf Road) stop. Terrace is in the strip mall right across the tracks!
Tiki Terrace is an awesome place! Great food and drinks and it's true what everyone else says: You do feel like you've stepped into Hawaii.
The staff is very friendly too!
If any of you do go, get a kahuna burger and a Coco Island Delight to drink with it. Then finish it off with this lava flow cake that they have! Sooooo good!