April 24, 2008
Tiki Terrace Tantalizes
We'll still have to wait awhile for Chicago's new Trader Vic's, but in the meanwhile Tiki Terrace has now reopened for business and is ready to hula. And we mean that literally: the Hanalei Revue, every Saturday night, and the Ports of Paradise review on Fridays both feature plenty of dancing and other island-style entertainment.
The Zuziak Brothers opened the original Tiki Terrace in 2005, but its Prospect Heights location meant you were plum out of luck if you didn't have a car. Luckily for us city dwellers, when they decided to expand they chose a slightly more accessible location; 1591 Lee Street in Des Plaines is just a short cab ride from the Rosemont stop on the Blue Line. The new digs seat 90 in the dining room and 10 at the bar.
The Terrace's menu is now under the supervision of Rich Lazaro, who's from Hawaii. But it's the cocktail selection that really wows, with old-school classics such as the Tortuga and Zombie and original concoctions such as the Tiki Trantrum, all served in tiki mugs of course. James Teitelbaum, author of Tiki Road Trip, has called visiting the Terrace "a must." We heartily agree.
The Friday and Saturday evening shows sometimes book to capacity in advance, but you can make a reservation or ask how things are looking by calling (847) 795-8454.
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what about Hala Kahiki on River Road? I can't remember what town it's in but it's just south of Irving Park
Hala Kahiki is awesome of course, although a bit harder to get to without a car. The big drawback really is that they don't serve food. Alas. At Tiki Terrace you can make an evening of it.
Hala Kahiki won't even let you bring in food so eat your hot dog at Gene and Jude's next door before walking over. The food at Tiki Terrace's original location was kind of strange; I believe the mac salad had potatoes in it or something weird. Perhaps with an actual Hawaiian chef that was fixed as a good Hawaiian mac salad is hard to find (although Aloha Grill on Clark St. does do an excellent job of plate lunches.)