disgruntled.
In the interest of making blogging a habit again...
I've been browsing the web for things to do in Columbus, should I find myself with spare time. I was remembering my last visit to that city with KAK to visit KJP. KAK's dad recalled fondly a restaurant called the
Kahiki, a Polynesian tiki-type place that he had visited in the 1960's. He said that we should locate this magical place and eat there, if it still existed. We weren't certain that such a place still existed in Columbus, but upon searching it out, we discovered a veritable institution and landmark. A Polynesian longhouse on a main street in a midwestern city, complete with flaming tiki gods, a moat, grass huts inside, and simulated rain forest showers. The food was served in variety of presentations, occasionally involving swords and flames. A "Mystery Woman" had the sole job of delivering the restaurant's signature "Mystery Drink" to those who ordered it. To top it all off, the place featured a dessert with the moniker "Big Fat Mamasan." We had to try it, of course. It was served in a gigantic bowl with a cone of flame in the center and dry ice-induced smoke issuing out from under the rim. It was a concoction of ice cream, tropical fruits, sweet syrups, and nuts, and was easily more than three people could consume after such a large meal. One of the highlights of my dining life, even though I'm certainly not a tiki aficionado.
I thought I might take myself by this modern marvel on my upcoming trip to Ohio, in case I had time for dinner plans or a craving for lychee fruit drenched in ice cream and macadamia nuts. I searched for the address to add to my list of potential driving directions. However, I was unable to locate any such address. Further searching revealed that in 2000 the Kahiki's last owner, Michael Tsao, sold the building to Walgreen's, who planned to demolish it to build yet another suburban drug store. The sale occurred despite the restaurant's profitable status, unbeknownst to its longtime employees, and without regard to its listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Walgreens policy states that it is not in the business of demolishing such sites. However, the building was disassembled in 2001. Tsao allegedly had many of the fixtures stored for later use in a possible reopening at a different location. However, Tsao died in 2005, and potential for such a relocation seems to have ended - not that a new building in a suburban big box could ever have recaptured the atmosphere and history of the old site. Kahiki Foods is now "dedicated to the production of frozen Asian entrees." Wonderful. Sorry about closing our unique eating establishment... Here, go microwave yourself some egg rolls and reminisce about how much better they would have tasted prepared freshly and served on a flaming skewer.
I'm bummed. I saw this sort of thing happen to the historic motels in Williamsburg while I lived there... established institutions with personality torn down to provide more space for cookie-cutter chain hotels and restaurants that can be found in any town and suburb in the country. All to earn somebody who's undoubtedly already a millionaire just a few more dollars.
On the positive side, I've learned of a placed called Bento to Go-Go, or something. Sounds like something I can't miss.
