THE EPICUREVIEW - Tiki Kai: Bring Your Friends Before You Invite Your Date

Not just a novelty, Hermosa's new Tiki destination delivers a memorable night out. We go behind 'that door'.

The Epicureview by The Secret Eater

When veteran South Bay restaurateurs Brian Eldridge and Patrick Mescall set their sights on reviving classic neighborhood spots - from The Torrance Tavern to Eat At Joe's - they've built a reputation for preserving what makes the Beach Cities special. Their latest venture, Tiki Kai, represents their most ambitious project yet: a full-scale tiki restaurant and bar on Pier Plaza that aims to deliver both serious cocktails and chef-centric cuisine.

The space announces its intentions with real drama. A massive hand-carved tiki door guards the entrance, and inside, skull-dominated decor and elaborate wood carvings create an immersive environment so committed to theme that the space would require complete demolition to become anything else now. A myriad of lanterns cast dim, atmospheric light across lava rock walls adorned with carved tikis, tropical curios, and thatched-hut booths. The windowless design deliberately blocks out the Plaza beyond, transporting diners to an island fantasy. And those skulls...lots and lots of skulls.

Your experience at Tiki Kai depends entirely on what you're seeking. Arrive with a group of friends for a fun, buzzy evening, and the formula works beautifully. The energy builds as the room fills - which it does quickly, even on a rainy weeknight. But this isn't the venue for intimate conversation or quiet romance. Tiki Kai is designed as a gathering place, and it excels in that role.