SDCM, the creative brain trust behind several of San Diego’s hottest restaurants, including the award-winning Kettner Exchange; the beach-side culinary hot-spot Firehouse American Eatery + Lounge; subterranean wine bar and lounge, Vin De Syrah and the city’s newest contemporary donut concept, Devil’s Dozen, announced it will open Good Time Poké and The Grass Skirt – a combination grab-and-go poke shop and hidden tiki lounge on Nov. 7 at 910 Grand Ave. “Tiki is something we’re pretty passionate about here,” said Matt Spencer, co-owner of SDCM. “From beverage director Steven Tuttle’s love of tiki cocktails, to corporate executive chef Brian Redzikowski’s mastery of Southeast Asian cuisine, The Grass Skirt and Good Time Poke will combine the fun, lighthearted, escapist nature of tiki culture, with the creativity and unsurpassed food and beverage quality guests have come to expect from our restaurants.”
Good Time Poké will offer a fresh, traditional-yet-innovative menu of creative takes on the traditional Hawaiian dish – from tako (octopus), to ahi (yellowfin tuna) poke and beyond, as well as kombucha on tap. In the evenings, The Grass Skirt, inspired by Imbibe Magazine’s 2015 Bar of the Year, Lost Lake in Chicago, will welcome guests – paying homage to classic tiki cocktails, culture and design, with food and beverage menu items set to include:
– Big-eye tuna cones with bonito flake, pickled ginger and sesame; – Okinomoyaki fries topped with bonito flakes, hoisin and scallion;
– House-made kimchi fried rice; – Shrimp toast sandwich with Vietnamese herbs, hoisin and spicy aioli; – Carmen Miranda – a cocktail made with white rum, añejo rum, overproof Jamaican rum, lime, pineapple, coconut, banana and cinnamon; and
– Oaxacan Dead – a blend of mezcal, The Grass Skirt rum blend, pineapple, lime, passion fruit, pomegranate and absinthe.
Designed by famed designer Davis Krumins, of Davis Ink Ltd., and located on the former site of Good Time Charlie’s in Pacific Beach, the bar will employ the use of traditional tiki elements interlaced with seductive details that will transport guests to a place of eternal sunset. The space will be comfortable, fun and most importantly, memorable – with ample booth seating, fire pit tables and swings for the more adventurous tiki-lovers. For more information, visit www.thegrassskirt.com. For more on SDCM, visit www.sdcm.com.