Credit: Jonathan Boncek
The long-awaited Wiki Wiki Sandbar is now open at 106 East Ashley Avenue on Folly Beach. The restaurant and bar is from Charleston restaurateur Karalee Fallert, who is also behind Taco Boy, The Park Cafe, and The Royal American, and her business partner April Bennett.
Executive Chef Jason DuPree has created a menu that offers slow-cooked meats accompanied by sides including rice, macaroni salad, greens, and starchy root vegetables. The restaurant says stand-out dishes include the grilled kona kampachi, a variety of poke bowls, a pu-pu platter, Southern-fried coconut shrimp, and Spam sliders.
Wiki Wiki Sandbar resides in a 6,500-square foot space that incorporates local artists' work that embody the facets of tiki culture. The four dining rooms have different themes including: the Octopus Bar featuring the work of Jeff Kopish; the Sunset Room featuring a sunset mural by Suzanne Allen; the Wave Room featuring a massive sculpture made of Japanese glass floats by KHA; and a traditional tiki bar that resides on the top floor with views of the Atlantic Ocean and dioramas by artist Hirona Matsuda. Visitors can expect South Pacific-themed dinners, festive drinks, live music, and weekend brunches served in each unique space.
Fallert recruited her partner from the Park Cafe, Xan McLaughlin, to develop the cocktail program with help from national rum connoisseur Daniel Parks of San Francisco's Pagan Idol. Long-time Charleston resident Roderick Groetzinger added his touch and will execute the cocktail program as bar manager. Patrons can expect tropical drinks, full of fruits and spices, such as the signature pineapple incident, classic mai tai ,and the aloha from the edge.
“Wiki Wiki Sandbar is our love letter to Folly Beach,” Fallert said. “(It’s) a quintessential celebration space that's nice enough for family gatherings, and the perfect vibe for a friend-filled Sunday Rumday. Wiki's food and drink reflects our travels to Hawaii and West Coast Hawaiian barbecue joints – and our beloved Southern roots. In exploring the delicious similarities between traditional Hawaiian plate lunches and the South's meat-and-three, we've crafted a menu that we hope celebrates and honors both cultures.”
Wiki Wiki is now open for lunch and dinner Sunday through Wednesday from 11 am to 10 pm and Thursday through Saturday from 11 am to 11 pm. For more information, click here.
