The Aikawa brothers of the Tatsu-Ya family or restaurants are gearing up to welcome guests to their latest concept: Tiki Tatsu-Ya. The bar and restaurant will embrace the traditions of Tiki culture with their creative interpretations of tropical cocktails alongside a menu of sharable bites, creating an immersive experience to capture the imagination of an island paradise without having to leave the heart of South Austin. Developing this concept has been a dream for Tatsu and Shion Aikawa since 2013, and inspired by their travels and explorations into Tiki, Hawaiian, Polynesian and Asian culture.
Leading the Tiki Tatsu-Ya beverage program is Cory Starr, notably coming in from The Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, where he fell in love with Tiki drinks, and the award-winning Three Dots & Dash, in Chicago. Starr became the assistant beverage manager for the lauded bar before moving to Austin in 2019 to begin work on Tiki Tatsu-Ya. Alongside Tatsu-Ya beverage director Michael Phillips and Tatsu-Ya Sake sommelier Bryan Masamitsu Parsons, Starr has created some of the most creative tropical cocktails in Austin and is excited to bring his creations to life later this summer.
The kitchen at Tiki Tatsu-Ya will serve up sharable bites that blend both Polynesian and Japanese influences with playful plating styles. The Tiki Tatsu-Ya menu will satisfy those craving traditional Tiki fare and initiate those unfamiliar to the flavors of the islands. Longtime collaborator McCray and Co. is working with the Tatsu-Ya Family to transform the space.
Located at 1300 S Lamar Blvd., Tiki Tatsu-Ya will open late this summer. The team is now hiring driven leaders for both front and back-of-house positions like Chef de Cuisine, operations manager, and more. More information about open positions, benefits and how to apply, can be found here.