Otto’s Shrunken Head
Otto’s Shrunken Head
When (then) NYC real estate developer Donal Trump decided to get rid of Trader Vic’s at the Plaza Hotel because it did not fit his vision of the luxury hotel. With the Hawaii Kai closed, there really were no tiki bars left on the entire island of Manhattan. This is when Otto’s Shrunken Head stepped up and they have been open ever since. By all accounts, this is a dive bar with a tiki theme, and there is nothing wrong with that. They only take cash, and in the back room they do have live bands and open mic night. It has been frequented by the likes of Anthony Bourdain and Michael Ruhlman.
Some of the cocktails are quite good, but they serve no food other than snack chips for sale. It is definitely worth a visit to at least purchase a mug.
Food Writer & Novelist Michael Ruhlman with Anthony Bourdain at Otto’s (Photo by Donna Turner Ruhlman)
