Marianne Paton The Low Key Tiki restaurant and bar is now open to greet patrons. This business is located in the former Hog Fish Grill building in St. James City.

Those looking for a place to relax and unwind at the end of busy day need look no further than St. James City. On Nov. 11, the Low Key Tiki opened its doors to customers and the staff has vowed to provide what the name of the restaurant denotes, a “low key” atmosphere.

“Our goal is to provide an inviting place for people to come and relax, have a drink, something to eat and socialize with their friends and neighbors,” said owner Scott Adams. “So far people have welcomed the concept and we are pleased with the response and support we have gotten from our community.”

Currently, seating is provided in the outdoor tiki which features a 41-foot bar with additional seating along the perimeter of the covered area. Constructed completely from cedar and bamboo, those visiting the tiki instantly get the feel of a tropical island atmosphere complete with ceiling fans and gentle tropical music playing the in background.

At this point the lunch and dinner menu is very simple, but according to Adams, more items will be added as time goes on. The signature dish found on the current menu are what the Adams call S.O.S. or, stuff on a stick, which are kabobs of beef or chicken along with pineapple, onion and tomato. Other menu items include a quarter-pound “hand-spanked” hamburger, grilled, fried or blackened fish and hot dogs all at very reasonable prices. Also available are a number of appetizers, salads and homemade pineapple upside down cake. Soon to be available from the menu will be Pine Island clams as well.

Scott and Barb first came to the island in 2002 to purchase and run the Starboard Lounge, also in St. James City. After building a successful business, the couple decided to sell the lounge and take some time off to enjoy island life.

“We took a 1 1/2-year vacation but really missed the restaurant business, so we finally decided that since the Hog Fish had been closed for over a year, that perhaps it would be a good idea to breath new life into the place,” said Barb. “We are very pleased with the way it turned out and are very grateful for all of the help and support we received from the island community to make this possible.”

Taking three months to paint the restaurant inside and out, in addition to the addition of the tiki bar, the Adams also replaced the entire kitchen.

“The interior is not quite ready for diners yet, but we should have inside seating before too much longer,” said Adams. “Not only is our outdoor seating comfortable but we couldn’t ask for a better location. We sit between to boat launches on the shoreline of the Monroe Canal.”

In keeping with the “low key” atmosphere, the music will never be intrusive so that patrons can talk easily among themselves.

“We probably won’t be hiring any musicians, but this has become a place where musicians come to relax,” Adams said. “We want to make this a meeting place for people to come and enjoy conversations without having to talk over loud music. It’s all about keeping it laid-back and maintaining the island attitude.”

The Low Key Tiki is located on Stringfellow Road in the heart of St. James City and is open seven-days-a-week, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, call 282-TIKI (8454).