Houston has a growing list of places where you can throw on a Hawaiian shirt and feel like you’re on a mini-vacay. This month, Montrose welcomed a newcomer that made that list a bit more tropical.

Photo: The Toasted Coconut Facebook Page

The Toasted Coconut is a Tiki-inspired restaurant and bar at 1617 Richmond, in the space previously occupied by the Tex-Mex favorite, Maria Selma. The Toasted Coconut is the second concept from Chef Martin Stayer and Sara Stayer, the husband-wife restauranteurs who also own Nobie in the Upper Kirby area.

Ben Ruiz from Chicago is the chef de cuisine at The Toasted Coconut, and he’s created a menu inspired by the cuisines of the 20th parallel north (India, Thailand, Vietnam, etc.), and it includes items such as crispy Thai rice, whole fish with Mala sauce and skewered specialties.

Sarah Troxell is at the helm of The Toasted Coconut’s cocktail program. From light spirits to coconut water to rum, Troxell is introducing a variety of innovative items throughout the bar menu. The Seaward is one of the signature drinks, made with Rhum J.M Blanc, coconut water, lime, mint and falernum. Then there’s the Low Tide, which is made with Oloroso sherry, Jamaican rum, Stolen Overproof Rum, pecan orgeat, orange curacao, lime and bitters.

Photo: Thai Beef Tenderloin Skewerz / The Toasted Coconut Instagram Page

So with all the buzz surrounding The Toasted Coconut, tiki libations and dinner may be the new trend this fall. The restaurant is open daily at 4 p.m., except on Tuesdays when the restaurant is closed.

The Toasted Coconut | 1617 Richmond Ave., Houston, TX 77006 | GetToastedHTX.com