Post #23056 by thejab on Fri, Feb 14, 2003 2:18 PM

TikiCutie (Laura):

I'll respond to your post to whatshakin yahoo group here since its regarding the crawl.

You want to get off BART at the Montgomery St. station (one station before the Powell St.). Head up (North) on Montgomery about 3 blocks to Pine. Go left (West) on Pine for 2 blocks to your hotel. If your luggage is heavy I would take a cab. They are plentiful along Market Street (where BART stations are).

Actually, the Tonga Room is a little closer to your hotel than the Bamboo Hut, but both are within walking distance (a bit more than 5 minutes though). It just seems real far to walk to the Tonga Room because its all uphill!

Friday is not finalized yet so I'm not sure the times but we are meeting at Trader Vic's in Emeryville. It's a beautiful restaurant on the bay with a small bar/lounge area. The decor is classic polynesian / nautical and quite classy. Many customers get dressed up to go there. I usually wear an aloha shirt and slacks. The food is fairly expensive and is polynesian and asian. The best dishes are from the wood-fired oven. Drinks are expensive at around $8-10 but are well-made (usually) and strong and served in approprate vessels. I don't know if we are having dinner there this time. We might just have drinks and pupus.

To get there take the Bay Bridge (80 East) across the bay. Stay on 80 East (leftmost lanes) and take the Powell Street exit (first exit) in Emeryville. Turn left at the bottom of the ramp, go straight on Powell past 2 lights and Trader Vic's is about a quarter-mile down on the right (you'll see the sign). Park in the street for free, or valet park in their lot, but don't park in the next lot past Vic's or you will be towed.

The legendary mrsmiley is known here on Tiki Central and around the world as the man with the largest smiley-face collection on the planet. His (and his companion Enid's) house "the Ugh house" is an amazing custom 50s house. See one of the best home tiki bars anywhere! Make a wish at the leaky tiki! See the volcano erupt! Marvel at the smiley face collection! It's a must see!

To get there from Vic's it is a bit complicated so perhaps mrsmiley can provide a printout and post the directions here. Last year some folks got lost and I ran out of gas!

See you soon!