Post #285174 by Volcano Girl on Mon, Feb 12, 2007 7:06 PM

To all...I just received this reply from my oldest brother:

The Volcano.... was located in Winter Haven, Florida on 6th street NW and N. Lake Howard Drive, between the Tropic Motel and an old Greek family run restaurant (the name I've forgotten= may be the Park Cafe). Dad had used some of their foods when we ran out. He also used chefs from other restaurants when he needed help and vice versa. It was a good way of running the business. The main statue in the lanai was hollow - I remember thumping its belly several times - and was made on site by a local craftsman. The lanai walkway was above flowing water and rocks on the sides and the statue room. Turn left and you'd go into the restaurant. Turn right you'd go to the small lounge. Beyond the lounge were the offices. The property wained down the hill to Lake Howard. It was wonderful to see the sun set as the tiki torches were lit. I sometimes lit the torches. The volcano spewed real fire. It was set to erupt about every 35 minutes. It was a spectacle to see as well as the winding walkways over the water. The volcano and the fire coming from under the water itself was fueled by propane gas. I lit the volcano probably only twice. The Tiki Lounge was next to the main restaurant. Inside the main restaurant was a wall of falling water. Several personalities came to the restaurant. I remember Willie Mays, many Boston Red Sox Baseball players and coaches, The Dick Pope family and all of the Polk County and State Government officials.

The Volcano was pretty close to a real Polynesian Isle setting. It was truly romantic in the evening - something about those tiki torches at night. Some of the foods I remember were dollar lobster tail (that's what it cost the restaurant back then * 1968- 1970's *). They charged more for it and it really was regular size Maine Lobster. I remember Rumaki, lychee nuts, a table-sized volcano of ice with skewered pieces of lychees, fresh pineapple, strawberries, coconut chunks, etc. and his famous prime rib and real hand-made egg rolls and a wonderful salad bar featuring a heart of lettuce salad. I also remember having pink champagne ice cream as well as grasshopper ice cream [flavored special for the Volcano in the flavors of the alcoholic beverages].

Today, all of the canal waterways are filled over and all but one building was razed. The one building is a rowdy night club having a hard time with the city police and keeping an owner. The Lakeland Ledger Winter Haven Offices are on the site.

The waitress staff in the evening wore Polynesian style clothing, the lounge staff wore more risque -shorter clothing. The Tiki Lounge hosted entertainment for parties and weekends of local talent - Joni and Buddy Canova (who still perform in other venues) and of course -Dad also sang with them. Chef "Joe" was courted from some restaurant out of Tampa- I thought(?) it was the Kapok Tree Restaurant.

Story: One day I was wandering (it was my turn to work) in the kitchen where a chef was preparing a lemon bread coating for small potatoes. I asked if I could have one. He said yes. So I popped one in my mouth. The chef started laughing. I said, "What?". He told me that I just ate a raw Tampa Bay scallop. Today, I will not eat scallops.

Also, I believe the Bora Bora Statue had a nickname - anyone remember?

FWIW, I, Volcano Girl, have no idea of the Bora Bora statue's nickname, this is the first I've even heard about it! Hopefully, I will get more info from my family members in the days ahead. I will post them as I receive them.