Post #354963 by midnite on Tue, Jan 15, 2008 12:59 AM

CENTRAL VALLEY ROAD TRIP

San Francisco days, San Francisco nights.

Sure, the City is nice and all, but one seeks something more. Someplace exotic, interesting, full of intrigue and exciting times. Someplace flat.

The Central Valley is calling. So, come out of the cupboard team midnite did, boys and girls. It was a rippin' good time, full of fine cocktails and finer company. No zombies, of death or otherwise, but there were several Hurricanes and at least one Jerk.

Team midnite drove east to experience the best the Central Valley had to offer tiki-wise. A special, and surprisingly expensive, treat of a weekend out Ripon way. Why did I not think of this before? That thought certainly dominated after the fine hosting by the proprietors of the Dark Marq. Mixologist extraordinaire The Drunken Hat and the always winsome Tikicleen provided us with warm hospitality of the highest order. Scott made some exceedingly fine beverages, including but not limited to, my most favorite tiki drink of all: Puka Punch! Expertly mixed, adroitly presented. Plus, he sings!

After one excellent "Blackbeard's Ghost" at the Dark Marq we motored over to Modesto's gem: Minnie's. I had never been there as it is far. Minnies Modesto was an experience, nonpareil. I don't think there is any single category for Minnie's, it's sort of a one-off. A classic for sure. One can actually feel the history of the place. Accompanied by Scott and Colleen we were lucky to get the royal treatment, including place mats! The drinks were a bit of a let down, especially after tasting The Hat's work, but they were enjoyed nonetheless. I knew better than to order a Jerk, but Ms. Cleen is entirely too persuasive. We did eat half our weight in Minnie's fare while sitting under some of the best Burke Tyree velvets I have ever seen. No club sandwiches, but who can complain when dining with fine company, in such a storied room, surrounded by beautiful art?

Yes, I have a soft spot, in my wallet, for that artwork. I was lucky, having Cleen and Hat helped immeasurably, to acquire one of the best Tyree oils at Minnnie's. Purchasing the piece from Stuart was easy, the difficult part was getting Ms. Cleen to relinquish the painting. She has a real greedy streak for those things, like some character from that famous children's book "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". Veruca Salt? No, sorry, Charlie.

We bid farewell to Minnie's and headed down the no-cruising zone to The Tiki and its fine lodging neighbor (The Tropics) Rodeway Inn. Well, THAT was pretty interesting. On one hand, a stroll through the Rodeway Inn parking area at 10pm. On the other, a stroll through The Tiki. Hobbesian? No shit. Although, The Tiki was warmly comfortable for some reason. My curiosity piqued, we headed back to much more inviting environs in Ripon.

Ripon calling, yeah, I was there, too. Tiki, cocktails, art, great company. The best! It will forever be a special memory for yours truly, and the fine Tyree oil now in the collection will be a reminder of the good times. The Central Valley can be a real hoot, or hoopt for that matter.

After all this won't you give me a smile?
Le midnite

...the club sandwich at Jim's Coffee Shop in Alameda? What is that, like chopped liver?

Ahoy, William. Jim's is a decent club, quite tasty and fully capable of satisfying a late night sandwich craving. Say, after a night of imbibing at Forbidden Island. You're familiar that bar, right? However, I'm a Tillie's man, even if I'm just a young'n there demographic-wise.