The Tonga Room and Hurricane Bar ( *Image Heavy* ), San Francisco, CA (restaurant) - Locating Tiki

J JenTiki Grand Member (1 year) Home of the best rum collection in NC Joined: Jun 16, 2006 Posts: 2336	J JenTiki Posted posted on Wed, Aug 27, 2008 11:59 AM On 2008-08-27 10:31, GatorRob wrote: I'd even go so far as to order a Mai-Tai, excuse myself with it to the restroom, dump it out, and pour in a homemade one (from a flask embedded in my shoe, no doubt). But why pay the Tonga Room's outrageous drink prices for a drink you can't drink?! Their drinks are bad. The service is bad (especially if you're with a group of more than 4). Good luck getting any of their bartenders to make a drink any way other than what corporate dictates! Spend your drinking money at the places that know how to make a good drink! There are two tiki establishments just a short drive/ride across the bay that know how to make a fine cocktail, have pure atmospheric decor, and friendly, efficient service. The drink prices are much more reasonable than they are at Tonga, and the quality is 100 times better! I'll admit I would be sad if the Tonga Room closed down, or changed format more than it already has, just because of sentimental attachments to what the room once was, but I wouldn't lose more than a night's sleep over it. However, if Trader Vic's in Emeryville or Forbidden Island closed, my faith in all things good and right would be shaken. Those are the places that "get it". Hell, one of them started it! Support the venues that do it right. Make suggestions to the ones that get it wrong and hope they'll make changes (but don't bank on it). I guess I should be thankful that the Tonga Room even exists still in the current "update and recreate" corporate hotel mentality. But they're missing the mark in so many ways that it's just hard to encourage people to go there for anything more than a look around anymore. Sorry if that got a bit "rambly," but my frustrations are getting the best of me this morning. [ Edited by: JenTiki 2008-08-27 12:01 ]

On 2008-08-27 10:31, GatorRob wrote:
I'd even go so far as to order a Mai-Tai, excuse myself with it to the restroom, dump it out, and pour in a homemade one (from a flask embedded in my shoe, no doubt).

But why pay the Tonga Room's outrageous drink prices for a drink you can't drink?! Their drinks are bad. The service is bad (especially if you're with a group of more than 4). Good luck getting any of their bartenders to make a drink any way other than what corporate dictates!

Spend your drinking money at the places that know how to make a good drink! There are two tiki establishments just a short drive/ride across the bay that know how to make a fine cocktail, have pure atmospheric decor, and friendly, efficient service. The drink prices are much more reasonable than they are at Tonga, and the quality is 100 times better!

I'll admit I would be sad if the Tonga Room closed down, or changed format more than it already has, just because of sentimental attachments to what the room once was, but I wouldn't lose more than a night's sleep over it. However, if Trader Vic's in Emeryville or Forbidden Island closed, my faith in all things good and right would be shaken. Those are the places that "get it". Hell, one of them started it! Support the venues that do it right. Make suggestions to the ones that get it wrong and hope they'll make changes (but don't bank on it). I guess I should be thankful that the Tonga Room even exists still in the current "update and recreate" corporate hotel mentality. But they're missing the mark in so many ways that it's just hard to encourage people to go there for anything more than a look around anymore.

Sorry if that got a bit "rambly," but my frustrations are getting the best of me this morning.

[ Edited by: JenTiki 2008-08-27 12:01 ]

Post #404476 by JenTiki on Wed, Aug 27, 2008 11:59 AM