Post #620478 by TropicDrinkBoy on Tue, Jan 10, 2012 11:00 PM

I think we should take Anthony at his word when he sincerely expressed how his own experiences with Tiki restaurants in the 60's was the genesis of his desire to travel to foreign lands and experience exotic customs/cuisine. I think he really did dig the Tonga Room. Sure, some of his comments were not that of a true tikiphile but what can you expect? He doesn't read this board every day like the rest of us! I take issue with the photography of the clip as it didn't portray the Tonga Room in the best light. It is darker and more atmospheric than the video suggests and when the tropical shower takes place I try to ignore the fact that it only rains around the perimeter of the pool.

Regarding the Tonga Room food/drink, with the buffet you get what you pay for ($9.95 at one of the swankiest hotels in San Francisco). It's not bad, just don't eat too much of it! The full restaurant meals I've had there in the last two years are great, if a little more expensive than Trader Vic's. The drinks are fine if you know what to avoid. You won't get a 1934 Zombie there but you won't get 60 years of Polynesian Palace at the Forbidden Island or Smugglers Cove either so take your pick, or better yet, visit both the same night!

I took my 23 year old daughter who lives on the east coast to both NorCal Trader Vic's and the Tonga Room for the first time during the holidays and found her impressions interesting. Her main impression was that the Tonga Room is an upscale Trader Vic's! Well I think all three are upscale and like the fact that it is in keeping with the early days of "Polynesian" restaurants like Don's and Trader Vic's, where the upper crust went to dine and you had to wear coat and tie to be seated. Got to love that Trader Vic introduced that crowd to cocktails in a bowl to enjoy together and both the Tonga Room and Trader Vic's have kept that tradition alive!

[ Edited by: TropicDrinkBoy 2012-01-11 01:27 ]