Post #686433 by TropicDrinkBoy on Thu, Jul 18, 2013 9:04 PM

I've been going to the Tonga room a few times a year for the last few years and have always been served great food in the restaurant. On the other hand don't expect as much from the $10 "all you can eat buffet". It is fine for what it is but don't forget you are getting "all you can eat" for $10 in one of the swankiest hotels in San Francisco. In moderation it is good but if you try to make a meal out of it you may be left with a funny taste in your mouth!

I think some of the drinks are very good, and don't think I haven't had ample opportunity to compare them with the best Tiki drinks the Bay Area has to offer. The Pineapple Royal is my favorite and their Lava Bowl and Scorpion Bowl are good as well. I had a really stiff Zombie there once (although I think it was the bartender's mistake) and although it wasn't a 1934 Zombie Punch it was an honest strong drink. The Bora Bora Horror is also O.K. Some of their other drinks are too sweet for me but I am overjoyed to hear they are upping their game.

The venue is wonderful and the hotel is spectacular. The music is O.K. for 80's pop but too loud for conversation, although I love the Polynesian background music they play before the band performs. I prefer to eat early and then go across the street to the "Top of the Mark" at the Mark Hopkins Hotel next door for an after dinner cocktail. I'd rather pay the $5 cover for their piano player but if you like to dance to 80's pop music the Tonga Room entertainment is very good.