God bless Forbidden Island — this contempory tiki bar really seems to “get it,” rewarding regulars and newcomers with a variety of activities to keep them coming back.

On May 18 at 3:00pm, they’ll be holding their first ever luau, featuring:

• A world-class traditional luau buffet, prepared by award-winning chefs!
• Live entertainment from Tahitian dancers!
• Select Forbidden Island Cocktails at special prices!
• Luxurious gourmet gelato from Gelateria Naia (www.gelaterianaia.com) featuring Forbidden Island Cocktail-flavored gelatos!
• Island treats & collectibles for sale!
• And some surprises!

Admission and entertainment are free, with food & drink for a fee. Please note the event is 21 and over only.

May 18, 2008. Starts at 3 pm.
1304 Lincoln Ave., Alameda, CA 94501, (510) 749-0332

Visit the Forbidden Island website

Share This

San Francisco’s excellent tiki bar, Forbidden Island, is celebrating its second anniversary with the release of a limited edition tiki mug, The Kapulapu, on April 27th at 3:00pm. Designed & crafted by local Oakland artist Tiki Kaimuki, this very special and unique mug will certainly be a sell-out within minutes.

The Forbidden Island edition will be cast in a classic satin black glaze reminiscent of the great OMC Moai mugs of long ago. In addition, each Forbidden Island version will feature a unique tongue- each one meticulously applied by hand and all one-of-a-kind! Each comes with a certificate of authenticity and features “FI2” in raised letters on the back of the mug.

• Mug sale starts at 3PM. Do not line up before the sun comes up.
• One mug per customer. No holding places in line — everyone interested in buying a mug must be in line the whole time.
• At 2:45, numbers will be issued. Your number will guarantee you the right to buy a mug, but not the number of the mug. When you get to the mug table, all of the mugs will be in boxes, and you’ll choose at random. Yes, number 1 will be available. But since they’re all unique, you may want to trade someone for a tongue you like better!
• CASH ONLY. Mugs are $75 each. PLEASE NOTE: Forbidden Island no longer has an ATM. Please make sure you have cash with you.

The total size of the edition may not be available until the last minute — it all depends on how the kiln behaves. Expect that there will be between 25 and 30.

SPECIAL BONUS: There will be an ultra-rare version of the mug in a white glaze with no tongue. Numbered “1.5”, this mug will be made available as a raffle item to give everyone a shot at it! Tickets will be on sale at FI on the 27th for $2 each and the raffle drawing will be held at 5:00PM. You must be present to win!

Visit the Forbidden Island website | Discuss at Tiki Central

Share This

In this month’s edition of the podcast SOUSED, Kevin Clark, bartender at Melbourne, Australia’s Tiki Bar, interviewed the owner of another tiki bar, Martin Cate, of Alameda, California’s Forbidden Island, as part of his reminiscinces of visits to US tiki bars. Martin discussus the genesis of the bar and some of the unique ways it keeps regulars returning.

Listen to SOUSED podcast #11 | Thanks, Kevin

Share This

Jennifer 8. Lee, author of the book The Fortune Cookie Chronicles which explores the odd origins of Chinese food in America (hint: it’s not very Chinese), has evidence that Crab Rangoon may have been invented by Trader Vic — although the tiki restaurant chain may have just popularized it.

I did uncover some research on the crab rangoon (essentially cream cheese fried wontons). But I was not able to drive this research home to a level of comfort. I think crab rangoon was popularized by Trader Vic’s, a restaurant out in California, during maybe the late 1950s/1960s (?). That is when I first noticed it appearing on menus when I slogged through hundreds of menus at many libraries across the country…

…Someone(sic) the crab rangoon has made the hop over to Chinese restaurants. Chinese restaurants are very good at adapting to their local palates. I see it a lot in the Midwest and South as well. In terms of local Chinese specialties, though I still adore the Philly cheesesteak roll, which looks like an egg roll on the outside but cheesesteak on the inside.

Read the interview at Boston.com | Buy The Fortune Cookie Chronicles at Amazon.com

Share This

Trader Vic’s mothership in San Franciso is having a mysterious, once-in-a-lifetime “warehouse sale” from February 23-29 at a facility in Richmond, California.

We are happy to offer you a once in a lifetime opportunity to get your hands on all different types of Trader Vic’s merchandise & memorabilla, both old & new. Due to the fact that we’ve got so much overstock and so many different items, there is no way that we can list them all here.

Please, DO NOT call us asking specific questions because we are overwhelmed trying to get our new warehouse in-order. We are clearing out this merchandise for some much needed added space. We promise you that there are many great finds and this opportunity should not be missed.

I have visions of Kava Bowls and carvings ripped from closed TV locations dancing in my head. I wish I lived in California.

February 23rd - 29th, 10am - 7pm everyday
623 South 32nd St., Richmond, CA

Share This

Otto von Stroheim of Tiki News and Tiki Oasis fame has sadly reported that the San Francisco Trader Vic’s location has closed permanently. The story is confirmed by the San Franciso Gate newspaper:

And over in the Civic Center, closed doors, at Trader Vic’s (555 Golden Gate Ave., near Van Ness), presumably just for the holidays prompted concerned e-mails and phone calls.

Indeed, the mai tais will flow no more - the tiki restaurant with a long and storied background is no longer operating, and the answering machine says it’s closed for good.

The San Francisco institution ran for many years in the space that currently houses Le Colonial. After closing 12 years ago, it opened in 2004 in its current location, the previous Stars. But it seems the reopened spot was never quite able to get on its feet.

Repeated phone calls and messages to Trader Vic’s offices went unreturned, so it’s anyone’s guess as to what ultimately was the final straw. Two other Bay Area locations - one in Emeryville and the other in Palo Alto - remain open.

Word is that the closure has nothing to do with the overall performance of the chain, just this particular location.

Read story at San Francisco Gate | Discuss at Tiki Central | Thanks Otto!

Share This

The Hula Hula Lounge in Seattle commissioned these one-of-a-kind mugs to commemorate its one year anniversary and celebrate the alive and kickin’ tiki culture in Seattle.

The classically styled Polynesian mugs were designed by renowned tiki mug sculptor Squid and come in two different interior colors — turquoise or chartreuse. One the outside of the mug is Hula Hula’s distinct logo of a lounging hula dancer.

$14.95 for the mug only, $10.95 with a drink, limited edition of 500 of each color.

The mugs can be purchased by calling Hula Hula at (206) 284-5003 or by emailing hulahula@comcast.net.

Share This