Places To Go

When recently asked what my favorite local watering hole was, I didn't have to hesitate. I said the Tiki Ti. It is located at 4427 Sunset Blvd. in the east end of Hollywood just past the Hollywood/Sunset intersection. This family run bar has been operating since 1961. Opened by legendary (Seven Seas, The Luau) barkeep, Ray Buhen, it is now run by his son Mike and grandson Mike. The drinks are exotic and sublime, the cast of characters engaging, and the atmosphere is cozy, delightful and authentic.
Just remember, if you want to buy me a drink there, bring cash. Cause they don't accept credit cards.
Definitely visit their website which is very well designed by my friend Gil Alvarado…
http://www.tiki-ti.com/

Well, it's that time of year... Time for you to visit your local county fair... There's no experience like it. Even Elvis went to a World's Fair so the least you can do is visit your state fair or local celebration! In fact, the Sonoma County Fair in northern California (which happens each year around late July / early August) is legendary for their Elvis impersonators...

You may find that each and every local county fair has it's own special theme and flavor. Personally, I love the Los Angeles County Fair because of it's mascot Thummer the Pig! And of course, the great arts and crafts displays. I alsways make a point to visit the table settings and decorated cakes. You should too! They will inspire you.
Los AngelesCounty Fair website

And make it a point to visit the Texas State Fair once in your life just so you can see Big Tex. Big Tex is a 50+ year old 52 foot tall statue who actually talks! He wears size 70 cowboy boots and a 75 gallon Stetson hat.
Big Tex State Fair website

When the humid days of Chi-town get you down… head up river to River Grove for a bit of Polynesian paradise. The family run Hala Kahiki is one of the finest tiki bars in the country. Since 1966 in the sleepy suburbs of Chicago, they have offered an indoor and outdoor tiki themed environment for sipping exotic concoctions where you won't mind it feeling warm and wet like the South Pacific.
They also have a fabulous South Seas Shop where you can find new and vintage Aloha wear and everything else you need under the Polynesian sun!
The address is 2834 River road, River Grove, IL 60171 (708) 456-3222
http://www.hala-kahiki.com

The San Francisco Tiki Crawl is officially blazing through the Streets of San Francisco this April weekend, so I thought this would be an appropriate time to write up this fabulous Place to Go.

The Tonga Room and Hurricane Bar is in one of my favorite San Francisco landmarks, The Fairmont Hotel. The Fairmont was actually built in 1906, but due to the great San Francisco earthquake and fire did not actually open until 1907 after architect Julia Morgan supervised the restoration. It's at the top of Nob Hill where all the cable car lines meet up and where Tony Bennett first sang "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" in public – but I digress…

In 1929 a new owner did a major renovation adding an indoor pool called "The Plunge" in the basement. Another renovation in 1947 changed the Plunge from a swimming pool into the S.S. Tonga – a nautical themed restaurant that looked like the exterior of a cruise ship pool deck complete with life preservers and a bar serving exotic drinks and Chinese faire.

In the 1950s with the popularity of places like Don the Beachcombers and Trader Vics at the Hilton Hotels, the nautical restaurant became tiki-fied. The S.S. Tonga was converted from boat theme to the Tonga Room and Hurricane Bar. The Cantonese flavor and Hawaiian pupus remained, but thatched huts were added around the perimeter of the room. The pool became a shallow lagoon with seashells at the bottom. The ceiling was painted black and a floating band stand stage and a dance floor made from the deck of the S.S. Forester, one of the last tall ships which sailed between San Francisco and the South Seas was added. A later remodel was done in 1967 with the help of the famous folks at Oceanic Arts. The stage has since become a thatch roofed hut on which a band plays.

The biggest claim to fame of the Tonga Room is the truly magnificent half hourly rainfall which falls from the dark ceiling into the pool complete with lightening effects and thunder soundtrack.

No matter what you think about the food, service, drinks or prices, a visit to the Tonga Room is truly priceless and a must-see when you're in town. It is suggested by many tikiphiles that you go for happy hour before the pop rock band begins to play.

On the First Friday of every month, the art community of Downtown Las Vegas has a really neat gathering. Tonight my friend Vargas and I hit the town in style! Here's what you can look forward to if you go.

We started out parking near the Funkhouse on Commecial Center Drive. This is a great antique mall filled with lots of interesting items including lamps made out of old mannequin heads! They had some guys doing a percussion jam out front.

From there we walked the 1/2 block to the 'railroad cottages,' a series of little historic homes that have been transformed into unique antique shops. The owners of the various shops offered complimentary wine and nibbles. There was a garage band playing R&B in front of one store and an art opening/birthday party in another one that featured a live harpist.

The other center of activites is up at the corner of Charleston and Main Street. There is a free shuttle bus that will drive you up the street there. We decided to drive. Vargas had the original soundtrack to old Batman tv series playing in his car, so who could resist that musical interlude.

In the Arts Center, they had several individual art openings and a very well attended group art show. Across the street I said hello to my friend Maria at one of my favorite stores in town, MODIFY. This is a great shop that features 1970s mod furnishings. Lots of brown and orange! The quality of goods is very fine and the prices are always reasonable. Tell them Cherry Capri sent you!

It got very late very quickly, so we missed hitting the Red Rooster which I think is the best antique mall in town. I can spend hours in there meandering. My friend Tiki Lee has a very swanky room at the Red Rooster filled with old Vegas souvenirs and newer tiki finds. I recommend a visit just to hear the tapes on his 8 track player that's always on.

The Attic on Main Street (famous from the old American Express commercials) closed down early this time around - so we didn't go there. For those who object to their ridiculous cover charge - if you go there on a First Friday - they give you a lifetime get-in-free membership card.

There is a nice little Italian restaurant at the Arts Center, but it was pretty booked up. So Vargas took me to a new place. Thai BBQ Restaurant. It's on 3rd Street, but you can see it from Las Vegas Blvd. It's actually a chain and they have a few other locations scattered around Southern California. I was very impressed with the fact that they had a whole page of Vegetarian selections!

All in all, it was a very nice evening seeing an alternative side of Sin City.

The Madonna Inn is a landmark on California’s Central Coast just on the outskirts of San Luis Obispo. Opened in 1959 this world-renowned resort is the personal vision of Alex and Phyllis Madonna. Every room is uniquely decorated with a special theme and color scheme. You can preview all 109 rooms on the Madonna Inn website. http://www.madonnainn.com/

While everyone loves the Caveman Room, Kona Rock and Jungle Rock rooms, here's a few of my other favorites… Of course, I do have a preference for the pink and red rooms!

The elegant Crystal room (#197) is decorated with crystal chandeliers and done up in golds, pinks and reds.

Express your flower power in the Floral Fantasy Room. (#173) with a large rose sconce adorning the wall, and floral light fixtures in the bath.

Staying in the Hearts and Flowers room (#155) is like having Valentine’s Day every day! Lush red carpeting, flocked-on-foil wallpaper and one of those famous Madonna rock shower and basins.

Of course I always love rooms with private balconies and the Tall and Short Room (#182) offers just that.

Who needs the Poconos when you've got a room like the Vous romantic blue room (#169) which offers the quintessential circular king-sized bed and a third floor view.

And lastly, the Just Heaven room (#184) All this room needs is a soundtrack playing… "My Blue Heaven" while you climb the spiral staircase to a private cupola. Here you will end up “on top of the world!”

Even if you don't stay there, do stop in for a bite, a cocktail or a little shopping when you're on your next road trip through town. It's truly tacky and terrific! Of course – don't miss the famous men's room and its waterfall urinal downstairs. Adventurous girls are free to peek!

posted by cherrycapri @ Friday, February 06, 2004

While many Los Angeleans head towards La Luz de Jesus and Wacko for their pop culture fix, there is another great little store right in the San Fernando Valley. It's called 8 Ball. They have a great assortment of home décor, shoes, books, men's and women's wear and other neat stuff. When you visit the store in person, the bonus is that it is right across the street from a fabulous vintage neon sign at the Safari Inn!

They also have an online webstore... And guess what! When you make a purchase of $75 or more, you receive a fabulous "Destination...8 Ball!" poster for FREE (while supplies last)! This high-quality 16" x 24" poster was designed by Shag exclusively for 8 Ball and is available nowhere else.

Tell the owner of the store Naomi, you heard about 8 Ball from Cherry Capri!

8 Ball
1928 West Olive Ave.
Burbank, CA 91506 USA
Phone: 818.845.1155
http://www.8ballwebstore.com