Fact Sheets & Video - San Francisco

We've always known that San Franciscans are a little bit different to everyone else - most of them are as bent as Lombard Street. But where they really excel in sheer weirdness would be in their eateries.... They take their food seriously, but certainly not their restaurants!

Famous for its tiki chic, The Tonga Room has delighted guests with its tropical dcor, frothy libations and Asian cuisine for nearly 50 years. The eclectic Polynesian ambiance features a top-40 band performing from a thatch-covered barge on the pool; a dance floor built from the remains of the S.S. Forester, a lumber schooner that once travelled regularly between San Francisco and the South Sea Islands and periodic light tropical rainstorms, complete with thunder and lightening....indoors! This restaurant has been through a series of changes in its' history but today, The Tonga Room is riding the wave of the tiki revival and recently has been recognized as one of the nation's hottest bars by InStyle, Gourmet, Travel & Leisure, Harper's Bazaar and Wallpaper magazines as well as The Food Network.

The celebrated tiki haven is noted for its Happy Hour buffet featuring an extensive selection of Pacific Rim delights. It is offered Monday through Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. for just $7 per person. The Tonga Room offers a tropical and festive atmosphere with live entertainment, dancing and a rain storm. The Tonga Room serves exceptional Pacific Rim Asian Cuisine in a tropical setting. It is the perfect escape after a busy day of meetings or shopping along Union Square. Be sure to try the Mai Tai, regularly recognized as the City's best! Forbes Island was actually created as a floating home in 1975 by Forbes Kiddoo, the quintessential eccentric millionaire. Weighing 700 tons, the 50-foot wide by 100-foot long island is a self-propelled motor vessel. Above the water, the island features live palm trees, a sandy beach, a waterfall and a thatched Tahitian room.

The 40-foot lighthouse is complete with a viewing deck for visitors to marvel at the unparalleled San Francisco Bay Views. Beneath the water is a dining salon appointed with turn of the century nautical artifacts, a full bar, wine cellar and two staterooms. The main dining salon is positioned half under the waterline (about waist deep) so that fish can be seen swimming past the portholes. It's decorated with Oriental carpets, lots of stained glass and nautical artifacts, and was recently voted one of the 3 most romantic restaurants in San Francisco. It seats up to 70 people, and has a spectacular round fireplace. The food is Californian cuisine with a French twist, since the general manager is a Frenchman. Venture into a nuthouse that only the locals dare go, up till now. Young and old San Franciscans alike love to party at Asia SF, where the staff like to jump on the bar and lip-synch at every opportunity. But wait... is that server a boy or a girl? They're gender illusionists as they like to be known. This is where fun, food and a few shock tactics set this restaurant apart from most others in San Francisco. Shows are regularly performed throughout the night and offer a lively experience for locals and tourists alike. Its heart though is Modern Asian cuisine. Modern Chinese American chefs are serving up food more refined and authentic than it was in the days of chop-suey and chow-mein parlours. San Franciscans are discovering that few cultures can match the Asian understanding of how to handle fresh fish and seafood in the kitchen.

Further Information

Rooms from $225 a night. Based on twin share. Price includes taxes. Subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply. Includes breakfast.

Handlery Union Square Hotel

www.handlery.com/sf

Prices correct at 16/5/06

Air NZ return to San Francisco

From $1709 ex east coast, $2262 ex west coast. Prices available online and include surcharges, fees & taxes, subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply.

www.airnewzealand.com.au

Prices correct at 16/5/06