Celebration at the Alibi Restaurant and Lounge!!

Teri, Mark and Harry flew in from Brooklyn a couple of weeks ago to celebrate my birthday. Mark wanted to plan a big surprise birthday party for me! I would have died on the spot if I had known, but Teri convinced him that was not my thing. I don't even like to know that I'm having another birthday. Doesn't that mean you are older? Come on . . . think about it. Who likes that? Mark had done if for his mother and she liked it. Not me! So Teri mentioned that I had told her about the Alibi one time as a great Tiki bar that I had frequented occasionally . . . just occasionally, years ago when I worked in that neighborhood. I said they had karaoke which Teri and her girlfriends love! So we all decided to go out to dinner and then the Alibi.

The Alibi was started in the 1800s as the Chat-n-Nibble, a horse and buggy stop on a dirt road - Interstate Avenue. In 1947 it was converted into a Tiki themed restaurant/bar. The new owner had traveled to Hawaii and the new decor reflected his own Polynesian tastes. It has remained the same ever since. It is so lit up with neon signs outside that you can't miss it as you travel on Interstate Avenue. There's also the Palms Motel right across the street, also lit up with sparkling signs, which, as they say, is within "stumbling" distance of the Alibi. 

But before we went there, we had dinner at the Argentine-inspired restaurant Ox which was named as one of the top new restaurants in the country. I had a skirt steak and it was the best meat I've ever tasted - rare, barely cooked and delicious! We were with Rita and Steve, Teri's friend from high school and my friend just because I like her and Steve. The kids went along to the dinner - Reggie, Hayden and Harry - but then went home before the Alibi.

When we got to the Alibi and saw all the lights, they thought it was quite a sight! We walked in and I heard the music I had heard back when I went there - 80s music - and I knew nothing had changed! We had a great time and Teri and I had leis put around our necks.That music brought back so many memories and I loved it. Teri and Rita checked out the karaoke accommodations as they might want to go there next year when all their friends get together and spend the night doing karaoke.

So I want to thank Teri and Mark for putting that all together. I love you both so much and really appreciated it . . . and I had a great time! Best birthday ever!