Event Review: Super Bowl Sunday @ Hawaiian Tropic Zone in Times Square
Last night the JoonBlog took the subway up to Times Square, to catch the Super Bowl at the Hawaiian Tropic Zone. Along with the rest of New York City, we're still recovering from the Giants' epic Super Bowl upset. HTZ was the perfect place to catch the game, with its giant video wall (for which we had front-row seats ), and the beautiful waitresses decked out in sexy referee uniforms. There are times when it really is great to be in Times Square, and last night was one of those occasions. (Click For The Full Photo Gallery)
Former Giants punter Sean Landeta got the fiercely partisan crowd ready for the game, doing some duty on the mic, and offering to let fans try on one of his two Super Bowl rings. Sorry--we never snagged a picture of those two beauties. On the subject of beauties, our waitress, who was fast, efficient, and friendly, was also the half-time beauty pageant winner.
Draft Bud and Bud Lights were only three dollars, so by kick-off time the crowd was loud and ready for a game that proved to be one of the best in years.
We started the evening off with HTZ's signature appetizer, the Pu Pu Platter, an open flame surrounded by hibachi sticks, chicken, beef, chorizo, chicken wings, shrimp, pineapple & vegetables, along with dipping sauces. The BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders (three to an order, with a side of fries) were another winner--pulled pork in a tangy BBQ sauce, topped by a sliced picked, served on a soft bun.
While the rest of America watched aged rocker Tom Petty at half-time, we were treated to a burlesque show, followed by a beauty pageant, featuring the wait staff.
How great a time was everyone having? For the first five minutes of the game, no one could figure out how to switch over from the Spanish audio feed to Joe Buck and Troy Aikman--yet there was no booing, no shouting, no anger at all--just a comical chant of Ole, Ole, Ole, as if we were watching a American football match.
So how are we going to remember the greatest upset in Super Bowl history? The worst 18-1 season in NFL history? This epic triumph of New York over New England? Well, the food was good, the drinks were cheap, and the atmosphere was second-to-none. HTZ went out of their way to make sure that we, and everyone else, had a great time--beers were replaced as soon as our glasses were close to the bottom, and food came out of the kitchen only minutes after we ordered it. Running efficiently on this, one of the biggest drinking/eating nights of the year, says a lot for the level of service at HTZ. We came with a crowd of guys, girls, native New Yorkers, transplants, and out-of-towners, and they all had a great time.
And after the game ended, another party was just getting started out on the street:
Click For The Times Square Celebration Gallery
Many Photos appear courtesy of Kyle Reinford. Thanks!
P.S. Michael Strahan will be throwing a victory party @ The Plumm tomorrow night (via Imbible)
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