A Search for Tonka

Leave it to Chris to find a restaurant called Tonka!  If you don't know already, Tonka is a nickname bestowed upon me by blondie.  He claims that I break everything that I come into contact with throughout the day, and he compares me to a truck barreling down a highway.  You get the idea. 

I am not sure how it happened actually, but out of nowhere I was told that there was a restaurant named Tonka, and it was decided that we were going!  That is where our adventure begins, because he next thing I knew, we were off and running in search of Tonka!

My first mistake was leaving Chris in charge of finding the restaurant.  Normally he is pretty good with directions, but not since he arrived in OZ.  I think it has something to do with everything being upside down, reversed, or what have you.  Back to the story... Chris was certain he knew where we were going, and he read that the restaurant opened at 6pm.  Given this new found knowledge we left the hotel at 3pm.  Yes,... THREE hours early!  Granted the restaurant is a whopping 25-30 minutes away, so I can understand why we left so early. (NOT!!)

I think it was 3:30ish when our tram pulled into the CBD, which meant that we had nearly three hours to kill.  Since it was Friday (like we needed an excuse) we decided to grab a drink or two before dinner.  Thus began our secondary adventure when we went to uncover a new place for a cocktail.  Our first stop was at a tequila bar.  We shared a quick appetizer and a couple of great margaritas before heading to our next stop.  Being the explorer that I am, I decided that we would head in a new direction in hopes of uncovering some new hot spots.  We likely explored every single alleyway within a four block radius by the time we finished up at another corner pub with an hour to burn.  

It dawned on me that we might need reservations for Tonka.  I mean,  with a name like Tonka, the place had to be popular!  Thank god I thought of it too, because when I called to make the reservations the person who answered practically died laughing.  As it turns out, the next available reservation was THREE MONTHS OUT!!  Damn, I guess I really am popular!  Lucky for us I learned that we would be able to eat at the bar without a reservation.  Lucky for them we are no strangers to bars.

Needless to say, Chris had no idea where he was going and it was a huge undertaking to find Tonka.  The restaurant was tucked away in a secluded alleyway that looked better suited for a mugging than a high class eatery.  Just steps away from Tonka's entrance were dumpsters overflowing with garbage, but the establishment beckoned the masses nonetheless.  

We stepped inside Tonka and enjoyed one of the best meals ever!  The food was outstanding and the cocktails were even better.  I am happy to say that the restaurant lived up to its namesake! 

Hopefully everyone reading this blog entry will also enjoy watching our search for Tonka unfold.  You can watch the video HERE.  

Lots of great memories have been created and shared since blondie landed in OZ, and I go to bed each night looking forward to what the new day will bring.   Life's Lesson... Live and love like tomorrow doesn't exist, because it may not.