September 19, 2006, - 4:40 pm

Quote of the Day: “Classy” Hawaiian Tropic Zone Restaurant

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Today’s Wall Street Journal has an interesting piece about the bikini-wearing waitresses parading on the runway during meals at New York City’s new Hawaiian Tropic Zone–and whether the restaurant can attract female customers.
That’s nothing new. It’s kind of like sleazy Hooters and the guys who “go there for the great buffalo wings” (and read Playboy for the articles).
What’s new is this delusional quote by CEO Dennis Riese about why he has no plans to introduced bare-chested male waiters for the female patrons he says he hopes to attract:

It would take away from the class of the restaurant. It would be more about sex and less about food and ambience.


Classy to You?:

New Hawaiian Tropic Zone Restaurant Claims It’s All About the Food

Right. Because, when you think of “class” restaurants in New York, you don’t think of Le Cirq or Jean George. Nope. You think of Hooters and the Hawaiian Tropic Zone. The epitome of class is strippers one step removed, serving you your food. Would you like fries, er . . . disinfectant with that?
Yup, bikini-clad waitresses are all about the food and all about being “female friendly.” And, as we said, people who eat there read Playboy “for the articles.”
Then, there’s Riese’s claim that his restaurant will be “sophisticated . . . more than just an ‘upscale Hooters.'” Upscale Hooters? Isn’t that an oxymoron–kinda like boiling hot ice cubes? Just asking.
Remember, a restaurant named after a suntan lotion and a bikini contest judged by Fabio is never sophisticated or classy. Period. There are a lot of things we’d call it. “Classy” isn’t one of them.




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15 Responses

sounds like another hooters, wonder if the tropic food is just as bad. if you want the bikini clad waitress and great food go to your local scores exotic dance and dinner you will go away with a full belly and good lookins

PNAMARBLE on September 19, 2006 at 7:24 pm

Where do they put their pen and pad for writing down orders? I would have to think that this guy will keep the room temperature pretty low.

lockedown on September 19, 2006 at 11:19 pm

I think this calls for another Debbie Schlussel incognito report like you did those Muslim places. Debbie, you should pose as a waitress and then file a report here…just for journalistic purposes of course.

The_Man on September 19, 2006 at 11:43 pm

Hooters’ have wings !! ? And I only went there for the ‘breasts’ er… chicken breasts of course.
Isn’t this being a tad prudish, ever check out South Beach, Florida and the clubs there.
NOT PRUDISH AT ALL–AND NOT CONDEMNING IT. I JUST THOUGHT THE CEO’S QUOTE WAS HILARIOUSLY ABSURD AND WANTED TO COMMENT.
DEBBIE SCHLUSSEL

mark on September 20, 2006 at 8:35 am

You’re being a little up tight here Debbie. As long as the gals aren’t forced to work there I don’t see any harm.
Perhaps you’d like to start a place that would cater to women. Be my guest.
NOT UPTIGHT AT ALL–AND NOT REQUESTING A PLACE TO CATER TO WOMEN. READERS OF THIS SITE SHOULD KNOW THAT’S THE LAST THING I’D ASK FOR. I JUST THOUGHT THE CEO’S QUOTE WAS HILARIOUS AND WANTED TO COMMENT.
DEBBIE SCHLUSSEL

gregdn on September 20, 2006 at 9:59 am

I would eat there if you were my server, and you can dress how you like.
I’ll be the tall guy in the white cotton tee shirt.
Just kidding,
Great Blog,

Walt from michigan on September 20, 2006 at 1:20 pm

I don’t think this place would cater to women. More to hungry men who need to have their fantasies fulfilled. Personally, if they wanted a Hawaiian theme, bikinis are so California… or Florida. And very impractical in the winter! As for Hooters, I think Debbie was a little hard on them. The waitresses are tastefully attired. Now my reaction may be colored by the fact I happen to be a man. If it was up to me, I’d like a happy medium in a woman. Some flesh bare but not all of it. And I don’t care for the Islamist fashion of hiding women from men’s sights. Their sexuality doesn’t need to be controlled – we ought to control ours. Guys, there’s an appropriate time to attract a woman and a time to deal with them on purely professional terms. I wonder in closing if the guys who came up with this restaurant concept appreciate the difference involved.

NormanF on September 20, 2006 at 1:25 pm

Really these types of restaurants exploit men with their hormones and loneliness. Any man that has to tip for attention is very sad. Almost as sad as the women at these restaurants getting implants so guys will like them.
So men, if you like to be sucked dry, money wise, by empty, shallow women who will give you no fulfillment, more power to you.

Minnie Mouse on September 20, 2006 at 7:34 pm

C’mon, some of you are making a mountains out of molehills (no, not making an innuendo).
Hooters and it’s clone restaurants are just good, stupid guys fun. They aren’t strip clubs. Guys like to see attractive babes, the food is decent, and they show sports on TV. That’s all. I’ve seen plenty of women and even families with kids there many times.

The_Man on September 20, 2006 at 10:42 pm

And also the ‘wet-T-shirt’ contests are certainly an attraction and ‘mud-wrestleling’, aka ‘cat-fights’ that is the mark of a real Sports Bar.
I mean what would you rather do sit home and watch the game on TV and drink a six-pack and have to listen to the old lady yelling about what you haven’t done all week or go to a Sports Bar and drink and look at the ‘Babes’ serving the Beer in their skimpy little outfits, bouncing from customer to customer smiling, laughing and giggleing and the only demand required is that you pay for the Beer, it is a no brainer, It is what is known as a DIVERSION, of the most pleasant kind.

mark on September 21, 2006 at 9:09 am

ANOTHER HOOTERS COPY CAT CHAIN?! Sure…nothin wrong with Hooters–that’s why they had to have a sexual harrassment hotline.
Hooters has been sued half a dozen times for this–I do legal research so I know what kinds of disgusting things go on there. (They always settle cuz they know what would happen otherwise)
Guys aren’t just looking for r&r there–they always try to pick up those sleazy women. As for the women/families that go there–just goes to show you there’s no shortage of stupid women-either among the waitresses or the customers lol.
So guys if it such a harmless place I’m sure you won’t mind your daughter working there when she turns 15–yep, 15!
So call me a prude.
(P.S. Debbie if you’re interested in a place that caters to women it’s called Tallywackers–not sure if the guys are shirtless though. lol)

melati on September 21, 2006 at 12:41 pm

melati
Wrong !! I don’t know of any state that allows a waitress to work in a place where alcohol is served, unless they are 21, so much for your theory.
If my duaghter worked there, that would be her decision she is over 21 and therefore I can only offer advice, not to. And it probably would not stop her from working whereever she wanted to.
This is where I part with the religious right, they think they have the fast track to the morals issue and have a duty to force their morals and judgements on the rest of society because they think they are the pius ones. Afterall if God didn’t want men to notice women he would have made everyone the same, ergo, no hooters or other such attractive feminie ammenities that come with the complete package. He didn’t, so we do, end of story. Its been like this forever and will be so til the end of time.

mark on September 21, 2006 at 10:23 pm

Oh I was wrong–you have to be 18 to be a Hooters girl–BIG difference.”You must be at least 17 years old for hourly employment opportunities with Hooters of America, Inc. and at least 18 or 21 for the Hooters Girl position depending on local alcohol service laws.
http://www.hooters.com/company/careers/hourly/
So a guy who likes barely legal T&A is calling me a religious fanatic; excuse me while I run to the corner and cry! Of course HE must have wanted nude and semi nude women everywhere just to please men, silly me!
And FYI you do have to let the guys grope and insult you if you want to keep your job there.(Friend of mine was a Hooters girl–I told her she had a hell of a lawsuit)

melati on September 22, 2006 at 9:48 am

IMO if you’re a married guy looking at girls as young as your daughter you’re a little sleaze–emphasis on LITTLE lol.

melati on September 22, 2006 at 9:51 am

I should fly out there and check it out. Maybe drive. I don’t fly anymore. I like hot broads and if I Leykis 101 them whores, who knows, I may be lucky. If not? Then I know some hot 9s and 10s Jewish chicks in my ‘hood. Ever heard of Pacific Palisades Deb? Whoo wee! But I always end up in Encino or Tarzana. They are hot! hot! hot! Like you Deb.

KOAJaps on September 23, 2006 at 5:13 pm

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