J.T.'S TRAVEL DIARY

Wildwood — Clifton — Lake George

: : After a hearty breakfast overlooking the ocean at the Waikiki Resort’s rooftop restaurant, we’re off. It’s almost noon. We gas up and cross the bridge taking us out of Wildwood and back onto mainland New Jersey. The two and a half hour drive up the Garden State Parkway takes us further and further away from the ocean and closer and closer to New York City suburbs. The change to a more urban atmosphere almost happens quite suddenly. Within the space of two exits (“You from Jersey? What exit?” the old-time comics used to ask), there is more brown… more grey. Clifton, New Jersey is our scheduled afternoon pit stop. Betty and I arrive before the others. We navigate through several stretches of road work (the whole town appears to be a big series of detours) before finding what we came here looking for: Lee’s Hawaiian Islander. The red building doesn’t look like much from the outside and we wait in the parking lot for the others to arrive. After they drive in, the four of us make our way through the restaurant’s front doors. Bamboo! A lot of it! A good sign… : :

: : It’s almost 3:00 p.m. We’re still in time to take advantage of the luncheon specials. We order right away but we’re up out of our booth just as fast… exploring the nooks and crannies of Lee’s. The place is almost deserted. Two or three older couples are the only other people in the place. One waiter is all that’s needed. But this must be a happening place on weekends (what else is there to do in Clifton on a Saturday night?). Hanging on the wall near the entrance, along with reviews from local papers, is a sign about the Hawaiian floor shows that take place here… I just knew this was a happening place. We gaze out across the large main dining room. Above the black vinyl chairs and the tables is a huge bamboo wheel hanging from the ceiling. Strings of lights and Polynesian lamps hang from the big wheel. Another room with bamboo covered walls can be seen down a small corridor behind the big dining room. The main room also has booths along the walls. We make our way back to ours in the corner furthest from the entrance. Right next to us is a beautiful rock waterfall, flanked by two big Tikis. : :

: : Our food arrives! (We’re not drinking ‘cause we’ve got a long drive ahead of us but, like all good Polynesian restaurants should, Lee’s has an outstanding selection of exotic drinks). I’ve ordered a pu-pu platter because I just can’t get enough of flaming food on a table. The others have ordered won ton soup, egg foo young, etc., etc. The selection is similar to that offered at several other Chinese or Polynesian places we’ve come across but the flavours at Lee’s are all so much more intense! It seems incredible… maybe it’s the effects of sitting in a car for three hours that have made us slightly sensory deprived but for basic Chinese fare, this food is outstanding! : :

: : There’s time to take a few pictures and at least walk through the bar before making our way out of Lee’s. The bar is great too… very reminiscent of Aloha’s bar back home. At the cash register, we notice that Lee’s sells tiki mugs. For only 5 bucks! Of course, we pick up a couple. I get a bit of history from the waiter, even though his English seems to be limited to the few words on the restaurant’s menu. Lee’s has been around at least 20 years… and there is another location in Lyndhurst… we don’t know how far that is from Clifton… : :

: : Back in the parking lot, we split up into our separate cars again. Betty and I decide to extend the vacation by one day… and we make our way up the 87 to Lake George, N.Y. : :

: : We drive into the tourist trap of a town around 7:30 p.m. The main drag is packed with white trash vacationers and their whiny, dirty kids, loud teenagers on their first trip away from home alone, and weary but happy (for the influx of cash) locals… but just a few minutes up the strip, away from all the noise, we find the Howard Johnson’s Tiki Resort. Easter Island heads cover the front lawn, although the motel part of the building is not all that Polynesian. There is, however, a Waikiki Supper Club located in the basement! We arrive in time to catch a glimpse of the last few minutes of the floor show… Samoan performers sing native tunes to a few customers and a couple of waiters in the almost empty room. Why isn’t this place packed with tourists? Back upstairs, we poke our heads into the lounge… huge outrigger canoes hang from the ceiling above the bar’s thatched roof. There is bamboo and rattan everywhere but it’s getting late, so we retire to our suite (yes, a suite… it’s our last night and we’ve decided to splurge). : :

: : We’re up early the next morning. It’s really our last day. After a quick walk up the now much quieter strip, we’re out of Lake George and on our way to the Canadian border. A quick stop in Plattsburgh and the rest of our vacation budget is blown on American junk food products at the A&P. Why’d we stop in Plattsburgh? Another way to extend the trip? Maybe. Coming back home feels good though… stores are still open… there’s still time to go get our pictures developed. : :

635 Lexington Ave

Clifton, NJ

(973) 478-1977

www.njdiningguide.com/lees.html

John Trivisonno © 1999

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