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Ren Clark's Polynesian Village


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#1 bungalowed

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Posted 02 August 2010 - 10:22 AM

Does anyone here know any details of the Polynesian Village which was Ren Clark's restaurant attached to the Western Hills Hotel from 1960-1969? I am researching the restaurant's history.

Thanks,
Kevin

#2 unknowntbone

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Posted 02 August 2010 - 12:43 PM

QUOTE (bungalowed @ Aug 2 2010, 11:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Does anyone here know any details of the Polynesian Village which was Ren Clark's restaurant attached to the Western Hills Hotel from 1960-1969? I am researching the restaurant's history.

Thanks,
Kevin

I can only remember one thing. It was strictly a "special occasion" restaurant for my family. My first Caesar Salad was at the Western Hills, and it was made tableside with a raw egg and anchovies. (quite an adventurous meal for a small lad)

#3 Owen

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Posted 02 August 2010 - 02:06 PM

I remember the Western Hills, albeit vaguely. Ate maybe once at the Polynesian Village. Took swimming lessons at the pool there. It was the usual turnoff from Camp Bowie that we used to get to my house in Ridglea.

#4 mbdalton1

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Posted 03 August 2010 - 10:17 AM

My mom grew up in Fort Worth and here is what she had to say about this when I asked her if she remembered it:

"Yes, It was wonderful and really good food. It was my first taste of Indonesian. The place was decorated in Poly. and we went there on dates.
I started high school in 1960..."


smile.gif Mary Bess

#5 Mark S

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Posted 29 October 2010 - 07:59 PM

I never went there, but but my older sister remembers it. All I know about Ren Clark's is that any souvenirs from the place are extremely valuable now. I've seen Tiki mugs, menus, plates and other items go for huge sums on eBay.

#6 Lonn Taylor

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Posted 03 November 2010 - 02:45 PM

I went there with a date several times when I was a senior at TCU (1960-1961) and I recall that they had a tropical rainstorm that occurred about every half hour. The lights dimmed, a sound system played the sound of driving rain on a thatched roof, and lightning flashed. My friends and I thought it was corny even then.

I seem to recall that there was some optical illusion at the bar that involved looking into a crystal ball to see a live mermaid, ie., a miniature image of bare-breasted young woman wearing a fish tail that was somehow projected into the ball. But that may have been at some other bar on Camp Bowie.

Lonn Taylor

#7 Akuhead

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Posted 02 December 2010 - 02:07 PM

Here's an interesting site with pictures and information on Ren's. I sure wish I could have seen this place!
http://critiki.com/location/?loc_id=56




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