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CARNATION DAY CELEBRATION - APRIL 25th
  We
like the way the Portuguese stage their revolutions! The "Carnation
Revolution" was an almost bloodless revolution started on April 25,
1974, that effectively changed the Portuguese government from an authoritarian
dictatorship to a liberal democracy. The revolution was unusual in that
citizen-revolutionaries did not use violence to achieve their goals. The
population, holding red carnations, convinced the regime’s soldiers
not to resist. The soldiers readily swapped their bullets for flowers.
It was the end of the Estado Novo, the longest authoritarian regime in
Western Europe. On Friday, April 25th, in honor of "Revolução
dos Cravos" and Tapino's own unwavering, and time-tested commitment
to peaceful revolutions, democracy, and opportunities
to celebrate, Tapino will be giving a red carnation to every guest Friday
evening,  April 25th.  We will also be pouring our Portuguese wines at half
price and Chef Jaime “flower child” Porto has
promised us a few genuine Portuguese small plates. (or at least something
that could plausibly be considered Portuguese.) Be sure to ask for a glass
of Port wine with your desert. As usual, if you can show us an official
Portuguese passport or driver's license with your name on it, dinner is
free!
FREEDOM DAY CELEBRATION - APRIL 27th
  Sunday,
April 27th, is "Freedom Day" in South Africa. It marks the end
of apartheid and the first free elections in 1994 in South Africa. Nelson
Mandela was elected President, and the world ended its 20 years of sanctions.
Please come Help us celebrate this new beginning for that nation, as we
honor Ol’ Nelson and serve up some pretty respectable South African
wines. In  fact,
all of our South African wines will be half price Sunday night. Anyone
arriving that night, wearing gumboots gets a free glass of wine. If you
can do a credible job of gumboot dancing, in those gumboots, on our patio,
there is a free bottle of wine in it for you. Yes, I get to be the judge
of what is credible, not you! Will Ladysmith Black Mombazo show up that
night to entertain? I doubt it. Oh! Don’t forget our full South
African Wine dinner on Tuesday night, the 29th.!
KING SIAOSI TUPOU V'S BIRTHDAY - MAY 4TH
 Happy
Birth-day to You! Happy Birth-day to You! Happy Birth-day King Siaosi
Tupou! Happy Birth-day to Youuuuuu! King Siaosi Taufa‘ahau
Manumataongo Tuku‘aho Tupou 5th, born 4 May 1948, eldest son of
King Taufa‘ahau Tupou 4th is the current king of Tonga. (His friends
call him “George”.) You may call him “Your Highness,
Siaosi Taufa‘ahau Manumataongo Tuku‘aho Tupou 5th”!
The ruling family of Tonga, the last remaining Polynesian kingdom, can
be traced back more than 1000 years. King Taufa‘ahau Tupou I, the
great-great-great grandfather of the present ruler and the first chief
to rule over all of Tonga, was the founder of the present dynasty and
took power in 1831.  Maintaining good diplomatic relationships withTonga
is a very important part of Tapino's international policy. Therefore,
we will honor 'ol King whatzisname on Sunday night, May 4th with a grand
celebration of his Excellency’s, most excellent Birthday. Malo
e lelei!
Maybe drink some Kava or Otai, and eat some Lu-sipi.  You never know! Hey!
It’s a national holiday in Tonga, show some respect! It can at least
be a good excuse for a party at Tapino! Don’t think that’s
a good enough reason to celebrate? You aren’t being Tongaphobic,
are you?? Any drink served that evening made with either pineapple juice,
bananas, or coconut milk will be half price, and all of our
Tongan wines will be free for the entire evening! Also, a free tapa to
anyone who can pronounce the King's name. You might even consider joining
in on a vigorous Lakalaka dance out on the patio, in the King’s
honor! And remember, as usual, If you can produce an official Tonga passport
with your name on it, dinner is on the house!
Ton-ga! ... Ton-ga! ... Ton-ga!
CINCO de MAYO CELEBRACIÓN - MAY 6th
  ¡Viva
Mexico! … Quick! What is the celebration of Cinco de Mayo
all about? ... ... Time's up! No, it is not Mexican independence day -
That is September 16th. Nope, It has nothing to do with an emulsified
sandwich dressing. Cinco de Mayo celebrates the defeat of Maximilian's
French army by Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza's small, outnumbered militia
at the Battle of Puebla, Mexico in 1862. General Zaragoza got a statue
and a town named after him. ‘ol Max got shot by a firing squad.
Let that be a lesson to you! This act of "kicking France's Butt"
is celebrated as an un-official holiday in many parts of Mexico, and has
become even more popular among Mexican nationals living in the United
states and just about everyone along the US- Mexican border. Kicking France's
Butt seems like reason enough for all of us to celebrate!  Unfortunately,
Cinco de Mayo falls on Monday, this year, and Tapino is closed on Mondays.
Therefore, Tapino will be hosting our very own party honoring Gen. Ignacio
on Tuesday night, May 6th.
[No! That does not make it a “Sexto de Mayo” party ... though
that might be fun too! It’s still just plain old “Cinco de
Mayo!”] We will be serving some Mexican inspired tapas, and every
drink made with tequila will be half-price. There might even be a few
bottles of fine vintage Mexican wine to taste!
Nothing but the best is good enough for the General! No! we will not be
giving away free Corona beer that night! Anyone that can prove their name
is “Maximilian” will be given a blindfold to wear for the
evening.
¡Viva
Mexico!
¡Viva Ignacio!
¡Viva Cinco de Mayo!
¡Viva Tapino!
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