Not a response to your post, but rather to your location.

I presume that you are in Hickory. Tye and I are in Lenoir.

Send me an mail if you like and we can see about getting together to talk.

Cheers,

Sam Clemmons
eclemmons@hotmail.com

Does anyone know if Smokies Tavern (restaurant) is still open in Dar as-Salam? It is an open at night buffet outdoor restaurant on a rooftop (run by an American, I understand). The food is excellent (big bowls of lobster claws, etc.) and its a must see place (at least as of July 1998 when I was there). You rent a cab to get there and the cab stays with you (no radio controlled cabs). Also, does anyone know if the Yangtze Chinese Restaurant is still open (also a very good place)

Both are still open. Smokies crowd has somehow "deteriorated" IMO. Food is still the same buffet but a lot of "night fairies" appear after dinner hours....