Martin Cate, Tiki historian and former proprietor of Forbidden Island in Alameda, opens his newest venture Smuggler's Cove (650 Gough Street) to the public this evening. A couple weeks back we ran one of the 80 recipes for (mostly) rum-based drinks he'll be featuring on the menu, and late last week we got to sample several and get a peek at the place. Seriously folks, it's damn cute, water feature and all, with two bars and a small upstairs mezzanine, and packed to the gills with objects from Tiki bars' past, including three small shrines along the main wall to Trader Vic's, Skipper Kent's, and Don the Beachcomber.

Here, courtesy of Married...with dinner are some pictures of the place, which will likely be pretty packed with curious imbibers for the next few weeks. We highly recommend the Three Dots and a Dash -- a fine and classic combo of rum, falernum and citrus with some other loveliness thrown in. And check out the amazing, custom-made, ceramic volcano bowls and barrel mugs!