By Judy Thorburn
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Owner/Editor in Chief/writer - Las Vegas Round The Clock
Entertainment Reporter/Film Critic - Las Vegas Tribune
Owner/Editor in Chief/writer - The Flick Chicks
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Trader Vic's Las Vegas Grand Opening Event
Friday evening of November 9, was the VIP Grand Opening party for the internationally acclaimed Trader Vic’s restaurant which recently opened its doors inside the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood. This venue is the first Trader Vics to debut in Las Vegas, but those who are familiar with the upscale restaurant with franchises all over the world, recognize the brand name for its exotic atmosphere, Euro-Asian-Polynesian cuisine and tropical themed drinks. In fact, the restaurant’s founder Vic “The Trader” Bergeron is the inventor of the original Mai Tai (Tahitian for “very best) and was the first to import Polynesian dishes and décor to the United States.
Photos by Stephen Thorburn
This new restaurant differs from any other Trader Vic’s found throughout the world in that the over 15,000 square foot of venue space includes three separate dining and entertainment rooms featuring a ground level restaurant with an outdoor patio (accommodating up to 200 guests) that overlooks the strip and a second level Tiki Club ultra lounge and bar, that provide patrons with a fabulous, unobstructed, panoramic view of the Bellagio Fountain, the Eiffel Tower and more. There is also a VIP Celebrity entrance, private elevator, built in DJ area, and unparalleled sound. Of course, Trader Vic’s famed island motif would not be complete without the attention getting, signature Polynesian towering wooden tiki statues.
For this particular occasion, invited guests were immediately greeted at the entrance by personable hostesses dressed in skimpy Polynesian garb, offering to put leis made of purple and white island orchids around our neck to complement the evening’s island like service and festivities which featured buffet style tables on both the main level and second story that was filled with an assortment of delicious island inspired cuisine. There was shrimp, oysters, lobster on a stick, crab cakes, pork tenderloin, bacon wrapped scallops, BBQ pork mini sandwiches, shrimp/pork or lobster dumplings, shrimp stir fry, skewered beef, sushi, mash potatoes and gravy, pork with rice, a cheese platter, and a fruit platter comprised of melons, berries and pineapple. A dessert bar presented flambé fruit and mini pastries and an open bar featured what else, but Trader Vic’s famous Mai Tais as well as other delightful libations. Entertainment was provided by Polynesian dancers who blew conch shells and danced with reeds. Later in the evening, the cast of Stomp Out Loud made a surprise entrance, stomping their way through the crowd, giving guests a sample of their nightly performance.
Vic Bergeron based his original Trader Vic’s restaurant in Northern California’s Bay Area, on the simple notion of “an escape from ordinary life”. That illusion of an island getaway eventually expanded to incorporating different cultures from around the world. But the island style service and atmosphere is a mainstay. With a menu featuring dishes from Europe, Polynesia, Asia and the Americas and tropical libations, customers can’t help but feel like they are transported to an exotic location.
Trader Vic’s is located on the Las Vegas strip at the north entrance of the Miracle Mile Shops and Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino. For more information, visit www.tradervicslv.com .