If you're going to be catching the Amgen Tour of California passing through downtown L.A. this Saturday, May 22, you definitely have to check out Trader Vic's. There will be no excuse, because L.A. Live will the start and end point for the cyclists.
At Trader Vic's at L.A. Live, you get a lot more than just great, quality food and a fun, relaxing atmosphere; you get a taste of history. I must admit that I had never eaten at Trader Vic's. I always thought of it more as a place to grab a great cocktail at its Beverly Hilton location (which now is just open for the bar), but I just learned I was missing out on some amazing food, as well. Trader Vic's has locations all over the world, but if you're in L.A. head over to L.A. Live downtown by the Staples Center. And if you don't have tickets for the Lakers game, you can watch it there too.
Walk into Trader Vic's and you'll feel like you've been transported to an exotic island, and that's exactly what Victor Bergeron intended when he opened his first restaurant in Oakland in the 1930s. Inspired by his travels to the islands, he brought back artifacts to decorate the restaurant . And since it was during the time of the Great Depression when Americans were struggling with money woes, Bergeron (who became known as Trader Vic) thought since they couldn't afford to go to the islands, he'd bring the islands to them. We can also thank him for creating the Mai Tai in 1944. As the story goes, he was entertaining behind the bar, grabbed a bottle of Jamaican rum, squeezed a lime, added some sugar syrup and a splash of orange curacao and some French orgeat and said, "It's Mai Tai Roa Ae!" Tahitian for "out of this world- the best!" You can still get that delicious original Mai Tai at Trader Vic's. I don't usually drink Mai Tais, but had to have one and it was perfect, not too sweet and absolutely delicious as it was intended to be.
Another thing you can still find at Trader Vic's is the famous Chinese oven, which Trader Vic originally built in a vacant lot behind his first restaurant and has become the winning secret to the wonderful tasting meats. Chefs dip meat placed on a skewer into the custom-made wood-fired oven to give it its unique, succulent taste.
To start, the appetizers at Trader Vic's are top notch, inspired by rich, Polynesian flavor. The beef cho-cho is delectable, seared steak with delicious soy sake sauce, which you could cook more if you like on your very own flaming hibachi. The Malaysian chicken skewers with lemon grass and kaffir lime marinade and homemade chutney are very flavorful. The crab rangoon, crab meat, cream cheese and spices in a crispy wonton is sinfully delicious. The coconut prawns are a must, and even if you don't normally eat duck, you have to try the scrumptious crispy duck tacos. I loved them all, but my favorite would have to be the Hawaiian Ahi Poke, tuna in soy chili marinade with avocado and taro chips...fantastic! I wanted more, but had to pace myself to try everything else.
The entrees at Trader Vic's are superb. The mauna kea beef, sliced tenderloin, apricots pine nuts shiso and watercress is so full of flavor, your taste buds will thank you! The Indonesian rack of lamb with delicious Bali rice, peanut dip and Trader Vic's chutney is great if you're in the mood for lamb. If it's seafood you're after, the BBQ sea scallops and miso sea bass are both divine— they just melt in your mouth! You can also choose from other excellent entrees, such as passion chicken, seared Hawaiian tuna and wasabi crusted filet mignon, among others. There is definitely something to please every palate.
For dessert, my favorites were the Tahitian coffee creme brulee, giving a yummy twist to a classic, and the Crisp Banana Fritters.Trader Vic's also offers such treats as passion fruit cheese cake and Trader's rum gelato.
Speaking of rum, Trader Vic's serves 75 amazing cocktails, including the original Mai Tai, of course, making it the perfect place to celebrate or just have a great time with friends. Also offered is happy "Tiki" hour, with $3 off its world famous cocktails, $4 beers, $5 Ocean vodka, $5 Bacardi Rum and $5 selected red and white wine. It also has great happy hour food deals: 6 items for only 5 bucks each, including a burger, hummus, chicken wings, calamari, sliders and cheese bings. They also offer wine flights anytime, which include choices like Bubbles, Hearty Cabs and North vs. South Pinots. I tried the Taste the Rainbow flight, which was a great selection of white, rose and red wines for just $11.
For more info: Trader Vic's 800 W. Olympic Ave. in the L.A. Live entertainment center 213-785-3330
Open every day of the week with live music Friday and Saturday nights.
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