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Trader Vic's to open in Florida! |
GatorRob
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 20, 2004
Posts: 1766
From: 3 hrs 33 mins to paradise
|  Posted: 2007-04-12 10:38 am Permalink
Well that was my original thought when I first heard about this place, that it was just going to be a Mai-Tai bar. But the Vic's site says they have an executive chef and a separate lounge and Mai-Tai bar. So, I dunno. I can tell you that it's a fairly smallish place for a Vic's. And then there's the whole modern Florida twist to the place that makes it different than all the other Vic's locations (and not nearly as desirable to many of us). But I'll reserve judgement til I see it. If nothing else, they will hopefully be able to serve good drinks, which is no small feat these days.
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GatorRob
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 20, 2004
Posts: 1766
From: 3 hrs 33 mins to paradise
| Posted: 2007-04-12 11:01 am Permalink
Ah, I didn't notice your link at first. Hmmmm, not a tiki in sight. But the design architect did mention here that there will be "numerous Tikis coming from Indonesia (the same carvers that did the new entry tiki in Dallas) ranging in size from 5 to 12' tall". So maybe these photos are not terribly representative of the place or were possibly taken before the interior was completed.
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Swanky
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 03, 2002
Posts: 4807
From: Hapa Haole Hideaway, TN
| Posted: 2007-04-12 11:45 am Permalink
Looks like maybe a tiki on the left. Also looks like the pictures were taken before they opened. Too bad it isn't going the "Destin" way and being over the top tacky. They could go whole hog decor there and it would fit right in...
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Mytah
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Jan 17, 2007
Posts: 13
From: Pensacola, FL.
| Posted: 2007-04-13 07:13 am Permalink
Got an email back from them regarding products. Too bad. Time to place an order I guess...wonder if they fixed thier website yet..probably not heh
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We are open! we don't plan on selling drink products
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Mytah
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SouthBamaTiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Oct 09, 2006
Posts: 138
From: Mobile, Alabama
| Posted: 2007-04-13 6:09 pm Permalink
I have not been over yet, hope to go this week since I will be off. The lady who answered at the Palms told me there is an indoor restaurant with a large, separate bar area in addition to the dining area, and that there is also an outdoor Mai Tai Bar which sells drinks and smaller food items. If and when I get over there I will take pics to share. Hopefully they have gotten the tikis in by now.
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SouthBamaTiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Oct 09, 2006
Posts: 138
From: Mobile, Alabama
| Posted: 2007-04-22 2:31 pm Permalink
OK, I went to the Trader Vic's in Destin over the weekend. First, let me say that the food was good, the service was wonderful, and the drinks were excellent. They are definitely trying to uphold the standard of TV. That being said, someone had mentioned earlier "this is not your father's Trader Vic's." That definitely seems to be the case. There were a good many tikis spread around, but overall the atmosphere was much more light and airy than the other TV's I have been to. They have an outrigger canoe on the ceiling, a carved hostess stand, tribal fabric on one wall, carved fish on the wall, and several floats and fish traps hanging from the ceiling. The outdoor Mai Tai bar is really great, if you ignore the big screen televisions broadcasting sports programs. There are more tikis outside than inside, and the bartenders are among the friendliest I have come across. The bar sets under a patio next to a lagoon where they plan to have concerts including some pretty big names. Unfortunately, I seem to have no skills as a photographer, so none of my indoor pics turned out, but I will attach a few from the Mai Tai bar. It was a nice night, especially at the Mai Tai bar, but I would not make a special trip just for the restaurant again. The one in Atlanta has much more of a tiki atmosphere to me. Of course, if Destin starts doing mug nights like the one in Atlanta, I might make an exception! 
One really cool aspect of the night was that Trader Vic's grandaughter, Eve, was still there helping to get things established. Talking to her was quite interesting! Apparently, the owners of this restaurant wanted the restaurant to blend in more with The Palms decor, which explains the lack of tiki. She also said the current trend is for each TV to reflect the locale, which does make sense. She also told us there is a Mai Tai bar scheduled to open next in CA, then there are 5 TV restaurants slated to open in Hawaii. For those in Dallas, she was also very complimentary of the new TV there. That owner tried very hard to be true to the original TV there, including having the carpet and wallpaper duplicated and obtaining decor from the original restaurant.
If you head to Destin, be aware there are 2 road side carvers on Highway 98 that sell tikis. One is Tiki Charlie. His stuff was very nice and priced lower than the second spot (starting around $65), but his were not as detailed. The other location is probably less than a mile away, on the same side of the highway, and called Beaver Pond Artist. Their prices were a bit higher, but the guy working there was willing to negotiate. We picked up two tikis for $125 each. Mine is a 44" Moai that I will attach a pic of. Their website is www.MyCargoShip.com.
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GatorRob
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 20, 2004
Posts: 1766
From: 3 hrs 33 mins to paradise
| Posted: 2007-04-22 3:05 pm Permalink
Thanks for the photos SouthBamaTiki. While I'm disappointed with the results, I'm not at all surprised. The decor in the pictures fits in very well with the surroundings, which as you mentioned, was their intention. Unfortunately, most of us here will not find it particularly interesting. The tikis shown even seem to be lacking in character and spirit.
Honestly, I was really shocked to hear that a Vic's was opening in Destin in the first place. But, if the food and drinks are as good as you say, then it definitely beats 99% of the other places in the area and would be worth a visit while in the area.
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Mytah
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Jan 17, 2007
Posts: 13
From: Pensacola, FL.
| Posted: 2007-04-23 08:24 am Permalink
Hers are some pics taken over the weekend.
They lied when they replied to my email asking if they were going to carry product 
[ This Message was edited by: Mytah 2007-04-23 08:40 ]
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frostiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 14, 2006
Posts: 434
From: Mobile, AL
| Posted: 2007-04-23 1:25 pm Permalink
We might have to make a trip out there soon and test the Mai Tai's. It may not be full on tradiitonal TV, but it's better than nothing.
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bigtikidude
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 10, 2004
Posts: 8259
From: Anaheim,Ca.
| Posted: 2007-04-23 2:07 pm Permalink
Nothing Says tiki more than sports on a flatscreen, NOT!!!!
Jeff(bigtikidude)
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TikiMookie
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Feb 12, 2007
Posts: 176
From: No Cal
| Posted: 2007-04-23 4:29 pm Permalink
Going to Florida in July, from California. Too bad it's so far away from the Mai Kai, we're going to disney and south. But I'm glad it's there, as long as they keep opening them instead of closing them!
We go to the one in Emeryville sometimes, it's great, and just over an hour drive...
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SouthBamaTiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Oct 09, 2006
Posts: 138
From: Mobile, Alabama
| Posted: 2007-04-23 6:53 pm Permalink
According to Eve, Trader Vic's grandaughter, the Emeryville TV is a true museum. Many of the artifacts from Hinky Dink's were transferred to that restaurant. Pretty cool!
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PremEx
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 23, 2006
Posts: 271
From: Houston, Texas
| Posted: 2007-04-23 11:55 pm Permalink
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On 2007-04-22 15:05, GatorRob wrote:While I'm disappointed with the results, I'm not at all surprised. The decor in the pictures fits in very well with the surroundings, which as you mentioned, was their intention. Unfortunately, most of us here will not find it particularly interesting. |
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Right. And isn't the purpose of these kinds of places to get away both mentally and physically from ones' normal surroundings?
I expect Trader Vic's to transport me away to some other place and time. Not to just "fit in" with the surrounding neighborhood or regional decor (unless you're in Hawaii, I suppose), with a few tiki flourishes thrown in for "theme."
In that...the pictures sure don't have me wanting to go out of my way to visit this one.
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Mytah
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Jan 17, 2007
Posts: 13
From: Pensacola, FL.
| Posted: 2007-04-24 07:59 am Permalink
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On 2007-04-23 23:55, PremEx wrote:
Right. And isn't the purpose of these kinds of places to get away both mentally and physically from ones' normal surroundings?
I expect Trader Vic's to transport me away to some other place and time. Not to just "fit in" with the surrounding neighborhood or regional decor (unless you're in Hawaii, I suppose), with a few tiki flourishes thrown in for "theme."
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I understand what your saying, but keep in mind Destin is a vacation town with some of the finest beaches anywhere.
 It's not a TV in downtown Metropolis. I'm surprised one was opened there, seeing the other closest to me is the ATL, I'm glad they did. I understand the ATL one is more of the typical "museum" type, but I'll take what I can get...beggars cant be choosers
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Swanky
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 03, 2002
Posts: 4807
From: Hapa Haole Hideaway, TN
| Posted: 2007-04-24 09:10 am Permalink
What is this? It is modern looking. Almost looks like those Philipines carvings, but it much better. Almost looks like a Benzart.
Many of the TV Mai Tai bars are being located on beaches in resort towns, so, blending in more is appropriate. As you say, this is not downtown Atlanta. It is a different concept.
When you see one of these on the beach in Hawaii, it'll be much the same.
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