Post #343282 by arwIII1970 on Sun, Nov 11, 2007 7:32 AM

I just moved from Dallas after 7 years. I lived for the last 3 years across the street from the Palomar Hotel in Mockingbird Station, so I watched the old hotel and TV's get revamped. I even bought two old chairs from the old Trader Vic's a couple years ago - each bamboo chair was $10 if you can believe it. Anyways, I've been to the new Trader Vic's dozens of times in the past 6 months. Obviously, I love it and I've gotten to know the chef and the bartenders pretty well. I've been a TV's fan since going as a 5 year with the parents to TV's Houston in the old Shamrock Hotel (this was the creepiest and funnest tiki bar ever, if anyone was ever there), then later to TV's Chicago. (I liked TV's Chicago, but the drinks were almost undrinkable IMO, and the decor in need of a thorough cleaning, but still worth it). It is a ton of fun to go to the Dallas TV's since they put a lot of money into the renovation and the attitude of the people that work there is outstanding. Dallas is a pretty competitive restaurant and drinking market, so they want to make TV's work again. Anyways, there are some older types that go to TV's for dinner and memories (talking 70/80 year old types - btw this hotel is where wealthy HP types have long conducted afternoon affairs). But TV's is mostly filled with curious newbies - a very wide ranging age mix. I met so many groups of girls in there - they were curious about the drinks and decor and went there on a "girls night out", which for me was great since I knew so many of the drinks. I always liked the "girl-friendly" and funky-offbeat vibe of the place. Your typical macho Texan guy might avoid TV's - which has always been fine by me. You also get a bit of the international types in there too. Some tiki bars are a little dodgy (TV's Chicago in the final years for example), but the Dallas TV's is definitely upscale. Lars is a great bartender (from East Berlin!) and concocts several off the menu drinks, including "Henrik's Delight" which is outstanding. The Scorpion is a great drink and rightly in the Dallas Top 10 Drinks. The overall decor is nice and authentic, but not stuffy or moldy or dusty. I've taken several friends and groups of friends here, and mostly we cannot remember what happens as we walk out the door. The drinks are sneaky strong. Around the bar are several tables and booths. But if you go, I would suggest going up and sitting at the bar and talking with the bartenders. Most people who are going to TV's are not familiar with the history - these bartenders have to instruct "mojito" and red wine ordering girls to maybe try stuff on the considerable drink menu. Every time I go, I would hear some girl order a "vodka redbull" and i would just have to instruct them in "The journey of the jungle drink" (...start with Mai Tai and go from there). The music in the place is a little updated too, which works - one night I heard a cool techno-chill-acoustic version of Message in a Bottle - which, when you are getting a perfect buzz on and talking with gorgeous girls and you hear your favorite song.....man, that when life is beautiful. So if you go through town, stop at TV's and go sit at the bar, it is worth it. I've relocated north now and there isn't shitte like this around. Trader Vic's is actually needed more up north too - cold winter nights, earth tone clothes, beer joints, and unfunny "ultra-lounges", etc. I hear a new Chicago Trade Vic's could be coming. I dearly hope so.