Post #429276 by tikibars on Sat, Jan 17, 2009 3:15 PM

The place looks very good.
Better than Vegas, of course, but also an improvement over SF, Florida, and Seattle.
Low ceilings, and several small dining rooms accessed via a wide bar area.
Lots of Tikis!
The only window looks out into an atrium full of big plants.
There are two big TVs in th bar area, but other than that, I am pleased with the decor.
It is not Tokyo, Atlanta, or Munich, but it is the best-looking of the recent USA Vic's (the Dallas resurrection excluded).

I had a nice dinner with Vern and my pal Rebecca.
We were all pleased with our meals.
Cosmo Tidbits, Bong-Bongo soup, and three different fish entrees between us.
No different from the other Vic's everywhere else of course - but definitely tasty.

The waitresses are cute, in solid black chingsam dresses with red trim.
Classy and sexy too.

Between the three of us, we must have put away more than a dozen drinks.
NONE were fully up to muster.
The consistent mediocrity of all of the drinks was shocking.
There were five bartenders behind the gigantic bar, plus the bar manager, and not a one of them knew how to make a mai tai "the old way".
I had to teach them.

Th cocktails were the only disappointment, but that said, I am confident that with some more practice, training, and quality control, they'll get that sorted out. Might be nice to get a few of the bar guys from the old Chicago Vic's back in there.

Pallava called me yesterday to help him organize a grand opening party.
Looks like it is going to happen in about three weeks.
Live music, swag giveaways, and probably a few comped drinks here and there.
Look for an announcement as soon as he gives me the date.

• James T.

http://www.tydirium.net
Big Stone Head / Tiki Road Trip / Left Orbit Temple
Drink with us at: http://www.cocktailsnob.com

[ Edited by: tikibars 2009-01-18 10:23 ]