Countdown for LA Trader Vic's - General Tiki

J JOHN-O Tiki Socialite Dogtown, USA Joined: May 16, 2008 Posts: 2721	J JOHN-O Posted posted on Wed, Oct 14, 2009 3:06 AM Hmmm.... I hate to call attention to this, but how many people here actually eat the food at TV on a regular basis? And I mean an actual sit down meal in the dining area. Obviously the bar area is a repeat experience for the drinks, socializing, and decor but what about "let's go to TV for dinner" vs. "let's go to TV for drinks". Most of my friends (non-Tikiphiles), have tried dining at TV once but don't plan on being repeat customers after their first visit. I think the real problem is the type of cuisine. "Polynesian" food might have been popular during the mid-20th century but we live in a 21st Century Los Angeles where 1st-class authentic Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese food is available. Yeah I know that "fake" ethnic food at places like PF Changs is wildly popular but that's easily branded as Chinese. It's not easy to describe the food at TV. Fusion might be an acceptable concept at a new foodie restaurant in Beverly Hills, but from a chain that has roots in mid-century kitsch? The overhead of running a restaurant has got to be high, and I question TV's ability to be successful with this model. Maybe TV should just focus on being a bar and offer a limited food menu. Let's face it, we go to TV mainly for the tropical drinks, the food is an after thought. Another issue I think is TV tries to be too classy and doesn't really emphasize their unique mid-century kitsch appeal. How about really going over the top and becoming something like a "Polynesian Hooters"? TV could still be faithful to its original Tiki Style but you'd have staff along the lines of the Mai Kai Mystery Drink girls. That could be a fun and ironic experience that would appeal to today's younger generation (and at a much lower price point). We'd still be able to get our classic Mai Tais, Navy Grogs, and Zombies. Isn't that all we really need? Yeah, I know everyone at TC wants to have that classic "frozen in time" TV experience, but it looks like the rest of the mainstream non-Tikiphile world isn't buying it. TV has the brand and it has the tasty drinks. It'd be a shame for this place to fail as quickly as the Las Vegas location. [ Edited by: JOHN-O 2009-10-14 08:15 ]

Hmmm.... I hate to call attention to this, but how many people here actually eat the food at TV on a regular basis? And I mean an actual sit down meal in the dining area. Obviously the bar area is a repeat experience for the drinks, socializing, and decor but what about "let's go to TV for dinner" vs. "let's go to TV for drinks". Most of my friends (non-Tikiphiles), have tried dining at TV once but don't plan on being repeat customers after their first visit.

I think the real problem is the type of cuisine. "Polynesian" food might have been popular during the mid-20th century but we live in a 21st Century Los Angeles where 1st-class authentic Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese food is available. Yeah I know that "fake" ethnic food at places like PF Changs is wildly popular but that's easily branded as Chinese. It's not easy to describe the food at TV. Fusion might be an acceptable concept at a new foodie restaurant in Beverly Hills, but from a chain that has roots in mid-century kitsch?

The overhead of running a restaurant has got to be high, and I question TV's ability to be successful with this model. Maybe TV should just focus on being a bar and offer a limited food menu. Let's face it, we go to TV mainly for the tropical drinks, the food is an after thought.

Another issue I think is TV tries to be too classy and doesn't really emphasize their unique mid-century kitsch appeal. How about really going over the top and becoming something like a "Polynesian Hooters"? TV could still be faithful to its original Tiki Style but you'd have staff along the lines of the Mai Kai Mystery Drink girls. That could be a fun and ironic experience that would appeal to today's younger generation (and at a much lower price point). We'd still be able to get our classic Mai Tais, Navy Grogs, and Zombies. Isn't that all we really need?

Yeah, I know everyone at TC wants to have that classic "frozen in time" TV experience, but it looks like the rest of the mainstream non-Tikiphile world isn't buying it.

TV has the brand and it has the tasty drinks. It'd be a shame for this place to fail as quickly as the Las Vegas location.

[ Edited by: JOHN-O 2009-10-14 08:15 ]

Post #488120 by JOHN-O on Wed, Oct 14, 2009 3:06 AM