Post #513155 by Tom Slick on Wed, Feb 24, 2010 11:24 AM

Some great points taken, and I do not mean to come off arrogant by calling TVB&G a McVic's. You shouldn't feel offended by this, and if you do, I appologize as it is not my intent. It isn't directed towards the patrons, as it is towards the Company's thinking and supposevely "forward" movement.
Let me try to explain myself, as there are quite a few questions and rebuttals I'll try to answer;

First, as for the McVic's coining, I say that because this type of franchise can be installed into any pre-existing location, Anytown-anymall, USA with little to almost no effort. You will know the difference, when you look and compare, at what put Trader Vic's on the map in the first place.
I can also half agree that the TVB&G may be great for people who have never had been to a true Trader Vic's location, or people who live in the burbs or boondocks, so-to-speak. But I see this as stepping backwards, business-wise and seems to be a last ditch effort to perhaps make the company some much needed?/more?/extra? revenue, which is also why, business is business..to make money. But for what reason, create a TVB&G?

To me it would be similar to Disney opening up mini half acre Carnival-type midway attraction/funzones in the MidWest states, and calling them "Disneyland Woody's Roustabout Roundup", featuring bumper cars, mini golf, a ferris wheel, a couple games, along with a themed show. Would this "Substitute Theme Park" be a good idea, unless the company was actually hurting or failing?
No Main Street USA, no Adventureland, no Fanstasyland, no experience connection with the Disney Resorts, exception being, the corndogs and popcorn being sold.(Sorry, no handmade fudge, Monte Cristo Sandwiches, no Berm, no Space Mountain, and no Mark Twain, but hey, it still comes from the same namesake!)

This is how I feel when I see this Trader Vic's Bar & Grill.

As for other questions/rebutals, I'll try to quickly sum things up, in how I see things.

My experience with the Trader Vic's line of premade mai tai mix was NASTY. It nowhere compared to having a Mai Tai made anywhere. It tasted like a little more than citric acid and corn syrup with a fancy wrap. This is my opinion, and some people feel it is better to have, than to have not. Maybe I picked a bad bottle, but regardless, it was horrible.

Also I think we overestimate what "Trader Vic's" means to your average person. Here on TC, "he's" almost like a religion (based on the historical significance). I don't think however a non-Tikiphile really cares one way or another.

I also don't think it is about Mr. Vic Bergeron as much as it about what his namesake restaurants stand for, at least in this food debate.

Dining in exotic elegance, where in all fairness, the prices are not as expensive as one may think. Besides, I really don't know anyone personally, who can afford to dine out 6 nights a week, exempting the fast food drive thrus. If one is to plan a night out, saving up to dine at a Trader Vic's bi-monthly should be an easy quest for two, even on minimum wage income. I spend dining at Disneyland(Blue Bayou, French Market), the same amount as if I were to dine at a TV. It is the norm to see $20+ starter dinner plates at most sit-in restaurants like Red Lobster, Elephant Bar, Olive Garden, even Applebees, etc...TV isn't very far off from these starter prices.

The reference that "non-Tikiphile or Average people really don't care one way or another" can be said about anything regarding Average people. Average people could care less if Applebees or Chili's went out of business too, but not debating that, I'm debating whether or not McVic's is productive in Trader Vic Restaurant's survival, or counter productive. I can easily see the latter, and can see McVic's eventually being a replacement for ALL Trader Vic's restaurants, based on the simple fact that, they can potentially make more money, by offering less.
Less decor, less menu items, less overhead...etc etc...It is an obvious step backwards for the company namesake, in my eyes. I also do agree that if it were called anything else but Trader Vic's Bar & Grill, I would care less. Using a Trump name on a slop shop is regrettable in any senario.(don't be offended at slop shop, its just to generalize the statement of the topic, and I am in no way considering TVB&G a slop shop) :P
Trader Vic's does not attract the Average crowd, and we have to base it on that. The Average crowd we talk about will probably filter into a TVB&G, never knowing what, or who a Trader Vic's is, until and only IF, they read the small history section on the menu. That could be good and bad, and would cause an entirely seperate debate. :lol:

I am happy that Trader Vics, the Corporation, is trying to move forward and stay relevant in today's market.
I am happy that they are trying a new product, what many of you are calling McVic's.

Trader Vic'c has been relevant the whole time without TVB&G, or it would have simply dissapeared like the Kahiki, only to leave behind TV premade mixer bottles. If by that statement would mean; that all top end restaurants should open up "To Go" shops just to stay relevant for today's market? Not quite sure about the direction of that statement.

And I am curious if the Tiki Ti were to do something like The Island Bar and Grill what your response would be. Or if Forbidden Island did it? Or if whatever your favorite place is did the same. Would you be so anxious to discuss it in this kind of detail? And with so much implied dislike and distrust?

It would solely depend on HOW they do it. If Tiki Ti offered up a Tiki Ti express, but only had 1/4 of their drinks to offer, and they were poured out of a premixed factory line filled bottle or worse, bar dispenser, then I'd talk negatively about them too, and call it out. If they did everything exactly or at the very minimum, closely to the way they did it at their original, I'd be all aboard with it. It's what they are known for, so why accept substitutes?

If they wanted to go with the mass produced,limited menu item, then they should use a different namesake, and I'd be OK with that still, because it wouldn't Scream "Tiki Ti" cheap version. It is really because I know better by having been to the original, and I know what got them to where they are at now.

I have no distrust for the patrons who gave their reviews. In Fact, most of the reviews were of mediocre standing. They described the positives and negatives pretty clearly, and most were what I would come to expect. Food is decent, drinks are good(for what they offer), the enviroment is not much different than a Fridays, Joes Crabshack, or Chilis, with the exception of the installed tiki decor here and there.
Imagine in that exact TVB&G location, a genuine TV with full decor, full bar, and most of the food items. I'd be willing to bet that since rent would be the same, they could offer more for less, vs. the current obvious less decor/menu for a little less money, and still make profit.
Trader Vic's inevitably runs the risk of being "lost in translation" when Trader Vic's Bar and Grill take hold, hypothetically speaking.

[ Edited by: Tom Slick 2010-02-24 11:47 ]