A New Trader Vic's - open Monday! - General Tiki

T thePorpoise Tiki Socialite Tampa Bay Joined: Jan 23, 2011 Posts: 1519	T thePorpoise Posted posted on Sat, Aug 13, 2011 4:30 PM went here today while in Sarasota with my family, we really enjoyed it. didnt see this thread beforehand, but having now perused it, i'd say both the negative and positive comments are mostly accurate. (while i was there, i thought to myself, man the TC purists would hate this place). was excited to visit a TV's for the first time, even though i fully realized it isnt the "real" TV experience. its what i imagine an 'accessible' theme park-located TV might be like. the decor looks exactly the same as the photos posted here last year- when i download my pix later i'll upload any that show something new. didn't hear any dreaded Jimmy Buffet or similar music (in fact i didnt notice any music, but i wuz really hongry). I did see blowfish. Did not see any parrots or margarita volcanoes. didnt notice any other families w/kids in the place, it was all couples, except for a large group celebrating an octagenerian's birthday. It was not well-lit. the staff were super friendly and efficient. It's not a sports bar as some suggested, but it is a restaurant, with emphasis on mai tai and TV drinks, definitely trying to walk a line between Florida casual and poly-pop. we had Vic's Island Burger, and Luau Pulled Pork. I was disappointed that there wasnt more from the standard TV menu i've heard so much about. But, the food was great, good quantity, and good prices. I was also disappointed that there wasnt a more comprehensive TV drinks menu. I had a 1944 Mai Tai, it was a good drink. Havent been to any other TV so cant compare; i do prefer my homemade mai tai though (but who doesnt?). Chatted with the bartender before ordering, she was very open and engaging. She was getting quite a few orders for mai tais, navy grogs, and (the special today) scorpions. If you want to call the place TV's answer to Margaritaville, that might not be unfair. I would definitely stop by there again when in the area, i think it's a really good casual restaurant with good food and drinks, but i wouldnt call it a "destination" that one wants to drive across state for simply to experience or anything like that.

went here today while in Sarasota with my family, we really enjoyed it.

didnt see this thread beforehand, but having now perused it, i'd say both the negative and positive comments are mostly accurate. (while i was there, i thought to myself, man the TC purists would hate this place).

was excited to visit a TV's for the first time, even though i fully realized it isnt the "real" TV experience. its what i imagine an 'accessible' theme park-located TV might be like. the decor looks exactly the same as the photos posted here last year- when i download my pix later i'll upload any that show something new. didn't hear any dreaded Jimmy Buffet or similar music (in fact i didnt notice any music, but i wuz really hongry). I did see blowfish. Did not see any parrots or margarita volcanoes. didnt notice any other families w/kids in the place, it was all couples, except for a large group celebrating an octagenerian's birthday. It was not well-lit. the staff were super friendly and efficient.

It's not a sports bar as some suggested, but it is a restaurant, with emphasis on mai tai and TV drinks, definitely trying to walk a line between Florida casual and poly-pop. we had Vic's Island Burger, and Luau Pulled Pork. I was disappointed that there wasnt more from the standard TV menu i've heard so much about. But, the food was great, good quantity, and good prices.

I was also disappointed that there wasnt a more comprehensive TV drinks menu. I had a 1944 Mai Tai, it was a good drink. Havent been to any other TV so cant compare; i do prefer my homemade mai tai though (but who doesnt?). Chatted with the bartender before ordering, she was very open and engaging. She was getting quite a few orders for mai tais, navy grogs, and (the special today) scorpions.

If you want to call the place TV's answer to Margaritaville, that might not be unfair.

I would definitely stop by there again when in the area, i think it's a really good casual restaurant with good food and drinks, but i wouldnt call it a "destination" that one wants to drive across state for simply to experience or anything like that.

Post #602327 by thePorpoise on Sat, Aug 13, 2011 4:30 PM