Post #609864 by JOHN-O on Tue, Oct 11, 2011 5:31 PM

On to Northern Cal !!

Trader Vic's Palo Alto...

Not a classic Trader Vic's by any stretch, it's almost like they began work on a Silicon Valley Italian trattoria and halfway through they decided "Naw, let's go Tiki instead".

Despite the modern feel, the place is decorated with more PNG-style than you'll find in your typical Vic's. From what I understand a lot of the pieces are authentic, taken from a private collection.

Also there's a cozy neighborhood feel to the place that's a welcome change when compared to the "tourist" vibe of a Vic's like Downtown L.A.

OK, so it's not the Tiki palace of your dreams, but it is an establishment where you can get a decent Navy Grog... and in freakin' Palo Alto of all places, the land of high technology and ivory tower academics !!

Also think of it as a remote outpost of Tiki to visit when rush hour traffic from the South makes a drive to Forbidden Island impractical. And there's a cool mid-century hotel just across the way.

So how was the Mai Tai ? I'll be honest. Out off all the Vic's Mai Tais that I sampled, it was probably the least balanced, a little too much on the sweet side. It was however only $6 during Happy Hour... and in freakin' Palo Alto. :)

Next, saving the best for last...