UPDATE on Trader Vic's-Portland OR

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2010/12/trader_vics_return_to_portland.html

The unfortunate headline in the actual newspaper reads: "If you like pina coladas, good news" :(

[ Edited by: Rum Balls 2010-12-09 05:28 ]

[ Edited by: Rum Balls 2011-02-22 06:34 ]

[ Edited by: Rum Balls 2011-05-02 12:07 ]

Sounds good to me! (Except for the headline of course)

I won't have to go kick the doors of the Benson Hotel anymore.

Now if only they'd have thought to put it on the West side...

You have to wonder if it will be old school tiki. I think they are more likely to use the new formula like in Palo Alto. The Scottsdale TV is only about four years old and it is pretty cool. I'm hopeful.

Stumptown Blogger says Trader Vic's is Portland is a "Done Deal."
http://www.stumptownblogger.com/2010/12/trader-vics-done-deal-12th-glisan-in-pearl.html

Looks like a May opening. That's the message when you hover your mouse over Portland on the Trader Vic's locations map (upper left of US) http://tradervics.com/locations/locations.html

And Elroy Art found this design image:

Not a lot of parking around there that I can see...

I can't wait!

Rum Balls - Thanks for posting the design sketch!

the plan mentions "uplit tiki statue topped with torch flame"!
Sweet!

UPDATE: The TV-Portland FB page now says "opening in June"

https://www.facebook.com/vicspdx

The official news release went out this morning. You can check it out at http://tinyurl.com/vicspdx.

You got a non working link there, here you go...

http://eon.businesswire.com/news/eon/20110504005547/en/tiki-bar/mai-tai/tiki-lounge

On 2011-05-04 16:16, drewgroove wrote:
You got a non working link there, here you go...

http://eon.businesswire.com/news/eon/20110504005547/en/tiki-bar/mai-tai/tiki-lounge

Need to check that out. Thanks for the assist. Mai Tai on me.

As a former Portlander, my familiarity with the Benson is as the former residence of Leroy Vinegar, the premier Jazz bassist who lived there through the '80's and into the '90's. When I do make it back there, I look forward to visiting TV's at that location!!

"Trader Vic's Returns to Portland" signs are in the windows!

sounds like time for a Portland bar crawl.
Thatch, Alibi and Trader Vics.
is there any other tiki bars there?

Jeff(btd)

On 2011-05-10 11:03, bigtikidude wrote:
sounds like time for a Portland bar crawl.
Thatch, Alibi and Trader Vics.
is there any other tiki bars there?

Jeff(btd)

No but we have some awesome home bars! Tiki Kon IX is July 15-17!

http://tikikon.com/

On 2011-05-10 11:03, bigtikidude wrote:
sounds like time for a Portland bar crawl.
Thatch, Alibi and Trader Vics.
is there any other tiki bars there?

Jeff(btd)

No but we have some awesome home bars! Tiki Kon IX is July 15-17!

http://tikikon.com/

What's "Tiki Kon"?
The link is just a picture?

Tiki Kon is the annual weekend tiki fest here in Portland. Check out the TK Facebook page for goodies on past ones.

I'm in Portland. Shoot me a link. I can't find it.

Trader Vic's web page has a running clock counting down for the Portland opening. Right now it says it will open in 14 days 8 hours and change. That be June 29th by my figurin'. Too late for my next run into town. Darn.

Apparently they've had to push back the opening.
They're now saying they're shooting for July 26th.

Still looking good for opening on July 26. In the meantime, the first 2 of 5 tikis that will stand watch over the outside of the building are done. Here they are along with the artist who carved them.

Drove by the new Trader Vic's location on our trip to Portland last week just to stick out my lower lip because I knew it wouldn't be open yet. :( A Vic's smack dab in downtown Portland sounds like a grand idea to me. And kudos to the new owners for caring enough about the origins of Vic's and our little Tiki community here to post updates and photos for us. That's a good sign and not one to be taken for granted. Looking forward to the grand opening reports!

Many thanks for the kind words. Several of the key people behind bringing Trader Vic's to Portland are driven by a lifelong passion for the brand. They are former regulars from the Golden Age of tiki when Trader Vic's was THE place to celebrate, conduct business or just get away. Their interest in getting it right goes far deeper than simply turning a profit. It's going to be worth the wait.

[ Edited by: TraderVic'sPDX 2011-06-23 10:26 ]

I popped in there to say hi. Under the rouse of asking to use the restroom, I took a leisurely stroll through the place.

Awesome job they are doing. They've excised any remains of the corporate Manzanas and the Palamino, and replaced it with beautiful tapa cloth wall coverings. The lamps are slick, and the roof is a woven thatch material I haven't even seen before.

Yes, the giant clay oven was there. and, it looked like they figured out the bar/dining ratio (meaning bigger bar!) unlike our friends at the Bellevue TV (R.I.P.)

Can't wait to welcome them into the community.
Robert
Thatch Tiki Bar

Nice interview with chef Mike in EAT BEAT Blog. Mike has worked at a number of Trader Vic's locations around the country including Atlanta. I've had the pleasure of tasting a few of his dishes including one he's created just for the Portland restaurant and the man can cook!

http://www.portlandmonthlymag.com/blogs/eat-beat/5-questions-for-trader-vics-new-portland-chef-michael-broderick-june-2011/

[ Edited by: TraderVic'sPDX 2011-06-28 17:45 ]

Quick update on opening -- a few pieces of the puzzle are falling into place a little late causing us to bump opening out by a few days. The first day we'll be open to the public will be the 28th. Grand Opening is August 1 and we'll be celebrating all month with entertainment, give-aways, etc. We hate to do this (we are as excited as everyone else to get rolling) but it has to be right. See you soon and thanks for the patience. In the meantime, we know Tiki Kon will satisfy the tiki cravings -- at least this weekend -- see you there!

On 2011-06-22 15:02, TraderVic'sPDX wrote:
Still looking good for opening on July 26. In the meantime, the first 2 of 5 tikis that will stand watch over the outside of the building are done. Here they are along with the artist who carved them.

Looks promising.

Want to be among the very first to try the new Trader Vic's Portland? You can now make reservations on Open Table. The Grand Opening is Aug. 1 but you can get in one of the soft openings as early as July 28.

I've been going to Portland about once a year for 30 years. I hope this makes it as I need someplace new to visit. Also hoping for a regular con there!

I happened to be in Portland today and took a look (though unfortunately I won't be here for opening day). Very cool- workers frantically hanging doors and setting up tikis, but dinner tables and bar are completed. LOTS of attention to detail. It is going to be a great environment!

dcman

We took a ton of photos last night. Should have them up by tomorrow morning. The place looks incredible!

Here's a few of the photos we took Monday night. Hope you enjoy them and they give a sense of just how amazing the place turned out!

thanks, looks amazing! :D

On 2011-07-27 09:17, Johnny Dollar wrote:
thanks, looks amazing! :D

You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed the photos.

Indeed! I already wanna go back! Jeff, you gotta shoot the entrance and the big Tikis for me.

On 2011-07-27 14:20, bigbrotiki wrote:
Indeed! I already wanna go back! Jeff, you gotta shoot the entrance and the big Tikis for me.

Will do Sven! One more reason to head down there again!

And, as a reminder, the Grand Opening is not until Monday (starting at 3:00), but you are all free to come check it out in "soft opening" mode starting today at 5:00, which is the time we'll be opening for the next 4 days. You can make a reservation on Open Table or call.