Trader Vic
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Trader Vic is also the nickname of wall street trader Victor Sperandeo.
Victor Jules Bergeron, Jr. (December 10, 1902 – October 11, 1984) was the founder of a chain of Polynesian-themed restaurants that bore his nickname, Trader Vic, and one of two people who claimed to have invented the Maitai. The other was his amicable competitor for many years, Don the Beachcomber.
Bergeron attended Heald College in San Francisco, California[1]. Starting with $700 in 1932, Bergeron opened a small bar/restaurant across from his parent's grocery store in Oakland, California named Hinky Dink's. As its popularity spread, the menu and decor developed an increasingly tropical flair; Hinky Dink's soon became Trader Vic's.
During the Tiki culture fad of the '50s and '60s, as many as 25 Trader Vic's restaurants were in operation around the world, all featuring the popular mix of Polynesian artifacts, unique cocktails, and exotic cuisine. While many of the original locations have since closed, 23 exist around the globe today. Current locations: Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.; Beverly Hills, California, U.S.A.; Emeryville, California, U.S.A.; Palo Alto, California, U.S.A.; San Francisco, California, U.S.A.; Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.; Bellevue, Washington, U.S.A.; Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.A; Manama, Bahrain; London, England; Berlin, Germany; Hamburg, Germany; Munich, Germany; Tokyo, Japan; Beirut, Lebanon; Muscat, Oman; Marbella, Spain; Taipei, Taiwan; Bangkok, Thailand; Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.; Al Ain, U.A.E.; Dubai Crowne Plaza, U.A.E.; Dubai Souk Madinat, U.A.E.
Trader Vic's is experiencing a resurgence with three confirmed opening dates and at least 3 still in the works.
Soon to be opening locations: Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A at the Desert Passage shopping center, June 2007
Newest locations: Dallas, Texas, U.S.A. at the [[2]Hotel Palomar, March 2007; Bellevue, Wash. U.S.A., and Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.A., June 9, 2006.
Most recent closing: Osaka, Japan June 30, 2006.
Trader Vic also published several books of recipes and stories, including Trader Vic's Book of Food and Drink and Trader Vic's Kitchen Kibitzer.
[edit] References in popular culture
- Warren Zevon, on his 1978 album Excitable Boy, released the popular single "Werewolves of London". The song's lyrics include "I saw a werewolf drinking a Piña Colada at Trader Vic's; / His hair was perfect".
