Trader Vic's - Wednesday, 12/7/05 - 6:00 p.m.

A shade of melancholy and loss always tints the edges of holiday cheer. This year, it is the impending dissolution of Trader Vic's at the Palmer House on January 1, 2006. Although rumor has it a new outpost will be opened elsewhere in Chicagoland, it's hard to imagine it being superior to the original, which is as definitive a statement of Tiki Bar style and substance one could hope for. And it will also mark the elmination of my one, perennial recommendation for folks asking "What can I do in the Loop after dark?"

Wiping the mist from my glasses, let me propose an LTH outing at Trader Vic's this Wednesday, December 7 at 6:00 p.m.. Good cheer to be had by all, guaranteed (complaints to be answered by the swift and liberal administration of rum and fruit juice). Plus, it's $5.00 Maui Zombie night!

Trader Vic's
The Palmer House Hilton
17 East Monroe Avenue
Chicago, IL 60603
Tel: (312) 917-7317
http://www.tradervics.com/rest-chicago.html

Food Nut wrote:JiLS

Until what time do you see this going?

I don't plan on making a late night of it; in fact, I'll probably need to get out of there by 8:00 or 9:00 at the latest. However, others should feel free to drop in and hang around whenever (and as late) as they like!

Hi,

I heard about this the other day. My parents went there on dates before they married. I just suggested to my Dad to take Mom there before they close (or possibly move).

Thanks for the reminder ... I'll be at a Christmas Party in Northbrook on Wednesday!

Regards,

El Panzone wrote:can't make it but please let me know if they still have the free poo-poo platter and half-price mai-tais on thursday nites. thankis.

I don't know about the snacks, but the Mai Tai special is still on for Thursdays. I can't make it this week, but my husband would never forgive me if we did not return in time for one more Pork Chop Hawaiian. I hope the rumors of re-opening in another location are true.

Kristen

El Panzone wrote:can't make it but please let me know if they still have the free poo-poo platter and half-price mai-tais on thursday nites. thankis.

The poo-poo platter at TV's is called Cosmo Tidbits. If I make it down there on Wednesday, I'll definately be having one.

stevez wrote:

El Panzone wrote:can't make it but please let me know if they still have the free poo-poo platter and half-price mai-tais on thursday nites. thankis.

The poo-poo platter at TV's is called Cosmo Tidbits. If I make it down there on Wednesday, I'll definately be having one.

I'm REALLY no fan, neither of classic Hi Howe, duck sauce and chow mein style Chinese food, nor "Polynesian" food (where'd they get cream cheese in Rangoon?), but unlike PDaane, I actually liked the tidbits. Moreover, the space remains ideal. As I noted last night, there is no way, with modern construction techniques and budgets to ever have a space like this again. It is worth visiting just to take in the achitecture.

But don't expect much in the way of service. The guys clearly got the message that their jobs are not long for this world and getting a second mai tai for our table was quite an ordeal.

Thanks again Jim for organizing.

Rob

Like all LTH events, the best part of the evening was the company. Despite the difficulty in getting served (JiLS actually had to get up and find our waiter so we could place an order), the drinks were great, and I enjoyed the tidbits. I was a little dumbfounded that there were no parasols in our cocktails, even though pdaane specifically ASKED for them.

I know there are plans in the works to move Trader Vic's to another location. I suggest another round of drinks when it is reincarnated in the new space.

Thanks, Jim, for putting this together.

Suzy

Vital Information wrote:I'm REALLY no fan, neither of classic Hi Howe, duck sauce and chow mein style Chinese food,

Rob

Sorry to have missed TV yesterday, I've been down with a brutal cold.

Just thought I'd clarify your Hi Howe reference, I'm not sure how many on the board are familiar with a long shuttered Chinese restaurant on North Cicero. Hi Howe was a long standing fixture for Northwest Chicago (proper) and Lincolnwood lovers of American/Chinese or, as it's sometimes referred to on LTH, Schaumburg/Chinese.

Did you ever eat at Hi Howe?

Oh, by the way, did you know Hi Howe was one of my favorites? Yep, I really loved the American/Jewish/Cantonese there. Though Kow Kow, another Ameri/Canton stalwart on North Cicero, has taken over Hi Howe's spot admirably.

See you Sat, I'll bring both canned food and money.

Enjoy,
Gary

Sorry we missed everybody... wound up getting to TV's about 8:15. The bar was deserted, but we had no trouble ordering up some appetizers. I truly hope this place gets reincarnated!

P.S. As I was leaving I grabbed a flyer for their new year's eve party- 9pm - midnight, open bar, appetizer & dessert buffet for $85/person.

magpie1140 wrote:Sorry we missed everybody... wound up getting to TV's about 8:15. The bar was deserted, but we had no trouble ordering up some appetizers. I truly hope this place gets reincarnated!

Gosh, I think pdaane, VI an I were there until past that time...we were not at the bar. Sorry we missed you,

Hammond

You see, this is why we need the LTH Personal GPS Tracking Implants ... or at least LTH baseball caps to be worn to all LTH outings.

Usually, if I know people are coming, even if I haven't met them before, the LTH equivalent of gaydar kicks in and I sense their presence.

Hammond

Hammond wrote:Usually, if I know people are coming, even if I haven't met them before, the LTH equivalent of gaydar kicks in and I sense their presence.

I have had it click in at non-Events but by how the people ordered at the next table.

Regards,

Then, of course there was my meal in Las Vegas where the "chowdar" kicked in and I met two LA Chowhound posters at Lotus of Siam who I joined for a dinner feast.

stevez wrote:Then, of course there was my meal in Las Vegas where the "chowdar" kicked in and I met two LA Chowhound posters at Lotus of Siam who I joined for a dinner feast.

Is that Manhattan-style chowdar or creamy New England-style chowdar?

Giovanna

[Obviously, it's a Chicago chowdar, but I don't know what our tradition would look like... smoked chub chowdar? chowdar with vienna dogs and some neon relish garnished floating on the top.... well, I leave the formulation of a proper Chicago chowdar to minds more awake than mine....]