Love trader vics!! I come here once a week. The food is fantastic but the drinks are even better! The mai tais are perfect and the environment is lovely. The Windows open in the summer time so it's nice and breezy inside and its so warm and cozy during winter time. Its like being on a warm island in the middle.of the city.
(5)
Victoria J.
Okay...first of all our wait person, Justin, was great...that's it. We were a party of 8 on a Monday (with res) and it was not crowded. The entree's took over an hour to appear and three of us ordered the Mahi Mahi....ewwww. The "crunchy macadamia/coconut crust" was soggy (as if it set under the warming lights for awhile) and the fish was dry and tasteless. One of our party ordered a steak and it was tasty, but cold. We were told that there was only one portion of Poki salad left because it was a popular dish on the weekend...kind of worrisome, as Poki is raw marinated tuna, so how old was this last portion, anyhow? This is the second time we have been to Trader Vic's and we were disappointed the first time, but gave it another try...won't be back. There are so many great restaurants in Portland, why waste time and money on a inferior one?
(1)
Aaron P.
Recently we had our post-wedding celebration at Trader Vic's. The staff, food, and service was incredible. They went above and beyond our requests and made our big day very memorable. If you would like to do something special, regardless of the occasion, contact Trader Vic's 'private dining' specialist Karah! She was extremely friendly and very creative with making our event unique. Beautiful atmosphere, tasty food, good prices, and amazing drinks!
(5)
Pete H.
Solid apps here. Some really tasty breaded shrimps, fresh rolls and sliders. But the real powerhouse are the drinks. Some damn strong Mai-Tai voodoo is happening here.
(3)
Ron And Anita T.
Had happy hour cocktails at Trader Vics in the Pearl District on a recent visit to Portland, OR. I know that the reviews are mixed, but for what we had, it was really very good. Plenty of space, not crowded and attentive service. You need to try the bourbon concocted mai tais; a cut above the usual rum flavored variety!
(3)
Anthony B.
Caveat - It's really all about the bar. Yeah it's a chain, but it's one of my new favorite places! The bar has this great vibe to it, the drinks are fun, the staff is friendly, and the pupus taste great. Mai Tai is crazy good - Not too sweet and made with the most perfect ice on the planet. Overall it's a great happy hour/ pre-funk/ hang out for a while kind of a place.
its a fun place! we LOVE hawaii and when we crave the islands, we go get a mai-tai at trader vic's. they're delicious! the pupus are ok. we honestly simply go there for their tropical drinks and the very sweet and friendly bar area staff, versus the food. though i have to say that their ahi poke is pretty dang good!
(4)
Well-Traveled I.
When I was in college, paying for a cheap drink that had more alcohol than other necessary ingredient(s) was the way to go. You wanted to get drunk; you didn't want to appreciate the finer art of mixology. Flash-forward to 30-something professional who wants to enjoy the drink. If you want to savor a drink, Trader Vic's is more the the place to get good drinks during happy hour but, as another poster pointed out, hide your wallet when it comes to ordering the food. The happy hour Crab Rangoons were bland; for a dollar or two more, I could've eaten much better ones at any other Thai place in town or the 'burbs for that matter. The pork sliders were OK, but nothing to jump for joy over and I was still hungry after eating both appetizers. The basket of fries, however, were quite tasty and I recommend them. Our waitress was your typical tatted PDX gal who looked like she had better things to do than wait on our table. I joked with my friends we could've walked out of there without paying if we left one-by-one; I joke, of course, but it's probably good for business to see if your customers still have a pulse and if they want to order anything else. It's pretty loud (as happy hour should be), so if you want intimate, don't go here. Given its location, it's also a pretty good mini-meat market for the Pearl crowd. Decor is actually pretty cool though. Overall, go for drinks at Happy Hour then head to another establishment for food (as there are plenty) in the Pearl worth your money.
(2)
Whitney W.
I'm really between 3 and 4 stars here. This is an amazing place to come on a Tuesday night, the bar will be vacant, you can crawl into dark corner and have a nice drink with multiple straws for your duo or trio. The drinks have solid tiki flare, prepared well, and pretty strong. I met up with some people on a Friday night to go somewhere else after they had been at Trader Vics and it was a scene just to get to the bar and close the tab... that's... not my thing, so I would designate this a weekday joint. If you're here with your Aunt Edna who usually picks Applebee's off the chain list, you might have a rad evening of tiki time, instead of vests full o' flair. She'll have some fun, you'll want to go eat somewhere else, or even pick up a burrito from a truck on the way home, after all that rum delight grog sloshing around in your stomach. The problem is... the food. Maybe a snack if needed, but really, stick with the drinks. The peanut butter mousse (that's food, right?) HOWEVER, is outrageously delicious. The walk to the bathroom is great, the decor is tops. Decor. Drinks. Dessert. That's what's good about it.
(3)
Mikaela S.
Again a pregnant woman reviewing a bar, what scandal! The fist thing i noticed when i checked out the menu was their designated driver menu, hells to the yes! I went into this tiki bar with my grandmother, aunt and sister for a ladies night and since i was the only one who couldn't drink i was prepared to be "that person" and try to order something virgin, no need though- they have virgin menu! I got the mango, coconut peach something or the other and it was delicious. Everyone else gt tropical drinks and then wine. The only complaint is that the singer was very....enthusiastic. He would be singing a mello tune an then suddenly wammy! He is belting it all out! Other than that, great drinks!
(4)
Spencer D.
The overall ambiance of the restaurant is pretty cool. It's not casual, but not dressy and there are interesting things to look at all over the place. Other than that, my experience was barely a meh. The person I was with had a terrific porkchop and the mashed potatoes were very tasty. The appetizer we got, the asparagus, was good initially but then as the taste started to set in it was overly smokey. It actually got sort of gross toward the end. I always finish my food, especially at expensive restaurants, and I left probably a third of this appetizer behind. My dinner was an utter disappointment. I got the "orange chicken." Which, according to what I can decipher, means they dyed the chicken orange and put it over some Uncle Ben's rice. There was absolutely zero flavor to it. I had to ask for an extra thing of the sauce they supposedly used to cook it in and even after dumping half of it over my plate, it still had virtually no taste. The only thing that was good was the warm pineapple. I asked the server if they forgot to do something with it and suggested dumping more sauce on it. Even she said the chicken looked a little dry when she brought it.
(2)
Michael F.
Great rum drinks. The inside is retro fun. It looks like your Grandpa's basement bar. Pass on the rib appetizer. Fun place to bring friends.
(3)
Pete L.
Oba is right next door. Please save money and your stomach and go to Oba or somewhere else. We were there tonight and were just able to make it about half way home and I needed a restroom. The next stop was for a pepto-Bismol - max. The chicken lettuce cups arrived cold and had to be returned and reheated. My burger reminded me of something made somewhere else and reheated, but not refrigerated while waiting to be prepared for clients. The Mai Tai was a joke. All ice, no liquor. All that said, the service was worse. When he graced us with his presence he acted like he was doing a favor. And his attitude would explain the cold food and the fact we had to go to bar for the additional items we needed.
(1)
Monica B.
I was recently at Trader Vic's for a second time for their happy hour. I didn't have a full meal, only wine, a pork slider and a few of the crab rangoon. The slider was amazing and crab rangoon was very good dipped in their spicy mustard. The service was friendly and responsive, so overall a very good experience. I'll definitely be back for happy hour and hopefully next time for dinner too.
(4)
Angie J.
Service was great, atmosphere was great, food was great, drinks were awesome. We started with some happy hour mai tai's and apps in the bar, then moved to the dining room for dinner. The ribs on our cosmo tidbits were so good that I ordered them again as my entree, and my wife got probably the best mahi mahi I've ever tasted. We opted to pass on desserts because we had filled up on everything else, but we'll be back for sure. Definitely a good spot to escape the chilly Portland winter!
(4)
Ellie B.
Strong Maui Mai Thai! Friendly service and I love Polynesian decor. They seem to be true to what I imagine the original trader Vic's to be. I'll get there someday. They opened early because it was a nice day but they didn't have their full menu available. It was a nice place to relax and chat.
(4)
Brian C.
Dinner Feb 2 Very underwhelming dining experience, had great expectations too. Beautiful location in Pearl District. Interesting decor inside, lots of tiki wood, very South Pacific looking themed, which sorta reminded me of my buddy's parents' house that was decorated in 1961 and stayed that way until they died. - Mixed drinks were loved by all, especially the Mai Tai's - The Chinese Oven was very cool, neat to see. - The desserts were out of this world, Whoever the pastry chef is there is a genius! The Smores came out with there on little hibachi and the marshmallows were made fresh at the restaurant. The Rum flavored IceCream with Pralines was bursting with flavor! - Salmon was liked by those that ordered it, but it was very boring and plain. - Pork Chop had a great smokey flavor, very moist and cooked perfectly. Thought the BBQ Sauce/glaze could have been sweeter. It just didn't seem to go well with the Chop. - All Appetizers were a waste of money. Bland, boring, flavorless, small. Calamari was basic (did like the aioli sauce), Sampler Platter had terrible Crab Rangoon ( any Chinese Restaurant has better), BBQ Spareribs and Sliced Pork were dry and cool, Coconut Shrimp pedestrian...Worst part was there were no special dipping sauces that were unique or different. They kept bringing out a tangy ketchup and Chinese mustard - both very simple. For the money we paid we were expecting much, much more. If I ever went again, it would be for drinks an dessert only. Unfortunately, there are so many great restaurants in the Pearl District, let alone Portland, I may never get back.
(2)
Chris B.
Solid three stars. Awesome tiki decor and great drinks. I had requested a nice table via my online reservation and they put us in the worst table in the place, in the far corner away from all the tiki stuff staring into the kitchen. I requested a better table and the waitress seemed confused what was wrong with it. If I wanted bland atmosphere, I would have gone to Denny's...well, OK, not Denny's, but you get the idea. Waitress was nice and friendly, but service was poor and she was MIA for long stretches of time. They screwed up one of our orders, but took a drink off the tab when we didn't like it. Food was better than I expected given the reviews here...the men's room was a like a downtown bus station's. Unghhh.... Their snowball desert was terrific!
(3)
Travis S.
Ugh! First meal during Portland Dining Month (2012) was a decent Filet Mignon, a brunch the following weekend was so-so, but our third visit (dinner) was absolutely boring. For $21, an orange chicken dish should taste far superior to Panda Express, and a bit better than Cheesecake Factory. Unfortunately this orange chicken didn't have any flavor, at all (really, I didn't even taste the chicken). In fact, the only thing I could really taste was the burned chicken hairs on the skin of the chicken chunks. It was so bad, I asked for more sauce, thinking maybe they'd forgotten to add the sauce, nope, that wasn't it. The small sauce dish with whatever-sauce-it-was-supposed-to-be had no flavor either. The upside? I ate the pineapple wedges around the perimeter.
(1)
Chase L.
Great outdoor seating and Hawaiian ambience. Upscale clientele and a huge cocktail menu. Drinks you will not find in most Portland bars. I had the fillet, it was delicious and perfectly prepared.
(5)
Wolf L.
Dumb. We wanted to celebrate my daughter's 21st birthday at a special locale. Someplace we could get the girl all liquored up with fruity tropical drinks. Trader Vic's sounded like the perfect place. However, daughter's boyfriend is not yet 21 so we called ahead to see if he would be allowed inside. We were told that "minors" are not allowed in the bar, but were welcome in the dining room, so we loaded everyone into the Family Truckster and headed downtown. When we arrived, we were told that underagers are only allowed at the tables outside, which isn't what we were told on the phone. The dining room was practically empty at 5:00 on a weekday, but we were told there were no tables available until 8:30. Really? Was there a party of a zillion expected at 5:05? I could understand if the joint was slammed, but there were a ton of empty tables in that dining room and I didn't see anybody waiting for a table. We asked if we could put our name down for one of the outside tables, but we were told they are "first come, first serve". WTF? Were we supposed to hover over a table and snag it as soon as somebody left? The little hostesses seemed completely uninterested in our patronage. We milled around on the sidewalk for a few minutes, fired up the Yelp app and found another place to celebrate. I spent $120 at the other establishment. They seemed f**king happy as hell to get my wallet cracked open, too. Seriously, Trader Vic's, can you send that kind of money out the door? I'll never cross your threshold again and (as you can see from this review) I'll tell everyone I know how lame you are.
(1)
Orian I.
I'm gonna calls this tropical olive garden. it's very contrived big corporate and you can smell that a mile a way. our server had that very disingenuous stiff semi fake friendliness which makes me cringe. perhaps she was mad we weren't doing full meals, but then again I didn't really see anything on their menu which could be considered "full meals" I had the trader vics mai tai, which was really delicious, until I found out they use a mix? what? this is confusing to me. the burger ordered was enormous, the fries were meh, cold but the curry ketchup was decent. had it not been for the good company I had with the lady business womans networking group I was with I would have walked out.
(2)
Guido F.
I'm a neighborhood local and this place is my go to. Solid drinks, REAL Mai Tais, the staff are always friendly and go out of their way to find us an outside spot in the summer so we can have our dogs with us. We generally hit the late happy hour but special dinners and out of town guests always mean at least one dinner here. We've never been let down by the food (not sure how barrel/oven works but barrel roasted meat-nothing like it!). Nice that the manager always takes a minute to chat too!
(5)
Geoff K.
Trader Vics is often knocked as a 'chain', while it is a franchise, each one (except for the one in Emeryville, CA) is individually owned. The Pearl incarnation of Trader Vics is actually the 2nd one in Portland. The original Trader Vics was in the spot at the Benson Hotel now occupied by El Gaucho. Trader Vics brought in exceptionally accomplished and talented training staff to open this location and it shows. The drinks, while Tiki are fairly balanced. Yes some of the bigger cocktails are more expensive, but that's more a function of the fact that the OLCC marks up all the booze in this state by 107%!!! The food is flavorful and fun. We've had the ribs, shrimp. ahi tuna and the little skewers of beef that you toast over an open flame. Everything we had was dialed in, well cooked and extremely flavorful. Yes some of the items are a little on the spendy side so you need to order carefully or you can rack up quite a bill. The staff is extremely friendly, they have the perfect balance of making sure you have a good time and not checking in too much. Great bartenders who always help make the experience a fun one. Portland has been severely lacking in non-hipster, non-douchey, fun places to go drink and eat and Trader Vics has knocked it out of the park for that especially at its bar.
(4)
Chris F.
Went here for my birthday dinner. We showed up early and had a wonderful experience in the bar. Once our table was ready, it all went downhill. The waitress was less than helpful, when we asked about certain items, due to food allergies, she told us the dishes would be fine. Unfortunately, when my friends dish came, there was a huge chunk of pineapple right on top. Which he is allergic to. Anytime we needed anything she was unavailable. However, other staff members were helpful when we could catch them. Upon leaving, the hostess told us it was that servers last night there.
(2)
Miles N.
First a quick note to some of the negative reviews: Tropical Olive Garden?!? Seriously? There are artifacts at this Portland location that are over 100 years old, give it some respect. Its apparent that the Portland Hipster is not down with the T.V. tiki vibe. Great! I Look forward to sharing the bar next time with someone "older" who actually understands the scene. There are some serious issues that need to be worked out as far as the seating but overall I enjoyed my time here. Drinks were all great! As is any serious polynesian drink drinker Im pretty uptight about my mai tais. These are legit! All the drinks Ive tried so far are excellent. Next time your there order off the menu and get a "Nelson's Blood". Its a drink thats coming soon and may be my favorite. Food is expensive and portions are small, but what I ate was good. I cant afford it again anytime soon however I will be going back often for drinks and appetizers.
(4)
Bob S.
Had reservations on Valentine's Day so keep that in mind but bottom line, it was just "average". Good atmosphere and fabulous cocktail menu overshadowed by slow service and uninteresting food. We tried a variety of appetizers and 4 different entrees but nothing was much of a hit ... except for the lettuce wraps (chicken) we had as a starter. Luckily we had a great table because we were in the restaurant for nearly 3 hours. Dessert was slow in arriving but the vanilla ice cream sunday with coconut crust was really good. Probably a better dining choice on a warm summer evening.
(3)
Alex L.
Oh lordy. This place was like going to a tiki style Olive Garden. As an L.A. native I have had the pleasure of being able to frequent the famed BH Hilton Trader Vic's and this was obviously a far cry. I went in hoping to experience some of the same nostalgia, but everything was so cookie cutter and weird. Too bourgeoise. I know it is the Pearl District and all, but I guess I had rosey colored lenses on when I made the decision. Drinks: I got the standby Mai Tai and it was pretty good! No complaints. Food: SO BAD. We order the salmon chips. They were somehow really bland, but really fishy and salty. It was as if this was salmon used for another dish normally, but they tried to transfer it over to this. Not good. We also got the edamame hummus. Ew. The chips they came with weren't even good. WTF. Talk about bland! Seriously guys, Trader Joe's is up the street. Go there if you want some good edamame hummus. We did have the Maui Wowi or however you spell it shrimp. That was good. It's kind of impossible to mess up fried shrimp. Basically we left and went to Oba's. Oh well, you can't win 'em all. I would definitely maybe possibly come back here late nite when there aren't so many middle-aged weirdos in khaki shorts hanging around. In closing. Drinks - aight. Food - bad. Service - meh. Not impressed with the highly anticipated return of this restaurant to PDX. boohoo.
(2)
Bill N.
Sat at the bar and had a couple of nostalgic fancy drinks. The food didn't look that interesting but that is not why you should go here. Just a place with a old school hawaiian atmosphere that serves fun pricy drinks. They have a bunch of weird mugs and glasses for all their different concoctions. It would be nice to see this place succeed. The comeback attempt in Bellevue, WA didn't last very long.
(4)
Vince D.
Love it. Big, dark, and authentic. Better food that other Trader Vic's restaurants and the same tropical drinks you've come to love. It's a faux-tropical winner.
(5)
Stuart B.
Summed up: Trader Vic's is a decent chain style restaurant with decent interior and atmosphere. Stick it out in Beaverton or Tualatin and it would be the hottest place in town. However it is entirely outclassed in quality, value, and execution by almost all the restaurants around it. It's just way out of it's league in the pearl. Went here for happy hour on a first Thursday so obviously it was busy, so I completely understand that it was packed and the only table available was a tiny bar table crammed in the corner. However, as to that table. It was wobbly and it wreaked like rotting pineapple in our corner. Combined with the low lighting and aforementioned wobbly table, the effect would be surmised as: fraternity basement. - The worst tables at, for example, Oba, are well lit and smell like... nothing. Drinks - We ordered a $24 "rum keg," which is a porcelain bowl filled with some kind of fruity rum concoction. The beverage reminded me of a better made version of what comes out of coolers at college jungle juice parties. A pitcher of house margaritas from, lets say, Oba, costs less, tastes better, and contains more booze. 4 martinis from Vault cost the same and make this thing look like a Sorority initiation joke. Food - Wanting a light meal I ordered some kind of braised meat tacos for $9. Assuming that $9 = cheap entree, I was shocked when four tiny crispy things with some meat in them arrived at my table. These would constitute a mediocre HH item at blue hour. El Matador on 23rd will give you an incredible plate of Enchiladas for $13 with sides. They tasted alright, I would've paid $5 for them. Oba was doing happy hour right then, could've had one of the best burgers + fries for $6. Service - Best part. Our waitress was fun. She was cute. She made jokes about the crowd. If she reads this - get a job across the street making better tips and they'll let you dress better. Longer summary: All and all Trader Vic's is pricing and acting like it's one of the best restaurants in its hood. It's not, not even close, so you're going to have to either lower your prices or vastly up your value/quality. Competitors have better food for less coin with more tasteful designs and no rotting food smells.
(2)
Susan W.
An impromptu meet up with friends at Trader Vics was a great way to spend a Saturday night. The food was pretty darn good, but don't come here if you're a foodie expecting something supremely spectacular. We shared a bunch of different plates and the general consensus was that everything was very tasty and reasonably priced. While I wouldn't put this at the top of my list for a date night, it was perfect for a fun night out with a group. With an overwhelming list of rum and specialty cocktails, it was amusing to try different things and share amongst ourselves. I wouldn't normally order a fruity drink, but when in Rome...or a tiki bar, who doesn't want a drink in a coconut?
(4)
Andrea G.
I had my first Trader Vic's experience. After living on the west coast for a few years, you'd think I would have heard about this place, but no. Finally broke that cherry! I didn't have a full-on meal here, but just some tastes of various appetizers. They have some crab and cream cheese won tons that are definitely quite tasty, but overall, I wasn't too impressed with the food. The drinks are where it's at for this place. They make their own rum. I had the mai tai and the volcano. Both were quite tasty. Definitely one of the better mai tais that I've had on the mainland! The downside is that the drinks are a bit more pricey than I would prefer.
(3)
Joe W.
Stop me if you've heard this one, a priest, a rabbi and a kama'aina walk into a World Market.... no, seriously? Well at least that's what was going through my head as I walked into Trader Vic's. After treating myself to a movie I decided to stop for a cocktail and late evening appetizer on the walk home (because if I don't get the benefit of the actual regrettable moments I get on an actual dates the next best thing is regretting my poor late night drink/food choices). Friendly staff, good beer & really good ahi poke. Not as much character/flavor layers as typical poke, but super high quality ahi, mango and avocado. Although for $12 I would hope so. Felt a little cheesy with the atmosphere but look forward to trying again.
(4)
Bettie D.
What a disappointment. After watching the build-out (have some wonderful memories of the SF TV), met some GFs there with eager anticipation of a great time. We were not given a wine list - I guess the assumption is everybody drinks mai tais. And no happy hour prices!! The noise level was unbelievable - three women sitting around a table the size of a napkin and we couldn't hear each other talk. We had to yell, I swear. The interior decoration is all light-absorbing - leaves and fronds and bamboo and wood - there's not a bright spot in the place. The food and beverage servers were in the most dour outfits possible - they looked like Pan Am stewardesses from the 50's and, as it was explained by the F&B manager, Well, that's what they wear in the original TVs in Vacaville or wherever so they are wearing those uniforms here as well. I reminded him all the marketing of this TV says, basically, it's not only your father's Trader Vics but has a fresh, modern vibe. Well, I say put some colorful sarongs on those poor women and release them from all that black polyester. Something that enhances their beauty and removes their likely embarassment. of looking Amish. Not that there's anything wrong with looking Amish if you are Amish. Those women are not serving drinks at Trader Vics. Lastly, a $40 steak? Are you out of your mind? Another friend tried it on opening night (8/1) and said it was the worst steak he's ever had - took five bites and couldn't eat another bite. Hey, it's Portland, people!! 2011 Portland Pearl District with fantastic happy hours galore everywhere!! You'll get loads of curious, first-time guests but wake up if you want any repeat business!!
(2)
Marianne S.
For me, this place lands itself somewhere between "alright" and "not so great" on the restaurant quality continuum. Let me break it down... Food: I went here for happy hour and sampled a few dishes. I had the edamame hummus.... super bland, the cheese dings... not bad but the sauces did not compliment, and some type of chips. All were sub par. Drinks: I had the Trader Vic's Mai Tai. It was not bad and the presentation was nice. Well worth the $6 happy hour price. Service: Average. With the exception of the fact that our waters were not refilled even once during the whole time we were there. Atmosphere: I appreciated the atmosphere at Trader Vic's. The place was decorated tiki bar style without being tacky. I also like that there is outdoor seating and large windows that open up on nice days. Overall, I won't be going back unless it's just for drinks.
(2)
Travis P.
Just returned to Portland from a trip to Hawaii and wasn't yet ready to retire the vacation vibe, so 5 of us ventured to Trader Vic's to keep it alive just a bit longer. Turns out, we should have let go of the Hawaii vibe while we were on the islands, because this was a disappointment. Yes, the food was pretty decent (2 had fish, 2 had duck and 1 had lamb), but it's pricey. And, yes, the mai tais were decent, but not ah-ma-zing, as they should have been from the creator of the mai tai. But what really got me was the service. For a relatively expensive restaurant, I expected experienced and polished wait staff. They weren't. We placed two wine orders (in addition to the mai tais) and for both orders, the waitress had to return to the table a second time to ask "which wine was that again?" She also showed up seconds after our main courses were delivered and asked "how's everything tasting," to which I replied "I don't know, it just arrived." And then, she never returned to inquire if it actually was ok. The restaurant was pretty empty when we were there (a Sunday night), but with plenty of staff (I think 5-7 people tended to our table at various times), there was no excuse for less than exemplary service. No wonder it was so quiet, which is a shame because it's a great space and such potential for a fun experience.
(2)
Lindsay H.
Better "Hawaiian" food than Hawaii, that's for sure. My boyfriend and I went here for our anniversary. We stuffed our faces and drank bowl tiki drinks till we could't see straight. Damn good food, friendly server, fun and nostalgic atmosphere. Better than the other usual special occasion places, you know who you are... Cheaper than Hawaii. ;)
(5)
Steve H.
Service was excellent, spot on and timely, very pleasant. Loved the atmosphere which can be scary because you hope they put that much effort in their food.......did they?.....kind of. There is more effort in the cocktails and I suggest the Original Trader Vics 193? Mai tai. My dinner was very good but a little salty, maybe it's because I had more Asian fare (pork wan ton soup) and it's not truly that kind of place. I will try it again as i always give someplace two chances or maybe I'll just drink. :)
(3)
Robert R.
So happy that Vic is back in Portland. We came for a couple of after dinner cocktails and had an absolutely wonderful time. We popped into one of the bar side tables and were promptly greeted by a friendly server. I had the Samoan fog cutter and the Mrs. had a pina-colda type drink that was very tasty. For a Sunday night the place was packed but everyone who came in the door was promptly greeted and seated in short order. We can not wait to go back.
(5)
steve D.
A far cry from the original trader Vic's at the benson hotel. Maybe the decorator should have gone to the Alibi to steal some ideas. Just sayin.....
(1)
Christine F.
I was very excited to try Trader Vic's, since I love Mai Thai's. I tried 2 of their Mai Thai's, the 1944 and the original. Neither of them was very impressive to me. Calamari: Well cooked, but bland. Sauce just tasted like mayo. No salt. Crab Wontons: Bland again. Served with mustard and ketchup- yuck. Crispy Duck Tacos: These were by far the worst. Completely over-salted and greasy. I will not be back. Which is too bad since I work a block away and was looking forward to having after-work drinks there from time to time.
(2)
Bonnie S.
I went the first night this location reopened in the Pearl. We had a great time! I loved the festive atmosphere and energy level of the crowd. We shared the Crab Rangoon which was amazing and the Cosmo Tidbits which was also very good. My husband had Fulton Farms 8 oz. filet. He said he really enjoyed it. I had the Crispy Duck which I though was excellent. I haven't had a lot of duck but I would get it a lot more often if it was served like this. To drink I had a Bahia (or chichi at most places) which was perfect, I followed with Iced Tea which was also very good. My hubby said the Mai Tai could have been better. He also had a Navy Grog which he loves at a different Trader Vic's location but found a bit lacking at this location. We shared Flour-less Chocolate Torte and two cups of Decaf and that was a perfect end to the evening as they were both perfect. I loved the decor. Tiki is a favorite of mine and they do it great. The waiter was helpful and prompt for how busy it was. The restrooms were well stocked and attractive (however, I hear the mens room art is way more fun). The bar is beautiful. The view of the clay oven is fascinating. The main issue I would have with this place is the price. We visit a lot of restaurants in Portland and this place is one of the more expensive. I would knock a dollar or two off of the prices and I think it would be more reasonable.
(4)
Nikee W.
I've wanted to go into Trader Vic's for a long time. I remembered visiting one in California, and thought it was very much like an adult version of Rainforest Cafe. It was the decor that stuck with me, so I was expecting much of the same when visiting the Portland location. Of course it was easy to spot with the big Tiki dudes hanging out front, and we were immediately drawn to the indoor seating near the big open windows. Sure enough the decor inside did not fail to impress. My husband loved the uniquely shaped 2 tops near the bar. We both had the signature Mai Tai's which showed no sign of weakness. We sampled an array of tasty bites from the appetizer list including the crispy prawns, BBQ spare ribs, crab rangoon, ahi poke, smoked tofu and my personal favorite the satay beef. Everything we had was delicious, but the ahi poke and the satay beef were the two stand outs. I loved the smoothness of the tuna, mango and avocado as it sat atop the crisp tarot chip. As for the satay beef it was unbelievable tender and juicy and the peanut sauce was a perfect accent. We will definitely be back next time we crave some tropical drinks and tasty Polynesian fare.
(5)
Miss E.
I was going to Portland last week and was so excited to hear about the new Trader Vic's. I had previously been to the Trader Vic's in Bellevue and in Las Vegas and was not impressed with either of them, they both seemed like half hearted attempts. The Portland Trader Vics has gone all out on the tiki decor from floor to ceiling and I think it looks wonderful. We went there for happy hour and I had a menehune juice cocktail and my mom had a guava mai tai and they were both very strong, just how I like em'. We also had the Crispy Prawns and the Crab Rangoon which were both tasty and only $5 at happy hour. Our waitress was very sweet and was knowledgeable about the menu.
(4)
Darren William M.
Yeah they have a few drinks that are to die for, however, service is average and food lacks integrity.
(2)
Melissa K.
My next-door neighbor was like Samatha on "Bewitched" in the 60's. She and her husband would drink "Suffering Bastards" on their lunch breaks and have a glass of Scotch in the afternoon. She remembers how great Trader Vic's was in the 60's in Portland. When they reopened in the Pearl, I was so excited to take her and order a "Suffering Bastard." Well, the Trader Vic's from the 60's is pretty different from the Trader Vic's in the Pearl. It's more like a restaurant at a Hawaiian resort than the smaller, personable bar that my neighbor remembers frequenting. They still put lovely flowers in your drink like orchids and sometimes gardenias (they were all out of gardenias the last two times I've been there). And they still serve strong tropical drinks and provide delicious appetizers like the crab rangoon and the beef short ribs, but the atmosphere is more commercial. We still had a great time even though they closed before midnight. I hope to come back here with my family because it's such a family friendly atmosphere, but to recapture that fun 60's bar ambiance, I'm gonna take my neighbor to "Thatch Tiki Bar" on Broadway.
(4)
Sam A.
The lamb is fantastic. The service is fast and friendly. The decor is sunny.
(5)
Erin M.
We took the kids and extended family and we all had a great experience. Some of us are veggies and were happy with the options. Very accommodating. Good food and really good drinks. Thank you for a great time!
(4)
Dawn S.
So disappointed, was hoping for an experience. This could be any overpriced bar in the Pearl. Owners/managers should visit The Alibi in NoPo for an example of what a Tiki Bar should be. Food and drinks totally forgettable. I won't be back.
(1)
LaRae H.
Very fun and great food! The prawns are amazing!
(5)
Brett M.
Tried the original and current Mai Tai's, which were both excellent. The mahi mahi portion was too small, but was prepared perfectly along with the wasabi mashed potatoes it came with, however the asparagus was a little undercooked. The prices were on par for what you'd expect from a restaraunt in the Pearl district.
(4)
michael m.
Wow, what an atmosphere! In the summer, great patio seating. In the winter, the interior space leaves you feeling like you're in a tropical paradise. Like most of the Trader Vic's chain, the food is excellent and is a flavor you can rarely get anywhere else. Highly recommended. It's semi-unfortunate to see it take over a non-chain restaurant's place, but I have to admit it is a great experience in all aspects
(5)
Stacey P.
Had been looking forward to going to Trader Vic's for a while after I heard a little hype about how great it was. Came in for happy hour to a rather uncrowded bar (it was early). Love the ambiance and decor. Nothing says "I should be somewhere in Polynesia" like drinks served in a tiki themed glass. It took a while for the waitress to come over & take our order. There were many people running around, but I wasn't quite sure who they were running to/from (as stated, it wasn't that busy). So by the time the server managed to get to us, we wasted no time in ordering everything at once, for fear we wouldn't see her again for a while. The food arrived at the table before the drinks, if that gives any indication of the speed of service. This really shouldn't happen, by the way, especially when you are sitting in such close proximity to the bar. We were very thankful for the water guy. Since we're talking about the food, we didn't have a full dinner, just a few appetizers. We had the Maui waui shrimp and salmon chips - both were very good. Sipped on well crafted Mai Tais which were also tasty. Will we come back? Yes, we always give places at least two tries before writing them off. The service got better as our time there progressed, but it is a shame when lackluster service overshadows what otherwise could be a great experience. Perhaps we'll just sit at the bar next time.
(3)
John R.
Painfully average food, incredibly high prices. Fun atmosphere but simply not worth the price... The food and drinks would barely be worth it at half the price.
(1)
E E.
I want to love this place....but I just can't. I can't really put my finger on why it is such a mediocre experience. My husband and I have been here three times and each time there were only three - four other people....in the whole place. We went again on Saturday night. We walked past a ton of completely packed bars on our way here and again, we were two of six people in the bar. We've only had drinks and they are really hit or miss. Atmosphere is blah. I want to love this place....but I just can't.....sigh.
(2)
george p.
Ok, 2-stars because the drinks were fine, pretty standard classics. Food Is another story...'pork' sliders were pretty much a slice of Jimmy Dean sausage, with a dab of sauce which could have been a barbecue sauce. Bad! Spareribs were fatty, undercook, and tasteless. Mahi Mahi sliders were OK, two bites each. Drinks OK, just don't plan on eating.
(2)
Jackie C.
Happy hour rules!!! Bring on the Mai Tais!!
(5)
Brad D.
I get that they're trying to iron out kinks, having recently opened, but our experience was wrong on every level (service, food, drinks, WAITING for everything.). They really need to step it up if they're going to survive in the Pearl. Horrible.
(1)
sm r.
I've been waiting for Vic's to open for months! (Never understood why the one on Broadway closed.) Finally got to check it out last night and our group was very impressed. I'm very happy to start seeing Portland restaurants put some effort into theme and decor. Trader Vic's doesn't disappoint. This is a more upscale version of the standard Vic's atmosphere, obviously tweaked a bit for the Pearl. The service was great, attentive but not pushy or in the way. My colleague commented, "This place is crawling with waiters." And it's true, but they never seemed to crowd the place. The food was delicious, I'm very excited to try more entrees. (For those who complain about the price and the portions, this is how grown-ups eat. Yes, it's expensive and the portions are reasonable, because you're paying for preparation. This isn't Olive Garden or your local happy hour. A $40 steak is actually a very good price for a fine piece of meat. Be an adult and spend some money, people. Stop eating like a college student.) The BBQ pork was perfectly cooked and I'm not generally a pork person. I highly recommend it. Can't wait to try the duck. The drinks...OH the drinks! Do you think you've had a mai tai? You're probably wrong. Pay homage to the guy who invented them and try an original, classic mai tai. A surprising treat, indeed. It was loud in there, but the place has only been open for a week. So it's going to be crowded. Perhaps if you're looking for for a more subdued dining experience, you might want to wait until the initial wave passes. I'm looking forward to enjoying Trader Vic's often.
(5)
Puanani L.
This review is strictly for our experience with the front desk and management restrictions in the dining room. Knowing the "Minors" allowed times can be limited, we made it a point to phone ahead to see if two people under age could dine with us. We were told that between the hours of 5-9pm we could dine in the restaurant. NO OTHER INFORMATION, for example, "Make a reservation because we are booked until 8:30." The biggest disappointment for me was the lack of training for the ladies at the front desk. They seemed confused and unable to make a decision. When we walked in they all looked at us blankly. One of the hostesses sent someone to see if there was outdoor seating, she came back and simply said, "No." Could we put our name on a list? No. First come, first serve. The empty tables in the dining room had us confused. An experienced/trained hostess should know how to handle these kinds of situations. These ladies did not. The best exchange while we were trying to figure out all of the frickin' rules was when we still thought we could wait for an outdoor table. "Where will you be waiting?" asks the hostess. Where will we be waiting? At the cute Italian place around the corner. THEY LET US WALK RIGHT OUT OF THAT DOOR. Way to go Trader Vic's. Thirsty party of five went someplace else.
(1)
Bill S.
A truly unique place. Better atmosphere than old, windowless site at the Benson. Everyone at our table loved their dinners. The lamb was perfect.
(5)
Gina M.
Best Mojito I've ever had! Their tiki style atmosphere is quite delightful.
(4)
Jon W.
Trader Vic's has always been a special occasion restaurant with amazing top notch personalized service and the new Trader Vic's continues that tradition. The food is expensive but outstanding, my pork chop "BBQ Pork Two Ways" was cooked perfectly. I always have the Tidbit appetizer at Trader Vic's and it was as good as I remember from other locations. And of course the cocktails are TV's claim to fame. The decor is beautiful and is tastefully done. Hands down my favorite restaurant interior in Portland. It is tiki that is authentic and classy and is not tacky as is typical of much tiki. I would say restaurant decor like this is very refreshing from the overdone sleek ultra modern look stamped out in every new restaurant. Look forward to coming back soon. The only negative about this Trader Vic's is the price.
(5)
Mark V.
We planned on stopping in here for a drink before we had dinner somewhere else, but ended up having so much fun that we cancelled our other reservation and stuck around. Our waitress, Ashley, was probably the most fun waitress I've ever had. She checked on us regularly and gave us great recommendations for drinks and food. By the end of the night we were chatting away with her and she felt much more like a friend than a server. We mentioned that we were on our honeymoon and Ashley brought us out a complimentary dessert before our meal, which was really nice. We talked to her manager to let him know what a great job she was doing, and ended up mentioning the honeymoon again. He sent over two glasses of champagne! There was also a really great singer doing Sinatra tunes to recorded music. He was really fun to watch and listen to, and was great at working the crowd. Some couples, ourselves included, even got up and danced occasionally. I'm not sure how often he's there, but he really added to the fun. Just a great night all around, we were really pleased that we stopped in and blew off our earlier plans. I doubt we'd have the same experience if we ever went back because it would be tough to match, but we'd definitely go in just for the drinks and atmosphere.
(5)
Rochelle V.
Went here for dinner on a Thursday night with a group of seven people. Nice decor, but the table we were sat at was not conducive to group conversation. We were sat in the front area near the open windows. This area was too dark, noisy and cold as the weather turned more windy and cool. The service was slow, as the waitress seamed to have too many tables at once. Our appetizers came before our drinks. Entrees are priced fairly high for what you get. My Mahi was over cooked and the potatoes were bland. The orange chicken ordered by two people of our party was rubbery and chewy. A shrimp entree proved to be much too salty and sent back. The hanger steak got a thumbs up and the coconut ice cream sundae was also good. Don't order the flour less chocolate cake flambe at it was swimming in alcohol. The pupu combo platter also wasn't anything great with filled crispy wontons, fried shrimp and flavorless ribs. The mai tais were okay. I make them at home using the original recipe and like mine better. I wouldn't go back again unless they get a new chef and bring the food up a few notches. Also they do not have a kid menu. If you do eat here with a group request a table in the back of the restaurant which looks quieter and more intimate.
(2)
Ian S.
Terrible food, rude and untrained staff, way over priced. The worst food experience in Portland I have ever had!
(1)
John V.
Let me begin by saying that I have never been familiar with the TV chain, so my review doesn't bear any biases. My wife and I decided to pop in here on a whim since she enjoys the tikki lounge vibe. Since no patio seating was available, my wife asked if we could have a patio-side table in the dining area, keeping in mind there was no one already there. We were completely ignored to that effect and seated in a booth. We later discovered why; it seems those tables were reserved for well-to-do Pearlites in their 60's. Now, I understand the wait staff would like better tips, but when you treat someone like they're not going to tip you well, guess what? You won't get tipped well. Of course, this may have had something to do with that fact that we'd just come in from hiking, though we hardly looked like vagabonds. Nonetheless, I was quite miffed to experience such age discrimination in Portland of all places because of a bunch of people too cheap to actually live in California where they so desperately want to be from. Anyway... The dinner menu was remarkably brief and astoundingly overpriced for a restaurant not actually in a tropical setting, although the drinks are what you would expect to pay in the Pearl for a small glass of mostly ice. (To be fair, what alcohol WAS in the drink had a strong presence. Oh, and I might mention the drinks took a VERY long time to come. Yes I understand a bar gets busy, but give me a break.) We both had the Macadamia Nut-Crusted Mahi Mahi which was good, but paled in comparison to the same dish we've had in Hawaii in many places. Our fish also came with wasabi mashed potatoes which was decent, though a bit on the salty side and amounted to two spoonfuls. Service was attentive enough, almost unbearingly so, but I guess they needed to make sure they had space for more in-coming aging ATMs. (And oddly, when clearing our dishes, a manager took the salt and pepper shakers away, as if we were going to steal them.) Finally, a word on the decorum. Yes, it is well done and they did spend a lot of money on the place. Good for them. They're going to be eating that money for a long time with Oba right around the corner, no pun intended.
(2)
Lisa P.
I like to be able to SEE inside the restaurant. Super dark and kinda ridiculous - the waiter said they did not have replacement lightbulbs. The Macadamia Nut Mahi Mahi was ok but a very small portion and very little taste. The Volcano Prawn - too much sauce for too little prawns. Cocktails were good and appetizers were ok. Maybe I'll go back just for happy hour but I won't be dropping another $100 here for full on dinner. Disappointing!
(2)
Rodney P.
Very good cocktails. Ordered a few appetizers and they were all pretty good. Loved the open windows along the street...good atmosphere on a warm night. I'd go back.
(4)
Albert C.
Had a great christmas dinner here with family and friends. My sister-in-law is a bartender there so we got hooked up with delicious mai tais. Seriously though they make some mean drinks. A must try!
(4)
Tomi L.
Can you say cheesy! Cheesy. This place has a claim jumper ambiance , but with $20 a plate prices. The food wasn't bad, but I expected more. I had the volcano prawns with egg noodles, edemame, and mushrooms. It was spicy with a generous portion of shrimp. My boyfriends steak lacked flavor. Cocktails were fruity but none of them tasted as if they contained any liquor. The servers were great but the hostess needed some customer service lessons. We had reservations for 6 at 815 and didn't get seated till 845. Never good to start a meal that way. I preferred Manzanas at this location, unfortunately I think trader Vics will end up the way that Palemino did.
(2)
Augustina M.
Fabulous Happy hour, GREAT STAFF! It's a little corporate for my taste hence the four stars, but it's a lovely environment and beautiful place. It's worth checking out and having dinner.
(4)
Jacklyn N.
The ambiance of this restaurant is cool! It looks like it use to be an old warehouse where trucks came to drop off boxes. Our server was genuinely friendly and she gets 5 stars for service. We sat in the bar because it was an hour and a half wait for the dining room w/o a reservation. You can NOT order off the dinner menu in the bar. We ordered: Duck Tacos-These were yummy, plum sauce drizzle. You get 4 small tacos. Beef Cho Cho-Came out on a little hot plate heated with a candle, if you wanted it cooked well, they provide a flame right at the table. The sauce on it is a little too sweet but the beef was tender and flavorful. Small portions, maybe 6 little bites on sticks. Half a dozen oysters-OMG. These were the world's smallest oysters do not order, they do not taste better or sweeter than regular oysters. See picture. Crab Puffs-Regular ol' crab puff. Coconut Shrimp-Always good at most places from my experience but nothing special. Spare Ribs-Dry, bland. Scallops-Delish! 3 scallops, just perfectly undercooked, swimming in a plate of curry sauce. This dish and most others are definitely about presentation, however, I'm all about getting my fill and satisfaction. This was a tease. Calamari-Good. Decent portion for a place like this. Fish and Chips-Good, but nothing special. Mai Tais (Guava, Mango, Regular?)-I would go back for these, especially the Guava (Mango was a little too sweet for me but I think it had real mango at the bottom)! Overall, I've had food just as good for less w/o leaving hungry. Probably not a returning customer.
(2)
Tera M.
The atmosphere of Trader Vics is oddly reminiscent to what a 'classy' first date must have felt like in the 50's. It is undoubted over decorated, which is apparent before even entering the building (there are two 7 foot tall wooden tiki men in front of the door, serving as an artificial bouncers in all likelihood) but if you are in the mood to be wowed by a new and rather strange experience, this would be a great spot. The food is not terribly spectacular, but for two exceptions. The coconut peanut butter is amazing, I'm not sure why they serve it with sourdough bread, but truly I'd eat it on anything so I'm willing to let this small point go. The other wonder that comes from this fabulously bizarre spot is the chocolate tart with olive oil and sea salt. Highly recommended. As for service, our server, Alex, she was fabulously witty, interesting, and highly professional. We also had a very tall bus boy who was also very professional.. My only true complaint is that there was only ONE vegetarian item on the menu. ONE! And this is Portland! Hopefully this will soon change, because I don't know how much longevity a vegetarian UNfriendly restaurant will have in Portland.
(3)
Jennifer T.
I love tiki drinks in the summertime, and Trader Vic's concoctions pack a punch! For tiki specific drinks they have the best selection in the city, hands down. HOWEVER, you will be enjoying them in a room pressed elbow to elbow with middle aged suburbanites and served by flight attendant impersonators. The decor is as kitschy as you would expect but they try to keep it classy. This isn't the place to go if you crave atmosphere or want to, say, converse with the people you came with.
(3)
Erin M.
I gotta say this was probably one of the worst happy hours I have ever had. Growing up in Portland and remembering the old Trader Vic's in the Benson Hotel, I was waxing nostalgic and thinking I was finally old enough to give it a try. A couple of my friends and I headed over there before our pedicures. All 3 of us had a conversation about the drinks and food over our pedicures, and hands down we were all very underwhelmed. I have to say too, that though I am sure they are trying to capture the vintage spirit of the original, the menu design is a tad bit tacky. I imagine if I were Polynesian I would be a bit irritated. Just outdated altogether. Taste, decor...everything.
(1)
Lindsay A.
Where is Greg Brady with his tiki idol to unlock the curse on this corner? 12th & Glisan has seen a few swings and misses with this restaurant space, so I'm convinced there is a jinx. I was excited to see Trader Vic's try to do their thing here, however, [insert typical, 'I wanted to like it but...' Yelper statement here]. Ambiance: a warm, cute level of Hawaiian kitchy without being too juvenile. I'll also dump 'service' into here -- welcoming, appropriate level of attention, standard. Drinks: not strong enough. Food: tastes fine, nothing melted in my mouth. Portions aren't, well, proportionate to the price -- especially from the bar menu. The burger doesn't come with anything, the hummus comes with four lil pita squares. I've also tried this weird popcorn snack -- the flavor palate was confusing and the popcorn was cold (on purpose). For dinner, I've had the Mahi Mahi (pretty good, soy bean mash was yum); and a friend had some noodle shrimp thing that she liked. The caesar salad featured strips of romaine with only a dash of dressing -- I don't need drowning in dressing, but I'm not a rabbit either who just wants to eat plain lettuce. Overall it has a fun aura about it, so I'll go back to try something else. However, I don't crave the lovely flavors, portions and prices that a Paragon and a Piazza Italia provide my mouth and wallet.
(2)
Lindsay L.
Best Mai Tai I've ever had!
(3)
K B.
Stopped here for a couple of drinks for happy hour. We arrived at 5:45 thinking we had plenty of time to hit their happy hour, which was until 6:30 according to their website. However, when we got our menus, we saw that happy hour was actually only until 6. We thought we had still made it in time and proceeded to sit in the happy hour section (which our waitress told us about) and order food (which was pretty good). But when we received the bill, we saw we had been charged the full, non-happy hour prices. When we asked our server, who told us we would get happy hour, why we actually did not get in on the happy hour, she informed us that the computer automatically clocks it in. Our bill just so happened to read 6:00 exactly, meaning we missed it. Seems questionable. She half-offered to fix it by giving us happy hour prices on our drinks, but we said to forget it knowing that we wouldn't be back. Good drinks and decent food but the staff and the owners need to get on the same page.
(3)
Paul N.
I'd like to say I am a little bias in this review as I'm a sucker for good food, great drinks, cool music and tikis. So here we go then; it happened to be international Mai Tai night the evening that my wife and I went. The Trader Vic's Mai Tai was marked down to $6 so as one who likes bargains I had one or two of these superbly mixed concoctions. The appetizers and deserts we had while sampling the different drinks on the menu were excellent. We have been there before and had fantastic dinners but this time we hung out at the bar with friends and were treated to some great music by the Lava Lounge Orchestra , a full 8 piece band and singer. As I sipped my drink and looked around the restaurant I saw young and old people, hipsters, jocks, rockers,..... mop tops and crew cuts, moms and dads, working Joes and fat cats,........ and I noticed we all had one thing in common............ big smiles. Facts : Great Food and Drinks all freshly made to order Great Service when you need it Great Ambiance with tons of new and vintage Tiki decor
(5)
Seasons K.
Really impressive space! Stunning living wall, Tiki gods etc... Yes, it's a chain, but we have one of the coolest ones they have built. Also the happy hour eats and cocktails I had were all lovely & surprisingly reasonable for a popular theme bar, in the pearl no less. It is what it is & for that it's worth a visit :)
(4)
Babs J.
I don't think I drank enough to enjoy it. Crazy on Halloween night - we had *really* slow service. Same adequate, but over priced food many others noted. Very few vegetarian options. Lots of drink options - hopefully you get yours quicker than we did.
(2)
eric l.
One drink! Just one drink was all I had and I fell in love with the place. I sat at the bar with a mai tai in hand and chatted with the bartender about the realm of tiki and the meaning of life. It was everything I needed at the moment and I'll certainly return. This Trader Vic's is a slice of heaven.
(5)
Dave R.
I have always liked Trader Vic's. This location is no exception to the Trader Vic family. The food is good, the service was attentive, but it is the drinks and atmosphere that keep me coming back for more. Great place to chill and people watch. Was very busy the first month, but seems to be settling in a bit. I will be back.
(4)
Danielle S.
we came here for a drink whilst we were in the area and ordered a tiki bowl to share. tiki is fun! the drink wasn't amazing, the service was pretty sub par (we were ignored forever when we tried to get the bill) and the ambience was pretty flat. it wasn't a terrible experience by any means, but it isn't somewhere that i would seek out to go back to.
(3)
Monique D.
Visited Trader Vic's for the first time last night. Was most impressed with the interior. From the reclaimed wood floors to the thatched ceilings and open side windows/doors, I felt like I was at a restaurant neat Mama's Fish House on Maui and should be seeing sand, palm trees and surf whenever looking up. Beautiful, although a little dark to read menus and fortune cookies. Almost brought out my phone to serve as a spotlight. The Mai Tais were tasty, but maybe a little full of ice. Tried the Maui Mai Tai (pineapple) and the Mango Mai Tai...the mango was the better of the two. Had the cosmo tidbits sampler with the crab rangoon, panko shrimp, spareribs and pork. The ribs and pork were tasty, and the rest was fine, but overall if visiting again I wouldn't say you had to order any of the above in lieu of something else that caught your eye. The lettuce crab cups were good...refreshing. If I visited again for dinner, I would order the Volcano Prawns, which a friend had and looked great. But I think overall, I'd recommend just catching a happy hour or after dinner drink there to soak in a bit of the atmosphere.
(3)
Sarah A.
I liked the tiki feel in the bar, don't wait for a patio seat- your face is right by peoples feet once they seat in the dining room. Duck tacos were great, pu pu platter was fun to share. I am with the guy below though, it's silly not to seat ion the dining room if people want to sit there!
(3)
jake k.
To be honest, I wasn't expecting anything spectacular. Just some tasty snacks and a nice strong tropical drink. I had a couple of great drinks and some not so great snacks, but the kicker was the price. Example: 3 tiny "spring rolls" consisting of fishy crab and sloppy uni wrapped in daikon radish. By tiny, I'm talkin 2"X1" for $15. Not worth it. Go for drinks, but eat before you go.
(3)
Ino G.
Went for happy hour and did not leave happy. I had read prior reviews about the mediocrity of the happy hour offerings and they were true. The crab rangoon was gooey and had very poor flavor. The only good thing about the Shanghai Caesar's salad was the crispy fried cheese that came with it. The salad dressing tasted watered down and the salad itself was just lettuce and some cashews. Last but not least, the chicken satay tasted like it had previously been frozen and was somewhat mush and flavorless. The service was fine and the servers were friendly but without good food, I will not be going back.
(2)
Andrew S.
Chain food. Boring and fake. With so many great restaurants in the area, why go to a chain with an artificial feel? Support the local restaurants.
(1)
Melissa T.
I was torn on giving this place a 3 or 4 stars. The only reason why I would give it a 3 stars is because of the limited options on the menu. The menu just didn't seem to have very many options but the drink menu was expansive! I decided to give it 4 stars because of the food we did order, it was very good. My husband and I went here for Halloween Saturday (10/29) with a couple of friends of ours. It was a fun evening because of the "Halloween" atmosphere. Service was pretty good...server was attentive and chef was accommodating in terms of food restrictions. I ordered the lamb loin chops and it was cooked perfectly. I was surprised that when my dish arrived, it was actually a rack of lamb....with EIGHT chops! It was cooked perfectly...medium rare as I requested it. There was so much food that I saved 1/2 for another meal. My husband got the filet mignon...again cooked perfectly to his liking. One of our friends got the macadamia nut encrusted mahi mahi and that was delicious as well. The other ordered a caesar salad and side of sweet potato. I'm not much of a "vegetarian" so couldn't rate those dishes fairly. The best part of the meal was dessert...we ordered the s'mores and we got to cook them ourselves right over a flame at our table. The marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers are made right at the restaurant. They were awesome!
(4)
Marvin W.
We had mai tais and wonderful pupus at Trader Vics this evening. Everything was perfect: coconut shrimp, spare ribs, pork slices, egg roll, and cheese blings. While it is not the high style of the old Trader vic's at the Benson it is very nicely decorated, service is just great and a pleasure to be there. We ate pupus and drinks instead of dinner. What a pleasure.
I don't know from where to start. Should I mention the bad food? or the horrible service? Or you want me to start talking about the smelly dinning area? Let me start with the food. We started with two appetizers; salmon tacos or chips and spinach ravioli. Both of those dishes are similar to the ones they serve in the international flights (maybe worst). About the lighting, the lighting is pretty dark which is unusual for these kind of restaurants. The service is bad, the waitress doesn't have any idea about the dishes (newbie). The portions are really small and way way way over priced. By far one of the most expensive restaurants I ate in P-town. If you are going there for lunch/dinner expect to pay $50+ on bad quality food. I tried Trader Vic's in the Middle East and it was way better than the one here. I have to admit that this restaurant is the worst I have been to in Portland, Oregon. I would recommend that the restaurant should be closed and something better should be open instead. This quality is unusual for Ptown.
(1)
J B.
I can only comment on their Happy Hour. My wife and I went a couple of weeks ago, and we were pleasantly surprised. They have a pretty interesting happy hour menu and their drinks weren't bad or badly priced. The decor is fun and "frondy" (palm frondy). We had a really fun meal here for a reasonable price, and this is what happy hour is for because we had such a good time that we'll give it a try for dinner the next time we have someone to watch the baby.
(4)
Wesley A.
Went here on a Wednesday for a late lunch. The place was nearly empty but from what I gather, the crowd shows up in the evenings. First time at a theme restaurant like this and I rather enjoyed it. Great open air seating with a perfect vantage point for people watching the streets. Had a Pad Thai variant which was very good. The real attraction for me to return however, was the absolutely amazing tropical cocktails (I had a virgin Mai-tai, well two of them) and friendly service.
(5)
Vibhav L.
If possible to give a zero star... I would have given this restaurant a zero star.. The drinks were not so good... the food was horrible and still we ended up paying $45 per head. This is by far the worst food I have ever had in Portland.
(1)
Heidi C.
Very happy with this place!!! I planned and hosted a bridal shower party here, a few weekends ago. Not only were they super accommodating and helpful, but were so awesome at splitting up the various bills and tabs. They were very attentive, always filling waters glasses or bringing more drinks just at the right time. I would definitely recommend this place for a party, the location is great (pearl district), there's an area to park for $5 just up the street next to them, and all around super great staff to accommodate your party. I was so glades we picked this place to host our event! We had 14 people total. Great drinks and happy hour good and drinks!
(5)
C. A.
Poor service and overpriced food/drinks makes this place "one of the worst" on my list of places in Portland. What use to be a fun and happy atmosphere has been changed to a money hungry, unpleasant environment filled with employees wishing they were anywhere else but at Trader Vic's. The morale at this establishment is AWFUL! I was seated 10 minutes prior to happy hour ended. However, I watched the servers all talking and gossiping - even looking my direction a couple of times while I tried to get their attention. They purposely waited until happy hour was over, then when I ordered they "gleefully" stated the following, "our happy hour ended, so you won't be getting any discounts". Because I was meeting friends at the theater, I decided to go ahead and have a drink (at full price) and ordered their pork sliders. Drink arrived watered down and the sliders were just barely warm...both were $8.00 EACH and there were only 2 TINI little sliders that tasted more like they had been microwaved then prepared fresh. THIS PLACE HAS GONE DOWNHILL CONSIDERABLY. SAVE YOUR MONEY AND GO ELSEWHERE - WHERE STAFF IS HAPPIER AND FOOD IS BETTER!! TV in the bar?? I doubt Trader Vic would approve!!
(1)
Elizabeth V.
Disappointing. Atmosphere, drinks, wait service was all good. Other than that, no one liked their meal. All 5 of us did not enjoy --Food was pretty much flavorless. Beef portion was tiny 4 oz w 3 asparagus for $36. Left half of my Mahi Mahi- rubbery. Pad Thai only flavor was garlic.
(3)
Deb F.
Another Dining Month adventure...I normally steer away from chains, but this is supposed to be a good one. It was certainly fine. Nothing outstanding, but not bad. The salads were both good. Not heavily dressed but enough to add flavor. My mahi mahi was pretty tasty. I enjoyed the fish the most, the risotto crab cake not as much. It had an odd flavor. The Flat iron steak was good though, and I liked all the sides it came with. Our son got a couple appetizers as his meal; he loved the Shoyu Fried chicken, and didn't love the Shortribs Bento box (meat was not easy to eat). Desserts were not great - my apple cobbler was incredibly sweet - so sweet I couldn't finish it. The peanut butter lava cake was very peanut buttery, according to my husband. I don't like pb... Service was attentive and pleasant. Lots of tiki faces looking down at you from around the room. It was fine, but didn't knock my socks off.
(3)
Madison W.
Just visited for the first time, have to say, if this is a chain restaurant it doesn't feel like it. Meatballs were good, mai tais were better. Cool that they have two happy hours a day. Mixed grill was only meh, seemed sad and empty, also overdone.
(4)
Natasha M.
Great cocktails, food and toddler accommodation. The MaiTai was good so was the Grog! Burger and duck curry hit the spot!
(5)
Greg M.
Caesar salad was disappointing, flaccid and soggy. Steak was ok - but was not prepared correctly before being put in oven and came out with a dry crust. Coconut shrimp was amazing. The main thing with Trader Vic's is the froofy drinks. The food has gone down hill.
Cool and fun interior. Service was just standard (we were there on a sunday early evening. The food was tasty and we enjoyed our meal. Parking can be a challenge in the Pearl District, if you can take the MAX or street car, it is highly recommended. I will head back here in the future, but not top on my list of places in Portland.
(3)
Chels J.
Gotta love this place when you're in the need for a quick mental escape to Hawaii. The mixed drinks are so fun - I love the guava Mai tai which isn't too sweet. They have a great late night happy hour menu which was recently updated too. My favorite green bean fries are still on there though - a must have! Shout out to the awesome bartender, Don!
(5)
Jason M.
Solid joint with a solid staff and a solid menu all around. Enjoy your time here. Thank TV for being so damn cool. Cheers.
(5)
Lily B.
My husband and I were at Trader Vic's on Tuesday at about 1pm. There were only about 7 customers there (including us, this should be a hint, right?). My husband ordered a coffee drink but the waitress said it wasn't available since they didn't have the right mug (???) so he settled with different coffee drink which after about 10 minutes came out luke warm, not hot. He sent it back and he had to wait for about 15 minutes to get his drink because the waitress said she had to brew a new pot (whaattt??). We ordered 2 chicken rice bowls and a bowl of wonton soup. We waited for a looong time to get our food. Except if they had to catch the chicken from the farm first, I don't see any reason we had to wait for our food for 25 minutes! The food was decent, but honestly, it's not worth the wait or the price.
(1)
Karen S.
Happy Hour Mai Tai was fabulous! Sliders & lettuce cups were reasonably priced and yummy!
(4)
Liz B.
My first visit to Trader Vic's was quite nice! The food was really good, the tuna poke was my favorite! If you go, you just try it! The ambiance is nice, especially the flowers and waterfall when you walk in! I got the burger, it was great! I will definitely be going back again. It was too hot for the windows to open, but all the windows open and I'm sure that is a nice touch during the beautiful weather days!
(4)
Stef M.
Saddened by the loss (AGAIN) of a Trader Vic's in Seattle, after finding out that there was one in PDX, I KNEW I had to go. And go I did, dragging the in-laws there as well. Thoroughly sick of the tiki craze (having lived through it) they were not amazed at the concept, but had fun after knocking back a fruity drink and snacking on some pupus. If you're coming here, go all out and get something in a crazy glass, possibly something HUGE that's meant to be shared between 2 or more people with 2-foot-long straws :) I tried the Dr. Funk's Son, which comes in a CUP MADE OF ICE. How awesome is that? It was delicious, too - this place actually uses fresh juice and high-quality mixers, so it doesn't taste like you're going to pass out from a sugar overload after you take the first sip of your drink. If you like tiki, go here! Also go to Hale Pele. But go here first to get in the mood.
(4)
Jennifer H.
Food was just ok, we wanted to try a bunch of different things so we ordered several different starters. Chicken Wings, BBQ Spare Ribs, Beef Cho Cho, Char Siu Pork, Caesar Salad, Calamari Fries, and the Won Ton Soup. The Beef Cho cho was the best, Salad and Soup second, the rest was junk. Ribs were dry, pork was chewy, Calamari was blan and wings were soggy. We spent $90 (no alcohol) and I don't mind paying that for good food, but I hate paying it for just ok food. :( The service was very good which is why the two stars instead of one. Don't waste your time here, hit Oba next door instead.
(2)
Karthik R.
Nice decor and good service and thats the nicest thing I can say about this restaurant. I had the drunken noodles, drenched in soy sauce with a side of hot (srirachaish) sauce. Thats the worst expensive drunken noodles I had ever. No taste, no flavor just overwhelming portion of noodles in soy sauce. Nothing exciting about this place. Wouldnt care to visit again.
I'd consider this as a 'theme' restaurant. And it's wonderful! It's like i step back in time to the 90's when theme restaurants were the craze. We went during a sunny afternoon and took advantage of the happy hour which was excellent! Get a seat by the window for perfect people watching opportunity.
(4)
Allie B.
We had a a fantastic meal, drinks and fantastic waiter named Jake Race. I can't remember all the names if the food and drinks because i went into a delicious food coma after we left. Jake Race cab suggest anything for any meal type eater, be it vegan or meat eater. Thanks again for a great meal!!
(5)
Todd C.
I can't say enough good things about the food and drinks here. Amazing happy hour starting at 3pm. The Kailua pork sliders are amazing as well as their famous Mai Tai. Mmmm
(5)
Rob H.
Made reservation on Open Table 3 weeks early for a birthday celebration on a Sunday night. We liked the place because of the large windows and fun motif. They sat our group of six at a half Moon booth on the interior of the restaurant. Between the bathroom and the kitchen. Couldn't get Much worse location. I was sitting with one leg in the aisle. We asked if there was a larger table and were told. "This is the table that's available." It was 6:30 and only about a third full. Oh well. I figured there were other reservations. But there weren't. The place remained half full at most. Others liked their meals but my steak was barely warm when I got it. Waiter was nice and competent but the front end of this restaurant and the kitchen need a lot of improvement.
(2)
Leah R.
I loved so many things about this place, yet there were some low points (some their fault, some not) for me. So, I'm settling in the middle with 3 stars. We roll in, it's busy, but there's a booth at the bar which is perfect. The decor is fantastic, I feel like I'm in the tropics and maybe a little bit back in time. The waters and the drinks come quickly (we did a sampler). Of course, they're a little (a lot) sweet. I am not normally a sweet drink person, but of course you have to order a mai tai, I think it's actually against the rules not to. I loved the guava the best. There's a lot of peanuty stuff on the menu, so my husband, being allergic to peanuts, goes over with the waiter on what he can and can't order and we get squared away. Our appetizer was fantastic - crispy shrimp with a sweet and spicy sauce. Hit the spot like woah. We ordered a second drink - this time I went for the Grog which sounded not-as-sweet and it wasn't, and I loved it. Joel ordered a trader vics mai tai and holy tiki heads - that thing was not messing around. I enjoy a strong drink but that thing tasted like pure grain alcohol. Whooo! I don't think we've ever left half a drink at a bar but it happened. Food was taking a while and the waiter swung by and said the kitchen was completely backed up, and brought us a free appetizer. Awesome! We had to laugh when it was homemade peanut butter and lavash bread. The waiter quickly realized his faux pas (we really didn't mind) and brought Joel some fruit. The pb was actually dang amazing. I had to refrain from eating too much of it since there was so much else going on. The downer was I wasn't really impressed by my entree. I had been super excited to get the tandoori chicken, and it wasn't on the menu that day, so I went with the luna chicken. The coleslaw was weird with chicken and pasta. The pasta itself was delicious, but the chicken was meh, and then at the end, I found part of it was undercooked. To be fair, I didn't send it back. We were full, tired, and they were EXTREMELY busy, so I didn't want to make a fuss. I'm sure if I did, it would have been taken care of, the service was excellent. The upshot - I'd totally return. I loved the atmosphere and the service. I'd just probably skip the full meal, do some appetizers, and have a few groggs. :)
(3)
Bernie S.
I love tiki bars. I love the decor here. Last time we had a decent meal. Hit it this time for happy hour, did the $15 deal and...turned out to be one of my worst meals ever. How dry can you make beef tips? My wife mentioned it was about as good as a TV dinner. I have to say that was pretty accurate. Of course, it helps when they bring your food and you have no utensils to eat with nor any plates to dish your food out. I also noticed they didn't have the old music going, which seemed to add to the experience. Looks like the Alibi room for me next time
(2)
Brittany G.
Typical chain with a pretty good happy hour. The Mai tai is a solid choice, and the beers on tap are great. The food itself is okay, but not really much to write home about. The service was on point though, and our server was very attentive. I'd go back for happy hour, but probably not dinner.
(3)
John H.
We were pleasantly surprised with the Happy Hour experience at Trader Vic's. The triple sampler is a meal in itself and a bargain at $15. The Mai Tai's for $6 were also a great value! The atmosphere is wonderful and we highly recommend Mai Tai's and Happy Hour Menu while watching the World go by in the Pearl District!
(4)
Cara S.
When I first started coming here it was a five star place, but over time it has gone down hill. First there were always great friendly staff....over time the newer folks there are not as friendly - the seasoned folks are still fabulous. Every time they've changed their happy hour & bar menus it has not been for the better. Then, on my last visit there they've put a TV in the bar - completely killing the atmosphere for me - now it is just another sports bar. They still have a great Mai Tai so I will return once or twice a year - but I won't be a regular here anymore.
(3)
Jason B.
Went there for the first time on my Birthday. A let down is putting it mildly. Over priced food and drinks. Our sever was nice, but the hour it took to get our so so food was ridiculous. Should have gone to Brix! So much better!
(1)
Jennifer Arlem M.
We ended up here after a day of holiday shopping and exploring downtown Portland. The food was great. Lots of variety in their menu, but sadly the service was horrible. Our waitress seemed bothered when we asked for suggestions and brought our check before we were done with the menu. I highly doubt I will be going back anytime soon.
(3)
Lisa S.
I love Trader Vics. I go often and even more now that they are open for lunch! Tiki lounge, great HH and reggae music. All my favs!
(5)
Jon T.
One of the newer Trader Vic's located conveniently in the Pearl District. Happy Hour everyday and all the usual tiki goodness.
(4)
Shawna W.
We went again for dinner. I have frequented tv's many times over the year but mostly for happy hour! The amazing thing is we got the same table as our valentines dinner last year. We were here for our anniversary. We got Justin as we did last year. Amazing that he remembered us.....remember that I like to order appetizers for dinner...and remembered that he suggested a particular drink! He even remembered that we've been to bev hills location! I felt like a celebrity because of Justin's amazing customer service! This is why I continually bring my friends to happy hr there...and will continue to tell ppl how great they are! Thank you trader's of pdx!
(5)
Patti F.
Food - 4 stars. Lots of options for veg, vegan and pescatarians. We didn't order drinks but they make it clear it's their specialty. Service - hmm. It's our weird experience that brings down my review. While we were the only people left in the dining room, there were still people in the bar. The Bad/Ugly: Our waiter brought us our check, and we were still chatting away and hadn't looked at the bill. He came back and told us that the dining room was closing and we needed to take care of our bill NOW. He then cleaned up the tables around us (loudly). Seriously. It was 9:00 - online says they are open until 10:30 (with no mention that you will get kicked out at 9 in the dining room). This put our whole evening in such a weird space, I don't even know how to describe it. The Good: the manager, after we had paid our bill, actually came over and refilled our water, and asked if we needed anything else. Thankfully, he didn't seem to be kicking us out as our waiter was doing, and he refilled our water while we continued chatting. It was just a weird night - great food, and weird service. Honestly, I think I will go back again for the food, but I really don't want to be in that situation again of being pushed out of a restaurant before the establishment is even close to closing. If you're going to close the dining room at a particular time, make it clear either on the menu, with a little sign, or something - don't just kick people out. It's off-putting and really leaves a bad taste - even after eating good food.
(3)
Jillian D.
NYE 2014 - had an 8:30 reservation, but our table wasn't ready yet when we arrived. The hostess suggested we wait in the bar, so we ordered drinks. While the bar server came to take our drink order right away upon our arrival, 20 minutes later our drinks hadn't been delivered yet and our table was ready... We ended up having to wait in the bar for our drinks, and then were escorted to a horrible table location - right next to the front door with distracting noise and outside drafts interrupting the rest of our meal. The hostess was less than hospitable - she was downright rude, and it was painfully obvious that she's not right for the position. I understand that everyone has a bad day at work, and that holidays are especially stressful in the restaurant business, but when you're employed in the service industry, patrons & customers SHOULD NOT BE PRIVVY TO YOUR PERSONAL MOODSWINGS. Drink refills continued to take 20+ minutes throughout our meal, which was disappointing considering each round totaled $20 without tip... our Maui Wowie Coconut Shrimp appetizer was woefully over-cooked; the burnt exterior only hinted to the rubbery shrimp it encased - gross. Hubby's Caesar salad starter was alright, but my Trader Vic's salad with "sherry vinaigrette' seemed to have been missing the sherry vinegar; it had no tangy flavor, but was overly oily. He ordered the fillet, medium-rare; it arrived cooked medium, but he was so impressed with the crust on the outside due to their unique wood oven cooking method that he couldn't stop singing it's praises! The accompanying mashed potatoes & green beans were described as 'flavorless'. My Diver Scallop Pad Thai deserved a mixed review, as well; the scallops were HUGE and perfectly cooked; the 'Pad thai', however, was a disappointment. My experience with Pad Thai revolves around the idea of a peanut sauce; this one, however, tasted like grocery-store bottled teriyaki sauce. In short, our NYE dinner was an overall disappointment; doubly so because we were super excited to revisit a spot that had previously impressed us. We won't be back.
(2)
Mondo F.
Went here on an evening of holiday shopping in the Pearl. We were going to go to Cha Cha Cha but saw this place and decided that we couldn't pass up tiki holiday fun. Service was very good and it is a very nice dining room. Woot: Pake Brussels Sprouts were super tasty and perfectly prepared. Amazing char and really good flavor. Meh: Spicy Cheese Balls were cheesy but not the least bit spicy. Huh? How can a cheeseburger with pickled veg AND kimchi have zero flavor? The most prominent flavor on this burger was the butter on the bun. Fries heavy on the salt - no detectable togarashi goodness. After a mai tai or 3, I bet this food is phenomenal!
(3)
Prima B.
We ordered the Cosmo tidbits, tofu stir fry, burger and Indonesian duck curry. The food was amazing and portions were big. My husband enjoyed the Honolulu bay drink as well. Our server was Don and he made our daughter's birthday a memorable one. He was very attentive and fast. We will definitely be coming back to this place soon.
(5)
Vicky H.
I really wanted to like this place; but it's meh. Love the atmosphere; love the fresh air with the open windows. My Nelson's grog was a good, refreshing drink, but that's where it ends. Servers were kinda clueless -- they ran out of maui bites that my friend wanted. The lunch menu is rather limited, so how do you run out of things??? Anyway, the crab rangoons were good. We both had drunken noodles. They were not very good. Noodles were tough; pork tasted old. I could do better stir fry at home. Too bad....I was expecting better.
(2)
Emily C.
Went with some co workers on a Thursday night. We started in the bar and migrated to our reserved table. It wasn't very busy at all and for some reason it was taking a while to get our drinks each time we got another round. Ok- we can live with that. When we moved to our table we ordered some appetizers and those came out about 20 minutes later. We finished those and had to ask our waiter to take our dinner order. What? We all ordered steaks, all medium rare. 2 of us had the fillet the other 2 had the ribeye. Literally almost a half hour later our meals came out and every single steak was over done. One ribeye in particular was on the verge of well done my coworker ended up sending it back. All our entrees were around $33 and all were TINY portions. My fillet had to be no more then 4oz and my "crab cake" that came with it was mostly risotto and barely any crab. I also got 5 spears of asparagus. Yup. 5. I can't believe they charge what they do for the portion size you get. In the end the manager comped the well done ribeye and we left thinking we should have gone somewhere else. All in all this place has slow service and I would only go back for happy hour. I definitely won't be back for a meal.
(2)
Rachel M.
Needed a quick spot to eat between my training class, and Trader Vic's fit the bill. Wait staff was excellent, and the food was great. I got the Banh Mi sandwich, and it was probably the best lunch meal that I had while I was in Portland that week. I loved the cilantro & cucumbers on the sandwich - it gave it such a fresh taste. I highly recommend this spot!
(4)
Amy A.
I have been wanting to try Trader Vic's for some time now, so last week my boyfriend and I came in for Happy Hour. I was impressed with how quickly we were greeted by a server (in the bar) and even more impressed when the manager came over and greeted us as well. The place was pretty busy (it seemed like there was some type of special event happening in a room behind the bar) but we didn't feel left alone at all. We each started with a Mai Tai from the menu; my date got the Honi Honi (Burbon Mai Tai) and I ordered the Trader Vic's Mai Tai. Both came out with fruit spears on top, and both seemed to be pretty small for the price. In addition to the cocktails, we also ordered a few happy hour plates. 1. Char Siu Pork: Delicious, tender strips of pork. 2. Spicy Korean Beef Tacos: Not "spicy" at all, but tasted good. 3. Maui Waui Shrimp: My favorite item! Absolute must try! Overall, it was a good experience at Trader Vic's. I won't get another "fruity drink" next time, but I am looking forward to the next time I have the Maui Waui Shrimp!
(4)
Michele R.
The nexus of having appropriate expectations heading in the door and excellent service once inside made our Happy Hour experience at this Trader Vics an easy four stars. What surprised us was to find a line of half a dozen people in 20 something age group assembled at the 4:00p Happy Hour opening, Looking for a little something to tide us over before the Jamison Square Christmas tree lighting later that evening, we joined them. (Feeling ever so much more cool for thinking this isn't only a "back in the day..." place for we more "mature" set.) During the hour plus we were there we noted the bar filled up with folks trying to get in under the wire for Happy Hour end at 6pm. There were also people coming in to take tables in the restaurant for dinner. I'm not sure I'd recommend dinner here, there are simply too many great restaurants in Portland, but for Happy Hour if you're in the neighborhood anyway, thumbs up. VIBE This was my hubby's and my first visit to any Trader Vics but our expectations were appropriately set given we knew Vics is a chain of franchise locations. It was just as we expected it to be from kitschy, retro, Tiki Bar with Tiki Lamps, Polynesian and fried food (coconut shrimp or pou-pou platter, anyone?) options on the laminated Happy Hour menu and the retro tropical drinks. Music mix was what my parents would have though to be great stuff when dining out in the early '60's (which means Dean Martin, Louis Prima and friends) which was a perfect mix for the setting and at the right volume to encourage conversation not compete with it.. SEATING Happy Hour seating is seat yourself. There is seating right at and near the bar, but that's a bit darker and if you head left as you enter you'll find seating up a slight ramp in a space that also has windows looking out on to the street. We chose the window space and window seats, which was still dark but not cave like. But if you're looking for the really retro dark bar vibe, it can be found there too. SERVICE This was the surprise of the evening as this was five stars all the way. From greeting at the table, to explaining the drill and taking the orders and getting the cocktails and appetizer to the table and following up, grade A from both the cocktail waitress and the food runner. Well done! LIBATIONS Happy Hour prices on Vic's specialty cocktails are about $6 each. We each had Honi-Honi which is a Mai Tai made with bourbon. We weren't expecting a fresh juice and house made mixers bar so we weren't disappointed that the drinks contained neither. So for the $12 for two cocktails we were happy as they were served well mixed and over ice in a frosty ceramic mug / glass. Funny that the libation serving vessels had cartoon drawings of a couple clad in beach wear in "boy meets girl, gets fresh with girl, gets smacked by girl, makes up with girl" story around the sides. The cocktail waitress made sure we knew to turn our glass, as she set it down in front of us with the starting story panel forward, and "use your imagination" for the story line. I'm just saying...at my age without my reading glasses in that dimly lit space, God bless that young woman for thinking I could even see the drawings on the glass. FOOD Happy hour menu prices are good, as in $7 for coconut shrimp, the serving sizes are generous and our dish was much better than we expected it to be. Served hot and crispy and not greasy, this isn't the kind of thing we'd choose elsewhere but at Vic's one goes along with the shtick. VALUE Two cocktails with a little kick, one appetizer that easily fed two, great service and an hour of listening to "takes you back to your parents living room" music clocked in at $19. A very good value for an hour's worth of entertainment. THIS N THAT 1) PARKING: Is a challenge on street. We were staying locally so walked here. 2) ACCESSIBILITY: Level in at door and the Tiki Bar has a universally usable ramp up to the seating so it works for everyone. Dining room space is also elevated and I didn't notice accessible pathway there. Call ahead. 3) TUNES: I leave you with what was playing as we took our seats in the bar. It was all I could do NOT to sing along. youtube.com/watch?v=Z0iw…
(4)
Hayden N.
I like that it was happy hour and there wasn't a wait. They did a good job at accommodating a larger party. The drinks was delicious, for fruity drinks...you definitely taste the liquor because they gave you a generous pour. The food was mediocre, nothing particularly stood out to me and for happy hour prices it was spendy for the portion that you get. I might pass on the food next time, however, I'm definitely be back for the drinks.
(3)
Amy L.
Strong drinks, beautiful presentation. Came here with a couple friends to relax. The ultimate place for fruity drinks. All cocktails are beautiful crafted and food was pretty good too. Had the coconut shrimp for happy hour. Very tasty. Place has tropical decorations, not too crowded on a Friday night and very chill to hang out and grab a few tiki drinks.
(4)
Lauren W.
I had heard a lot of good things about Trader Vics and decided to take my parents in with me as well. I have many friends that have been there previously who have warned me about a server named Justin who is super and unpleasant and just plain rude. Unfortunately we got him as our server and it was the worst restaurant experience I have ever had. The food was amazing, but he was so mean and unwelcoming that my mom who never says anything bad about anyone couldn't believe how he treated us and all his other customers. We will not be coming back and that goes for my family along with my friends until he is no longer there. Truly shocked me how rude someone can be who is there to serve you and supposed to make it a wonderful dining experience!
(1)
Jaylynn M.
Amazing! Had Jacob as our server and he was so great! My sister, friend and I went and he treated us so well even though we are young(which I find many servers who make us our last priority when they see our age). I ordered the crispy tofu pad Thai and it was amazing! My sister ordered the lamb yellow curry and she loved it, and my friend ordered the NY steak and we all had a bite and agreed it was the best steak we've ever had. Service was amazing, except for the host-she didn't greet us for a couple minutes and made us feel like she didn't want to seat us. She was rude.
(5)
Valerie W.
Super cool place....good drinks....decent food. I would have to say overall it's a tad spendy for the food unless it's Happy Hour...in which they have a few $5 options. The crab rangoons have REAL crab...not the fake kind! Staff is friendly and attentive My 1944 Mai Tai was quite strong and tasty. All the drinks looked rather good. I also have recently tried out the Maui (pineapple) and the Honi-Honi (mai tai made with bourbon). All in all twas delicious. Only odd part was the super loud tiki tunes blaring from the speakers. Essentially I go for the decor. Super cool waterfall in the front. Large tikis, 'flaming' candles and displays, just really neat stuff. Almost reminds me of something you'd see in Disneyland. My only disappointment was First Thursday...thought there was supposed to be a DJ? Did I miss something there? Crab Rangoons....get yo' self some. So good. Service is spotty. If you sit at the bar, depending on the staff they can tend to be slow
(4)
Janice B.
I went twice for Portland Dining Month. The first time was on a Friday evening & we were waiting for the 3rd person in our party so we didn't order right away. After about 15 minutes we decided we should order. We laughed with our waiter that we had no idea where she was because we knew she was on the way. The food came & we enjoyed all 3 courses immensely. We each started with the Caesar Salad & then I had the Mahi Mahi & my friend had the Flat Iron Steak. We cleaned our plates it was so good! For dessert I had the PB Lava Cake & my friend had the Apple Crumble which was more like a crisp & both so delicious! We thought he was so great & left him a generous tip. Went back last night with another friend & I arrived first. I went to the hostess desk & checked in & saw our waiter from the week before. I asked if he remembered me & told him about that night. He said he did remember asked about my friend & then asked if I wanted to be seated. I told him I would wait for her & then the most UNBELIEVABLE thing happened! He said he did remember me (thought we had already established that) & that my friend & I had not left enough money! I told him I was sure he had us confused with another table & based on the details he gave about how we paid, & a few other details I knew he had us confused with another party. He kept pressing it & I have to say made me VERY uncomfortable. It was so unprofessional but even more so because it wasn't us! The food was again amazing but the waiter's comments just really chafed me.
(4)
shami s.
The service was amazing for sure! The food was ok and the drinks were weak. We went on a slow night but still fun for a girls night out.
(3)
Tiffany M.
Sadly I wish I could give NO stars. Decided to give them another try and they failed. Ordered the calamari and two cocktails. Took almost a half hour to get the calamari, which wasn't impressive. The drinks didn't come out until we were done with our app. I think drinks should come before your food. My personal opinion. Definitely, not going to give them a third try. Fail!
(1)
Polly M.
I walked in without a reservation but was seated immediately. The 1944 Mai Tai is too good for words. The pork shank was so tender that merely looking at it made it fall off the bone. Service was good but not obsequious. Did I mention the Mai Tai?
(5)
Chelsea Laine H.
I think my husband and my new to-do is to visit a craft cocktail/tiki bars whenever we travel. We just had drinks and they were wonderful. Not the watered down, syrupy drinks we were expecting from a chain. I had the most frothy and tasty and not too overpowering. My husband had the most "awesome" Mai Thai - the original 1940's one. It was just fresh juice and good rum, a real cocktail. We didn't eat but would come back here to eat next time we are in town. The food menu did seem a little small and a little pricey but since the drinks were so great we will definitely give it another try.
(4)
Food D.
Walked in during happy hour on a weekend and the restaurant was empty. My family and I like window seats and asked the waitress if we could sit at one of the many empty seats by the window and she said no. We asked again if we could sit there and she said no again (no reservation was made by anyone else). So we sat in the bar area and didn't receive any service for quite some time. We walked out. A paying customer/guest should be able to choose where they want to sit especially if the place is empty. Two thumbs way down. Never going back.
(1)
Evelyn S.
Some things to keep in mind while I write this review: 1) it's not the Trader Vic's of my Los Angeles Childhood. 2) It is part of a corporation and I generally avoid such entities when selecting where to spend my dollars or spend my time. 3) I had a fabulous time on my first visit when they had recently opened their doors. 4) I had a bad server on the most recent visit which probably played a big role in the experience. 5) When I do go to corporately owned places I expect the service, food and drink to be the same each visit. 6) My second visit was pretty good too. 7) I've now been there 3 times as a paying customer 8) I've been there one other time, it was for a Yelp Elite party and everything was great. Now to review... They have a nice Happy Hour menu. Sometimes the food is quite tasty. Sometimes it is over salted. Sometimes it is bland. Yep, the same dish has tasted different each time. The prices are on the high side for what they are serving, you are definitely paying a premium for the location, high priced decor and the little cocktail souvenirs that are yours to keep. Usually the servers are super nice and competent, but not always, sometimes the servers are misleading and really should get out of the service industry. The rum they use in the drinks has changed since they first opened their doors a few years ago, it's gone downhill. If you want to go to a fun place with cool looking decor and fun drinks (that may or may not taste good) you will love Trader Vic's. Me, I won't choose to go back unless someone I really like invites me.
(3)
Phuong B.
Their saving grace are the cute, fruity island drinks they offer! They close too early, food is just meh, and they're a chain. Not much going for them. However, because they offer such a vast range of drinks (including one in a seashell!) I would definitely recommend this place as a cute-meet the girls-before a night full of debauchery place. Hint: check in on Foursquare and you get a free shot...
(4)
Q A.
This review is strictly on their Sunday, all day Happy Hour. My husband and I love this place. Very nice atmosphere, fun tiki feel, with the water feature. Great deals for happy hour. Our favorite is their "original" Mai Tai. Ladies, the restroom is very clean! Love that. It is important when after a couple of drinks. Very fun, and intimate feel.
(5)
R P.
We love this place we usually sit in the bar and just order off the smaller played. Tuna poke is on point. Love it. Wait staff was very friendly too. Keep up the good work.
(4)
Jill D.
I love this restaurant. Besides the interior being like the coolest tiki bar ever, the food was outstanding. Sometimes in Portland it's hard to find a restaurant with just NORMAL good food. But Trader Vic's is perfect. Good food with a Pacific twist, fancy-ish without being bizarre like so many other places nearby. It is my favorite place in the Pearl.
(4)
How B.
This is the 4th Trader Vic's location I've visited and I was not disappointed. The "local's only" drink, Nelson's Blood, was delicious and definitely fit into the classic TV drink flavor profile: spicy. The dishes cooked in the Chinese oven were all well received by our table and the service was friendly and professional. We visited with an older aunt and uncle and expected them to be nonplused (my wife and I are into tiki culture) but they thoroughly enjoyed the experience and raved about it to other family members afterwards.
(5)
Marlon M.
Visiting Portland, one late night (nine pm) we were having trouble finding any place with people. So, on a whim, decided to dine at TVs. I had not been to one in twenty years so was eager for childhood memories! The atmosphere was amazing! No one does tacky as well as TVs! Faux bamboo everywhere (or is it the real thing? Vrais bamboo???) requisite chubby native gods at the entrance, a real planted wall!! And there were people at various tables. Great place to celebrate special ocassions. I know, they all eventually got a dessert with a candle! The service was excellent. A goodlooking and very nice waiter took care of our order, water and drinks. He even remembered I do not take ice everytime he refilled the water glass. He also apologized sincerely for the kitchen delays. ("So sorry! We are on a skeleton crew because of the lateness!" It was 9:15 by then). The food. A deconstructed Cesar's salad recipe had the brilliant idea of reversing the lettuce to salad ratio. Two tablespoons of lettuce to three cups of dressing. It was fun trying to fish the limp pieces of lettuce from the yellow soup of salt and cheese and egg. BF asked for the TV hamburger. It is hard to judge meat the he orders because his favorite way of cooking hamburgers at home is to leave them overnight on the grill. He ordered the very well done overcooked hamburger and that is what he got. A solid black round puck on a brioche style bun. With a side of fries that were made exotic by being covered in pepper and salt. Lots of pepper and salt. The melted processed cheese was also a nice touch. My Chinese style chicken was what you expect in a restaurant catering to people who only go to "ethnic" restaurants where there are no native cooks or servers. BF asked me what made it "Chinese style". I explained that it was the fact that it was served on a bed of mushy RICE noodles in a sweet ketchup sauce.! Everyone knows that in China people eat mushy RICE noodles with sweet Ketchup at every meal. A side of coleslaw was also brilliant. Two tablespoons of shredded cabbage served with no dressing. Perhaps the dressing had by mistake been added to the Cesar's salad instead? For drinks a non-alcohol Mai Tai, of course. Perfect balance of sweetness, sweetness and sweetness. It may have had other ingredients, but the diabetic coma inducing sugar syrup was definitely the main ingredient. Insulin should be offered on the side. Overall a pleasant experience and I am looking forward to my next visit in twenty years. I am sure that TVs will continue its long tradition of serving the most authentic fake ethnic food to those who can truly appreciate its mixture of blandness and tackiness.
(3)
Drexler F.
A great place with the best service in town. Love the Hawaiian style menu and the drinks are always good!! Shoutout to Patrick for being the best bartender and Uncle Don for the aloha!!!
(5)
Lisa N.
Really not great. Service was decent, but the food was awful and even more awful because of how expensive it was to eat for such unpalatable food. My date and I couldn't even eat more than a few spoonfuls for a ~$80 tab. The food was so incredibly salty and any other flavors that might have been there besides just salt were nearly nonexistent. You can get much better food at a much better price within a few steps from this place. Definitely don't recommend.
For me, I felt it was a bit too expensive for the amount of actual liquor you receive. $10 for a drink consisting of 3/4ths ice. The drink was delicious, so perhaps it was required, but it was just hard on my wallet without getting a buzz. Service was decent, and the overall look of the place was cool.
(3)
Rick C.
Chris wanted to try the home of the original mai tai so we visited Trader Vic's for some tropical libations. The tiki bar was massive with an interesting Polynesian inspired decor in the lounge, dining area, hall, and bar. We drank the 1984 mai tai, mango tai, and mai tai board sampler with three mini mai tais of different flavours. All were fairly good and refreshing. There were a few communal, sharing drinks. Chris asked, "What is the most hilarious drink to share?" Our server quickly exclaimed it was definitely the rum keg. So we all sipped on a small keg filled with rum and fruit juices from extra long straws. Very hilarious and refreshing indeed. Chris also tried the beef cho-cho with seared steak in soy sake sauce using his own flaming hibachi. We stayed at Trader Vic's for hours, enjoying the massive lounge and tiki environment. It's gimmicky yet fun place for a drink (or several).
(3)
Tre D.
Been to trader Vic's in mountain view/Palo Alto, CA and had a bad experience. Trader Vic's in PDX is much better. Darn good Mai tai for pretty cheap (6-7 bucks). A couple of those and you'll be on your way to a great evening. It's a good spot to pregame. Don is one of the best bar tenders in town. Hit him up on Saturday nights!
(4)
Kameron T.
The food was unique and somewhat bland. The atmosphere was fun but not fancy. And the prices were a little high, but good for kids.
(3)
T. R.
One of my favorite restaurants in Portland. The drinks are always great with plenty of alcohol and not some watered down, sweet soda. Ambience is first rate and a welcome change of pace in Portland. Picture upscale Tiki Bar with South Pacific flare. All the food I've ever had at the restaurant has been decent but not spectaular which is why I only give it 4 stars. I understand they're coming out with a new menu so perhaps it will take the cuisine to the next level. The filet mignon for $34 was quite small for that price but very tender. Opt for the prime rib instead if they have it as a special...much nicer cut. The restaurant is located right in the heart of the Pearl District. Don't use City parking lot 185 to park your car. The toll machine has taken my money twice without giving a ticket and the help phone number was completely worthless. I'm beginning to think that parking lot is running some kind of scam!
(4)
Kate N.
I love the ambiance of this place. I feel like I'm in a tropical Polynesian restaurant every time that I'm here. They actually imported authentic decor from Hawaii or other Polynesian islands. So there is some history behind it. I've come here for lunch, happy hour and dinner. They have a slightly different menu each time. Happy hour here is unbeatable, great selection of drinks and food. I always love their Mai Tai. Last night we had coconut shrimp, yogurt marinated chicken and pork chop for dinner. I think the coconut shrimp was the best I've ever had - sweet and crunchy coconut flakes with the savory of the juicy shrimp. Although it was an appetizer, I almost got full on just that. So portion was very generous. My oven roasted yogurt chicken had a middle eastern kick to it. It was a little bit under seasoned but the meat very succulent and sweet. Adding a bit of salt did the job. And really, half a chicken for $19 was a steal. I could barely finish a quarter of it. Pork chop was well cooked, it was thick, savory and juicy. I would like them to add a bit more spices to the pork chop because I still could smell the pork. Maybe I just have a sensitive nose because it didn't seem to bother others. We ended up spending $63 not including tips for 2 with 2 drinks, an appetizer and 2 decent entree. The food was enough for 2 meals. So I would definitely come back here. Service was one of the best I've ever had! Go for happy hour if you want to check it out first.
(4)
Aimee L.
It was OK. Good service. Very very expensive dinner menu for a fairly informal dinner environment, so we just had starters. Probably won't go back, just because nothing really stood out and PDX has a pretty awesome selection of restaurants, but nothing terrible. It was also eerily empty at happy hour, very strange. A few comments: * They were out of their gluten free menus so the waiter had to check on multiple items and 90% of the menu appears to have gluten in it (never suggest to a gluten free person that "you can always have a salad" by the way. * Lettuce wraps with beef short ribs were strange considering all of the beef had bones, so I had to cut up the beef from the bone (no easy task with the huge knife I was provided), before wrapping it up and eating it, kind of awkward.
(3)
Shelley M.
We absolutely loved this place. We had reservations at 5 but arrived early just after 3 and the start of happy hour. We enjoyed delicious $6 Mai tai's and some calamari until they started dinner at 5. I am very glad we stayed because I had the most awesome macadamia but crusted mahi mahi ever. My hubby enjoyed his orange chicken but would probably order the BBQ ribs or steak next go around. We had great food and great service ( thanks Justin) and look forward to our next visit.
(5)
Michael O.
Very good drinks. Patrick is a very great guy.. I ll always come back here for sure. Very good customer service. Good food and everything is for a PERFECT price.
(5)
Katie C.
I know it's not 5-stars but including the ambience, this place deserves it. Food is yummy, drinks are excellent, even non-alcoholic options for me. Service is great, manager is friendly and personable, makes the rounds. You're paying for the whole enchilda here. If you like Tiki bars, sit at the end of the room, slightly elevated, and people watch. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Zoey J.
Used to love this place and the great service but there are some "newer" employees that have made our experience less than comfortable. In particular, the hostess (Anna I think)... Could use some help in genuine customer service and not make patrons feel as though they are a bother or annoyance. If it weren't for that, we would definitely rate much higher.
(2)
Michael S.
Three words: "Maui Waui" Shrimp. This is easily the best place for Happy Hour in the Pearl District. The food and drinks are amazing, plus the atmosphere is unique and fun. I highly recommend the "Maui Waui" shrimp, Vic's fries, and pulled pork sliders.
(4)
Kemi A.
On the outside, Trader Vic's looks totally cheesy: Tiki statues out front, Hawaiian t-shirts worn by the bartenders, etc. But once I got inside, I really didn't mind. The place is spacious and would do well for a party or get together. It felt like I was really in paradise, complete with an umbrella in my Mai Tai. And the food ain't half bad either!
(4)
Carl B.
Bottom Line at the Top: upscale Tiki in the heart of Portland 5 buck Mai Tais on the Happy Hour menu With the winter doldrums behind us it looked to be the first sunny Friday in a long time so I gathered some friends and went to the Happy Hour Guidebook publication event being hosted here. Happy hour was going on for an extra hour (til 7 instead of 6) plus an opportunity to get a book for 5 bucks. With all the other culinary opportunities in Portland nowdays its hard to get myself back to Trader Vic's especially since I remember the old one that used to be on Broadway. Not much has changed since this one opened so you are almost always assured to get same feel whenever you go. Prices reflect you are in a place for atmosphere so it seems the ratios are a bit on the high side compared to what you receive. Happy Hour does seem to make it easier on the wallet and gets you some good food. This could be a good starting point for an evening in the Pearl
(4)
Cindy M.
It feels like a time warp, going back to the 60's. The food was not good. Like a bad Chinese restaurant. The best thing was the ribs off of the children's menu. Maybe a good place to take elderly relatives visiting from out of state.
(1)
Gary L.
Great meal ... crab ragoon was realky good ... mongolian short ribs were cooked perfectly ... best roasted carrots I ever ate ... coconut snowball for dessert .... best meal I have had in a long time .... not super loud inside either ... very nice from start to finish .... this is now our new family go to spot for special occations !!!
(5)
Alison V.
Step into Hawaii (well use your imagination). I'm a fan - for happy hour though. It is a little spendy if you get a regular dinner. All day Sunday is happy hour which is great if you can't make it during the week. They do have girly drinks though, but they have a full bar as well. I had a mango mai tai (it was ok), but the Kai amani (sp?) drink on the happy hour was delicious. If you like coconut this is the drink for you! And if you can go on a nice day and sit by the window, your life will be even better. I also got the lamb sliders on the happy hour which were soo good! No ketchup needed. All food items on happy hour are $5.
(4)
L C.
Food here is not how they advertise/describe in their menu. Where are the bold flavors of Indonesia and Singapore in the rack of lambs and rice noodles? Mongolia in the braised beef? Indian in the tandoori chicken? The cocktails were good though. However without decent munchies and with steep prices, anyone can get a better value elsewhere.
(1)
Cindy A.
HAPPY HOUR REVIEW ** 4:00-6:00pm and 10:00pm-close Daily / All day Sunday (4:00pm-10:00pm) Trader Vic's is a total favorite! They are my official "Happy Hour of the Year" for 2014! I love it! It's a very special place. Puts my in a GREAT mood with every visit :-) FOOD $4.00-$7.00 Twelve exceptionally delicious tiki treats! Glazed chicken wings, Korean beef tacos, calamari, fries, char sui pork, sliders, coconut shrimp, stir-fried chicken in lettuce cups, wontons, salad, beans. DRINKS $4.00 drafts; $5.00 red or white house wines; $6.00 mai tais and signature tropical cocktails ATMOSPHERE A Polynesian piece of paradise in the Pearl! Refined, tropical, tiki elegance mixed with fun, fascination, and fire. It's fully enchanting and magical! Thatched ceilings and walls, bamboo and carved wooden masks everywhere, and a social, central tiki bar with themed cocktailware. Full walls of windows open to the street.
(5)
Ana G.
I just found my new favorite spot! Not at all what I was expecting. The ambiance is completely chill, laid back and relaxing. The drinks are just delicious and the food is amazing.
(5)
Cesar P.
I've been dining at Trader Vic's for a few years now, and it's become a landmark for me and my wife. The drinks are just amazing. The ambiance is right on the spot for a tiki place. The food is perfectly fine, though for me it's not just about the food -if I want top notch food this would not be my first choice-, it's the combination of how the place feels, the music they play, and the exotic and terribly fun drinks they serve. I've also enjoyed the service thoroughly. We've always felt welcomed at Trader Vic's. Sometimes when you're looking for a restaurant to unwind after a tough week, service is as important as any other consideration. There's a few things that could be improved, for certain. The prices are a bit too high, I know. They used to have live music on Thursday and Fridays, but apparently that's gone -or I've been unlucky. And on summers there are some weekends when you'll have to make a reservation far in advance to get a table. Still, this is one of my main destinations in Portland. And if you decide to go, do please have a 1944 Mai Tai for me. Cheers!
(5)
Jana S.
Trader Vic's offers a great variety of beverages...cocktails for any liking. Get a Menehune if you like strong drinks. Or a scorpion bowl to share. Their homemade lavash and peanut butter is excellent. Great menu items. Do beware of certain menu items though. We had the red curry and it came with mushrooms even through they weren't on the menu. Service can be a bit slow but not horrible. Fun atmosphere and excellent food and drinks.
(4)
Pui S.
Too bad, such a cute place!!! Oh well... We didn't plan to go eat here, we wanted to go to Andina but the wait was 1.5 hours and my Hypoglycemia was already starting to kick in! We walked around the corner and found Trader Vic's (I didn't know anything about this place other than, it got only 3 stars (didn't read any reviews) and thought it was Hawaiian food). We ordered: Mango Mai Tai (I didn't taste nor smell any mango in it but it was good) = 3.5 stars Ribs = 3 stars Crab Rangoon = 2 stars Fish & chips = 1 star (it was so BAD, I told my babe, England made pretty good Fish & chips). We had 3 waitresses. We were asked the same questions numerous times (Are you ready to order, how are you doing tonight, do you want to order anything else & such)! I guess Trader Vic didn't have good system or they were VERY eager to help? But I don't think so from the service they provided! :( One of the waitress was such a snob. I politely asked if the restaurant offers "Musubi" she didn't know what Musubi was! I said "it's Hawaiian snake lunch typ.............." I haven't finished explaining to her, she sarcastically said, "well, this is a tiki bar." One of the waitresses grabbed an empty dish without saying anything, her arm was only about 2 inches away from my boyfriend's face! One of the waitresses came by every 5 minutes to ask if we like the food! She didn't wait for us to finish our conversation either. Each time she demanded our attention no matter what, even if I had a rib in my mouth! This place makes me love the local little place "Maui Camp 3 Cafe" in Oregon City so much much much more! :)
(1)
Ron M.
I had a great time here. I think it's going to be a "go to" place for me when the weather starts to get me down. The mood was happy and tropical. HH food and drinks were great and priced really well for the Pearl District.
(5)
Katie H.
So I've been here a couple times now and each time I've really wanted to like it. But I just can't get past the fact that the food tastes like it's recently been defrosted from the freezer. Not a lot of taste. However I wouldn't recommend this place for food but drinks.......yes and yes. The food and drinks are expensive. But if you are out with a big group of friends they have shared drinks that are the size of a small trough and equally as strong. Bring out the super long straws and have some food in your tummy cause these guys aren't fooling around! Also, this place is known for the Mai Tai's.....and yes they are delicious. The decor is supposed to be Hawaiian? During the summer they open up the windows to the outside and it has a very nice ambiance. Again.....recommend for groups getting their drink on before later activities. Mahala.
(3)
Adam s.
Happy hour all day Sunday. Outdoor sidewalk seating on a balmy summer day is heaven!
(4)
Michael C.
Wow! Had the family there for happy hour. Literally ordered most everything off of the happy hour menu. The poke, the Kailua sliders, the coconut shrimp, the lettuce wraps, and omg the wings! Had to order repeats on the shrimp, wings and poke. Great service!! (Thanks Jake). Going back soon.
(5)
Terry C.
We had just made here with about 5 minutes to go before HH expired. We ordered drinks and food. Observed a staff that didn't quite communicate. We were asked if we were ready to order 3 times before they realized we already ordered. The table next to me just finished when a bus person took their empty plates. A waitress went up to them and asked if they were ready to order...to which they replied "We just got done with our meals and would like a check." "Oh...ok" The tables are nice, they are of wooden shape logs. You can't really combine the table. You have to turn them 360 degrees around to make sure a hold doesn't form in the middle of the two ajoined tables. The food reminds me of my parents Chinese/Tiki restaurant, especially the crab rangoon. The drinks were not bad. Here is a formula for a good tropical drink. Pineapple juice/mango/guava juice/coconut water + any booze = tropical drink... would I try this again? Probably, I like to see what kind of actual eats they have.
(3)
Natalie S.
Food is okay. Service is a bit delayed although it's delivered with a smile. The place is empty. The music is lowsy. A tourist trap. In comparison with other Portland restaurants, it's mediocre.
(2)
Vi B.
In terms of ambiance, it's like a really, really high-end Applebees with an over-the-top but fun Tiki-theme. I would definitely go there with a big group to eat and chill; however, one should note that it is a bit spendy. So if you're starving and plan to have drinks, appetizers, main courses and dessert, plan to spend some of your hard earned $$$. Also, I'd like to meet you. The bartenders are great, and boy, do they want you to get drunk! The drinks are strong and delightfully island-themed, which makes me happy. I've never been to Hawaii but if it's anything like Trader Vic's I'll know I'll have to build my tolerance before I go.
(3)
Dan N.
Wife N and I decided to try out the happy hour and maybe eat some of the happy hour food for dinner. Goal was to spend $40 or less. Sunday night, 5:30pm, happy hour. I had the Kama'aina (coconut, gin, triple sec and citrus). Think "really complex pina colada," served in a lovely decorative ceramic bowl over crushed ice. Very flavorful, and with just the right amount of everything. Strong enough that the copious amount of ice didn't cause any dilution problems. Wife N had the Rangoon Ruby (vodka, cranberry citrus, grenadine, soda). It was more tart and much stronger than expected (in a good way)--really nicely done. Those who like cranberry-ish cosmo-ish style drinks will probably like this. The flavors were thoughtful combinations. For food, we ordered a Happy Hour Caesar Salad, and the Cosmo Tidbits platter (a selection of BBQ spareribs, Crab Rangoon, crispy prawns, and Char Sui Pork). The Caesar salad had moderate amounts of flavor, and leaned "ginger" which was unusual but it worked. Lettuce very fresh--decent salad. We both agreed the quality of the food on the Cosmo Tidbits platter was top-notch. The prawns were fantastic--wonderfully crisp and flavorful, and flawlessly cooked. I, despite being armed with only a fork and not being particularly fond of getting my fingers all gooey, found the spare rib tasty enough to dispense with my aversions. I was surprised at how much I liked it. Crab Rangoons were good and the pork was--well it's Char Sui pork, not bad, but it wasn't exactly the highlight of the plate. However, for $18, we felt the Cosmo Tidbits had about half the amount of food we'd expected, especially when being noted "for two". Three prawns. Three rangoons. Now how are two people to evenly share? Two drinks, Caesar, and the Cosmo Tidbits platter came to $33 prior to tip. At that point, we still were left feeling like we wanted a full meal--we'd only just had a few appetizers. Coming up with a rating is a tough one on this review. On the one hand, the happy hour drinks were stellar--frankly they would have been a good value even at their regular prices. They were thoughtfully mixed, had copious quantities of alcohol in them, and were reasonably large. But while the food was really good, there just wasn't enough of it to justify the $23 food portion of the bill. We felt we'd been better off having just the drinks, and then heading somewhere else for dinner. I realize this is the Pearl, and food here is just generally expensive. But Portland must compete with all its surrounding areas, and with the likes of Beaverton, Tigard, and Tualatin just a quick scoot over the hill, we've found substantially better values in happy-hour food elsewhere. Food quantity aside, if you're a "fruity drink" lover, the drinks are well worth coming for and we'll absolutely be back to play the rest of the drink menu, perhaps after having eaten dinner elsewhere.
(3)
Bronwyn E.
I only went here for a drink so I can't speak about the food. I love their atmosphere. Retro tiki vibe......reminds me of the tiki bird room at Disney World. My Mai Tai was good, but I wouldn't pay $8.50 for it again since if was mostly crushed ice. I heard the appetizers are a better way to go. Will be back soon to try them. I was here around 8-9 on a Saturday night and it wasn't that crowded. Great adult leisure tropical getaway place.
(4)
Hannah H.
Love the atmosphere here. Found it by accident when trying to get out of downtown portland. Everything is cooked in this giant oven and you can totally taste the difference. Chicken was tender and moist. And all the drinks are super cute
(5)
Jeannie J.
I've been here several times for happy hour. They make a damn fine Maui Mai Tai, and I'm crazy about the crab Rangoon. TOTALLY! I haven't been during regular hours, or had dinner, so I guess you can take this review with a grain of salt. The scorpion bowl isn't a bad choice either.
(4)
Margaret J.
Went here for Happy Hour last week for the second time. NOT disappointed! We just had appetizers and Mai Tai's, but they were amazing! Great service as well. My favorite spot.
(4)
Niki S.
I feel a tiny bit guilty, as I can't give this a 3.5 star review. But, hear me out: Drinks: Awesome. Reasonably priced, and potent, and wow, how many different ways can you serve rum? Trader Vics and all it's hula decor will show you. I had the surf board drink sampler, which was 12.95 for three rather small, but potent variations of a mai tai, served with their guava, pineapple, and mango versions, all with possibly fresh juices, I couldn't be 100% certain. Food: Meh. We arrived at 7pm, missing the 630 HH cutoff, which in my opinion probably would had made this a solid 4 star place to me. I ordered the TV mixed green salad, and was a little disappointed with the size, and amount of goodies mixed in. It was yummy, but lacking- the tiny amount of goat cheese and grapes still left me thinking "Is there another plate of this that arrives for Round two since I am paying nine dollars for that one plate?". The peanut sauce on the thai roll was good, hearty and flavorful. Service: On point, for a Friday night- but our lounge area wasn't extremely crowded either. Summary: I would love to go back to this place for Happy Hour to indulge in some of the food, such as the lamb sliders, and other treats that have a large price variation between regular pricing and happy hour pricing- all their HH noms are five bucks, the Lamb Sliders for example were 12 dollars regular price. I can trust that after say, 2 strong drinks and great friends I will leave this place with just enough of a buzz, as I did tonight, as long as I didn't think about the bill- but our company was definately worth it, and my fiance and I both enjoyed ourselves and watching the drinks "volcano" lit aflame at other tables.
(4)
Gary K.
Trader Vic's is No Ka Oi!!! Hawaiian for The Best! The bartenders are some of the best I have encountered in the world. They always make consistently good and strong drinks. NO watered down, no taste drinks served at Trader Vic's. We have been frequenting TV's for almost two years. They go above and beyond to make you feel welcome. The 1944 Mai Tai is better than any Mai Tai in Hawaii, on any island, at any five star resort.... and the appetizer always arrive fast and hot. Don't miss the Maui Wowie Shrimp.....ONO. Thumbs up for a great staff and manager. Five Stars!
(5)
Sunny K.
We went here last Saturday night with a group of work friends as one of the girls at work just loves this place. I can see why and now i do too!!!. When you walk in the hostess is friendly and you feel as if you are on vacation but it's really a cold rainy day in Portland! A true tropical paradise. Drink menu is huge and lots of choices and boy are they good! I ordered a Mai Tai and it had just the right amount of everything and not overly sweet. I I can wait to go back and try a bunch of different drinks! The food and service are over the top great! It's a place to take someone for a special occasion as for you get a nice dessert to celebrate. For dinner i had the curry and it came presented so nice. Anyway if you want a good night out you have to check this place out! Rumor has it they also have a great happy hour! 5 star rating for decor, food, service and drinks!
(5)
Ronald A.
We needed a place for dinner prior to going to the theatre. Since this has now reopened, we decided to give it a try. The last time i was at this restaurant I had not grey hair of any sort. That was some time ago. It is a fun place. The drink menu has lots of good choices. One of these days I might come back and try a few. In this case, we were looking for some bubbly, since one of our group was celebrating a birthday. Unfortunately, they only had one bottle; someone is not watching their stock. i love the way this place is decorated. It does take you back to a more touristy time, particularly touristy Hawaii. We got a seat by the open window, so enjoyed the fresh air off the side walk. Although this is a fun place to go and I might return if cocktails is my priority, i rated this a 3 star for the food. I was there for dinner. The calamari was over done and a bit greasy. My lamb curry had decent flavor, but the meat was over cooked. Rebecca agreed with me. The mahi mahi looked good. This is a fun place for the atmosphere, but do not go because of the food. It is just so so.
(3)
Robert L.
Good food and service. We got a great show watching the guy stoke the wood fire in the glassed in oven area. The theme is unique for Portland (South Pacific). We went in hoping to just get snacks from a happy hour menu or something, but were sat int he dining room since we had our daughter. The prices were pretty steep - so expect to hand over a lot of cash - but strangely, we really liked it. There are some amazing peanut butter and crackers they serve for munching...you could fill up just on that it's so heavy. The drinks are really, really fresh tasting - but they cost. Luckily, I had a Foursquare special for a free drink! Yes, a big-boy drink from the special menu too. That's the best Foursquare deal I've ever seen and exactly how you do it. The server was happy to tell me the best drink to order (most alcohol and the most rare...his favorite). So, that was a plus. He could tell we were there to be quick and cheap...so props to him for not ignoring us or turning his nose up. We ordered the appetizer sized shrimp and some soups. They were all very good and perfectly cooked. The prawns were some of the freshest and most firm and properly cooked ones we've had in ages. All-in-all, it's a nice place with good product and good service. It's unique and felt like being back on vacation - almost. Just know that it's a little pricier than you'll probably think going in.
(4)
Andrew A.
I've been eying the place since it opened; I was very pleasantly surprised during my first visit as I was expecting a Planet Hollywood/Hard Rock Cafe theme experience. The "1944 Mai Tai" was the best I've had; I suppose that's why it's their signature drink. The slightly less expensive TV Mai was equally yummy and most probably won't be able to tell the difference. The shrimp boat and the Caesar Salad on the Happy Hour menu were excellent; the Praline Sundae above average. The female bartender was very cool. Prices are more than reasonable. TV's is a chain so it's kinda on the fringe of the Portland scene, but it has an overall good vibe.
(4)
Bachtuyet L.
We only came here for drinks, but both my boyfriend and I agree that we like this tiki bar most out of all the tiki bars we've been to in Portland. It doesn't have the musty, old building smell as the other ones and they have window walls that allow them to completely open their walls. The drinks we had were tasty and strong. I had some Singapore drink in a bowl and the bf got the Mai Tai flight with three different Mai Tais. I really liked my drink and out of the three Mai Tais, I liked the guava mai tai. I wasn't a fan of the Maui (Pineapple) mai tai as much. I don't know, maybe it's because I'm not a huge fan of dark rums, but there was a strong taste in there that just made me want to chug the damn cup so there wouldn't be any more to drink. I really liked the atmosphere, as well. We had one superb waitress (I wish I got her name... she had a very short haircut). She was very attentive and nice. ....Then there was the other waitress (also, did not get her name), but she was toooo much. No bueno. She kept coming back and wanting us to order more drinks when we still had more than half our drinks in our cups. Then, when we got to half of our drinks, she wanted to give us our check. Back off lady. Back the eff off. That kind of killed the mood for us, but luckily the other waitress came back and saved us. I wished we weren't served by the second waitress because it was really annoying, but I'm going to pretend she didn't serve us and base this review on the first server and the drinks. I will definitely return, but if I get that awful waitress again... I might scream.
(4)
Phong D.
I'm really surprised that a single establishment can get 1's and 5's (stars). Being a Pacific NW transplant, I have to admit that I did not know that Trader Vics is a chain. In hindsight I don't think that it matters. This place was fun and I enjoyed the tiki theme. (I also wanted to hide in the ginormous vase in the bathroom and pop out to scare people.) I was there with a group of friends for drinks and we had a good time. We shared the scorpion bowl and rum keg and both of those drinks were fruity, tasty, and strong. My review is limited since we didn't get food and I feel kind of guilty for dishing out 4 stars, but I like this place! I'll definitely come back for food and will update my review.
(4)
Brandon B.
I cut my teeth on tiki benders in my 20's so Trader Vic's held a special place in my heart. And I'll put up with quite a bit to swim in the warm waters of nostalgia -- hence my 5-star review of Montage. But damn, good memories only go so far when the prices are this high. After the pink slip bomb went off at work, we gathered for foofy drinks and commiseration. Granted we were a large group, so a mistake or two is inevitable, but a decent establishment, especially a posh Pearl place, should know how to gracefully handle a mistake or two. Or, twenty? Nearly everything was wrong. Drinks, food, wrong, missing, all the fault of our waitress -- by her own admission. When asked about a missing drink she'd blankly respond, "Oh. Yeah. I didn't put that order in" or "I forgot that." Over and over and over again. And never an apology or comp offer. Only once did she offer an excuse: "The music, like, sort of, I dunno, threw me off." Sweetie, you aren't pretty enough to be this bad at your job. And I'm not stupid enough to come back here.
(1)
John F.
This is one of those situations where I'd like to split my stars. Happy hour is never a bad choice. The staff are friendly and professional, the drinks tastily tiki, and the snacks damn good. We've been on several occasions and always had a great time. Dinner was a little less spectacular. The food is nicely done and quite beautifully presented, and as mentioned above the staff were very knowledgeable and my glass never went empty, but for the price we weren't blown away either. I suspect a different philosophy is at work, conservative island rather than seasonal/local, and that's okay. Overall this place is worth checking out if you're in the 'hood, just try to make it happy hour.
(3)
Kristine M.
I love tropical drinks, and Trader Vics has them, and they are STRONG. What's not to love? Okay, the food is overpriced (but the Cosmo Tidbits are worth buying if you and a non-vegetarian friend want a snack). The full entrees will make your mouth and stomach full and happy, but your wallet empty and sad. I love the decor. Tiki usually ends up looking kitsch, but here it's much more museum-quality and admirable. I wish the place were underground, so I could more easily forget that I'm in Portland instead of Hawaii, but I can't have everything. Service is spectacular. If they're not busy, ask about drinks that aren't on the menu, and you might get some other drink you've never heard of but is now a favorite. I highly recommend this place for happy hour, or for when someone else is paying.
(4)
Abbie H.
We hopped over to Trader Vic's while waiting for a table at Andina. Both had yummy tropical drinks at the bar and were served quickly. I love the Tiki style atmosphere of this place and want to come back for dinner sometime! The drink menu looked really great and I would love to try more of the exotic style drinks as well. In a great location in the Pearl.
(3)
Megan M.
The drinks are strong, and the food is good! Happy hour is definitely the best deal, but the regular dinner menu has plenty of great options, too. The bartender, Greg, was really friendly and mixed up my drink to my taste rather than just going by the recipe. This is a great spot year round, but certainly an excellent place when the warm weather returns in spring/summer!
(5)
W S.
Mai tais seemed a Little watery last night whereas previously they have been killer good. I wonder if it's different bartender or cost cutting measure. Good place for happy hour.
(3)
Jamie G.
Beer selection is a little lacking, but if you like rum cocktails this is the place for you. 8 different Mai Tais. Food was good, had the beef tenderloin and prawns, so tender. Girlfriend had the build-it-yourself duck dumplings, and they came out with a very authentic Asian flavour.
(3)
Gene B.
Well, I've never been to a Trader Vic's and I had some time to kill on a recent outing in the Pearl District, so I popped in. They don't half-ass the whole tiki theme, they are all in. What else do you do at a place like this other than order rum drinks? And you know what? They pretty good! I don't know that I could endure a whole meal here, but it's kinda fun for a couple of drinks.
(3)
Michael C.
Nostradamus predicted the end of the world. I am predicting nothing so dramatic other than the end of Trader Vic's Portland. If this place survives more than two years I will be amazed. For the rest of this review I am at risk of East / West Coast snobbery but here goes it. Service: Per functional at best right out of a corporate training manual. "Here are your two sauces, one is very hot so be very careful." I can see the lawyers writing the manual. Food: Micky D's meets Tahiti. Atmosphere: Recreation of the 50's concept that mercifully died in the 90's. Back again like a bad penny. This place would rock in Omaha but dies a painful death in Portland. The competition here is too fierce and simply too good...these folks are outgunned. As a famous and slightly corrupt Boston politician once said...".to a battle of wits he comes unarmed." (Billy Bulger; Whitey's smart brother) To the battle of food and beverage these folks come unarmed.
(2)
Victoria V.
Stopped in while waiting for our reservation next door and sat at the bar. Had a couple of their famous classic Mai Tais. They did not disappoint. Not too sweet and went down smooth. The place was pretty busy, but we were served quickly by the friendly bar staff. We didn't eat here, but definitely stop by for a drink during Happy Hour! Hope to return soon to experience the rest of what it has to offer. Cheers!
(4)
Aimee S.
We recently had dinner with a group of friends and was pleasantly surprised. The reviews on Yelp were hit or miss so I'm really glad Trader Vic's exceeded my expectations. We had the Cosmo Tidbits to start, which included crispy prawns, crab Rangoon Char Siu pork and BBQ ribs. I also had a caesar salad. Not bad. Not one of the best, but good. For my entree I ordered steak and prawns. It was cooked perfectly and very good. My husband ordered the Mongolian beef short ribs. Awesome flavors. Cooked very well. Moist not dry. Everyone in our group enjoyed their dinners, a lot. Our waiter and other staff were very attentive and I can't think of one negative thing to say. I was impressed. Oh yeah, the mai tais are awesome.
(4)
Renee O.
And I was back at Trader Vic's in under a week. Clearly something pulled me back. Here's your toss up... - Wait for the slow service - have an outstanding cocktail For me...the cocktails are worth the wait I still have nothing to say about the food as this has been purely a drink spot for us :)
(5)
Tyler C.
Hello 40 year old suburban moms! Welcome to your place in the city Trader Vic's! Here you can feel young, get out of your sweatpants for a night and drink till you annoy any person that actually lives in this area. After that bad intro I did have decent food the one (and only) time I went here. I won't be back until I'm into cougars (which will be never). The atmosphere is cute and cozy & I'm trying to respect this place for what it is. Three stars from me.
(3)
Jeff M.
A Haiku Review of Trader Vic's: Fixin for Tiki? "The Alibi" is my pick. Vic's was a bit stiff.
(3)
B R.
Went in with my 25 yr old daughter at 4:30pm.......restaurant completely empty bar completely empty.....told they could not take walk ins and that we couldn't sit in the bar because she was a minor. Just make an assumption rude snotty host. Don't need to support your chain when there are do many great local restaurants
(1)
Magicka M.
LOVE the Tiki theme! LOVE the cutesy delicious drinks. LOVE the decor, the ambiance and atmosphere. The prices leave a little more room for the loving. However it is not the worst I've seen and at least the food and drinks come out looking like they are worth every penny. I ordered the barrel drink just because it looks awesome! and it seem like a lot of their drinks (and food) are very presentable! I'd go back everyday if I could, but that's not good for the wallet otherwise I'd probably would go back one to many times. Service is great! and their drinks are wonderful!!!! The place just feels nice. Definitely worth going to. I should check out their happy hour that I haven't been to yet....
(4)
Jacob M.
Great ambiance, love the Honi Honi and we also had calamari, which was absolutely amazing with flavor!!! Definitely a must!
(5)
Shelby W.
Love the happy hour menu and definitely recommend the WAVE! Will come back again, and again!
(5)
Kalon P.
It was way too expensive for the food. I had a mushroom risotto that was $24 that wasn't that good for rice and mushrooms. I've tried a few things over there and the Maui wowie shrimp. Everything is $19 dollars and up for an entree which doesn't match the quality. The only thing that saves this place is the drinks, the bar tending staff and the look of the place. They need to bring the price down and have one more page of food as good as the Maui wowie shrimp.
(2)
Stephanie A.
Unique atmosphere! Super stiff drinks with the equivalent price tag. Recommend checking out at least once, next time I'll return for the happy hour. My 1944 Mai tai was so stiff I had to dilute it with pineapple juice others at my table had a blended piña colada equivalent and a martini thing. Even with out the drinks it's fun to check out all the tiki decor and creative cocktail list.
(3)
Julie F.
We purchased a Living Social to Trader Vic's. Our waiter knew that as we were up front and he could not have been more accommodating. The restaurant was super busy but the entire staff was into service. They cleared dishes promptly and brought clean knives and forks back for the next course. Our waiter had a fun sense of humor. The food was fresh, great presentation and tasty! Chris the Manager was in the act all night too. Doing whatever needed to be done, filling water glasses etc. We will return! Thanks!
(5)
William W.
Very strong, yummy drinks. I'm not a huge tiki fan, and typically avoid places like this, but I've really enjoyed the several times I've been in. The rum cocktails are unique, with lots of specialty liquor behind the bar I've not seen elsewhere. Happy hour pricing is very reasonable, we had snacks and a few rounds for $20-30. Give it a shot - it's a great twist on the usual Portland happy hour fare.
(5)
Donna K.
I enjoy the Polynesian decor and Latin music fusion.Live music was a plus. We ordered a couple drinks, which we thought would come out in fancy cups, but it they were just regular glasses. A lot of drinks on the menu but none of which seemed too special although next time we may try a bowl cocktail. We ordered the spiced creme brulee, which was a pumpkin flavored creme brulee, tasty but a little on the heavy side. We would go back to try new cocktails and possibly a stab at dinner.
(3)
Laura C.
While I enjoyed the Tahitian decor, I found the drink prices a lot stiffer than the actual drink. I think what you are paying for is the marketing department to come up with names like "Rum Giggle" and "Scorpion bowl" The happy hour ribs (Cosmo Tidbits) are fantastic, but they come in tapas sized servings. The Crab Rangoon's are great too...but again, you don't get much. The pork sliders and burger are average to good. That's not to say you won't have a good time, but you will walk away with a tab that more resembles a dinner bill than "happy hour". I say, take newbies and out-of-towner's here. But I don't say "Make this your Cheers bar". For me, this restaurant is reserved for special occasions only.
(3)
Alexi M.
Although the drinks are tasty all the ingredients obviously come from plastic bottles. No doubt that have been shipped in from their corporate headquarters. Nothing here is local or artisan and in town that prides itself on those qualities this restaurant is beyond outdated. The staff is friendly enough but the food is lackluster. If your in the area your money is better spent at Obas, Andina or Teardrop.
(1)
Chris C.
Service and food were excellent. Gigantic drinks were all top notch, the only down side is the price point is decently high.
(5)
Don B.
For what it is, Trader Vic's kills it. I mean, it's a tiki bar that obviously isn't intending to compete with the Pok Poks and Le Piegons of Porltand's insanely advanced culinary scene. In fact, if you're looking for hand cured meats or fancy French haute cuisine, you're barking up the wrong bamboo pole. Trader Vic's is a fun spot to gather for sugary rum cocktails and better-than-you'd-expect-for-a-franchise food. I'm not big on chains or franchises myself, but what I do appreciate about a franchise is that it's generally locally owned. What I appreciate about this outpost of the legendary rum bar is that the bartenders know how to pour a drink. It's not a speakeasy or a craft cocktail bar, but the Mai Tai's at Trader Vic's are better than any I've had in Hawaii and are made to actual authentic recipe standards right down to the mint sprig. Sure they use Trader Vic's syrups... but as long as you know what to expect, you should be fairly pleased with the product. Oh, and their Navy Grog is proper. If you're screwing around with vodka soda or whiskey or anything similar here you're doing it wrong. I've only tried some of the food at this location - mainly the duck tacos (uh, yes please) and the pork ribs. Both were quite good. I also sampled a lot of food at the media opening but I can't really report on that (since it's never the same at a media event as it is on the regular). I can't comment on the rest of the main dishes - I think I'll stick with the small snacks here. The space itself is classic tiki and this restaurant is gigantic. I rolled in on a Wednesday night and the place was packed with an obviously Pearl crowd, most of which trended on the older side. Of course the generation that grew up with Trader Vic's is going to be excited for its return. The crowd wasn't really all that much my style but from my vantage at the bar (the only place I'd really prefer to sit here) the vista was primarily bartenders, a rum-soaked bar, and tiki-shaped cocktail glasses. Any other chain wouldn't likely get more than 3 stars from me, but the execution here is above average, for sure. If you can appreciate a real rum cocktail made with tropical juices and all sorts of interesting spice combos (meaning that you've graduated beyond rum and coke), then you should definitely stop in for a taste.
(4)
Taco E.
Loved that we were able to find a seat at the bar on V-Day; food was delicious and was delivered without much delay. Cocktails were standard, manager and bar staff were friendly, though ambiance was tacky and un-authentic. It was a bit on the pricey side but fitting of similar establishments in the Pearl district.
(3)
JW R.
We breeze past the hostess stand, cuz I'm VIP like a mofo. We sit at the bar and the dude who used to work at Paddy's gives us cocktail menus. Then every bartender in NW greets us. It was like a clown car. I swear there were twenty people back there running up to say hi. Does the service manual say "stalkerish"? It was just the first of several slightly unnerving things. The hostesses all wear the same uniform, it makes them look like stewardesses. The bartenders all wear the same cheesy ass shirt, it makes them look like 50yo suburban dads (except for the ones with breasts). The waiters jackets are a little scifi-y. The decor screams "kit". I was expecting to see "slot A" and "tab B" marked on pieces of fake bamboo. It's just shy of annoying, tho. Aside from the slight WTF factor, every bartender we dealt with was perfectly friendly in that way you can tell is de rigueur but executed well. So, food and drinks. We got the pupu platter and an extra spareribs. It was all pretty good, someone else got a burger (with no fries! WTF?!). The whole tab for 3 apps (a burger without fries is an app, dammit!) and 3 drinks came to FIFTY SIX FUCKING DOLLARS!! That should be considered assault. I should be legally authorized to shoot my way out of a tab like that. That, sir (or madam as the case may be) is bullshit. And I don't like rum, putting most of the cocktail list in Ickystan. So if friendly service and kitsch are worth being rogered by the tiki gods check it out. Meet me at the Low Brow when you're done.
(2)
Ace E.
I'm so glad Trader Vic's came back to Portland! I was a senior in High School when the original restaurant in the Benson Hotel closed in 1996 and I never got to go. But something about this place stuck in my mind. I've visited, dined, and drank at 6 other Trader Vic's' before this location opened in Portland. Some of them didn't get the decor right. Some of them didn't get the drinks right. And some of them are now closed because of it. Now, I was a bit apprehensive about what this Vic's would be like, but had high hopes about their grand unveiling. To my great relief it turned out fantastically decorated, better than almost every Vic's I've been to, save for the charming flagship location in Emeryville, CA. The drinks have been spot on, food delicious and service, well, mostly excellent. I realize that in the first 6 months or so of opening a new restaurant and training new staff that there are some kinks to work out. I am very much a fan of this Trader Vic's Portland location! So if you want to experience real Tiki style, tippling libations, and gourmet grub, don't hesitate to check out Trader Vic's Portland, and remember to dress the part in your tropical best! Update: it's been a few years since my original review. The original bar staff was excellent. They have changed over the years, sometimes good, sometimes better, sometimes it's just wrong. It has improved as of late to my great relief. If this place is going to make it in Portland for the long haul they will have to keep the food menu fresh and the drinks consistent. There has been several changes of head chef and a reworking of the menu a number of times. I appreciate seasonal ingredients, but please for the sake of our dear departed Vic, keep it tropical themed in some way! There must be some tropical and exotic ingredients on the menu that are still accessible to the common gentleman and lady. The staff is great and I enjoy my dining experiences here. I will continue to bring friends and family to Trader Vic's as long as "TV" is around.
(5)
Ron T.
ALOHA! This is a tropical themed retirement home in the city. But don't despair and lose hope of a better crowd, the dinosaurs go home by 10pm as they are afraid their skin might get used as belts, shoes and leather goods. Not that I'm hating. It's just what it is here. I love the tropical theme. It's clean. (make sure you put water sealant on your floor by the fountain). But sadly, so does my plate when it arrived. I ordered Ahi Poke and the proportions are a bit off. I did not order half avocado and half tuna all rolled and packed in a small cylinder. In a big plate garnished with 5 taro chips. The calamari is good. But I could have had the same quality for lesser price at Bastas Trattoria. I also like the quality of fish and chips. It is decent for what it is( but two fish, REALLY?!). But to pay that amount? Yeah, no thanks. I can get the same thing for that price at McMinnemins and BurgerVille with more fish and less seasoned fries. I'm not a fan of rum. I only drink it when I'm in the tropics. The service is decent. We were not hounded by a clown full of cars like JW did. I think those clowns were off that day. Though they could have more attention to detail like getting the iced tea that we ordered and not reacting weird when I say "OK" when asked how things are going. I'm not the type of person to say "GREAT" just to please you. I love their uniforms, they look like Asian Airline flight attendants. (Take that as a compliment, Asian Airline FAs are fine, fresh and fierce). I hope this business last for a while. While they are a chain and change is far from happening, good luck. Specially when the turnover from that spot has been a little faster than the other establishments. Would I come back? Maybe.
(2)
Alexander L.
Went there last night for my partner's birthday dinner. The menu they had posted online had changed, and the restaurant was very uninviting to vegan guests. The waiter made no effort to help us to find something to order. The worse part was that when the check came, they had charged an 18% tip without informing us, and the waiter told us to hurry because he was technically "off work", even though it was only just after 10PM and we sat down at 830PM. Then came the finale, we split the bill so that the 18% tip, which was already on the bill, was included in our portions. The waiter tried to trick us by adding on the tip on top of what we paid, so trying to bring the tip to 36% without asking us. I felt like they just didn't care, and the atmosphere of the restaurant (kind of empty and bleh) suggested that others in portland have had similar experiences.
(2)
Tony M.
Disclaimer: This one star review is not for poor service or bad tasting food or drinks. We did not stay to eat and drink. This one star review is for stupid business management. We arrived at Trader Vic's at 4:30 to meet our friends, Cindy and Brett for a highly anticipated happy hour. We had great expectations for the reopening of a classic. It was a beautiful afternoon in Portland and the outdoor tables were all occupied. Trader Vic's has roll up walls that create an outdoor atmosphere for those tables near the roll up walls. We asked if we could have our happy hour drinks and appetizers at one of those tables. We were informed that the tables were only for dining. The tables remained unoccupied from 4:30 to 6:30 (happy hour) while potential customers like us went down the block to Oba's to spend our money. Why send customers away from empty tables? Look for my five star Oba review for their outstanding food, drinks and service. We refer to our Trader Vic's experience as "OBAFLOW". Oba will continue to benefit from this stupid business strategy.
Very disappointed by our experience last night. Our waiter was not helpful, kind, or courteous when it came to accommodating our gluten and peanut allergies. In fact, he became angry when I asked if the chef could cook the salmon without the peanut vinaigrette. To top off his anger, after we had discussed w him that we were unable to eat the free lavosh crackers w peanut butter cream, he still brought it to the table!! Grr. It felt like he was trying to prove our allergies were not real health concerns. Food was overlooked, but at this point we gave up on any semblance of customer service. Terrible experience for the expensive cost!
(1)
Gillian W.
This place, while the atmosphere is good the price is way over priced! Stopped here for a start to the Barfly bus and have been here before but do not frequent. I think there are bettter places to go if you are wanting to get some better drinks started for the night. If you there for flashy stuff you have it made.
(3)
Sherry S.
Made it in here 3 minutes before happy hour was to be over and on a Tuesday. That's good timing for finding seats in the lounge for sure! The waitress was awesome about getting our order in time, though frankly not all of the regular items are really that much more expensive. Introduced the daughter to her first mai tai, complete with umbrella. We then ordered the crab rangoon, maui waui shrimp, and their Shanghai caesar salad. It did bring back a few memories as I know in my past I ventured in this place at some point. It was all hot, quick and good enough bites. The salad was especially enjoyable as it had some fresh ginger on the side, some spicy cashews and the dressing was full flavored. The maui waui shrimp was crispy and just sweet enough. The crab rangoon was, well crab rangoon to the T. If you can show up early enough in the day to see some of the decor, it's quite spectacular-from the wonderful wood floors to the fun polynesian grass wallpapers, all the way up to the ceilings. There are also water features, as well as glass art here and there. Fun stuff. As I said, the waitress was a doll through and through, and I was getting her at the tail end of the happy hour and she pulled it off. For dessert we had to split the passion fruit mousse with pink peppercorn meringe. Can you say wow?
(4)
Madame M.
I finally managed to try Trader Vics the other night. I went with a group of coworkers for Happy Hour. We went right when it started to avoid any crowds. It was nice and quiet which allowed for us to talk in peace which was good. They have a decent amount of Happy Hour snacks available. I tried the fries and the chicken satay. The Chicken Satay was ok, nothing too special. It is some grilled chicken (that took an oddly long time for being the only customers in the restaurant) on a stick with some dipping sauce. The french fries while plentiful for $4.00 were oddly spiced. I love spice but not a fan of heat. When I think of french fries, I think of crispy salted fries, not spicy, semi crisp fries. The fries were not advertised as seasoned fries which was annoying, it just says "basket of fries" not seasoned fries. I understand Trader Vics is known for its drinks. I am not much of a boozer so I tried two of their non-alchoholic offerings since they have a good amount to choose from. Here are my drink reviews 1. Honolulu Bay: It is a frozen drink of strawberry and pineapple juice with an umbrella. I found it a bit weak on the fruity side, a little watered down on the flavor also quite overpriced for $6.00 especially since it was small and did not contain alcohol. 2. Coral Reef: Somewhat of a smoothie with the same flavors as listed above but with a dash of coconut and mango. This one was weak on fruitiness as well. I think they greatly scimp on the fruit flavor in these drinks. I have had more flavorful Vitamin Water. Also a hefty $6.00 At 6pm, live music starts so if you wish to have a conversation, come before then cause it gets loud. Also, for a TIKI inspired establishment, I didn't understand the lack of actual Polynesian music. There was Astrud Gilberto-esque music playing which was confusing. All in all, I was pleased with the decor and price of the Happy Hour snacks but underwhelmed with the drinks that I had due to their high price for little flavor. I may try them again if I want an alcoholic beverage just to see what they are like but I will stick with homemade smoothies that cost half the price with 5x the flavor.
(3)
Rachael S.
I'd been looking forward to coming here. For months. Since I heard about them opening back up. I stalked the blog, the reviews in various papers... And I finally got to go for happy hour with a girlfriend on Friday. And I was sad. We ordered drinks and a couple items from their happy hour menu. The drinks were very tasty, decidedly fruity, but weak. Really weak. That was too bad, because I was very fired up for some fruity drinks. No dice. French fries with curry seasoning. Not bad, but we got the basket with ALL little nubbins from the bottom of the bag. Not overly crispy, some were pretty soggy. They had this weird dipping sauce, neither of us could figure out what it was supposed to be so we stuck to the ketchup. And last, we ordered the coconut Maui Wowie shrimp. Wowie, they tasted a LOT like apple bee's.... Not decidedly coco-nutty... In fact, the coconut was shredded so small that only when I picked a piece off the end of my tongue did I realize there was coconut in it. The sauce was uninspired. I was glad to have gotten it at the Happy Hour price because had I paid full price, I would have been upset. Not a large portion, not a good quality. Tail off, apple bee's type shrimp. I have the trader Vic's cookbook and the shrimp in there are much better than what they serve at the restaurant. I really wanted to try the crispy duck but wasn't inspired to spend anymore money on mediocre food. Our waitress was perky and cute, checked in on us OFTEN. We sat in the bar, which was quite sparsely populated when we got there, but within an hour and a half, it was standing room only. Mostly 50-somethings. I am NOT 50-something. But she didn't know how to properly pronounce some of the things on the menu. If you are going to use a commonly known Hawaiian word/phrase (kama'aina) you should know how to say it... Minor pet peeve. There were others... So all in all, I probably won't be making TVs a regular spot for anything, unfortunately. I was VERY excited to go here and left feeling cheated.
(2)
Carrie S.
I really want to give them a 3.5 star rating. Atmosphere and design of restaurant: Makes you want to go to a tropical island and drink pina coladas served by a pool boy named Pedro. Service: Service was very good. The hostess was very attentive, and my waitress, Monica, was fantastic. She tried very hard to find me gluten free options. What I was a little miffed about was that they really had to search hard in order to accommodate my allergy, and the chef is not necessarily focused on those of us with allergy issues. Not that he has to be,,,,but the ability to have a more diverse menu is a plus for obtaining a great number of customers. Food: Small servings. Overpriced. I had the sea spring roll minus the ponzu. It was 3 microscopic pieces of food for $15.00. Epic fail. I then had the Mahi Mahi, which was OK. Not worth the $24.00, but at least there was enough food with this entree that the plate was dirty enough to wash. We ordered the ice cream dessert. It was three different flavors (banana, a coconut, and a rum flavor) Only one ice cream tasted good, the banana. It was 3 small scoops of ice cream for $8.00. I know I will be back. The atmosphere just screams fun place to hang out. But, I would definitely only do happy hour to keep the costs low.
(3)
Janet L.
First, the good! Very friendly, attentive, knowledgeable waitstaff. The cocktails were made with sharp attention to measurements from what I observed at my bar seat - which I really appreciate when trying some classic tiki drink recipes. I like knowing they're made "correctly" and not based on how heavy the bartender's hand happens to be. The drinks were delicious. I also love how well-decorated Trader Vic's is - they obviously invested a lot in creating the ambiance and it shows. The thatch ceiling is beautiful! I didn't get a chance to try any of the food but I considered it and looked at the menu and didn't see many vegetarian options aside from salads. The prices are higher than my SE Portland budget but typical for the area - this is in a bustling pearl location. This would be a nice "safe" place to take a group or family that's not from Portland and wants something a little different but "not TOO weird". But for my personal taste I don't think I'd come back as I prefer smaller unique places that don't feel as huge and chain-y. And since the menu was so meat-centric I'd only come to drink.
(3)
Tiffany R.
Go here if you want to get girlie-drink drunk. It will cost you some cash but it is worth it for a night out. The restaurant was really clean the service was super nice. Had the interactive beef on a stick....cook it yourself over a flame. Kind of fun!
(4)
courtney s.
Trader Vic's... Ah the memories...as a child my mother would go to Trader Vic's for dinner and cocktails and return home with a plethora of cocktail goodies...plastic monkeys, mermaids and the ultimate 'menehune." I loved it. I imaged warm sand, sunsets and topical breezes. I have been waiting to go to Trader Vic's and even holding off until I felt it was the right moment. It so happened that I ended up there today on a whim with two dear friends who are rum connoisseurs. We arrived late afternoon to find an impressive crowd. We sat at the bar and were greeted by Greg the bartender. We ordered a 1944 Mai Tai and a couple of Menehune Juice cocktails. Greg made our drinks with panache and speed. I have to admit I am not a fan of rum due to a bad experience with Bacardi 151 many years ago, despite this the Menehune Juice was sublime. Plus, it came complete with my very own menehune figure. Trader Vic's was fun and my cocktail was delicious enough that I forgot it cost $11, yes, $11. I rated my experience4 stars only because it is a chain. The atmosphere is nice and they were staffed to the gills. I appreciate a good bartender who enjoys their job and is willing to engage with customers. Greg was attentive without being overbearing and gladly provided narrative as he made a variety of cocktails.
(4)
Loubna B.
This is a classic (but newly built) Trader Vic's dripping with Tiki Awesomeness! And while I will still take the Circus folks to the Alibi...now I have an exotic tiki place in PDX to take the parents. Here's hoping they change the BGM from 1950's malt shop doo-whop back to mid-century Exotica as it should be.
(4)
Ame P.
I had first been to Trader Vics in Las Vegas. I did not know it was a chain at the time so I was definitely surprised to see the establishment in Portland. The way it is set up in Portland is a lot different from what I remembered about the one in Vegas. The entrance is immediately eye catching and welcoming with its cute totem polls and fountain. The initial vibe you get is that its a tiki lounge, but a CLASSY tiki lounge. If you're coming for dinner, it can be a little on the pricey side, but they've got a great happy hour. The drinks have always been tasty and strong every time I've gone here. The servers are super friendly and knowledgeable. This spot kind seems random in the Pearl, but I like it because it's different. Go here for dates or with groups, you won't be disappointed!
(4)
Brett P.
I really wanted to like this place...but they made it very tough. I love the atmosphere...very island resort looking with bamboo and thatched grasses everywhere...tiki tiki tiki. The food however was abysmal. In particular, the overpriced ($21) Orange Chicken dish which was recommended by the waitress, was terrible. I've had frozen stirfry with a ton more flavor. I'm convinced that the chicken was frozen...and bland bland bland and dried out to within an inch of it's life. Extremely disappointed. Nothing we ordered was even mildly tastey. The ahi pole was ok....that's it. I'd possibly go back for a quick drink just for the atmosphere...but for food?..no thanks!!
(2)
Heather D.
Get the pork sliders! Just do it! The crunchy pickled cucumbers complete them... completed me. SO FRICKIN' GOOD! Moving on... think hawaiian tiki bar with lots of intimate seating complete with indoor tropical waterfall. This is a great date or group meet-up place. The service was fantastic and fast! They checked on us often, but were not intrusive. The food was great and really tasty. We were there during Happy Hour and it was not over-crowded. (Happy Hour extends to anywhere on the wooden floors.) Drinks are pricey and delicious, but also mostly ice. It's nice to have something a little different in the Pearl.
(4)
Jan A.
BOOOO!!! ok, so it was just a few weeks ago we were having the delightful brunch I raved about. Well, 2 weeks ago, we headed to TV for brunch again....closed. It was noon. Now I KNOW we had reservations last time at 12.30 so I'm wondering....what the heck...out of business already? We dined elsewhere. While we were walking back to the car, I see the front doors of TV open and all of the street windows open in the dining room, letting in the pleasant afternoon weather, and tables of diners dining. Huh, guess they changed their hours...a note on the front door would have been nice (which I mentioned to them, with no response). Get home, check their website, Yes: new hours Sat & Sun, opening at 1. That's that. Brunch menu still up. Yesterday (Sunday), go to TV's. It's about 2.00. walk in, (had the kiddie with us), get told any spots off the wood floor (?) are kid friendly. What?? Us: Um, is the dining room not open? TV her: No. It's never been open, it's always been this way Us: What?!? We were just here a couple..... TV her: oh, yea we changed it a couple weeks ago. Us: ...weeks ago for brunch. TV her: Well, brunch would have been over now anyways. Me: F U trader vics. I'll make my own pina colada at home. wow, what a game changer. Not to mention JUST the weekend before the dining room WAS open! I fricking saw it with my own two eyes. never again
(1)
Jordan H.
The Best Mai Thai you will ever have is here. I'm not just saying best Mai Thai in Portland, because my wife and I just got back from our trip to Hawaii, where I did have quite a few Mai Thai's and trust me they were not on the same level as the Trader Vic's Mai Thai! Besides the Mai Thai, the service (at the bar) is excellent. The bartenders, every one of them are super friendly, and great to talk to on a slow day. I have not experienced the table service, so I can't say anything good/bad about the servers, but the bartenders are fantastic, and make their drinks very well. The food! The food is amazing, the Mauai Shrimp is superb. Not your usual selection, but I have worked my way down the menu and tried quite a few of the selections and I have yet to have anything that did not satisfy me! This place is fun, with a great atmosphere, a wonderful place to stop in and have a drink, and some food to go with it!
(5)
Chiemi N.
I really want to like Trader Vic's, but have mixed feelings about it. If it were possible to give half stars, I would give it 3 1/2 stars, I am rounding up. The first time I went, it was a special event, and everything that I tried was wonderful, the service was par excellence! The best Mai Tai that I've ever had. I really looked forward to going back and trying it out again. The next time I went, I went to a happy hour event that a friend was hosting at Trader Vic's. I got there later than I wanted, that was my fault. So there wasn't really anyplace to sit. I barely squeezed in on the happy hour deal, since I got there at 6:25. I placed my order at the bar, with the bartender. The server that brought out the food, just went to a general area of the bar and asked who ordered what. I ordered the Caesar salad and the crab rangoons. No where at the bar to set the food down. So I told the server that I had friends at a crowded table across the room, could he follow me with the sauce to the crab rangoons, he didn't, so no sauce for my crab rangoons. I was also disappointed that the happy hour menu was quite pared down from the lounge menu. It was very limiting, but the prices were good. I really like the tiki ambiance of Trader Vic's. It reminds me of a different place, in a different time. I would like to give this place another chance. Maybe get there earlier to secure seating during happy hour, and order appetizer off hh menu, and something off the regular menu!
(4)
Dian K.
I'm surprised that this place only has a 3 star average. First time I came here was a Yelp event. I was really impressed with their food then, so I vowed to come back. I forgot about it until I saw them listed in Portland Dining Month. Perfect! Got a few friends and off we go. First of all, they make stiff drinks - so make sure you pace yourself because Mai Tai sure comes down easy. If you're with 3 or more, the Scorpion bowl or Rum Keg is the way to go.. Woohooo! :) Comes with extra long straws for sharing. Their food continue to impress too. The crab rangoon was a nice flaky fried wonton skin filled with flavored cream cheese. Mustard that comes with it is awesome. Their house-made peanut butter is to die for - I'm not sure why they don't start selling these by the bottle, I would totally be in for one. My Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi was cooked perfectly - the surprise star was the wasabi mash potato - not overpowering, but can tell it's waaaaasssssaaaaabiiiii. Desert was probably their weakest point. The Berry panna cotta wasn't a panna cotta (IMHO) - more have a greek yogurt consistency with the berry already infused in the panna cotta. The Snowball, which is basically a scoop of vanilla ice cream with toasted coconut and chocolate sauce was "meh". Can't really taste the coconut and the ice cream itself isn't all that. Other than food, the service was good - I don't think I ever had my water glass empty and the ambiance is spot on. All those Polynesian masks, thatch roof and live Polynesian music definitely works. Overall, I'm really impressed with their food offerings, especially considering they're a chain.
(4)
Olive R.
I love the history and story behind Trader Vic's reopening in Portland. I went to a Yelp Elite event here last month and although I'm not a huge Mai Tai fan, I really liked their Mai Tais, not too sweet and pretty strong. :) Why the 3-star review? The crab rangoons I tried at the event were so good that a couple of weeks later I stopped by, on a whim, for happy hour and ordered rangoons and a mai tai. My drink was the same (tasty!), but the rangoons (yes, I'm leaving out the word crab on purpose) were practically empty. Disappointing. I'd give Trader Vic's another go if I was just ordering drinks, or someone else suggested it, but not top of mind when I'm trying to decide on happy hour in the Pearl.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Touristy Noise Level : Average Music : Background Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Jessica G.
Love trader vics!! I come here once a week. The food is fantastic but the drinks are even better! The mai tais are perfect and the environment is lovely. The Windows open in the summer time so it's nice and breezy inside and its so warm and cozy during winter time. Its like being on a warm island in the middle.of the city.
(5)Victoria J.
Okay...first of all our wait person, Justin, was great...that's it. We were a party of 8 on a Monday (with res) and it was not crowded. The entree's took over an hour to appear and three of us ordered the Mahi Mahi....ewwww. The "crunchy macadamia/coconut crust" was soggy (as if it set under the warming lights for awhile) and the fish was dry and tasteless. One of our party ordered a steak and it was tasty, but cold. We were told that there was only one portion of Poki salad left because it was a popular dish on the weekend...kind of worrisome, as Poki is raw marinated tuna, so how old was this last portion, anyhow? This is the second time we have been to Trader Vic's and we were disappointed the first time, but gave it another try...won't be back. There are so many great restaurants in Portland, why waste time and money on a inferior one?
(1)Aaron P.
Recently we had our post-wedding celebration at Trader Vic's. The staff, food, and service was incredible. They went above and beyond our requests and made our big day very memorable. If you would like to do something special, regardless of the occasion, contact Trader Vic's 'private dining' specialist Karah! She was extremely friendly and very creative with making our event unique. Beautiful atmosphere, tasty food, good prices, and amazing drinks!
(5)Pete H.
Solid apps here. Some really tasty breaded shrimps, fresh rolls and sliders. But the real powerhouse are the drinks. Some damn strong Mai-Tai voodoo is happening here.
(3)Ron And Anita T.
Had happy hour cocktails at Trader Vics in the Pearl District on a recent visit to Portland, OR. I know that the reviews are mixed, but for what we had, it was really very good. Plenty of space, not crowded and attentive service. You need to try the bourbon concocted mai tais; a cut above the usual rum flavored variety!
(3)Anthony B.
Caveat - It's really all about the bar. Yeah it's a chain, but it's one of my new favorite places! The bar has this great vibe to it, the drinks are fun, the staff is friendly, and the pupus taste great. Mai Tai is crazy good - Not too sweet and made with the most perfect ice on the planet. Overall it's a great happy hour/ pre-funk/ hang out for a while kind of a place.
(5)Rpw F.
This is one of the harder reviews I have had to write. We know several restaurant owners in the greater Portland area, Bruce Carey is the most notable. When someone opens a restaurant, the hardest job for the owner is finding a management staff that reflects their personality and runs that restaurant as if the owner(s) themselves are running it. Lucky for Trader Vic's this is NOT the case! While the management and 90% of the staff are very professional and very accommodating, the owners, whom we had the displeasure of sitting next to last night, are no more than "old money" looking for a place to entertain and show off their investment. We had gone out for a quiet family birthday celebration and requested a table away from large parties. Our request was eagerly granted and we were seated in a part of the restaurant where only 4 top tables existed. Great we thought. After the family left that were seated next to us, another party of four older folks were seated. Again, we thought GREAT, they will certainly be quiet and our pleasant dinner will continue. Well, come to find out they were the owners and that quiet table of four quickly grew in to a party of NINE as the owner scooped up spare chairs from around the restaurant and dragged them to his table. At one point I felt like asking him to join us since he was nearly seated with us at our table. They had encroached upon everyones dining experience. I decided to say something to him, and while he listen graciously, he made no attempt to rectify the situation, like moving his party to the private dining room, instead he offered to buy us a dessert, totally unaware that IT CAME WITH OUR PRICE FIXED MENU! I did not want him to buy us anything, just move his large, loud party of none. So much for the owners. As for the restaurant itself, like I said the staff was great (except our server who lack much of a personality). The mangers are fantastic! The food was really good, and priced accordingly for the neighborhood. The atmosphere is fun, and while someone cliché, lends itself to the experience. Oh, did I mention the investors? Apparently at Trader Vic's, if you are an "investor" you get to pick the prime tables and leave the less desirable ones for your PAYING GUESTS! Yep, need I remind the owners and investors who is making sure their "investment" was good, THE PAYING GUESTS! Give us the good table so we will happily spend our hard earned money in YOUR restaurant and return time after time. Would I go back? NO,NO,NO! Only for the simple reason that I would not want to put another penny into the pockets of the owners and investors. Do yourself a favor. There are a lot of great restaurants in the Pearl District. Do yourself a favor and go to one where the owners circulate among the guests and make sure you are enjoying their restaurant and the investors know who is paying the return on their investment.
(2)Alice F.
its a fun place! we LOVE hawaii and when we crave the islands, we go get a mai-tai at trader vic's. they're delicious! the pupus are ok. we honestly simply go there for their tropical drinks and the very sweet and friendly bar area staff, versus the food. though i have to say that their ahi poke is pretty dang good!
(4)Well-Traveled I.
When I was in college, paying for a cheap drink that had more alcohol than other necessary ingredient(s) was the way to go. You wanted to get drunk; you didn't want to appreciate the finer art of mixology. Flash-forward to 30-something professional who wants to enjoy the drink. If you want to savor a drink, Trader Vic's is more the the place to get good drinks during happy hour but, as another poster pointed out, hide your wallet when it comes to ordering the food. The happy hour Crab Rangoons were bland; for a dollar or two more, I could've eaten much better ones at any other Thai place in town or the 'burbs for that matter. The pork sliders were OK, but nothing to jump for joy over and I was still hungry after eating both appetizers. The basket of fries, however, were quite tasty and I recommend them. Our waitress was your typical tatted PDX gal who looked like she had better things to do than wait on our table. I joked with my friends we could've walked out of there without paying if we left one-by-one; I joke, of course, but it's probably good for business to see if your customers still have a pulse and if they want to order anything else. It's pretty loud (as happy hour should be), so if you want intimate, don't go here. Given its location, it's also a pretty good mini-meat market for the Pearl crowd. Decor is actually pretty cool though. Overall, go for drinks at Happy Hour then head to another establishment for food (as there are plenty) in the Pearl worth your money.
(2)Whitney W.
I'm really between 3 and 4 stars here. This is an amazing place to come on a Tuesday night, the bar will be vacant, you can crawl into dark corner and have a nice drink with multiple straws for your duo or trio. The drinks have solid tiki flare, prepared well, and pretty strong. I met up with some people on a Friday night to go somewhere else after they had been at Trader Vics and it was a scene just to get to the bar and close the tab... that's... not my thing, so I would designate this a weekday joint. If you're here with your Aunt Edna who usually picks Applebee's off the chain list, you might have a rad evening of tiki time, instead of vests full o' flair. She'll have some fun, you'll want to go eat somewhere else, or even pick up a burrito from a truck on the way home, after all that rum delight grog sloshing around in your stomach. The problem is... the food. Maybe a snack if needed, but really, stick with the drinks. The peanut butter mousse (that's food, right?) HOWEVER, is outrageously delicious. The walk to the bathroom is great, the decor is tops. Decor. Drinks. Dessert. That's what's good about it.
(3)Mikaela S.
Again a pregnant woman reviewing a bar, what scandal! The fist thing i noticed when i checked out the menu was their designated driver menu, hells to the yes! I went into this tiki bar with my grandmother, aunt and sister for a ladies night and since i was the only one who couldn't drink i was prepared to be "that person" and try to order something virgin, no need though- they have virgin menu! I got the mango, coconut peach something or the other and it was delicious. Everyone else gt tropical drinks and then wine. The only complaint is that the singer was very....enthusiastic. He would be singing a mello tune an then suddenly wammy! He is belting it all out! Other than that, great drinks!
(4)Spencer D.
The overall ambiance of the restaurant is pretty cool. It's not casual, but not dressy and there are interesting things to look at all over the place. Other than that, my experience was barely a meh. The person I was with had a terrific porkchop and the mashed potatoes were very tasty. The appetizer we got, the asparagus, was good initially but then as the taste started to set in it was overly smokey. It actually got sort of gross toward the end. I always finish my food, especially at expensive restaurants, and I left probably a third of this appetizer behind. My dinner was an utter disappointment. I got the "orange chicken." Which, according to what I can decipher, means they dyed the chicken orange and put it over some Uncle Ben's rice. There was absolutely zero flavor to it. I had to ask for an extra thing of the sauce they supposedly used to cook it in and even after dumping half of it over my plate, it still had virtually no taste. The only thing that was good was the warm pineapple. I asked the server if they forgot to do something with it and suggested dumping more sauce on it. Even she said the chicken looked a little dry when she brought it.
(2)Michael F.
Great rum drinks. The inside is retro fun. It looks like your Grandpa's basement bar. Pass on the rib appetizer. Fun place to bring friends.
(3)Pete L.
Oba is right next door. Please save money and your stomach and go to Oba or somewhere else. We were there tonight and were just able to make it about half way home and I needed a restroom. The next stop was for a pepto-Bismol - max. The chicken lettuce cups arrived cold and had to be returned and reheated. My burger reminded me of something made somewhere else and reheated, but not refrigerated while waiting to be prepared for clients. The Mai Tai was a joke. All ice, no liquor. All that said, the service was worse. When he graced us with his presence he acted like he was doing a favor. And his attitude would explain the cold food and the fact we had to go to bar for the additional items we needed.
(1)Monica B.
I was recently at Trader Vic's for a second time for their happy hour. I didn't have a full meal, only wine, a pork slider and a few of the crab rangoon. The slider was amazing and crab rangoon was very good dipped in their spicy mustard. The service was friendly and responsive, so overall a very good experience. I'll definitely be back for happy hour and hopefully next time for dinner too.
(4)Angie J.
Service was great, atmosphere was great, food was great, drinks were awesome. We started with some happy hour mai tai's and apps in the bar, then moved to the dining room for dinner. The ribs on our cosmo tidbits were so good that I ordered them again as my entree, and my wife got probably the best mahi mahi I've ever tasted. We opted to pass on desserts because we had filled up on everything else, but we'll be back for sure. Definitely a good spot to escape the chilly Portland winter!
(4)Ellie B.
Strong Maui Mai Thai! Friendly service and I love Polynesian decor. They seem to be true to what I imagine the original trader Vic's to be. I'll get there someday. They opened early because it was a nice day but they didn't have their full menu available. It was a nice place to relax and chat.
(4)Brian C.
Dinner Feb 2 Very underwhelming dining experience, had great expectations too. Beautiful location in Pearl District. Interesting decor inside, lots of tiki wood, very South Pacific looking themed, which sorta reminded me of my buddy's parents' house that was decorated in 1961 and stayed that way until they died. - Mixed drinks were loved by all, especially the Mai Tai's - The Chinese Oven was very cool, neat to see. - The desserts were out of this world, Whoever the pastry chef is there is a genius! The Smores came out with there on little hibachi and the marshmallows were made fresh at the restaurant. The Rum flavored IceCream with Pralines was bursting with flavor! - Salmon was liked by those that ordered it, but it was very boring and plain. - Pork Chop had a great smokey flavor, very moist and cooked perfectly. Thought the BBQ Sauce/glaze could have been sweeter. It just didn't seem to go well with the Chop. - All Appetizers were a waste of money. Bland, boring, flavorless, small. Calamari was basic (did like the aioli sauce), Sampler Platter had terrible Crab Rangoon ( any Chinese Restaurant has better), BBQ Spareribs and Sliced Pork were dry and cool, Coconut Shrimp pedestrian...Worst part was there were no special dipping sauces that were unique or different. They kept bringing out a tangy ketchup and Chinese mustard - both very simple. For the money we paid we were expecting much, much more. If I ever went again, it would be for drinks an dessert only. Unfortunately, there are so many great restaurants in the Pearl District, let alone Portland, I may never get back.
(2)Chris B.
Solid three stars. Awesome tiki decor and great drinks. I had requested a nice table via my online reservation and they put us in the worst table in the place, in the far corner away from all the tiki stuff staring into the kitchen. I requested a better table and the waitress seemed confused what was wrong with it. If I wanted bland atmosphere, I would have gone to Denny's...well, OK, not Denny's, but you get the idea. Waitress was nice and friendly, but service was poor and she was MIA for long stretches of time. They screwed up one of our orders, but took a drink off the tab when we didn't like it. Food was better than I expected given the reviews here...the men's room was a like a downtown bus station's. Unghhh.... Their snowball desert was terrific!
(3)Travis S.
Ugh! First meal during Portland Dining Month (2012) was a decent Filet Mignon, a brunch the following weekend was so-so, but our third visit (dinner) was absolutely boring. For $21, an orange chicken dish should taste far superior to Panda Express, and a bit better than Cheesecake Factory. Unfortunately this orange chicken didn't have any flavor, at all (really, I didn't even taste the chicken). In fact, the only thing I could really taste was the burned chicken hairs on the skin of the chicken chunks. It was so bad, I asked for more sauce, thinking maybe they'd forgotten to add the sauce, nope, that wasn't it. The small sauce dish with whatever-sauce-it-was-supposed-to-be had no flavor either. The upside? I ate the pineapple wedges around the perimeter.
(1)Chase L.
Great outdoor seating and Hawaiian ambience. Upscale clientele and a huge cocktail menu. Drinks you will not find in most Portland bars. I had the fillet, it was delicious and perfectly prepared.
(5)Wolf L.
Dumb. We wanted to celebrate my daughter's 21st birthday at a special locale. Someplace we could get the girl all liquored up with fruity tropical drinks. Trader Vic's sounded like the perfect place. However, daughter's boyfriend is not yet 21 so we called ahead to see if he would be allowed inside. We were told that "minors" are not allowed in the bar, but were welcome in the dining room, so we loaded everyone into the Family Truckster and headed downtown. When we arrived, we were told that underagers are only allowed at the tables outside, which isn't what we were told on the phone. The dining room was practically empty at 5:00 on a weekday, but we were told there were no tables available until 8:30. Really? Was there a party of a zillion expected at 5:05? I could understand if the joint was slammed, but there were a ton of empty tables in that dining room and I didn't see anybody waiting for a table. We asked if we could put our name down for one of the outside tables, but we were told they are "first come, first serve". WTF? Were we supposed to hover over a table and snag it as soon as somebody left? The little hostesses seemed completely uninterested in our patronage. We milled around on the sidewalk for a few minutes, fired up the Yelp app and found another place to celebrate. I spent $120 at the other establishment. They seemed f**king happy as hell to get my wallet cracked open, too. Seriously, Trader Vic's, can you send that kind of money out the door? I'll never cross your threshold again and (as you can see from this review) I'll tell everyone I know how lame you are.
(1)Orian I.
I'm gonna calls this tropical olive garden. it's very contrived big corporate and you can smell that a mile a way. our server had that very disingenuous stiff semi fake friendliness which makes me cringe. perhaps she was mad we weren't doing full meals, but then again I didn't really see anything on their menu which could be considered "full meals" I had the trader vics mai tai, which was really delicious, until I found out they use a mix? what? this is confusing to me. the burger ordered was enormous, the fries were meh, cold but the curry ketchup was decent. had it not been for the good company I had with the lady business womans networking group I was with I would have walked out.
(2)Guido F.
I'm a neighborhood local and this place is my go to. Solid drinks, REAL Mai Tais, the staff are always friendly and go out of their way to find us an outside spot in the summer so we can have our dogs with us. We generally hit the late happy hour but special dinners and out of town guests always mean at least one dinner here. We've never been let down by the food (not sure how barrel/oven works but barrel roasted meat-nothing like it!). Nice that the manager always takes a minute to chat too!
(5)Geoff K.
Trader Vics is often knocked as a 'chain', while it is a franchise, each one (except for the one in Emeryville, CA) is individually owned. The Pearl incarnation of Trader Vics is actually the 2nd one in Portland. The original Trader Vics was in the spot at the Benson Hotel now occupied by El Gaucho. Trader Vics brought in exceptionally accomplished and talented training staff to open this location and it shows. The drinks, while Tiki are fairly balanced. Yes some of the bigger cocktails are more expensive, but that's more a function of the fact that the OLCC marks up all the booze in this state by 107%!!! The food is flavorful and fun. We've had the ribs, shrimp. ahi tuna and the little skewers of beef that you toast over an open flame. Everything we had was dialed in, well cooked and extremely flavorful. Yes some of the items are a little on the spendy side so you need to order carefully or you can rack up quite a bill. The staff is extremely friendly, they have the perfect balance of making sure you have a good time and not checking in too much. Great bartenders who always help make the experience a fun one. Portland has been severely lacking in non-hipster, non-douchey, fun places to go drink and eat and Trader Vics has knocked it out of the park for that especially at its bar.
(4)Chris F.
Went here for my birthday dinner. We showed up early and had a wonderful experience in the bar. Once our table was ready, it all went downhill. The waitress was less than helpful, when we asked about certain items, due to food allergies, she told us the dishes would be fine. Unfortunately, when my friends dish came, there was a huge chunk of pineapple right on top. Which he is allergic to. Anytime we needed anything she was unavailable. However, other staff members were helpful when we could catch them. Upon leaving, the hostess told us it was that servers last night there.
(2)Miles N.
First a quick note to some of the negative reviews: Tropical Olive Garden?!? Seriously? There are artifacts at this Portland location that are over 100 years old, give it some respect. Its apparent that the Portland Hipster is not down with the T.V. tiki vibe. Great! I Look forward to sharing the bar next time with someone "older" who actually understands the scene. There are some serious issues that need to be worked out as far as the seating but overall I enjoyed my time here. Drinks were all great! As is any serious polynesian drink drinker Im pretty uptight about my mai tais. These are legit! All the drinks Ive tried so far are excellent. Next time your there order off the menu and get a "Nelson's Blood". Its a drink thats coming soon and may be my favorite. Food is expensive and portions are small, but what I ate was good. I cant afford it again anytime soon however I will be going back often for drinks and appetizers.
(4)Bob S.
Had reservations on Valentine's Day so keep that in mind but bottom line, it was just "average". Good atmosphere and fabulous cocktail menu overshadowed by slow service and uninteresting food. We tried a variety of appetizers and 4 different entrees but nothing was much of a hit ... except for the lettuce wraps (chicken) we had as a starter. Luckily we had a great table because we were in the restaurant for nearly 3 hours. Dessert was slow in arriving but the vanilla ice cream sunday with coconut crust was really good. Probably a better dining choice on a warm summer evening.
(3)Alex L.
Oh lordy. This place was like going to a tiki style Olive Garden. As an L.A. native I have had the pleasure of being able to frequent the famed BH Hilton Trader Vic's and this was obviously a far cry. I went in hoping to experience some of the same nostalgia, but everything was so cookie cutter and weird. Too bourgeoise. I know it is the Pearl District and all, but I guess I had rosey colored lenses on when I made the decision. Drinks: I got the standby Mai Tai and it was pretty good! No complaints. Food: SO BAD. We order the salmon chips. They were somehow really bland, but really fishy and salty. It was as if this was salmon used for another dish normally, but they tried to transfer it over to this. Not good. We also got the edamame hummus. Ew. The chips they came with weren't even good. WTF. Talk about bland! Seriously guys, Trader Joe's is up the street. Go there if you want some good edamame hummus. We did have the Maui Wowi or however you spell it shrimp. That was good. It's kind of impossible to mess up fried shrimp. Basically we left and went to Oba's. Oh well, you can't win 'em all. I would definitely maybe possibly come back here late nite when there aren't so many middle-aged weirdos in khaki shorts hanging around. In closing. Drinks - aight. Food - bad. Service - meh. Not impressed with the highly anticipated return of this restaurant to PDX. boohoo.
(2)Bill N.
Sat at the bar and had a couple of nostalgic fancy drinks. The food didn't look that interesting but that is not why you should go here. Just a place with a old school hawaiian atmosphere that serves fun pricy drinks. They have a bunch of weird mugs and glasses for all their different concoctions. It would be nice to see this place succeed. The comeback attempt in Bellevue, WA didn't last very long.
(4)Vince D.
Love it. Big, dark, and authentic. Better food that other Trader Vic's restaurants and the same tropical drinks you've come to love. It's a faux-tropical winner.
(5)Stuart B.
Summed up: Trader Vic's is a decent chain style restaurant with decent interior and atmosphere. Stick it out in Beaverton or Tualatin and it would be the hottest place in town. However it is entirely outclassed in quality, value, and execution by almost all the restaurants around it. It's just way out of it's league in the pearl. Went here for happy hour on a first Thursday so obviously it was busy, so I completely understand that it was packed and the only table available was a tiny bar table crammed in the corner. However, as to that table. It was wobbly and it wreaked like rotting pineapple in our corner. Combined with the low lighting and aforementioned wobbly table, the effect would be surmised as: fraternity basement. - The worst tables at, for example, Oba, are well lit and smell like... nothing. Drinks - We ordered a $24 "rum keg," which is a porcelain bowl filled with some kind of fruity rum concoction. The beverage reminded me of a better made version of what comes out of coolers at college jungle juice parties. A pitcher of house margaritas from, lets say, Oba, costs less, tastes better, and contains more booze. 4 martinis from Vault cost the same and make this thing look like a Sorority initiation joke. Food - Wanting a light meal I ordered some kind of braised meat tacos for $9. Assuming that $9 = cheap entree, I was shocked when four tiny crispy things with some meat in them arrived at my table. These would constitute a mediocre HH item at blue hour. El Matador on 23rd will give you an incredible plate of Enchiladas for $13 with sides. They tasted alright, I would've paid $5 for them. Oba was doing happy hour right then, could've had one of the best burgers + fries for $6. Service - Best part. Our waitress was fun. She was cute. She made jokes about the crowd. If she reads this - get a job across the street making better tips and they'll let you dress better. Longer summary: All and all Trader Vic's is pricing and acting like it's one of the best restaurants in its hood. It's not, not even close, so you're going to have to either lower your prices or vastly up your value/quality. Competitors have better food for less coin with more tasteful designs and no rotting food smells.
(2)Susan W.
An impromptu meet up with friends at Trader Vics was a great way to spend a Saturday night. The food was pretty darn good, but don't come here if you're a foodie expecting something supremely spectacular. We shared a bunch of different plates and the general consensus was that everything was very tasty and reasonably priced. While I wouldn't put this at the top of my list for a date night, it was perfect for a fun night out with a group. With an overwhelming list of rum and specialty cocktails, it was amusing to try different things and share amongst ourselves. I wouldn't normally order a fruity drink, but when in Rome...or a tiki bar, who doesn't want a drink in a coconut?
(4)Andrea G.
I had my first Trader Vic's experience. After living on the west coast for a few years, you'd think I would have heard about this place, but no. Finally broke that cherry! I didn't have a full-on meal here, but just some tastes of various appetizers. They have some crab and cream cheese won tons that are definitely quite tasty, but overall, I wasn't too impressed with the food. The drinks are where it's at for this place. They make their own rum. I had the mai tai and the volcano. Both were quite tasty. Definitely one of the better mai tais that I've had on the mainland! The downside is that the drinks are a bit more pricey than I would prefer.
(3)Joe W.
Stop me if you've heard this one, a priest, a rabbi and a kama'aina walk into a World Market.... no, seriously? Well at least that's what was going through my head as I walked into Trader Vic's. After treating myself to a movie I decided to stop for a cocktail and late evening appetizer on the walk home (because if I don't get the benefit of the actual regrettable moments I get on an actual dates the next best thing is regretting my poor late night drink/food choices). Friendly staff, good beer & really good ahi poke. Not as much character/flavor layers as typical poke, but super high quality ahi, mango and avocado. Although for $12 I would hope so. Felt a little cheesy with the atmosphere but look forward to trying again.
(4)Bettie D.
What a disappointment. After watching the build-out (have some wonderful memories of the SF TV), met some GFs there with eager anticipation of a great time. We were not given a wine list - I guess the assumption is everybody drinks mai tais. And no happy hour prices!! The noise level was unbelievable - three women sitting around a table the size of a napkin and we couldn't hear each other talk. We had to yell, I swear. The interior decoration is all light-absorbing - leaves and fronds and bamboo and wood - there's not a bright spot in the place. The food and beverage servers were in the most dour outfits possible - they looked like Pan Am stewardesses from the 50's and, as it was explained by the F&B manager, Well, that's what they wear in the original TVs in Vacaville or wherever so they are wearing those uniforms here as well. I reminded him all the marketing of this TV says, basically, it's not only your father's Trader Vics but has a fresh, modern vibe. Well, I say put some colorful sarongs on those poor women and release them from all that black polyester. Something that enhances their beauty and removes their likely embarassment. of looking Amish. Not that there's anything wrong with looking Amish if you are Amish. Those women are not serving drinks at Trader Vics. Lastly, a $40 steak? Are you out of your mind? Another friend tried it on opening night (8/1) and said it was the worst steak he's ever had - took five bites and couldn't eat another bite. Hey, it's Portland, people!! 2011 Portland Pearl District with fantastic happy hours galore everywhere!! You'll get loads of curious, first-time guests but wake up if you want any repeat business!!
(2)Marianne S.
For me, this place lands itself somewhere between "alright" and "not so great" on the restaurant quality continuum. Let me break it down... Food: I went here for happy hour and sampled a few dishes. I had the edamame hummus.... super bland, the cheese dings... not bad but the sauces did not compliment, and some type of chips. All were sub par. Drinks: I had the Trader Vic's Mai Tai. It was not bad and the presentation was nice. Well worth the $6 happy hour price. Service: Average. With the exception of the fact that our waters were not refilled even once during the whole time we were there. Atmosphere: I appreciated the atmosphere at Trader Vic's. The place was decorated tiki bar style without being tacky. I also like that there is outdoor seating and large windows that open up on nice days. Overall, I won't be going back unless it's just for drinks.
(2)Travis P.
Just returned to Portland from a trip to Hawaii and wasn't yet ready to retire the vacation vibe, so 5 of us ventured to Trader Vic's to keep it alive just a bit longer. Turns out, we should have let go of the Hawaii vibe while we were on the islands, because this was a disappointment. Yes, the food was pretty decent (2 had fish, 2 had duck and 1 had lamb), but it's pricey. And, yes, the mai tais were decent, but not ah-ma-zing, as they should have been from the creator of the mai tai. But what really got me was the service. For a relatively expensive restaurant, I expected experienced and polished wait staff. They weren't. We placed two wine orders (in addition to the mai tais) and for both orders, the waitress had to return to the table a second time to ask "which wine was that again?" She also showed up seconds after our main courses were delivered and asked "how's everything tasting," to which I replied "I don't know, it just arrived." And then, she never returned to inquire if it actually was ok. The restaurant was pretty empty when we were there (a Sunday night), but with plenty of staff (I think 5-7 people tended to our table at various times), there was no excuse for less than exemplary service. No wonder it was so quiet, which is a shame because it's a great space and such potential for a fun experience.
(2)Lindsay H.
Better "Hawaiian" food than Hawaii, that's for sure. My boyfriend and I went here for our anniversary. We stuffed our faces and drank bowl tiki drinks till we could't see straight. Damn good food, friendly server, fun and nostalgic atmosphere. Better than the other usual special occasion places, you know who you are... Cheaper than Hawaii. ;)
(5)Steve H.
Service was excellent, spot on and timely, very pleasant. Loved the atmosphere which can be scary because you hope they put that much effort in their food.......did they?.....kind of. There is more effort in the cocktails and I suggest the Original Trader Vics 193? Mai tai. My dinner was very good but a little salty, maybe it's because I had more Asian fare (pork wan ton soup) and it's not truly that kind of place. I will try it again as i always give someplace two chances or maybe I'll just drink. :)
(3)Robert R.
So happy that Vic is back in Portland. We came for a couple of after dinner cocktails and had an absolutely wonderful time. We popped into one of the bar side tables and were promptly greeted by a friendly server. I had the Samoan fog cutter and the Mrs. had a pina-colda type drink that was very tasty. For a Sunday night the place was packed but everyone who came in the door was promptly greeted and seated in short order. We can not wait to go back.
(5)steve D.
A far cry from the original trader Vic's at the benson hotel. Maybe the decorator should have gone to the Alibi to steal some ideas. Just sayin.....
(1)Christine F.
I was very excited to try Trader Vic's, since I love Mai Thai's. I tried 2 of their Mai Thai's, the 1944 and the original. Neither of them was very impressive to me. Calamari: Well cooked, but bland. Sauce just tasted like mayo. No salt. Crab Wontons: Bland again. Served with mustard and ketchup- yuck. Crispy Duck Tacos: These were by far the worst. Completely over-salted and greasy. I will not be back. Which is too bad since I work a block away and was looking forward to having after-work drinks there from time to time.
(2)Bonnie S.
I went the first night this location reopened in the Pearl. We had a great time! I loved the festive atmosphere and energy level of the crowd. We shared the Crab Rangoon which was amazing and the Cosmo Tidbits which was also very good. My husband had Fulton Farms 8 oz. filet. He said he really enjoyed it. I had the Crispy Duck which I though was excellent. I haven't had a lot of duck but I would get it a lot more often if it was served like this. To drink I had a Bahia (or chichi at most places) which was perfect, I followed with Iced Tea which was also very good. My hubby said the Mai Tai could have been better. He also had a Navy Grog which he loves at a different Trader Vic's location but found a bit lacking at this location. We shared Flour-less Chocolate Torte and two cups of Decaf and that was a perfect end to the evening as they were both perfect. I loved the decor. Tiki is a favorite of mine and they do it great. The waiter was helpful and prompt for how busy it was. The restrooms were well stocked and attractive (however, I hear the mens room art is way more fun). The bar is beautiful. The view of the clay oven is fascinating. The main issue I would have with this place is the price. We visit a lot of restaurants in Portland and this place is one of the more expensive. I would knock a dollar or two off of the prices and I think it would be more reasonable.
(4)Nikee W.
I've wanted to go into Trader Vic's for a long time. I remembered visiting one in California, and thought it was very much like an adult version of Rainforest Cafe. It was the decor that stuck with me, so I was expecting much of the same when visiting the Portland location. Of course it was easy to spot with the big Tiki dudes hanging out front, and we were immediately drawn to the indoor seating near the big open windows. Sure enough the decor inside did not fail to impress. My husband loved the uniquely shaped 2 tops near the bar. We both had the signature Mai Tai's which showed no sign of weakness. We sampled an array of tasty bites from the appetizer list including the crispy prawns, BBQ spare ribs, crab rangoon, ahi poke, smoked tofu and my personal favorite the satay beef. Everything we had was delicious, but the ahi poke and the satay beef were the two stand outs. I loved the smoothness of the tuna, mango and avocado as it sat atop the crisp tarot chip. As for the satay beef it was unbelievable tender and juicy and the peanut sauce was a perfect accent. We will definitely be back next time we crave some tropical drinks and tasty Polynesian fare.
(5)Miss E.
I was going to Portland last week and was so excited to hear about the new Trader Vic's. I had previously been to the Trader Vic's in Bellevue and in Las Vegas and was not impressed with either of them, they both seemed like half hearted attempts. The Portland Trader Vics has gone all out on the tiki decor from floor to ceiling and I think it looks wonderful. We went there for happy hour and I had a menehune juice cocktail and my mom had a guava mai tai and they were both very strong, just how I like em'. We also had the Crispy Prawns and the Crab Rangoon which were both tasty and only $5 at happy hour. Our waitress was very sweet and was knowledgeable about the menu.
(4)Darren William M.
Yeah they have a few drinks that are to die for, however, service is average and food lacks integrity.
(2)Melissa K.
My next-door neighbor was like Samatha on "Bewitched" in the 60's. She and her husband would drink "Suffering Bastards" on their lunch breaks and have a glass of Scotch in the afternoon. She remembers how great Trader Vic's was in the 60's in Portland. When they reopened in the Pearl, I was so excited to take her and order a "Suffering Bastard." Well, the Trader Vic's from the 60's is pretty different from the Trader Vic's in the Pearl. It's more like a restaurant at a Hawaiian resort than the smaller, personable bar that my neighbor remembers frequenting. They still put lovely flowers in your drink like orchids and sometimes gardenias (they were all out of gardenias the last two times I've been there). And they still serve strong tropical drinks and provide delicious appetizers like the crab rangoon and the beef short ribs, but the atmosphere is more commercial. We still had a great time even though they closed before midnight. I hope to come back here with my family because it's such a family friendly atmosphere, but to recapture that fun 60's bar ambiance, I'm gonna take my neighbor to "Thatch Tiki Bar" on Broadway.
(4)Sam A.
The lamb is fantastic. The service is fast and friendly. The decor is sunny.
(5)Erin M.
We took the kids and extended family and we all had a great experience. Some of us are veggies and were happy with the options. Very accommodating. Good food and really good drinks. Thank you for a great time!
(4)Dawn S.
So disappointed, was hoping for an experience. This could be any overpriced bar in the Pearl. Owners/managers should visit The Alibi in NoPo for an example of what a Tiki Bar should be. Food and drinks totally forgettable. I won't be back.
(1)LaRae H.
Very fun and great food! The prawns are amazing!
(5)Brett M.
Tried the original and current Mai Tai's, which were both excellent. The mahi mahi portion was too small, but was prepared perfectly along with the wasabi mashed potatoes it came with, however the asparagus was a little undercooked. The prices were on par for what you'd expect from a restaraunt in the Pearl district.
(4)michael m.
Wow, what an atmosphere! In the summer, great patio seating. In the winter, the interior space leaves you feeling like you're in a tropical paradise. Like most of the Trader Vic's chain, the food is excellent and is a flavor you can rarely get anywhere else. Highly recommended. It's semi-unfortunate to see it take over a non-chain restaurant's place, but I have to admit it is a great experience in all aspects
(5)Stacey P.
Had been looking forward to going to Trader Vic's for a while after I heard a little hype about how great it was. Came in for happy hour to a rather uncrowded bar (it was early). Love the ambiance and decor. Nothing says "I should be somewhere in Polynesia" like drinks served in a tiki themed glass. It took a while for the waitress to come over & take our order. There were many people running around, but I wasn't quite sure who they were running to/from (as stated, it wasn't that busy). So by the time the server managed to get to us, we wasted no time in ordering everything at once, for fear we wouldn't see her again for a while. The food arrived at the table before the drinks, if that gives any indication of the speed of service. This really shouldn't happen, by the way, especially when you are sitting in such close proximity to the bar. We were very thankful for the water guy. Since we're talking about the food, we didn't have a full dinner, just a few appetizers. We had the Maui waui shrimp and salmon chips - both were very good. Sipped on well crafted Mai Tais which were also tasty. Will we come back? Yes, we always give places at least two tries before writing them off. The service got better as our time there progressed, but it is a shame when lackluster service overshadows what otherwise could be a great experience. Perhaps we'll just sit at the bar next time.
(3)John R.
Painfully average food, incredibly high prices. Fun atmosphere but simply not worth the price... The food and drinks would barely be worth it at half the price.
(1)E E.
I want to love this place....but I just can't. I can't really put my finger on why it is such a mediocre experience. My husband and I have been here three times and each time there were only three - four other people....in the whole place. We went again on Saturday night. We walked past a ton of completely packed bars on our way here and again, we were two of six people in the bar. We've only had drinks and they are really hit or miss. Atmosphere is blah. I want to love this place....but I just can't.....sigh.
(2)george p.
Ok, 2-stars because the drinks were fine, pretty standard classics. Food Is another story...'pork' sliders were pretty much a slice of Jimmy Dean sausage, with a dab of sauce which could have been a barbecue sauce. Bad! Spareribs were fatty, undercook, and tasteless. Mahi Mahi sliders were OK, two bites each. Drinks OK, just don't plan on eating.
(2)Jackie C.
Happy hour rules!!! Bring on the Mai Tais!!
(5)Brad D.
I get that they're trying to iron out kinks, having recently opened, but our experience was wrong on every level (service, food, drinks, WAITING for everything.). They really need to step it up if they're going to survive in the Pearl. Horrible.
(1)sm r.
I've been waiting for Vic's to open for months! (Never understood why the one on Broadway closed.) Finally got to check it out last night and our group was very impressed. I'm very happy to start seeing Portland restaurants put some effort into theme and decor. Trader Vic's doesn't disappoint. This is a more upscale version of the standard Vic's atmosphere, obviously tweaked a bit for the Pearl. The service was great, attentive but not pushy or in the way. My colleague commented, "This place is crawling with waiters." And it's true, but they never seemed to crowd the place. The food was delicious, I'm very excited to try more entrees. (For those who complain about the price and the portions, this is how grown-ups eat. Yes, it's expensive and the portions are reasonable, because you're paying for preparation. This isn't Olive Garden or your local happy hour. A $40 steak is actually a very good price for a fine piece of meat. Be an adult and spend some money, people. Stop eating like a college student.) The BBQ pork was perfectly cooked and I'm not generally a pork person. I highly recommend it. Can't wait to try the duck. The drinks...OH the drinks! Do you think you've had a mai tai? You're probably wrong. Pay homage to the guy who invented them and try an original, classic mai tai. A surprising treat, indeed. It was loud in there, but the place has only been open for a week. So it's going to be crowded. Perhaps if you're looking for for a more subdued dining experience, you might want to wait until the initial wave passes. I'm looking forward to enjoying Trader Vic's often.
(5)Puanani L.
This review is strictly for our experience with the front desk and management restrictions in the dining room. Knowing the "Minors" allowed times can be limited, we made it a point to phone ahead to see if two people under age could dine with us. We were told that between the hours of 5-9pm we could dine in the restaurant. NO OTHER INFORMATION, for example, "Make a reservation because we are booked until 8:30." The biggest disappointment for me was the lack of training for the ladies at the front desk. They seemed confused and unable to make a decision. When we walked in they all looked at us blankly. One of the hostesses sent someone to see if there was outdoor seating, she came back and simply said, "No." Could we put our name on a list? No. First come, first serve. The empty tables in the dining room had us confused. An experienced/trained hostess should know how to handle these kinds of situations. These ladies did not. The best exchange while we were trying to figure out all of the frickin' rules was when we still thought we could wait for an outdoor table. "Where will you be waiting?" asks the hostess. Where will we be waiting? At the cute Italian place around the corner. THEY LET US WALK RIGHT OUT OF THAT DOOR. Way to go Trader Vic's. Thirsty party of five went someplace else.
(1)Bill S.
A truly unique place. Better atmosphere than old, windowless site at the Benson. Everyone at our table loved their dinners. The lamb was perfect.
(5)Gina M.
Best Mojito I've ever had! Their tiki style atmosphere is quite delightful.
(4)Jon W.
Trader Vic's has always been a special occasion restaurant with amazing top notch personalized service and the new Trader Vic's continues that tradition. The food is expensive but outstanding, my pork chop "BBQ Pork Two Ways" was cooked perfectly. I always have the Tidbit appetizer at Trader Vic's and it was as good as I remember from other locations. And of course the cocktails are TV's claim to fame. The decor is beautiful and is tastefully done. Hands down my favorite restaurant interior in Portland. It is tiki that is authentic and classy and is not tacky as is typical of much tiki. I would say restaurant decor like this is very refreshing from the overdone sleek ultra modern look stamped out in every new restaurant. Look forward to coming back soon. The only negative about this Trader Vic's is the price.
(5)Mark V.
We planned on stopping in here for a drink before we had dinner somewhere else, but ended up having so much fun that we cancelled our other reservation and stuck around. Our waitress, Ashley, was probably the most fun waitress I've ever had. She checked on us regularly and gave us great recommendations for drinks and food. By the end of the night we were chatting away with her and she felt much more like a friend than a server. We mentioned that we were on our honeymoon and Ashley brought us out a complimentary dessert before our meal, which was really nice. We talked to her manager to let him know what a great job she was doing, and ended up mentioning the honeymoon again. He sent over two glasses of champagne! There was also a really great singer doing Sinatra tunes to recorded music. He was really fun to watch and listen to, and was great at working the crowd. Some couples, ourselves included, even got up and danced occasionally. I'm not sure how often he's there, but he really added to the fun. Just a great night all around, we were really pleased that we stopped in and blew off our earlier plans. I doubt we'd have the same experience if we ever went back because it would be tough to match, but we'd definitely go in just for the drinks and atmosphere.
(5)Rochelle V.
Went here for dinner on a Thursday night with a group of seven people. Nice decor, but the table we were sat at was not conducive to group conversation. We were sat in the front area near the open windows. This area was too dark, noisy and cold as the weather turned more windy and cool. The service was slow, as the waitress seamed to have too many tables at once. Our appetizers came before our drinks. Entrees are priced fairly high for what you get. My Mahi was over cooked and the potatoes were bland. The orange chicken ordered by two people of our party was rubbery and chewy. A shrimp entree proved to be much too salty and sent back. The hanger steak got a thumbs up and the coconut ice cream sundae was also good. Don't order the flour less chocolate cake flambe at it was swimming in alcohol. The pupu combo platter also wasn't anything great with filled crispy wontons, fried shrimp and flavorless ribs. The mai tais were okay. I make them at home using the original recipe and like mine better. I wouldn't go back again unless they get a new chef and bring the food up a few notches. Also they do not have a kid menu. If you do eat here with a group request a table in the back of the restaurant which looks quieter and more intimate.
(2)Ian S.
Terrible food, rude and untrained staff, way over priced. The worst food experience in Portland I have ever had!
(1)John V.
Let me begin by saying that I have never been familiar with the TV chain, so my review doesn't bear any biases. My wife and I decided to pop in here on a whim since she enjoys the tikki lounge vibe. Since no patio seating was available, my wife asked if we could have a patio-side table in the dining area, keeping in mind there was no one already there. We were completely ignored to that effect and seated in a booth. We later discovered why; it seems those tables were reserved for well-to-do Pearlites in their 60's. Now, I understand the wait staff would like better tips, but when you treat someone like they're not going to tip you well, guess what? You won't get tipped well. Of course, this may have had something to do with that fact that we'd just come in from hiking, though we hardly looked like vagabonds. Nonetheless, I was quite miffed to experience such age discrimination in Portland of all places because of a bunch of people too cheap to actually live in California where they so desperately want to be from. Anyway... The dinner menu was remarkably brief and astoundingly overpriced for a restaurant not actually in a tropical setting, although the drinks are what you would expect to pay in the Pearl for a small glass of mostly ice. (To be fair, what alcohol WAS in the drink had a strong presence. Oh, and I might mention the drinks took a VERY long time to come. Yes I understand a bar gets busy, but give me a break.) We both had the Macadamia Nut-Crusted Mahi Mahi which was good, but paled in comparison to the same dish we've had in Hawaii in many places. Our fish also came with wasabi mashed potatoes which was decent, though a bit on the salty side and amounted to two spoonfuls. Service was attentive enough, almost unbearingly so, but I guess they needed to make sure they had space for more in-coming aging ATMs. (And oddly, when clearing our dishes, a manager took the salt and pepper shakers away, as if we were going to steal them.) Finally, a word on the decorum. Yes, it is well done and they did spend a lot of money on the place. Good for them. They're going to be eating that money for a long time with Oba right around the corner, no pun intended.
(2)Lisa P.
I like to be able to SEE inside the restaurant. Super dark and kinda ridiculous - the waiter said they did not have replacement lightbulbs. The Macadamia Nut Mahi Mahi was ok but a very small portion and very little taste. The Volcano Prawn - too much sauce for too little prawns. Cocktails were good and appetizers were ok. Maybe I'll go back just for happy hour but I won't be dropping another $100 here for full on dinner. Disappointing!
(2)Rodney P.
Very good cocktails. Ordered a few appetizers and they were all pretty good. Loved the open windows along the street...good atmosphere on a warm night. I'd go back.
(4)Albert C.
Had a great christmas dinner here with family and friends. My sister-in-law is a bartender there so we got hooked up with delicious mai tais. Seriously though they make some mean drinks. A must try!
(4)Tomi L.
Can you say cheesy! Cheesy. This place has a claim jumper ambiance , but with $20 a plate prices. The food wasn't bad, but I expected more. I had the volcano prawns with egg noodles, edemame, and mushrooms. It was spicy with a generous portion of shrimp. My boyfriends steak lacked flavor. Cocktails were fruity but none of them tasted as if they contained any liquor. The servers were great but the hostess needed some customer service lessons. We had reservations for 6 at 815 and didn't get seated till 845. Never good to start a meal that way. I preferred Manzanas at this location, unfortunately I think trader Vics will end up the way that Palemino did.
(2)Augustina M.
Fabulous Happy hour, GREAT STAFF! It's a little corporate for my taste hence the four stars, but it's a lovely environment and beautiful place. It's worth checking out and having dinner.
(4)Jacklyn N.
The ambiance of this restaurant is cool! It looks like it use to be an old warehouse where trucks came to drop off boxes. Our server was genuinely friendly and she gets 5 stars for service. We sat in the bar because it was an hour and a half wait for the dining room w/o a reservation. You can NOT order off the dinner menu in the bar. We ordered: Duck Tacos-These were yummy, plum sauce drizzle. You get 4 small tacos. Beef Cho Cho-Came out on a little hot plate heated with a candle, if you wanted it cooked well, they provide a flame right at the table. The sauce on it is a little too sweet but the beef was tender and flavorful. Small portions, maybe 6 little bites on sticks. Half a dozen oysters-OMG. These were the world's smallest oysters do not order, they do not taste better or sweeter than regular oysters. See picture. Crab Puffs-Regular ol' crab puff. Coconut Shrimp-Always good at most places from my experience but nothing special. Spare Ribs-Dry, bland. Scallops-Delish! 3 scallops, just perfectly undercooked, swimming in a plate of curry sauce. This dish and most others are definitely about presentation, however, I'm all about getting my fill and satisfaction. This was a tease. Calamari-Good. Decent portion for a place like this. Fish and Chips-Good, but nothing special. Mai Tais (Guava, Mango, Regular?)-I would go back for these, especially the Guava (Mango was a little too sweet for me but I think it had real mango at the bottom)! Overall, I've had food just as good for less w/o leaving hungry. Probably not a returning customer.
(2)Tera M.
The atmosphere of Trader Vics is oddly reminiscent to what a 'classy' first date must have felt like in the 50's. It is undoubted over decorated, which is apparent before even entering the building (there are two 7 foot tall wooden tiki men in front of the door, serving as an artificial bouncers in all likelihood) but if you are in the mood to be wowed by a new and rather strange experience, this would be a great spot. The food is not terribly spectacular, but for two exceptions. The coconut peanut butter is amazing, I'm not sure why they serve it with sourdough bread, but truly I'd eat it on anything so I'm willing to let this small point go. The other wonder that comes from this fabulously bizarre spot is the chocolate tart with olive oil and sea salt. Highly recommended. As for service, our server, Alex, she was fabulously witty, interesting, and highly professional. We also had a very tall bus boy who was also very professional.. My only true complaint is that there was only ONE vegetarian item on the menu. ONE! And this is Portland! Hopefully this will soon change, because I don't know how much longevity a vegetarian UNfriendly restaurant will have in Portland.
(3)Jennifer T.
I love tiki drinks in the summertime, and Trader Vic's concoctions pack a punch! For tiki specific drinks they have the best selection in the city, hands down. HOWEVER, you will be enjoying them in a room pressed elbow to elbow with middle aged suburbanites and served by flight attendant impersonators. The decor is as kitschy as you would expect but they try to keep it classy. This isn't the place to go if you crave atmosphere or want to, say, converse with the people you came with.
(3)Erin M.
I gotta say this was probably one of the worst happy hours I have ever had. Growing up in Portland and remembering the old Trader Vic's in the Benson Hotel, I was waxing nostalgic and thinking I was finally old enough to give it a try. A couple of my friends and I headed over there before our pedicures. All 3 of us had a conversation about the drinks and food over our pedicures, and hands down we were all very underwhelmed. I have to say too, that though I am sure they are trying to capture the vintage spirit of the original, the menu design is a tad bit tacky. I imagine if I were Polynesian I would be a bit irritated. Just outdated altogether. Taste, decor...everything.
(1)Lindsay A.
Where is Greg Brady with his tiki idol to unlock the curse on this corner? 12th & Glisan has seen a few swings and misses with this restaurant space, so I'm convinced there is a jinx. I was excited to see Trader Vic's try to do their thing here, however, [insert typical, 'I wanted to like it but...' Yelper statement here]. Ambiance: a warm, cute level of Hawaiian kitchy without being too juvenile. I'll also dump 'service' into here -- welcoming, appropriate level of attention, standard. Drinks: not strong enough. Food: tastes fine, nothing melted in my mouth. Portions aren't, well, proportionate to the price -- especially from the bar menu. The burger doesn't come with anything, the hummus comes with four lil pita squares. I've also tried this weird popcorn snack -- the flavor palate was confusing and the popcorn was cold (on purpose). For dinner, I've had the Mahi Mahi (pretty good, soy bean mash was yum); and a friend had some noodle shrimp thing that she liked. The caesar salad featured strips of romaine with only a dash of dressing -- I don't need drowning in dressing, but I'm not a rabbit either who just wants to eat plain lettuce. Overall it has a fun aura about it, so I'll go back to try something else. However, I don't crave the lovely flavors, portions and prices that a Paragon and a Piazza Italia provide my mouth and wallet.
(2)Lindsay L.
Best Mai Tai I've ever had!
(3)K B.
Stopped here for a couple of drinks for happy hour. We arrived at 5:45 thinking we had plenty of time to hit their happy hour, which was until 6:30 according to their website. However, when we got our menus, we saw that happy hour was actually only until 6. We thought we had still made it in time and proceeded to sit in the happy hour section (which our waitress told us about) and order food (which was pretty good). But when we received the bill, we saw we had been charged the full, non-happy hour prices. When we asked our server, who told us we would get happy hour, why we actually did not get in on the happy hour, she informed us that the computer automatically clocks it in. Our bill just so happened to read 6:00 exactly, meaning we missed it. Seems questionable. She half-offered to fix it by giving us happy hour prices on our drinks, but we said to forget it knowing that we wouldn't be back. Good drinks and decent food but the staff and the owners need to get on the same page.
(3)Paul N.
I'd like to say I am a little bias in this review as I'm a sucker for good food, great drinks, cool music and tikis. So here we go then; it happened to be international Mai Tai night the evening that my wife and I went. The Trader Vic's Mai Tai was marked down to $6 so as one who likes bargains I had one or two of these superbly mixed concoctions. The appetizers and deserts we had while sampling the different drinks on the menu were excellent. We have been there before and had fantastic dinners but this time we hung out at the bar with friends and were treated to some great music by the Lava Lounge Orchestra , a full 8 piece band and singer. As I sipped my drink and looked around the restaurant I saw young and old people, hipsters, jocks, rockers,..... mop tops and crew cuts, moms and dads, working Joes and fat cats,........ and I noticed we all had one thing in common............ big smiles. Facts : Great Food and Drinks all freshly made to order Great Service when you need it Great Ambiance with tons of new and vintage Tiki decor
(5)Seasons K.
Really impressive space! Stunning living wall, Tiki gods etc... Yes, it's a chain, but we have one of the coolest ones they have built. Also the happy hour eats and cocktails I had were all lovely & surprisingly reasonable for a popular theme bar, in the pearl no less. It is what it is & for that it's worth a visit :)
(4)Babs J.
I don't think I drank enough to enjoy it. Crazy on Halloween night - we had *really* slow service. Same adequate, but over priced food many others noted. Very few vegetarian options. Lots of drink options - hopefully you get yours quicker than we did.
(2)eric l.
One drink! Just one drink was all I had and I fell in love with the place. I sat at the bar with a mai tai in hand and chatted with the bartender about the realm of tiki and the meaning of life. It was everything I needed at the moment and I'll certainly return. This Trader Vic's is a slice of heaven.
(5)Dave R.
I have always liked Trader Vic's. This location is no exception to the Trader Vic family. The food is good, the service was attentive, but it is the drinks and atmosphere that keep me coming back for more. Great place to chill and people watch. Was very busy the first month, but seems to be settling in a bit. I will be back.
(4)Danielle S.
we came here for a drink whilst we were in the area and ordered a tiki bowl to share. tiki is fun! the drink wasn't amazing, the service was pretty sub par (we were ignored forever when we tried to get the bill) and the ambience was pretty flat. it wasn't a terrible experience by any means, but it isn't somewhere that i would seek out to go back to.
(3)Monique D.
Visited Trader Vic's for the first time last night. Was most impressed with the interior. From the reclaimed wood floors to the thatched ceilings and open side windows/doors, I felt like I was at a restaurant neat Mama's Fish House on Maui and should be seeing sand, palm trees and surf whenever looking up. Beautiful, although a little dark to read menus and fortune cookies. Almost brought out my phone to serve as a spotlight. The Mai Tais were tasty, but maybe a little full of ice. Tried the Maui Mai Tai (pineapple) and the Mango Mai Tai...the mango was the better of the two. Had the cosmo tidbits sampler with the crab rangoon, panko shrimp, spareribs and pork. The ribs and pork were tasty, and the rest was fine, but overall if visiting again I wouldn't say you had to order any of the above in lieu of something else that caught your eye. The lettuce crab cups were good...refreshing. If I visited again for dinner, I would order the Volcano Prawns, which a friend had and looked great. But I think overall, I'd recommend just catching a happy hour or after dinner drink there to soak in a bit of the atmosphere.
(3)Sarah A.
I liked the tiki feel in the bar, don't wait for a patio seat- your face is right by peoples feet once they seat in the dining room. Duck tacos were great, pu pu platter was fun to share. I am with the guy below though, it's silly not to seat ion the dining room if people want to sit there!
(3)jake k.
To be honest, I wasn't expecting anything spectacular. Just some tasty snacks and a nice strong tropical drink. I had a couple of great drinks and some not so great snacks, but the kicker was the price. Example: 3 tiny "spring rolls" consisting of fishy crab and sloppy uni wrapped in daikon radish. By tiny, I'm talkin 2"X1" for $15. Not worth it. Go for drinks, but eat before you go.
(3)Ino G.
Went for happy hour and did not leave happy. I had read prior reviews about the mediocrity of the happy hour offerings and they were true. The crab rangoon was gooey and had very poor flavor. The only good thing about the Shanghai Caesar's salad was the crispy fried cheese that came with it. The salad dressing tasted watered down and the salad itself was just lettuce and some cashews. Last but not least, the chicken satay tasted like it had previously been frozen and was somewhat mush and flavorless. The service was fine and the servers were friendly but without good food, I will not be going back.
(2)Andrew S.
Chain food. Boring and fake. With so many great restaurants in the area, why go to a chain with an artificial feel? Support the local restaurants.
(1)Melissa T.
I was torn on giving this place a 3 or 4 stars. The only reason why I would give it a 3 stars is because of the limited options on the menu. The menu just didn't seem to have very many options but the drink menu was expansive! I decided to give it 4 stars because of the food we did order, it was very good. My husband and I went here for Halloween Saturday (10/29) with a couple of friends of ours. It was a fun evening because of the "Halloween" atmosphere. Service was pretty good...server was attentive and chef was accommodating in terms of food restrictions. I ordered the lamb loin chops and it was cooked perfectly. I was surprised that when my dish arrived, it was actually a rack of lamb....with EIGHT chops! It was cooked perfectly...medium rare as I requested it. There was so much food that I saved 1/2 for another meal. My husband got the filet mignon...again cooked perfectly to his liking. One of our friends got the macadamia nut encrusted mahi mahi and that was delicious as well. The other ordered a caesar salad and side of sweet potato. I'm not much of a "vegetarian" so couldn't rate those dishes fairly. The best part of the meal was dessert...we ordered the s'mores and we got to cook them ourselves right over a flame at our table. The marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers are made right at the restaurant. They were awesome!
(4)Marvin W.
We had mai tais and wonderful pupus at Trader Vics this evening. Everything was perfect: coconut shrimp, spare ribs, pork slices, egg roll, and cheese blings. While it is not the high style of the old Trader vic's at the Benson it is very nicely decorated, service is just great and a pleasure to be there. We ate pupus and drinks instead of dinner. What a pleasure.
(4)Jennifer W.
Been looking forward to visiting the new Trader Vics since the summer. Tonight a family was in town and we agreed upon the Pearl as a central destination for dinner. Trader Vics was beautifully decorated and definitely brings you to another place in time. The wait staff was very attentive and knowledgeable about the menu, very helpful in making suggestions about appetizers and menu items. We had the scallop appetizer and it was very flavorable. We also had the Ahi tuna appetizer with avocado, it was quite bland. In addition to the seafood starters we ordered the appetizer ribs; these were quite overdone and not memorable. Two at the table ordered Mai Tais. We each had a different dinner item at the suggestion of the waiter. I had the Mahi Mahi with wasabi mashed potatoes and another member at the table had the salmon. Both of these seafood entrées were mediocre and I didn't take the waiter up on his offer for a to go box. The entire bill with tip was right under $200. There are so many better places to spend your money in Portland for dinner; I would stick to happy hour and a drink in the bar.
(2)Maryam M.
A new flavor for my taste buds
(3)Ziyad A.
I don't know from where to start. Should I mention the bad food? or the horrible service? Or you want me to start talking about the smelly dinning area? Let me start with the food. We started with two appetizers; salmon tacos or chips and spinach ravioli. Both of those dishes are similar to the ones they serve in the international flights (maybe worst). About the lighting, the lighting is pretty dark which is unusual for these kind of restaurants. The service is bad, the waitress doesn't have any idea about the dishes (newbie). The portions are really small and way way way over priced. By far one of the most expensive restaurants I ate in P-town. If you are going there for lunch/dinner expect to pay $50+ on bad quality food. I tried Trader Vic's in the Middle East and it was way better than the one here. I have to admit that this restaurant is the worst I have been to in Portland, Oregon. I would recommend that the restaurant should be closed and something better should be open instead. This quality is unusual for Ptown.
(1)J B.
I can only comment on their Happy Hour. My wife and I went a couple of weeks ago, and we were pleasantly surprised. They have a pretty interesting happy hour menu and their drinks weren't bad or badly priced. The decor is fun and "frondy" (palm frondy). We had a really fun meal here for a reasonable price, and this is what happy hour is for because we had such a good time that we'll give it a try for dinner the next time we have someone to watch the baby.
(4)Wesley A.
Went here on a Wednesday for a late lunch. The place was nearly empty but from what I gather, the crowd shows up in the evenings. First time at a theme restaurant like this and I rather enjoyed it. Great open air seating with a perfect vantage point for people watching the streets. Had a Pad Thai variant which was very good. The real attraction for me to return however, was the absolutely amazing tropical cocktails (I had a virgin Mai-tai, well two of them) and friendly service.
(5)Vibhav L.
If possible to give a zero star... I would have given this restaurant a zero star.. The drinks were not so good... the food was horrible and still we ended up paying $45 per head. This is by far the worst food I have ever had in Portland.
(1)Heidi C.
Very happy with this place!!! I planned and hosted a bridal shower party here, a few weekends ago. Not only were they super accommodating and helpful, but were so awesome at splitting up the various bills and tabs. They were very attentive, always filling waters glasses or bringing more drinks just at the right time. I would definitely recommend this place for a party, the location is great (pearl district), there's an area to park for $5 just up the street next to them, and all around super great staff to accommodate your party. I was so glades we picked this place to host our event! We had 14 people total. Great drinks and happy hour good and drinks!
(5)C. A.
Poor service and overpriced food/drinks makes this place "one of the worst" on my list of places in Portland. What use to be a fun and happy atmosphere has been changed to a money hungry, unpleasant environment filled with employees wishing they were anywhere else but at Trader Vic's. The morale at this establishment is AWFUL! I was seated 10 minutes prior to happy hour ended. However, I watched the servers all talking and gossiping - even looking my direction a couple of times while I tried to get their attention. They purposely waited until happy hour was over, then when I ordered they "gleefully" stated the following, "our happy hour ended, so you won't be getting any discounts". Because I was meeting friends at the theater, I decided to go ahead and have a drink (at full price) and ordered their pork sliders. Drink arrived watered down and the sliders were just barely warm...both were $8.00 EACH and there were only 2 TINI little sliders that tasted more like they had been microwaved then prepared fresh. THIS PLACE HAS GONE DOWNHILL CONSIDERABLY. SAVE YOUR MONEY AND GO ELSEWHERE - WHERE STAFF IS HAPPIER AND FOOD IS BETTER!! TV in the bar?? I doubt Trader Vic would approve!!
(1)Elizabeth V.
Disappointing. Atmosphere, drinks, wait service was all good. Other than that, no one liked their meal. All 5 of us did not enjoy --Food was pretty much flavorless. Beef portion was tiny 4 oz w 3 asparagus for $36. Left half of my Mahi Mahi- rubbery. Pad Thai only flavor was garlic.
(3)Deb F.
Another Dining Month adventure...I normally steer away from chains, but this is supposed to be a good one. It was certainly fine. Nothing outstanding, but not bad. The salads were both good. Not heavily dressed but enough to add flavor. My mahi mahi was pretty tasty. I enjoyed the fish the most, the risotto crab cake not as much. It had an odd flavor. The Flat iron steak was good though, and I liked all the sides it came with. Our son got a couple appetizers as his meal; he loved the Shoyu Fried chicken, and didn't love the Shortribs Bento box (meat was not easy to eat). Desserts were not great - my apple cobbler was incredibly sweet - so sweet I couldn't finish it. The peanut butter lava cake was very peanut buttery, according to my husband. I don't like pb... Service was attentive and pleasant. Lots of tiki faces looking down at you from around the room. It was fine, but didn't knock my socks off.
(3)Madison W.
Just visited for the first time, have to say, if this is a chain restaurant it doesn't feel like it. Meatballs were good, mai tais were better. Cool that they have two happy hours a day. Mixed grill was only meh, seemed sad and empty, also overdone.
(4)Natasha M.
Great cocktails, food and toddler accommodation. The MaiTai was good so was the Grog! Burger and duck curry hit the spot!
(5)Greg M.
Caesar salad was disappointing, flaccid and soggy. Steak was ok - but was not prepared correctly before being put in oven and came out with a dry crust. Coconut shrimp was amazing. The main thing with Trader Vic's is the froofy drinks. The food has gone down hill.
(3)Anthony K.
A year later... The Tiki masks only get you so much credit. First off, let me start by saying our server Jacob (was great!) The drinks... Great. $5 for a pacific though??? No thanks. $10 for a small Spanish coffee that tasted like straight black coffee, whip cream and alcohol??? Rip off. It was so gross that my fiancé had to ask for cream. I came here last night for my 35th birthday with a party of 8. Thought we would try something new and a place that was ok for kids. The drinks and appetizers are about the only thing going for this place. We had the crab/artichoke dip, wings, ribs, green beans and wonton things. All of these were decent. Dinner on the other hand. I myself had the short ribs which seemed burnt on many of the exterior parts. I am not one to complain about my meal especially when I eat the whole thing so I am doing it here. I wouldn't be doing it here if it weren't for a few other things that happened. My dad ordered lobster. Let me start by saying he never looks for a free meal, eats at fine restaurants a lot. Eats lobster a lot. The "stuffed lobster" was average at best, according to him. The shrimp on it was supposed to be sautéed. It looked raw, borderline iridescent. (yikes!). Others in the group had grilled shrimp, drunken noodles, kiddos had the burgers. After the $500.00 bill came, which is no big deal, my dad mentioned that he was really unhappy with the lobster to our awesome server Jacob. The head chef who appeared to be running around with his head cut off all night did not seem interested in the slightest saying he gets his lobster daily and "I don't know what to tell you, walking off in mid conversation" Dude,...loose the attitude. Not sure what was up with this place, I know it was 1st Thursday, but the head chef delivering food, pouring waters? running around outside the kitchen? Did someone call in sick? It wasn't like it was a packed house. The GM came over to apologize about the experience which was greatly appreciated. The lobster was removed which wasn't the plan, but after the sour attitude of the man in the white coat, it should have been rude. We all know he didn't cook it, so not sure why he was so butt hurt over it. With all of the options in the area, true this has a unique theme, but id rather go to a place as crappy as red lobster, or beaches rather than go back here. Sorry Mr. GM and Jacob. You guys were great. $83/per person I expect an amazing experience and that is far from what we received Oh ya... 18% gratuity was included... but then again, our server was very deserving.
(2)Shauna M.
Cool and fun interior. Service was just standard (we were there on a sunday early evening. The food was tasty and we enjoyed our meal. Parking can be a challenge in the Pearl District, if you can take the MAX or street car, it is highly recommended. I will head back here in the future, but not top on my list of places in Portland.
(3)Chels J.
Gotta love this place when you're in the need for a quick mental escape to Hawaii. The mixed drinks are so fun - I love the guava Mai tai which isn't too sweet. They have a great late night happy hour menu which was recently updated too. My favorite green bean fries are still on there though - a must have! Shout out to the awesome bartender, Don!
(5)Jason M.
Solid joint with a solid staff and a solid menu all around. Enjoy your time here. Thank TV for being so damn cool. Cheers.
(5)Lily B.
My husband and I were at Trader Vic's on Tuesday at about 1pm. There were only about 7 customers there (including us, this should be a hint, right?). My husband ordered a coffee drink but the waitress said it wasn't available since they didn't have the right mug (???) so he settled with different coffee drink which after about 10 minutes came out luke warm, not hot. He sent it back and he had to wait for about 15 minutes to get his drink because the waitress said she had to brew a new pot (whaattt??). We ordered 2 chicken rice bowls and a bowl of wonton soup. We waited for a looong time to get our food. Except if they had to catch the chicken from the farm first, I don't see any reason we had to wait for our food for 25 minutes! The food was decent, but honestly, it's not worth the wait or the price.
(1)Karen S.
Happy Hour Mai Tai was fabulous! Sliders & lettuce cups were reasonably priced and yummy!
(4)Liz B.
My first visit to Trader Vic's was quite nice! The food was really good, the tuna poke was my favorite! If you go, you just try it! The ambiance is nice, especially the flowers and waterfall when you walk in! I got the burger, it was great! I will definitely be going back again. It was too hot for the windows to open, but all the windows open and I'm sure that is a nice touch during the beautiful weather days!
(4)Stef M.
Saddened by the loss (AGAIN) of a Trader Vic's in Seattle, after finding out that there was one in PDX, I KNEW I had to go. And go I did, dragging the in-laws there as well. Thoroughly sick of the tiki craze (having lived through it) they were not amazed at the concept, but had fun after knocking back a fruity drink and snacking on some pupus. If you're coming here, go all out and get something in a crazy glass, possibly something HUGE that's meant to be shared between 2 or more people with 2-foot-long straws :) I tried the Dr. Funk's Son, which comes in a CUP MADE OF ICE. How awesome is that? It was delicious, too - this place actually uses fresh juice and high-quality mixers, so it doesn't taste like you're going to pass out from a sugar overload after you take the first sip of your drink. If you like tiki, go here! Also go to Hale Pele. But go here first to get in the mood.
(4)Jennifer H.
Food was just ok, we wanted to try a bunch of different things so we ordered several different starters. Chicken Wings, BBQ Spare Ribs, Beef Cho Cho, Char Siu Pork, Caesar Salad, Calamari Fries, and the Won Ton Soup. The Beef Cho cho was the best, Salad and Soup second, the rest was junk. Ribs were dry, pork was chewy, Calamari was blan and wings were soggy. We spent $90 (no alcohol) and I don't mind paying that for good food, but I hate paying it for just ok food. :( The service was very good which is why the two stars instead of one. Don't waste your time here, hit Oba next door instead.
(2)Karthik R.
Nice decor and good service and thats the nicest thing I can say about this restaurant. I had the drunken noodles, drenched in soy sauce with a side of hot (srirachaish) sauce. Thats the worst expensive drunken noodles I had ever. No taste, no flavor just overwhelming portion of noodles in soy sauce. Nothing exciting about this place. Wouldnt care to visit again.
(2)Tom M.
One part of me says 3 stars, the other part says 4. It's a struggle but in the end 3 won out. I remember coming here awhile ago for an Elite event and really enjoyed the food. It was fun, it was happenin'. I'm not sure exactly what made us choose this place for dinner with my fellow Yelper friend. I guess we'd been avoiding it because it's just another big chain. It doesn't really feel like it but it is. We both ordered the same thing: Ginger Crusted Wild Salmon Sautéed snap peas, carrots, mung beans, peanut vinaigrette, wasabi mashed potatoes, crispy rice noodles. Although I'm sure they are delicious, we opted for other than the mashed potatoes and I have to say, the salmon was done to perfection. Flavorful, well seasoned, and done just right. It was a good portion served medium rare. Yes, it was a surprise but a very pleasant one indeed. Now for the service. Who are you? Are you actually from this planet? Up until bill time this guy was doing a great job and we were both ready to reward him handsomely. Then he veered off the path and crashed and burned like a Kamikaze jet fighter from WWII. He brought the bill and wanted us to pay immediately. Something about the dining room closing. After the signing of the check was complete, he then came by and immediately snatched it from the table. Now, I don't know much about waiting tables but I know enough to know that what he did was not acceptable. He might as well have said, "Now, get out." The manager, though a nice touch, was hovering at our table throughout. I appreciate that... to an extent. Not sure what the future holds for us here. Overall it was good but a little spendy for what you get. We might try it again.
(3)Cy W.
I'd consider this as a 'theme' restaurant. And it's wonderful! It's like i step back in time to the 90's when theme restaurants were the craze. We went during a sunny afternoon and took advantage of the happy hour which was excellent! Get a seat by the window for perfect people watching opportunity.
(4)Allie B.
We had a a fantastic meal, drinks and fantastic waiter named Jake Race. I can't remember all the names if the food and drinks because i went into a delicious food coma after we left. Jake Race cab suggest anything for any meal type eater, be it vegan or meat eater. Thanks again for a great meal!!
(5)Todd C.
I can't say enough good things about the food and drinks here. Amazing happy hour starting at 3pm. The Kailua pork sliders are amazing as well as their famous Mai Tai. Mmmm
(5)Rob H.
Made reservation on Open Table 3 weeks early for a birthday celebration on a Sunday night. We liked the place because of the large windows and fun motif. They sat our group of six at a half Moon booth on the interior of the restaurant. Between the bathroom and the kitchen. Couldn't get Much worse location. I was sitting with one leg in the aisle. We asked if there was a larger table and were told. "This is the table that's available." It was 6:30 and only about a third full. Oh well. I figured there were other reservations. But there weren't. The place remained half full at most. Others liked their meals but my steak was barely warm when I got it. Waiter was nice and competent but the front end of this restaurant and the kitchen need a lot of improvement.
(2)Leah R.
I loved so many things about this place, yet there were some low points (some their fault, some not) for me. So, I'm settling in the middle with 3 stars. We roll in, it's busy, but there's a booth at the bar which is perfect. The decor is fantastic, I feel like I'm in the tropics and maybe a little bit back in time. The waters and the drinks come quickly (we did a sampler). Of course, they're a little (a lot) sweet. I am not normally a sweet drink person, but of course you have to order a mai tai, I think it's actually against the rules not to. I loved the guava the best. There's a lot of peanuty stuff on the menu, so my husband, being allergic to peanuts, goes over with the waiter on what he can and can't order and we get squared away. Our appetizer was fantastic - crispy shrimp with a sweet and spicy sauce. Hit the spot like woah. We ordered a second drink - this time I went for the Grog which sounded not-as-sweet and it wasn't, and I loved it. Joel ordered a trader vics mai tai and holy tiki heads - that thing was not messing around. I enjoy a strong drink but that thing tasted like pure grain alcohol. Whooo! I don't think we've ever left half a drink at a bar but it happened. Food was taking a while and the waiter swung by and said the kitchen was completely backed up, and brought us a free appetizer. Awesome! We had to laugh when it was homemade peanut butter and lavash bread. The waiter quickly realized his faux pas (we really didn't mind) and brought Joel some fruit. The pb was actually dang amazing. I had to refrain from eating too much of it since there was so much else going on. The downer was I wasn't really impressed by my entree. I had been super excited to get the tandoori chicken, and it wasn't on the menu that day, so I went with the luna chicken. The coleslaw was weird with chicken and pasta. The pasta itself was delicious, but the chicken was meh, and then at the end, I found part of it was undercooked. To be fair, I didn't send it back. We were full, tired, and they were EXTREMELY busy, so I didn't want to make a fuss. I'm sure if I did, it would have been taken care of, the service was excellent. The upshot - I'd totally return. I loved the atmosphere and the service. I'd just probably skip the full meal, do some appetizers, and have a few groggs. :)
(3)Bernie S.
I love tiki bars. I love the decor here. Last time we had a decent meal. Hit it this time for happy hour, did the $15 deal and...turned out to be one of my worst meals ever. How dry can you make beef tips? My wife mentioned it was about as good as a TV dinner. I have to say that was pretty accurate. Of course, it helps when they bring your food and you have no utensils to eat with nor any plates to dish your food out. I also noticed they didn't have the old music going, which seemed to add to the experience. Looks like the Alibi room for me next time
(2)Brittany G.
Typical chain with a pretty good happy hour. The Mai tai is a solid choice, and the beers on tap are great. The food itself is okay, but not really much to write home about. The service was on point though, and our server was very attentive. I'd go back for happy hour, but probably not dinner.
(3)John H.
We were pleasantly surprised with the Happy Hour experience at Trader Vic's. The triple sampler is a meal in itself and a bargain at $15. The Mai Tai's for $6 were also a great value! The atmosphere is wonderful and we highly recommend Mai Tai's and Happy Hour Menu while watching the World go by in the Pearl District!
(4)Cara S.
When I first started coming here it was a five star place, but over time it has gone down hill. First there were always great friendly staff....over time the newer folks there are not as friendly - the seasoned folks are still fabulous. Every time they've changed their happy hour & bar menus it has not been for the better. Then, on my last visit there they've put a TV in the bar - completely killing the atmosphere for me - now it is just another sports bar. They still have a great Mai Tai so I will return once or twice a year - but I won't be a regular here anymore.
(3)Jason B.
Went there for the first time on my Birthday. A let down is putting it mildly. Over priced food and drinks. Our sever was nice, but the hour it took to get our so so food was ridiculous. Should have gone to Brix! So much better!
(1)Jennifer Arlem M.
We ended up here after a day of holiday shopping and exploring downtown Portland. The food was great. Lots of variety in their menu, but sadly the service was horrible. Our waitress seemed bothered when we asked for suggestions and brought our check before we were done with the menu. I highly doubt I will be going back anytime soon.
(3)Lisa S.
I love Trader Vics. I go often and even more now that they are open for lunch! Tiki lounge, great HH and reggae music. All my favs!
(5)Jon T.
One of the newer Trader Vic's located conveniently in the Pearl District. Happy Hour everyday and all the usual tiki goodness.
(4)Shawna W.
We went again for dinner. I have frequented tv's many times over the year but mostly for happy hour! The amazing thing is we got the same table as our valentines dinner last year. We were here for our anniversary. We got Justin as we did last year. Amazing that he remembered us.....remember that I like to order appetizers for dinner...and remembered that he suggested a particular drink! He even remembered that we've been to bev hills location! I felt like a celebrity because of Justin's amazing customer service! This is why I continually bring my friends to happy hr there...and will continue to tell ppl how great they are! Thank you trader's of pdx!
(5)Patti F.
Food - 4 stars. Lots of options for veg, vegan and pescatarians. We didn't order drinks but they make it clear it's their specialty. Service - hmm. It's our weird experience that brings down my review. While we were the only people left in the dining room, there were still people in the bar. The Bad/Ugly: Our waiter brought us our check, and we were still chatting away and hadn't looked at the bill. He came back and told us that the dining room was closing and we needed to take care of our bill NOW. He then cleaned up the tables around us (loudly). Seriously. It was 9:00 - online says they are open until 10:30 (with no mention that you will get kicked out at 9 in the dining room). This put our whole evening in such a weird space, I don't even know how to describe it. The Good: the manager, after we had paid our bill, actually came over and refilled our water, and asked if we needed anything else. Thankfully, he didn't seem to be kicking us out as our waiter was doing, and he refilled our water while we continued chatting. It was just a weird night - great food, and weird service. Honestly, I think I will go back again for the food, but I really don't want to be in that situation again of being pushed out of a restaurant before the establishment is even close to closing. If you're going to close the dining room at a particular time, make it clear either on the menu, with a little sign, or something - don't just kick people out. It's off-putting and really leaves a bad taste - even after eating good food.
(3)Jillian D.
NYE 2014 - had an 8:30 reservation, but our table wasn't ready yet when we arrived. The hostess suggested we wait in the bar, so we ordered drinks. While the bar server came to take our drink order right away upon our arrival, 20 minutes later our drinks hadn't been delivered yet and our table was ready... We ended up having to wait in the bar for our drinks, and then were escorted to a horrible table location - right next to the front door with distracting noise and outside drafts interrupting the rest of our meal. The hostess was less than hospitable - she was downright rude, and it was painfully obvious that she's not right for the position. I understand that everyone has a bad day at work, and that holidays are especially stressful in the restaurant business, but when you're employed in the service industry, patrons & customers SHOULD NOT BE PRIVVY TO YOUR PERSONAL MOODSWINGS. Drink refills continued to take 20+ minutes throughout our meal, which was disappointing considering each round totaled $20 without tip... our Maui Wowie Coconut Shrimp appetizer was woefully over-cooked; the burnt exterior only hinted to the rubbery shrimp it encased - gross. Hubby's Caesar salad starter was alright, but my Trader Vic's salad with "sherry vinaigrette' seemed to have been missing the sherry vinegar; it had no tangy flavor, but was overly oily. He ordered the fillet, medium-rare; it arrived cooked medium, but he was so impressed with the crust on the outside due to their unique wood oven cooking method that he couldn't stop singing it's praises! The accompanying mashed potatoes & green beans were described as 'flavorless'. My Diver Scallop Pad Thai deserved a mixed review, as well; the scallops were HUGE and perfectly cooked; the 'Pad thai', however, was a disappointment. My experience with Pad Thai revolves around the idea of a peanut sauce; this one, however, tasted like grocery-store bottled teriyaki sauce. In short, our NYE dinner was an overall disappointment; doubly so because we were super excited to revisit a spot that had previously impressed us. We won't be back.
(2)Mondo F.
Went here on an evening of holiday shopping in the Pearl. We were going to go to Cha Cha Cha but saw this place and decided that we couldn't pass up tiki holiday fun. Service was very good and it is a very nice dining room. Woot: Pake Brussels Sprouts were super tasty and perfectly prepared. Amazing char and really good flavor. Meh: Spicy Cheese Balls were cheesy but not the least bit spicy. Huh? How can a cheeseburger with pickled veg AND kimchi have zero flavor? The most prominent flavor on this burger was the butter on the bun. Fries heavy on the salt - no detectable togarashi goodness. After a mai tai or 3, I bet this food is phenomenal!
(3)Prima B.
We ordered the Cosmo tidbits, tofu stir fry, burger and Indonesian duck curry. The food was amazing and portions were big. My husband enjoyed the Honolulu bay drink as well. Our server was Don and he made our daughter's birthday a memorable one. He was very attentive and fast. We will definitely be coming back to this place soon.
(5)Vicky H.
I really wanted to like this place; but it's meh. Love the atmosphere; love the fresh air with the open windows. My Nelson's grog was a good, refreshing drink, but that's where it ends. Servers were kinda clueless -- they ran out of maui bites that my friend wanted. The lunch menu is rather limited, so how do you run out of things??? Anyway, the crab rangoons were good. We both had drunken noodles. They were not very good. Noodles were tough; pork tasted old. I could do better stir fry at home. Too bad....I was expecting better.
(2)Emily C.
Went with some co workers on a Thursday night. We started in the bar and migrated to our reserved table. It wasn't very busy at all and for some reason it was taking a while to get our drinks each time we got another round. Ok- we can live with that. When we moved to our table we ordered some appetizers and those came out about 20 minutes later. We finished those and had to ask our waiter to take our dinner order. What? We all ordered steaks, all medium rare. 2 of us had the fillet the other 2 had the ribeye. Literally almost a half hour later our meals came out and every single steak was over done. One ribeye in particular was on the verge of well done my coworker ended up sending it back. All our entrees were around $33 and all were TINY portions. My fillet had to be no more then 4oz and my "crab cake" that came with it was mostly risotto and barely any crab. I also got 5 spears of asparagus. Yup. 5. I can't believe they charge what they do for the portion size you get. In the end the manager comped the well done ribeye and we left thinking we should have gone somewhere else. All in all this place has slow service and I would only go back for happy hour. I definitely won't be back for a meal.
(2)Rachel M.
Needed a quick spot to eat between my training class, and Trader Vic's fit the bill. Wait staff was excellent, and the food was great. I got the Banh Mi sandwich, and it was probably the best lunch meal that I had while I was in Portland that week. I loved the cilantro & cucumbers on the sandwich - it gave it such a fresh taste. I highly recommend this spot!
(4)Amy A.
I have been wanting to try Trader Vic's for some time now, so last week my boyfriend and I came in for Happy Hour. I was impressed with how quickly we were greeted by a server (in the bar) and even more impressed when the manager came over and greeted us as well. The place was pretty busy (it seemed like there was some type of special event happening in a room behind the bar) but we didn't feel left alone at all. We each started with a Mai Tai from the menu; my date got the Honi Honi (Burbon Mai Tai) and I ordered the Trader Vic's Mai Tai. Both came out with fruit spears on top, and both seemed to be pretty small for the price. In addition to the cocktails, we also ordered a few happy hour plates. 1. Char Siu Pork: Delicious, tender strips of pork. 2. Spicy Korean Beef Tacos: Not "spicy" at all, but tasted good. 3. Maui Waui Shrimp: My favorite item! Absolute must try! Overall, it was a good experience at Trader Vic's. I won't get another "fruity drink" next time, but I am looking forward to the next time I have the Maui Waui Shrimp!
(4)Michele R.
The nexus of having appropriate expectations heading in the door and excellent service once inside made our Happy Hour experience at this Trader Vics an easy four stars. What surprised us was to find a line of half a dozen people in 20 something age group assembled at the 4:00p Happy Hour opening, Looking for a little something to tide us over before the Jamison Square Christmas tree lighting later that evening, we joined them. (Feeling ever so much more cool for thinking this isn't only a "back in the day..." place for we more "mature" set.) During the hour plus we were there we noted the bar filled up with folks trying to get in under the wire for Happy Hour end at 6pm. There were also people coming in to take tables in the restaurant for dinner. I'm not sure I'd recommend dinner here, there are simply too many great restaurants in Portland, but for Happy Hour if you're in the neighborhood anyway, thumbs up. VIBE This was my hubby's and my first visit to any Trader Vics but our expectations were appropriately set given we knew Vics is a chain of franchise locations. It was just as we expected it to be from kitschy, retro, Tiki Bar with Tiki Lamps, Polynesian and fried food (coconut shrimp or pou-pou platter, anyone?) options on the laminated Happy Hour menu and the retro tropical drinks. Music mix was what my parents would have though to be great stuff when dining out in the early '60's (which means Dean Martin, Louis Prima and friends) which was a perfect mix for the setting and at the right volume to encourage conversation not compete with it.. SEATING Happy Hour seating is seat yourself. There is seating right at and near the bar, but that's a bit darker and if you head left as you enter you'll find seating up a slight ramp in a space that also has windows looking out on to the street. We chose the window space and window seats, which was still dark but not cave like. But if you're looking for the really retro dark bar vibe, it can be found there too. SERVICE This was the surprise of the evening as this was five stars all the way. From greeting at the table, to explaining the drill and taking the orders and getting the cocktails and appetizer to the table and following up, grade A from both the cocktail waitress and the food runner. Well done! LIBATIONS Happy Hour prices on Vic's specialty cocktails are about $6 each. We each had Honi-Honi which is a Mai Tai made with bourbon. We weren't expecting a fresh juice and house made mixers bar so we weren't disappointed that the drinks contained neither. So for the $12 for two cocktails we were happy as they were served well mixed and over ice in a frosty ceramic mug / glass. Funny that the libation serving vessels had cartoon drawings of a couple clad in beach wear in "boy meets girl, gets fresh with girl, gets smacked by girl, makes up with girl" story around the sides. The cocktail waitress made sure we knew to turn our glass, as she set it down in front of us with the starting story panel forward, and "use your imagination" for the story line. I'm just saying...at my age without my reading glasses in that dimly lit space, God bless that young woman for thinking I could even see the drawings on the glass. FOOD Happy hour menu prices are good, as in $7 for coconut shrimp, the serving sizes are generous and our dish was much better than we expected it to be. Served hot and crispy and not greasy, this isn't the kind of thing we'd choose elsewhere but at Vic's one goes along with the shtick. VALUE Two cocktails with a little kick, one appetizer that easily fed two, great service and an hour of listening to "takes you back to your parents living room" music clocked in at $19. A very good value for an hour's worth of entertainment. THIS N THAT 1) PARKING: Is a challenge on street. We were staying locally so walked here. 2) ACCESSIBILITY: Level in at door and the Tiki Bar has a universally usable ramp up to the seating so it works for everyone. Dining room space is also elevated and I didn't notice accessible pathway there. Call ahead. 3) TUNES: I leave you with what was playing as we took our seats in the bar. It was all I could do NOT to sing along. youtube.com/watch?v=Z0iw…
(4)Hayden N.
I like that it was happy hour and there wasn't a wait. They did a good job at accommodating a larger party. The drinks was delicious, for fruity drinks...you definitely taste the liquor because they gave you a generous pour. The food was mediocre, nothing particularly stood out to me and for happy hour prices it was spendy for the portion that you get. I might pass on the food next time, however, I'm definitely be back for the drinks.
(3)Amy L.
Strong drinks, beautiful presentation. Came here with a couple friends to relax. The ultimate place for fruity drinks. All cocktails are beautiful crafted and food was pretty good too. Had the coconut shrimp for happy hour. Very tasty. Place has tropical decorations, not too crowded on a Friday night and very chill to hang out and grab a few tiki drinks.
(4)Lauren W.
I had heard a lot of good things about Trader Vics and decided to take my parents in with me as well. I have many friends that have been there previously who have warned me about a server named Justin who is super and unpleasant and just plain rude. Unfortunately we got him as our server and it was the worst restaurant experience I have ever had. The food was amazing, but he was so mean and unwelcoming that my mom who never says anything bad about anyone couldn't believe how he treated us and all his other customers. We will not be coming back and that goes for my family along with my friends until he is no longer there. Truly shocked me how rude someone can be who is there to serve you and supposed to make it a wonderful dining experience!
(1)Jaylynn M.
Amazing! Had Jacob as our server and he was so great! My sister, friend and I went and he treated us so well even though we are young(which I find many servers who make us our last priority when they see our age). I ordered the crispy tofu pad Thai and it was amazing! My sister ordered the lamb yellow curry and she loved it, and my friend ordered the NY steak and we all had a bite and agreed it was the best steak we've ever had. Service was amazing, except for the host-she didn't greet us for a couple minutes and made us feel like she didn't want to seat us. She was rude.
(5)Valerie W.
Super cool place....good drinks....decent food. I would have to say overall it's a tad spendy for the food unless it's Happy Hour...in which they have a few $5 options. The crab rangoons have REAL crab...not the fake kind! Staff is friendly and attentive My 1944 Mai Tai was quite strong and tasty. All the drinks looked rather good. I also have recently tried out the Maui (pineapple) and the Honi-Honi (mai tai made with bourbon). All in all twas delicious. Only odd part was the super loud tiki tunes blaring from the speakers. Essentially I go for the decor. Super cool waterfall in the front. Large tikis, 'flaming' candles and displays, just really neat stuff. Almost reminds me of something you'd see in Disneyland. My only disappointment was First Thursday...thought there was supposed to be a DJ? Did I miss something there? Crab Rangoons....get yo' self some. So good. Service is spotty. If you sit at the bar, depending on the staff they can tend to be slow
(4)Janice B.
I went twice for Portland Dining Month. The first time was on a Friday evening & we were waiting for the 3rd person in our party so we didn't order right away. After about 15 minutes we decided we should order. We laughed with our waiter that we had no idea where she was because we knew she was on the way. The food came & we enjoyed all 3 courses immensely. We each started with the Caesar Salad & then I had the Mahi Mahi & my friend had the Flat Iron Steak. We cleaned our plates it was so good! For dessert I had the PB Lava Cake & my friend had the Apple Crumble which was more like a crisp & both so delicious! We thought he was so great & left him a generous tip. Went back last night with another friend & I arrived first. I went to the hostess desk & checked in & saw our waiter from the week before. I asked if he remembered me & told him about that night. He said he did remember asked about my friend & then asked if I wanted to be seated. I told him I would wait for her & then the most UNBELIEVABLE thing happened! He said he did remember me (thought we had already established that) & that my friend & I had not left enough money! I told him I was sure he had us confused with another table & based on the details he gave about how we paid, & a few other details I knew he had us confused with another party. He kept pressing it & I have to say made me VERY uncomfortable. It was so unprofessional but even more so because it wasn't us! The food was again amazing but the waiter's comments just really chafed me.
(4)shami s.
The service was amazing for sure! The food was ok and the drinks were weak. We went on a slow night but still fun for a girls night out.
(3)Tiffany M.
Sadly I wish I could give NO stars. Decided to give them another try and they failed. Ordered the calamari and two cocktails. Took almost a half hour to get the calamari, which wasn't impressive. The drinks didn't come out until we were done with our app. I think drinks should come before your food. My personal opinion. Definitely, not going to give them a third try. Fail!
(1)Polly M.
I walked in without a reservation but was seated immediately. The 1944 Mai Tai is too good for words. The pork shank was so tender that merely looking at it made it fall off the bone. Service was good but not obsequious. Did I mention the Mai Tai?
(5)Chelsea Laine H.
I think my husband and my new to-do is to visit a craft cocktail/tiki bars whenever we travel. We just had drinks and they were wonderful. Not the watered down, syrupy drinks we were expecting from a chain. I had the most frothy and tasty and not too overpowering. My husband had the most "awesome" Mai Thai - the original 1940's one. It was just fresh juice and good rum, a real cocktail. We didn't eat but would come back here to eat next time we are in town. The food menu did seem a little small and a little pricey but since the drinks were so great we will definitely give it another try.
(4)Food D.
Walked in during happy hour on a weekend and the restaurant was empty. My family and I like window seats and asked the waitress if we could sit at one of the many empty seats by the window and she said no. We asked again if we could sit there and she said no again (no reservation was made by anyone else). So we sat in the bar area and didn't receive any service for quite some time. We walked out. A paying customer/guest should be able to choose where they want to sit especially if the place is empty. Two thumbs way down. Never going back.
(1)Evelyn S.
Some things to keep in mind while I write this review: 1) it's not the Trader Vic's of my Los Angeles Childhood. 2) It is part of a corporation and I generally avoid such entities when selecting where to spend my dollars or spend my time. 3) I had a fabulous time on my first visit when they had recently opened their doors. 4) I had a bad server on the most recent visit which probably played a big role in the experience. 5) When I do go to corporately owned places I expect the service, food and drink to be the same each visit. 6) My second visit was pretty good too. 7) I've now been there 3 times as a paying customer 8) I've been there one other time, it was for a Yelp Elite party and everything was great. Now to review... They have a nice Happy Hour menu. Sometimes the food is quite tasty. Sometimes it is over salted. Sometimes it is bland. Yep, the same dish has tasted different each time. The prices are on the high side for what they are serving, you are definitely paying a premium for the location, high priced decor and the little cocktail souvenirs that are yours to keep. Usually the servers are super nice and competent, but not always, sometimes the servers are misleading and really should get out of the service industry. The rum they use in the drinks has changed since they first opened their doors a few years ago, it's gone downhill. If you want to go to a fun place with cool looking decor and fun drinks (that may or may not taste good) you will love Trader Vic's. Me, I won't choose to go back unless someone I really like invites me.
(3)Phuong B.
Their saving grace are the cute, fruity island drinks they offer! They close too early, food is just meh, and they're a chain. Not much going for them. However, because they offer such a vast range of drinks (including one in a seashell!) I would definitely recommend this place as a cute-meet the girls-before a night full of debauchery place. Hint: check in on Foursquare and you get a free shot...
(4)Q A.
This review is strictly on their Sunday, all day Happy Hour. My husband and I love this place. Very nice atmosphere, fun tiki feel, with the water feature. Great deals for happy hour. Our favorite is their "original" Mai Tai. Ladies, the restroom is very clean! Love that. It is important when after a couple of drinks. Very fun, and intimate feel.
(5)R P.
We love this place we usually sit in the bar and just order off the smaller played. Tuna poke is on point. Love it. Wait staff was very friendly too. Keep up the good work.
(4)Jill D.
I love this restaurant. Besides the interior being like the coolest tiki bar ever, the food was outstanding. Sometimes in Portland it's hard to find a restaurant with just NORMAL good food. But Trader Vic's is perfect. Good food with a Pacific twist, fancy-ish without being bizarre like so many other places nearby. It is my favorite place in the Pearl.
(4)How B.
This is the 4th Trader Vic's location I've visited and I was not disappointed. The "local's only" drink, Nelson's Blood, was delicious and definitely fit into the classic TV drink flavor profile: spicy. The dishes cooked in the Chinese oven were all well received by our table and the service was friendly and professional. We visited with an older aunt and uncle and expected them to be nonplused (my wife and I are into tiki culture) but they thoroughly enjoyed the experience and raved about it to other family members afterwards.
(5)Marlon M.
Visiting Portland, one late night (nine pm) we were having trouble finding any place with people. So, on a whim, decided to dine at TVs. I had not been to one in twenty years so was eager for childhood memories! The atmosphere was amazing! No one does tacky as well as TVs! Faux bamboo everywhere (or is it the real thing? Vrais bamboo???) requisite chubby native gods at the entrance, a real planted wall!! And there were people at various tables. Great place to celebrate special ocassions. I know, they all eventually got a dessert with a candle! The service was excellent. A goodlooking and very nice waiter took care of our order, water and drinks. He even remembered I do not take ice everytime he refilled the water glass. He also apologized sincerely for the kitchen delays. ("So sorry! We are on a skeleton crew because of the lateness!" It was 9:15 by then). The food. A deconstructed Cesar's salad recipe had the brilliant idea of reversing the lettuce to salad ratio. Two tablespoons of lettuce to three cups of dressing. It was fun trying to fish the limp pieces of lettuce from the yellow soup of salt and cheese and egg. BF asked for the TV hamburger. It is hard to judge meat the he orders because his favorite way of cooking hamburgers at home is to leave them overnight on the grill. He ordered the very well done overcooked hamburger and that is what he got. A solid black round puck on a brioche style bun. With a side of fries that were made exotic by being covered in pepper and salt. Lots of pepper and salt. The melted processed cheese was also a nice touch. My Chinese style chicken was what you expect in a restaurant catering to people who only go to "ethnic" restaurants where there are no native cooks or servers. BF asked me what made it "Chinese style". I explained that it was the fact that it was served on a bed of mushy RICE noodles in a sweet ketchup sauce.! Everyone knows that in China people eat mushy RICE noodles with sweet Ketchup at every meal. A side of coleslaw was also brilliant. Two tablespoons of shredded cabbage served with no dressing. Perhaps the dressing had by mistake been added to the Cesar's salad instead? For drinks a non-alcohol Mai Tai, of course. Perfect balance of sweetness, sweetness and sweetness. It may have had other ingredients, but the diabetic coma inducing sugar syrup was definitely the main ingredient. Insulin should be offered on the side. Overall a pleasant experience and I am looking forward to my next visit in twenty years. I am sure that TVs will continue its long tradition of serving the most authentic fake ethnic food to those who can truly appreciate its mixture of blandness and tackiness.
(3)Drexler F.
A great place with the best service in town. Love the Hawaiian style menu and the drinks are always good!! Shoutout to Patrick for being the best bartender and Uncle Don for the aloha!!!
(5)Lisa N.
Really not great. Service was decent, but the food was awful and even more awful because of how expensive it was to eat for such unpalatable food. My date and I couldn't even eat more than a few spoonfuls for a ~$80 tab. The food was so incredibly salty and any other flavors that might have been there besides just salt were nearly nonexistent. You can get much better food at a much better price within a few steps from this place. Definitely don't recommend.
(2)Akila S.
Hot Buttered Rum....Enough said!!
(5)Heather E.
My husband and I stumbled upon this place after our original date night plan fell through. We were pleasantly surprised. I couldn't help but feel we were at a destination restaurant...it's a fun themed atmosphere with yummy drinks. I'm particularly a fan of the tropical garnishes--my Mango Tai had an umbrella! The free starter was unique and tasty...a peanut butter with a bit of a kick and hardy cracker/brittle. I got the short rib with potato purée and carrots. The short rib was so tender it literally fell off the bone--the sauce was wonderfully rich. Overall very filling and satisfying. The service was pleasant and straight forward. The hostess was a bit curt but I think she was having a rough night. Our waiter was prompt and attentive. Prices were to be expected for the Pearl. I can see us coming visiting again.
(4)Dylan R.
For me, I felt it was a bit too expensive for the amount of actual liquor you receive. $10 for a drink consisting of 3/4ths ice. The drink was delicious, so perhaps it was required, but it was just hard on my wallet without getting a buzz. Service was decent, and the overall look of the place was cool.
(3)Rick C.
Chris wanted to try the home of the original mai tai so we visited Trader Vic's for some tropical libations. The tiki bar was massive with an interesting Polynesian inspired decor in the lounge, dining area, hall, and bar. We drank the 1984 mai tai, mango tai, and mai tai board sampler with three mini mai tais of different flavours. All were fairly good and refreshing. There were a few communal, sharing drinks. Chris asked, "What is the most hilarious drink to share?" Our server quickly exclaimed it was definitely the rum keg. So we all sipped on a small keg filled with rum and fruit juices from extra long straws. Very hilarious and refreshing indeed. Chris also tried the beef cho-cho with seared steak in soy sake sauce using his own flaming hibachi. We stayed at Trader Vic's for hours, enjoying the massive lounge and tiki environment. It's gimmicky yet fun place for a drink (or several).
(3)Tre D.
Been to trader Vic's in mountain view/Palo Alto, CA and had a bad experience. Trader Vic's in PDX is much better. Darn good Mai tai for pretty cheap (6-7 bucks). A couple of those and you'll be on your way to a great evening. It's a good spot to pregame. Don is one of the best bar tenders in town. Hit him up on Saturday nights!
(4)Kameron T.
The food was unique and somewhat bland. The atmosphere was fun but not fancy. And the prices were a little high, but good for kids.
(3)T. R.
One of my favorite restaurants in Portland. The drinks are always great with plenty of alcohol and not some watered down, sweet soda. Ambience is first rate and a welcome change of pace in Portland. Picture upscale Tiki Bar with South Pacific flare. All the food I've ever had at the restaurant has been decent but not spectaular which is why I only give it 4 stars. I understand they're coming out with a new menu so perhaps it will take the cuisine to the next level. The filet mignon for $34 was quite small for that price but very tender. Opt for the prime rib instead if they have it as a special...much nicer cut. The restaurant is located right in the heart of the Pearl District. Don't use City parking lot 185 to park your car. The toll machine has taken my money twice without giving a ticket and the help phone number was completely worthless. I'm beginning to think that parking lot is running some kind of scam!
(4)Kate N.
I love the ambiance of this place. I feel like I'm in a tropical Polynesian restaurant every time that I'm here. They actually imported authentic decor from Hawaii or other Polynesian islands. So there is some history behind it. I've come here for lunch, happy hour and dinner. They have a slightly different menu each time. Happy hour here is unbeatable, great selection of drinks and food. I always love their Mai Tai. Last night we had coconut shrimp, yogurt marinated chicken and pork chop for dinner. I think the coconut shrimp was the best I've ever had - sweet and crunchy coconut flakes with the savory of the juicy shrimp. Although it was an appetizer, I almost got full on just that. So portion was very generous. My oven roasted yogurt chicken had a middle eastern kick to it. It was a little bit under seasoned but the meat very succulent and sweet. Adding a bit of salt did the job. And really, half a chicken for $19 was a steal. I could barely finish a quarter of it. Pork chop was well cooked, it was thick, savory and juicy. I would like them to add a bit more spices to the pork chop because I still could smell the pork. Maybe I just have a sensitive nose because it didn't seem to bother others. We ended up spending $63 not including tips for 2 with 2 drinks, an appetizer and 2 decent entree. The food was enough for 2 meals. So I would definitely come back here. Service was one of the best I've ever had! Go for happy hour if you want to check it out first.
(4)Aimee L.
It was OK. Good service. Very very expensive dinner menu for a fairly informal dinner environment, so we just had starters. Probably won't go back, just because nothing really stood out and PDX has a pretty awesome selection of restaurants, but nothing terrible. It was also eerily empty at happy hour, very strange. A few comments: * They were out of their gluten free menus so the waiter had to check on multiple items and 90% of the menu appears to have gluten in it (never suggest to a gluten free person that "you can always have a salad" by the way. * Lettuce wraps with beef short ribs were strange considering all of the beef had bones, so I had to cut up the beef from the bone (no easy task with the huge knife I was provided), before wrapping it up and eating it, kind of awkward.
(3)Shelley M.
We absolutely loved this place. We had reservations at 5 but arrived early just after 3 and the start of happy hour. We enjoyed delicious $6 Mai tai's and some calamari until they started dinner at 5. I am very glad we stayed because I had the most awesome macadamia but crusted mahi mahi ever. My hubby enjoyed his orange chicken but would probably order the BBQ ribs or steak next go around. We had great food and great service ( thanks Justin) and look forward to our next visit.
(5)Michael O.
Very good drinks. Patrick is a very great guy.. I ll always come back here for sure. Very good customer service. Good food and everything is for a PERFECT price.
(5)Katie C.
I know it's not 5-stars but including the ambience, this place deserves it. Food is yummy, drinks are excellent, even non-alcoholic options for me. Service is great, manager is friendly and personable, makes the rounds. You're paying for the whole enchilda here. If you like Tiki bars, sit at the end of the room, slightly elevated, and people watch. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Zoey J.
Used to love this place and the great service but there are some "newer" employees that have made our experience less than comfortable. In particular, the hostess (Anna I think)... Could use some help in genuine customer service and not make patrons feel as though they are a bother or annoyance. If it weren't for that, we would definitely rate much higher.
(2)Michael S.
Three words: "Maui Waui" Shrimp. This is easily the best place for Happy Hour in the Pearl District. The food and drinks are amazing, plus the atmosphere is unique and fun. I highly recommend the "Maui Waui" shrimp, Vic's fries, and pulled pork sliders.
(4)Kemi A.
On the outside, Trader Vic's looks totally cheesy: Tiki statues out front, Hawaiian t-shirts worn by the bartenders, etc. But once I got inside, I really didn't mind. The place is spacious and would do well for a party or get together. It felt like I was really in paradise, complete with an umbrella in my Mai Tai. And the food ain't half bad either!
(4)Carl B.
Bottom Line at the Top: upscale Tiki in the heart of Portland 5 buck Mai Tais on the Happy Hour menu With the winter doldrums behind us it looked to be the first sunny Friday in a long time so I gathered some friends and went to the Happy Hour Guidebook publication event being hosted here. Happy hour was going on for an extra hour (til 7 instead of 6) plus an opportunity to get a book for 5 bucks. With all the other culinary opportunities in Portland nowdays its hard to get myself back to Trader Vic's especially since I remember the old one that used to be on Broadway. Not much has changed since this one opened so you are almost always assured to get same feel whenever you go. Prices reflect you are in a place for atmosphere so it seems the ratios are a bit on the high side compared to what you receive. Happy Hour does seem to make it easier on the wallet and gets you some good food. This could be a good starting point for an evening in the Pearl
(4)Cindy M.
It feels like a time warp, going back to the 60's. The food was not good. Like a bad Chinese restaurant. The best thing was the ribs off of the children's menu. Maybe a good place to take elderly relatives visiting from out of state.
(1)Gary L.
Great meal ... crab ragoon was realky good ... mongolian short ribs were cooked perfectly ... best roasted carrots I ever ate ... coconut snowball for dessert .... best meal I have had in a long time .... not super loud inside either ... very nice from start to finish .... this is now our new family go to spot for special occations !!!
(5)Alison V.
Step into Hawaii (well use your imagination). I'm a fan - for happy hour though. It is a little spendy if you get a regular dinner. All day Sunday is happy hour which is great if you can't make it during the week. They do have girly drinks though, but they have a full bar as well. I had a mango mai tai (it was ok), but the Kai amani (sp?) drink on the happy hour was delicious. If you like coconut this is the drink for you! And if you can go on a nice day and sit by the window, your life will be even better. I also got the lamb sliders on the happy hour which were soo good! No ketchup needed. All food items on happy hour are $5.
(4)L C.
Food here is not how they advertise/describe in their menu. Where are the bold flavors of Indonesia and Singapore in the rack of lambs and rice noodles? Mongolia in the braised beef? Indian in the tandoori chicken? The cocktails were good though. However without decent munchies and with steep prices, anyone can get a better value elsewhere.
(1)Cindy A.
HAPPY HOUR REVIEW ** 4:00-6:00pm and 10:00pm-close Daily / All day Sunday (4:00pm-10:00pm) Trader Vic's is a total favorite! They are my official "Happy Hour of the Year" for 2014! I love it! It's a very special place. Puts my in a GREAT mood with every visit :-) FOOD $4.00-$7.00 Twelve exceptionally delicious tiki treats! Glazed chicken wings, Korean beef tacos, calamari, fries, char sui pork, sliders, coconut shrimp, stir-fried chicken in lettuce cups, wontons, salad, beans. DRINKS $4.00 drafts; $5.00 red or white house wines; $6.00 mai tais and signature tropical cocktails ATMOSPHERE A Polynesian piece of paradise in the Pearl! Refined, tropical, tiki elegance mixed with fun, fascination, and fire. It's fully enchanting and magical! Thatched ceilings and walls, bamboo and carved wooden masks everywhere, and a social, central tiki bar with themed cocktailware. Full walls of windows open to the street.
(5)Ana G.
I just found my new favorite spot! Not at all what I was expecting. The ambiance is completely chill, laid back and relaxing. The drinks are just delicious and the food is amazing.
(5)Cesar P.
I've been dining at Trader Vic's for a few years now, and it's become a landmark for me and my wife. The drinks are just amazing. The ambiance is right on the spot for a tiki place. The food is perfectly fine, though for me it's not just about the food -if I want top notch food this would not be my first choice-, it's the combination of how the place feels, the music they play, and the exotic and terribly fun drinks they serve. I've also enjoyed the service thoroughly. We've always felt welcomed at Trader Vic's. Sometimes when you're looking for a restaurant to unwind after a tough week, service is as important as any other consideration. There's a few things that could be improved, for certain. The prices are a bit too high, I know. They used to have live music on Thursday and Fridays, but apparently that's gone -or I've been unlucky. And on summers there are some weekends when you'll have to make a reservation far in advance to get a table. Still, this is one of my main destinations in Portland. And if you decide to go, do please have a 1944 Mai Tai for me. Cheers!
(5)Jana S.
Trader Vic's offers a great variety of beverages...cocktails for any liking. Get a Menehune if you like strong drinks. Or a scorpion bowl to share. Their homemade lavash and peanut butter is excellent. Great menu items. Do beware of certain menu items though. We had the red curry and it came with mushrooms even through they weren't on the menu. Service can be a bit slow but not horrible. Fun atmosphere and excellent food and drinks.
(4)Pui S.
Too bad, such a cute place!!! Oh well... We didn't plan to go eat here, we wanted to go to Andina but the wait was 1.5 hours and my Hypoglycemia was already starting to kick in! We walked around the corner and found Trader Vic's (I didn't know anything about this place other than, it got only 3 stars (didn't read any reviews) and thought it was Hawaiian food). We ordered: Mango Mai Tai (I didn't taste nor smell any mango in it but it was good) = 3.5 stars Ribs = 3 stars Crab Rangoon = 2 stars Fish & chips = 1 star (it was so BAD, I told my babe, England made pretty good Fish & chips). We had 3 waitresses. We were asked the same questions numerous times (Are you ready to order, how are you doing tonight, do you want to order anything else & such)! I guess Trader Vic didn't have good system or they were VERY eager to help? But I don't think so from the service they provided! :( One of the waitress was such a snob. I politely asked if the restaurant offers "Musubi" she didn't know what Musubi was! I said "it's Hawaiian snake lunch typ.............." I haven't finished explaining to her, she sarcastically said, "well, this is a tiki bar." One of the waitresses grabbed an empty dish without saying anything, her arm was only about 2 inches away from my boyfriend's face! One of the waitresses came by every 5 minutes to ask if we like the food! She didn't wait for us to finish our conversation either. Each time she demanded our attention no matter what, even if I had a rib in my mouth! This place makes me love the local little place "Maui Camp 3 Cafe" in Oregon City so much much much more! :)
(1)Ron M.
I had a great time here. I think it's going to be a "go to" place for me when the weather starts to get me down. The mood was happy and tropical. HH food and drinks were great and priced really well for the Pearl District.
(5)Katie H.
So I've been here a couple times now and each time I've really wanted to like it. But I just can't get past the fact that the food tastes like it's recently been defrosted from the freezer. Not a lot of taste. However I wouldn't recommend this place for food but drinks.......yes and yes. The food and drinks are expensive. But if you are out with a big group of friends they have shared drinks that are the size of a small trough and equally as strong. Bring out the super long straws and have some food in your tummy cause these guys aren't fooling around! Also, this place is known for the Mai Tai's.....and yes they are delicious. The decor is supposed to be Hawaiian? During the summer they open up the windows to the outside and it has a very nice ambiance. Again.....recommend for groups getting their drink on before later activities. Mahala.
(3)Adam s.
Happy hour all day Sunday. Outdoor sidewalk seating on a balmy summer day is heaven!
(4)Michael C.
Wow! Had the family there for happy hour. Literally ordered most everything off of the happy hour menu. The poke, the Kailua sliders, the coconut shrimp, the lettuce wraps, and omg the wings! Had to order repeats on the shrimp, wings and poke. Great service!! (Thanks Jake). Going back soon.
(5)Terry C.
We had just made here with about 5 minutes to go before HH expired. We ordered drinks and food. Observed a staff that didn't quite communicate. We were asked if we were ready to order 3 times before they realized we already ordered. The table next to me just finished when a bus person took their empty plates. A waitress went up to them and asked if they were ready to order...to which they replied "We just got done with our meals and would like a check." "Oh...ok" The tables are nice, they are of wooden shape logs. You can't really combine the table. You have to turn them 360 degrees around to make sure a hold doesn't form in the middle of the two ajoined tables. The food reminds me of my parents Chinese/Tiki restaurant, especially the crab rangoon. The drinks were not bad. Here is a formula for a good tropical drink. Pineapple juice/mango/guava juice/coconut water + any booze = tropical drink... would I try this again? Probably, I like to see what kind of actual eats they have.
(3)Natalie S.
Food is okay. Service is a bit delayed although it's delivered with a smile. The place is empty. The music is lowsy. A tourist trap. In comparison with other Portland restaurants, it's mediocre.
(2)Vi B.
In terms of ambiance, it's like a really, really high-end Applebees with an over-the-top but fun Tiki-theme. I would definitely go there with a big group to eat and chill; however, one should note that it is a bit spendy. So if you're starving and plan to have drinks, appetizers, main courses and dessert, plan to spend some of your hard earned $$$. Also, I'd like to meet you. The bartenders are great, and boy, do they want you to get drunk! The drinks are strong and delightfully island-themed, which makes me happy. I've never been to Hawaii but if it's anything like Trader Vic's I'll know I'll have to build my tolerance before I go.
(3)Dan N.
Wife N and I decided to try out the happy hour and maybe eat some of the happy hour food for dinner. Goal was to spend $40 or less. Sunday night, 5:30pm, happy hour. I had the Kama'aina (coconut, gin, triple sec and citrus). Think "really complex pina colada," served in a lovely decorative ceramic bowl over crushed ice. Very flavorful, and with just the right amount of everything. Strong enough that the copious amount of ice didn't cause any dilution problems. Wife N had the Rangoon Ruby (vodka, cranberry citrus, grenadine, soda). It was more tart and much stronger than expected (in a good way)--really nicely done. Those who like cranberry-ish cosmo-ish style drinks will probably like this. The flavors were thoughtful combinations. For food, we ordered a Happy Hour Caesar Salad, and the Cosmo Tidbits platter (a selection of BBQ spareribs, Crab Rangoon, crispy prawns, and Char Sui Pork). The Caesar salad had moderate amounts of flavor, and leaned "ginger" which was unusual but it worked. Lettuce very fresh--decent salad. We both agreed the quality of the food on the Cosmo Tidbits platter was top-notch. The prawns were fantastic--wonderfully crisp and flavorful, and flawlessly cooked. I, despite being armed with only a fork and not being particularly fond of getting my fingers all gooey, found the spare rib tasty enough to dispense with my aversions. I was surprised at how much I liked it. Crab Rangoons were good and the pork was--well it's Char Sui pork, not bad, but it wasn't exactly the highlight of the plate. However, for $18, we felt the Cosmo Tidbits had about half the amount of food we'd expected, especially when being noted "for two". Three prawns. Three rangoons. Now how are two people to evenly share? Two drinks, Caesar, and the Cosmo Tidbits platter came to $33 prior to tip. At that point, we still were left feeling like we wanted a full meal--we'd only just had a few appetizers. Coming up with a rating is a tough one on this review. On the one hand, the happy hour drinks were stellar--frankly they would have been a good value even at their regular prices. They were thoughtfully mixed, had copious quantities of alcohol in them, and were reasonably large. But while the food was really good, there just wasn't enough of it to justify the $23 food portion of the bill. We felt we'd been better off having just the drinks, and then heading somewhere else for dinner. I realize this is the Pearl, and food here is just generally expensive. But Portland must compete with all its surrounding areas, and with the likes of Beaverton, Tigard, and Tualatin just a quick scoot over the hill, we've found substantially better values in happy-hour food elsewhere. Food quantity aside, if you're a "fruity drink" lover, the drinks are well worth coming for and we'll absolutely be back to play the rest of the drink menu, perhaps after having eaten dinner elsewhere.
(3)Bronwyn E.
I only went here for a drink so I can't speak about the food. I love their atmosphere. Retro tiki vibe......reminds me of the tiki bird room at Disney World. My Mai Tai was good, but I wouldn't pay $8.50 for it again since if was mostly crushed ice. I heard the appetizers are a better way to go. Will be back soon to try them. I was here around 8-9 on a Saturday night and it wasn't that crowded. Great adult leisure tropical getaway place.
(4)Hannah H.
Love the atmosphere here. Found it by accident when trying to get out of downtown portland. Everything is cooked in this giant oven and you can totally taste the difference. Chicken was tender and moist. And all the drinks are super cute
(5)Jeannie J.
I've been here several times for happy hour. They make a damn fine Maui Mai Tai, and I'm crazy about the crab Rangoon. TOTALLY! I haven't been during regular hours, or had dinner, so I guess you can take this review with a grain of salt. The scorpion bowl isn't a bad choice either.
(4)Margaret J.
Went here for Happy Hour last week for the second time. NOT disappointed! We just had appetizers and Mai Tai's, but they were amazing! Great service as well. My favorite spot.
(4)Niki S.
I feel a tiny bit guilty, as I can't give this a 3.5 star review. But, hear me out: Drinks: Awesome. Reasonably priced, and potent, and wow, how many different ways can you serve rum? Trader Vics and all it's hula decor will show you. I had the surf board drink sampler, which was 12.95 for three rather small, but potent variations of a mai tai, served with their guava, pineapple, and mango versions, all with possibly fresh juices, I couldn't be 100% certain. Food: Meh. We arrived at 7pm, missing the 630 HH cutoff, which in my opinion probably would had made this a solid 4 star place to me. I ordered the TV mixed green salad, and was a little disappointed with the size, and amount of goodies mixed in. It was yummy, but lacking- the tiny amount of goat cheese and grapes still left me thinking "Is there another plate of this that arrives for Round two since I am paying nine dollars for that one plate?". The peanut sauce on the thai roll was good, hearty and flavorful. Service: On point, for a Friday night- but our lounge area wasn't extremely crowded either. Summary: I would love to go back to this place for Happy Hour to indulge in some of the food, such as the lamb sliders, and other treats that have a large price variation between regular pricing and happy hour pricing- all their HH noms are five bucks, the Lamb Sliders for example were 12 dollars regular price. I can trust that after say, 2 strong drinks and great friends I will leave this place with just enough of a buzz, as I did tonight, as long as I didn't think about the bill- but our company was definately worth it, and my fiance and I both enjoyed ourselves and watching the drinks "volcano" lit aflame at other tables.
(4)Gary K.
Trader Vic's is No Ka Oi!!! Hawaiian for The Best! The bartenders are some of the best I have encountered in the world. They always make consistently good and strong drinks. NO watered down, no taste drinks served at Trader Vic's. We have been frequenting TV's for almost two years. They go above and beyond to make you feel welcome. The 1944 Mai Tai is better than any Mai Tai in Hawaii, on any island, at any five star resort.... and the appetizer always arrive fast and hot. Don't miss the Maui Wowie Shrimp.....ONO. Thumbs up for a great staff and manager. Five Stars!
(5)Sunny K.
We went here last Saturday night with a group of work friends as one of the girls at work just loves this place. I can see why and now i do too!!!. When you walk in the hostess is friendly and you feel as if you are on vacation but it's really a cold rainy day in Portland! A true tropical paradise. Drink menu is huge and lots of choices and boy are they good! I ordered a Mai Tai and it had just the right amount of everything and not overly sweet. I I can wait to go back and try a bunch of different drinks! The food and service are over the top great! It's a place to take someone for a special occasion as for you get a nice dessert to celebrate. For dinner i had the curry and it came presented so nice. Anyway if you want a good night out you have to check this place out! Rumor has it they also have a great happy hour! 5 star rating for decor, food, service and drinks!
(5)Ronald A.
We needed a place for dinner prior to going to the theatre. Since this has now reopened, we decided to give it a try. The last time i was at this restaurant I had not grey hair of any sort. That was some time ago. It is a fun place. The drink menu has lots of good choices. One of these days I might come back and try a few. In this case, we were looking for some bubbly, since one of our group was celebrating a birthday. Unfortunately, they only had one bottle; someone is not watching their stock. i love the way this place is decorated. It does take you back to a more touristy time, particularly touristy Hawaii. We got a seat by the open window, so enjoyed the fresh air off the side walk. Although this is a fun place to go and I might return if cocktails is my priority, i rated this a 3 star for the food. I was there for dinner. The calamari was over done and a bit greasy. My lamb curry had decent flavor, but the meat was over cooked. Rebecca agreed with me. The mahi mahi looked good. This is a fun place for the atmosphere, but do not go because of the food. It is just so so.
(3)Robert L.
Good food and service. We got a great show watching the guy stoke the wood fire in the glassed in oven area. The theme is unique for Portland (South Pacific). We went in hoping to just get snacks from a happy hour menu or something, but were sat int he dining room since we had our daughter. The prices were pretty steep - so expect to hand over a lot of cash - but strangely, we really liked it. There are some amazing peanut butter and crackers they serve for munching...you could fill up just on that it's so heavy. The drinks are really, really fresh tasting - but they cost. Luckily, I had a Foursquare special for a free drink! Yes, a big-boy drink from the special menu too. That's the best Foursquare deal I've ever seen and exactly how you do it. The server was happy to tell me the best drink to order (most alcohol and the most rare...his favorite). So, that was a plus. He could tell we were there to be quick and cheap...so props to him for not ignoring us or turning his nose up. We ordered the appetizer sized shrimp and some soups. They were all very good and perfectly cooked. The prawns were some of the freshest and most firm and properly cooked ones we've had in ages. All-in-all, it's a nice place with good product and good service. It's unique and felt like being back on vacation - almost. Just know that it's a little pricier than you'll probably think going in.
(4)Andrew A.
I've been eying the place since it opened; I was very pleasantly surprised during my first visit as I was expecting a Planet Hollywood/Hard Rock Cafe theme experience. The "1944 Mai Tai" was the best I've had; I suppose that's why it's their signature drink. The slightly less expensive TV Mai was equally yummy and most probably won't be able to tell the difference. The shrimp boat and the Caesar Salad on the Happy Hour menu were excellent; the Praline Sundae above average. The female bartender was very cool. Prices are more than reasonable. TV's is a chain so it's kinda on the fringe of the Portland scene, but it has an overall good vibe.
(4)Bachtuyet L.
We only came here for drinks, but both my boyfriend and I agree that we like this tiki bar most out of all the tiki bars we've been to in Portland. It doesn't have the musty, old building smell as the other ones and they have window walls that allow them to completely open their walls. The drinks we had were tasty and strong. I had some Singapore drink in a bowl and the bf got the Mai Tai flight with three different Mai Tais. I really liked my drink and out of the three Mai Tais, I liked the guava mai tai. I wasn't a fan of the Maui (Pineapple) mai tai as much. I don't know, maybe it's because I'm not a huge fan of dark rums, but there was a strong taste in there that just made me want to chug the damn cup so there wouldn't be any more to drink. I really liked the atmosphere, as well. We had one superb waitress (I wish I got her name... she had a very short haircut). She was very attentive and nice. ....Then there was the other waitress (also, did not get her name), but she was toooo much. No bueno. She kept coming back and wanting us to order more drinks when we still had more than half our drinks in our cups. Then, when we got to half of our drinks, she wanted to give us our check. Back off lady. Back the eff off. That kind of killed the mood for us, but luckily the other waitress came back and saved us. I wished we weren't served by the second waitress because it was really annoying, but I'm going to pretend she didn't serve us and base this review on the first server and the drinks. I will definitely return, but if I get that awful waitress again... I might scream.
(4)Phong D.
I'm really surprised that a single establishment can get 1's and 5's (stars). Being a Pacific NW transplant, I have to admit that I did not know that Trader Vics is a chain. In hindsight I don't think that it matters. This place was fun and I enjoyed the tiki theme. (I also wanted to hide in the ginormous vase in the bathroom and pop out to scare people.) I was there with a group of friends for drinks and we had a good time. We shared the scorpion bowl and rum keg and both of those drinks were fruity, tasty, and strong. My review is limited since we didn't get food and I feel kind of guilty for dishing out 4 stars, but I like this place! I'll definitely come back for food and will update my review.
(4)Brandon B.
I cut my teeth on tiki benders in my 20's so Trader Vic's held a special place in my heart. And I'll put up with quite a bit to swim in the warm waters of nostalgia -- hence my 5-star review of Montage. But damn, good memories only go so far when the prices are this high. After the pink slip bomb went off at work, we gathered for foofy drinks and commiseration. Granted we were a large group, so a mistake or two is inevitable, but a decent establishment, especially a posh Pearl place, should know how to gracefully handle a mistake or two. Or, twenty? Nearly everything was wrong. Drinks, food, wrong, missing, all the fault of our waitress -- by her own admission. When asked about a missing drink she'd blankly respond, "Oh. Yeah. I didn't put that order in" or "I forgot that." Over and over and over again. And never an apology or comp offer. Only once did she offer an excuse: "The music, like, sort of, I dunno, threw me off." Sweetie, you aren't pretty enough to be this bad at your job. And I'm not stupid enough to come back here.
(1)John F.
This is one of those situations where I'd like to split my stars. Happy hour is never a bad choice. The staff are friendly and professional, the drinks tastily tiki, and the snacks damn good. We've been on several occasions and always had a great time. Dinner was a little less spectacular. The food is nicely done and quite beautifully presented, and as mentioned above the staff were very knowledgeable and my glass never went empty, but for the price we weren't blown away either. I suspect a different philosophy is at work, conservative island rather than seasonal/local, and that's okay. Overall this place is worth checking out if you're in the 'hood, just try to make it happy hour.
(3)Kristine M.
I love tropical drinks, and Trader Vics has them, and they are STRONG. What's not to love? Okay, the food is overpriced (but the Cosmo Tidbits are worth buying if you and a non-vegetarian friend want a snack). The full entrees will make your mouth and stomach full and happy, but your wallet empty and sad. I love the decor. Tiki usually ends up looking kitsch, but here it's much more museum-quality and admirable. I wish the place were underground, so I could more easily forget that I'm in Portland instead of Hawaii, but I can't have everything. Service is spectacular. If they're not busy, ask about drinks that aren't on the menu, and you might get some other drink you've never heard of but is now a favorite. I highly recommend this place for happy hour, or for when someone else is paying.
(4)Abbie H.
We hopped over to Trader Vic's while waiting for a table at Andina. Both had yummy tropical drinks at the bar and were served quickly. I love the Tiki style atmosphere of this place and want to come back for dinner sometime! The drink menu looked really great and I would love to try more of the exotic style drinks as well. In a great location in the Pearl.
(3)Megan M.
The drinks are strong, and the food is good! Happy hour is definitely the best deal, but the regular dinner menu has plenty of great options, too. The bartender, Greg, was really friendly and mixed up my drink to my taste rather than just going by the recipe. This is a great spot year round, but certainly an excellent place when the warm weather returns in spring/summer!
(5)W S.
Mai tais seemed a Little watery last night whereas previously they have been killer good. I wonder if it's different bartender or cost cutting measure. Good place for happy hour.
(3)Jamie G.
Beer selection is a little lacking, but if you like rum cocktails this is the place for you. 8 different Mai Tais. Food was good, had the beef tenderloin and prawns, so tender. Girlfriend had the build-it-yourself duck dumplings, and they came out with a very authentic Asian flavour.
(3)Gene B.
Well, I've never been to a Trader Vic's and I had some time to kill on a recent outing in the Pearl District, so I popped in. They don't half-ass the whole tiki theme, they are all in. What else do you do at a place like this other than order rum drinks? And you know what? They pretty good! I don't know that I could endure a whole meal here, but it's kinda fun for a couple of drinks.
(3)Michael C.
Nostradamus predicted the end of the world. I am predicting nothing so dramatic other than the end of Trader Vic's Portland. If this place survives more than two years I will be amazed. For the rest of this review I am at risk of East / West Coast snobbery but here goes it. Service: Per functional at best right out of a corporate training manual. "Here are your two sauces, one is very hot so be very careful." I can see the lawyers writing the manual. Food: Micky D's meets Tahiti. Atmosphere: Recreation of the 50's concept that mercifully died in the 90's. Back again like a bad penny. This place would rock in Omaha but dies a painful death in Portland. The competition here is too fierce and simply too good...these folks are outgunned. As a famous and slightly corrupt Boston politician once said...".to a battle of wits he comes unarmed." (Billy Bulger; Whitey's smart brother) To the battle of food and beverage these folks come unarmed.
(2)Victoria V.
Stopped in while waiting for our reservation next door and sat at the bar. Had a couple of their famous classic Mai Tais. They did not disappoint. Not too sweet and went down smooth. The place was pretty busy, but we were served quickly by the friendly bar staff. We didn't eat here, but definitely stop by for a drink during Happy Hour! Hope to return soon to experience the rest of what it has to offer. Cheers!
(4)Aimee S.
We recently had dinner with a group of friends and was pleasantly surprised. The reviews on Yelp were hit or miss so I'm really glad Trader Vic's exceeded my expectations. We had the Cosmo Tidbits to start, which included crispy prawns, crab Rangoon Char Siu pork and BBQ ribs. I also had a caesar salad. Not bad. Not one of the best, but good. For my entree I ordered steak and prawns. It was cooked perfectly and very good. My husband ordered the Mongolian beef short ribs. Awesome flavors. Cooked very well. Moist not dry. Everyone in our group enjoyed their dinners, a lot. Our waiter and other staff were very attentive and I can't think of one negative thing to say. I was impressed. Oh yeah, the mai tais are awesome.
(4)Renee O.
And I was back at Trader Vic's in under a week. Clearly something pulled me back. Here's your toss up... - Wait for the slow service - have an outstanding cocktail For me...the cocktails are worth the wait I still have nothing to say about the food as this has been purely a drink spot for us :)
(5)Tyler C.
Hello 40 year old suburban moms! Welcome to your place in the city Trader Vic's! Here you can feel young, get out of your sweatpants for a night and drink till you annoy any person that actually lives in this area. After that bad intro I did have decent food the one (and only) time I went here. I won't be back until I'm into cougars (which will be never). The atmosphere is cute and cozy & I'm trying to respect this place for what it is. Three stars from me.
(3)Jeff M.
A Haiku Review of Trader Vic's: Fixin for Tiki? "The Alibi" is my pick. Vic's was a bit stiff.
(3)B R.
Went in with my 25 yr old daughter at 4:30pm.......restaurant completely empty bar completely empty.....told they could not take walk ins and that we couldn't sit in the bar because she was a minor. Just make an assumption rude snotty host. Don't need to support your chain when there are do many great local restaurants
(1)Magicka M.
LOVE the Tiki theme! LOVE the cutesy delicious drinks. LOVE the decor, the ambiance and atmosphere. The prices leave a little more room for the loving. However it is not the worst I've seen and at least the food and drinks come out looking like they are worth every penny. I ordered the barrel drink just because it looks awesome! and it seem like a lot of their drinks (and food) are very presentable! I'd go back everyday if I could, but that's not good for the wallet otherwise I'd probably would go back one to many times. Service is great! and their drinks are wonderful!!!! The place just feels nice. Definitely worth going to. I should check out their happy hour that I haven't been to yet....
(4)Jacob M.
Great ambiance, love the Honi Honi and we also had calamari, which was absolutely amazing with flavor!!! Definitely a must!
(5)Shelby W.
Love the happy hour menu and definitely recommend the WAVE! Will come back again, and again!
(5)Kalon P.
It was way too expensive for the food. I had a mushroom risotto that was $24 that wasn't that good for rice and mushrooms. I've tried a few things over there and the Maui wowie shrimp. Everything is $19 dollars and up for an entree which doesn't match the quality. The only thing that saves this place is the drinks, the bar tending staff and the look of the place. They need to bring the price down and have one more page of food as good as the Maui wowie shrimp.
(2)Stephanie A.
Unique atmosphere! Super stiff drinks with the equivalent price tag. Recommend checking out at least once, next time I'll return for the happy hour. My 1944 Mai tai was so stiff I had to dilute it with pineapple juice others at my table had a blended piña colada equivalent and a martini thing. Even with out the drinks it's fun to check out all the tiki decor and creative cocktail list.
(3)Julie F.
We purchased a Living Social to Trader Vic's. Our waiter knew that as we were up front and he could not have been more accommodating. The restaurant was super busy but the entire staff was into service. They cleared dishes promptly and brought clean knives and forks back for the next course. Our waiter had a fun sense of humor. The food was fresh, great presentation and tasty! Chris the Manager was in the act all night too. Doing whatever needed to be done, filling water glasses etc. We will return! Thanks!
(5)William W.
Very strong, yummy drinks. I'm not a huge tiki fan, and typically avoid places like this, but I've really enjoyed the several times I've been in. The rum cocktails are unique, with lots of specialty liquor behind the bar I've not seen elsewhere. Happy hour pricing is very reasonable, we had snacks and a few rounds for $20-30. Give it a shot - it's a great twist on the usual Portland happy hour fare.
(5)Donna K.
I enjoy the Polynesian decor and Latin music fusion.Live music was a plus. We ordered a couple drinks, which we thought would come out in fancy cups, but it they were just regular glasses. A lot of drinks on the menu but none of which seemed too special although next time we may try a bowl cocktail. We ordered the spiced creme brulee, which was a pumpkin flavored creme brulee, tasty but a little on the heavy side. We would go back to try new cocktails and possibly a stab at dinner.
(3)Laura C.
While I enjoyed the Tahitian decor, I found the drink prices a lot stiffer than the actual drink. I think what you are paying for is the marketing department to come up with names like "Rum Giggle" and "Scorpion bowl" The happy hour ribs (Cosmo Tidbits) are fantastic, but they come in tapas sized servings. The Crab Rangoon's are great too...but again, you don't get much. The pork sliders and burger are average to good. That's not to say you won't have a good time, but you will walk away with a tab that more resembles a dinner bill than "happy hour". I say, take newbies and out-of-towner's here. But I don't say "Make this your Cheers bar". For me, this restaurant is reserved for special occasions only.
(3)Alexi M.
Although the drinks are tasty all the ingredients obviously come from plastic bottles. No doubt that have been shipped in from their corporate headquarters. Nothing here is local or artisan and in town that prides itself on those qualities this restaurant is beyond outdated. The staff is friendly enough but the food is lackluster. If your in the area your money is better spent at Obas, Andina or Teardrop.
(1)Chris C.
Service and food were excellent. Gigantic drinks were all top notch, the only down side is the price point is decently high.
(5)Don B.
For what it is, Trader Vic's kills it. I mean, it's a tiki bar that obviously isn't intending to compete with the Pok Poks and Le Piegons of Porltand's insanely advanced culinary scene. In fact, if you're looking for hand cured meats or fancy French haute cuisine, you're barking up the wrong bamboo pole. Trader Vic's is a fun spot to gather for sugary rum cocktails and better-than-you'd-expect-for-a-franchise food. I'm not big on chains or franchises myself, but what I do appreciate about a franchise is that it's generally locally owned. What I appreciate about this outpost of the legendary rum bar is that the bartenders know how to pour a drink. It's not a speakeasy or a craft cocktail bar, but the Mai Tai's at Trader Vic's are better than any I've had in Hawaii and are made to actual authentic recipe standards right down to the mint sprig. Sure they use Trader Vic's syrups... but as long as you know what to expect, you should be fairly pleased with the product. Oh, and their Navy Grog is proper. If you're screwing around with vodka soda or whiskey or anything similar here you're doing it wrong. I've only tried some of the food at this location - mainly the duck tacos (uh, yes please) and the pork ribs. Both were quite good. I also sampled a lot of food at the media opening but I can't really report on that (since it's never the same at a media event as it is on the regular). I can't comment on the rest of the main dishes - I think I'll stick with the small snacks here. The space itself is classic tiki and this restaurant is gigantic. I rolled in on a Wednesday night and the place was packed with an obviously Pearl crowd, most of which trended on the older side. Of course the generation that grew up with Trader Vic's is going to be excited for its return. The crowd wasn't really all that much my style but from my vantage at the bar (the only place I'd really prefer to sit here) the vista was primarily bartenders, a rum-soaked bar, and tiki-shaped cocktail glasses. Any other chain wouldn't likely get more than 3 stars from me, but the execution here is above average, for sure. If you can appreciate a real rum cocktail made with tropical juices and all sorts of interesting spice combos (meaning that you've graduated beyond rum and coke), then you should definitely stop in for a taste.
(4)Taco E.
Loved that we were able to find a seat at the bar on V-Day; food was delicious and was delivered without much delay. Cocktails were standard, manager and bar staff were friendly, though ambiance was tacky and un-authentic. It was a bit on the pricey side but fitting of similar establishments in the Pearl district.
(3)JW R.
We breeze past the hostess stand, cuz I'm VIP like a mofo. We sit at the bar and the dude who used to work at Paddy's gives us cocktail menus. Then every bartender in NW greets us. It was like a clown car. I swear there were twenty people back there running up to say hi. Does the service manual say "stalkerish"? It was just the first of several slightly unnerving things. The hostesses all wear the same uniform, it makes them look like stewardesses. The bartenders all wear the same cheesy ass shirt, it makes them look like 50yo suburban dads (except for the ones with breasts). The waiters jackets are a little scifi-y. The decor screams "kit". I was expecting to see "slot A" and "tab B" marked on pieces of fake bamboo. It's just shy of annoying, tho. Aside from the slight WTF factor, every bartender we dealt with was perfectly friendly in that way you can tell is de rigueur but executed well. So, food and drinks. We got the pupu platter and an extra spareribs. It was all pretty good, someone else got a burger (with no fries! WTF?!). The whole tab for 3 apps (a burger without fries is an app, dammit!) and 3 drinks came to FIFTY SIX FUCKING DOLLARS!! That should be considered assault. I should be legally authorized to shoot my way out of a tab like that. That, sir (or madam as the case may be) is bullshit. And I don't like rum, putting most of the cocktail list in Ickystan. So if friendly service and kitsch are worth being rogered by the tiki gods check it out. Meet me at the Low Brow when you're done.
(2)Ace E.
I'm so glad Trader Vic's came back to Portland! I was a senior in High School when the original restaurant in the Benson Hotel closed in 1996 and I never got to go. But something about this place stuck in my mind. I've visited, dined, and drank at 6 other Trader Vic's' before this location opened in Portland. Some of them didn't get the decor right. Some of them didn't get the drinks right. And some of them are now closed because of it. Now, I was a bit apprehensive about what this Vic's would be like, but had high hopes about their grand unveiling. To my great relief it turned out fantastically decorated, better than almost every Vic's I've been to, save for the charming flagship location in Emeryville, CA. The drinks have been spot on, food delicious and service, well, mostly excellent. I realize that in the first 6 months or so of opening a new restaurant and training new staff that there are some kinks to work out. I am very much a fan of this Trader Vic's Portland location! So if you want to experience real Tiki style, tippling libations, and gourmet grub, don't hesitate to check out Trader Vic's Portland, and remember to dress the part in your tropical best! Update: it's been a few years since my original review. The original bar staff was excellent. They have changed over the years, sometimes good, sometimes better, sometimes it's just wrong. It has improved as of late to my great relief. If this place is going to make it in Portland for the long haul they will have to keep the food menu fresh and the drinks consistent. There has been several changes of head chef and a reworking of the menu a number of times. I appreciate seasonal ingredients, but please for the sake of our dear departed Vic, keep it tropical themed in some way! There must be some tropical and exotic ingredients on the menu that are still accessible to the common gentleman and lady. The staff is great and I enjoy my dining experiences here. I will continue to bring friends and family to Trader Vic's as long as "TV" is around.
(5)Ron T.
ALOHA! This is a tropical themed retirement home in the city. But don't despair and lose hope of a better crowd, the dinosaurs go home by 10pm as they are afraid their skin might get used as belts, shoes and leather goods. Not that I'm hating. It's just what it is here. I love the tropical theme. It's clean. (make sure you put water sealant on your floor by the fountain). But sadly, so does my plate when it arrived. I ordered Ahi Poke and the proportions are a bit off. I did not order half avocado and half tuna all rolled and packed in a small cylinder. In a big plate garnished with 5 taro chips. The calamari is good. But I could have had the same quality for lesser price at Bastas Trattoria. I also like the quality of fish and chips. It is decent for what it is( but two fish, REALLY?!). But to pay that amount? Yeah, no thanks. I can get the same thing for that price at McMinnemins and BurgerVille with more fish and less seasoned fries. I'm not a fan of rum. I only drink it when I'm in the tropics. The service is decent. We were not hounded by a clown full of cars like JW did. I think those clowns were off that day. Though they could have more attention to detail like getting the iced tea that we ordered and not reacting weird when I say "OK" when asked how things are going. I'm not the type of person to say "GREAT" just to please you. I love their uniforms, they look like Asian Airline flight attendants. (Take that as a compliment, Asian Airline FAs are fine, fresh and fierce). I hope this business last for a while. While they are a chain and change is far from happening, good luck. Specially when the turnover from that spot has been a little faster than the other establishments. Would I come back? Maybe.
(2)Alexander L.
Went there last night for my partner's birthday dinner. The menu they had posted online had changed, and the restaurant was very uninviting to vegan guests. The waiter made no effort to help us to find something to order. The worse part was that when the check came, they had charged an 18% tip without informing us, and the waiter told us to hurry because he was technically "off work", even though it was only just after 10PM and we sat down at 830PM. Then came the finale, we split the bill so that the 18% tip, which was already on the bill, was included in our portions. The waiter tried to trick us by adding on the tip on top of what we paid, so trying to bring the tip to 36% without asking us. I felt like they just didn't care, and the atmosphere of the restaurant (kind of empty and bleh) suggested that others in portland have had similar experiences.
(2)Tony M.
Disclaimer: This one star review is not for poor service or bad tasting food or drinks. We did not stay to eat and drink. This one star review is for stupid business management. We arrived at Trader Vic's at 4:30 to meet our friends, Cindy and Brett for a highly anticipated happy hour. We had great expectations for the reopening of a classic. It was a beautiful afternoon in Portland and the outdoor tables were all occupied. Trader Vic's has roll up walls that create an outdoor atmosphere for those tables near the roll up walls. We asked if we could have our happy hour drinks and appetizers at one of those tables. We were informed that the tables were only for dining. The tables remained unoccupied from 4:30 to 6:30 (happy hour) while potential customers like us went down the block to Oba's to spend our money. Why send customers away from empty tables? Look for my five star Oba review for their outstanding food, drinks and service. We refer to our Trader Vic's experience as "OBAFLOW". Oba will continue to benefit from this stupid business strategy.
(1)Kimmy K.
I've been going to Trader Vic's for years and have gone to many locations. I can tell you that this is one of the best Trader Vic's out there. I have gone at least once per week since its opening and will continue to do so. Stepping into Trader Vic's is like stepping out of my everyday reality and stepping into a tropical paradise. I feel whisked away for a couple carefree hours where I don't have to think about deadlines, bills or any other every day stresses in my life and instead can enjoy a great tiki cocktail, some fabulous food and a fun time with friends. Every time Mr. Kupcakes and I are there, the staff always goes out of their way to greet me, complement me on my outfit and to make sure I am enjoying my time throughout my meal. It doesn't matter if I am there in the dining room or the lounge, with my fiancé for a date, having a family meal with my minor daughter (Minors can sit in the dining room that review below is full of it) or having dinner with a huge group of friends. They ALWAYS take care of me and whoever I am with. Trader Vic's was the place to be and be seen it's first time around and is quickly gaining that reputation, again. Of course, the regulars from the original Trader Vic's are going to be eager to attend and I welcome them to do so. They have some great stories to share, as well as being an active part of our great community. I raise my Trader Vic's mai tai in their honor. If you don't want to be around our distinguished citizens, I recommend you stay home, because they are everywhere! As for Trader Vic's being corporate and like a tiki Olive Garden, you obviously just don't get it. Every Trader Vic's location is different. The menus are catered to the tastes of the community in that area and what ingredients are fresh in that location. No two menus are the same. Each location is also decorated completely different with artifacts from all over the world and going back more than 100 years. You can't say that for an Olive Garden. Of all the Trader Vic's I have been too, no two have ever been the same and I've never felt like I was in the exact same restaurant, but in a different city. If I did, I wouldn't go back and love it as much as I do. I question if some of these people have even really been to Trader Vic's due to describing food differently then it's served and prepared and saying things about the place that are flat out, untrue. Such as minors only being able to eat outside. Don't let these negative reviews stop you from trying this great restaurant and bar full of tiki history, yummy food and drinks that you can't get enough of. If you do, you're a dirty stinker!
(5)Joyce G.
Very disappointed by our experience last night. Our waiter was not helpful, kind, or courteous when it came to accommodating our gluten and peanut allergies. In fact, he became angry when I asked if the chef could cook the salmon without the peanut vinaigrette. To top off his anger, after we had discussed w him that we were unable to eat the free lavosh crackers w peanut butter cream, he still brought it to the table!! Grr. It felt like he was trying to prove our allergies were not real health concerns. Food was overlooked, but at this point we gave up on any semblance of customer service. Terrible experience for the expensive cost!
(1)Gillian W.
This place, while the atmosphere is good the price is way over priced! Stopped here for a start to the Barfly bus and have been here before but do not frequent. I think there are bettter places to go if you are wanting to get some better drinks started for the night. If you there for flashy stuff you have it made.
(3)Sherry S.
Made it in here 3 minutes before happy hour was to be over and on a Tuesday. That's good timing for finding seats in the lounge for sure! The waitress was awesome about getting our order in time, though frankly not all of the regular items are really that much more expensive. Introduced the daughter to her first mai tai, complete with umbrella. We then ordered the crab rangoon, maui waui shrimp, and their Shanghai caesar salad. It did bring back a few memories as I know in my past I ventured in this place at some point. It was all hot, quick and good enough bites. The salad was especially enjoyable as it had some fresh ginger on the side, some spicy cashews and the dressing was full flavored. The maui waui shrimp was crispy and just sweet enough. The crab rangoon was, well crab rangoon to the T. If you can show up early enough in the day to see some of the decor, it's quite spectacular-from the wonderful wood floors to the fun polynesian grass wallpapers, all the way up to the ceilings. There are also water features, as well as glass art here and there. Fun stuff. As I said, the waitress was a doll through and through, and I was getting her at the tail end of the happy hour and she pulled it off. For dessert we had to split the passion fruit mousse with pink peppercorn meringe. Can you say wow?
(4)Madame M.
I finally managed to try Trader Vics the other night. I went with a group of coworkers for Happy Hour. We went right when it started to avoid any crowds. It was nice and quiet which allowed for us to talk in peace which was good. They have a decent amount of Happy Hour snacks available. I tried the fries and the chicken satay. The Chicken Satay was ok, nothing too special. It is some grilled chicken (that took an oddly long time for being the only customers in the restaurant) on a stick with some dipping sauce. The french fries while plentiful for $4.00 were oddly spiced. I love spice but not a fan of heat. When I think of french fries, I think of crispy salted fries, not spicy, semi crisp fries. The fries were not advertised as seasoned fries which was annoying, it just says "basket of fries" not seasoned fries. I understand Trader Vics is known for its drinks. I am not much of a boozer so I tried two of their non-alchoholic offerings since they have a good amount to choose from. Here are my drink reviews 1. Honolulu Bay: It is a frozen drink of strawberry and pineapple juice with an umbrella. I found it a bit weak on the fruity side, a little watered down on the flavor also quite overpriced for $6.00 especially since it was small and did not contain alcohol. 2. Coral Reef: Somewhat of a smoothie with the same flavors as listed above but with a dash of coconut and mango. This one was weak on fruitiness as well. I think they greatly scimp on the fruit flavor in these drinks. I have had more flavorful Vitamin Water. Also a hefty $6.00 At 6pm, live music starts so if you wish to have a conversation, come before then cause it gets loud. Also, for a TIKI inspired establishment, I didn't understand the lack of actual Polynesian music. There was Astrud Gilberto-esque music playing which was confusing. All in all, I was pleased with the decor and price of the Happy Hour snacks but underwhelmed with the drinks that I had due to their high price for little flavor. I may try them again if I want an alcoholic beverage just to see what they are like but I will stick with homemade smoothies that cost half the price with 5x the flavor.
(3)Rachael S.
I'd been looking forward to coming here. For months. Since I heard about them opening back up. I stalked the blog, the reviews in various papers... And I finally got to go for happy hour with a girlfriend on Friday. And I was sad. We ordered drinks and a couple items from their happy hour menu. The drinks were very tasty, decidedly fruity, but weak. Really weak. That was too bad, because I was very fired up for some fruity drinks. No dice. French fries with curry seasoning. Not bad, but we got the basket with ALL little nubbins from the bottom of the bag. Not overly crispy, some were pretty soggy. They had this weird dipping sauce, neither of us could figure out what it was supposed to be so we stuck to the ketchup. And last, we ordered the coconut Maui Wowie shrimp. Wowie, they tasted a LOT like apple bee's.... Not decidedly coco-nutty... In fact, the coconut was shredded so small that only when I picked a piece off the end of my tongue did I realize there was coconut in it. The sauce was uninspired. I was glad to have gotten it at the Happy Hour price because had I paid full price, I would have been upset. Not a large portion, not a good quality. Tail off, apple bee's type shrimp. I have the trader Vic's cookbook and the shrimp in there are much better than what they serve at the restaurant. I really wanted to try the crispy duck but wasn't inspired to spend anymore money on mediocre food. Our waitress was perky and cute, checked in on us OFTEN. We sat in the bar, which was quite sparsely populated when we got there, but within an hour and a half, it was standing room only. Mostly 50-somethings. I am NOT 50-something. But she didn't know how to properly pronounce some of the things on the menu. If you are going to use a commonly known Hawaiian word/phrase (kama'aina) you should know how to say it... Minor pet peeve. There were others... So all in all, I probably won't be making TVs a regular spot for anything, unfortunately. I was VERY excited to go here and left feeling cheated.
(2)Carrie S.
I really want to give them a 3.5 star rating. Atmosphere and design of restaurant: Makes you want to go to a tropical island and drink pina coladas served by a pool boy named Pedro. Service: Service was very good. The hostess was very attentive, and my waitress, Monica, was fantastic. She tried very hard to find me gluten free options. What I was a little miffed about was that they really had to search hard in order to accommodate my allergy, and the chef is not necessarily focused on those of us with allergy issues. Not that he has to be,,,,but the ability to have a more diverse menu is a plus for obtaining a great number of customers. Food: Small servings. Overpriced. I had the sea spring roll minus the ponzu. It was 3 microscopic pieces of food for $15.00. Epic fail. I then had the Mahi Mahi, which was OK. Not worth the $24.00, but at least there was enough food with this entree that the plate was dirty enough to wash. We ordered the ice cream dessert. It was three different flavors (banana, a coconut, and a rum flavor) Only one ice cream tasted good, the banana. It was 3 small scoops of ice cream for $8.00. I know I will be back. The atmosphere just screams fun place to hang out. But, I would definitely only do happy hour to keep the costs low.
(3)Janet L.
First, the good! Very friendly, attentive, knowledgeable waitstaff. The cocktails were made with sharp attention to measurements from what I observed at my bar seat - which I really appreciate when trying some classic tiki drink recipes. I like knowing they're made "correctly" and not based on how heavy the bartender's hand happens to be. The drinks were delicious. I also love how well-decorated Trader Vic's is - they obviously invested a lot in creating the ambiance and it shows. The thatch ceiling is beautiful! I didn't get a chance to try any of the food but I considered it and looked at the menu and didn't see many vegetarian options aside from salads. The prices are higher than my SE Portland budget but typical for the area - this is in a bustling pearl location. This would be a nice "safe" place to take a group or family that's not from Portland and wants something a little different but "not TOO weird". But for my personal taste I don't think I'd come back as I prefer smaller unique places that don't feel as huge and chain-y. And since the menu was so meat-centric I'd only come to drink.
(3)Tiffany R.
Go here if you want to get girlie-drink drunk. It will cost you some cash but it is worth it for a night out. The restaurant was really clean the service was super nice. Had the interactive beef on a stick....cook it yourself over a flame. Kind of fun!
(4)courtney s.
Trader Vic's... Ah the memories...as a child my mother would go to Trader Vic's for dinner and cocktails and return home with a plethora of cocktail goodies...plastic monkeys, mermaids and the ultimate 'menehune." I loved it. I imaged warm sand, sunsets and topical breezes. I have been waiting to go to Trader Vic's and even holding off until I felt it was the right moment. It so happened that I ended up there today on a whim with two dear friends who are rum connoisseurs. We arrived late afternoon to find an impressive crowd. We sat at the bar and were greeted by Greg the bartender. We ordered a 1944 Mai Tai and a couple of Menehune Juice cocktails. Greg made our drinks with panache and speed. I have to admit I am not a fan of rum due to a bad experience with Bacardi 151 many years ago, despite this the Menehune Juice was sublime. Plus, it came complete with my very own menehune figure. Trader Vic's was fun and my cocktail was delicious enough that I forgot it cost $11, yes, $11. I rated my experience4 stars only because it is a chain. The atmosphere is nice and they were staffed to the gills. I appreciate a good bartender who enjoys their job and is willing to engage with customers. Greg was attentive without being overbearing and gladly provided narrative as he made a variety of cocktails.
(4)Loubna B.
This is a classic (but newly built) Trader Vic's dripping with Tiki Awesomeness! And while I will still take the Circus folks to the Alibi...now I have an exotic tiki place in PDX to take the parents. Here's hoping they change the BGM from 1950's malt shop doo-whop back to mid-century Exotica as it should be.
(4)Ame P.
I had first been to Trader Vics in Las Vegas. I did not know it was a chain at the time so I was definitely surprised to see the establishment in Portland. The way it is set up in Portland is a lot different from what I remembered about the one in Vegas. The entrance is immediately eye catching and welcoming with its cute totem polls and fountain. The initial vibe you get is that its a tiki lounge, but a CLASSY tiki lounge. If you're coming for dinner, it can be a little on the pricey side, but they've got a great happy hour. The drinks have always been tasty and strong every time I've gone here. The servers are super friendly and knowledgeable. This spot kind seems random in the Pearl, but I like it because it's different. Go here for dates or with groups, you won't be disappointed!
(4)Brett P.
I really wanted to like this place...but they made it very tough. I love the atmosphere...very island resort looking with bamboo and thatched grasses everywhere...tiki tiki tiki. The food however was abysmal. In particular, the overpriced ($21) Orange Chicken dish which was recommended by the waitress, was terrible. I've had frozen stirfry with a ton more flavor. I'm convinced that the chicken was frozen...and bland bland bland and dried out to within an inch of it's life. Extremely disappointed. Nothing we ordered was even mildly tastey. The ahi pole was ok....that's it. I'd possibly go back for a quick drink just for the atmosphere...but for food?..no thanks!!
(2)Heather D.
Get the pork sliders! Just do it! The crunchy pickled cucumbers complete them... completed me. SO FRICKIN' GOOD! Moving on... think hawaiian tiki bar with lots of intimate seating complete with indoor tropical waterfall. This is a great date or group meet-up place. The service was fantastic and fast! They checked on us often, but were not intrusive. The food was great and really tasty. We were there during Happy Hour and it was not over-crowded. (Happy Hour extends to anywhere on the wooden floors.) Drinks are pricey and delicious, but also mostly ice. It's nice to have something a little different in the Pearl.
(4)Jan A.
BOOOO!!! ok, so it was just a few weeks ago we were having the delightful brunch I raved about. Well, 2 weeks ago, we headed to TV for brunch again....closed. It was noon. Now I KNOW we had reservations last time at 12.30 so I'm wondering....what the heck...out of business already? We dined elsewhere. While we were walking back to the car, I see the front doors of TV open and all of the street windows open in the dining room, letting in the pleasant afternoon weather, and tables of diners dining. Huh, guess they changed their hours...a note on the front door would have been nice (which I mentioned to them, with no response). Get home, check their website, Yes: new hours Sat & Sun, opening at 1. That's that. Brunch menu still up. Yesterday (Sunday), go to TV's. It's about 2.00. walk in, (had the kiddie with us), get told any spots off the wood floor (?) are kid friendly. What?? Us: Um, is the dining room not open? TV her: No. It's never been open, it's always been this way Us: What?!? We were just here a couple..... TV her: oh, yea we changed it a couple weeks ago. Us: ...weeks ago for brunch. TV her: Well, brunch would have been over now anyways. Me: F U trader vics. I'll make my own pina colada at home. wow, what a game changer. Not to mention JUST the weekend before the dining room WAS open! I fricking saw it with my own two eyes. never again
(1)Jordan H.
The Best Mai Thai you will ever have is here. I'm not just saying best Mai Thai in Portland, because my wife and I just got back from our trip to Hawaii, where I did have quite a few Mai Thai's and trust me they were not on the same level as the Trader Vic's Mai Thai! Besides the Mai Thai, the service (at the bar) is excellent. The bartenders, every one of them are super friendly, and great to talk to on a slow day. I have not experienced the table service, so I can't say anything good/bad about the servers, but the bartenders are fantastic, and make their drinks very well. The food! The food is amazing, the Mauai Shrimp is superb. Not your usual selection, but I have worked my way down the menu and tried quite a few of the selections and I have yet to have anything that did not satisfy me! This place is fun, with a great atmosphere, a wonderful place to stop in and have a drink, and some food to go with it!
(5)Chiemi N.
I really want to like Trader Vic's, but have mixed feelings about it. If it were possible to give half stars, I would give it 3 1/2 stars, I am rounding up. The first time I went, it was a special event, and everything that I tried was wonderful, the service was par excellence! The best Mai Tai that I've ever had. I really looked forward to going back and trying it out again. The next time I went, I went to a happy hour event that a friend was hosting at Trader Vic's. I got there later than I wanted, that was my fault. So there wasn't really anyplace to sit. I barely squeezed in on the happy hour deal, since I got there at 6:25. I placed my order at the bar, with the bartender. The server that brought out the food, just went to a general area of the bar and asked who ordered what. I ordered the Caesar salad and the crab rangoons. No where at the bar to set the food down. So I told the server that I had friends at a crowded table across the room, could he follow me with the sauce to the crab rangoons, he didn't, so no sauce for my crab rangoons. I was also disappointed that the happy hour menu was quite pared down from the lounge menu. It was very limiting, but the prices were good. I really like the tiki ambiance of Trader Vic's. It reminds me of a different place, in a different time. I would like to give this place another chance. Maybe get there earlier to secure seating during happy hour, and order appetizer off hh menu, and something off the regular menu!
(4)Dian K.
I'm surprised that this place only has a 3 star average. First time I came here was a Yelp event. I was really impressed with their food then, so I vowed to come back. I forgot about it until I saw them listed in Portland Dining Month. Perfect! Got a few friends and off we go. First of all, they make stiff drinks - so make sure you pace yourself because Mai Tai sure comes down easy. If you're with 3 or more, the Scorpion bowl or Rum Keg is the way to go.. Woohooo! :) Comes with extra long straws for sharing. Their food continue to impress too. The crab rangoon was a nice flaky fried wonton skin filled with flavored cream cheese. Mustard that comes with it is awesome. Their house-made peanut butter is to die for - I'm not sure why they don't start selling these by the bottle, I would totally be in for one. My Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi was cooked perfectly - the surprise star was the wasabi mash potato - not overpowering, but can tell it's waaaaasssssaaaaabiiiii. Desert was probably their weakest point. The Berry panna cotta wasn't a panna cotta (IMHO) - more have a greek yogurt consistency with the berry already infused in the panna cotta. The Snowball, which is basically a scoop of vanilla ice cream with toasted coconut and chocolate sauce was "meh". Can't really taste the coconut and the ice cream itself isn't all that. Other than food, the service was good - I don't think I ever had my water glass empty and the ambiance is spot on. All those Polynesian masks, thatch roof and live Polynesian music definitely works. Overall, I'm really impressed with their food offerings, especially considering they're a chain.
(4)Olive R.
I love the history and story behind Trader Vic's reopening in Portland. I went to a Yelp Elite event here last month and although I'm not a huge Mai Tai fan, I really liked their Mai Tais, not too sweet and pretty strong. :) Why the 3-star review? The crab rangoons I tried at the event were so good that a couple of weeks later I stopped by, on a whim, for happy hour and ordered rangoons and a mai tai. My drink was the same (tasty!), but the rangoons (yes, I'm leaving out the word crab on purpose) were practically empty. Disappointing. I'd give Trader Vic's another go if I was just ordering drinks, or someone else suggested it, but not top of mind when I'm trying to decide on happy hour in the Pearl.
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