Frequent Traveler

Trader Vic’s—Dallas, TX

If you love paying fine dining prices for mediocre food, served by surly waiters in a tacky setting, then this is the place for you! All dishes sampled—a salmon, a halibut, calamari, duck, and a pork chop were equally insipid—and tasted almost as if they were all made with the same seasoning. Nothing was inedible, mind you, but nothing was notable either.

Our waiter never cracked a smile and took great pains to make sure everybody knew he did not want to be there. At one point in the meal two thirds of our large party was dry—no wine, no water—and it took way too long to be offered either. I would guess the restaurant missed about $400 in wine revenue thanks to their inept, slow pouring.

You’ve probably been to one of Trader Vic’s many locations—usually in urban hotels—and experienced something similar. Is there a rule that hotel guests must endure tacky music and decor, mediocre food that is over-priced, and servers that think they are doing you a favor? It’s tony Hotel Palomar location notwithstanding, I can’t see why any self-respecting diner wouldn’t cross the street to eat at Café Express—they’d get better food and wine and one fourth the price. Skip it