Dallas Restaurant Guide

The Past

In 1967 when first opened in the historic Hilton Hotel, Trader Vic's quickly became the social oasis for Dallas, as well as a must stop for such celebrities at the time like Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra and even Elvis. Trader Vic's could only be described as "swanky" and it's party scene was unmatched in the city. After twenty years of operation, the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, founder of Transcendential Meditation, bought the hotel and immediately shuttered the restaurant. The Maharishi did not feel that a Tiki Bar would fit into his idea of a Transcendental Meditation center so Trader Vic's was sealed like a tomb harboring a treasure trove of old lanterns, glass fishing floats and carved Tiki statues. Lucky for us.

TraderVic's Reborn!

In 2006 when the Hilton was refurbished into the Kimpton run Hotel Palomar, the Trader Vic's site was rediscovered and renovations began immediately. If early Trader Vic's décor seemed dated 20 years ago, it's now old enough to be retro and stylish again. The Polynesian style of the '60s and '70s-a hallmark of the old school Trader Vic's-is invoked in the renovation. Flowers, bamboo, palm trees and ceiling decorations lend a dreamy tropical ambience to the dimly lit lounges, while the dining rooms carry out the theme with a more understated, upscale look.

Painstaking Restoration Few new locations rival the Dallas lounge for its vintage Tiki style. After the $2 million renovation, the restaurant and lounge have been gloriously reincarnated. It would be easy for this island design theme to border on kitschy, but there's an upscale edge to the décor that's consistent with the luxury image that made Trader Vic's a sensation in the '50s and '60s. The retro look has attracted a wide range of customers, including old timers who frequented the original restaurant and younger aficionados not old enough to have enjoyed the heyday of Tiki style.