Trader Vic’s Names Rhett Rosen as Chief Executive Officer
SAN FRANCISCO, CA; April 12, 2019) Today named Rhett Rosen as Chief Executive Officer of the iconic restaurant group. In his new role, Rosen will be responsible for all strategic development, brand innovation and leadership initiatives for the famed tiki brand’s expanding portfolio. Rosen will also oversee the continued growth of Trader Vic’s Mexican inspired brand, Señor Pico, with the new location set to open in Dubai later this year. “We are excited that Rhett has agreed to lead Trader Vic’s international portfolio, and are confident that his industry knowledge, strong leadership skills and extensive hospitality experience will usher in a new chapter for the brand,” said Charles C. McGettigan, Chairman. “Rhett’s deep understanding of two strategically important areas – brand identity and global market potential – makes him an ideal choice to drive innovation for the iconic 85-year old brand.”
East meets West! Our corporate team had a visit to see the pre-opening progress of our latest location at the Hilton Dubai, UAE. The opening team will arrive soon and will get this beautiful new location up and running! Pictured here from left to right: William Baker, Architect, Justin Becker, Director of Supply Chain Trader Vic’s, Hilary Mathema, General Manager Trader Vic’s Abu Dhabi, Youness Garfa, Bar Manager, Trader Vic’s Abu Dhabi, Ximena Lopez, General manager Trader Vic’s Dubai Crowne Plaza, Damien Vannay, Assistant Manager Trader Vic’s Jumeriah, Rhett Rosen, Executive Vice president Trader Vic’s & Nicolas Rey, General Manager Trader Vic’s Jumeirah.
Our youngest crew member, Hugo Debare, made a new friend!
Trader Vic’s London celebrates their 55th Anniversary! Opened in 1963, Trader Vic’s London was the 1st international location for Trader Vic’s and the first “Polynesian” style restaurant in London. Happy Birthday to all our Ohana in London!
Celebrate Vic’s 115th Birthday with 50yr Appleton Estate
This month Trader Vic’s in Emeryville, CA celebrates its founder Vic Bergeron on his 115th birthday (December 10), with a very rare and special $1210 Rum Old Fashioned cocktail, Vic’s favorite!
While the cocktail is currently only available at the Emeryville, CA location, you can visit one of nearly 20 global destinations for the authentic Trader Vic’s experience!
The Vic Rum Old Fashioned is made using 50-year-old Appleton Estate Rum, a one-of-a-kind aged Jamaica rum.
Appleton Estate’s 50-year-old rum provides tasting notes of rich vanilla, layered with cinnamon, chocolate and maple.
The cocktail is served in a limited edition glass keepsake created to commemorate the occasion. Each limited-edition keepsake glass is numbered with a matching letter of authenticity.
Trader Vic’s has a drink called the Royal Suits available in its London and Emeryville, California locations, a gin martini featuring Beefeater Gin, angostura bitters, shaken with a twist — fit for a queen, or a future duchess! In 1986, the Queen of England dined for her first time in a public restaurant and it was at Trader Vic’s in San Francisco. But she didn’t drink a Mai Tai — she enjoyed a single gin martini before dinner. In tribute to that monumental moment in history, and Harry and Meghan’s announcement, Trader Vic’s has a drink called the Royal Suits available in its London and Emeryville, California locations, a gin martini featuring Beefeater Gin, angostura bitters, shaken with a twist — fit for a queen, or a future duchess!
We celebrate Claudette Lum’s 57 Years with the Trader Vic’s Family! At the end of this year, Lum will retire after 57 years with the restaurant: 35 years at its location in San Francisco and another 22 on the Emeryville Marina. Read her story here:
General Manager Heike Schroder and staff transformed Trader Vic’s Munich into an Asylum this Halloween! Although some of our guests were happy to stay because you can get Mai Tai’s and Pupus at this Asylum !
Let’s get the record straight…The real Mai Tai Day is August 30th!
If you Google the word “Mai Tai”, you’ll end up with almost 75,000,000 results. Some where, somehow on the internet June 30th has been declared National Mai Tai Day. We want to set the record straight! The real “Mai Tai Day” is August 30th! We even have a proclamation from the City of Oakland confirming the official day!
The Trader himself could not have predicted the Mai Tai’s worldwide popularity on that fine day in 1944 when he made history by simply creating a concoction for some friends at his Oakland bar. The Mai Tai is everywhere! Even a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes have been called, “Mai Tai”. That will set you back about $895, of course, but we prefer the real thing – sipping an Original Mai Tai® in its original setting, Trader Vic’s.
When you think of a Mai Tai, the iconic Tiki drink, the taste of aloha, Paradise In A Glass®, you assume it must have been invented by some thirsty beachgoer after a warm day on the sands of Hawaii. Beach imagery aside – and yes, you can still envision yourself propped up on a chaise lounge, Mai Tai in hand, relaxing under the tropical sun (we do) – the Mai Tai was actually invented in Oakland, California at The Trader’s small restaurant on San Pablo Avenue. The story goes as follows…
“I was at the service bar in my Oakland restaurant. I took down a bottle of 17-year old Jamaican J. Wray Nephew rum, added fresh lime, some Orange Curacao from Holland, a dash of Rock Candy syrup, and a dollop of French Orgeat, for its subtle flavor. A generous amount of shaved ice and a vigorous shaking by hand produced the marriage I was after. Half the lime shell went in for color, I stuck in a branch of fresh mint and gave two of them to Ham and Carrie Guild, friends from Tahiti, who were there that night. Carrie took on sip and said, “Mai Tai – Roa Ae”. In Tahitian this means “Out of this World – The Best”. Well, that was that. I named the drink “Mai Tai”.
As Trader Vic’s expanded, so did the popularity of the Mai Tai, reaching Hawaiian shores in 1953 by way of The Matson Steamship Lines when they asked Vic to develop menus for their bars at the Royal Hawaiian, Moana and Surfrider Hotels. When Trader Vic’s became an international brand in the early 1960s, the Mai Tai’s fame spread like wildfire and quickly developed into one of the most ordered drinks throughout the world.
But with the sweet comes the sour. Many imitators popped up attempting to lay claim to Vic’s perfected island creation. Vic was quoted as saying, in his usual gruff manner, “There has been a lot of conversation over the beginning of the Mai Tai, and I want to get the record straight. I originated the Mai Tai, but many others have claimed credit. This aggravates my ulcer completely! Anyone who says I didn’t create the drink is a dirty stinker.”
– Dragon Con 2017! Atlanta’s largest Convention returns over the Labor Day weekend. This year the Hilton Atlanta has planned a Costume competition on Wednesday August 30th! Best costume will receive a gift certificate for a Dinner for two at Trader Vic’s Atlanta.
