Luau at Trader Vic’s

Looking for an occasion to wear your best Hawaiian shirt?  Trader Vic’s at Hotel Valley Ho (map) in Old Town Scottsdale is celebrating their 4^th anniversary on Sunday, July 11 with a luau.

As I’ve mentioned before, this is not your parents Trader Vic’s with the tacky tiki lamps and bad music.  Whether I’ve celebrated happy hour or a full three course dinner at this trendy hot spot, it’s always been a great evening out.  I’ve always found the service to be friendly, attentive and professional.

I recommend having one of their original Mai Tais ($10) which was first introduced by the establishment in 1944.  As an appetizer or the more appropriate Hawaiian term, pupu, the bbq pork spareribs ($11) are smoked in their wood-fired oven. This oven is actually displayed in the main dining room behind glass.  The natural smoke and heat is derived from pecan and oak woods. The meats, fowl, and fresh seafood are suspended from hooks and slowly cooked, producing its unique and hearty flavor.  Crab rangoons ($12) are made of Dungeness crab meat with cream cheese in a crispy won ton and the almond duck tidbits ($9) with plum sauce and crushed roasted almonds are both a great to start to your meal.

The bar at Trader Vic's.

For dinner, I’ve had both the Hawaiian butterrfish ($29) with steamed jasmine rice, daikon slaw and yuzu vinaigrette as well as a traditional  beef tenderloin ($31) with whipped potatoes, and not so traditional honey and miso roasted squash with Maui onion demi glace. 

So, if you’d like to try Trader Vic’s for yourself, consider celebrating their anniversary with food and drink specials and live music.

Trader Vic’s 4-Year Anniversary Luau Party
6050 East Main Street (at the Valley Ho Resort), Scottsdale
Sunday, July 11, 4-10pm

Island/Caribbean/reggae music provided by the Mad Hadder
50% off appetizers, pig roast
$3 draft beers, $5 house wines, $6 tropical cocktails
Casual attire, no cover charge

Note that Trader Vic’s is in a separate building along Indian School Road, but still on the Valley Ho Resort campus.

Photo courtesy of flickr and Hotel Valley Ho.