The Experience, Emeryville: Trader Vic’s February

The Experience:

Cocktail of the Month: Jungle Heat!

For the month of February you can escape to the tropics with this vibrant mix of citrus, Grog, Carpano Antica, and Hamilton Demerara Rum – the perfect sip to ignite your month with island vibes!

And your friends at Trader Vic’s wish you a Happy Lunar New Year on their Facebook page and in their lounge. “As we step into the Year of the Snake, may it bring you wisdom, renewal, and the courage to embrace new beginnings. Let this year be one of transformation, prosperity, and good fortune.”

In their lounge on February 7^th and 8^th, from 7-7:30pm you can join them for a LIVE Lion Dance and indulge in their special tiki menu of drinks to celebrate the Lunar New Year!

February also brings us Valentine’s Day and a heartfelt dinner menu for a romantic evening on the water. Make your reservations now: 510-653-3400

About Trader Vic’s + the Mai Tai

Decades ahead of his time, Vic ‘The Trader’ Bergeron chose to offer Chinese dishes alongside the then-contemporary Continental cuisine, creating maybe the original fusion menu. Today, Trader Vic’s continues the tradition and still uses the Chinese Wood-fired Ovens featuring dishes from the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Asia, and Japan. And, as we all know, Trader Vic’s claims to be home to the original Mai Tai.

According to the Trader, Vic Bergeron, “In 1944, after success with several exotic rum drinks, I felt a new drink was needed. 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 Curaçao 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 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 one sip and said, “Mai Tai – Roa Ae” In Tahitian means “Out of this World- The Best”. Well, that was that, I named the drink ‘Mai Tai.’”

(Victor Bergeron and Carrie Guild featured below in 1970)

Hours: Wednesday-Sunday: