Trader Vic’s

Warm up this winter with The Trader…Trader Vic’s, that is. A legendary part of Chicago’s dining scene, Trader Vic’s took a brief vacation from the city a couple years ago, but is back and better than ever at, none other than, its new Gold Coast location.

The vibe inside the new Trader Vic’s restaurant is cozy, warm and inviting. You might even find yourself shaking your hips to the Polynesian-style music playing softly overhead – don’t worry, we won’t tell. If you’re lucky enough, you might snag a seat close to the wood fire oven and watch the cook whip up Trader Vics’ traditional wood fired specialties in their one-of-a-kind oven. The natural smoke and heat is derived from apple and pear woods. The meats are suspended from hooks and slowly cooked, producing a unique and original flavor. Two wood-fried entrées to try: the Scottish Loch Duart salmon with wasabi mashed potatoes and the BBQ scallops. The distinctive flavors of these entrées will have your taste buds dancing inside your mouth and make you yearn for more. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. First things first: cocktails.

Start your Trader Vic’s experience with what The Trader is famous for: the original, very potent Mai Tai. Fun, Cheeky factoid of the day: “Mai Tai” is Tahitian for “out of this world.” Well, duh. Once you’ve sipped (or gulped) your drink, it’s time for an appetizer…or three. The crab rangoon and crispy calamari are damn tasty, but there’s a reason Trader Vics is known for their crab cakes. Perfectly seasoned and generously portioned, these jumbo lump crab cakes come drizzled with a phenomenal roasted red pepper dressing. Since we already discussed the fabulous entrées, it’s time to order another drink while waiting for the main course. For your second round, try the Peachtree Punch made with (what else?) rum and a mixture of peaches, oranges and a splash of coconut. Be sure you are cabbin’ it, girls… these drinks are strong.

Keeping in true Cheeky fashion – after you finish your dinner, make sure you leave room for one of Trader Vic’s yummy desserts. The Tahitian crème brulee, is worth that extra half hour on the treadmill tomorrow. And don’t let your Polynesian feast end when the table is cleared…shimmy on over to the lounge for an after dinner cocktail or another Mai Tai. Believe it or not, Trader Vics is actually a hot spot this winter, which means it’s only going to get hotter in the summertime. Bring on the ‘Tais…