Trader Vic’s: Closed
Trader Vic’s, famed for its cocktails, has gone down as fast as a Mai Tai in the hands of The Cellar Rat after a stressful day. Based on a tip from someone in the restaurant industry, I visited and found the kitsch-laden bar/restaurant darkened.
The sales manager for the Beijing branch of the global chain informed me via SMS that, “the company has decided to close forever.”
A patron who signed up for the Trader Vic’s VIP card received the following E-mail:
“First of all, we highly appreciate your always support and presence to Trader Vic’s Beijing. Due to the adjustment of the operations, our head office unfortunately decided to close all the business of Trader Vic’s Beijing since February 19, 2008. We feel extremely sorry for this bad news. Please come to our office to cancel your membership with Trader Vic’s before February 29, 2008 with your remained vouchers and membership card. We will try our best to remedy your loss cause by the closure of the restaurant.”
I suspected Trader Vic’s had a Capone’s-like future, but never thought it would sail off into the sunset this fast.
3 commentsThe good, the bad, and the wireless: Nearby the Tree
I have been making the rounds with my laptop in search of spots that offer decent food, drink, and online access. This is part five of my winter wireless wrap-up. (Previously: The Bookworm, Sequoia, The Rickshaw; Le Petit Gourmand; The Stone Boat)
Nearby the Tree
The good
- Table seating downstairs in the bar and cozy sofa areas upstairs in the restaurant
- Good pasta and Belgian beer on the premises
- Above-average service
- Relatively quiet
- A nice view upstairs of trees
The bad
- I feel bad if I am hogging an entire lounge section to myself
- The hard surfaces downstairs means noise travels
Wireless
- While on my first two visits, I had a few problems (one time, I had to move to the far side of the restaurant to get a signal, another time, the signal did not work at all), it looks like the problems have been solved – the signal has been good on my last three visits, making this a nice place to stop for a few hours during the afternoon, after the lunch crowd is gone and the dinner crowd is yet to show up.
Next: Aperitivo
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