THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Trader Vic's

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Trader Vic's Restaurant Review:

The Trader Vic's of old could take a lesson from this airy and spacious outpost of the South Pacific-inspired restaurant chain. Island colors, outrigger canoes and giant, carved-wood, tiki-esque statues still abound but are mixed with modern details like a huge, luscious mural filled with the bright greens and pastels of island foliage and large windows that look out onto a wood patio. Tasty rum drinks, like the famous Mai Tai, still come in tall glasses with sweet fruits and umbrellas. Sure, the menu reads exotic with ingredients like macadamia nuts, mango, ginger and lychees. But the essence of the islands falls short of the table, with most dishes remaining well within the cautious flavor realm of prawns with beurre blanc, broiled lobster, grilled tuna and even chicken Cordon Bleu. The smoked meats from the Chinese-style, wood-fired oven provide more interesting, if still subtle, flavors. The buffet brunch runs the gamut from Italian charcuterie and French terrines to smoked salmon, oysters, sushi and the classic American buffet brunch items bacon and eggs.