"trader vic bergeron" news and stories

In 1934, a former bootlegger opened a 27 seat bar on McFadden place in Hollywood, California. This tiny little bar launched the career of one of the world's greatest bartenders and set in motion an unprecedented 30 year fad that influenced music, fashion, restaurant and hotel design and, of course, drinking.

That bartender was Ernest Raymond Gantt, or as he was better known, Donn Beach. That bar, Don the Beachcomber's, ushered in the Tiki era and provided the template for every Tiki bar to follow.

Walking into a Tiki bar at the height of its craze had to have been a surreal experience, as you moved straight from the Eisenhower era stylings of conservative suburbia into a darkened place draped in fisherman's nets, Polynesian masks, exotic music and most importantly, some of the craziest drinks ever invented.

United Airlines is going native. Polynesian to be specific. The airline has teamed up with Trader Vic's, and will start serving island cuisine on flights to Hawaii this month.

Of course that means that mai tais will be on the menu. After all, Trader Vic Bergeron invented the potent fruity cocktail more than 70 years ago. The main course for those flying first class includes macadamia nut-crusted mahi mahi, Trader Vic's barbeque-glazed short ribs and pan-seared chicken with miso-sake sauce.

Sadly, the economy class menu is not quite as luxe and costs $5. It includes such tropical sandwiches as Maui chicken. But there's always those mai tais.

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