  Buckster1986 Member Username: Buckster1986 Post Number: 21 Registered: 08-2007 |
I'm not sure if a thread existed but I couldn't find it. I was wondering if anyone had any pictures of the former Trader Vic's in Detroit. Just curious as to know if they took business away from Chin Tiki? This is on the trustworthy Wikipedia: "Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A. at the Detroit Statler Hotel, later the Detroit Hilton and finally the Detroit Heritage. Operated mid 1960s to 1975, when the hotel closed permanently. " | ||
Norwalk Member Username: Norwalk Post Number: 468 Registered: 11-2006 |
There ar 2 pictures in this book http://www.arcadiapublishing.c om/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PRO D&Product_Code=073852025X&Stor e_Code=arcadia&search=statler+ hotel&offset=0&filter_cat=&Pow erSearch_Begin_Only=&sort=name .asc&range_low=&range_high= | ||
Jcole Member Username: Jcole Post Number: 6064 Registered: 04-2005 |
I went there a few times in 74 when my boyfriend was going to Detroit College of Law. It was very cool for the day. Great Singapore Slings. But sorry, no pics. Here is a postcard I found on line though.  Postcard from Trader Vic's in Detroit - date unknown, from the collection of Eric Stollsteimer From Critiki.com | ||
Buckster1986 Member Username: Buckster1986 Post Number: 22 Registered: 08-2007 |
Thanks Norwalk...I'll have to check that out. | ||
Ronaldj Member Username: Ronaldj Post Number: 119 Registered: 01-2007 |
Spouse and I had many a lunch date at Trader Vic's during our student days at Wayne State. Never did see a werewolf with a pina colada in his hand, though. | ||
1kielsondrive Member Username: 1kielsondrive Post Number: 996 Registered: 08-2008 |
I was in both places a few times. The Chin Tiki was kitschy Polynesian and Trader Vics was upscale road/steak house with a South Seas decor. The food and it's quality was entirely different. The Statler was a top of the line hotel with numerous chefs and multiple food outlets to service, including around the clock room service to its hotel guests. The Chin Tiki was more of a luncheon and dinner spot, later years, more lunch and less dinner. I don't remember either as outstanding, but I wasn't a regular. My best memories are of going to the lounges in the Statler and Tuller as a child with my father when he worked downtown in the 50's. Later years, I'd park on Clifford at Stouffer's in the evening, hit the Underground, The Tuller, The Mayfield Chop House, Maxie Silk's, Eastman's, Sunny Wilson's, Big George's and a whole host of others, sometimes almost all in one night. Of course, there wasn't much enforcement of DUI back then, because I'd drive home after a lot of drinking. | ||
1kielsondrive Member Username: 1kielsondrive Post Number: 997 Registered: 08-2008 |
PS: I attended the closing auction at the Statler in the mid 70's and I witnessed the last night of the 2 sole remaining businesses, the Golden Harp Pub and the 101 Lounge, in the Tuller Hotel in the mid to late 80's. Each was sad in its own way, but even sadder in retrospect, because I/we had such high expectations for the re-use of those buildings and for downtown Detroit. | ||
Chub Member Username: Chub Post Number: 269 Registered: 11-2003 |
From Wayne State's collection. Both pics were taken 8/1/72   (Message edited by chub on March 13, 2009) | ||
1kielsondrive Member Username: 1kielsondrive Post Number: 1000 Registered: 08-2008 |
Chub, cool pics. Thanks. | ||
Buckster1986 Member Username: Buckster1986 Post Number: 23 Registered: 08-2007 |
Awesome pictures and Info. I should have looked there for pictures. Thanks! I saw a Trader Vic's when I was in London (no werewolf) and then just recently in Chicago. I wondered if we ever had one. I'm kind of surprised one hasn't gone up in Troy or another northern suburb. | ||
Lpg Member Username: Lpg Post Number: 122 Registered: 02-2008 |
My wife worked at AAA HQ, which was in the United Artists building on Bagley from early 68-mid 71. She ate at Trader Vics a couple of times. She remembers when Elvis came to Detroit and was watching from the 8th floor window as his luggage was unloaded at the Statler. All I remember is trying to convince a cop not to give me a parking ticket that day. I was picking her up from work and cars were triple parked on Bagley. I won. | ||
Buckster1986 Member Username: Buckster1986 Post Number: 24 Registered: 08-2007 |
Oh how times have changed... | ||
1kielsondrive Member Username: 1kielsondrive Post Number: 1025 Registered: 08-2008 |
The Statler was scheduled, in the mid-80's, to become apartments and condos. A lot of work was done on the building in preparation. The Cohen family was involved. I think Arnie Cohen was the principal. I spoke to him on many occasions as he was around the neighborhood quite a bit. I saw engineering studies and architectural renderings. We were all very excited because of the possibility of the building's renovation, it's meaning to Grand Circus Park and downtown Detroit. | ||
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 1801 Registered: 11-2005 |
Don't forget it also was looked at as home to one of Detroit's casinos back in 1996. www.buildingsofdetroit.com/pla ces/statler | ||
1kielsondrive Member Username: 1kielsondrive Post Number: 1034 Registered: 08-2008 |
Rhymes, excellent point. I'd completely forgotten about that. Thanks. | ||
Warrenite84 Member Username: Warrenite84 Post Number: 501 Registered: 01-2007 |
There is a Trader Vic's in the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago. My Wife and I went there in Dec. '05. It was like a step back in time with early '60's music ala Playboy/James Bond overtones. It didn't come off like it was a beat down, worn out venue, but well maintained. Palm grass and bamboo decor with appropriate dishes and glassware! It was pricey but a unique dining experience I'd do again. Wished Detroit kept theirs, Statler too. | ||
Caquail Member Username: Caquail Post Number: 21 Registered: 10-2003 |
Warrenite84: You lucked out, the Trader Vic's at the Palmer House closed Dec 31, 2005 so you just made it under the wire. Pitty my family and I had dinner there in 1993 remember thinking it was a neat place. Regards C.A.Quail (Message edited by CAQuail on March 13, 2009) | ||
Buckster1986 Member Username: Buckster1986 Post Number: 26 Registered: 08-2007 |
I think they reopened this past year. I was there a few weekends ago and thought I walked past it. | ||
Warrenite84 Member Username: Warrenite84 Post Number: 502 Registered: 01-2007 |
Wow! Thanks Caquail & Buckster. Such a place like that should be able to stay open in busy Chicago. Of course, you could say that about The Berghoff too. Hope it stays open for good this time. | ||
Buckster1986 Member Username: Buckster1986 Post Number: 27 Registered: 08-2007 |
No problem... http://www.tradervicschicago.c om/ | ||
1kielsondrive Member Username: 1kielsondrive Post Number: 1039 Registered: 08-2008 |
Warrenite, tell us what you remember of the menu. | ||
Warrenite84 Member Username: Warrenite84 Post Number: 503 Registered: 01-2007 |
I had some sort of seafood dish that was nested in a crispy noodle-like bird's nest, although I don't remember what my wife had. And a couple of NA Pina Coladas. For dessert, My wife had Cherries Jubilee, and I had a similar dish with tropical fruit. As the waiter prepared the dishes tableside, they were flambe`d. He took two larger spoons and created a blue waterfall effect with the flaming brandy about two feet above the dishes. Several tables nearby stopped eating to see the display. Quite a unique dining experience! I think the bill ran around $120+ tip. Still a great hotel a lot like what I imagined the Book Cadillac Hotel looked like when it opened. |
