Trader Vic's

>Anybody eaten at Trader Vic's in Emeryville? If so, how's the food, service,
etc.

Trader Vic's is an institution that has been adapted to the later times..  In the last few years, when business began to go down, and several branc hes were closed, someone realized that something had to be done.   Although many of the dishes currently have the same names,  recipe alterations have made them appealing to younger, more food conscious clientele.  (In many locations, like San Francisco, patrons were dying of age.)  A few  dishes (skip the more-contrived Asian/Polynesian stuff) are at the lower end of so-so, but there's no lamb anywhere so good as TV's Indonesian lamb roast.  I suppose because of health consciousness, the size of the portion of accomanying peanut butter sauce was cut in half.  Desserts aren't their strong suit, so use the dessert calories and have more peanut sauce.  Vegetables like wok-done pea pods are sensational, better than most Chinese restaurants!

I can easily make an entire meal of hors d'oeurves.  Their barbecued  baby ribs are what dozens of rib places try to do and can't manage.  (It may be that everything out of the roasting ovens is marvelous.)

Service is traditional and excellent. Though some of the dishes may be lighter, staff could fit in nicely at any time.   All waiters who aspire to good restaurants should apprentice at a Trader Vic's.

You'll see not only nicely dressed Eastbay people, but San Franciscans who miss the closed Cosmo Place Vic's and need a fix.