2017-02-17

Feel The Vibe, Taste The Polynesian & Island Cuisine @ TRADER VIC's Restaurant & Lounge Amman Jordan

A global name for over 80 years and in the same spirit of Trader Vic’s venue globally, the Amman franchise has brought Polynesian & Island cuisine and its signature cocktails and perhaps the only and best Salsa dancing spot in the city with such proper skills and layout in the entire city of Amman that marks the ultimate retreat for the locals alike. mylifestylenews writes.


All in all a pleasantly rich experience and a nice place to visit to soak up another worldly nightlife culture that you wouldn’t think exists in the neighbourhood, but that is Amman for you, mixing up the best of everything.


While the restaurant is Polynesian & Island in style, you could be anywhere on a Polynesian cum Pacific island with all the attributes of Latin music offset by tribal and nautical décor which is a winner.


Polynesian island decorative is found everywhere in Trader Vic's.


Located at the lower ground/basement floor of the Regency Palace Hotel in Amman, Trader Vic’s is rich in visual elements and in the menu variety, with this large happening venue also known for its best tropical cocktails in town including an outdoor terrace.


The restaurant sets the standard for island cuisine, drawing on various cultures found in the Polynesian islands where the food culminates in a true blend of French, Asian and American cuisine.


Decades ahead of his time, Vic “The Trader” Bergeron chose to offer Chinese dishes alongside the then contemporary continental cuisine, creating the original fusion menu. Chef William who has been residing in Amman from Singapore for nearly two decades, has brought with him the Asian flavors from his humble homeland.


Today, Trader Vic’s continues the tradition with an ever-evolving menu featuring dishes from the Mediterranean, the Middle East and Japan.


We had a table booked for dinner on the Wednesday evening as we were told that it is the Salsa night and to be able to see the most stylish local patrons who dressed up for the dance night out.


We started with two Margaritas to quench our thirst. Simply citrus and refreshing! It is the best way to open a good appetite before we decide on what to have from its Pan Asia’ menu creation.


The Tidbits and Pupus section is a selection of class and new Trader Vic’s appetizers. We ordered the <Stri-fried Chicken Lettuce Wraps> where ground chicken marinated in soy sauce and rice wine, wok’d with ginger, garlic, pine nuts, water chestnut and shiitake mushroom, with a spicy Hoisin sauce. Such an appetizer is perfect for drinks like cocktails and beers and this Chinese dish is commonly comfort food for all among the family when it is ordered in a true Chinese restaurant. Trader Vic’s doesn’t disappoint.


<Beef Cho Cho>
Seared, skewered meat with soy sake sauce and a flaming hibachi is brought to the table. With such presentation, it is rather eye catching, the meat is perfectly seared from the kitchen before it was brought to the table. You may do you own extra “cooking” to lightly burn the outside of the meat before serving. Well marinated beef with rich soy sake sauce gives you the kick and wanting to drink more. Another good Tidbits and Pupus before entrée.


<Mongolian Short Ribs>
This traditional Trader Vic’s favorite is braised in garlic, ginger, onion, carrots, celery, tomato paste, plum wine, red wine, chicken broth, Hoison sauce, demi-glaze, Szechuan peoppercorn, cinnamon, star anise and Arbol Chilies. Such a complex combination ingredient not only didn’t over power the meat but added a good flavor it. It is more like a good American BBQ with a twist. A must try!


<Szechuan Prawns>
Something tells us that we shall order at least one dish From The Wok section. This jumbo size fresh and succulent prawns wok fried in dried chili sauce, wood ear mushroom and snow peas is divine. By knowing they have a Chinese chef to head the Asian menu, when our order was placed, we asked for extra hot chili to bring out the best of Szechuan cooking. It may be not the Szhechuan way that we are expecting from its region, yet Chef William elevated this dish with his South East Asian way of cooking by not killing the freshest of the prawn texture which is another highlight of our evening’s meal.


<Fire Roasted Yoghurt Chicken> 
Trader Vic’s wood-fired oven can be traced back to the Han Dynasty (206 BC to 220 AD). The natural smoke and heat is derived from the seasoned white oak woods, The meats, fowl, or fresh seafood are suspended from the hooks and slowly cooked, producing a unique and original flavor. The chicken is served with smoky BBQ sauce that is roasted to perfection with lightly burnt skin to add extra texture to it.


When the Latin salsa music plays, your legs start tapping even when you are seated on the comfortable dining couchettes at the adjacent dining area. Seconds away, you will see people flocking onto the dance floor to twist and swing on their most seductive salsa moves. Service was a bit off with lacking of smile and impatient to serve. Our wait staff showing not much interest for not even introducing the food while it was brought to the table and without coming back to check on orders. However,this place is definitely happening, especially for those who love the Latin and salsa music. School night won’t get you bored anymore. Starting as early as Wednesday night, this is the best night of the week to show off your dance moves. You can learn to dance Latin style, you can cook your own skewers at the table, check out what is happening in the open kitchen, you can just pass ow the night away watching the energy of the bar patrons, or sit on the terrace with the faint ambience of what is happening inside.Trader’s Vic has it all.


Tried & Tested:
Location: 4/5
Design & Decor: 4.5/5
Food & Beverage: 5/5
Service: 3.5/5
Value For Money: 4.5/5
Experience: 5/5

Highlights:
Food & Beverage

Regency Palace Hotel
Queen Aliaa Street, Sports City Road
Amman Jordan
Tel: +962 06 566 1122

Reviews are based on actual day of visit and experience. mylifestylenews reserves the right of final decision in case of any disputes. All images are photographed by mylifestylenews team without any photoshop enhancement and are the property owned by mylifestylenews unless otherwise stated.

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