BREAKING: Trader Vic's Opening at L.A. Live

Ok, so we thought Rock 'N Fish took the last major sit-down space at L.A. Live downtown, but no: Flacks just announced that Trader Vic's will open at the complex sometime in 2009, joining Katsuya, Fleming's Steakhouse, the Yard House, Conga Room, Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill, Rosa Mexicano and various smaller eateries. The Valencia Group, which will manage the restaurant (and canceled plans for its Union Restaurant & Lounge downtown), announced that they were looking to open a shiny new Vic's somewhere downtown earlier this year. They only operate this Los Angeles location, none of the other 26 worldwide restaurants.

Much to the chagrin of tiki fans everywhere, LA's original Vic's closed at the Beverly Hilton in 2007 only to become a poolside lounge with a faint tiki feel. One of the newer Vic's we visited in Vegas is big and lavish, but more of a mall rendition of the classic than a replica. For this downtown location, the Valencia Group says their vision "honors our storied past." Ah, well, at least they'll have the mai tais and Scorpion Bowls.
· Trader Vic's Rebirth, Looking Downtown [~ELA~]
· Valencia Group Nixes Union, Trader Vic's Still a Go [~ELA~]
· UPDATE: Trader Vic's Officially CLOSED [~ELA~]
· Super Plywood: Americana at Brand vs. L.A. Live [~ELA~]