The latest Trader Vic's Outpost soft opened recently, so we took advantage of the Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport's Guest Pass program to get access to the airport's restaurants and shops. Applying online was easy and you go through security just like anyone else but the guest pass is your boarding pass. Things were so slow on Tuesday that it took less than 10 minutes from entering the hourly parking to going up the escalator after Terminal 2's security right where Trader Vic's is situated. Only bummer was the hourly parking rate: $20 for almost two and a half hours.
This Outpost features a large four-sided bar with plenty of well-spaced tables and booths. There are some historical nods to the Oakland origin of Trader Vic's, though no tiki totems. The menus look great and there are almost 40 drinks on the menu including several not on the menus at other stateside locations. The signature drink is The Rooted Road, a deliciously rich and chocolately blend that is served in the venue's signature mug. There are breakfast and lunch/dinner options similar to other Vic's locations including Crab Rangoon which are a little different but still very good.
Longtime Vic's fans will be pleased to see the Potted Parrot is on the menu and there are parrots in stock to come home with you. It tastes just like it does at any Vic's location, as do the Mai Tai and Navy Grog - both very good here. We thought the POG Grog was also really great, juicy and spicy and potent. The Royal Píkake has pear, peach, gin, and cognac and I thought it was fine but not as good as everything else.
Given the soft-open period, we were impressed by the quality of food, drinks, and staff friendliness that were totally on par with other Vic's locations. Service was a little slow but not out of line with other venue's working through a soft open. There's also a variety of merchandise for sale including glassware, t-shirts, and magnets unique to this location.
Vic's scored a prime location in Terminal 2, where nobody will be able to miss it. An official grand-opening is said to be coming in the next couple weeks, but we should all celebrate the return of Trader Vic's to Oakland, the city the franchise was born in. read more