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Thanksgiving at Trader Vic’s Munich

We’re on a trip across European Christmas Markets, but we made sure to find a special place to celebrate Thanksgiving by making a reservation at the Trader Vic’s in Munich. Restaurant manager Heike reminded us that this is the oldest surviving location in the franchise, and Vic’s was quite busy but we still enjoyed responsive and helpful service and a delicious meal.

The food prices here are a little higher than the locations in the States, but we felt the quality was very high. The Crab Rangoon and Bao Buns were great options from the Pupu menu, and the Wonton Soup was also very good. Our main dish was Walnut Chicken that paired well with some fried rice and white rice, with lots of walnuts and a savory sauce.

As we noted in our visit last year, this Vic’s location is a true time-capsule back to the 1970s thanks to a basement location and elaborate Polynesian decor. There are so many little rooms and we even spotted a private space near the staircase entrance. If peacock chairs are you thing, this Vic’s will be your favorite as it seemed like every table featured at least one. The Hawaiian leaning soundtrack set the mood quite well.

We’ll discuss cocktails in upcoming posts, but are thankful that this amazing Trader Vic’s location is still going strong.

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Amazing Tiki Cocktails in Vienna: Matiki

We returned to Matiki, Vienna’s tiki bar, with high expectations after last year’s outstanding experience. Located in the Spittleberg neighborhood, we arrived a little before opening and found a really great neighborhood Christmas Market nearby. Once Matiki opened there were several groups coming in behind us over the next twenty minutes.

The interior remains clean and modern with some display tikis but without traditional thatch and tapa cloth. The music on our visit was a really great set of early 70s soul that cohesively transported us and kept the energy in the room. Arik was serving as host and bartender and did a wonderful job getting and making drink orders.

I was impressed by the Mai Tai last year so much it made our Top 10 of 2024, and this one hit almost as good and is currently ranked at 14 for this year. I was interested in the Hibiscus Punch that is listed as including “dark rum.” I asked what the dark rum was and was told it was Planteray (no surprise) and asked if they could use Smith & Cross instead. Arik said it was not a problem and it came out so well, with the Jamaican rum working perfectly with the Averna and Hibiscus syrup – I was really amazed by this cocktail.

Tutti Flirty

Mrs. Mai Tai’s drinks were the same as last time, the Humuhumukunukuapua’a and Tutti Flirty, and both were stellar. Both are nicely presented in mugs, including the little note for those looking to get flirty. Both cocktails were very well balanced and approachable for the tiki newbies who make up a large portion of Matiki’s clientele.

Feeling great with the drinks so far, we went off script for some highballs in the last round. I loved the Corona Amorosa made with the beer and with fresh Maracuja (passion fruit), and Mrs. Mai Tai’s Busty Betty with Bourbon, Strawberry syrup, and home-made Gingerbeer was just as stellar.

Matiki was one of the best cocktail experiences we’ve ever had at a tiki bar.

Mai Tai
Hibiscus Punch
Humuhumukunukuapua’a
Corona Amorosa
Busty Betty
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Vienna Nightcap

After a red-eye flight and connection through Frankfort, we finally arrived in Vienna where our tour of Christmas Markets starts on Monday. We explored the city a bit and landed back at our Imperial Riding School hotel for a nightcap before crashing.

For my first proper cocktail in Europe I had to go with a classic Daiquiri made with Havana Club 3 and it didn’t disappoint, crisp and limey. It was a really great drink and the Cuban rum never disappoints in this format, though being placed in a Martini glass rather than a coupe meant that I spilled it not once but twice. I hate Martini glasses! Though, in this case, sleep depravation may have played a part.

Mrs. Mai Tai went in a festive direction with a gingerbread Old Fashioned that was delightful, with some really great ice too. I wish my Daiquiri was served in that format.

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Trader Vic’s Jamaica Relief Fundraiser

I’ve had a bit of an up and down week but was feeling good enough on Wednesday to drive up to Trader Vic’s Emeryville for the One Love For Jamaica, Rum Relief Fundraiser. The ticketed event featured a DJ, one cocktail and rum tastings from a variety of Jamaican rums, plus a silent auction. I’ve tasted most of the rums before but was impressed by a Planteray Single Cask that was new to me.

Island Spirit

The cocktail I tried was called Island Spirit, featuring lemon, pineapple, grog mix, and Planteray’s Xaymaca and Original Dark rums. Quite easy drinking and plenty of great Jamaican rum flavor.

The centerpiece of the event was a silent auction that included rum bottles, merchandise from vendors, and even some items donated by Trader Vic’s. I bid on several items but left early and so was outbid at the end. I donated a private Ultimate Mai Tai Happy Hour cocktail experience which sold for $160. I’ve already started to make arrangements with the winner and was pleased I could help raise funds for those in Jamaica impacted by Hurricane Melissa.

Trader Vic’s employee Jhan spoke briefly about the impact in Jamaica where it took a couple weeks to hear from loved ones living there. Vic’s continues to be heart of the Bay Area tiki scene and this event proved it once again. Thank you to Eve, Aaron, Carlos and all the staff at Trader Vic’s for putting this together and to all who donated and bid on auction items.

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Monymusk Special Reserve Rum

This was the third bottle the rum fairy delivered and it turned out to be really pleasant surprise. Monymusk went through a rebranding a couple years ago and the rum inside is a different blend than the Special Reserve I bought in 2021. The 100% column still rum comes from the Long Pond and Clarendon distilleries and is aged for ten years in Jamaica, issued at 40% ABV.

This expression is closer to Appleton than some of the super funky Hampden rums, so I decided to do a blind test with the old expression plus Appleton 8 and Appleton 12. It was fairly clear which ones were from each brand but it was immediately noticeable that the Monymusk rums had a higher degree of that funky Jamaican rum flavor. At the same time the new Special Reserve was a lot more flavorful than the old one, making this a great lower proof sipping option for those who want it a little more funky than the Appletons or those Myers’s Reserve or Single Barrel bottlings. The leather and tobacco notes from Monymusk Special Reserve are very approachable.

Those flavors do work well in my favorite cocktail as well, even with an ABV below what I usually go for. I absolutely enjoyed Monymusk Special Reserve in a Mai Tai.

If you’re looking for something different from Jamaica or a nice sipping rum to gift to friends, Monymusk Special Reserve is a great option to consider.

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One Love For Jamaica, Rum Relief Fundraiser

Trader Vic’s Emeryville is hosting a fundraiser with 100% of ticket sales and silent auction proceeds to support people in need in Jamaica, recently impacted by Hurricane Melissa.

The event is happening on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at 5:00 pm. Each ticket includes a Mai Tai, rum tastings, and music by DJ Maiky.

One of the silent auction items is a private Mai Tai Happy Hour offered by us, offering education, rare rums, and a variety of Mai Tais for the winner and friends. We hope you will attend and support this event to send needed funds to Jamaica.

Tickets are available on Eventbrite

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Shelley Bowers Pearl Diver Class

Livermore’s Nightcaps at Rosetta hosted a special class with Shelley Bowers who discussed the Pearl Diver cocktail and how to make its seminal ingredient, Gardenia Mix. Bowers has been getting buzz for the Pearl Diver after well received appearances on Spike’s Breezeway Cocktail Hour and at this year’s Tiki Oasis. The event at Rosetta was held just before their Saturday opening and included some rum tasting, Pearl Diver and Mystery Gardenia cocktails, plus a delightful charcuterie glass.

The event was relaxed and started with understanding the rums in the Pearl Diver via some samples, then a deeper dive into Gardenia Mix. Shelley demonstrated some techniques for successfully making Gardenia Mix and then made Pearl Divers and Mystery Gardenia cocktails for those in attendance. Along the way, she answered questions from the audience including bartending techniques honed at Hale Pele in Portland and at various SoCal venues.

As our event was winding down, the lights in the back room of Rosetta Roasting dimmed, transforming the space into Nightcaps at Rosetta and running their usual Tiki Thursday menu rather than Sinatra Saturdays. We applaud the Rosetta team for trying something different with this event, and adeptly dealing with an unruly patron trying to crash the party. The team members worked well together with the transition to a very busy Saturday evening service.

Pearl Diver cocktail

The Nightcaps space includes several large tiki statues, bamboo touches, and some hanging jade tiles. Don’t call it a tiki bar, I guess, but the space was pretty dark and intimate with an exotica soundtrack playing to set the mood. Rosetta also now has Mai Tai glasses for sale, offered at a discount if you order their excellent Mai Tai.