Trader Vic's Appoints GM at Dinah's Garden
Rene Purro Brings European, Asian and East Coast Perspective to Job
PALO ALTO, CA, December 4, 2006. Swiss native Rene Purro has come aboard as the new general manager of Trader Vic's at Dinah's Garden Hotel in Palo Alto, bringing with him experience polished in some of the world's most demanding hospitality markets.
Purro managed the Trader Vic's at the Plaza Hotel in New York, the original Trader Vic's in San Francisco and more recently the Trader Vic's in Tokyo. In addition to his responsibilities at Trader Vic's Palo Alto location, Purro will continue to serve as Vice President-Far East Operations for the expanding Trader Vic's collection of restaurants.
Born and raised in the highly respected Swiss hospitality tradition, Purro's family owned and operated a small hotel in Switzerland, where he first learned the business as a youth. He subsequently held hospitality apprenticeships in many fine restaurants in Geneva and Monte Carlo. Later in his career, he opened restaurants at the MGM Grand and The Aladdin in Las Vegas.
Since he joined the Trader Vic's organization in 1978, Purro has hosted American presidents, foreign heads of state, movie stars and many celebrities. In 1983 he hosted Queen Elizabeth at the original Trader Vic's in San Francisco along with First Lady Nancy Reagan and received a letter of appreciation from Buckingham Palace. It was the queen's first visit to a public restaurant.
Serving celebrities is natural for Purro, who says, "Everyone who enters my restaurant is a celebrity and is treated as such. I look forward to inspiring the staff here in Palo Alto and making this location the jewel of the Peninsula," adds Purro. "Drawing on my background, we will be featuring more European-influenced dishes in our daily specials and holiday menus."
A resident of Los Altos, Purro says is eager to take part in more community activities and welcoming his old and new friends and neighbors to Trader Vic's in Palo Alto. "This is a truly beautiful restaurant where people come to escape their normal surroundings and to sample exotic food and drinks."
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