It’s nice to see some changing menu items at The Kon-Tiki in Oakland. The new cocktail this week is Chet Baker, a rum-based Manhattan with two overproof Jamaican rums, Punt e Mes Italian Vermouth, Honey, and Bitters. I really liked this, though when you put Jamaican rum forward in a cocktail and I can’t see how you can do wrong. Wikipedia says that Chet Baker was a Jazz musician who died falling from a window in Amsterdam while high on heroin and cocaine, so I’m not sure what that has to do with the this tiki version of a Manhattan.
Also new this weekend was the Steak Sandwich – grilled ribeye, shallots, American cheese, arugula, garlic aioli, and BBQ sauce. The meat was tender and easy to eat in sandwich form and I liked it. Man does not live by the Kon-Tiki Cheeseburger alone!
The Kon-Tiki’s second parklet got an artistic makeover this week, an indication that those will be with us for a while. Quite a nice crowd yesterday at dinnertime when I picked up the meal, and the soundtrack was James Bond themes, an indication that Kon-Tiki’si retro-inspired music program continues to surprise and delight.
