The newly refreshed and repaired sign is back hanging out front of Forbidden Island. Looks great!
I’ll be finishing my Kill Devil 1.0 rum list on Sunday at 2pm out on the patio, if you’d like to come for virtual toasts and hugs/handshakes.
Chet Baker Cocktail at The Kon-Tiki
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.
Pipeline Cocktail at Trader Vic’s
The Pipeline is a new limited time cocktail this week at Trader Vic’s Emeryville . Mrs. Mai Tai and I were planning to visit Vic’s after her COVID shot on Friday but couldn’t make it since the lines were so long. So, I got some to-go cocktails from Vic’s today and enjoyed the cool but sunny and clear Bay Area weather on the drive up to Emeryville.
I joked with Julie that the “meal” option for Trader Vic’s would be their utterly decadent peanut butter spread and crackers, but that’s exactly what I did. Three orders of peanut butter and crackers is more than a meal for some and gave us enough food to order Trader Vic’s cocktails. (note: I dearly miss the Aloha Bowl that was a staple during the initial take-out period and if anyone is listening at Vic’s – please bring it back!). The peanut butter spread at Trader Vic’s so maybe our favorite thing there – besides Mai Tais.
Pipeline is made with Overproof and Spiced Rums, Pineapple Juice, Citrus, and a bit of Blue Curacao and is the signature cocktail at the Abu Dhabi Trader Vic’s. The initial taste was unexpected and a little bit of a funny taste. Definitely not made for craft cocktail connoisseurs. But second and third hit? Well, I definitely enjoyed it. I also (surprise!) had a Mai Tai that was plenty good. Mrs. Mai Tai had the Banana Batida which hits the coconut and banana notes that she loves. I tasted this and it’s great.
Makai in Santa Cruz
Finally made it over to Santa Cruz’s newest tiki bar and restaurant. Mrs. Mai Tai and I took a drive and ended up in Santa Cruz. Makai is on the wharf and in addition to online orders has two dining modes in person. We chose the take-out window and the very well-spaced picnic tables nearby. Ordering is efficient and the staff member working the window was very nice, but all alcohol is only canned/bottled. So, no Makai cocktails are available.
I had the Spam Musubi and it was truly fantastic. Freshly grilled and topped with sauce, this was the best I’ve ever had. I also enjoyed the Ahi Sliders which were also very good. Julie said her Corn Chowder was very good also. I’ve heard that cocktails are not the strong-suit at this restaurant, but the food most certainly seems to be a strength.
Makai is also currently offering table service for outside seating in their covered parklet out front and also around back in the sun. I was told the full menu is available from this mode, including cocktails. It is a bummer that cocktails aren’t available from the to-go window, but we did lessen our seating time and personal interaction with this mode and so that was the right decision for us right now.
We’re looking forward to returning when infection rates go down.
More Rums To Go
Not quite ready for outdoor dining yet but still going strong with the to-go rums and cocktails from Forbidden Island.
At current pace I’ll finish the Kill Devil rum list in March.
To-Go Cocktail Review: The Kon-Tiki
Another cocktail review, featuring to-go cocktails from The Kon-Tiki in Oakland.
Jet Pilot: leans heavy on the Cinnamon, in a good way. This classic and boozy cocktail is delicious.
Hot Toddy: many winter spices make this a seasonal favorite. I also tried this over ice and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Day’s Next Mistake: this doesn’t taste anything like a Ray’s Mistake but I did enjoy the rum blend and overall flavor. Contained chili spices, so not my favorite, but not so much that I couldn’t drink it. If this came back onto the menu I’d recommend trying it. I do appreciate new cocktails that follow the traditional tropical cocktail template.
Loco Moco Vat at The Kon-Tiki
This cocktail was added to the Kon-Tiki’s third edition menu, and was part of a section of original cocktails that went along with a set of glasses to benefit Creative Growth, an Oakland-based non-profit serving artists with disabilities. Glasses are still for sale (glass pictured is the standard Kon-Tiki Zombie glass). The Loco Moco Vat was reintroduced last week to the Kon-Tiki’s vast list of to-go cocktails, so I thought I’d give it a try.
Loco Moco Vat:
White rum, Lime, Apricot and Banana liqueurs, Crème de Cacao, Pineapple and Bitters. This tropical drink a wonderful vacation in a glass, including some flavors I don’t often taste in cocktails. Glad I ordered.
Self-serving reason: after I completed the Kon-Tiki’s Expedition Rum list in December 2019, I thought I’d sample all the cocktails on the menu that I had missed when I was doing nothing but rum shots, Daiquris, and Mai Tais to complete the Expedition. I even printed out a nice little card with a checklist. I had gotten pretty far when the lockdown hit, but I haven’t been able to check off any for over 10 months. So, thanks Kon-Tiki for putting the Loco Moco Vat back on the menu.
All I need left is the Sunken Tugboat and the Virgin’s Downfall. Someday, maybe.
Mrs Mai Tai sampled the new Lychee Martini, a single serving tropical Martini. Featuring London Dry Gin, Lychee liqueur, and Vermouth blanc, this was a nice twist on a classic. Well done.