Napa – The Search for the Ultimate Mai Tai

July 28, 2025July 28, 2025

Pleasant Surprises from the Mai Tai Menu at Wilfred’s Lounge

We had a great lunch at Napa’s Wilfred’s Lounge a couple Sundays ago, including some fine food and ‘Ono pie. Mrs. Mai Tai had her favorite cocktail, the Maximum Aloha, that’s still great with a blend of rums, sweet flavors, and banana cream topping. Lots of reggae playing on our visit was relaxing but we wish they’d throw more Hawaiian onto the playlist.

New to me on this visit was a whole page of Mai Tais on the cocktail menu. I’d previously tried the standard 1944 Mai Tai of course, as well as Tai One On which is a spirit-forward riff that uses Amaretto rather than orgeat. It’s an understandable substitution for the format of this stirred cocktail, though I didn’t find the Amaretto a pleasant upgrade.

There’s been a lot of complaining online about pineapple juice in Mai Tais, and I admit I’ve probably done my fair share. But lately I’ve kind of come around to the idea that these can be great if balanced properly and this was certainly the case with the Haole Tai made with white rum, pineapple, orange, grenadine, and Wilfred’s boozy Jamaican rum blend. This is juicy to be sure, but it actually tasted really great and put a focus on that great Jamaican rum. Wilfred’s quality grenadine used in a small portion also made this better balanced than the ingredients might lead you to believe.

Even more fantastic was the Tai Game, a blend of interesting flavors including fig-infused rum, amaro, amaretto, orgeat, and tawny port. This recently won Wilfred’s annual Mai Tai competition and I can see why – it is a rich and chewy cocktail that uses the Mai Tai template and layers on additional flavors. This was a big hit at our table.

Wilfred’s Lounge remains a compelling cocktail destination in wine country. Their Mai Tai menu is really interesting and totally worth exploring more, so we’ll be sure to return soon.

Thanks to Brenda for the featured image for the post, and to Sam and Mandy for providing tasting notes.

July 23, 2025July 23, 2025

The Fink: Celebrating Two Years as Napa’s Premier Cocktail Destination

We’ve loved The Fink ever since it opened in downtown Napa, with a travel themed cocktail menu and an elaborate nautical interior. Sunday was a celebration of the venue’s second anniversary which included some cocktail specials and a tiki themed celebration in conjunction with the upcoming 25th anniversary of Tiki Oasis. Guests were given 2 year buttons, a wonderful touch.

Namesake owner Judd Finkelstein played his usual host role and then changed outfits to perform with his hapa-haole band the Maikai Gents. Introducing the band, Tiki Oasis founder Otto Von Stroheim noted that the band has played more Tiki Oasis events than any other and it was easy to see why with the band playing an energetic set. The performace also included Finkelstein’s wife and daughters singing along for a spell. Longtime Tiki Oasis performer King Kukulele also dazzled the audience who are familiar with his big personality and wild antics.

The mad rush of tikiphiles and Napa locals was immense at the 3 pm opening, so the staff had to work to keep up with so many cocktail and food orders. On tap was a special cocktail called the FinkelGrog, created by Smuggler’s Cove’s Martin Cate. Meanwhile, I ordered some Crab Rangoon and Napa’s best Mai Tai, followed with a New York Sour featuring Judd’s Hill red wine.

The event did not have a cover charge, but guests were offered the option to donate to Be Kind, a non-profit spotlighting the power of kindness to strengthen community, founded by Finkelstein daughters Talulah and Ruby.

The Fink remains a gem of a venue, a classy place run by the region’s premier hospitality host and family.

February 17, 2025April 20, 2025

The Fink in Napa: Saturday Night’s Alright for Cocktails

We rolled into The Fink in downtown Napa around 7:00 on Saturday, hoping to find a seat even though we knew it would be busy. Thankfully, we found a couple spots at the bar and had ourselves an amazing cocktail experience.

We must heap massive praise on The Fink crew, led by the namesake owner Judd Finkelstein who welcomed us, but even more notably our bartender Alyssa who’s hands never stopped moving and whipped up cocktail after cocktail. Manager Andrew Salazar was also on hand to check on orders and deliver drinks, plus another bartender and server. It was really busy as you’d expect and the staff was really moving.

I’ve previously highlighted The Fink’s OG Mai Tai that is balanced and creamy thanks to their house-made Orgeat and rums from Jamaica and Martinique. It was really an amazing Mai Tai, the best so far this year, and the best in Napa at any price (IYKYK). I also tried the tiki classic Reverb Crash that was made with fresh white grapefruit juice that burst with flavor. The Fink has many tropical cocktails and in my opinion has the best tiki drinks between San Francisco and Portland.

Mrs. Mai Tai loves her coffee drinks and the New Orleans inspired Mocha Milk Punch made me a convert, including Bourbon, coffee liqueur, cocoa, milk, and topped with dalgona. This rich cocktail had everything you’re looking for including an incredible presentation and rich flavors. That was followed by an incredible New York Sour that features some tasty claret wine. With cocktail sections covering regions from Latin America to the Caribbean to a set of house classics, we remain impressed by the selection and execution at The Fink.

Our night ended with a short tour of the upstairs Commodore’s Cabin, available for private parties up to 25 people and itself nicely appointed with great views of the stage on nights where there’s music.

February 16, 2025April 18, 2025

Appleton 17 Mai Tai at Wilfred’s Lounge

Last week’s “last Appleton 17 Mai Tai” post now seems to be very ill-timed, thanks to the opportunity to try The Legend again. Mrs. Mai Tai and I landed in Napa for dinner in advance of strolling the city to check out the Lighted Art Festival. Consistent with previous visits, we had a great meal at Wilfred’s Lounge including a quite good Sesame Wonton Salad and Wilfred’s famous Pineapple Fried Rice as entrees and a really great Cheesecake with Ube Whipped Cream and toasted coconut.

We made reservations for dinner and so were seated inside rather than out on the patios out front or up on the roof, and our service was efficient and friendly. Things were a bit chilly in Napa, but the mellow mood inside was truly relaxing.

When Wilfred’s originally obtained the Appleton 17 Legend rum they would let you have a 1 oz pour for $100 but would not make a half-sized Mai Tai, something we griped about fairly loudly. Thanks in part to that pressure, Wilfred’s announced they’d offer this amazing rum in a small Mai Tai so that more people could actually try the rum that was made to recreate the Wray & Nephew 17 rum from the original Mai Tai. Once again this amazing rum shines through in a cocktail, though Wilfred’s version had a little bit too much lime and not enough orgeat. Still very good but not, you know, ultimate.

Mrs. Mai Tai loves the Maximum Aloha cocktail which is still expertly made, as was the Batten Down the Hatches with potent rums and spices. So, an overall good cocktail night at Wilfred’s.

May 10, 2024May 10, 2024

Great Cocktails at The Fink in Napa

We followed dinner at Wilfred’s with some drinks down the street at The Fink, located at the Napa River Inn. We love the relaxed atmosphere, themed inside as a trading port that fits in perfectly with its location on the Napa River. It was Saturday and found most tables full but were able to snag the last booth. The Fink staff was really timely with the service and suggestions.

The menu is laid out very nicely with a geographical orientation, including the tiki themed LA to the Bay section. Since our last visit, the cocktail menu has grown to include cocktails related to New York City and New Orleans. We highlighted the excellent Mai Tai the other day, but all the cocktails here were really great. Despite the full house on a weekend, there was no hooting and hollering, and we were truly able to relax and share time with friends.

Our server was accommodating in providing some Fink swizzles upon request, so we had to salute The Fink himself on our way our the door. If you’re in Napa, don’t miss having some drinks or bar bites The Fink.

May 8, 2024May 17, 2024

Maximum Aloha Cocktail and Rum at Wilfred’s Lounge

Had a great time at Wilfred’s Lounge in downtown Napa on Saturday for dinner and drinks. We love the dishes here and our coconut shrimp were so huge and delectable. Definitely the best coconut shrimp we’ve had in a long time. The Fried Rice portion is huge and tastes great especially when you add a protein like chicken. Our service was first class all the way.

Cocktails remain high quality here, including a very good Mai Tai that’s not too sweet and rich with flavor. They use Jamaican and Martinique rums, which to me lean a little too far in the grassy agricole direction. Still, it’s a winner. Less great for me was the Mai Tai inspired Tai One On, a stirred cocktail that had rum but also amaretto. There was something about the flavor that I didn’t like.

Everyone loved the Maximum Aloha, of which several rounds were ordered. This fruity cocktail remains stellar thanks to a balance of flavors that isn’t too sweet and features an incredible banana coconut cream topping. You can also order a neat pour of the Maximum Aloha rum, which is Tanduay and Rum Fire that has infused strawberries. The rum isn’t too sweet but you sure get that great strawberry color. It was a treat to have this rum neat.

The upstairs patio has some more permanent seating and also includes a fire pit and small Moai. Great views, as always.

May 6, 2024May 6, 2024

The Fink has the Best Mai Tai in Napa

Did a little comparison shopping on Saturday and am pleased to report there are a couple places where you can get a good Mai Tai in Napa. Wilfred’s Lounge has a very good one made with Jamaica rum and Rhum Agricole from Martinique and it is quite nice, though to me it leans a little bit too much in the grassy flavor profile.

The Fink’s OG Mai Tai is incredibly balanced and leans a little creamy thanks to their house-made Orgeat. Jamaica and Martinique rums are also used here, but far more in balance. Very rich and flavorful, the Mai Tai at The Fink is just great.