Tag: Oakland

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Kon-Tiki Takeout

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Havana Club Bingo

Last night’s Zoom with the Oakhana turned into Havana Club night. Somehow nearly every one of the Bay Area locals had a bottle of the contraband Havana Club rum on hand.

That’s how you know we’re hardcore rum nerds.

So much fun seeing all the Oakland Ohana. Someday soon, in person.

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5 Minute Tiki Bar Visit

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I walked into a Tiki Bar today. It was only for less than five minutes, to pick up my dinner and cocktail to-go order. But 12 days is about as long as it’s been between tiki bar visits during the last couple years. Kind of maybe starting to regret not building the tiki bar at home right about now. But, Kon-Tiki is doing take out and now that includes cocktails. The menu is limited, but as long as their famous, amazing Kon-Tiki Burger is on the menu it doesn’t matter to me. Interestingly, the to-go version is slightly modified, including a little bit of lettuce and tomato. And the included fries are crinkle cut. But even after a drive home to Fremont the burger tasted A-MAZ-ING. Really really great. Everyone at home loved them. If you’re local, get on it! As for the to-go cocktails this was more of a mixed bag. The new pricing this week is $18 per cocktail, though it’s more than double the normal amount of liquid in a typical cocktail glass including all the ice. And as “bottled ready to go” Mai Tais go, this one was pretty good. A little lime-forward for my taste, but it was plenty boozy. I mean, plenty. boozy. I also had the Virigin’s Sacrifice. This was probably closer to what’s served in the restaurant, though the reason I ordered was because I have never ordered it there before and thought I’d give it a try. Tequila, Mezcal, lime, passionfruit, and pineapple gum, all great. The spicy chili, though – was too much for me. If you like things spicy, this is a great cocktail. Have heard great things about the Zombie and Ma Kua from other tikiphiles so this is definitely the place for cocktails in Oakland right now. So very nice to see the Kon-Tiki crew working to keep the ship sailing through this challenging time. Cheers to Matt, Christ, Tony, Jeanie, Manny, and everyone else working tonight. Miss you all but we’ll see you on the other side. Last note? Yes. Yes, there was Yacht Rock playing inside the Kon-Tiki. Some things never change. #tiki #tikibar #tikidrinks #tikiculture #tropicaldrinks #cocktails #craftcocktails #rum #rhum #maitai #1944maitai #oakland

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Hawaiian Rum Tasting at The Kon-Tiki

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Hawaiian Rum Tasting at The Kon-Tiki There was a nice tasting of @kuleanarumworks rum last night. They have three interesting expressions, and they currently have distribution in 6 western states. The sugar cane production is on the Big Island of Hawaii. Hawaiian Rum Agricole Rested 90 days, this for sure is an agricole style. Definitely not as grassy as some I’ve tried, with a good mouthfeel. Not my favorite style but if you like sugar cane-based rums it’s worth checking out. HuiHui Perhaps the most interesting of the expressions. This is a combination of molasses-based rum from Papua New Guinea (base), with some of the Hawaiian Rum Agricole (body), and a bit of Martinique rhum (accent). This made for pretty interesting and shippable rum. All the rums are very young but a combo like this could be great in a daiquiri. Nanea Three molasses-based rums from Guatemala, Guadeloupe, and El Salvador and aged between 2-4 years each. No surprise this was my favorite, since I favor aged rums with of molasses origin. There were some cocktail specials provided during happy hour. Thanks to Christian from Kuleana for sharing the rum and walking us through some of the details. We missed going to the plantation on our trip to Hawaii last year, but we did get to try some cocktails at the @kuleanarumshack restaurant – and we had a great time. The Malasadas there were life-changing. Check it out in Waikaloa if you’re ever on the Big Island. #tiki #tikibar #tikidrinks #tikiculture #tropicaldrinks #cocktails #craftcocktails #rum #rhum #hawaiianrum #oakland

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Terra and Alex Complete the Kon-Tiki Expedition

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Terra and Alex Complete the Kon-Tiki Expedition Congrats to Alex and Terra for completing the @thekontikioakland Expedition Rum list. 100 rums (and much faster than it took me, I’m sure). Alex has already done 100+ at @smugglerscovesf but so very nice to see Terra complete a list at Kon-Tiki! The night featured a special menu including Alex and Terra’s favorite cocktails, the Jungle Bird and the Fluffy Banana. There was also a Molasses Mai Tai that caught my eye and was very nice. Terra also made some fluffy banana cupcakes that were light and sweet. The group photo includes a number of folks who’ve completed 100+ rums at some of the local tiki bars, though we are all just acolytes compared to Cathie who has 800+ at Smuggler’s Cove. Always lovely to see the tikiphiles, rum nerds, and Oakhana at Kon-Tiki. @tfritch1 @alxfritch #tiki #tikiculture #tikdrinks #tikibar #cocktails #craftcocktails #rum #rhum #oakland #maitai #1944maitai

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Farewell Terry Six

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Farewell Terry Six Tonight was the last night for Terry @tuff_break_ at The Kon-Tiki, and he is moving to Yucca Valley/Joshua Tree. Terry has been an integral part of the team at Kon-Tiki since the beginning. And for sure has influenced the groovy rock vibe that sets the Kon-Tiki apart from many tiki bars. As I noted last week, we don’t rate bartenders. But those paying attention will note that my number one Mai Tai on 2019 was the “Ultimate Mai Tai” from Kon-Tiki and made by Terry. So he is in the Ultimate Mai Tai pantheon for sure. Tonight there was a wonderful cake and cupcakes by @tfritch1 and the usual crowd of Oakhana luminaries. I had Terry make the Ultimate Mai Tai once again and it was soooooooo goooood. I also had Terry make a Kon-Tiki house Mai Tai (Denizen 8/Petitie Shrubb). It was very good, and although the Petite Shrubb isn’t my favorite in a Mai Tai I would say this one was better than the Mai Tai with the same Shrubb at Smuggler’s Cove last year. A very tasty Mai Tai. Terry also served me an amazing Navy Grog. The recipe was a mix of the Trader Vic’s and the Don the Beachcomber recipes and was outstanding. So Terry has made the best Mai Tai AND the best Navy Grog I’ve ever had at a commercial tiki bar. Mahalo Brother! Best wishes for the life change and move to the desert with your wife and the dogs. @thekontikioakland #tiki #tikidrinks #cocktails #maitai #1944maitai #tikiculture #oakland #oakhana #craftcocktails #rum

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Voyager’s Mainbrace

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Kon-Tiki Expedition Summary

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Kon-Tiki Expedition Summary 100 rums in 28 visits. 3.57 per visit* First rum December 12, 2018 Last rum December 4, 2019 (357 days) First rum: Appleton 12 Last rum: Plantation OFTD Two of my favorites! Standout Rums: Banks Five Island, Cadenhead’s Classic, Clarin Vaval, Denizen Merchant’s Reserve, Doctor Bird Jamaican, El Dorado 8, English Harbour 5 yr, Foursquare 2004 Bourbon Cask Finish, Hamilton Demerara 86, Hamilton Jamaican Pot Still Black, Hamilton New York Blend (West Indies 1670 Blend), Hamilton St. Lucia 7 yr, Island Distillers Okelehao, Novo Fogo Tanager Cachaca, Old Harbor Barrelflag Navy Strength, Pampero Anniversario, Plantation Jamaica 2002, Plantation Stiggins Fancy Pineapple, Pusser’s Gunpowder Strength, Real McCoy 5 year, Rhum JM XO, Richland Georgia, Rum Fire, Saint Benevolence 5 yr, Skipper, Smith & Cross. And three wildcard rums: Veller Hampden 2011, Velier Worthy Park, Cane Land/Three Rolls White Rum. This is actually a fairly wide list of rums, with an obvious lean to the English-style rum countries (Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana). I did come to appreciate the Agricole style more over the course of the Expedition, though it’s still not my favorite. Note (*): there were a few visits that coincided with rum producers offering tastings (Hamilton Rum, pictured). So, I was able to check a bunch off in one night (for free!) without having to consume the full 1.5 oz pour. For completing the Expedition, you get a custom glaze of Kon-Tiki’s fanciful and incredibly large mug, designed by Woody Miller. This brown glaze was the first choice of both myself and Mrs. Mai Tai. You also get a plaque with your name. This turned out great for this particular Mai Tai enthusiast. It’s now on display. I’d encourage anyone interested in learning more about rum to take the Kon-Tiki Expedition. A great selection and no super expensive pours on the list. The Kon-Tiki bartenders were quite helpful throughout the process as well, indicating where certain rums were best to be tasted neat vs. in a daiquiri, and helping with some wildcard picks. #tiki #tikibar #tikidrinks #tikiculture #tropicaldrinks #craftcocktails #rum #rhum #maitai #1944maitai #oakland

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More Yacht-Rock Menu Cocktails

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Fun times at Kon-Tiki