Post #275201 by midnite on Wed, Dec 27, 2006 10:10 PM

London's calling, and Mahiki answered.

Just got back from places far and farther, Mahiki was a special highlight of the excursion. If you find yourself in foggy London town, find Mahiki, have a good time in a tropical setting complete with great decor and some very fine cocktails.

The area of Westminster is perfect, virtually on Picadilly, it is tough to beat for easy-to-find simplicity. If you can find the Ritz, you can find Mahiki. And do find the Mahiki's red sign and artful tiki-flanked glass doors, 'cause inside lurks some of the City's best mixologists. Bring a healthy liver, or a close approximation, and a fistful of pounds. It's going to be an expensive, but tasty, evening...or morning as the place is open until 3am!

Step right in and quickly descend the staircase (dig the collection of float lamps in one big piece of netting) and sit down in the Lanai room. It is tiki bar as tiki bar should be. Dark, but still sufficient illumination to inspire the correct mood. The decor and design produce the right setting to enjoy the masterful cocktails. I particulary like the seashell lamps and the multi-surfaced ceiling. It's dimensional properties offer just enough of depth to give the room more height, or the appearance thereof. The overall affect strikes the right balance between sparse minimalism and over wrought clutter.

Plenty of bamboo and rattan. Comfy booths and enough space to move around. There are some fantastic tikis mixed about and from virtually any angle you'll have something interesting at which to look. I think the sound system volume could be a tad lower and the Lanai needs a few more plants, more green. However, the volume issue may simply be a product of when I visited, right before a party when the place as literally empty except for employees. If it seems to you I liked the Mahiki decor, you're right. That is without even mentioning the further downstairs Aloha Room. That space is a bit different, more modern but it still retains some fine elements like the hand painted murals and tile work.

The drinks? Well, my visit was brief so I only got to try a few. I been around a while and have tried a few Mai Tais, the Mahiki Ultimate Mai Tai (that's it in the first pic) is one of the best ever. No doubt, take it to the bank, hands down, it is a real winner and worth the price, even with the deflated dollar. I've had a handful of better Mai-Tais and only one came from a commercial establishment (and no, it wasn't named after a one-legged fellow) that could be considered its superior. Yes, it is that good.

There are many other cocktails at Mahiki I'd like to try. That will have to wait until Spring, when the new dividend checks come in. The creativity of the cocktails' design and presentation along with the menu's fine graphics make ordering a treat in itself. I mean really, where to start? The Coconut Grenade served in an actual frozen coconut or the Neptune's Bounty presented in a mini diver's helmet? I'd have to go with the Bikini Blast: a hollowed out watermelon, it's carved top the shape of a nuclear warning sign, which "explodes" in a flaming shot. Oh wait, the Krakatoa erupts in a fiery display of cinnamon sparks. That's mixology with flair, mate. I like it, a lot.

Not that I need another reason to love London, but Mahiki is one. Long live the Mahiki! You know, it's the type of Polynesian drinking hole that London's Trader Vics has been doing for 40 years*.

Mind the gap,
cpt. midnite, esq.

*No charge for that publicity, heh heh.