Post #497276 by GatorRob on Fri, Dec 4, 2009 10:46 AM

Don't forget the Mai-Tai guys. If you don't mind that it's not a Trader Vic's Mai-Tai, but something entirely different, it is a pleasant, light, fruity cocktail that is beautifully garnished and great for the light drinker. That said, hand me a Black Magic or (and?) a Rum Barrel or Jet Pilot please. NOW.

All the talk about the importance of the food though to the overall experience, here's my ranking of importance when visiting a place like the Mai-Kai or a Trader Vic's, etc:

1. The decor.
2. The music. Always perfect in the Molokai bar, sometimes on in the back dining rooms as a different soundtrack. (If not, ask your server if they will put on one of the vintage Hawaiian or Exotica music CDs they have. They have plenty because Swanky gave them a bunch years ago for the Molokai and I gave them a bunch for the back dining rooms 2-3 years ago.) Let's see, it's December, so you might hear vintage Hawaiian and Hapa Haole holiday tunes too. On some nights you'll get some appropriate live music.
3. The drinks.
4. The waitstaff. Always great at the MK.
5. The food. Often fine, never bad (in my experience), sometimes spectacular (read: steaks from the Chinese ovens).