Post #565565 by donhonyc on Wed, Nov 17, 2010 11:47 PM

Had my first visit to Lani Kai tonight. While I didn't bother to look the whole place over (we just sat upstairs), I will say this: BEST MAI TAI maybe not just in New York BUT IN THE WHOLE DAMN NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES. Now mind you, I haven't had every Mai Tai in the Northeast, but it doesn't matter. The Mai Tais at Lani Kai are definitely on par with the best of them, and when I say the 'best of them' I'm talking Trader Vic's, Mai Kai, and Tiki Ti. I think NYC has FINALLY got itself a place that hands down makes a really good Tiki cocktail. Tikiphiles in this area will no longer have to daydream about their next trips to L.A. or Ft. Lauderdale to have a REAL drink. The interior may not be the Tiki experience we all want, but the drink quality easily makes this place an exception. The other cool part was that at $13 for a Mai Tai you didn't feel like you were being ripped. This is, I think, similar in price to all of the places I just mentioned. People...go to this place. I will be returning, with friends, and checking out the rest of the menu and interior...soon.

[ Edited by: donhonyc 2010-11-17 23:52 ]