Post #577001 by telescopes on Sun, Feb 20, 2011 4:19 PM

On 2011-02-20 11:46, leleliz wrote:

Forbidden Island wins because they have raised the art of the drink beyond simply high quality tiki drinks. They have brought art back to drinking.

So, there it is. Forbidden Island wins.

Telescopes so happy to see you have seen the light :)

After leaving Forbidden Island that night, I drove to Smuggler's Cove, thinking I would have a drink for comparison. Upon entering, I was happy to see the place was busy and doing well. I went upstairs and looked down upon the place. The crowd was young and upscale - hip you might even say. I journeyed down stairs and I saw the same. But something was missing - or rather - something was not missing.

I was satisfied. My longing for the perfect drink had been fulfilled. I made a few more rounds up and down the stairs and gave SC one more look over - and then I left without a drink or a word to anyone.

I had one more visit to make before getting to my hotel. I traveled to Trader Vic's to see the remodel and to purchase my daughter a shell bowl. I was impressed with what they had done. While I waited for the bowl, I ordered some Bongo Bongo soup - also served in a shell bowl and engaged the bartender in some conversation.

I noticed they had a bottle of Saint James H'ordage and asked her how much a Mai Tail would be with the Saint James and some Appleton 12 year rum. She laughed and said no one would mix those two rums together. They wouldn't really taste that well mixed.

I laughed again and couldn't resist the urge to order a $100 Mai Tai.

Her skills were lacking and her inexperience showed. But, there I was, drinking a a Mai Tai in Trader Vic's in Emeryville, all the while sipping my Bongo Bongo soup.

I paid for my Shell Bowl, drink, and soup. As I left, I looked around once more and was thankful for such a great evening. But it wasn't visions of Trader Vic's beautiful restaurant or Smuggler's Cove Rum concept bar that guided me home - it was the intimate playful beauty and the smooth and silky handcrafted cocktails of Forbidden Island that like a star upon the horizon carried me home to a beautiful sleep.

And so ended what for me was a perfect evening.

[ Edited by: telescopes 2011-02-20 16:21 ]