Post #740690 by Colin on Sat, Apr 4, 2015 4:05 AM

On 2014-11-28 13:00, fridgebuzz wrote:
Hi Colin, didn't visit Tiki Tolteca which is just around the corner from Latitude.
Suffering Bastard was made with "Dutch Gin and French Brandy". I didn't
catch either brand, but the Ginger Beer was "Fentiman's".

I got a chance to visit Latitude 29 on my latest trip to New Orleans last month -- several times, in fact. One doesn't plan his vacation in regard to proximity to tiki bars then fail to consume a proper amount of rum, after all.

It's definitely a top-notch tiki bar with cool decor that everyone should endeavor to visit, whether in close sojourn or arduous journey. I was able to chat with the gracious Bum himself and his head bartender for a bit and try several of his tasty drinks, including a classic mai tai, a surprising Pontchartrain Pearl Diver, a refreshing Missionary's Downfall and a handful of other tiki drinks I would characterize as well-balanced and aesthetically pleasing.

I also made one visit to Cane and Table down the street — a proto-tiki bar that tried to evoke a Caribbean/Havana vibe — and a couple repeat visits to Tiki Toleca, which had done a redesign since last spring. One night was slow, the other extremely busy. Both times, the crack bartenders put out drinks that were a little more adventurous than the classics at Latitude 29. (Personally, I prefer the classics but if you're into Latin touches with your tiki drinks, this is your first stop.)

The main thing was that if you tried a mai tai at each, you wouldn't be shaking your head at despoiled cocktails, misplaced pineapple juice and cheap rum. These were three mai tais that would make Trader Vic smile. Finally, you can throw out those Pat O'Brien hurricanes. Good tropical cocktails have returned to the French Quarter.