Post #769018 by Hamo on Mon, Sep 26, 2016 11:17 AM

Friends, family and I were in Denver on Sunday, September 18, and we made a mid-afternoon stop at Adrift.

It was their second day of operation after reopening; however, it was our first time visiting, so I can't make any comparisons to its previous incarnation. I will say that my impression of the place currently is that it's going for a sort of modern, sleek interpretation of Polynesian restaurants from tiki's heyday.

The host stand, a large Tangaroa-esque tiki, is just inside the door, the bar to the right, and a nice big mural of what looks like Matson Cruise Line menu artwork on the opposite wall. Judging from old pictures in this thread, it appears that the mural was salvaged and moved from a different wall which has been removed.

Our server was Zach, who has worked at Adrift for the past six months and survived the transition in ownership. He made some suggestions from the drink menu, which he said was based on classic 1950s recipe formations. I started with the Mai Tai.

My “adoptive mother” also chose a Mai Tai, and my real sister (not pictured, and designated driver) had the Hurricane.

Here's our “brother” enjoying a Shark's Tooth, while his father tried a Macadamia Nut Chi Chi.

We all enjoyed the food, though I don't remember what everybody else had. My sis and I shared the Adrift Pu Pu Platter, which included Kahlua pork sliders, ribs, wings, tempura onion rings, mofongo, and edamame.

Then more drinks. Dr. Funk for me, and a couple of Fog Cutters for others.

The only real disappointments revolved around music and lighting. The soundtrack seemed to be mostly a Cherry Poppin' Daddies album with a few Sinatra and Dean Martin singles and the like mixed in. Certainly, some exotica—both classic and contemporary—would be much more appropriate. And even though there were wooden shutters to cover the windows, some were left open, and the western sun could still come in through cracks in the closed shutters, creating an environment that was just a bit too harsh and bright. Maybe something like tinted film over the windows could solve that problem, while adding a sense of mystery from the sidewalk.

Still, it was an enjoyable few hours. There were plenty of tikis (including some in the bathroom), art, bamboo, float lights, etc.; the drinks were good and pretty “authentic;” the food was very tasty; and the service was relaxed but attentive. Go, if you have the chance. I think it's worth it.