Kauai Suggestions - Tiki Travel

B bamalamalu Tiki Socialite Joined: Mar 20, 2006 Posts: 1294	B bamalamalu Posted posted on Fri, Nov 29, 2019 1:04 PM Apparently I haven't updated for a couple trips, don't think there were many changes. But we're back from another visit, so here's a November 2019 update. Overall, we were happy to find more places at least attempting a '44 / Vic's style Mai Tai. Most places use Koloa Rum and almost everyone uses a float of the Koloa Dark (which is super sweet to me,) but at least you can find a non OJ/Pineapple/POG option. Nice to see. Only one place used mint. Bring your metal straw if you don't want a soggy paper one. New contender - The Crooked Surf at the Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort (formerly Courtyard by Marriott Kauai Coconut Beach.) This hotel was recently remodeled and rebranded as a Sheraton. The bar now has some nice cocktails and a surprisingly good rum selection for a hotel pool/beach bar. As far as I know, they're the only place to make a Mai Tai with rum other than Koloa - they use Appleton Estate & Clement VSOP. They also win the Most Authentic award for not adding a dark rum float. We sampled here a couple times and they were fairly consistent, but I found the Mai Tais best when made by Bill. It's basically the pool bar, so not a ton of atmosphere, but you are right by the ocean. Mamahune's - at the Hilton Garden Inn Reviewed separately in the Mamahune's thread. I forgot to the a clear picture of the menu, but their version is the Ali'i Tai. I preferred their other drinks (Painkiller, Shipwrecked), but this certainly wasn't bad and they were the only place to use mint. NOTE - quality varied a lot by bartender, go when Tom is working. (Also note, they use plastic cups here, but it's OK.) Avalon Gastropub - Wailua This wasn't open yet last during our last visit. Down side: they only had Koloa Rum. Upside: they did make a good attempt at a Vic's style Mai Tai with it. They have several other nice drink options as well (many smoked, that gimmick seems to be gaining in popularity all over.) Oasis on the Beach - This was never my favorite due the passion fruit juice, but on our latest visit it was especially bad. We think the bartender may have actually forgotten to add all the rums. It was extremely heavy on the juice and nearly undrinkable. If we go back, I'll stick to a happy hour special or a can of Coconut Porter. Gaylords Mahiko Lounge - still good, same recipe with Koloa as previously noted. Newest Bartender (but with good experience) Shannon did a really nice job. Tiki Iniki. Past experience taught us to start with a neat shot of rum and observe. Glad we did - watching the bartender was a horror show. Order rum neat or a beer and enjoy the decor. Pietro's Poipu. Their online menu lists a Vic's Style Mai Tai. Bartender looked at me like I had 3 heads when I tried to explain what that was and that I didn't want orange juice. Or pineapple juice, or POG. He attempted to please me (despite my polite refusal) by pouring some Koloa into about 12 oz of lime juice. Dreadful. This wouldn't have been surprising if the drink I ordered weren't ON their menu. PV Eats - Princeville. This is a fancy market with a restaurant inside the old Prince golf course clubhouse. I picked something else, but they do have a '44 Mai Tai on the menu. Oddly, they use Koloa aged in the drink but Kraken for a float. Food and drinks we had were good and prices were surprisingly good compared to other establishments (they also had good prices on bottles in the market.) Nice views of the mountains, Bali Hai, and the ocean (across the golf course.) Hanalei Spirits is now in existence and makes a decent rum. No tours or tasting room open yet, but you can find their bottles in shops around the island. In non-alcohol related updates: You now have to reserve a parking pass to visit Kee Beach. Do so 30 days in advance for the best options for a day at the beach/trail. If you miss out on parking, there's a shuttle. Limahuli Gardens - you also now need to reserve a parking space here. It was easy, I booked online the morning we decided to go. They don't rush you out at all, just book in advance and you're set. Highly recommend this place.

Apparently I haven't updated for a couple trips, don't think there were many changes. But we're back from another visit, so here's a November 2019 update.

Overall, we were happy to find more places at least attempting a '44 / Vic's style Mai Tai. Most places use Koloa Rum and almost everyone uses a float of the Koloa Dark (which is super sweet to me,) but at least you can find a non OJ/Pineapple/POG option. Nice to see. Only one place used mint. Bring your metal straw if you don't want a soggy paper one.

New contender -
The Crooked Surf at the Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort (formerly Courtyard by Marriott Kauai Coconut Beach.)

This hotel was recently remodeled and rebranded as a Sheraton. The bar now has some nice cocktails and a surprisingly good rum selection for a hotel pool/beach bar. As far as I know, they're the only place to make a Mai Tai with rum other than Koloa - they use Appleton Estate & Clement VSOP. They also win the Most Authentic award for not adding a dark rum float. We sampled here a couple times and they were fairly consistent, but I found the Mai Tais best when made by Bill. It's basically the pool bar, so not a ton of atmosphere, but you are right by the ocean.

Mamahune's - at the Hilton Garden Inn
Reviewed separately in the Mamahune's thread. I forgot to the a clear picture of the menu, but their version is the Ali'i Tai. I preferred their other drinks (Painkiller, Shipwrecked), but this certainly wasn't bad and they were the only place to use mint. NOTE - quality varied a lot by bartender, go when Tom is working. (Also note, they use plastic cups here, but it's OK.)

Avalon Gastropub - Wailua
This wasn't open yet last during our last visit. Down side: they only had Koloa Rum. Upside: they did make a good attempt at a Vic's style Mai Tai with it. They have several other nice drink options as well (many smoked, that gimmick seems to be gaining in popularity all over.)

Oasis on the Beach - This was never my favorite due the passion fruit juice, but on our latest visit it was especially bad. We think the bartender may have actually forgotten to add all the rums. It was extremely heavy on the juice and nearly undrinkable. If we go back, I'll stick to a happy hour special or a can of Coconut Porter.

Gaylords Mahiko Lounge - still good, same recipe with Koloa as previously noted. Newest Bartender (but with good experience) Shannon did a really nice job.

Tiki Iniki. Past experience taught us to start with a neat shot of rum and observe. Glad we did - watching the bartender was a horror show. Order rum neat or a beer and enjoy the decor.

Pietro's Poipu. Their online menu lists a Vic's Style Mai Tai. Bartender looked at me like I had 3 heads when I tried to explain what that was and that I didn't want orange juice. Or pineapple juice, or POG. He attempted to please me (despite my polite refusal) by pouring some Koloa into about 12 oz of lime juice. Dreadful. This wouldn't have been surprising if the drink I ordered weren't ON their menu.

PV Eats - Princeville. This is a fancy market with a restaurant inside the old Prince golf course clubhouse. I picked something else, but they do have a '44 Mai Tai on the menu. Oddly, they use Koloa aged in the drink but Kraken for a float. Food and drinks we had were good and prices were surprisingly good compared to other establishments (they also had good prices on bottles in the market.) Nice views of the mountains, Bali Hai, and the ocean (across the golf course.)

Hanalei Spirits is now in existence and makes a decent rum. No tours or tasting room open yet, but you can find their bottles in shops around the island.

In non-alcohol related updates:

You now have to reserve a parking pass to visit Kee Beach. Do so 30 days in advance for the best options for a day at the beach/trail. If you miss out on parking, there's a shuttle.

Limahuli Gardens - you also now need to reserve a parking space here. It was easy, I booked online the morning we decided to go. They don't rush you out at all, just book in advance and you're set. Highly recommend this place.

Post #798922 by bamalamalu on Fri, Nov 29, 2019 1:04 PM