Location: Mariott Kauai Resort, Lihue
Well, after a long and arduous search, we acted on a tip from seasoned explorer friend and went to the Mariott Hotel on Nawiliwili Bay in Lihue. The ambiance was an odd mix of polynesian and other cultures, but there was live Hawaiian music playing and tiki torches, with the sound of the Pacific Ocean in the background, so things looked promising. We opened the drink menu and we knew our search was over. There it was, listed in black and white: the Ultimate Mai Tai. Fate had brought us to the right place.
We ordered two and were rewarded with the ideal blend of rum and fruit juice, in a classic glass, with fruit garnish...but no umbrella! When we mentioned this to our server, he lamented that they had stopped using the little paper umbrellas about a year ago. Oh, well...nothing is ever perfect!
So our quest was over. We had tasted a lot of Mai Tai's--some good, some better, some so good they were dangerous--but both of us agreed that overall, the Mariott's Mai Tai was indeed, the Ultimate Mai Tai on Kauai.
Honorable Mention: Oasis Bar and Grill Mai Tai, Sheraton Kauai Resort, Poipu
Well, after a long and arduous search, we acted on a tip from seasoned explorer friend and went to the Mariott Hotel on Nawiliwili Bay in Lihue. The ambiance was an odd mix of polynesian and other cultures, but there was live Hawaiian music playing and tiki torches, with the sound of the Pacific Ocean in the background, so things looked promising. We opened the drink menu and we knew our search was over. There it was, listed in black and white: the Ultimate Mai Tai. Fate had brought us to the right place.
We ordered two and were rewarded with the ideal blend of rum and fruit juice, in a classic glass, with fruit garnish...but no umbrella! When we mentioned this to our server, he lamented that they had stopped using the little paper umbrellas about a year ago. Oh, well...nothing is ever perfect!So our quest was over. We had tasted a lot of Mai Tai's--some good, some better, some so good they were dangerous--but both of us agreed that overall, the Mariott's Mai Tai was indeed, the Ultimate Mai Tai on Kauai.
Honorable Mention: Oasis Bar and Grill Mai Tai, Sheraton Kauai Resort, Poipu
I want one of those!
ReplyDeleteYou should try a Mai Tai at Trader Vic's, the inventor of the Mai Tai, just as a baseline. There are no Trader Vic's on the islands, but most places on Oahu serve the drink as made by Vic Bergeron. I don't mean to be contentious, and I am sure it was a most excellent drink, but if the colors are correct in the photo what you were served at Sheraton Kauai was not a Mai Tai. But it does look delicious!
ReplyDelete-Kerry