BarView
By Trader Murf
It is always Tiki time with ModestoView and Trader Murf. Modesto has a rich Tiki history and the Tiki Lounge Modesto was featured in the international “Book of Tiki” and sadly just recently closed. Since the closure of Minnie’s, Modesto has been sorely lacking a true Tiki immersion experience. We are hanging on to our Mai Tais to see what happens next. The Mai Tai, lovingly created in 1944 in Oakland, Ca (Yes, our Oakland) by the legendary Trader Vic Bergeron, changed the Polynesian Tiki culture as it spread around the world after World War II and the soldiers came home from the south Pacific with their Aloha shirts and décor. National Mai Tai Day is August 30, when we celebrate this legendary and tasty cocktail.
Do not confuse this vintage 1944 drink with the “any dark rum with tropical juice Mai Tai” that is found on most cruise ships and in many bars. A real Mai Tai is a work of art, white and gold aged rums, orgeat, orange Curaçao, fresh lime juice, garnished with the spent lime rind and a sprig of fresh mint.
Here are some of our key local Mai Tais that are done right.
Rivets to the rescue as they have stepped up and Trader Augie Manzani is bringing his Catalina island tiki traditions to Rivets, reminiscent of Luau Larry’s where they always had a special vessel for each drink for the countless boaters that ventured across the waves to the island finding a rum tiki drink was the answer. Augie’s Mai Tai would make Vic proud, true to recipe and the first taste will have you proclaiming “Mai Tai a Roa A”. Trader Augie has a special line up including the Missionary’s Downfall, The Jungle Fish, Painkiller, made with special overproofed Pusser’s Gunpowder rum, Tahitian Punch with light and dark rum and a house fave, The Surf Rat. with citrus and overproof banana liquor.
Rivets Tiki menu will run this summer and you can only hope that potstickers and SPAM may be coming soon. 2307 Oakdale Rd. Modesto 209-846-0501 @rivetsgrill Ask for Trader Augie.
LoFi Labs on J Street has stepped up big with Tiki Tuesdays and this is the closest you can get to a Minnie’s experience in Modesto, with Crab Rangoon, Potstickers, poke and other Polynesian fare prepared by Chef Nathan Hesse to support your Mai Tai enjoyments. There is a full line up of Tiki drinks including the sharable Scorpion Bowl, Painkiller and many more. Each drink is hand crafted with the original ingredients. LoFi Labs, J Street, Modesto 209-550-9033 @loficocktails
The vintage styled Boardroom in Downtown Modesto is home to a fantastic Oakland Mai Tai. Roberto consistently makes a perfect drink and it is worth the effort to have one, or maybe two with aged rums, house made orgeat, hand crushed ice, fresh limes and that dash of mint that makes it the original. It’s nice to drink this classic drink in a classic space. Boardroom now offers a bar food menu with lunched Wed- Sat. 1547 J St. Modesto, 209-409-8665 @theboardroom209
Trader Brandon Dodge of Kimoto makes another near perfect Trader Vic’s Mai Tai. The ViewCrew tip is to sit in the bar, and hope that there are some other Tiki items on the menu. But there is much on Kimoto’s Japanese menu that will work. Follow their socials for Tiki specials. You fan always get a good Trader Dodge story as you slip away into his jungle cruise. 1809 – B Briggsmore, Modesto 209-579-9690 FB @kimotosushi
Devry Thayer at Churchkey is another of our perfect Mai Tai club with fresh ingredients and aged rums. Devry has been writing many of our BarViews and he is a craft cocktail traditionalist. Not only is his Mai Tai delicious, they have been doing a full ChurchTiki menu on selected Sundays, the next possibly in October. Also check out their Slurricane. 910 12th St. Downtown Modesto 209-422-3128 @churchkeymodesto
The Standard Pub. Nelson Ramirez and the crew have worked up an amazing traditional Mai Tai. An evening, or afternoon, is always a good hideaway with a big peninsula bar, legit orgeat and aged rums, with lime and mint. 950 Oakdale Rd, Ste E Modesto 209-622-0429
IG: @thestandard_pub
Intermission brings the full 1944 vibe to the MaiTai. Sitting in the art deco splendor of the Intermission, surrounded by old movie posters, the 1944 drink is just what you need and a faithful version that would make Vic proud. Enjoy in this lush space before or after a movie or dinner, and live jazz on the weekends.
1301 J St. Modesto 209-527-4697 @intermissionmodesto
Just in case, this is the actual recipe for a “Trader“ Vic Bergeron Mai Tai
Please prepare with respect and enjoy accordingly.
– 1 oz lime juicet
– 1/2 oz orange Curaçao
– 1/4 oz orgeat syrup
– 1/4 oz 1:1 simple syrup
– 1 oz aged Jamaican rum
– 1 oz aged dark rum
1/2 lime pressed peel side up for garnish with sprig of mint
Enjoy a real Mai Tai this month and hopefully this Tiki effort will inspire some new Tike experiences here. Please check these and help bring Tiki back to Modesto, Thannks – Trader Murf
