I hadn’t been to a tiki bar in ages (a sad thought for a fella going by the online moniker of tikichris). So the invite to take a tipple and nibble at Mahiki’s new(ish) Kensington outpost was welcomed with a readily returned response.
Here are some highlights of my visit.
Low number of actual tikis and rather bright lighting left me feeling that I had not left the concerns of the world completely behind and lost myself in a Polynesian Pop playground of disoriented delights. So that was a bummer. But Mahiki Kensington was an attractive setting for quality (and surprisingly nicely priced, for its W8 environs anyway) cocktails and above average food.
I enjoyed very much two cocktails: the Formidable Dragon created by Martin Cate of Smuggler’s Cove (Amaro di Angostura, Plantation Three Star and OFTD rums, honey, lime, lemon and homemade moloasses syrup, £9) and the Pahulu Oki Oki (Don Julio Blanco, Vida Mezcal, fresh clementine juice, Re’al pineapple puree, homemade orgeat and Lanai Bitters, £13). Both were balanced, distinctive and potent.
Food was a treat as well. Tastiest bites were the spicy yellowfin tuna maki (£11), Wagyu and truffle gyoza with ponzu miso (£9) and the wagyu gunkan with black truffle (£11).
Service was swift and friendly (but a little out of the loop with respect to the menu).
Mahiki Kensington is located at 2A Kensington High Street, W8 4PT. Find out more at mahikikensington.com.
