Instagram story viewer> @thelostgrotto> Posts

Trader M @ The Lost Grotto

@thelostgrotto

1.9K

followers

1133

following

The building of a home bar, where the lost are eventually found. #escapism #craftcocktails #nautical #tropical

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Finally mixed myself The Last Voyage by @scoundrels_landing, and I dare say — an excellent concoction!

This potent mix of citrus and pineapple blends nicely with @water_under_the_bridge_tiki’s “on property” passion fruit syrup…and of course 8 yr @appletonestate Reserve and (gasp) 21 yr @drinkeldorado! 😳

Be sure to pick yourself up one of his beautiful double old-fashioned glasses with some amazing themed artwork by @50s_vintage_dame!

Mahalo, friend! 🤙🏽🏴‍☠️💀 by @thelostgrotto

80

3

10 days ago

Spent some time at Trader Vic’s in Tokyo, and it wonderful…

Made it in time to enjoy a couple cocktails and explore the space. I ordered a Honi Honi to kick things off, and my last cocktail was a seasonal Sakura Tai, with syrup and liquor infused with preserved Sakura blossoms.

This preservation involves salting the Sakura, so it gave a floral, salty and almost briny effect to the cocktail. During the season, this same method of preservation is found in many dishes — ceremonial tea ends with a Sakura tea, pastries include Sakura, etc. it was a treat to find a seasonal cocktail that took elements of this cultural season and applied them to delicious effect!

Really tasty! taken in Trader Vic's Hotel New Otani by @thelostgrotto

103

2

6 months ago

We managed to get up to some shenanigans @tradersams over the course of our stay… It’s true, the indoor bar is totally closed for renovation work, but the outdoor bar is more than available and often with zero wait!

We really enjoyed the vibe at the outdoor bar this visit while hanging out with @mrsnickoloff and @oldmanmerrell — watching them riff off of each other, jokes abound…it was great. The video shows Skipper Melissa applying Kelly’s world class mixing technique, only a dedicated pre-prohibition craft cocktail expert has mastered this skill LOL!

Several great off menu cocktails were enjoyed during our stay, including Skipper Melissa’s Ace Pilot’s Mayday (holy shit!), Green Pineapple (delicious, and should be appearing *somewhere* soon 😉), and Alice on South Island. Kelly whipped up his Waikai (fantastic!), a Donn’s Navy Grog (that guys going places), and we got into some Agricole discussions over a Ti Punch.

Upholding our tradition, Melissa sent me back to the room with a Schweitzer Falls for our guy after last call on my last night 💚🤎💚🤎. Thank you for always being so thoughtful ❤️

As always, Sam’s delivers. Thanks for the fun, Sam’s crew, it was so good seeing Maddie, @porras_partyofsix, Jordan, and all of other Skippers…Looking forward to our next visit!!

🏷️ #tiki #tradersams #rum #cocktails taken in Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar by @thelostgrotto

95

3

6 months ago

Another amazing visit to @strongwateranaheim, this time in the Captain’s Quarters! Our first visit was during Covid, so we were limited to outdoor seating. I returned post-pandemic and enjoyed the full indoor experience, but this was Mrs. Grotto’s first time aboard the Clementine.

What a treat it was to spend time in the Captain’s Quarters with @ericaluera, diving deep into the inspiration behind each item on the menu, and even getting a first taste of her riff on a Ramos Gin Fizz, the Performative Gin Fizz! Such a delight!

Thank you for the wonderful hospitality, delicious food, masterful cocktails, and expert escapism!

📸 & 🎥
1: Walking the Clementine, returning to a Singapore Sling
2: Singapore Sling & Lost Pearl Diver
3: Naval Grog & Taro Colada
4: Performative Gin Fizz
5: Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp & Crispy Lumpia
6: Pan of the Captain’s Quarters
7: Angle on the bar in the Captain’s Quarters
8: Wall of Portraits
9: Neisson Ti Punch to close out the evening

🏷 #rum #rumcocktails #nautical #bar by @thelostgrotto

64

5

6 months ago

We dropped anchor @scoundrels_landing seeking respite, and respite was found!

It was so great to Splice the Main Brace, hoist a few Pearl Divers, and enjoy the theatric presentation of Scoundrel’s Punch! We so enjoyed our time at the landing, discussing opera, theater, travel, and of course rum!!

It was @cdubla’s first time attempting this spooky effect, and it worked brilliantly! Thank you for the great time, wonderful conversation, and fantastic drinks! 🏴‍☠️🪎☠️ by @thelostgrotto

58

5

6 months ago

It’s been years in the making, but I was finally able to make good on my overdue promise of hosting @cathiewartelle at my humble slice of escapism. Cathie’s request was simple — she wanted her first time experiencing The Lost Grotto to be alongside a group of folks who, like herself, had yet to wash ashore at the bar. Sometimes things just work out, and each guest in attendance checked a box on past invitations that had not yet been fulfilled.

We managed to gather, in spite of the ever evolving hellscape around us, for an evening filled with great conversation, moments of reflection, a healthy dose of laughter, and above all good company. It’s such a relief that a little bit of escapism with a group of friends can still serve as a salve.

So thank you to all who made the journey for helping me get this boat back on its moorings. I truly hope to see you around these parts again in the future (although hopefully sooner rather than later).

📸
2, 3 & 4: @deadwax
5 (unfortunately cropped): @cathiewartelle
6, 7 & 8: Martin & @rcate8

🏷️ #rum #tiki #escapism #homebar #homebartender taken in The Lost Grotto by @thelostgrotto

103

4

7 months ago

100

5

a year ago

Made a brief stop off at the Cove to pick up Bob’O’Tay, the latest in the line of @smugglerscovesf X @m_p_o_r_i_u_m_ mug collaborations. Another mashup of our dear friend Tiki Bob, this time with none other than the famed Islander mug designed by Andres Bumatay. I’d say this guy looks right at home alongside Suffering Bob and Navy Bob!

🏷 #escapism #homebar #homebarbuild #tiki #tikibar #hometikibarbuild #hometikibar #tikimug #mug #ceramics #ceramicart taken in The Lost Grotto by @thelostgrotto

89

4

a year ago

We boarded a flight to Oahu last week for spring break, and squeezed in a visit to La Mariana for some Gecko art admiration. I lucked out and managed to pick up a new piece of art out of the jeep in the process, and had some fun snapping photos of this treasure at Monkeypod and Aulani. A restful yet extremely emotional trip…

Mahalo to @geckozsouthseaarts, extremely grateful to get a chance to hang out, enjoy some daiquiris, and talk story for a bit…

Last 📸: So happy to get this guy home to his brethren (not pictured, Lady Grotto’s Stitch by Gecko) by @thelostgrotto

121

3

2 years ago

Got a chance to visit High Roller Tiki Lounge in Solvang last night. Decor was great, and all around we had a great time. For those who aren’t familiar, High Roller uses a rice-based liqueur that is infused with traditional spirits at a lower ABV…a novel way to get around not having a full liquor license. This works pretty well for High Roller originals like the Solvang Siren — the pasilla pepper and lychee flavors really show up well here. It was the take on more traditional drinks like the Zombie (called Zombie Viking) and the Mai Tai that came across way too sweet for my liking. That aside, don’t hesitate to give High Roller a visit the next time you find yourself in Solvang. Had I known their calling card drink was the “This Drink Will Get You Lei’d” I would’ve certainly given that a spin. taken in High Roller Tiki Lounge by @thelostgrotto

87

1

2 years ago

Tongo Lulu washed ashore safely at The Lost Grotto…another fine masterpiece from @tikidiablo!

🏷 #tikimug #mug #ceramics #ceramicart #homebar #homebarbuild #homebartender taken in The Lost Grotto by @thelostgrotto

121

1

2 years ago

It’s that time of year again. This years batch of Lost Grotto Aged Egg Nog is going into the fridge, last years batch is ready for pouring. Side by side comparisons encouraged when visiting.

This recipe always includes rum, bourbon and cognac. Any guesses about what was used in each category this year?

🏷 #rum #rumcocktails #tropicalvibes #pebbleice #artofdrinks #craftcocktails #escapism #homebar #homebarbuild #homebartender #eggnog taken in The Lost Grotto by @thelostgrotto

48

0

2 years ago