Arken Design + Build

Just take night out to an enchanting Polynesian haven at Fort Lauderdale´s Mai-Kai Restaurant

August 23, 2022

The brief type: Since 1956, the Mai-Kai restaurant features offered United states and Cantonese-inspired dishes and drinks while entertaining guests using its celebrated tiki program. The Mai-Kai stays a well liked with both residents and vacationers visiting the Fort Lauderdale, Fl, location because of its exotic atmosphere, encouraged fare, and romance-inducing falls, lagoons, and warm landscapes. Throughout the years, folks from everywhere have seen the Mai-Kai to celebrate involveolder men looking for older woments, anniversaries, birthdays and to breathe new life into time nights. If you’re looking for superb eating with a lively flooring tv series, hold a table within the distinctive, luxurious eating areas at Mai-Kai.

Share

Since beginning in 1956, the Mai-Kai cafe was thought about certainly one of South Florida´s a lot of distinctive and captivating eating and entertainment locations. The Mai-Kai authentically recreates a Polynesian village with tiki torches, a wooden plank link entry, and rich tropic home gardens.

“The Mai-Kai includes a large collection of museum high quality Oceanic items — tiki carvings and face masks — which were obtained during the 1950s and sixties as well as have come to be a draw for most enthusiasts and college students observe,” Mai-Kai management Kern Mattei said concerning bistro’s decor.

The Mai-Kai continues to be operated from the exact same family who launched it over 60 years back, and it is been voted “most useful Tiki pub in the usa” by Coastal lifestyle Magazine — along with other accolades in Islands mag at Critiki.com. In 2014, the Mai-Kai happened to be put into the National join of historical Places.

While those designations interest the crowds, the majority of the Mai-Kai’s company comes from locals. “All of our Molokai club has regular regulars whom come for our famous pleased time, quite a few getting company pros,” Kern stated. “Our meals and shows are great for special events, so we see many techniques from highschool sweethearts to 50-year anniversaries — as a result it actually is a place for everybody.”

Stirred Cuisine Transports Diners to Island Shores

Diners tend to be drawn to this South Fl basic for its mouthwatering food. From the moment you open the menu, you will find plenty to generally share together with your time; specifically simple tips to determine what to pick from the cafe’s expansive offerings. In the event you try the Oysters Rockefeller (oysters shucked and baked with fresh oatmeal and aged Parmesan) or obtain the Canoe Appetizer (child straight back ribs, tuna poke, and shrimp tempura roll) that is perfect for two? You can also select both, but that is just the beginning of the decadence.

Kern informed us of some meals partners wont wish to overlook. “lots of people visit the Mai-Kai to use the Peking Duck. It is a whole duck that acts two and is also excellent for sharing,” the guy stated. “We additionally provide USDA Prime Steaks, and all of our New York Strip, cooked in our lumber using up Chinese Ovens, is totally delicious. For dessert, we now have some tableside flambé meals, like our Banana Bengali, that is rum flamed apples offered over vanilla extract ice cream.”

The Mai-Kai normally well-known for its inventive and powerful xxx beverages. The cafe takes a distinctive — and liable — method of the exotic products. Diners can choose the potency of their unique beverage by sticking with the diet plan’s categorical listings: non-alcoholic, moderate, average, and strong. Rum enthusiasts will like the array of above 40 rum-infused cocktails. Try the dog owner’s favorite, Ebony secret, or even the specialty of numerous writers on TripAdvisor, the Zombie.

Lovers may motivated to appreciate some after-dinner discussion with exotic beverages, just like the light Gardenia Lei for an icy finish or perhaps the Mai-Kai’s well-known Kona Coffee Grog with coffee, rum, honey cream, and spices, basically set ablaze tableside offering your evening a remarkable finish. Then merely sit back and relish the tiki tv series while you sip on the drinks.

Absorb the unique atmosphere aided by the state’s Longest-Running Polynesian Show

The Mai-Kai’s tropical environment encourages a calm dialogue and an intimate background for a night out together. “The Mai-Kai has actually a classic feel without appearing or feeling outdated,” Kern said of this environment. “The décor is classic tiki style with monster tikis, falls, torches, and a thatched roof on the exterior. Tiki poles, monkeypod dining tables, black colored velvet mural art, and oceanic artifacts adorn the inside. Its a truly special dining knowledge.”

Select one associated with distinctively embellished rooms to enjoy dinner or head outside. “we’ve got outside sitting within exotic landscapes among the tikis and waterfalls, and during the cold winter months, it is the the majority of passionate spot to end up being,” Kern mentioned. “Relaxing with a few energizing warm products, delicious meals, and fantastic business in our gardens cannot be beat.”

Photo of Mai-Kai Polynesian Show performers

After-dinner, site visitors will enjoy an authentic Polynesian overall performance in a rich tropic environment. “Guests can expect observe Polynesia’s rich heritage in dances such as the Hawaiian Wedding tune, in which two young fans tend to be divided and then reunited in-marriage,” Kern stated. “or perhaps the spirited Tahitian solo drum party competition from Polynesia’s largest annual cultural function — the ‘Heiva I Tahiti.'”

Yearly, Mireille Thornton, the Mai-Kai’s manager and choreographer, produces brand new perceptions of village existence in the South Pacific keeping the shows fresh and powerful. In 2010’s tv series boasts even more artists, drums, and brightly colored halloween costumes that illuminate the phase. The detail by detail halloween costumes tend to be hand-sewn and mirror the spirit regarding the South Seas.

Each one of these elements combine to speak the tradition for the Polynesian folks throughout the change associated with the 20th century. The tv series is meant to be enthralling regarding centuries, and, since Mireille produces new interpretations each and every year, guests have a new knowledge each time they see.

The Mai-Kai Creates somewhere for Couples to Linger only a little Longer

People really love the Mai-Kai, also it reveals in independent on line ratings for the unique activity venue. David Weiser enjoyed every element of their see, and stated the meal, beverages, and show were features.

“The food had been delicious, and we also sampled a large amount. The warm products are potent if you would like these to end up being (you can purchase tiki products in a selection of alcohol strengths). But it’s the advancements from inside the demonstrate that truly amazed me personally,” David mentioned.

“This culturally painful and sensitive part today recognizes and distinguishes the dances and societies of an array of pan-Pacific countries. The cast of dancers and musicians are incredibly skilled and result from all around the globe. The climactic flame dancing is really exciting.” It is small variations like those that David mentions that produce a date evening at Mai-Kai very remarkable. The employees cares about friends and takes pleasure in just about every detail, from the tropical blooms into presentation associated with the food into the very carefully constructed outfits from the dancers. It is a large reason individuals return.

When we asked Kern to tell all of us about one of his preferred stories concerning the Mai-Kai, he relayed a tale about a really sentimental and intimate couple. “We host some weddings and receptions at the Mai-Kai, as all of our tropical gardens will be the perfect spot to keep nuptials. We an unique couple that has been hitched here 17 years ago, and, from year to year since their particular marriage, they come back to celebrate their particular wedding by renewing their marriage vows in our landscapes. Our company is honored to assist them celebrate with our company.”

Thus put-on your Sunday most readily useful (the cafe has a dress code), make a reservation, and treat that special someone to an enjoyable night of fire dancers, island food, and plenty of festive umbrella drinks in the Mai-Kai in Fort Lauderdale.

Posted in Uncategorized