The Quick Version: Since 1956, the Mai-Kai bistro provides offered American and Cantonese-inspired meals and drinks while enjoyable friends featuring its legendary tiki program. The Mai-Kai continues to be a popular with both residents and tourists browsing Fort Lauderdale, Florida, location for the exotic atmosphere, empowered fare, and romance-inducing falls, lagoons, and warm gardens. Over time, folks from all over the country have actually checked out the Mai-Kai to commemorate engagements, wedding anniversaries, birthdays including to inhale new lease of life into big date evenings. If you’re looking for superb dinner with a lively floor show, hold a table in one of the special, abundant dining areas in the Mai-Kai.
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Since beginning in 1956, the Mai-Kai cafe was regarded as certainly one of South Florida´s most unique and captivating eating and entertainment spots. The Mai-Kai authentically recreates a Polynesian town with tiki torches, a wooden plank bridge entrance, and luxurious tropic home gardens.
«The Mai-Kai has big selection of museum quality Oceanic items â tiki carvings and goggles â that were collected inside 1950s and 1960s and get come to be a draw for most lovers and college students observe,» Mai-Kai management Kern Mattei stated in regards to the restaurant’s decoration.
The Mai-Kai is still operate because of the exact same household which started it over 60 in years past, and it’s been voted «most useful Tiki Bar in the usa» by Coastal lifestyle mag â in addition to some other awards in Islands mag and at Critiki.com. In 2014, the Mai-Kai was even added to the nationwide enter of ancient spots.
While those designations appeal to the crowds of people, the majority of the Mai-Kai’s business originates from residents. «our very own Molokai club has once a week regulars exactly who come in regards to our famous happy hour, quite a few becoming company pros,» Kern stated. «the dinners and programs are ideal for special events, and we also see sets from senior high school sweethearts to 50-year anniversaries â so that it is really a place for all.»
Inspired Cuisine Transports Diners to isle Shores
Diners are drawn to this South Florida solution for its mouthwatering cooking. As soon as you start the diet plan, you will discover a lot to talk about with your day; particularly just how to determine what to choose from the bistro’s expansive offerings. If you take to the Oysters Rockefeller (oysters shucked and baked with fresh spinach and aged Parmesan) or get the Canoe Appetizer (child straight back ribs, tuna poke, and shrimp tempura roll) that is perfect for two? You could also select both, but that is only the beginning of the decadence.
Kern informed you of some meals couples will not wanna overlook. «lots of people look at the Mai-Kai to use our very own Peking Duck. It’s a whole duck that acts two and it is perfect for posting,» he mentioned. «We additionally offer USDA Prime Steaks, and the New York Strip, made in our timber burning Chinese Ovens, is completely tasty. For treat, we have some tableside flambé meals, like our very own Banana Bengali, which is rum flamed apples offered over vanilla extract ice-cream.»
The Mai-Kai normally famous for their creative and effective sex refreshments. The restaurant takes a unique â and accountable â way of the tropical products. Diners can choose the potency of their cocktail by staying with the selection’s categorical lists: non-alcoholic, slight, medium, and strong. Rum enthusiasts will love the array of significantly more than 40 rum-infused cocktails. Attempt the master’s specialty, Ebony Magic, or the ideal of countless writers on TripAdvisor, the Zombie.
Couples may also be motivated to enjoy some after-dinner conversation with exotic beverages, like the light Gardenia Lei for an icy finish or perhaps the Mai-Kai’s famous Kona Coffee Grog with coffee, rum, honey ointment, and herbs, and that is ready ablaze tableside giving your evening a remarkable finish. After that just settle-back and enjoy the tiki tv show as you sip in your beverages.
Absorb the amazing atmosphere making use of Country’s Longest-Running Polynesian Show
The Mai-Kai’s exotic environment encourages a comfortable conversation and provides an enchanting background for a romantic date. «The Mai-Kai has a classic experience without looking or feeling outdated,» Kern said from the environment. «The décor is actually traditional tiki design with icon tikis, waterfalls, torches, and a thatched roof on the exterior. Tiki poles, monkeypod tables, black colored velvet paintings, and oceanic artifacts adorn the inside. It really is a truly unique dining experience.»
Choose one for the exclusively adorned rooms to relish food intake or head out-of-doors. «There is outdoors sitting within our tropical landscapes among tikis and waterfalls, and during the winter several months, it is the the majority of romantic destination to be,» Kern stated. «Relaxing with some energizing tropical beverages, tasty meals, and fantastic business within our landscapes can not be conquer.»
After-dinner, visitors can enjoy a traditional Polynesian performance in a lavish tropic environment. «friends can get observe Polynesia’s wealthy cougars history in dances for instance the Hawaiian Wedding song, where two youthful enthusiasts are separated immediately after which reunited in-marriage,» Kern mentioned. «and/or spirited Tahitian unicamente drum party opposition from Polynesia’s largest annual social party â the âHeiva we Tahiti.'»
Each year, Mireille Thornton, the Mai-Kai’s manager and choreographer, creates brand-new perceptions of village existence when you look at the South Pacific to keep the shows fresh and vibrant. This season’s tv show boasts a lot more artists, drums, and brightly colored outfits that light up the phase. The step-by-step costumes are hand-sewn and echo the character with the Southern Seas.
A few of these elements integrate to speak the society from the Polynesian folks during the change regarding the twentieth 100 years. The tv show is supposed to be enthralling for every centuries, and, since Mireille creates brand-new perceptions each and every year, friends can have a brand new knowledge every time they visit.
The Mai-Kai produces a Place for Couples to Linger only a little Longer
People love the Mai-Kai, and it also demonstrates in separate on line reviews with the distinctive entertainment location. David Weiser loved every element of his visit, and mentioned the foodstuff, products, and show had been features.
«the meals had been tasty, and then we sampled lots. The warm beverages are strong if you need them to end up being (you can order tiki beverages in a selection of alcohol skills). But it’s the improvements for the reveal that truly amazed me,» David stated.
«This culturally delicate part now determines and distinguishes the dances and countries of a range of pan-Pacific countries. The cast of dancers and musicians are extremely gifted and come from world-wide. The climactic fire dancing is truly thrilling.» It is little variations like the ones that David mentions that produce a date night at Mai-Kai thus memorable. The employees cares about guests and requires satisfaction in almost every information, from the tropical plants towards speech regarding the meals toward thoroughly built outfits of dancers. It is a big reason why individuals return.
As soon as we asked Kern to tell us about one of his true preferred stories concerning the Mai-Kai, he relayed an account about a tremendously emotional and passionate pair. «We host plenty of wedding receptions and receptions here at the Mai-Kai, as all of our tropical gardens are the great spot to hold nuptials. We an unique pair that was hitched here 17 in years past, and, from year to year since their unique marriage, they come back to commemorate their own wedding by renewing their own marriage vows within our gardens. The audience is recognized to assist them commemorate with our team.»
So apply your Sunday best (the bistro has a dress code), make a reservation, and address that special someone to an enjoyable nights fire dancers, island food, and lots of festive umbrella beverages during the Mai-Kai in Fort Lauderdale.