The Quick type: Since 1956, the Mai-Kai restaurant provides served American and Cantonese-inspired dishes and drinks while interesting friends using its popular tiki program. The Mai-Kai remains a popular with both residents and visitors visiting the Fort Lauderdale, Florida, location because of its exotic ambiance, motivated fare, and romance-inducing waterfalls, lagoons, and exotic home gardens. Over time, individuals from all over the country have actually visited the Mai-Kai to celebrate involvements, wedding anniversaries, birthdays plus to inhale new lease of life into day nights. If you’re looking for superb food with a lively floor tv show, reserve a table in one of the special, lush food spaces at Mai-Kai.

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Since opening in 1956, the Mai-Kai bistro might regarded as certainly one of Southern Florida´s the majority of special and captivating eating and activity spots. The Mai-Kai authentically recreates a Polynesian village with tiki torches, a wooden plank connection entry, and abundant tropic home gardens.

“The Mai-Kai includes a big collection of museum quality Oceanic items — tiki carvings and goggles — which were obtained when you look at the 1950s and sixties and get become a draw for many enthusiasts and pupils to see,” Mai-Kai management Kern Mattei mentioned towards bistro’s decor.

The Mai-Kai is still operate by the exact same family members just who started it over 60 in years past, and it is already been voted “Best Tiki club in the usa” by Coastal Living mag — besides different honors in Islands mag as well as Critiki.com. In 2014, the Mai-Kai was even included with the National enter of historical Places.

While those designations appeal to the crowds of people, the majority of the Mai-Kai’s company originates from natives. “Our Molokai pub features regular regulars who come for the popular happy hour, most of them being company experts,” Kern said. “Our meals and shows are perfect for special events, and we also see sets from high school sweethearts to 50-year anniversaries — as a result it in fact is someplace for everybody.”

Influenced Cuisine Transports Diners to Island Shores

Diners tend to be drawn to this South Fl staple because of its mouthwatering cuisine. As soon as you open the menu, you will find sugar momma a lot to generally share with your time; namely just how to determine what to pick from the restaurant’s expansive offerings. In the event you take to the Oysters Rockefeller (oysters shucked and baked with new spinach and aged Parmesan) or have the Canoe Appetizer (infant straight back ribs, tuna poke, and shrimp tempura roll) which is perfect for two? You could also pick both, but that is precisely the beginning of the decadence.

Kern informed us of some dishes partners don’t wanna overlook. “many individuals go to the Mai-Kai to try all of our Peking Duck. It really is an entire duck that acts two and is excellent for posting,” the guy stated. “We in addition offer USDA Prime Steaks, and all of our nyc Strip, prepared in our timber burning up Chinese Ovens, is absolutely delicious. For treat, we some tableside flambé meals, like all of our Banana Bengali, that will be rum flamed apples served over vanilla ice-cream.”

The Mai-Kai is famous for its inventive and potent adult refreshments. The restaurant requires an original — and responsible — method of its warm drinks. Diners can choose the potency of their unique beverage by sticking with the diet plan’s categorical listings: non-alcoholic, moderate, medium, and strong. Rum enthusiasts will love the variety of over 40 rum-infused cocktails. Try the owner’s ideal, Ebony secret, and/or specialty of numerous reviewers on TripAdvisor, the Zombie.

Lovers may also be encouraged to enjoy some after-dinner conversation with warm drinks, like the light Gardenia Lei for an icy finish and/or Mai-Kai’s well-known Kona Coffee Grog with coffee, rum, honey cream, and spices, which will be set ablaze tableside providing your night an unforgettable finish. Next merely relax and relish the tiki program just like you sip in your beverages.

Take in the unique atmosphere With the state’s Longest-Running Polynesian Show

The Mai-Kai’s exotic environment inspires a calm conversation and gives an enchanting backdrop for a date. “The Mai-Kai has actually an antique experience without looking or feeling outdated,” Kern mentioned on the environment. “The décor is traditional tiki design with giant tikis, waterfalls, torches, and a thatched roofing on the exterior. Tiki poles, monkeypod dining tables, black velvet paintings, and oceanic items adorn the interior. It is a truly special eating knowledge.”

Choose one from the exclusively adorned rooms to savor meals or mind in the open air. “we now have external sitting within warm gardens one of the tikis and falls, and during the cold winter several months, it’s the the majority of intimate location to be,” Kern said. “soothing with some refreshing warm beverages, tasty food, and great business in our gardens cannot be conquer.”

After dinner, site visitors can enjoy a traditional Polynesian performance in a rich tropic setting. “visitors can get observe Polynesia’s wealthy history in dances like the Hawaiian Wedding song, where two young lovers are split up then reunited in marriage,” Kern mentioned. “Or the spirited Tahitian solo drum dancing competition from Polynesia’s biggest annual social gathering — the ‘Heiva I Tahiti.'”

Every year, Mireille Thornton, the Mai-Kai’s owner and choreographer, creates new interpretations of village life inside the Southern Pacific to help keep the shows new and vibrant. This year’s program boasts more performers, drums, and colorful costumes that illuminate the phase. The detailed outfits tend to be hand-sewn and echo the nature of this Southern Seas.

Each one of these areas combine to communicate the tradition associated with the Polynesian folks during the change for the 20th 100 years. The tv show is supposed to be enthralling regarding many years, and, since Mireille creates new interpretations annually, visitors can have a new experience whenever they see.

The Mai-Kai produces a Place for Couples to Linger a tiny bit Longer

People really love the Mai-Kai, therefore demonstrates in separate on-line critiques regarding the distinctive activity site. David Weiser enjoyed every part of his see, and mentioned the meal, beverages, and tv series had been shows.

“The food ended up being delicious, and we also tested plenty. The warm products tend to be powerful if you’d like these to be (you can get tiki drinks in a selection of alcohol talents). But it’s the advancements for the demonstrate that truly amazed me,” David said.

“This culturally sensitive and painful piece now recognizes and differentiates the dances and countries of numerous pan-Pacific isles. The cast of dancers and performers are incredibly talented and originate from worldwide. The climactic flame party is really exciting.” It is small contacts like those who David mentions that produce a date evening at Mai-Kai therefore unforgettable. The employees cares about visitors and takes satisfaction in just about every information, through the exotic blossoms to the speech of the meals towards the thoroughly built halloween costumes regarding the dancers. Its a large reason why people return.

When we requested Kern to inform you about one of is own favorite tales regarding the Mai-Kai, the guy relayed an account about an extremely sentimental and passionate couple. “We host most wedding events and receptions at the Mai-Kai, as the tropical gardens are great destination to hold nuptials. We’ve a unique pair which was married here 17 years back, and, every year since their unique wedding ceremony, they return to commemorate their anniversary by renewing their own wedding ceremony vows within our home gardens. Our company is honored to assist them commemorate with our company.”

So apply the Sunday most useful (the bistro does have a dress code), make a reservation, and address that special someone to a fun nights fire dancers, area food, and lots of festive umbrella drinks from the Mai-Kai in Fort Lauderdale.