The brief variation: Since 1956, the Mai-Kai bistro has actually supported United states and Cantonese-inspired dishes and products while entertaining visitors with its legendary tiki show. The Mai-Kai continues to be a preferred with both natives and tourists browsing Fort Lauderdale, Florida, area for its unique atmosphere, determined fare, and romance-inducing waterfalls, lagoons, and tropical landscapes. Through the years, individuals from from coast to coast have checked out the Mai-Kai to celebrate involvements, anniversaries, birthdays as well as to breathe new way life into time nights. If you’re searching for exquisite eating with a lively flooring tv series, book a table in one of the distinctive, lush dinner rooms at the Mai-Kai.
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Since starting in 1956, the Mai-Kai bistro has-been thought about certainly South Florida´s the majority of special and captivating dining and activity locations. The Mai-Kai authentically recreates a Polynesian community with tiki torches, a wooden plank bridge entrance, and abundant tropic home gardens.
“The Mai-Kai has big assortment of museum quality Oceanic artifacts â tiki carvings and face masks â that have been obtained from inside the 1950s and 1960s while having come to be a draw for a lot of enthusiasts and college students observe,” Mai-Kai Manager Kern Mattei mentioned regarding the cafe’s design.
The Mai-Kai remains operated of the exact same family who started it over 60 years back, and it’s already been voted “most readily useful Tiki pub in America” by Coastal lifestyle mag â along with various other awards in isles Magazine at Critiki.com. In 2014, the Mai-Kai was even put into the National enter of historical Places.
While those designations attract the crowds, the majority of the Mai-Kai’s company is inspired by locals horny. “our very own Molokai club features weekly regulars just who come for our well-known happy time, quite a few being business experts,” Kern said. “our very own dinners and programs are great for special occasions, so we see everything from highschool sweethearts to 50-year anniversaries â so that it really is a place for all.”
Impressed Cuisine Transports Diners to Island Shores
Diners tend to be drawn to this South Fl staple for its mouthwatering cooking. As soon as you start the eating plan, you’ll find a lot to talk about with your day; particularly ideas on how to decide what to pick from the restaurant’s expansive offerings. In case you try the Oysters Rockefeller (oysters shucked and baked with fresh oatmeal and old Parmesan) or have the Canoe Appetizer (baby straight back ribs, tuna poke, and shrimp tempura roll) which is perfect for two? You might pick both, but that is only the start of decadence.
Kern informed all of us of a few meals couples won’t would you like to miss. “people go to the Mai-Kai to test all of our Peking Duck. It is a complete duck that serves two and it is perfect for sharing,” he said. “We additionally serve USDA Prime Steaks, and our New York Strip, prepared in our wood using up Chinese Ovens, is completely tasty. For treat, there is some tableside flambé meals, like our very own Banana Bengali, that will be rum flamed bananas supported over vanilla ice cream.”

The Mai-Kai can be famous for the creative and effective xxx drinks. The bistro requires a unique â and accountable â method of its exotic beverages. Diners can decide the potency of their particular cocktail by staying with the eating plan’s categorical listings: non-alcoholic, moderate, method, and strong. Rum enthusiasts will love the variety of above 40 rum-infused cocktails. Decide to try the owner’s specialty, Black Magic, or perhaps the ideal of many reviewers on TripAdvisor, the Zombie.
Lovers will also be motivated to delight in some after-dinner dialogue with exotic products, like the light Gardenia Lei for an icy finish or perhaps the Mai-Kai’s popular Kona java Grog with coffee, rum, honey ointment, and spices, and that’s set ablaze tableside offering the evening a memorable finish. Subsequently just settle-back and enjoy the tiki show whilst sip on the beverages.
Absorb the Exotic Ambiance making use of state’s Longest-Running Polynesian Show
The Mai-Kai’s tropical environment encourages a calm conversation and an enchanting background for a romantic date. “The Mai-Kai has actually a classic sense without searching or experiencing old,” Kern mentioned with the atmosphere. “The décor is classic tiki design with icon tikis, waterfalls, torches, and a thatched roofing on the outside. Tiki posts, monkeypod tables, black velvet mural art, and oceanic items adorn the inside. It is a really special eating experience.”
Pick one associated with the distinctively adorned rooms to take pleasure from food intake or head out-of-doors. “we’ve external sitting within exotic landscapes among the tikis and waterfalls, and during the winter several months, this is the a lot of romantic destination to end up being,” Kern said. “Relaxing which includes energizing warm beverages, delicious food, and great business within gardens cannot be beat.”
After dinner, website visitors will enjoy a geniune Polynesian performance in an abundant tropic environment. “visitors can get observe Polynesia’s rich heritage in dances including the Hawaiian wedding ceremony tune, in which two younger lovers tend to be split up and reunited in marriage,” Kern stated. “or even the spirited Tahitian solamente drum dance competitors from Polynesia’s largest annual social function â the âHeiva I Tahiti.'”
Each and every year, Mireille Thornton, the Mai-Kai’s owner and choreographer, creates new interpretations of village life into the Southern Pacific keeping the shows fresh and vibrant. In 2010’s show boasts more musicians, drums, and extremely colorful halloween costumes that illuminate the period. The step-by-step halloween costumes are hand-sewn and mirror the spirit for the Southern Seas.
Many of these factors blend to speak the culture associated with the Polynesian people through the turn for the twentieth millennium. The tv series is meant to end up being enthralling regarding many years, and, since Mireille produces brand-new perceptions each year, guests can have a experience each time they visit.
The Mai-Kai produces a location for partners to Linger only a little Longer
People love the Mai-Kai, therefore demonstrates in independent web critiques with the unique enjoyment place. David Weiser loved every part of his check out, and mentioned the meals, drinks, and tv show happened to be highlights.
“the meals had been tasty, and now we tested loads. The warm drinks are strong if you want them to end up being (you can purchase tiki products in various alcohol strengths). But it’s the advancements inside the demonstrate that truly amazed myself,” David stated.
“This culturally sensitive and painful piece today identifies and differentiates the dances and countries of numerous pan-Pacific islands. The cast of performers and artists are incredibly skilled and come from all over the globe. The climactic flame dancing could thrilling.” It’s small contacts like those that David mentions that produce a date night at Mai-Kai therefore unforgettable. The staff cares about guests and requires pride in most information, from exotic plants on the speech associated with meals on the thoroughly constructed halloween costumes from the performers. It really is a big good reason why individuals return.
When we asked Kern to inform you about one of is own preferred stories regarding Mai-Kai, he relayed a tale about a very sentimental and intimate couple. “We host most wedding events and receptions only at the Mai-Kai, as our very own tropical gardens would be the best spot to hold nuptials. We’ve a special couple that was hitched right here 17 years back, and, annually since their wedding ceremony, they return to commemorate their particular wedding by renewing their unique marriage vows within our home gardens. The audience is recognized to help them commemorate with our company.”
Therefore placed on your Sunday greatest (the cafe comes with an outfit code), make a reservation, and address someone special to an enjoyable nights fire dancers, area food, and lots of festive umbrella beverages within Mai-Kai in Fort Lauderdale.