Just take Date Night to an intimate Polynesian Paradise at Fort Lauderdale´s Mai-Kai eatery

The small type: Since 1956, the Mai-Kai cafe provides offered American and Cantonese-inspired dishes and drinks while entertaining friends having its popular tiki program. The Mai-Kai continues to be a well liked with both natives and vacationers visiting the Fort Lauderdale, Florida, region because of its exotic atmosphere, impressed food, and romance-inducing falls, lagoons, and exotic landscapes. Over time, folks from all over the country have checked out the Mai-Kai to commemorate involvements, anniversaries, birthdays and additionally to breathe new lease of life into time evenings. If you’re searching for exquisite dining with a lively floor tv show, reserve a table in one of the unique, abundant food areas at Mai-Kai.

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Since opening in 1956, the Mai-Kai restaurant happens to be thought about one of South Florida´s most distinctive and captivating dinner and entertainment spots. The Mai-Kai authentically recreates a Polynesian town with tiki torches, a wooden plank link entry, and rich tropic landscapes.

«The Mai-Kai features a large selection of museum top quality Oceanic artifacts — tiki carvings and masks — that were gathered into the 1950s and 1960s and also come to be a draw for all enthusiasts and pupils to see,» Mai-Kai management Kern Mattei said concerning the cafe’s design.

The Mai-Kai still is operate by the exact same family exactly who opened it over 60 years ago, and it is already been chosen «most useful Tiki pub in the usa» by Coastal dwelling mag — and some other honors in Islands mag and at Critiki.com. In 2014, the Mai-Kai was even added to the nationwide Register of historical spots.

While those designations appeal to the crowds of people, the bulk of the Mai-Kai’s company originates from natives. «the Molokai club features weekly regulars just who come in regards to our popular happy hour, a lot of them becoming company pros,» Kern said. «the meals and programs are perfect for special events, and now we see sets from highschool sweethearts to 50-year anniversaries — so that it is really a location for everyone.»

Inspired Cuisine Transports Diners to Island Shores

Diners tend to be drawn to this South Florida solution because of its mouthwatering food. From the moment you open the eating plan, you will discover a lot to generally share along with your go out; namely just how to determine what to pick from the bistro’s expansive offerings. In case you try the Oysters Rockefeller (oysters shucked and baked with fresh oatmeal and aged Parmesan) or obtain the Canoe Appetizer (baby back ribs, tuna poke, and shrimp tempura roll) that’s perfect for two? You might like to choose both, but that is only the start of decadence.

Kern informed all of us of some dishes couples won’t wanna overlook. «a lot of people go to the Mai-Kai to test our very own Peking Duck. It’s a whole duck that serves two and it is ideal for sharing,» the guy mentioned. «We additionally serve USDA Prime Steaks, and the New York Strip, made within our wood burning Chinese Ovens, is absolutely tasty. For dessert, we’ve some tableside flambé meals, like our very own Banana Bengali, that is rum flamed bananas supported over vanilla extract frozen dessert.»

The Mai-Kai normally well-known for the inventive and strong person refreshments. The cafe requires a distinctive — and responsible — method to the warm products. Diners can choose the potency of their beverage by adhering to the eating plan’s categorical directories: non-alcoholic, mild, medium, and powerful. Rum lovers will like the selection of significantly more than 40 rum-infused cocktails. Attempt the property owner’s ideal, Black Magic, or perhaps the favorite of numerous reviewers on TripAdvisor, the Zombie.

Partners may also be motivated to enjoy some after-dinner talk with exotic drinks, like light Gardenia Lei for an icy finish or perhaps the Mai-Kai’s well-known Kona Coffee Grog with coffee, rum, honey lotion, and herbs, which can be ready ablaze tableside offering your night an unforgettable finish. Subsequently only sit back and enjoy the tiki tv show when you sip on your beverages.

Absorb the unique Ambiance with all the nation’s Longest-Running Polynesian Show

The Mai-Kai’s warm environment inspires a comfortable dialogue and a romantic background for a romantic date. «The Mai-Kai has actually an antique sense without searching or experiencing outdated,» Kern stated associated with environment. «The décor is actually classic tiki style with monster tikis, waterfalls, torches, and a thatched roofing system on the exterior. Tiki poles, monkeypod dining tables, black colored velvet paintings, and oceanic items adorn the interior. Its a distinctive dining knowledge.»

Choose one associated with distinctively adorned areas to take pleasure from dinner or mind out-of-doors. «we’ve got outdoors seating in our warm gardens one of the tikis and waterfalls, and during the winter months, this is the the majority of intimate location to be,» Kern mentioned. «soothing with some energizing tropical drinks, tasty food, and great business in our home gardens can’t be beat.»

Photo of Mai-Kai Polynesian Show performers

After-dinner, visitors can also enjoy an authentic Polynesian overall performance in an abundant tropic setting. «visitors should expect observe Polynesia’s wealthy heritage in dances including the Hawaiian wedding ceremony track, in which two young fans tend to be divided and then reunited in-marriage,» Kern said. «or even the spirited Tahitian solo drum dance competition from Polynesia’s largest annual cultural occasion — the ‘Heiva I Tahiti.'»

Every single year, Mireille Thornton, the Mai-Kai’s holder and choreographer, produces brand new perceptions of village existence inside South Pacific keeping the shows fresh and vibrant. In 2010’s tv show boasts a lot more performers, drums, and extremely colorful outfits that light the period. The step-by-step costumes are hand-sewn and echo the character regarding the South Seas.

Many of these areas incorporate to communicate the culture associated with the Polynesian people during change regarding the 20th 100 years. The program is supposed to be enthralling regarding centuries, and, since Mireille generates brand-new perceptions every year, visitors have a experience every time they see.

The Mai-Kai Creates somewhere for partners to Linger slightly Longer

People really love the Mai-Kai, and it also reveals in independent web evaluations of this distinctive enjoyment place. David Weiser enjoyed every part of his see, and said the foodstuff, products, and program had been shows.

«the meal was actually delicious, and now we sampled a great deal. The tropical products are strong if you want these to be (you can get tiki beverages in a range of alcohol skills). But it is the advancements inside show that actually satisfied myself,» David said.

«This culturally painful and sensitive portion today identifies and distinguishes the dances and countries of a myriad of pan-Pacific countries. The cast of dancers and musicians are extremely gifted and come from worldwide. The climactic fire dance could thrilling.» It is small touches like those that David mentions which make a romantic date night at Mai-Kai thus remarkable. The staff cares about friends and takes pride in every single information, from the tropical flowers on demonstration of food to your thoroughly constructed costumes with the performers. It really is a large reasons why individuals return.

Once we questioned Kern to share with all of us about one of is own preferred tales regarding Mai-Kai, the guy relayed an account about a really nostalgic and passionate pair. «We host a lot of wedding events and receptions at the Mai-Kai, as our tropical gardens will be the perfect spot to hold nuptials. We an unique couple which was married here 17 years back, and, on a yearly basis since their own wedding ceremony, they go back to commemorate their own anniversary by renewing their unique wedding ceremony vows in our gardens. Our company is honored to enable them to celebrate with our company.»

Very apply your own Sunday best (the bistro comes with an outfit code), make a reservation, and address that special someone to an enjoyable nights fire dancers, area fare, and plenty of festive umbrella products in the Mai-Kai in Fort Lauderdale.

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