The Mai Kai
by Mark Andrew Thomas
Title
The Mai Kai
Artist
Mark Andrew Thomas
Medium
Photograph - Digital
Description
THE MAI KAI
A crescent moon over the Mai Kai Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale. While I was setting up to take this image I could hear the sound of drums in the distance from the Polynesian Islander Revue and the aroma of the delicious food. The Mai Kai first opened 1956 and has been a popular landmark ever since. It’s retro Polynesian style hasn't changed much since the 1960’s.
The Mai Kai Restaurant features a Polynesian and Asian themed menu and is on the pricey side. A drink menu featuring cocktails inspired by the Pacific Rim and Polynesian Islands adds to the experience. The head mixologist is the only one who knows the exact recipes and must sign a contract stating they will not give away that information. The food and drink menu has changed very little since 1956 although some elements have been added.
The current owner, Mireille Thornton, started out as one of the original Polynesian dancers in the dinner shows in 1961. Eventually she went on to marry then owner Bob Thornton. From the 70's to the present she has been the choreographer and costume designer for the dinner shows as well as auditioning and casting the dancers.
One of the most popular attractions of the Mai Kai since 1962 is it's nightly Polynesian Islander Revue which consists of dances, the Tahitian drum dance competition, and colorful hand made costumes. The show is changed every year and Ms. Thornton, a native Polynesian herself, regularly visits the islands of Polynesia to get inspiration and come up with new ideas for the show.
The Mai Kai transports you to another place and time with it’s tropical gardens, waterfalls, and tiki torches and is one of the most unique dining experiences in the world. It was added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 2014.
Uploaded
July 29th, 2017
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Viewed 3,417 Times - Last Visitor from Toronto, ON - Canada on 04/18/2024 at 12:01 PM
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