Pin It

No Con Tiki Here

This joint's the real Polynesian

A A A Comments By Jen Karetnick Thursday, Jul 17 2003

Joe Rocco

Location Info

Map

Mai-Kai

3599 N. Federal Highway
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308

Category: Restaurant > Asian Fusion

Region: Beaches

0 user reviews	Write A Review
Save to foursquare	0

More About

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Dining Newsletter: The week's top local food news and events, plus interviews with chefs and restaurant owners, dining tips, and a peek at our print review.

Forget GameWorks, Dave & Buster's, Chuck E. Cheese. When it's time to entertain the out-of-school-and-on-your-nerves tamariis -- Polynesian for children -- take them to Mai-Kai (3599 N. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale, 954-563-3272). On any given night, kids age 12 and under can choose from a tamarii-friendly menu that includes Kon Tiki chicken (chicken tenders with honey sauce); Bora Bora beef (bite-size pieces of sirloin); Captain Cook's ribs; and Society Island shrimp (fried shrimp with three dipping sauces). They also get to wear leis, draw in a coloring book, sip tropical drinks, and watch the dancers for free. Best of all, on Sundays at 7 p.m., a special version of the show features gorgeously saronged and grass-skirted children, ages 4 through 12, interpreting Polynesian stories and traditions through dance. The entertainers also invite burgeoning Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake wannabes to join them on-stage and learn how to shake their hips -- and rhythmic instruments -- the Polynesian way. You couldn't ask for a better opportunity to shake your own hips, not to mention rum drinks, in temporary peace.