Deco Features

Mai Kai

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You think you know Mai Kai, the legendary Fort Lauderdale Polynesian restaurant? Well, think again 'cause for one night, Mai Kai's putting away the pu-pu platter and piling up the pasta.

South floridians have been getting a taste of  hawaii at Mai Kai since 195, but on April 23rd, it's Viva Italia. Co-owner Dave Levy told Deco it all came about because of a chance meeting.

DAVE LEVY: "Marquis fumanelli that i met a few weeks ago his wine was so good was great i asked him would it be possible to have a wine dinner an italian wine dinner here at mai kai he said "absolutely."

The fumanellis have been producing wines in italy since 1470 four of their best were quaffed at a pre-dinner tasting, Dave believes they'll go perfectly with the multiple-course meal he has planned.

DAVE LEVY: "The first one will be clams with white wine sauce the second course is greens with pine nuts and the third will be the carbonara and after that followed by the osso buco."

That veal dish is gonna taste just like the one mama used to make because she is making it.

DAVE LEVY: "Osso buco is from my mother and she is the old school the old original osso buco so it just melts off the bone."

As a matter of fact, all the food's a family affair.

DAVE LEVY: "I'll be in the kitchen with my mother with my sister the desert is done by my sister she loves fruit so she's putting all the fruits together with the fumanelli chardonnay inside of the bowl of fruits."

Dave will be working as well, whipping up the classic spaghetti carbonara. Great food, great wine, great people -- it all adds up to a great evening and you'll be giving as good as you're getting...

DAVE LEVY: "Part of the money for the evening is gonna go to the project amazon we go up and down the amazon river and help families."

So eat, drink, be merry and do some good..