Escape the city
lights and step
into the Santa
Monica oasis
called
Ma’Kai,
Hawaiian for
“Oceanside”.
Ma’Kai is as
close to the
ocean as you can
get, sans sand
stuck in odd
places. Enter
and feel the
ocean breeze,
blowing in from
all sides
through the
large open
French doors.
Newly renovated,
its warm hues
are welcoming by
day and night.
This open-air
restaurant
offers guests
many different
options of how
and where to
dine. Choose to
lounge on one of
the two outdoor
patios, take a
seat at the
large central
bar, or hide
away in the
romantic dining
room. The
Pan-Asian
cuisine offers
everything from
unique island
tapas and sushi,
to prime steaks,
fresh seafood
and decadent
desserts; my
personal
favorite is the
miso-glazed
Black Cod that
just melts in
your mouth. The
already amazing
menu has been
recently
revamped by
Executive Chef
Nobu Hamazaki of
Koi and Sushi
Roku fame, and
is sure to
delight.
At Ma’Kai, the
drinks are far
from typical.
Mike Rosa, the
master
mixologist has
created a fine
list of tropical
martinis
featuring the
signature Ma’Kai
Kiss which has
to be the best
Lychee martini I
have ever
tasted! Other
drinks include
twists on the
classics; a
Blueberry
Caipirinha, a
Sugar Cane
Mojito. The
Water Lily,
infused with
sake is quite
refreshing.
Happy Hour
attracts the
trendy
professional
looking to let
go of the day’s
stresses,
sipping on
colorful
cocktails, while
the weekend DJ
welcomes a hip,
younger crowd;
no matter what
time or what day
you come in, the
food and drinks
will never
disappoint. And
nothing beats
the view of the
Californian sun
setting over the
Pacific, visible
from any and
everywhere in
this haven, a
perfect welcome
to take you into
the swanky
music-filled
nights of Ma’Kai.
