Post #700146 by Swanky on Thu, Nov 21, 2013 11:20 AM

One of the things I am trying to get across in my Mai-Kai History seminar is that the Mai-Kai today is like a time machine back to DtB. They took so much from Don's to make the Mai-Kai and then spent the next 50 years trying to keep as close to that tradition as possible. The Maître D's today were trained by the former head Maître D' at Don's Chicago. The seating captains, everything, are all doing what they did at Don's. The drinks are Don's recipes with a little change here and there. Many are exactly the same recipes, expect they have had to work to keep the flavor right as ingredients come and go.

The guests today are not the same and some things have changed with times. You can get in without a jacket now men.

But if you want to know what it was like to visit Don the Beachcomber's, just go to the Mai-Kai and you can get at it for sure.

At the end of this year they celebrate the Head Maître D's anniversary at the Mai-Kai. Angel started in 1963 as a busboy. 50 years. He was trained by Andy Tonata from Don's. He trained everyone there today. The legacy continues.