Ma'Kai Lounge

09/13/09

excellent food, great drinks!

by Bediggy at Citysearch

Overall the food is amazing and consistently good. Its a little pricey, but worth it, as they do an amazing job with the fusion of flavors. The specialty drinks are also really good. I highly recommend this place for a date, or a small group dinner. Sometimes the service isn't great, but it's never been horrible. I don't really understand though why they have bouncers - kind of tacky really.

• Pros: food, ambiance
• Cons: service

06/28/09

I will NEVER go to Ma'Kai again. Ever.

by MissNINJA at Citysearch

1. Horrible Service (the waitress came to our table twice...and that was it!

2. Rude GM. Mike never apologized to me to rectify the situation..even when I called in to express my disappointment, he was VERY rude.

3. The DoorGuys are A*Holes (they abuse the tiny bit of power they have)

4. I will never go there again.

• Cons: Too many to list here. Read full review.

01/23/09

Makai

by casualcat at Citysearch

I love how the makai serves absinthe, and they do it with the sugar cube and the spoon and everything! i love watching their mixologists throughout the entire process of making their drinks

06/30/08

Nice Location

by reyrey333 at Citysearch

Been here a couple times. The location is great, right across from the cliffs overlooking PCH. The loung itself gets real small on the weekends with the crowds. The indoor dance floor accomodates the DJ as well so not much room for dancing. Pretty people all over the place and also well dressed. The best part... they let you smoke on the Patio! Unusual for Santa Monica with all the smoker haterz. Drinks would be considered expensive if you're only used to drinking at home. Otherwise, no more no less expensive.

• Pros: smoking on patio, good vibes

05/01/08

Destination restaraunt in Santa Monica: Fresh sushi, flavorful green tea and excellent customer service

by 1hipfernie at Citysearch

Okay...Okay... I read the reviews and was a total skeptic. I went, ate, drank and got conquered. This is a total HOT SPOT! Anyone who is willing to venture out to the destination of delicious flavors must go to Makai. There's a full bar, delicious asian fusion dishes, and gorgeous peeps up in there. Order the spicy tuna with crispy rice-- a true mouthful of flavors..How does the chef come up with such savory delights? This is weird but my girlfriend complimented the green tea! And you know what? It was actually flavorful.The Chef even thought of that too!!!!!!!!The server called it Bon Vivant green Tea. Service was prompt and friendly. To anyone heading out to Santa Monica drop in to this place and have a fabulous time it truly is a great dining experience!

• Pros: menu and service
• Cons: NA

04/24/08

good selection and friendly service

by EricJL at Citysearch

they offer an great selection of sushi, as well as tempura...staff is very friendly and is always available for additional orders, or to fill your cocktails, or tea...teh japanese bon vivant green tea is really good...refill that...my experience with makai has been good...I recommend this place to anyone looking to enjoy sushi in a small, yet casual eating environment, who wants to be satisfied as a result of a good eating experience... would I eat there again? sure...overall, I would recommend this restaurant to anyone for drinks, or sushi.

• Pros: nice service
• Cons: hhmmmm...none really

03/20/08

Back on rotation!!

by kylak at Citysearch

So I hadn't been to Makai in almost a year when I went there last week and it was awesome! Used to go to this place alot back in the day but hadn't been in a really long time. Some girlfriends suggested we go for happy hour so on we went. Ordered a round on martinis and they were all great...I loved this cucumber saketini, it was super refreshing and went very well with the sushi we ordered. Which brings me to the food...YUM! We ordered the Hamachi Fusion that had this wonderful truffle, yuzu sauce also had the tuna on crispy rice and the steak asparagus skewers...yum! Bartender (super funny guy) mentioned that they recently hired the chef from Koi. I always liked Makai for the drinks but now will be back for the food! The vibe has also changed a bit too and I mean for the better. This place is definatly going back on the rotation list for where my friends and I frequent!!!

• Pros: Fun bartenders, great vibe, awesome food
• Cons: parking-- just valet or park in the lot on Colorado

03/18/08

I love sushi! But Bon Vivant green tea really made the night at Makai...

by mhollister at Citysearch

It was my bosses birthday (who is also my friend) and I was feeling a bit under the weather. It was one of those nights that I would've rather have stayed home, but really needed to attend the dinner.

About 9 of us attended and we waited for about 45-50 minutes (a little longer than expected considering that we had reservations). But the chatting at the bar made the time go by.

I had the spicy tuna with the crispy rice. It was delicate and so good that I kept popping them into my mouth...lol. In addition, the meal was also served with Wasabi, a green hot mustard/horseradish blend, sliced pickled ginger, and teriyaki sauce, all of which created a variety of taste possibilities. With a choice of soup or salad- I had Miso- a hot seaweed and tofu soup- the meal was very enjoyable.

The most exciting part of the night came rather unexpectedly. I decided to order some tea (being a tea lover) and the waitor recommended their new tea (apparantly it's popular with the staff, too). Having drank tea from around the world for over 10 years, I have to say, this unlike anything I have ever had. By far.

Just in case I need to repeat myself, this tea is the best!! I had never heard of it (although the waitor said that it's well known by health and fitness people) and the smell of the green tea was simply amazing. I don't know how it did it but I felt recharged and out of my slump after drinking a delicious cup. And it so complemented our sushi, too. Almost everyone in the party ordered the tea. It was hillarious.

I asked the waitor to buy the tea but they said that it wasn't packaged for sale. But you HAVE to ask for Bon Vivant Green tea if go here. You'll be glad you did.

The overall service has changed a bit. I hadn't been to this restaurant in about a year and I was delighted with great service and a new menu. :)

• Pros: service, menu, especially their green tea
• Cons: longer wait than before

03/10/08

Makai

by random89 at Citysearch

This place is great! I loved the atmosphere most of all, dimly lit, exotic wood,and candles all over the place. The music never got too loud, I found it very easy to have a conversation with the person seated next to me. The staff were "johny on the spot", prices very affordable, and overall I have to say the best lounge Ive been too in the USA. ....... Check it out, you will be glad you did..............

• Pros: just trust me once you get there its worht it
• Cons: parking is a little tight.....use valet

03/08/08

good time... mediocre food

by Bellevie at Citysearch

Me and my boyfriend and a couple friends went to this restaurant for the first time a few weeks ago. The atmosphere is great. Its a really cool spot and a lot of fun. The staff is so friendly. The spicy tuna on rice cakes tastes like hash browns and the lobster dynamite roll taste like eggs.i was not the only one who thought that. It's so weird but its good. The manager Mike is great at recommending saki in every price range and a really nice guy. Later that night we went into the bar that becomes a lounge. The bar was busy and a dj plays good music. ladies BEWARE the old men at the bar pounce at the sight of any young girl. overall we really like this place and will be back.

• Pros: Atmosphere, Saki, Staff