Sayonara Shimbashi, konnichiwa Mai Restaurant

Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan recently changed the name of its Shimbashi Restaurant to Mai Restaurant, which in Japanese means dance.

Food and beverage director Jimmy Kok said the new name and branding of the restaurant makes it more festive and livelier, adhering to the “Fiesta” theme of the hotel.

“Mai Restaurant will be a more casual Japanese dining area,” said Jimmy, adding that the restaurant will retain its dining private rooms for a more intimate Japanese-style dining experience.

“There will also be wider range of Japanese food,” he added.

To celebrate its reincarnation to Mai Restaurant, the outlet recently opened its lunch buffet to the public with an interesting line of dishes that is expected to not only appeal to loyal patrons of the Shimbashi Restaurant but also attract a new set of Japanese food lovers.

Jimmy said the hotel changed the names of its in-house restaurants because they used to be licensed with the hotel’s previous name, Dai-Ichi Hotel Saipan Beach. Renovations of the restaurants will soon follow.

“We are changing our names and improving services, but still with reasonable and affordable prices,” he added.

Current promos at the Mai Restaurant include the simultaneous celebration of the Japanese Cherry Blossoms spring festival. Dubbed “Cherry Blossoms New Beginnings,” the Mai Restaurant is inviting everyone to an eat-all-you-can luncheon buffet every day for only $14.99 per customer.

Jimmy said the luncheon buffet offers a great and luscious range of Japanese food such as tempura, sashimi, sushi, sukiyaki and other Japanese favorites. Japanese food lovers can also treat themselves to Mai’s Famous Salad Bar. Teppanyaki and an a la carte menu are also available at the restaurant.

Jimmy said the Mai Restaurant “Cherry Blossoms” lunch buffet promo is offered from Monday to Friday, from 11am to 2pm, and for every party of four, one guest gets to dine for free during the entire month of April.

Another promo at the new Japanese restaurant is the “What Are Friends For” promo. Jimmy said that, for every friend taken to the restaurant for its popular Teppanyaki lunch, both customers would get free treats at the salad bar.

Fiesta Resort’s Teppan chefs will show off their flair at the live cooking station, preparing the best sizzling beef, seafood, and chicken dishes.

For reservations, call Fiesta Resort at 233-6414. A 10-percent discount is applicable to local guests. VIP cards are also honored.