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RAINFOREST CAFÉ

A wild place to eat and shop

by Madelyn Miller

Ever eaten in a politically correct restaurant? One that offered souvenirs? Watched a wild bird show while you waited for lunch?

If you answered "Yes" to the above questions, you have already eaten at the Rainforest  Café.

If not, it is an experience not to be missed. Especially if you are dining with children.

Walking into RAINFOREST CAFE, one is enveloped by lush vegetation, live tropical parrots, simulated thunder and lightning, rain showers, majestic rock formations, talking trees, whimsical crocodiles, playful primates, fluttering butterflies and the sounds and smells of a tropical rain forest, all set amongst a backdrop of enormous salt-water fish tanks, waterfalls and larger-than-life banyan trees.

I visited the first one, built in the Mall of the Americas in Minneapolis. And the concept spread like wildfire (maybe that is a politically incorrect thing to say about rainforests).

It's hokey. But It's fun and the food is surprisingly good.

Entering the dining room, guests walk under a 10,000 gallon arched aquarium, featuring a handmade coral reef exhibit full of vibrantly colored saltwater fish.  Six additional fish tanks are situated throughout the facility.  Animated wildlife includes two playful gorilla families who live at “Gorilla Mountain,” amid winding jungle vines and flourishing Banyan trees.   Situated throughout this tropical wonderland is a herd of animated elephants who come to life with realistic sounds and movements.

The restaurant features an assortment of casual dining menu items for the entire family including a full breakfast menu,  pastas, salads, signature sandwiches and delectable desserts.   Guests can order smoothies, freshly squeezed vegetable and fruit juices, and refreshing drinks with or without spirits underneath  the  72 foot Magic Mushroom Juice & Coffee Bar.

RAINFOREST CAFE’s Retail Village offers an exclusive line of clothing, caps and jackets  featuring  the  eight  RAINFOREST  CAFE animal characters.  RAINFOREST CAFE Retail Village also offers a wide variety of rainforest themed items from around the world, including RAINFOREST CAFE private label bath and body products, colorful puppets, plush toys,  RAINFOREST CAFÉ food items and more.

RAINFOREST CAFE INC. currently has domestic locations in: Mall of America, Bloomington, Minnesota; Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, Illinois; Gurnee Mills Mall,  Gurnee, Illinois; Downtown Disney, Walt Disney World Resort, near Orlando, Florida; Tysons Corner Center, McLean, Virginia; Sawgrass Mills Mall, Ft.Lauderdale/Sunrise Florida; South Coast Plaza,  Costa Mesa, California. The Source, Westbury/Long Island, NY; Downtown Chicago, IL; Grapevine Mills, Dallas/Grapevine, TX; Arizona Mills, Phoenix/Tempe, AZ; Aventura Mall, Miami, FL; MGM Grand Hotel/Casino, Las Vegas, NV; and the Palisades Center,West Nyack, NY. RAINFOREST CAFE has three international locations in: London, England; and Cancun and Mexico City, Mexico And insect repellent is not needed in any of them. Just bring a large appetite. The portions are huge.

Unfortunately, The Rainforest Café is extremely popular. The lines are often long and the waits frustrating. But the "reception area" where you wait in line to get your number to line up, is very efficient and can predict within about five minutes when your table will be ready.

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