Tag Archives: Restaurant Reviews

MILO AND OLIVE

November 21, 2014 5:42 am ⋅ Leave a Comment ⋅

WHERE: Milo and Olive, located in Santa Monica at 2723 Wilshire Blvd.

The bakery opens at 7am daily and breakfast starts at 8am. Lunch and dinner are served from 11am to 11pm. Breakfast is bakery driven, while lunch and dinner are a menu of Wood-Fired Pizzas and Salads/Small Plates with ingredients from the local farmers’ market.

The menu is seasonal – presently they are serving dishes such as Pumpkin Gnocchi with Apples, Brown Butter and Sage, as well as Roasted Butternut Squash Tortellini and a Wood-Fired Pear Salad – YUM!

This restaurant is not the easiest place to get a seat, so I would avoid going in large groups. They have a small bar and a couple of large communal tables. I am not sure when the “off” time to go is, so you just have to turn up when you’re hungry and (hopefully) get lucky – otherwise the wait can be very long.

milo and olive collage

 

MOTHER SAYS:

I taste the Burrata Pizza with Arugula first, it is light and fresh. The crust is the perfect ratio of chewy and crunchy. You could put anything on this pizza and it would melt in your mouth.

I then taste the Spicy Burrata Zucchini Blossoms Pizza and yes, it is out of this world. The Blossoms and the Burrata absorb the extremely spicy sauce, leaving your mouth salivating for one more bite then one more bite… then just one more bite. I try to control my insatiable desire for this pizza by alternating it with bites of the Milo Chopped Salad and sips of a crisp White Wine – but still, I want one more bite. This is truly a Pizza lovers heaven.

The only problem – one’s stomach size. You will want everything… every. last. morsel. I wanted to lick the plate… but I didn’t. I promise.

 

milo and olive last

 

MILO AND OLIVE 4

 

DAUGHTER SAYS:

The fresh Tagliarini Bolognese is very good and a little bit sweet. I love this dish and will get it again.

The Spicy Burrata Zucchini Blossoms Pizza is spicy and delicious. One word to describe it is SPICE-O-RIFIC, it’s spicy and terrific.

I like the family style tables. We sit while we eat, laughing and talking – I only feel a little bad at the long line of people waiting for our seats.

This is my favorite restaurant right now, so if you come here you might just be in the line watching me eat for a while! Sorry. I just can’t resist.

 

milo and olive foodies

OVERALL RATING:

LOCATION/AMBIANCE: 7 out of 10 – The location is not the prettiest, it sits along a row of nondescript buildings on Wilshire and parking can be a serious pain. Once inside and seated though, it is quaint and farmhouse like. We like it for when we are in that area.

SERVICE: 7.5 out of 10 – The staff is friendly, it is pretty busy all the time, but somehow the food comes out quickly.

FOOD: 9 out of 10 - The best, most original Pizza we have discovered. Get it to go, if nothing else. The ingredients are fresh, colorful and organic, it will appeal to all your senses – even if you have seven of them! The Almond Croissant is the best in L.A.

OVERALL: 8 out 10 - Try it, you will love it. This place really is a gem hidden amongst the pollution of Wilshire.

paris pizza

 

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Posted in: Best Restaurant, California Restaurant, Food Blog, Food Reviews, Foodies, Milo and Olive, MoDaFoodies, organic food, Restaurant Reviews ⋅ Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

MALIBU FARM

October 1, 2013 5:53 am ⋅ Leave a Comment ⋅

WHERE:  Malibu Farm is located at the end of the Malibu Pier at the sight of the old Ruby’s location.  The view is breathtaking, the air is fresh and the food is delish!!

Helene Henderson is the brains behind this masterpiece.  She got it right – simple, fresh, flavorful, eco-conscious and organic, all while looking at the Pacific Ocean.

Charlotte and I went with Rivers (the pickiest 5 year old around) and one of our best family friends, Lisa (who fell in love with this spot).  We went for lunch on a Friday at 1:00 and stayed until closing at 3:00, eating, talking and enjoying the view… currently the restaurant is open Wednesdays thru Sundays, 9am-3pm, and it will be open for dinner soon.

There is a sign in the restaurant that reads, “Good food takes a good amount of time.  Please enjoy the view while you wait.”  I was so happy that was posted, because it reminded me to enjoy the experience and to value the food that was nourishing my body.

We are hooked for breakfast and lunch and can’t wait to try dinner.

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MAlibu farm at the pier

MOTHER SAYS:

Charlotte and I shared the Salmon with a Soy Grainy Mustard as well as the Kale Caesar Salad and the Cauliflower Lavash Pizza.  The Salmon and the Pizza were my favorite.  The Pizza was so original, yet so flavorful.  Lisa and I topped it with arugula and couldn’t get enough.

I also shared the Chopped Salad with Skirt Steak with Lisa, this was hands down the best Salad I have ever tasted.  So simple, but full of every flavor you could ever want (the Beets are the best).  This is what happens when you serve the freshest food from local sources, there is no need to disguise it with crazy sauces.  Good-bye to the Ivy Chopped Vegetable Salad…

Rivers ordered the most Delicate Mini-Pancakes, devoured…

The desserts are insane, the perfect blend of sweet and salty and the coffee is by Caffe Luxxe.  Lisa and I both decided we are going everyday…if only.

chop salad- MF

salmon MF

pizza

mini pancakes

 

DAUGHTER SAYS:

I loved the Salmon with the Rice, such deliciousness!  The Steak from Lisa’s Salad was so good mixed with the Rice. YUM! YUM!

I did not like the Pizza but I loved the Strawberries from Rivers’s Pancakes.

My favorite of course, was the Grilled Chocolate Cake with Caramel and Sea Salt, it was sweetness.

I loved enjoying the beautiful view.  It was fun, we spent the whole afternoon on the Pier.

flourless choc-mf

salted caramel

 

OVERALL RATING:

LOCATION/AMBIANCE:  10 out of 10 – The decor is perfectly rustic and chic.  Indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the ocean, our new favorite spot.

SERVICE:  N/A –  The staff is friendly.  It is a walk up and order restaurant, grab your own water etc… It is a little bit of work with kids but so worth it.

FOOD:  9.5 out of 10 – Organic, local and very fresh, it doesn’t get better.  We can’t wait to go back to try the Crab Cakes and everything else!

OVERALL: 9.5 out 10 – This place is incredible – the views, the decor, the food.  Sit outside in the morning with coffee and an egg sandwich, or indulge in everything over lunch, all whilst knowing you are eating the best food for your body!  We love it and hope it stays in Malibu forever.

 

foodies-MF

char on pier

 

Have you been to this restaurant?  Did you like it?  Did you love it?  Did you loathe it?  Let us know by posting in the COMMENT box at the top of this post.

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Posted in: Best Restaurant, California Restaurant, Food Blog, Food Reviews, Foodies, MoDaFoodies, organic food, Restaurant Reviews ⋅ Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

COOGIES

September 24, 2013 2:22 am ⋅ Leave a Comment ⋅

WHERE:  Coogies, Malibu is an old staple with an old menu and relatively new decor.

For some inexplicable reason, my MoDaFoodie Daughter, Charlotte, decided that she wanted to have one of her 9th birthday celebration meals at Coogies with her Grandparents…  My heart sank, and so did my stomach.

Anyone who lives in Malibu knows that Coogies is a last resort – a kind of jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none restaurant that every parent resents paying to eat at.

For me, as a ‘foodie’, this place also makes my mouth dry up with fear.

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MOTHER SAYS:

I ate the Chocolate Cake… which is actually pretty good!  The end.

(PS – The chocolate cake did not look like this… but I wish it had)

 

 

DAUGHTER SAYS:

My Mother told me that there was no dessert because we had eaten too much candy on my birthday, and then, as I sulked my way through the Happy Birthday Song with my head hanging down (see video below), a delicious Chocolate Cake appeared and I had to fight off my Mother to get a bite.

It was yummy, and made sweeter because I didn’t think I was getting anything good at the end of the meal.

Other than that, I had the Butter Pasta from the kid’s menu, which is not as good as my mom’s.

 

(The picture below gives you some idea of the size of the menu at Coogies…  But there is a whole back side to it as well.  Yikes!)

 

OVERALL RATING:

LOCATION/AMBIANCE:  7 out of 10 – In the heart of Malibu’s Webb Way Shopping Center next door to Bui Sushi (and owned by the same people), Coogies just seems like it should be in Riverside, or even Texas.  We sat outside this time, which was better than the inside (despite the recent renovation which doubled the booth seating capacity), but I still felt vulnerable for some reason.

SERVICE:  8 out of 10 – Friendly enough staff.  Good enough service.

FOOD:  8 out of 10 – no comment!

OVERALL: 8 out 10 – If you are 5 years old, you will love this place… other than that, it is only worth visiting to stave off starvation.

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FISHING WITH DYNAMITE

August 25, 2013 1:07 am ⋅ Leave a Comment ⋅

WHERE:  Fishing With Dynamite (FWD) is one of the newest hotspots in Manhattan Beach, it opened about three months ago…

FWD is a tiny upscale cafe on Manhattan Avenue.  It definitely has an east coast vibe, it is a breath of fresh air.  We only wish it had outdoor seating.

FWD features an incredible selection of oysters, clams, lobster, mussels, scallops and shrimp.  We did not order any of their famous platters, but the couple next to us did and it looked insane – I almost asked for a bite or at least a picture, but my manners got the best of me.  We will be back to try it all.

This is not really a kid-friendly spot unless you have a very well-behaved foodie as a child.  The restaurant is very small, there is no kids menu and the items on the menu are very sophisticated apart from the mahi mahi fish tacos which are very spicy.

We went with my aunt and uncle from Arizona, and Rivers (my 5 year old) of course. We were all impressed and had the best time.

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foodies 2  fwd

MOTHER SAYS:

Charlotte and I split the mahi mahi fish tacos.  They are ‘muy delicioso’, just as it says on the menu.  The house made corn tortillas are the best part aside from the perfectly crisp mahi mahi, fresh guacamole and spicy sauce… need I say more?

The farro and beet salad is so hearty, flavorful and crunchy, with roasted beets, orange, arugula, feta, beet chips and pistachios, you should try this along with a fish dish, when you go.

The maple pudding with rosemary sandies is a must for dessert.  It has hints of bourbon in it and delicious candied pecans.  The little cookies with rosemary are tastefully original and are the perfect pairing for this pudding. YUM!

fish tacos fwd  beet fwd

 

DAUGHTER SAYS:

The fish tacos get a thumbs up.  I love the soft, warm, fresh corn tortillas.  The fish is crispy on the outside and tender and flaky on the inside.  They come with a yummy guacamole and a green spicy sauce to pour over the tacos.  I love the spiciness.

The fries are so good, sprinkled with fresh rosemary, they are served hot.  I finished the entire cup.

The pudding is delicious, but I do not like the candied pecans.

I will definitely go back with my mom to try more fish.

fries fwdmenu fwd

 

OVERALL RATING:

LOCATION/AMBIANCE:  7 out of 10 – In the heart of Manhattan Beach, it is a great addition.  The restaurant is small and feels a little cramped along with being a little noisy.  The small bar area looks like a fun place to sit.  There is a small ocean view, we wish we could sit outside.  The decor is perfect, it sort of has a Nantucket/lighthouse feel.  We like it.

SERVICE:  8 out of 10 – Incredibly friendly staff.  It is a little slow at times, but the perfect place for a leisurely lunch.

FOOD:  8 out of 10 – We really need to go back and try more.  We loved what we ordered and appreciated the originality of the food.  They serve from the “traditional school” as well as the “new school.”  Items like thai shellfish coconut soup and black miso cod appear on the new school menu, while new england chowder appears on the old.

OVERALL: 8 out 10 – It is a fun, sophisticated, quaint spot to explore your taste buds.  You should definitely try it.  Make sure to try one of their famous platters.

 

thankful fwd

 

Have you been to this restaurant?  Did you like it?  Did you love it?  Did you loathe it?  Let us know by posting in the COMMENT box at the top of this post.

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CHOLADA

August 10, 2013 1:49 am ⋅ Leave a Comment ⋅

WHERE:  Cholada is Thai Beach Cuisine, located on Pacific Coast Highway in South Malibu opposite Topanga Beach.

It is reminiscent of an old beach shack (which looks like it should perhaps be demolished!), but it is recommended in the Zagat Guide (which is good news), and yes there is an ocean view (if you sit outside on the upper patio).

We love it because it is quaint and inexpensive, with delicious food.  It is a great place to take your kids.

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moda foodies, cholada

MOTHER SAYS:

We ordered the Yellow Chicken Curry which is my favorite, mixed with their delicious Brown Rice.  The chicken, potatoes and carrots are soaked in a sweet curry sauce, which is so satiating and filling, you just can’t stop eating it.

The Fried Spring Rolls are hot and delicious with a spicy dipping sauce – we prefer these to the Cholada Wraps (steamed rice skins filled with vegetables, basil and shrimp).

The Pad-See-Ew – pan fried noodles with eggs, broccoli and chicken – are a big hit with the kids.

The Chicken Fried Rice is light, fluffy and flavorful.  The best part about Cholada is all of these flavors taste so good mixed together.  The food is rich and you get full fast.

We love this spot, the food is hot, sweet and spicy.  They have a light South African Chardonnay that compliments the distinct flavors in the food.

Sitting outside is so tranquil.  It is pretty casual – paper tablecloths on picnic tables kind of casual.

 

chicken currynoodles

 

DAUGHTER SAYS:

As I sat down at our picnic table, I said, “Let me enjoy this incredible view, it’s beautiful with all of the flowers.”

I do not like the Cholada Wraps, and think the Fried Spring Rolls are much more scrumptious.

The Noodles and Fried Rice are better than anything else.

The Yellow Chicken is so delicious, and the Brown Rice is worldtastic!

I gotta lay down, I think I ate too much… but not too much… I can’t wait for dessert.

full girl

 

dessert, cholada

 

OVERALL RATING:

LOCATION/AMBIANCE: 7 out of 10 – We think sitting outside is the only option here.  We love sitting at the picnic tables surrounded by flowers and a slight ocean view.  It is such a unique and quirky spot.  We love the casualness of it.  The beach shack vibe is our favorite along with the semi-manicured patio, it has character.

SERVICE: 9 out of 10 – The service is fast.  The waitstaff is very friendly and extremely accommodating to children.

FOOD:  7 out of 10 – Thai food at its best.  The Fried Banana Rolls with Coconut Ice Cream and Chocolate Sauce were the perfect ending to a night of delicious and unique flavors.

OVERALL: 7 out 10 – It is easy, fun, good food and you get to sit outside in a funky garden with mismatched patio furniture.  It is a gem.

 

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_______

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NIKITA

July 16, 2013 10:12 pm ⋅ 1 Comment ⋅

WHERE:  Nikita, located next to Nobu, near the pier in Malibu, CA.

Nikita is basically the old Pier View, and that is a lot to live up to in a strange, sentimental way.  So Char (my almost 9 year old) and I decided we better go with my college best friends (Christa and Polly) to see if it was anything close to as memorable as Pier View.

The cuisine is Mediterranean/Italian, serving mostly fish and pastas – each dish is presented beautifully, so fresh and delectable beyond words.

I don’t think college students will  make it a hangout any time soon, the prices are high and the portions are minuscule.  Gone are the days of sipping a cappuccino overlooking the ocean, while reviewing for finals.  We all knew Malibu couldn’t stay perfect forever.

Tourists will love it on the weekends.  We went early on a Monday evening, it was on the quiet side, we enjoyed everything about it.

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nikita, malibu

moda foodies

MOTHER SAYS:

Where do I start?!?  The Bread came out steaming and perfectly crunchy on the outside but soft and chewy on the inside with the most savory olive oil on the planet.  The Bread was also perfect for soaking up all of the delicious sauces left on our plates from the pastas and fishes.

We then had the Albacore Tuna which was sandwiched inside sesame wafers, so unique and light, we all thought the sesame slightly overwhelmed the ahi.

The Burrata Pomodoro was my absolute favorite – heirloom tomatoes, oregano and burrata smothered in a basil oil, I could eat this every night of my life.

The Sea Bass and the Halibut were both mouth watering.  You can’t go wrong with either of these dishes. We loved the Halibut served with kale and vegetable ratatouille.  The Sea Bass was also a favorite served over burrata – so, so good.

By this time we were so full… but there was still so much more to come.

bread: divinemy favorite

sea basspasta

DAUGHTER SAYS:

The Pasta is so fresh (it’s handmade), Jamie (Polly’s son) and I split three different pastas.  I loved each one.

We had Shrimp Pasta (which was our favorite), the Tomato Pasta (Tagliolini) and the Red Snapper Pasta – so so yum! We devoured every bite.  We would have had more, but our moms kept asking for bites.

The Bread and the Seven Layer Chocolate Bar (we had two orders) were my favorites.  Jamie really didn’t get any dessert, because I ate most of it, but he didn’t seem to mind.  He is the sweetest, we had the best time.

dessertff

OVERALL RATING:

LOCATION/AMBIANCE: 10 out of 10 – Get a table outside, and you won’t have a better ambiance anywhere. Cashmere blankets and Malibu waves, I don’t think it gets much better.

SERVICE: 10 out of 10 – The service was flawless as it should be at a restaurant like Nikita – the staff were fun and friendly too… a perfect 10.

FOOD:  9 out of 10 – There was not one bite of food I did not fall in love with… from the al dente handmade Pasta to the decadent yet not over the top Desserts.  The portions are tiny but the presentation makes up for it – perfect for us but not for everyone.  Christa and Polly thought the Pasta lacked flavor, but I appreciated the simplicity.

OVERALL: 9.5 out 10 – We stayed for 4 hours and devoured every morsel we were served.  Thankfully, our two kids are well-behaved foodies, otherwise save Nikita for a special occasion, because you will spend a fortune, but you will leave happy.  We can’t wait to go back!

besties

 

Have you been to this restaurant?  Did you like it?  Did you love it?  Did you loathe it?  Let us know by posting in the COMMENT box.

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_______

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PEARL DRAGON

July 7, 2013 12:35 pm ⋅ 1 Comment ⋅

WHERE:  Pearl Dragon located on Sunset Blvd. in the Pacific Palisades, CA.

Pearl Dragon has been serving the Palisades for ten years, it is a fabulous restaurant run by fabulous people.

Bonnie and Tommy, the owners, are friends of ours – they are the best of the best, and are the brains behind Falcon, a long time favorite, as well as Annisette, which we all miss.  So, it was no surprise to us that our first experience at Pearl Dragon last week was exceptional.

Charlotte and I love that this restaurant serves organic, local produce as well as hormone-free meats and local seafood.

We went with our wonderful friends, the Tappins – we ate good food and laughed really hard.  A fun night!

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moda dragom

MOTHER SAYS:

We ordered so much food.  My favorites were…

The Asian Chopper salad, it is served with tempura shrimp and a yuzu dressing.  The crunchiness of the shrimp and the tangy dressing made this light salad taste rich, hearty and beyond good.

The spicy tuna on the crispy rice (we liked it better than Bui Sushi’s version) was a favorite, along with a spicy yellowtail sashimi.  YUM!

The Kid’s menu is original and fun, a definite plus.  The kids can customize their own bento box, they loved it.

yellowtail-dragon

menu-dragonbento-dragon

 

DAUGHTER SAYS:

I loved the bento box, it was so cool!  I chose the cucumber roll with soy paper, I loved it, but wish I had asked to add avocado.

I loved the crispy chicken and ate every bite.

The miso soup was so yummy and warm, the tofu chunks were a little big for me so I had to open my mouth really wide to enjoy them!

For dessert, I ordered the flourless chocolate cake, it was sweet, warm and delicious.  The ice cream was so good with it.  I want  it every night.

dessert dragom

OVERALL RATING:

LOCATION/AMBIANCE: 8 out of 10 – A dark restaurant with a cozy, neighborhood vibe.  Charlotte and I were obsessed with the dragon faucet head in the bathroom, such a cool touch.

SERVICE: 10 out of 10 – The service is the best we have had.

FOOD:  9 out of 10 – We loved the bento boxes!  The sushi was mouth-watering.  If you don’t like sushi, there are so many other options including various terriyaki dishes and noodle bowls.  We can’t wait to go back and try more.

OVERALL: 9 out 10 – YUM!  FUN!  Take your kids or have a romantic dinner… either way it is a great spot.  We had the best night!!!

Thank you!

perfection

Have you been to this restaurant?  Did you like it?  Did you love it?  Did you loathe it?  Let us know by posting in the COMMENT box at the top of this post.

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_______

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DUCK DIVE

June 1, 2013 5:32 am ⋅ Leave a Comment ⋅
WHERE:  Duck Dive, a gastropub located in Point Dume, Malibu.

It is in the old Savory location, which is a hard act to follow.

Duck Dive has a casual pub feel, it suits families with kids in the early evening hours, with more of a bar feel in the later hours.

The menu is diverse for a pub and the prices are reasonable… and that is hard to find in Malibu.

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image

MOTHER SAYS:

We started with the grilled artichoke, which was unappetizing, it had a strange flavor, both Charlotte and I were unimpressed.

I ordered the heirloom tomato and burrata salad, the julienned peaches added a nice touch, but overall, the salad was average.

There are two types of fries, one of which is fried in duck fat and the other which is not.  We opted for the ones that were not.  They were quite good.

Their drinks are original and delicious, including a moonshine lemonade.

I opted for a crisp chardonnay, which was a perfect combo with the ‘normal’ fries.

The presentation of the food is not my favorite. I definitely did not look at it and think good thoughts.  The hot dog and burger were served with a slab of cole slaw.  I don’t know for sure but the pretzel buns are extremely similar to the ones they sell at Costco… (yes, I said it).

image

image

DAUGHTER SAYS:

I ordered the steak tacos (below), which are really good but really spicy, I love spicy.

The artichoke is gross (and artichokes are my favorite food), even the heart was yuck!

I love the fries, I couldn’t stop eating them!

image

OVERALL RATING:

LOCATION/AMBIANCE: 6 out of 10 – A gastropub, neighborhood restaurant, but it feels a little sloppy.

SERVICE: 7 out of 10 – Good service, there were mess ups in the orders, but our server was so sweet and apologetic we didn’t mind.

FOOD: 6 out of 10 – Average food with average presentation.  We obviously haven’t tried everything, and have heard mixed reviews on the quinoa calamari, and rave reviews on the flatbread as well as the lentil burger.  Rivers, my four year old did love his hot dog (but as you can see below, it came with cole slaw… not fries, which was an odd presentation choice).

OVERALL: 6 out 10 – A great place to grab a drink and a burger and see all of your neighbors, take your kids early if you don’t feel like cooking.  It’s fun and easy.

image

Have you been to this restaurant? Did you like it? Did you love it? Did you loathe it? Let us know by posting in the COMMENT box at the top of this post.

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Thanks!

_______

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KAISHIN

May 7, 2013 5:04 am ⋅ Leave a Comment ⋅
Kaishin, Malibu, CA

WHERE:  Kaishin, a Chinese restaurant located in the heart of Malibu next to Bank of America in the Webb Way shopping center.

We all get excited when a new restaurant opens up in Malibu, and this was no different.  Malibu needed a Chinese restaurant that didn’t break the bank.  The food is just as good, if not better than Mr. Chow.

The dishes are light and fresh, with a gluten free menu option. The menu is quite extensive, with dim sum options on the weekend.

We loved it.  We will definitely go back.

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image

MOTHER SAYS:

We all shared the crunchy chopped kale salad with a light lemon vinegar dressing, this was my favorite.  I loved the almonds and the shaved fennel in this dish, it was simply delectable with all of the flavors and textures popping in my mouth. YUM!

The chicken chow mein was also unbelievably delicious, I mixed it with the salad for perfect bites.

The chicken fried rice was almost as good as the chow mein, but not quite.

The kids enjoyed all of these dishes.  It is always fun to go to restaurants where dishes are served family style…

image

Kale Salad

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Chicken Chow Mein

DAUGHTER SAYS:

The noodles in the chow main were sweet, sour and yummy, I had two platefuls.

The fried rice tastes like popcorn, I love this food.

I sort of liked the pork dumpling… I really only like the insides.

They serve these crunchy chips with a sweet dipping sauce before your food comes, it is so good.

This Chinese food is much better than Mr. Chow.

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OVERALL RATING:

LOCATION/AMBIANCE: 5 out of 10 – Nice, but the outside area is in the middle of a walkway.  The Inside area is a bit stale.  We highly recommend this spot for takeout.

SERVICE: 8 out of 10 – Good service, we never waited long for anything.

FOOD: 9 out of 10 – Really delicious Chinese, Charlotte and I both preferred it to Mr.Chow.

OVERALL: 7 out 10 – Aside from the ambiance, everything was perfect. We are so happy to have a great, affordable Chinese restaurant in Malibu.  Try it!

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Posted in: Best Restaurant, California Restaurant, Food Blog, Food Reviews, Foodies, MoDaFoodies, Restaurant Reviews ⋅ Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

MERCADO

April 22, 2013 3:38 pm ⋅ Leave a Comment ⋅
WHERE: Mercado, an Mexican restaurant located in the heart of Santa Monica on 4th Street.

We went to Mercado for a different style graduation dinner.

Our close friend/babysitter, Shay is graduating from Pepperdine and has been part of our family for the past four years.  We had to celebrate her success.

The high communal tables were a hit among the kids and the weekly specials scrawled on the long mirrors added a cool touch to the restaurant.

The vibe was hip, the atmosphere fresh and the food was delish!

It was a fun night, filled with laughter.

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MOTHER SAYS:

The food was so original.  The chips were served with a wonderful guacamole that had spicy pepitas on top. The flavors and textures really popped in our mouths.

Shay and I shared a crunchy chopped kale salad along with ahi tostadas topped with shrimp tempura, avocado and jalapeño.  These were my favorite of the night.

We also shared a light halibut over colorful, perfectly cooked vegetables, covered in a light sauce.

We sipped the most mouth watering blood orange margaritas, so refreshing!

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DAUGHTER SAYS:

I ordered pork tamales.  I had to try these tamales.  My first reaction was mmmmm, interesting.  These were fancy tamales and they were really good.

The rice tasted yummy and had a really good texture.  I made myself one of Rivers’ steak tacos (carne asada), so spicy and good meat.

After eating two tamales, a steak taco, rice and chips with guacamole, I didn’t have room for anything else… except maybe dessert!

We had the tastiest cinnamon ice cream, we ate every last bite.  Rivers (my 4 year old brother) wanted to lick the bowl, but my mom wouldn’t allow it.

This night was all about Shay, that’s who it was all about!

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OVERALL RATING:

LOCATION/AMBIANCE: 8.5 out of 10 – A great spot in Santa Monica.  It had a cool, fun and different atmosphere.  We loved everything from the tables to the lighting to the menu scribbled on the mirrors.

SERVICE: 10 out of 10 – Our waitress was so attentive and let the kids sample different lemonades, made great recommendations and never kept us waiting.

FOOD: 8.5 out of 10 – Modern Mexican food but still kept the best parts of traditional Mexican.

OVERALL: 8.5 out 10 – We went at 5:30pm, it was pretty empty, by the time we left at 7:00pm, it was packed.  If you go early, you can take your kids (we didn’t see one other kid while we were there), it seems to have more of a hipster vibe. There is a happy hour menu with great food and wine choices.  We LOVED this new spot.  We highly recommend it, especially if your child has a sophisticated palate.

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Posted in: Best Restaurant, California Restaurant, Food Blog, Food Reviews, Foodies, MoDaFoodies, Restaurant Reviews ⋅ Tagged: , , , , , , , , , ,