Tag Archives: California Cuisine

MALIBU ROADHOUSE

August 16, 2014 5:01 am ⋅ 1 Comment ⋅

WHERE: Malibu Roadhouse is located at 26063 Pacific Coast Highway, it is a part of the Ranch at Solstice Canyon – the site of  the former BeauRivage Restaurant which caught fire two years ago. Finally, on August 1st, the new venue opened its doors. The Ranch at Solstice will also host a bar and a retail shop.

The chef is James King from the SLS Beverly Hills serving up California Cuisine – from Mussels, Salmon and Crab Legs to Kale and Beet Salads to Steaks, Burgers and Fries. YUM!

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photo 1

 

MOTHER SAYS:

With a name like Malibu Roadhouse, I am not sure what to expect, in fact, I have quite low expectations. Thankfully, I am pleasantly surprised by a well- designed restaurant with a casual but sophisticated decor. There is an outdoor courtyard within the restaurant as well as a patio along PCH.

We sit along PCH, I think next time we will try the courtyard.  The sound of the cars whizzing by is loud and I feel a little insecure with my kids due to our proximity to PCH and the lack of a substantial barrier.  However, the view is beautiful…

I sit with my two kids at a large communal table. I am happy we have it all to ourselves. I expect this restaurant will get much busier as people discover it.

Charlotte and I split the Grilled Salmon Tacos as well as the Farm Fresh Artichoke.

The Tacos are served with Pineapple, Cabbage and a Cilantro Creme. They are so so fresh, maybe it is the Pineapple or the perfectly flaky Salmon or the combination of flavors, but I will have to order these every time.

I enjoy the Artichoke especially with the spicy dipping sauce. I just don’t love the messiness of eating an Artichoke in public – not the most dignified dish to eat, but better than corn on the cob, I suppose! I remind myself that it is good, hearty and healthy.

The flavorful dishes combine perfectly with a glass of Chardonnay – overlooking the ocean.

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DAUGHTER SAYS:

The Tacos are out of this world, unbelievable and wonderful – next time I am not splitting them with my mom.

Of course, I love the Artichoke, I barely let my mom have a bite.  I prefer the butter sauce while she prefers the spicy sauce.  They are grilled, juicy and yummy.

I also pick off of my little brother’s plate. He has the Buttermilk Chicken Tenders with Fries, these are not ordinary Chicken Tenders, they are deluxe. I finish what he can’t eat.

Let me tell you about the Dessert! We have the Brownies and Chocolate Chip Cookies with  Salted Caramel Ice Cream. Too good to be true!

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dessert MR

OVERALL RATING:

LOCATION/AMBIANCE: 7.5 out of 10 - The perfect location with the perfect view, if only PCH could be removed. The restaurant  hosts a rather elegant bar and is very spacious with these wonderful leather chairs scattered about to lounge in while you enjoy your food and drink.  On our second visit, we sat in these leather chairs on the quaint patio in the center of the restaurant.  We mostly enjoy it, except for the occasional smells of septic that passed our way.

SERVICE: 7.5 out of 10 – The staff is friendly, and extremely accommodating. Hoping it stays this way… (the restaurant is very sparse the night we are there).  The service is better earlier in the evening.

FOOD: 7 out of 10 – It is California Beach Cuisine at its best. It is casual fare with refined flavor and a sophisticated twist. We highly recommend the Salmon Tacos, but cannot say the same for the White Fish(Sea Bass), which we try on our second visit – it is slimy not flaky.

OVERALL: 7.5 out 10 – A great place to take your kids or meet friends.

 

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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.

 

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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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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

 

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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

 

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_______

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THE SIX

January 5, 2013 6:24 am ⋅ Leave a Comment ⋅

WHERE:  THE SIX in Studio City on Ventura Blvd., near Coldwater Canyon.

We visited the San Fernando Valley over the holiday break to have a post Christmas celebration with Tiffany and her daughter, Presley (two of our best girlfriends).

The Six is located on Ventura Boulevard near Coldwater Canyon with convenient parking and a gastro pub feel.  It is cool and easy.

MOTHER SAYS:

We ordered the kale salad which was so appetizing, with crunchy kale and a savory dressing.  We tried the vanilla roasted beets which turned out to be the most delicious, the variety of flavors from the burrata, beets and hazelnuts popped in our mouths.

Tiff was “obsessed” with the turkey sloppy joe sliders, they came with red bell peppers and fried pickles on top.  They were a tasty comfort food.  The burger sliders were less than palatable, but we enjoyed the sweet potato fries.

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DAUGHTER SAYS:

I ordered the taco trio.  They were so good.  I ordered them plain and dipped them in guacamole, so spicy and good.

I liked the sloppy joe sliders the best.  For dessert, I had S’mores (below), I wanted more.  So Yummy.  So fun.

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OVERALL RATING:

LOCATION/AMBIANCE: 6 out of 10 – nice ambiance with a cozy patio, located on Ventura Blvd (not on the main drag of Studio City).  Has a very young, hip vibe, we liked it.

SERVICE: 7 out of 10 – we never had to wait too long for anything.  Our waitress was very sweet and pleasant.

FOOD: 7.5 out of 10 – yummy salads and upscale comfort food.

OVERALL: 7 out 10 – a great, newer restaurant in Studio City.  Have a glass of wine, sweet potato fries and a salad, and you will not be disappointed.  A Studio City fave!

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GJELINA

November 7, 2012 4:17 am ⋅ Leave a Comment ⋅

WHERE: Gjelina located in Venice, CA.

On Sunday, my family (Christa included), took me to a birthday brunch at Gjelina on Abbot Kinney in Venice.  It was a leisurely brunch filled with so many unique flavors, from light and delicate to rich and savory…

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MOTHER SAYS:

The Rose champagne was crisp and dry, perfectly refreshing for the 80 degree November day.

Christa and I shared the Tuscan kale salad, it was fresh, but it was missing something… it did not have the WOW factor we were expecting.  The light kale salad did combine nicely with the tomato burrata pizza; juicy sweet tomatoes, basil and rich burrata.

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DAUGHTER SAYS:

I ordered the lamb sausage pizza.  I sort of liked the vegetables on the pizza and the sausage was yummy, but I don’t like the crust.  It was my mom’s birthday.  It was fun, we also had fries, delicious.

The Chocolate Gelato is the yummiest thing in the world!

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CHRISTA SAYS:

The lemon ricotta pancakes Rivers ordered were ridick, lemon ohh, ricotta, best of life. The fries with the romesco and aioli are the best fries ever.  Why is the flourless chocolate cake so amazing?

… maybe it is the hint of ginger or the hazelnut crunch, the most mouth watering birthday dessert.

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OVERALL RATING:

LOCATION/AMBIANCE: 7 out of 10 – a nice hip outside garden feel, while inside is loud and happening.

SERVICE: 8 out of 10 – don’t try to modify your order, it is clearly stated on the menu that changes and modifications will be politely declined.

FOOD: 9 out 10 – they support local, sustainable & organic practices whenever possible.

OVERALL: 8.5 – a favorite, with satiating food, a hipster ambiance and good fun.

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_______

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SAN YSIDRO RANCH

October 30, 2012 5:37 am ⋅ Leave a Comment ⋅

WHERE:  San Ysidro Ranch, Montecito, CA.

Charlotte and I were lucky enough to go to an intimate wedding at San Ysidro Ranch over the weekend.  The groom is the biggest foodie, so it was no surprise that every morsel of food was pure delight.  We wish we could have had every bite of everything.

This is the the first wedding in years I have been to, that kids were also invited to.  The special touches provided for the children were beyond thoughtful and quite enchanting.

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MOTHER SAYS:

I wish I had five stomachs to eat all the delicious food.  Cocktail hour started with bite sized crab cakes with a dab of slightly spicy aioli sauce, fried artichokes, fresh bruschetta with the ripest multi-colored sweetest tomatoes as well as a lobster roll to die for.

I enjoyed the Au Bon Climat Santa Barbara Sauvignon Blanc, it was light and dry, not fruity at all. I loved it.

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The dinner started with a bang…  a spicy ahi tuna with corn and avocado salsa and a cilantro vinaigrette.  Next was a little gem lettuce with avocado, manchego cheese, watermelon radish, and whole grain mustard vinaigrette.

Honestly, I wish I had had the main entree first, by the time it came I was so full, but there was no way I could resist the parmesan crusted halibut with gnochetti, kalamata olives, oven dried tomatoes and and pesto beurre blanc.  It melted in my mouth.

I could only survive one bite of the pan seared filet of beef… I was too full.

DAUGHTER SAYS:

The bite sized fried artichokes were my favorite of the night.  The tuna was very good and the pizza was good, I wish I could have ate more.  I loved the carrots and celery served with the ranch and peanut butter.  It was fun.  The dark chocolate cake was yum, much better than the milk chocolate cake.  I love weddings.

OVERALL RATING: 10 on everything, it is the San Ysidro Ranch!

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_______

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