Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
115
Sea Breezes & Sunsets: Oceanview Dining in Malibu
Beau Rivage,
26025 P acific Coast Hwy. (at C orral Canyon;
&
310/456-5733;
www.beaurivagerestaurant.com). Though it's my only pick located on the
other
side of PCH fr om the beach, this r omantic Mediterranean restaurant (whose
name means “beautiful shor e”) has nearly unobstruc ted oc ean view s. The
baby-pink villa and its flagst one dining patio ar e o vergrown with flo wering
vines. The place is pr ettiest at sunset; r omantic lighting takes o ver after dark.
The menu is c omposed of c ountry French and I talian dishes with plent y of
moderately priced pastas, many with seaf ood. O ther main c ourses are more
expensive; they include chicken, duck , rabbit, and lamb , all traditionally pr e-
pared. An older , nicely dressed crowd tends to dine at this special- occasion
place. It's open M onday through Saturday from 5 t o 10pm, and Sunda y from
11am to 10pm. Valet parking is $4 (F ri-Sat only; otherwise, free self-parking).
Tip:
Sunday's brunch menu , which isn 't limit ed t o breakfast dishes, is a less
pricey alternative to dinner.
Duke's Malibu
, 21150 Pacific Coast Hwy. (at Las Flores Canyon;
&
310/317-
0777;
www.dukesmalibu.com). Lovers of Hawaii and all things Polynesian will
thrive in this outpost of the Ha waiian chain. I magine a S outh P acific T.G.I.
Friday's wher e the f ood is sec ondary t o the dec or, then add a r ocky per ch
atop br eaking wa ves, and y ou ha ve this sur fing-themed cr owd-pleaser. I t's
worth a visit for the memorabilia alone—the place is named for Hawaiian surf
legend “Duke” Kahanamoku. Duke's offers up pretty good food at inflated but
not outrageous prices. You'll find plenty of fresh fish prepared in the Hawaiian
regional style, hearty surf and tur f, a smatt ering of chicken and pasta dishes ,
and plent y of pupus t o ac company Duke 's Da y-Glo tr opical c ocktails. The
Sunday brunch buff et (10am-3pm) is a tast y deal at $22 f or adults and $12
for k ids. I t's open M onday thr ough F riday fr om 11:30am t o 9pm, Satur day
from 11:30am t o 9:30pm, and Sunda y from 11:30am t o 10pm. Valet park ing
is $2 (dinner and w eekends only; otherwise, free self-parking).
Gladstone's 4 F ish,
17300 P acific C oast H wy. (at Sunset Blv d.;
&
310/454-
3474;
w ww.gladstones.com). Gladst one's is t otally immersed in the M alibu
scene. It shares a park ing lot with a public beach, so the r estaurant's wooden
deck has a constant view of surfers, bikini-clad sunbathers, and other beachgo-
ers. At busy times , Gladstone's even sets up picnic-st yle tables on the sand .
Prices are moderate, and the atmospher e is casual . The menu off ers several
pages of fresh fish and seafood, augmented by a few salads and other meals for
landlubbers—it's mostly fried t ourist food, but the lar ge portions get the job
done. Gladstone's is popular f or afternoon/evening drinking and offers nearly
20 seafood appetizer platters; it's also k nown for its decadent choc olate des-
sert, the Mile High Chocolate Cake, large enough for the whole table. It's open
Sunday through Thursday from 8am to 10pm, Friday and Saturday from 8am to
11pm. Parking is $5.50.
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