We were so enamored by the fabulous views and glistening waves at the Malibu Pier Club, we didn't even notice this food truck in back---which is actually out front, on the PCH---and it's been there for weeks. Now before you get all worked up that taco truck vendors are fighting for survival while the Richie Rich's out in Malibu can do whatever they want, this isn't just any mobile kitchen parked in one spot for more than 60 minutes, it's the kitchen for the small MPC menu. Official word from the owners:
Due to the construction of the Beachcomber, the Malibu Pier Club is currently cooking in a Mobile Catering Vehicle that has been approved for use in Los Angeles county. Once the Beachcomber opens of July 1, the food for both the Malibu Pier Club and Beachcomber will be cooked in the Beachcomber's kitchen.
It's difficult to call this an "inside" since most of the Malibu Pier Club is outside. Just as the name states, this little number is at the foot of the Malibu Pier, just off the street, with perfect views of Surfrider Beach to the right, millionaires' homes to the left, nothing but horizon and waves directly out front. MPC comes to us from the same people who owns Beachcomber Cafe at Crystal Cove in Newport Beach and the Ruby's Diner chain. The place only seats 75 or so, mostly tables on the patio with a few stools in the narrow 40s-inspired bar. Original photos, tile murals, nice wookwork inside. Beachy snacks like caesar salad "fondue," grilled chicken sandwich with prosciutto, truffle chips, martinis, wines, beer on the menu. Soon there will be a "tiki room" for private parties, and in July, the Beachcomber Restaurant next door and Ruby's Shake Shack will open at the end of the pier. Note: parking in the adjacent lot is valet only, and costs $10 up front, but you'll be reimbursed $5 for two hours at any of the pier restaurants. Of course, you can always fight the surfers for a spot on the PCH. Early Plywood sightings here and here.
Just in time for Santa Monica beach weather, the historic Shutters on the Beach will reopen One Pico this week (could be tomorrow, could be end of week says the hotel operator). Since Catch opened in sister property Casa del Mar last year, it was only fitting that One Pico get an update, and behold, the new dining room courtesy designer Michael S. Smith. Although the finished product isn't exactly like the rendering above, the room will have a breezier look, lots of ocean blues (in this case teal tufted leather chairs), dark wood accents; the lovely beachside views remain. Michael Reardon, who's now executive chef of all the ETC Hotel properties (Casa del Mar next door and Canary Hotel in Santa Barbara included), created a seasonal, Italian-inspired menu. Think: grilled octopus with potatoes and capers, homemade pastas, steak Fiorentina, John Dory with langoustines and farmer's market vegetables. The restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner; Coast, on the first floor, serves three square.
· Catch at Casa del Mar Now Open [~ELA~]
Ok, so the weather won't be perfect (cool, rainy), but the new Malibu Pier Club opens tomorrow at 11:30am. By the weekend, though, oh yes, it will be Malibu Pier weather. When we inspected, there was still some work to do, but not much. The restaurant and bar will have cocktails and foodstuffs like ahi tacos, kobe burger, truffle chips, "brick-pressed mojo sandwich," and "caesar salad fondue." Plus the views, the sand, the waves. Come July, the Beachcomber, will open in the former Alice's Restaurant next door, but you can get anything you want until then. (23000 Pacific Coast Hwy, 310.456.9800)
· Plywood Update: Malibu Pier's Pending Restaurants, Bar [~ELA~]
· Malibu Pier Club and Beachcomber: More Details [~ELA~]
We took a spin around the buildings under construction on the Malibu Pier but just now have full details. It's just in time for this fanfreakingtastic weather we're having. Some basic facts released: The Malibu Pier Club bar will open on April 1, have a full-service bar with cocktails like Gidget's Gimlet, and menu items like ahi tacos, kobe burger, truffle chips, "brick-pressed mojo sandwich," and "caesar salad fondue." The Beachcomber, which will take over the adjacent Alice's Restaurant, should open in July with a more extensive menu. The exec chef is Chris Juers was most recently chef de cuisine at the Monarch Bay Club at the St. Regis Monarch Beach resort. GM Scully Cloete was recently general manager of Geoffrey's just down the PCH. Fun fact: the pier will also eventually have a surf museum. Go, Gidge!
· Plywood Update: Malibu Pier's Pending Restaurant, Bar [~ELA~]
Earlier this year we learned that the company behind the Ruby's Diner chain and the Beachcomber Café at Crystal Cove in Newport Beach will be opening new restaurants and a bar on the Malibu Pier, and we just happened by last weekend and took a look around. The Malibu Pier Club Bar will take one building on the beach-side of the pier, and the Beachcomber Restaurant will open in the former Alice's Restaurant alongside it. (Interesting fact: We found an article saying Bradley Ogden was partnered to open something in Alice's Restaurant a few years ago, but it never happened.) A shake shack is supposed to open in one of the buildings at the end of the pier overlooking the water, probably in the fall. It looks like there's still a lot of work to be done, but we didn't see inside the bar building, which will open first. It's close, though, because they're hiring staff as we speak.
· Plywood Report: Beachcomber on Malibu Pier [~ELA~]
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